We move to the quotes and notes from the NFL Sunday pregame shows. As always, we begin with NFL Network.
News and Sound Bites From Week 6 Edition of NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“This is the best the league has ever been in terms of a collective group of quarterbacks.” – Steve Mariucci on the league’s crop of quarterbacks
“The way Peyton is playing right now, 16-0 is definitely possible.”
– Marshall Faulk on the Indianapolis Colts
“This is the next team that we use the word ‘dynasty’ around.” – Michael Irvin on the New York Giants
“I would say yes, I would love to be a part owner…that would be a great honor, but I haven’t talked to them at all.” – Marshall Faulk on Rams Ownership Rumors
“When his body of work is done, it will qualify him as the best tight end ever.” – Steve Mariucci on Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez
NFL GameDay Morning, the FIRST pregame show on the air Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM ET with a new four-hour expanded format, taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Jason La Canfora and hosts Spero Dedes and Stacey Dales bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.
‘Sunday Sit-Down’ – Dales 1-on-1 with Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez:
NFL Network’s Stacey Dales sits down with Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez to discuss his new career in Atlanta and where he ranks among the best tight ends to play the game:
“Confidently speaking, I think I’d have to go with ‘yeah, why not?’ I’ve worked hard, I’ve got the records. But politically speaking, it’s really hard to tell because tight end is a unique position. It’s not just about catching footballs. You have to block too and I think when it comes down to being the best tight end ever, it has to be someone who has that combination of blocking and catching. I like to think that I’ve done a pretty good job with that.” – Gonzalez when asked if he is the best tight end to play the game
“If I really want to be good at this, I have to really work at it. And it just doesn’t mean going to practice. Everybody’s doing that, that’s the average. What are you doing extra to separate yourself from other people?” – Gonzalez on what it takes to be the best
“It’s like I’m a rookie out there again. Trying to prove myself to my teammates.” – Gonzalez on the transition to the Atlanta Falcons
“To win a Super Bowl. That’s pretty much it. I don’t need to set records anymore. It’s not about that, it’s about going out there and winning football games.” – Gonzalez on his goal with the Falcons
To view Dales’ entire interview with Gonzalez, please visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8137601f/Sunday-Sitdown-Tony-Gonzalez
Marshall Faulk Addresses Rumors Regarding His Involvement in Rams Ownership:
Spero Dedes: What is your involvement and what is the potential for you to be involved?
Marshall Faulk: I don’t have any involvement as of today. I have not been contacted by Dave Checketts’ group.
Dedes: There’s been no contact between you or anyone on this?
Faulk: No, I have not talked to Dave Checketts at all about this.
Dedes: Do you have interest in having some sort of a stake in the Rams now or in the future?
Faulk: I would say yes, I would love to be a part owner. All of us up here would love to own an NFL franchise, that would be a great honor, but I haven’t talked to them at all.
Michael Irvin: Where did it come from and how did it get out?
Faulk: I don’t know that. I have no idea how it got out. Just like everyone else, I heard about it. Like I said, I work (at NFL Network).
Dedes: So if your phone rings tomorrow, you’re definitely picking up and having serious discussions because you say that you do have interest?
Faulk: I’ll listen to whatever it is they have to say. If Dave Checketts called me and wanted to talk, I’d definitely listen to what he had to say.
‘Super Bowl Journey,’ Week 6 Edition – How TE Chris Cooley Spends His Time Away From Football and Giants DE Osi Umenyiora Discusses His Role on the Giants Defense
“I don’t feel like I need a release from football. It’s an exciting hobby that I look forward to.” – Cooley on making pottery in his free time
“This is the best team I’ve ever been on. We have so many players that can perform at a high level.” – Umenyiora on the 5-0 Giants
To view the Week 6 installments of Super Bowl Journey plus previous editions, please visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-journey/09000d5d81379b77/Super-Bowl-Journey-A-Giant-start – Umenyiora prepares to lead the Giants defense into a battle of the unbeatens vs. New Orleans
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-journey/09000d5d81379b25/Super-Bowl-Journey-The-art-of-free-time – Cooley shares his love of art and pottery making in his free time
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:
“This New York Giants football team is better than the New York Giants team that won the Super Bowl.” – Michael Irvin on the New York Giants
“The things you can rely on in New York is that offensive line will block and those running backs will run.” – Marshall Faulk on the New York Giants
“The way Peyton is playing right now, 16-0 is definitely possible.” – Faulk on the Indianapolis Colts
“This is the next team that we use the word ‘dynasty’ around.” – Irvin on the New York Giants
“When his body of work is done, it will qualify him as the best tight end ever.” – Steve Mariucci on Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez
“Not much is wrong with Tom Brady. He will be fine this year.” – Mariucci on QB Tom Brady
“This is the best the league has ever been in terms of a collective group of quarterbacks.” – Mariucci on the league’s crop of quarterbacks
“Every time I look at Atlanta, I have those visions of yesteryear…this team reminds me of the triplets.” – Irvin on the Atlanta Falcons talent being reminiscent of the Dallas Cowboys talent of the 90s
“San Francisco should win it unless they get a flat tire somewhere.” – Steve Mariucci on who will win the NFC West
“The Baltimore defense – everything that they are about is at stake.” – Irvin on the Ravens defense facing the Vikings
“(Darren) Sharper has brought a quarterback to the defense. He is to the defense what (Drew) Brees is to the offense.” – Faulk on the New Orleans Saints
“They will have that aggressive, attacking style. That’s the only way that Ray Lewis knows how to play.” – Warren Sapp on the LB Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense facing Minnesota
“They’re getting outscored 55-13 in the fourth quarter. You have to finish games better than that to make a serious run.” – Mariucci on the Pittsburgh Steelers
“The Baltimore Ravens are going through an identity crisis.” – Sapp
“You don’t want to get into a shooting match with that Minnesota defense.” – Irvin on Ravens-Vikings matchup
La Canfora’s News Reports:
- Chargers DE Shawne Merriman is available, but there does not
seem to be too many teams interested in him right now, due to the health concerns and the off-field issues. Regarding Bills WR Terrell Owens, Buffalo has received one call exploring his availability; however I’ve been unequivocally that Owens is not available. There are some teams that are looking for players. The Ravens are looking at veteran receivers and maybe the Patriots’ Joey Galloway becomes someone Baltimore may take a look at due to his lack of production with the Patriots. Both New England and Philadelphia are sitting on a bunch of draft picks and are looking to make moves. The Eagles in particular are looking for someone to stop the pass rush from the edge. In addition, these sub-.500 teams we’ve been talking about are having fire sales. In Oakland, you can come in and make an offer for pretty much anyone you want. In Kansas City, GM Scott Pioli is turning that roster over – guys like LB Derrick Johnson, DE Glenn Dorsey, maybe even WR Dwayne Bowe could be available. In Tampa Bay, I’m told CB Ronde Barber is a name that has been floating around in certain negotiations.
- The NFL is meeting with union membership this week and buzz words coming out of the owners meeting in Boston was ‘unity’ and ‘togetherness.’ Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said this is the most well-informed and unified group of owners he’s ever seen. The last time there was a labor situation; there was some disagreement between the owners on how to share revenue. Coming out of this meeting, they’re saying they are aligned and ready to act as one.
- Saints RB Reggie Bush is set to make $8 million next season, the fourth-highest running back in the league. A lot of people close to this situation do not see that happening. If 2010 is uncapped, the Saints could be rid of a lot of excess salary by putting guys on the market. Not sure if Bush is inclined to take less money because there is a sense in his camp that if the Saints let Bush go, he’ll be able to get a $5 million guaranteed on a 4-year, $20 million contract someplace else on the open market.
For additional thoughts from La Canfora, check out his blog at http://blogs.nfl.com/category/jason-la-canfora/.
Onto ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Notes and Quotes – Week 6
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson previewed today’s NFL action. Some excerpts:
On the NFL having so many “bad teams” …Ditka: “You can’t win a derby with a donkey. … You have a lot of people evaluating talent in the National Football League who don’t know how to evaluate talent.”Jackson: “There’s new people in place and some of those teams were left with some bad talent.” (should be attributed to Johnson)Carter: “Lazy players who don’t love the game (are) crippling organizations.”Jackson: “It’s a quarterback-driven league. When you start seeing really bad teams, that’s the position to focus on.”Berman: “When you blow a couple of first and second round picks over a three and four-year span, you’re in a hole. … You’ve got to do a good job with draft picks.”
On Patriots quarterback Tom Brady …Carter: “Is Tom Brady the same quarterback? He looks the same but the results – they’re not the same.”Jackson: “There’s now 2-3 plays per game where you just don’t see the same guy. … This is going to be somewhere down the road before they are and he is the same guy.”Johnson: “He looks the same to me. … But at the same time, when you look at Josh McDaniels being gone from the offense, that’s something Tom Brady needs to get used to – somebody different callings plays, setting things up differently, when you’re hearing different voices in your ear … Plus, Randy Moss’s been banged up a little bit, Wes Welker’s been banged up a bit. It’s a long season.”
On Giants quarterback Eli Manning …Jackson: “I used to think he was disinterested in football — turns out he’s unflappable.”
On Saints quarterback Drew Brees …Carter: “I believe Drew Brees is special. I believe he will win a Super Bowl in New Orleans one day.”On the Washington Redskins’ struggles …Carter: “The No. 1 issue they have right now is with their players. … If you love Jim Zorn the way you say you do, you better play better ‘cause he won’t be around long.”Berman: “Maybe the Skins need Maine senator Olympia Snow to break their offensive log jam.”
On the Baltimore Ravens’ recent struggles …Carter: “The problem with the Ravens is they’ve changed their team philosophy. When they decided to turn their offense over to second year Joe Flacco, they decided to throw the ball. Last year they led the National Football League as far as rush attempts. This year, averaging 38 attempts a game … their defense is on the field 10 more plays.”Johnson: “The wide receiving corps as a whole – nothing against Derrick Mason, he’s had a terrific career – but as a whole, the wide receiving tandem does not have a closer. You need a closer to be able to be a passing team that finish out games when you throw the football down the field.”Ditka: “Right now their aggressiveness is getting the best of them.”
On the Steelers and their need to establish the running game …Ditka: “This is an in-your face football team. They need to pound the rock. They’ve got to run the football, and if they don’t do that, they are going to have problems. I love this football team but they got away from their physical nature.”Jackson: “This team for 40 years – run the ball, be successful, finish the game, get on the bus, go home.”Carter: “When they decided to give Ben Roethlisberger that $100 million, they decided to say, ‘We are going to be a different football team. Our defense is going to be great and we are going to win the game late with our quarterback.’”
From the weekly Ditka’s Doghouse segment, on Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell …Ditka: “If you are the quarterback and you’re the leader, you’ve got to be the guy up front, not the guy following. … You’ve got the support of the owner, but until you wake up and start playing football the way you’re capable of playing football, become a leader, JaMarcus, you’re going in the doghouse.”
Following Rachel Nichols feature on Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who estimates he has paid $200,000 for all the shoes he’s purchased for his personal collection through the years …Berman: “I don’t think Imelda Marcos ever carried the ball as well as Adrian Peterson, but that’s quite a shoe collection.”
From Ed Werder feature on Saints linebacker Darren Sharper, who has 10 career interception returns for touchdowns and keeps notes on the quarterbacks he faces …Sharper (who had four interceptions – incl. two returned for touchdowns — in his career against Eli Manning entering Sunday’s game against the Giants): “The story of me and Eli goes back a long way. He was a quarterback in high school, and he had to be 17 or 18. But I knew he was Peyton’s brother, so I said this might be a guy I see later down the road so I started to do a little scouting back then, watching his mannerisms and seeing what he likes to do when he throws the football. Just so happens it’s worked out well for me. I started my scouting on Eli when he was in high school. Not too many guys can say that.”
Sunday Headlines:NFL Insider Adam Schefter: “The NFL owners meetings were this past week, and, before the season began, Roger Goodell said he expected 2010 to be an uncapped year. The men (who) were at the meeting this week came out with even stronger feelings, and now it looks like an uncapped year in 2010 is inevitable. We’ve heard no signs that it’s going to be anything but an uncapped year.”
Schefter, on this week’s NFL trading deadline: “The player that’s most likely to be dealt by Tuesday – Roscoe Parrish. Not a big name but … if the Bills can get a fourth round pick, maybe a third round pick, Roscoe Parrish is gone.”
The Countdown crew celebrated Ditka’s 70th birthday with Chris Mortensen and Schefter wheeling out a cake in his honor at the end of the show.Ditka (to his fellow analysts as he blew out the candles): “You know what I wished for? I wished you were as smart as me.”
Also, Grammy award-winning artist Justin Timberlake appeared in “The Mayne Event,” Countdown’s weekly tongue-in-cheek feature from Kenny Mayne, touting a faux instructional video for NFL rookies on how they could dominate their rookie talent shows. The segment included members of the Green Bay Packers, including rookie offensive lineman T.J. Lang.
And we move on to The NFL Today on CBS.
NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 6 ON OCTOBER 18
Marino on Indianapolis: “They’ll have a chance to win every game because of Peyton Manning.”
?“SEC ON CBS’s” FLORIDA-ARKANSAS SEES 118% RISE IN RATINGS
CBS Sports’ coverage of the SEC ON CBS on Saturday, Oct. 17, which saw No. 1 Florida defeat Arkansas, 23-20, earned an overnight household rating/share of 4.8/11, up 118% from last year’s 2.2/5 (Ole Miss at No. 2 Alabama).
?QUICK HITS
(On St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Kansas City)
SHANNON SHARPE: They’re horrible. They’re worse than what we previously thought. And when you look at – let’s take St. Louis, Tampa and Kansas City – if they were to all to lose today, this would be the first time in NFL history we will have three teams at the same time in the National Football League to have a 10-or-more-game losing streak. That’s how pathetic it is. Two of the three teams fired their offensive coordinators to start the season. I don’t think that really played a part. I just think the teams are bad no matter who the coach is or the players. They’re just bad and this situation is getting out of hand.
(On Oakland, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Buffalo and Washington)
BOOMER ESIASON: From where we sit, Oakland and Tampa are teams that have no light at the end of the tunnel. The St. Louis ownership thing is still up in the air. At least you’ve got to believe that St. Louis and Kansas City have competent football guys that are going to try to bring those franchises around. Two other teams, Buffalo and Washington, are teetering on disaster, (Buffalo) especially after last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns…And then Washington now, a potential firing of a coach in the middle of the season. That will be the seventh coach since 1999 for Daniel Snyder. Those two teams are teetering on disaster as well.
(On “Wild Cat” as a gimmick)
BOOMER: This is a team that is telling you exactly what they’re going to do – they’re going to run it right between the tackles. They have the best running back tandem in football between Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. When you line up in that situation, they say stop us. This is as physical an offensive football team as there is in the NFL. This is not a gimmick. This is legitimate by virtue of the fact that they’ve run this formation 45 times this year.
BILL COWHER: I agree. This is a brilliant way of Dan Henning taking the best two offensive football players on the team and getting them in the game and playing them at the same time. That’s what this wild cat is. But it is a gimmick for every other team. Let’s face it, every other team, you look at the numbers, they’re using it maybe three or four times a game. It’s a gimmick formation. But in Miami, it’s a staple of what they do.
(On what team could go undefeated this year)
DAN MARINO: I’m picking Indianapolis. Peyton Manning is playing better than anybody in the League right now. Their defense is playing good, only giving up 14 points in a game. If they can play like that all year, defensively, they’ll have a chance to win every game because of Peyton Manning.
COWHER: I’m going to say the New Orleans Saints. I already picked them to beat the New York Giants today, so they’re going to win today. When you look at their schedule, every game they have is going to be in a warm weather city. This team is built for the dome, built for the warm weather. I love this defense. It leads the League in takeaways. It’s the most balanced New Orleans team right now that they’ve ever had down there. I think they have a chance. I don’t think they’ll do it, but I think they have a chance.
?“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY
(On Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford re-injuring his s
houlder yesterday)CASSERLY: His father told me last night the injury to the shoulder was not serious. I think if he comes out in the draft, it’s not going to have much, if any, impact at all. If he was in the draft last year, he was going to be a top five pick. I don’t know why it would be any different this year.
(On alleged fight between Oakland coach Tom Cable and assistant coach Randy Hanson)
CASSERLY: I talked to Randy Hanson this past week and he told me he’s sticking to his story that Tom Cable punched him and said he was going to kill him. We’re not making light of that. The coaches that were in the room for the incident have not backed up the story at all. In fact, this week Hanson will meet again with the authorities in Napa Valley to discuss the situation. From the League’s point of view, they haven’t talked to Randy Hanson at all.
And we go to Fox NFL Sunday.
FOX NFL SUNDAY NOTES – 10/18/09
Long: Kyle Orton Looked More Like Tom Brady Last Week Than Brady DidStrahan: I’m Sure Shockey Would Love To Embarrass His Former Team
Johnson: Tebow Wouldn’t Fit In Pro-Style Offense
Bradshaw: Vikings Need To Worry About The Bears
One of the NFL’s surprise teams has been the undefeated Denver Broncos. Analysts Jimmy Johnson, Howie Long and Michael Strahan look into the job that first-year coach Josh McDaniels has done in Denver.
Johnson: “The biggest surprise is Denver being undefeated. Let’s look at the turnaround. They had a pretty good team last year; Shanahan left them in good shape. They were 8-8 and probably the best team not in the playoffs. A lot of these teams made changes in the offseason, involving coaches that they were familiar with and Denver was very objective about it. They went out and hired the best. When I say the best, Josh McDaniels is the best coach out of all the coaches that Bill Belichick has developed over the years. They brought in an outstanding defensive coordinator in Mike Nolan, they’re playing good defense now. Denver made the right moves.”
Long: “Think about what McDaniels went through in August. Jay Cutler wanted out of there before he contacted anyone about Matt Cassel, no question. Brandon Marshall wanted a new contract, was disgruntled and got suspended. You’re talking about a new offense, a new defense with eight new players. Kyle Orton comes in as quarterback and no one is thinking that Orton is a great signing. Orton looked more like Tom Brady than Brady did last week. I think McDaniels has done a remarkable job.”
Co-Host Terry Bradshaw and Strahan assess the biggest matchup today on FOX between the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants.
Bradshaw: “Of all the defensive coordinators in the world that have frustrated Eli Manning, Saints defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams is the best. Eli once had 37 incompletion’s against his defense. Gregg Williams is brilliant.”
Strahan: “Jeremy Shockey plays with a lot of pride and I’m sure he’d love to embarrass some of his old teammates and I’m sure some people upstairs.”
FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer on the latest trade rumors around the league:
Terrell Owens – “The Ravens spoke with the Bills about the possibility of trading for the Pro Bowl wide receiver. Buffalo, however, rebuffed the inquiry and instead has been adamant that they have no interest in shipping their free-agent pickup out of town. Buffalo sources say that up to this point, Terrell Owens has been nothing short of a perfect teammate and is trying to be a happy camper.”
“In addition to calling the Bills, Baltimore has been searching for a receiver to bolster their offense to give Joe Flacco another target to use.”
Shawne Merriman – “Merriman told me he’s learned to accept the ugly side, a.k.a. the business side of football, and if he’s traded ‘I’ll bust my butt for them just like I do for the Chargers.’ However, Merriman also admitted, in a very honest moment, that due to his groin injury ‘my trade value has to be down.’ Still, a few teams have been sniffing around.”
Brady Quinn – “Would they listen to trade offers? Of course but their phones haven’t been burning up with any interest. Quinn’s selling of his house had zero to do with him having any sort of inside knowledge that he would be moved.”
Anquan Boldin – “The price tag for what he wants salary wise ($9 mil/yr.) could preclude such a deal from happening.”
Fire Sale? – “Last week, I reported the Raiders are having a fire sale and several GMs and personnel executives who have spoken with the Chiefs recently say they had a similar message: Look at our roster and make an offer for anybody besides our QB Matt Cassel.”
Analyst Howie Long breaks down the NFC West:
49ers – “How would you like to be at practice during the bye week with Mike Singletary after their performance last week? It’s obvious the 49ers need something offensively because they can’t come from behind. They’re hoping Michael Crabtree is a big boost; he’ll probably get 15 snaps coming out of the bye next week to go along with Vernon Davis as an emerging tight end.”
Seahawks – “Seattle is a different football team with Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback.”
Cardinals – “Arizona is still trying to find the switch once again early in the season. Arizona is the most-talented team in the division. I still like Arizona in the NFC West.”
Johnson believes Florida quarterback Tim Tebow could compete in the NFL if the offensive style he runs at Florida is brought to the NFL.
Johnson: “If Urban Meyer is brought along with Tim Tebow that would be the key. If you’re going to bring in Tebow, you’ve got to make sure the offense comes with him because Tebow’s not going to fit in with a pro-style offense.”
Co-host Terry Bradshaw on the Vikings path to a division championship: “Minnesota is fast inside the dome. They still have to go to Pittsburgh, go to Chicago and Green Bay is waiting on them. They’re not going to sweep through this thing and control the NFC North. They better watch out for the Bears.”
When NBC Football Night in America quotage becomes available, it’ll be posted here.
UPDATE
, 10/19, 9:50 a.m.: This is the latest I have ever received Football Night in America quotage. But better late than never.
FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA NOTES & QUOTES; WEEK 6Dungy’s Coach’s Clicker and Denies Rumors, More Straight Talk from Rodney Harrison, and Costas Interviews Lovie Smith and Matt RyanNEW YORK -- October 19, 2009 -- Following are highlights from NBC Sports' "Football Night in America." Bob Costas hosted the show live from the Georgia Dome. He was joined on site for commentary by Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. Co-hosts Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann, analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison, and reporter Peter King were live from NBC's 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios, covering the news of the NFL's sixth week. Tiki Barber reported from Giants Stadium, site of the Jets-Bills game.
ON THE REDSKINS
King with breaking news: "I just got off the phone with the Redskins vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato. Cerrato told me they had just had a meeting (Cerrato, Dan Snyder and Jim Zorn) and Cerrato has recommended to Zorn that he give up his play calling during the game. He'll design the game plan and coach the quarterbacks, but Cerrato told me, 'Look, we're just not scoring points. Our coach has too much on his plate and I want him to concentrate on head coaching stuff and not all this other stuff like play calling.'"
Dungy on the Cerrato suggestion: "I went through this in Tampa. This is not a good thing. I made a mistake and acquiesced to that. If you're Jim Zorn you have to say, 'I'm in charge of this team on the field. If I'm not, then get rid of me.'"
Patrick: "So you think he should give the ultimatum to Daniel Snyder instead of waiting for the other way around?"
Dungy: "I absolutely do. This is the way I'm going to do it. This is the way I'm going to run the team. You hired me to be the coach. This is what I think is best. Otherwise, you're just fighting uphill."
Collinsworth: "For Jim Zorn, you just have to wonder how much longer it can go on at this point."
Harrison on QB Jason Campbell: "I said a few weeks ago I thought he was a backup QB that should be on the bench and today he worked his way right over to the bench."
Dungy on Sherman Lewis being hired as a consultant: "You read bad, bad things. That's not good. Anytime management comes in and tinkers with your staff without your knowledge, it's the beginning of the end."
Olbermann on Jim Zorn's press conference: "He managed to give us a future light beer press conference commercial joke."
King on Jim Zorn (prior to his conversation with Cerrato): "I think it's more likely that it's next week, rather than this week, for Jim Zorn for a very simple reason. They have a bye week after next week's Monday nighter. A lot of people have said, 'They fire Jim Zorn and they give the job to defensive coordinator Greg Blache. Not so fast. It's more likely that they will go to secondary coach Jerry Gray. He's 14 years younger and he's more of an energetic presence for this team right now. But Dan Snyder, I believe, has decided that he hired the wrong guy when he got Jim Zorn."
Olbermann: "Nice of him to give the guys an extra week to edit that commercial from the press conference."
ON RUMORS HE'S BEEN CONTACTED BY NFL TEAMS
Dungy: "I have not. My phone has not rung. If it does ring, I'm not answering it. I'm not interested...I'm staying right here. I'm happy to be here."
Olbermann: "I think he answered it too quickly."
ON THE SAINTS
Patrick: "We've been down this road before with the Saints. What's the difference this year?"
Harrison: "Yes, they have a great offense. The difference this year is their defense, led by Darren Sharper who should be the MVP of the league right now...The Saints separated themselves from the rest of the league (today). Best complete team in the NFL."
ON THE RAIDERS
Olbermann: "The Raiders are a juggernaut, I've always said so."
Patrick: "You guys have been pretty tough on the Raiders the last couple of weeks."
Harrison: "I'm excited about the Raiders right now...The game really was won up front on the defensive line. They totally dominated...Just a great performance."
Dungy: "They got in a time machine. This looked like the Raiders when I was playing. Dominating...You've got to take your hats off to them. They played a tremendous game today."
ON THE TENNESSEE TITANS
Patrick: "Did Tennessee quit today?"
Harrison: "Flat out. They flat out quit...I've seen many teams come to Gillette Stadium in November and December and quit. Because that snow, it's strong enough to take your manhood."
ON MATT RYAN
Patrick on Dungy: "I haven't seen him with a smile like this -- when he was looking at the game film -- I go back to the Super Bowl that you won. You had the Coach's Clicker looking at Matt Ryan. What stood out when you watched his game film?"
Dungy: "Matt reminded me of my young quarterback, Peyton Manning"
Patrick: "A young Peyton Manning?"
Dungy: "I think this guy's a young Peyton Manning. I look for him to have an outstanding year this year."
ON BROWNS HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI
Olbermann: "Contemplating his next plan: a kid, a weather balloon and a reality show."
ON CAROLINA DB DANTE WESLEY'S ILLEGAL SPECIAL TEAMS HIT
Harrison: "I've played with Dante Wesley and I know that he's not a dirty player. But this is one of the dirtiest, dumbest plays that I've seen...He needs to be fined and he needs to be suspended one game because that sends a message.
ON THE NFC EAST
Dungy: "The NFC East, who's always had that big reputation, really took it on the chin today. All three teams that played -- Philadelphia, Washington and the Giants -- all were favored to win and they didn't play well."
COSTAS INTERVIEWS LOVIE SMITH & MATT RYAN
"Football Night" host Bob Costas interviewed Bears head coach Lovie Smith and Falcons QB Matt Ryan prior to the game.
Smith on whether or not he had to counsel QB Jay Cutler following the team's Week 1 loss to Green Bay: "No, not at all. All quarterbacks go through games like that...What I saw is that Jay gave us a second-half lead and we weren't able to hold it. He didn't blame anyone. He took the blame that he should for his play and then just when to work from there.
Smith on how high Cutler's upside is: "I don't know exactly how high but I'm excited about being around to see it all develop. When Jay came in, of course I knew a lot about him. Knew he had a strong arm. I've seen him throw passes that you shake your head on. At the same time, I didn't know how mobile he was. He's made a lot of plays for us just being able to move around in the pocket. He hasn't reached his potential yet, I'll just say that."
Ryan on the team's 2008 turnaround: "Arthur Blank. I thought he handled it with class. He made the best of a tough situation. Mike Smith just set the tone for what it was going to be like. He's positive. He's upbeat. The focus was all about the future. The focus was all about not worrying about outside expectations. In a sense, I didn't feel a lot of what was here before. I think that helped."
Ryan on not being recognized when hanging around with Tim Tebow: "True. We were down in the Atlanta airport. He's one of the most popular players in the history of college football and I was not. It was pretty cool for me to be able to meet him. He's been an inspirational player. I think everyone can kind of relate to what he's done. It was a pretty cool experience to be second fiddle that day and fly under the radar."
And that concludes your Sunday quotage.
