1 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: This is the OTP presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans. 2 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: Plan on paying less for the coverage that you need 3 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: with Farm Bureau Health Plans. Get a quote today at 4 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:23,079 Speaker 1: FBHP dot com. Matt Miller from ESPN joins us here 5 00:00:23,239 --> 00:00:26,479 Speaker 1: on the OTP. Matt, There's so many things that I 6 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: want to ask you about, but I feel like I 7 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: need before we get into the football stuff. You know, 8 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 1: we need to go all the way back to the beginning. 9 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: Because you're from Joplin, Missouri, that's right, and you were 10 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: working for a CFL team there. How do you get 11 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:42,880 Speaker 1: from that to ESPN being one of their main draft analysts. 12 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 2: A lot of luck. 13 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:45,240 Speaker 3: It was a lot of luck and being in the 14 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:47,239 Speaker 3: right place at the right time. I went from, you know, 15 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 3: working for CFL and AFL teams to a little company 16 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 3: called Bleacher Report was starting up and needed writers. I 17 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 3: had never heard of it before, but I saw a 18 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 3: posting on the Internet and thought, you know, I could 19 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:00,240 Speaker 3: do that because I had always you know, i'd had 20 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 3: a blog doing what I do now, but only like 21 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:05,199 Speaker 3: ten people were reading it back then. And I applied 22 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 3: a Bleacher Report in twenty ten, and like the rest 23 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 3: is history. So it's been a crazy thirteen year ride 24 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 3: from coaching semi pro football and working for you know, 25 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 3: fifty dollars a scatting report for the CFL. But it's 26 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 3: been a lot of fun. 27 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:22,319 Speaker 1: And in twenty twenty three, during the Draft in Kansas City, 28 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 1: you were able to be a part of ESPN's draft coverage. 29 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 1: What was that experience? 30 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 3: Like, Oh, my gosh, I mean literally a dream come true. 31 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 3: Not just to be you know, on ESPN sitting next 32 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 3: to mel Kiper and Lewis Riddick covering the draft before 33 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:36,839 Speaker 3: it's to happen, and you know, close to your hometown. 34 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 3: You know, my family, I didn't know they were going 35 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 3: to be there. They surprised me, like right before we 36 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 3: went on air. They're like, hey, turn around, and I'm like, 37 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:45,960 Speaker 3: what you know, And like my mom and dad are 38 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 3: standing there with my wife and kids, and it's like 39 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 3: I have thirty seconds before I'm live on TV. So 40 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 3: like I can't get emotional, but it's like it was 41 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 3: such a great moment to have that, So it was 42 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 3: it was great. 43 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: That's incredible. And you write just all of the things 44 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: draft and one of the main things that you do 45 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: or that I consume a lot of is the mock drafts. 46 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 1: Of course, everybody loves a good mock draft. And when 47 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 1: people are putting those things together, what is step one? 48 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 4: Where do you start? 49 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean you have to have a good foundation 50 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 3: of team needs, scheme fits, you have to have a 51 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 3: good foundation of where players are ranked. But I think 52 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,519 Speaker 3: a good mock draft relies on information. You know, it's 53 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 3: not what I would do, it's what Ran Carthon is 54 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 3: going to do. And so you have to have those connections. 55 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,079 Speaker 3: Maybe it's not always the general manager, maybe it's not 56 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 3: always the head coach, but those connections to say like, hey, 57 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 3: where are you guys leaning or hopefully they can help 58 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 3: you kind of complete that puzzle of you know, maybe 59 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:38,360 Speaker 3: we're looking at pass rushers or maybe we're looking at 60 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 3: offensive tackles, and then I can kind of do the 61 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 3: rest of the work and say, okay, well this is 62 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 3: the offensive tackle who might be there, or this is 63 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 3: the wide receiver who might be there. So it's it's 64 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 3: having those that you've got to be organized so that 65 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 3: you know, all right, here are the players who should 66 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 3: be drafted in that range, here's what that team actually needs, 67 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 3: here's maybe the player profile that they like. And then 68 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,080 Speaker 3: you can connect the dots a little bit well. 69 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 1: And having that sperience in the CFL and the AFL, 70 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 1: you're able to probably have a lot of sources or connections. 71 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:08,519 Speaker 4: There's so much overlap now. 72 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 3: Oh no, absolutely, And that's a nice way of saying 73 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 3: I'm old in this business now, right. That's why I 74 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 3: appreciate that. But it is, you know, over time. When 75 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 3: I started, I was in my mid twenties, which is 76 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 3: what a lot of area scouts are in their mid twenties. 77 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:21,640 Speaker 3: So I think I was approachable in that way because 78 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 3: we're about the same age, you know, and it was 79 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 3: admitted easier. And so it's been fun to watch those guys, 80 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:28,079 Speaker 3: you know, come up through the business at the same 81 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 3: time that I have been and be able to keep 82 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 3: those connections. 83 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 1: So here in Indianapolis at the scouting combine, there's been 84 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 1: a lot of conversation about the offense, about quarterbacks, wide receivers, 85 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: the offensive line. Everybody's very excited about all of those things. 86 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 1: So of course I would like to talk about the 87 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 1: defensive side. Oh there we go, well, yep it yeah, 88 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 1: I would like to talk about those players, those position groups. 89 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: Give them some love. Is there a defensive position group 90 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: that you are really excited about watching this week. 91 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the corner position is it's always fun 92 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 3: because those guys are really fast. You know, that's a 93 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 3: lot of fun to watch. But also I think we're 94 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 3: still trying to figure out who is who in this class. 95 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 3: You know, I think Terry and Arnold from Alabama is 96 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 3: one of my favorite players in the entire draft. So 97 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:09,920 Speaker 3: I would say, okay, he's corner one, But who's next? 98 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 3: You know, is it quinnyon Mitchell who had a great 99 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 3: Senior Bowl? Is it in this Rakes draw from Missouri? 100 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 3: Is it someone like coolingmit History from Alabama? So I 101 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 3: think that's what makes this a really important week is 102 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 3: getting all those players together and being able to evaluate 103 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:24,280 Speaker 3: them side by side and try to, you know, break 104 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 3: some of those ties in your rankings. 105 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:28,280 Speaker 1: I know that the defensive line position is something that 106 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:31,479 Speaker 1: has been talked a little bit because some say there's 107 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: a lot of depth. 108 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:34,719 Speaker 4: There, some say there's a pretty big drop off. What 109 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 4: is your evaluation, nor I. 110 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:38,159 Speaker 3: Think there is depth, but I do think there is 111 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 3: a drop off as well. So like when you get 112 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 3: past the number five defensive end, for example, there's going 113 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 3: to be a drop off, and you're starting to look 114 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 3: at players who maybe are more toolsy than they are 115 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 3: a complete project or a complete prospect. Excuse me, But 116 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,479 Speaker 3: then a defensive tackle, there's Byron Murphy from Texas who's 117 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 3: going to go pretty early, and then there's a drop off, 118 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 3: and we're waiting to see, you know, to someone like 119 00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 3: Jersey Newton from Illinois or to Andandre Sweat from Texas 120 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 3: do they take that next step and get into maybe 121 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:05,599 Speaker 3: the top forty picks. So the combay is gonna be 122 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 3: huge for figuring out those tiers and to find out 123 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 3: where those drop offs are. But I agree, you know, 124 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,720 Speaker 3: defensive end, we might see five go between pick ten 125 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 3: and pick thirty two, but then we could see that 126 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 3: a pretty steep decline. 127 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:19,159 Speaker 1: Is there a position group, especially on the defensive side 128 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:23,280 Speaker 1: of the ball, that you are exceptionally excited about in 129 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: terms of maybe being able to earn a little. 130 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 4: More respect for that group? 131 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: Is there one that maybe has the ability to make 132 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: some money this week? 133 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, corner is obviously, but linebacker everyone and 134 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 3: I would even say, you know what is one of 135 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 3: the weakest positions in this draft. Linebacker? It really is 136 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 3: just not a super top heavy linebacker class. But players 137 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 3: like Drin Cooper from Texas A and M I think 138 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 3: he's gonna do a hear Junior Colson from Michigan, Cedric 139 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 3: Gray from North Carolina could all, you know, not only 140 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 3: earn that respect but also earn a lot of money 141 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 3: here this week as they you know, move themselves up. 142 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:55,840 Speaker 1: All right, let's open it up. We can talk about 143 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,599 Speaker 1: the offense now too, because that is where a lot 144 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 1: of the stories are and that's where people are really excited. 145 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 1: And the quarterbacks, we know that there are a lot 146 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: of guys who aren't going to be working out, especially 147 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 1: some of those top names. Who are you excited to watch? 148 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, I would say JJ McCarthy, you know, especially at quarterback, 149 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 3: JJ McCarthy, because as you mentioned, we're not going to 150 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:17,039 Speaker 3: see Kail Williams, might I see Jayden Daniels, We're not 151 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 3: going to see Drake May. This is such a huge 152 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 3: opportunity for JJ McCarthy to do what C. J. Stroud 153 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 3: or anything Richson did last year, which was tell people, 154 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 3: tell evaluators, this is who I am as a player, 155 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 3: This who I am as a prospect. I'm not afraid 156 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:31,039 Speaker 3: of the competition I'm going to go out here and 157 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 3: throw and show you know that I belong in the 158 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:34,840 Speaker 3: top ten or the top five. So I think this 159 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:37,919 Speaker 3: is a big week for McCarthy, especially the quarterback spot. 160 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:41,040 Speaker 3: But this is a loaded wide receiver class, as I'm 161 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 3: sure everyone is telling you all week. So when it's 162 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:45,599 Speaker 3: finally time for those guys to work out, I think 163 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 3: a lot of people are gonna be sitting up in 164 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 3: their seats a little bit. 165 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: An interesting position that Marvin Harrison has taken is that 166 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:55,280 Speaker 1: he's not working out at the scouting combine. He's also 167 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:58,560 Speaker 1: not going to be having a pro day. How unique 168 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: is that decision and do you think it is to 169 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 1: his detriment. 170 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:05,279 Speaker 3: I've never so. Again, thirteen years doing this, I've never 171 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:07,919 Speaker 3: heard of that before, but I kind of applaud it 172 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 3: because I think, especially in the messaging now, if he 173 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 3: were a quarterback, we would say, no, I need to 174 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:15,200 Speaker 3: see you throw in person, I need to see you 175 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:16,960 Speaker 3: move in person. We need to put you through a 176 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 3: workout that is different than what you did in college 177 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 3: to kind of break some of your comfort zones. You're 178 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 3: a wide receiver, you've dominated for two years. Like I 179 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 3: can watch I can see everything, You've run every route 180 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 3: that needs to be run at Ohio State. I think 181 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 3: it's also I love the message that he has come 182 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 3: out and said, I'm preparing to be an NFL player. Like, 183 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 3: my attention the next four months will be on being 184 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 3: the best NFL wide receiver I can be instead of like, 185 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 3: let me train to be a track star for a 186 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 3: couple months, and then I got to flip that around, 187 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 3: and I got to train for a Pro day, and 188 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 3: then I got to be worried about private workouts. So 189 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 3: if you need a forty yard dash to like Marvin 190 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 3: Harrison Junior, I don't know to tell you. I would 191 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 3: just watch his tape, especially now we have GPS timing 192 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 3: on these guys, so you can get a feel for 193 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 3: his speed just by checking out the GPS time or again, 194 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 3: just watch him play in the Big Ten the last 195 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 3: two years. 196 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 1: A position group that has been talked about very little 197 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:06,560 Speaker 1: here in Indianapolis is the running backs. 198 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 2: Yes. 199 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:10,559 Speaker 1: Is that because they are not very good? 200 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 4: I would hope no, but we really just it's been 201 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 4: crickets when you talk about running Yeah. 202 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 3: I think the free agent running back class is a 203 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 3: big part of it. You know a lot of people 204 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 3: are trying to figure out that domino first of Saquon 205 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 3: Barkley and Josh Jacobs and Austin Eckler, Like what happens 206 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 3: to those guys. Derrick Henry is in that mix, so 207 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 3: you gotta let that domino fault. But I also do 208 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 3: think to your point, it's just there's not the talent 209 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:33,440 Speaker 3: this year that there was last year with Jon Robinson 210 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 3: and Jamier Gibbs. This year where there is a little 211 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 3: bit of a drop off. Jonathan Brooks from Texas would 212 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 3: have been the first running back taken, probably still will be, 213 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 3: but suffering acl in November, and so that is kind 214 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 3: of a little bit of a hit. 215 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 2: For this class. 216 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 1: Is there somebody in that group who can make some 217 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:47,840 Speaker 1: real money this weekend? 218 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 2: Oh yeah. 219 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 3: Jalen Wright from Tennessee. Absolutely, And I'm not pandering. I 220 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 3: promise I'm not pandering to the Tennessee crowd. But he 221 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:56,559 Speaker 3: I mean, when you watch him on tape, he is explosive, 222 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:58,959 Speaker 3: He's strong. This is the type of event where a 223 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:00,080 Speaker 3: player like that can really shine. 224 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 1: Take this entire combine experience everybody who's going to be participating. 225 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:08,320 Speaker 1: Who are you the most excited to watch go through this? 226 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 4: Process. 227 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, Roma Dunsay from Washington, because I mean, such a 228 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 3: breakout year the last two years at Washington at wide receiver, 229 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 3: and you know, like we're saying with the quarterbacks, Malik 230 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:20,199 Speaker 3: Neighbors mil A, who's not running, Marvin Harrison's not doing anything. 231 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 3: So I think A Dunsay has that huge opportunity. And 232 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 3: just as a football fan, he's my favorite player in 233 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:27,599 Speaker 3: this class to watch, so it would be fun to 234 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 3: watch him actually work out too. 235 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 1: Matt Miller, thank you so much for taking some time 236 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 1: to hang out with us. This has been. 237 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:33,559 Speaker 4: Great, great. 238 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 3: Thank you guys, appreciate it. 239 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 1: Seat Geek is now the official ticketing partner of the 240 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 1: Tennessee Titans. Whether you're buying or selling tickets to Titans 241 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 1: games or any other live event in Nashville, seat geek 242 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 1: is the place. 243 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:45,319 Speaker 4: To do it. 244 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 1: Seat Geek the new official ticketing partner of the Tennessee Titans. 245 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:53,640 Speaker 1: So Titans fans can fan Delaney Walker joining us here 246 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 1: on the OTP Amy Wells Ret Brian funny thing about 247 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 1: the NFL scouting combine. I literally hooked up and saw 248 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:02,839 Speaker 1: you walking. 249 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:04,440 Speaker 4: Past like a doorway. 250 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: Jumped out of my seat, yelled Delaney in a room 251 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:11,079 Speaker 1: full of strangers and now here you are on the OTP. 252 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 4: This is how it happened. 253 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 5: Yeah, you when you screamed my name, I got scared. 254 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 5: I'm like, who knows me in here? 255 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 2: Now? 256 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 5: Now? I was coming to look for you guys. Actually 257 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:26,559 Speaker 5: come see what y'all was doing. You know it was 258 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:31,319 Speaker 5: I haven't been in here this week yet, so I 259 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 5: thought i'd come in here make my presence known. 260 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 6: And you did and you have. So what are you 261 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 6: doing this week in Indianapolis? 262 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 5: I'm here with the Legends coordinators pretty much. I am 263 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:48,080 Speaker 5: a mentor for the tight End group. I follow them 264 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:52,679 Speaker 5: this whole week. I'm pretty much just a ball of 265 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 5: information for those guys. If they have anything they want 266 00:10:55,559 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 5: to ask me about experiencing a combine, of the combine 267 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 5: or just what's to come next. You know, That's what 268 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 5: I'm here for to give them that information and to 269 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,360 Speaker 5: be honest with you, this group of guys they're great. 270 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:09,280 Speaker 2: They're wonderful. 271 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 5: Because sometimes you would think, because they get nil deals 272 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 5: that they're a little head of ay self, But these 273 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 5: guys are actually very respectful and they want the information. 274 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 1: How do you relate to those guys or have these 275 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:28,440 Speaker 1: conversations with those guys because the nil component is a 276 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 1: very real thing. I mean, these are guys who have 277 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:35,480 Speaker 1: made some money on their own, some a lot of money. Yeah, 278 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 1: and it has to influence the way that they're coming 279 00:11:37,559 --> 00:11:40,319 Speaker 1: in because they have the staff already kind of they 280 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:42,680 Speaker 1: have people that they've been working with, so some of 281 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 1: those things that for people like you who came in 282 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,200 Speaker 1: people before really this year or last year, they had 283 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:53,440 Speaker 1: no experience in that world and now they're kind of 284 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 1: coming in these established brands has to be hard to 285 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:58,960 Speaker 1: kind of maneuver leading guys through that, right. 286 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 5: Yeah, you know, we we actually the legislat community actually 287 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 5: talked about how to deal with these guys that are 288 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 5: getting these deals that are making millions of dollars before 289 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 5: getting to the NFL kind of seeming that you know 290 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,959 Speaker 5: that I'm bigger than what you think I am. I'm 291 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,680 Speaker 5: already made a million dollars, Like you can't tell me anything, 292 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:20,839 Speaker 5: but we haven't seen that. And that's and that's a 293 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 5: that's actually a good thing because I would say this 294 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:25,839 Speaker 5: is probably the first year where we have a lot 295 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 5: of guys that's coming into the draft with NIL deals, 296 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:33,760 Speaker 5: but they all act like they still hungry, they still 297 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:36,120 Speaker 5: want it, and I and I like to see that. 298 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,960 Speaker 5: That's the that's the exciting part. And hopefully it stays 299 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:42,679 Speaker 5: that way because you know, again, they will get more 300 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:46,679 Speaker 5: money as the year goes. But as long as these 301 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 5: guys stay humble and want to learn and want to 302 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 5: be a part of something great, I'm I'm I'm fine 303 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:55,040 Speaker 5: with the deals. But again, you just got to adapt 304 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:58,319 Speaker 5: to what you're working with nowadays. And I think they 305 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 5: see me as an older brother that's not too older 306 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 5: than them. 307 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: So it works out for me being back in this place, 308 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 1: does it give We were talking to Romo Foster about 309 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 1: it on an earlier OTP. Some of those memories of 310 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:15,079 Speaker 1: combine experiences, you get the shakes or something. 311 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 5: You know what, I always get nervous when I get 312 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,679 Speaker 5: I don't know why because I'm not doing anything, But 313 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 5: maybe it's because all the coaches that I've been been around. 314 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 2: I'm going to get. 315 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 5: To see my fellow media folks, I'm gonna get to see. 316 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 5: It's just I think I'm nervous in that aspect. But 317 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:39,960 Speaker 5: it's changed so much the combine that it don't even 318 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 5: feel like it's the combine to me. 319 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 2: Here. It's like, I feel like we're in a YouTube. 320 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 5: Like I don't even know what to call it, but 321 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 5: it's like a YouTube sensation where everybody just filming. You 322 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:54,199 Speaker 5: got cameras everywhere, you just got it's just. 323 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 2: A lot going on. 324 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 5: It doesn't feel like when I came to When I came, 325 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:59,080 Speaker 5: we didn't have no workout gym. 326 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 2: We had to do every thing on the rug. We 327 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:02,079 Speaker 2: stayed in the train. 328 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 5: We did our formals in the train, like we didn't 329 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 5: come across to the stadium. These guys get a lot 330 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 5: of free time to walk around. We didn't have that. So, yes, 331 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 5: it is different in the aspect, but I think that's 332 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 5: what happens. The NFL evolved, the players evolved, and this 333 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 5: is what we're starting to see. It's like a social 334 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,040 Speaker 5: media outrage, and that's what's happening. 335 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 6: What do you know about this tight end class? Have 336 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 6: you followed these guys? Have you watched some of them? 337 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 2: I've been watching a few of those guys. 338 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 5: I feel like this class, you know, it's some top 339 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 5: guys in there right now, a couple. I would say 340 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 5: it's about three top guys that can go either first 341 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 5: round or third, late late second round, yeah, but we'll see, 342 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 5: you know, and I'm not really sure. Just talking to them, 343 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 5: they all seem like, you know, they just excited to 344 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 5: be here and have the opportunity. They just got to 345 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,200 Speaker 5: put them numbers up. And I feel like they've done it. 346 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 5: They've done well on film. Now is just what they're 347 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 5: gonna put it. What numbers they're gonna put up out here, 348 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 5: and to give them an edge? 349 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 6: Can I ask you, can I guess a to who 350 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 6: the three are that you're talking about, because obviously brock Bowers. 351 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:11,800 Speaker 2: J Yeah, class yeah, he number one. He's different, right, 352 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 2: he is different. 353 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 5: He's put on a he's put on a clinic show. 354 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 5: He's kind of what the NFL is involving to with 355 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,080 Speaker 5: the type of tight end he is. He can catch passes, 356 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 5: he can run routes. He can also block. If you 357 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 5: have to put him in the backfield and play fullback, 358 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 5: he can do that as well. So I feel like 359 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 5: he's he's pretty much NFL ready at the moment. 360 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 6: Jatavian Sanders University of Texas is who I would have 361 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 6: at two. 362 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 5: That's number two, That is number two, That's who the 363 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 5: star is on uh. And again he had another phenomenal 364 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 5: great season. Uh, performed his butt off again. He's got 365 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 5: that pro style tight end where he can catch passes, 366 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 5: he can run route, he can block, he can be 367 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 5: the move guy. And I think that's that's pretty much 368 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 5: what the league is looking for his guys who can 369 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 5: be able to be movable and play multiple spots. 370 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 6: And he's one of those guys that could definitely improve 371 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 6: his stock this week. I mean, that's what everybody's trying 372 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 6: to do. But Rock Bowers, Listen, we know he's big, 373 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 6: he's strong, as fast, whatever, But that's a guy that 374 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:14,640 Speaker 6: could do that. And then the third guy I would 375 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 6: say it would be Jehean Bell from Florida State. Am 376 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 6: I right there? 377 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 2: I like him. 378 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 5: I actually got to sit in the formal with him 379 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 5: and Uh, the guy is genuine. He knows football, he 380 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 5: wanted to play football, uh, and to be to go 381 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:31,360 Speaker 5: to Florida State and what they did to turn around 382 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 5: that program with the guys that they had, he was. 383 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:36,480 Speaker 5: He was a big reason why that happened. And in 384 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 5: NFL you want guys like that to help young quarterbacks. 385 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 5: You need a guy that you can trust, that's consistent, 386 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 5: that make plays and an explosive on his feet. Uh 387 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:47,800 Speaker 5: so he's one of those guys. I think that if 388 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 5: he perform at a high level here, he may move 389 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:53,480 Speaker 5: up the draft board even more than what we think. 390 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 6: See, he's done his homework down. 391 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: I was not expecting to you, and now I'm just 392 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 1: blown away by the off of knowledge. 393 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:05,880 Speaker 2: Well, I'm around these guys. 394 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: Your work with the Legends community, what else does that entail? 395 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 5: So with them, we help guys transition out the NFL. 396 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:19,639 Speaker 5: So pretty much, we help guys get line of duty, 397 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:25,120 Speaker 5: medical exams, we help guys get on if you want 398 00:17:25,119 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 5: to do the Bill Walsh Internship, if you want to 399 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 5: go to any type of boot count, boot camp casting. 400 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:35,679 Speaker 2: We can get you guys in that. 401 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 5: So we just try to find resources that guys can't 402 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 5: get and you call me and if I can't answer it, 403 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 5: I will find a person who can answer it and 404 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 5: get the right information to you. So what we do 405 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,400 Speaker 5: is just try to help guys make that make transitioning 406 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,720 Speaker 5: out the NFL easier for guys, because it is very 407 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 5: hard to transition out the NFL. It ain't like any 408 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 5: other job where you get paid millions of dollars and 409 00:17:58,640 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 5: then retire at thirty four. 410 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 2: So it's a way. We know it is very difficult. 411 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:05,880 Speaker 5: We see the numbers that a lot of guys get 412 00:18:05,920 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 5: in trouble at this point, so we just try to 413 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:10,320 Speaker 5: make it easy for them to transition and try to 414 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 5: find another job or some type of income that can 415 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:15,480 Speaker 5: help them until they get to their retirement. 416 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:17,640 Speaker 1: Why is that something you're so passionate about. 417 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:19,720 Speaker 2: I mean, because I'm one of them. 418 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:22,720 Speaker 5: You know, I'm one of those guys, and you know 419 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:24,639 Speaker 5: the other guys who paved the way for us, they 420 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:27,200 Speaker 5: didn't get to make as much money as we did, 421 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:30,159 Speaker 5: so it's difficult on them. They still trying to figure 422 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,880 Speaker 5: out what's next or what's going to happen when I pass, 423 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:36,360 Speaker 5: how I'm gonna leave money to my family. So it's 424 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:40,160 Speaker 5: very important because I'll be one of those guys at 425 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:42,200 Speaker 5: one point, and I just want to make sure that 426 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:45,160 Speaker 5: I leave a mark knowing that I tried to help 427 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:46,679 Speaker 5: and change what the culture was. 428 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 6: How important is it to have someone like yourself to 429 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:53,320 Speaker 6: talk to these guys, because obviously this program has been 430 00:18:53,359 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 6: around for a while, You've had guys who came before 431 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 6: you to help you through the way. Does it give 432 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,679 Speaker 6: more credence you're able to listen. It's like, all right, 433 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:03,639 Speaker 6: Delaney's done this. I know who Delaney Walker. He's done this. 434 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 6: He wouldn't leave me wrong. I need to listen up. 435 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 5: Yeah, it's crazy because like the guys come straight to you, 436 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 5: not thinking that they may not know who you are, 437 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:15,399 Speaker 5: and they be like, man, you're Delaney Walker. Damn fourteen 438 00:19:15,480 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 5: years bro, tell me how you did it. And it 439 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:20,480 Speaker 5: kind of blows me away sometimes because I'm like, damn, 440 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:23,119 Speaker 5: you know who I am? Like, yeah, man, let me 441 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:24,920 Speaker 5: tell you. This is what I This is what I did. 442 00:19:24,960 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 5: This is how I did it. I took care of 443 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 5: my body, I get my treatment. I made sure I 444 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 5: was at the facility before everybody to take care of 445 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 5: my body before we go to the practice. Just to 446 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:38,040 Speaker 5: hear them guys want to know is sometimes it like 447 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:41,440 Speaker 5: brings It makes me happy because you know, that's. 448 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 2: What we're here for. 449 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:43,800 Speaker 5: I want to give you the knowledge to make sure 450 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:46,200 Speaker 5: you successful in this league because we need this league 451 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:48,640 Speaker 5: to stay running. This is what pays our bills, pays 452 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 5: our mortgage, and without them, we won't have it. So 453 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 5: we got to keep these guys strong, make sure that 454 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 5: they can play this game, and make sure that this 455 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:57,919 Speaker 5: game lasts, so I try to do as much as 456 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:00,760 Speaker 5: I can and give him as much information as possible 457 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:04,479 Speaker 5: whoever wants it. But like I said, all my guys 458 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 5: been wanting the information. I literally just left the Noble 459 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:11,679 Speaker 5: Practice Facility talking to the guys, giving them informations on 460 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 5: how I stayed, stayed healthy and not didn't have any 461 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:18,600 Speaker 5: leg injuries, and we talked about stretching and stuff like that. 462 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:22,200 Speaker 5: So I mean, it's big, and I'm excited that these 463 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 5: guys want to. 464 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:26,639 Speaker 1: Learn for Matt Miller and Delaney Walker, our surprise guest. 465 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,840 Speaker 4: Thank you for listening to this edition of The OT