NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’“THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 16 ON DECEMBER24
►QUICK HITS
(On Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers)
BOOMER ESIASON: If Aaron Rodgers stays up right, they're going to be in the Super Bowl. I'm notworried about that…As long as he stays healthy, they will be in Indianapolis. That I canguarantee you.
(On possible playoff teams)
BILL COWHER: Everyone talks about the top seeds. Iwas fortunate to win a championship from a six seed. Last year the Green Bay Packers did it from a six seed. Solook at the teams that are not at the top that are hot going in. I look at theAFC right now. To me, obviously, San Diego. They're hot. But I don't think it's too little too late. I think the New York Jets, if they get in the playoffs,they've won four playoff games, are a team to be scared of. And then in theNFC – the Atlanta Falcons. They were on top a year ago, nowthey've got a little edge, and they're getting hot at the right time. Philadelphia Eagles – too little, too late.
SHANNON SHARPE: I believe the 7‑7 New York Giants will win out and win theNFC East. So you'll have a 9‑7 team winning out, and you'll have the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions will be wildcards.
►CHALK TALK
(On Giants-Jets)
BOOMER: I think the Giants are actually playingfor Tom Coughlin's job here. If RexRyan were my coach, I'd probably love playing for him. But if Iwere playing against him, I'd hate them and it would give me added incentive tobeat them.
(On what NFC Coach is most likely to be fired?)
BOOMER: AndyReid and Mike Shanahanaren't going anywhere. I do believe, however, if either one of the Cowboys orGiants don't make it to the playoffs, the loser of that game will be fired.
SHARPE: I'm saying zero for the simple factthat I pick the Giants to win out and win the division. And Jerry Jones has always supported Jason Garrett. He paid him as a head coachwhen he was a coordinator. And he hand‑picked him for the job.
BOOMER: As much respect as I have for Tom Coughlin. This will be three years ina row he has not made the playoffs. Three late season collapses, and PSL’sfor $20 thousand in Met Life Stadium. The Giants fans are going to want blood comeMonday morning.
(On possible MVPs)
MARINO: Aaron Rodgers
COWHER: Drew Brees
SHARPE: Aaron Rodgers
►“INSIDETHE NFL” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY
ON DREW BREES’CONTRACT
Clickto view: http://bit.ly/tPYnc5
CASSERLY: He's a free agent at the end of this year. Both sides would like to get a long‑term deal done. If it's not done,the Saints will franchise him. I estimate the number will be between $14-15 milliondollars. The target for Brees,the Peyton Manning contract– $18 million a year, but, more importantly, $23.4 million over the firstthree years. Now if a long‑term deal is not done, I would not besurprised if Brees does not show up for off‑season activities and even trainingCamp.
ON NEW NFL CONCUSSION POLICY
Click to view: http://bit.ly/sAr6MA
CASSERLY: Thepolicy went into effect last Thursday night in Indianapolis. I talked to the NFL on Friday, and they told me only one call was made from thepress box down to the sideline and was not any issue. This week, there was aconference call; 17 club physicians on the conference call. I was told none ofthem objected to this new policy. Now, furthermore in looking at this thinggoing forward, one of the things that the NFL wanted, or the NFL doctors wantedto do, is put a monitor on the sidelines so they can actually view the hitduring the course of the game. I talked to teams about the general policy. Most teams were not in favor of it, didn't think it was necessary. And oneclub was adamant. They said this undermines the credibility of our medicalteam to our players. They did not like it at all.
ON NFLPA’S PROPOSAL FOR HGH TESTING
Click to view: http://bit.ly/s29ism
CASSERLY: On November 29th, the NFLPA, led by DeMaurice Smith, met with members ofCongress to outline their proposal. Now here's what I've learned is in theirproposal. First of all, no in‑season testing. Number two, only 10% ofplayers tested in the off‑season. Three, players can decline to betested; four a 24‑hour notification before testing, and five, you wouldhave to fail three tests before there would be any discipline. Congress, mysources there told me, they were not impressed with this. Didn't find itacceptable, and frankly, didn't think the NFLPA was serious about implementingHGH testing.
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