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

Posted by Peter King on December 3, 2018, 4:28 AM EDT
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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 EDT
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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 EDT
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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 EDT
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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 EDT
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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]

FMIA Week 8: On the Role a Rolex Played In Keeping the Rams Perfect

Posted by Peter King on October 29, 2018, 2:51 AM EDT
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The Rams needed a Rolex to keep their perfect season ticking. On the scene in Los Angeles, Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America Week 8 column with that story and so much more, including:

• Two plays that explain why L.A. is the team it is, and how the Rams were able to slip past Green Bay, with the help of an unwise decision by Ty Montgomery.

• The trade deadline is one day away, and the rumors—about Pierre Garcon, Demaryius Thomas, Janoris Jenkins, Eli Manning and more—are running rampant.

• Jameis Winston’s time in Tampa might be coming to an end after the Bucs benched their turnover-prone quarterback in a loss to the Bengals on Sunday.

• Adrian Peterson had a monster day for Washington and still has eyes for Emmitt Smith’s all-time rushing mark.

• The NFL has a new scoring leader. To celebrate, let’s take a quiz! (Spoiler Alert: You are not going to pass.)

• More thoughts, notes, opinions on the red-hot play of the Texans and J.J. Watt; the trade of Amari Cooper; the unraveling of Blake Bortles; Week 8 awards.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, how one man experienced Game 3 and the Halloween costume of the league’s fastest player.
[more]

FMIA Week 7: On Benchings, Bad Calls and the Big Miss in Baltimore

Posted by Peter King on October 22, 2018, 3:49 AM EDT
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From buses to benchings to bad calls, Week 7 had a bit of it all. Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America Week 7 column with the big miss in Baltimore:

• Justin Tucker holds himself accountable … The Ravens kicker missed the first PAT of his career at the most inopportune time, and lived to tell about it.

• Eli Manning, Jacksonville Jaguar? … Blake Bortles was benched Sunday and now the Jags have to aggressively try to find the answer at quarterback if they want to salvage their season.

• Washington beats Dallas … with the help of an obscure penalty on a field-goal snap that had everyone scratching their heads on Sunday.

• Plus more thoughts, notes, opinions on Carolina’s crazy comeback; the Eric Reid-Malcolm Jenkins scrape; Mike Vrabel’s costly play call; the K.C. masterpiece; the MVP Watch.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, a surreal sports Sunday in SoCal and the true tales of San Francisco’s birth certificate queen. [more]

FMIA Week 6: Chiefs-Patriots Leaves Expectations in the Rearview

Posted by Peter King on October 15, 2018, 4:04 AM EDT
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It was the Game of the Year so far, and guess who was in Foxboro to see it live. Peter King kicks off his Football Morning in America Week 6 column with Patriots 43, Chiefs 40, and also dives into:

• Tom Brady’s touchdown run … the Patriots quarterback saw something he’d never seen before on that play. Plus more notes from two teams that could meet again in 13 weeks.

• The NFL’s ATM … London has turned lucrative for the league, as Sunday’s Seahawks-Raiders game showed, and a permanent franchise across the pond might happen sooner than we think.

• Drew Brees, the passing king … the man who has had the best seat in the house for the Saints quarterback’s career shares what he has learned watching No. 9.

• Thoughts, notes, opinions on the controversial ending in Steelers-Bengals game; Todd Gurley’s 200-yard day; Brocktober; the MVP Watch; and much more.

• Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness, Joe Buck’s bonkers schedule and a new granddaughter to put it all in perspective.
[more]

FMIA Week 5: Awaken the Sleeping Giant? Browns—Yup—Feeling Frisky

Posted by Peter King on October 8, 2018, 4:39 AM EDT
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They are fun, they are competitive and they are a few breaks from being 5-0. Today, Peter King’s Football Morning in America column covers many topics, listed below, and leads with … the Cleveland Browns?

• Yes, that Cleveland, which has gone from fans photo-copying middle fingers to use in their season-ticket forms to an exciting, optimistic 2-2-1 start after an OT win over Baltimore

• Adam Thielen is a reluctant superstar … the Vikings receiver has done something no one in the Super Bowl era has done, but all he wants to talk about is onside kicks

• The rest of Week 5 … Sean McVay’s Rams stay perfect; Graham Gano has career kick; Odell drama resurfaces in New York; time running short for Philly

• Thoughts, notes, opinions on Drew Brees nearing an all-time NFL mark; Jake Butt’s optimistic attitude after his third ACL tear; the pros and cons of Thursday Night Football; the Week 5 awards

• Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness, a new book section and a sleepy, smelling cross-country disturbance [more]

FMIA Week 4: The NFL at the Quarter Pole and an Overtime-Filled Sunday

Posted by Peter King on October 1, 2018, 4:14 AM EDT
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The end of Week 4 also means the first quarter of the season is in the books. Today, Peter King’s Football Morning in America column covers both, including:

The 10 talking points at the quarter pole … from offensive explosions to head-scratching roughing-the-passer penalties and everything in between. Mike Vrabel’s a copycat … and damn proud of it. The Titans coach shares his secrets after a huge win over the champs in overtime.

The rest of Week 4 … Frank Reich’s costly decision; Mitchell Trubisky’s career day; the Patriots show signs of life; and more. Thoughts, notes, opinions on Sean McVay’s immediate impact in Los Angeles; the primetime TV fallout from the Jimmy Garoppolo injury; the Week 4 awards. Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness and the great new football history book that reads like anything but. [more]

FMIA Week 3: A Sunday of Surprises? Nah, A Vet Says, ‘This Is The Normal’

Posted by Peter King on September 24, 2018, 4:36 AM EDT
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The Sunday of Week 3 might have seemed really weird, but Adrian Peterson is here to tell you it was completely normal. Today, Peter King’s Football Morning in America column covers:

The Bills’ stunning underdog win … but don’t you dare call it fluky, as Josh Allen and company played ball control and turnover-free football to thoroughly beat the Vikings. Adrian Peterson’s return to form at 33 … the Redskins running back was tired of others writing his story, so he decided to take control with the way he performs on the field. Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury … the Niners quarterback is devastated and the team is ready to turn to backup C.J. Beathard for the remainder of the season.

Roughing the passer penalties … the problem didn’t go away Sunday and might have even gotten worse. The NFL has no one to blame but itself. Thoughts, notes, opinions on the battle of Los Angeles; a disturbing trend in OL play; the magic of Mahomes; the Week 3 awards; the early MVP front-runners; and more. Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness and what Ed Hochuli has learned while traveling the country in a 45-foot RV. Really. [more]

FMIA Week 2: Players Make Plays, and Patrick Mahomes Has Made a Perfect 10 For The High-Flying Chiefs

Posted by Peter King on September 17, 2018, 3:42 AM EDT
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The NFL season is two weeks old and it’s been quite a ride so far. Today, Peter King’s Football Morning in America column covers:

Patrick Mahomes’ insane start … the Chiefs quarterback has 10 touchdowns in two games and his major-league dad tells some tales about his son’s past that help show why he’s so ready for this moment. The rest of Week 2 … Fitzmagic continues for Tampa (while Jameis texts his teammates); Kirk Cousins shines, refs blow call in odd Packers-Vikings tie; Jags avenge loss to Patriots.

A must-read book … and a must-read Patriots-Hooters comparison from the timely tome by probing political writer Mark Leibovich, who turns his sharp eye on the NFL landscape today. How to stay in shape … an NFL veteran explains the methods to his madness, including his super-secret P.E.D. and how he manages to regularly choke down kale.

Thoughts, notes, opinions on Vontae Davis’ halftime retirement; Josh Gordon’s next chapter; the Week 2 awards; the super early MVP front-runners; and more. Plus 10 things, factoids, coffeenerdness and a travel note about uncomfortable conversations with inanimate objects. [more]

FMIA Week 1: On Seven-Hour Games, Undefeated Browns and the Greatest Game Aaron Rodgers Ever Played

Posted by Peter King on September 10, 2018, 4:07 AM EDT
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With a wild Week 1 nearly in the books, Peter King’s latest Football Morning in America column covers:

The greatest game Aaron Rodgers ever played … the anatomy of a comeback, with the perspective of one of the key players, as Chicago’s nightmares in Green Bay continue. Fitzmagic … the Bucs quarterback on why his team’s 48-point explosion didn’t surprise him and why his son might be the smartest fantasy football player out there.

Best of the rest … come for the story of the seven-hour game, stay for why a team being ticked off about a tie is a good thing. Sean McVay’s rookie notes … the Rams coach on what he learned in season one, plus more in the walkup to the final two Week 1 games: Rams-Raiders and Jets-Lions. Thoughts, notes, opinions on Colin Kaepernick’s new Nike ad; Le’Veon Bell’s holdout; the best players, coaches from Week 1; and much more. [more]

FMIA: On The Mack Mistake And Why Super Bowl 53 Will Be Rams-Patriots

Posted by Peter King on September 3, 2018, 1:51 AM EDT
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On the eve of the NFL’s 99th season kicking off, Peter King’s latest Football Morning in America column covers:

The Khalil Mack trade … the Raiders made a big mistake in dealing the superstar pass rusher they developed and the Bears accelerated the timetable of their turnaround. Prediction-palooza … From which teams will make the playoffs to who will play in the Super Bowl. Plus picks for MVP, top rookies, offensive and defensive players of the year and more.

Andrew Luck … as he gets ready for his first game action in 18 months, the Colts quarterback reflects on what he learned about himself during his time away from the game. Roger Goodell’s approval rating … NFL fans sound off on the commissioner and the results of an online poll show extreme frustration. Thoughts, notes, opinions on Colin Kaepernick’s collusion case; a decision-making stat that rates coaches; the Saints-Bridgewater situation and what it means for Drew Brees; and much more.

Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness and a stat about the Packers-Bears rivalry that you have to see to believe.
[more]

FMIA: Legion of Whom? Fast, Efficient Overhaul Has Seattle Set to Surprise

Posted by Peter King on August 27, 2018, 12:15 AM EDT
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From the preseason trail, Peter King’s latest Football Morning in America column covers:

Seattle … a controlled burn of the roster and a fast, efficient rebuild has coach Pete Carroll feeling like he’s back in college and the team smelling like a surprise contender. Philadelphia … and why it’s beginning to look a lot like Nick Foles—and not Carson Wentz—will start the opening game for the defending Super Bowl champions. The FMIA Camp All-Stars … eight players who jumped off the grass during a 22-team tour of training camps and games this preseason.

Rule changes … and why everyone needs to take a deep breath in regards to helmet hits and how they will be officiated this season. Thoughts, notes, opinions on John McCain’s passing and his NFL friendships; the HOF nominations of Gil Brandt and Pat Bowlen; Brandon Marshall’s under-the-radar brilliance’; and more. Plus 10 things, factoids, beernerdness, coffeenerdness and a plea to the Thermostat Lords to put a freeze on excessive cooling.
[more]