Blogs

Elway says Broncos can do it either way

INDIANAPOLIS–Coaches and general managers of the NFL’s 32 teams take turns addressing the media during the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. The questions they entertain are usually topical, so they have answers ready to go.

For example, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert had an answer prepared on the potential for losing wide receiver Mike Wallace in restricted free agency, and Packers GM Ted Thompson certainly knew he would face a similar question about quarterback Matt Flynn.

Broncos GM John Elway had a smile on his face when he stepped up to the podium.

“What took you so long?” Elway said when the first question he faced was, “What are your thoughts on Tim Tebow?” The rest was probably rehearsed.

“We’re happy with his year last year. He added a great spark for us. We’re hoping he’s going to be the guy for a long, long time,” Elway said of Tebow.

Fans and media are interested to see what the Broncos will do in this draft. Will they select a quarterback to compete with Tebow? If they do, will be he a spread-offense type of running quarterback, as Tebow is, or will he be a classic drop back type?

“We can do it with either one, whether it’s a guy like Tim or a drop back guy,” Elway said.

What the Broncos do at quarterback will be one of the headline stories of this draft.

McCarthy’s comments to Miami media

Head Coach Mike McCarthy conducted a conference call on Saturday with Miami media regarding the hiring of Joe Philbin as the Dolphins new head coach.

Here is a transcript of McCarthy’s remarks, courtesy of the Dolphins:

(On the qualities of Joe Philbin that convinced him that he could be a NFL head coach) – “I don’t think it’s just one quality, but I know one that will stand out for sure, when it comes to motivating and getting his team ready to win games that’s his communications skills. Joe’s an excellent communicator, has excellent people skills, he is a very strong member of our coaching staff and someone who had excellent relationships not only with our football players but with our whole football program. I think the character of the man and what he stands for, with his family values speaks for itself, but I have always appreciated Joe’s ability to coach the whole room.”

(On if he relied on Joe Philbin and put a lot on his shoulders) – “Absolutely, Joe did a great job for us. We had the opportunity to work together for the first time in ’06 and take the offense system that was brought in there and develop it and definitely take it to another level. Joe is an outstanding football coach.”

(On if at any time during the last five years you considered giving him the play calling duties) – “There was a year that I thought about giving the play calling up to Joe. I think any head coach in the NFL has to decide how he’s going to structure his program and build the responsibilities of every coach on his staff. After the ’08 season, I made changes on the defensive staff and with my particular job responsibility being so much involved in the offense and not as involved with the defense, I thought about taking a step back and just being a pure head coach and overseeing all three phases and with that I was going to give the play calling to Joe Philbin which I wouldn’t have even thought twice about. But we went through the interview process, had the opportunity to hire Dom Capers and kept our structure in place the way that we had it.”

(On how much he spoke with Joe Philbin during the course of a game) – “Joe was the main person I talked to, ninety percent of the conversation that goes on on the headsets was between Joe Philbin and I. We would go through the game planning process throughout the week together as a staff and as a staff that has been together for six years, so I was very fluent in the way we game planned and build our game plans, but Joe was the guy that I directly talked to ninety, ninety-five percent of the time.”

(On Joe Philbin’s persona on the practice field with the players) – “It was good energy. Joe is a very likable individual. People gravitate towards him, so very detailed orientated. We had a unique set up and just the way we structured practice and it goes back to our first couple of years there. I would run the huddle, as far as the play entry on the offense and Joe he would coordinate the defense just to make sure the defensive look was exactly what we wanted, so I think it tells you something about him, just making sure that the big picture is always right. Joe is extremely organized, very detailed, that will be very evident from day one when the Dolphins take the field.”

(On if Joe Philbin was vocal on the practice field) – “When he needs to be, he is in command. He knows what he wants out of every drill and he gets it out of the drill, so he is as vocal as he needs to be.”

(On if Joe Philbin has interest in any member of his staff joining him in Miami would have an issue) – “That’s really a conversation that will be between Joe and I.”

(On if Joe Philbin would yell at players if they were doing the wrong thing) – “I think today’s environment is different than in years past, have I seen Joe Philbin yell before? Yes, I have seen him yell before. I have been able to work with a man for six years that communicates extremely well and was able to get his point across, so I don’t think that he is going to be running up and down the sidelines screaming and yelling if that’s what you are looking for, but everybody will clearly understand his message.”

(On quarterback Matt Flynn and his relationship with Joe Philbin) – “Joe has a very good relationship with all of our quarterbacks. Being the offensive coordinator, I would just go to one particular meeting that we have every Saturday morning at 8:30, it was with Joe and the quarterback coach Tom Clements, myself and the three quarterbacks. We have done it for years its just kind of a final, it put the final points and addressed all the potential situations that would occur in the game the next day. But he has a great relationship, and I am just thinking of the time that we talked personally about the things we did the night before and everything, so it tells you the level and the type of relationship that Joe had with all the quarterbacks, so I would say that he and Matt Flynn have a very healthy relationship.”

(On if he has any doubts that Matt Flynn is ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL) – “In my opinion Matt is ready for that challenge. He has had the opportunity to take a full week of game plan reps, prepare for a game in New England and at home against Detroit and perform very well. So with that you never really know until you go through a full sixteen week season. Every head coach and coordinator goes through that with their first time quarterback, but there is a lot of evidence that Matt Flynn can do that. I have been very impressed with Matt and what he has been able to accomplish with our time in Green Bay together.”

Packers-Lions on NFL Replay Tuesday

QB Matt Flynn’s record-setting performance against Detroit will be shown on NFL Network’s NFL Replay at 8:30 p.m. CT Tuesday.

Flynn and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford combined for 1,000 gross passing yards (971 net passing yards) in Green Bay’s 45-41 victory. Flynn set Green Bay records with 480 yards passing and six TDs.

NFL Replay offers an exclusive look at the previous week’s games in a condensed, 90-minute, high-octane format. With the use of bonus NFL Films and NFL Network footage, including never-before-seen camera angles and coaches’ commentary, combined with exclusive wired sound from the field, locker rooms and sidelines, viewers will experience the game like never before.

Red-hot Flynn leads Packers to win on cold day

On a cold day at Lambeau Field, the Packers and Lions put on a sizzling, record-setting offensive performance that produced more than a thousand combined yards and capped the Packers’ season with a come-from-behind, 45-41 victory that sends the Packers into the postseason with a franchise-best 15-1 record. The Lions, who had rallied for a 41-38 lead late in the game, missed a chance to clinch the No. 5 seed for the NFC playoffs.

The Packers rested several starters, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cornerback Charles Woodson and linebacker Clay Matthews. Playing in place of Rodgers, Matt Flynn became the first player in Packers history to throw for more than 400 yards and six touchdowns. Flynn and Lions quarterback Matt Stafford became the first quarterbacks in NFL history to each throw for 400 yards and five touchdowns in a game.

That’s the only lament for the Packers, as they head into a bye week before they begin defense of their Super Bowl title as the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. The defense allowed more than 500 yards and likely finished the season No. 32 in total yardage.

Everything about the Packers offense, however, says it’s heading into the postseason on a roll. Jordy Nelson caught three touchdown passes and Jermichael caught seven passes including the game-winner, a four-yard pass from Flynn with 1:13 to play.

The Packers defense, however, stood stall at crunch time, as Sam Shields clinched the win by intercepting a Stafford pass as the Lions were moving into scoring range.

Packers.com will update this story following postgame press conferences. Stay tuned to packers.com for full coverage of today’s game.

Flynn will start at QB; Packers-Lions inactives

The following players have been declared as inactive for today’s Packers-Lions game:

Green Bay Packers
12 QB Aaron Rodgers
18 WR Randall Cobb
21 CB Charles Woodson
44 RB James Starks
52 LB Clay Matthews
75 T Bryan Bulaga
85 WR Greg Jennings

Starting lineup changes: On offense, #10 Matt Flynn will start at quarterback in place of #12 Aaron Rodgers. #74 Marshall Newhouse will start at right tackle in place of #75 Bryan Bulaga. #87 Jordy Nelson will start at wide receiver in place of #85 Greg Jennings. On defense, #37 Sam Shields will start at cornerback in place of #21 Charles Woodson. #59 Brad Jones will start at left outside linebacker in place of #52 Clay Matthews. #58 Frank Zombo will start at right outside linebacker in place of #93 Erik Walden.

Detroit Lions
5 QB Drew Stanton
26 S Louis Delmas
32 CB Aaron Berry
35 RB Joique Bell
39 S Ricardo Silva
75 G Leonard Davis
99 DT Corey Williams