Monken Business in Baltimore

The Super Bowl hyperbole is flying around like 17-year cicadas on an infested, early summer day. It’s everywhere. Patrick Mahomes will one day be considered the G.O.A.T. Andy Reid should be mentioned in the same breath as Halas, Lombardi, Shula and Landry. Meet the next dynasty – the Kansas City Chiefs.

You know, the “dynasty” that won by 3 points. The dynasty that if not for a fumble by the best player on the field that night, followed by a subsequent recovery and return for touchdown, would probably have lost Super Bowl 57. And if I’m being honest, I wish they had because my Super Bowl betting didn’t go as planned thanks to an Eagles defense that decided not to get off their charter flight.

But let’s give credit where it’s due. The Chiefs were the better coached team. Andy Reid & Co. looked like a staff that had been there before compared to Greg Sirianni who may have shown from the National Anthem when he unleashed his inner Dick Vermeil, that maybe, just maybe, the moment was too big for him and his staff. The Eagles were the better team – on paper. Reid’s staff was the difference.

Heading into the game, I fully expected the Eagles defensive front to dictate the flow of the contest. I expected Patrick Mahomes to struggle to set and throw, particularly with that high ankle sprain that I thought might be compromised as he attempted to navigate a collapsing pocket. Instead, the opposite happened. The Chiefs offensive front not only held their own, they dominated.

The Chiefs offensive staff adjusted their blocking scheme to try and neutralize Philadelphia’s impressive pass rush. They spotted a flaw in the way the Eagles defended the jet sweep and then used it against them, not only once, but twice to convert easy red zone opportunities into touchdowns.

The @Chiefs won #SuperBowlLVII because they PAID ATTENTION @ArrowheadPride @Espngreeny @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/7PiTrWqD4Q

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) February 13, 2023

Eric Bieniemy’s role in the Chiefs exploiting Philly’s coverage tendencies. @rustindoddhttps://t.co/YslQLTRECB pic.twitter.com/QACn22pH1a

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) February 13, 2023

Monken Business

Yesterday it was announced that John Harbaugh’s newest addition to his staff is Todd Monken, the former offensive coordinator for the repeat National Champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. Monken checks many of the boxes for the Ravens as they look to successfully replace the recently departed Greg Roman. From what I’ve seen, heard and read, Monken brings:

• Schematic ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses
• An ability to utilized tight ends effectively, freeing them in space
• Willingness to employ the skillsets of all offensive personnel
• Proven NFL track record of lifting efficiencies in the passing game
• Boots and waggles to an offense that has shockingly ignored them
• A focus on getting the ball out quickly

Perhaps the biggest selling point for Monken, is his chameleon-like approach to play-calling. If he recognizes deficiencies in an opponent, Monken’s goal is to pry open weaknesses in any way possible while adeptly deploying his offensive assets. If that means pounding the rock, exposing deficiencies in coverages, tightening formations or adapting a spread approach, he’ll aggressively implement a winning approach.

I get that some fans may be disappointed by the hire. It isn’t sexy. Monken isn’t a synonym for “splash hire”. He isn’t the young, rising star. He doesn’t have rings like the Chiefs Eric Bieniemy. He hasn’t worked with modern-day quarterbacks the way Eagles QB Coach Brian Johnson has with Jalen Hurts.

Despite the rumors, Bieniemy never seemed like a fit for Baltimore. First, you have to wonder why Bieniemy would consider a lateral move to an inferior offense. Migrating from Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes and the stability of the Reid administration and landing in Baltimore with uncertainties at quarterback, a barren wide receiver room and the diminishing cache of John Harbaugh is akin to Dave Grohl joining Nickelback.

Seriously, did we really expect Bieniemy to leave an employer that has hosted the AFC Championship Game the last five seasons and has been to the Super Bowl three times, winning twice, for a team that has won just one playoff game during that same five-season stretch?

Sure, that makes sense – to practically no one. However…

Bieniemy has interviewed with pretty much half the league for a vacant head coaching job. He’s yet to be offered one. Maybe the guy is better in the offensive lab than he is on the other side of a desk being peppered with deep dive questions. Or maybe at the end of each interview, team execs just weren’t sure who was pulling the Chiefs’ offensive strings, Bieniemy or Reid. So…

To escape the shadow of Andy, to “run the show”, perhaps Bieniemy may have considered a fresh start and Baltimore, with all of its offensive struggles, just might have been a great spot with plenty of fanfare and national media focus. Bieniemy might then be labeled, “a difference-maker”, “the offensive whisperer”. The downside in the equation for the Ravens, is that if successful, Bieniemy, like Gary Kubiak before him, could have been a one-and-done offensive coordinator who John Harbaugh would have to replace, again, in 2024.

Monken, at 57 years old, isn’t really a head coaching candidate and could represent stability for the Ravens coaching staff.

The Eagles’ Brian Johnson on the other hand, is an appealing candidate. At 35 years old, the better part of his coaching career is ahead of him. Ambition abounds and he’s been a huge part of the growth and success enjoyed by Jalen Hurts. Applying those skills to the talents of Lamar Jackson could produce huge dividends. But with Lamar’s uncertainties, the uncertain future of the Ravens offense and the fact that former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is now the Colts new head coach, all suggests that Johnson’s career will get a boost right where he is – in Philly. Or, maybe even Indianapolis.

Here’s a real good video to have a better understanding of Todd Monken discussing his philosophy on offense. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/6iVD2aHKx0

— Garnet West (@Garnet478) February 14, 2023

Super Observations

The NFL on FOX coverage wasn’t good, at least not relatively speaking. I much prefer any other network handling the game. And then there’s Terry Bradshaw whose act grew tired decades ago. FOX just seems old and out of touch, from their technology to the guys on the set (one of which should be recruited by Oakcrest) to their replays, it’s all substandard, save for the capable duo of play-by-play guy Kevin Burkhardt and analyst Greg Olsen. Next season, the game will be played at Allegiant Stadium with CBS handling the broadcast. Hopefully by then, Tony Romo will have been demoted.

He’s earned it.

Terry Bradshaw to Andy Reid:

“Big guy… let me get the big guy in here. Come on, waddle over here.”

“Have a cheeseburger on us.” #SuperBowl #Fox pic.twitter.com/loFDtKgEH0

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 13, 2023

The Chiefs are deserved champions and the hardware they’ve accumulating reflects organizational stability and adaptability. How many times have you openly pondered, “How is Travis Kelce always open?”. The combination of Reid and Mahomes will always make the Chiefs a threat to win. But like all teams, they have their weaknesses. However, given the collective brain trust of Reid’s staff, KC regularly seems to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses more efficiently than their own blemishes are exposed.

Props to James Bradberry for accepting blame during the game’s most pivotal play on the world’s grandest stage. Technically, it was holding and Bradberry owned it. Could Juju Smith-Schuster have caught the pass from Mahomes in the back left corner of the end zone? Probably not, and maybe that should have been the deciding factor in making the call.

James Bradberry admits to crucial holding call on final drive of Super Bowl LVII https://t.co/aSRoJAuI1E pic.twitter.com/WIFzvgH5V2

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) February 13, 2023

To allow tugs and relatively incidental contact like that which Bradberry applied to Smith-Schuster throughout the game, but then call it during such a critical moment, seems a bit unfair. Imagine this crew calling Super Bowl 47 when Jimmy Smith arguably got away with a few tugs late in the 4th quarter.

Is it that difficult to be consistent?

Now, compare and contrast the grace in defeat that Bradberry displayed to this lack of class from regularly classless Smith-Schuster.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everybody pic.twitter.com/skXuZVgrYR

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) February 14, 2023

The tweet didn’t escape the Eagles A.J. Brown…

First off congratulations. Y’all deserve it .This is lame. You was on the way out the league before mahomes resurrected your career on your 1 year deal Tik-Tok boy . He admitted that he grabbed you but don’t act like your like that or ever was. But congratulations again! https://t.co/Z3SpMXnP4K

— AJ Brown (@1kalwaysopen_) February 14, 2023

The Playing Surface

Both teams took to the same field during Super Bowl 57. And both teams looked like they were playing on skates. The footing was abysmal. How does that happen during a Super Bowl?

As you know, State Farm Stadium features a retractable roof. The playing surface is natural Bermuda grass that has caused problems in the past. This should call into question the standards the league has in place for field conditions, but like anything the NFL does, they’ll always look the other way if they can line their pockets with more Benjamins.

State Farm Stadium’s field sits on a tray that is actually moved outside when the field is not in use. But there was one problem. The Glendale, Arizona area experienced a few rainy days leading up to the game and according to multiple reports, the surface was wet-to-damp. That alone should be reason enough to allow a bit more tugging and pulling from defenders. Oh, but there’s that dynasty the league seems to enjoy. But I digress…

Off The Field

Overall I thought the entertainment was very good to average. Baby Face’s rendition of “America The Beautiful” was presented with grace, style and subtle elegance, although I thought it fell a tad short of the Ray Charles’ outstanding rendition prior to Super Bowl XXXV…Chris Stapleton crushed the National Anthem.

.@babyface performs America the Beautiful! #SBLVII pic.twitter.com/Cna6OkFPCQ

— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2023

Chris Stapleton just delivered one of the best National Anthem performances I’ve heard in a long time

pic.twitter.com/SGdr6tm6Rz

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) February 12, 2023

And then there was Rhianna…

I respect her for performing while pregnant. I was entertained by the multi-level platforms. I was puzzled by her Oompa Loompa dancing condoms and I was impressed by the strength and clarity of her vocals, until…it became apparent that she was lip synching.

Look, I’m a middle-aged man who doesn’t have many Rhianna songs in my library (actually just one, Umbrella). I’m not her target audience and I get that the league is targeting casual fans to try and persuade them to be a little more than casual. But even if they fail, the league wins because people who aren’t regularly tuning in might, and that adds to the audience, adds to the asking price for the next Super Bowl. So at the end of the performance, I wasn’t wowed nor was I underwhelmed. She was like a salad that showed up at the table after the appetizer and before the main course.

Rihanna – Where Have You Been (Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show) pic.twitter.com/7UYmcj1DUL

— (@sonmexpack) February 15, 2023

I asked friends on Facebook to share their thoughts on the performance. Here are a few:

Do they care what football fans think? My daughter and her friends were glued to the TV at halftime and call her “the Queen.” They loved it and Fox got the eyeballs they wanted. ~ Bo Smolka

I like Rhianna and her music, but the last 13 halftime shows have been dominated by hip hop and pop music. Snoop/Dre, the weekend, Shakira/J-lo, Timberlake, etc. Might be time for a good universally liked rock band like Foo Fighters to play next year… ~ Darren Weagly

Monotonous, for sure. Once the show opened with the aerial stages, it was too much of the same. I guess I’m just too old to appreciate the artistry. Just not a fan of hands touching private parts. Never been. I hated it when M.J. did it, and I’m disgusted by it now. I can’t understand how it can be classified an event for all ages. ~ Attilio Zerilli

To me it was over-produced and boring. Stapleton’s National Anthem, on the other hand was beautiful, respectful, and moving…with just one talented singer and guitar. ~ Paul Schiminger

She performed 12 songs in 10 minutes while pregnant. All of them Billboard top 100 and one of them song of the year Wild thoughts. Who knew a song named Wild thoughts would have some inappropriate gestures to accompany it. She led off with Bitch better have my money and I loved it because yes if you owe me please have my money. Overall rating far from the best but not the worst lip syncing I’ve seen. Mind you I’m Milli Vanilli old. 6.5 out of 10 stars. ~ Jason Lippman

I thought she was great! I love her music so it was nice hearing her after 7 years! Floating stages and the dancers were amazing to choreograph with so many! ~ Heather Kratz Lamont

I think her running her hand over her crotch and acting like she was sniffing it was a bit over the top. ~ Andy Gage

It was boring, she is a performer and should have done a better job keeping us entertained. It was boring! If she was singing live and didn’t want to get winded dancing I could maybe understand, but she wasn’t even singing live!!! I miss the days when there were actual performances and guest appearances!!! ~ Kristin Otto

Modern day women will see this as her being Woman! powerful and fearless in her body. Cool.
The performance was good but not all time great. Needed a few cameos. I actually started doing my homework once she started. ~ Jermaine Lockett

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