In The Pocket Part 3

by Longvillian65 | 1 year ago | 0 Comments

“In The Pocket”

By: Kirk Herbstreit

 

 

We are at the end of another great season of redzone! There have been plenty of surprises along the way which always makes things more exciting. If you have been following the “In The Pocket” series you know we have reviewed rookies, interviewed coaches, but we have not gone through and listened to other experts this year yet. So for the third and final part of the series we sat down one Saturday night with a group of everyone’s favorite analysts and asked fun questions. So without further ado here are the results from that sit down.

 

1. What team do you think was the biggest surprise team this year for you and why?

 

Rich Eison- The Bucs are shocking, regardless of what you make of their HC. I think as time goes on he will join the pack a bit more, teams need to get film on him & figure things out.  I am also surprised with the Commanders, I think that they have a pretty decent roster, but this is Coach Bubba Bitz' best coaching job to date

 

Donavon McNabb- Has to be the New York Football Giants. The names don't jump off the pages for that roster, and they have a new and unproven coaching staff. But they are right in the mox for the division title and a home playoff game. They've been consistent throughout the season.

 

Field Yates- Everyone is going to say the Bucs, so I will veer away from that one. I think the NFC East has two surprises in the Commanders and Giants. VC was an unknown going into the cycle, he has played very well thus far and should continue to contend moving forward. Coach Eikim, a league favorite coach, has always had hit or miss seasons, so it is nice to see him come in on the first season and start winning games, and he's got that defense playing tough.

 

Colin Cowherd- Regardless of user, new or veteran of RZ, I don’t think anyone would have called Tampa Bay. Talented for sure, but questions at QB. Trade for Lance and he was the magic sauce? Easy choice here.

 

Ryen Russillo- Cardinals. Even with a 7-9 record, JP getting 7 wins and being competitive with that roster is unbelievable. They started 0-3 and went 7-6 since.

 

2. Who do you think the biggest letdown team this year has been for you and why?

 

Rich Eison- Several teams come to mind - I am shocked at the underperformance of Miami, Baltimore & Dallas. All have very strong rosters with star power throughout their respective lineups.  I just expected more.

 

Donavon McNabb- Easily the Eagles. That team is loaded with talent at every level. They've struggled in different facets of the game at some point throughout the course of the season.  They made big off-season moves to bolster and already impressive roster. And they're flirting with a .500 finish for the season; most probably going to be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

 

Field Yates- Coach Adam and the Raiders. They are letting me down with their season efforts, basically equivalent to punting on 1st down.

 

Colin Cowherd-Ravens. Lamar, Run game, MAndrews, defense. This roster seemed to be tailor made for Coach Jim. Just hasn’t come together this season.

 

Ryen Russillo- Definitely the Dolphins. That offense is loaded and Coach Spencer hasn't figured out how to use Tyreek Hill and Waddle consistently. 

 

3. What do you think the biggest surprise athlete has been this season and why? Think hard on this as it does not have to be the big name guy

 

Rich Eison- I think it has to be Darnell Mooney. Mooney has been money for the Cardinals this season & if you look at the top of the leaderboard, its littered with familiar names. Your Chase's, Kelce's, Hill's etc.  Mooney was never considered to be that Tier of WR & he has really shown out in the Panos Offense.

 

Donavon McNabb- N/A

 

Field Yates- Taysom Hill. He is nearing a 1k yard season as the TE2 on the team. That is unheard of.

 

Colin Cowherd- NYG CB Cordale Flott. 2nd yr man out of LSU. 9 INTs on the season. And is among some of the top tier DBs in all of RZ. He’s a star in the making

 

Ryen Russillo- Darnell Mooney. After being traded to the Cardinals, he is currently tied for the league lead in touchdowns with 19.

 

4. Who do you think is the team to watch next year based off how they played this season and the way they are building the team?

 

Rich Eison- I think the team building will really kick off this offseason where all of these coaches wrap up their first season with their new teams & can leave their mark. That being said it could take any good feelings we have now about that team & totally ruin it with a poor offseason.  Based off what I saw this season I would say its Houston. They made the move to add Jefferson & he has been a stud. There is not a lot of star power elsewhere on that team & it shows. They are competitive in most games & even with an underdeveloped roster they battle & make teams earn their W's, unlike a team in Vegas. 

 

Donavon McNabb- Trey Lance in TB is the first name I think of. Looked over in SF and shipped out without a 2nd thought. All he's done is lead his team to a 15-0 start, in phenomenal fashion.This has to be his version of a "disrespect tour," right?

 

Field Yates- Vikings. They traded away Jefferson and Hock to get a handful of high draft picks, and they are still likely to make the playoffs this season. If he can develop guys, he is going to start making some noise.

 

Colin Cowherd- Vikings. Took all the slings and arrows for trading their two best weapons. And right in the middle of a division race with CHI and DET. Plus, the draft capital to get their QB if it’s not Capitan Kirk.

 

Ryen Russillo- Texans. They have draft capital and a ton of money, they're going to bring in more help around Stroud and Justin Jefferson.

 

5. Is there a coach on the hot seat? What do you think he needs to do to save his job?

 

Rich Eison- I think the Blatant tank job in Vegas is deplorable & he should be escorted out of that building immediately. But scandals aside, I think the Ravens have to be better, its really poor what we have seen from that team. There is so much talent on the roster they need to be able to string together more victories.  Their coach's strength is usually defense & team building.  Well the team came into the cycle in great shape, but it hasnt translated. The reported reluctance to talk trade with a majority of the league is going to bite him in the backside as well, sometime thinking you're the smartest guy in the room does not mean that you are.  Sure trading Lamar is GM Malpractice, but moving other pieces to get in guys that better fit your system is a totally normal thing & shutting talks down before they even happen on a majority of your roster, is just bad gm work.

 

Donavon McNabb- Coach Alonzo Creasy-McCall in Philly. Early on it wasn't looking good for him at all, but they've made some changes on defense and started to open up the playbook more. It looks like they're on the right path to redemption. The future can begin to get brighter if they somehow manage to make the playoffs, or can look more bleak if they do in fact miss the post season tournament.

 

Field Yates- Kad has been here like 4 weeks and the people of Boston are already calling for his head. The roster isn't great, and we all wonder what Kad's plans are to change the outlook.

 

Colin Cowherd- Always enjoy my time speaking with Coach Spence. But there’s not enough Chex Mix in the world to answer for how these Dolphins have struggled. While the defense is holding up their end, this offense is not a bottom third offense.

 

Ryen Russillo- White Greg. Suspension issues, disappointing season, and inactivity. Needs to get Bijan the ball more and get invested in the league again.

 

6. Out of Denver, Houston, Dallas, and the Rams who will have a better bounce back season?

 

Rich Eison- Easily Houston, previous SB winning coach & the only one I have any faith in currently.

 

Donavon McNabb- I think it's Houston. They have their QB of the future as well as a HoF caliber WR already in tow. Cap space will make it possible to go out and acquire talent via FA during the off season.

 

Field Yates- Houston. They are one of the youngest teams and all their best players are all on rookie deals. They are going to develop into something great. Oh, and that Justin Jefferson guy is pretty good too.

 

Colin Cowherd- Texans have a WR1, QB and run game in place. Defense should be the sole focus this offseason and be ready to enter the mix in the AFCS.

 

Ryen Russillo- Houston or Dallas. I like the coaches and the rosters. Denver and the Rams have question marks everywhere and I don't see a way out for Denver until they get rid of Russell Wilson.

 

7. The Cards, steelers, and Chiefs have all been sacked 60+ times this season. Why do you think the sack numbers are so high and what can those teams do to fix it?

 

Rich Eison- It is a combination of things, poor Oline doesnt help anyone, but also the systems that some of these guys run is to blame.  Arizona likes to chuck it deep, and honestly why not have Kyler use his legs to extend plays & get things down the field. If he is able to limit turnovers & take "smart sacks", I think the risk/reward to him holding the ball, can swing in his favor.  The same with KC, I would rather have my guy take some more sacks if it means we will have more shots at Big Plays.  A team like Pitt who does not have a strong QB should be working to get the ball out quick & setting up their qb with easy throws. I have way less faith in Pickett making a splash play by holding the ball too long then someone with the skillset of Kyler...and Mahomes is Mahomes.

 

Donavon McNabb- QBs waiting for long developing routes to open. Historically this has been reqard well worth the risk as very frw QBs have ever been hurt in RZ, in recent memory. But lately we've seen QBs miss time due to injury i.e. Kyler Murray. I would be weary of this level of awareness.

 

Field Yates- I don't hate sacks. If you look around the league, a lot of the teams that are bottom in sacked also throw a lot of INTs. Some plays will have no one get open and there's not much you can do if you can't get outside the pocket. You can take a 6 yard loss and come out on 2nd and 16, or you can throw into traffic and hope for the best. I'll take option 1.

 

Colin Cowherd- All three have holes on the OLine. I expect all three to either spend some cap or high draft picks on some OLine help. This class seems to have some Day 1 starters in there at multiple spots.

 

Ryen Russillo- Holding the ball to avoid interceptions. I don't think it is something that is necessarily fixable, more so the lesser of two evils.

 

8. Who do you believe the super bowl champ will be? 

 

Rich Eison- The LA Chargers - Great on both sides of the ball, had a hiccup early in the season but has been really strong as of late. The roster is ready to win, they have a multi time SB Winning coach, and picking the Chiefs or Bucs just isnt fun

 

Donavon McNabb- Kansas City - Mahomes + Adel = 'Nuff said

Field Yates- Stupid Adel and the Chiefs

 

Colin Cowherd- I think both current #1 seeds trip up and the one true Don of RZ gets the monkey off his back. Moji makes Nashville TITLETOWN!

 

Ryen Russillo- Chiefs or Buccaneers. They've been the best two teams all season.

 

9. Is there a sleeper team that could make some waves come playoff time?

 

Rich Eison- How do you count out coach Astin? I dont think the league wide belief right now is the Bears are a SB team, especially with teams like Tampa & KC sitting out there. You cannot discount how good this team has been defensively & I think when the weather gets worse during playoff time, Fields can use his legs to create more then some of the QBs he will go up against in the playoffs.  Plus you know they won't be out coached

 

Donavon McNabb- Cleveland Browns - if the Cleveland Browns make it in, Coach Honeycutt can easily get on a crazy hot streak and shock the world.

 

Field Yates- Coach Kelly and the Browns are quietly surging as of lately. After a rocky start of the season, it feels like he is putting it all together.

 

Colin Cowherd- Brother Glenn and the Saints. Top passing game in all of RZ and he’s not afraid to sling it around the yard.

 

Ryen Russillo- Bears. They are a tough out every single week, and will have a home playoff game. Astin is as battle tested as they come.

 

10. Wildcard question.....No question at all. You are free to say any bit that you want here. blast someone, praise someone, or anything you like. 

 

Rich Eison- I want to say how happy I am that RZ is back, it was a long off-cycle period & I am glad things are clicking here early in this cycle. Hopefully activity stays high & media keeps on churning.  The league is better when we have more off the field projects.  I implore all of the new guys to get more involved in media. I would love to hear two of the new guys partner up & make their own Pod. Its always great to see different perspectives into RZ & not the same 5 voices all the time.  I think seeing how new guys come into RZ & share their challenges, thoughts, opinions & suggestions can be very helpful.  And sure if your suggestion sucks we will tell you, but its not personal. Everything is to keep driving RZ forward, so get involved!

Donavon McNabb- N/A

 

Field Yates- I can't wait for the offseason. The first one is always the best.

 

Colin Cowherd- The Eagles are not out of the playoff picture by any means. But with this roster and the coach that were in place to start this cycle, 8-7-1 is not what I would have expected. Based on roster alone, they should have ram and hid with this division.

 

Ryen Russillo- Shoutout to the Rams on not tanking and trying to remain competitive every single week...big win over the Commies in Week 15.

 

This has been a great season and the rest of the cycle looks promising. There are always the booms and busts during the year, and we will always have one of these fine gentlemen share their thoughts on the matter. We appreciate everyone taking the time to read through and now we wait for the offseason! Offseason is even more exciting than on the field sometimes. Now time to sit back and watch as the Niners come out and surprise the world in the playoffs!