Bob Winchusen - ESPN NFL Annr

It is finally time for the start of the National Football League season doing technically it gets under way tonight. The Indianapolis Colts unveiling their world championship banner playing host to the New Orleans Saints. But of course the patriots kick things off for the 2007 season Sunday down at the meadowlands. These superb play by play announcer for the New York Jets as publishers in -- joins us again on the line hey Bob I don't.

And or heart dale Arnold -- our -- he -- the -- and held up one run back in the day. But it's like pocket Johnny Carson would earn it they -- slot might be like 40 years later here at eight I'm.

Ike I have no career aspirations that you're gone on gone on to bigger and better think I'm sure that's not that the lead them into this mean it is -- are

I'm Mike about it court it would be eligible lead at a --

no -- and -- next question. -- let's talk about Eric Mangini and the jets and and the -- genius a lot's been made out of the fact that he picked in the brain of of former patriots this week is he talked about it at all.

Out well with a wry smile in -- obviously it. Accident every down that a player gets cut by New England didn't somehow show up in the gym locker -- Roberts worked over the years about accurate predominant yet got a player showed up until it went well. Clearly there -- a little back and forth between the teams how much in spite -- Reche Caldwell. In the special linebacker that is kinda. They're going they're going to provide. I you know I expected it from both seen a lot but neither he expects that interest in -- But of course it there's going to -- a week to prepare for every other opponent -- receipt and get exports to prepare for your first.

Bob is dangerous ground to get into the NFL schedule and it was the last place schedule last year for the jets this year won't -- but I'll get into it anyway. Last year I abs I was shocked that the jets were able to win ten games in the regular season. And I think a lot of other teams were surprised you this year there won't be surprising anybody you expect them to. Continue what they have Lester or are you seeing a little bit of a drop off from the jets have a tougher.

They promote went lockstep all right it possible they play as well lit spot better than they play at last it. And struggled to get the same -- in total. At black beat them because you're right there's not quite been at -- part of this year guess what has been Ito has people talk about EP spiritual part schedules. And almost Barry the argument. It is within the division. I mean if if the check Saturday schedule last year and the patriots -- though sports scene of the 16 game about. Repeat -- that belt schedule are the same at the Internet division there are only two teams on the spiritual that Barry. Patriots all out. Just the part schedule if not harder and the jets this year I believe that the beat the jets play the patriots all the plate and the baby. I want to stay. Who would be other seem to get play Cleveland. And I think those seen despite probably won't vote he split but I think the patriots white but the -- on our -- Indians say they doubt.

Gone are Eric and Bobby and go ahead -- that Kansas City game as a W for the jets --

It's -- last game of the season. -- so if -- if -- turns out that they needed and they might you know it is nice that knowledge -- all the like that sitting Estrada -- a nugget in the a year you can hang. But yet there's a -- to get schedule parker this year they want but again last year they were big surprise they have done an upgrade our roster. Beckett at a very similar year this year collapsed I would expect that in December to -- with the champs do what do wild card spot.

A year ago at this time we were talking about Chad Pennington coming off the injury and -- be able to withstand that. The NFL the rigors of the NFL season -- any questions about Pennington going into this season.

A lot last little -- questions -- chat last year of course -- ever played also seen it. I don't know it in the league eight years so that's our bet that your little league. Never been a starting quarterback -- piracy the only other -- got through hell yeah yes what does Eric your belief when you replace it. That -- but he only played the last 12 games that you're in like 60 so they were certainly I question. I'm Alex seems like -- state helped beat but -- on -- that's always something that comes up out of the strongest arm but he's so smart. You know he just figured out weaknesses and -- and make decisions quickly and that kind of picked up her arms strike at the bottom lot. Every year working at played at least 12 days. And had been -- BP. End of the year which yet but made the playoffs that happened three out of -- seven years and all three of those years jet that most -- out bottom lot expect. They keep it standing up they should be -- they -- history.

And Bob I know better than to believe everything that I read but I'll ask you this anyway they're still reports that. Jonathan Vilma. It's not quite comfortable in the 34 defense do you see that what do you think of Jonathan Vilma as a as a linebacker. It depends when he usually seen as a 43 guy.

He's not a prototypical 34 linebacker certainly be such a good player. I'm going to try not to give up a tree at all -- on the street for what was the best player and that this or god stands out the most because it. The numbers -- In the industries that are outside hybrid street born linebacker some under and on the ground. Sometimes just standing up and it was a monster. All the -- to get those brief -- last year and quiet Thomas who had been looked upon as they trapped ops. But this course brown -- Three years into his career all the would suck at this point out -- eight abstract pressured quarterback. He's not eight balls down you know sort of popped report tackler on the -- all the appeal and what position does what quite like the position will begin at like. So in other circuit system but highlight certain position in for a three or even that just happened to be the position. But it's highlighted. -- got -- double digit is that he's got a whole -- four inside linebacker out but he's a good player. He also very very smart so now having -- to work in this system. Basically spent follow the off season studying that he was it they'll. There's deceit I play that spot how can get better at it so I'm actually kind of excited disputed you grow up.

Jets' first round draft pick Darryl Revis was one of the last while we still up 11 round pick who hasn't signed yet but he was one of the last. To sign held out for the first 20 days of training camp I guess he's going to start this Sunday but he certainly going to face a patriots receiving -- that would be a whole lot different than what he would have faced a year ago at this time.

Better no question the only second -- 3% but whatever stock you like it receipt of football not contradicting myself but those are opposed that the -- but I appreciate them all off. But in the third pre season game he started against the giants had Amani Toomer and made -- real nice plays against the ball past the defense. Or open field tackles played about a half and look great. So what are the ones out not long ago about preakness and he said that he thinks it's not pro bowl player his first season. They'll be pro ball player at some point this first three years I don't think he's that good. You know but you're right I mean -- if all of the has been there. It all of a sudden they trick receiving -- look a whole heck -- a lot more intimidating in a bit last year. And it almost doesn't seem to matter little doubt art section of all football is number 12 -- it you know it is Fabio rejects. Everyone wants to make the big deal about Seymour being hurt -- on a lot less about Harrison's suspension. You know -- hasn't practiced. And I like -- jet -- look at it is if it was any team other than to link that they were probably feel pretty confident. But just because the patriots we've seen people for not seen that played in a Super -- Troy brown a quarter you know they don't seem to find a way they aren't published. I don't think there's jets spent out there that doesn't think that the bell a check it out an answer for every one of these but I'm not.

Bob I know my man man man -- has a great media nickname man genius -- the national media local media seem to be on board wondered about the players on the last year Laveranues Coles that it was a brutal training camp and he seemed to be doubting guy until. -- and managing effect on the column that I thought to imagine any children some results. What what is your sense this year of the veterans on that team today. I'll available certainly -- little more trusting of managing now.

But it definitely helps what you see a return on your investment. You know -- Beatles or 12 years ago. -- draw brutal training camp last year. And once spot of their last six -- Internet it up but why not but the funny you're you would think but it at a brutal critic. You might wear down the most they were at their strongest they probably had about -- injury free -- credit they had at this 1998. In other a lot oh I think evidence or Eric the point -- they got. Aren't you want to complain about training epic and what -- brutal training camp last year and what happened we were healthy would make the playoffs -- already old one of the most outspoken -- flat even this series in happen. You know it's funny that the relationship that Eric -- Laveranues reminds me a lot of the relationship the bulk ourselves that he shot Johnson. They beat nobody has a bigger now than he -- on no one will look upon as mora bait. -- got to hope a why is diet and Sean and yet Bill Parcells loved and brought on the ballot. You know I think Eric really -- Laveranues Arnold. In large part about the -- never -- the -- pretty lack. You know it will it already -- limped off the field four -- the game at all sports party on the bench towards these steps be brought back in although they start but I. It missed the snap. Missed the start I should -- five years. So go to a lot of respect for got like that.

How ugly was it was -- with Pete Kendall.

You know it was -- I think just in -- and eagles universe and certainly it was a headache for the well I had it beat the most without publicize what our football history and it you know it -- a patrician. That is not looked -- as irreplaceable there's an actor quarterback coming out demand a trade that does not start running back -- now. I won't eat and you know what I'm certainly not sure alma mater -- beat but. Is a left -- I think they're relatively confident that is replaceable you know now he was one of their best -- offered to one. If you -- happy EP describing what part I don't think there's any question but. It'll part so -- that was just. The residue but it it -- you know you're going to retreat in order beat baseball all whatever it. -- the -- they other -- each other you only write so many heartwarming sort of -- colossal stories personal interest stories. Not bad but like they practiced well -- provided down. Kind of backed eight -- quote every day and that's what off to 40 if you're New York. Order Oakland all the -- yet especially the coach but if you. I think that's why it was so I published by the panic it would beat reporters write about it.

Well Bob you brought up the best point the most important point about Pete Kendall. He shares an -- mater with you -- most important question here is who wins this game. And Tom O'Brien's return Boston College versus North Carolina State who wins.

I'd and I think these state committed these they've lost their best running back this past week their bank up on the these are applying.

That the deposit. I don't know I'd just beaten he could really broken this down I got a lot of.

Doesn't it all worked out you know and I really like what Jeff Beckett Penske has done optically. What what BC has weapons flies you know what he's got the best quarterback in the ACC and probably one of the spurrier or best quarterback in the country. -- could use a they don't let that immediate you know -- through all eight feet -- that that we can -- 2020 or whatever almost they know where their bread and butter out there will be certain game plan -- it but they run -- sort of beat beat on every week. Why you know they've they've got skill position players make plays. They've got you know 1 victory of sport that's quarterback but I think it'll sure fire. Two round NFL draft choice. And they're called the net a lot but -- two years so yeah I think they're going to want to get.

Final question from me Bob Ben and I think sometimes -- too close to the forest to see the trees here word comes to the patriots. The the view from New York looking at New England looking at the offseason looking at Harrison and Seymour being gone what's the thoughts there about the season the patriots are about to have. And the game they're about to have on Sunday.

I would say you know the -- throughout corporate jet and kind of objective. Skepticism well -- I think jet fans feel the same way about the patriots that -- fans always felt about the great. That no matter how many problems it looks like they might have coming into the speed them. It's the way we never touched but we never -- but. So it just it took it finally happening once or Mets spent -- they okay. Greg Maddux isn't there anymore hot latins that you are posture for Jones banged up it'll be a chance. Finally maybe this is the year that the patriot you know what without some of their star players and certainly it'll it'll that front seven. Amid it -- or at the wire. But it kinda like mount Rushmore al president how many more years and we expect that he'd -- you might -- keep doing the little league well years. If you wander at some point 11 of these guys might breakdown at Laurence Maroney do it for a higher speed I think he and he has. At the patriots bow out any -- but it going to Sunday's game there are optimistic. But they have a chance winning up there last year certainly was a reason approximate. But it still patriots and and that makes you worry but I think the jets have a great chance -- the game -- but back but it. Else except perhaps seven point spread I think -- shows you. Country things a comparison between New England to New York. But I think the jets brought Barry could see they don't have operated on the eight men in our opinion problems better. -- they don't have one of those star players on either side of the ball. They have a lot of very very good players and they don't really have. The odd couple we -- that you -- they -- here's where we attacked them they're kind of good. Across the board which got a lot like. The embittered by that up for a playoff spot.

an all the media members will be watching that post game man hugs thing. Ten -- coming.

They're there it -- a good spot for Eric because there have been a lot less spell check Mangini question this week -- any point. Last week I don't know I don't know all the New York ever going to be focused on -- handshake slash. Uncomfortable -- Did it midfield -- are that they were Lester might get to step in the right direction cart but it that they can't imagine developed eclectic. It really seem to be much more about is being at a -- you know attack the patriot.

Bob -- appreciate the time will probably talk to you again now before the second game of the season between these two. Spot thank you take care that is -- shoes in the play by play announcer for the New York Jets on the jets radio network