FMIA: The Determination of Bart Starr

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

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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]

FMIA: New Team, Same Chuckstrong

Posted by Peter King on May 6, 2019, 12:19 AM EDT

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Jettisoned from Indianapolis, Chuck Pagano landed in Chicago, and still has love for Chuckstrong. That’s where Peter King begins his Football Morning in America column, with a look at how the Bears defensive coordinator is still fighting to raise money for cancer research. Also in the column:

• Dan Patrick opens up about his ongoing battle with a joint disease that led to depression, memory loss and more.

• How the results of the NFL draft impacted the 2019 schedule, and why it could lead to more changes on when the schedule gets released.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the team that controls the 2020 NFL Draft; the controversial Kentucky Derby ending; the last word on Dave Gettleman; Kirk Cousins’ commencement speech at Michigan State.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness, a travel note and how American can band together and free the world of way-too-early mock drafts. [more]

FMIA: 2019 Draft Scenes—Agony In Jersey, Making [Stuff] Up In Arizona and High Drama In The Raiders Room

Posted by Peter King on April 29, 2019, 12:10 AM EDT

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Where do you start after three news-packed days of the 2019 NFL Draft? Peter King begins his Football Morning in America column in Oakland … and Phoenix … and Denver … and New Jersey … and, well, let’s just get to the bullet points:

• Tension in the Raiders draft room! A look at the moment that made Mike Mayock briefly panic and Jon Gruden nearly lose it, before all the dots connected.

• In Giant-land … the agonizing decision that Dave Gettleman made, and why he made it, as explained by the general manager aka public enemy No. 1 among Giants fans.

• In Arizona … Kliff Kingsbury comes clean about the done deal quote—”People just make sh– up,” he says—and Steve Keim explains why his visualizations led him to risk his career to pick Kyler Murray.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on why Elway picked a quarterback; the similarities between Eli Manning and Daniel Jones; Marshawn Lynch’s HOF chances; why Tyreek Hill must go, now.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, teanerdness, beernerdness and the jolting request by my airplane seat neighbor en route to Denver. [more]

FMIA Mock Draft: Four Trades, Four QBs and the 2019 No. 1 Pick Will Be…

Posted by Peter King on April 22, 2019, 12:08 AM EDT

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With the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select … . That’s where Peter King begins his Football Morning in America column, with his first—and only—mock draft of the year. He also covers:

• Four first-round trades are projected in the mock draft, including one involving a Seattle veteran going to an AFC contender.

• The future for Josh Rosen, and what teams should take a chance on the QB-in-limbo if the Cardinals end up drafting Kyler Murray.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the NFL’s release of the 2019 schedule; Bill Belichick’s standing among all-time coaches; Oakland’s draft room strategy; the next big QB contract.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, travel note and the perks of getting a draft invite to Nashville.
[more]

FMIA: What If Arizona Doesn’t Draft Kyler Murray With The No. 1 Pick?

Posted by Peter King on April 15, 2019, 1:03 AM EDT

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What if the Cardinals don’t draft Kyler Murray with the No. 1 pick in 10 days? That’s where Peter King begins his Football Morning in America column: looking at some scenarios—Trade? Another player?—where Arizona doesn’t do what everyone believes will happen. Plus:

• Big day in Seattle. The Russell Wilson contract deadline looms for the Seahawks, and King has a very thoroughly reported breakdown of what the future might hold for Seattle’s franchise quarterback.

• Revisiting the infamous Ricky Williams trade, which happened 20 years ago this week.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the death of Forrest Gregg; the 29-person coaching staff in Arizona; the looming NFL schedule release; the latest draft buzz.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, winenerdness and the draft prospect who called Belichick “Billy.” [more]

FMIA’s Non-Mock NFL Draft: What Each Team Should Do in First Round

Posted by Peter King on April 8, 2019, 1:40 AM EDT

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There is “no chalk” in the first round, says one NFL draft authority, and that’s where Peter King begins his Football Morning in America column— with a non-mock draft look at what every team should be thinking at picks 1-32. Plus:

• The NFL’s growing zebra problem, and why there is no easy answer to stop the flood of referees who are walking away from the game. (Plus an informative look at how much refs are paid.)

• The market for Josh Rosen, and the four teams most likely to land the current Cardinals quarterback via a trade. Some condo shopping in Northern Virginia might be in Rosen’s future.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the fallout of Bleacher Report’s Aaron Rodgers-Mike McCarthy story; the short life and fast demise of the AAF; DeMarcus Lawrence’s new contract; a smart NFL observer’s take on OT rules.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and why Alabama and Buffalo are a bad mix.
[more]

FMIA: Teamwork, Technology and How The NFL Came Together to Use Instant Replay on Pass Interference

Posted by Peter King on April 1, 2019, 12:17 AM EDT

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The annual league meetings in March generally set the path for the NFL’s future, and this year was no different. Peter King begins his Football Morning in America column with a look inside the Arizona Biltmore ballrooms where the owners voted to allow instant replay to be used to judge pass interference. Plus:

• The story of the strange bedfellows, Sean Payton and Roger Goodell, who helped lead the charge on passing the rule change, with a big assist from Jason Garrett.

• How the new rule makes Al Riveron’s job that much more difficult, with a look at a high profile example that explains the intricacies.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Raiders-Bears trade aftermath; Shane Lechler’s retirement; the Patriots’ opening Sunday night opponent; Al Michaels’ vegetable-free diet.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and the interesting people you meet in line at a Minneapolis airport Starbucks. [more]

FMIA: Reality Not So Nice For Patriots As Rob Gronkowski, Best Tight End of His Era, Walks Away From Football

Posted by Peter King on March 25, 2019, 4:42 AM EDT

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Rob Gronkowski’s retirement was the talk of the annual NFL Meetings in Phoenix on Sunday. Writing from the Arizona Biltmore lobby, Peter King begins his Football Morning in America column with a look back on Gronk’s career and how the Patriots are impacted by his retirement. Plus:

• The pass-interference replay solutions under discussion in Arizona, and the likelihood of any of them passing

• A Nobel Prize winner explains why the Raiders were the big winners in the Khalil Mack trade with the Bears.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Colin Kaepernick settlement; Robert Kraft’s apology; fair play in overtime; the past decade for Chris Spielman; the quiet retirement of Malcolm Mitchell

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, three interesting pro days and my long-awaited season picks for baseball. [more]

FMIA: How The Odell Deal Got Done, and an NFL Free Agency Wet Blanket

Posted by Peter King on March 18, 2019, 12:50 AM EDT

Instagram: @bakermayfield

From start to finish, the Odell Beckham Jr. trade negotiations took half a day. In the latest edition of Football Morning in America, Peter King tells the tale of the quick talks between the Giants and Browns, and also covers:

• Why free agency is fool’s gold, and why expectations should be tempered for the Jets, Browns, Raiders and other “winners” in March.

• Items on all the biggest free-agent moves, from Earl Thomas heading to Baltimore to Le’veon Bell getting the payday he desired in New Jersey.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Tyreek Hill’s troubles; the Miami tanking question; the importance of Jabrill Peppers; Mike Mayock’s lessons learned; a defense of Ben Roethlisberger

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, a reader’s farewell to fantasy and a word about broadcast attire.
[more]

FMIA: Looking Back at Antonio Brown Trade, Looking Ahead to Free Agency

Posted by Peter King on March 10, 2019, 11:45 PM EDT

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It was a busy week, and an even busier weekend, culminating in the Steelers sending Antonio Brown to the Raiders as the start of free agency looms this week. In the latest edition of Football Morning in America, Peter King tackles all the trade tributaries and also covers:

• All the free agency rumors and possibilities, including Le’Veon Bell to the Jets; the most underrated players on the market; and why the smart money could be better left in teams’ pockets this month.

• A pro day preview of Kyler Murray, who will perform for pro scouts in Norman, Okla., on Wednesday.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on a football legend turning 99; one of the coolest contracts in NFL history; why the NFL should leave the combine in Indianapolis.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, the T-shirt of the week and reflections on my daughter Mary Beth’s weekend wedding in Seattle. [more]

FMIA: Kyler Murray, No. 1 Story at the Combine, And No. 1 Pick in the Draft?

Posted by Peter King on March 4, 2019, 1:15 AM EDT

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At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, talk all weekend centered on one prospect—Kyler Murray, who could very well end up becoming the No. 1 pick in the draft. In this week’s Football Morning in America column, Peter King begins with the latest on Murray and also tackles:

• A hodgepodge of notes from the combine, including items on the best quarterbacks in Indy, the unbelievable speed from defensive prospects and more

• The Antonio Brown situation, and why Oakland might be the best landing spot for Pittsburgh’s talented but temperamental wide receiver.

• Why the trade market for Josh Rosen—should Arizona decide to ditch the second-year QB—would be robust.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the sad saga of Jason Witten; Rob Gronkowski’s retirement odds; Nick Foles’ next stop; prime-time buzz for combine.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness and the one glaring pockmark on the otherwise fabulous city of Indianapolis. [more]

FMIA: The Combine Names to Know and How NFL Might Handle Kraft

Posted by Peter King on February 25, 2019, 12:17 AM EDT

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The NFL Scouting Combine is this week in Indianapolis. If you’re woefully uninformed on the best draft prospects, storylines, sleepers and more, Peter King will catch you up in a can’t-miss combine primer, featuring the expertise of scouting gurus. King also tackles:

• The Robert Kraft sex-trafficking story, and how the NFL might handle discipline if the Patriots owner is found to be involved.

• A statistical look at NFL compensatory picks and how the rich keep getting richer.

• The logical and likely landing spots for Antonio Brown, whose stock keeps dropping.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Andrew Whitworth, Mel Kiper, Lincoln Riley, Nick Foles and Christian Hackenburg.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, teanerdness and the brutal realities of an 18-day bug. [more]

FMIA: Kyler Murray and One Coach’s Argument For Why The Small QB Will Have a Massive Impact in the NFL

Posted by Peter King on February 17, 2019, 11:34 PM EDT

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Kyler Murray is short, and there was a time when that fact would have impeded his dream of becoming an NFL quarterback. Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America column with a look at why that logic no longer applies, as explained by someone with firsthand knowledge of how good Murray can be. King also tackles:

• The Colin Kaepernick-NFL settlement and the three things that influence our opinion of the case.

• An appreciation of Joe Flacco, who despite recent results still deserves to be remembered for one of the great playoff runs by a quarterback in history.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., Kareem Hunt, Greg Schiano, Adam Silver, Roger Goodell and my argument for why there is no such thing as too much coverage of the Patriots dynasty.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness and a fun opportunity for football fans in Indy to have a beer with me, Frank Reich and sports media members. [more]