Cris Collinsworth

Welcome back Dennis and Callahan on a Patriots Friday joining us on the phone lines one of the yeah. All to stone and certainly one of the most busy people covering the National Football League these days from NBC the NFL network and inside the NFL. Chris Collins -- good morning Chris how Loria.

Surge -- and a -- got. Some sort of like it was going to be an exciting isn't my time you're around the World Series -- group. Start the NBA did to other NFL. -- up NFL network games on baggage into all of you the ball well.

Does the NFL seasons -- a whole different view as an overview -- it the doesn't seem to be -- except -- the Titans obviously a dominating team you look what the Patriots are trying to put together the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers certainly injuries play into that but it doesn't seem like there's one great. I panicked excused upon a team of the National Football League fair to say.

I'm very -- and it happened on opening day when Tom Brady got hurt you know go but the idea is that gators lose. Sort of redemption. Kind of minded team coming off of that almost perfect season for post season ago. And then Tom Brady went down and be -- would be felt different to me that it was just. One moment and and it was it was incredible troops to see how it changed everything and I'll be perfectly honest in my mind I began to write off the Patriots a little bit. And but it's it's still pretty magical watching how they been able to integrate Matt Cassel and sort of slowly bring him along and I noticed quarterback rating wasn't that good a week ago but I went back Watson tape on the Damon. Even with two interceptions I didn't think were his all but but he made good decisions he's looking to respect our receivers now on and and making plays early it's almost remarkable for a guy that did have them play and what they've been a starter college.

And then and we this week we get to see him go against Peyton Manning and thickened the Colts are three and four and could be easily in two and five or even worse. They didn't lose their quarterback and those that Pro Bowl pro bowler every year we kind of way the Patriots against the Colts in the Colts against the Patriots. Patriots have a good excuse to lose and then dollars and the Colts on the other hand what's their excuse.

You know why should they have had some injuries obviously. I think the way they came into this season probably more than Peyton Manning didn't have a time to work and do all the things he typically. Marvin Harrison wasn't quite -- sports cities and saw on tape on him he just wasn't wanting they've got. Joseph -- but it it's it's obviously that goes deeper things than the right now and that I look at this game that's going to be on Sunday night. And then obviously. You begin to begin -- Vincent a chance. For the Patriots and not one of the main contenders now and I still consider the Colts to be one of those main contenders especially in light of the fact that we've seen over the last couple years the Giants come from the six cities and seeing those Pittsburgh Steelers come October succeeded. In won a Super Bowls with judging -- and knock out -- you like the Colts. You have to take advantage of it but for Matt Cassel. This is one of those -- interest in games that it will be a lot of people will be starting that's what. How does he handle this sort of play off atmosphere there's bust went for the Colts and I think they're finished it was this game. In the -- out of the -- when he goes into this type of environment and stare across the field and there's Peyton Manning and -- he's sort of lost all the close to this point that you really haven't had that sort of big Ewing team. As of yet on the bloated and this is going to be pretty telling I don't know how they'll come out of this slump. But at the very least there's going to be a major step in his development.

You know Chris called worth Matt Cassell told us earlier in the week that the thing he like most about their last victory was they came from behind something they hadn't done before and suddenly all good quarterbacks if they're going to lead their teams you know into the playoffs -- deep into the playoffs at some point. Pass to do he was are pleased that I'm wondering in your mind. How important is obviously. Quarterback confidence in himself but more to the point eight team's confidence in that particular quarterback because that I -- was a work in progress as well as the other ten guys look in his eyes in the huddle.

Well I I think I conceded in the eyes of Randy Moss. You know that the first couple weeks that'd back Cassel was out there and obviously Belichick was very protective problem and in what he was trying to do and and what the good a lot of group although on the field a lot of -- shortstop. -- you go blows me you know he won't be that Jean guy that you could see a little bit of frustration built and I linebacker what some of the tapes and there are four times in that first resort game that there are Cassel played. Lysol hold up -- you know hold up and the Terry just won't work Cabrera -- season ago when there just aren't up and yeah and give it lost a chance to make the play. And obviously -- capsule wasn't. That got port where you were ready to do that. But lately hitters -- confidence that we've seen out of Matt council that we didn't see early on. And in the eyes of or -- boss. You're seeing a C and excitement to play the game again -- maybe it was for Denver game on Sunday night for -- a few weeks ago worked. He was -- and -- touchdown passes and getting involved -- making plays and capsule two -- three touchdowns and and it just it started to feel a little bit different and and I would look pretty good -- hamstring last week so. You know I -- very excited about the chances -- Patriots being able to make -- the AFC so damn well in -- like San Diego and and Jacksonville and Indianapolis. And they are not being their typical -- of this sport you begin to think. After the Patriots still have a chance to -- Super Bowl despite Tom Brady not been better -- would be are truly truly remarkable story.

Chris on the subject of accomplish quarterback in general manager in your picking out one quarterback to start your team. Would -- be Eli Peyton.

At this point it probably -- you -- younger and it and how about you guys get a chance to watch like gamer against the Steelers last week but it. -- guys that we normally do these seem like now he can make the big plays to win the game. Like we saw Super Bowl obviously in some of the playoff games at the end of last week. But he also now seems like one of those old Grizzlies veteran Charlie guys and knows -- not screw up okay do. Don't you play the Pittsburg Steelers and they're going to bang your running game they're going to that the quarterback. We're going to force turnovers and that's probably where. What a night game Eli didn't take a -- Credit the offensive line but also credited -- and he didn't throw an interception. And actually won the game you flip it over and they and Roethlisberger was sacked five times reporters options. It quite simply the two quarterbacks were the difference in the game so. For me right now I think but he -- as news for our worries that switches and Lipton and needs to direct.

And then Peyton on the other hand looks like you know and some games on some Sundays looks like Eli used to looking throes of baker. Or two every week and he throws some really. Questionable balls is that him still coming back from the need or is that a a function of hello Marvin Harrison's comin' -- what do you attribute that to Izzy -- perhaps. On the downside.

Well I think you have to remember how this cold stream virtually bill and -- built around. Playing with the lead. In the one game that we saw them play with the lead this year since Baltimore reward but no regret pass rusher or you know after the quarterback and you know where they really get in trouble is when they're -- can play a patient game and -- the Colts aren't scoring offensively. Now we're forced to eat sensibly care about there and lineup Clippers very small B prince of fraud. And linebacker corps and try and stop a lot of not palatable to do and that's what they really didn't trouble of course you know Patriots have all there. Injury problems that the running back position but there's still a -- that can come out and pound the ball what. What can't happen -- excellent for from the Patriots standpoint is. You can't let. The Colts are down and take a seven nothing lead. And now turn it into a shootout negate their -- all of a sudden now you get for. Bringing companies Robert Baptist coming off the edge and and now you got big problems for their quarterback crowded into all that. It turns into the -- it's interpreted or grind it out kinda games. They've got a great job of this.

Chris Sports Illustrated did that one of their peoples of NFL players. This week asked them which current NFL coach that most like to play for. Dungy was the choice overwhelmingly 46%. Wade Phillips was second and telecheck finished a distant third at 6%. You you've played in you've observed the league for a long time which if if you could play if you could play for one guy one active coach which -- would you go.

Well this is probably going to come as a great shock to a lot of people but. Like they are pure power play. And I think -- checkers program ended -- of the best chances of winning a Super Bowl and so. That would have been my choice I don't you -- discipline but. Anything else what battered and would've picked up the guys that I didn't hear the first chancellor and I think -- so I think that's what telecheck restored -- thing Jews rated. -- personalities. And you know we're in repertory kinda averages as such respected guy. But in that he would tumultuous.

Chris for years we've watched the robot -- check operate here in New England answer all the questions the same way not give away any information about absolutely anything not engage in in happy talk about football and we've seen him win and win and win some more. And I'm wondering in this day and age when he applies that kind of approach to the kind of success he's had. I'm wondering does the emotional nature of someone like Mike singletary have a chance to succeed in the NFL in this day and age where he calls out players were on his very first press conference is emotionally out of already this football team and that kind of you know blood and guts approach make it.

Not a long term I really don't think that it that it can have long term but in the short term remember that was his first game. And this is -- and sort of a lot of -- franchise now for quite some time and they have a powerful offensive coordinator. And Mike Martz. And their largest -- a lot of things that there just was never anybody really in control what -- think about what happened -- that and that and I -- little bit about this and there are some other guy is an -- part of barriers in the locker -- so -- like they were called -- one of the most popular guys on the team. Some guys thought he -- you know little big -- used to -- and -- sort of -- but he also heard all the -- a lot of Mike -- whose strings -- certain -- You know make and a quarterback changed chuck -- came in JT O'Sullivan clearly marches aren't. -- no more conservative sure turnovers. Less risky not a strong arm but -- conservative guy. And so in one week Jim and Mike singletary he's put his signature on that football to. And I -- like I think -- so what are you going to do I think you also are -- and backing off the next day. But without question now in one -- time singletary. It became -- what Autry and it's suited their big guys in the -- where. That's we look around go -- I don't want to be the next one blown off the field I'd get I think it was an effective first we move. I did it. I don't think it to work every -- I don't and I don't think you'll see Mike singletary.

My favorite now most telling stat was I think Peter king and a thirty. JT O'Sullivan was sacked 32 times. That's 31 more than Kerry Collins and and Tennessee Kerry -- been sacked once.

And don't forget the same thing happened and short as well I mean it's a little bit of bite marks senior minister of ways. To do that you can either try and send five receivers out all the time and what the quarterback Rick Reed and that's great you know Kurt Warner and there are workers quick decision making in. Your although high flying weapons outlook Graham since may be a different -- played good good hitters ever circular. Were reluctant to go -- there right now so their quarterback you're gonna get hit but I wonder that doesn't change a little that was and the character in a slate of like let. You want to coach here in if you do we're going to do this we're going to start protectionist I would barker turned the ball over we've got a good be good. I'm Patrick Willis -- great player -- secondary looked well some games on the decent side of the ball like we used to do in Chicago that that they will be.

Chris Matty Ryan and an Atlanta has been called the -- the mid season rookie of the year and I'm wondering does it get. Easier or harder for him in the second half is is he taken people by surprise and disease. Just pan out their play in the game and does he start thinking now or do you think it gets easier because he's learned a little bit about the NFL.

Well rushers starts to build a little -- for sure but I was really impressed unions. He went into Philadelphia which I think it blows up as places to trying to get away and and played really well -- you know he hadn't love that he was perfect by any means. That they were in the game but for bad call by officials. What great volatile ballclub. They're going to have the ball where you know -- minutes or so ago and games to have a chance occurred around and and scored charged an Olympic Games so. I went partial about I rodeo but I think Mike Malarkey not a good job at the offensive coordinator better by X -- Theory they're probably the first little about the dog that we at a pre season perhaps call within BC. Arrested guys -- will not embarrass themselves as your third discipline. -- baker came in the last act like these are now but. Made a good move Michael -- it was a great error free agent pick up. I have been able takes some pressure off about that now comply. You know I mean he loads you know what he's still an out there have been a --

Chris Boomer Esiason as a guest with us every Monday we've asked him this question before -- incumbent Michael -- Broadway. What's happening in Cincinnati bother you hurt you or are you. Far enough removed from the situation where -- really have much effect on you.

You know it. In Cincinnati try to go to the the full range of emotions -- start off and -- frustrated in your bad and did you believe it's happening again and talk in this city and did he -- it to the player or you start to get a little different and then as they approached the possibility of losing every single game restart on. All of it could be candidate. -- I actually and our group Albert was the Cardinals might be. More irritating it more interest during the course -- it -- toward the ball and already we're starting the series some -- columnist from archers. Talking about that possibility and so we're we're we're just social value of interest. I doubt they continue to word games and Jeter's ball out of Wallace's but walker also culture whatever. It was all. They're good for extra beer party interest that situation.

The fact of the matter is that let -- get harder for them because they're not going to sneak up on anybody teams are now looking at them and say listen we don't want to be the ones to lose the bank --

That's exactly right and then they have that Titanic struggle at the end of the year against her kittens strategy. Probably could determine or so ago and surge they've hindered -- about -- so. A lot of room did -- opening include that as we go longer.

If you're broadcaster you go outside of that Bengals Chiefs game the other season you know that your -- your -- star is probably not on the rise that year.

Well a lot of it has started as I want called -- and doing what between the angles and the Patriots. For the number one draft. And you'd be on the pregame show they I have exactly six seconds to promote it. That's well alluded to that's wonder about blood -- a fact that you're by. A power aren't aren't all male pattern. I got it started to do a little bit better --

Day before we let you go well we had to shed your compass -- NFL mobile live -- about Chris.

You know restaurant figure course I'm I'm -- games and Bob -- on now on the NFL network or for the first time ever. Have -- but a lot of them stretch and all for the chance to watch games on the cellphone while. You know hundred for those of Russert grew up an era where there. We're themselves well -- side of the car battery and heard about that guy on second -- now market pagers cell phone work and watch a football game live it's pretty amazing we -- great games of course the Patriots Jets game coming up. On November 13 slow a lot of reason to go by as workload and in the people doing.

Until everybody can check that out once Britain dot com slash NFL all the details are right there available on line. Chris thanks you're much of the time Chris Caldwell from MB CN FL network get inside the NFL with -- you down the road Chris thanks. --