Peter King

Each and every Friday at this time we talked with a -- contact with the National Football League. You're saying is brought to you by 1800 mattress the most comfortable mattresses on earth. Just phone call away at 1800 mattress called like kick off for delivery by the post game show 1800 ME TT RES -- last desperate savings. On line -- mattress dot com that afternoon mr. king.

What's up so hard on -- you do. Everything is -- good thanks how much you -- any team in Boston ever lose by anyone not even the revolution. Well let's -- I mean they leave it is now he's just got to get the Bruins to drink to collate got you and that might be a little longer -- after taking people -- duke lost it happens it happens these amazing I was I was watching sports center was that yesterday and I watched the Celtics on the highlights and I said. Might lowered. They have mean they they were they were dominant well every highlight can -- dominating islet did you look at them say while they might really be good.

The highlights weren't misleading that it happened the Boston College versus Florida State but audit.

Now you -- did see that that straight without last week of the court. Yeah that was that was bad but hey you know -- and he wants it it went.

Ball exactly Peter we where we were talking earlier this week about the officiating in the patriots colts game. And Tom current NBC sports dot com wrote about it said what he came up with work eight blatant mistakes in his opinion that went against the patriots. I would interest watched Mike for a areas officiating segment on all access NFL all access this week. And I was a little disappointed to be honest with the did you see the calls in the game what did you think of the officiating.

One call that I didn't like that I saw that Ferreira upheld. Was which it was Ellis Hobbs was -- at Ellis Hobbs interference that was about the long and that the Senate call yet exactly I mean in my opinion I didn't like that call now. I think in the course of the game you can come up -- But -- calls that you would disagree with -- but in this sort of reminds me a little bit of the Super Bowl with Pittsburgh and Seattle at the end of the game you look back -- you say boy it really looks like Seattle gut job but again I did not read it Tom's story and I have not analyze the calls to the you know to the extent that he did. But I do know that -- Sunday night or Sunday afternoon watching the games an NBC. We thought there were a couple of Tiki tech calls against the patriots but I I will also -- is that. -- you know if you look back at every single call and that's Super Bowl individually K you can justify every single one. Either that or you can say that every one of them is is justified demeanor a couple of and it really looked shaky. But -- there was not a single one -- say that categorically wrong.

Peter do you think the colts piped in crowd noise.

I don't again I have no reason. Two to think that they did and and stories like this Michael can meet. Unless you can prove it unless you have evidence and -- when I spoke I think it was on Monday. About this and I listen to what everybody else listen to what I'm no radio technician but there was something funny going on there. But if US -- to say. Was that unique control room of the network truck DL that got out of the -- was that in the stadium I mean how would I know I wasn't there it's sounded funny but certain. Need the explanation sounds plausible to me.

You know we've talked enough about stuff going on off the field with go to the field. I saw that colts team that deep fences fast that deep -- it's tough now they weren't always known as a tough. Defense they were always fast how to they turned a corner in your opinion --

Well they did a couple of things I think the eight you know the most important thing I believe -- she saw. Three weeks ago when they played at Tennessee Adam -- Jacksonville on a Monday night. You walked away from the games saying I can never say this about a colts Jacksonville game in recent history but the colts were more physical team on both sides of the ball. Now you know in the region that that happened is not the Tony Dungy had a change of philosophy at all I go back to the 2005 draft their first two picks. In that draft will marlin Jackson and Kelvin hate. And win those two guys changed. When those two guys replaced Jason David in nick harper corner. Here's what they -- they added physical almost Ronnie Lott type of his -- reality. At the corner position even a lot obviously is more famous for being the safety and a quarter clearly. Then an end at Bob Sanders -- I think why is Lee is holding out of every Thursday practice this year and a lot of Friday practices to try to help them make it through an entire season. Those three guys to meet single handedly you know even in tandem basically teach them -- much more physical beef and if you watched the way marlin Jackson plays to meet. Have to gain this year including a lot against the patriots he was like but he was like it outside linebacker in note in those games and so I I think they just physically have gotten stronger in the secondary.

Michael and I were talking about this off the year earlier. Yeah if I were the Minnesota Vikings I would trade Troy Williamson as soon as I'm allowed to you can't now you're past the trading deadline. He will never be able to play for brad Childress again in my opinion after what Childress did this week.

Well I mean there's a couple of things -- go on here first of all understand that. You know eight weeks Troy Williamson has nine catches. And he's not in his team's long term plans he won't be on the team next year I can guarantee that they've been disappointed you know from the word go they don't think he's tough enough. And they don't particularly love his hands it was a bad draft choice. And so you know he's not going to be have a team anyway what the team that did this week is they basically it will take a few days go ahead. But if you're going to -- game -- win we'd think you can if if you really need to you can go up in back around the beat they beat funeral and efficiently you know if you're gonna do that we're not going to pay you now having said all that what's the right thing to do and something in a case like this. I think that varies what is the kind of player that you are in the -- history you have with your team. If brad Childress I'm sure if brad Childress should look at Troy Williamson. Is a gamer who was playing great given at all in practice and in games he would have a little more leeway. But this guy has been the graduate brad Childress all year. Going back to last year so you're right -- he won't be on the team next year anyway but this clearly you don't put -- put a final stake in the relationship between Williams in the vikings.

You know Peter I've never been one -- bet on sports and I did I'd be broke. Because at the beginning of this season. If you come to me and said the Cleveland Browns will be five and three after eight games. I would bet against that heavily tell me what our friend Romeo Cornell has been able to do with the Cleveland Browns this year.

Well it is right that Monday you know my column that. The browns were last two games over 500 when mastodons are on the here and I think Romeo has done two things. That I think are really really important number one he has empowered a new offensive coordinator former browns assisted erupted -- To come back from San Diego members a lot of debate it wasn't Romeo was called it it was still savages called but whatever the deal. -- it's become the end as his offensive coordinator and basically. Has done a great job letting Derek Anderson played his strengths which is to be able to throw the ball down field and that's what. Gary Peterson does well now. He'd say -- guys get a great -- in -- billion dollars is a restricted free agent. That may be true we can talk about that the second if you want to that I think he's going to be compelling story this offseason but. The most important thing on this team as they have three certifiable. Really couldn't -- its news very very strong. And it'd downfield receivers look good can't Winslow Braylon Edwards then and Joe Jurevicius. Who have made great pitches I mean I don't think Derek Anderson is is is you know just totally on target. You know it's a Tom Brady Peyton -- deep downfield but he's got three excellent downfield receivers -- your -- give Pittsburgh a hard time now. On defense. That's where I think he's doing it was smoke in the years he thought he was getting hit a great year out of Kamerion Wimbley. Yet these great outside pass rusher from last year the rookie and he's just been okay. And they've been surviving because they have a -- secondary Leigh -- might be the most underrated corner and football. And they've been able to have a lot of long drives on offense. Mean nobody gives Joe Thomas a prayer to win offensive rookie of the year and I wouldn't pick of either with the way Adrian Peterson's playing but. Joe Thomas has allowed have to factor in in in the first half of the season and he is what made it possible for this team. Both in running in protecting the passer to have its most solid offensive line play in the nine years since they returned to Cleveland.

Which of the two winless teams saint Louis -- Miami wins a game first.

Saint Louis will win three games this year they might win for their offense is just too good Bulger get a little more healthy. The offensive line -- so beat up but at least it's learning to play together now they have a softer schedule down the stretch soft enough schedule down the stretch. That I think they're going to win 23 or four games I think Miami is an absolute disaster you know now they lose -- Thomas today cam Cameron just announced he's missing practice to they don't. It'll be an active this week because of migraines. You have to look like we're looking at the end of his career whether it be this year or next year but I mean. in May have just gone through a nightmarish season I don't think Miami I think Miami legitimately as a chance to go winless will they I doubt it because. The odds are against that happening but I think there's going to be one now the last weeks they have legitimate chance to win that's against buffalo which is really beat up on -- sense at all.

I Peter speaking of disasters and nightmares what's the story with AFC west

I think this story. Michael is two fold number one of the Denver Broncos have crashed and burned they lost the most important are important single person. Jay Cutler. In Javon Walker they're playing. Of the bunch scrubs at wide receiver and they obviously your speed up -- running back. And they're going to get -- to running backs Travis Henry suspended one of these weeks and I think got deep sense. They really expected that should be a much more bruising physical deep sense that it has been. And they've been pretty much undress the whole year Kansas City is performing better than anybody thought it would. If if they have 500 this year Herman Edwards should get coach of the year votes. Out of San Diego the real disappointment to me obviously I think one of the things could happen here. Is we overrated Philip Rivers coming into this year and his ability to take any pressure off of Ladainian Tomlinson. And we've underrated how important Luis can't -- is that deep sense they lose him now. You know he's been banged up this year they lose him now for six weeks ankle surgery. And that -- He means that this is going to be I still think -- deal will be the fourth seed in the playoffs but I think they'll go we and split being at night and seven and hey you know they'll have to win. In three road games. I'm very they'll have to win and hey you know at least two road games. To get to the Super Bowl which I think you know is obviously highly unlikely.

In your game on Sunday night which of the two teams is more likely to rebound from last weekend Indianapolis or San Diego.

I think Indianapolis just because you can count on Peyton Manning no matter who is receivers are you know you saw yesterday I mean to meet the colts are going error hurt dangerously getting. -- getting dangerously close to the lines of being impacted our offense by injuries you know you always. Think that Peyton Manning. Can make chicken salad out of chicken feathers but now you know yesterday the only receiver who even knows who practice is -- when he. The other going to be without Anthony Gonzales and has broken thumb any maybe without Dallas Clark who's had concussion problems this week. Post concussion syndrome and and obviously Marvin Harrison's neat. I think -- going to play but after that you're looking at it you know -- morehead a -- huge drop last week. Maybe -- so sort all of these guys who basically have to come in and played big roles. At a time when suddenly I'm not saying this is a big game. But the one way I would say this is a big key for Indianapolis is that. Pittsburgh is playing well the one thing you don't want to do in this sternum in the AFC this year you don't want to beat the third seed and you know it's obvious now that Pittsburgh Indianapolis or at least give -- going to be battling to be that third -- And even though Pittsburgh has shown he can win -- Indianapolis having the body. And having the home game coming out of the body. If a lot different. Then playing the the wild card game at. At home and then going on the road in the divisional round so I I look at this game for Indianapolis everybody says boy it's more important San Diego it isn't. This game is more important Indianapolis because in my opinion. -- no matter what San Diego does from here on out they are they're too flawed to make this series Super Bowl run this year Indianapolis still can't but obviously if you. -- third seed in the AFC have to win two road games including one at knowing -- to get to the Super -- you can't like your chances very much.

You mentioned Pittsburgh you told us before that you believe Mike Tomlin is a wise beyond his 35 years. Is 15 talented enough to hang with New England Sammy can they'd knock off nobody.

Question to me. And I have I was stuck in Marty Schottenheimer about this this week I called them and we're talking about playing New England and what's important we. Playing in England right now because obviously the last two -- shot famers played the patriots. In San Diego one time the chargers -- the patriots and Foxborough it last year obviously it was a great game insane Diego that the patriots pulled out but one of the things he said is. That you don't. In order to beat the patriots you've got to get some outside -- pressure on Tom Brady because the most thing that he does the the best of any quarterback in football -- when he has time they'll always find an open guy. That's no secret but that's why I think. That you know we saw the other day with a healthy Baltimore relatively speaking -- Baltimore offensive line they got significant. Pressure now granted it was a muddy muddy track but they get significant pressure and Steve McNair that I think. It bodes well for game to be at least that game. When the Steelers play the patriots James Harris and obviously had the best scheme of any defensive player this year in the NFL. And and it and I think that if they can. If they can beat. -- New -- tackles around the corner which is not an easy thing to do but if they can beat the New -- tackles around the corner and that's the way -- Pittsburgh has -- I think offensively Pittsburgh can put up some points on anybody not a lot but can put -- enough that if they're deep -- playing well they're -- give -- a good game and and and on paper right now. That to meet would be the toughest match up I mean unless he were to tell me right now that hate it that -- mean inning. Was going to really have enough time to find Plaxico Burress to retreat times downfield in their matchup and if you were also to tell me. Who's going to be a lineup for the second half of that game for or England you know. Could I think that's one of the big questions coming down the stretch you know what Bill Belichick play is guys. For four quarters in the game that doesn't mean anything to them other man but 16 you know record potentially.

Final question from me what's surprised you more this week. That Don Shula said what he did in the Gary Myers peace or that he backed away from.

I could feel that. -- that he didn't quite know the firestorm he was creating in the words he spoke to Gary and although he did not save the words did not use the word asterisk it was clear. In -- story that he meant that he would always have a mental asterisk -- on the patriots you know or on the patriots this year and you know did it surprise me backtrack not really because I think. Anytime that you openly question another team's accomplishments for whatever reason. The immediate today this is not the NHL could hit at all. If he if he's faced -- that like that about that he. That's going for greatness in the NFL the same way that if -- said it you know I had two years ago about the -- whenever there's such. On the media crush around this game right now that you're obviously going to get called out everybody in the world is going to beat trying to get all the and and it's a postscript dale what's funny is that I know a couple of those old steel though old dolphins for -- 72 team just from. From right stuff over the years and I called to a on this week I'm still trying to reach him trying to reach for the last 48 hours and I think what has happened is that. This thing has just scared so many of them off and they've gone underground because there's nothing you can say now. That can -- that can. Cannot be seen as an open question LSU say I have no questions whatsoever about the patriots accomplishments and you know and and I don't know that that a lot of these old dolphins are going to say that's so I think I think the fact that he said. Did he backtracked a little -- Is just evidence that he had no idea the firestorm he was going to create when he said yeah I've got a mental asterisk around their accomplishments.

Well here's one positive before we let you go Tim Layden did a great job. In your magazine that talking about the linebackers in the pay.

I -- needed to. You know and and I was so glad you don't so often in the magazine business you put Tom Brady on the -- because Tom Brady -- And I was so glad that we put the guys who were really the backbone -- the five of the backbone guys on this team and you know I just. I'll share one little story I told this story -- MBC a few weeks ago but it's a story about Junior Seau that I absolutely love it will be for the season in training camp the patriots just basically fell in love with with -- have been level -- ever since he came here because the only thing he's concerned about his win. He's total team guy. First guy in the weight room in the offseason all that other stuff they -- just this is. This is the most important thing in his world any acts like it every -- a great leader in everything and so. Bill Belichick it's got the early talked about this and basically you know. Right now Junior Seau has -- split contract you know if he gets hurt during the course of the first half of the season. -- get a pay him as if the rate of 500000 dollars a year. But it'd be stayed healthy through the first state weeks -- these contract will be guaranteed -- it'll make his million dollars. So the patriots basically went to Bob Kraft at the Bill Belichick stepped -- today let's let's just. Make this contract guaranteed deal. So that he doesn't have to worry about -- all out or anything like that not that they knew he would be worried about it but if he gets hurt. In the first you know eight weeks of the season he's going to make his money because he is he's added so much to this team. Perhaps -- OK they went to Marvin -- off his agent and they got the thing done. And they were they were so they are so grateful about it that they even meet the incentives it easier to attain in this contract. And last week Marvin -- was telling me historian you told this story earlier he told me that it is 30 years of being an agent. He never heard of a team come into it coming to a player this it. It's in his career. Saying basically we want to not only guarantee his contract for the rest of this year we want to make it easier for him to attain some of these incentives. The -- 38 year old player and I just think it speaks to not only. What's stay out brought to this team. But the gratitude that this team had to say now. For playing the way he has -- I think I'm glad to see guys like -- Bruschi Colvin I'm glad to see these guys get the recognition that they deserve because they're sort of they're there they're almost like in in some ways like the old hawks beat the offensive -- in Washington. You knew how good they -- as a group but individually a lot of times what they did sort of got lost in the shuffle.

Peter we always appreciate the time enjoy your weekend we'll talk to next week here -- there -- king from Sports Illustrated and NBC sports. Brought you -- 1800 mattress the most comfortable mattresses on Arthur just phone call away at 1800 mattress called like kick off for delivery by the post game show 1800 MA AT ET RE ES leave off the last S for savings on line -- dot com