December 17, 2025 • 42 mins
NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport, and Judy Battista welcome Broncos OT and Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee Garett Bolles to the show. Cam Wolfe joins Insiders to break down what’s next for Tua Tagovailoa and Dolphins after his benching for remainder of season. Then Brian Baldinger breaks down Chargers Safety Derwin James Jr., before Bucky Brooks analyzes the race for AFC South division.
Finally, Marcas Grant delivers his Week 16 playoff fantasy sleepers.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Two. A time is up in Miami.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Dolphins have benched their franchise quarterback after exiting the
playoff race, and now the question is, will to a
tongue by Low play it down for them again. Will
take you inside the locker room tonight where our Cameron
Wolf covered all the fallout. The biggest thing happening right
now in Denver is another playoff trip and a chance
to wrap up the AFC's number one seed as soon
(00:34):
as Sunday. Tackle Garrett Bulls joins us tonight to talk
about the Broncos breakthrough and his own.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Contributions both on and off the field. Week sixteen is.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Absolutely stacked, including a Saturday night showdown between the Bears
and Packers. Stacy Dale's and Bucky Brooks will be here
to break down a matchup that could determine the direction
of the road to Super Bowl sixty. Welcome inside with
the Insiders presented by Progressive Insure. It's alongside He and
Rappaboard and Judy Batiste. I am Tom Pelicero. Week sixteen
(01:10):
kicks off tomorrow night and we'll talk about that game
between the Rams and the Seahawks. We've got the latest
on the status of DeVante Adams.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
But we do start in South Beach, where the.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Dolphins made a seismic move today officially confirming they have
bench quarterback two In talk about Loa and are turning
to rookie Quinn Yours beginning this Sunday against the Bengals,
So wats them seventeen months, had to sign a contract
extension to and now appears to be on the way out.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Mike McDaniel explained why he made the decision.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Ultimately, the team needs and I'm looking for conviction in
quarterback play and understanding that he is a rookie, you know,
I felt that he would play the position most convicted,
which is and which impacts every player on the field.
(02:05):
And you know, realistically, that's what I was looking for.
Needed more convicted play from the quarterback position. I thought
Quinn could deliver on that best.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
It's a fascinating way to talk about this ian because
basically what you're saying is a rookie who is really
he got into a game, but he's never played meaningful
NFL snaps, is going to play with more conviction, more decisiveness,
to put another word out there, than the guy who's
been the starting quarterback for a handful of years, including
four under Mike McDaniel. How did we get here and
(02:40):
why in the big picture does it make sense for
the Dolphins to make this move now?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yeah, the fact that Mike McDaniel believes that Queen Ewers,
who is incredibly talented, had a ton of success in college.
But the fact that he believes quin Ewers, who has
barely played in the NFL, is a better option than
someone they believe there's been their franchise quarterback for the
last many many years is astounding and really huge news
for the Dolphins today, for the near future, for the
(03:05):
long term future. There's a lot to get to in this,
but just specifically here, the fact that Mike McDaniel wants
quin Ewers to play with more conviction. I took that
to mean more decisiveness. In other words, the offense has
not been running properly with two of making what have
not always been in the right raids. He has turned
the ball over way too often. When he thrived, when
he had that Pro Bowl season, he was like a
(03:27):
point guard, like dishing the ball around, letting the guys run.
It has not been that for some time. I also
took conviction to mean someone who has invested and really
cares about it. And that's just me extrapolating just a
little bit. But Quinn Ewers has so much to play
for his future and all that with the Dolphins not
in the playoffs, what would Tua Tago Balola have to
(03:48):
play for the fact that they would get meaningful football
from Quinn rather than Tua is just unbelievable. And really,
now you have to wonder one, can Mike McDaniel have
an offensive looks like it should? That would be great
news for everyone involved into what does the future hold
for two of their anything.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
They also have quin you Weers under contract for three
more years and a fraction of the money that Tua
is still owed fifty four million dollars fully guaranteed in
twenty twenty six. Whether or not he's actually earning that
as a quarterback with the Dolphins remains to be seen.
Tua did address reporters after the news.
Speaker 5 (04:26):
We just had a brief conversation about the changing in
the quarterbacks.
Speaker 6 (04:30):
I said, what was your reaction about Disappointed?
Speaker 5 (04:35):
I mean, I'm not happy about it, but you know,
something out of my.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
Contruck, where do you think this is happening.
Speaker 5 (04:43):
I would say the biggest thing, and it's being honest
with myself as well, had been my performance. I haven't
been performing up to the level and the capabilities that
I have in past.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Jude, you feel like America has been on a journey
with Tuatunguava Loa based upon on specifically a prime time
concussion that he suffered. It was one of the scarier
scenes that we've seen on an NFL field. A lot
of people had opinions about whether Tous should play again.
He decided he wanted to play this season. He just
didn't play good enough. And now we've got a lot
of questions about where, if anywhere, is to a plane
(05:18):
in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 7 (05:21):
Well, right, the decision to bench him is just the
first decision that the Miami Dolphins have to make. Now
come even more difficult to decisions about how do you
proceed with him? What do you do with him? As
you mentioned, Tom, they owe him fifty four million dollars
guaranteed next season, which certainly complicates all decision making. You
have to think that their first option would be to
(05:42):
try to trade him. I don't know what the trade
market is going to look like.
Speaker 8 (05:46):
For Tue.
Speaker 7 (05:47):
He looked like a regressing player this year. He has
an extensive injury history, as you mentioned, a history of
concussions as well, And certainly the Dolphins would have to
pay some of that contract. I just I don't know
what they could expect to get in return. If they
could even find a willing trade partner. Could they just
(06:07):
release him, Yes, they could. It would be an enormous
cap hit. They could spread it over two years. That's
what the Denver Broncos did when they moved on from
Russell Wilson. They took a gigantic cap hit. They spread
it over two years, and by the way, they went
to the playoffs. Immediately they hit on a quarterback. They
got very lucky. They hit on a quarterback in the
draft who could play right away. That would certainly help
(06:27):
the Miami Dolphins. Or and this seems almost unfathomable at
this moment, he could still be on the Miami Dolphins,
perhaps as a bridge quarterback, as a backup. It would
be very awkward, It would be strange, but we have
seen it happen. Kirk Cousins is still on the Atlanta Falcons.
Deshaun Watson is still on the Cleveland Browns roster. We
have seen very, very expensive backup quarterbacks exist.
Speaker 8 (06:51):
This is a very complicated situation going forward for the
Miami Dolphins and for two of and.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Russell Wilson is a very valid comparison too. He is
still on the book cap wise this year for Denver,
but they ate a lot of the money, all the
cash last year, a big chunk of the cap hit.
That's the same thing if the Dolphins were to cut
to a in March, use a post tune one designation
and keep at least some of that trouble out into
twenty twenty seven. You take a look and other quarterbacks
(07:18):
who have been benched in December, in the case of
Russell Wilson Derek Carr, those were moves that were made
in much the same way in terms of keeping options open,
not wanting a player on the field while you were
out of playoff contention who could get hurt and limit
your options as you look forward to the following season
two of going all the way from number one to
(07:40):
number three on the depth chart. As we welcome in
our Cameron wolf Zack Wilson. Cam had been the two
for most of this year other than one game in Cleveland.
But it's Quinn yours, the rookie now who takes over
the starting job. Take me through what you saw on
a daily basis when you were there at Dolphins camp
from yours and why he's the guy at this particular
(08:00):
juncture for that franchise.
Speaker 9 (08:03):
Yes, fresh blood Quinney Ewrris gives them a shot, gives
them a chance to evaluate a young player they drafted.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
For the next three games.
Speaker 9 (08:12):
When I saw him in camp, he had some up
and down periods, but you saw when he got into
game like action, he had sort of a gamer mentality,
and that's what they're hoping. They put him in this
situation to see do we have something for twenty twenty six.
But look, a large portion of this is about Mike McDaniel.
We talk about the decision for TUA, We talk about
the decision earlier this year to move on from the GM.
(08:34):
They still have to make a decision if Mike McDaniel
is coming back for twenty twenty six, and so he
wants to get a guy who can go out there,
get the ball out of his hands quickly, can help
them potentially show fight to owner Stephen Ross to decide
that maybe this can be the guy we bring back
from twenty twenty six. It's also going to be interesting
to see how Mike McDaniel functions and running an offense
(08:55):
that is not featuring toa He did a lot to
put this offense around to it it started to break down.
Can we see a world in twenty twenty six where
Mike leads a new identity, a new offense without this
quarterback and so that to me is really important for yours.
Speaker 6 (09:09):
As far as tua this.
Speaker 9 (09:11):
Feels like the end of the franchise quarterback tua Era.
A lot of this was building up his confidence throughout
the journey. I watched him in the locker room today.
He seemed upset. He didn't seem like his confident self.
And throughout the year you saw him with the lack
of decisiveness. You saw him leading the NFL and interceptions.
And I asked both him and Mike McDaniel about his
(09:32):
injuries and the impact there. He told me, matter of factly,
know my injuries did not have an impact on my play.
McDaniel said that he thought it would be irresponsible for
him to make that leap. But you got to wonder
how much he got be down throughout the process with
all those injuries and so, as Judy mentioned.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
There's still a chance he's back next year.
Speaker 9 (09:50):
But I think they're already starting the process to figure
out who is our long term answer at quarterback because
it is no longer to a tongue of ballow.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Greatf Cam to a tug of lower. Quite possibly playing
his final snap in Miami, Joe Burrow will be back
in Cincinnati in twenty twenty six, though he continues to
give us a lot of food for thought about exactly
what the future might hold.
Speaker 10 (10:15):
This week, it feels like everything everybody's trying to do
everything in their power to make me not play football,
and I feel like I'm fighting it, like fighting everybody else.
Speaker 8 (10:25):
I just want to play.
Speaker 10 (10:25):
I just want to play ball.
Speaker 6 (10:27):
All.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
I want to do a speculation after last week, just
in general, your comments last week, how much do you
love playing?
Speaker 6 (10:35):
A lot of you ever thought about.
Speaker 10 (10:37):
Not I mean you you think about it, but you
think about a lot of different things and in your life,
just like everybody does. You think about all different possibilities
that could happen. I'm gonna be playing for a long time.
I expect to play for a long time, and I
expect to play well and consistently great for a long time.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
Is he what he in the building trying to get
you to not play?
Speaker 2 (11:06):
I appreciate the candor from Joe Burrow, Judy, though every
time he's talking amidst this lost season that once again
was ruined by one of his injuries, it does raise
a lot of questions about exactly what, if anything, might
be going through his mind right now.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (11:22):
Here is what I thought was the most interesting part
of his press conference today. He was asked if he
sees a world in which he is not playing for
the Bengals in twenty twenty six, and he said no,
he could not see that. And the follow up question
was if he thinks about playing for another team in
his career, and there was a pause and he said,
(11:42):
you think about a lot of things, so certainly that
opens a can of worms up. Watching the entire press conference,
it felt like we were eavesdropping on a therapy session.
Speaker 8 (11:54):
He was very candid.
Speaker 7 (11:56):
Joe Burrow, as we have said before, is a very
deliberate speaker. He is usually very reserved with the press.
He does not give a whole lot up so he
knows that what he says when he says it out
loud has impact and that his words have power in
that building. The bottom line is here. It is clear
he is disappointed with the season. He's frustrated, he's not happy.
(12:18):
It's incumbent on the Bengals to get to the bottom
of this and to make Joe Burrow happy, because you
certainly don't want to hear him saying again that he
thinks about what it would be like playing for another
team at some point in his career.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Bengals one of about a dozen teams that already are
out of playoff contention, nothing left to play for this season.
The Rams and Seahawks have a whole lot to play
for on Thursday night, as big of a Thursday game
as we have ever had.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
The two teams.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Both eleven and three, tied atop that division right now,
and the Seahawks do, like the Rams last week, have
a scenario where they can clinch a playoff spot if
they win or tie tomorrow night, or the Lions lose
or tie in their game this weekend, then Seattle would
follow the Rams as the second NFC team to get
(13:07):
into the postseason field. As we welcome in our Bucky
Brooks to the conversation, Bucky, again, this is two teams
that are among the most talented, certainly in the NFC.
They both played really good football through the course of
the season. Just tell me what you see in this
matchup that the entire country is going to be watching
tomorrow night.
Speaker 11 (13:27):
Look, you hit Danail on the head when you're talking
about two teams that are evenly matched. When you look
at them from top to bottom, everything is nearly identical
in terms of the talent on defense, They're loaded on
the front lines. They have talented players in the back end. Offensively,
the offensive lines are playing well. They can run it
when they wanted to have talented receivers. It comes down
to quarterback play, and really it comes down to Sam
(13:49):
Donell battling the demons that the Rams defense have caused
him the last two years, first with the Minnesota Vikings
and then in an earlier matchup.
Speaker 6 (13:58):
Can he get past the boogeyman?
Speaker 11 (14:00):
And when the Rams see Sam Donald, they have a
lot of confidence and conviction that they can force them
into bad plays. So it's gonna be on the Seahawks
and Sam Donald to get comfortable to take care of
the ball, to continue to provide the explosive plays in
the passing.
Speaker 6 (14:13):
Game while not giving it away.
Speaker 11 (14:15):
Because if the Seahawks don't give the game away, man,
they're gonna be right in it in the fourth quarter,
and we've seen they close it out like no other.
Speaker 6 (14:22):
It comes down to Sam Donald being able to battle
as demons.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford on the other side, is one of
the front runners right now for NFLAVP will not have
one of his top receivers and all. Luckily tomorrow night,
DeVante Adams officially doubtful after aggravating his hamsterring Bucky, Thank
you very much more from you in a bit ian man, you.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Really had to show all those bad Sam Donald clips.
God forbody's watching here anyway, He's guy's been through enough
plenty going forward to for the NFC playoff picture. There
it is right there. You mentioned the big one. We
have Thursday night. A lot going on this weekend as well,
including a Saturday till Bears packers, both of them at
(15:02):
clinting scenarios. Basically, you win, the Lions lose, and you
are in our good friends. Stacy Dale's is going to
be there hanging out at the game, as she always is,
reporting for us on NFL Network, Stacy, what's going on?
Welcome inside with the insiders. I want to start with
the Bears perspective. There's one thing we've learned this year
is the match of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson has worked.
(15:27):
Why is this working so well Caleb?
Speaker 12 (15:31):
Well, this is working ian great question, because Caleb is
taking the coaching and he's running with it and we're
seeing a rapid evolution here in his second season with
Ben Johnson. I actually asked Ben this week at his
initial press conference on Tuesday, what has exceeded his expectations
about his young quarterback perhaps with this offense, and he
(15:51):
referenced quickly the continual journey dating all the way back
to the offseason, but said it's going to be good
in a year from now, it's going to be great
in five years from now. It's been a really nice marriage.
He specifically, though, talked about the basics with Caleb and
really the pre snap activity where he's really excelled and
where he's really grown the most to understand the elements
(16:12):
of the shifts, the motions, the cadence, all the things
that Ben wants in this offense to be able to
attack the way they want to with this run game,
and he's starting to hit some of these inbreakers.
Speaker 8 (16:21):
We're seeing some of.
Speaker 12 (16:22):
These throws here on your screen where he trusts the
offense and he's using great anticipation and those are things
that have allowed him to excel. And I spoke with
Sean Gary from these Packers today and they got a
nickname for Caleb Williams Ian Houdini. That's what the Packers
call him. Gary interestingly talked about in the pocket, his
(16:45):
contact balance in the pocket, his strength in the pocket,
and how much Caleb forces you to work to go
get after him. And it certainly will be a task
now with Micah Parsons out of the picture.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Yeah, let's talk about that a little bit because obviously,
I mean parsionly one of the best pasts rushers in
the NFL, one of the biggest additions we have seen
in forever a teammate before the season. Now out for
the season where they torn acl Packers are still good,
They're still going to be balling. How can they make
up for the loss of this guy.
Speaker 12 (17:14):
Well, look at the lower third, which is the bottom
third of your screen for our viewers. That is twelve
and a half sacks, twelve TFLs, tackles for loss, twenty
six quarterback hits. Obviously, they're all tops through fourteen games
this season. It's just a devastating blow. But what's more
interesting and more impactful, eighty three quarterback pressures leads the
(17:35):
National Football League, guys Ian, he has forty one more
than anybody else on this Packers roster. Rashan Gary is next.
I think he's got forty three or forty four, something
like that. But I mentioned I spoke with Rashaan Gary
and he literally told me, how do you put into
words the magnitude of this loss? In Micah Parsons and
(17:59):
the restless nights? He said he gives offensive coordinators and
how everybody circles him three times on every single play
in terms of what you're doing offensively. But as Gary
told me, they have to start rushing with as one.
They have to have great communication up front from a
defensive standpoint. And it's going to be very interesting, though, Ian,
(18:21):
to see how this emotionally impacts the Green Bay Packers,
because we're talking about Superman. Back there to the point
where two weeks ago, Ben Johnson changed his scheme and
brought two tight ends into the backfield to Chip Michael Parsons.
They did it for Garrett two. But that'll change, of
course on Saturday without.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Them, among many things to change. It was a huge
one on Saturday, Stacy. Thank you very much for hanging
out with us.
Speaker 13 (18:44):
Guy.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
I love the Saturday game that time of year on
NFL Network and all around the NFL play. Need to
get to with this guy right here. The AFC North
is going to be incredibly fascinating down the shets. We'll
get into it with Brian Balding, our good friend, talk
about Aaron Rodgers, talk about Labar, and then we're gonna
talk about this guy right here, Garrett Bowles. For the
(19:07):
Denver Broncos. What he does on the field, we have
seen one of the best tackles in the NFL. Off
the field just as productive. Coming up next live on
the Insacts, that man right there has made a huge impact,
(19:27):
not just on the field for the Denver Broncos. We
will get to all that, but off the field as well.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Club nominee again,
Garrett Bowles, Welcome inside with the Insiders. Thank you very
much for joining me. Ian Rappaport, Gudya Batista as well. Garrett,
we got some football questions for you. Obviously that is important,
(19:48):
but I think it's fair to say your work off
the field has been just as significant. Want to make
sure I get this right. You have two primary areas
of focus off the field. One, you have partners with
a partner with a speech language pathologist, Jenny Buorm to
launch the Bjorham and Bos Apraxia Education Initiative to help
children who are struggling with language based issues. You have
(20:11):
also been spending time in the Juvenile probation court. You
have become a mentor there. Obviously, all of that takes
a lot, Garrett. How have you been able to manage
all the things you do off the field with all
the things you do on the field.
Speaker 13 (20:27):
I think what I do on the field off the
field just brings me that passion to be able to
perform on the field. You know, I'm a big believer
for how you live your life off the field is
how you perform on the field. So I'm getting back
to my community has always been something that I truly
love and cherish. Obviously, we open up you know, B
and B the Omables training Center for speech pathologists to
(20:48):
learn more about a practical speech It's the first one
ever in the entire world. We launched our first session
June of twenty twenty six, so that's super exciting. We
have about twenty signed up where we can get about
forty people. And then also, you know the mentorship that
I'm doing at the Marble Food Center. We're remodeling all
six pods with new carbon, new paying, new furniture, I pad, etc.
(21:11):
To help them be able to contact with their mentors,
more of their family members, and help them truly feel
love and appreciate it. And so that's what I've been doing.
It's been a huge blessing for me and my family,
and I'm beyond grateful that I get to serve the
community here in Colorado.
Speaker 7 (21:28):
Those are obviously two very different kinds of programs to
be involved with. How did you pick them as the
areas that you wanted to focus your community work on.
Speaker 14 (21:38):
Well, Number one, I'm.
Speaker 13 (21:39):
A trouble kid myself. I grew up with the detention centers,
have also been arrested.
Speaker 6 (21:44):
And so I understand what it's like to be caught
up in the lot and make mistakes.
Speaker 13 (21:48):
And I want these kids to truly feel loved and
understand what their why is and why they do what
they do, and give them some type of something motivation
to look forward to instead of just looking down and
being frustrated and feel like the world's against you. I
understand how that feels to be down in the dunts
and nobody wants you and people, you know, people don't
(22:08):
want anything to do with you. And so being able
to get back there feeling the love and having them
truly feel that passion. We also have a sentence program
where they meet certain levels. If they're on a level
two or three, bring them wings and bring them steak dinner.
I get them shoes, just something to look forward to.
Fu of these have parents and they grow up, you know,
(22:29):
in a very worldly area in a lot of you know,
low income houses here in Auroral area. So just showing
them that I love and care for them. It is
truly the passion that I have and they get, you know,
as I take the build every Sunday, they give me
that passion and I love to go out there and perform.
And my son was ynosed with the practice seach in
twenty twenty one. Is a very difficult time for me
(22:51):
and my wife and we wanted to get back to
that community. It's a very extensive therapy, you know. Being
able to do such an intensive therapy, you know, four
or five times a week for thirty minutes, it's very
just very draining. For my son Kingson. Now he's been
doing this in the last five years, he'd be able
to hold the conversations, to be able to speak. And
(23:11):
so I want to get back to those kids that
are need, like kikings to myself, so to be the
face of this training center, which the curriculums will be
called Iron King for my son Kingson and be able
to truly show these kids and families where to go,
how to get help and help them speak therapy and
specialize in this so they can go around the world
and then help these field the litter and need.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Garrett, it is amazing to think you have been a
mainstay of the Denver Broncos offensive line. You have not
yet been to a Pro Bowl. You've been All Pro,
You've not been yet been to a Pro Bowl. You
have allowed a grand total of zero sacks. You have
the lowest pressure rate in the league, and you are
the number one ranked to pro football focused tackle. Do
(23:57):
you think this changes this year with you getting a
Pro Bowl.
Speaker 13 (24:01):
I mean I would I would love to. I would
love for people to understand what I do. But at
the same time, you know, I just played football because
I truly love it. I love the passion I love
I love my teammates, I love this organization. I love
everything about the city. The city has given me everything.
This organization is given me everything to bless me, my
wife and my three kids for the rest of our lives.
(24:23):
And so you know, it would be nice to be recognized.
But at the same time, I played for all those
kids that are you know, underdogs, underdog my entire life.
That's just something that I'm used to doing, and it's
just where I feel comfortable, and I guess that that's
my life for the rest of my career. Then I'm
going to enjoy it. I'm going to embrace it, and
I play for all those kids that everyone doubts, and
(24:45):
it just continues to view my bar and continues to
make me with my dream of blacking football at a
very high level.
Speaker 7 (24:52):
All right, you all have not lost a game since September.
You got another big one, but you are in position
to see he's the first.
Speaker 8 (25:01):
Overall seed in the AFC.
Speaker 7 (25:03):
Certainly, we saw parts of this coming along last season.
We saw bo Nick starting to develop. Most coaches don't
like players to think big picture. They don't want to
talk about big picture. They want you to focus just
on what's in front of you. How has Sean Payton
handled this season where you guys have taken off.
Speaker 13 (25:23):
It's just the culture that he's built here. You know,
Coach sp is strictly about faced family football, That's really
what it is, and embracing yourself and this culture that
he's built a special You know, we don't we all
love each other well, we all crack jokes, we all
want to be around each other, we all spend extra
time together. We all text each other. And it's not
just offense texting offense, it's the entire team texting everybody.
(25:46):
We all want to hold each other accountable. We all
want what's best for each other. And that's the culture
that Coach Payn's bill, and we all embraced it. And
you know, obviously we snipped the surface last year. We
knew exactly what we wanted to do this year, and
it's all coming together. It's a very special time to
be a Denver Bronco, to be in the city, and
to be a fan of this team. And I'm beyond
grateful that I get to be here and get to
(26:07):
be part of this amazing coachure that we're building with
new ownership, a new facility that we're building, a new
stadium that we're building in twenty thirty one, and all
these amazing things that we are accomplishing. It's truly a
blessing to be here. And you know, I'm just so
grateful that we have phenomenal people in our front office,
that George Payton created this team, and you know, we
don't have anybody there to cancer. Everybody loves everybody, Everyone
(26:28):
wants to be a part of everybody. We all root
for each other, we all want what's best for each other,
and that's what a family is. And when you have
a team like that, when you have a coach like
that in the locker room, is very hard to beat
us because we know exactly what it's like to be
down and we need to pick each other up all
three phases of the game. And it's amazing to see
what we've accomplished in just a short period of time.
(26:50):
Of being here, and it's phenomenal and I could be
more grateful to be a Denver Bronco.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Awesome and the best is yet to come on field
and obviously off the fielders Will Garrett, thank you very
much for joining us on the Insiders very much. Appreciate
you and congratulations again.
Speaker 13 (27:07):
Thank you guys so much. I hope you guys have
a merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
The AFC North is a two team race with three
weeks to go. Steelers still up one game, in part
on the strength of beating the Ravens head to head.
Ravens holst the Patriots. On Sunday night, the Steelers visit
the Lions. Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pellicero and
Brian Baldinger.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
This is a matchup, Baldy, of.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Two teams it seems like have a little bit of
similar types of play styles.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
Break down this matchup for me, please.
Speaker 13 (27:37):
Well.
Speaker 14 (27:38):
I think this is Aaron Rodgers' fifteenth trip to Ford Field.
I'm sure he has pretty good winning records, so he
knows what it's like to go into that building. He
also knows what it's like to come out as a winner.
So the Ravens or as Steelers have one two in
a row because of Aaron Rodgers' ability right now. His
ability is stay upright, stay healthy. They dake you dunk
(27:59):
with the best of them right now. He loves to throw.
I mean this one in DK Metcalf was you know,
a pretty dice. He throw in the middlefield, but DK finishes.
Speaker 6 (28:08):
You know, the end zone.
Speaker 14 (28:09):
But you know, he throws to his backs, he throws
to his tight ends, and if he can get a
shot to DK in the middle of field.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
He's gonna take it.
Speaker 14 (28:16):
The big, big matchup in this game really for the Steelers.
They did a great job of protecting Aaron Rodgers against
the Dolphins and against the Ravens. They started Dylan Cook
last week and left tackle his first NFL start, number
sixty right there. Sixty six snaps, Tom, they were sixty
six plus plus.
Speaker 6 (28:33):
He didn't have a bad play.
Speaker 14 (28:35):
But he's gonna see Aighton Hutchinson this week on the
road with that noise. It's gonna be a big part
of whether Aaron Rodgers can continue to play at the
level he's playing, if he can protect the backside like
he wasn't then for Detroit, Tom, you know, they haven't
won two in a row since October fifth, they've won one,
lost one, one to one lost one. They lost to
the Rams in a shootout Sunday, and so if they're
(28:57):
gonna get into the playoff race here, I have to
start stacking some wins.
Speaker 6 (29:01):
That can't wait any longer.
Speaker 14 (29:02):
They can't come out of this game eight and seven,
especially with what Chicago and Green Bay can do. So
I feel like their backs are to the wall, and
I think they'll play like that. And we saw a
Monroe Saint Brown last week have one of the great
games of any wide receiver in this league this year.
Fifteen catches two touchdowns like he was unstoppable, and he
might have to be unstoppable this week.
Speaker 6 (29:24):
I feel for Detroit it'd.
Speaker 14 (29:26):
Be good if they could get Jamier Gibbs going. I
thought the Ralliams did a good job of shutting him down,
but they're really an offense that can score with the
best of them. They did last week, even if one
guy is shut down like Gibbs was. I think they
need all cylinders offensively going to really counteract whatever Aaron
Rodgers can.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
Do do not move.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
We got a Baldi's breakdown on the Chargers coming up
in just a little bit. But first, Ian, give me
some fantasy tips.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
Please.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
Here's a tip. I don't have anything good. I was
gonna make a cracker our good friend Michael et Floya,
who got absolutely destroyed by Marcus, and I have nothing
to say because it's just so humiliating. Marcus Grant joined
us on the Insiders. Thank you very much for hanging
this this segment. We like to call Marcus my words
because his name is Marcus and he's got great words.
(30:13):
So I want you to detail kind of give us
a little insight into how you brutally massacred Florio. Give
us some sleepers. I want to start with the quarterback position.
So let's start with Bryce Young.
Speaker 15 (30:25):
And you're had a choice last week against Florida to
start Trevor Lawrence or Bryce Young. Last week I went
to Trevor Lawrence. Route worked out pretty well. This week,
I'm gonna go Bryce Young because the lesson late least
to start your quarterbacks against the Bucks. Since week ten,
Tampa Bay is giving up over twenty five fantasy points
per game to the position six straight games in a
lot at least eighteen fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
And these aren't all high level quarterbacks.
Speaker 15 (30:48):
We're talking about Tyler Schuck, We're talking about Kirk Cousins
coming back to start. So this has been a good
opportunity for Bryson what should be a really interesting game
since Week eleven, eight touchdown passes, two picks for young,
really good spot for fantasy.
Speaker 4 (31:01):
Folks here man Tyler shutcats in some strays on that one.
All good though, All right, once you give me a
couple more potential waiver wires sleepers, Let's focus on the
tight end position.
Speaker 15 (31:14):
Oh, let's start with Kobe Parkinson. And I know the
Rams are still trying to make their way to Seattle
right now, but Parkinson's been third in target share this year,
behind Pooka Nakua and DeVante Adams. We know Adams is
doubtful for this game on Thursday night. On top of it,
it's just a great matchup for Parkinson. Seahawks the sixth
best matchup for tight ends this season. They've given up
(31:34):
the third most receptions, fourth most yards to the tight
end position. Then another one's Mike Gasiki. This one's a
little bit of a deeper poll. This one mostly about
the matchups because Gaseki himself just two games and more
than twenty receiving yards all year. But Miami the second
best matchup for tight ends this season, the only team
that's given up more receptions and more yards to the position. Well,
(31:55):
it's the same Cincinnati Bengals that Gasiki plays for. So
with the Dolphins looking down on wide receivers, this could
be a lot of targets for Agasiki this week.
Speaker 4 (32:04):
Now, Dolphin's defense catching straights. Wy, don't you give me
a sleeper defense? I assume not the Bengals.
Speaker 6 (32:11):
Not the Bengals this week.
Speaker 15 (32:12):
No, it's gonna be the Buffalo Bills. And again, it's
all about the matchups here because Shardor Sanders had a
really big game a couple of weeks ago against the
Tennessee Titans. Outside of that, he's averaging fewer than one
hundred and eighty passing yards per game. He's got a
handful of interceptions. He's also been sacked ten times in
the starts that he has made so far this year. Now,
the Bills are not getting a ton of pressure against
(32:34):
opposing quarterbacks, but I think against this Cleveland Browns offensive front,
I think they'll figure out a way to get home.
I think they can force Shador into some interceptions and
if you're looking to stream a defense and maybe the
Saints aren't available for you, the Bills should be out
there and a chance to get them in your lineups.
Speaker 7 (32:51):
Welcome back to the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance. Here
is your AFC playoff picture as it stands right now.
Check out the Chargers ten and four. They are the
fifth seed right now in the wild card spot, in
the top wild card spot. Obviously, the Broncos are in
the catbird seed. They have a chance to seize the
(33:11):
top overall seed in the AFC. Let's bring in Baldy
is back and our Jane Slater. We're going to talk
about Chargers at Cowboys. Baldy, I want to start with you.
Derwin James had the great interception that basically ended the
Chiefs season last week. I know you have a breakdown
of Baldi's breakdown. Show it to us.
Speaker 6 (33:32):
Well.
Speaker 14 (33:32):
First of all, Judy Durwin coming in this world. There
are energy givers and there are energy takers. Drwin is
an energy giver, and he's an energy giver with talent
and incredible instincts.
Speaker 6 (33:44):
He's drivening with instincts.
Speaker 14 (33:46):
So Jesse Muners Design and offense where he's got a
great deal of freedom, like Drtlin's right here on your screen.
He can line up anywhere, but he kind of knows
exactly where Kareem Hunt is going to be. And he's
an excellent tackle. He's square, he's low, he takes his legs,
he's down when he hits you, the play's over. I
mentioned instincts here, his ability to tying this right here
(34:08):
and to really meet Pacheco in the backfield with Tooley
Tuli Polotto right here for a four yard loss. So
you see that. Okay, that that And then when I
say that he is an energy giver, he also brings
the wood Judy like he comes and he'll smack you
like this is a good smack smack here to Rashi
Rice little stick route. The Chiefs loves to start drives
(34:29):
with this, but like he separates Rasi from the ball
like those kind of hits. It gets everybody energized on
the sideline. And then this is an instinct here, like
Darius Cooper is responsible for blocking Derwin James. He's got
note he already knows this is gonna be a handoff
on first down to Saque. He's gonna he's gonna beat
him to the ball right here. Takes him off his feet,
(34:50):
all right, and then he can match up with big receivers,
tight ends and classic matchups with Travis Kelce. Here they
are in the red zone. Obviously he's a big target
for Holmes over the last eight years. Here he just
plasters them. He knows that this play could go on,
it could be extended. Mahomeso's out of move scramble, so
he just plasters them. Mahomes is looking, he wants to
(35:11):
throw it to him, but not with Derwin's sitting there,
and so he's forced to just kind of throw it away.
And then you mentioned the end of the game, the
closer like coming in right in this situation twenty seconds ago,
the chief sting of field goal to tie this game,
maybe to go to overtime. Derwin plays this route outside
Amy where he's got help on the inside here Judy, right,
he's got the help here.
Speaker 4 (35:31):
Now he's playing.
Speaker 6 (35:32):
Now, he's reading the route.
Speaker 14 (35:33):
Now, he's just a route reader right here, and he
beats Kelsey to the ball to really finish that game
with an interception. We're talking about a unique player with
a lot of experience and a lot of instincts, and
really jesse Minner's defense allows Derwin to really freelance quite
a bit within the structure of the defense and use
(35:54):
his instincts to gamble and to make the plays that
he has. And I feel like he's the leader of that,
not just the defense, but the leader of the team,
and he embraces it.
Speaker 8 (36:05):
Big game player, Derwin James.
Speaker 7 (36:07):
All right, Jane, let's look at the Cowboys now, because
one of the mysteries of the season is Trayvon Diggs.
Speaker 8 (36:14):
You caught up with him. What is going on there?
Speaker 16 (36:18):
Yeah, Judyan Bryan, there are two sides to every story,
and we really haven't talked to Trayvon Diggs yet, and
I wanted to make it clear I did talk to
him today and I want to clear some things up.
There have been a lot of rumors about how Trayvon
Diggs got injured at home. After speaking with them, I
think it's really important that I put this out there.
(36:39):
His version is far less defarious than some of the
rumors that have been floating around on the internet, and
it's affecting him and to some extent, he wants that
cleared up.
Speaker 8 (36:49):
Is he healthy?
Speaker 16 (36:50):
Diggs says he is why is he wants to get
on the entry report with an issue? Well, according to him,
he's been a full go, but conceded that he Brian
Schottenheimer and Matt Eberflus discussed his mistakes and practice and
Cover two the way he is played though as them
questioning the health of the need Now. Jerry Jones on
one to five three the Fan this Week set as much, saying, quote,
(37:11):
Diggs has a very unique way he continues to play
on the team. He'll go away from the scheme to
make a great play, and when he doesn't make that play, you.
Speaker 8 (37:19):
Can have a bad, bad play.
Speaker 16 (37:21):
Now, Diggs also concedes his talented corner may not be
his strengths and Cover two, but he tells me he's
working on it and wants to be here. With effort
at communication, perhaps this gets fixed. But right now they
are working with guys like Savone Ravel and Kayln Carson
as they look to the future because for all intents
and purposes at this point, they're eliminated from the postseason. Now,
(37:42):
I'm told that they would love for Trayvon to fit
here and find his path forward with us, but there
is a clear and certain path that must be upheld
and the message there is, guys, there is a scheme
they need him to fit into it. But there are
a lot of rumors and conspiracies that are floating around,
and I can tell you right now it is getting
(38:02):
to travel on. So I think it's important that we
bring some of this up.
Speaker 8 (38:06):
Very curious situation.
Speaker 7 (38:07):
Jane, thanks for shedding some light on it, and Baldy
thank you as well. When we return on the Insiders,
we're going to take a look at another very very
interesting division, the AFC South. Look at the quarterbacks in
the AFC South, Trevor Lawrence, C. J. Stroud and Philip Rivers.
Grandpa Philip Rivers. Bucky Brooks will be back with us
(38:27):
when we return.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Tom Now for.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
Good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance. The Texans are the
only team in the NFL to have four players with
three or more interceptions this season. Feilan Petrie, Kamari Laster,
and Kaylen Bullock have four picks each.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
Derek Stingley Junior has three.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
Those four guys have combined for fifteen of Houston's sixteen
interceptions this season. That Texans defense big reason that they've
got back into it after an zero to three start,
currently sending just one game back of the Jaguars, who
have an opportunity to bring another playoff berth to Jacksonville
this weekend. They are one of a number of teams
(39:13):
that have a playoff clinching scenario this week. For the Jags,
it is a win plus a Cold sloss or a
win plus a Texans loss. Again, as that AFC South
continues to heat up, as we welcome back our Bucky
Brooks to the conversation with me, Tom Pelicero Jaguars Broncos
this week. Bucky, if you want to be a playoff factor,
(39:35):
you got to play teams like this.
Speaker 11 (39:37):
Break down this matchup for me. You know this is
a great matchup two great teams. Talked about the Broncos
being on eleven game winning streak. Their defense is lice
out vance. Joseph has done a really good job of
being able to pressure with four and play max coverage
behind it. And the reason why the Broncos defense so
good to cause you play sticky coverage behind it, they
can lock on and make life miserable for offenses is
(40:00):
the Jaguars offense has been rolling.
Speaker 6 (40:02):
Since the by week.
Speaker 11 (40:03):
Since Week nine, this team has put up twenty five
plus points in each of their seven games. They're averaging
over thirty two points and so they can light it up.
And part of the reason is because Trevor Lawrence has
really settled in if you look over the last three games,
ten touchdowns, no giveaways, doing a great job of putting
the ball in the hands of playmakers, and Liam Cohen
(40:24):
has been in his bag. This is gonna be a
very compelling matchups between two play callers, Liam Cohen Vance
Joseph because ultimately it's gonna be decided on the Jags
offense versus the Broncos defense. Winner is ultimately gonna win
the game.
Speaker 2 (40:39):
Great stuff, Bucky, enjoy that game on Sunday. Everybody can
enjoy The Insiders five days a week right here on
NFL Network, as well as Mondays on fast streaming platforms
the NFL Channel thursdays as well.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
It's a podcast every day. You really can't miss us.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
Kind of like the Packers athletic training staff couldn't miss
the other thing that was going on on the field
when their safety Evan Williams got hurt. Talked with the
Porters today, said that he sprained his MCL on the
same play where Michaeh Parsons tore his acl, saw one
trader with a water bottle over him and wondered, Hey,
where's everybody else? Michael Parsons is a pretty important player
(41:20):
to that team. Nothing against Evan Williams, who is also
having a really good season.
Speaker 8 (41:25):
Ian.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
It's kind of like when you complain constantly about getting
more airtime and Judy, me, Mike, We're all just sitting
there going, hey, what about us?
Speaker 4 (41:36):
I would actually say, it's more like when you break
news and then something else more important happens and you're like,
what I just hit send? No one cares about my
news because this other crazy thing. Couldn't they have waited
until a different time. That Judy is the absolute worst.
So therefore, Evan, who is really good by the way,
I feel your pain.
Speaker 7 (41:58):
I just can't imagine being hurt, being laid out on
an NFL field and they're like, yeah, here's a band
aid and an aspirin will get you later, because we've
got to go over here with this guy, because this
guy's a superstar.
Speaker 8 (42:10):
Get well. Evan Williams and Micah of course too.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
Yes, Matt Packer is one of the best medical and
athletic training staffs in the league.
Speaker 1 (42:17):
Let's just make that abundantly clear. Here, one guy stuffer
a very good you're superstar. The other guy's a good player.
We've got a listener injury. Anyway, it's hard out there. Sometimes.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
The only thing worse ian actually than the scenario you
described is when you get some news you haven't posted
it yet. Then something else, bigger breaks and you're like,
do I even post this now?
Speaker 1 (42:37):
Do I wait five minutes? It's tough, tough,
Two. A time is up in Miami.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Dolphins have benched their franchise quarterback after exiting the
playoff race, and now the question is, will to a
tongue by Low play it down for them again. Will
take you inside the locker room tonight where our Cameron
Wolf covered all the fallout. The biggest thing happening right
now in Denver is another playoff trip and a chance
to wrap up the AFC's number one seed as soon
(00:34):
as Sunday. Tackle Garrett Bulls joins us tonight to talk
about the Broncos breakthrough and his own.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Contributions both on and off the field. Week sixteen is.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Absolutely stacked, including a Saturday night showdown between the Bears
and Packers. Stacy Dale's and Bucky Brooks will be here
to break down a matchup that could determine the direction
of the road to Super Bowl sixty. Welcome inside with
the Insiders presented by Progressive Insure. It's alongside He and
Rappaboard and Judy Batiste. I am Tom Pelicero. Week sixteen
(01:10):
kicks off tomorrow night and we'll talk about that game
between the Rams and the Seahawks. We've got the latest
on the status of DeVante Adams.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
But we do start in South Beach, where the.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Dolphins made a seismic move today officially confirming they have
bench quarterback two In talk about Loa and are turning
to rookie Quinn Yours beginning this Sunday against the Bengals,
So wats them seventeen months, had to sign a contract
extension to and now appears to be on the way out.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Mike McDaniel explained why he made the decision.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Ultimately, the team needs and I'm looking for conviction in
quarterback play and understanding that he is a rookie, you know,
I felt that he would play the position most convicted,
which is and which impacts every player on the field.
(02:05):
And you know, realistically, that's what I was looking for.
Needed more convicted play from the quarterback position. I thought
Quinn could deliver on that best.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
It's a fascinating way to talk about this ian because
basically what you're saying is a rookie who is really
he got into a game, but he's never played meaningful
NFL snaps, is going to play with more conviction, more decisiveness,
to put another word out there, than the guy who's
been the starting quarterback for a handful of years, including
four under Mike McDaniel. How did we get here and
(02:40):
why in the big picture does it make sense for
the Dolphins to make this move now?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yeah, the fact that Mike McDaniel believes that Queen Ewers,
who is incredibly talented, had a ton of success in college.
But the fact that he believes quin Ewers, who has
barely played in the NFL, is a better option than
someone they believe there's been their franchise quarterback for the
last many many years is astounding and really huge news
for the Dolphins today, for the near future, for the
(03:05):
long term future. There's a lot to get to in this,
but just specifically here, the fact that Mike McDaniel wants
quin Ewers to play with more conviction. I took that
to mean more decisiveness. In other words, the offense has
not been running properly with two of making what have
not always been in the right raids. He has turned
the ball over way too often. When he thrived, when
he had that Pro Bowl season, he was like a
(03:27):
point guard, like dishing the ball around, letting the guys run.
It has not been that for some time. I also
took conviction to mean someone who has invested and really
cares about it. And that's just me extrapolating just a
little bit. But Quinn Ewers has so much to play
for his future and all that with the Dolphins not
in the playoffs, what would Tua Tago Balola have to
(03:48):
play for the fact that they would get meaningful football
from Quinn rather than Tua is just unbelievable. And really,
now you have to wonder one, can Mike McDaniel have
an offensive looks like it should? That would be great
news for everyone involved into what does the future hold
for two of their anything.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
They also have quin you Weers under contract for three
more years and a fraction of the money that Tua
is still owed fifty four million dollars fully guaranteed in
twenty twenty six. Whether or not he's actually earning that
as a quarterback with the Dolphins remains to be seen.
Tua did address reporters after the news.
Speaker 5 (04:26):
We just had a brief conversation about the changing in
the quarterbacks.
Speaker 6 (04:30):
I said, what was your reaction about Disappointed?
Speaker 5 (04:35):
I mean, I'm not happy about it, but you know,
something out of my.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
Contruck, where do you think this is happening.
Speaker 5 (04:43):
I would say the biggest thing, and it's being honest
with myself as well, had been my performance. I haven't
been performing up to the level and the capabilities that
I have in past.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Jude, you feel like America has been on a journey
with Tuatunguava Loa based upon on specifically a prime time
concussion that he suffered. It was one of the scarier
scenes that we've seen on an NFL field. A lot
of people had opinions about whether Tous should play again.
He decided he wanted to play this season. He just
didn't play good enough. And now we've got a lot
of questions about where, if anywhere, is to a plane
(05:18):
in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 7 (05:21):
Well, right, the decision to bench him is just the
first decision that the Miami Dolphins have to make. Now
come even more difficult to decisions about how do you
proceed with him? What do you do with him? As
you mentioned, Tom, they owe him fifty four million dollars
guaranteed next season, which certainly complicates all decision making. You
have to think that their first option would be to
(05:42):
try to trade him. I don't know what the trade
market is going to look like.
Speaker 8 (05:46):
For Tue.
Speaker 7 (05:47):
He looked like a regressing player this year. He has
an extensive injury history, as you mentioned, a history of
concussions as well, And certainly the Dolphins would have to
pay some of that contract. I just I don't know
what they could expect to get in return. If they
could even find a willing trade partner. Could they just
(06:07):
release him, Yes, they could. It would be an enormous
cap hit. They could spread it over two years. That's
what the Denver Broncos did when they moved on from
Russell Wilson. They took a gigantic cap hit. They spread
it over two years, and by the way, they went
to the playoffs. Immediately they hit on a quarterback. They
got very lucky. They hit on a quarterback in the
draft who could play right away. That would certainly help
(06:27):
the Miami Dolphins. Or and this seems almost unfathomable at
this moment, he could still be on the Miami Dolphins,
perhaps as a bridge quarterback, as a backup. It would
be very awkward, It would be strange, but we have
seen it happen. Kirk Cousins is still on the Atlanta Falcons.
Deshaun Watson is still on the Cleveland Browns roster. We
have seen very, very expensive backup quarterbacks exist.
Speaker 8 (06:51):
This is a very complicated situation going forward for the
Miami Dolphins and for two of and.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Russell Wilson is a very valid comparison too. He is
still on the book cap wise this year for Denver,
but they ate a lot of the money, all the
cash last year, a big chunk of the cap hit.
That's the same thing if the Dolphins were to cut
to a in March, use a post tune one designation
and keep at least some of that trouble out into
twenty twenty seven. You take a look and other quarterbacks
(07:18):
who have been benched in December, in the case of
Russell Wilson Derek Carr, those were moves that were made
in much the same way in terms of keeping options open,
not wanting a player on the field while you were
out of playoff contention who could get hurt and limit
your options as you look forward to the following season
two of going all the way from number one to
(07:40):
number three on the depth chart. As we welcome in
our Cameron wolf Zack Wilson. Cam had been the two
for most of this year other than one game in Cleveland.
But it's Quinn yours, the rookie now who takes over
the starting job. Take me through what you saw on
a daily basis when you were there at Dolphins camp
from yours and why he's the guy at this particular
(08:00):
juncture for that franchise.
Speaker 9 (08:03):
Yes, fresh blood Quinney Ewrris gives them a shot, gives
them a chance to evaluate a young player they drafted.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
For the next three games.
Speaker 9 (08:12):
When I saw him in camp, he had some up
and down periods, but you saw when he got into
game like action, he had sort of a gamer mentality,
and that's what they're hoping. They put him in this
situation to see do we have something for twenty twenty six.
But look, a large portion of this is about Mike McDaniel.
We talk about the decision for TUA, We talk about
the decision earlier this year to move on from the GM.
(08:34):
They still have to make a decision if Mike McDaniel
is coming back for twenty twenty six, and so he
wants to get a guy who can go out there,
get the ball out of his hands quickly, can help
them potentially show fight to owner Stephen Ross to decide
that maybe this can be the guy we bring back
from twenty twenty six. It's also going to be interesting
to see how Mike McDaniel functions and running an offense
(08:55):
that is not featuring toa He did a lot to
put this offense around to it it started to break down.
Can we see a world in twenty twenty six where
Mike leads a new identity, a new offense without this
quarterback and so that to me is really important for yours.
Speaker 6 (09:09):
As far as tua this.
Speaker 9 (09:11):
Feels like the end of the franchise quarterback tua Era.
A lot of this was building up his confidence throughout
the journey. I watched him in the locker room today.
He seemed upset. He didn't seem like his confident self.
And throughout the year you saw him with the lack
of decisiveness. You saw him leading the NFL and interceptions.
And I asked both him and Mike McDaniel about his
(09:32):
injuries and the impact there. He told me, matter of factly,
know my injuries did not have an impact on my play.
McDaniel said that he thought it would be irresponsible for
him to make that leap. But you got to wonder
how much he got be down throughout the process with
all those injuries and so, as Judy mentioned.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
There's still a chance he's back next year.
Speaker 9 (09:50):
But I think they're already starting the process to figure
out who is our long term answer at quarterback because
it is no longer to a tongue of ballow.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Greatf Cam to a tug of lower. Quite possibly playing
his final snap in Miami, Joe Burrow will be back
in Cincinnati in twenty twenty six, though he continues to
give us a lot of food for thought about exactly
what the future might hold.
Speaker 10 (10:15):
This week, it feels like everything everybody's trying to do
everything in their power to make me not play football,
and I feel like I'm fighting it, like fighting everybody else.
Speaker 8 (10:25):
I just want to play.
Speaker 10 (10:25):
I just want to play ball.
Speaker 6 (10:27):
All.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
I want to do a speculation after last week, just
in general, your comments last week, how much do you
love playing?
Speaker 6 (10:35):
A lot of you ever thought about.
Speaker 10 (10:37):
Not I mean you you think about it, but you
think about a lot of different things and in your life,
just like everybody does. You think about all different possibilities
that could happen. I'm gonna be playing for a long time.
I expect to play for a long time, and I
expect to play well and consistently great for a long time.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
Is he what he in the building trying to get
you to not play?
Speaker 2 (11:06):
I appreciate the candor from Joe Burrow, Judy, though every
time he's talking amidst this lost season that once again
was ruined by one of his injuries, it does raise
a lot of questions about exactly what, if anything, might
be going through his mind right now.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (11:22):
Here is what I thought was the most interesting part
of his press conference today. He was asked if he
sees a world in which he is not playing for
the Bengals in twenty twenty six, and he said no,
he could not see that. And the follow up question
was if he thinks about playing for another team in
his career, and there was a pause and he said,
(11:42):
you think about a lot of things, so certainly that
opens a can of worms up. Watching the entire press conference,
it felt like we were eavesdropping on a therapy session.
Speaker 8 (11:54):
He was very candid.
Speaker 7 (11:56):
Joe Burrow, as we have said before, is a very
deliberate speaker. He is usually very reserved with the press.
He does not give a whole lot up so he
knows that what he says when he says it out
loud has impact and that his words have power in
that building. The bottom line is here. It is clear
he is disappointed with the season. He's frustrated, he's not happy.
(12:18):
It's incumbent on the Bengals to get to the bottom
of this and to make Joe Burrow happy, because you
certainly don't want to hear him saying again that he
thinks about what it would be like playing for another
team at some point in his career.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Bengals one of about a dozen teams that already are
out of playoff contention, nothing left to play for this season.
The Rams and Seahawks have a whole lot to play
for on Thursday night, as big of a Thursday game
as we have ever had.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
The two teams.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Both eleven and three, tied atop that division right now,
and the Seahawks do, like the Rams last week, have
a scenario where they can clinch a playoff spot if
they win or tie tomorrow night, or the Lions lose
or tie in their game this weekend, then Seattle would
follow the Rams as the second NFC team to get
(13:07):
into the postseason field. As we welcome in our Bucky
Brooks to the conversation, Bucky, again, this is two teams
that are among the most talented, certainly in the NFC.
They both played really good football through the course of
the season. Just tell me what you see in this
matchup that the entire country is going to be watching
tomorrow night.
Speaker 11 (13:27):
Look, you hit Danail on the head when you're talking
about two teams that are evenly matched. When you look
at them from top to bottom, everything is nearly identical
in terms of the talent on defense, They're loaded on
the front lines. They have talented players in the back end. Offensively,
the offensive lines are playing well. They can run it
when they wanted to have talented receivers. It comes down
to quarterback play, and really it comes down to Sam
(13:49):
Donell battling the demons that the Rams defense have caused
him the last two years, first with the Minnesota Vikings
and then in an earlier matchup.
Speaker 6 (13:58):
Can he get past the boogeyman?
Speaker 11 (14:00):
And when the Rams see Sam Donald, they have a
lot of confidence and conviction that they can force them
into bad plays. So it's gonna be on the Seahawks
and Sam Donald to get comfortable to take care of
the ball, to continue to provide the explosive plays in
the passing.
Speaker 6 (14:13):
Game while not giving it away.
Speaker 11 (14:15):
Because if the Seahawks don't give the game away, man,
they're gonna be right in it in the fourth quarter,
and we've seen they close it out like no other.
Speaker 6 (14:22):
It comes down to Sam Donald being able to battle
as demons.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford on the other side, is one of
the front runners right now for NFLAVP will not have
one of his top receivers and all. Luckily tomorrow night,
DeVante Adams officially doubtful after aggravating his hamsterring Bucky, Thank
you very much more from you in a bit ian man, you.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Really had to show all those bad Sam Donald clips.
God forbody's watching here anyway, He's guy's been through enough
plenty going forward to for the NFC playoff picture. There
it is right there. You mentioned the big one. We
have Thursday night. A lot going on this weekend as well,
including a Saturday till Bears packers, both of them at
(15:02):
clinting scenarios. Basically, you win, the Lions lose, and you
are in our good friends. Stacy Dale's is going to
be there hanging out at the game, as she always is,
reporting for us on NFL Network, Stacy, what's going on?
Welcome inside with the insiders. I want to start with
the Bears perspective. There's one thing we've learned this year
is the match of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson has worked.
(15:27):
Why is this working so well Caleb?
Speaker 12 (15:31):
Well, this is working ian great question, because Caleb is
taking the coaching and he's running with it and we're
seeing a rapid evolution here in his second season with
Ben Johnson. I actually asked Ben this week at his
initial press conference on Tuesday, what has exceeded his expectations
about his young quarterback perhaps with this offense, and he
(15:51):
referenced quickly the continual journey dating all the way back
to the offseason, but said it's going to be good
in a year from now, it's going to be great
in five years from now. It's been a really nice marriage.
He specifically, though, talked about the basics with Caleb and
really the pre snap activity where he's really excelled and
where he's really grown the most to understand the elements
(16:12):
of the shifts, the motions, the cadence, all the things
that Ben wants in this offense to be able to
attack the way they want to with this run game,
and he's starting to hit some of these inbreakers.
Speaker 8 (16:21):
We're seeing some of.
Speaker 12 (16:22):
These throws here on your screen where he trusts the
offense and he's using great anticipation and those are things
that have allowed him to excel. And I spoke with
Sean Gary from these Packers today and they got a
nickname for Caleb Williams Ian Houdini. That's what the Packers
call him. Gary interestingly talked about in the pocket, his
(16:45):
contact balance in the pocket, his strength in the pocket,
and how much Caleb forces you to work to go
get after him. And it certainly will be a task
now with Micah Parsons out of the picture.
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Yeah, let's talk about that a little bit because obviously,
I mean parsionly one of the best pasts rushers in
the NFL, one of the biggest additions we have seen
in forever a teammate before the season. Now out for
the season where they torn acl Packers are still good,
They're still going to be balling. How can they make
up for the loss of this guy.
Speaker 12 (17:14):
Well, look at the lower third, which is the bottom
third of your screen for our viewers. That is twelve
and a half sacks, twelve TFLs, tackles for loss, twenty
six quarterback hits. Obviously, they're all tops through fourteen games
this season. It's just a devastating blow. But what's more
interesting and more impactful, eighty three quarterback pressures leads the
(17:35):
National Football League, guys Ian, he has forty one more
than anybody else on this Packers roster. Rashan Gary is next.
I think he's got forty three or forty four, something
like that. But I mentioned I spoke with Rashaan Gary
and he literally told me, how do you put into
words the magnitude of this loss? In Micah Parsons and
(17:59):
the restless nights? He said he gives offensive coordinators and
how everybody circles him three times on every single play
in terms of what you're doing offensively. But as Gary
told me, they have to start rushing with as one.
They have to have great communication up front from a
defensive standpoint. And it's going to be very interesting, though, Ian,
(18:21):
to see how this emotionally impacts the Green Bay Packers,
because we're talking about Superman. Back there to the point
where two weeks ago, Ben Johnson changed his scheme and
brought two tight ends into the backfield to Chip Michael Parsons.
They did it for Garrett two. But that'll change, of
course on Saturday without.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Them, among many things to change. It was a huge
one on Saturday, Stacy. Thank you very much for hanging
out with us.
Speaker 13 (18:44):
Guy.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
I love the Saturday game that time of year on
NFL Network and all around the NFL play. Need to
get to with this guy right here. The AFC North
is going to be incredibly fascinating down the shets. We'll
get into it with Brian Balding, our good friend, talk
about Aaron Rodgers, talk about Labar, and then we're gonna
talk about this guy right here, Garrett Bowles. For the
(19:07):
Denver Broncos. What he does on the field, we have
seen one of the best tackles in the NFL. Off
the field just as productive. Coming up next live on
the Insacts, that man right there has made a huge impact,
(19:27):
not just on the field for the Denver Broncos. We
will get to all that, but off the field as well.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Club nominee again,
Garrett Bowles, Welcome inside with the Insiders. Thank you very
much for joining me. Ian Rappaport, Gudya Batista as well. Garrett,
we got some football questions for you. Obviously that is important,
(19:48):
but I think it's fair to say your work off
the field has been just as significant. Want to make
sure I get this right. You have two primary areas
of focus off the field. One, you have partners with
a partner with a speech language pathologist, Jenny Buorm to
launch the Bjorham and Bos Apraxia Education Initiative to help
children who are struggling with language based issues. You have
(20:11):
also been spending time in the Juvenile probation court. You
have become a mentor there. Obviously, all of that takes
a lot, Garrett. How have you been able to manage
all the things you do off the field with all
the things you do on the field.
Speaker 13 (20:27):
I think what I do on the field off the
field just brings me that passion to be able to
perform on the field. You know, I'm a big believer
for how you live your life off the field is
how you perform on the field. So I'm getting back
to my community has always been something that I truly
love and cherish. Obviously, we open up you know, B
and B the Omables training Center for speech pathologists to
(20:48):
learn more about a practical speech It's the first one
ever in the entire world. We launched our first session
June of twenty twenty six, so that's super exciting. We
have about twenty signed up where we can get about
forty people. And then also, you know the mentorship that
I'm doing at the Marble Food Center. We're remodeling all
six pods with new carbon, new paying, new furniture, I pad, etc.
(21:11):
To help them be able to contact with their mentors,
more of their family members, and help them truly feel
love and appreciate it. And so that's what I've been doing.
It's been a huge blessing for me and my family,
and I'm beyond grateful that I get to serve the
community here in Colorado.
Speaker 7 (21:28):
Those are obviously two very different kinds of programs to
be involved with. How did you pick them as the
areas that you wanted to focus your community work on.
Speaker 14 (21:38):
Well, Number one, I'm.
Speaker 13 (21:39):
A trouble kid myself. I grew up with the detention centers,
have also been arrested.
Speaker 6 (21:44):
And so I understand what it's like to be caught
up in the lot and make mistakes.
Speaker 13 (21:48):
And I want these kids to truly feel loved and
understand what their why is and why they do what
they do, and give them some type of something motivation
to look forward to instead of just looking down and
being frustrated and feel like the world's against you. I
understand how that feels to be down in the dunts
and nobody wants you and people, you know, people don't
(22:08):
want anything to do with you. And so being able
to get back there feeling the love and having them
truly feel that passion. We also have a sentence program
where they meet certain levels. If they're on a level
two or three, bring them wings and bring them steak dinner.
I get them shoes, just something to look forward to.
Fu of these have parents and they grow up, you know,
(22:29):
in a very worldly area in a lot of you know,
low income houses here in Auroral area. So just showing
them that I love and care for them. It is
truly the passion that I have and they get, you know,
as I take the build every Sunday, they give me
that passion and I love to go out there and perform.
And my son was ynosed with the practice seach in
twenty twenty one. Is a very difficult time for me
(22:51):
and my wife and we wanted to get back to
that community. It's a very extensive therapy, you know. Being
able to do such an intensive therapy, you know, four
or five times a week for thirty minutes, it's very
just very draining. For my son Kingson. Now he's been
doing this in the last five years, he'd be able
to hold the conversations, to be able to speak. And
(23:11):
so I want to get back to those kids that
are need, like kikings to myself, so to be the
face of this training center, which the curriculums will be
called Iron King for my son Kingson and be able
to truly show these kids and families where to go,
how to get help and help them speak therapy and
specialize in this so they can go around the world
and then help these field the litter and need.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Garrett, it is amazing to think you have been a
mainstay of the Denver Broncos offensive line. You have not
yet been to a Pro Bowl. You've been All Pro,
You've not been yet been to a Pro Bowl. You
have allowed a grand total of zero sacks. You have
the lowest pressure rate in the league, and you are
the number one ranked to pro football focused tackle. Do
(23:57):
you think this changes this year with you getting a
Pro Bowl.
Speaker 13 (24:01):
I mean I would I would love to. I would
love for people to understand what I do. But at
the same time, you know, I just played football because
I truly love it. I love the passion I love
I love my teammates, I love this organization. I love
everything about the city. The city has given me everything.
This organization is given me everything to bless me, my
wife and my three kids for the rest of our lives.
(24:23):
And so you know, it would be nice to be recognized.
But at the same time, I played for all those
kids that are you know, underdogs, underdog my entire life.
That's just something that I'm used to doing, and it's
just where I feel comfortable, and I guess that that's
my life for the rest of my career. Then I'm
going to enjoy it. I'm going to embrace it, and
I play for all those kids that everyone doubts, and
(24:45):
it just continues to view my bar and continues to
make me with my dream of blacking football at a
very high level.
Speaker 7 (24:52):
All right, you all have not lost a game since September.
You got another big one, but you are in position
to see he's the first.
Speaker 8 (25:01):
Overall seed in the AFC.
Speaker 7 (25:03):
Certainly, we saw parts of this coming along last season.
We saw bo Nick starting to develop. Most coaches don't
like players to think big picture. They don't want to
talk about big picture. They want you to focus just
on what's in front of you. How has Sean Payton
handled this season where you guys have taken off.
Speaker 13 (25:23):
It's just the culture that he's built here. You know,
Coach sp is strictly about faced family football, That's really
what it is, and embracing yourself and this culture that
he's built a special You know, we don't we all
love each other well, we all crack jokes, we all
want to be around each other, we all spend extra
time together. We all text each other. And it's not
just offense texting offense, it's the entire team texting everybody.
(25:46):
We all want to hold each other accountable. We all
want what's best for each other. And that's the culture
that Coach Payn's bill, and we all embraced it. And
you know, obviously we snipped the surface last year. We
knew exactly what we wanted to do this year, and
it's all coming together. It's a very special time to
be a Denver Bronco, to be in the city, and
to be a fan of this team. And I'm beyond
grateful that I get to be here and get to
(26:07):
be part of this amazing coachure that we're building with
new ownership, a new facility that we're building, a new
stadium that we're building in twenty thirty one, and all
these amazing things that we are accomplishing. It's truly a
blessing to be here. And you know, I'm just so
grateful that we have phenomenal people in our front office,
that George Payton created this team, and you know, we
don't have anybody there to cancer. Everybody loves everybody, Everyone
(26:28):
wants to be a part of everybody. We all root
for each other, we all want what's best for each other,
and that's what a family is. And when you have
a team like that, when you have a coach like
that in the locker room, is very hard to beat
us because we know exactly what it's like to be
down and we need to pick each other up all
three phases of the game. And it's amazing to see
what we've accomplished in just a short period of time.
(26:50):
Of being here, and it's phenomenal and I could be
more grateful to be a Denver Bronco.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Awesome and the best is yet to come on field
and obviously off the fielders Will Garrett, thank you very
much for joining us on the Insiders very much. Appreciate
you and congratulations again.
Speaker 13 (27:07):
Thank you guys so much. I hope you guys have
a merry Christmas.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
The AFC North is a two team race with three
weeks to go. Steelers still up one game, in part
on the strength of beating the Ravens head to head.
Ravens holst the Patriots. On Sunday night, the Steelers visit
the Lions. Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pellicero and
Brian Baldinger.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
This is a matchup, Baldy, of.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Two teams it seems like have a little bit of
similar types of play styles.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
Break down this matchup for me, please.
Speaker 13 (27:37):
Well.
Speaker 14 (27:38):
I think this is Aaron Rodgers' fifteenth trip to Ford Field.
I'm sure he has pretty good winning records, so he
knows what it's like to go into that building. He
also knows what it's like to come out as a winner.
So the Ravens or as Steelers have one two in
a row because of Aaron Rodgers' ability right now. His
ability is stay upright, stay healthy. They dake you dunk
(27:59):
with the best of them right now. He loves to throw.
I mean this one in DK Metcalf was you know,
a pretty dice. He throw in the middlefield, but DK finishes.
Speaker 6 (28:08):
You know, the end zone.
Speaker 14 (28:09):
But you know, he throws to his backs, he throws
to his tight ends, and if he can get a
shot to DK in the middle of field.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
He's gonna take it.
Speaker 14 (28:16):
The big, big matchup in this game really for the Steelers.
They did a great job of protecting Aaron Rodgers against
the Dolphins and against the Ravens. They started Dylan Cook
last week and left tackle his first NFL start, number
sixty right there. Sixty six snaps, Tom, they were sixty
six plus plus.
Speaker 6 (28:33):
He didn't have a bad play.
Speaker 14 (28:35):
But he's gonna see Aighton Hutchinson this week on the
road with that noise. It's gonna be a big part
of whether Aaron Rodgers can continue to play at the
level he's playing, if he can protect the backside like
he wasn't then for Detroit, Tom, you know, they haven't
won two in a row since October fifth, they've won one,
lost one, one to one lost one. They lost to
the Rams in a shootout Sunday, and so if they're
(28:57):
gonna get into the playoff race here, I have to
start stacking some wins.
Speaker 6 (29:01):
That can't wait any longer.
Speaker 14 (29:02):
They can't come out of this game eight and seven,
especially with what Chicago and Green Bay can do. So
I feel like their backs are to the wall, and
I think they'll play like that. And we saw a
Monroe Saint Brown last week have one of the great
games of any wide receiver in this league this year.
Fifteen catches two touchdowns like he was unstoppable, and he
might have to be unstoppable this week.
Speaker 6 (29:24):
I feel for Detroit it'd.
Speaker 14 (29:26):
Be good if they could get Jamier Gibbs going. I
thought the Ralliams did a good job of shutting him down,
but they're really an offense that can score with the
best of them. They did last week, even if one
guy is shut down like Gibbs was. I think they
need all cylinders offensively going to really counteract whatever Aaron
Rodgers can.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
Do do not move.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
We got a Baldi's breakdown on the Chargers coming up
in just a little bit. But first, Ian, give me
some fantasy tips.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
Please.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
Here's a tip. I don't have anything good. I was
gonna make a cracker our good friend Michael et Floya,
who got absolutely destroyed by Marcus, and I have nothing
to say because it's just so humiliating. Marcus Grant joined
us on the Insiders. Thank you very much for hanging
this this segment. We like to call Marcus my words
because his name is Marcus and he's got great words.
(30:13):
So I want you to detail kind of give us
a little insight into how you brutally massacred Florio. Give
us some sleepers. I want to start with the quarterback position.
So let's start with Bryce Young.
Speaker 15 (30:25):
And you're had a choice last week against Florida to
start Trevor Lawrence or Bryce Young. Last week I went
to Trevor Lawrence. Route worked out pretty well. This week,
I'm gonna go Bryce Young because the lesson late least
to start your quarterbacks against the Bucks. Since week ten,
Tampa Bay is giving up over twenty five fantasy points
per game to the position six straight games in a
lot at least eighteen fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Speaker 4 (30:47):
And these aren't all high level quarterbacks.
Speaker 15 (30:48):
We're talking about Tyler Schuck, We're talking about Kirk Cousins
coming back to start. So this has been a good
opportunity for Bryson what should be a really interesting game
since Week eleven, eight touchdown passes, two picks for young,
really good spot for fantasy.
Speaker 4 (31:01):
Folks here man Tyler shutcats in some strays on that one.
All good though, All right, once you give me a
couple more potential waiver wires sleepers, Let's focus on the
tight end position.
Speaker 15 (31:14):
Oh, let's start with Kobe Parkinson. And I know the
Rams are still trying to make their way to Seattle
right now, but Parkinson's been third in target share this year,
behind Pooka Nakua and DeVante Adams. We know Adams is
doubtful for this game on Thursday night. On top of it,
it's just a great matchup for Parkinson. Seahawks the sixth
best matchup for tight ends this season. They've given up
(31:34):
the third most receptions, fourth most yards to the tight
end position. Then another one's Mike Gasiki. This one's a
little bit of a deeper poll. This one mostly about
the matchups because Gaseki himself just two games and more
than twenty receiving yards all year. But Miami the second
best matchup for tight ends this season, the only team
that's given up more receptions and more yards to the position. Well,
(31:55):
it's the same Cincinnati Bengals that Gasiki plays for. So
with the Dolphins looking down on wide receivers, this could
be a lot of targets for Agasiki this week.
Speaker 4 (32:04):
Now, Dolphin's defense catching straights. Wy, don't you give me
a sleeper defense? I assume not the Bengals.
Speaker 6 (32:11):
Not the Bengals this week.
Speaker 15 (32:12):
No, it's gonna be the Buffalo Bills. And again, it's
all about the matchups here because Shardor Sanders had a
really big game a couple of weeks ago against the
Tennessee Titans. Outside of that, he's averaging fewer than one
hundred and eighty passing yards per game. He's got a
handful of interceptions. He's also been sacked ten times in
the starts that he has made so far this year. Now,
the Bills are not getting a ton of pressure against
(32:34):
opposing quarterbacks, but I think against this Cleveland Browns offensive front,
I think they'll figure out a way to get home.
I think they can force Shador into some interceptions and
if you're looking to stream a defense and maybe the
Saints aren't available for you, the Bills should be out
there and a chance to get them in your lineups.
Speaker 7 (32:51):
Welcome back to the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance. Here
is your AFC playoff picture as it stands right now.
Check out the Chargers ten and four. They are the
fifth seed right now in the wild card spot, in
the top wild card spot. Obviously, the Broncos are in
the catbird seed. They have a chance to seize the
(33:11):
top overall seed in the AFC. Let's bring in Baldy
is back and our Jane Slater. We're going to talk
about Chargers at Cowboys. Baldy, I want to start with you.
Derwin James had the great interception that basically ended the
Chiefs season last week. I know you have a breakdown
of Baldi's breakdown. Show it to us.
Speaker 6 (33:32):
Well.
Speaker 14 (33:32):
First of all, Judy Durwin coming in this world. There
are energy givers and there are energy takers. Drwin is
an energy giver, and he's an energy giver with talent
and incredible instincts.
Speaker 6 (33:44):
He's drivening with instincts.
Speaker 14 (33:46):
So Jesse Muners Design and offense where he's got a
great deal of freedom, like Drtlin's right here on your screen.
He can line up anywhere, but he kind of knows
exactly where Kareem Hunt is going to be. And he's
an excellent tackle. He's square, he's low, he takes his legs,
he's down when he hits you, the play's over. I
mentioned instincts here, his ability to tying this right here
(34:08):
and to really meet Pacheco in the backfield with Tooley
Tuli Polotto right here for a four yard loss. So
you see that. Okay, that that And then when I
say that he is an energy giver, he also brings
the wood Judy like he comes and he'll smack you
like this is a good smack smack here to Rashi
Rice little stick route. The Chiefs loves to start drives
(34:29):
with this, but like he separates Rasi from the ball
like those kind of hits. It gets everybody energized on
the sideline. And then this is an instinct here, like
Darius Cooper is responsible for blocking Derwin James. He's got
note he already knows this is gonna be a handoff
on first down to Saque. He's gonna he's gonna beat
him to the ball right here. Takes him off his feet,
(34:50):
all right, and then he can match up with big receivers,
tight ends and classic matchups with Travis Kelce. Here they
are in the red zone. Obviously he's a big target
for Holmes over the last eight years. Here he just
plasters them. He knows that this play could go on,
it could be extended. Mahomeso's out of move scramble, so
he just plasters them. Mahomes is looking, he wants to
(35:11):
throw it to him, but not with Derwin's sitting there,
and so he's forced to just kind of throw it away.
And then you mentioned the end of the game, the
closer like coming in right in this situation twenty seconds ago,
the chief sting of field goal to tie this game,
maybe to go to overtime. Derwin plays this route outside
Amy where he's got help on the inside here Judy, right,
he's got the help here.
Speaker 4 (35:31):
Now he's playing.
Speaker 6 (35:32):
Now, he's reading the route.
Speaker 14 (35:33):
Now, he's just a route reader right here, and he
beats Kelsey to the ball to really finish that game
with an interception. We're talking about a unique player with
a lot of experience and a lot of instincts, and
really jesse Minner's defense allows Derwin to really freelance quite
a bit within the structure of the defense and use
(35:54):
his instincts to gamble and to make the plays that
he has. And I feel like he's the leader of that,
not just the defense, but the leader of the team,
and he embraces it.
Speaker 8 (36:05):
Big game player, Derwin James.
Speaker 7 (36:07):
All right, Jane, let's look at the Cowboys now, because
one of the mysteries of the season is Trayvon Diggs.
Speaker 8 (36:14):
You caught up with him. What is going on there?
Speaker 16 (36:18):
Yeah, Judyan Bryan, there are two sides to every story,
and we really haven't talked to Trayvon Diggs yet, and
I wanted to make it clear I did talk to
him today and I want to clear some things up.
There have been a lot of rumors about how Trayvon
Diggs got injured at home. After speaking with them, I
think it's really important that I put this out there.
(36:39):
His version is far less defarious than some of the
rumors that have been floating around on the internet, and
it's affecting him and to some extent, he wants that
cleared up.
Speaker 8 (36:49):
Is he healthy?
Speaker 16 (36:50):
Diggs says he is why is he wants to get
on the entry report with an issue? Well, according to him,
he's been a full go, but conceded that he Brian
Schottenheimer and Matt Eberflus discussed his mistakes and practice and
Cover two the way he is played though as them
questioning the health of the need Now. Jerry Jones on
one to five three the Fan this Week set as much, saying, quote,
(37:11):
Diggs has a very unique way he continues to play
on the team. He'll go away from the scheme to
make a great play, and when he doesn't make that play, you.
Speaker 8 (37:19):
Can have a bad, bad play.
Speaker 16 (37:21):
Now, Diggs also concedes his talented corner may not be
his strengths and Cover two, but he tells me he's
working on it and wants to be here. With effort
at communication, perhaps this gets fixed. But right now they
are working with guys like Savone Ravel and Kayln Carson
as they look to the future because for all intents
and purposes at this point, they're eliminated from the postseason. Now,
(37:42):
I'm told that they would love for Trayvon to fit
here and find his path forward with us, but there
is a clear and certain path that must be upheld
and the message there is, guys, there is a scheme
they need him to fit into it. But there are
a lot of rumors and conspiracies that are floating around,
and I can tell you right now it is getting
(38:02):
to travel on. So I think it's important that we
bring some of this up.
Speaker 8 (38:06):
Very curious situation.
Speaker 7 (38:07):
Jane, thanks for shedding some light on it, and Baldy
thank you as well. When we return on the Insiders,
we're going to take a look at another very very
interesting division, the AFC South. Look at the quarterbacks in
the AFC South, Trevor Lawrence, C. J. Stroud and Philip Rivers.
Grandpa Philip Rivers. Bucky Brooks will be back with us
(38:27):
when we return.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Tom Now for.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
Good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance. The Texans are the
only team in the NFL to have four players with
three or more interceptions this season. Feilan Petrie, Kamari Laster,
and Kaylen Bullock have four picks each.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
Derek Stingley Junior has three.
Speaker 2 (38:52):
Those four guys have combined for fifteen of Houston's sixteen
interceptions this season. That Texans defense big reason that they've
got back into it after an zero to three start,
currently sending just one game back of the Jaguars, who
have an opportunity to bring another playoff berth to Jacksonville
this weekend. They are one of a number of teams
(39:13):
that have a playoff clinching scenario this week. For the Jags,
it is a win plus a Cold sloss or a
win plus a Texans loss. Again, as that AFC South
continues to heat up, as we welcome back our Bucky
Brooks to the conversation with me, Tom Pelicero Jaguars Broncos
this week. Bucky, if you want to be a playoff factor,
(39:35):
you got to play teams like this.
Speaker 11 (39:37):
Break down this matchup for me. You know this is
a great matchup two great teams. Talked about the Broncos
being on eleven game winning streak. Their defense is lice
out vance. Joseph has done a really good job of
being able to pressure with four and play max coverage
behind it. And the reason why the Broncos defense so
good to cause you play sticky coverage behind it, they
can lock on and make life miserable for offenses is
(40:00):
the Jaguars offense has been rolling.
Speaker 6 (40:02):
Since the by week.
Speaker 11 (40:03):
Since Week nine, this team has put up twenty five
plus points in each of their seven games. They're averaging
over thirty two points and so they can light it up.
And part of the reason is because Trevor Lawrence has
really settled in if you look over the last three games,
ten touchdowns, no giveaways, doing a great job of putting
the ball in the hands of playmakers, and Liam Cohen
(40:24):
has been in his bag. This is gonna be a
very compelling matchups between two play callers, Liam Cohen Vance
Joseph because ultimately it's gonna be decided on the Jags
offense versus the Broncos defense. Winner is ultimately gonna win
the game.
Speaker 2 (40:39):
Great stuff, Bucky, enjoy that game on Sunday. Everybody can
enjoy The Insiders five days a week right here on
NFL Network, as well as Mondays on fast streaming platforms
the NFL Channel thursdays as well.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
It's a podcast every day. You really can't miss us.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
Kind of like the Packers athletic training staff couldn't miss
the other thing that was going on on the field
when their safety Evan Williams got hurt. Talked with the
Porters today, said that he sprained his MCL on the
same play where Michaeh Parsons tore his acl, saw one
trader with a water bottle over him and wondered, Hey,
where's everybody else? Michael Parsons is a pretty important player
(41:20):
to that team. Nothing against Evan Williams, who is also
having a really good season.
Speaker 8 (41:25):
Ian.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
It's kind of like when you complain constantly about getting
more airtime and Judy, me, Mike, We're all just sitting
there going, hey, what about us?
Speaker 4 (41:36):
I would actually say, it's more like when you break
news and then something else more important happens and you're like,
what I just hit send? No one cares about my
news because this other crazy thing. Couldn't they have waited
until a different time. That Judy is the absolute worst.
So therefore, Evan, who is really good by the way,
I feel your pain.
Speaker 7 (41:58):
I just can't imagine being hurt, being laid out on
an NFL field and they're like, yeah, here's a band
aid and an aspirin will get you later, because we've
got to go over here with this guy, because this
guy's a superstar.
Speaker 8 (42:10):
Get well. Evan Williams and Micah of course too.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
Yes, Matt Packer is one of the best medical and
athletic training staffs in the league.
Speaker 1 (42:17):
Let's just make that abundantly clear. Here, one guy stuffer
a very good you're superstar. The other guy's a good player.
We've got a listener injury. Anyway, it's hard out there. Sometimes.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
The only thing worse ian actually than the scenario you
described is when you get some news you haven't posted
it yet. Then something else, bigger breaks and you're like,
do I even post this now?
Speaker 1 (42:37):
Do I wait five minutes? It's tough, tough,
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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