December 3, 2025 • 35 mins
Mike Dugar of The Athletic joins for his weekly visit, the Seahawks defense keeps shining, can the offensive line find some consistency, and much more. MJ makes his pick in Fact or Fiction, and did the Minnesota Vikings lay the blueprint on slowing down Seahawks WR JSN?
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
It's MJ in the Midday with Christopher Kidd on a
Wednesday here on Seattle Sports Leader ninety three to three
KJR FM.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Joining us every single week. You know who he is.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
The man needs no introduction, but I'm gonna give one
to him anyway. Before we get to him, don't forget
Factor Fiction coming up at eleven thirty five. And the
man who's a host of ESPN College Game Day. He
was the host of the college football playoff rankings release show,
which you saw last night on ESPN.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Rhys Davis will join us coming up at noon.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Now we're joined by the aforementioned Mike Dugar from the
Athletic He does the podcast Seahawks Man, A Man with
our own Christopher Kid, each and every week wherever you
find podcast. Look for his book as well, Seahawks The Franchise,
a curated history of the Seahawks and the Legion of
Boom Era. Wherever books are sold you want to copy,
(01:06):
just DM him. He'll even meet you at a Seahawks
home game during halftime autograph a whatever you need, all right, Mike,
So let's start with the good on Sunday at Lumen
Field and.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Wow, you know, going into.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
The Mariner season, we knew that their strength was their
starting rotation. Now due to injuries and some you know
struggles by Bryce Miller and whatnot, it you know, they
didn't live up to expectations. But the other strongest unit
in town that we knew going into a season was
(01:46):
the Seahawks defense. They had not only delivered, Mike, they've
over delivered and Sunday was on full display forcing five
turnovers just as the weeks go by, Mike, does your jaw?
Do you have to continue to pick your job off
the ground on how truly elite this defense is?
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Yeah, I mean it is really impressive what they do
on a pretty consistent basis too.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
That's the mark of greatness to me.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Anybody can just beat up on a team or do
what you're supposed to do a couple of times. But
I mean they've really, outside of the Bucks game, really
brought their A game. Man, after a plus game, like
I'd say, Vikings was there A plus Commanders, a plus
Saints a plus Titans was.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Like for their A game.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
But they just keep bringing it and they hold themselves
to a high standard. You know, they love the result
when they win, obviously hate the result when they lose.
But the defense in particularly really is dedicated to its process.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
It really stuck out to me talking to gods in
the Titans locker room or in the locker room after
the Titans win, guys on defense were like, yeah, I
mean we won, that's great, good for Jack's broken records,
but we got to play better on defense.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
That was after a win when they only allowed seventeen points.
But for them, seventeen points was too many, you know,
particular probably you know, particularly against that team, that Cam
wod led Titans team. So what they do They see
Max Rosmer coming into town, rookie never made a start
backup offensive lineman, and they don't let them score at all,
you know, and then they're like.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
Yeah, that's our standard. Well we just did there.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
You know, we should do.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
That every week.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
That's unrealistic, of course, but I just think that mindset
is just as important as talent in the NFL.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
You have to approach football the.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Right way every snap, every game, and they do that
right now, and that's why they're one of the best defenses.
I gotta keep qualifying it with one of the best
because Houston is doing some great things.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Out there.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Denver is doing some great things over there as well.
But yes, those three of those two, excuse me, along
with the Seahawks and me can throw the Rams in there,
are all playing elite ball in my mind.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, you know, Mike, and yeah, before we'll get back there.
And Seck you mentioned the Rams. Sure, I'm with you
on the Rams too. Rams both sides of the ball,
you could say they were they're the most complete team
in the NFL because they have a guy who's a
Super Bowl MVP. You have a guy who you have
two ones in Puka and Davante. But they just gave
up thirty one points to Carolina and Bryce's young. So
(04:08):
now of a sudden, I'm sort of seeing, like, whoa
hold on a second, Maybe there's some dents in that
armor that.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
We haven't seem so far in the Rams.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
I mean, listen, you give thirty one to Dallas Cowboys
with that offense and Ceedee Lamb and Pickens and you know,
and Javonte Williams. Fine, you give a thirty one at Carolina.
I don't know, man, It's hard.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
To win on the road.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
And what's makes it so impressive with the Seahawks have
done I think they only lost three times on the road,
so I mean it is it's really, really, really hard.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
So I get it.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Every team's gonna have a slip up here and there.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Actually think they're wonly lost.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Twice twelve and two and the Michael McDonald are on
the road.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
There we go. Yep, sorry, yeah, I misspoke there. Yeah,
So I mean, there you go. Every can't be Mike McDonald's.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
I got to give the Panthers credit to you know,
they're an inconsistent team, as their record shows since they're
only a game over five hundred, but they're good.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
It is really good.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
You know, they're well coached. I think they've can aws
tend to have them ready to play where they go
out there and execute. It's kind of up to them
and whether Bryce plays like a big boy quarterback or not.
But I mean that you got to give those guys
credit to Panthers are They don't quit. They give you a.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Good fight and turnovers the name of the game. There.
Stafford kept getting tired of us, he doesn't have them. Well,
there you go.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
You have to lose a game, and that's why I
think Seahawks fans tend to fret understandably. So even in
wins when Sam coughs set up, you know, because any
team can beat you if you cough it up. Now,
obviously that didn't matter on Sunday because Max Rosman was
just dedicated to giving one Seahawks at least NFC Defensive
Player of the Week if I didn't care who. He's like,
(05:56):
one of you guys are going to get this thing
playing against me today? Who is it gonna be? But
that's not gonna be the case every week. So yeah,
you got to protect the ball. And as good as
the defense is, that's probably the one thing you can
really get on the seas offense about is how often
their quarterback is.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Costing it up.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah he does.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
And before we get to that, and there's a plenty
of blame to go around there, I want to just
talk about one guy and Ernest Jones. After the game,
I went to his postgame press conference and I said,
did you have on your Bengo card before this season
that after Week thirteen that you would be tied for
the league lead in interceptions? I actually be second, tied
(06:36):
for second and interceptions. He's like, he's like, yeah, man,
I want six though I want I got five, but
I want six, and like.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Wow, he and he talked about that.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
You know, he he gave a very heartfelt and passionate
speech to the locker room this week that he something
in the extent he wasn't living right and he got
the Lord back in his life. And you know, a lot
of people say that with Ernest Jones. There's nothing disingenuous
and inauthentic about Ernest Jones. The real ones know, the
real ones know, and he's a real one. And so
(07:07):
for him, the eighty five yard picked six thanks to
Max Brosmer, who couldn't start for you know, I believe
the you know, top fifty teams in Division one college football. Nonetheless,
you take it two interceptions for him, d law to
Marcus Lawrence. Wow, that was the one guy Mike in
the offseason. And I really liked everything John Schneider did.
(07:29):
I'm like, you gave this guy eighteen and a half
million dollars guaranteed. Really, how much gas does he have
left in that tank? Well, apparently, Mike John Schneider knew
something that Jerry Jones didn't, and he's got a lot, like,
he's got a lot more left in that tank.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
So the defense is just they are the staple.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
And I think that when you look at Seattle, Mike,
I've only been here ten months, but to me, the
defense defines this city. The city is blue collar, it's
hard working, and it appreciates just guys go out there,
they do their job at the best of their ability,
and you see the residual effects every freaking Sunday and
(08:09):
it's just unbelievable to watch.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Yeah, I was actually pretty confident and of the two
like older guys that they signed, Cup and d Law,
I was. I was pretty confident in Tank having something
left because I believe he just broke his.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
Foot last year.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
And I say, just broke his foot. But in terms
of the spectrum of devastating football injuries, broken bones are
actually pretty low on the severity scale to me, in
terms of a guy's return, you start turning ligaments, then
that's when guys lose a step. You know, have to
like take off Thursday practices because they're old.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Now, you know, whereas Tanks they broke bone my foot,
he fixed it.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
I'm going to get right back to rushing the passer,
you know, as opposed to cut who That was a
more just performance related release that he got from LA.
So what Tank is doing, it's actually really impressive. I
think I think he's.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Almost he's playing like two roles.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
It talks about that much because I don't know how
many people can really see it, but he's like playing
defensive tackle and defensive end a little bit in this
scheme because he's so damn strong and can do both.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
And beyond like.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
The splash plays that he makes, any of these guys make.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
It really is just down to down.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
They are just tough to beat, you know, because you
can't live in the world a splash plays and have
an elite defense. I think that's where that's why the
Bears don't have an elite defense. But despite leading the
league and takeaways, right you mentioned that Ernest was number two.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Number one is Kevin Bayer Chicago and.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Interceptions, and they don't have an elite defense, right, Well,
why not? Because elite defense to me is snap to snap.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Just butt whipping.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
That's what Delau's doing, That's what Buyer Murphy the second
is doing, That's what Leonard Williams is doing. That's what
Ernest Jones is doing. That's what Kobe Bryant is doing,
you know. Reek Wollen is doing. Like these guys are
just every Drake Thomas that every snap these guys are
just bringing. It doesn't mean they never give up plays
they get beat, but just every snap they're just bringing fight.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
And it's just hard to deal with that. You know.
When I used to talk to guys that played against.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
The Legion of Boom defense, you know, they just knew
there was a mentality. They were like, Hey, when we
go in here, like we're gonna have to strap up
our ten straps and we're gonna have to go to
the ice bath after this game, whether we win a
game or lose a game. They just knew that. You know,
that's what the Seahawks are bringing. Like, you have to
strap up and be ready every snap against the Seahawks defense.
And I think if you're a coach or a fan
or whoever, that's really all you can ask for, you know,
(10:26):
just make sure the other team knows what they're in
for a fight. And I think that that's not the
doubtar right there. Like I said, mindset is everything in.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Football, no question. Mike two Garf from the Athletic join
us here on MJ in the midday. Now that being said,
all right. We know the Seahawks offensively, they were held
to a season low two hundred and nineteen yards three
and a half yards per play, struggling much much of
the day, Brian Floores throwing blitzes, coverages, things that were
completely But here's the thing. And yes, Sam Darnold is
(10:55):
among the lead league league leader in turnovers, but I
have to tell you I'm gonna give him a pass
on the one in the second quarter because I mean, nobody,
I don't care. It was Joe Montana in his prime,
John Elway, Dan Marino, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, I mean Mike.
That play in on the Seahawks fourth possession in the
(11:18):
second quarter, about five and a half minutes to go,
Dallas Turner went completely unblocked. And I mean, if you
give you me and Christopher Kidd a straight path to
Sam Donald like that, I bet you we could probably
make him fumble the ball. I mean, nobody blocked him. Now,
that wasn't the only time Mike. On the second possession
in that second quarter, Eric Wilson went unblocked by Bradford,
(11:43):
so Donald had to throw it away from the end zone.
And then on the third possession in the second quarter,
Van Ginkle went unblocked on the left side to stop
Charbonney on third and goal in the Seahawks had to
settle for a field goal. So again, here we are.
The more things change, Mike, the more they stay the same.
The O line aka the no line, showed up on Sunday.
(12:08):
Gray's Abel took accountability after the game for he said,
it's inexcusable. I'm paraphrasing, but Mike, wtf, Bro, what is
I mean? Here we go again? I mean, can they
get this thing fixed?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
What?
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:24):
And you know, and I get you on, Sam, I
can't give him a pass. So I definitely always feel
comfort book critique and players on the things they can control.
You know, he can't control unblocked defenders.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
He can control holding onto the ball, even a blind
side though like that.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Yeah, oh yeah, they repped that, you know, as part
of being a quarterback. Hold on, hold on to the ball,
as everybody for what it's worth running back.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
Yeah, true, hold.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
On hold on to the ball. You're a professional football player.
That's just at this level you should hold on.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
To the ball. So yeah, and he fumbled it twice.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
I think that's important to Cooper Cup States but on
the first one, and then he.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Often right back up.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
He also threw a really dangerous steps to Elijah Royal
for no reason at all that almost got put picked
off via metallist number forty four.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
But I think the bigger problem, I'll take this one.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
No one can really replicate what Brian Floyd's and those
rankings do in just generating pressure, Like you can have
a higher pressure rate than them, But the way they
go about it, I don't think provides a blueprint for
the next opponent to follow. You know, I liking it
to college football, right, It's like, Okay, you got a
bunch of teams on your schedule, you prepare for them,
you do your rules on defense, and then one week you.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Got to play Navy.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
Well, okay, that's completely different than anything else you're about
to see. You know, you can't you can't use teams,
can't use how you beat Navy or how Navy plays
and beat you to the next week. Same thing with
Mike Leach in the air raid, right, like that's just
not something you know, Mike leachs lights up Cal. The
next team that plays Cal can't play Oh, let's just
throw it sixty times? Well, no, you guys don't do that.
(13:57):
You're usc you have a different So I think that
that's important to keep in mind even as they play
another blitz happy team in Atlanta. But I do think
this is the part that's predictive or instructive, whatever world
you want to use for the Seahawks and they're upcoming opponents.
These teams made Sam or Vikings made Sam hold the
ball and it took Jackson Smith and Jigbo away. The
(14:19):
two philosophy and strategies that you can replicate, albeit with
different methods, because that's where the success was. I think
for the Vikings, like they got pressure, but the big
thing was Sam didn't really have outlets to.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
Jackson against that pressure.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
You know, he was throwing the other guys Cooper Cup,
aj Barner, Cody White. And while those are good players,
mark I from the other team, if you throw it
to anyone other than Jackson, we win, Like just like
just even playing field in terms of our quarterback doesn't
give it up five times or whatever.
Speaker 4 (14:50):
If the Seahawks are.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Throwing the ball to someone other than number eleven, I
think that it just increases the opponent's chances of winning.
And I think that's the thing that the Seahawks got.
I learned from this win, this tape where they only
scored nineteen points. Their only touchdown drive was like a
thirty yard drive. I think after Ernest's interception. That's the
part that worries me just a tad because I mean,
defensive coordinators are smart, like, how do we beat the Seahawks? Well,
(15:15):
don't let Jackson get us for one hundred and fifty
and we got a shot, you know.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
And that's what I.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Would do too, And I bet you that's what every
team going forward is going to try to do to Seattle.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Yeah, yeah, I no, It's that easier said than done.
But here's the thing about it. I covered Brian Flores
his the last three years with New England, and he
spent eighteen years under Bill Belichick with the Patriots and
it was part of six Super Bowls, maybe five, but
he was part of that. So Brian Flores knows like
(15:45):
what a great quarterback looks like because he spent his
entire career with a guy named Tom Brady. And the
one thing that Bill Belichick always did and he taught
it to Brian Flores and Nat Patricia who's having a
Surgeon type year with Ohio State this year, take away
the opposing team's best weapon. They do it all the time,
(16:08):
make everybody else beat you. Let me ask you this.
It's a hypothetical question, and we'll never know. If the
Seahawks didn't force five turnovers and play against a guy
who probably couldn't start at Bowling Green right now and
MaTx Brosmer, would they have won that game if Minnesota
didn't turn If Minnesota didn't turn that ball over, would
(16:28):
they with the Seahawks said, well, I mean that's what
I'm saying, Like Brian Flores really brought it on Sunday
and completely took that offense away.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
It's a good question. Here's a way to look at it.
I think that, Yes, I do think they win. But
here's here's a good, likely miracle nerdy way to look
at it. I think there's been about like eight hundred
and eighty six quarterback performances this year by like ETA
per drop back. I want to say Brozmer was like
the third worst of the league, maybe the second worst
behind I think Tua's game against the US I think
(17:00):
was like the least efficient quarterback game of the twenty
twenty five seasons, Brozman was like second or third worst, right, So.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
Keep that in mind. So let's say.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Of those eight hundred and eighty whatever they instead of that,
Brozeman was like yet, like four hundred and twenty. He
was just like an average performance, maybe some turnovers, but
just average. How I think they do that game winning
drives to win that game for the for the reasons
we're we're talking about. Because because the Seahawks right now,
and I'm writing a story about this that should come
(17:30):
out tomorrow, I am curious.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
Are they over.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Reliant on JSN, you know, just to be explosive and
to be elite, you know. I mean, Jackson has like
thirty explosive catches that's sixteen or more yards. The next
closest guy on the team has nine, and that's Cooper Cup,
you know. And I don't think any team is really
afraid of Cooper, you know, killing them with explosives, you know,
so to speak. So I find that interesting. Right now,
I give another nerd stats, and I'm on a roll
(17:54):
right now. Jackson accounts for forty five point six of
the Seahawks receiving that right now would be the second
most by any player this century. Second only to Brandon
Marshall on twenty twelve. If he accounted for forty five
point seven percent of the Bears in twenty twelve, that's
a lot of just Jackson or buss Mark. And right
now it works, right Jackson's on pace I think for
(18:17):
a smidge under nineteen hundred yards, So it works. What
happens if it doesn't? Can they still be explosive? We
know they can win, they just did. Can they still
be explosive? But that is how you score points in
the NFL? And I don't have an answer for that.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
I don't know if anyone does.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Koobiak Sam jacksn't think anyone can honestly say they do
because we haven't really seen it because the Vikings are
the only team that really successfully.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Take him away.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
They did.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
I mean, going into Sunday's game against Minnesota, you know,
when not throwing to JSN, Sam Darnold was completing fifty
eight percent of his passes forty first in the NFL,
twelve touchdowns just under fifteen hundred yards. So it's a
completely different ballgame. And you know, I mean, I you
just go back to like and the game before it's all, Yeah,
(19:03):
it was Tennessee.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
In that Tennessee game, when targeting anybody not named JSN,
Donald was six for twelve for sixty nine yards, zero scores,
with a passer rating of sixty seven point seven, and
throwing to anyone not named JSN, his passer rating was
seventy two point nine, like in that Tennessee game. So,
and this is against Tennessee, So we're not talking about
(19:26):
you know, Houston or Denver or the Rams, I mean,
and so it's something yeah, yeah, teams now they're gonna
target it, and you know, and I was all hyped
and I hopefully there's still a chance he can break
Megatron's twenty twelve single season mark of nineteen sixty four,
but Brian Flores did not contribute to that. On Sunday,
Brian Flores made he put the underback in session there,
(19:51):
So there's that. What do you do though? Now, what
do you do if you're Clint Kubiak and John Benton
is they all line back to being the no line
or was because they were having somewhat decent season when
it comes to blocking. But now are we back reverting
back to ground zero again? No?
Speaker 4 (20:10):
I think they'll be okay.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
They're actually really good in the second half. You're picking
up a lot of those pressures and things like that,
limiting the unblocked guys. I think, for instance, I think
the first pressure that got Sam on third and eleven
where he got sacked and that should have been a
rough in the passer. I don't know how that in
today's game. I don't know how that was. That looked
like a football play to me because I'm a little
bit more of a traditionalist, but in today's game, I
(20:33):
don't know how you can just land on the quarterback
like that right in front of the ref after he's
clearly given up and that's not roughing. But anyway, on
that play, they've pressured him and they got unblocked guys
pretty much. The Vikings ran that same pressure later in
the half, I want to say, and Cody White was
White up and for a slant for like twenty one
yard or something.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
So they got better fixed the end game.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
I thought they did a good job of that, and
I think they'll be fine generally. I mean, two of
the sacks were allowed by Charles Frost.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
And Abe Lucas.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
I don't imagine that they'll just keep getting beat every week,
So they do have a good test this week against Atlanta.
So I'm not too worried about the old line because
my main thing is like Sama has time, he'll be fine.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
But it's also like time.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
To find who that's the thing, and also Mark, where's
Rashiki he I know?
Speaker 1 (21:20):
No, no, But by the way, by the way, did
you like that, Mike, did you like speaking.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Of Rashichi Heat.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
I'm glad you brought him up because I didn't bring
that up, but I'm glad you did.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Did you did you see on what play?
Speaker 1 (21:32):
It was the Seahawks' third possession or no, I'm sorry
it was it was their fourth possession with about five
and a half minutes left in the second quarter.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
Rashichi he Eat calls for a fair catch.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
There isn't anybody from here to Tacoma within within fifteen
yards of them, dude, that's why they gave up a
fourth and a fifth rounder for you. What are you
fair touching it when nobody I mean, like YouTube, Devin Hester,
my former schoolmate, it do you like?
Speaker 2 (22:00):
What are we doing here? That's why you were brought here.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Nobody was doing fifteen yards When he's calling for a
fair catch, like like, what are you doing? And I'm
with you on the offense too. I don't right now
that trade is not aging.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
Well yeah, and.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
I think there's still time. But Chris and I were
just talking about this, you know for latest Seahawks, man.
Speaker 4 (22:22):
The manpop that it's out right now.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
You look at marking the other guys who got traded
at the deadline. Now it's not apples to apples, but
they're drastically outproducing Shaheed and they're not as good as
players as him. Maybe Jacoby Myers is, but like, for instance,
Jacoby has two hundred and forty five yards and two
scores right now. Adam Night Mitchell has like a buck
fifty and a couple of scores. Even John MESHI I
forgot about him, She's got like a buck thirty and
(22:47):
I think at least one score. All these guys have
at least seven first downs, you know, I think Shaheed
has like two. Maybe you know, Shaheed has more rushing
attempts than receptions in a month with the Seahawks. It's just, yeah,
they need to get that together, man. I think that's
the key to really punishing teams for taking away jacks,
because right now every team will give up a six
yard Cooper Cup crawl route, you know, instead of a
(23:10):
Jackson Smith and jig abomb. But what you can't live
with is a Rashi sa heat post route for forty
five yards and a touchdown. And that's what they traded
him for. And we've just seen absolutely none of that
in a month.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Well, game, you're headed out to the A.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
And I used to live there, and you know, I
was sister stationed t V one oh three, the people station,
and I know everybody there.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
I know Tigga, I know used to be my guy.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Who's I think still the PA voice for the Hawks,
Ryan Cameron and all the people.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
So have a great trip out to the A.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Hit that fat match rib Shack on Piedmont Road, and
oh god, what I would give for fat matts rib
shack right now? You have no idea, But yeah, man,
I mean this is you know, let's not let what
happened to the Rams in Carolina happen. There's gonna be
know when Clement Weather, you're indoors on Sunday, You're going
(24:03):
up against the disabled Kirk Cousins who pretty much cannot move.
This is a take care of business, no excuses game.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
Oh yeah, absolutely. I think they should really just blow
these guys out. I can give you some numbers to
back it up, but yeah, really this this team is outmatched.
They're poorly coached, they have the worst special teams in
the league. I think like it's falling apart. Raie Morris,
he's got he's holding that thing together. It sounds like
with Rilla blue and duct tape. So I think this
is a real This should be another one of those
(24:35):
Commanders type games Saints Cardinals for the Seahawks.
Speaker 4 (24:38):
They should.
Speaker 3 (24:39):
They should go out there and handle business thing Atlanta.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Yes, they definitely should.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
All right, Mike Dugar from the Athletic check Out Seahawks
Man a Man podcast with Christopher Kidd, We appreciate you
joining us, have fun in the A and coming up next,
Factor Fiction. Rhys Davis will join us from ESPN Game
Day at noon right here on MJ in the mid
day Sports Radio now three kjart them.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Where's that to go?
Speaker 5 (25:02):
Glad you're with us, it's your shot at our weekly
thousand bucks and the ten thousand dollars grand prize. It's
fact door fiction probably presented by Lucky Eagle Casino and
hotel where every day feels lucky. Fact Door Fiction is
on Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
All right, as you know, Lee Sterling and I we
are the I mean Seattle KJR PNW tag team champions
of the world.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
When it comes to sports gambling.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
And we beat Softy and Dick head to head, which
is no surprise the pros versus the jokes. But they
did pretty good. Dick Fane, especially man Dick Fane. I
didn't I didn't know Dick Fane had that kind of
game that was that was very impressive, very impressive for
mister Fane.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
So Championship Saturday.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
All right, this is a big one across the board
in college football. A lot of things can dictate what
happens in the selection. Sunday. By the way, don't forget
this Sunday. You can find me at Muckleshoot Casino at
Galaxy for the Seattle Away Game Rumble Watch party this Sunday,
(26:19):
Seattle and the Falcons. Okay, here we go BYU Texas
Tech Big twelve Championship Game. There we go, kid, There
we go, kid. That's what's up. Baron Morton. He's playing
the role of Patrick Mahomes that position at Patrick Mahomes
(26:40):
in Baker Mayfield. Now you think of Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma,
Baker Mayfield used to be at Texas Tech.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
So he's playing that he is healthy.
Speaker 1 (26:51):
And I'm telling you right now, the Texas Tech Red
Raiders might win the National Championship, and I kids you not.
They should have a bye. They are that damn great,
and you'd want to know what they are the number
one team in America because what's the saying. Good teams win,
(27:13):
great teams cover, Well, they are great. Guess what they
are against the spread this year? A college football numero
who know best ten to one against the spread. Give
me Baron Morton, Jacob Rodriguez, who should be in New
York as a Heisman finalist, the linebacker with that cool
(27:34):
porn stash, and a team that I think could be
going down to Miami on January nineteenth for the National Championship,
The Red Raiders, they just resigned Joey maguire. Give me
Texas Tech their favorite big number of this one minus
thirteen lay the points win. You want to win the game,
you want to play it. Sometimes you gotta lay it.
(27:55):
Lay the thirteen points text and now four nine four
five one Texas Tech minus thirteen four nine four five
to one. Fact four nine, four to five to one. Fact,
there's no other option. I'm on fire, I literally I
it's become almost too easy for me. And the gambling
(28:17):
gods have a way of humbling you, they really do.
But I love the Red Raiders and personally speaking, any
of them. But nonetheless, I'm betting Texas Tech myself take
the Red Raiders minus thirteen. Text in fact to four nine,
four to five to one. There's no other option. Don't
even think about the other option. Fact only. And the
other day when I gave out the over on the
Cowboys Lions game, twenty two out of twenty seven people
(28:42):
texted in fact, that's what I want you to do
right now, text in fact to four nine four or
five to one. Bingo Texas read Texas Tech Red Raiders
minus thirteen. They will be Big twelve champions and they
could be national champions.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
I'm dead serious.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
Don't be surprised if it's them in Ohio State facing
each other for and all in Miami on January nineteenth.
There you go, Texas Tech minus thirteen. Bet it now,
Thank me later, because that line's going to go up
it's been fluctuating. So there it is four nine, four
to five one text in fact. There's no other option.
You don't text anything, either text in fact or don't
(29:19):
text anything at all. That's basically what it comes down to.
Now everybody's going to start texting in fiction. Here we go,
all right, So there we go on that one. Rehys Davis,
the host of College Game Day, will join us coming
up live at noon. I'm looking forward to Reese. He's
one of the best sports broadcasters in the world. Looking
forward to that. And by the way, every time I
(29:42):
bet on Texas Tech this year, they've covered from me,
so especially it can BYU. So let's hopefully that that
holds true again. Bear Bachmeyer, Bachmeyer, whatever the hell your
name is, Klanie Sataki, Get ready because the Red Raiders
are coming and the game is in in Dallas. All right,
So we got that and I feel good, kid. I
(30:06):
know you do too. You had you had a nice
pick yesterday. You feel good about it. I feel great
about it. It's yeah, man, it's all good. It's it's
all good. How worried should we be about the Seattle
Seahawks offense? We'll get to that coming up next Rhys
Davis at noon. So I thought they're gonna get Brian
(30:27):
Hartline from Ohio State, who could be the next Dan Lanning.
Guess what, Brian Hartline is going to my former stomping
grounds in Tampa to take over at USF for Alex
Goulish and he won't be there very long. And by
the way, Mario Cristobal, Mike Norvell, John Sumral, your job
(30:51):
just got harder because that dude can recruit. I don't
know if he can coach, but he can recruit big time.
I actually USF he's never been a head coach before,
but like, if this guy can coach the way he
can recruit. They actually upgraded from Alex Golis who went
to Auburn. Now, how about how bad has things gotten
(31:13):
for Penn State? You ready for this one, kid? You
ready for this? Penn State has fallen today's signing day
early signing day, Penn State has fallen behind McNee State
in South Dakota for the one, one hundred and fiftieth
best recruiting class in the country. Now just has two recruits.
James Franklin, who took over at Virginia Tech. He's poached.
(31:36):
He's brought all those guys that were in Penn State's
class over.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
To Virginia Tech.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
And by the way, they still don't have a coach,
and Brian Hartline just went to USF. So if you're
gonna fire James Franklin and I don't have a problem
with them doing it, you kind of needed to have
his replacement on standby, you understand. Georgia did it a
decade ago at this time they fired Mark Richt and
(32:05):
guess who they had on standby. Have you ever heard
of this guy, Kirby Smart. I think it's worked out
for them. I think it's worked out quite well. Actually,
back to back national championships a couple of years ago.
So hate to see at Penn State. Hate to see it.
Just hate to see it. For those of you that
said that you didn't get a bounce back.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
Don't worry.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
All of your all of your replies are recorded to
factor fiction. And by the way, I appreciate most of you.
Ninety percent of the replies were fact. So the smart
ones replied with fact. Okay, so we get that. And
I told you it's Texas Tech minus thirteen versus BYU.
(32:47):
I think I said BYU multiple times and bear Bachmeyer.
So maybe you didn't hear me, but I ravividly remember
saying bear Bachmeyer and BYU, this should be an absolute
curb stomping on Saturday. We'll see by you will keep
it close for a little bit and then Texas Tech.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
Will just overwhelm them. They are unbelievable. They are amazing.
All right, kid?
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Did Brian Flores lay the blueprint on how to defend
the Seattle Seahawks offense? Is this something that other teams,
not the Falcons, but the Colts, the Rams, the Niners,
the Colts, Rams, Panthers and Niners and everybody else from
here on out is going to do to stop Seattle's offense.
Take away JSN, that's a good question.
Speaker 6 (33:36):
I think it's more so what each defense does to
a get pressure on Sam and take away those those
because that's what the Vikings did very well. They were
able to double team essentially JSN and get pressure and
a lot of those pressures forced fumbles. Sam's just running
for his lives is getting sacked, and the second half
they cleaned it up. In the first half he was
(33:57):
sacked four times. So I think that Mike Flora thing
is just different. But you look at the Falcons. They
are second in the NFL and buttz rate. We all
know who number one is, that's the Minnesota Vikings. But
the Falcons do it a little differently. They don't use
the same pressure scheme because Jeff Obrid he has his
own way.
Speaker 7 (34:12):
Of doing Yeah, right now, former Jetsons from coach, I'm
not gonna they're gonna butz them, but it'll it'll be different.
So I'm curious how the Falcons try to minimize the
targets for Jason or do they say, you know what,
We'll let JSN do his thing, but.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Jays N's gonna have to have three hundred yards to
beat us. Well and Mike two Garbronk great point.
Speaker 1 (34:29):
He's like, just because Brian Flores is able to do
that doesn't mean that other teams have that scheme down.
Brian Flores has coached and he learned under the best
in the NFL, Bill Belichick. You can't just say, oh, well,
let's do what the Vikings did. No, no, no, no, no,
that's like the that's uh, you know the da Vinci code. Oh,
that's the the Flora's code. He can do that other
(34:50):
teams can't do that, so let's see, I'm not too
worried about it. I think that Sam Darnell and JASN
have a big game on Sunday against the.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
I'm actual hoping that he has a big thank you
show up.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
And by the way, Bro, if you don't have anyone
between you and Tacoma, don't call for a fair catch.
Speaker 2 (35:09):
Be a man, not a woosie. That's why we gave.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
That's why they spent a fourth and a fifth round
pick on you, Bro, That's why we spent a fourth
and a fifth round pick. The host of ESPN College
Game Day one of the best in the business, Reese Davis.
He did the playoff rankings reveal last night. Coming up
next
It's MJ in the Midday with Christopher Kidd on a
Wednesday here on Seattle Sports Leader ninety three to three
KJR FM.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Joining us every single week. You know who he is.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
The man needs no introduction, but I'm gonna give one
to him anyway. Before we get to him, don't forget
Factor Fiction coming up at eleven thirty five. And the
man who's a host of ESPN College Game Day. He
was the host of the college football playoff rankings release show,
which you saw last night on ESPN.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Rhys Davis will join us coming up at noon.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Now we're joined by the aforementioned Mike Dugar from the
Athletic He does the podcast Seahawks Man, A Man with
our own Christopher Kid, each and every week wherever you
find podcast. Look for his book as well, Seahawks The Franchise,
a curated history of the Seahawks and the Legion of
Boom Era. Wherever books are sold you want to copy,
(01:06):
just DM him. He'll even meet you at a Seahawks
home game during halftime autograph a whatever you need, all right, Mike,
So let's start with the good on Sunday at Lumen
Field and.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Wow, you know, going into.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
The Mariner season, we knew that their strength was their
starting rotation. Now due to injuries and some you know
struggles by Bryce Miller and whatnot, it you know, they
didn't live up to expectations. But the other strongest unit
in town that we knew going into a season was
(01:46):
the Seahawks defense. They had not only delivered, Mike, they've
over delivered and Sunday was on full display forcing five
turnovers just as the weeks go by, Mike, does your jaw?
Do you have to continue to pick your job off
the ground on how truly elite this defense is?
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Yeah, I mean it is really impressive what they do
on a pretty consistent basis too.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
That's the mark of greatness to me.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Anybody can just beat up on a team or do
what you're supposed to do a couple of times. But
I mean they've really, outside of the Bucks game, really
brought their A game. Man, after a plus game, like
I'd say, Vikings was there A plus Commanders, a plus
Saints a plus Titans was.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Like for their A game.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
But they just keep bringing it and they hold themselves
to a high standard. You know, they love the result
when they win, obviously hate the result when they lose.
But the defense in particularly really is dedicated to its process.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
It really stuck out to me talking to gods in
the Titans locker room or in the locker room after
the Titans win, guys on defense were like, yeah, I
mean we won, that's great, good for Jack's broken records,
but we got to play better on defense.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
That was after a win when they only allowed seventeen points.
But for them, seventeen points was too many, you know,
particular probably you know, particularly against that team, that Cam
wod led Titans team. So what they do They see
Max Rosmer coming into town, rookie never made a start
backup offensive lineman, and they don't let them score at all,
you know, and then they're like.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
Yeah, that's our standard. Well we just did there.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
You know, we should do.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
That every week.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
That's unrealistic, of course, but I just think that mindset
is just as important as talent in the NFL.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
You have to approach football the.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Right way every snap, every game, and they do that
right now, and that's why they're one of the best defenses.
I gotta keep qualifying it with one of the best
because Houston is doing some great things.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Out there.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Denver is doing some great things over there as well.
But yes, those three of those two, excuse me, along
with the Seahawks and me can throw the Rams in there,
are all playing elite ball in my mind.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah, you know, Mike, and yeah, before we'll get back there.
And Seck you mentioned the Rams. Sure, I'm with you
on the Rams too. Rams both sides of the ball,
you could say they were they're the most complete team
in the NFL because they have a guy who's a
Super Bowl MVP. You have a guy who you have
two ones in Puka and Davante. But they just gave
up thirty one points to Carolina and Bryce's young. So
(04:08):
now of a sudden, I'm sort of seeing, like, whoa
hold on a second, Maybe there's some dents in that
armor that.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
We haven't seem so far in the Rams.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
I mean, listen, you give thirty one to Dallas Cowboys
with that offense and Ceedee Lamb and Pickens and you know,
and Javonte Williams. Fine, you give a thirty one at Carolina.
I don't know, man, It's hard.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
To win on the road.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
And what's makes it so impressive with the Seahawks have
done I think they only lost three times on the road,
so I mean it is it's really, really, really hard.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
So I get it.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Every team's gonna have a slip up here and there.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Actually think they're wonly lost.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Twice twelve and two and the Michael McDonald are on
the road.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
There we go. Yep, sorry, yeah, I misspoke there. Yeah,
So I mean, there you go. Every can't be Mike McDonald's.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
I got to give the Panthers credit to you know,
they're an inconsistent team, as their record shows since they're
only a game over five hundred, but they're good.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
It is really good.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
You know, they're well coached. I think they've can aws
tend to have them ready to play where they go
out there and execute. It's kind of up to them
and whether Bryce plays like a big boy quarterback or not.
But I mean that you got to give those guys
credit to Panthers are They don't quit. They give you a.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Good fight and turnovers the name of the game. There.
Stafford kept getting tired of us, he doesn't have them. Well,
there you go.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
You have to lose a game, and that's why I
think Seahawks fans tend to fret understandably. So even in
wins when Sam coughs set up, you know, because any
team can beat you if you cough it up. Now,
obviously that didn't matter on Sunday because Max Rosman was
just dedicated to giving one Seahawks at least NFC Defensive
Player of the Week if I didn't care who. He's like,
(05:56):
one of you guys are going to get this thing
playing against me today? Who is it gonna be? But
that's not gonna be the case every week. So yeah,
you got to protect the ball. And as good as
the defense is, that's probably the one thing you can
really get on the seas offense about is how often
their quarterback is.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Costing it up.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah he does.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
And before we get to that, and there's a plenty
of blame to go around there, I want to just
talk about one guy and Ernest Jones. After the game,
I went to his postgame press conference and I said,
did you have on your Bengo card before this season
that after Week thirteen that you would be tied for
the league lead in interceptions? I actually be second, tied
(06:36):
for second and interceptions. He's like, he's like, yeah, man,
I want six though I want I got five, but
I want six, and like.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Wow, he and he talked about that.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
You know, he he gave a very heartfelt and passionate
speech to the locker room this week that he something
in the extent he wasn't living right and he got
the Lord back in his life. And you know, a lot
of people say that with Ernest Jones. There's nothing disingenuous
and inauthentic about Ernest Jones. The real ones know, the
real ones know, and he's a real one. And so
(07:07):
for him, the eighty five yard picked six thanks to
Max Brosmer, who couldn't start for you know, I believe
the you know, top fifty teams in Division one college football. Nonetheless,
you take it two interceptions for him, d law to
Marcus Lawrence. Wow, that was the one guy Mike in
the offseason. And I really liked everything John Schneider did.
(07:29):
I'm like, you gave this guy eighteen and a half
million dollars guaranteed. Really, how much gas does he have
left in that tank? Well, apparently, Mike John Schneider knew
something that Jerry Jones didn't, and he's got a lot, like,
he's got a lot more left in that tank.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
So the defense is just they are the staple.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
And I think that when you look at Seattle, Mike,
I've only been here ten months, but to me, the
defense defines this city. The city is blue collar, it's
hard working, and it appreciates just guys go out there,
they do their job at the best of their ability,
and you see the residual effects every freaking Sunday and
(08:09):
it's just unbelievable to watch.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Yeah, I was actually pretty confident and of the two
like older guys that they signed, Cup and d Law,
I was. I was pretty confident in Tank having something
left because I believe he just broke his.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
Foot last year.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
And I say, just broke his foot. But in terms
of the spectrum of devastating football injuries, broken bones are
actually pretty low on the severity scale to me, in
terms of a guy's return, you start turning ligaments, then
that's when guys lose a step. You know, have to
like take off Thursday practices because they're old.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Now, you know, whereas Tanks they broke bone my foot,
he fixed it.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
I'm going to get right back to rushing the passer,
you know, as opposed to cut who That was a
more just performance related release that he got from LA.
So what Tank is doing, it's actually really impressive. I
think I think he's.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Almost he's playing like two roles.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
It talks about that much because I don't know how
many people can really see it, but he's like playing
defensive tackle and defensive end a little bit in this
scheme because he's so damn strong and can do both.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
And beyond like.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
The splash plays that he makes, any of these guys make.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
It really is just down to down.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
They are just tough to beat, you know, because you
can't live in the world a splash plays and have
an elite defense. I think that's where that's why the
Bears don't have an elite defense. But despite leading the
league and takeaways, right you mentioned that Ernest was number two.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Number one is Kevin Bayer Chicago and.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Interceptions, and they don't have an elite defense, right, Well,
why not? Because elite defense to me is snap to snap.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Just butt whipping.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
That's what Delau's doing, That's what Buyer Murphy the second
is doing, That's what Leonard Williams is doing. That's what
Ernest Jones is doing. That's what Kobe Bryant is doing,
you know. Reek Wollen is doing. Like these guys are
just every Drake Thomas that every snap these guys are
just bringing. It doesn't mean they never give up plays
they get beat, but just every snap they're just bringing fight.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
And it's just hard to deal with that. You know.
When I used to talk to guys that played against.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
The Legion of Boom defense, you know, they just knew
there was a mentality. They were like, Hey, when we
go in here, like we're gonna have to strap up
our ten straps and we're gonna have to go to
the ice bath after this game, whether we win a
game or lose a game. They just knew that. You know,
that's what the Seahawks are bringing. Like, you have to
strap up and be ready every snap against the Seahawks defense.
And I think if you're a coach or a fan
or whoever, that's really all you can ask for, you know,
(10:26):
just make sure the other team knows what they're in
for a fight. And I think that that's not the
doubtar right there. Like I said, mindset is everything in.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Football, no question. Mike two Garf from the Athletic join
us here on MJ in the midday. Now that being said,
all right. We know the Seahawks offensively, they were held
to a season low two hundred and nineteen yards three
and a half yards per play, struggling much much of
the day, Brian Floores throwing blitzes, coverages, things that were
completely But here's the thing. And yes, Sam Darnold is
(10:55):
among the lead league league leader in turnovers, but I
have to tell you I'm gonna give him a pass
on the one in the second quarter because I mean, nobody,
I don't care. It was Joe Montana in his prime,
John Elway, Dan Marino, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, I mean Mike.
That play in on the Seahawks fourth possession in the
(11:18):
second quarter, about five and a half minutes to go,
Dallas Turner went completely unblocked. And I mean, if you
give you me and Christopher Kidd a straight path to
Sam Donald like that, I bet you we could probably
make him fumble the ball. I mean, nobody blocked him. Now,
that wasn't the only time Mike. On the second possession
in that second quarter, Eric Wilson went unblocked by Bradford,
(11:43):
so Donald had to throw it away from the end zone.
And then on the third possession in the second quarter,
Van Ginkle went unblocked on the left side to stop
Charbonney on third and goal in the Seahawks had to
settle for a field goal. So again, here we are.
The more things change, Mike, the more they stay the same.
The O line aka the no line, showed up on Sunday.
(12:08):
Gray's Abel took accountability after the game for he said,
it's inexcusable. I'm paraphrasing, but Mike, wtf, Bro, what is
I mean? Here we go again? I mean, can they
get this thing fixed?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
What?
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (12:24):
And you know, and I get you on, Sam, I
can't give him a pass. So I definitely always feel
comfort book critique and players on the things they can control.
You know, he can't control unblocked defenders.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
He can control holding onto the ball, even a blind
side though like that.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
Yeah, oh yeah, they repped that, you know, as part
of being a quarterback. Hold on, hold on to the ball,
as everybody for what it's worth running back.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
Yeah, true, hold.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
On hold on to the ball. You're a professional football player.
That's just at this level you should hold on.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
To the ball. So yeah, and he fumbled it twice.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
I think that's important to Cooper Cup States but on
the first one, and then he.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Often right back up.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
He also threw a really dangerous steps to Elijah Royal
for no reason at all that almost got put picked
off via metallist number forty four.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
But I think the bigger problem, I'll take this one.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
No one can really replicate what Brian Floyd's and those
rankings do in just generating pressure, Like you can have
a higher pressure rate than them, But the way they
go about it, I don't think provides a blueprint for
the next opponent to follow. You know, I liking it
to college football, right, It's like, Okay, you got a
bunch of teams on your schedule, you prepare for them,
you do your rules on defense, and then one week you.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Got to play Navy.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
Well, okay, that's completely different than anything else you're about
to see. You know, you can't you can't use teams,
can't use how you beat Navy or how Navy plays
and beat you to the next week. Same thing with
Mike Leach in the air raid, right, like that's just
not something you know, Mike leachs lights up Cal. The
next team that plays Cal can't play Oh, let's just
throw it sixty times? Well, no, you guys don't do that.
(13:57):
You're usc you have a different So I think that
that's important to keep in mind even as they play
another blitz happy team in Atlanta. But I do think
this is the part that's predictive or instructive, whatever world
you want to use for the Seahawks and they're upcoming opponents.
These teams made Sam or Vikings made Sam hold the
ball and it took Jackson Smith and Jigbo away. The
(14:19):
two philosophy and strategies that you can replicate, albeit with
different methods, because that's where the success was. I think
for the Vikings, like they got pressure, but the big
thing was Sam didn't really have outlets to.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
Jackson against that pressure.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
You know, he was throwing the other guys Cooper Cup,
aj Barner, Cody White. And while those are good players,
mark I from the other team, if you throw it
to anyone other than Jackson, we win, Like just like
just even playing field in terms of our quarterback doesn't
give it up five times or whatever.
Speaker 4 (14:50):
If the Seahawks are.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Throwing the ball to someone other than number eleven, I
think that it just increases the opponent's chances of winning.
And I think that's the thing that the Seahawks got.
I learned from this win, this tape where they only
scored nineteen points. Their only touchdown drive was like a
thirty yard drive. I think after Ernest's interception. That's the
part that worries me just a tad because I mean,
defensive coordinators are smart, like, how do we beat the Seahawks? Well,
(15:15):
don't let Jackson get us for one hundred and fifty
and we got a shot, you know.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
And that's what I.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
Would do too, And I bet you that's what every
team going forward is going to try to do to Seattle.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Yeah, yeah, I no, It's that easier said than done.
But here's the thing about it. I covered Brian Flores
his the last three years with New England, and he
spent eighteen years under Bill Belichick with the Patriots and
it was part of six Super Bowls, maybe five, but
he was part of that. So Brian Flores knows like
(15:45):
what a great quarterback looks like because he spent his
entire career with a guy named Tom Brady. And the
one thing that Bill Belichick always did and he taught
it to Brian Flores and Nat Patricia who's having a
Surgeon type year with Ohio State this year, take away
the opposing team's best weapon. They do it all the time,
(16:08):
make everybody else beat you. Let me ask you this.
It's a hypothetical question, and we'll never know. If the
Seahawks didn't force five turnovers and play against a guy
who probably couldn't start at Bowling Green right now and
MaTx Brosmer, would they have won that game if Minnesota
didn't turn If Minnesota didn't turn that ball over, would
(16:28):
they with the Seahawks said, well, I mean that's what
I'm saying, Like Brian Flores really brought it on Sunday
and completely took that offense away.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
It's a good question. Here's a way to look at it.
I think that, Yes, I do think they win. But
here's here's a good, likely miracle nerdy way to look
at it. I think there's been about like eight hundred
and eighty six quarterback performances this year by like ETA
per drop back. I want to say Brozmer was like
the third worst of the league, maybe the second worst
behind I think Tua's game against the US I think
(17:00):
was like the least efficient quarterback game of the twenty
twenty five seasons, Brozman was like second or third worst, right, So.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
Keep that in mind. So let's say.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Of those eight hundred and eighty whatever they instead of that,
Brozeman was like yet, like four hundred and twenty. He
was just like an average performance, maybe some turnovers, but
just average. How I think they do that game winning
drives to win that game for the for the reasons
we're we're talking about. Because because the Seahawks right now,
and I'm writing a story about this that should come
(17:30):
out tomorrow, I am curious.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
Are they over.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Reliant on JSN, you know, just to be explosive and
to be elite, you know. I mean, Jackson has like
thirty explosive catches that's sixteen or more yards. The next
closest guy on the team has nine, and that's Cooper Cup,
you know. And I don't think any team is really
afraid of Cooper, you know, killing them with explosives, you know,
so to speak. So I find that interesting. Right now,
I give another nerd stats, and I'm on a roll
(17:54):
right now. Jackson accounts for forty five point six of
the Seahawks receiving that right now would be the second
most by any player this century. Second only to Brandon
Marshall on twenty twelve. If he accounted for forty five
point seven percent of the Bears in twenty twelve, that's
a lot of just Jackson or buss Mark. And right
now it works, right Jackson's on pace I think for
(18:17):
a smidge under nineteen hundred yards, So it works. What
happens if it doesn't? Can they still be explosive? We
know they can win, they just did. Can they still
be explosive? But that is how you score points in
the NFL? And I don't have an answer for that.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
I don't know if anyone does.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Koobiak Sam jacksn't think anyone can honestly say they do
because we haven't really seen it because the Vikings are
the only team that really successfully.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Take him away.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
They did.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
I mean, going into Sunday's game against Minnesota, you know,
when not throwing to JSN, Sam Darnold was completing fifty
eight percent of his passes forty first in the NFL,
twelve touchdowns just under fifteen hundred yards. So it's a
completely different ballgame. And you know, I mean, I you
just go back to like and the game before it's all, Yeah,
(19:03):
it was Tennessee.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
In that Tennessee game, when targeting anybody not named JSN,
Donald was six for twelve for sixty nine yards, zero scores,
with a passer rating of sixty seven point seven, and
throwing to anyone not named JSN, his passer rating was
seventy two point nine, like in that Tennessee game. So,
and this is against Tennessee, So we're not talking about
(19:26):
you know, Houston or Denver or the Rams, I mean,
and so it's something yeah, yeah, teams now they're gonna
target it, and you know, and I was all hyped
and I hopefully there's still a chance he can break
Megatron's twenty twelve single season mark of nineteen sixty four,
but Brian Flores did not contribute to that. On Sunday,
Brian Flores made he put the underback in session there,
(19:51):
So there's that. What do you do though? Now, what
do you do if you're Clint Kubiak and John Benton
is they all line back to being the no line
or was because they were having somewhat decent season when
it comes to blocking. But now are we back reverting
back to ground zero again? No?
Speaker 4 (20:10):
I think they'll be okay.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
They're actually really good in the second half. You're picking
up a lot of those pressures and things like that,
limiting the unblocked guys. I think, for instance, I think
the first pressure that got Sam on third and eleven
where he got sacked and that should have been a
rough in the passer. I don't know how that in
today's game. I don't know how that was. That looked
like a football play to me because I'm a little
bit more of a traditionalist, but in today's game, I
(20:33):
don't know how you can just land on the quarterback
like that right in front of the ref after he's
clearly given up and that's not roughing. But anyway, on
that play, they've pressured him and they got unblocked guys
pretty much. The Vikings ran that same pressure later in
the half, I want to say, and Cody White was
White up and for a slant for like twenty one
yard or something.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
So they got better fixed the end game.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
I thought they did a good job of that, and
I think they'll be fine generally. I mean, two of
the sacks were allowed by Charles Frost.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
And Abe Lucas.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
I don't imagine that they'll just keep getting beat every week,
So they do have a good test this week against Atlanta.
So I'm not too worried about the old line because
my main thing is like Sama has time, he'll be fine.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
But it's also like time.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
To find who that's the thing, and also Mark, where's
Rashiki he I know?
Speaker 1 (21:20):
No, no, But by the way, by the way, did
you like that, Mike, did you like speaking.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Of Rashichi Heat.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
I'm glad you brought him up because I didn't bring
that up, but I'm glad you did.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Did you did you see on what play?
Speaker 1 (21:32):
It was the Seahawks' third possession or no, I'm sorry
it was it was their fourth possession with about five
and a half minutes left in the second quarter.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
Rashichi he Eat calls for a fair catch.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
There isn't anybody from here to Tacoma within within fifteen
yards of them, dude, that's why they gave up a
fourth and a fifth rounder for you. What are you
fair touching it when nobody I mean, like YouTube, Devin Hester,
my former schoolmate, it do you like?
Speaker 2 (22:00):
What are we doing here? That's why you were brought here.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Nobody was doing fifteen yards When he's calling for a
fair catch, like like, what are you doing? And I'm
with you on the offense too. I don't right now
that trade is not aging.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
Well yeah, and.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
I think there's still time. But Chris and I were
just talking about this, you know for latest Seahawks, man.
Speaker 4 (22:22):
The manpop that it's out right now.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
You look at marking the other guys who got traded
at the deadline. Now it's not apples to apples, but
they're drastically outproducing Shaheed and they're not as good as
players as him. Maybe Jacoby Myers is, but like, for instance,
Jacoby has two hundred and forty five yards and two
scores right now. Adam Night Mitchell has like a buck
fifty and a couple of scores. Even John MESHI I
forgot about him, She's got like a buck thirty and
(22:47):
I think at least one score. All these guys have
at least seven first downs, you know, I think Shaheed
has like two. Maybe you know, Shaheed has more rushing
attempts than receptions in a month with the Seahawks. It's just, yeah,
they need to get that together, man. I think that's
the key to really punishing teams for taking away jacks,
because right now every team will give up a six
yard Cooper Cup crawl route, you know, instead of a
(23:10):
Jackson Smith and jig abomb. But what you can't live
with is a Rashi sa heat post route for forty
five yards and a touchdown. And that's what they traded
him for. And we've just seen absolutely none of that
in a month.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
Well, game, you're headed out to the A.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
And I used to live there, and you know, I
was sister stationed t V one oh three, the people station,
and I know everybody there.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
I know Tigga, I know used to be my guy.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Who's I think still the PA voice for the Hawks,
Ryan Cameron and all the people.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
So have a great trip out to the A.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Hit that fat match rib Shack on Piedmont Road, and
oh god, what I would give for fat matts rib
shack right now? You have no idea, But yeah, man,
I mean this is you know, let's not let what
happened to the Rams in Carolina happen. There's gonna be
know when Clement Weather, you're indoors on Sunday, You're going
(24:03):
up against the disabled Kirk Cousins who pretty much cannot move.
This is a take care of business, no excuses game.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
Oh yeah, absolutely. I think they should really just blow
these guys out. I can give you some numbers to
back it up, but yeah, really this this team is outmatched.
They're poorly coached, they have the worst special teams in
the league. I think like it's falling apart. Raie Morris,
he's got he's holding that thing together. It sounds like
with Rilla blue and duct tape. So I think this
is a real This should be another one of those
(24:35):
Commanders type games Saints Cardinals for the Seahawks.
Speaker 4 (24:38):
They should.
Speaker 3 (24:39):
They should go out there and handle business thing Atlanta.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Yes, they definitely should.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
All right, Mike Dugar from the Athletic check Out Seahawks
Man a Man podcast with Christopher Kidd, We appreciate you
joining us, have fun in the A and coming up next,
Factor Fiction. Rhys Davis will join us from ESPN Game
Day at noon right here on MJ in the mid
day Sports Radio now three kjart them.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Where's that to go?
Speaker 5 (25:02):
Glad you're with us, it's your shot at our weekly
thousand bucks and the ten thousand dollars grand prize. It's
fact door fiction probably presented by Lucky Eagle Casino and
hotel where every day feels lucky. Fact Door Fiction is
on Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
All right, as you know, Lee Sterling and I we
are the I mean Seattle KJR PNW tag team champions
of the world.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
When it comes to sports gambling.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
And we beat Softy and Dick head to head, which
is no surprise the pros versus the jokes. But they
did pretty good. Dick Fane, especially man Dick Fane. I
didn't I didn't know Dick Fane had that kind of
game that was that was very impressive, very impressive for
mister Fane.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
So Championship Saturday.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
All right, this is a big one across the board
in college football. A lot of things can dictate what
happens in the selection. Sunday. By the way, don't forget
this Sunday. You can find me at Muckleshoot Casino at
Galaxy for the Seattle Away Game Rumble Watch party this Sunday,
(26:19):
Seattle and the Falcons. Okay, here we go BYU Texas
Tech Big twelve Championship Game. There we go, kid, There
we go, kid. That's what's up. Baron Morton. He's playing
the role of Patrick Mahomes that position at Patrick Mahomes
(26:40):
in Baker Mayfield. Now you think of Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma,
Baker Mayfield used to be at Texas Tech.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
So he's playing that he is healthy.
Speaker 1 (26:51):
And I'm telling you right now, the Texas Tech Red
Raiders might win the National Championship, and I kids you not.
They should have a bye. They are that damn great,
and you'd want to know what they are the number
one team in America because what's the saying. Good teams win,
(27:13):
great teams cover, Well, they are great. Guess what they
are against the spread this year? A college football numero
who know best ten to one against the spread. Give
me Baron Morton, Jacob Rodriguez, who should be in New
York as a Heisman finalist, the linebacker with that cool
(27:34):
porn stash, and a team that I think could be
going down to Miami on January nineteenth for the National Championship,
The Red Raiders, they just resigned Joey maguire. Give me
Texas Tech their favorite big number of this one minus
thirteen lay the points win. You want to win the game,
you want to play it. Sometimes you gotta lay it.
(27:55):
Lay the thirteen points text and now four nine four
five one Texas Tech minus thirteen four nine four five
to one. Fact four nine, four to five to one. Fact,
there's no other option. I'm on fire, I literally I
it's become almost too easy for me. And the gambling
(28:17):
gods have a way of humbling you, they really do.
But I love the Red Raiders and personally speaking, any
of them. But nonetheless, I'm betting Texas Tech myself take
the Red Raiders minus thirteen. Text in fact to four nine,
four to five to one. There's no other option. Don't
even think about the other option. Fact only. And the
other day when I gave out the over on the
Cowboys Lions game, twenty two out of twenty seven people
(28:42):
texted in fact, that's what I want you to do
right now, text in fact to four nine four or
five to one. Bingo Texas read Texas Tech Red Raiders
minus thirteen. They will be Big twelve champions and they
could be national champions.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
I'm dead serious.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
Don't be surprised if it's them in Ohio State facing
each other for and all in Miami on January nineteenth.
There you go, Texas Tech minus thirteen. Bet it now,
Thank me later, because that line's going to go up
it's been fluctuating. So there it is four nine, four
to five one text in fact. There's no other option.
You don't text anything, either text in fact or don't
(29:19):
text anything at all. That's basically what it comes down to.
Now everybody's going to start texting in fiction. Here we go,
all right, So there we go on that one. Rehys Davis,
the host of College Game Day, will join us coming
up live at noon. I'm looking forward to Reese. He's
one of the best sports broadcasters in the world. Looking
forward to that. And by the way, every time I
(29:42):
bet on Texas Tech this year, they've covered from me,
so especially it can BYU. So let's hopefully that that
holds true again. Bear Bachmeyer, Bachmeyer, whatever the hell your
name is, Klanie Sataki, Get ready because the Red Raiders
are coming and the game is in in Dallas. All right,
So we got that and I feel good, kid. I
(30:06):
know you do too. You had you had a nice
pick yesterday. You feel good about it. I feel great
about it. It's yeah, man, it's all good. It's it's
all good. How worried should we be about the Seattle
Seahawks offense? We'll get to that coming up next Rhys
Davis at noon. So I thought they're gonna get Brian
(30:27):
Hartline from Ohio State, who could be the next Dan Lanning.
Guess what, Brian Hartline is going to my former stomping
grounds in Tampa to take over at USF for Alex
Goulish and he won't be there very long. And by
the way, Mario Cristobal, Mike Norvell, John Sumral, your job
(30:51):
just got harder because that dude can recruit. I don't
know if he can coach, but he can recruit big time.
I actually USF he's never been a head coach before,
but like, if this guy can coach the way he
can recruit. They actually upgraded from Alex Golis who went
to Auburn. Now, how about how bad has things gotten
(31:13):
for Penn State? You ready for this one, kid? You
ready for this? Penn State has fallen today's signing day
early signing day, Penn State has fallen behind McNee State
in South Dakota for the one, one hundred and fiftieth
best recruiting class in the country. Now just has two recruits.
James Franklin, who took over at Virginia Tech. He's poached.
(31:36):
He's brought all those guys that were in Penn State's
class over.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
To Virginia Tech.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
And by the way, they still don't have a coach,
and Brian Hartline just went to USF. So if you're
gonna fire James Franklin and I don't have a problem
with them doing it, you kind of needed to have
his replacement on standby, you understand. Georgia did it a
decade ago at this time they fired Mark Richt and
(32:05):
guess who they had on standby. Have you ever heard
of this guy, Kirby Smart. I think it's worked out
for them. I think it's worked out quite well. Actually,
back to back national championships a couple of years ago.
So hate to see at Penn State. Hate to see it.
Just hate to see it. For those of you that
said that you didn't get a bounce back.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
Don't worry.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
All of your all of your replies are recorded to
factor fiction. And by the way, I appreciate most of you.
Ninety percent of the replies were fact. So the smart
ones replied with fact. Okay, so we get that. And
I told you it's Texas Tech minus thirteen versus BYU.
(32:47):
I think I said BYU multiple times and bear Bachmeyer.
So maybe you didn't hear me, but I ravividly remember
saying bear Bachmeyer and BYU, this should be an absolute
curb stomping on Saturday. We'll see by you will keep
it close for a little bit and then Texas Tech.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
Will just overwhelm them. They are unbelievable. They are amazing.
All right, kid?
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Did Brian Flores lay the blueprint on how to defend
the Seattle Seahawks offense? Is this something that other teams,
not the Falcons, but the Colts, the Rams, the Niners,
the Colts, Rams, Panthers and Niners and everybody else from
here on out is going to do to stop Seattle's offense.
Take away JSN, that's a good question.
Speaker 6 (33:36):
I think it's more so what each defense does to
a get pressure on Sam and take away those those
because that's what the Vikings did very well. They were
able to double team essentially JSN and get pressure and
a lot of those pressures forced fumbles. Sam's just running
for his lives is getting sacked, and the second half
they cleaned it up. In the first half he was
(33:57):
sacked four times. So I think that Mike Flora thing
is just different. But you look at the Falcons. They
are second in the NFL and buttz rate. We all
know who number one is, that's the Minnesota Vikings. But
the Falcons do it a little differently. They don't use
the same pressure scheme because Jeff Obrid he has his
own way.
Speaker 7 (34:12):
Of doing Yeah, right now, former Jetsons from coach, I'm
not gonna they're gonna butz them, but it'll it'll be different.
So I'm curious how the Falcons try to minimize the
targets for Jason or do they say, you know what,
We'll let JSN do his thing, but.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Jays N's gonna have to have three hundred yards to
beat us. Well and Mike two Garbronk great point.
Speaker 1 (34:29):
He's like, just because Brian Flores is able to do
that doesn't mean that other teams have that scheme down.
Brian Flores has coached and he learned under the best
in the NFL, Bill Belichick. You can't just say, oh, well,
let's do what the Vikings did. No, no, no, no, no,
that's like the that's uh, you know the da Vinci code. Oh,
that's the the Flora's code. He can do that other
(34:50):
teams can't do that, so let's see, I'm not too
worried about it. I think that Sam Darnell and JASN
have a big game on Sunday against the.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
I'm actual hoping that he has a big thank you
show up.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
And by the way, Bro, if you don't have anyone
between you and Tacoma, don't call for a fair catch.
Speaker 2 (35:09):
Be a man, not a woosie. That's why we gave.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
That's why they spent a fourth and a fifth round
pick on you, Bro, That's why we spent a fourth
and a fifth round pick. The host of ESPN College
Game Day one of the best in the business, Reese Davis.
He did the playoff rankings reveal last night. Coming up
next
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