Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Interview Only: NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter debates NFL MVP, Jackson vs Allen. Mike Tomlin's Future. Who can coach the Cowboys? Release Date: January 13, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith engages in an in-depth discussion with NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter. The conversation delves into the current NFL landscape, touching on playoff prospects, quarterback performances, MVP debates, and coaching futures. The episode provides valuable insights for NFL enthusiasts, offering expert analysis and candid opinions.

Playoffs Overview

Stephen A. Smith opens the discussion by addressing the recent NFL activities and introducing Cris Carter.

• Stephen A. Smith [01:02]: "Predictably, you know, I had to get into some NFL talk because there's a lot of NFL action that took place this weekend."

Cris Carter shares his excitement about the physicality in the playoffs and the unpredictability of team performances.

• Cris Carter [01:49]: "Man. Just the overall physicality. And I do believe that it's wide open. Like the margin between who's going to be the best and a team like Washington. The Commanders with Jaden Daniels, like that margin is really thin, thinner than we've seen in years."

He highlights the talent in teams like Philadelphia and Detroit but notes concerns such as injuries and other issues that could influence playoff outcomes.

Philadelphia Eagles' Performance

Stephen probes Cris about the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive struggles against Green Bay.

• Stephen A. Smith [02:30]: "Did you find yourself disappointed in the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday? Offensively that is."

Cris Carter expresses concern over the Eagles missing practice weeks due to concussions and the inconsistencies in their passing game.

• Cris Carter [02:39]: "Well, I'm not going to say disappointed, but I was concerned when you miss two or three weeks of practice coming down the stretch and you don't have that continuity."

He emphasizes the challenges faced by quarterback Jaden Daniels, who isn't a natural thrower compared to past greats.

A.J. Brown's Sideline Behavior

Stephen shifts the focus to A.J. Brown's sideline behavior during the game.

• Stephen A. Smith [03:19]: "What did you think about A.J. Brown being seen on the sidelines reading the book?"

Cris Carter interprets Brown's actions as a sign of frustration and a lack of communication within the Eagles' setup.

• Cris Carter [03:38]: "You know, he is a great player, but I do believe there are a number of issues that he personally have with the quarterback."

He suggests that such behavior indicates a fragile team dynamic.

Evaluating Quarterbacks: Jordan Love and Justin Herbert

The conversation turns to the performance of quarterbacks Jordan Love and Justin Herbert.

• Stephen A. Smith [04:15]: "But what are you to make of what you saw of their performances this weekend?"

Cris Carter critiques both quarterbacks for their high interception rates during the playoffs, stressing the importance of protecting the football.

• Cris Carter [04:44]: "When you protect the football, you protect the franchise. Protect the franchise, you protect my job."

He calls for accountability, especially given their significant contracts and the elevated stakes during playoff games.

Buffalo vs. Baltimore Playoff Prediction

Stephen shares his prediction for the upcoming Buffalo vs. Baltimore playoff game, expressing skepticism about Buffalow's ability to maintain their dominance.

• Stephen A. Smith [05:58]: "How are you feeling about that encounter that's coming up?"

Cris Carter anticipates a thrilling matchup, emphasizing the pressure on quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen.

• Cris Carter [06:40]: "This is an epic battle right here. I mean, because all the pressure is on these quarterbacks."

MVP Debate: Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen

A heated debate ensues regarding the NFL MVP race between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.

• Stephen A. Smith [07:24]: "Let me interrupt and I'm going to tell you why. I'm going to tell you why it's debatable."

Cris Carter argues that Lamar Jackson's performance doesn't surpass his own, despite Jackson having a statistically impressive season.

• Cris Carter [07:59]: "It's as if we're giving them MVP because we didn't have expectations. Joe Burrow had an MVP type season. But we're not giving him the MVP."

Stephen counters by highlighting the unexpected success of Buffalo, suggesting that Allen's achievements warrant MVP consideration.

• Stephen A. Smith [07:50]: "A lot of people didn't expect Buffalo to have a great season, let alone be the number two overall seed. That would be the reason for the debate."

Carter maintains his stance, emphasizing the need to compare performances objectively.

Mike Tomlin's Future and Potential Coaching Positions

The discussion shifts to Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin and the future of his coaching career.

• Stephen A. Smith [09:04]: "What are your thoughts about Mike Tomlin? Six straight postseason losses. And by the way, you know, they just don't score as well when you consider what's been transpiring."

Cris Carter critiques the Steelers' system under Tomlin, attributing their struggles to financial constraints and a reluctance to engage in free agency.

• Cris Carter [09:45]: "In the modern salary cap era, the Pittsburgh Steelers system does not work, bro."

He suggests that Tomlin's coaching style might be better suited for teams like the Chicago Bears or Dallas Cowboys, who are willing to invest more financially in their rosters.

• Cris Carter [11:50]: "I do believe Mike Tomlin would be a great fit in Chicago. I believe Mike Thomas would be a great fit with the Dallas Cowboys."

Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams Playoff Game Analysis

The final segment focuses on the upcoming playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams.

• Stephen A. Smith [13:16]: "How you gonna beat the Rams? Rams have been looking pretty good."

Cris Carter emphasizes the importance of offensive strategies, particularly leveraging Justin Jefferson's talent and capitalizing on defensive turnovers.

• Cris Carter [15:21]: "We're gonna throw it, man. We got to get JJ. Man, you saw what happened last week. JJ is getting ready to have 150."

Stephen expresses his emotional investment in the game, recognizing the high stakes and the personal impact of player performances.

• Stephen A. Smith [16:05]: "Sounds very emotional. Sounds very emotional."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with casual banter and highlights upcoming podcasts, maintaining the engaging and dynamic rapport between Stephen A. Smith and Cris Carter. Listeners are left with a comprehensive analysis of the current NFL season's pivotal issues, enriched by Carter's expertise and Smith's incisive questioning.

• Stephen A. Smith [16:28]: "Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts."

Notable Quotes

• Cris Carter [01:49]: "This margin is really thin, thinner than we've seen in years."
• Cris Carter [02:39]: "You have to protect the football, you protect the franchise. Protect the franchise, you protect my job."
• Cris Carter [07:59]: "Lamar didn't have the best season of any quarterback. No, he did not."
• Cris Carter [09:45]: "The Pittsburgh Steelers system does not work, bro."
• Cris Carter [15:21]: "We got to get JJ. Man, you saw what happened last week. JJ is getting ready to have 150."

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show provides a thorough examination of pressing NFL topics, blending expert opinion with sharp analysis. Cris Carter's insights offer listeners a deeper understanding of the complexities within the league, making it a must-listen for passionate football fans.