Last week of the regular season Sunday NFL pregame quotage. As always, we begin with NFL Network’s NFL GameDay First and NFL GameDay Morning.
News & Sound Bites From Week 17 Editions of NFL Network’s NFL GAMEDAY FIRST & NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
Quick Quotes from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning
– “I want to find out if he can finish a game when they need him in the game and they don’t have Tony Romo…Right now, this is a statement for DeMarco Murray. He must answer.” – Marshall Faulk on Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray
– “They win with spectacular plays from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant. This is not a methodical offense, a system that you can sit someone else in and have success. They are going to miss Tony Romo.” – Michael Irvin on the Dallas Cowboys with Kyle Orton at quarterback
– “They’re going to come out firing. The Green Bay Packers are going to put the ball in Aaron Rodgers’ hands and show the Chicago Bears how healthy he really is.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Green Bay Packers facing the Chicago Bears
– “They certainly have that possibility. Going into next year, having them both under contract is actually a position of strength.” – Mike Tannenbaum on if either Geno Smith or Mark Sanchez could be a franchise quarterback for the New York Jets
– “Over the last three weeks, they showed us they’re human because we all put them on that pedestal that everything is going to go through Seattle. Offensively, they’re just not the same.” – Steve Mariucci on the Seattle Seahawks, who have lost two of their last three games
– “This team is completely built around [Peyton Manning]. If he doesn’t play well, I don’t believe this team can advance.” – Kurt Warner on the Denver Broncos entering the playoffs
– “The biggest free agent for the Giants this offseason has to be Jon Beason. There is a big correlation between his arrival and that defense playing improved football.” – Shaun O’Hara on the New York Giants this offseason
– “Bill O’Brien has emerged as a top candidate with the Houston Texans. They interviewed him this week on Thursday; I’m told it went well.” – Ian Rapoport on the Houston Texans’ head coaching search
– “I’m told that owner Bob McNair is very much spearheading this process and that they are telling people they’d like to be done by Tuesday.” – Mike Silver on the Houston Texans’ head coaching search
***For complete quotes from ‘NFL GameDay First’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning,’ see below***
Quotes from NFL GameDay First
Every Sunday morning at 7:00 AM ET, NFL Network is first on the field with NFL GameDay First. Host Melissa Stark, co-host/analyst Sterling Sharpe, and analyst Shaun O’Hara provide the first analysis of the day’s games, while NFL Network reporters stationed across the league report from stadiums with the first on-location reports of the day. This week, former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum joined as a guest analyst.
– “They’re going to come out firing. The Green Bay Packers are going to put the ball in Aaron Rodgers’ hands and show the Chicago Bears how healthy he really is… They saw what the Eagles did, the throws that Nick Foles made on Sunday night – Aaron Rodgers can make those throws.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Green Bay Packers facing the Chicago Bears
– “This really comes down to the development of Geno Smith. If they would make a change with Rex [Ryan], presumably they’ll bring in another offensive coach. That would give Geno three offensive coordinators in three years.” – Mike Tannenbaum on the future of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan
– “They certainly have that possibility. Going into next year, having them both under contract is actually a position of strength. And if you keep Rex [Ryan] and presumably [offensive coordinator Marty] Mornhinweg, that gives you some continuity. Even though [Mark] Sanchez didn’t play this year, he did learn the system and that probably would give them their best chance at being successful in 2014.” – Mike Tannenbaum on if either Geno Smith or Mark Sanchez could be a franchise quarterback for the New York Jets
– “The Saints aren’t the same team on the road as they are at home…Against the defenses that they will see in the playoffs – on the road – they are not beating any of those teams on the road the way they have played this season on the road. Their history this year has told us: they are a one-and-done football team. They will get in and they will get out.” – Sterling Sharpe on the New Orleans Saints’ chances in the postseason
– “The biggest free agent for the Giants this offseason has to be Jon Beason. There is a big correlation between his arrival and that defense playing improved football. Also, in that building, he has been a leader for those guys…He has had a huge impact and they have to find a way to get him back.” – Shaun O’Hara on the New York Giants in the offseason
– “When you can’t run the ball for Joe Flacco and set up his play-action pass game, he struggles. I’m not taking anything away from Joe; he is an outstanding quarterback in the NFL. But watching him this season, he needs the running game.” – Sterling Sharpe on quarterback Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens
– “He’s done enough…Four game-winning drives so far this season? Cam has silenced his critics.” – Sterling Sharpe on if the Carolina Panthers need to win the NFC South for quarterback Cam Newton to silence his critics
– “If they had thought about leaving [Robert Griffin III] on the PUP list, which would have made him ineligible to play in the first six games, that would have solved a lot of problems. That would have brought the temperature down. That could have changed the course of this season.” – Mike Tannenbaum on the Washington Redskins
– “Von Miller wasn’t just getting sacks, he was hitting quarterbacks and forcing them to get the ball out. They are going to miss that in Denver.” – Shaun O’Hara on Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning
NFL GameDay Morning is the most comprehensive pregame show on Sunday morning, airing at 9:00 AM ET for four hours on NFL Network and taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joins 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 Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver provide the latest inside information from around the league.
– “When the Dallas Cowboys win, they win with spectacular plays from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant. This is not a methodical offense, a system that you can sit someone else in and have success. They are going to miss Tony Romo.” – Michael Irvin on the Dallas Cowboys without quarterback Tony Romo
– “The thing they’re going to miss the most [without Tony Romo] is the improvisation. We know that Kyle Orton doesn’t have what Tony Romo has, but just buy a little bit of time, extend plays a little bit and make the throws down the field. This is what they need from Kyle Orton.” – Kurt Warner on quarterback Kyle Orton starting for the Dallas Cowboys
– “Can he remain healthy throughout this game? I want to find out if he can finish a game when they need him in the game and they don’t have Tony Romo…Right now, this is a statement for DeMarco Murray. He must answer.” – Marshall Faulk on Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray
– “Defense does not win championships; defense gives you a chance and your offense has to win it for you. That’s what this Dallas Cowboys defense has to figure out a way [to do] today: give this offense a chance. Keep Kyle Orton in the football game with defense and the run game.” – Warren Sapp on the Dallas Cowboys
– “He’s playing for his NFL life, not only his Bears life, because he’s auditioning for everybody…If he doesn’t get the Bears in the playoffs and a quarterback comes off the bench rusty and beats him in his home stadium, you’re in trouble.” – Warren Sapp on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler entering tonight’s game against the Green Bay Packers
– “For Jay Cutler, I can’t imagine the stakes being higher…[Marc Trestman and Phil Emery] have provided him with better offensive weapons than he has ever had; a refurbished offensive line, two receivers with an excess of 2,500 yards [combined], Matt Forte with 1,800 all-purpose yards. It is time for Jay Cutler to return the favor, to beat the Packers.” – Mark Kriegel on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler facing the Green Bay Packers
– “This team is completely built around [Peyton Manning]. If he doesn’t play well, I don’t believe this team can advance…When he plays bad [in the playoffs], his teams usually lose and I believe that’s exactly what’s going to happen with this team. If he goes in and has a bad game, I don’t believe they have enough to be able to cover for a bad Peyton Manning game.” – Kurt Warner on the Denver Broncos’ concerns entering the playoffs
– “Very vulnerable…If Seattle cannot get open and they expect Marshawn Lynch and this run game to run them through the playoffs, they’re in trouble.” – Warren Sapp on how vulnerable the Seattle Seahawks are
– “Over the last three weeks, they showed us they’re human because we all put them on that pedestal that everything is going to go through Seattle. Offensively, they’re just not the same.” – Steve Mariucci on the Seattle Seahawks, who have lost two of their last three games
– “If he can remain this way and play that way, be that pocket passer, he can lead them to a Super Bowl.” – Michael Irvin on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton
– “The most complete team in the NFC is the San Francisco 49ers…When you’re taking the ball away and are able to dominate the line of scrimmage like the San Francisco 49ers can do, that’s the most complete team in the NFC.” – Warren Sapp on the San Francisco 49ers
NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport & Mike Silver
On the Houston Texans head coaching search:
Ian Rapoport: “Bill O’Brien has emerged as a top candidate with the Houston Texans. They interviewed him this week on Thursday; I’m told it went well. They also interviewed interim coach Wade Phillips and of course they’ve talked to Lovie Smith, but they are not done interviewing. My expectation is for them to talk to Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt; that could happen on Monday.”Mike Silver: “There is a reason that they fired Gary Kubiak during the season, so they could get a jump on people like Bill O’Brien. I’m told that owner Bob McNair is very much spearheading this process and that they are telling people they’d like to be done by Tuesday.”
On Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien:
Rapoport: “Bill O’Brien is telling people that he does want to be in the NFL; we know he interviewed last year for two teams – I’m told he actually talked to four teams, including the Chargers and the Cardinals. He is so confident that he’s getting this job, he’s told staff members be ready to come with me if I do come to Houston. Penn State is preparing to lose Bill O’Brien. They are preparing a strong push for Bucs coach Greg Schiano; the athletic director may actually fly down to Tampa on Monday.”On Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano:
Silver: “For what it’s worth, he has told his bosses very clearly I want to stay here, I want to be in the NFL, I want to be in Tampa.”On the Detroit Lions:
Rapoport: “The expectation from inside the building, including from Jim Schwartz I’m told, is that they will be fired. I am also told it’s a strong possibility the entire front office could be cleared out there. Some serious dysfunction with the Lions, including the front office bringing in players [and] the coaches simply not using them. By the end of the year, the two sides they weren’t really talking to each other.
Silver: “We know owner William Clay Ford was extraordinarily patient and loyal when it came to Matt Millen. His son Bill Ford, Jr. will be making this call; we’ll see how patient he is. I’m told that if they do make a change, they’re going to want offense, somebody who can work with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Greg Roman, a hot name the last couple of years the 49ers offensive coordinator, would be very, very interested in this job.”
On Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin:
Rapoport: “I am now told it is doubtful that Percy Harvin plays for the Seahawks anytime soon. The likelihood is he is out for the playoffs. They face a roster decision coming up, probably next week; I’m told the likelihood is that he is headed to Injured Reserve. It all goes back to the torn labrum he had surgery on in the offseason; it hasn’t healed, it is still sore.”On the New York Jets:
Rapoport: “From what I’m hearing, there are a lot of positive feelings from owner Woody Johnson to Rex Ryan. It’s clear Woody would like him to stay. Two potential issues. I’m told general manager John Idzik is pushing Rex Ryan to make staff changes on defense – his guys; that could complicate things. Rex also wants a contract extension going into the last year of his deal; it is unclear whether Idzik wants to give him one.”On the Oakland Raiders:
Silver: “General manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen getting signals this week from owner Mark Davis that he is leaning toward keeping both. Two caveats: an embarrassing loss to the Broncos and Peyton Manning today could change his thinking, and then there is the elephant in the room. Mark Davis and Jon Gruden remain in touch. If Gruden would come back, Mark Davis would turn it all over to him and blow everybody out. Probably not likely to happen.”On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
– Week 17 Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning crew provide their Bold Predictions for the final week of the regular season:
http://on.nfl.com/1fSNXet– Week 17 Sunday Statements – The NFL GameDay Morning crew gives their top storylines for Week 17:
http://on.nfl.com/1ejzxmK– ‘Front Office View’ with Mike Tannenbaum – Mike Tannenbaum talks about the status of some head coaches he believes are on the hot seat:
http://on.nfl.com/18RJJop– Big Changes with Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Kyle Orton Under Center? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew discusses how the Dallas Cowboys will change the gameplan to better fit quarterback Kyle Orton:
http://on.nfl.com/1gdcUSO– Why Do the Dallas Cowboys Struggle So Late? – Sterling Sharpe, Shaun O’Hara and Mike Tannenbaum try to answer why the Dallas Cowboys continue to struggle late in the season:
http://on.nfl.com/1lrcJno– Penn State Head Coach Bill O’Brien to Houston, Tampa Bay Head Coach Greg Schiano to Happy Valley? – NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver provide the latest on the Houston Texans head coaching search, Bill O’Brien and the Detroit Lions:
http://on.nfl.com/19vApXX– Rivalry Renewed – Mark Kriegel takes you through the history of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears rivalry, and explains why the 188th meeting of the two teams is a battle of two quarterbacks:
http://on.nfl.com/JCh2Qc– Will Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Show Rust? – Sterling Sharpe and Kurt Warner take a look at the quarterbacks in the NFC North matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears:
http://on.nfl.com/19uXZhM– Warren Sapp: ‘Jay Cutler is Playing for his NFL Life’ – Chicago faces a win-and-in situation Sunday against the Green Bay Packers and the NFL GameDay Morning crew explains why this game is pivotal for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler:
http://on.nfl.com/1ejJTTF– Cause for Concern in Seattle? – After losing at home to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, how vulnerable are the Seattle Seahawks? The NFL GameDay Morning crew discusses:
http://on.nfl.com/KeostM– Will Denver Broncos Quarterback Peyton Manning be One-and-Done Again? – Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Mike Silver discuss what the Denver Broncos’ biggest concerns are entering the playoffs:
http://on.nfl.com/1czDGUE– When the New England Patriots Are at Their Best – Steve Mariucci explains why the New England Patriots always seem to play their best when they are facing adversity:
http://on.nfl.com/1fSRKZo– Ian Rapoport: Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Percy Harvin to the IR? – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport brings the latest news on the Houston Texans’ head coaching search and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin:
http://on.nfl.com/1eNPA0E– Will Rex Ryan Return to the New York Jets? – NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver report the latest regarding New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and the Oakland Raiders:
http://on.nfl.com/Jnnxag– Ian Rapoport: Randall Cobb Back for the Green Bay Packers – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport updates all the injuries around the NFL:
http://on.nfl.com/1io5wHu– Records Will Fall – Rich Eisen reminds fans just how many offensive records could fall today, including new single-season marks for touchdowns and total points scored in a season:
http://on.nfl.com/1ceHqdp
More quotage is coming. It’s Game of Thrones where winter is coming. Quotage keeps coming.
