Travis Kelce shines; Bengals DC's greatness; David Shaw to Denver?

I discover it wonderful that in a head-coach hiring cycle that has 5 vacancies nonetheless open and has seen over 25 totally different males interviewed for jobs, Bengals DC Lou Anarumo hasn’t obtained a single interview request. What extra can a single coordinator do than what Anarumo has completed in huge video games with Cincinnati’s feisty protection?  

Take into account this: the 56-year-old Anarumo is 5-1 in playoff video games with the Bengals, with a 3-0 document in highway video games, whereas giving up a median of lower than 20 factors in these video games to a number of the greatest offenses within the league. Prior to now two postseasons alone, the Bengals D has put the clamps on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in a second half of final 12 months’s AFC Championship Sport, the No. 1-seeded Tennessee Titans, Derek Carr and the red-hot Raiders staff from a 12 months in the past and now the Ravens and Bills this season.  

Halftime changes appear to be Anarumo’s experience, however actually, it is a matter of flexibility and psychological toughness mid-game that’s most revered. The Bengals protection is taking part in in addition to any group this postseason and the staff hasn’t misplaced since Halloween. Anarumo is not a preferred, younger offensive coordinator and he does not have NFL head teaching expertise — two no no’s for a lot of house owners — however gosh, can the person relate to his guys. 

I do not personal a staff and I’m assuming I by no means will. However on the very least, I would need to choose Coach Lou’s mind. Alas, he has greater fish to fry this weekend. Control what the Bengals do after the half — it is once they excel.  

Travis Kelce’s historic stretch

The NFL introduced its Offensive Participant of the Yr award finalists on Wednesday and for the tenth 12 months in a row, Travis Kelce was not one of many finalists. I feel that is unlucky. Kelce had an unbelievable tenth season of his NFL profession, and it might have been his perfect when you think about what the Chiefs misplaced on the surface when Tyreek Hill was traded final March.

 In 2022, Kelce had 110 catches, third-most within the NFL. It was a profession excessive. He had practically 1,400 yards, which was the eighth-most within the NFL. He additionally had 12 touchdowns, good for second-most in the complete NFL and one other profession excessive mark.  

He did all this on the age of 33. Oh, and Kelce did all this whereas having one among his greatest blocking seasons in his profession, as two totally different Chiefs working backs — Isiah Pacheco and Jerrick McKinnon — had huge years on the bottom.  

Erin Andrews sits down with Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce

Erin Andrews talks to Kelce about his style sense and being the very best TE within the NFL in the present day.

Can we take Kelce as a right? Can we overlook simply how particular a participant he’s? Kelce, with the entire world understanding he’d be the No. 1 goal final week, had 14 catches within the Chiefs’ 27-20 win over Jacksonville. After the sport, Patrick Mahomes had this to say about his teammate’s skill to get higher with age: “He is simply smarter as a participant. … I feel that is the largest factor. He is aware of find out how to get himself open. He is aware of find out how to use different individuals and different components of the idea to get himself open, and he is sensible about how he blocks, how he can pin guys and get in the proper place. He is simply continued to evolve and be even higher as a good finish. He’s getting up there [in age]. I will attempt to hold him right here so long as attainable, I promise you. He is not taking any screens, like, 80 [yards] anymore, I do not suppose. However he is nonetheless going to make some manufacturing on the sector.”  

Kelce is the guts and soul of that group and had arguably his greatest 12 months as a professional. Justin Jefferson or Jalen Hurts will win Offensive Participant of the Yr. That is superior. I’ve no qualms with that. However gosh, how does Kelce not get nominated?   

David Shaw to Denver? It is simple to attach the dots 

The extra buzz there’s about David Shaw being a critical consideration as Denver’s subsequent head coach, the simpler it turns into to see that occur. I can verify that Shaw had a wonderful assembly with the brand new Broncos possession group and there is a state of affairs the place he is the pinnacle coach. I would additionally share that this determination is under no circumstances a slam-dunk as I kind this, and Shaw is under no circumstances “the lead canine”, because the possession group is conserving this as near the vest as doubtlessly any group within the league.  

So, of all of the obtainable coaches, why Shaw?  

There is definitely the sensation that Denver would profit from his management and presence because the proverbial grownup within the room. Shaw’s humanity and resume cannot be questioned. He was a longtime NFL assistant and place coach who picked up proper the place Jim Harbaugh left off at Stanford and continued to have nice success within the Pac-12 regardless of rigorous tutorial {qualifications} for his gamers.  

Broncos proprietor Greg Penner, the Chairman of the Board of Administrators at WalMart, has an MBA from Stanford. Condolleezza Rice, the previous Secretary of State, and one other member of the Broncos possession group, is a Stanford alum. You add in hyperlinks to Broncos legends John Elway (Stanford) and John Lynch (Stanford) and there is a tie there. There is a consolation in Shaw. The Broncos house owners would know what they’re moving into and who they’re getting. However is he the very best rent? That is going to be a call made within the coming days. I feel that is lengthy from a achieved deal.  

Hilton Specific 

On paper, some would possibly see Mike Hilton and notice the Bengals cornerback is a 5-foot-9 Steelers castoff. What they won’t see is that he is arguably the highest nickel nook within the sport. And he had somewhat one thing for the cameras and the NFL Movies Mic’d Up crew throughout Sunday’s win over the Payments.  

With the sport out of hand and Cincinnati’s defenders feeling themselves on the sideline, Hilton mentioned, “We’ll see y’all in Burrowhead. Let that sink in your thoughts. We’ll see y’all in Burrowhead.”  

Burrowhead? Sure, Burrowhead. With a victory there final 12 months within the AFC Championship Sport, Joe Burrow is 1-0 in Kansas Metropolis. Therefore, Burrowhead. Playful banter? The Chiefs heard it. Now, Hilton goes to be tasked with stopping Travis Kelce on Sunday. Cincinnati has discovered success in opposition to Kelce during the last two seasons. Here is to poking the bear.  

X Issue 

My X Issue within the Eagles-49ers sport is a pair of names few followers can be anticipated to know: Eagles assistant coaches D.Okay. McDonald and Tyler Scudder.   

Each are members of the Philadelphia defensive employees. Each McDonald and Scudder hung out up to now few years at Iowa State teaching the Cyclones protection. McDonald was a defensive backs coach at Iowa State from 2016-2020; Scudder was a defensive assistant from 2018 to 2021. Why does this matter? 

How extensive is the hole between Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy?

How a lot of a bonus do the Eagles have over the 49ers at QB? LeSean McCoy compares each gamers’ abilities and accolades, saying the hole is a big one.

If any coaches within the NFL have a learn on what makes Brock Purdy tick, what will get below his pores and skin, what may probably rattle the child who cannot be rattled, it is these two Each tiny little bit of intel and edge helps. What are the possibilities that the Eagles have two assistant coaches on protection who occurred to be coaches on the identical groups Purdy quarterbacked? It is a sport of inches. Hey, McDonald and Scudder — no matter you have bought on Purdy, now’s the time to step up and use it.  

Peter Schrager is an NFL author for FOX Sports activities and a bunch of “Good Morning Soccer” on NFL Community. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @PSchrags.

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