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by John Czarnecki
Every week, the experts of FOX NFL Sunday will candidly reveal their observations and make their opinions known as they prepare for their top-rated pregame telecast — seen each Sunday at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. We'll share with you some of the highlights and observations from JB, Terry, Howie, Jimmy — plus Strahan and Switzer — grabbed from their weekly conference call with insider John Czarnecki and pregame show producer Scott Ackerson.
This week, Czar probes FOX NFL Sunday on some of the big games of the week, plus the question of whether Brett Favre wil be missed in Green Bay.
ALSO THIS WEEK FROM NFL ON FOX:
Czar: 10 Shocking Predictions for 2008
Glazer: Predictions and recollections from one crazy summer | Week 1 pick-fest
Video: NFL on FOX previews the 2008 season
CZAR: This week will be Brett Favre's first game for the Jets. Can we put his retirement and return into perspective with how this impacts both the Jets and Packers?
Michael Strahan: "What Favre went through this year is more like what I went through last summer with the Giants. I mean, when you have a team that keeps asking that 'We need to know what you are going to do. We need to know now.' I mean, the Giants were pushing me last year for a decision all the time. In his case, he elected to retire before he even meant it. At the end, I really do think Brett thought they were going to welcome him back with open arms and then it turned into a totally ugly situation for both him and the Packers."
Terry Bradshaw: "Personally, I never thought the Packers wouldn't want him back based on what he's meant to that franchise and how well he played last season. But it became pretty obvious to me that they didn't want him anymore."
MS: "They almost forced him to retire, because nobody really knows whether or not they want to play in March ... I mean a player of that stature and that age. Then when the season started getting closer, Brett said he made a mistake and wanted to play. I kind of respect that, but by then the Packers had really moved on with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback."
Jimmy Johnson: "I don't know what else the Packers could have done to take him back when they really didn't want to take him back. As well as he played last year, a lot of their success was because of their improved defense and a very good running game down the stretch. But in the two previous seasons, he did struggle. Their point of view, both the front office and the coaching staff, was that he had been treated special for so many years. I'm referring to the offseason program, etc. Once he made the decision to retire, they were quick to make their decision to move on: 'Aaron Rodgers is our guy.' "
TB: "This is all based on three quarters of football against the Cowboys last season and how well he looked in mini-camps? I still don't understand how you lose your job based strictly on an offseason program. They really didn't want him competing with Rodgers."
JJ: "Before the draft, Brett said he was still retired. And then the Packers drafted two more quarterbacks, Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn. Then he changes his mind and wants to play again. Well, they had made up their minds and went on without him. Give them some credit, too. I think they had seen enough of Rodgers to believe he isn't going to be some slug."
CZAR: Does anyone think that either Ted Thompson or Mike McCarthy is in trouble if the Packers miss the playoffs and the Jets have a winning season?
JJ: "If the Packers have a losing season and miss the playoffs, I think there would be grumbling. But I don't think heads would roll."
MS: "I don't think the fans in Wisconsin are expecting him to be that successful."
JJ: "I agree with Michael. They are not expecting him to lead them to the Super Bowl. But I do think they believe they can make it to the playoffs with him."
Howie Long: "I think the demise of that relationship was headed that way for a couple of years. When Brett didn't make the decision to return as quickly as they wanted to hear in 2006, that was the start of the demise of that relationship. Brett is a Mike Holmgren and Ron Wolf guy. And even though McCarthy and Thompson had success there, they are not Holmgren and Wolf in Brett's eyes. For them to really own that team, they wanted to move on from Brett. How well they played last season and how well Brett played, it did put them in an awkward position.
"But on the other side, could Brett have looked any more awkward after he arrived in New York to be posing with the Mayor of New York and getting the keys to the city? Brett looked totally uncomfortable with it."
MS: "But he had to do it because they are pushing a new stadium."
HL: "You also have to understand that across the street from the Jets, the Giants are coming off a magical season in which they won a world championship. The Jets were not relevant in that city. I know it's been tough on Brett, but I know he has the resolve to make this work for him and the Jets. Remember, before he was acquired, the Jets spent a lot of money to get a lot better. I think they have a shot at being pretty good. And if Brett succeeds in New York ... he's already a Mt. Rushmore guy. How much bigger does he need to get?"
CZAR: Do you guys believe Wade Phillips will be coaching the Cowboys next season?
JJ: "Yes, I do because I think the Cowboys are going to be successful this season and win a playoff game or more than one."
HL: "They are loaded. Dallas may be the most talented team in the NFL."
JJ: "The Cowboys will get it done because they are more talented than anybody else. Now, I know the Giants outplayed them last year in the playoffs, but that doesn't mean the Giants were the most talented team, either."
Curt Menefee: "You talk to people in Dallas and I get the impression that Wade is the perfect coach for that team, because it is one that is full of stars and he can handle all of those egos. I don't see Wade as being the focal point."
JJ: "I don't necessarily agree that Wade is the perfect guy all the time. There are games when he doesn't get everyone's best effort."
MS: "I'm new to this business, but when I went to the Dallas camp I was surprised with how he was holding court with everybody visiting there. I mean, this guy is very laid back to what I'm used to."
TB: "Jason Garrett is making like $3 million a year and if they win again won't he receive a few more coaching offers? I mean, he turned down two opportunities last year."
JJ: "I really think Jason is satisfied with waiting for the perfect job. I think if they win in the playoffs, I think Jason will stay for another year. He's still a very young coach and I know he loves Dallas. I don't see him making waves, either."
CZAR: Any thoughts of how Shawne Merriman's season will go, considering how bad he says his knee is?
HL: "I don't see how he can go the whole season taking painkillers for that knee and also have a successful season. I don't see how he can have a significant impact and last the season ... You might be able to do that like Plaxico Burress did last season, but you can't do that playing outside linebacker or any of those defensive lineman spots."
MS: "Shawne plays such a reactionary position. So many blockers and things are happening at his position, stuff that he has to look out for."
HL: "This is a team that was only a couple plays away from the Super Bowl."
TB: "Haven't a lot of doctors said that he needs surgery? So, why is he risking his career here? That's what it looks like."
HL: "The other thing is that people don't really care if you're hurt. If you are out there playing, they are going to expect you to perform."
CZAR: The Saints practiced in Indianapolis this week. How will that impact them against Tampa Bay?
JJ: "If this was later in the season, I would be worried. But I think this will simply have them more focused. The players will be studying tape and getting ready and that should only help in the preparation for this game, being on the road. It will keep them off the streets at night."
MS: "I agree with Jimmy. The first week at home can be a big distraction, particularly for the younger guys who will have worry about getting tickets for relatives and friends. All of that can be a mess and a total distraction."
TB: "Everybody should remember that the Bucs beat my Saints twice last season ... and I keep hearing that Jeff Garcia is still pretty upset about all this Brett Favre talk that he's aiming to have the best season he's ever had."
MS: "I think my old teammate Jeremy Shockey will really help this offense. I have to think he really respects Drew Brees and I think he will have a positive influence on this team. He needed to get out of New York and the change of venue should really help him."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8526256/FOX-NFL-Sunday-Roundtable:-Week-1
Every week, the experts of FOX NFL Sunday will candidly reveal their observations and make their opinions known as they prepare for their top-rated pregame telecast — seen each Sunday at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. We'll share with you some of the highlights and observations from JB, Terry, Howie, Jimmy — plus Strahan and Switzer — grabbed from their weekly conference call with insider John Czarnecki and pregame show producer Scott Ackerson.
This week, Czar probes FOX NFL Sunday on some of the big games of the week, plus the question of whether Brett Favre wil be missed in Green Bay.
ALSO THIS WEEK FROM NFL ON FOX:
Czar: 10 Shocking Predictions for 2008
Glazer: Predictions and recollections from one crazy summer | Week 1 pick-fest
Video: NFL on FOX previews the 2008 season
CZAR: This week will be Brett Favre's first game for the Jets. Can we put his retirement and return into perspective with how this impacts both the Jets and Packers?
Michael Strahan: "What Favre went through this year is more like what I went through last summer with the Giants. I mean, when you have a team that keeps asking that 'We need to know what you are going to do. We need to know now.' I mean, the Giants were pushing me last year for a decision all the time. In his case, he elected to retire before he even meant it. At the end, I really do think Brett thought they were going to welcome him back with open arms and then it turned into a totally ugly situation for both him and the Packers."
Terry Bradshaw: "Personally, I never thought the Packers wouldn't want him back based on what he's meant to that franchise and how well he played last season. But it became pretty obvious to me that they didn't want him anymore."
MS: "They almost forced him to retire, because nobody really knows whether or not they want to play in March ... I mean a player of that stature and that age. Then when the season started getting closer, Brett said he made a mistake and wanted to play. I kind of respect that, but by then the Packers had really moved on with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback."
Jimmy Johnson: "I don't know what else the Packers could have done to take him back when they really didn't want to take him back. As well as he played last year, a lot of their success was because of their improved defense and a very good running game down the stretch. But in the two previous seasons, he did struggle. Their point of view, both the front office and the coaching staff, was that he had been treated special for so many years. I'm referring to the offseason program, etc. Once he made the decision to retire, they were quick to make their decision to move on: 'Aaron Rodgers is our guy.' "
TB: "This is all based on three quarters of football against the Cowboys last season and how well he looked in mini-camps? I still don't understand how you lose your job based strictly on an offseason program. They really didn't want him competing with Rodgers."
JJ: "Before the draft, Brett said he was still retired. And then the Packers drafted two more quarterbacks, Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn. Then he changes his mind and wants to play again. Well, they had made up their minds and went on without him. Give them some credit, too. I think they had seen enough of Rodgers to believe he isn't going to be some slug."
CZAR: Does anyone think that either Ted Thompson or Mike McCarthy is in trouble if the Packers miss the playoffs and the Jets have a winning season?
JJ: "If the Packers have a losing season and miss the playoffs, I think there would be grumbling. But I don't think heads would roll."
MS: "I don't think the fans in Wisconsin are expecting him to be that successful."
JJ: "I agree with Michael. They are not expecting him to lead them to the Super Bowl. But I do think they believe they can make it to the playoffs with him."
Howie Long: "I think the demise of that relationship was headed that way for a couple of years. When Brett didn't make the decision to return as quickly as they wanted to hear in 2006, that was the start of the demise of that relationship. Brett is a Mike Holmgren and Ron Wolf guy. And even though McCarthy and Thompson had success there, they are not Holmgren and Wolf in Brett's eyes. For them to really own that team, they wanted to move on from Brett. How well they played last season and how well Brett played, it did put them in an awkward position.
"But on the other side, could Brett have looked any more awkward after he arrived in New York to be posing with the Mayor of New York and getting the keys to the city? Brett looked totally uncomfortable with it."
MS: "But he had to do it because they are pushing a new stadium."
HL: "You also have to understand that across the street from the Jets, the Giants are coming off a magical season in which they won a world championship. The Jets were not relevant in that city. I know it's been tough on Brett, but I know he has the resolve to make this work for him and the Jets. Remember, before he was acquired, the Jets spent a lot of money to get a lot better. I think they have a shot at being pretty good. And if Brett succeeds in New York ... he's already a Mt. Rushmore guy. How much bigger does he need to get?"
CZAR: Do you guys believe Wade Phillips will be coaching the Cowboys next season?
JJ: "Yes, I do because I think the Cowboys are going to be successful this season and win a playoff game or more than one."
HL: "They are loaded. Dallas may be the most talented team in the NFL."
JJ: "The Cowboys will get it done because they are more talented than anybody else. Now, I know the Giants outplayed them last year in the playoffs, but that doesn't mean the Giants were the most talented team, either."
Curt Menefee: "You talk to people in Dallas and I get the impression that Wade is the perfect coach for that team, because it is one that is full of stars and he can handle all of those egos. I don't see Wade as being the focal point."
JJ: "I don't necessarily agree that Wade is the perfect guy all the time. There are games when he doesn't get everyone's best effort."
MS: "I'm new to this business, but when I went to the Dallas camp I was surprised with how he was holding court with everybody visiting there. I mean, this guy is very laid back to what I'm used to."
TB: "Jason Garrett is making like $3 million a year and if they win again won't he receive a few more coaching offers? I mean, he turned down two opportunities last year."
JJ: "I really think Jason is satisfied with waiting for the perfect job. I think if they win in the playoffs, I think Jason will stay for another year. He's still a very young coach and I know he loves Dallas. I don't see him making waves, either."
CZAR: Any thoughts of how Shawne Merriman's season will go, considering how bad he says his knee is?
HL: "I don't see how he can go the whole season taking painkillers for that knee and also have a successful season. I don't see how he can have a significant impact and last the season ... You might be able to do that like Plaxico Burress did last season, but you can't do that playing outside linebacker or any of those defensive lineman spots."
MS: "Shawne plays such a reactionary position. So many blockers and things are happening at his position, stuff that he has to look out for."
HL: "This is a team that was only a couple plays away from the Super Bowl."
TB: "Haven't a lot of doctors said that he needs surgery? So, why is he risking his career here? That's what it looks like."
HL: "The other thing is that people don't really care if you're hurt. If you are out there playing, they are going to expect you to perform."
CZAR: The Saints practiced in Indianapolis this week. How will that impact them against Tampa Bay?
JJ: "If this was later in the season, I would be worried. But I think this will simply have them more focused. The players will be studying tape and getting ready and that should only help in the preparation for this game, being on the road. It will keep them off the streets at night."
MS: "I agree with Jimmy. The first week at home can be a big distraction, particularly for the younger guys who will have worry about getting tickets for relatives and friends. All of that can be a mess and a total distraction."
TB: "Everybody should remember that the Bucs beat my Saints twice last season ... and I keep hearing that Jeff Garcia is still pretty upset about all this Brett Favre talk that he's aiming to have the best season he's ever had."
MS: "I think my old teammate Jeremy Shockey will really help this offense. I have to think he really respects Drew Brees and I think he will have a positive influence on this team. He needed to get out of New York and the change of venue should really help him."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8526256/FOX-NFL-Sunday-Roundtable:-Week-1
