THE DAILY BRIEFING
| We have various questions (and answers) from ESPN’s Dan Graziano throughout the team in today’s DB. |
| NFC NORTH |
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DETROIT
Dan Graziano:
Is Jared Goff good enough to lead the Lions to playoff success?
Detroit is the hot team this offseason. The Lions knocked the Packers out of the playoffs in Week 18 last year with a stellar prime-time effort that, they believe, announced to the world that they’re ready to be much more than we’re used to them being. They will open the 2023 season with a prime-time Thursday night showcase against the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The Lions are going to be a popular pick to win the NFC North, and the way they finished the 2022 season justifies the hope.
Goff was one of the best quarterbacks in the league last year, statistically, ranking fifth in Total QBR, sixth in passing yards, seventh in yards per attempt and fifth in touchdown passes. Over the second half of the season, he threw 15 touchdown passes with no interceptions and led the Lions to a 7-2 record. This is a player who was the No. 1 pick in the draft and once played in the Super Bowl with the Rams. Under Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson’s coaching, Goff leading the Lions on a playoff run would absolutely not be the most shocking thing that could happen this season. |
| NFC EAST |
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NEW YORK GIANTS
Dan Graziano:
Can Daniel Jones live up to his contract, and what are the implications if he doesn’t?
Paying Jones $40 million a year after a season in which he threw just 15 touchdown passes is the Giants’ way of saying (A) they believe in Brian Daboll and their coaching staff and (B) they don’t think they gave him nearly enough help last season at receiver and believe they will have better pass-catching options this year.
Jones gave the Giants what they needed last year, but if he’s going to be making this kind of money, he has to give them more going forward. He showed toughness and grit in leading them to the playoffs as one of 2022’s surprise teams. He’ll still be able to use his legs to make plays and keep defenses on their heels. He just has to show more as a passer, and there will come a time when the excuses about the quality of the group around him won’t be enough anymore to explain why he hasn’t. |
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WASHINGTON
Dan Graziano:
Is Sam Howell really an NFL starter, and what are the implications if he isn’t?
*Shrug emoji?* How can anyone know this for sure? Even the people in the Commanders’ building? I will say that I had a few scouts and personnel people telling me, prior to the 2022 draft, they thought Howell might turn out to be the best QB in that draft. Washington has seen enough from Howell in one year that it didn’t pursue Lamar Jackson, Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Rodgers or any other clear upgrade at quarterback this offseason, and they didn’t draft one either.
They have Jacoby Brissett in case something happens to Howell, but they’re making good on their statements that Howell will open the season as the guy. He has a nice receiving corps to work with, and if the defense plays well, this is a team that can sneak up on people this year. Heck, the good vibes around the ownership change should make this a more fun and relaxed year in Washington either way. But a lot hinges on whether Howell is really ready to be an NFL starter, and again, I don’t see any way anyone can know for sure whether he is.
– – –
Will the Commanders get a new stadium with owner Josh Harris? Ben Standig of The Athletic:
Love and politics are in the air.
The political game never left when it came to the Washington Commanders’ proposed new stadium. Lawmakers rarely pass on wooing NFL owners when there’s even the tiniest of opportunities to lure a money-making, status-boosting franchise to their locale.
Yet by last summer, D.C., Maryland and Virginia legislators separated themselves from any stadium talk with the Dan Snyder-owned franchise, with some offering criticism for the team and its highly unpopular owner. State and community-financed proposals for stadiums are a tough sell. Getting into business with Snyder and the Commanders — amid numerous investigations into his and the franchise’s moral and business practices — made the task exponentially harder.
Striking out to replace the Commanders’ longtime but increasingly declining home stadium, FedExField, might have been the final straw for the reportedly debt-riddled Snyder. Six months after announcing they would explore “potential transactions,” Dan and Tanya Snyder said Friday they had reached an exclusive agreement to sell the Commanders for $6.05 billion to a group led by investor Josh Harris.
“I think it’s great news that we’re finally making a step forward,” former Maryland governor Larry Hogan told The Athletic. “I know many people, including Dan Snyder, are probably happy to move on to the next chapter. I think it’s exciting.”
He’s hardly alone. The press release announcing the sale agreement — for a record price — should have come with a starter’s flag from the Indianapolis 500. Jurisdictions, start your engines.
No local politicians were caught with their foot off the gas. The FedExField lease ends after the 2026 season. Snyder hoped to move into new digs the following year. Without an agreed-upon plan, a new timeline might extend beyond 2030.
When the idea of Snyder selling shifted into first gear, planning revved up for the incumbent (Maryland), the emotional favorite (D.C.) and the financially appealing yet location-challenged underdog (Virginia).
Harris, according to a prospectus from the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment company described in an ESPN report published Tuesday, is eyeing a potential $1.5 billion incentive package in Virginia. Even if that vision is financial chutzpah, the region must spend to attract major national or international events. FIFA passed on FedExField as a site for the 2026 World Cup.
Now that the franchise is poised to change hands (following approval by the league), the splashy stadium chase is back on across all sides of the Potomac River.
go-deeper
Perhaps it’s not surprising that newly-elected Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a former star wide receiver at Johns Hopkins, issued a clear-eyed statement about a future Commanders stadium shortly after the agreement news broke.
“The Commanders have called Prince George’s County home for 25 years, and Governor Moore is committed to continuing this long-standing partnership,” the statement said. “The Moore-Miller Administration congratulates the new owners and upon approval by the National Football League, looks forward to continuing conversations with the Commanders about our vision for the future of the team in Maryland.”
That’s a different vibe from the end of the previous administration with a term-limited governor and no hint of Snyder selling until six days before the 2022 elections. Under Hogan, Maryland proposed a $430 million investment in the “Blue Line Corridor” project toward infrastructure adjacent to the stadium, but nothing for a new stadium.
“We didn’t want to build a stadium on public dollars,” Hogan said Saturday after serving as commencement speaker at American University’s School of Public Affairs graduation. “(The Commanders) had always promised they were going to (build the stadium) with their dollars. But we put $430 million into infrastructure, which is still a huge investment in the team — which nobody else has done in this region.”
In 2022, Hogan signed a bill that authorized the Maryland Stadium Authority to borrow up to $1.2 billion for upgrades at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Ravens, and Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
As of 2022, the notion of Snyder funding a stadium was not the working theory. Whatever investment is forthcoming from Harris, NBA legend Magic Johnson and a group of at least 11 other partners — Moore might have received a sneak peek in March when he hosted Johnson at his home, according to a source close to the governor who was not authorized to speak publicly — Maryland appears willing to raise its level of commitment to the Commanders.
“I’m absolutely willing to leverage taxpayer dollars if we know there’s going to be a significant societal return on the investment,” Moore told Axios in April.
Prince George’s County isn’t always the sexy destination for large-scale businesses. But Maryland officials see the “Blue Line Corridor” project in Landover as their chance to replicate the growth of the District’s Navy Yard. Nationals Park served as that development’s business anchor. The Commanders’ stadium property, which includes 200 acres surrounding FedExField, would have a similar purpose for Prince George’s.
Shifting the team’s gameday location would threaten to disrupt the norm for fans and families. But some see that as a feature rather than a bug, considering the traffic hassle at FedExField and the lack of established entertainment options on non-gamedays.
However, as Hogan noted about the franchise sale, not all norms warrant keeping.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Hogan said, “There’s been a lot of drama surrounding multiple different controversies, the state of the team and what else is going on. I think it’s a great time to turn the page and have a new chapter (for the team and Maryland). Hopefully, it’ll be an exciting time for the Commanders.”
The Commanders declined to comment for this story.
What about D.C.?
Practical thinking pegs Maryland as the likely outcome. But if given a choice, the fan base, player alumni and others want to go home again.
Clicking their heels or cleats three times won’t be enough to return to the RFK Stadium site, where the team played from 1961 through the 1996 season.
The 190-acre location is owned by the National Park Service. The city’s lease with the federal government runs until 2038. The agreement allows for a new stadium but is not zoned for a mini city. “D.C. is not a real option until Congress gives control of the land,” team president Jason Wright said in August.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser isn’t new to seeking the football team’s return to the nation’s capital, especially since the franchise changed its name. Re-elected to a third term in November, Bowser issued a two-word tweet after the Snyder-Harris agreement became public: “Let’s win!”
Winning requires teamwork. Bowser typically faced local political opposition and a lack of cooperation from the federal government to convey the RFK campus to the city. But actions this week indicate a shift might be occurring.
Bowser spoke before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Tuesday regarding crime and public safety. Yes, the same committee that investigated Snyder and the Commanders’ organization, until the mid-term elections moved control from the Democrats to Republicans.
Bowser’s testimony included mention of control of the land 2.1 miles east of the U.S. Capitol and the potential to “work together to reimagine the RFK campus and help shape its future … for sport and a mix of uses.”
Bowser cited other projects, including The Wharf, as examples of “what we’ve done locally with federally underused and under-resourced land in D.C.”
The surprise came when committee chairman James Comer responded.
“I know that you have a lot of big issues coming forward, opportunities in Washington, D.C., a new arena,” the Republican congressman representing Kentucky’s first district said. “I know that would require some type of legislative assistance. That’s something that we would pledge to work with you and your office on something that I think would be beneficial to the city.”
Comer’s gesture is likely about shrinking the size of the federal government rather than revisiting memories of Doug Williams and John Riggins.
The House Committee on Natural Resources, which considers legislation regarding public lands, also favors shifting control of the RFK land from the federal government to the District.
“We’ve known for years that the federal estate is far too large, and this is yet another example of why we need to address the issue,” a committee spokesperson said in a statement to The Athletic. “… Congress should take a hard look at shrinking the federal estate and returning managing authority back to local communities, where it belongs.”
D.C. and the Commanders lobbied for support from the Senate Committee on Energy and Resources, chaired by Democrat Joe Manchin (W.V.). According to a committee source who was not authorized to speak publicly, recent reports overstated positive signs and Manchin’s involvement.
Wednesday’s Washington Post provided Bowser additional backing from a powerful D.C. voice. Kenyan R. McDuffie, an at-large D.C. Council member and chairman of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, wrote an op-ed titled “Bring the Commanders Home.”
“A new owner and recent name change open a unique opportunity for D.C. to reclaim its National Football League legacy,” McDuffie wrote. “The (economic) potential is worth our investment. … Recent history shows that we all lose when D.C. does not control its own destiny.”
Obstacles remain, of course. Turning political statements into action is often more challenging than finding a franchise quarterback. Bowser still must wrangle with the D.C. Council, whose chairman, Phil Mendelson, previously stated opposition to a stadium on the RFK site.
There is no known timeline from the Commanders. Perhaps the campus, which is smaller than other potential sites, won’t work for the Harris group. Still, nostalgia is a powerful drug, which D.C. has in bulk in this fight for hearts, minds and stadium financing.
What about Virginia?
Harris and his group see a robust economic partner in Virginia.
According to a prospectus prepared by HBSE and, as reported by ESPN, Harris “believes Virginia will offer the best incentive package — potentially up to $1.5 billion” for a new stadium. That’s steep, but public money for a new enclosed Titans stadium in Nashville reached $1.26 billion. That exceeded the $850 million commitment for a new Bills stadium and the $750 million in public funds for a new Raiders stadium in 2016.
Virginia was the most aggressive of the regions in the first half of last year. In February 2022, the state senate voted 32-8 in favor of the stadium-funding bill, with proposed subsidies reaching $1 billion.
By March, the figure downsized to $350 million before the Commonwealth’s General Assembly abandoned a stadium bill in June.
Look no further than Snyder’s unpopularity as a primary factor in that downward spike, Delegate David Reid (D-Loudoun) told The Athletic.
“We are now able to look at the (stadium plans) objectively as an economic development opportunity, because it had become a referendum on ownership,” said Reid, whose district includes the team’s practice facility in Ashburn and the state’s most viable proposed stadium site. Building a new practice facility as part of any new stadium complex is logical depending on space available.
State Sen. Jeremy McPike represents Virginia’s 29th District, including parts of Prince William County. Snyder agreed to an option deal last year to purchase 200 acres in the county for roughly $100 million as a possible stadium site.
McPike told The Athletic he doesn’t favor a stadium in his district or the Commonwealth right now. As a Commanders fan, he prefers the “feel and atmosphere” of a downtown site. He also cited traffic nightmares along the I-95 corridor and said he sees better ways to use state funds. Virginia is vying with D.C. and Maryland for a planned new FBI headquarters.
“I’ll take the FBI headquarters over the stadium any day,” McPike said.
McPike, a Democrat, does not speak for the state, but his view speaks to the tone change of this stadium pursuit. So does Virginia’s political calendar.
McPike anticipates major turnover in Virginia’s General Assembly (40 to 50 of 140 seats) during the 2023 election year. He expects members to prioritize economic fundamentals over “bragging rights” and avoid desperate actions should a three-way bidding war over the stadium unfold. Reid said the assembly appeared comfortable last year with a package in the $300 million range.
“From the discussions I’ve had with everyone, we believe that the starting point is still where we left off in session,” Reid said.
As for the $1.5 billion figure in Harris’ prospectus, Reid acknowledged that Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin might have held private meetings with Harris, but added, “That’s just not been something that anyone has been discussing.”
Youngkin’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Get past the election, and we’ll see if Virginia’s aggressive streak returns. Reid believes traffic infrastructure in the Eastern part of Loudoun County — major highways, the Metro’s new Silver Line — would appeal to the Commanders. Dulles Airport is within shouting distance.
McPike said talks with constituents and others led him to think a viable faction in his district “prefers RFK” over some proposed sites in Virginia.
NFL owners will discuss the pending sale at a meeting in Minneapolis next week, although a vote of approval could take another month or two. We’ll see everyone’s economic and political investment when Snyder’s reign is officially over. |
| NFC SOUTH |
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ATLANTA
Dan Graziano:
Is Desmond Ridder really an NFL starter?
The Red Stallions let their 2022 third-round pick start the final four games of their lost season, and while he didn’t look overwhelmed, he didn’t do much that stood out, either. Like the Sam Howell situation in Washington (and, to some extent, the Jordan Love situation in Green Bay), there’s really no way for anyone to know the answer to this question based on anything we’ve seen.
Ridder was a very good college quarterback on a loaded Cincinnati team that made the College Football Playoff two years ago. He has a lot going for him, experience winning and experience playing in big games. The Falcons’ coaching staff and front office saw enough in him last year that they decided not to pursue Lamar Jackson or any other QB options this offseason, so they’ll throw him into the pool and see if he can swim. If he can’t, Taylor Heinicke likely has to get them safely to shore and they can look at the top of next year’s draft for their real long-term solution. |
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CAROLINA
Dan Graziano:
Can Bryce Young have a Joe Burrow-like effect in Carolina?
A Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Burrow hit the ground running with the Bengals in 2020, had them in the Super Bowl at the end of his second season and got them to the brink of a second straight Super Bowl in his third. So yeah, that’s a lot to live up to. But when you pick first in the draft and take a QB, that’s the kind of effect for which you’re hoping.
Burrow took one of the league’s most forgettable franchises and turned it into one of the best teams in the league. The Panthers, with an owner who’s impatient about winning and a newly installed veteran coaching staff that’s not eager to spend its time rebuilding, believe Young has the talent, character, intellect and maturity to be their starter right away. Carolina believes it has a strong offensive line (which is where the Bengals comparisons slip a little) and good, young skill position players around him. I’m not saying there’s pressure on Young to be Burrow right away. I’m saying the Panthers wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out to be capable of something like that. |
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TAMPA BAY
Dan Graziano:
Who starts?
On one hand, it’s understandable not to want to anoint a Tom Brady successor and weigh down a guy with that kind of pressure. On the other hand, this is a team that has made the playoffs three years in a row and the camp battle for starting QB is between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. That’s not overly exciting, nor is it likely to make Tampa Bay a strong contender to unseat the Eagles as NFC champs. I think it’s fair to expect Mayfield to win this competition. But I also think it’s fair, if the Bucs do a lot of losing over the first half of the season, to expect them to be active at the trade deadline with an eye toward college prospects Caleb Williams or Drake Maye as their starter for 2024 and beyond. |
| NFC WEST |
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ARIZONA
Dan Graziano:
What does the short- and long-term future hold for Kyler Murray in Arizona?
A late-season ACL tear means Murray won’t see the field in the early part of the 2023 season, if at all. The Cardinals have a new GM, a new coach, a weak-looking roster and five picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft. So, you ask, could they be thinking of moving on from Murray this time next year? Well, maybe, but it won’t be easy. The contract he signed with them last offseason guarantees him $35.3 million in 2024, and if he’s still on the roster at the start of the 2024 league year, another $30 million in 2025 money becomes guaranteed.
On one hand, Murray should be eager to get back on the field and show his new employers he’s the guy they can count on long term. On the other, the contract really does protect him in case he can’t. If you had to bet on this, it’s probably safer to think Murray is going to be there for a while. But until we see him on the field again, this situation will remain shrouded in mystery. |
| AFC WEST |
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DENVER
BRONCOS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS
The NFL seems to think that under Sean Payton the Broncos will be much improved from last year’s mess, giving Denver four primetime games and at least three big games (Jets, Green Bay, Kansas City) in their seven late doubleheader contests…Starting in Week 6, the Broncos are primetime in three of five games…The Broncos have a 3-game road trip in December, sandwiched around a pair of 2-game homestands…They only have one road trip, a Monday nighter at Buffalo between October 12 and December 3…The Chargers don’t show up until Week 14, long after the Chiefs have come and gone in a three-week run in October…Denver opens and closes with Vegas…They get 10 games on CBS to just one on FOX.
WK
1 Sun, Sep 10 Las Vegas 4:25 PM CBS
2 Sun, Sep 17 Washington 4:25 PM CBS
3 Sun, Sep 24 @Miami 1:00 PM CBS
4 Sun, Oct 1 @Chicago 1:00 PM CBS
5 Sun, Oct 8 NY Jets 4:25 PM CBS
6 Thu, Oct 12 @Kansas City 8:15 PM PRIME
7 Sun, Oct 22 Green Bay 4:25 PM CBS
8 Sun, Oct 29 Kansas City 4:25 PM CBS
9 BYE
10 Mon, Nov 13 @Buffalo 8:15 PM ESPN
11 Sun, Nov 19 Minnesota 8:20 PM NBC
12 Sun, Nov 26 Cleveland 4:05 PM FOX
13 Sun, Dec 3 @Houston 4:05 PM CBS
14 Sun, Dec 10 @LA Chargers 4:25 PM CBS
15 Dec 16-17 @Detroit TBD
16 Sun, Dec 24 New England 8:15 PM NFL NET
17 Sun, Dec 31 LA Chargers 4:25 PM CBS
18 Sun, Jan 7 @Las Vegas TBD |
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KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS
The defending champs are well taken care of for exposure with the max of 6 primetime games, a day game on Christmas Day and a home game in Germany…Plus they look to be the feature attraction in all 7 games in the doubleheader window (not a single 4:05 start for the Chiefs)…They have just one appearance in the early Sunday window – at JAX in Week 2 – when CBS has three primetime worthy games doing battle (also Las Vegas at Buffalo, Baltimore at Cincinnati, and LAC at Tennessee isn’t half bad)…8 on CBS, 1 on FOX…In the division, they are done with Denver early, while the first Las Vegas game is not until Week 12…If Denver and the Raiders are good, we’re not sure there is an “easy” game in the whole slate.
WK
1 Thu, Sep 7 Detroit 8:20 PM NBC
2 Sun, Sep 17 @Jacksonville 1:00 PM CBS
3 Sun, Sep 24 Chicago 4:25 PM FOX
4 Sun, Oct 1 @NY Jets 8:20 PM NBC
5 Sun, Oct 8 @Minnesota 4:25 PM CBS
6 Thu, Oct 12 Denver 8:15 PM PRIME
7 Sun, Oct 22 LA Chargers 4:25 PM CBS
8 Sun, Oct 29 @Denver 4:25 PM CBS
9 Sun, Nov 5 Miami (Germany) 9:30 AM NFL NET
10 BYE
11 Mon, Nov 20 Philadelphia 8:15 PM ESPN
12 Sun, Nov 26 @Las Vegas 4:25 PM CBS
13 Sun, Dec 3 @Green Bay 8:20 PM NBC
14 Sun, Dec 10 Buffalo 4:25 PM CBS
15 Mon, Dec 18 @New England 8:15 PM ESPN
16 Mon, Dec 25 Las Vegas 1:00 PM CBS
17 Sun, Dec 31 Cincinnati 4:25 PM CBS
18 Sun, Jan 7 @LA Chargers TBD |
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LAS VEGAS
RAIDERS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS
The Raiders have 3 of 4 on the road to start and a three-game homestand around Thanksgiving…Las Vegas gets 5 primetime games (none of which are as a foil for the Chiefs either), which seems one or two too many…8 on CBS, 3 on FOX (all against NFC foes)…They do have the Chiefs in the CBS doubleheader window in Week 12 (although Buffalo-Philadelphia might go further)…The two New York teams visit on back-to-back Sundays in November.
WK
1 Sun, Sep 10 @Denver 4:25 PM CBS
2 Sun, Sep 17 @Buffalo 1:00 PM CBS
3 Sun, Sep 24 Pittsburgh 8:20 PM NBC
4 Sun, Oct 1 @LA Chargers 4:05 PM CBS
5 Mon, Oct 9 Green Bay 8:15 PM ESPN
6 Sun, Oct 15 New England 4:05 PM CBS
7 Sun, Oct 22 @Chicago 1:00 PM FOX
8 Mon, Oct 30 @Detroit 8:15 PM ESPN
9 Sun, Nov 5 NY Giants 4:25 PM FOX
10 Sun, Nov 12 NY Jets 8:20 PM NBC
11 Sun, Nov 19 @Miami 1:00 PM CBS
12 Sun, Nov 26 Kansas City 4:25 PM CBS
13 BYE
14 Sun, Dec 10 Minnesota 4:05 PM FOX
15 Thu, Dec 14 LA Chargers 8:15 PM PRIME
16 Mon, Dec 25 @Kansas City 1:00 PM CBS
17 Sun, Dec 31 @Indianapolis 1:00 PM CBS
18 Sun, Jan 7 Denver TBD |
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LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
CHARGERS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS
We admit to surprise that the Chargers are getting the max of 6 primetime games – especially since the team is way down the list of NFL “brands” that get boosted like the Packers and Steelers…Back-to-back primetimes on two occasions although the December 14 game is on PRIME and the December 23 game is on Peacock…Three of the last four are against division opponents.
WK
1 Sun, Sep 10 Miami 4:25 PM CBS
2 Sun, Sep 17 @Tennessee 1:00 PM CBS
3 Sun, Sep 24 @Minnesota 1:00 PM FOX
4 Sun, Oct 1 Las Vegas 4:05 PM CBS
5 BYE
6 Mon, Oct 16 Dallas 8:15 PM ESPN
7 Sun, Oct 22 @Kansas City 4:25 PM CBS
8 Sun, Oct 29 Chicago 8:20 PM NBC
9 Mon, Nov 6 @NY Jets 8:15 PM ESPN
10 Sun, Nov 12 Detroit 4:05 PM CBS
11 Sun, Nov 19 @Green Bay 1:00 PM FOX
12 Sun, Nov 26 Baltimore 8:20 PM NBC
13 Sun, Dec 3 @New England 1:00 PM CBS
14 Sun, Dec 10 Denver 4:25 PM CBS
15 Thu, Dec 14 @Las Vegas 8:15 PM PRIME
16 Sat, Dec 23 Buffalo 8:00 PM Peacock
17 Sun, Dec 31 @Denver 4:25 PM CBS
18 Sun, Jan 7 Kansas City TBD |
| AFC NORTH |
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BALTIMORE
RAVENS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS
The NFL apparently thinks the Ravens aren’t as attractive now as they will be after the frost is on the pumpkin…Baltimore has 4 primetime appearances, but non fall in the first 10 weeks. Then they are on 4 times in their next 5 games, twice on NBC in a four-week span…They play 9 times at 1:00, 6 in the first 7 weeks (and the other game is even earlier at 9:30 in London)…Their one-game in the late window is at Arizona, so it would seem safe to say the Ravens have no doubleheader games on FOX or CBS…They play 8 times on CBS, thrice on FOX…Only one road game between October 15 (London as road team to Titans) and November 26 with a three-game homestand that includes division foes Cincinnati and Cleveland.
WK
1 Sun, Sep 10 Houston 1:00 PM CBS
2 Sun, Sep 17 @Cincinnati 1:00 PM CBS
3 Sun, Sep 24 Indianapolis 1:00 PM CBS
4 Sun, Oct 1 @Cleveland 1:00 PM CBS
5 Sun, Oct 8 @Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS
6 Sun, Oct 15 Tennessee (London) 9:30 AM NFL NET
7 Sun, Oct 22 Detroit 1:00 PM FOX
8 Sun, Oct 29 @Arizona 4:25 PM CBS
9 Sun, Nov 5 Seattle 1:00 PM CBS
10 Sun, Nov 12 Cleveland 1:00 PM FOX
11 Thu, Nov 16 Cincinnati 8:15 PM PRIME
12 Sun, Nov 26 @LA Chargers 8:20 PM NBC
13 BYE
14 Sun, Dec 10 LA Rams 1:00 PM FOX
15 Sun, Dec 17 @Jacksonville 8:20 PM NBC
16 Mon, Dec 25 @San Francisco 8:15 PM ESPN
17 Sun, Dec 31 Miami 1:00 PM CBS
18 Sun, Jan 7 Pittsburgh TBD |
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CINCINNATI
The Bengals made a sneaky good signing with TE IRV SMITH, Jr – if he can stay healthy. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:
With Hayden Hurst signing a three-year deal with the Panthers in free agency, the Bengals had a significant vacancy at tight end.
So, they signed former Vikings second-round pick Irv Smith Jr. to fill the void.
Smith has suffered various injuries in his career that have limited him to just 37 games with 15 starts over his first four seasons. But his new quarterback has liked what he’s seen so far from the tight end.
“Irv, first of all, he’s upstairs all day every day learning the offense, watching tape with [tight ends coach] James [Casey]. So that’s exciting to hear,” Joe Burrow said in a press conference earlier this week. “And he’s looking smooth — big, strong, athletic, smooth hands. So we’re excited to have that guy.”
While receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd are likely to remain Burrow’s primary targets, Smith’s position is still important in Cincinnati’s passing game. In last season’s AFC Championship Game, it was Hurst that Burrow threw to on third-and-16 with just over a minute left for a 23-yard gain.
Hurst finished last year with 52 receptions for 414 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Time will tell if Smith can replicate — or exceed — that kind of production in 2023.
– – –
BENGALS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS
The schedule seems a bit muted for the Bengals, who were treated worse than the Chargers and about like Denver and the Broncos (if primetime is you gauge of good)…Still the 4 primetime games is three more than the Bengals usually get…They also have a Saturday afternoon game on NBC on Christmas week with the rival Steelers, but only two doubleheader late feature games (Week 8 at SF, Week 17 at KC)…8 games on CBS, 2 on FOX…They are done with the Ravens (Week 11) before the Steelers show up for the first time (Week 12)…Six of the last 10 at home, with those last 4 road games all featured somewhere.
WK
1 Sun, Sep 10 @Cleveland 1:00 PM CBS
2 Sun, Sep 17 Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS
3 Mon, Sep 25 LA Rams 8:15 PM ESPN
4 Sun, Oct 1 @Tennessee 1:00 PM FOX
5 Sun, Oct 8 @Arizona 4:05 PM FOX
6 Sun, Oct 15 Seattle 1:00 PM CBS
7 BYE
8 Sun, Oct 29 @San Francisco 4:25 PM CBS
9 Sun, Nov 5 Buffalo 8:20 PM NBC
10 Sun, Nov 12 Houston 1:00 PM CBS
11 Thu, Nov 16 @Baltimore 8:15 PM PRIME
12 Sun, Nov 26 Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS
13 Mon, Dec 4 @Jacksonville 8:15 PM ESPN
14 Sun, Dec 10 Indianapolis 1:00 PM CBS
15 Dec 16-17 Minnesota TBD
16 Sat, Dec 23 @Pittsburgh 4:30 PM NBC
17 Sun, Dec 31 @Kansas City 4:25 PM CBS
18 Sun, Jan 7 Cleveland TBD |
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CLEVELAND
BROWNS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS
The Browns get two primetime games and have a Week 15 possible Saturday game with the Bears…They are only in a doubleheader window once – and that game at the Rams should be second fiddle to SF at PHI on FOX…8 games on CBS, 5 on FOX (4 on the road which isn’t the way it used to be)…4 of the first 5 at home including a tough 3-game homestand (TEN, BALT, SF)…Then 5 of 7 on the road…They go against the grain with the division games frontloaded (3 of the first 4, only 1 of the last 7).
WK
1 Sun, Sep 10 Cincinnati 1:00 PM CBS
2 Mon, Sep 18 @Pittsburgh 8:15 PM ESPN
3 Sun, Sep 24 Tennessee 1:00 PM CBS
4 Sun, Oct 1 Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS
5 BYE
6 Sun, Oct 15 San Francisco 1:00 PM FOX
7 Sun, Oct 22 @Indianapolis 1:00 PM CBS
8 Sun, Oct 29 @Seattle 4:05 PM FOX
9 Sun, Nov 5 Arizona 1:00 PM CBS
10 Sun, Nov 12 @Baltimore 1:00 PM FOX
11 Sun, Nov 19 Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS
12 Sun, Nov 26 @Denver 4:05 PM FOX
13 Sun, Dec 3 @LA Rams 4:25 PM FOX
14 Sun, Dec 10 Jacksonville 1:00 PM CBS
15 Dec 16-17 Chicago TBD
16 Sun, Dec 24 @Houston 1:00 PM CBS
17 Thu, Dec 28 NY Jets 8:15 PM PRIME
18 Sun, Jan 7 @Cincinnati TBD |
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PITTSBURGH
STEELERS SCHEDULE THOUGHTS
The Steelers brand is on display in primetime in week’s 2 and 3 on the big Sunday and Monday night shows…After that it is just a pair of home PRIME games – a 4:30 Christmas week standalone with the Bengals – all at home…They could also get a Saturday game in Indy in Week 15…Six of the first 9 at home including three in a row in Weeks 8-10…Back-to-back games in Ohio around Thanksgiving…7 games on CBS, 3 on FOX…Bengals are late (Weeks 12 and 16), after the Browns are done (Weeks 2 and 11)…We note that the Steelers, like all the teams in the AFC North, have possible wins with Houston and Arizona that other divisions would like to have.
WK
1 Sun, Sep 10 San Francisco 1:00 PM FOX
2 Mon, Sep 18 Cleveland 8:15 PM ESPN
3 Sun, Sep 24 @Las Vegas 8:20 PM NBC
4 Sun, Oct 1 @Houston 1:00 PM CBS
5 Sun, Oct 8 Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS
6 BYE
7 Sun, Oct 22 @LA Rams 4:05 PM FOX
8 Sun, Oct 29 Jacksonville 1:00 PM CBS
9 Thu, Nov 2 Tennessee 8:15 PM PRIME
10 Sun, Nov 12 Green Bay 1:00 PM CBS
11 Sun, Nov 19 @Cleveland 1:00 PM CBS
12 Sun, Nov 26 @Cincinnati 1:00 PM CBS
13 Sun, Dec 3 Arizona 1:00 PM CBS
14 Thu, Dec 7 New England 8:15 PM PRIME
15 Dec 16-17 @Indianapolis TBD
16 Sat, Dec 23 Cincinnati 4:30 PM NBC
17 Sun, Dec 31 @Seattle 4:05 PM FOX
18 Sun, Jan 7 @Baltimore TBD |
| AFC SOUTH |
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INDIANAPOLIS
Bob Kravitz of The Athletic introduces us to Colts coach Shane Stiechen.
If you crack open Colts coach Shane Steichen’s skull, you’ll find The Duke inside, the synapses firing with thoughts of RPOs and 13 personnel. The Colts’ first-year head coach is a football guy through and through, a man who spends a ridiculous number of hours at the 56th Street practice facility. Ask Chris Ballard or anybody in the Colts organization, the 38-year-old Steichen is “all ball.”
But there’s more to Steichen than just football. Not a lot more, mind you. We’re not talking about a Renaissance man who listens to classical music, reads Russian literature and spends weekends doing Civil War re-enactments. “I like football,” he said with a smile and a shrug Wednesday in a conversation with The Athletic.
Still, I wanted to know more, more about Steichen’s non-football interests. He can’t be all ball, right?
Like … he graduated from UNLV with a degree in journalism and media studies. How many NFL coaches have journalism degrees? Guessing not many. Or none. Although Andy Reid wrote sports for his college newspaper.
“Well, I always wanted to be in sports,” he said. “Obviously, I was going to coach — that was the thought process anyway — but like, if for some reason I don’t coach, maybe I can get into football broadcasting, but that was the backup backup backup plan, the super backup plan.”
When Shane Steichen is not immersed in football, his occasional activities include fly fishing and golf. (Kirby Lee / USA Today)
Was there any media person you followed or admired?
Gosh, yeah, the one guy who comes to mind is Jim Nantz. I remember the first game I called (the plays), him and (Tony) Romo called it and I remember doing the conference call with him and he’s like, “Hey, Shane, Jim Nantz here,” and I was like, “Yeah, I know who you are. You call the Masters.” I just think he does a hell of a job.
What are some of your non-football interests?
You know what, I like to fish in the summer, whenever I get some free time, which isn’t often. I like fly-fishing, like in the streams, up in the mountains, Colorado, Idaho. I’ve been to Idaho a number of times. Been to Colorado once, but that was to ski. … When you’re up in those mountains and you’re kind of isolated, no one is around, that’s probably the one time when my mind isn’t on football and I’m watching that fly on top of the water, just waiting for that trout to come up and hit it, that’s where my focus is. … I want to hit up Montana. And Jackson Hole, Wyo. Those are the two I really want to check out.
And I’ll golf here and there, maybe six, seven times a year. Shoot in the high 80s, low 90s, right around there. If I’m really on fire, I’ll shoot around an 84. But I haven’t had a chance to play since I’ve been here (in Indianapolis). I hear we have great courses here.
Those are the two main hobbies, but really, most of my free time is spent just hanging out with my wife (Nina) and kids (7-year-old son, Hudson, and 3-year-old daughter, Stella).
The last time I did this type of story, it was a get-to-know-you piece on the newly arrived Andrew Luck. We talked a lot about books. Are you a voracious reader?
I read the playbook a lot (laughs). And there’s this book called “Everything Counts: 52 Remarkable Ways to Inspire Excellence and Drive Results” (by Gary Ryan Blair) that I’ve kind of read a few times. There are chapters in there where he talks about how details count, preparation counts, consistency counts. There’s all these chapters in there about what matters in life to people.
Is all your reading related to what you do for a living, like, things that can help with your coaching? You don’t read Tolstoy, I’m gathering. Or Stephen King.
One hundred percent. I don’t read storybooks and things like that.
What are your musical tastes? Who do you listen to?
Shoot, I listen to a little bit of everything, to be honest. I like country. I like being around the guys, the players, and they listen to hip-hop and rap, so I’ll listen to that. Classic rock is good. I’m really kind of all over the place on that.
You’re married and have two young children. How do you juggle the time when you’re putting so many hours into coaching, especially as a first-year coach?
Yeah, great question. You’ve got to be intentional about the time when you’re away from the building. You know, make an effort to spend quality time with your kids. During the season, do dinner with them Fridays and Saturdays, we’ll come in for our walk-through and then that middle of the daytime, hopefully catch a little T-ball game or whatever it may be with the kids. In the offseason, the weekends, that’s for the kids, whatever they’re doing. My son loves sports, so he’ll do anything outside. I bought him an Xbox for Christmas and he’ll play every once in a while, but then he’ll be like, let’s go throw a football or a baseball. My daughter, she’s into dolls and that type of stuff. I’ll do a little playhouse stuff with her every once in a while. She really enjoys that. …
My wife, she understands that part of it, when the season hits, that’s what it is for six months, but then that offseason hits, you’ve got to be really intentional about spending quality time with everybody.
Any preferred vacation spots?
Yeah, we go back out to Southern California quite a bit, Newport Beach, and then Sun Valley, Idaho, is the spot for our mountain trips.
Everybody, it seems, binge-watches something on Netflix or whatever streaming service. What do you watch?
We try to find a series, a new show to watch. Do I have a particular one that I love love? I mean, there are a few out there. … The one that just came to mind was a series called “Bloodline.” It’s a story about a family down in the (Florida) Keys. I don’t know why that came into my head, but we liked that.
Have you seen Ted Lasso?
I’ve seen parts of it. I haven’t watched the whole series, but I’ve seen like the first four or five episodes, but I probably should watch it. Everyone seems to love it. It’s interesting, it’s funny because there are certain things that you think aren’t a big deal, but they kind of are, and I think it’s real — like when he fixes the showers for the players. Like that made a difference. And I think those little things do make a difference. Those little things are big, and it really changes the culture sometimes. Because when you do things like that, people want to be around the building more.
You’re not on social media, are you?
No. I used to have Facebook in college a long time ago and then I deleted that about five years ago. And then I had Instagram, but that’s been gone for three, four years. I don’t have Twitter. … I’m big on technology, but not the social media stuff. You know what I look at on the iPhone is the news app, so I’ll look at that to keep up to date and see what’s going on in the world.
Do you make a point of keeping up on politics and world events and social issues, things like that?
(Shakes his head)
Football?
Yeah, yeah, football.
What motivates you?
That’s a good question. I think my kids and my family, being the best father that I can be, being the best husband I can be. Trying to do things the right way with everything that you do, treating people the right way. Working hard. It’s a common-sense thing, but what makes people a success in life and I think all businesses (is they) are like this. It’s about hard work and treating people right, and good things will happen. Is it always going to be perfect? No. There’s going to be ups and downs.
How did your kids react to moving from Philadelphia to Indy?
Well, they’re young, so they’re excited. My 3-year-old daughter doesn’t really know. We just took her through her school that she’s going to go to and she was like, wow did you see this, oh my God! And then my son, he’s fired up about this new deal. He’s 7 years old and he’s going to get his jerseys, and he’s all fired up about Anthony (Richardson). He’s like, “Yeah, we got Anthony Richardson.”
What kind of sports dad are you?
I just watch. I let my kid do his thing. Like, I’ll help out, the dads will help out because you’re kind of on the field right now, so I’ll stand on third base and say, “C’mon, run to third base.” My son caught a fly ball the other day, so that was cool.
I like to ask this cliche question because I find it revealing; if you could have dinner with three people, alive or dead, who would you choose?
Probably sports guys, for sure. Shoot, I’m looking at one right now (he turns his gaze to a large poster of Peyton Manning). That’d be fun to hang out with him. Trying to think. There’s a lot of people in the world who can make an impact on your life, know what I mean? I’m thinking of guys who’ve done it at a high level and had a lot of success in life. (Tom) Brady would be fun to sit down and eat with. I’ve sat down with Philip Rivers a bunch of times, which is always fun. Shoot, I don’t know, a third? Maybe Vince Lombardi.
Do you listen to any podcasts?
Oh, yeah, “New Heights with Travis and Jason Kelce,” my guy. I listen to them religiously. They do a really great job. |
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THIS AND THAT |
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BROADCAST NEWS
Can YouTubeTVs stream stand up to NFL demand when they become the exclusive host of the Red Zone? Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:
The NFL could be flirting with a new-age Heidi situation.
On Wednesday night, technical issues marred the final minutes of YouTube TV’s TNT stream of the Heat-Celtics NBA playoff game. Via SI.com, the game went to commercial with a little more than four minutes remaining and “the stream just lost it.”
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“Many fans saw the same ad starting and stopping for what felt like an endless amount of time, and it never came back for the rest of the game,” writes Andy Nesbitt of SI.com.
Apparently, it was a commercial for the new live-action version of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
YouTube TV acknowledged the existence of a problem: “If you have an issue watching the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics game on TNT, we’re aware of it & our team is working on a fix — thx so much for your patience!”
With Sunday Ticket moving to YouTube TV this season, fans are understandably skittish about the potential technical issues with the shift from DirecTV, which had more than its fair share of Sunday Ticket-related technical issues.
The folks behind the Sports TV Ratings account on Twitter believe last night’s glitch happened because TNT was using “dynamic ad insertion” with YouTube TV, something broadcast affiliates don’t use.
The key word to add to this is “yet.” In order to make back their massive investment in Sunday Ticket, YouTube undoubtedly will be exploring any and all strategies to enhance revenue, both from customers and from advertisers.
The good news for NFL fans is that last night’s situation gives the NFL good cause to insist that YouTube TV confirm, re-confirm, and re-confirm again that things will work smoothly when the time comes to stream the full package of out-of-market games. |
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