Vic Carucci, NFL.com

Five back here and events joined Motorola might Freddy's Rosenblum ceremony in the house today it's time for our weekly session with -- hard -- If your -- from the NFL touchdown NFL network anywhere else but. Have a good how -- you. To a great guys good to be were -- I didn't do -- dual threat against. This is probably as good rivalry I mean there's some others obviously in the National Football League but these two teams. The patriarch send -- and the -- surge probably as good as it gets out.

All yeah I mean I think when when we look back on this in terms of big history the weekend and putting it right up there with. Some of the all time rivalries that we've seen. -- did this one's gonna occupy though the highest rankings because it's it's it's amazing how. These teams that yeah you know their one time competing. In the in the divisional neighborhood but now being in different divisions it just enhances it and and its incredible. How they come together in every. It's -- something about the team's two bit and their success but every time they play it it's a resonating game it's -- kind of game that you know. Has an impact if not immediately because of of a championship we determined that certainly. Down the line.

Got two great organizations that have -- of a great job acquisition probably more so with the patriots who have been some terrific draft a Bill Polian obviously has been phenomenal draft are out there. But I -- I wanna stay away from the two quarterbacks -- aware that if people for some reason. Are getting caught up into the Manning versus Brady and I said at the other day flip a coin -- let's play that game and not. As you can even go back and forth and probably here in New England everybody's gonna go for Brady out here what he's gonna go for manic. I wanna talk about the rest of the two teams take quarterbacks out and let's look at defense right now. The two defenses. Which one would you fear the most.

I allow gonna have to say the patriots because at the colts' defense is used to beat up -- I do respect and use the word fear. Maybe that's -- like I guess that got you on the other side you're the other -- the that's really the pass rush you know that that that the colts can bring -- bring consistently because of the speed and and the multiple people who generate pressure for them -- know a lot of -- is just one real -- and everybody -- follow -- the colts have legitimately three guys. Who can who can get that through and and I knew very quickly but the problem I have -- where they are defensively and and it's been remarkable that there ain't no. But they they've just they've suffered some some real. Serious hits today defense and even though you know have the name Bob Sanders is brought up a lot they've played a lot without him in Melvin -- on a remarkable job in his place. I -- and they and it's a testament to get into the organization to to finding those guys who can back -- for starters and stepped in when they have duke. But I would I would say to you that that you know they they are just is is impressive. Without regard to. You know how they've played you know how -- how they've been able. Two. You know two -- hold up despite being I think very vulnerable and in noble serious.

His running if they do have speed yet we closed the ball very well you're right you know what -- pass rushing makes up for a lot of inequities. Anyone can disguising get to the quarterback. But it is tiny -- it comes to w.'s health a question though not as we've seen. Peyton Manning for a book but a new machine or guide carrier was much lower on his -- terrorist team is this year this year.

All of -- yeah that's a thank you I -- and and I did that I did this piece for an October icon just about the past. That the back up. Plants which which are awful for for the -- for the three quarterbacks that you think about in this league. As as guys that you could not do you eat you know what's -- obviously when going through a whole season pretty much without -- without their Brady put Manny with Jim Sorgi. A Brady now with a rookie behind him. And then you know Drew Brees who is Mark Brunell behind him and and all those nightmare scenarios just just don't really -- so well but Fred. He is carrying so much these carry far more. On his spat out and I think it is reasonable and did you look the last couple games. It it's not just to these during an aspect because of of what we mentioned the defense or injuries. They don't run the football player and go right last two games his pass attempts to hold 98. How many times set an end in not coincidentally the sack numbers have gone up for him. Compared to what the first half dozen games of the season molested you look at you don't have -- before also relied -- can't -- play action and not a room full of Carolina on -- will run the ball -- do a lot of these drugs he's actually made a lot with those I would say that they're receiving corps though is is yes I'll give Manning a lot of credit. But but they've done and again this goes back to Bill -- cipher talent who Pierre -- and Austin -- have legitimately been you don't really good -- I mean college still has -- a lot to learn from the route running standpoint but all in all those guys have been amazing I think they've picked up actually the patient templates -- faster offense. Where these guys in there and look at Dallas Clark. He to me looks like a leaner version. Of what he had been he was an outstanding player but he just seems to be quicker now and he's got sixty -- usually when you figure out as.

Pass rushing kind of -- November didn't have to admit to this in the defense youth too rookie corners -- empowers Larry this is a big test for these guys are Miette Welker and moss. What have you seen from those two guys recently.

With the what would lacy yet Garcia to rookie Reggie corner -- I've seen well. Powers is pretty good I I think powers is certain is may be as good a rookie. Corner there is. This year I mean the obviously your guess it's still doing -- judgment. But he's he's a pretty good at least he's been a little more vulnerable. But powers has been lining up they felt comfortable putting powers. I guess against the better receivers that they used to have that they had Marlon Jackson -- up against so that means cars probably sees. More of Randy Moss and then I you know of course -- think of moss versus Vontae Davis last week and that was in a pretty picture for Davis or for the dolphins. My sense is that dead you know the power skits a little -- vote of comeuppance -- and education. From moss but I think come. The other I think the other thing to look at again is are we are we able to judge those corners. Realistically when the pass -- is good news has been.

A shareholder. You get there won't travel as a silent count -- going on -- On unsolved instead of on a motion consider the sound -- defense of Lima could pick up on that especially -- they get a revoke those two guys who come off a corner that's with a drop comes in we'll look over the screens to that side. To keep guys. You know on the heels and -- put an -- but at home. -- speech. Defense of brands that kind of come a couple of what is the difference in the sound and that building versus the old RCA dome.

You know it's it's pretty intense. I don't think anything though is as intense is the -- don't seem like more of a confined place the RCA dome. The Lucas Oil stadium is is. Do I mean by design I think it is C a wider bigger. Structure and it and it's a little more cavernous but. And then they have the ability when the weather's nice to open up you know those aside both side walls which I I don't think they have any intention of not only -- clothes and everything suddenly calls and everything and I think they're also should do and some additional --

Priority nearly as surely as little concrete coming in from from motive and he had some great record company's gonna show us off for. Kind of music -- up -- an apartment emotional. Probably some Sinatra -- bush sells his usual I'm allowed crowd. And I'm sure. A guy like brutal out you know women you know the place just 287 thus we have after just out eleven. The public beverages is coach new coach her coach Reid earlier and it seems like he's just. Smart enough. To let the offense go -- as you get you know -- you do the court has been there forever and also at Manny and disrupting his delay office. Yes -- I think.

That's been his greatest quality is is knowing. Not to fix what isn't broken and -- a lot of coaches kidnapped position a lot of time you want people get to a head coaching position into. -- The evenhanded approach city takes loved the way he worked with Peyton Manning for all those years and I think he had an appreciation. For how the system works and what the system is Manning is as much your coach is anybody there may be even more so and and there was no no no no reason for him to try to change that it would been foolish for him to do that so he's he's backed away and I think. Unfortunately for him a little bit. This signals start ever there should be a lot of accolades tossed out there for somebody more than then who wears a Jersey with number eighteen out of it but unfortunately that's how this is going -- people pause and say. Oh yeah and and who's her head coach guess not dungy anymore yes you know they they they just overlook the fact that Jim Caldwell quietly sitting back embody the thing unfold. Machine and -- quota limits for games this year than many had to come out when Emma Brady at the end the last series and that's probably why meanings get so much less credibility I don't need -- best. Player in football this point this year. -- It by a slight margin but I have enough that's that's a tough call I tell me I carry the team he's he's carried that he's carried it. And he's had a dual more with -- less so I think when you're breaking the argument -- Because it isn't it pretty much a three way conversation with the others are being Brady embrace OK so be it men and that if you really wanna again it's it's a hair -- conversation but if you wanna get into that conversation. You when you throw names like Garcon. And -- and colleague. In into the mix and and you say that who are these guys and oh yeah he's working with a new head coach and the other guys have something that that that's far more established in far better support cast. Then you then you're probably at a place where you say it's gotta be many because he is no single. And I'm not convinced you're you're lookin' at the same thing with the with the saints are paid -- because --

Attitude seemed I'm wondering at what point that you think you have more productive industries Maroney or die.

I'm gonna have to go -- Maroney because I think he's I think he's finally getting I really think this kid has finally hit the point where. Running hard you know running between the tackles put that helmet down when he had asked do I just haven't seen that it from him than any other time in these last three and and have -- not been this -- has this happened is best stretch of games -- yeah well I -- our investments in 2007 and thanks very soon it's right that is right all right there right now I'm gonna -- right ER three games she just looks to me like he's a more. Willing physical guys I've seen and and I bet that you -- may be again maybe I'm or stadium put if that's true if what I'm seeing it's true. Then I think that's a difference making point to this to this match just don't -- one.

She -- with this team is. It seems like his best games are when he touches the ball an awful lot. And this team uses a lot of different people including -- obviously in passing situations and they throw the football an awful lot during the course of the game. When he is in the game gets 45 carries in the first half and then sits a little little -- comes back in the second half and give them a couple more that's when he has trouble. When he doesn't feel that confidence and getting a lot of parents yeah it doesn't of their rhythm he's a guy that you've -- 22 richer are gonna go back probably and -- focus falcons are -- alpha server -- unique audio visual Amber's is evidence whereas right now though I think I think you're right to life.

When you when you're that when you're the the primary you know the main hitting running back. Rhythm is important and and I think and anybody who's who's good at this Adrian Peterson whatever they'll tell you LaDainian Tomlinson is prime. And even now he'll -- say although he's usually his issues are more health related thing else that he can't get a feel. When he's not in their consistently but I I think that's part of it. And and I look at this game as an opportunity when I think of how the colts are going to have to go into this knowing how banged up there -- a secondary probably sell a lot to rush the quarterback and and that's got to create running opportunities through the runaway very extractor -- drop approach from brute. Otherwise you -- suspect there you're done I always is came Sunday night trick. I'm leaning toward the patriots. I'm wins for the patriots they -- I was right there I think if I can play head. -- their homes futures Leno do you commit the eventually commit what -- what's really usually mean I felt -- commit. Where Miller we stand up. Okay are much when it comes Paula mullah they've -- I can't get up by Obama to go patriots I'll pick him. And I think they are. Big because I think they're they're finally playing. I -- finally they're they're hitting a stride that that that wasn't there earlier and I you know I saw them saw them earlier -- very different team now. Again I'll trust with a what a nice Tellme would say a -- showing. And and I and I also believe that you were talking about rookie or when we talk rookie trying to cover Randy Moss. Sure the story of the game could end up being quite how -- great Jeff the rookie did against Moscow that's not a likely story I'm expecting it to here so let's let's go by what sensibility tells us. An end this is that this is a tremendous -- there's more and I saw colts team. That again the more chances for sex I think it invites fed that one -- tip pay -- you almost want to tipped passes that could -- and up in the --

run around the -- a rash of your questions quick answers Cincinnati are they for real we're looking -- a legitimate playoff -- yes next. Next one San Diego a this I saw real quick press also sale last week it is almost forgets. San Diego all we've been terrific team and a second Amazon officially answered I'm going to second half of the season they're always a terrific team a -- a favorite now on the west. -- Well back to the bagels no other chargers I don't think you're the favorite there there are surging in their schedule is pretty soft.

And that probably they'll probably catch up with the make -- with the Broncos but I'm not I'm not. Saying the Broncos are but I won't say that what's happened to be giants who broke out of the gate and I don't know what's happened of them. Defense system is bin woefully I'm very very disappointing and and that there -- they're not generating a rushed to doing the same thing we talked about with colts to offset Kenny Phillips is absence in the secondary it's a big. Omission a loss for them big gaping void. But it's it's amazing to me that they haven't found a way to close that -- even a little bit and Eli Manning played better in his last game but for the better part of this four game losing streak is so it looks like a guy who physically is -- he's bothered by the splinter fair share as you -- comfortable it feels more confident. What's the latest what are you hearing about Larry Johnson. Hearing that -- that the majority of teams that have kind of sniffed you know we aren't our interest in let's say they necessarily don't like what they smell but they see a guy 'cause there's a lot meanwhile is off field. Pull this off field issues right but I think that's less of an issue than his on field has anfield is he's not. Looking very good he's not looking like a guy who can help you rod -- I mentioned the Texans but they're near the bottom in the league in rushing right 2720 whatever is they've had they've had problems with fumbling with Steve Slaton. They had a great neither -- open playoff contention they I thought were the most serious team the look at jobs and and they passed that tells me. That they don't think he can really be productive I think -- there's some tolerance on the off field stuff which I think would have been worse because of his sudden disdain for the new folks in in Kansas City a change of scenery probably would be less of an issue on the off feel -- the yard field is. He's not dead he's he's almost thirty yards assertive this week reduced its not run as Australia and explore even the guys lose it at that position at that the senator who --

I came back to Cincinnati Ochocinco Ochocinco tried to pull another one of those little game I was it's sending the mustard to have Pittsburgh now we have to sign up whatever. Marvin Lewis apparently said dorm I'm not stopping and found out as we've got the fact that they are now. Looked at as a legitimate playoff. Both right here are they taking a different. Attitude towards these little games.

You know I think yes there and and having I was there last week and in this is what I see I do -- a legitimate team first and foremost. They're playing good defense further corners are playing well Joseph -- hall. There are and there are pass -- and this has been pretty effective. You see a quarterback now in Carson Palmer with a healthy elbow you see Cedric Benson running with -- real purpose with -- with the consistency. And ensuring a lot of things we can see Chicago and it's a constant is and apply some Ochocinco this guy. I think it finally is might be getting may be getting the notion that. We're we're good data that I don't have their -- clown to get attention because I'll get attention that just PM good football team they -- more national press covering their last game then they've had in in a long time. And I think he's I think he's looking around the room cities are recognize all the faces here now in the media like they normally do. And you know you don't have that all just catch passes just just just be a good player which you which he can be with a healthy quarterback. And that's good enough.

Grant and it's -- match -- bills and I don't know I think we cried when they lost. So we can expect although Google to fill -- with the about -- should I don't I don't separated was gold teeth without gold teeth or change of name and all the metal emulsion is our job not the same guy what's your -- same guy feel good. Is that unusual match of Bill Belichick and ultra transco. Pitcher -- today the visual this doesn't seem like -- and -- odd couple does seem a little bit. Like you and I probably steadily if I don't touch in touch through our guys don't make our secure our chain -- from nfl.com the NFL network.