The Insiders: Shedeur Sanders to Start, Michael Penix Out for Year, Josh Hines-Allen Joins the Show!
November 19, 2025 • 42 mins
NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Judy Battista, and Ian Rapoport breakdown the Browns naming Shedeur Sanders their starting QB for Week 12, plus injury updates on Michael Penix Jr, Dak Prescott, and Aaron Rodgers. Stacey Dales previews Steelers-Bears matchup while Brian Baldinger breaks down Chicago’s offense. Then Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen joins the show, before Marcas Grant delivers his Week 12 fantasy sleepers.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
It's going to be a legendary weekend in Las Vegas
where the Raiders could have had the quarterback now making
his starting debut for the Browns, Brian Boldinger joins us
tonight to break down whether there is home for Shador
Sanders to hit the ground running. If your fantasy team
is out of hope, or if you just got outbid
on Emmanuel Wilson and Sean Tucker like me, you do
(00:32):
not want to miss our buddy Marcus Grant, who will
be here tonight to give you some deep sleepers you
just might want in your lineup this week. The Jaguars
always want josh heinz Allen in the lineup, and the
sacks are coming again for the franchise's newly crowned king.
Heinz Allen joins us tonight to talk about what's working
in Jacksonville and why he thinks these Jaguars have the
(00:53):
pieces to make a deep playoff run. Welcome inside with
the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance. Alongside you and Rappaport
and Judy Batista. I am Tom Peliicero. We are already
on the eve of Week twelve twelve. Rather in the
NFL season. Tons of news to get into, but I
think you know that we're starting out in Cleveland. That
(01:15):
is where Brown's coach Kevin Stefanski made an official today.
Shador Sanders will get the start on Sunday against the Raiders,
with fellow rookie Dylan Gabriel in concussion protocol. It has
been a journey for Sanders to slid to the fifth
round in April's draft open the season is the Browns
number three QB, and now safe to say he is
(01:36):
fired up to get his shot.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I know a lot of y'all gonna be there. I
know you can't miss it. You cannot miss his moment.
It'll be definitely exciting. We're going out there with a purpose,
going out there. So are you ready? No distractions, know anything,
and you know I'll be excited.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
All right.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
We know the numbers last week in relief for sixteen
passing forty seven yards like any backup quarterback. He stepped
in with no first team reps, no game plan tailored
to him. Ian now that this is actually going to
be a schedore week, what are we expecting from him
in the Browns?
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Well, first of all, some of it we saw, right
you talk about like the swag and the confidence. It's
going to be legendary. Judging from the words of shador Standers,
he at least appreciates the moment and what is going
to happen on Sunday. Everyone is going to be watching me.
This has got to be the most talked about non
first round quarterback. I don't know, maybe in the history
(02:34):
of the world. We've been talking about shador Standers since
the draft, since preseason, the entire regular season. Anytime the
Browns quarterback struggle, we talk about when is he going
to play? That time is now, Judy, and to be
able to watch him play on Sunday is going to
be fascinating. Watching him play last Sunday was difficult, and
the reality is the Browns did not want him on
(02:55):
the field in that situation. Tom, you mentioned he got
barely any reps. No backup quarterback gets barely any reps.
He had a game plan that was not tailed for him.
Of course, tail Dylan Gabriel was the starter. That was
where who the game plan was tailored for. He is
going to get all of it on Sunday. It's going
to be his game plan. He's going to get all
the reps. We're still not going to see a finished product.
(03:17):
He still has a long way to go as far
as being an established NFL veteran. We are least going
to see the reason why the Browns drafted him and
to see him have success. To be totally honest, would
be kind of fun.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
It really would.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
It would be. And the reality is this maybe should
Dore's best chance. It may be his only chance to
really showcase what he can do for the Browns and
maybe to put the idea in their head that he
could be an answer for the future, because if they
stick by what Kevin Stefanski said earlier in the week,
Dylan Gabriel will go back to being the starting quarterback
(03:51):
when he clears the concussion protocol. Again, this is Shador's
opportunity to have the first team reps and to have
a game plan tailored to his specific skill set.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
That's all well.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
And good, but it's obviously a very it could be
a very narrow opportunity for him to show anything. The
question is, can he show enough to maybe shift the
timeline to hold off Dylan Gabriel for another week to
earn another start and bigger picture, can either Shadore or
Dylan Gabriel show enough in these last two months of
the regular season to convince the Browns that they could
(04:25):
be the answer for the future. Don't forget the Browns
have two first round draft picks next spring. They will
be able to get in position if they like any
of the quarterbacks. We'll see if they do, but if
they like any of the quarterbacks, they certainly will be
able to get in position to take one very high
in the draft. The question is Dylan Gabriel or Shador
Sandras factor into that decision at all.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Sanders, of course, not the first rookie quarterback this year
to get a start. Cam Ward was the starter right
out of the gate. We saw Jackson Dark get his opportunity.
Dylan Gabriel, of course, Tyler Schuck played pretty well over
these past couple of games. So what exactly is Shador
Sanders first start going to hold for him? For more
(05:09):
on that, we bring in our Brian Baldinger, who breaks
down tape like nobody else. Baldy, I know that you
watched the relatively limited amount of snaps last week that
Shador Sanders got in that game. What did you take
away from the tape you saw and what do you
hope you see this week?
Speaker 6 (05:27):
I actually was encouraged. Forget about the statistics.
Speaker 7 (05:29):
I mean, they blitzed them, and you know, he threw
an interception when he just got belted right in the sternum.
The ball popped out of his hand. But I was
encouraged by decision making ability to beat the blitz, to
find it opening, to find Harold Fannin in the middle
of the field right there for twenty five yards. I
thought he saw the field well. He took some shots
(05:50):
into the end zone to try to tie the game
in the final minute of the game. This throw right
here in third and ten and Jerry Judy was the
right throw.
Speaker 6 (05:59):
It was the right read. I thought his feet were calm.
Speaker 7 (06:02):
In the pocket, much like we saw at Colorado and
at Jackson State, or you know, before he came to Colorado.
I just thought there was a lot to be encouraged by.
And the fact is, Tom, we don't know how any
of these guys are going to play until they get
an opportunity to play. We can't predict it. We can't
base it off what they did in college. We make
mistakes all the time doing that. He needs a week
(06:25):
of practice preparation, game planning, and what he said at
the end of the game postgame was important. He said,
the details of the position with my receivers. It's important
to work on those things. And if you're not working
those things, it's never going to be crystal the way
it needs to be. It's not going to be the
precision of a diamond cutter. And I saw a couple
(06:46):
of plays in the game where I thought, if the
time he was a little bit better, maybe that's a
completion instead of an incompletion.
Speaker 6 (06:51):
So I'm encouraged. I want to see what he looks like.
We all do.
Speaker 7 (06:55):
But I have a feeling that he's going to play
pretty well and it's not going to be too big
for him playing a le agent stadium against the Raiding.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
The reality is, when in an NFL practice week, there's
maybe seventy to eighty live reps tops that you get here,
you're not gonna be able to microwave all that chemistry
in a matter of a few days. But this is
also the life of the backup quarterback. At least he
will get those reps through the course of this week.
His opportunity becomes because Dylan Gabriel is out. Michael Pennix
Junior also went down with an injury last week, and
(07:25):
we now know we will not see Penix again during
the twenty twenty five season. As the Falcons announced earlier today,
Pennis have to undergo surgery for a partially torn ACL.
Kirk Cousins now takes over for a Falcons team on
the brink, losers of five consecutive games entering Sunday's game
at New Orleans, and for Michael Pennis Junior ian this
is a long road to recovery.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
Yeah, it really is. He does have a partially torn ACL,
but that doesn't mean there's any sort of partial surgery.
When you have a partially torn ACL, unlike some of
the other ligaments, doesn't heal by itself. You need the
full reconstruction, which means from Michael Pennick Junior it is
at least nine months of recovery, which puts him in
the middle of August. It also means that the Atlanta
Falcons are going to have to have some sort of
(08:08):
backup plan for him for the season for twenty twenty
six in case he is not ready to go. But
the bigger picture here is for the Atlanta Falcuts a
little more troubling, just to be honest. I mean, they
went through a lot of stuff to get in this
position to have Michael Pennix and Kirk Cousins on the roster.
First of all, they signed Cousins and paid him one
hundred million dollars and they drafted Pennix the same year,
(08:30):
and everyone lost their minds, right, and I unlike a
lot of people supported this decision because you have to
have an answer at quarterback, and you really have to
have a succession plan at quarterback. All of that is
predicated on Michael Pennick's being good and being healthy. Certainly
he has his moments, but injury history was a big
(08:51):
thing Judy in college continues to be a big thing
in the NFL. His story is not yet ridden, not
by a long shot. But this was a trading step
back of a year for the Atlanta Falcons. Now Kirk
Cousins the starter going forward.
Speaker 5 (09:06):
Well, right, The Falcons wanted to have a succession plan
because they didn't have one after Matt Ryan, and they
fell flat after Matt Ryan. Except they can't possibly know
if they have a succession plan with Michael Pennix at
this point, he's only made twelve start. He's only won
four games in the two years he's been there. And
now he's going to be twenty six years old by
(09:28):
the time next season starts, and he will have had
three ACL surgeries. He had a really long injury history
in college coming out. He also had shoulder issues in college.
It's obviously continued in the pros. He just hasn't been
able to be on the fields. He hasn't been that productive.
When he's been on the field. There have been flashes,
(09:48):
certainly not the consistency, and there's just no way that
the Atlanta Falcons have seen enough to know if he
is the succession plan. It's just a really difficult spot
to the Falcons, and O is seeing a shame for
Michael Pennix as well.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Kirk Cousins meanwhile has ten million dollars that is fully
guaranteed in twenty twenty six, but that's part of a
much larger salary. So an opportunity here for guy who
once again we're going to be talking about will he
end up being released, could he potentially be traded if
he waves no trade clause. This is an audition of sorts.
When you don't often get for a guy at this
stage in his career. We had a ton of quarterback
(10:24):
news today, including in Baltimore where it's Wednesday, so that
means Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was not practicing this time around.
It is an ankle injury that the team says kept
him out of practice that is now in addition to
the knee and hamstring issues that Lamar has dealt with
in recent weeks. John Harper said it just wasn't in
Lamar's best interest to practice today. We'll see how the
(10:45):
rest of the week goes with the Jets on tap
on Sunday. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, meanwhile, Listen is a
full participant in practice for the first time since he
underwent surgery for severe turf toe injury back in September.
That means Burrow, by rule, got all the first team
reps in practice today on a day where Joe Flacco,
(11:06):
as he has been for weeks, was resting his sore
throwing shoulder. Asked i Burrow has a chance to play
Sunday against the Patriots, coach Zach Taylor said he wouldn't
deal in hypotheticals that door may be cracked open. Just
a bit. Ian Tho Wes of now Burrow remains on IR.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
And how he responds tomorrow Thursday is going to be
huge for Joe Burrow. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have Dak
Prescott on their injury report. He is listed as limited
with a hip injury. Bron Schanheimer, the head coach, saying
that he believes that Dak Prescott will be fine. Got
hit a lot in the big time winninggainst the Raiders.
It seems like they're kind of just taking it easy
(11:42):
on their franchise quarterback Judy.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
That's coach Aaron Glenn finally confirmed today he is making
the switch at quarterback. It will be Tyrod Taylor against
the Ravens on Sunday. By the way, that's the team
that drafted him all the way back in twenty eleven.
Glenn said this was not an easy thing, but he
felt it was the best thing for the team. This
was under consideration a few weeks ago as well, but
remember Taylor's Balkyn got in the way. When asked if
(12:06):
it was Tyrod Taylor's job for the rest of the way,
Glenn said, they are just focused on this week, so
there is a door open maybe possibly that this is
not permanent. Taylor did play okay when he started against Tampa.
They lost that game, but we will see how he does.
A very disappointing season for Justin Fields.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Hey, let's just do this every week.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Why not.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Meanwhile, still in New York slash New Jersey, Jackson Dharr
gave some positive news to the Giants and Giants Fancy
was back at practice today on a limited basis, still
in the NFL's concussion protocol, but has progress enough after
missing last week to be a limited participant. That is
good news. Listen to interim coach Mike Kafka discuss it.
Speaker 8 (12:50):
I don't want to speak for Jackson, but he's a
pretty smart player. He was dialed into our game plans
last week. I mean he's been preparing like this, you know,
even early in the season when he wasn't the starter,
So I wouldn't expect anything different. We just had a
great walk through with him in the in the offense.
So you know, I'm excited for this practice and again
continue that why we practice is so we continue to
get better. So the mistakes, if they happened, that's great.
(13:12):
We can get them cleaned up. We'll get it fixed.
We can you know, take some positive out of that
and continue to build.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
As expected. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not practice today,
but it continues the push to play on Sunday against
the Bears despite that fractured left wrist that knocked him
out of last week's game. So what exactly, Aaron, would
it take for you to be on the field.
Speaker 9 (13:36):
Got to get the okay and got to feel like
I can protect myself because there.
Speaker 10 (13:42):
Added incentive for you for the opponent this week.
Speaker 9 (13:46):
There's an incentive for every opponent. But I have enjoyed
many a Sunday and Monday and many Thursdays in that city.
It's a great sports down, phenomenal sports fan, a great
place to play.
Speaker 5 (14:04):
I mean, Aaron Rodgers may need something different, but Chicago
really is a phenomenal city. And look at this phenomenal
interception leader Kevin Byerd. They are doing great things on
the Chicago Bears defense with turnovers, forcing turnovers. Dennis Allen
has it working there. Let's bring in our Stacy Dales
and our Brian Baldinger returns to talk about the Bears.
(14:29):
They are preparing for both quarterbacks. We just saw Aaron
Rodgers and Mason Rudolph of course, and Stacy would they
prefer to see Aaron Rogers?
Speaker 11 (14:41):
Well, Judy, as a competitor, I think you always want
to see the beast, so of course they would love
to see Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
But this is a guy, as you.
Speaker 11 (14:48):
Just heard him, he loves the city of Chicago extremely well.
While he's eleven and three in the regular season all
time as a starter here in Chicago at Soldier Field,
twelve and three in the playoffs, he's thrown sixty four
touchdowns passing touchdowns against the Chicago Bears, and he has
twenty four.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Victories against the Bears.
Speaker 11 (15:06):
So while he would love to play here this weekend
in Chicago, I think the Bears would love to face him.
And that really started with Ben Johnson and hearing from
him today. I was out at Hallas Hall and he said, listen,
this is a guy he got a lot of respect for,
has done it at a high level for an incredible
amount of time. But if he's ready to go this week,
(15:27):
we would love nothing more to compete against him. I
spoke with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and I asked him,
you know, what have you seen? He's faced Rogers before
in his veteran career, and I said, what would you
expect from him? What have you seen on tape? And
he told me he still got it. He's finding a
way to make plays. But more than anything, and we've
seen this manifest this year. He sees things before they happen,
(15:50):
so he knows where to go with the ball. He
knows how fast to get there and how quickly to
get there. And he also told me he's still making
plays with his legs and throwing on a dime and
he said, quote, it's hard to find a weakness in
his game. Now that being said, if Rogers can't go,
Mason Rudolph, the backup is eight four and one in
his career, Judy and Baldy, and I'm sure the Steelers
(16:10):
are getting him ready to a high degree.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
But I always think Aaron Rodgers is going.
Speaker 11 (16:16):
To play because he's played through a lot of injuries
in his career.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
And he especially would want to play against the Bears.
All Right, Baldy, I think we've all enjoyed watching Caleb's
progression this season. You have a Baldi's breakdown. What are
you seeing from the Bears offense right now?
Speaker 7 (16:32):
I see just that, I see a progression of Caleb,
and it's really Ben Johnson and just how emphatic he
is about certain things, like the running game has to go,
and they make it work with two different backs and
DeAndre Swift right here. They love this split zone two
tight ends, Colston Lovelin, Cole Comet, big two tight end
sets right there with Caleb under center and the running
(16:55):
back eight yard seef because they love play actions. I mean,
that's how they push the ball down the field. Heavy,
heavy play action team. Caleb has gotten better at it.
Remember in college he was mostly in the shotgun. He's
gotten very good at turning his back to the defense.
They're always tweaking every week. Here Dj Moore in the
backfield against the Bengals on a wheel route and Caleb
(17:16):
hits him against the safety right there.
Speaker 6 (17:18):
Big play down the field.
Speaker 7 (17:20):
They will run it on third down, third and three
thirty four, putting your tight ends out there in the field.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
They trust the offensive line right here.
Speaker 7 (17:28):
Kyle mannung guy who's been a real pleasant surprise coming
out of Rutgers and late round picking all that stuff.
Speaker 6 (17:35):
He's been very good.
Speaker 7 (17:36):
And then Caleb is a guy that is just extremely athletic,
and he can get out of all kinds of jams.
He keeps his eyes down the field, he can throw
from any platform. He hits loveld here on a comeback
for seven yards. And then you have to account for
Caleb as a runner, whether it's design runs or scrambles.
(17:56):
He's excellent, always has been. He's got great feet, he's
very fast, he's strong, He's run. Of his fifty two
runs this year, nineteen have gone for first downs or touchdowns.
So he moves the change when he runs. But this
offense is built around the running game and around Caleb
under center, and that's where it starts. And so Stacey,
(18:18):
I've been really impressed by the development of Caleb under
Ben Johnson.
Speaker 11 (18:25):
Yeah, and I'm so glad you went this direction, because, Baldy,
You're exactly right. The commitment to the run game has
been a game changer for the Chicago Bears. I mean,
they are the second ranked rushing offense right now in
the NFL, averaging about one forty seven per game. What's
really fascinating. You showed those clips of the Vikings game, Baldy.
They possessed the football for roughly thirty seven minutes to
(18:46):
Minnesota's twenty three minutes that is part in part and
parcel because of the run game. And I spoke with
DeAndre Swift today as you watch him here on the
screen as the lead bellcal and he told me it's
really the way Ben is calling it. He said this
past weekend against Minnesota was a perfect example against a
Brian Flores defense that just shows so many different looks,
(19:09):
but Ben stayed committed to the run and what it did.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
It spoke volumes to the personnel.
Speaker 11 (19:15):
DeAndre told me, it gives them confidence and it speaks
to the players getting the job done. So that run
game Baldy and Judy has given the Chicago Bears loads
of confidence to be able to get into that play
action stuff Baldy and really make the quarterback comfortable and efficient.
Even if the numbers aren't huge and his completion percentage
last weekend wasn't great, they were really efficient, especially have
(19:38):
been in the fourth quarter of football games.
Speaker 5 (19:42):
Steelers Bears. That is an old school NFL game, both
teams making pushes for the postseason. Stacy Baldy, thank you
very much. When we return on the Insiders, we're going
to talk about another huge matchup with massive playoff implications.
Chiefs Colts, can the Chiefs even get into playoff position.
Didn't think we'd be there. But first, Josh Heinz Allen
(20:05):
is going to join the Insiders. He is the Jaguars
all time franchise sack leader and he will be with
us on the Insiders. Coming up next.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Shot Gun dropping is justin Herber. Four man runs, scrambles away,
he gets.
Speaker 6 (20:26):
Hit, He's gonna get sacked. Josh heis Allen, got it.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
Josh is set the franchise career record for sack.
Speaker 6 (20:32):
Congratulations to Josh heim.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Talent Josh Heinz Allen on the very very short list
of active NFL players where they're all time sack leaders
in franchise history. A big accomplishment for a guy who,
by the way, still only twenty eight years old and
on a Jaguars team that is young and has a
(20:56):
lot going forward as we enter the stretch run. He's
also with us right now here on the Insiders with me,
Tom Peliicero as well as Ian Rapperbort Josh Big win
last week over the Chargers. You're in the playoff chase house.
Life down there right now in Jacksonville.
Speaker 10 (21:11):
Life simple, back to the basics.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
It's like we, you know what, we want to call
it back to normal day on Wednesday morning, having a good,
clean practice, getting ready to whoop some tail tomorrow and
Thursday practice.
Speaker 10 (21:25):
To lead up to Sunday.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
Man, So we're happy, we're excited about this weekend, trying
to get to another playoff game.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
You know, there's it's been obviously some ups and downs
the season. Every team sort of goes through them, and
there are some games though that stand out the way
you guys want on Sunday, Charges are a good team,
one of the best teams in the NFL based on
the record. You guys not only beat them, but you
beat them by a lot. What does something like that
(21:54):
do for you guys? Kind of heading down into the
stretch run now.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
Mean should give his confidence as a team, you know,
when we look at each side of the ball defensively,
he should give us confidence from the players and coaching
staff offensively. It's the same thing we kind of found
our recipe. It kind of works, you know well for
us in this situation. And then we can buy into
whatever is being called and if coaches can buy them
for the players that we got, man, we'll make good
(22:20):
things happen, and then again offensively as well. I think
special teams has gone better each and every week, and
we got to keep playing good football, man, good sound football,
good complimentary football.
Speaker 10 (22:30):
If we could do that, man, we can beat any
team in the best football league.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
You mentioned your coaches, your defensive coordinator, Anthony campanili Is.
Let's just call it a very big personality. He's got
a very distinct voice in the way that he operates
in the meeting rooms. Just tell me about what it's
like playing for him and how he's helped you guys
kind of get through a little bit of a rough
patch er in recent weeks.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
I mean, we love, we love coach camp and he's
he's been nothing but one hundred percent himself every single day.
I know there's a d when we first hired him
about him speaking in front of the meet and room
to the players. That's him every single day. And when
we don't get that, we know something's wrong. So whenever
you can come in, be doing yourself every single day,
(23:15):
demand excellence from every one of us, and then behind
the demanding excellence, telling us that he loves us right
after that, compliments him really well and we got a
team for the guys that actually believe that and actually
want to go out there and play for him.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
You are one of the NFL's foremost sack masters. You
have had over the last three games two and a
half sacks. Before that, just half a sack. How does
this work when you are sacking the quarterback? I mean,
we know it comes in bunches, but do you feel
it coming? Are you?
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Like?
Speaker 4 (23:46):
All right, I'm about to go off here and I'm
about to go on a little sack run, Like, how
does that work from your perspective?
Speaker 3 (23:52):
I mean from my vantage point and the way I
approach the game, and I want to affect the game
each and every way. If that's bad, it passes, pressures,
hits hers, sacks. Obviously, as a patch rusher, I want
to get the sacks. But if I can get the
quarterback off the market, if I can affect them anyway
that I can, because I haven't had a lot of
pressures that led into interceptions or bad passes thirty three
(24:12):
and outs, you know what I'm saying. So affecting the
game each and every way that I can is my
is what I can bring value to my team, and
that's what my team expects.
Speaker 10 (24:20):
Me to do.
Speaker 3 (24:21):
So whenever there's an opportunity for me to make it
play any capacity, I'm willing to do that. And you know,
when it's time for me to get the sacks, when
I have opportunities, let's do it. But if not from
affecting the patcher, you know, the hell they throw the
ball quick as we get a lot of boot and
get a lot of all this, So you know, when
you're really looking at it, it is what it is.
And I kind of understand that. And so when it's
(24:43):
time for me to go hunt, it's time for me
to go hunt. And last week, what's the time that
you know, it's a great opportunity for us as a
defense and for myself to get into a lot of
one on ones and and win a lot of those.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
So, yeah, the flipping it over to the other side
of the ball. Trevor Law aren't the guy that you've
been with for a number of years now. We've seen
a little bit of an up and down for him
as well. Last week was obviously a really good game.
Just what do you see, if anything, when you're watching
them in practice, when you're interacting with the locker room
where if anywhere do you see the growth right now
with Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 10 (25:16):
I mean it's not just Trevor.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
I think it's all of us as a team and
guys that have been in this organization for a very
long time.
Speaker 10 (25:22):
Man, We've lost a lot of.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Games, and you know that affects you and it affects everybody.
But when you have when you're building the culture with
new people, that people that actually buy into, you know,
changing this for the better.
Speaker 10 (25:35):
You know, you have to be bought in a different way.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
You have to get rid of the old things that
we used to think of, the old things that we
used to say. And right now we have a team
that can win every game for the rest of the season.
And so the mentality, the mindset of the guys that
mayor has to change. And you can just see the
daily day basis of Trevor like leading, leading the right way.
Speaker 10 (25:58):
You know what I'm saying this is every game matters.
Like you said, we're in a playoff.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Implications and attention to details that each leader has to
come in. You can see Trevor each day in practice
take those next steps, command to huddle, you know, run
the ball, like running the ball, dropping you know when
it's time, something's not open, taking off running, you know
what I'm saying, getting better, filling the scheme a little
bit better. So I'm seeing a lot more poise from him.
(26:24):
And at the end of the day, man, we got
his back defensively, and so you go out there play free.
You know we're gonna we're gonna have to get back
regardless of whatever happens. And UH, and we know he
got ours.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
So football is important, and I'm sure we could ask
you football questions all day, but I think it's fair
to say there's something else that is more important, your
son Wesley. Uh. You've gotten public with him battling leukemia
now is in full remission.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
UH.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
The video and tale of him ringing the bell is
for sure a h I mean, look at this, that's
I mean, that's just it's hard not to get cheered
up just watching it, just to be totally honest. And
you also have your four to one for All foundation
to raise money for UH to fight cancer as well.
(27:15):
This has put you in a spotlight away from UH
the football field. I guess first of all, how is
Wesley doing. And this whole experience of sharing your story
with so many people in his story.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
What has that been like for you?
Speaker 3 (27:30):
It's been It's been surreal really, but it's also very humbling.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (27:35):
Nevertheless, you know, having my.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
Son kind of go through this just puts everything else
in a different perspective. It puts coming into work every
single day and a different perspective.
Speaker 10 (27:46):
You know. At first, I always thought like, if Wesley.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
Can do it, then if Wes he can go through
pain and battle from it, then I can step it
on the field and battle from it. But it's really
more than that. It's you know, my son just went
through something and his tail off fall every single day
for himself and for our family. And then you got
myself who had to look at it more broadly and
(28:09):
realize that, like, that's the only thing that ever matters,
you know, me as a football player, it's just me
as me doing my job. So making things personal, making
things over complicated kind of got that out the way,
and that was just I come in this building, I
love football. I come in this building because I love football,
and that's it. When I leave this building, I'm a
(28:30):
father and that's who I am. And he's kind of
put he's kind of helped mold my perspective a little
bit better. So it makes playing football. It makes me
not breaking that record, and since week two a lot
better because I come in here in My job is
to affect the quarterback.
Speaker 10 (28:49):
That's my title. That's why they pay me.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Of course we want the sacks, but if I can
affect the quarterback anyway, and if I could stop the run,
that's what I do best. And so if I can
do that each and every week, I bring value to
my team. And that's what my team needs me, and
that's what I'm gonna do. And so kind of Wesley
kind of helped me realize that who I am as
a person outside of work, and that means more to
(29:11):
me than the things and people say about me on
the football field.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
He affects the quarterback. His son affects a lot of
other people. Josh Heinzellen always one of our favorite guests. Man,
best of luck, the rest of what you said. You
can win them all. You still got the Colts twice.
Make this run, man, We appreciate it.
Speaker 10 (29:30):
Can't wait. Thank you guys.
Speaker 5 (29:34):
It's time now for good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance.
The Broncos have put the clamps on opposing offenses. This year,
Denver ranks in the top five in six different defensive categories.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
Vanch Joseph doing some work there.
Speaker 5 (29:47):
They are tied for first and TD passes allowed, second
in yards per attempt allowed, third and opponent completion percent
in third in passes defense, fourth and opponent passer rating,
and fifth in passing yards per game. And when you
hear how that defense is performing, it probably doesn't surprise
you that Next Gen Stats puts the current chances to
(30:08):
win the AFC West for the Broncos at seventy four percent,
Chargers at eighteen percent. And look at the Chiefs, who've
won the division like a million years in a row.
They're only at ten percent to win the AFC West. Now,
let's bring in two people who are going to be
at the Chiefs Colts game. I'm kind of jealous, guys,
I gotta tell you, Baldy and Bryan and Bridget Condon. Bridget,
(30:32):
I want to start with you because this is not
a question we've ever had to ask about the Chiefs.
There has to be a sense of urgency for them
to win right now, Judy.
Speaker 12 (30:41):
Yeah, Patrick Mahomes said it today. It's a season defining
game on Sunday. Look, this Colts team is five and five.
They've lost back to back games. Judy Baldy Patrick Mahomes
has never lost three straight games in his season in
the NFL. The last time he did it he was
a quarterback at Tech Texas Tech. This is such uncharted territory.
Of course, they were asked about it today. Andy Reid said,
(31:03):
we're not overreacting, but we do have to have a
certain sense of urgency. You have to make sure you
clean up the things this week in practice. He said,
overreacting it's not gonna help. What helps is you take
care of business individually and then collectively as a team.
The team believes that their issues are self inflicted, and Baldy,
it's true. They're averaging about a penalty and a half
(31:23):
more this season each game than they did a year ago.
And then also they're zero to five in one score games.
Last year this time they were twelve and zero in
the season in those one score games. So they all
know it's just this thin in the NFL between winning
and losing.
Speaker 6 (31:39):
It's a little bit more than that.
Speaker 7 (31:41):
And one thing that can overcome a lot of that
bridget is they have been missing on their deep shots.
Last week, Denver hit on their deep shots and end
up winning the game. As a result, Kansas City hit
one the taekwon Thornton for sixty one yards. Three plays
later they scored on a two yard Kareem Hunt run.
They need to hit on these shots and they were
(32:01):
opened last week and Patrick has missed some. And I
think you knowing Andy Reid and knowing the speed that
he has in Thornton and Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown,
they're going to take their shots in this game against
Whether Sauce Gardner's out there doesn't matter. They're going to
take their shots. They believe they can get down the
field and big chunks, and if they hit those, they're
(32:21):
going to start winning some of these games.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
Of course, there's also urgency for the Indianapolis Fults here
there in the mix to be the number one overall
seed in the AFC and certainly to hold on to
the lead in their division, largely thanks to Jonathan Taylor.
Speaker 12 (32:37):
Yeah, how fun is this, guys? That we're talking about
new teams atop the AFC and the Colts, and Jonathan
Taylor is having an MVP season. He leads the NFL
in rushing yards rushing touchdowns, and how do you stop
him if you're the Chiefs, Well, you're going to have
to take him out of the game. I was just
talking to someone who's very familiar with Daniel Jones saying
that Jones was kind of asked about the success that
(32:57):
they're having in Jonathan Taylor, and one, he feels really
comfortable with Jonathan Taylor out there, and when the Colts
can run the ball, but also when you look at
their roster, they have good players in key positions and
then they have a superstar in Jonathan Taylor. And when
you have just one focused superstar, it kind of gives
everybody an understanding that this is the guy. This is
the guy that's going to demand the ball, this is
(33:18):
the guy that's going to help us win games. And
Jonathan Taylor is primed to have an MVP season because
of the offense, the way that they get him the ball. Guys,
he has had five games this season over one hundred yards.
The Chiefs have only given up one game of to
a rusher with a one hundred yards, So it's going
to be a battle on the run game. But we
know Chris Jones, George carloftis are going to definitely give
(33:40):
him some problems, or try to at least Baldy and Judy.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
Time out to Marcus my words, or better yet, Marcus
the words of Marcus Grant, who is here every single
Wednesday with his fantasy sleepers. It is week twelve already, Marcus,
We're coming up almost on fantasy playoff time right now.
Give me your first big sleeper for this week.
Speaker 13 (34:03):
Well, we're gonna go with Jerry Judy in Cleveland. That
I know Shador Sanders is getting the start. It wouldn't
have mattered if it was Sanders or Dylan Gabriel. Judy
has been the preferred number one target for both of
those guys nineteen combined targets over the past two weeks
for Judy, and this week a fantastic matchup going against
the Las Vegas Raiders, who have been really soft spot
(34:23):
for wide receivers to land all season long. They are
statistically the second best matchup for wideouts. We saw them
get shredded on Monday Night by George Pickens and Cdee Lamb.
Speaker 1 (34:33):
I currently have a dilemma in a very poorly managed
fantasy team where my options at quarterback are Shador Sanders
or cam Ward. We'll set that part aside. Is there
anybody on the one to nine Titans you think could
be a sleeper this week?
Speaker 13 (34:45):
Well, we're gonna go with chig Aconquo and it's not
really a great situation. That offense has struggled all year long,
but he does lead the Titans in receptions and receiving yards.
Speaker 6 (34:54):
He's got a good matchup.
Speaker 13 (34:55):
Against the Seahawks. Seattle's defense has been pretty good, but
they have been the third best matchup for Ty. That's
been a blind spot for them this season. Plus the
Titans one of the past heaviest offenses in the NFL.
I expect them to be in catchup mode, which means
they're throwing the ball a lot in the second half
of that one. If you want another tight end option,
this one maybe a little more palatable, and that's Hunter
Henry with a New England Patriots. Five games with at
(35:17):
least five targets this season, three top twelve weekly tight
end finishes. But maybe the more important part of this
whole thing is he gets the Cincinnati Bengals. They've been
the best possible matchup for tight ends all season long.
Drake May has been playing extremely well distributing the football.
So I think Hunter Henry has a really good opportunity
to put up a decent number in fantasy this week.
Speaker 1 (35:37):
Seahawks running backs have been a little bit unreliable this season.
Anybody alike there this week?
Speaker 13 (35:42):
Markets, Well, we're gonna go with Zach Sharbone in this one.
And the thing about sharbon Ay this year is that
he has been very touchdown dependent. The good news is
one that the Seahawks run the run heaviest offense in
the NFL, even though they haven't been super efficient in that.
Speaker 6 (35:57):
But maybe the better news is that the.
Speaker 13 (35:58):
Tennessee Titans give up a lot of touchdowns fifteen rushing
touchdowns allowed that is the second most in the NFL. Plus,
if Sharpenay can get the occasional target here or there,
there's a chance for him to put up an even
better number this week.
Speaker 1 (36:11):
All Right, how about a defense that could be a
sleeper here in Week twelve, Marcus, let's go to Green Bay.
Speaker 13 (36:16):
Give you the Green Bay Packers going against the Minnesota
Vikings and a divisional matchup there, and a lot of
us has to do with the quarterback on the other side,
because JJ McCarthy against the Bears in the fourth quarter,
looks like Captain America pretty much the rest of the time.
He is pre serum Steve Rodgers. He has at least
one interception in every game He's thrown for fewer than
one hundred and sixty yards at four or five games.
Been sacked fifteen times in his five starts defenses this year,
(36:40):
averaging about ten fantasy points per game. When JJ McCarthy
starts for the Vikings.
Speaker 1 (36:45):
A'llbe at that Vikings Packers game on Sunday, probably thinking
about my fantasy lineup. So real quick, cam warder schor
Sanders five seconds.
Speaker 13 (36:52):
Cam Ward at least he's got a few starts under
his belt and maybe has a slightly better matchup.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
All right, good stuff, Marcus, Thank you very much. Ian.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
You gotta start chanor the Browns are doing it. Why
would you?
Speaker 6 (37:02):
No?
Speaker 1 (37:03):
Tom?
Speaker 4 (37:03):
Anyway, the Bills are starting Josh Allen that much, we
know they won't be starting those guys. Duncan Kid, Curtis,
Samuel Mi koh Harmon out for these showdowns. Actually a
really good game on Thursday night. Our good friend Brian Baldinger,
who is right there, who watched the Bills Bucks game
last week knows one thing, and man, it was a
(37:24):
performance by Josh Allen Baldy. As this Bills team goes,
as Josh Allen goes, it seems like this Bill's teams go,
what did you learn last week? As we look forward
to Thursday.
Speaker 6 (37:34):
Night, Well, I'll tie you into the graphic you just
put up here. Ian.
Speaker 7 (37:39):
I remember talking to Josh on the field before the game,
and there was gonna be no Keon Coleman. Guys were
out right, and He's like, I go, who can gonna
throw it to? He goes, we got dudes, So what
do you do? He found James Cook. You know, he
found Ty Johnson, he found Trell Shavers and then you know,
when he got tired of throwing touchdowns, he decided to
run for three and the last two touchdowns in the
fourth quarter the game on ice and he just willed
(38:02):
the team Ian like, and you know, with the wind
was gusting, it wasn't a great day to throw the ball,
but Baker was playing really well. And you look, I mean,
those guys love Josh Allen. In fact, that's the only
time he spiked it. Usually he gives it to Dion
Dawkins or Spencer Brown or the cyboard to spike. But
I think he enjoyed the finish so well last Sunday
(38:25):
that he decided to spike one into you know, Bilds
Mafia heaven right there. But no, I mean, you're right.
I mean it's saying the Bills are going to go.
They've got two games on the road to Houston and Pittsburgh,
but they're gonna go like he goes, and he literally
will throw it to the open guy whatever the name
of the back of the jersey is. Despite the loss
of kin Kaid, who's really good, he'll get Coleman back.
(38:46):
I think he's gonna be just fine. And actually the
offensive line matches up well one of the few teams
that does against the Texan front Tomorrow Night.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
Every year about this time, I read a story at
NFL dot com identifying some of the young rising coaches
that could be head coaching candidates in the upcoming hiring cycle.
Let's run through a few of these that are new
names on the list. This year started out with Colts
offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, forty one years old, first
first out of the scene a decade ago when he
(39:19):
took over as the Lions play caller and got Matthew
Stafford to Detroit back on track in short order. Shane
Stiken calls the place for the Colts, who have the
number one offense in the league. But Steiken loves Jimbob
because he lives in the details that leverage, the spacing
and the timing, all those little things that have helped
the Colts get where they're going. Lions defensive coordinator Calvin Sheppard,
(39:40):
in his first year as a coordinator, played eight years
at linebacker in the NFL. Has been on Dan Campbell's
staff now four or five years. He has a high
octane personality, was the obvious choice to replace Aaron Glenn
when Glenn took the Jets head coaching job. If somebody
is looking for the profile as somebody as the next
Dan Campbell, Kelvin Sheppard might make some sense. Now let's
(40:04):
go to Chicago where Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is
going to be a fascinating one. He's still only twenty
nine years old, but he's been ahead of the game
at every step of the process. Sean Payton hired him
as a young offensive assistant. He then brought him along
to Denver and then Ben Johnson handpicked Doyle to come
to Chicago. You see Caleb Williams playing better and better,
(40:24):
You know that Doyle's got that pedigree at minimum, would
not be a surprise to see somebody want to at
least pick Doyle's brain throughout the hiring process. Full inter
names NFL dot com slash Pelisaro. But first we got
more right here on the Insiders, including and look at
Baker Mayfield, Decklan. Doyle's a baby in coaching terms. Baker
(40:44):
is an actual baby coming along and you won't believe
what he has to say about. Stick around and see
Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance Congrants to Baker Mayfield and
his wife Emily, who announced their second child is on
(41:05):
the way this time it's a boy. Your thoughts, Baker
obviously fun.
Speaker 2 (41:11):
You know everybody's like, you're gonna let them play football,
do whatever you want.
Speaker 10 (41:15):
My parents didn't want me to play football.
Speaker 2 (41:17):
At a certain point, when your kid wants to do something,
you just encourage them to do whatever they want to do,
and obviously try and handle that the best way.
Speaker 10 (41:23):
But I'm gonna have a little set on my hands.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
That's karma for honesty there, Judy, your thoughts.
Speaker 5 (41:33):
First of all, I only had a girl, so I
have no experience with this. But I do wonder if
Baker's parents and his other relatives are laughing right now.
Speaker 4 (41:42):
I mean, I feel like he gets parenting right. It's
like your kid's gonna dominate you anyway. They're gonna tell
you what they want. They'm not gonna listen to you.
All you can do is really encourage and try to
do the best you can. I don't know a lot,
but I got two boys who are ten and twelve
and they're still here. So that's the thing.
Speaker 1 (41:59):
What's the worst thing you've ever hold him? Never that?
Definitely not that, not.
Speaker 4 (42:05):
To their face, pleas, not to their face out.
Speaker 1 (42:09):
We'll never go to on Friday Night. We'll see you there.
Everybody not like that.
It's going to be a legendary weekend in Las Vegas
where the Raiders could have had the quarterback now making
his starting debut for the Browns, Brian Boldinger joins us
tonight to break down whether there is home for Shador
Sanders to hit the ground running. If your fantasy team
is out of hope, or if you just got outbid
on Emmanuel Wilson and Sean Tucker like me, you do
(00:32):
not want to miss our buddy Marcus Grant, who will
be here tonight to give you some deep sleepers you
just might want in your lineup this week. The Jaguars
always want josh heinz Allen in the lineup, and the
sacks are coming again for the franchise's newly crowned king.
Heinz Allen joins us tonight to talk about what's working
in Jacksonville and why he thinks these Jaguars have the
(00:53):
pieces to make a deep playoff run. Welcome inside with
the Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance. Alongside you and Rappaport
and Judy Batista. I am Tom Peliicero. We are already
on the eve of Week twelve twelve. Rather in the
NFL season. Tons of news to get into, but I
think you know that we're starting out in Cleveland. That
(01:15):
is where Brown's coach Kevin Stefanski made an official today.
Shador Sanders will get the start on Sunday against the Raiders,
with fellow rookie Dylan Gabriel in concussion protocol. It has
been a journey for Sanders to slid to the fifth
round in April's draft open the season is the Browns
number three QB, and now safe to say he is
(01:36):
fired up to get his shot.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I know a lot of y'all gonna be there. I
know you can't miss it. You cannot miss his moment.
It'll be definitely exciting. We're going out there with a purpose,
going out there. So are you ready? No distractions, know anything,
and you know I'll be excited.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
All right.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
We know the numbers last week in relief for sixteen
passing forty seven yards like any backup quarterback. He stepped
in with no first team reps, no game plan tailored
to him. Ian now that this is actually going to
be a schedore week, what are we expecting from him
in the Browns?
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Well, first of all, some of it we saw, right
you talk about like the swag and the confidence. It's
going to be legendary. Judging from the words of shador Standers,
he at least appreciates the moment and what is going
to happen on Sunday. Everyone is going to be watching me.
This has got to be the most talked about non
first round quarterback. I don't know, maybe in the history
(02:34):
of the world. We've been talking about shador Standers since
the draft, since preseason, the entire regular season. Anytime the
Browns quarterback struggle, we talk about when is he going
to play? That time is now, Judy, and to be
able to watch him play on Sunday is going to
be fascinating. Watching him play last Sunday was difficult, and
the reality is the Browns did not want him on
(02:55):
the field in that situation. Tom, you mentioned he got
barely any reps. No backup quarterback gets barely any reps.
He had a game plan that was not tailed for him.
Of course, tail Dylan Gabriel was the starter. That was
where who the game plan was tailored for. He is
going to get all of it on Sunday. It's going
to be his game plan. He's going to get all
the reps. We're still not going to see a finished product.
(03:17):
He still has a long way to go as far
as being an established NFL veteran. We are least going
to see the reason why the Browns drafted him and
to see him have success. To be totally honest, would
be kind of fun.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
It really would.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
It would be. And the reality is this maybe should
Dore's best chance. It may be his only chance to
really showcase what he can do for the Browns and
maybe to put the idea in their head that he
could be an answer for the future, because if they
stick by what Kevin Stefanski said earlier in the week,
Dylan Gabriel will go back to being the starting quarterback
(03:51):
when he clears the concussion protocol. Again, this is Shador's
opportunity to have the first team reps and to have
a game plan tailored to his specific skill set.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
That's all well.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
And good, but it's obviously a very it could be
a very narrow opportunity for him to show anything. The
question is, can he show enough to maybe shift the
timeline to hold off Dylan Gabriel for another week to
earn another start and bigger picture, can either Shadore or
Dylan Gabriel show enough in these last two months of
the regular season to convince the Browns that they could
(04:25):
be the answer for the future. Don't forget the Browns
have two first round draft picks next spring. They will
be able to get in position if they like any
of the quarterbacks. We'll see if they do, but if
they like any of the quarterbacks, they certainly will be
able to get in position to take one very high
in the draft. The question is Dylan Gabriel or Shador
Sandras factor into that decision at all.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Sanders, of course, not the first rookie quarterback this year
to get a start. Cam Ward was the starter right
out of the gate. We saw Jackson Dark get his opportunity.
Dylan Gabriel, of course, Tyler Schuck played pretty well over
these past couple of games. So what exactly is Shador
Sanders first start going to hold for him? For more
(05:09):
on that, we bring in our Brian Baldinger, who breaks
down tape like nobody else. Baldy, I know that you
watched the relatively limited amount of snaps last week that
Shador Sanders got in that game. What did you take
away from the tape you saw and what do you
hope you see this week?
Speaker 6 (05:27):
I actually was encouraged. Forget about the statistics.
Speaker 7 (05:29):
I mean, they blitzed them, and you know, he threw
an interception when he just got belted right in the sternum.
The ball popped out of his hand. But I was
encouraged by decision making ability to beat the blitz, to
find it opening, to find Harold Fannin in the middle
of the field right there for twenty five yards. I
thought he saw the field well. He took some shots
(05:50):
into the end zone to try to tie the game
in the final minute of the game. This throw right
here in third and ten and Jerry Judy was the
right throw.
Speaker 6 (05:59):
It was the right read. I thought his feet were calm.
Speaker 7 (06:02):
In the pocket, much like we saw at Colorado and
at Jackson State, or you know, before he came to Colorado.
I just thought there was a lot to be encouraged by.
And the fact is, Tom, we don't know how any
of these guys are going to play until they get
an opportunity to play. We can't predict it. We can't
base it off what they did in college. We make
mistakes all the time doing that. He needs a week
(06:25):
of practice preparation, game planning, and what he said at
the end of the game postgame was important. He said,
the details of the position with my receivers. It's important
to work on those things. And if you're not working
those things, it's never going to be crystal the way
it needs to be. It's not going to be the
precision of a diamond cutter. And I saw a couple
(06:46):
of plays in the game where I thought, if the
time he was a little bit better, maybe that's a
completion instead of an incompletion.
Speaker 6 (06:51):
So I'm encouraged. I want to see what he looks like.
We all do.
Speaker 7 (06:55):
But I have a feeling that he's going to play
pretty well and it's not going to be too big
for him playing a le agent stadium against the Raiding.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
The reality is, when in an NFL practice week, there's
maybe seventy to eighty live reps tops that you get here,
you're not gonna be able to microwave all that chemistry
in a matter of a few days. But this is
also the life of the backup quarterback. At least he
will get those reps through the course of this week.
His opportunity becomes because Dylan Gabriel is out. Michael Pennix
Junior also went down with an injury last week, and
(07:25):
we now know we will not see Penix again during
the twenty twenty five season. As the Falcons announced earlier today,
Pennis have to undergo surgery for a partially torn ACL.
Kirk Cousins now takes over for a Falcons team on
the brink, losers of five consecutive games entering Sunday's game
at New Orleans, and for Michael Pennis Junior ian this
is a long road to recovery.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
Yeah, it really is. He does have a partially torn ACL,
but that doesn't mean there's any sort of partial surgery.
When you have a partially torn ACL, unlike some of
the other ligaments, doesn't heal by itself. You need the
full reconstruction, which means from Michael Pennick Junior it is
at least nine months of recovery, which puts him in
the middle of August. It also means that the Atlanta
Falcons are going to have to have some sort of
(08:08):
backup plan for him for the season for twenty twenty
six in case he is not ready to go. But
the bigger picture here is for the Atlanta Falcuts a
little more troubling, just to be honest. I mean, they
went through a lot of stuff to get in this
position to have Michael Pennix and Kirk Cousins on the roster.
First of all, they signed Cousins and paid him one
hundred million dollars and they drafted Pennix the same year,
(08:30):
and everyone lost their minds, right, and I unlike a
lot of people supported this decision because you have to
have an answer at quarterback, and you really have to
have a succession plan at quarterback. All of that is
predicated on Michael Pennick's being good and being healthy. Certainly
he has his moments, but injury history was a big
(08:51):
thing Judy in college continues to be a big thing
in the NFL. His story is not yet ridden, not
by a long shot. But this was a trading step
back of a year for the Atlanta Falcons. Now Kirk
Cousins the starter going forward.
Speaker 5 (09:06):
Well, right, The Falcons wanted to have a succession plan
because they didn't have one after Matt Ryan, and they
fell flat after Matt Ryan. Except they can't possibly know
if they have a succession plan with Michael Pennix at
this point, he's only made twelve start. He's only won
four games in the two years he's been there. And
now he's going to be twenty six years old by
(09:28):
the time next season starts, and he will have had
three ACL surgeries. He had a really long injury history
in college coming out. He also had shoulder issues in college.
It's obviously continued in the pros. He just hasn't been
able to be on the fields. He hasn't been that productive.
When he's been on the field. There have been flashes,
(09:48):
certainly not the consistency, and there's just no way that
the Atlanta Falcons have seen enough to know if he
is the succession plan. It's just a really difficult spot
to the Falcons, and O is seeing a shame for
Michael Pennix as well.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Kirk Cousins meanwhile has ten million dollars that is fully
guaranteed in twenty twenty six, but that's part of a
much larger salary. So an opportunity here for guy who
once again we're going to be talking about will he
end up being released, could he potentially be traded if
he waves no trade clause. This is an audition of sorts.
When you don't often get for a guy at this
stage in his career. We had a ton of quarterback
(10:24):
news today, including in Baltimore where it's Wednesday, so that
means Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was not practicing this time around.
It is an ankle injury that the team says kept
him out of practice that is now in addition to
the knee and hamstring issues that Lamar has dealt with
in recent weeks. John Harper said it just wasn't in
Lamar's best interest to practice today. We'll see how the
(10:45):
rest of the week goes with the Jets on tap
on Sunday. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, meanwhile, Listen is a
full participant in practice for the first time since he
underwent surgery for severe turf toe injury back in September.
That means Burrow, by rule, got all the first team
reps in practice today on a day where Joe Flacco,
(11:06):
as he has been for weeks, was resting his sore
throwing shoulder. Asked i Burrow has a chance to play
Sunday against the Patriots, coach Zach Taylor said he wouldn't
deal in hypotheticals that door may be cracked open. Just
a bit. Ian Tho Wes of now Burrow remains on IR.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
And how he responds tomorrow Thursday is going to be
huge for Joe Burrow. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have Dak
Prescott on their injury report. He is listed as limited
with a hip injury. Bron Schanheimer, the head coach, saying
that he believes that Dak Prescott will be fine. Got
hit a lot in the big time winninggainst the Raiders.
It seems like they're kind of just taking it easy
(11:42):
on their franchise quarterback Judy.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
That's coach Aaron Glenn finally confirmed today he is making
the switch at quarterback. It will be Tyrod Taylor against
the Ravens on Sunday. By the way, that's the team
that drafted him all the way back in twenty eleven.
Glenn said this was not an easy thing, but he
felt it was the best thing for the team. This
was under consideration a few weeks ago as well, but
remember Taylor's Balkyn got in the way. When asked if
(12:06):
it was Tyrod Taylor's job for the rest of the way,
Glenn said, they are just focused on this week, so
there is a door open maybe possibly that this is
not permanent. Taylor did play okay when he started against Tampa.
They lost that game, but we will see how he does.
A very disappointing season for Justin Fields.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Hey, let's just do this every week.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Why not.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Meanwhile, still in New York slash New Jersey, Jackson Dharr
gave some positive news to the Giants and Giants Fancy
was back at practice today on a limited basis, still
in the NFL's concussion protocol, but has progress enough after
missing last week to be a limited participant. That is
good news. Listen to interim coach Mike Kafka discuss it.
Speaker 8 (12:50):
I don't want to speak for Jackson, but he's a
pretty smart player. He was dialed into our game plans
last week. I mean he's been preparing like this, you know,
even early in the season when he wasn't the starter,
So I wouldn't expect anything different. We just had a
great walk through with him in the in the offense.
So you know, I'm excited for this practice and again
continue that why we practice is so we continue to
get better. So the mistakes, if they happened, that's great.
(13:12):
We can get them cleaned up. We'll get it fixed.
We can you know, take some positive out of that
and continue to build.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
As expected. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not practice today,
but it continues the push to play on Sunday against
the Bears despite that fractured left wrist that knocked him
out of last week's game. So what exactly, Aaron, would
it take for you to be on the field.
Speaker 9 (13:36):
Got to get the okay and got to feel like
I can protect myself because there.
Speaker 10 (13:42):
Added incentive for you for the opponent this week.
Speaker 9 (13:46):
There's an incentive for every opponent. But I have enjoyed
many a Sunday and Monday and many Thursdays in that city.
It's a great sports down, phenomenal sports fan, a great
place to play.
Speaker 5 (14:04):
I mean, Aaron Rodgers may need something different, but Chicago
really is a phenomenal city. And look at this phenomenal
interception leader Kevin Byerd. They are doing great things on
the Chicago Bears defense with turnovers, forcing turnovers. Dennis Allen
has it working there. Let's bring in our Stacy Dales
and our Brian Baldinger returns to talk about the Bears.
(14:29):
They are preparing for both quarterbacks. We just saw Aaron
Rodgers and Mason Rudolph of course, and Stacy would they
prefer to see Aaron Rogers?
Speaker 11 (14:41):
Well, Judy, as a competitor, I think you always want
to see the beast, so of course they would love
to see Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
But this is a guy, as you.
Speaker 11 (14:48):
Just heard him, he loves the city of Chicago extremely well.
While he's eleven and three in the regular season all
time as a starter here in Chicago at Soldier Field,
twelve and three in the playoffs, he's thrown sixty four
touchdowns passing touchdowns against the Chicago Bears, and he has
twenty four.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Victories against the Bears.
Speaker 11 (15:06):
So while he would love to play here this weekend
in Chicago, I think the Bears would love to face him.
And that really started with Ben Johnson and hearing from
him today. I was out at Hallas Hall and he said, listen,
this is a guy he got a lot of respect for,
has done it at a high level for an incredible
amount of time. But if he's ready to go this week,
(15:27):
we would love nothing more to compete against him. I
spoke with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and I asked him,
you know, what have you seen? He's faced Rogers before
in his veteran career, and I said, what would you
expect from him? What have you seen on tape? And
he told me he still got it. He's finding a
way to make plays. But more than anything, and we've
seen this manifest this year. He sees things before they happen,
(15:50):
so he knows where to go with the ball. He
knows how fast to get there and how quickly to
get there. And he also told me he's still making
plays with his legs and throwing on a dime and
he said, quote, it's hard to find a weakness in
his game. Now that being said, if Rogers can't go,
Mason Rudolph, the backup is eight four and one in
his career, Judy and Baldy, and I'm sure the Steelers
(16:10):
are getting him ready to a high degree.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
But I always think Aaron Rodgers is going.
Speaker 11 (16:16):
To play because he's played through a lot of injuries
in his career.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
And he especially would want to play against the Bears.
All Right, Baldy, I think we've all enjoyed watching Caleb's
progression this season. You have a Baldi's breakdown. What are
you seeing from the Bears offense right now?
Speaker 7 (16:32):
I see just that, I see a progression of Caleb,
and it's really Ben Johnson and just how emphatic he
is about certain things, like the running game has to go,
and they make it work with two different backs and
DeAndre Swift right here. They love this split zone two
tight ends, Colston Lovelin, Cole Comet, big two tight end
sets right there with Caleb under center and the running
(16:55):
back eight yard seef because they love play actions. I mean,
that's how they push the ball down the field. Heavy,
heavy play action team. Caleb has gotten better at it.
Remember in college he was mostly in the shotgun. He's
gotten very good at turning his back to the defense.
They're always tweaking every week. Here Dj Moore in the
backfield against the Bengals on a wheel route and Caleb
(17:16):
hits him against the safety right there.
Speaker 6 (17:18):
Big play down the field.
Speaker 7 (17:20):
They will run it on third down, third and three
thirty four, putting your tight ends out there in the field.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
They trust the offensive line right here.
Speaker 7 (17:28):
Kyle mannung guy who's been a real pleasant surprise coming
out of Rutgers and late round picking all that stuff.
Speaker 6 (17:35):
He's been very good.
Speaker 7 (17:36):
And then Caleb is a guy that is just extremely athletic,
and he can get out of all kinds of jams.
He keeps his eyes down the field, he can throw
from any platform. He hits loveld here on a comeback
for seven yards. And then you have to account for
Caleb as a runner, whether it's design runs or scrambles.
(17:56):
He's excellent, always has been. He's got great feet, he's
very fast, he's strong, He's run. Of his fifty two
runs this year, nineteen have gone for first downs or touchdowns.
So he moves the change when he runs. But this
offense is built around the running game and around Caleb
under center, and that's where it starts. And so Stacey,
(18:18):
I've been really impressed by the development of Caleb under
Ben Johnson.
Speaker 11 (18:25):
Yeah, and I'm so glad you went this direction, because, Baldy,
You're exactly right. The commitment to the run game has
been a game changer for the Chicago Bears. I mean,
they are the second ranked rushing offense right now in
the NFL, averaging about one forty seven per game. What's
really fascinating. You showed those clips of the Vikings game, Baldy.
They possessed the football for roughly thirty seven minutes to
(18:46):
Minnesota's twenty three minutes that is part in part and
parcel because of the run game. And I spoke with
DeAndre Swift today as you watch him here on the
screen as the lead bellcal and he told me it's
really the way Ben is calling it. He said this
past weekend against Minnesota was a perfect example against a
Brian Flores defense that just shows so many different looks,
(19:09):
but Ben stayed committed to the run and what it did.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
It spoke volumes to the personnel.
Speaker 11 (19:15):
DeAndre told me, it gives them confidence and it speaks
to the players getting the job done. So that run
game Baldy and Judy has given the Chicago Bears loads
of confidence to be able to get into that play
action stuff Baldy and really make the quarterback comfortable and efficient.
Even if the numbers aren't huge and his completion percentage
last weekend wasn't great, they were really efficient, especially have
(19:38):
been in the fourth quarter of football games.
Speaker 5 (19:42):
Steelers Bears. That is an old school NFL game, both
teams making pushes for the postseason. Stacy Baldy, thank you
very much. When we return on the Insiders, we're going
to talk about another huge matchup with massive playoff implications.
Chiefs Colts, can the Chiefs even get into playoff position.
Didn't think we'd be there. But first, Josh Heinz Allen
(20:05):
is going to join the Insiders. He is the Jaguars
all time franchise sack leader and he will be with
us on the Insiders. Coming up next.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Shot Gun dropping is justin Herber. Four man runs, scrambles away,
he gets.
Speaker 6 (20:26):
Hit, He's gonna get sacked. Josh heis Allen, got it.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
Josh is set the franchise career record for sack.
Speaker 6 (20:32):
Congratulations to Josh heim.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Talent Josh Heinz Allen on the very very short list
of active NFL players where they're all time sack leaders
in franchise history. A big accomplishment for a guy who,
by the way, still only twenty eight years old and
on a Jaguars team that is young and has a
(20:56):
lot going forward as we enter the stretch run. He's
also with us right now here on the Insiders with me,
Tom Peliicero as well as Ian Rapperbort Josh Big win
last week over the Chargers. You're in the playoff chase house.
Life down there right now in Jacksonville.
Speaker 10 (21:11):
Life simple, back to the basics.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
It's like we, you know what, we want to call
it back to normal day on Wednesday morning, having a good,
clean practice, getting ready to whoop some tail tomorrow and
Thursday practice.
Speaker 10 (21:25):
To lead up to Sunday.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
Man, So we're happy, we're excited about this weekend, trying
to get to another playoff game.
Speaker 4 (21:34):
You know, there's it's been obviously some ups and downs
the season. Every team sort of goes through them, and
there are some games though that stand out the way
you guys want on Sunday, Charges are a good team,
one of the best teams in the NFL based on
the record. You guys not only beat them, but you
beat them by a lot. What does something like that
(21:54):
do for you guys? Kind of heading down into the
stretch run now.
Speaker 3 (21:58):
Mean should give his confidence as a team, you know,
when we look at each side of the ball defensively,
he should give us confidence from the players and coaching
staff offensively. It's the same thing we kind of found
our recipe. It kind of works, you know well for
us in this situation. And then we can buy into
whatever is being called and if coaches can buy them
for the players that we got, man, we'll make good
(22:20):
things happen, and then again offensively as well. I think
special teams has gone better each and every week, and
we got to keep playing good football, man, good sound football,
good complimentary football.
Speaker 10 (22:30):
If we could do that, man, we can beat any
team in the best football league.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
You mentioned your coaches, your defensive coordinator, Anthony campanili Is.
Let's just call it a very big personality. He's got
a very distinct voice in the way that he operates
in the meeting rooms. Just tell me about what it's
like playing for him and how he's helped you guys
kind of get through a little bit of a rough
patch er in recent weeks.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
I mean, we love, we love coach camp and he's
he's been nothing but one hundred percent himself every single day.
I know there's a d when we first hired him
about him speaking in front of the meet and room
to the players. That's him every single day. And when
we don't get that, we know something's wrong. So whenever
you can come in, be doing yourself every single day,
(23:15):
demand excellence from every one of us, and then behind
the demanding excellence, telling us that he loves us right
after that, compliments him really well and we got a
team for the guys that actually believe that and actually
want to go out there and play for him.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
You are one of the NFL's foremost sack masters. You
have had over the last three games two and a
half sacks. Before that, just half a sack. How does
this work when you are sacking the quarterback? I mean,
we know it comes in bunches, but do you feel
it coming? Are you?
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Like?
Speaker 4 (23:46):
All right, I'm about to go off here and I'm
about to go on a little sack run, Like, how
does that work from your perspective?
Speaker 3 (23:52):
I mean from my vantage point and the way I
approach the game, and I want to affect the game
each and every way. If that's bad, it passes, pressures,
hits hers, sacks. Obviously, as a patch rusher, I want
to get the sacks. But if I can get the
quarterback off the market, if I can affect them anyway
that I can, because I haven't had a lot of
pressures that led into interceptions or bad passes thirty three
(24:12):
and outs, you know what I'm saying. So affecting the
game each and every way that I can is my
is what I can bring value to my team, and
that's what my team expects.
Speaker 10 (24:20):
Me to do.
Speaker 3 (24:21):
So whenever there's an opportunity for me to make it
play any capacity, I'm willing to do that. And you know,
when it's time for me to get the sacks, when
I have opportunities, let's do it. But if not from
affecting the patcher, you know, the hell they throw the
ball quick as we get a lot of boot and
get a lot of all this, So you know, when
you're really looking at it, it is what it is.
And I kind of understand that. And so when it's
(24:43):
time for me to go hunt, it's time for me
to go hunt. And last week, what's the time that
you know, it's a great opportunity for us as a
defense and for myself to get into a lot of
one on ones and and win a lot of those.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
So, yeah, the flipping it over to the other side
of the ball. Trevor Law aren't the guy that you've
been with for a number of years now. We've seen
a little bit of an up and down for him
as well. Last week was obviously a really good game.
Just what do you see, if anything, when you're watching
them in practice, when you're interacting with the locker room
where if anywhere do you see the growth right now
with Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 10 (25:16):
I mean it's not just Trevor.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
I think it's all of us as a team and
guys that have been in this organization for a very
long time.
Speaker 10 (25:22):
Man, We've lost a lot of.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Games, and you know that affects you and it affects everybody.
But when you have when you're building the culture with
new people, that people that actually buy into, you know,
changing this for the better.
Speaker 10 (25:35):
You know, you have to be bought in a different way.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
You have to get rid of the old things that
we used to think of, the old things that we
used to say. And right now we have a team
that can win every game for the rest of the season.
And so the mentality, the mindset of the guys that
mayor has to change. And you can just see the
daily day basis of Trevor like leading, leading the right way.
Speaker 10 (25:58):
You know what I'm saying this is every game matters.
Like you said, we're in a playoff.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Implications and attention to details that each leader has to
come in. You can see Trevor each day in practice
take those next steps, command to huddle, you know, run
the ball, like running the ball, dropping you know when
it's time, something's not open, taking off running, you know
what I'm saying, getting better, filling the scheme a little
bit better. So I'm seeing a lot more poise from him.
(26:24):
And at the end of the day, man, we got
his back defensively, and so you go out there play free.
You know we're gonna we're gonna have to get back
regardless of whatever happens. And UH, and we know he
got ours.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
So football is important, and I'm sure we could ask
you football questions all day, but I think it's fair
to say there's something else that is more important, your
son Wesley. Uh. You've gotten public with him battling leukemia
now is in full remission.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
UH.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
The video and tale of him ringing the bell is
for sure a h I mean, look at this, that's
I mean, that's just it's hard not to get cheered
up just watching it, just to be totally honest. And
you also have your four to one for All foundation
to raise money for UH to fight cancer as well.
(27:15):
This has put you in a spotlight away from UH
the football field. I guess first of all, how is
Wesley doing. And this whole experience of sharing your story
with so many people in his story.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
What has that been like for you?
Speaker 3 (27:30):
It's been It's been surreal really, but it's also very humbling.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (27:35):
Nevertheless, you know, having my.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
Son kind of go through this just puts everything else
in a different perspective. It puts coming into work every
single day and a different perspective.
Speaker 10 (27:46):
You know. At first, I always thought like, if Wesley.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
Can do it, then if Wes he can go through
pain and battle from it, then I can step it
on the field and battle from it. But it's really
more than that. It's you know, my son just went
through something and his tail off fall every single day
for himself and for our family. And then you got
myself who had to look at it more broadly and
(28:09):
realize that, like, that's the only thing that ever matters,
you know, me as a football player, it's just me
as me doing my job. So making things personal, making
things over complicated kind of got that out the way,
and that was just I come in this building, I
love football. I come in this building because I love football,
and that's it. When I leave this building, I'm a
(28:30):
father and that's who I am. And he's kind of
put he's kind of helped mold my perspective a little
bit better. So it makes playing football. It makes me
not breaking that record, and since week two a lot
better because I come in here in My job is
to affect the quarterback.
Speaker 10 (28:49):
That's my title. That's why they pay me.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Of course we want the sacks, but if I can
affect the quarterback anyway, and if I could stop the run,
that's what I do best. And so if I can
do that each and every week, I bring value to
my team. And that's what my team needs me, and
that's what I'm gonna do. And so kind of Wesley
kind of helped me realize that who I am as
a person outside of work, and that means more to
(29:11):
me than the things and people say about me on
the football field.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
He affects the quarterback. His son affects a lot of
other people. Josh Heinzellen always one of our favorite guests. Man,
best of luck, the rest of what you said. You
can win them all. You still got the Colts twice.
Make this run, man, We appreciate it.
Speaker 10 (29:30):
Can't wait. Thank you guys.
Speaker 5 (29:34):
It's time now for good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance.
The Broncos have put the clamps on opposing offenses. This year,
Denver ranks in the top five in six different defensive categories.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
Vanch Joseph doing some work there.
Speaker 5 (29:47):
They are tied for first and TD passes allowed, second
in yards per attempt allowed, third and opponent completion percent
in third in passes defense, fourth and opponent passer rating,
and fifth in passing yards per game. And when you
hear how that defense is performing, it probably doesn't surprise
you that Next Gen Stats puts the current chances to
(30:08):
win the AFC West for the Broncos at seventy four percent,
Chargers at eighteen percent. And look at the Chiefs, who've
won the division like a million years in a row.
They're only at ten percent to win the AFC West. Now,
let's bring in two people who are going to be
at the Chiefs Colts game. I'm kind of jealous, guys,
I gotta tell you, Baldy and Bryan and Bridget Condon. Bridget,
(30:32):
I want to start with you because this is not
a question we've ever had to ask about the Chiefs.
There has to be a sense of urgency for them
to win right now, Judy.
Speaker 12 (30:41):
Yeah, Patrick Mahomes said it today. It's a season defining
game on Sunday. Look, this Colts team is five and five.
They've lost back to back games. Judy Baldy Patrick Mahomes
has never lost three straight games in his season in
the NFL. The last time he did it he was
a quarterback at Tech Texas Tech. This is such uncharted territory.
Of course, they were asked about it today. Andy Reid said,
(31:03):
we're not overreacting, but we do have to have a
certain sense of urgency. You have to make sure you
clean up the things this week in practice. He said,
overreacting it's not gonna help. What helps is you take
care of business individually and then collectively as a team.
The team believes that their issues are self inflicted, and Baldy,
it's true. They're averaging about a penalty and a half
(31:23):
more this season each game than they did a year ago.
And then also they're zero to five in one score games.
Last year this time they were twelve and zero in
the season in those one score games. So they all
know it's just this thin in the NFL between winning
and losing.
Speaker 6 (31:39):
It's a little bit more than that.
Speaker 7 (31:41):
And one thing that can overcome a lot of that
bridget is they have been missing on their deep shots.
Last week, Denver hit on their deep shots and end
up winning the game. As a result, Kansas City hit
one the taekwon Thornton for sixty one yards. Three plays
later they scored on a two yard Kareem Hunt run.
They need to hit on these shots and they were
(32:01):
opened last week and Patrick has missed some. And I
think you knowing Andy Reid and knowing the speed that
he has in Thornton and Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown,
they're going to take their shots in this game against
Whether Sauce Gardner's out there doesn't matter. They're going to
take their shots. They believe they can get down the
field and big chunks, and if they hit those, they're
(32:21):
going to start winning some of these games.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
Of course, there's also urgency for the Indianapolis Fults here
there in the mix to be the number one overall
seed in the AFC and certainly to hold on to
the lead in their division, largely thanks to Jonathan Taylor.
Speaker 12 (32:37):
Yeah, how fun is this, guys? That we're talking about
new teams atop the AFC and the Colts, and Jonathan
Taylor is having an MVP season. He leads the NFL
in rushing yards rushing touchdowns, and how do you stop
him if you're the Chiefs, Well, you're going to have
to take him out of the game. I was just
talking to someone who's very familiar with Daniel Jones saying
that Jones was kind of asked about the success that
(32:57):
they're having in Jonathan Taylor, and one, he feels really
comfortable with Jonathan Taylor out there, and when the Colts
can run the ball, but also when you look at
their roster, they have good players in key positions and
then they have a superstar in Jonathan Taylor. And when
you have just one focused superstar, it kind of gives
everybody an understanding that this is the guy. This is
the guy that's going to demand the ball, this is
(33:18):
the guy that's going to help us win games. And
Jonathan Taylor is primed to have an MVP season because
of the offense, the way that they get him the ball. Guys,
he has had five games this season over one hundred yards.
The Chiefs have only given up one game of to
a rusher with a one hundred yards, So it's going
to be a battle on the run game. But we
know Chris Jones, George carloftis are going to definitely give
(33:40):
him some problems, or try to at least Baldy and Judy.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
Time out to Marcus my words, or better yet, Marcus
the words of Marcus Grant, who is here every single
Wednesday with his fantasy sleepers. It is week twelve already, Marcus,
We're coming up almost on fantasy playoff time right now.
Give me your first big sleeper for this week.
Speaker 13 (34:03):
Well, we're gonna go with Jerry Judy in Cleveland. That
I know Shador Sanders is getting the start. It wouldn't
have mattered if it was Sanders or Dylan Gabriel. Judy
has been the preferred number one target for both of
those guys nineteen combined targets over the past two weeks
for Judy, and this week a fantastic matchup going against
the Las Vegas Raiders, who have been really soft spot
(34:23):
for wide receivers to land all season long. They are
statistically the second best matchup for wideouts. We saw them
get shredded on Monday Night by George Pickens and Cdee Lamb.
Speaker 1 (34:33):
I currently have a dilemma in a very poorly managed
fantasy team where my options at quarterback are Shador Sanders
or cam Ward. We'll set that part aside. Is there
anybody on the one to nine Titans you think could
be a sleeper this week?
Speaker 13 (34:45):
Well, we're gonna go with chig Aconquo and it's not
really a great situation. That offense has struggled all year long,
but he does lead the Titans in receptions and receiving yards.
Speaker 6 (34:54):
He's got a good matchup.
Speaker 13 (34:55):
Against the Seahawks. Seattle's defense has been pretty good, but
they have been the third best matchup for Ty. That's
been a blind spot for them this season. Plus the
Titans one of the past heaviest offenses in the NFL.
I expect them to be in catchup mode, which means
they're throwing the ball a lot in the second half
of that one. If you want another tight end option,
this one maybe a little more palatable, and that's Hunter
Henry with a New England Patriots. Five games with at
(35:17):
least five targets this season, three top twelve weekly tight
end finishes. But maybe the more important part of this
whole thing is he gets the Cincinnati Bengals. They've been
the best possible matchup for tight ends all season long.
Drake May has been playing extremely well distributing the football.
So I think Hunter Henry has a really good opportunity
to put up a decent number in fantasy this week.
Speaker 1 (35:37):
Seahawks running backs have been a little bit unreliable this season.
Anybody alike there this week?
Speaker 13 (35:42):
Markets, Well, we're gonna go with Zach Sharbone in this one.
And the thing about sharbon Ay this year is that
he has been very touchdown dependent. The good news is
one that the Seahawks run the run heaviest offense in
the NFL, even though they haven't been super efficient in that.
Speaker 6 (35:57):
But maybe the better news is that the.
Speaker 13 (35:58):
Tennessee Titans give up a lot of touchdowns fifteen rushing
touchdowns allowed that is the second most in the NFL. Plus,
if Sharpenay can get the occasional target here or there,
there's a chance for him to put up an even
better number this week.
Speaker 1 (36:11):
All Right, how about a defense that could be a
sleeper here in Week twelve, Marcus, let's go to Green Bay.
Speaker 13 (36:16):
Give you the Green Bay Packers going against the Minnesota
Vikings and a divisional matchup there, and a lot of
us has to do with the quarterback on the other side,
because JJ McCarthy against the Bears in the fourth quarter,
looks like Captain America pretty much the rest of the time.
He is pre serum Steve Rodgers. He has at least
one interception in every game He's thrown for fewer than
one hundred and sixty yards at four or five games.
Been sacked fifteen times in his five starts defenses this year,
(36:40):
averaging about ten fantasy points per game. When JJ McCarthy
starts for the Vikings.
Speaker 1 (36:45):
A'llbe at that Vikings Packers game on Sunday, probably thinking
about my fantasy lineup. So real quick, cam warder schor
Sanders five seconds.
Speaker 13 (36:52):
Cam Ward at least he's got a few starts under
his belt and maybe has a slightly better matchup.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
All right, good stuff, Marcus, Thank you very much. Ian.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
You gotta start chanor the Browns are doing it. Why
would you?
Speaker 6 (37:02):
No?
Speaker 1 (37:03):
Tom?
Speaker 4 (37:03):
Anyway, the Bills are starting Josh Allen that much, we
know they won't be starting those guys. Duncan Kid, Curtis,
Samuel Mi koh Harmon out for these showdowns. Actually a
really good game on Thursday night. Our good friend Brian Baldinger,
who is right there, who watched the Bills Bucks game
last week knows one thing, and man, it was a
(37:24):
performance by Josh Allen Baldy. As this Bills team goes,
as Josh Allen goes, it seems like this Bill's teams go,
what did you learn last week? As we look forward
to Thursday.
Speaker 6 (37:34):
Night, Well, I'll tie you into the graphic you just
put up here. Ian.
Speaker 7 (37:39):
I remember talking to Josh on the field before the game,
and there was gonna be no Keon Coleman. Guys were
out right, and He's like, I go, who can gonna
throw it to? He goes, we got dudes, So what
do you do? He found James Cook. You know, he
found Ty Johnson, he found Trell Shavers and then you know,
when he got tired of throwing touchdowns, he decided to
run for three and the last two touchdowns in the
fourth quarter the game on ice and he just willed
(38:02):
the team Ian like, and you know, with the wind
was gusting, it wasn't a great day to throw the ball,
but Baker was playing really well. And you look, I mean,
those guys love Josh Allen. In fact, that's the only
time he spiked it. Usually he gives it to Dion
Dawkins or Spencer Brown or the cyboard to spike. But
I think he enjoyed the finish so well last Sunday
(38:25):
that he decided to spike one into you know, Bilds
Mafia heaven right there. But no, I mean, you're right.
I mean it's saying the Bills are going to go.
They've got two games on the road to Houston and Pittsburgh,
but they're gonna go like he goes, and he literally
will throw it to the open guy whatever the name
of the back of the jersey is. Despite the loss
of kin Kaid, who's really good, he'll get Coleman back.
(38:46):
I think he's gonna be just fine. And actually the
offensive line matches up well one of the few teams
that does against the Texan front Tomorrow Night.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
Every year about this time, I read a story at
NFL dot com identifying some of the young rising coaches
that could be head coaching candidates in the upcoming hiring cycle.
Let's run through a few of these that are new
names on the list. This year started out with Colts
offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, forty one years old, first
first out of the scene a decade ago when he
(39:19):
took over as the Lions play caller and got Matthew
Stafford to Detroit back on track in short order. Shane
Stiken calls the place for the Colts, who have the
number one offense in the league. But Steiken loves Jimbob
because he lives in the details that leverage, the spacing
and the timing, all those little things that have helped
the Colts get where they're going. Lions defensive coordinator Calvin Sheppard,
(39:40):
in his first year as a coordinator, played eight years
at linebacker in the NFL. Has been on Dan Campbell's
staff now four or five years. He has a high
octane personality, was the obvious choice to replace Aaron Glenn
when Glenn took the Jets head coaching job. If somebody
is looking for the profile as somebody as the next
Dan Campbell, Kelvin Sheppard might make some sense. Now let's
(40:04):
go to Chicago where Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is
going to be a fascinating one. He's still only twenty
nine years old, but he's been ahead of the game
at every step of the process. Sean Payton hired him
as a young offensive assistant. He then brought him along
to Denver and then Ben Johnson handpicked Doyle to come
to Chicago. You see Caleb Williams playing better and better,
(40:24):
You know that Doyle's got that pedigree at minimum, would
not be a surprise to see somebody want to at
least pick Doyle's brain throughout the hiring process. Full inter
names NFL dot com slash Pelisaro. But first we got
more right here on the Insiders, including and look at
Baker Mayfield, Decklan. Doyle's a baby in coaching terms. Baker
(40:44):
is an actual baby coming along and you won't believe
what he has to say about. Stick around and see
Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance Congrants to Baker Mayfield and
his wife Emily, who announced their second child is on
(41:05):
the way this time it's a boy. Your thoughts, Baker
obviously fun.
Speaker 2 (41:11):
You know everybody's like, you're gonna let them play football,
do whatever you want.
Speaker 10 (41:15):
My parents didn't want me to play football.
Speaker 2 (41:17):
At a certain point, when your kid wants to do something,
you just encourage them to do whatever they want to do,
and obviously try and handle that the best way.
Speaker 10 (41:23):
But I'm gonna have a little set on my hands.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
That's karma for honesty there, Judy, your thoughts.
Speaker 5 (41:33):
First of all, I only had a girl, so I
have no experience with this. But I do wonder if
Baker's parents and his other relatives are laughing right now.
Speaker 4 (41:42):
I mean, I feel like he gets parenting right. It's
like your kid's gonna dominate you anyway. They're gonna tell
you what they want. They'm not gonna listen to you.
All you can do is really encourage and try to
do the best you can. I don't know a lot,
but I got two boys who are ten and twelve
and they're still here. So that's the thing.
Speaker 1 (41:59):
What's the worst thing you've ever hold him? Never that?
Definitely not that, not.
Speaker 4 (42:05):
To their face, pleas, not to their face out.
Speaker 1 (42:09):
We'll never go to on Friday Night. We'll see you there.
Everybody not like that.
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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