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
Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach is a National Treasure.
The Auburn Football Program may never recover from this.
Mike Leach lettin loosepic.twitter.com/5Se7pxfjGY
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) November 14, 2021
Breaking it down at the presser was even better.
How ‘bout those dance moves, coach? 😂 pic.twitter.com/JzSvsTI7PH
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) November 15, 2021
And his follow-up on social media was the cherry on top.
— Mike Leach (@Coach_Leach) November 16, 2021
I could just stop right here.
Panthers owner David Tepper is the picture of (correctly) ignoring "sunk costs". And you should be too. (Footballguys godfather Seth Godin explains sunk costs here.)
David Tepper is current paying Cam’s replacement, the replacement for Cam’s replacement, and Cam to replace the replacement for his own replacement.
— Dion Beary (@hashtagdion) November 11, 2021
Thanks to Footballguy Adam Harstad for that one.
The Odell Beckham saga is good for the Random Shots business as everyone has jokes. On the serious side though, some of the commentary is fascinating.
I told you last week about Justin Jefferson wearing the "Free Odell" hoodie. After Beckham had become a Free Agent.
#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is wearing a "Free Odell" hoodie in pregame warmups. pic.twitter.com/HEgmPyByHz
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 7, 2021
My question was, Free Odell from what exactly?
Then this week, there was somehow implication the Browns did Beckham wrong on his birthday. By granting him the release he wanted?
They released him on his birthday & he still shows class with a thank you note!https://t.co/K2FGMuxihl
— TPS (@TotalProSports) November 14, 2021
Football is the ultimate team sport and great teams aren't just the teams that assemble the most talent. There has to be chemistry. Troy Aikman was ripped for sharing his opinion.
Troy Aikman told @dfwticket that #Rams QB Matthew Stafford may be feeling what #Browns QB Baker Mayfield felt in having to force the ball to Odell Beckham. Aikman also wonders if the Rams' recent acquisitions have shaken the team's foundation. pic.twitter.com/WgpVYABj9j
— Mark Lane (@therealmarklane) November 16, 2021
Which to me, feels on the mark. It seemed obvious Baker Mayfield was trying to force the ball to Beckham. The Rams certainly tried until realizing maybe a high-risk deep pass that depends on QB-WR chemistry might not be the best idea for a quarterback and wide receiver who've never played a game together. If nothing else, it'll be fun to see how it plays out. In the meantime, enjoy the ride.
Odell Beckham showing up at the Packers facility tomorrow morning pic.twitter.com/EW1ediAq9y
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 16, 2021
And
“If I don’t get 10 targets next game my dad releases the tape” pic.twitter.com/kuyD9YOQqM
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) November 16, 2021
Things move fast. Just three years ago this week, one of the biggest stories in the NFL was Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell was unlikely to report and would miss the 2018 season.
This was a classy post on social media Tuesday.
this hurts, but it’s been a blessing to be here to say the least, i’ve enjoyed every second of this short period & gotta whole new meaning of what this city is like & it’s a great place to be 🖤💜 I appreciate Eric Decasta & John Harbaugh for the opportunity to be called an Raven pic.twitter.com/428poGYsNO
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) November 16, 2021
Chandler Jones with some sweet Pat Tillman tribute cleats.
Shoes Chandler Jones is wearing today to honor Pat Tillman & in support of @pattillmanfnd
— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) November 14, 2021
Very nicely done @chanjones55 !#SaluteToService pic.twitter.com/8zJIm9NaXj
Thanks to Footballguy Clayton Gray for that one.
Oh, those Texas Longhorns. Losing to Kansas. Again. In Football. This time as 30 point favorites. They're going to love the SEC.
Tom Herman never lost a bowl game at Texas. It’s looking like Sark won’t lose one this year either.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 14, 2021
The winning catch was made by the freshman fullback and perfect for Random Shots.
— no context ku football (@nocontextkufb) November 14, 2021
This Kansas Guy was the picture of fanhood through the game:
Up 14-0
I’m witnessing a Kansas football fan experience joy for the first time. This was at 14-0. pic.twitter.com/6Ud6XmnbnN
— Jason Dick (@jasondickaf) November 14, 2021
Up 35-14
35-14 pic.twitter.com/0yPd0vPF8U
— Jason Dick (@jasondickaf) November 14, 2021
Up 42-21
42-21 pic.twitter.com/HfjDWK08GU
— Jason Dick (@jasondickaf) November 14, 2021
Up 42-35
42-35 pic.twitter.com/YQ08wd9dV7
— Jason Dick (@jasondickaf) November 14, 2021
Tied 49-49
49-49 pic.twitter.com/etkCiWCSyB
— Jason Dick (@jasondickaf) November 14, 2021
Losing 49-56
56-49 starring @Nickmouth pic.twitter.com/1eYYsa08ns
— Jason Dick (@jasondickaf) November 14, 2021
Victory! 57-56
57-56. Good for him. He earned it. pic.twitter.com/fVYPq5HHK5
— Jason Dick (@jasondickaf) November 14, 2021
And here's one post with them all.
Here ya go. pic.twitter.com/Nb3edHGSXF
— Ryan Fares (@AirFares27) November 15, 2021
When that fog started rolling in for the San Francisco game, I knew it was going to be a Scooby-Doo night.
Sean McVay post-game last night.
— Joe Bryant (@Football_Guys) November 16, 2021
HT @TotalProSports pic.twitter.com/DiFQb1eDi6
Odell Beckham Fans: "All this 'OJB is a diva' talk is ridiculous! You're just a hater!"
Adam Schefter reporting on the move: "One of the only holdups on the Rams contract was which jersey number Beckham could wear."
This Dallas team is the gift that keeps giving. Of all the stories I thought I'd read this week, a journalist being confused about Monkey Butt powder was not on the list.
I know nothing about the NBA. But Steph Curry could be a Footballguy.
Steph turns and points to the crowd as his shot is still in mid-flight 👀🔥
— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) November 13, 2021
pic.twitter.com/eBQWhyYW4l
Here's the still shot:
This photo of Curry is tough 🥶
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 14, 2021
(via @_JordanJimenez) pic.twitter.com/w84bVZEhTv
Pittsburgh's Cam Heyward with the Not Safe For Work explanation for Sunday's game.
nsfw heyward 🤣 pic.twitter.com/RLutvn8Xdj
— Benstonium (@Benstonium) November 14, 2021
Cam Newton is back and the league is a little more fun.
I'm not sure how good he is. But he's better than what they had. And that's good enough.
"I'M BAAAAAAACK" pic.twitter.com/0hKHgrEzSC
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 14, 2021
And for all the pearl-clutching fans outraged he drew a penalty for the celebration, relax. Everyone, including Newton, knows it's a flag to pull your helmet off like that. Has been for years.
Things I'd do if I were Commissioner:
Reserve the right to force one team to wear all white so we don't have this again.
SKITTLES® Bowl pic.twitter.com/3kK6C2Kloy
— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) November 14, 2021
Those are two great uniforms. But they should never be together on the same field.
Not great.
Lions/Steelers' OT possessions 😅 pic.twitter.com/EXCDnIphWS
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 14, 2021
I should have seen it coming for Robby Anderson...
Robby Anderson is already collecting ankles in pregame 🤣#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/Znb5exIFTz
— NFL on ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsNFL) November 14, 2021
The Falcons Social Media won the internet Sunday when they went behind with a score of 28-3.
Yeah, yeah. We know.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 14, 2021
Russell Wilson with 7:53 left in the 3rd quarter.
Packers get the pick on Russell Wilson in the end zone 👀
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 14, 2021
(via @packers)
pic.twitter.com/tYtMTBO4lN
Aaron Rodgers with 2:39 left in the 3rd quarter.
Jamal Adams picks off Aaron Rodgers in the end zone 💪
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 14, 2021
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/FT8HykeAHZ
Ok, then.
Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson rn pic.twitter.com/8HK6hdfExY
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 14, 2021
Since NFL football sucked today, I decided to look at every head coach and decide what they would be if football didn't exist, based solely on their looks...
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
AFC West:
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
Vic Fangio: Head mechanic, dealership
Andy Reid: Owner, local chain of BBQ joints
Rich Bisaccia: Owner/head chef, local chain of pizzerias
Brandon Staley: Youth pastor pic.twitter.com/17BiBZpEib
AFC North:
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
John Harbaugh: landlord (not a job)
Zac Taylor: Finance bro
Kevin Stefanski: Firefighter/professional hunk
Mike Tomlin: High school guidance counselor pic.twitter.com/t2jtEzbMXS
AFC East:
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
Sean McDermott: Head nurse
Brian Flores: Bank loan officer
Bill Belichick: Somehow, football coach
Robert Saleh: Personal trainer pic.twitter.com/gy2NomWRdj
AFC South:
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
David Culley: Vice Principal
Frank Reich: AP World History teacher
Urban Meyer: State assemblyman
Mike Vrabel: Sports Injury Therapist pic.twitter.com/xeOuflqI7e
NFC West:
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
Kliff Kingsbury: Personal injury attorney
Sean McVay: Political consultant/PR specialist
Kyle Shanahan: Kendall Roy on Succession
Pete Carroll: Owner of a local chain of moderately priced furniture stores who is somehow worth $15 million pic.twitter.com/zyUC5PP5yW
NFC North:
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
Matt Nagy: H Jon Benjamin Stand-In
Dan Campbell: Stunt coordinator
Matt LaFleur: Real estate agent
Mike Zimmer: Head of cardiology at a smallish hospital pic.twitter.com/YsLZ579sfz
NFC East:
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
Mike McCarthy: Electrician (beard) / bus driver (no beard)
Joe Judge: Used car salesman whose dad owns the dealership and whose nickname in college was Burp
Nick Sirianni: Podcaster
Ron Rivera: executive officer of a medium-sized local museum and science center. pic.twitter.com/rWyFGsopzT
NFC South:
— Jeff "Queso Dogs" Krisko (@JeffKrisko) November 15, 2021
Arthur Smith: Pest exterminator
Matt Rhule: Running a sports bar
Sean Payton: Body shop owner
Bruce Arians: Regional manager, car stereo install, Best Buy pic.twitter.com/mMXK8oN4IL
God Bless the internet.
Music Note Of The Week is Julien Baker. She's one of my favorite "new" artists. If you're into thoughtful chill music like Sufjan Stevens or Phoebe Bridgers, I bet you'll like it.
Bill Belichick is lots of things. Predictable he is not. A week after rolling into the stadium in his pajama sweats, he was flashing some serious style with the new jacket at the presser. And even smiled at the compliment.
📹 A fashion compliment from @RochieWBZ means a lot - even to Bill Belichick #Patriots #WBZ pic.twitter.com/OL2ClUels4
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) November 15, 2021
Because I know you folks need to know these types of things.
With the Panthers win over the Cardinals Sunday, cat teams vs the bird teams is now tied at 209-209-10 throughout the course of NFL history pic.twitter.com/7yTMhj1qhW
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 17, 2021
Teddy Bridgewater with the "Business Decision" Sunday.
Teddy Businessdecision pic.twitter.com/c7PJIMpmLC
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 14, 2021
This of course stirred up the internet with some people thinking this was the worst thing they'd ever seen and others saying it was unfair to pick on Bridgewater.
Relax. This isn't new.
Mahomes from Random Shots in 2019.
Mahomes was going to block but then...🤣 @PatrickMahomes pic.twitter.com/6vgP7pEUV6
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 22, 2019
They're still talking about Cam Newton in the Super Bowl.
looks like cam in the super bowl pic.twitter.com/5gBsCwrCFb
— Cas Zane 🺠🇨🇦 (@caswolfe13) November 17, 2021
And Matt Ryan from Random Shots back in 2016. (When I linked to Facebook videos...)
This QB "Business Decision" talk reminded me of this classic Matt Ryan clip from 2016. pic.twitter.com/K5h0hFTbBv
— Joe Bryant (@Football_Guys) November 16, 2021
Von, meet George.
Von Miller vs George Kittle pic.twitter.com/c0S2Krp9XE
— Football Is Life (@FootbaIl_Tweets) November 16, 2021
Mike Zimmer trying to put the phone to his ear with headphones on is everything. I love this guy. The backstory is it was Deion Sanders returning Zimmer's call. Sanders had been in the hospital and Zimmer had been trying to check on him. It's sometimes easy to forget these folks are real people.
You want to say hi to the media, @DeionSanders? 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ivI8o9ifOJ
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 15, 2021
A summary of the Monday Night Game.
The Rams’ defensive structure essentially dares an offense to get bored running the ball. And the Niners’ staff thinks that running the ball is the most exciting thing on earth.
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) November 16, 2021
Or more to the point...
Kyle Shanahan took Sean McVay for a joy ride on Monday night as he kept saying who's your daddy lol pic.twitter.com/igDGpconKG
— Niner Sickness (@NinerSickness49) November 17, 2021
2021
Roughing the passer - 2021. pic.twitter.com/8PDXFOyqMG
— Joe Bryant (@Football_Guys) November 13, 2021
Terry Bradshaw and Turkey Jones say hello.
Turkey Jones Terry Bradshaw.#HereWeGo #Browns #SteelersBrownsWeek pic.twitter.com/9WsS5daJhL
— Old Time Football 🈠(@Ol_TimeFootball) October 16, 2020
Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady gets it.
1-Ø.
— Joe Brady (@CoachJoeBrady) November 15, 2021
This happens every time there's a tie.
Najee Harris after Sunday’s 16-16 tie with the Lions: “I didn't even know you could tie in the NFL," Harris said, via @bepryor. "In my mind, I was sitting on the bench saying, 'I've got another quarter to go.' But someone came to me and said, 'That's it.’https://t.co/rZqQemPJ6F
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2021
Wrapping with this one.
Few fanbases in the league were happier than Carolina's after Cam Newton's triumphant return. That's great. They've got their guy and I hope he continues to excel.
And we got this gem:
Asked how much of the playbook he knew, Cam replied: “Two touchdown’s worth."
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) November 15, 2021
Another happy fanbase is New England. Who obviously made the decision to part ways with Newton. Patriot fans have their guy.
Mac Jones leads the Patriots to a blowout win against the Browns 😤
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 14, 2021
🈠19-23 Comp/Att
🈠198 Pass Yards
🈠3 TDs pic.twitter.com/uD2jv9tYQo
Bill Belichick had this to say Monday when asked if he was happy Newton was back in the league. "It was great when they signed him. Sounds like he had a great day yesterday. So, always happy for Cam. Appreciate everything he did. He was a wonderful guy to coach and be around."
This struck me as a cool way to be. You don't always have to "win the divorce". Sometimes people can go different ways and do their own thing and it doesn't have to be adversarial. So there you go. Life lessons from Bill Belichick.
That'll do it this week. Thank you for being with me on this goofy journey.
Love your neighbor and stick together.
Peace and Grace to you.
J