Steelers are passive-aggressive, Vikes’ DeFelippo ignores the run

Steelers are passive-aggressive

“There’s passive-aggressiveness in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room, and it’s a problem.  When Ben (Roethlisberger) at the end of the game in Denver went in front of the cameras and was trying to explain why he threw it to a lineman, to lose the game, you can hear, ‘It’s not me, it’s something else.’  Pittsburgh has the talent to go run the table every year, but I think this passive-aggressiveness is a piece to the puzzle of ‘Why not?’”

Steve Young, Hall of Fame QB, on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption

“I was a captain for a long time on both teams I played on, and that’s not the way you treat people.  One thing about leadership is looking at the way you’re playing, making sure you stop turning the ball over and making key mistakes.  It’s not about calling young guys out. Big Ben made the key mistake that eventually lost them the game. He needs to play better.””   

Rodney Harrison, retired All-Pro safety, on NBCS Pro Football Talk

Vikings unbalanced

“Mike Zimmer has been screaming to offensive coordinator John DeFelippo to not be just a one-dimensional team.  But despite averaging seven yards a carry Sunday against the Patriots, they only called 13 runs in that game.  You talk about keeping Brady off the field by playing complementary football. The Vikings simply haven’t done that.”

Rich Gannon, NBCS Monday QB

Washington embarrassment

“The Washington Redskins are an embarrassment to the NFL.”

Boomer Esiason, after the team sought to acquire Reuben Foster who twice has been arrested for domestic violence

Vance Joseph still taking heat in Denver

“The Broncos have won three in a row, and they have a favorable schedule the rest of the way.  But I think anything less than a trip to the postseason will spell doom for Vance Joseph and the staff in Denver.”

Rich Gannon, NBCS Monday QB

J.J. Watt recalls Bush 41

“The President and Mrs. Bush welcomed me and my family into their home several times.  President Bush talked to everyone in the room. He made everyone feel welcome.  The home was so warm, so welcoming. There were cookies, warm cookies, when I was there.  When you were there, you were family.”

J.J. Watt, Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end, to Peter King