Ok, the Sunday NFL pregame quotes are beginning to trickle in. We’ll begin with NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning which had plenty of talk since it’s four hours. Here it is.
News and Sound Bites From Week 8 Edition of NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“Right now, I’m just seeing myself here being the backup for the Minnesota Vikings, helping Christian Ponder. After this year, we’ll see.” – Vikings QB Donovan McNabb on his future in 1-on-1 Interview with Andrea Kremer
“If there’s one word that describes his legacy to me, it’s ‘underappreciated’ and it started day one.” – Steve Mariucci on the legacy of QB Donovan McNabb
“All the great quarterbacks…all of them have the intangibles, but they also had the ability to deliver at 3rd and five. The game is too hard if you can’t play it methodically because you’re going to go against methodical guys like Tom Brady.” – Michael Irvin on if QB Tim Tebow can win solely on intangibles
“Jim Harbaugh’s team might be the one team that can take a couple days off and not lose their edge and toughness.” – Warren Sapp on the San Francisco 49ers
NFL GameDay Morning is the FIRST pregame show on the air Sunday morning at 9:00 AM ET, taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joins analysts Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and new analyst Kurt Warner to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.
Andrea Kremer 1-on-1 Interview with Vikings QB Donovan McNabb:
NFL Network special correspondent Andrea Kremer sat down with Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb to discuss his feelings on going from the Vikings starting QB to backing up rookie Christian Ponder and if he thinks he should still be starting. McNabb addresses the report last week by NFL Network & NFL.com analyst Michael Lombardi about his work habits in Washington and Minnesota following his successful years as the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. McNabb also addresses what went wrong in Washington and his relationship with Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan:
“Coming into this season, I was looking for great things. I thought it was all in hand, right here. We have the best running back in the game. An offensive line that has done great things over the years, a defense that has been ranked in the top ten every year. Those are things that I looked at. And I was very excited about this opportunity.” – McNabb on his expectations entering the 2011 season
“Well, no. But I mean, he’s a young guy; the fans got a little excited for the time being. It’s unfortunate what happened in the game against Green Bay, but it was kind of the same pattern of what has been going on.” – McNabb on if he believes Christian Ponder can provide a spark that he can’t
“It’s total B.S. And even last year I was one of the first ones in the building and the last to leave. And the same here. I’m upstairs after watching film and going to meetings and I’m eating dinner with coaches and then going back and watching more film in the film room. For something like that to come out is ridiculous.” – McNabb on reports regarding his work ethic being poor
“Well, no one’s going to bring it up unless they’re asked. Just ask any of them and they’ll tell you.” – McNabb on his teammates coming to his defense to refute reports regarding his work ethic
“You know, it speaks for itself. Downfield throws have been something that I’ve kind of made my name with. Making plays sometimes with my legs, those are things that I’ve been doing all throughout my years. Can I play better? Absolutely. It starts with the quarterback, obviously because we’re the ones that are magnified, but there are other guys out there as well.” – McNabb on his performance this season
“Right now, I’m just seeing myself here being the backup for the Minnesota Vikings, helping Christian Ponder. After this year, we’ll see.” – McNabb on if he sees himself being a career backup
Kremer: Even your agent, your long-time agent, said the way that Shanahan handled you was quote, “Disrespectful and disgraceful.”
McNabb: Well, I mean, it speaks for itself.
Kremer: Well, what are your thoughts on that?
McNabb: Disrespectful and disgraceful.
Kremer: You agree with that?
McNabb: I do.“It’s ridiculous. I mean, if you want to solidify your move of going with somebody else, just say, ‘Hey, he wasn’t playing well. We’re going to rally behind whoever comes up.’ Whatever. But now when you start to challenge my intelligence, you’re going to challenge my manhood, everything that I’ve been able to accomplish throughout the years, that’s disrespectful.” – McNabb on Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan citing McNabb’s lack of stamina and knowledge of two-minute drill as reason for benching in 2010
“When people begin to challenge your ethnic background. ‘You’re not black enough. He doesn’t stand up for the black community.’ That’s completely false. It pisses me off at times when people say that about my work ethic. For anyone to challenge that and not to come and see the way that I work; and they make their own judgment, that pisses me off, because now you’re expressing to people, who don’t know me, who just listen to what commentators say or what reporters write. That’s the opinion they’re going to take.” – McNabb on what criticisms over the years hurt him the most
To view Kremer’s 1-on-1 with McNabb, please visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d82394777/Sunday-Sitdown-McNabb-part-1 – part
I
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8239475e/Sunday-Sitdown-McNabb-part-2 – part IIQuotes from NFL GameDay Morning:
“I don’t think he’s ever gotten the due that he deserves and now with the last couple years and all this speculation, I think that’s been the most disappointing part to him. It’s not just about what he did or did not do on the football field, it’s become something bigger than that.” – Kurt Warner on Vikings QB Donovan McNabb
“If there’s one word that describes his legacy to me, it’s ‘underappreciated’ and it started day one.” – Steve Mariucci on the legacy of QB Donovan McNabb
“Nobody sacks the quarterback more than the New York Giants and nobody has a better fourth quarter passer rating when it counts than Eli Manning.” – Steve Mariucci on the New York Giants being the best team in the NFC East
“I like what I saw from DeMarco Murray. I felt like this guy has all the intangibles of being an every down back and it showed against the Rams.” – Marshall Faulk on Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray
“This is how he plays the game of football. If you want to have a chance to win, you have to play like this. By asking him to drop back in the pocket and be a pocket passer, that’s trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, it doesn’t fit.” – Marshall Faulk on Broncos QB Tim Tebow and his playing style
“All the great quarterbacks…all of them have the intangibles, but they also had the ability to deliver at 3rd and five. The game is too hard if you can’t play it methodically because you’re going to go against methodical guys like Tom Brady. So you may win in Miami, but you may not win anywhere else if you can’t play the game traditionally sometimes.” – Michael Irvin on if QB Tim Tebow can win solely on intangibles
“Jim Harbaugh’s team might be the one team that can take a couple days off and not lose their edge and toughness.” – Warren Sapp on the San Francisco 49ers
“Big Ben cannot get into a quarterback duel with Tom Brady; he’ll lose that. The best way is not to say, ‘you throw, I throw.’ It’s to say, ‘I throw, I throw, I throw, because I’m going to run the ball and not let you get the ball.’” – Michael Irvin on how the Steelers offense should attack Patriots defense
“I don’t mind if you pull out your starters and you put in your backups and even if you let your backups throw it around a little bit to get them experience. But I think it’s the manner in which it happened and the manner in which you run up the score that I didn’t like very much.” – Kurt Warner on the Saints scoring 60 points versus Indianapolis
“I remember getting a phone call from Emmitt after T.O. went to the star. Emmitt says, ‘man, you believe that, what T.O. did? I said, ‘what are you calling me for? You had 60 minutes to do something about it.’ You don’t like guys scoring? Stop it.” – Michael Irvin on if it’s fair or foul for teams to run up the score in a game
“This offense seems like it’s out of time; it’s not timed up correctly and when you’re running against a defense that has press man, the timing has to be exquisite.” – Michael Irvin on the Baltimore Ravens offense
Bold Predictions:
Steve Mariucci: After Week 8 games, Panthers QB Cam Newton will lead league in rushing touchdowns
Marshall Faulk: For the first time in his career, Cowboys QB Tony Romo will not throw an interception versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Romo has thrown an interception in all his previous seven regular season contests vs. Philadelphia.
Kurt Warner: At least two teams will be shut out Week 8
Warren Sapp: The New York Giants will have 10 sacks vs. the Miami Dolphins
Michael Irvin: The New Orleans Saints will score 60 points for 2nd straight week
‘Front Office View’ with Michael Lombardi
On Bears RB Matt Forte contract negotiations:
What happens often times is that you have two negotiations from a front office standpoint. You negotiate with your owner and you must secure money from him and then you negotiate with the player. I think the problem here was Chicago didn’t anticipate what it was going to cost to pay Matt Forte, so when they negotiated with the owner, they got a little less money. It’s tough to go back to the owner and ask for more, but clearly Forte, like Marshall Faulk is a multi-dimensional running back. He leads the team in receptions, he leads the team in rushing, he protects the football. He’s multi-dimensional and when you have that type of player and your offense is built around him, you have to sign him. So the Bears may have to just humbly go ask the owner for more cash.The take on FB Peyton Hillis’ contract situation with the Browns:
The take should be what Mike Holmgren has done; he’s backed away, not because Peyton Hillis has fired all his agents, but because you need consistency before you get rewarded with a contract. Matt Forte wants a new contract, he’s playing lights out. Hillis wants a new contract, he’s got strep throat, he’s got a hamstring problem, he’s got one year of on-the-field production. Holmgren is doing the right thing in my mind; back off, let this thing play out. Let Hillis focus on being a productive player before we reward him with a huge contract just because he was on Madden 2012.Obviously, this is a business and every player knows you have to perform before you get paid and even though you might not have the contract that you want – DeSean Jackson doesn’t have it in Philadelphia – but you still perform and you still make money – Matt Forte in Chicago. You have to bury the contract and play well. Then you’ll get the contract.
For the latest from the ‘Front Office View’ of Michael Lombardi, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8238d1db/article/halloween-time-plenty-of-tricks-treats-in-nfl-this-season?module=HP11_writer_experts
‘Inside Slant’ with Jason La Canfora
On the Baltimore Ravens offense:
There’s a lot of issues with the offense, but let’s face it – there’s personnel issues, but the front office is stable, they’re not going anywhere. Joe Flacco hasn’t been great, but he’s not going anywhere. Cam Cameron is the person immediately under fire with what Terrell Suggs said Monday night. There’s been whispers in that locker room for a while now asking: why isn’t there more pace to the offense, why don’t we use Ray Rice more, particularly against teams that play press man coverage on them like Jacksonville and Tennessee did. Why aren’t there more bunch formations or run plays to get the young tight ends more involved; use more motion to get Anquan Boldin moving around. All those things have been talked about in that locker room. This team thought about changing offensive coordinators last year, despite the run to the playoffs. They ultimately decided to stick with Cameron, in part because of the lockout and all that uncertainty. But Jim Zorn was very close with Flacco. Flacco and Cameron have never been particularly cozy, so if they don’t pick it up in the second half of the year, there is a great potential for a change at coordinator. And Flacco wanted that contract extension; he may have to play out his rookie contract at this point because if those numbers don’t get better in the second half, I don’t see a new contract being done immediately.
On Bill Cowher’s potential return to coaching:
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has not directly called Bill Cowher or his agents, but associates of Ross have contacted Cowher’s agents to begin a little preliminary gauging of interest. There is mutual interest between both parties and I do believe ultimately Cowher will end up being the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins, particularly with Jon Gruden staying in the broadcast booth, but there will be some potential hurdles. Carl Peterson, longtime associate of Ross, former president of the Kansas City Chiefs, what’s his role in all this, if any? Can Cowher bring in all the people with him that he’d like to bring? And there is always money, although I do expect Ross to spend big. Omar Khan of the Pittsburgh Steelers is very likely to end up wherever Cowher is to help run that front office. Tom Moore, another name to keep an eye on, could be a part of Cowher’s offensive staff; we know how long he was with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis.
On head coach Todd Haley’s future in Kansas City:
This was another area where an owner came out and made a statement that there was no problems here between the coach and the GM, but I’ve talked to a lot of people in that building and around that team and most certainly a change could still come here if they don’t get back into the Playoffs. I look for Josh McDaniels to be someone that ultimately Scott Pioli brings in. If you look at what Pioli’s done, guys from that inner circle whom he had with him in New England, McDaniels is a part of that inner circle. Matt Cassel had the best success with McDaniels helping to coach him and there’s a lot of potential for this to come to pass.On Bills and contract negotiations with RB Fred Jackson:
The next man up is Fred Jackson to be paid. Stevie Johnson needs a contract as well, but I’ve been continuously told that Jackson was next on the list after they got Ryan Fitzpatrick done. The Bills only want to do one contract at a time, they focus their energies that way. So now it’s Jackson; Johnson maybe gets franchised, something like that. They rather not franchise Jackson, he’s the NFL’s leader in scrimmage yards and is a huge part of their offense and they want to take care of him.On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
McNabb’s legacy – Donovan McNabb has so far had a career filled with ups and downs. How should the quarterback be remembered?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d82397bbb/McNabb-s-legacyWho will top the NFC East? – The Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles meet on Sunday night in a division thriller. But is either team the best in the NFC East?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d82396e11/Who-will-top-the-NFC-East
M and M debate – Which receiver will step up when the Patriots and Steelers battle Sunday? Are the Bengals for real? Michael Irvin and Marshall Faulk answer various topics around the league.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d82397770/M-and-M-debateBold Predictions in Week 7 – Will a rookie end up a league leader? The Saints to score 60 again? The NFL GameDay Morning crew gives their bold predictions for week 8.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d82396fe5/Week-8-bold-predictions
Tebow’s limits – How far can Tim Tebow’s intangibles take him? The NFL GameDay Morning crew discusses the quarterback’s potential.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d82397181/Tebow-s-limits
Rise of Newton – Cam Newton is having a record-breaking rookie year. Steve Mariucci discusses why the quarterback is so successful.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d823971d4/Rise-of-Newton“Players Only” discussion – Was it fair for the Saints to run up the score last week against the Colts? Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp debate various topics on “Players Only.”
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8239752e/Players-Only-discussionFantasy greats for Week 8 – Need last minute fantasy advice? Warren Sapp and fantasy expert Michael Fabiano give their week 8 fantasy greats.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d82396920/Fantasy-greats-for-week-8What to look for in Week 8 – Will the Broncos carry their momentum from last week’s win? Can DeMarco Murray back up his monstrous performance? The NFL GameDay Morning crew discusses what to watch out for.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d823967e6/What-to-look-for-in-week-8Jonesing for Football – Live out of his mother’s basement, The Daily Show’s Jason Jones is joined by Bills WR Stevie Johnson in the first installment of “Jonesing for Football.”
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d82396bb8/Jonesing-for-football
We’ll have more quotage throughout the day.
