November 6, 2025 • 31 mins
Changes are coming to both sides of the field for the Washington Commanders ahead of their home matchup against the Detroit Lions. Senior Writer Zach Selby is joined by Candi Waller and Ethan Cadeaux to discuss offensive adjustments in light of Jayden Daniels' injury, putting pressure on Jared Goff and which receivers need to step up.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:13):
All right, what's going on, y'all?
Speaker 2 (00:15):
What is up?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
This is another episode.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Of the beat Down Podcast. I am your host, senior
writer for the Commanders, Zach Selby, And again, like I
said last week, we're just gonna have to rip the.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Band aid off here.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Commander has lost a tough one to the Seattle Seahawks
on Sunday Night Football, thirty eight to fourteen. It was
twenty eight to nothing, I think near the end of
the first half thirty one to seven. I believe it
was at the time of at the half. Tough night,
real tough night. There's no other way to say. Jane
Daniels gets hurt with the dissocated elbow.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
You have Marshall Lattimore on IR.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Out for the year with an ACL injury, McCaffrey brooks collarbone.
He is going to be out probably for the rest
of the year.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
We shall see.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I don't think DQ gave any timetable on his return
post that game, but either way, the injuries kiss keep
mounting after this team, and they somehow figured have to
figure out a way to fix some of their issues
and be more competitive. Because I think we can speak
for everyone here to say just what happened was just
not good enough and the score definitely reflects that. But
(01:28):
next week they've got another difficult task. Then they played
the Detroit Lions, not on primetime at four to twenty
five at Northwest Stadium, another tough matchup. Jared Goff Jamiy Gibbs.
They're playing like the Lions did as we've come to
the expect from the Lions over recent years, like one
of the best teams in the conference. And with Marcus
(01:50):
Mariota under center for the Commanders, They're just gonna have
to figure out a way to win and be competitive.
There's just no other way to say it. And how
will they do that? Well, we are going to be
discussing that today and with me we have first Kenny
Waller from Bouie TV Sports. Kenny, how are you this
lovely Tuesday afternoon.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I'm doing well, Zach. Thank you for having me, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
And on the other side of this we have Ethan
Cando from Monumental.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
How you do so for all time? I forgot like
for a quick second, like where you work?
Speaker 2 (02:22):
But you work your mind mate on how you do it? Man?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
I'm doing well, Thanks again for having me. I always
have a good time joining the show. Yeah, the monumental
NBC Sports Washington. It gets confusing at some times, so
I won't I don't blame you.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Well, it has been several different versions of the over
the years, so you get your names mixed up. Before
we get into this, I should remind all the listeners
that we were recording this on Tuesday at one ten pm,
so we will not be discussing any potential trades or
anything like that because nothing has happened as if yet,
although in three hours that could change.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
And then by the n by the.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Time you listen to this, you'll you'll you'll you'll have
already heard it, but we won't be discussing it here
for obvious reasons, but also regular disclaimer. I will be
asking these people three questions about the next matchup between
the Commanders and the Lions, and I'll be giving up points, wins, losses.
I'll be deciding who shall cake homb the victory, as
I do as the host, but as always, be more
(03:19):
cognizant of what these two people have to say, because
they are out of practice, they are providing the expertise here,
and with all that, we're just gonna get right into it.
And you know, I think we kind of have to
start with the obvious question, right, what are they going
to do on offense now that Jade and Daniels is
not really in the picture right at least.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
For a while.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
And you know, you have Marcus mario to coming in
there to be the starting quarterback in his absence, and
there are other injuries involved in that as well. With
Loup being out, you have a thinner wide receiver core
than he did.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
And they kind of have to make a lot of
chick cantality here.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
And I think they still have a lot of confidence
in Marcus Mariota, but they're going to have to do
things a little bit differently, as de Q said in
his Monday press conference. And Canny will start with you
and we'll just keep it simple, like what should the
commander's approach for this offense be now that Jaden is
going to be out for this unknown time period.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
I really think that, you know, their approach is actually.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
One that I've thought, you know, in more recent weeks,
maybe not this past one, but in other recent weeks,
is whether they should focus It's kind of what's your
most your healthiest, you know, position group on offense and
that's your running backs, the run game, you know, put
more emphasis on the run game and sticking with it,
being more consistent there. They have the running they love
(04:51):
their running back room. They've talked about them since training camp,
you know, running back by committee. I know in recent
weeks we've seen a lot more of Bill, but I
think a bit more of that approach of running back
by a committee could help them out. Not sure if
it's going to be, you know, helping it total up
into the win category, but I do think if they
are protecting the football being efficient there, it also helps
(05:15):
them with the time of possession. So I think a
bit more focused and just sticking with the run can
can go a long way for this team.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
I think so too, And on paper that makes a
lot of sense. And I do agree that it is
definitely their healthiest position, and it's arguably I think they're
maybe not even arguably definitely is at this point with
their injuries, the strongest part of the part of their offense.
I don't know, pitch seven yards against the Seahawks, first
time that's happened against the Seahawks defense the year since
Week one, Although of course there were some other factors involved.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
With that with a score and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
But I do think there's some other challenges to that
that I want to get back to you on here
in a minute. But Ethan, we'll go to you next
and I'll ask you the same question about what do
you think their approach should be, and if it's the
same approach as Candy, maybe expand on how exactly does
the running game possibly get better? Knowing that all they are,
all these injuries there wide receiver and defense are kind
(06:08):
of able to tee off on them a little bit.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Yeah, I mean, Candy kind of took the words out
of my mouth that I was gonna say. They definitely
need to lean on the run game a lot more.
I was just looking at the Lions Vikings box score
from last week, and I think Aaron Jones had seventy
eight rushing yards on just nine carries.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
It's almost nine yards of carry.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
That would getting anything from the run game early and
often would be huge.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
For the Commanders.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
I mean, just take look at their first drive against Seattle.
They didn't call one run play. I think it was
seven straight pass plays. Obviously, Jaden, you have Jayden in
the lineup, you're not gonna have them this week.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
That changes a lot of things.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
But I think trying to be as balanced as possible
is another way to kind of help keep Detroit's offense
a little bit or Detroit's defense a little bit on
their toes. If they know there's gonna be a lot
of run or a lot of pass or vice versa,
they can key in and it be a lot easier
to stop, especially with a backup quarterback.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
And a lot of talent on the outside missing.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
But I think this game, really it's going to be
a big one for Cliff Kingsbury. I think he has
to dial up probably his best game of the year,
keep Detroit's defense kind of guessing as to what's to come,
and kind of let Marcus loose a little bit too.
I don't think there's any use of trying to protect
him in terms of calling a safer game plan. I mean,
you're fighting for your season at this point. I don't
(07:28):
think anyone in the locker room would say they believe
the season is over even as they sit in three
and six, So why not pull out all the tricks
in the bag. Let Marcus Mariota kind of do what
he does best and kind of prove why you did
make an investment to keep him around for reasons like this,
So I think we should envision a very big Marcus
(07:48):
Mariota game this weekend.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
It kind of reminds me of that scene in water
Boar when the announcers are like, well, it's last game,
year man.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Can't hold anything back.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Now, although they've got a lot of other games before,
but like, it's the situation I think is pretty much
as you described, is a little bit of a dire situation.
They still have to they have to win some wins
games to get back into this playoff discussion. But can
you We'll go back over to you and I mentioned
the run game and how there are some potential challenges
that with hoever, with all the receivers being out, with
(08:18):
Terry being on, you know, being being on sideline for
you know who knows at this point Luke being out
and No Brown still being on I R. But this
is allowed teams to kind of stack the box against
this against this commander's offense and make it a lot
harder for for the for the commanders to establish a
little bit of a ground game.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
So what do you what's your answer to that?
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Because I guarantee you like yes, while the Lions did
allow some rushing yards last week against the Vikings, like
they're they're they're gonna they're going to say, Okay, we
dare you to to pass the ball, or we're we're
just we're just gonna try to stop you at the
line of scrimming to make even those to your games
exponentially more difficult for you.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
Yeah, definitely, and we're definitely seeing that approach of the
way defenses are stacking the box. Really since the Cowboys
game is when I really started to notice it, Like,
oh my goodness, did other teams start to notice this
after the Cowboys did it? And we know that was
a struggling defense that was able to be successful in
that regard. So then I'm also looking at the tight ends.
(09:26):
I'm like, hey, listen, they're either going to have to
continue to be that extension of the offensive line or
they're gonna have to be a bit of the action. Right,
They're gonna have to get involved because you know just
I mean, and to Ethan's point, you're gonna have to
see It's it's almost like the things that you need
to do to use your common sensor, just use like
(09:47):
good logic versus like the mad Scientists and really really
seeing could be creative in these play calls and and
what they need to do against this line's defense, because
we already know they're gonna come into Northway Stadium with
revenge already based on what happened in the divisional round,
but they're also going to be ticked off that they
(10:07):
lost a division game at home. I believe they're at home. Yeah,
They're at home against the Vikings. So I think this
is definitely going to have to be a bit creative.
If the run game can't get going, make them stop it.
If not, you got to look to your tight ends.
And you still have to look to your tight ends
to really help in that blocking effort because we not
as out of tend. We already kind of know and
(10:29):
consense they're going to stack the box against this offense.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Sure, yeah, and these the tight ends have been a
common safety ned for for this offense no matter who
you know or who has been been in a quarterback right,
whether it's Mario or Jayden. And I think that's going
to be the case on Sunday. I think they're gonna
have a lot a lot have a lot of opportunities there.
But even before we move on, you talked a lot
about you know, the balance and all that other stuff,
(10:52):
and I mean that that brings that brings me to
the receivers here, and we've kind of danced around this
a little bit more, but like, how do you how
do you want to create that balance when Terry not
on IR but out? You have Debo as your option,
as your primary option, but it seems the teams are
kind of keying on that.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
No, Brown's out, McCaffrey is on IR. Who how do
you maintain that balance.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
With all these receivers who are kind of going to
be expected to take on bigger roles and while also
kind of keeping them involved if if that makes.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Sense, Yeah, I mean no doubt it's a huge challenge.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
I mean, when you're down, you're number one, your number three,
number four, number five receivers, obviously it's a way bigger
challenge than if you had the deck fully healthy. I
would say it kind of goes back to my first
point with creativity and offensive play calling.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
I think we should.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
See a lot more guys going in motion. Don't let
guys just be able to press you off the line
and get slow off your release. And kind of disrupt
the timing of place. I mean, we've seen teams like
Candy said, stack the box and play man on the outside,
and the truth of the matters, these Commanders receivers are
just not getting separation. And we saw that in the
Seahawks game, saw that the week before as well.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Against Kansas City.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
These guys aren't getting open and that makes it a
lot harder. So I'd love to see a lot more
pre staff movement, maybe a little bit more play action,
crossing plays, mesh concept, just anything where you can kind
of get guys in space and maybe let Marcus get
into a rhythm a little bit more. I'm very intrigued
to see if they can get the ball into Traylon Burks'
(12:24):
his hands a little bit more. I know he caught
his first pass on Sunday night. I think he's still
I mean, obviously it didn't work out in Tennessee for
a variety of reasons, but he's still big receiver with
an athletic profile that this team doesn't have.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
I'd love to see you might as well see what
you got. It's a desperation spot.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
I mean, it really does suck for the Commanders that
the lines are coming in like that's probably the worst
team for them to play right now in terms of revenge.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
They're already upset.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
About the playoffs, like Candy said, and they just lost
a divisional game, and that Dan Campbell team is great
at responding to adversity. So I hate the spot for
the Commanders, but I do think there's a plenty they
can do to kind of keep Detroit on its toes
and really just keep the ball out of that explosive offense.
Time of possession I think is key in this game
(13:13):
as well.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Yeah, I would agree with that last point as well.
I think you're definitely gonna have to figure out a
way to hold onto the ball for a lot longer
than what you've been doing over the the last seven
or eight games or so. We'll move on, but before
we do, I'll give both of you other points we got.
I like Kenny's point about the tight end. I like
Ethan's point about adding in the motion because I think
either way this is gonna be it's gonna be a
big Cliff Kingsbury game.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
He's gonna have to figure out a way.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
To be in his bag and be a little more creative,
and you know, as I always like creative offenses. I
think that those are fun, even with challenges of having,
you know, being down multiple receivers and being out of
started quarterback and all that other stuff. So that'll be
fun tied one one heading into the second round, and
we're gonna flip the field and talk about the defense
here because Jerry Goff is I mean, maybe you know,
(14:00):
you normally think about him as just being a highly
efficient quarterback, but he has been ever since he's been
with the Lions, right, He's he's been known for just
putting up these crazy completion percentages and making the most
out of it out of that offense. And I mean
the key And while there are several there are several
weapons on this in this Lion's offense, from Gives to
Jamison Williams to Samuel Porta all these other guys like
(14:22):
it's it's it comes down to Jerry Goffe. Can you
get him off his spot a little bit? Because he's
not a mulbile quarterback. He's not someone who's gonna be
able to scape the pocket very much.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
And it's gonna be a challenge.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
Of course, with the commanders being down three defensive ends
and and the like, but they're gonna have to figure
fad a way to do it.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
So Ethan, how how do they do that?
Speaker 3 (14:42):
How the commanders kind of get kind of harassed Jared
Goff a little bit and get him to make maybe
some some some bad decisions and create more of these
turnovers and rest the passer.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
Yeah, I don't think there's a clear recipe. I would
like to see maybe a little bit more blitzing than
we've seen in games past, but I mean it's a
lot harder to blitz when he doesn't have full confidence
on your guys on the back end. And I think
that's pretty obvious and evident what we've seen with this
commander's defense over the past few weeks. I've really liked
what I've seen from Jacob Martin. He's one guy who's
(15:13):
really stood out to me Von Miller. Should he still
be here in six days, I think he can still
get to the quarterback when when he's asked to. So
I would say, you kind of just need your guys
to play to their full potential, as simple as that sounds.
This Lion's offense is one of the best in the
league for a reason. I mean, they have weapons all
(15:34):
over the field, two great receivers, two great running backs,
a really good young tight end. I think it's I mean,
even last year in the playoffs, like the Commander's defense
was a lot healthier than it is now and they
still allowed what thirty one points and created several turnovers. So,
I mean, I don't know if it's going to be
there's really a recipe in terms of stopping this team.
(15:54):
More just kind of slowing them and keeping them off
the field is really the only path sheet for victory
for the Burgundy and Gold.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Yeah, it seems it seems like that, and we'll definitely
see so Candy, same question, how do they How did
the Commanders generate a pass rush on Derreck Goff and
not up in this line's offense but make things a
little bit more.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Difficult for them.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Yeah, I was like, you know, to even make the comment,
I was thinking, they're gonna have to find a way
to create turnovers to give offense the ball back. Right.
This team is just nowhere near as healthy as they
were in January, Right, which is crazy to even say
that because most teams are like, of course they're beat
up in January. At that point you have to try
(16:37):
their best to really create chaos. You know, there could
be an opportunity here too with you know, we haven't
seen We've seen a bit more of Jordan McGee, Tyler Owens,
Ali Khoe, But I'm wondering if there's an opportunity here
to get Cay Modrono involved with his speed and just
(16:57):
getting to a spot quick quickly, And so I'm anxious
to see what they kind of do at the at
the linebacker position with uh, you know, Marshaun going back
out at the corner, what do you do from safety?
You know, it's it's everybody's gonna have to be kind
of like even what they're early, you know, in their
in their bag and their creative in their creative juices
(17:20):
and spell here because you know, even if the Washington
Commanders do everything right, they could still lose his football
game against a very good Detroit Lions team. So they're
going to have to have minimal mistakes. They're gonna have
to create mistakes for Jared Goff in that offense because
it's almost like the only way to really try to
(17:41):
have a shot is to keep that offense off the field.
We know that Joe Witt Junior is now going to
be on the field for the Commanders, So let's see
if that helps with the communications challenges they've had this season.
But but maybe a bit more, Let's see if Kane
gets on the field from for some defensive snapsis we
can see what he can do?
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yeah, yeah, sure, I definitely want to ask you more
about that. But before we do that, I want to
go back to Ethan here, because I mean, you mentioned
a little you mentioned touched on like the back end
a little bit, and as we talked about, the secondary
is pretty banged up right now, right with Marshawn, but
even before.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
That, they've they've had other issues there.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
And I wonder, obviously, if you want to blitz more,
that's that's all finding good on paper, but you are
gonna be putting more pressure.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
On those guys.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
And it seems like for right now they've had a
little bit of trouble covering and man coverage and find
the player. The team's being able to find soft spots
and zones. So I wonder, like I not ask you
maybe why what's the solution, but like, how can you
justify blitzing more when you have a secondary that is
(18:48):
a little bit banged up? Right now and seems to
be struggle a little bit allowing exposed to plays.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Yeah, it's definitely a fair question.
Speaker 4 (18:55):
I would say probably the only way you can justify
blitzing more is in theory it would allow you to
get to the quarterback quicker. And if the quarterbacks has
all day to throw, like Sam Darnold did on Sunday night,
he's gonna find open receivers no matter what I mean.
Man coverage hasn't really worked, zone coverage hasn't really worked.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Nothing has really worked over the past few weeks. So
I think at this.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
Point you got to kind of try anything different that
you can to at least give different looks and maybe
be a little more unpredictable. I mean, it seemed like
Darnald knew what was coming. He had so much time
to throw, made the right checks and.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
That's why he was perfect through three quarters.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
Basically, I think moving Mikey Sanders still potentially back outside
now with Latimore, God could be good.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
He drived there last year.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
I think that's something that's something me personally. I'm gonna
have my eye on a lot more. And I think
at some point you got to just kind of trust
these guys on the back ends a little bit more
as well, because if you're not getting home, these guys
are gonna get a but no matter what, So I
think maybe bring a little bit more pressure, disguise a
little more pressure. I love the move of Joe Witt
going down to the sideline where he can have direct
(20:09):
communication with his players in between drives.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
I think that should at least help.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
In terms of accountability standpoint, where you can talk to
the guy making all the calls and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
So I don't know.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
I think this defense knows they're a very significant reason
why this team is three and six. As inconsistent as
the offense has been, the defense has been the real
real reason this team is struggling right now. So I'm
expecting a performance a lot closer to the first half
against Kansas City than we saw on Sunday night. The
real question is whether they can put it together for
(20:43):
a full sixty minutes, which we haven't really seen them
do all year.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Very true, very true, And again I think I said
it last week. I think being able to put together
a full four quarters has been just symbolical the entire
team for in a lot of reasons. But yeah, Candy
before we move on, you mentioned Caman Dronto, and I'm
definitely intrigued by him for several reasons, both in terms of.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Like his skill set and his athleticism.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
But kind of expounding that a little bit more and like,
obviously you'd want him to just you want him to
go and use his speed to our pastor, but like,
I mean, do you have a lot of confidence to
him in coverage and just being able to operate in
the way that you would really want out of Galy,
Jordan McGee or any other like starting caliber linebackers on
the manager roster.
Speaker 5 (21:24):
Yeah, I'm wondering if he's somebody that they could almost
use on the line of scrimmage somehow. I remember way
back in OTA's when I first asked coach JOEA Junior
about came Adrono, and his response was, of course, at
that time in May, he was saying, we're trying to
figure out if he's more like Frankie or like Jeremy
Chen And so I was kind of like, Okay, now,
(21:47):
I'm like, it's November. Hopefully you have an answer to
that too, Yeah, right, Yeah, And so with the different
movement around because Eater's point, I would definitely like, I mean,
Mikey Sanmon still like that's a topic that's kind of
flying low under the radar of this year that he's having.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
It's like, hey man, just put.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
Him back outside. Just put him back outside. You know,
now there's an opportunity to do that. But then it
becomes a if you know, with folks being out, can
you just take that speed and maybe utilize him more
as a Jeremy chitin protect You know, I don't know
what it is because they were almost.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Like is he a hybrid?
Speaker 5 (22:27):
Right? Is could he be speaking of the Seattle Seahawks
way back when remember like the role of that camp Chancellor.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
Played like is he that?
Speaker 5 (22:36):
I mean, we don't know, right because we haven't seen him.
But I just remember in training camp there were moments
where it was almost like someone just simply said to him, hey, Caine,
get to the quarterback, and he was like in Jaden's face,
I was like, how fast did he get there? So
(22:56):
that's how I'm just kind of like thinking, how can
they continue to refine the defense in a simplistic way
but still see that speed in order of like actual
athleticism speed to disrupt the line of scrimmers, disrupt the
quarterback or just make some plays, because that Ethan said.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Hey, Jared's gonna throw it. He's gonna throw it.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
They gotta they got a pretty mean running back game
as well, and so maybe Kan can help there just
getting I wanted to see Kin not to kind of
go I wanted to I was hoping when he was
active against Atlanta, I was hoping to see him on
some defensive snaps, hopefully just from a speed perspective, just fast,
(23:40):
like get to the get to the running back, you know.
And so that's that actual speed characteristic has been a challenge.
We let's keep that up right with the with the
linebacker position group. So maybe he can he can just
help get to where people need to be to be disruptive.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Yeah, I mean, they want to play fast, they want
to play with less of the less like, they want
to play more decisively. And it seems like allowing Kane
to say, hey, go get in Bud, that could possibly
be a solution there.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
And so we'll move on here to the final question.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
But I will give you guys both points again, because
all that stuff you had about Caine cany out of
like Ethan's points, about maybe using mic back on the
outside again. I think that's very interesting and just bringing pressure.
I think I think that's definitely something that you're definitely
gonna need to do. And you're right, I mean, they're
they're gonna He's they're gonna do what they do no
matter what. You might as well just go try to
do something. So tied heading into the final round, we
(24:36):
shall go on to the final question here, and it's
gonna be about practice squad receivers and bring this up
because with Luke being out now, you're gonna have to
call up some guys and they've got an interesting little
group here, right, You've got to Kobe Jones, you got
to Corey Brooks, who guys are really impressed in training camp.
And then you've got you've got Trailing Burks and he's
(24:58):
someone who made his first cat it was.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Elevated last week.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
So among that group, which are you kind of which
would you want to see more of as they go
into this the second half of the season. Definitely without
a loop, maybe without Noah and some of the other
guys for a little bit longer. So can you We'll
start with you there.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
You know, it's it's like I'm just sitting here thinking
like if someone would have told us that this was
gonna happen, even like in week five, I probably would
have called them a hater, Like what sure, Yeah, this
is so unreal. But to answer your question, I'm like, Okay,
(25:39):
is this like we saw a lot of like Jacory
Brooks right in the training camp and all that, So
it's like, all right, is this ja Cory Brooks time?
Like what what's going on here? But in terms of
I mean almost because Deebo's dealing with a heel injury, right,
we can we know that. I mean he's still playing, yes,
(25:59):
but we we know that this injury is still is
still there for him, and with Luke being out, he
might have to go back helping out of it, you
know with returns, which we saw.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
On Sunday night.
Speaker 5 (26:12):
But I'm thinking, hey, if Trayling Brooks is ready it
he is, maybe we see a bit more of him.
And we know Jalen Lane has has had some challenges
with protecting the football and catching the football, but you know,
maybe he can help as well. But other other than that,
it's like just you know, Chris Morgan part of the action.
We get your Cory Brooks get going back in here.
(26:35):
It's kind of how gonna have to be all hands
on deck. I know that sounds like crazy, but it's like,
I don't know, Margarets, just throw it to somebody.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Is who?
Speaker 5 (26:44):
But I know ja Cory Brooks was a popular name
during training in camp, and we haven't seen anything in
the game or he hasn't been you know, consistent leave
him when he was elevated, So maybe that's that's one
of your keys there is to get him involved.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
Possibly that was definitely somebody the fans really wanted to
see him, possibly even make.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
The active roster in training camp.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
But we'll that's well, he definitely will telling not someone
I'm going to keep an eye on this week to
see how he does just operating here. An individual Bills
ethan same question, which the practice squad receivers would you
like to see get more of an opportunity going forward?
Speaker 2 (27:22):
I touched on it earlier, but it's got to be
Burks for me.
Speaker 4 (27:25):
I know he's the newest, the newest edition, and obviously
that's a lot tougher when the other guys have been
here since.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
July or perhaps even earlier April.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
But I think he has the highest ceiling of all
of them, and I think at this point in the year,
with where the commanders are at, they got to find
guys who can help him, not just now.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
But in the future too.
Speaker 5 (27:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
I mean there's a reason he was a first round pick.
Obviously it didn't work out, but I mean the traits
are there, the skill set is there. I think the
commanders are they believe they can turn him into.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
A productive, impactful player.
Speaker 4 (28:01):
So he's a guy that I think the opportunity is
never going to be better than now when the entire
rosters hurt for him to come in and really make
an impact. I know it was only one catch, but
it was a nice toe tapper on the sideline against Seattle.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
Sure, So he's a.
Speaker 4 (28:17):
Guy I got my eye on and one guy we
haven't mentioned.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
I believe his back is Robbie Chosen.
Speaker 4 (28:23):
Sure in that Dallas game, he looked like the team's
best receiver that day.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
So, I mean in terms of instant impact, he's probably
the guy I think of those four that could make
an impact on Sunday right away, but I think for now,
through the rest of the year, Burkes, in my opinion,
is the one who should get the most opportunity of
the four guys on the practice squad to really make
(28:49):
an impact.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Yeah, I mean Burks is definitely one of those big
lottery tickets right because of the first Rouns day back
in twenty twenty two. Could be something has a lot
of the size and the skills on paper that you
would want, and there could be something there if you're
able to develop him and get an off season under him,
and because he's been dealing with injury to keep them healthy,
(29:12):
I think there's something there too.
Speaker 5 (29:14):
Man.
Speaker 3 (29:15):
So definitely gonna be tough between you two. Good good
good rounds both of you guys. And if I could,
we had this situation last week and I said, I,
if I did believe in ties, I would give you.
I would give you both the tie. But I don't,
so I can't just on principle. So Keny, I hear you.
On Decory, I think he's definitely he could be something.
(29:37):
But I think I gotta go with Burkes here with
with Ethan and the wind is because again I think
the ceiling for Burks is just it's higher, just I
think objectively than what it is for to Cory. So Ethan,
you're gonna get the win here and heratulations that's it's
like a it's like a two and a half.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
It's right there.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
It was. Both of you guys were just excellent. So
than any parting words of victory for us.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
I think this is my first win in three or
four appearances on your show.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
Oh wow, yeah, and check that out.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
I believe I believe I was due. But Candy made
some really great points. The Madrono point.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
I hadn't even been.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Thinking about that, and now that's going to be on
my radar this week. So uh yeah, it was a
really good She made probably better points than I did,
so really fun, really fun round.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
I appreciate that. And Canny again, great job. Serious, Yeah, no,
thank you.
Speaker 5 (30:30):
I like to have the conversation. It stinks the season
is going the way that it is. Not.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
None of us would.
Speaker 5 (30:37):
Have guessed this at all, but you know, we're.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Just trying to make it work. It would still be
creative z that.
Speaker 5 (30:43):
Thank you so much again for having us.
Speaker 3 (30:44):
Of course, And I will say, you know, I've seen
this team and I know the odds so for what
I've looked at, like the points, bread or anything, but
I would imagine that the Lions are any favorite of
this game for a variety of reasons. But I will say,
asking this team pull out wins they shouldn't have won,
granted this previous regimes, but you never know. You never know,
(31:05):
especially they come up with a phrase any given Sunday
for a reason, right, And if they beat the Lions,
then hey, you go into Miami in Spain feeling pretty
good about yourself.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
All of a sudden, you beat Miami.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
You go into the bye week five and six, you're
feeling pretty good about yourself and a potential run to
get back into that playoff discussion. But for now, we
shall put a pause on this and he ready for
next week the game against the Lions.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
And for everyone listening.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
You should a rate, your review, subscriber wherever you get
your podcast. And until next week, this has been they'll
beat you.
All right, what's going on, y'all?
Speaker 2 (00:15):
What is up?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
This is another episode.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Of the beat Down Podcast. I am your host, senior
writer for the Commanders, Zach Selby, And again, like I
said last week, we're just gonna have to rip the.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Band aid off here.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Commander has lost a tough one to the Seattle Seahawks
on Sunday Night Football, thirty eight to fourteen. It was
twenty eight to nothing, I think near the end of
the first half thirty one to seven. I believe it
was at the time of at the half. Tough night,
real tough night. There's no other way to say. Jane
Daniels gets hurt with the dissocated elbow.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
You have Marshall Lattimore on IR.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Out for the year with an ACL injury, McCaffrey brooks collarbone.
He is going to be out probably for the rest
of the year.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
We shall see.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I don't think DQ gave any timetable on his return
post that game, but either way, the injuries kiss keep
mounting after this team, and they somehow figured have to
figure out a way to fix some of their issues
and be more competitive. Because I think we can speak
for everyone here to say just what happened was just
not good enough and the score definitely reflects that. But
(01:28):
next week they've got another difficult task. Then they played
the Detroit Lions, not on primetime at four to twenty
five at Northwest Stadium, another tough matchup. Jared Goff Jamiy Gibbs.
They're playing like the Lions did as we've come to
the expect from the Lions over recent years, like one
of the best teams in the conference. And with Marcus
(01:50):
Mariota under center for the Commanders, They're just gonna have
to figure out a way to win and be competitive.
There's just no other way to say it. And how
will they do that? Well, we are going to be
discussing that today and with me we have first Kenny
Waller from Bouie TV Sports. Kenny, how are you this
lovely Tuesday afternoon.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I'm doing well, Zach. Thank you for having me, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
And on the other side of this we have Ethan
Cando from Monumental.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
How you do so for all time? I forgot like
for a quick second, like where you work?
Speaker 2 (02:22):
But you work your mind mate on how you do it? Man?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
I'm doing well, Thanks again for having me. I always
have a good time joining the show. Yeah, the monumental
NBC Sports Washington. It gets confusing at some times, so
I won't I don't blame you.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Well, it has been several different versions of the over
the years, so you get your names mixed up. Before
we get into this, I should remind all the listeners
that we were recording this on Tuesday at one ten pm,
so we will not be discussing any potential trades or
anything like that because nothing has happened as if yet,
although in three hours that could change.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
And then by the n by the.
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Time you listen to this, you'll you'll you'll you'll have
already heard it, but we won't be discussing it here
for obvious reasons, but also regular disclaimer. I will be
asking these people three questions about the next matchup between
the Commanders and the Lions, and I'll be giving up points, wins, losses.
I'll be deciding who shall cake homb the victory, as
I do as the host, but as always, be more
(03:19):
cognizant of what these two people have to say, because
they are out of practice, they are providing the expertise here,
and with all that, we're just gonna get right into it.
And you know, I think we kind of have to
start with the obvious question, right, what are they going
to do on offense now that Jade and Daniels is
not really in the picture right at least.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
For a while.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
And you know, you have Marcus mario to coming in
there to be the starting quarterback in his absence, and
there are other injuries involved in that as well. With
Loup being out, you have a thinner wide receiver core
than he did.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
And they kind of have to make a lot of
chick cantality here.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
And I think they still have a lot of confidence
in Marcus Mariota, but they're going to have to do
things a little bit differently, as de Q said in
his Monday press conference. And Canny will start with you
and we'll just keep it simple, like what should the
commander's approach for this offense be now that Jaden is
going to be out for this unknown time period.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
I really think that, you know, their approach is actually.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
One that I've thought, you know, in more recent weeks,
maybe not this past one, but in other recent weeks,
is whether they should focus It's kind of what's your
most your healthiest, you know, position group on offense and
that's your running backs, the run game, you know, put
more emphasis on the run game and sticking with it,
being more consistent there. They have the running they love
(04:51):
their running back room. They've talked about them since training camp,
you know, running back by committee. I know in recent
weeks we've seen a lot more of Bill, but I
think a bit more of that approach of running back
by a committee could help them out. Not sure if
it's going to be, you know, helping it total up
into the win category, but I do think if they
are protecting the football being efficient there, it also helps
(05:15):
them with the time of possession. So I think a
bit more focused and just sticking with the run can
can go a long way for this team.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
I think so too, And on paper that makes a
lot of sense. And I do agree that it is
definitely their healthiest position, and it's arguably I think they're
maybe not even arguably definitely is at this point with
their injuries, the strongest part of the part of their offense.
I don't know, pitch seven yards against the Seahawks, first
time that's happened against the Seahawks defense the year since
Week one, Although of course there were some other factors involved.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
With that with a score and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
But I do think there's some other challenges to that
that I want to get back to you on here
in a minute. But Ethan, we'll go to you next
and I'll ask you the same question about what do
you think their approach should be, and if it's the
same approach as Candy, maybe expand on how exactly does
the running game possibly get better? Knowing that all they are,
all these injuries there wide receiver and defense are kind
(06:08):
of able to tee off on them a little bit.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Yeah, I mean, Candy kind of took the words out
of my mouth that I was gonna say. They definitely
need to lean on the run game a lot more.
I was just looking at the Lions Vikings box score
from last week, and I think Aaron Jones had seventy
eight rushing yards on just nine carries.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
It's almost nine yards of carry.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
That would getting anything from the run game early and
often would be huge.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
For the Commanders.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
I mean, just take look at their first drive against Seattle.
They didn't call one run play. I think it was
seven straight pass plays. Obviously, Jaden, you have Jayden in
the lineup, you're not gonna have them this week.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
That changes a lot of things.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
But I think trying to be as balanced as possible
is another way to kind of help keep Detroit's offense
a little bit or Detroit's defense a little bit on
their toes. If they know there's gonna be a lot
of run or a lot of pass or vice versa,
they can key in and it be a lot easier
to stop, especially with a backup quarterback.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
And a lot of talent on the outside missing.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
But I think this game, really it's going to be
a big one for Cliff Kingsbury. I think he has
to dial up probably his best game of the year,
keep Detroit's defense kind of guessing as to what's to come,
and kind of let Marcus loose a little bit too.
I don't think there's any use of trying to protect
him in terms of calling a safer game plan. I mean,
you're fighting for your season at this point. I don't
(07:28):
think anyone in the locker room would say they believe
the season is over even as they sit in three
and six, So why not pull out all the tricks
in the bag. Let Marcus Mariota kind of do what
he does best and kind of prove why you did
make an investment to keep him around for reasons like this,
So I think we should envision a very big Marcus
(07:48):
Mariota game this weekend.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
It kind of reminds me of that scene in water
Boar when the announcers are like, well, it's last game,
year man.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Can't hold anything back.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Now, although they've got a lot of other games before,
but like, it's the situation I think is pretty much
as you described, is a little bit of a dire situation.
They still have to they have to win some wins
games to get back into this playoff discussion. But can
you We'll go back over to you and I mentioned
the run game and how there are some potential challenges
that with hoever, with all the receivers being out, with
(08:18):
Terry being on, you know, being being on sideline for
you know who knows at this point Luke being out
and No Brown still being on I R. But this
is allowed teams to kind of stack the box against
this against this commander's offense and make it a lot
harder for for the for the commanders to establish a
little bit of a ground game.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
So what do you what's your answer to that?
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Because I guarantee you like yes, while the Lions did
allow some rushing yards last week against the Vikings, like
they're they're they're gonna they're going to say, Okay, we
dare you to to pass the ball, or we're we're
just we're just gonna try to stop you at the
line of scrimming to make even those to your games
exponentially more difficult for you.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
Yeah, definitely, and we're definitely seeing that approach of the
way defenses are stacking the box. Really since the Cowboys
game is when I really started to notice it, Like,
oh my goodness, did other teams start to notice this
after the Cowboys did it? And we know that was
a struggling defense that was able to be successful in
that regard. So then I'm also looking at the tight ends.
(09:26):
I'm like, hey, listen, they're either going to have to
continue to be that extension of the offensive line or
they're gonna have to be a bit of the action. Right,
They're gonna have to get involved because you know just
I mean, and to Ethan's point, you're gonna have to
see It's it's almost like the things that you need
to do to use your common sensor, just use like
(09:47):
good logic versus like the mad Scientists and really really
seeing could be creative in these play calls and and
what they need to do against this line's defense, because
we already know they're gonna come into Northway Stadium with
revenge already based on what happened in the divisional round,
but they're also going to be ticked off that they
(10:07):
lost a division game at home. I believe they're at home. Yeah,
They're at home against the Vikings. So I think this
is definitely going to have to be a bit creative.
If the run game can't get going, make them stop it.
If not, you got to look to your tight ends.
And you still have to look to your tight ends
to really help in that blocking effort because we not
as out of tend. We already kind of know and
(10:29):
consense they're going to stack the box against this offense.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Sure, yeah, and these the tight ends have been a
common safety ned for for this offense no matter who
you know or who has been been in a quarterback right,
whether it's Mario or Jayden. And I think that's going
to be the case on Sunday. I think they're gonna
have a lot a lot have a lot of opportunities there.
But even before we move on, you talked a lot
about you know, the balance and all that other stuff,
(10:52):
and I mean that that brings that brings me to
the receivers here, and we've kind of danced around this
a little bit more, but like, how do you how
do you want to create that balance when Terry not
on IR but out? You have Debo as your option,
as your primary option, but it seems the teams are
kind of keying on that.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
No, Brown's out, McCaffrey is on IR. Who how do
you maintain that balance.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
With all these receivers who are kind of going to
be expected to take on bigger roles and while also
kind of keeping them involved if if that makes.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Sense, Yeah, I mean no doubt it's a huge challenge.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
I mean, when you're down, you're number one, your number three,
number four, number five receivers, obviously it's a way bigger
challenge than if you had the deck fully healthy. I
would say it kind of goes back to my first
point with creativity and offensive play calling.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
I think we should.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
See a lot more guys going in motion. Don't let
guys just be able to press you off the line
and get slow off your release. And kind of disrupt
the timing of place. I mean, we've seen teams like
Candy said, stack the box and play man on the outside,
and the truth of the matters, these Commanders receivers are
just not getting separation. And we saw that in the
Seahawks game, saw that the week before as well.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Against Kansas City.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
These guys aren't getting open and that makes it a
lot harder. So I'd love to see a lot more
pre staff movement, maybe a little bit more play action,
crossing plays, mesh concept, just anything where you can kind
of get guys in space and maybe let Marcus get
into a rhythm a little bit more. I'm very intrigued
to see if they can get the ball into Traylon Burks'
(12:24):
his hands a little bit more. I know he caught
his first pass on Sunday night. I think he's still
I mean, obviously it didn't work out in Tennessee for
a variety of reasons, but he's still big receiver with
an athletic profile that this team doesn't have.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
I'd love to see you might as well see what
you got. It's a desperation spot.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
I mean, it really does suck for the Commanders that
the lines are coming in like that's probably the worst
team for them to play right now in terms of revenge.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
They're already upset.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
About the playoffs, like Candy said, and they just lost
a divisional game, and that Dan Campbell team is great
at responding to adversity. So I hate the spot for
the Commanders, but I do think there's a plenty they
can do to kind of keep Detroit on its toes
and really just keep the ball out of that explosive offense.
Time of possession I think is key in this game
(13:13):
as well.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Yeah, I would agree with that last point as well.
I think you're definitely gonna have to figure out a
way to hold onto the ball for a lot longer
than what you've been doing over the the last seven
or eight games or so. We'll move on, but before
we do, I'll give both of you other points we got.
I like Kenny's point about the tight end. I like
Ethan's point about adding in the motion because I think
either way this is gonna be it's gonna be a
big Cliff Kingsbury game.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
He's gonna have to figure out a way.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
To be in his bag and be a little more creative,
and you know, as I always like creative offenses. I
think that those are fun, even with challenges of having,
you know, being down multiple receivers and being out of
started quarterback and all that other stuff. So that'll be
fun tied one one heading into the second round, and
we're gonna flip the field and talk about the defense
here because Jerry Goff is I mean, maybe you know,
(14:00):
you normally think about him as just being a highly
efficient quarterback, but he has been ever since he's been
with the Lions, right, He's he's been known for just
putting up these crazy completion percentages and making the most
out of it out of that offense. And I mean
the key And while there are several there are several
weapons on this in this Lion's offense, from Gives to
Jamison Williams to Samuel Porta all these other guys like
(14:22):
it's it's it comes down to Jerry Goffe. Can you
get him off his spot a little bit? Because he's
not a mulbile quarterback. He's not someone who's gonna be
able to scape the pocket very much.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
And it's gonna be a challenge.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
Of course, with the commanders being down three defensive ends
and and the like, but they're gonna have to figure
fad a way to do it.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
So Ethan, how how do they do that?
Speaker 3 (14:42):
How the commanders kind of get kind of harassed Jared
Goff a little bit and get him to make maybe
some some some bad decisions and create more of these
turnovers and rest the passer.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
Yeah, I don't think there's a clear recipe. I would
like to see maybe a little bit more blitzing than
we've seen in games past, but I mean it's a
lot harder to blitz when he doesn't have full confidence
on your guys on the back end. And I think
that's pretty obvious and evident what we've seen with this
commander's defense over the past few weeks. I've really liked
what I've seen from Jacob Martin. He's one guy who's
(15:13):
really stood out to me Von Miller. Should he still
be here in six days, I think he can still
get to the quarterback when when he's asked to. So
I would say, you kind of just need your guys
to play to their full potential, as simple as that sounds.
This Lion's offense is one of the best in the
league for a reason. I mean, they have weapons all
(15:34):
over the field, two great receivers, two great running backs,
a really good young tight end. I think it's I mean,
even last year in the playoffs, like the Commander's defense
was a lot healthier than it is now and they
still allowed what thirty one points and created several turnovers. So,
I mean, I don't know if it's going to be
there's really a recipe in terms of stopping this team.
(15:54):
More just kind of slowing them and keeping them off
the field is really the only path sheet for victory
for the Burgundy and Gold.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Yeah, it seems it seems like that, and we'll definitely
see so Candy, same question, how do they How did
the Commanders generate a pass rush on Derreck Goff and
not up in this line's offense but make things a
little bit more.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Difficult for them.
Speaker 5 (16:17):
Yeah, I was like, you know, to even make the comment,
I was thinking, they're gonna have to find a way
to create turnovers to give offense the ball back. Right.
This team is just nowhere near as healthy as they
were in January, Right, which is crazy to even say
that because most teams are like, of course they're beat
up in January. At that point you have to try
(16:37):
their best to really create chaos. You know, there could
be an opportunity here too with you know, we haven't
seen We've seen a bit more of Jordan McGee, Tyler Owens,
Ali Khoe, But I'm wondering if there's an opportunity here
to get Cay Modrono involved with his speed and just
(16:57):
getting to a spot quick quickly, And so I'm anxious
to see what they kind of do at the at
the linebacker position with uh, you know, Marshaun going back
out at the corner, what do you do from safety?
You know, it's it's everybody's gonna have to be kind
of like even what they're early, you know, in their
in their bag and their creative in their creative juices
(17:20):
and spell here because you know, even if the Washington
Commanders do everything right, they could still lose his football
game against a very good Detroit Lions team. So they're
going to have to have minimal mistakes. They're gonna have
to create mistakes for Jared Goff in that offense because
it's almost like the only way to really try to
(17:41):
have a shot is to keep that offense off the field.
We know that Joe Witt Junior is now going to
be on the field for the Commanders, So let's see
if that helps with the communications challenges they've had this season.
But but maybe a bit more, Let's see if Kane
gets on the field from for some defensive snapsis we
can see what he can do?
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yeah, yeah, sure, I definitely want to ask you more
about that. But before we do that, I want to
go back to Ethan here, because I mean, you mentioned
a little you mentioned touched on like the back end
a little bit, and as we talked about, the secondary
is pretty banged up right now, right with Marshawn, but
even before.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
That, they've they've had other issues there.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
And I wonder, obviously, if you want to blitz more,
that's that's all finding good on paper, but you are
gonna be putting more pressure.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
On those guys.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
And it seems like for right now they've had a
little bit of trouble covering and man coverage and find
the player. The team's being able to find soft spots
and zones. So I wonder, like I not ask you
maybe why what's the solution, but like, how can you
justify blitzing more when you have a secondary that is
(18:48):
a little bit banged up? Right now and seems to
be struggle a little bit allowing exposed to plays.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Yeah, it's definitely a fair question.
Speaker 4 (18:55):
I would say probably the only way you can justify
blitzing more is in theory it would allow you to
get to the quarterback quicker. And if the quarterbacks has
all day to throw, like Sam Darnold did on Sunday night,
he's gonna find open receivers no matter what I mean.
Man coverage hasn't really worked, zone coverage hasn't really worked.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Nothing has really worked over the past few weeks. So
I think at this.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
Point you got to kind of try anything different that
you can to at least give different looks and maybe
be a little more unpredictable. I mean, it seemed like
Darnald knew what was coming. He had so much time
to throw, made the right checks and.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
That's why he was perfect through three quarters.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
Basically, I think moving Mikey Sanders still potentially back outside
now with Latimore, God could be good.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
He drived there last year.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
I think that's something that's something me personally. I'm gonna
have my eye on a lot more. And I think
at some point you got to just kind of trust
these guys on the back ends a little bit more
as well, because if you're not getting home, these guys
are gonna get a but no matter what, So I
think maybe bring a little bit more pressure, disguise a
little more pressure. I love the move of Joe Witt
going down to the sideline where he can have direct
(20:09):
communication with his players in between drives.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
I think that should at least help.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
In terms of accountability standpoint, where you can talk to
the guy making all the calls and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
So I don't know.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
I think this defense knows they're a very significant reason
why this team is three and six. As inconsistent as
the offense has been, the defense has been the real
real reason this team is struggling right now. So I'm
expecting a performance a lot closer to the first half
against Kansas City than we saw on Sunday night. The
real question is whether they can put it together for
(20:43):
a full sixty minutes, which we haven't really seen them
do all year.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Very true, very true, And again I think I said
it last week. I think being able to put together
a full four quarters has been just symbolical the entire
team for in a lot of reasons. But yeah, Candy
before we move on, you mentioned Caman Dronto, and I'm
definitely intrigued by him for several reasons, both in terms of.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Like his skill set and his athleticism.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
But kind of expounding that a little bit more and like,
obviously you'd want him to just you want him to
go and use his speed to our pastor, but like,
I mean, do you have a lot of confidence to
him in coverage and just being able to operate in
the way that you would really want out of Galy,
Jordan McGee or any other like starting caliber linebackers on
the manager roster.
Speaker 5 (21:24):
Yeah, I'm wondering if he's somebody that they could almost
use on the line of scrimmage somehow. I remember way
back in OTA's when I first asked coach JOEA Junior
about came Adrono, and his response was, of course, at
that time in May, he was saying, we're trying to
figure out if he's more like Frankie or like Jeremy
Chen And so I was kind of like, Okay, now,
(21:47):
I'm like, it's November. Hopefully you have an answer to
that too, Yeah, right, Yeah, And so with the different
movement around because Eater's point, I would definitely like, I mean,
Mikey Sanmon still like that's a topic that's kind of
flying low under the radar of this year that he's having.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
It's like, hey man, just put.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
Him back outside. Just put him back outside. You know,
now there's an opportunity to do that. But then it
becomes a if you know, with folks being out, can
you just take that speed and maybe utilize him more
as a Jeremy chitin protect You know, I don't know
what it is because they were almost.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Like is he a hybrid?
Speaker 5 (22:27):
Right? Is could he be speaking of the Seattle Seahawks
way back when remember like the role of that camp Chancellor.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
Played like is he that?
Speaker 5 (22:36):
I mean, we don't know, right because we haven't seen him.
But I just remember in training camp there were moments
where it was almost like someone just simply said to him, hey, Caine,
get to the quarterback, and he was like in Jaden's face,
I was like, how fast did he get there? So
(22:56):
that's how I'm just kind of like thinking, how can
they continue to refine the defense in a simplistic way
but still see that speed in order of like actual
athleticism speed to disrupt the line of scrimmers, disrupt the
quarterback or just make some plays, because that Ethan said.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
Hey, Jared's gonna throw it. He's gonna throw it.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
They gotta they got a pretty mean running back game
as well, and so maybe Kan can help there just
getting I wanted to see Kin not to kind of
go I wanted to I was hoping when he was
active against Atlanta, I was hoping to see him on
some defensive snaps, hopefully just from a speed perspective, just fast,
(23:40):
like get to the get to the running back, you know.
And so that's that actual speed characteristic has been a challenge.
We let's keep that up right with the with the
linebacker position group. So maybe he can he can just
help get to where people need to be to be disruptive.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Yeah, I mean, they want to play fast, they want
to play with less of the less like, they want
to play more decisively. And it seems like allowing Kane
to say, hey, go get in Bud, that could possibly
be a solution there.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
And so we'll move on here to the final question.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
But I will give you guys both points again, because
all that stuff you had about Caine cany out of
like Ethan's points, about maybe using mic back on the
outside again. I think that's very interesting and just bringing pressure.
I think I think that's definitely something that you're definitely
gonna need to do. And you're right, I mean, they're
they're gonna He's they're gonna do what they do no
matter what. You might as well just go try to
do something. So tied heading into the final round, we
(24:36):
shall go on to the final question here, and it's
gonna be about practice squad receivers and bring this up
because with Luke being out now, you're gonna have to
call up some guys and they've got an interesting little
group here, right, You've got to Kobe Jones, you got
to Corey Brooks, who guys are really impressed in training camp.
And then you've got you've got Trailing Burks and he's
(24:58):
someone who made his first cat it was.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Elevated last week.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
So among that group, which are you kind of which
would you want to see more of as they go
into this the second half of the season. Definitely without
a loop, maybe without Noah and some of the other
guys for a little bit longer. So can you We'll
start with you there.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
You know, it's it's like I'm just sitting here thinking
like if someone would have told us that this was
gonna happen, even like in week five, I probably would
have called them a hater, Like what sure, Yeah, this
is so unreal. But to answer your question, I'm like, Okay,
(25:39):
is this like we saw a lot of like Jacory
Brooks right in the training camp and all that, So
it's like, all right, is this ja Cory Brooks time?
Like what what's going on here? But in terms of
I mean almost because Deebo's dealing with a heel injury, right,
we can we know that. I mean he's still playing, yes,
(25:59):
but we we know that this injury is still is
still there for him, and with Luke being out, he
might have to go back helping out of it, you
know with returns, which we saw.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
On Sunday night.
Speaker 5 (26:12):
But I'm thinking, hey, if Trayling Brooks is ready it
he is, maybe we see a bit more of him.
And we know Jalen Lane has has had some challenges
with protecting the football and catching the football, but you know,
maybe he can help as well. But other other than that,
it's like just you know, Chris Morgan part of the action.
We get your Cory Brooks get going back in here.
(26:35):
It's kind of how gonna have to be all hands
on deck. I know that sounds like crazy, but it's like,
I don't know, Margarets, just throw it to somebody.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Is who?
Speaker 5 (26:44):
But I know ja Cory Brooks was a popular name
during training in camp, and we haven't seen anything in
the game or he hasn't been you know, consistent leave
him when he was elevated, So maybe that's that's one
of your keys there is to get him involved.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
Possibly that was definitely somebody the fans really wanted to
see him, possibly even make.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
The active roster in training camp.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
But we'll that's well, he definitely will telling not someone
I'm going to keep an eye on this week to
see how he does just operating here. An individual Bills
ethan same question, which the practice squad receivers would you
like to see get more of an opportunity going forward?
Speaker 2 (27:22):
I touched on it earlier, but it's got to be
Burks for me.
Speaker 4 (27:25):
I know he's the newest, the newest edition, and obviously
that's a lot tougher when the other guys have been
here since.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
July or perhaps even earlier April.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
But I think he has the highest ceiling of all
of them, and I think at this point in the year,
with where the commanders are at, they got to find
guys who can help him, not just now.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
But in the future too.
Speaker 5 (27:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
I mean there's a reason he was a first round pick.
Obviously it didn't work out, but I mean the traits
are there, the skill set is there. I think the
commanders are they believe they can turn him into.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
A productive, impactful player.
Speaker 4 (28:01):
So he's a guy that I think the opportunity is
never going to be better than now when the entire
rosters hurt for him to come in and really make
an impact. I know it was only one catch, but
it was a nice toe tapper on the sideline against Seattle.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
Sure, So he's a.
Speaker 4 (28:17):
Guy I got my eye on and one guy we
haven't mentioned.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
I believe his back is Robbie Chosen.
Speaker 4 (28:23):
Sure in that Dallas game, he looked like the team's
best receiver that day.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
So, I mean in terms of instant impact, he's probably
the guy I think of those four that could make
an impact on Sunday right away, but I think for now,
through the rest of the year, Burkes, in my opinion,
is the one who should get the most opportunity of
the four guys on the practice squad to really make
(28:49):
an impact.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Yeah, I mean Burks is definitely one of those big
lottery tickets right because of the first Rouns day back
in twenty twenty two. Could be something has a lot
of the size and the skills on paper that you
would want, and there could be something there if you're
able to develop him and get an off season under him,
and because he's been dealing with injury to keep them healthy,
(29:12):
I think there's something there too.
Speaker 5 (29:14):
Man.
Speaker 3 (29:15):
So definitely gonna be tough between you two. Good good
good rounds both of you guys. And if I could,
we had this situation last week and I said, I,
if I did believe in ties, I would give you.
I would give you both the tie. But I don't,
so I can't just on principle. So Keny, I hear you.
On Decory, I think he's definitely he could be something.
(29:37):
But I think I gotta go with Burkes here with
with Ethan and the wind is because again I think
the ceiling for Burks is just it's higher, just I
think objectively than what it is for to Cory. So Ethan,
you're gonna get the win here and heratulations that's it's
like a it's like a two and a half.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
It's right there.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
It was. Both of you guys were just excellent. So
than any parting words of victory for us.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
I think this is my first win in three or
four appearances on your show.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
Oh wow, yeah, and check that out.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
I believe I believe I was due. But Candy made
some really great points. The Madrono point.
Speaker 2 (30:14):
I hadn't even been.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Thinking about that, and now that's going to be on
my radar this week. So uh yeah, it was a
really good She made probably better points than I did,
so really fun, really fun round.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
I appreciate that. And Canny again, great job. Serious, Yeah, no,
thank you.
Speaker 5 (30:30):
I like to have the conversation. It stinks the season
is going the way that it is. Not.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
None of us would.
Speaker 5 (30:37):
Have guessed this at all, but you know, we're.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Just trying to make it work. It would still be
creative z that.
Speaker 5 (30:43):
Thank you so much again for having us.
Speaker 3 (30:44):
Of course, And I will say, you know, I've seen
this team and I know the odds so for what
I've looked at, like the points, bread or anything, but
I would imagine that the Lions are any favorite of
this game for a variety of reasons. But I will say,
asking this team pull out wins they shouldn't have won,
granted this previous regimes, but you never know. You never know,
(31:05):
especially they come up with a phrase any given Sunday
for a reason, right, And if they beat the Lions,
then hey, you go into Miami in Spain feeling pretty
good about yourself.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
All of a sudden, you beat Miami.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
You go into the bye week five and six, you're
feeling pretty good about yourself and a potential run to
get back into that playoff discussion. But for now, we
shall put a pause on this and he ready for
next week the game against the Lions.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
And for everyone listening.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
You should a rate, your review, subscriber wherever you get
your podcast. And until next week, this has been they'll
beat you.
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