Sharpe: Young needs 'Von Miller type of Super Bowl game' vs. Brady originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Following Washington's Week 17 NFC East clinching win over the Eagles on Sunday night, standout rookie Chase Young yelled three words as he joyfully ran into the tunnel.
"I want Tom!"
Young, of course, was referring to Tom Brady, the Buccaneers star and quarterback of Washington's playoff opponent.
While Young meant nothing more than just welcoming the challenge to play against the greatest quarterback of all-time, those three syllables have turned into a big storyline ahead of Saturday's NFC Wild Card bout.
Speaking about the topic on Fox Sports 1's The Undisputed, former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe explained he has no problem with Young's message to Brady, but said that now he must back it up.
"I don't have a problem with this because I was one of the most brash, outspoken guys when I played," Sharpe said.
A solid outing from Young won't be good enough for Sharpe, though. The former tight end feels that after calling out someone as accomplished as Brady, Young must turn in a game-wrecking performance similar to Von Miller in Super Bowl 50 against Ron Rivera, Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.
"But you need to understand your football team and what you're up against," Sharpe said. "When you put stuff out here like this here, now Chase Young, you better go have a Von Miller type of Super Bowl game. You put that out there. I have no problem with it. Now, you have to back up what you said."
In Super Bowl 50, the Broncos star linebacker sacked Cam Newton 2.5 times and forced two fumbles, including one that was recovered by Demarcus Ware in the end zone for a touchdown. Miller's performance would earn him Super Bowl MVP honors, too, with the Broncos knocking off the Panthers, 24-10.
Sharpe believes this lesson is a good one for Young, who's still just 21 years old, to learn. For the tight end, it proves as a great reminder that the pass rusher is no longer in college.
"I want you to understand, this is not Ohio State and you're the dominant team and you're playing Michigan. This is a whole different animal," Sharpe said. "These are professionals. They are not in awe of you. they do not fear you. This is the NFL. Everybody was an All-American, and all-conference player at somewhere, or great somewhere."
Sharpe then shared a message from one of his former head coaches, Brian Billick, and what he would tell his players in a situation like this when they were together in Baltimore.
"Brian Billick used to tell us all the time, 'I don't care what you say. But come Sunday, we're gonna have to go back this rhetoric up,'" Sharpe said. "Don't pull a disappearing act. Please, whatever you do, do not get shut out. Do not get blown out. Because you're going to look ridiculous."
Over the past couple of days, both Rivera and Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians have been asked about Young's wish. Rivera had a mixed reaction to his star's call out, while the Buccaneers' head coach warned Young to be "careful for what you wish for."
Young has not shied away from the big moment at all this season. He's arguably been Washington's best player on either side of the ball over the past six weeks.
Now, the rookie Pro Bowler must continue his hot streak to back up his wish. If the last month or so is any indication, Washington should like its odds.
"All I'm saying is Chase Young, you need to understand since you've spoken 'I want Tom!' you need to come," Sharpe said. "Everybody remembers what Von Miller did in the Super Bowl to Cam [Newton]. You need to have that kind of game, that kind of impact."
