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Thursday Night Football Midseason Media Call Transcript – 11/1
Thursday Night Football Midseason Media Zoom
Moderator
Good morning. We appreciate you guys being here. I already see some hands raised. So you guys know the routine, just raise your hand will call on you. You can unmute yourself and we will get started. Patrick Finley, take it away.
Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times
This question is for Ryan, but anybody can weigh in. I cover Justin Fields and the Bears sometimes. I'm curious if you've seen a rise in quarterbacks' willingness to scramble across the league and if so where does Fields fit in there? I know you guys had him a couple of weeks ago and talked about wanting the Bears to run an offense that matched his skillset, and it feels like they're going in that direction.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
It feels like they're moving that way. Right. Sherm and I have been so pumped watching it. I guess there was a comment made during the bye week. They watched a bunch of Lamar Jackson tape, and when we're looking at how elite of a runner Justin Fields is, which that's what I said on the broadcast too, I didn't know, I had no idea he was that athletic and that he was that good of a runner. Now you see, they're starting to design some runs, they're starting to do stuff to get him out of the pocket to make them more effective, and it's been really fun to see. They've been getting creative and using his skillset. And for me in general, to your first question, scrambling a lot of times, that happens more when you're a young player because there's uncertainty, you're not really sure what you're seeing and what you're looking at, maybe you’re a little less decisive. So with these young quarterbacks that are playing, I think we see more of that. Because of that reason, that being said, there are a lot of athletic quarterbacks that are now coming into the league and it's part of their game. But you see as guys get older maybe less scrambling and more getting out of the pocket to make big plays down the field. But we have been so happy with the offense in Chicago the last two weeks and what it looks like.
Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times
Richard, what does, what does it do to a defense when you've got a quarterback who can run like that?
Richard Sherman, TNF Analyst
It compromises it a lot of times. It forces you to prepare for every look. It forces you to prepare for him as a runner, which means just free safety has to be involved regardless of what the coverage scheme is, because they can create an extra gap, you know 11 on 11 football, the same thing that Baltimore does week in and week out. But, the quarterback has to be willing to do it, and it sounds like Justin Fields is bought in. I mean, it just said, you know, I know Fitz loves Eberflus, but, it's weird that it took till the bye week for them to look at Ravens tape. It’s weird that it took them so long. It's like, hey, you just woke up and realized you have a quarterback that runs 4-3. And that's strange.
Moderator
Let's go to Jourdan and Mr Ledbetter, you're on deck.
Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic
Hi guys, thank you so much for taking the time for us this morning. And this question is for all three of you if that’s not too selfish of an ask. So, there's a positive correlation between position, versatility and teams using more position, less players on both sides of the ball and the versatility of the offenses and defenses in general, especially post snap. Kind of wondering from each of your viewpoints where you think that higher trend is coming from and what your respective thoughts are on that?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Well let's take that to Whit first, because I think you're referring to you saw him play center in the pregame portion of our show last week and went from left back on the center, which was very versatile.
Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic
I always wanted Whit to go in motion but never got to see that actually.
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
I think some of it you see especially on the offensive side of the football. It’s because we went through a period of time there that the fullback became extinct. You know, it's like no one had a fullback, nobody kept that position player. And then now you've got this hybrid world. We've talked about it a lot in the broadcast too, is that you see the trend of the NFL starting to go back to some of this running the football. It’s the emphasis - can you run the balls really? You look at a lot of the teams this year, you know, there's a, there's a higher amount of them that run the football well, they're having some success. And so I think when you start looking at tight ends and these kinds of F backs and what's a fullback nowadays and what's, you know, kind of this hybrid, you got Skowronek obviously, who's playing teams, receiver, fullback, running some eye formation. I think there's different guys throughout the league now that are proving the value of having a good football player. And, a guy who can handle multiple things on rosters is so tough, because you do have so many teams that throw the ball and on defense, you may need extra secondary guys, you may need extra cover linebackers, like it's all basketball matchups. And so I think teams especially offensively are starting to value that guy who maybe can be in the box and do some blocking and maybe not necessarily be a tight end body and not really a fullback body, some hybrid of all the above.
Richard Sherman, TNF Analyst
Yeah, I think, I think nowadays you gotta be prepared for everything. I mean you look at the San Francisco 49ers, which is the greatest example. You look at the San Francisco 49ers, and they have a player like Deebo Samuel who can play running back, he can play receiver, he can go in motion and do all those things. Then you get another player like Christian McCaffrey who can also do the exact same thing. So you can get an empty set and be literally dealing with five receivers but still have linebacker-like bodies on the field. So the versatility at the linebacker position, you have to be able to cover those guys. You have to be able to stand up in those matchups if your coordinator wants to call man coverage. You have to be able to win in those situations. So I think you're just getting into the world of tweeners and you have to be prepared for both sides. You know if you don't have the bodies to match up with the offensive positions, then you're in trouble. And as offenses keep evolving, the defenses have to adjust.
Moderator
Mr. Ledbetter, take it away.
D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Just want your take on the Falcons and with their game coming up against the Panthers next week and if this style of football is sustainable.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
I'll hop in on that one. I guess. I I love it. I love what they're doing. We kind of always talk about the NFL being cyclical and you know, for them to kind of go back to leaning on the run game. And again, we always talk about taking what you have and not just plug and play but using those players and using their unique skillset. So I think Arthur Smith is doing a great job with Marcus at quarterback and the things that they're asking him to do, he's obviously still very athletic. He's a good runner. He's accurate with the ball, but he doesn't want him to throw 40 passes a game, and you can just see when you watch those games, they wear teams out and they have a lot of belief, even though there aren't a ton of big name players on that football team, they've all bought in and they've got a younger roster now with some young talent. They're going to be a team to watch in the years to come. But I've been really impressed so far with Arthur and his staff and the way that they're using Marcus and how effectively they're running the football.
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
I was gonna say the same thing. I mean, I think really that, you know what Ryan touched on there is the thing, I think all three of us really talked about a lot is that it's about matching what you have with what you got. And so to me, the ability to teach that physical style of football is not for everybody. I mean there's some teams that just aren't built roster wise to be able to do what Atlanta is doing. But this roster is, they've got a good group and they've got some guys that are getting after they're young and they're running the football well. And it also takes the defense off the field more, gives them limited ops to where hey, we can just go out, get a three and out or make a stop and then when you get the football back we're able to possess it, play run offense first, hit you with play actions and a quarterback who's mobile and it's just, it shortens the game, we. We say this every week about who's better and who's this team and that, but the reality is you're just trying to win a three hour window and what can I do to win and that three hour window of time? And I think that's what they're trying to do. We're gonna run the football, we're gonna shorten the game and limit the opposite that teams have against our defense.
Richard Sherman, TNF Analyst
I mean that's old school Pete Carroll football, Pete Carroll philosophy, and that's who I was raised under for the majority of my career. And you see him talking about it today because they said it was extinct. You know, they said, you couldn't just run the football and play good defense and have your quarterback manage the game and win a championship or win football games. And I think a lot of, like Ryan said, it's cyclical. Eventually, you know, on defense, you either got the two Tampa look or you got the six, or you got the quarters and then it's gonna go back to three deep and then it's gonna go to man coverage and it'll come right back up to Tampa two. Every time somebody needs an answer, they'll go back to the old playbooks. You know, that's why you're still seeing Bill Walsh and everybody's playbook. You're still seeing the Bill Walsh foundation and just about every playbook in the NFL right now. So I think it's, you know, you're not winning the Super Bowl throwing it 45 times a game. I know the Kansas City Chiefs got away with it one year, but, for the most part over the last decade, you'll see a team has to run the ball in the playoffs and play good defense to win the championship regardless of who your quarterback is.
D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Thank you all.
Moderator
Let's go to Ryan Glasspiegel and then Zach Berman.
Ryan Glasspiegel, New York Post
Hey guys, thank you for doing this. This is a question for Ryan. Um, if you were advising the Jets on Zach Wilson, would you advise them that he's the quarterback of the future or do you think you might be starting to look elsewhere, whether that's in the draft or free agency or trade?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Well, they drafted him so high for a reason. I think they're really excited. They've surrounded him with a lot of good talent. I think sometimes these young quarterbacks, especially the ones that get drafted high, get put in situations where there's just not a whole lot around them and this is a team they have been very impressed with, how they're building, you know, how fast their defense is. The playmakers they've surrounded him with and he was afforded some time at the beginning of the season to sit back and watch to watch somebody that's been successful. That's done it for a long time and Joe Flacco to see the things that he did, how he prepared for a game, how they made adjustments during the game and he just has to get into a better flow now of understanding what that team needs from him and some of those wild throws off his back foot and the scrambles and this is a good enough team to where they don't need that. Um, that being said, you know, one of the biggest question marks that I've had about him and the thing that scared me last year is when they called John back his personal quarterback coach to come out and help get his mind right during the season and put him on staff. And to me that was a giant red flag. I don't know, Zach Wilson, but that scares me a little bit. I know they were trying to help him and do whatever they could to get his mentals right and to match everything with his physicals. But uh, that one, that one scared me a little bit to have to fly somebody in to make sure that he was okay and, and coddle him a little bit. Um, you know, he just has to play better. And I think this is a nice wake up call for him to know that they have a good football team. They don't need him to do the things that he was doing on Sunday, making those mistakes.
Ryan Glasspiegel, New York Post
How long do you give it to correct those mistakes?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Uh great question. I mean, he's gotta play better. You know, he's had some injuries. Um, you know, for sure through this year, they're gonna give him a chance next year as well. But he's got to show improvement and I think it's so exciting to watch him when you see the good because there is good and there is some exciting stuff with him. He's obviously got great mobility, he's got a great arm, but he still has to learn how to play quarterback in the National Football League.
Zach Berman, The Athletic
Great. I appreciate the time. This is for Richard. Um, as you look at the Eagles ahead of this week's game, Slay and Bradberry, in particular. What are they doing that you most appreciate? And is that the best cornerback combination in the league right now?
Richard Sherman, TNF Analyst
Yeah, it's the best, I'll answer your second question first. Yes. It's the best combination right now. Um, and they're playing like they've always played, you know, Bradberry over the last three years, which is weird, weird that the Giants let him go, you know, because you think, oh, you live in the corner go and he was only making, I think $10 million or so, you know, not that that's no money, but that's not up to his standard money, you know, cornerbacks right now are getting paid close to $20 million a year. So, um, it was weird that they were able to get him at this price and he's been playing like this for a long time. Slay is probably the best corner of the National Football League and Bradberry is not too far behind him right now. If he could get his hands on a few more footballs and bring him down and bring him home. Um, there'll be a conversation there. But I think it's going to be hard for teams to consistently deal with him. And then you got Gardner-Johnson in the back end, playing safety, who's a, who's a rangy playmaker, just ball hawk, you know, regardless of where you put him, he's a good football player. Um, it's crazy what they've been able to put together. Deserves a lot of credit as he always has.
Moderator
Let's go Buffalo news and then Stephen Wyhno with the AP.
Mark Gaughan, Buffalo News
Thanks for doing this, Ryan. Good to see you, hope lies and the family are all good. So this question is for Ryan, um, just what most impresses you about Josh Allen from what you've seen? And then the second part is, you know, the elite pocket presence that he is showing as somebody who had a really good pocket presence. Is that how much of it can you develop and how much of it is you either got it or you don't?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
I think you can learn it and I think the best to ever do it probably with the pocket presence has been Tom Brady. I mean he is amazing the way that he steps up and stands there and really understands those subtle movements in the pocket. What I was talking about earlier with these young quarterbacks and the fallback being scrambled, get out of the pocket run. You've seen Josh develop. I mean he knows when he's running, he knows when to step up, try to make the big play, but his development has been so amazing from the completion percentage that everybody points to, you know, and the huge jump that he made. I think it was from year two to year three. Uh, but that's a big one too. And knowing when to take off, knowing when to scramble to try it down, try to throw the ball down the field and when to stay in the pocket and make the play. Um, You know, that's something that he has developed. It's definitely been learned since he's been in the NFL and he's a great example to these young quarterbacks of the improvement that he has made from year 1,2,3 and he just keeps getting better and better. And some of that is being out there on the field playing and some of that is the work that he puts um in the off season and in the film room as well.
Stephen Whyno, AP
Thank you. Thanks Amy. Thanks all of you for doing this Ryan, this question is for you as well. Your old teammate made a quarterback change. Obviously Denver, Cleveland, I'm wondering what you make of the quarterback changes around the league and not a whole lot of them have really been successful and I guess how difficult it is for teams to find a veteran quarterback, particularly when, when the options are limited?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
So, you're saying not during the season, you're just saying like, you know, it's tough, especially, you know, the Denver situation, you've got a new coach too. So when you have this combination of a new coach trying to bring in a new philosophy, um, and a new quarterback that's difficult. It takes time but in going into a system where there is an established coach where there's an established culture and you're the quarterback that steps up. We've seen more in the last few years. I think Matthew Stafford is a great example of a guy that went into an established culture, hadn't really played in that offense, but the coach knew exactly what he wanted and Matthew knew what he was looking for. Uh, for me, in my situation, it was normally okay, who needs a guy to be there for a year? They're going to draft a guy, let's write the ship, let's get it going in the right direction and stabilize. And so all these situations are very different. But for me it was more, how do we stabilize this franchise? How do we set things up in order to uh, keep the seat warm basically for somebody to come in. Jacoby Brissett’s doing that in Cleveland right now. I think he's doing a great job because part of it is just being calm and steady, but when you're losing football games you also have to be able to provide that spark. Um so it's not really a lot of time about learning the offense and trying to fit in. It's more about your personality, the stamp that you're trying to put on the football team and the way that you go out there and play each week. Um so in those two situations, Denver they're working through it, they're figuring each other out. Um I don't know how great of a situation that is going to be. I've been really proud of Jacoby in the way that he's played this year. He's doing a great job.
Jonas Shaffer, Baltimore Sun
Hi guys. Thanks for making time for this. Quick question on the Ravens passing offense for Sherm. And then on Roquan Smith for either Whit or Fitz. For Richard I guess, do you think the Ravens can have the kind of championship level offense that they need if they don't go out and make an addition to this passing game? and then on the other side of the ball, you know, for the offensive guys, what do you make of the Ravens adding Roquan and how that changes what they can do defensively?
Richard Sherman, TNF Analyst
Yes, I think they can make it to the championship just because I think Greg Roman will start to evolve as he showed in the last game against Tampa Bay, you know, they went and tried to, because everybody's complaining about running running running predictable, predictable predictable, so he throws the ball 30 times in the first half just to prove a point and then goes back to the bread and butter in the second half and wins the game. I literally played in a division with him, played on the Stanford football team that went to a Orange bowl with him and he's a great play caller and he can work with what he's got. And so I think it'll be defensively where they'll have to answer the bell going forward because in the playoffs you have a good run game, but it's gonna be tight ball game, it's gonna be a tight ball game regardless, you can't make mistakes and you got to make some plays and somebody's gonna have to, I think that's why they went, went out and got Roquan because they know if you can run the ball and you can play really, really good defense in the playoffs, you can you can win the football game in in advance.
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
And I think on Roquan, I mean I think it's one of those things anytime you can add a guy who's, you know, we talk about ball hawks in the secondary, this guy's a tackling hawk. I mean the guy's literally led the NFL over the last couple of years and tackles. He's a machine. He's always been kind of that guy. I think that's something you look at Baltimore's defense. We talked a little bit about guys playing a lot of different positions there, great one, they have a ton of hybrid defensive players that kind of are all over the place in the things they're asked to do. Roquan is a guy, plug me in the middle of the field, let me run sideline to sideline and get tackles. And I think really even to the first question about the Ravens’ offense, this is gonna be an offense, it's going to be built around being exactly who they are week in and week out. And so I think when you add a guy like Roquan, you say we're gonna play great defense, we're gonna tackle the football, limit people’s ops by running the football. Well, sometimes I get concerned when they get so worried about what playmaker they add because that's really, you know, yes, they need a deep shot guy, They need guys who can take the top off, but they don't need to get away from their identity to who they are, if they want to be successful because that's their their ticket to winning it. It’s running the football well and playing great defense.
Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Amy, thank you for running this and Richard, Andrew and Ryan, thanks for your time, appreciate it. If any of you guys have a thought on this, you can, you can share it. The Lions have been bad for a long time and a lot of people thought they'd, they'd take a little bit of a step forward this year hasn't happened so far. So just in your eyes, why not? And how do you fix it, you know what's going on, what's going wrong here?
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
Well, I'll tell you what I mean. I'll start with some things I do. I mean, I do like, you know what they have in the backfield there. I mean, obviously I think with Swift, he's a young talent, just gotta stay healthy. But offensive line wise, I think they got a good group up front. And you saw it, you saw them come out at the beginning of the season and, and offensively there was production and it was there and, and they looked good. Defensively, I mean, I think Sherm would have to get into that more. It might take us a while, but they've been giving up a ton of points and a ton of yards and it just has not been a good combo and so sometimes it's a little bit of, you know, we talk about it a lot on the offensive side of the ball, but to me, sometimes it's do your players and really who you have and what you've gone and got - does match what you're trying to do?. And what I mean by that is not just as a total defense but as an upfront rush and the pressure we create. Does it match what we're trying to do in the secondary? Because to me it matters to me like what coverage I'm playing versus the kind of guys I have up front is a big difference. If I'm playing a bunch of men and I don't have anybody that can get to the quarterback, I'm in trouble. If I'm playing a bunch of deep zones and we're creating pressure and stuff and getting the ball out fast, that can be a factor, but, I better have people that are getting there. And I think it's a combination to me of they're kind of missing. Yeah, they've added Hutchinson and a couple of guys, but they're missing a little bit of some guys defensively that really create the pressure that takes so much of it off of your DB’s and your defensive backfield and you see them already making a change there. So I think it's one of those things that sometimes when we see a little success out of a team like the Lions, which I do think they've gotten better. You haven't seen it in their wins and losses. They've lost a lot of tough games because they're giving up too many points, but they are making steps in the right direction. It's just there’s a couple of pieces and maybe the right schematics to who they have from having success.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Is DeAndre Swift that good to where they can't score points when he doesn't play? And when he plays they lead an offense? Like that's what we're scratching our head about. I mean, he's a great football player. Zero points in the six points were kind of crazy.
Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Yeah, it's definitely um, I don't know, I guess. Right. I mean, they lost ST brown too for that stretch, but Swift only got 10 touches last week too. So when he's back, I thought, right, not the trained professional you guys are, but you've got to give him the ball. I mean, he's a difference maker. So that's something that can help the offense.
Jonathan Alexander, Houston Chronicle
Thanks for doing this, y'all. I gotta kind of two questions: how much have you all seen the addition of AJ Brown to the eagles, you know, along with Devonta Smith's growth and Tyreek Hill and, and Jaylen Waddle, and along the same lines, Tua and Jalen Hurts. And also how much do you think, adding weapons and receivers could help Davis Mills or do you not think that?
Richard Sherman, TNF Analyst
I think to answer the first question, it's helped them tremendously. Anytime you get big time football players, you just throw the ball up and they go get it, it's going to help any offense, any quarterback. Uh and it's helped. It's helped Jalen a ton because he's literally three touchdowns to AJ Brown in the 1st half and it’s outstanding. You know, he proved his value. He's worth the first round pick and the money they paid him. You can see the loss of him in Tennessee. But I think it'll help Davis Mills, but I think, you know, they have so many holes and so many problems that it's hard to pinpoint exactly where it's going to help because you could just inject AJ Brown into that offense and it's going to make a difference. He's gonna score points, he's gonna make some plays down the field, but they'll double it. And, you know, that's not enough to open up Brandon Cooks and you know, I just think they don't have enough talent right now to compete the way they need to and to give him the fair shot that he needs.
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
How's that gonna stop the run? But the other part would be, you know, obviously, I think kind of what you just said. I mean, you're looking at some of these teams taking the basketball approach of adding to just, you know scores. I mean you look at Miami, you look at Philly, you know, I would be remiss if I didn't throw a shout out to the big fellas up front. You look in Philly, you're able to add weapons because you got a line that gives you time and an opportunity. That offensive line is unbelievable. But then a guy that, you know really hasn't been mentioned much in that conversation when you add a guy like Tyreek and you have Waddle, I mean it's Terron Armstead. I mean a stud for a long time, you have a young quarterback in Tua. There’s a lot more to be said than being comfortable and okay being in that pocket and having confidence, you can let it go when you got guys like that. And so you really look at some of the additions, both those teams made, when you talk about adding players that fit what you want to do. I mean that Terron Armstead being on that side, left hand, all the play actions and all the things they're gonna do, give him confidence in the pocket, I think that's been a big factor for them as well. So I do think Houston needs some weapons, but they've got to start by improving the defense as well. I mean, you know, this rushing defense has not been very good and they're gonna get tested to the ultimate this week as well.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
I'll just quickly add um you know, my thoughts on the Tyreek deal. I think it's shown the brilliance of Andy Reid and being able to lose a guy like that and really, you know at least this far you're looking at that offense and they haven't really missed a beat. But everybody knew Tyreek Hill was good, but he is so good. He is phenomenal. It's been so fun to watch the way that they're using him on the catch and runs. Tua’s throwing it deep. Sometimes it's under throw and he's coming back and getting it even though he doesn't have the height, people are so afraid of his speed. He is a dynamic playmaker as we know . And then to the A J Brown deal, you see how much Tennessee misses him. They miss him so badly. That was an element to their offense. With as much as they run with Derrick Henry, you know, play action, throw over the middle, watch him run for 75 yards. And you saw this last weekend just how dynamic of a player A J Brown, is because it is the down the field speed, it's catching the goal balls, but it's also the catch and run with him. He's a very tough tackle, and he has taken that offense to a different level.
Bob McManaman, The Arizona Republic
Hey guys, this is for each of you if you don't mind and maybe one extra for Whit if you have time. Kyler Murray got paid and the Cardinals are struggling and he looks like he's regressing on some fronts. We saw continued development. Was wondering where you guys weigh in on what you're seeing out of Kyler and Cliff Kingsbury in this offense halfway through the season?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
I know, I know two guys that have lots of opinions on that. Do one of you guys want to give your opinion?
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
I think we've talked about it. I mean it's kind of one of those things that you just want to see more ability to grow and adjust offensively for them. I mean it's, it's the same old thing every week you enter DeAndre Hopkins, things do look better. The reality is, I don't know how many offenses in the NFL don't look better when DeAndre Hopkins is on the field. So I don't know that, that's a huge indicator that things have changed in the last couple of weeks as much as now you have that safety blanket. It's like, hey, you know, everybody's covered. I'll throw it up to DeAndre. I'll just give him a tough catch and he'll make it for me. But I, I just think I would love to see you know more growth and, and, and more versatility and what they can do and what they ask of the quarterback, uh, you know, all this quick stuff that they've done in the past, they get a first down, they speed the game up. You see some of that work early in the season when you kind of get defenses of what's your new wrinkles to this year. And then you see every year the offense slows down as the season goes on because people kind of know what they're doing and they become predictable. So I think there's growth out of quarterback, there's gotta be some growth out of Kingsbury as well because he even said it a couple of weeks ago, he's never been as lost as he is right now. And so I think that, you know, for them to get better, they've they've got to find more ways they can affect defenses and uh really put together offenses that can do that and not keep, you know, stick to the same wrinkles and the same tricks they've always done because I think that just as the season goes on, it wears itself out.
Richard Sherman, TNF Analyst
Yeah, I agree with that. I just don't see a world where with that, that is winning the Super Bowl. Without super elite defense, going outstanding, like the way they played in the Thursday night game where they had three turnovers on defense, they had to foot scores, like that's how they could win the championship. That is the only way they can win the championship, if you're going to lean on this offense and say, hey, we're gonna have a middle of the road defense and lean on this offense to be efficient and beat people in the playoffs. They're too predictable. Like Cliff Kingsbury is too predictable. So he's predictable. So it doesn't matter what Kyler is, even if he plays his best ball to play, calling is predictable, then it's gonna be beat. It was what Gates ran into later on down the line, you know, as a head coach, people found out that they know what you did. Well, they figured your stuff out and you couldn't make another adjustment. You couldn't evolve again. And if Kingsbury doesn't evolve again, I mean he's not gonna be out of a job because they just paid him his money, but he won't get another job in the National Football League.
Bob McManaman, The Arizona Republic
Fitz, how much is this on Kyler?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Oh, I think, you know, they're together. This is a marriage. So you know, if you don't have Cliff, like Kyler doesn't really work. You know, so these two are in it together and you know, he's got to, he's got to step up. I mean, I said during our broadcast, I was happy to see him show some emotion. You know, you finally, that's there is, you've always kind of heard those whispers about leadership ability and some of the things that he really struggles with and when the losses pile up, you start to see some of those things. But you know, on the Thursday night game against the Saints, even though, you know, do you want to yell at your coach? Maybe not really, but there was emotion to where it kind of helped get the team fired up not to say they made the picks because of that, but at least gave them some life. But these two are definitely married and in it together. Cliff is gonna have a hard time working without Kyler and Kyler is gonna have a really hard time working in the NFL without Cliff in that offense.
Moderator
Thanks guys, let's go Zak Keefer and then Chris Franklin.
Zak Keefer, The Athletic
Hey guys, this is for Andrew but feel free to chime in. Um, what the heck happened to the Colts offensive line? I know that you guys saw him in Denver in week five and Matt Ryan nearly got killed that night. So what do you guys see?
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
Yeah, you know, I think it's tough for that group. You've kind of seen over the last couple of years, they've tried to patchwork some positions and, and really know like outside of Quenten Nelson and really the center, you know, Ryan Kelly and then over in Brandon, but you had those guys, but then the rest they kind of tried to patch work who's playing and, and I think that sometimes, you know, the identity of your line is as important as anything else. And, I think that's where we see, you don't see linemen much like a lot of other positions, just bounce around the different teams and have success because, you know, you don't necessarily always fit in certain schemes and so I think you look into this year any time you're trying to hope that somebody's gonna play well at left tackle in the NFL is usually not a solution for success, because that means that if you really don't know the guy you have there specifically, I mean, which they were trying to get some guys that hadn't really had success to play well there. That means that the rest of your depth, you don't really have a guy that you think is like the guy because usually left guard, left tackle, right tackle, that's usually some of your most athletic stud guys that you have on your group and for that to be a position where you weren't comfortable moving Quenten there with the player he is, I agree leaving where he is, but you don't have anybody else. And you didn't make that, you know, I really think they had to have been in the Terron Armstead business in the off season. I'm sure they were and you didn't win out on some of those moves that kind of sets you back and how you've invested through the draft and through other free agencies and years before. So I think this group was kind of primed to, we better stay real healthy, much like the Rams offensive line this year. We better stay real healthy or we're gonna be in some trouble because we're not built to handle anybody going down and we may not have the right guys to start with. And so I think that what you've kind of seen as through injury, through attrition. Hey, some guys aren't as good as they've been in the past and I know Clinton with some of the injuries he's had, there's been a couple snaps that he doesn't look like Quenten Nelson. I mean obviously he's got his highlight plays, but there's been some stuff in the past game where he just doesn't move like he used to and you gotta ask yourself if some of those injuries are starting to add up. And so I think really with that group, it's that you went into this season kinda hoping this, the scenario of what you had was gonna work out and you're playing with a quarterback who's not moving. I mean, you know, Matt Ryan has never been a guy who's gonna move a lot and at this point in his career he's moving none. I mean, he probably looked like me back there actually. I'd probably take the Peyton Manning dive every time. But you know, I think that's really it. I think it's that they started with a group they hoped would last and they hoped they could do the job and a lot of times when you do that in the NFL you get the result they got.
Chris Franklin, NJ.com
Hey guys just want to get you guys thoughts on the way that the Eagles offense has played so far this year. The thought, the way that Jalen Hurts has played and if you had to, if you were defensive corners, how do you stop this offense?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Even just in the preseason, through training camp talking to some coaches on that staff, they were really impressed with how Jalen has progressed and you know, he's always gonna have the running ability and I think that's still a very important part of his game as he continues to develop him with the football in his hands and how physically is as well, puts fear into defensive coordinator. So that's an element that he needs to continue to have even as he's progressed as a passer. But one of the things I've seen this year and with those weapons on the outside is his ability in throwing the deep ball. He's hitting at a much better clip this year than he has in the past. It’s tough because you'll have some games where Devante Smith isn't even involved and then all of a sudden the next game he goes off and you almost forget about how talented they are on the outside. But I think with them, it starts with the run game and the RPO’s and how effective he's become at some of those reeds and distributing the ball. But I still want to see out of this team and who knows when we're gonna get it. I want to see them behind in the fourth quarter, and I want to see them have to put something together to where they're going to have to come back and win a game and when you look at their schedule, uh you know, you're sitting there trying to find games where maybe we'll see them behind.
Moderator
Let's go to Bob Condotta and then Antwan.
Bob Condotta, Seattle Seahawks
I had questions for two of you uh Ryan, I know you were in New York with Geno Smith. I just was curious what your, your experience with Geno there and then your thoughts sort of on seeing his career renaissance that he's had obviously here in Seattle. And then Richard I know you have had sort of a relationship with Tariq Woolen and there's been all these comparisons between you and him and and all that. Just kind of curious about your thoughts on him and your relationship with him and then also just your general thoughts on the Seahawks and sort of what they've been doing this year.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Sherm why don't you go first and you can even, yeah you probably talk about Geno in that answer too and then I can just piggyback.
Richard Sherman, TNF Analyst
I got to know him in training camp. We had some conversations with Pete, you know where he saw some similarities. Obviously they're running a different scheme while they are running a different scheme now. They're getting back to the basics now. I had the conversations, I just said, I mean he looks more like a browner than me but you know, he's faster, his, his tech is solid, he's confident and we were talking about Kobe Bryant and you know how they saw him and they saw him more of an inside guy, but really talented. I just wanted to have some practices and to have some conversations with him and tell him what he's going to experience as a rookie out there in the National Football League, as a guy who was drafted late. The ups and downs of playing in the National Football League. The ups and downs of playing corner. In the mindset, you gotta have week in and week out. You know, we talked about a little bit of technical stuff at the line of scrimmage that he's got to understand some veteran moves that people are gonna pull on him, Brandon Marshall. Some things that he needs to know going in that he wouldn't learn any other way and you know, I called Pete and told him I wanted to have this conversation with him so that he's as prepared as he can be, you know, at the end of the day in the National Football League. You ladies love the deep ball and it'll be that way to the history of time. If you stay on top, if you stay on top nine times out of 10, you'll have an opportunity to catch the football and if you go get guessing on hitch routes nine times out of 10, you're gonna guess wrong once and it's going to be a touchdown. That’s where you know he is living, but he's also fast. He's also super athletic and fast. But Trevon Diggs is literally like, hey, I'm not giving up the nine ball and he's gonna probably lead the league in interceptions again because if you do that, you'll get one a game where somebody's just gonna be ballsy enough to throw it up regardless of who's back there. And I'm very, very happy to see Geno and I'm very happy for Shane Walter, you know, because every year they're talking about firing the offensive coordinator in Seattle, and people haven't realized that it's not the offensive coordinator's fault until now. They realized that these office coordinators are drawing it up and they've been drawing it up for a while. But you need somebody to throw the football where you wanted to go and and play it the way you want it to be played and that's exactly what Geno’s doing. Geno’s playing fantastic football. They believe in him, they have a lot of confidence in him. He has a lot of confidence. He worked hard. So it's really cool to see.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Yeah, I think it's been awesome. You know, Geno has always had the arm talent. He came in and when I got to New York, you know, he was, he was a starter and I was a backup and just watching the ball come off his hand, It's different. That being said, there were some other things, just, you know, maturity and figuring the game out and those types of things that he just still needed to develop a little bit with and you know, talk about the story of perseverance. It's very rare. Do you see a quarterback come in, high draft pick, start some games and then take the road that he did team after team back up, not getting many starts. And all of a sudden, I mean, he's a, he's playing like a top five quarterback right now. We're looking at his stats and the way that he's leading that team and it's not like it's been one or two, it's not a flash in the pan, it's been very consistent all season long. I'm very happy for Geno. I think it's amazing what he's doing and you know, it was never, it was never the physical with him. It’s been nice to see the way that he's matured and gotten better and better every year and finally having the opportunity and taking advantage of that opportunity.
Moderator
Okay, so Antwan and then Andrew from Awful Announcing.
Antwan Staley, NY Daily
Yeah, I just wanted to get you guys thoughts on the Jets defense and in particular Sauce Gardner and what he's done earlier on his rookie career.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Oh you missed Sherm. Sherm loves some sauce.
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
Well, I think obviously being with Saul and all those guys, I think that um you know, it's been a place, he's loved me too. I mean I loved Robert Saleh when he was, you know against us and the Rams, I've always had a ton of respect for him and had a chance to visit with him over those years and so I was excited when the Jets got him and really that defense and to see him be able to add a piece like Sauce Gardner and the job that guy does man, he looks like he's gonna be really special for quite some time, but it really starts to me with that group and really the, you know, from what solid brought from the Niners upfront, you know, and I think you, you look at what Quenten Williams and those guys up front are doing. It’s special, the physicality, the way they get after it is really special, the way they hustle out of the stack on screens. Everything else, it's just, it screams the 49ers identity that I got used to watching for the last five years. So I think to me that that group and we talked about teams in the NFL if you look around at that are young and athletic and talented and play in a really good scheme and you know, they're gonna have good schemes weekend and week out, they’re one of them to me and that's why I think it's so important to see how the Zach Wilson progression goes because Sauce Gardner, that Jets defense, I think that group with him and Quenten Williams if they can band together and say, hey, we're gonna set the tone every week, play with a certain reckless abandon every week. I think that they can lead to that defense being really special eventually down the road even more so than now as they grow together and add more talent, but it's gonna be about, they're gonna run the football well over there having the floors and in the uh that group that, you know, you're gonna see a lot of that in their offense, but can the quarterback position grow and be able to throw the football as well.
Ryan Fitzptrick, TNF Analyst
Yeah he just screams confidence and being a young group when you have a player that confident it rubs off on everybody else.
Moderator
Alright, we've got four more questions, so let's go Andrew and then Shipley, Anthony and then Elaine.
Andrew Bucholtz, Awful Announcing
Ryan and Andrew, I'm just curious how this has been for you, doing analysis on a week by week basis, and doing these first night football broadcasts. How are you feeling about it so far?
Ryan Fitzptrick, TNF Analyst
I'll take that first I guess I've really enjoyed it and I think part of it is who I get to work with every Thursday, I mean Whit, Tony, Charissa and Sherm have been great, and specifically with Whit and Sherm with us being removed, just a year removed, from playing and having the contacts and connections and being so close to the game and how, you know, the offenses and defenses and schemes and being able to talk through that. Sometimes we're just left wanting to talk more about it, you know, there are so many things and we just get that, you know, pregame, we get that 12th soundbite to kind of give our opinion and so we really like night cap to be able to dive into some of these wider range issues around the league? But it's been a lot of fun because you know, I'm working with people that love football, love the game, that love, the relationships obviously have benefited greatly in terms of the careers that everybody's had. Um, but that's it for me, kind of, the culture that's already been created with us is we all share the same thing, which is a passion for this game. And so it's been a lot of fun to be able to go, you know, on air and share that with everybody a little bit with a couple of guys that are just as passionate. I am about it.
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
Yeah, I think I would reiterate the same thing. I mean just the people you get to do something with always makes things special and I've really enjoyed that part of it and I think that's been a lot of fun uh, from everybody that's, that's up there with us, you know, on air and even off of it. I mean, some of the relationships we've already kindled, it's been pretty cool. I mean to realize that a lot of people all kind of doing this thing that jump off to start together and that part's been special and then I think also to what Ryan said, I mean, you know, you hear these questions, obviously he's gotten him, I've got him, sure, different different people get to do this about, you know, would you ever coach or would you ever be involved in another way in the game, but just sitting at a table with our group and, and the amount of influence and impact of just across the league that we have of different guys listen to who Ryan mentors or sharing mentors or coaches that reach out to both of them and myself and you know, players are mentor as well. It's, it's cool that we get to do this and talk about a game that we're so passionate about, that we love so much and then we're also getting to kind of have our own impact in the game of different guys or coaches across the league that we still have relationships with and, and so for me it's uh, I thought it was gonna be fun and it's been, you know, far exceeded anything I thought, so I'm having a blast, that's for sure.
John Shipley, Jaguar Report
This one's up for Ryan. Ryan, you know, just through your lens as a quarterback, what do you kind of see from, you know, Trevor Lawrence and is he kind of in that phase right now where he has to figure out, you know, when to be a gunslinger and where to be smart and just where do you see him, where he's at right now?
Ryan Fitzptrick, TNF Analyst
You know, that's a tough one for me because I had such high expectations going into this year, I think with Doug Peterson with some of the stuff he's done in the past with Carson Wentz. He's been able to develop, he's got a great lens, obviously being a former quarterback out there on the field. I feel like Trevor, you know, he started out okay, but he's kind of regressing and it's been, it's been tough to see because he's a guy that I'm rooting for, that I want to see do well. Um and it's not even just the, when to be a gunslinger and when, not just, you know, as a quarterback, you can't miss easy throws if you have layups in this league, you can't miss him. And I think there are too many of those that he's missing right now. They are a team, I think that is exciting. I think there's excitement behind them when you watch them play, when you see the talent on the roster, you see their defense play, he has some receivers in the stable, you know, it's not like he doesn't have guys to throw to. It’s just been for me disappointing this year as the season has progressed, he needs more alpha in him and I want to see more out of him and I just, you know, I have have failed to see that so far this year
Alain Poupart, AllDolphins for the Sports Illustrated Fan Nation
I got one for Andrew and one for Fitz if I may. Andrew, you mentioned Terron Armstead earlier, I want to ask you how big of a deal should we make about the fact that he's practicing once a week? Uh, nowadays, then this was after not practicing at all and then showing up and playing on Sunday, and for you Fitz, the obligatory to question, beyond having the benefit of Terron and Tyreek, what are you seeing from him that maybe wasn't there the last couple of years?
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
I think that there's no issues with Terron’s schedule. I'd like you to take it easier, you know, find a recliner, sit in there, hang out till Sunday. No, I think here's the deal. I think an offensive line, especially um, established really good football players at that particular position. There's not a lot of reps that Terron Armstead needs to, to get prepared for a game. It's more about at this point for him, as much football as he's played. You gotta think of offensive linemen a lot more like fighters and wrestlers and it's about, there's not a lot of reps, they need in season because they've already gotten them in camp, they've already got them throughout their career. It's more about how do they feel going into the game? And if there's certain things that are ailing them and not really limiting them from being at their potential and their talent level, that's really the biggest concern. So when you get up in age as an offense of linemen, I think it's really important of how do we keep you in shape and how do we get you every sunday to be out there feeling your best so that we get the best out of you and you're, you're, you're feeling good enough to go out there and be physical, be nasty to compete. And I think that's what's important for Toronto Armstead right now and really in this league, uh, guys like that are invaluable. I mean, you lock down monster left tackles, you look at how he's played week in and week out. He's dumping people all over the place. He's being who he is in pass protection. I think it's just, if I'm the Miami Dolphins, I'm putting this guy in bubble wrap from Sunday to Sunday. You know what, I'm making sure he's out on the field and if I'm Tua, I'm probably sending him all kinds of food during the week and making sure he's happy because I'm telling you guys like Terron Armstead are, are not common and he's a really big part of their success.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Yeah. And I would just say, um, it was great watching that last game, it's been great watching the last two games. Um you know, after on thursday night we had the big two of you know, concussion and a scary scene to see him back to see him confident and I know some people didn't like it, but his first game back, he needed it to stick his head down and to dive and make a few runs. Uh but I think those guys up front are taking a lot of pride right now in protecting him and keeping him clean. Uh this offense is so perfect for Tua. If Tua is gonna succeed in this league, it is gonna be through this offense because if you watch the throws inside, whether it's it's a flat route, it can be outside, you know, those numbers, but the throws inside the numbers in the middle of the field, that's where Tua is gonna make us hey because like it was talked about when he came out of Alabama anticipation and accuracy, that's what he is all about. And so now we've got the gadgets and the motions and the play actions, but he is living in that box in the middle of the field and he has the playmakers in Waddell and then Tyreek is so special, I think we we all understood how special he was, but he's even taking it to a new level this season in putting the fear of God and all defensive coordinators at all times. And then all of a sudden Mike is getting involved in the red zone a little bit, we've got ourselves um a good little offense but I will say to being down 14, nothing to Detroit then being down 21 7, there were still zero panic and maybe it was because they knew they were gonna have a good game versus Detroit's defense. But I like to see that out of teams, I like to see a confident offense, a confident leader in tua even when they fall behind knowing that they were going to get the job done. So I thought that was a good step in the right direction. That was another building block that they were able to stack up in that last game and Tyreke will fit well in any offense but he is fitting extremely well in this one. And Mike Mcdaniel is doing a great job living in that box with Tua throwing the ball over the middle.
Anthony Cosenze, Vox Media/SB Nation
Thanks for your time today. I've got a question kind of that I think is pretty relevant because both of you guys played for both of the teams that played in the Super Bowl last year and here we are this year and the teams, the Rams and the Bangles to combine for a losing record so far this year, curious your guys thoughts on the struggles that you've seen from, from both of these teams, given your unique perspective and how you think if at all, either team can turn it around this, this back half of the season here.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, TNF Analyst
Yeah, I'll start with, I'll talk more about the Bengals, maybe then you can talk about both if you want, but it's just, you know, it's puzzling we think all of a sudden they figured it out. I know Jamaar Chase gets hurt but then we see the performance last night, you know where it finally felt like this offense is back to clicking and doing their thing and I, I still don't have a lot of concerns in that department in terms of them making the playoffs, uh and potentially putting together a run. But you know when Jamaar comes back, there are three receivers and Nixon combined with Joe Burrow. Um it's an unbelievable combination. That talent that being said, it's a very small window now um of them being able to do this because they're gonna lose tee Higgins in another year, they're gonna have to pay joe, you're gonna start to see, you know quarterback not on his rookie deal, things start to fall apart a little bit. So this is a small window with all the talent, they have to be able to take advantage of it. Um it's just Cleveland seems to have had their number, I mean for whatever reason Burroughs never beat them. You know, I think one in seven in the last eight they just seem to have the right formula to beat cincy but I still like them. I still like and room o as the D coordinator and the things that he's able to do and for them being diverse but it just seems like a week to week proposition with them. You know, it's a strange team right now.
Andrew Whitworth, TNF Analyst
Speaking of, it seems like you can't figure out a way to beat them the Niners Rams again, you know that we've seen this story before. But you know it's it's one of those things, I think you look at both these teams when you play in the Super Bowl, I think that you you gotta give respect to the fact that yeah you're on good teams and yeah you have a lot of talent but there's a factor in the playoffs who's hot, who's healthy, you know, really all those things they they're really just a stretch of games even though we want to make them like there's something more than that they're a stretch of three or four games and you see it, you know, there's been examples in past years of teams that are either a wild card or you know, you look at joe Flacco's run years ago. I mean just some of the best ball they play all of a sudden and they get hot and I think if you look at both those teams, it's not that either teams are not, you know, really good. But were they may be the best, I don't know if they were the best rosters in the NFL they just were really hot and played really well and then you get to the next year and I think in your mind as a team, you think you're just gonna show up and be that Super Bowl contending team and that's just not the reality. And so when you start to say you might have lost a piece here, they've changed a bunch of things there. It starts to show up and I look at this Ram’s group and it's, you know, the one thing we always had over the last five years when I was there: a healthy offensive line. I mean very few guys ever missed games over the last five years. And that group has gotten just, you know, beat up and and and not who they want to play where and they're just putting guys all over the place. And I think it's been one of those things that's got to be extremely frustrating because as we talked about how you're built with your personnel, the Rams came into this season and you can see it by the Allen Robinson by some of the, you know, they lost Johnny Mo who is kind of the blocking tight end, who's doing a great job in Minnesota right now, they came into this season, we're gonna drop back, throw the ball and Matthew Stafford is gonna just sling it all over the place and that's how we're gonna try to win. And when you start losing linemen, you start losing protection. Maybe you're not really on him and Allen Robinson didn't seem to be on the same page for the beginning of the season. I think those things just become, you go from being a super bowl team to wow, we're trying to figure out how to get to 500 because we can't protect the quarterback and we were built to sit back and throw it. And I think that that's really what you're seeing in their team and it's like, what are your answers when you get injured and that happens? I don't know that they have one because they don't really have the roster to go start running the football a lot and putting a bunch of tight ends in the game and changing personnel's, they are literally put together to play in 11 and throw the football. So you see it in their run game and you see it and how they've played this season. And then, you know, I thought actually they played really good in the first half against the diners just again, the offense stalled out and then defensively they could not get off the field on third down. So I think there were some positive steps and what they looked like this past week, but they came off a buyer, you kind of expect it. It'll be interesting to see what Sean McVay and the Rams put together to say, hey, how can we salvage this season? What's our identity and who can we become as the season goes on to? Really? Is it this year getting in the playoffs or is it for moving forward? The identity of our team?
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