Peter King, SI/NBC Sports

All season we've talked to -- the National Football League from Sports Illustrated SI dot com. Everything is brought to you by Fred seat church insurance because it's not just the policy. It's the people Peter King is joining us on the eighteenth -- hotline AT&T your world delivered hello Peter. -- What's up -- you do it today.

Great thanks my my partner over here. Came up with a huge scope I don't know if we're going to be able -- actually be telling you -- you don't and I doubt that I I doubt that -- it's not a huge Dupree of exaggerating here. I mean actor that you you've got a cast of thousands going to Tampa this week in and part of the whole. -- next week I know we added Tony Dungy and and Mike Holmgren and all lap and Bill Belichick will be party or pregame show next week.

Is that right.

But budget. Or you'll be out he'll be breaking down defenses. Both teams with Chris Collins work. It's to be pretty interesting when -- Exactly as I said dale when he wants to play the game politic I'm talking about once. Give you some knowledge. He's he's he's one of the best in the business and -- when he wants to.

Yeah I I noticed when I was over at the at the Patriots Hall of Fame and Patriot place. That they've got. They've got a very educational Belichick. Who does a lot of video stuff when you we -- talk about the certain plays that you want to run kind of of educational football deal. And he's a good teacher you know which I think all the guys -- form. And played form understand that maybe people on the outside don't really now.

And as you know you did the he did a great story. What was that you went to bat and Annapolis was not up.

I think to 2000. Three after they won their second.

Yeah and and as you know -- everybody talked about his late father Stephen and what influence he was on them while his mother. Was brilliant teacher fascinating lady you know this. Knows. Six or seven languages. And I think he. She had a pretty heavy impact on too good to be a good coach you gotta be a good teacher and and she's a great teacher.

Yeah I think one of the great things about about his mom is that to get very very involved in is. -- light and when he whatever book to read the school yet to read George Orwell 1984. She would read -- along with them and a lot of times they were alone together. In the house because of the you know obviously the nature being a football coach a lot of times football coaches -- home in the afternoon and had dinner. But he obviously strip education -- barrier early and in the air Howell in Annapolis seen -- You know the bookshelves. Even seen in -- room. You know how important books were like I think it was a agreed to waited in the he was able do -- that he was able to view the his collection of football books for his the Naval Academy. Obviously book learning teaching the party is like.

We talked at the end of the regular season about the offseason coaching carousel and how many jobs could be up for grabs in this off season. I'm guessing at least one or two of them had no surprise you did gruden surprised --

wouldn't surprise me. But you know group in training camp obviously surprised you but. Remember it is toward the end of the year we're talking about this and I had you know and it's well. Wouldn't surprise view and even. What happens every year as you go down with. Every year you'd say well you know only going to be eight because you're the ones that nobody else is going to change it every year. He hit the end of the season. And owner apples and in this case Malcolm Glazer. Does suck but not about expect we all thought the Boland and it would be married for life. We all thought that. They even though he had one play up game six years. But they are and so that happens every year at this time and so even though it surprised when those individual things happen. I think you'd have to grow do not being real surprise about that stuff. We need every NFL.

You know Peter here's something that we do expect weeks backed. Herm Edwards to be fired but he hasn't been fired yet. What what's your best to read her best guess. On what's going on in Kansas City with Scott pioli Herm Edwards and perhaps the new coach.

Well my best guess would be pretty simple on that is that. That is that I think. Scott pioli -- a little bit hesitant right now I think clearly when he got rid of them are coming back everyone got their cutting in throws. The lead. And ask for leave to go coach which. -- old friend in -- in Detroit. When he did that what what they'll know what what I think that pioli. Felt was okay it was. You know if I was definitely going to keep this coaching staff in. I would you know I wouldn't let them -- having him go you know I mean we've we're gonna return intact next year I'd I'd ever stay in. And all that but clearly. Because we let got they're cutting him though I think it's pretty queries enemy coaching. And the fact that he's not letting everybody else though -- right now I think it's pretty clear. That if you bring in a coach in this approach. Is familiar one for your organize all of that I'm what about their contracts. It doesn't really make a lot of sense to leave them. You know because they may be retained in the every year left on the contract so I think I think that would go about it. City I would expect. You know -- know I think he probably. Has made his decision. Herman Edwards. An and I don't I'd be honest I don't know what's holding up right now. But I do expect there to be changed in.

There are so -- some rumors out there probably originating in Pittsburgh. That the game a week from Sunday will be the final one of Dick -- career and at the at the age of 71 he's ready to retire. I've heard that do you believe it.

I've heard it. Nothing would surprise me on that front but I don't think it's the decision has been made right now. -- down -- them for quite awhile the other -- and they after. And he. Loves this job as much as he's ever -- up like. He -- his players told me that all all of these guys. You know name them all these guys they could play -- that they can -- that would air on the old line. You know late fifties early sixties. Because football is important adamantly lately and the the old guys -- so. I think he really likes it choppy lake where he is. Not hired. The only reason he would leave. It is because he's been doing it for -- the years and he has any other interest in life. He's. You'd. Watcher old movies love reading the -- is street book. Extraordinarily. Dedicated and still very close to 95 year old mother and one in Ohio. I could see into an awful lot of things at the guy who wants stunt double in movies for Michael -- in that. -- I forget the name but it wasn't anyone you'd ever heard of but he's he's a movie at all he'd get this guy. Is it is a classic kind of -- on and white thing is. Who I think would be comparable in or out of the game I can -- that. I don't think that the aid at all and that we'll see what happens after.

You know what I can't wait to hear your take on a guy who is emerging as he's already been a great receiver but. Possibly the best one in the game Larry Fitzgerald well what has been here. Interaction with Larry Fitzgerald -- whose father Irving -- that I'd love to hear some Larry Fitzgerald stories from.

Well I mean you know -- it was funny I spent this week last year. Sports Illustrated at -- it was story before the Super Bowl on what I viewed as the key element and the decisive. Factor. McCain and so like that in essence that if the Patriots. And block the giants' defensive front. If they can account for Justin -- in particular. For four quarters they were going to have any time. But if they didn't and it they put that it was going to be -- gain. The Patriots to win not that I thought the Patriots are going to win. Even at Giants Eddie sacks. But. Like that it was going to be really hard for them -- if they knew they couldn't figure out what the Giants gonna do. You know on their front and obviously that and relations it was a brilliant. Pieces by any means but anyway they asked me to do the same thing this -- and pick out -- factory in this game and I what I said was. I think it has everything to do with Larry Fitzgerald. And the fact that he is -- Three the secondary in a row. And Steelers if there's anything that you wonder about a near the recorders. Or who worked good NFL corners but they're not agree to rip the fences. I think they have all -- all -- buried -- under rated the the prize in Bryant Park. And then -- better obviously very good front seven so I think it comes down a lot the Larry Fitzgerald in this game that are that. I -- defensive backs currently plate Larry and I are these three coaches. Who played him and just try to get a view of what they view as very important in shutting him down and you know I know this for a fact the Steelers have basically cold -- BB. This guy's gonna make plays he makes plays every week we just don't want to make it you're like. Give them. The fifteen year in. -- in the -- air girl that's fine. Don't get many yards after that make them drive 1213 fourteen plays. The score and I think that's the way the Steelers and attack where it's here.

With the Anquan Bolden. The buckle from last weekend in the fact that he left the field early in left the locker room early really -- a sour taste in my mouth. I know he yesterday was saying it's no big deal it happens all the time I went back over the footage. And you can clearly see his offensive coordinator on three straight occasions say don't all means that. Don't call me back. It seems to me that that's a little more than happen to disagree with a coach on the sidelines.

Well let me just say -- elite. Has been at times in his career is not backed down from anybody and I thought some -- the other night on TV we have in the yapping Kurt Warner and Warner walking away. And up negative I talked -- about a bunch of things this week one of the things that we talked about the fact that. You know. Here here's the thing with that -- he's he'll take input from anybody and we -- in the heat -- battle with somebody -- and but I believe that Kurt Warner was it just. Trying to. -- of this situation by saying that this is something that I'd be too. Say but I've seen Kurt Warner and -- and go at it I I know why that is. Warner. Sometimes it -- added elite. For telling him before the bulk of its hero because is a release point is you've got great accuracy. It's hero -- kept the ball great in traffic. Little window for him needs to be -- the window for everybody else needs to be a window. So I think I think they've had their their that is but there's no question that this is got to be an awkward situation for one -- He was the best I would Fitzgerald walk in the door in now because of injuries -- because quite simply. -- better. You know Boldin is the second or third guy so you know I think it I think he'll manage it is and -- I think it the end of the season. You know the Cardinals can improve themselves. By treating him quadrupled in the might say they're not going -- improve themselves by doing it because they can probably either get a low water I -- war. And long term there ever actually going to be able satisfy so I think they'll move after the.

Do you think this is going to be a close game Peter.

Yet I think is going to be a great game. There's something that -- about it does the Pittsburgh don't have any answer or nobody had any answer for. Except -- a funny story. They beat the Cardinals. By -- red zone paid. This year the Larry Fitzgerald. Against the thing -- for him I think the Korean thing they're no good it's -- apparently that on. But they were -- five -- for five because. Ron -- Household name only in run mark held houseful. That 62 quarters it's one and I have sixty corner. You know just that if the guy although he's going to be a free agent probably will make -- little bit of money to competent core. But. He broke up these paid a couple of well on -- he broke them up. Fight very simply. You know playing through Larry Fitzgerald -- You know playing physically. Punching the ball out being physical with him in the end zone which I believe is actually the way -- Taylor's -- it's here. In this game. -- about 62. And he's one of the few corners in the week if match up the lineup expected here and it's not agree mr. So that. The big thing in this game in my opinion. The Steelers being physical with its hero the Steelers knock it off his -- a lot. And on the state and on the balls be. Very physical. Given on the kind of body shop that Asante Samuel should hit it David I read let Europe miracle at. That Rodney Harrison gave him from one side and yet at the aerial component of that type read every -- culpable. If not it doesn't just pull up. Then that. That would ever been -- I believe the Patriots won their fourth Super Bowl. But having said all that that. Is the way I believe that Dick LeBeau is telling the Steelers play this week you know we've got to be physical. And we've got to make it shorter throws up along.

A petered out and on Boston can't say anything negative about Asante Samuel is the greatest thing ever -- It's a different he's the reason the Patriots and make the playoffs this year you know.

India but I think Samuel is a very good player I like him. But the fact is there's more to this game then covering guys great. And making an exception. You know I think that if you're going to play especially in Bill Belichick the you gotta be more physical. The same goal and again your foolish to say they're better off without of their not they miss them. But I think is an all around corner he leaves a lot to be desired.

Speaking of physical play. In your opinion as Ryan Clarke a good hard nosed football players he had dirty player.

Now I don't these dirty player -- a -- theory yet I I just don't. Willis McGahee. I think I think you know on and and I was here this week we get along are about that a sore all over it is is feeling. That. You know and if you noticed that play if you watch it very well yeah entry find you -- But if you watch it very well most of what to the is Ryan Clark actually it's negate shoulder -- for. And any goes up in. But I mean obviously. You know we hit him and -- in the helmet and you know obviously you know that vicious. Incredible at -- that he. With the most vicious football game I've seen in my life from the opening kick off. Where. Where you've got guys walking to the opposite sidelines because there party there party. Semi knocked that in don't know where they are it was. I just thought it was enemies in football. I wrote this that I I think that I think that rivalry now. Is the best rivalry in football because they've got two very good young quarterbacks me. I think it's some more interesting and much more intense physical rivalry. That the Colts and the Patriots if the Colts and the Patriots are going to be is going to be a great game until Brady in the inning hang up. But this game needs is a little bit more interest in walks now because I think it's definitely.

I think her collar is really dark blue. You'll prefer Baltimore Pittsburgh. -- got a great collar or white collar. You'll prefer the entertainment of Colts Patriots in my opinion it's it's more entertaining but I -- here to -- as a football guy today. This is what is supposed to be low scoring. Guys just didn't jolted. Big hits.

Every play. It's like a Red Sox Yankees playoff game every pitch in decided. It Steelers Ravens game. Every plate and decided and the reason that I don't think it's exactly it is that lately the Patriots Colts game between now. In the middle of the second quarter. Manning throws 72 yard bomb it to Reggie Wayne to shrug your shoulders as well Brady's going to get that back. It felt I mean it is so that's why I think need this game I mean the Polamalu play. Will go down and Steelers lore and just because that game still in the balance it was a four point game. When he makes that player three point game ever -- and you know it's still anybody's game that's the way they played twelve quarters here. And mean it was it was -- at thirteen to the first game went over. Every single -- I just think it's. It's repair against or these for you know for thirteen quarters practice I just loved it. I've read it so then after the game and yes. He felt like -- city you know -- game -- actual players who rears. You know game like today it's. It's it's it's the Rahman of real old -- football.

Have a safe trip down at Tampa will talk to next week before the big game finally. And take care thank look at greater -- Peter King brought to you by Fred seat church insurance because it's not just policy. It's the the.