Life Without The Game

It was great to hear from @Tankdell4 again. One thing he alluded to, and something I mentioned on stream with @FIVESTARINVEGAS, is how often people overlook how smart Tank Dell is, especially from a football IQ standpoint. He played under Shannon Dawson at University of Houston (now the OC at Miami Hurricanes, and the OC I played under at SFA), who runs concepts rooted in Mike Leach’s system. In that offense, smart receivers thrive. You’re required to understand coverages, route flexibility, and when to adjust, or not adjust routes on the fly. That background showed up immediately with Tank in the NFL. Last year, with Nick Caley and elements of the Erhardt-Perkins offense, you could really feel Tank’s absence. Receivers weren’t always on the same page with C.J. Stroud, especially when plays broke down or required post-snap adjustments. What always stood out between CJ and Tank was their ability to see the game through the same set of eyes, both in structure and out of structure. Because of that, I’m curious if Tank ends up playing more in the slot. In this offense, that role is often the “adjuster,” with the most route freedom and the potential to be a true security blanket for Stroud.

.@Tankdell4 on @LifeWoTheGame: “I had a okay rookie year. Really had a bad, my 2nd year to me personally I feel like it wasn’t a good year at all. I feel like I haven’t scratched the surface yet to be who I am, be what I know I can be in the NFL. I’m trying to be a legend.”

First Guest of 2026. @Tankdell4 Real Conversation, no shortcuts. Episode out Now on YouTube