By Brandon Simmons
What Does the Urban Meyer New Say about College Coaches going Forward?
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer has made headlines for all the wrong reasons…again. This week it was reported that the coach has been embroiled in arguments with players and berated his coaching staff. If you believe the internet, this comes in the wake of some high profile coaching jobs being locked up this year. It’s silly but a similar sentiment was brought up by fans online earlier this year when the USC Trojans were searching for a head coach back in the early parts of the NFL season.
While college coaches are always going to try for that jump from the NCAA to the pros, these Urban Meyer stories should really make teams take heed in the immediate future when going this route. Meyer has been a decorated college coach for 3 different division 1 programs; there has been at least 3 different times when people thought the Jags could not beat a NCAA division 1 program. He’s coming into a place that has not had the equivalent of success that he is accustomed to, but it’s his job to change that. In doing so, he might have to adjust his approach on how he gets things done. It’s amusing to think he’s doing these things just to get back in the college coaching ranks, but maybe that’s where his coaching abilities are best suited. College coaches have always made the change to the pros, either succeeding or failing, and Meyer is very much on his way to the latter. Jacksonville has a potential franchise QB and do not want to see his progress hindered by someone who either don’t know what they’re doing or might not want to be there.
Did the Chiefs and Bills Switch Fates?
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs played in Week 5 and have had very different outcomes from that game. The Bills, who won the game, went to 4-1 but soon hit a 3-5 snag immediately after. The Chiefs lost that game, falling to 2-3 and at the bottom of the AFC West, but turned their fortunes around going 7-1 immediately after their defeat. In a weird twist of fate, both teams exchanged their seasonal directions after playing each other. At the time, people were considering the Bills to be the top seed in the AFC while the Chiefs were predicted to likely missing the playoffs.
The Bills should be concerned about their sudden change in of direction, as it pertains to their postseason plans. A few of the teams that they beat early on – such as the Indianapolis Colts – they are tied with for the final playoff spot. Those same teams are also regaining their footing to make a strong run into the playoffs. It does not help their cause that they lost cornerback TreDavius White for the season. They have one tough game left on their schedule which is against the New England Patriots, a team that beat them with only throwing 3 passes. Buffalo has to turn their season around before they are turned to the exit from the playoffs.
Should the NFL be Concerned Over Recent COVID cases?
The NFL is in its 2nd season of dealing with COVID-19, and while things appear to be as manageable compared to last season, that is not to say hiccups keep occurring. Monday, the Los Angeles Rams announced cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Tyler Higbee were among a growing number players being placed on Health and Safety Protocols. Tuesday, it was announced that wide receiver Odell Beckham. Jr. would be joining that same group. But even before this week, some high-profile names have been placed on this list, including Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. It doesn’t appear that things have gotten so bad that games are being moved around. The most egregious thing that may have happened around this matter might be the rules set around players who are vaccinated and that aren’t; but that really is a whole conversation on its own.
The NFL started its whole league year prepared for COVID based off the information they had from last season, but this is a slightly different time. With the reports of the Delta and Omicron variants popping up all over, the risk of COVID still remains, even though it has not reached the consequences of cancelled games. It’s a dead horse at this point to say players must be smart protect themselves, whether vaccinated or not. That’s not to say these guys did not do that, but rather, every player need to be cautious to prevent last year’s postponements from happening.
Shoutouts/Shutouts
Shout out to L.A. Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. for his touchdown celebration. In Monday night’s game, OBJ caught a touchdown and imitated the security guard who has been going viral for self defense demonstration. What’s even funnier is nobody seems to know his name but it’s probably best that he stays anonymous if he’s serious about those moves.
Shut out to COVID as OBJ was added to that growing list of Rams players. Beckham really seemed to be getting into the groove with the Rams offense and this happens. Hopefully he, and his teammates bounce back from this quickly and healthily. Four games left in the season and Wild Card teams might start falling out of the playoff race. Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Los Angeles Chargers for an AFC West battle that could alter both teams’ postseason. Saturday will be a doubleheader of potential elimination. The Las Vegas Raiders are visiting the Cleveland Browns to keep their playoff hopes alive while the Indianapolis Colts are hosting the New England Patriots, the top team in the AFC. The Colts will be fighting to hold onto the final Wild Card spot, while the Patriots are trying to remain the 1 seed to clinch homefield advantage. Patriots defense has been balling out but they are going to have to deal with the Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who has been a force in recent weeks. But until then…I’ll holla.