09-05-08 Peter King, SI

buddy Peter King from Sports Illustrated SI dot com and NBC and all those other things in between hello Peter. -- You're doing great happy NFL season to yeah.

Yeah good with the with the game last night what so there are many more like now I wasn't -- wasn't -- like. Giant should have been ahead about 31 out and -- half and you know there had about nine opportunities. To. Get the Ripken's out of it -- in the fourth quarter. I mean he's New England fans as Nevin before it was Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb late in the Super Bowl against Patriots. I mean. You know it was almost play. -- ordered and and Jason Campbell were saying what we want to make sure we get that John McCain -- I mean it is what what they wait for and it was. I had sore afterward. I mean who now suddenly worried about. I have -- afterward what -- go to the no huddle. And he goes well you know if we scored we wanted to make sure we -- time left on the clock. And we had some timeouts left and I don't you know I just think he was. Really confused at the end of the game but that's not a good call -- first time play caller that's for sure.

You know Peter is not very often that I agree with the fans and athletes who say. No one believed in us no one is giving us any respect but in this case when talking about talking about the Giants I do agree with them. I don't think many people have picked them to repeat or even Su win their division. Do you think. Do you think they have a case.

Michael. One time in the last decade. As a team repeated. Well the last.

Fourteen teams make the Super Bowl eight of them didn't even make the play off.

So I laughed at the Giants saying stuff like this I think it's -- Larry. I mean it just goes to show you we've got about ten times more people covering this game in need to cover it. You know and made it work as we're listening to a team. You know basically bitch and moan about how they're being covered how they're being received well. You know first of all the law of averages say that there's. Normally about a 10% chance that you would repeat -- Super Bowl champion. And particularly. A team that was in total disarray don't until week seventeen last year. So I don't know I think I suppose I understand what the Giants are saying. But I mean. If you if you believe that that the Giants. Have a great case then the media has wrong them then you never have looked at recent pro football history.

Peter before we get into talking about the games this week in the start of the season I gotta ask you about this whole Tatum Bell thing in. Where you think this thing has had a.

It's probably not not headed. In a criminal way I think it's one of those things that Tatum Bell will be judged in the in the court of public opinion. And apparently be judged to be guilty and the last thing that the Lions want to do. Is is charge him with a crime. Over this and people who don't know obviously I'm sure you've talked about it that Rudi Johnson as. Has charged Tatum Bell with not only -- to bank that is from the offices of the Detroit Lions but also. -- is when the bank to return that a lot of this stuff was missing so I mean. I would doubt that this thing's gonna end up with the police but I guess we'll see I guess it depends on the vindictiveness then media. The sense of justice that both Rudi Johnson in the audience won't carry out.

As the season starts and is there a single player in the National Football League with more pressure on his shoulders. Than Aaron Rodgers.

Probably not. But I think -- view about ten guys in the NFL who were under. I think. Nearly as much pressure I think in some ways. The pressure angle for Aaron Rodgers. In some ways works in his favor.

In this way.

You can't expect Aaron Rodgers. To be top five NFL quarterback in his first year you can't expect him to have the year that Brett Favre at last year. No first year quarterback in the NFL those that my name is Dan Marino.

I mean Peyton Manning's first you're playing in the NFL the Indianapolis Colts were three of thirteen. And beat her bunch interception this just. It's just not going to happen so I think in some ways I'm not saying in any way that he has the past.

Or anything like that and his first four interception game he's gonna get for succeed.

But. You know I think everybody sort of expects that. I think one of the guys in the NFL who has an incredible amount of pressure on.

And I don't know how he's going to handle it is Eric Anderson of the Cleveland brown. I mean the Browns last year.

Work great in the mid mid section of the season.

And they should have made the play off and Eric Anderson's single handedly coughed it up. Against Cincinnati in week sixteen they went out spent a lot of money under the fence and on Donte' Stallworth. They basically traded -- cold draft pick their defensive line so I think. That Derek Anderson. Is probably under as much pressure. As. As -- Rogers is then we could probably talk about other guys too but. I think there's an awful lot of pressure on on everything around Cleveland this year as well.

Well you mention Cleveland and I was reading your story. I think it was a Monday morning quarterback. I brought up a quote from Matt Millen Matt Millen said. If Shaun Rogers is healthy the entire year he will be the defensive player of the year in the NFL one. I want -- hope you agree with that too if Matt Millen believes that why trade.

The question is. Do you believe it's possible that full season in Los Angeles that Manny Ramirez would be the most valuable player the National League he believes that. The well do you believe but did you believe it when Roger Clemens left Boston. After winning 41 games over his previous four years that he would win whatever you want to -- cy young after that nobody would believe that. -- he wasn't any wasn't great the last four years in Boston but he turned around. When he left the place and he had something to prove. The same thing with Jeremy Shockey in New Orleans this year it's the main thing is which Shaun Rogers in Cleveland Shaun Rogers. Has had a couple of really really good. Quarters. In the pre season he but the only thing that the Browns had anything to write home about the pre season. Weary they owned that both the jets' rushing game and the Detroit Lions rushing game. In near pre season game. If this guy wants to play in place sixteen games he's one of the ten best -- Players currently he's never done it before so how do you know if he's going to do it now. Matt Millen knew. Just like with Manny Ramirez in Boston. Manny Ramirez obviously has been on fire hit ten home runs and a month. But would Manny Ramirez have done that in Boston now we all know he wouldn't have. Sometimes guys need to go somewhere maximize. What they're doing on the field and I think that was the case on route --

We have two top flight players in the National Football League. Who have decided to put off knee surgery and and continue to play on injured -- Shawne Merriman. And Jeff Saturday I know we're not doctors but do you think they're making a mistake.

Well this Shawn Marion and story is extremely serious and along properly he -- the Chargers general manager yesterday about it. Man. Basically eight chase they had told me that at the end of the season last year. Chargers do exit physicals with everybody so after the Patriots play out the lost for the Patriots in the playoff. They have all their exit physicals and Shawn Marion Jones told by the Chargers in position you'd need to have surgery to repair you're me. Merriman chose not to have the surgery -- echoed through the off season program trying to rehab. Well obviously didn't get better he went to the or doctors. In the last couple months the mail that you need to have this surgery. Using the play now the next question so why does this mean the Chargers allow him the play if they think he ought to have knee surgery. There's a difference between helluva guy needs that need surgery. And not saying it and saying that if he doesn't have the knee surgery. Play. Mean the Chargers advised in -- need surgery but they also passed him on the club physical this summer. We is you know as long as he wears -- great. Which I'm told that -- men will wear. In the opener against Carolina on Sunday now you know. So you know we can all ask this question Whiting to do well obviously Merriman didn't think he needed to do -- thought that. This thing would be fine without having surgery so therefore. I think that Marion and deal is that he's played Russian roulette -- obviously we all know that but. Do I think it's the career ending injury if he hears one evidently given. Completely no right now and I think -- been thrown around there to the detriment of this story and it's just it's like gasoline being. -- on the fire. First -- Saturday goes. You know I still think he's going to end up needing the surgery. But I think that the that the Colts are so worried about their young center Steve Justice there's extra -- white or. That they're basically I think they're sort of in support of Saturday. Seeing how he can do leader rehab and treatment on the knee to see if maybe by mid season he'd come back. And play even at 75% of what he is in and the end. Stave off the surgery so after the.

Now a few minutes ago we talked about those very low stats of teams. Who won the Super Bowl one year repeating the next year very low well. It's also. If -- are pretty depressing you look at the team. That has lost the Super Bowl and what they've got on the next year obviously the Patriot Act up they fall into the thing right other teams --

You know I don't think -- well I think they're too good I think. That we can get so I a cant believe letters I have my area my column telling me. Eight year total Patriots homer. B how in the world he picked them to go to the Super Bowl they're the fences in tatters they don't have any corners lobby daddy daddy. And I just I mean -- Most. Most people like I basically just say eight you know personable. Predictions are the most any in the NFL rules -- exact science. -- sports because we all look like fools that yet in the year for all -- the Patriots are going nine in seven. And that the Miami Dolphins who beat him in the division out of that we we don't know weird things happen in the NFL but the only reason why I think that this. Is really going to be good again is that I don't see. Reason why I mean Americans were 530 points or whatever it is they scored last year. But I don't see any reason why they. Scored thirty point game with the offense that they have mean you know Tom Brady obviously is not going to be as nimble as as. You know he has been in the past he's never been in nimble -- meters eight innings by the way. And and you know he's not going to be able to get away from things I think the Patriots of the a lot more max protection they've done in the past but. I just think -- I wrote about this in the magazine and the chemistry between. And Randy Moss is going to be significantly better and I just -- way you can not hold Wes Welker -- he -- in do. And so I I just think they'll be good enough on offense outscored -- while they're deep and you know sort of yet to get legs and well we see these young corner and what we see Jerod Mayo or what I think is gonna step in. Right away have been at I don't I don't know this but I mean it's it's see you guys would that was going to start Sunday immediately doesn't parties and play an awful lot.

I like it going to start inside with Bruschi.

Yeah I mean that's that's the tremendous accomplishment for somebody to come into. The Bill Belichick. Started that position as a -- so obviously he's been as good or better. In -- expected and you know I they're they're the fence but figure it out and it's it's not going to be a top 34 and it felt the fence probably but. -- figure it out -- be able to win some games early on 31 point eight they're lucky that. In the first game of the year. They've got to mean we get this -- Kansas City Chiefs may -- exactly. 13 of their roster on Sunday their 45. Could be repeat they have fifth. They lead the league by far they have it's been. Active rookies their final 53. And with the exception of one of them I forget which one is one of them I've been neat thing probably not going to play for like come on. And so I mean they've got they're they're probably get addressed thirteen or fourteen rookies -- and so. You know the Patriots I think we're fortunate that. They didn't get a -- Play. Everybody in the read these and obviously and they played it. Against Kansas City which is to me right now the most beatable team in the NFL.

Peter we always appreciate the the time in the -- football expertise now. I just got to know one thing before we let you go -- is the Montclair Ortiz is any good.

You know I hate to say this but I think it's computer drafted form. The computer did not worry we -- watched last how good good okay all right how how MII develop a -- they are or have been busy. How MI it was -- quarterback.

I'd Donovan McNabb. We we were a little worried -- as we we had the whole situations and didn't win I actually drafted. With a late pick Brett Favre and you did the about our relations blood evidence that you want to make -- trade you know loaded car and they'll.

kid who who's not who or my running back.

Here here's your here's your roster you got Donovan McNabb at quarterback. You've got Steve Smith. Chad -- chose cinco. Greg Jennings. Marion Barber Jamal Lewis. Jonathan Stewart Lee Evans and match job.

And it said that. What that book -- that was quite decent.

I your defense -- Minnesota. You also -- you've also got Baltimore. You've got a -- fence on the bench I guess and you got Adam Vinatieri is your kicker.

Who's going to beat me -- so what what frequently liked it much all of us are -- I didn't think. And it is Francona -- it only.

He aqueduct and that you Kalus is only. Mile lead change of the Bruins in the league so we got an extra competition. And they all did they held their research -- manners and good teams.

but let me just say one other thing you know I'm really disappointed if I were on the line and and do in the draft I would drafted Pedroia. He's so hot that I can't expect -- to -- and it has has anybody catapulted himself. From being a really good player and in three weeks he'd get Peter Gammons say he should be the MVP of the -- and play it a.

doubt us say and it is not just Peter Gammons Peter Gammons -- Steve Phillips that it. -- Jerry Remy senate about a month and a half ago.

While well all I know as far as just look at the numbers the other -- that I figured based -- but what -- look this up. He's got he's got nine more hits than anybody in baseball he scored four more runs than anybody in baseball. And he's got seventeen homers and seventeen steals. What what kind of -- is this guy.

could play defense any great defensive player right now. And what would want what did you think when you saw him batting fourth behind Ortiz.

You know. I think with the Red Sox the way they are on a given day almost anybody in -- or I think it's Francona got the luxury of -- exception of Ortiz. You know Youkilis and that's secular or Pedroia had now can bat leadoff or. I don't know you know they got a pretty they got a pretty versatile lineup right now and I just hope and for everybody's sake I just hope that. That Beckett can be something like Beckett the rest of the year but hey who -- against some pretty big night.

We will tucked in next week banks don't. Care Peter thank you Peter King from Sports Illustrated and SI dot com and NBC analyst places. Joining SF for the first time this season to be with a every Friday. On Patriots Friday here on Sports Radio WEE.