FMIA: Kyler Murray, All-In On Arizona; Raiders, ‘All-Out’ On Antonio Brown?

Posted by Peter King on August 19, 2019, 12:44 AM EDT
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Are you all in or all out? That’s the topic du jour in Peter King’s Football Morning in America column, beginning with Kyler Murray who is fully committed to Arizona and its inventive offense. But out in Oakland, frustrations are beginning to boil over with Antonio Brown’s waffling. In this week’s column:

• Kylermania (though he can’t play Kyler football till Sept. 8)
• How Oakland should handle Antonio Brown
• Testing the Schutt helmet
• ESPN’s Pedro Gomez has an NFL role
• Richard Sherman on CBA talks
• Philip Rivers may not stop at 9 (kids)
• Jerry Jones eats gas-station hot dogs
• Chuck Noll. Not big on conversations
• And much more… [more]

FMIA: Sense Has To Prevail in Antonio Brown’s Unsafe Helmet Gripe. Right?

Posted by Peter King on August 12, 2019, 1:49 AM EDT
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The training camp tour rolls on, with stops to see the Steelers, Saints, Packers, Texans and more. But Peter King leads his Football Morning in America column with the almost unbelievable story of Antonio Brown’s helmet hangup. Also in the column:

• The state of the Steeler team Antonio Brown left.
• Why Sean Payton could be a New Orleans lifer.
• What ticks off the best receiver alive, Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins.
• A pretty cool Ed Werder reunion story.
• Michael Thomas gee-whizzing about his buddy LeBron James.
• An emotional trip to the most underrated national park in America.
• What in the world is Lumi Gold Rush, and why does one team swear by it.
• Happy trails, Sonny Jurgensen. [more]

FMIA: In Remembrance of Don Banks, an NFL Conscience and a True Friend

Posted by Peter King on August 5, 2019, 1:27 AM EDT
Fred Vuich/Sports Illustrated

The training camp tour rolled on, with stops in Jacksonville, Tampa, Indy and other spots. But Peter King leads his Football Morning in America column with the sudden passing of his good friend Don Banks, a beloved NFL writer whose death in Canton has crushed the pro football community. [more]

FMIA: Cam Newton Puts Away Cape, Feeling ‘Like a Rookie’ After Surgery

Posted by Peter King on July 29, 2019, 12:45 AM EDT
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The training camp tour is officially in full swing, with recent stops including the Jets, Ravens and Eagles. In his Football Morning in America column, King begins with a rejuvenated and realistic Cam Newton in Carolina. Also in the column:

• Carson Wentz has been handed the keys to the kingdom, according to coach Doug Pederson. What will the quarterback do with that responsibility remains to be seen.

• Checking in on the Ravens, who have undergone major turnover on both sides of the ball and also continue to embrace an analytical approach to the game.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Ezekiel Elliot’s holdout; suspensions of Golden Tate and Taylor Lewan; the new Football Outsiders Almanac; the expanded Hall of Fame class in 2020.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness and tales from the tour, including why television has to be avoided like the plague. [more]

FMIA: Annual NFL Training Camp Tour Begins—And It’s Already In Jeopardy

Posted by Peter King on July 22, 2019, 12:32 AM EDT
NBC Sports

Training camps have officially begun in the NFL, which means it’s time for Peter King to take his show on the road. In his Football Morning in America column, King visits Von Miller and company in Denver and also makes a fun pit stop in Las Vegas. Also in the column:

• Jeopardy champ James Holzhauer, a professional sports gambler, advises on NFL betting and shares his single worst bet on the board right now.

• Entering his age 30 season, Von Miller talks about his new coach, Vic Fangio, and the all-time record that just might be within reach.

• Notes from a behind-the-scenes tour of the Raiders new stadium in Vegas.

• Readers share their memories about interacting with players at NFL training camps, including a priceless Peyton Manning story.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the NFL’s decision not to suspend Tyreek Hill; why DeAndre Hopkins is the best WR in football; the Robbie Gould extension; the habits of Joe Flacco; the mission of Solomon Thomas.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness and another fun travel adventure with Delta at Laguardia. [more]

FMIA: Peyton Manning (Remember Him?) Quarterbacks New TV Series, Mulls Long-Term Life After Football

Posted by Peter King on July 15, 2019, 12:04 AM EDT
Peter King/NBC Sports

Peyton Manning (remember him?) is returning to your television later this summer. In his Football Morning in America column, Peter King returns from vacation to visit with Manning on location in Chicago for his new ESPN show. Plus:

• Manning explains Peyton’s Places and its unique look at the NFL’s 100-year history, and also reveals how he envisions his long-term life after football.

• The CBA and an 18-game schedule are both back in the news, and neither a new deal nor adding two more games (and $500+ million in revenue) seems likely.

• New column sections debut, including a fun look at Manning’s habits (good and bad) and Glover Quin’s financial philosophy

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Melvin Gordon’s possible holdout; the truth about how often coaches throw challenge flags; guest columnist review

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness and why vacations from vacations get a full endorsement.
[more]

Guest FMIA: Indy GM Chris Ballard on Scouting and the Power of Sundays

Posted by Peter King on July 8, 2019, 12:15 AM EDT
Getty Images / NBC Sports

Peter King is on vacation until July 15, and he lined up some guest writers to fill his spot writing Football Morning in America. Today, it’s Chris Ballard, the general manger of the Colts. He writes about:

• Scouting in the NFL, and why finding out a draft prospect’s floor is just as important than finding out his ceiling.

• Rock Ya-Sin, and how the Colts used a thorough process to discover, learn about and ultimately draft the rising cornerback.

• The power of Sundays, and three stories that show the importance of how football brings people together.

• Plus 10 Things I Think, including thoughts on the combine staying in Indianapolis, a Hall of Fame case for Edgerrin James and much more. [more]

FMIA Guest: The NFL in a Small Town

Posted by Peter King on July 1, 2019, 12:16 AM EDT
Annie West for NBC Sports

Peter King is on vacation until July 15, and he lined up some guest writers to fill his spot writing Football Morning in America. Today, it’s Hugh Royal of Richfield, Idaho, who won a reader essay submission contest. He writes about:

• The NFL in a small town. Richfield has a population of about 400 and all the football chatter is centered at the Little Wood Saloon in town.

• The NFL fans in Richfield are an eclectic bunch. Hugh introduces a dozen of them, and shares their favorite teams, beers and their small-town views on the international phenomenon of the NFL.

• Plus 10 Things I Think, including thoughts on the post-Brady/Belichick Patriots, why the Cowboys will win a Super Bowl in the next three years and much more. [more]

FMIA Guest: Rich Eisen On The NFL’s Ultimate Course Correction On PI

Posted by Peter King on June 24, 2019, 12:40 AM EDT
NFL Media / NBC Sports

Peter King is on vacation until July 15, and he lined up some guest writers to fill his spot writing Football Morning in America. Today, it’s Rich Eisen, the popular NFL television and radio host. He writes about:

• The NFL’s ultimate course correction—replay for pass interference calls—and how it could have unintended consequences in the 2019 season, and beyond.

• Plus 10 Things I Think, including thoughts on turning 50 (!), quarterback contracts, a nonsensical NFL rule and his early prediction for Super Bowl 54 [more]

FMIA Guest: PFF On How Data Is Changing NFL’s Present And Future

Posted by Peter King on June 17, 2019, 12:23 AM EDT
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Peter King is on vacation until July 15, and he lined up some guest writers to fill his spot writing Football Morning in America. Today, it’s a collaborative effort by Pro Football Focus, the popular football analytics website. They write about:

• How data is changing the NFL right now and will continue to impact its future.

• Five rising players to watch in 2019, including a potential star in the making in an AFC East secondary.

• The collegiate players who will impact the 2020 draft, including a Big 10 defensive end that not many experts know about … yet.

• A surprise prediction on which quarterback could lead the NFL in passing yards in 2019.

• Plus 10 Things I Think, including thoughts on the 18-game schedule, right tackles vs. left tackles, and the most underrated player in football. [more]

FMIA Guest: Nick Hardwick on Taking Proactive Approach to Brain Health

Posted by Peter King on June 10, 2019, 12:26 AM EDT
NBC Sports / Getty Images

Peter King is on vacation until July 15, and he lined up some guest writers to fill his spot writing Football Morning in America. Today, it’s Nick Hardwick, the former Chargers center and current San Diego radio analyst. He writes about:

• Post-NFL brain health, and the proactive approach he took to ensuring a positive future and trying to live to be 100 years old.

• The reality of taking more than 25,000 head hits during 11 seasons of professional football and three more in college.

• Plus 10 Things I Think, including thoughts on Philip Rivers, the Patriots dynasty, children playing football and the best pass rusher he ever faced. [more]

FMIA Guest: Fred Gaudelli On A Week In The Life of Sunday Night Football

Posted by Peter King on June 3, 2019, 12:56 AM EDT
NBC Sports

Peter King is on vacation until July 15, and he lined up some guest writers to fill his spot writing Football Morning in America. Today, it’s Fred Gaudelli, the executive producer of NBC’s Sunday Night Football telecast. He writes about:

• A week in the life of SNF, from production meetings to dinners with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth to football secrets passed along by John Madden.

• The one camera innovation football fans can expect to see more, starting this fall.

• The six best games Gaudelli has seen over the past 30 years from his perch in a television production truck.

• Too late for these innovative ideas for Barry Sanders and Dennis Miller, but they’re fun to dream about.

• Plus 10 Things I Think, a few words about beer and the true story of how internet limbo music made it to NBC air. [more]

FMIA: The Determination of Bart Starr

Posted by Peter King on May 27, 2019, 2:34 AM EDT
NBC Sports

The NFL lost a legend Sunday with the passing of Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr. In his Football Morning in America column, Peter King tells the story of Starr’s last interview, which showcased the one trait that made Starr an icon in Green Bay and professional football. Plus:

• Jon Gruden, unplugged, on Oakland’s rookie running back, the team’s crazy 2019 schedule and a Raiders edition of Family Feud.

• The one thing Dick Ebersol will be remembered for as the NBC executive makes his way into Canton.

• The annual tradition of sharing some of the more interesting snippets from this year’s commencement speeches

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Sammy Watkins’ readiness; Gerald McCoy’s farewell; Adam Jones’ retirement; Nick Bosa’s latest injury.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness and the interesting things one sees while traveling on U.S. 30 through Pennsylvania and Ohio. [more]

FMIA: Smart NFL People Share 25 Ways To Make Pro Football Better

Posted by Peter King on May 20, 2019, 12:26 AM EDT
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The NFL is in a good place, but it certainly could be better. In his Football Morning in America column, Peter King polls 25 smart NFL people—from media to players to coaches and beyond—for their ideas on how to improve the game. Also in the column:

• Chris Long opens up about why he’s retiring after 11 seasons, and the lessons he learned along the way.

• The one factor that gives New England the ultimate advantage over its perennially flailing counterparts in the AFC East.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Mike Maccagnan’s firing and the Jets mess;.the reason Dallas might slip in 2019; what Scott Pioli will be remembered for in Atlanta.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and an opportunity for a reader to guest-write a column while Peter King’s away on summer vacation. [more]

FMIA: The 2019 NFL Power Rankings, Taking Stock of Offseason Movement

Posted by Peter King on May 13, 2019, 12:09 AM EDT
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The hay is almost in the barn on the NFL offseason, with the draft over and most meaningful free agents in new homes. In his Football Morning in America column, Peter King takes the opportunity to restore order as we head into summer, ranking the teams 1 through 32. Also in the column:

• A surprise team in the Top 3, and why a free-agent pass rusher could be the most impactful player in the AFC South next fall.

• An even bigger surprise in the Top 7, and why a quarterback with just 10 career starts could determine the front-office fates for so many.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Dak Prescott contract extension talks in Dallas; a logical guess on the Hard Knocks team; how Tom Brady stacks up against older Hall of Famers; the definition of a good deed in Indy and Chicago.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, winenerdness, a travel note and an opportunity to corner Peter King and tell him exactly how you feel about his rankings. [more]