Peter King - Monday Morning QB [merged]

[Nordberg]

Isn't it funny listening to the media/Colt fans talk about what if Harrison would have played in the game. You have got to be kidding me.

Manning still had better than what Brady has had to work with for the last few years in the game yesterday, but all as I hear today is the whinning by everyone about Manning not having his binky.

I guess Manning can't get it done without top notch talent.....who new

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/11/04/mmqb/1.html

This game did not decide the AFC Super Bowl rep. Before the game, I was convinced that if the Patriots won, they'd have the Super Bowl berth all but locked up. Indy could not come to Foxboro and win in January, I thought.

Now? I'm not so sure. Think of Sunday's game. If Marvin Harrison played, would that have been Anthony Gonzalez' first-half drop in the end zone of a Colts TD? Would that second-half drop by Aaron Moorehead have happened? And how about the crucial third-quarter drop by Reggie Wayne at the New England 28? How can he drop a ball like that, perfectly thrown by Manning? In other words, the Colts had plenty of chances to keep this one close, and to cushion their lead.

On defense, the Colts were far more physical a group than New England had seen previously. Cornerback Marlin Jackson was the headhunter Sanders had been in recent weeks. Gary Brackett made one of the best interceptions you've ever seen on Brady, a one-handed pirouetting job. The Patriots walked away with more respect for an Indy defense than after any game of this modern rivalry; Belichick is 8-4 against the Colts since taking the helm in 2000.

Why do I give Indy a shot in January? Harrison, you'd think, would drag his aching knee into the starting lineup for that one. And the last two times they met in Foxboro, Indianapolis won -- 40-21 and 27-20. It'll be colder, most likely. But it was 51 degrees for the 2005 meeting, and 31 last year on a Sunday night, when the Colts put up 27 points and picked off Brady four times. No, this most definitely will not be a walkover in the rematch.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

I think the media has to accept that Marvin Harrison may be done. In case they haven't noticed, even before he was injured he wasn't Manning's go to guy. I think if he was in the game, he probably wouldn't have made much a difference.

It is funny that I didn't hear any media person say the Pats might have won the AFC Championship game last year if the Pats had Harrison, Wilson, and Seau.

 

[mac]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Isn't it funny listening to the media/Colt fans talk about what if Harrison would have played in the game. You have got to be kidding me.

Manning still had better than what Brady has had to work with for the last few years in the game yesterday, but all as I hear today is the whinning by everyone about Manning not having his binky.

I guess Manning can't get it done without top notch talent.....who new

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/11/04/mmqb/1.html

This game did not decide the AFC Super Bowl rep. Before the game, I was convinced that if the Patriots won, they'd have the Super Bowl berth all but locked up. Indy could not come to Foxboro and win in January, I thought.

Now? I'm not so sure. Think of Sunday's game. If Marvin Harrison played, would that have been Anthony Gonzalez' first-half drop in the end zone of a Colts TD? Would that second-half drop by Aaron Moorehead have happened? And how about the crucial third-quarter drop by Reggie Wayne at the New England 28? How can he drop a ball like that, perfectly thrown by Manning? In other words, the Colts had plenty of chances to keep this one close, and to cushion their lead.

On defense, the Colts were far more physical a group than New England had seen previously. Cornerback Marlin Jackson was the headhunter Sanders had been in recent weeks. Gary Brackett made one of the best interceptions you've ever seen on Brady, a one-handed pirouetting job. The Patriots walked away with more respect for an Indy defense than after any game of this modern rivalry; Belichick is 8-4 against the Colts since taking the helm in 2000.

Why do I give Indy a shot in January? Harrison, you'd think, would drag his aching knee into the starting lineup for that one. And the last two times they met in Foxboro, Indianapolis won -- 40-21 and 27-20. It'll be colder, most likely. But it was 51 degrees for the 2005 meeting, and 31 last year on a Sunday night, when the Colts put up 27 points and picked off Brady four times. No, this most definitely will not be a walkover in the rematch.

Very well-thought-out post. Which I happen to agree with.

 

[psychoPat]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

....
It is funny that I didn't hear any media person say the Pats might have won the AFC Championship game last year if the Pats had Harrison, Wilson, and Seau.

Hmmm.
Why is that?

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Hmmm.
Why is that?

And, isn't it amazing that the no one seems to criticize Manning for that crucial turnover in their last drive? He's getting a free pass, wonder why...

 

[SVN]

Peter King column

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/11/04/mmqb/index.html

not too bad for a change although he does throw in the colts injuries in as part of the column.

 

[scout]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

What if.....................what if the Patriots did not commit (i use that term loosely) a team record in penalties? Then he compares last years Indy wins in Foxboro to going there this year. PETER, how about also comparing last years Patriots players who were on the field for that game. Not only were there some injuries, but no Moss, Welker or Thomas. Give me a break.

 

[Nordberg]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Doesn't it kind of make you wonder if Mannings numbers being down this year has anything to do with Marvin missing alot of time.

Watch his numbers every year become pedestrian if Harrison is done. I would laugh my ***** off

 

[kolbitr]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Very well-thought-out post. Which I happen to agree with.

That wasn't a member post--he was quoting King.

The mistake with all of the what-if regarding Harrison, is that he was held out of this game because of a chronic injury. I.e., he's old. Wish we could turn back the clock on Tedy and Rodney, since it's likely that Addai would not have had the 73-yard run, for example, against the 2004 Pats, but that can't be done. I doubt that Manning would have ignored Gonzalez were Harrison in the game--he hasn't been ignoring him this year. Perhaps he would have made a few more plays, but it's not definite. And we certainly could have used Morris, a far-lesser player than MH, but one who would have been a terrific inside force. Moorehead's drop was I think the most damaging, and that might have gone to Harrison, who we can say would have been far less likely to drop that pass.

 

[Fencer]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Peter King may be the only literate person on the planet -- my parents excepted -- who hasn't read Harry Potter or seen a Harry Potter movie.

I don't know what Dementors are, but they don't sound like people I'd want to invite to my Super Bowl party.

Or, rather, he was. I'm sure his email box has filled up with explanations by now ...

 

[Nordberg]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

That wasn't a member post--he was quoting King.

The mistake with all of the what-if regarding Harrison, is that he was held out of this game because of a chronic injury. I.e., he's old. Wish we could turn back the clock on Tedy and Rodney, since it's likely that Addai would not have had the 73-yard run, for example, against the 2004 Pats, but that can't be done. I doubt that Manning would have ignored Gonzalez were Harrison in the game--he hasn't been ignoring him this year. Perhaps he would have made a few more plays, but it's not definite. And we certainly could have used Morris, a far-lesser player than MH, but one who would have been a terrific inside force. Moorehead's drop was I think the most damaging, and that might have gone to Harrison, who we can say would have been far less likely to drop that pass.

You had to ruin it for me.....didn't you

 

[RayClay]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Peter King may be the only literate person on the planet -- my parents excepted -- who hasn't read Harry Potter or seen a Harry Potter movie.



Or, rather, he was. I'm sure his email box has filled up with explanations by now ...

You calling me illiterate, Fencer? I may be stoopid, but I ain't illiterate!

 

[shmessy]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

I think the media has to accept that Marvin Harrison may be done. In case they haven't noticed, even before he was injured he wasn't Manning's go to guy. I think if he was in the game, he probably wouldn't have made much a difference.

It is funny that I didn't hear any media person say the Pats might have won the AFC Championship game last year if the Pats had Harrison, Wilson, and Seau.

........or Deion Branch?

 

[Buchanty]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

I am afraid that we are just going to have to expect to receive no roses from those that attacked the Patriots with so much vitriol at the beginning of the season. They are looking for any reason to diminish the team; Collinsworth, King, Jackson all dismissed one of the great comebacks in recent years (not quite as impressive as the last battle between these two - and understandably so because it was the playoffs). They have their journalistic pride to think of after all

That is why I am not surprised by the total absence of any mention of the advantage the colts got from the refs. I think I have only found one mention of the bogus PI call on Hobbs, and that was a sub-column in the Herald.

However what does make me feel good is the fact that the Patriots one and all havent mentioned the refereeing and the huge penalty imbalance. While Peyton whines about the injuries and Dungy points at the long ball to Moss as the game winner (viz game differentiator), not one of the Pats mentioned the blown calls, the loss of yards to bad ball spotting, the phantom calls or the fact that they were on the field against 11 plus the refereeing crew.

BB and the boys didnt even gloat/crow or exult in interviews on the come-from-behind in the 4th quarter, leaving it to the message boards to relish their accomplishment.

PS. Best example of referee bias was on the completion that was successfully challenged by BB. On the replay Moorehead is shown catching the ball sandwiched between two refs on the line and no more than 12 yards away. They must have seen the foot over the line but they called complete, I hope the NFL pays for lasik surgery on their eyes.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

I think the media has to accept that Marvin Harrison may be done. In case they haven't noticed, even before he was injured he wasn't Manning's go to guy. I think if he was in the game, he probably wouldn't have made much a difference.

It is funny that I didn't hear any media person say the Pats might have won the AFC Championship game last year if the Pats had Harrison, Wilson, and Seau.

Faulk and Seymour missed time in that game, too. But yeah, are starters don't matter when we lose, but when the mediots' beloved Colts lose it's "they would have won if they had Marvin". Whiny *****es.

 

[Mungo]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

for a writer like King who seems to hold the integrity of the league and game to good/high standards (in a good for the most part), I was surprised he didn't touch upon the poor officiating. Its one thing to have a few calls not go your way, but to have the most penalized yards in one game, blatant call with 2 zebras standing right there, friggen smoking gun. Are you guys kidding about M Harrison being done? I doubt that very much

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

for a writer like King who seems to hold the integrity of the league and game to good/high standards (in a good for the most part), I was surprised he didn't touch upon the poor officiating. Its one thing to have a few calls not go your way, but to have the most penalized yards in one game, blatant call with 2 zebras standing right there, friggen smoking gun. Are you guys kidding about M Harrison being done? I doubt that very much

Peter King hates BB and the Pats. I've been saying it for years, but only this year has he made it clear to the world.

 

[upstater1]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Peter King may be the only literate person on the planet -- my parents excepted -- who hasn't read Harry Potter or seen a Harry Potter movie.



Or, rather, he was. I'm sure his email box has filled up with explanations by now ...

I haven't read or seen a Harry Potter book/movie. None of my friends have either.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

I think the media has to accept that Marvin Harrison may be done. In case they haven't noticed, even before he was injured he wasn't Manning's go to guy..

This may sound kind of callous but if MH is finished, what are the cap ramifications in terms of dead space? I know he renegotiated about 1-2 years ago to free up some space so what happens in the enxt few years if his situation becomes one where he can't play anymore....

PS- I have neither seen any Harry Potter movies nor read the books nor do I have any desire to but my kids have done so..

 

[NEPatriot]

Re: Peter King - Monday Morning QB

Very true about the injuries arguement. I'm hearing it from many of the pundits. It seemed in the past we always had major injuries.