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Random Shots From Week 16

Joe Bryant with the notable and/or humorous side of Week 16

By Joe Bryant
December 28, 2022
Random Shots From Week 16
Photo: Jasen Vinlove, USA Today Sports

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Hi Folks,

We do a ton of insightful, thoughtful, and serious features here at Footballguys, with smart people thinking deeply for you.

This is not one of those features.

This is Random Shots, and it's a few pages of me downloading my brain that gets stuffed with way too many random items from too many hours watching, reading about, and listening to Football every weekend and throughout the week. It's the only way I manage. Here's hoping it has some value for you.

We'll see. Now let's get to it.

J

It was a cold one this weekend.

And yet the Internet's still whining that Jerry Jones built a stadium where the sun's too bright...

How rough was the weather in Cleveland? Fans in the upper deck were encouraged to move down to fill seats on the lower deck.

I know you're probably busy. But this short piece on RB Franco Harris and Raiders LB Phil Villipiano is totally worth the 7 minutes.

I love the changing of the guard. And we're seeing that in Minnesota. It was also fun to see Moss pulling for Jefferson on ESPN's pre-game show.

Bill Belichick and Rhamondre Stevenson GMs had the same reaction to the game...

"Siri, show me 'closing speed.'"

Most of the public proposal things are pretty cringey. But this was good.

Even the Grinch (JuJu Smith-Schuster) is down with the Griddy.

Truth.

A Baltimore Raven wide receiver scored a touchdown. That's news.

The Panthers to the Lions: "Not Today."

HAWK is a Footballguy.

But wait, there's more.

This is even more cool as it's a Houston tradition.

I could probably stop right here.

Charlie Batch knows stuff.

Actual final score - Pittsburgh 13 - Las Vegas 10.

Andy Reid received the perfect Christmas gift.

I felt this one a little too much...

To be fair, Eagles fans are no more likely to be affected by this than other fans, but recency bias is a helluva drug...

Here's my Grumpy Old Guy take of the week: I lose interest in college football bowl games with so many players skipping.

And to be super clear, I understand why the players do it. I'll never begrudge a player doing what they think is in their best financial interest. That's their right. Full stop.

But it's also my right to lose interest in the games.

I've been struggling to get my arms around this and Tom Coughlin in Peter King's column this week illustrated a bit for me in talking about why some players play.

From King:


A Giant Anniversary

Fifteen years ago this week, on Dec. 29, 2007, the 15-0 New England Patriots traveled to New Jersey to try to finish an undefeated season against the New York Giants, who, in a playoff sense, had nothing to play for. They were locked in as the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs, due to play at Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs, win or lose in Week 17.

It’s one of the best regular-season games I’ve covered as a football writer, which is paradoxical. Why was a game with two teams locked into their playoff positions so good? The Patriots had clinched home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs entering that night, yet played like it was a playoff game because of the potential for an undefeated season. The Giants, after beating Buffalo the previous weekend, also had nothing to play for.

Tom Coughlin doesn’t play meaningless games, however. I’m glad to see the Giants’ coach that day has written a book now, A Giant Win (written with Greg Hanlon, Grand Central Publishing) to commemorate that championship season for the franchise—with special attention paid to the Saturday night game on the final weekend of that regular season.

Coughlin on the game, and on his decision to play his full team against the Patriots:

“As soon as we won the previous week, you know how this goes because it’s scripted somewhere for the writers. ‘OK, coach, you gonna play your starters against New England?’ It started right away. I listened to that a little bit. I thought to myself, ‘We are the New York Giants. We are the flagship team of the National Football League. We are red, white and blue. I am not going to allow that future historians would look back upon this game, where the Giants would play the Patriots, the Patriots having a chance to have an undefeated season, and the New York Giants do not put their best foot forward. We are going to play our starters. We are going to play to win.’

“When I told our team that on Monday, they rallied. They wanted to play against the 15-0 New England Patriots. If you remember, we’re leading in the fourth quarter. We got the lead. It’s one of those games where, they beat us, but when we walked off, we knew we could play with them.”

In the eyes of many, it was a 35-38 Giants’ victory over New England. Coaches hate moral victories, but this was one for the Giants. It was also memorable for New England, of course, finishing a perfect 16-0 regular season by beating back a gallant bid for a big upset by a heavy underdog. I remember Tom Brady and Randy Moss in the New England locker room post-game. They couldn’t stop smiling. Brady was downright giddy.

He wouldn’t be giddy five weeks later, but that’s another story. When I spoke to Coughlin recently about the game, it was a pre-dawn memory the next day that stood out.

“I gotta tell you one more story because this is what will be most meaningful,” he said. “It was a great performance. I’m really proud of my team. That’s a team that’s 16-0, we know we can play with them. All that stuff. Next morning at 5 o’clock I come into my office and I see the red light’s on the phone. A voicemail. I pick up the phone and it’s John Madden. He’s saying, ‘Tom, I just wanted to call. Because I want you to know that is the greatest thing that’s happened to the NFL in the last 10 years.’ He said, ‘This is the National Football League—we don’t not play our players. We owe a responsibility to our fans to perform every day. That’s what you did. I’m just so proud to be a part of that. I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished and what your team has accomplished.’ He said, ‘I’m very emotional right now. But I want you to know how I felt.’ I played it for my team in our next team meeting. It was moving. Very moving.”

The two teams met in the Super Bowl. The Giants beat the previously 18-0 Patriots, 17-14.

Now excuse me while I yell at some kids to get off my lawn...

Packers defensive back Jaire Alexander crushed the post-game interview.

He'd be awesome in the broadcast booth.

Plus, his trolling game is strong. Breaking out "The Waddle" as he left the Dolphins' field...

Ryan Fitzpatrick on Zach Wilson in New York: "His career here is done."

If there's something I listen to Fitzpatrick about, it's this.

Interesting stat from Peter King this week.

In his four games back as quarterback of the Browns, after 100 weeks away from live football, Deshaun Watson has led three touchdown drives on 43 offensive possessions.

Two passing, one rushing. Average offensive yards per game for the Browns with Watson: 295.

We had questions about whether Watson would be good in his first game back.

At what point do we start asking whether he'll be good at all?

When you promise Grandma you'll wear the clothes she bought you for Christmas...

Alan Lazard currently ranks about WR39 for the year.

But this has to elevate him at least ten spots...

Coaching is a grind.

I love the fascination with Nick Foles.

This is wild.

Colts offense in one word.

Fantasy Football can be a cruel game.

Me on Tuesday morning...

And this:

I lost the semi-final game in my Local League because I benched A.J. Dillon and started Jamaal Williams. We had Dillon projected slightly higher, but I went with my heart and Williams. The Lions running back has been a long-time Random Shots favorite. Plus, he was largely responsible for helping me patch together a team after spending tons of salary cap money on Kyle Pitts at the draft. Williams is my guy. So I rolled the dice and came up short.

But you know what? That's fantasy football. And life.

If you needed one more reason to be kind to each other, It's Science!

I wouldn't last long in this game...

Music note of this week is new music from an old favorite. Manchester Orchestra is my favorite Rock Band. (The Avett Brothers are my favorite band, period). Manchester Orchestra's done a live festival-type thing on the night before Thanksgiving in Atlanta for years. I've been a couple of times, and it's great. This year they debuted a new song, and I love it. Enjoy.

"Taking your very last breath
You are guided away from the garden
Hanging your arms on his neck
You said, "I love you"
Hangman, the butcher, the bed
Put your last bargaining chip on the album
Some people called it a "theft"
Others called it a "lapse" and "in time"
There's no rule, but you still break the rule
There's no rule, but you still break the rule
Mother, I'm scared that I'm sick
There's nothing on earth that can save me
Where is my savior in death?
Waiting in a limousine?
I can see you, can you see me?
I can see you, can you see me?
You melt down, you found out
You fell down, you won't tell
You can't help, you can't laugh
You won't yell, you just know
You melt down, you found out
You fell down, you won't tell
You can't help, you can't laugh
You won't yell, you just know
You melt down, you found out
You fell down, you won't tell
You can't help, you can't laugh
You won't yell, you just know
You melt down, you found out
You fell down, you won't tell
You can't help, you can't laugh
You won't yell, you just know
You're the roots in all my tea leaves
You're the roots in all my tea leaves
You're my roots, and I am teething
You're my roots, so now I'm leaving
Talked to the Angel of Death
Kept my sins in a separate compartment
Watching you bend as you wept
Let's destroy the limousine
Now that I've emptied my head
I am chasing you
Woah"

Rock on, Manchester Orchestra.

As expected, the tribute to Franco Harris Saturday night was exceptional.

First thing, Harris is famous for the incredible "Immaculate Reception" play. But that play represented just the tip of the iceberg for his impact.

Per Gene Collier of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Steelers in the 100 games before Harris arrived: 26-71-3.

Steelers in the first 100 games with Harris as a Steeler: 74-25-1.

Football is a team game, and Harris obviously had a tremendous cast. But he was a difference maker.

Aside from the planned events with speeches and retiring his jersey, the Steelers provided their own tribute.

Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett with the "Franco Franco" call at the line of scrimmage. Per Sports Illustrated: "It was a dummy count until I said ‘Franco,’ and then I was going to be live. It was a huge play in the game,” Pickett said. “We had that in. It was special to convert. We had it twice. We didn’t do it a second time because they heard it the first time, so I didn’t want to do it twice. But it was cool to have that in for him this week.”

Pickett and Franco Harris have a connection. It was Harris who announced the pick of Kenny Pickett at the draft this year. Look at how excited he was when he saw the name on the card before he read the pick.

With a few seconds left on the clock, Pickett threw the winning touchdown.

Pickett after the game.

Football. Wow.

Wrapping with this one.

I'm pulling for Washington and Jeremy Reaves.

You may know, but Reaves has bounced around the league for several years. He's been cut by teams four times.

I loved seeing Terry McLaurin's reaction when coach Rivera told him Reaves had made it. McLaurin said, "That's what's up. He deserves it."

But punter Tress Way was my favorite. If you don't know him, he's the guy in the gray hoodie and black cap. Seeing his genuine reaction and excitement for his friend to be recognized was sweet.

This is worth reading and watching, too, if you want to get a better picture.

This is also a good example of looking for the good. The Internet would much rather howl about the Commanders screwing up a tribute to Sean Taylor or controversy with honoring their famous old offensive linemen. Or skewer coach Ron Rivera for something he said or did during the game. But seeing these folks interact paints a different story.

How this relates to me and you is easy. Keep grinding. Jeremy Reaves had tons of opportunities to pack it in and quit. Yet he kept at it. And good things happened. My hope and prayer for you this coming year is you stay tenacious and keep moving forward.

Thank you for being part of this goofy journey with us.

And thanks to Footballguys Keith Overton, Sigmund Bloom, and Clayton Gray for the help. If you've got a Random Shot of your own, email me at bryant@footballguys.com.

Thanks for playing along, and I hope you make the most of whatever you're doing in your life. Love your neighbor and stick together.

We'll be back next week for our year-end wrap-up with some of my favorite Random Shots from the season.

Happy New Year. And Peace and Grace to you.

J

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