1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,840 Speaker 1: Which of these three Metro teams finishes out of the 2 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: division's top three automatic playoff spots the penns Aisles or 3 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:15,160 Speaker 1: Blue Jackets. Right now, the Blue Jackets are fairly substantially 4 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 1: out in front most of you think they'll be the 5 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: team left out in the cold at forty two percent, 6 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: but the Pens are next at thirty seven percent, and 7 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 1: then the Islanders getting most people's support as a team 8 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,599 Speaker 1: that's going to get in by the time the playoffs 9 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: are done as one of the two automatic qualifiers after 10 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 1: Carolina in the Metro leaving it up to Columbus and Pittsburgh. 11 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 2: I agree with you. 12 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: I agree with the masses on this one. I think 13 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 1: the most variance exists for the Penguins and Blue Jackets. 14 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:49,680 Speaker 1: I think the Islanders are who the Islanders are and 15 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: might be a surprise big picture, but I see roughly 16 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: the same team right now that I think that i'll 17 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: see at the end of the regular season in the 18 00:00:57,520 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: middle of April, and frankly that I saw for a 19 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:02,480 Speaker 1: good show of the year before the Olympic break. I 20 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: agree with most of the people who are voted twenty percent. Yeah, 21 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: they should be the low team of this total poll. 22 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,320 Speaker 1: They should be one that you think will be snuggled 23 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,440 Speaker 1: in to the top three. The Penguins and Blue Jackets. 24 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 1: I think there's a high degree of variants there. The 25 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 1: Penguins because well, theoretically you would think that their variants 26 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 1: should go up because Sid and Gino will be coming back. 27 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 1: Gino will tonight, Sid should soon. The Blue Jackets, their 28 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 1: variance is they've just got to cool off, right. In fact, 29 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: they've already started. They won something like ten of twelve 30 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 1: going into and coming out of the Olympic break, but 31 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: now they've dropped three of five, so maybe they're starting 32 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: to come back to earth a little bit. Here are 33 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 1: some responses that I've gotten so far. I didn't really 34 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 1: ask for responses, but I'm getting them anyway, and you 35 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 1: can as well. 36 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 2: At four one two ninety nine thirty nine. 37 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 1: That's eight three three four one two ninety nine thirty nine. 38 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 1: This guy Sid says Columbus but barely before the Penguins. 39 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 2: New York should be okay. 40 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: If there is a silver lining, chances of all three 41 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 1: making the playoffs are high. 42 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 2: Boston and Montreal have their own problems. 43 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: And looks like Detroit is likely to miss out in 44 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 1: my opinion for Columbus. 45 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:14,799 Speaker 2: Yes, that could happen. 46 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:17,640 Speaker 1: I just didn't want to get too convoluted with the 47 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 1: pole and involve the wild card. That's why I was 48 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: asking specifically about the automatic qualifying nature of the top 49 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: three from the Metro Division. Another guy checks in sound mind. 50 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:33,519 Speaker 1: He says, Pens will make it if Sid returns soon ish. 51 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 1: It's getting rough out there without him. There might be 52 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: some merit to what Mark has said, which is ostensibly 53 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 1: that he's been on the trip just to boost the 54 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: emotions and boost the support and the vibes of the team, 55 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:48,519 Speaker 1: to make them think that they're coming back with him 56 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,119 Speaker 1: soon and if they can just keep their head above water, 57 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 1: they'll be okay. That's sort of what this guy is 58 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 1: speaking to. And this guy Sid PPG tracker says it's close, 59 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 1: but Soroken gives New York the edge. 60 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 2: And I think that while a lot of people are. 61 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:03,960 Speaker 1: Leaning towards the Islanders being one of the two teams 62 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 1: in and then Pittsburgh or Columbus being out, and for 63 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 1: a Pittsburgh centered poll, let's face and most of the 64 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 1: people who follow me on Twitter, I'm sure I have 65 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:16,120 Speaker 1: a few people back from Columbus, but not that. 66 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 2: Many to really influence this vote. 67 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: It's a little surprising to me that it's as close 68 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: as it is between Columbus and Pittsburgh, but it's probably 69 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: a pretty good reality check of where Penguins fans think 70 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 1: their team is. And probably you're savvy enough to realize that, yes, 71 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: a wild card still could be in play. But I 72 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,720 Speaker 1: do think the Metro team of that group that falls 73 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: out is going to have a tough slog to maneuver 74 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 1: amongst all the Atlantic teams that will be in the 75 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 1: mix for the top two wild cards as well. Four 76 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: one two three three three WXDX. Let's hear what Pierre 77 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 1: Maguire had to say about this. He actually gives us 78 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: a bit of a red flag for the Islanders. 79 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 2: Ironically enough, here's what. 80 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 3: I'm worried about with the Islanders there for what they 81 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 3: had a lot of people sleeping and now people are 82 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 3: looking at the standings saying, but these guys are for real. 83 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 3: So you got a young kid that's dominating a lot 84 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 3: of their games in Matthew Shafer, and he's never been 85 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 3: through this before. And if you were to talk to 86 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 3: people that are on the inside, they'll tell. 87 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:18,840 Speaker 4: You he's gonna get it. 88 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 3: I mean, now people drop their game plans and that's 89 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 3: a hard gig. 90 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 4: To deal with. 91 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 3: So it's gonna be very, very interesting to watch how 92 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:28,280 Speaker 3: it all plays out there. 93 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: That's Peter maguire with me on Thursday of last week. 94 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 1: We'll get more into the Penguins and their situation with 95 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:40,719 Speaker 1: Gino coming back and by the way, Brazil back in. 96 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 1: It sounds like Nolazatte and it's gonna be she loves 97 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:48,040 Speaker 1: tonight against Colorado after they came back and beat Utah. 98 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,280 Speaker 1: A couple of quick Steelers items here, we're gonna talk 99 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: to Any schaff the play voice of the Carolina Panthers 100 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: shortly you know him from other ESPN work as well, 101 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: does a great job on Carolina Broadcast. We'll talk about 102 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: Rico Dowbell, the recently signed running back for the Steelers. 103 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: I think you can glean a lot from what the 104 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 1: Steelers have done in free agency based on I think 105 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 1: cues that they got from the draft. And I don't 106 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: know from which end we're really looking at this, but 107 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 1: there's some merit to the thinking that they loaded up 108 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:26,360 Speaker 1: in the secondary because they perhaps felt that the depth 109 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 1: of talent that they were working with along the trenches 110 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 1: was much better in the draft than it was at secondary. 111 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 1: And they thought there were available bargains in second And 112 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: I'm saying, like, you know, I don't think that if 113 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: you look at Dean, is really a bargain they paid 114 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,280 Speaker 1: for him. But worthwhile investments is probably the smarter way 115 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:49,040 Speaker 1: for me to say it. There were more worthwhile investments 116 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,919 Speaker 1: in the secondary, so they loaded up there more sure 117 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:55,760 Speaker 1: things as to how to spend their money in the secondary. 118 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 1: So where I'm going with it safely running back, Like 119 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 1: they didn't want to play the game of when should 120 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 1: we get a running back, so they got doubdle to 121 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:07,280 Speaker 1: offset the loss of Kenneth Gainwell, be ready, folks, they 122 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:09,920 Speaker 1: might go boring in the first round of the draft 123 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: if they don't get one of those top four receivers 124 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 1: and they wait to the second round with receiver because 125 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 1: they waited on Pittman. Be ready to be bored to tears, 126 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,799 Speaker 1: to get a guard or to get like a defensive 127 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 1: lineman that's going to play behind Benton and Hayward and 128 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: Harmon for a little while in that first round with 129 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: seven hundred thousand people in Pittsburgh, waiting for him to 130 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 1: take a quarterback or a wide receiver buckle up. 131 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:34,920 Speaker 2: It could happen, and I. 132 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: Think the free agent cues are there for us to 133 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: draw those conclusions. We'll talk to Annie Schroff next. The 134 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:43,720 Speaker 1: Panthers play by play man coming up, talk about Rico 135 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 1: Dowdell on the way one O five to nine. 136 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 4: The X. 137 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 2: Brought to us by the Steelers Pro Shop. 138 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 1: Get it direct from the team at the Steelers Pro 139 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 1: Shop Shop done Steelers dot Com. Tim Benz in for 140 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 1: Mark Madden today before we get to our conversation with 141 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 1: Any Schaff, the play by play voice of the Carolina Panthers, 142 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: on Rico Daudel, trying to get him on the phone 143 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 1: right now. I was over at the Steelers facility today. 144 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 1: We're waiting on Jakwan Brisker to leave to come down 145 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: here before we actually talked to him. But I didn't 146 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 1: get to that signing in the previous segment, so I 147 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: probably should bring that up as well. I do think 148 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 1: that they're going to be better at every position that 149 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: they addressed in free agency. 150 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 2: I do think all these guys are upgrades. 151 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 1: Some of them are obvious based on what they had 152 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 1: to fight through with the injuries, not to Shaun Elliott, 153 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 1: the lack of performance with guys that they got last 154 00:07:46,400 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: year in the summertime at safety, it's easy to say 155 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: anybody that they get is going to be better there 156 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: than what they had. I like the pairing that they're 157 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 1: going to have between him and Elliott. Hopefully Elliott comes 158 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 1: back and is the best guy at the position and. 159 00:07:58,440 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 2: Then you can have. 160 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: Jalen Ramsey do his own thing, be a slot guy, whatever. 161 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 1: But I like the upgrade there. I do think that 162 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: Doubtell how he will fit with Warren will be an 163 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 1: upgrade for their run game overall. And Pittman, even if 164 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: he is just a number three, quote unquote, and they 165 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 1: get a really good rookie to be a number two 166 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,600 Speaker 1: to compliment DK Metcalf, that's fine. 167 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 2: That's fine. If it turns out that way, that's not 168 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 2: a bad thing. 169 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: Is he overpaid then if that's the case of the extension, yeah, 170 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:37,199 Speaker 1: But I also think he's versatile enough that he could 171 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: be an outside the numbers guy, or he can be 172 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 1: a big slot guy, and that frees you up to 173 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: take whatever type of receiver you just think is better 174 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 1: when he's on the board, especially if you have to 175 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 1: wait to the second round to do it. And I 176 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: think they kind of got boxed in there at times 177 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 1: looking for players, and that's why they passed until they 178 00:08:57,480 --> 00:08:59,560 Speaker 1: got to Roman Wilson later a couple of years ago, 179 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 1: and that has not worked out so far, and it's 180 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 1: part of the reason why they're in the wide receiver 181 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 1: predicament that they are and have to pay as much 182 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: as they did. 183 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:07,959 Speaker 2: For Michael Pittman Junr. 184 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: But he just joins us right now getting the play 185 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: by play voice of the Carolina Panthers and e shaf 186 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: and East. Thanks for taking us the down to join us. 187 00:09:14,559 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 1: Appreciate it. 188 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 4: Always the pleasure. Tim, How are you great? 189 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,320 Speaker 1: Thanks for doing this and thanks for giving us some 190 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,440 Speaker 1: insight on Rico Dwell, the running back that was with 191 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: the Carolina Panthers last year. What did you see Colin 192 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:29,199 Speaker 1: hees his games on a daily basis, You know, it 193 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: was interesting. 194 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 5: It was really a season in three phases for Rico. 195 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 5: Early in the year he was brought in and was 196 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 5: very clearly the number two running back. Cuba Hubbard had 197 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 5: run for eleven hundred plus yards a season before, had 198 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 5: just signed a big four year extension the previous season, 199 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 5: so Cuba was the guy and Rico was brought along slowly. 200 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 5: In the first few games, he really didn't do much, 201 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 5: and his ascension coincided with when the Panthers season turned. 202 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 5: They're one to three, they're down seven nothing to Miami, 203 00:10:01,679 --> 00:10:03,720 Speaker 5: and they stick with the run, and they stuck with 204 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:06,280 Speaker 5: Rico and he runs for two hundred plus yards. They 205 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 5: come back, they win the game. And that started about 206 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 5: a four or five week stretch where you could make 207 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 5: the case he was one of the two or three 208 00:10:15,880 --> 00:10:20,320 Speaker 5: most impactful skill players in the entire NFL, and then 209 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:25,080 Speaker 5: after that he was pedestrian at best. I don't think 210 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 5: he cracked sixty yards after the Green Bay game over 211 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 5: the last six seven weeks, so he kind of just 212 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 5: went back to being who they thought he would be 213 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:38,200 Speaker 5: at the beginning of the season. And then late in 214 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 5: the year there was a little bit of Rico being 215 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 5: a malcontent, a little upset with his carries. But I'll 216 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:47,000 Speaker 5: tell you what that five game stretch, what he did 217 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 5: against Miami, Dallas, Green Bay, the Jets, the Panthers don't 218 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:54,319 Speaker 5: get to the playoffs last year without Rico Dabble. He 219 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 5: can run, he can catch, he can run after the catch. 220 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 5: He's a very good receiver for an older running back, 221 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:04,560 Speaker 5: you know, late twenties, right, older running back. He didn't 222 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 5: have a ton of tread on his tires. So I think, 223 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 5: if I'm Rico to be honest with you, I thought 224 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 5: he probably felt mid season he would have had a 225 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 5: longer term deal and probably more dollars. I'm surprised it 226 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 5: was only a two year deal with Pittsburgh. 227 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 1: When you say that things kind of turned again the 228 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:26,960 Speaker 1: back third of the season. Were there reasons aside from 229 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 1: Dowdell's own play that was the case or did you 230 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: just see diminishing results from him specifically? Were there other 231 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:37,200 Speaker 1: circumstances such as line play or other issues within the 232 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 1: passing game that became too predictable, or anything of that sort. 233 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 4: I think there were multiple things. 234 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:45,679 Speaker 5: One, the offensive line went through a number of different 235 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 5: mutations last year because of injuries. 236 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 4: The second part, Schuba. 237 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 5: Hubbard again who had been the guy, got healthier the 238 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:56,120 Speaker 5: back end of the season, and again he didn't have 239 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,439 Speaker 5: a great season by his standards, but he was better 240 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:02,640 Speaker 5: later in the year. But the run game overall just 241 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:05,200 Speaker 5: wasn't there down the stretch, and Rico kind of made 242 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 5: it a point, Hey, I need more touches. I got 243 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 5: to get lathered up. I'm that type of running back. 244 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 5: The reality is he had never really been that guy 245 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:17,880 Speaker 5: until the second half of the previous season with Dallas 246 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 5: and then you know, for about a half season with 247 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 5: the Panthers, he had kind of always been a backup. 248 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 5: He never really had many carries. 249 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 4: His first few years in the league. 250 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 5: So I think it was a lot of different factors. 251 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 5: But the other part of it was a Rico just 252 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:33,040 Speaker 5: didn't have the burst that we saw mid season two 253 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 5: d the end of the season, and he wasn't breaking 254 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:38,880 Speaker 5: the tackle, he wasn't getting the yards after contact. So yeah, 255 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 5: number of factors, but I think the run game as 256 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 5: a hole for the Panthers went away late in the season, 257 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 5: and you know, we kind of felt going into the 258 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 5: offseason it was probably a slim chance that he would 259 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 5: be back in Carolina, and obviously's in Pittsburgh now, So what. 260 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 1: Was the general reaction in Carolina when the news was 261 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 1: announced that he was coming to Pittsburgh. Was it akin 262 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 1: to what we had here in Pittsburgh when it was 263 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: revealed that Gainwell was gone, Like, oh okay, he was 264 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,200 Speaker 1: a pretty good player here at some forces leaving, but 265 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: we can offset it. There seemed to be a quick 266 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 1: tamping down of concern that Gainwell was gone because Dowdell 267 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 1: came here. What was the reaction like in Carolina. 268 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 5: We appreciated what you did in twenty twenty five, thank 269 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:31,200 Speaker 5: you for your services. Good luck in Pittsburgh. 270 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 2: So no, no, and. 271 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 5: That's not to say and that's not to say that 272 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 5: people didn't like Rico. He's a North Carolina guy, you know, 273 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:40,840 Speaker 5: grew up played high school ball in Nashville, North Carolina. 274 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 5: I would say mid season when he was on his heater, 275 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:47,680 Speaker 5: there was a real impetus from our fan base, Hey, 276 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 5: you got to do what it takes. 277 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 4: To bring Rico back. 278 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:53,680 Speaker 5: And then that was tampered down and muted by the 279 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 5: time you got the week seventeen, Week eight team. 280 00:13:55,960 --> 00:13:57,719 Speaker 1: So what she had to say there before about how 281 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:00,320 Speaker 1: he needs some carries to get into a lot, at 282 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 1: least that's what he's saying he needs. How do you 283 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 1: think this is going to mess then with Jalen Warren, 284 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:07,440 Speaker 1: who was very much a one be er at times 285 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:09,440 Speaker 1: a one a with Gainwell being the one bee here 286 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:12,360 Speaker 1: last year and was also that case when Najee Harris 287 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 1: was the running back here too. 288 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:17,559 Speaker 5: I think it creates an interesting dynamic because the question 289 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 5: that Rico has to answer can he do that over 290 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 5: the course of an entire season? 291 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 4: Right? 292 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 5: How much was his production in that four or five 293 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 5: game stretch the result of not being in every down 294 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 5: back the first few weeks of the season, and how 295 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 5: much of him getting twenty five thirty touches a game 296 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 5: in that four or five week stretch. How much did 297 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:40,800 Speaker 5: that impact him on the back end of the season. 298 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 5: So to me, he still has to prove that he 299 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:47,600 Speaker 5: can do it for seventeen games. And with Dallas he 300 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 5: had one thousand yards back in twenty twenty four, but 301 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 5: kind of took over as the main guy midway through 302 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 5: the season and he had some good games for Dallas 303 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 5: and that was a big reason the Panthers signed him. 304 00:14:57,840 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 5: I think he's got to prove that he he can 305 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:02,520 Speaker 5: be the every down back through the course of the season. 306 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:04,640 Speaker 5: And here's the thing. If he's not gonna be the 307 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 5: every down back for Pittsburgh, is he going to be 308 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 5: a malcontent being the number two back? Because he was 309 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 5: very adamant when he was in Carolina that he felt 310 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 5: that he should be a lead back. He felt he 311 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:18,760 Speaker 5: should be paid like a lead back. So I'm as 312 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:21,240 Speaker 5: curious as anybody to watch out this dynamic unfold. 313 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: Okay, tell you what. 314 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 1: I'll give you the exact quote, and you tell me 315 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 1: if you think this is just him paying lip service 316 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: or if you think this is genuine. He said when 317 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 1: he was introduced on Friday. I definitely can be out 318 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 1: there all three downs. I think Jailing can be out 319 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 1: there all three downs. I think he got two guys 320 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 1: that can play first, second, and third, fourth and short 321 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 1: firth down. 322 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 2: Whatever you need. 323 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 1: I definitely think we'll be able to compliment each other 324 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: and play off of each other. We've got similar styles 325 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: I think will be good. Is that genuine or is 326 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 1: that just saying the right thing on day one of 327 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 1: being introduced in Pittsburgh. 328 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 4: I think there's a little bit of both. 329 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 5: I think he probably believes that both of these guys 330 00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 5: can be every down backs. But I can tell you again, 331 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 5: from his time in Carolina, he wanted to be. 332 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 4: The guy, and. 333 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 5: I think again mid season he became the guy, and 334 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:10,480 Speaker 5: he was the guy, and then the leash kind of 335 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 5: got shorter, and by the wild card game. 336 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 4: He wasn't getting as many carries as. 337 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 5: Cuba Hubbard, but he got the bulk of the carries 338 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 5: for most of the games through the course of the season. 339 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 5: My question isn't whether he can do it. I think 340 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 5: if he's healthy, he's got a chance to be productive. 341 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 5: I do wonder can he hold up for the course 342 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 5: of the season. I do think he's better served being 343 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 5: in a time share. But you know that depends on 344 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 5: like that has to play out a little bit too. 345 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 1: I guess niche play by play voice of the Carolina 346 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 1: Panthers with us here on one O, five to nine 347 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 1: the X. All right, so he was talking specifically about 348 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: his time in Dallas when he said this. But he said, 349 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:50,920 Speaker 1: Mike McArthur really won't let you out there unless you 350 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: can block well and pick up blitzers and protect the quarterback. 351 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 1: How is he in that regard from your memory with Carolina, 352 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: and how is he in the past? 353 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 2: Catching game too. 354 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 4: Excellent to me. 355 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:07,120 Speaker 5: The part that he said about him being a three 356 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 5: down back, I don't doubt that for a moment he 357 00:17:10,359 --> 00:17:14,160 Speaker 5: is a three down back. Again, the question is can 358 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 5: he hold up over the course of a full season. 359 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 5: He struggled with injuries in college. Let's not forget that. 360 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:21,400 Speaker 5: You look at his numbers at South Carolina and you're 361 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:23,680 Speaker 5: going out for a guy who's had two thousand yard 362 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:26,119 Speaker 5: seasons in the pros. Why didn't he put up big 363 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:29,199 Speaker 5: numbers in college. He couldn't stay healthy in college and 364 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 5: then didn't really get a whole lot of opportunities early 365 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:35,679 Speaker 5: in his NFL career. When he did, he's made the 366 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 5: most of them. He ran for a thousand yards last year, 367 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:39,920 Speaker 5: but you know, ran for two hundred and one game, 368 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:43,560 Speaker 5: had won eighty in another game. He's a three down back. 369 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,200 Speaker 5: There is make no mistake about that. He is a 370 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:49,359 Speaker 5: three down back. But I again to me, is he 371 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:51,119 Speaker 5: a three down back for seventeen games? 372 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,879 Speaker 1: How is he when it comes to avoiding contact instead 373 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 1: of running to it. I've heard some people say that 374 00:17:57,440 --> 00:17:59,280 Speaker 1: he likes to try to barrel over guys, and he 375 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 1: seeks cond more often at times than maybe you should 376 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 1: try to scoot around it or make an extra cut. 377 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:06,920 Speaker 4: That's a fair characterization. 378 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 5: I think one of the things that I noticed that 379 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:11,760 Speaker 5: he did really well just the way he leaned, and 380 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:14,720 Speaker 5: teams couldn't quite get a clean. 381 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:15,080 Speaker 4: Hit on him. 382 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:17,919 Speaker 5: So while he did deep contact, and he was what 383 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:20,640 Speaker 5: I would call a physical runner, and he offered far 384 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 5: more breakaway speed than Showba Hubbard. He's not a burner, 385 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:26,240 Speaker 5: but he had more breakaway speed than Hubbard, who I 386 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:28,480 Speaker 5: don't even think had a twenty yard rush last year. 387 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:31,560 Speaker 4: He is a guy that can run through contact. 388 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 5: He's slippery, but I wouldn't call him a finesse runner 389 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 5: by any means. He's a physical runner, but he's got 390 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:40,879 Speaker 5: enough you know, looseness, slipperiness, whatever you want to call it, 391 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 5: where he can kind of stretch the play from a. 392 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:46,360 Speaker 4: Three yard game to a five yard game. 393 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:48,840 Speaker 5: And that's what he was doing in that five week 394 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:53,720 Speaker 5: stretch where he really unlocked a layer of the Panthers 395 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 5: offense that frankly, they didn't have before, and they didn't 396 00:18:57,800 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 5: quite have after all. 397 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,359 Speaker 1: Right, finally switched the word there in Charlotte about how 398 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:05,159 Speaker 1: people are viewing the entirety of the Panthers offseason so 399 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:08,000 Speaker 1: far to this point before the draft happens here in Pittsburgh, 400 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: what's the vibe people. 401 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:11,400 Speaker 4: Are through the moon. 402 00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:14,359 Speaker 5: They went out and got Jalen Phillips, the bolster of 403 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 5: the pass rush. They got Devin Lloyd, who is one 404 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 5: of the best off ball guys available at linebacker, and 405 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 5: then they shored up left tackle, getting Rashid Walker on 406 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,920 Speaker 5: what appears to be a well below market deal given 407 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 5: that they're starting left tackle. Iky Ikuanu had a torn 408 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 5: pateeller tendon in the playoff game and we're not quite 409 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,640 Speaker 5: sure if he's coming back next year or when he's 410 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:41,720 Speaker 5: coming back. So you make the playoffs, there's a buzz, 411 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:45,000 Speaker 5: you kind of nail free agency, and now you go 412 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:46,879 Speaker 5: into the draft with the ability to go get the 413 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 5: best guy to shore up your depth and really continue 414 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 5: to build upon this roster, which that they've been doing 415 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:54,400 Speaker 5: for a few years. You know, they want to get 416 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:57,360 Speaker 5: to the You gotta remember, David Tepper, who's the owner 417 00:19:57,359 --> 00:19:58,879 Speaker 5: of the team, used to be a minority owner with 418 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,400 Speaker 5: the Steelers, and now they kind of look at Pittsburgh 419 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 5: and Seattle and Baltimore and San Francisco, these teams that 420 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 5: consistently are in some form of a contention window, whether 421 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:12,119 Speaker 5: it's just trying to get into the playoffs or something else. 422 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 5: Now that's kind of a model that they want to 423 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 5: recreate in Carolina, and I think the last few seasons 424 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:19,400 Speaker 5: has been a step in that direction, all. 425 00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:21,119 Speaker 1: Right, working in North Carolina. Can I get you to 426 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: make a bold prediction right now in the air in 427 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:26,520 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh and pick Jerry McNamara and Sienna to beat Duke 428 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:28,080 Speaker 1: in the first round of the tournaments? 429 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 5: You know, I gotta tell you man, as much as 430 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:33,679 Speaker 5: I'd like to see it, right, Branton guy, I was 431 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:36,359 Speaker 5: in school when Jerry McNamara was lighting it. 432 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 4: Up and making six threes in the championship game. 433 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 1: And was that your class, sech was Wasn't that your 434 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 1: graduating class that year? 435 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 2: So that was my junior year, your junior year, okay, 436 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 2: free all right? 437 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 4: And then my senior year. 438 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:50,399 Speaker 5: First round, they go to BYU and I think it 439 00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 5: was a day or two after Saint Patrick's Day and 440 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:55,760 Speaker 5: McNamara goes for forty three. I think he hit something 441 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 5: like nine to three pointers. Just an absurd show. And 442 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,160 Speaker 5: then obviously a couple years later had that great run 443 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:02,000 Speaker 5: of the biggest tournament. 444 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 4: He to me is you know. 445 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:07,640 Speaker 5: One of those all time great Big East college players. Yes, 446 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:12,120 Speaker 5: they never played in the NBA, but given the matchup, 447 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:15,400 Speaker 5: given who they're playing, and I've seen Duke and I've 448 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 5: done a couple of their games this year. 449 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 4: Listen. It's a great job that he got to the 450 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 4: end of there. Let's leave it at that. 451 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 2: We'll see you here this year, right, aren't you coming here? 452 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 2: Aren't the Panthers gonna be here? 453 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:29,680 Speaker 5: The Panthers are coming here. And I'm sure you guys 454 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:32,840 Speaker 5: have seen rico' dawdell talk about that. That's one last 455 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 5: piece on rico' daddell. When the Panthers played the Cowboys 456 00:21:36,840 --> 00:21:37,600 Speaker 5: earlier this year, and. 457 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, I remember I'm talking about that, it was like 458 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:41,440 Speaker 1: a revenge game thing for him, right, it. 459 00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:43,600 Speaker 5: Was, And there was a lot of chatter during the week, 460 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:46,119 Speaker 5: and the message he said was buckle up and we're going, Okay, 461 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 5: we'll see He ran for one eight against Dallas and 462 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:55,960 Speaker 5: was very motivated. So I do think that is going 463 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:58,080 Speaker 5: to be a legitimate revenge game. He is one of 464 00:21:58,119 --> 00:22:02,720 Speaker 5: those guys that will find reounce of motivation and extract 465 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 5: every bit from it for whoever the opponent is. So 466 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:08,520 Speaker 5: I expect Rico to be ready and locked in, and 467 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,040 Speaker 5: I expect a couple of buckle up quotes during the week. 468 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:14,119 Speaker 1: Well, these thanks a lot for the time, greatly appreciate it. 469 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:16,440 Speaker 1: I've heard some of your work with the Panthers proud 470 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:18,679 Speaker 1: as always. Another former Orange alum out. There was a 471 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:20,160 Speaker 1: year five for you coming up this year? 472 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:22,800 Speaker 4: Is that right? You're five coming up with the Panthers. 473 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:25,399 Speaker 1: Yeah, Flies, all right, we'll see you here whenever the 474 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 1: schedule is announced. Can't wait to see in Pittsburgh. Thanks 475 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:29,879 Speaker 1: for the time today on short notice. 476 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:32,360 Speaker 4: You got it, Tim Pick, all right, any. 477 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:35,280 Speaker 1: Schrot play by play voice of the Carolina Panthers. Thanks 478 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:38,880 Speaker 1: for his insight on Rico Dudel. And kind of interesting 479 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 1: there about the whole time share thing. I wonder how 480 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:44,040 Speaker 1: that is going to play with Jalen Warren. And maybe 481 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 1: we're looking at it from the wrong perspective. Then maybe 482 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:48,040 Speaker 1: if he needs a little bit less of a workload, 483 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:51,000 Speaker 1: maybe you're leading to Jalen and have him be the change. 484 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:52,280 Speaker 2: Of pace guy and kind of do it backwards. 485 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:54,840 Speaker 1: I just I don't want to see them get locked 486 00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: into the notion of a thunder and lightning thing here, 487 00:22:57,080 --> 00:22:59,720 Speaker 1: like back a can do one thing and back be 488 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:03,199 Speaker 1: I mean, those kind of tandems are fun where you 489 00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:06,160 Speaker 1: get like the big base bowling ball guy to give 490 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:08,400 Speaker 1: the ball to on first down or second and short. 491 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:11,520 Speaker 1: Then you have the scat back out of the backfield 492 00:23:11,560 --> 00:23:13,959 Speaker 1: that can catch passes and block and do that. 493 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 2: But then you get restrictive in your play calling. 494 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 1: I think then you make yourself a little too predictable 495 00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 1: when you have guys that fit just getting hammered into 496 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 1: those square pegs or into those round holes. Like you 497 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 1: want a guy that can compliment the other guys to 498 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 1: your offense doesn't have to change when the other back 499 00:23:30,800 --> 00:23:32,679 Speaker 1: goes out that. 500 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 2: I liked that about gain Well and Warren. 501 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:39,400 Speaker 1: I just felt like it made Warren's best skills redundant, 502 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:42,159 Speaker 1: especially for a guy who is probably going to be 503 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:44,720 Speaker 1: here because you signed him, and as much you got 504 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: out of gain Well, you were never gonna sign him 505 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 1: for a return after the season. Four one two three 506 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:53,720 Speaker 1: three three WXDX or eight three three four one two 507 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:56,680 Speaker 1: ninety nine thirty nine. We'll get back into that World 508 00:23:56,760 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 1: Baseball Classic and college Basketball conversation where week come back. 509 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:03,359 Speaker 1: Also more talk about the Penguins coming up in the 510 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:05,119 Speaker 1: four o'clock hour. In fact, an hour from right now, 511 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:06,879 Speaker 1: Phil BORGSCN join us to talk about the big game 512 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:10,360 Speaker 1: tonight in Denver against the Western Conferences in the NHL's 513 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:11,640 Speaker 1: top team, the Colorado Avalanche. 514 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 2: I'll have to come here on one of five nine 515 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:14,440 Speaker 2: the X. You're home for the Penns. 516 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:19,400 Speaker 1: Tonight, the Pens hit the ice against the Avalanche. 517 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:21,119 Speaker 5: Game time is nine to thirty. 518 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 2: Pre game starts at eight thirty. 519 00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:26,159 Speaker 1: Listen to every game and the best Pens coverage on 520 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:29,240 Speaker 1: your home of the Pittsburgh Penguins one O five nine 521 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:29,760 Speaker 1: d X. 522 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:34,439 Speaker 6: Tonight, Our twenty twenty six iHeart Podcast Awards are happening 523 00:24:34,520 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 6: live at south By Southwest. It's the biggest night in podcasting. 524 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 6: We'll honor the very destined podcasting from the past year 525 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:44,360 Speaker 6: and celebrate the most innovative talent and creators in the industry. 526 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:45,159 Speaker 2: And the winner. 527 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:50,119 Speaker 6: Creativity, knowledge and passion will all be on full display. 528 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,800 Speaker 2: Thank you so much iHeartRadio. Thank you to all the 529 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:54,399 Speaker 2: other nominees. You guys are awesome. 530 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 6: Watch live tonight at eight pm Eastern five pm Pacific 531 00:24:57,880 --> 00:25:02,199 Speaker 6: free at vieps dot com or the veepsat Bring the 532 00:25:02,280 --> 00:25:05,960 Speaker 6: Good with Avocados from Mexico. Whether you're listening snacking, we're 533 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:07,159 Speaker 6: simply enjoying the moment. 534 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 2: Spark's a joy with every bite. 535 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 6: Bring to good flavor, rich and cravable aids from Mexico. 536 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:18,720 Speaker 2: Always good Hey, this is Linked Kennedy. Here's what's trending 537 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:21,160 Speaker 2: on the Iheartsports Network, presented by Wendy's. 538 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:23,480 Speaker 7: The NBA Board of Governors, they'll vote next week to 539 00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 7: explore adding expansion teams in both Seattle and Las Vegas 540 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:30,440 Speaker 7: for twenty twenty eight. After beating Utah this past Saturday 541 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 7: to stop a two game skid, the Penguins continue their 542 00:25:32,880 --> 00:25:33,280 Speaker 7: road trip. 543 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:35,560 Speaker 2: Tonight, they take on Colorado and. 544 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:38,119 Speaker 7: Over to baseball where Pirates as Paul Skeins, improved the 545 00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 7: two and zero in the World Baseball Classic by helping 546 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 7: Team USA advance into the championship game yesterday. 547 00:25:43,880 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 2: I'm Scott Davidson, Wendy's New Girls, Scott. 548 00:25:46,080 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 1: Super Genius, Mark Madden, Superginias, Yeah Park, Welcome Show, Well 549 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 1: one Dating, Dusty Road, Domenican Dream, So be. 550 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:56,040 Speaker 2: A Baby, dx A one oh five nine. 551 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 1: Thanks agetting to a niche shop for joining us. If 552 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:03,160 Speaker 1: you missed that, we'll run it back in the five 553 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 1: o'clock hour. The Panthers play by play voice talking to 554 00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 1: us about Rico Doubt all the new Steelers running back 555 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 1: if you missed Kevin Bowen or Jay Retcher, Kevin who 556 00:26:12,359 --> 00:26:15,439 Speaker 1: covers the Colts he joined us to talk about Michael Pittman. 557 00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:18,440 Speaker 1: Jay Retcher, who covers the Buccaneers, joined us to talk 558 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:21,920 Speaker 1: about Jamel Dean all the new Steelers free agents Signe's 559 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 1: got somebody who covered each of the big signings, and 560 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:27,439 Speaker 1: maybe we'll get somebody on from Chicago this week too, 561 00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:33,560 Speaker 1: talk about Jakwan Brisker as well, to discuss everybody that 562 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:36,720 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh picked up in free agency of the first wave 563 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:39,679 Speaker 1: of free agents. Anyway, update on our web pole, forty 564 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:43,320 Speaker 1: three percent of people voting the Blue Jackets as the 565 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 1: team that's going to be left out of the Metro 566 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:48,040 Speaker 1: Division top three. 567 00:26:48,560 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 2: Most of you think the Islanders are. 568 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 1: In, then the Penguins, but only about a five percent 569 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 1: six percent differential between the Blue Jackets and Pens, which 570 00:26:56,880 --> 00:26:57,960 Speaker 1: I think, Hey. 571 00:26:57,920 --> 00:26:59,120 Speaker 2: I'll pack Patch in the back. 572 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:02,040 Speaker 1: I think that's pretty good, good self aware vote, honestly 573 00:27:02,119 --> 00:27:06,640 Speaker 1: from the Pittsburgh populous out there right now, realizing how 574 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:08,960 Speaker 1: tall the mountain still is to climb for the Pens 575 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 1: to get in. This is an ungodly stretch of tough 576 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,199 Speaker 1: hockey that they're dealing with, though, and maybe if they 577 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:19,200 Speaker 1: had the full backing of Crosby healthy and Maulkin healthy, 578 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:21,160 Speaker 1: they could have picked up a couple extra points even 579 00:27:21,280 --> 00:27:23,680 Speaker 1: but the fact that they've kept their head above water 580 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:27,159 Speaker 1: playing against the teams that they've played against is to 581 00:27:27,520 --> 00:27:30,320 Speaker 1: commend them, although it does get maddening when you see 582 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:34,679 Speaker 1: that many shootout points left on the table. 583 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:37,160 Speaker 2: She loves tonight against the Abs. 584 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:40,080 Speaker 1: We'll talk about that coming up with Phil Burk in 585 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:43,200 Speaker 1: the third hour of the program. Four one two three 586 00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:46,320 Speaker 1: three three wxdx RA eight three to three four one 587 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:50,160 Speaker 1: two ninety nine thirty nine one. To echo a point 588 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:54,240 Speaker 1: that Tom brought up in the two o'clock hour of 589 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:57,960 Speaker 1: the show, and we spoke about a couple of things 590 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:04,359 Speaker 1: that were worried about sports sort of making too big already, 591 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:08,119 Speaker 1: they've taken what was a perfect format for the NCAA 592 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 1: March Madness Tournament and tricked it up to make it 593 00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:14,520 Speaker 1: sixty eight. But the Dayton Games, the playing games, however 594 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:16,400 Speaker 1: you want to say, the first four games, the first 595 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:17,240 Speaker 1: round games. 596 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:19,359 Speaker 2: However you want to refer to them. They've been around 597 00:28:19,440 --> 00:28:21,440 Speaker 2: long enough now that we're used. 598 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:25,879 Speaker 1: To it, and I think in a way, when invariably 599 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:29,359 Speaker 1: they bump up the bracket to make it even bigger, 600 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:32,280 Speaker 1: they can playoff of that, so it's not going to 601 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:35,040 Speaker 1: be the confounding mess that it could be in the 602 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 1: eyes of many who think it's going to be too 603 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 1: big the minute they ramp it up from sixty eight. 604 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 2: And this is how you do it. 605 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:46,920 Speaker 1: Because as opposed to the concept of tournament expansion as 606 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:48,680 Speaker 1: I am, as much as I want to see it 607 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:53,960 Speaker 1: stay the same, it does open the door to correct 608 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:57,840 Speaker 1: what I've long thought to be a flaw in the 609 00:28:57,920 --> 00:29:02,920 Speaker 1: opening week of the current sixty team format as of now, 610 00:29:03,280 --> 00:29:05,760 Speaker 1: the first four games in Dayton on Tuesday and Wednesday, 611 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:09,400 Speaker 1: in advance of the main bracket opening up on Thursday afternoon. 612 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 1: They got two games where you've got the one bid 613 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:18,320 Speaker 1: small conference schools squaring off to be on the sixteen 614 00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 1: lines against number one seeds. The other two games are 615 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:26,200 Speaker 1: teams from the multi bid leagues that were the last 616 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:28,680 Speaker 1: four teams into the bracket, usually fighting to be on 617 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:32,920 Speaker 1: the ten or eleven line. I've never understood the concept 618 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:36,480 Speaker 1: of the sixteen seeds playing each other in Dayton. 619 00:29:36,600 --> 00:29:38,680 Speaker 2: Like Tom said, he's exactly right about that. 620 00:29:39,560 --> 00:29:42,720 Speaker 1: Their role within the tournament is to attempt to be 621 00:29:42,920 --> 00:29:46,360 Speaker 1: Cinderella on Thursday or Friday. If they happen to pull 622 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,320 Speaker 1: off an upset like UNBC or Fairley Dickinson, or like 623 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:53,479 Speaker 1: I'm rooting for Sienna against Duke. You know those schools 624 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:56,680 Speaker 1: UNBC and FDU, they've done that in recent years. Then 625 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:59,320 Speaker 1: you see how far they can pull off that magic carpet, right, 626 00:29:59,400 --> 00:30:03,640 Speaker 1: that's fun. Everyone tunes in to watch David versus Goliath 627 00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:07,320 Speaker 1: in the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, no one tunes in to 628 00:30:07,440 --> 00:30:12,560 Speaker 1: watch David versus David. That's boring. There's so little appeal 629 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 1: to those sixteen versus sixteen games in Dayton. I don't 630 00:30:15,800 --> 00:30:18,880 Speaker 1: even know why they're played. Let the small conference winners 631 00:30:18,960 --> 00:30:21,600 Speaker 1: have their moment in the sun, put them right into 632 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:25,160 Speaker 1: the bracket proper, like the sixty fourteen days of old. 633 00:30:25,520 --> 00:30:27,760 Speaker 1: All those schools should have a chance to do what 634 00:30:28,000 --> 00:30:30,720 Speaker 1: Robert Morris almost did to Alabama last year. 635 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:34,600 Speaker 2: Give them their golden opportunities as fifteen or sixteen seeds to. 636 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:38,000 Speaker 1: Pull off massive upsets and save the Dayton games for 637 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:40,560 Speaker 1: the bigger conference teams just trying to get on the 638 00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:42,920 Speaker 1: ten or eleven line because they barely qualified in the 639 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:43,520 Speaker 1: first place. 640 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:45,320 Speaker 2: That's good for everybody. 641 00:30:45,640 --> 00:30:49,360 Speaker 1: More eyeballs on television sets larger fan bases will have 642 00:30:49,440 --> 00:30:52,200 Speaker 1: a rooting interest, more people will go to the games. 643 00:30:52,240 --> 00:30:55,680 Speaker 2: With wider alumni bases, the results will be more compelling. 644 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:58,280 Speaker 1: And frankly, if we're going to expand the field to 645 00:30:58,360 --> 00:31:02,280 Speaker 1: seventy two and presume probably a first eight would be 646 00:31:02,400 --> 00:31:05,160 Speaker 1: born out of a first four, then there's an urn 647 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:08,520 Speaker 1: it factor that comes into play more readily for these 648 00:31:09,320 --> 00:31:14,920 Speaker 1: representatives of the bloated major conference groups. Like, for instance, 649 00:31:16,160 --> 00:31:18,880 Speaker 1: if you go back to what was it last year 650 00:31:19,480 --> 00:31:22,280 Speaker 1: Saint Francis and Alabama State playing each other along with 651 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:25,440 Speaker 1: Mount Saint Mary's an American as the right to become 652 00:31:25,560 --> 00:31:27,760 Speaker 1: cannon fodder for a number one seed, they could have 653 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:32,360 Speaker 1: had four more Power Conference schools battling it out to 654 00:31:32,520 --> 00:31:35,960 Speaker 1: play onto the ten lines and then follow the same 655 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:38,880 Speaker 1: format on Wednesday, and I don't know, you pick pick 656 00:31:38,920 --> 00:31:43,120 Speaker 1: a place, Tucson, Omaha, Spokane, Hartford, wherever, fill out the 657 00:31:43,160 --> 00:31:45,440 Speaker 1: eleven lines that way, that's how you do it. 658 00:31:45,920 --> 00:31:49,280 Speaker 2: You create a second Dayton populate. 659 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:53,680 Speaker 1: The first eight was second tier Power conference teams, and 660 00:31:54,200 --> 00:31:57,400 Speaker 1: you know, those mid majors create more interest, even though 661 00:31:57,400 --> 00:32:01,680 Speaker 1: I don't think it's going to be mid majors eight 662 00:32:01,760 --> 00:32:05,160 Speaker 1: three three four one two ninety nine thirty nine. To me, 663 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:08,880 Speaker 1: that's a fair compromise to a problem that really doesn't 664 00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:12,280 Speaker 1: exist but is being created out of greed and expanding 665 00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:13,160 Speaker 1: the bracket. 666 00:32:15,520 --> 00:32:17,200 Speaker 2: The only people who are in favor. 667 00:32:16,960 --> 00:32:20,080 Speaker 1: Of considering that, though, unfortunately, are the people who matter, 668 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:23,800 Speaker 1: the commissioners, the networks, the NCAA execs, the school presidents, 669 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:27,800 Speaker 1: and the coaches who would benefit from a contractual stability 670 00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:30,760 Speaker 1: point of view if there are more tournament spots to 671 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:35,640 Speaker 1: soak up. But if they're gonna do it, and they're 672 00:32:35,680 --> 00:32:38,720 Speaker 1: gonna do it, that's how you do it, and that's 673 00:32:38,760 --> 00:32:42,760 Speaker 1: how you do it and make it make sense for everybody. 674 00:32:43,560 --> 00:32:46,880 Speaker 2: Can also tweet me at Tim Ben's PGH. 675 00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 1: Okay, we come back a look at a very intriguing 676 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:55,000 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Steelers draft prospect. We'll get into the World Baseball 677 00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:57,120 Speaker 1: Classic conversation more in the Penguins as well. 678 00:32:57,160 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 2: This is one O five ninety x 679 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:04,360 Speaker 6: Travis every weekday at ten am, starting your workday, commercial 680 00:33:04,520 --> 00:33:04,960 Speaker 6: free on