Jerry and Pat and Gary, those guys retiring, it's sad. I was fortunate enough to learn a whole lot from those guys - and not just about riding, but in the way we handled ourselves. They were ambassadors for the sport.

I've been fortunate enough to be around good lines before. Those guys [on the 49ers' line] were together eight, nine years. Since free agency, this group is the best.

I think that reshaping the [committee] the way I did and getting Pat Bowlen and Jerry Richardson to become directly involved the way that Dan Rooney and Wellington Mara were in past negotiations is a real positive, ... It shows that we are serious and determined to reach out across the table, and hopefully that will be the beginning of a deal.

I think that reshaping the [committee] the way I did and getting Pat Bowlen and Jerry Richardson to become directly involved the way Dan Rooney and Wellington Mara were in past negotiations is a real positive,

I don't come into the clubhouse and pat guys on the (butt). They know where they can find me.

We are very fortunate to have been able to acquire a player of Gary Payton 's stature. He is a proven veteran and will be a big addition to this team.