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CNN SUNDAY MORNING
Interview With Steve Meyerhoff
Aired August 3, 2003 - 09:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it finally started on Saturday. The NFL preseason, that is. Had to go to Japan to see this. The New York Jets met the Super Bowl champion, Buccaneers in Tokyo for the 12 Annual American Bowl. And Tampa Bay picked up right where it left off. In January, trouncing the team, AFC cup -- the AFC team 30-14.
The second game of the NFL preseason kicks off tomorrow night in Canton, Ohio, it's at the site of pro-football's Hall of Fame. Today at the Hall marks its 40-year with 5 new members.
Steve Meyerhoff edited a new book, "Heroes Of The Hall," and he is joining us from St. Louis with Hall history and a preview of the upcoming NFL season.
Steve, good morning.
STEVE MEYERHOFF, "THE SPORTING NEWS": Good morning. How are you?
KAGAN: I'm looking good -- I'm looking good. Well, I'm feeling good. The Bucks are looking good. The NFL is all about parody these days. Do you think they have what it takes to repeat and defend their Super Bowl title?
MEYERHOFF: Oh, if I had put money on it, I think I'd start with Tampa Bay. They're looking awful good.
KAGAN: And who else do you like?
MEYERHOFF: Well, I think in the NFC, I think you've got to start -- start with Tampa. The team I like is the Rams. They had a terrible year last year. I think everyone betting on them coming back strong this year.
KAGAN: Kurt Warner had the stuff that he had a couple years ago, do you think?
MEYERHOFF: He's looking good early this year. And I think the Eagles are going to be tough. And then I think you're looking at the Raiders and the Titans.
KAGAN: How about the Atlanta Falcons right here, where we're based?
MEYERHOFF: The Atlanta Falcons are a very exciting team. I love Michael Vick; I just question whether they have enough to get him all the way.
KAGAN: OK. Well, they've sold out here, so that's actually a big deal here in the city of Atlanta; something besides college football is getting some headlines in sports.
Let's talk about Hall of Fame. This is a big year, not just any year; this is the 40 anniversary, it's going to be quite the show here. Let's talk about who's going in. First of all, Marcus Allen.
MEYERHOFF: You know, Marcus Allen is probably the name in this class right now who is a terrific running back in his day. He made it look so easy. Just a versatile running back that could run with power and run with speed. And he was just so hard for people to defend, and a guy who was there almost every Sunday; very consistent and certainly kind of the leader of this group.
KAGAN: James Lofton, this is a guy actually around here after his football career. He did some analysis for us when we had CNN Sports.
MEYERHOFF: Right. You know, this is an unbelievable class. I mean if you look at this class between Hank Stram and James Lofton, you know, a wonderful ride receiver who, you know, could do it, could score from any position on the field, could get your first down when they really needed.
Hank Stram is a master tactician as a coach and motivator. And you look at the two guys who are going in, you know, kind of his linemen, Joe Delamelleure and Elvin Bethay (ph). You know, that's really where football is played. It's a really nice class and I think one that the Hall of Fame could really take pride in its 40 year.
KAGAN: Well, it looks like going to be quite the incredible day at the Hall. As we mentioned, it's the 40 anniversary of the Hall of Fame. And as I understand it, 115 of the 221 players and coaches and inductees of the Hall of Fame are actually going to be there for the ceremonies.
MEYERHOFF: Yes, the 40 years -- the NFL is starting to get to the point where it's starting to mature, and history is starting to matter much, much more. In 40 years since that first year that they went in 1963, they're going to make a big deal of it. And they deserve to be. It's a special honor and a special place to be today.
KAGAN: Well, you've written the book "Heroes Of The Hall." Let's put you on the spot, best offensive player ever and defensive player. You can only pick one, Steve.
MEYERHOFF: Only one?
KAGAN: Yes.
MEYERHOFF: OK. On the offensive side of the ball, I'd take Walter Peyton, you know, a guy who is class off the field but just...
KAGAN: So you're not going with the quarterback. MEYERHOFF: No, I wouldn't go with the quarterback.
KAGAN: OK.
MEYERHOFF: And on the defensive side of the ball, give me Dick Batiks (ph), two Chicago guys, that should make Chicago happy.
KAGAN: That should and if you took off some other people.
Who is the best player in the game today?
MEYERHOFF: Ooh, best player in the game today. That's a tough one. You know, I really like Steve McNair. You know, he's a guy that, you know, people are really threatened by. You know, he can run, he can pass, you know. Not just doing this for you, but Michael Vick is certainly one guy that defenses are really going to have to adapt to. Can I have two? Can I say Vick and McNair?
KAGAN: You can. But I'm going to put you on the spot for -- I mean those are sort of up and coming guys, for are guys who already have the cred, already have the rings. Perhaps Brett Favre, again, you know, a guy who is thinking about retirement, not at the top of his game, but he's already done it and he's still out there playing.
MEYERHOFF: Brett Favre is a great player and I think you're going to see him really come back this year, and has just an outstanding arm. And you're going to see him whenever he retires, five years later, he'll be in Canton.
KAGAN: No doubt about that. He has a direct ticket.
Went on "The Sporting News" web site this morning, getting ready for this interview. Your viewers, your readers are very excited. The question that you have on the web site: are you more excited about the start of the NFL season or major league baseball stretch run? Overwhelming, 78 percent NFL and 22 percent still excited about baseball.
MEYERHOFF: Hey, it's football season. The way I look at it is the Hall of Fame weekend kicks off football season. So now it's here till the end of January.
KAGAN: It is. And football fans around the country very excited. Steve Meyerhoff from "The Sporting News," thank you.
MEYERHOFF: Thanks.
KAGAN: Have a great season.
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