Peter King, SI/NBC Sports

Each and every Friday at this time we talk about the national football late. With our connection with the NFL pro Sports Illustrated. SI dot com and NBC sports Peter King brought to you by Fred -- insurance. It's not just the policy. It's the people that afternoon Peter. -- and great Oreo door knobs.

A I I don't mean third on a downer because I know that. We've got to discuss fourth in two for 25 minutes.

I don't know I don't know -- Pakistani prime minister about it but but about two minutes.

But I -- want to just start by by sending out condolences and I know that everybody's listening to this well. Well also and they have Kris -- wife died last night in the news. You know undergoing. Treatment again for four recurrence. Of breast cancer. In the last eleven years. Four children. To an incredibly incredibly sad situation and Kris -- truly. One of the great guy I've ever covered. In thirty years sportswriter and -- it's totally blown away I want wrote a story about them eleven years ago. About when they first started dealing -- And I just I was pretty connected to moment I'm just. Really devastated I don't need to be a downer but I do know that there's so many people out -- and the of the only in the way he played and and get the kind of person he is. And we all. We have to say a prayer. Stephanie was the first step in any field you know and at you know eleven years ago when I went to their -- Chris -- about it retired creek left football for a year. The Gobi mr. mom that to it's -- now up for it but to be mr. amounted to its. And what was incredible. Is that it's snarling and angry -- ailment was and intense on the football field. He's got about fifty crises the day where it you know one -- says where's my book where my pencil that where they -- And -- but he said and you don't realize it at home he got fifty crises and today you know football there may be only watered through.

well get back to the more -- but we share your your feelings and send our condolences to the -- now benignly as well. It it was an interesting game Sunday night if you didn't have a dog in the fight it was so wildly. Entertaining game and.

And -- football game that's the one thing that we should not forget in in in in her ranking. And whatever side of this stature around that's why we all love football. Just. But three weeks ago write that down watch film with my chain in about the meaning. And at one point you know we're finished watching and we're talking about what he'd do in this fall and how he's got sixteen fronts simultaneously on Sunday watching in. And everything and he goes you know one thing I realize is. How how much. How why so many people love this game. Because it's so exciting it's so fun to watch and I would think you know those words Sunday night what's in this one because. It was it was beyond an instant classic it's one of the I mean it's clearly to -- of the year so far and you know one of the best football games I've ever.

I don't wanna simply ask you about fourth into Peter. I wanna ask you something because you you were in a unique position nobody else it in this room can say this nobody else in the audience and say this. You're watching the game -- Tony Dungy nearby who has a connection to the colts got Rodney Harrison nearby I was gonna connection to the patriot. What was it like observing forth into around those.

Well here's the weird thing about our show Michael. I was not we of them at the time. Late in the third quarter my job is done there and I believe. Possible back to my hotel to watch it like 23 minutes of the game -- so basically caddy corner from rock that was there. But I watched the Rick I watched the fourth quarter all the almost all these things from the hotel but I did see Rodney when he came back to the hotel. And you know act and the one thing that people should understand really is that. Beyond. Beyond the shadow of the doubt. Rodney Erickson. I'm not exaggerate -- but I mean he loves Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick has been vital it is that. You know hurt for image -- what he did. In the last half of his career in football and so -- I understand something you know. -- As of very very difficult time. Are rotten at the very very difficult time in in criticizing. Bill because the F -- art form. But what he said I think one of the toughest things he's ever -- life you know that I've known for a long time and at worst call I've ever seen him.

Yeah I I -- I -- at this point to Michael earlier this week and I'm curious to get your take. I am convinced that Bill Belichick doesn't do that. Against any other quarterback in any other team except Peyton Manning and the colts I think Peyton Manning -- ballot -- had not right now.

A little bit but I also think I would I would agree with -- now. But I would also make one other point about him being in his head of the there's good reason why he has. Back up back in and say it was wrong about he's so good but I I if you don't hear it but long and short of it is that. And I wrote probably when he 500 word about it and I know while you sleep Monday morning. But but in the long and short of it is I think. You know there's basically three factors in this and the reason why I thought he should upon it is that number one. Only two of the previous seven possessions although two of the previous three were touchdown. Of the previous seven possessions -- three on two interceptions. Into touchdown. Number one number two. Rookie mistakes by Austin Collie who clearly made a couple of them has as time went on in this game. And AMP air our economy even know curse on it not a rookie. He in essence is one because these. Played it that small level. You know of college football and I think the last thing that we sort of forget is. A little pressure Peyton Manning -- You know that because 72 yards or whatever would've been in two minutes with one timeout I'd like to see him do that. And and I think the final little X-Factor. I think Larry -- the defensive coordinator. Indianapolis. -- coach. Or in two different than Ron Meeks and Tony Dungy. I think he's gonna coach you by giving you pressure might may activate in half the job. On NFL network politico dot com whatever it is right I ought to outline. But go to nfl.com. Mike made out. Basically going through this thing in showing. When the bills brought to linebacker. Hey on the port into. And all the other outlined in you know sort of block down what that means what that meant. Is that Dwight Freeney was not going to be blocked by anybody Sebastien all -- within a block down on the inside guy who Everett -- So Freeney was gonna come free. And arguably. That's the reason quite Tom Brady never looked at Wes Welker because he knew if you look to with a lap speed of look into the arms of the white Freeney Russian -- There's a lot of really fun aspects of this play that in the light of day. Make the play more understandable that it was. And ending knee jerk reaction on Sunday night.

Peter what do you expect from both of these teams on Sunday interest in games. One well for the patriots they play the jets and we we know what happened in -- And the colts go to Baltimore which would not be an easy game for them what do you expect in both games.

Well it's talk about offense there defense is that. That Peyton Manning might be in the head out. And all they the the Baltimore Ravens because. You know I remembered a playoff game I guess it was now three years ago when. Peyton Manning went to Baltimore. And he he. These final score I think with fifteen to six. But Rex Ryan was absolutely. Positive. That he had. You know what -- the bill for Peyton Manning had a great plan I actually that would -- Thursday of that week. Which is defensive staff as they were being planning and talking about stuff for Manning. And it was that it was very smart. But at the end of the day I remember talking to the the end of the game you know the -- just too good and just to keep this one other thing in mind. Manning has beaten its great defense. Six times in a -- And only one time it is great defense held under twenty points and that was the 156 play up point. Last two years meaning scored 75 point. So -- I know everybody look at it this game maybe Baltimore can win will Baltimore especially. Without Doug. And widow with a wounded reloading not I don't I don't love this game I don't love they're ravens' chances.

About jets patriots.

I like I like the patriots. Just because you know the patriots. Handle adversity better than any franchise in sports. They've proven it time and again. And I'm not even sure there's been very much adversity. Talk about a wagons circling and mean. They're so great if I'm Belichick I absolutely loved Jerod Mayo thing with all due respect shut up -- which can you help. Is in essence what everybody in that room is gonna say Bruschi had a great point IDF PM Monday night. In other point was I'm I'm. That -- paraphrasing. But he said you can think what ever you want about this place wouldn't show up for work Wednesday morning big guy who holds your faith in your hands. You'd you'd better listen to. -- you better do what he says they're very pretty easy way to get to what it out and that's to be an idiot you know went if they what what are we doing around here. And I think one of the other things of about this particular game you -- touched on earlier. I'm not sure that the -- Carter are Kryptonite for -- for the patriots I mean they've. They've played a tough a couple of times you know they deal last year -- in this here so it's certainly not the impossible dream. But I mean I just I look at this match up. And especially. With Sebastien Ballmer playing the way he did last weekend. I mean you know I had this park and somebody in Indianapolis is that there's no question. It is mind that Sebastien owner gave Dwight Freeney the best skiing we've got in the year nine in nine games. So with a weird little changeup blitzes that the jets and you'd just get the feeling that that you know we thought it was going to be total fired her without Matt Light but I obviously -- that a good job.

Michael and I've had a bit of a disagreement on Rex Ryan Michael finds him very entertaining I find them to be a bit of a clown. And not just the crying in front of the team this week but the way he's handled things earlier what's the national impression of Ryan's abilities is -- coach.

That he is what he is everybody knew it was going to be like this you know you remember. 19868788. You know Buddy Ryan in -- and and later with the cardinals. You know. And I remember there was a period of about six weeks. In Arizona. Were I would call from I would call this Sports Illustrated correspondent. The day after his radio show what -- would but he say I mean as a pre Internet days what do buddies say last. Eight it has all the writers would listen to him and show any state of -- it's crap well apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You knew that when when Rex Ryan got this job. That there was gonna be won the week. Something was going to be said by somebody. That would be would be kinda crazy I mean.

Here this sort tells you this story. What's going on with the jets right now. Somebody in the organization told me earlier this season that. That what when they when they had a who what when they had the opportunity. This sort of -- I was asked him to compare Eric Mangini Rex Ryan and he said in. The different in a nutshell. Is when Eric Mangini would talk it is seen about the press and how to deal with -- it'd be a 45 minute got. When Rex Ryan Clark we've seen this year about perhaps it was a 45 -- And you noted that and I said now what they say -- is that when you talked to the press. Don't say anything stupid. And every inner peace deal with the -- I want to dimension to teammates and 10. And it all and that it nick -- subject. You know because he treats. You know Eric Mangini did not three players and assistant coaches like adults when he came to dealing with the press because he was. I wanna say he was afraid of what -- but in essence. He was so controlling it needed truck. Anybody what they would they would the press were -- Bryant doesn't think it's world war three if somebody that -- headlines.

I swear I love them allow them I love and I even like. Yeah I like the fact city that he's that he's so passionate and emotional that he starts crime -- the team's got to look at that is that as a negative at all. And I love the stories as told mentioning to teammates in the -- to me ask you this about another coach that you recently watched film -- You know Mike Shanahan doesn't have a job he's still coach an enemy and with that said do you think he has any interest. Interest at all. In coaching and being with GM and buffalo.

I tell you what might innings in an interest. At the end of the year considering all the open. And not looking at the openings in the piecemeal way why do you think he didn't think -- I'm convinced and I don't know this from him but I'm convinced deacon at the Washington job that he just snapped his fingers. That he could've done whatever he wanted in the in the Redskins organization. Controlled the draft done whatever. But why would he take that. Or why would -- take buffalo. Before he had an opportunity. To consider everything that might be out there. I mean for all we know. Chicago's in the -- No matter what anybody says now they don't fight at eleven they're gonna be burdened Alice -- down you know paper Lovie Smith and Ron Turner back. So I mean. I don't know that lovely guy I know I know what Jerry Angelo and it seems that what he's definitely coming back he's not trouble. How many how many times in our lives. Have we heard things like that 1003. Months later they're not true. So I mean what happens if the the chargers. Fall off the base of the year the Norv Turner it's fine I mean he -- view if you Mike Shanahan would you feel like a dope. If you went to a place where personally you probably didn't wanna live in buffalo. And secondly you went to a place where the quarterbacks. Are our Ryan Fitzpatrick intra network. Would you wanna see if the quarterback that hurt if it's seen that has Philip Rivers RJ Cutler out of has an opening at the end of the year.

Will any big name coach wanna go to buffalo anyway.

I think so. I think paper for all it's one of 32. You know for the question you ask yourself what anybody wanna go to -- No self respecting good coaching prospect wanna go to Oakland. But having said that they're going to be somebody will go to Oakland if they feel that's the only chance I haven't been head -- So mean but having said that. What what doesn't ball from what doesn't buffalo has buffalo -- quarterbacks and Jim Kelly but. They certainly paid for quarterbacks they paid for rob Johnston. They took -- shot taken Doug Flutie down from Canada. -- while a few times it looked like. Age you know that that that Trent Edwards might be a guy that within Rockwell capital spend the money. -- You know so all you care about in the NFL. Is what is if you -- it in you know -- considering a coaching job. Is whether you know the team is gonna spend the cap or or spend what it takes to win buffalo well.

Unfortunately Peter I watched the Cleveland Browns on Monday of poll. On my god. They are so bad. And there's not one player. Not one skill position player. On offense. That I will want close to my team kind of an Iraqi. It -- detail that's the only guy maybe you went on your team but the other guys no interest. Is is it just a matter of time. For man Jeannie what will Randy -- be forced to bring them back just because. He's fired guys before he's paying out so much money to so many different people no longer actually show up in the building.

It's not get it that can have nothing to do with it Willie Willie gulp hard. And and and Kirk himself if he's got swallowed nine million dollars. Of course. But. You know he's he knows that the worst thing that he could do is to. You know -- they return next year. If there's no faith in the organization or among the players in air mean -- back to bring him back. In hit -- big thing right now is he's got -- get Mike Holmgren become in. And -- oracle that they've never had they -- in the ten years and they came back. You know after losing.

In in my my final question for you is Marvin Lewis crazy great start by the Bengals beat the Steelers again swept them. I in the season series and then. He brings and really destructive potentially destructive force like Larry Johnson.

Here's the here's the thing about Larry Johnson. Very very simple. There's a line. And Larry Johnson have to walk the streets. And if he put one -- nail. On the wrong side of the line they'll cut. You know he doesn't have a guaranteed contract they're paying improve week at the -- contract in the NFL work if you're not on the opening day. You're paying a guy -- basically they're paying the veteran minimum. Four -- whatever you as a sixteen year player what do whatever it is and they are paying their pain of that. And in essence. What they're doing is they're saying that hey as long as you're going to be good guy in the around and you know and be you know be cooperative all that other stuff. What he'd be here but this -- and if Michael. Larry Johnson is right now playing for 2000 and nobody gonna bring him back if he does anything remotely duke in Cincinnati that's why he's going to be choir boy direct that is here.

Peter we always enjoy talking football with enjoy the weekend out great -- it will take care that is Peter King from Sports Illustrated SI dot com and NBC sports. Peter King brought to you by Fred seat church insurance. It's not just the policy.