I’m in the home office doing work as the boss keeps adding page after page to this engineering specification which is becoming longer than War & Peace. And while I was waiting for him to give me a few pages, I saw the final minute of the Browns-Lions on DirecTV’s Red Zone Channel. I’m in shock how my Browns find ways to lose. They’re up 37-31, but on a Hail Mary, Matthew Stafford throws a pick, but lo and behold, the Browns are called for pass interference and since the game can’t end on a defensive penalty, the Lions line up. Stafford who was injured on the Hail Mary throws a touchdown to Brandon Pettigrew from one to one to tie. Then the extra point wins it for the Lions, 38-37. The Lions win on an untimed down. This only happens to the Browns. It was their second loss in 7 years on an untimed down, the last being in 2002.
As I try to get over my shock to this latest Browns loss, I give you quotage from the Sunday NFL pregame shows. And we begin as always with the NFL Network’s NFL Gameday Morning.
News and Sound Bites From Week 11 Edition of NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“This team is hot and they can go 16-0.” – Steve Mariucci on the Indianapolis Colts
“You’re only 8-1 and that’s not a season. You’re sending a bad message to the team. You’re saying, ‘Hey, we’ve done something’ and you haven’t.” – Michael Irvin on Brad Childress’ Contract Extension
“The pendulum has swung in this matchup.” – Marshall Faulk on the Indianapolis Colts Having the Edge in the Rivalry vs. New England
“I used to call him ‘Mr. Atlas’ because he would carry a team on his shoulders. For the first time, he doesn’t have to do that. He has a co-star and that’s Adrian Peterson.” – Michael Irvin on Vikings QB Brett Favre
“9-0 [Colts], 8-1 [Vikings]. When you have that record at this point in the season, you become like the Super Bowl champions. [Teams] measure where their team is by playing you.” – Michael Irvin
NFL GameDay Morning, the FIRST pregame show on the air Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM ET with a new four-hour expanded format, taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Jason La Canfora and hosts Spero Dedes and Stacey Dales bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:
“It’s better to start off fast than start off slow. You gain instant credibility in the locker room.” – Steve Mariucci on Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels
“For now we are going to go back and work on our tan.” – Reporter Randy Moss throwing it back to NFL Network studio from Green Bay where the weather forecast at Lambeau Field for 49ers-Packers is an unseasonably warm mid-50s with sun
“They’re explosive and you want to have one on your team if you want to be successful.” – Marshall Faulk on small running backs
“This team is hot and they can go 16-0.” – Steve Mariucci on the Indianapolis Colts
“He is the rookie of the year.” – Mariucci on Vikings WR Percy Harvin
“He was giving the two quarterbacks in this game the utmost respect. – Mariucci on Bill Belichick’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-2 last Sunday night against the Colts
“He studies the opponent, but he knows his team.” – Marshall Faulk on Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
“He was disrespecting the Indianapolis defense.” – Michael Irvin on Belichick’s decision
“The pendulum has swung in this matchup. Every time we used to watch these two teams, Bill Belichick’s offense or defense would get the best of Peyton Manning and the [Colts].” – Faulk on the Colts-Patriots series and which is the better team
“You’re only 8-1 and that’s not a season. You’re sending a bad message to the team. You’re saying, ‘Hey, we’ve done something’ and you haven’t.” – Michael Irvin on Vikings’ head coach Brad Childress receiving a contract extension
“I used to call him ‘Mr. Atlas’ because he would carry a team on his shoulders. For the first time, he doesn’t have to do that. He has a co-star and that’s Adrian Peterson.” – Irvin on Vikings QB Brett Favre
“I believe the message that Bill Belichick sends is not getting down to the guys that they have.” – Faulk on the Patriots defense
“They have to become a better team at running the football. They cannot continue to put the [game] on Philip Rivers’ shoulders.” – Faulk on the San Diego Chargers
“He’s not just getting rings, he’s delivering rings to other guys.” – Irvin on Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
“9-0 [Colts], 8-1 [Vikings]. When you have that record at this point in the season, you become like the Super Bowl champions. Every team that plays you, they’re measuring where their team is by playing you.” – Irvin on the Indianapolis Colts and Minn
esota Vikings“When you have two good corners, you can do anything you want on defense.” – Mariucci on Packers CBs Charles Woodson and Al Harris
‘Super Bowl Journey,’ Week 11 Edition – A Day of Golf at TPC with RB Maurice Jones-Drew & Vernon Davis Reflects on Week 10 Thursday Night Win vs. Chicago
“I’ve never been raised to be a ‘me’ guy. It’s never been in my blood. It’s always been about team. The individual success will come with wins and being great as a team.” – Jones-Drew
“Tiger if you need tips, call me.” – Jones-Drew
“You have to be fired up before a game. You have to be ready.” – Davis
“When I get to the line, I think of ways I can win. I just think of ways I can dominate my opponent.” – Davis
To view Jones-Drew’s latest Super Bowl Journey, please visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-journey/09000d5d8145ebd1/Super-Bowl-Journey-Taming-Sawgrass
To view Davis’ latest Super Bowl Journey, please visit:
To view previous Super Bowl Journey editions from all five contributors, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-journey
News Reports from Jason La Canfora & Michael Lombardi:
On Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis and if his dismissal is imminent…
- Lombardi: Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis has a lot of money coming to him in his current contract, so he could take a step back. He’s still friends with both Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick, so certainly if there were openings on either staff, he would get consideration. However, once you’ve been a head coach and you’ve made the amount of money that Weis has made, I think he likes being a head coach and would rather take a step back then go back to the NFL.
- La Canfora: At some point, I think we’re going to see him back in a coordinator position, waiting for the right situation where he can call his own shots. We know Weis can do some good work with quarterbacks and that’s always in demand in the NFL. To spin it forward, when the move is made, where does Notre Dame look? A guy like Jon Gruden, who has connections with Notre Dame could be targeted, however I’m told he cannot get out of his [ESPN] contract in 2010. I don’t know if Urban Meyer would want to leave Florida for Notre Dame, which has become a program of recent that seems to have trouble finding a tenureable coach. Other possibilities may include Skip Holtz, Lou Holtz’s son or Kyle Whittingham, a Meyer disciple in Utah.
On the firing of Bills head coach Dick Jauron…
- La Canfora: Bills owner Ralph Wilson is willing to spend upwards of $10 million to land the right person. Mike Shanahan is at the top of their list, they’re going to talk to him first. They also have an interest in Bill Cowher. Still, I don’t know anyone who actually sees Shanahan taking this position when there could be more attractive openings available. Maybe Washington, Dallas, Houston, even San Diego if things fall apart for the Chargers. Regarding Cowher, I’m told he won’t even interview for jobs until the season’s over. It’s very difficult to win in Buffalo. With the Patriots in the division and the New York Jets just building a billion-dollar facility; also the Dolphins, who are number two in player spending this year alone. For a small-market team in an old stadium like the Bills, it’s tough to compete, no matter who the coach is, and these big name coaches know it.
Additional Videos Available on NFL.com:
- Favre’s 300th – Listen to the always entertaining Brett Favre as he makes his 300th start vs. the Detroit Lions
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl-journey/09000d5d8145f365/Favre-s-300th
That’s followed by the notes and quotes from ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Notes and Quotes – Week 11ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson previewed today’s NFL action. Some excerpts:
On how the Baltimore Ravens can beat the Indianapolis Colts:
Jackson: “This is all about Peyton Manning … The Colts are not playing great football. Three games in a row without 100 yards per game rushing. He’s been sacked three times as much as he was the first six games … Peyton Manning has to be put on the ground. If he gets to the end of the game, with a chance to win, this is in his DNA. He may be the best that we’ve ever seen at ending these football games.Berman: “Baltimore look, they’re offense has shot themselves in the foot. They have to hold their blocks on the two ends. They have to score points. The most valuable player today for the Ravens, their old kicker Matt Stover. If he’s kicking field goals for the Colts, rather than the Colts scoring touchdowns, he’ll be the MVP for the Ravens.”
On whether the loss against the Colts has affected the Patriots and their refocus against the NY Jets …
Carter: “What they really do better is move from play to play, and series to series, and game to game and from distraction to distraction better than anyone in the NFL. …But, ultimately guys, there is always an effect when you lose a game that way.”Jackson: “I don’t think any team is better equipped to deal with this than they are because they do move, win-or-lose, on to the next game. They have their complete focus on the NY Jets. But make no mistake why that call was made, no Mike Vrabel, no Bruschi, no McGinest, and no Richard Seymour. The defense wasn’t good enough, at least coach thought, to stop Peyton Manning. He ended up being right.”
Johnson: “I don’t think it will affect them at all, especially the way people expect them too. They expect this organization and this team to crumble, which is so far-fetch from that. They’ve always responded in a positive manner, whether it be cutting Lawyer Milloy, trading Drew Bledsoe or Richard Seymour, spygate, or whatever you want to drum up for the New England Patriots. They seem to bounce back all the time.”
Ditka: “Here’s the key, its over. Beat the Jets today and no one will think about it.”
On Greg Garber’s report of NFL coaches who have studied the work of former Cal-Berkeley economics professor David Romer – who advocates coaches being much more aggressive going for it on fourth down – and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s fourth down decision against the Colts
Brian Billick, Former Ravens Head Coach (1999-2007) in 2002 report: “When it’s all said and done the equation is very simple. You’ve got a 50-50 proposition. You either make it or you don’t make it.”
Patriots Coach Bill Belichick in 2002 report: “I just read what the conclusions were and I didn’t really try to understand the formulas. The percentages added up to his conclusion, which was to go for it. I think in making those decisions every coach tries to calculate a little bit of how you match u
p against the other team, what the field conditions are and so forth. And, a little bit emotionally what your team needs at that time.”David Romer, Cal-Berkeley economics professor: “It certainly wasn’t a crazy decision. It wasn’t stupid, it wasn’t the dumbest decision in the history of mankind…It’s a very defensible decision.”
Ditka: “What difference does it make? If it’s the right thing and turns out wrong, they didn’t make it. You do the wrong thing and execute it right, you look like the hero. I wouldn’t have done it. The man did it. He did it for the right reason I think. He did it because he didn’t trust his defense. Enough said, defense has to get better.”
Carter: “It’s not about right, it’s not about wrong, it’s about rolling with my coach. When my coach decides he’s going to go with it, based on the practically of getting it, I’m going to go with my coach.”
Johnson: “If I was on the team, I would have stopped him and said, ‘look coach, punt the ball.’ I would have recommended it, to punt the ball. Dude let the defense play.”
Jackson: “It’s a result oriented business, this is not a computer. This is about people playing a game on a field… He didn’t trust the defense to be able to stop Peyton Manning. I have a bigger questions because this is about the team overall. It’s not the same football team. They’ve lost this year to three rookie head coaches. Lost to a rookie quarterback with one game under his belt. That is so unlike the teams of the past. I think he has to do an even better job coaching this team because that perception that they are the most elite team in football may not be quite accurate.”
Berman: “If he had a 10-minute time out I think he would have done it again and rolled the dice. He said Monday, ‘you only get one chance.’”
On the Patriots looking ahead to play against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, would they make the same call?
Johnson: “I think he’d absolutely do it again. I think the situation has to present itself. It’s not Peyton Manning. It’s a different quarterback, it’s a different atmosphere. Knowing him, I’ll almost promise you, he’ll do it again.”Carter: “I don’t care how much success Bill has had, no one wants to be embarrassed. He’s been embarrassed and ridiculed throughout the week. I think he’d be less likely to do it.”
On the Indianapolis Colts and Staying Undefeated:
Jackson: “I don’t want anything that gets in the way of me winning the Super Bowl. Does that mean I’m saying to throw a game or lose a game on purpose, no. But, I don’t want anything that gets in the way of me hoisting that Lombardi trophy. That means, when I get the chance to rest at the end of the year, I am going to rest.”Carter: “You’re trying to prioritize your goals. First is to win your division and next thing is to try secure home-field advantage. Once you get your home-field advantage, there really is no advantage. I don’t care what commissioner Goodell says, there is no advantage to playing your players because you have the opportunity to get hurt.”
Ditka: “The most famous team in the league in the history that I know of is the Miami Dolphins because they went undefeated. Why wouldn’t you do that if you could? I’m not saying you jeopardize someone’s health…If you can go undefeated and you don’t give your players that chance, you’re cheating them.”
Johnson: “You should do what you can, if you go 16-0, 15-1, 14-2, has nothing to do with losing the Super Bowl. (Jackson: “You don’t know that.”). The New England Patriots got to the Super Bowl, Tom, at 18-0. You think they were that tired that they lost the game?
Atlanta Falcons or NY Giants: Who his more likely to make playoff push?:
Johnson: “I think it’s the Giants. They’ve always get themselves in this situation. Today they get back Aaron Ross and Michael Boley in the linebacker position. Defense has been the strength for the most part of this football team. If they do well today, then I think they go on a run, but if they lose, they go on a run, down.”Ditka: “I think its Atlanta. I think a lot of the Giants problems may not be fixable, most of those are injuries. I think Eli’s foot may be worse than people think it is.”
NFL players on “cornerback islands” and covering wide receivers…
Al Harris, Green Bay Packers cornerback: “We call it Gilligan’s Island, but it’s not a vacation.”
Darrelle Revis, Jets cornerback: “You have to be on your game. A simple wrong move for me, if I don’t get that jam right, if I slip, anything, it can result in a touchdown.”Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders cornerback: “You can’t remember that catch, you have to let it go because if you let that play on you, you can get eaten alive.”
Then to Fox NFL Sunday which I did
not see today.
FOX NFL SUNDAY NOTES – 11/22/09
Exclusive: Glazer Reports New NFL Policy on Concussion Treatment Effective ImmediatelyJohnson: Coaches Are Paid to Make Smart, Sometimes Unconventional Decisions
Long on JaMarcus Russell: I’d Like to See What He Can Do in a More Structured Environment
Bradshaw: There’s No Dominating Team in the NFC East
Strahan: If QBs Don’t Quit Trying to Take Out Defenders, Someone’s Going to Get Hurt
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FOX NFL SUNDAY Insider Jay Glazer exclusively reports Commissioner Roger Goodell issuing new concussion rules: “The NFL is implementing a new policy effective immediately. Commissioner Goodell informed every team and every team doctor that they have to go out and find an independent neurologist to work with their medical staff to help on concussion issues, to help guys like Brian Westbrook and Clinton Portis.”
Glazer also reports on collaboration between the NFL and the U.S. Department of Defense: “The Department of Defense has reached out to the NFL about the concussion issue and told the NFL that they’re having a very similar problem. The Department of Defense is dealing with the problem of not knowing when soldiers are healthy enough to go back out after suffering from head trauma. The medical staffs of the U.S. Government and the NFL have been trading information for quite some time and two weeks ago General Petraeus and Roger Goodell spoke and updated each other on the issue.”
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Former head coach Jimmy Johnson reacted to current Jets head coach Rex Ryan crying in front of his players: “Football is an emotional game. These coaches work long, long hours and sometimes their emotions are exposed. If the players respect that coach, they’ll respond.”
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Analyst Howie Long on whether it was smart for the Bengals to pick up Larry Johnson: “They’ve had some experience with troubled players. I think it’s a good move by Cincinnati.”————————————————————————————————
Analyst Michael Strahan on the chances of Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell keeping the job next season: “I don’t think he has a shot because I think in Buffalo you need more presence and more of name. If he wins some games, that’s different but there’s only so many to go.”
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Analyst Jimmy Johnson to all NFL head coaches: “Don’t be afraid to abandon conventional wisdom but also be able to react to what the game is telling you. Don’t only be a number cruncher. Remember, you’re a leader who must make smart decisions and the occasional unconventional choice – that’s what you’re paid to do.”
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Analyst Michael Strahan on Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew downing the ball at the 1 yard line in favor of kicking a field goal to beat the Jets last week: “You never know what’s going to happen on that next play. When you have points, put them on the board whenever you can.”
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Analyst Howie Long on whether JaMarcus Russell should be considered a bust based on his time in Oakland: “I’d like to see what this kid can do in a more structured, positive environment. They’re just not playing well.”
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Co-host Terry Bradshaw on Brett Favre’s ability to bring out the best from his young receivers: “Brett Favre’s concentration level is amazing. The thing that a great quarterback never loses is the ability to process information quickly and that’s what’s happening in Minnesota with these young receivers. Brett’s mind sees stuff and he reacts immediately. That’s why these receivers are all running their routes hard. When Brett drops back, the first option at receiver may not be open, the third receiver can then become the No. 1 option and Brett goes right to him. He continues to process information.”
Analyst Howie Long on what’s motivating Favre these days: “The only knock you had on Brett was that he would always make that wild throw. Even when he had Mike Holmgren in Green Bay as his governor, he would still make wild throws. Brett’s ‘governor’ this season are the naysayers. Brett’s not making those throws because he wants to prove everyone wrong.”
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Analyst Terry Bradshaw on the NFC East: “We overvalued the NFC East just a tad because there is no dominating team. I think Dallas will come out of the NFC East but I don’t even know who they are from week-to-week.”
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Analyst Michael Strahan on the trend of quarterbacks taking out defenders: “Don’t aim down low at defender’s knees when he’s not looking. It’s chicken. And talk about a double-standard. If a defensive guy lays even a finger on a quarterback, there are penalties, fines and Amnesty International starts an investigation. If these quarterbacks don’t cut it out, someone’s career is going to be put in jeopardy.”
We wrap the early pregame shows with the NFL Today which I did watch. Sandwiched in the press release is ratings news on yesterday’s wild SEC game between LSU and Ole Miss. That was another wild ending.
NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 11 ON NOVEMBER 22
?“SEC ON CBS’s” RATINGS DON’T MISS WITH OLE MISS OVER LSU
CBS Sports’ coverage of the SEC ON CBS on Saturday, Nov. 21, which saw Ole Miss defeat No. 8 LSU, 25-23, earned an overnight household rating/share of 2.6/6, up 4% from last year’s 2.5/5 (Ole Miss vs. No. 18 LSU).
?QUICK HITS
(On Buffalo considering Mike Shanahan for Head Coach)
SHANNON SHARPE: I had a great conversation with Mike Shanahan this morning. He is going to interview this week at some point in time. Having played for Mike Shanahan for seven years
, if there is not a total commitment from the organization to win Super Bowls – it is not about winning division titles or beating a particular team in that division – if it is not about winning Super Bowls from players’ standpoints and the coaches around them standpoint, you are wasting your time with Mike Shanahan because that is the only thing that matters to him – winning championships.BOOMER ESIASON: He’s not going to Buffalo.
?“INSIDE THE GAME” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY
(On Charley Casserly being rumored for Cleveland GM position)
CASSERLY: I haven’t had any discussions with the Cleveland Browns about any position there nor do I have any discussions planned with the Cleveland Browns about any discussions there. The focus is on Mike Holmgren. In fact on Friday Mike Holmgren said he would love to meet with Randy Lerner to talk about a position there. I am told that contact has been made between the Browns and Mike Holmgren.
(On NFL memo regarding Super Bowl players having to participate in Pro Bowl ceremonies)
CASSERLY: The NFL sent out a memo recently which says, giving you the highlight, ‘Although these players will not play in the Pro Bowl, it is essential that they participate in the Pro Bowl introductions at Dolphin Stadium on Sunday, January 31,’ which is the Sunday before the Super Bowl. Here is the problem I think it causes. If you want to have a full practice at your facility the Monday before the Super Bowl, which teams have done. When I was with the Redskins in our last Super Bowl, that is what we did. You are not going to have all of your players there for practice. How do you have a practice a week before the Super Bowl without all of your players there? There is a problem with that. Personally, I don’t agree with this. I think the routine you have and your team chemistry the week of the Super Bowl should take precedence over promoting the Pro Bowl.
? JAMES BROWN INTERVIEW WITH CLEVELAND BROWNS HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI
(On criticism)
MANGINI: You probably get way more praise than you should when you win and way more criticism when you lose. I have no problem with criticism. Where I get disappointed is when the attacks become personal.
(On fans calling for him to be fired)
MANGINI: I understand their frustration. I understand their passion. We are frustrated and we are passionate too. And we are committed to doing everything possible to give them what they deserve, which is a winner. But you have to go through the steps. It is something that is a process.
(On security of job by getting vote of confidence from Cleveland ownership)
MANGINI: One of the reasons I am here is because of vision, and because of the fact that we share that vision. There will be criticism. There will be people who don’t believe. There will be all of those things. But if you keep changing based on that, you don’t believe in anything. You are not true to anything. To me, success comes by working towards something that you honestly and truly believe in.
?REACTION TO MANGINI INTERVIEW
BILL COWHER: You appreciate the fact that he answered the questions and did the interview. But you have to be yourself. A vision is fine, but understand the culture. Sometimes the culture is what you have to sit there and address. One thing he has to do is be sensitive to that and make sure he makes some changes and be accountable. He may have to make changes on his staff. He may have to make changes in what he really believes in and that vision because you have to change the culture first.
DAN MARINO: If you are going to make changes, you don’t want to lose your locker room. He needs to change the quarterback position. In my opinion, Derek Anderson gives them a much better chance of winning than Brady Quinn…If you are Eric Mangini, you want to win them back as a locker room, you have to have Derek Anderson.
?SUPER BOWL PICKS – With 77 days before CBS broadcasts Super Bowl XLIV, THE NFL TODAY analysts update their picks:
MARINO: Minnesota vs. New England
BOOMER: New Orleans vs. New EnglandCOWHER: Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh
SHARPE: Minnesota vs. New England
When NBC’s quotage from Football Night in America becomes available, I’ll post it here.
UPDATE, 11:10 p.m.: Here is NBC’s quotage including an interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell talking about a myriad of subjects including concussions.
FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA NOTES & QUOTES; WEEK 11
Olbermann: “The big news is that Tom Brady didn’t have any big news.”
Dungy on the Bengals: “This was a big step backwards.”
NEW YORK – November 22, 2009 – Following are highlights from NBC Sports' "Football Night in America." Bob Costas hosted the show live from Soldier Field. He was joined on site for commentary by Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. Co-hosts Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann, analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison, and reporter Peter King were live from NBC's 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios, covering the news of the NFL's 11th week. Tiki Barber reported from Invesco Field at Mile High, site of the Broncos-Chargers game.
ON LAST WEEK'S COLTS-PATRIOTS GAME
Costas: "Bill Belichick said later, he was already inclined to go for it on fourth down. Now that claim is what made the next play call so puzzling. If in fact it was a two-down situation, why did they throw on third down instead of running the ball. If they ran, best case, first down, game over. If not, at least the Colts would have been forced to use their final timeout."
Collinsworth: "The way that the Patriots played it defensively really ended up getting them beat. If they had sort of all-out blitzed in that situation, maybe they come up with a sack, maybe they come up with a turnover to win the game on the defensive side. But at worst, you give up a quick touchdown and allow Tom Brady to get the ball back with around a minute to go and all you need is a field goal to win the game."
Michaels: "You can sum it up in four words: Great coach. Poor decision."
Patrick: "Some of the percentages back up Bill Belichick."
Dungy: "Those percentages are baloney."
Harrison: "This is when the Patriots are the most dangerous, when they feel like one of the members of their family has been personally attacked."
ON PATRIOTS-JETS
Olbermann: "The big news is that Tom Brady didn't have any big news."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited Football Night in America's 30 Rock studios and discussed a number of league issues with Dan Patrick and Tony Dungy. On Thursday, Goodell named Dungy to lead the newly-created Player Advisory Forum.
Patrick: "Why now? Why announce this program (Player Advisory Forum) now?"
Goodell: "We are always taking player input on a variety of matters both on and off the field. We had a player advisory committee. Tony and I had been talking about how input has been so valuable to the league and we agreed that we could do more. Tony was gracious enough to give us his time and resources to be able to get the right kind of players in a room and give us that kind of feedback."
Patrick: "But why now? Why Week 11 and not before the season?"
Goodell: "I think this is something that will go on through the offseason. This is not something we're going to do for two-three weeks. This is something we intend to do for the long term."
Patrick: "Why Tony?"
Goodell: "People forget that before Tony was a great coach that he was a player in the league. He has a great credibility with the players and the NFL in general. I admire him so much. We've talked about this an awful lot the last couple of months."
Dungy: "That was one of the things we used to say when I was playing, 'Boy, if Commissioner Rozelle knew this. I wish I could get this message to him.' I think its great that the players can do that."
Patrick: Has there been any rule changes from prior player meetings (paraphrase)?
Goodell: We've had a lot of rule changes that have come directly as a result of the players input mostly around the safety issue. They identify techniques that are happening that they think are risky both to the player doing the striking and the player taking the hit – whether the hoarse collar, some of the cut-back blocks, the low-cut blocks; I heard from two teams this week. They're very concerned about those low-cut blocks."
Dungy: "A lot of players had issues about the player conduct – Pacman Jones for instance – I know you heard from a lot of guys that, 'Hey, we want to get this under control.'"
Goodell: "There's no question. The Personal Conduct Policy was really done in conjunction with the players. I must have spoken to well over 150 players who had a lot of input including our Player Advisory Committee and they helped us formulate a policy that I think is ter rific and had a great impact. I like to think that this is not only football and business and life. They give us input on all three of those matters."
Patrick: "We know that you're knee deep in negotiations or at least talk on both sides with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Peter King from Sports Illustrated spoke with representatives of the players union said they wondered about the timing of this, that you're aligning yourself with some players as a backdoor way of creating favor with them. Your thoughts on that?"
Goodell: "I'm a Commissioner for everybody in the NFL. That includes the players, the coaches, the owners and I believe the fans also. I've always reached out to the players. That's not what this is all about. I've invited them if they wanted to come in. I just met with two teams this week. I regularly seek the input of the players. My record's clear on that one. I'm going to continue to do that regardless of the negotiations."
Patrick: "Are you surprised there's been that kind of reaction by the Players Association?"
Goodell: "I wasn't even aware of their reaction."
Patrick: "A report that Jay Glazer from Fox had where you're going to have independent neurologists looking at players with concussions. What was wrong with the previous plan?"
Goodell: "I don't think there was anything wrong with it. As we learn more and more, we want to give players the best medical advice. This is a chance for us to expand that and bring more people into the circle to make sure we're making the best decisions for our players in the long term."
Dungy: "Did the players ask for this? Was this input from the players, too?"
Goodell: "Not specifically, coach. But they've always talked about the concussions. One of the things I've always stressed with them is help us identify players when they have some type of a head injury and identify those players so they can get the proper medical care, not so they make the medical decision, but so they can identify a player who needs to see a medical person."
Patrick: "If you want to stay in the studio audience, you'd be welcome to."
Goodell: "Thanks. I watch every weekend."
Patrick (joking): "I noticed when you walked by Rodney Harrison, did you ask for more money?"
Dungy (joking): "Rodney left when he came in."
ON JAY CUTLER
Costas: "When they first acquired him, you were very enthusiastic about it. Do you remain so?"
Collinsworth: "Absolutely so. There just aren't many guys around that have his kind of talent."
Dungy: "These expectations are way through the roof. Jay Cutler was a good player. Jay Cutler was not an elite quarterback when they got him."
ON MIKE TOMLIN TAKING BLAME FOR STEELERS LOSS
Dungy: "Very much coach speak. Mike was trying to take the blame but what he meant was we played dumb football today but we won't play dumb football next week. We'll practice harder."
Patrick: "You look at this offensive line with Ben Roethlisberger. No running game. He's scrambling for survival. He's going to become extinct."
Harrison: "This is the weakest part of their team this offensive line. Every week, Ben Roethlisberger is running for his life. He's a great athlete but you can't expect him to deal with this every single week."
ON COWBOYS
Harrison: "It's definitely cause for concern. They go to Green Bay last week, get their butts absolutely kicked and then they come back against one of the worst teams in the National Football League and they only put up one touchdown. So if I'm in Dallas Cowboys nation, I'm definitely concerned."
ON BENGALS
Dungy: "This is bad. They had a chance to really lock up their division. Carson Palmer talked about this last week, he said we haven't accomplished anything yet. He was right. This was a big step backwards."
ON COLTS-RAVENS
Olbermann: "Manning looking for some table service. Garcon?"
Olbermann on Ed Reed's attempted lateral that resulted in a fumble that essentially ended the game for Baltimore: "Ed Reed drools the drool of remorse into the pillow of regret."
ON GIANTS
Collinsworth: "Eli Manning, the highest paid player in the National Football League, stepped up, ended that losing streak and he really was the difference today."
ON CLEVELAND-DETROIT
Olbermann: "Words you thought you would never hear: Cleveland and Detroit. Great game!"
ON SEATTLE
Olbermann: "Mr. Holgmren? Paging Mr. Holmgren."
ON DENVER RB KNOWSHON MORENO FUMBLING
Barber: "He's in danger -- me having been there before -- of being seen as a liability."
That’s it. We’re completed with the Sunday NFL quotage until next week. Expect an Amazing Race post after midnight.
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