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Peter King on M&M: ‘It’s only a matter of time before the defense ruins their season’ 10.07.11 at 1:43 pm ET
By

Peter King

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King joined Mut & Merloni Friday at noon for his weekly discussion of NFL news.

King talked about wide receiver Wes Welker and his incredible start to the season. Welker has 40 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns in just four games so far this season. King said that the Patriots wideout is one of the top four or five receivers in the game.

“I think he is [one of the NFL's top receivers] if you consider that there are a lot of different kinds of receivers in football right now,” King said. “He certainly is the state-of-the-art in the flat, and the great thing about him is he’s versatile, he can do anything.

“If the Jets are smart, they’ll put [Darrelle] Revis on him from the start of the game until the end. He clearly is a guy who you have to pay attention to on running downs and throwing downs, and If I were Rex [Ryan], if I were Mike Pettine, there’d be no question. On Wednesday, I would have taken Revis and I would’ve just said, ‘You’ve got this guy every snap.’ ”

While Welker has been enjoying an excellent 2011 season, teammate Chad Ochocinco has struggled to find a place in the New England offense. Through the first four games, Ochocinco has just seven receptions for 113 yards.

“I’m surprised, because knowing the offense and conquering what he has to know in the playbook has never been a problem, and I don’t know if specifically if that’s his problem today,” King said. “He has not done with Tom Brady what Brady has with all those other guys, which is the faith of knowing exactly where he’s going to be and what time he’s going to be there.”

Following are more highlights from the conversation. To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page.

On the Patriots defense: “It’s only a matter of time before the defense ruins their season. I wrote that the other day, and after watching them now for 75 percent of their games, their plays so far, I just think that first of all, I was very surprised to hear Pepper Johnson, who I respect a lot, say the other day that he’s happy with the pressure that they’re getting on up front. How can you be happy with the pressure you’re getting up front when Chad Henne torches you?

I don’t think its the scheme. I think Belichick knows what he’s doing in that way. I just think the players playing it, particularly in the front end, are just not getting the pressure they need to bother quarterbacks enough to beat them.”

On Jets QB Mark Sanchez: “We’ve all seen him be good enough to very good, especially in the clutch. And I refuse to believe that the guy’s a bum. He’s not a bum, he’s a young quarterback learning his craft who is going to have some rocky days. … Without pressure on Sanchez, I would think he’d be able to do some damage with [Plaxico] Burress and Santonio Holmes this week.”

On the surging Detroit Lions: “Calvin Johnson reminds me of Andre Johnson. Matt Schaub once told me, ‘I’ll just throw it up there, [Andre] has the best chance of anybody, even if he’s in triple coverage, to get it. And I remember being with Matthew Stafford in training camp this year and I said, ‘Look at how many times you keep going to Calvin Johnson.’ I think there was 17 plays on that day in camp with the full squad on the field, on both sides, 17 snaps and he completed six passes out of like 10 to Calvin Johnson. And I said, ‘Why’d you go to him so much?’ And he look at me and he goes, ‘Wouldn’t you?’ “

Read More: Chad Ochocinco, Darrelle Revis, Peter King, Wes Welker Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Pepper Johnson’s 32nd Defense

    If Pepper Johnson is actually satisfied with the Patriots nonexistent Defense and Pass Rush, HE NEEDS TO GO.

    Think about it: ever since Pepper Johnson has been with the organization, the Patriots defense has steadily declined. It’s not just a terrible crop of players and relying on the wrong players to step up (or who keep getting hurt), it’s a TERRIBLE LB Coach who can’t develop anyone!

    Face it, if Pepper Johnson is satisfied with a Junior Varsity defense, then he doesn’t belong in the NFL.

  • James

    Pepper Johnson is the D-line coach, not the LB coach. I think the defense is improving steadily. Granted they have a long way to go. But, if they keep improving each week, then they’ll just need to stay healthy.
    It amazes me the generosity of some people that keeps the Peter Kings of the world employed.

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... Bullyboy

    I gotta say if I Peppered my Johnson, it would burn bad. Our defense is getting burned due to a Pepper Johnson, this is understandable.

  • Tony M

    Been saying it for 2 or 3 years now.. Where’s da pass rush?

  • Bill

    Peter King brings nothing to the table anymore, when was the last time he really provided any insight on anything.
    Pats defense is bad, wow Peter thanks for bringing it this week. Your weekly interview is about as exciting as watching an Andy Rooney bit on 60 mins. Let’s hope SI doesnt keep you hanging around until your nintey.
    He does fit in nicely with Mutts show which continues to bore the crap out of the most die hard Weei fan, I feel like I’m listening to a 14 year old for four hours a day.

  • Mike

    Oh, but Belichick is a defensive genius.

  • Schwank

    On the pass rush….bottom line the DL simply doens’t have the speed. Oakland had a couple guys the got to it.

  • PVS53

    I dsagree with Peter. I think the defense will start getting better as the season goes on. There have been a lot of players, starters, that have not seen much time on the field. If they can get everyone healthy on the defense and start playing as a unit, I believe they will start playing better defense. With a healthy unit they will be able to use different schemes with different stunts. They definitely are struggling as a defensive unit right now, but I believe they will get better. They can not get any worse. GO WILFORK

  • al

    If you take away the 2 pick 6 TD’s in the Buffalo game and the garbage time TD late last week the Pats Defense over 4 games have given up 76 pts in 4 games and average of 19 points/game–Who cares about how many yards they give up–Scoring more pints than your competition is the ONLY thing that matters

  • 2loose

    Pepper Johnson is being loyal to his players.
    The pass rush could use help in the form of Haynesworth and Wright on the field and crushing the pocket.
    This will also help the secondary play.
    Belichick’s defenses have usually impoved as the season progresses.

  • snidleywhiplash

    Defense must improve or the season will be no different than last. Right now our Pats are durning into the 80′s Dolphins with Dan Marino or Chargers with Dan Fouts. We cannot win with Offense alone. The offense is that good but Brady has already proven he is not perfect. We have done nothing in Post season since the Super Bowl of 07. That is a long time. Pats really aren’t bend don’t break. They are breaking but the offense is breaking other teams too. I want to see how we do against Ravens and that D or this Sunday against Jets. By Monday we are going to have a much better idea of what kind of team we have.

  • jason

    Calvin Johnson is ridiculous..

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