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Michael E Lawrence |
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If you do let Tom Brady complete some balls early on first down so that you’re facing lots of second and shorts, sooner or later they take a shot – and you’re going to have a long day…. ( 
We’re getting the plan in right now, and we’ve just got to make plays in the secondary, make plays on the ball and try to hold back this offense that they have. They’re really good and we’ve got our work cut out for us… ( 
FD: You are one of the most recognisable Rams, very much a team leader
And you know, when I return one for a touchdown, you’re going to see a soccer slide. I’ll be running, I’ll be sliding, and you’re going to see that whole thing. I promise you, you’re going see that soccer slide… ( 
The Bears touched down in London today and quickly relaxed into the rarefied air of the member’s room at Oval cricket ground…. ( 
Q. A lot of people are talking about the fact you came over here later than Tampa, do you think there’s too much made of that and will you be physically ready on Sunday?
Q. Do you think you could get into Buckingham Palace if you just went up to the gates?
The Diner caught up with Buccaneers DE Da’Quan Bowers for an exclusive chat on Wednesday. The rookie linemen told us about his growing role, his young buddies in the front seven, and why he plays with a big-time chip on his shoulder… ( 
I guess my parents were historians somehow. It’s real different and now I plan to name my son Marcus Arrelious too and flip it back… ( 
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Michael E Lawrence |
Brian Davis |
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You’ve been making a lot of plays recently and scoring touchdowns – but the offense as a whole still needs to take a step forward. Is this the perfect opportunity with Troy at QB?
It’s an important game for our season no matter what, whether there’s a bye week or not…(but) that week always goes smoother when you’re coming off a victory. It’s important for our players (to go into the week nine bye) feeling like they can build off a performance rather than fixing something that’s happened… ( 
Daniel, talk a little bit about the division race – it’s still close and the Broncos still have a chance to compete, but what’s it going to take to climb up the standings?
Chris you’ve just arrived a couple of hours ago after a nine hour flight – do you feel like you don’t know if you’re coming or going right now?
How do you see Sunday playing out?
What’s it like to have your friend Troy Smith starting at quarterback?
We caught up with analyst, broadcaster and writer Neil Reynolds at the 49ers’ team practice earlier today to ask him who he thinks will come out on top in Sunday’s game… ( 
How different has the week been to how it would have been over in the States?
Ahead of Sunday’s must-win game for the San Francisco 49ers, beat writers Matt Barrows (Sacramento Bee) and Matt Maiocco (CSN Bay Area) spoke with Brian Davis about Britain, baseball and the 49ers’ chances… ( 
Kyle Orton is a big factor in this game, what are your concerns with Brandon Lloyd and the receivers there?
How have you coped with the time changes?
How do you get ready for gameday?
Troy, this is a situation where you’re going to have reps with the 49ers’ first team for the first time… What’s your goal?
Champ, there’s some great CBs in the league right now – yourself, Darelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomughua – do you get caught up in the league table of who’s best?
Woody you’re a star on both sides of the pond as part of ESPN’s Around the Horn – what’s it like making the show?
Do you think there’s any extra load on the defense this week with a new QB in place?
Do you feel any extra pressure with this QB change coming so late? |
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Michael E Lawrence |
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More exclusive Football Diner shots from the Patriots media day…
Word on the field was that the Chargers practices here have been as intense and focused as any sessions all season. San Diego’s nattily attired PR man Jamaal LaFrance told us: “Coming here has been like another minicamp for this team and the last few days have been some of the most spirited days of practice we’ve had all year”… ( 
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Richard Lawrence
Saints – and former Chargers – quarterback Drew Brees spent some time talking with media types such as ourselves after practice, and had plenty to say on his former team, coming to London and the Saints without Reggie B… ( 
Your faithful Diner has been swanning about in one of Hertfordshire’s swankiest hotels today (we wore tweed and everything), getting up close and personal with the likes of Sean Payton, Drew Brees, Marques Colston and, uh, Vernon Kay, not to mention watching practice as the team prepared for Sunday’s showdown with the Chargers… ( 
Richard Lawrence
Football Diner was there every step of the way from team Practises to Press Conferences. The Diner attended the Dolphins’ London press conference in the morning; and then hot-footed it to the Giants practice/Q&A; session down in Chelsea FC’s training ground in Cobham… ( 
Richard Lawrence
Let no-one tell you they didn’t have a great time at Wembley. There were near misses (red zones passes; field goals), fireworks (in the literal sense), cheerleaders (in the dios mio! sense), a streaking zebra (in the illegal sense), even a close finish, as Miami attempted an onside kick after Ted Ginn’s leaping touchdown catch… ( 
The intrepid Diner hacks once again found themselves in the conference rooms of Park Lane’s swankiest hotels (Garcon! Where is my egg white omelette?) for the express purpose of witnessing the Giants victorious postgame press conference, and of catching the tail end of the Dolphins’ too. Soundbites, sidebars, pictures… ( 
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