We have the quotage (and the probably the only one today) for the Wild Card Saturday. NFL Network has the notes and quotes from its two pregame shows, NFL GameDay First and NFL GameDay Morning.
Let’s check out what was said on the two shows today.
News & Sound Bites From Wild Card Saturday Editions of NFL Network’s NFL GAMEDAY FIRST & NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
Quick Quotes from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning
– “In some ways, I think they’re better this year than they were a year ago…They’re the only team because of how they’re built that can go into Seattle and exchange punches with Seattle.” – Steve Mariucci on the San Francisco 49ers
– “Drew Brees is a Hall of Famer. The minute he’s eligible, he’s going into the Hall of Fame.” – Brian Billick on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
– “It is huge for his career…This is an opportunity with Pierre Thomas out of the game to step up.” – Marshall Faulk on New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram
– “The biggest Achilles Heel I see is they don’t generate a lot of big plays.” – Brian Billick on the Kansas City Chiefs
– “They look like a team that is one-and-done.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Indianapolis Colts
– “I love how Andy Reid is using him; it reminds me of what he did with Brian Westbrook [in Philadelphia].” – Marshall Faulk on Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles
– “Outside of Peyton Manning, he’s as legitimate an Offensive Player of the Year candidate as there is in the league.” – Mike Mayock on Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles
– “Chuck Pagano’s mindset is, ‘We don’t want to put all of this on Andrew Luck; we want to protect him by running the football.’ The pressure is on the O-line and it’s on Donald Brown to help out Andrew Luck.” – Shaun O’Hara on the Indianapolis Colts facing the Kansas City Chiefs
– “Philip Rivers is going to have the playoffs of his life.” – Sterling Sharpe on San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers
– “He’s received interest from NFL teams over the last couple years. For the first time, this year he is reciprocating that interest.” – Ian Rapoport on University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops
***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 Wild Card weekend.
– “Chuck Pagano’s mindset is, ‘We don’t want to put all of this on Andrew Luck; we want to protect him by running the football.’ The pressure is on the O-line and it’s on Donald Brown to help out Andrew Luck so he doesn’t have to try to make up for the loss of Reggie Wayne.” – Shaun O’Hara on the Indianapolis Colts facing the Kanas City Chiefs
– “They look like a team that is one-and-done.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Indianapolis Colts
– “They had great balance between Tamba Hali on one side and Justin Houston on the other [early in the season], which also helped their secondary. It’s imperative that Tamba Hali play and play at a high level.” – Sterling Sharpe on Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali
– “The biggest Achilles Heel I see is they don’t generate a lot of big plays.” – Brian Billick on the Kansas City Chiefs
– “I love what he’s doing in the passing game. I love how Andy Reid is using him; it reminds me of what he did with Brian Westbrook [in Philadelphia].” – Marshall Faulk on Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles
– “Drew Brees is a Hall of Famer. The minute he’s eligible he’s going into the Hall of Fame.” – Brian Billick on the New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
– “You’re going to hear [criticism] until you do it, and Andy Dalton is going to continue to hear it along with Marvin Lewis; he’s been brilliant there for 11 years – hasn’t had a playoff win. You’re going to continue to hear it until you actually get one.” – Brian Billick on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and head coach Marvin Lewis
– “Philip Rivers is going to have the playoffs of his life.” – Sterling Sharpe on San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers
– “The only thing that worries me is the Chargers defense. They don’t have a bona fide pass rusher. When I look at a playoff team, I want to see a team that can run the football well, has a quarterback that can take care of the ball and a defense that can get after the quarterback.” – Shaun O’Hara on the San Diego Chargers
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 Mike Mayock joined from Indianapolis and NFL Network analyst Darren Sharper joined from Philadelphia.
– “In some ways, I think they’re better this year than they were a year ago; you have a quarterback that’s grown up a little bit, you [add] an Anquan Boldin, same offensive line. They have the oldest starting lineup in the National Football League; I don’t want to call them old – I want to call them veteran-like…They’re the only team because of how they’re built that can go into Seattle and exchange punches with Seattle.” – Steve Mariucci on the San Francisco 49ers
– “They don’t just depend on one guy to win football games for them…They’re the most complete team, they can win in a lot of different environments, they can be physical with you.” – Kurt Warner on the San Francisco 49ers
– “You give it to [Frank Gore] 25 times and you let your offensive linemen win the football game…This 49er team is built to win a game like this.” – Steve Mariucci on the San Francisco 49ers’ game plan against the Green Bay Packers
– “I don’t know how the [wide receivers] on the Kansas City Chiefs team can really deal with having the running back as the leading receiver…Those receivers have to step up and help [Alex Smith] out more today.” – Michael Irvin on the Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers
– “He wins games and he doesn’t make mistakes, so I trust him to go out and play well. My question with this team is, is he going to get help?…They don’t have anyone that’s in the top 50 as a wide receiver that can help make plays for Alex Smith.” – Kurt Warner on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith
– “Outside of Peyton Manning, he’s as legitimate an Offensive Player of the Year candidate as there is in the league.” – Mike Mayock on Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles
– “If Indy can get this game into the fourth quarter and if Andrew Luck has an opportunity to have the ball on the last possession, he’s the best young quarterback in football and he’ll win the game for them.” – Mike Mayock on the Kansas City Chiefs-Indianapolis Colts game
– “Anytime you watched the Philadelphia Eagles struggle, there was one thing happening: when you get pressure on Nick Foles…[The Saints] have to not just get pressure on third down, not just get pressure in the first half – it has to be a consistent effort throughout the game and you can’t tire out.” – Marshall Faulk on the New Orleans Saints defense facing the Philadelphia Eagles
– “It is huge for his career. A lot of disappointment, injuries and maybe not being the back that they thought he was; him not wanting to be a guy that spot-played because he played a lot when he was at Alabama. This is an opportunity with Pierre Thomas out of the game to step up.” – Marshall Faulk on New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram
– “You got Sean Payton back, you want to go to the Super Bowl – can you win outside? That’s the question they have to face and answer today.” – Michael Irvin on the New Orleans Saints
– “He has to show up; he has to make some big plays, he has to change the complexion of the game…He has to be a difference-maker in this game if they have any chance.” – Kurt Warner on New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham
– “It’s one of those teams that you go, ‘They can beat anybody in the playoffs, but can they win three straight games in the playoffs?’ That’s what I don’t believe San Diego can do.” – Kurt Warner on the San Diego Chargers
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport
On Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak:
“The Tennessee Titans have informed coach Mike Munchak that he is no longer their coach. He has been fired this morning after meeting with CEO Tommy Smith and their general manager [Ruston Webster] and several members of the team brass yesterday. Munchak also met with Webster on Tuesday and on Thursday. At issue here were staff changes; Munchak from what I heard yesterday and also earlier in the week had a chance to stay in Tennessee if he would agree to make certain staff changes. Gregg Williams to defensive coordinator was one, Dowell Loggains out at offensive coordinator was another. Instead, from what I understand, Munchak would not make the necessary changes and the Titans now made the one definitive change they were holding out on: Munchak no longer their coach…On Monday and Tuesday, the Titans reached out to possible candidates in case they fired him. They met with Munchak Tuesday [and] Thursday, and he met with the owner on Friday; they talked about possible staff changes. As of yesterday, he was believed to be safe; as of today he is obviously out. He has many close friends on this coaching staff. My understanding is he didn’t want to move on from them and now he’s moving on.”On the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching search:
“My understanding is the Cleveland Browns have two leading candidates. One is Josh McDaniels, who is interviewing today. The other: Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. He’s received interest from NFL teams over the last couple years. For the first time, this year he is reciprocating that interest. I would expect Stoops to interview with the Cleveland Browns this coming week. For McDaniels, he has to address with the Browns some of the interpersonal relationships he had with the Broncos. The Browns think that Stoops is the perfect mix of disciplinarian and a guy who is really a good player’s coach.”On New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels:
“He is going to interview with the Browns. He’s an Ohio native, he grew up a Browns. I talked to his dad last night who said I know he’s going to be a head coach in the league at some point; wouldn’t say if it’s going to be [with the Browns].”On Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase:
“What he said in a very rare move is I’m not talking to anyone until after we’re done [in the playoffs]. If the Browns haven’t hired a coach maybe next week, the week after or the week after, and the Broncos are still alive, that may be the direction they’re looking at.”On Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell:
“Jim Caldwell did interview with the Detroit Lions yesterday, has another interview with the Washington Redskins scheduled on Sunday. Just to give you an idea for how Caldwell prepared for this, what he did was he charted all of Matthew Stafford’s throws in the 2013 season, was able to go through with Lions brass and also with Stafford to say, ‘Here’s what went wrong, here’s what we could have done differently, here’s where maybe next year if I was head coach things would be different.’ I know the Lions are taking this very seriously. They are already calling around, looking at his references, trying to figure out what kind of a head coach Jim Caldwell would be.”On the Detroit Lions’ head coaching search:
“The Lions interviewed Jim Caldwell yesterday. Ken Whisenhunt from what I understand is their leading candidate. They’ve spent a lot of the week doing background work on him. I would expect him to interview this coming week. They’re looking for someone just to help Matthew Stafford along; Whisenhunt is certainly a quarterback guy. I would also expect veteran, respected offensive line coach Russ Grimm to get a very serious look there.”On Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley:
“What I am told is Mike Tomlin met with members of the Steelers coaching staff this week and Todd Haley has been informed he is safe into the 2014 season. Couple of the reasons why is he accepted Ben [Roethlisberger’s] request to run more no-huddle when Ben really calls the plays, Tomlin himself got more involved in the offense, and running backs coach Kirby Wilson also took a more active role in game planning.”On Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien putting his staff together:
“Bill O’Brien at this point is basically cleaning house on his staff with the Texans. Wade Phillips out, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison out. Romeo Crennel getting a hard look at defensive coordinator.”On Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith’s plan for cornerback Darrelle Revis:
“There was some chatter about Revis’ contract and the Bucs actually can get out of it without a big salary cap hit, without paying him a huge sum of money in 2014. They can cut him if he doesn’t fit this Tampa 2 system but what I am told is Darrelle Revis is very much in the Bucs plans. Lovie Smith does plan to use him, wants him as a key part of this defense. When you look at what the Bears did, especially by the end of Lovie Smith’s tenure, it wasn’t a lot of zone; it was a ton of man. They believe Revis has a very bright future in Tampa.”On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
– Wild Card Weekend Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning analysts provide their Bold Predictions for Wild Card Weekend:
http://on.nfl.com/1cxgamX– Wild Card Saturday Statements – The NFL GameDay Morning crew provide their statements for Wild Card Saturday:
http://on.nfl.com/1exv93B– Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Nick Foles Thriving Under Chip Kelly – Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles took the reigns as the starter in Week 6 and hasn’t looked back, leading his team to an NFC East division title:
http://on.nfl.com/1iCRlhS– Wild Card Weekend: Saturday Preview – Melissa Stark and Sterling Sharpe preview the Saturday Wild Card games on NFL GameDay First:
http://on.nfl.com/Kquecn– Can the San Francisco 49ers Return to the Super Bowl? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew debates which Wild Card teams have what it takes to make it to Super Bowl XLVIII:
http://on.nfl.com/194m5oE– Is San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick Living Up to Expectations? – The NFL GameDay Morning analysts answer the question as to whether San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is living up to early season expectations:
http://on.nfl.com/194kP54– Do the Kansas City Chiefs Have Enough Around Quarterback Alex Smith? – Can Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith lead his team to a Wild Card road win? The NFL GameDay Morning crew discusses what Smith needs from his teammates in order to advance:
http://on.nfl.com/19HGa4O– Indianapolis Colts’ Transition – NFL Network’s Jeff Darlington reports on the Indianapolis Colts’ transition from a 2-14 record in 2011 to the rebuilding of a team that is now a Super Bowl contender:
http://on.nfl.com/KqlIJL– Why Do Wild Card Teams Have So Much Success in the Playoffs? – With three straight Wild Card weekend teams having won the Super Bowl, the NFL GameDay First crew explains why those teams have had so much success in the playoffs:
http://on.nfl.com/1kiT3Xz– Making Sense of Mike Munchak Firing – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport sheds light on why the Tennessee Titans decided to part ways with head coach Mike Munchak, plus more on the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns coaching searches:
http://on.nfl.com/1i5u8Cb– Detroit Lions Comfortable with Jim Caldwell? – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport provides insight on the Detroit Lions’ coaching search, plus some potential destinations for offensive coordinators:
http://on.nfl.com/1awpiZp– Top 10 Wild Card Moments – NFL GameDay Morning counts down the top 10 Wild Card moments:
http://on.nfl.com/1e6DvP8
If more quotage comes in, I’ll post
