Overview of 3 & Out - Super Bowl Preview, Fugazi Friday, Mailbag
John Middlekauff (Three & Out, The Volume / iHeart) previews the Super Bowl and breaks down the human-interest story of Sam Darnold, coaching narratives (Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels), and franchise implications. He calls out a few “Fugazi” moments (Tom Brady’s noncommittal comment; the NFL sending a marquee West Coast matchup to Australia), answers listener mail, and covers draft/roster questions (Chiefs priorities, Caleb Williams’ drops, Deshaun Watson, coaching hires and the Rooney Rule).
Key topics discussed
- Sam Darnold’s unlikely career turnaround and the magnitude of a Super Bowl win/MVP for his narrative.
- Coaching advantage: Mike Vrabel + Josh McDaniels vs. Seattle’s staff; Patriots’ postseason experience.
- Franchise/GM context: John Schneider’s resume and how winning with different QBs/coaches elevates a GM.
- Fugazi Friday items:
- Tom Brady saying “no dog in the fight” — perceived as tone-deaf to New England fans.
- NFL scheduling: 49ers vs. Rams announced for Melbourne (Australia) — travel/time-zone concerns for teams and players.
- Injury watch: Drake Maye (reported healthy after practice injury) — key for Patriots’ prospects.
- Mailbag topics: Rooney Rule, Brian Flores lawsuit/coach hiring dynamics, Caleb Williams’ completion/drop issues, Chiefs offseason needs, Deshaun Watson’s future, Joe Brady vs. Freddie Kitchens comparisons.
Main takeaways / host opinions
- Sam Darnold story: This is one of the most remarkable QB redemptions in recent memory. If he wins the Super Bowl (and especially MVP), it will be an unusually dramatic career arc and have major ripple effects around the league.
- Coaching matters: Patriots’ coaching depth and playoff experience (Vrabel + McDaniels) is a real advantage that tempers betting confidence in Seattle despite talent/talent-gap considerations.
- Vrabel’s legacy: A Super Bowl win as Patriots coach would dramatically boost Mike Vrabel’s franchise standing and coaching résumé—especially given his success as a player and previous Tennesee tenure.
- Tom Brady fugazi: Brady saying he has “no dog in the fight” rubs many fans the wrong way; fans expect former franchise icons to show some allegiance.
- International scheduling fugazi: Sending a high-profile, West-Coast rivalry to Melbourne (15+ hour flights and poor kickoff times for U.S. markets) is seen as unfair to teams and players — provocative move by the NFL that may generate backlash.
- Draft/roster outlooks:
- Chiefs: more likely to target OL or pass-rusher/defensive line than a bellcow runner like Jeremiah Lovett (positional fit with Andy Reid’s offense matters).
- Caleb Williams: high-velocity throws create more catch difficulty — expect some higher drop rates; the remedy is touch and timing, not just receiver blame.
- Deshaun Watson: unlikely to return to prior form after long absence and off-field baggage; chances of a meaningful NFL comeback are low.
Notable quotes & insights
- “If Sam Darnold wins the Super Bowl and gets MVP, I don’t think we’ve quite seen a turnaround like that in my lifetime.”
- “Coaching experience is the thing that gives me pause on betting the farm on Seattle — you can win games with scheming and trick plays.”
- On Australia game: “To force teams to take a 15+ hour flight for one of the biggest games on their schedule seems pretty insane.”
Mailbag highlights (questions answered)
- Coaching advantage / halftime adjustments: Yes — Vrabel and McDaniels’ playoff experience is significant and could change the outcome in tight situational moments.
- Jets vs Titans franchise judgments: The host gives more sympathy to Tennessee’s situation (Vrabel had success with Tannehill) — franchise context matters.
- Rooney Rule & Flores lawsuit: The Flores lawsuit complicates his candidacy; diversity initiatives still have structural issues beyond the rule itself.
- Caleb Williams’ drops: High-arm strength leads to more difficult-to-catch throws — completion % should be judged with that in mind; touch and short timing will improve results.
- Chiefs draft priorities: Likely OL or defensive lineman/pass rusher over a pure workhorse RB given Reid’s preference for versatile/passing-game backs.
- Deshaun Watson: Career probably over as an impactful starter; financial situation and recent performance make a full return unlikely.
- Joe Brady / Stefanski comparisons: Joe Brady is a different profile than Freddie Kitchens; Stefanski’s resume is mixed (some strong seasons, some poor results), so context matters for future hirings.
What to watch / actionable items (for listeners)
- Game week monitoring:
- Injury updates (Drake Maye) and Sam Darnold’s availability/health.
- In-game coaching adjustments — expect trick plays or unorthodox looks from McDaniels.
- How Seattle handles pressure and whether the Patriots can exploit situational advantages (halftime, special teams, fourth-down aggressiveness).
- For NFL observers:
- Watch fan and team reaction to the Australia scheduling decision — could drive league policy debate.
- Track how Sam Darnold’s win (if it happens) affects QB market narratives and front-office decisions league-wide.
- For draft-watchers:
- Chiefs: monitor OL and interior pass-rusher prospects; positional fit with Reid’s offense is crucial.
Who should listen
- Fans preparing for the Super Bowl who want coach/player narratives and betting-context insight.
- Listeners interested in league-wide implications (GM/coaching résumés, international scheduling).
- Draft and roster nerds looking for early takes on offseason priorities for Kansas City and franchise-consequence discussions.
Credits: Hosts/sponsors and several ad breaks are present in the episode (Hard Rock Bet, Apple Card, Xfinity, iHeart promos).