Shawne Merriman Joins Outkick The Coverage With Clay Travis To Talk Stafford, Goff Trade

Do you like the move? Sean? Absolutely? And uh, you know one thing about Matthew Stafford. I want to just, you know, kind of put this out there. He's been a great player in a really really bad organization for a long time. And though I do feel like he probably should have been on the move three or four years ago, Um, what is this level of the twelve year nowatives, Um, he probably should have been a move

a lot earlier, a lot sooner. Uh. He still is a really damn good quarterback and it is upgrade from Jared Goff. So is this basically super Bowl or bust? When you look at what the Rams are giving up for Matthew Stafford. Is that a fair way to read this trade, No doubt about it, because if you look at you know some of the reasons they failed this year, it was at the quarterback position. You know, you can't talk about their defense. They had you know, top two

or three defensive National Football League. Uh, they have great players and Jalen Ramsey and and Aaron Donald's. You know, they've taken care of on that side of the ball. They've they've been able to produce at the wide receiver position. But when one position they haven't been able to produce, that is the quarterback position. And you know, with Jared Goff you get a very hit or miss uh situation. It wasn't by lack of effort. It was a lack

of talent. I mean, let's be honest. I mean Matthew Stafford talent wise, is a huge upgrade from Jared Goff. And I've said this before, and I've been saying that over the last few weeks. Matthew Stafford has never really got the credit he deserved because you know, the losing records in the organization, them not having very many TV games. Um, you know, the numbers are there, and he can throw the ball. I mean, look what he's done with Calvin Johnson,

and he was there over his career. The problem is they never gave him enough help around as in a total team. He was always gifted one player here, one player there. He's got an offense and a defense with the Rams and he will be successful there. What do you think you mentioned the defense for the Rams. What do you think that Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey thought when they saw this news that we can finally have my opportunity to get a ring. I mean, that's what

you think of as a defensive player. When you bring in a quarterback who can go out and make plays for you. Uh, it is an instant relief because you know, now those guys will go out there and know that them having a top two or three defensive National Football League is gonna mean something. Um. You know this year

they played out of the out of this world. They turned the ball over and getting sacksman Aaron Donald what he did on the front line and giving those guys, uh you know, some rom back there and and Jalen Ramsey being the best cointerback in football. Uh, and just you know other players the defenseman who really stepped up the only only position on that team that they did. They struggled, in my opinion, what's the quarterback position? And they fixed that problem all right. So let's look at

the Detroit Lions perspective. Do you think they believe that Jared Goff is the guy going forward for them? Or was this just about getting as many first round picks as they could and so they were willing to eat the Jared Goff salary when otherwise the Rams would have theoretically maybe had to release him and just deal with the fact that they couldn't find somebody else to take

on that that salary that they signed him to. This was this was, in my opinion, this is all about the picks, um, because you know what their record this year. I don't know what they're picking that this year, but now you're talking about two two first runds. I believe they got a second in there, right or something something along those lines, um, or another picking around And so any any anybody who's ever played a liquor football, watched liquor FOOTBA or know that matt You know, Jared Goff

is not an upgrade from Matthew Staffords. It's just not Um. Not mechanical wise, not athlete wise, not a quarterback position, or you know, no parts of the game. Is Jared Goff in upgrade? Um? So this is all about the draft picks. Now, I will say this, Jared Goff wanted out of the Rams organization. He wanted to be gone.

He faild like he wasn't appreciated there. So sometimes sometimes a chain of scenery and the change of organization, can you know, give you that extra little spunk that you need to go out and and and feel better about actually being one of the organization that wants you there. Um. But at the at the end of the day, if you're the Rams, uh, I'm sorry. If you're the detroity line, this is the business decision. Go ahead and eat that salary. It's a big salary, no problem, will take care of it.

But we're building for the next three to five years with those extra picks. So how much is DeShawn Watson worth now that you know that Jared Goff is worth two first rounders and you're willing to to take on Jared Goff's contract. I mean, if you're the Houston Texans, even if you don't want to trade Deshaun Watson. You had to see what the Rams gave up for Matthew Stafford and think to yourself, my goodness, well you're gonna get some king's ransom offers probably in the NFL, in

order to move Deshaun Watson. We don't have to do it. We've got him under contract, but three first rounders probably is a minimum. Right Like, if if your thirty three year old quarterback Matthew Staffords were two, I would think that Deshaun Watson has to be worth at least three. Right. Well, I'm looking at this, it almost makes Deshaun Watson untradeable.

I mean, it really does. Because if I'm Deshaun wat if I'm the Houston Texans and I have Deshaun Watson, there I am asking for three three first round pick, yeah, maybe second and maybe two players. I'm asking for the house. And there's probably only three or four teams as willing to do that. So now it takes you out of the pool of being teams. The twelve teams now down to maybe three or four even will consider or entertain that idea of of having that many guys gone out

of one trade. I mean, you know, we we've we've seen big things like that happened in the past, and I don't I don't know the game of her. I think what herschel Walker was the was the craziest one in the history with praise and ticks and things like that. But we're kind of looking at the same situation when you're talking about Deshaun Watson, because um he is he

he is very valuable to organization. He just needs to be somewhere where you have an organization that's going to support him UH and not gonna treat the players as if their jersey number and the CEO of of your organization, which is DeShawn Watson, should have an input on everything you do going forward. Um So, until they start respecting players down in Houston, you're not gonna have a whole lot of UH players and free ages looking at willingly

could just go down there, would you rather? This? To me? One of the interesting things about the RAMS move is you mentioned the herschel Walker trade. That was the trade what you can look up for a year that herschel Walker trade happened. But I think it was like eighty nine if I'm not mistaken. That was the trade that

really went a long way. Towards establishing the value of draft picks because Jimmy Johnson got all those incredible collection of draft picks that he was able to turn into that Dallas Cowboy dynasty with Troy Aigman and Michael Irvine and uh and Emmett Smith and all those guys. Uh. That was yeah, Dubbs says, it was that change that almost made everybody else nervous about trading superstars for lots of picks, right that that legacy of the Cowboys winning

that trade by such a massive amount. Do you think now the Rams are spinning that back on its head a little bit because the reason I'm gonna bring it up is the last couple of years they've given up two first round picks for Jalen Ramsey, who's the best corner in the NFL. I think I'm curious if you agree with that. And now they're going to get Matthew Stafford and they're giving up two first rounders for him

as well. They're basically saying, hey, if we can get a true stud at at the position right corner and quarterback, we're willing to give up two first surrounders because the odds of us getting a player of their caliber is so low. It's kind of spinning it back on its head, that move and saying, hey, maybe we're overvaluing draft picks now over talent. Does that make any sense to you at all? Is that an interesting angle for you in

terms of management of a football team. It is, it is, But you know, I would kind of combat that by saying this, the Rams are pretty close, right, They're pretty close to the team. If they're sitting around and they got a six and ten record or you know, whatever the record is at the end of the season and they're not that great, you're you're in a division where you have to compete. Um, right, you got Kylin Murray,

you got Russell, what you got? You know, you got a division where you gotta go out and win football games right now. And if you don't make these critical moves, um, you're gonna be second to third in that division for a very long time just because of the quarterbacks. You have to play weekend and week out, and that division so you gotta make you have to make this splash.

You have to do the things that they're doing. And though you know, some people may sit back and say that's crazy, but a lot of people don't understand how good Matthew Stafford is, and a quarterback like him with that team that you already have, will take you over the hump. They will put you never one in that division, and you're gonna have to be there because you have to see Russell Wilson, you have to see Calamara. You gotta see these guys. And look, we don't even know

what san Fran is gonna do just yet. So san Fran goes out and make a splash in the quarterback in the market. Now, you really uh have to do something like they're doing right now. So I give them credit. A lot of people looking at this saying that's crazy, I wouldn't give up that, and I would agree with that and said it is crazy if they wasn't so close already, and if they didn't play in that division, then I would say that that's a little mad. Sean

Merriman lights Out podcast Network here on I Heart. I gotta give you a lot of credit here. I think last week you tossed out something that I've seen a lot of other people start to discuss, and you were the first person that I heard say it, which was Deshaun Watson. Potentially for the number one overall pick. Would urban Meyer be interested in that move? Would you make that move if you were the Texans, would you be willing to believe enough in Trevor Lawrence that you would

move on from Deshaun Watson. I'm sure the Jags would have to give you something else as well, but the primary move there would be basically Trevor Lawrence in exchange for Deshaun Watson, with the Jags likely having to give the Texans additional compensation. But is that an idea you would consider it all if you were urban Meyer? Yeah, absolutely,

but I would I would consider it even more. And I talked to to urban Meyer briefly way before he got a coaching job, and I need at some point in time he was on a coach and I know that he needs a stud quarterback to come in and really make a splash like here they're about to do now.

The reason why I would do that is because Deshaun Watsons already put it out there publicly that he wants out right, so you know, so now at that point, I don't think you changes are gonna be willing to give up as much as they wanted to con state on the hush or stay quiet. I mean Matthew Stafford talked about it just recently, but that they've been a talks and behind the scenes for a very long time.

We all know that Deshaun Watson is just unt We all know that he don't have any trust in the organization. There's nothing mutually respectable about the departure. There's nothing. It's the total opposite of Matthew Stafford. Matthew Stafford's like, hey, I'm moving all guys. I did everything I could hear you guys are going in the wrong direction. Let's shake hands and we both walk away. It's not like that

with Deshaun Watson. But you know, in that case, yes, I wouldn't make a move for Deshaun Watson from Urban Meyer and and and in that way, you move up to number one for your detections and you go out and get Trevor Lawrence. It's a big win. But at that case, you're not gonna I just don't believe that they're gonna be able to get to three or four first round draft picks or whatever else they're looking for. All Right, Super Bowl is going on Sunday, final game of the year in the NFL. Uh the tam Bay

Buccaneers around the three point underdog. They are at home. The Kansas City Chiefs are not gonna fly in until the day before the game. How do you break it down? Who should be favored? What do you anticipate to see in this game? Well, well, look, I'll spend a lot of time going against Tom Brady and I'm talking about picking against him, which, by the way, how much did you love before we get to that game? How much

did you love that? Somebody close to Matthew Stafford or Matthew Stafford himself said that he had told the Lions, I'm fine being traded to any team except the Patriots. That that note in my heart play I'm not gonna lie to that may be very happy. I started to go and look up, but went on the NFL shop and get me a Matthew Stafford. Joy. That was my mentality. It's like, you know what, I'll play for anybody, but I ain't going there um. So that that, you know,

just shows me what his mentality was about that. And then look, the second part of that is you know they're traveling there um the day before, and I can understand it because it's and it's actually smart if you think about it with COVID everything else going on, and you know, you just want to be as comfortable as possible, uh, you know, leading up to the game, so it doesn't get much more comfortable you've been at home. Um I, I it's hard for me to go against Tom Brady.

But the only problem you have and facing this, you got a team with passionate Homes and Travis Kelsey and Tyreeck Hill. They can throw up twenty one points in the quarter. So you know, if they were going against anybody else, I would pick the Buck seriously, because I just I can't go against Tom Brady. He's been in

this situation too many times. He's find ways to win. Um. But when you're playing the team they can put up at twenty one points at any given time, they're gonna be hard to beat because you know they're gonna have uh, you know, maybe not so great two or three quarters, but that fourth quarter they can come and strike at any point in time. So it's Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelsey. Are they the best wide receiver and tight end combo right now? And I know a big part of it

is having Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball to them. But are they the best that you can think of in NFL history? To be going side by side with each other right now is a pretty unbelievable duo. Absolutely, And you know the kind of watching as a former defensive player, Uh there, it's the perfect combination along with Andy Reid

because he's they find ways to hurt you. You know, Tyreek Hilling is gonna go deep and stretch and field out of Travis Kelsey is right under him and finding holes in the defense and sitting down and getting creative in the linebacker can't run with him, and he's too big for defensive back to keep erp with him. So

they find these mismatches. So you know, Andy Reeves put these guys in positions to win over and over again, and I can't It's hard to fathom how creative, uh that they keep on getting weekend and week out and they're running on the same place, just out of different formations. And you look, and you know when I watched a ton of field hours and you know, tens of thousands of hours of film over my lifetime, and you sit there and watching, Okay, how can I stop these guys?

How can I stop them? How can I stop him there? And they're doing different formation of running the same place and they just finding ways. Man. I think that, um, I think this is this is probably set up to be one of the best Super Bowls ever because of how these teams played, and it's gonna be a chess match. It's really gonna come down to who can turn the

ball over the least amount of times. But I can tell you this, if Tom Brady throws the ball, turn the ball over two or three times like he did last game, they will not win this game because past Mahomes, they're gonna put points on the board. They couldn't cover. Last question for you, in the first matchup between these two teams, you you talked about the Chiefs just coming out and getting up on the early, getting up on

him early. It seemed like, and you're what much more of a defensive expert than I am, but it seemed like they made the mistake of trying to single cover Tyreek Hill and he just lacerated them. How do you when you get whipped like that? And I know they eventually made it a three point game, but really that game, the Chiefs came out and they took control of it early?

How much do you totally change what you did the first time when you're going back with a new game plan, Because it wasn't that long ago that with these two teams played in that same stadium. Uh, and that was a big game too, and the Chiefs just came out and took it to him. How defensively do you respond? There? Is it? I guess when you look at the film, you know whether it was primarily something you were doing or they were doing. But how different do you think

this kind of game looks? Well? You know, for one, once you face somebody the first time, you start to get a good field for who can do, what, what

their capabilities are with their strengths and what their weaknesses are. Um, you know, I'll go back to the point I just made that the hard part about playing the Chiefs is they can run a lot of the same plays without a different formations, and as h a threat as Tyreek Hill is deep, then they start finding ways to do short screens with him, and he takes it for fifteen and twenty and thirty yards every time he touched the ball,

So it's really hard to game plan them. You have to start going after him and and uh, keeping the ball out of past home's hand. That's what you have to do. You know, if I was if I was Tampa Bay, I would make this a running, bloody game, draw the lockout as much as possible, and and don't given an opportunity to turn the ball over. Uh. You know Leonard Fournette and Jones I would be You know, they will both touch the ball twenty times a game this game, I mean, no matter what they were, touched

the ball twenty times a game. And I'll make you stop them, eat up the clock as much as possible, and don't give Patrick Mahomes enough chance another enough opportunities to put the ball in the end zone. But this game will come down to the turnover batter. Will ever turn the ball over the least amount of times will win the game. Sean appreciate it. We've loved having you on all season long. Look forward to a good Super Bowl. I hope you have a good off season, my man. Thanks man, you too,