And now move the sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks.

And now move the sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks.

What's up? Everybody? Welcome to move the sticks. DJ Rhett with you here today, Buck. We'll be back tomorrow. Rhett. It's a it's a full NFL slate to recap, but I do want to get your thoughts before we jump into the NFL. Stuff plenty to get to there. A. Did notre Dame just break another tackle? And b how are you? How are you doing today? How are we feeling?

What's up? Everybody? Welcome to move the sticks. DJ Rhett with you here today, Buck. We'll be back tomorrow. Rhett. It's a it's a full NFL slate to recap, but I do want to get your thoughts before we jump into the NFL. Stuff plenty to get to there. A. Did notre Dame just break another tackle? And b how are you? How are you doing today? How are we feeling?

Well?

Well?

I am doing a lot more defending of the rock than I feel like I wanted to do it.

I am doing a lot more defending of the rock than I feel like I wanted to do it.

Okay, wait, hang on, hang on, hang on a second here. Oh my bad.

Okay, wait, hang on, hang on, hang on a second here. Oh my bad.

I thought I heard fine Bomb and I thought I heard Lane Kiffin and all the SEC supporters again, but I didn't.

I thought I heard fine Bomb and I thought I heard Lane Kiffin and all the SEC supporters again, but I didn't.

It wasn't.

It wasn't.

It was just after the Tennessee gotmash. She's pretty silent over there. Did you know that Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Kentucky should have made.

It was just after the Tennessee gotmash. She's pretty silent over there. Did you know that Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Kentucky should have made.

The College Football Playoff?

The College Football Playoff?

By everyone else's logic, they had a couple of good wins, the big wins, so wins got put him in.

By everyone else's logic, they had a couple of good wins, the big wins, so wins got put him in.

Yeah, I'm with you on that. Well, at some point in time, like winning games is important I don't. I hope we don't ever get to the point where winning games doesn't matter. That's another topic for today. We'll get to the college stuff. We've got plenty NFL stuff to jump into. So let's let's dig in here. First game, Let's go Philly Washington, a game that you know, Look, you can take either side of this thing. You can look at it from the Philly side and say, hey, look, Jalen Hurts doesn't get hurt. We're on our way to score in fifty points and we're still in the mix here for the number one overall, see nothing to worry about here. Or you could take the Washington side of it, which is just sheer joy and excitement knowing what you have in Jayden Daniels and his ability to lead you back again overcoming all the turnovers. To me, the word that just keeps coming back to me. You can talk about the athleticism, you can talk about the you know enough arm, the accuracy, the playmaking ability. To me, red it's just poise, Like in these big moments, he's got tremendous poise and maturity.

Yeah, I'm with you on that. Well, at some point in time, like winning games is important I don't. I hope we don't ever get to the point where winning games doesn't matter. That's another topic for today. We'll get to the college stuff. We've got plenty NFL stuff to jump into. So let's let's dig in here. First game, Let's go Philly Washington, a game that you know, Look, you can take either side of this thing. You can look at it from the Philly side and say, hey, look, Jalen Hurts doesn't get hurt. We're on our way to score in fifty points and we're still in the mix here for the number one overall, see nothing to worry about here. Or you could take the Washington side of it, which is just sheer joy and excitement knowing what you have in Jayden Daniels and his ability to lead you back again overcoming all the turnovers. To me, the word that just keeps coming back to me. You can talk about the athleticism, you can talk about the you know enough arm, the accuracy, the playmaking ability. To me, red it's just poise, Like in these big moments, he's got tremendous poise and maturity.

Guy, move on, Jalen Carter.

Guy, move on, Jalen Carter.

Right there on that run, there were so many of those plays, uh that were huge. And then you know their red zone offense, like we this is what I went back and looked at today. I mean, they just ate Philly up down there in the red in the low red zone in particular on some of those plays, the two two Crowder and then the one to Zakia. Solamide actually had another one that he broke a couple of tackles where Philly just got completely they just get a had a bust and they had like twelve mint on the field. But I want to go back to some of these red zone routes. We'll start with the first one from Crowder and this is a fun one here he's like the number two guy and the three man uh you know, three wide receiver side, and he's got Diami Brown hitting the gas to the flat like super quick, right. So then Crowder hesitates like he's got the rub, like he's gonna go back.

Right there on that run, there were so many of those plays, uh that were huge. And then you know their red zone offense, like we this is what I went back and looked at today. I mean, they just ate Philly up down there in the red in the low red zone in particular on some of those plays, the two two Crowder and then the one to Zakia. Solamide actually had another one that he broke a couple of tackles where Philly just got completely they just get a had a bust and they had like twelve mint on the field. But I want to go back to some of these red zone routes. We'll start with the first one from Crowder and this is a fun one here he's like the number two guy and the three man uh you know, three wide receiver side, and he's got Diami Brown hitting the gas to the flat like super quick, right. So then Crowder hesitates like he's got the rub, like he's gonna go back.

Out to the corner right on that rub route.

Out to the corner right on that rub route.

And then he's got Chauncey Gardner Johnson's hips facing the sideline and he's going and they're going like this right and he it was like in no chance and it was a great throw by Jayden. And then on the other one. On the next one to Zakias down there, it's a rub route look right and n Kobe Dean's kind of in a bind, but they checked to a coverage here and the field corner Darius Slay and the strong safety are just completely on different pages because they don't get the switch, and so Zaki is then this time the number two in a slot. He does run that corner route off the rub look and he's wide open right there to make that catch, and they just they in. They caused so much like hesitation down there with the switches that they got going because the third one was the same thing. The Crowder touchdown at the very end. It's man coverage here and Zach Bond is lined up over top of Ertz who was number three, and then Ertz and Prowder switch immediately off the line, which puts Crowder on Bond mismatch again hips facing the wrong way. Crowder cuts inside, and it was just a great throw and read by Jayden Daniels. But I thought for from Cliff Kingsbury it was it was nice. It was a nice like game plan aspect of anticipating what you were going to see down there in the red zone and then finding the exact routes that were going to cause them a little bit of hesitation and confusion, and then the execution to get it done.

And then he's got Chauncey Gardner Johnson's hips facing the sideline and he's going and they're going like this right and he it was like in no chance and it was a great throw by Jayden. And then on the other one. On the next one to Zakias down there, it's a rub route look right and n Kobe Dean's kind of in a bind, but they checked to a coverage here and the field corner Darius Slay and the strong safety are just completely on different pages because they don't get the switch, and so Zaki is then this time the number two in a slot. He does run that corner route off the rub look and he's wide open right there to make that catch, and they just they in. They caused so much like hesitation down there with the switches that they got going because the third one was the same thing. The Crowder touchdown at the very end. It's man coverage here and Zach Bond is lined up over top of Ertz who was number three, and then Ertz and Prowder switch immediately off the line, which puts Crowder on Bond mismatch again hips facing the wrong way. Crowder cuts inside, and it was just a great throw and read by Jayden Daniels. But I thought for from Cliff Kingsbury it was it was nice. It was a nice like game plan aspect of anticipating what you were going to see down there in the red zone and then finding the exact routes that were going to cause them a little bit of hesitation and confusion, and then the execution to get it done.

I mean those were three huge touchdowns down there in close. Yeah.

I mean those were three huge touchdowns down there in close. Yeah.

No, well designed, well executed, I would say, on the Philly side of things, the only thing that concerns me, And let me give the positives first before I get to that. Number one is okay, seating in the playoffs. You'd like to be the number one. You'd like to get to buy They're a team that's built to travel. They have a run game, they have a defense. They should be able to play in any weather, any scenario. I mean go indoors. They have tons of speed that they could capitalize on if they were to end up in Detroit in an NFC championship game. So I'm not going to get carried away by the seating impact of this ballgame. They'll get they'll get hurts back, that'll that'll you know, that'll cover up a lot of issues. But they've had two of their three losses. Now Atlanta, late in the game, with with your defense on the field, you need to get a stop in Kirk Cousins at the time seems like a million years ago, doesn't it. It's to drive, they go right down the field, they cash it and they beat you on this one. Washington has the ball in their hands or defense down the field, you got to get a stop. They can't do it. That's that's playoff football. That's what you're gonna find yourself in. You're going to find yourself in these drives and these positions where you've got to get off the field. And that's Look, it's a small sample size, only three losses, but two of those three they were unable to do it.

No, well designed, well executed, I would say, on the Philly side of things, the only thing that concerns me, And let me give the positives first before I get to that. Number one is okay, seating in the playoffs. You'd like to be the number one. You'd like to get to buy They're a team that's built to travel. They have a run game, they have a defense. They should be able to play in any weather, any scenario. I mean go indoors. They have tons of speed that they could capitalize on if they were to end up in Detroit in an NFC championship game. So I'm not going to get carried away by the seating impact of this ballgame. They'll get they'll get hurts back, that'll that'll you know, that'll cover up a lot of issues. But they've had two of their three losses. Now Atlanta, late in the game, with with your defense on the field, you need to get a stop in Kirk Cousins at the time seems like a million years ago, doesn't it. It's to drive, they go right down the field, they cash it and they beat you on this one. Washington has the ball in their hands or defense down the field, you got to get a stop. They can't do it. That's that's playoff football. That's what you're gonna find yourself in. You're going to find yourself in these drives and these positions where you've got to get off the field. And that's Look, it's a small sample size, only three losses, but two of those three they were unable to do it.

And the other thing I'll say on this side, and we could talk about, you know how Jalen Hurts being out, you know, influenced maybe a different approach from the Eagles offensively, you know down the stretch with with Kenny Pickett in there. I didn't think Kenny Pickett played poorly by any stretch that thought. Actually he put them in a position. Look, this is a dude that watched everything unfold in front of them the last couple of weeks and targeted aj Brown about eighteen.

And the other thing I'll say on this side, and we could talk about, you know how Jalen Hurts being out, you know, influenced maybe a different approach from the Eagles offensively, you know down the stretch with with Kenny Pickett in there. I didn't think Kenny Pickett played poorly by any stretch that thought. Actually he put them in a position. Look, this is a dude that watched everything unfold in front of them the last couple of weeks and targeted aj Brown about eighteen.

Times he came in. But it's just Kenny Pickett's is a smart man.

Times he came in. But it's just Kenny Pickett's is a smart man.

But the other part of it was like they had a chance to end this game on offense, and credit to Demon day Store for showing up. It's just dropped it. I mean, wide open, might even go for a score. And and you know, so we can say the defense down it was. There were equal parts to take the blame on this one. And that's a pass that DeVante Smith catches ninety nine times out of one hundred. You know, even if I couldn't worry about that, got it, I wouldn't.

But the other part of it was like they had a chance to end this game on offense, and credit to Demon day Store for showing up. It's just dropped it. I mean, wide open, might even go for a score. And and you know, so we can say the defense down it was. There were equal parts to take the blame on this one. And that's a pass that DeVante Smith catches ninety nine times out of one hundred. You know, even if I couldn't worry about that, got it, I wouldn't.

I wouldn't worry about that going going forward. So to me, I don't know that my opinion drastically changes on the Eagles. I just give the commanders more credit for finding a way to win a football game. And they've done it time and time again this year where they've they've shown some poise and some moxie with a rookie quarterback. That's what's so rare and what's so exciting. So I think there's the turnovers.

I wouldn't worry about that going going forward. So to me, I don't know that my opinion drastically changes on the Eagles. I just give the commanders more credit for finding a way to win a football game. And they've done it time and time again this year where they've they've shown some poise and some moxie with a rookie quarterback. That's what's so rare and what's so exciting. So I think there's the turnovers.

When you include the turnover on downs, six turnovers and I still win the game with thirty plus points.

When you include the turnover on downs, six turnovers and I still win the game with thirty plus points.

It was like the Lions against the Texans on that what was a night game, a primetime game. A few weeks back, yeah, all right, how about let's stay with that theme here of seeding. Detroit's in a great spot now as they defeat the Chicago Bears in a ball game. They were in control of thirty four to seventeen franchise record. You see if they're on the screen, thirteenth win. They're beat up defensively, and they gave up a bunch of yards. Caleb goes over three hundred. I'll start on the Bear side of things. I'll kick it over to you for the Lions and where they're situated. But this we talked this morning full disclosure, before i'd watched that, and I said, I'm interested to watch this tape because I feel like sometimes I look at the box score with Caleb and the box score gets me excited to go to the tape, and then I go to the tape and I'm a little bit let down and a little bit disappointed. I liked it. I actually liked the way he played in this game. It's still like they've got to figure out something of how they start, like the first series, it's just not clean. But I thought he settled in this game. Thought he made some nice throws, particularly on some some movement throws, intermediate throws. Is what's got me hopeful about him and the Bears moving forward. Is that a lot of times with young quarterbacks who might be not seeing the field, well, you're gonna live underneath and over the top, They're not going to want to work in the in the in the kind of the intermediate area. He made some big intermediate throws, you know, mostly to the sideline, but those are that's the NFL making those types of throws. So I was encouraged by that. I thought Caleb played well, and I do think when you look up at the end of the year, while there's a lot he needs to clean up in terms of his process and getting the ball out of your hands and not taking so many sacks, you're going to look up at the end of the year and you're gonna be able to sell hope to your franchise and to your city because his numbers they're going to look pretty good at the end of the year compared to what they're used to seeing there.

It was like the Lions against the Texans on that what was a night game, a primetime game. A few weeks back, yeah, all right, how about let's stay with that theme here of seeding. Detroit's in a great spot now as they defeat the Chicago Bears in a ball game. They were in control of thirty four to seventeen franchise record. You see if they're on the screen, thirteenth win. They're beat up defensively, and they gave up a bunch of yards. Caleb goes over three hundred. I'll start on the Bear side of things. I'll kick it over to you for the Lions and where they're situated. But this we talked this morning full disclosure, before i'd watched that, and I said, I'm interested to watch this tape because I feel like sometimes I look at the box score with Caleb and the box score gets me excited to go to the tape, and then I go to the tape and I'm a little bit let down and a little bit disappointed. I liked it. I actually liked the way he played in this game. It's still like they've got to figure out something of how they start, like the first series, it's just not clean. But I thought he settled in this game. Thought he made some nice throws, particularly on some some movement throws, intermediate throws. Is what's got me hopeful about him and the Bears moving forward. Is that a lot of times with young quarterbacks who might be not seeing the field, well, you're gonna live underneath and over the top, They're not going to want to work in the in the in the kind of the intermediate area. He made some big intermediate throws, you know, mostly to the sideline, but those are that's the NFL making those types of throws. So I was encouraged by that. I thought Caleb played well, and I do think when you look up at the end of the year, while there's a lot he needs to clean up in terms of his process and getting the ball out of your hands and not taking so many sacks, you're going to look up at the end of the year and you're gonna be able to sell hope to your franchise and to your city because his numbers they're going to look pretty good at the end of the year compared to what they're used to seeing there.

Yeah, I think that's you know, especially if you can separate, right, if you're am bearrass fan, you could separate the wins and losses from you know, some of the individual performances, and I know sometimes that's sound coult, but yeah, you're I think you're spot on with the intermediate routes because I think it was on that forty five yard touchdown to Keenan Allen where he threaded the needle. Does that sound right if I'm remembering correctly, it's down the closing window.

Yeah, I think that's you know, especially if you can separate, right, if you're am bearrass fan, you could separate the wins and losses from you know, some of the individual performances, and I know sometimes that's sound coult, but yeah, you're I think you're spot on with the intermediate routes because I think it was on that forty five yard touchdown to Keenan Allen where he threaded the needle. Does that sound right if I'm remembering correctly, it's down the closing window.

Yeah, down the sideline throw was big time. Yeah, big time throw.

Yeah, down the sideline throw was big time. Yeah, big time throw.

So I mean there's there's big time that was older.

So I mean there's there's big time that was older.

I was left encouraged. I was left encouraging. And by the way, did you see the report that as we get to the Lions that I guess someone was out there. I don't remember who it was, said that they were that Ben Johnson was intrigued, I believe was the word. Yeah, the word bears.

I was left encouraged. I was left encouraging. And by the way, did you see the report that as we get to the Lions that I guess someone was out there. I don't remember who it was, said that they were that Ben Johnson was intrigued, I believe was the word. Yeah, the word bears.

But I think we could also agree that with kleb it needs to be one two run, not one two, three, four, five, six, seven.

But I think we could also agree that with kleb it needs to be one two run, not one two, three, four, five, six, seven.

Eight, nine, No, no, and not and not one to extend create one to run. I don't care if that's four yards, six yards, twelve yards. Just get what you can get.

Eight, nine, No, no, and not and not one to extend create one to run. I don't care if that's four yards, six yards, twelve yards. Just get what you can get.

Yeah, all right, So talking about the side of things, yeah, you know, look at it that it's just this is a Dan Campbell esque victory. Right, you know, your back's against the wall with personnel, with injuries, you got you know, and and then you find ways to create big time plays.

Yeah, all right, So talking about the side of things, yeah, you know, look at it that it's just this is a Dan Campbell esque victory. Right, you know, your back's against the wall with personnel, with injuries, you got you know, and and then you find ways to create big time plays.

And that's what this was. This was one of the best throws of the year.

And that's what this was. This was one of the best throws of the year.

Like you can understand, this is ridiculous.

Like you can understand, this is ridiculous.

I was nuts. And then this stumble Rooskie.

I was nuts. And then this stumble Rooskie.

I did not know this was a thing, and I like, we were watching this, uh DJ, we were watching this live with Mark Ross on Game Day Live on NFL Network, And I'm.

I did not know this was a thing, and I like, we were watching this, uh DJ, we were watching this live with Mark Ross on Game Day Live on NFL Network, And I'm.

Like, did did they did that?

Like, did did they did that?

Because he's had remember this a couple of games ago, Like he stumbled on a fourth down like sneak or fourth down handoff almost it.

Because he's had remember this a couple of games ago, Like he stumbled on a fourth down like sneak or fourth down handoff almost it.

I thought he just got tripped again.

I thought he just got tripped again.

And and then you go back and look at it and you're like, no, they meant to actually stumble fake like they were covered up a fumble and then bam, Sam Laporta's wide open behind the coverage like this, Ben Johnson's pulling out all the stops and so yeah, if you're a Bears fan inside Soldier Field, then you're watching that and you're like, come on, can we get this guy over here to our sideline or what? But look, I credit the Lions again. You know, without David Montgomery, I thought we might see more Craig Reynolds, we might see more Sioni Vaki.

And and then you go back and look at it and you're like, no, they meant to actually stumble fake like they were covered up a fumble and then bam, Sam Laporta's wide open behind the coverage like this, Ben Johnson's pulling out all the stops and so yeah, if you're a Bears fan inside Soldier Field, then you're watching that and you're like, come on, can we get this guy over here to our sideline or what? But look, I credit the Lions again. You know, without David Montgomery, I thought we might see more Craig Reynolds, we might see more Sioni Vaki.

But they gave the bell cow role.

But they gave the bell cow role.

To Jamiir Gibbs and he performed, you know, really well in it, as I guess we should expect. But twenty three Harry's for Gibbs, you know, it seems like more than we generally see one hundred and nine yards in a touchdown. But i'd also I think you credit Antoine Randall L. You know, no coincidence, he's a Hoosier. But the job that they've done in mentoring and trying to aid the maturity of Jamison Williams, I think is pretty important. Like even within the landscape of this game, like he got a penalty, Dan Campbell took him aside. He's kind of coaching him up, and then you saw how fired up Antoine RANDALLLL was running down the sideline on that post route. So I think they got a lot going for him even with the injuries.

To Jamiir Gibbs and he performed, you know, really well in it, as I guess we should expect. But twenty three Harry's for Gibbs, you know, it seems like more than we generally see one hundred and nine yards in a touchdown. But i'd also I think you credit Antoine Randall L. You know, no coincidence, he's a Hoosier. But the job that they've done in mentoring and trying to aid the maturity of Jamison Williams, I think is pretty important. Like even within the landscape of this game, like he got a penalty, Dan Campbell took him aside. He's kind of coaching him up, and then you saw how fired up Antoine RANDALLLL was running down the sideline on that post route. So I think they got a lot going for him even with the injuries.

Yeah, the exciting thing to me about Jamison is that when you get into the postseason, it is hard to string together long drives against the better teams the better defenses in this league. It helps to be able to get those chunks, those massive chunks. And as you could see on that post, he's got elite, elite, elite speed and he tracks the ball well. He's not someone who struggles attractive. A lot of times those don't marry up together. But he's got a chance to be an elite deep threat. And you know, to me, that's what again we look towards the postseason. You want to have some of those quick strike throws and drives and he can provide that for you. So I think he's someone is what you're seeing right now. I think when you watch the Lions go through the postseason, do not be shocked with all their star players that they have, if he doesn't end up being like one of their key key guys. You know you're gonna have games. He could win a game for you. He catches three for one fifty, you know, with a couple huge deep balls that wins you a playoff game. That's valuable. And that's why they're patient with him with some of the stuff and the issues that he's had. We're willing to forgive, and we're willing to learn and We're going to try and grow through this thing. But so far, so good. As the Lions are marched towards the number one overall seed, let's stay in the NFC. Well, I guess I shouldn't say that they're marching towards it because I feel like I always forget about this team, Minnesota right there with them in the thirteen and two. They have it all in front of them. They go to Seattle and not an easy place to play. It was lowed they're watching that ball game. I saw a lot of that on TV, but for getting a chance to watch it on video, but very loud Rockets environment. Sam was locked in justin Jefferson. Another huge game. Defensively, they got turnovers when they needed it. They were able to heat up, you know, Geno kind of force some things there By the way, Gino and DK Metcalf not on that. That is another I'll let you go there if you want to go there. But they are not on the same page here, and it's there is a frustration there that seems to be boiling over with the leader.

Yeah, the exciting thing to me about Jamison is that when you get into the postseason, it is hard to string together long drives against the better teams the better defenses in this league. It helps to be able to get those chunks, those massive chunks. And as you could see on that post, he's got elite, elite, elite speed and he tracks the ball well. He's not someone who struggles attractive. A lot of times those don't marry up together. But he's got a chance to be an elite deep threat. And you know, to me, that's what again we look towards the postseason. You want to have some of those quick strike throws and drives and he can provide that for you. So I think he's someone is what you're seeing right now. I think when you watch the Lions go through the postseason, do not be shocked with all their star players that they have, if he doesn't end up being like one of their key key guys. You know you're gonna have games. He could win a game for you. He catches three for one fifty, you know, with a couple huge deep balls that wins you a playoff game. That's valuable. And that's why they're patient with him with some of the stuff and the issues that he's had. We're willing to forgive, and we're willing to learn and We're going to try and grow through this thing. But so far, so good. As the Lions are marched towards the number one overall seed, let's stay in the NFC. Well, I guess I shouldn't say that they're marching towards it because I feel like I always forget about this team, Minnesota right there with them in the thirteen and two. They have it all in front of them. They go to Seattle and not an easy place to play. It was lowed they're watching that ball game. I saw a lot of that on TV, but for getting a chance to watch it on video, but very loud Rockets environment. Sam was locked in justin Jefferson. Another huge game. Defensively, they got turnovers when they needed it. They were able to heat up, you know, Geno kind of force some things there By the way, Gino and DK Metcalf not on that. That is another I'll let you go there if you want to go there. But they are not on the same page here, and it's there is a frustration there that seems to be boiling over with the leader.

Session at the end, Oh my god, at the end was the was kind of.

Session at the end, Oh my god, at the end was the was kind of.

The and it's the same issue that it's the DKA is drifting like but again I put some of that on the on the play call, like he's not a precise work back to the quarterback route runner, Like, that's not him. He is on the move, he is overs, he is go balls, He has slants, you know, asking him to run outs and comebacks and curls like, that's not who he is. I mean, I guess you'd hope that he would grow into that, but that is not him.

The and it's the same issue that it's the DKA is drifting like but again I put some of that on the on the play call, like he's not a precise work back to the quarterback route runner, Like, that's not him. He is on the move, he is overs, he is go balls, He has slants, you know, asking him to run outs and comebacks and curls like, that's not who he is. I mean, I guess you'd hope that he would grow into that, but that is not him.

Well.

Well.

Yeah, and on the play in particular, I mean, Minnesota had three guys back there for DK, you know, like I imagine in his head he's like, oh they no way Gino's throwing this ball, you know, and he starts drifting out, which obviously you shouldn't do, you know, run the route like You're getting the ball no matter what. But they had two deep guys over him and then the underneath as well. I mean, it was that play was kind of doomed from the start because he was getting pressure too. I understand why Gino let go of it, but yeah, you'd like to see a little bit more competitiveness on the end of that route. I'll look at this because I know you watched justin Jefferson, which was which I wanted to go back and see that and see the different ways.

Yeah, and on the play in particular, I mean, Minnesota had three guys back there for DK, you know, like I imagine in his head he's like, oh they no way Gino's throwing this ball, you know, and he starts drifting out, which obviously you shouldn't do, you know, run the route like You're getting the ball no matter what. But they had two deep guys over him and then the underneath as well. I mean, it was that play was kind of doomed from the start because he was getting pressure too. I understand why Gino let go of it, but yeah, you'd like to see a little bit more competitiveness on the end of that route. I'll look at this because I know you watched justin Jefferson, which was which I wanted to go back and see that and see the different ways.

Please, please, by the way, can I just can I just beg beg koc for one thing, Kevin O'Connell, who should be in the mix for the Coach of the Year, give me more Justin Jefferson in the backfield, please, I want more Justin Jefferson running routes out of the backfield. A couple of things there. Number one, you can't get your hands on him. You're not gonna be able to press him. And number two, you're you're in the backfield. You're in the dead middle of the field. He has got so much real estate to work with, and you saw him in space like good luck, good luck. I hope we see more of it. I hope more teams will do that. You'll see them sprinkle guys in there and usually they'll flare him out. Maybe maybe you give him an out route like you saw there. But let's empty the clip man. Let's let him run up the rail from the backfield. Let's run those option routes. Let's let let him run the full gamut of routes from from the backfield. That's what I'm here for.

Please, please, by the way, can I just can I just beg beg koc for one thing, Kevin O'Connell, who should be in the mix for the Coach of the Year, give me more Justin Jefferson in the backfield, please, I want more Justin Jefferson running routes out of the backfield. A couple of things there. Number one, you can't get your hands on him. You're not gonna be able to press him. And number two, you're you're in the backfield. You're in the dead middle of the field. He has got so much real estate to work with, and you saw him in space like good luck, good luck. I hope we see more of it. I hope more teams will do that. You'll see them sprinkle guys in there and usually they'll flare him out. Maybe maybe you give him an out route like you saw there. But let's empty the clip man. Let's let him run up the rail from the backfield. Let's run those option routes. Let's let let him run the full gamut of routes from from the backfield. That's what I'm here for.

Also that throw we just saw right there from Darnold's like step run up in the pocket.

Also that throw we just saw right there from Darnold's like step run up in the pocket.

Oh so good, so good.

Oh so good, so good.

Yeah, And you know, I went back and first like five targets for Jefferson, felt like there were five different looks and five different guys that were, you know, in the vicinity of where he was.

Yeah, And you know, I went back and first like five targets for Jefferson, felt like there were five different looks and five different guys that were, you know, in the vicinity of where he was.

And so Seahawks are trying to mix it up.

And so Seahawks are trying to mix it up.

But man, he's he's that good and especially you know, when you can scheme it up for him the way that they do pretty special.

But man, he's he's that good and especially you know, when you can scheme it up for him the way that they do pretty special.

So I went and looked at what what.

So I went and looked at what what.

Brian Flores was doing with one of his new chess pieces this year, and we've watched it, you know, a bunch, and we watched him when he was down at Miami. But Andrew Van ginkle Man, when he gets a runway the like when when he's either they put him standing up over a guard, which is like you know, an athleticism mismatch. If he you know, he gets the drop on the guard, it's over, uh in terms of you know, anticipating the snap count. And then when they give him runway and they'll like kind of twist him in and run games with him kind of. I mean, it's it's that kind of speed coming at you man in the interior. Is it was difficult to deal with for Seattle with those guys because I know they've been kind of shuffling guys in and out of the interior that offensive line too, So made sense that that's where they wanted to try to attack.

Brian Flores was doing with one of his new chess pieces this year, and we've watched it, you know, a bunch, and we watched him when he was down at Miami. But Andrew Van ginkle Man, when he gets a runway the like when when he's either they put him standing up over a guard, which is like you know, an athleticism mismatch. If he you know, he gets the drop on the guard, it's over, uh in terms of you know, anticipating the snap count. And then when they give him runway and they'll like kind of twist him in and run games with him kind of. I mean, it's it's that kind of speed coming at you man in the interior. Is it was difficult to deal with for Seattle with those guys because I know they've been kind of shuffling guys in and out of the interior that offensive line too, So made sense that that's where they wanted to try to attack.

Uh.

Uh.

Van Ginkle with two sacks on the day, But really the sacks were you know, relentless effort to like he's getting pushed or he's getting pushed outside and he kind of wheels back around and Geno's hanging on to the ball. So I think it, you know, you credit what they're doing from a coverage perspective with the relentlessness of guys like Van Ginkle of front seven pressures in this game, two of them he brings down Geno Smith. So they just they got a lot going for him there really on both sides of the ball. Like this Vikings team, I'm not counting them out.

Van Ginkle with two sacks on the day, But really the sacks were you know, relentless effort to like he's getting pushed or he's getting pushed outside and he kind of wheels back around and Geno's hanging on to the ball. So I think it, you know, you credit what they're doing from a coverage perspective with the relentlessness of guys like Van Ginkle of front seven pressures in this game, two of them he brings down Geno Smith. So they just they got a lot going for him there really on both sides of the ball. Like this Vikings team, I'm not counting them out.

Yet as they try to push for better seeding.

Yet as they try to push for better seeding.

Yeah, final thought, final thought, last game of the regular season. The Detroit Lions welcome in the Minnesota Vikings for what is likely to be the difference of the number one seed versus the number five seed and the NFC playoffs. As we look at a couple of these Saturday matchups, big games with a lot on the line. Here, Pittsburgh Baltimore. Baltimore stays alive in the division. You see the records there now the same with Pittsburgh. Now Pittsburgh still controls it. So if Pittsburgh wins out, they would win the AFC North. But Pittsburgh has a game in about three minutes against the Kansas City Chiefs of Christmas, So not a lot of rest there coming off of a very physical game where the Ravens they got after their nemesis a little bit in this one, thirty four to seventeen.

Yeah, final thought, final thought, last game of the regular season. The Detroit Lions welcome in the Minnesota Vikings for what is likely to be the difference of the number one seed versus the number five seed and the NFC playoffs. As we look at a couple of these Saturday matchups, big games with a lot on the line. Here, Pittsburgh Baltimore. Baltimore stays alive in the division. You see the records there now the same with Pittsburgh. Now Pittsburgh still controls it. So if Pittsburgh wins out, they would win the AFC North. But Pittsburgh has a game in about three minutes against the Kansas City Chiefs of Christmas, So not a lot of rest there coming off of a very physical game where the Ravens they got after their nemesis a little bit in this one, thirty four to seventeen.

Right.

Right.

Yeah, And look, I think you know, when you look at this from the Steelers perspective on offense, I think you'll look at a team that is struggling to find ways to produce them the perimeter. Without George Pickens and yep, and Calvin Austin four catches sixty five. It's fine, Jalen Warren five for forty four, but you have no big play threat. Mike Williams has not showed up in that way for this team since his first catch for a touchdown. Whenever that was. And then you know, Russ just once that that last throwback to that Marlin Humphrey went for the pick six that sealed it. But this team meets George Pickens back just to kind of get things back on track into a flow with how they want to operate.

Yeah, And look, I think you know, when you look at this from the Steelers perspective on offense, I think you'll look at a team that is struggling to find ways to produce them the perimeter. Without George Pickens and yep, and Calvin Austin four catches sixty five. It's fine, Jalen Warren five for forty four, but you have no big play threat. Mike Williams has not showed up in that way for this team since his first catch for a touchdown. Whenever that was. And then you know, Russ just once that that last throwback to that Marlin Humphrey went for the pick six that sealed it. But this team meets George Pickens back just to kind of get things back on track into a flow with how they want to operate.

Yeah, it does like they are going to get him back against the Chiefs. I also believe they're going to get to Shawn Elliott back, which would be very important. He's played awesome on the defensive side of the ball. The Pittsburgh Steelers the Ravens. To me, I was mentioning it earlier. I think we were talking about Philly and saying it doesn't really matter where they go playoff wise. I kind of feel like that way for the Ravens to they're a chip on their shoulder organization. If they're home, if they're at home, fine, if they're on the road, they don't care. They're gonna be able to run the football. I mean that's where I thought, I don't know, watching this ball game, I thought a couple of things. Number One, the points you mentioned about Russ, Yeah, okay, I get that, but Lamar continues to be locked in. And then Number two was I just remember late in the year, even when they had those good teams in Tennessee, it felt like maybe Dereck Henry, even if the yards were there, just he looked a little bit heavy legged, like the toll of the season had kind of started to catch up with him a little bit. He looked fresh as a daisy. How many yards of ten plus runs did he have in this game? It just felt like every other runs alosive run. Yeah, he just looked, he looked, he looked. Maybe it's the hair, I don't know. He just looked fresh. He looked very fresh in this ballgame.

Yeah, it does like they are going to get him back against the Chiefs. I also believe they're going to get to Shawn Elliott back, which would be very important. He's played awesome on the defensive side of the ball. The Pittsburgh Steelers the Ravens. To me, I was mentioning it earlier. I think we were talking about Philly and saying it doesn't really matter where they go playoff wise. I kind of feel like that way for the Ravens to they're a chip on their shoulder organization. If they're home, if they're at home, fine, if they're on the road, they don't care. They're gonna be able to run the football. I mean that's where I thought, I don't know, watching this ball game, I thought a couple of things. Number One, the points you mentioned about Russ, Yeah, okay, I get that, but Lamar continues to be locked in. And then Number two was I just remember late in the year, even when they had those good teams in Tennessee, it felt like maybe Dereck Henry, even if the yards were there, just he looked a little bit heavy legged, like the toll of the season had kind of started to catch up with him a little bit. He looked fresh as a daisy. How many yards of ten plus runs did he have in this game? It just felt like every other runs alosive run. Yeah, he just looked, he looked, he looked. Maybe it's the hair, I don't know. He just looked fresh. He looked very fresh in this ballgame.

Yeah, I would agree with you on that.

Yeah, I would agree with you on that.

One other thing, I was curious if if you kind of caught caught window of like the the coaches box camera on Todd Monkin. I don't know that they're going to be a fan of that one moving did you see Have you seen all the breathing with it? Oh my gosh, he's going nuts on one of these plays. I can't remember if it was the interception that Lamar threw or if it was just a big play that they missed. And I think he was saying something about Rashad Bateman, like what is.

One other thing, I was curious if if you kind of caught caught window of like the the coaches box camera on Todd Monkin. I don't know that they're going to be a fan of that one moving did you see Have you seen all the breathing with it? Oh my gosh, he's going nuts on one of these plays. I can't remember if it was the interception that Lamar threw or if it was just a big play that they missed. And I think he was saying something about Rashad Bateman, like what is.

He doing what is he doing?

He doing what is he doing?

Oh?

Oh?

You could just you can feel the anxiety right that just courses through a play callers, you know, veins throughout those three and a half hours of a game.

You could just you can feel the anxiety right that just courses through a play callers, you know, veins throughout those three and a half hours of a game.

Man, it is I have to start.

Man, it is I have to start.

You can start being in the in the booth with your with your play sheet over it.

You can start being in the in the booth with your with your play sheet over it.

I know, I think seriously, I'm curious, man, you know, more of that moving forward here. But yeah, it was they look they got to win, but I think they left some stuff out there on the table on the offensive side. I don't know that this was the cleanest game we've seen Lamar play.

I know, I think seriously, I'm curious, man, you know, more of that moving forward here. But yeah, it was they look they got to win, but I think they left some stuff out there on the table on the offensive side. I don't know that this was the cleanest game we've seen Lamar play.

But again enough, yeah, man, I keep an eye on this division because it looks like we'll see how the Chargers season unfolds. But that's looking like the winner of this division likely to be the three seed the Chargers if everything kind of goes, you know, with them finishing up with New England and the Raiders, there's a chance even after this next week that they could be locked into the sixth seed. So that would be a rematch either way. Chargers lost to both of those teams in close games, so that could be where my travels take me here as we go towards the postseason. Speaking of postseason, there Houston, Kansas City. Kansas City, just ho hum this one. I actually had a little breathing room for you know what that's worth. They don't have many of those. I tweeted out as Houston had a chance with the ball in their hands, I think they were down eight, you know, seven or eight? Yeah, they were down eight late in this ball game, weren't they.

But again enough, yeah, man, I keep an eye on this division because it looks like we'll see how the Chargers season unfolds. But that's looking like the winner of this division likely to be the three seed the Chargers if everything kind of goes, you know, with them finishing up with New England and the Raiders, there's a chance even after this next week that they could be locked into the sixth seed. So that would be a rematch either way. Chargers lost to both of those teams in close games, so that could be where my travels take me here as we go towards the postseason. Speaking of postseason, there Houston, Kansas City. Kansas City, just ho hum this one. I actually had a little breathing room for you know what that's worth. They don't have many of those. I tweeted out as Houston had a chance with the ball in their hands, I think they were down eight, you know, seven or eight? Yeah, they were down eight late in this ball game, weren't they.

And then the score is twenty seven to nineteen. That's why it was in one possession.

And then the score is twenty seven to nineteen. That's why it was in one possession.

Yeah, yeah, that'shy I was throwing me off. But I'm watching this. I'm watching this game, and I'm staring at it, going, oh, this is the most predictable thing ever. You're going to see. Houston's going to go down, They're going to score, They're going to get the two point conversion. Just to give them that glimmer of hope, they'll leave a minute thirty for Mahomes. Mahomes will go down and they'll get they'll win the game. It'll feature a Mahomes scramble, which all those game winning drives they altered at some point in time. This one went off script. And one of the reasons that went off script is because as great as as great as Mahomes is. Man, if you look at the recent iteration of this team, I'm telling you, man, Chris Jones what he does and the impact he has every single game, every single week, there's a reason why their defense is doing what they're doing and spags with the great design. They have a lot of really really good football players. I'll put McDuffie in that great category. But there's one Hall of Famer on that side. That's Chris Jones.

Yeah, yeah, that'shy I was throwing me off. But I'm watching this. I'm watching this game, and I'm staring at it, going, oh, this is the most predictable thing ever. You're going to see. Houston's going to go down, They're going to score, They're going to get the two point conversion. Just to give them that glimmer of hope, they'll leave a minute thirty for Mahomes. Mahomes will go down and they'll get they'll win the game. It'll feature a Mahomes scramble, which all those game winning drives they altered at some point in time. This one went off script. And one of the reasons that went off script is because as great as as great as Mahomes is. Man, if you look at the recent iteration of this team, I'm telling you, man, Chris Jones what he does and the impact he has every single game, every single week, there's a reason why their defense is doing what they're doing and spags with the great design. They have a lot of really really good football players. I'll put McDuffie in that great category. But there's one Hall of Famer on that side. That's Chris Jones.

I'm not gonna argue with that.

I'm not gonna argue with that.

I mean, that's that is for sure a big piece of this storyline here really in the last two to three years for the Chiefs is him elevating and that defense elevating to become a reason why they win, uh and not a reason why they lose. And so that's obviously been a part of it. And you know, I think you know you're throwing George Carloftis in there too.

I mean, that's that is for sure a big piece of this storyline here really in the last two to three years for the Chiefs is him elevating and that defense elevating to become a reason why they win, uh and not a reason why they lose. And so that's obviously been a part of it. And you know, I think you know you're throwing George Carloftis in there too.

And again we've talked about.

And again we've talked about.

The ways that they have drafted for what they want to do on the defensive side of the ball, and that is such a homegrown defense from from Chris Jones to Carloftis to Nick Bolton to the guys in the back end where they've hit on. It feels like almost every time, even you know, you lose Lugerius Snead and you're still finding ways, you know, because of the competitive.

The ways that they have drafted for what they want to do on the defensive side of the ball, and that is such a homegrown defense from from Chris Jones to Carloftis to Nick Bolton to the guys in the back end where they've hit on. It feels like almost every time, even you know, you lose Lugerius Snead and you're still finding ways, you know, because of the competitive.

Depth that Josh Williams had a big game.

Depth that Josh Williams had a big game.

Yeah, so credit again to to Veitch and Andy and that whole personnel crew and in the way that they've found ways to, you know, to really spend the big money, you know, on Chris Jones and then find ways to fill in right with with the draft, and that's that's been huge and they'll have to pay some of these guys here moving forward.

Yeah, so credit again to to Veitch and Andy and that whole personnel crew and in the way that they've found ways to, you know, to really spend the big money, you know, on Chris Jones and then find ways to fill in right with with the draft, and that's that's been huge and they'll have to pay some of these guys here moving forward.

But I did want to talk a little bit about.

But I did want to talk a little bit about.

Opposite of the reck you wall for Xavier Worthy, you know, like he's putting eight on the gas now instead of slowing down.

Opposite of the reck you wall for Xavier Worthy, you know, like he's putting eight on the gas now instead of slowing down.

It's exactly right. And this is what we saw from Rashid Rice last year. You remember how he came through UH and really started to take off in the second half of the season. And so for Worthy, he was busy man eleven targets, seven catches. I thought they were really you know, it wasn't just like, oh hey, let's throw a little gadget at him here. With Worthy, it was like they wanted to make him a big part of the game plan. And look, most of them are still you know, at the line of scrimmage or behind the line of scrimmage. But I think the biggest development, and I think we've talked about this a few times on the show earlier this season. I can't remember whether it was this year or whether it's really come in in the last you know, two or three years. But man, when you get that, now throw to a player like Worthy, but you got lead blockers out in front, like just to get rid of the most dangerous man that is deadly, And they did on one of those plays.

It's exactly right. And this is what we saw from Rashid Rice last year. You remember how he came through UH and really started to take off in the second half of the season. And so for Worthy, he was busy man eleven targets, seven catches. I thought they were really you know, it wasn't just like, oh hey, let's throw a little gadget at him here. With Worthy, it was like they wanted to make him a big part of the game plan. And look, most of them are still you know, at the line of scrimmage or behind the line of scrimmage. But I think the biggest development, and I think we've talked about this a few times on the show earlier this season. I can't remember whether it was this year or whether it's really come in in the last you know, two or three years. But man, when you get that, now throw to a player like Worthy, but you got lead blockers out in front, like just to get rid of the most dangerous man that is deadly, And they did on one of those plays.

I think it was only like a fifteen yard game, but they.

I think it was only like a fifteen yard game, but they.

Basically took Houston's best defensive player, Will Anderson out of the mix. With the backfield action going one way, Worthy coming in motion the other way, and then two offensive linemen leading him out in front. Like Will Anderson couldn't do it. He didn't know what to do. You know, It's like, do I crash down with the run? Do I try to deal with and then he's just sitting there and no man's land, And so you've eliminated with action one guy, probably their best guy, and then you've got two guys out in front for Worthy. They did that a number of times, and he had a couple like a slant route or you know, man.

Basically took Houston's best defensive player, Will Anderson out of the mix. With the backfield action going one way, Worthy coming in motion the other way, and then two offensive linemen leading him out in front. Like Will Anderson couldn't do it. He didn't know what to do. You know, It's like, do I crash down with the run? Do I try to deal with and then he's just sitting there and no man's land, And so you've eliminated with action one guy, probably their best guy, and then you've got two guys out in front for Worthy. They did that a number of times, and he had a couple like a slant route or you know, man.

If he's also like DJ if you are.

If he's also like DJ if you are.

If he's in the slot and you are a slot defender with inside leverage, it's over. If he runs the album like you are not nobody's But if you play outside leverage, they're gonna run mesh and they're gonna make you weave through all that traffic.

If he's in the slot and you are a slot defender with inside leverage, it's over. If he runs the album like you are not nobody's But if you play outside leverage, they're gonna run mesh and they're gonna make you weave through all that traffic.

I've seen it. I've seen a bunch of it both ways this year. The other thing is I'll just add is let's give Joe Toney some flowers for kicking out to left tackle and solving what was their achilles heel. And it goes to the theory of the best five theory. I've always stated that, and I think we're on the same page there, which is the versatil. The offensive lineman is huge because injuries are coming. If they aren't there right now, they're coming tomorrow. And the ability to have guys who can play multiple positions allows you to get your best five on the field. And also, Wyye Morris, as dreadful as he's been at left tackle, was serviceable at right tackle. Where he's more comfortable. So, uh, Joe Toney's ability to kick out, it's what he did in college. But having guys that can, are we going to make it very bad? Are We're just gonna make him left tackle now for the rest of this point? Just make him a left tackle for the rest of this year. I am. He's better in DJ Humphries if he you know, with his injuries situation, if he comes back, I don't know what his how long the timeline is there, but Joe Toney is better than him, So uh interesting to see how that's all come together for them along the offensive line.

I've seen it. I've seen a bunch of it both ways this year. The other thing is I'll just add is let's give Joe Toney some flowers for kicking out to left tackle and solving what was their achilles heel. And it goes to the theory of the best five theory. I've always stated that, and I think we're on the same page there, which is the versatil. The offensive lineman is huge because injuries are coming. If they aren't there right now, they're coming tomorrow. And the ability to have guys who can play multiple positions allows you to get your best five on the field. And also, Wyye Morris, as dreadful as he's been at left tackle, was serviceable at right tackle. Where he's more comfortable. So, uh, Joe Toney's ability to kick out, it's what he did in college. But having guys that can, are we going to make it very bad? Are We're just gonna make him left tackle now for the rest of this point? Just make him a left tackle for the rest of this year. I am. He's better in DJ Humphries if he you know, with his injuries situation, if he comes back, I don't know what his how long the timeline is there, but Joe Toney is better than him, So uh interesting to see how that's all come together for them along the offensive line.

H are all right?

H are all right?

Two NFL Christmas Day games will be live on Netflix December twenty fifth, starting at one pm Eastern. That's the Chiefs taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at four point thirty pm Eastern. Do not miss it all right, Right, this one was a head scratcher to me. Uh didn't see this coming. And that is the Dallas Cowboys beating the Bucks twenty six to twenty four. I had just seen the Bucks and I was like, holy crud, this offense is is dial game right now. It's a very interesting team and with their defense with Todd Bowles as aggressive as they are, and some of the matchups that they give you up front, mainly Vita Vea, It's like, I don't know if you want to play this team in the postseason and you flip around one week later, and I don't know that the postseasons, you know, given that's how quickly things can turn in the NFL. But what a win for coach McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys twenty six to twenty four.

Two NFL Christmas Day games will be live on Netflix December twenty fifth, starting at one pm Eastern. That's the Chiefs taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at four point thirty pm Eastern. Do not miss it all right, Right, this one was a head scratcher to me. Uh didn't see this coming. And that is the Dallas Cowboys beating the Bucks twenty six to twenty four. I had just seen the Bucks and I was like, holy crud, this offense is is dial game right now. It's a very interesting team and with their defense with Todd Bowles as aggressive as they are, and some of the matchups that they give you up front, mainly Vita Vea, It's like, I don't know if you want to play this team in the postseason and you flip around one week later, and I don't know that the postseasons, you know, given that's how quickly things can turn in the NFL. But what a win for coach McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys twenty six to twenty four.

Man, you know they're eliminated too, you know, going into this thing, and it's I just think it's it is really us of, you know, for a group of guys and a coaching staff that has been as maligned as any in the in the league this year to come out and have that kind of effort against a team that.

Man, you know they're eliminated too, you know, going into this thing, and it's I just think it's it is really us of, you know, for a group of guys and a coaching staff that has been as maligned as any in the in the league this year to come out and have that kind of effort against a team that.

Is fighting for everything right in the Bucks.

Is fighting for everything right in the Bucks.

And look, ultimately, I think for the Bucks, you know, it just they kick started too late, you know, I mean, this was they just didn't have it going early. And you know, credit the guys that have stepped in on Dallas's defense. I mean, like you heard Chris Collinsworth and Tarico gushing over Jordan Lewis, you know, throughout the broadcast, and rightly so. I mean, do played a heck of a game, including that strip. Oh actually I don't know think that was him on the strip at the end, but I'm thinking I had every belief, you know, the way that the Bucks had been playing going into this game and then the way that they came alive late, that they were going to go down and win that game. And then you know, Baker makes this incredible play to get free and like just dragging a defender with him, gets it out to Rashad White. You know they're gonna and then now the stride is gonna be off and running. They're gonna have all this momentum and confidence, and bang he gets that thing stripped out. I just thought that defense, with all the injuries they've had, man just played really inspired ball. And I think that says a lot about the way that their coaches get them rolling. And look the personal pride that they have.

And look, ultimately, I think for the Bucks, you know, it just they kick started too late, you know, I mean, this was they just didn't have it going early. And you know, credit the guys that have stepped in on Dallas's defense. I mean, like you heard Chris Collinsworth and Tarico gushing over Jordan Lewis, you know, throughout the broadcast, and rightly so. I mean, do played a heck of a game, including that strip. Oh actually I don't know think that was him on the strip at the end, but I'm thinking I had every belief, you know, the way that the Bucks had been playing going into this game and then the way that they came alive late, that they were going to go down and win that game. And then you know, Baker makes this incredible play to get free and like just dragging a defender with him, gets it out to Rashad White. You know they're gonna and then now the stride is gonna be off and running. They're gonna have all this momentum and confidence, and bang he gets that thing stripped out. I just thought that defense, with all the injuries they've had, man just played really inspired ball. And I think that says a lot about the way that their coaches get them rolling. And look the personal pride that they have.

Yeah, Look, Deron Bland ripped that thing out. So it was right time place. Yeah, and the secondary for the Dallas Cowboys a couple of things. I was just looking at it for next year. And what does the offseason look like with the Dallas Cowboys. And if you're the head coach, you know the two people you want in your corner more than anybody else. Number one is the owner and number two is the quarterback. And I think he's This game went a long way to show the owner that the team has not quit on you. You have your twelve win seasons that you can sell, you have your Super Bowl ring with Green Bay that you can sell, and you have a limited coaching market where there's not a lot of hot candidates, So that's going to help you on the coach side of things. In the quarterback, you already had Dak Prescott's already endorsed him. So I don't know, that game to me could have been a uh maybe I won't say job savor because I would assume that it was gone, but it might have been a job stealer, you know, Like just I don't I don't see a change coming there. Maybe you get make some staff changes, but that's I don't see that happening.

Yeah, Look, Deron Bland ripped that thing out. So it was right time place. Yeah, and the secondary for the Dallas Cowboys a couple of things. I was just looking at it for next year. And what does the offseason look like with the Dallas Cowboys. And if you're the head coach, you know the two people you want in your corner more than anybody else. Number one is the owner and number two is the quarterback. And I think he's This game went a long way to show the owner that the team has not quit on you. You have your twelve win seasons that you can sell, you have your Super Bowl ring with Green Bay that you can sell, and you have a limited coaching market where there's not a lot of hot candidates, So that's going to help you on the coach side of things. In the quarterback, you already had Dak Prescott's already endorsed him. So I don't know, that game to me could have been a uh maybe I won't say job savor because I would assume that it was gone, but it might have been a job stealer, you know, Like just I don't I don't see a change coming there. Maybe you get make some staff changes, but that's I don't see that happening.

That's fair, But I mean I do not think that that is I just have a hard time believing that's gonna go over very well.

That's fair, But I mean I do not think that that is I just have a hard time believing that's gonna go over very well.

Not like that actually matters in the grand scheme of things.

Not like that actually matters in the grand scheme of things.

Jerry Jerry hasn't been a splash guy. That's like the most misinterpreted thing. I mean, look at like free agency and big splash stuff and hiring the sexy coach, Like look at all the coaches that he's hired, and look at who are these you know, quote unquote prize free agencies brought. You got to go back to the old school nineties to find like that's when he was making the bold moves. Like it was bold. It was Charles Haley, it was Deon Sanders, Let's let's be bold, you know.

Jerry Jerry hasn't been a splash guy. That's like the most misinterpreted thing. I mean, look at like free agency and big splash stuff and hiring the sexy coach, Like look at all the coaches that he's hired, and look at who are these you know, quote unquote prize free agencies brought. You got to go back to the old school nineties to find like that's when he was making the bold moves. Like it was bold. It was Charles Haley, it was Deon Sanders, Let's let's be bold, you know.

You know, like truly Williams was like the last like really bold move, like a first and third round pick, mitey Gallo Loy Williams.

You know, like truly Williams was like the last like really bold move, like a first and third round pick, mitey Gallo Loy Williams.

Yeah, yeah, those kind of things anymore. You know. The The other thing that I think, you know, we need to.

Yeah, yeah, those kind of things anymore. You know. The The other thing that I think, you know, we need to.

Make sure we get out there is that, you know, you have a big old hat tip to Cooper Rush, like the job that he has done as QB two ditch, like they they really have not missed a beat offensively. I mean, I know that he's maybe not as dynamic as Dak Prescott is, you know, in terms of you know, maybe arm in some athleticism, but that dude knows how to play within this offense, and he was. That guy has earned the right to be one of the highest paid backups in football, if not the highest paid.

Make sure we get out there is that, you know, you have a big old hat tip to Cooper Rush, like the job that he has done as QB two ditch, like they they really have not missed a beat offensively. I mean, I know that he's maybe not as dynamic as Dak Prescott is, you know, in terms of you know, maybe arm in some athleticism, but that dude knows how to play within this offense, and he was. That guy has earned the right to be one of the highest paid backups in football, if not the highest paid.

They're a nice job. Let's get to a quarterback making his starting debut, and that's Pennis Michael Pennock's Atlanta Falcons. They hammer the lifeless New York Giants who are in a great position to have the first overall pick in this draft. Watched all the Pennock stuff this morning. Things I love about him. His feet are in the ground. The arm looks as live and as explosive as it did at the University of Washington. He can reach all the way out to the perimeter. The ball's got pace. I mean you could just see it and watch him tape, just the ball spind like he can't throw it. You know. He has the interception, which has nothing to do with him. I mean, that was one of the weirder interceptions you've ever seen, where Pitts just throws the ball to the defense. But I thought, you know, this is what he is. He's a pure pocket passer with a huge arm that I think protection is going to be big as much as you like the weapons around him, you know, continue, If I'm the Atlanta Falcons looking forward, I'm going to continue every year invest invest, invest in the offensive line. He's going to be able to make some stars out of pass catchers because of his arm talent, but you need to keep him in a nice nest back there. And that's why I'm going to continue to invest in that offensive line, which is already a good one.

They're a nice job. Let's get to a quarterback making his starting debut, and that's Pennis Michael Pennock's Atlanta Falcons. They hammer the lifeless New York Giants who are in a great position to have the first overall pick in this draft. Watched all the Pennock stuff this morning. Things I love about him. His feet are in the ground. The arm looks as live and as explosive as it did at the University of Washington. He can reach all the way out to the perimeter. The ball's got pace. I mean you could just see it and watch him tape, just the ball spind like he can't throw it. You know. He has the interception, which has nothing to do with him. I mean, that was one of the weirder interceptions you've ever seen, where Pitts just throws the ball to the defense. But I thought, you know, this is what he is. He's a pure pocket passer with a huge arm that I think protection is going to be big as much as you like the weapons around him, you know, continue, If I'm the Atlanta Falcons looking forward, I'm going to continue every year invest invest, invest in the offensive line. He's going to be able to make some stars out of pass catchers because of his arm talent, but you need to keep him in a nice nest back there. And that's why I'm going to continue to invest in that offensive line, which is already a good one.

It is, it is.

It is, it is.

And the other thing I would say, though, even still, I mean, he is probably you know, I don't know what the best way to describe this is, but two times the athlete that Kirk Cousins is or was at this point, like he showed some escapability in there that I don't think we'd have seen from Kirk Cousins a couple of different times. And so while yes, he's not going to give you, Josh, I think he's going to give you enough just to kind of move around a little bit if he has to to get out there.

And the other thing I would say, though, even still, I mean, he is probably you know, I don't know what the best way to describe this is, but two times the athlete that Kirk Cousins is or was at this point, like he showed some escapability in there that I don't think we'd have seen from Kirk Cousins a couple of different times. And so while yes, he's not going to give you, Josh, I think he's going to give you enough just to kind of move around a little bit if he has to to get out there.

And man, it is it is.

And man, it is it is.

It's just to me, it's like it's a beautiful thing to watch the lefty throw it like and make it it look that pretty with it you know, I think a lot of times over the ball comes out of the lefty's hand, it looks a little funky, but man, his is such a pretty ball.

It's just to me, it's like it's a beautiful thing to watch the lefty throw it like and make it it look that pretty with it you know, I think a lot of times over the ball comes out of the lefty's hand, it looks a little funky, but man, his is such a pretty ball.

It is so easy to watch. And we just got to get Kyle Pitts to hang on to the football here a little bit.

It is so easy to watch. And we just got to get Kyle Pitts to hang on to the football here a little bit.

We're talking about much better than no question, yea, a couple of drops talk about. I know I'm not gonna talk about the Giants, that's too depressing. But I was watching Pennix on the heels of last weekend thinking about my friend Rhett and going could have used him. He used him at Notre Dame. Tell you that much.

We're talking about much better than no question, yea, a couple of drops talk about. I know I'm not gonna talk about the Giants, that's too depressing. But I was watching Pennix on the heels of last weekend thinking about my friend Rhett and going could have used him. He used him at Notre Dame. Tell you that much.

Yeah, that's fair.

Yeah, that's fair.

Oh well, hey, best game. I'm coming off of a losing season and app so I got nothing to say there Rams Jets. The Rams just kind of slogged their way to a win. Ugly game, but uh, you know this is as you see the note there on the screen, feer than ten points allowed in consecutive games for the first time twenty fifteen. The Jets are kind of a mess, but there are some good players over there, and the Rams defense continues to play well.

Oh well, hey, best game. I'm coming off of a losing season and app so I got nothing to say there Rams Jets. The Rams just kind of slogged their way to a win. Ugly game, but uh, you know this is as you see the note there on the screen, feer than ten points allowed in consecutive games for the first time twenty fifteen. The Jets are kind of a mess, but there are some good players over there, and the Rams defense continues to play well.