NFL Game Previews

Former GM and Executive of the Year Scott Pioli stops by to tell Michael Robinson and Brian Billick about being a part of a group that convinced former Ravens owner Art Modell to draft Jonathan Ogden over what would have been a draft bust (1:30). Coach Billick and Pioli then share what they learned working alongside Ozzie Newsome (5:20), and the importance of being truthful to owners during sometimes uncomfortable conversations (6:30). Scott then explains why he didn't need to be on the practice field in order to do his job evaluating players (9:25), instead he took a page out of Bill Parcells' book to get to know players in the weight room (15:15). Then Pioli reflects on how he dealt with outside noise and criticism throughout the years when things weren't going well (16:30). Finally, Billick and Pioli examine the shifting power structure in the NFL and bridging the gap between the on the field and the business side of team operations (20:10). This prompts Billick to tell a story about Bill Walsh firing and then rehiring most of the staff to teach them a lesson of who's in charge (23:10).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome 2-time Pro Bowl tight end, and former MRob teammate, Vernon Davis to the show. Vernon pulled some pranks in his day, but beware the reptilian payback (2:17). MRob asks about the current state of the TE position (3:40) before Coach Billick reminds us that tight ends don’t live on catches alone, they have to master blocking (4:35). And who taught Vernon how to be a blocking force (6:11)?. Hint: It was not Michael Robinson. “Can’t win with them!” - How Mike Singletary changed Davis’ career and made a lifelong impact (8:59). What’s Vernon’s legacy at the tight end position? Speed (12:07). Then it’s lights, camera, action when Vernon takes us through the details of his new career in acting (17:44), John Malkovich anybody? Finally, Coach Billick asks him the burning question… What’s up with the Cha Cha (20:13)?

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome Wade Phillips back to the show. Coaches Wade and Billick tell stories about the marital stresses placed upon those in the coaching profession (1:47), before digging into some gridiron talk. Coach Billick recounts the first time he met Wade, it involves a keg of beer at midnight (3:35). Who came up with 11 and 12 personnel terminology? It was Coach Wade (5:03), which isn’t surprising when you discover the techniques his father came up with (7:06). Techniques that MRob claims are the foundation of everything he knows about football. Coach Wade reveals the secret of greatness: the great ones always believed they could be better (10:47). Speaking of great ones, find out why Reggie White’s 21-sack season in ’87 is even more impressive than you think (11:21). Coach Billick gives Wade something to consider with a question. What’s the best defense he ever had (12:35)? And just how hard is it for defenses to be great today (15:35)? MRob asks Coach Wade if he’s ready to retire from retirement (19:59).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome The Son of Bum himself, Wade Phillips, to the show. First things first, call him Coach Wade (1:55). When it comes to any town in Texas, what do the doctor, the reverend and the high school football coach have in common? Wade Phillips answers that as he recounts growing up the son of legendary coach Bum Phillips (4:30). MRob wonders what makes Dallas so different (12:47), and Brian Billick asks Coach Wade how he relates to the players of today (14:12). Let’s just say his answer was unexpected. Plus, Coach Wade, Coach Billick and MRob remember the late great Marty Schottenheimer (19:02).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome 2-time Super Bowl champion defensive end Chris Long to the show. Chris kicks things off by raising the bar on locker room pranks not once, but twice (2:18). What was it like to grow up in a football family with Howie Long as a dad (5:55), and then follow in his footsteps (12:01)? How a phone call kept Chris from becoming a Cowboy and instead lead him to a Lombardi Trophy in New England (14:45). Coach Billick wonders what the move from New England to Philly was like (18:15). Then it’s Super Bowl story time: from an incredible comeback win in Super Bowl 51 (19:55), to the inside scoop on the Philly Special (28:35). Speaking of Philly, did Doug Pederson get a raw deal (31:00)? Plus, what it felt like for Chris to become a Walter Payton Man of the Year (32:27).

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Michael Robinson welcomes his friend and Super Bowl winning teammate Marshawn Lynch to the show. Marshawn kicks things off with the truth about his Subway commercial. Is it really him rolling around in that tire (2:21)? Plus, how he’s teamed up with Subway to support young athletes with the Pro Teen Awards (3:24). Find out how MRob and Beast Mode’s friendship started over dinner with Mike’s mom (8:59), as well as over not paying attention in the huddle (9:39). And what happens when you don’t pay attention? MRob and Marshawn fill you in (11:01). Relive the Beastquake with the man who caused it and the man who had to go out on kickoff coverage right after it (14:35). Can calling someone an “overachiever” really cause a two year grudge? Yes (17:29). Lynch weighs in on the future of RBs in the NFL (19:55) and on the importance of young players seeking off-field advice from their team’s OGs (23:45).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome back 6-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to the show. What’s the secret of getting to the QB from the DT position? According to Gerald you need to have a plan…and a book a la Aaron Donald (2:34). MRob asks how you read your opponent (3:43) before McCoy explains “winning the rep” versus “losing slowly” (5:12). Find out the last thing a QB wants to see and how to show it to him (6:50), and why studying your opponent shouldn’t stop on the football field (8:34). McCoy shares what Warren Sapp taught him about the pass rush “lifestyle” (9:34), and how an offensive lineman taught him that being nice can be mean (10:47). Coach discovers how McCoy finds the one-on-ones in a world of double team blocks (12:06), and MRob gets schooled on stopping Lamar Jackson (14:24). Finally, Aaron, Drew, Tom or Peyton: find out which QB McCoy had the most fun sacking (16:30).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome Adrian Peterson to the show. The MVP & 7-time Pro Bowl running back reveals the secret of his longevity (4:45), and tells MRob what it was like to rack up 182 rush yards against The Legion of Boom (7:50). Are 300+ carry running backs a thing of the past? AP weighs in on the future of the position (11:05), and tells us which backs he has his eye on now (14:49). Coach asks AP if long-term contracts ever affected his short-term effort (16:20), and MRob finds out what traits elevate good backs to greatness (19:03). Finally, Adrian on coming up 9 yards short of the single-season rushing record in 2012 (23:23), and the aggressive mindset that ignited his every run (26:30).

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Gerald McCoy updates Michael Robinson and Brian Billick on his road to recovery after an offseason injury and his plans to be back in 2021 (2:53). Time to pay the rent… McCoy’s locker room story might have you asking, “Did he take it too far?” (3:52). Then the DT gets into the importance of veteran-rookie mentorship in the locker room (7:56) and educates the guys on the big difference between being a Professional versus Pro (10:28). Speaking of being a professional, McCoy explains how Tom Brady had a huge impact in Tampa even before the 2020 season (13:38). Finally, MRob and Coach ask how a vet adjusts to life in a new locker room. McCoy’s answer: carry yourself with confidence and “be the circus” (18:55).

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Michael Robinson and Brian Billick welcome Shaun O’Hara to the show to discuss the glamorous life of an NFL center. You know that Shaun helped Eli Manning and the New York Giants become Super Bowl 42 champions, now find out how the quarterback-center duo overcame a sweaty situation en route to the Lombardi Trophy (4:28). Coach Billick reveals the real reason behind the shotgun snap’s proliferation (7:15) and MRob and Shaun tell us why if you’re not first (to the stadium on game day), you’re last (8:05). Shaun answers the age old question, “Why are centers so weird?” (10:40) and reveals just how weird some centers can get (13:25) and breaks down the process of communication between QB and center (15:14). MRob with his take on guards who bypass defensive linemen to block defensive backs and Shaun on why MRob doesn’t get to call them out (16:30).

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