I took a week off from quotage last week and here, I’m getting a late start, but I’m committed to providing you the latest information even when I’m busy with life getting in the way. I’ll try to do better, but on Monday, I’ll be away from the computer. I’ll have my tablet with me so if anything breaks, I’ll do my best to get it to you as quickly as I can.
Here’s what was said on NFL Network’s pair of pregame programs today.
News & Sound Bites From Week 9 Editions of NFL Network’s NFL GAMEDAY FIRST & NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
Quick Quotes from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning
– “My biggest concern is people putting him together with [Terrell Owens]…I want the opportunity to let him continue to mature and grow without worrying about every little thing he does becoming a big story.” – Michael Irvin on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant
– “You have quiet leaders in Tony Romo and Jason Witten – I don’t think that’s enough. They need more leadership to help this football team stop being average.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Dallas Cowboys
– “Unless this situation drastically changes in the Dolphins locker room, he does not feel comfortable returning to the team.” – Ian Rapoport on Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin
– “I believe everything that’s gone on around Tom Brady has made him change the way he plays the game…All of that is making me worry about him.” – Kurt Warner on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
– “Cam Newton will take the Panthers very far in the playoffs.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Carolina Panthers’ playoff chances this season
– “I don’t ever want to hear you talk about taking that opportunity [to play in the NFL] away from another man. That is not what we are about.” – Michael Irvin to Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather
***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 All-Pro wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh joined as a guest analyst.
– “You have quiet leaders in Tony Romo and Jason Witten – I don’t think that’s enough. They need more leadership to help this football team stop being average.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Dallas Cowboys
– “[Robert Griffin III] is getting hit in the pocket. This is not RGIII taking all of these hits with naked bootlegs because he is scrambling with the football. He’s not getting rid of the football. He is not reading the defense. He’s not anticipating his receiver getting open.” – Sterling Sharpe on Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III
– “Cam Newton will take the Panthers very far in the playoffs.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Carolina Panthers’ playoff chances this season
– “Not only will he be Rookie of the Year, right now he is positioning himself to be Defensive Player of the Year.” – Sterling Sharpe on Buffalo Bills rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso
– “If he wanted to get it and the team wanted to get it, he could get it easy. For the team, it’s terrible. If they give him 2,000 yards for the Detroit Lions, they are doing a terrible job on offense.” – T.J. Houshmandzadeh on if Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson can reach 2,000 yards receiving
– “This is an opportunity for you to empower people…If you empower your special teams coach and your offensive coordinator to be the same guys they were with John Fox, this football team is going to be fine.” – Sterling Sharpe on Jack Del Rio reportedly taking over as interim head coach for the Denver Broncos
– “It’s up to the Kenbrell Thompkins and the Aaron Dobsons of the world to make it easy on Tom Brady. Make him trust you…[Rob] Gronkowski comes back and he’s forcing the ball to him because he does not trust those wide receivers. They’re not being where they’re supposed to be, they’re not creating enough separation.” – T.J. Houshmandzadeh on quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots offense
‘Sunday Sitdown’ – San Diego Chargers Quarterback Philip Rivers
NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner sat down with San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers for an interview on NFL GameDay Morning:
On the team’s struggles the last few seasons:
“There are a lot of factors. I wasn’t at my best and then there are a lot of things that go into not winning games consistently. We lost a lot of guys, we lost a lot of close games, we made a lot of critical errors.”On how tough was it to watch former Chargers such as Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles have success with new teams:
“It was tough just because of how special it was and what we thought could be so special. We had a good run there. We get beat in the [AFC] Championship Game and then we get back in ‘09 and we go 13-3. It was just like, ‘We’re going to get there,’ and then you lose [those] guys. It was hard to see those guys go.”On what came to mind when he heard comments that his best football was behind him:
“I wanted to say, ‘What’s broke?’ I recognized the lack of consistency, I recognized the turnovers. It wasn’t lack of arm strength – it was just getting back to that consistent level. So far this year for the most part we’ve done that.”On what Chargers head coach Mike McCoy has brought to the team:
“From an offensive standpoint, the biggest thing I’ve heard him say over and over is just throw completions; keep taking the dinks and the dunks.”On if he feels rejuvenated under a new coaching staff:
“I don’t know that I ever lost any passion but there is no doubt it’s given some sort of rejuvenation. When you have to learn a new system and you feel like a rookie; you can’t even call a play and you have to say, ‘Coach, give me that again,’ I feel like I’ve gotten a little boost here at the midpoint or past the midpoint of my career.”On what it is going to take to win a championship:
“You have to get in and we know how tough that is going to be this year in our division. We have two teams ahead of us that haven’t lost but one game between them. It’s going to take us having a heck of a run these next nine weeks and we all know when you get in, who knows. But we have to give ourselves that chance. That was the toughest thing the last few years; we’ve seen the six seeds and the five seeds win it. But you have to get in to win it.”To view the entire interview with Rivers, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275114/Sunday-Sitdown-Philip-Rivers
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.
– “My biggest concern is people putting him together with [Terrell Owens]. Every time we would throw T.O. up on TV, everybody is going to stop and wait and watch to see what is coming up next. It looks like they’re trying to put Dez in that same situation, and that’s a sad situation to be in. I want the opportunity to let him continue to mature and grow without worrying about every little thing he does becoming a big story.” – Michael Irvin on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant
– “It’s too stagnant, it’s too boring; they’re not allowing Tony Romo – outside of the Denver game – to be Tony Romo. This team has no identity. They have nothing they can bank on; in the past, even though Tony has made mistakes, they could bank on the fact that he would make plays for them and give them opportunities to win. They’ve taken that away.” – Kurt Warner on the Dallas Cowboys’ offense
– “It’s on the small details, and the Cowboys know this; that’s why they made the decision to allow Jason Garrett to do more things with the team and someone else to call plays. Again, the same issue rises up and bites the Cowboys.” – Michael Irvin on why the Dallas Cowboys can’t win close games
– “I just don’t see the Cowboys as that unit on both sides of the ball that when the job needs to get done, you’re going to rise up above coaching, you’re going to rise up above your opponent and you’re going to get the win. They never seem to do that.” – Marshall Faulk on the Dallas Cowboys in close games
– “I believe everything that’s gone on around Tom Brady has made him change the way he plays the game; he’s second-guessing himself, he’s second-guessing what he’s seeing – he’s second-guessing whether he can throw it to certain guys, and how to throw it and when to throw it. All of that is making me worry about him. I’ve never seen Tom Brady play like this.” – Kurt Warner on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
– “As a leader in the locker room, if I feel that it’s going too far I’m going to say something. I can’t imagine no one in that locker room said a word and watched this thing go too far.” – Michael Irvin on the situation surrounding Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin
– “I don’t ever want to hear you talk about taking that opportunity [to play in the NFL] away from another man. That is not what we are about.” – Michael Irvin to Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather
– “It really takes a knock to their playoff chances, but more to their championship chances. I expect them to get into the playoffs because Andy Dalton and this offense, they’re good enough to get them into the playoffs. But the presence of Geno Atkins missing on this defense really puts a hole in the middle.” – Warren Sapp on the season-ending injury to Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins
– “I don’t want to get [the quarterback] upset, I don’t want him out of his comfort zone. I want him cool; I want him calm because he has to handle the defense and the football on every play. His demeanor in our huddle means everything to how everyone else responds.” – Marshall Faulk on the demeanor on the sidelines
– “Nobody is ever going to question his physical ability; he can make all of the throws, he can run. It’s the connection between the mental side it; knowing what defenses are doing and knowing where to go with the football to use this ability. That’s what he’s done so well.” – Kurt Warner on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the team’s three-game winning streak
NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport & Mike Silver
On Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin:
Ian Rapoport: “Jonathan Martin left the Dolphins early last week after a highly-publicized teasing incident with the rest of his offensive linemen that went wrong. He left the facility, drove straight to the hospital and he is now with his family away from the team following a pattern of two years of similar harsh teasing from his teammates. On Tuesday, the Dolphins are expected to place Jonathan Martin on the reserved/non-football injury list, essentially removing him from the roster. What we do not know is whether the Dolphins will pay his salary while he’s on the reserved list; they can or they cannot. Based on the sources I’m talking to, and you wonder about the future of Jonathan Martin, unless this situation drastically changes in the Dolphins locker room he does not feel comfortable returning to the team.”On Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant:
Rapoport: “I reached out to COO Stephen Jones last night just to see if they’ve sat Dez down to say, ‘Please control yourself on the sideline.’ What Jones told me is we love Dez all the way. They have embraced his love for the game, even though he is a little demonstrative sometimes. If you’re wondering what that conversation with DeMarcus Ware and Jason Witten was, they were telling him yes we understand you were open, yes Tony [Romo] needs to find you despite what the play is but calm down; we need you to focus on the next play because there is still 14 seconds left. The byproduct of this when you talk to Cowboys people is that it is a not-so-gentle reminder to Tony Romo that he needs to find Dez Bryant whether he is open or not. He’s their guy.”Mike Silver: “I talked to his advisor David Wells this week. He said he’s made a lot of progress, he’s looking forward to getting paid in the offseason settling on a long-term situation with the Cowboys.”
On Denver Broncos head coach John Fox:
Rapoport: “Broncos head coach John Fox is set to undergo aortic valve replacement surgery on Tuesday. This is a congenital condition he knew he had. He hoped to put it off until the offseason; instead he experienced symptoms yesterday. In just talking to an expert in this procedure, once you experience symptoms you have to get it operated on. The plan according to people that I’m talking to is that Jack Del Rio is the favorite to take over as the interim coach…I had an expert lay out the timetable for me: it’s a three to four-hour surgery, Fox should expect to be in the hospital five to six days, and then out at least a month. Look for him hopefully back in December.”On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
– Week 9 Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning crew provides their Bold Predictions for Week 9:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275089/Bold-Predictions-Pryor-will-out-rush-McCoy– Culture of NFL Locker Rooms – The former players of NFL GameDay Morning discuss the issue of bullying in NFL locker rooms and how far is too far:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275078/Culture-of-NFL-locker-rooms– Jonathan Martin Not Comfortable Returning to the Miami Dolphins – NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport updates the ongoing situation with Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275074/Martin-not-comfortable-returning-to-the-Dolphins– Sibling Rivalry: The Ryan Brothers – New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan goes head-to-head with twin brother and New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Take a look back at the Ryan brothers’ introduction to and growth in football:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-orleans-saints/0ap2000000274733/Sibling-rivalry-The-Ryan-brothers– Why Have the Dallas Cowboys Been so Average for so Long? – Since winning Super Bowl XXX, the Dallas Cowboys are 144-145. So why hasn’t the team been able to live up to expectations?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275100/Why-have-the-Cowboys-been-so-average-for-so-long– Passion or Problem? – The Dallas Cowboys have dealt with sideline drama from superstar wide receivers before, but is the latest passionate wide receiver, Dez Bryant, helping or hurting the team?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275084/Passion-or-problem– Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Dez Bryant’s Contract Situation – NFL Media insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver have the latest regarding Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant’s contract situation:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275083/Dez-s-contract-situation– Are Expectations Too High for the Dallas Cowboys? – Michael Irvin and Mike Silver discuss what the Dallas Cowboys must do in order to break the current trend of disappointing seasons:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275106/Are-expectations-too-high-for-the-Cowboys– Do the Cowboys Have a Leadership Problem? – Sterling Sharpe, Shaun O’Hara and T.J. Houshmandzadeh debate if the Dallas Cowboys lack in leadership is the reason for their 4-4 start:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275066/Do-the-Cowboys-have-a-leadership-problem– Do Albert Haynesworth’s Comments Hold Merit? – The NFL GameDay First team debates the war of words between Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan and Albert Haynesworth:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275064/Do-Haynesworth-s-comments-hold-merit– How Much Will New York Jets Quarterback Geno Smith Struggle? – Sterling Sharpe explains what New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith must do in order to be successful against the New Orleans Saints’ defense:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275065/How-much-will-Geno-Smith-struggle– Week 9 Sunday Statements – The NFL GameDay Morning crew breaks down some of the top storylines for Week 9:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275067/Sunday-Statements-Keenum-to-victory– How Absence of Head Coach John Fox Will Affect the Denver Broncos – The NFL GameDay Morning team discusses how the absence of head coach John Fox will affect the Denver Broncos:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275069/How-absence-of-Fox-will-affect-the-Broncos– ‘The Marshall Plan’: Fast-Paced Rushing Attack – Marshall Faulk breaks down the effectiveness of the New England Patriots’ fast-paced rushing attack and talks about the emergence of St. Louis Rams running back Zac Stacy:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275085/The-Marshall-Plan-Fast-paced-rushing-attack– Can Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins Make a Playoff Run? – Jeff Darlington reports on Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III’s struggles this season and if Week 9 is the beginning of the team’s turnaround:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000275112/Can-RGIII-Redskins-make-a-playoff-run
Fox NFL Sunday quotage is next.
