NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Steelers-Bengals aftermath, fallout from Giants' firings & 'hot butt' coaches

Episode Date: December 5, 2017

A room filled with heroes- Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler, Gregg Rosenthal & Colleen Wolfe- recap Monday Night's showdown between the Steelers and Bengals (3:00); The physicality of the game, which resu...lted in serious injuries for Ryan Shazier and Vontaze Burfict (5:00); Reaction to the Giants firing Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese (16:00); A shameful moment for the Throne of Ease, courtesy of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (24:00); Which coaches have "hot butts" regarding their job security? (29:00); And much more!Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comNFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:01:58 Has a bone to pick with Kathy F. Welcome back to another edition of the Around the NFL podcast presented by Head and Shoulders. My name is Dan Hensis, and I am joined by a room filled with Heroes, Mark Sessler, Colleen Wolf, and Greg Rosethol. What's up, people? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Starting point is 00:02:19 That time, money nailed it. Kathy F is high on our S list, and this is some judge with a ton of money, cash falling out of her pocket, thinks she can go, take a vacation in the middle of the NFL season with work to do with decisions coming down. Kathy F. up in the Poconos having her own time. Put it this way. During the Zeke Elliott appeal process, as the lawyers are going back and forth her,
Starting point is 00:02:42 she's got like the thousand yards stare and then you like cut into her inner monologue. And it's just like, how you have to bring is your love for everything. Beautiful Mount Airy Lodge. Must be nice being Kathy. Mount Airy Lodge. The Poconos. I went there several times.
Starting point is 00:03:02 You are the only person I know that went and it mesmerizes me because All right, two people on this show have been. I spent my whole childhood watching those ads wondering what it was. Half my family live there. Oh, look at Greg. Greg grew up on the East Coast
Starting point is 00:03:15 that he doesn't even know the commercial. You might be a little, you might be a little young for it because I'm surprised the way that you know. They would have different. I lived in Western Massachusetts. I guess they didn't. Oh, you know what?
Starting point is 00:03:26 They probably didn't do that. Yeah, you weren't parano. territory makes sense my family grew up right at the Pocono raceway that was the wolf the wolf side of the family goosebumps goosebumps yeah being that close to the hollowed grounds of the Poconos race that's right um the around the NFL podcast it's our Tuesday show as we start looking forward to week 14 but so much to get to is a busy show coming up today a Monday night football review a memorable maybe not for the right reasons but a memorable Monday night matchup between the Steelers and the Bengals, a comeback for Pittsburgh and a terrible injury
Starting point is 00:04:04 for Ryan Shazier. We're going to get into all that. We will. We talked about this back in, I think, July or August, and now we're going to resurface it. What coaches? And Greg, I know this is a tough situation for you when we talk with this. Hot butts, a little hot butt talk. I just don't like the term hot butt and the sound that's happening. Yeah, but what's a difference between hot seat and everybody loves saying hot seat and we say hot butt because it sounds like we're torturing someone well now you're referring to the drop itself yeah the top makes me feel uncomfortable hot seat suggests that your butt is touching the hotness of the seat so i think dan has just gotten sort of cut to the chase with hot butts and we're also going to do a thursday night football
Starting point is 00:04:47 preview big game big nfc south showdown between the saints and the falcons so that's a big one so So much to get to today. Let's not dilly-dally. No more Mountaineary Lodge talk. No, enough of that. Let's start with a little Monday night football. Boswell is ready. The snap, the ball, put down.
Starting point is 00:05:08 The kick is up, arching through, and could? The Steelers have won it on a 30-yard game-winning field goal by Chris Boswell. That's Kevin Harlan, of course, of Westwood won. Chris Boswell kicked that field goal on the final play of regulation after Antonio Brown caught a six-yard touchdown pass to tie the game in the fourth quarter. The Pittsburgh Steelers come all the way back facing a 17-point deficit in the first half, a 23 to 20 win over the rival Bengals. And if Wes was here and we wish he was, he would laugh at the term rival because once again, this is the most one-sided rivalry in the NFL. And Pittsburgh did it to Sinci again, ending, all but ending their playoff hopes. Not totally out of it in the AFC, but five and seven now.
Starting point is 00:05:59 They're out of it. They are in a tough spot. And beyond that, they just, they didn't show any heart closing out that game they needed. Now, before we get to the specifics of what was a very violent physical game, let's talk about the Ryan Shazir injury. Greg, we'll start with you on this one. Early in the fourth, in the first quarter, this was in the first five minutes of the game. Sheizier suffered a back injury, didn't have.
Starting point is 00:06:22 have any feeling below the waist, a truly scary moment that cast up all over the entire game. What is the update we have? First of all, Greg. Well, Mike Tomlin spoke Tuesday morning, didn't have a huge update. Basically, last night the Steelers said the next 24 to 48 hours are going to be important in terms of him getting some feeling in his lower extremities. Our reporters, rather, Adi Kinkawala and Ian Rappapaport reported that he was having some feeling in it. But you listen to, to Mike Tomlin speak about it on Tuesday and you know he he spoke about how difficult it was to leave Shazir there at the hospital Shazir's parents are now in Cincinnati with him at the hospital and
Starting point is 00:07:07 it it I kind of saw during this game it was almost like the Shazir injury and everything else that happened got conflated and they were two totally different things this was just an unfortunate accident that you said it well Dan kind of cast a Paul over the game. It was kind of like, I don't know, I immediately thought back to Kevin Everett, which was 10 years ago, which was the last circumstance that felt like this. And as we speak now, we don't really know what the prognosis is going to be for Shazir. We're just hoping that he's okay.
Starting point is 00:07:40 They also need swelling to go down. But it sounds like from where we were last night that there is, there's hope. There is some positive. The reports are. Right, exactly. There is movement in his lower extremists. remedies. So that's the first concern. But Greg, I couldn't agree more with the way that you put it. I think it had genuinely affected both teams. And it absolutely, I mean, you forget, this is like
Starting point is 00:08:03 someone that these guys spend all day with, all season with. It's the brother. I mean, they love this guy. And he is a genuine, he was one of their team leaders. And one of the guys in the NFL is truly a wonderful person. And you saw reporters responding the same way because of what they know about Chazir. And so I, it, it was, the game came so secondary to it. And Pittsburgh's comeback, I think was quite impressive because of what they were dealing with internally, the entire time. It made me feel so sick watching it. And then I think just to see like the reactions, Vince Williams just crying on the sideline. And then guys going up to him and sort of comforting him. And you saw how serious it was. And it just kind of gave me, like I felt sick after watching it a little bit.
Starting point is 00:08:47 It's one of the brutal things of football that, you know, injuries like this happened, and this was an extreme case of that. And then they just start. And that wasn't the only one. They just start playing, though, 30 seconds later. They don't call the game. Right. You have to move on.
Starting point is 00:09:00 And it's a unique circumstance. And like moments like that, however this all results, like that's a moment that's going to be something that Shazir and the people around them, they remember for the rest of their lives and something that stays in their mind. And, you know, Joe Mixon got knocked out in this game. I believe there was another. concussion involved you had Antonio Brown clearly a headhunting incident on his touchdown pass that tied the game and perfect went out perfect went out with a
Starting point is 00:09:28 juju schuster hit which was really blatant by uh smith schuster and where you know there are some reports out there now from mike garifolo that uh juju smithsuster will be suspended for his uh peel off block on uh burfect and then standing over over him. And, you know, one other point about all the injuries and the violence and the physical nature of this game is like there is a very vocal segment of football fans that get angry when teams are chummy and they're paling it up. And it's like, it's not like the way it used to be. Well, this is what it's like when teams genuinely dislike each other and they want they're out for blood and they're coming after each other to knock each other out of the game. And I
Starting point is 00:10:13 don't think it was necessarily a fun watch. It was kind of, I kind of found myself cringe. especially by the time he got to the game and Ioka tried to take Antonio Brown out of the game. It's just like, this isn't even fun to watch. Where are the coaches? Yeah, where are the coaches in this? Because, you know, you knew going in, the roadmap for Steelers Bengals has been well laid out.
Starting point is 00:10:34 We know what these teams think of each other. And what happened last night? I mean, it supersedes that playoff game from a couple seasons ago. In terms of the incidents alone, you didn't have Mike Munchiak throwing people around this time, but come on. I mean, you've got to settle these teams down. But also the players have to be accountable as well.
Starting point is 00:10:52 I agree, but it's right. They talk about all the issues with CT and the players, you know, the lawsuits and, you know, we're not protected. It's like, you guys got to look out for each other too and you can't turn it into like a revenge game back and forth. Right. And it's really we're just talking about two hits. And that's the thing. It felt like a lot of different things were going on. Mixing happened on a running play.
Starting point is 00:11:13 It was a very. That's what we saw, by the way. Right. It doesn't mean there was. more stuff going on on the field as well. It was a very physical game. It was Schuster's hit that started it, and then it was Aloka right after that. Those were the two moments.
Starting point is 00:11:26 I mean, Schuster's hit immediately reminded me of Heinz Ward's peel-off block against Keith Rivers, against the Bengals, which changed an NFL rule. It was almost identical to it, except Ward broke Rivers' jaw. And at the time, people celebrated that Heinz Ward hit. And Schuster, it's really interesting because everyone says they were, Schuster reminds Ward of him. And it happened. And if it had been six inches lower,
Starting point is 00:11:56 I don't think people would have really had a problem with it. He was standing over him. And then Aloko responded. It was those two hits. Other than that, it was just a physical game, but they were about as dirty as it gets. And a little breaking news here as we're talking about this. Whoa.
Starting point is 00:12:09 I see this from Andrew Ceciliano's feed. Jujo Smith, Schuster and George Ilocco both suspended one game. So there you go. It's the league now trying to clean up what was a mess in the game. And now in terms of the game, let's just hit on this before. Because we've got a lot to get to get to today. Really, I thought, an impressive Pittsburgh comeback to be down 17-0 on the road in prime time and to lose, Bianche Zier, how scary the injury is and how that kind of took everybody out of the game, it seemed.
Starting point is 00:12:42 He's also their most important defensive player. So to put it all together and come back, that's impressive. And then on Cincinnati side, it's like, people say, like, you can't, like, say one team is, it's, oh, same old bangles the last 30 years. Same thing with the Chargers I was bringing up Sunday. It was like, oh, no, this is a different Chargers team. Some teams, like, they just have it in their DNA to blow games and blow seasons since Cincinnati did it again last night. They played the best half of football they have all season in that first half.
Starting point is 00:13:11 Now, a lot of that I think had to do with what the Steelers were dealing with, emotionally and just simply having lost Chazir on the field. That had a major impact on Cincinnati's offense. The Bengals crumbling the way they did, to me, the DNA here is this unchanging combination of Marvin Lewis, Andy Dalton. It's the same story year after year. You don't have enough to get out of the AFC North outside of that 2015 season, which was spectacular until Dalton got hurt. That is one year. This is the same Bengals team season after season. And I wonder, you know, their fans were annoyed last night because I tweeted in like the first quarter. We know how this thing's going to end. The Steelers will win this game. I just have
Starting point is 00:13:50 enough faith in Pittsburgh to do that. But it has to do much more with the Bengals. They cannot finish their own business. How are they to be taken seriously? Well, that AJ Green touchdown that was called back. That heard. Right. I mean, that was bad luck. They win the game. And that was a terrible call. That was an awful call. That should have been a touchdown. And that's part of the Bengals thing, too. There were some questionable calls. There was a past interference call that went against and the AJ Green, that took seven points off the board. And certain franchise just seems like things don't go their way in crucial junctures of a season. As West pointed out last night, the Dalton and Lewis Connection are three and 12 against the Steelers.
Starting point is 00:14:27 You can talk about the touchdown. They got called back last night, but they find a way to do this, if not two times a season, two times plus the playoffs. And then just one more thing. Levy on Bell, he's so good. He was so good in this game. But maybe they need to just like pump the brakes a little. little bit on Lev and save him a little bit. The amount of touches.
Starting point is 00:14:45 I don't think it's going to happen. If it hasn't happened yet. They're not going, I know. Hey, week 14, maybe you should do this, but still. They have to play the Ravens next week. Right. And then they have to play the Patriots after that. And you're right.
Starting point is 00:14:56 I mean, they were banged up. This was, you mentioned some franchises are just. Snake Bandit's like that. Well, this Bengals franchise has as much continuity in terms of their personnel and their coach as any. And so what's going on since 2000. You mentioned that season that was different. Think about when it changed.
Starting point is 00:15:15 When Andy Dalton got hurt, I believe they got blown out by the Steelers late that season. Then they have the playoff game where they lose at the end. That's the most famous Steelers Bengals game. Last year, people don't remember this game because the Bengals are pretty much out of it. They were up 20 to 6 in December and blew a home game. This time, it's 17 to nothing. And they lose Adam Jones in the first half. They lose Joe Mixon, so there was some bad luck there.
Starting point is 00:15:40 But in the end, they got the ball three times at the end of the game. the game, and they only got one first down. Andy Dalton was incredible how well he played for most of this game. But when push came to shove at the end, it was the Steelers that make the play. And Antonio Brown deserves a lot of credit. Playing through an injury, what a performance from the first minute on, and then to cap it with a touchdown catch like that. That is the type of stuff that MVP seasons are made of.
Starting point is 00:16:04 It's almost impossible for a wide receiver to win an MVP award at this point. And I don't know if I would ever vote for him either. But he has done everything, and he always does it at the very end of the game. And if it wasn't for him, I know you're kind of sick of them barely winning these games. I'm not sick of them. Well, just that they like kind of during games. It's predictable. My point is Mark's Twitter feed.
Starting point is 00:16:26 It is highly predictable. If you want to take away, like, talk about, like, if you take away Russell Wilson from the Seahawks, what happens, which is totally fair. And you'd say that with any quarterback. Take away Antonio Brown from the Steelers. And they lose all these close games. His performance in this game and Rathesbergers at the end was. Bengals, 13 yards in the fourth quarter. Take care of business.
Starting point is 00:16:45 I have no idea how Antonio Brown held on to that touch at the end. I mean, he's made a, he's made different. He is an MVP, but we only vote for quarterback. And some of it, the last thing is self-inflicted. Marvin, when you, that famous drop you have about Marvin Lewis, sometimes... Who's you? Mark Sessler. You know what drop on top of the bounds.
Starting point is 00:17:04 You know what talk about. That one? Yes. When Gino Ackins, your best player gets a late hit on a drive late in the game, which definitely hurt them. They were probably going to get the Steelers off the field at the point. You don't bench Gino Ackins for the rest of that drive. I think that kind of slipped under the radar.
Starting point is 00:17:20 John Gruden didn't really say anything about it. Atkins didn't go on the field. I don't believe for the rest of that drive and the Steelers go down and score a touchdown. It's like, oh, my God. I don't know what was going to go on John Gruden in this game either. I'm going to save for the John Gruden in decline podcast, but I don't know if he's got one foot out the door or what,
Starting point is 00:17:34 but that was a strange game. You've been mentioned on like four straight Tuesday podcast, various things. With the way he's talking about Perfect and all that, We got to move on. Greg, we got to move. I know. Save it for the Greg alone podcast. I feel like we could have done a whole.
Starting point is 00:17:49 We could have done a podcast just on this game. You're absolutely right. But we have so much more to get to, including, oh my goodness, a big coaching change. Let us now move on to news. All right. Yes. It's true. The New York Giants made a move.
Starting point is 00:18:11 Two moves. Huge moves for the franchise firing head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese. This in the throes of a miserable two and ten season. McAdoo was let go. I guess a week was a week to the day after the decision to bench Gino Smith, which bench Eli Manning. I keep on mixing up my like all-time New York Giants quarterback. Apologies, everybody. New York area quarterbacks.
Starting point is 00:18:43 I really feel like Gino got to that level with the jet. Yeah, he's kind of like one of those legends of the New York sports scene. Totally. Anyway, so the decision was made to get rid of Macadoo now and get rid of Jerry Reese, the general manager now, and that goes against the press release the Giants put out last month saying that they were going to hold Pat for the rest of this doomed season. John Mara spoke to the media after these two huge moves
Starting point is 00:19:08 and was asked why did things change? I changed my mind. We changed our minds. I mean, given that all of the events that have occurred where we are as a franchise right now, and I just, to be honest with you, it became more and more apparent that we were going to have to do something at the end of the season. So we talked after the game and again this morning about why prolong it any longer, why not just get it done now? I'm very conscious of the fact that three of our last four games are at home. I was conscious of having lived through it before of what the reaction was going to be. It also gives us somewhat of a tactical advantage and allowing us to start looking at general managers right now rather than waiting until the end of the season. It feels like the Giants with John Marron, this is, again, a great organization that typically does things right. They're starting to put things back together and make some right moves,
Starting point is 00:20:00 but the damage is done. And by the way, Eli Manning getting benched, there's been a lot of fingers pointing. John Marr did take some accountability on that front as well. You know, it is where it is, and you ought to stop blaming Ben and Jerry on that. If you want to blame anybody for that, blame me. Because I certainly had the power to overrule it if I wanted to. I chose not to do it.
Starting point is 00:20:24 So there you go, Mark. The Giants, Steve Spagnola, is the interim coach Ernie O'Corsi, who's been involved with the Giants for decades and is a really respected guy behind the scenes. He will be leading the GM search. The Giants are starting over. Yeah, and why make the move now? Well, you have three of your final four games at home. And you have a chance to, you know, as you said, the damage is done.
Starting point is 00:20:49 You can't undo the B's Nest this organization ran into in the last couple weeks here. But you can maybe find a way to, A, get a jump on a coaching search, a jump on a GM search. You know, Reese has been there since 2007, has two Super Bowl titles, has been building that team for a long, long time. Absolutely. I mean, Mara made the point. I think with McAdoo, you know, you fire a. coach after two years. There's not a lot of relationship to look back on, especially this season. Reese and Mara were tied at the hip for a long, long time, and I think that was a very tough
Starting point is 00:21:21 dismissal for him. But watching Mara, I think he's one of the best owners, and the Giants are going to be okay, in my opinion, because A, anyone would want to coach for this team, because ownership is patient. It's not one of these franchises that reboot every two seasons, every 700 days. You've got a top three draft pick coming your way. You can choose to start over at cornerback. There's a lot to like here. There's a lot of stuff to like in the roster. I mean, the ownership totally botched this situation, and it was good to hear John Mara. He owned it. Take some accountability. But ultimately, he got Ben McAdoo fired, too. Like, if he had truly made a difference and stepped in the way, and who knows how that all
Starting point is 00:22:03 work, it sounded like the initial suggestion was from Mara to start playing some of these younger guys. He basically got Mara and Reese fired earlier. that's fine. It's all timing, but he has absolutely botched this entire scenario. They chose McAdoo, who was in the building for two years. They made him the head coach. And the reports from Adi Kinkawala was that Jerry Reese didn't want McAdo as the head coach. So if the Browns did something like that where ownership went against the GM that's been there and won two Super Bowls and made his own choice to keep a coach who was in the building,
Starting point is 00:22:38 who was the offensive coronator, and they'd all blew up in their face and both guys get, we'd blame the ownership. Yeah, I mean, they absolutely botched it. And he deserves blame Mara for this. And now, if you take a couple steps back and take kind of a macro viewpoint of it,
Starting point is 00:22:53 of how horrendously they botched this. Eli Manning now, it looks like he's going to start. That's awful. Again, he's going to go back into the starting lineup. So basically... So the last memory of Gina will be some pretty nice passes in the fourth quarter. He made some gems.
Starting point is 00:23:08 I mean, I'm just going to throw it up. You got to give me a break on that. I will remember him calling Rex Ryan a coward in the post. Yeah, I mean, that's a thing. I mean, that's not how you represent the giant. Let me just say. So, Eli is going to probably go back into the lineup rap sheet saying it's pointing that way. We're hearing that all over the place.
Starting point is 00:23:24 And so at the end of the day, you want to talk about self-inflicted wounds by an organization. You could not have handled this worse because you blow Eli's 210 consecutive start streak. Now you make a titanic apology gesture. to your quarterback by getting rid of the coach and the GM, and I'm sure there was some sit downs between ownership and Eli apologizing. But it's like, I wrote about this yesterday. It's kind of like your buddy who cheats on his girlfriend gets caught and then to try to make up for it.
Starting point is 00:23:55 He like proposes to her. And it's like, okay, maybe that works, but there's some scars that are going to be left behind. And it's not that easy. You can't just clean this up and put a band-a-a-bundate. Right. I was not giving Mara a free pass for this episode, but I think that the Giants ownership in general
Starting point is 00:24:08 has to be viewed as top five in the NFL over the course of the last three decades. They are a steady organization. It's an attractive landing spot. That's all I'm saying. I think they had to do it at this point, though, because obviously this is an organization that doesn't fire coaches mid-season, and they had no choice because of everything that was going on. And even Mara said it, he's like, I know our fans are suffering, but I'm suffering more right now.
Starting point is 00:24:31 And I thought that that was an interesting moment because you don't hear a lot of owners come out and straight say that. You can see on his face how passionate he is about the team and how awful this whole scenario has spiraled out of control so quickly this entire week. They just had to do it. It's a nice roster and Jerry Reese is the surprise part of it because I know they have only made the playoffs once in the last six years.
Starting point is 00:24:56 He has a complicated legacy, but his draft class won them a Super Bowl in 2007. And he really built up that 2011 team. So he's an all-time giant for what he did, and they kept him around for a long time. I'm sure that firing was a lot tougher for far. Yeah, and for it to happen in season. I mean, just shockwaves through that organization.
Starting point is 00:25:19 All right. So that's what's going on with the Giants. And let's move on. So, yes, suspensions for Juju Smith-Schuster. And, oh, by the way, we're going to talk, you know, Ben McDoo no longer, no hot butt. It's just his butt's on the street. That's the way this game works. Cold butt.
Starting point is 00:25:33 We're going to get into some more hot butt talk. a little bit later in a few minutes. But now some more suspension talk. Rob Grunkowski has been suspended one game for his cheap shot in Sunday's game. And he was frustrated that Bill's cornerback, Tradavius White, was being overly physical with him on an interception. And he threw his forearm into the back of Traddevius White's head. White suffered a concussion.
Starting point is 00:26:01 And there was immediate speculation that Grant could be banned for a game. And that's exactly what the NFL did. He suspended one game, which I'm sure they will survive against the Dolphins. And he'll be back in the lineup against the Steelers. If you really wanted to send a message, by the way, you would have suspended him two games and taking them out of that. That's the big point there. But instead, they went with one game and your thoughts. Will you think it was too light?
Starting point is 00:26:24 Well, no. I mean, I was looking at the schedule and I was thinking if the schedule, if this happened at a certain time and he was out for the game against the Steelers, that would have been Kat. may be catastrophic for the Patriots just because of the ripple effect there because the Patriots really need to win that game. They need Gronk there. I mean, one game, he should get one game at the very least for that. It was like a total cheap shot and he waited and he thought about it and then he did it. To his credit, we'll listen to it right now.
Starting point is 00:26:52 Here's Grank. He did own up for it immediately after. Let's hear what Gronk had to say. I definitely want to apologize to number 27. I mean, I'm not in the business of that. I mean, it was a lot of frustration. and I was just really frustrated at that moment. It just happened naturally through emotions and frustration
Starting point is 00:27:11 and just want to apologize to Devious White. I don't really believe in type of shots like that, but just due to the frustration process, a game of football emotions. And I don't know if you guys caught it a local affiliate covering that Bill's game got Sean McDermott and Belichick at midfield. field after the game McDermott made a point to bring up that Gronkowski was out of line and Greg Belchick said that's full blank and he apologized and that makes sense because there was no arguing around this I'm a little
Starting point is 00:27:51 surprised I shouldn't be that Grunk is appealing it or his agents appealing the suspension so that does bring a question into when he will serve it it also could, you know, it's going to be a very costly one. Not only does he miss the game, but he could end up losing a couple million dollars in incentives that he has through an action of his own. Right, related to playing time. So he's going to pay for it. And it's good that the NFL is acting quicker on these things.
Starting point is 00:28:21 Usually, like, nothing would happen or his fines or like we find out in two or three weeks. Like this Bengal Steeler stuff, it's buttoned up here the next morning. I think that's exactly right with the NFL acting quickly. People killing Grunk for appealing it. I don't think he should, but you think that the Patriots want him to appeal it? I think they do. I don't think he's going to get appealed, that's all.
Starting point is 00:28:41 But I don't think Bill Belichick's... He is appealing. Oh, he didn't. Okay. No, he's appealed, but the decision hasn't come down. Right, right, right. I would think they would just say, serve it right now. Yeah, against it out of the way.
Starting point is 00:28:52 I don't know. Against the dolphins. All right. Hey, guess what? What? From number one, New York Times bestselling, author James Rawlins comes the thrilling new novel, The Demon Crown.
Starting point is 00:29:09 Oh my God. You've been waiting for this, Mark. You've had a calendar. You've been exing off the days till the demon crown is on. I'll play along. Yes, I have. And now it's here to save. Listen to this.
Starting point is 00:29:19 Mark, I know you're a voracious reader. To save mankind's future, the members of Sigma Force must make a Greg. A casserole? devil's bargain close follow along as they join forces with their most hated enemy to stop an ancient threat often compared to Clive Custler and yes Michael Cretan some people say Crichton I say Michael Cretan you got it right best like Cruton yeah Michael Cruton's best this book combines real science which is good science is you know if you're going to have science make a feel and history with cutting edge military action I feel like this book, whatever this book is, is right up the alley of our listeners. So they really nailed this. Yeah, I mean, it sounds a tad cookie cutter, but proceed.
Starting point is 00:30:10 It's a great place to join in on the wildly successful Sigma Force series. So get started. Sigma Force. Yeah, man. Get started. Yeah, well, man. Get started with videos, audio, and more at James Rawlins.com. Oh, yeah, the Demon Crown.
Starting point is 00:30:30 Dan, you're going to read that, right? I already did. I got an advanced copy. How was it? I'm way on top of it. I've read it all of the Sigma 4 series. Name of the main character, please. Carl.
Starting point is 00:30:45 All right, let's talk about some hot butts. But, butt, butt, butt, butt, butt, butt, butt, butt, butt, but, but, but, but, but, but, some butts are marks. But is not hot, but Greg's might. I think it is in some ways. It's very uncomfortable It should be It's a hot butt All right so
Starting point is 00:31:05 Like I said It's like those You know car seat warmers Yeah That's very uncomfortable too My wife always makes fun of me Because she calls me a werewolf I just run hot in general
Starting point is 00:31:18 Not surprising But what happens a lot I'll accidentally hit the switch On the butt warmer in the car And I won't even notice it It'll just be like And my wife will look down and be like, you know, that's been, like, warming your ass for, like, an hour and a half.
Starting point is 00:31:34 Wait, what? Are werewolves attracted to hot temperatures? I don't kind of get the... Also, you call it a butt warmer? The seat warmer? Whatever. Like that butt talk. Come back to us, werewolves. Wait, you didn't know.
Starting point is 00:31:47 Werewolves are warm-blooded, right? I mean, that's fine, but so are we. So are we. Same for the pillow talk podcast. Wow. All right. Well, that's your invitation. I didn't create that.
Starting point is 00:31:58 Cool. Whoa. What? So let's talk about more but. Let's talk about some hot butts. My wife calls me Wolfman. Is that what, it's a little awkward? Is that what you're saying?
Starting point is 00:32:10 I'm just saying, werewolves are not known to be attracted to especially hot temperatures versus any other temperatures as far as I know. The werewolf itself is a hot-blooded creature. As are we. Do you call yourself the werewolf? No. I mean, I am going to, at this point, I am going to take it up with her.
Starting point is 00:32:28 Wiki it, okay? Or take it up with my... I'm going to text her after the show and get to the box. Hit her up. Anyway. So, all these coaches that we're going to talk about might be feeling a little werewolfy because as we head towards the home stroke,
Starting point is 00:32:42 everyone knows, Greg. Everybody knows that the first Monday after the regular season ends is referred to as what? Black Monday. I thought you're going to say Cassarole. I was thinking casserole. That would have been a really nice callback, as they say in the industry. And, you know, your boy, Tony Jeslnick would have been upset that you
Starting point is 00:33:00 didn't hit that one. I think he'll be fine with me. Well, he listens to every show. He'll send you some notes. Does Tony send you like an email like every show with like some tags and things? I think it's safe to say he's never listening. I was saying probably a zero listener on any level. Any update on it?
Starting point is 00:33:18 We're working on it. Oh. We're working on this guy. Got something cooking? Making moves. It looks like it. I support it, by the way. I want it back.
Starting point is 00:33:30 good. Is it going to be in this video? Yeah, you are a... Now you support it. I didn't like it. Massive supporter. Okay. They did not like it initially.
Starting point is 00:33:38 But now I support it. My own podcast I had with my friend. Yeah. RGVP. Yes. Now I would support it. All right. Back then, no.
Starting point is 00:33:47 I didn't. But I was very open about it. You were. That's true. Privately we talked about it as well. Had one great episode where they played the same song over and over was one of the greatest things I've ever. Prank of the year.
Starting point is 00:33:59 Okay. Anyway, so let's get. get into it go down the list. We have a big list of coaches. Let's start with a category we call no brainers. And I guess that means, Colleen, that there's no chance that these two men survive beyond Black Monday. And on this list, list we have John Fox of Chicago and Chuck Pagano of Indianapolis. Mark, is there any realm where either of these guys make it pass that Monday? I think it's disappointing if that were no I'd say no my one question with with the bears especially A in Indianapolis you have a GM that's going to want to have the chance to pick his own coach right
Starting point is 00:34:40 with the bears does Ryan Pace stick around after John Fox if John Fox goes I think that'd be a big question I don't I'm not sure that Ryan Pace is the most impressive general manager I've ever witnessed over the course of his run thus far and I think like one of the one of the things that caught my attention at the before the season even started was the drafting of Mitch Trubisky and how it kind of took everybody by surprise, including what looks like the coaching staff. It seemed like the front office came in, kind of did their thing, got him, like. So you would think that they would have a little longer leash to hire another coach, but we'll see. Yeah, and this is, it's a tough time of season, you know, when bears are losing the 49ers, the Colts are just kind of, you know, going through the motions. Chuck Baganos now got bits.
Starting point is 00:35:26 He actually brought in copies of Groundhog Day this week to give to the reporters who had never listened to it. And then he... That's pretty funny. He then made a reference. That makes me like him a lot more. Yeah. And so there's a good picture of the three of them all holding up their ground date DVDs.
Starting point is 00:35:46 Who's still watching DVDs? It was the 15th anniversary edition or something really strange. It was like the 15th anniversary. That's a thing you make a DVD for. But he also did another big. where he used a quote from a league of their own, that there's no crying in baseball and football and use that. So now he's kind of liking the attention.
Starting point is 00:36:06 Where are you now, Mark, with this added evidence, is it more towards you worried about his mental health, or you think he's more, he's just embracing the end of the road here? I still have questions. I mean, I think that you're probably not in a good, these are the kind of guys, like, he already has a beard, but like you disappear for like five months and you get your health back. Like, he does not sound extremely healthy
Starting point is 00:36:27 on point to me. What are you talking about with his beard? No, I'm saying, like, he's got, like, a go-tee thing, but, like, I could see him vanishing and, like, getting, like, a giant beard and, like, getting all his... John has done that in, like, multiple parts of our life.
Starting point is 00:36:40 Yeah, we remember one of those periods, at least. Anytime he, like, stops with a job, whether he, like, leaves or whatever. Yeah. His beard and his hair, he just doesn't cut, and they all grow into one giant hair mask. I remember that. Great move is a man if you have that freedom at intervals. That post-filly move pre-ringer, pre-stringing era for Gonzo was a little Pagano on the professor.
Starting point is 00:37:06 I went over to visit him one time and he's, the Gonzo was walking around at 11.30 a.m. after taking a nap, a long nap after having woken up at nine. And he's having, he knows it each time of day when he's having his little cup of coffee. And it was a beautiful period of life that I was very envious of. Not even exaggerating. I'm going to bring this Colts thing back around the theory that you had that you said off the show that maybe John Gruden, you know, you're a little concerned about him. Maybe he's thinking about future. Like, it's almost like he's not concerned about him, but yeah, I don't think he's had a great job this year. Could you imagine him as, I think one job he would come back for, even with the risk of Andrew Luck's injury.
Starting point is 00:37:45 And I think he's almost talked about it openly is coming back. I can just imagine John Gruden, Jim Mersey, Andrew Luck, and just being a great pairing. just being a crazy situation. Can totally see that. And what I mean by that, Gruden, and maybe it is that kind of Tony Romo, and we talked about it in the pre-production meeting, that there's kind of been like a,
Starting point is 00:38:06 if you remember, showgirls. Is there a 15th anniversary DVD for showgirls also? Christian, do you own that? Who doesn't remember show girls? I got to start prepping for my wife and I's 15th anniversary, because that's the big number. They're a big DVD going to come out for that. But Jesse Spano and Showgirls, she's on the rise in the industry.
Starting point is 00:38:30 And then Gina Garshang's character was kind of like the living legend. And then eventually Gershont gets pushed down the steps. And her career is ended as Jesse, you know, surges. A pivotal scene in a beautiful film. Yeah, an important film. Poetic in the late 20th century. That is kind of what's happened in a way with Tony Romo. He's Jesse.
Starting point is 00:38:51 and I think her name was what, Nomi, was it? Wow. Christian, do you remember this? Of course he does. He was on the set. Christian watched it like two weeks ago. He was the script supervisor. Yeah, I was at the theater.
Starting point is 00:39:05 Opening weekend, thank you very much. Oh, wow. What I'm talking about it? I saw in the theater. Anyway, so Nomi, she surges to the top. That's Tony Romo. And Gruden, for whatever reason, and I tie some of it. We talked about this to Tariko leave in the booth.
Starting point is 00:39:20 I feel like Gruden, lost his juice a little bit in the last year or two. And now it just seems like he's a little distracted or not quite as invested. Just a bit of a cessler. Is that fair to say? Well, there's going to be a lot of coaching jobs open, some with pretty good situations, including the Giants, which I think has a lot of talent in that roster.
Starting point is 00:39:36 I feel like Gruden's always been this way, though. Do we overrate or do we look at like cower for years in this rumor mill thing, Gruden too? Like you've been out of the game for 10 years. Is that the coach you really want? He's still young enough, though. I'm thinking more of a cower type thing. By the way, met Elizabeth Berkeley at a play area in a mall when Luke and Colton were there.
Starting point is 00:39:56 And it was quite a, we were quite shocked to be discussing child care with Elizabeth Berkeley. How did she come off? Like, everything was. She couldn't have been nicer. Absolutely. And a really nice person, yes. All right, good. So there's some good news.
Starting point is 00:40:09 Great. Post-show girls. Nice update. All right, so no-brainers. Wait, have you seen show girls? I've seen it, yeah. I've seen it. So, you know, don't cast the spur.
Starting point is 00:40:17 I'm just saying. Come on, Colleen. I've seen it. opening weekend though for Christian how about that waiting online for show girls the best thing that happened at the show was after the big Gershon kiss with Elizabeth Berkeley so I just screamed out
Starting point is 00:40:30 I finally got my $7 worth some guy yeah okay some guy all right so Fox and Pagano we both agree will be out McAdoo of course already out so we're going to be up to
Starting point is 00:40:46 three at least let's move on to very hot very hot very hot but so not no-brainers but very hot and on the list here and Greg will start with you on this one Dirk Cutter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers it's been a really disappointing season they are on the short list of the most disappointing teams
Starting point is 00:41:06 in the NFL you think it costs Cutter his gig more likely than not because of the history in Tampa they go through coaches faster than just about anyone you don't really hear from the glazers you know they've got their Premier League teams they're worried about but they just drop in and they get rid of guys. Do you guys know who the coach who has the longest tenure
Starting point is 00:41:26 in Tampa since John Gruden? John Gruden, by the way, he was nine and three the season that he got fired, lost four straight games and then was out, which is a reminder that what happens the next four games can have a big impact on this discussion. Was it Shiano? It was Rahim Morris who got two, I think got two and a half years
Starting point is 00:41:44 or maybe got three years. That was a messy. And that was the longest one. How could I forget, Yeah, that's the longest one. So they get rid of guys quickly, and this has been bad. All right. How about Colleen? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:41:57 We were just talking about it earlier. Well, Marvin Lewis is a goner? I think so. I mean, I think he's going to either that or. Do we really think this? He's been surviving for like 15 years. I know. Well, this is the end of his contract is coming up.
Starting point is 00:42:12 His contract's up at the end of the season. He might be quiet, Greg. Let me just get this out. Go, Connie. He might retire. That's also a possibility. He might just hang up the old headset. He's accomplished everything.
Starting point is 00:42:25 Yeah, so why not? But maybe to avoid being, like, quote, unquote, fired, maybe he retired. Yeah, doesn't he usually get that one year contract extension by now that kind of keeps him around for one more season? He could go to the front office, but last night, that's why there was. Last night was bad. There was so much going on. And the Cincinnati Inquirer wrote the column, I think, that makes a lot of sense, is was that the end of an era? And it did kind of feel like having that script happen again felt like maybe that was the game that ends it from.
Starting point is 00:42:55 And now I'll channel Chris Wessling because I feel like Wes might have this take. And I hope I'm not wrong for us if you're listening. But like, why would anything change now? I know this yesterday felt different, but it's mostly probably because it happened 12 hours ago. This stuff has been going on in Cincinnati for over a decade. And they don't like change. They fear change. So although I agree and makes sense,
Starting point is 00:43:20 I certainly, if I were a man that, like, you know, walk through the desert toward the light, if I had to go one way or the other, I'm saying he's coming back. I'm with you because I don't know if I put his butt as very hot because I don't think that's ever the case with Marvin Lewis. So I think it would have to. Colleen's point on the contract is pretty telling, though,
Starting point is 00:43:40 that he hasn't had. It is, but I think your point that it would be his decision, maybe. and they find someone to take his place either from within or maybe from somewhere else in Ohio? But like we would never know anyway. I mean, they could just fire him and it would be framed as a retirement. All right.
Starting point is 00:43:55 What about Mark? Your boy, Hugh Jackson, who has a grand total of one win in two seasons so far. Are they going to stay the course? Should they stay the course? Well, people might disagree with what I'd say here, but I think they would struggle, they would really struggle to get a coach in here.
Starting point is 00:44:14 someone was there's whispers about Jeff Fisher wanting a job like who's going to want it I mean it's just out there it's out there like the idea that like Cleveland's going to get one of the premier coaches I I would stay the course personally because they've they've had four straight regimes flush everyone out after two seasons I think they're going to go absolutely get a quarterback with the number one to or pick this this off season and I would say unless you feel like you can get a coach that can change this organization and be as Greg says one of the two or three guys that really, you know, is a factor in games. I just don't see that happening.
Starting point is 00:44:49 Unpopular, but I would stay the course. But I don't think that's essentially what they're going to do. It's tricky. We're assuming that Sashi Brown will be allowed to still make the decisions. That's part of the equation who's, you know, deciding this. Like Hugh Jackson, I think, does a really good job considering all the losing of having a good public face and having the right attitude and, like, dealing with it. because he's had a worse record than any coach in NFL history so far with Cleveland.
Starting point is 00:45:18 And he's underachieved. It isn't pointed out quite enough that Hugh Jackson's done a bad job in terms of winning games. They are better than one in – what is it now? They should be four and four to four and five wins this season. They've underachieved. So it's a tough decision because I think you're right. I think you're right. It makes sense to stay the course.
Starting point is 00:45:37 But it makes it – it would make it almost impossible if they don't win a game. It'd be pretty ballsy. If they are worst case scenario who don't win this year, bring back a guy that's 1 in 31. If he doesn't win, the big picture thing of all that. And then the other conversation, and it is, Hugh Jackson was involved with these quarterback decisions that are made the last two years, they cannot get this wrong. If they go three years and win, what, four games in three years or three games and three years and then mess up the next draft and don't have a quarterback, it will be one of the most
Starting point is 00:46:09 Titanic mess-ups in the history of the NFL. They're drafting a quarterback. You have to be confident that you're going to get a guy out of this process. And you have the right people in the building, and that includes Hugh Jackson who's in the center of it, making the right decisions. So it's really, it's a big decision. It's hot.
Starting point is 00:46:26 It's very hot because if he goes 0 and 4, I just can't imagine. How brutal is that? I mean, can you imagine having only one game in your career as a head coach there? Oh, it's awful to go through it. Sure. But one last thing with that, he has put on a good public face in terms of not. I don't think the team has given up on him, and I think he is engaging with players. But there are issues between the front office and the coaching staff, and there are some public issues and some stuff that's happened that is crazy. So that's the concern. Can they get along? Can they survive this?
Starting point is 00:46:55 All right. Let's go possible surprises. I would have bumped this up to very hot, but I'll throw Vance Joseph out there, the Denver Broncos. he is not a popular guy in Denver. I was doing some news searches after Sunday's game and there was a call to get this guy out of the building in a McAdoo sense. So there is not a lot of belief around the team. Fans, fans, columnists, all that stuff. Now that doesn't mean that that should be the reason for firing.
Starting point is 00:47:25 But the team is really underperformed. But then on the other side, Greg, what can Vance Joseph do when they have such a giant, and hole at the games of the most important position right now. And it's Elway's guy. That's why I would not put him in very hot. Because at that point,
Starting point is 00:47:40 Elway, it sounds like, had a big part in firing Mike McCoy, the offensive coordinator, which, by the way, has not worked out at all. They've gotten worse without him. And so that should be pointed out. I just can't believe Elway would start over and blow it up
Starting point is 00:47:56 again one year. It was unfortunate what happened with Gary Kubiak. That was no one's fault. but it just feels like that would be pointing the finger at himself. I think he would give him a second. I think you've got to give him a little bit more time. It's pretty rare that guys only have one and done.
Starting point is 00:48:09 Chudzinski was won recently, but it doesn't happen too often, Danny Boy. I know it doesn't happen too often, but they've had the Denver Broncos were supposed to be an AFC contender, and they might end up going like 3 and 13 or 4 and 12. That's the type of stuff that can get a guy won and done canned. All right, how about Connie Fox, Jim Caldwell, who's had a, Interesting little career, I think a lot of people are surprised he got the job based on how poorly things ended in Indianapolis. And then he had an 11 and five season his first year, made the playoffs last year, one and done. No playoff wins.
Starting point is 00:48:43 And right now they are at 6 and 6, but are they even necessarily underperforming? I mean, I think he always kind of flies under the radar because the lions always sort of are like middling like this. And especially this year where at certain points, I would be like really high on the lions. And I'm like, no, they're coming around, they're coming back. And then, like, the very next week, the next game would just be another letdown. Like, if I was looking for a surprise candidate, it wouldn't be Jim Caldwell. You know who it would be? Who?
Starting point is 00:49:13 It would be maybe Andy Reid. Whoa. Interesting. Hey, out of left field. We didn't talk about this one. They have a new idea. Oh, I like his talk. Let's hear it. But after the start that they had to this season and now that they are just crumbling apart and everybody is
Starting point is 00:49:31 just crushing the play calling and the fact that I don't know if he's just trying to simplify things so Alex Smith can kind of get back on track and then maybe defenses will stop stacking the box because they can't do anything again like they can't run the ball whatsoever or anything like maybe the fact that the play calling is what it is right now is because he's just trying to dumb it down as much as possible but he's getting a ton of heat for not adjusting or anything in these games there's some similarities there and I think Caldwell a long shot is a little bit of a long shot because he got an extension we found out during this season.
Starting point is 00:50:07 And that's why I think Andy Reid is even a bigger long shot because when they fired John Dorsey, they gave Andy Reed an extension. And the GM that they brought in has a close relationship with Andy Reid. And he's a unique guy in terms of he kind of is the chiefs. And so I would be more surprised that he got fired than Caldwell, who has a GM who really didn't have a history with him, who came from the Patriots organization. And that's why I kind of put him on this list as a possible surprise. Just because, I don't know, I don't know if Bob Quinn usually a new GM wants his own guy,
Starting point is 00:50:35 whereas, like, Andy Reid is the guy. So that would take the Hunt family to really kind of decide that we got to totally blow it up. And by the way, I should say, like, I know that Andy Reid did give the play calling to Matt Nagy this past weekend, but there's a ton of heat on him. Yeah, oh, yeah. No, I think it's deserved this year. I mean, I think Martha Ford, the lion's owner likes Caldwell a lot and got an extension. I don't think, I think if Reed were fired, he'd have another.
Starting point is 00:51:01 other job in five hours. I just, I don't know. So you're going to get someone better than Andy Reid? I think it would, would have, would be a huge mistake to let Andy Reid go. Yeah. And Todd Bowles, who's on this list, I think Todd Bowles is very close to out of the woods at this point. Oh, I would not fire Todd Bulls.
Starting point is 00:51:14 I only put that if, like, a long shot, like if he had an O and four stretch. And it was partly the Woody Johnson factor of just Woody may be surprising you. That's all. Yeah, no, I think it's possible. I also wouldn't rule it out, though. I think they're five and seven. They've overperformed, I think, obviously. But if they crater here and they finish 5 and 11, I'm with you.
Starting point is 00:51:36 I mean, it's gotten to the point now where they would really have to crater. And again, they've shown no signs of doing it. Todd Bowles. You don't fire Todd Bowles. People thought they're going to go 0 and 16. Of credit. That said. With that roster.
Starting point is 00:51:47 If Andy Reid came available. It's got to be one of those things where he's on the phone with like the new version of Bill Parcells like the night before week 17 or something. Those two used to work together too, just saying. Me and Keith used to, me and Keith will have conversations. Neither of us are huge Bulls fans. We kind of like guys that are a little more animated and plugged in. Not so much in baseball, the Joe Tori model where you're just stoic and staring straight ahead. But there's no doubt that he communicates and gets through to the players.
Starting point is 00:52:12 I mean, because the way they played this year, real quick, you have to go. I have to go. We got to talk about this construction meeting. This other show that you're involved in is very suspect. I will make it through a show. One point this year. Jack Del Rio, Mark. real quick on Del Rio
Starting point is 00:52:30 and then one more name yes or no is he going? No I think though there's been some there's been a little heat around this but they've been so disappointing
Starting point is 00:52:41 I think you talk about the next four weeks the next four weeks have a lot to do with Jack Del Rio right now I'd say no he's a long shot his coaching staff certainly is not working out he had to change his defensive coordinator his change to offensive you know he swept offensive
Starting point is 00:52:55 coordinators in the off season that hasn't worked out very well. So there's a little bit if it really went sound. Otherwise he should be. Bruce Ariens. That's more, I put that in there for retirement reasons. Yeah. People have forgotten sort of the retirement buzz around him because he pushed back publicly, but I think you kind of
Starting point is 00:53:11 have to push back publicly on that. And I just think with his health problems and we'll see what happens with Carson Palmer that it's at least possible that he decides to walk away. That's all. I don't think he would ever be fired by the Cardinals. All right, there you go. Hot butt talk. Now,
Starting point is 00:53:27 Let's hop on those shoulders of greatness For the Thursday night football Oh, the shoulders are greatness Put it on your shoulders Stunning on the shoulders of giants These New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons What a big game this is The Saints can
Starting point is 00:53:47 You know, come close to wrapping up the NFC South With the W and the Falcons It's amazing how quickly Things have changed, Greg. The Falcons on Sunday morning were playing well, thriving in the playoff position, and then they get beat, and it wasn't, you know, some type of disgrace to get beat against the Vikings. The Vikings, no disgrace there. But then the Seahawks go and beat the Eagles, and all of a sudden the Falcons are on the outside looking in with a game against the Saints who are one of the best teams in football this season.
Starting point is 00:54:23 And it's one of the best rivalries in the NFL. the fan bases hate each other, the teams always seem to come up against each other at key points in the season when they can knock one of the other out. And this game is massive because if the Falcons win, they can start thinking not just about the wild card, but that they're in the mix for the division.
Starting point is 00:54:43 As good as New Orleans has played this year, as well as they've played, they have to play Atlanta again in two weeks. And Atlanta has to think, hey, if we sweep them, we can catch up to them. And that's why it's such a massive game. The Saints are a much more complete team, and in their big games, I think we saw, for instance, you know, last week at home, they came out and they played their best, whereas Atlanta scores
Starting point is 00:55:07 nine points. They're an offensive team scoring nine points at home. And wow, it would be sweet, I think, for Sean Payton after the last few years to go in there and drop a bomb on this defense that I just don't have much of me. Well, all I'd say is nine points against, and I get the Jaguars, a Super Bowl-level Vikings defense that has done that in Minnesota, on the road, in London to everyone. Exactly, but that's kind of what I mean. Like, that shows it's not their year in some ways. When they go up against the best, they scored 9.
Starting point is 00:55:36 I agree with you. I feel like this is this inside the building. They have to know this is your final. You lose this thing, and you got Carolina going to Minnesota too, but things start to get far away from you if you're the Falcons. Don't pull this off. They're going to put their best effort forward this time. I think you're going to get the best version of the Falcons.
Starting point is 00:55:52 And I've disagreed in the... this room with the notion that Matt Ryan and the Falcons have been, you know, the same on offense. Ryan specifically, I think there is something lacking with Ryan, even though they, you know, they played really well before the Vikings game for a few weeks there. They haven't been the same team. They haven't been able to lift in big moments. Here is the test. If you really think Matt Ryan is the same Matt Ryan as last year, if the Falcons are a team to be reckoned with and are going to be playing meaningful January football, win this game. Win the game at home against the Saints to stay in the playoff picture.
Starting point is 00:56:31 Because if you lose, you kind of were the team that everyone kind of thought they were all season where they were just never were able to put it together. Win the game. I'm more concerned about Atlanta's defense stopping what is this incredibly dynamic backfield and, by the way, a passing game that can do it to you too. Right. The defense had a better game last week against Minnesota, but Camara and Ingram are on pace to be the first guys to ever go over 1,500 yards.
Starting point is 00:56:54 Camara is at a level right now where he's averaging more yards per touch with anyone than anyone in NFL history who's had as many touches as he has 145 yards. And he just has such great speed in going up against another speedy defense with Dion Jones and the Atlanta Falcons. It is such a great matchup. I'm going to be watching the Saints defense because they should get Marshawn Latimore back, or at least they sound somewhat hopeful of it. And him matched up against Julio Jones is about as good as it gets.
Starting point is 00:57:21 and Cameron Jordan, who's just been a monster this season, I think can be in the mix of defensive player of the year, especially with a big national game. The Saints really haven't been in a lot of big-time, you know, national audience games. If he comes out and has a big-time game, like I think he is absolutely in that mix. Wow.
Starting point is 00:57:39 All right. So there you go. That's Thursday, that's Thursday, at football. Preview the shoulders of greatness. little note circling back to some butt talk. I listened to
Starting point is 00:57:55 the summertime hot butt preview and Mark you had tagged yeah I'm a pro bro bro bro got time on your hands no you just work it into the sked
Starting point is 00:58:07 you build it into your morning sked that's what I did well unveil your findings Mark Sessler Jim Caldwell and John Fox you nominated I mean I don't think that both could happen
Starting point is 00:58:18 I don't think that was a shocking I didn't go out on a massive limb there with either name. No. And we at the time we commented, listen, you got on base there. You got the segment going. It was, they were safe picks, but good ones because. But where is this going? Someone else had a much more daring idea? Chris
Starting point is 00:58:33 Wessling. He went with a player and a coordinator, Blake Bortles, remains on the hot seat. And Steve Sarkesian, who Thursday night could be a big referendum on old Stevie. One of those feels pretty secure. I went
Starting point is 00:58:49 with Bill O'Brien. And I think Bill's probably safe. Totally safe. Unless ownership. It's weird because of the record is bad, but his performance, they've played pretty well considering it. He was coach of the year, candidate, when Deshawn Watson was, had that gone on for nine more weeks? He'd be Super Bowl-bound potentially. And this is one of those, I'm going to look like a dummy right now, but at the time, there was some logic to it.
Starting point is 00:59:13 Sean Peyton on the hot seat, entering the season, now he's probably going to be there until the end of time. At the time there was. Sneaky, there's so many good coach of the year candidates that Sean Payton doesn't even get mentioned, but they've had about as good to turn around as anyone. He may be, you know, there's three Shons that could get the awards. There is a, are you still got Sean McDermott? I think McDurman. I think McDurban's out of running out.
Starting point is 00:59:35 I'm putting Payton securely in second place there in the Sean Derby with McDermott a solid third. But it does show you how much, first of all, that no one really thought the St. Season was going to play out like this. And also that they were three and seven and nine, three straight years and we're, just kind of going nowhere fast with their quarterback. I did have them as my division champion. Look at you. If only I put sandwiches.
Starting point is 00:59:57 Haven't you done that? Haven't you done that with the Saints multiple times? Every year. Not with the Saints. The Eagles every year. I mixed it up in the South. And finally, Greg, you had Jay Gruden and Chas Pagano. Well, I took one safe one there.
Starting point is 01:00:11 And Jay Gruden, you know what? He could, I don't think he would have been crazy to put on that long shot list. Right. I think he's a really good coach and he's done a. good job. It's just that organization throws surprises at you sometimes. So he wouldn't be the craziest stunner at the end of the year. He did get an extension. That's why I didn't write him down. I forgot he got. So did Peyton the year before. He got an extension last off season. Jeff Fisher got an extension once upon the time. That didn't help out. It was actually
Starting point is 01:00:40 announced someone pointed out a year ago this month. It leaked out. Oh, because they had a big win. Didn't they have like some sort of... It leaked out that Fisher had gotten an extension and Fisher said, I don't know how that leaked out. Yeah. Sometimes in quieter moments, I still think about Jeff Fisher holding the dog next to the woman that he picked up at the supermarket. How can you not? To be his friend waving at the buses as his former Rams team,
Starting point is 01:01:07 the day after he was shipped off to slaughter against the Seahawks. It was a great horror movie moment of the year. How about how quickly the NFL changes? The Rams were a laughing stock, not even competitive at that point and now they're heading towards 12 and 4 that's football. Last note before we go oh yeah, a little ATN cat update
Starting point is 01:01:27 our GoFundMe to raise money for local animal shelters here in Culver City. We've wrapped up the donation process. Where did we finish up there, Lindsay Fulton? $1,375. Whoa. That is amazing. One thing, by the way,
Starting point is 01:01:45 we did not, intentionally, we did not plaster social media. with this in a desperate attempt to get everyone possible to contribute. We had one tweet during Thursday Night Football last week where we were at about $500. By the end of the game, we had crossed $1,000 and by the next morning we were well beyond it. So we do have the greatest listeners. This is not the first GoFundMe venture that they've been involved in a helpful way. So thank you very much.
Starting point is 01:02:12 It's really, I am continually amazed by how much loyalty, the listeners. has had for the show, and when it comes to a good cause, in this case, that causes karma rescue, which is a nonprofit dedicated to saving animals in need by finding them permanent homes and providing the resources for successful companionship, karmarescue.org, if you want to learn more. Mark, update on your cat situation. You are definitely allergic, and yet you are becoming a cat lady. You're a cat boy.
Starting point is 01:02:44 Yeah, not, I would say I'm not involved in the process at this point. my wife and our wonderful neighbor I've done a lot of work. There are at this point four cats roaming around our yard and there's a process here to get them to a shelter at some point but yeah there's cat food in our yard
Starting point is 01:03:01 which I can't steal the smell of cat food or the sight of it. How about the poop? Is there like poop everywhere? I have not investigated that. They are very cute though. You don't have sandboxes, do you? We do.
Starting point is 01:03:12 Yeah, you got to keep those closed. We got issues. Little does Dan know that cat boy is actually a popular figure in one of my daughter's favorite shows. Bro. P.J. Masks way into P.J.Mass. Oh, yeah.
Starting point is 01:03:24 Is it like a boy who is a cat? He is like a young child and him and his two chums. At night, after it's bedtime, they put on costumes. It's Catboy. It's Gecko and another... Owlet.
Starting point is 01:03:39 And they clean up the streets. A boy is named Owolet. That feels like a woman. That's a girl. Listen, there could be girls. those that are superheroes, Mark. I thought you said it was a boy named Alouette. Don't continue.
Starting point is 01:03:52 It's the eighth time in the show where Dan's trying to put me into an uncomfortable corner that would get me in trouble with the employer. Good PJ Mastock. Good PJ Mastalk. All right, that's it for today's show. Thank you to everyone for listening. We'll be back on Thursday, recapping that TNF game and then break down all the week. 14 games.
Starting point is 01:04:11 This is Dan Hansa signing off for Quiet Storm. Connie Fox, the old boss. Anderson and Lindsay, fall time behind the glass till Thursday. In the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming tech at Lenovo.com. Dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming, and performance that won't quit. So you can push your gameplay beyond performance with Intel Core Ultra processors.
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