FMIA Wild Card: Decibels in Detroit, Doubt in Dallas, Harmony in Houston

On Jan 15, 2024

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1. I think the fact that Puka Nacua was the 20^th wide receiver picked in the ’23 draft and Amon-Ra St. Brown the 17^th picked in ’21 tells me that people who draft need to gather multiple mid-round picks and take chances on trait players—players who might not run fast or might be slight, but might have incredible determination or superior hands, or both.

2. I think I don’t know exactly what it means that the NFL is negotiating to buy a major stake in ESPN (h/t, Andrew Marchand), but I can predict one thing if it happens: It won’t be good for journalism at ESPN.

3. I think there deserves to be a W put in Jay Glazer’s column, reporting on the in-season frostiness between Giants coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. To review:

Glazer on Fox Nov. 26: Glazer said before the Patriots-Giants game, “There could be a mutual parting of the ways. When I talk to people inside that organization, they’re saying the tension between these two—you can feel it. It’s just getting worse.”
Daboll with a non-denial denial postgame on Nov. 26: The biggest argument Wink and I have had is who has the last piece of pizza. Have a lot of respect for Wink.”
The New York Post report on the story Nov. 27: Quoted a high-ranking team official calling the report “utter bull—-.”
The Post reported on staff changes Jan. 9: Martindale, the paper said, cursed out Daboll when told two of his closest defensive staff members were being fired.
Martindale was cut loose by the Giants Jan. 10: Martindale and the Giants “have mutually parted ways,” per the team.

Glazer, as it turns out, was so right about this he even got the terminology (the proverbial “mutual parting of the ways”) correct.

Bills must show ‘championship mentality’ vs. PIT

The Football Night in America crew look ahead to the Bills vs. Steelers matchup on Super Wild Card Weekend, and discus why Buffalo needs to prove themselves by dominating Pittsburgh.

4. I think it’s so good to see Aaron Rodgers following his eliminate-the-distractions-around-the-Jets mantra in his daily life. “Flush the bull—-,” he said on Monday, and get rid of things “we’re doing individually or collectively that has nothing to do with real winning.” Now there’s a man who walks the walk and talks the talk right there.

5. I think I was surprised the Titans couldn’t make peace with Mike Vrabel, who, by any standard, is a top-10 NFL coach. I think getting rid of him is a mistake, and I’d wonder about their long-term commitment to building a great team. There were some interesting nuggets re: the Mike Vrabel firing by owner Amy Adams Strunk in a Dianna Russini/Joe Rexrode story in The Athletic. Like this one:

Vrabel spent the Titans’ bye week in Foxboro, Mass., as a guest of owner Robert Kraft to be inducted into the Patriots…