December 15, 2024 • 30 mins
The Washington Commanders are back from the bye week and ready for a playoff push, starting with a matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Senior Writer Zach Selby is joined by The Washington Times' Liam Griffin and Saints' Senior Writer John DeShazier to discuss Marshon Lattimore's impact and more.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
What is going on y'all? Long time no talk.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
This is another episode of the Beatdown podcast. I'm your host,
Senior RYK for the Washington Commanders Zach Selby, and it
has been a while since we last spoke for various reasons.
For one, Thanksgiving happened, I went down to see my
family before the team went and played the Titans. They
won forty two to nineteen, and then to the Byeway.
There's obviously no games, so we did not get a
(00:24):
chance to talk, and I went to Disney World because
that sounded a lot better than just being up here.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
But it did.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
It did feel a lot better knowing that they come.
The Commanders came out of that Week fourteen matchup or
Week thirteen matchup with a win, going to eight and five.
They are in position for a playoff push there in
the number seven seed, with the possibility maybe to move
up into the number six seed. But they also have
teams like the Rams and the Bucceteers and all of
all these other teams pushing for another playoff position behind them.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
They have some tie breakers here and there.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
But the good thing is if they went out or
go three and one, they're in the playoffs. That is
the most important thing for the Commanders to worry about.
And their next up coming off this by week rested
and relaxed, will be a road matchup against the New
Orleans Say it's a very tough place to play that
they are five and eight right now, but that is
a very feisty team. But either way, this is a
(01:12):
must win game for the Commanders if they want to
get to the postseason, and how are they going.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
To do that?
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Well, that is what we're going to discuss today. With me,
we have two guests, Liam Griffin from the Washington Times. Liam,
how you do it? I heard you know you were
on the injury report with a with a cold. Are
you off the injury report?
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Now?
Speaker 3 (01:29):
We're questionable for Sunday's game, but it's looking like I'll
be there all right.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
That's that's trending very well. We like to hear that,
not unlike another player we are going to be talking
about today. And with me, we have John Deschasier from
the Saints. He is their senior are John? How are
we doing over there in New Orleans?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
I'm doing great.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
Liam sounds like he's a game time decision, But I'm
good right now.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
I'm cleared to go.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Well, there we go.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
We love to hear it and everyone listening they know
the spiel and they then they know the deal. I'm
going to be asking these guys three questions, one an offense,
one a defense, one a more general question. There will
be points given evy end of each round, there will
be a winner, and because it is my podcast, I
get to do whatever I want and I get to
name the winner. But again, like I've said every single week,
(02:15):
you should not focus too much on who wins and
who loses, in my opinion, needs to be more focused
on the takes and information that these guys are going
to present to you because you want to be informed
about this weekend's matchup. So, without further ado, let's get
into it. Starting with I think was probably the most
important or the least most talked about topic heading into
(02:36):
this game, was the status of Marshall Lattimore, who the
Committeers traded for from the New Orleans Saints. He has
been dealing with a hamstring injury, plus they want to
make sure he is up to speed on the defensive scheme.
He has been out and been practicing here and there
for the last month or so he was a full
participant on Wednesday. We're recording this on Thursday mornings, so
we will see what his status is going to be
(02:57):
for the rest of the week. But the least is
tree like he is going to play again. We don't
really know that for certain, but all signs point to
a lot of optimism for him making his Commander's debut
against the Saints, his former team. And we'll start with
you because this is something I think that Washington fans
and honestly, Frank with the Big Commander's staff have really
been waiting for it to get a guy like Marshall
(03:18):
and Lattimore into their defensive scheme. So, assuming he does play,
what kind of difference do you think he's going to
make for the Commander's scheme as they go into this
matchup against New Orleans.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Well, he's going to make an immediate impact on this defense.
They play just predominantly Cover three and that has been
kind of they've lived and died by it to make
success this season. But where they've had the biggest issue
is against top receivers, against big bodied receivers, guys who
can go down the field and win fifty fifty balls.
Benjamin Saint Jeus and Mike Saint Ristol have done admirably
(03:54):
as they could on the outside, but they do not
have that kind of lockdown prowess that the top cornerbacks
have in this sleep like Marshawn laddmore So, Receivers like
A J. Brown, George Pickens, Malik Neighbors, Ceedee Lamb have
kind of feasted on this commander's defense just based on
that scheme and based on the personnel, and so slotting
Marshawn laddmore in there can make an immedia impact as
(04:14):
his team prepares for the playoff push.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yes, it can, especially with what he's in man coverage.
I think he hasn't allowed a touchdown single coverage since
twenty twenty one or something crazy like that. He's He's
an exceptional player, There's no doubt about it. I mean,
Adam Peters Dan Clinton both talked about him being a dog,
a competitor, really fierce guy on the outside. So John
will flip this over to you because I'm very interested
(04:36):
to see how this is going to affect New Orleans
game plan on offense, for how they're going to address
Marshawn because they have some familiarity with him obviously, So
you know, with the Saints offense, who are dealing with,
you know, some quarterback issues with Derek Carr dealing with
a hand fracture and a concussion. So we don't really
know exactly who's going to be the starting quarterback for
New Orleans. But how does having Marshall Laddimore, assuming he plays,
(04:59):
how does that affect the way they're going to approach
his commander's defense.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Well, let's throw the assumption part out of it. Lat
is going to play. I guarantee you. I'm not up there,
I'm not a doctor, but I guarantee you Lat's going
to play on Sunday against the Saints. From a standpoint
of you know, we understand that he's a shut down corner.
Now that might may work into the Saints favorite because
they don't have Chris Alaba, they don't have Rashid Shaheed
(05:22):
on the top two receivers. So there really isn't the
guy that you necessarily would dedicate Marshaun Lattimore too, man
to man unless it's Marquez Valdez scantly, But the rest
of these guys are somewhat of.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
An unknown and we've seen over the years here in
New Orleans.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
Now, latt if he drifts mentally, there are receivers who
you would consider quote unquote lesser than who've had some
pretty nice days against him.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
So he is a guy.
Speaker 5 (05:48):
But I think he'll be locked in on Sunday, obviously
against his former team, his first game as a commander,
so I don't think that will be an issue.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
But I also.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Don't necessarily know that the Saints have any number one
receiver that they would say, okay, go and shut him down,
go take him out.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Of the game, unless it's MVS.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
And even then the Saints have some other weapons they
can go to, not necessarily you know, deep threats and
guys who are game breakers like MVS, but they have
some other guys they can go to. So if they
were to do that with lad I would assume it
would be with Marquez Valdez scanting going on one.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
But we understand here, especially.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Marshawn Lattimore is a rare commodity at cornerback. That's why
that's why those guys get paid what they get paid.
We saw him against Julio Jones, we saw him against
Mike Evans and Tampa Bay, and he and Mike Evans
had some epic battles, and Mike Evans has taken a
lot of lunch money around the NFL, but he could
not take Marshawn Lattimore as that lunch money. So you know,
(06:45):
we've seen him at his peak and we've seen him
at some valley. So but he's gonna be a guy
who's going to be extremely motivated. I'm sure to be
on the field against his former team. But again, I'm
just not sure if they if the Saints have a
guy right now that they wouldn't necess surely dedicate him
to me and the man.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
You know, I whenever it was first announced that the
Commanders traded for a Lottimore, you know, those battles between
him and Mike Evans were making the round on social media,
and they are they are really epic. I mean I
heard about him here and there, but I really wasn't
that familiar with him. But they they they were going
at it. It seemed like every time that they played
Aga easch other, it was it was you know, musty television.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
You know, so so.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Liam, you know, John mentioned, you know, Marcus dot Is scaling,
and I think he's probably a guy that I think
they could they could maybe hurt the commanders because of
how the commanders have been vulnerable at times with like
these over the top, you know, uh, downfield explosive plays.
I mean, we've seen it with you know, Jamar Chase,
you know, a few months ago against the the Bengals.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
We've seen it a lot of a lot of other times.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
And I think a lot of people were expecting that
this is going to be able to stop at least
put a stop gap on that a little bit.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And also I think it's some people think.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
That it's going to put allow Joe with Junior, the
defensive coordinator, to be a little more aggressive in terms
of how he's been able to call the defense. But
I think maybe what he wants to do, I mean,
what do you think about that? Do you think that
with Latimore out there covering these guys, whoever's going to
be one on one, do you think he's going to
be the defensive overall is going to be a little
more aggressive in rushing the past or in.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Some of the other other calls that they that they
want to make.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
Well, that's the exact point that I was going to make.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
I think what it provides really for the defense is flexibility.
You know, you're not having to game plan around a
liability might be too strong of a word, but that
secondary was not the strength, especially at the outside cornerback position.
Mike saint Ristle's a rookie who was drafted to play
the slot and had to move outside because of how
bad things were getting there. And so having marshaw On
(08:43):
Lottmore out there just opens up your play calling as
a defensive coordinator, and I think it's going to allow
some of those edge rushers up front to feast because
even if Latimore is not, you know, making interceptions, that
hasn't been really his calling card the past few years.
Have been reluctant to throw his way, and so especially
(09:03):
on Sunday when you're going to have a younger quarterback
taking snaps, if you can cause them to second guests themselves,
if they can take that extra second, if they you know,
need to hold the ball just another hitch longer. I
think that's going to allow guys like Dante Fowler and
Frankie Louvu and Deron Payne. They need that extra second
to get to the quarterback, and I think that could
(09:25):
lead to some more sacks on stat sheet.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
I think it could too, and I think it's really
going to allow you know, the secondary also to to
like Samer Still I think is going to be example
to play a little more man to man. I think
Saint Us is going to be sliding into position he's
a little more comfortable playing. I think also Kawalm Martin
and and Jeremy Channer gonna be allowed to be to
be maybe a little bit closer to the line of
scribbage in some plays.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
It's gonna be interesting because we've we've talked about.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
What exactly the effect of Latimore is going to have
on this defense and more Finally looks like we're going
to get to see it John real quickly, just because
we're sort of a tangential question here. But like I
mentioned earlier, Derek Carr, it doesn't look like he's going
to play with you know, the hand injury and the concussion.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
You know, they they've got a couple of different options
over there, like sp it's a rattler, They've got Jake Hayner,
and they signed Ben de Nucci. What do you like,
I mean, obviously it's still kind of early in the week,
but like, what is your sense of what they're going
to do at quarterback and how is that going to
how how how do you think that's going to affect
maybe like you know, how they're playing against Marshawan and
things like that.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Well, Hater and Rattler split the rest with the with
the ones on Wednesday, so we expect pretty much the
same on Thursday. And right now it's kind of a
toss up. They're they're going to give Derrick Carr every
benefit of the doubt to start on Sunday. Now he's
still in concussion protocol and he's got the left hand injury,
but it is a non surgical injury, so they want
(10:48):
swelling to go down and I guess be able to.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
You know, at least secure the football.
Speaker 5 (10:52):
But if I had my money, I get if it
fell a bet money on it, I probably would say
Jake Hanter especial. Ratley did start the three games that
Derek Carr missed early this season with an oblique injury.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
The Saints were zero and three in those games.
Speaker 5 (11:03):
Spencer Rattler threw a touchdown, a couple of a couple
of interceptions, was sacked I think by seven times or so,
and he also fumbled three times, so he did not
have the greatest showing in those three games. However, he
was working without the top two receivers, Chris Alive and
Rassycileague Shaheed. He was working with a makeshift offensive line,
(11:24):
and that offensive line is intact now for the Saints.
But again, I just I think it might be that
the Saints will turn to Jake Hanter now because Jake
hand hadn't played much. He's been the number two quarterback
even you know, this entire season, whether Derek Carr has
been starting to not. He's completed fourteen to twenty nine
foe hundred and seventy seven yards, got a touchdown, So
I think they might want to get a look at him,
(11:47):
at least in this instance, at starting quarterback. Both of
the guys are I wouldn't say they're significantly different.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
I think Rattler's probably got.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
A little bit better on but in terms of mobility,
I think both of them kind of give you the
same thing. Jake Hayn might know the offense a little
bit better than Spencer Radley, even though they kind of
were learning at the same time.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
But since he was in the NFL, you know, for
a year, I think he might have a little bit
better knowledge of it.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
But again, both of those guys are gonna be working
with some receivers that they haven't played a lot with.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
They do have the benefit of the offensive line.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
They will have the benefit of Alan Kamara in the backfield,
they will have the benefit of Kendre Miller added to
the backfield, and they'll have some pretty good tight ends
in Juwan Johnson and Foster Moroad to throw the ball to.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
But you know, the offensive line is gonna have to
hold up.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
As you guys mentioned you and if you got Marshall Lattimore,
then you can do a little bit more things in
terms of pressure, and the offensive line is going to
have to hold up.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Didn't hold up particularly great in the last game, in the.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Last game against the Giants, So you'd like to see
that be better because you understand that that Washington sees
a young quarterback back there and they're gonna they're gonna
heat up.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
They're gonna see what he's made of. They're gonna under
they're gonna see how he handles pressure. And the Saints
suspect that you'd be not wise to not expect that.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
You've got to expect that they're going to go after
your young quarterback to see what he's made of.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
And I think it's going to be Jake han in
this instance.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
And Jake Hanterh I think is a little bit more
like Derek Carr than Spencer Rally. I think he's a
little less apt to take chances because Spencer Rallley with
that great.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Arm, it might be a little bit more willing to
take some chances.
Speaker 5 (13:30):
And if you're the Saints, you don't necessarily need to
be risky because you know, hey, you want to keep
it as close as you can for as long as
you can. You don't want this thing to get out
of hand because you know, because of your quarterback player,
you want to give your team the best opportunity, and
so you want to minimize risk. And that doesn't necessarily
make you totally risk averse, but it does make you,
you know, want your percentages to work in your favor.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
So I think, with that in mind, maybe it'll be
Jake Hannah. Now again we don't.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Necessarily know, because it might be Spencer Rally because maybe
Spencer Rawler had learned a lot from those three stars previously.
But I just know if I was gonna put money
on it, I would say Jake Hayna right now.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Yeah, and I think Haynard throws with a with a
lot of confidence based on what I've seen from him,
And I would have to saying to your point, I
think it matches a lot of more maybe what what
car would bring to the offense. Now we'll say Washington
cannot can overlook any quarterback because as they show, as
they show, you know, two weeks ago, Cooper Rush, I mean,
he can a player like that can also have a
really good day against them, So they have to they can't.
(14:31):
They can't overlook to look a guy just because they're
he's viewed as a backup quarterback. We'll move on to
the next question before we do score up date, Liam,
you are ahead by one point. Although Johnny did love
the contents that we got about the Saints receivers, because
you're right, they do have you know, Croton, Chris Olave,
I mean, and also Taysom Hill.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
He's out for the year. So it's it's interesting to see.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
How they're gonna be able to have They're gonna be
able to adapt without, you know, some of their top weapons.
But we're gonna switch over from from the defensive side
of stuff to more of an offensive discussion here, and
you know, both these teams love to run the ball.
You know, the Commanders had you know, just by Ryan
Robinson being out for you know, a few games here
and there. He's a really strong runner. They're at their best,
I think whenever he's able to establish a strong ground
(15:12):
ground presence. You know, had one hundred yards against the Titans,
against against a defense that had done pretty well against
rushing attacks over the course of the of the season.
And Alva Kamara, you know, he's he's getting up there
in terms of age for for running backs, but he
is still a dynamic weapon. So I think he has
a thousand scrimmage yards again this year. And you know,
these this Commanders defense has has really shown that they
(15:36):
you know, if there's any flaw they have, it's against
against running the ball then near the bottom of the
league and rushing yards allowed. So John, we'll start with
you here and we'll we'll stick to you know, Brian Robinson, Me,
how do you how do you think you know the
Saints are going to be able to count for for
a guy like b rob who is you know, he
does have some speed here and there, but he's a
very physical runner.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Uh, you know at the point of attack.
Speaker 5 (15:58):
Well, the Saints were real good against Tyrone Tracy of
the Giants in the last game. So their issue has
been one mobile quarterbacks, which stack up the numbers against
them in two. For some reason, they have not been
a very gap sound team against the run this season.
Their assignment, the attention to detail and assignments has not been.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
Sharp for the majority of this season.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
But they're going to have a lot of attention for
Brian Robinson because they understand what the Commanders bring on
the on the ground game, and a lot of times,
if you can't stop the run, you can't stop anything.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
So you got to be able to take away something.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
And hopefully force you know, I don't know how wise
this is the force of ball in Jane Daniel's hands, right,
but you've got to be able to take away something
and make them one dimensional. So they will devote some
a lot of attention to Brian Robinson and hopefully shutting
down that run game. But they've not been very gap
sound for a good portion of this season. They have
(16:52):
been there have been some big running back games against them,
but knowing that and knowing the way they played the
run against the Giants and the way they played run
against Cleveland. Also, Uh, they've been tightening up a bit
more in these last you know, two of these last
three games, so I expect them to play a little
bit better in the run game. They might have to
devote some more bodies in the box to hopefully get
(17:13):
you know, get a physical runner on the ground, but
they got a pretty physical linebacker group, and especially with
the Mario Davis and when the lineman to play and
the way they should, they really do a good job
of setting the edge and making sure everything's funneled to
the middle, and the Mario Davis and Pete Werner can
clean up pretty well.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
And they're pretty too, pretty.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Good sideline the sideline linebackers too, So they're gonna they're
gonna probably devote a lot of time to Brian Robinson
to hopefully make the Commanders one dimensional and then you know,
roll the dice and see if you can can force
some some mistakes out of out of Jane Daniels.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
You know that that's a good point because you know,
whenever the with the Commanders are going through their losing streak,
I mean, the run game was really affected. Uh, you know,
I think they rush for less than hundred yards and
two of those losses, and it didn't make you know,
really tough sledding for Jane Daniels in that offense. It
just didn't seem like it was quite what it wanted
to be. Now, there were obviously a lot of other
factors involved with that, you know, like the Steelers and
(18:08):
that he was being very good defenses, plus you know
a lot of other you know, things involved with that.
But yeah, I say, I think the run, the the
the intendency to stop in the run for all three
of those teams that beat the Commanders early this year
was a pretty.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Big role in that.
Speaker 5 (18:21):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Now, Liam, I'll flip over to you and it's the
same question, but more focus on Alva Kamara because I
mean he is kind of a big piece of that
says offense. Still his leadser team in rushing, leadser team
and receiving yards. He is still a very dynamic weapon.
And as you know, the Commanders have struggled occasionally against
top tier running backs. They have allowed a lot of
(18:42):
rushing yards on the ground. I think I think they're
around like twenty eighth I think in rushing yards allowed.
So what what do you think the Commanders are going
to do to you know, at least styn Me a
little bit of Kamara's production.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Well, and that's what you have to look at too,
is not just the total amount of rushing yards, but
against those premier backs, like you look at the numbers
that Derek Henry and Saquon Barkley put up.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
Those two backs really.
Speaker 3 (19:03):
Controlled those games, especially as the clock take towards the
fourth quarter. And so this is an opportunity for the
Commanders to show that they've learned from those mistakes.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
It's been a few weeks.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
Since they've come across the running back of that caliber,
and so I think they're going to try to rely
on their scheme as much as possible and just making
sure that their front seven are filling in those gaps
as much as possible, not over pursuing, not trying to
do too much.
Speaker 6 (19:29):
The coaching staff talks a lot about, you know, trying.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
To make sure that players on both sides of the
ball don't try to become heroes, and so trying to
just make sure that the defense is disciplined as much
as possible in their aggression. And also this was an
issue earlier in the season, tackling like it sounds overly simplified,
but that's really been kind of inconsistent for the Commanders,
more so in the secondary a lot of times. But
(19:53):
everyone has to be able to tackle effectively because Alvin
Kamara is so shifty that if it's going to take
multiple guys spring him down, he's going to to find
his way downfield over and over in NBA terms, if
you look at his usage rates, you know, like the
total amount of targets and rushing attempts, he's getting the
ball on about you know, forty percent of the Saints snaps,
and so you just look at the law of large
(20:14):
numbers there. All Right, we got him down, you know,
a couple times, but we'd let him lose once. That
can be a kind of game changing play and a
really big momentum swing in a game like this, especially
when you're on the road in the Superdome as well,
and so you're going to want to see You're going
to want to see these Commanders linebackers especially, wrap up, tackle,
(20:35):
don't over pursue, don't get burned on the cutback. Because
without Taysom Hill, with al Rashid Shihi, without Chris o'lav
this Saints offense is going to run through Alvin Kamara,
and that's why I think you're really going to need
a big game from Frankie Luverm and Bobby Wagner as
they're patrolling sideline to sideline against this zone running scheme
(20:56):
of the Saints. It's going to rely on them to
be able to shoot those gaps and wrap up and
make those tackles.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Yeah, the tackling point I think is pretty big because
that was that was a that was a frustration point.
I think, you know, just for people watching in for
them obviously, you know, at the beginning part of the season,
and you know, to to Washington's credit, I mean, they
did hold the Titans to thirty five that rushing guards
two weeks ago, and I mean the Titans aren't necessarily
a dynamic offense by any means, but they were a
team that was trying to establish a good ground attack
(21:24):
and they that's probably something they were better at that
than passing. I mean, that was the fewest yards that
they've allowed on the ground since you know, twenty twenty
two against the Houston Texans. So maybe they're you hope
that that is the start of something a little bit
a little bit better, uh.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
For for for Washington defense.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Now, now, John, you mentioned you know what, We'll kind
of branch out a little bit here in terms of
like the rushing game. You mentioned mobile quarterbacks, And if
I'm not mistaken, I think that the Saints have kind
of struggled a little bit against play action passes, against
mobile quarterbacks who were able to scramble a little bit.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Maybe why do you think that is?
Speaker 2 (21:56):
And like, I mean, what do you think is there
is there a plan for getting Jane Daniel's office spot,
like you mentioned earlier, Like, I mean, what do you
think how a Saint's planning on stopping Jane Daniels with
with the use of his legs?
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Well, I mean, they could dedicate a spy to him.
Speaker 5 (22:08):
And I don't necessarily know that they've done that a
whole lot this season, but they could dedicate a spy
to him. But a lot of what the Saints issues
have been has been just assignment football. They get out
of their lanes, rush lanes, and mobile quarterbacks have had.
Speaker 4 (22:21):
Field days against them this season.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
Whether it be and we can go all the way
back to Jalen Hurts in Week three, it's just been
a persistent issue for this team, even last week with
Drew Locke who ran for like fifty nine yards or
something on you know, seven eight carries. You know, it's
just been an issue for this team being able to
account for mobile quarterbacks.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
And this is not just a season long issue.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
This has been you know, seasons plural long, like the
last three four seasons where they've had these issues with
mobile quarterbacks. And we understand that most teams in the NFL,
do you know, there hadn't been a whole lot of
teams that have been really successful stopping Jayden Daniels from scrambling,
and at the Saints have to be better at it because.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
They understand that dual threat.
Speaker 5 (23:04):
And when you get a guy moving around and his
receivers understand how the scramble drill with him, then that
presents some myriad issues for your secondary because guys can
only cover for so long and before you know, you
can't plaster forever. And so you know, that's one of
those issues where they've been trying to address it and
trying to address it, and they have not been able
(23:25):
to address it.
Speaker 4 (23:25):
Unfortunately. Basically the only.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
Quarterbacks they've had success against some guys like Kirk Cousins,
who you know where they're going to be yea.
Speaker 4 (23:31):
But other than that, when.
Speaker 5 (23:33):
You've had mobile quarterbacks, it's been an issue for the
Saints and I'm just not exactly sure how they're going
to deal with it except by being better assignment football.
When they rush, they've got to maintain their rush lane
integrity because when guys slip out is when they have
a lot of issues going because if you have everybody
in coverage, can be tough to turn around and find
the guy a lot of times before he's ten twelve
(23:55):
yards down the field.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
No, and Jaden hasn't rushed the ball two too much
other than you know, they have eighty yards against the Buccaneers.
But when he does roswell, it is effective, very very
effective because at least at least gives the defense enough
reason to account for it. And you know, I am
very curious about the Saints are going to want to
address that now, leading real quick before we move on
to the final question here. Chris Rodriguez had ninety four
(24:19):
rushing yards against the Titans, which you know is a
career high for him.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
I mean, what do you expect out of him?
Speaker 2 (24:24):
You know, assuming that they're that you know that Saints
if if they can stop Brian Robinson, you know, how
do you expect how do you expect Rodriguez to perform
against the Saints.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
Well, what I would hope to see is, if I'm
a Commander's fan, is I'd want to see the Commanders
go back to some of those two running back backfields
that they employed when Austin Eckler was healthy. That's the
thing they used a lot with Austin Eckler and Brian
Robinson in the backfield with Jayden Daniels, and that opens
up a lot of possibilities in the run game and
the passing game. And due to injuries to Austin Eckler
(24:57):
did injuries with Brian Robinson, they haven't really been able
to eBrace that throughout the season. And even with Jamie McNichols,
who's a back that they like a lot, they haven't
really fully embraced that scheme again. And I think that
with Chris Rodriguez's performance last week, obviously that was a
lot of game script stuff as well. Same thing with
you know, the Titans rushing offense really into performing.
Speaker 6 (25:19):
That game got out of hand pretty quickly.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
But I think that just the way he was running
really shot some confidence into this coaching staff as they
look to use.
Speaker 6 (25:28):
Him more this week.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
I think he's someone that especially as they're looking into
a foreman an offense on either end of the halves.
When Brian Robinson needs a break, they don't feel the
need to run him into the ground. They're okay, saying
like all right, you know, Rodriguez, get out there.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
We're going to run it down their throats.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
And I think that comfort level is something that can
really open up a lot for this offense.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Yeah, No, I think, you know, he's a real physical guy.
And I think and I've been looking everywhere for you know,
Peyton Barber back in twenty twenty to be mister third
and two d because he was just so reliable that
he could pick up those third downs.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
And maybe Chris Rodriguez is that guy.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Well, we'll see, but we're up against the clock. So
we were gonna move on to the final question here,
and it's gonna be very simple, guys. You know, obviously
it's gonna be a lot of big, peaky players on Sunday.
We've talked about a few of them. Liam will start
with you, who is a one player he you think
is gonna make the biggest difference for the Commanders on Sunday,
and you know, let's let's make it fun here and
you remove the big names like Jaden and Terry and
(26:22):
and and Marshaw on the players like that.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Yeah. So for me, this is somebody that I alluded
to early earlier. I think it's Frankie Luvu. I think
he's someone that is so versatile on this defense and
especially against the Saints offense. I think he whether he
has a great day, whether he has a terrible day,
I think that's going to kind of dictate the flow
of this game.
Speaker 6 (26:41):
You look at what he does as a pass rusher.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
He has hold on the head of number in front
of me, but he's been incredible rushing the passer this year.
And it's not saying he's doing every down, but when
he does, it's incredibly effective. And so that's something that
whether it's Jay Cane or whether it's Spencer Rattler, they're
gonna have to account for Number four. They're gonna have
to look out for him, especially on those you know,
third and longs, on those designated pass downs. He's someone
(27:04):
that can disrupt the passer. When you look at, you know,
on Alvin Kamara's runs, especially on those outside zones, those
are something that can break big.
Speaker 6 (27:11):
But Frankie Louvu is rangy. He's someone who is going
to want to shoot those gaps.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
He's going to want to blow up those runs, and
that's something that can shift the momentum. That's something that
can you know, bring a lot of energy for that defense.
And that's something that I think is going to be
important at an away game at the Superdome. I don't
think you can understate the effect of something like that.
You want to set a tone early and you don't
want to get in any kind of hole. You don't
want to give the Saints.
Speaker 6 (27:33):
Any room to breathe.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
And even then, when you look at Alvin Kamara coming
out of the backfield, it's going to rely on Bobby
Wagner and Frankie Louvu to make that first tackle.
Speaker 6 (27:42):
Alvin Kamara is not running a bunch of routes downfield.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
Really, his average depth of target is right at the
line of scrimmage, and so it's going to be on
Luvu and Wagner to wrap up and make that tackle
before he can get downfield.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
Yeah, true, Lou has been a monster all year and
if you haven't voted for him for the Pro Bowl,
you should definitely do that.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
By the way.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
So John, same question to you by more of a
Saints angle here, what's one player you think that may
the biggest difference for New Orleans on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (28:07):
Well, I guess the easy at will say the quarterback,
but I'm going to go a different ROUNDE. I'm going
to go with Brian Razide, the defensive tackle. He's got
seven a half snacks, and if the Saints win this game,
it's going to have to be defensively, I think. I mean,
I don't think they're going to be able to match
up with Washington or anybody else right now in a shootout,
so they're gonna have to figure out a way to
slow down Washington's offense. And Brazil in the middle of
(28:28):
that defensive line has been effective all season. He's racking
up the sacks. As I mentioned, he's got seven and
a half. He's applied really good pressure to the quarterback,
and now we're seeing he and the guy you guys
are familiar with, Jase Young, have been a really good
tandem defensive line in terms of applying the pressure, and
those are probably the two guys who are going to
apply the most pressure to Jane Daniels.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
And at some point you got to be able to
get that guy on the ground.
Speaker 5 (28:53):
If you're not able to get him on the ground
and get him off his marks and maybe force him
into some issues and some mistakes, it's gonna be a
difficult day for you. So I think it's gonna be
Brian Brazi, and I think he is certainly capable of
having a big game.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
I do personally. I love Brazil. I think he's been
a exceptional player. I think he's been one of the
best young interior defensive linemen in the league right now,
and I'm really excited to see where his career goes.
And as But as much as I do love Brazi, Liam,
I gotta give you the victory here because I just
love Frankie Luban.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
I think love the way he's able to play.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
If you guys are tired hanging the last round, but
I think Louis will kind of put it over the
top for me.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Liam, Do you have any parting words of victory for
us be where we get out?
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Yeah, I know that's two appearances on this show for
me and two victories. I know the wins don't matter,
but you know who's counting me.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Don't worry about it, you know, anybody like on who's
lines anyway on around the Horn if they if they
say that the wins don't matter, their line, they they
they keep Italia that somewhere. But like Liam, hopefully the
Commanders will be coming out with a win, which would
be putting him at nine to five, first winning season
and since twenty sixteen.
Speaker 1 (30:02):
How about that.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
That's pretty impressive for this franchise, especially in the first
year of a new program, and we're all gonna be
very excited to see what they do, not just next week,
but in the future. John Liam, I appreciate having you
guys on here. It's been fantastic and this has been
the beatdown
What is going on y'all? Long time no talk.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
This is another episode of the Beatdown podcast. I'm your host,
Senior RYK for the Washington Commanders Zach Selby, and it
has been a while since we last spoke for various reasons.
For one, Thanksgiving happened, I went down to see my
family before the team went and played the Titans. They
won forty two to nineteen, and then to the Byeway.
There's obviously no games, so we did not get a
(00:24):
chance to talk, and I went to Disney World because
that sounded a lot better than just being up here.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
But it did.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
It did feel a lot better knowing that they come.
The Commanders came out of that Week fourteen matchup or
Week thirteen matchup with a win, going to eight and five.
They are in position for a playoff push there in
the number seven seed, with the possibility maybe to move
up into the number six seed. But they also have
teams like the Rams and the Bucceteers and all of
all these other teams pushing for another playoff position behind them.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
They have some tie breakers here and there.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
But the good thing is if they went out or
go three and one, they're in the playoffs. That is
the most important thing for the Commanders to worry about.
And their next up coming off this by week rested
and relaxed, will be a road matchup against the New
Orleans Say it's a very tough place to play that
they are five and eight right now, but that is
a very feisty team. But either way, this is a
(01:12):
must win game for the Commanders if they want to
get to the postseason, and how are they going.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
To do that?
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Well, that is what we're going to discuss today. With me,
we have two guests, Liam Griffin from the Washington Times. Liam,
how you do it? I heard you know you were
on the injury report with a with a cold. Are
you off the injury report?
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Now?
Speaker 3 (01:29):
We're questionable for Sunday's game, but it's looking like I'll
be there all right.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
That's that's trending very well. We like to hear that,
not unlike another player we are going to be talking
about today. And with me, we have John Deschasier from
the Saints. He is their senior are John? How are
we doing over there in New Orleans?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
I'm doing great.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
Liam sounds like he's a game time decision, But I'm
good right now.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
I'm cleared to go.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Well, there we go.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
We love to hear it and everyone listening they know
the spiel and they then they know the deal. I'm
going to be asking these guys three questions, one an offense,
one a defense, one a more general question. There will
be points given evy end of each round, there will
be a winner, and because it is my podcast, I
get to do whatever I want and I get to
name the winner. But again, like I've said every single week,
(02:15):
you should not focus too much on who wins and
who loses, in my opinion, needs to be more focused
on the takes and information that these guys are going
to present to you because you want to be informed
about this weekend's matchup. So, without further ado, let's get
into it. Starting with I think was probably the most
important or the least most talked about topic heading into
(02:36):
this game, was the status of Marshall Lattimore, who the
Committeers traded for from the New Orleans Saints. He has
been dealing with a hamstring injury, plus they want to
make sure he is up to speed on the defensive scheme.
He has been out and been practicing here and there
for the last month or so he was a full
participant on Wednesday. We're recording this on Thursday mornings, so
we will see what his status is going to be
(02:57):
for the rest of the week. But the least is
tree like he is going to play again. We don't
really know that for certain, but all signs point to
a lot of optimism for him making his Commander's debut
against the Saints, his former team. And we'll start with
you because this is something I think that Washington fans
and honestly, Frank with the Big Commander's staff have really
been waiting for it to get a guy like Marshall
(03:18):
and Lattimore into their defensive scheme. So, assuming he does play,
what kind of difference do you think he's going to
make for the Commander's scheme as they go into this
matchup against New Orleans.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Well, he's going to make an immediate impact on this defense.
They play just predominantly Cover three and that has been
kind of they've lived and died by it to make
success this season. But where they've had the biggest issue
is against top receivers, against big bodied receivers, guys who
can go down the field and win fifty fifty balls.
Benjamin Saint Jeus and Mike Saint Ristol have done admirably
(03:54):
as they could on the outside, but they do not
have that kind of lockdown prowess that the top cornerbacks
have in this sleep like Marshawn laddmore So, Receivers like
A J. Brown, George Pickens, Malik Neighbors, Ceedee Lamb have
kind of feasted on this commander's defense just based on
that scheme and based on the personnel, and so slotting
Marshawn laddmore in there can make an immedia impact as
(04:14):
his team prepares for the playoff push.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yes, it can, especially with what he's in man coverage.
I think he hasn't allowed a touchdown single coverage since
twenty twenty one or something crazy like that. He's He's
an exceptional player, There's no doubt about it. I mean,
Adam Peters Dan Clinton both talked about him being a dog,
a competitor, really fierce guy on the outside. So John
will flip this over to you because I'm very interested
(04:36):
to see how this is going to affect New Orleans
game plan on offense, for how they're going to address
Marshawn because they have some familiarity with him obviously, So
you know, with the Saints offense, who are dealing with,
you know, some quarterback issues with Derek Carr dealing with
a hand fracture and a concussion. So we don't really
know exactly who's going to be the starting quarterback for
New Orleans. But how does having Marshall Laddimore, assuming he plays,
(04:59):
how does that affect the way they're going to approach
his commander's defense.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Well, let's throw the assumption part out of it. Lat
is going to play. I guarantee you. I'm not up there,
I'm not a doctor, but I guarantee you Lat's going
to play on Sunday against the Saints. From a standpoint
of you know, we understand that he's a shut down corner.
Now that might may work into the Saints favorite because
they don't have Chris Alaba, they don't have Rashid Shaheed
(05:22):
on the top two receivers. So there really isn't the
guy that you necessarily would dedicate Marshaun Lattimore too, man
to man unless it's Marquez Valdez scantly, But the rest
of these guys are somewhat of.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
An unknown and we've seen over the years here in
New Orleans.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
Now, latt if he drifts mentally, there are receivers who
you would consider quote unquote lesser than who've had some
pretty nice days against him.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
So he is a guy.
Speaker 5 (05:48):
But I think he'll be locked in on Sunday, obviously
against his former team, his first game as a commander,
so I don't think that will be an issue.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
But I also.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Don't necessarily know that the Saints have any number one
receiver that they would say, okay, go and shut him down,
go take him out.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Of the game, unless it's MVS.
Speaker 5 (06:04):
And even then the Saints have some other weapons they
can go to, not necessarily you know, deep threats and
guys who are game breakers like MVS, but they have
some other guys they can go to. So if they
were to do that with lad I would assume it
would be with Marquez Valdez scanting going on one.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
But we understand here, especially.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Marshawn Lattimore is a rare commodity at cornerback. That's why
that's why those guys get paid what they get paid.
We saw him against Julio Jones, we saw him against
Mike Evans and Tampa Bay, and he and Mike Evans
had some epic battles, and Mike Evans has taken a
lot of lunch money around the NFL, but he could
not take Marshawn Lattimore as that lunch money. So you know,
(06:45):
we've seen him at his peak and we've seen him
at some valley. So but he's gonna be a guy
who's going to be extremely motivated. I'm sure to be
on the field against his former team. But again, I'm
just not sure if they if the Saints have a
guy right now that they wouldn't necess surely dedicate him
to me and the man.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
You know, I whenever it was first announced that the
Commanders traded for a Lottimore, you know, those battles between
him and Mike Evans were making the round on social media,
and they are they are really epic. I mean I
heard about him here and there, but I really wasn't
that familiar with him. But they they they were going
at it. It seemed like every time that they played
Aga easch other, it was it was you know, musty television.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
You know, so so.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Liam, you know, John mentioned, you know, Marcus dot Is scaling,
and I think he's probably a guy that I think
they could they could maybe hurt the commanders because of
how the commanders have been vulnerable at times with like
these over the top, you know, uh, downfield explosive plays.
I mean, we've seen it with you know, Jamar Chase,
you know, a few months ago against the the Bengals.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
We've seen it a lot of a lot of other times.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
And I think a lot of people were expecting that
this is going to be able to stop at least
put a stop gap on that a little bit.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And also I think it's some people think.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
That it's going to put allow Joe with Junior, the
defensive coordinator, to be a little more aggressive in terms
of how he's been able to call the defense. But
I think maybe what he wants to do, I mean,
what do you think about that? Do you think that
with Latimore out there covering these guys, whoever's going to
be one on one, do you think he's going to
be the defensive overall is going to be a little
more aggressive in rushing the past or in.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
Some of the other other calls that they that they
want to make.
Speaker 6 (08:20):
Well, that's the exact point that I was going to make.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
I think what it provides really for the defense is flexibility.
You know, you're not having to game plan around a
liability might be too strong of a word, but that
secondary was not the strength, especially at the outside cornerback position.
Mike saint Ristle's a rookie who was drafted to play
the slot and had to move outside because of how
bad things were getting there. And so having marshaw On
(08:43):
Lottmore out there just opens up your play calling as
a defensive coordinator, and I think it's going to allow
some of those edge rushers up front to feast because
even if Latimore is not, you know, making interceptions, that
hasn't been really his calling card the past few years.
Have been reluctant to throw his way, and so especially
(09:03):
on Sunday when you're going to have a younger quarterback
taking snaps, if you can cause them to second guests themselves,
if they can take that extra second, if they you know,
need to hold the ball just another hitch longer. I
think that's going to allow guys like Dante Fowler and
Frankie Louvu and Deron Payne. They need that extra second
to get to the quarterback, and I think that could
(09:25):
lead to some more sacks on stat sheet.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
I think it could too, and I think it's really
going to allow you know, the secondary also to to
like Samer Still I think is going to be example
to play a little more man to man. I think
Saint Us is going to be sliding into position he's
a little more comfortable playing. I think also Kawalm Martin
and and Jeremy Channer gonna be allowed to be to
be maybe a little bit closer to the line of
scribbage in some plays.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
It's gonna be interesting because we've we've talked about.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
What exactly the effect of Latimore is going to have
on this defense and more Finally looks like we're going
to get to see it John real quickly, just because
we're sort of a tangential question here. But like I
mentioned earlier, Derek Carr, it doesn't look like he's going
to play with you know, the hand injury and the concussion.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
You know, they they've got a couple of different options
over there, like sp it's a rattler, They've got Jake Hayner,
and they signed Ben de Nucci. What do you like,
I mean, obviously it's still kind of early in the week,
but like, what is your sense of what they're going
to do at quarterback and how is that going to
how how how do you think that's going to affect
maybe like you know, how they're playing against Marshawan and
things like that.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Well, Hater and Rattler split the rest with the with
the ones on Wednesday, so we expect pretty much the
same on Thursday. And right now it's kind of a
toss up. They're they're going to give Derrick Carr every
benefit of the doubt to start on Sunday. Now he's
still in concussion protocol and he's got the left hand injury,
but it is a non surgical injury, so they want
(10:48):
swelling to go down and I guess be able to.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
You know, at least secure the football.
Speaker 5 (10:52):
But if I had my money, I get if it
fell a bet money on it, I probably would say
Jake Hanter especial. Ratley did start the three games that
Derek Carr missed early this season with an oblique injury.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
The Saints were zero and three in those games.
Speaker 5 (11:03):
Spencer Rattler threw a touchdown, a couple of a couple
of interceptions, was sacked I think by seven times or so,
and he also fumbled three times, so he did not
have the greatest showing in those three games. However, he
was working without the top two receivers, Chris Alive and
Rassycileague Shaheed. He was working with a makeshift offensive line,
(11:24):
and that offensive line is intact now for the Saints.
But again, I just I think it might be that
the Saints will turn to Jake Hanter now because Jake
hand hadn't played much. He's been the number two quarterback
even you know, this entire season, whether Derek Carr has
been starting to not. He's completed fourteen to twenty nine
foe hundred and seventy seven yards, got a touchdown, So
I think they might want to get a look at him,
(11:47):
at least in this instance, at starting quarterback. Both of
the guys are I wouldn't say they're significantly different.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
I think Rattler's probably got.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
A little bit better on but in terms of mobility,
I think both of them kind of give you the
same thing. Jake Hayn might know the offense a little
bit better than Spencer Radley, even though they kind of
were learning at the same time.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
But since he was in the NFL, you know, for
a year, I think he might have a little bit
better knowledge of it.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
But again, both of those guys are gonna be working
with some receivers that they haven't played a lot with.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
They do have the benefit of the offensive line.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
They will have the benefit of Alan Kamara in the backfield,
they will have the benefit of Kendre Miller added to
the backfield, and they'll have some pretty good tight ends
in Juwan Johnson and Foster Moroad to throw the ball to.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
But you know, the offensive line is gonna have to
hold up.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
As you guys mentioned you and if you got Marshall Lattimore,
then you can do a little bit more things in
terms of pressure, and the offensive line is going to
have to hold up.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Didn't hold up particularly great in the last game, in the.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Last game against the Giants, So you'd like to see
that be better because you understand that that Washington sees
a young quarterback back there and they're gonna they're gonna
heat up.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
They're gonna see what he's made of. They're gonna under
they're gonna see how he handles pressure. And the Saints
suspect that you'd be not wise to not expect that.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
You've got to expect that they're going to go after
your young quarterback to see what he's made of.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
And I think it's going to be Jake han in
this instance.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
And Jake Hanterh I think is a little bit more
like Derek Carr than Spencer Rally. I think he's a
little less apt to take chances because Spencer Rallley with
that great.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Arm, it might be a little bit more willing to
take some chances.
Speaker 5 (13:30):
And if you're the Saints, you don't necessarily need to
be risky because you know, hey, you want to keep
it as close as you can for as long as
you can. You don't want this thing to get out
of hand because you know, because of your quarterback player,
you want to give your team the best opportunity, and
so you want to minimize risk. And that doesn't necessarily
make you totally risk averse, but it does make you,
you know, want your percentages to work in your favor.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
So I think, with that in mind, maybe it'll be
Jake Hannah. Now again we don't.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Necessarily know, because it might be Spencer Rally because maybe
Spencer Rawler had learned a lot from those three stars previously.
But I just know if I was gonna put money
on it, I would say Jake Hayna right now.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Yeah, and I think Haynard throws with a with a
lot of confidence based on what I've seen from him,
And I would have to saying to your point, I
think it matches a lot of more maybe what what
car would bring to the offense. Now we'll say Washington
cannot can overlook any quarterback because as they show, as
they show, you know, two weeks ago, Cooper Rush, I mean,
he can a player like that can also have a
really good day against them, So they have to they can't.
(14:31):
They can't overlook to look a guy just because they're
he's viewed as a backup quarterback. We'll move on to
the next question before we do score up date, Liam,
you are ahead by one point. Although Johnny did love
the contents that we got about the Saints receivers, because
you're right, they do have you know, Croton, Chris Olave,
I mean, and also Taysom Hill.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
He's out for the year. So it's it's interesting to see.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
How they're gonna be able to have They're gonna be
able to adapt without, you know, some of their top weapons.
But we're gonna switch over from from the defensive side
of stuff to more of an offensive discussion here, and
you know, both these teams love to run the ball.
You know, the Commanders had you know, just by Ryan
Robinson being out for you know, a few games here
and there. He's a really strong runner. They're at their best,
I think whenever he's able to establish a strong ground
(15:12):
ground presence. You know, had one hundred yards against the Titans,
against against a defense that had done pretty well against
rushing attacks over the course of the of the season.
And Alva Kamara, you know, he's he's getting up there
in terms of age for for running backs, but he
is still a dynamic weapon. So I think he has
a thousand scrimmage yards again this year. And you know,
these this Commanders defense has has really shown that they
(15:36):
you know, if there's any flaw they have, it's against
against running the ball then near the bottom of the
league and rushing yards allowed. So John, we'll start with
you here and we'll we'll stick to you know, Brian Robinson, Me,
how do you how do you think you know the
Saints are going to be able to count for for
a guy like b rob who is you know, he
does have some speed here and there, but he's a
very physical runner.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Uh, you know at the point of attack.
Speaker 5 (15:58):
Well, the Saints were real good against Tyrone Tracy of
the Giants in the last game. So their issue has
been one mobile quarterbacks, which stack up the numbers against
them in two. For some reason, they have not been
a very gap sound team against the run this season.
Their assignment, the attention to detail and assignments has not been.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
Sharp for the majority of this season.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
But they're going to have a lot of attention for
Brian Robinson because they understand what the Commanders bring on
the on the ground game, and a lot of times,
if you can't stop the run, you can't stop anything.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
So you got to be able to take away something.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
And hopefully force you know, I don't know how wise
this is the force of ball in Jane Daniel's hands, right,
but you've got to be able to take away something
and make them one dimensional. So they will devote some
a lot of attention to Brian Robinson and hopefully shutting
down that run game. But they've not been very gap
sound for a good portion of this season. They have
(16:52):
been there have been some big running back games against them,
but knowing that and knowing the way they played the
run against the Giants and the way they played run
against Cleveland. Also, Uh, they've been tightening up a bit
more in these last you know, two of these last
three games, so I expect them to play a little
bit better in the run game. They might have to
devote some more bodies in the box to hopefully get
(17:13):
you know, get a physical runner on the ground, but
they got a pretty physical linebacker group, and especially with
the Mario Davis and when the lineman to play and
the way they should, they really do a good job
of setting the edge and making sure everything's funneled to
the middle, and the Mario Davis and Pete Werner can
clean up pretty well.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
And they're pretty too, pretty.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Good sideline the sideline linebackers too, So they're gonna they're
gonna probably devote a lot of time to Brian Robinson
to hopefully make the Commanders one dimensional and then you know,
roll the dice and see if you can can force
some some mistakes out of out of Jane Daniels.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
You know that that's a good point because you know,
whenever the with the Commanders are going through their losing streak,
I mean, the run game was really affected. Uh, you know,
I think they rush for less than hundred yards and
two of those losses, and it didn't make you know,
really tough sledding for Jane Daniels in that offense. It
just didn't seem like it was quite what it wanted
to be. Now, there were obviously a lot of other
factors involved with that, you know, like the Steelers and
(18:08):
that he was being very good defenses, plus you know
a lot of other you know, things involved with that.
But yeah, I say, I think the run, the the
the intendency to stop in the run for all three
of those teams that beat the Commanders early this year
was a pretty.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Big role in that.
Speaker 5 (18:21):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Now, Liam, I'll flip over to you and it's the
same question, but more focus on Alva Kamara because I
mean he is kind of a big piece of that
says offense. Still his leadser team in rushing, leadser team
and receiving yards. He is still a very dynamic weapon.
And as you know, the Commanders have struggled occasionally against
top tier running backs. They have allowed a lot of
(18:42):
rushing yards on the ground. I think I think they're
around like twenty eighth I think in rushing yards allowed.
So what what do you think the Commanders are going
to do to you know, at least styn Me a
little bit of Kamara's production.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Well, and that's what you have to look at too,
is not just the total amount of rushing yards, but
against those premier backs, like you look at the numbers
that Derek Henry and Saquon Barkley put up.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
Those two backs really.
Speaker 3 (19:03):
Controlled those games, especially as the clock take towards the
fourth quarter. And so this is an opportunity for the
Commanders to show that they've learned from those mistakes.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
It's been a few weeks.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
Since they've come across the running back of that caliber,
and so I think they're going to try to rely
on their scheme as much as possible and just making
sure that their front seven are filling in those gaps
as much as possible, not over pursuing, not trying to
do too much.
Speaker 6 (19:29):
The coaching staff talks a lot about, you know, trying.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
To make sure that players on both sides of the
ball don't try to become heroes, and so trying to
just make sure that the defense is disciplined as much
as possible in their aggression. And also this was an
issue earlier in the season, tackling like it sounds overly simplified,
but that's really been kind of inconsistent for the Commanders,
more so in the secondary a lot of times. But
(19:53):
everyone has to be able to tackle effectively because Alvin
Kamara is so shifty that if it's going to take
multiple guys spring him down, he's going to to find
his way downfield over and over in NBA terms, if
you look at his usage rates, you know, like the
total amount of targets and rushing attempts, he's getting the
ball on about you know, forty percent of the Saints snaps,
and so you just look at the law of large
(20:14):
numbers there. All Right, we got him down, you know,
a couple times, but we'd let him lose once. That
can be a kind of game changing play and a
really big momentum swing in a game like this, especially
when you're on the road in the Superdome as well,
and so you're going to want to see You're going
to want to see these Commanders linebackers especially, wrap up, tackle,
(20:35):
don't over pursue, don't get burned on the cutback. Because
without Taysom Hill, with al Rashid Shihi, without Chris o'lav
this Saints offense is going to run through Alvin Kamara,
and that's why I think you're really going to need
a big game from Frankie Luverm and Bobby Wagner as
they're patrolling sideline to sideline against this zone running scheme
(20:56):
of the Saints. It's going to rely on them to
be able to shoot those gaps and wrap up and
make those tackles.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Yeah, the tackling point I think is pretty big because
that was that was a that was a frustration point.
I think, you know, just for people watching in for
them obviously, you know, at the beginning part of the season,
and you know, to to Washington's credit, I mean, they
did hold the Titans to thirty five that rushing guards
two weeks ago, and I mean the Titans aren't necessarily
a dynamic offense by any means, but they were a
team that was trying to establish a good ground attack
(21:24):
and they that's probably something they were better at that
than passing. I mean, that was the fewest yards that
they've allowed on the ground since you know, twenty twenty
two against the Houston Texans. So maybe they're you hope
that that is the start of something a little bit
a little bit better, uh.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
For for for Washington defense.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Now, now, John, you mentioned you know what, We'll kind
of branch out a little bit here in terms of
like the rushing game. You mentioned mobile quarterbacks, And if
I'm not mistaken, I think that the Saints have kind
of struggled a little bit against play action passes, against
mobile quarterbacks who were able to scramble a little bit.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Maybe why do you think that is?
Speaker 2 (21:56):
And like, I mean, what do you think is there
is there a plan for getting Jane Daniel's office spot,
like you mentioned earlier, Like, I mean, what do you
think how a Saint's planning on stopping Jane Daniels with
with the use of his legs?
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Well, I mean, they could dedicate a spy to him.
Speaker 5 (22:08):
And I don't necessarily know that they've done that a
whole lot this season, but they could dedicate a spy
to him. But a lot of what the Saints issues
have been has been just assignment football. They get out
of their lanes, rush lanes, and mobile quarterbacks have had.
Speaker 4 (22:21):
Field days against them this season.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
Whether it be and we can go all the way
back to Jalen Hurts in Week three, it's just been
a persistent issue for this team, even last week with
Drew Locke who ran for like fifty nine yards or
something on you know, seven eight carries. You know, it's
just been an issue for this team being able to
account for mobile quarterbacks.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
And this is not just a season long issue.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
This has been you know, seasons plural long, like the
last three four seasons where they've had these issues with
mobile quarterbacks. And we understand that most teams in the NFL,
do you know, there hadn't been a whole lot of
teams that have been really successful stopping Jayden Daniels from scrambling,
and at the Saints have to be better at it because.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
They understand that dual threat.
Speaker 5 (23:04):
And when you get a guy moving around and his
receivers understand how the scramble drill with him, then that
presents some myriad issues for your secondary because guys can
only cover for so long and before you know, you
can't plaster forever. And so you know, that's one of
those issues where they've been trying to address it and
trying to address it, and they have not been able
(23:25):
to address it.
Speaker 4 (23:25):
Unfortunately. Basically the only.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
Quarterbacks they've had success against some guys like Kirk Cousins,
who you know where they're going to be yea.
Speaker 4 (23:31):
But other than that, when.
Speaker 5 (23:33):
You've had mobile quarterbacks, it's been an issue for the
Saints and I'm just not exactly sure how they're going
to deal with it except by being better assignment football.
When they rush, they've got to maintain their rush lane
integrity because when guys slip out is when they have
a lot of issues going because if you have everybody
in coverage, can be tough to turn around and find
the guy a lot of times before he's ten twelve
(23:55):
yards down the field.
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
No, and Jaden hasn't rushed the ball two too much
other than you know, they have eighty yards against the Buccaneers.
But when he does roswell, it is effective, very very
effective because at least at least gives the defense enough
reason to account for it. And you know, I am
very curious about the Saints are going to want to
address that now, leading real quick before we move on
to the final question here. Chris Rodriguez had ninety four
(24:19):
rushing yards against the Titans, which you know is a
career high for him.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
I mean, what do you expect out of him?
Speaker 2 (24:24):
You know, assuming that they're that you know that Saints
if if they can stop Brian Robinson, you know, how
do you expect how do you expect Rodriguez to perform
against the Saints.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
Well, what I would hope to see is, if I'm
a Commander's fan, is I'd want to see the Commanders
go back to some of those two running back backfields
that they employed when Austin Eckler was healthy. That's the
thing they used a lot with Austin Eckler and Brian
Robinson in the backfield with Jayden Daniels, and that opens
up a lot of possibilities in the run game and
the passing game. And due to injuries to Austin Eckler
(24:57):
did injuries with Brian Robinson, they haven't really been able
to eBrace that throughout the season. And even with Jamie McNichols,
who's a back that they like a lot, they haven't
really fully embraced that scheme again. And I think that
with Chris Rodriguez's performance last week, obviously that was a
lot of game script stuff as well. Same thing with
you know, the Titans rushing offense really into performing.
Speaker 6 (25:19):
That game got out of hand pretty quickly.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
But I think that just the way he was running
really shot some confidence into this coaching staff as they
look to use.
Speaker 6 (25:28):
Him more this week.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
I think he's someone that especially as they're looking into
a foreman an offense on either end of the halves.
When Brian Robinson needs a break, they don't feel the
need to run him into the ground. They're okay, saying
like all right, you know, Rodriguez, get out there.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
We're going to run it down their throats.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
And I think that comfort level is something that can
really open up a lot for this offense.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Yeah, No, I think, you know, he's a real physical guy.
And I think and I've been looking everywhere for you know,
Peyton Barber back in twenty twenty to be mister third
and two d because he was just so reliable that
he could pick up those third downs.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
And maybe Chris Rodriguez is that guy.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Well, we'll see, but we're up against the clock. So
we were gonna move on to the final question here,
and it's gonna be very simple, guys. You know, obviously
it's gonna be a lot of big, peaky players on Sunday.
We've talked about a few of them. Liam will start
with you, who is a one player he you think
is gonna make the biggest difference for the Commanders on Sunday,
and you know, let's let's make it fun here and
you remove the big names like Jaden and Terry and
(26:22):
and and Marshaw on the players like that.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Yeah. So for me, this is somebody that I alluded
to early earlier. I think it's Frankie Luvu. I think
he's someone that is so versatile on this defense and
especially against the Saints offense. I think he whether he
has a great day, whether he has a terrible day,
I think that's going to kind of dictate the flow
of this game.
Speaker 6 (26:41):
You look at what he does as a pass rusher.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
He has hold on the head of number in front
of me, but he's been incredible rushing the passer this year.
And it's not saying he's doing every down, but when
he does, it's incredibly effective. And so that's something that
whether it's Jay Cane or whether it's Spencer Rattler, they're
gonna have to account for Number four. They're gonna have
to look out for him, especially on those you know,
third and longs, on those designated pass downs. He's someone
(27:04):
that can disrupt the passer. When you look at, you know,
on Alvin Kamara's runs, especially on those outside zones, those
are something that can break big.
Speaker 6 (27:11):
But Frankie Louvu is rangy. He's someone who is going
to want to shoot those gaps.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
He's going to want to blow up those runs, and
that's something that can shift the momentum. That's something that
can you know, bring a lot of energy for that defense.
And that's something that I think is going to be
important at an away game at the Superdome. I don't
think you can understate the effect of something like that.
You want to set a tone early and you don't
want to get in any kind of hole. You don't
want to give the Saints.
Speaker 6 (27:33):
Any room to breathe.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
And even then, when you look at Alvin Kamara coming
out of the backfield, it's going to rely on Bobby
Wagner and Frankie Louvu to make that first tackle.
Speaker 6 (27:42):
Alvin Kamara is not running a bunch of routes downfield.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
Really, his average depth of target is right at the
line of scrimmage, and so it's going to be on
Luvu and Wagner to wrap up and make that tackle
before he can get downfield.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
Yeah, true, Lou has been a monster all year and
if you haven't voted for him for the Pro Bowl,
you should definitely do that.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
By the way.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
So John, same question to you by more of a
Saints angle here, what's one player you think that may
the biggest difference for New Orleans on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (28:07):
Well, I guess the easy at will say the quarterback,
but I'm going to go a different ROUNDE. I'm going
to go with Brian Razide, the defensive tackle. He's got
seven a half snacks, and if the Saints win this game,
it's going to have to be defensively, I think. I mean,
I don't think they're going to be able to match
up with Washington or anybody else right now in a shootout,
so they're gonna have to figure out a way to
slow down Washington's offense. And Brazil in the middle of
(28:28):
that defensive line has been effective all season. He's racking
up the sacks. As I mentioned, he's got seven and
a half. He's applied really good pressure to the quarterback,
and now we're seeing he and the guy you guys
are familiar with, Jase Young, have been a really good
tandem defensive line in terms of applying the pressure, and
those are probably the two guys who are going to
apply the most pressure to Jane Daniels.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
And at some point you got to be able to
get that guy on the ground.
Speaker 5 (28:53):
If you're not able to get him on the ground
and get him off his marks and maybe force him
into some issues and some mistakes, it's gonna be a
difficult day for you. So I think it's gonna be
Brian Brazi, and I think he is certainly capable of
having a big game.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
I do personally. I love Brazil. I think he's been
a exceptional player. I think he's been one of the
best young interior defensive linemen in the league right now,
and I'm really excited to see where his career goes.
And as But as much as I do love Brazi, Liam,
I gotta give you the victory here because I just
love Frankie Luban.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
I think love the way he's able to play.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
If you guys are tired hanging the last round, but
I think Louis will kind of put it over the
top for me.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Liam, Do you have any parting words of victory for
us be where we get out?
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Yeah, I know that's two appearances on this show for
me and two victories. I know the wins don't matter,
but you know who's counting me.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Don't worry about it, you know, anybody like on who's
lines anyway on around the Horn if they if they
say that the wins don't matter, their line, they they
they keep Italia that somewhere. But like Liam, hopefully the
Commanders will be coming out with a win, which would
be putting him at nine to five, first winning season
and since twenty sixteen.
Speaker 1 (30:02):
How about that.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
That's pretty impressive for this franchise, especially in the first
year of a new program, and we're all gonna be
very excited to see what they do, not just next week,
but in the future. John Liam, I appreciate having you
guys on here. It's been fantastic and this has been
the beatdown
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.