1 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: Hello, and welcome to a Super Bowl fifty six edition 2 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: of Between the Horns, presented by your Southern California Toyota Dealers. 3 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 1: As we have been all season, proud partner of the 4 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:19,439 Speaker 1: La Rams, I'm JB. Long And as you can see, 5 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 1: this is a completely different location and venue and moment 6 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: for Between the Horns. We're here from Penthouse fifty six 7 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:32,480 Speaker 1: in downtown Los Angeles with Cameron Irwin, our in stadium host, 8 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:36,279 Speaker 1: and DeMarco far our Super Bowl champion. Well, we love 9 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 1: doing this show every week from home, but this is 10 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 1: a level up? Is it not? Time? Big time? Level up? 11 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 1: Like real? I was gonna say, I think it's about 12 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: thirty levels of Actually wow, I like this. Can we 13 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:49,200 Speaker 1: keep the set? Let's get back to the Super Bowl 14 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 1: every year? All right? The hours are dwindling, the days 15 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: are getting closer. Super Bowl fifty six, the Cincinnati Bengals 16 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: in the Los Angeles Rams just around the corner. Cameron, 17 00:00:57,800 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: I'll start with you, how are you feeling? Oh oh man? 18 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 1: The week already has just been so phenomenal, getting to 19 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: talk with so many different people around Los Angeles. The 20 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: interviews are starting to come in, and my thing, the 21 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: energy is only just building. Every single conversation I have, 22 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:17,040 Speaker 1: everyone is locked in on this Los Angeles Rams team DeMarco. 23 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:19,959 Speaker 1: You have played and Super Bowl. You have been to 24 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:22,759 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl as a broadcaster. How is this one 25 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 1: different distinct for you? Wow? Well it's here. We didn't 26 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 1: have to travel, you know. I mean you can stay 27 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:29,320 Speaker 1: at home, and this is in Los Angeles. This has 28 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 1: been one heck of a journey. So, I mean the 29 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 1: butterflies are there. This is like December twenty third, you know, 30 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 1: a couple of days before Christmas. You see all the presidents. 31 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: You want to get into it. You're not close, but 32 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: we're almost there. But the excitement is starting to build. 33 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: I'm starting to see RAMS stuff in Los Angeles where 34 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:46,960 Speaker 1: I never thought I would see them. I mean just 35 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: traveling everywhere. I mean instead of Dodger stuff, Laker stuff, 36 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 1: I'm starting to see RAMS flags inside of homes, outside 37 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: of homes, people wearing hats and stuff. So the excitement 38 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: is building. I can't wait for this game. If you 39 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: have Christmas is as good as these I'm standing, come 40 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: on over. Absolutely, We've got a lot to get to 41 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: a chorus on this edition between the horns, among our 42 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: talking points, I want to revisit some of the high 43 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 1: points of the season, including real turning points like where 44 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: did this become a championship campaign. We'll hit our favorite moments, 45 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: our most interesting storylines going into Super Bowl fifty six, 46 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 1: and of course key matchups to watch. But let's go 47 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 1: to the top. At what point, DeMarco, of this season, 48 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 1: did you feel like the Los Angeles Rams had the 49 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 1: potential to be West champions and FC champions and maybe 50 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: World champions. Wow, this might be presumptuous. Let me go back. 51 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,520 Speaker 1: It was Matthew Stafford's third play in a Rams uniform 52 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: when he went yard to Van Jefferson. Come on, now, 53 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: didn't you go nuts? This is gonna be a different season, right, 54 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:43,920 Speaker 1: This is gonna be a different offense. This is going 55 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,959 Speaker 1: to be more explosive, all about the trade, all about 56 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:49,079 Speaker 1: you know, who's not here, who's here, and all that stuff. 57 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 1: Just to see him go yard and the place just 58 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,640 Speaker 1: went completely berserkd So that that was number one for 59 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:57,959 Speaker 1: me getting the offense going. Anytime AD touches the field, 60 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,959 Speaker 1: of course, it's it's a mussy moment, but stands out 61 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: as the moment when you can just tell this is 62 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:05,800 Speaker 1: going to be a different ear for this Ram squad 63 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 1: because the backdrop was the Rams. In every move they 64 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: made this offseason had the intention of getting more explosive, 65 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 1: getting more vertical, right, and to see it right there emphatically. 66 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: And by the way, I don't mean a limit you 67 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 1: to just one. We can come back to you. You've 68 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:22,959 Speaker 1: got other other moments that strike you. But Cameron, go 69 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:24,520 Speaker 1: ahead and take a swing. Well, I'm gonna say that 70 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 1: pretty much the same thing, piggybacking off of that, and 71 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:28,639 Speaker 1: you talk about the explosiveness. And one of the big 72 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 1: turning points for me was the acquisition of ob j Right. 73 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 1: The ability to throw the ball downfield has been critical, 74 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 1: and especially at that time in the season, and not 75 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: to mention just within that two week period also the 76 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 1: addition of von Miller, and I'm going, oh man, everyone's 77 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 1: been rolling with this narrative of all in but it 78 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: really showed up in those two weeks between those two 79 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 1: and I just I love to see all the sudden 80 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: everything starting to come together. And it was at a 81 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 1: point where, yeah, we had some things we were working through, 82 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: and then all of a sudden, look at the number 83 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: of wins we've had just to finish out and now 84 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: we're sitting at the super Bowl. So for me that 85 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 1: was a big turn point as well. You know, he's 86 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: not just a pair of gloves. That guy can play. 87 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 1: He is really really good. He is good at it. 88 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: He works at his craft, So all the preconceived notions 89 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 1: out the window when you see that guy up close 90 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 1: and watch him work. Yeah, it's it was a great 91 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: acquisition to bring him here. He has grown into a 92 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: true number two behind Cooper Cup and the triple Crown winner. 93 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 1: I mean by necessity right because Van Jefferson has played 94 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: at less than one hundred percent. Tyler Higbee has missed 95 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 1: a big part of the NFC Championship game. But the 96 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: connection between Stafford and Odell Beckham Junior, I think has 97 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 1: unlocked the next level of this offense. I'll give it 98 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: back to you in a second. I think for me, 99 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 1: the answer to where did the season turn was that 100 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:41,159 Speaker 1: Week fourteen COVID game Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals. 101 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 1: Do you remember the feeling driving out to Glendale that day? Yes? 102 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: Can we say it now? Can we actually like tell 103 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: people what we were saying? I mean, by the hour, 104 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 1: it felt like that was a bad drive. Members of 105 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:57,920 Speaker 1: your too deep, like all your preparation, we're just peeling off, right, yes, sir, 106 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 1: And the Arizona Cardinals had started to stumble. You had 107 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: some concerns about them from a health standpoint and where 108 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 1: their season was heading. But winning that game, I know 109 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 1: you believe broke Arizona for this twenty twenty one season. 110 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 1: It really started to come back from down two games 111 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 1: and losing the tiebreaker to overtaking the Cardinals to be 112 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 1: West champions, No doubt. I almost put that on there. 113 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 1: Remember that touchdown pass the Cooper Cup caught in the 114 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: corner where they showed the Arizona defensive back on the 115 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 1: bench and he was almost in tears because they had 116 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: done everything right on that drive and still couldn't stop 117 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:34,880 Speaker 1: the Rams. How frustrating that was. And then just turning 118 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: that back and you did it shorthanded. You cooled off 119 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,039 Speaker 1: the hottest team in the league, and you got Tremojo 120 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 1: back at the same time. I thought that was huge. 121 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 1: But I'll drill down even to one play in that 122 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:45,599 Speaker 1: game because we remember it as Okay, that's when the 123 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,039 Speaker 1: season turned, and that's where the Rams started to overtake 124 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:50,159 Speaker 1: the Cardinals. But remember they were up a score and driving, 125 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:51,599 Speaker 1: they were in the red zone, a chance to go 126 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:54,719 Speaker 1: up ten zero, and I'll never forget the feeling of 127 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: being like, Okay, this just wasn't the Rams moment. Maybe 128 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: it is the Cardinals year. And then Aaron Donald gets 129 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 1: a hand on a Kyler Murray throw to the end 130 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 1: zone and Ernest Jones of rookie linebacker takes it away 131 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,720 Speaker 1: and the game pivoted like that, And to me, that 132 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 1: will always be the moment of this twenty twenty one 133 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 1: season where the Rams became NFC West champions. It took 134 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 1: a lot of moments thereafter. But if that's a touchdown 135 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: for Kyler and the Cardinals instead of an interception for 136 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: the Rams, different ballgame. We might be here. We still 137 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 1: might be here, but the path would have been completely different. 138 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 1: I'm so glad you weren't in that car with I'm 139 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 1: so glad that wasn't recorded. That was just all bad. 140 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 1: You know. It's funny as I think back too, I 141 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 1: think to week thirteen and Sony Michelle and we look 142 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: at the numbers of what he's been able to put together, 143 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 1: and I've got a couple of them. But that was 144 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: the first game that we had a Ram rush for 145 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:44,919 Speaker 1: over one hundred yards in a game, and it was 146 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 1: at a time when we were really looking for physicality, 147 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: especially in the run game. And you're sitting there going 148 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,120 Speaker 1: where's it coming from? Where is it coming from? Darryl 149 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:54,039 Speaker 1: Henderson's down And we obviously lost cam Acres early on. 150 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: And so for me to see Sony Michelle kind of 151 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: step into that and own that role, I also think 152 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,840 Speaker 1: that was a huge apart from, you know, a stylistic 153 00:07:01,960 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 1: point of football, that's a great point. That was the 154 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 1: Identity game. It was, yeah, the game against Jacksonville after 155 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:09,480 Speaker 1: a winless November, and that was also Brandon Powell bursting 156 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: onto the scene DeMarco big time. I mean, remember how 157 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 1: much are what we used to say about the special 158 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: teams until then? I mean, it was one disaster after another. 159 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 1: How many on side kicks that the Rams give up? 160 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: That Detroit game alone was crazy, and the Rams defense 161 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: bailed the team out, built special teams out time and 162 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: time again. But Brandon Powell with that seventy five yard 163 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 1: punt return touchdown kind of turned things around. It got 164 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: everybody jacked up being on special teams. Your special team's 165 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: coach is probably your second most important voice on your 166 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 1: football team other than your head coach, because he's the 167 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: only coach that talks to the entire football team. Everybody's 168 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 1: out there, So when you make a play, when you 169 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: finally have success, it lifts the entire football team. From 170 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 1: then on, the special teams has been a major part 171 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 1: of the success of this football team, not just something 172 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: you're dragging behind you. So Brandon Powell to me that 173 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 1: that punt return touchdown was kind of the the face 174 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 1: of the turnaround for special teams and this football team. 175 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: Then the sixty one yard touchdown in Minnesota, the big 176 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,640 Speaker 1: return against Tampa Bay in the playoffs, Like, yeah, I 177 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: agree with you. The energy he brought to teams put 178 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 1: the Rams in a position where they could say that 179 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: they have a third phase advantage from much of their December, January, 180 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: and February. Go back and look at the game book 181 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 1: of the Detroit game and just look how many like 182 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 1: snaps Detroit has because of special teams. Oh, I remember right. 183 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:32,080 Speaker 1: It wasn't pretty anything else in terms of season turning 184 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 1: points or high points. Before we turn our attention to 185 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: a specific favorite moments, which we can include postseason in 186 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:42,839 Speaker 1: those Baltimore. Any thoughts from Baltimore. Oh that well, Aaron 187 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 1: Donald saving the day. It was kind of the precursor 188 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: to the NFC Championship game. If it is to be, 189 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 1: it's going to be up to him. And that was 190 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:50,800 Speaker 1: a hard fought. When we talked about this during the 191 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: broadcast the minute you turned it over in Baltimore, we said, 192 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 1: it's going to take you three quarters to dig yourself out. 193 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,480 Speaker 1: That's AFC North Ball. If you look at that Ring 194 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:01,560 Speaker 1: of Fame, the name's up there, all defensive players. Your 195 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 1: head coach is a special teams guy. This is gonna 196 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 1: be tough to do. And you did it, and you 197 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:09,319 Speaker 1: finally got the lead. Matthew Stafford was great, but the 198 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 1: defense had to end it. And guess who did it. 199 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 1: It was Aaron Donald. Again. I hope the Rams don't 200 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: find themselves in any adverse situations on Sunday in Super 201 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 1: Bowl fifty six, But if they do, I think they 202 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: can fall back on those back to back wins. Right 203 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:24,839 Speaker 1: in Minnesota, three turnovers from your quarterback. In Baltimore, three 204 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 1: turnovers from your quarterback, and you found other ways to 205 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 1: get it done. All right, Most interesting storylines still to 206 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 1: come on this edition of Between the Horns. Key matchups 207 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 1: to watch as we break down the Bengals and the Rams. 208 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 1: But let's let's linger a little bit more on the 209 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one season. That was favorite moment. We've talked 210 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 1: about turning points, but just pure favorite moment of joy 211 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 1: from the season gone by. Cameron, would you like to start, 212 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,719 Speaker 1: oh moment of joy? I'm thinking probably the back to 213 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: back catches from Cooper Cup game winning drive versus Tampa Bay. 214 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: I think it really solidified what we had seen all 215 00:09:57,559 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 1: season long. It's like you just you go to your 216 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 1: best guy, all right, and those big time moments. So 217 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:05,839 Speaker 1: that one really sticks out to me. Wow, same game, 218 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,760 Speaker 1: Beaten Brady twice in one year. Has that happened to 219 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 1: one team before? I mean, I don't know, but Beaaten 220 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: the goat twice will always stand out. And I know 221 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:18,559 Speaker 1: it's late because it just happened. But watching Aaron Donald 222 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:21,439 Speaker 1: in real time get his group together on defense in 223 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 1: the NFC Championship game and just go to man for man, 224 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:27,840 Speaker 1: eye to eye and really speak from the soul to 225 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 1: your soul and then go out and get it done. 226 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 1: I will never forget that. I mean, that's to me, 227 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 1: that's stamped the entire year. I know it was the 228 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 1: second to last game, but to me, that's stamped the 229 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 1: entire year. For me, You've watched every moment of his career, 230 00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:43,080 Speaker 1: and I think him becoming more of a vocal leader 231 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 1: has been attributed to Von Miller's presence in that locker room. 232 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 1: How come do you buy into that? Well, you know, look, 233 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 1: iron sharpens iron, and sometimes it takes another Hall of 234 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: famer or a Hall of Fame guy to take you 235 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 1: to another level. You can't help Aaron Donald as the player, 236 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: he's great, but you can help him become a better leader. 237 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: There's some things that you need to do, like, hey, Aaron, 238 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 1: they need to hear from you right now. Man, let 239 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:07,959 Speaker 1: somebody else do it. No, No, they need to hear 240 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: from you, not Rahim. They need to hear from you. 241 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 1: And you need to speak from the heart. So and 242 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 1: you need to let people see that. Jalen Ramsey isn't 243 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 1: afraid to let people know and hear what he's thinking. 244 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,960 Speaker 1: Aaron has kind of piggybacked off that and Von Miller 245 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 1: has kind of given him license. And I'm glad because 246 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: it's coming from a real place. It's not coming from 247 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 1: anything selfish. It's all about just winning and the passion, 248 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: and I'm glad he let the world see them well. 249 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: And you talk about passion. One of my favorite moments 250 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:35,680 Speaker 1: to piggyback off of that is it almost looked like 251 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 1: you talk. You asked him during the fan rally, was 252 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 1: that the best non sack you've ever had? Right in 253 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: the NC Championship, Yeah, against the forty nine ers. And 254 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 1: one of the things I recognize is it looks like 255 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 1: in the post celebration he's actually screaming, this is our city. 256 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 1: And I also think that solidified something about who he was, 257 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: and especially against a rival like the forty nine ers. 258 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 1: I just that to me, seeing that passion and that 259 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 1: energy and especially a little bit a chip on his 260 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 1: shoulder against the forty nine ers, I gotta love that. 261 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:05,439 Speaker 1: How about pointing to his ring fingers, yea too. If 262 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,559 Speaker 1: the Rams are able to finish this out, we should 263 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 1: print shirts all over this city with Aaron Donald pointing 264 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 1: to you know, the manifestation of cementing his legacy as 265 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 1: the true Groat, true goat. I have a couple written 266 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 1: down in terms of favorite moments. That's, of course one 267 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 1: of them. But what I have to present about that 268 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 1: play is the way that it finished right, Like, yes, 269 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:27,840 Speaker 1: in the biggest moment of the season, your defense, where 270 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: you've spent a lot of resources and you have some 271 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:32,360 Speaker 1: big names and big contracts, they all showed up on 272 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 1: that play. But it took all eleven. Right. It's not 273 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:39,199 Speaker 1: just Aaron and Vaughan and Leonard Floyd buzzing Jimmy Garoppolo's tower. 274 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:41,720 Speaker 1: Think about the coverage in the back end orchestrated by 275 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 1: Eric Weddle, on what Darius Williams and Jalen Ramsey had 276 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 1: to do to take throwing options away. And then Travean 277 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:51,280 Speaker 1: Howard do you remember standing at Kyle Lutheran on the 278 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 1: sidelines late in that summer before last season. I think 279 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:57,680 Speaker 1: we're maybe talking about Rob Havenstein or something else, and 280 00:12:57,720 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden, out of know where, Traven 281 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: Howard goes down right, oh boys with Reggie Scott and 282 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:04,560 Speaker 1: we're preparing for a new season. We're like, wait a second, 283 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: that's supposed to be the next Cory Littleton, that's supposed 284 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: to be our starting off ball linebacker. Yeah, as it 285 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:12,560 Speaker 1: turns out, he does his knee, he's done for the season, 286 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 1: and In a subsequent conversation with him, he basically admitted 287 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 1: that he was in his car that day thinking this 288 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: was supposed to be my chance and based on where 289 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 1: I was drafted and when I have on my resume 290 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: so far, I don't know if I'm gonna get this 291 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 1: opportunity again. That may be hopefully not it, but that 292 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:29,800 Speaker 1: may have been my best NFL opportunity gone and he 293 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: ends up making one of the most critical plays in 294 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 1: RAMS history. No doubt. Can I buy like a membership 295 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:37,600 Speaker 1: to the RAMS training room because they have a funny 296 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: way of getting people healthy. You know it kind of 297 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:43,559 Speaker 1: has been the unholded story of this five year run 298 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 1: of success being healthy. I mean, think about how last 299 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 1: season ended in Green Bay. You were kind of banged 300 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 1: up there and you lost. This year, You've kept guys, 301 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,440 Speaker 1: you're best guys healthy and you have them all for 302 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:59,240 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl. That's great. Cam Akers coming back unbelievable. 303 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:03,000 Speaker 1: Trevin Howard coming back and playing major snaps, unbelievable. Give 304 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: the people behind the scenes their credit, and the players 305 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 1: work hard, but the support group works even harder. It's amazing, 306 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: all right. So that was my favorite moment on defense 307 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 1: on special teams. Brandon Pal's punt return at many apples 308 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 1: we already mentioned. Then on offense, I thought ob J's 309 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: back to back game winning plays in Baltimore, the fourth 310 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: down catch maybe the most incredible of the season, and 311 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 1: then the touchdown that followed it allowed the Rams to 312 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:27,160 Speaker 1: be NFC West champions, eventually host that playoff game, beat 313 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 1: the Cardinals, and start their postseason run. All right, let's 314 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:34,360 Speaker 1: jump to most interesting storyline for this Super Bowl matchup 315 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 1: with the Bengals. As we turn our attention forward now 316 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: to Sunday Sofi Stadium, Super Bowl fifty six, who wants 317 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: to go first? What's the most interesting storyline in a 318 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 1: game chock full of them? Oh man, that's interesting because 319 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: a lot of people have been talking about the experience 320 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 1: between these two quarterbacks. However, I think we might be 321 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 1: romanticizing it a little bit. I think it's going to 322 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 1: be best first best. But these two guys, Joe Burrow 323 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 1: so cool, so calm, so collected, And then you look 324 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 1: at some of the numbers for Stafford and you're going, 325 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: he's played over one hundred and what eighty games and 326 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow about thirty something along those lines. So it's 327 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: kind of something. Is the experience going to be a 328 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: key factor or is it just going to be best 329 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 1: first best? And I have a feeling it's just best 330 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 1: first best. I think you're right. That's what these games 331 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:19,760 Speaker 1: are going to be about. Big storyline. You know, it's 332 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 1: never happened before, an NFC Championship game and a Super 333 00:15:22,400 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 1: Bowl in the same site. I mean, look where we are. 334 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 1: I mean look behind you. We're still in Los Angeles. 335 00:15:27,160 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 1: I mean there's the NFC Championship trophy. This is wow, 336 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 1: what a storyline. So you've got to put a ring 337 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: on it. You've got to finish this thing off the 338 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: right way. So but I think this team is playing 339 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,040 Speaker 1: with less pressure than it did versus San Francisco. So 340 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 1: I think their best game is still out there and 341 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 1: it's the Super Bowl, and this could be like the 342 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 1: biggest crowning achievement we've ever seen in Los Angeles football history. 343 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: So I think that's huge. And with the trade getting 344 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: Matthew Stafford here solidifying I mean, you can solidify a 345 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: lot of Hall of Fame cases in the next four 346 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: or five days, you know what I mean with this 347 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 1: if you get this win. So this is huge for 348 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: this team huge for this city. I mean, it doesn't 349 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 1: get any bigger than this in Los Angeles. You know 350 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 1: it's wild, and I know, JB. This is the point 351 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: that you've talked about, at least I've seen on Twitter 352 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: as well, with the experience of Super Bowl experience. There 353 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 1: are ten Rams that have gone to a Super Bowl, 354 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 1: just one for the Bengals. But then you also talk 355 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 1: about the all star cast of the Los Angeles Rams, 356 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 1: and there are a lot of guys that are All 357 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: stars still looking for their first ring. So DeMarco, for you, 358 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 1: it's not just about handling prosperity but maximizing it. Well, 359 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: you've seen it before. I think about the Tampa Bay game. 360 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: Tom Brady's last game should have been a blowout if 361 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: you didn't turn it over, if you play clean, if 362 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: you play clean on offense, if you handle prosperity when 363 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:47,200 Speaker 1: things are going well, you've got a two score lead 364 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 1: and you can just run the football to bleed clock 365 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: and just act professionally as a football team, you could 366 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:56,640 Speaker 1: have made that one a laugher. I think this game 367 00:16:56,680 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: could go the same way. I really, I really do. 368 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:01,560 Speaker 1: It's all up to the Rams. Once you have momentum, 369 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 1: make sure you don't give it away to the opponent 370 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 1: and let them think they can get back in it, 371 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:09,359 Speaker 1: and just do what you're capable of doing. Be the 372 00:17:09,359 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 1: best team on game day. That's usually what Sean mcvay's 373 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 1: teams are, all right. Let me attempt to use that 374 00:17:13,880 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 1: point to segue to my most interesting storyline. If Cam 375 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 1: Akers punches that in at the end of the second 376 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:21,360 Speaker 1: quarter in Tampa Bay, it may have been a blowout. 377 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:24,439 Speaker 1: As you discussed right, he didn't, and so the rams 378 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:32,320 Speaker 1: only rushing touchdowns this postseason belonged to Matthew Stafford. Wow. Wow, 379 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:38,040 Speaker 1: that's not right. Three postseason games and a quarterback who's 380 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:40,200 Speaker 1: not known for his rushing ability and hadn't had a 381 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: rushing touchdown in a long time in his career has 382 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,399 Speaker 1: the sneaks. So I think someone else is going to 383 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,680 Speaker 1: need to score a rushing touchdown against the Bengals, is 384 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:50,159 Speaker 1: my point, and especially coming off the game where Cincinnati 385 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 1: advanced got through that AFC Championship game with a game 386 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 1: plan that included dropping eight against Patrick Mahomes and only 387 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:59,520 Speaker 1: rushing three. What Kansas City I think failed to do 388 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 1: would if they had to do over is just hammer 389 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: the running game right when they see some of those 390 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 1: light presentations. And I know what Sean mcvay's reputation is 391 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 1: among our fan base, right, he's just not patient enough 392 00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:11,720 Speaker 1: to commit to running the football. But that's I hate 393 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 1: to say that's not true. He is one of the 394 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:16,880 Speaker 1: most willing offensive coordinators and head coaches in the league 395 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:18,520 Speaker 1: when it comes to running the football. And that's where 396 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 1: I think for all Cameron the hype and the conversation 397 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:24,359 Speaker 1: about the right arms in this game, and that's validated, 398 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 1: that's that's justified. What if cam Akers has like a 399 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:32,480 Speaker 1: New England Patriots twenty twenty type performance. Sure, what if 400 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:34,840 Speaker 1: the Rams offensive line and Sean McVay come out with 401 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,840 Speaker 1: a game plan that looks like the Divisional Round mauling 402 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:41,639 Speaker 1: of the Dallas Cowboys at the Coliseum from twenty eighteen. 403 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:45,440 Speaker 1: Fun Like, I feel, I feel the potential for a 404 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 1: Sean McVay masterpiece coming on Sunday. And yes, Matthew Stafford 405 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 1: is going to play a huge role in that. But 406 00:18:53,119 --> 00:18:55,160 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be shocked if cam Akers is your Super 407 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:57,480 Speaker 1: Bowl MVP. Wow. But I'm just going to speak this 408 00:18:57,520 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 1: into existence for whoever it gets to vote for these 409 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:04,800 Speaker 1: things and write these things in. Andrew Whitworth, oldest offensive 410 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: lineman and Super Bowl history, likely playing his final game, 411 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 1: give him consideration. If the Rams offense plays well on Sunday, 412 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 1: write him in for Super Bowl MVP to cap his 413 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: career against the Bengals who drafted him. You know that's 414 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 1: not a bad pick. If he shuts out that pass 415 00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:24,200 Speaker 1: rush and you're running the football, Matthew Stafford has seventeen 416 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:27,280 Speaker 1: pass attempts and you're up by two three scores, why 417 00:19:27,320 --> 00:19:28,879 Speaker 1: not give it to the left tackle. Give him a 418 00:19:28,880 --> 00:19:31,640 Speaker 1: little extra Lovey deserves that Rightsoltally, I think I think 419 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:34,240 Speaker 1: he's a clone. Anyway, No one that old should look 420 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 1: that good. That's not fair. Jerry Rice and Tom Brady 421 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 1: the only non specialist who have played in a Super 422 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:42,160 Speaker 1: Bowl at an older day of age. All right, let's 423 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 1: get to Key Mats up to watch, and we could 424 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 1: spend the rest of this Thursday here because the coffee 425 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:50,160 Speaker 1: is percolating and the views are phenomenal. But we're gonna 426 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:52,360 Speaker 1: get kicked out sooner rather than later, so let's keep 427 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: it moving. Key matchup to watch for Super Bowl fifty six. DeMarco, 428 00:19:56,320 --> 00:20:00,359 Speaker 1: Well you read this, I put it on there, Jalen 429 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: Ramsey and Jamar Chase. That's when you get the big bucket, 430 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: a popcorn and a large coke and you sit and 431 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 1: just watch. That's gonna be a matchup. I can't wait. 432 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 1: That's special. But it's also the other Rams corners not 433 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: named Jalen Ramsey versus Cincinnati's receivers. And look, you've got 434 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: to give the pass rush a chance to get home. 435 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:20,399 Speaker 1: And I think they're gonna win. Von Miller's gonna win. 436 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:22,359 Speaker 1: A D's gonna win, Leonard Floyd's gonna win. They're all 437 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 1: gonna win. You're gonna get pressure on unburrowed. But the 438 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:27,479 Speaker 1: last thing you want is cornerbacks given up too much 439 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:30,280 Speaker 1: daylight where he can get the football off. The last 440 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:32,200 Speaker 1: thing you want to do is have Aaron Donald and 441 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:36,480 Speaker 1: company waste good pass rush moves on completed passes or 442 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:38,720 Speaker 1: at least getting the ball out. So you've got to 443 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:41,200 Speaker 1: play tight. You've got to play your best game, Darius Williams, 444 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 1: You've got to play tights, tight, tight, tight. They're coming 445 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,879 Speaker 1: after you. You know this. So look, it's it's the 446 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 1: cornerbacks versus Cincinnati's receiving corps that's got to be a 447 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:55,040 Speaker 1: whitewash there. If not, it doesn't matter how good your 448 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:57,640 Speaker 1: pass rush is. He'll get the ball off, He'll he'll 449 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 1: extend drives. That's how Cincinnati blew through the playoffs. That's 450 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: why they're in the Super Bowl. Let me follow up 451 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:05,160 Speaker 1: real quick, Cameron on that point, because when you talk 452 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:08,440 Speaker 1: about coverage and matching up against the receivers, there has 453 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 1: been a liability a soft middle of this Rams defense, 454 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 1: and that's where the Bengals have excelled a lot of times. 455 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:16,359 Speaker 1: While Jamar Chase is blowing the top off, you know, 456 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 1: Higgins and Boyd have been able to eat between the numbers, 457 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:22,080 Speaker 1: and the Rams just had a thorough vetting against Garoppolo 458 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:25,160 Speaker 1: and the Niners. In that regard, how much could say 459 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:28,520 Speaker 1: an extra week of rest and recovery for Ernest Jones. 460 00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:31,960 Speaker 1: The continued evolution of Travean Howard in this defense help 461 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: shore up that deficiency. If you'll allow it against a 462 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:38,119 Speaker 1: Bengals team that seems well equipped to exploit it, you 463 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 1: get more chance to watch, You get the chance to 464 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:43,119 Speaker 1: have fresh legs. Your pass rush does too. It's all 465 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:45,919 Speaker 1: about making Burrow uncomfortable so he has to throw the 466 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 1: ball sooner than he wants, and then you'll have a 467 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:51,480 Speaker 1: chance to attack it outside the numbers. And especially like 468 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:54,360 Speaker 1: you said, between the hash marks, if you can eliminate 469 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 1: the run, Joe Mixon's gonna be huge in this game. 470 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:58,960 Speaker 1: Remember him in London when he was almost knocking out 471 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:01,000 Speaker 1: the safeties. He's gonna be huge. If you can blunt 472 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 1: that run game and make it one dimensional, you'll have 473 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:06,639 Speaker 1: your linebackers, your safeties, you'll have a chance to flood 474 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:09,320 Speaker 1: the middle and force everything out wide. If they still 475 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:12,560 Speaker 1: have the benefit of the run game, then they'll start 476 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:14,920 Speaker 1: exploiting the middle like they've done all season long. But 477 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 1: stop the run, stop mix. Then you'll have a chance 478 00:22:17,600 --> 00:22:20,200 Speaker 1: to stop those receivers from making hay in the paint. 479 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:21,920 Speaker 1: I think we're all on the same page because that 480 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 1: was definitely one of the areas just that mid level 481 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:26,919 Speaker 1: is where you know where there maybe a little bit 482 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,560 Speaker 1: of deficiency. So I was definitely keying in on that. 483 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 1: I would love to see some of those guys step 484 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:34,520 Speaker 1: up in those moments and just stop everything come in 485 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:37,920 Speaker 1: their direction. And I would also add on to that 486 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:40,400 Speaker 1: on the other side, I think we can really get 487 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:43,080 Speaker 1: after these guys just with four. I love what we've 488 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:45,240 Speaker 1: seen against well, you talk about Joe Burrow. He's the 489 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:47,720 Speaker 1: most sack quarterback in the NFL, but he is good 490 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:49,480 Speaker 1: against the blitz. So if we can bring four and 491 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:52,600 Speaker 1: get some pressure on him, I think that's another area 492 00:22:52,680 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 1: where we'll be able to do some damage. All Right, 493 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:57,200 Speaker 1: So in the trenches, I'll go with Aaron Donald because 494 00:22:57,240 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 1: I believe this is his moment. I believe this whole 495 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 1: season hasted to him. I think he's acknowledged that with 496 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:05,359 Speaker 1: the way that the NFC Championship game ended. DeMarco, Can 497 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 1: I make the case that the best coverage against their 498 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:11,800 Speaker 1: eleven personnel is actually Aaron Donald being a shutdown corner. 499 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 1: Absolutely yes. I'm not saying that he's gonna go cover 500 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 1: in the slot. I'm saying that he takes throwing options away. 501 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 1: But you can't early on the interior. You can't get 502 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:26,680 Speaker 1: the ball there before he gets to you. Absolutely one. Look, 503 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,720 Speaker 1: I think he's ready to put on something special. You 504 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:32,840 Speaker 1: saw it. You guys saw how his attitude and the 505 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:36,359 Speaker 1: feeling he had after the NFC Championship game. He's healthy 506 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:38,800 Speaker 1: and he's hungry and he's ready to go. So and 507 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 1: this is a tailor made matchup for him. Really it is. 508 00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:43,560 Speaker 1: So the thing that you have to watch out for 509 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,240 Speaker 1: is Burrow is better than you think. He can get away. 510 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:48,119 Speaker 1: He can get away from fifty one sacks in the 511 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 1: regular season, and the guy's still alive and he's in 512 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:53,359 Speaker 1: the super Bowl. So you think to that game against 513 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:55,879 Speaker 1: the Titans, stuck nine times and still picks up the win, 514 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,280 Speaker 1: and he's still there. So I mean, he's not gonna blink. 515 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:01,879 Speaker 1: So Aaron's gonna have to keep coming for four straight 516 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,639 Speaker 1: quarters to take it out of Joe Burrow. You know 517 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 1: what I mean. It's it's not going to stop on 518 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:08,800 Speaker 1: one sack or out of time. We got to wrap 519 00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:11,680 Speaker 1: this up. But I just, I just thankfully realize one 520 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:14,480 Speaker 1: massive oversight in this edition between the Horns that we 521 00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:16,480 Speaker 1: have to touch on. We cannot leave here, no matter 522 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:18,760 Speaker 1: how much they want this space back, until we talk 523 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:21,720 Speaker 1: about Cooper Cup. Yeah. I mean, if he's not a 524 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:24,880 Speaker 1: key to this game, who is big point. I mean, look, 525 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 1: it's it's almost a custom. I think you mentioned Cooper Cup. 526 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:29,480 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, but but I mean dig into this. We 527 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 1: we've said all along, we don't want another RAM season 528 00:24:32,119 --> 00:24:34,920 Speaker 1: to end with Cooper Cup. On the sideline. If he's 529 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:37,320 Speaker 1: playing in the Super Bowl three years ago, maybe a 530 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:39,680 Speaker 1: different story, a different deal. If he's playing in Green 531 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:43,359 Speaker 1: Bay in the Divisional last season, maybe a different story. True, 532 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:45,600 Speaker 1: not only is Aaron one hundred percent, but Cooper Cup 533 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:48,119 Speaker 1: is having one of the best receiving seasons, one of 534 00:24:48,160 --> 00:24:51,200 Speaker 1: the best seasons period individually in NFL history. And he's 535 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:53,480 Speaker 1: good to go on Sunday, no doubt. See, he's like air, 536 00:24:53,680 --> 00:24:56,080 Speaker 1: you know, he's you depend on it, but you don't 537 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:58,240 Speaker 1: talk about it much, you know what I mean. You 538 00:24:58,320 --> 00:25:00,920 Speaker 1: know what I mean. But yeah, the guy is, he's phenomenal. 539 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 1: He's the focal point of the offense. You know, outside 540 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 1: of Donald he's your most important player. And even if 541 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 1: Cincinnati does everything in its power to make someone else 542 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:11,119 Speaker 1: beat them on Sunday, and why wouldn't they if it 543 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 1: does turn into a downhill mauling Cam Ake or Sony 544 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,159 Speaker 1: Michelle type game, Cooper Cups still going to be right 545 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:20,199 Speaker 1: there at the point of attack. Well, and JB, you mentioned, 546 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:22,160 Speaker 1: you know, some of our favorite moments from this season 547 00:25:22,280 --> 00:25:25,920 Speaker 1: and Cooper Cup. The embrace between Cooper Cup and Robert Woods, 548 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 1: to me, that just encapsulates everything that this team and 549 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,960 Speaker 1: especially that wide Receiving Corps has been all about. I 550 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 1: know how how critical Bobby Woods has been for all 551 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:39,000 Speaker 1: of these these receivers and what a leader he has been, 552 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 1: even not on the field. And I know Cooper Cup 553 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 1: has absolutely loved his presence and joy and everything that 554 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 1: brings that Bobby Woods brings them. So I'm going to 555 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:50,920 Speaker 1: say the same thing that embrace no doubt and that teamwork. 556 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:54,159 Speaker 1: That's what Cooper Cup is all about. Yeah, for Bobby Trees, 557 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:57,000 Speaker 1: for Jordan Fuller who won't be able to play, win it. 558 00:25:57,080 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 1: For everybody who's going to be on the sideline. Win it. 559 00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:01,440 Speaker 1: For Andrew Whitworth, and for Matthew Stafford, and for Aaron 560 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:04,040 Speaker 1: Donald and for Von Miller and Jalen Ramsey, anyone sitting 561 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:07,159 Speaker 1: behind us for Los Angeles. Just win it. Just win it. 562 00:26:07,560 --> 00:26:09,359 Speaker 1: Thank you all for being with us all season long. 563 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 1: Here on Between the Horns obviously our best backdrop of 564 00:26:12,200 --> 00:26:15,640 Speaker 1: the season, but hopefully not our best episode of this season. 565 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 1: I hope we get to do it again next week. 566 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:19,920 Speaker 1: Absolutely and bask in the accomplishment of the twenty twenty 567 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:23,080 Speaker 1: one Los Angeles grants for Cameron Irma and Marco Farrn 568 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:26,160 Speaker 1: JB long enjoy super Bowl weekend and thanks for listening 569 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:26,960 Speaker 1: to Between the Horns.