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]

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 EDT

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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 EDT

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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 EDT

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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 EDT

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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 EDT

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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]