Marshawn Lynch Needs to Be in an NFL Booth

Also in Traina Thoughts: Pete Carroll shows that age is just a number; Jason McCourty questions Jets mentalist; Tyreek Hill's shocking admission and more.

1. Roger Goodell would probably have a fit. And network executives would probably get diarrhea from having nervous system issues. But if any company that airs NFL games want to spice up their broadcasts, create buzz, regularly go viral and become the darlings of the internet, they should hire Marshawn Lynch as a game analyst.

The former Seahawks running back, who is amusing and likable, did commentary for SlamBall telecasts this season, including the Finals, which aired on ESPN on Thursday. This call alone should be enough for Lynch to land a job in an NFL booth.

"If this was Sonic, all his coins would've been knocked out right now. You would've been hearing them things come out BADINGDINGDINGDING... SIT HIM ON HIS BACK POCKETS. SIT HIM ON HIS ASS CHEEKS"

- Marshawn Lynch with the greatest call of all time pic.twitter.com/DJqkSRidDI

— SlamBall (@SlamBall) August 18, 2023

SlamBall has put together an 11-minute compilation of Lynch’s work this season, and his broadcast style is downright infectious. Of course, the cursing would be an issue if Lynch were calling NFL games. There are several instances in the Lynch highlight reel when the sound drops out because the network had to nix Lynch’s naughty language.

2. Speaking of the Seahawks, this is a damn impressive effort by 71-year-old head coach, Pete Carroll.

3. Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill revealed Thursday that he uses Madden instead of film to scout opposing defensive backs. That method clearly works for Hill, so props to him.

Tyreek Hill says he doesn't watch film. Instead, he plays Madden the night before a game to check the ratings of the cornerbacks he'll be facing.

“I see their awareness, speed and strength - and that’s how I get a good tell on them.”

pic.twitter.com/I0l1KA6S2a

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 18, 2023

4. If you watched Hard Knocks this week or if you’re on NFL Twitter, you saw a “mentalist” do this thing at Jets practice. 

WHAT IS GOING ON @OzTheMentalist pic.twitter.com/AE9aQ7J19X

— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 15, 2023

Good Morning Football’s Jason McCourty had thoughts about this, and I would like to say: I stand with Jason.

Uh oh @OzTheMentalist , we have a skeptic @JasonMcCourty

Might have to come to the breakfast table and prove him wrong? pic.twitter.com/saD0Pm8wCC

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) August 18, 2023

5. This week's SI Media Mailbag was posted Thursday afternoon, and you guys did an outstanding job with the questions this week. Among the topics covered:

• Fox’s NFL broadcast teams 
• Mad Dog’s future 
• Sports docs I want to see 
• Ranking Curb/Seinfeld/Office characters 
• Phil Mickelson’s betting
• Best comedians
• Cheesecake

Give the mailbag a read.

6. This week’s SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast features a conversation with Peter Schrager from Good Morning Football and Fox NFL Kickoff.

Schrager discusses what his travel schedule is like during the season, when he has to commute from New York City to Los Angeles every weekend, what his goal is when reporting for Fox NFL Kickoff, and the huge broadcast and media changes coming to the NFL for the 2023 season.

Other topics covered include why this is set up to be a great NFL season, a sleeper MVP candidate, Netflix’s Quarterback series and much more.

Following Schrager, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week, we discuss our early opinions on NFL team win total over/unders, why giving up fantasy football is a great life decision, the Blind Side controversy, the Johnny Manziel Netflix

You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.

You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on YouTube.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: The summer is winding down (thank goodness), so many of you will be trying to get in some final trips to the beach over the next couple of weekends. So this seems like a good time for a little Larry.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.