FMIA: From His Hollywood Haven, Julian Edelman Reflects on LIII MVP, His Path and Being a Perfect Patriot

Posted by Peter King on February 10, 2019, 11:28 PM EST
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Julian Edelman makes his offseason home in Hollywood, and on Saturday, the Patriots wide receiver welcomed a visitor: Peter King. He kicks off his Football Morning in America column with a long discussion with the Super Bowl LIII MVP about his NFL journey, and also tackles:

• Why the Patriots still might not be done winning Super Bowls. “We still got meat on the bone,” says Edelman, still not satisfied.

• The insanity of going from a crushing Super Bowl loss to your dream job in just a few hours. New Bengals coach Zac Taylor knows all about it.

• A can’t-miss documentary debuting this week, that dives deep into the football life of Nick Buoniconti.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on two teams in great position for the 2019 draft; the debut of the AAF; Antonio Brown trade buzz; early free agency fun.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and my geographically surprising vote for the best pizza in the world.
[more]

FMIA: Ego-less Patriots Figure It Out In Time Vs. Rams in ‘throwback’ Super Bowl

Posted by Peter King on February 4, 2019, 5:59 AM EST
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After a boring punt-fest for much of Super Bowl 53, the Patriots’ sixth title is now in the books. Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America column from Atlanta with an inside look at how New England finally figured out the Rams and what it means for the Brady-Belichick dynasty, and also tackles:

• The Pro Football Hall of Fame … takeaways from inside the voting room, where defensive backs finally got their just due.

• The Super Bowl commercial that had everyone talking … the NFL, ironically, stole the advertising show with a two-minute ad featuring the game’s all-time and current greats, and we have the story of how it all happened.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Gil Brandt’s lifetime of football; the next steps in changing NFL officiating; handicapping the NFL 2019 opening game; players of the week; and more.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, tweets, the adieu haiku and a nice gesture from the NFL that didn’t go unnoticed in the press box. [more]

FMIA—Driving The 101 With Sean McVay: On Texting Belichick, Trusting Goff and the Plan for Super Bowl 53

Posted by Peter King on January 27, 2019, 11:40 PM EST
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Sean McVay walked out of his house at 4:10 a.m. on Saturday and someone was there waiting for him in the dark. Now, before you alert the cops, know that the visitor was Peter King, and he kicks off his Football Morning in America column with a ride to work with the youngest Super Bowl coach ever. Also in the column:

• Bill Belichick and McVay are texting buddies … that’s among the things we learn during a pre-dawn drive down the 101 ahead of Super Bowl 53.

• Roger Goodell is still silent … the disappearing commissioner has not said anything regarding the officiating debacle in the NFC title game, and we look at a number of the ways the league is mishandling things.

• Progress on head trauma … lost in a week of news was the announcement that player concussions were way down in 2018. Was it an outlier or sign of better things to come?

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Benjamin Watson’s retirement; an independent official’s look at controversial calls; Tony Dungy’s playing career; Senior Bowl activity; Hall of Fame voting buzz; and more.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and a dumb conspiracy theory regarding the Rams-Saints pass interference non-call.
[more]

FMIA: Amazing, crazy games lead to Rams-Patriots Super Bowl; Tom Brady: ‘We’ll Remember This Forever’

Posted by Peter King on January 21, 2019, 5:03 AM EST
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A zebra-made heartbreak for the Saints. A Brady-made heartbreak for the Chiefs. From Kansas City, Peter King kicks off his latest Football Morning in America column by pulling up a stool next to Tom Brady’s locker and chatting with the nine-time Super Bowl participant, and also tackles:

• The call booed ’round New Orleans … the Rams are Super Bowl bound, thanks in part to a missed pass interference.

• The tale of the missing plays … a handful of New England’s play calls Sunday—including one crucial throw in overtime—were not in the game plan.

• The coaching hires … Freddie Kitchens and Adam Game talk about the challenges ahead in Cleveland and New York, respectively.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Byron Leftwich’s newfound pressure; the secret stars of the Patriots win; how Saints fans really felt about the officiating; the weekly awards; and more.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and a look back at that Super Bowl 53 prediction from back in September. [more]

FMIA Divisional Weekend: Doobie Pump and a Big Piece of Cheese—How the Saints Saved Their Season

Posted by Peter King on January 14, 2019, 2:58 AM EST
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And then there were four. Divisional weekend is done and the stage is set for an epic Championship Sunday. From New Orleans, Peter King kicks off his latest Football Morning in America column with a look at how it all went down, plus…

• How the Saints saved their season … with a big piece of cheese? Let Drew Brees and Michael Thomas explain.

• A preview of the conference title games … a quick breakdown for each of the matchups—Rams-Saints and Patriots-Chiefs—and a look at the storylines that will dominate the week.

• John Elway looks back … and shares what he’s learned after eight (?!) seasons as the Broncos president and general manager.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the All-Pro team and season awards; C.J. Anderson’s out-of-nowhere run; the nobility of the Eagles; Kyler Murray’s big decision; the Doug Pederson effect; and more.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, the NFL’s most under-appreciated receiver and the increasingly odd connection between Atlanta and Tampa Bay. [more]

FMIA Wild-Card Weekend: Double-Doink Misses, Grass-Green Stains and One Golden Grab

Posted by Peter King on January 7, 2019, 3:22 AM EST
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Wild-Card Weekend had a little bit of everything, from Big Nick to a missed kick and so much more in between. Peter King kicks off his latest Football Morning in America column with a look at the Golden Grab in Chicago, plus…

• The Chargers Changeup … how a defensive gamble paid off handsomely for Los Angeles, and why Philip Rivers’ grass-green uniform said it all about the aging but still vibrant quarterback.

• A divisional weekend preview … a quick breakdown for each of the four matchups—Colts-Chiefs; Cowboys-Rams; Chargers-Patriots; Eagles-Saints.

• Patrick Mahomes goes no look—again … a must-see video of the Chiefs quarterback showing exactly how he pulls off the impossible pass.

• The Antonio Brown situation … an explanation for leaving the star wide receiver off the all-pro ballot, and what could be next for the Steelers and Brown

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Colts offensive line; Ezekiel Elliott’s monster game; the wild-card awards; a young Colt on what he’s learned; Hall of Fame voting.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness, the wonders of East Coast train travel and three questions with football’s ultimate Swiss Army knife. [more]

FMIA Week 17: Ravens, Eagles, Colts Crash Playoffs; Black Monday Begins

Posted by Peter King on December 31, 2018, 3:47 AM EST
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The NFL playoffs are set and all it took was a frantic 20-minute flurry of action to get most of it settled. Peter King kicks off Week 17 of his Football Morning in America column with a look at the wild finishes to Sunday’s games, plus…

• A wild-card weekend preview … a quick breakdown for each of the four matchups—Colts-Texans; Seahawks-Cowboys; Chargers-Ravens; Eagles-Bears.

• Black Monday has begun … a team-by-team look at who’s been fired, who’s still waiting and which coaches could be next in line for jobs.

• The envelope please … picks for all the major individual awards, including MVP, rookies of the year, coach of the year and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Kyle Williams’ last game; notable games in 2019; Kyler Murray’s pro football prospects; the Week 17 awards; what Matt Millen has learned after a week with his new heart.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness, a new-ish TV show to watch and a word about Notre Dame and the college football farce.
[more]

FMIA Week 16: NFL Playoff Scenarios, Picks and Millen’s Holiday Prayer

Posted by Peter King on December 24, 2018, 2:53 AM EST
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The NFL regular season’s penultimate week saw some surprises, setting up a furious finish next Sunday. Peter King kicks off Week 16 of his Football Morning in America column with a look at all the playoff possibilities, plus…

• A Christmas Eve miracle for Matt Millen … the football stalwart is finally having a heart transplant after a lengthy wait.

• Predictions for Week 17 … After laying out all the final-week scenarios, a look at how the 1 through 6 seeds in both conferences could shake out.

• The coaching carousel is spinning … What the John Harbaugh news out of Baltimore means and why as many as 10 jobs could be open after the season ends.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Nick Foles’ magical performance; Demario Davis’ really good deed; the explosion of versatile backs; Frank Gore’s final ride; a memorable 60th anniversary; the Week 16 awards; the MVP race with one week left.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, a Monday night prediction and the redemption of sitting for photos with Santa Claus. [more]

FMIA Week 15: Nick Foles Can’t Nap, And The Eagles Have Re-Awakened

Posted by Peter King on December 17, 2018, 3:39 AM EST
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Carson Wentz is out, Nick Foles is in and the Eagles are thriving in the underdog role. Wait, is it 2017 again? Peter King kicks off Week 15 of his Football Morning in America column with Philly’s surprising upset of the Rams and also tackles:

• The shotgun marriage in Cleveland … and why Baker Mayfield and Freddie Kitchens have the Browns offense humming.

• The falling sky in New England … the Patriots lost again, this time to Pittsburgh and with Tom Brady making some un-Brady-like throws. Time for Bill Belichick and Co. to worry?

• The NFC North title is back in Chicago … and coach Matt Nagy looks back on how his long journey to the job helped prepare him for the moment.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on J.J. Watt’s comeback season; Derrick Henry’s huge week; the Colts’ shutout of the Cowboys; Joe Flacco’s next landing spot; Jaylen Samuels; the Week 15 awards; and a tight race for MVP.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, a Monday night prediction and the travel schedule for the parents of Derek, T.J., and J.J. Watt. [more]

FMIA Week 14: On Mahomes, Midway Monsters And The Miracle In Miami

Posted by Peter King on December 10, 2018, 3:54 AM EST
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The Miami Miracle. Mahomes. Midway Monsters. Where do you start after a day like that. Peter King kicks off Week 14 of his Football Morning in America column with everything that went down Sunday, including:

• Kenyan Drake and the play dreams are made of … the ending of Miami 34, New England 33 will never be forgotten, and the play’s star takes us through all the details.

• The man, the myth, the Mahomes … it was a stiff test against the Ravens and the Chiefs young quarterback passed in more ways than one.

• The NFC is far from decided … the Rams looked lost in Chicago, thanks to a menacing defense that will be a Bear to deal with next month.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Mike McCarthy’s legacy; the Colts’ snapping Houston’s streak; the Cowboys choking out Philly; Week 14 awards; MVP Watch.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, a Monday night prediction and the NFL player who Kyler Murray needs to have a conversation. [more]

FMIA Week 13: Packers Fire McCarthy in Merciful Move For Coach, Team

Posted by Peter King on December 3, 2018, 4:28 AM EST
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It was a merciful ending for both coach and team, although the Week 13 timing certainly was surprising. Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America column with Green Bay’s firing of Mike McCarthy, and also covers:

• The Kareem Hunt situation … and the aftermath of the TMZ video and the Chiefs’ subsequent releasing of their star running back. Plus how the NFL botched its investigation

• The playoff picture … a look at where things stand with 13 weeks nearly in the books and 65 more games to go.

• What Texans star J.J. Watt learned about the recent death of his friend, President George H.W. Bush, and the importance of being kind (and having freshly baked cookies).

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Phillip Lindsay’s ridiculous rookie season; the Texans’ improbable nine-game win streak; the MVP Watch; Week 13 awards.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, a Monday night prediction and the latest questionable self-care behavior spotted on a subway. [more]

FMIA Week 12: Seattle Steps Up As Path To Playoffs Begins To Take Shape

Posted by Peter King on November 26, 2018, 3:52 AM EST
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They wouldn’t even be in the playoffs if the season ended today, but the Seahawks put themselves in prime position with a point-proving Week 12 win. Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America column with Seattle and its fearless quarterback, and also tackles:

• The Cleveland smell … Gregg Williams says Baker Mayfield has the scent and, well, perhaps it’s just better to let the Browns coach explain it, after a big win over Cincinnati on Sunday.

• Josh Allen’s big day … and why a meaningless handshake might have actually proven the Bills quarterback is starting to gain respect around the league.

• What GM John Lynch learned after drafting Reuben Foster, and then cutting him over the weekend after a domestic violence arrest.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the passing of Texans owner Bob McNair; a trade idea for Lions, Jags; Philip Rivers’ record day; MVP Watch; Week 12 awards.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, a Monday night prediction and the four NFL players who would make the ideal cross-country-in-an-RV travel mates. [more]

FMIA Week 11—Embedded in New Orleans: The Ritz, the Rout and the Reason the Saints Are Unstoppable

Posted by Peter King on November 19, 2018, 3:03 AM EST
Peter King/NBC Sports

The Saints embarrassed the defending Super Bowl champions on Sunday, and what happened in a Ritz-Carlton on Saturday night foretold the rout of the Eagles. Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America Week 11 column from a meeting room inside that New Orleans luxury hotel, plus covers so much more, including:

• What exactly has gotten into the Colts, who have reeled off four straight wins—including Sunday’s easy win over Tennessee—and have new life in the AFC South.

• A preview of the game of the year, Chiefs vs. Rams, in Los Angeles not Mexico City, and why it will be an emotional night on the field.

• What Jeff Rohrer, ex-Cowboys linebacker, has learned in a life lived mostly in the closet. The 59-year-old recently came out as gay.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the fateful fourth-down decision by Mike McCarthy; the impressive performances by Ezekiel Elliott and Lamar Jackson; the life of Alan Page; MVP Watch; Week 11 awards.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, a Monday night prediction and a special, heartfelt message for the Special Teamer of the Week. [more]

FMIA Week 10: Rams Manage Win After Fire-Filled Week of ‘Horror’

Posted by Peter King on November 12, 2018, 3:50 AM EST
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The Rams won Sunday, a footnote in an extraordinary week for the franchise and the community it calls home. Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America Week 10 column with how the Rams navigated a fire-filled week of horror, plus so much more, including:

• Reporting from the field at Arrowhead, how the Chiefs overcame a relatively lackluster performance to beat the hapless Cardinals.

• Why Bill Belichick can’t seem to beat his proteges, as evidenced by Mike Vrabel’s Titans laying it on the Patriots in Nashville.

• What exactly Le’Veon Bell has missed out on financially by sitting out the 2018 season.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Saints’ eighth straight win; the stunning Buffalo-Barkley performance; Pittsburgh’s loud statement win; MVP Watch; Week 10 awards.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, a Monday night prediction and a thorough list of the top 20 offensive and defensive rookies in football. [more]

FMIA Week 9: The Patriots Just Keep Winning and They Really Don’t Care

Posted by Peter King on November 5, 2018, 4:15 AM EST
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The team everyone loves to hate just keeps on winning. From the field in Foxboro, Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America Week 9 column with the star-studded scene from the Rodgers-Brady showdown and so much more, including:

• How Alex Cora, Rupert Murdoch and Mick Jagger are all involved with this latest chapter of the Patriots dynasty.

• The Saints stopped the Rams’ unbeaten run, but don’t go giving the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed to New Orleans just yet.

• Why Paul Zimmerman’s legacy is complicated, and what The Flaming Redhead learned in her life alongside Dr. Z.

• The numbers are coming in on the impact of Le’Veon Bell’s bizarre holdout, and they are not pretty for the man who’s skipped $7 million in salary.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the commonality in recent Cleveland coach firings; the Adrian Peterson-Orleans Darkwa connection; the latest Sam Bradford development; MVP Watch; Week 9 awards.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness, a Monday night prediction and Benjamin Watson’s plea for people to use their voices on Tuesday. [more]