[4:04] ..." Peter absolutely loved historian Sports Illustrated on how the Patriots found Matt Cassel. You spent some time with Matt Russell the former Patriots scout just tell me about the evolution of this story in which"...

[4:27] ..." me. That would go back to -- how exactly the Patriots. Drafted Matt Cassel immediately says a lot about the Patriots as an organization. Your feet in the air scouts. In the fact that they are"...

[5:02] ..." all what he goes into a place break USC and he fights Matt Cassel. Who's running down on special teams play at some tight end. At least his -- you know what would happen if this guy on the BYU work Al or somewhere. You know he would've played for three years maybe just get beat up like two Heisman trophy winners. -- just haven't practiced. Alerts Scott pioli that they cater to back -- quarterback -- you should take a look at which come out here. Went pioli go to USC which he doesn't person every year he goes that watches a couple of practices. And -- that. That Matt Cassel was playing its special teams -- down on kicks during practice like -- cancer on fire. While this agent interest thinking little late round there're probably free agent guy. And so then they get to sweep of the post season work out. And one then that it when Matt Cassel goes to throw most of the scouts have left by that time and here comes Matt Cassel throwing at Matt Russell keep. Paces while -- can't get an NFL arm. And so he emailed my in my story that"...

[6:29] ..." draft there's only two other teams. That are really in contention despite Matt Cassel. As a free agent after the directed Cincinnati because Carson Palmer's told the bagels and I got a guy behind me I"...

[7:14] ..." in this case I gotta tell he's that this is what god Matt Cassel because. Norm chow now -- backed -- UCLA I called fair read we we talked on the phone one of the Big East that is I was totally surprised. That somebody drafted -- I didn't think anybody was gonna draft. So the Patriots in not to -- around about Matt Cassel. Basically it make sure that nobody else would draft. And when they drafted number eight look at -- it what it happened so far -- he's kind of a fairy tale saintly debris in the sixth round. And who knows how far to go maybe to -- turn out to spank he'd ever now. But as of right now one of the reasons why I think the Patriots got Matt Cassel just because they played it under the radar nobody that would they were going to do."...

[8:04] ..." Lane Kiffin still coaching the Oakland Raiders to back."...

[8:37] ..." the kind of guy. If everybody out their -- fire Lane Kiffin that's what he's not going to fire Lane Kiffin. So I think we're going to have to get this thing calmed down a little bit. And after some lost some Tuesday"...

[8:55] ..." A -- cool who goes first Lane Kiffin or Scott Linehan. "...

[11:44] ..." Bill Belichick philosophy is and I have no idea what he's saying Matt Cassel directly but I know. What they're trying to do they're trying to to to engineering game -- Matt Cassell doesn't make any"...

[17:15] ..." offensive line. You know within one with the best guard football Steve Hutchinson and at a very it to center Matt -- so this is a team that's going to be able opened up some"...

[0:00]" Every Friday at this time. Our connection to the National Football League comes your way from Sports Illustrated. SI dot com and NBC sports is Peter King Peter coming to live from Denver Colorado hey Peter I don't. I was going on there. Aren't so where where's the game of the week this weekend for."

[0:21]" Boy it's too incredible games and beat Philadelphia Pittsburgh. And today. You might argue. That. Four of the top five teams in football right now for a -- sixteen and maybe. Two we're you know we're crease and off this week -- affiliate Pittsburgh. You get. Green Bay and Dallas and yet the Patriots in the Giants. And dozer probably your best 66 -- already -- for played each other so it's a good weekend to. Sit on the couch and watched football."

[0:58]" I know your you're in Denver among other things to talk with Jay Cutler who has been a real early season story but. I gotta say the move Mike Shanahan made last weekend sure impressed me."

[1:09]" Yeah I think it was it was impressive to a lot of people. But dale out just -- earlier this I'm gonna I'm going to tell you. What exact correct I talked to Mike Sunday night and talk to begin Wednesday that about that about a bunch of other things but what. If you if you would look at that decision that the factors peach faced as he made his decision. My feeling is it was a revolutionary. It was gutsy. Blood I think a lot of smart people would have done St. think appears -- decision based. His defense was giving capsule shredded. Body. By Philip Rivers Iran and up and down the field on them they're they're running on them they're passing on them. And you know they've put up 38 points and so. These figures -- very good chance that if they lose quite flips he'll never see the ball if that's one factor factored number two. Eighty he's got a quarterback who if he told me. You know EU I have to have 100%. Contradict senior quarterback because it's going to be up to him to make a play. Because he's not going to run it out from the two -- most likely almost always going to throw it champion well. Anything that I have grown to have absolute confidence in -- which I think he's been justified over the first couple weeks this season. And then the third thing is. I think his team was very very tired offense indeed sent. And so he used that he had all those things together it's a coin flips something -- at 50% chance. He'd never gets the ball again. And I'm the fact that I trust Jay Cutler. To look first first guy who's going to be Eddie Royal and it became -- if he's not a guy that they'll -- leadership where. -- or -- at Marshall finds competent or bull his way and so although it was a real gutsy call. I don't think it was a call that would you look at all the factors is really all that surprised."

[3:16]" What Peter I'm going to disagree with you just on this level off on on this point. If it's 5050 that he sees the ball against Shanahan and teams see the ball again and overtime what other present percentages. That they are successful on a two point conversion I don't think it's 5050."

[3:33]" I think he thought it was much better than 5050. And that's where you -- heat would differ. He believes that Cutler is going to that there's a better. It's 5050 chance iffy thought that their reserves 35% chance he would -- an extra point. No doubt about it he would he would have hoped and prayed that they would -- the coin flip it over time. But he didn't -- thought it was he thought that there was a better chance at 5050 Cutler would make it that's why he did it."

[4:04]" Peter absolutely loved historian Sports Illustrated on how the Patriots found Matt Cassel. You spent some time with Matt Russell the former Patriots scout just tell me about the evolution of this story in which you found out."

[4:16]" Well it turns out I was wrong on one. Backed away it is in this thing that they'll tell you about I'll just keep it little thumbnail -- I love stories like this you're absolutely fascinating to me. That would go back to -- how exactly the Patriots. Drafted Matt Cassel immediately says a lot about the Patriots as an organization. Your feet in the air scouts. In the fact that they are willing to do things that other the other organizations. Wouldn't do. Matt -- job as is that that I'd be dealt works Beatles as the nationals deputy -- even the west coast scout. And he goes into every college. Good and bad did he have to account for every senior on the team. You know even the guys who -- playing much if at all what he goes into a place break USC and he fights Matt Cassel. Who's running down on special teams play at some tight end. At least his -- you know what would happen if this guy on the BYU work Al or somewhere. You know he would've played for three years maybe just get beat up like two Heisman trophy winners. -- just haven't practiced. Alerts Scott pioli that they cater to back -- quarterback -- you should take a look at which come out here. Went pioli go to USC which he doesn't person every year he goes that watches a couple of practices. And -- that. That Matt Cassel was playing its special teams -- down on kicks during practice like -- cancer on fire. While this agent interest thinking little late round there're probably free agent guy. And so then they get to sweep of the post season work out. And one then that it when Matt Cassel goes to throw most of the scouts have left by that time and here comes Matt Cassel throwing at Matt Russell keep. Paces while -- can't get an NFL arm. And so he emailed my in my story that was rock hard to -- Bill Belichick gave pioli actually help. Pioli and Thomas did the -- You know we're at the time obviously was the college scouting guru there. And now he EE EE -- those guys have to say you don't that we may have. Isa draft choice on this guy and so. You know when they're thinking about at least in the draft there's only two other teams. That are really in contention despite Matt Cassel. As a free agent after the directed Cincinnati because Carson Palmer's told the bagels and I got a guy behind me I had a guy behind me who can play in the NFL so. You know maybe the -- offer 50000 that signing bonus and then you've got Norwich now. Who's got the Tennessee and he knows what a good backup quarterback this guy it would be and so they're going to spend some money free agency. But nobody thinks they're going to draft in Matt Russell draft capsule. And here's -- Matt Russell makes a great point not a not a good point but agreed that you know. The Patriots get criticized for being so secretive all the time. Any city in this case I gotta tell he's that this is what god Matt Cassel because. Norm chow now -- backed -- UCLA I called fair read we we talked on the phone one of the Big East that is I was totally surprised. That somebody drafted -- I didn't think anybody was gonna draft. So the Patriots in not to -- around about Matt Cassel. Basically it make sure that nobody else would draft. And when they drafted number eight look at -- it what it happened so far -- he's kind of a fairy tale saintly debris in the sixth round. And who knows how far to go maybe to -- turn out to spank he'd ever now. But as of right now one of the reasons why I think the Patriots got Matt Cassel just because they played it under the radar nobody that would they were going to do."

[8:04]" Lane Kiffin still coaching the Oakland Raiders to back."

[8:07]" Yeah I mean he'll be gone by its feet and I think king James Lofton will be to -- I said that the other -- and BCI just don't know where it'll be but things can't go on like this where to head coach of the owner of the defensive coordinator. -- they have this huge rift. I'd say it is going to be a matter of a week or two. But again. If Al Davis the one thing I said the other day we're talking about it in BC or sit out the kind of guy. If everybody out their -- fire Lane Kiffin that's what he's not going to fire Lane Kiffin. So I think we're going to have to get this thing calmed down a little bit. And after some lost some Tuesday at 5 o'clock or get any mail about how the greatness of the Raiders is determined that James Lofton should take this team that --"

[8:55]" A -- cool who goes first Lane Kiffin or Scott Linehan. "

[9:02]" When he can't have any interest think situation right now went to St. Louis. The Rams -- negotiations a couple of people sell that franchise I believe they'll be sold. New -- today. So if your career right now you -- exactly want to go out throw a lot of money into trying to. Reader have your team in the middle of this year now what you might do with Tiki Barber I think was right the other -- suggesting that -- haven't BC what you might do. Because I don't think -- Saunders -- you have a terrific guy who -- paper. Given the interim job two I just bring -- say they'd give you know. You're not doing anything down there Arizona commodity see if you can. -- chicken salad out of what we have here at St. Louis terrorist -- year. Maybe if possible get despite winds out of -- and rehab his -- that he gets the job next next year in the NFL so. I eat out some didn't. Could well happen but. It but just keep this in mind whatever the solution is. It's racquet across him very much money because I think its ownership group right now want to spend a lot of money to to fix what ails this team. Nor -- he and you really fix what -- fatigue. You know it was four of the."

[10:17]" out here Peter you live in the New York area. Who's to blame is it Eric Mangini Mike Tannenbaum convincing the New York media. That the Jets were on par with the Patriots going to last week's game. Or the New York media convincing itself. A can convincing themselves. That the Patriots could lose since Tom -- at their because I agree with Vince Wilfork. They were really surprised shocked when the Patriots came out of there with a victory."

[10:44]" I think they were too I think a couple of things happened here like I think. That a lot of the people love the Jets in New York and a lot of the people who covered a Jets believe that. The end of the 2006. Season. Is more of a corrected illumination. -- where the Jets and the Patriots are in other words the Patriots are better but the Jets are playoff team. So that the Jets go out spent a 142 million dollars. Free agents into -- You know free -- a total contract value and then -- it is it is salary -- this year is twelve million dollar salary. And they say okay the Patriot -- rep Tom Brady. -- I think any logical person -- was looking at this would say that. You know the Jets have a heck of a chance to win this game. Any you know what I felt when I was watching the game. It's how interest thing. The Bill Belichick philosophy is and I have no idea what he's saying Matt Cassel directly but I know. What they're trying to do they're trying to to to engineering game -- Matt Cassell doesn't make any mistakes and you know what he gets sacked three times but he didn't fumble he didn't throw an interception. And Brett Favre is the one victory interception. And so in other words the kid who's supposed to be nervous in his first game doesn't make a mistake Brett Favre makes a mistake. Couple that with some terrible play calling at the goal line. Running the exact same player or -- version of these extra plate three times Thomas Jones it that'd taken advantage of Brett Favre. -- and what you happier in my opinion is you have what was a very very close game not being so close anymore."

[12:34]" But I've made my sport with NFL refereed at Hercules at times and asked. -- I've made my fun of him as well but. But the fact of the matter is he's a human being who made a mistake and it's the NFL's all that they didn't allow him to correct that mistake."

[12:50]" well. Here the whole deal. You have rule on the books. That -- On a play where you rule. That there is an incomplete forward pass. Which is to do with the quarterback did you blow the whistle. There's nothing you can do but you can't goal reinventing that rule in the middle of the game. He can't do it. What you have to do at that point is that you have to go by the rules yet far you're sort of saying okay we'll look at it in the off season. I've heard a hundred people this week we got to change the world let's look at the -- we retreated to the off season. Did you know what I talked to Jeff Fisher. Co chairman of the competition -- today cultural revisited. But I don't see -- changing it just remember one thing. That a year ago at this time or read all scream about world screaming about Nick Folk. Make that make it 53 yarder but Dick -- call it. The timeout that milliseconds before the ball is snapped so full that I have to go -- another 53 yarder wouldn't. That was the culmination of about five of those in the first month the speed and everybody said oh we gotta change got to change -- now. They should change the rule about what -- about a -- when they're not allowed they should do that but the fact is they didn't do it and you know what. They didn't even put it up to a -- the NFL's 32 keeps so I'll be sitting out will be done. It is -- it's changed in the Nazis."

[14:23]" Peter you got a couple of oh and two teams who don't expect to be Owen too who didn't expected Jacksonville's won San Diego is the other. In your opinion what which team is in more trouble."

[14:34]" I don't think San Diego's and much trouble because they get the dipped and home there -- Oakland era at Miami the worst they're going to come lot of added to its three. And eroded littered with two with three teams in the last twenty years gone out to make the playoffs. I don't think -- Diego's lead you to trouble yet they've lost two -- games. At Jacksonville in trouble because not only did he go to indeed this week which has always been kinda except for one year kind of -- your present. But don't want to think about Jacksonville right now is that they art Jacksonville. The three interior linemen okay you go from. You don't all Pro Bowl in two Pro Bowl tight interior light one of the top five interior lines in the NFL. The two guards in the center. And now you got all replacement parts there. And you've got eat is that the guts of the year off and it's. A -- Maurice Jones Drew and Fred Taylor rushed for 97 yards total in the first two weeks that is not a fluke. I mean you're getting hit two yards behind -- behind the line of scrimmage consistently. So you know the best -- could happen at Jacksonville is that Bob Sanders. And it's run stuffing ability is not going to be there this week to visit to torment that running game. But having said that. You know somehow some way they've got to find a way to beat the or nemesis. They've got to find a way it's like. Great start for the Yankees games inevitable playoff series -- He's stadium there it -- got to find a way and it exactly what Jacksonville has to do Jacksonville's schedule the next month he's significantly tougher. Then. Then then San Diego's --"

[16:18]" it's interesting that you mentioned. Bob Sanders in the Colts because they're run defense looked terrible before -- out so what's going to happen to them now."

[16:27]" Well I agree that's why this is the best time. You know I chances that the -- Right now I mean we can also he would beat that game and Tony Dungy told meteor can't that would indicate that he can't it will they have to win. And is -- is fantastic effort by Payton and a late and you know right now they are the Colts. That's why it's good that he debilitating Indianapolis could projection that was playing him now they indeed. To play them now when you're you're absolutely right now. People want they can -- and Michael. They're playing on the road airplane Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor and they played it relatively speaking. With the exception to bring indicating that with the suspension they're playing relatively speaking hole and a -- offensive line. You know within one with the best guard football Steve Hutchinson and at a very it to center Matt -- so this is a team that's going to be able opened up some holes. I just think right now that that to without Bob Sanders. It's just another brick in the wall that's going to be tougher to beat when -- escape."

[17:34]" But the important question to be answered here is do you have the horses to beat Terry Francona this weekend."

[17:40]" If that might play it. Below that we."

[17:43]" Your match up -- we're facing a great team called Red Sox rule."

[17:50]" Well all I know is that I wish. That -- quarterback wasn't played the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend and you know what."

[17:57]" hit his quarterback's playing the Green Bay Packers."

[18:00]" Well you know but -- Tony Romo. You can throw for more yards and example well but. They you know what it's defiantly it's cool I I don't manage it very much but. I do look every Monday to see. Just see how I've done and so were at it like let it be -- part of it."

[18:16]" By the way one of just to owners in the history of our league who's changed the name of your team in minutes these. And and the other guy who changed the name is Steve is the guy you -- last week."

[18:27]" What are what what is -- Youkilis now."

[18:30]" Not I don't know UB Michael last week -- and then that St. Jim tressel became coach Jim -- I. You -- no he he lost to beat Youkilis yeah you are yet to do it was Jim tressel then they play US the United exchange and a coach Jim tressel."

[18:47]" You know. Pay -- I understand that you don't want to panic early but it futile plate real."

[18:53]" Thank you -- now and other don't go ahead. -- got more congregation has this been going into."

[19:00]" Especially. I have no idea whether Terrelle Pryor is Vince Young or are you know Vince Carter."

[19:09]" Hey I didn't see Vince Young in college is pretty good husband's young talents."

[19:13]" But I do know this. That you can't play any guy would -- choose your quarterback they -- a little. And eight you know you've barely beat Ohio University with mister mister cement shoes. I mean you've got -- they've got to make that change I and I haven't followed it this week but it is prior play in this make."

[19:34]" You. Like c'mon now who started going to start now. Little play."

[19:41]" They've they've got to get in the game. But you know what I was I was also they -- I would think Terry Francona might have a little bit bigger fish to fry than whether. It people to make any lineup changes that we can beat the mighty Peter."

[19:52]" Ain't got a general he's got a general managers make in his moves warm until until after the World Series."

[19:58]" Yeah but you know just say this. I mean if anybody been more heroic and Michael. Fifty."

[20:05]" I don't know how I don't know how he walks back out there I mean I some of the clubhouse Wednesday and he could barely walk. And he's going to try to play I think if not tonight and then tomorrow."

[20:15]" Look -- you know what you've got to keep off the turf in Toronto. I mean just took -- over they'll put horrid shortstop that's serviceable that's fine. I mean they they gotta do that the one other thing. Look I'm no big wild card fan or I I don't I don't care as -- they make the playoffs it's fine but. I will say this. I think he might just put it did in Iraq and -- campus armor. If somehow some way you come back -- 22 to win the division. And instead of -- in the first strategy at Chicago but -- that would seem to be slightly more preferable go to --"

[20:57]" it. Peter we appreciate -- talked quietly particularly. Say all right and is that Peter King from Sports Illustrated SI dot com and NBC sports. He joins us every Friday and take a look around the league."