PMT DB
PMT DB
Sam Schwartzstein on Jim Harbaugh, Analytics, and NFL Week 10 Preview
The Bears are back, and while that was technically football we watched on Thursday night, it wasn't always pretty. Big Cat and PFT break down a game where Tyson Bagent did enough to win, even if the starter conversation should probably be put into a permanent hibernation.
Big CatTyson Bagent is an awesome story but he is not an NFL starter
Tyson Bagent, nice guy, I'm rooting for him. Awesome story. This idea that he's a starter. Let's just stop that. Okay, let's stop that right now. Which I think most people actually stopped it a couple weeks ago. But I'm gonna stop myself with that right now.
Big Cat spent most of the recap eyeing the draft board, as the Bears currently hold the Panthers' first-round pick. After watching Bryce Young struggle and Frank Reich look miserable on the sidelines, the guys aren't optimistic about the future in Carolina.
Big CatDavid Tepper might fire Frank Reich this week
I think that there's a chance that David Tepper fires Frank Reich this week. David Tepper did not look happy in the booth... He's a micromanager. He's fired men for far less than that.
Week 10 Picks and Preview
Moving into the Week 10 preview, Big Cat and PFT admit they are running on about four hours of sleep total due to the new Chicago office opening. This leads to a truly loopy breakdown of the slate, featuring a Patriot-Colts preview that spent more time on Bill Belichick's shirtless "walk of shame" video than actual X's and O's.
The guys also locked horns on the Jaguars-Niners matchup. PFT is ready to call out Jacksonville for having a soft schedule, while Big Cat thinks Kyle Shanahan is about to get the Niners back on track by actually taking things seriously again.
PFT CommenterThe Jacksonville Jaguars are on fraud watch
To be consistent, we have to say that if they lose this game [against the Niners], we have to call the Jaguars frauds... they haven't done anything to really earn that. It's just that they haven't played anybody. No, they're on fraud watch.
Big CatThe 49ers will look good and beat the Jaguars in Week 10
I think the Niners are gonna win this game. I think they're gonna be, I think they're gonna look good... Kyler Shanahan's gonna get more involved in the defense... they realize, hey, we're a really good team, but we gotta start taking some shit seriously.
Further down the board, the guys discussed the resurgence of Will Levis and the continued dominance of the Ravens. PFT isn't just a believer in the Ravens; he's ready to put his entire pristine reputation on the line regarding their status in the league.
PFT CommenterThe Baltimore Ravens are the best team in football right now
I like the Ravens. I think that the Ravens are the best team in football right now. I would stake my reputation on that, which is pristine.
PFT CommenterWill Levis will be an elite NFL quarterback
I've seen enough. Will Levis will be an elite quarterback.
As the preview wrapped up, the conversation spiraled into fitness goals and the upcoming "1000 Pound Club" attempt in the new office gym. While Max is confident he can deadlift a house, PFT has some very specific physical goals for the spring.
PFT CommenterI will have abs and be benching 325 pounds by Memorial Day
Memorial Day this year. I say Memorial Day I'm gonna be in such good shape. I'm gonna have abs. I'm gonna be bench pressing 325. It's gonna be sick.
Sam Schwartzstein on Harbaugh and Analytics
Sam Schwartzstein joined the show to provide some much-needed football intelligence. A former Stanford center under Jim Harbaugh, Sam shared incredible stories about Harbaugh’s intensity, including the time the coach made a freshman Andrew Luck stand up in front of the team to be admired as "blue twisted steel." When asked about the current Michigan drama, Sam offered a unique perspective on how Harbaugh operates his "sovereign state."
Sam SchwartzsteinJim Harbaugh didn't know about the sign-stealing execution
I don't think he [Jim Harbaugh] knew. He'll do anything to win, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he's gonna be the one to execute everything. He will say, 'Hey guys, we have to do anything. We need to win.' But I don't think he's gonna get down and dirty and do that.
Sam also went deep on the data side of the game, explaining how Amazon’s Prime Vision is changing how fans see the field. He broke down why quarterbacks are often more to blame for sacks than the guys up front, and why some of the most famous innovations are actually simpler than they look.
Sam SchwartzsteinQuarterbacks are responsible for a lot more sacks than people think
Quarterbacks attribute or account a lot more for sacks than people think... a quarterback's behavior will create sacks. Whether or not play call is involved in that too. So there is a solvable problem that could be something we're trying to do [with data].
Sam SchwartzsteinThere is no way for a defense to consistently stop the Tush Push
I definitely don't think there's a way to stop it [the Tush Push] and converting. QB sneaks in general convert at 72% of the time they're at like 85 90% with the tush push. It's super hard to stop it.
Before letting him go, Sam made some bold claims about the future of the league and the greatest to ever do it. While he's a huge fan of current innovators like Ben Johnson, he still holds a candle for his old college quarterback as the ultimate peak of the position.
Sam SchwartzsteinAndrew Luck is the greatest football player of all time
I still think he's the greatest player of all time... He could do absolutely everything and would do anything for his teammates. Best leader. He was by far the best player on the field as a freshman.
Sam SchwartzsteinBen Johnson is the best head coaching candidate in the NFL
I love Ben Johnson. You know, I don't know how he is a leader, but from a play caller standpoint... he uses analytics and data... If I were an owner, he's a guy I would go after as a head coach.
We finished up with a Fyre Fest of the week where Hank apologized for failing to produce his much-anticipated Lighthouse presentation. It's a busy week in Chicago, but the grind never stops.
Hopefully, Sam Howell is indeed the future, because PFT’s sanity depends on it.
