Longtime NFL quarterback and ESPN “NFL Countdown” analyst Matt Hasselbeck talks with The Post’s Justin Terranova about the much-debated futures of Tom Brady, Eli Manning and Jason Garrett.
Q: What’s wrong with the Patriots offense?
A: Brady is under pressure a lot. Defenses are not afraid of the Patriots running the ball. They are throwing the ball as much as anybody and they are not scoring from it. They are 10-3, you would think they are 3-10. The body language is bad. They just look dejected. There seems to be a bit of a disconnect, but there one was last year, too. After the Miami Miracle game last season, they got back to playing Patriots football: owning time of possession, playing great on special teams, solid red-zone defense, then they are fine. But that’s not what they are doing right now.
Q: Do you expect Tom Brady to be back on the Patriots?
A: I don’t. I have a wild projection based on no facts. But I know this firsthand, people look at players and all they consider in the decision is Xs and Os and football. I can tell you from experience that those things are important, but they are not most important in your priorities. Your family is most important: wife, kids, health.
Q: What did you think of Manning’s play on Monday night?
A: I thought the stat line was probably a little friendly. Eli’s skill set is such that everyone around him has to be really playing well and doing their job. He just doesn’t have it now in terms of mobility, breaking a tackle and things like that.
Q: Do you think Manning plays in the NFL next season?
A: It’d have to be on a really good team. How many really good teams are looking for just that kind of quarterback? I don’t know if there’s going to be that many people out there in the market. It’d have to be a coach that really, really wanted Eli, a fit schematically and a willingness on Eli’s part. When you get up to the salary that someone like Eli Manning would command, with the credentials he is coming into this thing with, there are not going to be a lot of perfect opportunities for him, so at some point he’s going to have to make a tough decision.
Q: How much of the Cowboys’ struggles are Jason Garrett’s fault?
A: Talking about the Cowboys is good for selling papers, viewership, everything. It’s just amazing. The Cowboys are in first place and are coming off making the divisional round to the playoffs, but they are under a different microscope than the rest of the league. … You even see Cowboys people in the media taking shots now. That’s what creates the drama. If the Cowboys fire them — Jason Garrett, Kellen Moore, Rod Marinelli — they are all getting jobs. If Jason Garrett got fired he would get another head job. So, what is that? And that team would be excited. Jerry Jones loves Jason Garrett and wants him to succeed. Jason Garrett is Jerry Jones’ guy. He wants them to win the division and a couple of playoff games. That would be a success for him for sure.
