We have some NFL pregame quotage on this Wild Card Saturday. As usual, we’ll start it with NFL Network’s pair of pregame shows, First on the Field and NFL GameDay Morning.
Let’s see what was said on both shows today.
News and Sound Bites From Saturday’s Wild Card Weekend’s Editions of FIRST ON THE FIELD & NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“Andy Dalton has to be a great player today. He has to take that giant step forward. If not, they have to rethink the situation. I don’t think he has it in him.” – Michael Lombardi
“If I am in the backfield, I don’t trust Matt Schaub. I don’t feel comfortable with this situation: veteran quarterback in his first playoff game.” – Marshall FaulkMinnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s sit-down interview with Marshall Faulk
On his feeling immediately after he heard he fell nine yards short of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record:
–“It was a terrible feeling. I kind of figured I didn’t break the record. I thought maybe I was 30, 40 yards away from it. But when I heard nine [yards], my heart sunk into my stomach.”On now being a member of the 2,000 yard rushing club:
–“It feels pretty good. I want to set the bar higher than 2,000 yards. I want to make it the 2,500 yard club.”On if he could rush for 2,500 yards:
– “It is definitely attainable. I can get it.”On what he would say to Eric Dickerson right now:
– “Enjoy this last year, because the record is going down, with ease.”On the possibility of winning the MVP:
–“It would mean a lot to win the MVP. I want to win it. I feel like I have worked hard enough. Inside, I am my own MVP.”On feeling pressure to have a big game vs. Green Bay Packers:
– “I realize I am a big part of it. I am not going to sit here and act like I [am not]. But I have learned when you go in thinking about 150 yards, you can get out of whack. So I am going to go out and play my game. It is pressure, but not pressure I am nervous about.”On the Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl chances:
–“I feel like we are playing our best football right now. Offense is clicking, defense is playing outstanding, we are playing with a lot of passion. Yes we can go all the way.”On Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder:
– “I don’t let what other people – the media – I don’t let that bother me. Not everyone is like that. So I try to get that through Christian Ponder’s head. ‘It doesn’t matter what they have to say. You spend too much time worrying about how people are bashing you. You have to reboot your mind, think positive. What are things you can do to improve?’ Obviously he probably has been listening to some of it because he has been playing a lot better.”The complete interview with Peterson can be heard here:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/green-bay-packers/0ap2000000122096/Saturday-Sitdown-Adrian-Peterson
Quotes from First on the Field
On Saturday, NFL Network was First on the Field with Melissa Stark, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe, Brian Billick and Michael Lombardi providing the first game-day analysis of Wild Card Weekend.
–“Andy Dalton has to be a great player today. He has to take that giant step forward. Today is the day. If not, they have to rethink the situation. They have a good player at quarterback, not a great player. I don’t think he has it in him.” – Michael Lombardi on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton
–“Christian Ponder is a coin flip right now. Some weeks he is turning the corner, then all of a sudden he regresses. He is one of those guys we aren’t really sure what we are going to get. We are going to find out a lot about him at Lambeau Field.” – Sterling Sharpe on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder
–“The Green Bay Packers wide receivers are experienced. The Minnesota Vikings secondary is going to be like a deer in the headlights at Lambeau Field. I don’t expect them to perform well.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on the Minnesota Vikings
–“Adrian Peterson has a great chance of running for 200 yards again.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson
–“Ray Lewis was my favorite player to play against of all-time. You had to match his intensity and passion. He not only motivated his team, he motivated his opponents.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis
–“If you say the Baltimore Ravens, the only name that comes to mind is Ray Lewis. He was there from the beginning; he is the heart and soul of the team. Ray Lewis is the iconic figure of the Baltimore Ravens.” – Brian Billick on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Billlick was Lewis’ head coach from 1999-2007
– “Red Bryant will knock people back. No one in America knows who he is, but he will knock everyone back and dominate the game. That is why Seattle is so good; their eight man front.” – Michael Lombardi on Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning
NFL GameDay Morning is the most comprehensive pregame show. Host Rich Eisen joined analysts Steve Mariucci, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin and brought fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis right up until kickoff on Wild Card Weekend.
–“If I am in the backfield, I don’t trust Matt Schaub. I don’t feel comfortable with this situation: veteran quarterback in his first playoff game. He will shrink in this game if the Cincinnati Bengals force him to.” – Marshall Faulk on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub
– “It is the best single year an interior player has ever had.” – Mike Mayock on Houston Texans J.J. Watt
–“The Green Bay Packers are playing better than when they last won the Super Bowl [in 2010]. This is a much healthier team, a dangerous team.” – Steve Mariucci on the Green Bay Packers who won nine of their last 11 games
–“Aaron Rodgers is the best in the league at getting out of the pocket, extending the play, [and] improvising.” – Steve Mariucci on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
–“You won’t take Andre Johnson completely out of the game, but the problem will be if they can find other receivers. This is where the Texans have struggled.” – Michael Irvin on where the Houston Texans offense and their passing game
–“I thought the Houston Texans were the most balanced team in the NFL. I have changed my mind, but they are still ranked seventh in offense and defense. That means you are a pretty good team.” – Steve Mariucci on the Houston Texans
– “In the playoffs, you need a second pass rusher. Michael Johnson is the third leading sacker in the history of the Cincinnati Bengals. He is more than capable of getting the job done.” – Warren Sapp on Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson
–“My first interception was to Ray Lewis. He is the model of how you show up to work, regardless of circumstances.” – Kurt Warner on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis
–“Veteran players are embracing rookies now. Also, teams, offensive coordinators, and head coaches, are adjusting their games. That’s not how it was before.” – Marshall Faulk on the mindset change and evolvement in the National Football League
Front Office View with Michael Lombardi
On NFL head coach vacancies:
“Let’s start in Cleveland, we know Chip Kelly has interviewed there and Doug Marrone has interviewed there. Buffalo has interviewed Doug Marrone. Marrone is a hot commodity. Today he will meet with San Diego and Philadelphia. Bruce Arians is still in play in San Diego. Philadelphia has asked permission to talk to Gus Bradley.The Chip Kelly decision comes through in the next 48 hours, which then leads to the Doug Marrone decision, which then leads to some other jobs closing down.”NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport in studio:
On Oregon head coach Chip Kelly:
“He plans to meet with the Philadelphia Eagles for lunch; that was always the plan. But the key thing here: he does have dinner plans with the Cleveland Browns. I was told yesterday afternoon he was close to a deal with the Browns, they met for 7-8 hours. I checked in this morning, they are still close. The Eagles have made contingency plans, putting in a request to interview [Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator] Jay Gruden.”Update: 3:20 PM ET
“Chip Kelly is meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles over lunch. This is their chance to woo Chip Kelly from the Cleveland Browns. I am still told by sources close to Chip Kelly that Cleveland is his choice; they are by far the favorite to land the services of the Oregon coach. There is a dinner planned with the Browns and Chip Kelly tonight. I am told lawyers will be in the room, ready to hammer out that contract.”On Indianapolis Colts Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians:
“He has had two interview requests: one with the Chicago Bears and another with the Philadelphia Eagles. The team I keep hearing for Arians is the San Diego Chargers. They have not officially put in a request as of yet, [but] I expect them to do so. Every team he has coached on, they have gone to the playoffs within two years. He has experience turning it around.”On NFL.com the following video clips from First on the Field & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
Former coaches relive Ray Lewis’ career –Head coaches and former Ravens’ coaches including Rex Ryan, Mike Smith, and Mike Singletary sat down with the late Steve Sabol in 2010 to discuss Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122302/Former-coaches-relive-Ray-Lewis-careerNFL Films Shots of the Year – 2012 was filled with emotional, impactful, and memorable moments. Check out the defining shots of an incredible year in the National Football League:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122301/NFL-Films-Shots-of-the-YearCoaching Carousel – Ian Rapoport and Michael Lombardi join NFL GameDay Morning to discuss the latest on the coaching carousel, including breaking news that head coach Ron Rivera will stay with the Carolina Panthers:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122307/Coaching-Carousel-Rivera-staying-in-CarolinaSterling Sharpe: ‘Ponder is a coin-flip’ – The First on the Field analysts break down the third matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. What does Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder need to do to come away with a victory:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122305/Sharpe-Ponder-is-a-coin-flipWhich Wild Card team can win it all? – The NFL GameDay Morning analysts debate which team playing on Wild Card Weekend has the ability to raise the Lombardi Trophy in February. Can the Green Bay Packer repeat their performance from 2010?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122308/Which-Wild-Card-team-can-win-it-allMarshall Plan: How to stop Adrian Peterson – Marshall Faulk examines how the Green Bay Packers can slow down Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122309/Marshall-Plan-How-to-stop-Adrian-PetersonWild Card Weekend: Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning crew provides the boldest of predictions for the first weekend of the NFL playoffs:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122310/Wild-Card-Weekend-Bold-PredictionsM & M: Is Ray Lewis or Ray Rice more valuable to the Ravens – Michael Irvin and Marshall Faulk discuss which Ray is more valuable to the Baltimore Ravens. Also, will Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green or Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson have a bigger game today?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122311/M-M-Is-Ray-Lewis-or-Ray-Rice-more-valuable-to-RavensWord on the street – Mike Mayock joins NFL GameDay Morning from Houston to talk about the keys to the Wild Card matchup between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122312/Word-on-the-StreetWarner’s Corner – Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shredded the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 to the tune of four touchdown passes. So how can the Vikings shut down the reigning MVP?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000122313/Warner-s-Corner-How-to-stop-Aaron-Rodgers
That is all. NBC’s quotage is next.
