9-9-08 Chris Landry, Fox Sports

We're always excited to talk football. We have Peter King as a regular contributor to the idea on how shall we do Patriots Monday we do Patriots Friday. Richard Seymour Tedy Bruschi Rodney Harrison Wes Welker Logan Mankins. Also happy to have a new addition to our lineup this year Chris Landry as a veteran NFL scout. He's been but the Cleveland Browns. In the Houston. Eagles back for the Houston Oilers. Old Houston Oilers. As well as the Tennessee Titans he's been on the coaching staff. Of an SEC team LSU. Currently Chris. Works with fox Sports Radio he's their college football and NFL analyst joins us every Tuesday during the football season Chris joins us now Chris I don't know. I am doing good gentleman good morning to a great at and say hello to Michael Felger gaels are here today or tomorrow and Michael are you. I got an a microphone on but it might -- Like -- the radio veteran Cruz but you know the panel. And -- it -- listen and understand that Akers gets we've been talking about all -- that's what they had no idea. I don't know the Bruins inning in Boston Bruins always a cup class though organization. I would talk about Tom Brady obviously and and what the Patriots are going to do going forward. One I want to know what you think of the Patriots. As a team without Tom Brady well.

It's it is obviously. A huge ball because this offenses. Evolved in the past couple years into Tom Brady's offense he was such a big part of it. You know in their early years but he is it so much freedom and how he. Aram is able to make checks and make adjustments it's very much Peyton Manning -- in terms of how. He goes about and it gives them a lot of flexibility. At the line of scrimmage and other teams don't capsule that that is lost. And what Matt Cassel you've got to dad that it is in the offense for years. He understands it would but it certainly not this coming not the same ability not the same. Understanding not the Saints deal not the same compliments level. Either way so it's you know you've you've got to look at it and say all right that's you move forward. And you know you've got to rely on the moral one. What is the ultimate team effort. And that is you know cricket field position -- special teams with the fans creek turnovers that's what they're going to have to do it's. It's a manageable schedule it in that it's it's not. There's games that I think they're capable winning. They're there and there's no there's no gains that I would use a boy -- I feel very strongly that dated this is going to happen as I would. A week ago but I think that there are some games that they still can win it's it's a whole different ballgame -- but -- have to look at -- that. It kind of brings a couple of teams and in that division in back to the plate. I mean tenants -- is a music Corey record. And probably is gonna win the division in -- it's -- of -- it's going to be difficult foreman no question about are they out of the superpowers or I think so I'm not -- see how I mean. The only way that it comes into that is if everybody else continues to have -- we still haven't. Right now -- you know Peyton Manning and and Indianapolis Colts team that they're not. They're not there yet you know get Chargers were mean you don't know what's going to happen to LT or anybody else. You know Steelers are good team but -- Big -- goes down on and it's a long season you don't. We'd we didn't anticipate necessarily that that last week it would be talked about -- my day with Tom Brady so unless things kind of come back to the -- I don't I don't see -- I don't see. Is many things are lining that would need to line for the Patriots to be a Super Bowl and now you're the -- quarters Josh mcdaniels would you do going well I think what you have to do is you sit down with Dan Matt -- that is. And you focus on the things that he's culpable. He knows a system that's a big big plus. The route combinations as a receiver combinations that he's most comfortable with what formations. All of those things that has comfort level win at. That's what you want to accentuate things that he doesn't do as well or he's not as comfortable with you want to steer away from. In in that that's extremely important you've got to be able to get -- he saw a little bit of that with what Mike McCarthy did it with Aaron Rodgers last night you've got to do. A lot that -- mean. You hear the comments that just says that well. They ran the scene opens in -- in the same ways proposed and it's that's what you say as a coach to instill confidence night -- it was certainly different no question about it. And I think you have to look at it. In such away that. You've got to call the game differently. In the sense that what ease he -- the way then that's no different -- You know what you've got to rundown linebacker in the game versus the pass coverage -- that you've got to be able do that so that's what I'll focus in on -- and -- you've got to give them the running game established you've got to throw more. In my opinion on early downs out of Ron formations. What you get some coverage matchups that are a little bit easier -- to make -- not not evident that stick thrills. In coverage that's going to be a little bit more difficult for him to make of the balls numbered.

You know when you're scout lots of coaches and general managers asked you to project. Now when you look at Matt Cassel what is the high end for him what is your feeling what do you see there.

Well you know it was really. In in known bill of work with bill and still don't a lot of work in the league with with and then in a lot of beat by -- I thought it was it was a real region in terms that he had a lot double B natural ability but we're talking about bad it's. Not started a meaningful game since -- escalates. You know as a back up now again Brad Johnson was back up at Florida State back when they had a nice run of -- the quarterbacks. It is no no. -- Nolan it's what's in being a backup to Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer. But that just doesn't have a lot of experts when he does it has its eyes that's what they liked about they'd like the physical attributes that they also like the fact that. He has good worker he worked hard practice in the rain scout team that you see all those intangibles were good. And so I think that that they just kind of need this is that dilate that they wanted to see if they can develop a pink. Obviously if there's one area that if they could do over in probably would be. You know having a better another option number two in K state right now it's clearly Matt Cassel -- there's. That if -- think it will bring in somebody else and we're talking about at least a two to -- week. Process of picking up the system so this is Matt Cassel steam for the short term -- but if it doesn't work out then that you really don't have an option that you can turn to and they probably they -- do that over the they they would.

I've money on that and now Kristi did you work with bill in Cleveland yes it is okay so it Sosa you know him. Pretty well does that surprise you that he would go through the offseason. Not now necessarily -- for what she said he catches on a quarterback off the -- them play but does that surprise you that in February and march when there were options available that. He can't do more to beef up that depth chart.

Well it it it's not surprising because I know -- is to get in Panama we -- a lot of -- Christians you know long before you know. None had any sort of injury issues at all. It's just getting a deal done and would a team news you know wants for certain player in which you're willing to give up and you know how important draft picks -- all of those things make it a little bit more difficult but it's your question yes I think it is dangerous. We knew all our. Team my New England that are beat -- quite frankly your team like Indianapolis and you or. You have to make a decision all right he can Jim Sorgi you know hang on long enough to Matt Cassel playing on long enough that they took warp five week period. I can you still be competitive for an entire season like the Patriots are now faced with with him that those are questions -- ask obviously. They felt strong enough. That he possibly could but I think that the the inability of getting a more veteran back up that did come in and LP here's the thing they just couldn't shake one away and I think their ideas well. You know we -- two for three or four week period. Will sign you know 45 year old Vinny Testaverde unique and he can handle for 23 weeks if we active. I think that's that's the way they approach that the way the Colts have approached it. But I think it is dangerous when you don't have a number two that is a got significant experience starting in the league. And as some familiarity with which you do offensively. To satanic -- probably even more dangerous for team Mike Green Bay. Because then Roger struggles and then -- you go you've you've got two rookies. You know it it it it puts a lot. On a position that's already. You know so much is is expected of -- any.

We talking a lot about Matt Cassel there's another quarterback that the Patriots. We have invested something in the they write up a first day draft pick on Kevin O'Connell yes what did you see from him at San Diego State and know what what do you see for him going forward.

Like -- a lot and he's got a lot of ability. I think he has got the ability of throw the ball accurately which is the most important physical attribute you look for an quarterback he's got some. Ability to slide and find the throwing -- that the speed he's got a good on. But again in the Saints into it he's not race I mean he is he was a good pick -- development -- point 23 years down the road. He could be that guy that it could be a rule quality. Number two may be maybe not may -- bit better than that Kassebaum rope right now. Which you don't have these you don't have that experience -- you don't have someone with starting experience. And that's why happened they're going to make a move. To bring somebody in with some -- experience and then. And then they'll try to work with them to give him up to speed because here's the -- that also have to look at your one play away from. Turn and capital on all are Christians are timber to you know. It gives you your you and Matt Cassel situation where you -- one play away from going down himself so you always have to. To look at it so did you question. Michael Bowen back to it for a team that probably does as good -- job as any. At read war and their roster from the bottom up. -- not have more experience as a backup is is surprising. But yet I understand how difficult it is but you gotta have somebody particularly a team that's really good. That is capable. Of staying in the race at the starting quarterback goes up for a few weeks are at least being competitive in this case that the quarterbacks confident -- Of those my feelings exactly that on the defense chorus. Of scouting report wouldn't think. The pats have a chance to be really good on that side of the ball what would be your question -- well. First of -- I think. Even though people say a lot of good things people will say enough. About their front I -- their their front -- outstanding Wilfork -- space eater that can. You know in a two gap scheme and control the run -- get that pushed. Up the middle over the past Ty Warren it is probably the least talked about a outstanding. In in this league particularly in 34 scheme and in panic everybody is aware of how gutsy more so that's where it starts from me. They're able to create a lot of -- deeper. Blocking schemes up front. They've got. Better combination of youth mixed in at linebacker we know that they been very cerebral very physical. And Dave Duke berg -- job positioning their linebackers. Well on their scheme but they're getting a little more you -- you saw like that. They feel really good job always have mixing and matching their corners. You know when when there really may not have outstanding guys but I think that the that is an area that you can exploit. If you get an opportunity in your patient enough I keep in you can have some success against that secondary. But it's team you do it Q can you work yourself -- a position where you can take advantage -- that they mix up their zone. Coverages well enough where they disguise it that the calls a little bit about hesitation mentally. -- even though you might have a physical advantage at times you're not able take advantage of it because mentally they position themselves well and how much time do you have. To make those adjustments. With the -- does much pressures they're able to get up front. With three informant pressures and when -- five their they're very very difficult. Because they are very very exotic with where they come with that fifth and sixth guy when he occasionally do it's very real hard for protection to pick up those.

A couple more questions before you before we let you go number one. You have the Patriots still winning the AFC east.

You know I. I think Buffalo's got a big team and to really do I haven't I mean I still think they've got a -- get a look at new England and you know I think. To me they look like they've already got one win in in the back so that's that's one thing that. -- nine in the mean I just don't -- I see that as well Buffalo is I think it's really -- ever we think Buffalo's between the Jets are not there yet. But I it's even more in their way into it obviously this is a big week. For that reason I mean anytime you can win the division I think for New England or the Jets who are able and that team. Certainly is going to be -- but I think it's a toss -- bombing in ours obviously a week ago I thought they were you know clear favorite probably two game favorite. Over Buffalo on the Jets guy you know being an all their camps. I thought Buffalo on the Jets are going to be improved this year shot but they were making some strides anyway. To kind of get a little bit closer but fastball that was still a gap now I think -- gap obviously has been reduced in. And I determined and dependable on the health of the those two teams as to whether they can take the division.

And Chris final question now we know you also do some college football worked frame of the week. A game of the year may be in the regular season Ohio State USC who do you see when that game.

Well -- sixteen pro prospects it's going to place it's is that got a lot of guys do like USC they play extremely well home. Mark Sanchez is playing extremely well at quarterback. They've got a lot of play makers now offensively. They're starting to get some of their receivers to step up and make plays that got a freshman tied and that's outstanding and often to my and it's good that defensively. They're released out I think Ohio State's going to play a lot better than people think. I think they're going to be early physical I think they Yves beanie wells can plate any degree I think they're going to -- run the football. Well but I I just I -- favor yhency -- personnel wise these two of the top five programs in the country but it USC particularly at home in big games. Have been more successful at two I would give them in the event you can apologize the next -- to say -- it -- it -- shock me -- well to touchdowns maybe that's Connecticut had three points -- they -- act it would shock me at all I really think that people. I think -- states taken a beating necessary they've been consistently good. And you can't be greatly if -- consistently and I distinctive UC's you know that.

Chris we look forward to talking to you every Tuesday during football season.

Hey I am looking forward to as well up great it is an honor to be on with you guys in the four to next week.

thanks Chris thank you that's Chris Landry. Marcus Landry is done everything football pretty much and he's gonna scout. -- with the Browns the Oilers slash Titans. He's -- a coach I coached in the SEC.