December 22, 2014 • 31 mins
Brian Billick and Steve Mariucci break down Week 16 in the NFL debating the NFC's best team, who will win the NFC South and grading Chip Kelly's tenure so far as an NFL head coach. Plus, who is the better rookie wide receiver: Odell Beckham or Randy Moss?
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
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Coaches Show Podcast Thirty men together can't lose. This is
(01:11):
why you lift about. And now we're going there's a Gleann,
there's a glean next for joining us on the Coach
the Show on Brian Billick. This is Steve Mariucci and
it's getting fun now, coach, Let's let's get into it.
Yesterday was was interesting, to say the very least. But
(01:31):
let's talk about coming out of it, because obviously there
were a lot of some upset wins and some things
we can maybe talk about. But let's going into the
last week of the season. Let's talk about who we
think right now is the best team in in the playoffs,
the best team in the NFC. Let's start with that. Well,
I don't know how you can talk about that, Brian
without talking about the champs, because the champs looked like
(01:54):
they're for real. Again, I wasn't. I wasn't so sure
early in the season when they were three and three
or whatever they were, and they were and they had,
you know, lost some guys in the off season, they
had a couple of injuries, and I'm going, boy, it's
hard to keep a Super Bowl team together. Well, all
of a sudden, now in the last month and a
half or so, this defense is better than it was
(02:15):
last year. If you can imagine that and Russell Wilson
is a champion. Huh. I mean this guy, you know,
here's here's some defense, and they don't blitz very often,
but when they bring it, they bring the heat. And
then of course Richard Sherman, you know, they had to move.
They had to do a movie on Richard Sherman called
the Sherman because they were twenty eight dbs drafted before
(02:36):
that guy. And is he the best in the business
or what? Well, I'll and I agree with you. Seattle
is the team to be particularly in Seattle. I don't
think they have quite the same pass rushes last year,
So I'll take exception a little bit if they're good
as last year. And Sherman, now he got beat a
couple of times the other night. Now he obviously rebounded.
And but yeah, I'm not going to bet against the
(02:56):
Seattle Seahawks because they're healthy, they're looking good, they're confident. Um.
But I'll say this, if there's a team that has
proven and and the Dallas Cowboys are gonna play the
Washington Redskins, and I think they're gonna win. They're gonna
be the first team in the new in the sixteen
game format to win eight on the road. That's substantial.
And let's remember the Dallas Cowboys went into Seattle and
(03:21):
beat Seattle. Now this this is a different Seattle team.
I'll give you that when they were six and four.
So they are a better Seattle team, absolutely, But if
anybody has that formula that can beat Seattle on the road,
the running game, and boy did it go just right
for Dallas in terms of planning, to Marco Murray just
enough to impact the game. The best thing about it
(03:43):
to me now is to Marco Murray knows what it
feels like to play with that hand now. So whether
it's next week or the playoffs and then and and
their defense, we know that it's not a great defense,
but it's a better defense. Romo is not having to
force the ball because of all the things going on.
You know, let's let's let's head to head. I'm not
sure Dallas can't go in there and do it again. Well, yeah,
(04:03):
they've done it once, and I'm sure they have confidence
enough to go back and do it again because they are.
I think both of these teams are better than they
were back then. And that's one thing about good coaching
is they peek at the right time and I think
both of these teams are peeking at the right times
with great quarterbacks. And I didn't get a chance to
talk much about Russell Wilson earlier, Brian, when we when
we were just doing this. But this kid is Uh,
(04:27):
he's amazing to me because he's my size and I
can't see over that line. I know that, but he's
he's a better passer from the pocket than he should be. Um,
they do a nice job of moving him around. Here's
this a two yard touchdown to Wilson last night. Uh,
you know, but they're gonna run enough keeps just to
keep those contained rushers. Honest, look at this and watch
(04:48):
him fake this guy out. He looks back, can you
I had to watch that. I was id I TVA
and ild watching about five times. I said, he kind
of stopped and looked back just to make the guy
isn't date. Are you kidding me? This guy has got
so much savvy as a quarterback, and he protects himself.
He's so smart. He'll get out of bounds or he'll
(05:10):
slide when he should and never worry about this kid
getting hurt. And then he's got his he's got his buddy,
their beast Mode who didn't start the game because he
was feeling a little sick. And you know what he did, Bryan,
he ate some skittles and and the skittles made him
feel better. And that guy when beast mode mode, because
that long run of what suck the heart out of
(05:33):
a team. Look at that, Look at this. This is
like the one you know in in Seattle a few
years ago when he became Beast Mode when they thought
there was an earthquake going on, when that stadium erupted.
He was just looking for guys to run over. And
that's what he does on the back a more athletic run. Really,
when it comes down to it may not have been
a powerful run, but look at look at the athletics.
Most guys would have went out of bounds right there
(05:55):
and the balance and it's it's absolute in credit. I
agree with you on Russell Wilson. Let me say this
about Russell Wilson too, And I know it's not gonna
happen because you know, the athletic quarterback and whether it's
Kaepernick and they want to talk about Johnny Menzel and
uh new you know, or Cam Newton and what they
can do outside the pocket and all that kind of stuff.
It's never gonna happ or it's not gonna happen at least.
(06:16):
But I'm not sure that if you just sit lined
up and said, Okay, Russell, you're not leaving the pocket.
You're gonna throw five times from the pocket, then he
wouldn't be just as good. I think he can be
that pocket quarterback as well, because that's the always the
thing we're saying, Okay, are you are an athlete or
you a runner that can play quarterback or you a quarterback?
That's now I think he's a quarterback that also is
(06:36):
the athlete does the other things. But I think he
can do it from the pile. You're probably right, I think,
because there will be a time where he has a
sore wheel. You know, let's say he has a knee
or an ankle and he just isn't his mobile for
a while, and they're gonna ask him to stay in
the comfort of your own living room that pocket, and
he's good enough to do it. I mean, it's uh.
And you know what, and no disrespect with those wide
(06:59):
received is they're really playing the pedestrian. They're they're not.
That's not give them a Randy Moss is somebody that
you've add with Chris Carter. You know those gall those
loaded guys that you had. You give him a big
receiver or two. Oh my jeez, he's gonna be a
good one. We'll talk about this guy that's got a
put a couple of pretty good receivers and if he
is having very few quarterbacks have been beaten up the
(07:21):
way Tony Romo was. And Tony Romo just passed Troy
Aikman Hall of Famer Troy Aikman for total passing yards
in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. We we talked
about Aaron Rodgers, and we talked about J. J. Watcher.
Tony Romo be in the conversation about m v P. Yeah,
you know what, I I think so. And you know,
(07:45):
we talked about all these collapses late in the year
and one playoff game win in the last whatever decade
and a half, and all this criticism on Tony Romo.
But you know what, right now, his record in the
NFC is as good as anybody's, as far as Levin wins.
His passer rating is higher than Aaron Rodgers. He's first.
(08:05):
His completion percentages now first, ahead of Drew Brees. He's
getting it done like crazy. Oh yeah, he had two
back surgeries and he's playing with a couple of broken sets,
whatever those are. And you know what, Yeah, let's talk
about that kid with the m v P possibilities because
I don't know if there's a well, there's you know,
a lot of these quarterbacks are so important to their team.
(08:26):
But Tony Romo, the way he's doing it, banged up,
uh new you know, new play caller, the whole thing.
DeMarco Murray's probably probably in that conversation in the top
ten anyway. But yeah, Tony Romo is really getting it done.
He deserves MVP. You talked about and we talked about
the criticism that he got. I'm not sure I think
(08:46):
we're seeing it now with Drew Brees. I think Drew
brees Is problem is he knows the defense is terrible.
He's having to take chances and shots that he wouldn't
normally because I gotta I gotta make up the difference here.
I think Tony Romo was a victim of that for
a long time. It's look, we're not very good on defense,
We're not this. I gotta take a show. I gotta
make something happen. That's my job as the as a
quarterback this year, because they're better on defense, because they've
(09:08):
got a great offensive line, because DeMarco Murray's running so well,
he's dialed it back to say, Okay, you know I
don't We're better enough that I don't have to take
those chances. I can be that type of quarterback because
the system around me or the people around me allow
me to do that. And he's flourished with it. That's
all you can ask of a quarterback. Yeah, but you
know what to Brian, and you're right on that. But
(09:29):
this guy named Scott Linahan who came in as a
play caller, that's that's his title. He's a passing game.
They know he was slinging it in Detroit like like
nobody's business. And and he comes and he settles this
Dallas offense down into being balanced. A lot of a
lot of credit goes on him too, because he's saying, hey,
(09:50):
we are going to run the ball and be bound
and not let Tony feel he's got to make a
play on every on every down and keep them healthy
and all of that. So I think they have the
recipe right now, even with the Marco Murray Hurton. I
think they're gonna You know, he hat the twenty two
carries last week, So there's a lot of credit to
go around over in Dallas. Let's move on to to
clearly has to be the biggest game this weekend because
(10:13):
it's for a division title. You win and you're in
the playoffs. You lose and you're gone. Is the Carolina
Panthers going to the Atlanta Falcons? Whoda thought? And did
any of us really think Atlanta had any chance of
beating New Orleans and New Orleans? Nope, nope and I
and I mean, we could talk New Orleans all day too,
because I don't know what in the world happened down
(10:34):
there to lose five games in the Superdome. How do
you do that after being that being where a place
where it was absolutely given you couldn't win. You couldn't
beat New Orleans in the Superdome, you couldn't. And so
you know what, but what happens over there with Mike
Smith's team, You know, you gotta figure out how you're
gonna spend your money. Well, I have a lot of
money spent on offense. And that guy over there from
(10:56):
Boston College Matt Ryan. He's really a keeper because when
he has all of his weapons, when he has Julio
Jones and Roddy White and Harry Douglas and all that bunch, Uh,
you know, they are very explosive, so they can outscore people.
Mike Nolan's got a defense that's got some some no
names on it. He's doing the best he can trying
to keep scores down. But this offense with Matt Ryan
(11:19):
can outscore you. And especially in that dome when it's
a fast track in the crowd noises on his side. UM,
that can be a scary team at home and they're
playing Carolina, who I think for the very reasons you
just talked about. Um. Even though Carolina and kudos to
to Ron Rivera for kind of holding that thing together,
I think at the end of the day, the lack
(11:40):
of explosiveness of the Carolina offense, even though Cam Newton
can run around make some things happen, they're not particularly
explosive down the field. UM, I would favor at home
in Atlantic because they're awful good at home that Atlanta
is going to get it done against Carolina, And I'll
go one step further. They could and they'll be seven
and nine. I'm talking about Atlanta now, excuse me, not
(12:01):
in the Arizona but Atlanta. Um. Yeah, and we all
know o case seven and nine team should even be
in the playoffs and whatever we were in New Orleans
team going into Seattle on a seven and nine Seattle
team and and Seattle winning. I can see Atlanta winning
that first, particularly if it's a team like Arizona, who
we know offensively is really challenged. Now, and that you're
right about Mike Nolan, I'm biased because Mike Nolan's with
(12:23):
me in Baltimore and he that that defense is just
Koy Berman is the best player they have. Cooy Berman
play on any other defense in the league. Would he
start on it? I don't think so. So he's doing
it with smoke and mirrors. But against the Atlanta or
the Arizona squad that obviously is going to struggle no
matter who's at quarterback, they can't run the ball. And now,
as good as that Arizona defense is Matt Ryan the
(12:45):
ability to push the ball down the field, we may
see the Atlanta Falcons win the division at seven and nine,
have a home game in the playoffs, and win that
first playoff game. I know it because that's it's possible
if if the Arizona Cardinals come to town. Because I
feel so badly for Bruce Arians. You know, he's I
guess he's gonna start Logan Thomas this game, which would be,
(13:08):
as I know it, which would be his fourth different
starting quarterback. And when you start doing that, you know,
you forget about it, and so um and and then
of course that affects your defense. To their defense didn't
even play as well as it normally did last night
against Seattle. He gave up almost six hundred yards. So
I think I agree with you if Atlanta does win it,
and I'm gonna pick them to win that game against
(13:30):
the Panthers, and if they have the Cardinals at home,
they can win that game, but they might end up
hosting the Lions or the Packers. If that's the case,
forget about it, and um, so well, there's so many
good scenarios that still have to be Green Bay. I
would agree with you. The Lions, I'm not so sure.
I still have to see the Lions go on the
(13:53):
road in the playoffs. Just hitting in the playoffs obviously
is a unique spot for them. And yeah, they should.
They should with a good defense and Matthew Stafford and
Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate and all that. Reggie Bush
looked really good. How about now, Joke belling. So I'm
gonna talk out of both sides of my mouth. But
we can do that because we're in the media now
and we do that all the time. Uh. And and
(14:13):
if I'm wrong the next day, I'll just I'll just
change I'll just change my mind. But but here, so
I'm saying Atlanta could even beat damn but Detroit could
be a team you gotta watch out for now because
now if they balance a little bit of that run
and and Reggie Bush out of the backfield and Joy
bell on the physical downs defense is playing good, It's
it's exciting either way. Let's move on a team that
(14:34):
just got eliminated from the playoffs, because now all the
discussion as good as we thought Philadelphia was, and this
is gonna be a great team and all the Chip
Kelly's done, and I think he's done a good job. Um,
what do we think of the Philadelphia Eagles? What do
we think of the Chip Kelly design? What do we
Where are we with that? Right now? Where are you on,
because I've got some very specific opinions you do. Um,
(14:57):
First of all, I really enjoyed watching them in Oregon.
You know, wide open, fast paced, throw the ball, beat
sc beat everybody in the pack twelve like nothing and
and uh and then at that style, it's a college
is a copycat league too, So everybody's running that spread
offense and high school and college and it's wide open.
(15:18):
Nobody plays defense anymore, all right, So he brings that
that style to the National Football League. Really, to me,
it was an experiment. It was like, let's see if
this guy can this system can hold up in the NFL. Well,
first year, I think it did. I really think it
did it. It took the league by storm. Nick Foles
had more success than anybody would have thought. Crazy year,
(15:45):
and so you know, and he won games, and it's
all like Andy Reid, who you know what I mean,
It was like like a you know, it's and and
he reads my buddy, and he had a lot of
success and won that division several times. But here's this
new style, new approach to practice and everything else, you know, right, Well,
Warren sapp says, he says a lot of things, but
one of the things Warren Sapp says is the fastest
(16:08):
adapting organism in the world is an NFL defense. I
don't know if he made that up or if he
heard it from Marinelli, but whatever, it's his, so so
and what he means by that, because what Sapp says,
you always have to explain what he means. Um. You know,
they make adjustments and you learn how to cope and
adapt and stop that offense. And and so I think
(16:32):
over the second year, you know, in the off season,
a lot of these defensive coordinators went to college coaches
and says, and you guys play against this six seven
times a year. What is your kind of game plan
do you have? What are your thoughts? And so I
think that that style of offense is not as surprising
anymore to anybody. It's still it's still dynamic and explosive
and productive, but I don't think it's as much of
(16:54):
a shocker anymore to anybody. I think defenses are catching
up to a little and I think we're seeing MY
biggest problem with it not been saying and I don't
mean to be derogatory about it, but I think it's
it might kind of be the run and shoot of
the two thousands, meaning it's very good. Between the twenties,
they're terrible in the red zone. They can't transition into
at some point you gotta be mono and Mono be
big and physical and get the ball in the in
(17:14):
the in the end zone. Also, the biggest concern I
have because he's right. He changes a style of coaching
and a style of practicing and it's all well and good.
Their defense is not very good, and I'm couldn't I
would be concerned and be interested to see how we
go forward. That's all great, high pace in the way
you practice really unique. Does the defensive guys feel the
same way? Are you getting what you need? Practice wide,
(17:35):
preparation wise with that style, a lot of plays up tempo,
a lot of walk through, a lot of this, that
and the other. We practice all week long. Are you
getting the physicality? Are getting what you need on the defense? Now,
they'll say so because they work for Chip Kelly. I
I have questions about that, about whether you can whether
that is as equally true for the defensive side of
the ball. And we both know, particularly in today's game,
(17:57):
where we got a lot of good deal, we've probably
got more good deep fenses this year that we've had
going to the playoffs in a long time, because you're
talking about obviously Arizona, Detroit's really good, Um, Seattle is
unbelievable going in there. Um. And so yeah, I think
I think there are some questions here, and we'll see.
Part of it has to be, you know, one of
the things people are always talking about here again coaching
(18:17):
decisions and a little surprise that Chip Kelly said, well,
we didn't even consider about letting them score, didn't We
weren't even prepared for that. Now, I don't agree with
everybody said, well they should have let him score, and
everybody saying that that would have been a good coaching move. Well,
first I'll say, yeah, and that's all well and good,
But has that ever worked ever to your knowledge, letting
a team score because of all the things got to transpire,
I don't know if that do you take the chance
(18:39):
and we see a lot of missfield goals, block field goals,
block p A. T s. We see a lot more
of that, And I don't know that not letting them
score wasn't the right decision because I want to see
where that one time works. Well, Okay, so you know,
we're second guessing. But when I was watching the game,
when I was watching the game and knowing that the
(19:00):
Washington was gonna just tick that block that that clock
down to kick a field goal with him, it's a
minute and a half left, and Philly had all their
time outs left, I think, didn't they? And and I'm
and I'm saying, let them go, let them go, let
them go, let them go in there, because you want
to get your offense back on the field to tie it,
all right. And I saw r G three turnaround to
Alfred Morris a couple of times, and I'm sure I'll
(19:23):
call him up and ask him, but I'm sure he
was saying, if they let you score, fall down the
credit for knowing. Okay, hey, hey, I did happen to
me one time. Remember Mike Holmgren in the Super Bowl.
I mean, it's so seldom that this even presents itself,
But Brian, how about this. I was coaching the Niners
(19:43):
at Superdome in New Orleans and they scored a touchdown.
They scored a touchdown and and uh win ahead of
us with I don't know minute left to go, and
but they had a penalty on the play, and and
I'm looking at it, and I'm going, we'll see, jeez,
if if we if we take this penalty and back
(20:03):
them up, they're just gonna They're just gonna run the
clock out here and kick a field goal. We're not
going to get the ball back. So I declined the penalty.
The guys were looking at me, what and and and
they were saying, you just gave him the lead. And
I said, this is the only way we can get
the ball back to score with our offense. Now did
it work. No, they stopped us, but we had the
ball back with Jeff Garcia, and we are going down
(20:24):
the field, you know, in a position to at least
tie it or win it. And so that's the only
time it ever came up in my twenty nine years
of coaching. But I thought it should have been considered anyway,
because how often do a block of field goal. They're
they're getting after him a little bit simply because he
didn't concede that we even thought about that. I don't
(20:45):
think not doing it. I'm not sure blocking a field
goal isn't a higher percentage and thinking that that you're
gonna now orchestrate all the things in terms of a
kickoff return, positioning, drive down the length of the field,
even though they were spread out in high profile offense. UM.
But by the same token, um the ability to block
a block a field goal. If you're talking about probability
(21:08):
and odds, you probably have a better chance at that
than orchestrating all the other things we talked about. So
it may be an unfair criticism going forward or not.
I don't know, but everybody wants something to talk about. Really,
he's done a heck of a job there. And and
in fairness to Chip Kelly, you know, people say, well,
I mean, you know, I'm gonna revolutionize the NFL, and
he never said that. Chip just came in and coached.
(21:29):
We're talking heads are the ones that say, oh, this
is gonna be different, and it's gonna have a college game,
is gonna take over the NFL game and and uh no,
it's it's not gonna happen. Let's uh, they want us
to talk a little bit. We obviously, Odell Beckham is
having an unbelievable year, the greatest catch I will agree,
maybe I have ever seen. But they wanted the uh
(21:50):
gurus that tell us what to talk about here want
us to argue about Odell Beckham versus Randy Moss is
the greatest rookie receiver ever. You have Odell go so
you have Moss, you have Moss, and I have O'Dell
Beckham because of the two because he was on your
team and he's a lot taller, faster. Okay, but you
(22:11):
know what, Okay, So let's just this is like, this
is like eminem this is like, let's argue about so
Odell Beckham. First of all, that was a great catch
with three fingers. Um, you gotta remember this kid missed
four games, Brian right, he missed the first four games.
He had a hamstring. But I'm I'm so impressed with
his athletic confidence it's crazy. And this look at him,
he's got a little he's got I don't know where
(22:32):
he got that dance from, but everybody in the league
is impersonating that dance. How do you beat a safety? Like?
I remember Randy Moss doing that all the time on
cover two. He would just work those safeties like a fiddle.
But you know Odell Beckham, and then to me, Randy
Moss had a little help because that guy that that
Chris Carter, you know all he does is score touchdowns.
(22:53):
Remember that he there. You had a couple of bookends.
You had more than just those two guys, Hip and
er Smith. Yeah, you were loaded. And that's why he
had set a record for points in a season. Great,
they overcame from some play call, some suspect play calling
and so so. But this but you know, Victor Cruz
(23:16):
is gone, So I don't know who else. I mean,
you know there's other guys there. But if you're gonna
try to take somebody away, you try to take this
guy away. But look at that. He plays like he's big.
He's not a big guy. He's my size, but he
plays big and he's quick, and he can go up
and make a play. This is against Richard Sherman right here.
So I yeah, then they start doing you know what,
I'm noticing. Everybody's starting to catch the ball with one
(23:37):
hand in warmups and on the field, just to try
to see if they can do it. I wouldn't even
let my guys catch with one hand in practice. Chris Carter,
you develop bad habits. So but he is pretty he
is pretty exciting to watch play. I think he's here
to stay. He's pretty good, you know, And and you know,
it's kind of a it's a sopie's choice because you
(23:58):
gotta love this guy, Randy Moss. I would you that.
And I've told probably told a story before and may
here on the Coaches Show podcast, but just in case
there are some people that don't listen to this on
a regular basis. I remember that we're we're in the
draft and we're getting ready to take where like twenty
second pick, and before the draft starts, Danny Green Coustany
says we're gonna get Randy Moss. And I'm thinking, Danny,
you're smoking dope or something. Man, you went fishing, you
(24:22):
were twenty one or twenty two. And the thing is
Dallas is going to take him there at eight nine
or ten somewhere in there, and and he's not gonna
get past Dallas. I'm sure. I'm thinking, Okay, Danny, right
you you? Even though Danny's the best personnel coach, in
my opinion, of any coach in the history of this game,
Danny Green is brilliant in terms of recognizing talent and whatever.
(24:42):
So the draft is going and all of a sudden,
no one takes him, No one take he gets by Dallas.
And then I look at the gap between what's next
to us. I'm thinking, the son of a gun, we're
gonna get Randy Moss. Well, we get to what was
the twenty second pick, and we get Randy Moss. So
now I'm fired up because I just got a whole
lot smarter because we got Randy Moss. Because you could
see the film the way it was, so I'm all
fired up. Well he he immediately goes down to Chris
(25:03):
Carter's Chris Carter had these camps that you'd run for
receivers down in Fort Lauderdale, and and this is about
three weeks later, and I'm fired up, and I'm just
I'm just scribbling on pads and making up stuff how
I'm gonna get the ball to Randy Moss. Chris calls
his coach. He's I've been with Randy now for two weeks.
He says, you have no idea how good this guy is.
I said, I know, Chris, God, I saw the film
and well you need to check out this game, goes Brian. No, No,
(25:27):
you have no idea how good this guy is. Chris
was just amazed at the sheriff physicality of this guy
and and unbelievable in terms of what he's able to do. Yeah,
we had a really good team, but I saw him
do things up in Green Bay. I remember this very,
very literally. You talk about overcoming bad play calling. We're
(25:47):
on a Monday night and we send Randy down deep
and he overleaps a guy for a touchdown. This thing,
you know, the rivalry Minnesota and Green Bay. So Danny
comes over and he goes run that again. A said, Danny,
they're gonna start publoin. They're gonna really coverage that way.
I think he's just do it again. All right, we
said him down. There's two guys on Randy Moss. He
goes up over him for a touchdown, and I'm like
(26:08):
every coach, I'm overthinking it. Well, there's no way they're
not gonna triple or whatever. He Danny says, hey, let's
go to him again. Okay, there's three guys on Randy Moss.
He goes up through all three. He was the most
spectacular receiver talent I've ever seen. Odell Beckham is really
good and he's probably going to continue to be good.
(26:30):
And this guy's unbelievable from my money, and I know
Jerry Rice is the greatest receiver in the history of
this game, and maybe the best player. I think Randy
Moss may be the greatest talent this league has ever seen. Okay,
that's good stuff. So do you tell I'll opinion, unicorners.
You gotta take one of the other. You gotta take
(26:51):
one of the other. I'm taking Randy Moss. But you know,
uh so, but but you know what, Beckham's got a
hundred and one yards a game. Randy Moss way to
slow him down, only to slow him down with Brian Billy. Okay, so,
and then uh receiving yards per game, our receptions per
game seven for Beckham four point three, but more sample size.
(27:13):
I know, it's just he's just having a heck of
a rookie year. We love the kid, and he's a
good kid. I met him at the combine and all
that good stuff. He's got a little spunk and we
just love watching these great talents and do their thing.
You know, So wait till Victor Cruz comes back for
those huge, huge Well, let's we gotta finish off with
this because I think we're contractually bound by the league
in the NFL network to talk about Johnny Manziel. If
(27:34):
you can't go through a show or a segment on
this network that we're not allowed to talk about Johnny Manzel.
So I don't want your guy, isn't he? I don't
want to I don't want to get fired. So so, uh,
did you see my tweet last week did about it's awesome?
It's awesome, but I'm an arrogant son of a gun.
But I wrote an article on Johnny Manzel on Wednesday,
and I didn't rip my just said I thought I
(27:56):
had a guy like him, Troy Smith, you know, Heisman
Trophy winner, but we took in the fifth round. I
don't argue. I don't have a problem with Johnny Man's dound.
Can he develop? But not with My argument is that
he should have been a first round draft twice. So I'm,
you know, on the Twitter sphere, people going after me.
Some guy in Cleveland's going why should we listen to
a coach who's not even in the game anymore? And
we tweeted out a picture of my the Super Bowl
(28:17):
ring on my hand and the tag and the tagline was, oh,
I don't know it was awesome. It blew up just
what you did? Who you know? Who? To known? I
could be that subtle. But let me let me ask
this spend for me just a little bit. Going forward,
I think Cleveland's in a heck of a bind here.
What does Petton do? I mean, now you you gotta
(28:37):
stick with this now they basically at the end of
the day, I think they made a mistake not starting
him to begin the year. Find out about this guy,
because now they got to go into it next year
in year two, and they still don't know about Johnny Manzel.
What do you do with Johnny Manzel? I don't know
if he's gonna be available for the next game with
a hammy, or if he plays how effective he could
possibly be because a guy his size has to move around, right,
(28:59):
So yeah, they are in a bind. They got to
decide what to do it. Brian Hoyer, he's a hometown kid.
Maybe maybe that works on their side, but I don't
you know, I'm not gonna consider Johnny manziela bust. It's
too it's too soon to tell after a game and
a half. Um, it's he's an intriguing guy, but he
has he hasn't done anything yet. Let's face so you
(29:20):
might pay anything. How do you go on? I don't
know what I would do with him. They got it.
It's not my problem, alright, So he's got Hey we
go to Brian horyor hey, Brian, could you could you
sign with us just in case, uh, Johnny Manziel doesn't
turn out. But I really have obviigated to see if
he can be our starter, because we did draft him
(29:42):
number twenty two, and Brian will pay a lot of money,
a lot of incentives to stay because if you end
up to be the starter, then you can make some
starter kind of money. Um, and you know there's a
chance that he's not gonna make it, so maybe they
can coerce him into signing a contract and staying home
if they lose, Howyer, let's say goes back to back
up Tom Brady or something. All right, and they are
(30:03):
just all they have is Johnny Manziel with that small
sample size and injury where there's risk involved on him
not making it. They better God forbid draft another quarterback.
I don't think so they need a veteran guy, right,
whether lawyer or somebody else. I'm gonna finish on this
because they always want us to personalize this stuff with
our stories. I had Mike Petting on my staff. I
had Rex Ryan on my staff and and they were
(30:25):
constantly at me because we're so good defensive, Why can't
we get the offensive thing fixed out? How can we can't? Why?
Why why can't we do that? Why can't you do that?
Why can't we get a quarterback? Okay, Rex, Mike, now
you know it's not that easy. And and I hope
it turns out well, but I think they're in the
heck of a dilemma. We'll talk about it a lot more, um,
possibly even next week. This has been the Coaches Show.
(30:46):
Make sure to come back and join us next week,
where we'll talk all things NFL.
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Coaches Show Podcast Thirty men together can't lose. This is
(01:11):
why you lift about. And now we're going there's a Gleann,
there's a glean next for joining us on the Coach
the Show on Brian Billick. This is Steve Mariucci and
it's getting fun now, coach, Let's let's get into it.
Yesterday was was interesting, to say the very least. But
(01:31):
let's talk about coming out of it, because obviously there
were a lot of some upset wins and some things
we can maybe talk about. But let's going into the
last week of the season. Let's talk about who we
think right now is the best team in in the playoffs,
the best team in the NFC. Let's start with that. Well,
I don't know how you can talk about that, Brian
without talking about the champs, because the champs looked like
(01:54):
they're for real. Again, I wasn't. I wasn't so sure
early in the season when they were three and three
or whatever they were, and they were and they had,
you know, lost some guys in the off season, they
had a couple of injuries, and I'm going, boy, it's
hard to keep a Super Bowl team together. Well, all
of a sudden, now in the last month and a
half or so, this defense is better than it was
(02:15):
last year. If you can imagine that and Russell Wilson
is a champion. Huh. I mean this guy, you know,
here's here's some defense, and they don't blitz very often,
but when they bring it, they bring the heat. And
then of course Richard Sherman, you know, they had to move.
They had to do a movie on Richard Sherman called
the Sherman because they were twenty eight dbs drafted before
(02:36):
that guy. And is he the best in the business
or what? Well, I'll and I agree with you. Seattle
is the team to be particularly in Seattle. I don't
think they have quite the same pass rushes last year,
So I'll take exception a little bit if they're good
as last year. And Sherman, now he got beat a
couple of times the other night. Now he obviously rebounded.
And but yeah, I'm not going to bet against the
(02:56):
Seattle Seahawks because they're healthy, they're looking good, they're confident. Um.
But I'll say this, if there's a team that has
proven and and the Dallas Cowboys are gonna play the
Washington Redskins, and I think they're gonna win. They're gonna
be the first team in the new in the sixteen
game format to win eight on the road. That's substantial.
And let's remember the Dallas Cowboys went into Seattle and
(03:21):
beat Seattle. Now this this is a different Seattle team.
I'll give you that when they were six and four.
So they are a better Seattle team, absolutely, But if
anybody has that formula that can beat Seattle on the road,
the running game, and boy did it go just right
for Dallas in terms of planning, to Marco Murray just
enough to impact the game. The best thing about it
(03:43):
to me now is to Marco Murray knows what it
feels like to play with that hand now. So whether
it's next week or the playoffs and then and and
their defense, we know that it's not a great defense,
but it's a better defense. Romo is not having to
force the ball because of all the things going on.
You know, let's let's let's head to head. I'm not
sure Dallas can't go in there and do it again. Well, yeah,
(04:03):
they've done it once, and I'm sure they have confidence
enough to go back and do it again because they are.
I think both of these teams are better than they
were back then. And that's one thing about good coaching
is they peek at the right time and I think
both of these teams are peeking at the right times
with great quarterbacks. And I didn't get a chance to
talk much about Russell Wilson earlier, Brian, when we when
we were just doing this. But this kid is Uh,
(04:27):
he's amazing to me because he's my size and I
can't see over that line. I know that, but he's
he's a better passer from the pocket than he should be. Um,
they do a nice job of moving him around. Here's
this a two yard touchdown to Wilson last night. Uh,
you know, but they're gonna run enough keeps just to
keep those contained rushers. Honest, look at this and watch
(04:48):
him fake this guy out. He looks back, can you
I had to watch that. I was id I TVA
and ild watching about five times. I said, he kind
of stopped and looked back just to make the guy
isn't date. Are you kidding me? This guy has got
so much savvy as a quarterback, and he protects himself.
He's so smart. He'll get out of bounds or he'll
(05:10):
slide when he should and never worry about this kid
getting hurt. And then he's got his he's got his buddy,
their beast Mode who didn't start the game because he
was feeling a little sick. And you know what he did, Bryan,
he ate some skittles and and the skittles made him
feel better. And that guy when beast mode mode, because
that long run of what suck the heart out of
(05:33):
a team. Look at that, Look at this. This is
like the one you know in in Seattle a few
years ago when he became Beast Mode when they thought
there was an earthquake going on, when that stadium erupted.
He was just looking for guys to run over. And
that's what he does on the back a more athletic run. Really,
when it comes down to it may not have been
a powerful run, but look at look at the athletics.
Most guys would have went out of bounds right there
(05:55):
and the balance and it's it's absolute in credit. I
agree with you on Russell Wilson. Let me say this
about Russell Wilson too, And I know it's not gonna
happen because you know, the athletic quarterback and whether it's
Kaepernick and they want to talk about Johnny Menzel and
uh new you know, or Cam Newton and what they
can do outside the pocket and all that kind of stuff.
It's never gonna happ or it's not gonna happen at least.
(06:16):
But I'm not sure that if you just sit lined
up and said, Okay, Russell, you're not leaving the pocket.
You're gonna throw five times from the pocket, then he
wouldn't be just as good. I think he can be
that pocket quarterback as well, because that's the always the
thing we're saying, Okay, are you are an athlete or
you a runner that can play quarterback or you a quarterback?
That's now I think he's a quarterback that also is
(06:36):
the athlete does the other things. But I think he
can do it from the pile. You're probably right, I think,
because there will be a time where he has a
sore wheel. You know, let's say he has a knee
or an ankle and he just isn't his mobile for
a while, and they're gonna ask him to stay in
the comfort of your own living room that pocket, and
he's good enough to do it. I mean, it's uh.
And you know what, and no disrespect with those wide
(06:59):
received is they're really playing the pedestrian. They're they're not.
That's not give them a Randy Moss is somebody that
you've add with Chris Carter. You know those gall those
loaded guys that you had. You give him a big
receiver or two. Oh my jeez, he's gonna be a
good one. We'll talk about this guy that's got a
put a couple of pretty good receivers and if he
is having very few quarterbacks have been beaten up the
(07:21):
way Tony Romo was. And Tony Romo just passed Troy
Aikman Hall of Famer Troy Aikman for total passing yards
in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. We we talked
about Aaron Rodgers, and we talked about J. J. Watcher.
Tony Romo be in the conversation about m v P. Yeah,
you know what, I I think so. And you know,
(07:45):
we talked about all these collapses late in the year
and one playoff game win in the last whatever decade
and a half, and all this criticism on Tony Romo.
But you know what, right now, his record in the
NFC is as good as anybody's, as far as Levin wins.
His passer rating is higher than Aaron Rodgers. He's first.
(08:05):
His completion percentages now first, ahead of Drew Brees. He's
getting it done like crazy. Oh yeah, he had two
back surgeries and he's playing with a couple of broken sets,
whatever those are. And you know what, Yeah, let's talk
about that kid with the m v P possibilities because
I don't know if there's a well, there's you know,
a lot of these quarterbacks are so important to their team.
(08:26):
But Tony Romo, the way he's doing it, banged up,
uh new you know, new play caller, the whole thing.
DeMarco Murray's probably probably in that conversation in the top
ten anyway. But yeah, Tony Romo is really getting it done.
He deserves MVP. You talked about and we talked about
the criticism that he got. I'm not sure I think
(08:46):
we're seeing it now with Drew Brees. I think Drew
brees Is problem is he knows the defense is terrible.
He's having to take chances and shots that he wouldn't
normally because I gotta I gotta make up the difference here.
I think Tony Romo was a victim of that for
a long time. It's look, we're not very good on defense,
We're not this. I gotta take a show. I gotta
make something happen. That's my job as the as a
quarterback this year, because they're better on defense, because they've
(09:08):
got a great offensive line, because DeMarco Murray's running so well,
he's dialed it back to say, Okay, you know I
don't We're better enough that I don't have to take
those chances. I can be that type of quarterback because
the system around me or the people around me allow
me to do that. And he's flourished with it. That's
all you can ask of a quarterback. Yeah, but you
know what to Brian, and you're right on that. But
(09:29):
this guy named Scott Linahan who came in as a
play caller, that's that's his title. He's a passing game.
They know he was slinging it in Detroit like like
nobody's business. And and he comes and he settles this
Dallas offense down into being balanced. A lot of a
lot of credit goes on him too, because he's saying, hey,
(09:50):
we are going to run the ball and be bound
and not let Tony feel he's got to make a
play on every on every down and keep them healthy
and all of that. So I think they have the
recipe right now, even with the Marco Murray Hurton. I
think they're gonna You know, he hat the twenty two
carries last week, So there's a lot of credit to
go around over in Dallas. Let's move on to to
clearly has to be the biggest game this weekend because
(10:13):
it's for a division title. You win and you're in
the playoffs. You lose and you're gone. Is the Carolina
Panthers going to the Atlanta Falcons? Whoda thought? And did
any of us really think Atlanta had any chance of
beating New Orleans and New Orleans? Nope, nope and I
and I mean, we could talk New Orleans all day too,
because I don't know what in the world happened down
(10:34):
there to lose five games in the Superdome. How do
you do that after being that being where a place
where it was absolutely given you couldn't win. You couldn't
beat New Orleans in the Superdome, you couldn't. And so
you know what, but what happens over there with Mike
Smith's team, You know, you gotta figure out how you're
gonna spend your money. Well, I have a lot of
money spent on offense. And that guy over there from
(10:56):
Boston College Matt Ryan. He's really a keeper because when
he has all of his weapons, when he has Julio
Jones and Roddy White and Harry Douglas and all that bunch, Uh,
you know, they are very explosive, so they can outscore people.
Mike Nolan's got a defense that's got some some no
names on it. He's doing the best he can trying
to keep scores down. But this offense with Matt Ryan
(11:19):
can outscore you. And especially in that dome when it's
a fast track in the crowd noises on his side. UM,
that can be a scary team at home and they're
playing Carolina, who I think for the very reasons you
just talked about. Um. Even though Carolina and kudos to
to Ron Rivera for kind of holding that thing together,
I think at the end of the day, the lack
(11:40):
of explosiveness of the Carolina offense, even though Cam Newton
can run around make some things happen, they're not particularly
explosive down the field. UM, I would favor at home
in Atlantic because they're awful good at home that Atlanta
is going to get it done against Carolina, And I'll
go one step further. They could and they'll be seven
and nine. I'm talking about Atlanta now, excuse me, not
(12:01):
in the Arizona but Atlanta. Um. Yeah, and we all
know o case seven and nine team should even be
in the playoffs and whatever we were in New Orleans
team going into Seattle on a seven and nine Seattle
team and and Seattle winning. I can see Atlanta winning
that first, particularly if it's a team like Arizona, who
we know offensively is really challenged. Now, and that you're
right about Mike Nolan, I'm biased because Mike Nolan's with
(12:23):
me in Baltimore and he that that defense is just
Koy Berman is the best player they have. Cooy Berman
play on any other defense in the league. Would he
start on it? I don't think so. So he's doing
it with smoke and mirrors. But against the Atlanta or
the Arizona squad that obviously is going to struggle no
matter who's at quarterback, they can't run the ball. And now,
as good as that Arizona defense is Matt Ryan the
(12:45):
ability to push the ball down the field, we may
see the Atlanta Falcons win the division at seven and nine,
have a home game in the playoffs, and win that
first playoff game. I know it because that's it's possible
if if the Arizona Cardinals come to town. Because I
feel so badly for Bruce Arians. You know, he's I
guess he's gonna start Logan Thomas this game, which would be,
(13:08):
as I know it, which would be his fourth different
starting quarterback. And when you start doing that, you know,
you forget about it, and so um and and then
of course that affects your defense. To their defense didn't
even play as well as it normally did last night
against Seattle. He gave up almost six hundred yards. So
I think I agree with you if Atlanta does win it,
and I'm gonna pick them to win that game against
(13:30):
the Panthers, and if they have the Cardinals at home,
they can win that game, but they might end up
hosting the Lions or the Packers. If that's the case,
forget about it, and um, so well, there's so many
good scenarios that still have to be Green Bay. I
would agree with you. The Lions, I'm not so sure.
I still have to see the Lions go on the
(13:53):
road in the playoffs. Just hitting in the playoffs obviously
is a unique spot for them. And yeah, they should.
They should with a good defense and Matthew Stafford and
Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate and all that. Reggie Bush
looked really good. How about now, Joke belling. So I'm
gonna talk out of both sides of my mouth. But
we can do that because we're in the media now
and we do that all the time. Uh. And and
(14:13):
if I'm wrong the next day, I'll just I'll just
change I'll just change my mind. But but here, so
I'm saying Atlanta could even beat damn but Detroit could
be a team you gotta watch out for now because
now if they balance a little bit of that run
and and Reggie Bush out of the backfield and Joy
bell on the physical downs defense is playing good, It's
it's exciting either way. Let's move on a team that
(14:34):
just got eliminated from the playoffs, because now all the
discussion as good as we thought Philadelphia was, and this
is gonna be a great team and all the Chip
Kelly's done, and I think he's done a good job. Um,
what do we think of the Philadelphia Eagles? What do
we think of the Chip Kelly design? What do we
Where are we with that? Right now? Where are you on,
because I've got some very specific opinions you do. Um,
(14:57):
First of all, I really enjoyed watching them in Oregon.
You know, wide open, fast paced, throw the ball, beat
sc beat everybody in the pack twelve like nothing and
and uh and then at that style, it's a college
is a copycat league too, So everybody's running that spread
offense and high school and college and it's wide open.
(15:18):
Nobody plays defense anymore, all right, So he brings that
that style to the National Football League. Really, to me,
it was an experiment. It was like, let's see if
this guy can this system can hold up in the NFL. Well,
first year, I think it did. I really think it
did it. It took the league by storm. Nick Foles
had more success than anybody would have thought. Crazy year,
(15:45):
and so you know, and he won games, and it's
all like Andy Reid, who you know what I mean,
It was like like a you know, it's and and
he reads my buddy, and he had a lot of
success and won that division several times. But here's this
new style, new approach to practice and everything else, you know, right, Well,
Warren sapp says, he says a lot of things, but
one of the things Warren Sapp says is the fastest
(16:08):
adapting organism in the world is an NFL defense. I
don't know if he made that up or if he
heard it from Marinelli, but whatever, it's his, so so
and what he means by that, because what Sapp says,
you always have to explain what he means. Um. You know,
they make adjustments and you learn how to cope and
adapt and stop that offense. And and so I think
(16:32):
over the second year, you know, in the off season,
a lot of these defensive coordinators went to college coaches
and says, and you guys play against this six seven
times a year. What is your kind of game plan
do you have? What are your thoughts? And so I
think that that style of offense is not as surprising
anymore to anybody. It's still it's still dynamic and explosive
and productive, but I don't think it's as much of
(16:54):
a shocker anymore to anybody. I think defenses are catching
up to a little and I think we're seeing MY
biggest problem with it not been saying and I don't
mean to be derogatory about it, but I think it's
it might kind of be the run and shoot of
the two thousands, meaning it's very good. Between the twenties,
they're terrible in the red zone. They can't transition into
at some point you gotta be mono and Mono be
big and physical and get the ball in the in
(17:14):
the in the end zone. Also, the biggest concern I
have because he's right. He changes a style of coaching
and a style of practicing and it's all well and good.
Their defense is not very good, and I'm couldn't I
would be concerned and be interested to see how we
go forward. That's all great, high pace in the way
you practice really unique. Does the defensive guys feel the
same way? Are you getting what you need? Practice wide,
(17:35):
preparation wise with that style, a lot of plays up tempo,
a lot of walk through, a lot of this, that
and the other. We practice all week long. Are you
getting the physicality? Are getting what you need on the defense? Now,
they'll say so because they work for Chip Kelly. I
I have questions about that, about whether you can whether
that is as equally true for the defensive side of
the ball. And we both know, particularly in today's game,
(17:57):
where we got a lot of good deal, we've probably
got more good deep fenses this year that we've had
going to the playoffs in a long time, because you're
talking about obviously Arizona, Detroit's really good, Um, Seattle is
unbelievable going in there. Um. And so yeah, I think
I think there are some questions here, and we'll see.
Part of it has to be, you know, one of
the things people are always talking about here again coaching
(18:17):
decisions and a little surprise that Chip Kelly said, well,
we didn't even consider about letting them score, didn't We
weren't even prepared for that. Now, I don't agree with
everybody said, well they should have let him score, and
everybody saying that that would have been a good coaching move. Well,
first I'll say, yeah, and that's all well and good,
But has that ever worked ever to your knowledge, letting
a team score because of all the things got to transpire,
I don't know if that do you take the chance
(18:39):
and we see a lot of missfield goals, block field goals,
block p A. T s. We see a lot more
of that, And I don't know that not letting them
score wasn't the right decision because I want to see
where that one time works. Well, Okay, so you know,
we're second guessing. But when I was watching the game,
when I was watching the game and knowing that the
(19:00):
Washington was gonna just tick that block that that clock
down to kick a field goal with him, it's a
minute and a half left, and Philly had all their
time outs left, I think, didn't they? And and I'm
and I'm saying, let them go, let them go, let
them go, let them go in there, because you want
to get your offense back on the field to tie it,
all right. And I saw r G three turnaround to
Alfred Morris a couple of times, and I'm sure I'll
(19:23):
call him up and ask him, but I'm sure he
was saying, if they let you score, fall down the
credit for knowing. Okay, hey, hey, I did happen to
me one time. Remember Mike Holmgren in the Super Bowl.
I mean, it's so seldom that this even presents itself,
But Brian, how about this. I was coaching the Niners
(19:43):
at Superdome in New Orleans and they scored a touchdown.
They scored a touchdown and and uh win ahead of
us with I don't know minute left to go, and
but they had a penalty on the play, and and
I'm looking at it, and I'm going, we'll see, jeez,
if if we if we take this penalty and back
(20:03):
them up, they're just gonna They're just gonna run the
clock out here and kick a field goal. We're not
going to get the ball back. So I declined the penalty.
The guys were looking at me, what and and and
they were saying, you just gave him the lead. And
I said, this is the only way we can get
the ball back to score with our offense. Now did
it work. No, they stopped us, but we had the
ball back with Jeff Garcia, and we are going down
(20:24):
the field, you know, in a position to at least
tie it or win it. And so that's the only
time it ever came up in my twenty nine years
of coaching. But I thought it should have been considered anyway,
because how often do a block of field goal. They're
they're getting after him a little bit simply because he
didn't concede that we even thought about that. I don't
(20:45):
think not doing it. I'm not sure blocking a field
goal isn't a higher percentage and thinking that that you're
gonna now orchestrate all the things in terms of a
kickoff return, positioning, drive down the length of the field,
even though they were spread out in high profile offense. UM.
But by the same token, um the ability to block
a block a field goal. If you're talking about probability
(21:08):
and odds, you probably have a better chance at that
than orchestrating all the other things we talked about. So
it may be an unfair criticism going forward or not.
I don't know, but everybody wants something to talk about. Really,
he's done a heck of a job there. And and
in fairness to Chip Kelly, you know, people say, well,
I mean, you know, I'm gonna revolutionize the NFL, and
he never said that. Chip just came in and coached.
(21:29):
We're talking heads are the ones that say, oh, this
is gonna be different, and it's gonna have a college game,
is gonna take over the NFL game and and uh no,
it's it's not gonna happen. Let's uh, they want us
to talk a little bit. We obviously, Odell Beckham is
having an unbelievable year, the greatest catch I will agree,
maybe I have ever seen. But they wanted the uh
(21:50):
gurus that tell us what to talk about here want
us to argue about Odell Beckham versus Randy Moss is
the greatest rookie receiver ever. You have Odell go so
you have Moss, you have Moss, and I have O'Dell
Beckham because of the two because he was on your
team and he's a lot taller, faster. Okay, but you
(22:11):
know what, Okay, So let's just this is like, this
is like eminem this is like, let's argue about so
Odell Beckham. First of all, that was a great catch
with three fingers. Um, you gotta remember this kid missed
four games, Brian right, he missed the first four games.
He had a hamstring. But I'm I'm so impressed with
his athletic confidence it's crazy. And this look at him,
he's got a little he's got I don't know where
(22:32):
he got that dance from, but everybody in the league
is impersonating that dance. How do you beat a safety? Like?
I remember Randy Moss doing that all the time on
cover two. He would just work those safeties like a fiddle.
But you know Odell Beckham, and then to me, Randy
Moss had a little help because that guy that that
Chris Carter, you know all he does is score touchdowns.
(22:53):
Remember that he there. You had a couple of bookends.
You had more than just those two guys, Hip and
er Smith. Yeah, you were loaded. And that's why he
had set a record for points in a season. Great,
they overcame from some play call, some suspect play calling
and so so. But this but you know, Victor Cruz
(23:16):
is gone, So I don't know who else. I mean,
you know there's other guys there. But if you're gonna
try to take somebody away, you try to take this
guy away. But look at that. He plays like he's big.
He's not a big guy. He's my size, but he
plays big and he's quick, and he can go up
and make a play. This is against Richard Sherman right here.
So I yeah, then they start doing you know what,
I'm noticing. Everybody's starting to catch the ball with one
(23:37):
hand in warmups and on the field, just to try
to see if they can do it. I wouldn't even
let my guys catch with one hand in practice. Chris Carter,
you develop bad habits. So but he is pretty he
is pretty exciting to watch play. I think he's here
to stay. He's pretty good, you know, And and you know,
it's kind of a it's a sopie's choice because you
(23:58):
gotta love this guy, Randy Moss. I would you that.
And I've told probably told a story before and may
here on the Coaches Show podcast, but just in case
there are some people that don't listen to this on
a regular basis. I remember that we're we're in the
draft and we're getting ready to take where like twenty
second pick, and before the draft starts, Danny Green Coustany
says we're gonna get Randy Moss. And I'm thinking, Danny,
you're smoking dope or something. Man, you went fishing, you
(24:22):
were twenty one or twenty two. And the thing is
Dallas is going to take him there at eight nine
or ten somewhere in there, and and he's not gonna
get past Dallas. I'm sure. I'm thinking, Okay, Danny, right
you you? Even though Danny's the best personnel coach, in
my opinion, of any coach in the history of this game,
Danny Green is brilliant in terms of recognizing talent and whatever.
(24:42):
So the draft is going and all of a sudden,
no one takes him, No one take he gets by Dallas.
And then I look at the gap between what's next
to us. I'm thinking, the son of a gun, we're
gonna get Randy Moss. Well, we get to what was
the twenty second pick, and we get Randy Moss. So
now I'm fired up because I just got a whole
lot smarter because we got Randy Moss. Because you could
see the film the way it was, so I'm all
fired up. Well he he immediately goes down to Chris
(25:03):
Carter's Chris Carter had these camps that you'd run for
receivers down in Fort Lauderdale, and and this is about
three weeks later, and I'm fired up, and I'm just
I'm just scribbling on pads and making up stuff how
I'm gonna get the ball to Randy Moss. Chris calls
his coach. He's I've been with Randy now for two weeks.
He says, you have no idea how good this guy is.
I said, I know, Chris, God, I saw the film
and well you need to check out this game, goes Brian. No, No,
(25:27):
you have no idea how good this guy is. Chris
was just amazed at the sheriff physicality of this guy
and and unbelievable in terms of what he's able to do. Yeah,
we had a really good team, but I saw him
do things up in Green Bay. I remember this very,
very literally. You talk about overcoming bad play calling. We're
(25:47):
on a Monday night and we send Randy down deep
and he overleaps a guy for a touchdown. This thing,
you know, the rivalry Minnesota and Green Bay. So Danny
comes over and he goes run that again. A said, Danny,
they're gonna start publoin. They're gonna really coverage that way.
I think he's just do it again. All right, we
said him down. There's two guys on Randy Moss. He
goes up over him for a touchdown, and I'm like
(26:08):
every coach, I'm overthinking it. Well, there's no way they're
not gonna triple or whatever. He Danny says, hey, let's
go to him again. Okay, there's three guys on Randy Moss.
He goes up through all three. He was the most
spectacular receiver talent I've ever seen. Odell Beckham is really
good and he's probably going to continue to be good.
(26:30):
And this guy's unbelievable from my money, and I know
Jerry Rice is the greatest receiver in the history of
this game, and maybe the best player. I think Randy
Moss may be the greatest talent this league has ever seen. Okay,
that's good stuff. So do you tell I'll opinion, unicorners.
You gotta take one of the other. You gotta take
(26:51):
one of the other. I'm taking Randy Moss. But you know,
uh so, but but you know what, Beckham's got a
hundred and one yards a game. Randy Moss way to
slow him down, only to slow him down with Brian Billy. Okay, so,
and then uh receiving yards per game, our receptions per
game seven for Beckham four point three, but more sample size.
(27:13):
I know, it's just he's just having a heck of
a rookie year. We love the kid, and he's a
good kid. I met him at the combine and all
that good stuff. He's got a little spunk and we
just love watching these great talents and do their thing.
You know, So wait till Victor Cruz comes back for
those huge, huge Well, let's we gotta finish off with
this because I think we're contractually bound by the league
in the NFL network to talk about Johnny Manziel. If
(27:34):
you can't go through a show or a segment on
this network that we're not allowed to talk about Johnny Manzel.
So I don't want your guy, isn't he? I don't
want to I don't want to get fired. So so, uh,
did you see my tweet last week did about it's awesome?
It's awesome, but I'm an arrogant son of a gun.
But I wrote an article on Johnny Manzel on Wednesday,
and I didn't rip my just said I thought I
(27:56):
had a guy like him, Troy Smith, you know, Heisman
Trophy winner, but we took in the fifth round. I
don't argue. I don't have a problem with Johnny Man's dound.
Can he develop? But not with My argument is that
he should have been a first round draft twice. So I'm,
you know, on the Twitter sphere, people going after me.
Some guy in Cleveland's going why should we listen to
a coach who's not even in the game anymore? And
we tweeted out a picture of my the Super Bowl
(28:17):
ring on my hand and the tag and the tagline was, oh,
I don't know it was awesome. It blew up just
what you did? Who you know? Who? To known? I
could be that subtle. But let me let me ask
this spend for me just a little bit. Going forward,
I think Cleveland's in a heck of a bind here.
What does Petton do? I mean, now you you gotta
(28:37):
stick with this now they basically at the end of
the day, I think they made a mistake not starting
him to begin the year. Find out about this guy,
because now they got to go into it next year
in year two, and they still don't know about Johnny Manzel.
What do you do with Johnny Manzel? I don't know
if he's gonna be available for the next game with
a hammy, or if he plays how effective he could
possibly be because a guy his size has to move around, right,
(28:59):
So yeah, they are in a bind. They got to
decide what to do it. Brian Hoyer, he's a hometown kid.
Maybe maybe that works on their side, but I don't
you know, I'm not gonna consider Johnny manziela bust. It's
too it's too soon to tell after a game and
a half. Um, it's he's an intriguing guy, but he
has he hasn't done anything yet. Let's face so you
(29:20):
might pay anything. How do you go on? I don't
know what I would do with him. They got it.
It's not my problem, alright, So he's got Hey we
go to Brian horyor hey, Brian, could you could you
sign with us just in case, uh, Johnny Manziel doesn't
turn out. But I really have obviigated to see if
he can be our starter, because we did draft him
(29:42):
number twenty two, and Brian will pay a lot of money,
a lot of incentives to stay because if you end
up to be the starter, then you can make some
starter kind of money. Um, and you know there's a
chance that he's not gonna make it, so maybe they
can coerce him into signing a contract and staying home
if they lose, Howyer, let's say goes back to back
up Tom Brady or something. All right, and they are
(30:03):
just all they have is Johnny Manziel with that small
sample size and injury where there's risk involved on him
not making it. They better God forbid draft another quarterback.
I don't think so they need a veteran guy, right,
whether lawyer or somebody else. I'm gonna finish on this
because they always want us to personalize this stuff with
our stories. I had Mike Petting on my staff. I
had Rex Ryan on my staff and and they were
(30:25):
constantly at me because we're so good defensive, Why can't
we get the offensive thing fixed out? How can we can't? Why?
Why why can't we do that? Why can't you do that?
Why can't we get a quarterback? Okay, Rex, Mike, now
you know it's not that easy. And and I hope
it turns out well, but I think they're in the
heck of a dilemma. We'll talk about it a lot more, um,
possibly even next week. This has been the Coaches Show.
(30:46):
Make sure to come back and join us next week,
where we'll talk all things NFL.
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