NFL Game Previews

Michael Robinson welcomes a fellow Super Bowl champion Shaun O’Hara to the podcast to swap Lombardi Trophy tales. Shaun shares a Super Bowl XLII bye week locker room story that made Michael Strahan grin, reluctantly (1:56). MRob spills the tea on what really went down between Percy Harvin and Golden Tate before Super Bowl XLVIII (6:27). Shaun shares some little known Plaxico Burress Super Bowl drama (12:07), before recalling the Canyon of Heroes after the Giants took down Tom Brady’s undefeated Patriots (16:55). Finally, MRob and Shaun discuss what life is like after you win that ring (18:47).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome 3-time Pro Bowl cornerback and NFL Network colleague DeAngelo Hall to the show. DHall starts fast with the time he almost beat up Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur (1:51), don’t worry, they laugh about it today. Coach Billick explains how he earned his street cred (5:56), before the trio turns their attention to pre-draft player prep and evaluation. MRob asks DHall if he knew he was a surefire first rounder coming out of Virginia Tech (8:04), then the shutdown corner talks about training with wide receiver Roy Williams prior to the draft, and then eating his lunch in the NFL (11:40). MRob on his very busy Penn State Pro Day (14:35), before chronicling his journey from college quarterback to NFL Pro Bowl fullback (17:15). That reminds Coach Billick of the time he had to turn John Lynch from a high school quarterback into a punishing Stanford safety (18:15). MRob asks Billick about the pre-draft player evaluation process from the head coach’s perspective (19:48), and Coach tells us why the workouts must always send you back to the tape. Coach tells us you can learn a lot about a prospect by taking him to dinner (22:53). Finally, DHall tells us about the time the Virginia Tech/Miami rivalry made its way into his pre-draft visit to Washington (25:06).

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Legendary journalist Andrea Kremer stops by to share some locker room stories with Michael Robinson and Brian Billick (2:05). She then fills the guys in on one of the most challenging stories she's covered that involved Bo Jackson at a commercial shoot (7:15) and getting tested by Bobby Knight (9:30). Andrea gives Coach Billick props for helping guide her through her career, and they shed light into their close friendship that has developed over the years (11:15). No days off is the definition of Andrea Kremer who talks about giving birth at the Super Bowl, and then getting right back into the broadcast game days later (15:00). The podcast then shifts to what it's like covering the GOATs of sports: Tom Brady and Michael Jordan, and what similarities they share (17:20). 'Ruthless in the most complimentary of ways', is how Andrea describes being around Michael Jordan during his six championships with the Bulls (21:00). Mike Rob and Coach then ask Andrea about being the first full-time female NFL game analyst, and she shares the advice John Madden gave her about calling games (28:15). Finally, she tells a hilarious story about Billick being protective over a particular cooler she traveled with (33:35).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young to the podcast. Chase comes out swinging with a locker room story from his days at Ohio State (2:08). MRob wonders how Chase handled the distractions of coming home to Washington to play pro ball (4:04), and how he knew at age 9 that he’d be a “future NFL player.” Coach Billick asks about Young’s transition from 2nd overall pick to NFL superstar (6:53), and how he managed to excel during the most unique season ever. Buckeye success in D.C. is not guaranteed. What went wrong for Dwayne Haskins? Chase gets real about his former Ohio State and Washington teammate (9:26). What’s the key to hunting down today’s mobile QBs? According to Young, it’s a lion mentality that transcends the football field (11:42), keeping him on the fierce straight and narrow. Coach Billick asks the burning question: Who’s the biggest slob in the Washington locker room? (13:42). And Chase shows his confidence, and honesty, when MRob asks if there’s any offensive player who impressed him this year (14:20). Intimidated by the GOAT? No way (15:16), and why the “GO BLUE!” written on the jersey Tom Brady gave him was OK with the former Buckeye. MRob asks Chase about his time with Alex Smith (20:00). Chase weighs in on his college coach’s transition to the NFL (20:55), and how Urban Meyer telling him he wasn’t “a very good player” lit a fire in his belly. Finally, Chase Young on why he felt passionate enough about police-accountability reform to testify before the Maryland House Judiciary Committee (22:59).

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Former head coach Rex Ryan stops by again to share more locker room stories with Michael Robinson and Brian Billick including one about Rod Woodson being intimidated by Rex's 'dad bod' (3:15). He then explained his defensive philosophy that was influenced by his dad Buddy Ryan and Coach Billick (6:00) which centered around what he calls the K.I.L.L. philosophy (9:00). Rex explains how he helped design the dominate Ravens defense of the 2000's that featured Hall of Famers Ed Reed and Ray Lewis (10:45). Then Coach Billick and Rex reminisce about all the future head coaches on the Ravens staff including Jack Del Rio, Mike Singletary and Marvin Lewis and how their big personalities blended together (19:40). As for Ryan's time as a head coach, he shares that he had a ground and pound offense because Tom Brady wasn't his quarterback (24:10). He also defends why drafting Mark Sanchez 5th overall was the right decision for the Jets (27:10). This prompts Mike Rob to ask him what he really thinks about the 'Butt Fumble' (30:25).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome former NFL head coach Rex Ryan to the podcast. Coach Billick and Rex go way back and the former Ravens defensive coordinator starts off by telling how much of an influence Billick had on his career (2:06). How much did Rex steal from Brian? Everything. Rex pulls out a locker room story from the Chicago Bears (3:12), and you’ll find out why “Sweetness” was the perfect nickname for Walter Payton even when he wasn’t being so sweet. Next, Billick asks Rex if he remembers the first time they met (5:12), and tells us what impressed him most about his future assistant coach. MRob expresses his love for Rex’s larger-than-life personality, but asks if he’d change his ways in the current NFL environment (10:04). Coach Billick asks Rex the burning question, “Who’s more arrogant, you or me?” (12:00), and Rex let’s us know just how good Rex thought he was. After Rex praises Brian for his ability to adapt the offense to his players’ strengths (12:42), he goes on to tell us about the first time he cried on a football field... after Peyton Manning sent the Ravens home in the 2006 playoffs (14:23). Speaking of the Mannings, Brian tells us about when he kindly asked Rex to not kill Eli Manning (15:57). MRob can see Rex still has the passion and asks why he’s not coaching (18:04), and while Rex sounds open to it, he’s getting his football fix in other ways. Billick asks Rex about the younger head coaches coming into the league (20:43), and Rex has thoughts, “he’s already on third base and he thinks he hit a triple.” Being a head coach is tough, but coaching in New York City is tougher… Billick asks about the unique pressure of coaching the Jets (23:02), Rex thrived in NYC with his no BS style. Any tips for Robert Saleh as he starts his head coaching career with the J-E-T-S? (25:01), “embrace the situation you have.” Billick brings up the GM/Head Coach relationship and Rex tells us how to do it right (26:44).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick kick of every episode asking our guests for their best locker room story. Today we’ve compiled the best of the best. Enjoy! Coach Billick “kicks” the show off with the story of a punter just hanging around… by his foot… from a net… (:59), and MRob recalls the time two of his teammates were at each other’s throats right before the Super Bowl (2:26). Next we turn to our guests who are more than willing to spill the tea on locker room hijinks. Jared Allen talks turkey (6:37), and Adrian Peterson dodges flying chairs (8:27). LaDainian Tomlinson recalls a teammate’s love life leading to a hairy situation (10:37). “Tickets for Crickets” & “DB-ville”… Chris Long stakes his claim to the throne of the prankster king (13:21), but Gerald McCoy just might take the crown when he charges a rookie rent (16:28). Steve Smith Sr. did not enjoy his first day in Baltimore (19:43). Vernon Davis on how no one was safe inside the San Francisco locker room (21:48), and former 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci on the time a guy fell through the ceiling into their locker room (23:01). Finally, Brian Baldinger tops the show off with a toupee tussle (24:32).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome Super Bowl 50 winning Head Coach Gary Kubiak to the podcast. Coach Kubiak starts things off with a locker room story from his days backing up John Elway (1:53), Mike Shanahan didn’t think it was that funny, but you will. How Kubiak went from player to coach and who convinced him to make the jump (3:30), plus why making the move back to Texas A&M put him on track to excel as an NFL head coach. What it was like to land in Denver as a head coach working with Elway again (7:15), and then what it was like to walk away… that is until Mike Zimmer pulled him back into the Vikings locker room (9:25). MRob gets Kubiak to dive into the evolution of the wide zone run scheme (10:20), and Coach Billick follows up asking how he found the right backs to run the scheme (12:26). Gary Kubiak treasures teaching and one of his students was just named NFL Coach of the Year, Kubiak talks about the time he spent with Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota (13:45). Head coaching can take its toll, Billick asks how he addressed work life balance following health concerns (15:58), and the coaching legacy he’s passed on to his sons (17:20). MRob asks how we can get more opportunities for minority head coaches (19:50). Coach Billick brings up the “I got the job, what do I do now?” moment every head coach faces (21:36), leading Coach Kubiak to tell a very cool story of when he first met Robert Saleh as well as some coaching advice that’s followed him ever since. Kubiak weighs in on the state of offenses during the time of Covid and tells us what we can expect when the fans return (23:27). Finally, we couldn’t let Coach go without asking about Peyton Manning (24:54), what it was like to coach the future Hall of Famer.

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome 5-time Pro Bowl and Super Bowl Champion cornerback Aqib Talib to the podcast. MRob dives right in asking about that Super Bowl 50 squad (1:50), and Aqib says the secret to the Broncos 2015 success was extreme camaraderie in the locker room. How does Aqib approach his transition to the broadcast booth (3:50)? He attacks it the same way he attacked the game when he played and watches plenty of tape. Talib’s answer to dealing with negative feedback? Pay attention to the positive feedback…because there’s more of it (5:02). Coach asks Aqib about his podcast but before he answers, MRob has to know what’s up with that name, “Catchin’ Fades” (5:35). Who were the players that inspired Talib as a kid (7:15)? He tells MRob and Coach and doesn’t stop at being a kid… there were contemporaries inspiring him when he was a top shutdown corner in the League (8:10). Speaking of shutdown corners, Coach asks if they still exist (8:55), and Aqib’s answer enlightens all on the changing position and he lays down his top list of current corners. Do corners ever regret telling a coach they want to follow the top receiver? Yes (11:50), and Talib’s admission of anxiety on the field blows MRob’s mind (12:40). Aqib’s opinion on what went down for Jared Goff in LA might surprise you (13:40). Free Agency advice, Talib sounds off on players making the right and wrong decisions (18:24), and speculates about the potential free agent comings and goings with the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20:45). Hint: Talk to Tom Brady if you want to go to Tampa.

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome former Colts Wide Receiver Rep. Anthony Gonzalez to the show to talk about his life in the NFL, his career in Congress and where the two overlap. Before things get serious, Gonzalez breaks the ice with a tale of the night he and his Colts teammates “may have” parked an unnamed coach’s car on the 50-yard line… loaded with packing peanuts (2:40). The podcast matures when MRob asks Anthony to outline his journey from football to the U.S. House of Representatives (4:22), and Gonzalez explains “the call to serve” that led him to the halls of Congress. How do the lessons learned in a diverse NFL locker room inform his role as a U.S. Representative? Coach Billick wants to know and asks just that (6:51), and finds out what it takes for Republicans, Democrats and Independents to work together without the assistance of game tape. Got a problem? Anthony explains how the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus gets things done (11:28). MRob asks Anthony about his decision to vote to impeach President Trump, a decision unpopular with his “team” (12:36), and Gonzalez explains that “you have to be willing to lose your job in this job” when you take an oath to uphold the Constitution. In a first for this podcast, Coach Billick tackles pork barrel spending (14:53). Then Rep, Gonzalez gives an honest account of his experience being in The Capitol Building under siege on January 6th (17:09), and how there just might be a silver lining to the event. Things lighten up when Coach reveals that Anthony once dated his daughter (19:25), and Gonzalez reveals he was just hoping it wouldn’t affect his draft position. Things wrap up with talk about Anthony’s old QB, Peyton Manning, and his entrance into the Hall of Fame… and what he hated to hear on 3rd downs (20:28).

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