Our only pregame quotage for NFL Divisional Playoff Saturday is from NFL Network from this morning. Let’s take a look at this long press release.
News & Sound Bites From Divisional Saturday Editions of NFL Network’s NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning
Quick Quotes from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning
– “Everything is at stake…We compare him with people that have won more than one [Super Bowl] and in order to say you are the greatest of all time, you have to at least be the greatest during your time.” – Michael Irvin on Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning
– “To win [a Super Bowl] with two different teams, two different set of coaching staffs, two different sets of teammates, I’m going to say there is no more discussion in my mind because [he] is the greatest. – Steve Mariucci on Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning
– “It’s not just about can you convert in the red zone, can you convert third downs – this is about that voice of reason to these young guys as to, ‘This is what the playoffs is all about.’” – Marshall Faulk on the absence of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne
– “I know a lot of people think he’s going to give them the inside on Tom Brady – that is just foolish thinking.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Indianapolis Colts signing former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch
– “He’s not as fast as Wes Welker, but he runs routes, he gets in and out of his breaks – he’s exactly where Tom [Brady] needs him to be.” – Shaun O’Hara on New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman
– “Darren Sproles has to have a big game. That’s the one player I think in short space that could make a big difference for them.” – Brian Billick on New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles
– “You can paint the field, you can stick those [earpieces] in your ear, you can blow all of the speakers you want – toughness is something that is ingrained inside of you. It’s not something that’s learned in a week before you travel for a football game.” – Warren Sapp on the New Orleans Saints facing the Seattle Seahawks
– “This is a tall order for the Carolina Panthers because San Francisco, they have all of their firepower back.” – Sterling Sharpe on the San Francisco 49ers-Carolina Panthers game
***For complete quotes from ‘NFL GameDay First’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning,’ see below***
Quotes from NFL GameDay First
Today, NFL Network’s NFL GameDay First aired at 10:00 AM ET, with host Melissa Stark, co-host/analyst Sterling Sharpe, and analysts Shaun O’Hara and Brian Billick providing the first analysis of the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Additionally, NFL Network analyst Willie McGinest joined from New England and Michael Irvin joined from NFL Network’s studios in Los Angeles.
– “Everywhere he’s been – N.C. State a three-year starter, transferring to Wisconsin as a starter – his teams won. I don’t know if he’s a vocal leader; I know he gets his job done on the field. Everybody who has played with him will follow him anywhere he wants to go.” – Sterling Sharpe on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
– “It’s imperative that they go up there and run the football because when you do that, you drive the tempo of the game way down, and you take the crowd and that noise out of it.” – Sterling Sharpe on the New Orleans Saints on the road against the Seattle Seahawks
– “I would say go no huddle because the crowd, they wait for you to break the huddle and then they start getting loud. If you go no huddle, now they don’t know when to really yell.” – Shaun O’Hara on the New Orleans Saints battling the crowd noise in Seattle
– “Darren Sproles has to have a big game. That’s the one player I think in short space that could make a big difference for them…He has to have a big game for New Orleans to play well today.” – Brian Billick on New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles
– “He’s not as fast as Wes Welker, but he runs routes, he gets in and out of his breaks – he’s exactly where Tom [Brady] needs him to be…He’s so proud of the season he’s had, but the one guy that’s probably prouder than Julian Edelman of the season he’s had is Tom Brady.” – Shaun O’Hara on New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman
– “I know a lot of people think he’s going to give them the inside on Tom Brady – that is just foolish thinking. Do not think that Deion Branch is going to provide any help for the defense of the Colts going up against Tom Brady because you do not want to go out there thinking [the Patriots are in] this formation and [so] this is the play that is coming.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Indianapolis Colts signing former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch
– “This offense has been as advertised all season long. The problem with the Broncos is Peyton Manning doesn’t play defense. If they can get their defense to match the intensity of their offense, then they’ll have a chance to get to Super Bowl XLVIII.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Denver Broncos
– “This is a tall order for the Carolina Panthers because San Francisco, they have all of their firepower back.” – Sterling Sharpe on the San Francisco 49ers-Carolina Panthers game
Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson with NFL Network’s Steve Cyphers
NFL Network’s Steve Cyphers sat down with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson for an interview which aired on NFL GameDay Morning:
On being the lowest-paid starting quarterback in the NFL:
“It’s great to be financially stable and to do all of those things, but at the end of the day your happiness doesn’t come from your financial status. I want to be the best ever to play the game – that’s what motivates me, not the financial side.”On wanting to be the best to ever play the game:
“Essentially. I have a long ways to go; there are a lot of quarterbacks right now that are playing that are unbelievable. I’m trying to be elite; I have to do a lot of things to do that. You have to win, you have to do the right things to help the other teammates get better, but at the end of the day I know that I have that in me.”On himself as a quarterback:
“The difference between a good player and a great player is what they do on a consistent basis. How consistent [can I be]? How clutch can I be? How dominant can I be when the game’s on the line? Those are my three goals for this year.”To view the interview with Wilson, visit:
http://on.nfl.com/1gu3H83
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning
Today, NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning aired at 12 Noon ET, taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joined analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews. Additionally, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport provided the latest inside information from around the league, NFL Network analyst Willie McGinest joined from New England and NFL Network analyst Darren Sharper joined from Seattle.
– “They’ve won very few games without Drew Brees having that career day; anytime that he’s a little bit off the mark or doesn’t have that game where it’s three, four touchdowns, they don’t win. If Drew doesn’t play well today…can the defense hold up enough for Drew to make those plays at the end of the game? Or can the running game give them enough to keep them in situations that Drew doesn’t have to do it all with his arm?” – Marshall Faulk on the New Orleans Saints facing the Seattle Seahawks
– “It’s going to be a repeat performance up in Seattle. You can paint the field, you can stick those [earpieces] in your ear, you can blow all of the speakers you want – toughness is something that is ingrained inside of you. It’s not something that’s learned in a week before you travel for a football game.” – Warren Sapp on the New Orleans Saints-Seattle Seahawks game
– “He can come back after halftime or from quarter to quarter and correct those [mistakes]. Young quarterbacks usually struggle with that; usually you have to see it on the board, you have to see it in practice, then you go out and get it done. He’s getting it done in games.” – Marshall Faulk on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck’s ability to correct mistakes
– “Without [Rob Gronkowski], this team struggles in the red zone. [He] becomes the number one target for Tom Brady in the red zone…I look for him to have a big impact.” – Kurt Warner on New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen
– “It’s not just about can you convert in the red zone, can you convert third downs – this is about that voice of reason to these young guys as to, ‘This is what the playoffs is all about.’” – Marshall Faulk on the absence of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne
– “I worry about this team in saying, ‘OK Andrew, you don’t have to do everything yourself’ – I think Andrew has to do everything himself. Against this team in that environment, that is going to cause him and this team to struggle.” – Kurt Warner on quarterback Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts facing the New England Patriots
– “Peyton in the next three weeks can end this conversation…If he wins another Super Bowl with a second team – nobody else has done that. To win with two different teams, two different set of coaching staffs, two different sets of teammates, I’m going to say there is no more discussion in my mind because [he] is the greatest.” – Steve Mariucci on if Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning can be considered the greatest quarterback of all time
– “Everything is at stake…We compare him with people that have won more than one [Super Bowl] and in order to say you are the greatest of all time, you have to at least be the greatest during your time.” – Michael Irvin on what is at stake for Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport
On Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin:
“He has no restrictions, he has no snap count and he’s going to return kicks…Two weeks ago, the Seahawks were planning to put Harvin on Injured Reserve, so much so that coach Pete Carroll told him, ‘You’re going on IR.’ Harvin said one more chance. That was the wakeup call he needed. He practiced, he felt good – his hip felt good – and he’s playing today.”On San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt:
“Detroit interviewed Ken Whisenhunt, the Chargers offensive coordinator. The Browns are interviewing him today, the Titans interviewed him yesterday, but the Lions [job] is one in particular to watch for Whisenhunt. From everything I have heard, he is a clear frontrunner there; one source close to the search said it is all [Whisenhunt]. So if the Chargers lose this weekend, don’t be surprised if this happens very quickly. Here’s why he is a frontrunner: he fits exactly what they’re looking for. He’s tough, he can instill some discipline and he’s an offensive guy so he can help with Matthew Stafford.”On the Minnesota Vikings’ head coaching search:
“The Minnesota contingent including general manager Rick Spielman flew to Charlotte today to talk to two 49ers assistants, offensive coordinator Greg Roman and defensive line coach Jim Tomsula; kind of an odd name but certainly a respected one in NFL circles. What Minnesota is telling candidates they’re going to get on Monday two to three finalists, fly them to Minnesota, meet with ownership and then try to come to a decision this week. Two of those finalists are expected to be Mike Zimmer, the Bengals defensive coordinator, and Todd Bowles, the Cardinals defensive coordinator.”On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
– Divisional Round Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning team provide their Bold Predictions for the Divisional Round:
http://on.nfl.com/KO0RAe– Divisional Saturday Statements – The NFL GameDay Morning crew provide their statements for Saturday’s Divisional Round games:
http://on.nfl.com/1aqSZi5– Saturday Divisional Round Playoff Preview – Melissa Stark and Sterling Sharpe preview the New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots Divisional Round games:
http://on.nfl.com/1aqPQir– Patriots Wide Receiver Julian Edelman: Next Man Up – What makes New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman so effective? Mark Kriegel travels to New England for a look at how Edelman has transformed from college quarterback to NFL playmaker:
http://on.nfl.com/1kvbEzv
– New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady Made Me – Current and former New England Patriots players explain how quarterback Tom Brady made his teammates better players:
– A Different Blueprint for Winning – Rich Eisen details the contrasting styles of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck:
http://on.nfl.com/1cP4Lm0– Can the New Orleans Saints Finally Conquer the Seattle Seahawks? – Can the New Orleans Saints overcome a string of bad luck and overcome their demons against the Seattle Seahawks? NFL Media’s Mike Silver examines:
http://on.nfl.com/1agcPJq– What Adjustments do the New Orleans Saints Need to Make? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew identifies the adjustments the New Orleans Saints need to make in their Divisional Round game against the Seattle Seahawks:
http://on.nfl.com/Kciidj– Impact of Seattle Seahawks’ 12th Man – Shaun O’Hara and Brian Billick explain why the Seattle Seahawks’ home crowd is unlike any other:
http://on.nfl.com/KNzCGa– Bigger Impact: Marshawn Lynch or Darren Sproles?
– Sterling Sharpe, Shaun O’Hara and Brian Billick debate which players will shine in Saturday’s Divisional Round games:
http://on.nfl.com/JQ59a1– How Drew Brees and Russell Wilson Combat Lack of Height – Steve Mariucci examines how New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson are so effective despite a lack of prototypical size:
http://on.nfl.com/1fmsoXu– Difficulties of Catching Passes in the Rain – Kurt Warner, Michael Irvin and Steve Mariucci demonstrate how quarterbacks Drew Brees and Russell Wilson will fare throwing passes in the rain:
http://on.nfl.com/1dmdPSd– Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Percy Harvin’s Wake-Up Call – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport provides the latest on Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin:
http://on.nfl.com/1dmjh7C– Divisional Round Defensive X-Factors – Warren Sapp and Steve Mariucci dish out a few under-the-radar names that could have a big impact on Saturday’s Divisional Round games:
http://on.nfl.com/1gtScO3– What is at Stake for Denver Broncos Quarterback Peyton Manning? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew debate what is at stake for Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers:
http://on.nfl.com/1dmcbQv– Kurt Warner Simulates New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees’ Play-calling Conditions – Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner simulates the conditions New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will face calling plays in the huddle against the Seattle Seahawks:
http://on.nfl.com/1cPiedG– Warner’s Corner: Which Quarterback Will Shine the Brightest? – Kurt Warner takes a look at how each quarterback playing in Saturday’s Divisional Round playoff games can add to their legacies with a clutch performance:
http://on.nfl.com/19kUPT9– Latest on Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings Head Coaching Searches – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport provides an update on which coaches the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have targeted:
http://on.nfl.com/1agb4Md
That wraps up the quotage for today.
