December 10, 2024 • 42 mins
NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Judy Battista, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report the latest football headlines amidst the League's special meeting near Dallas, Texas. Broncos Linebacker and Walter Payton Man of the Year Candidate Alex Singleton joins the show, before Jane Slater and Brian Baldinger recap Monday Night Football. Later, Jeffri Chadiha talks playoff periphery teams and Sam Schwartzstein previews Thursday Night Football on Prime Video and NFL+.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
The Eagles are on a nine game winning streak. They
are in the race for the NFC's number one seed.
So if you're an injured player, why not go on
a podcast and talk about why your.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Star quarterback isn't friends anymore with his top receiver. Only
in Philly.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
We will dive into that drama before we see go
in the regular season. Some teams that have been written
off over and over again are still in the hunt
or lurky or whatever. Will TUA be playing meaningful games
into late January? Will Matthew Stafford be there? Our buddy
Jeffrey Todea will tell you what he expects Broncos and
(00:45):
the thick of it too pivotal game for them on
Sunday against the Colts. Alex Singleton's been watching this like
a lot of us, from the sideline as he's.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Rehabbing his knee.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Does he see bow Knicks delivering a playoff berth to
the Broncos.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
We will, We'll ask him when he joins the show.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Well, come inside with the insiders alongside Ian Rappaport and
Judy Batista.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I am Tom Pelisero.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
We are at the NFL December meeting in Dallas, we
are presented by Progressive Insurance, and that's our guy, Mike Carrafullo,
who corrected me earlier. He is in New Jersey, not
New York, joining us for this show as well. Week
fourteen now officially in the books.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Week fifteen just a couple of days away.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Boy do we have a showdown in Philadelphia coming up
this weekend against a Steelers team that once again could
be without one of its top weapons. Coach Mike Tomlin
saying today the George Pickens, who tweaked his hamstring in
practice last week, has a chance to go this week,
but described him as doubtful, certainly adding pressure on some
(01:50):
of the other weapons that Pittsburgh has. With the possibility
they could wrap up a playoff berth, it's very straightforward.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Beat the Eagles they are in.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
They also would get in with a Dollins and Colts loss.
The Houston Texans also can punch their playoff ticket with
a win plus a Colts loss this weekend. On the
other side of that Steelers Eagles matchup, well, aj Brown
expressed a little bit of frustration after the Eagles pulled
one out against the Panthers last week. Again, there was
(02:19):
a lot closer than people might have expected going in.
Was asked what they need to improve on, he said,
passing Brandon Graham, who is injured but not reserved.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Had some thoughts on that.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
One is trying and I mean eleven could be a
little better with how he responded things. And they was
friends before this. It's like, man, but things have changed.
And I understand that because life happiness. But it's the
business side that we have to make sure that we
don't let the personal get in the way of the business.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
And that's what we got to do better as right
now and.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
The present it all right, Uh, clean up in Aisle
fifty five, Brandon Graham, you the other any other thoughts.
After having a day to think about this and all,
I don't know, get several calls from Eagles headquarters saying,
what are you doing.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
I want to start off by this, you know, apologizing
to my guys. You know, I was gonna see him
today anyway, but I wanted to start here first publicly
since we all was here, because I.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Ain't want to make this.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I made the assumption I didn't know all the details
and I still don't, and I was just like dang,
like you know, I really just saw everything that y'all
saw with the with the video, and I just was
reacting to that and I should have used a little
more logic on it.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
Man. I just want to win pretty much.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
And for me, I know that I didn't add to
everything that I said I didn't want him to do.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
I did too, and you know, I want to own that.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
But we all make mistakes, and you know this was
one of my mistakes that I mean, you know, you're
never too proud of no mistakes.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
But it's something that I definitely learned from.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
And I know for sure them guys when I do
talk to him, they don't understand where I'm coming from.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Always a good time to go inside the drama, Mike,
her full of you were around that Eagles team a lot.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I think we all love Brandon Graham.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
Right when he got hurt a few weeks ago, we
all talked about how fun it is he interacted with him.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
He's a big personality. He's been there forever good on
his podcast.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Apparently the followers he stepped in one here. You know
that team, Well, Mike, what do you make of everything?
Speaker 5 (04:27):
Which is why it was so surprising to hear this
coming from Brandon Graham. I mean, I'm hearing this and
thinking to myself, does he not realize he's not retired yet?
Like this is usually where all of a sudden you
retire and guys start speaking more freely. Not quite there yet,
Brandon Graham. Now, look, you make the calls, you start
talking to the players and the staff there.
Speaker 6 (04:44):
And the reaction that I'm getting.
Speaker 5 (04:46):
Is there's really no great beef between aj Brown and
Jalen Hurts. Now that being said, sure he wants the
football more and he, like everybody else involved in this
passing offense, was frustrated that things didn't work out, and
Jalen Hurts took some sacks the other day when maybe
he could have gotten the ball out a little bit quicker.
There was early in the game a flag route, sail route,
(05:06):
seven route, whatever you want to call it, the one
that kind of is a post toward the sideline.
Speaker 6 (05:10):
He was wide open. I mean it was a big play.
Galen Hurts didn't see him.
Speaker 5 (05:14):
I watched his reaction after the play, not happy at
all that the ball didn't come his way. So when
the offense is not going, even if you're winning games,
even if you're winning nine in a row.
Speaker 6 (05:23):
But when the.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
Offense is not going and you're not getting the football
and your name is AJ Brown, you're going to be upset.
Speaker 6 (05:28):
And so that's what we've got.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
On our hands here, the part about them not being
friends and alluding to something else there. They seem to
have been closer years ago than they are right now.
Speaker 6 (05:39):
But I don't.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
Again, I'm not that anybody would come out and tell me,
but I'm getting a lot of pushback on the notion
that these guys are beefing and that they truly believe
they can still coexist.
Speaker 6 (05:49):
Mos See, Let's.
Speaker 7 (05:52):
Set aside the personal dynamics, whatever they may be. The
fact of the matter is they haven't had a two
hundred and fifty yard passing game in nearly.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Two more months.
Speaker 7 (06:01):
And the question is they're thirty first in passing. Having
said that, they're a top ten scoring offense, and they're
winning because they're getting an MVP level season from their
running back. The question is, though, is this a sustainable
way to play football as they go deeper and deeper
into the playoffs. Can they beat the Detroit Lions, for instance?
If it comes to that with this kind of offense
(06:23):
with a small passing attack and a very heavy Saquon
Barkleague game. I mean, the answer is yes, as long
as they get ahead of the Lions, as long as
they don't fall behind a superpower offense and have to
catch up, then you're going to need the passing game.
But right now, I mean, they are winning again. They
are scoring when you look at the scorings that they're scoring.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
So this sort of feels like a tempest right now.
Speaker 7 (06:48):
And as long as they keep winning, you can say,
we can sort of joke about whatever the relationship is
like and Brandon Graham, God love them's. The only time
this becomes a serious problem is if they struggle to
keep up with some of the biggest offenses that they're
gonna face.
Speaker 8 (07:03):
It's always a little weird and alarming when you realize
that there's fifty three people in the locker room, actually
more when you include practice squad, and they are not
all best friends, and that can be jarring and it
can be kind of off putting. And you imagine that
like they go in the locker room, they go to practicing,
go in the locker room, then afterward they all go
out to dinner, and then they go out for maybe
drinks and then they say good night and see each
other next morning. Like that is not always the reality
(07:24):
in the NFL, or in literally any job, all though
for us it actually is, but not always in every job.
So the fact that they may not be best friends, it
doesn't sound great to the public, but it also doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
I would also say this, though.
Speaker 8 (07:38):
To bring up their winning and they're rolling, they're running
the heck out of the ball. To bring up the
fact that the passing game hasn't been what they've wanted
is good. To get it out in the open is good.
A little painful right now, but eventually good because what
it forces you to do is take the problem's head
on and say, okay, is this not good enough?
Speaker 9 (07:55):
Great, let's focus on it.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Let's get better.
Speaker 8 (07:57):
Because yes, they're winning, but with this formula, they have
to be perfect to win every game when it counts most.
So in the end, it's a little ugly and weird,
but I don't think necessarily all around that.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
I was also struck by watching those highlights or low ledgs,
whatever you want to call them. They were going up
against the Carolina Panthers defense that I'm not sure most people,
including us, could name three players who were active on
defense for the Panthers last week. Adrian Rovero has done
an amazing job with a decimated defense there, and they're
every week seeming to play these teams tough and then
(08:31):
creating those conversations like.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
What's wrong you almost lost.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
To the Panthers, Well, you plan to actually lose in
the Eagles spot, they won what eleven games already? Here
elsewhere in Carolina, you might have heard UNC looking for
a new head coach, and Bill Belichick remains very much
in the mix for that job. He's had a series
of conversations dating back to the end of last week.
(08:54):
He has made clear that he does have a genuine
interest and potentially going to the college game. We know
this because Bill Belichick has made the media rounds as
he has been four months now, including with his good
friend Jim Gray.
Speaker 10 (09:07):
I'm open to you know a number of thoughts. I've
had an interesting year this year working to in somewhat
of an analytical and media role. Football at any of
the college or the professional level does interest me, and
I would explore those opportunities as well and ultimately see
what you know, what everybody has to offer and what
would be the best fit for me and potentially another organization,
(09:31):
or it could be in the media. You know, I
like the media, Jim.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
I think that an important part of the framing of
this with Bill Belichick. As you go back to a
year ago, Ian only one team talked to him. It
was only at the Atlanta Falcons that Intervieweder had any
type of serious conversation with Bill Belichick about.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
A head coaching job.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
We're not to the NFL cycle yet, we are still
a month away from a lot of the openings that
are going to.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Pop up actually being there.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
He has this opportunity right now to potentially go to
the college level, and it seems like above all else.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Bill Belichick's a football coach.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
He wants to coach football, and they're doing enough to
at least keep him engaged about this possible.
Speaker 8 (10:12):
Oh yeah, this seems at the very least it seems real.
Speaker 9 (10:16):
Now.
Speaker 8 (10:16):
Is Bill Belichick and end up as a North Carolina coach?
I don't know if anybody knows that for sure, but
at least he is entertaining it. They North Carolina more
than entertaining, and it does seem if everything aligns that,
if Bill Belichick wants this job that he could potentially
get it.
Speaker 9 (10:33):
That is my.
Speaker 8 (10:33):
Understanding of talking to several sides of this. If Belichick
wants it, they can figure out a way for him
to get it. I would also say this, and it's
dangerous to speak on what Bill Belichick is thinking, because
even though he's got many friends across the NFL, even
though he's consulted with so many of them, including college coaches,
throughout this process, you don't really know what he's thinking.
(10:54):
It doesn't seem to me that the overall wins record
for a head coach is the most important thing for him.
What it seems like is most important judy is being
a coach, helping and see him win, just coaching and
so like. If it's at North Carolina it seems a
little different. But to me it makes a lot of sense,
(11:15):
and I would not be surprised at the end of
the day if this ended up happening.
Speaker 7 (11:18):
I think the bottom line here is Bill Belichick wants
to be back on a sideline, whether it is at
the college level or the professional level. I think what
is so surprising of the timing right now is we
are seeing the opposite happen because of the incredible changes
in the college game, nil transfer portal. You are seeing
some of the great coaches in college athletics across the board, basketball, football,
(11:45):
leave because the job has changed so dramatically. And now
you're talking about arguably the greatest NFL coach in history
possibly going into that at a time when everybody else
is coming out of it. It certainly makes you wonder
and you talk to some people who say this has
to be a power play to try to get NFL
(12:06):
teams to make a move maybe, or is it that
he has looked at the landscape, As you pointed out, Tom,
there was limited interest in Bill Belichick last year at
this time, and has he looked at the landscape of
what the openings might be this year. He certainly has
many contexts in the NFL and put out feelers and
realized maybe the opportunities are not going to be vest
(12:27):
again this cycle, or maybe the opportunities that are going
to be available are not appealing enough to him, and
so he has turned his attention to the college game.
I think the bottom line is somewhere we're going to
see Bill Belichick back on the sideline.
Speaker 5 (12:41):
Well, Judy, as you have these conversations with folks who
are really involved in both worlds now college and pro,
and they've got a sense for what's happening at North Carolina.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
What the conversations are.
Speaker 5 (12:52):
The feeling is that Belichick is looking at this saying, well,
I've got the experience of being able to run an
NFL type program, which is now what it's like when
you are a college head coach, and to take an
approach that, yeah, some programs are taking in the sense
that they're having general managers come on board, whether it's
football or basketball with the NIL to sort of assemble talent.
(13:16):
In Belichick's mind, it sounds like an entire operation is
what he's looking for here, and this is only going
to be on his terms to have a coaching staff
as well as.
Speaker 6 (13:25):
An entire personnel department.
Speaker 5 (13:27):
It sounds like to be able to handle the recruiting process,
the NIL process, and everything that goes into and feeling like, well,
I've got the experience of not just being a head
coach in the NFL, but running the entire building, running
the entire operation, having full control. It's why when we
try to figure out where he might land in the NFL,
we say, wow, that job is probably not going to
(13:48):
make sense because he wouldn't have full control there there's
a sitting general manager in this case, he's going to
have the full control, which is something that he desires.
Speaker 6 (13:55):
This is definitely a serious thing. I mean, Ian, we've.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
Talked about this in the last couple of days. This
is not something he's just doing to kill time. He's
definitely serious about the possibility here.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
The other complicating factor right now is time. The transfer
portal window is open. Teams are committing nil money. Several
of North Carolina's top players have transferred. They had a
top linebacker recruit who decommitted and is headed elsewhere. If
he's going to put it together, this needs to come.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Together very quickly.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
And that's one more reason to think we're going to
have resolution here within the next couple of days. Speaking
of general managers, some of the future gms across the
league are involved in the NFL's latest Front Office Accelerator
program that includes Packers Director of Pro Personnel Richmond Williams.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Who joined me a short time ago here in Dallas.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Richmond, this is your fourth time now here at the
NFL Front Office Accelerator. What have you learned, what's new
for you this time around.
Speaker 11 (14:52):
This time around, I would say, just being more intentional
about how to apply to some of the knowledge about
you know, effective leadership, how to really do with staff,
connecting with people, being empathetic in your process. I would
say probably with one of the biggest things at least
disc go around that have been pretty you know, impactful
in terms of just you know, a couple of days
that we've been here so far.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Also has to be interesting.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Now you're meeting these owners for the third and the
fourth time and talking to some of the same people,
is there is there a rapport that starts to develop there.
Speaker 11 (15:19):
I will say yes, like kind of to that point.
When we played Arizona at home in Green Bay, actually
ran into the Bidwell family and it recognized me. So
that was pretty cool. So you never know. But again,
like this is just another space an opportunity for you know,
kind of put yourself out there, introduce yourself to people.
And then there's also opportunities as you play those potential
teams to one when they're on the field pre game
(15:41):
to go out and you know, shake a hand, Hey,
you know I met you at the accelerator programs. Just
checking in seeing how you're doing so yeah, I mean
it's been pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
So when you get your opportunity somewhere down the line
to be a general manager here, you come from such
a stable organization in Green Bay, it's very unique, from
the quarterback to the front office to not having an owner.
How do you apply the lessons from the pack organization
or wherever you end up.
Speaker 11 (16:01):
Well, I would say, first and foremost, so like, one,
We've been to a super Bowl, so I know what's
supposed to look like. Secondly, you know I've been through
you know, will be two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and
those transitions, which are also important.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
You know.
Speaker 11 (16:13):
I think it's just being in the space of understanding
how it's supposed to look and then understanding that when
you go to an organization where are they in that
process and trying to find ways to kind of weave
you know, just my own personal ideas and thoughts with
them to you know, the current culture, to get them
on the path to where, you know, the vision of
where I would like to take the team.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
So you guys are in playoff position once again right now.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
What has you excited about what the rest of the
season can bring for the twenty twenty four packers.
Speaker 11 (16:37):
I mean, I think like any year, you know, for us,
it's always about the Super Bowl. I mean, that's always
the end goal. We don't, you know, that's how we
judge ourselves.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
But to be able to.
Speaker 11 (16:45):
Be in the position to go to the playoffs and
get in the dance, because we've we've been there. I've
been on a team that was fifteen to one first
round in the playoffs we got bounced out. So I've
been on highly successful teams and then also the Super
Bowl team where we weren't very good, we were about
on a ton of injuries and still made it, you know,
to the finish line and we're able to host that trophy.
I just think, you know, you have to get in
the dance, and then once you're in there, records, you know, teams, rosters,
(17:09):
all those things out of the window. Becomes who's the
best team that day. I think that's probably the most
important thing that you know, as an organization to have
to express to your not only your coaches, but the
staff of the locker room.
Speaker 9 (17:20):
You know.
Speaker 11 (17:20):
I think it's an instrumental acture the time.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Vergimon, I appreciate it.
Speaker 9 (17:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
The backers can lock up their playoff spot this weekend.
The Broncos can take a big step forward toward doing
the same if they can beat the Colts. Alex Singleton
rehabbing for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Does he think.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Denver has what it takes to make a run in
twenty twenty four. We'll ask him when Alex Singleton joins
us right after this on The Insider is presented by
Progressive Insurance.
Speaker 12 (17:52):
You have done so much for Special Olympics, not just
here but really around the country and around the glow
and we all very much appreciate all YouTube. You've shared
your platform and your spotlight to really lift up so
many others. And we know we have this interview here
and since your sister really was the one who inspired
you to get involved, we thought we couldn't conduct an
(18:14):
interview without your sister here. So you have a little
surprise for you.
Speaker 9 (18:20):
What the heck barck of Megathy? Hey, thank you. Wow,
that's cool. Wow, thank you, that's so cool.
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Alex and Ashley Singleton right there sharing a moment after
Alex found out he is the Broncos nominee for the
Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award to be presented
at NFL Honors a couple of days before the Super Bowl.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
That'll be in February.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
Right now, in December, we get the chance to visit
with Alex Singleton. Alex, congratulations on the nomination. Your sister
actually a Special Olympian. She has participated in a number
of sports. Swimming, I believe is her favorite sport. Talk
about the connection between the two of you and how
she inspired you to do what you've done for Special Olympics.
Speaker 13 (19:13):
Yeah, first, thank you, but yeah, she's you know, kind
of inspired me my entire life seeing her grow up,
you know, to me, it was just always my big sister,
and I never you know, until I, you know, was
seven eight years old to realize that not every person
grows up with a sibling with you know, a disability,
(19:34):
much less down syndrome.
Speaker 9 (19:35):
So, you know, every day.
Speaker 13 (19:37):
Just seeing you know, kind of the struggles she went
through and how you know she's used those now as
she's gotten older to you know, just become a better
person and such a strong person. And that's what has
been so awesome as her being a Special Olympic athlete,
to just be able to see her continue to grow
and using special Olympics and sports has inspired me, you know,
(19:59):
on the field and off the field even more. And
you know, I'm just so thankful for having you know,
heard in my life.
Speaker 5 (20:05):
An un drafted free agent in the NFL first round
CFL draft pick yourself. Yeah, you can see the inspiration
certainly that you have drawn from your family, from your teammates.
I covered you closely when you were with the Eagles
earlier on in your career. The nomination for this award,
we call it the prestigious Walter Payton Mann of the
Year Award because it is to find that out from
(20:27):
your sister, and also the nomination itself.
Speaker 6 (20:29):
What kind of feelings did you have learning that?
Speaker 13 (20:32):
Yeah, I was just trying not to, you know, get
into tears. It means so much because to me, with
you know, giving back to Special Olympics and everything, you know,
with my sister and the communities that I've been involved with,
you know, with everything with people with intellectual disabilities. I
think it's so you know, to have the platform I
(20:54):
have to have that stage to you know, be nominated
for an award like this. There's just so many other
people that do so much for that community that it's
it's just really cool to you know, even for me
to be recognized, but it's really a recognition to every
single one of those people and what they do in
that community to change people's lives.
Speaker 6 (21:15):
It's awesome.
Speaker 5 (21:16):
It's great work with the community. There are videos of
you and actually working out together in the off season.
She's your workout partner as well. I'm sure she inspires
you in that regard. How does she push you in
the weight room and elsewhere as are getting ready for
the season.
Speaker 13 (21:29):
I just think, you know, one I have to chase
her accomplishments in sports. I could play football till I'm
ninety and will not catch her. So I'm working in
trouble in that aspect. But just you know her join
at all, you know, I think just how much she
enjoyed just us being together and working out together.
Speaker 9 (21:45):
It it makes me I really look at sports as
you know, a privilege.
Speaker 13 (21:50):
It's not a right that any of us get to,
you know, continue to play a professional sport for a living.
And you know, seeing you know, not just her, but
every single athlete special Olympics, how they how they truly
you know, take it as a privilege to get to
compete and so I you know, I just really take
that same mindset, you know, onto the field and every
single damn in the building, and it you know, it
really pushes me every single off season and in season.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
I'm sure she's inspiring your rehab now, unfortunately not playing
it right now. Suffer that ACL injury earlier in the season.
Give us an update on your rehab. It's a lot
of tackles not on the field. One hundred and seventy
seven I believe was the number last year. So the
Broncos are trying to move forward without you here.
Speaker 6 (22:30):
How is that rehab going?
Speaker 13 (22:32):
Yeah, it's not the funnest thing. I don't wish an
ACL on anybody. I think it's my first real injury,
and I'm like, man, do nobody you know say it
as healthy as you can.
Speaker 9 (22:43):
But it's going really well.
Speaker 13 (22:44):
I'm eight weeks out now. I like to tell people
my life is normal again. I can you know, I
can sit down, walk around, do basic workouts. But yeah,
football is still to come in a few more months,
but just regular life, I'm back to normal. I'm at
every game to cheer the guys on and media you know,
on game days, and then you know, I'm in the
in the meeting rooms and some practices. So it's good
(23:07):
to it's good to be around a lot more than
I was a few months ago.
Speaker 5 (23:11):
Yeah, you're a part of this team as this team
is making what many might consider a surprising run. But
I remember talking to you and the guys that cover
that game against the Jets that was considered an upset
back then. But now we see where this team has gone.
What kind of confidence have you seen throughout the season
with this entire team with John Payton at the lead.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
Yeah, a ton.
Speaker 13 (23:29):
I think, you know, the one big thing everyone wanted
to preach so early about us in the season was
we're just a young team that you know, doesn't really
have an identity. I think two things we've done is
we found an identity, and I think that young confidence
kind of some of the sometimes I think that just
a college kid who doesn't really know any better, doesn't
doesn't know how bad.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
The Broncos were before.
Speaker 13 (23:51):
And so you know, we've created you know what we are,
We've created our identity and uh yeah, playing with a
lot of confidence in winning football games.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
And you as a guy on the defensive side of
the ball who's got to deal with quarterbacks. When you
watch what bo Nicks is doing, what has impressed you
the most is he suddenly thrust himself into the conversation
for offensive Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 13 (24:12):
His confidence and just the way he can, you know,
takes care of the football. I think that's the hardest
position to obviously come into a league and play as
a rookie, and to do it the way he's done
is really special.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
To just want to continue to.
Speaker 13 (24:25):
Improve, believe in the coaching staff, and believe in what
he's you know, taught and told every week. And then
to also you know, he's got a little gamer in him.
Speaker 9 (24:31):
I like it.
Speaker 13 (24:32):
He's got that like silent assassin swag during games, which
I love, and he's got that confidence to go with it.
So it's been really fun to watch and just I've
enjoyed continuing to watch him improve weekend and week out.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Before I let you go, you've basically been serving as
a assistant coach basically on vance Joseph staff right here.
Has that inspired you one day to say, Hey, my
playing career is over, I might want to do this
coaching thing.
Speaker 13 (24:58):
Oh yeah, you know, I think it' something I will
never get rid of his football. I think a lot
of people question how long they want to be involved
in this sport, and I will be, you know, I'll
be a guy that's you know, seventy seventy five getting
pulled off the field for my last time.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Love it.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
Well, we will see you in February, no matter what.
I know you hope your Broncos teammates are with you
in New Orleans. But congratulations once again the Walter Payton
Man of the Year nominee for the Denver Broncos. Who
wish you luck when you get to NFL honors, Alex Singleton,
thank you for joining.
Speaker 9 (25:28):
Us, Yes, thank you for having me.
Speaker 5 (25:32):
Bengals Cowboys minuscule playoff chances coming into the game, But
you know Simpsons and all that stuff. Joe Burrow not
watching the Simpsons, watching a play where I think he said, Joe,
what are you doing after one of the interceptions he
was watching.
Speaker 6 (25:44):
I think I read his lips on that.
Speaker 5 (25:45):
One tie game Cowboys getting the ball back until didn't
we cover this thirty one years ago at nearby Texas
Stadium and Irving Tank. You don't touch the kick after
it's blocked and it crosses the line of scrimmage. Bengels
get the ball back Joe Burrow. All he's got to
do is find Jamar Chase quick out and then the
(26:08):
rest of the way thirty two more yards for a
forty yard touchdown. The Bengals twenty seven to twenty keep
those slim playoff hopes alive. Snap a three game losing streak.
Jerry's like, I've seen this before. Mike is like, I'm
pretty sure I saw it on YouTube. Leon Lent remember him.
Come on now, it's time for our game Flow of
the Week, presented by Progressive Insurance.
Speaker 6 (26:31):
Just trying to calm myself down.
Speaker 5 (26:33):
Jane Slater, Ryan Baldinger, Jane, the Cowboys not only losing
this game, but losing a player to a big time injury.
Speaker 14 (26:42):
Yeah, this one hurts to Marvin over shown he's been
a linebacker that we didn't see last year because if
you guys remember, he hurt his acl in the left knee,
took him sixteen months to recover, came back out, and
it was having an incredible year with the Cowboys. Really
endeared himself to this locker room. If you look at
it statistically, through thirteen games as a starter in his
(27:03):
first pro year, he's on pace with Brian Urlocker. That's
just how much of an impact that he was making
on that side of the ball. And here's the impact
that he had on his teammates when they found out
the long, long road he's now looking at thanks to
surgery for that right Kney Now acl mcl all injured.
Speaker 9 (27:25):
By crime.
Speaker 15 (27:27):
It's like my little bro bro Like.
Speaker 9 (27:31):
He don't deserve it either. He really don't.
Speaker 15 (27:34):
So you know, just understand what he's going to go
through and to beat it from physically, you know, mentally,
he's just so challenging because he's so talented. The year
he was having, I mean, you know, I.
Speaker 9 (27:50):
Read some thing that's very.
Speaker 14 (27:55):
And when you look at the numbers, I mean, we've
talked about having to overcome injuries. I've got thirteen starters
that have gone on IR this season that is tied
for third most or tied for most with three two
other teams in the league. Maris will be up next,
but Brian, I just don't know how the team overcomes him.
I mean, this week, Zach Martin we find out is
(28:17):
getting season ending surgery. He may not even be back
in the Jersey next year.
Speaker 6 (28:22):
Yeah, it's tough.
Speaker 5 (28:25):
That's a tough one, Baldy. If I asked you about
the game flow presented by Progressive Insurance, you would talk
about when the flow changed for good when.
Speaker 16 (28:35):
Well, well, you know, right there on the punt, Rico
drops back the punt and Nick Vigil the former Bengal
drafted by the Bengals, he gets a finger on it
and he deflects the ball. And Amanio Rorier, who's out
there like defending the gunner like it's a light ball
right here. I don't know what he was thinking about.
Everybody's got a signal, like Cavante Turpin is jumping.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Up and down.
Speaker 16 (28:56):
They get away from it, clear it. Dallas is going
to get the ball to forty three line. Here comes
Vigil free, he reachs the protection right there, there's the block,
got a finger on it. Balls like deflected out there
over to the in the right field, and this is
just a crucial mistake. You give the ball right there
to Cincinnati to forty three, and three plays later they
(29:17):
fired the touchdown to Jamar Chase.
Speaker 6 (29:18):
To win the game.
Speaker 16 (29:19):
But everybody rehearses that play, everybody from training camp to
OTA's offseason. They've got a signal right there, to get
away from the ball.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Just let it die.
Speaker 16 (29:31):
You don't need to touch it because it's a live ball.
Speaker 5 (29:35):
Coort Bones fossil Man. He watched his face there. It's
like a roller coaster of emotion. Felt bad for him
in that case. I'm pretty sure at some point he
went over it. It's hard to remember the finer details sometimes,
but it's never hard to remember the game flow presented
by a progressive insurance when Brian Baldinger and Jay Slater
take you through it like that, Baldy, hang in there.
Tom Pellisaro's got you after this.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
All right, Cowboys playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Falcons
give me a little bit of help too.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
They're not out of it.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
But a four game losing streak in which Kirk Cousins
has no passing touchdowns and eight interceptions, that's how you
end up in the spot that.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Atlanta is right now.
Speaker 1 (30:15):
Baldy, we were both at that game on Sunday in Minnesota.
It certainly wasn't as bad for Kirk Cousins as it
had been the previous week when he threw four picks,
but the first interception he threw pats the ball three times,
laid over the middle. It's kind of those those basic
types of errors. The schedule eases up here, they've got
a path, especially because they swept Tampa earlier this season.
(30:36):
But in your mind, is there a question over these
next four games about what they should do at quarterback?
Speaker 16 (30:42):
Well, I think this is more than a slump. Tom
from Kirk Cousins. I mean, he's never gone through a
stretch like this in his life. You know, He's never
thrown as many interceptions. He's throwing thrown fifteen interceptions right now,
eight in the last four weeks. He's never thrown back
in his career. And so I think it's more than
a slump. I mean, he saiales them all over. Kyle
(31:03):
pitts his head, He's got him down the scene. You know,
I don't I think the ball is dying on him.
Some like the Falcons are still in it. They play
the Raiders, you know, they certainly can win that game.
It's the irony is they'll probably see Desmond Ridder at
quarterback for the Raiders. And that's what Raheem Moore said.
The reason why you got the job was they had
(31:23):
port quarterback play a year ago. A lot of that
was from Desmond Ridder. They might see him on the
other side, and wouldn't that be something if this losing
streak continues the five games and he get beat by
Desmond Ridder. But you know, you got to have the
conversation about Michael Pennix Junior and just what he might
be able to do to this team because they're still
running the ball very effectively. Defensively. Okay, they gave up
(31:46):
the five touchdowns to Sam Darnold, but they sacked him,
they got after him. But they're on the field an
awful lot right now, in large part because of these turnovers.
They haven't won a games since they beat Dallas in
Week nine. Tom this is going six weeks now. They
had a bye weekend. Between six weeks without a win
makes you question a lot of things about what you're doing,
and specifically, you gotta look at the quarterback position.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
You go back to Sunday and I reported on game
day morning that it's very unlikely that they would move
on from Kirk Cousins and bench him this season.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
But let's make no mistake. He's got to play better.
Speaker 1 (32:21):
The whole team's got to play better, and these next
four games are gonna color the opinions they have when
they're talking about what to do in twenty twenty five. Baldi,
thank you very much, look forward to chatting with you
again soon.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
Apologize to no one for this victory.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
No one even blinked things, got Harry complimentary football and
came out.
Speaker 6 (32:46):
Okay, one game at a time.
Speaker 9 (32:48):
Enjoy this win.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
Then you got us.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
Hey, guys, great daw man, that's what it's all about.
Speaker 9 (32:56):
Then tell you win.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Nobody point finds doing the daw no.
Speaker 9 (33:01):
Because this is the NFL.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
You have to know how to win games, and right
there we show we can win a game when it counts.
Speaker 7 (33:19):
Apologize to no one. There is the AFC playoff picture,
you know, the division leaders and the wildcard. But we
got some teams in the hunt. Colts Dolphins both at
six and seven. They're knocking on the door. They've only
got to make up two games. Let's welcome in our
friend Jeffrey Chidia, who wrote in his first Read column
(33:40):
NFL dot com slash First Read about hope for the
bubble teams. So let's start with the Miami Dolphins, who
we just saw.
Speaker 9 (33:48):
Jeffrey, Well, you got to be excited about their chances
or hopeful at least because two attagob Lowe is on
fire right now. You know, he sat down with that
concussion and their offense was ant ept. But ever since
he came back, he's had fifteen touchdown passes, one interceptions,
and his offense has come back to life. You Know,
Tyreek Hill is a player again. Jason Wattle is a
(34:09):
player ja Jaylen Waddle is a player again. And you
feel like this team, if they can just get a
few more breaks, they need help. But they look like
a playoff team again with the way they've been playing,
winning four of their last five games.
Speaker 8 (34:21):
All right, So that is the Dolphins part of it.
What about the Colt Jeffrey where do they stand?
Speaker 13 (34:26):
Well?
Speaker 9 (34:26):
Anthony Richardson's metro ration process has been pretty encouraging for
this team, and we didn't know where his career was
going when he got benched a few weeks ago and
Joe Flacca was playing. But ever since he's come back,
they've won two of their last three games, and he's
been pivotal, scoring the game winning points in each one
of those games. Yes, it was the Jets and the Patriots,
but that's a really encouraging sign for a team that
(34:47):
felt like this guy was not just inaccurate with his passes,
but also needed to grow up a little bit and
say some of the right things in press conferences. So
I think the Coats again looked pretty good.
Speaker 7 (34:59):
All Right, we did not show the NFC playoff picture,
but there is reason for hope for basically the entire
NFC West right now.
Speaker 9 (35:07):
There is. And I'll start with the Rams, who I
saw against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, and they were
a juggernaut. Nobody was beating the Rams the way they
were playing in that contest, scoring forty four points and
just really taking the Bills apart. But what you're seeing
is the offense we thought they were going to have
with a healthy Pooka and Nakula, a healthy Cooper Cup,
Karen Williams running the football on Matthew Stafford dealing. You
(35:28):
have to feel like this team, they've got a tough
game coming up with the forty nine ers on Thursday,
but my god, they look like they're back to where
they were. If they can play this way, they're going
to be really tough to beat. Secondly, I will go
to the forty nine ers or team they're going to see,
and this team's feeling good about themselves because of the
way they played against the Bears. They're finally looking like
the team we thought they were going to be coming
into this season. Just donoinated Chicago had three hundred and
(35:51):
nineteen yards to four in the first half, or up
twenty four to nothing. The Chicago Bears should still play
good defense, aside from what people think about Kayler Williams.
So the Niners are playing with some urgency. And then finally,
the Cardinals, who were leading this division a couple of
weeks ago, had been in a three game losing streak
ever since. I still think there's hope here because they
got a lot of pieces in place. You know, Kyler
(36:11):
Murray's been turning the ball over lately, but he can
get back to being efficient. That will help. That defense
is still feisty, and really the schedule is going to
help them out a lot here because they've got the
Patriots and the Panthers coming in. They probably can get
a reset here, get back into the fight for the
NFC West. So I don't think they're out of it
just yet.
Speaker 7 (36:30):
Jeffrey thank you all of that and more in his
first Read column this week. Read It to nfl dot
Com slash first read. You should be reading it every
week anyway.
Speaker 17 (36:39):
And when we.
Speaker 7 (36:40):
Return on The Insiders, we're going to talk even more
about the NFC West because there is another blockbuster Thursday
Night Football matchup Rams forty nine Ers going to go
a long way to clearing up who's still.
Speaker 2 (36:54):
Going to be in the hunt.
Speaker 1 (37:02):
Thursday Night Football on Prime features an NFC West clash.
It's Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams against Brock
Purdy and the San Francisco forty nine Ers this Thursday,
eight to fifteen pm Eastern Time only on Prime Video.
That's being in Sam Swartstein Prime Video in Thursday Night
Football's analytics expert to use next gen stats to help
(37:23):
us break down this matchup. These teams faced off Sam
Beck in week three. It was a tight game.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
It was a Rams win. What do you expect in
the second time around?
Speaker 6 (37:32):
Yeah, we got all the players back.
Speaker 17 (37:33):
The Rams are able to win with al Cooper, Cupp
and with Al Puka and Akua, but they're going to
lean on their offensive identity. They're one of the clearest teams.
You know exactly what you're gonna get each week. It's
because of them on of motion they use. But it's
not just the specific motion that they use, which is
eighty three percent of the time, it's seventy one percent
of the time there's motion at the snap and that's
important because creating a leverage advantage in the run game,
(37:55):
but also a speed advantage in the past game. Last
time they played seven of eight pass attempts and while
there was motion, Matt Stafford had one hundred and twenty
one yards and then motion on the other side too.
Speaker 9 (38:08):
That's what they're able to find.
Speaker 17 (38:09):
Juwan Jennings for the Niners, being able to utilize motion
on both sides, we're gonna have a lot of people moving,
a lot of player tags moving across the screen.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
On Prime Vision.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
You mentioned Puka being out that first time in the match.
I missed a chunk of games because of a knee injury.
We see him every week make a catch or two
and get his feet down when it seems like it
should be physically impossible to do so from a numbers perspective,
which you see what makes him such a difference maker.
Speaker 17 (38:37):
Yeah, you think about there's players that they do one
thing well, whether it's speed, whether it's catchability, whether it's blocking.
He can do everything. Again, like you said, I miss
to toe tap catch. They will go to him anytime
he leaves the NFL on target rate at thirty eight percent,
as well as the efficiency when running so EPA is
expected points added. That's how much you're helping your team's
(38:58):
chance to scoring per drive, contextualizing yard. And he's able
to do it not just in the air, but on
the ground too. And then they'll even use him in
the run game. They'll ask him to block d ND
So his ability to be able to go move all
over the field is important. Here's something to watch for
when he's in motion on pass plays, he gets the
ball fifty percent at a time. Jumps from thirty eight
percent target rate to fifty percent target rate.
Speaker 2 (39:21):
Forty nine.
Speaker 1 (39:22):
Ers might be down to literally their fifth string running
back in the game this week. They've had injuries all
over the place. But George Kittle, when he's been healthy
enough to be out there, SE's like he's having kind
of a throwback type of season.
Speaker 2 (39:34):
What do you see from him?
Speaker 17 (39:35):
Yeah, I think between Pukainaku and now George Kittle, you
got a couple of guys that they might lead the
NFL and.
Speaker 9 (39:40):
How much they love football.
Speaker 17 (39:41):
When you watch him play, it's the ability after the
catch that's so valuable. He's fourth in the NFL and
receiving EPA and that so that's against wide receivers as well.
But what he's able to do after the catch, he's
third in the NFL and yak over expected one hundred
and thirty four extra yards that he's getting then an
average player in a similar scenario would not get. Importantly,
(40:02):
he's efficient. He nearly gets better yack than what's expected,
seventy four percent of the time amongst players with fifty
targets or more. That's second highest in the NFL. But
he can also make the amazing catch is a thirteen
percent catch right over expected as well. It's he can
do everything for this offense. And what's been great is
seeing him expand his role outside of known for his blocking.
We all know his play or his primetime blocks that
(40:25):
he's had, but his ability to be that pass catcher
that at an elite level has been huge for this
Niners team.
Speaker 1 (40:31):
TNS Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats Alternate Stream. That's
where you can find Sam Schwarztein this Thursday and every
Thursday pregame coverage kicking off on Prime and NFL Plus
at seven pm Eastern time, Sam, thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
NFL dot com slash.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
Rookies is where you can vote on the Pepsi zero
Sugar Rookie of the Week. Some new names this time around.
Tyrone Tracy is having a really good eason on a
pretty bad Giants team. Tyree's night for the first time.
Pretty sure that he's popped up in there. Isaac Carendo,
we'll see some of that foot spring whether he can
go on Thursday night a NFL dot Com slash Turkies
(41:12):
where you can vote on that. Tomorrow we will get
Michael F. Florio's opinion on what forty nine ers running
back you should try to pick up and start if
you need somebody in week fifteen here, But on Sunday,
Florio had other things on his mind, saying, no exaggeration,
biggest day in his life is a Mets fan. Change
the franchise. Mets just stole the most covenant free agent
(41:34):
from the Yankees. Congratch to Florio Indian Rappaport on the
edition of One Soda. If you thought Florio had a
big Sunday, then there was there was this day later.
Speaker 4 (41:45):
Michael F.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
Florio, not to be confused with Mike Florio. Sure, yeah,
so this is fake, fake, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (41:52):
Click on his name.
Speaker 18 (41:53):
Can you click on his name Michael Florio, Fantasy football
NFL analyst and you want that was anfo Fantasy NFL
network feels like this guy's real.
Speaker 1 (42:07):
Uh, we can confirm he's one of the one of
the ogs of the insires, has been with us every
week for a couple of years now.
Speaker 8 (42:13):
Yeah, I mean, I feel like it's it's a badge
of honor, like Aaron Rodgers publicly doubted has existed one
of the greatest.
Speaker 7 (42:19):
Only the biggest topics get that kind of treatment.
Speaker 2 (42:23):
We'll be back here very borrow.
Speaker 1 (42:27):
Florida will be here as well, or at least with
the hologram of them.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
We will see them.
The Eagles are on a nine game winning streak. They
are in the race for the NFC's number one seed.
So if you're an injured player, why not go on
a podcast and talk about why your.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Star quarterback isn't friends anymore with his top receiver. Only
in Philly.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
We will dive into that drama before we see go
in the regular season. Some teams that have been written
off over and over again are still in the hunt
or lurky or whatever. Will TUA be playing meaningful games
into late January? Will Matthew Stafford be there? Our buddy
Jeffrey Todea will tell you what he expects Broncos and
(00:45):
the thick of it too pivotal game for them on
Sunday against the Colts. Alex Singleton's been watching this like
a lot of us, from the sideline as he's.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Rehabbing his knee.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Does he see bow Knicks delivering a playoff berth to
the Broncos.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
We will, We'll ask him when he joins the show.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Well, come inside with the insiders alongside Ian Rappaport and
Judy Batista.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I am Tom Pelisero.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
We are at the NFL December meeting in Dallas, we
are presented by Progressive Insurance, and that's our guy, Mike Carrafullo,
who corrected me earlier. He is in New Jersey, not
New York, joining us for this show as well. Week
fourteen now officially in the books.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Week fifteen just a couple of days away.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Boy do we have a showdown in Philadelphia coming up
this weekend against a Steelers team that once again could
be without one of its top weapons. Coach Mike Tomlin
saying today the George Pickens, who tweaked his hamstring in
practice last week, has a chance to go this week,
but described him as doubtful, certainly adding pressure on some
(01:50):
of the other weapons that Pittsburgh has. With the possibility
they could wrap up a playoff berth, it's very straightforward.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Beat the Eagles they are in.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
They also would get in with a Dollins and Colts loss.
The Houston Texans also can punch their playoff ticket with
a win plus a Colts loss this weekend. On the
other side of that Steelers Eagles matchup, well, aj Brown
expressed a little bit of frustration after the Eagles pulled
one out against the Panthers last week. Again, there was
(02:19):
a lot closer than people might have expected going in.
Was asked what they need to improve on, he said,
passing Brandon Graham, who is injured but not reserved.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Had some thoughts on that.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
One is trying and I mean eleven could be a
little better with how he responded things. And they was
friends before this. It's like, man, but things have changed.
And I understand that because life happiness. But it's the
business side that we have to make sure that we
don't let the personal get in the way of the business.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
And that's what we got to do better as right
now and.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
The present it all right, Uh, clean up in Aisle
fifty five, Brandon Graham, you the other any other thoughts.
After having a day to think about this and all,
I don't know, get several calls from Eagles headquarters saying,
what are you doing.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
I want to start off by this, you know, apologizing
to my guys. You know, I was gonna see him
today anyway, but I wanted to start here first publicly
since we all was here, because I.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Ain't want to make this.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I made the assumption I didn't know all the details
and I still don't, and I was just like dang,
like you know, I really just saw everything that y'all
saw with the with the video, and I just was
reacting to that and I should have used a little
more logic on it.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
Man. I just want to win pretty much.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
And for me, I know that I didn't add to
everything that I said I didn't want him to do.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
I did too, and you know, I want to own that.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
But we all make mistakes, and you know this was
one of my mistakes that I mean, you know, you're
never too proud of no mistakes.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
But it's something that I definitely learned from.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
And I know for sure them guys when I do
talk to him, they don't understand where I'm coming from.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Always a good time to go inside the drama, Mike,
her full of you were around that Eagles team a lot.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I think we all love Brandon Graham.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
Right when he got hurt a few weeks ago, we
all talked about how fun it is he interacted with him.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
He's a big personality. He's been there forever good on
his podcast.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Apparently the followers he stepped in one here. You know
that team, Well, Mike, what do you make of everything?
Speaker 5 (04:27):
Which is why it was so surprising to hear this
coming from Brandon Graham. I mean, I'm hearing this and
thinking to myself, does he not realize he's not retired yet?
Like this is usually where all of a sudden you
retire and guys start speaking more freely. Not quite there yet,
Brandon Graham. Now, look, you make the calls, you start
talking to the players and the staff there.
Speaker 6 (04:44):
And the reaction that I'm getting.
Speaker 5 (04:46):
Is there's really no great beef between aj Brown and
Jalen Hurts. Now that being said, sure he wants the
football more and he, like everybody else involved in this
passing offense, was frustrated that things didn't work out, and
Jalen Hurts took some sacks the other day when maybe
he could have gotten the ball out a little bit quicker.
There was early in the game a flag route, sail route,
(05:06):
seven route, whatever you want to call it, the one
that kind of is a post toward the sideline.
Speaker 6 (05:10):
He was wide open. I mean it was a big play.
Galen Hurts didn't see him.
Speaker 5 (05:14):
I watched his reaction after the play, not happy at
all that the ball didn't come his way. So when
the offense is not going, even if you're winning games,
even if you're winning nine in a row.
Speaker 6 (05:23):
But when the.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
Offense is not going and you're not getting the football
and your name is AJ Brown, you're going to be upset.
Speaker 6 (05:28):
And so that's what we've got.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
On our hands here, the part about them not being
friends and alluding to something else there. They seem to
have been closer years ago than they are right now.
Speaker 6 (05:39):
But I don't.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
Again, I'm not that anybody would come out and tell me,
but I'm getting a lot of pushback on the notion
that these guys are beefing and that they truly believe
they can still coexist.
Speaker 6 (05:49):
Mos See, Let's.
Speaker 7 (05:52):
Set aside the personal dynamics, whatever they may be. The
fact of the matter is they haven't had a two
hundred and fifty yard passing game in nearly.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Two more months.
Speaker 7 (06:01):
And the question is they're thirty first in passing. Having
said that, they're a top ten scoring offense, and they're
winning because they're getting an MVP level season from their
running back. The question is, though, is this a sustainable
way to play football as they go deeper and deeper
into the playoffs. Can they beat the Detroit Lions, for instance?
If it comes to that with this kind of offense
(06:23):
with a small passing attack and a very heavy Saquon
Barkleague game. I mean, the answer is yes, as long
as they get ahead of the Lions, as long as
they don't fall behind a superpower offense and have to
catch up, then you're going to need the passing game.
But right now, I mean, they are winning again. They
are scoring when you look at the scorings that they're scoring.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
So this sort of feels like a tempest right now.
Speaker 7 (06:48):
And as long as they keep winning, you can say,
we can sort of joke about whatever the relationship is
like and Brandon Graham, God love them's. The only time
this becomes a serious problem is if they struggle to
keep up with some of the biggest offenses that they're
gonna face.
Speaker 8 (07:03):
It's always a little weird and alarming when you realize
that there's fifty three people in the locker room, actually
more when you include practice squad, and they are not
all best friends, and that can be jarring and it
can be kind of off putting. And you imagine that
like they go in the locker room, they go to practicing,
go in the locker room, then afterward they all go
out to dinner, and then they go out for maybe
drinks and then they say good night and see each
other next morning. Like that is not always the reality
(07:24):
in the NFL, or in literally any job, all though
for us it actually is, but not always in every job.
So the fact that they may not be best friends, it
doesn't sound great to the public, but it also doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
I would also say this, though.
Speaker 8 (07:38):
To bring up their winning and they're rolling, they're running
the heck out of the ball. To bring up the
fact that the passing game hasn't been what they've wanted
is good. To get it out in the open is good.
A little painful right now, but eventually good because what
it forces you to do is take the problem's head
on and say, okay, is this not good enough?
Speaker 9 (07:55):
Great, let's focus on it.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Let's get better.
Speaker 8 (07:57):
Because yes, they're winning, but with this formula, they have
to be perfect to win every game when it counts most.
So in the end, it's a little ugly and weird,
but I don't think necessarily all around that.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
I was also struck by watching those highlights or low ledgs,
whatever you want to call them. They were going up
against the Carolina Panthers defense that I'm not sure most people,
including us, could name three players who were active on
defense for the Panthers last week. Adrian Rovero has done
an amazing job with a decimated defense there, and they're
every week seeming to play these teams tough and then
(08:31):
creating those conversations like.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
What's wrong you almost lost.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
To the Panthers, Well, you plan to actually lose in
the Eagles spot, they won what eleven games already? Here
elsewhere in Carolina, you might have heard UNC looking for
a new head coach, and Bill Belichick remains very much
in the mix for that job. He's had a series
of conversations dating back to the end of last week.
(08:54):
He has made clear that he does have a genuine
interest and potentially going to the college game. We know
this because Bill Belichick has made the media rounds as
he has been four months now, including with his good
friend Jim Gray.
Speaker 10 (09:07):
I'm open to you know a number of thoughts. I've
had an interesting year this year working to in somewhat
of an analytical and media role. Football at any of
the college or the professional level does interest me, and
I would explore those opportunities as well and ultimately see
what you know, what everybody has to offer and what
would be the best fit for me and potentially another organization,
(09:31):
or it could be in the media. You know, I
like the media, Jim.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
I think that an important part of the framing of
this with Bill Belichick. As you go back to a
year ago, Ian only one team talked to him. It
was only at the Atlanta Falcons that Intervieweder had any
type of serious conversation with Bill Belichick about.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
A head coaching job.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
We're not to the NFL cycle yet, we are still
a month away from a lot of the openings that
are going to.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Pop up actually being there.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
He has this opportunity right now to potentially go to
the college level, and it seems like above all else.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Bill Belichick's a football coach.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
He wants to coach football, and they're doing enough to
at least keep him engaged about this possible.
Speaker 8 (10:12):
Oh yeah, this seems at the very least it seems real.
Speaker 9 (10:16):
Now.
Speaker 8 (10:16):
Is Bill Belichick and end up as a North Carolina coach?
I don't know if anybody knows that for sure, but
at least he is entertaining it. They North Carolina more
than entertaining, and it does seem if everything aligns that,
if Bill Belichick wants this job that he could potentially
get it.
Speaker 9 (10:33):
That is my.
Speaker 8 (10:33):
Understanding of talking to several sides of this. If Belichick
wants it, they can figure out a way for him
to get it. I would also say this, and it's
dangerous to speak on what Bill Belichick is thinking, because
even though he's got many friends across the NFL, even
though he's consulted with so many of them, including college coaches,
throughout this process, you don't really know what he's thinking.
(10:54):
It doesn't seem to me that the overall wins record
for a head coach is the most important thing for him.
What it seems like is most important judy is being
a coach, helping and see him win, just coaching and
so like. If it's at North Carolina it seems a
little different. But to me it makes a lot of sense,
(11:15):
and I would not be surprised at the end of
the day if this ended up happening.
Speaker 7 (11:18):
I think the bottom line here is Bill Belichick wants
to be back on a sideline, whether it is at
the college level or the professional level. I think what
is so surprising of the timing right now is we
are seeing the opposite happen because of the incredible changes
in the college game, nil transfer portal. You are seeing
some of the great coaches in college athletics across the board, basketball, football,
(11:45):
leave because the job has changed so dramatically. And now
you're talking about arguably the greatest NFL coach in history
possibly going into that at a time when everybody else
is coming out of it. It certainly makes you wonder
and you talk to some people who say this has
to be a power play to try to get NFL
(12:06):
teams to make a move maybe, or is it that
he has looked at the landscape, As you pointed out, Tom,
there was limited interest in Bill Belichick last year at
this time, and has he looked at the landscape of
what the openings might be this year. He certainly has
many contexts in the NFL and put out feelers and
realized maybe the opportunities are not going to be vest
(12:27):
again this cycle, or maybe the opportunities that are going
to be available are not appealing enough to him, and
so he has turned his attention to the college game.
I think the bottom line is somewhere we're going to
see Bill Belichick back on the sideline.
Speaker 5 (12:41):
Well, Judy, as you have these conversations with folks who
are really involved in both worlds now college and pro,
and they've got a sense for what's happening at North Carolina.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
What the conversations are.
Speaker 5 (12:52):
The feeling is that Belichick is looking at this saying, well,
I've got the experience of being able to run an
NFL type program, which is now what it's like when
you are a college head coach, and to take an
approach that, yeah, some programs are taking in the sense
that they're having general managers come on board, whether it's
football or basketball with the NIL to sort of assemble talent.
(13:16):
In Belichick's mind, it sounds like an entire operation is
what he's looking for here, and this is only going
to be on his terms to have a coaching staff
as well as.
Speaker 6 (13:25):
An entire personnel department.
Speaker 5 (13:27):
It sounds like to be able to handle the recruiting process,
the NIL process, and everything that goes into and feeling like, well,
I've got the experience of not just being a head
coach in the NFL, but running the entire building, running
the entire operation, having full control. It's why when we
try to figure out where he might land in the NFL,
we say, wow, that job is probably not going to
(13:48):
make sense because he wouldn't have full control there there's
a sitting general manager in this case, he's going to
have the full control, which is something that he desires.
Speaker 6 (13:55):
This is definitely a serious thing. I mean, Ian, we've.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
Talked about this in the last couple of days. This
is not something he's just doing to kill time. He's
definitely serious about the possibility here.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
The other complicating factor right now is time. The transfer
portal window is open. Teams are committing nil money. Several
of North Carolina's top players have transferred. They had a
top linebacker recruit who decommitted and is headed elsewhere. If
he's going to put it together, this needs to come.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Together very quickly.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
And that's one more reason to think we're going to
have resolution here within the next couple of days. Speaking
of general managers, some of the future gms across the
league are involved in the NFL's latest Front Office Accelerator
program that includes Packers Director of Pro Personnel Richmond Williams.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Who joined me a short time ago here in Dallas.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Richmond, this is your fourth time now here at the
NFL Front Office Accelerator. What have you learned, what's new
for you this time around.
Speaker 11 (14:52):
This time around, I would say, just being more intentional
about how to apply to some of the knowledge about
you know, effective leadership, how to really do with staff,
connecting with people, being empathetic in your process. I would
say probably with one of the biggest things at least
disc go around that have been pretty you know, impactful
in terms of just you know, a couple of days
that we've been here so far.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Also has to be interesting.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Now you're meeting these owners for the third and the
fourth time and talking to some of the same people,
is there is there a rapport that starts to develop there.
Speaker 11 (15:19):
I will say yes, like kind of to that point.
When we played Arizona at home in Green Bay, actually
ran into the Bidwell family and it recognized me. So
that was pretty cool. So you never know. But again,
like this is just another space an opportunity for you know,
kind of put yourself out there, introduce yourself to people.
And then there's also opportunities as you play those potential
teams to one when they're on the field pre game
(15:41):
to go out and you know, shake a hand, Hey,
you know I met you at the accelerator programs. Just
checking in seeing how you're doing so yeah, I mean
it's been pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
So when you get your opportunity somewhere down the line
to be a general manager here, you come from such
a stable organization in Green Bay, it's very unique, from
the quarterback to the front office to not having an owner.
How do you apply the lessons from the pack organization
or wherever you end up.
Speaker 11 (16:01):
Well, I would say, first and foremost, so like, one,
We've been to a super Bowl, so I know what's
supposed to look like. Secondly, you know I've been through
you know, will be two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and
those transitions, which are also important.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
You know.
Speaker 11 (16:13):
I think it's just being in the space of understanding
how it's supposed to look and then understanding that when
you go to an organization where are they in that
process and trying to find ways to kind of weave
you know, just my own personal ideas and thoughts with
them to you know, the current culture, to get them
on the path to where, you know, the vision of
where I would like to take the team.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
So you guys are in playoff position once again right now.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
What has you excited about what the rest of the
season can bring for the twenty twenty four packers.
Speaker 11 (16:37):
I mean, I think like any year, you know, for us,
it's always about the Super Bowl. I mean, that's always
the end goal. We don't, you know, that's how we
judge ourselves.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
But to be able to.
Speaker 11 (16:45):
Be in the position to go to the playoffs and
get in the dance, because we've we've been there. I've
been on a team that was fifteen to one first
round in the playoffs we got bounced out. So I've
been on highly successful teams and then also the Super
Bowl team where we weren't very good, we were about
on a ton of injuries and still made it, you know,
to the finish line and we're able to host that trophy.
I just think, you know, you have to get in
the dance, and then once you're in there, records, you know, teams, rosters,
(17:09):
all those things out of the window. Becomes who's the
best team that day. I think that's probably the most
important thing that you know, as an organization to have
to express to your not only your coaches, but the
staff of the locker room.
Speaker 9 (17:20):
You know.
Speaker 11 (17:20):
I think it's an instrumental acture the time.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Vergimon, I appreciate it.
Speaker 9 (17:23):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
The backers can lock up their playoff spot this weekend.
The Broncos can take a big step forward toward doing
the same if they can beat the Colts. Alex Singleton
rehabbing for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Does he think.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Denver has what it takes to make a run in
twenty twenty four. We'll ask him when Alex Singleton joins
us right after this on The Insider is presented by
Progressive Insurance.
Speaker 12 (17:52):
You have done so much for Special Olympics, not just
here but really around the country and around the glow
and we all very much appreciate all YouTube. You've shared
your platform and your spotlight to really lift up so
many others. And we know we have this interview here
and since your sister really was the one who inspired
you to get involved, we thought we couldn't conduct an
(18:14):
interview without your sister here. So you have a little
surprise for you.
Speaker 9 (18:20):
What the heck barck of Megathy? Hey, thank you. Wow,
that's cool. Wow, thank you, that's so cool.
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Alex and Ashley Singleton right there sharing a moment after
Alex found out he is the Broncos nominee for the
Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award to be presented
at NFL Honors a couple of days before the Super Bowl.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
That'll be in February.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
Right now, in December, we get the chance to visit
with Alex Singleton. Alex, congratulations on the nomination. Your sister
actually a Special Olympian. She has participated in a number
of sports. Swimming, I believe is her favorite sport. Talk
about the connection between the two of you and how
she inspired you to do what you've done for Special Olympics.
Speaker 13 (19:13):
Yeah, first, thank you, but yeah, she's you know, kind
of inspired me my entire life seeing her grow up,
you know, to me, it was just always my big sister,
and I never you know, until I, you know, was
seven eight years old to realize that not every person
grows up with a sibling with you know, a disability,
(19:34):
much less down syndrome.
Speaker 9 (19:35):
So, you know, every day.
Speaker 13 (19:37):
Just seeing you know, kind of the struggles she went
through and how you know she's used those now as
she's gotten older to you know, just become a better
person and such a strong person. And that's what has
been so awesome as her being a Special Olympic athlete,
to just be able to see her continue to grow
and using special Olympics and sports has inspired me, you know,
(19:59):
on the field and off the field even more. And
you know, I'm just so thankful for having you know,
heard in my life.
Speaker 5 (20:05):
An un drafted free agent in the NFL first round
CFL draft pick yourself. Yeah, you can see the inspiration
certainly that you have drawn from your family, from your teammates.
I covered you closely when you were with the Eagles
earlier on in your career. The nomination for this award,
we call it the prestigious Walter Payton Mann of the
Year Award because it is to find that out from
(20:27):
your sister, and also the nomination itself.
Speaker 6 (20:29):
What kind of feelings did you have learning that?
Speaker 13 (20:32):
Yeah, I was just trying not to, you know, get
into tears. It means so much because to me, with
you know, giving back to Special Olympics and everything, you know,
with my sister and the communities that I've been involved with,
you know, with everything with people with intellectual disabilities. I
think it's so you know, to have the platform I
(20:54):
have to have that stage to you know, be nominated
for an award like this. There's just so many other
people that do so much for that community that it's
it's just really cool to you know, even for me
to be recognized, but it's really a recognition to every
single one of those people and what they do in
that community to change people's lives.
Speaker 6 (21:15):
It's awesome.
Speaker 5 (21:16):
It's great work with the community. There are videos of
you and actually working out together in the off season.
She's your workout partner as well. I'm sure she inspires
you in that regard. How does she push you in
the weight room and elsewhere as are getting ready for
the season.
Speaker 13 (21:29):
I just think, you know, one I have to chase
her accomplishments in sports. I could play football till I'm
ninety and will not catch her. So I'm working in
trouble in that aspect. But just you know her join
at all, you know, I think just how much she
enjoyed just us being together and working out together.
Speaker 9 (21:45):
It it makes me I really look at sports as
you know, a privilege.
Speaker 13 (21:50):
It's not a right that any of us get to,
you know, continue to play a professional sport for a living.
And you know, seeing you know, not just her, but
every single athlete special Olympics, how they how they truly
you know, take it as a privilege to get to
compete and so I you know, I just really take
that same mindset, you know, onto the field and every
single damn in the building, and it you know, it
really pushes me every single off season and in season.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
I'm sure she's inspiring your rehab now, unfortunately not playing
it right now. Suffer that ACL injury earlier in the season.
Give us an update on your rehab. It's a lot
of tackles not on the field. One hundred and seventy
seven I believe was the number last year. So the
Broncos are trying to move forward without you here.
Speaker 6 (22:30):
How is that rehab going?
Speaker 13 (22:32):
Yeah, it's not the funnest thing. I don't wish an
ACL on anybody. I think it's my first real injury,
and I'm like, man, do nobody you know say it
as healthy as you can.
Speaker 9 (22:43):
But it's going really well.
Speaker 13 (22:44):
I'm eight weeks out now. I like to tell people
my life is normal again. I can you know, I
can sit down, walk around, do basic workouts. But yeah,
football is still to come in a few more months,
but just regular life, I'm back to normal. I'm at
every game to cheer the guys on and media you know,
on game days, and then you know, I'm in the
in the meeting rooms and some practices. So it's good
(23:07):
to it's good to be around a lot more than
I was a few months ago.
Speaker 5 (23:11):
Yeah, you're a part of this team as this team
is making what many might consider a surprising run. But
I remember talking to you and the guys that cover
that game against the Jets that was considered an upset
back then. But now we see where this team has gone.
What kind of confidence have you seen throughout the season
with this entire team with John Payton at the lead.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
Yeah, a ton.
Speaker 13 (23:29):
I think, you know, the one big thing everyone wanted
to preach so early about us in the season was
we're just a young team that you know, doesn't really
have an identity. I think two things we've done is
we found an identity, and I think that young confidence
kind of some of the sometimes I think that just
a college kid who doesn't really know any better, doesn't
doesn't know how bad.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
The Broncos were before.
Speaker 13 (23:51):
And so you know, we've created you know what we are,
We've created our identity and uh yeah, playing with a
lot of confidence in winning football games.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
And you as a guy on the defensive side of
the ball who's got to deal with quarterbacks. When you
watch what bo Nicks is doing, what has impressed you
the most is he suddenly thrust himself into the conversation
for offensive Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 13 (24:12):
His confidence and just the way he can, you know,
takes care of the football. I think that's the hardest
position to obviously come into a league and play as
a rookie, and to do it the way he's done
is really special.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
To just want to continue to.
Speaker 13 (24:25):
Improve, believe in the coaching staff, and believe in what
he's you know, taught and told every week. And then
to also you know, he's got a little gamer in him.
Speaker 9 (24:31):
I like it.
Speaker 13 (24:32):
He's got that like silent assassin swag during games, which
I love, and he's got that confidence to go with it.
So it's been really fun to watch and just I've
enjoyed continuing to watch him improve weekend and week out.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Before I let you go, you've basically been serving as
a assistant coach basically on vance Joseph staff right here.
Has that inspired you one day to say, Hey, my
playing career is over, I might want to do this
coaching thing.
Speaker 13 (24:58):
Oh yeah, you know, I think it' something I will
never get rid of his football. I think a lot
of people question how long they want to be involved
in this sport, and I will be, you know, I'll
be a guy that's you know, seventy seventy five getting
pulled off the field for my last time.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Love it.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
Well, we will see you in February, no matter what.
I know you hope your Broncos teammates are with you
in New Orleans. But congratulations once again the Walter Payton
Man of the Year nominee for the Denver Broncos. Who
wish you luck when you get to NFL honors, Alex Singleton,
thank you for joining.
Speaker 9 (25:28):
Us, Yes, thank you for having me.
Speaker 5 (25:32):
Bengals Cowboys minuscule playoff chances coming into the game, But
you know Simpsons and all that stuff. Joe Burrow not
watching the Simpsons, watching a play where I think he said, Joe,
what are you doing after one of the interceptions he
was watching.
Speaker 6 (25:44):
I think I read his lips on that.
Speaker 5 (25:45):
One tie game Cowboys getting the ball back until didn't
we cover this thirty one years ago at nearby Texas
Stadium and Irving Tank. You don't touch the kick after
it's blocked and it crosses the line of scrimmage. Bengels
get the ball back Joe Burrow. All he's got to
do is find Jamar Chase quick out and then the
(26:08):
rest of the way thirty two more yards for a
forty yard touchdown. The Bengals twenty seven to twenty keep
those slim playoff hopes alive. Snap a three game losing streak.
Jerry's like, I've seen this before. Mike is like, I'm
pretty sure I saw it on YouTube. Leon Lent remember him.
Come on now, it's time for our game Flow of
the Week, presented by Progressive Insurance.
Speaker 6 (26:31):
Just trying to calm myself down.
Speaker 5 (26:33):
Jane Slater, Ryan Baldinger, Jane, the Cowboys not only losing
this game, but losing a player to a big time injury.
Speaker 14 (26:42):
Yeah, this one hurts to Marvin over shown he's been
a linebacker that we didn't see last year because if
you guys remember, he hurt his acl in the left knee,
took him sixteen months to recover, came back out, and
it was having an incredible year with the Cowboys. Really
endeared himself to this locker room. If you look at
it statistically, through thirteen games as a starter in his
(27:03):
first pro year, he's on pace with Brian Urlocker. That's
just how much of an impact that he was making
on that side of the ball. And here's the impact
that he had on his teammates when they found out
the long, long road he's now looking at thanks to
surgery for that right Kney Now acl mcl all injured.
Speaker 9 (27:25):
By crime.
Speaker 15 (27:27):
It's like my little bro bro Like.
Speaker 9 (27:31):
He don't deserve it either. He really don't.
Speaker 15 (27:34):
So you know, just understand what he's going to go
through and to beat it from physically, you know, mentally,
he's just so challenging because he's so talented. The year
he was having, I mean, you know, I.
Speaker 9 (27:50):
Read some thing that's very.
Speaker 14 (27:55):
And when you look at the numbers, I mean, we've
talked about having to overcome injuries. I've got thirteen starters
that have gone on IR this season that is tied
for third most or tied for most with three two
other teams in the league. Maris will be up next,
but Brian, I just don't know how the team overcomes him.
I mean, this week, Zach Martin we find out is
(28:17):
getting season ending surgery. He may not even be back
in the Jersey next year.
Speaker 6 (28:22):
Yeah, it's tough.
Speaker 5 (28:25):
That's a tough one, Baldy. If I asked you about
the game flow presented by Progressive Insurance, you would talk
about when the flow changed for good when.
Speaker 16 (28:35):
Well, well, you know, right there on the punt, Rico
drops back the punt and Nick Vigil the former Bengal
drafted by the Bengals, he gets a finger on it
and he deflects the ball. And Amanio Rorier, who's out
there like defending the gunner like it's a light ball
right here. I don't know what he was thinking about.
Everybody's got a signal, like Cavante Turpin is jumping.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Up and down.
Speaker 16 (28:56):
They get away from it, clear it. Dallas is going
to get the ball to forty three line. Here comes
Vigil free, he reachs the protection right there, there's the block,
got a finger on it. Balls like deflected out there
over to the in the right field, and this is
just a crucial mistake. You give the ball right there
to Cincinnati to forty three, and three plays later they
(29:17):
fired the touchdown to Jamar Chase.
Speaker 6 (29:18):
To win the game.
Speaker 16 (29:19):
But everybody rehearses that play, everybody from training camp to
OTA's offseason. They've got a signal right there, to get
away from the ball.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
Just let it die.
Speaker 16 (29:31):
You don't need to touch it because it's a live ball.
Speaker 5 (29:35):
Coort Bones fossil Man. He watched his face there. It's
like a roller coaster of emotion. Felt bad for him
in that case. I'm pretty sure at some point he
went over it. It's hard to remember the finer details sometimes,
but it's never hard to remember the game flow presented
by a progressive insurance when Brian Baldinger and Jay Slater
take you through it like that, Baldy, hang in there.
Tom Pellisaro's got you after this.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
All right, Cowboys playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Falcons
give me a little bit of help too.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
They're not out of it.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
But a four game losing streak in which Kirk Cousins
has no passing touchdowns and eight interceptions, that's how you
end up in the spot that.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Atlanta is right now.
Speaker 1 (30:15):
Baldy, we were both at that game on Sunday in Minnesota.
It certainly wasn't as bad for Kirk Cousins as it
had been the previous week when he threw four picks,
but the first interception he threw pats the ball three times,
laid over the middle. It's kind of those those basic
types of errors. The schedule eases up here, they've got
a path, especially because they swept Tampa earlier this season.
(30:36):
But in your mind, is there a question over these
next four games about what they should do at quarterback?
Speaker 16 (30:42):
Well, I think this is more than a slump. Tom
from Kirk Cousins. I mean, he's never gone through a
stretch like this in his life. You know, He's never
thrown as many interceptions. He's throwing thrown fifteen interceptions right now,
eight in the last four weeks. He's never thrown back
in his career. And so I think it's more than
a slump. I mean, he saiales them all over. Kyle
(31:03):
pitts his head, He's got him down the scene. You know,
I don't I think the ball is dying on him.
Some like the Falcons are still in it. They play
the Raiders, you know, they certainly can win that game.
It's the irony is they'll probably see Desmond Ridder at
quarterback for the Raiders. And that's what Raheem Moore said.
The reason why you got the job was they had
(31:23):
port quarterback play a year ago. A lot of that
was from Desmond Ridder. They might see him on the
other side, and wouldn't that be something if this losing
streak continues the five games and he get beat by
Desmond Ridder. But you know, you got to have the
conversation about Michael Pennix Junior and just what he might
be able to do to this team because they're still
running the ball very effectively. Defensively. Okay, they gave up
(31:46):
the five touchdowns to Sam Darnold, but they sacked him,
they got after him. But they're on the field an
awful lot right now, in large part because of these turnovers.
They haven't won a games since they beat Dallas in
Week nine. Tom this is going six weeks now. They
had a bye weekend. Between six weeks without a win
makes you question a lot of things about what you're doing,
and specifically, you gotta look at the quarterback position.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
You go back to Sunday and I reported on game
day morning that it's very unlikely that they would move
on from Kirk Cousins and bench him this season.
Speaker 2 (32:19):
But let's make no mistake. He's got to play better.
Speaker 1 (32:21):
The whole team's got to play better, and these next
four games are gonna color the opinions they have when
they're talking about what to do in twenty twenty five. Baldi,
thank you very much, look forward to chatting with you
again soon.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
Apologize to no one for this victory.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
No one even blinked things, got Harry complimentary football and
came out.
Speaker 6 (32:46):
Okay, one game at a time.
Speaker 9 (32:48):
Enjoy this win.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
Then you got us.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
Hey, guys, great daw man, that's what it's all about.
Speaker 9 (32:56):
Then tell you win.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Nobody point finds doing the daw no.
Speaker 9 (33:01):
Because this is the NFL.
Speaker 3 (33:03):
You have to know how to win games, and right
there we show we can win a game when it counts.
Speaker 7 (33:19):
Apologize to no one. There is the AFC playoff picture,
you know, the division leaders and the wildcard. But we
got some teams in the hunt. Colts Dolphins both at
six and seven. They're knocking on the door. They've only
got to make up two games. Let's welcome in our
friend Jeffrey Chidia, who wrote in his first Read column
(33:40):
NFL dot com slash First Read about hope for the
bubble teams. So let's start with the Miami Dolphins, who
we just saw.
Speaker 9 (33:48):
Jeffrey, Well, you got to be excited about their chances
or hopeful at least because two attagob Lowe is on
fire right now. You know, he sat down with that
concussion and their offense was ant ept. But ever since
he came back, he's had fifteen touchdown passes, one interceptions,
and his offense has come back to life. You Know,
Tyreek Hill is a player again. Jason Wattle is a
(34:09):
player ja Jaylen Waddle is a player again. And you
feel like this team, if they can just get a
few more breaks, they need help. But they look like
a playoff team again with the way they've been playing,
winning four of their last five games.
Speaker 8 (34:21):
All right, So that is the Dolphins part of it.
What about the Colt Jeffrey where do they stand?
Speaker 13 (34:26):
Well?
Speaker 9 (34:26):
Anthony Richardson's metro ration process has been pretty encouraging for
this team, and we didn't know where his career was
going when he got benched a few weeks ago and
Joe Flacca was playing. But ever since he's come back,
they've won two of their last three games, and he's
been pivotal, scoring the game winning points in each one
of those games. Yes, it was the Jets and the Patriots,
but that's a really encouraging sign for a team that
(34:47):
felt like this guy was not just inaccurate with his passes,
but also needed to grow up a little bit and
say some of the right things in press conferences. So
I think the Coats again looked pretty good.
Speaker 7 (34:59):
All Right, we did not show the NFC playoff picture,
but there is reason for hope for basically the entire
NFC West right now.
Speaker 9 (35:07):
There is. And I'll start with the Rams, who I
saw against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, and they were
a juggernaut. Nobody was beating the Rams the way they
were playing in that contest, scoring forty four points and
just really taking the Bills apart. But what you're seeing
is the offense we thought they were going to have
with a healthy Pooka and Nakula, a healthy Cooper Cup,
Karen Williams running the football on Matthew Stafford dealing. You
(35:28):
have to feel like this team, they've got a tough
game coming up with the forty nine ers on Thursday,
but my god, they look like they're back to where
they were. If they can play this way, they're going
to be really tough to beat. Secondly, I will go
to the forty nine ers or team they're going to see,
and this team's feeling good about themselves because of the
way they played against the Bears. They're finally looking like
the team we thought they were going to be coming
into this season. Just donoinated Chicago had three hundred and
(35:51):
nineteen yards to four in the first half, or up
twenty four to nothing. The Chicago Bears should still play
good defense, aside from what people think about Kayler Williams.
So the Niners are playing with some urgency. And then finally,
the Cardinals, who were leading this division a couple of
weeks ago, had been in a three game losing streak
ever since. I still think there's hope here because they
got a lot of pieces in place. You know, Kyler
(36:11):
Murray's been turning the ball over lately, but he can
get back to being efficient. That will help. That defense
is still feisty, and really the schedule is going to
help them out a lot here because they've got the
Patriots and the Panthers coming in. They probably can get
a reset here, get back into the fight for the
NFC West. So I don't think they're out of it
just yet.
Speaker 7 (36:30):
Jeffrey thank you all of that and more in his
first Read column this week. Read It to nfl dot
Com slash first read. You should be reading it every
week anyway.
Speaker 17 (36:39):
And when we.
Speaker 7 (36:40):
Return on The Insiders, we're going to talk even more
about the NFC West because there is another blockbuster Thursday
Night Football matchup Rams forty nine Ers going to go
a long way to clearing up who's still.
Speaker 2 (36:54):
Going to be in the hunt.
Speaker 1 (37:02):
Thursday Night Football on Prime features an NFC West clash.
It's Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams against Brock
Purdy and the San Francisco forty nine Ers this Thursday,
eight to fifteen pm Eastern Time only on Prime Video.
That's being in Sam Swartstein Prime Video in Thursday Night
Football's analytics expert to use next gen stats to help
(37:23):
us break down this matchup. These teams faced off Sam
Beck in week three. It was a tight game.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
It was a Rams win. What do you expect in
the second time around?
Speaker 6 (37:32):
Yeah, we got all the players back.
Speaker 17 (37:33):
The Rams are able to win with al Cooper, Cupp
and with Al Puka and Akua, but they're going to
lean on their offensive identity. They're one of the clearest teams.
You know exactly what you're gonna get each week. It's
because of them on of motion they use. But it's
not just the specific motion that they use, which is
eighty three percent of the time, it's seventy one percent
of the time there's motion at the snap and that's
important because creating a leverage advantage in the run game,
(37:55):
but also a speed advantage in the past game. Last
time they played seven of eight pass attempts and while
there was motion, Matt Stafford had one hundred and twenty
one yards and then motion on the other side too.
Speaker 9 (38:08):
That's what they're able to find.
Speaker 17 (38:09):
Juwan Jennings for the Niners, being able to utilize motion
on both sides, we're gonna have a lot of people moving,
a lot of player tags moving across the screen.
Speaker 2 (38:17):
On Prime Vision.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
You mentioned Puka being out that first time in the match.
I missed a chunk of games because of a knee injury.
We see him every week make a catch or two
and get his feet down when it seems like it
should be physically impossible to do so from a numbers perspective,
which you see what makes him such a difference maker.
Speaker 17 (38:37):
Yeah, you think about there's players that they do one
thing well, whether it's speed, whether it's catchability, whether it's blocking.
He can do everything. Again, like you said, I miss
to toe tap catch. They will go to him anytime
he leaves the NFL on target rate at thirty eight percent,
as well as the efficiency when running so EPA is
expected points added. That's how much you're helping your team's
(38:58):
chance to scoring per drive, contextualizing yard. And he's able
to do it not just in the air, but on
the ground too. And then they'll even use him in
the run game. They'll ask him to block d ND
So his ability to be able to go move all
over the field is important. Here's something to watch for
when he's in motion on pass plays, he gets the
ball fifty percent at a time. Jumps from thirty eight
percent target rate to fifty percent target rate.
Speaker 2 (39:21):
Forty nine.
Speaker 1 (39:22):
Ers might be down to literally their fifth string running
back in the game this week. They've had injuries all
over the place. But George Kittle, when he's been healthy
enough to be out there, SE's like he's having kind
of a throwback type of season.
Speaker 2 (39:34):
What do you see from him?
Speaker 17 (39:35):
Yeah, I think between Pukainaku and now George Kittle, you
got a couple of guys that they might lead the
NFL and.
Speaker 9 (39:40):
How much they love football.
Speaker 17 (39:41):
When you watch him play, it's the ability after the
catch that's so valuable. He's fourth in the NFL and
receiving EPA and that so that's against wide receivers as well.
But what he's able to do after the catch, he's
third in the NFL and yak over expected one hundred
and thirty four extra yards that he's getting then an
average player in a similar scenario would not get. Importantly,
(40:02):
he's efficient. He nearly gets better yack than what's expected,
seventy four percent of the time amongst players with fifty
targets or more. That's second highest in the NFL. But
he can also make the amazing catch is a thirteen
percent catch right over expected as well. It's he can
do everything for this offense. And what's been great is
seeing him expand his role outside of known for his blocking.
We all know his play or his primetime blocks that
(40:25):
he's had, but his ability to be that pass catcher
that at an elite level has been huge for this
Niners team.
Speaker 1 (40:31):
TNS Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats Alternate Stream. That's
where you can find Sam Schwarztein this Thursday and every
Thursday pregame coverage kicking off on Prime and NFL Plus
at seven pm Eastern time, Sam, thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
NFL dot com slash.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
Rookies is where you can vote on the Pepsi zero
Sugar Rookie of the Week. Some new names this time around.
Tyrone Tracy is having a really good eason on a
pretty bad Giants team. Tyree's night for the first time.
Pretty sure that he's popped up in there. Isaac Carendo,
we'll see some of that foot spring whether he can
go on Thursday night a NFL dot Com slash Turkies
(41:12):
where you can vote on that. Tomorrow we will get
Michael F. Florio's opinion on what forty nine ers running
back you should try to pick up and start if
you need somebody in week fifteen here, But on Sunday,
Florio had other things on his mind, saying, no exaggeration,
biggest day in his life is a Mets fan. Change
the franchise. Mets just stole the most covenant free agent
(41:34):
from the Yankees. Congratch to Florio Indian Rappaport on the
edition of One Soda. If you thought Florio had a
big Sunday, then there was there was this day later.
Speaker 4 (41:45):
Michael F.
Speaker 2 (41:46):
Florio, not to be confused with Mike Florio. Sure, yeah,
so this is fake, fake, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (41:52):
Click on his name.
Speaker 18 (41:53):
Can you click on his name Michael Florio, Fantasy football
NFL analyst and you want that was anfo Fantasy NFL
network feels like this guy's real.
Speaker 1 (42:07):
Uh, we can confirm he's one of the one of
the ogs of the insires, has been with us every
week for a couple of years now.
Speaker 8 (42:13):
Yeah, I mean, I feel like it's it's a badge
of honor, like Aaron Rodgers publicly doubted has existed one
of the greatest.
Speaker 7 (42:19):
Only the biggest topics get that kind of treatment.
Speaker 2 (42:23):
We'll be back here very borrow.
Speaker 1 (42:27):
Florida will be here as well, or at least with
the hologram of them.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
We will see them.
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