NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - NFL ATL: Coaches on the hot seat

Episode Date: December 19, 2013

A room full of heroes -- Gregg Rosenthal, Dan Hanzus, Chris Wesseling and Marc Sessler -- discuss the week’s top NFL headlines, offer their thoughts about which coaches under fire will remain with their teams next year and chat with Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Josh Sitton about last week’s historic comeback in Dallas and Aaron Rodgers' health status.  Help the heroes by nominating them for the 2013 Stitcher Awards at stitcher.promotw.com and join the conversation on Twitter: @NFL_ATL or #NFLATL.Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comNFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. The Around the League podcast. Always trash talks, Steve Smith. Welcome back to another edition of the Around the League podcast. My name is Dan Hansis, and I'm joined by a room filled with heroes, Chris Wessling, Mark Sessler, and Greg Rosenthal. What up, boys? Hey, Dan. Dan has showed up.

We got a holiday party tonight in a bright blue. Is that a workout t-shirt? It's something like that. Some kind of dry fit. I never made it to the gym, though, which doesn't vote well to our discussion. It's the thought that count. Our discussion, Mark, how is the workout plan going for you? Oh, I thought we were starting that down the road.

There's nothing sadder than putting on workout outfit and then not doing it. I mean, I've done it too. It's just like a weird sad feeling. You said you've never been to a gym. Well, I put on running outfit. You know, like I go running, but then you never actually go running. It's a bad thing. All right, so listen, this is a big deal.

We were named on the iTunes's best of 2013 list. Black Tie, who is Damashchek's great producer, gave us the word yesterday. We were part of a list that includes such luminaries as Joan Rivers, Jeff Garland, from Kirby Enthusiasm, and some other people. But that's something of an achievement, I would say. Adam Carolla was on the list. Adam Carolla. Wait, weren't we the only sports-related show?

We were the only sports show. That's very cool. Thank you, iTunes person who chose us. We appreciate it. And more importantly, thank you to the listeners because I'm sure the iTunes editorial team, you know, they're about making money. Yeah, they operate off clicks. And it's the listeners who brought the traffic who gave us this glory.

So thank you. Well, Michael Lombardi, who used to work here at this network, You used to always talk about the disease of more when teams win a title and everyone just starts asking for money and I've already noticed a little bit different vibe around the newsroom, Wessling strolled in all proud of himself, not really doing his work today.

He's like, I am an award winner. Well, Rhino and I are softball champions as of last night too. Oh, wow. That was the glow. Big day. By the way, we wouldn't mind that disease striking his current employer, the Browns.

Speaking of the hunger for more, there is also the Stitcher awards coming up and K. Rich gave a detailed breakdown on how you could vote for the Around the League podcast for the Stitcher. This sounds, this is really gross. Let's stop. This is in the weeds.

You should just, let's stop. We've got it what enough. You know what? I kind of on board through this will be the last time I bring it up. Stitcher.com. Go to nominate shows. And, you know, if you want to, you know, What's wrong with this?

Isn't this what people do? I feel like I need to take a shower. It's a little bit. Yeah, I feel like if you want to give us an award, just give it to us. It's not going to change my view. I know we're good. Yeah, you ruined. I had a joke queued up that I was going to make about Greg someday being Michael Lombardi's biographer.

Well, you can still do that. I think you should do that, people, if you have the free time. But everyone else, you guys all high and mighty in this room, like we don't need anything else. You got to keep pushing for greatness. I don't know if that what it's going to do. for us, though. What if we just have greatness thrust upon us? Well, if I bring it up in my year-end review,

I feel like I'm going to get laughed at, you know? Stitcher. Yes, we were nominated. I feel like you should definitely bring that up. That's quite an accomplishment. All right, so we've got a big show today. We're going to do the headlines. We're going to do some talk about coaches on the hot seat. We have a special guest,

which is Green Bay Packers Guard, Josh Sitton. We're going to talk to him coming off that wild win in Dallas. But why don't we start with the headlines and the gold standard is behind the glass right now how you doing the gold standard yeah all good thanks um love the the the gold standard that it is it just that's who he is uh usually kebert handles the news did you come up with that i like the gold standard i did i did that's another thing i'm going to try to cash in on financially it's all about making money and

being successful and making your father proud while we're talking about effects of the podcast your What Up Boys is going global. We have a lot, suddenly we have a lot of people from around the globe tweeting at us. I have an idea. I'm going to buy a map and put it up in here. When you tweet at us, tell us your city, not just your country. And we will ping you on our map, which will be up in Studio 66. That was like one of the more brilliant ideas I've ever heard from you, Wes.

Thank you. Now, are you actually going to follow through and do this? Yes, I will. Because you got, not only do you have to find the world map, which I, is there like a cartographer store in there? You could easily purchase a world map. Anything on the internet. I'm pretty sure you can find that. But then you got to find that.

My furniture in my apartment has come from Amazon. I'm not going out shopping in this city where you can't drive. You do need to find, as Dan, you need a colorful, high-end stack of pushpins. Yeah, that will be maybe the hardest item. So the gold standard, we usually have K. Rich do the news. I will handle the news in her absence. Is there any type of news music that we could play? I think we got a little right here.

Wait a second. Oh, no. I don't know if I have the headlines I don't know if I have the soul to pull off headlines after that Yeah That just was sad without K.R. I feel like the listeners are going to be let down

That's her music, but not her. We'll come up with something. I know. It's like anyone else saying Seduction Friday except for K.Rich. It doesn't work. I've gotten some people on Twitter that are asking us to tell

K. Rich to say Seduction Friday, which is a little creepy. That sounds very cool. creepy um but if yeah if you need if you want to ask k rich ask you yourself don't ask me to ask kish that's like steve bish putting lipstick on and then crossing out names on his people to kill this after somebody asks kish to say seduction friday it's a little tell those listeners the movie that's from at least oh from billy madison sorry of course cinematic just assume everybody knows cinematic classic won every oscar um all right so let's hit the headlines will start

in green bay where aaron rogers surprise surprise still has not been medically clear He has the collarbone injury, which it seems to have stalled a little bit now, and that leaves his chances of playing Sunday in doubt for the game against the Steelers. Randall Cobb did return to practice, though. Might play for the first time since mid-October, which would help. I don't think Randall Cobb is playing. Really? He sounded more like he was just getting back to running and getting into the works again.

It might be another week or two for Randall Cobb. Do we really think Rogers has had stalled? because last week he was out there with the first team for part of practice. He was zipping passes around practice today as if he wanted to play, said one of his team. We won't know until Friday. It's going to be the same thing,

but just the vibe I get from the writers there, I still think we're more optimistic in this room of him playing just because it seems to make sense than the people there are. One real quick thing on this, this idea that suddenly Matt Flynn... No, no, no, listen, I understand I've been tough on this guy that decides...

You owe him an apology, by the way. Career revival, some sort of renaissance. No. Playing one of the worst defenses, we'll see this season. I went back and watched it again. I'm not sold on Matt Flynn, getting them the rest of the way. He's done very well against pre-vent defenses, of which were two of the worst defenses in the NFL and the Falcons and Cowboys. In both of those games, he didn't move the ball into the second half when they basically let up a little bit on the gas pedal.

If Rogers comes back, I think the skies are limit. If not, I think they lose this Sunday. I agree. Yeah, I think the Cowboys stink on defense. I think everyone knows that, but there's no way you're going to talk me out of giving Matt Flynn a ton of credit for leading five touchdown drives in the second half to save the season. He did a nice job. Again, I'm not trying to just say take it all away from him,

but honestly, looking at that game, if they hit a tougher defense, which they will down the stretch, it's going to end real quick. Here, and Steelers, I don't know if Dick LaBeau listens to the podcast. I'm guessing he needs. Does Dick Leboe know what a podcast is? I'm not sure he knows what the internet is. That reminds me of Monday Night Football when Mike Torrico said something along the lines of John

on our podcast this week we talked about and I knew there was no way Jagger knows what a podcast is. Zero connect. So if LeBow does listen though, here's a little tip. Third and long, maybe cover the slant because Matt Flynn can't throw any other pass every time third and nine slant over the middle

to one of the tight ends. Otherwise, they don't win that game. All right, moving on. Matt Schaub, back from the dead once again and Thad Lewis to start in games this week with playoff implications Shob is starting in Houston Thad Lewis E. E.J. Manuel, who's rookie season is really

almost a washout now. He's out with a knee injury and now we have these two gentlemen potentially deciding important games. I like Thad Lewis. I'm not sold on E.J. Manuel. I don't think anyone in this room is and you look back at some of the comments that Nathaniel Hackett

made earlier in this season. He seemed to really warm up to Thad Lewis, his work ethic, right when he came in, they didn't change the offense much. Listen, I think he's a work in progress, but honestly, E.J. Manuel is that and maybe less. Well, on the bigger picture scale, you know, they play a Dolphins team that Thad Lewis and the Bills beat in Miami. The Bills have beat three playoff teams in Buffalo. Miami has to go up there and win that game. I think it's just setting up for a Thad Lewis knocks the dolphins out of the playoffs after all this progress. What do you think? I like the way this was setting up for the bills for a couple of weeks, but the way Ryan

Tannahill is now playing, I'm actually going to pick the dolphins in this game. I like what I'm seeing from Tannahill. He's putting some balls in some tight spaces. I'm over undrafted free agent quarterbacks and getting behind them. Case Keen and Matt McLeon, we get all pumped up. That's kind of where I'm at too. I feel like we've lost

some momentum and I can't back that this right now. Was he 7th round? Was he drafted last year? He's not on his original team. He's in his third season. Undrafted out of Duke. I think it's more that E.J. Manuel is disappointing. That it is Thad Lewis as some savior And I know no one expects the Texans

To even be competitive at home this week against Denver But I'm just saying let's paint the scenario Matt Shob in his last start in Houston After getting buried and boot off the field Goes out in a blaze of glory Takes down to Manning Wouldn't that be kind of fun Wouldn't that be fun though

I would like it Just kind of like a big you know Hey I'm Matt Shob MFers I'll be selling insurance in six months. We had a frisky little debate in the newsroom about this, Andrew Siciliano and I. Name dropper. That's who was involved in the debate.

Name dropper. And Shob played better than Keenham in his last appearance. He moved the ball better. But let's not forget that Shob was benched because he couldn't go down the field. And Keenham came in throwing bombs all over the place, looked like a savior just because he went down the field. Shob is, I wouldn't get my hopes up here, that Shob is going to somehow roast the Broncos defense this week.

What a job. You get to go to work and debate with the host of NFL Red Zone about the merits of Case Keenham and Matt Schaub. It wasn't bad. Moving on. Lastly, in the headlines, Joe Flacco, the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback coming off that big Monday night win will be fitted for a knee brace after that hit he took in the game against the lines, but he is expected to play on Sunday.

he'll be limited in practice though they don't put you in a knee brace and keep you out of part of practice unless something happened so maybe he's got a mild sprain there course he'll play this is one of those guys that he doesn't miss games not right now for this team this is uh one of the things that my new job since i've been at around the league one of the difference i've seen every time a quarterback sneezes it's news whereas where i was before it's not necessarily news but definitely america cares if a quarterback is wearing a knee brace where were you penny saver? No, I was working for a fantasy football outfit where a running back injury... It's a big deal. We both used to work there. Well, I was working at Roderworld, like an injury to a running back might be way more important than Joe Flacco just sporting an e-brace, which he obviously will play in.

It's like Peyton Manning's sprained ankle. It's not a big deal. We don't know that because it happened at the end of the game. He's got to be limited. I think it's something to watch. It's at least... He's facing the right team, though. The Patriots have no pass.

Wasn't that game fun the other night, though? I mean, we haven't talked since then. That was one of my favorite games. The Lions Ravens game? Yeah. That was boring until the last minute, but that was the second occasion this year where I jumped out of my seat when Tucker drilled the field. It was tense. I thought it was tense the whole game because I was.

It was some bad football. I don't know about that. I think it was two like seven and six type of teams battling for the playoffs. That's kind of what you expect to see. Best receiver in the NFL dropped three passes. Yeah. One of the 10 best quarterbacks in the NFL had his worst game of the season. It was bad football.

I like the reporter in Detroit and Wes wrote about this yesterday, actually asking Jim Schwartz as he got to the podium. The first question he asked him was, is Matt Stafford the quarterback? Have you considered benching Matthew Stafford? I lost it. I was fascinated by that question. You know, I've noticed that nobody has asked that of Eli Manning all year. Is he going to get benched?

I actually think early on they might have. It's just out of control silly We've lost our minds All right Let's move on You know one thing It would be good to talk about Because we are now

Very close to the end of the season There are a lot of coaches We've had one firing this season I recall that You're lucky it wasn't you Gary Kubiak was the guy Thank you It escaped to my mind

Thank you Greg for stepping in Gary Kubiak was let go A couple of weeks back We'll see It remains to be seen If anyone else gets let go during the season, but certainly there will be coaches that get fired right after the new year. So I figured, we discussed, I shouldn't claim ownership of this idea, it certainly wasn't mine,

we decided to be a good time to go down the list of some coaches that may be in some modicum of trouble. And why don't we start? We've already mentioned the great meltdown in Dallas with Jason Garrett. And I'll open it up to the room. How hot is Jason Garrett's seat? Sizzling? I think no matter what Jerry Jones says, that seat is very much sizzling. Sizzling. I think he gets fired if they don't make the playoffs.

I agree with that. I think it's a big issue, though, because it's not like other teams at all an attractive job to take with Jones sitting there where he is. I think it's probably the most attractive job on this list. Really? So an empowered coach is going to want to go to Dallas and have to deal with Jerry Jones? I think so. I don't agree with that. I don't think that Dallas Cowboys will ever have. have trouble getting a coach.

They're still America's team. You look at some of their coaches, Chan Galey, Jason, Garrett. I don't think that they, I guess you got Parcells, but. Garrett was a different case, though, because they groomed him for seemingly 15 years as the coach. I could see them sticking with Garrett because that's just how mediocre this team is. I think, first of all, any job is great. People are falling themselves all over to get the Brown's job or any job. It doesn't really matter.

You know, maybe you're right in an established coach, but That's not usually the best way to go anyways. But no matter what he said, that's a funny thing when he says a guy's definitely going to be there next year when they're like five and three. Because you have no idea how it goes. They're playing the Redskins this week. If they lose to the Redskins, like, Garrett, forget about it. It's over. I mean, they could be eliminated this week.

And if they lose again in Week 17, that would be the fourth time they lost in an elimination week 17 game. Jason Garrett is one of the biggest enigmas in the NFL to me. Ivy League graduate, Princeton, long. Long term, one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL for a long time, groomed for this job. Glowing Ginger Man. Glowing Ginger Man. Seems like a really nice guy. Seems like a nice guy.

Has his stuff together. Yet they seem to be one of the worst game planning, play calling, and time management teams in the NFL since he's had that job. I think top down, they're very disorganized. I don't like the way that a team has run. And I just, I think until Jerry Jones removes himself from the equation as a decision maker, it can happen. All right. Three-man panel. Yes, no. Will he be employed on January 5th? Greg? No. Mark? Yes.

Wes. He's fired. He's gone. Sorry. Sorry, Mark. He gone. I don't root for men to be thrown into the breadline. I'm not rude for it. I know. Well, he can sleep on his millions. All right, let's move on. We just brought him up. We'll bring him up again. Jim Schwartz in Detroit. Ian Rapp report reported before the Monday night game, hours before the game that within the team, the belief was that Jim Shorts needed to make the playoffs this year to save his job. They've lost a killer on Monday. They no longer control their own destiny, although none of us really do.

Jim Schwartz sizzling? It's hard to argue with Ian's reporting. That's kind of been the feeling all year that they don't like the recurring problems that always seem to happen on the field in terms of their stupidity. I have a funny feeling they're going to make the playoffs still. I don't know why.

I just think Chicago will blow one of these two games. I don't know which one maybe in Philadelphia this week. Detroit's got two really easy games, and I think they sneak in, especially if Rogers doesn't come back. I think he's gone. And it's like, this is a season where Aaron Rogers and Jay Cutler are lost for big chunks of time. You're still floating behind both of those teams with two weeks to go. Melton brings. Well, I mean, everything went right for Detroit, and they actually played well.

There's a ton of talent. I think you want to bring a coach and they can do something with that talent. I think Schwartz is going to get killed before. I mean, he's just another smart guy. And his team has been one of the most undisciplined in the NFL since he's been there. They implode. You don't, they have so much talent, and they just implode.

Kevin, I talked with Kevin Patrick yesterday. I'm looking forward to having him on Friday to talk about Lion. Because it's a new, really, the bitter Lions fan, all the years of building up. He's angry right now. And I just feel like for all those Lions fans that want him gone, be careful what you wish for. I mean, let's remember what happened before.

Oh, I don't think that's the case. I think they're going to find someone who is a better fit. There's a ton of tell on this team. Be careful what you wish for. This organization has been so bad for so long. You're not sending Megatron and Stafford down the river. They have two very distinct offenses and defenses. They throw more than anybody in the league since Stafford came into the league.

So you would need a coach who can work with that personnel. And then on defense, you have to build it around Sue and Fairly, and you can't have somebody with a three-four scheme coming in. January 5th, yes or no? Greg. Yes, because I think they're making them. playoffs no because they're not no because they're not making he gone he gone that's not i shouldn't be celebratory about it wow you're really you're celebrating just the despair of human men a reporter

on another network once got in in trouble for for celebrating a cook and i remember that certainly not celebrate there was a fist bump on air after he reported and uh yeah he got in some trouble uh dan with a giant glowing smile in his face right now just just outrageous can't wait for that assistant coach's family to have to move That was going to say. You're not allowed to celebrate anybody's dismissal unless they get fired for not obeying the politically correct rules. Then you can just, you know, take care of them. Wes.

I don't even know what that's in reference. All right. Mike Shanahan. That's just how it works. Sizzling? We all agree. This is a sizzler, right? White hot flame under his.

For a second, Shanahan was such a mastermind that him and his sources made me think maybe he does return next year. But then I realized I've been Shanahan. His son's given up on him. They're all gone. Yeah. Well, what about I spoke with Marty Schottenheimer here at NFL Network? Name dropper. Yeah, well, this is a name drop.

205 wins, Brown's hero, almost hero. Sorry, Mark. Great coach. I love Schottenheimer. He said that he still believes Mike Shanahan. There's no better coach in the NFL than Shanahan. He thinks if it doesn't work out in Washington, he will land on his feet somewhere else, and he'll do well. Do we agree with that?

I don't think he's ever going to get hired again. I think he's a really tough hire right now. Yes or no? Greg. No. No. No. He gone. Greg's right. I think Schottenheimer might be stuck in 1998. I know people like that. It's kind of sad. I'm stuck in 1990.

I think it's a fraternity and they're not going to dis each other. Probably all our music choices are stuck in 1998. We're that old now that we've stopped kind of updating. I do cite Oasis on Twitter sometimes. Counting Crows. Oh, come on. It's too soon. All right. Moving on. By the way, I think this might be speaking to our cynical nature.

I think by the time I get to the bottom of this list, there's going to be like 10 fired coaches. So keep that in mind. Not all these guys will get fired. Mike Munchak in Tennessee. Sizzling? I think he'll get fired. I don't think he has much of any chance. When there's a new owner, and I know he has the same last name, but there's a new owner,

and it sounded like Munchak needed to win this year for any chance to keep his job, and they changed owners. Same last name? Well, whatever, same family. Family lineage. Well, I think you're right. And Mike Silver talked about this, too, and so did Ian to some degree, that they just aren't happy with the team they tried to build and what he's done with it. And listen, they're a disappointing team. We know what we're going to get out of Mike Munchak if he comes back next season.

They are. I find them disappointing. Yes, they're disappointing, and they are one of the most nondcript teams in the NFL. What's their personality? What has Munchek done well since the thing you'd expect would be like, let's run the ball, you know, because he was a great offensive lineman, but they've been. terrible at running people. Their new CEO, Tommy Smith, believes they have the talent to win right now and the head coach isn't getting it done. I know this is really random, but this could be the last job Greg Williams ever gets in the NFL. I don't know if he gets another chance. You know,

they really sent him a lifeline because of Adams. I don't know. You don't think that he's cited for helping to improve that defense for at least a big chunk of this season? Yeah, I do just, I don't know, just because of everything he's been through. I think that might say more about Jerry Gray. If we all agree because I know the around the league team is not a big fan of Chris Johnson as a player so if they're running games not working because they don't have a real

Premier back, you can make that argument. You could also make the argument that Jake Locker has hurt all the time and that keeps on exploding their seasons. I feel like Munchak is kind of getting a short trip here. I feel like the roster isn't as good as maybe it's being made out to be.

I think that's fair but I don't think he has. I don't think the Ownership views it that way. Greg, yes or no? No. January 5th. Will Mike... Greg nailed it because of the...

What day of the week is January 5th? That is one of the seven days of the week. No, it's a Monday? No, I guess that's by the next week, yeah. Sorry. Wes, yes or not. Sintillating podcast. No, he won't be employed by the tights.

He's gone. This is going to be a bloody after the season. Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings. This one doesn't look too good either, doesn't it? I thought we were talking about that not many coaches were going to get fired this year, and suddenly we've now just gotten through five. I think he's the one that's been a lock to get fired almost the last month. I'd agree.

It's hard to make a real argument for Frazier, a real down season, and really what's the game plan there? Very interesting that Ian Rappaport reported that Rick Spielman, the GM, who's had nine lives in the NFL. He had some rough days in Miami. I never would have thought that he would have survived that is going to stay in Minnesota. So that indicates he's staying and he's going to get to hire someone. Poor Frazier

was stuck with Christian Ponder, but also never developed him, and we saw this year chose the wrong quarterback. That's his fault. He's gone. One thing I will say, and it's going to get a little tougher with the final names I bring up here, if these coaches go, and there's a general feeling

around the league that there's going to be a ton of openings and only a certain amount of decent guys on the market, some of these guys that are more fringe guys could help their case. And I'll start right now with Rex Ryan, New York Jets. I think Rex might be the best coach on this list. He'd be the guy that I would argue

because I think that owner likes Rex Ryan and the idea of Rex Ryan. And he has not done a terrible job this season. He's got a good job. He's got a good job and I think he stays. I have thought that he's going to get fired all year unless they make the playoffs. And Dan's argument that the market's going to be flooded with jobs

is a factor because you have to have an idea. of maybe who we're going to hire, but I don't see any reason to change my view. I think whenever there's a new GM, sometimes the new coach last, you know, the incumbent coach lasts a year or two, but they got to make the playoffs and win to stick around. So I'm sticking with that.

It's almost a rule in the NFL. These guys don't stick. That's my biggest concern, because I would like Rex to stick around. I think he's done a good job with just a very low-level talent in that locker room. The fact that they have six wins and could win seven or even eight,

to me, he will never win coach of the year, but I think it's that type of coaching job he's done this year. I think it's the best coaching job he's done with the team. But with John Idzik there, the ownership, as much as he likes Rex, he needs to make a decision. If I hire this Idzik guy and I believe in him, I probably have to do what he wants. So it's going to come down to whether Idzik wants him back or not really.

Maybe he should can Edzik and stick with Ryan. Well, that's not. Idzik's first draft wasn't great. But anyway, so yes or no, Greg. I'm going to say he's fired. I'm going to say he's still. six round. I'm going to go with Mark.

I have a Sessler on this one. Yes, Rex is safe. I hope you guys are right. I fully agree. I think he's one of the best coaches. Not one of the best five, but best head. Moving on. Dennis Allen and Oakland.

Is it going to be yet another restarting of the machine? Real quick, one thing that annoys me about his situation is I do think with a real talent issue there, he's done an okay job. They've been in games. that I didn't think they would be in. But this idea that he needs to show something over the last two games. So unfair. Well, the opponent is Denver.

So it's almost like we are rewriting the narrative beforehand. Because I would choose to keep Allen because I think the issue there is starting to become the GM. I would keep Allen. Fourth string running back, by the way, horrible quarterback play. And yet the coach is being asked to compete against solid teams and show that he's worthy of a job. It's so silly. I will withhold my opinion on this one. I'll just give you some facts on the quarterback position in Oakland.

Carson Palmer was the quarterback last year. Got insulted because the Raiders wouldn't offer him in extension and told him he'd have to compete with Terrell Pryor. He's gone. They bring in Terrell Pryor. Give him the starting job. He's gone. They go out and trade for Matt Flynn and give him a new contract.

He lasted two or three weeks. He's gone. They draft Tyler Wilson in the fourth round. Didn't even make it out of training camp. He's gone. The only reason they've been competitive is because they've developed an undrafted free agent rookie

who has played pretty well. Those are the facts on the Raiders quarterback position. And at times the defense has been difficult to handle, and that's Allen's side of the ball. But Mike Silver reported that these last three weeks are going to make a big difference for Dennis Allen,

and they're coming off perhaps the most embarrassing defensive performance of the year, giving up four 50-plus-yard plays where no one is even near Jamal Charles on those plays. He didn't make anyone miss.

They are playing, if they play their worst football at the end of the year, you know, according to Silver's reporting, I think Allen's going to go. In defense of Reggie McKenzie, aren't they dealing with a lot of dead money

on that cap? Has he ever really had a real chance? Historically bad dead money situation that Al Davis left that team. I think Dennis Allen's done a very good job. Look at the other teams that have three or four wins in the NFL. Who has the least amount of talent? It's Oakland by far, and they won four games.

There's a reason why I was willing to say I would bet my softball pants. It was because they were right there with the Jaguars for worst roster in the NFL. You love those pants. You don't want to eat him. Will Chris Wesleyan eat his softball pants? Greg, will Dennis Allen be the head coach of the Raiders January 5th? Yes or no? I'm going to say, no, I fired everyone.

This is terrible. Leslie Sessler. Against my will, no. I'm going to say no, and this is a second straight one where I think the coach should stay and the GM should go. This is like a slaughter. Let me note this. Another one down. All right, we're almost through the list.

I hope I'm wrong on Dennis Allen. Me too. Greg Shiano, the Tampa Bay Bucks coach. I think we actually kind of have a general idea of where this room sits on this, but let's open it up for debate once again. Well, this is what inspired this segment. We were talking, Mark and I were saying last week, we thought Shiano would stick around. You guys disagreed. I think he's done enough.

I think they're looking for any reason possible to keep them because they made such a big investment. I think this is one of those ones where you say, listen, if we're going to dump him now, we've got to have a home run guy to come in and reorganize this program again from top to bottom where, you know what, we've seen this team kind of get edgy down the stretch. Maybe we stick with Shiano. He got himself out of a disastrous situation. earlier in the year. I think everything that could have gone wrong did. Glennon is panned out to some degree.

The defense is interesting. I say yes, he stays. Give him credit for setting expectations so freaking low that he's now considered a good coach. He went through a stretch where they were like 1 in 14 or something. Who considers him a good coach? Well, you guys do? You think he stayed? I think he sticks around. I'm not making my own judgment. I'm judging the T-leaves.

And the Glazer family, the ownership there is not as involved as some ownership is. And I think if you're going to have a situation where you kind of stink up the place, this is a good place to do it. January 5th, will he have a job? Yes or no. Yes or no. They can do better. Shiano's safe.

Here's an interesting one. Joe Philbin in Miami. Actually, the first name on the list where the team is having what you would classify as a good season. And yet he could go? They did spend the most amount of money of any team by far. The expectations were kind of playoffs or bust for Jeff Ireland. So I think their seasons to be written. I boycott this one because I don't think he should be here.

I think they've really, really shown up last couple weeks. Why do you fire this guy? I wouldn't even include him here. If anything, he deserves a lot of credit for this team being in position to win a wild card after everything that happened with the offensive line. Well, that's, but that's on him. A lot of it's on him. It brought a lot of negative attention, no matter whose fault it was, to the organization.

It's the type of thing that gets you fired. I think that's what first had him popping up on hot seat lists. Yes. And I think he's done a commendable job of pulling himself out of it. I think you have to keep him around. I think, you know, we are saying it like the season's over. Two weeks ago, the Cowboys looked to be in pretty good shape. You know, the Dolphins lose in Buffalo and who do they play in Week 17?

It's an easy match. Jets? The Jets. If they lost those two games, maybe it's a different game. Tenor. If they lost to those two games, Jeff Ireland's definitely not coming back to the GM. That's a shame. All right. So we all agree. Philman's safe.

We're keeping him safe. Yeah. Okay. And our final name, this is some list. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants. It's a tricky one. This one, we've been thinking all year that he probably gets the opportunity to make this decision on his own. Do you agree? Mark?

I think so. This one has me a bit baffled because this team to me looks like they are at the beginning of a rebuild. And do you want to wait another year to get the next guy and start over? Do you just say, you know what? The floor already fell out. We start over now. I'm baffled by this one. People that are really smart and a lot more tied in than us to the Giants really think he's safe, that there's no chance he's going and that he's going to want to be back because he doesn't want to leave on this note. So I'm going to trust those people, even though I'm a little surprised by that. Yeah, I feel the same way. I think that.

But he's, you know, the type of, the way the Giants is an organization are run, that points to him coming back. Coughlin, his personality, that points to coming back. I think that this will be written off as a lost season. I think if they have another bad season next year, it's a whole different conversation. But I think he'll be back. He was so close to getting fired, too, in 2006, I believe it was. And then, I guess it paid off. Now they just feel like they got to stick with him.

Yes or no. Yes. I mean, he's staying. Staying. Yes, safest guy in the list. Yes. I agree. So, according to around the league, that is the list, by the way,

of people that are potentially in the hot seat. We are going to have one, two, three, four, five, six coach openings by early next year. Seven, if you count, Kubiak, too. Right? Yeah. That's a lot. Pat Shermer's back in the mix. The air...

No, he's not. Oh, really? The air has been sucked out of this room after all this firing, and I feel like we feel bad. But Wiz is back on the list. See, that's the problem, which is a carousel of media. Ockertie. Well, Wes took his team to the Super Bowl. Would that excite you? The Cardinals. I think Wiz is a good coach, and I think, yeah, like Greg said, he took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. That's saying something. All right, let's move on. We have a special guest on the Around the League

podcast this week. Greg is very excited about it. He was talking about it downstairs. He is a former pro bowler. He is a former Super Bowl champion. He's the guard for the Green Bay Packers. Josh Sitton, welcome to the Around the League podcast. What's up, guys? How y'all doing? We're doing well? What's going on? Nothing much. Just got home from work, just hanging out, man, couch time. That is funny.

It's funny. That's what a normal person would say. You get home from work and you go lay on the couch. Josh shouldn't just happens to be a famous football player. That's pretty awesome. Josh, I have a question. So it's 263 at halftime. Aaron Rogers said yesterday on his radio show he does in Wisconsin that the locker room, it felt like there wasn't a comeback in your bones.

obviously his feeling was wrong. Did you feel at any time that this was just not your day? Yeah, man, to be honest with you, I was, you know, when we got down, you know, even, you know, midway in the second quarter, I was like, good Lord, here goes the Detroit game again, you know, getting blown out on national TV, you know, I was pretty down about it. And, you know, what Aaron said, I mean, the locker room didn't. necessarily feel like that we had a comeback in us, but we did, and we definitely needed it. Is there a point in that game where you started to feel like this is going to happen,

like Jordy Nelson's catch maybe, or just something that gets you thinking that we can actually do this? Yeah, well, we talked about it, you know, talked about it at halftime with a couple of guys. You know, we just kept saying, let's just go one play at a time. let's just go make one play and see where that can take us and you know this is a momentum sport you know everybody knows that and so you you know you make that one play and make that one first down you know you quiet the crowd and get a little momentum going and we knew we just had to take that approach we weren't going to go score 30 points you know and five minutes so we just had to take it

one play at a time. And I think the Eddie Lacey, you know, the 60-yard runs was that play for us. I think that was, you know, what got our confidence back. And then obviously when Jory scored, you know, we just had a little momentum and had the confidence that we could go score. How important has it been to have Lacey there? Obviously, you've been there a while and the Packer struggled for so long to get a big time running back.

It looks like you guys hit on one, doesn't it? I think so he's been a hell of a back for us this year man he always falls forward and he always turns a two-yard run into a three or four-yard run

and that's what you ask for me running back you know you're not always going to get 10, 15, 20-yard runs and those don't come very often you know maybe once a game but you know you just want a back that's going to fall forward

and get the extra hard yards and I mean I think he's you know should be in the running for offensive rookie of the year. I mean, he's had that type of year and has had that type of impact on our offense. Mike McCarthy said after that Cowboys game, he had to stop himself from crying. Have you ever seen Mike McCarthy cry? And what was the playing right and the emotion like after coming back from that game?

Let's see, yes, I have seen him cry. To what? Doing what? Did you make him cry? Yeah, I don't want to tell us to. because I don't want to embarrass them, you know. Just kidding. I'm probably pretty sure everybody shed some tears after the Super Bowl.

You know, I'll say personally I was doing everything to hold back tears after that game as well. It was, you know, it was a emotional win for us. It was a huge win. Not only the way we did it, but where our season is. So it was a big one for us. And it was, I mean, it was the best celebration I've seen in a locker room and a plane ride in a regular season game since I've been playing. What does that entail, actually?

Because I just don't, I'm trying to, I've never been on one of those planes, no surprise. Oh, really, Greg? Yeah. So what does that mean the best celebration? Well, in the locker room, everybody's screaming and hugging and dancing. You know, on Packers.com, they put it up. but Donnie Barclay was the captain and he's from Pittsburgh and him and Coach McCarthy have very similar accents

and before the game Donnie was like you know y'all won the game won the Super Bowl here and you know made it your house and let's do it today let's make this our house and he says Ar-Hoss that's how they're doing it. So you know after the game I started the chant Ar-Hoss, Ar-Hoss, R-Hoss, and that's the video They got on Packers.com, everybody dancing and screaming R. Haas.

So it's kind of funny to, you know, jab at Mike and Donnie a little bit, though. But it was just a blast, man. Everybody seems to have fun at Jero World except for the Cowboys. I'm 2-0 there, so I'll take it. I like it. So Aaron Rogers, first of all, is it true that any Packer that speaks out about his medical situation gets cast out of Wisconsin forever? I don't know about that, but definitely aren't really supposed to talk about anybody else's injuries. I mean, that's kind of a rule anyway, just in general.

You don't talk about other guys' injuries. I mean, you let them talk about their body. And, I mean, even if we knew something, you know, nobody would obviously say anything. Have you sensed his frustration? Because it seems like he's so close, but then the test come back and it slows him down again. I'm sure as a competitor, and you know him very well, it has to be very tough for him, right? Yeah, absolutely. And I mean, definitely see the frustration.

You know, let's see, two weeks ago, I was, you know, kind of getting after him a little bit. Hey, when are you going to be back? Not getting after him, just asking him, you know, a lot, you know, constantly. And when are you going to be back, you know, what you deal, what your status, blah, and finally one time he was like, look, man, relax, chill. So I want to be out there. I freaking want to be out there battling with you guys. You know, just leave it alone.

I was like, oh, my bad. You know, so he's definitely frustrated. He wants to be out there with us. You know, every guy in this league is ultra-competitive. So, you know, that's what we want to do. We want to be out on the field. And I think the biggest thing is the feeling of, you know, letting your teammates down. That's what I eat.

that's what I think. And, you know, from personally, you know, being injured before, blah, blah, blah, you you just don't want to let your teammates down. So I think that's the biggest thing. And he's definitely frustrated. And, you know, we definitely can't wait to get them back. I know you're focused on the upcoming opponent to Pittsburgh Steelers, but did you get a chance to watch the Detroit scumbags play on Monday night?

I don't know if I caught that game. What happened? Is that something where you're at home watching like a fan? Wait, just to fill Josh in. Absolutely, dude. We were watching and screaming. We were cussing the coaches because they ran the ball in third and ten. And we were like, oh, my God, it's such a long field goal.

And we were jumping and screaming. Yeah, we were very happy, needless to say. Yeah, John Harbaugh is really on a role of several years now to set up a 60-yard field goal and then come out as a genius. That must have been pretty exciting. Yeah, it was definitely fun to watch. Great game to watch. and obviously, you know, at this point in the season, you know, obviously you focus on yourself

and your games, but at this point in the season, especially our situation, and you need help, you know, you can't help but watch the other games, and it was definitely an exciting moment. Before we let you go, Josh, I just want to touch on one thing that you said earlier this week. You seem remarkably prepared, and Mark and I on this podcast have discussed this topic before surviving a zombie apocalypse. And you had some good information here. Zombies definitely don't like cold weather and you already have to have a plan in place. People you trust that you have to be around.

Then you have to have lots of weapons and you try to fortify yourself in a big place with a big old fence. Then you just rock on and kill lots of zombies. That's honestly how I hope I go out someday in a zombie apocalypse. Josh, this is the book. You've written the story on how to defend yourself against the apocalypse. Yeah, I guess so. It's funny. Everyone I've talked to this week, you know, media has asked me about that. It's actually started a couple years ago we talked about, I brought up the question, if there was a zombie apocalypse, who would be your number one draft pick from our locker room to be able to survive with? And my number one draft pick was Tom Crabtree. One, you know, great athlete strong, no he can, knows he can survive. I. I know he can survive, but, too, he looks like a zombie, so it'll blend in, and they won't come after us. Oh, that's how this came up, and then it led to this past week.

I had a battle with Greg Van Roden about who would last longer, and I think I would personally, but he didn't agree with me. You've got the beard. You can store food in there, spit. Anything really goes in the beard nicely. I mean, I got probably 100 peanuts in my beard right now. Josh Sitton will live forever. Josh, thank you very much for joining us

and good luck against the Steelers this week. All right, guys. Appreciate it, man. We'll talk to you later. Thanks, Josh. Josh Sitton, seems like a very nice fellow. Yeah, cool guy. I think Mark would be my choice

in terms of looking, you know, I think you're the guy I would take in the zombie situation. Really, I'm confused why, what's the mentality there? I just feel like you can fit into any situation. And some, when I come to work, you often look like a zombie. I don't know. Well, that's an insult. But I would say that you're kind of a minimalist, which helps you.

You don't need a lot to survive. You don't even really need to eat. One thing that also, unrelated to Mark surviving zombies or looking like one, he mentioned the Super Bowl celebration. Yeah. One thing that jumped out to me, I've now been lucky enough to cover two Super Bowls and go into the winning locker room the last two years, especially after the Giants, my first one that I went to,

And they won. I thought I was going to go downstairs and there would be champagne everywhere and guys just going nuts and cartwheels, a dude on fire, tumbling across. It's none of that. It's everyone just kind of chilling out, very happy, obviously, but, you know, changing, dressing and just, you know, a lot of meaty in there. But it's not like a crazy celebration like you might think. It was that way last year in Baltimore's, too. It was not subdued, but businesslike. I'm sure the party came later, but it wasn't what you.

saw with Michael Jordan bottles of champagne being poured over his head with Bob Costas surging for his microphone. Here's why, because you're changing, and it's like a normal locker room situation, which is already very awkward, because there's tons of people milling about, and then multiply that by a thousand. There's no walking

room. Everyone's got cameras. I think it's just like sort of this weird, post awkward stage before the real party starts. They're basically just waiting to get out of there, it seems like. Yeah, in baseball, they don't care, they don't need anything to celebrate. They'll celebrate a regular season title, a wild card win,

LCS championship. They'll celebrate basically throughout the month of October. No sense of the moment. Okay, that does it for Wednesday's edition of the Around the League podcast. Thank you again to Josh Sitten for joining us. That was very nice of Josh. We will be back on

Friday, as we always are, to preview all of the week 16. Is that where we are? Week 16. That is absurd. Week 16 games. Christmas is next week. Mark was not aware. of this until today. That is a fact. I did not know. I thought it was

two weeks from now. Not, I know that the 25th is, but I just, no, I know when the 25th is, always Christmas, but I just thought it was December 4th or 5th right now. I'm in the space. We have a holiday party tonight. Mark did not realize the party was tonight and he thought Christmas was two weeks from now. So, hey,

that's exciting if I were you. And yeah, the holiday party is tonight. Mark and I roll in tomorrow morning at 5 and 6 a.m. respectively. Mark, you know, Mark is kind of indestructible. I don't assume he'll have any issues. I'm a little more worried about myself.

I'll try my best, Greg, to be professional. Do you want me to set my alarm and text you in the morning? Well, I don't know if you're getting up either, Wes. Let's be honest. I'm on a good boy streak lately. Really? Yeah. Why is that?

Well, I know. I felt like some changes needed to be made. Really? Yeah. Well, that's a topic for another podcast. Well, every once in a while I go through these things where I just, you know, have to test myself and see, you know, make sure I'm not, like, the difference between a drunk and an alcoholic and somebody who just lives a fun lifestyle,

I have to make sure I'm in the latter group. Yeah, well, that's why Wes has put down seven odules during this podcast. No, I drink, what do they call, Bentley's or something? It's like a high-end, non-alcoholic. Wow, Bentley's high-end in all cases. All right, this is enough. All right, we will be back Friday. Until then, this is Ben Hansa, signing up for the mailman, the sizzler, the boss,

Gold Standard, until Friday. This is an I-Heart podcast.