PMT DB
PMT DB
Julian Edelman on Playoff Grit, Championship Sunday Previews, and Bill O'Brien
Championship Sunday is finally here, and with both spreads sitting under a field goal, the tension is palpable. Big Cat and PFT are gearing up for a double-header that feels like the most evenly matched final four in years. The conversation naturally started with the Niners visiting the Linc, where Brock Purdy is looking to make history as the first rookie quarterback to ever start a Super Bowl. While the rest of the world sees a seventh-round pick, Billy Football sees a legacy-killer in the making.
Billy FootballBrock Purdy would erase Tom Brady's legacy if he wins seven Super Bowls
I'm rooting for Brock in the Niners because Brock has a chance to totally erase Tom Brady's narrative and legacy if he wins a Super Bowl... if he wins seven. If he wins seven, he would have a better... he would be like totally erased Tom Brady's underdog story cause it's even bigger underdog story.
Hank, ever the company man and occasional troll, is leaning all the way into the Philly vibes. Despite his Patriots and Cowboys allegiances crumbling, he’s fully convinced the Eagles are going to make a statement against the San Francisco defense.
HankThe Eagles will beat the 49ers by three touchdowns
I'm betting on the Eagles. The Eagles are gonna win this game by three touchdowns. Rock Purdy is gonna have a Joe Flacco rookie quarterback stat line. Stop the run, score early, make 'em throw, win.
The tactical matchup between Kyle Shanahan and Nick Sirianni remains the biggest talking point of the week. PFT isn't just impressed by Shanahan’s play-calling; he’s ready to build an entire franchise around the guy right now.
PFT CommenterKyle Shanahan is the first overall pick if NFL head coaches were redrafted
If every coach went into a big pool and you got to redraft coaches first overall pick. I think you take Kyle Shanahan... I'm not talking about in terms of the body of work... [but] right now.
While the guys expect a war in the trenches, PFT is keeping a close eye on the early-game aggressiveness. He believes the game won't be decided in the fourth quarter, but rather on a crucial decision made long before the two-minute warning.
PFT CommenterThe first team to stop an early fourth down conversion will win the 49ers-Eagles game
There's gonna be a fourth down in the first half, a fourth and one... If they don't get it, they're gonna lose the game. Because fourth downs in the second quarter count exactly the same as fourth downs in the fourth quarter. Just file that one away.
Julian Edelman In Studio
Julian Edelman made his triumphant return to the studio, looking fresh even if he’s been dodging the guys since Thanksgiving. Jules jumped right into the playoff mindset, dismissing the idea that teams can magically find another gear once January hits. According to him, the work you put in during the dog days of October is what shows up when the trophies are on the line.
Julian EdelmanNFL teams cannot just 'flip the switch' in the playoffs
Guys are just gonna flip the switch and it never happens like that. You are what you are. And that's the honest truth with football... Belichick used to say it, 'You can't just take a fucking Gatorade before practice and turn it on.'... Teams cannot turn it on.
The conversation shifted to the AFC, specifically the health of Patrick Mahomes and his high ankle sprain. Having played through a litany of injuries himself, Jules provided a grim outlook for Mahomes’ mobility. He expects the swelling to be the primary opponent this week, suggesting that the version of Mahomes we see might be severely limited compared to his usual magic.
Julian EdelmanPatrick Mahomes will not be able to practice physically before the AFC Championship
I don't think he's gonna physically be able to practice. I mean, they're gonna try to get that swelling out the whole week... I sprained my ankle and it wasn't even a real bad high ankle and I was out for like four weeks.
Jules also broke down why he’s so bullish on the Bengals, specifically noting the 'swagger' of Joe Burrow. He wasn't the only one impressed with Cincinnati's ability to dominate the Bills in the snow, a performance that led PFT to categorize Buffalo in a way that will surely hurt some feelings in Western New York.
PFT CommenterThe Buffalo Bills are a finesse team that can't run the ball or stop the run
What's a finesse team? A team that can't run the ball and can't stop the run. They had the best running game like statistically... but if you were watching the games, you're like, they can't run the football.
Big Coaching Hires and The Jackpot
Outside of the active playoff teams, the Patriots made waves by bringing back Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator. Jules is a massive fan of the move, noting that O'Brien understands the 'Patriot Way' and has the resume to command respect in a locker room that desperately needs a cohesive offensive identity.
Julian EdelmanBill O'Brien is a great hire for the Patriots because he understands the standard
I think it's a great move for the Patriots because [Bill O'Brien] understands the standard. He's been in the situation of being a coach in the organization... and he's also been a head coach... he single-handedly developed Deshaun Watson, made him a $250 million quarterback.
In New York, Billy is practically doing backflips over the Nathaniel Hackett hire, viewing it as the ultimate bait to bring Aaron Rodgers to the Jets. Meanwhile, Big Cat is keeping his eyes on the actual games, putting his faith in Andy Reid's bag of tricks and a specific skill player to find the end zone against the Bengals.
Big CatKadarius Toney will score a touchdown against the Bengals
I think Kadarius Toney's gonna score in this game. Reid's gonna break out some weird trick play that we haven't seen before... it's gonna be like, 'Kadarius Toney, the reason why we brought you here is you're a difference maker. Go do it.'
A Contentious Fyre Fest
Fyre Fest of the week got surprisingly personal. PFT is officially on hair-watch, revealing that he’s undergoing plasma treatments to save his locks. He’s set a firm deadline: if the hair doesn't cooperate by the time the move to Chicago happens, he’s coming home to a shorter look.
PFT CommenterI will cut my hair short by the summer if it doesn't improve
I'm dealing with my hair issue... noticeably thinning out back there. I've made the executive decision if it doesn't improve by the summer, we're taking it off. We're going short... I got my own blood injected into my head earlier today... if I haven't turned it around by then, gotta come home.
Not to be outdone in the 'gross' department, Big Cat shared his recent gym habits. He’s been hitting the weights and the steam room, but he’s forgotten one crucial piece of equipment for two weeks straight. Despite the self-disgust, he’s doubling down on the lifestyle choice.
Big CatI am officially refusing to wear flip flops in gym showers or steam rooms
I've been going in the gym's shower and the steam room with no flip flops and I'm disgusted by myself... [but] I'm never getting flip flops. Fuck it. I'm never getting flip flops.
If the Eagles win and Big Cat loses his bare feet to a locker room fungus, it's going to be a very long Super Bowl week.
