Let’s move to ESPN’s quotes from Sunday NFL Countdown. I guess CNBC’s Jim Cramer was a guest on the show. I didn’t see it today.
Here’s the quotage.
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Notes and Quotes: Week 7
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson previewed today’s week 7 NFL games with Suzy Kolber, analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski and NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Some excerpts from today’s show:
Note: Jim Cramer, host of CNBC’s Mad Money, also made a special in-studio appearance to ask a question about his Philadelphia Eagles. During the appearance, Berman nicknamed Cramer the “Stock Swami”.
On Redskins’ Robert Griffin III leading this year’s class of rookie quarterbacks…
Jaworski: “He has played terrific from the pocket. He has handled the blitz very well. He has six rock-solid games for the Washington Redskins. He is head and shoulders the best.”
Hoge: “All of the phases he brings to the game – and eventually he will be able to rip you apart from the pocket.”On whether the Redskins are ready to make the next step…
Johnson: “They’ve already taken the next step.”
Carter: “That consistent running game with RGIII completing over 70 percent of his passes without his best receiver … I believe that next step, even though it’s a huge one, the Redskins are ready to take it.”On Eli Manning versus Peyton Manning …
Jackson: “Not only has Eli Manning won more Super Bowls than his brother, but right now he is THE BEST fourth quarter late-game comeback artist in the NFL today.”On the Patriots’ struggles…
Carter: “They don’t have outstanding personnel. They’re losing those close games when typically we’re used to them winning.”
Jackson (on the need to establish a running game): “They’ve got to be balanced to be at their best.”
Ditka: “The Patriots are a good team. They’re not a great team anymore. But here’s the one thing: the Patriots are who everyone wants to be beat. They get everybody’s best shot every week.”
Johnson: “They may be the best team in the AFC still but the problem is when they face those defenses at those crucial times, it doesn’t look so good.”On the strength of the Patriots’ offense…
Jaworski: “The best offense in the NFL right now resides in New England.”On life without Ray Lewis for the Baltimore Ravens…
Johnson: “They can survive without Ray because they did it last year. They went 4-0 (when he was out due to injury).”
Jackson: “I don’t think the defense is going to survive. I think they can survive if (Joe) Flacco is elite, as he says he is.”
Carter: “The one thing that I don’t think that can be replaced is Ray’s charisma and his leadership, and it’s real. … He is the spirit of the football team those six days (during the week).”On Terrell Suggs playing for the Ravens today, just six months after surgery to repair his Achilles tendon…
Ditka: “I don’t recommend him playing. I think he ought to take another week.”On the Dallas Cowboys and who is responsible for the team’s rough start…
Ditka: “Every organization has a chain of command. You’ve got an owner, a coach and you’ve got players. Owners can’t coach. Coaches can’t play. Players can’t own. When it comes down to clock management, that is strictly the head coach.”On Cam Newton’s struggles in his second season …
Johnson: “He’s made mistakes. They’re not all his fault. He needs some players around him. He’ll get it back. That swagger will come back because he’s a terrific football player and he knows what it’s going to take to get there.”
Berman: “In defense of Cam, we have to remember why Carolina had the No. 1 pick a year ago – they were terrible. … Maybe they’re just young yet. We’re allowing for youth, aren’t we?”On Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill…
Jaworski: “He has been getting better every single game. And what I like about Tannehill — the deep ball. Very accurate with the deep ball and (he) has all the deep throws, that little soft touch, the firm throw. Moving up the chart very quickly.”
Hoge: “When we looked at him coming into the regular season, we thought he would have to sit a year – very raw, but he’s improved. I have been impressed.”On Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt …
Jackson: “J.J. Watt is a game-wrecker. At every level as a defensive lineman in a 3-4, what he is doing is amazing.”
More quotage coming up as it becomes available.
