Let’s see what the Fox NFL Sunday crew said about this week’s action.
FOX NFL SUNDAY NOTES – 12/16/12
Johnson: Sean Payton’s Value is Skyrocketing
Bradshaw: Niners Need to Refocus
Strahan, Johnson, Bradshaw & Long Debate: Eli or Peyton?—————————————————————————————————
Analyst Howie Long on where NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands in light of former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue revoking suspensions of the New Orleans Saints players for their alleged role in ‘bountygate’: “I was with Roger up in Oakland and you would think that given Tagliabue’s decision and the overturning of the Ed Reed suspension, he might be on his heels. He’s dug in folks. As a matter of fact, he’s been given the responsibility of taking care of the game both on and off the field. Fines aren’t getting it done according to Roger Goodell. It’s now going to move to suspensions and if you think its controversial now wait until people start losing 200, 300, or 400 thousand dollars a week in a check and losing a game.”
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Analyst Jimmy Johnson believes New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton’s value is soaring: “Due to the New Orleans Saints struggling, Sean Payton’s value is skyrocketing. He will become either the highest paid coach in the league for the Saints or if he opens the door, he can have his choice of a couple other high profile jobs around the league.”
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Due to the fallout from ‘Bountygate,’ analyst Jimmy Johnson says former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is perceived negatively around the league: “Right or wrong, he’s perceived as a coach that threw his fellow coaches under the bus and his players under the bus. His career is probably at the very bottom unless his buddy Jeff Fisher hires him in St. Louis.”
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FOX NFL SUNDAY insider Jay Glazer reports that New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton will keep his options open: “They started negotiating with the Saints a couple of weeks ago and they’re really not close on that. People thought this was between the Saints and Dallas. If this thing doesn’t get done, like Jimmy [Johnson] was saying earlier, he is going to open it up everywhere and not limit his options.”
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Co-host Terry Bradshaw thinks the 49er offense does more to design plays for Kaepernick than they should: “This offense has struggled a little bit since quarterback Colin Kaepernick took over. Running back Frank Gore has been all banged up. Gore went from averaging five and a half yards per carry down to four yards per carry. They’re doing more to design plays for Kaepernick than whats in the best interest for this 49er offense.”
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Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson, Michael Strahan & Howie Long debate which Manning brother they’d pick in a must-win game scenario.
Bradshaw: “My first argument is the simplest one. Eli has two world titles and Peyton has one. Peyton has also lost one and in the one that he lost, he threw an interception to Tracey Porter that he took back 74-yards for a touchdown. Also, if I just look at playoffs, Peyton has been in 19 and has only won eleven. Eli is eight of eleven in the playoffs. In those eight, he has 15 touchdown passes and two interceptions. He commands everything in the fourth quarter.” Johnson: “Numbers don’t lie. Peyton has a brand new supporting cast of players and he’s got more touchdowns, less interceptions, higher percentage of completion, and more wins. Give Peyton time, he’ll get those rings.”
Strahan: “Peyton has more wins but when it doesn’t matter. Eli is 8-3 in the playoffs. Eli is younger. I say he’s a little more handsome. Are you kidding me? Eli has the track record to prove that he comes through in big games and in big moments.”
Long: “We’re talking about two brothers. Two Super Bowl MVP’s. Three super bowl titles. Four league MVP’s. Just to put this in perspective, you’re good picking either but personally for whatever reason, I think it’s a magical year for Peyton Manning.”—————————————————————————————————
Despite an 11-2 record, co-host Terry Bradshaw believes today’s Falcons-Giants game is a must-win for Atlanta: “They need this win. This is their signature win.”
More quotage when it arrives in the Fang’s Bites inbox.
