Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

Thanks for listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to three Eastern nine am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for The Herd at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

Oh, it just became a very very interesting Thursday in the Herd. We love breaking news on this show. Greg Cosel One Hour from Now talk about the NFL playoffs, but jmack as story and I guess you and I aren't surprised. I have some questions how it would turn out. But you know, Jerry Jones was on that show land Man, and everybody was marveling at what a showman he was, and who's the ultimate showman as a football coach?

Oh, it just became a very very interesting Thursday in the Herd. We love breaking news on this show. Greg Cosel One Hour from Now talk about the NFL playoffs, but jmack as story and I guess you and I aren't surprised. I have some questions how it would turn out. But you know, Jerry Jones was on that show land Man, and everybody was marveling at what a showman he was, and who's the ultimate showman as a football coach?

Not bad?

Not bad?

You know, I'm only on episode six, so no spoilers for land Man. I don't want to know what happens yet. But this news, I don't know what to do with it.

You know, I'm only on episode six, so no spoilers for land Man. I don't want to know what happens yet. But this news, I don't know what to do with it.

Man.

Man.

Let's not keep people waiting and holding their breath. Edwarder Respected journalists says. Regarding Dion Sanders, Edward says, I'm being told he would certainly accept that if Jerry Jones offered the next cowboy coaching head coaching gig to him, and that those around Jerry are encouraging him to pursue it, and that Jones is enamored with the idea. Well, it would be interesting and splashy. And they're two showmen, and I think Jerry and Dion have a lot in common. They're performers. They'll take risks, and if you criticize him, don't come on your show and talk about it. They don't shy away from risk. They welcome the spotlight. But Dallas is also two things today, not very good and boring. So this falls in line with Jerry Jones' personality, which is he likes to be seen as the man who discovered something. He loved getting Tony Romo at a discount he was undrafted. He loved getting Dak Prescott at a discount, right fourth rounder, and Deon Sanders, who we don't think of as the best coaching candidate. You'd probably there's a little bit of discovery here, and I think Jerry loves that. Jerry's DNA was an oil catter. Let's dig and see what we got down there. And Jerry in the NFL is a little bit like that. Let's see what we've got here with undrafted Tony Romo and Deon Sanders as the head coach, and Dak Prescott is a fourth rounder. So I'm I don't know if Deon Sanders prime time would be a great coach. Let's just be honest about his college football experience. He went thirteen and twelve in two years with arguably the best college quarterback and without an argument, the Heisman Trophy winner who played both sides of the ball, and in a bad conference, the Big Twelve. He went in the SEC, he wasn't. He wasn't even in the Big ten of the ACC. Is it a big twelve? Went thirteen and twelve and he up blown out a lot. And I will sell this say this Primetime can sell Primetime and by proxy he'll sell Dallas. But salesmanship is huge in college football. That's seventy five percent of the game. Nick Saban was old, but he was young in the recruiting trail. He had energy and juice and swag. And Dion's got a lot of that, but the Cowboys have no camp room and they're not going to trade Dak, So how does he make him better? And my rule has always been, whenever you make a coaching move, what do your rivals say? What do you think the Philadelphia Eagles are saying this morning about this story. They're saying, well, Jerry likes the spotlight, so he'll get the spotlight. They're not saying, oh damn, Vrabel's going to change that culture or last year, Oh boy, Jim Harbaugh wins everywhere and really fast, and he's coming from Michigan. He knows all those college players. There's no fear in the Philadelphia Eagles executive suite or locker room today with Dion Sanders. He's a showman who was a five hundred coach and a bad conference in college. Now he took over a bad job. He was good for the sport. I was rooting for him. I think he's fun. But is Jerry going to win the spotlight sacrificing perhaps winning games? So Joel Klatt was on the show yesterday who played at Colorado. Who hopes he stays primetime at Colorado? And he doesn't think necessarily the NFL it's a great fit.

Let's not keep people waiting and holding their breath. Edwarder Respected journalists says. Regarding Dion Sanders, Edward says, I'm being told he would certainly accept that if Jerry Jones offered the next cowboy coaching head coaching gig to him, and that those around Jerry are encouraging him to pursue it, and that Jones is enamored with the idea. Well, it would be interesting and splashy. And they're two showmen, and I think Jerry and Dion have a lot in common. They're performers. They'll take risks, and if you criticize him, don't come on your show and talk about it. They don't shy away from risk. They welcome the spotlight. But Dallas is also two things today, not very good and boring. So this falls in line with Jerry Jones' personality, which is he likes to be seen as the man who discovered something. He loved getting Tony Romo at a discount he was undrafted. He loved getting Dak Prescott at a discount, right fourth rounder, and Deon Sanders, who we don't think of as the best coaching candidate. You'd probably there's a little bit of discovery here, and I think Jerry loves that. Jerry's DNA was an oil catter. Let's dig and see what we got down there. And Jerry in the NFL is a little bit like that. Let's see what we've got here with undrafted Tony Romo and Deon Sanders as the head coach, and Dak Prescott is a fourth rounder. So I'm I don't know if Deon Sanders prime time would be a great coach. Let's just be honest about his college football experience. He went thirteen and twelve in two years with arguably the best college quarterback and without an argument, the Heisman Trophy winner who played both sides of the ball, and in a bad conference, the Big Twelve. He went in the SEC, he wasn't. He wasn't even in the Big ten of the ACC. Is it a big twelve? Went thirteen and twelve and he up blown out a lot. And I will sell this say this Primetime can sell Primetime and by proxy he'll sell Dallas. But salesmanship is huge in college football. That's seventy five percent of the game. Nick Saban was old, but he was young in the recruiting trail. He had energy and juice and swag. And Dion's got a lot of that, but the Cowboys have no camp room and they're not going to trade Dak, So how does he make him better? And my rule has always been, whenever you make a coaching move, what do your rivals say? What do you think the Philadelphia Eagles are saying this morning about this story. They're saying, well, Jerry likes the spotlight, so he'll get the spotlight. They're not saying, oh damn, Vrabel's going to change that culture or last year, Oh boy, Jim Harbaugh wins everywhere and really fast, and he's coming from Michigan. He knows all those college players. There's no fear in the Philadelphia Eagles executive suite or locker room today with Dion Sanders. He's a showman who was a five hundred coach and a bad conference in college. Now he took over a bad job. He was good for the sport. I was rooting for him. I think he's fun. But is Jerry going to win the spotlight sacrificing perhaps winning games? So Joel Klatt was on the show yesterday who played at Colorado. Who hopes he stays primetime at Colorado? And he doesn't think necessarily the NFL it's a great fit.

I don't believe that Dallas is somehow a better destination. In fact, I view it opposite, and I view this by this is not a Colorado and Dallas thing. This is also just an NFL versus college football. If you find the right fit in college football, where you're comfortable and you can win, even in the Big twelve, you're gonna make a lot more money in the long run and have a lot more power in the long run than going to the NFL, because even if the NFL can pay you more, maybe maybe per year, that's going to be a short runway and you have very little to no power.

I don't believe that Dallas is somehow a better destination. In fact, I view it opposite, and I view this by this is not a Colorado and Dallas thing. This is also just an NFL versus college football. If you find the right fit in college football, where you're comfortable and you can win, even in the Big twelve, you're gonna make a lot more money in the long run and have a lot more power in the long run than going to the NFL, because even if the NFL can pay you more, maybe maybe per year, that's going to be a short runway and you have very little to no power.

I don't think Dallas's issue was a coaching problem. I think it's a roster problem. It's really top heavy with a wildly overpaid quarterback and one great playmaker, and the Cowboys ended up, believe it or not being too good to get a great draft pick in a really really okay draft. It's not a bad draft, but is about seven to eight special players and Dallas actually McCarthy coached them up too well, and they don't have one of those top picks, and it's not a draft and in my opinion, unless you could get the receiver T Mac from Arizona, or a Mason Graham or Carter the edge rusher from Penn State. I'm not moving up for anybody else. I don't even I don't even think I'm moving up for these quarterbacks. And you know Jerry's not getting rid of his quarterback. So what do you think the Eagles are saying today? Because I got news for you. Once Jim Harball was coming to the Chargers. I can guarantee that people in Kansas City were like, damn, Herbert finally got a coach. And I can guarantee you in Buffalo with Mike Vrabel going to New England, you know they're saying in Buffalo, oh, he'll get that puppy turned around real fast. We got ourselves, We got ourselves. Of all coach, I think Philly's saying, oh, Jerry likes the spotlight. He's on land Man and he's got Dion, so he'll get that. Not saying he's going to fail. But there's some guarantees in the job search. I thought Vrabel was one of them this year, and Harball was won last year. I don't know what you get here, Okay, So it's interesting you would think as the Kansas City Chiefs try to do something nobody's done in the NFL, three straight Super Bowl wins, they would be kind of intimidating, kind of daunting. But Sean Payton just said yesterday that when they went into the playoffs, they were actually more concerned about Buffalo and that if they could get past Buffalo, they liked their chances against the Chiefs.

I don't think Dallas's issue was a coaching problem. I think it's a roster problem. It's really top heavy with a wildly overpaid quarterback and one great playmaker, and the Cowboys ended up, believe it or not being too good to get a great draft pick in a really really okay draft. It's not a bad draft, but is about seven to eight special players and Dallas actually McCarthy coached them up too well, and they don't have one of those top picks, and it's not a draft and in my opinion, unless you could get the receiver T Mac from Arizona, or a Mason Graham or Carter the edge rusher from Penn State. I'm not moving up for anybody else. I don't even I don't even think I'm moving up for these quarterbacks. And you know Jerry's not getting rid of his quarterback. So what do you think the Eagles are saying today? Because I got news for you. Once Jim Harball was coming to the Chargers. I can guarantee that people in Kansas City were like, damn, Herbert finally got a coach. And I can guarantee you in Buffalo with Mike Vrabel going to New England, you know they're saying in Buffalo, oh, he'll get that puppy turned around real fast. We got ourselves, We got ourselves. Of all coach, I think Philly's saying, oh, Jerry likes the spotlight. He's on land Man and he's got Dion, so he'll get that. Not saying he's going to fail. But there's some guarantees in the job search. I thought Vrabel was one of them this year, and Harball was won last year. I don't know what you get here, Okay, So it's interesting you would think as the Kansas City Chiefs try to do something nobody's done in the NFL, three straight Super Bowl wins, they would be kind of intimidating, kind of daunting. But Sean Payton just said yesterday that when they went into the playoffs, they were actually more concerned about Buffalo and that if they could get past Buffalo, they liked their chances against the Chiefs.

We're not looking backwards, we're looking ahead, and it starts with the division, you know, and there's a lot of confidence in this team. If we could get past that game, the next game we had to play, we felt real good about.

We're not looking backwards, we're looking ahead, and it starts with the division, you know, and there's a lot of confidence in this team. If we could get past that game, the next game we had to play, we felt real good about.

And that next game was going to be Kansas City. So I think actually Kansas City proves two things, and it's actually instructive for other teams. It's instructive, and they prove two things. One, you don't have to be great at everything to win back to back Super Bowls. Kansas City's receiving corps the last two years a lot of ham and eggers. It's just a lot of guys now now read and mahomes take a D plus group and make it a C plus group. So it's not terrible, but you don't have to be great at everything. The one but if you're terrible at anything, Joe Burrows o lines, you're not winning super Bowls. The one time Mahomes didn't have his starting offensive tackles in the super Bowl super Bowl fifty five, he got rolled. He had humiliated. The coaching is too good in the NFL. You do not have to be great at everything. You can't be terrible at anything. I mean, there were years Brady didn't have a great run game, but James White was one of the best pass catching running backs in the league. So they may not have had a superstar running back, but their backs could catch and block and protect. And so that's the first thing. You do not have to be great at everything to win super Bowls. Can't be terrible at anything. And the second thing is you really only have to be elite at about four or five things. Head coach, quarterback. You gotta have a dominant defensive person up front somewhere edge Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, gotta have a dominant defensive lineman. You have to have an above average offensive line and some reliable playmaker. It can be Saquon Barkley, it can be Gronk and Julian Edelman, it could be a tight end, a slot receiver. You have to have a third down go to guy for the quarterback. They're not all going to be as good as Jamar Chase, but Puka Nikua, Saquon Barkley, you know Travis Kelsey. You gotta have one of those. So the Colts and the Seahawks, by the way, I think you have excellent rosters, but they're not great at key positions. And so Kansas City fools you into thinking this is not a great team. They're great where you need to be in the NFL. So they're very instructive. They don't intimidate you. But if you go back and look at New England, they are Kansas City. Great coach, great quarterback, always above average offensive lines, always had somebody that could get after the quarterback. They often led the NFL in hurries, and there was one reliable playmaker. Often too, it was James White at a receiver spot out of the backfield. It was Gronk for a couple of years, it was Randy Moss. It was often Welker or Edelman. There was always one guy Tom knew he had on third down, and that is Travis Kelcey. So you know, it's like the restaurant menu. Not everything has to be great. Get stuff off that that's terrible, and you've got to be good at two or three things in and out. Don't like their fries, burgers and shakes, they crush. So I think a lot of people look at Kansas City and doubt them, but they're a very instructive team taking that baton from New England. So Dion Sanders to the Dallas Cowboys, Jmack your initial reaction Primetime wants it if it's offered. Jerry is enamored with it and may offer it. You think it comes to fruition.

And that next game was going to be Kansas City. So I think actually Kansas City proves two things, and it's actually instructive for other teams. It's instructive, and they prove two things. One, you don't have to be great at everything to win back to back Super Bowls. Kansas City's receiving corps the last two years a lot of ham and eggers. It's just a lot of guys now now read and mahomes take a D plus group and make it a C plus group. So it's not terrible, but you don't have to be great at everything. The one but if you're terrible at anything, Joe Burrows o lines, you're not winning super Bowls. The one time Mahomes didn't have his starting offensive tackles in the super Bowl super Bowl fifty five, he got rolled. He had humiliated. The coaching is too good in the NFL. You do not have to be great at everything. You can't be terrible at anything. I mean, there were years Brady didn't have a great run game, but James White was one of the best pass catching running backs in the league. So they may not have had a superstar running back, but their backs could catch and block and protect. And so that's the first thing. You do not have to be great at everything to win super Bowls. Can't be terrible at anything. And the second thing is you really only have to be elite at about four or five things. Head coach, quarterback. You gotta have a dominant defensive person up front somewhere edge Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, gotta have a dominant defensive lineman. You have to have an above average offensive line and some reliable playmaker. It can be Saquon Barkley, it can be Gronk and Julian Edelman, it could be a tight end, a slot receiver. You have to have a third down go to guy for the quarterback. They're not all going to be as good as Jamar Chase, but Puka Nikua, Saquon Barkley, you know Travis Kelsey. You gotta have one of those. So the Colts and the Seahawks, by the way, I think you have excellent rosters, but they're not great at key positions. And so Kansas City fools you into thinking this is not a great team. They're great where you need to be in the NFL. So they're very instructive. They don't intimidate you. But if you go back and look at New England, they are Kansas City. Great coach, great quarterback, always above average offensive lines, always had somebody that could get after the quarterback. They often led the NFL in hurries, and there was one reliable playmaker. Often too, it was James White at a receiver spot out of the backfield. It was Gronk for a couple of years, it was Randy Moss. It was often Welker or Edelman. There was always one guy Tom knew he had on third down, and that is Travis Kelcey. So you know, it's like the restaurant menu. Not everything has to be great. Get stuff off that that's terrible, and you've got to be good at two or three things in and out. Don't like their fries, burgers and shakes, they crush. So I think a lot of people look at Kansas City and doubt them, but they're a very instructive team taking that baton from New England. So Dion Sanders to the Dallas Cowboys, Jmack your initial reaction Primetime wants it if it's offered. Jerry is enamored with it and may offer it. You think it comes to fruition.

I mean you got to respect ed Werder. He's been doing this, covering the team for a long time. I just have a hard time seeing Dion doing this.

I mean you got to respect ed Werder. He's been doing this, covering the team for a long time. I just have a hard time seeing Dion doing this.

Is it you've talked about it? Is it a good job?

Is it you've talked about it? Is it a good job?

Is the Dallas Well, if you look at the Jackson State the Colorado Dallas Cowboys, that's a very noteworthy ascension.

Is the Dallas Well, if you look at the Jackson State the Colorado Dallas Cowboys, that's a very noteworthy ascension.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, so it is a great job now if you're coaching, if you're Sark or Ryan Day, if Ryan Day won the Natty, I look at the Dallas Cowboys and think I'm gonna wait until I get a rookie quarterback on a rookie deal, or I get a Justin Herbert or a C. J. Stroud. So again, what is your job if you go from Jackson's stak. I mean, Dion was just broadcasting and speaking and he was great at it. It was great broadcaster and a good public speaker and all that stuff. Jackson State, Colorado, Dallas Cowboys. You take that job. I mean, if I was in I would take that job.

Yeah, so it is a great job now if you're coaching, if you're Sark or Ryan Day, if Ryan Day won the Natty, I look at the Dallas Cowboys and think I'm gonna wait until I get a rookie quarterback on a rookie deal, or I get a Justin Herbert or a C. J. Stroud. So again, what is your job if you go from Jackson's stak. I mean, Dion was just broadcasting and speaking and he was great at it. It was great broadcaster and a good public speaker and all that stuff. Jackson State, Colorado, Dallas Cowboys. You take that job. I mean, if I was in I would take that job.

I'll be honest here.

I'll be honest here.

You know Michael Lervan, we talked to him during the break when he's on the show, and he's just like upset that we're saying this is not a.

You know Michael Lervan, we talked to him during the break when he's on the show, and he's just like upset that we're saying this is not a.

Good job, straight up honesty.

Good job, straight up honesty.

Colin.

Colin.

Jacksonville calls you and says, we want you to be our head coach. We got Trevor Lawrence your show, Colin. Jerry Jones calls you and says, hey, come on down, Colin, we want you as to coach.

Jacksonville calls you and says, we want you to be our head coach. We got Trevor Lawrence your show, Colin. Jerry Jones calls you and says, hey, come on down, Colin, we want you as to coach.

No, no, no, because.

No, no, no, because.

From a football perspective, you can win with Jacksonville much sooner than Dallas.

From a football perspective, you can win with Jacksonville much sooner than Dallas.

But I think Dion Sanders, now because he's had some modicum of success at Colorado, views this as more than just a football job. It is brand enabling. By the way, Let's say he goes there and he's okay, he could walk into another great TV gig. He could maybe say, you know what, I want to be a part owner somewhere. I want to do a little upstairs stuff. I mean, it would give him more options. We always felt this with Colorado. There's a pretty low ceiling and a pretty low floor, like Colorado could be really bad and rarely great. I mean, I couldn't tell you the last time they were great. He put him back on the map.

But I think Dion Sanders, now because he's had some modicum of success at Colorado, views this as more than just a football job. It is brand enabling. By the way, Let's say he goes there and he's okay, he could walk into another great TV gig. He could maybe say, you know what, I want to be a part owner somewhere. I want to do a little upstairs stuff. I mean, it would give him more options. We always felt this with Colorado. There's a pretty low ceiling and a pretty low floor, like Colorado could be really bad and rarely great. I mean, I couldn't tell you the last time they were great. He put him back on the map.

Basically, he put.

Basically, he put.

Him on the map, but he didn't put him on the best part of the map.

Him on the map, but he didn't put him on the best part of the map.

But maybe that's not what he wants.

But maybe that's not what he wants.

Maybe he wants the branding. I don't know what Dion wants. Does he want the branding or does he want to win Super Bowls?

Maybe he wants the branding. I don't know what Dion wants. Does he want the branding or does he want to win Super Bowls?

What are the Eagles think today? Are they terrifying? I don't think they're the least bit worried. And that's always been my rule on it. What do your rivals think when you hire somebody. The Kansas City Chiefs are a dynasty, and they looked at Harbor Herbert and thought, oh boy, wash would have taken that Jacksonville job. Because Harball wins immediately everywhere, and even this year, Chargers matched up with Kansas City pretty pretty well.

What are the Eagles think today? Are they terrifying? I don't think they're the least bit worried. And that's always been my rule on it. What do your rivals think when you hire somebody. The Kansas City Chiefs are a dynasty, and they looked at Harbor Herbert and thought, oh boy, wash would have taken that Jacksonville job. Because Harball wins immediately everywhere, and even this year, Chargers matched up with Kansas City pretty pretty well.

If you're Washington, I don't even think you're quaking in your boots.

If you're Washington, I don't even think you're quaking in your boots.

You got Dadan Daniels, you like if you're If you're Washington, you didn't want Rabel going to Dallas. You didn't want that. You didn't want Harball going to Dallas. You didn't necessarily want Belichick going to Dallas. You can live with prime time yeh. And again we're not saying you can't coach, but we're saying it's unproven and what his strength is. Showmanship doesn't matter in the NFL. In college, players select you. In the NFL, you select them. It doesn't matter. I mean, Belichick's grumpy who it didn't matter. It has no did. I mean many of the great coaches have been rough around the edges, have not been showman, have been gruff. Tom Coughlin, he won in college, but he was okay in college. Tom Cofflin was a great. He's a Hall of Fame coach in the NFL.

You got Dadan Daniels, you like if you're If you're Washington, you didn't want Rabel going to Dallas. You didn't want that. You didn't want Harball going to Dallas. You didn't necessarily want Belichick going to Dallas. You can live with prime time yeh. And again we're not saying you can't coach, but we're saying it's unproven and what his strength is. Showmanship doesn't matter in the NFL. In college, players select you. In the NFL, you select them. It doesn't matter. I mean, Belichick's grumpy who it didn't matter. It has no did. I mean many of the great coaches have been rough around the edges, have not been showman, have been gruff. Tom Coughlin, he won in college, but he was okay in college. Tom Cofflin was a great. He's a Hall of Fame coach in the NFL.

He sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and neon Easter nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

He sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays and neon Easter nine am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS one and the iHeartRadio app.

You're now entering the No Bull Zone sponsored by Credible Great Rates. None of the Bowl, Greg Cosell forty minutes from now. If you like fantasy football, betting football, getting smarter at football. We've been using him for ten years on the show Greg co Sell, top of Next Hour on a Thursday to breakdown all the NFL games. So big Ben Roethlisberger. He has a podcast, and if you're a Steeler fan, it's great. He's got a little studio somewhere. It looks like in his basement of his house. He's very good, and so there's discussions right now. The Steelers have acknowledged they don't know if they have the right quarterback in their organization right now. Might take his old Russell and young Justin That's not it. How many quarterbacks in the history of the NFL have scrapped for five years and then become stars. Justin Fields has talent, He's not going to be a star quarterback. Struggle to see the field, got hurt picks inaccuracy. He's a talented kid, but he's probably a great backup or a spot starter occasionally. So there's a rumor now and Aaron Rodgers may not be the solution long term. I would argue as a real argument, outside of Sam Donald, he'd be the best fit in Pittsburgh. Big Ben doesn't think of the work.

You're now entering the No Bull Zone sponsored by Credible Great Rates. None of the Bowl, Greg Cosell forty minutes from now. If you like fantasy football, betting football, getting smarter at football. We've been using him for ten years on the show Greg co Sell, top of Next Hour on a Thursday to breakdown all the NFL games. So big Ben Roethlisberger. He has a podcast, and if you're a Steeler fan, it's great. He's got a little studio somewhere. It looks like in his basement of his house. He's very good, and so there's discussions right now. The Steelers have acknowledged they don't know if they have the right quarterback in their organization right now. Might take his old Russell and young Justin That's not it. How many quarterbacks in the history of the NFL have scrapped for five years and then become stars. Justin Fields has talent, He's not going to be a star quarterback. Struggle to see the field, got hurt picks inaccuracy. He's a talented kid, but he's probably a great backup or a spot starter occasionally. So there's a rumor now and Aaron Rodgers may not be the solution long term. I would argue as a real argument, outside of Sam Donald, he'd be the best fit in Pittsburgh. Big Ben doesn't think of the work.

Is Aaron going to play anymore?

Is Aaron going to play anymore?

I mean as a roomors that him coming to Pittsburgh, which I don't think is a good move for the Steelers. I don't think that's what you want. Only you want a guy for one, like a one year band aid for the just because it's it's Do you think if you think that you are just a quarterback away, then you go try and find a quarterback that you think can take you over the top.

I mean as a roomors that him coming to Pittsburgh, which I don't think is a good move for the Steelers. I don't think that's what you want. Only you want a guy for one, like a one year band aid for the just because it's it's Do you think if you think that you are just a quarterback away, then you go try and find a quarterback that you think can take you over the top.

Yeah, and I think fairly j Mac I. People i've talked to see Aaron as middle of the pack in the NFL right now, at best thirteenth or twelfth thirteenth, best, at worst sixteen seventeenth. I would take Baker Mayfield today over and Sam Donald over Aaron. But Aaron had a good, mostly good last seven eight weeks, and I do think for Pittsburgh it would be a decent fit. He's grown up, he could learn the playbook quickly. But the Steelers have been you know, putting band aids on for six years. I think they have to rip it off. I would trade TJ. Watt George Pickens two first round picks if your scouting department said Shaduor Sanders is the guy, because I think cam Ward's going to go number one. I think Shud Sanders you could get at number five, six or seven. But the Steelers, what's interesting is they're in the same predicament they were in twenty twenty two, where they need a quarterback and it's a lousy quarterback draft, and they settled for Kenny Pickett. And I said at the time, I reported at the time I had talked to an NFL general manager with Super Bowl rings who said he's a third rounder. I talked to another general manager who had been to a Super Bowl, had not won one, and he said he's a mid to late third rounder. But they had to reach. So, you know, the most proactive franchise in the NFL for quarterbacks is indisputably Green Bay. They draft them and sit them for years. You know these guys. Pittsburgh has not drafted an elite quarterback since Big Ben and that was twenty one years ago. So and there's a reason the Packers have not had a quarterback shortage for three decades. They draft, hold, develop, and then star. So the truth is, I don't know if Aaron's the answer, but he may be the solution for a year. But I think the Steelers they treat quarterback a little like a New Year's resolution. They're all gung ho about it, you know, but by like late February, you're no longer going to the gym, and by late November, the Steelers aren't really a viable team. It sounds good, there's a lot of hope and optimism, but you're not going to the gym. By late February. You don't even drive by it anymore. I would trade TJ. Watt, George Pickens two first rounders, and go get Shador Sanders if you think he's a starting quarterback. Nobody that I talked to in the league dot Kenny Pickett was a starter back up, you know, homegrown kid. But proactive is the way to do it. I mean, remember, Kansas City moved up, gave away picks. They had a Pro Bowl quarterback in Alex Smith, and you know Joe Flacco. Joe Flacco made a lot of money and won a lot of games in Baltimore, and they went and got Lamar Jackson. So I think you got to take a big swing on this thing if you want to go find the next Big Ben. And Big Ben was a very good prospect that of Miami ob Ohio. People knew Big Ben could play big strong mobile, and he delivered, got him to Super Bowls. But now, I don't you say whatever you want about Aaron to me, there's two teams in this league, primarily the Steelers that are a quarterback away, well three the Colts, the Seahawks and the Steelers, if you got the right quarterback. Pretty interesting teams, but there is no recent history to make me believe Pittsburgh would get aggressive. Seattle Colts kind of think they would Pittsburgh.

Yeah, and I think fairly j Mac I. People i've talked to see Aaron as middle of the pack in the NFL right now, at best thirteenth or twelfth thirteenth, best, at worst sixteen seventeenth. I would take Baker Mayfield today over and Sam Donald over Aaron. But Aaron had a good, mostly good last seven eight weeks, and I do think for Pittsburgh it would be a decent fit. He's grown up, he could learn the playbook quickly. But the Steelers have been you know, putting band aids on for six years. I think they have to rip it off. I would trade TJ. Watt George Pickens two first round picks if your scouting department said Shaduor Sanders is the guy, because I think cam Ward's going to go number one. I think Shud Sanders you could get at number five, six or seven. But the Steelers, what's interesting is they're in the same predicament they were in twenty twenty two, where they need a quarterback and it's a lousy quarterback draft, and they settled for Kenny Pickett. And I said at the time, I reported at the time I had talked to an NFL general manager with Super Bowl rings who said he's a third rounder. I talked to another general manager who had been to a Super Bowl, had not won one, and he said he's a mid to late third rounder. But they had to reach. So, you know, the most proactive franchise in the NFL for quarterbacks is indisputably Green Bay. They draft them and sit them for years. You know these guys. Pittsburgh has not drafted an elite quarterback since Big Ben and that was twenty one years ago. So and there's a reason the Packers have not had a quarterback shortage for three decades. They draft, hold, develop, and then star. So the truth is, I don't know if Aaron's the answer, but he may be the solution for a year. But I think the Steelers they treat quarterback a little like a New Year's resolution. They're all gung ho about it, you know, but by like late February, you're no longer going to the gym, and by late November, the Steelers aren't really a viable team. It sounds good, there's a lot of hope and optimism, but you're not going to the gym. By late February. You don't even drive by it anymore. I would trade TJ. Watt, George Pickens two first rounders, and go get Shador Sanders if you think he's a starting quarterback. Nobody that I talked to in the league dot Kenny Pickett was a starter back up, you know, homegrown kid. But proactive is the way to do it. I mean, remember, Kansas City moved up, gave away picks. They had a Pro Bowl quarterback in Alex Smith, and you know Joe Flacco. Joe Flacco made a lot of money and won a lot of games in Baltimore, and they went and got Lamar Jackson. So I think you got to take a big swing on this thing if you want to go find the next Big Ben. And Big Ben was a very good prospect that of Miami ob Ohio. People knew Big Ben could play big strong mobile, and he delivered, got him to Super Bowls. But now, I don't you say whatever you want about Aaron to me, there's two teams in this league, primarily the Steelers that are a quarterback away, well three the Colts, the Seahawks and the Steelers, if you got the right quarterback. Pretty interesting teams, but there is no recent history to make me believe Pittsburgh would get aggressive. Seattle Colts kind of think they would Pittsburgh.

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Hey, Steve Covino and I'm Rich David, and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You could catch us weekdays from five to seven pm Eastern two to four Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and of course the iHeartRadio app.

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We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture, stories that well other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last twenty years and still work together, I mean that says something, right.

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That's Cavino and Rich. With that, let's go to Greg Cosel forty five years NFL Films. So let's start with one of my favorite guys. And we had said after the Detroit debacle that if he didn't play well against the Rams, that he was costing himself a lot of money. I still think he has a market. I think it's probably more of a Baker Mayfield thirty five million dollars a year market and not the big boy market. But let's just talk Donald for a second. What happened specifically to Sam Donald last couple of weeks.

That's Cavino and Rich. With that, let's go to Greg Cosel forty five years NFL Films. So let's start with one of my favorite guys. And we had said after the Detroit debacle that if he didn't play well against the Rams, that he was costing himself a lot of money. I still think he has a market. I think it's probably more of a Baker Mayfield thirty five million dollars a year market and not the big boy market. But let's just talk Donald for a second. What happened specifically to Sam Donald last couple of weeks.

Well, I think there are two different things based on each game. I think against the Lions, he clearly missed throws that he had made all season with poor ball location. There were throws to be made that he missed. His old line in that game was not particularly good either, but there were throws to be made that he missed.

Well, I think there are two different things based on each game. I think against the Lions, he clearly missed throws that he had made all season with poor ball location. There were throws to be made that he missed. His old line in that game was not particularly good either, but there were throws to be made that he missed.

The Rams game was a little different.

The Rams game was a little different.

He missed a few, for sure, but that was game in which his offensive line, and I know I mentioned this to you last week that I thought that could well be a deciding factor in the game. It was the Rams four man pass rush versus the Vikings O line, which is not a very good pass protecting O line, was really the major factor in the game. And then what started to happen, which happens with a lot of quarterbacks, is the cumulative effective pressure really got to Donald and he started to play very fast. He started to be really uncomfortable. Now, keep in mind, one of the things during the season that made him really good was that he stayed in the pocket, he waited, He made a lot of what we call late in the down throws where there were people around him. So he had a lot of success doing that during the season. But over the course of the game against the Rams, just the effect of the pressure. He succumbed to it and he just was a really uncomfortable player. You and I both know the narrative. People are saying, Hey, that's the real Sam Donald. I don't get into that, Colin, As you know, I can only tell what the tape shows. Now, teams have to decide what he is depending on who coaches him.

He missed a few, for sure, but that was game in which his offensive line, and I know I mentioned this to you last week that I thought that could well be a deciding factor in the game. It was the Rams four man pass rush versus the Vikings O line, which is not a very good pass protecting O line, was really the major factor in the game. And then what started to happen, which happens with a lot of quarterbacks, is the cumulative effective pressure really got to Donald and he started to play very fast. He started to be really uncomfortable. Now, keep in mind, one of the things during the season that made him really good was that he stayed in the pocket, he waited, He made a lot of what we call late in the down throws where there were people around him. So he had a lot of success doing that during the season. But over the course of the game against the Rams, just the effect of the pressure. He succumbed to it and he just was a really uncomfortable player. You and I both know the narrative. People are saying, Hey, that's the real Sam Donald. I don't get into that, Colin, As you know, I can only tell what the tape shows. Now, teams have to decide what he is depending on who coaches him.

We'll see about the Minnesota Vikings.

We'll see about the Minnesota Vikings.

Obviously they drafted a quarterback with the eleventh pick in the draft. You know, I don't know the owners. I don't know what they're going to do. My immediate response.

Obviously they drafted a quarterback with the eleventh pick in the draft. You know, I don't know the owners. I don't know what they're going to do. My immediate response.

Would be I'd probably be surprised if.

Would be I'd probably be surprised if.

They signed him to a lot of money, because they probably say to Kevin O'Connell, hey, you're a really good coach.

They signed him to a lot of money, because they probably say to Kevin O'Connell, hey, you're a really good coach.

You draft a.

You draft a.

Quarterback with the eleventh pick, it's your job to make him a good quarterback.

Quarterback with the eleventh pick, it's your job to make him a good quarterback.

Yep, all right, let's get into Rams at Philadelphia. We'll start with the Eagles. What did the tape say about the Philadelphia offense which I thought was pretty bad on third down? The Philly offense against Green Bay, it just felt Philly felt out of sorts to me, What did the tape say?

Yep, all right, let's get into Rams at Philadelphia. We'll start with the Eagles. What did the tape say about the Philadelphia offense which I thought was pretty bad on third down? The Philly offense against Green Bay, it just felt Philly felt out of sorts to me, What did the tape say?

Well, I think Philly colin has a just defined identity right now as to what they are and who they are, and if they don't have to step outside that identity, they don't. And the reason they more often than not don't have to is because of their defense. So they're a run first football team and that run game includes Jalen Hurts, which makes them a little more difficult than your average team to defend.

Well, I think Philly colin has a just defined identity right now as to what they are and who they are, and if they don't have to step outside that identity, they don't. And the reason they more often than not don't have to is because of their defense. So they're a run first football team and that run game includes Jalen Hurts, which makes them a little more difficult than your average team to defend.

And it starts with Barkley. That's who they are now.

And it starts with Barkley. That's who they are now.

They started the game with a lot of quick rhythm timing throws by Jalen Hurts. He was six for six and then he got a little uncomfortable. He missed some things, didn't see some things, and I think they felt the way their defense was playing that they could win the game playing their way, so.

They started the game with a lot of quick rhythm timing throws by Jalen Hurts. He was six for six and then he got a little uncomfortable. He missed some things, didn't see some things, and I think they felt the way their defense was playing that they could win the game playing their way, so.

They didn't have to go beyond that.

They didn't have to go beyond that.

I think the question many have is if they get into a game, and whether it's this week or if they advanced, whether it would be against the Lions.

I think the question many have is if they get into a game, and whether it's this week or if they advanced, whether it would be against the Lions.

If they advanced, how would they.

If they advanced, how would they.

Have to play or how would they play if they had to have Jalen Hurts drop back forty or forty five times. The very odd thing about Jalen Hurts is he has succeeded doing this in the past, and he hasn't over much of this season and even going back to the last six to seven games last season, so it's really hard to understand why. I think they have some real advantages on the perimeter with Brown and Smith versus the sort of outside cornerback triumvit of the Rams, which is Witherspoon, It's Williams and Durant, and I would expect them to take some shots on the perimeter, and Jalen throws a really good deep ball outside the numbers, so I'm kind of waiting to see when they're going to do that.

Have to play or how would they play if they had to have Jalen Hurts drop back forty or forty five times. The very odd thing about Jalen Hurts is he has succeeded doing this in the past, and he hasn't over much of this season and even going back to the last six to seven games last season, so it's really hard to understand why. I think they have some real advantages on the perimeter with Brown and Smith versus the sort of outside cornerback triumvit of the Rams, which is Witherspoon, It's Williams and Durant, and I would expect them to take some shots on the perimeter, and Jalen throws a really good deep ball outside the numbers, so I'm kind of waiting to see when they're going to do that.

But because of their defense, they don't.

But because of their defense, they don't.

Really have to step outside of how they really play.

Really have to step outside of how they really play.

Well.

Well.

Okay, I think the Rams offense is going to struggle against Philadelphia. They played perfect last week. That won't happen again. It's a short week of preparation. Kyron Williams is banged up. They're very Puka Nakou eccentric. You could double him. The Eagles have good corners. What does the tape say? You know, Listen, I saw the Rams offense against the Bills this year and against the Vikings, and if you only watch two games, you'd think it's the greatest show on turf. But they can be very inconsistent and very slow starting. And now warm Weather team goes to Cold Weather against a really really talented secondary Rams offense Phillies defense. What do you think?

Okay, I think the Rams offense is going to struggle against Philadelphia. They played perfect last week. That won't happen again. It's a short week of preparation. Kyron Williams is banged up. They're very Puka Nakou eccentric. You could double him. The Eagles have good corners. What does the tape say? You know, Listen, I saw the Rams offense against the Bills this year and against the Vikings, and if you only watch two games, you'd think it's the greatest show on turf. But they can be very inconsistent and very slow starting. And now warm Weather team goes to Cold Weather against a really really talented secondary Rams offense Phillies defense. What do you think?

Well, to me, it's not the secondary as much perhaps as the defensive front. I think the Rams all line can be very up and down in terms of pass protection. I think there's some individuals who can be beaten one on one. I think the Eagles can do that with Jalen Carter and a very overlooked player named Milton Williams who's had a phenomenal year at the other dtackle position.

Well, to me, it's not the secondary as much perhaps as the defensive front. I think the Rams all line can be very up and down in terms of pass protection. I think there's some individuals who can be beaten one on one. I think the Eagles can do that with Jalen Carter and a very overlooked player named Milton Williams who's had a phenomenal year at the other dtackle position.

When they're in their pass rush a group.

When they're in their pass rush a group.

So you know, I think that the Rams are an interesting offense because it really does start with the run game.

So you know, I think that the Rams are an interesting offense because it really does start with the run game.

I mean a lot of people might not be aware and you are.

I mean a lot of people might not be aware and you are.

I know Colin that Kyraen Williams had three hundred and sixteen carries this year and missed the last game of the season. So I mean they're really a run first football team. They're passing game, you know. Staff The one thing about Stafford though, if he's hot, if he's comfortable, and that's the key thing. If he's comfortable, he can make great throws any time. But I just think that that Eagles D line could be a deciding factor in this game against against the Rams all line.

I know Colin that Kyraen Williams had three hundred and sixteen carries this year and missed the last game of the season. So I mean they're really a run first football team. They're passing game, you know. Staff The one thing about Stafford though, if he's hot, if he's comfortable, and that's the key thing. If he's comfortable, he can make great throws any time. But I just think that that Eagles D line could be a deciding factor in this game against against the Rams all line.

Okay, so let's get into Houston at Kansas City before we do. Justin Herbert, like Darnold, took a lot of heat. And my take's always been with Justin Herbert, is its steps right, like like bad coach, bad coach, great coach, You're not gonna win the Super Bowl. He didn't play particularly well. I pointed out that Brett farb once had six picks in a playoff game, Dan Fouts five, and Joe Montana got benched in a playoff game. What did the tape say on Herbert?

Okay, so let's get into Houston at Kansas City before we do. Justin Herbert, like Darnold, took a lot of heat. And my take's always been with Justin Herbert, is its steps right, like like bad coach, bad coach, great coach, You're not gonna win the Super Bowl. He didn't play particularly well. I pointed out that Brett farb once had six picks in a playoff game, Dan Fouts five, and Joe Montana got benched in a playoff game. What did the tape say on Herbert?

Yeah, you know those are narrative questions and which I don't you know, really that doesn't mean a lot to me.

Yeah, you know those are narrative questions and which I don't you know, really that doesn't mean a lot to me.

I know everybody wants.

I know everybody wants.

To discuss that, you know, I think you have to understand one thing. You have to put it in the context of who the Chargers are on offense. Another team that's run first, they basically they play with a converted d end who's a full back. Now that's what they do, that's how they start their offense. They could not run the ball at all, so now they're stuck having to throw the ball with one quality wide receiver, no really strong receiving tight ends. And it was a game in which the interior of their old line got manhandled and even their two tackles, Slater who's very good, and the rookie alt they did not do well against Hunter and Anderson. So they were just kind of physically beaten up front, and they had to play, to use a cliche, they had to play kind of left handed because they don't really want to drop back and throw that often the way they had to in that game. So, you know, did Herbert miss them throws? Sure he did, But you know they got out of the way. They were they're comfortable playing, and you know sometimes that happens in playoff games with young teams with new coaches.

To discuss that, you know, I think you have to understand one thing. You have to put it in the context of who the Chargers are on offense. Another team that's run first, they basically they play with a converted d end who's a full back. Now that's what they do, that's how they start their offense. They could not run the ball at all, so now they're stuck having to throw the ball with one quality wide receiver, no really strong receiving tight ends. And it was a game in which the interior of their old line got manhandled and even their two tackles, Slater who's very good, and the rookie alt they did not do well against Hunter and Anderson. So they were just kind of physically beaten up front, and they had to play, to use a cliche, they had to play kind of left handed because they don't really want to drop back and throw that often the way they had to in that game. So, you know, did Herbert miss them throws? Sure he did, But you know they got out of the way. They were they're comfortable playing, and you know sometimes that happens in playoff games with young teams with new coaches.

That have to go through a learning process.

That have to go through a learning process.

All right, Now, let's get into the Texans Chiefs. Texans offensive approach, the stuff that worked against the Chargers, good defense, how will it match up against Spags Chris Jones? You know now he's getting healthier, right, what will they look like? CJ. Stroud and the offense and mixing against the Chiefs defense.

All right, Now, let's get into the Texans Chiefs. Texans offensive approach, the stuff that worked against the Chargers, good defense, how will it match up against Spags Chris Jones? You know now he's getting healthier, right, what will they look like? CJ. Stroud and the offense and mixing against the Chiefs defense.

Yeah, they played the Chiefs week sixteen, Chris Jones, As I recall, they're not play in that game.

Yeah, they played the Chiefs week sixteen, Chris Jones, As I recall, they're not play in that game.

You know.

You know.

I think that in an ideal world the way the Texans would like to play is they'd like to have the run game be a starting point, work the play action pass game off of it.

I think that in an ideal world the way the Texans would like to play is they'd like to have the run game be a starting point, work the play action pass game off of it.

Have CJ.

Have CJ.

Stroud be very rhythmic and timing based, which he was last week and therefore he looked pretty comfortable for most of that game. That's the way they would like to play. Then they can work Collins on the outside and there are some really good matchups there because no corner in this league has played more pressed man than Trent mcduffey, who's now pretty exclusively an outside corner. Does not play in the slot hardly at all over the last number of weeks.

Stroud be very rhythmic and timing based, which he was last week and therefore he looked pretty comfortable for most of that game. That's the way they would like to play. Then they can work Collins on the outside and there are some really good matchups there because no corner in this league has played more pressed man than Trent mcduffey, who's now pretty exclusively an outside corner. Does not play in the slot hardly at all over the last number of weeks.

So that's the way they'd like to play.

So that's the way they'd like to play.

Now, if their defense can keep the game together, they can continue to play that way. That's the way they played last week against the Chargers because Mixon did not have he only had six carries in the first half or fifteen yards, But because of their defense and because of the game flow, they were able to give him the ball in the second half, where I believe he had nineteen carries, and I think in the fourth quarter the eighteen of their toy do you Want plays were called runs. So this is the way they would like to play, but that becomes a function of their defense. Colin, and you know, it's always hard to assess Patrick Mahomes because he's such a great player, and when the playoffs come, we see him raise his game to an incredibly high level. But all we have is this season, and the Chiefs were not an explosive offense during the season, but they've also had a lot of time off and players are going to be refreshed and healthy.

Now, if their defense can keep the game together, they can continue to play that way. That's the way they played last week against the Chargers because Mixon did not have he only had six carries in the first half or fifteen yards, But because of their defense and because of the game flow, they were able to give him the ball in the second half, where I believe he had nineteen carries, and I think in the fourth quarter the eighteen of their toy do you Want plays were called runs. So this is the way they would like to play, but that becomes a function of their defense. Colin, and you know, it's always hard to assess Patrick Mahomes because he's such a great player, and when the playoffs come, we see him raise his game to an incredibly high level. But all we have is this season, and the Chiefs were not an explosive offense during the season, but they've also had a lot of time off and players are going to be refreshed and healthy.

Yeah, I mean, I've found this to be true off of by extra time. Andy Reid's the best coach in the NFL, and so I think they take a mediocre receiving core and they make it better. All right, let's go Baltimore Buffalo the marquee game of the weekend. Listen, you know the Baltimore defense if you, as you noted two three weeks ago, and you have said this several times, Baltimore's defense was an issue pre Thanksgiving. It's gotten better post Thanksgiving. Yeah, when you look at I think Buffalo's really got nice pieces. I think this is by far and away their most complete offense with Josh Allen. Will they have to be Josh reliant or do you think they can work on the margins here and move the ball without being Josh Allen centric against the Ravens.

Yeah, I mean, I've found this to be true off of by extra time. Andy Reid's the best coach in the NFL, and so I think they take a mediocre receiving core and they make it better. All right, let's go Baltimore Buffalo the marquee game of the weekend. Listen, you know the Baltimore defense if you, as you noted two three weeks ago, and you have said this several times, Baltimore's defense was an issue pre Thanksgiving. It's gotten better post Thanksgiving. Yeah, when you look at I think Buffalo's really got nice pieces. I think this is by far and away their most complete offense with Josh Allen. Will they have to be Josh reliant or do you think they can work on the margins here and move the ball without being Josh Allen centric against the Ravens.

Well, I think the big question is can they run the football. They clearly felt they could come out and grind away at the Denver Broncos defense because they lined up in the first half. They've liked to play with six offensive linemen, which they do quite a bit more than any team in the league this year. James Cook had thirteen carries in the first half. Nine of them came on first down Colin. They clearly felt they could physically beat the Broncos. I'm not sure that that is going to be the case against this Ravens defensive front. They got a lot of big people at defensive tackle, a lot of guys whose weight begins with the number three, and those guys are hard to move. And they were one of the best run defense teams in the league. So the question, and we don't know the answer. That's the great thing about this weekend is there's so many unanswerables. The question is do the Bills game play with the idea that hey, we can line up and run the ball, we can put big people out there and have success, or is this going to be a tough go and this has to be a little more of a Josh Allen centric game. And by that I don't mean put on the Superman came I mean just have to throw the ball more on early downs as more of a foundation of their offense as opposed to the run game. And I think that that's a question you really don't know the answer to until we see the game on Sunday evening. And by the way, it's supposed to be bitter, bitter called.

Well, I think the big question is can they run the football. They clearly felt they could come out and grind away at the Denver Broncos defense because they lined up in the first half. They've liked to play with six offensive linemen, which they do quite a bit more than any team in the league this year. James Cook had thirteen carries in the first half. Nine of them came on first down Colin. They clearly felt they could physically beat the Broncos. I'm not sure that that is going to be the case against this Ravens defensive front. They got a lot of big people at defensive tackle, a lot of guys whose weight begins with the number three, and those guys are hard to move. And they were one of the best run defense teams in the league. So the question, and we don't know the answer. That's the great thing about this weekend is there's so many unanswerables. The question is do the Bills game play with the idea that hey, we can line up and run the ball, we can put big people out there and have success, or is this going to be a tough go and this has to be a little more of a Josh Allen centric game. And by that I don't mean put on the Superman came I mean just have to throw the ball more on early downs as more of a foundation of their offense as opposed to the run game. And I think that that's a question you really don't know the answer to until we see the game on Sunday evening. And by the way, it's supposed to be bitter, bitter called.

Which Lamar doesn't necessarily love that, But I do think the Buffalo Bills, on multiple occasions this year, their defense has been susceptible to occasionally getting pushed around. So that's why the odds, that's why the wise guys, that's why Vegas guys like Baltimore this weekend. So you tell me Lamar and Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers is still not practicing, it didn't matter last week. How do they match up against Buffalo's defense?

Which Lamar doesn't necessarily love that, But I do think the Buffalo Bills, on multiple occasions this year, their defense has been susceptible to occasionally getting pushed around. So that's why the odds, that's why the wise guys, that's why Vegas guys like Baltimore this weekend. So you tell me Lamar and Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers is still not practicing, it didn't matter last week. How do they match up against Buffalo's defense?

Well, it's funny you say that they only played eight snaps last week with three wide receivers on the field, and I'm sure that was a function of Flowers being out. That's a really hard defense to defend, maybe the toughest, excuse me, the toughest offense, maybe the toughest offense.

Well, it's funny you say that they only played eight snaps last week with three wide receivers on the field, and I'm sure that was a function of Flowers being out. That's a really hard defense to defend, maybe the toughest, excuse me, the toughest offense, maybe the toughest offense.

To defend in the league.

To defend in the league.

With what Lamar adds to the run game, I mean, look, they came out against the Steelers and they pretty much said, not only do you have to stop Dereck Henry, but you have to stop Lamar in the run game. So it wasn't just the threat of Lamar. They said, we're going to run them and you have to stop them. So their run game is so multi dimensional and everything they do, and they've got big people up front, and then the way Lamar is throwing the ball this year, he's thrown it better than he ever has. His ball placement has been more precise than it ever has. This is a really difficult offense to defend. And you know, again I'm not predicting games, but I'm really curious. Again, it's an unanswerable to see how the Bills can handle it. I mean, Ed Oliver is a really good player, but he's two hundred and eighty pounds. So I'm curious to see how this all plays out. And I think we'll find out pretty early because I think I think you'll see the same kind of thing from Baltimore with Lamar being a factor in the run game early to see how the Bills tactically are going to defend that.

With what Lamar adds to the run game, I mean, look, they came out against the Steelers and they pretty much said, not only do you have to stop Dereck Henry, but you have to stop Lamar in the run game. So it wasn't just the threat of Lamar. They said, we're going to run them and you have to stop them. So their run game is so multi dimensional and everything they do, and they've got big people up front, and then the way Lamar is throwing the ball this year, he's thrown it better than he ever has. His ball placement has been more precise than it ever has. This is a really difficult offense to defend. And you know, again I'm not predicting games, but I'm really curious. Again, it's an unanswerable to see how the Bills can handle it. I mean, Ed Oliver is a really good player, but he's two hundred and eighty pounds. So I'm curious to see how this all plays out. And I think we'll find out pretty early because I think I think you'll see the same kind of thing from Baltimore with Lamar being a factor in the run game early to see how the Bills tactically are going to defend that.

Okay, so now we get to commanders, big underdogs at Detroit. I said it this week. This game for the Lions is kind of instructive. Think about this for a second. So Jared Goff is a pocket guy, but if Detroit wins this game, they'll have to face a mobile Jalen Hurtz, and if they got to the Super Bowl, a mobile Lamar, a mobile mahomes a mobile Josh Allen. So in a way, if Jayden Daniels is a bit of a gift to play because on their roster they don't practice against mobile quarterbacks. That's not what they do. And this is an opportunity to face a team that you're clearly better than. We don't know if they're better than Philly, Buffalo, Baltimore, Kansas City. So I like Detroit in this game. But I mean I watched Shaden Daniels. I don't remember maybe Andrew Locke, a rookie quarterback that was this good late in game Situationally, what does the film say?

Okay, so now we get to commanders, big underdogs at Detroit. I said it this week. This game for the Lions is kind of instructive. Think about this for a second. So Jared Goff is a pocket guy, but if Detroit wins this game, they'll have to face a mobile Jalen Hurtz, and if they got to the Super Bowl, a mobile Lamar, a mobile mahomes a mobile Josh Allen. So in a way, if Jayden Daniels is a bit of a gift to play because on their roster they don't practice against mobile quarterbacks. That's not what they do. And this is an opportunity to face a team that you're clearly better than. We don't know if they're better than Philly, Buffalo, Baltimore, Kansas City. So I like Detroit in this game. But I mean I watched Shaden Daniels. I don't remember maybe Andrew Locke, a rookie quarterback that was this good late in game Situationally, what does the film say?

Yeah, And I think he just has a really good feel for movement. You know, we've talked for years, and I'm not making a direct comparison, so I don't want people to think I am. But we always talk about Patrick Mahomes and just his spatial awareness, just the way he kind of feels things and sees things without actually having to.

Yeah, And I think he just has a really good feel for movement. You know, we've talked for years, and I'm not making a direct comparison, so I don't want people to think I am. But we always talk about Patrick Mahomes and just his spatial awareness, just the way he kind of feels things and sees things without actually having to.

Look at them.

Look at them.

Daniels has a little bit of that to his game, and it's the movement element that's so difficult. And it's not just the design runs, which they call design runs obviously for Daniels, but just when he moves out of the pocket and the impact it has on the defense.

Daniels has a little bit of that to his game, and it's the movement element that's so difficult. And it's not just the design runs, which they call design runs obviously for Daniels, but just when he moves out of the pocket and the impact it has on the defense.

I remember having.

I remember having.

A conversation with a very well respected defensive coordinator a few years ago talking about mobile quarterbacks, and he said, the problem is is you literally have to practice two defenses all week long. You have to practice a defense for the first two two and a half seconds of a play, which is within the structure of the play, and then you have to practice what you do defensively after two and a half seconds when the play becomes something totally different.

A conversation with a very well respected defensive coordinator a few years ago talking about mobile quarterbacks, and he said, the problem is is you literally have to practice two defenses all week long. You have to practice a defense for the first two two and a half seconds of a play, which is within the structure of the play, and then you have to practice what you do defensively after two and a half seconds when the play becomes something totally different.

And he said, that's really really difficult to do.

And he said, that's really really difficult to do.

And you know, that's that's why mobile quarterbacks are becoming more and more a factor in the league.

And you know, that's that's why mobile quarterbacks are becoming more and more a factor in the league.

And they're so difficult to defend.

And they're so difficult to defend.

So in many cases, those guys don't have to be pristine from the pocket because they can just make plays that break down defenses. And that's what that's what Daniels can do, and those kinds of plays Colin become more critical, more sort of high leverages the term people use in the fourth quarter of games.

So in many cases, those guys don't have to be pristine from the pocket because they can just make plays that break down defenses. And that's what that's what Daniels can do, and those kinds of plays Colin become more critical, more sort of high leverages the term people use in the fourth quarter of games.

Yeah, the let's go to the let's go to the big play of the week with Jaden Daniels, because we know the Lions, we know what they do. They're gonna move the ball to some degree. The wild card is really in this game is can the commanders keep up because we know Detroit's dropping twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty eight points.

Yeah, the let's go to the let's go to the big play of the week with Jaden Daniels, because we know the Lions, we know what they do. They're gonna move the ball to some degree. The wild card is really in this game is can the commanders keep up because we know Detroit's dropping twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty eight points.

Right.

Right.

Yeah, And this play is a great example of just what I'm talking about. It was from the game last week against the Bucks. And the Bucks as we go to the play, the Bucks did what a lot of teams are going to do against Jayden Daniels. They're going to try to do late coverage rotation to confuse. And that's what teams do with young quarterbacks. They show you one thing and then they give you something else. So what you're going to see here is you're going to see Jadon Daniels. Okay, this was actually a second and long play. So what is he looking at? Initially? Right now, he's looking at a single high safety? Okay, and what is he looking at from a front perspective, He's looking at a pressure front. They're six up front, So right now he might be thinking, hey, I'm going to get some pressure. There's a single high safety. I've got to be aware of that. Those are all alerts. But what's going to happen here is there's going to be a safety rotation. They're going to sink the safety to the boundary and expand the safety to the field, and they're eventually going to get to cover two because one of those linebackers that's on the ball is going to drop out as what we call the middle hole defender in cover two.

Yeah, And this play is a great example of just what I'm talking about. It was from the game last week against the Bucks. And the Bucks as we go to the play, the Bucks did what a lot of teams are going to do against Jayden Daniels. They're going to try to do late coverage rotation to confuse. And that's what teams do with young quarterbacks. They show you one thing and then they give you something else. So what you're going to see here is you're going to see Jadon Daniels. Okay, this was actually a second and long play. So what is he looking at? Initially? Right now, he's looking at a single high safety? Okay, and what is he looking at from a front perspective, He's looking at a pressure front. They're six up front, So right now he might be thinking, hey, I'm going to get some pressure. There's a single high safety. I've got to be aware of that. Those are all alerts. But what's going to happen here is there's going to be a safety rotation. They're going to sink the safety to the boundary and expand the safety to the field, and they're eventually going to get to cover two because one of those linebackers that's on the ball is going to drop out as what we call the middle hole defender in cover two.

So that's what you're going to get here.

So that's what you're going to get here.

You're going to get a change late coverage rotation all designed to make Jade and Daniels have to think through the play once he takes the snap of the ball instead of feeling comfortable. So what's going to happen now is he's going to get really quick inside pressure, so he's going to have to move.

You're going to get a change late coverage rotation all designed to make Jade and Daniels have to think through the play once he takes the snap of the ball instead of feeling comfortable. So what's going to happen now is he's going to get really quick inside pressure, so he's going to have to move.

There's no way here he can stay in the pocket.

There's no way here he can stay in the pocket.

He's going to have to move, and he moves to his right. So this is where the second part of the play comes in. The flat defender and the hook defender in cover two, what do they do? They abandon their coverage areas of responsibility to react to Jade and Daniels because they see him running right at them. So what then happens? They abandon their responsibility. Diami Brown is going to run across or essentially right behind them.