►QUICK HITS

(On meeting on Capitol Hill involving Congress, NFL and NFLPA concerning implementing HGH testing)

BOOMER ESIASON: First and foremost, it doesn't surprise me the union is backing off because they have players guilty of using this substance.  I don't care what anybody says.  And there are many who believe it is at least 20% in the league.  And I hope the players are paying attention because, guys, they are going to test you.  And it is coming right around the corner. 

(On Atlanta Falcons)

SHANNON SHARPE: For the Atlanta Falcons, this is a must‑win game.  They go on the road next week to Detroit, and then get New Orleans coming into their building the week after that.  What the Falcons tried to do when they lost that playoff game, they looked at what the Green Bay Packers did offensively…They wanted to be a fast break-type offense.  But they forgot, their offense doesn't play against the other team's offense.  They have to stop somebody.  They don't rush the passer and they do not play the ball well down the football field.  The Atlanta Falcons, if they lose to the Carolina Panthers today, their season's over. 

►CHALK TALK

(On Colts Owner Jim Irsay saying he’d consider drafting Andrew Luck if they get No. 1 pick in 2012 draft)

DAN MARINO:  I still would take him because he's the possibility of having another franchise quarterback for a long time in Indianapolis.  Peyton Manning is going to be 36 next year.  Not sure he's healthy.  You can always trade the kid if you have to.  I would definitely take him. 

(On New York Jets)

MARINO:  You look at the Jets on the three‑game losing streak, and Rex Ryan having to deal with the finger pointing in the locker room.  It drives me nuts.  Santonio Holmes talking about the offensive linemen.  We love Rex Ryan, and the press conferences, the sound bytes, but he has the atmosphere like players can say anything they want.  Now as a head coach, he's not working on game-planning, dealing with the Miami Dolphins…He's working on, how am I going to deal with Santonio Holmes.  The locker room is against each other.  So that's a big game for them.  I think they're not going to make the playoffs. 

BOOMER:  I think they are a playoff team…The thing that I sense…they got rid of Derrick Mason because he was an instigator.  He was telling Santonio Holmes, they're not getting you the ball.  You're a superstar.  And Santonio Holmes takes that “C” that's on his chest and completely misrepresents it, and doesn't do it the right way.  And why Rex Ryan would give him the “C” and make him the captain before the season is beyond me. 

SHARPE:  I want to say one thing about Santonio Holmes and I'll move on to the Eagles.  The tongue weighs virtually nothing, but very few people can hold it.  The Philadelphia Eagles, the kind of mistakes they're making get coaches fired.

(On Denver’s Tim Tebow becoming a legitimate NFL quarterback as a starter)

COWHER:  I'm going to say yes if they do what he does best and try to eliminate half the field…Do I think they'll win a championship with him?  No.  I think he's got limitations and I think ultimately he can be a legitimate quarterback.  But they won't win a championship. 

SHARPE:  I agree with you.  Talking to John Elway this week, he said, look, we have to get this guy on the field and see what we have invested in him.  If this guy was a fourth-round draft pick, we would not have the up-swell to get him on the field and play.  But because he was a first-round draft pick, they want him on the field.

►“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY

(On Carson Palmer)

CASSERLY: I talked to the Bengals this morning, and they told me they are absolutely not going to trade him.  As far as they're concerned, he's still retired.

Casserly Discusses Denver’s Tim Tebow

Click to view report: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nfl_today/TNY1KTVQPgK6AbiMYNhq0d8mDMviXh_5

Casserly on Turmoil in Jets Locker Room

Click to view report:

http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nfl_today/dtC_l3OuJWHgw59_CmNbVivCD5oRyuYw

Casserly on Broncos Trading Brandon LLoyd or Eddie Royal before trade deadline 

Click to view report:

http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nfl_today/tZ4pqKGuBm_b2gvVNGHGAhV_CnzZg_fi

►DAN MARINO REVIEWS NEW YORK GIANTS’ ROLLER COASTER SEASON SO FAR WITH COUGHLIN, MANNING, NICKS AND OTHERS

THE NFL TODAY’s Dan Marino sits down with New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin, quarterback Eli Manning, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and other key Giants' players as they get ready to take on the surprising 4-1 Buffalo Bills.  Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

To view the feature, click:

http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nfl_today/DQJR34f5UBZIhMO8NUdgSUlhlc5If8Tp

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