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Kevin Harlan on what expect in playoffs vs. Andy Reid | Countdown to Kickoff · The Jacksonville Jaguars Official Podcast Network

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: With the call the a f C Divisional playoff game
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  Speaker 1: the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Kansas City Chiefs. It's Kevin
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  Speaker 1: Harlan of Westwood one Sports and CBS Sports of course
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  Speaker 1: on television on radio this week, covering the NFL for
• 0:13
  Speaker 1: thirty eight years on Monday Night Football and Westwood One
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  Speaker 1: since two thousand nine. It's great to talk with you, Kevin,
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  Speaker 1: And can you believe the Jaguars are here? A j P.
• 0:23
  Speaker 1: Great to be on with you, and uh yeah, yeah
• 0:25
  Speaker 1: I can. The way they finished the season, they played
• 0:28
  Speaker 1: the chief stuff at Arrowhead earlier in the year, as
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  Speaker 1: we know, they've they've had a they've had a miraculous
• 0:34
  Speaker 1: finish to the year. And I think people would always
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  Speaker 1: say that the way you finished, the momentum you carry,
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  Speaker 1: the peak you've achieved are all things that lead to
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  Speaker 1: these kind of Cinderella runs. Now, I don't know that
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  Speaker 1: anybody could and you saw in firsthand, could have predicted
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  Speaker 1: what happened against the Chargers in the wild card round.
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  Speaker 1: But clear listen, this team is beaten Dallas in overtime.
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  Speaker 1: Um they have they have shown their metal and they
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  Speaker 1: are as legitimate a team to make this divisional round
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  Speaker 1: as any of the remaining teams, especially after what we
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  Speaker 1: saw this past weekend with the Giants going to Minnesota
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  Speaker 1: and winning. UM. No, they're right there in that conversation,
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  Speaker 1: and it's terrific to see. Kevin. You've covered this league
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  Speaker 1: for a long long time. So where does last week's
• 1:22
  Speaker 1: come back rank for you? Seven down? That's nearly unheard of,
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  Speaker 1: it is, and UH, in those circumstances with UM, you know, UH,
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  Speaker 1: playoff game, national lights, big stage, UH, an emerging team
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  Speaker 1: that people are really kind of still learning about. UM,
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  Speaker 1: it has to rank as one of the great comebacks. Now. Listen,
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  Speaker 1: we've seen UH in this in this arena before the
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  Speaker 1: Buffalo come back against the Oilers, we have the old
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  Speaker 1: Houston Oilers. We have seen teams mount comebacks before, but
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  Speaker 1: for whatever reason, UH, this really stood out. I don't
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  Speaker 1: know if it was because Michaels was on the call
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  Speaker 1: and you had this legendary broadcaster that was chronicling it. UM.
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  Speaker 1: It just seems so improbable, Especially the way the Chargers
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  Speaker 1: jumped out to the big early lead. You thought, my goodness,
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  Speaker 1: this is you know that this thing is over And
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  Speaker 1: I know a lot of people probably switch the channel. Um.
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  Speaker 1: But the one thing about this team that Doug is
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  Speaker 1: instilled in it certainly is the belief that you've got
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  Speaker 1: to continue to chop, you've got to continue to row,
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  Speaker 1: you've got to continue to chisel away. And that's what
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  Speaker 1: they did. And when you have it put in terms
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  Speaker 1: of we make this step, then we take the next step,
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  Speaker 1: then we take the next step. Within a game, you know,
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  Speaker 1: the belief builds. And now what you've done this past
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  Speaker 1: weekend and what you did to finish the regular season
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  Speaker 1: to get here in the first place, I think speaks
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  Speaker 1: volumes of the turnaround this season. But the belief these
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  Speaker 1: kids have and what they can do, the product they show,
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  Speaker 1: and how they go about their business, that their confidence
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  Speaker 1: has got to be sky high coming into Arrowhead this weekend.
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  Speaker 1: My thinking is after watching the game on tape and
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  Speaker 1: and uh and and reading what people have written about
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  Speaker 1: that game, and seeing the way you finished that, you know,
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  Speaker 1: and these playoffs, anything is possible. So they're playing with
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  Speaker 1: house money. They have no They've not one ounce of
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  Speaker 1: pressure on them coming into Arrowhead, And I think that's
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  Speaker 1: the best way to go in there. You let it
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  Speaker 1: rip and you see where it takes you, Kevin Harlan
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  Speaker 1: with us of course. Doug Peterson this week was asked
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  Speaker 1: about the house money I did. He said, Hey, our money,
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  Speaker 1: house money doesn't matter. We're here now, so go play
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  Speaker 1: the football game against the top seeded Kansas City Chiefs.
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  Speaker 1: You know, this team had back to back seasons, back
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  Speaker 1: to back drafts with the number one overall pick, and
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  Speaker 1: now they've rallied from four games back in the division
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  Speaker 1: to win the a f C South and and we
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  Speaker 1: know where they are now in the divisional round of
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  Speaker 1: the playoffs. A turnaround is incredible, but it starts, as
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  Speaker 1: you said, with Peterson and his leadership ability and his
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  Speaker 1: consistent messaging, not just in game but game to game.
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  Speaker 1: I mean they were four back and all the goals
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  Speaker 1: were still out there. He started with it. Then is
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  Speaker 1: there a I don't think he could have found a
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  Speaker 1: better hire for this organization at this time than a
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  Speaker 1: guy like Doug Peterson and Bunky. I mean, like like like,
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  Speaker 1: both of these guys have come in and brought uh,
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  Speaker 1: you know, tremendous credentials. Um he's been to a super Bowl.
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  Speaker 1: Speaking of Doug, he has played the game recently where
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  Speaker 1: he is uh known to have been in some pretty
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  Speaker 1: good programs, in particular with far up in up in
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  Speaker 1: Green Bay. But what he's done recently with Philadelphia and
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  Speaker 1: winning the Super Bowl and just the way he turned
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  Speaker 1: that thing around, I think gives you a feel that
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  Speaker 1: you know anything is possible. And clearly they have believed that.
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  Speaker 1: What he's done with Trevor is not unlike what Brian
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  Speaker 1: Dable has done with Daniel Jones up with the Giants.
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  Speaker 1: You need the right voice in these kids head. You need,
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  Speaker 1: you need the right direction. You need a guy who
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  Speaker 1: knows the quarterbacking position, knows offenses, knows what at this
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  Speaker 1: stage of a player's career is gonna work, knows the
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  Speaker 1: ceiling or the unlimited ceiling that player might have, and
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  Speaker 1: you accentuate the positives, You accentuate what they do well.
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  Speaker 1: And Doug because he played the position and played at
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  Speaker 1: a very high level in a in a in an
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  Speaker 1: offense that was very far reaching in Green Bay and
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  Speaker 1: other places where he was UM, I just think translates
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  Speaker 1: very well. When when you've when when you've had that experience,
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  Speaker 1: and and Dable had it with Josh Allen in Buffalo,
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  Speaker 1: when you when you've when you've worked those mechanics. Um,
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  Speaker 1: and you you get a talent like Lawrence and and
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  Speaker 1: know what he's done and what he brings and where
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  Speaker 1: you think he may go. Its just it's a pretty
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  Speaker 1: good combination the belief actor, I think. And what Doug
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  Speaker 1: is saying is tremendous and that goes right from Caldwell.
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  Speaker 1: I mean, like all these all these voices that that
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  Speaker 1: locker room is hearing, um, I think clearly is being heard.
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  Speaker 1: And so they come and they've played here, they know Arrowhead,
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  Speaker 1: they know what they're facing, they know the wall of
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  Speaker 1: noise that will come falling in on them. And and
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  Speaker 1: the Chiefs quite frankly, have not played some of their
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  Speaker 1: best football here in the last you know, six weeks.
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  Speaker 1: They've they've struggled twice against Denver, which you know teams
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  Speaker 1: have have. You know, we're kind of rolling over. And
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  Speaker 1: Denver played their best games against Kansas City. I know
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  Speaker 1: you guys played them and uh, and they struggled against
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  Speaker 1: Houston in Houston. It took over time to beat them
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  Speaker 1: down there. Um, they finished in a flourish with the
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  Speaker 1: very discombobulated Raider team and finished off their season strongly
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  Speaker 1: where they've got the number one seed. But this is
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  Speaker 1: a team like there are no perfect teams, and they've
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  Speaker 1: got flaws like every team does. And and I think
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  Speaker 1: you know, when you know that and know the expectations,
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  Speaker 1: there is a little bit more on the Chiefs. And
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  Speaker 1: I think you go back to the temperament that has
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  Speaker 1: been set by Peterson and that staff with the Jaguars,
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  Speaker 1: and and you say, you know, um, both are probably
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  Speaker 1: coming in in the right frame of mind. One team
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  Speaker 1: fee feels invincible because of what they just did and
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  Speaker 1: that can serve you well on the road in a
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  Speaker 1: very hostile environment. The other team comes in saying we've
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  Speaker 1: been down this road, we've been pushed, we have found
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  Speaker 1: a way to win. Maybe it's not been our best football,
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  Speaker 1: but we know that when we need to flip the switch,
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  Speaker 1: we can and that that is always going to be there.
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  Speaker 1: So I think it mixes for a pretty entertaining game
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  Speaker 1: Saturday at Arrowhead. Kevin Harland with US Westwood one Sports
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  Speaker 1: will have the call of the Jaguars and the Chiefs
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  Speaker 1: in the a f C Divisional playoff game. Well, you know, obviously,
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  Speaker 1: Bill Belichick over the last forty years in the NFL
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  Speaker 1: has been kind of the defensive obviously guru coordinator before
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  Speaker 1: he became the head coach and had the great run. Obviously,
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  Speaker 1: Andy Reid, I would have to think, is the offensive
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  Speaker 1: idea of that the way he started in Green Bay
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  Speaker 1: and now his coaching tree is reaching all over the NFL,
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  Speaker 1: including Doug Peterson. What is it about Reid's style offensive
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  Speaker 1: play calling ideas, especially in the red zone? You know
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  Speaker 1: what what stands out the most to you about Andy
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  Speaker 1: and his style as a coach? You know, I just
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  Speaker 1: think jp that he has a very even keel view
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  Speaker 1: of of what an offense should be. No, listen, he's
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  Speaker 1: playing with a generational talent in Mahomes. He knows he
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  Speaker 1: can do things with him that he can't do with
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  Speaker 1: most quarterbacks. The way Mahomes can maneuver, the way he
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  Speaker 1: uses different parts of the field to unload the ball,
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  Speaker 1: the way he buys time for his receivers. I mean
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  Speaker 1: he used to go right on down the list. He
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  Speaker 1: checks every box, and so that that leads you to feel,
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  Speaker 1: you know that that we've got some We've got some
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  Speaker 1: creative play here at hand. We can use our imagination,
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  Speaker 1: and we're only limited by the size of our imagination.
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  Speaker 1: With what he can do, and we've seen some some
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  Speaker 1: very interesting formations. But but he just has I think
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  Speaker 1: a very good fee and they make they make good
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  Speaker 1: adjustments too. And I think Andy again because he is
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  Speaker 1: even keel, isn't swayed too much emotionally and looks at
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  Speaker 1: the game differently. I think he's got some terrific assistant coaches.
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  Speaker 1: He's had some, as you've mentioned, that have gone on,
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  Speaker 1: Doug being one of them. When he left Kansas City
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  Speaker 1: and went to Philadelphia as a head coach. He's had
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  Speaker 1: these these very good Matt Naggie is there now, he's um.
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  Speaker 1: He's had Mike Kafka, who uh is now with the Giants.
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  Speaker 1: So like he has brought in, you know, kind of
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  Speaker 1: innovative minds to feed his think tank, and that has
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  Speaker 1: proven to be a very um good He he likes
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  Speaker 1: the younger coaches. He likes the environment um and and
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  Speaker 1: the feel and the energy they bring. And they're saying
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  Speaker 1: why not, why why not try you know the tight
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  Speaker 1: end under center. Then that flips the quarterback who's in
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  Speaker 1: a wing position. And you know, I just did different
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  Speaker 1: stuff that that A lot of guys we can't go
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  Speaker 1: there because it's it's too much for our offense to
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  Speaker 1: handle with him, they say, we we have no bounds
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  Speaker 1: with what our offense can handle, and that that does
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  Speaker 1: make a difference and has made a difference with Reid
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  Speaker 1: and and this and this coaching staff, and certainly with
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  Speaker 1: the quarterback Mahomes. He's got a Hall of Fame tight end. Um,
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  Speaker 1: it's kind of been a revolving door. Actually at wide receiver,
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  Speaker 1: there's not been a Tyreek Hill that has come in
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  Speaker 1: and and been that that trail blazer where with his
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  Speaker 1: speed alone changes the game and tilts the field. But
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  Speaker 1: what he can do is he can get the most
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  Speaker 1: out of a Juju Smith Schuster and probably get about
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  Speaker 1: as much out of him as any coach in the league.
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  Speaker 1: He he finds opportunities with what players can do, plays
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  Speaker 1: to their strengths, and he's got a quarterback with an
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  Speaker 1: unlimited play sheet and that that's a pretty good that's
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  Speaker 1: a pretty good combination. Like I said, at the tight end,
• 11:01
  Speaker 1: who will be in Canton someday, gives him a whole
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  Speaker 1: another you know, folio of of of plays and possibilities
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  Speaker 1: that that make it make it very unique. Um. It
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  Speaker 1: does I think at times put stress on that offensive
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  Speaker 1: line they're asked to do some kind of incredible things
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  Speaker 1: and think outside the box a little bit. It's not
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  Speaker 1: a traditional right guard or left tackle. You've got to
• 11:24
  Speaker 1: think a little bit outside because that's the way the
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  Speaker 1: offense is is maneuvering and is constructed. But that's what
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  Speaker 1: makes Read so great. He just I just don't think
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  Speaker 1: he ever says no. He says, well, how can we
• 11:36
  Speaker 1: and and let's think about this a second. Let's let's
• 11:39
  Speaker 1: get a moment of pause and figure out how we
• 11:42
  Speaker 1: can make this crazy idea you know, look you know,
• 11:45
  Speaker 1: on the field, and how we can pull it off.
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  Speaker 1: So um, he instills that in his assistance. We've as
• 11:50
  Speaker 1: you mentioned, we've seen him go on two bigger and
• 11:53
  Speaker 1: brighter things. One is coaching this Jaguar team that comes in.
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  Speaker 1: Doug knows Andy very well. He'll help the defensive I
• 12:00
  Speaker 1: prepare for what they anticipate to see. But I think
• 12:03
  Speaker 1: a lot of times and JP and these kind of situations,
• 12:06
  Speaker 1: these coaches just say, let's play to what we do.
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  Speaker 1: Let's worry about us first and foremost, and we'll sprinkle
• 12:14
  Speaker 1: a little and then let the coaches worry about what
• 12:16
  Speaker 1: the other team is doing. I mean, no, certainly the
• 12:18
  Speaker 1: basics and know what a what a McKinnon can do
• 12:21
  Speaker 1: as a running back, and and just the way the
• 12:23
  Speaker 1: Chiefs and know what Lawrence is capable of. And they've
• 12:26
  Speaker 1: watched a lot of tape on this kid. I'm sure
• 12:28
  Speaker 1: with the week's rest in particular, they've they've got a
• 12:32
  Speaker 1: pretty good book on him. Um So, but I think
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  Speaker 1: these coaches say, you know, let's not overload, let's play
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  Speaker 1: free and and and and and make that kind of
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  Speaker 1: our basis and do what we do and see where
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  Speaker 1: it translates. And we'll make the adjustments along the way.
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  Speaker 1: And I think Andy is just so good about that
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  Speaker 1: doesn't inundate the players with too much, but just enough
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  Speaker 1: to keep their minds working and focused in on what
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  Speaker 1: their job is. Kevin Harlan with his final thought, here
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  Speaker 1: with you and what kind of shock waves with this
• 13:01
  Speaker 1: send around the NFL. The Jaguars pulled this off an
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  Speaker 1: arrowhead well right now, I think everybody it loves the Cinderella.
• 13:09
  Speaker 1: We love it in the n c A tournament. We
• 13:11
  Speaker 1: we don't see it as often maybe in some of
• 13:13
  Speaker 1: the sports that have a seven games series tied with
• 13:17
  Speaker 1: their sport and uh and and so you know, usually
• 13:21
  Speaker 1: he play seven games, the better team will prevail. But
• 13:25
  Speaker 1: in the NFL and in college football, you know, it's
• 13:29
  Speaker 1: it's a it's it's it's sudden death, right, it's single elimination,
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  Speaker 1: and and you are facing that with every game. Listen
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  Speaker 1: last year in the a f C Championship game, the
• 13:40
  Speaker 1: Chiefs had a sizeable lead at halftime and all they
• 13:43
  Speaker 1: had to do was hang on and Cincinnati and Joe
• 13:46
  Speaker 1: Burrow came back and stunned him. The record for road
• 13:49
  Speaker 1: teams and the playoffs is not as lopsided as you
• 13:53
  Speaker 1: would think. On one side, it is. It's a pretty
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  Speaker 1: it's a pretty level playing field. Actually, it's it's very
• 14:00
  Speaker 1: close to five and and and so I think that
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  Speaker 1: gives teams like the Bengals last year. I hope that
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  Speaker 1: they don't blink. They continue to go. And why would
• 14:09
  Speaker 1: the Jaguars blank. They just played the Chiefs this season.
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  Speaker 1: They know what they can do. They they've handled it
• 14:14
  Speaker 1: that they know exactly what they're gonna face. They were
• 14:17
  Speaker 1: down by a ton this past weekend in the playoffs
• 14:20
  Speaker 1: and the first time they've been there in a while,
• 14:22
  Speaker 1: they handled that. Um. I just I just think that
• 14:26
  Speaker 1: that right now. Um, most knowledgeable people in the league
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  Speaker 1: know that on any game and in any location, that
• 14:36
  Speaker 1: anybody can win, and it is not a certainty. So
• 14:39
  Speaker 1: the heavy money was toward the Chiefs last year against
• 14:41
  Speaker 1: the Bengals. Cincinnati came from a double digit deficit in
• 14:44
  Speaker 1: one of the a f C Championship game, and um,
• 14:47
  Speaker 1: we saw San Francisco almost do it in Los Angeles
• 14:50
  Speaker 1: and the NFC Championship game last year against the Rams. Um,
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  Speaker 1: here we are at the divisional phase. There's no doubt
• 14:57
  Speaker 1: that that anything can happen. I don't think a lot
• 15:00
  Speaker 1: of people get the Giants a great deal of hope
• 15:03
  Speaker 1: going to Minnesota last year against the thirdt team win
• 15:05
  Speaker 1: or last week against the thirteen win Viking team. So
• 15:08
  Speaker 1: I'm I'm confident that we'll see a quality game. I
• 15:12
  Speaker 1: don't think that it'll be too big for the Jaguars
• 15:15
  Speaker 1: at all. Listen, you're talking about a quarterback that is
• 15:17
  Speaker 1: a National championship quarter up. He he played college. He
• 15:20
  Speaker 1: knows exactly what he's getting into, and uh, I think
• 15:24
  Speaker 1: that's when they shine their brightestness. We saw last week
• 15:27
  Speaker 1: and I think we'll see this week at Saturday in
• 15:29
  Speaker 1: Kansas City Kevin, real pleasure. Thanks for the time and
• 15:32
  Speaker 1: I have a great call on Saturday. J P. Thank you.
• 15:36
  Speaker 1: Always fun to visit with you. Congratulations to that organization
• 15:40
  Speaker 1: and what they've done and for that fan base. Uh,
• 15:43
  Speaker 1: so many have stayed so loyal to it and and
• 15:45
  Speaker 1: love their team. Um, what a what a fun time
• 15:49
  Speaker 1: to be a Jaguar fan. With the best to head,
• 15:51
  Speaker 1: it may not happen in Kansas City, it may, but
• 15:55
  Speaker 1: with the best ahead, with the young team, exciting players
• 15:58
  Speaker 1: and uh and and and really with with no ceiling here,
• 16:01
  Speaker 1: it's they're going to be a great story for years
• 16:04
  Speaker 1: to come.