News and Sound Bites From Week 4 Edition of
NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“There was nothing you could have done Jim. The best thing for me that ever happened in my life up to this point, as crazy as it may sound, was me getting shipped off to Kansas.” – Eagles QB Michael Vick, to Former Head Coach Jim Mora
“When I was going through the situation with my boys, that was basically the same time Michael was going through his situation… I know that insecurity when they come out [of prison].” – Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid on Acquiring Michael Vick
“They need to cut down that Rocky statue in Philadelphia and erect one of Donovan McNabb. That’s how well he played for this franchise.” – Warren Sapp on Donovan McNabb’s Legacy in Philadelphia
“[Donovan] is the greatest Philadelphia Eagle to ever take the football field. Period.” – Michael Irvin
NFL GameDay Morning, the FIRST pregame show on the air Sunday morning is in its third season on the air at 9:00 AM ET, taking viewers straight up to kickoff. New host Rich Eisen joins analysts Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk and Steve Mariucci to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.
‘Sunday Sit-Down’ – Jim Mora 1-on-1 with Eagles QB Michael Vick:
NFL Network’s Jim Mora sat down with his former quarterback Michael Vick for the first time since their departure from Atlanta for a revealing and emotional conversation. Vick opens up on his life while with the Falcons and how he’s embracing the second chance he’s received in Philadelphia:
“My whole life was a lie, Jim. Everything from A to Z.” – Vick
“I think about it a lot, Coach. I was selfish in some aspects. I didn’t dedicate myself. I didn’t listen. [You were] was only trying to help me in so many ways. And I was just young. I can’t blame myself for that, neither. I can’t put 100 percent of the blame on me being young, because I was 25, 26 years old then. So you’re old enough to make rational decisions for yourself.” – Vick, when asked by Mora if he was conned by him
“My life has just changed drastically. When I sat in prison in Leavenworth, I was thinking, ‘How do I want to live my life moving forward? How do I want to change things? What can I do better this time around?’” – Vick on the changes in his life
“Under the circumstances, it wasn’t hard at all because of everything that transpired and how it went down. It was the same thing, year in and year out. It wasn’t my play on the field, it was off the field. I’m tired of going through it, Jim. I’m tired of it.” – Vick on if it was difficult cutting out the bad influences in his life
“The DVDs used to pile up in my car.” – Vick on not watching any extra film when he was Mora’s quarterback in Atlanta
Mora: What could I have done? I was your head coach and I thought we were pretty close. What could I have done? Could I have done something? Did I miss something?
Vick: There’s nothing you could do Jim. The best thing for me that ever happened in my life up to this point, as crazy as it may sound, was me getting shipped off to Kansas because other than that, I wasn’t going to change. I wasn’t going to change, I wasn’t going to get all the people away from me that were leeches and wanted to be around. I wasn’t going to stop fighting dogs. At some point, someone could’ve gotten hurt. It was pointless. My mom tried to tell me and it went in one ear and out the other. There was nothing nobody could have done to change my situation but the man upstairs who was seeing this and said, ‘Listen, before this goes any further, I’m going to have to take all this away from you for awhile and you’re going to have to get your priorities in order. But you’re going to have to sit over there to get it done’ and that’s what happened.”
“Donovan had a lot of influence. He always made sure I was with him for the first three weeks when I first got [to Philadelphia]. He’s an early bird. He’s here at 6:55 am, lifting weights and watching film and I just got into that routine. He was very influential in that process and I’m very grateful for it.” – Vick on former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb’s influence on him
To view Mora’s entire interview with Vick, please visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d81b012fd/Sunday-Sitdown-Michael-Vick-Part-1 – part I
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d81b01474/Sunday-Sitdown-Michael-Vick-Part-2 – part II
‘Sunday Sit-Down’ – Steve Mariucci Interview with Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid:
NFL Network’s Steve Mariucci visited his former coaching colleague Andy Reid to discuss the recent changes to the Eagles roster and the decisions that got them where they are, including his acquisition of Michael Vick, the decision to name Vick the Eagles’ starting quarterback and his facing former QB Donovan McNabb today vs. Washington:
“When I was going through the situation with my boys, that was basically the same time Michael was going through his situation. My second son got out of prison sooner than my first, before Michael was released and I talked to him. I know that insecurity when they come out [of prison].” – Andy Reid on what influenced him in decision to sign Michael Vick
“He’s righting the wrong, not that you can erase it. He goes and he tells people, ‘I screwed up. I had the world right here in the palm of my hand and I blew it.’” – Reid on what he’s most proud of with Michael Vick
“I felt that way with Kevin Kolb and I feel that way with Michael. It’s a team sport and none of that has changed. As a coach, you make sure you get it situated and then you step aside and let those guys play.” – Reid on if he believes the Eagles can go to the Super Bowl with Michael Vick at quarterback
“I didn’t talk to any coaches. In these decisions, the big ones, you have to hunker down and think of everything. You have a guy that was a superstar before, fell off and all of a sudden, he’s back and playing at a higher level than when he left. For Kevin, for Michael and for the Philadelphia Eagles, that’s the right move to make.” – Reid on his decision to name Michael Vick the starter
“When you make that move, you make it for the season. When you make that decision, you think on it hard, man.” – Reid on if Michael Vick is the Eagles’ starting QB for the season
“I thought Donovan was perfectly suited for the city. He’s got that personality where he can laugh things off… I just wish he was 20 again. I’d do it all over again and take that same ride.” – Reid on drafting Donovan McNabb and if he has any regrets
“I’ll give him a big hug.” – Reid on what he’ll do when he sees former QB Donovan McNabb today
To view Mariucci’s entire interview with Reid, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d81b011b9/Sunday-Sitdown-Andy-Reid
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:
“When you are ‘the guy,’ you do not get a play off. There’s no such thing as being tired. You perform.” – Marshall Faulk on Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall’s performance on final plays vs. Jets
“It’s not all his fault. He didn’t get all the credit, so he can’t take all the blame…You need help to win football games in this league and Donovan did a lot of things on his own.” – Faulk on what Donovan McNabb’s legacy should be in Philadelphia
“They need to cut down that Rocky statue in Philadelphia and erect one of Donovan McNabb. That’s how well he played for this franchise.” – Warren Sapp on what Donovan McNabb’s legacy should be in Philadelphia
“Dan Marino never won the big one, but they love him in Miami. They love him…It should be the same way in Philadelphia. Simply put, [Donovan] is the greatest Philadelphia Eagle to ever take the football field. Period.” – Irvin on what Donovan McNabb’s legacy should be in Philadelphia
“It was emotional for both of us. There were times in there I could see Mike starting to get choked up and I had goose bumps because we’ve both been through a lot since those days. It was kind of a cleansing.” – Jim Mora on his interview with former Falcons QB Michael Vick
“I don’t understand how you can say a guy’s out of shape when he’s in the NFL and putting up 10 [receptions] for 166 [yards]. There’s a difference between being out of shape and expending yourself and giving all you have. Brandon Marshall gave all he had.” – Michael Irvin on Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall’s performance on final plays vs. Jets
“He’s using his legs to complement his arm, not his arm to complement his legs.” – Irvin on Eagles QB Michael Vick
“Personally, I’ve been right there where he is [asking], ‘What do I do to end the self-sabotage?’” – Irvin on Michael Vick making a change in his life
“You’re never out of the woods with one step. It’s a process and he’s got to continue to make good decisions.” – Mariucci on Michael Vick making a change in his life
“I don’t care what he does on the football field, as a person when you’re honest with yourself and feel good about who you are as a person, you’ve done it all, especially when you’ve come from what he’s come from.” – Faulk on Michael Vick making a change in his life
“Yes, they are because their quarterback can throw in any kind of weather and he was groomed from the womb to play quarterback in this league. This young fella can throw the ball.” – Warren Sapp on Bears QB Jay Cutler and if Chicago is a playoff team
“At 1-3, let’s be honest. Jason Campbell could have done this. Jason Campbell could have done exactly what Donovan has done with this team, having them at 1-3.” – Faulk on QB Donovan McNabb having more at stake facing his former team, Philadelphia
“His reputation as a good decision maker is at stake right now.” – Mariucci on Eagles head coach Andy Reid having more at stake facing former quarterback Donovan McNabb vs. Washington
“The guys that make the decisions sometimes forget the sacrifices you make and you want to remind them what you’re made of and what’s inside you.” – Faulk on McNabb’s mindset facing former team Philadelphia
Kara Henderson Pregame 1-on-1 with Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin:
“He does things you can’t coach… He takes calculated risks that others are probably scared to take and that’s what makes him special.” – Tomlin on Steelers S Troy Polamalu
“It’s good football. It’s a throwback game.” – Tomlin on the Steelers-Ravens matchup
Lewis or Polamalu? – Which player is more important to their team’s defense, Ray Lewis or Troy Polamalu? The NFL GameDay Morning crew debates.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d81b03148/Lewis-or-Polamalu
On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
Mora on Vick – NFL Network analyst Jim Mora reflects on the sit-down interview he conducted with his former franchise quarterback Michael Vick.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d81b0295c/Mora-It-was-emotional
McNabb’s Legacy – Where does Donovan McNabb rank amongst the greatest quarterbacks and in Philadelphia?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d81b02f7b/McNabb-s-legacy
Sabol’s Shot: Not always sunny in Philadelphia – Steve Sabol takes a look at the ups and downs of Donovan McNabb’s relationship with the city of Philadelphia.
Marshall, Marshall, Marshall – Brandon Marshall called out the NFL Playbook crew this week. Does he get a pass?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d81b02aa8/Marshall-Marshall-Marshall
EXTRA POINTS:
- ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ Hits #1 on iTunes: ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast,’ continues to gain popularity with each passing week, hitting No. 1 in both the ‘Sports and Recreation’ and ‘Professional’ category on iTunes following the Week 3 episode featuring Saints QB Drew Brees and Larry David from ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm.’ NFL GameDay Moring host Rich Eisen expanded his versatile broadcasting career this season with the debut of ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast,’ the first-ever podcast for NFL.com on September 14. Eisen debuts a new podcast each week, available on NFL.com and iTunes, featuring guests from the world of sports, entertainment and news to talk football and all the latest headlines and hot topics.
- ‘The Coaches Show’ is Back: NFL Network’s The NFL Head Coaches is back for its second season airing Mondays at 5:00 PM ET. The weekly half-hour show features former head coaches Brian Billick 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. Billick and Mora candidly break down the biggest storylines and decisions behind the final scores of Sunday’s matchups from a head coach’s perspective.
- Sophomore Season Debut of Wildly Popular NFL RedZone: Following a rookie season that changed the way fans watch the NFL forever, NFL RedZone returns for 2010 at 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT. Hosted by Scott Hanson and produced by NFL Network from its state-of-the-art studio in Los Angeles at NFL Network’s headquarters in Los Angeles, 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 has more than quadrupled its distribution roster since its rookie campaign last season with availability on 80 affiliates across the country including: AT&T, Comcast, DISH Network, Cox, Insight, Suddenlink, RCN and Verizon. In addition, the channel is also available at every NFL stadium. For more information visit: http://redzonetv.nfl.com/?icampaign=redzone_mb
- Sunday Night Football Extra Returns: Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants 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.
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.
– NFL NETWORK –
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