|Zach|
04-23-2005, 02:39 PM
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/04/23/cb_patrick_surtain_press_conference/
CARL PETERSON: “It’s a real pleasure to introduce our second-round draft choice for this 2005 college draft. Of course I’m speaking of Patrick Surtain and his lovely wife, Michelle. We’ve made the trade and it is done and official now with the Miami Dolphins for his services. Unquestionably, this is a guy we earmarked at the beginning of free agency although he was still certainly with the Dolphins at that time. If it were possible to put it together with a trade and a contract, we would love to have Patrick here. He brings to us the experienced CB that we are looking for and I think with the other people on our defense and the people we have acquired, we can infuse a new attitude and a positive direction for us. I’m very, very pleased personally to get this done. It certainly affects us in the decisions we make today and the decisions we are going to make tomorrow.”
DICK VERMEIL: “I think Patrick’s performance speaks for itself in regard to the caliber of player he has been. We’d like to believe that he can make that same kind of contribution here in Kansas City and maybe produce more wins because of the success and the caliber of offense that we have had that might put him on the winning side more than he’s been able to enjoy the last couple of years. I think he deserves to play this part of his career on a winning football team, reinforced by a very good offense. I told him that we feel very comfortable with our defensive line, and think they’re very good and that will also help him play better as a corner. I think he’s going to fit in with our squad real well, not only in a leadership role, but also in a chemistry role. I think they’re going to enjoy him; I think he’s going to enjoy them and I think it’s a win-win: a win-win for us and a win-win for Patrick and Michelle and their two children. Kansas City will be a very good spot for them.”
PATRICK SURTAIN: “First of all, I just want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs organization for allowing this to happen – Mr. Lamar Hunt, Coach Vermeil, Mr. Peterson, Denny (Thum) and everyone else that was involved in this trade. I’m just looking forward to coming upsurtpc here and rejuvenating the defense. I’m not going to say that I’m going to do it myself, but with the additions of Sammy Knight, Kendrell Bell, Carlos Hall and the players that we had before, I think we can get this thing turned around and get to the ultimate goal of the Super Bowl. It took a while, but I’m finally here. I’m looking forward to getting to know the guys. I met Eddie Kennison last night and his lovely wife. You can see (right away) that it is a family atmosphere out here. Coach Vermeil is very dedicated; so is Mr. Peterson. I’m just looking forward to playing football which is what I know how to do best.”
Q: Carl, what made you decide to give up the second-round pick?
PETERSON: “Well, because they were asking for more than a second-round pick. Realistically, the first part was getting the contract done and focusing on appropriate compensation for the Dolphins. Without any question, after the last three weeks, we couldn’t find anyone we had in the second round that could come close to the talents of this guy, as well as the experience that he has already attained in the National Football League. Ultimately, I just said [to the Dolphins administration], ‘give me something back,’ and [they] did. We flipped fifth-round picks, which is fine for us in the second day. It gets us to the top of that round. But (Surtain) is certainly worth that; his credentials speak for themselves. We’ve got a guy that can step right in and play, and that’s what we’re excited about.”
VERMEIL: “And fit. I talked to two players that I coached for three years with the Rams that played with Patrick at Miami: (DT) Jeff Zgonina and (DE) Jay Williams. They both swear by the guy. They know what a program run by me [is like] and they know how we work, how we do things and how we like to put chemistry together. They were very, very positive about Patrick and Michelle and said they would fit in our family and add to it and help us be a better football team at the same time. It’s a perfect fit.
Q: How did you deal with the five-yard down by contact rule and how did it affect your game?
SURTAIN: “Actually, it didn’t affect me much. In our defense last year, we were right up in the guys’ face. The rule is for guys who play off and try to re-route the guy after five yards. In our solid defense in Miami, we were in press coverage. It affected more guys when they were down the field playing the ball. I feel that I can play the ball real well. Hopefully it doesn’t affect me this year.”
Q: Did you get a chance to talk to Gunther (Cunningham) and talk about the style you like to play?
SURTAIN: “Not really. I haven’t talked to Gunther. I have talked to Peter Giunta and Vernon Dean, the defensive backs coaches, and like you said, it pretty much fits my style. I’m looking forward to getting after it and just bringing a new leadership to this defense in the secondary and taking the young guys along with me and showing them what it takes to be successful in this league.”
Q: What was your first night in Kansas City like?
SURTAIN: “Great food! Nice hotel room and it seems like nice people are here. It seems like a nice town to be in. It was a little windy last night.”
Q: Are you okay with the pressure and are you ready to take on the challenge [of a struggling defense] because everyone is going to be looking at you and on down, and how you fit into this defense?
SURTAIN: “I wouldn’t consider it pressure. I will just go out there and do what I have been doing since I was eight years old – playing football. I know this team expects me to make plays and that I will do. Also, you are bringing in high quality guys like Sammy Knight and Kendrell Bell – those guys play football. With the guys we had last year, I feel we have a pretty good nucleus – a lot of veteran players mixed with a lot of young players. I think with the addition of myself and the guys I just named, we have a pretty formidable defense come next year.”
Q: How are you going to react to this big contract?
SURTAIN: “This is actually my second one. After I signed the first big one, I went to two straight Pro Bowls. If that’s an omen, that’s a good omen. Once you’ve been playing in this league - I’ve been playing for seven years - you know the money is going to be there. It just comes down to winning. If you are a competitor in this league and you want to make a million for yourself, you have to win. The money thing will take care of itself. I just want to get out there and play football and show these guys that I am a leader and a playmaker and I can bring some things to this organization and this team.”
Q: Are you pretty happy with what happened in free agency?
VERMEIL: “I think Carl, Denny and Bill Kuharich have done a tremendous job. It doesn’t often happen that you earmark certain things to happen and it happens. The No. 1 corner, the No. 1 linebacker, the situation with the safety – it all happened. Many times (the media) are critical of ‘you didn’t get this guy or you weren’t active in this market,’ we were active but we couldn’t get it done because they had other interests or it couldn’t fit in our salary cap. But this year, thanks to Lamar Hunt and Carl, they put a package together that allowed us to go ahead and bring in three, plus Carlos Hall, three quality football players, in a trade that will make a contribution. I think it will also positively influence the way other people will go because competition brings out the best in people. Some real healthy anxiety created by better talent coming on your roster puts more pressure on you to excel and meet those standards. The people we have brought in have reputations of being these kinds of football players. So, they bring a lot more than just their physical presence to the field.”
Q: You used the word “fit,” that he’s a good fit. Did you know that from the early conversations?
VERMEIL: “We’ve researched it. I’ve talked to the people that coached him: (Miami head coach) Dave Wannstedt, (defensive) coach Bates, and then those players who know me and know the profile that we like to bring to every team we represent. He fits and (wife) Michelle fits. They bring a whole family package: a little Patrick, a little Paris – a boy and a girl. They bring a whole package to our organization and just sitting there last night with Eddie Kennison and (his wife) Shamika and the Surtains you can just see it’s a fit. They’re going to add to the whole chemistry, the complete chemistry package of our football team.
“I told Eddie (Kennison) in the weight room yesterday morning and I said, ‘Eddie, we’ve got somebody coming here that’s going to cover you in practice.’ The other thing it does is: we brought Dexter McCleon here to be a nickel corner. He started for us and last year he started off and on after going through the shoulder (injury). This year we can move him right in where we want him to play. So, it solidifies other things within the defense.”
Q: Patrick, to bring an All-Pro corner into Kansas City heightens some of the pressure after the moves made in the division? How much film do you imagine watching of Randy Moss over the next couple of months?
SURTAIN: “I always take with me something my old coach said: the five Ps. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. The war is not won on Sundays, it’s won right now in the off-season and during the week. I know Randy Moss is a great receiver and along with Joey Porter form one of the better duos in the league. But if you’re a competitor in this league and consider yourself one of the best guys at your craft you want to go against the best. Of course, Randy Moss is one of the best and you look forward to the challenge.”
Q: Patrick, what’s impressed you the most in the visit here to Kansas City?
SURTAIN: “The people. You can see that they are generally good people and we really didn’t have that in Miami, the family atmosphere, I mean, the family atmosphere coach Vermeil talks about. He just doesn’t just preach it; he shows it to you. From the first day I met the guy and met Mr. Peterson you can see that this is a place where you would like to come. It finally worked out and I’m just glad to be here. It’s a new chapter in my life and I’m looking forward to starting it.”
Q: What do you remember about the fans here?
SURTAIN: “You can see it’s a college atmosphere. You can’t get into the stadium unless you have red on. They love their Chiefs and I’m looking forward to playing in front of people who give you a home field advantage. It’s not like Miami where you play the Jets and half the fans are Jets fans. I’m looking forward to getting around town and meeting some of the fans and becoming a well-known name in this community.”
Q: After the last couple of years in Miami and getting your second big contract, how important is winning now?
SURTAIN: “Winning is the most important thing in this game. Coming off a 4-12 season last year made me step back and say, ‘What I am in this for?’ With the Chiefs coming off a 7-9 season, I’m just looking forward to coming in here and turning things around. Now, I can’t do it by myself. But they invested a lot in me and I want to make sure it’s a great investment.
“These guys are so close. This offense is the best offense in the league and they just need a little help on defense and I hope I can come in and provide that.”
Q: With the Dolphins on the schedule this year are you looking forward to that game?
SURTAIN: “Of course. But like Mr. Peterson said, you don’t want to burn bridges in this league. I have nothing but great things to say about that organization. They gave me a start. They allowed me to play seven years in Miami, so it’s going to be fun just going back and, most importantly, competing.”
Q: You were number six in pass defense last year in Miami, what made it so good? Was it the total package with rush, or what?
SURTAIN: “A pass defense is only as good as its pass rush. We had some pretty good pass rushers and pass defense is just not the people in the secondary covering. We were fortunate to have some good players on that side of the ball. Me, Sam Madison and Sammy Knight had been playing for a couple of years and that really helped us out. Hopefully, we can get that same chemistry here and be on the same page which would allow us to do more things.”
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/E958F7382337487299E5928843AAB482.JPG?0.9293789298151124
CARL PETERSON: “It’s a real pleasure to introduce our second-round draft choice for this 2005 college draft. Of course I’m speaking of Patrick Surtain and his lovely wife, Michelle. We’ve made the trade and it is done and official now with the Miami Dolphins for his services. Unquestionably, this is a guy we earmarked at the beginning of free agency although he was still certainly with the Dolphins at that time. If it were possible to put it together with a trade and a contract, we would love to have Patrick here. He brings to us the experienced CB that we are looking for and I think with the other people on our defense and the people we have acquired, we can infuse a new attitude and a positive direction for us. I’m very, very pleased personally to get this done. It certainly affects us in the decisions we make today and the decisions we are going to make tomorrow.”
DICK VERMEIL: “I think Patrick’s performance speaks for itself in regard to the caliber of player he has been. We’d like to believe that he can make that same kind of contribution here in Kansas City and maybe produce more wins because of the success and the caliber of offense that we have had that might put him on the winning side more than he’s been able to enjoy the last couple of years. I think he deserves to play this part of his career on a winning football team, reinforced by a very good offense. I told him that we feel very comfortable with our defensive line, and think they’re very good and that will also help him play better as a corner. I think he’s going to fit in with our squad real well, not only in a leadership role, but also in a chemistry role. I think they’re going to enjoy him; I think he’s going to enjoy them and I think it’s a win-win: a win-win for us and a win-win for Patrick and Michelle and their two children. Kansas City will be a very good spot for them.”
PATRICK SURTAIN: “First of all, I just want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs organization for allowing this to happen – Mr. Lamar Hunt, Coach Vermeil, Mr. Peterson, Denny (Thum) and everyone else that was involved in this trade. I’m just looking forward to coming upsurtpc here and rejuvenating the defense. I’m not going to say that I’m going to do it myself, but with the additions of Sammy Knight, Kendrell Bell, Carlos Hall and the players that we had before, I think we can get this thing turned around and get to the ultimate goal of the Super Bowl. It took a while, but I’m finally here. I’m looking forward to getting to know the guys. I met Eddie Kennison last night and his lovely wife. You can see (right away) that it is a family atmosphere out here. Coach Vermeil is very dedicated; so is Mr. Peterson. I’m just looking forward to playing football which is what I know how to do best.”
Q: Carl, what made you decide to give up the second-round pick?
PETERSON: “Well, because they were asking for more than a second-round pick. Realistically, the first part was getting the contract done and focusing on appropriate compensation for the Dolphins. Without any question, after the last three weeks, we couldn’t find anyone we had in the second round that could come close to the talents of this guy, as well as the experience that he has already attained in the National Football League. Ultimately, I just said [to the Dolphins administration], ‘give me something back,’ and [they] did. We flipped fifth-round picks, which is fine for us in the second day. It gets us to the top of that round. But (Surtain) is certainly worth that; his credentials speak for themselves. We’ve got a guy that can step right in and play, and that’s what we’re excited about.”
VERMEIL: “And fit. I talked to two players that I coached for three years with the Rams that played with Patrick at Miami: (DT) Jeff Zgonina and (DE) Jay Williams. They both swear by the guy. They know what a program run by me [is like] and they know how we work, how we do things and how we like to put chemistry together. They were very, very positive about Patrick and Michelle and said they would fit in our family and add to it and help us be a better football team at the same time. It’s a perfect fit.
Q: How did you deal with the five-yard down by contact rule and how did it affect your game?
SURTAIN: “Actually, it didn’t affect me much. In our defense last year, we were right up in the guys’ face. The rule is for guys who play off and try to re-route the guy after five yards. In our solid defense in Miami, we were in press coverage. It affected more guys when they were down the field playing the ball. I feel that I can play the ball real well. Hopefully it doesn’t affect me this year.”
Q: Did you get a chance to talk to Gunther (Cunningham) and talk about the style you like to play?
SURTAIN: “Not really. I haven’t talked to Gunther. I have talked to Peter Giunta and Vernon Dean, the defensive backs coaches, and like you said, it pretty much fits my style. I’m looking forward to getting after it and just bringing a new leadership to this defense in the secondary and taking the young guys along with me and showing them what it takes to be successful in this league.”
Q: What was your first night in Kansas City like?
SURTAIN: “Great food! Nice hotel room and it seems like nice people are here. It seems like a nice town to be in. It was a little windy last night.”
Q: Are you okay with the pressure and are you ready to take on the challenge [of a struggling defense] because everyone is going to be looking at you and on down, and how you fit into this defense?
SURTAIN: “I wouldn’t consider it pressure. I will just go out there and do what I have been doing since I was eight years old – playing football. I know this team expects me to make plays and that I will do. Also, you are bringing in high quality guys like Sammy Knight and Kendrell Bell – those guys play football. With the guys we had last year, I feel we have a pretty good nucleus – a lot of veteran players mixed with a lot of young players. I think with the addition of myself and the guys I just named, we have a pretty formidable defense come next year.”
Q: How are you going to react to this big contract?
SURTAIN: “This is actually my second one. After I signed the first big one, I went to two straight Pro Bowls. If that’s an omen, that’s a good omen. Once you’ve been playing in this league - I’ve been playing for seven years - you know the money is going to be there. It just comes down to winning. If you are a competitor in this league and you want to make a million for yourself, you have to win. The money thing will take care of itself. I just want to get out there and play football and show these guys that I am a leader and a playmaker and I can bring some things to this organization and this team.”
Q: Are you pretty happy with what happened in free agency?
VERMEIL: “I think Carl, Denny and Bill Kuharich have done a tremendous job. It doesn’t often happen that you earmark certain things to happen and it happens. The No. 1 corner, the No. 1 linebacker, the situation with the safety – it all happened. Many times (the media) are critical of ‘you didn’t get this guy or you weren’t active in this market,’ we were active but we couldn’t get it done because they had other interests or it couldn’t fit in our salary cap. But this year, thanks to Lamar Hunt and Carl, they put a package together that allowed us to go ahead and bring in three, plus Carlos Hall, three quality football players, in a trade that will make a contribution. I think it will also positively influence the way other people will go because competition brings out the best in people. Some real healthy anxiety created by better talent coming on your roster puts more pressure on you to excel and meet those standards. The people we have brought in have reputations of being these kinds of football players. So, they bring a lot more than just their physical presence to the field.”
Q: You used the word “fit,” that he’s a good fit. Did you know that from the early conversations?
VERMEIL: “We’ve researched it. I’ve talked to the people that coached him: (Miami head coach) Dave Wannstedt, (defensive) coach Bates, and then those players who know me and know the profile that we like to bring to every team we represent. He fits and (wife) Michelle fits. They bring a whole family package: a little Patrick, a little Paris – a boy and a girl. They bring a whole package to our organization and just sitting there last night with Eddie Kennison and (his wife) Shamika and the Surtains you can just see it’s a fit. They’re going to add to the whole chemistry, the complete chemistry package of our football team.
“I told Eddie (Kennison) in the weight room yesterday morning and I said, ‘Eddie, we’ve got somebody coming here that’s going to cover you in practice.’ The other thing it does is: we brought Dexter McCleon here to be a nickel corner. He started for us and last year he started off and on after going through the shoulder (injury). This year we can move him right in where we want him to play. So, it solidifies other things within the defense.”
Q: Patrick, to bring an All-Pro corner into Kansas City heightens some of the pressure after the moves made in the division? How much film do you imagine watching of Randy Moss over the next couple of months?
SURTAIN: “I always take with me something my old coach said: the five Ps. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. The war is not won on Sundays, it’s won right now in the off-season and during the week. I know Randy Moss is a great receiver and along with Joey Porter form one of the better duos in the league. But if you’re a competitor in this league and consider yourself one of the best guys at your craft you want to go against the best. Of course, Randy Moss is one of the best and you look forward to the challenge.”
Q: Patrick, what’s impressed you the most in the visit here to Kansas City?
SURTAIN: “The people. You can see that they are generally good people and we really didn’t have that in Miami, the family atmosphere, I mean, the family atmosphere coach Vermeil talks about. He just doesn’t just preach it; he shows it to you. From the first day I met the guy and met Mr. Peterson you can see that this is a place where you would like to come. It finally worked out and I’m just glad to be here. It’s a new chapter in my life and I’m looking forward to starting it.”
Q: What do you remember about the fans here?
SURTAIN: “You can see it’s a college atmosphere. You can’t get into the stadium unless you have red on. They love their Chiefs and I’m looking forward to playing in front of people who give you a home field advantage. It’s not like Miami where you play the Jets and half the fans are Jets fans. I’m looking forward to getting around town and meeting some of the fans and becoming a well-known name in this community.”
Q: After the last couple of years in Miami and getting your second big contract, how important is winning now?
SURTAIN: “Winning is the most important thing in this game. Coming off a 4-12 season last year made me step back and say, ‘What I am in this for?’ With the Chiefs coming off a 7-9 season, I’m just looking forward to coming in here and turning things around. Now, I can’t do it by myself. But they invested a lot in me and I want to make sure it’s a great investment.
“These guys are so close. This offense is the best offense in the league and they just need a little help on defense and I hope I can come in and provide that.”
Q: With the Dolphins on the schedule this year are you looking forward to that game?
SURTAIN: “Of course. But like Mr. Peterson said, you don’t want to burn bridges in this league. I have nothing but great things to say about that organization. They gave me a start. They allowed me to play seven years in Miami, so it’s going to be fun just going back and, most importantly, competing.”
Q: You were number six in pass defense last year in Miami, what made it so good? Was it the total package with rush, or what?
SURTAIN: “A pass defense is only as good as its pass rush. We had some pretty good pass rushers and pass defense is just not the people in the secondary covering. We were fortunate to have some good players on that side of the ball. Me, Sam Madison and Sammy Knight had been playing for a couple of years and that really helped us out. Hopefully, we can get that same chemistry here and be on the same page which would allow us to do more things.”
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media/images/E958F7382337487299E5928843AAB482.JPG?0.9293789298151124