November 7, 2025 • 43 mins
On this episode of the Twentyman in the Huddle podcast presented by Copilot+ PC, Tim Twentyman is joined by Eric Woodyard, DJ Reader and John Keim previewing the Detroit Lions’ Week 10 matchup vs. the Washington Commanders.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jared's got it, wants to throw on fourth down, Does
Middle got a complete the Porta.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Twenty Laporta fifteen, spinning at the ten, fighting at the five,
still going at the three, to the two, to the one,
to the Endzone touchdown to Detroit Lions. It is week
ten of the NFL season, which is crazy to think
about it. It's rolling out. This is the twenty in
the Huddle podcast. I am Tim Twentyman joined by Eric
(00:24):
Woodyard does a great job covering everything Detroit Lions for ESPN.
There's taking the time. I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
I appreciate you having me.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
How's the son doing basketball? Is getting rolling here?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Busy, busy, busy, busy. He got a whole schedule of
his own. So yeah, And.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
That's tough because mine plays hockey. Was just in the
cap of the hockey teams. And when you're a dad
and you're doing this job, it's it's always tough, isn't it,
And especially for you because I mean, I know you're
traveling a little bit more distance wise, but you got
basketball games, hockey games at night, missing it on the weekend.
It's a tough gig when you when your son or
daughter plays a winter sport.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
And yeah it is. Man. We just went down Indiana
during a bye week, so I didn't get a chance
to join my bye week got to buy it to Chris
Pauls Middle Combine. Oh nice, he went down there and
play some of the top kids of his grade, sixth
grade and how do you do down there? He did
really really well. Yeah, so, yeah, I was.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
A college basketball player.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
That's a win.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
I don't want to pay for schools.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
I hear you. Mine's a senior and he's getting into
all those schools now and certain those bills. Me and
my wife are saying, oh, it's gonna cost that this
first year. Oh that, no boy, So good luck to you.
All right, let's get back to it. Let's talk Detroit
Lions before we moved to Washington Eric. Let's go back
and talk about Minnesota a little bit. Maybe the biggest
concern you have after watching that performance two twenty seven
(01:37):
to twenty four lost to Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
I think it was just they looked extremely rusty. I mean,
in my opinion, I mean, you look at how they
looked against going into the by against Tampa Bay, and
you look at that team that showed up against Minnesota
last week and it was just it was night and day.
I mean from every aspect defensively, even you look at offense,
the you know, just so many different so many different
things we could just break down. Even though they put
up twenty four points, it just was in a good performance,
(02:00):
especially in a Russian aspect. I mean, that's just not
this team.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
So sixty three point three yards that that's not Lions football.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Jahmyr Gibbs, I mean, yeah, season low touches on. I
mean it was. It was just a very sloppy or
really really ugly performance.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Honestly, one of the big takeaways for me was just
that the health of the old line now moving forward.
You know, we didn't see Penei Sewell practice on Wednesday.
He was working off to the side. I think that's encouraging.
I think he's gonna be okay. But still no Taylor Decker.
They're managing that. I think they're going to manage it
all year. You lose Christian Mahogany, now you got Kayode
Awosika stepping in and some other depth pieces are going
to be counted on. How big of a concern is
(02:35):
that for you moving forward?
Speaker 3 (02:36):
It was a concern already going forward into the season,
because I mean from week to week we keep hearing
Dan Campbell and these guys talk about communication and particularly
on the offensive line, which is crazy. You look at
what they had last year with you know, the veterans
and how tight that group has been. That's kind of
like been an identity of his team. So it's definitely
a concern going forward. How can these guys step in there,
you know, continue to sign guys going forward. So I'm
(02:57):
I'm very interested to see how that plays out.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
You know, we got to a point last year where
the offense was asked to compensate for the defense, right,
I mean, because they were just devastated by injuries. Now
the offense isn't isn't that point, But it's not getting
to a point now where you're asking the defense to
step up and be a little bit better to make
up for maybe some deficiencies the Lions are starting to
have up front or overall. Are you to that point
(03:21):
yet or not yet?
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Not just yet?
Speaker 3 (03:22):
I mean, I think that's just kind of the offense
has just kind of been the like kind of like
bailing the team out, you know, they know at any time,
it's so many explosives so many weapons that they can
always just you know, get a point. It's like in basketball,
get a bucket, you know what I mean. So anybody
on this team is you know, can go off. We
just talked to David Sean. He was talking about how
this team is kind of.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Like the eighties likes I know, you love that analogy.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yeah, I like that when you think about that, they
are kind of anybody can you know, it's like a
running gun style. It's a fast break with Magic Johnson,
comparable to Jared Goff running the show, and you know where
anybody can score, anybody can get off. So yeah, I
mean that's that's kind of been the identity of this
team being bailed out for so long to where now
it's kind of weird to see when that's not happening.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
All right, Before we get to Washington trade deadline this week,
Lions stay put. Dan talked about it on Wednesday. Liked
the depth pieces that they have, like their guys, guys
that they know about. He talked about knowing what guy's
strengths are but also knowing what their works are too,
and feeling good about the depth on this roster and
thinking that that was better than anything they would give
up on the open market. Turned out there wasn't a
(04:22):
lot of offensive linemen on the open market. Some big deals,
but the Lions weren't involved. Just you're overall thought of
the trade deadline.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
I wasn't really surprised by it. I mean, just based
off what they've been doing the last few I didn't
see them going out and trying to make a splash
pick or doing something crazy. It's just really not how
this team has been made up. I think, you know,
they might bring in some other guys along the way,
if it makes sense, But I wasn't really surprised that they,
you know, kind of still with what they had.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
All right, let's move forward Sunday's matchup national audience against
the Commanders in Washington. Obviously, that's a team railing a
little bit. When you lose your quarterback dislocated left level,
you're arguably one of your best defensive players in Marshawn
Lattimore or you lost a valuable special team's piece in McCaffrey.
They're going through it right now. Just the impact of
(05:05):
losing Daniels specifically, anytime you lose your starting quarterback that
that's huge. But he was such a big part Eric
of what they did running wise. Everything. That's a big
loss in that.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
I mean, that's just you know, it's hard to even
you know, communicate that. I mean, that's just that's your
franchise guy, that's everything, that's who you put everything. And
then we saw what he did to Detroit last year
in the playoffs, you know, kind of destroyed him a
little bit, picked him apart. So I mean you probably
see them and rely on a run game a lot more.
You know, you bring it in Marcus and you know,
want to see how he responds. I think he's what
one and two is the starter of this year. So uh,
(05:40):
but there are actually averaging more points without Jayden Daniels,
which is crazy. Yeah, obviously he's not a better player,
but I mean this team is still is still an
NFL team. You still can't come in and just you
don't feel like they're just gonna give you a win.
So I mean, definitely it's a big thing to lose
that guy, that piece. But I see them probably trying
to run the ball a little more, and you know,
the Lions definitely got to come ready to play because
(06:00):
this time team's not going to just lay down and
they have nothing to lose sometimes them teams and that's
what can be dangerous as well.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Ask the Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah that anybody.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Sunday, right if you don't show up.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Yeah, So I mean the Lions are a little vulnerable
right now. Yes, I mean they got to come in
and play.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
What do you want to see from this Detroit Lions
football team comes Sunday.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
I want to see the run game get back. I
want to see the offensive line. I want to see
if they can you know, kind of cover the holes
and get you know, open those all's up for those
guys Jamier Gibbs. That's unacceptable for him to you know,
have the season low. I think twelve touches with twenty
eight scrimmage yards something like that.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
You know, we saw uncharacteristic of David Montgomery fumbling the ball.
So I want to see them get that run game
because I think that's the meat and potatoes of this team.
If the run game is not going, you're more than
likely not going to see everything open up for the
exposive playmakers with Jamo and Saint and those guys. So
I think you got to get that. You got to
get that run game together.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
It might correlates to that too a little bit. You
got to get that run game going, so you put
yourself in good down in distant situations and second down
and third down, and I want to see them just
figure this thing out on third down, Eric, I mean
with thirty six point three twenty fifth in the league.
I mean they were fourth at almost fifty percent last year.
They just haven't been able to figure that out. Crazy
(07:11):
stat third and ten plus or oh for twenty one
on the year. I mean they have to figure that
out because more conversions on third down means more touches
for Jamior Gibbs, David Montgomery to your point about the
run game, more opportunities to get the ball to Jmo
and Tesla and Saint Brown's hands, and just be a
more effective offensive for for me, that's what I want
to see Sunday is them being better on third down.
(07:33):
Key matchup for you, man.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
I want to see. I was looking up another stat
that I pulled up as well as far as their
rushing yards. The Commanders they averaging five point one rushing
yards per game this season and the Lions. You know,
that's that's third in the NFL. I mean, that's that's
third in NFL, behind the Ravens and the Jets. The
Lions defense has a second worst run stop win rate
of twenty five point nine percent. So I think that's
(07:57):
something that I'll be looking at, is seeing how they
stop that. I mean that a little bit earlier, but
you really got to You got a key in on
those aspects, and the defense definitely has to do a
better job. So that's something might be looking at as well.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Well, especially when what you talked about earlier, that's what
they're gonna want to do. I mean, they're probably not
gonna have the wide receiver their number one wide receiver
either they lose McCaffrey, a guy who's contributed as a
wide receiver. I got John Kaimon who's gonna be on
a little bit later, and he was just talking about
kind of where they are injury wise, and he basically
made the point what they got no receivers. So I
think that's a great point by you, is you know
(08:28):
they want to come in and run the ball, keep
the ball away from Detroit's offense. That's how they can
maintain this game. I think it's a great one by you.
They've got to be better in that regard, especially upfront
and in the middle. I think we haven't seen Detroit
be as dominant against the run in the middle that
I expected.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
I don't know about you, right, definitely, I mean what
we know what Hutch and those guys are gonna bring
on the airs, but definitely up the middle that's a
soft spot.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yeah, and for me the flip side, you're gonna probably
get Kyote overseekat in there. Graham Glasgow and Tate Radish,
I think they'll both tell you they probably didn't play
their best football last week. Well, now you've got Javon
kin Law and Darren Payne in Washington. That's a pretty
good duo in the middle of their defensive line. They've
got injuries on the outside, they're a little deficient there,
(09:11):
but that's two strong guys up the middle in an
area where you've got a little bit of concern and
probably a new you know you're going to have a
new starter this week. So I think that's going to
be a matchup. I watched closely. Can Detroit establish that run?
Can they avoid that pressure up the middle with two
t defensive tackles that are pretty good?
Speaker 3 (09:27):
No, definitely, definitely, all right.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Who needs the biggest bounce back.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Biggest bounce back. Man, I'm gonna stick with my guy, Gibbs. Man,
I gotta, I gotta. You know, we saw what he's
been able to do. Yeah, I want to see it
done consistently. You know, if you want to be one
of the best running backs in the league, got to
do that consistently. Yeah, I mean, so, I think I
want to see a bounce back game from him, especially
what we saw against Tampa Bay. You know, we was
looking at, you know, one of the top guys, which
(09:52):
I still feel like he is. So I think, you know,
I probably got a little a little higher expectations for
him to bounce back. So definitely, definitely, jami.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
We are on the same page, Jamior Gibbs right here.
Last year in this matchup with Washington, hundred and seventy
five total yards, two touchdowns. He really kept them in
that football game. He was dominant the blocking aspect. I
was a little disappointed with too. Eric Minnesota kind of
identified something brought a lot of that double a gap,
that middle thing, that middle pressure, and Jamiir has been
(10:22):
really good in that regard. I wouldn't say that's the strength
of his obviously, he's getting the ball in his hands
in space and the speed aspect. But he's got to
be better in that regard too, because that's on tape now.
And so if you're gonna play him more than you're
playing David Montgomery, which has been the kind of system
all year, teams are gonna see that. And now are
they going to bring that pressure up the middle? Are
they going to force Jamiir to be, you know, a
(10:43):
blocking back. I want to see him better in that regard,
and they got to get him the football I said earlier.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Definitely, definitely, But I think I think last week, I mean,
as much as we're talking about it and breaking it down,
I still think it was a little bit of rust
aspect in that you're coming off the Bible. Yeah, but
I think you'll send much better team this week.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
I think. So all right, let's finish up with this,
and where should the Lions have the most distinctive vantage
come Sunday?
Speaker 3 (11:05):
In your opinion, I think anytime this offense steps on
the field most of the time, whereas any defense, So
I think it's just really pick your poison. I mean,
it's still you know, once again, I go back to
David sha hearing him talk, this still is the Lions.
This still is a team that you know can just
explode at any point. So I think that's any aspect
that they slip up offensively. This team is just so loaded,
and I think they can take advantage. So I think
(11:26):
they got a distinct aspect just in being a better offense.
And we know what y'all got going on, y'all got
let a lot of injuries. Whoever y'all leave open, is like,
we just got to take advantage and execute. And I
think that's where they're gonna have a distinct advantage just offense.
Anytime they step on the field.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
I feel like, are you looking at no shit? Because
I got to say I gets the same thing. You know.
They don't pressure the quarterback a lot from the edge.
They're down a bunch of defensive ends. They're twenty eighth
in total defense, twenty ninth against the pass. They haven't
really been able to stop anyone. You saw what Seattle
did to them last week, pretty much anything they wanted
to in the run and pass game. I think this
(12:00):
is a big bounce back for Detroit's offense. I'm with you.
I think they realized how rusty they were no excuse
how that performance coming off of bye. They're gonna get
a couple of guys back, and I just I just
think they're gonna get rolling. What's the stat twelve and
after losses. I mean, they've always been able under Dan
Campbell since twenty twenty two to bounce back after a loss.
(12:22):
It's a Washington team reeling a little bit. I know
you're on the road. You hope they don't look ahead
to Philly the next week because that's a big, big matchup.
But you can't do that. You got to come back,
get to six and three and set that one up.
So I'm with you. I think offensively, there's gonna be
a big bounce back for Detroit this week. All right, Well,
I think we're both on the same page. We like
(12:43):
detroit chances going in, but again, you've got to show up.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
You got because we thought the same thing with Minnesota
last week. Right, you can't just be too just the
NFL any given Sunday, as they say, so any.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Given Sunday, we'll both be there in Washington on Sunday.
You can catch all of Eric's stuff on ESPN. We'll
be right back. Welcome back to twin the Hudle Podcast.
Very happy to welcome the DJ Reader defensive tackle for
the Detroit Lions. How you doing And I say defensive
tackle because the World Series was just over, But you
(13:15):
could have been MLB player, pitcher, DJ reader for whatever team.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
Yeah, I think I had a chance.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
So what were you so? If people don't out there
don't know. Batted five hundred high school career, went to Clemson,
played baseball for a year at Clemson, was pitcher, hitter.
But you were throwing what mid nineties, back when you
were really humming and had a couple of breaking balls.
You were good baseball. You think you had a shot,
(13:44):
don't you.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
I think so. I think, like you know, high school baseball,
it is what it is. But on the travel circuit,
I was pretty pretty competitive and we always played teams
that I played against. A bunch of guys who you
know played in the league, probably like Corey Seeker is
probably the most known guy gets him every summer from
the time I was like nine till whenever you know,
(14:06):
you get done playing. But I think my senior year
sat like low nineties, probably maxed out like ninety five.
But I was really consistent on the man, and I
wasn't like out there playing around. I was pretty consistent.
I enjoyed it a lot. I spent a lot of
time at the batting center when I was a kid.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
How big were you as a picture? I mean you've
had to have been intimidating figure. I mean you're not
a small.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Guy thirty ish now.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
I think I was probably like six two three or
five three ten. Yeah, yeah, like you know, you didn't
know much about nutrition and stuff back, always been kind
of a bigger kid. I think that was a lot
of like, you know what went into it with the
whole draft thing. It's like, you know, are you going
to be able to get to like to eighty you
(14:50):
know what I'm saying. I think that was a huge thing.
And then I didn't. It wasn't like a legacy kid
like Prince Field or it was elite and able to
just be that big. But he's also had a who
played in the Major League like as much of a conflict.
So I think that was really one of those things.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
What do you think, What do you like about base
What is it about baseball? Growing up playing baseball that
you think helped you as a football player.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
I tell people all the time, like it's a different
level of competition, especially like when you pitch, when you're
a good hitter and you pitch like it's a different
level of thought process in your head, Like you feel
like you're in at every single play and you can
make the difference, Like you can make the biggest difference,
Like I mean, we saw in the World Series guy
got bases loaded one out and he don't give up
(15:35):
a run. Like that makes you. It gives you a
different type of confidence. And I think, honestly from playing
d Line, it just gives me a lot of anticipation,
like something has to happen every single play in baseball,
whether somebody hits the ball or not. But you got
to be thinking, like if it's hit here, what are
my outs? What are my force outs? Where do I
gotta go? If we're turning to where's it at? If
(15:56):
it's hit infield outfield? You know, and as a hitter,
like you know down third, if the infield's back, I
can hit it on the ground. If the infields forward,
I got to get in the air. I can't really
think about it. I want to hit behind the runner
at first base. All those things like go into it
and I think it helped me out a lot, just
in football.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I know, me and you and Chattick's both our sons
played baseball. Your son's what but six.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Now about to be six.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
It's about to be six this weekend. Nice and uh baseball,
he's into it. You coached a little bit. How fun
was that? Because I remember, it's hilarious, isn't it. But
you have to have the right temperament to coach five
year olds playing baseball and.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Then shout out to all of his coaches who were
there all the time. I helped out a little bit,
But like he the biggest thing is the kids love
it is parents. Parents are tough. They are tough. And
if you saw me baseball that age, like just growing up.
My mom cheers for everybody, every single person. She's that
mom like she people on the other team, my team, anyone.
(16:55):
And my dad is always like typical dad. He's sitting
down now, feel somewhere watching right.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
That was me outside so when I wasn't coaching, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Just so I don't make every pitch and look at
him and what he's doing, you know what I'm saying,
looking for his reaction. But he it was fun, you know,
and the funny story is like he begged me to
play pitcher and his coaches to play picture all year
and I've never really seen my son like field the
ball and like just throw at the first base like
we're playing t ball. So like most kids not so
I wouldn't. It was not a big deal to me.
He could hit, That's all I really cared about. I
(17:23):
was like, oh, he can hit the ball. He is cool. Yeah,
and he's like, no, let me do it, Like, let
me do it. I can do it. And like finally
the last game of the season, like we let him
do it, and I'm looking at his mom. I'm like, dude,
it's not gonna go. He somehow, like it amazes me
and everybody else, say, he gets three straight outs, feels
him throwing the first, feels him throw the first, feels
(17:45):
the throw the first, and then it looks at me
and goes I told you I could pitch. And I'm like, whatever, dude.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Like you get that moment where like the ball goes
to the outfield and the kid catches it and the
parents and everybody like freaks out, like, oh my god,
he card.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
I was like, he just make three outs by so
didn't come over to me, like, dude.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
I told your dad, No, it ain't no thing.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
I I don't know why y'all don't believe me. I'm like,
it's crazy. But yeah, so young rock and he enjoys it.
He likes Yeah, he's he's more in the boxing though. Okay,
likes contact, very big on football player. Eventually, you think,
so we're.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Lowing your way to that one.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Yeah, because he doesn't like flag football. He wants to
hit somebody.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Of course, he's definitely a reader.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
So we're slow playing in contact football. It's uh. I
think it's important to do, but I want to be
there a little bit more to be able to coach
him through contact football.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
It's fun, isn't it. Yeah, when they get to that
age and they start to do that stuff with their
personality and the sports a little bit. All right, let's
get to football a little bit. You guys have been
so good over the last few years. I know you've
only been here this is your second season, but twelve
and zero after a loss since twenty twenty two? What
is it about this team, this coaching staff, the way
Dan approaches it that you guys have been able to
(18:58):
kind of turn the page and get back to playing
winning football. You're obviously looking to do that again.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
This hard. I think just the mentality after loss. Nobody
wants it to happen, honestly, but I think the mentality is, like,
you got to turn the page. I've always looked at
losses like how I looked at throwing balls when I
was a pictuer, Like getting a hit hit off me
when I was a picture You gotta turn the page.
You can't get it back, Like as much as you
want to grab that pitch back or grab that loss back,
and what could I have done? What you harping on it?
(19:27):
You got twenty four hours to harp on it. And
then after that you really got to turn the page
because the next opponent's not gonna feel hard that you
took an l. And I think a lot of guys
in this locker room do a good job of just
focusing up, making sure like, hey, we're on our p's
and q's, we're going to practice harder this week. And
you know it's not an excuse because you should always
practice hard. But I think there's a little bit more
(19:49):
since urgency. Sure, you take a loss, and you know
that's the way it's supposed to be.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
What do you like about Calvin Sheppard. He's certainly dynamic
when we talk to him. You look at the defensive numbers,
everything's a little bit better this year with him. What
do you like about him running that defense?
Speaker 4 (20:04):
He's you know, he's a little bit closer to a
lot of the player's age, especially like an older guy
like me, So you know, he's fresh out of it.
So he gets like what the new NFL is today. Yeah,
I think that is the biggest thing. The NFL is
all about change, and it's changed, is consistently happening. But
he's also super smart, like Shep. You know, he played
the mic growing up and played in college, played in
(20:25):
the league. But so he understands like the job that's
put on linebacker's plate and then talking to the secondary,
talking to the guys. He doesn't make you have to
exactly speak his language. He wants us to have our
own universal language. So if you understand it a certain way,
you go you can go talk to him about it.
I understand it that this way, and it makes it a
(20:46):
lot easier for you as a player. Like yo, this
is what I'm saying. He gets what you're saying he
doesn't get stuck up on what the dialect is. He
understands what you're trying to talk about. I think that's
big for a player, having that in a coach, just
because it's always you come from different systems, different words
are going to be said. But if you know what
(21:06):
you're doing and something you know, some people aren't going
to aren't as talkative as other people. So as long
as you know what you're doing, maybe you pick up
handsignal better. Maybe you communicate this way. And as long
as your brother besides you can understand that communication. I
think he's fine with it. And I think you can
get hung up on that a lot as a coach,
like I want to done this way. Yeah, you didn't
really get hung up on that.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Just a few more for you. I know you got
your defensive meetings coming up here. You're healthy, that's been
a huge revelation for you this year. Had to deal
with the quad injury last year, mistraining, cap all that stuff.
You're probably just getting going at this time of year.
How nice has it been to be healthy, have been
able to ramp up and how do you think you've
played this year? Except from the outside looking at and
(21:48):
you've had a huge impact in the center of that defense.
Speaker 4 (21:50):
Yeah, I think it's been a good year. You know,
it's got to keep going. Obviously, you would like to
get to the quarterback a little bit more if you're
me in my position. But I think it's been good
and I think I played some good ball. It's here
at ten. I'm a little bit older, but I feel
good out there, and it's been fun just watching the
guys on around running things a little bit different than
what I've always ran like in my career. So I
(22:12):
had to, like the beginning to get over that mental
aspect of there's not as many players out there for
you necessarily. Yeah, it's a little bit of a different scheme.
Sure you're helping the scheme as a whole, and you know,
so for me, it's just getting out of that selfish
mindset of you're gonna make this many plays which might
be losing, Like we're winning right to me, you know,
(22:33):
that's that's what it matters.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
You know, you have to take consolation the fact that
when Jack gets a tackle, you know, it's because you
open that double team in that hole for Jack to
make that tackle when the edge gets there. It was
because the double team, and you don't felt the stack box,
just like ty Leek doesn't either. But like you said,
that's part of this defense and it all fits one
in one. So as a veteran player, I'm sure you
(22:56):
appreciate that I had Taylor Decker. You also appreciate the
tenth year, don't you. Yeah, yeah, that retirement kicks in
at ten. But how much do you do you love
the fact that you've been able to stick around for
ten years, or you appreciate the fact that you're still
doing it in year ten.
Speaker 4 (23:15):
It's amazing, you know. I think it's a cliche saying,
but I've been able to like really change like my
life and my family's life, you know, really make that
last name and legacy that my dad left around, you know, proud,
and it means a lot to me, and still to
be playing goodball. Like I'm not just out there holding
on in your ten but I think for me it's
(23:38):
just been super important that you've put your best foot
fell forward every year. And for somebody who never like
saw this as like a dream, who saw like making
it to an NFL, I was just gonna go to
grad school and go be a teacher, like my dad
and brother were like, I just that was it. I
just I really enjoyed football as it means to like
(23:58):
make it to college. I knew I wasn't never to
be able to go to college. I wanted to unless
I got a scholarship. It's made very clear to me
at an early age. My pops sat down told me
that it was just something that we worked towards, you know,
and then offers started riding in, like sophomore year. You
never think like, hey, it can really go this far.
I think the only like glimpse of it I ever
(24:18):
had of it was when it really started, Like I
got a combine in by after that the day after
National championship.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
And you had never thought about the NFL before that, really, no,
really never know because you were a pretty dominant college player.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
Like it was never like I was like on like
these watch lists or this that, and you know what
I mean. And the senior year I was, I was
out for six games with the suspension. So it was like,
all right, I'm just going to go to grad school.
Keep it pushing, like get my master's degree. Make sure
I've already graduated, so I'm straight, like I'm not. I
football really owes me nothing, Like I got the education,
(24:57):
I'm debt free, like good, like you know what I'm saying,
I'm good. And then I get this Combine invite and
I'm like, all right, well, okay, like my sign of
age and like everybody does. And he's telling me this,
that and the third and I'm like, yeah, whatever, dude,
like this guy to know what he's talking about. Whatever.
And then I get the Combine invite. And then a
couple of days later, I get invite to like the
rec singer bol All right, well, maybe go out there
(25:20):
work my tail off. Maybe I got a good chance
to like going somewhere UDF and you know what I'm saying, UDFA,
And I'm like, all right, let's just see how it works.
And then it just kept going. Finally get that call
from the.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Houston parlor, that to Cincinnati and parlay that to Detroit
and here you are in ten years later. That's crazy, man.
Well you're still playing good football at ten years. Hopefully
you guys get back on the winning track this week.
Appreciate you taking the time, and I love the story
behind you. Good luck on Sunday, Welcome back to the
(25:59):
Twin the Huddle Podcast Presentify Microsoft. I'm very happy to
welcome in. John Kim does a great job covering everything
Washington Commanders for ESPN. You can also catch him on
the John Crime Report. Great podcast there, John, thanks for
joining me. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
My pleasure. Quite a different game than we met when
we met the last time.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Yeah, I had you on last year. We were getting
ready for the division playoffs and obviously the excitement that
surrounds that. Now you've got two teams coming off Week
nine losses, tough losses for both teams, probably a little
bit tougher for the Washington Commanders considering what they lost.
Let's talk about it right off the top, John, you know,
(26:39):
you lose Jaydon Daniels to the dislocated left elbow, no
timeframe for his return yet, obviously won't play Sunday. What's
the impact in the immediate Sunday with not having a
guy as dynamic as Jayden in the lineup.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
I mean, there's an impact because of what you just said,
but the offense hasn't looked good to him for a while,
and part of it it goes back to they don't
have any receivers to throw to, so like I'm watching
Detroit against Minnesota last week and sometimes JJ's thrown up
to Addison justin Jefferson, They're making plays in tight coverage.
They don't have guys who can do that for this team.
(27:19):
So even if Jade Daniels had was able to play
this week, it's still a very tough road because they
just don't have people who can scare defense like Deebo.
Samuel can still help a team, and he can still help.
He still helps them, but he needs guys on the
outside who can threaten deep and they don't have it.
And so without that, I don't care right now for them.
(27:40):
If Jade Daniels or Marcus Mariota is a quarterback, it's
tough and their defense is just playing really bad. So
like that, it adds up to a team just you know,
in a very bad spiral.
Speaker 2 (27:50):
So Marcus Marioto steps in, obviously a veteran guy, has
been around this league for a long time. Does the
offense change at all? John with with with Marcus inners
the same version.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
It's the same version, but where there are a couple
of the subtle differences. Timed that he's a little bit
more comfortable with running playing at a faster pace in
other words, like with the the up tempo no huddle stuff.
The hard part there is that you have a defense
that just can't get out the field, So how often
do you want to do that? But he's more comfortable
than Daniels is in that role. They both go a
(28:20):
lot of no huddle. It's just that Mariota is more
comfortable going faster in that. And I think they're also
going to use more design runs for Marcus than they
would for Jayden. Jane gets a lot of stuff off scrambles,
whereas Mariota they will use more the incorporate more of
the zone read keepers or each just quarterback keepers in
general more so than they would do for Jayden. So
and he's comfortable when like they run the run pat
(28:42):
they're RPOs, but teams have been taken a lot of
that away with their coverage alignment. So but that is
an area where he does well. But they both do
that pretty well. So but really it's a big difference
is tempo and then quarterback keepers.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
You talked about the wide receivers off the top. Maybe
one of the injuries that that maybe fell through the
cracks a little bit last weekend was that to Luke McCaffrey,
you have been playing pretty well. I had a couple
of touchdowns in recent games. How big of a loss
was that for them? Because you talked about they were
already short receivers that now they lose another one. Is
that a bigger loss? Then people may think.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
I think it's a bigger loss overall, not necessarily just
the receiver room, because he wasn't he wasn't highly productive there.
He would have a couple of touchdowns, but he wouldn't
have a lot of catcher wasn't a lot of consistent productivity.
But what he as a receiver, he was a good
blocker and he could you know, he was a guy
who was in their top five this start of the season,
unlike some of these other guys they have out there
(29:40):
now they're on the prak squad on the street. So
you lose that, but it's really overall what you lose
because he played. He's a good kick returner and he
was good on special teams in general. So I think
you lose a productive player for you, somebody that they
really liked, and he gave them a spark at times
in the return game more so than he did at receiver,
So it's really a bigger loss over than it is
(30:00):
just to receiver.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Also lost Marshaun Lattimore arguably, you know, one of their
top cornerbacks to an ACL injury. He's done for the year.
Speaker 1 (30:10):
John.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
When I look at that at the defensive stats, you know,
preparing for this game, I was shocked. They don't rank
higher than twentieth in really any defensive category. Now you
lose one of your best guys in the secretary. What's
been the biggest issue And it's really been a year
long issue with this commander's defense. We just haven't seen
them perform at the level that that you know, we
(30:32):
were used to at least last year.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Yeah, and last year they were okay. One thing they
didn't do last year was create takeaways, and they're not
doing a lot of that this year either. So they
you have a defense that's not getting off the field
and they can't create takeaways. It's kind of a bad cop.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
It's not a great recipe. John.
Speaker 1 (30:49):
Then you're okay, but they can't do any of that.
So like the run game, I'll start with the run game,
because I early in the year they were playing the
run better. They went outside Javon Kimlall. They got bigger upfront,
and so they felt like they're more they were better
equipped to handle the run. They are really undisciplined with
their run gap fits, and so that adds up to
(31:10):
too many five six yard first down carries in the
run game, which then sets up everything else for another
team that so they're they're undisciplined with the run fits.
Then in coverage, like they try to simplify and quote
unquote pair down, which of course is means simplify the
coverage schemes, and some of what they're doing and some
of the you know, not change on every look like
(31:30):
sticking this defense. They're still confusing at times about what
they're in. Like there was a play the other night
where Mikey Samusto, whom people there know from his Michigan days,
gets beat inside, but I think he's expecting safety help
over the top, and it lea leads to a discussion
on the sidelines about like what happened there, Like that
stuff happens too often, and like early on it was miscommunication,
(31:51):
but they get you know, sometimes it's Chicago kill them
in the screen game, and so that's that's a lot
of linebackers and d line stuff, so you know they've
been hurt all over with that, but there's just constant
coverage issues that leads to big plays. And to be honest,
I gif Detroit gets in second long, don't worry because
they give up a lot on second long all season.
(32:12):
It's just been abysmal. So it's a lot of issues
and they're just they've gotten worse. It's just hard to imagine,
but they've gotten worse.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
And this is a Lion's offense. It's obviously looking for
a bounce back. Didn't play up to their standards last week,
and they're pretty high standards around here with what they've
done offensively the last few years, and so certainly the
Commanders have a challenge ahead of them Sunday with an
Alliance offense that knows they can play better and really
(32:41):
are dead set on doing that Sunday in Washington. John
One thing I did notice is the run game, and
I'm curious how much did Jayden Daniels contribute to that
number four rushing offense or averaging more than one hundred
and thirty yards on the ground. The rookie running back
Jaquori Crossy merritt I believe I have that right. Third
(33:04):
in yards among rookies, fourth in touchdowns. Been pretty good there,
But how does losing Daniels affect them? And what's been
really a pretty good rushing offense all year long.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
So Tim, I think it's a lot losing Jayden, but
also the receiver, so you haven't Terry McLaurin is going
will not play Sunday, So this will be a sixth
game he's missed this year. He missed three in his
first six years combined, So like that's a loss. Noah Brown,
who is you know, it was one of their top
three receivers last year. Gets hurt a lot, but he's
a threat on the outside. They haven't had those guys,
(33:37):
So like what teams are doing now are playing a
lot more single high coverage and man and loading up
the box more. Maybe sometimes it's like it wouldn't be
considered eight in the box according to the metrics, but
it's a guy rotating up after the snap, so you're
getting a lot more traffic in there that I think
is stopping it. And then the score of the game
is really impacting the run game. Last week they ran
(33:58):
the ball okay against a good Seattle d defense, but
too many of their to be honest, some of that
success came when it's thirty one to seven, right yead
early on they were getting it. It's just they can't.
So I'm going back to the receivers. So because of
all the coverages, it's impacted the run game there, right,
and they're not getting the explosive run. So Krasky Merritt
(34:19):
might get four yardsier, three yards heer, four yards heier,
but they're not getting the ten fifteen twenty yard games
that they were early in the year when teams weren't
loading up as they are now because of the loss receives,
they just don't have guys who can win quick against
man coverage and that's the problem. So it adds up
that Krasky Merrick's been fine, but it's more that they
(34:42):
just they're not getting the explosive runs because they you know,
and they're not able to stick with it because their fault.
Like the last three games, then the second half, they've
been down double digits early in the third quarter.
Speaker 2 (34:52):
What do you think is the biggest key? You know,
Washington's going to come in. They're reeling a little bit,
and to surprise, all those fans in Washington make this
a game and and and compete in the second half,
in the fourth quarter. What has to happen, What's what's
the what's the biggest key for Washington to be in
that game and potentially win a Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Is it possible Detroit thinks this is a home game
and they're gonna stay there, you know, Getting aside, I
think you have to create some short field for the
offense some way. And in the playoff game, like Detroit
was in control and then they caused a couple of
turnovers and they stopped giving the ball to Jamior Gibbs
in the run. I don't understand that. But like that aside,
(35:35):
I think they created some turnovers that help them in
that game, get some short fields, get something going on defense,
and whether in the returning game, they've got to provide
some sort of juice to help the offense. And then
it's like then you have to be on and I
don't like honestly, it's really hard to see them winning
this game, But in the NFL that's oftentimes like who
(35:55):
thought Caroline would go to Green Bay and win that game?
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Right?
Speaker 1 (35:59):
The hard part for me is I just don't like
how they're playing on defense at all. That has been
true all seasons, so I don't know why it's going
to change other than can you create some turnovers and
get some momentum that way? And like the other thing
is they haven't They need to get a lead early.
So like last week they took the ball first trying
to do that, like because they just haven't had a lead.
(36:21):
They're always playing from behind, so can you get a lead?
Not that Detroit can't play from behind, but can these
guys Maybe they just feel better if you're playing from ahead, right,
They're not equipped to come from behind, so they have
to get a lead, So get some momentum early like that,
Like that's that's the way you have to do it.
It's because it's gonna be tough. Otherwise they just missing
so many key pieces, and even with those pieces, they
(36:44):
weren't playing well enough in some areas to like to
really you know, to think that they could go and
a win, but without some of these other help.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
This other help a Hutchison looking for a fourth straight
on the road with a sack and a force film.
I'm curious, how is the tackle play ben over there? Specifically?
Maybe on the right side of the rookie Connerly How's
how's he played and obviously got a veteran on the
left side there. I think just from the statistics he's
looked pretty well. That's an interesting matchup for me. What's
(37:12):
the tackle play been?
Speaker 1 (37:13):
Like? Sure? So for sure, Like Larimy Tunzel has played
pretty well for them and they got him an offseason trade.
I think he's done a really good job. Josh Connelly,
the rookie who played it Oregon, was really good there
and was their first round pick this year, has definitely
had some growing pains and early in the year like
he had a murders role. Early on it was like
Abdul Carter's, Michaeh Parsons, you know, Burns, all those guys
(37:36):
and then Max Crosby like in the first four weeks,
like those are the guys that he was facing. He
hasn't hit Like last week I thought against Seattle did
a pretty nice job. But guys like Hutchinson are going
to give him problems. So they're going to have to
chip and help him because you watch like you know,
you watched Hutchinson like he is so good at turning
to the corner such great balance, But I think it's
gonna be awfully tough for Connolly unless you get to
(37:58):
give him some help or create some maybe get some
screens to offset that pressure, et cetera. But I think
it's gonna be a trouble. He's Connery has slowly gotten
better in some areas, but an experienced, talented pass rusher
is going to give him problems.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
All right, Last one for me, John, I'm curious, what's
the key matchup? What's the matchup you're looking forward to watching?
And I know we've talked, and it's obviously a tough
situation there in Washington with some of the injuries and
just the way they've played. Obviously so much expectation for
this season. When you don't live up to that, obviously
it's tough. But is there a matchup, a particular matchup,
(38:35):
a position group. Is there something that that you're looking
at to to maybe you know, see some hope in
Washington for the last nine weeks of the season.
Speaker 1 (38:45):
Well, I'll go back to what the guy just talked about,
Josh Connelly, because and I think also like Trey Ams
the corner first round pick, how does he fare? I
think you know what against Jameson whomever, where you know,
Saint Brown whomever. Right, how he's now their top corner.
So how does that group fare? Like, can you Mikey
Santa still if he goes outside now, which he did
(39:07):
last year with Latimore out, how does he fare? Is
that something you'd say, Okay, maybe he should be outside
or you know whatever. But I'm gonna go back to
Connolly because he's a first round pick and he faced
the I've mentioned those talented pass rushes he faced early.
Does he do a better job? If so? Why? Because
like that's they need to build that front. Whoever's playing
(39:27):
quarterback and obviously next year will be Jaden, but they
need to get that front right and make sure that
you've got your guy. Does he has he progressed? Whether
will Hutchinson abuse him or will he do a pretty
good job against him? So like I'm looking now like
this team technically they're still alive, but when you realistically
look at it, it's now like what's gonna what's it
(39:48):
gonna look like for the future. And that's a guy
that I would definitely be looking at because if he
has a good game, that bodes well for them. If
he doesn't, then it's like, how long is it gonna
take for him to get there? And what does it?
What does that? You know, what does it look like
when he does?
Speaker 2 (40:00):
Hi, Jenn, I I got one more quick one. I
want to I want to throw in. Detroit's obviously reeling
up front offensive line wise, Penne Sewel, Taylor Deck or
Mahogany's gonna be out. They're beat up up front and
they might have to work some guys in there. How's
that defensive front in Washington looked? How much have they
been able to affect the passer? I think that one
will be a kind of a key matchup to this
(40:20):
kind of Detroit Lions offensive line. That that that's that
might be reeling heading into into Sunday afternoon, right.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
And I think that's where I go back to what
I was talking earlier about, you know, can you get momentum.
It's gonna have to start with those guys, specifically the tackles.
Doron Paint and Javon kin Law both have pretty good years.
So with Kim Law big dude, so you they can
affect him. The hard part, tim is the edge because
they've lost like Drin Armstrong top Secker he's out Dietrich
(40:48):
Wise Junior, solid edge for them, setting setting the edge
he was lost in week two, so they're they're really
down their top or three of their top four ends
are done right. So Jacob Martin is journeyman guy, has
done a nice job, but they don't have a lot there.
So I do think though that when they're right, they
(41:08):
can get some pressure. And I think the other thing
that helps them is, you know, Jared Goff is not
going to sit there and scramble. He can maneuver, but
he's not gonna scramble and beat you, So I think
that helps them. So I think the matchup to watch
will be inside with kin Law and Pain, and they
are doing some more creative things the way they align
(41:29):
that group to compensate for the lack of an edge
guy like Frankie Louvu, a linebacker who last week they've
been playing him a lot as an edge, you know
edge like kind of almost like a you know, a
three four outside linebacker, but they're considering in a five
man front, so they're using him there too, like he's
a guy that might be able to get something for
them as well. So that's where if I'm Detroit I'm
(41:50):
going to be concerned with that group because that's where
you can do some possibly some damage, and at least
maybe create some situation for yourself that generates moment them.
Speaker 2 (42:01):
Well, John, the Lions will be in Washington on Sunday,
and look, like you mentioned, it's any given Sunday in
the NFL. Right, Washington's reeling. They haven't played great, they're
dealing with some injuries, but as Carolina showed last week,
anybody can win in this league anytime. If you don't
go play good football, you can lose in this league.
(42:21):
So that's Washington team with a lot of pride. They've
had a lot of winning, especially last year, and so
I still expect them to give it all. Dan Quinn
is still really good head coach and a good leader
over there, so we'll see how it goes. But Detroit
certainly knows that they have to go on the road
and play well. It's not a gimme game. So I
appreciate you taking the time of breaking everything down Washington wise.
(42:44):
We will see you in Washington Sunday afternoon, and what
we hope is a good game.
Speaker 1 (42:49):
Appreciate ted. It'd be nice to be a good game
because I've seen three clunkers in a row, so it'll
be NICI that's a little bit more competitive.
Speaker 2 (42:56):
Well, I wish that for you. We'll see you Sunday. John,
appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (43:00):
Thanks to
Jared's got it, wants to throw on fourth down, Does
Middle got a complete the Porta.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Twenty Laporta fifteen, spinning at the ten, fighting at the five,
still going at the three, to the two, to the one,
to the Endzone touchdown to Detroit Lions. It is week
ten of the NFL season, which is crazy to think
about it. It's rolling out. This is the twenty in
the Huddle podcast. I am Tim Twentyman joined by Eric
(00:24):
Woodyard does a great job covering everything Detroit Lions for ESPN.
There's taking the time. I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
I appreciate you having me.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
How's the son doing basketball? Is getting rolling here?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Busy, busy, busy, busy. He got a whole schedule of
his own. So yeah, And.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
That's tough because mine plays hockey. Was just in the
cap of the hockey teams. And when you're a dad
and you're doing this job, it's it's always tough, isn't it,
And especially for you because I mean, I know you're
traveling a little bit more distance wise, but you got
basketball games, hockey games at night, missing it on the weekend.
It's a tough gig when you when your son or
daughter plays a winter sport.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
And yeah it is. Man. We just went down Indiana
during a bye week, so I didn't get a chance
to join my bye week got to buy it to Chris
Pauls Middle Combine. Oh nice, he went down there and
play some of the top kids of his grade, sixth
grade and how do you do down there? He did
really really well. Yeah, so, yeah, I was.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
A college basketball player.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
That's a win.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
I don't want to pay for schools.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
I hear you. Mine's a senior and he's getting into
all those schools now and certain those bills. Me and
my wife are saying, oh, it's gonna cost that this
first year. Oh that, no boy, So good luck to you.
All right, let's get back to it. Let's talk Detroit
Lions before we moved to Washington Eric. Let's go back
and talk about Minnesota a little bit. Maybe the biggest
concern you have after watching that performance two twenty seven
(01:37):
to twenty four lost to Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
I think it was just they looked extremely rusty. I mean,
in my opinion, I mean, you look at how they
looked against going into the by against Tampa Bay, and
you look at that team that showed up against Minnesota
last week and it was just it was night and day.
I mean from every aspect defensively, even you look at offense,
the you know, just so many different so many different
things we could just break down. Even though they put
up twenty four points, it just was in a good performance,
(02:00):
especially in a Russian aspect. I mean, that's just not
this team.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
So sixty three point three yards that that's not Lions football.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Jahmyr Gibbs, I mean, yeah, season low touches on. I
mean it was. It was just a very sloppy or
really really ugly performance.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Honestly, one of the big takeaways for me was just
that the health of the old line now moving forward.
You know, we didn't see Penei Sewell practice on Wednesday.
He was working off to the side. I think that's encouraging.
I think he's gonna be okay. But still no Taylor Decker.
They're managing that. I think they're going to manage it
all year. You lose Christian Mahogany, now you got Kayode
Awosika stepping in and some other depth pieces are going
to be counted on. How big of a concern is
(02:35):
that for you moving forward?
Speaker 3 (02:36):
It was a concern already going forward into the season,
because I mean from week to week we keep hearing
Dan Campbell and these guys talk about communication and particularly
on the offensive line, which is crazy. You look at
what they had last year with you know, the veterans
and how tight that group has been. That's kind of
like been an identity of his team. So it's definitely
a concern going forward. How can these guys step in there,
you know, continue to sign guys going forward. So I'm
(02:57):
I'm very interested to see how that plays out.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
You know, we got to a point last year where
the offense was asked to compensate for the defense, right,
I mean, because they were just devastated by injuries. Now
the offense isn't isn't that point, But it's not getting
to a point now where you're asking the defense to
step up and be a little bit better to make
up for maybe some deficiencies the Lions are starting to
have up front or overall. Are you to that point
(03:21):
yet or not yet?
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Not just yet?
Speaker 3 (03:22):
I mean, I think that's just kind of the offense
has just kind of been the like kind of like
bailing the team out, you know, they know at any time,
it's so many explosives so many weapons that they can
always just you know, get a point. It's like in basketball,
get a bucket, you know what I mean. So anybody
on this team is you know, can go off. We
just talked to David Sean. He was talking about how
this team is kind of.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Like the eighties likes I know, you love that analogy.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yeah, I like that when you think about that, they
are kind of anybody can you know, it's like a
running gun style. It's a fast break with Magic Johnson,
comparable to Jared Goff running the show, and you know where
anybody can score, anybody can get off. So yeah, I
mean that's that's kind of been the identity of this
team being bailed out for so long to where now
it's kind of weird to see when that's not happening.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
All right, Before we get to Washington trade deadline this week,
Lions stay put. Dan talked about it on Wednesday. Liked
the depth pieces that they have, like their guys, guys
that they know about. He talked about knowing what guy's
strengths are but also knowing what their works are too,
and feeling good about the depth on this roster and
thinking that that was better than anything they would give
up on the open market. Turned out there wasn't a
(04:22):
lot of offensive linemen on the open market. Some big deals,
but the Lions weren't involved. Just you're overall thought of
the trade deadline.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
I wasn't really surprised by it. I mean, just based
off what they've been doing the last few I didn't
see them going out and trying to make a splash
pick or doing something crazy. It's just really not how
this team has been made up. I think, you know,
they might bring in some other guys along the way,
if it makes sense, But I wasn't really surprised that they,
you know, kind of still with what they had.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
All right, let's move forward Sunday's matchup national audience against
the Commanders in Washington. Obviously, that's a team railing a
little bit. When you lose your quarterback dislocated left level,
you're arguably one of your best defensive players in Marshawn
Lattimore or you lost a valuable special team's piece in McCaffrey.
They're going through it right now. Just the impact of
(05:05):
losing Daniels specifically, anytime you lose your starting quarterback that
that's huge. But he was such a big part Eric
of what they did running wise. Everything. That's a big
loss in that.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
I mean, that's just you know, it's hard to even
you know, communicate that. I mean, that's just that's your
franchise guy, that's everything, that's who you put everything. And
then we saw what he did to Detroit last year
in the playoffs, you know, kind of destroyed him a
little bit, picked him apart. So I mean you probably
see them and rely on a run game a lot more.
You know, you bring it in Marcus and you know,
want to see how he responds. I think he's what
one and two is the starter of this year. So uh,
(05:40):
but there are actually averaging more points without Jayden Daniels,
which is crazy. Yeah, obviously he's not a better player,
but I mean this team is still is still an
NFL team. You still can't come in and just you
don't feel like they're just gonna give you a win.
So I mean, definitely it's a big thing to lose
that guy, that piece. But I see them probably trying
to run the ball a little more, and you know,
the Lions definitely got to come ready to play because
(06:00):
this time team's not going to just lay down and
they have nothing to lose sometimes them teams and that's
what can be dangerous as well.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Ask the Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah that anybody.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Sunday, right if you don't show up.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Yeah, So I mean the Lions are a little vulnerable
right now. Yes, I mean they got to come in
and play.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
What do you want to see from this Detroit Lions
football team comes Sunday.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
I want to see the run game get back. I
want to see the offensive line. I want to see
if they can you know, kind of cover the holes
and get you know, open those all's up for those
guys Jamier Gibbs. That's unacceptable for him to you know,
have the season low. I think twelve touches with twenty
eight scrimmage yards something like that.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
You know, we saw uncharacteristic of David Montgomery fumbling the ball.
So I want to see them get that run game
because I think that's the meat and potatoes of this team.
If the run game is not going, you're more than
likely not going to see everything open up for the
exposive playmakers with Jamo and Saint and those guys. So
I think you got to get that. You got to
get that run game together.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
It might correlates to that too a little bit. You
got to get that run game going, so you put
yourself in good down in distant situations and second down
and third down, and I want to see them just
figure this thing out on third down, Eric, I mean
with thirty six point three twenty fifth in the league.
I mean they were fourth at almost fifty percent last year.
They just haven't been able to figure that out. Crazy
(07:11):
stat third and ten plus or oh for twenty one
on the year. I mean they have to figure that
out because more conversions on third down means more touches
for Jamior Gibbs, David Montgomery to your point about the
run game, more opportunities to get the ball to Jmo
and Tesla and Saint Brown's hands, and just be a
more effective offensive for for me, that's what I want
to see Sunday is them being better on third down.
(07:33):
Key matchup for you, man.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
I want to see. I was looking up another stat
that I pulled up as well as far as their
rushing yards. The Commanders they averaging five point one rushing
yards per game this season and the Lions. You know,
that's that's third in the NFL. I mean, that's that's
third in NFL, behind the Ravens and the Jets. The
Lions defense has a second worst run stop win rate
of twenty five point nine percent. So I think that's
(07:57):
something that I'll be looking at, is seeing how they
stop that. I mean that a little bit earlier, but
you really got to You got a key in on
those aspects, and the defense definitely has to do a
better job. So that's something might be looking at as well.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Well, especially when what you talked about earlier, that's what
they're gonna want to do. I mean, they're probably not
gonna have the wide receiver their number one wide receiver
either they lose McCaffrey, a guy who's contributed as a
wide receiver. I got John Kaimon who's gonna be on
a little bit later, and he was just talking about
kind of where they are injury wise, and he basically
made the point what they got no receivers. So I
think that's a great point by you, is you know
(08:28):
they want to come in and run the ball, keep
the ball away from Detroit's offense. That's how they can
maintain this game. I think it's a great one by you.
They've got to be better in that regard, especially upfront
and in the middle. I think we haven't seen Detroit
be as dominant against the run in the middle that
I expected.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
I don't know about you, right, definitely, I mean what
we know what Hutch and those guys are gonna bring
on the airs, but definitely up the middle that's a
soft spot.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yeah, and for me the flip side, you're gonna probably
get Kyote overseekat in there. Graham Glasgow and Tate Radish,
I think they'll both tell you they probably didn't play
their best football last week. Well, now you've got Javon
kin Law and Darren Payne in Washington. That's a pretty
good duo in the middle of their defensive line. They've
got injuries on the outside, they're a little deficient there,
(09:11):
but that's two strong guys up the middle in an
area where you've got a little bit of concern and
probably a new you know you're going to have a
new starter this week. So I think that's going to
be a matchup. I watched closely. Can Detroit establish that run?
Can they avoid that pressure up the middle with two
t defensive tackles that are pretty good?
Speaker 3 (09:27):
No, definitely, definitely, all right.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Who needs the biggest bounce back.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Biggest bounce back. Man, I'm gonna stick with my guy, Gibbs. Man,
I gotta, I gotta. You know, we saw what he's
been able to do. Yeah, I want to see it
done consistently. You know, if you want to be one
of the best running backs in the league, got to
do that consistently. Yeah, I mean, so, I think I
want to see a bounce back game from him, especially
what we saw against Tampa Bay. You know, we was
looking at, you know, one of the top guys, which
(09:52):
I still feel like he is. So I think, you know,
I probably got a little a little higher expectations for
him to bounce back. So definitely, definitely, jami.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
We are on the same page, Jamior Gibbs right here.
Last year in this matchup with Washington, hundred and seventy
five total yards, two touchdowns. He really kept them in
that football game. He was dominant the blocking aspect. I
was a little disappointed with too. Eric Minnesota kind of
identified something brought a lot of that double a gap,
that middle thing, that middle pressure, and Jamiir has been
(10:22):
really good in that regard. I wouldn't say that's the strength
of his obviously, he's getting the ball in his hands
in space and the speed aspect. But he's got to
be better in that regard too, because that's on tape now.
And so if you're gonna play him more than you're
playing David Montgomery, which has been the kind of system
all year, teams are gonna see that. And now are
they going to bring that pressure up the middle? Are
they going to force Jamiir to be, you know, a
(10:43):
blocking back. I want to see him better in that regard,
and they got to get him the football I said earlier.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Definitely, definitely, But I think I think last week, I mean,
as much as we're talking about it and breaking it down,
I still think it was a little bit of rust
aspect in that you're coming off the Bible. Yeah, but
I think you'll send much better team this week.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
I think. So all right, let's finish up with this,
and where should the Lions have the most distinctive vantage
come Sunday?
Speaker 3 (11:05):
In your opinion, I think anytime this offense steps on
the field most of the time, whereas any defense, So
I think it's just really pick your poison. I mean,
it's still you know, once again, I go back to
David sha hearing him talk, this still is the Lions.
This still is a team that you know can just
explode at any point. So I think that's any aspect
that they slip up offensively. This team is just so loaded,
and I think they can take advantage. So I think
(11:26):
they got a distinct aspect just in being a better offense.
And we know what y'all got going on, y'all got
let a lot of injuries. Whoever y'all leave open, is like,
we just got to take advantage and execute. And I
think that's where they're gonna have a distinct advantage just offense.
Anytime they step on the field.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
I feel like, are you looking at no shit? Because
I got to say I gets the same thing. You know.
They don't pressure the quarterback a lot from the edge.
They're down a bunch of defensive ends. They're twenty eighth
in total defense, twenty ninth against the pass. They haven't
really been able to stop anyone. You saw what Seattle
did to them last week, pretty much anything they wanted
to in the run and pass game. I think this
(12:00):
is a big bounce back for Detroit's offense. I'm with you.
I think they realized how rusty they were no excuse
how that performance coming off of bye. They're gonna get
a couple of guys back, and I just I just
think they're gonna get rolling. What's the stat twelve and
after losses. I mean, they've always been able under Dan
Campbell since twenty twenty two to bounce back after a loss.
(12:22):
It's a Washington team reeling a little bit. I know
you're on the road. You hope they don't look ahead
to Philly the next week because that's a big, big matchup.
But you can't do that. You got to come back,
get to six and three and set that one up.
So I'm with you. I think offensively, there's gonna be
a big bounce back for Detroit this week. All right, Well,
I think we're both on the same page. We like
(12:43):
detroit chances going in, but again, you've got to show up.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
You got because we thought the same thing with Minnesota
last week. Right, you can't just be too just the
NFL any given Sunday, as they say, so any.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Given Sunday, we'll both be there in Washington on Sunday.
You can catch all of Eric's stuff on ESPN. We'll
be right back. Welcome back to twin the Hudle Podcast.
Very happy to welcome the DJ Reader defensive tackle for
the Detroit Lions. How you doing And I say defensive
tackle because the World Series was just over, But you
(13:15):
could have been MLB player, pitcher, DJ reader for whatever team.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
Yeah, I think I had a chance.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
So what were you so? If people don't out there
don't know. Batted five hundred high school career, went to Clemson,
played baseball for a year at Clemson, was pitcher, hitter.
But you were throwing what mid nineties, back when you
were really humming and had a couple of breaking balls.
You were good baseball. You think you had a shot,
(13:44):
don't you.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
I think so. I think, like you know, high school baseball,
it is what it is. But on the travel circuit,
I was pretty pretty competitive and we always played teams
that I played against. A bunch of guys who you
know played in the league, probably like Corey Seeker is
probably the most known guy gets him every summer from
the time I was like nine till whenever you know,
(14:06):
you get done playing. But I think my senior year
sat like low nineties, probably maxed out like ninety five.
But I was really consistent on the man, and I
wasn't like out there playing around. I was pretty consistent.
I enjoyed it a lot. I spent a lot of
time at the batting center when I was a kid.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
How big were you as a picture? I mean you've
had to have been intimidating figure. I mean you're not
a small.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Guy thirty ish now.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
I think I was probably like six two three or
five three ten. Yeah, yeah, like you know, you didn't
know much about nutrition and stuff back, always been kind
of a bigger kid. I think that was a lot
of like, you know what went into it with the
whole draft thing. It's like, you know, are you going
to be able to get to like to eighty you
(14:50):
know what I'm saying. I think that was a huge thing.
And then I didn't. It wasn't like a legacy kid
like Prince Field or it was elite and able to
just be that big. But he's also had a who
played in the Major League like as much of a conflict.
So I think that was really one of those things.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
What do you think, What do you like about base
What is it about baseball? Growing up playing baseball that
you think helped you as a football player.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
I tell people all the time, like it's a different
level of competition, especially like when you pitch, when you're
a good hitter and you pitch like it's a different
level of thought process in your head, Like you feel
like you're in at every single play and you can
make the difference, Like you can make the biggest difference,
Like I mean, we saw in the World Series guy
got bases loaded one out and he don't give up
(15:35):
a run. Like that makes you. It gives you a
different type of confidence. And I think, honestly from playing
d Line, it just gives me a lot of anticipation,
like something has to happen every single play in baseball,
whether somebody hits the ball or not. But you got
to be thinking, like if it's hit here, what are
my outs? What are my force outs? Where do I
gotta go? If we're turning to where's it at? If
(15:56):
it's hit infield outfield? You know, and as a hitter,
like you know down third, if the infield's back, I
can hit it on the ground. If the infields forward,
I got to get in the air. I can't really
think about it. I want to hit behind the runner
at first base. All those things like go into it
and I think it helped me out a lot, just
in football.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I know, me and you and Chattick's both our sons
played baseball. Your son's what but six.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Now about to be six.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
It's about to be six this weekend. Nice and uh baseball,
he's into it. You coached a little bit. How fun
was that? Because I remember, it's hilarious, isn't it. But
you have to have the right temperament to coach five
year olds playing baseball and.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Then shout out to all of his coaches who were
there all the time. I helped out a little bit,
But like he the biggest thing is the kids love
it is parents. Parents are tough. They are tough. And
if you saw me baseball that age, like just growing up.
My mom cheers for everybody, every single person. She's that
mom like she people on the other team, my team, anyone.
(16:55):
And my dad is always like typical dad. He's sitting
down now, feel somewhere watching right.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
That was me outside so when I wasn't coaching, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Just so I don't make every pitch and look at
him and what he's doing, you know what I'm saying,
looking for his reaction. But he it was fun, you know,
and the funny story is like he begged me to
play pitcher and his coaches to play picture all year
and I've never really seen my son like field the
ball and like just throw at the first base like
we're playing t ball. So like most kids not so
I wouldn't. It was not a big deal to me.
He could hit, That's all I really cared about. I
(17:23):
was like, oh, he can hit the ball. He is cool. Yeah,
and he's like, no, let me do it, Like, let
me do it. I can do it. And like finally
the last game of the season, like we let him
do it, and I'm looking at his mom. I'm like, dude,
it's not gonna go. He somehow, like it amazes me
and everybody else, say, he gets three straight outs, feels
him throwing the first, feels him throw the first, feels
(17:45):
the throw the first, and then it looks at me
and goes I told you I could pitch. And I'm like, whatever, dude.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Like you get that moment where like the ball goes
to the outfield and the kid catches it and the
parents and everybody like freaks out, like, oh my god,
he card.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
I was like, he just make three outs by so
didn't come over to me, like, dude.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
I told your dad, No, it ain't no thing.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
I I don't know why y'all don't believe me. I'm like,
it's crazy. But yeah, so young rock and he enjoys it.
He likes Yeah, he's he's more in the boxing though. Okay,
likes contact, very big on football player. Eventually, you think,
so we're.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Lowing your way to that one.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Yeah, because he doesn't like flag football. He wants to
hit somebody.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Of course, he's definitely a reader.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
So we're slow playing in contact football. It's uh. I
think it's important to do, but I want to be
there a little bit more to be able to coach
him through contact football.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
It's fun, isn't it. Yeah, when they get to that
age and they start to do that stuff with their
personality and the sports a little bit. All right, let's
get to football a little bit. You guys have been
so good over the last few years. I know you've
only been here this is your second season, but twelve
and zero after a loss since twenty twenty two? What
is it about this team, this coaching staff, the way
Dan approaches it that you guys have been able to
(18:58):
kind of turn the page and get back to playing
winning football. You're obviously looking to do that again.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
This hard. I think just the mentality after loss. Nobody
wants it to happen, honestly, but I think the mentality is, like,
you got to turn the page. I've always looked at
losses like how I looked at throwing balls when I
was a pictuer, Like getting a hit hit off me
when I was a picture You gotta turn the page.
You can't get it back, Like as much as you
want to grab that pitch back or grab that loss back,
and what could I have done? What you harping on it?
(19:27):
You got twenty four hours to harp on it. And
then after that you really got to turn the page
because the next opponent's not gonna feel hard that you
took an l. And I think a lot of guys
in this locker room do a good job of just
focusing up, making sure like, hey, we're on our p's
and q's, we're going to practice harder this week. And
you know it's not an excuse because you should always
practice hard. But I think there's a little bit more
(19:49):
since urgency. Sure, you take a loss, and you know
that's the way it's supposed to be.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
What do you like about Calvin Sheppard. He's certainly dynamic
when we talk to him. You look at the defensive numbers,
everything's a little bit better this year with him. What
do you like about him running that defense?
Speaker 4 (20:04):
He's you know, he's a little bit closer to a
lot of the player's age, especially like an older guy
like me, So you know, he's fresh out of it.
So he gets like what the new NFL is today. Yeah,
I think that is the biggest thing. The NFL is
all about change, and it's changed, is consistently happening. But
he's also super smart, like Shep. You know, he played
the mic growing up and played in college, played in
(20:25):
the league. But so he understands like the job that's
put on linebacker's plate and then talking to the secondary,
talking to the guys. He doesn't make you have to
exactly speak his language. He wants us to have our
own universal language. So if you understand it a certain way,
you go you can go talk to him about it.
I understand it that this way, and it makes it a
(20:46):
lot easier for you as a player. Like yo, this
is what I'm saying. He gets what you're saying he
doesn't get stuck up on what the dialect is. He
understands what you're trying to talk about. I think that's
big for a player, having that in a coach, just
because it's always you come from different systems, different words
are going to be said. But if you know what
(21:06):
you're doing and something you know, some people aren't going
to aren't as talkative as other people. So as long
as you know what you're doing, maybe you pick up
handsignal better. Maybe you communicate this way. And as long
as your brother besides you can understand that communication. I
think he's fine with it. And I think you can
get hung up on that a lot as a coach,
like I want to done this way. Yeah, you didn't
really get hung up on that.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Just a few more for you. I know you got
your defensive meetings coming up here. You're healthy, that's been
a huge revelation for you this year. Had to deal
with the quad injury last year, mistraining, cap all that stuff.
You're probably just getting going at this time of year.
How nice has it been to be healthy, have been
able to ramp up and how do you think you've
played this year? Except from the outside looking at and
(21:48):
you've had a huge impact in the center of that defense.
Speaker 4 (21:50):
Yeah, I think it's been a good year. You know,
it's got to keep going. Obviously, you would like to
get to the quarterback a little bit more if you're
me in my position. But I think it's been good
and I think I played some good ball. It's here
at ten. I'm a little bit older, but I feel
good out there, and it's been fun just watching the
guys on around running things a little bit different than
what I've always ran like in my career. So I
(22:12):
had to, like the beginning to get over that mental
aspect of there's not as many players out there for
you necessarily. Yeah, it's a little bit of a different scheme.
Sure you're helping the scheme as a whole, and you know,
so for me, it's just getting out of that selfish
mindset of you're gonna make this many plays which might
be losing, Like we're winning right to me, you know,
(22:33):
that's that's what it matters.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
You know, you have to take consolation the fact that
when Jack gets a tackle, you know, it's because you
open that double team in that hole for Jack to
make that tackle when the edge gets there. It was
because the double team, and you don't felt the stack box,
just like ty Leek doesn't either. But like you said,
that's part of this defense and it all fits one
in one. So as a veteran player, I'm sure you
(22:56):
appreciate that I had Taylor Decker. You also appreciate the
tenth year, don't you. Yeah, yeah, that retirement kicks in
at ten. But how much do you do you love
the fact that you've been able to stick around for
ten years, or you appreciate the fact that you're still
doing it in year ten.
Speaker 4 (23:15):
It's amazing, you know. I think it's a cliche saying,
but I've been able to like really change like my
life and my family's life, you know, really make that
last name and legacy that my dad left around, you know, proud,
and it means a lot to me, and still to
be playing goodball. Like I'm not just out there holding
on in your ten but I think for me it's
(23:38):
just been super important that you've put your best foot
fell forward every year. And for somebody who never like
saw this as like a dream, who saw like making
it to an NFL, I was just gonna go to
grad school and go be a teacher, like my dad
and brother were like, I just that was it. I
just I really enjoyed football as it means to like
(23:58):
make it to college. I knew I wasn't never to
be able to go to college. I wanted to unless
I got a scholarship. It's made very clear to me
at an early age. My pops sat down told me
that it was just something that we worked towards, you know,
and then offers started riding in, like sophomore year. You
never think like, hey, it can really go this far.
I think the only like glimpse of it I ever
(24:18):
had of it was when it really started, Like I
got a combine in by after that the day after
National championship.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
And you had never thought about the NFL before that, really, no,
really never know because you were a pretty dominant college player.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
Like it was never like I was like on like
these watch lists or this that, and you know what
I mean. And the senior year I was, I was
out for six games with the suspension. So it was like,
all right, I'm just going to go to grad school.
Keep it pushing, like get my master's degree. Make sure
I've already graduated, so I'm straight, like I'm not. I
football really owes me nothing, Like I got the education,
(24:57):
I'm debt free, like good, like you know what I'm saying,
I'm good. And then I get this Combine invite and
I'm like, all right, well, okay, like my sign of
age and like everybody does. And he's telling me this,
that and the third and I'm like, yeah, whatever, dude,
like this guy to know what he's talking about. Whatever.
And then I get the Combine invite. And then a
couple of days later, I get invite to like the
rec singer bol All right, well, maybe go out there
(25:20):
work my tail off. Maybe I got a good chance
to like going somewhere UDF and you know what I'm saying, UDFA,
And I'm like, all right, let's just see how it works.
And then it just kept going. Finally get that call
from the.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Houston parlor, that to Cincinnati and parlay that to Detroit
and here you are in ten years later. That's crazy, man.
Well you're still playing good football at ten years. Hopefully
you guys get back on the winning track this week.
Appreciate you taking the time, and I love the story
behind you. Good luck on Sunday, Welcome back to the
(25:59):
Twin the Huddle Podcast Presentify Microsoft. I'm very happy to
welcome in. John Kim does a great job covering everything
Washington Commanders for ESPN. You can also catch him on
the John Crime Report. Great podcast there, John, thanks for
joining me. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
My pleasure. Quite a different game than we met when
we met the last time.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Yeah, I had you on last year. We were getting
ready for the division playoffs and obviously the excitement that
surrounds that. Now you've got two teams coming off Week
nine losses, tough losses for both teams, probably a little
bit tougher for the Washington Commanders considering what they lost.
Let's talk about it right off the top, John, you know,
(26:39):
you lose Jaydon Daniels to the dislocated left elbow, no
timeframe for his return yet, obviously won't play Sunday. What's
the impact in the immediate Sunday with not having a
guy as dynamic as Jayden in the lineup.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
I mean, there's an impact because of what you just said,
but the offense hasn't looked good to him for a while,
and part of it it goes back to they don't
have any receivers to throw to, so like I'm watching
Detroit against Minnesota last week and sometimes JJ's thrown up
to Addison justin Jefferson, They're making plays in tight coverage.
They don't have guys who can do that for this team.
(27:19):
So even if Jade Daniels had was able to play
this week, it's still a very tough road because they
just don't have people who can scare defense like Deebo.
Samuel can still help a team, and he can still help.
He still helps them, but he needs guys on the
outside who can threaten deep and they don't have it.
And so without that, I don't care right now for them.
(27:40):
If Jade Daniels or Marcus Mariota is a quarterback, it's
tough and their defense is just playing really bad. So
like that, it adds up to a team just you know,
in a very bad spiral.
Speaker 2 (27:50):
So Marcus Marioto steps in, obviously a veteran guy, has
been around this league for a long time. Does the
offense change at all? John with with with Marcus inners
the same version.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
It's the same version, but where there are a couple
of the subtle differences. Timed that he's a little bit
more comfortable with running playing at a faster pace in
other words, like with the the up tempo no huddle stuff.
The hard part there is that you have a defense
that just can't get out the field, So how often
do you want to do that? But he's more comfortable
than Daniels is in that role. They both go a
(28:20):
lot of no huddle. It's just that Mariota is more
comfortable going faster in that. And I think they're also
going to use more design runs for Marcus than they
would for Jayden. Jane gets a lot of stuff off scrambles,
whereas Mariota they will use more the incorporate more of
the zone read keepers or each just quarterback keepers in
general more so than they would do for Jayden. So
and he's comfortable when like they run the run pat
(28:42):
they're RPOs, but teams have been taken a lot of
that away with their coverage alignment. So but that is
an area where he does well. But they both do
that pretty well. So but really it's a big difference
is tempo and then quarterback keepers.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
You talked about the wide receivers off the top. Maybe
one of the injuries that that maybe fell through the
cracks a little bit last weekend was that to Luke McCaffrey,
you have been playing pretty well. I had a couple
of touchdowns in recent games. How big of a loss
was that for them? Because you talked about they were
already short receivers that now they lose another one. Is
that a bigger loss? Then people may think.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
I think it's a bigger loss overall, not necessarily just
the receiver room, because he wasn't he wasn't highly productive there.
He would have a couple of touchdowns, but he wouldn't
have a lot of catcher wasn't a lot of consistent productivity.
But what he as a receiver, he was a good
blocker and he could you know, he was a guy
who was in their top five this start of the season,
unlike some of these other guys they have out there
(29:40):
now they're on the prak squad on the street. So
you lose that, but it's really overall what you lose
because he played. He's a good kick returner and he
was good on special teams in general. So I think
you lose a productive player for you, somebody that they
really liked, and he gave them a spark at times
in the return game more so than he did at receiver,
So it's really a bigger loss over than it is
(30:00):
just to receiver.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Also lost Marshaun Lattimore arguably, you know, one of their
top cornerbacks to an ACL injury. He's done for the year.
Speaker 1 (30:10):
John.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
When I look at that at the defensive stats, you know,
preparing for this game, I was shocked. They don't rank
higher than twentieth in really any defensive category. Now you
lose one of your best guys in the secretary. What's
been the biggest issue And it's really been a year
long issue with this commander's defense. We just haven't seen
them perform at the level that that you know, we
(30:32):
were used to at least last year.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Yeah, and last year they were okay. One thing they
didn't do last year was create takeaways, and they're not
doing a lot of that this year either. So they
you have a defense that's not getting off the field
and they can't create takeaways. It's kind of a bad cop.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
It's not a great recipe. John.
Speaker 1 (30:49):
Then you're okay, but they can't do any of that.
So like the run game, I'll start with the run game,
because I early in the year they were playing the
run better. They went outside Javon Kimlall. They got bigger upfront,
and so they felt like they're more they were better
equipped to handle the run. They are really undisciplined with
their run gap fits, and so that adds up to
(31:10):
too many five six yard first down carries in the
run game, which then sets up everything else for another
team that so they're they're undisciplined with the run fits.
Then in coverage, like they try to simplify and quote
unquote pair down, which of course is means simplify the
coverage schemes, and some of what they're doing and some
of the you know, not change on every look like
(31:30):
sticking this defense. They're still confusing at times about what
they're in. Like there was a play the other night
where Mikey Samusto, whom people there know from his Michigan days,
gets beat inside, but I think he's expecting safety help
over the top, and it lea leads to a discussion
on the sidelines about like what happened there, Like that
stuff happens too often, and like early on it was miscommunication,
(31:51):
but they get you know, sometimes it's Chicago kill them
in the screen game, and so that's that's a lot
of linebackers and d line stuff, so you know they've
been hurt all over with that, but there's just constant
coverage issues that leads to big plays. And to be honest,
I gif Detroit gets in second long, don't worry because
they give up a lot on second long all season.
(32:12):
It's just been abysmal. So it's a lot of issues
and they're just they've gotten worse. It's just hard to imagine,
but they've gotten worse.
Speaker 2 (32:21):
And this is a Lion's offense. It's obviously looking for
a bounce back. Didn't play up to their standards last week,
and they're pretty high standards around here with what they've
done offensively the last few years, and so certainly the
Commanders have a challenge ahead of them Sunday with an
Alliance offense that knows they can play better and really
(32:41):
are dead set on doing that Sunday in Washington. John
One thing I did notice is the run game, and
I'm curious how much did Jayden Daniels contribute to that
number four rushing offense or averaging more than one hundred
and thirty yards on the ground. The rookie running back
Jaquori Crossy merritt I believe I have that right. Third
(33:04):
in yards among rookies, fourth in touchdowns. Been pretty good there,
But how does losing Daniels affect them? And what's been
really a pretty good rushing offense all year long.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
So Tim, I think it's a lot losing Jayden, but
also the receiver, so you haven't Terry McLaurin is going
will not play Sunday, So this will be a sixth
game he's missed this year. He missed three in his
first six years combined, So like that's a loss. Noah Brown,
who is you know, it was one of their top
three receivers last year. Gets hurt a lot, but he's
a threat on the outside. They haven't had those guys,
(33:37):
So like what teams are doing now are playing a
lot more single high coverage and man and loading up
the box more. Maybe sometimes it's like it wouldn't be
considered eight in the box according to the metrics, but
it's a guy rotating up after the snap, so you're
getting a lot more traffic in there that I think
is stopping it. And then the score of the game
is really impacting the run game. Last week they ran
(33:58):
the ball okay against a good Seattle d defense, but
too many of their to be honest, some of that
success came when it's thirty one to seven, right yead
early on they were getting it. It's just they can't.
So I'm going back to the receivers. So because of
all the coverages, it's impacted the run game there, right,
and they're not getting the explosive run. So Krasky Merritt
(34:19):
might get four yardsier, three yards heer, four yards heier,
but they're not getting the ten fifteen twenty yard games
that they were early in the year when teams weren't
loading up as they are now because of the loss receives,
they just don't have guys who can win quick against
man coverage and that's the problem. So it adds up
that Krasky Merrick's been fine, but it's more that they
(34:42):
just they're not getting the explosive runs because they you know,
and they're not able to stick with it because their fault.
Like the last three games, then the second half, they've
been down double digits early in the third quarter.
Speaker 2 (34:52):
What do you think is the biggest key? You know,
Washington's going to come in. They're reeling a little bit,
and to surprise, all those fans in Washington make this
a game and and and compete in the second half,
in the fourth quarter. What has to happen, What's what's
the what's the biggest key for Washington to be in
that game and potentially win a Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Is it possible Detroit thinks this is a home game
and they're gonna stay there, you know, Getting aside, I
think you have to create some short field for the
offense some way. And in the playoff game, like Detroit
was in control and then they caused a couple of
turnovers and they stopped giving the ball to Jamior Gibbs
in the run. I don't understand that. But like that aside,
(35:35):
I think they created some turnovers that help them in
that game, get some short fields, get something going on defense,
and whether in the returning game, they've got to provide
some sort of juice to help the offense. And then
it's like then you have to be on and I
don't like honestly, it's really hard to see them winning
this game, But in the NFL that's oftentimes like who
(35:55):
thought Caroline would go to Green Bay and win that game?
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Right?
Speaker 1 (35:59):
The hard part for me is I just don't like
how they're playing on defense at all. That has been
true all seasons, so I don't know why it's going
to change other than can you create some turnovers and
get some momentum that way? And like the other thing
is they haven't They need to get a lead early.
So like last week they took the ball first trying
to do that, like because they just haven't had a lead.
(36:21):
They're always playing from behind, so can you get a lead?
Not that Detroit can't play from behind, but can these
guys Maybe they just feel better if you're playing from ahead, right,
They're not equipped to come from behind, so they have
to get a lead, So get some momentum early like that,
Like that's that's the way you have to do it.
It's because it's gonna be tough. Otherwise they just missing
so many key pieces, and even with those pieces, they
(36:44):
weren't playing well enough in some areas to like to
really you know, to think that they could go and
a win, but without some of these other help.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
This other help a Hutchison looking for a fourth straight
on the road with a sack and a force film.
I'm curious, how is the tackle play ben over there? Specifically?
Maybe on the right side of the rookie Connerly How's
how's he played and obviously got a veteran on the
left side there. I think just from the statistics he's
looked pretty well. That's an interesting matchup for me. What's
(37:12):
the tackle play been?
Speaker 1 (37:13):
Like? Sure? So for sure, Like Larimy Tunzel has played
pretty well for them and they got him an offseason trade.
I think he's done a really good job. Josh Connelly,
the rookie who played it Oregon, was really good there
and was their first round pick this year, has definitely
had some growing pains and early in the year like
he had a murders role. Early on it was like
Abdul Carter's, Michaeh Parsons, you know, Burns, all those guys
(37:36):
and then Max Crosby like in the first four weeks,
like those are the guys that he was facing. He
hasn't hit Like last week I thought against Seattle did
a pretty nice job. But guys like Hutchinson are going
to give him problems. So they're going to have to
chip and help him because you watch like you know,
you watched Hutchinson like he is so good at turning
to the corner such great balance, But I think it's
gonna be awfully tough for Connolly unless you get to
(37:58):
give him some help or create some maybe get some
screens to offset that pressure, et cetera. But I think
it's gonna be a trouble. He's Connery has slowly gotten
better in some areas, but an experienced, talented pass rusher
is going to give him problems.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
All right, Last one for me, John, I'm curious, what's
the key matchup? What's the matchup you're looking forward to watching?
And I know we've talked, and it's obviously a tough
situation there in Washington with some of the injuries and
just the way they've played. Obviously so much expectation for
this season. When you don't live up to that, obviously
it's tough. But is there a matchup, a particular matchup,
(38:35):
a position group. Is there something that that you're looking
at to to maybe you know, see some hope in
Washington for the last nine weeks of the season.
Speaker 1 (38:45):
Well, I'll go back to what the guy just talked about,
Josh Connelly, because and I think also like Trey Ams
the corner first round pick, how does he fare? I
think you know what against Jameson whomever, where you know,
Saint Brown whomever. Right, how he's now their top corner.
So how does that group fare? Like, can you Mikey
Santa still if he goes outside now, which he did
(39:07):
last year with Latimore out, how does he fare? Is
that something you'd say, Okay, maybe he should be outside
or you know whatever. But I'm gonna go back to
Connolly because he's a first round pick and he faced
the I've mentioned those talented pass rushes he faced early.
Does he do a better job? If so? Why? Because
like that's they need to build that front. Whoever's playing
(39:27):
quarterback and obviously next year will be Jaden, but they
need to get that front right and make sure that
you've got your guy. Does he has he progressed? Whether
will Hutchinson abuse him or will he do a pretty
good job against him? So like I'm looking now like
this team technically they're still alive, but when you realistically
look at it, it's now like what's gonna what's it
(39:48):
gonna look like for the future. And that's a guy
that I would definitely be looking at because if he
has a good game, that bodes well for them. If
he doesn't, then it's like, how long is it gonna
take for him to get there? And what does it?
What does that? You know, what does it look like
when he does?
Speaker 2 (40:00):
Hi, Jenn, I I got one more quick one. I
want to I want to throw in. Detroit's obviously reeling
up front offensive line wise, Penne Sewel, Taylor Deck or
Mahogany's gonna be out. They're beat up up front and
they might have to work some guys in there. How's
that defensive front in Washington looked? How much have they
been able to affect the passer? I think that one
will be a kind of a key matchup to this
(40:20):
kind of Detroit Lions offensive line. That that that's that
might be reeling heading into into Sunday afternoon, right.
Speaker 1 (40:27):
And I think that's where I go back to what
I was talking earlier about, you know, can you get momentum.
It's gonna have to start with those guys, specifically the tackles.
Doron Paint and Javon kin Law both have pretty good years.
So with Kim Law big dude, so you they can
affect him. The hard part, tim is the edge because
they've lost like Drin Armstrong top Secker he's out Dietrich
(40:48):
Wise Junior, solid edge for them, setting setting the edge
he was lost in week two, so they're they're really
down their top or three of their top four ends
are done right. So Jacob Martin is journeyman guy, has
done a nice job, but they don't have a lot there.
So I do think though that when they're right, they
(41:08):
can get some pressure. And I think the other thing
that helps them is, you know, Jared Goff is not
going to sit there and scramble. He can maneuver, but
he's not gonna scramble and beat you, So I think
that helps them. So I think the matchup to watch
will be inside with kin Law and Pain, and they
are doing some more creative things the way they align
(41:29):
that group to compensate for the lack of an edge
guy like Frankie Louvu, a linebacker who last week they've
been playing him a lot as an edge, you know
edge like kind of almost like a you know, a
three four outside linebacker, but they're considering in a five
man front, so they're using him there too, like he's
a guy that might be able to get something for
them as well. So that's where if I'm Detroit I'm
(41:50):
going to be concerned with that group because that's where
you can do some possibly some damage, and at least
maybe create some situation for yourself that generates moment them.
Speaker 2 (42:01):
Well, John, the Lions will be in Washington on Sunday,
and look, like you mentioned, it's any given Sunday in
the NFL. Right, Washington's reeling. They haven't played great, they're
dealing with some injuries, but as Carolina showed last week,
anybody can win in this league anytime. If you don't
go play good football, you can lose in this league.
(42:21):
So that's Washington team with a lot of pride. They've
had a lot of winning, especially last year, and so
I still expect them to give it all. Dan Quinn
is still really good head coach and a good leader
over there, so we'll see how it goes. But Detroit
certainly knows that they have to go on the road
and play well. It's not a gimme game. So I
appreciate you taking the time of breaking everything down Washington wise.
(42:44):
We will see you in Washington Sunday afternoon, and what
we hope is a good game.
Speaker 1 (42:49):
Appreciate ted. It'd be nice to be a good game
because I've seen three clunkers in a row, so it'll
be NICI that's a little bit more competitive.
Speaker 2 (42:56):
Well, I wish that for you. We'll see you Sunday. John,
appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (43:00):
Thanks to
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