1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,360 Speaker 1: Emotion is soul got to throw wants to throw a 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:12,479 Speaker 1: shot man down the thirty one yard line. Oh that 3 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 1: is sutiful. Welcome to the twenty in the Huddle podcast 4 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 1: presented by Microsoft here in Phoenix at Radio Row at 5 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl, and I'm joined by A. Hutchinson. Congratulates 6 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,519 Speaker 1: stum Pepsi Rookie of the Year and for the nomination 7 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: for NFL Rookie the Year for the NFL honors. Just 8 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 1: talk about, you know, getting those kind of honors and 9 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 1: it's just a season that you had and ending this 10 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: way and being recognized for all that hard work, no doubt. 11 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 1: I mean, I feel like it's a great record in 12 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:51,199 Speaker 1: this Shaman. It feels great when you put in so 13 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 1: much work for those seventeen games and you get recognized 14 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 1: for it. And winning the Rookie of the Year, that 15 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: was great. And now we're going for deep with the 16 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: Rookie of the Year. So man, I'm fired up. I'm 17 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 1: super grateful and m really just just just bless You know. 18 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 1: I stop by your locker later in the season and 19 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,320 Speaker 1: I remember asking about the rookie wall and there, you know, 20 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: we see it all the time, and you were like, 21 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 1: I don't think so, because I'm born to play ball, 22 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: like that's what I do. I certainly didn't have the 23 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 1: rookie wall. Just how much did you love football being 24 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:25,400 Speaker 1: the focus and that and and now that transition to 25 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: the NFL. I mean, that's what I believe. It's the 26 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: only thing to not feel that mental stress during the 27 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:35,119 Speaker 1: season is you think about you gotta find that joy 28 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:38,119 Speaker 1: and love and what you're doing even in even in season. 29 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 1: You know, I love the game of football so much. 30 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:43,119 Speaker 1: I love playing at a high level. I love producing. 31 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 1: Um you know, it's it. It gives me so much joy. 32 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: So having to look forward to things like that made 33 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 1: that rookie role and not even not even a thing, 34 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: you know. You know, it's one thing to stay home 35 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 1: and play for your hometown team. Your jersey was the 36 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: number one selling jersey and the stay of Michigan. But 37 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: to be beloved the way you were. You saw that 38 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: raption of four field. There was so many hudgets and 39 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:09,959 Speaker 1: there at the field. It's just the love that you felt. 40 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 1: And then to be able to produce the way you 41 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 1: did for them. How rewarding was that part of it 42 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:18,959 Speaker 1: as well? It's it's amazing, you know, having those fans, 43 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: those those Detroit fans are something else, and they're so supportive. 44 00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 1: Even when we were one and six, Even even at 45 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:28,360 Speaker 1: that moment, they were still coming out hushings and jerseys 46 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: were there, screaming, still wanted it all. And that's what 47 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 1: I appreciate the most about them, you know, because Detroit 48 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 1: fans have been through the They've been through the mud man, 49 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 1: especially these past few years. So um, hope we're just 50 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 1: hoping to turn their ship around. And I think we 51 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,520 Speaker 1: have and now we just got to press on the accelerator. Look, 52 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:45,679 Speaker 1: when Detroit took you number two, overall, we knew the 53 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: sacks were coming. Yeah, picks, Yeah where there? I think 54 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 1: you did one passer up bro on your moday at Michigan. 55 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 1: Where did that stuff come from? Where the coup? I 56 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: played tight end in high school, so I got those 57 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:59,800 Speaker 1: little natural high hand eye coordination fall skills. But um, 58 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: I don't know, God, what's that? What's that? Feeling? Has 59 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: to be great? Oh? Hey, I mean especially the last one. 60 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 1: When you're help and feel like that, you just get 61 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 1: a uc unknown space. I mean, guys don't get to 62 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:12,679 Speaker 1: run with interceptions. Oh my god? How fun was that 63 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: part of it. So it's almost fun. It's so being 64 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: able to produce an all aspects of the game, which 65 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:21,239 Speaker 1: I did this year. It was freaking awesome. Man, it 66 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,519 Speaker 1: was so cool. Like kesh interceptions, I got all the 67 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:27,239 Speaker 1: balls at my house right now, like so cool. Yeah, 68 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:29,839 Speaker 1: I kept them. I just I love it all, dude, 69 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:32,679 Speaker 1: I love it all. What's the focus this offseason for you? 70 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 1: So successful? Nine and a half sacks, interceptions, the fumble recoveries. Well, 71 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 1: that was just a little appetizer. That's not the appetizer. 72 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,320 Speaker 1: That's that's what that's That's how I view it. That 73 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: was the appetizer. That was me being a rookie and 74 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: not quite knowing, especially earlier in the year, not quite knowing, 75 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 1: um not quit knowing the NFL and how things go 76 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 1: and stuff like that. But I think you give me 77 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 1: this full off season and training, I'm gonna take off 78 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:57,800 Speaker 1: to a new level. I want to ask you about 79 00:03:57,800 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: Todd Washing a little bit and not a guy. A 80 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 1: lot of people talk, you know, hearing Glen, it gets 81 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 1: a lot of talk about defense, But Todd Watch is 82 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 1: a guy that moved you around, allowed you to do 83 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 1: a few different things. Listen to kind of what you 84 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: had to say what you wanted to Does it mean 85 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 1: to a player to have a coach of especially a 86 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 1: position coach like that that's like, it's not my way 87 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: or the highway, and hey, let's do this thing together, 88 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:22,720 Speaker 1: what works best, Let's formulate a plan and hobnouely for you. 89 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: It was a success, Yeah, no doubt. I mean that 90 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:27,799 Speaker 1: that's what I appreciate most about that staff, and especially 91 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:30,840 Speaker 1: you know, coach wash and ag just just hearing me 92 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 1: out and listening to me about some of the things 93 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 1: I wanted to do and some of the places I 94 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 1: wanted to be. Um, they hearing me out and and 95 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 1: I did my thing when they moved me there. So 96 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 1: that's the most important part. So but I'm just I 97 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: am very grateful for them for for just very being 98 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:49,920 Speaker 1: very accommodating and just communicating and having coaches like that 99 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 1: are huge. How fun were those last ten games aiden 100 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:54,800 Speaker 1: when you guys were really playing ball. I don't think 101 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:56,279 Speaker 1: there's a team in the NFC they wanted to see 102 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: you guys. I know, playout isn't now. To have that 103 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 1: momentum going in the office season, it's a it's it's 104 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: a damn shame. We could have getten the playoffs because 105 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 1: how hot we were, and um you know, obviously you 106 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 1: look back, you can say, if we'd beat Carolina, it 107 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 1: would be blah blah blah. But the cards fell the 108 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 1: way they fell, and um man, those last ten weeks 109 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: the ball were so much fun though, Like it was, 110 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:21,840 Speaker 1: it felt so easy when you're winning at the college level. 111 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 1: At the NFL level, it feels so effortless when when 112 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,840 Speaker 1: you're just stringing wing wins together and then on the 113 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: flip side, being on the flip side. Now I was 114 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 1: on the flip side in the NFL, losing can feel 115 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 1: so inescapable and like it's a free lad. You can't 116 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 1: lie or of eighteen gay, I know, you know, I 117 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 1: know it's I felt that in the course of those 118 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 1: eighteen weeks. So it was. I'm grateful for it, all 119 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: the ups and Dallas this past season. I'm grateful for 120 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 1: it all last one from me. Obviously, the excitement is 121 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,040 Speaker 1: building with you in the season that you had. But 122 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 1: then James Houston was on late. Oh, Josh Piscall showed 123 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: a little bit there. Alee McNeil is still a young player. 124 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:01,159 Speaker 1: Just that defensive line. Do you think the future holds 125 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 1: for you guys, because it looks like it's it really 126 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 1: is a young collection of talent. That's just a scent. 127 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: Oh I know. I mean, we got so many young 128 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: guys in the room. It's actually ridiculous. So man, it's 129 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 1: gonna be I just think all around the board, we're young, 130 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 1: and I think it's sheep giving everybody one more year, 131 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: and it's just like we're gonna get that much better 132 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:23,160 Speaker 1: and that much better and that much better. And I 133 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: feel amazing going into year two. Now, I feel like 134 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 1: I'm about to slight it up. Dude. You heard it here. 135 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 1: First year was just the appetizer. That's right, That's right. 136 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 1: My Lions fans are gonna love that too. A brand's 137 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,280 Speaker 1: on a great season and the depensive rookie of the year. 138 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 1: Now I'm Asian. Good for you, Thanks for joining. Thanks 139 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:53,279 Speaker 1: appreciate you guys. Welcome back to the Twentyman The Huddled 140 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 1: Podcast presented by Microsoft. Back here in Phoenix Radio Row 141 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 1: and welcome in Date Burlson, Nate, what's up every Congratulations 142 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: on everything. But I gotta say that, first off, you 143 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: were always one of those guys when you were in Detroit, 144 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,640 Speaker 1: that was you could always count on. You were always 145 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 1: available to the media. You always spoke bolliantly, honestly, and 146 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 1: I know us guys, and now that you're in the media, 147 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: I know you can appreciate guys like that that are 148 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: just always available, always honest, always speak their mind. And 149 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 1: you were one of those guys. You were all those 150 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 1: true guys. And so I'm gonna start this first by 151 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 1: a thank you and appreciate it. And just did you 152 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: ever when you quit and you decided you wanted to 153 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: do did you ever? That's a good question, you know, 154 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 1: I imagine that this kind of success. First, let me 155 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: say thank you. I appreciate those kind words. I will 156 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: receive those words. And I want to say I appreciate 157 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 1: you man. You were one of those individuals that gave 158 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 1: me faith and the other side of media, you know, 159 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: because there are some some horror stories where players developed 160 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: relationships and they realize, you know, the same people that 161 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 1: build them up will tear them down. You were always honest. 162 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 1: When it's time to be critical, you were. I mean, 163 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: when it's time to get praise, you did that. So 164 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 1: I just want to say I appreciate you. It's great 165 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 1: to see your brand elevating, and I hope that you 166 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: could see to get the shine and love that you 167 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: deserve because you put in work, man, and now being 168 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 1: in this business on the other side of it, I 169 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: know about those long days and short nights, man, and 170 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 1: you've done that for a long time. So thank you, 171 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: appreciate you. But yeah, I didn't think that I would 172 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 1: have this type of rise so quickly. But you know, 173 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 1: it's it's all relative. You know. People look at me 174 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 1: and say, wow, Man, it seemed like you just retired, 175 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 1: which I did in fourteen. But since then, I have 176 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 1: been putting in work and I've been trying to like 177 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,959 Speaker 1: sharpen every single tool that I have in this space. 178 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 1: And even before that, like I was working in media 179 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,599 Speaker 1: with every team that I played on. So you know, 180 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 1: this has been a build up to where I am 181 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: in my career now. And then I don't take it 182 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:47,840 Speaker 1: for granted. I wake up every day with the same 183 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 1: type of enthusiasm and energy. I'm the first one on 184 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:54,320 Speaker 1: the set. I'm putting in the work. And it's funny, man, 185 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 1: I was chasing these Lombardi trophies and I had this 186 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:58,679 Speaker 1: void in me for so long because we didn't win 187 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 1: and now I'm winning Emmy's. Yeah, he's pretty surreal and 188 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 1: I'm blessed man you are. Let's talk about Detroit a 189 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 1: little bit because I know, I know, you always have 190 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 1: a soft spot Detroit and to see what Dan Campbell 191 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 1: and Brad Holmes are building there. You've been inside locker rooms, 192 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: you've been inside good ones, you've been inside bad ones 193 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 1: or throughout your career, and all indications are that that 194 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 1: Dan has built and Brad has built a terrific culture here. 195 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 1: And that's really where it starts, isn't it, Nate, Before 196 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:33,959 Speaker 1: you have success on the field, in that locker room, 197 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 1: everybody's got to buy and you've got to have the 198 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: right culture first. It's so funny because when he first started, 199 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:41,360 Speaker 1: you know, the buying kneecaps and on the way up, 200 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 1: we'll take out another kneecap and people were laughing, is 201 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,439 Speaker 1: this guy for real? Is he? Is he just this 202 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: this special teams coach masquerading as a head coach? You know? 203 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 1: Are people really buying what he's selling? You would hear 204 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:55,839 Speaker 1: these things and I'm like, yo, one, give it an opportunity, 205 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 1: and who are you the judge from the outside? And 206 00:09:57,679 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 1: if you don't know how the locker room is responding 207 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: to this man, and then once you start seeing the 208 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 1: players respun That's the mark of a good motivator. Head 209 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:07,680 Speaker 1: coaches were so many things right. They're a little bit 210 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:11,440 Speaker 1: of OC, a little bit of DC, but mostly they're motivators. 211 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:14,079 Speaker 1: And I say, it's so hard to motivate men with millions, 212 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: and he has successfully done that, and he's also lifted 213 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:19,959 Speaker 1: up this city. I just love what he's brought to 214 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 1: Detroit because he represents so much of what Detroit is. 215 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:28,319 Speaker 1: Our core, unapologetic, enthusiastic when he has to be, but 216 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:30,439 Speaker 1: also hard on his team when he needs to be. 217 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 1: You know, I saw Jared Goff last night and we 218 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:36,599 Speaker 1: were at the Honors backstage and there's a bunch of 219 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 1: guys there and I shot over to him though, and 220 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:40,240 Speaker 1: I just wanted to tell him thank you. I was like, 221 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: you know, you put Detroit on your back, and you 222 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 1: were another guy that proved a lot of people wrong. 223 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 1: I mean, that trade, it looked bad for what Detroit 224 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: was receiving because of the perception of the trade and 225 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:57,200 Speaker 1: then the immediate success of Matt Stafford. But last year 226 00:10:57,280 --> 00:10:59,559 Speaker 1: Jared Goff was one of the best quarterbacks. Call it 227 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 1: what it is, any hat one of the best years. 228 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,800 Speaker 1: Um My man was cooking, and that's exactly what I 229 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,320 Speaker 1: told him. I was like, keep doing your thing, keep balling. Um. 230 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 1: You know, no matter where I'm at, I always feel 231 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:12,439 Speaker 1: like I'm from Detroit, even though I'm not from there. 232 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 1: I just I feel like I'm always representing Detroit about 233 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: that city that that has that effect on some people. 234 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 1: It's the culture, it's a diversity, it's it's the collective 235 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 1: celebration when something happens in any space, any sports, and 236 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:32,679 Speaker 1: like we're all happy for each other. Um, you know, 237 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:34,959 Speaker 1: there is this this grit to it, you know what 238 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: I mean. I remember when we were there, the city 239 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:42,319 Speaker 1: was going bankrupt, like like literally going bankrupt in and 240 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: we we've decided to help lift the city up by 241 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:47,199 Speaker 1: playing better. And that was the year we made the 242 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 1: playoffs and like there was nothing better, you know, to me, 243 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 1: you couldn't convince me that I didn't win a super 244 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 1: Bowl in that season because it was bigger than just 245 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: wins and losses. Like we made the people proud. So yeah, man, Like, 246 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,959 Speaker 1: like Drake says in one of his lyrics, Harley home, 247 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,559 Speaker 1: but always repping so everybody in Detroit. Just no, I'm 248 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 1: always repping Detroit acted year, just real quick. Yeah, A 249 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 1: lot of people forget he's twenty eight years old, John, 250 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 1: He is young, and he has produced throughout it. He's 251 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:15,080 Speaker 1: three time Pro boy. But he's been through it. Though 252 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 1: he's been through it, you know, he's one big games 253 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 1: taking team to a super one player. Also been disregarded, 254 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 1: also been disrespected. Also been that guy who, in other words, 255 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 1: looked like a polo trash on the side of a 256 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: role because the team was essentially getting rid of him. Yeah. 257 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: So the reason I could do something to a player, 258 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: can it? It makes you better? And I think, you know, 259 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 1: the perception that we have of him is this old 260 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: quarterback that's been through a noise, a young guy that's 261 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 1: had a roller coaster ride, right, and he's and he's 262 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 1: had some success. So he's found a home. He's found 263 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 1: a home may and there's something. Yeah, and you think 264 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:50,679 Speaker 1: about the money he's making. I mean, it's a deal 265 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: in comparison to what these starting quarterbacks are charging these days. 266 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 1: I would be a little bit remiss if I didn't 267 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: ask you about Almond Ross. Oh my gosh. And just 268 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,559 Speaker 1: this's healing has become and he's another guy that that 269 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 1: has a chip on his shoulders. Seventeenth wide receiver taken 270 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: and then if he can spit off all sixteen and 271 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 1: where they like that for him. You know when you 272 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,720 Speaker 1: watch him having played the position, being a versatile guy. Um, 273 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:15,839 Speaker 1: what do you like about I'm rah in his game 274 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:17,720 Speaker 1: and how it fits well? Shout out to his pops. 275 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 1: I'm at his pops. It all makes He's still rocked out. 276 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:22,599 Speaker 1: He's rocked out. I'm like, oh, it makes sense. This 277 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:25,079 Speaker 1: is where they get it from. Um. But I like 278 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 1: him because he can do it all outside inside, take 279 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:29,960 Speaker 1: the top off, the coverage, run the jet sweeps, reverses, 280 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:34,679 Speaker 1: use him in trick plays. He's physical, he's explosive. Um, 281 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: you know, he just adds an element like and when 282 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 1: he's not on the field, there's a big difference. So 283 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 1: for me, I just think a guy like that, when 284 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:43,200 Speaker 1: you have to keep him around, you gotta pay him. 285 00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 1: I remember one time ago I was, yoh, he's gonna 286 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:47,079 Speaker 1: get paid. Everybody like what They're like, who I'm like, 287 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,199 Speaker 1: I'm on say Brown, the sun God, you know, the 288 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 1: Gypsy sun God. Yeah, him, I'm Ora and he's and 289 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:55,800 Speaker 1: he has proven to be one of the better wide receivers. 290 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,640 Speaker 1: And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Jamal Williams. 291 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: I mean those two guys, I'm on the pot. Yeah, 292 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 1: this way he's done. Here, He's dope, bro, that's my guy, man. 293 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: And those are two of my favorite players in the NFL. 294 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 1: Forget about Detroit Lions players. I love those two dudes. 295 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:14,839 Speaker 1: Just where this team is headed, We'll finish off with that. 296 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 1: You know, we talked about the three thirteen to one 297 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 1: in dance first year, but you're building culture right, You're 298 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 1: getting the right guys there. You improve that to nine 299 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: and eight. And you look at the Saint Brown's, you 300 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:28,240 Speaker 1: look at the Penne seul Aiden Hutchinson, all these yells 301 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 1: of pot is, all these young guys that are now 302 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 1: becoming the core pieces, cornerstones. Where do you think this 303 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,320 Speaker 1: Detroit Lions team is headed in twenty twenty three NBA 304 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: the North. Take the North. That's it. That's the goal. 305 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 1: Take the North and then move on to the playoffs 306 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 1: and punch some teams in the mouth. You know, things 307 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 1: are gonna shake up in the in the NFC North. 308 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers doesn't look like he's going to be a 309 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 1: Green Bay packer. Yeah, you know, you still have some 310 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 1: growth out there with the Chicago Bears. The Minnesota Vikings 311 00:14:57,800 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: as good as they were one of my former teams, 312 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 1: wildly and consistent. Yeah, so take the North, Take the North. 313 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 1: I know Lions fans will love that. And thanks for 314 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: stopping by, the man indidulases on all your success. Man, 315 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 1: I appreciate your brother for sure. All right, Manic, you 316 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 1: welcome back to the Twentyman the Huddle podcast presented by 317 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: Microsoft here in Phoenix Radio Row, and I am joined 318 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: by eight year NFL veteran offensive lineman Jeff Schwartz. Jeffs 319 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 1: thanks for joining me. Yeah, glad to be here while 320 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 1: you know everything offensive line, So I'm glad you stopped by. 321 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 1: We're going to talk because obviously that's a huge topic 322 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 1: Detroit with what they've built up front along their offensive line. 323 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: Really you talk offensive lines to their totality Philadelphia Eagles, 324 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: and really Detroit's in that too. Just when you have 325 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 1: an offensive line that's got really four Pro Bowl caliber 326 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 1: players on it, I mean, just what does that mean 327 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: for the offense? What can you do as an offensive 328 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 1: quarter with Ben Johnson, anything I've got to do right, Like, 329 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:02,080 Speaker 1: it allows you to do so many different things. And 330 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:04,480 Speaker 1: in the running game, obviously, the Lions run scheme is 331 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:06,800 Speaker 1: so multiple, right, they do sown different things well, so 332 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 1: you really can't game plan for Okay, we're just going 333 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: to be we're facing a zone team, right, We're facing 334 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 1: a gap team. But the wives are running zone, they're 335 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: running way and the running powers. They're running all these 336 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 1: different things each week. So it makes difficult for defense 337 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: to see everything that's happening, and then also messing with 338 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 1: their keys because okay, guards doing this thing, but I 339 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 1: think that's not all pull to wham as a zone 340 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:26,800 Speaker 1: is if this is that, so it kind of makes 341 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 1: the defense play a little a little tad slower well, 342 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: and then the passing game. What it does too is 343 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 1: when you when you have when you allocate less help 344 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 1: for your offensive lineman, more guys get into the pass game, 345 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: so allows more options to your quarterback filled the ball 346 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 1: and spread the defense out a little thinner, and more 347 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: holes become available when you have more guys in the 348 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:47,560 Speaker 1: passing concept, So you know, not having to help your 349 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 1: offensive linemen allows I think your pass game to open 350 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 1: up a little bit more. Penny So in his second 351 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:55,120 Speaker 1: season was a pro bowler. I think we can both agreed. 352 00:16:55,160 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 1: Taylor Decker is annually one of the tops five six 353 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: seven left tackles in foot ball. Just what does it 354 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 1: mean when you've got two bookend guys like that that 355 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:06,440 Speaker 1: are that are some of the best at their position. Well, 356 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:08,639 Speaker 1: I just mentioned with a help situation, right, so you 357 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 1: don't have to help those guys. So allows a running 358 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:12,639 Speaker 1: back and tight end now instead of helping to be 359 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: part of a pass concept. And when it does, obviously, 360 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 1: if you have those guys in the pass concept, it 361 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: pulls away, you know, pulls help to them maybe or 362 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 1: not to them, And guys are more open if you 363 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:24,560 Speaker 1: kind of you can layer your passing concepts like they have. 364 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:28,159 Speaker 1: But also too, we often know that pressure up the middle, 365 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:30,840 Speaker 1: right from the middle could really hurt quarterbacks. Well, now 366 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 1: if you trust us off at the tackles to do 367 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:35,000 Speaker 1: their job. But three inside guys can really be three 368 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 1: on two. So allows you to funnel that in the 369 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 1: middle and keep that very firm. So allows for a 370 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:42,840 Speaker 1: firm throwing kind of surface for the quarterback as he 371 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 1: doesn't have to really worry about inside pressure. You can 372 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 1: for golf, right, he's not as mobile. You can drop back, set, 373 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:52,359 Speaker 1: step up, boom, find your guy. So when you combine 374 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:54,479 Speaker 1: that all together, that's you get that good pass protection. 375 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:56,800 Speaker 1: You talked about the middle and having a Pro Bowl 376 00:17:56,840 --> 00:17:58,920 Speaker 1: guy like Frank you know, made his second Pro Bowl 377 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: this year, really one of the top two centers in 378 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:03,800 Speaker 1: the league. With Kelsey, I think when you've got that 379 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: position locked down, I mean he runs the show there. 380 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 1: I mean all the checks and yeah and protections and 381 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: stuff like that. When you've got a Pro Bowl caliber center, 382 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:17,479 Speaker 1: how does everything else just kind of fall in line? Man? Um, 383 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:19,719 Speaker 1: It's so nice because yeah, I was I was going 384 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 1: to play with one of those guys in Ryan, Cleo 385 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:25,119 Speaker 1: and Carolina and the amount of confidence that you have 386 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:28,000 Speaker 1: with with him knowing where to go, but also with 387 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 1: the quarterback right, just there's an ease of comfort level 388 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:33,239 Speaker 1: there with Okay, well we see this saving the right 389 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 1: way of a week, don't okay, let me trust my 390 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 1: center here. And we see most of them, most of 391 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:39,639 Speaker 1: offensive lot even the Super Bowl zero Kelsey and krey Hertfred. 392 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: He's like, you try to have a good offensive lote 393 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,399 Speaker 1: without that acre in the middle. Who's kind of control everything. 394 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,760 Speaker 1: I may sure everything works. So um, it's it's it's 395 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: a it's a pretty big deal to have that guy 396 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: that you're so comfortable with snapping the bowl every time. 397 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:54,800 Speaker 1: And Ben Johnson talked about it, Jared Goff talked about it. 398 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 1: They talked about scheming to Penney Sewel. Yeah, and maybe 399 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:01,640 Speaker 1: people might not understand, like what you're you're you're scheming 400 00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 1: to a right tackle. I mean we we scheme to 401 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 1: running backs and wide receivers and stuff like that. What 402 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:09,439 Speaker 1: does that mean when you scheme to to a right 403 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 1: tackle too? Too? Well? Cool? I mean obviously the catch 404 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: you know, I guess you just keeping him in the 405 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 1: passive game. UM My guess is you're you're you're using 406 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 1: him on the move more right, So you know you're 407 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:24,800 Speaker 1: he has elite movement skills. So whether we see him 408 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:26,520 Speaker 1: in the screen game, which we saw in the Green 409 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:28,360 Speaker 1: Bay's like you know, cooping him kind of coming around 410 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:31,320 Speaker 1: the edge and that one screen. Uh, whether it's him 411 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:34,680 Speaker 1: pulling in space, so that's what they're talking about, getting 412 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:37,080 Speaker 1: him and betting him moving in space. We'll use him 413 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 1: as our kind of move off. It's alignment. It allows 414 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: you to do, not to get to kind of the 415 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:44,479 Speaker 1: degree it allows you to do sort of different things 416 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:51,120 Speaker 1: to mitigate maybe inside defensive tackle issues by having him 417 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,400 Speaker 1: be the pull guy more often than the guard possibly 418 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:56,360 Speaker 1: so allows you to just be more creative and mitigate 419 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: issues by having him kind of using him in a 420 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,639 Speaker 1: way that you really go the other tackles. This Detroit 421 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 1: Lions offense is one of the top five in the 422 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 1: league really all year. I think it's anchored by that 423 00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:08,639 Speaker 1: offensive line, and it's really a young offensive line with 424 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:12,440 Speaker 1: Jonah Jackson frank in Penna. Just how good can this 425 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 1: team be and how consistently good can this offense be 426 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:17,920 Speaker 1: when you've got a young or set of off I 427 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,000 Speaker 1: mean linon like Detroit. Look at the Eagles right like 428 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:23,000 Speaker 1: they're the example, right, you have five offensive linemen on 429 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:25,760 Speaker 1: the Eagles that were drafted right all they're all drafted 430 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:28,280 Speaker 1: like there's a reason why, and you know, obviously there's 431 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: some injury luck and plays that contracts work out well, 432 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 1: but they're started two thousand and eleven with Kelsey all 433 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,439 Speaker 1: the way two twenty one with Dickersons. I've been ten 434 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:38,879 Speaker 1: years of drafting these guys along the way, and so 435 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 1: you know when you bring these guys in like they have, 436 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 1: you have this core group and you know obviously contract 437 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: Dewise has worked out for them, but also a physicality 438 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:48,239 Speaker 1: the way he's either their offense. So it's everything man 439 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:50,040 Speaker 1: like you have to have and I like to win. 440 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 1: The Lions have built under Dan Campbell right like you have. 441 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:54,920 Speaker 1: You went inside outs, right, you start inside and you 442 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,120 Speaker 1: move outwards, and that's how you have to win this league. 443 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,360 Speaker 1: Dan knows it right, he played right, went inside out 444 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 1: and why they're Bullion. I love it, well, we love 445 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,359 Speaker 1: that you joined us. Give us an insight on the 446 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: offensive line. He is Jeffrey Art spent eight years in 447 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:09,400 Speaker 1: the NFL. Great inside of the Detroit Lions offensive. Next, 448 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: Jeff bridjjent. Welcome back to the twenty in the Huddle 449 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:24,760 Speaker 1: podcast here at the Super Bowl in Phoenix, and I 450 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:27,720 Speaker 1: am very happy to be joined by Steve Hallazzolo and 451 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 1: Sam monson PF NFL podcast. You guys do a great 452 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 1: job with that podcast, and let's get right into it. 453 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 1: Let's talk Detroit Lions because obviously you guys are some 454 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:39,960 Speaker 1: of the experts the inside the numbers stuff, and I 455 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,440 Speaker 1: guess just postseason looking at PF. I noticed the offensive 456 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: defensive rankings, and let's start offensively. Obviously a very good 457 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:49,960 Speaker 1: season for Detroit offensively. They finished fifth in you guys's rankings. 458 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 1: What stud out I guess to both of you about 459 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 1: just how this team performed offensively all season long. Yeah, 460 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 1: I mean one of the most impressive things for me 461 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 1: was the coaching performance. I think Ben Johnson was a 462 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: guy who was consistently getting the most out of that 463 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:07,600 Speaker 1: supporting cast, out of the personnel that he had, and 464 00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:10,199 Speaker 1: it's a huge set of thing He's result for them 465 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,159 Speaker 1: to retain him over the course of the off season, 466 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 1: get the same thing again, and then presumably be able 467 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:17,359 Speaker 1: to add a little bit here and there to that 468 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:20,879 Speaker 1: personnel to get you know, Jamison Williams into the fold 469 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 1: in year two when it was really more of a 470 00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 1: red shirt season for him in his rookie year, a 471 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 1: little bit of flashes laid on. But I think the 472 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 1: pieces are in place for that offense to get really 473 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 1: exciting next year. And so how big of a deal obviously, 474 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: Ben Johnson. People in Detroit are really excited about him 475 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:38,720 Speaker 1: coming back and just getting another year to do his 476 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:41,520 Speaker 1: things and build on the ground where he build. I 477 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:44,840 Speaker 1: mean that might be the biggest off season yeah acquisition 478 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: for Detroit all season long, we're talking about free AHC 479 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 1: to drive. It might be Ben Johnson absolutely, Like he 480 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:52,240 Speaker 1: was so impressive all season long. You could see the 481 00:22:52,359 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 1: game plans involved each week. You could see him out 482 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:58,879 Speaker 1: coaching opposing defensive coordinators time after time. Like I think 483 00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:02,160 Speaker 1: he did as impressed of a job as any coordinator 484 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:05,520 Speaker 1: level coach in the NFL. It just coincided well with 485 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:08,639 Speaker 1: all of their recent moves, right. It seemed like that 486 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 1: Dan Campbell era started in the trenches, right, like, let's 487 00:23:11,480 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 1: make sure the offensive line and the defensive line are 488 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:16,160 Speaker 1: short up. We saw the offensive line looking really good 489 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 1: across the board, and then they you know, took some 490 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 1: chances on the outside with Jamison Williams DJ Chark for 491 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:23,720 Speaker 1: a year. I'm on ra st Brown's development has been fantastic. 492 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:25,959 Speaker 1: So I just love the way they've built over these 493 00:23:26,040 --> 00:23:27,439 Speaker 1: last couple of years. And I thought they took up 494 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 1: massive step forward offensively, whether it's Ben Johnson, Goffs developments 495 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 1: and the offensive line everything coming together and you look 496 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 1: at this seam offensively. I mean, the two really big 497 00:23:36,280 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 1: pieces are Gja Shark and Williams, you know, the running back, 498 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 1: so everyone else is under contract, Golf Saint Brown. The 499 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: offensive line, I mean, you know, it's really just Jamal 500 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:52,439 Speaker 1: Williams and DJ Shark and so you look, gotta love 501 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:54,600 Speaker 1: the pieces that are coming back too, and some of 502 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:56,520 Speaker 1: the resources that they have five picks in the top 503 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:59,400 Speaker 1: eighty one, they got cap space. But offensively, this team 504 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:01,640 Speaker 1: looks pretty, would you guys agree? Yeah? And I think 505 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 1: the offensive line was good this year, but the interior 506 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:06,840 Speaker 1: was a bit of a mess. But it was banged up, 507 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:10,240 Speaker 1: like they were rotating casts of guys every single week. 508 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:12,960 Speaker 1: There was seemed to be a new guard combination, and 509 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,719 Speaker 1: those guys struggle in past protection a little bit. If 510 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 1: they say healthier on that offensive line next year, that's 511 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:21,720 Speaker 1: immediately again another potential upgrade from in house without haven't 512 00:24:21,720 --> 00:24:23,879 Speaker 1: gonna do anything. All right, Let's flip over the other 513 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,000 Speaker 1: side of the ball. When you talk about Detroit Lions 514 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:28,320 Speaker 1: and some of the struggles they had this year, specifically 515 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:30,639 Speaker 1: early in the season, it was that defense. I mean, 516 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:33,480 Speaker 1: it was historically one of the worst defenses in football 517 00:24:33,560 --> 00:24:36,560 Speaker 1: the first seven eight weeks of the season. They got 518 00:24:36,640 --> 00:24:38,720 Speaker 1: better as a year went on. I think they figured 519 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:41,960 Speaker 1: some things out, they changed some things schematically, allowed guys 520 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 1: to do some different things, and they were much better 521 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 1: down that eight and two stretch, But still they finished 522 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 1: twenty eighth in you guys' site, you guys just rankings. 523 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:52,879 Speaker 1: I guess maybe what was the biggest thing that jumped 524 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:54,760 Speaker 1: out to you. Maybe let's split this up and go 525 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 1: beginning of the season, in second half of the season. 526 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:00,720 Speaker 1: What were maybe some things that were that we're different 527 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:03,919 Speaker 1: for you guys. I mean, when you start with twenty 528 00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:06,879 Speaker 1: on the year, of course, it incorporates the entire season 529 00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:09,840 Speaker 1: right anywhere historically bad, so that that does get baked 530 00:25:09,880 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 1: into there. I think the secondary was, you know, one 531 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:13,679 Speaker 1: of the one of the places where you just couldn't 532 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:16,440 Speaker 1: rely on them early on. Right, there's there's still no 533 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:20,359 Speaker 1: number one corner that you just completely trust. Right. Jeffrey 534 00:25:20,359 --> 00:25:22,679 Speaker 1: Acouda made some you know, took some strides this year, 535 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:25,240 Speaker 1: but just still probably not enough, right, and they're gonna 536 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:27,360 Speaker 1: have a decision to make with him on the fifth 537 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:28,920 Speaker 1: year option. So I think it to me it was 538 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 1: just the back seven that did get better over time, 539 00:25:31,960 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 1: but that coincided with the pass rush getting better, right, 540 00:25:34,359 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 1: more consistency from Aiden Hutchinson, James Houston stepping up. They 541 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:40,720 Speaker 1: found some players up front there, so I think they 542 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:43,480 Speaker 1: played much better in the trenches down the stretch and 543 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:45,680 Speaker 1: that helped I think everything defensively. Yeah, I think a 544 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 1: lot of those young guys really stepped forward over the 545 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:50,080 Speaker 1: course of the second half the season. I mean, Hutchinson 546 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 1: had a great rookie year overall, but in the second 547 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:56,359 Speaker 1: half the season in particular, he had a genuine Rookie 548 00:25:56,400 --> 00:25:58,200 Speaker 1: of the Year All Pro kind of season. When I 549 00:25:58,240 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 1: think I forgot what the week gay is, but like 550 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:03,159 Speaker 1: week have an onwards something like that. The list reads 551 00:26:03,240 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 1: the defensive Player of the Year candidates at Aidan Hutchinson 552 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:08,359 Speaker 1: in terms of PFF grade in terms of pressures, like 553 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 1: he's right there with Nick Bosa and Michael Parsons over 554 00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:13,679 Speaker 1: that rout. If he'd done that all season long, I mean, 555 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 1: that makes a material difference of the defense and the 556 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 1: first eight weeks of the year. And that's tough though 557 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 1: too right, I Mean, everybody expects the number one, number 558 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 1: two pick to come in here and do this, but 559 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:24,199 Speaker 1: I mean it's such a bank jump that's from college 560 00:26:24,240 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 1: to the pros, right, and sometimes it just takes a 561 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:28,159 Speaker 1: little bit to figure it out. I think James Houston's 562 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 1: is a perfect example of that. Here's a guy that 563 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:32,040 Speaker 1: was on the practice squad. They started to see some 564 00:26:32,160 --> 00:26:34,520 Speaker 1: things in practice, and then they got him involved and 565 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:36,879 Speaker 1: you know, look what he did. You find a diamond 566 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:38,840 Speaker 1: in the rough. But you got to give some of 567 00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:41,520 Speaker 1: these young guys sometime, you know sometimes too, And I 568 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:44,920 Speaker 1: think maybe that's part of the big Like you said, Sam, 569 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:47,160 Speaker 1: we're part of the big transition from the first after 570 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:49,720 Speaker 1: the second half, is some of those rookies just grew 571 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:52,400 Speaker 1: up a little bit, right, and you have to expect that. Yeah, 572 00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:54,520 Speaker 1: even though Hutchinson was supposed to be the number one 573 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:57,639 Speaker 1: overall pick and false to number two, we always said, hey, 574 00:26:57,680 --> 00:26:59,240 Speaker 1: he's not really a Bosa. Yeah, you know, he's not 575 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:01,560 Speaker 1: really a Miles Game or a Chase Young type of prospect. 576 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:03,840 Speaker 1: A lot of those guys pretty much hit the ground running, 577 00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:05,399 Speaker 1: or of von Miller hits the ground running, and they 578 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:08,280 Speaker 1: were almost dominant from day one. But even like a Klill, 579 00:27:08,359 --> 00:27:11,159 Speaker 1: Mac took about a year to really get going and 580 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 1: become what he was, so, you know, taking about essentially 581 00:27:14,119 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 1: half a season for Aiden Hutchinson to take that step 582 00:27:17,119 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 1: forward become a better pass rusher. That's pretty standard, even 583 00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:21,440 Speaker 1: for some of the better players. I know it's mock 584 00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:24,359 Speaker 1: draft season and that's the craze, but people sometimes forget 585 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:26,920 Speaker 1: free agency comes before the draft. I know you guys 586 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:30,720 Speaker 1: on your site recently release the top one hundred free agents. 587 00:27:30,760 --> 00:27:32,760 Speaker 1: I'm just curious when you look at the totality of 588 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:35,320 Speaker 1: this free agent class, where's it? Where do you guys 589 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:38,320 Speaker 1: think it's It's strong, maybe a few position groups that 590 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:40,480 Speaker 1: you think our teams are gonna be able to find 591 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:43,120 Speaker 1: some really quality guys, not just Day one, the big 592 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:45,359 Speaker 1: money guys, but maybe into into the you know, the 593 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:48,080 Speaker 1: second week of free agency as well. It's not great overall. 594 00:27:48,119 --> 00:27:50,520 Speaker 1: I'll just say that, like the free agent class is 595 00:27:50,680 --> 00:27:53,880 Speaker 1: lacking some of the big names. I think interior defensive 596 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 1: line is an interesting spot where you can at least 597 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:59,240 Speaker 1: get reasonable players and then you know the NFL some 598 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:01,200 Speaker 1: teams have to urgence to make them guys like Quinnon 599 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:04,320 Speaker 1: Williams and Jeffrey Simmons, so that interior defensive lines of place. 600 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:08,600 Speaker 1: I think the entire NFL there's available players and players 601 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:10,200 Speaker 1: get that are about to get re ups this year. 602 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:12,040 Speaker 1: And then the draft itself is pretty strong. So I 603 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:14,640 Speaker 1: think that's a pretty solid spot all or overall. Yeah, 604 00:28:14,640 --> 00:28:16,800 Speaker 1: I mean, and I think it's a weak class overall, 605 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:19,280 Speaker 1: but I think there's a lot of good players in it. 606 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:21,960 Speaker 1: It's it's the kind of class where you're very unlikely 607 00:28:22,080 --> 00:28:24,680 Speaker 1: to solve, you know, a problem spot in this free 608 00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:27,399 Speaker 1: agent group, but you can add a lot of importance, 609 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 1: you know, starting caliber players or sort of valuable role 610 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:32,840 Speaker 1: players to a team that needs a little bit of 611 00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:35,200 Speaker 1: help or it needs to you know, improve a certain 612 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:37,720 Speaker 1: area by a percentage. Like there's a lot of good 613 00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 1: players available, they're just not the ones that are going 614 00:28:40,320 --> 00:28:42,600 Speaker 1: to come in, you know, be the high price solution 615 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:44,920 Speaker 1: to fix an area of the team. Brad Holmes has 616 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 1: always been a guy that values, you know, signing his 617 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:50,240 Speaker 1: own guys first, you know, taking care of those guys 618 00:28:50,280 --> 00:28:52,280 Speaker 1: that were pieces down the stets show. It maybe sounds 619 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:54,240 Speaker 1: like this is maybe one of those years where you 620 00:28:54,320 --> 00:28:56,520 Speaker 1: can get some help. And they obviously need some help 621 00:28:56,640 --> 00:29:00,200 Speaker 1: what you talked about, even secondary and defensive line. They're 622 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 1: going to look to improve that along the interior as well, 623 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 1: but you know, maybe signing some of their own guys 624 00:29:05,080 --> 00:29:07,440 Speaker 1: the DJ Charts to Jamal Williams some of those guys. 625 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:09,560 Speaker 1: Maybe this might be the year for that because it's 626 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 1: not that high priced, high end class. Yeah, and look, 627 00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:14,040 Speaker 1: we love to talk about free agency. We love to 628 00:29:14,040 --> 00:29:16,320 Speaker 1: talk about the draft. But like my favorite move last 629 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:18,600 Speaker 1: offseason that I keep raving about all week here because 630 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:21,040 Speaker 1: we're at the super Bowl was the Eagles waiting for 631 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:24,320 Speaker 1: James Bradbury to get cut and then picking them up 632 00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 1: for pennies on the dollar to be a starting corner. 633 00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:28,480 Speaker 1: So as much as we love to talk about the 634 00:29:28,560 --> 00:29:31,960 Speaker 1: exciting plays, this feels like an off season for creativity 635 00:29:32,080 --> 00:29:35,440 Speaker 1: for maybe some trades free agency. It's easy to like 636 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:37,000 Speaker 1: look at a list of players and saying, and here's 637 00:29:37,000 --> 00:29:38,800 Speaker 1: what's available. But I think the gems that are getting 638 00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:41,360 Speaker 1: a little bit creative, finding teams that are moving on 639 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:43,000 Speaker 1: from players, That's where there's going to be a lot 640 00:29:43,040 --> 00:29:45,560 Speaker 1: of movement this offseason, and just trades across the board. 641 00:29:45,640 --> 00:29:47,680 Speaker 1: I mean, we saw last year that all the interesting 642 00:29:47,760 --> 00:29:50,920 Speaker 1: movement for wide receivers was these trades for first round picks. Yeah, 643 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:53,200 Speaker 1: you know, maybe that is the route with a free 644 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 1: agent class. It isn't necessarily amazing if you do want 645 00:29:56,240 --> 00:30:00,320 Speaker 1: to completely transform or overhaul a position group. Maybe you 646 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:02,280 Speaker 1: go looking to spend a first round pick in a 647 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:04,239 Speaker 1: trade and bring your guy in that way. All right, 648 00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:05,560 Speaker 1: I want to put you guys on the spot a 649 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:07,800 Speaker 1: little bit. Let's talk about the NFL draft a little bit. 650 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:11,440 Speaker 1: I want you guys's top three position groups that you 651 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:13,720 Speaker 1: think just overall, not maybe not so much just the 652 00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:16,000 Speaker 1: talent at the top, but depth. Just where do you 653 00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:18,880 Speaker 1: think three position groups were this draft? If you're looking 654 00:30:18,960 --> 00:30:21,880 Speaker 1: for this, a team is going to be able to 655 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:24,920 Speaker 1: find one, not just at maybe say number eight or 656 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:28,200 Speaker 1: number eighteen, but um, you know, into the second round, 657 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:30,400 Speaker 1: into the third round, you're gonna get some quality guys 658 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:32,719 Speaker 1: in what position groups? Let me start with this one. 659 00:30:32,760 --> 00:30:35,040 Speaker 1: The position that we hate the most, running back is loaded. 660 00:30:35,280 --> 00:30:37,800 Speaker 1: I mean it's really I look at markets, which is 661 00:30:37,840 --> 00:30:40,520 Speaker 1: the draft and free agency and potential cuts. The market 662 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:43,040 Speaker 1: for running backs. There's a lot of available free agents 663 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:45,880 Speaker 1: and the draft classes loaded. So I think running back 664 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:48,360 Speaker 1: with Jamal Williams, you know, not under contract, do you 665 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:49,800 Speaker 1: want to pay him a lot of money? Maybe not, 666 00:30:49,920 --> 00:30:51,720 Speaker 1: because I think there's gonna be really good players to 667 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:54,320 Speaker 1: get in the middle rounds. DeAndre Swift entering the final 668 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:56,400 Speaker 1: year of his rookie deal as well, so that could 669 00:30:56,400 --> 00:30:59,400 Speaker 1: be a sneaky need in Detroit run back. And then 670 00:30:59,400 --> 00:31:01,560 Speaker 1: I think the I think wide receiver is not going 671 00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:03,520 Speaker 1: to be talked about it as a great receiver class 672 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:06,440 Speaker 1: because it's another year where you know, there might not 673 00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:08,800 Speaker 1: be at Jamar Chase, there might not be a Justin Jefferson. 674 00:31:08,920 --> 00:31:12,160 Speaker 1: But I think there is quality throughout the entire group 675 00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:13,840 Speaker 1: and it goes pretty deep. And then I think corner 676 00:31:13,920 --> 00:31:16,480 Speaker 1: is another horner solid. Aren't of those guys and corner 677 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:18,440 Speaker 1: is one of those flavors. You know, Ty Jones just 678 00:31:18,480 --> 00:31:20,480 Speaker 1: got a little bit excited when you guys say corner 679 00:31:20,560 --> 00:31:23,080 Speaker 1: back there, because obviously that's any which you talked about 680 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 1: off the top. You guys are gonna be talking a 681 00:31:24,440 --> 00:31:27,440 Speaker 1: lot about the corners because I think every single year 682 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:29,360 Speaker 1: we say, hey, there's no true order when it comes 683 00:31:29,400 --> 00:31:31,080 Speaker 1: to cornerbacks. That's going to be this season. You know, 684 00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:33,240 Speaker 1: some people are Joey Porter and Cam Smith and there's 685 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 1: all sorts of names that are going to be thrown 686 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:37,360 Speaker 1: around baby fringe top ten in the middle of the 687 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:39,560 Speaker 1: first round. There's a lot of first round caliber type 688 00:31:39,560 --> 00:31:42,200 Speaker 1: of cornerbacks here, all right, let's finish with this guy's Obviously, 689 00:31:42,320 --> 00:31:44,320 Speaker 1: Detroit is one of those teams three thirteen and one 690 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:48,080 Speaker 1: in Dan Campbell's first year started one in six wasn't good, 691 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:50,000 Speaker 1: but really it was one of the hottest teams in 692 00:31:50,080 --> 00:31:53,000 Speaker 1: the NFL the second half of the season, just missed 693 00:31:53,040 --> 00:31:55,520 Speaker 1: the playoff spot, and so with another off season, with 694 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:57,160 Speaker 1: some of the young talent that they have, I'm just 695 00:31:57,240 --> 00:31:59,560 Speaker 1: curious what you guys is overall thoughts are of the 696 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:03,240 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three version of the Detroit Lions out Obviously, 697 00:32:03,320 --> 00:32:05,240 Speaker 1: this is before the draft, before the free agency, so 698 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:06,800 Speaker 1: there's a lot that has to go into this, but 699 00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:09,760 Speaker 1: with what you guys see, with what they have, what 700 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:12,719 Speaker 1: they've built, some of the core pieces, I'm just curious 701 00:32:12,760 --> 00:32:15,280 Speaker 1: what you guys think of the twenty twenty three Detroit 702 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:18,120 Speaker 1: Lions and their potential in the NFC. I mean, just 703 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:21,920 Speaker 1: based off that description of you know, three wins almost 704 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:24,760 Speaker 1: make the playoffs, like the next step is particularly in 705 00:32:24,840 --> 00:32:26,440 Speaker 1: this division, you've got to be looking to win it. 706 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:28,520 Speaker 1: I know Minnesota had a great record this year, but 707 00:32:29,080 --> 00:32:31,240 Speaker 1: all the way through the season, everybody sort of said, 708 00:32:31,360 --> 00:32:34,040 Speaker 1: this is not that good a team, like they've kind 709 00:32:34,080 --> 00:32:36,560 Speaker 1: of caught the good end of all these single digit wins. 710 00:32:37,240 --> 00:32:40,120 Speaker 1: Green Bay weren't as good this year as people thought 711 00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:41,920 Speaker 1: they would be. The Aaron Rodgers thing is still up 712 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:43,960 Speaker 1: in the air. Maybe he's not even playing there this year. 713 00:32:44,640 --> 00:32:48,400 Speaker 1: This is, you know, a Detroit win for this division 714 00:32:48,520 --> 00:32:50,320 Speaker 1: is something they should be looking for. And I just 715 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:52,840 Speaker 1: love what we talked about before they started in the trenches. 716 00:32:52,960 --> 00:32:55,920 Speaker 1: And to me, this is an offseason for the shiny objects, right. 717 00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:57,680 Speaker 1: So as good as the offense was, and I love 718 00:32:57,760 --> 00:32:59,880 Speaker 1: him Monrose Brown and some of the speed that they 719 00:33:00,120 --> 00:33:01,880 Speaker 1: add it continue to add to the receiving cores. I 720 00:33:01,880 --> 00:33:04,040 Speaker 1: wouldn't hate if they were in the mix for one 721 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:06,000 Speaker 1: of those veteran receivers that you could trade for. I 722 00:33:06,040 --> 00:33:07,560 Speaker 1: wouldn't hate that at all. That's how you win. That's 723 00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:10,600 Speaker 1: how you win with Jared Goff at quarterback, get as 724 00:33:10,680 --> 00:33:13,440 Speaker 1: many playmakers as possible at receiver and tight end, get 725 00:33:13,520 --> 00:33:15,560 Speaker 1: some corners into the building, and that's how you go. 726 00:33:15,680 --> 00:33:18,320 Speaker 1: And you know, build upon that good foundation that they've started. 727 00:33:18,520 --> 00:33:21,000 Speaker 1: Steve Sam great stuff. You guys, be sure to check 728 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:23,520 Speaker 1: out their podcasts a PF NFL podcast. They do a 729 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:26,160 Speaker 1: great job over there. They know everything, college, everything pro. 730 00:33:26,520 --> 00:33:28,120 Speaker 1: So make sure you go check that out. Thanks guys, 731 00:33:28,160 --> 00:33:41,080 Speaker 1: appreciate you shaking the time. Thanks for having me. Welcome 732 00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:43,440 Speaker 1: back to the twenty in the Huddle podcast presented by 733 00:33:43,560 --> 00:33:47,120 Speaker 1: Microsoft here on Radio Row in Phoenix at the Super Bowl. 734 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:52,000 Speaker 1: Look who stopped by Jerry Jacobs, quarterback for the Detroit Lions. Jerry, 735 00:33:52,040 --> 00:33:55,840 Speaker 1: you brought the energy on the season podcast, and so 736 00:33:55,960 --> 00:33:58,520 Speaker 1: I'm expecting this to be no to energy. Good head 737 00:33:58,600 --> 00:34:05,120 Speaker 1: Jamaal yesterday. You gotta to follow. But let's start with this. Uh, Jerry, 738 00:34:05,960 --> 00:34:09,240 Speaker 1: fifty five percent completion percentage against you in your coverage, 739 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:14,680 Speaker 1: one touchdown allowed, seventy four point nine passer rating. When 740 00:34:14,680 --> 00:34:17,040 Speaker 1: teams threw your way, I mean you balled out. I 741 00:34:17,080 --> 00:34:19,359 Speaker 1: mean when you came back Week nine and it really 742 00:34:19,480 --> 00:34:21,960 Speaker 1: you know, started playing defense. You were the most consistent 743 00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:26,560 Speaker 1: cornerback on this Lions roster. How would you evaluate the season? Oh? Man, 744 00:34:26,880 --> 00:34:28,960 Speaker 1: I love that season. I didn't know how we wanted 745 00:34:29,080 --> 00:34:32,160 Speaker 1: but um, everyone played I think pretty well. Um at 746 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:34,800 Speaker 1: the end of the season. Um, but I M evaluated 747 00:34:34,960 --> 00:34:37,239 Speaker 1: like we still got continued, we got to, you know, 748 00:34:37,480 --> 00:34:40,600 Speaker 1: do better to make the team run. But um, overall, 749 00:34:40,680 --> 00:34:43,080 Speaker 1: I just think we all came together to realize what 750 00:34:43,239 --> 00:34:45,719 Speaker 1: we need to do to win, and I think we 751 00:34:45,840 --> 00:34:47,800 Speaker 1: got we hit that point when yeah, you know know 752 00:34:47,840 --> 00:34:49,879 Speaker 1: what to do. So um, I'm just ready to get back, 753 00:34:49,920 --> 00:34:52,520 Speaker 1: to get back with the guys, get back the same chemistry, 754 00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:54,480 Speaker 1: and I'm just ready to get the rolling because we 755 00:34:54,760 --> 00:34:56,800 Speaker 1: know what it takes to win and I think we 756 00:34:57,320 --> 00:34:58,920 Speaker 1: know how how to do it. You know, this is 757 00:34:58,920 --> 00:35:00,480 Speaker 1: gonna be a little bit different of an off season 758 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:02,680 Speaker 1: for you. When you talk about players making that the 759 00:35:02,760 --> 00:35:05,080 Speaker 1: biggest leap is usually from your one to year two 760 00:35:05,520 --> 00:35:07,640 Speaker 1: you were rehabbing or in that time, you know, I 761 00:35:07,719 --> 00:35:10,680 Speaker 1: mean you hurt your knee in December, so you didn't 762 00:35:10,680 --> 00:35:13,600 Speaker 1: get kind of a true off season. How much are 763 00:35:13,640 --> 00:35:16,600 Speaker 1: you looking forward to this offseason to have kind of 764 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:19,960 Speaker 1: that true off season for you? Man, I'm looking forward 765 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:22,879 Speaker 1: to him. I've been training since I've been training since 766 00:35:22,960 --> 00:35:25,560 Speaker 1: I got out of Detroit, Jim, because I know I 767 00:35:25,640 --> 00:35:28,160 Speaker 1: wasn't playing at my full hundred percent. Yeah, so I'm 768 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:29,759 Speaker 1: ready to come. I'm just ready to get it back 769 00:35:29,800 --> 00:35:32,279 Speaker 1: in Detroit for the spring workouts and you know, get 770 00:35:32,360 --> 00:35:34,960 Speaker 1: it going. But this off season is just like really 771 00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:37,040 Speaker 1: weird because you know, at lasting I was just doing 772 00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:38,960 Speaker 1: a lot of rehabbing Detroit. But now it's like I 773 00:35:39,040 --> 00:35:41,880 Speaker 1: could travel to do things like this still workout like 774 00:35:42,080 --> 00:35:43,600 Speaker 1: so I'm gonna enjoy it. But at the same time, 775 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:46,439 Speaker 1: so blessing just I can have a good one off season. Yeah, 776 00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:48,719 Speaker 1: what's the big focus for you this off season? When 777 00:35:48,719 --> 00:35:50,879 Speaker 1: you went through the film, when you looked at your game, 778 00:35:51,360 --> 00:35:53,320 Speaker 1: what was maybe one thing you were like, Okay, I 779 00:35:53,400 --> 00:35:54,960 Speaker 1: think this is one thing I kind of want to 780 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:58,040 Speaker 1: maybe focus on or is it just the totality of it? 781 00:35:58,200 --> 00:36:00,560 Speaker 1: Is there one thing you kind of focus stumma, I 782 00:36:00,560 --> 00:36:03,040 Speaker 1: guess what's the what's the focus this offseason? So on 783 00:36:03,320 --> 00:36:05,040 Speaker 1: the season hit, I just knew one thing that I 784 00:36:05,120 --> 00:36:07,520 Speaker 1: really needed to go tell him my dB, my dB trainer, 785 00:36:07,680 --> 00:36:09,480 Speaker 1: and I think he was finding the ball because I'm 786 00:36:09,560 --> 00:36:12,120 Speaker 1: darre every time, like and I just told him, Like 787 00:36:12,239 --> 00:36:14,080 Speaker 1: soon I ended the season, I called him like, hey, 788 00:36:14,360 --> 00:36:16,000 Speaker 1: if you can help me find the ball a few 789 00:36:16,080 --> 00:36:19,080 Speaker 1: million And that's on the two of like I'm there, 790 00:36:19,200 --> 00:36:21,239 Speaker 1: but it's like I wasn't really trusting my knees. So 791 00:36:21,480 --> 00:36:23,960 Speaker 1: we've been working on that a lot break getting all that, 792 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:26,000 Speaker 1: but finding the ball is the most imparted the point 793 00:36:26,040 --> 00:36:27,960 Speaker 1: of my game right now, because it is true, right, 794 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:29,320 Speaker 1: I mean, you look at the guys who make the 795 00:36:29,360 --> 00:36:31,680 Speaker 1: bro ball, you look at all those things. It's interceptions. 796 00:36:31,719 --> 00:36:34,000 Speaker 1: That's all I do, right. I mean the numbers that 797 00:36:34,080 --> 00:36:36,160 Speaker 1: we talked about at the top, to me, those are 798 00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:40,640 Speaker 1: truer numbers. But the casual fans, he's interceptions, you know, 799 00:36:41,280 --> 00:36:44,440 Speaker 1: and Kirby and and you know, terrific rookie season, got 800 00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:46,560 Speaker 1: those four inceptions and that's why he was a PFW 801 00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:49,359 Speaker 1: Rookie of the Year. It's those numbers, right, So that's 802 00:36:49,360 --> 00:36:51,879 Speaker 1: the biggest difference for you. It's just getting those sixes. 803 00:36:52,080 --> 00:36:54,680 Speaker 1: It's great that he said, because Dary's Slay when he 804 00:36:54,760 --> 00:36:57,799 Speaker 1: started his career said the exact same thing. He had 805 00:36:57,880 --> 00:37:00,360 Speaker 1: great numbers. Consider one of the best cover corners didn't 806 00:37:00,400 --> 00:37:03,520 Speaker 1: have those interceptions. When those interceptions started to come. Look 807 00:37:03,560 --> 00:37:08,000 Speaker 1: at him now, look at him now, So that that yes, there, 808 00:37:08,200 --> 00:37:10,160 Speaker 1: you know, obviously they're gonna you know, Brad's gonna do 809 00:37:10,239 --> 00:37:12,640 Speaker 1: everything he can do to prove this football to and 810 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:14,480 Speaker 1: you know you got to expect that that's going to 811 00:37:14,560 --> 00:37:17,280 Speaker 1: be in the secretary as well, and probably free agency, 812 00:37:17,400 --> 00:37:20,720 Speaker 1: probably adding in the draft, to which do you welcome 813 00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:25,600 Speaker 1: that competition and how that can make that room better overall. 814 00:37:25,719 --> 00:37:27,680 Speaker 1: I mean I'm looking forward to who he um go 815 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:29,680 Speaker 1: get in the free adies or in the drive. Um, 816 00:37:29,719 --> 00:37:31,360 Speaker 1: you know, I just gonna come to I love it. 817 00:37:31,480 --> 00:37:33,479 Speaker 1: So it's just gonna bring the fire to the food. 818 00:37:33,560 --> 00:37:36,200 Speaker 1: But I'm just ready to I know the guys you're 819 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:38,279 Speaker 1: gonna bring in is gonna be ready to compete, help 820 00:37:38,320 --> 00:37:40,080 Speaker 1: with women, and that's what we need in the secretary 821 00:37:40,200 --> 00:37:42,400 Speaker 1: right now. So there's no knocking, you know, nothing like that. 822 00:37:42,440 --> 00:37:44,359 Speaker 1: We're gonna compete at the end of this football That's 823 00:37:44,360 --> 00:37:46,399 Speaker 1: what I played. But you know I compere to day, 824 00:37:46,400 --> 00:37:49,160 Speaker 1: so ready to go. You know one thing about Aaron Glennow, 825 00:37:49,719 --> 00:37:52,640 Speaker 1: he said you're one of his favorite players on the roster. 826 00:37:52,760 --> 00:37:55,640 Speaker 1: He called you a dog. What does that mean to you? 827 00:37:56,120 --> 00:38:00,200 Speaker 1: It means a lot, just because I told him, like 828 00:38:00,280 --> 00:38:03,120 Speaker 1: giving up touchdown, giving up catches, and the first day 829 00:38:03,120 --> 00:38:04,719 Speaker 1: I told him that, He's like, You're a dog. But 830 00:38:05,040 --> 00:38:07,239 Speaker 1: it's not even about that. He just know I'm gonna 831 00:38:07,239 --> 00:38:09,120 Speaker 1: give him my whole every time. I'm gonna compete, no 832 00:38:09,280 --> 00:38:11,799 Speaker 1: matter from hurt, I'm still gonna compete. So just hearing 833 00:38:11,880 --> 00:38:14,400 Speaker 1: my defensive QUARTERBA call him here a dog and Aaron 834 00:38:14,440 --> 00:38:17,480 Speaker 1: Glenn is a pro bowler to be a holiday Yeah, man, 835 00:38:17,800 --> 00:38:19,160 Speaker 1: that mean he's a lot. So I'm just taking it 836 00:38:19,280 --> 00:38:22,680 Speaker 1: in and keep going. Playing behind a young defensive line. 837 00:38:22,760 --> 00:38:25,359 Speaker 1: Aiden is obviously down here up for Rookie of the Year. 838 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:28,319 Speaker 1: He just got it. Yeah, James Houston came out really 839 00:38:28,400 --> 00:38:30,600 Speaker 1: strong at the end of the year. Just what does 840 00:38:30,640 --> 00:38:34,240 Speaker 1: it mean as as a secondary, as a cornerback playing 841 00:38:34,320 --> 00:38:37,000 Speaker 1: behind some young guys that look like that's gonna be 842 00:38:37,400 --> 00:38:39,919 Speaker 1: you know, part of that defense, which that that really 843 00:38:40,080 --> 00:38:42,239 Speaker 1: clicks up here in the coming years if those guys 844 00:38:42,320 --> 00:38:44,560 Speaker 1: continue on this trend. Man, I was just watching the 845 00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:47,080 Speaker 1: game this past season playing with that. You gotta thinking 846 00:38:47,080 --> 00:38:49,839 Speaker 1: about a player with a hungry young defensive line group 847 00:38:49,880 --> 00:38:52,719 Speaker 1: who trying to attack the quarterback every play. That's just 848 00:38:52,880 --> 00:38:56,080 Speaker 1: make all joy easier. And then with us being more sticky, 849 00:38:56,320 --> 00:38:57,920 Speaker 1: you know, being on the receiver, they gonna make they 850 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:00,400 Speaker 1: draw easy. So we're on the same page, like me, Houston. 851 00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:03,080 Speaker 1: After the Carolina game, we just connitted because we know 852 00:39:03,680 --> 00:39:05,839 Speaker 1: d a lot of dvs are worked together in the game, 853 00:39:05,920 --> 00:39:08,080 Speaker 1: like you know, we were best. It's marriage, right, So 854 00:39:08,280 --> 00:39:10,200 Speaker 1: like we're just trying to miss you on the same page, 855 00:39:10,239 --> 00:39:12,680 Speaker 1: but seeing them young guys won't real like that. I'm 856 00:39:12,719 --> 00:39:14,399 Speaker 1: ready to roll. I think I'm gonna get some picks 857 00:39:14,440 --> 00:39:16,839 Speaker 1: a lot this year here. How much are you looking 858 00:39:16,880 --> 00:39:19,160 Speaker 1: forward to getting things rolling? Now? You gotta take your time, 859 00:39:19,160 --> 00:39:21,520 Speaker 1: you gotta get your body right. But at ninety eight, 860 00:39:21,719 --> 00:39:23,640 Speaker 1: the way you guys s finished, I don't think anybody 861 00:39:23,680 --> 00:39:25,760 Speaker 1: in the NFC want to see you guys in the playoffs. 862 00:39:25,880 --> 00:39:28,640 Speaker 1: And so to take that momentum into next season, how 863 00:39:28,760 --> 00:39:31,040 Speaker 1: much are you looking forward to building upon this year 864 00:39:31,600 --> 00:39:33,640 Speaker 1: and really taking this sing to the next I'm ready 865 00:39:33,680 --> 00:39:35,960 Speaker 1: to start it from game one. I don't like how 866 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,000 Speaker 1: we started from game sits, but hey, we finished rolling. 867 00:39:38,040 --> 00:39:39,640 Speaker 1: But I'm ready to start from game one. And they 868 00:39:39,680 --> 00:39:42,120 Speaker 1: started training camp, so I'm ready to get bad. I know, 869 00:39:42,160 --> 00:39:43,680 Speaker 1: I gotta get my mind off of right now, but 870 00:39:43,719 --> 00:39:45,680 Speaker 1: I can't. It's just football. That's what I love to do. 871 00:39:45,800 --> 00:39:48,200 Speaker 1: All Detroit where I want to be, So I'm ready 872 00:39:48,200 --> 00:39:49,640 Speaker 1: to get back out there and do them all. So 873 00:39:49,920 --> 00:39:51,560 Speaker 1: I think you're gonna be reportant for us to start 874 00:39:51,680 --> 00:39:53,800 Speaker 1: early in training cap Man, move on the preseason, and 875 00:39:53,920 --> 00:39:55,680 Speaker 1: you know, go from there. A man of his word. 876 00:39:55,760 --> 00:40:00,600 Speaker 1: He brought the energy on the tournament, you know, every time. Jerry, 877 00:40:00,680 --> 00:40:02,839 Speaker 1: thanks so much for taking the time. Man. Enjoy the week, 878 00:40:03,040 --> 00:40:05,480 Speaker 1: enjoy the offseason, get to work, come back and we'll 879 00:40:05,520 --> 00:40:07,440 Speaker 1: talk in ot As. Appreciate it, man, Thank you so much. 880 00:40:07,640 --> 00:40:08,120 Speaker 1: Thanks Jerry,