1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: And now move the sticks with Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks. 2 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:09,240 Speaker 1: What's up, everybody, Welcome to move to six DJ. Bucky 3 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:12,280 Speaker 1: back together again. Buck. We've got a We've got a 4 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: big weekend of football. We've got some college championship games, 5 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 1: got a great NFL slate, actually really intriguing Thursday night 6 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:21,279 Speaker 1: football matchup this evening. But you've got your big Guest 7 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 1: eight playoff game this weekend. And uh, it's just that 8 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 1: time of year. Man, it just feels it's it's it's 9 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: real football time right now. How are you doing, man? Man, 10 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,400 Speaker 1: I'm doing great. Uh, DJ, it is that time of year, 11 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 1: and you know we can talk about like the pros 12 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:35,959 Speaker 1: and college and dad stuff and even like my high 13 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,519 Speaker 1: school stuff, Like that's really fun. But I don't know 14 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: if you know this about me. Years ago when I 15 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:46,240 Speaker 1: was fourteen, I played on the national champion Pop Warner team. 16 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:49,160 Speaker 1: And so youth football is near and dear tomorrow heart. 17 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:51,520 Speaker 1: So I'm just hoping to day that we can bring 18 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: somebody on who knows a little bit about how to 19 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: get it done at a youth football level. Because we 20 00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:59,840 Speaker 1: talked about having those other things covered, but youth football 21 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: is where it's at so maybe you can kind of 22 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:04,680 Speaker 1: help us find somebody that can lend some expertise to 23 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:07,039 Speaker 1: being able to win at the lower levels. I've got 24 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 1: great news for you because you didn't know this, but 25 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 1: I've secured a guest. Is is actually a Pop Warner 26 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 1: coach who's got a chance to go chase a title 27 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: right now. We're able to hunt this down, do some 28 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: research and found one. Um, so we're gonna go ahead 29 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 1: and bring him in right now. Is he also? I 30 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 1: guess I think he played the NFL maybe for a 31 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 1: minute or two, uh Luke quick Lee, Yeah, yeah, I 32 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 1: think he did. He had a little bit of success 33 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 1: in the l And we'll get to we'll get to 34 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: all the NFL stuff in a minute, uh Luke. Welcome 35 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 1: to the show, buddy. We want to know, first and 36 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 1: foremost start this thing off right what you and Greg 37 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: Olsen are up to and what do we need to 38 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:40,120 Speaker 1: do to chase a championship in Orlando. It sounds like 39 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: it sounds like Bucky's got the secret. He said he 40 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,040 Speaker 1: already won one. We're heading down to Orlando this weekend 41 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,560 Speaker 1: for the Pop Warner Championship. Um, it's gonna be a 42 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 1: ton of fun. We play a Camping World stadium. It's 43 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: gonna be super exciting for the kids. I'm looking forward 44 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:54,600 Speaker 1: to it. Greg and I've been trying to figure out 45 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 1: what our defensive game plan is going to be the 46 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 1: past past twenty four hours and anticipate ation of of 47 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 1: going down there. But it's exciting, It's gonna be fun. 48 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: I just uh, I'm looking forward to it. The weather 49 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:08,800 Speaker 1: is gonna be a lot different down there in Florida 50 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 1: than it is in Charlotte and now, so hopefully our 51 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 1: kids are coaches, all of us are ready to rock. 52 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,360 Speaker 1: That should be a lot of fun. Look um, like, 53 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 1: how long have you been coaching youth ball? And I 54 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 1: have to ask you this because you dealt with the 55 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:23,360 Speaker 1: complexity of being in the pros. How long did it 56 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 1: take you to figure out how to simplify things so 57 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 1: that your little guys can understand exactly what you're asking 58 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: them to do. Yeah, we got started. We got started 59 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:33,920 Speaker 1: back in July, and we had all these ideas of all, right, 60 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 1: we're gonna be a four down front, We're gonna have 61 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: pressures from both sides and up the middle, and it 62 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:41,640 Speaker 1: all sounded good. We had it all in all the 63 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:44,079 Speaker 1: kids were great. The first game comes around and we 64 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 1: got whacked like it. We weren't ready for it. Um 65 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:50,840 Speaker 1: the defense did not work how I expected it too. 66 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 1: So the next week we came back and we just 67 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 1: went to a traditional five down front and set some 68 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: good edges and let our guys run around and play football. 69 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: And it was so fun me. I was talking to 70 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 1: Greg about it yesterday of when I was playing in Carolina. 71 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 1: I always loved it when we were simple on defense, 72 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: let us line up, let us get a look at 73 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:10,519 Speaker 1: the offense, let us go play. And I always got 74 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 1: frustrated when it was complicated and we had all these 75 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 1: shifts and motions and rotations and checks and and then 76 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:20,119 Speaker 1: I start to go coach this little youth football team 77 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,520 Speaker 1: and then I'm doing the same thing, like looks, rotations, 78 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 1: different blitzes. The first year, the first thing he didn't 79 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: go well. It wasn't the kid's fault at all. We 80 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 1: just had I thought this stuff would come together great, 81 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:33,919 Speaker 1: and it didn't. And then the next week could come out, 82 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 1: we go to a more traditional front, We're good to go. 83 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: So it's just funny how it's just funny how it 84 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: mimics the NFL, even though it's eleven year football simple 85 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: as easy as good. Let the guys go out there 86 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 1: and play. I have to imagine I've been around the 87 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: youth football world a little bit that you get some 88 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 1: opponents and some opposing coaches that are absolutely jones ng 89 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 1: to try and take down the two NFL guys on 90 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 1: the opposite sideline. Have you had any interesting experiences with 91 00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: the posing coaches this year. No, we've actually, honestly, we've 92 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 1: been a really good shape. It's been it's been fun. Um. 93 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:08,360 Speaker 1: You see a lot of the coaches around though. So 94 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 1: we had a scrimmage earlier in the year. We met 95 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: one of the coaches on one of the opposing teams 96 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 1: that that was a really good team. That was the 97 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:18,720 Speaker 1: Police Athletic League here. They had good players, they were athletic, 98 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 1: they had a good scheme. So we met the coach there. 99 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: We had a preseason scrimmage against him in the Panther 100 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:26,599 Speaker 1: Stadium and it was a little bit scary when some 101 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 1: of those kids got in space because we're like, oh, 102 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: these kids, we haven't seen any kids like this all year. 103 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 1: And then we played that same team again in the 104 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:36,919 Speaker 1: uh in the City Championship game, So we didn't have 105 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 1: any We had a great time with all the coaches. 106 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 1: But that coach from that that team was great. He 107 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:43,360 Speaker 1: was We met him early in the season, we had 108 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 1: a scrimmage against him, and then we played him in 109 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 1: the city championship game and he was He couldn't have 110 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:49,599 Speaker 1: been better. He was great to us. He gave us 111 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: a lot of encouragement moving forward. But man, it was 112 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,480 Speaker 1: it was a great experience. Greg's dad helped coach to 113 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: He coached forever in Jersey and a ton of success 114 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: up there at Wayne Hill. So we had a good 115 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 1: we had a good crew of coaches and it was 116 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 1: a ton of fun for us. Well, well, now this 117 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: is easy because, like I'm sure you're paying attention to 118 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 1: the National Football League and the new trend is take 119 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 1: someone who's coached at a lower level and give them 120 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 1: a head coaching job. So then if you can follow 121 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:18,839 Speaker 1: in the footsteps so my buddy Jeff Saturday, and you're ready, 122 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 1: you're ready to be an NFL head coach. I mean, like, 123 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:23,919 Speaker 1: I mean, you're doing it at a youth level, so 124 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: you might try your hand it, would you if you 125 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 1: had an opportunity, like seriously, like would you think about 126 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 1: ever being a head coach in the National Football I 127 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: I think it would be I think it would be 128 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 1: a ton of fun. You know what I miss about 129 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:39,919 Speaker 1: the NFL. I missed around about being around the guys 130 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: in the locker room at practice. All the relationships that 131 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: you have with the guys, with the people that work there, 132 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,840 Speaker 1: the people, the front office people, the support staff, the 133 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: trainers and coaches, the weight room guys, equipment guys. That's 134 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: what I missed the most. And I think I think 135 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: being a head coach would would give you that opportunity 136 00:05:58,440 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: to get back in the stadium. But I don't know. 137 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:01,720 Speaker 1: I don't know if I could handle that Right now. 138 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 1: I got my hands fool trying to figure out what 139 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:05,840 Speaker 1: defense we're gonna play this week when we go down 140 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 1: to Florida. But the game of the game of football 141 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 1: is so special in any way, to get back in 142 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:12,680 Speaker 1: that building would be I think would be a ton 143 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:15,039 Speaker 1: of fun. It's interesting to talk about coaching, Luke. I 144 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 1: went back and we've talked about it before. We're back 145 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:19,040 Speaker 1: and look through your report and I can only remember 146 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: two players I ever evaluated in college as they're getting 147 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 1: ready to enter in the NFL that I actually put 148 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: in my report, this guy would be a great head coach. 149 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,720 Speaker 1: It was you, and it was Damiko. Ryan's now devieco 150 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 1: Ryan's got n defense playing at elite level. He's going 151 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:34,279 Speaker 1: to He's going to be a head coach this next year. 152 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:36,599 Speaker 1: Um So, I look, if you ever want to go 153 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:38,840 Speaker 1: down that path, I'm sure there'll be plenty of opportunities 154 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 1: for you. But I want to transition a little bit. 155 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:42,919 Speaker 1: Get your thoughts on some of the stuff's going on 156 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:44,600 Speaker 1: in the league right now, because you're such a great 157 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 1: resource for us when you look around the league right now. 158 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: We've talked about a lot about this league being obsessed 159 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: with taking away explosives. We've seen so many light box counts. 160 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 1: Now now you're starting to see it trend back where 161 00:06:57,720 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 1: teams are starting to run the football more. The running 162 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: game has kind of re emerged, uh in the NFL 163 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: at this point in time. If you did you notice 164 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 1: that during your time in the league, how things just 165 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: they never go away. It just feels like things are 166 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 1: constantly cycling around. Yeah, and every it it's a cause 167 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: and effect things. So when I first got in, it 168 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: was twenty one personnel running the ball, too, back sets, 169 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,360 Speaker 1: twelve personnel, running the ball, thrown, play action off of it. 170 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: And that honestly was really good for me early in 171 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 1: my career because I felt like that's what I did 172 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: really well. And then as time progressed, especially within our division, 173 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: you know, you you know, Sean Payton always had the 174 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 1: guy out of the backfield, you know, then he had Sprowls, 175 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 1: and then he had hit Kamara, and then you look 176 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 1: at um what Atlanta was able to do with with 177 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: with Freeman, and then down in Tampa they always had 178 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 1: to do that they could get the ball too in space. 179 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 1: So early in my career it was downhill football. Then 180 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: it's slowly transition to more of that spread game, and 181 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: like you said, a lot of that Fangio defense has 182 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: started to kind of kick back in where you're showing 183 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: different looks. You're you're playing too high, you're Darren the 184 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: run the all, you're tackling it for four and a 185 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: half yards and saying, hey, run it again, or you're 186 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: gonna throw it and you're gonna throw it right into us. 187 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: And then now slowly people have kind of gotten away 188 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 1: from throwing the ball down the field, like you said, 189 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 1: now it's pound the ball, Pound the ball, pound the ball, 190 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 1: control the clock. That's what we did in Carolina last 191 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 1: week against Denver, that really good defense that split safety 192 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 1: with the rotation down. We ran the ball like forty 193 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: times for four and a half yards. To carry controlled 194 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 1: the clock took a couple calculated shots. I think everybody 195 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:33,199 Speaker 1: moves off of each other, so offense dictates defense changes. 196 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 1: Once defense changes and has success, the offense has to 197 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 1: come back around and reinvent themselves. So scoring has been 198 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 1: down in the league this year, um, from the last 199 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: couple of years, and I think a lot of it 200 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: has to do with how people are controlling the ball, 201 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: running the football, throwing more play action off of it. 202 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: You know, it's funny because you brought up the Carolina Panthers. 203 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 1: I was eventually going to get there, but I want 204 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: to get your take now. Steve wils has jumped in 205 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 1: as head coach, and by all the cows, it looks 206 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 1: like he's done a pretty solid job. Take me back 207 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 1: to your time playing at Carolina, Willis was there, Um, 208 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: what about him may allow him to be a really 209 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 1: solid hit coach for the Panthers at this moment. I 210 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:11,199 Speaker 1: think when when I first got there, he was a 211 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 1: defensive backs coach, so he came in um he was 212 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:17,319 Speaker 1: coaching DBS and what he did a really good job. 213 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 1: He was a big time relationship guy. He could talk 214 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 1: to all the guys. He could get on him hard, 215 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 1: but they all know that he cared about him and 216 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 1: there's coaches that can do that. But the other thing 217 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: that he was able to do really well as developed players. 218 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 1: And I think the one guy that everybody thinks about 219 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:33,000 Speaker 1: that I certainly think about his Josh Josh Norman. When 220 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:36,439 Speaker 1: Josh came in, he was super talented, big long, athletic, 221 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:40,199 Speaker 1: great ball skills, and Wilkes really brought him in and 222 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:42,080 Speaker 1: coached him up and made Josh one of the best 223 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 1: corners in the NFL. So I think he and then 224 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 1: he became our defensive coordinator for a year after McDermott 225 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: left for Buffalo. So he can do everything from coaching 226 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 1: to mentoring to relationship side. We've had success with them 227 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:58,200 Speaker 1: in Carolina back when when coach Riveria is here and 228 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,600 Speaker 1: he was a coordinator in the DV coach. But the 229 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 1: one thing that I think Wilkes does an exceptional job 230 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,920 Speaker 1: of is the relationship side and how he treats guys 231 00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 1: and and he knows he's from the Carolinas. He knows 232 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 1: about it. He's from um right down the street from 233 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 1: the stadium. It's it's a great match, it's and the 234 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,559 Speaker 1: guys really enjoy him. He's done a great job. He 235 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 1: can motivate him, he can teach him. And the relationship 236 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 1: side and his ability to talk to the players, I 237 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 1: think is what sets him apart from a lot of people. 238 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: Obviously the xs and os and the ability to manage 239 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: the game is great, but his ability to connect and 240 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:34,720 Speaker 1: talk to guys and get on guys. But the guys 241 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 1: I all understand that he loves him and he cares 242 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,199 Speaker 1: about him. I think that's his most unique trade and 243 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: I think that's what's allowed him to be successful. Yeah, 244 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:42,440 Speaker 1: it's it's not a surprise. Look at app State, that's 245 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:45,680 Speaker 1: all we do is produce winners. And uh and he go, 246 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 1: I mean the North Carolina guy, that's just that's what 247 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,320 Speaker 1: we do up there. Um. Hey, if if if an 248 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:53,720 Speaker 1: owner I'm not just any owner came up to you 249 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 1: and said we need to hire a head coach, an 250 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:58,679 Speaker 1: NFL head coach, you know, if if we're going to 251 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: start the priority list of the three or four characteristics 252 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 1: or uh you know in your opinion, what would lead 253 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 1: to a successful tenure as a head coach. If you 254 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: have to identify three or four those characteristics, what would 255 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: they be? Oh? Man? I think Number one man managing people? 256 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,560 Speaker 1: How will do you manage a group of people around you? 257 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 1: So your coaches, your players, your support staff. I think 258 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:21,679 Speaker 1: the second thing is is who are they're going to 259 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:24,480 Speaker 1: bring in to be your coordinators and your coaches. I 260 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 1: think a lot of it has to do with you 261 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:28,680 Speaker 1: might have one or two coaches, but if you're weak 262 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: and one side of the ball, then you get exposed there. 263 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:32,800 Speaker 1: So how do you manage people? Who are you going 264 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 1: to bring into be your your coordinators and then your coaches? Um, 265 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 1: I think that's I think those are the two most 266 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:40,720 Speaker 1: important things. And then are you gonna call? Is that 267 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:42,599 Speaker 1: guy gonna call plays? Are you gonna call plays on 268 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:44,679 Speaker 1: the defensive side of the ball? Are you gonna call 269 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 1: plays on the offensive side of the ball. I think 270 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,080 Speaker 1: those are the three things that you really have to 271 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,839 Speaker 1: figure out if you're looking at coaches. Is managing who 272 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 1: you're gonna bring in as coaches? And then who's calling plays? 273 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:57,240 Speaker 1: And who and how do you how do you give 274 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: out responsibility? I think those are three the important things. 275 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 1: And when we had success with coach Rivera, I think 276 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 1: he had a really good feel for that. He was 277 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 1: great at managing people. He hired really good coaches and 278 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 1: he let those coaches called the defenses. So he had 279 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:16,560 Speaker 1: mcdee and um and Wilkes and then Shula and all 280 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:19,079 Speaker 1: those guys did a great job and it was and 281 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 1: we obviously had nor of two. So he had a 282 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 1: ton of confidence in our guys calling place. So he 283 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:26,680 Speaker 1: I think those are three easy things right off the 284 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 1: bat that come to my mind that are important, you know, 285 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: and think about it. I want to kind of expand 286 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 1: upon that conversation because you bring up Ron Rivera. Ron 287 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 1: Rivera was a former player, had a lot of success 288 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 1: in the league. Uh, there's some coaching staffs around the 289 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:41,560 Speaker 1: league that are really populated with former players. Having played 290 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: for a former player, What advantages might a former player 291 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: have when it comes to coaching young players, developing young 292 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 1: players and kind of being a leader of a team 293 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:54,439 Speaker 1: that may have some young players throughout the roster. Well, 294 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 1: he's been there, so you know, you take you take 295 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:59,599 Speaker 1: it on for example, I was very fortunate because he 296 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: played the same position as and he obviously, but he 297 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 1: was He's been the training camp, he's been banged up, 298 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 1: he's been sore, he's fought through injuries. He knows what 299 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:08,840 Speaker 1: it's like to be tired mid season, end of the season. 300 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 1: But then me specifically, not only did he play, but 301 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 1: he played at a high level on a really good defense, 302 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 1: and they wanted super bodies the Five Bears. But the 303 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 1: other thing that helped help me a lot is that 304 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:22,079 Speaker 1: he had that relationship with with her lactor in Chicago. 305 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 1: So he coached Briant, he coached Briggs, he coached Hunter, 306 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 1: Hill and Meyer. All three of those guys were a 307 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 1: little bit different type of players. So then when he 308 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 1: got to Carolina, he could talk to me about things. 309 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: So if it was like, you know, playing cover two 310 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 1: running down the middle, He's and he'd watch me do 311 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 1: something and he'd like, hey, how do you like to 312 00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 1: play this? And I'd be like, well, this is how 313 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 1: I want to play cover two. I want to pedal out. 314 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: I feel like they get a good vision on the quarterback. 315 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 1: I feel like I can break left and right. He's like, Okay, 316 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 1: that's really good, This is another way to do it. 317 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,200 Speaker 1: This is how Brian did it, and this is why 318 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 1: he did it. And I think that was always super 319 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 1: important to me. Of he's played the position, he understands it. 320 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:02,679 Speaker 1: He coached arguably one of the best linebackers ever, an 321 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:06,040 Speaker 1: er lacker that played a lot, played a lot in space, 322 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 1: was a great blitzer, was really good in coverage. He 323 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:13,680 Speaker 1: had so many different different little nuggets of levels of 324 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 1: playing from being a player to coaching one of the 325 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:18,480 Speaker 1: best ever to now being the head coach. He had 326 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 1: a really good feel for teaching and he was never 327 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 1: like my way or the highway. It was like, how 328 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 1: do you see it? This is how I see it, 329 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: this is how a third party in er Lacker sees it. 330 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 1: And he was able to kind of bring it all together. 331 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 1: And I think that's what made Ron special is his 332 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 1: ability to kind of be around the building to coach 333 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: guys on the side, two talk to guys, in form relationships. 334 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 1: So then when things were difficult and the guy was 335 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: having a bad day, coaches are on him. Ron wasn't 336 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 1: ever really on him. The coordinators are on the position, 337 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 1: coaches are on him, and then coach could go over 338 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: there and talk to him like, Hey, what's going on? 339 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: Everything okay? And he had relationships with guys and they'd 340 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 1: be willing to open up with him, and then Ron 341 00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:59,800 Speaker 1: would get a different side of the story and then boom, 342 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: he go relay to everybody else and then you could 343 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 1: put the whole picture together. And I think that's what 344 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 1: made him really special. There's a cliche that people throw around, 345 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: and I tend to believe it, which is teams will 346 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 1: take on the identity of their head coach. And you 347 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,320 Speaker 1: just talked about Ron Rivera what he was as a player, 348 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: kind of the toughness that he exuded. I think about 349 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 1: the great teams that you played on, that was that 350 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: was apparent there. You think about Washington when they're going, well, 351 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: it's the same type of thing. They're a physical team 352 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 1: trying to run the football. I think a guy like 353 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 1: Mike Vrabel, you know, what he was as a player, 354 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: almost mimics what he's built there with the Tennessee Titans. 355 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: Have you seen that throughout your career, not only for 356 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:35,640 Speaker 1: the coaches you played with, but just looking around the 357 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 1: league that you can get you know, certain teams have 358 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 1: identities and that comes from the head coach. Oh yeah, 359 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 1: I mean you go back looking at there's a couple 360 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 1: of names. Obviously, you look at it. Rabel obviously Hardball. 361 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 1: We played them when he was in San Francisco, when 362 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 1: they were just heavy thumpers downhill, but very smart and 363 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:57,520 Speaker 1: very intuitive with how they did things. Um, I think 364 00:15:57,560 --> 00:16:00,920 Speaker 1: you look at kind of you know what Ron and 365 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 1: coach Vera made here in Carolina where we were tough, 366 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 1: we were physical, but guys really cared a lot about 367 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 1: each other and played hard for each other. I think 368 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 1: you look at what McDermott has done up in Buffalo, 369 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 1: just talking about guys that I know really well. He 370 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 1: is just like a tough wrestler, fighter, competitive, and you 371 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 1: look around that team. That's how all those guys are, 372 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:26,680 Speaker 1: from Josh two digs to the offensive line to you know, 373 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 1: Matt Milana. Their guys off the edge with Vaughan and 374 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 1: then they're inside push with that Oliver and and then 375 00:16:32,680 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 1: you look in the back. You know, Jordan Poyer is 376 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: one of my favorite guys to watch, just tough, physical 377 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:43,000 Speaker 1: attitude and if that's I think you're right. Guys people 378 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 1: take on take on the mindset of their head coach, 379 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:48,640 Speaker 1: and I think That's what's so cool to each team 380 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 1: is so different. When you go Seattle was like that 381 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:55,440 Speaker 1: with with Pete Carroll. Just tough, physical attitude. We're gonna 382 00:16:55,480 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: run the ball at your face, We're gonna play good defense. 383 00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:00,560 Speaker 1: That's what I think makes the NFL so Actually, look 384 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 1: at Andy Reid with the Chiefs. They he's so creative 385 00:17:05,080 --> 00:17:07,800 Speaker 1: and he's opened the new concepts and you look at 386 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 1: them on offense and some of the stuff that they do, 387 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:11,720 Speaker 1: it's like, how did you guys even think of that? 388 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,160 Speaker 1: How Kelsey runs around, how Mahomes throws the ball, how 389 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:17,640 Speaker 1: they get guys in space. You can just look over 390 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 1: there and Andy Reid, you can you can just tell 391 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 1: He's like, all right, boom, we've got space on the field. Here, 392 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:24,840 Speaker 1: I've got this guy. I can utilize a big guy 393 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 1: in space like it's it's so fun. And I think 394 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 1: that's what makes the NFL so cool is that every 395 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 1: game that you play, they're gonna run the ball, they're 396 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:33,879 Speaker 1: gonna throw it, but how they go about doing it 397 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,359 Speaker 1: is so unique to each each individual team. And the 398 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:38,600 Speaker 1: look what I want to go like a little deeper 399 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:41,639 Speaker 1: when it comes to playing defense, because there's kind of 400 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,240 Speaker 1: been a renaissance. DJ talked about teams going back to 401 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: the running game to attack the like bosses, but teams 402 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:49,439 Speaker 1: are also going away from some of the zone schemes 403 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:51,880 Speaker 1: they are very prevalent the last few years to more 404 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 1: gap schemes where you're seeing guards and tackles pool As 405 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:58,119 Speaker 1: a linebacker, can you kind of break it down, like 406 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:00,920 Speaker 1: the differences and the challenges and live with the pullers 407 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:03,800 Speaker 1: and the gap schemes as opposed to the traditional zone 408 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 1: schemes that more popular as recent as a few years ago. Yeah, 409 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:11,439 Speaker 1: I love. I love gap scheme runs for in the 410 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,639 Speaker 1: reason I say that because all your wide zone stuff, 411 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:16,360 Speaker 1: it's gonna push, it's gonna push, it's gonna push. Then 412 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 1: there's levels in in the offensive line in the defense 413 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: that change running lanes. So you might line up, you 414 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:24,240 Speaker 1: might be a B gap player, but then a three 415 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:26,879 Speaker 1: technique gets reached and then it's a gap exchange, and 416 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,919 Speaker 1: then I get vertical and then I get washed by 417 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 1: then there's like a secondary presets gets created because me 418 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 1: and the defensive tackle are on different levels. I hate 419 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: the wide zone. You can't you can't get downhill attack 420 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:43,360 Speaker 1: and be physical because that zone, that gap is constantly moving, 421 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:44,960 Speaker 1: and I think it's a pain in the butt, and 422 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 1: it relies heavily on your edge guys versus gap scheme 423 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: runs where it's it's double teams. It's everything happens, in 424 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: my opinion, where it's supposed to. So if they're gonna 425 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,760 Speaker 1: run power, I know what my readers check the A 426 00:18:56,880 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 1: gap good over the top of the double team, and 427 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:01,879 Speaker 1: I'm gonna fit inside the guard for me. For me, 428 00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:05,240 Speaker 1: it takes more time. It's easier to read, and my 429 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:07,280 Speaker 1: footwork is way easier. I feel like I can be 430 00:19:07,359 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 1: more patient, I can get in phase better. I don't 431 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:12,359 Speaker 1: feel like I'm rushed to get to a certain gap. 432 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 1: I love gap scheme. I'd rather you run power, I'd 433 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,440 Speaker 1: rather you run counter, I'd rather you run one back. 434 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: Lead is so because I know exactly where the ball 435 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: needs to hit. I know exactly where my my gap 436 00:19:24,359 --> 00:19:26,439 Speaker 1: is gonna be. I know where the big guys are 437 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:28,639 Speaker 1: gonna be. I know how they're gonna block it. I 438 00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:30,919 Speaker 1: know if I get over a guy, then I'm clean. 439 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 1: I just loved I loved gap scheme. I'd rather play 440 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 1: it every time because it makes you know if you 441 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:39,399 Speaker 1: run a run game stunt and you blitz off an 442 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 1: open side and its wide zone. Those gaps can just 443 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:44,440 Speaker 1: get so muddy and get washed down and then before 444 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:46,360 Speaker 1: you know, and now there's a huge crease right there 445 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 1: versus gap scheme. If you do that inside stunt, you 446 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:52,199 Speaker 1: know exactly where your forced player is going to be. 447 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,920 Speaker 1: You know exactly who's gonna block the down that stunt 448 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:56,879 Speaker 1: into the B gap. It just makes everything for me 449 00:19:57,520 --> 00:19:59,880 Speaker 1: so much cleaner. And if you'd ask an offensive guy, 450 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 1: they probably say the exact opposite thing of me. But 451 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:04,960 Speaker 1: I love I love gaps schemes. If you could say, 452 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: you can play zone or gaps schemes the rest of 453 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:09,359 Speaker 1: your life. I'm playing gaps schemes. Oh that's great stuff. 454 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 1: And I'll tell you what, watching tape on a weekly basis, 455 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:13,640 Speaker 1: there's a lot of linebackers. They are not as comfortable 456 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 1: fitting up in those gaps schemes as you are. You 457 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:18,240 Speaker 1: see a lot of misfits. I've seen some big runs pop. 458 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:19,800 Speaker 1: I just think these guys haven't seen it a lot. 459 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:21,159 Speaker 1: They haven't seen it a lot in college, and now 460 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:22,680 Speaker 1: I haven't seen it the last few years in the NFL. 461 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:24,119 Speaker 1: And now it's all back as we were kind of 462 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: talking about earlier, everything being pretty cyclical there are We're 463 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:29,280 Speaker 1: gonna take a quick break when we come back. Plenty 464 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 1: more to get to with Pop Warner, coaching legend Luke Kickley. Alright, 465 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:39,879 Speaker 1: we're back with Luke Quickley and Luke. I want to 466 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:41,680 Speaker 1: hit you on a couple more NFL topics here before 467 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: we transition and do some scouting talk, which I'm really 468 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: looking forward to. But we've talked about this throughout the year. 469 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 1: It feels like when you look around the league this year, 470 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:51,879 Speaker 1: I know you've got Kansas City, You've got Buffalo, I 471 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 1: know Philly their record is what it is. You see 472 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:56,720 Speaker 1: Dallas starting to surge a little bit, but it really 473 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:58,880 Speaker 1: feels like it's kind of just getting the tournament year. 474 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 1: Just find your way, get the tournament. Anything can happen 475 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,240 Speaker 1: once you get there. You remember and during your time 476 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 1: in the league where that was the case, where you thought, man, 477 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 1: we might not be a great team, but I don't 478 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:10,160 Speaker 1: know if there is a great team out there. Guys, 479 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:11,440 Speaker 1: we just gotta find a way to get in the 480 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 1: playoffs and we'll take our chances once we get there. Absolutely, 481 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 1: That's how we kind of were in team. We won 482 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 1: seven eight and one and snuck into the playoffs. Started 483 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:21,879 Speaker 1: a vision was really was really down. We got a 484 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:24,160 Speaker 1: home game and won a game, and so I think 485 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 1: there's that side of it. Then also then I also 486 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: think teams that are that are leading divisions, they start 487 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:31,639 Speaker 1: looking around like, all right, who are the teams that 488 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 1: are winning leading the divisions? Okay, we're gonna win the division. 489 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: Who are we going to play in a wild card? 490 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 1: And then you start looking around You're like, man, I 491 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:41,320 Speaker 1: hope that team continues to lose. I think San Francisco 492 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:44,600 Speaker 1: was that team earlier in the year. Obviously they've they've 493 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 1: kind of started to really get it going and kick 494 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 1: it in the gear. But that would be a team 495 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:50,440 Speaker 1: that you look at and you be like, man, I 496 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:52,560 Speaker 1: don't want to play them the first round of the playoffs. 497 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 1: They'd be an absolute disaster to play against. Their super 498 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 1: good on defense, they play really well on offense, they 499 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:01,120 Speaker 1: can run the ball, and you kind of look at it. Now, 500 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:04,720 Speaker 1: that's like what the NFC East looks like. Philly, Philly, Dallas, 501 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 1: New York, and then obviously Washington. I think Philly and 502 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:10,399 Speaker 1: Dallas will be one of those teams out to win 503 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: that division. But could you imagine winning your division, getting 504 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: a home game and then drawing Philly or Dallas to 505 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:18,639 Speaker 1: play them week one in the playoffs. I think that 506 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 1: would be a disaster. You wouldn't want to do that 507 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 1: at all. Same thing with the a f C East, 508 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:25,879 Speaker 1: with Buffalo in Miami, one of those teams is going 509 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 1: to be a wild card. And all these teams that 510 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:30,399 Speaker 1: look around, they just tried so hard to win the division, 511 00:22:30,800 --> 00:22:32,560 Speaker 1: they get the home game and boom, now you have 512 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 1: to in that offense coming to you for the first 513 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 1: round of the playoffs. It's like it's a disaster. So 514 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:39,880 Speaker 1: this time of the year you kind of get in December, 515 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:42,440 Speaker 1: the playoffs start to kind of take shape and then 516 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:44,520 Speaker 1: you're like, man, who could we potentially play? And I 517 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 1: think there's a couple of teams around the NFL this 518 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 1: year they're like, if we draw that team the first 519 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:51,320 Speaker 1: round of the playoffs, we're not and we're not feeling 520 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 1: great about it. Look, I want to lead your expertise 521 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:56,680 Speaker 1: because you played on playoff teams you played, you listed 522 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,880 Speaker 1: out two different scenarios in terms of how your team 523 00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: is going into the postseas. If a head coach asked 524 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:05,560 Speaker 1: you heading into December. How can I get my team 525 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:08,320 Speaker 1: to play the best football heading down the stretch? What 526 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:10,639 Speaker 1: advice would you give them at this point in the season. 527 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:14,119 Speaker 1: I think it's all about guys being healthy. Right For 528 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:16,040 Speaker 1: the most part, all these teams that are playing good 529 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:17,920 Speaker 1: football and have good records, they're not gonna be in 530 00:23:17,960 --> 00:23:21,320 Speaker 1: the playoffs. I think they understand what they are, what 531 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:24,920 Speaker 1: their identity is, how they're playing on defense, all their responsibilities. 532 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:27,199 Speaker 1: But then once you get to December and then in 533 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: the January the playoffs, it's who's who's the healthiest team 534 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:33,160 Speaker 1: out there, who feels the best, who's got most most 535 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 1: of their guys around unhealthy? And then going into the playoffs, 536 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:40,200 Speaker 1: guys just need to be healthy. They need to feel fast, 537 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 1: They need to feel explosive. You don't want to limp 538 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:44,879 Speaker 1: into the playoffs and then beat your chest and say, hey, 539 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 1: we're in, but half of my guys are banged up. 540 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:48,960 Speaker 1: We're not gonna be able to make a run. Or 541 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,359 Speaker 1: would you rather be the team that, Hey, our guys 542 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:53,560 Speaker 1: are healthy, we took them out of pads and maybe 543 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:56,160 Speaker 1: we've got a lot more walk throughs. Guys are locked 544 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:59,000 Speaker 1: in during the week, show up on Sundays and get 545 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 1: it done. And I think that's what we did a 546 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 1: really good job with in Carolina was that season, the 547 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:06,840 Speaker 1: year we went to the super Bowl. We were really 548 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:09,000 Speaker 1: light at practice. Guys are locked in, We had a 549 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:10,760 Speaker 1: lot of older guys, We knew where we were on 550 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:14,760 Speaker 1: offense and defense, and we had such productive practices Wednesday, Thursday, 551 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:18,960 Speaker 1: Friday without going full speed because we understood, Hey, if 552 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 1: we get our good mental reps in, if we get 553 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,119 Speaker 1: our good looks, good looks in, and we take this 554 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:25,399 Speaker 1: thing seriously, we don't have to put pads on, we 555 00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: don't have to put our helmet out, we don't have 556 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 1: to run fast, we don't have to go hit guys. 557 00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: And not only does that kind of calm you down physically, 558 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: but I think it also gives you a break mentally. 559 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:35,440 Speaker 1: The only thing I have to worry about a practice 560 00:24:35,520 --> 00:24:37,760 Speaker 1: right now is my alignment. Where do I gotta be, 561 00:24:37,880 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 1: what do I gotta do? You don't have to worry 562 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:40,960 Speaker 1: about me, and like I'm gonna have to go chase 563 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:43,120 Speaker 1: this guy, I gotta put my hands on this guy. 564 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 1: It's just one less thing that you gotta worry about 565 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:48,080 Speaker 1: as a player. So it's Hey, boom. I'm gonna go 566 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:50,960 Speaker 1: out here, I'm gonna get my reps. I'm gonna recover mentally, 567 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:53,040 Speaker 1: but I'm also going to recover physically because I know 568 00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 1: when it gets into January, it's a one week at 569 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 1: a time season. When and continue losing, go home so 570 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 1: and then you can really frank at back up that 571 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:02,920 Speaker 1: week going to the playoffs. But I think in December 572 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 1: you have so much, so many guys that get banged 573 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:08,000 Speaker 1: up throughout the season that boom. If I can really 574 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:11,000 Speaker 1: capitalize on these last four weeks, our guys understand what's 575 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:12,879 Speaker 1: going on, and I can get everybody healthy going to 576 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 1: the playoffs, I think that puts you in the best 577 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:18,400 Speaker 1: position moving in the January. How was postseason involved different? 578 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 1: I mean your first playoff game, and everybody talks about 579 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:22,960 Speaker 1: the adjustment you make from high school to college or 580 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:25,440 Speaker 1: from your college, you know, to the NFL and starting 581 00:25:25,480 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 1: as a rookie, But what what was it like in 582 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:29,960 Speaker 1: your first postseason game and how was it different than 583 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:32,480 Speaker 1: just a regular season game. Yeah, the first postseason game 584 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:35,760 Speaker 1: that we played was we had a home game against 585 00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:39,199 Speaker 1: San Francisco. San Francisco the year before was in the 586 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 1: Super Bowl. They played Baltimore, so they had been there 587 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:43,560 Speaker 1: and done it. They had been in the playoffs before that. 588 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:46,159 Speaker 1: Whole roster is basically back. I was going into my 589 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 1: second year and I just remember all the older guys. 590 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:50,199 Speaker 1: We had older guys in our team that had been 591 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 1: in the playoffs, and like, it's gonna be faster, it's 592 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 1: gonna be more physical, and there's gonna be a different 593 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:56,959 Speaker 1: energy in the game. I was like, okay, sure, like 594 00:25:57,240 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 1: I've gone from preseason the regular season, understand that. But 595 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:02,520 Speaker 1: then you get in there and I'll tell you what, man, 596 00:26:03,280 --> 00:26:05,120 Speaker 1: it's different. I think of a lot of reason it's 597 00:26:05,119 --> 00:26:09,600 Speaker 1: different is because each play matters that much more. And 598 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 1: you can't just slip up and give up a thirty 599 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 1: five yard game and then then kick a football and 600 00:26:13,600 --> 00:26:15,240 Speaker 1: three points. You can't be like, hey, we gotta stop. 601 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:17,720 Speaker 1: It's like no, like those are three points that we're 602 00:26:17,760 --> 00:26:19,360 Speaker 1: now going to have to get on the offensive side 603 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:21,840 Speaker 1: of the ball. And to me, the energy was different 604 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 1: in the sense of each play matters. You gotta play 605 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 1: each play as hard as you can. You're you're not 606 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:29,800 Speaker 1: taking plays off. Every time the ball gets run outside, 607 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:32,359 Speaker 1: I'm sprinting there because you don't know if somebody's gonna 608 00:26:32,359 --> 00:26:34,560 Speaker 1: miss a tackle and you've got to clean it up 609 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 1: or the same thing. The same thing applies for the 610 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:40,760 Speaker 1: guys on offense too, that every route's gotta be right, 611 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:43,359 Speaker 1: every depth's gotta be right, every you gotta fight for 612 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:45,919 Speaker 1: every yard you can get. Penalties are big. That's what 613 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,320 Speaker 1: killed us in that first game, where penalties and just 614 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:51,479 Speaker 1: not I don't think I wasn't ready for that moment 615 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 1: as a second year player. I was excited we're in 616 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:56,320 Speaker 1: the playoffs. We had a home game, we had a 617 00:26:56,359 --> 00:26:59,400 Speaker 1: first round by everything was rolling, and then it's like, man, 618 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:03,160 Speaker 1: it happens faster. The guys are more physical. The game 619 00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 1: plan I felt like was a lot tighter on San 620 00:27:05,160 --> 00:27:07,280 Speaker 1: franc side. They said, we're gonna line up, We're gonna 621 00:27:07,359 --> 00:27:08,720 Speaker 1: run the ball in your face, We're gonna take a 622 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:11,040 Speaker 1: couple of shots. Kapinick's gonna pull the ball and get 623 00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:13,760 Speaker 1: on the edge. That was the biggest difference to me. 624 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:16,720 Speaker 1: Guys who are playing faster, more physical, but every play 625 00:27:16,800 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 1: there was just that added pressure that you never know 626 00:27:19,119 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 1: when that playing the game is gonna happen. That's gonna 627 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:23,000 Speaker 1: dictate either win or a loss. You know, and and 628 00:27:23,160 --> 00:27:26,240 Speaker 1: thinking about that because post season balls where legends are made, 629 00:27:26,280 --> 00:27:29,360 Speaker 1: and so so much of the game is about quarterback play. 630 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 1: In your estimation, what's the difference between those great quarterbacks 631 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 1: in the postseason and those guys that simply are unable 632 00:27:36,119 --> 00:27:38,640 Speaker 1: to get it done? I think not being not being afraid, 633 00:27:38,840 --> 00:27:41,399 Speaker 1: not being able to afraid to make a mistake. You know, 634 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 1: you gotta sometimes you gotta fit the ball in there. 635 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:46,920 Speaker 1: Sometimes you gotta throw it. I never obviously played quarterbacks, 636 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:48,720 Speaker 1: so I don't know what it was like for those guys, 637 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 1: but I knew going into that second year. So my 638 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:54,639 Speaker 1: first year we played San Francisco, and after about the 639 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:56,480 Speaker 1: first quarter, I was like, all right, I got beat 640 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:58,600 Speaker 1: by Vernon Davis for a touchdown in the end zone. 641 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 1: And I remember him he ran a seven route. This 642 00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:04,960 Speaker 1: was like a goal line play, and I remember watching him. 643 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,159 Speaker 1: He was I was connected to him, and he was 644 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:09,560 Speaker 1: right on the on the end line of the end zone, 645 00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:11,840 Speaker 1: and I remember thinking, boom, what does push him out 646 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 1: of bounds? Then that way he can't catch the ball, 647 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:16,160 Speaker 1: the play is dead. Then I can pick up somebody 648 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 1: else and go make a play in the ball. And 649 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 1: I remember thinking in my head. It happened so fast. 650 00:28:20,040 --> 00:28:22,000 Speaker 1: I was like, man, if I push him too hard 651 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:24,960 Speaker 1: and then they throw a flag, then its pass interference 652 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:26,199 Speaker 1: and then they're gonna get the ball in the one 653 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 1: yard line first and ten. And I didn't make that 654 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:30,000 Speaker 1: play very well, could have pushed him out and he 655 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 1: ended up catching the ball, and that was a difference 656 00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:34,680 Speaker 1: in the game. Then you fast forward to the next year. 657 00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:37,440 Speaker 1: We played Arizona at home and I played really well, 658 00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:38,680 Speaker 1: and I think a lot of it had to do 659 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:42,440 Speaker 1: with me saying, I'm in the playoffs, I'm gonna make plays, 660 00:28:42,560 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 1: I'm gonna make them call stuff, and I'm gonna go 661 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:47,440 Speaker 1: play my game and take chances and be confident with 662 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:50,440 Speaker 1: what I'm doing, and they take calculated risks. I think 663 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 1: that was the biggest difference for me. I'm sure it's 664 00:28:52,920 --> 00:28:55,360 Speaker 1: probably very similar for a lot of positions in quarterback 665 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:57,720 Speaker 1: as well, where it's hey, you get in the playoffs, 666 00:28:57,840 --> 00:28:59,880 Speaker 1: go play your game, don't be afraid of the moment. 667 00:29:00,040 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 1: I think that was one thing that met from that 668 00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:05,320 Speaker 1: first year to the second year is go a going 669 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:07,320 Speaker 1: with the mindset of hair. I'm hair to make plays, 670 00:29:07,360 --> 00:29:09,200 Speaker 1: I'm not here to make mistakes, and I think that's 671 00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 1: what switched from me going in for my second year 672 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:12,960 Speaker 1: to my third year in the playoffs. You no, I 673 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:15,280 Speaker 1: love that man. To me, it's like you, you'll watch 674 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:17,080 Speaker 1: a game and you'll see it in the big moments. 675 00:29:17,080 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 1: You'll see teams that play a little bit scared, a 676 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:21,360 Speaker 1: little bit tight, a little bit conservative, and you'll see 677 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:23,680 Speaker 1: teams maybe take a risk, be a little bit aggressive, 678 00:29:23,720 --> 00:29:25,760 Speaker 1: push the envelope. It seems like more often than not, 679 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:28,720 Speaker 1: those are the teams that absolutely end up getting rewarded. 680 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:30,600 Speaker 1: All right, we're gonna take another quick break. We come back. 681 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:33,239 Speaker 1: We're gonna talk about some scouting ideas and get some 682 00:29:33,280 --> 00:29:35,840 Speaker 1: thoughts from Luke as we continue on here with the 683 00:29:35,840 --> 00:29:42,680 Speaker 1: former All Pro Luke Keithly. NFL Plus is here, which means, 684 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:45,520 Speaker 1: no matter where you are, this is how you football. 685 00:29:45,640 --> 00:29:48,400 Speaker 1: With NFL Plus, watch live local and primetime games on 686 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:51,040 Speaker 1: mobile and listen to live game audio now through Super 687 00:29:51,080 --> 00:29:53,120 Speaker 1: Bowl fifty seven. Sign up for the rest of the 688 00:29:53,120 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 1: season with a special offer of nineteen by going to 689 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:59,479 Speaker 1: Plus dot NFL dot com and sign up now. All right, 690 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:01,160 Speaker 1: this is what I'm in and forward to. In our 691 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:04,080 Speaker 1: visit with Luke Keickley talking about some scouting and always 692 00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:06,600 Speaker 1: trying to learn and grow and what we're doing. Uh. Luke. 693 00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:09,920 Speaker 1: Last time we visited, we asked you for a stat 694 00:30:09,960 --> 00:30:11,760 Speaker 1: that would be a good one where we're watching off 695 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:13,840 Speaker 1: the ball linebackers and something we could dig into a 696 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:16,640 Speaker 1: little bit. You talked about tackles for loss or tackles 697 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:19,000 Speaker 1: for no game. Uh. And you know I was looking 698 00:30:19,000 --> 00:30:22,080 Speaker 1: through and it's ironically the linebackers leading the NFL right 699 00:30:22,080 --> 00:30:24,280 Speaker 1: now and TFLs or tackles for no game off the 700 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:27,240 Speaker 1: ball linebackers Matt Mlano, who's playing for a guy in 701 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:30,600 Speaker 1: Sean McDermot that you already referenced a little bit earlier here. Um. 702 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:33,120 Speaker 1: But I love that and trying to identify things that 703 00:30:33,160 --> 00:30:34,960 Speaker 1: maybe other people are missing. So I want to give 704 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:37,520 Speaker 1: you the opportunity. Could be a stat, could be anything 705 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:39,960 Speaker 1: just from a skill set standpoint, with where you see 706 00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:43,560 Speaker 1: where the game is going as we forecast in the future. 707 00:30:44,240 --> 00:30:46,680 Speaker 1: What's something that maybe we're missing when you're evaluating off 708 00:30:46,680 --> 00:30:49,720 Speaker 1: the ball linebackers. Oh Man, So, I think everybody looks 709 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:53,680 Speaker 1: at interceptions obviously, but I don't think people always look 710 00:30:53,760 --> 00:30:56,200 Speaker 1: at passes defended from guys coming out. And I think 711 00:30:56,200 --> 00:31:00,160 Speaker 1: that is a big metric, not only because it's the 712 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:02,080 Speaker 1: same thing as a no game play. It's about a 713 00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:04,800 Speaker 1: ball first and ten, a second and ten, But I 714 00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 1: also think it shows that guys have a feel for 715 00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:09,160 Speaker 1: coverage and they're also always around the ball, and I 716 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:11,680 Speaker 1: think that's something that I I think would be important. 717 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:15,160 Speaker 1: Everybody can look at tackles, heightweight, speed, but passes defended 718 00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:18,240 Speaker 1: not only dictate a no game play, but it shows 719 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:20,200 Speaker 1: that the guy has got ability to be around the ball. 720 00:31:20,640 --> 00:31:23,000 Speaker 1: He can playing coverage, and especially now with the way 721 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:26,080 Speaker 1: the league has transferred, all these backers have to be 722 00:31:26,120 --> 00:31:27,600 Speaker 1: able to If you're a week side back, you've got 723 00:31:27,680 --> 00:31:29,360 Speaker 1: to be able to cover back out of the backfield, 724 00:31:29,400 --> 00:31:32,280 Speaker 1: whether it's you know, a Christian as Kuan, those type 725 00:31:32,280 --> 00:31:34,440 Speaker 1: of guys, or if your mic back or kind of 726 00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:37,080 Speaker 1: like Tremida Edmunds, a guy in Buffalo next to Milana. 727 00:31:37,120 --> 00:31:40,160 Speaker 1: You've gotta be able to cover Kelsey and Kittle and 728 00:31:40,240 --> 00:31:42,400 Speaker 1: guys like you know, back when I was playing Olsen, 729 00:31:42,800 --> 00:31:45,040 Speaker 1: the game's changing and and you know, we talked about 730 00:31:45,040 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 1: the run game a little bit, but the ability to 731 00:31:46,920 --> 00:31:50,840 Speaker 1: play coverage and limit and limit obvious you know, third 732 00:31:50,840 --> 00:31:53,960 Speaker 1: down conversions, easy first down throws to make it second 733 00:31:53,960 --> 00:31:57,360 Speaker 1: and short that passes defended. Thing thing that passes defended 734 00:31:57,400 --> 00:31:58,920 Speaker 1: stat for me is a big one. You know, it's 735 00:31:58,920 --> 00:32:01,080 Speaker 1: funny you bring that up because so much of the 736 00:32:01,080 --> 00:32:03,720 Speaker 1: game is about trying to create mismatches, and the linebackers 737 00:32:03,760 --> 00:32:06,800 Speaker 1: are the ones who are frequently picked on. So expanding 738 00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:10,480 Speaker 1: upon that thought, when you're looking at mic linebackers, where 739 00:32:10,480 --> 00:32:13,320 Speaker 1: you're looking at linebackers off the ball linebackers, what are 740 00:32:13,320 --> 00:32:16,000 Speaker 1: the traits that I need to look for to determine 741 00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:18,520 Speaker 1: if a linebacker might have the ability to be really 742 00:32:18,520 --> 00:32:20,600 Speaker 1: good and covered. The one guy that I always think 743 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:23,320 Speaker 1: about that I played with is Thomas. Thomas was one 744 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:25,040 Speaker 1: of the best I think to ever do that. I 745 00:32:25,080 --> 00:32:29,200 Speaker 1: think it started with just his his numbers, right, he 746 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:31,880 Speaker 1: was he was He was a four or four guy, 747 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,560 Speaker 1: and he had really good He had really good length, 748 00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:36,320 Speaker 1: and I think that was one thing that helped him 749 00:32:36,320 --> 00:32:38,440 Speaker 1: a lot. Anybody that's got speed and length and cover 750 00:32:38,560 --> 00:32:40,520 Speaker 1: up a lot. I think he had a really good 751 00:32:40,640 --> 00:32:43,600 Speaker 1: feel for routes and I think he was very fit. 752 00:32:43,680 --> 00:32:45,320 Speaker 1: He was physical, so at the top end of the 753 00:32:45,360 --> 00:32:47,760 Speaker 1: route and he's physical and strong at the top end 754 00:32:47,760 --> 00:32:50,600 Speaker 1: of the route. Guys couldn't push off of them. You 755 00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:52,280 Speaker 1: get up to him, and he was just like a 756 00:32:52,280 --> 00:32:55,000 Speaker 1: magn and he'd stayed. He would stay stuck on you. 757 00:32:55,360 --> 00:32:57,760 Speaker 1: He could convert, he could get his hands out, and 758 00:32:57,840 --> 00:33:01,240 Speaker 1: he was very good with his with with staying in phase. 759 00:33:01,320 --> 00:33:03,120 Speaker 1: So all a lot of these guys, they're gonna come up, 760 00:33:03,280 --> 00:33:05,200 Speaker 1: they're gonna try to stem you, They're gonna try to 761 00:33:05,240 --> 00:33:08,120 Speaker 1: break away from leverage. Thomas had a great feel and 762 00:33:08,240 --> 00:33:11,000 Speaker 1: was really never out of position. He felt comfortable in 763 00:33:11,040 --> 00:33:13,600 Speaker 1: his ability to get vertical with his speed. He had 764 00:33:13,680 --> 00:33:16,440 Speaker 1: good length to kind of convert, but his ability to 765 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:20,080 Speaker 1: stay strong and play physical through contact, through hand fighting, 766 00:33:20,120 --> 00:33:22,840 Speaker 1: through pushing off allowed him to get get back in 767 00:33:22,880 --> 00:33:24,560 Speaker 1: phase on that tight end. So if a guy comes 768 00:33:24,640 --> 00:33:27,280 Speaker 1: up he runs an outside breaking route, TV could stay 769 00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:30,440 Speaker 1: with him, with him um vertically because of his speed. 770 00:33:30,720 --> 00:33:33,760 Speaker 1: He had a great feel for the move zone and 771 00:33:33,800 --> 00:33:36,040 Speaker 1: then when that guy would push off of him and 772 00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:39,960 Speaker 1: convert outside, TV had enough strength in play speed and 773 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:42,719 Speaker 1: just overall like snap and power coming out of breaks 774 00:33:42,960 --> 00:33:45,480 Speaker 1: that he was easily able to get get caught up. 775 00:33:45,480 --> 00:33:48,360 Speaker 1: But I think everybody can have height, weight, speed, their 776 00:33:48,440 --> 00:33:51,520 Speaker 1: eyes or length, but the most important thing when you 777 00:33:51,600 --> 00:33:54,120 Speaker 1: watch you guys, when he when there's a little bit 778 00:33:54,120 --> 00:33:58,200 Speaker 1: of separation created, what does he do. Does he freak out? 779 00:33:58,680 --> 00:34:01,280 Speaker 1: Does he put his eyes on the quarterback or does 780 00:34:01,320 --> 00:34:03,360 Speaker 1: he put his or does he put his eyes in 781 00:34:03,400 --> 00:34:05,880 Speaker 1: the receiver and connect to him? Because that was something 782 00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:07,680 Speaker 1: that I had to figure out early on in my career, 783 00:34:07,800 --> 00:34:11,640 Speaker 1: was if a guy creates separation, you must connect to 784 00:34:11,719 --> 00:34:14,239 Speaker 1: him before you look back. And I think that was 785 00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:16,360 Speaker 1: something that Thomas always did a really good job of. 786 00:34:16,719 --> 00:34:19,359 Speaker 1: If he did create some separation, he put his eyes 787 00:34:19,400 --> 00:34:21,759 Speaker 1: on the hips of his receiver, connect to him, get 788 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:24,200 Speaker 1: in phase, and then look back. So I think the 789 00:34:24,200 --> 00:34:28,359 Speaker 1: obvious characteristics of of heightweight, speed, strength at the top 790 00:34:28,440 --> 00:34:30,359 Speaker 1: end of the route, how well he can get out 791 00:34:30,360 --> 00:34:32,600 Speaker 1: of a break and convert. But once that guy does 792 00:34:32,680 --> 00:34:36,080 Speaker 1: create separation, how does he connect back to him? And 793 00:34:36,120 --> 00:34:38,120 Speaker 1: I think your eyes and putting your on your your 794 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:40,920 Speaker 1: eyes on that on that receiver a bit, because if 795 00:34:40,960 --> 00:34:42,839 Speaker 1: you put your eyes back on the quarterback, that just 796 00:34:42,880 --> 00:34:46,399 Speaker 1: gives them another opportunity to create another yard or two 797 00:34:46,400 --> 00:34:48,359 Speaker 1: of separation. These guys are so good now that they're 798 00:34:48,360 --> 00:34:50,480 Speaker 1: just gonna put it right on him. I think it's fascinating. 799 00:34:50,480 --> 00:34:52,360 Speaker 1: So why you guys were talking about that, I actually 800 00:34:52,360 --> 00:34:55,760 Speaker 1: pulled up just forcing completions and I sorted it by linebackers. 801 00:34:55,760 --> 00:34:58,800 Speaker 1: So number one in the league is Devin White, who 802 00:34:58,840 --> 00:35:00,839 Speaker 1: you know, was a big hi everybody who's a big 803 00:35:00,840 --> 00:35:03,360 Speaker 1: time player coming out. He's been that player, uh with 804 00:35:03,520 --> 00:35:06,839 Speaker 1: Tampa and somebody has incredible change of direction quickness, um 805 00:35:07,040 --> 00:35:09,880 Speaker 1: combine that with you know, some of the athleticism that 806 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:12,080 Speaker 1: he has, and then you look at next in line 807 00:35:12,080 --> 00:35:14,200 Speaker 1: as t. J. Edwards from the Eagles, who you know, 808 00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:17,600 Speaker 1: somebody that's always relied on instincts, outstanding instincts. And then 809 00:35:17,719 --> 00:35:20,440 Speaker 1: right behind him you get a couple names in kway Walker, 810 00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:23,839 Speaker 1: young guys kway Walker rookie, Devin Lloyd rookie, both guys 811 00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:27,279 Speaker 1: who were super long and rangy. You could see both 812 00:35:27,360 --> 00:35:29,320 Speaker 1: those guys, I mean, devn Lloyd had a bunch of 813 00:35:29,360 --> 00:35:31,800 Speaker 1: picks at Utah. You can see kway Walker how he 814 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:34,040 Speaker 1: was used when George is blowing the doors off everybody, 815 00:35:34,120 --> 00:35:36,200 Speaker 1: what he could do in coverage. So it's kind of 816 00:35:36,280 --> 00:35:38,200 Speaker 1: all those skills look like you were talking about, all 817 00:35:38,239 --> 00:35:41,759 Speaker 1: coming together with those guys and that next breed we've 818 00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:44,080 Speaker 1: talked about it a little bit on here of you know, 819 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:46,719 Speaker 1: the length of off the ball linebackers being a big 820 00:35:46,800 --> 00:35:49,120 Speaker 1: time factor in the passing game. And now I mean 821 00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:51,839 Speaker 1: USC if you if you see them play on Friday night, 822 00:35:51,880 --> 00:35:54,440 Speaker 1: they have one of the most unique looking players. They 823 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:57,200 Speaker 1: have a six ft six, like two hundred and ten 824 00:35:57,320 --> 00:35:59,759 Speaker 1: pound off the ball linebacker, Eric Gentry. I don't if 825 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:02,040 Speaker 1: you see him bucking transfer from Arizona State. I mean, 826 00:36:02,120 --> 00:36:04,319 Speaker 1: he looks like he's a stringing out there. He has 827 00:36:04,360 --> 00:36:06,120 Speaker 1: the wing. He looks like Kevin Durant out there at 828 00:36:06,120 --> 00:36:08,280 Speaker 1: the second level. And when you're playing all these spread 829 00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:10,400 Speaker 1: teams and they're throwing all over the place, man, that 830 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:12,480 Speaker 1: length is a huge asset with kind of where the 831 00:36:12,520 --> 00:36:15,279 Speaker 1: game is and where it's going. Yeah, absolutely there They 832 00:36:15,400 --> 00:36:18,560 Speaker 1: cover guys by just being big. And you know, I've 833 00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:20,960 Speaker 1: spent some time up in Buffalo with Tremaine Edmonds and 834 00:36:21,000 --> 00:36:24,080 Speaker 1: it's like, Buddy, like you were so big, you were 835 00:36:24,239 --> 00:36:27,680 Speaker 1: so long, You're so tall and wide that just with 836 00:36:27,880 --> 00:36:30,680 Speaker 1: your length you cover so much ground. You can let 837 00:36:30,719 --> 00:36:32,719 Speaker 1: a tight end get a little bit on top of 838 00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:35,840 Speaker 1: you on a vertical route because you're six five, you 839 00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:38,040 Speaker 1: put your arm up in the air, your seven five. 840 00:36:38,480 --> 00:36:41,680 Speaker 1: You cover so much space just by being long, and 841 00:36:41,760 --> 00:36:45,040 Speaker 1: I think guys that understand kind of, hey, this is 842 00:36:45,080 --> 00:36:46,680 Speaker 1: the amount of space I can take up on the 843 00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:48,920 Speaker 1: field that allows them to take it allows him to 844 00:36:49,000 --> 00:36:51,560 Speaker 1: take more risks. But with all this like a little 845 00:36:51,719 --> 00:36:56,160 Speaker 1: quick three step drop spacing concepts, space gets eaten up 846 00:36:56,440 --> 00:36:59,399 Speaker 1: really quickly with with these guys that have really good 847 00:36:59,480 --> 00:37:02,000 Speaker 1: length and endmans like you said the kid from from 848 00:37:02,160 --> 00:37:05,000 Speaker 1: sc devn Lloyd, all these young guys that are so long, 849 00:37:05,120 --> 00:37:07,839 Speaker 1: And I think the game's kind of transition that way 850 00:37:07,920 --> 00:37:09,800 Speaker 1: because in colleges, you know, a lot of it is 851 00:37:09,880 --> 00:37:12,480 Speaker 1: just spread them out hit spots on the field, and 852 00:37:12,520 --> 00:37:14,359 Speaker 1: the guys that have success in college are the guys 853 00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:17,040 Speaker 1: that can just eat up space by just being big along. 854 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:19,040 Speaker 1: You know, Look, I love having you on and I 855 00:37:19,120 --> 00:37:22,720 Speaker 1: can tell that you love sharing and mentoring players throughout 856 00:37:22,719 --> 00:37:24,200 Speaker 1: the league. So I want to give you an opportunity 857 00:37:24,200 --> 00:37:27,439 Speaker 1: to to prod some more mentorship to some young people 858 00:37:27,480 --> 00:37:30,600 Speaker 1: that may listen to the podcast. What is one nugget 859 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:34,880 Speaker 1: that a young player can gleam by watching film? Like, 860 00:37:35,280 --> 00:37:37,520 Speaker 1: what is something in your process that can help a 861 00:37:37,640 --> 00:37:40,320 Speaker 1: young player look at tape and begin to take what 862 00:37:40,480 --> 00:37:42,640 Speaker 1: they see and put it into action on the field. 863 00:37:42,880 --> 00:37:44,200 Speaker 1: I think a lot of it is how do how 864 00:37:44,239 --> 00:37:46,440 Speaker 1: do I fit? How do I fit in my defense 865 00:37:46,520 --> 00:37:49,600 Speaker 1: against this look? So you can watch, you can watch 866 00:37:49,719 --> 00:37:52,880 Speaker 1: tape a bunch and oh, they're gonna run wide zone, 867 00:37:52,960 --> 00:37:55,279 Speaker 1: or they're gonna run this past concept, or they're gonna 868 00:37:55,400 --> 00:37:58,920 Speaker 1: run um, you know, downhill power. And then you get 869 00:37:58,960 --> 00:38:00,520 Speaker 1: into the game and you know it's coming, but you 870 00:38:00,560 --> 00:38:02,719 Speaker 1: don't know where anyone fits on your defense, right, so 871 00:38:02,800 --> 00:38:04,520 Speaker 1: then you can't play as fast. But if you line 872 00:38:04,600 --> 00:38:08,359 Speaker 1: up and you say, hey, this is the formation. Okay, boom, 873 00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:11,080 Speaker 1: another formation, I know what they're gonna do. Now, where 874 00:38:11,120 --> 00:38:13,719 Speaker 1: does everybody on my defense fit in there? Where do 875 00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:15,640 Speaker 1: I need to be? How can I get an advantage 876 00:38:15,640 --> 00:38:17,879 Speaker 1: based on alignment? Where is my help? Like if we're 877 00:38:17,920 --> 00:38:21,160 Speaker 1: playing quarters in their three by one and a guy runs, 878 00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:23,759 Speaker 1: he runs vertical on me, and I have help over 879 00:38:23,840 --> 00:38:26,759 Speaker 1: the top. Okay, boom, I know it's three verticals. I know, 880 00:38:26,920 --> 00:38:28,920 Speaker 1: I know, I know, I know, I know. I have 881 00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:31,319 Speaker 1: help over the top. I can let that guy get 882 00:38:31,360 --> 00:38:34,040 Speaker 1: a little bit high on me, so then my angle 883 00:38:34,160 --> 00:38:36,560 Speaker 1: underneath them is really good. I can convert to any 884 00:38:36,640 --> 00:38:39,040 Speaker 1: in breaking route. I think a lot of it has 885 00:38:39,120 --> 00:38:41,920 Speaker 1: to do with not only what are they gonna do 886 00:38:42,280 --> 00:38:44,719 Speaker 1: understanding how they're gonna play offense, but where do I 887 00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:48,440 Speaker 1: fit in my defense in these play especially in the 888 00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:52,200 Speaker 1: run game, Like where's my run gap? Where support coming from? 889 00:38:52,280 --> 00:38:54,719 Speaker 1: If I get a pool, or where my spilling it 890 00:38:54,920 --> 00:38:57,320 Speaker 1: to a support guy? Or am I not going it 891 00:38:57,400 --> 00:39:00,399 Speaker 1: back to an inside out run guy. I think that's 892 00:39:00,440 --> 00:39:02,960 Speaker 1: one thing that is super easy to do because all 893 00:39:02,960 --> 00:39:05,759 Speaker 1: you gotta do is sit sit in a chair at 894 00:39:05,800 --> 00:39:09,759 Speaker 1: the facility, watch tape, click through stuff. Boom Top Run 895 00:39:09,880 --> 00:39:11,840 Speaker 1: plays this. If we're in cover three and I have 896 00:39:11,920 --> 00:39:14,200 Speaker 1: a rotation here, this is where I need to fit. 897 00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:15,719 Speaker 1: This is why I need to fit there, and this 898 00:39:15,840 --> 00:39:17,480 Speaker 1: is where my help is going to be. I think 899 00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:19,759 Speaker 1: that allows you to play a lot faster. Well that's 900 00:39:19,840 --> 00:39:22,759 Speaker 1: excellent advice. Man. We're almost done here, but a couple 901 00:39:22,760 --> 00:39:25,040 Speaker 1: more questions and we'll let you run. We've talked a 902 00:39:25,120 --> 00:39:27,640 Speaker 1: lot about off the ball linebackers your area of expertise, 903 00:39:27,960 --> 00:39:29,879 Speaker 1: but I know you obviously understand the whole picture there. 904 00:39:29,920 --> 00:39:32,719 Speaker 1: On defense, another trend that we've kept an eye on 905 00:39:32,960 --> 00:39:34,560 Speaker 1: is with the ball coming out quick, you see it 906 00:39:34,560 --> 00:39:36,359 Speaker 1: at the college level, it's it's obviously made its way 907 00:39:36,360 --> 00:39:38,839 Speaker 1: to the NFL. It's hard to get home as an 908 00:39:38,920 --> 00:39:41,600 Speaker 1: edge rusher. And we've talked about maybe adjustin a little 909 00:39:41,640 --> 00:39:44,320 Speaker 1: bit too, where maybe the league had been chasing speed 910 00:39:44,440 --> 00:39:48,279 Speaker 1: and off the edge speed, bendy, loose athletes. Now it's 911 00:39:48,320 --> 00:39:50,880 Speaker 1: almost In talking to some D line coaches, they focus 912 00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:53,040 Speaker 1: on just kind of rush, crush and clothes. They want 913 00:39:53,080 --> 00:39:55,120 Speaker 1: guys that can really kind of collapse the pocket because 914 00:39:55,120 --> 00:39:57,480 Speaker 1: then even they don't get home, at least I'm affecting 915 00:39:57,520 --> 00:39:59,920 Speaker 1: and impacting the quarterback. I'm able to restrict space and 916 00:40:00,080 --> 00:40:03,040 Speaker 1: crushed them. You see, there's a need maybe to look 917 00:40:03,040 --> 00:40:04,840 Speaker 1: a little bit different for what you're looking for on 918 00:40:04,920 --> 00:40:07,680 Speaker 1: the edge. Talking about edge setters and pass rushers. We've 919 00:40:07,719 --> 00:40:10,200 Speaker 1: done a good job with our defense in Carolina in 920 00:40:10,320 --> 00:40:13,000 Speaker 1: that situation. You know, obviously everybody talks about Brian Burns. 921 00:40:13,000 --> 00:40:16,879 Speaker 1: He's having a fantastic season. He's the prototype rush guy. 922 00:40:16,960 --> 00:40:20,080 Speaker 1: He's physical, he's long, he's super athletic, he can bend. 923 00:40:20,840 --> 00:40:23,080 Speaker 1: But the thing with these edge rushers sometimes is if 924 00:40:23,400 --> 00:40:25,840 Speaker 1: they get too high that quarterback, this is Aaron Rodgers 925 00:40:26,200 --> 00:40:28,680 Speaker 1: step up and then get out and then he's out 926 00:40:28,719 --> 00:40:30,600 Speaker 1: wide and he can make all plays with his arm. 927 00:40:30,680 --> 00:40:32,480 Speaker 1: But what what he when he can't do that is 928 00:40:32,520 --> 00:40:35,080 Speaker 1: when he has is vertical pressure inside. And we've got 929 00:40:35,120 --> 00:40:37,200 Speaker 1: a young guy, Derek Brown that's really good at that. 930 00:40:37,560 --> 00:40:39,319 Speaker 1: He's not going to show up on the stat sheet 931 00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:42,480 Speaker 1: a whole lot, but he creates so many problems for 932 00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:46,720 Speaker 1: interior offensive lignment. He's big, he's physical, he's explosive, he's strong, 933 00:40:47,320 --> 00:40:49,040 Speaker 1: and those two guys in the same side of the 934 00:40:49,080 --> 00:40:51,960 Speaker 1: ball are problem Burns with his with his rush off 935 00:40:52,040 --> 00:40:55,840 Speaker 1: the edge. But ultimately just like that that vertical that 936 00:40:56,120 --> 00:40:58,400 Speaker 1: vertical pressure with the guy like Derek Brown where he 937 00:40:58,480 --> 00:41:01,200 Speaker 1: can just eat up guards and push the pocket. And 938 00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:03,520 Speaker 1: you know, all these quarterbacks they want to be able 939 00:41:03,560 --> 00:41:05,480 Speaker 1: to step up in the pocket and not get stepped 940 00:41:05,480 --> 00:41:07,239 Speaker 1: on by offensive linement. They don't want to get bumped, 941 00:41:07,280 --> 00:41:10,120 Speaker 1: they don't want to get nicked. But guys like Derek 942 00:41:10,160 --> 00:41:12,600 Speaker 1: Brown they can. That's the that's the fastest way to 943 00:41:12,640 --> 00:41:15,520 Speaker 1: the quarterback is right through that the inside three guys 944 00:41:15,520 --> 00:41:17,759 Speaker 1: in the offensive line. So I think there's a big 945 00:41:18,520 --> 00:41:21,479 Speaker 1: you know Fletcher Cox can do that. Um, oh gosh, 946 00:41:21,560 --> 00:41:23,279 Speaker 1: what's the guy he plays in Philly? Now he's a 947 00:41:23,320 --> 00:41:29,200 Speaker 1: rookie out of Georgia. I'm having a Jordan Davis. Just 948 00:41:29,360 --> 00:41:33,920 Speaker 1: these big physical pocket pushers. Man, it makes it so 949 00:41:34,080 --> 00:41:37,799 Speaker 1: difficult for these quarterbacks to step up because not only 950 00:41:37,880 --> 00:41:39,960 Speaker 1: can they not see, but that that guards right in 951 00:41:39,960 --> 00:41:43,359 Speaker 1: their lap. Lovely, were getting to see these linebackers who 952 00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:46,880 Speaker 1: are being very successful blitzing and getting to the quarterback. 953 00:41:47,239 --> 00:41:49,799 Speaker 1: What's the key ingredient that you must have if you're 954 00:41:49,840 --> 00:41:52,000 Speaker 1: going to be an outstanding blitzer as an off the 955 00:41:52,080 --> 00:41:54,120 Speaker 1: ball linebacker. I wish I was. I wish I could 956 00:41:54,200 --> 00:41:56,520 Speaker 1: tell you the secret on it. I was terrible. I 957 00:41:56,680 --> 00:41:59,560 Speaker 1: was terrible as an off the ball, off the ball blizzer. 958 00:41:59,680 --> 00:42:02,239 Speaker 1: They we had a call, certain we had a call 959 00:42:02,320 --> 00:42:06,200 Speaker 1: certain blitzes for me to blitz just to keep offenses 960 00:42:06,360 --> 00:42:09,759 Speaker 1: honest because everybody knew that TD was the blitzer. TD 961 00:42:09,880 --> 00:42:13,400 Speaker 1: was super exp but they, yeah, they would turn protection 962 00:42:13,560 --> 00:42:15,759 Speaker 1: away from me all the time, and they just be like, Luke, 963 00:42:16,120 --> 00:42:18,040 Speaker 1: we need you to blitz. We know you stink at it, 964 00:42:18,120 --> 00:42:19,520 Speaker 1: we know you don't want to do it, but we 965 00:42:19,640 --> 00:42:21,400 Speaker 1: have to do it just to keep people on it. 966 00:42:21,560 --> 00:42:25,160 Speaker 1: So that would be my want recommendation. Whatever I was doing, 967 00:42:25,640 --> 00:42:27,200 Speaker 1: you don't need to do that, and I think I 968 00:42:27,280 --> 00:42:28,799 Speaker 1: think a lot of it's feel. I think a lot 969 00:42:28,840 --> 00:42:30,520 Speaker 1: of it has to do with how they protect. But 970 00:42:30,920 --> 00:42:32,399 Speaker 1: I think a lot of these guys that are really 971 00:42:32,440 --> 00:42:35,759 Speaker 1: good blitzers, they've got a great feel, they're explosive, um, 972 00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:39,560 Speaker 1: and they weren't like me because I was absolutely awful 973 00:42:40,200 --> 00:42:42,239 Speaker 1: as an off the ball blitzer TV would TD would 974 00:42:42,239 --> 00:42:43,800 Speaker 1: tell you the same thing, MCDI would tell you the 975 00:42:43,840 --> 00:42:46,200 Speaker 1: same thing. Will to tell you the same thing. They'd 976 00:42:46,200 --> 00:42:48,719 Speaker 1: be like, Hey, Luke, we're gonna draw this up for you. 977 00:42:48,920 --> 00:42:50,399 Speaker 1: We just kind of need you to hold the point 978 00:42:50,400 --> 00:42:52,319 Speaker 1: and push the pocket. We've got some stuff drawn up 979 00:42:52,360 --> 00:42:53,839 Speaker 1: for the guys in the edges that make some play, 980 00:42:53,920 --> 00:42:56,440 Speaker 1: so just don't mess this up for us. I'm like, perfect, 981 00:42:56,520 --> 00:42:58,320 Speaker 1: I can do that for you. I love that the 982 00:42:58,400 --> 00:43:01,480 Speaker 1: email to hear of kinckly Uh. This has been so 983 00:43:01,640 --> 00:43:03,880 Speaker 1: much fun, man. It's been a blast to have to 984 00:43:04,000 --> 00:43:07,160 Speaker 1: have you on. Last question and we'll leave you with 985 00:43:07,280 --> 00:43:09,960 Speaker 1: this one. But I know when you sports, you always 986 00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:12,640 Speaker 1: trying to as a coach not only teach these kids 987 00:43:12,680 --> 00:43:14,480 Speaker 1: and help them grow as football players, but you're trying 988 00:43:14,480 --> 00:43:16,839 Speaker 1: to have some fun with them as well. Is there 989 00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:19,319 Speaker 1: a story is there anything you guys have done, uh 990 00:43:19,440 --> 00:43:21,600 Speaker 1: to really to really have a fun memory for these 991 00:43:21,680 --> 00:43:23,960 Speaker 1: kids as you guys march on to Orlando and chase 992 00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:26,520 Speaker 1: a Pop Warner National championship. You know, it was was 993 00:43:26,640 --> 00:43:29,480 Speaker 1: really cool. Are head coach last night? So we won 994 00:43:29,600 --> 00:43:33,040 Speaker 1: the Little City City Championship, the regional one, and then 995 00:43:33,120 --> 00:43:36,280 Speaker 1: you obviously go to uh, you obviously go to Florida 996 00:43:36,320 --> 00:43:38,120 Speaker 1: for the Pop Winner Championship, but you don't know who 997 00:43:38,120 --> 00:43:42,600 Speaker 1: you're gonna play. Um. And last night, the Pop Warner, 998 00:43:43,400 --> 00:43:46,720 Speaker 1: the Pop Warner League organization, they had a little live 999 00:43:46,880 --> 00:43:50,840 Speaker 1: stream that was like a bowl game announcement show and 1000 00:43:50,920 --> 00:43:54,080 Speaker 1: they went through all the different brackets from you know, 1001 00:43:54,440 --> 00:43:56,719 Speaker 1: thirteen you all the way down to eight or whatever, 1002 00:43:56,800 --> 00:43:59,600 Speaker 1: eight or nine you and we went to a local bar. 1003 00:44:00,320 --> 00:44:03,560 Speaker 1: Um we streamed it onto a big screen TV they had. 1004 00:44:03,680 --> 00:44:08,040 Speaker 1: We had you know, chicken fingers, chicken wings, burgers, all 1005 00:44:08,120 --> 00:44:11,680 Speaker 1: that stuff, and all the kids watched it. It was 1006 00:44:11,760 --> 00:44:13,640 Speaker 1: like a reveal show that you see in you know, 1007 00:44:13,760 --> 00:44:16,520 Speaker 1: March Madness. So that was super fun. All the kids 1008 00:44:16,560 --> 00:44:20,480 Speaker 1: are super excited. The team that we play from California. UM, 1009 00:44:21,239 --> 00:44:23,359 Speaker 1: it's it's gonna be a ton of fun. And those kids. Man. 1010 00:44:23,440 --> 00:44:26,240 Speaker 1: I just remember thinking back when I was that age 1011 00:44:26,280 --> 00:44:28,719 Speaker 1: and playing youth sports and how much fun it was 1012 00:44:28,840 --> 00:44:31,320 Speaker 1: to play the game, obviously, but like how fun it 1013 00:44:31,480 --> 00:44:33,840 Speaker 1: was when you could go to restaurants with your buddies 1014 00:44:33,920 --> 00:44:37,480 Speaker 1: and you run around, you get drinks. There was a 1015 00:44:37,560 --> 00:44:40,799 Speaker 1: gazillion lemonades at the bar last night that these kids 1016 00:44:40,840 --> 00:44:44,920 Speaker 1: are drinking pizza wings, burgers, chicken fingers. That to me 1017 00:44:45,160 --> 00:44:47,080 Speaker 1: was the most fun part. And they got to watch 1018 00:44:47,160 --> 00:44:49,719 Speaker 1: this little reveal show on a screen TV in a 1019 00:44:49,800 --> 00:44:52,480 Speaker 1: private room at a bar. It was. I mean, it's 1020 00:44:52,520 --> 00:44:53,719 Speaker 1: kind of fun. I don't know if you if you 1021 00:44:53,760 --> 00:44:55,560 Speaker 1: don't think that's fun, then I I don't know. Was 1022 00:44:55,960 --> 00:44:57,520 Speaker 1: I absolutely love it? The only the only thing that 1023 00:44:57,600 --> 00:45:00,200 Speaker 1: they don't know, Buck and you know this and all 1024 00:45:00,320 --> 00:45:02,520 Speaker 1: you know of similar age when we were kids and 1025 00:45:02,600 --> 00:45:04,719 Speaker 1: you go to those those team parties at the end 1026 00:45:04,760 --> 00:45:06,480 Speaker 1: of the year, like we couldn't wait to get there 1027 00:45:06,480 --> 00:45:08,200 Speaker 1: because we could go play pac Man and we could 1028 00:45:08,200 --> 00:45:10,759 Speaker 1: go play Donkey Kong. And now these kids are like, dude, 1029 00:45:10,760 --> 00:45:13,400 Speaker 1: I'm what arcade games? Like, what is that? Like? You 1030 00:45:13,440 --> 00:45:16,440 Speaker 1: know that crap on my funell? You know it was? 1031 00:45:17,040 --> 00:45:20,239 Speaker 1: It was funny. Is we played our regional game last 1032 00:45:20,280 --> 00:45:23,600 Speaker 1: week up in Concord, North Carolina, and a mile from 1033 00:45:24,640 --> 00:45:28,359 Speaker 1: the stadium there was a David Busters. So the whole 1034 00:45:28,480 --> 00:45:30,800 Speaker 1: team and all these kids went to David Busters. And 1035 00:45:30,880 --> 00:45:34,080 Speaker 1: these kids were running around David Busters in their in 1036 00:45:34,160 --> 00:45:37,000 Speaker 1: their little flip flops, with their football pants on, with 1037 00:45:37,160 --> 00:45:40,480 Speaker 1: their little sweaty undershirts on, having a great time. So 1038 00:45:40,640 --> 00:45:42,560 Speaker 1: it's so fun to watch the kids because they're so 1039 00:45:43,280 --> 00:45:45,600 Speaker 1: they're so excited and they have so much fun. And 1040 00:45:45,680 --> 00:45:48,600 Speaker 1: then it just I enjoy it. I love it. I 1041 00:45:48,719 --> 00:45:50,040 Speaker 1: love it. Man. Well, this has been a lot of 1042 00:45:50,080 --> 00:45:52,000 Speaker 1: fun for us. Man, anytime we get you on, we 1043 00:45:52,200 --> 00:45:54,320 Speaker 1: we enjoy it. Um. You always offer a lot, We 1044 00:45:54,440 --> 00:45:55,640 Speaker 1: learned a lot, and we have a lot of fun 1045 00:45:55,680 --> 00:45:57,640 Speaker 1: along the way. So the best of luck to you 1046 00:45:57,719 --> 00:45:59,719 Speaker 1: and your team. We need to have you out after 1047 00:46:00,000 --> 00:46:01,680 Speaker 1: after this is over. We need to recaps when you 1048 00:46:01,760 --> 00:46:03,920 Speaker 1: know how the team did, and we'll be rooting for 1049 00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:06,400 Speaker 1: you as you go there. Man, you're the best man. Hey, 1050 00:46:06,400 --> 00:46:08,840 Speaker 1: appreciate you so much. This has been a fun episode. 1051 00:46:08,840 --> 00:46:10,719 Speaker 1: Appreciate you guys hanging with us. Hope you've enjoyed it. 1052 00:46:11,239 --> 00:46:13,239 Speaker 1: We'll catch you next time right here on. Move to 1053 00:46:13,320 --> 00:46:13,520 Speaker 1: six