I have a lot of things to catch up on tonight. Been away for most of the day.
Lots of things that are breaking and I’ll be posting into the wee hours of the morning. I’ll post the NFL pregame quotage first and then move to the NHL.
Here’s the notes and quotes from NFL Network’s pair of pregame shows.
News and Sound Bites From Divisional Weekend Saturday Editions of FIRST ON THE FIELD & NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
Quick Quotes from First on the Field and NFL GameDay Morning
–“The 49ers have confidence they can come from behind to win with Colin Kaepernick… [with Alex Smith] they thought the game was over.” – Michael Lombardi on the difference in the San Francisco 49ers mentality with Kaepernick at quarterback
– “Peyton Manning is considered one of the best to play in the regular season, but not [one of the best] ever.” – Kurt Warner on what Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning can still accomplish with a Super Bowl win
–“Aaron Rodgers will carry the draft day situation forever.” – Michael Irvin on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers who fell the 24th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft
–“Aaron Rodgers is going to be in the Hall of Fame.” – Sterling Sharpe on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
–“Matt Schaub has to outplay Tom Brady. Period.” – Marshall Faulk on the only way the Houston Texans can beat the New England Patriots
Quotes from First on the Field
On Saturday, NFL Network was First on the Field with Melissa Stark, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe, and Michael Lombardi providing the first analysis of Divisional Weekend.
–“Jim Harbaugh needs to play up-tempo. He believes Colin Kaepernick can be up-tempo and make big plays in the passing game. It is not about the percentage of completions; it is about big, chunk yards. Kaepernick makes you defend every part of the field.” – Michael Lombardi on why Colin Kaepernick is the 49ers starting quarterback
–“The combination of Kaepernick’s running ability and Frank Gore is going to give the Packers problems. Green Bay won’t stop the running game.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on the Green Bay Packers defense
–“Joe Flacco won’t play well; he hasn’t played well on the road all year.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco
–“Joe Flacco has to make plays down the field. Forget about percentage of completion, it’s about chunk yards.” – Michael Lombardi on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco
–“The Baltimore Ravens defense can fool Peyton Manning and get a couple [interceptions]” –Sterling Sharpe on the Baltimore Ravens defense
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 Divisional Weekend.
– “Peyton Manning is considered one of the best to play in the regular season, but not ever. That is what another Super Bowl does: it immediately elevates him to best quarterback ever consideration, which is where he belongs.” – Kurt Warner on Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning
–“Peyton Manning needs a Super Bowl for his legacy. He needs to be the only quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different teams [to be] considered the best of all time.” – Michael Irvin on Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning
– “Peyton Manning’s resume is set, but his legacy is in danger.” – Warren Sapp on why Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning needs to have success in the playoffs
–“If Colin Kaepernick struggles, Jim Harbaugh has to keep him in the game. He made that decision eight weeks ago. There is no way at this point he can go back to Alex Smith. Harbaugh and Kaepernick would go down in flames together.” – Kurt Warner on the San Francisco 49ers
–“[NFL analysts] have made Alex Smith a better [quarterback] since he was replaced. Alex was at his ceiling; Colin is still at his floor.” – Michael Irvin on San Francisco 49ers Jim Harbaugh’s quarterback decision
–“Frank Gore has to dominate. Gore and his offensive line must make sure the game is not on Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers defense.” – Marshall Faulk on the San Francisco 49ers
–“I didn’t feel like the situation was too big for Colin Kaepernick.” – Kurt Warner on his takeaway from meeting with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick this week
–“Von Miller has the rare combination in a pass rusher: speed, quickness, power, and agility.” – Warren Sapp on Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller
–“Matt Schaub has to outplay Tom Brady. Period. Bill Belichick will take away [a team’s strength.] Arian Foster will not beat Bill Belichick.” – Marshall Faulk on how Houston Texans can beat the New England Patriots
–“The running game has to be relevant. It doesn’t mean you run for a lot of yards, but it has to be effective enough… for Matt Schaub’s play action.” – Kurt Warner on Houston Texans offense
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s sit downinterview with Kurt Warner
On the biggest misperception about him
– “That I am just a running quarterback that is kind of raw. I think there is a huge difference between being a running quarterback and a quarterback that can run. I see that as something that is a little disrespectful and I take that to heart.”On if ever envisioned him being the playoff starter at the start of the season
– “I was just hoping for an opportunity to get on the field at that point. I thought I could perform well, I thought I could help this offense; it was when I was going to get an opportunity to try to show everybody I could do that.”On him becoming a starter due to an injury to Alex Smith
– “It is part of football, it happens quite a bit. Me and Alex have a great relationship; I wish him nothing but the best. At the same time, when you have the opportunity – you might only get one chance – you have to take full advantage of it.”On if he feels pressure going into his first playoff game as a starter
– “It is not pressure unless you are not prepared. I feel like I was prepared to step in, that I was prepared to play. At that point it is about going out and performing well.”On if he still has to prove to people he should be the starting quarterback
– “I feel like I have a lot to prove. There are people that still doubt me. Going through the playoffs, through this next game, I really want to take all that doubt out of [their] mind.”On a letter he wrote in fourth grade that said he wanted to play for the 49ers or the Green Bay Packers
– “It was in the fourth grade, as part of a time-capsule, they had us write a letter to our self in the future. At that time, my favorite team was the Packers and all my friends liked the 49ers, so that was the two teams I watched.”On is first playoff start including both of those teams
– “It is ironic. I don’t know what to make of it.”On where he wants to be in seven years
– “In San Francisco, as the Super Bowl champion. That is what every player plays for, to be Super Bowl Champion.”The complete interview with Kaepernick can be heard here:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125237/Kaepernick-seizing-opportunity-to-startOn NFL.com the following video clips from First on the Field & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
Peyton Manning Rehab with exclusive video – Former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe takes you through exclusive workout footage of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning as he makes his offseason comeback:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/denver-broncos/0ap2000000124865/How-Peyton-got-his-groove-backPeyton Manning looking to cement legacy as NFL’s greatest quarterback – The NFL GameDay Morning analysts discuss what Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning needs to do to solidify himself as the greatest quarterback of all-time:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125244/Manning-looking-to-cement-legacy-as-NFL-s-greatest-quarterbackRG3’s injury unveils hypocrisy – Mark Kriegel analyzes the hypocrisy over the concern of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III’s health:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125246/RG3-s-injury-unveils-hypocrisyIan Rapoport sorts out coaching carousel – Ian Rapoport joins Rich Eisen to discuss the latest head coach news, which includes Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125245/Rapoport-sorts-out-coaching-carouselSack artists dominate Divisional round matchups – The NFL GameDay Morning analysts examine which of the elite NFL pass rushers will have the biggest impact on this weekend’s games:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125243/Sack-artists-dominate-divisional-round-matchupsHow will cold weather affect Peyton Manning – Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has not had a history of success in cold weather games. So, how will the future Hall of Famer combat the cold?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125242/How-will-cold-weather-affect-Peyton-ManningProtecting the ball is key for Broncos – The First on the Field analysts discuss the importance of protecting the football for the Denver Broncos:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125238/Protecting-the-ball-is-key-for-BroncosThe National Anthem: A player’s moment of reflection – NFL Films provides an inside look at the National Anthem through the eyes of the players:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125236/The-National-Anthem-A-player-s-moment-of-reflectionWhat is next for the Eagles coaching search? – Michael Lombardi talks about the latest news surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles coaching search. Is Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley slated to replace Andy Reid?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125235/What-s-next-in-the-Eagles-coaching-searchRay Lewis and Peyton Manning share mutual admiration – Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reflect on the other’s career and the incredible amount of respect they have for one another:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125239/Ray-Lewis-Peyton-Manning-share-mutual-admirationDivisional Weekend Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning analysts provide the boldest of bold predictions:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125247/Divisional-Weekend-Bold-Predictions
The NFL Today quotage from CBS is next.
