Joe Namath: Q & A - SportsLine USA

Q: Do you think O'Donnell will help the Jets this season?
A: I believe O’Donnell can help the Jets. O’Donnell has yet to reach his best performance level. He'll need help with a revamped Jet offensive line. We haven't seen the best of Neil O'Donnell yet.

Q: Joe, what do you think of Brett Favre?
A: Brett Favre obviously is a real competitor with a lot of ability. I think his competitive desire is his strong point. I look for the Pack to be back strong but Favre will be hard pressed to have as good a season in 96 as he did in 95.

Q: What is the most important factor in selecting a QB? Size, speed, arm strength, etc.
A: Can he pass, if he can't pass he can't play. And then, some size. I'll tell you why. One of the best QBs that could pass and also has a heart of a lion wasn't big enough to make it in the NFL because of his size. You know who it is? Doug Flutie. Again, he must be able to pass. QB has to be able to pass in pro football. So that's the first criteria, even ahead of having been a winner in college. It's such a team game. If a QB can pass, he has a terrific shot. And then his size.

Q: Who was your favorite receiver to throw to when you were with the Jets? Who would you like on the receiving end of your passes today?
A: When I was with the Jets, Don Maynard, the Hall of Fame wide receiver was our best. George Sauer was my favorite receiver to work with because of his work habits and execution. If I were throwing the football in the past 10 years, Jerry Rice must be first. Jerry Rice, no one has been better over this length of time. Nobody has been as good, not even close.

Q: How do you comeback from a bad season -- mentally?
A: Coming back from a bad season takes part of what got you in that position to begin with. You have to be strong, resilient, put behind you what is not going to be constructive for the future. Learn from mistakes of course. Then don't worry about it.

Q: What is the most difficult adjustment from college to pro ball? Did it take you a long time to read defenses?
A: Going from college to pro varies a bit from position to be position, guy to guy. For most players, the speed is a bit surprising because the pros are faster everywhere on the field. The mental part of the game, the Xs and Os, both offensively and defensively is far more involved then it ever was in college. The mental part of the game is a major adjustment for all players. The last thing is the physical schedule is nearly twice as demanding in the NFL than it is for the college boys.

Q: Do you think Elway's career is tarnished by his Super Bowl losses?
A: Because John Elway or Fran Tarkenton or Jim Kelly or other players who went to the championship game and didn't win it, or haven't won it. Sure, something is lacking. You miss it, you wish you had won the championship, that's the first goal after making the team. But tarnished? No, it's up to the individual and a good analogy would be Greg Norman's golf career to this point. Pro football takes a lot of turns. After winning a championship one season, naturally you want to win it again. It hurts when you lose, however if you're not realistic about the team concept, you could feel bad for a long time. We had an outstanding team after we won the Super Bowl, and we lost in the playoffs to the Chiefs. A loss that physically and mentally hurt for a long time. But it's better to have won at least once than not at all.

Q: Have you ever considered coaching or returning to the booth?
A: I considered coaching years ago but after talking in depth about it with my college coach, Paul Bear Bryant and my pro coach Weeb Ewbank I decided my physiology and schedule both were not suited for coaching. It's a very time demanding job and I am not dedicated enough in that direction to be a coach.

Q:	Do you think O'Donnell will help the Jets this season?
A:	I believe O’Donnell can help the Jets. O’Donnell has yet to reach his best performance level. He'll need help with a revamped Jet offensive line. We haven't seen the best of Neil O'Donnell yet.

Q:	Joe, what do you think of Brett Favre?
A:	Brett Favre obviously is a real competitor with a lot of ability. I think his competitive desire is his strong point. I look for the Pack to be back strong but Favre will be hard pressed to have as good a season in 96 as he did in 95.

Q:	Who was your favorite receiver to throw to when you were with the Jets? Who would you like on the receiving end of your passes today?
A:	When I was with the Jets, Don Maynard, the Hall of Fame wide receiver was our best. George Sauer was my favorite receiver to work with because of his work habits and execution. If I were throwing the football in the past 10 years, Jerry Rice must be first. Jerry Rice, no one has been better over this length of time. Nobody has been as good, not even close.

Q:	How do you comeback from a bad season -- mentally?
A:	Coming back from a bad season takes part of what got you in that position to begin with. You have to be strong, resilient, put behind you what is not going to be constructive for the future. Learn from mistakes of course. Then don't worry about it.

Q:	Have you ever considered coaching or returning to the booth?
A:	I considered coaching years ago but after talking in depth about it with my college coach, Paul Bear Bryant and my pro coach Weeb Ewbank I decided my physiology and schedule both were not suited for coaching. It's a very time demanding job and I am not dedicated enough in that direction to be a coach.