The public relations departments of Fox and NBC were busy today compiling comments from their respective pregame shows. I’m sure CBS has a press release, but because I’m not on their mailing list, I don’t have comments from the NFL Today. I’ll give you what I have.
Fox NFL Sunday
FOX NFL SUNDAY’s newest analyst Michael Strahan gives his pick for the best team right now in the NFL: “I have to be realistic and I have to be objective here. The Dallas Cowboys are the best team in the league.”
Co-Host Terry Bradshaw on the Packers’ decision to trade Favre instead of letting him start this season: “Brett Favre has a right to come back whenever he wants to come back. He’s started in 262 straight games and never missed a game in 16 years. And let’s not forget that after the NFC Championship Game last year GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy both got five year extensions on their contracts – thank you very much Brett Favre. He got screwed and the Green Bay fans got screwed. This guy is a legend and he should be able to come back whenever he wants.”
Analyst Jimmy Johnson on whether Green Bay is better off without Favre on the team: “The Packers had a fading legend at quarterback making $12 million a year. In his two previous seasons, he had 47 intersections, 45 sacks and he fumbled the ball 18 times. So when Brett says, ‘hey guys, I’m retiring,’ the Packers couldn’t wait to shake his hand and say goodbye. Now they are $12 million under the cap….When your skills deteriorate, it’s time to move on.”
Analyst Michael Strahan on Favre’s decision to return to football: “If you are going to come back for your 18th season, come back and have fun. You are in New York now. Go and enjoy yourself.”
In this week’s edition of ‘Grumpy Old Coaches,’ analysts Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer comment on yesterday’s excessive celebration call against University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker, costing the Huskies a potential victory over BYU game:
Switzer: “Emotion like this wasn’t ‘look at me’ emotion. It was just excitement!”
Johnson: “You have good coaches, you have bad coaches. You have good officials, you have bad officials. This official is an idiot for making that call!”
Analyst Michael Strahan on why he stayed retired even when the Giants offered him more money to come back: “The Giants offered me a lot of money to come back and play but playing professional sports is not all about the money. I’ve always played from my heart. You play because you are out there to prove a lot of things to yourself and to your family and I’ve done that. So for me to continue to play and in my opinion, steal their money, it wasn’t worth it. I’ve never stolen anything in my life and refused to go back to New York and not give the fans what I have given them for 15 years.”
Weather reporter Jillian Reynolds congratulates analyst Howie Long and his son, St. Louis Rams DE Chris Long, who is making his NFL debut today.
Reynolds: “I’m nervous. I can only imagine how Diane [Howie’s wife] is feeling.”
Long: “She’s been in two fights in the parking lot already.”
Analysts Howie Long and Michael Strahan comment on coaches being able to communicate defensive plays through a headset on the field.
Strahan: “The players don’t like it because the coaches try to over-coach…and when you’re out there getting banged in the head, the last thing you want to hear is a coach. When they start banging coaches over the head to make sure they make the right calls then they’ll have an understanding.”
Long: “There are enough voices in my head. I don’t need a coordinator yelling too.”
Analyst Howie Long on Chad Ocho Cinco’s name change: “He must be a Barack Obama supporter because he is helping Obama with his plea for a more bilingual America.”
Football Night in America
PETER KING REPORTING ON BRADY'S INJURY: "I've been told that Tom Brady has suffered a serious injury to his left knee that according to this source threatens the rest of his season."
"It has cast a pall over this league."
COLLINSWORTH ON BRADY'S INJURY: "A completely clean play."
KEITH OLBERMANN ON DAN PATRICK: "Nicely done but you're no Craig Kilborn."
CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON "OCHO CINCO": "It's actually not a name change but a prediction on how many yards the Bengals would have today."
JEROME BETTIS ON THE STEELERS DEFENSE: "The linebackers, which are the core of this defense, played outstanding."
TIKI BARBER ON DONOVAN MCNABB: "Rumors of Donovan McNabb's demise were greatly exaggerated. I was one of those as well who said Donovan needs to go somewhere else."
I’ll try to provide you with pregame quotes throughout the NFL season.
