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Random Shots From 2021

Joe Bryant's Random Shots From 2021
By Joe Bryant, January 5, 2022

Random Shots From 2021
Photo: USA Today Sports

Hi Folks,

I say the same thing every year at the end of the season but I think it's fitting the regular season wraps up around the Holidays. Because for me, the NFL season is sort of like Christmas: Tons of anticipation, and then it seems to be over before I know it.

Part of the fun in writing this column is I know I'll get to share some thoughts with folks like yourself who love football as much as I do. And that strikes me as a very good thing. I've had a blast throwing out my goofy observations this season. And I've smiled at the emails from people telling me they've thought some of the same things as they were watching the games.

As I wrap up the regular season this Week 18, I've pulled up some of the more interesting things I remember seeing during the year. It's my sincerest hope that you've enjoyed reading this column a fraction as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you're up for it, we'll do it again next season. And if you've got thoughts and ideas on how this thing can be better, or just want to yell at me about my preseason Christian McCaffrey ranking, feel free to shoot me a note at Bryant@footballguys.com.

Here's to Football,

J

FROM WEEK 1

Hat Tip to Footballguy Cecil Lammey.

Those people on the field in Carolina are nuts. A 50 foot tall Panther jumping around and they're just walking around like nothing's happening. Amazing.

Internet: It takes wide receivers some time to adjust in the NFL.

Narrator: Ja'Marr Chase is a rookie.

Hindsight is 20/20 and there's a LOT of football to be played. But I'm not disagreeing with Bengals Study Room: "The Bengals lose on Sunday with Penei Sewell and not Ja’Marr Chase"

And after all the hand wringing this summer, you know LSU had this one ready to go.

I'm happy for Sam Darnold.

(Week 18 Comment - Things change fast.)

My favorite thing about shows like Hard Knocks is the behind-the-scenes stuff from practice or games. DeMarcus Lawrence coaching up Azur Kamara is so good. At this point, Kamara was struggling to make the team. Watch this. (Warning - Some R-Rated Language)

Interaction like this is so complex. Lawrence does multiple things here exactly right and gives a lesson in leadership.

He opens with a question instead of an accusation or instruction. Lawrence already knows the problem. He knows Kamara is thinking and not just playing fast. This isn't really a question. But instead of telling him not to think. He asks him why he is thinking. Huge difference.

Look at his eyes. He is giving Kamara his 100% full attention. People desire to be seen and heard. He does both here.

His body position. Lawrence crouches down to get below eye level with Kamara. This is a non-threatening posture. For someone Lawrence's size, this is important.

He reaffirms. Kamara said something about getting "locked in" and Lawrence repeats that phrase as one of the things he wants him to do. It's clear he heard Kamara and he's on his side.

So effective.

You may not be an NFL defensive end. But I bet there are people in your circle of influence who see you as someone further down the road than they are and wants to be a bit like you. Be like Lawrence here and help them along the way.

FROM WEEK 2

It was a long week but finally, all is right again in the world and Lamar Jackson has resumed his normal status on talk radio as the greatest quarterback to ever play the game.

Note for USC: Next time do not put all the linemen at the back of the plane.

Thanks to Footballguy Clayton Gray for that one.

It doesn't last forever, but for a while, kids think their dad can do anything.

Poor guy is just trying to fix a helmet and Kenny Golladay won't stop yelling at him...

(Spoiler: He's yelling at Jason Garrett)

He may not be an elite running back. But Jamaal Williams can be on my team anytime.

No Random Shots FROM WEEK 3

This was the week that was not.

I was down with COVID but thankfully not serious enough for hospitalization. It was touch and go almost missing my son's wedding but I made it. Y'all humbled me with heartfelt messages of encouragement. Thank you, sincerely.

Tragically, this week was also a reminder that our friend Mike Tagliere of FantasyPros died from COVID complications. If you're able, I can't think of a better cause to support than the Tagliere Family GoFundMe.

FROM WEEK 4

Let's start with a throwback.

People are so impatient. I saw someone the other day criticizing Odell Beckham Jrand Baker Mayfield for having chemistry problems. Can we give the guys a break, please? Beckham's only been there 2 1/2 years...

Please tell me Mike McCarthy was paid extra to wear this hoodie.

I'm going to just leave this one right here...

I could probably do a Random Shots just on the Patriots' sidelines...

FROM WEEK 5

Warren Moon here absolutely crushing the Shoulder Pads to Shorts ratio.

Hat tip to Super70sSports.

I'm a long-time fan of Chubbies Shorts. I smell a Footballguys Collaboration in the works...

Technically, couldn't we call almost every Jameis Winston pass a "Hail-Mary"?

My friend Sam Monson pointed this out and I completely agree.

The Browns kept losing track of Mike Williams 50 yards downfield.

How do you lose track of a 6'4" 220-pound guy wearing a powder blue jersey with yellow lightning bolts?

I'm with my buddy Paul Charchian.

Kirk Cousins is celebrating.

Mike Zimmer is trying not to get COVID.

FROM WEEK 6

R.J. White summarized my world with one tweet.

Serious Question: Have we reached a point where quarterbacks are too good?

I don't know if it's the rules favoring the offense or the athletes are better or the gloves are stickier or what. But so far this year, 29 quarterbacks have completed 60% or more of their passes. Six quarterbacks have completed over 70% of their passes this year.

Joe Montana completed 63.2% of his passes during his career.

I'm not saying we need to change anything. The NFL product each Sunday is incredibly compelling. But I do think it's worth noting how the game has changed dramatically in the last few years. Show me the best quarterbacks in the league and I'll show you the best teams in the league.

On that note, Pete Carroll:

HT: Bundypalooza.

Jamal Adams in 5 seconds.

FROM WEEK 7

Jack Coan: Footballguy.

Regular Random Shots Readers will like this one.

Zay Jones. Still a wizard.

For reference.

And

This might be one of my favorite things in all of sports. Not sure what that says about me.

FROM WEEK 8

Phil Mickelson won Halloween.

This might be the best thing Odell Beckham Jr has done this season...

Beckham has a history with Thriller.

Be careful out there.

FROM WEEK 9

Operator, I need to report a murder in Columbia, South Carolina.

Poor Florida Gators.

"Gate code is 4017"

(If you don't follow college football, South Carolina stomped Florida Saturday 40 to 17.)

If Belichick retires before I do, I'm not sure how I'll be able to do Random Shots each week.

"Josh Allen wants to see Jaguars build on upset of Bills" was not a headline I predicted last week.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video may be worth a million. This tells you all you need to know about Nashville vs Los Angeles. The Rams brought out Michael Buffer for the drawn-out look at me "Let's get ready to rumble" thing that hasn't been interesting in 20 years.

The Titans, on the other hand, were there to play football.

FROM WEEK 10

Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach is a National Treasure.

The Auburn Football Program may never recover from this.

Breaking it down at the presser was even better.

And his follow-up on social media was the cherry on top.

I could just stop right here.

Oh, those Texas Longhorns. Losing to Kansas. Again. In Football. This time as 30 point favorites. They're going to love the SEC.

The winning catch was made by the freshman fullback and perfect for Random Shots.

This Kansas Guy was the picture of fanhood through the game:

Up 14-0

Up 35-14

Up 42-21

Up 42-35

Tied 49-49

Losing 49-56

Victory! 57-56

And here's one post with them all.

The Falcons Social Media won the internet Sunday when they went behind with a score of 28-3.

2021

Terry Bradshaw and Turkey Jones say hello.

(Week 18 Comment - Another "Things Move Fast".)

Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady gets it.

FROM WEEK 11

Who knows if the Bills are any good anymore. But Josh Allen's still killing it. Welcoming back the Canadian fans last week:

It's not that often Oregon has the second-best uniforms on the field. But that was the case Saturday against Utah rocking their USS Salt Lake City tribute uniforms.

So good.

Sometimes I watch the NFL and think, "If this were a movie, people would make fun of it for being too over the top." Aaron Rodgers with the latest example.

Seeing Lamar Jackson walk into the stadium Sunday battling the flu, seems like there's an advertising opportunity for Ultra Soft Toilet Paper somewhere in there...

Hoping Jackson has a speedy recovery. In the meantime, the Ravens did what good teams do. Win even when they're missing key players.

This tweet may or may not have been based on personal experience...

FROM WEEK 12

Oh, Kirk Cousins.

Running back Alexander Mattison could see it unfolding and did what he could to help.

Afterward, Cousins said, "Just got under the wrong guy."

Ok then...

I could probably wrap this one up right here.

But I won't.

Cris Collinsworth better watch out. Brees looked smooth on that slide.

Side note - Comeback Of The Year is easily Drew Brees' hair.

Mike Glennon getting the start because of someone else's neck should be the most ironic thing I read today.

Cornerback Trevon Diggs' son won Thanksgiving.

FROM WEEK 13

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".

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?

FROM WEEK 14

For insight into why folks loved Demaryius Thomas so much, it's stuff like this. Wait for the kiss at the end.

He will be missed.

Hats off to Denver and Detroit for this tribute to open the game.

Love this.

Ryan Clark was all of us when Rex Ryan said we should trust him on Aaron Rodgers because "I'm a toe expert".

Thanks to Footballguy Jordan McNamara for that one.

South Carolina's Shane Beamer is killing it.

FROM WEEK 15

This is the time of year when we start speculating on which teams may move on from their coaches. Joe Judge is an interesting case. I think I have a pretty good idea of how management should weigh out the pros and cons and make a reasonable decision.

Then I'm reminded management also thought this was a good idea and I realize all bets are off.

I love how the talking heads are spouting off the stats about how the Colts win when Jonathan Taylor runs for 100 yards. As if all you need to do to win is run the ball.

I'm with my buddy Maurile Tremblay. If we're going to play that way with "predictive stats", teams should start taking QB kneel-downs way more often. Those teams always seem to win.

Christian Wilkins with the Big Man TD.

It got even better from there...

But this is not new...

FROM WEEK 16

We lost a legend on Tuesday with John Madden. I think one can make the case no other person has made a more positive impact on this game we love than John Madden.

Well done, Coach.

You will be missed.

Boom. Let's Go.

2021 needed this.

His teammates are into it too.

I barely know these golfguys. But this is fantastic.

Once you see it...

I'm with Jimmy Traina, this may be the bravest reporter I've ever seen.

Tom Brady agreed.

On that note of "taking your shot" like the reporter did with Belichick, I'll wrap this year again with one of my favorite stories. And one I tell here often.

Heading into the last day, a doubleheader, of the 1941 baseball season, 23-year-old Ted Williams' batting average was .39955. He could have sat out the meaningless last two games of the last day and his average would have rounded to the hallowed .400 mark.

From the sabr.org article: "In his autobiography, My Turn At Bat, Williams recalls Joe Cronin telling him, 'You don’t have to be put in if you don’t want to. You’re officially .400.' Ted reports his reaction: 'Well, God, that hit me like a ***damn lightning bolt! What do you mean I don’t have to play today?'"

But you probably know the story. Williams put his .400 mark at risk and played. Both games. And went 6 for 8 finishing the year at .406.

That's badass.

How that applies to you and me is simple. I feel pretty safe in saying we're not going to hit .400 in the majors. But we all get to walk to the plate every day and take some swings. Take yours.

That'll do it for Random Shots for the 2021 season.

Dang. This was a year. And I said that last year too.

But we're still here. And that's something worth celebrating.

Shauna Niequist is a writer I enjoy. She wrote this a few years ago but I think it applies to this year more than ever.

“My prayer is that what you’ve lost, and what I’ve lost this year, will fade a little bit in the beauty of the Christmas season, that for a few moments at least, what is right and good and worth believing will outshine all the darkness, within us and around us.”

That's my hope for you. That the pain of what you've battled this year may fade a bit as we seek out and focus on what's right and good and worth believing. That what's right and good will outshine the darkness. Happy New Year to you and yours from all of us at Footballguys. Rock on.

I want to thank all the folks who sent me funny things they saw this year. You guys rock and you make my job easier. And thanks to all of you for the kind words throughout the season - you encourage me. Sincerely.

This may be the last Random Shots of the year but Lord willing, I'm not going anywhere. You can always reach me by email at bryant@footballguys.com. Stay in touch with us on Facebook by clicking "like". And you can keep up with me on Twitter or keep up with my non-football stuff here on Instagram.

I realize I've often strayed from sports and climbed on the soapbox maybe a bit more than I should. I intentionally left most of those off this collection as most of the rants were more a context thing. But not to be too dramatic about it, I felt like we sort of went through this season together. There were tough moments. And plenty of light moments. It wasn't all fun, but I think I can say it's been good to be together.

I'm completely down with Ram Dass who said: "In the end, we're all just walking each other home at night." Thanks for walking with me.

I hope you make the most of whatever you're doing in your life while you love your neighbor and stick together. And may you find someone who hugs you like Aaron Rodgers hugged Aaron Jones.

Peace and Grace to you.

J

Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
Tags Fun Timeless Jamal Adams Josh Allen Odell Beckham Jr Tom Brady Kirk Cousins Sam Darnold Trevon Diggs Devonta Freeman Mike Glennon Jared Goff Kenny Golladay Lamar Jackson Aaron Jones Daniel Jones Zay Jones Alexander Mattison Baker Mayfield Christian McCaffrey Aaron Rodgers Jonathan Taylor Jaylen Waddle Christian Wilkins Jamaal Williams Mike Williams Jameis Winston

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