Heed Bo and welcome to the m MP the NFL Podcast. I'm conroor Albert Breers here sleepless night last night. As the final Sunday of the NFL season has come and gone, Black mondays upon us. This is a recording this at ten thirty five on Monday morning. So this is an old school Black Monday. There's a lot going on, you know, overnight, Arthur Smith was let go as head coach of the Falcons. This morning, Ron Rivera, as expected, let go as head coach of the Commanders. Scott Fitter, the GM of the Panthers, also let go. Not sure why they waited, you know, three weeks between getting rid of Frank Reich and doing this, but so it goes.

Heed Bo and welcome to the m MP the NFL Podcast. I'm conroor Albert Breers here sleepless night last night. As the final Sunday of the NFL season has come and gone, Black mondays upon us. This is a recording this at ten thirty five on Monday morning. So this is an old school Black Monday. There's a lot going on, you know, overnight, Arthur Smith was let go as head coach of the Falcons. This morning, Ron Rivera, as expected, let go as head coach of the Commanders. Scott Fitter, the GM of the Panthers, also let go. Not sure why they waited, you know, three weeks between getting rid of Frank Reich and doing this, but so it goes.

And so that's interesting too because it's like, I feel like Black Monday's sort of changed, right, Like it used to be that like all right, like you know, you'd be sort of like wrapped up with the five by noon, but like there'd be like five or six of them, And now it just feels like more of these are happening, either in season or on.

And so that's interesting too because it's like, I feel like Black Monday's sort of changed, right, Like it used to be that like all right, like you know, you'd be sort of like wrapped up with the five by noon, but like there'd be like five or six of them, And now it just feels like more of these are happening, either in season or on.

Sunday night, right.

Sunday night, right.

Yeah, Like I was sitting on a TV set when the Arthur Smith thing happened last night, which is that I believe twelve oh one.

Yeah, Like I was sitting on a TV set when the Arthur Smith thing happened last night, which is that I believe twelve oh one.

So technically that was.

So technically that was.

A Monday firing, I guess, but for all intents and purposes, a Sunday night firing where they fly home, have a meeting, and then do it.

A Monday firing, I guess, but for all intents and purposes, a Sunday night firing where they fly home, have a meeting, and then do it.

So yeah, it's it did this morning to.

So yeah, it's it did this morning to.

Have a little bit more of an old school feel because there had been a couple I feel like where it was almost like nothing happened on the Monday morning, you know.

Have a little bit more of an old school feel because there had been a couple I feel like where it was almost like nothing happened on the Monday morning, you know.

Yeah, So let's start in Atlanta, because I do think that that is the most interesting situation. It was my understanding that, I mean, two weeks ago, Art was on not solid ground, but yeah, okay ground, you know, like I would say, like packed muddy dirt, like it wasn't super solid, but it was good. And then really what he had to do was hold the fort for the last two weeks, get into the off season with some good vibes, win maybe one or two of those last games, and instead you get blown out by the Bears, and you get blown out by the Saints. Now, what happens at the end of the Saints game is that the Saints line up in victory formation and then Jameis Winston makes what he calls an offensive decision and and hands.

Yeah, So let's start in Atlanta, because I do think that that is the most interesting situation. It was my understanding that, I mean, two weeks ago, Art was on not solid ground, but yeah, okay ground, you know, like I would say, like packed muddy dirt, like it wasn't super solid, but it was good. And then really what he had to do was hold the fort for the last two weeks, get into the off season with some good vibes, win maybe one or two of those last games, and instead you get blown out by the Bears, and you get blown out by the Saints. Now, what happens at the end of the Saints game is that the Saints line up in victory formation and then Jameis Winston makes what he calls an offensive decision and and hands.

The ball off to Jamal executive.

The ball off to Jamal executive.

I think I think he was searching for executive decision probably.

I think I think he was searching for executive decision probably.

So this is so maybe a little sidetrack. You have to he said offensive he said offensive decision.

So this is so maybe a little sidetrack. You have to he said offensive he said offensive decision.

But there.

But there.

Yeah, yeah, so you have to go back and watch the interview with Jamis because he talks in a way like if I was Dennis Allen, I'd be horrified. He goes. He says it with like such assurance, and he's like, yeah, Dennis told us to kneel down, but but but we made the decision to you know, And you're just like, that's that. There is no other person that's allowed to make that decision. Like he's saying it like it was a totally normal thing. He's like, yeah, no, he decided.

Yeah, yeah, so you have to go back and watch the interview with Jamis because he talks in a way like if I was Dennis Allen, I'd be horrified. He goes. He says it with like such assurance, and he's like, yeah, Dennis told us to kneel down, but but but we made the decision to you know, And you're just like, that's that. There is no other person that's allowed to make that decision. Like he's saying it like it was a totally normal thing. He's like, yeah, no, he decided.

The best part is have you seen like that his teammates have come out just to get Jameis' back on this. Yeah, like Jonathan Abram, the safety, like who.

The best part is have you seen like that his teammates have come out just to get Jameis' back on this. Yeah, like Jonathan Abram, the safety, like who.

Was even on the field.

Was even on the field.

Yeah, Like he said, like, there's no teammate'd rather have the Jamis.

Yeah, Like he said, like, there's no teammate'd rather have the Jamis.

It's great because he's got like full backing from the locker room on it too.

It's great because he's got like full backing from the locker room on it too.

I will say and before all those.

I will say and before all those.

Jamal Williams is like, by all accounts and was this in Detroit too, like a phenomenal.

Jamal Williams is like, by all accounts and was this in Detroit too, like a phenomenal.

Guy, one of the most beloved teammates in the NFL. I totally agree. You can see the look in Jamis's face though the gears turned just a little bit when someone goes, do you think getting Jamal Williams in the end zone on a fake victory formation was worth forever stoking this rivalry? Like do you know how pissed the Falcons are going to be every time you play them from here on out?

Guy, one of the most beloved teammates in the NFL. I totally agree. You can see the look in Jamis's face though the gears turned just a little bit when someone goes, do you think getting Jamal Williams in the end zone on a fake victory formation was worth forever stoking this rivalry? Like do you know how pissed the Falcons are going to be every time you play them from here on out?

And like this is like sort of an underrated rivalry too.

And like this is like sort of an underrated rivalry too.

Yeah, probably, Actually don't they These these franchises actually hate each other.

Yeah, probably, Actually don't they These these franchises actually hate each other.

They really don't like each other.

They really don't like each other.

Yeah, And and then like for a second, he's like, oh shit, but then he just it's full jamus. He's just like, yeah, no, total team decision. We were all like everyone except for the head coach was totally on board with this. You call it a team decision, right, Yeah, well it was like I think he I think he said unanimous offensive decision, which was so funny, like like there is something like there's some sort of voting protocol like in the Saints rule book where it's like the head coach can tell you something, but then there's also in the in evidence of you not in the instance where you don't agree with the head coach, there's the unanimous offensive decision by law that you can somehow abide by.

Yeah, And and then like for a second, he's like, oh shit, but then he just it's full jamus. He's just like, yeah, no, total team decision. We were all like everyone except for the head coach was totally on board with this. You call it a team decision, right, Yeah, well it was like I think he I think he said unanimous offensive decision, which was so funny, like like there is something like there's some sort of voting protocol like in the Saints rule book where it's like the head coach can tell you something, but then there's also in the in evidence of you not in the instance where you don't agree with the head coach, there's the unanimous offensive decision by law that you can somehow abide by.

We need to get like Larry Holder or Katherine trell or or or Nick Underhild, right like a three thousand word like oral history and how this decision came to be read.

We need to get like Larry Holder or Katherine trell or or or Nick Underhild, right like a three thousand word like oral history and how this decision came to be read.

It absolutely bonkers. So anyway, Arthur Smith, who basically couldn't have just just couldn't blow these last two games, then he comes storming to midfield for the coaching handshake, and you can see it's very clear what he says, like with like a Jim Harbod type energy, like what the F was that? What the F are you doing? And Dennis Allen.

It absolutely bonkers. So anyway, Arthur Smith, who basically couldn't have just just couldn't blow these last two games, then he comes storming to midfield for the coaching handshake, and you can see it's very clear what he says, like with like a Jim Harbod type energy, like what the F was that? What the F are you doing? And Dennis Allen.

And I think we should all like we should kind of remember where we all were at this point because when this happened, we had no idea what Jamis had done.

And I think we should all like we should kind of remember where we all were at this point because when this happened, we had no idea what Jamis had done.

We didn't know, yeah and no, and so you know, Dennis Allen doesn't know, Like Dennis Allen's doing the postgame handshake, he doesn't know, and so he's going to midfield and he's like, and I've since kind of gone back and I did a little reporting on this, but like Dennis is apologizing on his way to midfield, like I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, And artists just like artists like why would you do that? And you know, I will say this, if Arthur Blank fired Arthur Smith because he lost two games and then flipped out at Dennis Allen, that's a dumb reason to be That's ridiculous because Arthur Smith had every right to flip out at Dennis Allen. That you don't you don't line up in the victory formation and then punch in a score. That is a declaration of war.

We didn't know, yeah and no, and so you know, Dennis Allen doesn't know, Like Dennis Allen's doing the postgame handshake, he doesn't know, and so he's going to midfield and he's like, and I've since kind of gone back and I did a little reporting on this, but like Dennis is apologizing on his way to midfield, like I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, And artists just like artists like why would you do that? And you know, I will say this, if Arthur Blank fired Arthur Smith because he lost two games and then flipped out at Dennis Allen, that's a dumb reason to be That's ridiculous because Arthur Smith had every right to flip out at Dennis Allen. That you don't you don't line up in the victory formation and then punch in a score. That is a declaration of war.

It's also like, I mean, it's sticking up for your players, you know what I mean. Like, I actually almost.

It's also like, I mean, it's sticking up for your players, you know what I mean. Like, I actually almost.

Few it as a positive the way.

Few it as a positive the way.

Yeah, that Arthur came came at DA, and again like DA had nothing to do with the actual decision. It was well, I was gonna say it was all Jamis, but apparently it wasn't because some sort of polls.

Yeah, that Arthur came came at DA, and again like DA had nothing to do with the actual decision. It was well, I was gonna say it was all Jamis, but apparently it wasn't because some sort of polls.

A unanimous offensive decision, which is just the funniest thing ever.

A unanimous offensive decision, which is just the funniest thing ever.

So anyway, anyway, but yeah, I like I think like if you're a Falcons player, you would look at that as Arthur Smith taking up for you. So I don't have a problem with Arthur Smith's handling of it. And like, this is why I'm gonna borrow Seth Wickersham's term. This is why I like people refer to these teams as being run like billion dollar lemonade. Stands right, If that's why this happened, now, I don't think that's exactly it. Based on what I've heard, I think this is more Arthur Smith over the last or Arthur blank over the last couple of weeks, was at least sniffing around, calling around on taking a big swing, yes, whether it's Bill Belichick or Jim Harbaugh. And I wrote it on Friday like there could be a big swing coming here. And I think when you get when you start to go down the road and doing something like that and investigating something like that, as you get further and further down that road, it becomes harder and harder to go back. And then you have the two losses, and neither of them looked good in any way, and maybe you add that up and you know, it's okay, we're going to take our big swing and we're gonna go all in now rather than like, let's see if we can connect on that big swing and then if not, we will kind of put the toothpaste pack in the tube and go with Arthur Smith.

So anyway, anyway, but yeah, I like I think like if you're a Falcons player, you would look at that as Arthur Smith taking up for you. So I don't have a problem with Arthur Smith's handling of it. And like, this is why I'm gonna borrow Seth Wickersham's term. This is why I like people refer to these teams as being run like billion dollar lemonade. Stands right, If that's why this happened, now, I don't think that's exactly it. Based on what I've heard, I think this is more Arthur Smith over the last or Arthur blank over the last couple of weeks, was at least sniffing around, calling around on taking a big swing, yes, whether it's Bill Belichick or Jim Harbaugh. And I wrote it on Friday like there could be a big swing coming here. And I think when you get when you start to go down the road and doing something like that and investigating something like that, as you get further and further down that road, it becomes harder and harder to go back. And then you have the two losses, and neither of them looked good in any way, and maybe you add that up and you know, it's okay, we're going to take our big swing and we're gonna go all in now rather than like, let's see if we can connect on that big swing and then if not, we will kind of put the toothpaste pack in the tube and go with Arthur Smith.

Right.

Right.

So that's that was my takeaway this. You know, when I when I wrote about it, whatever, that was twelve thirty at night last night. The hours are starting to blur together. But you especially given the market as it is right now, you can't like, you gotta land it now. You can't move on from Art Smith unless you are confident that you are hitting a home run. And at this point a home run is Jim Harbaugh or Bill Belichick. That's it, right, you know, maybe maybe Ben Johnson. I don't necessarily know if the Falcons would be in the top few choices for him, I don't know, you know, but you know, you wouldn't move on from a hot offensive coordinator candidate to just sign another hot offensive coordinator candidate because you're still in that degree of that You're still in that gray area. And so the only two guys that offer you any semblance of a guaranteed upgrader Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh.

So that's that was my takeaway this. You know, when I when I wrote about it, whatever, that was twelve thirty at night last night. The hours are starting to blur together. But you especially given the market as it is right now, you can't like, you gotta land it now. You can't move on from Art Smith unless you are confident that you are hitting a home run. And at this point a home run is Jim Harbaugh or Bill Belichick. That's it, right, you know, maybe maybe Ben Johnson. I don't necessarily know if the Falcons would be in the top few choices for him, I don't know, you know, but you know, you wouldn't move on from a hot offensive coordinator candidate to just sign another hot offensive coordinator candidate because you're still in that degree of that You're still in that gray area. And so the only two guys that offer you any semblance of a guaranteed upgrader Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh.

And so I think, like and I think, like Connor, the other thing like that we shouldn't ignore. And I think this is always this is always a factor as the owner's age. Yeah, and then he's eighty one years old and that this you know, he doesn't have five more hires to get this right. And they've been close, and they knocked on the door under dan Quinn and he was patient with Arthur Smith and Terry Fontineau, and that place needed to rebuild. The CAP was a mess like look like dan Quinn and Thomas de mittrough had a lot of success together. Thomas de Mittroff had success with Mike Smith, but at the end they had leveraged things to try to get the most out of what was left of that group that was sort of headed by Matt Ryan, and the CAP had to be completely untangled. And so it was always and take some time to get themselves out of that. And I think that they did a nice job, Arthur and Terry fontina who's still the general manager, did a nice job of getting.

And so I think, like and I think, like Connor, the other thing like that we shouldn't ignore. And I think this is always this is always a factor as the owner's age. Yeah, and then he's eighty one years old and that this you know, he doesn't have five more hires to get this right. And they've been close, and they knocked on the door under dan Quinn and he was patient with Arthur Smith and Terry Fontineau, and that place needed to rebuild. The CAP was a mess like look like dan Quinn and Thomas de mittrough had a lot of success together. Thomas de Mittroff had success with Mike Smith, but at the end they had leveraged things to try to get the most out of what was left of that group that was sort of headed by Matt Ryan, and the CAP had to be completely untangled. And so it was always and take some time to get themselves out of that. And I think that they did a nice job, Arthur and Terry fontina who's still the general manager, did a nice job of getting.

Them out of that.

Them out of that.

But now you're not looking at another like five year plan, like now you're looking at all, right, we have the team in place, we need to go get a quarterback. We need a coach who's going to be able to attract a quarterback and we need to go for it right now. And you don't do that even like I don't even think you even do that by hiring a Ben Johnson, you know, because again, like I mean, Arthur Blank has hired I think five head coaches, right, and four of them were along the lines of Arthur Smith an assistant, right like somebody else's assistant. Mike Smith was older, but Jim Mora and Jim Mora and Dan Quinn and Smith, Arthur Smith all fit that like rising young assistant profile and Bobby Patrino. Bobby Patrino was the one out to Petrino was the one outlier. But you know, but I do think, like you look at that and it's like, Okay, if you're doing this, you're doing it to do something different, and that's to bring in a guy who has more experience where you're doing less projecting somebody into a role.

But now you're not looking at another like five year plan, like now you're looking at all, right, we have the team in place, we need to go get a quarterback. We need a coach who's going to be able to attract a quarterback and we need to go for it right now. And you don't do that even like I don't even think you even do that by hiring a Ben Johnson, you know, because again, like I mean, Arthur Blank has hired I think five head coaches, right, and four of them were along the lines of Arthur Smith an assistant, right like somebody else's assistant. Mike Smith was older, but Jim Mora and Jim Mora and Dan Quinn and Smith, Arthur Smith all fit that like rising young assistant profile and Bobby Patrino. Bobby Patrino was the one out to Petrino was the one outlier. But you know, but I do think, like you look at that and it's like, Okay, if you're doing this, you're doing it to do something different, and that's to bring in a guy who has more experience where you're doing less projecting somebody into a role.

Yeah. I will say this, and this is kind of my last note on the Falcons job, and we'll move on if it is Bill Belichick, and I'm not saying, you know, Bill Belichick is obviously the greatest defensive mind in the sport. However, the bright spot of the Falcons this year was Ryan Nielsen, who is one of the better young defensive coordinators in the NFL. And so I'm curious, you know.

Yeah. I will say this, and this is kind of my last note on the Falcons job, and we'll move on if it is Bill Belichick, and I'm not saying, you know, Bill Belichick is obviously the greatest defensive mind in the sport. However, the bright spot of the Falcons this year was Ryan Nielsen, who is one of the better young defensive coordinators in the NFL. And so I'm curious, you know.

Well, but that's the thing though, Connor is like, if you're going to hire a Belichick or Harball, you're not doing it and saying like, yeah, you got to keep these guys.

Well, but that's the thing though, Connor is like, if you're going to hire a Belichick or Harball, you're not doing it and saying like, yeah, you got to keep these guys.

No, no, I'm not saying that. But it's like, you know, if you're if you're piecing together the strengths of the team. It's like Ryan Nielsen probably in his second year, what did they probably like the tenth best defense in the NFL. Ell could get you up to like fifth and then okay, New England's third, so you're moving up like two basically. But my other thought here is what's gonna like, I mean, if you're Arthur Blank, you could you know, and Bill Belichick's like, oh cool, perfect, all right, Matt Patrician, Josh McDaniels, super friends, let's go like are you like, well, hold on a second, like you know, like is there a caveat here? And like, I'm very curious to see how all this works staffing. You know what what is being going to be allowed to do. I mean, and I have all the respect in the world for Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, but there is a sample size at this point that would lead a lot of fans to believe it's not going to be a slam dunk, to be like, yeah, I'm bringing I'm bringing the super friends with me. Like I think a lot of people would be like, no, that's not that's not gonna happen. Like he and Bill's so connected, Like, yeah, every every good offensive coach in the league that you talk to is talking to Bill Belichick. He knows all these guys.

No, no, I'm not saying that. But it's like, you know, if you're if you're piecing together the strengths of the team. It's like Ryan Nielsen probably in his second year, what did they probably like the tenth best defense in the NFL. Ell could get you up to like fifth and then okay, New England's third, so you're moving up like two basically. But my other thought here is what's gonna like, I mean, if you're Arthur Blank, you could you know, and Bill Belichick's like, oh cool, perfect, all right, Matt Patrician, Josh McDaniels, super friends, let's go like are you like, well, hold on a second, like you know, like is there a caveat here? And like, I'm very curious to see how all this works staffing. You know what what is being going to be allowed to do. I mean, and I have all the respect in the world for Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, but there is a sample size at this point that would lead a lot of fans to believe it's not going to be a slam dunk, to be like, yeah, I'm bringing I'm bringing the super friends with me. Like I think a lot of people would be like, no, that's not that's not gonna happen. Like he and Bill's so connected, Like, yeah, every every good offensive coach in the league that you talk to is talking to Bill Belichick. He knows all these guys.

I mean, I I think like the comp like has to be Andy Reid, right, and so like I don't think Andy Reid. Like you have to remember, like it was ten years ago or eleven years ago now that Andy Reid went to Kansas City, and like it's funny to think back to that hiring cycle because Chip Kelly was sort of the big prize, like believe it or not, Like anybody who doesn't remember this, Chip Kelly was a hotter name than Andy Reid. Getting Chip Kelly to Philly was a bigger deal than getting Andy Reid to Kansas City at the time, and you know, like I think getting fired if Philly forced Andy to like reevaluate some things, and he was willing to seed some control over personnel. He actually came to the determination himself like I don't want to be as intimately involved in scouting as I was in Philly.

I mean, I I think like the comp like has to be Andy Reid, right, and so like I don't think Andy Reid. Like you have to remember, like it was ten years ago or eleven years ago now that Andy Reid went to Kansas City, and like it's funny to think back to that hiring cycle because Chip Kelly was sort of the big prize, like believe it or not, Like anybody who doesn't remember this, Chip Kelly was a hotter name than Andy Reid. Getting Chip Kelly to Philly was a bigger deal than getting Andy Reid to Kansas City at the time, and you know, like I think getting fired if Philly forced Andy to like reevaluate some things, and he was willing to seed some control over personnel. He actually came to the determination himself like I don't want to be as intimately involved in scouting as I was in Philly.

I just want to coach. And yeah he was.

I just want to coach. And yeah he was.

He's been involved in decision making there, the big box decision making, but like he's hired and kind of farmed out some of the responsibility he had in Philly.

He's been involved in decision making there, the big box decision making, but like he's hired and kind of farmed out some of the responsibility he had in Philly.

And then when it came to hiring staff.

And then when it came to hiring staff.

You know, he hired Bob Sutton, who'd worked under Rex Ryan I believe with the Jets right to run his defense. And then Doug Peterson, who wasn't his offensive coordinator in Philly, who was sort of a rising young assistant there.

You know, he hired Bob Sutton, who'd worked under Rex Ryan I believe with the Jets right to run his defense. And then Doug Peterson, who wasn't his offensive coordinator in Philly, who was sort of a rising young assistant there.

So he did.

So he did.

Lean on his connections, but he reimagined some things. And I think that that's what you would be looking for from Bill. Bill has an idea of how he wants to run a place. I think you were just to ask of him, I want you to go through a thorough process and how you're going to put together the staff, and if that means you land on you know, McDaniels or O'Brien or Patricia or whoever else. Fine, but I don't want this just to be a Patriots reboot. I want you to reimagine what you're doing because obviously the last couple of years it didn't work nearly as efficiently as it had, you know, from two two thousand to twenty nineteen.

Lean on his connections, but he reimagined some things. And I think that that's what you would be looking for from Bill. Bill has an idea of how he wants to run a place. I think you were just to ask of him, I want you to go through a thorough process and how you're going to put together the staff, and if that means you land on you know, McDaniels or O'Brien or Patricia or whoever else. Fine, but I don't want this just to be a Patriots reboot. I want you to reimagine what you're doing because obviously the last couple of years it didn't work nearly as efficiently as it had, you know, from two two thousand to twenty nineteen.

Yeah, So at this point, I mean, I think we're in it. We're in lockstep here. I I think it's got to be either Belichick or Harbaugh, like I really do, and I I mean there can be. You know, it's funny the top defense you know, the other slam dunk coaching higher really based on the assistants that are available. This here's dan Quinn and you know, like the like two of the top two of the top defensive candidates on the marketer dan Quinn and Rahee Morris, who are you know, the head former head coach and interim head coach the Falcons. So we know they're not going there, but we'll we'll see what happens there. The commanders moving on from Ron Rivera. They're hustling this morning, so they've already hired the former Warriors GM. They they've gone full browns, they've got slips in, I think for Ben Johnson as of the taping of this, Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn. So they're they're they're hitting the ground running. They I don't know if you saw this yesterday, but Adam Schefter was doing the Safe and Not Safe thing on ESPN and he was like, they're not going to fire Ron Rivera because today because it's his birthday. Did you see that?

Yeah, So at this point, I mean, I think we're in it. We're in lockstep here. I I think it's got to be either Belichick or Harbaugh, like I really do, and I I mean there can be. You know, it's funny the top defense you know, the other slam dunk coaching higher really based on the assistants that are available. This here's dan Quinn and you know, like the like two of the top two of the top defensive candidates on the marketer dan Quinn and Rahee Morris, who are you know, the head former head coach and interim head coach the Falcons. So we know they're not going there, but we'll we'll see what happens there. The commanders moving on from Ron Rivera. They're hustling this morning, so they've already hired the former Warriors GM. They they've gone full browns, they've got slips in, I think for Ben Johnson as of the taping of this, Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn. So they're they're they're hitting the ground running. They I don't know if you saw this yesterday, but Adam Schefter was doing the Safe and Not Safe thing on ESPN and he was like, they're not going to fire Ron Rivera because today because it's his birthday. Did you see that?

Yeah? I did see that. Yeah.

Yeah? I did see that. Yeah.

It's like, what an amazing Like I hope that we all have that kind of immunity. You know, I just just don't fire any money on their birthday, you know, I mean, how old is Ron Rivera? Do you think he cares about his birthday at this point?

It's like, what an amazing Like I hope that we all have that kind of immunity. You know, I just just don't fire any money on their birthday, you know, I mean, how old is Ron Rivera? Do you think he cares about his birthday at this point?

I mean I don't know, man, Like I'm in my forties and I like, legitimately don't want people to know when my birthday is.

I mean I don't know, man, Like I'm in my forties and I like, legitimately don't want people to know when my birthday is.

He just turned sixty two, so it's not a hallmark birthday.

He just turned sixty two, so it's not a hallmark birthday.

Do you tell anybody when your birthday is?

Do you tell anybody when your birthday is?

No?

No?

And the best part, I legit don't want people like I just it's like I don't want.

And the best part, I legit don't want people like I just it's like I don't want.

People coming up to me and wishing me a happy birthday. I don't.

People coming up to me and wishing me a happy birthday. I don't.

I don't know, like it's it's a weird thing, definitely.

I don't know, like it's it's a weird thing, definitely.

Are you wow you have a Wikipedia page? Yeah, yeah, Holy smokes.

Are you wow you have a Wikipedia page? Yeah, yeah, Holy smokes.

I have nothing to do with that, and there's probably some bad stuff on there. I know that anybody can edit it, right.

I have nothing to do with that, and there's probably some bad stuff on there. I know that anybody can edit it, right.

Yeah, Oh, I know when your birthday is, so I wanted to see. I'm not going to say it, but all I'm saying is someone's got a birthday soon. But anyway, Ron Rivera had, you know, not a hallmark birthday. But he's a mute to being fired, so good good for him. Nobody wants to get fired on the birthday. I I you know, my takeaway from that firing was I give Ron Rivera a lot of credit, and I don't think he will like I think he can go do whatever he wants now. I think he can still be a very good defensive coordinator. He had two top ten seasons in four years with Washington. I think he could go into TV. I think he'd be great at TV. I think he could still play linebacker for the Eagles. Like he's in great shape.

Yeah, Oh, I know when your birthday is, so I wanted to see. I'm not going to say it, but all I'm saying is someone's got a birthday soon. But anyway, Ron Rivera had, you know, not a hallmark birthday. But he's a mute to being fired, so good good for him. Nobody wants to get fired on the birthday. I I you know, my takeaway from that firing was I give Ron Rivera a lot of credit, and I don't think he will like I think he can go do whatever he wants now. I think he can still be a very good defensive coordinator. He had two top ten seasons in four years with Washington. I think he could go into TV. I think he'd be great at TV. I think he could still play linebacker for the Eagles. Like he's in great shape.

He's about the age of some of their players on defense, right.

He's about the age of some of their players on defense, right.

Yeah, him and Fletcher Cox, you know, they'll be all right together.

Yeah, him and Fletcher Cox, you know, they'll be all right together.

I think, like I could actually see him. You know, this is interesting because he had a relationship with the guy. But you know, John Madden was sort of han become a resource for the league, you know, and kind of like a I don't know, like a father figure for coaches, and you know, Andy Reid has sort.

I think, like I could actually see him. You know, this is interesting because he had a relationship with the guy. But you know, John Madden was sort of han become a resource for the league, you know, and kind of like a I don't know, like a father figure for coaches, and you know, Andy Reid has sort.

Of taken on that role a little bit.

Of taken on that role a little bit.

I could see Ron sort of moving into something like that, where you know, he's been a head coach in two different places. He you know, got a team to the Super Bowl, and as a guy who you know it was an assistant coach for a long time, a head coach for a long time, and then obviously a player before that and played on one of the most story defenses of all time.

I could see Ron sort of moving into something like that, where you know, he's been a head coach in two different places. He you know, got a team to the Super Bowl, and as a guy who you know it was an assistant coach for a long time, a head coach for a long time, and then obviously a player before that and played on one of the most story defenses of all time.

Like he could be a great.

Like he could be a great.

Resource for the for the NFL, you know, and like kind of being a guy to consult on rules and how you set things up and hiring and all of that stuff.

Resource for the for the NFL, you know, and like kind of being a guy to consult on rules and how you set things up and hiring and all of that stuff.

Like I I.

Like I I.

Like, I sort of look at Ron as that guy, like if he is ready to kind of take a step back, and he's a little older now, then I think he could be a great resource for the sport, you know, And so I and then look, I think he deserves a lot of credit too for just.

Like, I sort of look at Ron as that guy, like if he is ready to kind of take a step back, and he's a little older now, then I think he could be a great resource for the sport, you know, And so I and then look, I think he deserves a lot of credit too for just.

Everything that he had to endure the last four years and kind of.

Everything that he had to endure the last four years and kind of.

The teams through a congressional investigation.

The teams through a congressional investigation.

Right and through like the name change and the and and all this. I mean, the bleep hit the fan.

Right and through like the name change and the and and all this. I mean, the bleep hit the fan.

Almost right away when he became the head coach, you know what I mean, like almost right away. And you know, I I.

Almost right away when he became the head coach, you know what I mean, like almost right away. And you know, I I.

Know there are a lot of people that probably wouldn't have handled everything.

Know there are a lot of people that probably wouldn't have handled everything.

That Ron went.

That Ron went.

Oh in addition to his own personal situation, which is we haven't even touched on.

Oh in addition to his own personal situation, which is we haven't even touched on.

As well as he did. You know. I I'm glad that he gets to go.

As well as he did. You know. I I'm glad that he gets to go.

Out with some modicum of of of grace here in class. And I you know, I think, you know, the birthday jokes aside. I think the fact that like you know, like there you know, he gets to meet with the team on Monday morning, which doesn't always happen and say goodbye to them, I think is you know, I think it's.

Out with some modicum of of of grace here in class. And I you know, I think, you know, the birthday jokes aside. I think the fact that like you know, like there you know, he gets to meet with the team on Monday morning, which doesn't always happen and say goodbye to them, I think is you know, I think it's.

Right, the right way to have it handle, no doubt. I mean, he had to be the adult in the room there for a long time. He had to be the adult in the room in Carolina for a long time. You know, based on kind of who he was coaching down there. But yeah, I think pivoting to what the commanders are going to be.

Right, the right way to have it handle, no doubt. I mean, he had to be the adult in the room there for a long time. He had to be the adult in the room in Carolina for a long time. You know, based on kind of who he was coaching down there. But yeah, I think pivoting to what the commanders are going to be.

Yeah, like you think about me. That did interrupt you, Connor, but he was there. He was the coach for the Jerry Richardson situation too.

Yeah, like you think about me. That did interrupt you, Connor, but he was there. He was the coach for the Jerry Richardson situation too.

The Jerry Richardson situation.

The Jerry Richardson situation.

If the other thing he could do is write a book, because he probably has some pretty incredible stories.

If the other thing he could do is write a book, because he probably has some pretty incredible stories.

If you're listening, Ron, I don't charge a lot to be a ghost writer. First, First, one's free the thinking about where Washington's gonna go. I think this is a cool moment for Commanders fans because the rivera hire was specifically made to almost like put a statue outside the building and be like, look, we have someone who knows what they're doing, and now they can kind of dream a little bit like this is a hire where it's like, oh, we can go get like for the first time, we can go get the hot play caller and he might want to come here, you know what I mean, Like they can. I think Ben Johnson is on the list. I mean they did request him. He said that. I think that's I think that's a job that Ben Johnson might take. I think that that's a job that Mike McDonald might take. I think that they're going to have their pick of GM. You know, there's a lot of good candidates in that pool. Already, from my understanding, they've kind of they've really narrowed down the pool already. I mean, this seems like a targeted you know, let's hit the ground running. We know exactly what we want. And my dream scenario, Albert is, let's hire the great GM. Let's get the Warriors guy in there, Let's get the hot offensive assistant or defensive assistant, and then let's change the damn name and we go into twenty twenty four as the Red Wolves.

If you're listening, Ron, I don't charge a lot to be a ghost writer. First, First, one's free the thinking about where Washington's gonna go. I think this is a cool moment for Commanders fans because the rivera hire was specifically made to almost like put a statue outside the building and be like, look, we have someone who knows what they're doing, and now they can kind of dream a little bit like this is a hire where it's like, oh, we can go get like for the first time, we can go get the hot play caller and he might want to come here, you know what I mean, Like they can. I think Ben Johnson is on the list. I mean they did request him. He said that. I think that's I think that's a job that Ben Johnson might take. I think that that's a job that Mike McDonald might take. I think that they're going to have their pick of GM. You know, there's a lot of good candidates in that pool. Already, from my understanding, they've kind of they've really narrowed down the pool already. I mean, this seems like a targeted you know, let's hit the ground running. We know exactly what we want. And my dream scenario, Albert is, let's hire the great GM. Let's get the Warriors guy in there, Let's get the hot offensive assistant or defensive assistant, and then let's change the damn name and we go into twenty twenty four as the Red Wolves.

Who I I I from what I've heard, they've been looking like more intently at models and kind of the way they're going.

Who I I I from what I've heard, they've been looking like more intently at models and kind of the way they're going.

To set it up Baltimore and Philly, right.

To set it up Baltimore and Philly, right.

And so like I I think what's like, I think what's interesting about this if you're a candidate, is the chance to help to shape that now. Like look like I feel like every new owner that comes in is like, like we're gonna be the Microsoft or the Apple of the NFL, you know what I mean. Like, and more often than that that ends really really poorly, and you know, Jimmy has them stumbled around with that for however many years before he got it right right, David Tepper still can't get out of his own way with that whole thing. So there's generally a learning process with a new owner before he figures out the right way to do it and how he like and how he's going to kind.

And so like I I think what's like, I think what's interesting about this if you're a candidate, is the chance to help to shape that now. Like look like I feel like every new owner that comes in is like, like we're gonna be the Microsoft or the Apple of the NFL, you know what I mean. Like, and more often than that that ends really really poorly, and you know, Jimmy has them stumbled around with that for however many years before he got it right right, David Tepper still can't get out of his own way with that whole thing. So there's generally a learning process with a new owner before he figures out the right way to do it and how he like and how he's going to kind.

Of meld football norms with new ideas.

Of meld football norms with new ideas.

But you know, this guy is Josh Harris is interesting in that he has already like made his mistakes with the Sixers and Devils, and so comes in with some ownership experience and is bringing in Rick Bielman to help him, who has a time of experience working in NFL front offices.

But you know, this guy is Josh Harris is interesting in that he has already like made his mistakes with the Sixers and Devils, and so comes in with some ownership experience and is bringing in Rick Bielman to help him, who has a time of experience working in NFL front offices.

And so I'm fascinated to see the way this works.

And so I'm fascinated to see the way this works.

Like somebody had mentioned over the weekend when I was talking, I was thinking it was a coaching agent I was talking with brought up like the Chicago Cubs and how the Cubs when they hired theo Epstein had sort of reinvented like the way that a baseball front office looks, and it was like a general like so, you know, THEO I think came in as the president of baseball operations, and then the GM was actually underneath him and reporting to him, and he was an overtopped, over the top guy who kind of would meld with the manager wanted, with what the GM wanted. And you know, I wouldn't be surprised if this one winds up looking like that, you know, And the President of Football OPS job is going to be almost as interesting to me as the head coach job. And the order in which they hire into those jobs, I think is going to be really interesting. And whether or not Rix Bielman winds up being a candidate for the President of Football Op's.

Like somebody had mentioned over the weekend when I was talking, I was thinking it was a coaching agent I was talking with brought up like the Chicago Cubs and how the Cubs when they hired theo Epstein had sort of reinvented like the way that a baseball front office looks, and it was like a general like so, you know, THEO I think came in as the president of baseball operations, and then the GM was actually underneath him and reporting to him, and he was an overtopped, over the top guy who kind of would meld with the manager wanted, with what the GM wanted. And you know, I wouldn't be surprised if this one winds up looking like that, you know, And the President of Football OPS job is going to be almost as interesting to me as the head coach job. And the order in which they hire into those jobs, I think is going to be really interesting. And whether or not Rix Bielman winds up being a candidate for the President of Football Op's.

Job is interesting.

Job is interesting.

I just think the whole thing is fascinating and I can't wait to see how this one plays out, because you know, on paper, they have a second pick in the draft, they have, they have a clean salary cap. They have I think it's what five picks in the first three rounds, right?

I just think the whole thing is fascinating and I can't wait to see how this one plays out, because you know, on paper, they have a second pick in the draft, they have, they have a clean salary cap. They have I think it's what five picks in the first three rounds, right?

Is that? It really a couple of really high second round picks.

Is that? It really a couple of really high second round picks.

It's it's a good job, you know, Like if you want Drake May, he's yours, you know what I mean. Like there's like little things about the job like that, and that's not even a little thing, but there's things about the job like that, in addition to the idea of kind of having this blank slight of a franchise to work with.

It's it's a good job, you know, Like if you want Drake May, he's yours, you know what I mean. Like there's like little things about the job like that, and that's not even a little thing, but there's things about the job like that, in addition to the idea of kind of having this blank slight of a franchise to work with.

Yeah, you're picking to thirty six, forty sixty seven, one hundred, one oh two, one thirty seven. So even your fifth round pick is i mean your third round or your fifth round pick is in the top one forty. So yeah, I mean that's absolutely fantastic.

Yeah, you're picking to thirty six, forty sixty seven, one hundred, one oh two, one thirty seven. So even your fifth round pick is i mean your third round or your fifth round pick is in the top one forty. So yeah, I mean that's absolutely fantastic.

And you have some building blocks, like for a young normally like young quarterbacks coming to broke and sit situations. Right, Like, the young quarterback here is going to be walking into a team that has like an improving offensive line. It's not there yet, but an improving offensive line. Terry McLaurin, Johan Dotson, Brian Robinson, Like there's pieces there. Their interior defensive linemen are like are there. You know, they traded the edge guys, but it's just there's something to build on there.

And you have some building blocks, like for a young normally like young quarterbacks coming to broke and sit situations. Right, Like, the young quarterback here is going to be walking into a team that has like an improving offensive line. It's not there yet, but an improving offensive line. Terry McLaurin, Johan Dotson, Brian Robinson, Like there's pieces there. Their interior defensive linemen are like are there. You know, they traded the edge guys, but it's just there's something to build on there.

Yeah, I mean, Sam Cosmy, you know, you know, there's a lot. You know, some of these guys are have been drafted recently, you know, and so yeah, you're gonna have some You're gonna have some good pieces here. The defense got got it a little bit, but the defensive interior is still really good. You know, I think that there's some uh, you know, we'll see what Emmanuel Forbes becomes. It wasn't the best rookie season, and I think he was just as vulnerable and run defense as we all thought he was gonna be at one hundred and sixty pounds. But you know, these things change and they and they developed over time. But yeah, I want that job. If I'm a head coach, and you know, you know you're gonna get facility upgrades, You're eventually gonna get a new stadium. If you can hang on probably a practice facility, practice facility, you got to overcome that. I went back because I was writing about Rivera and I went back to the NFLPA survey where, you know, for those of you who don't know the NFL, the NFL Players Association did an anonymous survey where they had players rank the teams on a bunch of different categories, and not surprisingly, a gang the Commanders finished last. They were thirty second out of thirty two, which is hard to beat. The Cardinals, who were charging for to go meals now.

Yeah, I mean, Sam Cosmy, you know, you know, there's a lot. You know, some of these guys are have been drafted recently, you know, and so yeah, you're gonna have some You're gonna have some good pieces here. The defense got got it a little bit, but the defensive interior is still really good. You know, I think that there's some uh, you know, we'll see what Emmanuel Forbes becomes. It wasn't the best rookie season, and I think he was just as vulnerable and run defense as we all thought he was gonna be at one hundred and sixty pounds. But you know, these things change and they and they developed over time. But yeah, I want that job. If I'm a head coach, and you know, you know you're gonna get facility upgrades, You're eventually gonna get a new stadium. If you can hang on probably a practice facility, practice facility, you got to overcome that. I went back because I was writing about Rivera and I went back to the NFLPA survey where, you know, for those of you who don't know the NFL, the NFL Players Association did an anonymous survey where they had players rank the teams on a bunch of different categories, and not surprisingly, a gang the Commanders finished last. They were thirty second out of thirty two, which is hard to beat. The Cardinals, who were charging for to go meals now.

And that was like hilarious because it was like every all the attention was was on the cardinals and like whatever the floorboards.

And that was like hilarious because it was like every all the attention was was on the cardinals and like whatever the floorboards.

Coming up in the weight room.

Coming up in the weight room.

Yes, and like you said, like having to pay for a cheeseburger after five pm, and yet they weren't last.

Yes, and like you said, like having to pay for a cheeseburger after five pm, and yet they weren't last.

Have you seen, by the way. So there's like a there's like a post on the Commander's website from like twenty fourteen or whatever where there's a slide show of the weight room. You can pull it up. It's still on the internet, and it looks like the fitness setter at a Lakinta in like it is. It's like beige carpeting. There's like all these scuffed up you know, all these scuffed up weight mats with like and because the old there's the old logo on it still, so I know that's from the rack of us. Yeah, it's just like.

Have you seen, by the way. So there's like a there's like a post on the Commander's website from like twenty fourteen or whatever where there's a slide show of the weight room. You can pull it up. It's still on the internet, and it looks like the fitness setter at a Lakinta in like it is. It's like beige carpeting. There's like all these scuffed up you know, all these scuffed up weight mats with like and because the old there's the old logo on it still, so I know that's from the rack of us. Yeah, it's just like.

That, don't go up above fifty pounds.

That, don't go up above fifty pounds.

Yeah, just just just put two of them in your hand at once and then it's a hundred. Yeah. So that that's all going to change. And so as the coach, you can kind of ride the tailwind that of that energy, and I think that's gonna be a fun job. I think people are going to uh, I think people are gonna like that.

Yeah, just just just put two of them in your hand at once and then it's a hundred. Yeah. So that that's all going to change. And so as the coach, you can kind of ride the tailwind that of that energy, and I think that's gonna be a fun job. I think people are going to uh, I think people are gonna like that.

Yeah, I mean, just the idea that you get to reshape things is pretty pretty interesting, I think, you know, And it's just again like I guess you can talk to Joe Banner and Rob Jinzinski and Michael Lombardi about how that went in Cleveland or how to Matt Rule and Scott Fitter about how that went in Carolina. But you know, I do get the sense that I mean, I will say this, like, I think the one thing that like Josh Harris and Mitch Rail's in that group do have is that maybe some of the other first time owners didn't have because he was an owner before.

Yeah, I mean, just the idea that you get to reshape things is pretty pretty interesting, I think, you know, And it's just again like I guess you can talk to Joe Banner and Rob Jinzinski and Michael Lombardi about how that went in Cleveland or how to Matt Rule and Scott Fitter about how that went in Carolina. But you know, I do get the sense that I mean, I will say this, like, I think the one thing that like Josh Harris and Mitch Rail's in that group do have is that maybe some of the other first time owners didn't have because he was an owner before.

It's just how to handle his employees and how to handle people. You know.

It's just how to handle his employees and how to handle people. You know.

I think too many of these new owners come in and their guns blazing and they're treating their employees a certain way that just like creates a bad climate in the building and they don't know how to like for example, like and this has happened. This happened both with Cleveland and and and the Browns, or with both Cleveland and Carolina. Sorry, it's the lack of sleep thing again, not Cleveland, in the Browns, Clear and Carolina. Like you have the owner going to like the assistant offensive line coach and asking what was wrong, and then he would go and personally run that up to the head coach and he thinks he's helping, right, But that's not helping right, you know what I mean? Like, and so you know, I do think like the ownership with the Commanders, the learning curve is nearly as steep for the reasons like you don't you know not to do those things.

I think too many of these new owners come in and their guns blazing and they're treating their employees a certain way that just like creates a bad climate in the building and they don't know how to like for example, like and this has happened. This happened both with Cleveland and and and the Browns, or with both Cleveland and Carolina. Sorry, it's the lack of sleep thing again, not Cleveland, in the Browns, Clear and Carolina. Like you have the owner going to like the assistant offensive line coach and asking what was wrong, and then he would go and personally run that up to the head coach and he thinks he's helping, right, But that's not helping right, you know what I mean? Like, and so you know, I do think like the ownership with the Commanders, the learning curve is nearly as steep for the reasons like you don't you know not to do those things.

Well over under one point five drinks thrown in people's face by new Commander's owner Josh Harris, because that's the bar at this point. You know, I would take the under let's move on to New England, because uh, it's it's turning out as funny as I hoped it would turn out, you know, for anyone. So my power ranking of what I thought Belichick was going to do based on his lifelong despise of the media was I thought that he was going to say nothing at his postgame press conference, and then I thought he was going to prompt or trigger something that would result in his firing at like three point thirty in the morning, just so everyone would have to work all through the night and then chase him. He's done something funnier than that. He has come out on Monday morning and basically said like, yeah, sure, I'll take a GM and and everyone's like kind of well, what's going on, and he's like, yeah, I'm just gonna keep working here as long as I want. And you know, I'm under contract. I hear the exact quote is, which is so great. Yeah, I'm under contract. I'm gonna do what I always do, which is every day I come in here and work as hard as I can to help the team in whatever way I can. So that's what I'm going to continue to do. So guess what that says, Hey, Robert, you have to fire me now or else and it's on you, which is just so funny.

Well over under one point five drinks thrown in people's face by new Commander's owner Josh Harris, because that's the bar at this point. You know, I would take the under let's move on to New England, because uh, it's it's turning out as funny as I hoped it would turn out, you know, for anyone. So my power ranking of what I thought Belichick was going to do based on his lifelong despise of the media was I thought that he was going to say nothing at his postgame press conference, and then I thought he was going to prompt or trigger something that would result in his firing at like three point thirty in the morning, just so everyone would have to work all through the night and then chase him. He's done something funnier than that. He has come out on Monday morning and basically said like, yeah, sure, I'll take a GM and and everyone's like kind of well, what's going on, and he's like, yeah, I'm just gonna keep working here as long as I want. And you know, I'm under contract. I hear the exact quote is, which is so great. Yeah, I'm under contract. I'm gonna do what I always do, which is every day I come in here and work as hard as I can to help the team in whatever way I can. So that's what I'm going to continue to do. So guess what that says, Hey, Robert, you have to fire me now or else and it's on you, which is just so funny.

It's so funny, I mean, and this has sort of been the way it's been trending for a while too. Like if you talk to people there, they'll tell you, you know, on Fridays, he has these draft meetings with his scouts where they'll go over certain position groups. So one week it's the tight ends, the next week it's the corners in next year's class. And so he's having those meetings like as he usually would.

It's so funny, I mean, and this has sort of been the way it's been trending for a while too. Like if you talk to people there, they'll tell you, you know, on Fridays, he has these draft meetings with his scouts where they'll go over certain position groups. So one week it's the tight ends, the next week it's the corners in next year's class. And so he's having those meetings like as he usually would.

He you know, has had discussions.

He you know, has had discussions.

About which coaches should get extensions like and as this stuff has been happening, I know for other people inside that building it's like uh bill uh so so. But but I think like that's it sort of speaks I mean in a way, it like speaks to the discipline that he has for doing the job a certain way. But also I think it's there's the whole passive aggressive thing, which is like, I'm going to adhere to my contract one percent, and I am upholding my part of this contract one hundred percent. And if you are not going to uphold your end of the contract, well then you owe me a lot of money and you have to let me go wherever I want.

About which coaches should get extensions like and as this stuff has been happening, I know for other people inside that building it's like uh bill uh so so. But but I think like that's it sort of speaks I mean in a way, it like speaks to the discipline that he has for doing the job a certain way. But also I think it's there's the whole passive aggressive thing, which is like, I'm going to adhere to my contract one percent, and I am upholding my part of this contract one hundred percent. And if you are not going to uphold your end of the contract, well then you owe me a lot of money and you have to let me go wherever I want.

Yes, Uh, it's so funny, it is. I mean, this is probably the funniest, with the next funniest being I mean, I covered the giants at the end of the Tom Kauflin era and they had him. He gave a farewell press conference. The owner was standing at the base of the stage with his hand out to be to shake Tom Coughlin's hand. Coughlin did a ninety degree robot turn and blew past him like he was holding one of those free flyers on the street or like trying to hand out a mixtape to someone, and Coughlin blew right past him, walked into his office. And then there was that nebulous period of time where we all knew that Ben McAdoo was getting the job and they kind of were like pitching him on this senior advisor thing. And while that was all being sorted out, he tells Ben McAdoo, don't change the signs. You're not allowed to change the signs. I put the signs up. Don't change the clocks because Tom coughlin had the clocks five minutes early for everything, and then he and then he just kept using the gym's just so the part that I was.

Yes, Uh, it's so funny, it is. I mean, this is probably the funniest, with the next funniest being I mean, I covered the giants at the end of the Tom Kauflin era and they had him. He gave a farewell press conference. The owner was standing at the base of the stage with his hand out to be to shake Tom Coughlin's hand. Coughlin did a ninety degree robot turn and blew past him like he was holding one of those free flyers on the street or like trying to hand out a mixtape to someone, and Coughlin blew right past him, walked into his office. And then there was that nebulous period of time where we all knew that Ben McAdoo was getting the job and they kind of were like pitching him on this senior advisor thing. And while that was all being sorted out, he tells Ben McAdoo, don't change the signs. You're not allowed to change the signs. I put the signs up. Don't change the clocks because Tom coughlin had the clocks five minutes early for everything, and then he and then he just kept using the gym's just so the part that I was.

Gonna say, I wondering, just like it's like grinding on.

Gonna say, I wondering, just like it's like grinding on.

And the funny thing, the best part about it is like if you've actually been in the Giants facility, the gym.

And the funny thing, the best part about it is like if you've actually been in the Giants facility, the gym.

Is like the center of everything.

Is like the center of everything.

Yes, wind and it's encased in glass too, so you can't walk by. There's not walls, it's class so if you walk by the gym, you can see everybody who's working out there. So as that was going on, I just had this image of my head a Ben McAdoo like showing up for work at like five point thirty in the morning, trying to get his program going, and like seeing Tom Coughlin already in there on the elliptical.

Yes, wind and it's encased in glass too, so you can't walk by. There's not walls, it's class so if you walk by the gym, you can see everybody who's working out there. So as that was going on, I just had this image of my head a Ben McAdoo like showing up for work at like five point thirty in the morning, trying to get his program going, and like seeing Tom Coughlin already in there on the elliptical.

Just crushing like free weights, you know, or like just flying on the flying on the treadmill.

Just crushing like free weights, you know, or like just flying on the flying on the treadmill.

Just like the most awkward situation possible. Like but yeah, like that was the part.

Just like the most awkward situation possible. Like but yeah, like that was the part.

I don't know why that's the part that remains with me from that situation, but it was that, like Ben mcadow was showing.

I don't know why that's the part that remains with me from that situation, but it was that, like Ben mcadow was showing.

Up to work, Tom coughlin was using the gym.

Up to work, Tom coughlin was using the gym.

Like buying a house and someone's like, you can't I put up that wallpaper. You can't change the wallpaper. And by the way, I'm gonna like make breakfast in your kitchen every morning, so I'm still gonna be there, just so you know. So the only other I want to play a quick game of word association here. We have openings now, and I just want to get your We'll kind of give each others sort of rapid thoughts here and then we'll move on. Because there's two kind of pressing items left over from some teams that you know, either didn't blow it or blow it from this past weekend. We'll get to a little bit of the games, and we'll talk about the playoff field. Just very very cursory discussion. I know Matt and Gilberto will get into it on the Thursday show, but I'm just going to list the openings and you and I are just going to just do a little coach association and we'll see where it goes. So I'm gonna start with the Chargers of Los Angeles. I'm saying, like right now, I'm saying, it's Jim Harbaugh. What do you think me too?

Like buying a house and someone's like, you can't I put up that wallpaper. You can't change the wallpaper. And by the way, I'm gonna like make breakfast in your kitchen every morning, so I'm still gonna be there, just so you know. So the only other I want to play a quick game of word association here. We have openings now, and I just want to get your We'll kind of give each others sort of rapid thoughts here and then we'll move on. Because there's two kind of pressing items left over from some teams that you know, either didn't blow it or blow it from this past weekend. We'll get to a little bit of the games, and we'll talk about the playoff field. Just very very cursory discussion. I know Matt and Gilberto will get into it on the Thursday show, but I'm just going to list the openings and you and I are just going to just do a little coach association and we'll see where it goes. So I'm gonna start with the Chargers of Los Angeles. I'm saying, like right now, I'm saying, it's Jim Harbaugh. What do you think me too?

Yeahah, I would go Jim Harbaugh. I just think it's the perfect situation for him. It's California. He's got roots there, coaches San Diego, coach at San Francio, went to high school I think in Palo Alto, right like when his dad was coaching there. Family loves California, and it's a ready made situation. He can come in and win right away. They've got a roster with like a closing window, not closed, but a closing window, so they need to act with some urgency. I also get the sense of the Chargers are sensitive a to the perception that they're cheap, yes, and be the perception that they're irrelevant in LA. Yes, hiring Jim Harbaugh would address both.

Yeahah, I would go Jim Harbaugh. I just think it's the perfect situation for him. It's California. He's got roots there, coaches San Diego, coach at San Francio, went to high school I think in Palo Alto, right like when his dad was coaching there. Family loves California, and it's a ready made situation. He can come in and win right away. They've got a roster with like a closing window, not closed, but a closing window, so they need to act with some urgency. I also get the sense of the Chargers are sensitive a to the perception that they're cheap, yes, and be the perception that they're irrelevant in LA. Yes, hiring Jim Harbaugh would address both.

Of those solves a lot of problems. And yeah, I mean, I think it makes all the sense in the world. The only problem is if this is your plan, A, you were at behest of the most unpredictable person in professional sports. We're taping this, like what nine hours before he's set to coach the National Championship game. He could win and then sign a ten year, one hundred and twenty five million dollar contract with Michigan, which I heard I know he's not entirely happy with. And so I think that there's you know, there's a lot of.

Of those solves a lot of problems. And yeah, I mean, I think it makes all the sense in the world. The only problem is if this is your plan, A, you were at behest of the most unpredictable person in professional sports. We're taping this, like what nine hours before he's set to coach the National Championship game. He could win and then sign a ten year, one hundred and twenty five million dollar contract with Michigan, which I heard I know he's not entirely happy with. And so I think that there's you know, there's a lot of.

Times I think it's also the NCAAA, like he's sick.

Times I think it's also the NCAAA, like he's sick.

Of dealing with them.

Of dealing with them.

Obviously, coaching in college is more complicated than it's been in the past, and you know, I don't know that he's got the appetite to deal with the sanctions as they come over the next you know, a few months or years, and I mean, I think it's just sort of time for him to take his next shot. The other thing about it, too, like when you talk about dealing with the unpredictability of Harbaugh, I sort of think the Chargers are set up for that too, right, because they do have a blank slight like they do have a kind of a clean.

Obviously, coaching in college is more complicated than it's been in the past, and you know, I don't know that he's got the appetite to deal with the sanctions as they come over the next you know, a few months or years, and I mean, I think it's just sort of time for him to take his next shot. The other thing about it, too, like when you talk about dealing with the unpredictability of Harbaugh, I sort of think the Chargers are set up for that too, right, because they do have a blank slight like they do have a kind of a clean.

They've got like a a.

They've got like a a.

Clean table there so to speak for him to for him to build on, and like they they've got they're opening a new practice facility. The roster is getting a little older, so he can come in do it his way, and if it doesn't work, you're gonna be turning over the roster in a couple of years anyway, right, and you'll still have justin Herbert to sell to another new coach. So I think the timing really sets up for this to happen.

Clean table there so to speak for him to for him to build on, and like they they've got they're opening a new practice facility. The roster is getting a little older, so he can come in do it his way, and if it doesn't work, you're gonna be turning over the roster in a couple of years anyway, right, and you'll still have justin Herbert to sell to another new coach. So I think the timing really sets up for this to happen.

All right.

All right.

Las Vegas they're very interesting to me because I get the impression that they are not in on a lot of the young guns, you know what I mean, And I to me, it's I think it's Hardbob Belichick and if not Antonio Pierce, Like I think that's kind of you know.

Las Vegas they're very interesting to me because I get the impression that they are not in on a lot of the young guns, you know what I mean, And I to me, it's I think it's Hardbob Belichick and if not Antonio Pierce, Like I think that's kind of you know.

I think this is like similar to the way we talked about Atlanta, which is like swing for the fences and if you.

I think this is like similar to the way we talked about Atlanta, which is like swing for the fences and if you.

Don't connect, then you stick with what you have.

Don't connect, then you stick with what you have.

The other thing is, I know, you know the three players that that Mark Davis has sort of leaned on because he's not in the building day to day, but he is there for games and he does consult with the players or Max Crosby, Josh.

The other thing is, I know, you know the three players that that Mark Davis has sort of leaned on because he's not in the building day to day, but he is there for games and he does consult with the players or Max Crosby, Josh.

Jacobs, and DeVante Adams.

Jacobs, and DeVante Adams.