Editors Note: The bottom of this news release includes a statement from Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden on the tragic death of Chicago Bears Defensive End Gaines Adams.
For Immediate Release
January 17, 2010
“Sunday NFL Countdown” Notes and Quotes – 2010 Divisional Playoffs Weekend Edition
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman, analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson reviewed yesterday’s NFL Divisional Playoff games and previewed today’s action. Highlights:
Lasting Impressions from Saturday’s games…
Jackson on Colts defense: “The quickness and speed and the aggression in which they played the game is shocking to their opponents because you can’t simulate it in practice.”
Carter on Raven’s quarterback Joe Flacco: “Go out and give the kid some help. This guy is a star in the NFL. He needs an elite receiver, a number one guy, a playmaker to help him out.”
Johnson on Saints running back Reggie Bush: “In all the times that I’ve had the opportunity to watch Reggie, this is the first time I can really say that he ran with authority. He looked for players, he attacked the defender. I think you’re going to see a different Reggie Bush in the playoffs and if they make the Super Bowl, you’ll see a different guy. This is the same guy at USC that when he played the big game he shined in bright moments.”
Ditka on Cardinals defense: “Never in my life have I seen a defense give up 90 points in two playoff games and expect to win. This was horrible; all I can say is ‘C’mon Man’.”
X-Factors of Today’s Games (Jets at Chargers and Cowboys at Vikings)…
Carter: “Middle linebacker for the New York Jets David Harris, the ability to take San Diego out of their running game and also take them out of their play-action pass. This is one of the unsung heroes of the Jets defense.”
Ditka: I’m going with Chargers Shawn Phillips…he can play the run, he can rush the quarterback and he can play the pass.”
Jackson: Vikings Pat and Kevin Williams. The Cowboys run the ball so well that if you can make them one-dimensional, if you can stop that running game, especially between the tackles, then you might have chance to put pressure on the quarterback.”
Johnson: Mike Jenkins, cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys. If he can take care of business on his side of the football field, it will make life a lot easier for the defensive front to get after Brett Favre when he decides to throw the ball down the field.”
Berman: “I think Vikings Percy Harvin will be lined up all over the field. In the back field, in the split out, in the slot…He’s going to be an eyeful for the Cowboys to keep an eye on with Brad Childress’ playbook.”
On Jets vs. Chargers keys to the game…
Jackson: The key to the game is Mark Sanchez and what he does with the football. He hasn’t had a turnover in the last three games. Not an interception, not a fumble. If he can keep those throws under 20 today I think they have a great chance to be successful in San Diego.”
Carter: “The Real LT. It allows Norv Turner to play action deep down the field…Also watch for a key ingredient, LT in blitz pick up.”
Johnson: “Darrelle Revis of the NY Jets takes away his side of the football field and neutralizing Vincent Jackson to force the football into Gates.”
Ditka: “What is Rex Ryan going to do to pressure Phillip Rivers?”
Berman: Matchup problem could be Antonio Gates, who may have had his best overall season as a tight end and that includes the blocking too. He’s a monster and will the Jets be able to cover him?”
On how Vikings need to play against the Cowboys…
Carter: “If Brett Favre doesn’t throw the ball today, the people in the Metrodome will blow that thing up. These guys benefit from each other. Since Brett Favre has been there everyone is experiencing the benefit of Brett Favre. Adrian Peterson 18-rushing touchdowns this year, a career high. Percy Harvin rookie offensive player of the year. Sidney Rice, his first Pro Bowl. You can’t do this without Brett Favre.”
On Cowboys team additions and subtractions and how it’s affected the team this year…
Jackson: “It means a lot to them. We don’t have the distractions; it’s all about football, that’s the last thing we heard…Now they have a locker room where everything and everybody is on the same page, we’re all about winning football games. There is a huge change.”
Johnson: “Everybody is more comfortable, the coaches are comfortable. They’re not walking around on eggshells afraid to say something to a player, ‘Go sit your butt down, we’re not giving you the football.’ It’s all over with. They can just coach and feel good about the situation.”
Ditka: You can sugar-coat it how ever you want, but its playing garbage out and players in. This team is playing for each other the new leader of the pack is Tony Romo. When you worry about inpiduals egos more than you worry about winning football games, you’ll never be a successful team.”
Most Impressive aspect of Saints play against the Cardinals…
Jackson: “They were perfectly balanced. The 34 runs for 170+, the 32 passes, no interceptions, no fumbles. You’re play like that at home, you’re going to win football games.”
Carter: “Head coach in Sean Payton did an unbelievable job of creating that balance. You’re talking about explosive players and explosive plays. He did a great job of putting guys in position to utilize their skill set.”
How much did Colts resting players pay off…
Carter: “I think they’re vindicated because they looked at the style in which they went into the playoff and changed it and tinkered it and had success.”
Jackson: “When you look at the rest they got, the quickness and the speed of that defense. I think it’s a better defense than even when Coach Dungy coached. I think that they’re better now. You can’t simulate that speed in practice so when you see it on the field it kind of shocks your system. How they get on a quarterback, how they fill the run lanes. …this is a team now that defensively I think they equal what they have offensively.”
Johnson: “I’m going to say no. They have to get to the Super Bowl and they’ve got to win, at least get to the Super Bowl. I think they passed on the 16-0 and we all know that … They played the Baltimore Ravens, I know what you’re saying about the defense, but they have no offense. They’re offense did not help their defense at all.”
Ditka: “My congratulations go them for doing that…my only question is why didn’t rest players when you were up 17-3?”
On a Greg Garber feature of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, as 40-something quarterbacks of the past Warren Moon, Doug Flutie and Lenny Dawson help put Favre’s season into context…
Moon: “Except for the beard and gray hair and all that you would never know he was 40-years-old by the way he plays and the way he moves around.”
Flutie: “He validates everything I’ve done in my life. That’s what goes through my mind when I watch Brett.”
Dawson: “Football isn’t just for the young guys. The old guys with the experience and the knowledge and the know-how, they can also get the job done.”
From Chris Berman’s sit-down interview with Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson…
On the importance in playing in Playoffs: “Last couple years I’ve been hurt and not able to help my team, it’s been very frustrating. The playoffs are the time that you prove your worth to this team and to this league.”
On personal importance of reaching a Super Bowl: “I’ve done just about everything you can do inpidually in this league, but there’s still something missing. For me, I think it would be unfulfilled because of all the work that I’ve put into it and the sacrifice that you go through every singhttps://sportsmedianews.com/wp-admin/post-new.phple year, every Sunday.”
Tomlinson on passing Jim Browns NFL rushing record: “It was a perfect moment. It’s a moment that I will always remember. I will always remember that moment of passing it and seeing him and saluting him…It was the greatest.”
On the ‘Electric Glide’ video: “I think my fans a lot of times see my very focused and as a serious person and I wanted to bring out a side that my friends and family get to see.”
On being MVP of League and where he is now: “I’ve always felt like I’ve never lacked confidence. I always feel like I can still go out and run for 150 yards and get touchdowns…I’m excited because this is the best opportunity that I’ve had to win a championship.”
On the tragic death of Chicago Bears Defensive End Gaines Adams…
Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden who drafted Adams in 2007 while coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “Today is a tragic day. Gaines was an impressive kid with such a tremendous future in front of him. He was a great teammate and well-liked by our coaches and all those who had the opportunity to be around him in Tampa. My prayers and condolences go out to his family.”
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