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Random Shots From Week 13

Joe Bryant's Random Shots From Week 13
By Joe Bryant, December 8, 2021

Random Shots From Week 13
Photo: USA Today Sports

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

Notre Dame and USC introduced new head coaches this week. The contrast was perfect.

Things I discovered today: According to the Associated Press, there are some words I've been mispronouncing.

Including Jason Kelce's name.

It's "Kels". Not "Kel-See"

Travis Kelce weighed in and blamed it on his dad's laziness.

But he's cool with both pronunciations.

This is the kind of hard-hitting NFL Content you come to Random Shots for.

I don't know much about the NHL. But if I did a Random Shots for hockey, I'm guessing Trevor Zegras would be a regular.

I've long said the NFL storylines seem almost too good to be true.

A New England vs Tampa Bay Super Bowl would be totally on brand.

If there's anything you can count on, it's things move fast and a lot can change between now and February. But today, it's looking pretty good. Here's the ESPN Power Rankings with the Patriots and Buccaneers in the top three.

Cooper Kupp: Footballguy.

Kupp made an excellent play here on what has now become seemingly routine for him.

But these types of plays don't "just happen". Listen to Kupp's explanation of what he saw and how they responded.

It takes more than physical talent to excel at this level. Sometimes a lot more.

Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde were not happy with post-game questions from the press.

"We'll remember that". Interesting.

Here's something way more interesting in my opinion.

Buffalo cornerback Tre’Davious White recently suffered a torn ACL and his season is over.

Bills fans have raised over $100,000 for the Food Bank of Northern Louisiana, where White is from, and made a donation in his name.

White responded, "I am at a loss for words for what the Bills Mafia has done for me and my hometown. It truly means the world to me to have my fans support me in this way, by giving back to my community.”

That's rad. Rock on Bills Mafia.

Bill Belichick tried to tell us.

He broke out the Navy mask in the pre-game interview then proceeded to run the ball all night.

Thanks to Will Brinson for that one.

Bills coach Sean McDermott said this after the game.

As the kids say, "He mad".

High School Goodness.

It's a beautiful game.

New LSU coach Brian Kelly was roasted after he spoke to an LSU basketball crowd.

The meltdown from Twitter folks who apparently speak exactly the same way regardless of the audience or social situation was fun to watch.

But bottom line, we all know Chris has it right here.

Music Note this week is from Ben Rector. He's a talented and thoughtful singer-songwriter based in Nashville. I especially like this song as it's a great reminder to be grateful and have perspective.

Thanks to Footballguy Bryan Brady for the recommendation on that one.

CeeDee Lamb. You're kind of ridiculous.

Pitt's Kenny Pickett with how to exploit the rules. This was fun (for Pitt fans) but they've got to change this rule.

You knew there was no way Gardner Minshew was losing to the Jets after this entrance.

Minshew after the game with his dad is exactly what you thought it would be.

Baylor won the Big 12 Championship Sunday upsetting Oklahoma State. Baylor's Jairon McVea made one of the best plays I've ever seen saving a touchdown that would have won the game for OSU.

In the midst of pandemonium, Baylor coach Dave Aranda was unfazed.

He was asked if he cut loose with his players in the locker room.

Aranda responded, "I did not."

Love it.

On the other end of the spectrum was Detroit's Dan Campbell.

This struck me too. Notice how embattled quarterback Jared Goff immediately ran to his coach to celebrate after the catch. That says something about their relationship.

After the game, Dan Campbell dedicated a game ball to the Oxford community.

Well done.

Can someone tell Devonta Freeman the "Let's Eat" thing is usually reserved for a run that's more than zero yards?

Game respects game.

The wind in Buffalo was ridiculous.

Now this makes more sense.

Want to feel old? The kid from the Popeyes Meme grew up to be a high school State Champion.

New England offensive play selection Monday night:

Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Pass, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Pass, Pass, Run, Run, Run, Run.

This did not help Mac Jones' numbers...

Wrapping with this one.

My friend Scott Sexton sent me this column a couple of weeks ago. It's from a blog called The Daily Coach. The title of the article is, "Belichick: 'Get Your Stuff On and Get Out There' "

The point of the article was about mental toughness and how practicing with adversity helps when facing real adversity.

One of the things Bill Belichick often tells his players before practice when weather conditions are tough is "Get your stuff on and get out there."

Running back Brandon Bolden talked about practicing in the cold and rain and wind. Bolden said, "I know whatever it is outside, we’re in it. I’m soaking wet right now. So no, I was not banking on [us being in] the field house at all. It gives us a few more things to work on, a few more things to be conscious of — especially in the weather."

Wide receiver Matthew Slater said after practice, "I think that was certainly one of the windier practices we’ve had in my time here,” Slater said. “It’s great for our specialists, our quarterbacks, our skill players… I’m pretty sure Bill dialed it up; arranged it to be like that. He was grinning ear to ear."

This kind of stuff doesn't get reported about much. But here's Belichick last year.

Part of "The Patriot Way" is Belichick instilling mental toughness in his team by having them practice in these tough conditions.

It's why anyone watching the wind blow the field goals around before Monday night's game knew the Patriots would be ready.

This whole clip from the Patriot's post-game is great. But my favorite was Belichick saying, "This is why we practice in this ####."

The lesson for me here is don't shy away from adversity. My default can be to seek comfort and convenience. That has its place of course. I'm not advocating we become Spartans. But I do think it's worth recognizing the value of doing hard things. Don't be shy there.

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

Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
Tags Fun Timeless Brandon Bolden Devonta Freeman Michael Gallup Jared Goff Micah Hyde Mac Jones Travis Kelce Cooper Kupp CeeDee Lamb Gardner Minshew Kenny Pickett Jordan Poyer Matthew Slater

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