Let’s provide you the last set of quotage for the night. We end with NBC’s Football Night in America.
NOTES & QUOTES FROM “FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA” — WEEK 3
“He will enter an inpatient facility to undergo substance abuse rehab and obviously he will not play Thursday night.” – Peter King on 49ers LB Aldon Smith
“Jim Harbaugh could have sent a stronger message.” – Tony Dungy, who said he would not have played Aldon Smith today
“The best team in football.” – Rodney Harrison on the SeahawksNEW YORK – Sept. 22, 2013 – Following are highlights for Football Night in America, the most-watched pre-game show in sports. Bob Costas opened the show live from inside Heinz Field in Pittsburgh where the Steelers are hosting the Chicago Bears. Costas was joined on-site by Sunday Night Football commentators Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst), as well as NBC NFL analyst Hines Ward, the former Steelers WR and Super Bowl MVP.
Dan Patrick co-hosts Football Night from famous Studio 8H at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios in New York City. He is joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy; two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison; Peter King of Sports Illustrated; Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on NBCSports.com and NBCSN; and Scott Pioli, the former NFL Executive of the Year and newest addition to the NBC NFL team. Alex Flanagan reported from Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on the Colts-49ers game.
Costas interviewed Bears WR Brandon Marshall. Tonight’s program also included an interview with Bears C Roberto Garza as part of the NFL’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. “My dream was to play football. I grew up watching Tony Casillas and Anthony Munoz. Those were the guys you looked up to.”
Following are highlights from Football Night in America:
ON 49ERS
King on Aldon Smith: “I’m told tonight that he will enter an inpatient facility to undergo substance abuse rehab and obviously he will not play Thursday night against the St. Louis Rams.”
Patrick: “Would you have played Aldon Smith today if you were Jim Harbaugh?”
Dungy: “I would not have. Number one, to help Aldon Smith, and get him some help right away. Number two, send a message to your team. We’re not going to have these types of incidents on a Friday before a game. I think Jim Harbaugh could have sent a stronger message.”
Harrison on 49ers offense: “They don’t have any weapons.”
ON PATRIOTS
Patrick on Tom Brady’s post-game press conference outfit: “Brady may be in sync after the game with that outfit there, but not necessarily during the game.”
Harrison on Brady: “He’s just a little bit out of sync, but look for Tom Brady to improve. He’s one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever been around and he’s a very smart quarterback. This will improve.”
Pioli on Brady: “He’s starting to evolve. Tommy will find a way to adjust…Today he had six receptions by backs, last week with the Jets, when he was completely (out of sync), no receptions (by backs).”
ON JETS
Dungy on Kyle Wilson penalty after Stevie Johnson catch: “That’s not a penalty. Terrible call.”
Harrison: “I was impressed with Geno Smith. I thought he made some really good throws. The thing that I like about him is week to week it seems like he is getting more comfortable, and he’s becoming a better quarterback.”
Dungy on Smith: “They’ve got somebody they believe in now. That’s what you saw that was a little bit different today.”
ON GIANTS
Dungy: “What is wrong with the Giants? Victor Cruz said this was a must-win and they couldn’t have played worse.”
Dungy on Eli Manning: “Let’s start with Eli Manning. You can criticize him for a lot of things, but you couldn’t criticize him today. He never had a chance. His offensive line did not show up, they did not compete, as Tom Coughlin said, and this was an embarrassing performance by the Giants’ offensive line.”
ON BROWNS
Pioli on Trent Richardson trade for Browns: “I don’t think he’s going to make a difference of three or four or more wins for this football team (Cleveland)…right now I would’ve made this deal…you’ve got to get rid of a player to get value when you can. There’s value right now of a first-round pick. I’d jump at it.”
ON COWBOYS
Dungy on RB DeMarco Murray: “They finally gave him the ball. We’ve been calling for that for three weeks. Run that guy, he is a good football player. He takes the pressure off of Tony Romo, and their defense shut down a run today.”
ON SEAHAWKS
Harrison: “They took care of business. The best team in football.”
ON CHARGERS
Harrison on final touchdown: “Why is he (cornerback) out there by himself playing man-to-man coverage? It’s a huge mistake. I blame the defensive coordinator.”
ON STEELERS
Ward on Haley vs. past offensive coordinator Bruce Arians: “What he did well was really adjust to his personnel. He put his personnel in a good position to go out there and make plays. That’s the biggest difference. Now Todd Haley’s coming in and wants to run the ball, but he doesn’t have the personnel to do that.”
ON BEARS
Dungy, who was Marc Trestman’s roommate for road games in college (Minnesota), on Bears’ new offense: “You’re not seeing Canadian football. What you’re seeing is University of Minnesota 1974 football.”
That’s all.
