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NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WILD CARD WEEK 18 ON JANUARY 7
“NFL TODAY INSIDER” CHARLEY CASSERLY
(On Philadelphia quarterback Jeff Garcia staying in Philly)
Casserly: I think he's right back where he was last off-season. The difference is he has a team now that definitely wants him - that's the Eagles. He may make more money with somebody else. I think he'll be back with the Eagles. With Donovan McNabb rehabbing from his major injury, this guy might be the next starter on opening day next year. There’s no guarantee Donovan McNabb will be ready for opening day next year.
(On other teams luring Bill Cowher to coach again)
Casserly: There have been rumors out there that teams have contacted the Steelers asking to talk with Bill Cowher… Nobody has called about Bill Cowher. Bill Cowher will not coach this year. He's going to spend it with his family in North Carolina.
(On more coaching vacancies and major name coaches available in a couple of years)
Casserly: I think the interesting dynamics behind the scenes are this. There are some teams this year that have kept their coach or may keep their coach intact just for a shot at Bill Cowher next year. Certainly people are going to be calling Bill Cowher’s agent talking to him this season. And remember, Jeff Fisher could be a free agent next season also.
(On Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz being lured to NFL coaching position)
Casserly: When the Miami Dolphins hired Nick Saban, their first choice was Kirk Ferentz, not Nick Saban. I talked to Kirk Ferentz on Friday, I talked to him back in October, and he told me the same thing, I'm staying at Iowa this year. There's no question in my mind though, there’s some teams this year - there's five openings - some of those teams call Kirk Ferentz to see if he's interested. He’s not though.
QUICK HITS
(On Philadelphia’s Jeff Garcia and Giants’ Eli Manning)
Boomer: Jeff Garcia is on a roll of a lifetime. Let's face it, this is unbelievable…They're playing like the Philadelphia Eagles that we’ve seen a couple years ago when they made it to the Super Bowl. I would not be surprised to see them make it into Super Bowl XLI. But Eli Manning has been playing quarterback much like Britney Spears has been playing mommy - very erratic and without confidence. He has to have a big game today in order for the Giants to win today and I don’t think it’s going to happen.
(On who is under more pressure on the Giants: Coach Tom Coughlin, Tiki Barber or Eli Manning)
Marino: There's no way it's Tom Coughlin. It's the quarterback that's under the pressure. I’ve never seen Tom Coughlin take a hit. He doesn’t have to worry about a blitz. He doesn’t handle the ball on every play. I say it's the quarterback Eli Manning that's under the most pressure because of the position he plays. It's a playoff game and all the pressure that's on him - that's it.
Sharpe: Eli Manning knows no matter what happens, he’s going to be the starting quarterback for the New York Giants next year. Tom Coughlin knows if they lose this ballgame, there’s a great chance that he's not going to be coach of the New York Giants next year. That’s a lot of pressure.
(On Chicago’s Rex Grossman saying he did not give 100% last week, how long does he last in a Bears Divisional Playoff game?)
Sharpe: If I’m Lovie Smith, he doesn't make it to the playoff game. He's on the bench and Brian Griese is in. Here’s the problem, from here on out unless they win the Super Bowl, his teammates are going to question whether or not you prepared like you did for that Green Bay game. He's put himself in a very, very tough situation. He must go out there and get through these playoffs, get to the Super Bowl and win it or his teammates will never trust him the same way again.
Marino: You never tell anybody you're not giving 100%. Even if you don’t feel it, don't tell anybody.
Boomer: He's the Paris Hilton of NFL quarterbacks.
