1 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:01,960 Speaker 1: The volume. 2 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:16,040 Speaker 2: This is Prime Cuts, the best of the Colin Coward 3 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 2: podcast Hell of a Week, John middlecow former pro scout, 4 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 2: and I discussed Russell Wilson's image problem, and John gives 5 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 2: us his surprise NFL bounceback team. Former Bears coach Dave 6 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 2: Wanstat tells me why he's not exactly bullish on this 7 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 2: year's Bears team, and one of the smart voices on 8 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 2: New York Sports columnist Ian O'Connor on Aaron Rodgers, Saquon 9 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 2: Barkley and the Mets meltdown. But first my top takes 10 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:49,559 Speaker 2: of the week. You know, I think the Dame drama 11 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 2: in Portland's interesting. I think there's this sense from a 12 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 2: lot of fans, and I always try to put myself 13 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 2: in the position of the player. What would I think 14 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 2: if I was the player? What would I think if 15 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 2: I was the coach of the GM And there's this 16 00:01:00,840 --> 00:01:04,520 Speaker 2: sense by I think a lot of fans that you're 17 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 2: selfish if you leave a team like Dame, leaving Portland 18 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 2: just to go be on a better team. And I 19 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,400 Speaker 2: think the opposite's true, if you're just going to stay 20 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 2: in any franchise that's not remotely viable to win a championship. 21 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 2: Then you're basically doing it for the Benjamins. You're just 22 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 2: doing it for money. What's the value of that, Like, 23 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 2: that's just that's totally about self But if you go 24 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,399 Speaker 2: to another team, let's say Dame goes to Milwaukee, that's 25 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 2: not selfish. He'd be the second best player on a 26 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 2: team that's giving. It'd be the first time the ball 27 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 2: wouldn't go through him. That's not selfish. That's giving. He 28 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:45,400 Speaker 2: wouldn't be the face of a franchise. That's not selfish. 29 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 2: That's giving. That's relinquishing, that's passing a baton to somebody else. 30 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 2: That's the opposite of selfish. You know, when Bradley Beal 31 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 2: for years stayed in Washington, that was all about comfort, 32 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 2: making good money, and being the man. And Bradley Beal 33 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 2: finally went to management and said, I want to go 34 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 2: win some games. I'm going to go somewhere like Phoenix. Well, 35 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,640 Speaker 2: when Bradley Beal goes to Phoenix, he's not going to 36 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 2: get the most shots booker will Durant Meygett second most. 37 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,359 Speaker 2: He's the third best player on a team. That's the 38 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 2: opposite of selfish. He is giving up shots, giving up 39 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 2: where he lives, giving up comfort, giving up friends. So 40 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 2: I just I don't buy into this, and I think 41 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 2: it's good for the league long term if most of 42 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:38,160 Speaker 2: your stars stay. But one of the things I've always 43 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:43,240 Speaker 2: appreciated about Lebron James is his ability to acclimate to 44 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 2: new teammates, new coaches, new cultures, and new cities. It's hard. 45 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:52,079 Speaker 2: He didn't win first year at a high school in Cleveland. 46 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,799 Speaker 2: He didn't win first year in Miami. He didn't win 47 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:57,639 Speaker 2: first year back at Cleveland, he didn't win first year 48 00:02:57,639 --> 00:03:00,640 Speaker 2: in Los Angeles. Lebron James was the best player in 49 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 2: the league in all of those and arguably the best 50 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:08,640 Speaker 2: player ever. Why because moving's hard? Help the studio I'm in. 51 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 2: I just sold this house. I will have to move. 52 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 2: It's a pain in the ass. And that's just down 53 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,800 Speaker 2: the block. Can you imagine moving your family into a 54 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 2: new city where all he's rich, rich or not. Moving's difficult, 55 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 2: it's discomfort, it's new, this, new that. So you know, 56 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 2: when I look at Dame, do you just want to 57 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:34,400 Speaker 2: sit in Portland and collect checks and be comfortable and 58 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 2: be the man and get what you want? It's much harder, 59 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: you say, Oh, you go to Miami, greater expectations. You 60 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 2: won't get every big shot. You may not be the 61 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,119 Speaker 2: most popular player in town. Jimmy Butler is BAM's got 62 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:54,120 Speaker 2: loyalists the franchise. Riley Spolstra, you're the new guy in town. 63 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 2: If he goes to Milwaukee and Yannis, they've already got 64 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 2: a ring before you. How much credit will you get 65 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 2: for the second ring. So I look at loyalty as 66 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 2: a two way street. You know, Portland is a market 67 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 2: that geographically pinned up in the Pacific Northwest, not a 68 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,440 Speaker 2: huge free agent hub. I mean, they've never had an 69 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 2: NBA All Star Game because they don't have enough hotel rooms. 70 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 2: Now I think they're putting in a I believe, a 71 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 2: Ritz Carlton, so they'll finally be able to get like a, 72 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 2: you know, an NBA All Star Game. But for years 73 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 2: they've never had one. They're the oldest franchise in the 74 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:30,239 Speaker 2: league without ever having hosted an NBA All Star Game. 75 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,160 Speaker 2: It's a small town and Dame's the biggest star in it, 76 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 2: So I don't think it's disloyal at all. I think 77 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:39,040 Speaker 2: you have to give a lot to take the risk 78 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 2: of pressure. I mean, going to Miami is going to 79 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 2: be an incredibly pressurized situation. Riley's an icon, Spolster's code 80 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 2: of the Year. Bam Butler just got to the finals 81 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 2: with undrafted guys. Dame goes to Miami and they don't 82 00:04:57,880 --> 00:04:59,840 Speaker 2: get back to the finals. Who do you thinks taken 83 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:04,600 Speaker 2: that heat? It's not Bam, it's not Spo, it's not Butler, 84 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 2: it's Dame. There is a risk involved. The avalanche comes 85 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 2: down the hill, it's gonna land on Dame. These guys 86 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:16,159 Speaker 2: got to the finals as an eight seed. So the 87 00:05:16,279 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: idea of just joining super teams, you do understand that 88 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 2: if you take out Lebron James, the whole mobility thing 89 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 2: in the league doesn't work as well as you think. 90 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 2: Kevin Durant joined a team that already won a title, 91 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:33,839 Speaker 2: but then he goes to Brooklyn. It implodes. Phoenix may implode. 92 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 2: It's okay if you want to just play for the checks, 93 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 2: the comfort, the stardom, the fame, stay in your city forever. 94 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:43,919 Speaker 2: But I applaud Bradley Beal for what he did, and 95 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:47,720 Speaker 2: I would applaud Dame for going on a potential championship team, 96 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 2: taking some risk, taking some heat, and letting others watch him, 97 00:05:54,040 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 2: which he deserves. In May and June, still playing. Now 98 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:04,599 Speaker 2: time for the volumes. John Middelcoff, the former NFL scout, 99 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 2: hosts two podcasts, Three and Out. That's his volume NFL 100 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 2: podcast and Go Low his golf podcast, which is gaining steam. 101 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,919 Speaker 2: So I saw her, Mike McGlinchey, the new right tackle, 102 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:22,039 Speaker 2: former Niner. Good tackle, not great, not Tristan Wurse, but 103 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:27,000 Speaker 2: a good tackle, good right tackle, not Lane Johnson. But 104 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,919 Speaker 2: I saw where McGlinchey said, Okay, I changed my mind. 105 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 2: I didn't like Russ, and now I watched this work ethic. 106 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 2: I'm into Russ, and it is weird. When he left 107 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:43,279 Speaker 2: Brady leaves New England twenty years there, you would have 108 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 2: thought he would have offended somebody, an executive, a sales guy, 109 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 2: a player, a coach, a trainer. Everybody loved him. Tears flowing. 110 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 2: Russ is there a third of the time, leaves Seattle 111 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 2: and gets dogged by everybody former teammates. Do you think 112 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 2: it's just as simple as people view him as inauthentic. 113 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 3: I think that plays a part. I think they were 114 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 3: a defensive lead team. I think the individual instances that 115 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 3: happened in the Super Bowl, right with Marshawn Lynch, everything 116 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 3: that hovered around that. I think without that, let's just 117 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:19,239 Speaker 3: say they win it. I don't know if it quite 118 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 3: gets his I mean he got pretty negative. I do 119 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 3: think people think he's kind of a weird guy. And 120 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 3: I would say this quarterbacks. I mean, you've got a 121 00:07:27,040 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 3: lot of theories on quarterbacks. You go back to junior 122 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 3: high they're usually kind of the lead dog. Everyone follows them, 123 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 3: and then by the time you get to high school, 124 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:38,920 Speaker 3: they're getting girls that are looking. Maybe they get into college, 125 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 3: they get good jobs. If they're not able to play 126 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 3: professional football, they just feel like the leader of the crew. 127 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 3: And that's not always fair because just because you play 128 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 3: quarterback doesn't mean you have leadership traits. And I think 129 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 3: Russell really always tried to embrace that. He really wanted it, 130 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:56,000 Speaker 3: which I respect, but I don't think you can fake 131 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 3: it if you don't have it all. And it's really hard, 132 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 3: right like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, those guys are 133 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 3: kind of outliers. Patrick Mahomes right, they got it all. 134 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 3: Steph Curry, I mean, the character, the focus, the talents. 135 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 3: Everyone likes them. They want to hang with them. It's 136 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 3: most you know, Rogers all time great player, but you 137 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 3: know rubs people the wrong way sometimes, and you know 138 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 3: it's been very hit or miss over his career as 139 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 3: a leader. I also think just anytime that you play 140 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:25,679 Speaker 3: bad and the way that it was Pete versus Russ, 141 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 3: and I know where you stood. 142 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 4: I was with you. 143 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 3: I thought I'd probably bet on Russ the house Seattle 144 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:33,960 Speaker 3: going to win this trade. And it takes time, but 145 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 3: I would say they're definitely in the lead right now 146 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 3: when you factor in the picks, when you factor in 147 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 3: the cap relief, when you factor in how much success 148 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 3: they had last year. I mean Gino Smith just in 149 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 3: a vacuum had a better season than Russell Wilson had. 150 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:49,319 Speaker 3: How crazy is that? When you really say that out loud. 151 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 2: When Russ came out of the draft, that was in 152 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 2: your scouting days or around that time when you were 153 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 2: a scout in the NFL. Do you remember Russell Wilson's 154 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 2: draft file very well? 155 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,959 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean he was beloved. There was I remember 156 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:07,439 Speaker 3: a story from one of our scouts that went through Wisconsin. 157 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 3: Right and when they do the measuring, now, these players 158 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:14,439 Speaker 3: don't even do half the things at a pro day, right, 159 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:17,960 Speaker 3: but he was back just ten years ago. Everyone did everything, 160 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 3: and when he was getting measured, I think, you know, 161 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 3: he was a shade under It started with five ten 162 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 3: something and then they're like and they said five to 163 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 3: eleven flat, and every scout applauded because everyone in the 164 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 3: room was rooting for him and with the Eagles. I mean, 165 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 3: it's been well documented over the years. Daniel Jeremiah loved him, 166 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:40,840 Speaker 3: Andy loved him, how he loved him, and I think 167 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 3: we and I saw a recent article about how we 168 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 3: talking about Jalen Hurts and looking back when they got 169 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 3: cute with Russell Wilson and when you like a guy 170 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 3: at that position, why try to get an extra pick 171 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 3: and get a guy in the third round when you 172 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:54,079 Speaker 3: can just take him in the second round. And look 173 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 3: what happened to the Eagles, same type deal. Most people, 174 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 3: including myself, that Jalen Hurts in the second round that's insane, 175 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:01,560 Speaker 3: probably could have got the guy in the fourth. Well, 176 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 3: I would say they don't regret doing it. And Russell, 177 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 3: I mean, he was really kind of a trendsetter, right. 178 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 3: I remember being younger and Doug Flutie, there were just 179 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:15,720 Speaker 3: weren't short quarterbacks, especially mobile short quarterbacks, so he was 180 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 3: his time. Whether he's washed down, I will say this, 181 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 3: and I've been to several Seattle Niner games live. I 182 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 3: think he's one of the most remarkable players I've ever seen. 183 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,160 Speaker 3: In his heyday. You know, he had some Steve Young. 184 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 3: It was just it was unreal. Now the guy we 185 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 3: saw last year, we're about to find out. Was it 186 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 3: all Nate Hacket or is Sean can Shawn resurrect him? 187 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 3: Or sometimes I think we've kind of become numb. Right, 188 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:42,440 Speaker 3: everyone has a long twenty year shelf life. Well, some 189 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 3: guys just peek out for twelve years. That's a pretty 190 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 3: long career. That used to be the norm, right, Colin. Yeah, 191 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 3: And what I watched Russell. The thing that struck me 192 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 3: is that he was still very effective running. He just 193 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,200 Speaker 3: stopped doing it now. He would get into late game 194 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 3: situations when Nathaniel Hackett was a coach and he would 195 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 3: take off once or twice, and he was still very effective. 196 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,760 Speaker 3: I think when he got the big money, I'm going 197 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 3: to theorize this. When he got the big money, and 198 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 3: I'm talking you know, his contract was mahomes Ish Peyton 199 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:18,080 Speaker 3: manning ish right when he got that big money, I 200 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:21,959 Speaker 3: think Russell said to himself, Okay, this has been reserved 201 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 3: for guys to sit in the pocket. I'm not gonna 202 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:28,679 Speaker 3: I'm not going to be run around Russ anymore. I 203 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 3: want to prove I can do it from the pocket. 204 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:34,040 Speaker 3: And I really felt that he wanted to do He 205 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:38,280 Speaker 3: wanted to sort of pivot to a older in the pocket, 206 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:41,520 Speaker 3: can win it the line of scrimmage quarterback, when in 207 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 3: truth he's the same size mostly as Tua, who has 208 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 3: acknowledged publicly there are times I can't see over the 209 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:52,440 Speaker 3: offensive lineman. So I think Russ got stubborn. I talked 210 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:54,719 Speaker 3: to somebody who had looked at film of Russ, and 211 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 3: they're like, sometimes he looked stubborn. Is that he there's 212 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 3: much better angles, you know, slide in the pocket. Russ 213 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 3: kind of felt like, this is my take. He kind 214 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 3: of wanted to prove, Okay, this is a contract that's 215 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:09,719 Speaker 3: been for the great pocket passers of all time. I'm 216 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 3: not going to be wild, crazy run around Russ. And 217 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,600 Speaker 3: then when Peyton got there, you've noticed he's lost weight 218 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:20,560 Speaker 3: this offseason. I think Peyton said, Russ, you know if 219 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:23,959 Speaker 3: Drew Brees could have run, he would have run. It's 220 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 3: an asset lean into it. Well, think about all the 221 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 3: great running quarterbacks, probably post the nineteen seventies. Yeah, I 222 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:33,719 Speaker 3: don't consider like John Elway, even though he's mobile, or 223 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,600 Speaker 3: Aaron Rodgers a running quarterback. I think Steve Young beat 224 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:38,960 Speaker 3: the drum the hardest. You have to win within the pocket, 225 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 3: and he was a better athlete than even those guys, right, 226 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 3: but he became a Hall of Famer and MVP ultimately 227 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 3: with his arm. And I think historically would say that's 228 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:49,719 Speaker 3: how you have to transition because the Mike Vicks, we'll 229 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 3: see with Lamar, you just take a pounding Kyler Murray. 230 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 3: It's hard when you are kind of this hybrid running back. 231 00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 3: Now you could argue maybe the rules a little safer 232 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 3: to run. Guys are less, you know, less likely to 233 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 3: go Steve Atwater, John Lynch on your body down the field. 234 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 3: I do think you can incorporate it if you do 235 00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 3: it right better than ever. Like Steve Young could not 236 00:13:09,960 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 3: have done that. He would not have lasted as long 237 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:13,440 Speaker 3: as he did if he kept taking off like Russell 238 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 3: did most of his career. I just think that sometimes 239 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:19,960 Speaker 3: in life, list has happened to probably most humans, not 240 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 3: at the level in which Russell because he's such a 241 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 3: public figure. But you get humbled in life, you really 242 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 3: got two options, right, you kind of go back to 243 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:30,320 Speaker 3: the drawing board, because he's always been chasing greatness and 244 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 3: trying to be like a top fifteen to twenty quarterback 245 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 3: of all time and be a Hall of Fame guy, 246 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 3: which he probably already is. But I just mind, is 247 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:39,280 Speaker 3: he just going to be a laughingstock moving forward? Is 248 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 3: he a prideful guy that we saw forever and that 249 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 3: butted heads with some of those defensive guys and wanted 250 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 3: to be a starts. He's definitely one of the most 251 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 3: fascinating stories in the league when you factor in his 252 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 3: you know, the coach edition, right. 253 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 2: All right, let's bring on the coach Dave Wanstat former 254 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 2: Bears head coach, Dolphins head coach coordinator for the Super 255 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:04,079 Speaker 2: Bowl champ being Cowboys coach at Pitt Miami Hurricanes DC. 256 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 2: So big year for Chicago. I think the Justin fields 257 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:13,839 Speaker 2: after two years. We know he's talented, he can move, 258 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,839 Speaker 2: he's got a whip for an arm, but a lot 259 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 2: of mistakes, some not his, but there'll be a sense 260 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 2: Dave that after this year you either go to jettison, 261 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 2: move off him, or lean into him. You've been to practice. 262 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 2: What is your takeaway on what you've seen. 263 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 1: Well, I think the first thing you said, a big 264 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 1: year for Chicago. I think the people in Chicago and 265 00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 1: I don't know if they'll get it, but it's what 266 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 1: I'm preaching. I think this needs to be a reasonable 267 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: improvement year for Justin Fields. 268 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 5: You know. 269 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, I need to go out and 270 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:49,400 Speaker 1: be Aaron Rodgers, okay when he was in Green Bay. 271 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 1: I mean, he needs and to improve one hundred percent. 272 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 1: But I think it needs to be reasonable. But when 273 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 1: I look at Chicago, they have two number one picks 274 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 1: next year. Everybody that they free agency, plus the draft picks. 275 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: There's not a player on their roster that they signed 276 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 1: that was older than twenty six. And I spent about 277 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: an iron with Ryan Pooles, the general manager, for about 278 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:15,000 Speaker 1: a week ago, two weeks ago, and you know that 279 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:21,120 Speaker 1: they have purposely built a young football team and it's 280 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 1: not talked about, but I think that, yes, Justin Fields 281 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 1: needs to perform. I think it's the Philadelphia Eagles blueprint, 282 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, let's let's all if we're all 283 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:37,040 Speaker 1: honest with ourselves, me included. Before last season, I wasn't 284 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: sure if Jalen Hurts could beat the guy and the Eagle. 285 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: I don't think the Eagles thought that either. Calin and 286 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:44,920 Speaker 1: they're sitting there with two number one picks and they're 287 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: saying to themselves, I promise you, if he's not the guy, 288 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 1: we're going up to the first, they can get a quarterback. 289 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: The Bears. I don't think it'll happen. No one's talking 290 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 1: about it, but they have the draft picks to do something. 291 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 1: If it doesn't work out. 292 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, the listen, I will say. By getting Robert Tanyan, 293 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 2: they now have two tight ends Cole Commit by getting 294 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 2: I'm not a huge Chase Claypool fan, but I do 295 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 2: love DJ Moore. I think Mooney is more than capable. 296 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:19,320 Speaker 2: I went and looked at the PFF grades for their 297 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 2: offensive line. It's not as bad as say the New 298 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 2: York Giants or the Tennessee Titans last year. It's kind 299 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 2: of middle of the pack. I think they found a 300 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:31,080 Speaker 2: left tackle last year in the draft. So my takeaway 301 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:34,520 Speaker 2: is I don't need Justin Fields to be a playoff quarterback. 302 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:37,120 Speaker 2: But I don't think if he struggles, we can blame 303 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 2: the personnel, Dave. I think the Bears have given him 304 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 2: good enough pieces to work with and win ten games. 305 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 2: Is that fair? 306 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 4: That's fair? 307 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 1: And you know what, when I was up there, Dj 308 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 1: Moore made three catches that Bear receivers haven't made in 309 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: three years. And the guy that was smiling the most 310 00:16:57,280 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 1: and won the head coach and won the general manager. 311 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: It was just the fields, you know. So they have 312 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 1: really connected from the standpoint of a confidence between quarterback 313 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: and receiver. You mentioned Robert Tunyan. I think he might 314 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 1: be this you talk about a stealing free agency they had. 315 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 1: They sure if Clay Poole comes on, fantastic if he doesn't. 316 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:23,200 Speaker 1: When I saw Robert Tunyan and they've flexed him out 317 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:25,159 Speaker 1: like they used to do with todygan Zalz back in 318 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:28,159 Speaker 1: the day, and he can beat safeties one on one. 319 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 1: I mean he is that type of athletic tight end 320 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 1: or you bring him in tight so he that's a 321 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:38,160 Speaker 1: heck of a signing for the Bears. It truly is. So. 322 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:40,760 Speaker 1: I think they feel real good about their passing game 323 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,360 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, and they're going to be committed 324 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 1: to run the ball, the whole key, and I was 325 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:48,000 Speaker 1: upper and Luke Jetsey, you know, the offensive coordinator. He 326 00:17:48,040 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 1: worked for me at FIT. I got a great four 327 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: with him and and he said, you know, we got 328 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 1: to take the next step. We're going to take the 329 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 1: next step. We got to be balanced. We've got to 330 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:59,919 Speaker 1: be balanced in this and so it's it's exciting. But 331 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 1: I do agree they do have the weapons. 332 00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:08,440 Speaker 2: What's the typical Chicago Bear fan reasonable not liquored up. 333 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:12,639 Speaker 2: If you said, would they be disappointed with nine and 334 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 2: eight and justin fields showing improvement, Yes. 335 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:21,200 Speaker 1: Yes, they probably would. But I think it's seven eight 336 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:23,680 Speaker 1: win team. I think they're a seven eight win team 337 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: with justin Field showing improvement. I'm concerned about the Bears defense. 338 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:33,359 Speaker 1: I'm not concerned about the rump. I mean their defense coach. 339 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:37,200 Speaker 1: The leading guy soccer for him was Brisker the strong 340 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: safety last year. 341 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:39,119 Speaker 4: I never heard of that. 342 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 1: I think got the most sacks on your team is 343 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 1: a strong safety. That's scarely No. They added they're gonna 344 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,160 Speaker 1: have They got three free agents on the defensive line. 345 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 1: They drafted to defensive linemen, the Stevenson kid. I'll tell 346 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:57,120 Speaker 1: you what. The guy they drafted in the third round 347 00:18:57,119 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: out of Miami kay Tyree Stevenson. This kid, when I 348 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:04,120 Speaker 1: was at practice, he's going to be a starter at corner. 349 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: And this is big. I was talking to head coach 350 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:10,199 Speaker 1: Matt Eberfluss, and they run a steam that's kind of 351 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:12,280 Speaker 1: like what we did at Dallas and kind of like 352 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:15,480 Speaker 1: what Tony Dungee did at Tampa. It's a combination of two, 353 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: with the point being that they have to get pressure. 354 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 1: With their four guys, they're always going to be one 355 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 1: of the least blitzing defenses in the NFL. So the 356 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:29,320 Speaker 1: guy that really important is that nickelback. He's the most 357 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:33,239 Speaker 1: important guy in their defense, and that's Kyler Gordon. Last year, 358 00:19:33,359 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 1: Kyler Gordon bear fans know this. He played corner, then 359 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:40,320 Speaker 1: they put him at nickel he was now guess what 360 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 1: he's full time. You're the nickelback. Don't worry about anything else. 361 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,440 Speaker 1: We got Jalen Johnson on one side, and we got 362 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: Tyreek Stevenson, who had today I was the guy had 363 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 1: an interception for a touchdown, knocked down three balls. This 364 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:55,800 Speaker 1: guy from Miami, he's he's gonna be a big time player. 365 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 1: That was a great pick for them, and it's going 366 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:00,200 Speaker 1: to fit into their defense perfectly. But it's go to 367 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:02,480 Speaker 1: come down. Can they get a pressure? You know, I 368 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 1: don't see it. It's gonna be tough. It's gonna be tough. 369 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:10,920 Speaker 2: Well, the good news Aaron Rodgers is out of division, 370 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:16,440 Speaker 2: Dalvin Cook will be out of division. Detroit moved off 371 00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:21,080 Speaker 2: DeAndre Swift. I still think they're Detroit. I think we're 372 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 2: overvaluing them a little. They didn't make the playoffs. I 373 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:26,280 Speaker 2: think they win a couple more games, but it's a 374 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:29,359 Speaker 2: winnable division. Coach Minnesota is not gonna go eleven to 375 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:33,399 Speaker 2: zher in one score games. That's not happening again. So 376 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:38,000 Speaker 2: I don't think. I mean, I just think this is 377 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:40,320 Speaker 2: the year for Chicago. I think they could be a 378 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 2: ten win team. They've got to cut down on mistakes 379 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:48,399 Speaker 2: and let's be honest, Justin moves. He's got to stay healthy. 380 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 2: I worry about that a little bit. 381 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:51,959 Speaker 1: Yeah. I like them. I love them. In the opener, 382 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 1: you know, they open up with the packlers Jordan Love 383 00:20:54,680 --> 00:20:57,360 Speaker 1: right here at Chicago. Wow, that's gonna be an excite 384 00:20:57,600 --> 00:20:59,080 Speaker 1: I mean, there's gonna be a lot of pressure on them. 385 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:01,639 Speaker 1: I like the Bears are. I kind of disagree with you. 386 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:04,200 Speaker 1: One thing. I'm picking Detroit. I like Detroit to win 387 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:07,360 Speaker 1: this division. I'll tell you what they You know, obviously, 388 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:10,840 Speaker 1: they drafted Gibbs, the running back from Alabama to transferred 389 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 1: from Georgia Tech. But they got David Walker, and David 390 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:19,120 Speaker 1: Walker is an angry David. I'm sorry David Montgomery who 391 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: was with the Bears. And this kid's a heck of 392 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:24,639 Speaker 1: a football player. So they got the rookie Gibbs the 393 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: number one pick, and they got David Montgomery the running back. 394 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:31,119 Speaker 1: They that's they got the receivers back, you know, they 395 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:35,920 Speaker 1: got Marvin Jones, they got Saint Brian coming back. They 396 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: drafted this Laported kid, and I know it was Iowa, 397 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 1: but he's not just the number one tight end. He 398 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:44,879 Speaker 1: had the most receptions of any tight end in the 399 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:48,440 Speaker 1: Big Ten Conference. And this kid is a player now 400 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: and no one I can't get aim body excited. But 401 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 1: my guy for defensive player of the Year in the 402 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: Big Ten Conference for the last three years was Jack 403 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 1: Campbell and they drafted him in the first round. A 404 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,919 Speaker 1: big linebacker. No one's saying Jack Campbell. This guy gets interested. 405 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:08,120 Speaker 1: He's six ' five Look at his calm. Anybody's out 406 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 1: there it's questioning me. Look at the guy's combine times. 407 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:15,560 Speaker 1: The guy makes interceptions, he makes sacks, he makes one 408 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:20,240 Speaker 1: hundred plus tackles every year. He graduated like six years ago. 409 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 1: I mean, the guy's brook. This guy, I'm telling you, 410 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 1: I'm excited. And then who does Detroit get. They get 411 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: the Branch, the safety from Alabama, who I thought was 412 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:33,520 Speaker 1: it going to be a second round pick or some 413 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:36,040 Speaker 1: people at him higher. They get him in a third round. 414 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 1: This guy's going to commit and play for them. He's 415 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:40,920 Speaker 1: a heck of a player. Taught the saving about him. 416 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:45,920 Speaker 1: I think Detroit did really well in the draft. I'm 417 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 1: on their bandwagon. I wrote him. 418 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:51,639 Speaker 2: Every year I make picks, and my woe pick of 419 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:54,320 Speaker 2: this year in the NFL, the surprise pick is I'm 420 00:22:54,359 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 2: taking Miami to win the division first. I think Vic 421 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:01,639 Speaker 2: Fangio right now is maybe the best defensive coordinator in 422 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:04,920 Speaker 2: the sport. They saw by bringing Jalen Ramsey over, they 423 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 2: solved the corner issue. I don't love their offensive line, 424 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:11,119 Speaker 2: but if you look at Mike McDaniel's system, it's Kyle 425 00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 2: Shanahan's system. It has always been better day for quarterbacks 426 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:19,200 Speaker 2: in the second year of it, it's pretty complex. I 427 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 2: look at what Miami put together. I watched them play 428 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 2: the Bills three times last year. They beat them once. 429 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:28,440 Speaker 2: They could have beaten them a second time with Tua 430 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 2: and Skyler Thompson played them close. And my takeaway was, 431 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:37,679 Speaker 2: I don't feel right now that Buffalo has had a 432 00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:42,600 Speaker 2: good last five or six months. Stefon Diggs's complaining they 433 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:46,120 Speaker 2: lost one of their safeties. I have questions about McDermott, 434 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:48,679 Speaker 2: his rigidity. Leslie Fraser just said get me out of 435 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:51,760 Speaker 2: here because McDermott wouldn't let him call plays. There's a 436 00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:56,040 Speaker 2: little bit of coaching tension. I if Tua's upright, I 437 00:23:56,080 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 2: saw I put on about fifteen pounds. You tell me 438 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:01,399 Speaker 2: your thoughts. I think Mike McDaniel in year two of 439 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:06,239 Speaker 2: that offense. I've watched Shanahan in Atlanta, I watched them 440 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:09,760 Speaker 2: in San Francisco. It's that second year, Dave. I think 441 00:24:09,800 --> 00:24:11,040 Speaker 2: Miami's gonna be a handful. 442 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:14,199 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree with you. I mean we'll start with uh, 443 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 1: you know, adding Ramsey. But the best addition they had 444 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 1: is Vic fan Joe. You know. Now in Vic's defense, 445 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:24,480 Speaker 1: and I know pretty good. Vic's defense is not a 446 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:26,960 Speaker 1: blitzing defense. I mean, you know when they were there 447 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:30,360 Speaker 1: with with Brian Flores, it was pressure, pressure, pressure. This 448 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:33,439 Speaker 1: is not that. So having the extra corner, you know, 449 00:24:33,560 --> 00:24:36,439 Speaker 1: having Ramsey teamed up with Howard, I mean, that's a great, 450 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:40,639 Speaker 1: great combination. Uh. But they're gonna have to generate rush 451 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:43,640 Speaker 1: up front. To me, Bradley Chubb is the guy. He's 452 00:24:43,720 --> 00:24:46,240 Speaker 1: this guy's got to show up. You know, last year 453 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 1: they made the big trade for him. They got him there, 454 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 1: and I think Vick will be the guy that'll be 455 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:52,800 Speaker 1: able to push the right buttons to get a big 456 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:55,000 Speaker 1: year out of him. But they've got to generate. They're 457 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: gonna have to generate pass rush with the guys up front. 458 00:24:57,720 --> 00:24:59,919 Speaker 1: That's one point. The other thing that I think has 459 00:25:00,119 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 1: to happen is, you know, Mike McDaniels, you mentioned the 460 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:07,440 Speaker 1: Buffalo games calling. It really bothered me. They had Skyler Thompson, 461 00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:11,120 Speaker 1: who you get, that thirteen quarterback in there, and they 462 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 1: threw the ball twice as many times as they ran it. 463 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:17,679 Speaker 1: And I'm watching that game and I remember when I 464 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:20,400 Speaker 1: got the Bears job, you know, and I was out 465 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:23,480 Speaker 1: and the lake Chuck Noll had just stepped down from 466 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:26,800 Speaker 1: the Steelers and we were playing golf and he said, Dave, 467 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:31,159 Speaker 1: never forget why you get you're a head coach. No, 468 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:33,359 Speaker 1: never forget why you're a head coach. I said, what 469 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:35,160 Speaker 1: do you mean? He says, when you got hired because 470 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:39,160 Speaker 1: of your defensive expertise. So I'm watching that Dolphin Buffalo 471 00:25:39,280 --> 00:25:41,960 Speaker 1: game and I'm thinking to myself, Mike McDaniels was the 472 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:46,880 Speaker 1: run coordinator run coordinator at San Francisco, and they aren't 473 00:25:46,960 --> 00:25:50,040 Speaker 1: running the ball. If they run the football, I'm convinced 474 00:25:50,040 --> 00:25:54,159 Speaker 1: they were. So the only question I have is, you know, 475 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:56,159 Speaker 1: they're going to have to be balanced. And when you 476 00:25:56,240 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 1: got Tua and you got the firepower, you know, Tyreek 477 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:03,440 Speaker 1: Kid and all the waddle and everybody, it's real tempting 478 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:06,000 Speaker 1: to want to get them the ball. Big plays, big pellies. 479 00:26:06,600 --> 00:26:10,000 Speaker 1: But I'll tell you what this is good Mike mc 480 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 1: if he wants to win big, he's gonna have to 481 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:16,720 Speaker 1: be balanced, and he's gonna have to continue running the football. 482 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:19,399 Speaker 1: I don't he's gonna show me that he'll do that. 483 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:22,400 Speaker 1: I'm not convinced he wants to do it. Well. 484 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 2: It's interesting. Kyle Shanahan has Debo and George Kittle and 485 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:29,320 Speaker 2: Brandon Ayuk and Christian McCaffrey, and he commits to the 486 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:32,280 Speaker 2: run despite how having those options. I mean, when I 487 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:34,720 Speaker 2: think of the Niners, I think of a physical run game, yep. 488 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:36,160 Speaker 2: I don't even think of passing no. 489 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,879 Speaker 1: And you know the other thing too, with the Tua. 490 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:43,960 Speaker 1: You mentioned Tua, and I'm not gonna blitz him. I'm 491 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:45,920 Speaker 1: not going to take a chance of trying to cover 492 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:49,000 Speaker 1: Tyra kill one on one. But I'll tell you what's 493 00:26:49,080 --> 00:26:51,080 Speaker 1: going to happen. Tua in his mind, if you went 494 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:54,560 Speaker 1: through the concussion stuff that he went through or anybody did, 495 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:56,879 Speaker 1: that's going to be on your mind. And they're going 496 00:26:56,920 --> 00:26:59,200 Speaker 1: to be saying, get the ball, why quick, right, don't 497 00:26:59,240 --> 00:27:01,960 Speaker 1: take a chance. They don't run up. He's not running 498 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:04,600 Speaker 1: quarterback read stuff. So put that aside. That's not going 499 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:07,720 Speaker 1: to happen. But get the ball out quick. He's gonna 500 00:27:07,720 --> 00:27:12,359 Speaker 1: see man press coverage. I would play him man and 501 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 1: I would lock up those receivers and knowing that the 502 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:18,960 Speaker 1: ball is going to come out quick, and so he's 503 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:22,719 Speaker 1: gonna you know, he makes good decisions, makes good decisions. 504 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:25,360 Speaker 1: We're going to find out how accurate he is. He's 505 00:27:25,359 --> 00:27:27,120 Speaker 1: going to have to be real accurate this year because 506 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:29,560 Speaker 1: I don't think he's going to get very many wide open, 507 00:27:29,640 --> 00:27:32,320 Speaker 1: easy throws. Well. 508 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:35,320 Speaker 2: The other thing with Tua is because his injuries are 509 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 2: a concussion base that you can't bring him back with 510 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:44,280 Speaker 2: another concussion for four to six weeks. So to your point, 511 00:27:44,359 --> 00:27:47,600 Speaker 2: I think McDaniel realizes that they'll run it more and 512 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:50,360 Speaker 2: it'll be a lot of a lot of what Brady ran. 513 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 2: Just get the ball out Garoppolo by the way, one 514 00:27:54,600 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 2: thousand and one, one thousand and two, let it ripe. 515 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:01,600 Speaker 2: And I also think McDaniel's knows his weakness is his 516 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:05,440 Speaker 2: offensive front in a division with Buffalo's pass rush, the 517 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 2: Jets pass rush, and Belichick's defensive front. So I do 518 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:14,080 Speaker 2: think there's a way Miami will play run it quick, 519 00:28:14,160 --> 00:28:16,800 Speaker 2: passing protect to it because he goes down. You know, 520 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:19,959 Speaker 2: they brought Mike White in for the Jets for a reason. 521 00:28:20,240 --> 00:28:22,719 Speaker 1: Yeah, so in near minds, they probably got a good backup, 522 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:24,960 Speaker 1: but it's not to us. So it'll be interesting to 523 00:28:24,960 --> 00:28:26,639 Speaker 1: see if McDaniel's can do that. 524 00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 2: So you're from Pittsburgh, coached the Panthers for years, you've 525 00:28:33,800 --> 00:28:36,959 Speaker 2: got a lot of friends there. Still I went, and 526 00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:41,280 Speaker 2: the other day I went and sort of burrowed down 527 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:44,320 Speaker 2: on the Steelers. There's a couple of things that are interesting. 528 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:48,160 Speaker 2: Number one is they win. Over the last three years 529 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 2: when TJ. Watt plays, they win seventy five percent of 530 00:28:51,040 --> 00:28:53,920 Speaker 2: their games. And although he was banged up last year, 531 00:28:53,960 --> 00:28:56,760 Speaker 2: in his history, he doesn't get hurt. And one of 532 00:28:56,800 --> 00:28:59,880 Speaker 2: the reasons I lean Steelers over Baltimore for the while 533 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:03,160 Speaker 2: the card spot is if you take their eight best players, 534 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:08,560 Speaker 2: and I include Najie Harris, their tight end, Kenny Pickett, 535 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:13,200 Speaker 2: Minka Fitzpatrick, I go Cam Hayward, I go down the line. 536 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:18,160 Speaker 2: None of them have an injury history. And virtually all 537 00:29:18,240 --> 00:29:21,200 Speaker 2: of the Ravens' best players except tight end Mark Andrews, 538 00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 2: do have a playoff history. And I don't know if 539 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:27,960 Speaker 2: Tomlin is more measured at practice, but the Ravens have 540 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:30,080 Speaker 2: been banged up for four years in a row and 541 00:29:30,160 --> 00:29:33,560 Speaker 2: the Steelers are rarely hurt. And I went back and 542 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:37,360 Speaker 2: I looked at Pittsburgh's last six games last year. I 543 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 2: didn't from beginning to end watch all of them, Dave, 544 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:44,400 Speaker 2: because the AFC has so many more compelling teams. At 545 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:47,520 Speaker 2: the end of last year, Kenny Pickett was pretty good. 546 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:51,080 Speaker 2: The defense was great, Kenny Pickett was pretty good. What 547 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:51,720 Speaker 2: are you hearing? 548 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:54,959 Speaker 1: Well, I know this for a fact. Last year, at 549 00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:57,680 Speaker 1: this time going into training camp, he was getting the 550 00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:02,040 Speaker 1: third team more reps. I mean, was Mitch Trubisky, It 551 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:06,440 Speaker 1: was Mason Rudolph, and it was Kenny Pickett. So his 552 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:12,000 Speaker 1: practice time was a third And you know, I don't 553 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 1: think I think they went into that thing. Mike Tomlin 554 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:17,760 Speaker 1: said that Mitch Trubisky is a starter, which he did, 555 00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:21,320 Speaker 1: and so I look at that and say, you know, 556 00:30:21,400 --> 00:30:24,040 Speaker 1: that's a lot of time for a rookie not to 557 00:30:24,080 --> 00:30:26,360 Speaker 1: be getting the reps that he needs. And then the 558 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:28,360 Speaker 1: guy that's probably going to be his top receiver, and 559 00:30:28,360 --> 00:30:31,600 Speaker 1: then what's his name got hurt. Deontay Johnson was hurt. 560 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:36,239 Speaker 1: Okay Uh Pickens, George Pickens, the second round pick out 561 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:40,800 Speaker 1: of Tennessee. He's a star. This guy. He it took him, 562 00:30:40,880 --> 00:30:43,760 Speaker 1: They tell me it took him two or three, you know, 563 00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:46,480 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks into the season before he started 564 00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:48,440 Speaker 1: getting the field for the thing. I mean, they were 565 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:51,800 Speaker 1: hoping that Claypool, they were hoping to Chase Claypool was 566 00:30:51,840 --> 00:30:55,320 Speaker 1: the guy. You gotta remember, Chase Claypool went from their 567 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:59,800 Speaker 1: number one receiver to two to three, and so all 568 00:30:59,840 --> 00:31:01,920 Speaker 1: the sudden, now all of a sudden, you're seeing Pickings 569 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:04,880 Speaker 1: getting more reps and Deontay Johnson they're getting him boo 570 00:31:05,160 --> 00:31:08,160 Speaker 1: and then they find out how good friar move. You 571 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:11,440 Speaker 1: mentioned him the tight end from Pat Steak. Yeah, this 572 00:31:11,560 --> 00:31:15,320 Speaker 1: kid is a player. He's got phenomenal him. It wasn't 573 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:19,040 Speaker 1: until about that halfway through the season where Pickets getting 574 00:31:19,120 --> 00:31:22,200 Speaker 1: enough reps. Pickings is picking up the offense and now 575 00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:25,040 Speaker 1: they're realizing, hey, we got a tight end too. So 576 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:30,120 Speaker 1: I think I like Pittsburgh. I mean their offense, they're stars. 577 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:32,880 Speaker 1: The guys we're talking about are all like twenty five 578 00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:37,360 Speaker 1: years or younger, right, So I mean the arrow is 579 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:39,160 Speaker 1: definitely up for that offense. 580 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:44,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it's did you like, can he pick 581 00:31:44,040 --> 00:31:46,680 Speaker 2: it out of college? I've always said he feels very 582 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:49,000 Speaker 2: B plus at everything. He's got a good enough arm, 583 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 2: good enough size, good enough mobility. I don't I don't 584 00:31:53,280 --> 00:31:55,680 Speaker 2: see a lot of special but I don't see a 585 00:31:55,720 --> 00:31:59,560 Speaker 2: lot of Dave. I don't see any holes. I don't 586 00:31:59,560 --> 00:32:01,840 Speaker 2: I don't see anything that he can move left, he 587 00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:04,600 Speaker 2: throws right, he's mobile, he can take a hit. My 588 00:32:04,760 --> 00:32:07,200 Speaker 2: takeaway is, you know, there's a little bit of a CJ. 589 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:10,280 Speaker 2: Stroud where I'm like, he looks good enough at everything, 590 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:13,160 Speaker 2: maybe great at nothing. What did you hear from your 591 00:32:13,200 --> 00:32:14,600 Speaker 2: pit people about Kenny coming out. 592 00:32:14,640 --> 00:32:17,080 Speaker 1: I was back there at pitt when they were practicing 593 00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:20,560 Speaker 1: and sitting in there and talking to Pat and Ardouzi, 594 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:23,880 Speaker 1: the head coach, and the offensive court and all the 595 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:26,800 Speaker 1: intangible things that you mentioned, and then put a layer 596 00:32:26,920 --> 00:32:32,480 Speaker 1: of toughness. This guy is a street tough kid, and 597 00:32:32,600 --> 00:32:36,880 Speaker 1: this kid is a competitor. And I think that you 598 00:32:36,880 --> 00:32:39,400 Speaker 1: know you talked about he's got good enough arm strength, 599 00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:42,560 Speaker 1: he understands the game, he gets the big picture, on 600 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:45,720 Speaker 1: and on and on. But now you put in that 601 00:32:45,880 --> 00:32:50,560 Speaker 1: toughness and those those intangible things, they're real. They are real. 602 00:32:50,800 --> 00:32:54,360 Speaker 1: And you know they share the facility back your pit 603 00:32:54,520 --> 00:32:57,400 Speaker 1: and the Steelers share facilities, so they're in the same 604 00:32:57,440 --> 00:32:59,600 Speaker 1: building where they're eating, and they're on the practice field 605 00:32:59,720 --> 00:33:03,360 Speaker 1: on leave and the other ones. No one had better 606 00:33:03,560 --> 00:33:06,400 Speaker 1: exposure to Kenny Pickett for his whole career than Mike 607 00:33:06,480 --> 00:33:09,440 Speaker 1: Tomlin and the Steelers and Kevin Colbert at that time 608 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:12,680 Speaker 1: in the whole Steeler organization. So they know what they're 609 00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:14,800 Speaker 1: getting there, and I know they are excited. 610 00:33:18,080 --> 00:33:21,760 Speaker 2: Well, he's my favorite East Coast voice. Ian O'Connor a 611 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:25,560 Speaker 2: four time New York Times best selling author the book 612 00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:30,360 Speaker 2: on Coach k Derek Jeter Belichick three for three, All Fantastic, 613 00:33:31,040 --> 00:33:35,000 Speaker 2: New York Daily News, Now The New York Post, USA Today, ESBN, 614 00:33:35,720 --> 00:33:38,280 Speaker 2: known him, loved him for years. He is now joining us, 615 00:33:38,320 --> 00:33:40,640 Speaker 2: and we got a lot to talk about. So I 616 00:33:42,080 --> 00:33:44,440 Speaker 2: remember when I lived in Connecticut. You're really in the 617 00:33:45,240 --> 00:33:48,920 Speaker 2: belly of the beast, Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Phillies. It's 618 00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:51,360 Speaker 2: just sports talk is driven by it out West. It 619 00:33:51,480 --> 00:33:55,360 Speaker 2: is not. It's more of an NBA NFL discussion. But 620 00:33:56,040 --> 00:34:01,040 Speaker 2: the intensity in the passion is redeemable. And I missed 621 00:34:01,560 --> 00:34:05,760 Speaker 2: so much not hearing Sports Talk Radio New York. After 622 00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:11,319 Speaker 2: the Mets late inning Melton against the Phillies, I watched it. 623 00:34:11,360 --> 00:34:15,720 Speaker 2: I just happened to stumble on it. Good hell Ian 624 00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:23,040 Speaker 2: that is as hits batsman walks one hit, multiple runs. 625 00:34:23,480 --> 00:34:27,160 Speaker 2: What was that? The tipping point? Is Buck Showalter in trouble? 626 00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:28,279 Speaker 2: After that moment. 627 00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:32,120 Speaker 5: I don't know if it's a tipping point, Colin, because 628 00:34:32,120 --> 00:34:34,879 Speaker 5: it feels like I live with a fatalistic Mets fan. 629 00:34:35,160 --> 00:34:38,919 Speaker 5: My wife's been a diehard Mets fan for forty five 630 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:43,040 Speaker 5: fifty years basically, and so it feels like they just 631 00:34:43,160 --> 00:34:45,840 Speaker 5: run into each other and I can't differentiate. 632 00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:46,439 Speaker 4: One from the other. 633 00:34:46,640 --> 00:34:49,120 Speaker 5: And I don't think it's the tipping point as far 634 00:34:49,160 --> 00:34:52,560 Speaker 5: as Showalter is concerned, because last year he won one 635 00:34:52,600 --> 00:34:54,719 Speaker 5: hundred and one games. That's the second most victories in 636 00:34:54,719 --> 00:34:57,000 Speaker 5: the history of the New York Mets franchise. Davy Johnson 637 00:34:57,000 --> 00:34:59,480 Speaker 5: won one hundred and eight nineteen eighty six, and nobody's 638 00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:02,759 Speaker 5: done better than Showalter did in year one. So I 639 00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:04,480 Speaker 5: don't think you can fire him in the middle of 640 00:35:04,560 --> 00:35:07,000 Speaker 5: year two. I really don't, and so I think he 641 00:35:07,080 --> 00:35:10,319 Speaker 5: deserves the rest of the season. However it unfolds and 642 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:12,920 Speaker 5: it's getting uglier by the hour, and then have the 643 00:35:12,960 --> 00:35:16,720 Speaker 5: conversation in the offseason is he worthy of year three? 644 00:35:17,200 --> 00:35:19,239 Speaker 5: But I think to whack him in the middle of 645 00:35:19,440 --> 00:35:22,840 Speaker 5: two would be doing him a real injustice because just 646 00:35:22,920 --> 00:35:26,239 Speaker 5: based on his track record, he did so much good 647 00:35:26,320 --> 00:35:28,920 Speaker 5: last year and I think, actually you could make a 648 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:31,760 Speaker 5: case I remember the general manager of the Mets, Steve Phillips, 649 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:34,600 Speaker 5: did this in nineteen ninety nine. The Mets were unraveling 650 00:35:35,360 --> 00:35:37,960 Speaker 5: and one night he decided, I'm going to fire all 651 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:41,200 Speaker 5: of Bobby Valentine's coaches, and the Mets went on an 652 00:35:41,239 --> 00:35:44,680 Speaker 5: absolute tear, made the playoffs and almost made. 653 00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:45,719 Speaker 4: The World Series that year. 654 00:35:46,120 --> 00:35:48,640 Speaker 5: You could argue it makes sense to fire a coach 655 00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:51,120 Speaker 5: right now, or maybe they should have done it last 656 00:35:51,120 --> 00:35:55,960 Speaker 5: week and try to ignite the team that way, keeping 657 00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:58,600 Speaker 5: Showalter and the GM Billy Eppler in place at least 658 00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:01,080 Speaker 5: for now, I think that made that makes more sense 659 00:36:01,080 --> 00:36:03,200 Speaker 5: in firing showld. 660 00:36:02,640 --> 00:36:05,160 Speaker 2: You know, they're not hitting, they're not getting the ball 661 00:36:05,200 --> 00:36:08,640 Speaker 2: in play, if Pete Alonzo's not healthy, they don't have 662 00:36:08,680 --> 00:36:12,399 Speaker 2: any power. It's pretty simple. They're not doing anything particularly well. 663 00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:14,320 Speaker 2: But I would argue, if you look at the Verlanders 664 00:36:14,320 --> 00:36:16,720 Speaker 2: and the Shrsers, they were built for late season baseball. 665 00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:20,120 Speaker 2: They almost assumed they would be good late in the year. 666 00:36:20,160 --> 00:36:24,200 Speaker 2: They built this team, you know, for July. You know, 667 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:28,160 Speaker 2: I would say August fifteenth on to be ready to go. 668 00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:31,200 Speaker 2: So you know, when I look, I always feel you 669 00:36:31,200 --> 00:36:36,400 Speaker 2: can buy relevance. It's very difficult to buy wins. Lindor's 670 00:36:36,440 --> 00:36:40,520 Speaker 2: not playing well, they're not hitting. I was thinking about 671 00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:44,440 Speaker 2: this before the interview today. I can't remember the last 672 00:36:44,880 --> 00:36:48,160 Speaker 2: because the Mets team last year really struggled to put 673 00:36:48,200 --> 00:36:50,759 Speaker 2: together runs and rallies. It wasn't a great hitting team. 674 00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:56,839 Speaker 2: It lacked power. When is the last Maybe it's just again, 675 00:36:56,880 --> 00:37:00,359 Speaker 2: you would know this. When's the last Mets team that 676 00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:01,680 Speaker 2: was an offensive power? 677 00:37:02,400 --> 00:37:05,640 Speaker 4: That's a good question, and I'm going back to two thousand. 678 00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:09,000 Speaker 5: They're in the World Series against the Yankees, and They've 679 00:37:09,040 --> 00:37:11,040 Speaker 5: had a few teams here and there that I would 680 00:37:11,080 --> 00:37:13,760 Speaker 5: put in that category at least close to it, certainly 681 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:16,040 Speaker 5: not this one. And you're right, Lindor is now a 682 00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:17,879 Speaker 5: three hundred and forty one million dollar player, though he's 683 00:37:17,880 --> 00:37:21,480 Speaker 5: been playing better lately, and that's part of the problem. 684 00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:21,640 Speaker 1: Now. 685 00:37:21,640 --> 00:37:23,799 Speaker 5: Steve Cohen just had a press conference. I'm not sure 686 00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:26,000 Speaker 5: why he called that press confersen, because they really say 687 00:37:26,040 --> 00:37:29,000 Speaker 5: a whole hell of a lot other than he's fortunate 688 00:37:29,040 --> 00:37:31,560 Speaker 5: to have found Billy Eppler's general manager. Yet I'm still 689 00:37:31,600 --> 00:37:35,240 Speaker 5: looking for a president Baseball Operations to effectively replace him, 690 00:37:35,600 --> 00:37:39,080 Speaker 5: So I'm not sure how that makes much sense. A 691 00:37:39,080 --> 00:37:41,120 Speaker 5: lot of people in baseball believe David Sterens and the 692 00:37:41,120 --> 00:37:43,680 Speaker 5: Milwaukee Brewers will be the guy in the offseason when 693 00:37:43,680 --> 00:37:45,640 Speaker 5: he's finally a free agent. I think Steve Cohen's been 694 00:37:45,640 --> 00:37:47,960 Speaker 5: trying to hire him for a couple of years. And 695 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:50,759 Speaker 5: then you go from there. But it's starting pitching. The Mets, 696 00:37:50,760 --> 00:37:52,759 Speaker 5: who used to be known for starting pitching. That's really 697 00:37:52,760 --> 00:37:55,120 Speaker 5: what's failed them colin this year, and it's been a 698 00:37:55,160 --> 00:37:59,839 Speaker 5: domino effect from that point. It's Verlander, he gives you five, 699 00:38:00,360 --> 00:38:02,279 Speaker 5: he throws a hundred pitches, he's got to come out, 700 00:38:02,280 --> 00:38:03,760 Speaker 5: and now you have to go to the middle of relief. 701 00:38:03,800 --> 00:38:05,640 Speaker 5: That's been a real problem on this team, trying to 702 00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:09,600 Speaker 5: get to the good back of the bullpen arms. And 703 00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:12,000 Speaker 5: even last night with Hardway coming in the game as 704 00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:14,280 Speaker 5: tied game and right away you're trailing. 705 00:38:15,320 --> 00:38:16,160 Speaker 4: That's been the problem. 706 00:38:16,200 --> 00:38:19,040 Speaker 5: It's saying to Verlander and other pitchers, the starting pitchers 707 00:38:19,120 --> 00:38:21,880 Speaker 5: not giving you any length, and then you're using the 708 00:38:21,920 --> 00:38:24,839 Speaker 5: worst players on your team as a bridge, and it's 709 00:38:24,880 --> 00:38:27,680 Speaker 5: a very wobbly one at that and that's really been 710 00:38:28,080 --> 00:38:30,160 Speaker 5: a big part of why the Mets are where they are. 711 00:38:30,880 --> 00:38:33,200 Speaker 2: You know, I think one of the things I learned 712 00:38:33,200 --> 00:38:35,839 Speaker 2: when I lived back out East, and I actually miss 713 00:38:35,880 --> 00:38:39,000 Speaker 2: it is the intensity of the media and the intensity 714 00:38:39,000 --> 00:38:42,040 Speaker 2: of the pressure. For all the money the Mets have 715 00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:44,400 Speaker 2: now and for all the money the Yankees have had 716 00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:47,440 Speaker 2: for years, I couldn't say the last time the Yankees 717 00:38:47,520 --> 00:38:51,799 Speaker 2: drafted and developed an ace. They just they went and 718 00:38:51,880 --> 00:38:54,839 Speaker 2: purchased pitching. And I understand that. You could say they 719 00:38:54,880 --> 00:38:57,120 Speaker 2: have great revenue, but so do the Braves, and they 720 00:38:57,160 --> 00:38:58,960 Speaker 2: do it. So to the Dodgers, and they do it. 721 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:01,960 Speaker 2: Braves have no problem with that. It's not just a 722 00:39:02,000 --> 00:39:05,799 Speaker 2: revenue issue. Is it possible that? And I saw this 723 00:39:05,840 --> 00:39:08,680 Speaker 2: with the Brooklyn Nets. The downside in New York is 724 00:39:09,640 --> 00:39:13,080 Speaker 2: it's expensive to live there, it's expensive to travel. You 725 00:39:13,200 --> 00:39:15,560 Speaker 2: need to win. People aren't going to spend money on 726 00:39:15,600 --> 00:39:19,040 Speaker 2: those tickets. When there's two NFL teams, two Baseball teams, 727 00:39:19,040 --> 00:39:23,000 Speaker 2: two NBA that some of what has happened in New 728 00:39:23,080 --> 00:39:26,400 Speaker 2: York Baseball is just a pressure cooker in the reality 729 00:39:26,520 --> 00:39:31,120 Speaker 2: of this baseball centric market. It puts enormous pressure on players. 730 00:39:31,920 --> 00:39:34,360 Speaker 5: Well, certainly that's part of it, and particularly when baseball 731 00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:37,240 Speaker 5: is the ultimate like golf, the ultimate game of failure. 732 00:39:37,960 --> 00:39:39,719 Speaker 5: And on top of that, the twenty four to seven 733 00:39:39,760 --> 00:39:42,840 Speaker 5: scrutiny and the social media age. New York being the biggest, 734 00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:46,719 Speaker 5: loudest market is certainly in there among the reasons that 735 00:39:46,760 --> 00:39:49,040 Speaker 5: you could rank at the top of the list as 736 00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:52,040 Speaker 5: to why the Mets in particular are unraveling this season. 737 00:39:52,040 --> 00:39:54,560 Speaker 5: I think the Yankees with that third wildcard, are going 738 00:39:54,600 --> 00:39:57,680 Speaker 5: to make the playoffs every year, and that third wildcard, 739 00:39:57,880 --> 00:39:59,759 Speaker 5: And with the Mets, who should keep you If you're 740 00:39:59,760 --> 00:40:01,719 Speaker 5: spend ending X amount of dollars, you should be in 741 00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:04,160 Speaker 5: the tournament. And in baseball, as you know, we saw 742 00:40:04,239 --> 00:40:06,200 Speaker 5: last year with the Phillies, and of course they made 743 00:40:06,239 --> 00:40:09,120 Speaker 5: a change in the middle of the season firing Girardi. 744 00:40:10,480 --> 00:40:13,719 Speaker 5: Once you get in anything can happen, particularly in baseball. 745 00:40:14,520 --> 00:40:17,120 Speaker 5: It's like, and I had this conversation with Alex Rodriguez 746 00:40:17,160 --> 00:40:20,080 Speaker 5: years ago, and to some extent with Aaron Judge. In 747 00:40:20,120 --> 00:40:23,080 Speaker 5: baseball or in basketball, you give Lebron James and his 748 00:40:23,200 --> 00:40:25,799 Speaker 5: prime the ball every time up the floor in a 749 00:40:25,840 --> 00:40:29,040 Speaker 5: big spot. You can't send Aaron Judge or a rod 750 00:40:29,120 --> 00:40:31,279 Speaker 5: to the plate every time in the ninth inning in 751 00:40:31,320 --> 00:40:32,320 Speaker 5: a big spot in October. 752 00:40:32,320 --> 00:40:33,640 Speaker 1: It's not the way baseball works. 753 00:40:33,640 --> 00:40:37,440 Speaker 5: So there's a lot on the individual superstar in baseball, 754 00:40:37,600 --> 00:40:39,320 Speaker 5: like Gay Lindor is not really a superstar. 755 00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:40,799 Speaker 4: He's not playing like one. 756 00:40:41,120 --> 00:40:42,759 Speaker 5: Or any of these guys to try to carry a 757 00:40:42,800 --> 00:40:44,839 Speaker 5: team because they can only do so much. 758 00:40:45,000 --> 00:40:46,480 Speaker 4: It's the nature of that sport. 759 00:40:46,560 --> 00:40:49,000 Speaker 5: So I think there's a lot of pressure on the 760 00:40:49,080 --> 00:40:52,760 Speaker 5: stars in baseball because they can't impact winning and losing 761 00:40:52,840 --> 00:40:55,640 Speaker 5: like a quarterback in football or a two guard in 762 00:40:55,680 --> 00:40:56,200 Speaker 5: the NBA. 763 00:40:56,719 --> 00:40:59,560 Speaker 4: New York magnifies that in baseball. 764 00:41:00,160 --> 00:41:03,200 Speaker 5: And I think again, going back to the Mets where 765 00:41:03,200 --> 00:41:05,279 Speaker 5: they are right now, is that they didn't develop the 766 00:41:05,320 --> 00:41:07,920 Speaker 5: picture that they did develop the Grom left, of course, 767 00:41:08,680 --> 00:41:12,319 Speaker 5: and Matt Harvey was good for a while they developed him, 768 00:41:12,719 --> 00:41:16,000 Speaker 5: and right now they don't have a top pitching prospect. 769 00:41:16,080 --> 00:41:18,000 Speaker 4: So Cohen realized that when he bought the team. 770 00:41:18,040 --> 00:41:20,680 Speaker 5: So I'm going to go out and spend a ton 771 00:41:20,719 --> 00:41:24,680 Speaker 5: of money on the Max Scherzers and Justin Verlanders and 772 00:41:24,719 --> 00:41:26,840 Speaker 5: try to do it that way. The problem is it 773 00:41:26,960 --> 00:41:29,240 Speaker 5: leaves you with a four hundred and forty five million 774 00:41:29,320 --> 00:41:32,120 Speaker 5: dollar bill at the end of the season that could 775 00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:32,960 Speaker 5: be a sub. 776 00:41:32,760 --> 00:41:33,640 Speaker 4: Five hundred season. 777 00:41:34,440 --> 00:41:38,080 Speaker 2: You know, you tweeted something the other day about Otani 778 00:41:39,800 --> 00:41:43,400 Speaker 2: and the Mets, and it's kind of understood. The Dodgers 779 00:41:43,440 --> 00:41:48,359 Speaker 2: this offseason pulled back. They let Cody Bellinger go. Kershaw's 780 00:41:48,440 --> 00:41:52,520 Speaker 2: contract was quick, justin Turner. They pulled back on revenue, 781 00:41:52,920 --> 00:41:55,480 Speaker 2: and the feeling was they were saving another seventy five 782 00:41:55,520 --> 00:41:58,759 Speaker 2: million for the Otani deal. A remarkable player, but the 783 00:41:58,800 --> 00:42:02,120 Speaker 2: Angels are literally the least talked about franchise in Southern 784 00:42:02,160 --> 00:42:05,600 Speaker 2: California outside of the hockey teams, So the Dodgers. There's 785 00:42:05,640 --> 00:42:08,080 Speaker 2: a real sense that Otani and the Dodgers are working 786 00:42:08,120 --> 00:42:11,440 Speaker 2: behind the scenes. Though though the Angels have said we'd 787 00:42:11,480 --> 00:42:14,399 Speaker 2: never trade for him, I'm not sure or trade him. 788 00:42:14,640 --> 00:42:16,680 Speaker 2: I'm not sure why if I could get if I 789 00:42:16,680 --> 00:42:19,600 Speaker 2: could get something for Otani knowing he's leaving, So there's 790 00:42:19,600 --> 00:42:22,080 Speaker 2: a sense in Southern California he'll be a Dodger. They 791 00:42:22,120 --> 00:42:25,160 Speaker 2: certainly have the revenue streams. They outdraw I think the 792 00:42:25,239 --> 00:42:28,160 Speaker 2: second place Yankees by seven thousand people per game. I mean, 793 00:42:28,160 --> 00:42:31,960 Speaker 2: the Dodgers are an enormously popular franchise like the Yankees 794 00:42:31,960 --> 00:42:35,360 Speaker 2: in New York. It's a it's an ATM machine. Boston 795 00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:41,480 Speaker 2: doesn't feel like they can compete financially. John Carlos Stanton. 796 00:42:41,640 --> 00:42:44,319 Speaker 2: It's not a miss, but it's not worth what they 797 00:42:44,400 --> 00:42:47,120 Speaker 2: paid for him. Garrett Cole's not a miss, but it 798 00:42:47,160 --> 00:42:51,799 Speaker 2: doesn't feel like it's been a hit. Sure'ser not a hit. 799 00:42:52,800 --> 00:42:55,719 Speaker 2: Would the match of the Yankees be willing to spend 800 00:42:55,719 --> 00:42:59,680 Speaker 2: the most money ever on a baseball star? Would they? 801 00:42:59,840 --> 00:43:02,359 Speaker 5: I think the Mets will and the Yankees will not 802 00:43:02,480 --> 00:43:04,880 Speaker 5: be willing to do that. I think Eric call I'd 803 00:43:04,880 --> 00:43:06,719 Speaker 5: push back a little bit on that. I think he's 804 00:43:06,760 --> 00:43:10,160 Speaker 5: had a couple of shaky postseason moments, but he's I 805 00:43:10,200 --> 00:43:12,920 Speaker 5: think he's lived up to the terms of his contract, 806 00:43:13,719 --> 00:43:16,200 Speaker 5: and so I think Steve Cohen, now this is more 807 00:43:16,200 --> 00:43:18,480 Speaker 5: reason for him to god and spend god knows what 808 00:43:18,600 --> 00:43:20,880 Speaker 5: six hundred and fifty million dollars to try to outbid 809 00:43:20,920 --> 00:43:25,160 Speaker 5: the Dodgers for Otani. This is going to be fascinating 810 00:43:25,200 --> 00:43:26,920 Speaker 5: to watch because the Mets are going to miss the 811 00:43:26,920 --> 00:43:29,080 Speaker 5: playoffs or eight and a half games behind the third 812 00:43:29,080 --> 00:43:31,359 Speaker 5: wildcard spot, which is really hard to believe at four 813 00:43:31,440 --> 00:43:33,920 Speaker 5: hundred and forty five million when you include the revenue 814 00:43:34,040 --> 00:43:36,200 Speaker 5: luxury taxes that Steve Cohen is paying. 815 00:43:36,480 --> 00:43:38,719 Speaker 4: So is he going to double down when his farm. 816 00:43:38,520 --> 00:43:42,840 Speaker 5: System is not producing great talent right now, at least 817 00:43:43,160 --> 00:43:46,040 Speaker 5: on the pitching front. And we'll see about Alvarez, who 818 00:43:46,080 --> 00:43:48,040 Speaker 5: I think will be a really good catcher for the 819 00:43:48,080 --> 00:43:52,319 Speaker 5: next dozen years for the Mets. Baby will see. But 820 00:43:52,800 --> 00:43:55,759 Speaker 5: I do think Steve Cohen now has more reason to 821 00:43:55,880 --> 00:43:59,359 Speaker 5: go all in on Otani and try to outbid the 822 00:43:59,400 --> 00:44:02,640 Speaker 5: Dodgers and just spend them into oblivion. Is a guy 823 00:44:02,680 --> 00:44:06,440 Speaker 5: who's worth eighteen billion dollars or close to it. So 824 00:44:07,160 --> 00:44:10,640 Speaker 5: that is going to be a deathmatch in the offseason 825 00:44:10,680 --> 00:44:11,839 Speaker 5: between the Dodgers and the Mets. 826 00:44:11,880 --> 00:44:13,040 Speaker 4: I think the Dodgers will win it. 827 00:44:14,080 --> 00:44:16,239 Speaker 5: They're certainly the leader in the clubhouse, but I think 828 00:44:16,280 --> 00:44:19,600 Speaker 5: Steve Cohen is going to make them really sweat on 829 00:44:19,640 --> 00:44:21,960 Speaker 5: that one and spend a lot more money than they 830 00:44:22,000 --> 00:44:22,800 Speaker 5: really want to spend. 831 00:44:23,680 --> 00:44:28,640 Speaker 2: All right, pivot to football. The early season schedule is 832 00:44:28,719 --> 00:44:32,839 Speaker 2: rough for the Jets. Aaron's never played behind a mediocre 833 00:44:32,920 --> 00:44:35,200 Speaker 2: offensive line. One of the things New England and the 834 00:44:35,239 --> 00:44:38,960 Speaker 2: Packers have done is established consistent top ten O lines 835 00:44:39,000 --> 00:44:42,719 Speaker 2: without drafting offensive linemen in the first round. So I 836 00:44:42,800 --> 00:44:46,080 Speaker 2: mean he's had Pro bowlers all over the O line. 837 00:44:46,120 --> 00:44:50,120 Speaker 2: So this old line is Elijah Vera Tucker. Major questions 838 00:44:50,120 --> 00:44:55,080 Speaker 2: at both tackles. I believe a rookie center, not a 839 00:44:55,120 --> 00:44:57,960 Speaker 2: ton of depth. I think it's a little bit of 840 00:44:58,080 --> 00:45:01,360 Speaker 2: an undoing for this. This is going to be first 841 00:45:01,400 --> 00:45:06,560 Speaker 2: defensive coach for Aaron Rodgers, first suboptimal O line, really 842 00:45:06,640 --> 00:45:10,280 Speaker 2: tough division and a harsh city that's not terribly forgiving. 843 00:45:11,080 --> 00:45:16,880 Speaker 2: What is a realistic expectation for the Jets nation? For 844 00:45:16,920 --> 00:45:19,040 Speaker 2: the people you talk to when you write a column, 845 00:45:19,120 --> 00:45:22,640 Speaker 2: the reaction, It's easy for me to just say, I mean, 846 00:45:22,880 --> 00:45:26,400 Speaker 2: I think it's a nine win team. The division's probably 847 00:45:26,440 --> 00:45:29,359 Speaker 2: the best in football. What say you and a New 848 00:45:29,480 --> 00:45:32,160 Speaker 2: Yorker who's a Jets fan? What is realistic that will 849 00:45:32,200 --> 00:45:35,000 Speaker 2: satisfy them at year end? Take a Super Bowl out. 850 00:45:36,120 --> 00:45:40,000 Speaker 5: I'll say ten and seven, make the Wildcard, finish second 851 00:45:40,040 --> 00:45:43,719 Speaker 5: behind Buffalo, and win a Wildcard round game and then 852 00:45:43,800 --> 00:45:46,799 Speaker 5: losing the divisional round at Kansas City at Cincinnati, get 853 00:45:46,840 --> 00:45:48,719 Speaker 5: whacked in that second playoff game. 854 00:45:48,760 --> 00:45:52,040 Speaker 4: But I think that's the problem is look at that schedule. 855 00:45:52,960 --> 00:45:55,399 Speaker 5: I mean, the first ten games, they could be three 856 00:45:55,440 --> 00:46:00,520 Speaker 5: and seven and not be playing that poorly, playing both 857 00:46:00,560 --> 00:46:03,799 Speaker 5: super Bowl teams right Philly and Kansas City. They're in 858 00:46:03,800 --> 00:46:07,120 Speaker 5: that division, they're starting against Buffalo, but at home, so 859 00:46:07,160 --> 00:46:10,160 Speaker 5: that's a game they really almost have to win if 860 00:46:10,160 --> 00:46:13,319 Speaker 5: you look at the first ten games. So I think 861 00:46:13,360 --> 00:46:16,440 Speaker 5: the formula for success, at least the way I define 862 00:46:16,440 --> 00:46:18,680 Speaker 5: it is go four and six in those first ten games, 863 00:46:18,719 --> 00:46:21,879 Speaker 5: and then they're winnable games those finals seven. They can 864 00:46:21,920 --> 00:46:25,280 Speaker 5: go maybe five and two sixty one, sneak into the 865 00:46:25,320 --> 00:46:28,720 Speaker 5: playoffs as a wild card, win a game, and then 866 00:46:29,320 --> 00:46:32,239 Speaker 5: face the end in the division around at Kansas City. 867 00:46:32,400 --> 00:46:34,480 Speaker 4: So I think that's a successful season. 868 00:46:34,520 --> 00:46:38,880 Speaker 5: And then add to enter year two of Aaron Rodgers 869 00:46:39,160 --> 00:46:41,640 Speaker 5: as one of the Super Bowl favorites to get out 870 00:46:41,719 --> 00:46:44,799 Speaker 5: of the AFC, I think that is at least somewhat realistic, 871 00:46:45,680 --> 00:46:50,480 Speaker 5: but maybe to too optimistic perhaps, And talking to some 872 00:46:50,600 --> 00:46:52,759 Speaker 5: Jets fans who are used to I always say this, 873 00:46:52,800 --> 00:46:54,279 Speaker 5: they hate when I say it. The Jets have not 874 00:46:54,400 --> 00:46:56,759 Speaker 5: reached the super Bowl, never mind win one since man 875 00:46:56,760 --> 00:46:57,520 Speaker 5: stepped on the moon. 876 00:46:57,520 --> 00:47:00,600 Speaker 4: That was a long time ago. They're used to. 877 00:47:00,640 --> 00:47:04,880 Speaker 5: They're wired to feel the worst is going to happen. 878 00:47:05,640 --> 00:47:08,239 Speaker 5: But I'm going to be pretty optimistic and I'll say 879 00:47:08,280 --> 00:47:09,719 Speaker 5: ten and seven and make the playoffs. 880 00:47:10,160 --> 00:47:15,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, it'll be really interesting. Because the Packers furnished him 881 00:47:15,200 --> 00:47:18,239 Speaker 2: with very good protection and two offensive coaches. Say what 882 00:47:18,280 --> 00:47:21,400 Speaker 2: you will about Mike McCarthy, there is We're seeing this 883 00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:24,480 Speaker 2: in New England with Belichick, who's virtually tone deaf to 884 00:47:24,560 --> 00:47:28,600 Speaker 2: offense made a DCDOC can't draft skilled players to save 885 00:47:28,600 --> 00:47:32,160 Speaker 2: his life. Even the best defensive coaches, they really they 886 00:47:32,160 --> 00:47:34,960 Speaker 2: don't talk the same language. So this is Aaron's and 887 00:47:35,440 --> 00:47:39,480 Speaker 2: Nathaniel Hackett's coming off for bruising, ugly performance in Denver. 888 00:47:39,920 --> 00:47:42,520 Speaker 2: So I do feel the pressures really on Aaron to 889 00:47:42,600 --> 00:47:46,279 Speaker 2: run the offense, and he's okay at that, but he 890 00:47:46,560 --> 00:47:49,360 Speaker 2: can also be a little aloof and a little disengaged 891 00:47:49,400 --> 00:47:52,240 Speaker 2: at times. Here's the thing that I've noticed about Aaron 892 00:47:53,000 --> 00:47:55,600 Speaker 2: that I don't think he's a bad guy. He can 893 00:47:55,640 --> 00:47:57,640 Speaker 2: be a little bit of a finger pointer, a little 894 00:47:57,680 --> 00:48:01,319 Speaker 2: passive aggressive when things go south. New York is going 895 00:48:01,400 --> 00:48:04,319 Speaker 2: to force you to answer tough questions. A green Bay 896 00:48:04,400 --> 00:48:06,800 Speaker 2: Midwestern media in is just not the same. 897 00:48:07,080 --> 00:48:08,080 Speaker 4: Like you drive. 898 00:48:08,280 --> 00:48:12,000 Speaker 2: I can remember driving to work when I was at ESPN, 899 00:48:12,160 --> 00:48:14,960 Speaker 2: and I would turn on New York radio and it 900 00:48:15,000 --> 00:48:18,520 Speaker 2: would set the tone for the discussion of the week, 901 00:48:19,160 --> 00:48:22,719 Speaker 2: like it's a tone setter, And I think you can 902 00:48:22,760 --> 00:48:25,120 Speaker 2: kind of roll your eyes. If you're Aaron Rodgers at 903 00:48:25,160 --> 00:48:28,840 Speaker 2: the small market, you know, Green Bay, relax, you go 904 00:48:29,080 --> 00:48:33,359 Speaker 2: relax to New Yorkers, that's not gonna play like they're 905 00:48:33,360 --> 00:48:36,759 Speaker 2: don't relax. What they're known for is intensity. How do 906 00:48:36,840 --> 00:48:39,840 Speaker 2: you think the Aarin media thing will play out? 907 00:48:40,360 --> 00:48:40,560 Speaker 1: Well? 908 00:48:40,600 --> 00:48:43,400 Speaker 4: So far, it's been a really good marriage. 909 00:48:43,400 --> 00:48:46,440 Speaker 5: I think he came in wanting to make the best 910 00:48:46,440 --> 00:48:49,719 Speaker 5: possible impression on the New York market, the fans, and 911 00:48:49,760 --> 00:48:51,840 Speaker 5: the media. I think the New York media thing is 912 00:48:51,880 --> 00:48:53,400 Speaker 5: a little bit of a mid since I've been in 913 00:48:53,400 --> 00:48:55,359 Speaker 5: it for thirty seven years. In that I think there's 914 00:48:55,400 --> 00:48:57,719 Speaker 5: just more of us would probably judge you a little 915 00:48:57,760 --> 00:49:01,680 Speaker 5: more harshly than every other market outside of Boston. But 916 00:49:02,080 --> 00:49:05,359 Speaker 5: I don't think the New York media is unfair. It's 917 00:49:05,600 --> 00:49:09,440 Speaker 5: large and it's tough, but not unfair. So he's got 918 00:49:09,440 --> 00:49:12,360 Speaker 5: an opportunity here. I think if you ever won a championship, 919 00:49:12,400 --> 00:49:14,520 Speaker 5: what would that do for his legacy? I mean, you 920 00:49:14,560 --> 00:49:16,239 Speaker 5: have Tom Brady's sitting there on the top of the 921 00:49:16,280 --> 00:49:19,239 Speaker 5: mountain with seven rings and Aaron's at one. If you 922 00:49:19,280 --> 00:49:22,240 Speaker 5: want to close that legacy gap to win a Super 923 00:49:22,280 --> 00:49:24,279 Speaker 5: Bowl for the New York Jets would go a long 924 00:49:24,320 --> 00:49:28,600 Speaker 5: way towards doing that, and so I think Rogers he 925 00:49:28,640 --> 00:49:30,960 Speaker 5: may have been disengaged in Green Bay, particularly at the 926 00:49:31,040 --> 00:49:34,120 Speaker 5: end he does. He has occasionally pointed fingers in a 927 00:49:34,280 --> 00:49:39,640 Speaker 5: passive aggressive way, but he hasn't been that figure so 928 00:49:39,719 --> 00:49:40,640 Speaker 5: far in New York at all. 929 00:49:40,840 --> 00:49:42,240 Speaker 4: I went out to all. 930 00:49:42,120 --> 00:49:48,840 Speaker 5: The open OTAs and by all accounts talking to players, coaches, executives, 931 00:49:49,120 --> 00:49:53,600 Speaker 5: he has been fully engaged in meeting rooms and practices 932 00:49:53,719 --> 00:49:56,560 Speaker 5: and just watching him. He's constantly talking to receivers, the 933 00:49:56,600 --> 00:50:00,200 Speaker 5: tight ends, offensive linemen, Hey do this. Let's talk about 934 00:50:00,239 --> 00:50:02,440 Speaker 5: that cut you just made coming out of your route. 935 00:50:02,640 --> 00:50:04,120 Speaker 5: I kind of like you to do it this way. 936 00:50:04,200 --> 00:50:07,920 Speaker 5: There's been a ton of that so so far. It's early. 937 00:50:08,239 --> 00:50:11,399 Speaker 5: Obviously we haven't started training camp yet. He has been 938 00:50:11,560 --> 00:50:14,280 Speaker 5: a very very good leader on and off the field 939 00:50:14,400 --> 00:50:17,160 Speaker 5: by all accounts. Let's see if it holds up, and 940 00:50:17,239 --> 00:50:20,400 Speaker 5: let's see how that translates on the field in September 941 00:50:20,440 --> 00:50:21,960 Speaker 5: when they play for real. 942 00:50:22,400 --> 00:50:24,280 Speaker 4: But as much as people. 943 00:50:24,120 --> 00:50:27,400 Speaker 5: Have talked about what an all time great quarterback can 944 00:50:27,440 --> 00:50:30,680 Speaker 5: do for this hapless franchise, I think there's a lot that. 945 00:50:30,680 --> 00:50:32,280 Speaker 4: New York Jets can do for Aaron Rodgers. 946 00:50:32,400 --> 00:50:34,799 Speaker 5: Like I just said, if he somehow can win one 947 00:50:35,160 --> 00:50:37,000 Speaker 5: in the two or three years that he plays here 948 00:50:37,120 --> 00:50:39,719 Speaker 5: in New York and gets ring number two, it's going 949 00:50:39,800 --> 00:50:42,560 Speaker 5: to feel like he won four rings. It's almost like 950 00:50:42,600 --> 00:50:45,200 Speaker 5: what Messier did coming to New York in ninety four, 951 00:50:45,640 --> 00:50:47,440 Speaker 5: even though he had won five in Edmonton. 952 00:50:47,880 --> 00:50:50,400 Speaker 4: He wins a Cup ends a. 953 00:50:49,800 --> 00:50:53,560 Speaker 5: What a fifty fifty four year drought, and the one 954 00:50:53,600 --> 00:50:56,400 Speaker 5: cup people talk about when they talk about his legacy 955 00:50:56,719 --> 00:50:58,680 Speaker 5: is the one he won for the Rangers in New York. 956 00:50:58,920 --> 00:51:01,680 Speaker 5: And he'll tell you that too. So I think that's 957 00:51:01,719 --> 00:51:04,440 Speaker 5: the kind of opportunity that Rogers has. Let's see how 958 00:51:04,440 --> 00:51:05,040 Speaker 5: it plays out. 959 00:51:06,040 --> 00:51:08,239 Speaker 2: I want to get a Knicks discussion in because the 960 00:51:08,239 --> 00:51:11,360 Speaker 2: free agent stuff today. When this airs on Friday, the 961 00:51:11,360 --> 00:51:15,000 Speaker 2: free agent opens up. I've said this, I believe Jalen 962 00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:18,200 Speaker 2: Brunson is the perfect New York Knicks star. So when 963 00:51:18,280 --> 00:51:20,640 Speaker 2: I lived in Connecticut and I still have friends in 964 00:51:20,680 --> 00:51:24,839 Speaker 2: New York, the Knicks were actually the most popular team. 965 00:51:24,880 --> 00:51:28,200 Speaker 2: Here's why. Because my baseball friends were split and my 966 00:51:28,320 --> 00:51:33,560 Speaker 2: NFL fans were split, Giants, Jets, Yankees, Mets. Everybody had 967 00:51:33,600 --> 00:51:36,400 Speaker 2: the Knicks as their favorite New York team or second 968 00:51:37,040 --> 00:51:40,080 Speaker 2: like some people would be big Yankee fans, but the Knicks, 969 00:51:40,800 --> 00:51:44,560 Speaker 2: the Nets were irrelevant the Knicks. Every friend I had 970 00:51:44,560 --> 00:51:49,279 Speaker 2: in the Northeast love the Knicks. It's an incredible baseball market. 971 00:51:49,360 --> 00:51:52,600 Speaker 2: It reminds me of Golden State. I grew up with 972 00:51:52,640 --> 00:51:57,960 Speaker 2: the Rick Berry, Al Addles, the coach, Clifford Ray, Jeff Mullen, 973 00:51:58,080 --> 00:52:01,680 Speaker 2: Keith Wilkes teams, and then they were bad forever, and 974 00:52:01,760 --> 00:52:05,040 Speaker 2: people forgot how great the Bay Area is at a 975 00:52:05,080 --> 00:52:08,600 Speaker 2: basketball city. When I lived out East, I couldn't believe 976 00:52:08,640 --> 00:52:12,440 Speaker 2: the Knicks would sell out. They were poorly owned, poorly run, 977 00:52:12,920 --> 00:52:17,359 Speaker 2: not likable, couldn't get tickets. And I said a couple 978 00:52:17,440 --> 00:52:20,880 Speaker 2: months ago, I said, Jalen Brunson is literally like Phil Simms. 979 00:52:21,640 --> 00:52:25,319 Speaker 2: He's becoming a star in New York, and I don't 980 00:52:25,320 --> 00:52:29,440 Speaker 2: know how great he is. That guy fits that city 981 00:52:30,200 --> 00:52:38,120 Speaker 2: like Villanova, late rounder, tough, accountable, almost better in big spots, 982 00:52:38,160 --> 00:52:40,319 Speaker 2: like better in the fourth than the first quarter, better 983 00:52:40,360 --> 00:52:42,480 Speaker 2: against the heat than he would be against the magic. 984 00:52:44,960 --> 00:52:49,080 Speaker 2: They have Julius Randall, there's Josh Hart, there's RJ. 985 00:52:49,280 --> 00:52:49,800 Speaker 4: Barrett. 986 00:52:51,320 --> 00:52:55,520 Speaker 2: To you, Randall feels like an expensive two. He's probably 987 00:52:55,520 --> 00:52:58,000 Speaker 2: more of a three. Do you think there is a 988 00:52:58,080 --> 00:53:02,800 Speaker 2: deal around Brunson that feels like because Brunson's going to 989 00:53:02,840 --> 00:53:05,880 Speaker 2: need another high end player? Is there something? Is it 990 00:53:05,920 --> 00:53:08,840 Speaker 2: a zion be a fortune teller here? What do you 991 00:53:09,040 --> 00:53:10,200 Speaker 2: think feels right? 992 00:53:11,520 --> 00:53:14,239 Speaker 4: I wrote this a while back. I always thought Carl 993 00:53:14,280 --> 00:53:15,919 Speaker 4: Anthony Towns would end up a Nick. 994 00:53:16,480 --> 00:53:20,319 Speaker 5: Grew up in New Jersey ties with Leon Roseho's running 995 00:53:20,320 --> 00:53:23,920 Speaker 5: the Knicks now as his former client. And obviously it 996 00:53:23,960 --> 00:53:28,080 Speaker 5: didn't work well with Tibbs the first time around in Minnesota. 997 00:53:28,160 --> 00:53:31,320 Speaker 5: They clashed, and I think part of that was Jimmy Butler. 998 00:53:31,360 --> 00:53:34,040 Speaker 5: But I think that I know for a fact that 999 00:53:34,560 --> 00:53:37,919 Speaker 5: Tom Thibodeau would be more than willing to coach Karl 1000 00:53:37,960 --> 00:53:41,160 Speaker 5: Anthony Towns again. Now the question is how much better 1001 00:53:41,160 --> 00:53:44,160 Speaker 5: do you think kat is than Julius Randall? Is there 1002 00:53:44,160 --> 00:53:47,399 Speaker 5: a significant difference between those two players. I think he's 1003 00:53:47,440 --> 00:53:50,759 Speaker 5: better than Randall and Randall Colin if you look at it, 1004 00:53:50,800 --> 00:53:54,440 Speaker 5: and his two playoff opportunities with the Knicks hasn't played 1005 00:53:54,440 --> 00:53:57,880 Speaker 5: that well. Now, he did restore most of his value 1006 00:53:57,960 --> 00:54:00,920 Speaker 5: this year after last year's near disaster or but he 1007 00:54:01,040 --> 00:54:03,720 Speaker 5: played at a really high level in the regular season 1008 00:54:03,719 --> 00:54:06,400 Speaker 5: this year, and I think he does have value around 1009 00:54:06,400 --> 00:54:08,759 Speaker 5: the league to some extent. So I think you could 1010 00:54:08,760 --> 00:54:11,320 Speaker 5: package him with the Knicks have a lot of draft 1011 00:54:11,360 --> 00:54:15,120 Speaker 5: assets and some good emerging young players to get a 1012 00:54:15,239 --> 00:54:18,520 Speaker 5: Carl Anthony Towns if you feel like I do believe 1013 00:54:18,560 --> 00:54:21,240 Speaker 5: now that I didn't think this when they got Jalen Brunson. 1014 00:54:21,640 --> 00:54:23,640 Speaker 5: I think you can win a championship with Jalen Brunston 1015 00:54:23,680 --> 00:54:25,920 Speaker 5: as your second best player. I did not think that 1016 00:54:25,960 --> 00:54:28,160 Speaker 5: when they signed him. I don't know how you felt. 1017 00:54:29,560 --> 00:54:32,200 Speaker 5: I just can't get over how impressed I am with 1018 00:54:32,280 --> 00:54:35,560 Speaker 5: him and everything you said I agree with about Brunson 1019 00:54:35,680 --> 00:54:36,960 Speaker 5: on and off the court. 1020 00:54:37,880 --> 00:54:41,120 Speaker 4: Brunson, See, here's the problem with the Knicks. To me, 1021 00:54:41,200 --> 00:54:43,239 Speaker 4: it's almost an RJ Barrett problem. 1022 00:54:43,920 --> 00:54:46,480 Speaker 5: R J Barrett is a good player, and he's going 1023 00:54:46,520 --> 00:54:48,680 Speaker 5: to be a good player for a long time, but 1024 00:54:48,719 --> 00:54:50,719 Speaker 5: I don't think he'll ever be a great player. And 1025 00:54:50,760 --> 00:54:52,319 Speaker 5: the problem is when you're six to six in the 1026 00:54:52,400 --> 00:54:55,800 Speaker 5: NBA in today's NBA, and he's a good athlete, but 1027 00:54:55,840 --> 00:54:59,680 Speaker 5: he's not explosive athletically, and he's not a good outside 1028 00:54:59,719 --> 00:55:02,239 Speaker 5: shoot now a good shooter from three. So I think 1029 00:55:02,239 --> 00:55:03,799 Speaker 5: when you're six to six in the NBA. To'd be 1030 00:55:03,880 --> 00:55:06,200 Speaker 5: great or at least very good, you have to be. 1031 00:55:06,200 --> 00:55:07,200 Speaker 4: One of those things. 1032 00:55:07,920 --> 00:55:10,200 Speaker 5: And so he represents the franchise the right way. He's 1033 00:55:10,200 --> 00:55:12,200 Speaker 5: a hard worker, he's a good player. I'm just not 1034 00:55:12,239 --> 00:55:14,319 Speaker 5: sure he's ever going to be more than that. So 1035 00:55:14,360 --> 00:55:16,839 Speaker 5: if he's positioned to be your third star, I'm not 1036 00:55:16,880 --> 00:55:20,759 Speaker 5: sure that's good enough. So if you yes, should they 1037 00:55:20,920 --> 00:55:23,920 Speaker 5: try to be in on Zion Wimson. Absolutely. I think 1038 00:55:24,000 --> 00:55:26,640 Speaker 5: Zion always wanted to play for the Knicks, and you 1039 00:55:26,640 --> 00:55:29,600 Speaker 5: could bring him in here and say, just get in shape, 1040 00:55:29,640 --> 00:55:31,920 Speaker 5: and you can take New York away from the two Errands, 1041 00:55:32,120 --> 00:55:33,040 Speaker 5: Judge and Rogers. 1042 00:55:33,280 --> 00:55:34,359 Speaker 4: This city will be yours. 1043 00:55:34,400 --> 00:55:35,919 Speaker 5: Because I was there in the nineties when the Knicks 1044 00:55:35,920 --> 00:55:37,920 Speaker 5: were good, knocking on the door and never won a title. 1045 00:55:38,239 --> 00:55:40,560 Speaker 5: They were bigger than the Yankees, who were winning titles 1046 00:55:41,120 --> 00:55:43,279 Speaker 5: both on the MSG network. The Knicks were the number 1047 00:55:43,360 --> 00:55:47,160 Speaker 5: one property on that network. So it can happen. Zion Williamson, 1048 00:55:47,680 --> 00:55:49,520 Speaker 5: you come to New York, which is where you wanted 1049 00:55:49,600 --> 00:55:53,080 Speaker 5: to be coming out of Duke, get in shape, play 1050 00:55:53,160 --> 00:55:55,719 Speaker 5: seventy out of eighty two games, and you can take 1051 00:55:55,760 --> 00:55:57,400 Speaker 5: this city away from the two Errands. 1052 00:55:57,680 --> 00:55:59,759 Speaker 4: I think that's that's certainly possible. 1053 00:56:00,080 --> 00:56:03,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think Carl Anthony Towns is more offensively skilled 1054 00:56:04,120 --> 00:56:07,200 Speaker 2: than Julius Randall. He doesn't give you the consistent effort. 1055 00:56:07,760 --> 00:56:10,239 Speaker 2: Julius is one of those players that plays hard every night, 1056 00:56:10,320 --> 00:56:13,080 Speaker 2: and that is so important in the regular season, but 1057 00:56:13,120 --> 00:56:16,480 Speaker 2: when everybody plays hard in the playoffs, his dominance is 1058 00:56:16,560 --> 00:56:19,960 Speaker 2: reduced and he becomes a really solid player. He really 1059 00:56:20,040 --> 00:56:22,279 Speaker 2: is an effort guy. He just out works people and 1060 00:56:22,400 --> 00:56:24,440 Speaker 2: ends up with twenty three points in the regular season. 1061 00:56:24,920 --> 00:56:27,719 Speaker 2: So I think he's a and he's pretty expensive. I 1062 00:56:27,800 --> 00:56:29,920 Speaker 2: like Julius Randall. I feel like the league sort of 1063 00:56:30,040 --> 00:56:32,600 Speaker 2: left him, like he gives you a bucket, not a three, 1064 00:56:32,640 --> 00:56:34,480 Speaker 2: And I feel like the Lakers kind of bailed on him. 1065 00:56:34,480 --> 00:56:37,279 Speaker 2: And I had a conversation with a Laker executive once. 1066 00:56:37,320 --> 00:56:40,640 Speaker 2: I'm like, you know, nobody plays harder, nobody shows up 1067 00:56:40,640 --> 00:56:43,279 Speaker 2: every night. He just needs to be your three, not 1068 00:56:43,360 --> 00:56:45,400 Speaker 2: your two or yr one. So I'm with you. I 1069 00:56:45,400 --> 00:56:47,919 Speaker 2: think if they get a one Jalen Bruns into two, 1070 00:56:47,960 --> 00:56:49,600 Speaker 2: I think they'll move RJ. 1071 00:56:49,800 --> 00:56:50,200 Speaker 1: Barrett. 1072 00:56:50,320 --> 00:56:52,960 Speaker 2: I'm with you. There's not really a there there. Like 1073 00:56:53,000 --> 00:56:55,400 Speaker 2: there's a lot of guys in my years of being 1074 00:56:55,400 --> 00:57:00,200 Speaker 2: a sportscaster. There are guys in the NBA. I mean 1075 00:57:00,239 --> 00:57:02,879 Speaker 2: Andrew Wiggins. Was this in Minnesota? You got twenty four 1076 00:57:02,920 --> 00:57:06,240 Speaker 2: a night. You didn't remember a bucket, You just didn't, 1077 00:57:06,239 --> 00:57:08,120 Speaker 2: And it's just like, how did he score? There was 1078 00:57:08,160 --> 00:57:12,759 Speaker 2: a player Sharif Abdul Raheem. Do you remember him the four? 1079 00:57:12,960 --> 00:57:13,160 Speaker 4: I do? 1080 00:57:13,400 --> 00:57:16,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, sure, twenty four a night. I don't remember any 1081 00:57:16,120 --> 00:57:18,560 Speaker 2: of the points. And then there's guys like Julius Randall 1082 00:57:18,640 --> 00:57:21,120 Speaker 2: or Brunson. You remember all of them. They're very impactful. 1083 00:57:21,360 --> 00:57:23,800 Speaker 2: So I think Karl Anthony Towns works and they also 1084 00:57:23,840 --> 00:57:27,120 Speaker 2: the Knicks also have some big athletic guys like Obi Toppin. 1085 00:57:27,400 --> 00:57:30,480 Speaker 2: They're not great players, but they certainly can be excellent 1086 00:57:30,600 --> 00:57:33,440 Speaker 2: rotational players in a place like Minnesota. They've got some 1087 00:57:33,600 --> 00:57:35,160 Speaker 2: size and athleticism in youth. 1088 00:57:35,640 --> 00:57:38,000 Speaker 5: Yeah, Mitchell Robinson is a good room protector, although he 1089 00:57:38,080 --> 00:57:39,680 Speaker 5: might have to go in a deal if you're getting 1090 00:57:40,120 --> 00:57:43,440 Speaker 5: cute at But I also think if you look at Minnesota, 1091 00:57:43,720 --> 00:57:45,880 Speaker 5: what's Anthony Edwards is still twenty one years old? The 1092 00:57:45,920 --> 00:57:48,680 Speaker 5: guy's averaging twenty five points a game at age twenty one. 1093 00:57:48,720 --> 00:57:50,960 Speaker 5: You got Gobert there. I think Julius Randall is a 1094 00:57:51,000 --> 00:57:54,720 Speaker 5: better fit with Gobert than Karl Anthony Towns is. So 1095 00:57:55,080 --> 00:57:58,600 Speaker 5: you try to look at it. What's realistic and it's 1096 00:57:58,640 --> 00:58:01,560 Speaker 5: not realistic to get certain players in the NBA to 1097 00:58:01,760 --> 00:58:04,919 Speaker 5: New York. I think now that they've established some credibility 1098 00:58:04,960 --> 00:58:07,080 Speaker 5: there and Dolan hasn't talked about as much as he 1099 00:58:07,240 --> 00:58:12,280 Speaker 5: was years ago. I think Kat is a big name 1100 00:58:12,400 --> 00:58:16,000 Speaker 5: that is realistic for a lot of reasons that we've. 1101 00:58:15,600 --> 00:58:16,280 Speaker 4: Talked about here. 1102 00:58:16,320 --> 00:58:17,840 Speaker 5: Now. Whether or not he's a guy who can get 1103 00:58:17,880 --> 00:58:20,680 Speaker 5: you to the NBA Finals with Brunson, I don't know. 1104 00:58:21,040 --> 00:58:24,600 Speaker 5: You might have to upgrade Barrett alongside those two two 1105 00:58:24,720 --> 00:58:26,440 Speaker 5: to get to that point, but I think it's a 1106 00:58:26,480 --> 00:58:26,880 Speaker 5: start 1107 00:58:44,080 --> 00:58:44,720 Speaker 4: The volume