The Fumblerooski Podcast - Like We All Predicted -Ep 420 The Fumblerooski Podcast

Episode Date: January 27, 2026

On today’s episode, we have our matchup for Super LX! A rematch between the Patriots and the Seahawks. Chris Costich, Justin Tucker, and CJ Medeiros recap NFL Championship Weekend as well as some coaching hires from the last week including Mike McCarthy to the Steelers and Jesse Minter to the Ravens.

On today's episode of the Fumble Ruski podcast, Super Bowl 60 is all set and ready to go two weeks from now. This is the Fulmaruski podcast. It may not have always showed it in the stat sheet, but you can see him making throws when he needs to make the throws. Back-to-back games where he has three touchdowns. Someone's got to get that six or seven spot. He's an elite wide receiver as a rookie. Truly a lose-lose scenario for both sides. Welcome to the Fulmleruski podcast by PowerD-18.

radio in secret weapon consulting we got cj we got tuck we got myself chris uh happy tuesday well we're recording this on monday of course uh and hopefully most of you that are listening are staying dry staying uh warm with the blizzard that's come in as you can tell i'm very tired i've been up since three i'm shoveling i'm ready to shoot myself um gonna take a massive nap after this. But yeah, we got our Super Bowl set. We're also going to talk about some coaching hires that we mentioned from last week as well, or on Friday, that we didn't really have time to get into with Rob,

but we'll get into it today. But Super Bowl is all set. Pats versus Seahawks and, you know, already some news coming out from the Super Bowl as well. Seahawks being four and a half point favorites. Patriots are wearing all white. So this is a I'm going to I'm going to spend the next week just being like fucking Pat are in the Super Bowl before I get into nerve start creeping in a little bit. But I think I think the key for me this year has been keeping my expectations low.

And they just pays off. It pays off. It really does. So let's talk about it. Let's talk about the Pats. This was a game. This was quite the game. In whatever sense you want to use, I guess.

Pats, their offense, the whole team really. I mean, there was a point where I even texted in the chat, where Brendan Schuler, their gunner on special teams, was their best player. he was their best player. And I think like the Broncos third punt of the game, I remember seeing in school or top of the sideline, and he's getting absolutely mugged by two Denver guys.

I was like, yep, that had to happen, had to happen, because he was flying all over the place. Other than that, I mean, I thought that Stidham looked really good. After that first drive that the Broncos had, I thought Stidham looked really good. And really the big difference in this game, was Marvin Mims deep ball that set up the score for Denver.

The fourth and one that they didn't convert, which we'll obviously talk about. The Stidham chest pass that was actually a fumble that led to a Drake May 4th and 1 score, and the Patriots chewing about 10 minutes a clock to start the second half, and then getting a field goal, and immediately the blizzard starts. that was your ball game

and evidently it was and I mean credit to CJ I mean you you tech I'm referring to what you text in the chat pretty much right after Borgallis hit the field goal it was well it looks like

it seems like the game where next touchdown is going to win well and behold we didn't even get a touchdown because nobody could move on nobody could move the ball once the snow came in and Denver the problem with the the problem with them was that you know obviously you got to rely someone on the run game right especially when the weather gets really bad and the weather got bad really fucking fast but you know the Patriots have been notoriously a very good run defense and showing throughout the playoffs that they are a very good defense period um so

When you see the run game not work for Denver, especially with the weather intact, there's not much else you can do, which evidently, obviously the Patriots were going to say, hey, forced him to throw the football. They forced him to throw the football down the stretch, especially down the stretch. And it led to him throwing a balloon to Christian Gonzalez to essentially seal the game. Patriots, obviously, you know, offense has its woes. They've been writing on the defense all year. There's, I'll admit it. I'll admit it, you know, like Patriots have the sixth fewest points of a Super Bowl contending team ever. Like, obviously that's a problem.

But that when you face three top five defenses in a playoff run, sometimes you're going to have low scoring affairs. tuck you agree i see you not on your head like so i think that when looking ahead to the super bowl i feel a little more confident knowing you know this you're they're going to be a lot much better weather than it was in denver and what it is on the east coast this weekend and next weekend and last weekend and really could say the weekend before that too um but Yeah, obviously there's concerns there, but we can get neck deep into our Super Bowl preview once we get closer to it. Thoughts of the game, C.J., since you're the only other Pats fan here.

Every game just seems like it's a tractor pull. And if you are one of the legions of mouth-breathing box score watchers, you might say, oh, this was a really ugly day. neither quarterback played all that well. But the thing is, it's about making the plays when you need to. And in ugly, ugly games like this, it comes down to coaching. And Drake May, you know, didn't turn the ball over. That was good. Had a lot of drop passes that game.

He had to throw the ball away a few times, but a lot of his incompletions were just flat-out drops. he was getting the ball to where it should be, but the receivers couldn't hold on. But, you know, such is the case, you know, when you're playing that weather. And, but it's his ability to run that has really been able to keep defense's honest, especially at the end where he just called game with his legs. That was, as a Pats fan, it's like, wow, a mobile quarterback. Did you, uh, did you see after the fact that he had called his own number? Yeah.

They didn't even tell anybody said, fuck it. I'm taking it myself. Yeah. My only issue with Drake May is that the whole game, he was a bundle of nerves. This whole playoffs, one of the biggest things for Drake May is just, it's just nerves. His nerves, like, control him pretty much. And especially like that game, like, especially against Denver, honestly, I don't want to go after May as a fan. But, like, you could tell he was rattled.

Like, Denver was in his head. And honestly, I think that's because of the Houston game. That Houston game, I think, really rattle him. You could tell he's, like, bracing to be. hit after every throw. He's short-arming. He's because he knows that every time he like puts his arm back to pass, he's gotten the ball poked out as he's getting dragged to the ground. So you could tell he's short-arming. So maybe that's something they fix up. But also to be fair, he did beat three top five defenses. The first time that has ever happened in a single postseason run, ever. And what I really find

ironic is just the moving of the goalposts, how a lot of people were talking a lot of trash and saying, oh, the Chargers are going to win, you're not ready for playoff football. And then Justin Herbert, bless you, by the way. And then Justin Herbert loses predictably. And it's like, but Justin Herbert's a choker anyway. No, no, no, no. See right there to all these fans and say, I caught you. Two things can't be true at once.

You said they were going to win. Now there's an excuse. I don't do excuses. Second, you'd be lucky to score 10 on that defense. Are you only one because C.J. Stroud? Or you have that vermin loser, Dan Orlobski, saying, Houston wins if they have any other quarterback. Like, wow, could it be New England's defense was just making better plays on the

ball? Because only one was tipped. Only one pick got tipped. The other is just the defense reading it. So that's a really weak excuse. Also, Drake made through three touchdowns on that defense. Cry me a fucking river. And this game, oh, you'll never win in mile high.

And by the way, Denver fans, I keep receipts. I remember y'all gassing up Stidham. I remember you joking, oh, it's a Stitty party. That's what they were saying. Oh, you're not ready. And yet, and yet, here we are. And you have that loser that do Sean Payton, who's all, you know, Mr. Bountygate, like, oh, they're going to have two weeks to rest, my fans.

And K. Sean Booty let them know. That's just, like I said, like I don't want to do this, but I'm just, I'm done with the excuses. And of course, well, if we had Bo Nix, like, okay, and, and if my aunt had ball, she'd be my uncle. Like, what does that mean if you had Bo NIC? Yeah, Bo Nix would not do anything in that blizzard. That's a guarantee. And anybody who disagrees, like, honestly, if you, do you really think Bo Nix was going to do anything in that blizzard? the answer is no

So no no no I see you disagreeing Yeah whatever Bo Nix is not going to do anything in that blizzard Like I made I made this take when Tuck wasn't Hadn guy into the studio yet

But What I said prior to us Starting up the show was You know if we're Saying Drake May is like better than But Tuck would you say Drake May is better than Boonex Yeah.

Seeing how, you know, everything unfolded in the second half, like to CJ's point, I don't think Bo Nix is doing any, is doing much either in that weather. I mean, I would, and the other point that I said was, you know, obviously Sean Pton will probably end up, would probably would have ended up being, making more aggressive play calls with Bo Nix. But he was still pretty aggressive, though. the thing and that's why I brought him because he got greedy trying to go for it on fourth down and it failed I mean I don't care if it's fourth and inches that the whole thing about

the analytics say go for it that's a disease that is like an actual disease to the game like you just got to take the points well the thing with me like obviously I'm very much go for it right and like in the moment I was very much like Denver's got to go for it. We got to, that's got to make a stop here. Now, the idea of it wasn't a bad idea. Granted, I think the issue is that you're, you know, you have Jared Stidham. You're thinking, and I think Bill Cowher made a great point about it, too, after the game, postgame, you know, points are going to be coming at a, at a luxury. Like, you got to take the points at that, especially with Stidham.

You don't know, like, obviously he looked solid, like pretty solid in the first quarter and then had the turnover in the second quarter in the fourth quarter. Like, you have to think that Stidham's going to be making some sort of mistake, and you can't risk any points to go away from it. Like, so, and on top of that, the play call itself was just a disaster at that as well. Like, I feel like you can't put the ball in Stidham's hands on fourth down, but at the end of are you going to put in Stidham's hands or to have him make a play or are you going to put in an R.J. Harvey. Who's not to disrespect R.J. Harvey has had a solid rookie season, but I don't think he's gone on the credit to be like, give me the ball on fourth down.

Anyways, Tuck, go to you on this. All right. Not Pat's fan at the room. First things first. Before I say my congratulations, I do think. Bo Nix would do something in the first half. Not the second half, but the first half, I think he would do more than Jared Stiddle. That's the issue.

But second off, congratulations to the New England Patriots. You once again made it to the Super Bowl. This is your 12th Super Bowl appearance. 10th. Or, well, 12th total, but 10th in this millennium. Gotcha. So, congrats in that department. Drake May looked decent this game.

He didn't turn the ball over, great for this for this game considering how it turned out i thought when jared stood him through that first touch and i was like oh no oh no this might be another nick falls but he came back to earth relatively quickly that i understand going forward on fourth fourth and one but my issue is the type of play call because i remember him trying to roll out right trying to get it and the issue with that is if you cut the field off and half already you're making it easier for the defense unless you have like a guaranteed first down play that's going to get it. And I don't think they have that.

It's almost like they were trying to run a two-point play at that point. Yes, and I don't think they were close enough to get away with that. And besides, he threw it behind the yards to gain anyway. I'm like, why would you even? So I just thought the play call itself was bad, not exactly like being aggressive in that area, especially since they can't, like, run the ball. So a pass play was normal, but. Again, that's not the play call I would call.

But again, they still had the ball. Everything looked to be okay until that dreaded fumble. I don't know what that was. Because for some reason, I don't know why Jared Stidham decided to throw the ball. Throw the ball like it was a basketball shovel pass. I have a question for you, Tuck. Do you think that was a fumble? No.

not because my issue is it's not going backwards well the well the thing is it doesn't really matter this is like what i've seen online doesn't really matter that it was going forwards the problem was he didn't have control he was not gripping the ball the ball was loose in his hand it was loose in his hand and he kind of like pushed it forward you can't it's not a throw if you don't have control you can't have the ball you can't have the ball be loose and you just kind of push it forward with your arm. That's not, by definition, that is not a throw if you don't have control of it. My issue is. It was to control.

It was basically a glorified batted drop. But then he does it again later on in the game. Like, he does it again in the game where he just throws it. Yeah. You had a grip on that ball. Jacob Kiddens or whoever was on his back. For some reason, I need people to explain to me why the hell Jared Stedham keeps doing that. I'm not saying it's a fumble or not.

In my opinion, I don't think it is, but I understand why it was called that way. I don't think it's anything egregious. I just think it was a horrible play at the worst time to do it. So that play call was just a bit weird. But outside of that, I think he did the best he could with what he had. I mean, I didn't think Stitty was going to lead them to the Promise Land, especially in the third quarter once the snow started to come down heavily. I was like, oh, no.

And when the Patriots got that field goal, I was like, this actually might be it because the way the snow just started to come down and you couldn't see anything. I was like, yeah, this might be it. In the fourth quarter, they were talking about the Broncos might get a better chance because the way the Patriots were driving down the field and the wind was at their back. So I was like, this is still a problem. Broncos kicker tried to make a kick, missed. Patriots kicker tried to make a kick, missed. So field goals are no-go and it's like, oh boy, this is this is either touchdown or bust. And it busts both ways.

But the thing is, the one thing that saved the day, third down and you absolutely need the first down to win the game. Drake May, the MVP caliber quarterback, calls his number and gets the first down, beats the defender, gets the first down, calls game. So, I don't know, I thought it was a pretty good game, even though the weather. played its part in the defense it was more of a defensive game but it was an overall good game in my eyes and congratulations to the patriots and better luck next time never hopefully you guys will actually have a starting caliber quarterback in the aFC championship game yeah obviously you know when you're i understand denver's frustration on like you lost your starting quarterback and prime you know probably one of the best years to make it to the super bowl

And, you know, you're probably considered a suitable favor, especially after knocking out Josh Allen in the divisional round. But you fall short. Oh, by the way, Chris, did you see the Pro Bowl alternate that's going on? That just got named. Yes. Yes, I know what you're talking about. So, Chris, you know, Drake May made it to the Pro Bowl. he's obviously not going to be there. Did you see who was named as an alternate instead of Drake May?

No, I have not. Shador Sanders. Oh, my goodness. Perfect timing. I'm sorry. I didn't want to cut off what we were talking about, but I just saw this. I'm like, oh, I'm not going to lie. Somebody loki like Shador.

That's egregious. This is like Mac Jones or Mitch Trubisky or Tyler Huntley making it. this is this is like this is some heinous nonsense that's that is something for what it's worth this is literally why nobody takes the Pro Bowl seriously anymore alternatives are ruining it perfect timing man they never let me down I won't lie for ratings that that that is an insane oh yeah no the the ratings are going to be bumped up from one to two people that's for sure Hold on wait. My thing is, how will that, if he makes the Pro Bowl,

how will that affect his like contract or his like situation? I mean. He's the first fifth round pick to make it since Pook and Nicole. That's going to be a very, boy, social media is going to be fucking out of control next year over that. I can already see it. It's going to be, I can already see it. It's going to be August. and we're going to be talk about the quarterback controversy and whoever's the head coach of the Browns.

It could be Connoisse or Rice for all I know. I saw that. That's old. That's old. That's very old. But Connolyzer Rice is going to have to figure out if it's going to be Dylan, Gabriel, and Shadir Sanders, and everyone's going to be on social media saying, Shadir made a Pro Bowl. What about Deshaun Watson?

He's still there. Oh, I forgot about Deshauner. Well, yeah, because he's rehabbing an Achilles injury. And look, it's not because he's a testable human, a detestable human being. I want him out of the league. But he should retire. He tore the exact same Achilles twice. Like, forget coming back for one, coming back from two, and it being the same one.

I don't know. He might be the best pocket quarterback since who? Philip Rivers says he just returned. Got some interesting, got some interesting Phillip Rivers News when we talk about head coaches later on.

Oh man, is there, that situation is so interesting, but is there anything else you guys want to talk about before this game? I guess the only thing I would say is at first I hated

the play calling on the path side, or at least in the second half. But I also had to be like, you know what? Weather was bad. do what you've got to do. No, you're right, you're right.

The thing is, though, like I said, Denver's play calling was worse. Low-key, Sean Payton coached him out of that game. Yeah. They had one chance because I remember Jared Stidham tried to make one play. He made a nice throw to someone, but then he dropped it. I can't recall which one, but it was in the second half. It was like the only chance to get, like, positive play. And he was like, no.

And it was Stidham's like good throw. but it was dropped and it was like, damn. Yeah. I think the two other things that I think we haven't brought up yet outside of, well, we brought up the Gonzo interception, but I think, like, play the game was, or sequence of the game really was right before that interception, Denver makes a sub and Patriots,

obviously defense is allowed to make a sub. and Rable sent his guys out there at like the latest last possible moment that he could potentially sub. And Denver, after the referee, got off the ball, only had like four seconds to snap it. So that, oh, now I'm getting the Adam Schaefter notification about shit. Oh, fuck. Oh, also I do want to mention before we move on, one of, you know, their kicker that are Will Lutz, One of his missed field goals was actually a block. Yeah, that was the other thing I wanted to talk about as well.

The guy that blocked it, I'm blanking on his name right now. Leonard Taylor. Leonard Taylor called up from the practice squad on Saturday. Bang! Yeah, because honestly, that kid's probably good if it's not blocked. Yeah, 100%. Even, I mean, even with the conditions and like, what was it? Like a just barely 40 maybe?

So I think that. I thought it was like mid 40s, like 46, but yeah. Yeah. Still would have been tough. Would have been a really tough field goal for lots to make. But, hey, you never know. It was a massive play that helped win the game for the paths. All right.

We're going to step aside for a quick break. When we come back, we'll get into the NFC championship. ship. Seahawks winning 31 to 27. This is the Fulmaruski podcast. It may not have always showed it in the stat sheet, but you can see him making throws when he needs to make the throws. Back-to-back games where he has three touchdowns. Someone's got to get that six or seven spot. He's an elite wide receiver as a rookie. Truly a lose-lose scenario for both sides. Welcome back to the Fulmarovski podcast. Let's get into the NFC championship.

Seahawks outlasting the Rams. 31. to 27. Totally polar opposite, of course, too, or at least from what we saw in the AFC championship game. Very nice nightcap to send us off to the Super Bowl. And, well, I think Rob from Patriots was made a, made the point, made the initial point of, you know, we got Jekyll and Hyde, two Jekyll and Hyde's going here.

which quarterback were we going to get? Well, we got the good side of both quarterbacks. I mean, Matt Stafford, 374 yards, three touchdowns. Sam Darnel, 346 yards, three touchdowns. This was an all-around duel, but like, and it was back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, up until the Rams muffed punt. I think that was, like, obviously there was other moments, like the Seahawks getting a stop on fourth and goal, but that was, that was.

That was essentially the game right there because now the Rams didn't have a chance to answer for the lead and they're playing catch up the rest of the game. And the Seahawks were scoring on almost every single drive as well. And again, like this was the game where, you know, there's a high chance that both teams will score on every single drive and just can't make that mistake. And of course, that's been the Rams problem all year. They fired their special teams coordinator because special teams had been the biggest problem. And there you go. But, you know, I mean, the big story really is Sam Donald, of course. Biggest game of the year shows up.

Shows up. Nothing else to it. Did his job and then some. And he is the first quarterback from the class of 2000. 2018, draft class of 2018 to make a Super Bowl. Made it before Josh Allen. Made it before Baker. Made it before Lamar.

What a story. What a story. I mean, can't write it any better than that. I mean, and Jets fans are in hell. They're in hell. This really is the anti-Jets fans Super Bowl because, you know, got their big brother in New England and you've got quarterback you call the bust on the other team. Yeah.

And I mean, obviously, the Jets have to feel some be somewhat happy for Sam Darl because the Jets are the Jets at the end of the day. And Sam Darnel finally. And I think Sam Darnold is the perfect dependency of, you know, right time, right place matters a lot. in this league. And we see it every single day, especially with a guy like Sam Darnold. Thoughts from you guys. Tuck will start with you this time. First things first, congratulations to Seattle Seahawks and Sam Darnold.

You guys deserved it. You guys were the number one seed. You did your business against San Francisco and then you outlasted the Rams. Sam Darnold has been facing a lot of demons this year. Kenny won the big one. He actually won quality games. Can he perform when he's under pressure? And ever since that game against the Rams on Thursday night football,

which is arguably game of the year, he's been showing us that he is capable of winning these type of games. So I'm happy for him. Congratulations to him. He's finally defeating those ghosts of the past. I do agree the Jets should be kicking themselves right now because now the Patriots are in the Super Bowl. and there were once franchise quarterback that they thought was a bum is now facing golf against them,

and now they're hoping for him to win. It must be awful being a Jets fan, picking in the top 10 every year. But congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks. Though it got a little dicey because, in case you all didn't know, Toreka Willing got that taunting penalty. Yeah. And then the very next play was a touchdown. very next played Pook and Nacu scored that touchdown.

And then on the sideline, you guys know the safety for Seattle, the rookie, Nick. Yeah, and then Worry. Yeah. He's a very good safety, but even he as a rookie was chewing out Toree Gwilling as a rookie for what he was doing. I was like, I'm not going to lie. Tarik Willen, this game is close. if you guys lose this game somehow pat your bags you're gone you can't stay here look and here and here's the other thing too is that the refs will let you get away with a little

bit of taunting like yes and some trash talk but like when you're getting told to go to the sideline to your own sideline and instead you continued to berate and and start mouthing off to the opposing team's head coach like you're just giving the referee ammo to throw the flag. And, I mean, CJ says it all the time. Don't leave the game up to the refs to decide it. Don't make it easy for him.

Yeah. I mean, that's not really ticky tack at all. He totally deserved it. Like you said, he was so lucky that didn't cost him. And if I'm head coach, Mike McDonald, I'm sitting him down and say, if you pull that in the Super Bowl, then

you're facing two to three years in Baghistan, buddy. That's That was heinous. Do you think he'll give him the Malcolm Butler treatment? No. No, I highly doubt it. I don't know. I don't think that's, I don't think, and, you know,

going based off of the rumors of the Malcolm Butler incident, which I will not name, this is definitely not to the extent of the Malcolm Butler situation. I don't think. Fair enough. Yeah. Fair enough. I'm just asking, but karma gets you every time.

He got that 15-yard penalty and then that touchdown immediately after. He's lucky Sam Donald had the game that he had and the Seahawks were able to pull this out because he might not be coming back. Ooh, that could have been very bad. At the worst possible time to get a taunting penalty, he gets it and then gives up a touchdown to Puka. Yeah. To a division, right? Yeah, that's a bad look. So I know Tuesday when they go over this in film, this is going to be quite the conversation.

But still, they persevered. Kenneth Walker had a good game. Sam Donald had a good game. Jackson Smith and Jickbuk keeps proving to you why he is the best receiver in the NFL. Just a good game. Even though the Rams offensively were good, defensively, come on now. They just didn't have it. I don't know what happened.

I don't know where they went, but they didn't show up yesterday. And that's a shame. That's a shame. But hopefully next year they have them to bounce back and do better. And a great year for Matthew Stafford, but it's here due to your defense. So nothing more you can do about it. And that's the other thing. It's not like you can blame Stafford.

Like he had a fantastic game. He put him up into a sit. He put him in a situation and take the lead as well. And another situation. where they're driving down the field and almost they were in possession, position to potentially throw a Hail Mary. C.J. Do you remember what I said about the Rams defense?

Suspect. Yeah, I think I was proven right. I said the front seven is really good. I said, but that back four is atrocious. I think we've all been saying that. I said it first. I've been more saying the Rams defense isn't as good. No, but anyone can say that, but you got to go in a while.

Yeah. Regardless, that's what it was. Like, whenever, and we've seen it before, whenever they can't get pressure on the quarterback, that back four gets taken advantage of in the worst possible way. We saw again and again when they couldn't get Donald under pressure, Darnold just, you know, he just picked him apart. And that really has just, like I said, like that, I'd like to think that proves my point, you know? Yeah.

And I was as for Darnold, way to go for him to prove me wrong. I was concerned for him. And you remember I said that for some reason the Rams just bring out the absolute worst in him. And no, he actually, like, he clutched up and he made the throws he should. I mean, granted, the, uh, that Rams defense couldn't see. seem to get past pylons, at least up front. But I will give him credit for just taking what was given him. And to be fair, it's not like his defense, which is allegedly really good, was going

to help him with anything. But, hey, I'll give him that. And, you know, lucky, once again, lucky that Tariq Wallen didn't do anything, you know, crazy after that. Like, well, he's so lucky. I didn't come out of that. But there is one more thing I'd like to touch it on. Have you seen the bitching and moaning that Rams fans have been doing online about Cooper Cup catch for the first down like at the near the game?

That whole situation was a little, that was all a little weird. I just, I don't understand why they're so upset. He caught the ball, took three steps, and made a football move when he turned up field. that's like and then he was down like i mean i guess you could throw out the survive the ground thing but that doesn't you know but but surviving the ground doesn't matter when you take three steps and make a football move which cup did i feel like this whole thing is just a non-issue and i'm glad more people outside of the los angeles metro area aren't falling for it so i'm just here to say that was in fact a catch

Well, there was also the weird spot where it, he catches it at the sticks, tries to get the first. And it looks like he kind of gets it. It kind of looks like he does. It's a close call. They gave him the first down. And McVeigh ends up using a timeout to give the guys upstairs a chance to look at it a little bit longer. But then it's like, but it was so close that McVeigh was like, I can't use my last timeout on this on if I do it on. a toss-up. And so he holds on to the timeout, which Adam said that he should have just

thrown the challenge flag there anyways. This is my favorite thing to do, call out Adams' takes when he's not here. I think he was also saying that the Rams should have kicked the field goal there on that fourth and goal instead of going for it, which to my response, was like, okay, if they kick the field, if they kick the field goal there, then they're still in the same exact spot that they're in right then and there with seven seconds left from what, their own 35 yard line, 30 yard line, whatever it is. They still need to get like 20 freaking yard, the big chunk play to even be thinking about field goal range.

And still at that, you're most likely looking at a Hail Mary. Yeah, I mean, I get why he said it, though, that, you know, because you make it and if you can stop them, which, you know, maybe they do, maybe they don't. Because Seattle definitely had some momentum coming off that fourth downstop. Because you have to remember, they were down by four. You kick a field goal that cuts it to one. So you need a field goal to win instead of a touchdown. Yeah. So.

Yeah. I think the only other thing I really wanted to touch on was Cooper Cup in general. You know, not the brightest year in the world. He took quite the demotion in terms of what wide receiver he was because JSN, well, he overtook wide receiver one pretty handily. But when you need him most, he still shows up and makes plays. He still shows up and makes a big place. Had a touchdown, four catches.

And all four catches were big. catches. That's all I really wanted to say about. Ethan else looks like you want to say some talk. I feel so bad for Devante Adams, though. Oh, yeah. Never makes it to a Super Bowl. Just like Stefan Diggs, this was his opportunity to finally make it to a Super Bowl. Diggs got his ticket to the Super Bowl. Devonty Adams couldn't do it due to his defense. Just unfortunate. What is that? Five NFC.

championship appearances in all five our losses. Yeah. Yes. Yes. 14, 16, 20 and 21? No, no, 20 in this year. Yeah. Math.

Now I just thought of another thing from the Pats game since you mentioned Diggs. Diggs, you know, Diggs, the guy I'm happy for. I'm happy that he's finally getting a chance to play in Super Bowl. obviously he's playing for the Pats. Another guy, Hunter Henry, I'm really happy. He's playing.

He's getting a chance to win a ring because, you know, Pat signed him in 21 and for Mack Jones rookie year. And he had a great year that year. He had a really solid year, Hunter Henry. Mack Jones, of course, too. But after that, it was going through the shit. And credit to him, he resigned, resigned with the paths, and almost immediately being rewarded for surviving through three to four years of bullshit. Like, that's all I really wanted to say about that.

Underrated, underappreciated, underappreciated New England Patriot. Hunter Henry, who would have thought? All right. That is our recap of of the NFL championship weekend. We're going to step aside for a break on the other side. We're going to get into the coaching hires from the last week.

This is the Home Brewski podcast. It may not have always showed it in the stat sheet, but you can see him making throws when he needs to make the throws. Back-to-back games where he has three touchdowns. Someone's got to get that six or seven spot. He's an elite wide receiver as a rookie. Truly a lose, scenario for both sides.

All right, let's get into these head coach or coach hires in general because we have a offense coordinator hired that just got made official. The Phillip Rivers thing I was referring to, Rivers was being interviewed for the Bill's head coaching job and our friend Robert Shelley informed us that he is now out of the bill's job, which that would have been quite the turn to say. the least, but... I wish it happened. It would have been so funny.

I kind of wish it happened to. Part of me kind of wished it happened. Did a party you wish it happened to, Tuck? I'm indifferent to what happens with the bills right now. Did you see that press conference with the owner and the... Yeah, we were talking about it

last time. That's... Yeah. Hiring Philip Rivers on top of it just would have been the icing on the cake. Just complete nonsense in any way, shape, or form. Yeah. Is it, though? It is.

It sounds crazy, but then you think about the experiences that he has, and I believe he can tell the difference between a good O.C. and a bad one because of his fear. So when I think about his type of experience and my belief in how he'll assess, like, coaches, I could see him grabbing a couple of coaches that could work with Josh Allen or work for the Buffalo bills and what they need. Maybe not defensively, but definitely offensively. he's never been a coach before though like that he's not a pro coach but he has been a coach before yeah for like currently the head coach of his high school football team yes no he's still in high school football team yes i know but i'm just saying man i don't know i don't know i don't like that i'm not

saying he's the best option available i'm just saying i wouldn't poo it immediately but i'd still say no at the end but i wouldn't just outright deny it really really he did remove himself from consideration. So even he knows it's probably not the greatest of ideas. Remember when Jeff Saturday was a head coach? I'm not even making a comparison. This is like a legitimate question.

That was funny. Of course. How can I forget about that? That was just funny as all I'm saying. I remember that. Simple at times. At least we know Philip Rivers does have a strong pullout game. Yeah, first time he's pulled out of anything. Oh, they talked.

McCarthy hired as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chuck, you okay? I'm okay. And he really cracked himself up. I mean, Chuck could be laughing about Mike McCarthy going. I'm laughing at both.

Oh, my God. Yeah. Mike McCarthy as the head coach of the Steelers. Did they not learn what happened at the end of his Green Bay Packers run and at the Dallas Cowboys? And they have less talent than Mike McCarthy had at both of those stops. I think he's a decent head coach, but I don't think he's what you need in order to be competitive. Unless you're going to tell me this is strictly like rebuilding. Even then, I'm not sure Mike McCarthy is the person you want to rebuild with.

I would have gone with for somebody younger. Even I think Brian Flores would have been a good pick for them, considering he did coach under Mike Tomlin. And then he left to go to Minnesota. He could have just came back. I don't understand how they can just look over him and go for Mike McCormland. he wasn't even coaching last year. It, yeah, it's strange, but, hey, if they think Mike McCarthy is going to get them through this, even if he is from Pennsylvania, I'll be shocked, but hey, it is what it is.

Yeah, look, like, that's the other thing is, you know, Mike McCarthy is a guy that is from Pittsburgh. He is a Pittsburgh guy. And in a sense, like, it's a, it's like, it's a good fit, you know, like, it's never a bad thing to hire a hometown guy, right? But I think to Tuck's point, though, this isn't a guy that you really should be rebuilding with. And theoretically, too, you know, the Steelers are very well known for hiring a younger head coach because, well, they've only had three head coach. because, well, they've only had three head coaches since 1969. And on top of that, to go along with that, Mike McCarthy is 62.

At best, you get 10 years out of them. Maybe 10 years. But in a sense where the Steelers need to sack up and admit that they need to rebuild, like this is the year to do it. you've lost them you've lost me at this point you've lost me and now i i'm i'm i've i'm now coming to the realization it's a ruiny problem like i heard a take about i think part of my take said this is the type of this is the type of hire that you make when you're panicking which you could make the argument too that because of that being a panic mode higher um

leads you to believe that the Mike Tomlin thing wasn't a very mutual parting of ways. It was Mike Tomlin actually resigning. And nothing more to like in the Steelers front office was not there for it. You agree with that, DJ? I know. Yeah. You were very much when Tomlin initially resigned. I believe that it was just a smoke screen and that the Steelers themselves told them to kick rocks.

Yeah. Yeah, I guess I was wrong there. Like, I mean, damn. Now, I'm also just like... But it could be. I don't know. Yeah, I'm also taking this from something else. Not that, like, part of my take is a place where they make takes, of course, as do we.

they're kind of just like spitballing. So, you know, it could very much be a real hypothetical, but we're not taking it. But I just want to look at the McCarthy hire itself. Do you remember how I described it off camera? I called it a sickeningly safe hire. That's what it is. The Seattle Seahaw, why did I say that? What the hell?

Wow. Oh, my God. Crazy. Anyway, the, I don't know, because I was thinking about the Super Bowl, my bad. That's why I was thinking about it. I was thinking about the Super Bowl and I said that. The Pittsburgh Steelers have an addiction to mediocrity. That's just what it is. This was a move made by a very scared team.

That's the one where I have to describe the Steelers. They're scared. They're going into the future kicking and screaming. like they they're very big on mediocrity over there that's what this was you've literally just hired the offensive minded version of mike tomlin and it's like what's the end game here what are you going to do are you just going to hope and pray rogers comes back you're going to hope that cam haward doesn't retire or go somewhere else you're going to hope that magically tj watt returns before we're going to hope that all the free agents that came here and the

guys you trade it for there are one year deals that agree to come here for mike tomlin are going to stay like like i said it's it is a sickeningly safe hire that that is a team that plays it safe and you remember what i said well we found out uh you know there was they were you know tomlin was moving on and i said that i did not trust art runy the second to find a new head coach and you And you all said, oh, give them some credit. This is why I didn't. This is why I said that. Because the Pittsburgh Steelers, even though they've won a Super Bowl more recently

in the team I'm about to mention, granted, they are quickly becoming the AFC equivalent of the Dallas Cowboys, a team that is just, that just lives and thrives in mediocrity and lives in the past. The higher that that's, and I made this point too, you know, Mike McCart, like, with all things considered, Mike McCarthy is still a relatively good coach, you know, he had three straight, 12 wins seasons with the Cowboys. But at the end of the day, like, it still isn't the right hire. You would have been better off taking the time to hire Brian Flores, a guy that has actually been through a rebuild. and is a outstanding coach that was wrongfully fired, by the way.

And I also made the point, too, like when McCarthy was the head coach, they also had a bottom 10 offense, analytically speaking. So really, if you're the Steelers, this is almost the same as just promoting Arthur Smith from OC to HC. Yeah, pretty much.

That thought is not my own either. That was from a tweet. Let's keep this in the AFC North. Jesse Minter, new head coach for Baltimore Ravens. Tuck, how are we feeling about this? Oh, he's a happy. I'm feeling good. I was happy when I heard the news that we finally got a head coach,

and I'm happy that we have a new DB coach, the one out of Notre Dame, the one that actually taught Kyle Hamilton how to play DB. I'm happy about this. I want to see what he's going to do for us in the back end. I think Jesse Mentor is going to be good for us in the front end. I'm good. And based upon how every single L.A.

Chargers player talks about him when he left. I think we're getting a very good coach because he had a bond with them back in L.A. I think they're very appreciative of the time that they had with them, especially the way Darwin James talked about him. I'm happy. I think he's going to be productive for us. it's about time we had a specialist as a head coach instead of just like a manager type in John Harbaugh. I like Jesse Mentor and I can't wait to see what he does for us on the defensive side of the ball.

Because last year, dear Lord, we needed it. We couldn't get a pass rush and our defense looked abysmal at times. Sick and tired of it. Let's get this corrected. Let's play better. I'm happy as a Ravens fan. I didn't get Mike McCarthy. I'm happy we got Jesse Mentor, and we were desirable as a head coach in his spot.

So let's get this on. Let's get this started. I mean, you can't go wrong when you get the defense coordinator of a top five defense in the league. You can't go wrong with it. No, I hope not. I mean, you can, but it's a good hire nonetheless. I'm about to say you could go wrong if you have the Jets and Robert Sala, who I hope does better in Tennessee because I think this is a lot of a jet thing, though.

Yeah, hopefully the Titans do better with them because I think their defense will get a lot better. Yeah. So you're on Jesse Minter? I don't like it. I think it's a terrible hire. No, I just said that to mess with Tucker. I'm sorry.

I was hoping he would react to angrier, but oh, well. No, I actually, I really do like this higher. I sincerely do. You know, like you said, Chargers have a top five defense in the league, so you grab Jesse Minter. I think we'll do wonders for their coverage and pass rush. I want to see who he's going to grab his OC, though. That's going to be...

I had Jesse. Yeah. I did hear rumors that it could be Cliff Kingsbury. Hey, pair him up with Amar. That's going to be dangerous. But overall, yeah, between that rivalry of the Ravens and the Steelers, they definitely think the Ravens now definitely are the better head coach and a higher ceiling to boot.

Yeah. They're also, as of 30 minutes ago, they're keying in on Scotty Montgomery, the Lions wide receiver coach. Okay, I like that, too. I'll take it. But we'll see how that plays. Speaking of offensive coordinators and the Chargers,

Mike McDaniel confirmed new offense coordinator for the Chargers. Obviously, we mentioned it on Friday that he was going to be the new OC, but it hadn't been confirmed. There was a weird little thing going on where Mike McDaniel is kind of still keeping his ear out for, I think one of the,

I think he was keeping an eye out for the bill's job. I think that was the main report, but I think this is a good move. And chargers, Chargers have to be happy about this. And CJ, I think, said it best on Friday, too. you want you to look at that. You got your quarterback, a guy that can push the ball down the field.

A quarterback that wants, really, really needs to be pushing the ball down the field and Justin Herbert. I think it's a great move for him. I think it's a great move for Mike McDaniel to get back to just coaching the offensive side of the ball and then reestablishing himself as the brilliant offensive mind that he is. So he'll eventually get another head coaching opportunity. I think it's a good thing for Justin Herbert to finally get a head coach that, I mean, an L.C. that actually understands what he needs, not the way Greg Roman was running the offense, dear God. And hopefully he does have better offensive line protecting him with Joe Alt and Rishon Slater coming back.

Hopefully they're healthy, knock on wood. I think this is going to be good for him, good for the offense, and just good for the L.H.R. just as a whole. I thought he was holding out for the bill's job, but then he heard that press conference, like, dear God, get me away from here. So I think this is the perfect opportunity for Mike McDaniel, outside of Baltimore, of course, but I'm not holding any grudges. No, never. Never. No, no, never, would never do that.

I definitely think McDaniel, like I've said before, is a much better, he's much better suited to be an offensive coordinator than he is a head coach. And I think he'll do wonders with Justin Herbert. Maybe they'll even win a playoff game. that's not guaranteed. Maybe. But you never know. Robert Sala,

Chuck mentioned it. Robert Sala named head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Good move. I mean, if you're the Titans and you're looking at Mike Rable and the Patriots right now and here's a staff for you.

Patriots have more wins than the Titans do since Mike Rable got fired. And that includes a year that Mike Rable was not, a head coach of any football team, including the Patriots, a.k.a. a year where the Patriots won three games. Yeah, it's a great hire. I mean,

I'm glad that Sal is getting a second chance at being a head coach, and I mean, science are well in the gutter, but this is a good start to turn things around. Yeah. I just hope you, I mean, I like Robert Salo. I just hope he doesn't get jetsed again, you know. Yeah. Because the Titans are a team. I mean, you saw what they did to Vrabil. And I'm not even saying Vrabble, I didn't think he adjusted all that well to losing his coordinators that fast. But, you know, obviously I think he's older and wiser, but still I think he got screwed. So, hey, maybe the, maybe the Titans have learned their, like, lesson and yeah i definitely think he could work with cam ward too so i think uh they've got a promising foundation there tuck i think this is a new opportunity i think the jets are a dumpster fire uh to be nice about it i think tennessee will treat this differently than they did in the past

i think robert sala is appreciative of the fact that he has a franchise quarterback in cam ward instead of starting off with Zach Wilson. I think he's more appreciative of that. And I think he'll build up that defense even more so. I think he'll draft appropriately. And I think they'll be competitive next year. I'm not sure if they'll make the playoffs,

but they'll definitely be more competitive than they were this year for obvious reasons. Yeah, 100%. Be interesting to talk with Blaine Bishop about that one. whatever the next time we get them on the pod. All right. That is all the scheduled content that we have for you today. Relatively a shorter episode compared to the last 10 that we've had.

Anything else to touch on before we close it out? Other than that life is unfair that another Patriots team has made it to the Super Bowl, yet my Ravens are miring in obscurity. Other than that, no. cope I'm fine I'm I'm happy for you guys I can't stand in the Patriots but I'm happy for you guys oh you know I'll take what I can get thank you that means a lot coming from you really does you're my favorite Ravens fan still and I'm not even just saying that you are thank you and I do know several so tuck I just want you to know I stand up for Lamar when necessary

I literally do as well. I don't understand how horrible it is to be a Lamar Jackson fan and a Ravens fan. Even when Drake May does well, they're like, he has the same amount of victories as Lamar. Like, what does Lamar have to do with this? A lot of people don't like Lamar, man. And low-key, even as a Pat's fan, like, I don't get it. Lamar genuinely seems like a chill guy. I mean, if the rumors about the whole practices are true, then I kind of get it.

but even still, like the way people fairly pile on him for like missing a pass when Josh Allen gets people coming to his defense after turning the ball over four times, that's, it's weird, you know? It's very weird what my quarterback has to go through. But when he finally wins a championship, it'll probably be one of the more happier days in my life because the Ravens now have a Super Bowl ring, another Super Bowl ring. But until then, pain. but nothing else to talk about.

Word. Good. I need to go take a nap. That'll do it for us for this Tuesday episode of the Fulmler-Ruski podcast. Thank you for tuning in, of course, and we'll have a new episode coming out on Friday at 8 a.m. Where we'll get neck deep into our Super Bowl coverage. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel,

and we also have all our episodes available on Spotify, Speaker, Apple Podcast, IRR, Radio, Google podcast and so much more. Be sure to follow our Instagram. Fumble Ruski underscore podcast to keep up with the pod and the latest coverage on the NFL. Otherwise, we will see you on Friday. Over and out.