Heath Evans on M&M: Jets 'big-mouth idiots'

NFL Network analyst and former Patriots fullback Heath Evans joined Mut & Merloni on Wednesday to discuss the latest Patriots and NFL news.

The Jets continue to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. On Wednesday, the New York Daily News had a story in which left guard Matt Slauson and some anonymous Jets criticized backup quarterback Tim Tebow and insisted Mark Sanchez gives them the best chance to win.

"When you've got a bunch of losers, you don't have a chance," Evans said of the 3-6 Jets. "And let me start and end with Matt Slauson, because he was the only one that was dumb enough to put his name to it -- and I mean dumb enough. Because I looked up and down their offensive line. Hey, big dummy, you're the weak link. You know what I mean?

"My thought is this: You want to bash Tim Tebow? Well, you're not telling us anything. We know he's not the best prototypical quarterback. But guess what? If you would have put him in there Week 1 and did what the Denver Broncos did last year and really maneuver a whole offense around what he can do, you'd be sitting in a much prettier position right now than they are now.

"This team is full of a bunch of big-mouth idiots. And it's pathetic. Because they've got some talent up and down their roster. But this is like a jail cell, a bunch of dysfunctional people that have no clue how to really win football games. This offensive line is supposed to be rough and tough? They're one of the softest in all of football. And ask anybody that watches film. It's pathetic. Don't even get me started on the Jets. They're a debacle."

When the Patriots host the Colts on Sunday, it should mark the debut of cornerback Aqib Talib, acquired from the Buccaneers two weeks ago. Evans said it's up to Talib to buy in to the Patriot Way.

"If the kid's smart, he's going to let Bill [Belichick] do a complete overhaul on his life and his football ability," Evans said. "He's going to become a superstar here down the back stretch of this season. And then he's going to sign for a little less money with Bill so he can stay here and be successful.

"We're probably going to see great success out of him, I bet. This kid is a freak-of-nature athlete. With Tampa and the Saints, we lined up, we knew just stay away from him. And Drew would test him a little bit because he was a bit undisciplined. But you talk about footwork and instincts and just raw ability, the kid's nasty. It's good. It's scary good.

"But the truth is we'll probably see him ball out, be greedy, the Patriots won't pay him what other teams will. He'll probably go somewhere else and suck. I hope that doesn't happen, but it probably will happen."

Added Evans: "[With the improved running game], this team right now, without Aqib Talib, is better equipped to win the Super Bowl this year. You bring Aqib in, and if he plays well and is what I think he can be, and that is a shutdown man-to-man corner, I do think that it gives Bill the opportunity to do so many different things that will free up other players. This is a huge addition. The big 'but,' or the big 'if,' is: Will the guy buy in? And that's only up to him."

Talib just completed a four-game suspension for unauthorized use of Adderall, which is used to treat ADHD. Evans used Adderall and Ritalin to treat learning disorders, and he said that Adderall "doesn't make you some monster" like other steroids might. However, Evans also noted that he always filled out the appropriate paperwork so the league would not object.

"It's a hassle to file all that paperwork, but it's very, very simple," Evans said. "So, with the Adderall and the Ritalin, if the players get busted for that stuff, they're just stupid. You know what? It's their fault, they should be suspended for four games just for being dumb. Not for taking Ritalin or Adderall -- you're suspended for four weeks because you're an idiot."

The Colts are led by standout rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. Evans is impressed with the toughness of the No. 1 overall pick.

"With Luck, honestly, what's most impressive to me is the way this guy will take a huge shot -- and I mean a big shot standing in the pocket -- complete the pass, and then get right back up the next play and make a strike down the field like nothing ever fazed him," Evans said. "Or he makes a huge mistake that's just so opposite of what he normally does, and then it's like he just forgets it, it's no big deal, it's like he doesn't even remember it happening. And then the next play he's just making some wow-factor play. 

"That is, for any player -- I don't care if it's the [Drew] Breeses and the [Tom] Bradys and the [Aaron] Rodgerses, the Mannings -- that's tough to do. But for a rookie, it's special what he's doing. And how good he's making his offensive line look, it's Peyton Manning-esque It's scary."

To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page. For more Patriots news, visit the team page at weei.com/patriots.