Here's Madden's take on the Steelers-Jaguars game this weekend:

“You’re going to play outside and you’re going to play on grass and grass doesn’t grow in January so you play on what’s left there.”

That was typical -- classic? -- Madden. Of course, he preceded it with this good story:

"We used to come in and talk about the field conditions, the frozen field and I remember one time they had the tent up over the field and it got deflated overnight and the field was ice and I went out there the next day before the game and they had a hose and they were melting the ice with a hose and then they were trying to water down the ice and of course all they were doing was making more ice and so some things just never change." 

Here's a quick statement from the Patriots' offensive coordinator, who pulled his name from head-coaching onsideration:

"I am very grateful for the chance to interview for NFL head coaching positions but I have decided not to pursue those opportunities at this time. I plan to focus all my attention on our postseason preparation." 

I spoke to a league insider who knows Joe Gibbs, has for years, right after Sean Taylor's death. Both of us had just watched the press conference with Gibbs and Daniel Snyder expressing their extreme grief for the loss of their player, and both of us were struck by the same things.

Gibbs was very reflective about his own life following Taylor's death, talking about his grandchildren (his two-year old grandson Taylor was diagnosed with Leukemia last year) and the rest of his family. Those statements caught both of our ears, and we wondered if those were the statements of a man who was prepared to finish out his string as head coach (he had one more year on his original five-year contract).

It turns out we were right, but I honestly didn't expect this move given what happened down the stretch and given the way Gibbs spoke yesterday about next season. As you all know, the Redskins rallied from 5-7 to make the playoffs in stirring fashion, honoring their fallen teammate and helping to re-establish the reputation of a coach who had taken a major hit to his name given the team's struggles in recent years.

And I believe his assistants were caught off guard by his announcement, though I have yet to hear back from a few people I called this morning. No surprise. This is a big day at Redskins Park. Gibbs likely got off the plane following the loss at Seattle, thought about next season and how things could be better. He spoke about all that on Monday in his season-ending press conference. But when he got home last night, he no doubt reflected where he was in life and where this team is and said to himself that now that was the right time to walk away. Coaching is a major life strain. For a man with a heart condition, Gibbs had to think about what another year -- even without tragedy -- might do to him.

He should hold his head high. Though Gibbs' second go-around as head coach was rocky to be sure, he accomplished one clear goal: He helped turn around a downtrodden and broken franchise. Yes, the Redskins are in better shape than when Joe re-entered the picture.

Need convincing? In 2003, a Patrick Ramsey-and-Tim Hasselbeck-led offense limped down the stretch to a 5-11 record (Trung Canidate was the leading rusher; Rod Gardner was the second-leading receiver). The defense, ranked 25th in yards allowed and 24th in points, was led by a breaking-down LaVar Arrington and Jesse Armstead. Ifeyani Ohalete and Matt Bowen were your starting safeties.

Call Snyder what you want, but he helped bring in, with Gibbs watching over: Clinton Portis, Phillip Daniels, Cornelius Griffin, Shawn Springs, James Thrash, Marcus Washington, Taylor, Chris Cooley, Santana Moss, Casey Rabach, Carlos Rogers, Jason Campbell, Andre Carter, Todd Collins, Antwaan Randle El, Rocky McIntosh, Reed Doughty, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston, London Fletcher, Fred Smoot and LaRon Landry. That's now the core of a Redskins team that matters again.

Gibbs also helped bring in Gregg Williams, knowing what that meant: that Gregg, a headstrong former head coach, was going to look to get another head job at some point and that he might be a head-butter at times. But he was the best man for the job, and Gibbs knew it. The fact that they kept him off the market when about six teams wanted him to be their head coach before the 2006 season was a major coup. Clearly, the Al Saunders thing didn't work as planned, but Gibbs was acting selflessly, doing what he felt was best for the Redskins.

And that is precisely, I believe, why he stepped down today. He thought long and hard, and though he cared deeply about the fate of his team, especially at such a delicate time, but he also knew that his best days had passed him and that he was leaving his team in (far) better shape than when he arrived.

This clearly remains a critical juncture for the franchise, and I am curious to see what will happen at te press conference this afternoon. But Gibbs should walk away as head coach -- he'll remain an adviser to Snyder -- with a good feeling. 

Writers' strike? Who cares?! Passing this on from the Bucs' PR department:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader Leigh Killian will appear on NBC’s “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” this Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008 at 12:35 a.m. EST. The show’s producers contacted the Buccaneers after Killian was featured on HBO’s “Inside the NFL” on Jan. 2; the segment focused on Killian’s dual roles as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader and a correctional probation officer with the Florida Department of Corrections. Killian, who is in her sixth year with the Buccaneers, has been a squad captain for three years and represented the Bucs Cheerleaders at the 2005 Pro Bowl. Fans can learn more about Killian and all of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders at www.buccaneers.com. 

All roads point to Tom Heckert now, from what I am hearing. Here's a statement from Giants VP of player evaluation Chris Mara of the Giants, who likely will be a GM one day -- just not in Atlanta:

“I have withdrawn my name from consideration for the position of general manager for the Atlanta Falcons. I want to thank [Falcons owner] Arthur Blank for his interest in me, and we had a very good discussion earlier this week in Atlanta; however, I am no longer a candidate for the position.”

I probably have been as hard on Norv Turner this season at times as any other head coach whose team was better than 6-10. I called him out even in Chargers wins, and there was a point this season where I felt as if there was no way they could win any game of significance with him as their head coach. I honestly thought A.J. Smith should admit his mistake -- even when the Chargers were playing well -- and get a new coach.

Shows what I know.

Turner was at his best in the second half when the Chargers were at their least healthy. With LaDanian Tomlinson out and Philip Rivers getting worked on by the medics (he would not come back in), Turner called for plays that highlighted the strengths of backup RBs Michael Turner and Darren Sproles and QB Billy Volek. Turner was bouncing off contact, Sproles made his big splash with a stunning spint on that screen pass, and Volek stepped up and threw with decisiveness. It was stirring football from one of the NFL's deepest teams. Smith gets a lot of that credit, too.

As for the Giants, I am honestly stunned. I thought they would play well, but I was stunned that they did as little offensively -- they were efficient (5.2 yards a play), but they barely had the ball. Only 44 plays and 13 fewer minutes of possession than the Cowboys. In a way, I honestly thought Dallas scrapped the run game far too quickly. That's a knock on Jason Garrett, our assistant coach of the year. He has been brilliant all season, and clearly the Cowboys liked what they saw in the passing game, but the Giants' defense was set up to allow the short stuff and not get beaten deep. The Cowboys were arrogant; they thought they could pass anyway.

That said, Tom Coughlin gets a lot of credit. He was buried after the 0-2 start and revived his team. He was buried again after the miserable Week 15 loss to the Redskins, and he brought the team back. The guy has more lives than Johnny Cash. Really, what he has done with this team has been remarkable. And if Steve Spagnuolo -- Coughlin's pick as D-coordinator this offseason -- doesn't get a head coaching job in the next year, it's a crying shame. The guy is a younger version of Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson and his players would lay down on the train tracks for him.

I admit, I would be terribly intrigued by a Chargers-Giants Super Bowl matchup, but that's not an opinion that would be shared by the league and the TV people. And honestly, I just think the coaching matchup would make for a great story -- one of these much-disdained head coaches would finally silence their critics. Including myself.

On the sad flipside, the two losing coaches from today had rough afternoons. Selfishly, I really hope that wasn't Tony Dungy's final game. And if he leaves the Colts, it almost certainly would be a clean break from football -- he'd be the kind of guy who never looks back. And Wade Phillips ... uggh. I enjoyed getting to know him a little better earlier this season and think that he has done a nice job changing the culture around this team. If he loses his job, it would be a big mistake. Jerry Jones reportedly told the Dallas Morning News after the game that the loss was not Phillips' fault and that "he's our coach." But you never know. he could get antsy about keeping Garrett in any form possible -- he's reportedly the Ravens' top target -- and make a grave mistake with Phillips.

What a big day this was for the futures of four head coaches and a few potential head coaches. 

The national teleconferences are with these four players today -- Packers RB Ryant Grant, Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Patriots QB Tom Brady and Giants WR Amani Toomer.

They begin at 2:30 ET and run through 4 p.m. I will run highlights of each conference and post them here today.

Tomorrow, we'll look at some matchups for the weekend's games. Feel free to suggest some matchups on the comments below, I'll make a call or two tonight and see if we can't help break them down. 

Ryan Grant spoke longer than any of the four national teleconferences – and why not? His stardom only has taken off in the past couple of months with a strong second-half performance, finishing with the second-most rushing yards (behind LaDainian Tomlinson) since the midpoint of the season.

Here are a few highlights from today’s conference:

Q: Being a running back in Packers’ postseason history, has that sunk in yet?

GRANT: I don’t think it has, to be honest with you. It probably won’t until after all this is said and done. Really I’m trying to focus on the next step, which is definitely this game this weekend. I can’t really focus on what happened in the past.

 Q: Can you talk about the emotions of playing the Giants, and in particular your friendship with Justin Tuck and how much of a friend he was when you spent that year not in football?

GRANT: Well, I think it’s a good opportunity, and it’s definitely the stage you want. You definitely can’t ask for anything better to be playing in this type of game, number one, and then to be playing against New York and being from New York and being close to a lot of the guys, again, Justin being one of my best friends.

It’s a great opportunity, and Justin, from a support level, was great for me. He really helped out a lot to support me and just keep me on track. Being around that was good for me. But I’m excited across the board, and I’m looking forward to it.

Q: You’ve been kind of a star in the second half of this season. What has that sudden change been like for you?

GRANT: It really hasn’t done anything personally for me in the sense of how I am. It makes me have a little less time, but really from a focus level, it really hasn’t changed anything. My focus level, if anything, is more detailed, but it really hasn’t changed that much from what I’m trying to do. I keep myself grounded by knowing why I play and what I’m trying to accomplish on the field.

Q: Brandon Jacobs said you two were close, also. Did he say anything the day you got traded, any advice at all?

GRANT: Not advice. A lot of guys called me. I don’t remember whether or not I called him or whether or not he called me. I think he might have called me, and I told him I got traded because the guys didn’t know. When they found out, they were disappointed but were happy for me just because it was an opportunity and they knew the type of person I am, and I was looking at it that way, in the sense that it was an opportunity. They were very supportive of me and what I do because I am close with them.

I spoke with Brandon right after the game. I don’t even know if he had taken a shower yet after he played. Guys were congratulating me before I could congratulate them on their win. It’s been big and they’ve been supportive of me the whole time.

Q: When you’re in the huddle with Brett Favre or he hands off to you or throws the ball to you, have you ever thought in terms of living legend, or is he just another teammate?

GRANT: Well, in the middle of the game I’m not thinking that. There have been some times when people really bring it to my attention. But after the fact, after the game, maybe after a pass, I am thinking, wow, I am playing with Brett Favre, and that’s something special, and I’m definitely honored to be a part of it. But when we’re playing, he’s another quarterback. He’s a great leader for us and we just take advantage of it.

Q: There’s been a long line of good Packers running backs. Can you talk about following in that legacy?

GRANT: I don’t think I’m following in it yet because I don’t feel like I personally have done that much. In the legacy of those types of backs, I think people should keep things in perspective. Those backs did it year in and year out, day in and day out. I haven’t really done that much yet. I appreciate when people do make comparisons, but I’m just really trying to take one day at a time and keep this going. But I definitely appreciate it, and it’s an honor when people say that. And like I said, I will continue to try and earn the respect and confidence of the coaching staff and the players on the team.

Q: How would you describe last week for you with the atmosphere in Lambeau Field and the snow and everything and being a part of all that and the performance you put together?

GRANT: Really something special from a team aspect and just being in that atmosphere at Lambeau in January, snowing like a winter wonderland, and to play and to finish the way we finished as a team was really what we wanted and really something special for us. You can’t ask for anything better from a football standpoint. You know, it’s definitely big for us confidence‑wise rolling into this week.

Q: What would have been a successful season going into this year? What would have been a mark of success for you?

GRANT: Winning the Super Bowl.

Q: On an individual level was it simply getting on the field?

GRANT: I don’t look at it like that as a success. My goal is always to get on the field, but my goal is also to contribute and win, and I always felt like I was contributing on the team. I feel like everybody on the team is a contributor. But I want to win, really. I’m a much nicer person when I win because I know what we put in. I want to do whatever it takes to win, so I’m willing to put in that work. I know especially in this league wins are hard to come by. When you have something special like this, you want to take advantage of it. That’s what we’re trying to do across the board, and I think as a team we have a lot of guys that are like that, a lot of unselfish young guys that just want to do whatever it takes to win.

Q: Do you think the Giants made a mistake letting you go?

GRANT: They’re in the NFC Championship, so I don’t think so.

After LaDainian Tomlinson gave the national media a thumbs up over the phone this afternoon, it appears that the biggest question mark will be QB Philip Rivers. Incidentally, Tomlinson was asked about his quarterback and favorite opposing coach (Bill Belichick) and gave both those men a thumbs up, too. Must have been in a good mood.

Here are some highlights from Tomlinson's conversation earlier today:

Q: Can you give us an update on your knee if you’re able to practice and how you feel for this week?

Tomlinson: I’ll be ready to go. I feel just fine by game time, and so I expect to be close to 100 percent.

Q: Could you talk about Philip Rivers and how he’s progressed in two years as your starter?

Tomlinson: Well, he’s gotten better. Each year, each game, it feels like. And I think he really turned the corner when he started to understand what Norv (Turner) wanted out of this offense. And that’s when you seen him start to play better because he starts to play better football.

And it was the same situation last year, whenever he started to think about what’s going on, he started to play better. And so this year, he started to get used to what Norv was asking, not only him, but for all of us, and I think that is why there was the slow start.

Q: When you were 1‑4, honestly, did you think this team had what it took to get this far?

Tomlinson: I did. I really thought even when we were 1‑4, I still in my mind thought we were one of the better teams in the AFC. I always felt like on any given day, we could play with anybody and have a chance to win the game.

Q: There’s been a lot of talk about the temperature and what it’s going to be in New England, around 14 or 15 degrees, how does the temperature change the game for you guys and what’s the coldest you’ve ever played in?

Tomlinson: Well, I don’t know if the wind is going to be a factor. But I think when you talk about wind, it obviously has the effect on everything you want to do as far as throwing the football. And so I don’t know if that’s going to be a factor but it may change a little bit what we want to do offensively.

If it’s cold, then, you know, it doesn’t matter, it’s just cold, as long as the wind is not a factor.

And you know, a few years ago, when we won our first AFC West division crown, we played in Cleveland, and the temperature was probably right around, I don’t know, 15 degrees, you know, 14 degrees with a wind chill close to zero. So it was pretty cold out there.

Q: Can you talk about the slow start of the team, but you started off awfully slow, too, and you ended up winning the rushing title. Can you take us back, how frustrated were you personally early on not being able to help the team, and were you surprised you ended upcoming on and winning the second rushing title the way you started?

Tomlinson: I just wanted to have a chance to carry the ball a little bit. At the beginning of the year, you know, I was averaging somewhere around 18 carries, 19, something like that, and so I obviously wanted the ball a little bit more and wanted to run the ball a little bit more. And when we started to do that, we started to have success in running the football. And so you know, that was pretty much what happened.

Q: What does it mean to you to win that second rushing title?

Tomlinson: You know, it just meant I had another good year. It really didn’t mean too much more than that. But, you know, I was happy to be in that position especially after the way the season started, to be sitting at that position, having a chance to win the rushing title going into the last game.

Q: Can you talk a little about Darren Sproles and the light that he seems to give your team when you least ‑‑ when maybe the other team least expects it?

Tomlinson: Well, he’s that spark plug, whether it’s special teams or on the backfield, and sometimes you need that. Especially on special teams when you want to gain the edge, you need the spark and he’s definitely given that to us; especially the last week when he took that screen pass 50‑some yards, that was something that we needed, and any time he came free, he has the speed to take it the distance.

Q: What about Michael Turner, he certainly has played a big role for you especially last week, too. What has it meant to have you as your teammate?

Tomlinson: Well, he’s been doing this since October. It’s been great to have him on the team because I’ve always felt like I can take a rest at times throughout the game and kind of stay fresh because I’ve got a guy like Michael Turner who can come in there and pound away and keep the chains moving.

So it’s a benefit to all of us to have him on the field and have him on our team. You know, he’s a pro. He understands his role on the team and he did it.

Q: The Patriots have a lot of guys who have championship game experience. How much of a factor is that in a game like this?

Tomlinson: I don’t know. I mean, we’ve never been there and so I can’t tell you how much of a factor we’ll be until after the game.

Q: After your playoff game against New England last year, and your meeting with Belichick at the Pro Bowl, how would you describe your relationship with Bell Belichick?

Tomlinson: I have the utmost respect for Bill. I think he’s absolutely one of the greatest coaches to coach, ever, because the way he’s able to get his team prepared, obviously the Super Bowls he’s won, but the way he’s able to get them ready to play each week the way he game‑plans people.

No doubt, he’s one of the greatest coaches to ever coach. And so I have a lot of respect for him. You know, I can’t tell you if I would play for him obviously, you know, if it came down to that, I wouldn’t turn it down to be able to play for a coach like him.

Q: Does last seasons postseason game against New England still bother you?

Tomlinson: No, we let that go. We’ve got another opportunity, so you can’t dwell on the past. You’ve got to think about the present now.

Q: You said you want to keep it all in the past, last year’s playoff game, but you crushed the Patriots two years ago and a bunch of you were in that football game. Do you draw on that at all and say, we can beat these guys?

Tomlinson: No, you can’t really dwell on the past like that because it was a couple of years ago. It was regular season. They had a lot of guys who were hurt, and were real banged up. So you can’t put too much stock in what happened then. This is a totally different team, you know, and if I’m not mistaken, Drew (Brees) was our quarterback then, and so it’s a totally different team.

And in the latest episode of "Bodysnatchers," evil head coach Bill Belichick -- jealous of Tom Brady's good looks, fame and celebrity girlfriends -- actually possesses his quarterback's body and speaks for him ... at least that latter point feels like the way it is. I love Tom and all he has accomplished, but he has become a worse interview over the years. At least in these group settings.

But to his credit, this phone connection was quite bad, with several voices talking in the background and general mayhem going on the line. So I'll forgive Brady for his quick exit after the final question, which a Patriots source blamed on Brady running late for a team meeting. Fair enough. He's got a game to play and all ...

On with the transcript, which I left mostly intact: 

Q: Talk about the confidence you guys have playing playoff games at home when you’ve never lost.

Brady: Well, I don’t think any of that matters. I think that the team that plays best on Sundays is the team that’s going to win. I don’t think it’s got anything to do with home or road. The team that executes the best will win.

Q: Five or six years ago, you were the darlings of the NFL, underdogs that sort of thing and now that you’ve won that appears to have changed completely and a lot of people have you as enemy No. 1, what does the team think about that?

Brady: That’s really beyond our control. Just have to focus on your job and being as well prepared as possible and doing well each week. I know we are all happy to be part of this organization and to have the opportunity to play in another AFC Championship Game. I know I’m excited about that.

Q: As you get closer to the ultimate goal, has your team’s one‑game‑at‑a time or one‑week at a time approach been harder to maintain as the season has gone on?

Brady: I don’t think so. I think that’s really worked how Coach Belichick really stresses the importance of preparation each week and to not look ‑‑ you can’t win a game two weeks from now. You can only prepare for the team that you play.

And you know, we had so many tight games this year, I really think the preparation we put in has been so critical to what we’ve accomplished. It’s extremely challenging this week when you play a team as dangerous as the Chargers are that has talent at every position. And they are one year removed from being 14‑2; it’s really the same team back. This is the best team in the second half of the season, averaging 30 points a game, they have given up 13 points a game, 48 turnovers and five turnovers in the post‑season and over 40 sacks this year, and guys like Gates and Tomlinson and Philip Rivers are all pro bowlers and they can rush the passer and bombard you with interceptions. It’s really a dynamic group of pass rushers and linebackers on the offensive line, and it will be extremely tough for us this week.

Q: Have you had any time to reflect on what an incredible season it has been so far, or have you purposely not done that?

Brady: No, I think we really are at the same point we were last season and I wasn’t very happy with the way last year ended.

So we are no better than we were last year at this time. This is the most important game of the year, and we have to put as much as we can into it.

Q: When you first went to the championship game and obviously the Super Bowl as a starter, can you think back that how far and how excited you were and now to be there a couple of times?

Brady: Well, I think I’ve learned from the playoff experiences I’ve had, and going into my eighth season, I feel like I’m more prepared now than I’ve been.

You know, I’m excited about this game. I’ve had five opportunities to play in this game and very fortunate to be able to be a part of that. I’ve seen a lot and I’ve ‑‑ I’ve seen a lot and as a team, I think we’ve been through a lot. So hopefully we can draw back on those experiences and hopefully use them.

Q: Any advice you give him?

Brady: Who?

Q: Philip Rivers.

Brady: Philip doesn’t need my advice. He’s an excellent quarterback, he’s led his team this far.

Q: Can you talk about the impact Randy Moss has had this year and are you concerned he may not be back next year.

Brady: I just try to concern myself with the game each week. I know what he’s been able to accomplish, and you know, he’s the best receiver in the league, so that speaks for itself. And it makes it easy as a quarterback when you just throw the ball up in the air and he goes up and catches it. I know he’s excited about this week, and I think as a team, whether it be Randy or Wes or Vrabel or these other guys, we have to be ready to play our best.

Q: How does playing in a 15‑degree game compare with 40‑degree temperature in January?

Brady: Well, once again, it’s really out of our control. Just have to be more mentally tough to overcome cold weather. And you’re not going to win the game because it’s cold or hot or rainy. And our opponent this weekend is the San Diego Chargers and not the weather or the wind or the rain or the snow. It’s the team that we are lining up across against. That’s going to be the toughest opponent we face all season.

Q: Randy Moss, does it trouble you the allegations that he’s facing right now?

Brady: I’m sorry?

Q: Your relationship with Randy, what you’ve been able to establish this year, does it trouble you the allegations that he’s facing right now?

Brady: That’s the furthest thing from my mind. I could really care less about that.

Q: Can you talk about working with Josh McDaniels, how do you look at him as a head coaching prospect? Just talk about your relationship with him, and do you think he could make a good head coach in the future?

Brady: I’m sure he has goals and he’s worked extremely hard to get to the position that he’s in now, and I think we’re lucky to have him. He’s done a great job as a leader and as a communicator and as a coach and obviously as a coordinator. So he’s a great coach.

Q: Can you talk about what Antonio Cromartie has done this year, the interceptions, and the one in the Colts game, what have you seen on him on tape, and do you have to look for him on basically every play?

Brady: Well, he’s a dynamic player for them and he’s had 11 interceptions and makes plays every game and they matches him up to the best receivers. From playing him last year, he’s improved so much from the first year to the second year and he’s got a lot of talent and is big and physical and tough and smart and has every attribute you look for in a top‑flight corner. We are going to have to be careful around him, because if you throw it up there, he’ll make the play.

Q: Laurence Maroney has been hot late in the season and post‑season, and he wasn’t always that way heading late into the season. Was the plan to sort of hold back on using him so that he would be big for you in the post‑season and let you take over as you run the offense?

Brady: No. I think every week is something different, and really whatever we feel like we need to do, that’s what we do, and that helps Coach Belichick. As a quarterback, I just try to run the plays that are called.

Q: How much say do you have over the offense of game planning each week?

Brady: I have none. I just kind of do what they tell me to do.

Q: Have the Patriots played this season with a chip on their shoulder?

Brady: No. I think we just try to play as hard as we can each week, and we have high expectations, that Coach Belichick sets for us since training camp, and we go out there and try to be the best we can be. There’s plenty of motivation to do your job, because if you don’t do your job well, you get fired. I think that’s great motivation for you.