Daniel with a fad touchdown. Introducing Going Along with Chase Daniel Daniel throws Touchdown, a brand new podcast from the New Orleans Saints. Joined Chase Is, he sits down with eight former New Orleans Scenes quarterbacks, dealing into their careers and catching up on their lives today, just as only an NFL quarterback can je.

Daniel with a fad touchdown. Introducing Going Along with Chase Daniel Daniel throws Touchdown, a brand new podcast from the New Orleans Saints. Joined Chase Is, he sits down with eight former New Orleans Scenes quarterbacks, dealing into their careers and catching up on their lives today, just as only an NFL quarterback can je.

I mean, Brie, you sort of look like them. I mean, how often do you get confused for Chase Daniel?

I mean, Brie, you sort of look like them. I mean, how often do you get confused for Chase Daniel?

First of all, it's Breez with an ass, not Brie. I never get mistaken for Chase Daniel because about two inches taller than him.

First of all, it's Breez with an ass, not Brie. I never get mistaken for Chase Daniel because about two inches taller than him.

Going long with Chase Daniel.

Going long with Chase Daniel.

Daniel to the mzon caught for the touchdown.

Daniel to the mzon caught for the touchdown.

Man, what's it like looking up to a guy like me?

Man, what's it like looking up to a guy like me?

Starts now.

Starts now.

All right?

All right?

Joined today by Steve Walsh, Saints legend Steve.

Joined today by Steve Walsh, Saints legend Steve.

How you doing man?

How you doing man?

Great man? We just started our high school football season up here in Minnesota and first day of double days. So I'm back in my office doing my regular job at the school, which is raising money, and you know, I got you know, burning at both ends so to speak.

Great man? We just started our high school football season up here in Minnesota and first day of double days. So I'm back in my office doing my regular job at the school, which is raising money, and you know, I got you know, burning at both ends so to speak.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Absolutely, So we explained double days because double days to.

Absolutely, So we explained double days because double days to.

Me mean a little bit different.

Me mean a little bit different.

I know, you were in the league when it was actually two full padded practices. I played myself in three different cbas which is crazy, and they started doing like easy stuff. It's like a walk through at the second practice. Do you got these kids in like full pads both dames or how's it going?

I know, you were in the league when it was actually two full padded practices. I played myself in three different cbas which is crazy, and they started doing like easy stuff. It's like a walk through at the second practice. Do you got these kids in like full pads both dames or how's it going?

No, I mean, you know, obviously because of some of the things that happened, I mean, namely up here Corey Stringer's death, and that's many years ago now, but the heat acclimization, even in the Northern States, Minnesota, they're still very much concerned about it. So you if you do a double day, then you have to have a single practice, and there's some walkthroughs that you can do, but you know, they give you a whole series of here's what you have to do, and it's almost the same. I had coached high school in Florida as well, and it's almost the same exact. You know, whether you're in the hot and humid weather of Florida or somewhat cooler temperatures of Minnesota, they still treat it the same. And you know, I mean it was it was warmer our second practice, but you know, you don't have that that Metairie, Louisiana.

No, I mean, you know, obviously because of some of the things that happened, I mean, namely up here Corey Stringer's death, and that's many years ago now, but the heat acclimization, even in the Northern States, Minnesota, they're still very much concerned about it. So you if you do a double day, then you have to have a single practice, and there's some walkthroughs that you can do, but you know, they give you a whole series of here's what you have to do, and it's almost the same. I had coached high school in Florida as well, and it's almost the same exact. You know, whether you're in the hot and humid weather of Florida or somewhat cooler temperatures of Minnesota, they still treat it the same. And you know, I mean it was it was warmer our second practice, but you know, you don't have that that Metairie, Louisiana.

You know, humidity, So that's amazing.

You know, humidity, So that's amazing.

And you actually went to the high school year coaching at What does that feel like? I mean, back to your alma mater.

And you actually went to the high school year coaching at What does that feel like? I mean, back to your alma mater.

Yeah, so I went here many years ago, and you know, it was a it was weird to come back. I had been visiting though. You know, I had nine nieces and nephews that had come to the school, and so over the years, you know, my high school coach is actually helping me on the staff, and so over the years, still coming in and seeing what they're doing. I went to the school and now I kind of work in the fundraising and the development side as we continue to enhance the school. But it was a tremendous school. I know. You know this name, Mark Trustman. He was instrumenttal in my success because he had played college football with one of my coaches in high school. So my senior year I wasn't getting recruited and this coach of mine reached out to Mark Trustman who was at Miami, and got Marked to come up here and look at me. And my first scholarship offer was you know, November of my senior year.

Yeah, so I went here many years ago, and you know, it was a it was weird to come back. I had been visiting though. You know, I had nine nieces and nephews that had come to the school, and so over the years, you know, my high school coach is actually helping me on the staff, and so over the years, still coming in and seeing what they're doing. I went to the school and now I kind of work in the fundraising and the development side as we continue to enhance the school. But it was a tremendous school. I know. You know this name, Mark Trustman. He was instrumenttal in my success because he had played college football with one of my coaches in high school. So my senior year I wasn't getting recruited and this coach of mine reached out to Mark Trustman who was at Miami, and got Marked to come up here and look at me. And my first scholarship offer was you know, November of my senior year.

So really late.

So really late.

And that leads you to the University of Miami, which look, dude, like, I'm gonna be honest. You went to high school when I was born, and so I've always been a big like Saints quarterback historian and like always wanted to know, like what where these Saints quarterbacks were in college?

And that leads you to the University of Miami, which look, dude, like, I'm gonna be honest. You went to high school when I was born, and so I've always been a big like Saints quarterback historian and like always wanted to know, like what where these Saints quarterbacks were in college?

Dude?

Dude?

You bawled out at the University of Miami. You led the Hurricanes to a national championship in nineteen eighty seven by Jimmy Johnson, which we're going to get to him in.

You bawled out at the University of Miami. You led the Hurricanes to a national championship in nineteen eighty seven by Jimmy Johnson, which we're going to get to him in.

A little bit.

A little bit.

You started for two years twenty three and one record like forty eight touchdowns, finalists for the Heisman, consensus All American recipient of the Sami Ball Trophy in nineteen eighty eight. What was your experience like there and what made you choose to go there versus some other ones? Were they your only offer?

You started for two years twenty three and one record like forty eight touchdowns, finalists for the Heisman, consensus All American recipient of the Sami Ball Trophy in nineteen eighty eight. What was your experience like there and what made you choose to go there versus some other ones? Were they your only offer?

Well, again, I wasn't a highly recruited kid, so I kind of had this humility to me because you know, I mean a lot of high school kids then and certainly now, you know, they get an offer and they got to post it on you know, X and Instagram, and and you know they've just it's all about their brand, right. Well, that shit didn't happen, you know, get in the nineteen eighties out really the case, although Dion Sanders did kind of you know, perfect it. But anyways, but you know, that was you know, so I went there with like, all right, I'm going to go, you know, tackle my next next opportunity and challenge. And you know, I went there and I was I was really skinny. I was weighed like one hundred and sixty five pounds. I was six foot two, almost six foot three, and you know, I had to go there and I sat behind Vinnie Testa Verdi, which was phenomenal to watch a guy who ultimately played what twenty years in the NFL, was a Heisman Trophy winner. But we lost the big game and Vinnie didn't play his best. They had a lot of turnovers. So I'm sitting there going, well, listen, I make good decisions. I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna become the starter, and you know, I'm just not gonna throw interceptions. And that was really We had a great talent around me, Michael Irb and of course you know all three case all three of my receivers made Pro Bowl in their their career at some point so all three of my high school receivers, you know, so my high school, my college, excuse me, my college receivers. My college receivers were better than some of the NFL teams that and obviously Michael Urban and Brian Blades and Brett Perriman, yeah, another former Saint. So anyways, I was blessed to play around be around some incredible talented guys. I knew what my game was. I was taught and coached very well. You know, Jimmy Johnson was Jimmy was more of the defense of guru and a guy by naming Gary Stevens was the offensive coordinator, and a lot of those coaches went to Dallas when Jimmy left, Gary ended up going to the Dolphins.

Well, again, I wasn't a highly recruited kid, so I kind of had this humility to me because you know, I mean a lot of high school kids then and certainly now, you know, they get an offer and they got to post it on you know, X and Instagram, and and you know they've just it's all about their brand, right. Well, that shit didn't happen, you know, get in the nineteen eighties out really the case, although Dion Sanders did kind of you know, perfect it. But anyways, but you know, that was you know, so I went there with like, all right, I'm going to go, you know, tackle my next next opportunity and challenge. And you know, I went there and I was I was really skinny. I was weighed like one hundred and sixty five pounds. I was six foot two, almost six foot three, and you know, I had to go there and I sat behind Vinnie Testa Verdi, which was phenomenal to watch a guy who ultimately played what twenty years in the NFL, was a Heisman Trophy winner. But we lost the big game and Vinnie didn't play his best. They had a lot of turnovers. So I'm sitting there going, well, listen, I make good decisions. I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm gonna become the starter, and you know, I'm just not gonna throw interceptions. And that was really We had a great talent around me, Michael Irb and of course you know all three case all three of my receivers made Pro Bowl in their their career at some point so all three of my high school receivers, you know, so my high school, my college, excuse me, my college receivers. My college receivers were better than some of the NFL teams that and obviously Michael Urban and Brian Blades and Brett Perriman, yeah, another former Saint. So anyways, I was blessed to play around be around some incredible talented guys. I knew what my game was. I was taught and coached very well. You know, Jimmy Johnson was Jimmy was more of the defense of guru and a guy by naming Gary Stevens was the offensive coordinator, and a lot of those coaches went to Dallas when Jimmy left, Gary ended up going to the Dolphins.

But where so, I mean, let's go back to Vinnie Testa already, because I mean I did a bunch of my research. I forgot that it was during his time. What did you take away from him, because he's a living legend.

But where so, I mean, let's go back to Vinnie Testa already, because I mean I did a bunch of my research. I forgot that it was during his time. What did you take away from him, because he's a living legend.

Well, you know, it's as a player, you have to know what you can do, but even maybe more important, what you can't do. And with Vinnie, there wasn't much that he couldn't do on the field. I mean he could scramble. There's one legendary scramble against Oklahoma where he I mean literally he's left, he's right, he's loud, and then he finds Michael Irvan the end zone and I remember like, well listen, I can't do that, you know. So I had to rely on you know, quick decisions protecting the football, uh, you know, making sure you know where to distribute to the you know, the ball and when to do it, and you know, kind of that ultimate game manager was kind of my role. And you know, I tell people all the time you can call him a game manager. Well that's what a quarterback is.

Well, you know, it's as a player, you have to know what you can do, but even maybe more important, what you can't do. And with Vinnie, there wasn't much that he couldn't do on the field. I mean he could scramble. There's one legendary scramble against Oklahoma where he I mean literally he's left, he's right, he's loud, and then he finds Michael Irvan the end zone and I remember like, well listen, I can't do that, you know. So I had to rely on you know, quick decisions protecting the football, uh, you know, making sure you know where to distribute to the you know, the ball and when to do it, and you know, kind of that ultimate game manager was kind of my role. And you know, I tell people all the time you can call him a game manager. Well that's what a quarterback is.

That's what you want exactly. Guys agree.

That's what you want exactly. Guys agree.

Yeah, some guys manage it a hell of a lot better. Patrick Mahomes handles it a lot better, handled it kind of in his way, you know. So that's that's what you've got to manage the game, because you're going to make a decision on every play.

Yeah, some guys manage it a hell of a lot better. Patrick Mahomes handles it a lot better, handled it kind of in his way, you know. So that's that's what you've got to manage the game, because you're going to make a decision on every play.

So take us to that, specifically the nineteen eighties.

So take us to that, specifically the nineteen eighties.

I'm saying here a long time because I think I find your career in Miami fascinating and all the teams that you put around, specifically the nineteen eighty seven team, you guys outscored opponents four hundred and twelve to one twenty five and then one a national championship that year.

I'm saying here a long time because I think I find your career in Miami fascinating and all the teams that you put around, specifically the nineteen eighty seven team, you guys outscored opponents four hundred and twelve to one twenty five and then one a national championship that year.

What was it like being a part of that team.

What was it like being a part of that team.

Well, like I said, we had come off a season before where arguably we had better talent. You know, you had three guys that were picked in the top ten overall in the first round, Vinnie Testaverdi, Jerome Brown, and Alonso Heismith. So we had incredible talent the season before, but we had lost a game in the in the championship to Penn State, and so we had to do things a little differently. We were certainly talented, and we were really talented on defense, but you know, the biggest question was the question mark of the entire team was you know, right here on my.

Well, like I said, we had come off a season before where arguably we had better talent. You know, you had three guys that were picked in the top ten overall in the first round, Vinnie Testaverdi, Jerome Brown, and Alonso Heismith. So we had incredible talent the season before, but we had lost a game in the in the championship to Penn State, and so we had to do things a little differently. We were certainly talented, and we were really talented on defense, but you know, the biggest question was the question mark of the entire team was you know, right here on my.

Back and you weren't the question mark?

Back and you weren't the question mark?

The hell yeah I was. And and it was funny. I tell this all the time about that I was more scared of letting down my teammates than losing a game. That was my biggest motivator is living up to what it meant to be a Miami Hurricane. And you know, we got off to a good start. We beat Florida and then we went up to Arkansas, and Arkansas was ranked and we just spanked them. And it was one of those games where I was calling audibles at the line of scrimmage and getting to touchdowns. Wow. And from that moment, that team was mine and yeah, and then that's when we really kind of blossom. Then we kind of you know, sputtered down the road. I mean, hell, we almost lost to Toledo, and we barely beat Virginia Tech, which wasn't the Virginia Tech of what they've been you know, through the two thousands or whatever. But you know, we got to the championship game and so we're going against Oklahoma. They're the number one defense, and our coaches are talking about them like these guys are terrible, like they totally did a Jedi mind trick. Honestly, we are going to smoke these guys. And I mean, we scored twenty points. We didn't smoke him, but we did. You know, obviously, we did plenty to win the game. And then our defense shut him down.

The hell yeah I was. And and it was funny. I tell this all the time about that I was more scared of letting down my teammates than losing a game. That was my biggest motivator is living up to what it meant to be a Miami Hurricane. And you know, we got off to a good start. We beat Florida and then we went up to Arkansas, and Arkansas was ranked and we just spanked them. And it was one of those games where I was calling audibles at the line of scrimmage and getting to touchdowns. Wow. And from that moment, that team was mine and yeah, and then that's when we really kind of blossom. Then we kind of you know, sputtered down the road. I mean, hell, we almost lost to Toledo, and we barely beat Virginia Tech, which wasn't the Virginia Tech of what they've been you know, through the two thousands or whatever. But you know, we got to the championship game and so we're going against Oklahoma. They're the number one defense, and our coaches are talking about them like these guys are terrible, like they totally did a Jedi mind trick. Honestly, we are going to smoke these guys. And I mean, we scored twenty points. We didn't smoke him, but we did. You know, obviously, we did plenty to win the game. And then our defense shut him down.

That was the biggest Yeah, their defense was insane. Fast forward in nineteen eighty eight, you win the Sammy Ball Trophy, which is awesome, and Heisman Trophy finalists. Take me inside the Heisman trophy ceremony. How was that and what did that mean to you today?

That was the biggest Yeah, their defense was insane. Fast forward in nineteen eighty eight, you win the Sammy Ball Trophy, which is awesome, and Heisman Trophy finalists. Take me inside the Heisman trophy ceremony. How was that and what did that mean to you today?

Well, it probably means more to my dad and my brother because I didn't get to go. So, you know, at the time, if you played our early December game, that's when they held the heisman, and then they moved it back over the years, you know, to make sure they avoid it all you know, late games or what now would be the conference championship games. So they've moved it back. But so I didn't get to go.

Well, it probably means more to my dad and my brother because I didn't get to go. So, you know, at the time, if you played our early December game, that's when they held the heisman, and then they moved it back over the years, you know, to make sure they avoid it all you know, late games or what now would be the conference championship games. So they've moved it back. But so I didn't get to go.

So I didn't get to go.

So I didn't get to go.

Well, the only guys that went were aight men. I think it was just Troy and maybe Barry Sanders who wanted it. And I don't even know because I remember they they put us on on like a four little mini box screen, you know, and I'm wearing some god awful sweater. I think it was a Cugie sweater or something. And and so, but we're getting ready to play Brigham Young that night, and and so we had a game. So I didn't get to go up there, but my dad and my my younger brother went up there and they had fun.

Well, the only guys that went were aight men. I think it was just Troy and maybe Barry Sanders who wanted it. And I don't even know because I remember they they put us on on like a four little mini box screen, you know, and I'm wearing some god awful sweater. I think it was a Cugie sweater or something. And and so, but we're getting ready to play Brigham Young that night, and and so we had a game. So I didn't get to go up there, but my dad and my my younger brother went up there and they had fun.

That's amazing.

That's amazing.

But I tell you, so, I you know, you lose to you know, I finished fourth, So Barry Sanders won it, and you know, how can you argue with that? He was Yeah that year Aikman who was at u C l a second, and Rodney Pete was third, you know, and then myself. So it was three three guys in front of me that all had really really nice careers obviously, you know, Hall of Fame careers with Troy and and uh and Barry Sanders.

But I tell you, so, I you know, you lose to you know, I finished fourth, So Barry Sanders won it, and you know, how can you argue with that? He was Yeah that year Aikman who was at u C l a second, and Rodney Pete was third, you know, and then myself. So it was three three guys in front of me that all had really really nice careers obviously, you know, Hall of Fame careers with Troy and and uh and Barry Sanders.

We're we're in the same boat. I finished fourth in the Heisman in two thousand and seven for University Missouri, so I know what it feels like to go there, and I mean, at least I went there, but to finish fourth.

We're we're in the same boat. I finished fourth in the Heisman in two thousand and seven for University Missouri, so I know what it feels like to go there, and I mean, at least I went there, but to finish fourth.

Tell me some Jimmy Johnson stories.

Tell me some Jimmy Johnson stories.

I mean, what was he like at the University of Miami, What was the biggest lesson he instilled in you?

I mean, what was he like at the University of Miami, What was the biggest lesson he instilled in you?

And how was he like as a coach?

And how was he like as a coach?

So Jimmy Uh, you know again, Jimmy's master, you know, mind guru was really on the defensive side of the ball, right, He was a defensive minded coach. He left the offense pretty much alone because he knew it was in good hands at Miami. In Dallas, he had to get a little bit more involved on the offensive side of the ball. But Jimmy, you know, so we we lose the Penn State in a game, and we have a just a ton of crap off the field, you know, guys with getting you know, you know, way nicer cars than they should be driving, if you know what I mean.

So Jimmy Uh, you know again, Jimmy's master, you know, mind guru was really on the defensive side of the ball, right, He was a defensive minded coach. He left the offense pretty much alone because he knew it was in good hands at Miami. In Dallas, he had to get a little bit more involved on the offensive side of the ball. But Jimmy, you know, so we we lose the Penn State in a game, and we have a just a ton of crap off the field, you know, guys with getting you know, you know, way nicer cars than they should be driving, if you know what I mean.

This is pre nil.

This is pre nil.

Yeah, yeah, exactly. So Jimmy comes in and he says, men, I don't care if we win another game. We are not going through that bullshit we just went through. This is like a Spring of eighty seven, you know, meeting right right. So so we just we lose the Fiesta Ball and it's like the first meeting back. All the seniors, all the guys that are moving onto the NFL are out of there, and he's like, you know, we're not dealing with that shit. And so it really just kind of puts you on notice. And he went on to expand on that, and it's really a mentality that I feel, and he may stay different, but I feel he took to the NFL and he said, he said, guys, if you're doing the right thing, if you're going to school, you're getting decent grades, you're being a good citizen on campus. You're not doing the wrong things. If you get into a jam, I got your back, said, but if you're not going to school, you're screwing up. You're constantly a problem on campus, and you screw up, you're out of here. You know. So he really kind of laid it down right there, and I think he became that way as an NFL coach. He became very ruthless in a good way, like, this is what it's going to be. You don't want to be here in the off season lifting weights. Maybe you're not right for the Dallas Cowboys because a lot of the guys in the NFL, they didn't stick around their their home cities unless they have a home there or family and left. They kind of went off their own. And Jimmy's like, no, you're gonna lift. So he the Cowboys got really young, really fast, because that's what he knew worked. And they brought in an incredible strength coach who you know, followed up his Dallas championships years with about six rings at New England and and we just became, you know, that became a very young team. And then that core group of Michael urban Dreygman Emmett Smith. You know that. You know, Darryl Johnson, Mark Stepanowski, all those guys, the of the great nineties Cowboys were all rookies there. Emmett wasn't, but you know, kind of my rookie year as well well.

Yeah, yeah, exactly. So Jimmy comes in and he says, men, I don't care if we win another game. We are not going through that bullshit we just went through. This is like a Spring of eighty seven, you know, meeting right right. So so we just we lose the Fiesta Ball and it's like the first meeting back. All the seniors, all the guys that are moving onto the NFL are out of there, and he's like, you know, we're not dealing with that shit. And so it really just kind of puts you on notice. And he went on to expand on that, and it's really a mentality that I feel, and he may stay different, but I feel he took to the NFL and he said, he said, guys, if you're doing the right thing, if you're going to school, you're getting decent grades, you're being a good citizen on campus. You're not doing the wrong things. If you get into a jam, I got your back, said, but if you're not going to school, you're screwing up. You're constantly a problem on campus, and you screw up, you're out of here. You know. So he really kind of laid it down right there, and I think he became that way as an NFL coach. He became very ruthless in a good way, like, this is what it's going to be. You don't want to be here in the off season lifting weights. Maybe you're not right for the Dallas Cowboys because a lot of the guys in the NFL, they didn't stick around their their home cities unless they have a home there or family and left. They kind of went off their own. And Jimmy's like, no, you're gonna lift. So he the Cowboys got really young, really fast, because that's what he knew worked. And they brought in an incredible strength coach who you know, followed up his Dallas championships years with about six rings at New England and and we just became, you know, that became a very young team. And then that core group of Michael urban Dreygman Emmett Smith. You know that. You know, Darryl Johnson, Mark Stepanowski, all those guys, the of the great nineties Cowboys were all rookies there. Emmett wasn't, but you know, kind of my rookie year as well well.

And Jimmy must liked you because he drafted you in the nineteen eighty nine supplemental Draft Dallas Cowboys, even though they drafted Troy with the first overall pick in the same draft. What was that like being coached by Jimmy in the pros?

And Jimmy must liked you because he drafted you in the nineteen eighty nine supplemental Draft Dallas Cowboys, even though they drafted Troy with the first overall pick in the same draft. What was that like being coached by Jimmy in the pros?

Well, you know, I I have mixed feelings about it. I'm grateful because I got to you know, Troy got hurt as a rookie and I ended up starting five games.

Well, you know, I I have mixed feelings about it. I'm grateful because I got to you know, Troy got hurt as a rookie and I ended up starting five games.

Five games.

Five games.

You know, as you know over your years when you've been a backup, you just need to get some starts, right, You get some starts to show that you can help the team win, and you're gonna stay in the in the league a long time like you have or so it was. But at the same point, there was other teams that were interested. So I went the supplemental Draft, which was really just a strategy that I had with my agent because what it was is you know, if you got the third, fourth, fifth pick of the draft and you need a left tackle, but you really like this kid at Miami as a quarterback, well shit, we got to get a love tackle. You know. But when I went in the supplemental draft, there was only two other guys in there, and if they liked you, they'd pick you because they were sacrificing the following year. So Jimmy picked me, and he picked me up from the airport and he flat out and told me, he said, hey, I believe in you, and I know this league is quarterback driven, and I feel like we got two of the better young quarterbacks now and we'll let you guys battle it out or if there's an opportunity to trade you. Now I have a little input on where you go. And you you know, he kind of played it like, hey, you get some input. You know. That was kind of a little bites but I get that. And so but for me, I got to play early, and at the time, there wasn't a lot that was not where you stuck the rookie in right away. You know, the rookies you know sat now, you know the Washington Redskins made a living of putting rookie quarterbacks on ir and letting them sit around for two three years and then they play. But I got to play right away, which then you know, moved me on to an opportunity with the Saints.

You know, as you know over your years when you've been a backup, you just need to get some starts, right, You get some starts to show that you can help the team win, and you're gonna stay in the in the league a long time like you have or so it was. But at the same point, there was other teams that were interested. So I went the supplemental Draft, which was really just a strategy that I had with my agent because what it was is you know, if you got the third, fourth, fifth pick of the draft and you need a left tackle, but you really like this kid at Miami as a quarterback, well shit, we got to get a love tackle. You know. But when I went in the supplemental draft, there was only two other guys in there, and if they liked you, they'd pick you because they were sacrificing the following year. So Jimmy picked me, and he picked me up from the airport and he flat out and told me, he said, hey, I believe in you, and I know this league is quarterback driven, and I feel like we got two of the better young quarterbacks now and we'll let you guys battle it out or if there's an opportunity to trade you. Now I have a little input on where you go. And you you know, he kind of played it like, hey, you get some input. You know. That was kind of a little bites but I get that. And so but for me, I got to play early, and at the time, there wasn't a lot that was not where you stuck the rookie in right away. You know, the rookies you know sat now, you know the Washington Redskins made a living of putting rookie quarterbacks on ir and letting them sit around for two three years and then they play. But I got to play right away, which then you know, moved me on to an opportunity with the Saints.

And yeah, what was your reaction like being traded to the Saints.

And yeah, what was your reaction like being traded to the Saints.

Well, I had thought that I was getting I was going to get traded to the Minnesota Vikings. So the Cowboys made a huge trade with the Vikings and they gave up herschel Walker for some players and a bunch of draft picks. And I'm thought, I'm from Minnesota. I'm like, I'm part of that trade. It's just gonna be after the fact or whatever. And then I wasn't. So so then we go into training camp the next year, Troy's back. He's a little bit better. You know, I'm a little bit better, but you know, Troy was going to be the guy, and so you know, he gets the job and right around the trade uh and and we'll take it back to the diehard Saints fan. So Bobby Avert was sitting out without a contract, battling to become a free agent. Right there was a very intense battle with the uh, the general manager of the Saints at the time, and so he was in a lawsuit against basically the NFL with a few other players that hey, we want free agency. So Bobby was unsigned, sitting you know, uh, you know up in Baton Rouge where I know he's not for Baton.

Well, I had thought that I was getting I was going to get traded to the Minnesota Vikings. So the Cowboys made a huge trade with the Vikings and they gave up herschel Walker for some players and a bunch of draft picks. And I'm thought, I'm from Minnesota. I'm like, I'm part of that trade. It's just gonna be after the fact or whatever. And then I wasn't. So so then we go into training camp the next year, Troy's back. He's a little bit better. You know, I'm a little bit better, but you know, Troy was going to be the guy, and so you know, he gets the job and right around the trade uh and and we'll take it back to the diehard Saints fan. So Bobby Avert was sitting out without a contract, battling to become a free agent. Right there was a very intense battle with the uh, the general manager of the Saints at the time, and so he was in a lawsuit against basically the NFL with a few other players that hey, we want free agency. So Bobby was unsigned, sitting you know, uh, you know up in Baton Rouge where I know he's not for Baton.

Russ somewhere Louis somewhere outside.

Russ somewhere Louis somewhere outside.

Yeah. Yeah. And and so Bobby was was had really a nice done a great job for the Saints, but they they were at a stalwart, they were at a you know, a stand still on his contract. So John four Kade was playing. John had come in at the end of the previous season and just had a magical run. And I don't know how many games they won. I'm just gonna say it might be three, it could have been four, you know. And and John played his rear end off and they won games. So they felt like they could they could win with John four Kade. And then John struggled a little bit. Uh. The team had a phenomenal defense.

Yeah. Yeah. And and so Bobby was was had really a nice done a great job for the Saints, but they they were at a stalwart, they were at a you know, a stand still on his contract. So John four Kade was playing. John had come in at the end of the previous season and just had a magical run. And I don't know how many games they won. I'm just gonna say it might be three, it could have been four, you know. And and John played his rear end off and they won games. So they felt like they could they could win with John four Kade. And then John struggled a little bit. Uh. The team had a phenomenal defense.

You know for the dumb trackers.

You know for the dumb trackers.

Yeah, Pat Swilling, Ricky Jackson, Uh, you know, obviously Sam Mills was part of it. And God, I'm gonna blanket my other guyh God, I apologize, can't remember that. But he was a stud inside backer as well. But Von Johnson bone there you go, VN and and so we were a defensive lead team, but we just weren't moving the ball offensively. I wasn't there yet. They weren't moving the ball, so they make the trade.

Yeah, Pat Swilling, Ricky Jackson, Uh, you know, obviously Sam Mills was part of it. And God, I'm gonna blanket my other guyh God, I apologize, can't remember that. But he was a stud inside backer as well. But Von Johnson bone there you go, VN and and so we were a defensive lead team, but we just weren't moving the ball offensively. I wasn't there yet. They weren't moving the ball, so they make the trade.

So the sat a mid year though.

So the sat a mid year though.

This is four games in, so you know, those Saints were, you know, a little desperate. You know, they knew they were a playoff caliber team, but they weren't doing what they thought they were capable on offense. So they made a trade for me. They haven't They had to give up three high picks.

This is four games in, so you know, those Saints were, you know, a little desperate. You know, they knew they were a playoff caliber team, but they weren't doing what they thought they were capable on offense. So they made a trade for me. They haven't They had to give up three high picks.

Yeah, they were really like a first round.

Yeah, they were really like a first round.

I think it was a first, second, and third, you know, yeah, which is wild. So then I come in and they trade for me on their bye week, so I'm cramming on the offense. The next week we play the Falcons and four kid plays and he does a nice job, and I don't know if we want or loss. I can't remember. We go to the next game, we play the brown So this is my third week there. John struggled a little bit in the first quarter and they put me in three weeks.

I think it was a first, second, and third, you know, yeah, which is wild. So then I come in and they trade for me on their bye week, so I'm cramming on the offense. The next week we play the Falcons and four kid plays and he does a nice job, and I don't know if we want or loss. I can't remember. We go to the next game, we play the brown So this is my third week there. John struggled a little bit in the first quarter and they put me in three weeks.

In three weeks, any idea of what you were doing.

In three weeks, any idea of what you were doing.

Yeah, I kind of did, but it was it was so bizarre. I'll tell you more about it here in a second. But so we go in and it's just like I'm seeing the field like everything's clicking. I got the rabbit footworking right, and we go. I throw for three tugs and we win and it's like, okay, here we go. So I start the rest of the year.

Yeah, I kind of did, but it was it was so bizarre. I'll tell you more about it here in a second. But so we go in and it's just like I'm seeing the field like everything's clicking. I got the rabbit footworking right, and we go. I throw for three tugs and we win and it's like, okay, here we go. So I start the rest of the year.

And he made the playoffs for the Secon time in team history too.

And he made the playoffs for the Secon time in team history too.

I was super proud of that, even though we finished eight and eight. I don't know exactly I want to say. When I took over it we might have been one in three. Yeah, I could be wrong on that. I'm sure we'll get fact checked.

I was super proud of that, even though we finished eight and eight. I don't know exactly I want to say. When I took over it we might have been one in three. Yeah, I could be wrong on that. I'm sure we'll get fact checked.

It doesn't matter. You made the playoffs.

It doesn't matter. You made the playoffs.

Though we made the playoffs, it was a big deal, but it was. It was the most bizarre season. It was the highs than the lows, and the highs and the lows. And I give Jim Morris so much credit. I learned so much as a player from him and as I coach now, just about being steady. And you know, that's that military background that Jim was raised in and obviously part of his life. But he was just so not too high, not too low, just keep chopping wood, chopping wood, chopping wood, and and and so we get this. So we have to win the last game of the season to get to the playoffs. All right, the games on Monday night. They still played games on Monday night. This is the way I remember it, all right, it's either Sunday night or Monday. We're the only we're the only game playing. And we got to beat the Rams to go to the playoffs. And Boomer Chris Chris Berman Berman right ESPN. He throws some smart ass comment on ESPN, like Steve Walsh could still lead the Cowboys to the playoffs. No, I'm playing for the Saints. So I'm like, no, I saw him back.

Though we made the playoffs, it was a big deal, but it was. It was the most bizarre season. It was the highs than the lows, and the highs and the lows. And I give Jim Morris so much credit. I learned so much as a player from him and as I coach now, just about being steady. And you know, that's that military background that Jim was raised in and obviously part of his life. But he was just so not too high, not too low, just keep chopping wood, chopping wood, chopping wood, and and and so we get this. So we have to win the last game of the season to get to the playoffs. All right, the games on Monday night. They still played games on Monday night. This is the way I remember it, all right, it's either Sunday night or Monday. We're the only we're the only game playing. And we got to beat the Rams to go to the playoffs. And Boomer Chris Chris Berman Berman right ESPN. He throws some smart ass comment on ESPN, like Steve Walsh could still lead the Cowboys to the playoffs. No, I'm playing for the Saints. So I'm like, no, I saw him back.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Anyways, so get this. So we we kind of we come out early, we get some points. Defense is playing great. They they finally come back and score on us. So we got to go down. The games tied late in the fourth quarter, it's third and eight, and again being you know, this was before the ear piece in your in your head, right, And so Carl Smith, our coordinator, he's hand signaling to play. I'm nodding them off sometimes and I'm like signaling back. It was like a pitch, let's go. And and so anyways, we got to a play that I had requested that we put in from the Dallas Cowboys. We completed to Eric Martin. He runs down the sideline for a huge gain and Morten Anderson kicks a field goal. We win, We go to the playoffs, the Cowboys go home.

Anyways, so get this. So we we kind of we come out early, we get some points. Defense is playing great. They they finally come back and score on us. So we got to go down. The games tied late in the fourth quarter, it's third and eight, and again being you know, this was before the ear piece in your in your head, right, And so Carl Smith, our coordinator, he's hand signaling to play. I'm nodding them off sometimes and I'm like signaling back. It was like a pitch, let's go. And and so anyways, we got to a play that I had requested that we put in from the Dallas Cowboys. We completed to Eric Martin. He runs down the sideline for a huge gain and Morten Anderson kicks a field goal. We win, We go to the playoffs, the Cowboys go home.

Did you ever tell Boomer like, hey, no, here's what you like bullshit? Oh my god, that's a dude, that's an amazing story. And I'm sure that going up against that Don't Patrol defense in practice probably prepared you for any defenses, because in my opinion, that's one of the best defenses of all time.

Did you ever tell Boomer like, hey, no, here's what you like bullshit? Oh my god, that's a dude, that's an amazing story. And I'm sure that going up against that Don't Patrol defense in practice probably prepared you for any defenses, because in my opinion, that's one of the best defenses of all time.

What was it like going up against the Don't Patrol in practice?

What was it like going up against the Don't Patrol in practice?

Yeah, that was great. I mean, we had we had phenomenal Steve Sidwell was the coordinator, and Steve had a very very productive, you know, coordinator and also assistant coach and through the NFL. But Vic Fangio was on that staff.

Yeah, that was great. I mean, we had we had phenomenal Steve Sidwell was the coordinator, and Steve had a very very productive, you know, coordinator and also assistant coach and through the NFL. But Vic Fangio was on that staff.

Vick was, Yeah, I was Vic two different stops.

Vick was, Yeah, I was Vic two different stops.

Jim Jim Mora junior was on the staff. So so really they had some incredible coaches. Got it. Oh man, I'm sorry I forget the names, but our defensive back coach, uh Dom Capers. Dom Capers was on that staff. I mean, you think about Superstar absolutely. You know, Wayne Peace was our d line coach. So yeah, they had some incredible defenses. I remember we played the Saints when I was a rookie, me and Troy at Dallas and that was our first game and we had to come to the Dome and play and Sidwell and Dom. They had the safeties, you know, the free safety playing flat defender, the strong safety going to the middle of that guy stuff. And Troy came over. He goes, Steve, what are they doing? I go, I have no idea. So it was it was incredible defensive staff. But no, it was. It was an unbelievable roller coaster of a ride. Nineteen ninety we got to the playoffs. I was really proud of that. We ended up losing. God who did we lose to. I want to say we lost to the Falcons. Anyways, it was, it was. It was an interesting season. Then the next year Bobby came back. Yeah, and it was Bobby's team, you know, I mean, now he got hurt and so then I did play seven games. We won the first three, and then we lost four in a row, and then the noise was getting really loud. Hey, we need Bobby back, We need Bobby back. Bobby came back, won the last two, but it was his team, and and that was that.

Jim Jim Mora junior was on the staff. So so really they had some incredible coaches. Got it. Oh man, I'm sorry I forget the names, but our defensive back coach, uh Dom Capers. Dom Capers was on that staff. I mean, you think about Superstar absolutely. You know, Wayne Peace was our d line coach. So yeah, they had some incredible defenses. I remember we played the Saints when I was a rookie, me and Troy at Dallas and that was our first game and we had to come to the Dome and play and Sidwell and Dom. They had the safeties, you know, the free safety playing flat defender, the strong safety going to the middle of that guy stuff. And Troy came over. He goes, Steve, what are they doing? I go, I have no idea. So it was it was incredible defensive staff. But no, it was. It was an unbelievable roller coaster of a ride. Nineteen ninety we got to the playoffs. I was really proud of that. We ended up losing. God who did we lose to. I want to say we lost to the Falcons. Anyways, it was, it was. It was an interesting season. Then the next year Bobby came back. Yeah, and it was Bobby's team, you know, I mean, now he got hurt and so then I did play seven games. We won the first three, and then we lost four in a row, and then the noise was getting really loud. Hey, we need Bobby back, We need Bobby back. Bobby came back, won the last two, but it was his team, and and that was that.

Your memory is amazing right now, from from all the stats and the first round picks and the defensive back coach. I mean, that's probably why you ended up getting the coaching. You tried your head at mortgage banking. In two thousand and eight, you became the head football coach at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. You stayed there until twenty fifteen. Five state playoff appearances and seasons crush it.

Your memory is amazing right now, from from all the stats and the first round picks and the defensive back coach. I mean, that's probably why you ended up getting the coaching. You tried your head at mortgage banking. In two thousand and eight, you became the head football coach at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. You stayed there until twenty fifteen. Five state playoff appearances and seasons crush it.

But what I'm more interested about.

But what I'm more interested about.

Is you going five seasons as a quarterback coach in the CFL for Saskatchewan. You were there eighteen nineteen twenty, and then he went to Ottawa Redblacks in twenty and twenty one.

Is you going five seasons as a quarterback coach in the CFL for Saskatchewan. You were there eighteen nineteen twenty, and then he went to Ottawa Redblacks in twenty and twenty one.

What was the transition like to coaching.

What was the transition like to coaching.

Well, you missed one key one was really what got me to the CFL was Mark Trustman, And you know the same guy that recruited me. I had stayed in touch with Mark over the years when Mark was actually out of football. I invested with him. He was in the bond business for a minute. But I had this long time relationship with Mark. And then Mark had gotten fired from the Bears. Let me think if that's how it played out? Yeah, yeah, And he was going to go back to the CFL. He was in the CFL, went to the Chicago Bears, was going back to Toronto and called me up and said, hey, this is twenty seventeen. Hey do you want to come up? And I'm like, yeah, I'm in. You know, I wanted to coach with Mark. He's incredible offensive mine and how he coaches the quarterbacks. And so we go up there and we win the Great Cup. We win the CFL equivalent to the Super Bowl, is the Great Cup. We shouldn't have won the Great Cup, but we had a We just had one of those you know, right time, right place, got a key turnover at the end of the game, and our veteran quarterback took us down and we kick a field goal to win the Great Cup. And it was an incredible ride from that point. Then I went to Saskatchewan for two. But the CFL is an extremely interesting league. It's really good football. Half your team is Canadian. The other half are guys that probably either played the NFL, maybe got cut in training camp, or maybe played one or two years and then they're going to go back up there and finish their career. But it was a good group of guys and really really enjoyed that, and obviously winn in a championship and learning from Mark was incredible.

Well, you missed one key one was really what got me to the CFL was Mark Trustman, And you know the same guy that recruited me. I had stayed in touch with Mark over the years when Mark was actually out of football. I invested with him. He was in the bond business for a minute. But I had this long time relationship with Mark. And then Mark had gotten fired from the Bears. Let me think if that's how it played out? Yeah, yeah, And he was going to go back to the CFL. He was in the CFL, went to the Chicago Bears, was going back to Toronto and called me up and said, hey, this is twenty seventeen. Hey do you want to come up? And I'm like, yeah, I'm in. You know, I wanted to coach with Mark. He's incredible offensive mine and how he coaches the quarterbacks. And so we go up there and we win the Great Cup. We win the CFL equivalent to the Super Bowl, is the Great Cup. We shouldn't have won the Great Cup, but we had a We just had one of those you know, right time, right place, got a key turnover at the end of the game, and our veteran quarterback took us down and we kick a field goal to win the Great Cup. And it was an incredible ride from that point. Then I went to Saskatchewan for two. But the CFL is an extremely interesting league. It's really good football. Half your team is Canadian. The other half are guys that probably either played the NFL, maybe got cut in training camp, or maybe played one or two years and then they're going to go back up there and finish their career. But it was a good group of guys and really really enjoyed that, and obviously winn in a championship and learning from Mark was incredible.

Did you last question here? Because I know you got around, We appreciate your time. I mean I could, I could talk to you forever. Your stories are amazing, but specifically when it comes to coaching, because I knew for myself, at least I thought I wanted to get into coaching, but I got into the media. Are there any of these like coaches that you have taken knowledge from and put into the way you coach your high school kids today? Any specific lessons or interesting tidbits on that.

Did you last question here? Because I know you got around, We appreciate your time. I mean I could, I could talk to you forever. Your stories are amazing, but specifically when it comes to coaching, because I knew for myself, at least I thought I wanted to get into coaching, but I got into the media. Are there any of these like coaches that you have taken knowledge from and put into the way you coach your high school kids today? Any specific lessons or interesting tidbits on that.

Yeah. So I played for Jim Moore on my last year in the league. My eleventh year was with Indianapolis Cult. So I was Peyton's backup and Jim was the head coach. You've been around some guys, man, And so we won eleven games in a row that had only been done you know, a handful of times previous. This was nineteen God what year was in nineteen ninety nine, And Jim was the same after the first victory as he was after the eleventh. You screwed it up, do it again, you know. And and I so the consistency as a head coach. That's what I took from Jim Mora Uh, Tony Dungee I played for with the Bucks and the best person, hands down human being as of a head coach, Uh, Jimmy Johnson. The psychology of how to push the buttons, when to push, when to pull, when to put your arm around a guy, when to challenge a guy. Jimmy was unbelievable master of that. Uh. Dave wantstead understanding. Don't get too high and don't get too low, because Dave would get really high after wins and really low after losses, and you know, and and and Dave was Dave was a was an offshoot obviously of the Jimmy Johnson you know coaching tree and and uh. But that was one of the things that I learned, you know, just watching Dave how he handled the Bears. Let's see, Rich Brooks was a little bit of a struggle because he kind of lets some veteran guys get the better of him.

Yeah. So I played for Jim Moore on my last year in the league. My eleventh year was with Indianapolis Cult. So I was Peyton's backup and Jim was the head coach. You've been around some guys, man, And so we won eleven games in a row that had only been done you know, a handful of times previous. This was nineteen God what year was in nineteen ninety nine, And Jim was the same after the first victory as he was after the eleventh. You screwed it up, do it again, you know. And and I so the consistency as a head coach. That's what I took from Jim Mora Uh, Tony Dungee I played for with the Bucks and the best person, hands down human being as of a head coach, Uh, Jimmy Johnson. The psychology of how to push the buttons, when to push, when to pull, when to put your arm around a guy, when to challenge a guy. Jimmy was unbelievable master of that. Uh. Dave wantstead understanding. Don't get too high and don't get too low, because Dave would get really high after wins and really low after losses, and you know, and and and Dave was Dave was a was an offshoot obviously of the Jimmy Johnson you know coaching tree and and uh. But that was one of the things that I learned, you know, just watching Dave how he handled the Bears. Let's see, Rich Brooks was a little bit of a struggle because he kind of lets some veteran guys get the better of him.

And you know understand, you've been with a couple of coaches like that.

And you know understand, you've been with a couple of coaches like that.

To me, stick to your guns. You know what works, stick with it, don't get don't get influenced by guys that have their own self interest.

To me, stick to your guns. You know what works, stick with it, don't get don't get influenced by guys that have their own self interest.

All right, that's great?

All right, that's great?

Who am I missing? Jim was twice? Tony incredible rich uh and want said that was that was it? And and then obviously Jimmy.

Who am I missing? Jim was twice? Tony incredible rich uh and want said that was that was it? And and then obviously Jimmy.

Well we appreciate your time today. Man, this was honestly a pleasure. You are a wealth of knowledge and we wish you nothing but the best of luck.

Well we appreciate your time today. Man, this was honestly a pleasure. You are a wealth of knowledge and we wish you nothing but the best of luck.

And you're pursuit for a state championship and just yeah, man, this was this was great.

And you're pursuit for a state championship and just yeah, man, this was this was great.

All Right, I'm gonna leave you with one more thing. It so we get you know, they get, they trade for me and I don't know what. That crazy radio station is probably still in the air. So you know the you know the Vanilla Ice song, right Ice Ice Baby? Yeah, so they made a parody song called it Steve Walsh baby, No, they did it. It was so awesome.

All Right, I'm gonna leave you with one more thing. It so we get you know, they get, they trade for me and I don't know what. That crazy radio station is probably still in the air. So you know the you know the Vanilla Ice song, right Ice Ice Baby? Yeah, so they made a parody song called it Steve Walsh baby, No, they did it. It was so awesome.

We got to get this through the intro off at it.

We got to get this through the intro off at it.

Yeah, you got to find it where.

Yeah, you got to find it where.

Steve Wash baby do your high school kids know about it?

Steve Wash baby do your high school kids know about it?

I don't like her. I don't think so. But anyway, so I tell you what. My my first daughter was born in New Orleans. I loved the city. Uh. We had a great neighborhood out uh out of god, where'd you live? Chateau Country Club out in Kenner. Uh we had great neighbors and uh really a lot of fond memories. Love the food, missed the food. And then uh, you know obviously when I when I moved on, and then we sold our home and and go out of there. But I I have incredible fond memories of of mister Benson and the Benson family and the uh the group there, and and the fans. The fans are crazy crazy. So glad they won a Super Bowl, because that's all they'd say, is when you are going to win a Super Bowl.

I don't like her. I don't think so. But anyway, so I tell you what. My my first daughter was born in New Orleans. I loved the city. Uh. We had a great neighborhood out uh out of god, where'd you live? Chateau Country Club out in Kenner. Uh we had great neighbors and uh really a lot of fond memories. Love the food, missed the food. And then uh, you know obviously when I when I moved on, and then we sold our home and and go out of there. But I I have incredible fond memories of of mister Benson and the Benson family and the uh the group there, and and the fans. The fans are crazy crazy. So glad they won a Super Bowl, because that's all they'd say, is when you are going to win a Super Bowl.

The parade, Steve I was. I was a rookie on that team.

The parade, Steve I was. I was a rookie on that team.

It was Drew Brees, Mark Ronell and me, third string backup quarterback, getting coffee and donuts and all that stuff. I'm just telling you right now. The parade took like ten hours, and it was the best.

It was Drew Brees, Mark Ronell and me, third string backup quarterback, getting coffee and donuts and all that stuff. I'm just telling you right now. The parade took like ten hours, and it was the best.

Time of my entire life.

Time of my entire life.

I can imagine all.

I can imagine all.

Right, buddy, we appreciate you, all right.

Right, buddy, we appreciate you, all right.

Thanks, thanks for tuning in to going along with Chase Daniel. Catch every episode on New Orleans Saints dot Com, the Saints Mobile app presented by Verizon Sooni as xmsapp, or wherever you listen to your podcast,

Thanks, thanks for tuning in to going along with Chase Daniel. Catch every episode on New Orleans Saints dot Com, the Saints Mobile app presented by Verizon Sooni as xmsapp, or wherever you listen to your podcast,