Eli Manning On Brock Purdy’s Hot Start, Week 6 Preview, Primetime Games

0:03 Very excited to say that Bud Light is the title sponsor of the Colin Coward podcast this NFL season. He's a two-time Super Bowl champ and a two-time Super Bowl MVP. He's our friend Eli Manning. Season two, Chad Powers streaming on Hulu, which he and Peyton is an executive producer. You know, that to me, Peyton... he's a lot of maintenance.

0:30 You're very low key. That relationship could blow the whole damn show up. What is that like?

0:36 It's good.

0:38 I think we both when we got involved in this, just wanted to make sure the football part of it looked legit and correct.

0:47 That's what we cared about.

0:48 We had to make sure, like, the plays, you know, Glenn Powell, a.k.a. Chad at the line of scrimmage, had to look legit, kind of, you know, how he's taking the snap, his cadence, everything.

1:00 Those things, that's what we care about.

1:01 When you start watching a football show or any sports show, you want the actual sport to look legit.

1:07 The things behind it are always going to be chaos. You've got to Hollywood things up.

1:12 We want to make sure that the plays and him going around the line of scrimmage, it looked like real football, which I think Glenn did a great job.

1:20 He was very dedicated to that.

1:23 This is season two. There's 12 episodes each season. It's been a big hit. I've got to ask you about this because you and Peyton are different personalities, but at the line of scrimmage, I can remember years and years ago, it was Mike Francesi was talking about you. And it was, I think it was mid-career. And he said something that I, and I believe this to be true. He said, you know, he'll throw a pick, he'll do this, he'll have bad games.

1:50 He said, but man, in that two-minute drill, He said, Eli Manning is money. And two of the things I always remember your career for, you were very good in big games. You were very good on the road. There was no disparity between you home or road. And you were very good at the line of scrimmage. Doesn't shock me.

2:10 When Jaden Daniels made his blunder, I did think of you. And I thought, listen, the clock can be very confusing. I mean, sometimes you go to a stadium, a road stadium, and it's not good visually or you know, and you're, somebody's talking, you can't hear them.

2:25 It's bad.

2:25 Whether it's, you know what I mean? Did you ever have a moment where you're, it could be college or pro where you get a little, you got a little lost with the clock in a key situation.

2:35 Yeah, it can happen.

2:36 I mean, I think for the quarterbacks, a lot of times you can see where the play clock is. Like that's kind of the number on, you know, a lot of it's like kind of underneath the goalposts.

2:46 You're always looking, where's the play clock?

2:47 Sometimes to find the game clock, you know, that's kind of, you know, not always something you're looking exactly at. at.

2:54 You know, sometimes it's off to the side. It's like on the sideline.

2:57 It's not always right above you or it's on the jumbotron if there's any end zone. So that's, you're always kind of pre-game when you go walk the field and you're out there, if it's a new stadium, or even it's when you play before a reminder, Hey, where's the play clock on both sides?

3:10 Where's the game clock going to be?

3:12 If I got to find it in a situation to go look at it, but You know, definitely overtime. I mean, I worry about sometimes, you know, that everybody knows the rules of overtime. All of a sudden, the clock's running down. You're like, all right, do we have another quarter? Or is that like the end of the game?

3:28 Can you end in a tie? Some guys might not know you can end in a tie. And so I think it's explaining that situation. But definitely overtime.

3:36 I remember one time kind of got caught up in Dallas or a way game and, you know, thought we, they were going to be out of timeouts, but on one play there was a penalty. And so the timeout that they called didn't count and got a little.

3:49 Confused on that. I thought we could have kind of knelt it, knelt it out.

3:54 And then, you know, or Hey, you throw it on a third down where you may have taken a sack. Some of those things come up where it's gotta be great communication and between the coordinator, between the head coach on, Hey, exactly.

4:07 Hey, this is one. We can't take a sack. Hey, this is, if not there, throw it away.

4:11 Hey, this is there. Don't throw this away. You know, take the sack and we want the clock to run. Like all those things need to be communicated to the quarterback.

4:20 In those situations.

4:22 So he knows, you know, it's, it's, you know, changing, you know, kind of every situation and every series.

4:28 Yeah.

4:28 And I also think we have a new kickoff rule. And I think some of the head coaches have struggled with that. Like, I mean, that's I've seen. I mean, let's let's be honest. This is the league of change. I mean, remember the Brady Eagles Super Bowl, the high scoring one he lost. They basically changed the catch rule during the game. They allowed a bobbled catch to count as a touchdown. And I think Roger Goodell had heard so much of it. He's like, guys, this is a showcase.

4:53 So I think it is the league of change. And I tend to defend– I mean, I played high school quarterback, and we didn't have stuff. But I remember– even in high school, there's a lot of information. And in high school, you know, this stadiums, the clocks are terrible and they're next to a wood shed. And it's, there are situations where I sometimes think fans think this stuff, Oh, all of it's uniform. It's more like baseball where every stadium dimensions are odd. And there are times, I mean, there've been fog games. I mean, I, I, you know, there've been games where I, I do think, God, can the quarterback see what the heck is going on? Yeah.

5:32 And I think, like you said, the fact that things are changing, the kickoff rule, where you get it after kickoffs, you know, kind of the how to kick it off for the clock runs. You kind of saw it in the Eagles game where they kick off because the week before the Cowboys got, you know, the Ravens.

5:48 They kicked in the end zone.

5:49 He had one play, but they had a timeout with seven seconds, and they make a play. They kick a field goal. So now this week you kick it in the deal. They return it all the way back and kick a field goal, but they didn't– you know, Jacksville.

6:00 Didn't have a timeout.

6:01 So, like, all those situations are just crazy that a lot can happen in seven seconds of a game and how you handle those last few circumstances are so important. And then I thought in the Monday night game with the Rams and the Bills where– At the end, the Bills kick a field goal, you know, right there where they could have run some clock off. And if he misses it, the Rams get good field position. They could go down and don't have far to kick a field goal right there. But I think, you know, even I thought I saw Joe Brady mentioned something. He said he didn't want the Washington situation to have like he got scared of screwing up the clock or someone messing up.

6:40 And you don't get the field goal off. So he's like, let's just kick it now. You know, we don't have any timeouts left. So let's just like handle that. Let's make sure we get it off. We don't fumble. We don't lose yards. And so that's one way of doing it. But I think you're sometimes, yeah, you're so scared of making a mistake or screwing things up.

6:58 You say, let's just do it right now.

7:00 We'll take our chances with kicking the field goal and put this game in our kicker's hands.

7:05 Well, I think it's also interesting. You did the Rams-Bills game, right, with Peyton and Jim Nance. It was very funny. you know, an example of, and this is again, where I defend coaches, the Rams special teams lost the game and they've been awful for two years. I mean, the reality is there, when you have a lot of high-end expensive luxury players, sometimes the bottom of your roster gets thin. Those six, seventh round picks tend to be special teams guys. They have been thin on special teams for the last two to three years, but they have, you know, They'll make a move on Miles Garrett for Jared Verst. They'll pay Stafford. They'll, you know, so I get it. They're a luxury franchise, a little thin at the bottom. But it's interesting because

7:47 people beat up on McVay. And I said, guys, it was nearly a perfect offensive night for the Rams. They were brilliant.

7:53 Yeah.

7:54 But people said I didn't call a very good third down call. So take me to this because my take is, well, you've exhausted the entire playbook. I mean, it's 70 plays and you don't want to run something that could be a negative play.

8:07 All right.

8:07 So people immediately think, well, you got the whole playbook. No, you probably have about five to seven things that you know.

8:14 Right.

8:15 You know, you don't want to do any boot action with Stafford.

8:18 He's not mobile.

8:19 In those situations, do you necessarily have a kind of an umbrella situation play in crisis or two down, or you kind of, you look at that play sheet, Eli, and you're kind of making it up.

8:32 I think you're kind of off the play sheet.

8:33 And that's why you kind of have your third and, you know, right there, I think it was third and five or six where you kind of have your third and kind of five to seven yardage plays.

8:43 And you probably have, you go into the game, that's probably your most.

8:47 And that, you know, that, that range, you probably have eight to 10 plays.

8:51 So I don't know how many they've been through that.

8:53 You want to call so you kind of get a feel of the game, saying, hey, we came into the game, they're playing a lot of man. So far this game, every time in this down and distance, they've played zone or too high or something.

9:06 So, hey, let's call something that's going to feel good. But I think– I think it comes down to this, you know, it's always this case.

9:12 It's always been that as soon as offensive coordinators, offenses get into that kind of field goal range, into that 30-yard line, they just get a little conservative because they don't want to go backwards.

9:24 They don't want to take a sack. They don't want to throw an interception on third down.

9:29 But I think when you have an NFL MVP, you got a 17-year veteran or whatever, however long Stafford's been playing, I think you got to put the ball in his hands. You got Puka. You got Devontae. You can throw it to Kyron Williams. You got a bunch of playmakers out there. Put it in his hands. Kind of call two plays where they come out with an all-out blitz. You have a receiver screen. You have something where you can get the ball out quickly. And then if they think they're playing soft zone which they were a lot you kind of have an answer for him to you know get a little high low or get a completion or at least make the field goal a little shorter or a chance to get get a first down um and so but that's just the nature you get conservative.

10:12 When you get in there because you don't want to you know a negative play can lose you the game as well.

10:17 You know it's interesting um There's a little bit of a phenomenon going on, and I've been on it boring my audience for two to three years on this, is that there are some obviously primary benefits when you hire an offensive coach. They're really good with quarterbacks. They can design and call plays better than maybe a defensive coach.

10:37 The secondary benefits appear to be they fix offensive lines quicker. Right now, PFFs, top eight offensive line, eight for eight offensive coaches. Of the top 15, 13 of 15 offensive coaches. And it's like, boy, that's too great of a number to be a coincidence. In fact, we have the Rams, the Chiefs, our two teams that have an undrafted current left tackle, which is not ideal, and the Bears. And it doesn't really get in the way of production. So I want you to go back because it's something that I have theorized and the numbers keep adding up that, And by the way, McCarthy takes over the Steelers. I think this is their best-functioning O-line. Now, it's early in the season, in several years. Go to your career. Is

11:30 there something where your offensive coaches are just more in tune with O-line play?

11:37 Yeah, and I wonder, I mean, Coughlin was an offensive guy. You know, McAdoo, Sherman, all of them always had really offensive-minded players. head coaches. But I think it comes down to some of the top teams you're talking about right now. First off, they're running the ball really well. Bears are running great. Kansas City runs great. Rams actually run the ball really well. And what they also do, all those teams that you mentioned, at least I know Kansas City and the Rams, they chip a lot and they help out their tackles.

12:12 So they chip with They chip with the running backs.

12:17 On third and over six yards, there's an extra guy on there to chip, help out those left tackles, give your quarterback where he can get a deep drop, step up into the pocket, and have a chance.

12:30 To be successful. So, I mean, a lot of times that's where your sacks are coming.

12:33 And when you're doing five man protection, you're free releasing backs and you're leaving a left tackle by himself all day. You can't do that. These, these defensive ends are too good to leave your, your tackles by themselves. You have to help them, give them some chips to give them, you know, to give them a little relief on some plays.

12:52 You know, right now Brock Purdy is on a heater and, you know, Obviously, there are advantages to Kittle and Debo and Shanahan and Christian. You know this. When you have Trent Williams left tackle, the better the protection, the more confidence you have. But when I watch him, you can see the coaching. You can see his work ethic. Like he is just so dialed in. And I think sometimes we forget all you pro athletes, 23, 25, 27. When I'm 27... I was still like pulling pranks, right? Like I was so immature. How long were you improving in your career? I mean, when did you say, okay, I've seen everything, but I think when I look at Purdy, I'm like, he's always had talent. I feel like he's gone up, like he's taken it to another strata. Was

13:48 there a point, you know, the old cliche, you learn something every day. When was the point that you didn't necessarily?

13:54 Yeah, I mean, I think it's kind of, you know, that again, kind of that year five year, you know, right where you really and especially him.

14:02 He's been in the same offense for five years.

14:05 That's such an advantage for a young quarterback or any quarterback where you're just in one system.

14:11 And you have the same offensive.

14:13 Coordinator, same guy calling the plays where you're growing together. Hey, you know, like why you're putting in this new play because, Hey, we ran this, this play last week. We're building off this. We're growing kind of our offensive package. You know, this is a look we have, you know, let's run, let's run more plays off this. And, and so you kind of understand the progressions of why the plays are in, why you're putting this, what the coach is calling these plays for. Hey, This is a play. We've run this.

14:41 You know, it's in the game plan every single week. And we're calling it because, you know, this team plays a lot of cover three. They play cover two on this play. I'm going to my check down right away. I'm going to go get four or five yards and coach will call it again because, you know, you know, I'm going to I'm going to protect them. If I'm, you know, if we're trying to get a post route versus, you know, versus certain coverage, you don't get the coverage. hey, the veteran quarterbacks, they'll take the check down knowing the coach will call it again and we'll get the right play and I'll hit it. I don't have to force it just because he's calling it this play. But I think Brock has done a great job. He knows exactly

15:15 where he's going with the ball. He knows when he has bad plays. And I think he's a better scrambler and guy who can run with the ball and move in the pocket and create plays and people kind of give him credit for. He's made a lot of plays running around and using his feet.

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17:41 Okay.

17:42 Week six predictions presented by Polymarket. Use the code COLIN to sign up. All right. Interesting game. Bears at the Falcons. Caleb won't play. Pennix, I think, will. So, in my opinion, Atlanta at home is a tough beat on that fast track. You can trade the Falcons to win at 49%. I like Atlanta. Listen, they lost to Baltimore. There's... That's one of the great organizations, owner down. And I think Snoop Hundley could be the best backup in the league. In fact, five of his last six starts, he had a passer rating over 100 as a backup. So I don't think losing to Baltimore takes any of the appeal of the Falcons away. I like him here. What say you?

18:23 Yeah, I mean, obviously, you know, both these teams are running the ball better than anybody. And actually, Chicago's the best rushing team in the NFL right now, which you don't really think about that.

18:34 But obviously, with Bijan Robinson, Atlanta, they want to run the ball.

18:38 Pinnock's back. Since he's gotten back, I think they're averaging... close to 30 points a game. And so they're really finding their rhythm. You know, it worries me. Atlanta is not very good against the run. So will Chicago be able to run the ball and just kind of make it easy on their quarterback because they're not in third and long situations. And so, again, I do like– I like Atlanta at home with Caleb Williams out. I think their defense can rally, get things going. I think Atlanta's offense, just with Pennix playing this week, with their run game, I think they're just in a great rhythm right now and really tough to stop.

19:17 Game two, the beleaguered Chargers at Kansas City. Andy, read off a bye.

19:22 Yikes.

19:24 You can trade the Chiefs to win by double digits at 47%. I don't love blowouts. I never predict that. But there is something about Andy Reid with three more days to be a wizard. I mean, I know in your career, if you had extra time, it matters. I think Kansas City's the play.

19:45 Yeah, Kansas City, they're playing well. They're running the ball well. Patrick Mahomes is enjoying the run game. It sets up the play action. The one thing I will say, the Chargers defense is playing pretty well. And they've been in a tough situation because their offense is turning the ball over.

20:00 They're not sustaining drives well.

20:02 And so, you know, it could go either way in the sense, hey, if the Chargers can get something going and get a lead, you know, early in the game, they have a chance to make this close. But it also could implode if, you know, another game where they're, you know, they're put in a bind and you can maybe see the frustration, offense, defense.

20:21 Hey, we're doing our part. You're not doing your part.

20:24 So but I will say the Chargers defense, you know, considering they're not winning, but they're playing close games.

20:31 And they're not giving a whole lot of help with their offense right now.

20:34 Finally, I have a conviction about this. Dallas at Green Bay. So I would trade the Cowboys to win at 47%. So Eli, my theory has always been, When teams play standalone games and are humiliated, Dallas, a big favorite, was not only beaten, they didn't look prepared. I mean, it was a really bad look. Undrafted rookie quarterback up and down the field. Green Bay, meanwhile, seized on a primary weakness of the Bears, which the Cowboys don't have, which is atrocious corner play. So it looked like Green Bay is the best team in the league. We know they're not.

21:12 The Cowboys look awful. We know they're not. I actually think this is one of those extra prep, humiliating loss. You didn't have many in your career, but you had a few. Your practice is really intense. I'm sure Coughlin went back to the plum-colored face after a bad loss. I like Dallas here.

21:32 Yeah, and Green Bay had two losses in a row. They came out versus Chicago last week and played really well, and Dallas coming off a tough loss. Their offense is playing as good as anybody. Dak's playing well. CeeDee Lamb, Piggins, they're explosive.

21:50 They can make plays. They can make it look easy.

21:52 Their defense is struggling a little bit, but When you have a tough loss and you've got time to think about it, I think you are coming back a little, hey, we've got something to prove here. We're trying to save our season. I think they'll be amped up, and I expect them to play well this week.

22:10 For the record, two Super Bowls, two MVPs. Take me to a moment, because I think the league is fascinating. This year, underdogs on all seven primetime games. have won. Bill's primetime game, Buccaneers just this week. You performed so well in primetime games and years that you won or after you won the Super Bowl, you were in a lot of those primetime games. Now, they're a pain in the butt for your family because you're playing off schedule.

22:47 I know Peyton famously didn't like them, but you performed well in those. Did you like them?

22:53 I liked him. I think it's a great opportunity.

22:54 I think you kind of get get the you know, you get fired up. You come together as a group. You kind of know everybody's talking about you.

23:01 And I think as the underdog, it's even you know, that's I feel like that's like.

23:06 The coach sees like who's, who's, you know, which, which sports personalities are making their predictions. And when everyone picks the one team and you're the underdog, like he's going to show that in a meeting, he's no one's expecting us.

23:21 No one's picking us.

23:23 Hey, we got to come together and rally. And so when you have that extra time, you kind of have those extra meetings and, You know, you see those things when you're a Monday night or a Sunday night game. And so I think that's kind of what it is. You have extra motivation to come together when you're underdog.

23:42 And no one's giving you a chance. The coach uses that as motivation for sure.

23:47 As always, thanks, Eli.

23:48 All right. Always fun. Thank you.

23:55 This podcast presented by Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy.