8-26-08 Don Banks, SI.com

Joining us on the line from Sports Illustrated. And SI dot com longtime friend of the program Don banks I don't I don't. Grab. Michael was was talking about this yesterday when we were doing Patriots Monday down at -- So like your piece on SI dot com today it was like a sixty mile an hour fastball down the middle for him. You rank. Each of the NFL teams backup quarterbacks from one to 32. And you say the Patriots and it's Gutierrez not Cassell on your list ranked number --

Well I don't you know that's probably being generous based on the preceding results we've seen but. Yeah I I I think I think entirely possible I think -- mentioned as. In my Patriots blurbs that they could still. Give pro active in go get a veteran like say. You know what they Kansas City -- Damon Huard is no longer necessary on their roster. Somebody like that that give them a little bit more comfort zone after seeing what they saw the last three weeks. But my senses -- and start the season today computer errors over Cassell and played as well the roster.

And Don thinks it's even worse an idea I had. -- that I can list off the top my head like -- we're better when he better back up situations around the league don's got a 29. And it backed up situations on the summit -- that I could debate you want for exam.

Absolutely and not the point of the exercise what you get to about twenty. Mike and you know it gets a little difficult to make a real quantitative difference in -- but but it certainly open for debate.

Right so what do I I think the general consensus would be I don't know among a lot of people more in the same boat that it's. The bottom third of the league in Tim -- quarterbacking is where New England -- the questioning. The pages deserve criticism. For not doing more to upgrade that spot in the offseason when it looked to me like there -- options available.

Well you know I think they certainly have lived a charmed life on the front and I think it in it has influenced their thinking.

Tom Brady has an optimistic game. And and.

You know week three of 2001. And they've gotten.

Spoiled by and I think you could point to that and say. The interactivity at backup quarterback could potentially on what you however. In there are choices that have to be made -- cap era when you pay your quarterback as much as they paid their quarterbacking ability. Probably still underpaid. You know I think.

And when they painted the rest of the roster I think backup quarterback is one place they're not prepared to pay. Let's say an upper third back up type.

Well I think that's a mistake the pats right now at eight million dollars in salary cap room. Biron left -- Leftwich signed to Pittsburgh for what one million I think to me one million for a back up court. At a -- at what is your 129 Don. Okay. A one million ought to back up quarterback which is what a ten year veterans going to get as a veteran minimum anyway Damon Huard would cost you right around a million I think is more than worth it.

Well I would agree with that and I think you know it'd. Let's see what the rest of the pre season brain because I I firmly believe they've they've may still. Give pro active on the front but it might go get a guy after watching the last three weeks unfold. Not do I think Tom Brady is as serious injury concern for the regular season no I don't at all. But I do think. That they've seen what would happen. In the worst case scenario of the camp like it.

We were having this discussion yesterday concerning the quarterback position for the Patriots and I don't know Don if you come up with a theoretical record for the Patriots this year. But for the sake of our discussion let's say I I have them going twelve and four and that's -- and that record okay and that's Tom Brady being the quarterback. Right if Tom Brady was not the quarterback and one of these guys wants. Where would they -- 88.

To both you and -- contention of that is that you must not think very much of Bill Belichick as a coach or the guys they have on defense or -- Dante Scarnecchia is an offensive line coach Randy Moss is a receiver it would seem to me. That if all the Patriots are short of their quarterback is eight Nate. And everything I've heard about -- the only what they've built on there's a crock because seems to me like about the quarterback you people are saying just like everybody else and I don't believe that.

Mike I I've said all along he's the most indispensable player in the NFL even beating number eighteen in Indianapolis. He is the one guy that would change. Change the equation dramatically in New England if he missed any significant time at night. I I think that the rest of that roster could even over chi.

I just disagree with that dramatically -- especially Indianapolis. If Tony Dungy loses Peyton Manning. I I trust bill ballot checked the figure it out without his quarterback before I trust Tony Dungy have figured out. Without his it goes back to the coaching which is extremely important in this league and Bill Belichick is still that guy so I mean. Let's -- under rate what Bill Belichick means that this team and what he's built here.

Well I don't think I've ever under rated them but I do think. I think. Bill Belichick was five of thirteen with the Patriots before Tom Brady became the starter and what does he won seventeen in about 27 since you became.

Starter so he's just a function of his quarterback he's.

I don't know I don't think that but I don't think you can look -- I don't think you can overstate the importance of Brady to that team since week 32001 on.

same parameters. The Indianapolis Colts what was your record with Peyton Manning what would it be with Jim Sorgi Sorgi at quarterback.

You know I I think in the division that there and I think. They'd be over achieving if they got to seven and not that --

The tougher division to it does chance equation. And with Manning you think they're one.

Probably this year I I think eleven and five because I think the -- the division is all -- in. We know what the other two teams that make the playoffs Leicester I have to think the Texans are improved team this year it could we intend.

Rod is going to agree to disagree with everybody on this when I think with a serviceable back up Don banks. A serviceable guy which they don't have right now with serviceable guy with the upgrade at backup quarterback position they lost operate tomorrow. No ballots jacked it deep that's the veteran leadership they figured out they'd probably win the division.

Okay so he. Eight I did not know you were saying a serviceable guy who's not on the -- like.

I I think at one of these -- these guys meaning. You at all Gutierrez Cassell oh yeah. And while now. -- Yesterday -- contention was with any of any other back up in the -- any packed up in the late in the like I said he any other available backed -- Todd Collins isn't available you don't think what Daunte Culpepper here they win the division I do I do.

I don't I do not. I think and I think they believe Daunte Culpepper has very little last.

While he probably does but next them he carries and Cassell well he's got something left doesn't you're it's it's all in comparison to what they have out. Don today the Patriots and every other team in the NFL will cut five guys in this weekend -- cut twenty somewhat more. In that mass group of guys hitting the streets will there be a quarterback in there that might catch the eye of Scott pioli and bill ballot.

I don't necessarily know that they'll be at quarterback released but I think there may be a quarterback available and the again you know. I would look at Damon Huard and think that he's the type of guy that would give doing the comfort them now. From what I learned in researching -- story that we -- talked about the backup quarterback -- may call I just think it's possible to Kansas City could. Could release him or they could shop you know. If for some reason he doesn't seem to fit into their plans and I still think. He's probably their best quarterback would you -- in Brodie Croyle I was sick but he's certainly the most experienced. If people would become available. Who knows the -- speed linebackers. Dramatically. Is or linebacker on the Patriots to keep it ship that way at sector ops something like that --

About a Chris --

I mean I think I think there's a potential for a deal there somewhere and I don't know if it's if it's a guide being released. They did upgrade them in their eyes or if it's you know situation where they have to pick up.

You know I I was thinkers -- for awhile more I think about it Damon Huard. Makes more sense it. Probably remembers a lot of the play book he's a smart guy he was comfortable on the backup role here and all the oval that is -- real -- guy it's great for the locker room would understandable I mean. To me Damon Huard may be the top my list on that front Don -- about Brett Favre. In Green Bay get as a snapshot of what it's looked like so -- down there.

Well I mean I think they've they've taken baby steps but I there there obviously thrilled that they they feel like the upgraded position dramatically because they can attack the entire field now. Let's be honest you don't have to defend the entire field.

Which had any debacle of a Chad Pennington guy had -- I'd like Japanese and I think Miami upgraded dramatically.

Right away with ill but you know with Favre. I still think he he's gonna look better the second month of the season as the third month -- season and ideas in September. And I think he'll probably. -- look better the more the playbook that they can throw out -- but I think right now there they're pretty happy that he allows them to use the entire field.

Have the Dolphins improved themselves with Chad Pennington a quarterback.

Yeah I do I believe that I think you know I think Chad Henne is going to be big guy pretty quickly there. But he he have to watch and sit and wait behind Chad Pennington this year I don't think it's gonna hurt -- And I think Chad Pennington. You know it's going to make that Dolphins -- tougher. And tougher team to play right off the bat. You know I think. It was no favor to everyone else they ANC. That he went right Miami because I think he knows. He does he does know this division and he knows where the weak spots are that you can attack and I think the Patriots -- it could -- without that well.

Don what do you make of the Patriots play this month.

you know -- it's worrisome but not overly and I get a piece late last week reasons to worry reason to chill out and you know I I would say it.

Tom Brady did not play. -- Certainly lacked focus intensity. But I believe that will be there.

If I had a major reason for concern. I think special paint because the regulars were playing there. To watch the special teams get kind shredded last week against Philadelphia.

If the special teams could cost them an early season games that they are going to end up meeting for home field advantage that could be significant.

If you if you -- real reason to worry. Don't worry so much about Tom Brady's foot don't worry too much about the tactic not the fact that worry about whether it's special team. September could be particularly.

Will the New York Giants be blackmailed out of eight million dollars by Michael Strahan.

What we're putting it I'm a wiser to blackmail the guy brought your championship last year.

I don't you know what I think. He'd get it like the idea of of coming to the rescue. And I think the Giants. Haven't numbers their mind they're not going to go overboard and I get the sense Tom Coughlin doesn't really want to go back into the street and market but.

Jerry -- I I ain't right I agree with the about golf I don't think yet. Once Strahan around.

Now I'd I'd I'd think he was happy when he. Retired and I and I think the body language in the between the lines of communication yesterday made it clear that Coughlin thinks they have the right players on hand. But I think it very well could happen I wouldn't put it you know much more than 6040 but I think it could happen because if they offer of eight million -- year. Two and I don't think he blocks in as a full time starter he probably is going to be situational rusher. And he's going to look at fox being able to maybe it was still some of the money that they were going to home this year. For you know -- glad he'll have some role. Some way fox will be able away should be able figure out a way to use them a little bit -- The player and -- stopped going to wait -- I think he's the guy likes money I have had a bitter divorce that was costly two years ago. And I think he's a guy whose egos is Fed by being in other than the guys -- rescue.

Get the feeling that Shawne Merriman is going to keep going to doctors until it finally went out -- when he says what he wants to hear.

Yet that's exactly what I think too daily got a -- toward find one that says you -- do it if you can just kinda tough it out. I think the Chargers. Are probably realistic and know that at some point it equitable is to have seen.

I think surgery but for now if he is indeed moving around practiced well and he can.

He says he wouldn't even really know that I have to 22. Ligament airs I think they're content to let him.

Try as long as he you know it doesn't completely breakdown and I -- but I I would not to I would. Bet on him lasting more than half -- season and that's situation at best.

And one last injury question. Chad Johnson suffered what was called the times sprained shoulder in a pre season game. We are now told that's a partially torn -- Brohm. You wonder even with some sort of brace or whatever they're going to try to do what that's going to do to the effectiveness -- reach for that ball over your head with a torn labor.

I guess Kellen Winslow played with it last year and pretty good numbers so I guess it can't be it's all I imagine in the degree of the air and you know you and I don't know that but I I would think. My guess is Chad Johnson was going to blow again on the Bengals at some point this season wants the losses started piling up perhaps he would. The numbers he wanted I think injury only makes the frustration level much more likely to boil sooner than later.

we always appreciate time thanks for talk and some football winners. -- dossier Don Don banks from Sports Illustrated and SI dot com read his peace today on line ranking each team's number two quarterback.