Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert Theismannis an American former professional football player, sports commentator, corporate speaker and restaurateur. He played quarterback in the National Football Leagueand Canadian Football League, achieving his most enduring fame in 12 seasons with the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and helped the team to consecutive appearances to Super Bowl XVIIand Super Bowl XVIII. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionAthlete
Date of Birth9 September 1949
CountryUnited States of America
He's playing the best football now. Maybe he doesn't get the records, maybe he doesn't have the yards or have the most touchdown passes, but from a game operational standpoint, I think Tom Brady throws the ball as well as anybody in football, manages the game as well as anybody in football, and has three rings on his fingers in the last four years, and he's a winner.
He wanted those of us who have had some history here to talk about the pride we felt when we put the uniform on,
Guys there would never want to say they are rebuilding because they are competing. But the truth is they are totally retooling that operation.
We're a family at ESPN. For me, to take this property and move it to Monday night is a great honor.
Those guys are good, and the elements up in Chicago make them even more scary. I look at Chicago, Tampa and Indy all running the same basic defense, and it starts with four guys up front causing problems.
My biggest question wasn't about the organization, the work ethic, none of the things that have been part of Joe's life. My biggest question had to do with how he would adapt and adjust to calling plays in a different time in football. That really was one of the greatest challenges that he faced last year was, 'Can I run my offense as I knew it in this modern day and age of football'. And the answer was no.
Mike has grown a lot this year. Mike needs to be given a chance to create some stability and create some future. Right now, that organization lives day to day.
Today's helmets are a lot different. The league has really worked hard to protect the players from head injuries.
When they did Monday Night Football , it was all about three networks. You didn't have 600 choices. Today, the market share is smaller, but we still believe the product will be just as good.
Those were guys, maybe not in as much of a publicized way, that were the heart and soul of the defense. Yeah, they added Chad Brown. They added the athletic ability, but do you have the cohesiveness that's necessary?
The Denver Broncos just aren't going to allow Kerry Collins to complete a pass in the middle of the field.
I played one game, and one snap in the shotgun. I'm the only quarterback that ever did that for him. I tried to get him to incorporate it into our offense back then, so it took him eight more years and 12 years away from the game and one (year) back to realize maybe he should do it.
I like the idea of these guys getting an opportunity. They have a chance to spearhead the next frontal attack of coaches.
It's really bittersweet. It's been such a privilege to work with Mike and Paul all these years, but I'm really looking forward to working with Al, too.