Fang's Bites

NFL Pregame Quotage for Wild Card Sunday

Author image
Alan Draper
Linkedin
Sports Editor
15+ min read

We have some pregame quotage from NFL Network and CBS Sports for today. Interestingly, we did not receive the notes and quotes from yesterday, but I really wasn’t expecting it.

So, here’s what we have thus far, first from NFL Network.

News and Sound Bites from Wild Card Sunday Edition of NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“Randy Moss may very well be the wheels, but Wes Welker was the engine.” – Marshall Faulk on whether Randy Moss or Wes Welker is more valuable to the Patriots offense
 “I don’t think anybody really knows who the Cardinals are because we have not shown up every week.” – QB Kurt Warner on the Arizona Cardinals
“Obviously, he had a great legacy here and did a number of great things, so I realize that I’m always going to be compared to him.” – Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on Brett Favre
“Donovan is still the man.” – Steve Mariucci on Eagles QB Donovan McNabb
“If he goes to Seattle, he’s not going to have instant success.” Steve Mariucci on Pete Carroll
“The Arizona Cardinals have a little thing called ‘resolve.’ They revolve around it and Ken Whisenhunt has those guys believing in it.” – Marshall Faulk on the Arizona Cardinals
NFL GameDay Morning, the FIRST pregame show on the air Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM ET with a 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. The special Wild Card schedule on NFL Network features NFL GameDay Final with Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci and Deion Sanders following the games at 8:00 PM ET tonight.
‘Sunday Sit-Down’ – Michael Irvin 1-on-1 with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers:
NFL Network’s Michael Irvin sits down with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers to discuss filling the shoes of a legend in Green Bay, his maturation process at quarterback and the Packers playoff preparation:
“It’s tough. We’re human too. Often, I think we feel invincible or above stuff that people say, but we’re human at the same time and that element brings some disappointment.” – Rodgers on his early struggles as the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers
“Obviously, he had a great legacy here and did a number of great things, so I realize that I’m always going to be compared to him. He’s been the face of this franchise and this state in two decades.” – Rodgers on being compared to Brett Favre
“I’m approaching it the same way I’ve approached my previous 32 starts. With the same preparation and a little bit more. It’s a unique opportunity to play the same team in back-to-back weeks.” – Rodgers on his preparation for his playoff game vs. Arizona
Cardinals QB Kurt Warner Gives a First-Person Account of the 2009 Arizona Cardinals and his career:
“We were excited about what we accomplished and getting that close. Now we’re just looking to take the next step.” – Warner on the Cardinals Super Bowl appearance in 2009 and their expectations for this season
“I don’t think anybody really knows who the Cardinals are because we have not shown up every week. We’ve played some great games and beat some great teams, but there’s still a little inconsistency and that’s what people see.” – Warner on the 2009 Cardinals
“I’ve always played the game more with my right arm and my mind than with the rest of my body. So as I get older and maybe a little bit slower than I was before, it doesn’t affect my game like it can affect other guys. I’ve gotten better, I’ve gotten smarter and I understand the game more. That’s why I’m having success later in this stage of my career.” – Warner on his playing style and his career
“I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do moving forward, but there’s days where you think, ‘I don’t want to play anymore,’ then there’s days when you think, ‘I can still play at a high level.’ You never want to make an emotional decision and a career decision like that in the middle of a lot of stuff going on. We’ll see how the season ends up and how the playoffs go. Those things can always change your mind and winning a Super Bowl could definitely influence you one way or the other.” – Warner on his career and retirement
For video of this segment featuring Warner, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d815a20cb/Conversation-with-Kurt-Warner

‘Super Bowl Journey,’ Wild Card Sunday Edition – This season’s Super Bowl Journey Group  Discusses What It’s Like to Lose:
“There’s not a lot at this point in my career that I take from a loss. You want to stay, ‘let’s learn from a loss,’ but you don’t.” – Redskins TE Chris Cooley
“You play to win. That’s it. There are no moral wins. You might have had a good game, but if you didn’t do enough for the team to win, how good was it?” – Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew
To view this week’s installment of Super Bowl Journey, plus previous editions, please visit: http://sbjourney.nfl.com/
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:
“If he goes to Seattle, he’s not going to have instant success. That team needs to be rebuilt and it’s going to be a couple years before they’re competitive, whether it’s Pete or anybody else, but he’s a good coach at any level.” – Steve Mariucci on the Seattle Seahawks potential hire of Pete Carroll
“That looks like the team that should be favored to go to the Super Bowl right now.” – Michael Irvin on the Dallas Cowboys
“The Dallas Cowboys appear to be the team that has the least things they need to fix to win games in the NFC…they are playing good right now, but when they play bad, they are awful.” – Marshall Faulk on the Dallas Cowboys
“Donovan carried this young football team…they are going to be better next year. He is the leader on this team. Donovan is still the man.” – Steve Mariucci on Eagles QB Donovan McNabb
“To get rid of Donovan at this point is just not smart.” – Michael Irvin on the Philadelphia Eagles and QB Donovan McNabb
“Charles Woodson is a complete football player. He understands the game and his talents.” – Marshall Faulk on Packers CB Charles Woodson
“Randy Moss is what makes them go. The fear factor that Moss puts in defenses when they start backing up allowed Wes Welker to do what he does.” – Michael Irvin on if Randy Moss or Wes Welker is more important to the Patriots
“Randy Moss may very well be the wheels, but Wes Welker was the engine.” – Marshall Faulk on if Randy Moss or Wes Welker is more important to the Patriots
“The Arizona Cardinals have a little thing called ‘resolve.’ They revolve around it and Ken Whisenhunt has those guys believing in it.” – Marshall Faulk on the Arizona Cardinals
“The Baltimore Ravens offense and defensive line will take control of this game.” – Marshall Faulk on Ravens-Patriots matchup
“It’s a good nervousness. It’s that kind of nervousness that keeps you on your toes.” – Michael Irvin on pregame playoff nerves
“If Tony Romo continues to play at this pace, this team can go a long way.” – Marshall Faulk on QB Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys
“You want a defense to come out and take control of a veteran quarterback like Donovan McNabb.” – Warren Sapp on the Dallas Cowboys defense
La Canfora’s News Reports:
  • Pete Carroll is scheduled to meet with Seattle Seahawks officials again today as the sides work to finalize a contract. An announcement of a deal with Carroll could come by Monday, with the team set to interview candidates for its vacant GM job later in the week. Carroll and the team agreed to many elements of a structure of a deal over the weekend, and the Seahawks have complied with the Rooney Rule, and thus could move forward with the hiring as they please. Carroll could end up bringing several U
    SC assistants with him to Seattle, while New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker, a former defensive coordinator and secondary coach with the Redskins, is also a candidate to join the staff.
  • Donovan McNabb isn’t going anywhere. McNabb is the Eagles quarterback. The one constant that has always been in Philadelphia is stability with president Joe Banner, head coach Andy Reid and McNabb. The Eagles restructured his deal a year ago and most of that money has already been paid out. In 2010, McNabb has got a $5 million salary and a $500,000 roster bonus. That’s nothing in NFL money for a quarterback of his caliber. Yes, the Eagles like Kevin Kolb and he is their future, but McNabb will be the Eagles starting quarterback in 2010.
For additional thoughts from La Canfora, check out his blog at http://blogs.nfl.com/category/jason-la-canfora/.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SATURDAY’S WILD CARD EDITION OF NFL GAMEDAY MORNING AND NFL GAMEDAY FINAL:
NFL Network’s Scott Hanson Pregame 1-on-1 with Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan:
“We did earn our way in here.” – Ryan on the Jets in the playoffs
“Our guys are going into the game confident. We know that we are playing a team that will give us their best punch and will give ours right back and we will see what happens.” – Ryan on facing the Cincinnati Bengals
“I want them to realize how close it is. You are four victories away from being a world champion. What does that mean to you? It’s right there. You have to visualize it first before you can do it and accomplish it. We don’t care what people think. We expect to win.” – Ryan on giving the players a schedule which includes the victory parade after the Super Bowl
For the entire video of Hanson’s interview with Ryan, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8159c3fe/Rex-Ryan-interview
The following videos from NFL Network’s coverage of Wild Card Saturday are available on NFL.com:
For more video and highlights from Wild Card Saturday, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/videos
Expanded Playoff Coverage:  NFL Network’s playoff coverage next Saturday, January 16, begins at noon ET with a four and half-hour NFL GameDay Morning pregame show prior to the games.  On Sunday, NFL GameDay Morning will be on at the regular time of 9:00 AM ET.
NFL GameDay Morning begins the NFL Network schedule on Sundays, which is now called “NFL GameDay.”  Following NFL GameDay Morning will be  NFL GameDay Scoreboard at 4:00 PM ET,  and NFL GameDay Final at 8:00 PM ET.

And here’s the stuff from The NFL Today.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WILD CARD WEEK ON JANUARY 10, 2010
? QUICK HITS
(On reports last week on THE NFL TODAY that New England’s Tom Brady had three broken ribs)
JIM NANTZ: Lastly, what about Tom Brady, and our reports last week on THE NFL TODAY about the three broken ribs? Here’s what Tom said, ‘I’m fine.  I’m feeling good.  And it wasn’t three of them.’  Those are the words of Tom Brady.  That’s all he would say.
?“INSIDE THE GAME” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY
(On reports of Pete Carroll leaving USC for Seattle)
CASSERLY: People interviewing in Seattle   have been told the head coach, including Pete Carroll would only have authority over the 53-man roster. The general manager would have authority over the draft and the general manager will report to the president of the team, which is Todd Leiweke, and the owner Paul Allen.  Now, the timing is interesting to me.  You’re naming the head coach on Monday and you start interviewing the general manager on Tuesday.  To me, that’s a potential problem. You hire the head coach before the GM, philosophical differences are going to result down the road.  If you let the head coach influence who the GM is going to be with the team, you’ve broken up the continuity and the checks and balance that you should have between the two positions. In the past, Pete Carroll has demanded he be the number one man and then only report to the owner.  Why did he lessen his demands here?  Could be because of this reason, USC had asked the NCAA if they could self impose restrictions and sanctions on their football program.  And the NCAA said, no.  That may have hastened Pete Carroll’s leaving USC for Seattle.
(On Pete Carroll rep
ortedly going to Seattle)
BILL COWHER: About Pete Carroll, I think it’s all about timing. I think in this situation that he feels like he’s done everything he can do at USC. He’s won two National Championships there. He’s a west coast guy. The Seattle Seahawks job opens up, and I think Pete Carroll thinks he’s a better coach than the last time he was in the NFL and it’s about the challenge that lies ahead. I totally understand where he’s coming from. I think it’s a good move. 
BOOMER ESIASON: He’s a terrific coach. He’s definitely prepared for this. He’s learned from his past experiences at the Patriots and Jets. This is a terrific move by the Seahawks.
? SHANNON SHARPE IN FEATURE WITH BALTIMORE’S RAY LEWIS
SHARPE: Do you think quarterbacks like Tom Brady get special treatment?
RAY LEWIS: Oh yeah. That’s without question. Do I respect Tom? I respect Tom the utmost because I think Tom plays the game the way the game should be played. It’s also p—— me off a lot to see how they cry for calls. That’s too much. To get a true professional now to cry over the call like that, when somebody didn’t touch you?  Ok, he came close to your knee. A 300-pound lineman comes close to my knee every play.
? DAN MARINO IN FEATURE WITH ARIZONA’S KURT WARNER
MARINO: He’s accomplished so much in his career. He’s won a Super Bowl, won two MVP’s. I think he thinks this team can draw on what they did last year to make a strong playoff run. As far as retirement is concerned, he’s playing too good and having too much fun to retire. In my opinion, he’s going to be there next year. 
BOOMER: By the way, Kurt Warner is a first ballot Hall of Famer as for as I’m concerned.

If Fox sends over the pregame quotage, I’ll be sure to add it here.

UPDATE, 4:50 p.m.: ESPN has sent over quotage for Sunday NFL Countdown.

“Sunday NFL Countdown” Notes and Quotes – 2010 Wild Card Weekend Edition 

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman, analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson reviewed yesterday’s NFL Wild Card games and previewed today’s action. Highlights:
More surprising team from the last two weeks: Eagles or Cowboys?
Carter:  “I’m surprised at just how much better Dallas, as far as coaching, has been, especially when you are looking at coaching up their defense … And Tony Romo, in his ability to play quarterback at such a significant difference from the quarterbacking that Philadelphia is getting between (Donovan) McNabb and (Michael) Vick.”
Jackson:  “When you shut a team out 24 to nothing, there’s not a lot of adjustments to make for you. I was surprised a little bit that Philly didn’t adjust in terms of gameplan – You had those 10 carries for 37 yards that you got shut out. You come back with 13 for just over 50 in the next game. You are going to struggle again to score.You’re going to struggle for balance and your quarterback is going to be under fire the entire time. That’s what happened to the Eagles.”
Johnson:  “Where’s their swagger. What happened to this team prior to those two weeks. You’ve seen a lot of swagger – DeSean Jackson making plays, they’re making plays on defense, doing things. But they stink now. They need to figure out how to get that smell out of their system. That will come next year. A lot of penalties, a lot of sloppy plays … it just didn’t look right, like a Philadelphia Eagles team, a Andy Reid coached team.”
Jackson:  “I would argue with you that that gameplan has not changed for six or seven years. I would argue with you that they are constantly with the quarterback throwing the ball, not running the football, and it always results with Donovan (McNabb) having to be superman in order for them to win football games.”
Ditka:  “About four or five weeks ago, Wade (Phillips) stepped in and, whatever he did with the defense, he put his stamp on it. The good thing about it is, they’ve got the talent to do it.”
Jets Playoff ri
de – how far can they go?
Jackson:  “They (Jets) are going to be a tough out. I believe in running the ball, a checkmark for them. I believe in playing great defense, a checkmark for them. And I believe in a quarterback that doesn’t make mistakes. If Mark Sanchez can keep those turnovers down or eliminate them completely, I think they can go a long way in the playoffs.”
Carter:  “I don’t care how good you play defense or run the football, the passing game has to be apparent. The confidence factor with the Jets – same thing we saw two years ago, when the New York Giants, … played the New England Patriots, getting a feel for that team, propelled them to Super Bowl Victory.”
Quicker impact in NFL return:  Shanahan or Carroll?
With the Redskins hiring Mike Shanahan as coach and the Seahawks reportedly close to a deal with USC’s Pete Carroll to coach the team, Countdown analysts discussed who’d have the quicker impact on their respective teams.
Jackson: “Coach Shanahan. He knows every element of building a winning football team. He is one of the great play-callers to ever stand on the sideline, and he’s got a quarterback to work with in Jason Campbell – somebody he can build on in that offense.”
Johnson:  I think it is coach Shanahan because they have more to work with in Washington.”
Carter:  “You’ve got to look at it like building a house … It is about location. Do you want to be in the NFC East? I wouldn’t want to be in there. Dallas, look what they have going on – Romo and Jerry (Jones); Eli (Manning), good quarterbacking situation; Philadelphia with Andy Reid, they’re going to win there. I’ll take my show out West, if I was going to build it. I’d rather go against Arizona and their lack of stability in their franchise, St. Louis and San Francisco. If I was going to build an empire, I’ll take it out West in Seattle.”
Ditka: “I like Mike Shanahan. I think he has more talent there. The thing that’s going to be interesting to me is, I want to see if he can get Clinton Portis and Albert Haynesworth to start earning their salaries.”
How did Saturday’s games affect your view of the playoff picture?
Carter:  “It affected me in how I look at it. When you look at the New York Jets, I have to look at one unit and that’s that offensive line. They can run the ball against anyone. We watched the game last night – seven, eight, nine guys – they can run the ball. They are going to be a formidable foe against anyone left. If you look at the Dallas Cowboys front seven, going against the Minnesota Vikings offensive line, that’s a tough matchup. Both teams that advanced yesterday have great matchups going into the divisional round.”
Jackson:  “I’m not surprised. It didn’t change my mind about the Dallas Cowboys, completely balanced every area of the football field – offensively and defensively. I didn’t know if Mark Sanchez could do what he did yesterday … I know he had to protect the football, could he make plays downfield? Looks like Rex (Ryan) trusts him a little more than I would have thought. Now, he’s got that first win under his belt. He’s going to feel comfortable and they will be a difficult out for anybody on the AFC.”
Ditka:  “I’m going to make it simple. There were two games played yesterday – the Jets won one, the Cowboys won the other one. I’m going to say this honestly, if you’re going to beat these two teams, you better bring your ‘A’ game. These are two good football teams.”
How much will the Patriots miss wide receiver Wes Welker?
Carter: “In the playoffs, they (Patriots) give the ball to people they trust.(Julian) Edelman … they won’t make him have the responsibility that Wes Welker did. Look for people we’ve seen in the past, (Kevin) Fault, (Benjamin) Watson, other people who haven’t necessarily played a big role thus far, they are going to play a bigger role today.”
Jackson: “Where you are going to miss (Wes) Welker is in the yards after catch … If you throw him a 10-yard pass, you get 15. Throw him 15, you get 25 every now and then. (Julian) Edelman, I don’t think will be able to do that.”
Johnson: “Edelman will do fine. He’ll get his catches. But it (Welker’s absence) will have some effect on the game and the gameplan … When Tom Brady is looking to throw the football, he is going to have to hold it because he (Edelman) is not as quick as Wes Welker in and out of the break. I played the position. I know what that means to the quarterback. Randy Moss will have to do more. The tight ends will have to do more. He’ll (Edelman) get his catches, but it won’t be as effective.”

If Fox sends over quotage, it’ll be added here.

Topics  
Fang's Bites
Author image
Linkedin

Alan Draper

Alan is a vastly experienced sports and gambling writer who is the Chief Editor of The Sports Daily.
View All Posts By Alan Draper

Alan Draper

Linkedin
Alan is a vastly experienced sports and gambling writer who is the Chief Editor of The Sports Daily.
View All Posts By Alan Draper
Arrow to top