FMIA: Ten Educated Guesses On All The 2020 Offseason QB Movement

Posted by Peter King on February 17, 2020, 12:06 AM EST

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The 2020 offseason is setting up to be a memorable one because of all the marquee quarterback movement. Peter King opens his Football Morning in America column by making 10 educated guesses on where some of the game’s biggest names will end up. Also in the column:

• Philip Rivers to the Colts? Several reasons why this could be a perfect match.

• Teddy Bridgewater to Tampa? This move makes sense if Bucs move on from Jameis Winston.

• Some new wrinkles to the NFL Scouting Combine, and our annual opportunity to mingle over beers and talk football in Indy

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on a Minnesota defender who could be on the move; a roadmap for how teams get multi-pick value out of one first-rounder;.the latest in the Mason Rudolph-Myles Garrett drama

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, a travel note and a few thoughts on the Astros cheating and the fallout. [more]

FMIA—Patrick Mahomes Reflects on LIV Turnaround By Following Dad’s Advice: ‘It’s All About The Next Pitch’

Posted by Peter King on February 10, 2020, 1:18 AM EST

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Patrick Mahomes stunk for three quarters of the Super Bowl, and into the fourth. What changed? Peter King opens his Football Morning in America column eight days after LIV by talking to the Chiefs quarterback about what sparked the turnaround. Also in the column:

• The elder Pat Mahomes on always focusing on the next pitch, and bestowing that wisdom on his son at a young age.

• Twelve final thoughts on the Super Bowl, including the best players on the field for both teams.

• What’s next for Taysom Hill and the Saints, and saying goodbye to the retiring Eric Weddle.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Jaguars heading to London twice in 2020, an interesting free-agent possibility and more talk of a 17-game season.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, a travel note and a Red Sox fan’s thoughts on the trade of Mookie Betts. [more]

FMIA Super Bowl LIV: How the Chiefs ‘Put the Stinger’ in the 49ers and The Backstory on 2-3 Jet Chip Wasp

Posted by Peter King on February 3, 2020, 5:10 AM EST

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A third straight come-from-behind win gave the Chiefs the franchise’s second Super Bowl, so Peter King opens his Football Morning in America column with a look at the play that kicked off the comeback against the 49ers. Also in the column:

• The backstory of 2-3 Jet Chip Wasp—the long 3rd-and-15 completion to Tyreek Hill—and how Patrick Mahomes helped call the tide-turning play.

• Andy Reid, on finally being a champion and why a post-game Uber ride instead of the team bus would have been just fine with him.

• The Super Bowl LIV awards, including a player on the 49ers being perhaps the best player on the field in Miami.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting, including a look at one voter’s ballot, the players who got in, the players who got left out and who might be in good position for 2021.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, a travel note, beernerdness and the unreal story of a Vietnam War prisoner and his life as a Chiefs fan. [more]

FMIA—3 A.M. Wakeup Call with Andy Reid: Talking Meatballs, Mahomes and Trying To Rip Out Hearts in Miami

Posted by Peter King on January 27, 2020, 12:26 AM EST

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A sobering day in sports, so Peter King opens his Football Morning in America column with an NFL-related anecdote about the late Kobe Bryant before turning attention to Miami and Super Bowl LIV. Also in the column:

• A 3 a.m. ride to work with Andy Reid, where the Chiefs coach talks about serving meatballs to Hollywood’s elite, the Michael Vick chapter in Philadelphia and how K.C. employed a CIA strategy to land Patrick Mahomes.

• The San Francisco storylines in LIV, from the Jimmy Garoppolo factor to the under-the-radar secret to the Niners’ recent success in the run game.

• A look at Kyle Shanahan, the son of a coach and the man who will lead San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the retirement of Dean Pees; the Hall of Fame chances of Eli Manning; Tom Brady on Troy Polamalu.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, numbers game, beernerdness and an invite to join me and Gardner Minshew in Miami for a couple cold ones. [more]

FMIA: Patrick Mahomes Is ‘The Whole Package,’ Running Chiefs Into Super Bowl LIV To Meet 49ers

Posted by Peter King on January 20, 2020, 3:37 AM EST

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Super Bowl LIV is set. Peter King opens Football Morning in America in Kansas City, where “the complete package” Patrick Mahomes ran the Chiefs past the Titans, setting up a championship matchup against the 49ers. Also in the column:

• Mahomes recaps his second-quarter, tightrope, tip-toe touchdown that broke the spirit of Tennessee and ended the five-decade Super Bowl appearance drought in Kansas City.

• Raheem Mostert, motivated by numerous teams cutting him, ran the 49ers past the Packers and into Miami.

• The uniter-in-chief, Steve Gleason, and the day in D.C. where cats and dogs lived together and a hero was given his just due.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the retirement of Luke Kuechly; the absurdity of a 17-game schedule; the disappointment of the Hall of Fame class; the latest chapter in the Antonio Brown.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness, a travel note and an interesting potential landing spot for Tua Tagovailoa. [more]

FMIA Divisional: Aaron Rodgers, Packers Aren’t Finished, Derrick Henry Can’t Be Stopped, and more

Posted by Peter King on January 13, 2020, 4:45 AM EST

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And then there were four. Peter King opens “Football Morning in America, Divisional Weekend” in Green Bay where the Packers joined the Niners, Titans and Chiefs as the championship weekend guests of honor. Also in the column:

• Aaron Rodgers, 36 years old, still has the deft touch, and has Green Bay one win away from another Super Bowl appearance.

• Derrick Henry might not care about stats, but the numbers he’s putting up have never been seen before.

• Tyrann Mathieu tries to make sense of the Chiefs’ really weird win over the Texans.

• A quick look at all the two Championship Sunday games—Tennessee at Kansas City, and Green Bay at San Francisco.

• A tick-tock through the 40 hours that changed the futures of the Panthers and Giants, and the lives of Matt Rhule and Joe Judge, including the importance of knowing which Penn Station is the right one.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Rooney Rule mess, and how to fix it; the importance of process in Carolina; the Rhule contract; the Kevin Stefanski hire.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, a travel note and a wild thought on Andy Dalton becoming a Patriot in 2020. [more]

FMIA Wild Card: Tom Brady the Pragmatist Controls His NFL Future

Posted by Peter King on January 6, 2020, 2:21 AM EST

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Wild-card weekend is over, and whoa, what a start with four thrilling games. Peter King opens Football Morning in America in Foxboro where the NFL world witnessed a momentous event. Also in the column:

• Tom Brady, “not crushingly disappointed” by the loss to the Titans, talks about being a free man for the first time in 20 years. And Robert Kraft breaks his silence on Brady’s future and what’s in store next in New England.

• A review of the four wild-card winners, and the players—Deshaun Watson, Derrick Henry, Kirk Cousins, DK Metcalf—that propelled their teams.

• A quick look at all four divisional weekend games—Minnesota-San Francisco, Tennessee-Baltimore, Houston-Kansas City and Seattle-Green Bay.

• Memories of Sam Wyche, the influential coach who passed away last week at age 74.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the AP all-pro team; the Kyle Rudolph no-call; college coaches in the NFL; the most interesting team to watch this offseason.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and things learned on a train ride to Providence. [more]

FMIA Week 17: 49ers’ Thrilling Win vs. Seahawks Sets Table for NFL Playoffs

Posted by Peter King on December 30, 2019, 4:22 AM EST

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The NFL playoffs are finally here, but not before a fun finish to the regular season. Peter King opens Football Morning in America Week 17 with a look at the thrilling ending to Game 256, San Francisco at Seattle. Also in the column:

• Unpacking all of the crazy things that happened in the final seconds of the 49ers’ No. 1-seed clinching win over the Seahawks in Seattle.

• A quick look at all four wild-card weekend games—Buffalo-Houston, Tennessee-New England, Minnesota-New Orleans and Seattle-Philadelphia.

• Dark Gray Monday is here, with a slightly less dark outlook than previous coaching doomsdays of the past. Plus a look at names to watch with teams looking to fill vacancies quickly.

• An exit interview with Kyler Murray, looking back at the No. 1 pick’s promising first season in the NFL.

• The Week 17 awards, including strong performances from Derrick Henry, Shaq Barrett and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on 12 football men who departed in 2019; what’s next for Philip Rivers and the Chargers; the hard numbers behind AFC North success; Larry Fitzgerald’s future.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and things learned during a holiday week in San Francisco. (Sorry not sorry, Airbnb.) [more]

FMIA Week 16: Don’t Look Now, But Philly’s a Factor (With a Healthy QB)

Posted by Peter King on December 23, 2019, 2:55 AM EST

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Don’t look now, but the Eagles—with a healthy Carson Wentz—are a factor as the playoffs draw near. Peter King opens Football Morning in America Week 16 with the Philly resurgence, and the man leading the way. Also in the column:

• The Raiders, at 7-8, have a path to the playoff that doesn’t seem all that unrealistic.

• The Seahawks are heading the wrong direction, and quickly.

• The Joe Burrow feel-good Christmas story of how a Heisman speech turned into a half-million dollars for those in need.

• The Week 16 awards, including strong performances from Michael Thomas, Chandler Jones, Nyheim Hines and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on that great Saturday tripleheader of football; the 2020 NFL draft order; how New England will have to win in the postseason; what to watch for in Monday Night Football.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and remembering three decisions that reshaped the New Orleans Saints. [more]

FMIA Week 15: Mike McCarthy Gets Creative To Prepare For His Next Shot

Posted by Peter King on December 16, 2019, 3:34 AM EST

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Eight miles from Lambeau Field, Mike McCarthy is trying to prepare himself for his next job in coaching. Peter King opens Football Morning in America Week 15 with a visit to McCarthy in Green Bay to see the new tricks an old dog is learning. Also in the column:

• The Bills get a big, playoff-clinching win, but the road is going to be a rocky one in January.

• How the Falcons’ stunning upset of San Francisco impacts the NFC playoff picture.

• What the Patriots can expect as punishment for their latest video-taping drama.

• The Week 15 awards, including strong performances from Kenyan Drake, Julio Jones and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Eli Manning’s (last?) win; the AFC South race; the weird ending to the Raiders game.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and things learned during a New York-to-Wisconsin-to-California-to-Rhode-Island trip. [more]

FMIA Week 14: How George Kittle and the ‘Choice’ Route Helped Lift 49ers Over Saints in the Game of the Year

Posted by Peter King on December 9, 2019, 3:32 AM EST

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The game of the year in Week 14? Why not? Peter King opens Football morning in America with a look at the epic 49ers-Saints game, including an in-depth examination of the critical fourth-down play that put San Francisco in position to win. Also in the column:

• George Kittle explains the “choice” he made on the crucial catch-and-run.

• Drew Lock introduces himself to America and makes a case for why Denver doesn’t need to draft another quarterback.

• Some quick kudos for the Ravens and their uber-impressive 7-0 stretch.

• The Week 14 awards, including strong performances from Jimmy Garoppolo, Danielle Hunter, Austin Ekeler, Steve Spagnuolo and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Chiefs-Patriots game; the current best choice for coach of the year; remembering a high school star.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness and the old standby cough syrup that’s performed admirably recently. [more]

FMIA Week 13: Featuring a Duck and a Darkhorse, Playoff Picture Fills Out

Posted by Peter King on December 1, 2019, 11:58 PM EST

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With four weeks to go, the NFL playoff picture is taking shape. Peter King opens Football Morning in America Week 13 with a look at six items to ponder—a Duck? a darkhorse?—as the postseason draws near. Also in the column:

• The Steelers focus on football—and not T-shirts—and finish the fight against the Browns.

• Justin Tucker wanted a longer kick, but settles for a 49-yard walkoff winner in the game of the day.

• Three reasons to buy the Bills, and how the Texans finally got past the big, bad Patriots.

• The Week 13 awards, including strong performances from Jared Goff, Devin White, Taysom Hill and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on five coaches who are in serious trouble; the easy top 2 of the 2020 draft; the hereditary toughness of George Kittle.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, a travel note, coffeenerdness and the beer I’ve been neglecting but will be trying again soon. [more]

FMIA Week 12: Why Dominant, Deep 49ers Might Be NFL’s Scariest Team

Posted by Peter King on November 25, 2019, 3:55 AM EST

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In the NFL, it’s always smart to have recency bias. Peter King opens Football Morning in America Week 12 in Santa Clara, Calif., where the league’s scariest team, San Francisco, showed off its dominance by blowing out Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Also in the column:

• A quick peek ahead at the juicy Week 13 matchup—Niners at Ravens—and why it’s in the NFL’s least attractive television window.

• A look at what’s wrong with Carson Wentz, and whether the Eagles can still save their season.

• Peeling back the curtain on the NFL 100 All-Time Team and how the players were picked, starting with the running backs.

• The Week 12 awards, including strong performances from Derrick Henry, Chris Godwin, Shaq Lawson, Adam Gase and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on Frank Gore’s longevity; the Myles Garrett incident; the two-horse MVP race; the importance of studying game film; the surprising rise in fourth-down risks.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, a travel note, beernerdness, coffeenerdness and the four men who will be coaching for their jobs over the season’s final month. [more]

FMIA Week 11: Football Changes Fast, As Lamar Jackson’s Rise Reminds

Posted by Peter King on November 18, 2019, 4:01 AM EST

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The NFL, says one Raven, has “never, never, never seen anything like Freaky L.” Peter King opens Football Morning in America Week 11 in Baltimore, where Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to a surprisingly easy rout of the Texans and now has even more fans chanting M-V-P. Also in the column:

• The back story of how Baltimore drafted Lamar Jackson, and the anecdote about how a New York City concert helps explain why the quarterback is a great leader.

• Three thoughts on the Myles Garrett incident, and why the NFL got right its punishment for all involved.

• An attempt to shed some light on the mystery of Colin Kaepernick, after a bizarre weekend workout.

• The Week 11 awards, including strong performances from Jimmy Garoppolo, Dak Prescott, Maxx Crosby, Jamal Adams and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the Myles Garrett impact on parents and football; what the Tua Tagovailoa injury means for the draft; the end of Mitchell Schwartz’s snaps streak.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, a travel note, beernerdness and why the author might just camp out in front of a movie theater this month. [more]

FMIA Week 10: Playoffs For Steelers? It’s a Whole New World in Pittsburgh

Posted by Peter King on November 11, 2019, 3:42 AM EST

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After an 0-3 start, the Steelers stunningly have played their way into the playoff chase. Peter King opens Football Morning in America Week 10 with Pittsburgh, and how Sunday’s win over the Rams was emblematic of their quick turnaround. Also in the column:

• Why two early-season Super Bowl contenders—the Rams and Chiefs—could be in big trouble after relatively surprising losses on Sunday.

• With three black quarterbacks at the top of the current MVP race, a look back at pioneering QB James Harris, who helped pave the way.

• The Week 10 awards, including strong performances from Lamar Jackson, Mitchell Trubisky, Jamal Adams and more.

• More thoughts, notes and opinions on the decline of participation in high school football; the pro prospects of LSU quarterback Joe Burrow; the secret to interviews, according to Dan Patrick; likes/dislikes from Week 10.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, beernerdness and why Kevin Harlan is an American treasure. [more]