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The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Richard Sherman Podcast - Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings will be BEST Week 18 game EVER
00:52:02
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- [00:00]
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- [00:37]
Richard Sherman
The volume you know this, sir.
- [00:47]
Mitchell
Super Bowl Championship.
- [00:48]
Richard Sherman
That should always be the expectation. I ain't mad at you. Go ahead. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast, presented by our friends and partners over at Breitling. Keeping us shining, making sure we write all night. And this was another great game between The San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions. Mitchell, I see you smiling over there. Your Honolulu Blue Boys showed up again, but it was a lot tighter. And I love the way The San Francisco 49ers fought and they took an L. But that was a, that was.
- [01:20]
Mitchell
A fun game to watch, no question about it. Monday night, really nothing at stake here, but a great game nonetheless. And San Francisco came out buzzing early and often. Three touchdowns in that first half. Broc Purdy, my goodness, if, if he didn't want a contract, that sure didn't look like it tonight. The guy was on fire and he certainly looks like he deserves an extension, which I'm sure he'll get here soon. But Richard, I think being a Detroiter, and you hear the landscape of Detroit media here, talking about the Lions this week, the assumption was they were going to go into San Francisco and they were going to dominate and that was going to be it. The question was whether they were going to play their starters or rest them and treat this as a bye week. Ultimately, Dan Campbell chose out, chose to go out with his full cast of characters. The San Francisco 49ers still have a ton of talent on this team despite the injuries that they're facing as well. And they showed it in this game, especially offensively. And they give the Lions hell in that first half. And frankly, I think everyone was a bit nervous and Troy Aikman said it best. You know, Detroit looked lethargic. They look tired defensively and that's my big area of concern for Detroit Lions, because offensively, Rich, I don't know if there's a better team in the league. I think they certainly have it. But defensively, can they withstand the, the, the time against big, bigger and Better teams. Minnesota is going to be a true test next week, but I got to hear your thoughts on this week. I want to know what you think of my Detroit Lions. And obviously, you need to give the 49ers some love, too.
- [02:51]
Richard Sherman
Yeah, yeah. You know, you got to give your boys a lot of love. You know, they played a very physical brand of football. I know everybody expected it to be a bloodbath and Detroit to impose their will. And San Francisco had other plans. They did it without Trenton Williams, without Christian McCaffrey, and they were able to be effective. You know, Isaac Garendo caught some passes out of the backfield, did a really good job. Purdy throws for 377 yards, did throw two interceptions to Kirby Joseph, who was making his late, late surge for defensive player of the year. You got to give it. You got to give him some consideration. Nine interceptions and two critical interceptions in the fourth quarter of this ball game. Really great plays coming downhill. Obviously, it was film study. The guy understood the assignment, understood where Brock Purdy was going with the football, baited him into it, took the ball away. I'd love to hear him talk about that play because it really looked like he understood what was going on right there. The first one was a bit of an overthrow. He took advantage of it. But the second one was something that he saw on tape. He read the formation, he read the personnel, read the play, and he made a huge play in the ball game, which ended up sealing it. Now, on the other side, San Francisco 49ers defense, you know, they played a solid football game. You know, Nicholas John Bosa gets two sacks. You know, they showed a lot of pride out there. They didn't give up. They didn't fold it in. But Jared Goff, those interceptions, short field, he's going to find a way to get it done. He's going to find a way to execute and score. But Jake Moody gotta go. Jake Moody has to go at this point. Now, no. Fans, you know, are so sensitive because we're in a day and age where everybody gets a participation trophy. And no, you don't talk bad about anybody, but you got to do your job. And at the end of the day, you know, this team loses the game by six points. He missed two field goals and a path. You missed two field goals in a pat. I mean, again, this is a. This is a business where you have to execute, especially at that position. And he has not done it at a high enough tilt. And I understand he was drafted and all this, had all this acclaim. Again, the Detroit Lions found their kicker in a brick shop last year. They found him. He was working in a brick shop, doing a heck of a job. Jake Bates, no offense to him. No, not. No. No shots at him, but he's doing a phenomenal job. He's. You can find a kicker literally anywhere. And so I think they. They've done the best they could to hold on to him and try to make it work and try to develop him, but it's time to let it go. It's time for him to get a fresh start. Maybe he'll do better somewhere else, but he cannot kick another kick for the San Francisco 49ers. If he does, you're doing a disservice to this team. And you can see the frustration building with Kyle Shanahan because he doesn't even think their kicks are going to go in because they haven't. They haven't been going in. Whether it's close, whether it's a deep kick, whether it's a 30 yarder, whether it's 40 yarder, the kid has no confidence. He didn't even have confidence in the onside kick. So I just think it's time to let him go. You know, I think you do it now and let him go find another home this offseason and figure that out. Bring some kickers in. Let him spend the off season battling you. Bring two or three of them in, let them battle it out, you know, and find you a guy that. That can be consistent and at least make 85, 90% of his kicks.
- [06:09]
Mitchell
Well, Richard, this is going to be a key off season for The San Francisco 49ers, eliminated from playoff contention. Obviously, they face some key questions. Let's start with Deebo Samuel. I know you got a tremendous amount of respect for him. He's a dog. He plays multiple positions for this team and is obviously beyond just a wide out for him. We didn't see him run the ball as much as he did in years past. And I just wonder if maybe, you know, the 49ers might look to move on from him this offseason. Do you think there's a realistic shot at that, facing the cap restraints that they are right now as a franchise?
- [06:46]
Richard Sherman
I'm not sure. I think they're loyal to the guys that they drafted, the guys that they've developed and they have relationships with. I think they more likely move on to guys that they picked up in free agency and look to restructure that way before they go to, you know, the. The homebred guys. The the guys that they, you know, drafted out of college, the guy that's been there through multiple Super Bowls and played really at a high level for them in years past and just hasn't, you know, it just hasn't worked out this season. So I doubt they go to him first. I think they make a lot of other moves before they go to Deebo Samuel. And even at that point, I think they talk about a restructure before they talk about cut. But you never know. You know, I'm not, I'm not in the office. I'm not with the front office. I don't talk to John lynch about these kind of moves. You know, we, we talk about st football and things like that and have some really good conversations, but I don't talk to him about what moves they're making with personnel. Ricky Purcell had had one of his best games. Eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. He looked really good, starting to come into his own. George Kittle continues to be a menace on the field. 8 catches for 112 yards. Continues to be one of the best tight ends in the National Football League. I expect him to get a Pro bowl berth this year. And, but let's go back to the other side, to your Detroit Lions. I mean, Kirby Joseph having an all pro year. Amon ra St. Brown had a, had a really, really solid game. Eight catches for 60 yards and obviously the touchdown on what looked like a coverage bus. Jameson Williams had five catch 77 yards, one touchdown. Jameer Gibbs, 18 rushes for 117 yards and one touchdown. And it didn't even look that hard for him. It looks like an easy game. He always turned, he's always turning his legs, getting extra yards after contact. And you saw that on a number of plays where there was one play, he was stopped four or five yards in the backfield, cut back all the way across the field. Made a positive play out of it, though. That's the, the, the difference he can make. Now you're talking about getting David Montgomery back potentially for next week or the playoffs, depending on, you know, if they get the bye week. It seems like perfect timing. A fresh David Montgomery coming back right in time for a divisional playoff game would be excellent for this team. And you got to give him a lot of credit. I know you're, you're, you're low on the defense right now, but they're winning games with, with mismatched pieces. Pieces. They're having some fun. The hook and lateral play was a really cool play. You know, you rarely ever See that National Football League and Jameson Williams did a great job taking it and getting up out of there. It was cool to see, it's cool to see the fun that they're having in Detroit.
- [09:13]
Mitchell
Well, you got to give a lot of credit to Jameson Williams. This is a guy that, I mean, he's gone through, through it here the first couple years in Detroit, you know, getting suspended for the gambling issue, you know, obviously tearing his out of Alabama. You know, there was some off field stuff that went on locally here and you know, he's taken flags for unnecessary roughness. Early in the Chicago game, it's like, come on, man, like we got to get together. And you're starting to see the maturation of Jameson Williams. You know, this guy being such a high draft pick as he was and coming from Alabama, the expectations for him were to be like Chris Olave, be like Garrett Wilson. It's just taking him more time and what you see with him is an absolute burner. But you can see that route tree start to develop with them. And they talked about it on the broadcast. You know, Jameson Williams become a hell of a lot more surehanded. And you can see Jared Goff trust him a lot more as well. When you put him and you get this Detroit Lion Lions offense fully humming and you get David Montgomery back, this is going to be what they're going to have to lean on if they want to do damage in this playoffs. We saw tonight the defense can be an area of concern. The bright spot being Kirby Joseph. And shout out to Kirby Joseph. He's our player in prime time. Brought to you by our friends and partner over at Breitling, Richard. Kirby Joseph deserves the Honolulu blue Breitling that I got on, no question. After performance like this, he's got to keep it going. He's got to elevate his game, continue to develop, elevate this defenses game as they go into week 18 in a must win scenario against the Minnesota Vikings. It's the most wonderful time of the year for getting in on all the hoops, football and hockey action at DraftKings Sportsbook. In the season of giving, we're being gifted. College football and basketball, pro football and basketball and pro hockey too. Almost 24 7. So many games every day, so many opportunities to place your first bet. Try betting on something simple like picking a team to win. Go to the DraftKings sportsbook app and place your bet now. And here's a gift for all new customers. Bet just $5 to get $150 in bonus bets. If your bet wins, download the DraftKings sportsbook app and use Code Richard. That's Code Richard for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins when you bet just five bucks. Happy holidays from DraftKings. The crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.1800gambler.net In New York, call 877-8-HOPNY or text H O P E N Y 467-369. In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort licensee partner Golden Nugget Lake Charles. Plus, age varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. See sportsbook.draftkings.com Football terms for eligibility and deposit restrictions terms and responsible gaming resources. We were talking about it off air before we got started. It is insane to think that these two teams, 14 and 2, are tied right now. Detroit owns the tiebreaker, but this game is going to decide it all in week 18 on Sunday night. Richard, how crazy is it? How much are you looking forward to this matchup?
- [12:41]
Richard Sherman
I'm really looking forward to it. It's probably one of the craziest endings in the National Football League's history with teams with this kind of record, with everything on the line. And then you really talk about, you know, what's going on throughout the season. I think Detroit has gotten a lot of credit, been dominant. The expectation has been there for him the whole season. But for the Minnesota Vikings, they haven't necessarily got the love, they haven't necessarily got the spotlight, and they've been right there keeping pace with him all season long. You don't talk about a lot of their guys. Jonathan Granard is having a heck of a season. Van Gink, we bring up all the time having a heck of a season. We talk about Addison and Justin Jefferson because obviously he's one of the best receivers in the National Football League. But Sam Darnold has done a phenomenal job. You know, you saw the locker room elated when he comes in there, you know, splashing with water, putting him on their shoulders. You know, this is a team that, that understands the moment, that is played hard, that is played well, executed well in very critical times in a game. And like we talked about off air, they're going to be one in five no matter what. These two teams are going to be the one seed and a five seed, whatever order they play in. And it's likely that a 14 win team that's a 5 seed will beat the 4 seed. Regardless of circumstances, they'll likely get that win. So you're talking about a divisional rematch more than likely happening. That's pretty crazy. That's pretty crazy. So you might get this in week 18 and then get this again in the divisional round because that's probably how the wild card is going to shake out. If the teams win that, you, record wise, do what they're supposed to do.
- [14:14]
Mitchell
Richard, who do you think needs this win more? Because obviously the Detroit Lions, they're, they're in desperate need of some rest. But the Minnesota Vikings, I think, need this game for national validation, right? I mean, you said it best. The Detroit Lions have been getting a lot of national spotlight with, with Minnesota relatively in the shadows. And I don't mean to that it is any disrespect to Minnesota. They've certainly proved a lot of people wrong with the, with the level of talent they have on this roster. But who do you think needs this win more? Minnesota or Detroit?
- [14:47]
Richard Sherman
I think, I think Detroit needs some more. I think Detroit needs some more because of what you talked about. They need rest. They need a chance to maybe get a player or two back from, from the ir, get or two back healthy, especially on that defensive side. I got to look through the roster, but getting two weeks off, at least a week off, and then another week to potentially get some guys back would be a blessing for that team. And you just hope that that's enough to get them over the hump going into the divisional round because they're so, so banged up on defense. The Minnesota Vikings have been rolling, but you're like, like you said, the Minnesota Vikings need it for another reason. That validation that, hey, we've been here the whole time, we've been playing well, and I know you guys see Sam Darnold as a Cinderella story, but at this point, he ain't Cinderella no more. Cinderella is a long time ago. They're there, they're here to stay, and they've proven that all season long. And defensively, Brian Flores looking for another head coaching job again. He's going to be up in those conversations again. He's found a way to get this defense humming to get guys in position. They've played well in big games, divisional games. They just played well against the Green Bay packers getting pressure. Obviously they, they, they gave up some points late in that game, but for the most part, there's nothing to complain about in Minnesota about how they're playing. They got A great team, and I look forward to seeing them perform in the playoffs.
- [16:03]
Mitchell
One of the things that is very unique about Minnesota is the way they play defensively. And Brian Flores has brought a new tone to Minnesota and their defense has set that standard for this team this season for sure. What is it that is so unique about the way Brian Flores schemes things up with this Minnesota defense?
- [16:23]
Richard Sherman
Well, you just really never know where the pressure is coming from. And he brings it in very unique ways, unorthodox ways. A lot of times when they back out, they back out in the COVID too, but the few times they don't, it's zero coverage and there's not a guy popping out. And you don't expect the guy to be, to be bringing pressure from the side. He's bringing it or, you know, he's popping out three linemen instead of three linebackers, and three linebackers are, are, are, are being in the pressure. And so you gotta, you gotta adjust for that and you gotta prepare for so many different combinations of pressures. And I think that's something that he did with England a lot, something he did when he was with the Miami Dolphins and something he continues to do in Minnesota. And it's effective. It's effective because it's not, it's unconventional. It's not something quarterbacks see all the time. It looks a lot different on tape than it does in person. And these guys on the Minnesota Vikings defense are, seem to be tailored, made for this scheme. You know, you talk about Van Gink having a great year, Garnard having a career year. Our guy Stefan Gilmore is still doing his thing at the cornerback position. Harrison Smith, same way you got guys that are veterans who have played in this game and really, really are starting to, are continuing to blossom, continuing to shine, and I love to see it.
- [17:34]
Mitchell
Can we get a prediction? Who does Richard Sherman like to win this game, Vikings or the Lions?
- [17:40]
Richard Sherman
I think the Honolulu Blue boys get it done. I think Detroit wins this game. I think it's going to be a close game. And Kevin O'Connell and his staff have done well in close games. But again, Jared Goff and these boys are battle tested. They were just in another dogfight with a team that was just in the super bowl last season. And they held their own more than held their own. Scored 40 points in a ball game and came out with a win. So I expect them to find a way to win this game, get some rest going into the divisional round of the playoffs and come out and really make a run at the Super Bowl.
- [18:13]
Mitchell
Well, Richard, with the 49ers and Seahawks now eliminated from playoff contention, I formally invite you onto the bandwagon of the Honolulu Blue Detroit Lions throughout this playoff run. You're free to join anytime. Rich, let's shift the narrative a bit here, but we're going to keep talking about the Vikings because they played in a very tough game against the packers, and we saw something come out of it that, you know. Unfortunately, their linebacker Pat Jones took an injury due to a Tucker Craft low block. Richard, I know you always defend defensive players, and it seems to me like this block technique needs to be out of the game. Richard, first off, you know your thought on, on how to protect defensive ends and linebackers more when they're getting chipped at the line of scrimmage. Do you think those low blocks should be thrown out of the game?
- [19:04]
Richard Sherman
Yes, I think they should be thrown out the same way they, they made the conscientious decision. You see the discrepancy and really the stark difference in which the league goes out of their way to protect offensive players with the rule. In this game. You could see it. In this game, there was a penalty called on Harrison Smith for chopping an offensive lineman where he didn't even chop him. He put his shoulder pads in his hip, stayed on his feet like the guy pushed him to the ground. Okay, that's not what you mean. A chop block is. And they called a flag, a 15 yard penalty, unsportsmanlike conduct. And move the ball down the field. And then on the other side, you have a guy, a tight end, running full speed into a guy's knee, and you're saying, oh, that's just part of the offense. It's like, does the world not see this? Does the world not see how skewed this is, how ridiculous it is for defensive players? And you talk about the safety of the game. It's frustrating. And it's very frustrating every single time that you see it because it's rarely as obvious as it is in those two plays. You look at the Harrison Smith play and you're like, that didn't look like a dangerous play. And you're not hearing many people get injured on that. Usually the linemen kind of jump over the guy cutting them and they both roll to the ground and the running back keeps going and it's just one for one and everything goes on. This play has been dangerous for a long time. And you're still not letting guys cut. You're not letting guys chop in there. And that's where it's frustrating you got 330 pound linemen running into 180 pound corners who can't chop them. But you're telling me a tight end that weighs 260 running into a DN that weighs 270, he needs to cut him. No, stay up, be a man and hit him. And the league needs to go correct that. They need to go fix that rule and make that illegal because it should not be legal in a tackle box or anywhere on the field. If you cannot cut offensive lineman as a corner, as a 185 pound guy cutting a 330 pounder, which would make sense in every bit of football, then two guys that are like, sized, you shouldn't be seeing one of them run full speed until the other one's knee. And that be a legal play. I'm sorry. At some point, you got to give the defense something. You got to protect us, too. And I know the whole game is, hey, defensive players, every, every time a guy goes to tackle somebody, you tell them it's the defensive player's responsibility to keep the offensive players safe. Which is always one of the most ridiculous things I ever hear. But you never hear it's the offensive player's responsibility to keep the defensive player safe. Tucker Kraft wasn't, wasn't trying to keep him safe. He wasn't going to keep him safe. He wasn't protecting him. And it wasn't even a necessary crazy block. You could have hit him in his hip. You could have hit him in his hip like Harrison Smith did, moved him out of the way and the hole would have been there. But again, from the outside, in the public view, offense can do no wrong. Hey, you heard a defensive player. So what? Toughen up. Offensive player gets hurt, you're like, dirty, they're dirty. You see how dirty these defenders are. He rolled over his ankle. It's like, I tackled him. I tackled him, but. Stop the bullshit, man. This, I, I hate this part of the league. I really do.
- [22:19]
Mitchell
I hate to tell you this, rich, but Matt LaFleur disagrees with you. He called the block a totally legal play and said it was the same thing their guys were doing to our defensive ends. Richard, I'm with you, man. They got to take these types of plays out of the, out of the game because there's so much talent in this league and the shame of it, and unfortunately, me being a homer Detroit Lions fan, you see it, you see what injuries can do. And they happen at random at any time. These types of plays that are totally unnecessary. This, this hit by Tucker Kraft was Totally unnecessary and needs to be taken out of the game. Defensive players need to be protected more. Richard, let's move on. We got week 18 around 18 around the corner. There's only so many games that really truly there's some teams with outside shots to make it into the playoffs. You know, one of which Cincinnati Bengals, the other which is the Miami Dolphins, you know, we see some on the NFC side as well. But like Richard, with, with these games that really don't matter and I know you've played in a couple of them late in the season. Like I know you said, hey, start the Lions roster today. But like what's your, where's your mindset at with somebody like the Buffalo Bills who have absolutely nothing to play for? Do you trot out Josh Allen there's and try to keep his consecutive start streak alive? Because that's what it sounds like they're going to do.
- [23:34]
Richard Sherman
Yeah, I mean if they got a streak like that, I'm sure you go out there and allow them to keep it alive. You know, you don't punish a player for having a good season and team having success. I think you, you go out there and let him get a few snaps in, you know, keep them safe, easy run plays, let him hand the ball off a few times and get out of there and put your backups in and finish the game. Andy Reid I think is a little bit different because they know they have the buy. So sitting your starters for this week and next week, that's how things get crazy. But you know, Andy Reid, obviously back to back Super Bowls, he knows better than me. So I'm sure he'll make the best decision that he believes in and they'll go out there. I think they'll play at least some of their guys. I think Chris Jones, who didn't play last week, if he's healthy enough to go, I think he plays at least a quarter or two. Treated like a third preseason game. Maybe play a half with these guys and then let them rest the other half. You really don't care about the result of the game unless you're really that focused on the record. And I don't think they are. I think they go out there and let the guys play, let them get their feet wet, let them go through the motions and then rest them because you just don't want to not play football for two weeks and then go into the most intense game of your season in the playoffs and think it's going to be an easy game. So that's what I think he'll do. But you know, again, Andy Reid is a great coach, one of the greatest coaches to ever coach this game. He knows better than me.
- [24:58]
Mitchell
Well, Bill Belichick chimed in on this today too, and he said, you know, if you're going to rest your six best players, how do you explain it to the rest of your team? I mean, this is not like basketball. Right? Every player on this team is important and injuries can come at any time. So if you're going to rest somebody, you might as well rest everybody. But we'll see how they handle this.
- [25:19]
Richard Sherman
Bill, that's. That's enough. How do you explain to them that you're paying some guys 50 million and other guys 500,000? They understand that's how football is. Hey, why, why, why am I not getting paid the same amount as Travis Kelsey? Yeah, because Travis Kelsey is Travis Kelsey. That's why he's getting arrest. Everybody understands that. Guys, this isn't New England. Again. Everybody gets confused with the New England mentality and everybody's even. No, no, everybody. Everybody's not even. Everybody's not created equally on these football teams. And I guarantee you, everybody on that roster fully understands who the guys are and who not the guys are. Who who has to play and who will not play. And I don't think they will bat an eyelash or feel any offense to it. They will say, hey, Pat's and him. Hey, Chris, you all right? You need some water? Like I'm gonna go out here and play. But you, you good? You know, I don't think they'll have a problem with that. Mitchell.
- [26:08]
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- [26:44]
Mitchell
Let's look at the the playoff picture here. We've got. Let's start with the afc. I mean really, there's a couple teams that can still play their way in. It's a Miami Dolphins and the the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati Bengals need a hell of a lot of luck. I mean they need all eyes will be on the Broncos playing against Kansas City Chiefs and they also need the Dolphins lose to the Jets. But Richard, as it stands Right now we, we look at this and you got the Denver Broncos playing Buffalo Week 1, the Chargers playing the Ravens, Week 1 Steelers against the Texans and Kansas City Chiefs with the buy and then Richard with the nfc. We got Green Bay going on the road against Philly. The Commanders going on the road to the Rams, The Vikings, the 5 seed, somehow a 14 wins, playing the Buccaneers and then the Lions, God willing, with the bye week. What's your favorite matchup with all these games?
- [27:41]
Richard Sherman
I guess you would have to say Green Bay, Philadelphia. You know, this game will happen in the states this time instead of in Brazil. So that'd be a really fun matchup between really talented teams. I would have Philadelphia winning that game, but I think it'd be a good game in Philly. I think it'd be good for the fans, good for the league. I still, you know, holding out hope that Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals get in. But if I'm the Kansas City Chiefs and one of the only guys to ever put me out of the playoffs has a chance to get in and I have to help him get in, I don't think I'm doing everything I can to help him get in. That's why I don't think they're going to do everything they can. If this game is close and they need to fight back. They need to 2 minute drive to go up. They'll probably run the ball in this. Hey, they're down three with a minute and a half to go. I don't even know if they run the two minute drill. Mitchell. I don't even know if they put Carson Wentz in the two minute drill with a chance to put Joe Burrow in these playoffs. And not that Joe Burrow has the team that, that can win it, but do you even want to chance it? Do you even want to put him in there? Like, do you, do you really want to potentially see him? And I'm sure the Buffalo Bills are feeling the same way. Hey, we'd be okay to, we'd be okay seeing, not seeing him. Bo Nicks is fine. We'll take, we'll take this defense, really good defense in Denver, but we'll take them overseeing, seeing them boys, I'd be okay. And I think that's where it's going to end. I think that's what's going to, going to, it's going to be, I don't think the Kansas City Chiefs, not that they're scared of them. Like, don't, don't start any controversy about that. They're the super bowl champs and can compete with anybody. But he's a very dangerous quarterback to let in the playoffs. And if he gets in, things get a lot more complicated for some of these teams.
- [29:25]
Mitchell
Richard, is this something that actually happens in the NFL? The teams jockey for positions so they don't have to play a team? Like is that ever gone through your, your, your mind or any of your teammates minds down the stretch of a playoff run, who you're playing week one of the playoffs?
- [29:42]
Richard Sherman
Well, I, I've rarely ever not been the one seed. But no, I mean I, I don't, I don't think so. Because it, you, you, it. It's the arrogance and confidence and pridefulness of football and football players like you think you can beat anybody. So at least I've never seen it in our locker rooms and I can't speak for other locker rooms because I haven't been in those. But there's never been a team. You're ducking. You're happy to see them all. You're hoping that you get the toughest of them so that the legacy could be what it needs to be. Like we're happy to go through who we need to go through to get this done. You know, we went through Drew Brees one time. We had to go through Aaron, we tried to get through Tom. You know, they threw an interception at the one or we would have went to, we would have went through all of them that year. We would have went through, let's see, we would have went through mvp, A Rod, Tom. And what do we have in a divisional? I think we had Cam in divisional and we got them boys. But yeah, you want to go against the best. So I don't think anybody's ducking smoke like that. But I again, as a team, if you have that, if you're in that position, I don't think you go to win that game. You know what I mean? Not that they're going to be like, oh, we're going to go out here and lose the game. No, they're going to play. They're going to game plan to win. They're going to do everything they need to do. But if the game comes down and Denver's up three with two minutes to go, do they really go down there and look to win this game? Are they really going to be out there trying to execute down a stretch to win this game? I don't know. We'll see. You know, all we can do is see. And if they do, color me surprise.
- [31:16]
Mitchell
One team that is not part of this playoff discussion is the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately, they've been eliminated from playoff contention. This is huge offseason for them. Richard. They got a lot of questions that are in front of them, starting with geno Smith. How do you think they handle the geno Smith situation? Do you extend them? Should they extend them? Where's your head at with geno Smith?
- [31:37]
Richard Sherman
I don't know what they'll do. You know, it seems like the coaching staff loves him. He doesn't have a high cap number right now. You have enough money to be able to go out there and put some talented offensive linemen in front of him. Whether it's through the draft or free agency, they can do a number of things. They can extend him or they can increase the money that he's making next season just to appease him and to kind of band aid it going into the next season and hope that, you know, they can get another, you know, let's see, year out of him. And if he plays well, then you extend him for a certain amount of money mid season or you don't. You know, I don't think you. You get rid of him. I think he at least plays out this contract. You know, maybe they wait and see, give him a little bit of a bone this season. I mean, this off season, which would make some of the incentives or something guaranteed, you know, something like that, where it would make sense, where it's like, hey, we're not going to make you chase incentives and do all that this season. We're going to. We're going to give you these, you know, maybe put some voidable years over it to make sure the contract is what it needs to be and it's not crippling them in any way. But I don't. I don't know if they're in the mood to extend anybody at this point in time. But they're also not going to be in a position to draft high enough to, quote, unquote, draft a franchise quarterback. So unless you get lucky and get a late round guy who's just a menace and we can play the game at a high level, I think you continue with Gino and that's the best case scenario. And I know fans are sitting there like, get rid of Gino, but again, you can do a lot worse than Gino and sometimes you need to see that. And I don't think. I don't want to see it. I don't want to see them do worse than Geno. I don't want to see Gino with a Good offensive line, some time to pass the football and win some games.
- [33:18]
Mitchell
There's been a little bit of buzz developing around the possibility of DK Metcalf getting traded this offseason as well. Do you think it's time for a new space for DK Metcalf or do you think that they can get this back on track here in Seattle?
- [33:36]
Richard Sherman
It depends, you know, where, where would he go? You know, what makes sense. Again, he's only played in Seattle and he's done, he's done a good job, you know, but, but, but, you know, maybe, you know, everything runs its course. So I'm sure the discussions will be out there and if something makes sense for John Snyder and the Seattle Seahawks and make a move where they get a very high draft compensation, I don't think they'd get. Take anything less than a second rounder or so for maybe second and third for, for DK and him getting a home with a quarterback that, that is a good quarterback. You know, you don't want to leave a quarterback that's productive for a young quarterback or a quarterback. You don't know, you know, but I'm trying to think of places I think he could go and really thrive. I mean, he could thrive in any system, but there aren't a lot of teams that are in need of a wide receiver that have an elite quarterback getting the job done right now. And I think that's going to be the issue he'll run into. Do you want to go chase the money and be on a team with a quarterback that you're unsure about or do you stay home and go with what you know and just try to, try to tough this out and maybe see the other side of this team and see if they can be better in year two with Mike McDonald and the staff and Ryan Grubb, offense coordinator in another year and more experience under the belt. So I don't think they trade him. But you know, I've been wrong before.
- [34:55]
Mitchell
Let's chat about the Defensive Player of the Year race. It looked like it was T.J. watts, signed, sealed and delivered. He had a huge lead, especially in Vegas. Odds. But Pat certain your boy, you speak so highly of this young man. His odds are surging. He's at plus 150 right around there to win the Defensive Player of the Year and he certainly looks like he deserves it. Richard, he would be the only second corner since 2010 to win the Defensive Player of the Year awards. Stefan Gilmore being the other one in 2019. Who do you like down the Stretch, I know you mentioned my guy Kirby Joseph here, but who do you see winning this defensive player of the year award? Winning?
- [35:35]
Richard Sherman
Well, obviously TJ Watt felt like he was snubbed for it last year. And so, you know, I would, I would guess he has a. Continues to make a good case for it. Obviously he got a little banged up down the stretch, but certain could definitely be a great choice. Has done a great job at a very high level and I think people are starting to recognize that it doesn't always show on the stat sheet, even though his are showing on the stat sheet this year. He's got a number of interceptions, got a 100 yard pick six. But his coverage, his technique, it's teach tape every single game, every single week. You can turn on the tape. You don't have to be specific about what play you can turn on any game. Close your eyes, move it to the third quarter, you know, second drive of the third quarter and he's going to be playing great defense. And I think it's cool to see him get the recognition and get the attention that he deserves because you don't always get the attention when you don't get a lot of targets. You don't get a lot of chances to make plays. And so people really don't really appreciate the job that you're doing. So it's really cool to see that they're seeing what he's doing and the impact that he's having on this Broncos defense of playing at a really high level. And I've always said you, you should reward great defenses by putting the defensive player of the year on their team. Clearly these guys are playing standout defense, and I think that's been the biggest, my biggest gripe with defensive player of the Year, as it stood, is it goes to guys on average defenses a lot of times. And it's like, that's not the defensive player of the year. It might be statistically, but that'd be like me saying the offensive player of the year is just a guy who's putting up the greatest offensive stats on a bad offense or a middling offense. You wouldn't say that because you, you always say the MVP and offensive player of the year is going to go to a guy on winning teams on, on top offenses. It's not going to go to a guy on an average offense, even if he has really insane stats. And so I think defense player of the year should be the same. I got frustrated that they gave it to Luke Kuechley that year when we had, we had the number one defense in the land. I thought myself or Earl Thomas would get it. They said we split votes so neither of us got it. And I thought, you know, Luke had a pretty good season, but I thought, I thought I had a better season. I thought Earl had a better season. I thought our defense overall had a much better season than their defense. It was a legendary season. They still talk about it and so you got guys having great seasons and it's not being appreciated that way. And I hope that Patrick certain wins it just so that corners can recognized in a way they should be.
- [37:57]
Mitchell
Well, you're not wrong about that. I mean, if you apply the same logic that people are using to vote for defensive player of the year, Joe Burrow would be the MVP and offensive player of the year this year. You called it early on in this podcast. Kirby Joseph, I just looked rich. Would you believe he's plus 250 for the defensive player of the year right now? After this game he's third in line behind TJ Watt and Patrick certain for the pensive player of the year. He puts together one more big game against the Minnesota Vikings and who knows, maybe he comes from, from way downtown and wins this thing. Let's talk a little bit about the San Francisco 49ers. I mean, we already talked about this game against the Lions. We wrapped up a very disappointing season almost. They're 6 and 10 right now and I would imagine they're going to rest some guys in week 18. Where do you start this offseason? How do you prove improve this team? Jed York already says Shanahan and Lynch aren't going anywhere. But where do you start? It can't just be healthy bodies. Give me some other ideas of how we get back to glory here in San Francisco.
- [39:03]
Richard Sherman
You gotta, you get to get rid of Jake Moody and that's going to be on the priorities list. Get, get better kicking. Address the special teams, the issues that you had. Offensive line, I said it before. You're going to have to draft offensive linemen early and often. And do you draft them with a top 10 pick? It looks like San Francisco may be in line for the 10th, 11th pick. Do you draft an offensive lineman there or do you trade back and try to get multiple of them? But that needs to be your focus. You need to draft well. You need to get back to drafting pass rushers. You know, the guys, you know, we talked about Hargrave who got injured very early in the season, is a lot of money. He cost a lot of money and did not get to have an impact this season. Didn't have a great impact last season. But do you, do you bring him back? Do you renegotiate that deal or is he a cap casualty? I don't know. You need depth. Depth is where you need to continue to go. You know, you got receivers, you're paying receivers. What do you do with Deebo Samuel? I think you keep him, but you need depth at the running back position. You need. Again, you cannot have enough offensive linemen. Trent Williams hopefully comes back fully healthy and you can, you can use the experience that the offensive line got in this time where he's been away. But I think a new center, a new right tackle, at least competition, at least if you're going to. I don't think you draft the first round center, but the first round centers that have gotten drafted have done very well. If that's the direction you want to go, then go in that direction and believe in that and go with that because that's what's going to have to change. Like you just saw tonight, you know, this is still a team that can compete with anybody, but defensively, somebody else has to get to the quarterback other than Nicholas John Bolson. You need somebody else to win. You need individuals that can win from the D tackle spot. Do you bring DeForest Buckner back? I would, I would do my best to try to bring him back home because him and Nicholas John Bosa would create havoc. You know, see what Eric Armstead is doing out there in Jacksonville, you know, do they keep him? Is he a cap casualty out there? You know, you call the old guard and I know fans are sitting there like, man, I need something else. I hear you, but this is what works. These are guys that work in this system. These are guys that work with this organization. These are guys that have shown you on tape that it works within this scheme and I think it would do well or you find guys comparable. But you got to address the O line, D line. You want to be a championship team. That's where championship teams are built and that's where they got to focus and I think they will.
- [41:37]
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- [42:14]
Mitchell
Let's move on to buy or sell Richard, I'm going to give you a couple statements here. You're going to tell me whether you're going to buy or sell them. Let's start with the coach of the year. Jim Harbaugh, your former coach at Stanford will win Coach of the year. Buy or sell?
- [42:29]
Richard Sherman
I want to buy it, but I'll sell that just because of Kevin O'Connell has done such a great job. You know, like we just said, he's got a 14 win team and this wasn't. This is a team that came in a season without a quarterback, without knowing who they were going with that quarterback. And I don't think anybody had them in the spot that they, that they were in right now with a chance to be the number one seed and have a buy in home field throughout the playoffs. I mean, I think he has to be the runaway coach of the year. I think Dan Campbell had a really talented team and so they won't give him the credit that he deserves because expectations were high coming into the season. But I think you could give him consideration for coach of the year with what he's done. And the same is true with lafleur. You know, I think what he did with Malik Willis and him coming in and playing great football is really phenomenal. But I think what Jim's done is really incredible. You know, this wasn't a great team last year. Maximizing the talent of that defense and getting the most out of this offense, running the football efficient from Justin Herbert. I think you would consider it in many years. But if Minnesota is a 15 win team, even if they're still a 14 win team at the end of the day, I think that's coach of the year material.
- [43:42]
Mitchell
Richard. Nick Wright had a wild take, but this is how he would build the rebuild the Patriots. This off season. He would trade Drake May, draft Travis Hunter, Shador Sanders and hire Deion Sanders. Are you buying or selling this approach? I know it's wild, but would you buy or sell this approach? Just in general, I would sell every.
- [44:06]
Richard Sherman
Part of it and I wouldn't touch it with a 5,000 foot pole. Deion Sanders in New England sounds like oil and water and I don't need to mix oil and water. I mean it's an awful combination and I don't think anybody wants to see that and I don't think Dion deserves that. But those fans are a different breed and I don't Think. I don't think Deion Sanders is. You're not going Bill Belichick and then, you know, and then Deion Sanders after. After one coaching change. Like, I don't think they're prepared for that, Shador. And, you know, the way he carries himself, the way he plays the game, it's fun. It's. He's a showman. It's a good time. But again, the New England Patriots organization and their fans are accustomed to very specific ways of doing business, and that would be a totally different way of doing business in New England. So that. That sounds ridiculous to me.
- [44:57]
Mitchell
Let's stay on this topic real quick. If Deion were to head into the NFL at any point as a head coach, what team do you think he would have the best fit with?
- [45:07]
Richard Sherman
Dallas.
- [45:09]
Mitchell
No question. How about his son, Shador Sanders? I mean, obviously it's looking like he's going to be a top pick of this draft. Doesn't know if there he's going to be the number one, but we know quarterb go high. Who do you think at the top of this draft would give him the best place to start?
- [45:25]
Richard Sherman
Drew Locke said, hey, you went. You want this team to draft you, huh? He said, you. You want to come in and wear two? All right, I got something for you. All right, I'll make sure we're not drafted number one, and then we'll see how this goes. You want to wear New York Giants cleats in your bowl game? I said, drew Locke. Locke, you're a villain. Drew Locker is a villain. And I love it. I love it if people can't get mad. You know, he's one. He went out there to win the game. You don't. You don't go out there to lose the game. And we talked about that, but it is just crazy. Shador Sanders wore the cleats that game. And then Drew Lock goes in there and fires off a win. 45 point points against the Indianapolis Colts, who were fighting for their playoff lives. And now you have the Browns and Titans in front of him, both needing a quarterback potentially. I know he ain't going to play for them. So we gonna have to test. What if Dion was serious when he said, I'm not gonna just let my son go anywhere.
- [46:29]
Mitchell
We'll see. All right, Richard back to buy or sell? The Bills are rooting for the Bengals to miss the playoffs. Buy or sell?
- [46:37]
Richard Sherman
I'll sell that because again, what we. We talked about. No, no team, really. The Bills feel confident and they feel good. They got Josh Allen an MVP candidate in the backfield. Cook is running the ball as well as anybody. Their receivers are making huge plays, their defense is opportunistic. I think they feel like they can play with anybody, so I'll sell that. I don't think they're rooting for the Bengals to miss the playoffs. Now, if you ask them, you know, an honest question, and they had to drink truth serum, who they would rather play, the Bengals or the Broncos? I think they would say the Broncos, but. But, you know, who am I? Just a humble servant.
- [47:13]
Mitchell
Richard, we talked about it a bit on the last podcast, and it was about Pete Carroll. You said this guy is a culture changer that any organization, especially a team like the Chicago Bears, might benefit from. And it sounds like he's interested in coming back and coaching. But will he? Richard, Pete Carroll will coach in the NFL in 2025. Buy or sell?
- [47:36]
Richard Sherman
I can buy that for all the reasons we talked about. I mean, he's a culture builder. And I think they've seen the offensive gurus do well in the National Football League. You know, you talk about Kevin O'Connell, you talk about even Mike McDaniel, but you've also seen Jim Harbaugh come back in a culture builder, a guy who just seems to go there, establish what he wants to establish, play the game the right way, his players maximize their potential and they win. And they take a team that's supposed to go to the playoffs, to the playoffs. Everybody plays up to the level they're supposed to. He makes great coaching decisions in game. He makes great personnel decisions, great motivation for his players. So I think Pete Carroll will benefit from Jim Harbaugh's success in la, and I think a team will take a chance on him. Now, the age difference is going to be the issue, but I don't think. I think that'll be a long conversation or a short conversation because they'll see how energetic Pete still is. His love for the game, his dedication is still there, and I don't think he's going anywhere. So they're going to study his DNA once it's all said and done, to have that kind of enthusiasm at, what, 73. But I think he gets a shot.
- [48:47]
Mitchell
And finally, Patrick Mahomes might not make the Pro bowl, all things considered, playing in the AFC with Joe Burrow and Josh Shannon, Lamar Jackson, etc, buy or sell, Patrick Mahomes will not be a Pro Bowler.
- [49:06]
Richard Sherman
Too popular of a player. I sell that. You know, I know everybody's having a great year. Burrow's having a great year. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, all that is well and good. And this is why I really like the way they used. They started to do it for a little while. There was a time in there they just took the best regardless of conference and put them together. And, you know, sometimes you'd have four or five quarterbacks from one one conference and you'd have one or two from the other conference. You know, if that's the way it shook out and I think that's the right way to do it. But I think he finds a way to get voted in because he's such a popular player. He's such a guy that. That has been consistent for so long. You know, coming off a Super bowl, they're 15 and 1. I don't think he'll be an all pro, which will, you know, it's obvious. But yeah, I can buy him not being a pro. I can buy it. I could buy it. I could buy it. I could buy it. You know, maybe, maybe they.
- [50:01]
Mitchell
You talked yourself into it, then talked yourself out of it, Rich. But that's the lovely thing about buyers. So let's move on, though. Richard. This is the time of the show and I must hear it. The power rankings. Richard Sherman, the power rankings for week 17. Do we have any movement? Are the Kansas City Chiefs still at the top to the Lions still retain the two seed. Where does Minnesota fall? Who gets the five seed? I got so many questions. What are your answers?
- [50:31]
Richard Sherman
Kansas City Chiefs start us off. Kansas city chiefs are 15 and 1. They. They retain the top spot. And I think this will be our final power rankings because I won't move after this week. I, you know, half teams aren't even playing their starters. I'm going to leave it like this. Number two, Honolulu Blue boys. Detroit Lions. Number three, Minnesota Vikings. They're playing too well to put them anywhere else. Number four, Buffalo Bills. You get the credit. You want the credit. You get it. There it is. 4. I know you want to be 3, but guess what? They have better record than you 5. The surging Baltimore Ravens. They got to be there. I know, I know the Philadelphia Eagles fans want me to put them there. Do I want to put Philadelphia over Baltimore?
- [51:15]
Mitchell
You did it last week, Rich.
- [51:17]
Richard Sherman
They are.
- [51:17]
Mitchell
You did it last week. So what changed?
- [51:21]
Richard Sherman
I just. They. They. They beat. They beat him bad. I. I give it. I'll give it to Philadelphia. I give it to him. I just did not like that Washington Commanders game. I did not like it. And the more I think about it, the more I don't like it. But I'll give it to him. The Philadelphia Eagles are five in my list. I mean, they could have gone higher, but no, I didn't know. Just. Still a lot of questions. And I know Philly fans will be mad, but I don't care.
- [51:46]
Mitchell
Richard, before we wrap, it's. We're on the brink of New Year's Eve. It's about to be New Year's. Everyone's got their New Year's resolutions. I've seen you already running. You're doing your running club every day. But you got to get me motivated here. Rich, what are your New Year's resolutions?
- [52:04]
Richard Sherman
Oh, that's a great question, Mitchell. Mitchell, New Year's resolutions are always weird for me because. Because it's like, why weren't you doing it already? What was stopping you from doing it on the random Tuesday and saying, I need to get better now? And I think that's what my New Year's resolution is, to just be consistent. Be a great dad, Be a great father, work hard, take care of yourself, and be intentional every day. Be intentional about it every day. Not just January 4th. It could be June 7th. I still should be being intentional about it. Now is as good a time as any. And it doesn't have to just be January 1st. If you get to February and you haven't accomplished your goal, guess what? No time like the present to get out there and get it going and improve yourself. Or go after your dreams or go on that vacation you always dreamed of going on. Or just keep being your amazing self because everybody has a uniqueness that needs to be celebrated. The good old good Lord gave everybody really cool, special qualities that I don't think everybody appreciates or really celebrates. So celebrate our differences, celebrate our uniqueness, and you go out there and have yourselves a happy New Year's. We appreciate you for joining us. Whether it's a minute, an hour, or a second, you guys are appreciated. Hit that sub button if you're new. Happy New Year.