Didn’t pull a Romo
Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, currently an analyst for CBS, became known as a broadcaster for the way he broke down plays in real time from the booth. Morris began his presentation by making it clear that he would not do the same.
“I promised not to do my best Tony Romo impersonation,” Morris said.
“There he is, there is my son!” Whitworth replied.
“You can tell I didn’t have Whit on (playcalling),” Morris said.
No indication from McVay, but prepared for the Texans
Morris was later asked by Siciliano if McVay gave him any advice before going on television. Morris said no.
“We went to the game together and he really didn’t give me any advice,” Morris said. “He’s big on studying this kind of stuff, so he’ll come out next week with something to say.”
While that was the case on the air, when it came to what was happening on the field, Morris was prepared.
He projected the Texans to play starting quarterback Davis Mills for an extended period of time after watching their preseason opener, and took over running game coordinator/secondary coach Chris Shula and running game coordinator/defensive line coach Eric Henderson — the defensive players of team in the preseason – ready for it.
Real-time reaction to a big game
Morris was still on the broadcasting headset when Jonah Williams made an impressive move to get to Mills and record a heavy tackle in the first half.
“We have all kinds of excitement here at SoFi!” Morris said after the show.
What made this part even better was Whitworth.
“Here’s what we know, and Rah knows this, Jonah Williams has done that move 195 times a day,” Whitworth said. “He sits there in practice, an hour before practice, he’s working on all his moves, and he just executed it here in a preseason game. That’s awesome.”
Morris called the play “the definition of DAWG Work” — the mantra for Henderson’s culture inside the defensive line room. (Sings about Discipline, Attitude, Work Ethic, Grit.)
Real-time reaction to a big game, Part II
McVay was on edge when cornerback Duron Lowe’s forced fumble on a Texans punt return was intercepted by Roger Carter and returned eight yards for a touchdown.
“And he totally redeems himself!” McVay said.
“And the whole world is sunny again,” Whitworth adds shortly after.
