- 8 months ago
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00:00We want to talk football with our guy right here on the River Islands guest line, Sean Salisbury, one of the best out there and obviously did a few quarterbacking things in his life. Hey, Sean, good afternoon. Thanks for coming on. How are you?
00:13I'm doing great. Good to be on with you guys. Yeah. Yeah. Love having you. Hey, is this fair? This whole like Sam Darnold in a big game is is not a good, you know, matchup for him. Have you have you sort of have you seen that in his career or do we not have enough evidence?
00:30Well, but I get why the last two games the last year were both big 14 win team. They get beat by Detroit and get beat in the playoffs. And unfortunately for Sammy chose. And it's not just him, but we were the coach and the quarterback. There's expectations higher when you're the guy. And he did not play well in either game, the one to clinch it or in the one in the playoffs. And so that's the last we call you. I put in air quotes, big game memory.
00:58We have Sam Darnold, but you don't win 14 games two years in a row. And I'm telling you, they're not winning in spite of him. There's a lot of it's because of him. And he had, he had played well in one of those two games. He'd still be the quarterback with the Vikings.
01:12And they would have delayed the, you know, the McCarthy stuff. They just would have you just and they were in a bind and they probably wish Sam was back. But it is fair. I question is, too, who is he going to be in this moment?
01:27Is he going to be chaotic hero? Cause he trusts his arm. And listen, the Sam Darnold you've seen the last two years in the regular season is the guy that most of us thought would be a player coming out of college.
01:39And then he got with two with a bad organization. And then Carolina trying to improve. Then he got with the 49ers. And ironically, as a backup, probably probably advanced more there than he did anywhere.
01:52Understanding how to read coverage and those things that we've been documented, but you know, he didn't have much of a chance and he wasn't real good because he felt like he had to make every throw in the hero stuff.
02:00Doesn't work on bad teams. Well, push forward to Minnesota plays his butt off and, and just take the wrong time. And if you go back and watch, which I have both of them a couple of times is he gets Sam's thing is when he feels like he has to make every play, get careless with the football.
02:17If he doesn't get in that and they're rolling, he's a, he's a hell of a player. And that's what he'll have to guard again. So yeah, it's fair. I think, I think it's fair.
02:26Is the body of work big enough in huge moments? He's been in what one playoff game. That's basically what it is, right? I mean, the big play that got beat in a, in a, in a game changer and the, you know, the final regular season game of the year last year.
02:39So, but if you look at his body of work over all that, I think it's fair for Sam to say, well, you know, I didn't play well in those, but I have won 14 games, two years in a row.
02:49We say it's not a quarterback stat, but then it is a quarterback stat and we're mad when it is or when it isn't. So he's a hell of a player.
02:55If you let him get in rhythm, he'll carve you up anybody. And if you don't hit him and then your running game, like it was the last time they played and everything was in rhythm.
03:04Darnold, when he goes like that, he'll roll off 16 completions in a row. It's if he's got to make a, and he trusts his arm. There's no doubt. It'll get him in trouble.
03:14But if, if 49ers fans or anybody are expecting a choke job, I would think that Sam realizes he no longer like the jets in Carolina has to be the reason, but in the process of not thinking he has to be the reason he may very well be the reason.
03:31And this team moves on good defense, physical running game. And if Sam, I don't, I don't want to play scared. Just don't play stupid.
03:37And that's what the great Tom Moore used to tell us in Minnesota. Hey man, if they're there, take your shots. Don't play scared. Take your shots. Just don't play stupid.
03:44Which means don't try to throw a whole shot on the outside to a retreating corner and an aggressive safety.
03:50You got off the hash mark and you got to throw it into a coffee can size window at 25 yards.
03:55Now, if you're up by three touchdowns and you want to put the hammer down, take the shot, but don't take the shot when it's seven to seven in the third quarter.
04:02So I think Sam's come a long way. Make no mistake about it. He's one of the most gifted arm talent guys we have in the league.
04:09And he's making better decisions in his career. The last two years.
04:11How much of these two teams mirror images in their construction in that both offenses want to run it. They want to smash you on defense.
04:19The Niners are depleted, but they also want to make smart throws. Is this a case where you're going to see two teams trying to do the same thing tomorrow?
04:28I think so. One's obviously, which doesn't need to be reminded. I know it drives 49er fans crazy and it's a bummer.
04:34I mean, they are and smoke and mirrors isn't fair because they're better than that, which goes back to the job.
04:42Kyle Shanahan, we give him flack for not winning Super Bowl. But how many guys keep this team afloat?
04:47Honest to God. And now Kidd will add to the list. It's crazy, which tells me structure and belief and confidence in the building and buy in are big in San Francisco.
04:58And they've got it. But there comes a point in time when you're so diminished. I mean, they can't afford much else.
05:04They're just trying to find bodies in the lineup. So, yeah, it is. And guys, isn't that the formula for the playoffs?
05:09Great quarterback play or smart quarterback play where you don't put your defense in a bind, knock people in the mouth at the line of scrimmage,
05:17control and dominate physically, and then have your special teams not miss three field goals.
05:22That's how you keep going on and then get a little lucky. And the game doesn't come down to one throw or one fumble on the ground.
05:29It'll come down to about six to eight, eight to ten plays in the game. And yes, and you go back.
05:34The 49ers are going to have to run it. I think they've got to shorten the game as well.
05:39Now, we know, listen, for all the talk that people give Purdy, some of us really good in some.
05:45Well, Kenny, you know, when I heard Cam Newton talk about game managers, Cam Newton would still be playing football if he was a good game manager.
05:53Spectacular MVP in the league. Cam Newton couldn't make the consistent boring play at 58 or 59 percent, which doesn't live.
06:01He was just spectacular and was able to do that because he was a freak show.
06:04And he's one of the best we've ever had at being a freak show in the league, meaning just doing stuff that others just couldn't do.
06:10The problem is he couldn't consistently do what Brock Purdy can or what the Drew Breeses could make the boring play.
06:18The greatest compliment you can give a quarterback is to be a good game manager.
06:21The best in the world. It's like Greg Maddox. Well, he wasn't overwhelming.
06:24Well, boy, was he a good game manager. It's called throwing strikes and then pitching it where people can't hit it.
06:29And so Brock Purdy does that if he's on time and the rest of it.
06:33And even Brock realizes that he's got some physical, what's the word I'm looking for?
06:38Well, weaknesses, if you want, are just deficiencies that aren't like Josh Allen.
06:43So what do you do? You compensate by throwing it on time, understanding where you're supposed to throw it, get it out.
06:49So, yeah, it's a great point. The mirror, they're going to want to run it.
06:52Neither team wants to put their quarterback in a bind. Put it this way.
06:55If you throw it 40 times in this game and the other team throws it 25, guess who's winning?
07:00The 25 attempt team. Yeah, the team that runs it.
07:02They both want to dominate. They both want to balance.
07:04I know that's overused, but, yeah, run it.
07:08Seattle's defense is better than the 49ers right now.
07:11They're healthier and they are better.
07:13And the 49ers need to generate pass rush because a clean pocket stand is going to kill you, just like Brock would.
07:19The Seahawks will be a little better at that.
07:21They're going to be aggressive and get after it.
07:23So McCaffrey is going to have to touch.
07:26If McCaffrey touches the ball 30 times, the 49ers will be in this thing through the end.
07:30And I don't think it's a two-score game.
07:32I think it's going to be close regardless, but I think the 49ers are going to have to lean on shortening the game, controlling it, give me five yards and move on.
07:40And every now and again, they're going to win the big plays there, the spectacular non-boying play.
07:45Then you'll have to make it, but they're not going to win this game through 10 chunk plays of over 25 yards or more.
07:52Where they're going to win it is on third and six, blitz pickup, hit a slant route for a first down, and then get McCaffrey to football in the run and pass game.
07:59And Seattle wants to do the same thing, play action, run it physical.
08:03They're going to try to pound San Francisco's front seven into submission with their run game, and they were pretty good at it last time.
08:09So I think this is going to be a hell of a matchup, and injuries point to, well, San Francisco doesn't have a chance.
08:15I've heard that movie way too many times.
08:19So it'll be a good game.
08:21As always, guys, which one of these teams gives somebody else the short field and which quarterback is judicious with the football?
08:29Coaching at VAND, both teams got phenomenal staffs.
08:33I mean, the fact that they're just, you know, this is going to be a fun watch, but it's not going to be any change into what it is.
08:39There's going to be no miracle, and they know each other so well.
08:41You're not going to make 15 different changes and dwell.
08:45We're going with a whole new look.
08:46You're going to do what you do, and both teams know what that is, and it's cliche, and it's so elementary talk, but the truth is it works here.
08:55You just got to execute the simple stuff, and if they can, this should be one hell of a game, and we should expect one that is a game.
09:03I just don't know how high scoring it's going to be, but yet with the 49ers injuries on defense, maybe it is.
09:08There'll be some big plays had, but you better grind it out.
09:11John Salisbury with us on Willard and Dibs.
09:13We're getting ready for the big game tomorrow, Niners and Seahawks.
09:16Sean, it's interesting to hear you talk about the way you want to see the quarterback play.
09:21Play smart.
09:22When you look at what Brock did last week, everybody loves it in the end because he took him on a game-winning drive with a couple minutes to go.
09:31But he also made some mistakes in that game.
09:34Did you feel he played a smart game?
09:37I thought he was okay at times.
09:39He was spectacular at times.
09:41As you move along, okay is not going to be good enough.
09:44Listen, the guy that's coming out to play Denver in the AFC, Josh Allen, spectacular.
09:51They cut down on red zone interceptions a couple years ago.
09:54We know.
09:54Dresses in a phone booth with his ass on his chest.
09:56If he plays average, they're not winning.
09:59They're going to get their ass handed to him as good as he is.
10:02And you watch him.
10:03Watch Stafford.
10:04Stafford didn't make a bunch of plays until the last three or four weeks he's made plays,
10:08but he's also put his team in a bind with picks.
10:11He was fortunate who they were playing.
10:13Take a look at Caleb Williams.
10:15Spectacular.
10:15Caleb, for two and a half quarters, is like, what is he doing?
10:19And then you get him to a fourth quarter and spot the other team's 17 points.
10:23Then he's spectacular.
10:24So rolling through this, and you guys, I mentioned defense, but think about great defenses that have had efficient quarterback play at the right time.
10:33Now, spectacular.
10:34Yeah, we all want Josh Allen to break a tackle and throw it 60 yards to a touchdown.
10:38That doesn't sustain you as you roll through January.
10:40It just doesn't.
10:41Think about when the Buccaneers won a Super Bowl with Brad Johnson.
10:44Brad was efficient, protected the ball, didn't put his defense in a bind.
10:47To me, that's spectacular quarterback play.
10:49Because as long as you control the football and you know what you've got on defense,
10:53C.J. Stroud's going through that right now.
10:55Their offense isn't very good.
10:56It's not going to get any better without Nico Collins.
10:58Their defense is as dominant as we've had in this league in a while.
11:02And they will, if you're faint of heart, you don't want to play against them.
11:05So, take a look at Trent Dilfer, what he did when the Baltimore Ravens.
11:09Take a look at Jim McMahon all the way back to 85.
11:11Dominant defenses, quarterbacks were smart at the right time.
11:14So, I don't need Brock Purdy to make every play.
11:18I just need to make sure that the three throws he does miss aren't to the other team in a short field.
11:23So, yeah, I mean, he's like, we know what his football IQ is, guys.
11:26And if you're looking for perfection, you're not getting it from him or Darnold, regardless.
11:29But you just, number one, it starts with, and it's a hard thing to tell a quarterback, be aggressive, take your shots.
11:37But, and I never say, well, don't throw it to the other team.
11:40I never, play not to lose.
11:41I don't play that way.
11:43But you would hope with both these, I mean, with Brock, he's seen enough football.
11:47It's not just knowing what your strengths are.
11:49I think the greatest I've ever been around, with Warren Moon or listening to Brady talk or talking to Peyton Manning,
11:56the great ones I've ever talked to or played with or against, the strengths are obvious.
12:02They know their weaknesses.
12:04They know the floor.
12:05And they stay away from it.
12:06If Brock is late throwing the football, you saw it with Jalen Hurts.
12:10If he throws that bender down the middle of the field on the last play of the game,
12:13Kendricks never touches that ball.
12:15If he throws the grass instead of taking a hitch on a bender, on a seam bender that they bend it in because of two deep safeties,
12:21they're first and 10 inside the 15-yard line, ready to go in and score with the time running out.
12:25He takes a hitch, takes a hop, boom.
12:28Those are the little things that get a quarterback that's not overly physically arm gifted,
12:34but good enough to make all the throws, but not good enough to make all the throws late against caps
12:38who can chase down running backs that are 260 pounds.
12:41So, yeah, I thought he played well at times.
12:44The longer you go, you can't just play okay.
12:47They're not good enough right now, offensively or defensively, health-wise, to play okay and win.
12:53Brock knows this.
12:54Kyle knows this.
12:55So, not an out-of-body experience.
12:57We've seen it.
12:58But staying in rhythm and when he does go off schedule, just be smart with the football.
13:03If that means throwing out of bounds and punting, that's fine.
13:06But you're going to have to protect it.
13:08You're going to have to play smart because the teams you're playing aren't getting any easier.
13:12And the quarterbacks on the other team, think about who the weakest quarterback of the eight left is right now by performance.
13:17So, it's C.J. Stroud.
13:19But he's got the old security blanket that knows, well, if I throw a pick at midfield, I've got 11 guys on defense that will knock your you-know-what right in the dirt.
13:29And the 49ers, unfortunately, don't have that luxury just with injuries alone.
13:34But I fully expect them to play like they do, that they do have that luxury defensively because they're going to run around and fly around and hope they can get a few careless throws by Sam.
13:43So, I thought Brock played well enough, well, to move on.
13:46But he also ran into, he ran into, you know, a situation where the other guys weren't playing their best either.
13:56Sean Salisbury here on 95.7 The Game.
13:58Brock throws two picks and then is able to shake it off, come down, and lead the game-winning drive.
14:02Is that something that you are just kind of born with or is that learned through experience?
14:07Both.
14:09There are certain guys.
14:09I asked Elway this years ago, guys, and we were sitting, they're having a beer.
14:13And I, just to give him a sin, I said, John, what is it?
14:17It was at a golf event, and we were sitting and having a good conversation.
14:20I said, John, what is it?
14:21You know, John could go out and go like 9 of 20 in the first half and struggle, make a play with his feet and struggle.
14:30And then, you know, they scored 13 points.
14:32And then all of a sudden, and I know I played against him plenty and had to watch it, is he'd come back and all of a sudden, about, you know, nine minutes to go and they're down 10.
14:41And I asked him, I said, what is it?
14:44Because I asked the same thing.
14:44I said, is it just, I was waiting for a scientific answer.
14:48And you know, he said to me, he said, John, I did it once.
14:52And they started to believe a little meaning, his teammates.
14:54He said, I did it a second time.
14:56And then after the second time we did one, everybody just expected we were going to keep doing it.
15:01And I said, that's the explanation.
15:03He goes, yeah.
15:03And I said, well, aside from the fact that you're pretty gifted, that doesn't hurt.
15:06So we laughed about it, but he could look pretty awful at times.
15:09And he said, well, yeah, at that time, completing 61% or 60%, you were good.
15:14Now you complete 59%, 60%, you're handing Gatorade to the starter.
15:18So, yeah, I mean, I think it's both.
15:20One is, if you're not learning from the experience, and look at the guy he's playing against.
15:25Darnold, if Sam allowed the bad stuff to fester and get into his soul, he'd have never made this comeback,
15:34no matter how good the coaches are, because that believability is more important than what you've got inside in your DNA.
15:39So DNA does matter.
15:41But the experience of knowing, okay, I've tried this throw eight times, and when that guy's hips are turned like that,
15:47and I don't throw on time, I just can't make this right now.
15:50Now, take that shot if you're up three touchdowns.
15:52Let's see what happens.
15:53I'm okay with that, but I'm not okay with it when you're just trying to get things going.
15:57It's a playoff game.
15:58So, yeah, I think a part of it is learned, but a lot of it is in your DNA, because, guys,
16:04when people ask me, Sean, what's the number one trait you want from him?
16:07I was pleasant.
16:08It was a pleasantly, nicely, or presently surprise, not even surprise,
16:12but I was glad to see when Brady was being interviewed, and he said about the physical and putting time in,
16:18but the mental and emotional part of the game.
16:20I've tried to preach that for years to quarterbacks, saying, what's my number one trait?
16:24No, it's not arm strength.
16:25It's not how fast you are.
16:26I don't care about your measurables.
16:28I want to know, can you handle when the dog peed on your leg when you walked out,
16:32your own home crowd's booing you, you threw three picks in the first half,
16:36you're down seven or down ten, the coach looks at you side-eyed,
16:40you go in the locker room, a player doesn't want to touch you,
16:41a receiver's bitching and complaining because he didn't get the ball,
16:44and now you've got to go out to your home team, and it started to rain in the second half,
16:47and you're down 13.
16:49Now who are you?
16:51And Brock Purdy, Caleb Williams has proven it.
16:54I mean, that's just something that mere mortals don't have,
16:58and some guys that learn to say, okay, but some guys get so caught up in the rearview mirror
17:03that they can't look through the windshield.
17:05Sounds cliche, but it's true.
17:06And both these guys, for different reasons, Brock, a late pick, the last pick,
17:12no expectations coming in.
17:13We do now.
17:14Sam, huge expectations going in.
17:17Looked like he was going to be a bust.
17:18Found good coaching.
17:19Never lost his believability in himself, so it starts there,
17:23and it's got to be a mental and emotional thing.
17:25I can find mentally and emotionally tougher players at that position
17:28will always last longer in this league than physically gifted players.
17:32Now if you've got both, well then welcome to Canton,
17:34and can't wait to see you with the Super Bowl ring.
17:36So I do think that it's both, and I think if you're willing to look
17:42and be a hard judger of yourself on tape, not what the coach says,
17:46what you see, it'll help you pushing forward,
17:49and they're both here in great positions to actually further
17:51what we've already seen from them, both these quarterbacks.
17:54Sean Salisbury here, Willard and Dibbs, 95-7 the game.
17:57Sean, just about a minute left, but I'd love to briefly hear you tell
18:02sort of the story of Fred Warner and George Kittle.
18:05In other words, here's what I mean by this.
18:06When you get to the playoffs, is it really just who's winning battles
18:09and X's and O's, or does the emotional thing actually help a team?
18:15Win this game and Fred returns.
18:17Does that help the Niners?
18:19Sure it does.
18:20But not just the emotional thing, the fact that you've got a great player.
18:24I mean, I always laugh when somebody says, oh, man, Nico Collins is out this week.
18:30Ah, no big deal.
18:31No big deal.
18:32Now, you may come through and somebody else may have 11 catches,
18:35like Shakur last week for Buffalo, Shakur, right?
18:38He goes out and plays out of his mind.
18:40He's like, damn.
18:41Okay, now we've got to defend that this week in their playoff game.
18:43Nico, when the best player goes out, well, we'll adjust.
18:46We're deep.
18:46No.
18:47Well, your best players, and you can argue not only emotional leaders,
18:50and they are on both sides of the ball, but two of your best players,
18:54not your best players on your team, notwithstanding McCaffrey.
18:57So, yeah, it matters emotionally, but here's the thing.
19:00The emotion's great.
19:01It's like motivation.
19:03I'm motivated.
19:04It's New Year's.
19:04I'm lifted.
19:05Then January 23rd hits, and you're a little tired, and you don't go.
19:09The discipline of it.
19:10So, they're going to come out.
19:11They're going to get knocked in the face as somebody else is, right?
19:14And then that's when the motivation or the emotion goes out of it.
19:18Now, linebacker, the defense is always emotional.
19:21But then you kick back into playing, executing good football.
19:23So, the emotion, yeah, during the week or knowing when you're going to get a guy
19:26back in basketball or your pitcher's coming back after arm surgery
19:29or you get a great leader, and it does matter.
19:33But I can tell you one thing.
19:35Emotion and motivation will not last four quarters in the game.
19:39Execution and discipline will, and then making the plays when they're there.
19:43But it does matter.
19:43And in truth, guys, if Kittle and Warner were 100% fully healthy
19:49and two or three other guys on this team,
19:51we may be having a whole different conversation.
19:54It matters, but in the third quarter when you're grinding it out,
19:57the emotion's got to be execution.
19:59That's what's going to sustain the game.
20:01Sean, you're the best, man.
20:02Thank you so much for hopping in and giving us the perspective for tomorrow.
20:07Always a pleasure.
20:07You guys are great.
20:08Keep it up, man.
20:09Thanks for asking.
20:09Okay, you too.
20:10Sean Salisbury with us right here on Willard & Dib.
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