JJ cites ‘generosity of strangers,’ Belichick jokes with reporters

Football

“The work isn’t done by any means, but it’s pretty incredible what these organizations have been able to do.  This is the generosity of strangers.  This is people from all over the world, people who may not know anybody in Houston.  They just want to help.”

J.J. Watt, NFL Man of the Year, continuing to gather aid for the recovery of Houston from Hurricane Harvey

 

“There was no BS-ing around.  I related to him in that way, crazy as it sounds.  He’s different than the way he is with the media.  He has dry humor.  He would say some stuff that was borderline mean.  He would put up a lowlight clip every once in a while, and it was always your worst throws from practice.  There are so many people on the outside hyping you up and saying good things, that everybody needs to be brought down.”

Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers QB, telling Bleacher Report about playing for Patriots coach Bill Belichick

 

“What do you think we’ve been doing?  We look at all the other 31 teams.  We’re in camp.  We don’t have watermelon rolls and badminton contests.”

Bill Belichick, when asked if he’s looking at other teams for player acquisition

 

“I’ve been one of those guys who was evaluating the other 31 teams for that organization.  Trust me, they’ve got people making tapes of every player who might be cut soon.”

Chris Simms, former assistant to Belichick, speaking on NBCSN’s Pro Football Talk

 

“The way this commissioner has worked, the way this union has worked, the relationship between the two sides is as rock-bottom as I’ve ever seen it in the 34 years I’ve covered the NFL.  Roger Goodell and Dee Smith don’t like each other; they don’t work well together.”

Peter King, NBCSN Pro Football Talk

 

Baseball

“Am I ready?  I’m beyond ready.  And I want to hit bombs, lots and lots of bombs.”

Eloy Jimenez, hitting .340 in Class AAA, with 21 homers, pressing the woeful Chicago White Sox to call him up

 

“My style is to be the calmest heartbeat in the room, the clearest thinker, the one who provides stability on a day to day basis in a marathon race that has peaks and valleys.  You can’t mistake calmness for lack of fire.”

A.J. Hinch, Houston Astros manager, to ESPN’s Tim Keown

 

“A lot of times these guys write things to get a reaction or get hits on line.  I know Bob (Nightengale) really well.  I don’t know why he would write something like that, but it really doesn’t impact me whatsoever.”

Joe Maddon, Chicago Cubs manager, discussing USA Today’s report that he could be fired if his team doesn’t reach the second round of the playoffs

 

Soccer

“I’ve won more Premier Leagues alone than the other 19 managers put together.  Three for me, two for them.  . . .  Respect!  Respect!  Respect!”

Jose Mourinho, manager of Manchester United, emphatically responding to reporters’ suggestions that he’s too defensive-minded