National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

I'm guessing it's the players who still like Cupp, but the Rams brass that were trying to smear him for some reason. Some felt Seattle overpaid him, but he also came up big yesterday, and they're going to the Super Bowl, so I'm sure the Seahawks are happy with him.

I don't think Woolen is going to make the same mistake again. He talked about it after the the game, went to McVey directly too, to apologize. I don't think he's thinking "big contract!" He just made a mistake and knows it, owned it.

As to that money issue and who "cost" their teammates cash, one could say this about Xavier Smith dropping that punt also. But football is about as team sport as you can get. It's like blaming a kicker who misses a last second kick. What about the previous 59 minutes and 59 seconds of the game? Are you going to try to convince me the rest of the team (players and coaches) didn't make a single costly mistake that entire time? And what about that game the team lost a couple weeks ago?

I'm reminded of something Bill Belichick once said about the referees. They make mistakes, but out of everyone on the field the referees make the least mistakes. The players make more mistakes than the refs. And the coaches make the most mistakes. As great of a coach Sean McVay is, he also has to be held accountable for this last loss as much or more than Xavier Smith. Go back over to the AFC. Vrabel, McDaniels, Zak Kuhr (Williams) have basically outcoached everyone, including Sean Payton/Joseph (and Harbaugh, and Ryans, before that). I think everyone would agree with that. So, I'd point fingers there first if someone is thinking about lost opportunity, or lost bonus pay.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The other thing Belichick used to tell his players is a breakdown on each coach and what to look out for in regards to penalties for what you can get away prior get away with. It’s like in tennis when you know you have Carlos Ramos, you know it’s going to be a by the book match.

 

[Nomad]

Chargers officially hire Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator

The Chargers have officially announced the hiring of former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their offensive coordinator.

www.espn.com

My guess is this is what is going on behind the scenes: He doesn't want the Cardinals HC job. He already removed himself from consideration for the Bills, or Browns (no brainer) HC job. This left the Raiders job. I'm speculating right now the Raiders are writing up paperwork to hire Seattle OC Klint Kubiak as their HC, and McDaniel (or his agent) either got wind of this, or strongly speculated it, so he went ahead and inked the deal he had on the table with the Chargers.

The other big advantage here is if the Chargers do well next year, he will be first in line when a slew of coaches get fired a year from now. If he only does so-so, the Chargers lose in the playoffs, or Herbert chokes again, all the blame won't fall on him. It will still fall on Harbaugh, and Herbert. He can wipe his hands fairly easily and likely still get another HC job, if not the first on everyone's list.

And we're back to the million dollar question: What changes is McDaniel going to make to Herbert & the O that will ensure the team is more successful in the postseason? Because the problem here isn't the regular season for the most part -- Herbert's had 4 winning seasons & 3 playoff appearances in 6 seasons as the starter -- but their embarrassing "one & dones" in the postseason.

Furthermore, McDaniel is dealing with a different type of QB here - going from an immobile, none-running, pure pocket-passer in Tua to a dual-threat in Herbert. So, how is he going to approach that? Transition Herbert to more of a pure pocket passer? Or keep the dual-threat dynamics with Herbert but change other aspects of the offense? Inquiring minds what to know. Lol.

I'm guessing that if they make the playoffs again next year & have another 1st round early exit, Harbaugh will be fired. They did it with McDermott & I don't see why ownership wouldn't do it with Harbaugh.

 

[movingtarget]

I'm guessing it's the players who still like Cupp, but the Rams brass that were trying to smear him for some reason. Some felt Seattle overpaid him, but he also came up big yesterday, and they're going to the Super Bowl, so I'm sure the Seahawks are happy with him.

I don't think Woolen is going to make the same mistake again. He talked about it after the the game, went to McVey directly too, to apologize. I don't think he's thinking "big contract!" He just made a mistake and knows it, owned it.

As to that money issue and who "cost" their teammates cash, one could say this about Xavier Smith dropping that punt also. But football is about as team sport as you can get. It's like blaming a kicker who misses a last second kick. What about the previous 59 minutes and 59 seconds of the game? Are you going to try to convince me the rest of the team (players and coaches) didn't make a single costly mistake that entire time? And what about that game the team lost a couple weeks ago?

I'm reminded of something Bill Belichick once said about the referees. They make mistakes, but out of everyone on the field the referees make the least mistakes. The players make more mistakes than the refs. And the coaches make the most mistakes. As great of a coach Sean McVay is, he also has to be held accountable for this last loss as much or more than Xavier Smith. Go back over to the AFC. Vrabel, McDaniels, Zak Kuhr (Williams) have basically outcoached everyone, including Sean Payton/Joseph (and Harbaugh, and Ryans, before that). I think everyone would agree with that. So, I'd point fingers there first if someone is thinking about lost opportunity, or lost bonus pay.

Didn't Kupp win three win three MVP awards the year they won the SB..............he started getting injured that was all, and when Nacua arrived it was all over for Kupp at the Rams. He seemed to get recurring hamstring issues in his final seasons at the Rams. Both losing coaches made mistakes. Payton didn't take the three in the first half when he had the wind behind him. Dan Campbell of course would have done the same.

 

[movingtarget]

That stumbling returner also badly botched and fumbled another punt earlier in the game and was incredibly lucky it bounced back to him. The Rams changed punt returner after that. With special teams it’s hard to know what part is the speciality coach and what part is talent. For example, should Seattle’s special teams coach (who does seem good) get extra credit because the ownership went and picked up Shaheed?

The fact that Shaheed was available boggles the mind. He's an elite returner obviously. If the special teams coach pushed the coach to get him then he does deserve the credit. He's also the downhill threat that many teams no longer seem to have these days with their WR's. Elite speed can improve any offense.

 

[Nomad]

View: https://youtu.be/7WeI8aodFuY?si=N2hB2eTTkEf341_o

Good find on that video. This morning scrolling through NFL news, I saw a brief article that the play was "unscripted." I guess I was premature in crediting McDaniels with making a gutsy call. Lol. It was a nice naked bootleg with Maye having the speed to turn the corner & outrun the DE.

Drake Maye's game-sealing first down run was unscripted, per OL vet

Drake Maye took matters into his own hands on the quarterback run to seal the game against the Broncos.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

Maye's rushing numbers were outstanding: 65 yds on 10 carries, 6 1st dn runs & one TD (and their only score of the game). But most important he had no turnovers vs 2 for Stidham (fumble & pick). Weather aside, that's the difference in the game.

 

[Nomad]

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/5NfgyM0Reqg?si=MhSw5zr_SFdlVffL

Vrabel gets the game ball from Krafty.

Vrabel also becomes only one of eight coaches to lead their team to the SB in their first year.

 

[movingtarget]

After the game both Woolen and Emmanwori were very supportive of each other, saying it was part of brotherhood to hold each other accountable on the sideline. MacDonald later noted Woolen played excellent after giving up that immediate TD.

Winning does that, of course.

Rams fired their STC at Christmas. McVey implying he had no choice. Well, that obviously didn't work. Not as bad as the Raiders firing Chip Kelly, making him out as the scapegoat, only to have their offense actually get even worse. But still, this didn't look good for McVay. If you watch the replay Dickson's kick was booming, 50+ yards, and way high, which I'm sure made it harder to catch, but still, that was a bad blunder, one people will remember.

Losing does that, of course.

Another Seahawk who had a clutch game was Cooper Kupp. At least in the second half. The fact the Rams wrote him off two years ago I'm sure motivated him. Though he was talking with Stafford and Nacua after the game. Winning...

Stephen Smith is not an idiot, but sure can act like one. Someone should look up the ESPN reporter who said the Seahawks were making a huge mistake signing Darnold, and Geno Smith was way better.

Lots of people wrote offf Darnold and that includes podcasters and TV heads. 49ers were impressed with him in the year he sat behind Purdy but they let him go cause they didn't want to keep paying a back up that much and Darnold wanted another opportunity as a starter which he duly got at the Vikings. He's the only starting QB apart from Brady, I think, to have consecutive 13 win seasons which is odd when you think about his career.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I was right in one way about Denver. They would lose, but Stidham wouldn't embarrass them, and they wouldn't get blown out.

Vrabel obviously has his guys ready to play. Maye is going to need to be that mobile, and more, come Super Bowl. That will be the biggest thing to helping them a chance to win. Seattle's defense is just too good otherwise.

I'm guessing that if they make the playoffs again next year & have another 1st round early exit, Harbaugh will be fired. They did it with McDermott & I don't see why ownership wouldn't do it with Harbaugh.

I agree with you. It may sound outlandish now, but they put so much stock into Harbaugh leading them to the promised land. Then Jim's talk about he knows he has to make Herbert a HOF quarterback. Chargers are all-in, now. Not building, not re-tooling. It's now. If they have another year like this one, ownership there may just look at him being like McDermott, or close to Carroll, where the game is passing him by, change is needed, and the "Harbaugh experiment" will be over.

 

[movingtarget]

NFL Championship Sunday: 13 biggest winners and losers from Patriots-Broncos, Rams-Seahawks

 

[SHAD0W93]

Good find on that video. This morning scrolling through NFL news, I saw a brief article that the play was "unscripted." I guess I was premature in crediting McDaniels with making a gutsy call. Lol. It was a nice naked bootleg with Maye having the speed to turn the corner & outrun the DE.

Drake Maye's game-sealing first down run was unscripted, per OL vet

Drake Maye took matters into his own hands on the quarterback run to seal the game against the Broncos.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

Maye's rushing numbers were outstanding: 65 yds on 10 carries, 6 1st dn runs & one TD (and their only score of the game). But most important he had no turnovers vs 2 for Stidham (fumble & pick). Weather aside, that's the difference in the game.

In a way kind of like Edelman’s throw in 2019 I think against the Eagles. Patriots couldn’t move the ball at all and they called a trick play of right backward pass to Edelman and he was supposed to throw to the left side of the field to the running back screen but his lead blocker didn’t make the block and Edelman saw Dorsett streaking to the end zone uncovered and threw it it Dorsett. McDaniel got all the credit but it was all Edelman. Edelman even talked about it stating they practiced the play the night before and he threw it to Dorsett and McDaniel told him he’s either throwing to the RB or taking a sack and to not throw it to anyone else.

 

[Nomad]

I was right in one way about Denver. They would lose, but Stidham wouldn't embarrass them, and they wouldn't get blown out.

Indeed...you nailed your prediction. And certainly Stidham didn't embarrass himself at all. I thought he threw the ball very well in the 1st half before the snowstorm hit. The bomb to Mimms was perfectly thrown & led him on target. The TD pass to Sutton was a laser on target. His two big mistakes was the fumble deep in Bronco territory that led to the NE score, and the 2nd half pick where he just threw the ball up for grabs in the snowstorm.

Since his performance wasn't all that bad and he showed that he has a strong NFL-caliber arm (plus he's more mobile than I thought), I wonder if he's considering jumping ship & try to start for another team? He's on the 2nd year of his $12m contract that guarantees $7m, but if he were to win a starting job with another team, he could easily triple the money.

I'm thinking a team like the Jets might be a good fit for him. Look at the nightmare with the QB situation there. Lol. Fields isn't the guy & is becoming injury prone. Taylor certainly isn't the guy. They let UDFA Brady Cook audition for the job & he isn't the guy. And if they go to the draft, there's no one there with Mendoza pretty much signed, sealed & delivered to the Raiders (Ty Simpson is possibly a low 1st rounder but there's no guarantee that he would start or even play any his rookie year).

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Since his performance wasn't all that bad and he showed that he has a strong NFL-caliber arm (plus he's more mobile than I thought), I wonder if he's considering jumping ship & try to start for another team? He's on the 2nd year of his $12m contract that guarantees $7m, but if he were to win a starting job with another team, he could easily triple the money.

I thought the reason Stidham left the Raiders and signed with Denver was two-fold. One, they offered him more money. But also because Russell Wilson was the QB, and I thought maybe if Wilson continued to wilt, he would get a chance. He did, but he didn't make much of it. In fact, he played worse than he did in this game.

I always thought Stiddy was sort of on that fringe. A solid backup you're glad you have. But not someone you anoint as your starter. Tyson Bagent, Jake Browning, Tyrod Taylor, Malick Willis, Sam Howell, Aiden O'Connell. Then again, some of these guys have been starters, and did okay. And we could look back to Matt Shaub, or Matt Hasslebeck for guys who started out as backups, then had solid careers as starters. Hasslebeck even took Seattle to a SB (and should have won it). Willis is someone I think would be better for a team to take a chance on to start. Like the Jets. That kid really deserves a shot.

Problem is, Jets are the team where QBs go to die. Ask any of them.

Hey, it looks like Shedeur proving people wrong in one way, going to the Pro Bowl Games.

 

[movingtarget]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMmflr--Qy0&pp=wgIGCgQQAhgB

 

[Oldman]

I don't think Woolen is going to make the same mistake again. He talked about it after the the game, went to McVey directly too, to apologize. I don't think he's thinking "big contract!" He just made a mistake and knows it, owned it.

As to that money issue and who "cost" their teammates cash, one could say this about Xavier Smith dropping that punt also. But football is about as team sport as you can get. It's like blaming a kicker who misses a last second kick. What about the previous 59 minutes and 59 seconds of the game? Are you going to try to convince me the rest of the team (players and coaches) didn't make a single costly mistake that entire time? And what about that game the team lost a couple weeks ago?

I'm reminded of something Bill Belichick once said about the referees. They make mistakes, but out of everyone on the field the referees make the least mistakes. The players make more mistakes than the refs. And the coaches make the most mistakes. As great of a coach Sean McVay is, he also has to be held accountable for this last loss as much or more than Xavier Smith. Go back over to the AFC. Vrabel, McDaniels, Zak Kuhr (Williams) have basically outcoached everyone, including Sean Payton/Joseph (and Harbaugh, and Ryans, before that). I think everyone would agree with that. So, I'd point fingers there first if someone is thinking about lost opportunity, or lost bonus pay.

The major difference here is Woolen made a spectacular play and then committed a completely unprovoked penalty when he should have been off the field. Then he screwed up the next play on the field; which is forgivable as a legit playing error. His teammates know his effort is there and he got beat. They, we...all get beat.
Woolen has been a vocal self-promoter and is going into Free Agency. He had to recognize or maybe someone clued him to the fact that he owed his team and apology and a promise not to screw up. They would also do him the favor to explain that he just degraded his FA value to the Seahawks and that could impact his big payday elsewhere. Going to McVay to apologize (?) is correct but I can't help but think he may have also realized SF could have been a bidder for his services. They may still be a suitor; but my cynical side says that was about the money.

 

[Unchained]

I was right in one way about Denver. They would lose, but Stidham wouldn't embarrass them, and they wouldn't get blown out.

Vrabel obviously has his guys ready to play. Maye is going to need to be that mobile, and more, come Super Bowl. That will be the biggest thing to helping them a chance to win. Seattle's defense is just too good otherwise.

I agree with you. It may sound outlandish now, but they put so much stock into Harbaugh leading them to the promised land. Then Jim's talk about he knows he has to make Herbert a HOF quarterback. Chargers are all-in, now. Not building, not re-tooling. It's now. If they have another year like this one, ownership there may just look at him being like McDermott, or close to Carroll, where the game is passing him by, change is needed, and the "Harbaugh experiment" will be over.

I personally don't see what offensive coordinator and head coach did at the Dolphins that equals offensive greatness or something to aspire to.

The money spent on a franchise quarterback like Herbert in my opinion shouldn't be experiments with failed Miami coach.. Mike McDaniel never impressed me so I am a bit underwhelmed at his hiring.
Chargers have decent receiver corp, I still feel like getting rid of Austin Ekeler was a mistake, maybe some different offensive schemes will open things up for McConkey and Allen..
In my opinion Harbaugh sort of choked when Bolts jumped to early division lead only to freefall as Denver kept plugging away, and a debilitated Kansas City didn't give them normal division trouble. And Harbaugh did nothing with post season position that allowed him to sit Herbert for 2 weeks and when Justin was recovered he just didn't show up in his playoff game. If Harbaugh is going to start walking on water, miracle man, I hope he gets started soon.. Now we have to trust the guy who steered Tua Tagovailoa on to the rocky shores..

 

[Oldman]

Skip Bayless with an equivocating and half hearted endorsement of Sam Darnold's game; complete with excuses. No wonder he is so well-liked.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2015632516527632470

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/2015632516527632470

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

You could tell Skip was in real pain having to admit that! LOL!

Mike McDaniel came to Miami as the guy who would take Tua to the next level. His scheme was about precision (Bill Walsh would be proud), and making the opponent "defend every blade of grass". It worked for a bit because Tua is a QB who can pull the trigger and get the ball out. Progressions were often just looking at 2 guys in less than a second, and let the ball rip. Having Hill on that team sure helped. This could catch defenses off guard. But when that system broke down...well, we saw what happened.

To use an NBA analogy he reminds me of George Karl. Remember him? Pretty good coach. He liked to make a couple quick passes using the entire half court; "random areas", and then take a "random" shot, reducing predictability. He often had his team practice 3 on 3 drills, or 3 on 4 drills, to get them to move and find openings. He could take defenses by surprise. But against top teams, prepared teams, or in the playoffs, other coaches adapted, and his teams didn't do so well.

McDaniel is a very intelligent guy. How he's going to change Herbert, that remains to be seen. But after Greg Roman got him moving in and out of the pocket and running, and was praised throughout the league for this, Roman was made the scapegoat after the playoff loss and fired. So...?

I like Denver's chances to take the AFC West again next year. And despite being a Raider fan I hope Mahomes makes a full recovery, as competition is good. I'm curious what he, Reid, and Bienemy have in the cookbook. This all could make a tough challenge for Harbaugh/McDaniel/Herbert. Raiders are going to finish something like 4-13 next year anyway. Total rebuild.

 

[Nomad]

Exactly....Roman encouraged Herbert to run more & make plays off-schedule with his legs adding that "Allen type dual-threat" component to his game (he's just as big, mobility & athletic as Allen).

End result: Herbert rushed for a career high 498 yds (6.0 average & about 30 yds per game in 16 starts) second only to Superman's league leading 579. Herbert also led the team in rushing for 8 games including the playoffs (however, that was mainly due to the injuries to their top two backs).

Justin Herbert 2025 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN

The 2025 NFL season stats per game for Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

And one could argue a case that his dual-threat capability allowed them to win those 11 games & the make postseason despite the major injuries to the offense line (losing both All-Pro tackles & a guard for most or all of the season) & big injuries to their RBs (btw, Herbert recorded 3 4Q/GWD this season). The Chargers had no way of predicted that their offense would get annihilated by injuries like this. How does the coaching staff prepare for a catastrophe like that? Lol.

So, again, what changes is McDaniel suppose to make with Herbert to improve his postseason play? The Chargers now have a legitimate dual-threat QB at the helm. You either use him in that capacity or go in a different direction with a new QB, IMO.

 

[SHAD0W93]

If true this is a very surprising twist. Makes you wonder if Reid is even a first ballot.

How Patriots legend Bill Belichick didn't make the Hall of Fame on his first ballot | Sporting News

This seems like a miscount.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[movingtarget]

Bills promote OC Joe Brady to be next head coach

Broncos fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi after three seasons in Denver

Titans hire former Giants HC Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator

 

[Nomad]

Raiders are going to finish something like 4-13 next year anyway. Total rebuild.

Didn't they say that about the Commanders when they drafted Daniels? Their 12-5 season & trip to NFCCG caught everyone off guard. Credit Kingsbury letting Daniels run his college style offense (RPO) utilizing his dual-threat talent. Daniels was a one-man wrecking crew winning ROY honors.

And there wasn't a lot of optimism when Nix was named the starter his rookie yr over Stidham. The media & many fans chalked the season off to a rebuild. They were sure wrong as Nix led the team to a 10-7 record taking one of WC playoff spots.

All the Raiders have to do is straighten out that offensive line, draft or trade for an elite receiver or two, and let Mendoza fly in his college offense (RPO-heavy spread offense). It was done with Daniels & Nix, therefore it can certainly be done with Mendoza.

 

[Nomad]

View: https://youtu.be/Ac4GyJ7bmtI?si=6Ke4lCJ7ra5i38xc

This is kind of interesting; it could be something or it could be nothing. Dr David Chao - a pro football doc - says Maye unquestionably injured his right throwing shoulder on this particular play. Dr Brian Sutterer - a sports med doc - says not so fast.

 

[Nomad]

Broncos fire offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi after three seasons in Denver

WTH? That's Vince Lombardi's grandson they just fired! Lol

 

[SHAD0W93]

View: https://youtu.be/Ac4GyJ7bmtI?si=6Ke4lCJ7ra5i38xc

This is kind of interesting; it could be something or it could be nothing. Dr David Chao - a pro football doc - says Maye unquestionably injured his right throwing shoulder on this particular play. Dr Brian Sutterer - a sports med doc - says not so fast.

At least he has time to rest.