What they say and what they mean

With the big news in the NFL about the trade of Brandon Marshall and the pending discipline for Ben Roethlisberger, it’s time for another edition of “What They Say and What They Mean.”

Brandon Marshall, on the trade sending him from Denver to Miami:

“I don’t think you guys will understand. It’s an amazing feeling.”

You guys will never know what it’s like to be making $2.5 million one day in Denver to making almost $50 million in South Beach. Amazing.

Marshall, on his reputation:

“This may shock you guys, but I'm no prima donna.”

This may not shock you guys, but I’m a prima donna.

Marshall, on being a Dolphin:

“I think this is the best fit for me personally and professionally.”

“They just gave me $24M guaranteed. This place is awesome!”

Marshall, on Dolphins coach Tony Sparano:

“That’s the kind of coach we want to play for. You’ll be willing to run through the wall for those types of coaches.”

I wouldn’t run through paper maché for Josh McDaniels.

Broncos team captain Daniel Graham, in the press release about Marshall’s departure:

“I wish Brandon Marshall the best of luck wherever he goes. We have to come together as a team. It's going to be a great team effort.”

They wanted me to make a statement instead of coach because he might say the wrong thing. That’s what they wrote for me to say.

Steelers owner and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney, on whether he and his team stand behind Ben Roethlisberger:

“I'm not making any comment on that.”

Ben’s not the guy I thought he was. If we hadn’t paid him more than $35M, we might do what we did with Santonio Holmes.

Holmes, on being traded from the Steelers to the Jets:

“I've been given a second opportunity. I've understood where my position lies.”

Hey, I was Super Bowl MVP and the Steelers shipped me out for a lousy fifth-round pick!

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, on the offseason acquisitions of the team:

“It's like Christmas with all these guys.”

We better be in the playoffs by Christmas or it might be my fault.

Dolphins executive Bill Parcells, on whether he’s angry about comments made by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a hidden camera video:

“I think he was just pulling some guy’s leg. I’m not upset with it at all. He didn’t mean it.”

He can say some crazy things after a few drinks.

Ravens receiver Derrick Mason, on what he encountered in free agency before returning to the Ravens:

“The first day of free agency goes by and you’re like, ‘Wow, what’s going on?’ Then the second and third and fourth day…”

Not much of a market for a 36-year-old receiver. Ask T.O.

Kevin Mawae, on whether the fact he’s still unsigned is because he’s president of the NFL Players Association:

“You can't prove it even if it is the case, so it's not worth the time and energy to worry about it.”

I would sure like to prove it. I’m spending a lot of time and energy worrying about it.

Mawae, on his age:

“The hard part is saying that, ‘Well, he's 39 years old.’ Nobody is talking about Brett Favre being 41, and Brad Childress said he can come back any time he wants to.”

Brett!

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