Excerpts from Tuesday conference call featuring NFL Network Executive Producer Eric Weinberger and NFL Network analysts Mike Martz & Steve Mariucci introducing
The NFL Head Coaches
NFL Network gives fans more inside access into the game with the debut of The NFL Head Coaches, presented by Travelers Monday, September 14 at 6:30 PM ET. Hosted by Charles Davis, the weekly half-hour show features a trio of former head coaches – Steve Mariucci, Mike Martz and Jim Mora – who have been on the sidelines and experienced the ups and downs associated with being at the helm of a team in the National Football League.
Below are quotes from a conference call featuring Weinberger, Martz and Mariucci held Tuesday:
“It is extremely rare to get these staffs and these men together to discuss coaching philosophies, rules within the league, players within the league and everything that’s going on in their lives. Every time we’ve gotten a chance to do it, especially at the Combine, a light bulb really goes off with us on how cerebral and how entertaining these segments can be.” – NFL Network executive producer Eric Weinberger on the idea behind the show “The Head Coaches”
“These guys, while they are not coaching, directly impact the league with their connections to arguably three of the best quarterbacks, being Peyton Manning with Coach Mora, Kurt Warner with Coach Martz and Brett Favre with Coach Mariucci. They have a real current and relevant touch to everything they that’s discussed on Monday.” – NFL Network executive producer Eric Weinberger on NFL Network’s featured coaches, Mike Martz, Steve Mariucci and Jim Mora
“The coach’s perspective often times differs from a player’s point of view because of your experiences and what you’re responsible for.” – NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci on the head coach’s point of view
“I thought he stayed composed so well and recognized their pressure. He knew right where to go with the ball. He had one bad read and he’ll learn from that, but he just never got unsettled. There was a lot of recognition going on in that game for a young quarterback against a great defense. That was impressive to me. I really do think that this is a young man that can probably play as a rookie.” – Martz on Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez
“I believe it’s also based on what the alternative is and they have a pretty good alternative right now with Daunte Culpepper…I would go with Daunte until I feel that either he’s not getting it done or Matthew Stafford is ready.” – Mariucci on the Detroit Lions quarterback situation and the factors in determining whether or not to start a rookie quarterback
“The biggest thing for me, in a situation like that is if you’re picking a quarterback in the top five picks, chances are you’re not a very good football team. It’s more about what’s around this young man than it is about him.” – Martz on the Detroit Lions quarterback situation and the factors in determining whether or not to start a rookie quarterback
“This young man needs to sit for awhile, watch how his game is played, how Daunte deals with the media and how he deals with players. It’s just different in the NFL than it is in college and he needs to be a student for awhile.” – Martz on Lions rookie QB Matthew Stafford
“I’d like to see the kid get another opportunity to start, whether it’s for the 49ers or somebody else, because I think there’s something there.” – Mariucci on 49ers QB Alex Smith
“The biggest issue is all the history. There isn’t good history for (Alex). You look at Kurt Warner and Trent Green, guys that bounced around to different teams and finally, it just kind of set in for them. He probably is going to need to go to another team. He deserves another opportunity. I think he can play.” – NFL Network analyst Mike Martz on 49ers QB Alex Smith
“It’s hard to put staffs together and keep them. When you get that going over a period of time, it’s really unusual and I think you need to be able to keep that.” – Martz on the importance in continuity in NFL coaching staffs
“They’ve acquired some players that are going to help them. It’s not going to be a quick fix.” – Mariucci on the Detroit Lions
“To have an offensive line that’s substantial together for years is vital to any organization…the meat of any organization is inside and that’s been lacking over the years.” – Martz on the Detroit Lions and its needs at offensive line
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