Quote of the Week I

Michael Vick has apologized for his involvement in dogfighting, but his NFL future is still uncertain. AP

MAILBAG Peter King will answer your questions each week in Monday Morning Quarterback: Tuesday Edition. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

"I offer my deepest apologies to everyone out there in the world. I will redeem myself. I have to.''

-- Michael Vick

Quote of the Week II

"He became guilty of ghetto loyalty.''

-- Former Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, on Vick, in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Quote of the Week III

"He's the best addition we've made to our defense since I've been here. He's kind of a throwback all-football guy, with unbelievable work ethic and practice habits. He's got an inner cockiness that I love. Early on, we were moving a few things around on defense, and he told [defensive coordinator] Jim Haslett: 'Hey, I'm the nose.' It'll surprise me if he's not a great player in this league.''

-- St. Louis coach Scott Linehan, on rookie defensive tackle Adam Carriker.

Quote of the Week IV

"I'm so excited about this season. This is the year I get over the hump. When people talk about me, I want them to talk about me like I'm one of the best quarterbacks in the game.''

-- Byron Leftwich to me on Aug. 17

Quote of the Week V

"David [Garrard] gives us the best chance to win. We're naming David as our starting quarterback. Byron has been a very important part of this team, and this is a significant move to make. But it's a move we feel gives us the best chance of winning.''

-- Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio, after demoting Leftwich last Friday, a day before he was released. Del Rio had said last winter he would not have a quarterback competition this year and Leftwich would be his starting quarterback.

Quote of the Week VI

"Euphoric.''

-- A Leftwich confidant, asked to describe the QB's feelings about being released.

Wait a minute. Something sounds fishy here. I know Leftwich and Del Rio were oil and water, so much so that they didn't even shake hands following the 90-second meeting Friday during which Del Rio told Leftwich he was history. But this is $5.1 million you're not going to get back, Byron. And who's going to make him rich this year, a week before opening day?'

Quote of the Week VII

"I figured it would possibly be us and New England or us and the Saints, because they want to put two entertaining teams on TV. I've played in this opener before a few years ago, when it was up in New England and a rematch of the AFC Conference Championship. Once the schedule comes out, you look at it and you realize how tough a schedule we have playing the Saints. You're always going to have to play the AFC division winners, like San Diego, Baltimore and New England. It's a tough schedule, and it doesn't get any tougher starting against the Saints.''

-- Peyton Manning, on Sunday, talking about the season opener Thursday night in Indy.

Quote of the Week VIII

"It's always been, 'Peyton's one of the best quarterbacks of this generation, but ...' Now, no one can say 'but' anymore.''

-- Peyton buddy Kenny Chesney, the country singer.

By the way, who does Chesney root for Thursday? He loves Manning. He loves Sean Payton. He caught a pass from Drew Brees in training camp this summer. Better get one of those split jerseys, fella.

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