9-16-08 Chris Landry, Fox Sports

Every Tuesday at this time week yet. Our insights. From fox radio's NFL inside are also on a college football as well Chris Landry joins us Chris tight I am doing correct areas. We're doing our writers don't well last time we talked and said be prepared to apologize. To me for picking. USC over Ohio State so. I'm apologize to you are -- move on. As a fifth it was it was slightly. Exceed a separation between it is no kidding how many you know Brett -- kept saying. Lots of first round picks in this game in your opinion how many first round pick between things well you don't much seniors are underclassmen. Let's include juniors Q well now you've probably got a.

You've got about eight guys with a shot you know we need -- all comes up there's about. They're seeing on that -- about seventeen guys will be drafted. You know in this coming draft for next bit depending upon how many juniors come on some some but. It's it's probably. And that sweep we have the senior bowl matchup Oklahoma USC possibly I can't think of a matchup that's going to put more pro prospects on the one -- I heard one analysts say that this might be the best team Pete Carroll's ever had USC and you think about some of the teams he's had you agree that. I think it's certainly a possibility now you know I think it's it's been set a couple of times. And if you look at it. You know this is which you never know when injuries take place to keep kind of affect little bit but I think from a talent standpoint it's the best line making corn country. It's a great defensive line -- in front of the holes to simply outstanding put very pressure they've got safeties that are linebackers Isaak and Ron. I think you can -- the you have speed on the outside and you can have time to do some damage which is very difficult. I that you can get to their corners are little but again can you do it do you have enough kinda. For those -- progression to take place that that's a big brown offensively. They're young on the offensive line but their good technique sound lots of talent young talented young guys loaded at running back. And the receivers are starting to -- up a step up now there's a little bit of a gap that tied him from the senior group but the freshman there houses of really outstanding player. There's no real weakness on this team over the may be. That's that you can get to -- quarters if you have enough time to do so I think it probably is I don't think there's anybody in the packed in the can beat him. But I have to be honest with you guys you know if if we're doing this way should this time -- no way out good forecast at Stanford beating yhency. All our Oregon State or UCLA beating -- all what is and what's happened in the past two years so I think the best the biggest opponent for USC USC the rest --

Let's bring it back to the NFL Chris. Was there any saying that you saw on Sunday in the meadowlands. That surprised you as particularly on the offensive side the Patriots -- he.

No I say -- he was efficient you know on the and it wasn't that hey lets you go lot nature team now you go run it and beat Tom Brady that we knew that that's not. The formula. He was very efficient and that's Ellis surprised but I eight I was very impressed. With the poise. That he handled himself with the mistakes that he avoided. You know -- half we was going right to -- down. I expected -- it was going to be more emphasis on the running game more emphasis on the check downs. And -- backs out of backs Dillon and and that's that was pretty much deformed defensively. To simply outstanding again Ian deep into pressures this is -- how they're going to try to win games I think. What you will see in maybe there's there's something that's going to be at the gravitational -- you see them particularly in the red zone. Jim go to Randy Moss a little bit more they were some opportunities where they could've gone balls just look at the coaching tape. But again it was more important. For him and for them to say let's build the -- out. Let's we don't need to win it with big plays we just need to avoid the negative plays and then that that does certainly worked I guess. If I would say something surprising me a little is I don't think the Jets played very crisp very sharp I don't think they offensively. Let it loose like maybe they could have. -- a bit surprised defensively. That they didn't do a little what as effective with their blitz package. Is up but they they could've been so maybe the surprise little bit more on the Jets and and in the --

Or we talk last week Chris I ask you if you thought the Patriots without Tom Brady. Could get to the Super Bowl win -- agent thinks about Bristol what you're seeing right Patriots do so far end from other teams in the league are going to stick with that opinion.

But you know many sweet too I mean it's to me more important you know may -- week twelve as we see this team -- I don't know who's gone through so that that'll take you right now that I'm not I don't have a strong feeling. Either way about anybody right now I still feel like you've got in Pittsburgh got some issues but they are I still prefer. A team likening the or Pittsburgh right now because I know. A little bit problem but more comfortable obviously with the quarterback situation and I think that's a big factor but. I wouldn't rule anything out I mean I think certainly. Because there's not a dominant -- team in the AFC. I think the Patriots are in the conversation. -- be there will be more report of the conversation and -- at least in my mind towards entities -- would rule him out but. I wouldn't I mean I I like Buffalo I think Buffalo's going to stay with knowing went for most of the year points. Key injuries I think that's a really solid team.

We're talking to Chris Landry now our NFL insider. Chris sub them thinking back on the situation I'm not trying to compare the players but just the situations. Tom Brady. You know it was kind of a game manager when he first yet -- into the into the lineup replacing Drew Bledsoe. Do you expect that that they will take more and more of the shackles off Matt Cassel in other words the Matt -- gate isn't going to be the guy we saw on Sunday.

I think you're right I think it may be in slow increments not -- going to be. Really all that noticeable but a little bit yes I think it. Panel put the accelerator on the pedal and you know you're not going from forty to eighty which are going from forty to 45 and so and so what.

I think that's what you gradually see with the.

And -- say this state that there's a reason why they liked him and and because he you know he didn't play starting college. You know the guys that really -- physical skills and he has got the ability and the presence of bottom. That is very much in the work ethic it's very much similar to lose the Tom bradys the Matt Ryan's that guy that really love the game. Peyton Manning's. So those are good positive qualities and it and he's probably -- as the better arm than when Tom came out. And in panicky he's got better foot quickness movement skills and been the dominant team that's ahead. You know I think it'll it'll be a war of progress in its like dating -- people's ways they're going to have a different game not a not an avid.

They're there's a different game plan from week to week depending on their plane. But they've they've got. An offense that he has to understand completely.

But what they're going to do is emphasize that things that are going to war. Depending upon the deep into the plan that week in at the top level that he has and they haven't him. On executing -- that certain things want to become more comfortable. Then you know he moves on just like you guys you guys could talk about anything sports related you might be more focused on. And a fellow baseball today but if something happened but the Bruins -- the Celtics.

You know you can handle that well that's that's what they want they want to make sure that he can do everything in the office and then.

You know so that week to week as at the offense will adjust to the opponent.

He develops that call level and being able handle everything and that is just a process that -- short change it just takes time to time for Tommy.

You know picked up from Chris from a scouts' perspectives are their throws Brady can make that Matt Cassel can't make right now now. And he -- well I mean I think that.

Tom has a little more accurate I think it is technique is you know developed and become a lot more sound.

Which because of you throw what few feet in and that's where you become accurate that's where you velocity comes from.

Matt can make every throw that Mac in that that Tom can make what he's not as accurate at this point consistently.

He can throw the football spots no question about it but the differences. He is not as consistent with his footwork -- is going to come with time and that's why sometimes balls are not quite. You know towards the front side shoulder maybe it's it -- such -- in the numbers little things like that people will probably come what is. He is a worker he loves the game and anytime you have a dad that is a mentor that is someone that is you can look up to that is worked as artist Tom Brady says that you know --

When asked about another quarterback who's been in the news this week. When asked about his quarterbacking not his personal life Vince Young when he came out Chris. Where you high on him did you think he could be. All of professional quarterback or is or is that just a guy who was great in college and is is not going to transition to the NFL.

I did I what not was not as high on him because I think this is a path is passing league in I didn't think it was a great -- now. What I do think Hughes. In that body was was that dynamic playmaker that can be very very effective I I drafted Steve McNair. And it was a major project but Steve had better passing skills and -- and you know I think it took a lot of transition him. What's happening college you've had a lot in the zone read in a shotgun system it's a major transition was seen it -- Alex Smith. So with Vince Young. Number of other guys will see it with Tim Tebow. It's a tough transition different regional you're not coming from behind center in reading coverages. Hearing the defensive and seeing whether a guy pitches or not and then you're determining whether he's going to keep a run. That ought throw the football off the option in that's a different dynamic. It's our federal concerns about it I'd like. But Jay Cutler a lot. I. Had a nice grade on Matt liners and I still put meant like can be a good player I am not ready to give up on -- on what you have to understand is which again. He's a guy that's going to make you had to keep him on a move. Make plays. As a role lot faster and allow him to make big plays on third downs when he when he passed it with his feet. If you try to make in my pocket passer I don't think it'll ever be precise enough passer. -- Be a productive quarterback in a passively likenesses does Matt -- take things seriously enough to be an NFL quarterback. I don't know the he does. As he has taken it is serious. Is I thought he would he was very studious in terms of studying football and college. Yes he did have a little Hollywood -- what team in in you see those guys you know a lot of the detonated a big. Big guys on campus big guys in town if you will football wise and but he still managed to show some maturity -- I know the first year it is no he didn't and but I think team -- started negated this past offseason. But it's again a war of progress of people say well he's -- strong enough formal. Seattle more about that as much. Because you can get strong. I mean I think people people forget you'd get in the weight program negate it or body strong negate your upper body stronger you'd can be you can develop more velocity on the ball. I'm more concerned about how much passion does that guy have for the game. Those are the ones that become great so I liners only variable is I think he does -- to gain. More seriously -- as in I think you'll -- what did it eventually. But I don't nobody you'll ever have the passion that the Manning's in the Brady's in the people like that do which is a big concern I have about Jamarcus Russell. It's somewhat of concern that I have but Vince Young although. I really thought Vince was more more of an issue with. You know obviously more than issue with the emotional situation that it think he takes games usually perhaps. Maybe too seriously or is a little bit out of whack in terms of how he -- other people's opinion has the balls to the people that truly matter in in his. And uses you know let's go to.

Chris of the Colts and Jaguars play this week both have. Major injuries on the offensive line -- more trouble.

The jags are more trouble right now because they have to they can only win one way they're physical pounding him out that the team. And with the two starting offensive -- out. They're not able to control the line of scrimmage liked it so now. The putting to gain in David brought it and finished you know and -- throw it more they're they're they're behind to their play from behind while. That's what David guards you know thrown more interceptions this year the need you know last year right at the but same amount. Well that's not what they did that's not what they want to do so they've got to stay committed to the running game. Which need to puts a lot more pressure in the deep it as a defense has to get the ball back forming good field position to keep it behind fourteen points or else. You know second half but the game plans out the window they're not going to win games coming from behind they're going to win the with controlling the ball in running the football that's a concern I think the Colts are you could see that against Minnesota date the Minnesota ran the football and control the line of scrimmage in the run game but they didn't -- give up scores in the red zone and eventually they just took over the game. You can do some things in pass protection. He'd get rid of the ball Welker rolling. Into week rolling away from your weakest blocker to cannot -- and passed. Protection he should get on the football. --

With Peyton Manning's. Early season troubles and then and the and the offseason that he had. That offense looks totally different they can't run that stretch play that he has been so great that. They've gone to that toss play in teams have smell bad out is it going to be along year offensively for Manning and the Colts.

I don't think it's -- which as we see -- we've seen earlier it's not going to be as explosive on offense but I think the biggest issue is. You know with the with the offense line is affecting the running. I think that'll get better I think you'll see the stretch play back once again it. Some injured guys back that's a big Puerto. But in -- you're seeing is the adjustments that are made. As a result of not being able -- football's well in that war. The good thing about really teams that are dynamic passing team does they can work the short passing game is an extension. But the running game but I think that running game will be a little better will they be as explosive and dynamic is they had been. Not don't think so I think -- you know -- completely healthy -- it's going to be difficult but. One thing I saw in particular in the second half against Minnesota on papers is you know Peyton may not be a 100%. But the teacher called upon all his resources and he he basically bailed him out of nineteen got -- oh win.

Chris if your name word DeSean Jackson how long would -- not Gordon showed your face in public if -- while.

I mean -- you know he's and he's done that a couple times in college he does data. And then you've got did it in the end zone and whatever I'm not a big celebration back. The -- you absolutely have to get in the end zone and the you know you just there's no excuses it. Absolutely no excuse -- something. That. You know he will get you'll get ready before he would get the admonished for. And I would say that it better not happen again for for his efforts helped.

Chris Ecuador probably won't happen again any -- won't let it happen Donovan McNabb took a touchdown away from Donovan McNabb.

It's right where I mean you just you know Europe Rhode Island and I actually going to Europe professional. -- you want to do you staff and and have fun that's great if the bosnians you cost yourself an interception. You know and and and you know that that plays.

Final question from me only two teams can make the playoffs the Patriots won a Super Bowl laughter and -- to start. Are the San Diego Chargers and -- to team that can still make the playoffs.

Absolutely because you look at that division it's a two team race Denver's good Denver's got a leg up with that win. Boy you know Denver defensively. You still have to wonder about it I hadn't seen the eagles' deep -- which is struggling. It's got better person now I expect him to be back in it and I'm not saying they're going to win it but I think they've got a great chance. No question about it.

Chris laundries website is called rivals pro dot com he's a veteran NFL scout he's worked for the Browns in the Oilers from the Titans. And worked -- Bill Belichick at one point as well you can -- nationally on fox Sports Radio. We're very happy that he will be one of our NFL insiders all season long Chris would appreciate it. It states enjoy the rest of the league guys like respect -- Chris Landry joining us says he will every Tuesday.