Quick Quotes from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning
– “I’m going to say no. Love the talent, love his ability, I love what he brings to the table. But at some point, this game is about trust and it’s about trusting your teammates…As a teammate, I don’t know if I can trust him.” – Shaun O’Hara on if he would want Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on his team
– “I don’t agree with a lot of the stuff he does but if he is on my team – and if I’m the Detroit Lions he will be on my team next year – I know I’m getting his best week in and week out.” – Sterling Sharpe on Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh
– “This game really comes down to the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive line…[Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil] have the ability to completely wreck this game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.” – Shaun O’Hara on the Baltimore Ravens facing the Pittsburgh Steelers
– “Because they’re so much like us. Their agenda conflicts with ours and they appear to have the same level of commitment to their agenda that we have to ours. So therein lies the problem.” – Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on why the rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens is as intense as it is
– “We are going to miss the blocker that he is more than the runner, more than the pass catcher…His blocking is going to be missed more than anything.” – Marshall Faulk on Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell
– “Big Ben is playing the position in a more complete fashion than he’s ever played before.” – Kurt Warner on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
– “Ron Rivera has peaked this team at the right time with four wins in a row and they’re right there.” – Steve Mariucci on the Carolina Panthers
– “Russell Wilson is methodical and doesn’t make any mistakes [against the Cardinals] Cam [Newton] is going to have to mirror that today.” – Michael Irvin on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton
– “They have to take shots with Ryan Lindley. Their defense is built to play from ahead.” – Marshall Faulk on the Arizona Cardinals
– “It cripples the team. When you have A.J. Green, he’s the focal point on everything.” – Michael Irvin on the absence of wide receiver A.J. Green for the Cincinnati Bengals
***For complete quotes from ‘NFL GameDay First’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning,’ see below***
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin with NFL Media’s Judy Battista
NFL Media’s Judy Battista sat down with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for an interview on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay First and NFL GameDay Morning.
On missing the playoffs the previous two seasons:
“We believe in the approach and sometimes that belief gets tested based on the outcome of football games. There is always anxiety in this thing. There is a saying in this profession, ‘Pressure is always there; you’re either feeling it or applying it.’ I like to apply it…I like them to embrace the uneasiness that is associated with those feelings because it’s very much a part of our game, particularly at this level.”
On his coaching style:
“I try to be what the team needs me to be. Football is an emotional game at times, and often times they need me to bring them back down or keep them on an even keel.”
On if there was more uneasiness coming into the season based on the changes they made to their football team:
“I can pretty much convince myself of anything. I’m singularly focused on developing this team into a World Championship outfit. We invested a lot in the last five years on the offensive line. They’ve absorbed a lot; they’re better for it individually and collectively. Antonio Brown is moving into the meat of his career. Ben [Roethlisberger] at the quarterback position, he just gets better with age. There are no unknowns for them.”
On overcoming the loss of running back Le’Veon Bell:
“It remains to be seen how we adjust but us being the versatile group, being the group that’s able to lean on different people at different times, I feel comfortable about our ability to win games in different ways.”
On if he feels like the identity of the Steelers has changed:
“I probably don’t buy into that as much as the traditionalists. The game of football is ever-changing. The days of the Steel Curtain are gone. I stay singularly focused on those components of what is Steeler football and less about how it may look.”
On what makes the rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens is as intense as it is:
“Because they’re so much like us. Their agenda conflicts with ours and they appear to have the same level of commitment to their agenda that we have to ours. So therein lies the problem.”
To view the entire interview with Tomlin, visit:
Quotes from NFL GameDay First
Today, NFL GameDay First aired at 10:00 AM ET, with host Melissa Stark, co-host/analyst Sterling Sharpe, and analysts Shaun O’Hara and Michael Robinson providing the first analysis of Wild Card weekend.
– “I’m going to say no. Love the talent, love his ability, I love what he brings to the table. But at some point, this game is about trust and it’s about trusting your teammates; trusting that you’re going to be accountable…As a teammate, I don’t know if I can trust him. They’re lucky that he’s playing in this game. He should not be playing.” – Shaun O’Hara on if he would want Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on his team
– “I want him on my team. He may be an SOB but he’s our SOB. The one thing I love about Ndamukong Suh: whatever it takes…I don’t agree with a lot of the stuff he does but if he is on my team – and if I’m the Detroit Lions he will be on my team next year – I know I’m getting his best week in and week out.” – Sterling Sharpe on if he would want Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on his team
– “This game really comes down to the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive line…[Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil] have the ability to completely wreck this game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.” – Shaun O’Hara on the Baltimore Ravens facing the Pittsburgh Steelers
– “He has taken his game to a new level. He has learned how to run routes; outside he is so great running routes, inside he knows the great timing of the play. When he gets the ball in his hands, the play just begins…As long as those two are together, Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh has a chance.” – Michael Irvin on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown
– “I expect Superman…Todd Bowles and the Arizona Cardinals defense, they have had trouble against mobile quarterbacks especially guarding the zone read.” – Michael Robinson on what he expects from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton
– “I like this move with Chip Kelly…I think Chip Kelly is ready to handle it. He has a great eye for talent, has a great eye for people who fit what he does offensively and defensively. I think this might be a pretty good move for Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles.” – Sterling Sharpe on the changes to the Philadelphia Eagles’ front office
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning
Today, NFL GameDay Morning aired at 12 Noon ET, taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joined analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews. Additionally, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport provided the latest inside information from around the league.
– “Let’s give Big Ben some credit. Let’s not just say it’s because of the guys around him. As good as they are – best receiver he’s probably ever been around, best running back he’s probably ever been around – Big Ben is playing the position in a more complete fashion than he’s ever played it before. He’s playing inside the pocket [and] outside the pocket when he has to. He’s getting the ball out of his hands quick [and] he’s holding onto when he gets a chance to go down the field…Big Ben is coming into his own as a complete quarterback.” – Kurt Warner on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
– “We are going to miss the blocker that he is more than the runner, more than the pass catcher…His blocking is going to be missed more than anything.” – Marshall Faulk on the Pittsburgh Steelers overcoming the loss of running back Le’Veon Bell
– “His play in those playoff games [in 2012] and the caliber of quarterbacks that they went through, he earned it and he has earned the right for me to say, ‘I believe in you in the playoffs until I see different.’” – Marshall Faulk on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco
– “Ron Rivera has peaked this team at the right time with four wins in a row and they’re right there. Because the team is playing well, Cam [Newton] ought to have a heck of a game.” – Steve Mariucci on the Carolina Panthers
– “As good as [Cam Newton] is, he’s still a young quarterback that I don’t believe carries this team against that secondary with his right arm. They have to get some help in the running game. If they don’t get that, I believe that is the biggest problem.” – Kurt Warner on the Carolina Panthers facing the Arizona Cardinals
– “Russell Wilson is methodical and doesn’t make any mistakes [against the Cardinals]. Cam [Newton] is going to have to mirror that today. He’s going to have to be methodical and not make any mistakes because they will capitalize.” – Michael Irvin on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton facing the Arizona Cardinals
– “Bruce [Arians] did this by design. It was we need these young receivers to step up before we get to this point. You don’t wait until they take Larry [Fitzgerald] away and find out who is going to step up.” – Marshall Faulk on the Arizona Cardinals not featuring wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
– “They have to take shots with Ryan Lindley. Their defense is built to play from ahead. If they get the lead and make you one-dimensional, with that secondary and that pass rush and how they like to blitz, you now have to put your quarterback in harm’s way.” – Marshall Faulk on the Arizona Cardinals facing the Carolina Panthers
– “What this team has done well all year long is they’ve stayed in close games and they’ve made plays down the stretch. That’s what I believe they have to do today. They have to stay in a close game and hope somebody can make that one play.” – Kurt Warner on the Arizona Cardinals
– “I would have [Ndamukong] Suh on my football team. He’s going to play for somebody else next year and if it was me, I would say yes I’m going to take the guy.” – Steve Mariucci on Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh
– “I would take [Ndamukong] Suh every day of the week but we’re just going to have to come to an agreement that you can’t give away yards. Everything you get against this defense will be earned; we’re not giving them anything. But I’d definitely take him in those trenches. No doubt about it.” – Warren Sapp on Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh
– “It cripples the team. When you have A.J. Green, he’s the focal point on everything. Those other guys, they’re great added pieces but they are not A.J. Green.” – Michael Irvin on the impact of wide receiver A.J. Green not playing for the Cincinnati Bengals
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport
On the latest regarding Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton:
“Drew Stanton of course we know is out today but he is seeing doctors early this week to try to figure out how is he progressing from that emergency knee surgery to remove an infection after he had a sprained MCL, something that of course may have knocked him out for the playoffs. I am told there is not a lot of optimism concerning Drew Stanton. After he does see those doctors we will know for sure but there is a strong possibility that it is Ryan Lindley again for the Arizona Cardinals if they do advance. That is one question looking forward for the Cardinals. Another is, is this Larry Fitzgerald’s last game will Cardinals? They are likely to ask him to take a pay cut going forward. He is due $15 million. I am told the ball is in his court as far as how much he wants to accept and how willing he is to help their salary cap situation. The Cardinals are playing today but looking into the future, certainly some questions.”
On the New York Jets’ head coach and general manager search:
“What the Jets want to do first is hire a general manager before they hire a coach, just to make sure that both sides, both people are on the same page and have the same vision, which was not the case with John Idzik and Rex Ryan with Idzik thinking more long-term and Rex wanting to win in the short-term. That said the Jets will not wait [to start] interviewing head coaches until they hire a general manager. I am told they are talking with former Bills coach Doug Marrone today. That is happening today as of course the Jets have been traveling around the country also interviewing several general manager candidates along the way. This Marrone interview is definitely one to watch. There is mutual interest on both sides of this. After the Jets finalize the interview process and do hire a general manager, I would not be surprised if at the end of all this Marrone is last man standing. They have also interviewed Dan Quinn [and] Tom Cable from the Seahawks and they are also set to interview Frank Reich.”
On Rex Ryan’s future:
“He will have plenty of opportunities to be a head coach. He has a San Francisco 49ers interview; that is going to happen tomorrow. He is going to talk to the Atlanta Falcons officially on Tuesday. Remember, the last time the Falcons interviewed him owner Arthur Blank had a lot of interest in him. I would not be surprised if this one ends up working out down the road. In addition, the Buffalo Bills are expected to have some interest in Rex Ryan. Plus, he has retained a TV agent, Nick Khan of CAA, in case none of that works out and he ends up in [the television] business next year. Rex Ryan will have plenty of options.”
On the San Francisco 49ers’ head coaching search:
“The 49ers interviewed a curious and big-name candidate recently when they were in Denver talking to Adam Gase. They spoke with former Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, who really does fit the profile of what they’re looking for. First of all, we know he has done a lot of work and won a lot of games with really good, well-schooled quarterbacks. He is also a CEO type and he is also a grown-up who would properly navigate the interesting political landscape in San Francisco. They are also talking to a number of younger quarterback types; they are speaking with Josh McDaniels, the Patriots offensive coordinator, today. Adam Gase has been on the docket. Here is an interesting name: Gary Kubiak. Once his team is finally done with the playoffs, I would expect the 49ers to show interest in him as well.”
On Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ potential landing spots as head coach:
“Todd Bowles is going to have a lot of options as far as where he is going to end up as a head coach. I’m told five teams have already requested permission to speak with him; that’s everyone but Buffalo, so the 49ers, the Raiders, the Jets, the Falcons and the Bears. Last year the knock on Bowles when he went through the interview process was that he didn’t have a good enough plan on offense. I’m told he went back, did some research, has a three-deep plan at offensive coordinator; of course, that won’t be unveiled until he actually gets hired. Talking to people close to him, I would not be surprised if he seeks out more of a low-key environment; maybe Atlanta, maybe Oakland. But he doesn’t have to go anywhere. He got a raise; he’s making almost $2 million. He can be very choosy as far as where he lands.”
On other assistant coaches garnering attention for head coach vacancies:
“[Adam Gase], his schedule now is the 49ers and the Falcons he talked to on Friday, the Bills and the Bears today. If the Broncos keep winning, this could be the last time anyone talks to him for some time. Dan Quinn is interviewing with five different teams; the Jets and Bears Friday, the Falcons today, the Bills today. He is extremely busy. Teryl Austin, the Lions defensive coordinator, he also has two requests. And then Gary Kubiak has interest from the Jets and I would expect the 49ers also have interest whenever the Ravens are done.”
On the changes to the Philadelphia Eagles’ front office:
“Chip Kelly now, along with the being the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and leading them to two 10-win seasons, he is now also running the scouting department giving him as much power as only Bill Belichick. They are the only two current head coaches now to coach and then run the entire scouting department. This mirrors the structure that the Eagles had under Andy Reid with the head coach running the personnel department. Howie Roseman, the former general manager who received a promotion yesterday, he is now going to run basically the entire football operation. So what Chip Kelly wanted was simply to be able to choose his own players. He is going to have full final say on the kind of players who will be on the field for him, just like he had at Oregon. And just so we know this is clear, Chip Kelly will also be hiring the next personnel executive. Basically he will be hiring his own general manager.”
On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
– Wild Card Weekend Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning crew provide Bold Predictions for Wild Card Weekend:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453315/Wild-Card-Weekend-bold-predictions
– Relationship Between Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians and Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles – NFL GameDay Morning examines the relationship between Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles:
– Would You Want Ndamukong Suh on Your Team? – Would you want Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on your team? The NFL GameDay First crew gives their answers:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453287/Would-you-
– Players Only: Would You Want Ndamukong Suh as a Teammate? – The former players of NFL GameDay Morning discuss if they would want Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh as a teammate:
– Wild Card Weekend Team Most Likely to Reach the Super Bowl – NFL GameDay Morning gives the Wild Card Weekend team that is most likely to reach the Super Bowl:
– Expectations for Carolina Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton – Melissa Stark, Sterling Sharpe, Shaun O’Hara and Michael Robinson give their expectations for Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton against the Arizona Cardinals:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453285/Expectations-
– Tale of the Tape: Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – NFL GameDay Morning puts Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers to the Tale of the Tape:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453337/Tale-of-the-tape-Ravens-vs-Steelers
– What Makes Antonio Brown Special? – Sterling Sharpe examines what makes Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown special:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453298/What-makes-Antonio-Brown-special
– How Will the Cincinnati Bengals Perform Without A.J. Green? – With wide receiver A.J. Green ruled out, NFL GameDay Morning examines how the Cincinnati Bengals will perform against the Indianapolis Colts:
– Possible Landing Spots for Todd Bowles – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport provides the list of possible landing spots for Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453311/Possible-landing-spots-for-Bowles
– What’s Next for Rex Ryan? – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport provides the latest regarding Rex Ryan and the head coaching searches for the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453304/What-s-next-for-Rex-Ryan
– What is the Most Attractive Head Coaching Job? – Steve Mariucci examines which head coaching vacancy is the most attractive:
– Playoff Resolutions – NFL GameDay Morning provide resolutions for this year’s playoff teams:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453307/Playoff-
– Top 10 Wild Card Moments – NFL GameDay Morning counts down the top 10 Wild Card moments of all time:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap3000000453319/Top-10-Wild-Card-moments
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