Cover 3: Your Weekly Insight Delivered Every Thursday

Cover 3 is a digital newsletter that covers 3 different stories around football every week. From the locker room to the front office, we’ve got you covered.

Each Thursday, an email will land in your inbox from me, Jordan Palmer.

Our goal is not only to give you the stories you won’t get anywhere else - but another perspective that can help you build your relationship to the game, your family, and all the people you enjoy spending time with.

The Most Impressive Performance In 11 Months, Alabama's Shifting Tide, & Caleb Williams' Most Valuable Rep Yet

In today’s email:

CJ Stroud put on an epic performance this last week. But the most impressive performance? Josh Dobbs.

There’s something about Bama’s QB Jalen Milroe that makes him so fun to watch. We dove into his mindset and approach to the game in The QB Room and it’s a must-watch.

Caleb Williams had high hopes after his Heisman-winning season last year. This year hasn’t quite turned out the way he wanted it to but he’s getting, maybe, his most valuable reps yet through it all.

The Most Impressive Performance In 11 Months

The fabric of college and pro football is woven with the incredible feats of quarterbacks, who week after week, astonish us with their ability to push the limits. From C.J. Stroud shattering records to the on-field magic conjured by the likes of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, these moments are why the quarterback position is so incredible.

And Patrick Mahomes, with his own brand of quarterbacking wizardry, adds to this lineup of athleticism and skill. Dudes are making plays. Week in, and week out. 

Enter Josh Dobbs

I've been there, in the thick of it all. Having played at the highest level, I’ve grown accustomed to the spectacle - almost numb to it sometimes. The sight of a quarterback threading the needle for a 50-yard touchdown or defying gravity and tacklers alike has become expected, if not routine. That's not to downplay the difficulty of these feats; it's an acknowledgment of their frequency.

Yet, amidst these expected bursts of brilliance, there are performances that slice through the norm, and Josh Dobbs’ recent display is one such instance.

Stepping in midweek, with no practice, no playbook insight, and the unfamiliar cadence of a new team, he secured a win. This wasn’t just impressive; it was remarkable. Or whatever incredible adjective you want to use. 

I Get It

Let's rewind to my time transitioning from Chicago to Buffalo. The Chicago phase of my career was marked by a sudden need to adapt. When Jay Cutler fell to injury, I found myself on a plane flying to Chicago O’Hare to take over the backup responsibilities as Josh Mccown stepped into starting. 

Barely acquainted with the Bears’ offensive system, I had to get ready to back-up Josh on Monday night football at Lambeau Field. The anxiety was palpable and the lack of preparation was top of mind - a steep cliff face to climb with almost no sleep that week. 

This paled, however, in comparison to what followed. After being cut after the third of four preseason games, I received a call that redirected my flight from home to Buffalo. I was to be a Bill within hours, with a preseason game staring me down. No rehearsals, no familiar faces—just the playbook and me.I signed on a Tuesday and played in a Thursday. 

In a whirlwind 72 hours, I crammed sessions with the quarterback coach, picked out a few plays, and hoped for the best. The reality of the game was brutal. Originally slated to play just the fourth quarter, circumstances thrust me into the spotlight far earlier than anticipated and I went in the third series of the game. 

With a skeletal grasp of the playbook and teammates who were strangers, I navigated the field. My stat line of 9 for 22 with three interceptions was a testament to the uphill battle I faced.

Communication was bare bones—I resorted to calling Marquise Goodwin by his jersey number, "88," and I scrambled to confirm routes and depths mid-huddle. When I got in my car after the game, I thought of just driving myself to the airport.

Josh Dobbs Was THAT Dude

Through this lens, Dobbs’ win was just different. It’s a testament to mental fortitude, to stepping into an onslaught of changing variables with poise and coming out victorious. This is the unheralded side of quarterbacking, where success isn’t measured in yards or touchdowns, but in the ability to rapidly adapt and lead amidst chaos.

Dobbs didn't just navigate a game; he conquered the unseen challenges that come with stepping into a high-stakes environment unprepared. That level of mental agility and composure is the hallmark of a quarterback's resolve.

In the grand narrative of football, it’s these under-the-radar triumphs, born out of sheer grit and adaptability, that are truly impressive. And in that regard, Dobbs’ performance wasn't just a highlight of his career but a pinnacle of quarterback resilience.

Josh Dobbs was THAT dude this past week. There’s no other way to put it. And it was the first time I’ve seen anything like it since Baker Mayfiekd did it for the Rams exactly 11 months prior. Before that, I don’t think I recall anything so impressive.

Listen To The QB Room Podcast

There's one room in every NFL building where it all happens: the quarterback room. It is the room where the most high-level football conversations happen. It is the room where General Managers stop by to get a pulse of the team. It is the room where conversations can range from game plans to life plans. It is The QB Room.

I partnered with Kyle Allen (QB for the Buffalo Bills) to give you access to this room few people have ever experienced.

Watch on Youtube

Listen on Apple

Shift in the Tide at Alabama

Alabama's quarterback conundrum was the talk of the offseason. Even after spring training, the team's leadership hadn't settled on a starter, prompting them to enlist Tyler Buckner from Notre Dame via the transfer portal to stir up the competition with Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson.

Coach Nick Saban, known for his forthrightness, made no secret that the quarterback slot was up for grabs.

Jalen Milroe Took It In Stride

Jalen Milroe's tenure as a starter had a rocky beginning with a defeat against Texas, which led to his temporary replacement by Buckner. However, Milroe quickly reclaimed his position and began to exhibit a playing style reminiscent of some of Alabama's legendary quarterbacks.

In terms of passing, Milroe's trajectory indicates he could surpass Bryce Young's records. His rushing stats echo those of Jalen Hurts, displaying a potent blend of passing and running skills.

Despite Alabama's broader struggles in the running game, Milroe's standout performance against LSU — where he amassed 155 rushing yards, scored four touchdowns, and averaged an impressive 7.8 yards per carry — was a testament to his individual prowess.

Even as a passer, Milroe's efficiency is noteworthy; he has maintained a completion rate above 65% across the season. His performance against Arkansas was an outlier, with a lower completion rate, but he still managed to contribute three touchdowns without turning over the ball.

A Star On The Show

I had the opportunity to delve into Milroe's mindset on my show "The QB Room," where he shared insights into his approach to the game. I strongly suggest tuning into that episode to grasp the caliber of this player.

Alabama may have encountered unfamiliar challenges this season, with some uncharacteristic losses and a lagging rush offense. Nonetheless, there's a growing confidence in Milroe's ability to secure the ball, make decisive plays, and exploit openings in the defense — demonstrated by his dynamic display against LSU. 

It appears that a transformation is underway in Alabama's football narrative, much of it pivoting on Milroe's evolving role as a quarterback. The team's future outings hold great promise, bolstered by Milroe's rising performance that seems to hint at the emergence of a new powerhouse in their ranks.

Caleb Williams and the Valuable Rep

Heading into this season, Caleb Williams and the USC Trojans weren't just dreaming big—they had their eyes on the real deal. National title? Check. Heisman buzz for Caleb? Loud and clear.

And I'll tell you straight up, it wasn't just hype. Caleb's got the kind of talent that doesn't just shine, it blazes, and if the guy was throwing spirals in the NFL right now, he'd be turning heads, no question.

The Picture Has Shifted For USC

Now, USC, they've scrapped and clawed their way through, all the way to that do-or-die game at Utah for the Pac-12 top spot, and yeah, they've stumbled. A few tweaks on defense and they could've been talking title.

Post-season shake-up in the portal and a year deeper into the playbook, and you better believe they were lined up to take a crack at the whole shebang—not just the Pac-12 but the whole college football crown.

But fate threw a wrench in the works with those tough losses—Notre Dame, Utah, now Washington. And sure, they snagged a nail-biter against Arizona at home, but the big picture? That's shifted.

We’ve Seen This Before

So what does this mean for Caleb Williams? Here's the deal: it's golden. Look back at the guys who've been number one picks lately—Lawrence, Murray, Mayfield, zip back to Manning. They all got handed the keys to the kingdom of teams that were more fixer-upper than a castle.

Peyton? Interception record in his rookie year. Aikman? Same deal. And Lawrence, through no fault of his own, his first year was challenging.

The Importance Of Focusing On The Now

I've been in the thick of it in the NFL, on teams that were watching the playoffs from the couch with a 2-14 and 3-13 record to show for it.

Here's what happens: When you're in the playoff hunt, everybody's locked in, all systems go, fighting for that number one spot or just a shot at the postseason. But once you're out of the running, it's like a switch flips. Not everyone's heart's still in the game.

Coaches are watching their backs, players are playing the long game thinking about their next gig, their next contract. And if you're a QB in that mix, you're the guy who's gotta keep the ship together, keep everyone fired up and focused on the now.

The Beginning Of A Legacy

So yeah, USC's not in the title chase, and Caleb's not gonna be hoisting the Heisman this year. But these games coming up? They're not throwaways. They're where you learn what you're really made of when the stakes are personal pride and team honor.

That's the stuff you can't teach in practice. It's learned in the fire of a season that's not going by the playbook.

This is Caleb's first time at the rodeo where he's not the last cowboy standing as the season winds down. But this, right here, is where he's getting those reps that count for more than stats and scores. It's about grit, about leading when leading's tough, and setting up to bounce back hard.

For a young gun like Caleb, who's got a bright future ahead in the league, these games? They're not just the end of a season. They're the beginning of a legacy. And that's what he's playing for now.