Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
Nov. 14, 2013 on NFL Network
From Nashville: Play-by-Play Announcer: Brad Nessler; Game Analyst: Mike Mayock; Sideline: Alex Flanagan
Hosts: Rich Eisen Analysts: Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, LaDainian Tomlinson
Reporters: Alex Flanagan, Stacey Dales
NFL Media: Ian Rapoport, Mike Silver
NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver
On Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker’s contract situation:
Video link to Ian Rapoport’s report: http://on.nfl.com/1j83qHR
On the Pittsburgh Steelers:
Ian Rapoport: “There could be significant turnover [with offensive coaches]. There could be big changes coming to Pittsburgh, but I am told not to head coach Mike Tomlin. He is safe for the 2014 season. The same cannot be said for some veterans – Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. I am told they have to play incredibly well these next seven games to come back next season.”
Mike Silver: “I am told Ben Roethlisberger is more engaged this year [and] doing a better job of preparation when he is at the facility. When he is away from the facility, he is no Peyton Manning. That is what I am told is the biggest obstacle to him staying in Pittsburgh over the long haul from their perspective. At this stage of his career he has to become a more cerebral player and not just become a physical wonder.”
On Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson:
Ian Rapoport: “I talked to a Colts source earlier today: if the Colts had to do it again, they would absolutely still trade for Trent Richardson. The Colts really think that once he immerses himself in their offense, he will go off.”
Mike Silver: “I talked to [former Indianapolis Colts running back] Edgerrin James. He has been mentoring Trent Richardson the last few weeks. He said, ‘Give him an offseason, you will see him roll. You will see the guy everyone fell in love with out of Alabama.’”
Video: http://on.nfl.com/17WpTIt
On New York Jets safety Ed Reed:
Mike Silver: “I talked to a highly respected general manger who said ‘I think he has lost something, but I don’t think he has lost it all.’ You combine Rex Ryan’s ability to hide [Reed’s] weaknesses and play to his strength and Ed Reed’s familiarity with the defense, I think he can help the Jets.”
Indianapolis Colts-Tennessee Titans Pregame Quotes:
– “You have second-year quarterback. You have virtually no running game. Your offense line is a little shaky. Your defense is ranked 22nd. Your star [wide receiver] Reggie Wayne is out. And you are still winning your division? That tells you what job Chuck Pagano is doing.” – Deion Sanders on Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano
– “He has no running game to support him, so the total onus is on his back. He is only in his second-year, so that is a lot of pressure on Andrew Luck.” – Deion Sanders on the Indianapolis Colts offense
– “Darrius Heyward-Bey has to step up and be the guy they hoped.” – Steve Mariucci on how the Indianapolis Colts overcome the loss of wide receiver Reggie Wayne
– “Justin Hunter is a little bit of an X-factor tonight. Outside the numbers and in the red zone, he is a threat.” – Mike Mayock on Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter who has just seven catches on the season
Quick NFL Quotes:
– “Percy Harvin makes the Seahawks great. Only thing they are missing is that explosive receiver. They have everything else.” – Michael Irvin on Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin who will be making his debut for the Seahawks after recovering from an injury
– “There was paranoia under the Scott Pioli regime; everyone in the building was tense. Andy Reid came in and made everyone feel good about coming to work again.” – Mike Silver on the Kansas City Chiefs
– “Our expectation is that Denver is the best team. We will find out the next three weeks. [Also,] the next three games are vital to getting that home field advantage they desperately need [to allow Peyton Manning to run the offense at the line of scrimmage].” – LaDainian Tomlinson on the Denver Broncos who play the Kansas City Chiefs twice and New England Patriots once over the next three games
– “Scott Tolzien, just don’t mess it up over the next few weeks and the Packers will be alright. I am crazy about the running game. Eddie Lacy is flat out running the air out of the football. I like this team.” – Deion Sanders on the Green Bay Packers who are playing without quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano Conversation with Rich Eisen:
Video Link: http://on.nfl.com/1gPALKK
On where he would say his team stands right now:
“Even though coming off a disheartening and disappointing loss to the Rams last week, we’re very fortunate to be sitting at 6-3. But [I] feel good about where we’re at.”
On the Colts’ 10 comeback victories in his two seasons as head coach:
“There are 10 of those comebacks in a year-and-a-half, so I don’t know if our guys are like, ‘OK, we can come out and it doesn’t really matter what happens initially, we’ll find a way to win a game.’ We can’t continue to do what we’ve been doing as far as digging ourselves a hole. At some point, it’s going to catch up with us and it caught up with us against the Rams. We can’t play that brand of football.”
On what he has been talking with running back Trent Richardson about:
“Stick to the process, don’t get frustrated, stay patient. He hasn’t been with us very long; he’s still learning his surroundings. It’s not easy. We obviously know he’s more than capable but again we can’t go down by three scores and then say we have to establish the run game.”
On how difficult it has been without wide receiver Reggie Wayne:
“You don’t replace a guy like Reggie Wayne. You hate to lose anybody to injury but what you can’t replace is that leadership; what he brings to the table, what he does for our team and the young wide receivers and on our offense Monday through Saturday.”
On Colts quarterback Andrew Luck:
“He’s really good. His football IQ is off the charts. He’s not an outspoken guy but when he does talk and when he steps in the huddle, he has such great command…He’s so resilient and he’s unflappable, so when bad things happen he’s able to brush things off pretty quickly and get right back to business.”
On what keeps him wanting to be a head coach in light of the health concerns he, Broncos head coach John Fox and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak have experienced:
“The challenge. The competitive nature of it is having an opportunity to work with a bunch of great guys and ultimately compete and win a Lombardi Trophy. I think that’s what drives all of us.”
On NFL.com the following video clips from Craftsman Presents NFL Total Access Kickoff are available for viewing:
– What will we learn about the Denver Broncos? – The Denver Broncos have a three week stretch where they play the Kansas City Chiefs twice and the New England Patriots in between those two games. What will the Peyton Manning-led team look like in three weeks?:
– Mooch’s Munchies: Honoring Our Veterans – Steve Mariucci teams up with Golden Corral to honor and serve our veterans:
NEXT WEEK ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT ATLANTA FALCONS – 8:00 PM ET
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