15 Quotes by Joe Linta

I came up to work out Ed with little expectations and came away convinced that he is an N.F.L. prospect at the tight end position. He is very quick, has outstanding hands and great lower body strength.

He feels like he's put in his time and he's very flattered that they brought him in to be considered.

I wish my mortgage company was so flexible.

I'm shocked, I'm praying, and I'm frantically trying to get hold of someone.

We have our ducks in a row. It just depends if a deal takes place Wednesday ... or Sunday ... or Wednesday again. But we have a contingency plan based on all this.

Whether he goes in the sixth round or the seventh round or free agent, it doesn't matter. He's the same guy. If he goes in the seventh round, it's just something for the media to jump on. My point to him was you can't be basketball maybe, football maybe. It's got to be animal or vegetable. Not both. He bought into that.

Special teams will be his meal ticket. He's got good speed and good hands. He's a real good 51, 52 or 53-type guy on the roster who can do a lot of things for you.

Any decision about Matt's contract will have to include something for Matt if there's anything in it for the Vikings. Otherwise, the discussion is moot.

Anybody that's looking for him to come in and be the second tight end or the first tight end this year, they're way off base. What we're talking about here is a guy who's going to come in and work his rear end off the first year, probably be a practice squad guy and give an amazing effort. Then in the second year, as the learning curve hits, will be a contributor.