During open locker room today Johnathan Casillas fielded questions from the local media. Once Casillias was asked about what enticed him to resign with the Bucs he took a few shots at the former HC of the team, Greg Schiano, and then gave a ringing endorsement to the new leader of the Bucs as well as his teammates.
It was a combination of everything. You know, the locker room was something I really stood behind. I felt like the way we came from that 0-8 start, you know we finished 4-8 [in the last 12 games], that was just a true testament to the character in the locker room and you can't replace that. I learned in New Orleans what it took to win big, win a Superbowl, what the locker room took, and I felt like we had the character of similar [level] in this locker room. Once we got Lovie, you know, his track record kind of speaks for itself and I kind of, I kind of begged to come back, to be honest with you.[On if he thinks the Bucs can make a turn around this season] It can happen very quick. It doesn't take two years now. It takes a couple games, and we're looking to be that team this year. We know we have the talent in the locker room, I think [last season] was just a matter of who was running the helm. With that being said, I think we've got the best guy out there. I think he's one of the top guys in the game, in general. Just me being a fan of the sport, what he brought to Chicago, and the defense that they ran, just watching Briggs and those guys on film, I feel like we have similar guys of that caliber and also of what the Bucs used to run. [On having other choices of teams to sign with] For sure, but like I said, I had choices to go to. You know, if I would have hit free agency I think I could have had a lot of choices. My ability to play in different schemes and with what I've done, but the appeal to play here was so high with the talent that we have...you know, everybody wanted to be here. I know guys that were free agents from other teams, they were like 'Man, if I hit free agency and the Bucs call me, I'm coming down there.'
