Cover 3: Your Weekly Insight Delivered Every Tuesday

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 Wednesday, 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.

Tua Time, Trust In The Huddle, & The Pittsburgh Way

In today’s email:

A 70-piece in Miami this weekend had the whole football world talking. Is this what the future looks like for the league with a healthy Tua?

The other talk around the league… McDaniels choosing to kick a field goal on 4th and 4 instead of going for it. Let’s look into what that may cause in the huddle moving forward.

The Steeler Way has been led by “stats and steadiness” for decades. It’s early but I’ve got a hunch this year will be no different.

Tua Time

It was a sultry day in Long Beach, CA, amidst the hustle and fervor of an Elite 11 regional event. There I was, surrounded by over a hundred eager high school quarterbacks when NFL veteran Willie McGinest approached with a gleam in his eye: “You have to meet this little Hawaiian kid…”

As Willie beckoned, up jogged a young man, ball cradled in his left hand – the telltale sign of a southpaw. That was Tua. Our handshake led to a conversation marked by his unwavering focus, grace, and respect. It was evident he was no ordinary high schooler.

"He's the next sensation from the islands," Willie whispered to me.

I decided to put the young quarterback through the motions. As our session concluded, a growing crowd had formed around us, eagerly awaiting my verdict on Tua. It's not often I'm at a loss for words, but describing what I had just witnessed was challenging. He wasn’t the prototypical quarterback mold. Short, stout, and a lefty with an explosive throw. It was different, in a way that made me wonder if I’d ever hear of Tua again or if I’d be watching him vie for an NFL MVP someday.

The Rollercoaster He’s Been Riding

Injuries have been Tua's unwelcome companion. From a high school senior year where he threw for 3,684 yards and 35 TDs, to an eventful college tenure marked by an impressive 12.7 passing yards per attempt (#1 in NCAA history) but also a grim hip injury, to his early NFL career where he achieved a 64.1% completion rate in his rookie season, it’s been a rollercoaster. Each time he took the field, I found myself, like countless others, silently wishing for his well-being. Tua radiates a positivity that's infectious, making it nearly impossible not to root for him.

A Historic Start

Fast-forward to 2023. Three weeks into the NFL season, Tua is on a historic tear. A recent game had him amassing 70 points, throwing for 309 yards, completing 88.5% of his passes, and a staggering 4 TDs; numbers that had me double-checking if I was reviewing his college stats! He’s presently the talk of the league, leading the charge with an overall passer rating of 121.9 and boasting a 71.3% completion rate. And while he’s flanked by an arsenal of offensive weapons, make no mistake – Tua is the heart and soul of that offense.

He's on track to redefine quarterback records, and as we stand at the cusp of witnessing something truly special, my hopes remain the same. Tonight, as I sit down with my boys, I'll whisper a prayer. A hope that Tua Tagovailoa gets the injury-free season he so richly deserves, not just for his sake but for every football aficionado who cherishes the sight of a quarterback at the pinnacle of his prowess.

“What Are We Doing"?”

Sunday Night Football. The electrifying arena of NFL showdowns where every move is under the microscope. Last Sunday was no exception as the Pittsburgh Steelers squared off against the LV Raiders, the game echoing with heart-stopping moments and nail-biting plays. But what really got everyone talking, and especially Raider Nation, was the decision Josh McDaniels made in the final minutes.

“Go For It Or…?”

Picture this: 4th and 4, deep in the red zone, trailing by 8 with just over two minutes left. Most would expect a daring move to score a touchdown followed by a two-point conversion attempt, especially considering they’d successfully executed one earlier. But McDaniels' call? A field goal. Now, let's dissect this.

Football, at its core, is a game of decisions. Every snap, every play call, every shift on the field is a decision made under pressure. When I work with players, especially those gunning for championship glory, the message I emphasize is this: Championships aren’t just won on raw talent or strategy alone; they're won by managing critical moments and decisions.

The Heat Of The Moment

Some choices in the heat of the moment can be divisive. Yet, once a decision is made and it's at odds with the collective sentiment, it casts a shadow of doubt. While play-calls might occasionally raise eyebrows, they're soon forgotten. However, pivotal decisions, like the one on Sunday night, linger and reverberate, not just in the media but importantly within the huddle.

Had McDaniels opted to go for it and fell short due to a questionable play-call, that's a tactical error that fans and players might begrudgingly accept. But a strategic decision of this magnitude? It's bound to elicit reactions and lay the groundwork for doubt.

Inside The Huddle

Here's the larger implication: This decision might have impacted the game's outcome. Still, the more significant toll might be the eroding trust and the nagging thought in players' minds: "Is our leader steering us right?" And when the next crossroads moment arrives, that seed of doubt can hinder execution, no matter the decision.

We're early in the season, but these moments define the trajectory. Will this be a turning point or just a hiccup for the Raiders? Time will tell, but one thing's for sure – all eyes will be on McDaniels' next big call. And the question will linger: is the captain of the ship charting the right course? The unfolding drama on and off the gridiron is what makes this game the spectacle it is. Stay tuned.?

The Pittsburgh Way: Stats & Steadiness

There's a simple philosophy I've always adhered to, both on and off the field: trust the process and let the numbers speak. As I've been digesting the discussions buzzing around the Pittsburgh Steelers and Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada, a couple of thoughts come to mind. Let's roll the tape and bring out those stats.

Let’s Talk Numbers

Now, it's no secret that the Steelers' O-line has been in a bit of a bind. Ranking 29th in 2021 by Pro Football Focus tells a story. But laying it all on Canada's shoulders? That feels a tad surface-level for me. Having had my fair share of time opposing the Steelers, let me sprinkle in some statistics to offer a perspective on what it means to be a Steeler.

Good leadership at the helm makes all the difference. It's like having a seasoned QB directing traffic. History has shown teams with strong leadership at the top-notch up a higher rate of playoff appearances. And Steelers? Their .609 winning percentage over the years is a testament to this consistency. But here's what blows my mind: a mere three head coaches in over half a century! Now, that's a playbook on commitment.

Trust The Journey

But the Steelers' acumen doesn't stop there. Their scouting game is, for lack of a better term, top-tier. Snagging Antonio Brown in the 6th round is akin to a perfect spiral in a high-pressure game. Not to mention Le’veon Bell, Pat Friermuth and George Pickens, all in the 2nd round. And if we're talking stats, over the last decade, their 60% success rate in turning late draft picks into regular starters is a number that's hard to ignore. It's among the league's elite benchmarks.

As we gear up for the rest of the season, I've got a gut feeling, reinforced by years of watching the Steelers and stats that back it up: whatever the game plan - tweaking the playbook with Canada, or drafting in some fresh talent - it's going to resonate with that classic Steelers grit. This is a team that's weathered storms, be it Big Ben's curveballs or the Antonio Brown saga. They tackle, adjust, and keep the forward momentum.

So, for the Steeler fans: Trust the Pittsburgh Way. We’re a few weeks into a season that has a lot of hope left. The Steelers have a legacy of blending strategy with heart, ensuring every play and every decision is in sync with the Pittsburgh Way. The same way the citizens of the city keep it running - supporting teams in all major sports. My bet? Any drama that could exist will be extinguished before it impacts the locker room. Why do I believe that? Because the Steelers have proven it - as much as any franchise in the league, year after year.