1 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: This is the OTP presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans. 2 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 1: Let the experts at Farm Bureau Health Plans coach you 3 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: through it. When you need great healthcare coverage at a 4 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:22,440 Speaker 1: price you can afford. You've been protecting Tennessee and since 5 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:28,080 Speaker 1: nineteen forty seven back from Indianapolis, Indiana and the NFL 6 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: scouting combined Amy Wells and Mike Keith. Glad to have 7 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:33,880 Speaker 1: you with us. Glad to be back at St. Thomas 8 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: Sports Park. Yes, it always feels good to be home. 9 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: Have you heard the talk that we may be going 10 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:42,840 Speaker 1: back to Indie. No, yes, Indee is apparently not out 11 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: of it. Well that's what I want to hear. Rise 12 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:50,400 Speaker 1: up Indianapolis. They are reporting that Indianapolis is not eliminated 13 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 1: for next year. Of course not that don't rule them out. 14 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 1: They're back into it. And that makes sense in every 15 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: sense of the word, because a maybe Indianapolis will up 16 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 1: their bid considerably and the NFL will happily say sure, 17 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 1: will stay there for more money or be by putting 18 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 1: it out there that Indianapolis is still an option. Dallas 19 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:18,319 Speaker 1: or Los Angeles or whomever else will bid it on 20 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:22,680 Speaker 1: up some more. I still say money is undefeated. I know, 21 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 1: and I know you say that. However, after being in 22 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:33,600 Speaker 1: Indianapolis for a week and talking to so many people there, 23 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: I am not in the minority when it comes to 24 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: enjoying the combine. Being in Indianapolis, and I will say, 25 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:49,120 Speaker 1: because everybody was back together, it had a special mystique 26 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: to know how much those people that you are commiserating 27 00:01:54,240 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 1: with count zero point zero, zero point zero hundred percent. 28 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:05,480 Speaker 1: I am very zero. There are thirty two people who 29 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: are going to make that call, and I wasn't talking 30 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:10,680 Speaker 1: to any and we don't ride around with any of them. No, 31 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: and I'm very aware of that. But the public opinion 32 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: was that, oh man, Indie really is a great spot, 33 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: and there was the extra benefit that everybody was getting 34 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: back together. So it seemed like this magical, wonderful experience, 35 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 1: like the first time you go to Disney World when 36 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 1: you haven't been in like thirty years. You walk in 37 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:33,080 Speaker 1: and it's like magical and wonderful, and then you remember, like, 38 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 1: oh gosh, yeah, we weren't in that place. Indie was 39 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 1: the magical NFL paradise where every woman you've ever met 40 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:44,680 Speaker 1: is there. It was like that for a week though, 41 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 1: because for me because it was so good to see 42 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 1: all of these people that you haven't seen. It was fine. 43 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:53,239 Speaker 1: They did a nice job. They always do a nice job. 44 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 1: It'll be fine other places. You're such a hater man. No, 45 00:02:56,320 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: I'm not a hater. I'm a realist. It's about the dollars. 46 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 1: I think that. And if Indy's willing to spend the most, 47 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 1: it's the greatest place on earth. And if Dallas is 48 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: I don't think it did in the least because all 49 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: the people who are saying it helped their case zero 50 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:18,839 Speaker 1: point zero, will their opinions count none. It'll be who 51 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,079 Speaker 1: writes the check. Now, if the other people don't write 52 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 1: a check, we're going back to Indianapolis. If Indianapolis writes 53 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 1: the biggest check, we're going back to Indianapolis. But that's 54 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 1: what it all comes down to. They don't care if 55 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: you can get an MRI in a special place or 56 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: a reservation at Saint Elmo's or you know whatever and whatever, 57 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 1: It doesn't make any difference. All they're concerned about is 58 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: they want to take this thing around. They want to 59 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 1: make it the new draft because moving the draft, everybody said, 60 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: when they move the draft out of New York, city. 61 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: This is stupid. This is a waste of time. Yeah, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. 62 00:03:58,320 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 1: What's it like having a heart of stone? It's great. 63 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: Sad saves me a lot. They do an ekg. It's 64 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 1: just but I love to Peter Kings out there in Rappaport. 65 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 1: Don't rule Indianapolis. And all I could think is that's 66 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: what you're being told. And and and I don't. I'm 67 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,520 Speaker 1: not saying they're out. I'm saying if they write a 68 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:23,840 Speaker 1: big enough check, they're not out. I think there are 69 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 1: some people who matter somewhere, who who coaches general manager. 70 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 1: They've they've asked coaches in general managers to hold their 71 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:37,159 Speaker 1: opinions on other things. Remember the general managers threw a 72 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 1: fit when they decided to have the draft remotely a 73 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: couple of years ago. They threw a fit. Well guess 74 00:04:43,279 --> 00:04:50,599 Speaker 1: what we did. We did the draft remotely. Yeah, ching, ching. 75 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,039 Speaker 1: And I'm not talking about the trolley, I'm talking about 76 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 1: the cash register. This is just money heartening is undefeated. 77 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 1: This is so sad am I wrong, No, thank you. 78 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 1: It was so great to be an indian Well, it 79 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 1: was great. And listen, I like Indianapolis. I'm married to 80 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: a Hoosier. So I have no problem with the State 81 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 1: of Indiana. I think they do a fantastic job. I 82 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: don't have a deep sentimental love for it because I know, 83 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: because you have a heart of stone, right, And I 84 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: also know it's gonna move. If it doesn't move next year, 85 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:26,040 Speaker 1: it'll move the next year. They're gonna move it because 86 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 1: it's an event. Okay, if we're gonna move it, can 87 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:33,039 Speaker 1: we not move it to La No? I mean the 88 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: first place. I think it's going to Dallas. Okay, Dallas 89 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 1: is a good transition city for those of us who 90 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 1: don't like this change. You wear a cowboy hat during 91 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 1: the entire combine. No, and I might bring like pictures 92 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: of my favorite places in Indianapolis and put them afo. 93 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: I had a lot of sake and shake this last week. Yeah. Well, 94 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 1: I mean we don't get in the really good places. 95 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 1: We go to Saint Almost we've done that. We didn't 96 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: this past trip. But we had went to a place 97 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:06,600 Speaker 1: called Nada. We went to She's really good. There's an 98 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: in Nashville, right there is there's one town. It's very good. Yeah, boy, 99 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 1: it was great. We ate good food. But there's some 100 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: places like the Little do you think people care about 101 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:19,160 Speaker 1: this who are listening to the OTP. I think they 102 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:22,039 Speaker 1: care about me being sad. Well, I think they care. Yes, 103 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:24,680 Speaker 1: they care about you. I think they care about my 104 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: feelings more than you do. It's not about anybody's feelings. 105 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 1: I'm not going to agree with you just to make 106 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 1: you feel better. That would be but I went intellectually dishonest. 107 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 1: What I want though, That's what I'm waiting for. No, 108 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 1: you're not getting that out of it. So sad, it's so. 109 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: Can we tell people about what we did in Indianapolis 110 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: because we talked to some really cool people about non 111 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:48,479 Speaker 1: moving Well, here's the theme of this OTP, and this 112 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 1: is really OTP Combine seven. We learned about some neat 113 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 1: things that we want to share, and one is about 114 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 1: a person that you're going to want to know going forward. 115 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 1: Another is about a team that I think is going 116 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:05,279 Speaker 1: to be a real pain to everybody in the AFC 117 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two, and another is about a website 118 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: that we discovered. And let's start there. Talk me through 119 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 1: your thoughts on the thirty third team. The thirty third 120 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: team is awesome. I think I haven't pulled up on 121 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:20,679 Speaker 1: my computer. Right now. Actually, it's a website that gives 122 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 1: a lot of information about things that are going on 123 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 1: in the NFL, both from a front office standpoint and 124 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: also from kind of feature ee standpoint. So what we 125 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 1: discovered about the thirty third team. It was founded by 126 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: former Jets and Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum, right who now 127 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 1: works for ESPN, And we had a chance to sit 128 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: down with him and Amy before we could dive into 129 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 1: anything else. Dove into the thirty third team, and we 130 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: wrap up with some of his thoughts about one of 131 00:07:52,520 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 1: his former players, Ryan Tannet Mike Tannenbaum on the So, Mike, 132 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 1: I guess our first question for you is about the 133 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 1: thirty thirteen. This is something that we have been talking 134 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: about for a couple of weeks now. It's something that 135 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 1: has really been exciting for us to find. Tell us 136 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 1: about the genesis of that project. Yeah, I'm so glad 137 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,560 Speaker 1: you asked me about that. When I was fortunate to 138 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: become the front office ins hire for ESPN, I knew 139 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 1: I needed help and I just believe in helping others 140 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 1: get to where they want to go. So hired a 141 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 1: couple of students from you Mass where I had a 142 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:33,720 Speaker 1: couple of scholarships that's where I won, and they helped 143 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 1: me achieve my dream. So I wanted to help others 144 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 1: get to where they wanted to go. And I was 145 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: talking to Great Siano and Jim Calwell, and they were 146 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 1: two coaches that were between opportunities and they're like, hey, 147 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,200 Speaker 1: you know, we would really like to stay current as well. 148 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 1: And there's so many students that we give their left 149 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: arm a leg to get their foot in the door. 150 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:54,040 Speaker 1: So I just started matching students who had dreams and 151 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: coaches that needed help and put the two together. And 152 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: two years later, we've placed twelve men and women in 153 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 1: the NFL because the work they've done with coaches makes 154 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 1: them really valuable and insight like attractive to teams. And 155 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:11,839 Speaker 1: then we put out a completely free newsletter that if 156 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 1: you go to the thirty thirteen dot comic can sign 157 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:15,439 Speaker 1: up four And then we have a weekly zoom call 158 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:16,839 Speaker 1: and we just talk about the issues of the week. 159 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 1: So two weeks ago, Dan Quinn and Jay Glazer led 160 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 1: a really meaningful discussion around mental health and things to 161 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: look out for and how we can help one another. 162 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: Last day, we had discussion led by Ray Farmer and 163 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: ri E Spielment about the combine and things to look for. 164 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 1: And we have former players like DeAngelo hall On that 165 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: want to transition to the front officer coaching, and we 166 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 1: just try to put out, you know, meaningful content that 167 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 1: kind of adds to the discussion. So when you're starting this, 168 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 1: did you think, oh, we'll have a lot of content 169 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 1: or was this, oh we can get kids put in 170 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 1: the NFL. It was really more of like supporting. It 171 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 1: really started with me like I needed help and they 172 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 1: needed experience, and then it just mushroom from there and 173 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 1: all these coaches needed support. And then about a year 174 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 1: and a half ago, we're like, you know what, we're 175 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:03,719 Speaker 1: gonna We're gonna do a weekly zoom call and then 176 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:05,320 Speaker 1: we're like, you know what, We're gonna share this content 177 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: with the football world. And now like fifty thousand people 178 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 1: got our newsletter, we got a pretty big following on Instagram, 179 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 1: and we're just gonna keep putting out our content for 180 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 1: free and just try to help others get to where 181 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 1: they want to go. I don't mean to sound de 182 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: meeting because you've run teams so you know this, But 183 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 1: are you even surprised at how well received the content 184 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 1: is Yeah, because it's great, Mike. I mean, we really 185 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:28,840 Speaker 1: enjoyed it. Yeah, yeah, Mike, I'll tell you why. Like 186 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:33,239 Speaker 1: the yesterday Brian Schottenheimer wrote an article about the combine, 187 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 1: so three weeks ago, Brian's coaching Trevor Lawrence and Brian's 188 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:40,120 Speaker 1: coach Mark Sanchez, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and now like 189 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 1: he could take all of us behind the cart and 190 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: of like what he would be talking to Malik Willis 191 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: and Kenny Pickt about, and you know, we just think 192 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: that's pretty unique content. It's really cool because like Jack 193 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 1: Mumbered is with us, this is his first combine and 194 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,199 Speaker 1: he looks like a kid on Christmas morning. For us 195 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 1: who've been doing it for a while, we're still just 196 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 1: as excited. And I think what you're saying is you 197 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:04,439 Speaker 1: want to share that same feeling that we know how 198 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:06,959 Speaker 1: lucky we are to be involved with the National Football 199 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: League in whatever role we have and give people that 200 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:12,840 Speaker 1: opportunity to see that they can do it too. Yeah. 201 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 1: And there's so many students that just want to get 202 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: their foot in the door. So I always tell them, like, hey, 203 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 1: we'll parry with a coach, go write an article and 204 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 1: now you have meaningful experience for your resume, and our 205 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 1: site has great content. And then on the other end 206 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,200 Speaker 1: of the spectrum there's people like the John Foxes of 207 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 1: the world that you know, they have so much to 208 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:31,880 Speaker 1: add and like, you know, people haven't heard from John. 209 00:11:31,920 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 1: And while I'm like, you know, John, Like, let's get 210 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:35,679 Speaker 1: you with our editor and you speak to him for 211 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 1: ten minutes, like why did you into coaching? Like why 212 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 1: do you coach? Let's just start with that. He wrote 213 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:41,679 Speaker 1: a great piece. And you know, there's been a lot 214 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: about hiring the NFL and great conversations about what hasn't 215 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:46,960 Speaker 1: worked with the Rooney rule. Bill Polley wrote an article 216 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,320 Speaker 1: like why did he hire Tony Dungee? Like take us 217 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 1: into the room, Bill, Like you hired Tony Dungee at 218 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:53,959 Speaker 1: the colts? Why'd you do that? All right, so let 219 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:56,120 Speaker 1: me ask you to put your GM head on and 220 00:11:56,160 --> 00:11:59,719 Speaker 1: give us some insight. Right now, combine ends, we all 221 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 1: go back to our respective thirty two cities. What happens 222 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 1: then with all of the information that is gleaned at 223 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: the combine, just generally speaking, they use it to help 224 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 1: make decision. It's fine, we talked about this yesterday and 225 00:12:12,559 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 1: the thirty thirteam. So Charlie Cassley, who was one of 226 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 1: my mentors coming through the ranks long time gm I 227 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 1: used to ask him about like did the combine sometimes 228 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: artificially inflate or hurt a grade? And he said that 229 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,199 Speaker 1: they used to do a report that the most accurate 230 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 1: grades in the whole evaluation process was the quote unquote 231 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,679 Speaker 1: pure football grade. So the grade they put on at 232 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 1: the end of December, and anytime like you moved off 233 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 1: of that that you could, but you have to have 234 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: a good reason. So you bring up a great point, Mike. 235 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 1: If someone runs faster and jumps higher than expected here, 236 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:45,800 Speaker 1: let's keep that in context. Let's go back and look 237 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:48,439 Speaker 1: at the film and does that match the film? So 238 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:52,720 Speaker 1: how does the free agency aspect of it and that 239 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:57,200 Speaker 1: part of the offseason that's quickly approaching maybe shape the 240 00:12:57,320 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 1: lens with which you're looking through to see the information 241 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 1: that you've gathered at the scouting combine. Yeah, it's a 242 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: great question. And let's talk about the quarterbacks for a second. 243 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:10,680 Speaker 1: The strategic planning that goes on is really unbelievable. You know, 244 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 1: a year ago, Mitch Trubisky goes he's out on the 245 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 1: streets signs a one year, two and a half a 246 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 1: billion dollars deal with the Buffalo Bills. In my opinion, 247 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: he'd probably be the first quarterback taken, and that's why 248 00:13:21,679 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: he's going to get a big deal coming out of 249 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 1: Buffalo and not playing this year because Kenny Pickett, Malique Willis, 250 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:30,320 Speaker 1: samhow Desmond Ritter. There's some answers, but there's a lot 251 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: of questions around them. So you bring up a great point, 252 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: which is the juxtaposition of the combine and college here 253 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 1: and then the pro side here. And if you're running 254 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:40,599 Speaker 1: a team, you're saying, what's the most efficient way for 255 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 1: us to check off the needs that we have this 256 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 1: draft and what it sort of factors into. And there 257 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 1: was a lot of speculation that this draft a year 258 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: ago would be fantastic because so many guys decided to 259 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 1: come back for the twenty twenty one college season. Do 260 00:13:56,559 --> 00:14:00,200 Speaker 1: we see that depth that we anticipated a year ago? 261 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 1: Did it turn out that way? I think by position, yes, 262 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 1: so defensive end. You know we could get into the 263 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 1: Jermaine Johnson's of the world, the ojabos abctously. We know 264 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:14,439 Speaker 1: about Hutchinson and Thibadeau. Certainly at receivers, there's eight gazillion 265 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 1: of those guys, but they're candidly like quarterbacks. I don't 266 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 1: see it off the ball Linebackers okay, not great, Safeties okay, 267 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 1: not great. So I think that whole COVID forcome multiplier thing. 268 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 1: I would give that a little bit of a great 269 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: of incomplete. All right, So let me go back to 270 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: that another way. Do you think next year we're going 271 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 1: to see more of that depth? Will it continue twenty 272 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: two but then also twenty three, twenty four, maybe a 273 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 1: little deeper like with Lineman for example, I think so, 274 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 1: And I think because they were able to keep their eligibility, 275 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 1: so for the guys that to be a little bit 276 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 1: more developmental. I think we'll see that maybe, if not 277 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 1: curtly because of this year, we'll we should see that 278 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty three. Are there major stories this offseason 279 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:00,120 Speaker 1: that you're excited to see how they pan out the 280 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: coming weeks? I think it goes back to the quarterbacks. 281 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 1: Starts with Aaron Rodgers. What does he do? You know, 282 00:15:04,600 --> 00:15:06,960 Speaker 1: here's an all time great reigning MVP. What does he do? 283 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,400 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson? You know, I think it's time for Seattle 284 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: move on. They're the fourth best team in the NFC 285 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:15,240 Speaker 1: West ncall plays out. You know, I'm biased. I'm a 286 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 1: big Ryan Tannehill fan. I think he's a really good player. 287 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 1: He had a bad day against Cincinnati. You know, tip 288 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 1: pass here or there, but I think Tennessee's really well 289 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: suited at the quarterback position. Let's talk about Tannehill for 290 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:29,960 Speaker 1: a second, and John Robinson and Mike vyble with that. Here. 291 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 1: Final regular season game, We're playing at Houston, blowing a 292 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: twenty one nothing lead. It's twenty one eighteen, it's third 293 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:40,720 Speaker 1: down and forever. Ryan Tannehill throws a guy off his back, 294 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:43,760 Speaker 1: somehow rolls to the right, completes a forty yard pass, 295 00:15:43,840 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 1: takes the Titans down for a touchdown, and then runs 296 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:48,680 Speaker 1: the last four minutes out of the game. Titans get 297 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 1: the number one seed. Everybody in Nashville is saying, hey, 298 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 1: without Ryan Tannehill, this doesn't happen. Two weeks later, it's 299 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 1: like Ryan Tannehill has a bad day, he makes a 300 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:00,920 Speaker 1: bad decision at the end of the game, and people 301 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 1: at some people are ready to throw thirty two and 302 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 1: sixteen over the last forty eight games away as the 303 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: GM and the head coach. How do you maintain the 304 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:12,680 Speaker 1: balance on that? Yeah, I lived it. When I was 305 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 1: privileged to get the job with Miami. I called up 306 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 1: the owner like three or four days now, I'm like, 307 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:19,600 Speaker 1: we gotta sign Ryan to an extension, like this guy's 308 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: too good, too smart, too talented, too high character. Like 309 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: this guy is really good. I always felt like it 310 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:27,760 Speaker 1: was taken for granted. And not only is his record 311 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: the thirty two and sixteen interesting, but there's another way 312 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 1: to illustrate the same point, Mike, which is take him out. 313 00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 1: Who are you getting? Who are you getting? Who are 314 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: you gonna put in that spot that's better, more durable, 315 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: higher character? What's the price? Like he's a really good 316 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 1: player at a really important position, and tell me who 317 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:47,520 Speaker 1: you're gonna get to. And so if I was getting 318 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:51,120 Speaker 1: pushed back in the building, that's simply how your question 319 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: is about Ryan Tannehill. My question is who you're getting 320 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 1: to replace him? Well, he's played really good football. We're fans, 321 00:16:56,680 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: so where where? And when you see the whole thing, 322 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 1: you can't take one piece and just make a decision, 323 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:08,720 Speaker 1: particularly when you've been a franchise that's had quarterback problems 324 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:11,439 Speaker 1: since Steve McNair. That's right. And if you don't have 325 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:14,520 Speaker 1: stability at quarterback, he ain't got nothing. That's exactly right. 326 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:16,719 Speaker 1: And again that's where and one of the problems with 327 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:18,800 Speaker 1: Ryan and I've told him this before, is like he 328 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:21,919 Speaker 1: brings no attention to himself. He you know, it's always 329 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:24,119 Speaker 1: this fault. He gives credit to others. That's why his 330 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,320 Speaker 1: teammates love him. But what happens is people take that 331 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 1: for granted. And again, Miami hasn't replaced him since he's left. 332 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,639 Speaker 1: I mean that's just the reality. Like objectively, they have 333 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 1: not played as well as quarterbacks since he walked out 334 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 1: of the building. And I see the same thing with 335 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 1: Tennessee and Kenley. I think they're lucky to have him. 336 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: I think that was a great trade by John and 337 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,639 Speaker 1: I would keep him for his like in the foreseeable future. 338 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 1: And look, that doesn't mean if an opportunistic second or 339 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: third round pick. Yeah, keep adding a guy, keep developing 340 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:53,480 Speaker 1: another guy. But you can win a lot of games 341 00:17:53,480 --> 00:18:03,160 Speaker 1: with Ryan Han the thirty third team from Mike Tannenbaum 342 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:05,560 Speaker 1: and a bunch of students from you Mass and then 343 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:10,120 Speaker 1: a bunch of other NFL people. It's a really fun, 344 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:14,400 Speaker 1: interesting read that has a lot of credibility. There's really 345 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: good stuff there. Absolutely, it's a very easy way to 346 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 1: absorb a lot of NFL information that you may or 347 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:24,119 Speaker 1: may not get other places. And the fact that he 348 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 1: is using it to help people really get a foot 349 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,919 Speaker 1: in the door and get some opportunities makes it that 350 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,920 Speaker 1: much cooler to me. All Right. So later in the week, 351 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:34,840 Speaker 1: I think we're going to go ahead and run our 352 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: interview with Cynthia Freeland from the NFL Network. And we 353 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: had a chance to sit down with her and talk 354 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: about all of her numbers, and she is such an 355 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:49,959 Speaker 1: interesting person. Amy immediately bonded with her. She's now your 356 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,879 Speaker 1: close personal friend. You're probably going on some trip with her. 357 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 1: I would imagine that she's planning because she can do numbers, 358 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: because she's amazing. So that's coming later in the week, 359 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:02,400 Speaker 1: and I want to hear that because if you don't 360 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 1: understand what's behind Cynthia Freedland when she comes on and 361 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:10,800 Speaker 1: does the moneyball type numbers on NFL Network, I think 362 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 1: you're gonna love hearing that. Now, we want to introduce 363 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: you to somebody who I think is going to become 364 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 1: a much bigger factor in the NFL draft scene. His 365 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:25,160 Speaker 1: name is Jordan Reid. He's on ESPN now. He certainly 366 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 1: hinted to us that we are going to see him 367 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:31,520 Speaker 1: with mel Kiper and Todd McShay. But this is a 368 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 1: guy who's brought himself up in this business through the bootstraps. 369 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: It's a really great story and his intel is fantastic. Yeah, 370 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:45,360 Speaker 1: he's got the real deal when it comes to information, 371 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:48,920 Speaker 1: and he's talking to the right people, and man, he's 372 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:53,160 Speaker 1: got a grasp of this draft like few people really do. 373 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:56,840 Speaker 1: So having the chance to talk to him and introduce 374 00:19:56,920 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 1: the ot people to a fresh face when it comes 375 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 1: to draft coverage really exciting. Jordan Reid is his name. 376 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:07,040 Speaker 1: He's with ESPN. You will come to know him even 377 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:10,640 Speaker 1: better over the next eight to nine weeks of draft coverage. 378 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 1: Here's our chat with Jordan Reid on the OTPA. Let's 379 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:24,600 Speaker 1: welcome this newcomer to ESPN. Jordan read, how are you. 380 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:27,000 Speaker 1: I'm great, it's a pleasure to be here. I'm just 381 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: happy to be back at the combine the great. It's 382 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:32,480 Speaker 1: so great just being back around everybody, seeing everybody back 383 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: on radio row and just having a semblance of humanity. 384 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 1: So what is it like to be known as a 385 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:42,640 Speaker 1: draft expert? I wouldn't say expert. I don't like using 386 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:45,680 Speaker 1: that word. They call you that any at the bottom 387 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:49,639 Speaker 1: of it says d ESPN draft expert. They do just 388 00:20:49,720 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 1: because the I mean, it's a big guest. That's That's 389 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: exactly what the draft is. I don't think there's any 390 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,400 Speaker 1: type of expert or nobody can predict the future. It's 391 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: just an educated guess. That's what I like to call it. 392 00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:00,359 Speaker 1: So but the great thing about the draft is that, 393 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:02,680 Speaker 1: of course it comes around every year, and each one 394 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 1: is so different. As you guys can see, no draft 395 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:06,399 Speaker 1: is the same. And I think that's what's so different 396 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 1: about this year's draft. What do you think got ESPN 397 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:11,920 Speaker 1: on your trail to get you over there and move 398 00:21:11,960 --> 00:21:14,679 Speaker 1: you into this role when they already have mel Kiper 399 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:17,159 Speaker 1: and Todd McShay. Yeah. Well, the thing about it is 400 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 1: that this was completely unexpected. I had no idea that 401 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:22,760 Speaker 1: they were coming after me, and I actually started my 402 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:25,440 Speaker 1: Twitter account I believe it was in twenty sixteen, and 403 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 1: I operate under It was called Jay Read Draft Scout 404 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:30,920 Speaker 1: at the time before I switched it to Jordan underscore 405 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,520 Speaker 1: read and I just tweeted out my thoughts about guys 406 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:35,439 Speaker 1: and film clips of how to scout, and then what 407 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 1: I saw in those players, and my following build it 408 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:39,760 Speaker 1: up out of nowhere. You know, I don't really care 409 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:41,879 Speaker 1: about followers or anything like that, doesn't really matter to me. 410 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: But it just continuously growed and actually started at a 411 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:48,679 Speaker 1: website called blogger dot com. I don't even know if 412 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:51,359 Speaker 1: that even exists anymore. So I was always a person 413 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,520 Speaker 1: that just wanted to talk about sports. I've always been 414 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:56,280 Speaker 1: a huge sports fan growing up, so whenever there was 415 00:21:56,320 --> 00:21:58,640 Speaker 1: breaking news or anything like that, not just football, whether 416 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 1: it was basketball or hockey or baseball, I just wanted 417 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 1: to jot down my thoughts. But with me being a 418 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,400 Speaker 1: college athlete, I just could never attack it full force 419 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 1: or you know, press the gas and then go forward 420 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:10,440 Speaker 1: with it, just because I was playing college ball. And then, 421 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 1: you know, it just doesn't look right if we have 422 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 1: a college athlete commenting on stuff like that. So I 423 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:17,000 Speaker 1: just kept it in my blogger website, and then once 424 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 1: I started coaching full time at my alma mater, North 425 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:23,520 Speaker 1: Carolina Central University, I operated under an anonymous name just 426 00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:26,879 Speaker 1: tweeting out things, and nobody had any idea that I 427 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,399 Speaker 1: was going to end. You know, I didn't say anything negative, 428 00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 1: but I just talked about guys on what I saw, 429 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:33,480 Speaker 1: what were their positives, what were their negatives. And then 430 00:22:33,680 --> 00:22:36,040 Speaker 1: once I stopped coaching in twenty eighteen, that's when I 431 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:38,080 Speaker 1: attacked it full force, and I started with a small 432 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 1: website called cover one dot com. I was writing for 433 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:44,160 Speaker 1: like five or ten dollars part article, but the guys 434 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,399 Speaker 1: were like, slow down just because they were having to 435 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:48,960 Speaker 1: pay me so much money, just because I was getting 436 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:51,000 Speaker 1: articles out so much. But I just love the grind 437 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 1: of the draft. That's something that I've always loved. I 438 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:55,160 Speaker 1: was that kid that sat in front of the TV 439 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:57,600 Speaker 1: back when the draft was two days long. If you remember, 440 00:22:58,119 --> 00:23:00,640 Speaker 1: my parents would tell me please go outside and play, 441 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:02,320 Speaker 1: like just get out from in front of the TV. 442 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:05,119 Speaker 1: I was that person that, yeah, I was a draft nick. 443 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:07,119 Speaker 1: I sat in front of the TV the entire draft, 444 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 1: and I just wanted to figure out a way to 445 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:11,239 Speaker 1: combine journalism, which is something I've always loved. But I 446 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:13,920 Speaker 1: was never able to attack it full force just because 447 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:15,880 Speaker 1: I was a college athlete, so I couldn't really focus 448 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 1: on it a whole bunch and the NFL draft, So 449 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:20,679 Speaker 1: I figured, why not, let's just go ahead and combine 450 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:22,439 Speaker 1: the two, and it ended up working out for me. 451 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:25,520 Speaker 1: What is it about the evaluation process that you like 452 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:27,680 Speaker 1: so much? I mean, you've really got to be kind 453 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 1: of a nerd to get it. I'm a nerd, You're 454 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 1: a nerd, But I mean it's a very unique aspect 455 00:23:39,520 --> 00:23:42,159 Speaker 1: of being a fan of a sport. Why is it 456 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:45,200 Speaker 1: so appealing to you? Well, so, at my alma mater, 457 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:48,199 Speaker 1: North Carolina Central University, in my final two years, I 458 00:23:48,280 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 1: was the recruiting director. So what happened with that is 459 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:53,639 Speaker 1: I was able to sit in the living rooms of 460 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,359 Speaker 1: different individuals, sitting being able to talk with moms and 461 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:59,320 Speaker 1: dads and understanding and figuring out their story. Why did 462 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:01,879 Speaker 1: they love football? Did you dislike certain things? Did you 463 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 1: like certain things? So I think with that that's really 464 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 1: where I fell in love with scouting. And I'm a 465 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: big background person, so I love learning about stories like 466 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,160 Speaker 1: how did you get from this point to this point 467 00:24:11,359 --> 00:24:13,399 Speaker 1: to where you're standing in front of us as media 468 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 1: people and telling your story. So I think that's where 469 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: I fell in love with the draft. As far as 470 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:20,159 Speaker 1: just figuring out background stories. Just because I can go 471 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:22,440 Speaker 1: on YouTube and I can type in Aidan Hutchinson, I 472 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:24,919 Speaker 1: can see you're very good at sacking the quarterback. But 473 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:27,440 Speaker 1: as far as his story, his upbringing and things like that, 474 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:30,399 Speaker 1: uncovering those layers and figuring out who the person is 475 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:32,639 Speaker 1: when their helmet is off, that's something I take pride in. 476 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:36,600 Speaker 1: Who is your favorite story so far in the twenty 477 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:40,359 Speaker 1: twenty two draft process. That's a really really good question. 478 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 1: So one, his name is Tyler out Year. He's a 479 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:46,480 Speaker 1: running back from BYU. So he actually was a walk 480 00:24:46,520 --> 00:24:49,560 Speaker 1: on when he first got to BYU, and the way 481 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:51,600 Speaker 1: that he paid for his tuition and to stay in 482 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:54,280 Speaker 1: school was working at Walmart. That was the way that 483 00:24:54,320 --> 00:24:56,880 Speaker 1: he was able to stay at BYU. And after two 484 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 1: years of working at Walmart and his performance obviously being 485 00:25:00,359 --> 00:25:02,439 Speaker 1: better on the football field, he was put on scholarship. 486 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 1: And I think he's one of the more underrated players 487 00:25:04,320 --> 00:25:06,719 Speaker 1: at the running back position. So Tyler Algier from BYU 488 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 1: as a tremendous story. Do you have a position group 489 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 1: that you are really excited about watching this year? Specifically 490 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 1: here at the combine, I played quarterback, so I'm a 491 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:20,240 Speaker 1: quarterback through and through, no matter how good or bad 492 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:23,199 Speaker 1: the position group is. I just love watching quarterbacks, Like 493 00:25:23,560 --> 00:25:25,399 Speaker 1: that's what I grew up playing. I grew up watching 494 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:27,080 Speaker 1: it too, so I'm always going to be interested in 495 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:29,160 Speaker 1: just seeing the quarterbacks. And he was the same way 496 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:31,520 Speaker 1: at the Senior Bowl. It's just different seeing them throwing 497 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:35,040 Speaker 1: person as opposed to you know, looking at the film 498 00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:37,080 Speaker 1: and the ball just comes out their hand differently, and 499 00:25:37,119 --> 00:25:38,560 Speaker 1: it's kind of a quarterback thing. I don't want to 500 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 1: get too deep into it, but just seeing them throw 501 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:42,320 Speaker 1: the ball in person, it's a little bit different, all right. 502 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:45,840 Speaker 1: So give us a thumbnail on Kenny Pickett for example. Yeah, 503 00:25:45,880 --> 00:25:48,199 Speaker 1: so he's a five year player at pitt and he 504 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:50,440 Speaker 1: had a phenomenal year last year, forty two touchdowns to 505 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,879 Speaker 1: seven interceptions. Everybody saw the fake slide touchdown in the 506 00:25:53,920 --> 00:25:56,560 Speaker 1: ACC title game. And the thing about Pickett is that 507 00:25:57,160 --> 00:26:00,720 Speaker 1: he's very gifted as far as his intel of the game, 508 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:03,480 Speaker 1: understanding of protections, knowing where everybody's supposed to be. His 509 00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:06,119 Speaker 1: accuracy is really good too. I think he has above 510 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 1: average arm strength. I think it's probably in that tier. 511 00:26:08,600 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 1: But as far as the intangibles, He's a phenomenal leader. 512 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:13,200 Speaker 1: That's what every coach in the facility, all this team 513 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:15,200 Speaker 1: may say about him too. So I'm looking forward to 514 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:16,920 Speaker 1: see him throwing person against like I did at the 515 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,720 Speaker 1: Senior Bowl. All Right, Malik Quillas, Yeah, he's my favorite 516 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:23,080 Speaker 1: quarterback in the Drift. I think very highly of Malik, 517 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:25,479 Speaker 1: and he has a very interesting story too. He actually 518 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:28,440 Speaker 1: started his career at Auburn. He was there with Gus Milson, 519 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:31,040 Speaker 1: and then of course when he was ultimately let go, 520 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:33,359 Speaker 1: he ended up at Liberty with Hugh Freeze. And the 521 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:36,320 Speaker 1: thing about Malik is that he's so talented, he's so 522 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:39,159 Speaker 1: physically gifted, but he's really raw coming out. That's the 523 00:26:39,160 --> 00:26:40,920 Speaker 1: word that you're going to hear attached to him a lot. 524 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:43,520 Speaker 1: I think he's probably even rather than what Josh Allen 525 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:45,840 Speaker 1: was coming out of Wyoming. So he probably needs that 526 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,280 Speaker 1: entrenched starter in front of him just so he can 527 00:26:48,359 --> 00:26:50,439 Speaker 1: learn the game. He can understand the nuances and the 528 00:26:50,480 --> 00:26:53,360 Speaker 1: details of playing the position, and I think he has 529 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:55,480 Speaker 1: a very bright future. But of course, just like any 530 00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:59,399 Speaker 1: other quarterback, just depends on landing spots. Ritter. He's another 531 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:01,600 Speaker 1: one that has a very interesting story and I can 532 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:04,480 Speaker 1: tell it if you guys don't mind me. So, coming 533 00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 1: out of high school, he only had one offer, which 534 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:10,600 Speaker 1: was Cincinnati, and so he had to had his high school. 535 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:12,840 Speaker 1: He actually went through a tryout in order to get 536 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:15,720 Speaker 1: that offer. And he's from Kentucky, so it happened during 537 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:19,200 Speaker 1: the same day of the Kentucky Derby, and in Kentucky 538 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:22,280 Speaker 1: that's actually a holiday. So he had to get all 539 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:25,159 Speaker 1: his friends together, go to that field and perform for 540 00:27:25,280 --> 00:27:29,720 Speaker 1: that coach in Cincinnati. So after that workout, he gets 541 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,200 Speaker 1: a call from the coach. He goes in a porter 542 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:34,719 Speaker 1: potty at the Kentucky Derby and finds out that he 543 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:38,120 Speaker 1: gets an offer from Cincinnati. The coach that watched him 544 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:44,959 Speaker 1: was Zach Taylor, Bengal's head coach. That's awesome. Yeah, I 545 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 1: think he can play. I just I think he's got 546 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:50,359 Speaker 1: a nice game. How do you evaluate him with the 547 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:52,640 Speaker 1: other guys. He has a very clean game. I mean 548 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:55,280 Speaker 1: he started over fifty games, he's won over forty in 549 00:27:55,320 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 1: his career. I think from a pocket standpoint from reading defenses, 550 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:02,440 Speaker 1: he's very clean, has a nice, smooth delivery, gets through 551 00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:05,600 Speaker 1: progressions really well, has smooth footwork. The thing that Desmond 552 00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:06,960 Speaker 1: needs to clean up a little bit. It's just his 553 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:09,879 Speaker 1: ball placement. It can't get a little bit erratic at times. 554 00:28:09,960 --> 00:28:12,040 Speaker 1: But as far as his maturity and being able to 555 00:28:12,040 --> 00:28:14,119 Speaker 1: translate to the next level, I think as far as 556 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:16,560 Speaker 1: the responsibilities and the things that he was tasked with 557 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 1: at Cincinnati, I think that's going to translate well to 558 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:21,080 Speaker 1: the next level. What's the story on Matt Correll. We 559 00:28:21,119 --> 00:28:24,159 Speaker 1: know he suffered an injury late late late in the season. 560 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:27,480 Speaker 1: How is that going to impact what his future looks 561 00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:29,879 Speaker 1: like with the National Football League. It's kind of TBD 562 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 1: to be determined with him. It's kind of mixed opinions 563 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:35,840 Speaker 1: on him right now. Just because of all the quarterbacks 564 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:37,960 Speaker 1: that were projected to go early in the draft, he's 565 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:39,680 Speaker 1: the only one we haven't seen. And if you think 566 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:42,200 Speaker 1: about all the other quarterbacks we saw them throw down 567 00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:44,000 Speaker 1: in Mobile, he's the only one that just has I 568 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:46,360 Speaker 1: wouldn't say question marks. We just haven't seen him playing 569 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:48,440 Speaker 1: a very long time. He injured the ankle in the 570 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:50,719 Speaker 1: bowl game against Baylor, and unfortunate that he's not going 571 00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 1: to throw here. I was really hoping to see him 572 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:54,760 Speaker 1: throw in person. He has the injury that he's not 573 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 1: comfortable with playing with Right now, he's gonna wait to 574 00:28:56,640 --> 00:28:58,720 Speaker 1: his pro day to throw the football. So, I mean, 575 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:01,280 Speaker 1: he's a player that quick twitch. That's just the way 576 00:29:01,320 --> 00:29:03,320 Speaker 1: to describe him. Everything's fast with him. He kind of 577 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:05,560 Speaker 1: plays the game like a shortstop and as far as 578 00:29:05,600 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 1: when they're trying to pick up the ball and throw 579 00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:08,959 Speaker 1: it at the first base, he treats the game like that. 580 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,000 Speaker 1: And he has very quick feed as a very lightning 581 00:29:11,040 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 1: quick release too, So quick is the best word to 582 00:29:13,360 --> 00:29:15,680 Speaker 1: describe him. Who's the number one pick in the draft 583 00:29:15,680 --> 00:29:17,560 Speaker 1: when it's all said and done. So I think there's 584 00:29:17,560 --> 00:29:21,160 Speaker 1: two candidates right now. Is Evan Neil from Alabama, offensive 585 00:29:21,160 --> 00:29:23,680 Speaker 1: tackle from Alabama, and then also he Kim Mkwanu, the 586 00:29:23,720 --> 00:29:27,320 Speaker 1: offensive tackle from NC State, And yeah, yeah, I got 587 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:29,760 Speaker 1: an opportunity to see him alive against Wake Forest, and 588 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:32,760 Speaker 1: you know, he's a phenomenal human being. He looked apart 589 00:29:32,800 --> 00:29:35,360 Speaker 1: every bit of six foot four, three hundred and twenty pounds. 590 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:38,120 Speaker 1: So athletic was actually the last leg and it's four 591 00:29:38,160 --> 00:29:40,360 Speaker 1: by one team in high school. So that just goes 592 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:42,400 Speaker 1: to show you we're talking about a two hundred and 593 00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:44,680 Speaker 1: seventy pounds human being at the time running with very 594 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:46,959 Speaker 1: much smaller people than him. He was the last leg 595 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:49,200 Speaker 1: of the ankle leg on that team. So I think 596 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 1: he's so gifted as far as from a past protection standpoint. 597 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 1: His demeanor is just in his temperament is so physical 598 00:29:54,880 --> 00:29:56,880 Speaker 1: as a run block or two. So I think that's 599 00:29:56,880 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 1: something that's gonna appeal to a lot of scouts. So 600 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:01,720 Speaker 1: you think a tackle goes first, Yeah, I think an 601 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:05,640 Speaker 1: offensive tackle and then Detroit. Then whoever doesn't go first, 602 00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:10,280 Speaker 1: Detroit probably takes Hutchinson with the second pick because Detroit 603 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:13,320 Speaker 1: kind of needs to take Yeah. They I mean, they 604 00:30:13,360 --> 00:30:15,400 Speaker 1: just need talent on the roster right now. They're still 605 00:30:15,520 --> 00:30:18,640 Speaker 1: working through trying to build the foundation of their rebuild 606 00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:21,280 Speaker 1: right now. And Brad Holmes, he's a phenomenal talent evaluator. 607 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:22,640 Speaker 1: He did a really good job and when he was 608 00:30:22,680 --> 00:30:25,080 Speaker 1: with LA and he was there with less need and 609 00:30:25,200 --> 00:30:27,440 Speaker 1: we saw what their first draft class was able to 610 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:29,040 Speaker 1: do in some of the names that they had, and 611 00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:31,000 Speaker 1: that when they were able to get some production from 612 00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:33,560 Speaker 1: that too. So I think Aidan Hutchinson could be the 613 00:30:33,560 --> 00:30:35,600 Speaker 1: second overall pick. I think it's either between him or 614 00:30:35,640 --> 00:30:38,320 Speaker 1: kvon Thibado with that number two overall pick. So the 615 00:30:38,360 --> 00:30:41,520 Speaker 1: Titans pick at twenty six, it seems like of a year. 616 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:44,920 Speaker 1: If there is a year to have a later draft pick, 617 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:47,200 Speaker 1: this is one of the years to do it because 618 00:30:47,480 --> 00:30:50,760 Speaker 1: there's a tremendous amount of depth all over the place, right. Yeah, 619 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:52,640 Speaker 1: And that's the great thing about this draft class. I 620 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:55,720 Speaker 1: think with what the needs are for the Titans right now, 621 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:58,320 Speaker 1: I think the strength of this draft class really aligns 622 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:01,160 Speaker 1: will with that. Whether it's wide receiver or edge rusher. 623 00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:02,959 Speaker 1: I think both of those two are probably the biggest 624 00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:05,280 Speaker 1: needs for the Titans going into this draft. And we'll 625 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:06,880 Speaker 1: see what they do at twenty six, but I think 626 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:09,080 Speaker 1: there's a lot of possibilities that they could do. All right, 627 00:31:09,160 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 1: talk to me about your TV work and everything that's 628 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:14,840 Speaker 1: gonna kind of go on. Will we see you a 629 00:31:14,840 --> 00:31:17,920 Speaker 1: lot on ESPN leading up to the draft? Draft weekend? 630 00:31:18,160 --> 00:31:20,560 Speaker 1: How's it gonna go down? Yeah, So you will see me, 631 00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:22,960 Speaker 1: not this week, but leading up to the draft. You 632 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:24,880 Speaker 1: will see me quite a bit. I can't release our 633 00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:27,560 Speaker 1: plans for the draft right now, but you will. He's 634 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:30,840 Speaker 1: gonna tell everybody, so don't tell me. I can't keep 635 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:33,160 Speaker 1: a secret. Yeah, you will see me quite a bit 636 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:35,720 Speaker 1: leading up to the draft. What does it mean to you? Oh, 637 00:31:35,800 --> 00:31:38,080 Speaker 1: it's huge, just because actually I didn't share this when 638 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:40,760 Speaker 1: we first started. My nickname growing up was actually mister ESPN, 639 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:43,080 Speaker 1: just because I sat in front of the TV ESPN 640 00:31:43,520 --> 00:31:45,920 Speaker 1: and whenever something came across the ticker, I would let 641 00:31:45,960 --> 00:31:49,120 Speaker 1: all of my friends know before it even before. Dude, 642 00:31:49,280 --> 00:31:52,240 Speaker 1: you're the dude who dreamed it and it's happening. Yeah, 643 00:31:52,280 --> 00:31:57,200 Speaker 1: that like you're gonna be giving a lot of Ted talks. Yeah, 644 00:31:57,480 --> 00:31:59,880 Speaker 1: tell me, it's got to feel remarkable. It doesn't. It does. 645 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:02,280 Speaker 1: And it was a surreal moment for me just because 646 00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:04,120 Speaker 1: I have twin daughters and both of them they'll be 647 00:32:04,160 --> 00:32:06,800 Speaker 1: three years old and May and my wife actually taped 648 00:32:06,840 --> 00:32:08,600 Speaker 1: when I was on TV the other day and showed 649 00:32:08,640 --> 00:32:11,080 Speaker 1: it to him and they were saying, there's my dad 650 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:12,760 Speaker 1: went a pop up on TV. So that was like 651 00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:14,760 Speaker 1: a surreal moment. Just seeing both of my daughters say 652 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:17,320 Speaker 1: that on TV was a phenomenal moment. That's awesome. That 653 00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:21,000 Speaker 1: is tremendous. So you're gonna beat doing stuff with Malin 654 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:25,920 Speaker 1: Todd mcshae. Yeah, yeah, we're all three. Yeah, So I'm 655 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:29,000 Speaker 1: probably gonna have to sit in between them, those guys 656 00:32:29,040 --> 00:32:32,000 Speaker 1: from killing each other. But yeah, me, Todd Mill and 657 00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:33,800 Speaker 1: then also Matt Miller, who was just brought back to 658 00:32:33,920 --> 00:32:35,560 Speaker 1: for ESPN. All four of us would be working and 659 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:39,160 Speaker 1: collaborating together. This is really awesome stuff. We appreciate your 660 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:41,880 Speaker 1: insight and thanks for sharing your story with us. I mean, 661 00:32:41,920 --> 00:32:44,120 Speaker 1: this is good stuff. This gives you faith in the business. 662 00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:46,840 Speaker 1: So good job, Jordan Reek, Thank you, absolutely, thank you 663 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:54,600 Speaker 1: guys for having me as a president. I think Jordan 664 00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:57,120 Speaker 1: Reid's gonna be a star. I think he's gonna be 665 00:32:57,120 --> 00:32:59,640 Speaker 1: a star in this space. If you're not following anybody Twitter, 666 00:33:00,040 --> 00:33:02,440 Speaker 1: if you're not reading his articles on ESPN, if you 667 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:05,680 Speaker 1: love the draft, Jordan read is somebody you should keep 668 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:08,000 Speaker 1: up with. And you could say, if you didn't already know, 669 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:10,480 Speaker 1: you could say, well, I really got onto him first 670 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:12,880 Speaker 1: here on the OTP, which is what you should be 671 00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:17,320 Speaker 1: saying anyway. All right, So everybody is already talking about 672 00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:22,520 Speaker 1: who is twenty twenty two's Cincinnati. Who is the team 673 00:33:23,080 --> 00:33:25,560 Speaker 1: that sort of comes from the back of the pack, 674 00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:30,000 Speaker 1: maybe not necessarily from four wins, but comes from the 675 00:33:30,040 --> 00:33:34,200 Speaker 1: back of the pack, has a great offseason and suddenly 676 00:33:34,440 --> 00:33:37,840 Speaker 1: is a big factor in twenty twenty two. I know 677 00:33:37,920 --> 00:33:40,840 Speaker 1: who I think it is. Who do you think it is? Well, 678 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:42,920 Speaker 1: I don't want to steal yours because I think mine 679 00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:46,400 Speaker 1: is the same as yours. And that's the Chargers. Here's 680 00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:50,240 Speaker 1: the thing about the Chargers. They got a quarterback, they 681 00:33:50,280 --> 00:33:53,080 Speaker 1: got a running back, they got a bunch of receivers, 682 00:33:53,840 --> 00:33:56,440 Speaker 1: they have a bunch of draft picks, they have a 683 00:33:56,480 --> 00:33:59,640 Speaker 1: bunch of cap money. They'll have a second year coach. 684 00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:05,720 Speaker 1: They've got a schedule that is pretty conducive to what 685 00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:08,000 Speaker 1: they want to do now. They say it's tough. All 686 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:11,080 Speaker 1: the ingredients are there, though, But we'd like to put 687 00:34:11,120 --> 00:34:15,480 Speaker 1: you onto things early. You the ot people. We will 688 00:34:15,520 --> 00:34:18,239 Speaker 1: be going to Los Angeles to see the Chargers this fall, 689 00:34:18,440 --> 00:34:22,400 Speaker 1: Oh will we will? So. One of my favorite people 690 00:34:22,440 --> 00:34:24,920 Speaker 1: in the world, or at least the NFL world, is 691 00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:29,160 Speaker 1: Matt money Smith. You know him from his radio show 692 00:34:29,160 --> 00:34:32,040 Speaker 1: in LA you know him from the NFL network. He 693 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:34,440 Speaker 1: is the voice of the Chargers. He may be the 694 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:38,480 Speaker 1: coolest man alive. He is very cool. He's exceptionally cool. 695 00:34:39,080 --> 00:34:42,120 Speaker 1: Matt money Smith was kind enough to take time with 696 00:34:42,239 --> 00:34:45,640 Speaker 1: us on the OTP, and here is that conversation from 697 00:34:45,640 --> 00:34:48,880 Speaker 1: Indianapolis about the team on the rise to the Charger. 698 00:34:55,280 --> 00:34:56,920 Speaker 1: All right, money, you got the whole crew, You got 699 00:34:56,960 --> 00:34:59,319 Speaker 1: Rett Brian, you got Amy Wells, you got me. We're 700 00:34:59,320 --> 00:35:03,640 Speaker 1: talking to charge Archers nine and eight. Tough end of 701 00:35:03,719 --> 00:35:07,239 Speaker 1: the season, sure was, But what a ride the Chargers 702 00:35:07,239 --> 00:35:10,160 Speaker 1: had in twenty twenty one. So first thing I want 703 00:35:10,160 --> 00:35:12,759 Speaker 1: to ask, because you can ask. So I come from 704 00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:14,880 Speaker 1: the world of music before I got into sports. And 705 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:16,239 Speaker 1: you know, a lot of times, if you were an 706 00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:18,759 Speaker 1: opening band, you know, the guy that's producing the show 707 00:35:18,880 --> 00:35:21,759 Speaker 1: for the headliner, maybe those drums aren't quite as loud, 708 00:35:22,040 --> 00:35:24,200 Speaker 1: maybe that guitar ain't quite as crypt So with with 709 00:35:24,280 --> 00:35:26,759 Speaker 1: two play by play guys, is my mic on par 710 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:33,200 Speaker 1: with yours? You're hey, listen, I ain't the one on 711 00:35:33,320 --> 00:35:36,759 Speaker 1: NFL network. Okay, I ain't the one to make sure 712 00:35:36,840 --> 00:35:39,320 Speaker 1: I'm not. I'm not the one the big time radio show. 713 00:35:39,440 --> 00:35:42,120 Speaker 1: I'm just a guy. Oh yeah, just a guy, that's all. 714 00:35:43,840 --> 00:35:45,920 Speaker 1: It was an exciting year. I think it's like anything, 715 00:35:46,000 --> 00:35:49,600 Speaker 1: right that the margins are so narrow, that so many 716 00:35:49,640 --> 00:35:52,200 Speaker 1: games and look this goes for wins too, you know, 717 00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:54,680 Speaker 1: to the scoring forty one points in the fourth quarter 718 00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:56,560 Speaker 1: between the two teams and the Browns and Chargers, that 719 00:35:56,640 --> 00:35:59,160 Speaker 1: ends up a win. Letting the Steelers come back into 720 00:35:59,200 --> 00:36:01,439 Speaker 1: that game, that ends up. But when the Bengals come back, 721 00:36:01,480 --> 00:36:03,799 Speaker 1: you know, after the Chargers were up twenty four, twenty two, 722 00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:05,719 Speaker 1: and that so win. So for all the people that 723 00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:08,000 Speaker 1: are playing the oh, if it's just this one game, 724 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:10,279 Speaker 1: it's I don't forget there's some wins in there. That 725 00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:12,440 Speaker 1: was just the character of the team. It was not 726 00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:14,720 Speaker 1: just peaks and valleys throughout the season, but in every 727 00:36:14,719 --> 00:36:17,359 Speaker 1: single regular season game, which you know, made it as 728 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:20,640 Speaker 1: entertaining the season as I've ever called. Unfortunately, you know, 729 00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:22,440 Speaker 1: one more win would have been great, just to get 730 00:36:22,440 --> 00:36:26,520 Speaker 1: into the tournament. Brandon Staley has had such a fascinating career, 731 00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:30,560 Speaker 1: going from John Carroll University, working his way through the NFL, 732 00:36:30,640 --> 00:36:33,719 Speaker 1: and then finally getting the head job with the Chargers. 733 00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:36,799 Speaker 1: What has that experience been like for you working with him? 734 00:36:37,040 --> 00:36:40,160 Speaker 1: What have your interactions been like? With him? He's I 735 00:36:40,200 --> 00:36:42,600 Speaker 1: think what you see in the media is exactly what 736 00:36:42,640 --> 00:36:46,279 Speaker 1: you see behind the scenes. He's just very candid, engaging. 737 00:36:46,600 --> 00:36:48,480 Speaker 1: When you when you do games, you always have the 738 00:36:48,480 --> 00:36:50,839 Speaker 1: interview with the coach and typically when you're on the road. 739 00:36:50,880 --> 00:36:52,480 Speaker 1: Maybe it's the night before because they got so much 740 00:36:52,480 --> 00:36:54,600 Speaker 1: going on the next day, and he'll just hang out, 741 00:36:54,840 --> 00:36:57,359 Speaker 1: you know, He'll just kind of after we finish our 742 00:36:57,400 --> 00:36:59,520 Speaker 1: five minutes or seven minutes, whatever it's going to be, 743 00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:02,120 Speaker 1: we'll end up talking between the three of us with 744 00:37:02,200 --> 00:37:04,799 Speaker 1: Daniel Jeremiah, who's the color guy in the broadcast, for 745 00:37:04,920 --> 00:37:09,440 Speaker 1: us half hour, just talking football or life for whatever. 746 00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:14,880 Speaker 1: He's very He's a very learned man. He consumes a 747 00:37:14,880 --> 00:37:17,399 Speaker 1: ton of books, is always talking about what he's reading, 748 00:37:17,440 --> 00:37:18,839 Speaker 1: and he doesn't put that out there to show off 749 00:37:18,920 --> 00:37:21,200 Speaker 1: or anything. It's just kind of if we ask a myrtle, 750 00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:23,319 Speaker 1: it'll naturally come up in conversations. So he's someone who 751 00:37:23,320 --> 00:37:25,960 Speaker 1: I think has really he had this vision for himself. 752 00:37:26,040 --> 00:37:27,759 Speaker 1: This is where he was going to end up, and 753 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:30,239 Speaker 1: you mentioned it, whether it was through transfer end to 754 00:37:30,320 --> 00:37:33,440 Speaker 1: Mercy Hurst or coaching at John Carroll, like however he 755 00:37:33,480 --> 00:37:35,640 Speaker 1: needed to get to this point to be in one 756 00:37:35,640 --> 00:37:38,560 Speaker 1: of thirty two head coaches. He just he feels like 757 00:37:38,640 --> 00:37:40,560 Speaker 1: it was it was always in the cards for him 758 00:37:40,560 --> 00:37:42,640 Speaker 1: and he would eventually end up here. And I think 759 00:37:42,640 --> 00:37:44,400 Speaker 1: there is some of that confidence when you sit with 760 00:37:44,480 --> 00:37:47,560 Speaker 1: him as well. He's I really enjoy him. I really do. 761 00:37:47,680 --> 00:37:49,600 Speaker 1: He's a he's a bright football mind. I don't think 762 00:37:49,600 --> 00:37:51,920 Speaker 1: there's any question about that. But I think it's also look, 763 00:37:51,920 --> 00:37:54,560 Speaker 1: I think it's good for casual fans what Brandon does 764 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:56,919 Speaker 1: in his pressers, and he doesn't I don't think he's 765 00:37:56,920 --> 00:37:59,240 Speaker 1: trying to talk over you with too much football jargon. 766 00:37:59,280 --> 00:38:01,359 Speaker 1: I think he just didn't choice kind of explaining, Hey, 767 00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:02,839 Speaker 1: this is how we play, this is what we want 768 00:38:02,840 --> 00:38:04,960 Speaker 1: to do, this is what's important to me, and I 769 00:38:04,960 --> 00:38:07,439 Speaker 1: think a lot of fans have really enjoyed it. Matt, 770 00:38:07,480 --> 00:38:12,040 Speaker 1: you spoke about the disappointment that how the Charger's season ended, 771 00:38:12,080 --> 00:38:14,880 Speaker 1: but the future is amazing for you guys. When you 772 00:38:14,880 --> 00:38:17,840 Speaker 1: look at it on paper, you have the franchise quarterback 773 00:38:17,840 --> 00:38:21,120 Speaker 1: in Justin Herbert, fifty million under the cap. You don't 774 00:38:21,160 --> 00:38:24,279 Speaker 1: have any super free agents that you're trying to hold 775 00:38:24,320 --> 00:38:26,880 Speaker 1: on to outside of maybe Mike Williams, who had a 776 00:38:26,920 --> 00:38:30,319 Speaker 1: career year. You guys have really set the table and 777 00:38:30,400 --> 00:38:32,359 Speaker 1: we'll get into the needs in a moment, but it's 778 00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:34,680 Speaker 1: really looking good for you guys in twenty twenty two 779 00:38:34,719 --> 00:38:36,560 Speaker 1: and beyond because you've got Justin Herbert and on a 780 00:38:36,640 --> 00:38:38,960 Speaker 1: rookie deal. Yeah, that's the key. It's you know, it's 781 00:38:38,960 --> 00:38:42,160 Speaker 1: a quarterback league. And I think when you especially when 782 00:38:42,160 --> 00:38:44,719 Speaker 1: you look at the AFC red it's like, Okay, you 783 00:38:44,840 --> 00:38:47,400 Speaker 1: better have someone that can trade punches with Josh Allen, 784 00:38:47,520 --> 00:38:51,680 Speaker 1: with Patrick Mahomes, with Joe Burrow, or you better find someone, 785 00:38:51,840 --> 00:38:53,440 Speaker 1: you know, if you don't have that person. And I 786 00:38:53,480 --> 00:38:55,640 Speaker 1: think like Titans are unique because of the way you 787 00:38:55,680 --> 00:38:57,960 Speaker 1: play football. That's it reminds me of Stanford, you know, 788 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:00,239 Speaker 1: in the Pac twelve and Jim Harbaugh first show up. 789 00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:02,400 Speaker 1: It's like, yeah, they may not have granted they did 790 00:39:02,400 --> 00:39:04,319 Speaker 1: have that quarterback and Andrew Luck, but the point being, 791 00:39:04,880 --> 00:39:07,359 Speaker 1: it's just a different game. For the Chargers, I think 792 00:39:07,360 --> 00:39:09,480 Speaker 1: it is more similar. You know, you gotta get in 793 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:11,040 Speaker 1: there and you gotta be able to score points. And 794 00:39:11,040 --> 00:39:12,640 Speaker 1: I don't think there's any question they're going to stay 795 00:39:12,640 --> 00:39:15,400 Speaker 1: committed to that. You know, on the offensive side in 796 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:18,560 Speaker 1: free agency, I wouldn't be surprised if they use, you know, 797 00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:21,120 Speaker 1: a high pick on an offensive tackle to try to 798 00:39:21,120 --> 00:39:23,440 Speaker 1: just solidify the right side of that line. You can't 799 00:39:23,440 --> 00:39:25,600 Speaker 1: have kind of leaks like they did last year. And 800 00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:28,600 Speaker 1: a lot of that obviously was injury related in attrition. 801 00:39:28,680 --> 00:39:30,880 Speaker 1: But you know, I think you're absolutely right. When you 802 00:39:30,920 --> 00:39:32,839 Speaker 1: have the quarterback, when you have him on a rookie deal, 803 00:39:32,880 --> 00:39:35,680 Speaker 1: you can afford to spend money elsewhere. And that means 804 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,160 Speaker 1: Drwin James is going to become the highest paid safety 805 00:39:38,200 --> 00:39:40,320 Speaker 1: and he's going to get paid like a corner this offseason, 806 00:39:40,840 --> 00:39:44,560 Speaker 1: Mike Williams will be interesting. They're very excited about Josh Palmer, 807 00:39:44,680 --> 00:39:46,440 Speaker 1: and you know what he was able to do when 808 00:39:46,880 --> 00:39:50,080 Speaker 1: when Keenan went down. So I don't know if that's 809 00:39:50,080 --> 00:39:52,480 Speaker 1: a franchise tag, if if it is a team friendly, 810 00:39:52,480 --> 00:39:54,239 Speaker 1: long term deal, but it is hard to tie up 811 00:39:54,719 --> 00:39:56,759 Speaker 1: that much money in that position when you already have 812 00:39:56,840 --> 00:39:59,680 Speaker 1: Keenan on you know, a top five wide receiver salary. Now, 813 00:39:59,760 --> 00:40:02,280 Speaker 1: just Sin Herbert, I mean, we've got to talk about 814 00:40:02,280 --> 00:40:04,840 Speaker 1: the success that he's had in such a short career. 815 00:40:05,400 --> 00:40:08,799 Speaker 1: He had thirty eight touchdowns, over five thousand passing yards, 816 00:40:08,840 --> 00:40:11,920 Speaker 1: over four hundred completions, and had a Pro Bowl season. 817 00:40:12,560 --> 00:40:15,799 Speaker 1: Are you surprised that he has had that success so 818 00:40:15,880 --> 00:40:18,560 Speaker 1: quickly or is this exactly what he was supposed to do? Yeah, Amy, 819 00:40:18,560 --> 00:40:21,040 Speaker 1: I'll tell you I am surprised, and it's probably because 820 00:40:21,040 --> 00:40:23,760 Speaker 1: I had too much information living on the West Coast 821 00:40:23,960 --> 00:40:27,280 Speaker 1: and watching Pack twelve games and watching him play at Oregon. 822 00:40:27,880 --> 00:40:30,160 Speaker 1: Look not to take a shot at Mario Crystal Ball. 823 00:40:30,160 --> 00:40:31,800 Speaker 1: But he just didn't use him right, you know. And 824 00:40:32,040 --> 00:40:34,239 Speaker 1: that's the way that coach wanted to play football. You know. 825 00:40:34,280 --> 00:40:35,719 Speaker 1: They wanted to run the ball, they wanted to doing 826 00:40:35,800 --> 00:40:37,560 Speaker 1: sure they did not turn the ball over, lean on 827 00:40:37,600 --> 00:40:40,240 Speaker 1: their defense. And he just never let him cut it loose. 828 00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:43,279 Speaker 1: And so I think you could tell by the way 829 00:40:43,280 --> 00:40:46,960 Speaker 1: he played in college that that was the directive, under 830 00:40:47,080 --> 00:40:49,360 Speaker 1: no circumstances are you to turn over the ball, And 831 00:40:49,400 --> 00:40:52,000 Speaker 1: that led to a lot of aiming. His passes never 832 00:40:52,080 --> 00:40:54,000 Speaker 1: quite cut a loose. And it was actually here, I 833 00:40:54,080 --> 00:40:56,160 Speaker 1: was standing on the field when he was going through 834 00:40:56,520 --> 00:40:59,960 Speaker 1: his throwing workout, and I can't remember who it was. 835 00:41:00,120 --> 00:41:02,239 Speaker 1: It might have been Napper actually, sadly to say, because 836 00:41:02,280 --> 00:41:04,720 Speaker 1: we just lost him that that just kind of said, hey, dude, 837 00:41:05,239 --> 00:41:07,640 Speaker 1: cut it loose, man, You've got the best arm here. 838 00:41:07,719 --> 00:41:09,400 Speaker 1: And all of a sudden he put on a show 839 00:41:09,760 --> 00:41:12,400 Speaker 1: and it's like there, it is like that's what you 840 00:41:12,440 --> 00:41:14,719 Speaker 1: were waiting for, is someone who was going to cut 841 00:41:14,719 --> 00:41:16,440 Speaker 1: it loose and throw it all over the place, and 842 00:41:16,480 --> 00:41:18,759 Speaker 1: I think once he got in to the game, you know, 843 00:41:18,800 --> 00:41:21,640 Speaker 1: that second week, as strange as the circumstances were, you know, 844 00:41:21,680 --> 00:41:25,239 Speaker 1: I credit Shane Steiken and coach Lynn for just letting 845 00:41:25,280 --> 00:41:27,319 Speaker 1: him cut it loose, like, hey, dude, you're rookie and 846 00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:30,480 Speaker 1: we've got Joey bos on defense, we got this talented defense, 847 00:41:30,520 --> 00:41:33,080 Speaker 1: but let's just let's get after it. Let's use your tools. 848 00:41:33,120 --> 00:41:35,759 Speaker 1: And I think that's what's really led to the rest 849 00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:38,200 Speaker 1: of the league seeing, Wow, this guy's in the conversation, 850 00:41:38,320 --> 00:41:40,640 Speaker 1: is perhaps the most talented quarterback in the league in 851 00:41:40,719 --> 00:41:44,520 Speaker 1: terms of the full complement of athleticism, being able to escape, 852 00:41:44,560 --> 00:41:48,680 Speaker 1: being able to run while also just churning through progressions 853 00:41:48,880 --> 00:41:51,200 Speaker 1: at break neck speed and finding that open manage just 854 00:41:51,239 --> 00:41:52,600 Speaker 1: with a flick of a risk, you can get some 855 00:41:52,680 --> 00:41:56,960 Speaker 1: serious velocity on those passes. Interesting as well that I 856 00:41:56,960 --> 00:41:58,759 Speaker 1: have a friend out on the West Coast who told 857 00:41:58,760 --> 00:42:02,560 Speaker 1: me that personality wise, they had questions if he could 858 00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:06,440 Speaker 1: do that job. And it sounds as if he's almost 859 00:42:06,520 --> 00:42:10,759 Speaker 1: been allowed to cut his personality loose too once he 860 00:42:10,920 --> 00:42:13,880 Speaker 1: left Oregon and went to the Chargers. Is there something 861 00:42:13,920 --> 00:42:16,960 Speaker 1: to that? I think so it's you know he grew 862 00:42:17,040 --> 00:42:19,799 Speaker 1: up in Eugene, you know, he stayed in Eugene. I 863 00:42:19,840 --> 00:42:22,520 Speaker 1: think that I think it meant so much to him, 864 00:42:22,680 --> 00:42:25,279 Speaker 1: you know, to me, that's someone when you I think 865 00:42:25,320 --> 00:42:28,840 Speaker 1: when people if they aren't familiar with college towns and 866 00:42:28,960 --> 00:42:32,440 Speaker 1: just how much a team means to the entire area. 867 00:42:32,640 --> 00:42:35,759 Speaker 1: That's what Eugene, Oregon is, you know. And so I 868 00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:39,160 Speaker 1: almost wonder if the pressure was just so incredible that 869 00:42:39,680 --> 00:42:41,759 Speaker 1: you can't quite cut it loose. You don't want to 870 00:42:41,760 --> 00:42:44,080 Speaker 1: be seen as I don't flippant's not the right word, 871 00:42:44,120 --> 00:42:46,000 Speaker 1: but maybe just a little too care free. And I'm 872 00:42:46,040 --> 00:42:47,800 Speaker 1: having this good time though. This is important to me 873 00:42:47,840 --> 00:42:49,520 Speaker 1: because I know it's important to you, and I think 874 00:42:49,960 --> 00:42:53,400 Speaker 1: once he got down here, you know, he's able to 875 00:42:53,760 --> 00:42:55,319 Speaker 1: you know. And I think a lot of it has 876 00:42:55,360 --> 00:42:57,160 Speaker 1: to do with your connections that you make so much 877 00:42:57,160 --> 00:42:59,160 Speaker 1: as circumstance based, right, And I think he just had 878 00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:01,120 Speaker 1: a really good group. But guys around him in his 879 00:43:01,160 --> 00:43:03,360 Speaker 1: draft class, he and gave neighbors the fullback hit it 880 00:43:03,360 --> 00:43:06,120 Speaker 1: off immediately and it's a pretty fun group. You know. 881 00:43:06,239 --> 00:43:10,760 Speaker 1: Joey bos has got this super just super quick dry 882 00:43:10,840 --> 00:43:13,560 Speaker 1: wit to him. And I think you start you know, 883 00:43:13,760 --> 00:43:16,840 Speaker 1: playing a little playing around with one another, and you 884 00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:18,879 Speaker 1: can open up a little bit. And I think we're 885 00:43:18,880 --> 00:43:20,719 Speaker 1: seeing that. You know, you see his Instagram and he's 886 00:43:20,719 --> 00:43:22,560 Speaker 1: always golfing with guys on the team. Just got a 887 00:43:22,560 --> 00:43:24,520 Speaker 1: hole in one and they're all freaking out. I think, 888 00:43:24,600 --> 00:43:27,360 Speaker 1: you know the victory brisket that he smokes on his 889 00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:29,520 Speaker 1: tragger grill and he cuts up and takes to all 890 00:43:29,520 --> 00:43:31,360 Speaker 1: his teammates after wins, Like, I think you're starting to 891 00:43:31,400 --> 00:43:33,759 Speaker 1: see him get more comfortable one hundred percent, And that 892 00:43:33,840 --> 00:43:35,880 Speaker 1: wasn't concern for people come out. Is he too quiet? 893 00:43:35,960 --> 00:43:38,600 Speaker 1: Is he a leader? And I'll tell you just to 894 00:43:38,680 --> 00:43:40,520 Speaker 1: kind of make a long answer longer. I think the 895 00:43:40,719 --> 00:43:44,600 Speaker 1: quiet sort of humility just has gone such a long 896 00:43:44,680 --> 00:43:47,560 Speaker 1: way with his teammates, Like it seems like they're constantly 897 00:43:47,600 --> 00:43:49,879 Speaker 1: celebrating his plays. Instead of him being the guy that's 898 00:43:49,880 --> 00:43:51,920 Speaker 1: fist pumping after a touchdown, they're the ones that are 899 00:43:51,920 --> 00:43:54,760 Speaker 1: coming over to him trying to get him to celebrate 900 00:43:54,800 --> 00:43:57,200 Speaker 1: a little bit more and congratulate himself or you know, 901 00:43:57,200 --> 00:43:59,919 Speaker 1: a job well done, which is just very reluctant to do. Matt. 902 00:44:00,080 --> 00:44:02,279 Speaker 1: You guys playing in that AFC Wild Wild West, you 903 00:44:02,360 --> 00:44:05,160 Speaker 1: talked about keeping up with the Joneses or the Mahomes. 904 00:44:05,160 --> 00:44:08,960 Speaker 1: In this case, third down is a problem with you guys. 905 00:44:09,000 --> 00:44:12,480 Speaker 1: You anticipate seeing pass, rusher, run, stuffer, those kinds of 906 00:44:12,520 --> 00:44:14,520 Speaker 1: things to go with Bosa and the crew. Yeah, right. 907 00:44:14,560 --> 00:44:16,719 Speaker 1: I think third down was a problem because first and 908 00:44:16,760 --> 00:44:18,640 Speaker 1: second down were such a problem. You know, it was 909 00:44:18,680 --> 00:44:20,319 Speaker 1: in a lot of third and nates and third and 910 00:44:20,360 --> 00:44:22,120 Speaker 1: twelves that they were given up. It was third and 911 00:44:22,120 --> 00:44:24,880 Speaker 1: twos and third and threes because they were just getting 912 00:44:24,920 --> 00:44:29,480 Speaker 1: gashed horribly in the middle for stretches there. And I 913 00:44:29,520 --> 00:44:32,640 Speaker 1: think it's you know, it's kind of it compounds itself, right, 914 00:44:32,640 --> 00:44:34,520 Speaker 1: If you're stout up front, then maybe you can get 915 00:44:34,560 --> 00:44:37,279 Speaker 1: away with it on the backside a little bit. I 916 00:44:37,360 --> 00:44:39,480 Speaker 1: like our you know, I don't think there's any question 917 00:44:39,520 --> 00:44:41,959 Speaker 1: that they love the safeties Atterlee really took a step 918 00:44:42,000 --> 00:44:44,600 Speaker 1: last year if Darwin, you know, is a freak. But 919 00:44:44,680 --> 00:44:46,440 Speaker 1: I think they're probably looking to get a little bit 920 00:44:46,480 --> 00:44:50,320 Speaker 1: bigger at corner, find another big corner that can play outside. 921 00:44:50,680 --> 00:44:53,000 Speaker 1: I don't know if that's as good as Asante Samuel 922 00:44:53,080 --> 00:44:54,960 Speaker 1: was last year. I think I just don't know if 923 00:44:54,960 --> 00:44:56,680 Speaker 1: he's quite big enough to handle you know, he had 924 00:44:56,680 --> 00:44:59,160 Speaker 1: two big injuries last year, and it was from taking 925 00:44:59,239 --> 00:45:02,439 Speaker 1: on big running backs and taking big hits. Both ended 926 00:45:02,440 --> 00:45:06,120 Speaker 1: in concussions. So i'd imagine that maybe what they address 927 00:45:06,200 --> 00:45:08,560 Speaker 1: with number seventeen, I could see him address an edge. 928 00:45:08,920 --> 00:45:12,400 Speaker 1: I'm a little concerned that that Chenna's gonna I'll be 929 00:45:12,440 --> 00:45:14,840 Speaker 1: floorida Chenna doesn't get a huge deal off, you know, 930 00:45:14,960 --> 00:45:17,440 Speaker 1: huge offer from teams. He's just too young and too good. 931 00:45:18,040 --> 00:45:20,480 Speaker 1: I know the sacked numbers weren't high, but the pressures are, 932 00:45:20,760 --> 00:45:24,720 Speaker 1: the hits are. He's a great guy and he's twenty five, 933 00:45:24,920 --> 00:45:28,960 Speaker 1: so they may have to replace him opposite Bosa. No question, 934 00:45:28,960 --> 00:45:31,080 Speaker 1: they're gonna have to remake the interior or the line. 935 00:45:31,520 --> 00:45:34,080 Speaker 1: As good as Lynvall Joseph was, he's you know, he's 936 00:45:34,080 --> 00:45:36,080 Speaker 1: just a little bit older. Jerry Tillery was a bit 937 00:45:36,080 --> 00:45:38,440 Speaker 1: of an issue inside and slowing down the run. They 938 00:45:38,440 --> 00:45:40,399 Speaker 1: need to get a little bit thicker in that area. 939 00:45:40,440 --> 00:45:43,040 Speaker 1: So I wouldn't be surprised if if they find someone, 940 00:45:43,320 --> 00:45:45,640 Speaker 1: you know, early, if someone's there in the draft at 941 00:45:45,680 --> 00:45:48,480 Speaker 1: seventeen or in the second round, or it seems like 942 00:45:48,480 --> 00:45:51,239 Speaker 1: there's some free agents free agent options out there too, 943 00:45:51,320 --> 00:45:53,239 Speaker 1: to address the inside of the line. But that's that's 944 00:45:53,320 --> 00:45:58,240 Speaker 1: definitely something you know. I think interior tackle probably get 945 00:45:58,640 --> 00:46:00,920 Speaker 1: that they have good lineback They just gotta figure out 946 00:46:00,920 --> 00:46:03,239 Speaker 1: what to do with their linebackers. You know. I think 947 00:46:03,239 --> 00:46:05,799 Speaker 1: it because they played a ton of nickel. You have 948 00:46:05,840 --> 00:46:08,000 Speaker 1: two out there, and it seemed like the best combination 949 00:46:08,080 --> 00:46:10,240 Speaker 1: was Kaisier and Drew Trankle. I don't know if Kaisier 950 00:46:10,320 --> 00:46:12,520 Speaker 1: is going to get resigned or not, even with all 951 00:46:12,560 --> 00:46:14,600 Speaker 1: the tackle numbers. So they do have a lot of 952 00:46:14,640 --> 00:46:16,759 Speaker 1: questions to answer and there's a lot of ways they 953 00:46:16,760 --> 00:46:18,200 Speaker 1: can do but go. But I think instead of just 954 00:46:18,880 --> 00:46:22,520 Speaker 1: identifying it as a position, I think it's more how 955 00:46:22,520 --> 00:46:25,200 Speaker 1: do we stop this from happening? How do we stop 956 00:46:25,239 --> 00:46:28,200 Speaker 1: first and ten from becoming second and four? So whether 957 00:46:28,320 --> 00:46:30,080 Speaker 1: is that on the back end? Is it with bigger corners, 958 00:46:30,080 --> 00:46:33,480 Speaker 1: it with different linebackers, is it with tackles. I think 959 00:46:33,520 --> 00:46:35,399 Speaker 1: that's probably what they're going to have to sort out. 960 00:46:35,480 --> 00:46:39,240 Speaker 1: Austin Eckler is I think the AFC's answered d Alvin 961 00:46:39,320 --> 00:46:42,520 Speaker 1: Kamara for what I mean, over fifteen hundred total yards, 962 00:46:42,960 --> 00:46:46,200 Speaker 1: twenty touchdowns. Can he keep it up? So Austin's like 963 00:46:46,200 --> 00:46:48,200 Speaker 1: the only thing in Austin's way from keeping it up 964 00:46:48,320 --> 00:46:51,520 Speaker 1: is Austin he won't go down like he just does 965 00:46:51,600 --> 00:46:53,560 Speaker 1: not go down on first contact. He'll get hit three 966 00:46:53,600 --> 00:46:55,480 Speaker 1: yards behind the line of scrimmage and it's a one 967 00:46:55,520 --> 00:46:59,200 Speaker 1: yard game. He never gets dropped on first contact. So 968 00:46:59,239 --> 00:47:01,920 Speaker 1: I think he ends up taken more hits, you know, 969 00:47:02,040 --> 00:47:04,480 Speaker 1: than he should, because that's just the style the back 970 00:47:04,480 --> 00:47:07,239 Speaker 1: he is. He's so incredibly strong. They need they need 971 00:47:07,239 --> 00:47:09,000 Speaker 1: a back to help him out. They've tried, you know. 972 00:47:09,040 --> 00:47:11,960 Speaker 1: They swung it Josh Kelly two years ago in the 973 00:47:11,960 --> 00:47:14,520 Speaker 1: fourth round. They swung it Larry Roundtree last year. I 974 00:47:14,520 --> 00:47:17,560 Speaker 1: don't think either of those quite neither of those guys 975 00:47:17,600 --> 00:47:20,000 Speaker 1: was able to raise his hand. Justin Jackson's been great. 976 00:47:20,680 --> 00:47:22,600 Speaker 1: He's just been hurt. He can't stay healthy, which is 977 00:47:22,600 --> 00:47:24,520 Speaker 1: weird because he never missed a snap at Northwestern his 978 00:47:24,680 --> 00:47:27,680 Speaker 1: entire career. So for whatever reason, he's not been able 979 00:47:27,719 --> 00:47:30,200 Speaker 1: to stay on the field. If he were like if 980 00:47:30,239 --> 00:47:32,799 Speaker 1: Justin had been healthy this entire four years that he's 981 00:47:32,840 --> 00:47:34,359 Speaker 1: been with the team, I don't think there's any question 982 00:47:34,440 --> 00:47:36,799 Speaker 1: that they would have been a lot more productive on 983 00:47:36,840 --> 00:47:39,640 Speaker 1: that front. So I would be very surprised if they 984 00:47:39,640 --> 00:47:41,840 Speaker 1: didn't try to figure that out in the draft again, 985 00:47:42,000 --> 00:47:44,920 Speaker 1: I think they'll take another swing at a back to 986 00:47:45,000 --> 00:47:46,680 Speaker 1: help him out, because that's how he's going to be 987 00:47:46,680 --> 00:47:49,160 Speaker 1: more effective, you know. And even I think even for 988 00:47:49,239 --> 00:47:51,879 Speaker 1: him being in Alpha as he is, and like you said, 989 00:47:51,920 --> 00:47:53,840 Speaker 1: being in Alvin Kamara time, when we look at the 990 00:47:53,880 --> 00:47:57,000 Speaker 1: touchdown numbers, my goodness, twenty plus touchdowns is crazy. So 991 00:47:57,280 --> 00:47:59,520 Speaker 1: I think he even said, though, we got to get 992 00:47:59,520 --> 00:48:02,000 Speaker 1: somebody out, We got to get another guy to help 993 00:48:02,040 --> 00:48:05,279 Speaker 1: carry the loads. So I think he recognizes that he 994 00:48:05,360 --> 00:48:06,919 Speaker 1: was taking a bit of a beating and he knows 995 00:48:06,920 --> 00:48:08,960 Speaker 1: it just it probably can't happen again this year. They 996 00:48:09,080 --> 00:48:10,520 Speaker 1: got to try to cut down on his touches to 997 00:48:10,560 --> 00:48:13,759 Speaker 1: keep him effective. Everybody has tried to come up with 998 00:48:13,800 --> 00:48:18,480 Speaker 1: who is next year's Cincinnati, And obviously nine wins is 999 00:48:18,480 --> 00:48:21,360 Speaker 1: more than four wins, but the Chargers sure do makes 1000 00:48:21,400 --> 00:48:25,400 Speaker 1: sense in terms of that formula. If you add another 1001 00:48:25,840 --> 00:48:29,680 Speaker 1: top flight receiver, or if Josh Palmer Air Canada himself 1002 00:48:30,360 --> 00:48:33,319 Speaker 1: continues to step up, and if you if you do 1003 00:48:33,400 --> 00:48:35,680 Speaker 1: what the Titans did on defense, and that spend a 1004 00:48:35,680 --> 00:48:38,719 Speaker 1: bunch of money. The Titans third down defense was awful 1005 00:48:38,840 --> 00:48:42,920 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty and improved by fifteen percent in twenty 1006 00:48:42,960 --> 00:48:46,399 Speaker 1: twenty one. I mean, you can see this, right, I can, 1007 00:48:46,840 --> 00:48:50,799 Speaker 1: I absolutely can, And then I can also see a 1008 00:48:50,800 --> 00:48:53,920 Speaker 1: pretty perilous path. I mean, it's it's a gnarly schedule 1009 00:48:54,000 --> 00:48:56,520 Speaker 1: next year, as you know, you know, you're on the schedule. 1010 00:48:56,600 --> 00:49:00,120 Speaker 1: So we got one tea. Yeah, it's it's that. It's 1011 00:49:00,200 --> 00:49:01,640 Speaker 1: kind of one thing that I pointed. I was like, yeah, 1012 00:49:01,640 --> 00:49:04,600 Speaker 1: it's a third place schedule, but the third place schedule 1013 00:49:04,640 --> 00:49:07,279 Speaker 1: did them no favors. I think Atlanta's gonna end up 1014 00:49:07,280 --> 00:49:09,719 Speaker 1: maybe winning the NFC South that, you know, unless things 1015 00:49:09,800 --> 00:49:12,040 Speaker 1: kind of shake up at quarterback here. But I could 1016 00:49:12,040 --> 00:49:14,000 Speaker 1: see maybe a bit of an exodus for the Bucks. 1017 00:49:14,000 --> 00:49:17,040 Speaker 1: And I think that's just what people forget is sometimes 1018 00:49:17,080 --> 00:49:19,560 Speaker 1: you catch a break and sometimes you don't. You know, 1019 00:49:19,560 --> 00:49:22,000 Speaker 1: they had a second place schedule last year and they 1020 00:49:22,080 --> 00:49:24,400 Speaker 1: end up getting the Vikings, you know, and it's just 1021 00:49:24,480 --> 00:49:30,120 Speaker 1: like it gets tough. So yeah, I can see it, 1022 00:49:30,560 --> 00:49:32,200 Speaker 1: but I also know how hard it's going to be, 1023 00:49:32,680 --> 00:49:35,279 Speaker 1: especially when you got to play the Chiefs twice, the 1024 00:49:35,360 --> 00:49:39,799 Speaker 1: Raiders twice. That Broncos defense is nasty. Who knows what's 1025 00:49:39,840 --> 00:49:41,839 Speaker 1: going to happen with their quarterback position. If they drop 1026 00:49:41,840 --> 00:49:44,400 Speaker 1: a quarterback in there, that's as good a group of 1027 00:49:44,480 --> 00:49:47,160 Speaker 1: skill players as there is in the league. So it 1028 00:49:47,200 --> 00:49:49,000 Speaker 1: could happen, but it won't. And look, it wasn't easy 1029 00:49:49,080 --> 00:49:51,680 Speaker 1: for the Bengals. You know, It's like that was a 1030 00:49:51,719 --> 00:49:53,680 Speaker 1: tough division. I think the Browns were the most talented 1031 00:49:53,680 --> 00:49:55,680 Speaker 1: team in the division. They obviously caught a break with 1032 00:49:55,719 --> 00:49:59,000 Speaker 1: attrition to the Ravens. The Steelers were still great on defense. Like, 1033 00:49:59,360 --> 00:50:02,000 Speaker 1: it's never a see you know, it's never easy. So 1034 00:50:02,400 --> 00:50:03,880 Speaker 1: you know, maybe they catch a break this year and 1035 00:50:04,120 --> 00:50:05,920 Speaker 1: next year or I guess it is technically this year 1036 00:50:06,000 --> 00:50:08,279 Speaker 1: twenty twenty two, and they end up going you know, 1037 00:50:08,800 --> 00:50:11,360 Speaker 1: ten and seven, eleven and six instead of nine and 1038 00:50:11,400 --> 00:50:13,200 Speaker 1: eight and having a couple more of those breaks go there. Okay, 1039 00:50:13,239 --> 00:50:17,080 Speaker 1: I'll get the final question. When do you sleep? Seriously? 1040 00:50:17,320 --> 00:50:19,520 Speaker 1: I mean you're still doing the radio show rightes, Yeah, 1041 00:50:19,520 --> 00:50:21,640 Speaker 1: I'll be doing the show again. And then how many 1042 00:50:21,800 --> 00:50:24,719 Speaker 1: days a week are you doing on NFL network depends? Like, right, 1043 00:50:24,760 --> 00:50:26,279 Speaker 1: this is a busy week obviously, you know I'll be 1044 00:50:26,320 --> 00:50:29,720 Speaker 1: doing four days here starting tomorrow. Um, So the NFL 1045 00:50:29,800 --> 00:50:32,279 Speaker 1: network scheduled dials back in the in the off season. 1046 00:50:32,320 --> 00:50:33,920 Speaker 1: They're pretty good to me that way. You know, they 1047 00:50:34,200 --> 00:50:36,040 Speaker 1: kind of hammer me in the in the season and 1048 00:50:36,080 --> 00:50:41,600 Speaker 1: then you got more gigs than I mean, Ryan, there 1049 00:50:41,600 --> 00:50:43,759 Speaker 1: you go. Uh you know what it is, Mike. I 1050 00:50:43,840 --> 00:50:46,279 Speaker 1: never say no because I know one day they're gonna say, 1051 00:50:46,320 --> 00:50:49,839 Speaker 1: so I'll keep saying yes until they stop asking because 1052 00:50:49,840 --> 00:50:51,799 Speaker 1: I know they're gonna stop sooner or later. And Food 1053 00:50:52,080 --> 00:50:55,279 Speaker 1: they haven't. They haven't yet. They haven't, they have not yet. 1054 00:50:56,080 --> 00:50:57,960 Speaker 1: But I'm stupid enough that I'll step in it and 1055 00:50:58,000 --> 00:51:01,719 Speaker 1: I'll get fired from all of them. I'll figure it 1056 00:51:01,800 --> 00:51:03,799 Speaker 1: out after that, But for now, I'm having a great time. 1057 00:51:09,960 --> 00:51:13,120 Speaker 1: Money Smith. I mean, if your nickname's money, you just 1058 00:51:13,160 --> 00:51:19,080 Speaker 1: gotta be cool. Yeah. No, And having the nickname money 1059 00:51:19,320 --> 00:51:23,120 Speaker 1: is like really cool. Having the nickname money in LA 1060 00:51:23,520 --> 00:51:27,160 Speaker 1: is cooler. Like I mean, people call you money in 1061 00:51:27,200 --> 00:51:29,640 Speaker 1: a moneys where a lot of people have money, a 1062 00:51:29,680 --> 00:51:32,279 Speaker 1: lot of money. Yea, Yeah, good stuff. It's pretty cool. 1063 00:51:32,520 --> 00:51:34,879 Speaker 1: Glad to be back. It feels good to be home. 1064 00:51:35,200 --> 00:51:38,960 Speaker 1: It does. Yes. We'll have another OTP later this week 1065 00:51:39,680 --> 00:51:43,680 Speaker 1: and we'll play Cynthia Freedland. We promise, can't wait. Well, 1066 00:51:44,160 --> 00:51:48,359 Speaker 1: she's she's really great. Thank you for all the otpques. 1067 00:51:49,040 --> 00:51:51,600 Speaker 1: Thank you to the ot people for listening. Thank you 1068 00:51:51,640 --> 00:51:54,960 Speaker 1: so much to Farm Bureau Health Plans for sponsoring this. 1069 00:51:55,320 --> 00:51:58,640 Speaker 1: Thank you to Ashley Farrell especially, and to Rep. Brian 1070 00:51:59,040 --> 00:52:02,160 Speaker 1: and to Jack mumb coach Dave McGinnis for helping us 1071 00:52:02,160 --> 00:52:05,759 Speaker 1: do seven podcasts in a week. Holy smoke, it's a lot. 1072 00:52:06,200 --> 00:52:09,520 Speaker 1: It is a lot, but it's all all stuff that 1073 00:52:09,719 --> 00:52:12,799 Speaker 1: we just couldn't not share, right, We had to share it. 1074 00:52:12,800 --> 00:52:14,839 Speaker 1: We had to share it. Cool. Well, just a lot 1075 00:52:14,840 --> 00:52:18,000 Speaker 1: of great conversations. We're certainly going to talk about more 1076 00:52:18,000 --> 00:52:21,680 Speaker 1: about the draft process as we go forward pro days 1077 00:52:21,719 --> 00:52:25,759 Speaker 1: at different colleges visits. There's a lot to come in 1078 00:52:25,880 --> 00:52:29,719 Speaker 1: free agency with that process beginning in less than a 1079 00:52:29,760 --> 00:52:32,960 Speaker 1: week now, so much more football to discuss on the 1080 00:52:33,040 --> 00:52:36,239 Speaker 1: OTP coming up again, presented by our friends at Farm 1081 00:52:36,239 --> 00:52:39,080 Speaker 1: Bureau Health Plans. So you're gonna be okay over the 1082 00:52:39,120 --> 00:52:42,319 Speaker 1: whole Indianapolis thing, Well, I think it's it worse now 1083 00:52:42,320 --> 00:52:45,239 Speaker 1: that you know they've got a shot, when before we 1084 00:52:45,440 --> 00:52:48,680 Speaker 1: left you thought they had no shot. No. I almost 1085 00:52:48,680 --> 00:52:50,799 Speaker 1: like it more. I like the glimmer of hope. And 1086 00:52:50,840 --> 00:52:55,640 Speaker 1: I also feel like I adequately absorbed my experience in 1087 00:52:55,680 --> 00:52:58,680 Speaker 1: the event than it was the last time. So it's 1088 00:52:58,840 --> 00:53:02,279 Speaker 1: and I can't lose in this situation. I really made 1089 00:53:02,280 --> 00:53:04,960 Speaker 1: the most of my last time there. If that's the case, 1090 00:53:05,640 --> 00:53:09,200 Speaker 1: and if not, it's a bonus trip. I feel good 1091 00:53:09,200 --> 00:53:12,480 Speaker 1: about it either way. And you get glad that you 1092 00:53:12,560 --> 00:53:15,120 Speaker 1: get hung up on some stuff, well, I just I 1093 00:53:15,200 --> 00:53:20,520 Speaker 1: get a little nostalgic. Seriously, I've been too going to Indianapolis. Yeah, yeah, 1094 00:53:20,560 --> 00:53:24,400 Speaker 1: I mean it's it's a big part of my career. 1095 00:53:24,600 --> 00:53:28,279 Speaker 1: And going to Indeed for the combine was like a 1096 00:53:28,320 --> 00:53:30,880 Speaker 1: big deal for a city in the Midwest. Is a 1097 00:53:30,920 --> 00:53:33,560 Speaker 1: big part of your career? Okay, the Midwest is cool. 1098 00:53:33,760 --> 00:53:36,480 Speaker 1: I didn't say let's not. I didn't say it was yeah, 1099 00:53:36,520 --> 00:53:39,440 Speaker 1: but I didn't like your vocal inflection. The Midwest is cool, 1100 00:53:40,080 --> 00:53:42,919 Speaker 1: and it was. It was just it was a big 1101 00:53:43,040 --> 00:53:45,799 Speaker 1: NFL thing when I went to the first one in 1102 00:53:45,920 --> 00:53:50,480 Speaker 1: twenty thirteen, was my first combine, and it felt like 1103 00:53:50,520 --> 00:53:53,799 Speaker 1: a very big deal. And I've since been too many more. 1104 00:53:53,920 --> 00:53:56,319 Speaker 1: And I like the stability. I like that I know 1105 00:53:56,400 --> 00:53:59,319 Speaker 1: what I'm getting into. I like that nothing changes. I 1106 00:53:59,440 --> 00:54:02,560 Speaker 1: like that what a nice comment about their city. Nothing changes, 1107 00:54:02,719 --> 00:54:06,200 Speaker 1: nothing changes, It's nice. I like sure they appreciate that 1108 00:54:06,320 --> 00:54:09,640 Speaker 1: up shoot. I live in Nashville, where everything, everything changes 1109 00:54:09,680 --> 00:54:13,520 Speaker 1: every day, where they ought to have to combine. Right here. 1110 00:54:13,880 --> 00:54:17,080 Speaker 1: I think, right here we should host the combine right 1111 00:54:17,160 --> 00:54:20,279 Speaker 1: here for Amy Wells. I might key thank you for 1112 00:54:20,360 --> 00:54:23,680 Speaker 1: listening to the ode. T you welcome to the Big 1113 00:54:23,719 --> 00:54:28,360 Speaker 1: Show where the legends go. Everybody knows it's our house, 1114 00:54:28,800 --> 00:54:33,200 Speaker 1: fighting thought Tennessee makings Tore Greatness is to be