Random Shots From Week 9

Joe Bryant with a look at the fun and sometimes humorous events from last week's action.

Joe Bryant's Random Shots From Week 9 Joe Bryant Published 11/11/2026

David Brytus-Imagn Images random shots

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 sharing all the random goofiness from this week. With maybe a music note and sometimes a "soap box" wrap at the end.  

Here's to Football.

J

 

Justin Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. This was a rough watch Monday night. 

But then came Tuesday...

Fair warning. The Kirk Cousins trade to Minnesota has provided an irresponsible amount of material for Random Shots this week.

I'm going to try to show some restraint.

No promises.

First look.

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This was made for Random Shots.

Mike Tomlin is becoming appointment television.

Thanks to Drew Davenport for that one. 

At my age, I'm not sure how I feel about 30-year-olds being classified as nursing home residents...

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God bless the MAC.

Music Note this week. 

I've shared this one before, but it's so good I wanted to bring it back.

John Craigie with "I Am California."

There's something hauntingly beautiful about this song. And that opening line, "You tried to drown your sorrows. You shouldn't have taught them how to swim." gets me every time.

And I'm an absolute sucker for a harmonica.

The Jaguars are fun. And good.

Vikings HQ Wednesday morning...

Team meeting an hour later...

Plus.

Meanwhile, in Indianapolis.

On a more serious note, interesting choice for your farewell message to the fans who cheered for you.

Kirk Cousins with a different angle.

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Plus...

Here's a bigger thought.

When you leave a place, leave in a way that makes people truly happy to see you when you come back.

This was Kirk Cousins returning to Minnesota as a Falcon a couple years ago.

He had no idea he'd someday be back with the Vikings. But that's not the point.

Look at how these people greet him.

That tells you a lot about the kind of teammate and co-worker he was.

Love this.

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That bounce.

When we talk about worry with quarterbacks getting older, this is what we mean.

Ok then.

It's a goofy game, sometimes.

There's a lot of season left, but I love how this has played out so far for J.J. McCarthy. 

I like this guy.

Everyone yelled at Rams kicker Blake Grupe after he injured himself trying to make a tackle.

I get it, though. When it works, you're a hero.

Get ready.

Brian Flores...

One of my favorite uniforms.

And because I know you folks need to know this kind of thing, here's how they do the helmets.

I learned something here, as I always thought the stripes were decals. 

Raiders GM John Spytek says "WE had a plan" for trading Kirk Cousins.

Judging by Klint Kubiak's face, that might be a generous use of "we."

And with that, we've reached our Kirk Cousins quota for the week.

Probably.

Alvin Kamara is chill.

A Pro.

More Jaguar goodness. All in.

He knew he could do it. 

I loved this from Jonathan Gannon as he sounded like a coach with the right idea. 

This league is a grinder.

Beware Patrick Mahomes II.

Truth.

Forgive me for not putting a whole lot of stock in the opinion of a dude who calls himself "Clavicular."

Little guy put on a clinic for breaking tackles.

Things change fast.

Chargers Training Camp - 2026.

Sad but true.

Joe Milton III got his first NFL start Sunday. 

It's more painful with the video.

To his credit, the guy popped right back up.

They'll never be able to take this from him.

The crowd participation songs may be my favorite thing about the International Games.

Mike Alstott was a problem.

If you're going to troll Chad Ochocinco, probably best to come up with a shot better than "you're weird".

Those gloves are elite.

More evidence of "things move fast". This matchup looked awesome in August. 

We're all in this together. 

Another reminder that Mike Leach was one of one.

Marshawn Lynch doing whatever it takes to win.

Yup.

Thanks to Clayton Gray for that one. 

This one hit a little too close to home.

Thanks to Matt Carey for that one.

Wrapping with this one.

Anne Lamott is one of my favorite authors, and I read something from her recently that stuck with me.

"The game of life is rough, and a lot of people are playing hurt. We listen. We get them water."

I love that.

If you've been around sports very long, you know what playing hurt looks like. The guy who isn't 100%, but he's out there giving it everything he's got.

I think life is a lot like that.

The person who's short with you at the store. The guy who seems angry about everything. The friend who's been a little distant lately.

Maybe they're just having a bad day. Or maybe they're dealing with something really hard that you know absolutely nothing about.

That doesn't excuse treating people poorly. But maybe it helps us understand them a little better. And give them a little more grace.

I know I could do a better job remembering that. Because the truth is, most of us are playing hurt in one way or another. Some of us are just better at hiding it.

And when we see somebody struggling, we don't always need to have the answers or know how to fix things.

Sometimes we can just get them some water.

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

And thanks to Footballguys Keith Overton, Drew Davenport, 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.

Peace and Grace to you.

J

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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