Random Shots From Week 14

Joe Bryant with a look at goofiness from the past week.

Joe Bryant's Random Shots From Week 14 Joe Bryant Published 12/11/2024

© Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesHi 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

One of my favorite personalities in all of Sports, Scott Van Pelt, with a perfect description of Random Shots QB1 Jameis Winston.

The Vikings really did the White Chicks celebration.

Bonus. Here's the rehearsal.

This is what professionals look like.

I especially liked how James was checking with the referee about how he was going to call the game. Just so smart to be proactive like that. 

 

I know it's not cool to love Kyle Shanahan anymore, or at least that's what the gurus on X said ;), but I love the guy.

Speaking of being a little "stitious", no way, no how do I cut my hair mid-season if I'm Derrick Henry.

I'm 100% serious. 

You do not mess around with things like that.

Apparently, I only THOUGHT I didn't want a Tesla Truck...

I don't understand College Football anymore.

I don't understand College Football anymore, Part II.

Players are entering the Transfer Portal with postseason games still to play.

Lane Kiffin, as usual, had thoughts.

"Duke coach Manny Diaz confirmed the move during a Gator Bowl conference call, after which Kiffin decried the system, in which the transfer portal opens before the bowl season plays out.

"Think about what we're talking about or what [Diaz] just had to address: a quarterback going in the portal," Kiffin said, per ESPN. "Just think about what we're talking about. The season's not over yet, and there's a free agency window open.

"Just think if the NFL was getting ready for the AFC, NFC playoffs, postseason, and players are in free agency already. It's a really poor system, but we just try to manage the best we can through it, and hopefully someday it'll get fixed."

Ok, then.

Music this week is throwback to a throwback.

I grew up in Texas, and it had a foundational impact on my life. From grade school in Dallas to high school in the West Texas plains of Amarillo, to college in the Southeastern part of the state in College Station near Houston. It's part of who I am.

Well before my time, Bob Wills created a genre of music called Western Swing in the 1930s. With his band, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, they changed music. Not to mention an all-time band name, and you know I like that. It was a mix of big band swing and horns with blues influence and later steel guitar and drums.

"Steel Guitar Rag" is a standard. You can hear Wills' signature "ahh-eee" call.

But part of what I think I love about Bob Wills is the reverence other musicians give him. There's something about honor and respect in the culture where the "elders" are given a special recognition.

Waylon Jennings demonstrates this with his song, "Bob Wills Is Still The King".

When Jennings recorded this, he was on top of the very competitive Country Music scene. Yet he easily acknowledges he's standing on the shoulders of those who paved the way.

Lastly, you know you've made it when the Rolling Stones cover your song. 

Week 14 Computer Rankings.

Ja'Marr Chase is a difference maker.

Now that's good branding.

Bill Belichick as a potential head coach at the University of North Carolina is apparently a real thing.

I'm just going to drop this right here...

What a world we live in where one can break their own NFL News.

I'm with you, Rodney.

I get it that college players make business decisions and skip bowl games.

That used to bother me, but no more.  I understand how it works, and I'm not under any romantic delusions there. It's big business, and players make the business decisions they feel are best for them. No worries there.

But don't end the "y'all know what time it is :moneybag:" message with the cute little close of

"MIZ. Just Call 3."

You literally just told the world you're not there for them when they call.

Again, it's ok not to be there for them. Just be consistent.

random shots

Bengals kicker Cade York had an interesting game this week as his girlfriend is a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. 

I thought Nick Saban might struggle as an analyst. Boy, was I wrong.

Again. Maybe Bryce Young is good?

Maybe it's that new top-secret bubble gum undershirt.

God Bless you, Browns Fans.

Love this.

At one point Sunday, the 49ers had outgained the Bears 319 yards to 4.

Not great.

Maybe they can try firing Eberflus again?

Thanks to Aaron Rudnicki for that one. 

How it's going for the Giants.

Thanks to Bob Harris for that one. 

Sam Darnold keeps rolling.

Rarely seen in the wild, the elusive Walk Off Punt.

Josh Allen does everything in a big way.

Proof that while name is important. It's not everything.

I'm fascinated by the obsession with offense. I get it as I feel it, too.

But while everyone is calling this a great game, the defensive-minded folks are dying.

I didn't watch much of it, but I still love that they try fun stuff like this.

Stay Curious.

#Footballguy.

Cowboys never had a chance...

Related.

I'll wrap with this one. I talk about Jameis Winston being Random Shots QB1. I love the guy. And he's fun. And this column is mostly ridiculous. But if I'm honest, Kirk Cousins is my guy.

He's an excellent and mostly underrated player, in my opinion. And has been for a long time. But I respect him mostly for how he carries himself. 

I can say a bunch of words here, but these three minutes will say it so much better. 

This is the kind of figure I want young people to be like.

Rock on.

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

And thanks to Footballguys Keith Overton, Jake Bryant, Bob Harris, Aaron Rudnicki, 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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