CBS’s Boomer Esiason Calls for NFL Health Care Plan

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE,

BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 9 ON NOVEMBER 8

Boomer Esiason Calls for NFL Health Care Plan: “You have to protect the players against themselves.”

►QUICK HITS

(On saving players from themselves from coming back from injury too early; Brian Westbrook)

BOOMER ESIASON: There are reports he is going to play but I don’t think Andy Reid is going to allow Brian Westbrook to play 13 days after coming down with a concussion against the Redskins.  That’s a smart thing because we have to legislate against the players’ will to want to play.  Brian Westbrook has a history right now of being an injured player.  He has his replacements that are playing well.  So what does he want to do as a player?  He wants to get back on the field.  We are all talking about health care.  That seems to be at the top of the news everywhere we look.  In the NFL there should be a health care plan that simply states this:  If you get a concussion you should be down for four games, minimum.  If you get a second concussion during the season, you should be placed on IR (Injured Reserve) and not allowed to play the rest of the year.  Simple.  You have to protect the players against themselves.

(On what team could go undefeated this year)

DAN MARINO: I’m going to say the New Orleans Saints.  They are putting up 40 points-per-game.  This is a team that has a great defense.  They get turnovers.  They have nine games left, six of them to losing-record teams.  They have three tough games.  They play two at home – New England and Dallas; and one on the road…I believe they have a real chance of going undefeated.

(On possibility of Tampa Bay not winning a game this year)

BILL COWHER: I never thought I’d see it again, Detroit first, but yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to go 0-16.  They’re 0-7 right now.  They are starting a rookie quarterback in Josh Freeman.  Their best chance, when you look at their schedule, will be playing at home against the New York Jets.  You don’t think Rex Ryan is going to be salivating with blitzes against this rookie quarterback?  I’m sorry to say, 0-16 could be right around the corner.

►“INSIDE THE GAME” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY

(On NFL investigating incidents involving Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable)

CASSERLY: I’m told that next week Tom Cable will meet with Raiders officials and NFL officials to discuss his most recent incidents of alleged violence.  It’s common practice in these situations for the NFL to have the man in question, Tom Cable, to go through a confidential, comprehensive medical evaluation which could lead to counseling sessions and/or life skill sessions.  A final point here is this, if the Raiders determine that Tom Cable lied to them about any of these previous incidents, that could potentially give them cause for some type of action.  The action could be a suspension or it could be termination. In fact, I could see some owners in the League terminating him for cause and not paying his contract if it turned out he lied to them.

(Latest on Rams Sale)

CASSERLY: Texas billionaire, Gerald J. Ford, a friend of Jerry Jones and the person who the SMU football  stadium is named after, has been investigating and asking a lot of questions about the Rams operation and front office with the presumed idea that he may put a bid in for the team.  If the Rams are to be sold this year for tax purposes, this is going to have to happen sooner than later because the League is going to have to have time to review the bid and approve it.

► BILL COWHER VISITED IRAQ THIS SUMMER WITH NFL/USO COACHES TOUR

(On Appreciation for U.S. Troops after taking trip to Iraq this summer)

BILL COWHER: You come back from this guys with an overwhelming sense of appreciation.  An appreciation for your country, and appreciation for the men and women and the sacrifices they make.   The NFL on Sundays means so much to them.  For three hours they can kind of escape the reality of where they are and identify and react to their teams and their cities.   The NFL is big over there.  You come back here and it makes you  appreciate all the little things you take for granted.

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