News and Sound Bites From 2009 Kickoff Episode of
NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“I’m still the every down back.” – Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson
“When you get rid of T.O. and that explosiveness, it’s quiet in the locker room but you hope it’s not quiet in the end zone.” – Irvin on the Cowboys
“41 quarterbacks will make more money than Jay Cutler this year. Contractually, that’s an absolute steal for the Bears.” – Jason La Canfora
NFL GameDay Morning, the FIRST pregame show on the air Sunday morning kicked off its second season on the air 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.
‘Sunday Sit-Down’ – Faulk Sits Down with Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson:
All-Pro running backs collide as NFL Network’s Marshall Faulk goes 1-on-1 with Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson for a candid discussion on his ability to bounce back in 2009, answering his critics and knowing his role with the Chargers:
“It’s been two tough years and I’m looking forward to being healthy again…I’m more excited to see if it’s just something that happens when you get older, or if I can really bounce back and play a full season being healthy.” – Tomlinson on his goal to stay healthy and have a productive 2009 season
“I’m still the every down back.” – Tomlinson
“I used to get really fired up and say, ‘I’m going to show them,’ but I’m at the point in my career where it’s all about championships…I want to win championships. I want to see what that feels like.” – Tomlinson on his critics
“Adrian Peterson was quoted in that (‘The Sporting News’) article saying ‘I’m not a great downhill runner,’ but I made my hay off that all those years, running downhill. That struck a nerve with me.” – Tomlinson on quote from Hall of Fame RB Jim Brown regarding his running style
To view Faulk’s entire interview with Tomlinson, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8128c7a9/Sunday-Sitdown-LaDainian-Tomlinson
‘Super Bowl Journey,’ Part 1 – Giants Osi Umenyiora
After a full year of watching, waiting and rehabbing, Giants DE Osi Umenyiora has a found a new appreciation for the game and the quest toward a Super Bowl championship:
“Your never really know what you have until it’s taken away from you. That’s something I can definitely say now from having that injury.” – Umenyiora on his experience sitting out last season
“I didn’t really know that I loved football until I sat out and watched it. I used to say, ‘I love this game,’ but until I experienced the injury, I don’t think I really meant it.” – Umenyiora on his new appreciation for the game
To view Umenyiora’s Super Bowl Journey, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d81290452/Osi-returns
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:
“In this league, if you are a winning football coach and your guys believe in you, you’re going to go a long way.” – Marshall Faulk on coaching longevity in the NFL
“When you get rid of T.O. and that explosiveness, it’s quiet in the locker room but you hope it’s not quiet in the end zone.” – Irvin on the Cowboys without WR Terrell Owens
“We know they play defense, we know they have a great running back. The missing link was that veteran quarterback.” – Steve Mariucci on the Vikings acquisition of Brett Favre
“Let me be the first to say, ‘Hey Mario, we were wrong and we are sorry.’” – Michael Irvin on Texans DE Mario Williams being selected first overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen in the history of this game three dominating pass rushers on the same team like (Mathias) Kiwanuka, (Justin) Tuck and (Osi) Umenyiora. It’s going to be a long day for Jason Campbell.” – Irvin on the Giants defensive line vs. the Redskins
“41 quarterbacks will make more money than Jay Cutler this year. Contractually, that’s an absolute steal for the Bears.” – Jason La Canfora on the Bears trade for QB Jay Cutler
“There are a lot of things about the New England Patriots that are still not present in the Kansas City Chiefs.” – Faulk on the Chiefs improvements through the Patriots
“This Ravens offensive line is one of the best in league.” – Faulk on Baltimore offensive line
“There’s nothing like a little hate to get you going. Someone to say you are not the player you used to be.” – Warren Sapp on RB LaDainian Tomlinson and motivation
“The key to the Cowboys’ season is Felix Jones.” – Irvin on the Dallas Cowboys
“For the Chargers to be a great team, he doesn’t have to be a superstar anymore.” – Faulk on LaDainian Tomlinson and his role in San Diego
“It’s not the first contract that gets you the money, it’s the second. Take the money and go to work.” – Sapp on Michael Crabtree
“The Dallas Cowboys have to establish that the $45 million man is at least worth some of the money they’re paying him.” – Irvin on Cowboys WR Roy Williams
“I watched ‘Hard Knocks’ and I liked what I saw from the Cincinnati Bengals…This defense will play much better. (Mike) Zimmer has these guys ready to go.” – Faulk on the Bengals
La Canfora’s News Reports:
- An update on Troy Polamalu’s status should be coming Monday or Tuesday, however after speaking to some of his teammates in the locker room, they are banking on him being out at least a month. They hope to get him back sometime in that 3-6 week window that head coach Mike Tomlin spoke about following Thursday’s game, however by no means do the Steelers have a firm time table at this point.
- It’s very likely that Vikings DTs Kevin and Pat Williams will play the entire 2009 season. There is a state court proceeding that needs to play out and there probably will not be a ruling in the Minnesota court until after the season, so they are counting on being available. In terms of the Saints players Will Smith and Charles Grant, they will play this week, however the league will probably make an announcement Monday or Tuesday regarding their suspensions and when they will start, which could be as soon as Week 2. When the league does make that ruling, they will be facing a four-game suspension.
- There is no progress at this point in contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and WR Michael Crabtree. Some people have said that the 49ers should start taking money off the table, lowering that guaranteed money offer and trying to insert more incentives to get Crabtree signed, but San Francisco has no plans to do that right now. There is a fair market value offer on the table right now, they do not plan on decreasing it and if Crabtree wants it, it’s his to take. Otherwise, San Francisco is moving on with the players they have.
For additional thoughts from La Canfora regarding contract negotiations for Josh Cribbs and DeMarcus Ware, Aaron Rodgers’ strength inside the 30 yard line and more, check out his blog at http://blogs.nfl.com/category/jason-la-canfora/.
EXTRA POINTS:
- ‘Head Coaches’ Make Season Debut Monday: NFL Network’s new show The NFL Head Coaches premieres Monday, September 14 at 5:30 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. With 50 seasons of NFL coaching experience combined from three different coaching philosophies, NFL Network’s resident coaching trio share situations and experiences from their careers that remain applicable to today’s head coach.
- Season Debut of NFL RedZone: NFL RedZone is hosted by Scott Hanson from the new state-of-the-art NFL RedZone studio at NFL Network’s headquarters in Los Angeles and debuts today at 1:00 PM ET/10 AM PT. Produced by NFL Network, NFL RedZone whips around every NFL game on Sunday afternoons delivering the touchdowns and most exciting moments as they happen and in high definition. When a team goes inside the 20-yard line, fans see the crucial plays live. The channel keeps fans up-to-date in real time, switching from game to game with live look-ins, highlights and a chance to see every important play. NFL RedZone is available on AT&T, Comcast, DISH Network, RCN, Verizon and other distributors. For more information visit: http://redzonetv.nfl.com/?icampaign=redzone_mb
- Sunday Night Football Extra Returns: Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers will stream live on Sunday Night Football Extra on NFL.com and NBCSports.com. Complementing that stream will be a number of extra features to enrich the viewing experience including additional camera angles, in-game highlights, picture-in-picture technology, live statistics and other interactive elements. Sunday Night Football Extra will also include in-game studio updates from the NBC Football Night in America team and NFL Network talent.
On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
‘Super Bowl Journey’ Begins – Three players, one dream. Giants DE Osi Umenyiora, Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew and Redskins TE Chris Cooley chronicle their quest for the Lombardi trophy:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d812903a7/Super-Bowl-Journey
Tailgating Tips – Food Network’s Guy Fieri shares his tips for hosting the ultimate football tailgate:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8128ff17/Tailgating-tips
NFL GameDay Morning begins the NFL Network schedule on Sundays, which will now be called “NFL GameDay.” Following NFL GameDay Morning will be NFL GameDay StatZone at 1:00 PM ET, NFL GameDay Scoreboard at 4:00 PM ET, NFL GameDay Highlights at 7:30 PM ET and NFL GameDay Final at 11:30 PM ET.
NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log on to www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive Internet home of NFL videos and NFL Network.
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