Quotage from the Sunday NFL Pregame Shows for Week 17

Well, this being Week 17 and a crazy day in the NFL for playoff implications, we have plenty of quotage from the networks today.

CBS is also using the opportunity to crow about the total cumulative number of viewers for its NFL coverage, saying it beat the other NFL TV partners, but if you look at ratings, not total viewers, I believe Fox beats CBS. Anyway, I'll put CBS first today because I actually watched the NFL Today before the Pats-Bills game.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 17 ON DECEMBER 28

More People Watch THE NFL ON CBS Than Any Other Network Through 15 Weeks of 2008 NFL Season

Through 15 weeks of the 2008 NFL regular-season, more people watch NFL games on CBS than any other network, based on a cumulative analysis of Nielsen data.

Through 15 weeks of the 2008 season (September 4-December 15, 2008), THE NFL ON CBS regular-season games were seen by an estimated 145.9 million viewers, +16% higher than NBC’s 126.1 million viewers, +4% higher than FOX’s 140.8 million viewers and +53% higher than ESPN’s 95.4 million.

The cumulative audience is based on Total Viewers (Persons 2+) who have watched at least six minutes of NFL game coverage since the start of the 2008 regular-season.

* * * * *

►QUICK HITS

(On New York Jets)

SHANNON SHARPE: I think the Jets were overvalued…They had two huge road wins; go to New England and Tennessee and win, then come home and lose to Denver, then go on the road and lose to San Francisco and Seattle. They are not playing like a playoff-caliber football team for one simple reason – their quarterback puts the ball in harm's way. When you turn the football over at that position, you don't win football games no matter how good you are defensively.

(On Miami-New York Jets)

BOOMER ESIASON: I like the Jets to win the game, if they don’t it's going to be Armageddon around here tomorrow.

►FOOTBALL FACE-OFF

(On what player might not be back with his team next year)

BILL COWHER: This is nothing against the Dallas Cowboys but I’m going to say T.O. (Terrell Owens)…T.O. was unhappy with his role in an offense when they had Witten and Barber, but all of a sudden now you acquire Roy Williams. All of a sudden you bring back a healthy Felix Jones. Where does he fit in? This offense is about developing the offense, not trying to keep the players happy. I say they have to get rid of T.O. They have enough playmakers.

BOOMER: Brett Favre…I think he’s going to retire at the end of the year. Plaxico Burress is not coming back with the New York Giants. He may think he is rehabbing his image around here in New York, but that is not going to be the case. The other person is maybe Chad Johnson. Chad may not like to hear it but I don't think the Cincinnati Bengals are going to put up with this nonsense anymore, especially when they’re going to have to give T.J. Houshmandzadeh a big contract. And of course we all know that Matt Cassel is not coming back to the New England Patriots. He is going to be a very rich man at this time next year.

► “INSIDE THE GAME” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY

(On Donovan McNabb returning to Philadelphia next year)

CASSERLY: Despite all the reports, he’s not going to be traded. He'll be back with the Eagles next year. He has two years to go on his contract – 2009 will be $9 million and 2010 will be $10 million. What I can picture the Eagles doing is this – extending him on a year-to-year basis with some form of roster bonuses that he would get paid in March. What I do not see happening is a long-term contract with a big upfront money guarantee. He’s definitely staying in Philly.

(On Tampa Bay’s tailspin)

CASSERLY: I think it all stems from Monte Kiffin announcing that he's going to the University of Tennessee. [There’s] a lot of resentment in that building. [There’s] a lot of hard feelings in that building. Why couldn't you wait until the end of the season? In my opinion Monte Kiffin is the heart and soul of that defense. In the last three weeks that heart has been ripped out and it’s been reflected by their poor play on the field.

That was pretty short for an NFL Today press release. Compare that with the NFL Network which has lots of quotage from NFL Gameday Morning. Get ready to scroll for a while.

News and Sound Bites From Week 17 on

NFL GAMEDAY MORNING

“THEY’VE GOT TO GET RID OF THAT REVOLVING DOOR. THEY’VE GOT TO HAVE SOME CONTINUITY WITH STAFF, FRONT OFFICE AND PLAYER PERSONNEL IN ORDER FOR THAT TEAM TO GROW AND GET BETTER FROM YEAR TO YEAR.”– Mariucci on the Detroit Lions

“YOUR PAST IS WHAT MAKES YOU. IT BUILDS CHARACTER…EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING THAT THEY WISH THEY COULD TAKE BACK, BUT IT MADE ME THE MAN I AM TODAY.”– Jared Allen

“HE HAS NO FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK, HE HAS NO PRO BOWL WIDE RECIEVER, IT’S JUST HIM.”– Marshall Faulk on his MVP choice, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson

NFL GameDay Morning, the first information packed show on the air Sunday mornings, checks in at 9:00 AM ET on the only network dedicated entirely to football. Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk and Steve Mariucci alongside hosts Spero Dedes and co-host Alex Flanagan with news reports by Adam Schefter, bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews on NFL Network.

Schefter’s News Reports:

• Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli’s name keeps coming up in connection to job openings, but very few people have tried to hire him. There was talk that Detroit would hire Pioli, but they never did. The only two jobs he’s ever been offered were with Seattle in 2005 and with the Giants in 2007. He’s been tough to get out of New England, but the fact is that he hasn’t had too many opportunities. For the right price and the right situation, Pioli could be pried out of New England. Cleveland would be a logical landing spot. It is expected that the Browns will part ways with GM Phil Savage, who has not represented the organization well in the eyes of some people in Cleveland. If that’s the case, Pioli has worked in Cleveland before and he would be a logical target for the Browns now.

• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was adamant this week that Wade Phillips will be his coach next season. So either Jones is telling the truth and is going to prove everyone wrong or he’s this year’s version of Nick Saban. The scenario to watch in Dallas now that Phillips is presumably safe for this season is Mike Holmgren coaching the Cowboys in 2010. Holmgren is the big fish that’s out there that now that Phillips is safe, other teams will focus on after next season.

• In Philadelphia, QB Donovan McNabb’s request for a new contract is all about commitment and security. McNabb plans to sit down with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and head coach Andy Reid after the season to get some answers to some questions that have been asked since he was benched during the game vs. Baltimore. If the Eagles can commit to McNabb that he will be their starting quarterback without any questions being asked and they give him the contract extension that he wants, which is an issue of security, McNabb most likely stays. If not, the possibility of a trade for McNabb opens wide and he could become this year’s offseason version of Brett Favre.

• Raiders-Buccaneers was going to be the ‘Kiffin Bowl,’ but former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin took the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee and will be taking his father Monte with him. The two will not square off today, but it will be Monte Kiffin’s last game in Tampa. Raiders owner Al Davis did not make the trip to Tampa for today’s game and it’s one of the rare road games that he’s ever missed. Davis’ knee and ankle have been bothering him from a fall he took in San Diego earlier this month. Doctors told him it’s not a good idea to get on a cross-county flight. Davis wanted to be in Tampa, but he did not make the trip.

• There are real questions in New York on whether this will be the final game for Brett Favre and head coach Eric Mangini as well. There were discussions within the organization this week about how to handle Mangini’s future. There was even some consideration given on whether to give him a one-year extension. The fact that the extension did not go to Mangini this week is an ominous sign for the Jets head coach. There is a growing feeling within the organization that Mangini did not connect with the players. If you look at the loss last week vs. Seattle to a backup quarterback with the Jets high-priced defensive line going up against a backup Seahawks offensive line and could not produce any sacks, this could be the final game for Mangini in New York if the Jets do not make the playoffs.

• I’ve been told that Bill Cowher is not mentally ready to return to football in 2009, despite the fact that there are repeated calls for him to be hired in Cleveland and other cities. Cowher just is not ready to come back to football yet. 2010 is the soonest that we would see Cowher coaching on the sidelines.

• There’s no real feeling on whether Tom Cable will or will not be back. Cable definitely has some support within the organization and ultimately Raiders owner Al Davis will decide whether or not he wants to bring back Cable, but there will be changes in Oakland. 19 of the 20 assistant coaches all have contracts that are expiring after today’s game. James Lofton is the only Raiders assistant coach under contract with the team for next season.

• All the talk about 49ers interim head coach Mike Singletary staying on as head coach in San Francisco is expected to become official this week. The two sides are discussing a four or five-year contract extension.

• The future of Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards all depends on who they hire as General Manager. That search is ongoing right now. Some of the names you’ll hear come up with that job are Jimmy Raye from San Diego, Mark Dominik from Tampa Bay. There are any number of candidates that could come in as the GM in Kansas City. That man will decide whether Edwards stays or goes, but Edwards has already told his staff to start looking for jobs in 2009.

• In Detroit, now that they’re bringing back Martin Mayhew and chief operating officer Tom Lewand, it would be very difficult to bring back the coaching staff. The guess there is that all the coaches will be gone after this disastrous season. In Buffalo, head coach Dick Jauron signed a three-year extension and it will very difficult for the Bills to eat that money now. They are not in a financial position where they can do that.

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:

“They’ve got to get rid of that revolving door. They’ve got to have some continuity with staff, front office and player personnel in order for that team to grow and get better from year to year.” – Mariucci on the Detroit Lions.

“When Matt Millen took over the team eight years ago, he took over a 9-7 team. He dismantled that team and he dismantled the front office. He wanted to take that team to the next level, but in starting over, those pieces weren’t put in place yet.” – Mariucci on the Lions under former GM Matt Millen.

“Talking about the draft, you have to have a certain batting average in the draft. You don’t hit on everybody. Of the five top-ten draft picks they’ve had in the past, a quarterback and four wide receivers, only one is still with the organization – Calvin Johnson. That’s a lot of salary cap dollars wasted…it’s just culminated into not having enough weapons, not having enough good players, not enough depth compared to other teams and here we are at 0-16. They need to rebuild at every level.” – Mariucci

"This is what they do best. Run the football and stop the run. Their play-action football lives off this." – Steve Mariucci on the Giants’ running game.

"Brian Westbrook is the most complete back in football right now." – Mariucci

“Arthur Blank is a great owner and he deserves this.” – Faulk on Falcons owner Arthur Blank, whose team has clinched a playoff berth and has a chance to win the NFC South division title

"It shows you what a difference a year can make. Last year, Tom Coughlin and the Giants had to play because no one expected them to win. Now they’re the favorite and are resting guys." –Faulk on the Giants choosing the rest players vs. the Vikings.

"Bad weather is the great equalizer." – Mariucci on the weather in Buffalo.

"The Buffalo Bills have one of the biggest offensive lines in the league. It doesn’t matter who the running back is when you have a big offensive line." – Faulk on the Bills running game having the advantage in inclement weather vs. New England, despite the loss of Marshawn Lynch.

"I believe Donovan McNabb (is out) in Philadelphia, but not in a bad way. He gets it in a good way because he gets to leave. The Philly fans are the ones that are going to be suffering because they don’t know what Kevin Kolb has and he’s the quarterback of the future." – Faulk on whether QB Donovan McNabb or head coach Andy Reid is the odd man out in Philadelphia following the season.

"He’s just trying to carry too much of the load. With Gus Frerotte out, he feels as if he has to carry the load and when he runs as hard as he does, the ball will come out at some point in time. He just needs to play his role and allow Tarvaris [Jackson] to do what he needs to do." – Faulk on Vikings RB Adrian Peterson’s recent struggles.

"This team is dangerous. Matt Cassel is a legitimate starting quarterback in the National Football League. They have weapons galore on both sides of the ball. If this team gets in they should do some damage in the playoffs." – Mariucci on the New England Patriots.

"I’ve said this about three or four years in a row – it could be (Favre’s last year). Watching him play this year, I don’t know if it’s been as much fun in his new surroundings." – Mariucci on Favre.

“That’s why Green Bay is okay with being 5-9 right now. They don’t have to answer that question anymore.” – Faulk on the Packers not being asked about former QB Brett Favre.

"When you talk about the strength of their ball club, you have to start at the top with Peyton Manning." – Warren Sapp on the Indianapolis Colts.

“There’s two things that Jet fans want to know – how and when? How does our season end and when does it end?” – Sapp on the New York Jets.

"They did make progress. Enough progress? We'll see." – Mariucci on Jets head coach Eric Mangini's future after doubling the number of wins this year.

“This is the reason why a young rookie quarterback can play in this league because the running game is a rookie quarterback’s best friend. Michael Turner for MVP.” – Mariucci on his MVP pick of the season, Falcons RB Michael Turner.

“He has no franchise quarterback, he has no Pro Bowl wide receiver, it’s just him.” – Faulk on his MVP pick of the season, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson.

“I hope his plays today because he needs to get back in the saddle.” – Mariucci on Titans QB Vince Young.

“The one bright spot is Calvin Johnson. He’s the best receiver in the game, but the bad part is that it’s easy to be the best receiver in the game when you’re on the worst team.” – Faulk on the Detroit Lions and WR Calvin Johnson.

"They have been mentally healthier." – Mariucci on the Chargers success late in the season.

NFL GameDay Morning Analyst Picks for MVP, Coach of the Year and All-Disaster Team:

Analyst	MVP	Coach of the Year	All-Disaster Team
Steve Mariucci	RB Michael Turner, ATL	Tony Sparano, MIA	QB Vince Young, TEN
			RB Edgerrin James, ARI
			WR Roy Williams, DAL
Marshall Faulk	RB Adrian Peterson, MIN	Mike Smith, ATL	Jon Kitna, DET
			RB Tatum Bell, DEN
			WR Jerry Porter, JAX
Warren Sapp	QB Peyton Manning, IND	Mike Smith, ATL	QB Carson Palmer, CIN
			RB Larry Johnson, KC
			WR Plaxico Burress, NYG

Alex Flanagan 1-on-1 with Saints head coach Sean Payton: Head coach Sean Payton shares his team’s motivation and mindset today vs. Carolina with QB Drew Brees closing in on Dan Marino’s single-season passing record:

“I said at the beginning of the week that I’m not certain that those two things go hand-in-hand: Us winning the game and achieving that record. Our main objective is to get this ninth win and I think Drew would tell you the same thing.” – Payton on Saints QB Drew Brees being 402 yards shy of Dan Marino’s single-season passing record.

“They understand that this is an opportunity for us to get to 9-7 and win six of our last eight games. I think there’s a lot riding on this game in regards to taking what we’ve done at the end of this season into next season. With the amount of injuries and some of the things we’ve had to face, I think our players are looking forward to this game. This is the one team that we did not play well against earlier in the year prior to London. We’ve had a great week of practice and I think our guys are eagerly awaiting this opportunity to get a rematch.” – Payton on the motivation his players have today vs. Carolina.

Kara Henderson 1-on-1 with Vikings DE Jared Allen: NFL Network’s Kara Henderson sat down with Vikings DE Jared Allen to talk about his unique persona and playing style:

“There’s no greater feeling. It’s my version of scoring a touchdown.” – Allen on sacking the quarterback.

“I look in the mirror every morning wondering, ‘what should I make of this guy?’ I often wonder the same thing.” – Allen on what he makes of himself.

“Your past is what makes you. It builds character. I’d like to say that I regret the stuff I did, but I really don’t. Everyone has something that they wish they could take back, but it made me the man I am today.” – Allen on having regrets of past transgressions.

“With the Vikings, it was, ‘like me or love me, make your decision.’ I’m not going to sit here and beg and plead with you. This is where I’m at, this is who I am. If you don’t like it, I will go somewhere else, that’s fine with me. If you do, let’s do business because I will give you everything I got on the field.” – Allen on his acquisition to the Vikings.

“I explained to (Commissioner Goodell) that I am not a dirty player. I play this game hard, I play this game for the respect of the players that played before me.” – Allen on sharing his playing style with Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Now to Fox NFL Sunday which had the annual "Terry" Awards.

Glazer Reports Favre Not Happy Playing For Mangini

Plus What Coaches Are In/Out For Next Season

Strahan: McNabb & Eagles Will Not Lay Down Against the Cowboys

Jimmy Johnson: You Can’t Imagine How Miserable It Is to Lose Like the Lions

FOX NFL INSIDER Jay Glazer reports that Brett Favre is unhappy playing in New York for Eric Mangini: “With Favre, who knows? Do I think he’s done? Yes. Everybody I’ve talked to thinks he’s done. There are a couple of reasons. He talked about his shoulder. It has gotten worse over the last couple of weeks. The other issue is his happiness. Is he happy playing for Eric Mangini? The answer I keep getting is no. In Green Bay, Favre earned the right to be treated differently. With the Jets he’s treated like everyone else. He gets called to the ‘Principal’s Office’ and is grilled by Mangini for the decisions he’s making in games. On Wednesdays and Thursdays the players are quizzed about their upcoming opponent and Favre feels it’s homework they don’t need. I don’t think he enjoys it that much. I don’t think he’s happy playing for Mangini.”

Glazer also reports which NFL coaches will be in or out after this season: “Michael Singletary is in, I know that the 49ers are working on a long-term extension with him and it could be done as early as tonight, a 5-year extension. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz is out, though I’m hearing that Singletary wanted him back but the front office wanted Martz out.

• I’ve learned that Clark Hunt, the Chiefs owner, met with Marty Schottenheimer about a Bill Parcells-type of position, a VP position.
• Romeo Crennel in Cleveland is out as is GM Phil Savage. They are going to start looking at guys like Scott Pioli immediately, Josh McDaniels, and Steve Spagnuolo.
• In Houston Gary Kubiak's is in, but I am hearing the defensive staff is out.
• Rod Marinelli in Detroit, they are going to meet tomorrow morning and it looks like Rod will not be safe there. They are also going to do a strong search. I’m hearing so many different names there, you hear of guys like Steve Spagnuolo, Rex Ryan, Michael Mularkey and even Mike Heimerdinger with the Tennessee Titans.
• Jets head coach Eric Mangini, obviously if he wins today will be back and if he doesn’t win, I still think he is back. It’s 50/50 right now, but again with the players there, I think something has to change.
• In St. Louis, the fact that Billy Devaney was named GM this week certainly looks good for Jim Haslett. The players have put a petition to the owners that they want Haslett back. They still are going to do an extensive search, Rex Ryan and Steve Spagnuolo could be in the mix."

Co-host Terry Bradshaw on wanting the Lions to lose today to finish the season 0-16: “I don’t normally pull for teams to lose but I wanted the Giants last season to lose to New England so we could see history. Today would be epic. 1-15, big deal. 0-16, to me that’s cool.”

Analyst Jimmy Johnson recalls his similar 1-15 season with the Cowboys: “I can’t describe how miserable you feel to be a part of that. I was mentally and physically drained and when you are that low, you can’t get any lower.”

Analyst Howie Long added: “It’s mind boggling, the way the NFL is set up right now, that any team could go 0-16.”

Analyst Jimmy Johnson on QB Chad Pennington’s opportunity to beat his former team and go to the playoffs with Miami: “New York kicked Chad out. It would be justice for him to go back, win and show them that he’s an outstanding quarterback.”

Analyst Michael Strahan on how hard of an obstacle Philadelphia will be for the Cowboys who need to only win to make the playoffs: “They’re playing against a Philadelphia Eagles team that everyone thinks is out of it. But the Eagles have a quarterback who is playing for his future. McNabb is going to play well. Brian Dawkins plays with a lot of pride. They’re not going to lie down. It’s hard to win in Philly.”

Analyst and Super Bowl-winning head coach Jimmy Johnson has some advice for NFL coaches going in to playoffs: “First, you must understand the playoffs are not the regular season. The intensity and the excitement will be higher. The opponent is as talented and will be as prepared and as good as you are, if not better. Keep your preparation as close to what you can as the regular season. Give the players a reason you’re going to win and always have a little something, what I call a momentum changer, ready on game day. It can be a trick play on offense, a certain blitz on defense or even a fake on special teams. The players will be excited about surprising your opponent. Now don’t get me wrong, sound fundamentals and protecting the ball will still win the game, but one or two surprises can be the difference. All season long, the computers have been studying your tendencies, so now is the time to break some of those tendencies. Believe me, your opponent will know them as well as you do. As far as resting players a week before the playoffs, each team is different. Do you need a confidence builder as the Giants did last year when they played New England or is it more important to get your team healthy? Last thing, be confident, be aggressive and take some chances. It might just get you a ring.”

Today’s edition of FOX NFL SUNDAY included the latest chapter of The Terry Awards, Bradshaw’s unique take on this season’s distinguished players and coaches. This year’s Terry Awards go to:

Young Terry Award (AFC)

Joe Flacco - Baltimore Ravens

Old Terry Award (AFC)

Kerry Collins - Tennessee Titans

NFL MVP

Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons

Still My Guy

Brett Favre - New York Jets

Great Guy/Great Coach

Mike Holmgren - Seattle Seahawks

Old Terry Award (NFC)
Kurt Warner - Arizona Cardinals

Coach of the Year

Jeff Fisher - Tennessee Titans

Assistant Coach of the Year

David Lee - Miami Dolphins

Next Jimmy Johnson Award

Mike Smith - Atlanta Falcons

Comeback Player of the Year

Jake Delhomme - Carolina Panthers

Next Michael Strahan Award

Justin Tuck - New York Giants

Next Howie Long Award

DeMarcus Ware - Dallas Cowboys

Great Player/Great Hair

Troy Polamalu - Pittsburgh Steelers

Mr. Tough Guy

James Harrison - Pittsburgh Steelers

Coach Who Does Not Panic

Tony Dungy - Indianapolis Colts

Best at Filling the Gap

Shaun Rogers - Cleveland Browns

Albert Haynesworth - Tennessee Titans

Analyst Michael Strahan on the outlook for the Carolina Panthers: “After last week’s loss, I have more respect for Carolina. This team is better and more consistent than they were earlier in the year. They completed against the Giants, the best team in the league, in their house. Carolina’s confidence should be at an all-time high.”

Next, to ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown of which I watched the first half hour today.

SUNDAY NFL COUNTDOWN NEWS AND NOTES – WEEK 17

ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Mike Ditka, Keyshawn Johnson, Cris Carter, and Tom Jackson previewed today’s NFL games. Some excerpts:

Key quotes of the day:

Mike Ditka on the NY Jets: “I think the NY Jets remind me of a bunch of dogs chasing cars. Every once in a while they catch the car and then they don’t know what the heck to do once they catch it. They can’t worry about egos…”

On the Detroit Lions:

Cris Carter: “It’s hard for me to imagine what they’re going through. When I guy will say, I’m going to walk 482 miles. Well it’s pretty obvious to me that there ain’t a need of him to be to be worrying about that. This is a bad football team. No expectations, no desire to even remove that from the record.”

Mike Ditka: “This is tough, but this would be the hall of shame, not the hall of fame. The 0-14 Bucs they were funny, John McKay made it humorous. But this is not funny gang, this is serious stuff.”

Keyshawn Johnson on Brett Favre: “How can I trust Brett Favre right now? Here is a guy who wanted to get out of Green Bay for all its worth. Come to N.Y., great place to play, but now all of a sudden, my shoulder hurts. It’s like these built in excuses when things haven’t worked out the way the way that you would have liked for them to. The great Brett Favre, the legendary 7 o’clock SportsCenter, oh what a hero. Now all of a sudden things don’t look so rosy and my shoulder hurts.”

Tom Jackson on the Falcons or Panthers as team more poised for playoff run: “When you talk what quarterback would I choose, Delhomme or Matt Ryan? We take Matt Ryan. The running back is a toss up, but Michael Turner is that one guy that gives you that ability inside the 5-yard line. I think Atlanta may make a surprising run toward the Super Bowl Championship.”

On the N.Y. Jets …

Mike Ditka: “I think the NY Jets remind me of a bunch of dogs chasing cars. Every once in a while they catch the car and then they don’t know what the heck to do once they catch it. They can’t worry about egos…”

Tom Jackson: “I don’t trust the Jets …what’s their game plan? Are we a throwing football team with Brett Favre? Are we going to spread people out and win the game that way? Are we a pressure defense that likes to bring the blitz package? We’re going to rush three and drop seven, the way we’ve seen them do so often? I think in week 17 you have to know exactly who you are as a football team and I don’t think the Jets do.”

Are the Detroit Lions the worst team in NFL History? …

Keyshawn Johnson: “This is the worst team ever, in my era of watching football. This isn’t the Miami Dolphins of a year ago, this isn’t that football team. This isn’t the Indianapolis Colts when they were 3-13 with Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, where a year later they make a strong run. This isn’t that football team. This team is pretty bad. There is one player that I can think of on this team and that’s Calvin Johnson and he happens to be a good wide receiver.”

Cris Carter: “It’s hard for me to imagine what they’re going through. When I guy will say, I’m going to walk 482 miles. Well it’s pretty obvious to me that their ain’t no need of him to be to be worrying about that. This is a bad football team. No expectations, no desire to even remove that from the record.”

Tom Jackson: “Tampa Bay was worse. That team that lost 14 games during the season and people forget that they went 0-26. They lost 12 games coming out the next year. That team was worse. I think that St. Louis might be worse right now. Unfortunately, Detroit will not get to play that football team and you are what your record is.”

Mike Ditka: “This is tough, but this would be the hall of shame, not the hall of fame. The 0-14 Bucs they were funny, John McKay made it humorous. But this is not funny gang, this is serious stuff.”

On Brett Favre and Chad Pennington …

When Brett Favre was traded from the Packers to the Jets, quarterback Chad Pennington was released after eight seasons in New York. Favre has helped in transforming the Jets from 4-12 in 2007 to 9-6 this season with a chance at the playoffs. Pennington signed with the Dolphins and has led them to a miraculous turnaround season, from 1-15 in 2007 to 10-5, within one game of winning the AFC East division. Today, the one team standing in Pennington’s way is his former team – the New York Jets, led by Favre. Reporter Rachel Nichols reported on the ties that bind the two quarterbacks. Which quarterback do our analysts trust more …

Tom Jackson: “Chad Pennington. I trust him because I trust the team. I trust Coach Sparano. I trust Bill Parcells. I trust them to run the football. I trust Joey Porter coming off of the corner. I trust those things because they’ve done them all year round. And with Brett Favre, it also a team game, but there is some type of disconnect. I’ve said it all year long between the sideline and what’s going on, on the football field. The X’s and O’s that are playing.”

Keyshawn Johnson: “How can I trust Brett Favre right now? Here is a guy who wanted to get out of Green Bay for all its worth. Come to N.Y., great place to play, but now all of a sudden, my shoulder hurts. It’s like these built in excuses when things haven’t worked out the way the way that you would have liked for them to. The great Brett Favre, the legendary 7 o’clock SportsCenter, oh what a hero. Now all of a sudden things don’t look so rosy and my shoulder hurts.”

Cris Carter: “This is what I do know. You don’t get ready for the NFL, No.1 playing part-time and No. 2, you ain’t throwing to those receivers in Mississippi getting ready for what’s going to happen to you during the NFL season. I just haven’t seen that and I’m going with Chad.”

On Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo …

Cris Carter: “We don’t see him progressing as veteran quarterbacks do. Bad habits getting down the football field, trying to throw the football, shoulders at a bad angle to throw to the receiver down the field. And another thing which is horrible is in the pocket, the pump fake…well you see eventually who he has to throw it to.”

The Biggest Storyline out of Dallas (other than playoff berth)…

Tom Jackson: “I think its Jerry Jones' approach to the game. How you collect talent, bring in players that you know can play, but forget about the chemistry that goes with it. It is a lesson that has been learned by a lot of owners around the league. When you’ve got 13 pro bowlers you would expect that getting to the playoffs would be pretty easy.

Keyshawn Johnson: “It’s Tony Romo. It’s this reputation as a quarterback to win in December and win big games and he hasn’t done that. And now you’re starting to wonder is he having fun. Watching Tony and being around him for a short time, and watching his swagger. Now looking at him, he’s not having fun.”

Chris Berman: “What kind of heart do they have? What kind of heart do you have? I think that’s the storyline.”

On the Falcons or Panthers as team more poised for playoff run…

Mike Ditka: I really like Atlanta. New coach, new running back, new quarterback. I think they’ve got the tools that can take them deep into the playoffs.

Tom Jackson: “When you talk what quarterback would I choose, Delhomme or Matt Ryan? We take Matt Ryan. The running back is a toss up, but Michael Turner is that one guy that gives you that ability inside the 5-yard line. I think Atlanta may make a surprising run toward the Super Bowl Championship.”

On Miami’s General Manager Bill Parcells future and contract renewal?

Chris Mortensen: “When Parcells signed that four-year guaranteed contract of $12 millions dollars with Wayne Huizenga. He got an ironclad clause that allows him to walk away if Huizenga ever sells the team. And, since then, as you know, Huizenga has agreed to sell 95% of the Dolphins to NY Developer Stephen Ross. … Parcells contract specifically states that only Huizenga can be in authority over him. Once Ross officially becomes the owner, Parcells has to notify Ross within 30 days if he intends to exercise his walk-away clause and collect the full balance of $9 million dollars cash and carry and he’d be a free agent. Any team that wants his services would not owe compensation to the Dolphins. A list of teams I hear that are on the radar somewhat for Parcells if he leaves – the Jets, the Lions, the Browns, and even some pushing for Parcells to help his good friend Al Davis out of the Black Hole in Oakland.”

Of course last, but not least, the final Football Night in America of the season from the fine people at NBC Sports.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM WEEK 17 OF NBC’s “FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA”

“Dallas is one of the great choke artists of all time.” – Football Night’s Collinsworth

“The Baltimore Ravens are one of the most frightening teams in the NFL right now.” – Football Night’s Collinsworth

NBC to Broadcast Wild Card Doubleheader Next Saturday (Atlanta at Arizona & Indianapolis at San Diego or Denver)

NEW YORK – Dec. 28, 2008 – Following are highlights from NBC's "Football Night in America" studio show, as host Bob Costas, co-host Cris Collinsworth, co-host Keith Olbermann, co-host Dan Patrick, analysts Tiki Barber and Jerome Bettis, and reporter Peter King of Sports Illustrated take a look at the day's top storylines in the NFL:

NBC SPORTS TO BROADCAST WILD CARD DOUBLEHEADER: NBC Sports will broadcast an NFL Wild Card doubleheader next Saturday beginning with a special edition of Football Night in America Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. At 4:30 p.m. ET, the Arizona Cardinals will host the Atlanta Falcons. At 8 p.m. ET, the Indianapolis Colts will be on the road against the winner of tonight's  Denver Broncos-San Diego Chargers game.

CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON THE COWBOYS: "Dallas is one of the great choke artists of all time. All those special players, Roy Williams, 'Pacman' Jones, completely collapsed on them today."

CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON T.O. HURTING THE COWBOYS: "You just have to wonder if all this would have happened if Bill Parcells was around or a coach of that ilk to take a stand and to not allow it." 

CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON FEUD BETWEEN PHILIP RIVERS & JAY CUTLER: "A catfight that will never make pay-per-view."

DAN PATRICK ON THE LIONS: "0 and 16 -- they earned it."

DAN PATRICK ON ROETHLISBERGER PLAYING TODAY: "You'd get more out of practice than you do playing against Cleveland."

JEROME BETTIS ON DEANGELO WILLIAMS: "The last part of the season, he's arguably been the best player in the NFL, not just the best running back."

CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON CAROLINA: "I think Carolina's going to the Super Bowl, I really do. I've been watching the New York Giants and looking at these two teams, right now Carolina's the better team."

CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON THE BUCS: "I always like to say something on television that's never been said before: it is the Buccaneers defense that blew it. They look old. It's over, it's time for a change."

JEROME BETTIS ON THE BUCS DEFENSE: "They're living by their name, not the talent."

CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON THE RAVENS: "To me the Baltimore Ravens are one of the most frightening teams in the NFL right now. With the way they can play defense and now Joe Flacco getting hot, watch out, we may have another team coming off the bottom of the seedings and winning a Super Bowl."

CRIS COLLINSWORTH PREDICTING BRETT FAVRE WILL RETIRE: "He's been such a great player and I don't want to demean what he's done but this has been just a horrible end of the year between he and Kris Jenkins."

BOB COSTAS ON THE FAVRE SIGNING: "They did the right thing. You can't guarantee outcomes."

Lots of stuff going on today and it was fun to keep track of it all.