1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,080 Speaker 1: It is the Bark Tank. It is presented by Sugardale, 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: and we are down to the final fifty three. Welcome 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: friends from the home office. My name is ANDREWS. Csiliano. 4 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:14,319 Speaker 1: After the Browns wrap up their first perfect preseason three 5 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: to zero for the first time since twenty twenty one, 6 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: they're coming off the playoff season, obviously in a playoff 7 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 1: victory in Pittsburgh in twenty twenty. As we sit here 8 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 1: as we record this edition of The Bark Tank, the 9 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 1: Browns have just cut their roster down to fifty three. 10 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: We'll get to some names or some news off that 11 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: list a second, but let's go back to Monday evening, 12 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:40,280 Speaker 1: where shortly before nine o'clock, the Browns decided they weren't 13 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 1: going to keep four quarterbacks. They were going to keep three. 14 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:48,040 Speaker 1: Kenny Pickett was traded to the Raiders to Vegas in 15 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: exchange for a fifth round pick I actually think, and 16 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 1: I said this and posted this on social right after 17 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:56,600 Speaker 1: the trade, that it's a win win for both teams. 18 00:00:56,920 --> 00:00:59,400 Speaker 1: Let's start with the Browns. They had sett all along, 19 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: and they meant that they were totally fine keeping four quarterbacks. 20 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 1: Andrew Berry reiterated that to both Chris Rose and Joe Thomas, 21 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: friends of the program doing the News five TV broadcast 22 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 1: during the game Saturday that he viewed it. The team 23 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: viewed it as an opportunity, not as a burden. And 24 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 1: I'm paraphrasing here, but when Aidan O'Connell later on that 25 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 1: evening broke his wrist and the Raiders find out that 26 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,320 Speaker 1: he's got two months, and Pete Carroll says that we 27 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: need an experienced veteran, and Kenny Pickett is that twenty 28 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: five career starts. Then if you could get back the 29 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:35,119 Speaker 1: fifth round pick that you gave up to Philadelphia, why 30 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 1: not do it. I really do think that Kenny Pickett 31 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 1: had a good a legit. I mean you might even 32 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: say likely shot to win the starting job, but it 33 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 1: didn't matter. That competition never developed because he injured his hamstring. 34 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:51,920 Speaker 1: It's unfortunate for Kenny. I truly truly wish he had 35 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: that opportunity, but I think this is a good opportunity 36 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: for him as well. In Vegas, backing up Gino Smith 37 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: look at it from this perspective as well. The Browns 38 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 1: traded Dorian Thompson, Robinson and a fifth round pick to 39 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: Philadelphia in exchange for Kenny Pickett. Kenny Pickett now moves 40 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 1: to Vegas. In essence, you're trading DTR, who the Eagles 41 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:16,679 Speaker 1: waived for a fifth round pick. And remember a few 42 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: years ago DTR was taken out of UCLA as a 43 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 1: fifth round pick. So you recoup that fifth round pick 44 00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:28,000 Speaker 1: that you used on DTR and you get that in 45 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:32,000 Speaker 1: twenty twenty six. It's a push, it's a wash, and 46 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 1: it's a win there For the Browns, now, people say, well, 47 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 1: I thought you were going to keep four. Well, it 48 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 1: is easier to keep three, isn't it. I mean, especially 49 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: with uncertainty and running back and injuries that linebacker and 50 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:48,760 Speaker 1: questions in the secondary, it's a lot easier when you 51 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 1: have that extra roster spot. And so with that, it's 52 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,120 Speaker 1: easier and you move on and you get the fifth 53 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 1: round pick. Okay, so there's the Kenny Pickett situation. Meantime, 54 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 1: as for the roster, there were some surprising moves. I 55 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 1: think some of those surprising moves are going to come 56 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:07,839 Speaker 1: back and join the practice squad. So by the time 57 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 1: you watch this, it's not worth going through each and 58 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:13,359 Speaker 1: every one of those moves. But what stood out to 59 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 1: me a couple of things. Number One, Mike Hall passed 60 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 1: his physical. We haven't seen Mike Hall on the field 61 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 1: since Week eighteen last year, when the second round pick, 62 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 1: the defensive tackle who I thought was an ascending player 63 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: and playing well at that point, injured his knee on 64 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: that horrible cold afternoon in Baltimore. Mike Hall's not on 65 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 1: injured reserve, He's not on any list. He's passed his physical. 66 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 1: Now I don't know when he's going to be on 67 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 1: the field. That right now seems uncertain. Kevin Stefanski wouldn't 68 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 1: shed much light on it after practice on Tuesday, but 69 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: the idea that he's not on the shelf automatically for 70 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: the first four weeks is a positive side. It is 71 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 1: a blow that Winston Reid has to go on injured reserve, 72 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 1: but the Browns designate him to return, so he is 73 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: out just the four games. Fingers crossed and the Browns 74 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 1: also make a move. They make a trade other than 75 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: Kenny Pickett. They sign, or rather they give up a 76 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: seventh round pick to La to bring in Kt Leviston, 77 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 1: who's an offensive lineman that they saw play for the 78 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 1: Rams against the Browns on Saturday. He actually started in 79 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: that game at left tackle. He's going to be wearing 80 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 1: seventy two and was on the practice field on Tuesday. 81 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:29,279 Speaker 1: He was a seventh round pick last year for the Rams. 82 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 1: They really liked him in the preseason and he made 83 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 1: the team, but he was on II. He had an 84 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: ankle injury. They brought him back and he practiced late 85 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: in the year, but they never activated him. The Rams 86 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 1: they would have, but they needed that roster spot. They 87 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 1: were up against it in terms of the number of 88 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 1: players that they were allowed to bring back, and they 89 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 1: eventually decided that Leviston was not going to be one 90 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: of those guys. But listen, you need a solid backup 91 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 1: here or you need an extra body. He's more of 92 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:04,600 Speaker 1: a road grad stylistically here he's a mauler. But with 93 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: Cornelius Lucas nursing the ankle injury which he suffered Week 94 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 1: two against Philadelphia in the preseason, this is a solid 95 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: depth move. Also notable, on cutdown Day, the Browns released 96 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:21,320 Speaker 1: Dustin Hopkins. As good as his twenty twenty three was, 97 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 1: we all saw what happened in twenty twenty four. He 98 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 1: missed a couple of extra points in the preseason, and 99 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: there was also candidly an extra point in Carolina, and 100 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 1: we called it as we saw it. Of the moment 101 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 1: that was called good that honestly didn't necessarily look good 102 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 1: on the replay, so much so as they went to 103 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: the TV time out, the officials that night in Charlotte 104 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:42,719 Speaker 1: were gathering there on the sideline in front of the 105 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: Carolina bench discussing if there's something we can do about it. 106 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,160 Speaker 1: But to the end, whatever they said, the kick was good, 107 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:52,479 Speaker 1: and maybe it was, but regardless, so Andre, I'm sorry. 108 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 1: Dustin Hopkins was phenomenal in twenty twenty three. We all 109 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:59,160 Speaker 1: love the guy, and I am confident that Dustin Hopkins 110 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:01,840 Speaker 1: is going to figure out get another shot and still 111 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:05,600 Speaker 1: be the weapon that we saw him to be back 112 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty three, where fifty yard bombs were easy, 113 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: I mean they were automatic practically. Unfortunately, that guy was 114 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: not the guy that we saw last year. And this 115 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 1: year the Browns are going to roll with a guy 116 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: named Andre Schmidt who didn't get a chance to kick 117 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: in the preseason or at all in the NFL. He 118 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: had been to the Bears, but wasn't able to make 119 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:33,040 Speaker 1: a kick right even try a kick in a game. 120 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 1: He finally got that opportunity two weeks ago in Philadelphia, 121 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 1: and now he is the guy. It is a pleasure 122 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:45,279 Speaker 1: to have the Browns new kicker in the bark tank. 123 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:47,680 Speaker 1: He was here a little bit last year and then 124 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 1: won the job at the end of training camp and 125 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: is on the final fifty three. Andre Schmidt, congratulations man. 126 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 2: Thank you. I appreciate him. 127 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:58,320 Speaker 1: How did they break the news to you? 128 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 2: Honestly, it was out at practice, so I had a 129 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,960 Speaker 2: kind of a good idea, but you know, Ab and 130 00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 2: a bunch of other people came out to me. I figured, 131 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 2: knowing I had a good idea when I was at 132 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:14,760 Speaker 2: practice and at the workout that I was like, Okay, 133 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 2: I guess I'm the guy. 134 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 1: This is so wild. So for those who don't know 135 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 1: the timeline, you guys took the field at like three 136 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 1: o'clock roughly, and the cutdown is four o'clock officially. So 137 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: you're sitting here, I'm assuming going like, wait a minute, 138 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 1: like they haven't told me anything yes yet, So I 139 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 1: guess I'm putting my uniform on and I guess I'm 140 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 1: going out there. 141 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly. That's pretty much sums up how I went. 142 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 1: Did you keep looking over your shoulder, like is ab 143 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: coming out of the building. 144 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 2: No, I think it was out at practice right when 145 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 2: I was like, I was hitting like a little field 146 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 2: goal set during practicing. He came out to me. He 147 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 2: said some sense of good words, and yeah, I was excited. 148 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 1: That's amazing, and everybody was excited as well. When you 149 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 1: hit the game this past Saturday and the Browns go 150 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: to three and zero in the preseason for the first 151 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 1: time in four years, I know you kind of had 152 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 1: an idea that it would be your second half and 153 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 1: that you get a chance to kick there after the 154 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 1: Rams took the lead and it became apparent that if 155 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: Snoop could get the Browns into field goal position, that 156 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 1: you would have this opportunity. Are you thinking, hey, this 157 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 1: is my shot, this is my dream. I can make 158 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:32,559 Speaker 1: this kick and make the team. 159 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 2: I didn't think about it in such detail, but we 160 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 2: kind of joked around with other specialists. We kind of 161 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 2: keep things light, you know, and we're like, hey, this 162 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,680 Speaker 2: could come down in a game winner. So I have 163 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 2: my process. Obviously, I'm in the net warming up, like 164 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 2: seeing how the drive is playing out, and then when 165 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 2: it was time to call my number to go out 166 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:54,959 Speaker 2: there and kick. You know, we went out there, Rex 167 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 2: threw a perfect ball, Corey a perfect hold, and then 168 00:08:57,640 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 2: you know, we just made the kick. 169 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:01,840 Speaker 1: I'm very reflect on the journey if you could, and 170 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 1: I know probably when you go home later tonight or 171 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:09,840 Speaker 1: maybe after that first game on September seventh against the Bengals, 172 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: you have more time to breathe and process. But for 173 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 1: those who don't know, you were a soccer player growing 174 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:18,440 Speaker 1: up in suburban Chicago, like right down the street from 175 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,080 Speaker 1: Hallis Hall, where the Bears trained, and you didn't even 176 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 1: really try football, correct me if I'm wrong until you 177 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 1: were junior in high school. 178 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 2: Yeah. So, I think the first ball I ever kicked 179 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 2: was when I was a freshman, but I don't think 180 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:36,439 Speaker 2: I kicked the football again till junior year of high school, 181 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:38,320 Speaker 2: when I was like, hey, you know, like maybe I 182 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:41,079 Speaker 2: could do this, and I was like playing in front 183 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 2: of like fans and stuff, and that was always my dream, 184 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:46,440 Speaker 2: is to be a professional soccer player, professional athlete in general, 185 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:50,120 Speaker 2: and just playing those big, big stadiums, and obviously football 186 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 2: games had more fans than the soccer game. So I 187 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:54,559 Speaker 2: was like, you know, like I'll give a shot. My 188 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:59,319 Speaker 2: senior year. Yeah, so I did, And I mean there's 189 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 2: much more to the story if we want to unravel it, 190 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 2: but well let's do it. 191 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:05,719 Speaker 1: I mean Vernon Hills High School, and then you ended 192 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 1: up at Syracuse and then in twenty eighteen you win 193 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 1: I love the symmetry here, you win the lou Groza Award. Obviously, 194 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 1: now you're you're you're getting a paycheck at seventy six 195 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:18,680 Speaker 1: Luke Rosa Boulevard. That's another part of the story here, 196 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 1: but like bam, you burst onto the scene a guy 197 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 1: who at that point in twenty eighteen, you'd only been 198 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 1: kicking a football two three years. 199 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 2: Yeah. So I actually walked on to Syracuse and then 200 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 2: I read shirted my first year, and that first year 201 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:37,200 Speaker 2: playing that that's when we won the lou Groza. And yeah, 202 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,520 Speaker 2: it's been a it's been a journey since. Spent six 203 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 2: years and in Syracuse and then was with Chicago back 204 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 2: home right down the street from where I grew up. Obviously, 205 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 2: hallis Hall for training camp, OTAs and training camp, and 206 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 2: then was released, ended up playing in the UFL last spring, 207 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 2: and then just had a slew of workouts last year 208 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 2: that led to work out here and then obviously practice 209 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 2: squad and then signing a futures and having a chance 210 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 2: to come and compete. 211 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:10,319 Speaker 1: I want to go back to your summer two years 212 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:12,880 Speaker 1: ago with the Bears. Correct me if I'm wrong. You 213 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 1: never got a chance to kick during a game, right. 214 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,480 Speaker 2: That's correct. I was released before the first preseason game. 215 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:22,319 Speaker 1: So here you are. You could you could basically, I mean, 216 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: no one wants to ride their bike on town Line Road, 217 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:28,520 Speaker 1: but you could basically ride your bike to Hallas Hall 218 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:29,559 Speaker 1: from your house. 219 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 2: Right, yeah, yeah, you get it. 220 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 1: You get signed by the Bears, but you never got 221 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 1: a chance to kick. I would have to imagine like 222 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 1: that that's a gut punch. 223 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it. It was a bummer for sure. 224 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 2: Obviously you want to even if you're not the guy, 225 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:46,679 Speaker 2: you know, you want to get preseason tape and that 226 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 2: means so much. And I ended up actually not having 227 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 2: any workouts that year, and I feel like kind of 228 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:56,199 Speaker 2: my talents went unnoticed. So I was blessed to receive 229 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:58,439 Speaker 2: an opportunity to play in the UFL or compete, I 230 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 2: should say for a job in the UFL, because that 231 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:04,559 Speaker 2: led to obviously all this, and I mean I couldn't 232 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 2: be more grateful. 233 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you seize that opportunity. You hit a sixty 234 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: one yarder, which is a career high at any level 235 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 1: for the Saint Louis BattleHawks Juggernaut as they were. You 236 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 1: did that, it should be noted onre outdoors, Right, that 237 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:20,840 Speaker 1: was a sixty one yard kick outdoors in Birmingham. 238 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:22,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's correct. 239 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 1: Okay, And then you also had to dig this up 240 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:28,240 Speaker 1: as the su guy, you hit a fifty four yarder 241 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 1: in twenty eighteen on the road at pit at Heinz Field. 242 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 1: What was then heinz Field now Atrocher Right, Yeah, so 243 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 1: in the Steelers building a fifty four yard or in 244 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: the rain. 245 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 2: Yeah it was. Yeah, that's good, that's good fact checking. 246 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:47,080 Speaker 1: I had looked that up. So my point is, you know, 247 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: I know, people go, ah, you kicked indoors. You have 248 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:53,200 Speaker 1: plenty of experience kicking outdoors in the elements as well. 249 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:56,439 Speaker 2: Definitely. Yeah. I think a lot of people are like, oh, 250 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 2: you come from Syracuse, how is it playing in a dome? 251 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 2: But I mean, honestly, like, I think kicking outside has 252 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 2: another element to it where you have the win, that's 253 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 2: kind of you have something to play the ball with, 254 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 2: or that wind is going to some people. Some people. 255 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 2: I'm not the only one who thinks this, but I 256 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:19,280 Speaker 2: think playing outside the wind, you have an idea of 257 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 2: where you want to play and what's going to happen 258 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 2: to the ball, where indoors you like, are really relying on, like, hey, 259 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 2: you hit this ball, you know you hit You hit 260 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:28,599 Speaker 2: a little bit of a pole, like you're going to 261 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 2: pull it. But if it's going left to right wind, 262 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 2: you hit a little bit of a pole, it kind 263 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:34,080 Speaker 2: of helps you out because you have that wind coming 264 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 2: across helping it. So it's kind of diving pretty pretty 265 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 2: deep into it. But I kind of like it because 266 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 2: in second golf, I feel like if you have an idea, 267 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 2: hey I'm going to play this left side of like 268 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 2: the bunker, you know it's going to draw or fade 269 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 2: back into the middle of the green. 270 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:53,040 Speaker 1: So no, it's it's an interesting conversation. Everyone's got their 271 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:55,160 Speaker 1: own thing, and yeah, it's very much like golf. And 272 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 1: when you have your swing, you have it. When you 273 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:58,439 Speaker 1: lose it, you lose it. And then it's it's you're 274 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 1: standing on top of the ball, going right, what am 275 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 1: I doing here? Obviously you never want to get to 276 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: that spot, but every kicker has experienced that. I'm sure 277 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 1: at one point you kicked outside in Philly week two, 278 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:11,560 Speaker 1: and obviously you kicked at Huntington bank Field a couple 279 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 1: of days ago. Between now and the opener, are you 280 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 1: going to go down there and try to get some 281 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 1: work in and look at Phil Dawson's flag and all 282 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 1: that to try to get a better feel for the place. 283 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, we actually talked about it. I think I think 284 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 2: we'll get down there hopefully sometime like later this week 285 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,240 Speaker 2: or early next week, and you know, just get a 286 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 2: proper experience there. I think obviously I had the warm 287 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 2: up there, but you know, Corey's doing his own thing 288 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 2: and I'm like, hey, what's the wind playing? How's it 289 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:39,360 Speaker 2: usually go? And like I kind of had a good idea, 290 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:41,320 Speaker 2: but you know, to really talk it out and see 291 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 2: and feel it out and hit some balls and just 292 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 2: see what happens to just how the wind plays it, 293 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 2: I think will be really useful. 294 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, like sometime on the driving range, you use the 295 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: golf analogy before you actually get out there and have 296 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 1: to play the round. With all that said, there's always 297 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 1: a personal element, the personal element for you and also 298 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 1: the personal element for Dustin Hopkins. You guys, kickers are 299 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 1: a tight fraternity really, all special teams players, but kickers especially. 300 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: You mentioned tryouts last year, like there's been great stories 301 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 1: written about, you know, all the kickers almost showing up 302 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 1: at the same place when whenever someone needs to try out, 303 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: you guys all show up together. You guys all know 304 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,240 Speaker 1: each other. Have you had a chance to talk to 305 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: Dustin about obviously what's good news for him but bad news. 306 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 1: Good news for you, but bad news for him. 307 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, we had such a great relationship with each other, 308 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 2: you know, all OTAs and training camp and even last year, 309 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:37,960 Speaker 2: like for the one week I spent here, And he's 310 00:15:37,960 --> 00:15:40,720 Speaker 2: always supported me. I've always supported him, and we've always 311 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 2: bounced ideas off each other and stuff in practice and 312 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:45,720 Speaker 2: even the game. Hey, how's the win playing? How's this? 313 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 2: And we're always helping each other out. And I got 314 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 2: to catch him in the locker room thankfully, and we 315 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 2: said up on a couple of words to each other 316 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 2: and it's all positive. 317 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: All. 318 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 2: Hey, I'm rooting for you. You know, I wish nothing 319 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 2: for the best. I wish nothing but the best for 320 00:15:58,520 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 2: him in his future. 321 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:02,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I have no doubt that he will rise again. 322 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 1: He will find a spot somewhere else and he will 323 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:08,080 Speaker 1: be kicking and kicking well again. Finally, last one here, Andre, 324 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: before we let you go. Growing up in Chicago, I 325 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 1: assume Robbie Gold is probably gone with the Niners by 326 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 1: that point. I'm not sure. Did you have a kicking hero, 327 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: someone you looked up to, someone you wanted to be 328 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 1: when you decided, Hey, the heck with soccer, I want 329 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 1: to do this. 330 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean Robbie Gold was definitely one of those guys. 331 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:32,000 Speaker 2: I mean he was definitely like a touch kicker and 332 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:34,520 Speaker 2: in those windy places, I mean you see success with that. 333 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 2: And I mean one guy recent history, Cairo, who was 334 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 2: in Chicago. I mean we have a great relationship to 335 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:44,200 Speaker 2: talking about the fraternity, and he helped me a lot 336 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 2: when I was in Chicago, just with the wind and 337 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 2: how to play it and everything. And he's obviously had 338 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 2: a ton of success in Chicago, so we still keep 339 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 2: in contact and he's definitely helped me a lot too. 340 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,960 Speaker 2: And as somebody I look up to currently in the league. 341 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 1: Awesome, And I'm sure other kickers, young kickers now can 342 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 1: look up to you. Andre Schmidt, the new kicker of 343 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 1: the Cleveland Browns on the final fifty three and set 344 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: for Week one against the Bengals on September seventh. Andre, 345 00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 1: congratulations again, see at the stadium. 346 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 2: Thank you. Sounds good see you there. 347 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 1: And I just want to say, for the record here, 348 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 1: because this has been a thing between Nathan Nathan Zeger 349 00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:24,679 Speaker 1: obviously and the great Gibbe Jason Gibbs about how often 350 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 1: I talk about Syracuse in general. I didn't bring it up, 351 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 1: by the way, during the game on Saturday. Just this 352 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:34,919 Speaker 1: is Andre Schmid going to hit the game winner, and 353 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 1: he did. I didn't bring it up, but it's good 354 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:40,840 Speaker 1: to have him, and I'll just leave it at that. Okay, good, 355 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 1: Let's go around the league, all right? What sizzlin around 356 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 1: the league? This is presented to you by Sugardale. Let's 357 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:50,680 Speaker 1: roll through the AFC. North Browns get the Bengals Week 358 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:53,880 Speaker 1: one at Huntington Bankfield, and they are yet ready. They 359 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:56,959 Speaker 1: are going to face Trey Hendrickson, who worked out a 360 00:17:57,040 --> 00:17:59,879 Speaker 1: deal on Monday, not an extension, not a new contract. 361 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 1: The Bengals just made him feel better with fourteen extra million, 362 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 1: so he went from sixteen up to thirty. And the 363 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:08,720 Speaker 1: man who cumulatively has led the NFL in sacks the 364 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:11,440 Speaker 1: last two years with fifty seven, is going to make 365 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: thirty million dollars a year. 366 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 2: Now. 367 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 1: There's no guarantee the Bengals wont with the franchise tag 368 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: on him next year, but if you look at it 369 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 1: right now, it's likely cost prohibitive. So in all likelihood, 370 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 1: Trey Hendrickson will hit free agency in twenty twenty six, 371 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: but more importantly for the interests of this conversation, he 372 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:33,240 Speaker 1: will be there Week one at Huntington bank Field. Meantime, 373 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 1: in Pittsburgh, the former Buckeye quarterback Will Howard is going 374 00:18:36,119 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 1: to open the season on injured reserve, which means he 375 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 1: is out for at least four weeks, so the Browns 376 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,960 Speaker 1: will not face him. Granted, they'll face Aaron Rodgers potentially 377 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,600 Speaker 1: week six, but Will Howard could potentially be back on 378 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:53,440 Speaker 1: the active roster by that point. And speaking of Buckeye's 379 00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:57,879 Speaker 1: Tray Sermon, among the Steelers cut at the deadline on Tuesday, 380 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 1: the former Ohio state back and you Eat Bishop, who 381 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 1: had a really nice rookie season last year in the secondary, 382 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:09,800 Speaker 1: also released. And in Baltimore, Lamar Jackson is fine, John 383 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 1: Harbaugh said, that after the scare last week, the quarterback 384 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: is back on the practice field and he will be 385 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:18,399 Speaker 1: good to go against the Bills. How about that for 386 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:22,200 Speaker 1: a Week one game coming up next week. 387 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 2: That's going to do it. 388 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: For this edition of Bark Tank presented by Sugardale, the 389 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:29,439 Speaker 1: roster is fluid, but as we sit here right now, 390 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 1: the Browns have their initial fifty three. Thanks to the 391 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:35,840 Speaker 1: new kicker, Andre Schmidt for joining us. My name is 392 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: andrews Aciliano. Be sure to like, subscribe, share, tell your friends, 393 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:42,440 Speaker 1: your neighbors, whomever you want to about the Bark Tank. 394 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: We'll see you next time.