1 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: Welcome Bird Gang. On today's show, Danny Serek joins me 2 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:08,959 Speaker 1: we talk about the season finale of Hard Knocks in 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 1: Season and has expected a whole lot of JJ Watt. 4 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: Also some great behind the scenes footage both on and 5 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: off the field, dealing with Watt and other players as 6 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:22,440 Speaker 1: they say their goodbyes to the twenty twenty two regular 7 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:26,319 Speaker 1: season plus Super A wild Card weekend. What do we 8 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:30,520 Speaker 1: think will happen? It's Cardinals Cover two, Episode six thirty six, 9 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:37,560 Speaker 1: and it starts now Welcome to Cardinals Cover two, hitting 10 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: the backfield and down he goes for a loss. JJ 11 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 1: Watt nailed it. Cardinals Cover two is presented by Hun Day, 12 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:50,159 Speaker 1: proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals, and by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts. 13 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,880 Speaker 1: Visit acy Cardinals dot Com, Slash Podcasts. He's at the 14 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:57,960 Speaker 1: ten half of five. He's in again, So for Harry Magic? 15 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 1: Whoa here? Was Craig GRIOLU got to be honest, was 16 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: nuts sure what to expect with this final episode of 17 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 1: Hard Knocks in Season considering what has happened since Sunday, 18 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 1: and that is obviously the news that head coach Cliff 19 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: Kingsbury has been fired in general manager Steve come stepping 20 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 1: away from the organization, leaving the organization. But I'll say this, 21 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: everything was addressed, and it hits you right out of 22 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 1: the gate as far as those ISOs shots on Cliff 23 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: Kingsbury during Week eighteen in San Francisco, with whether it 24 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: was Dave Patch on radio or Chris Myers on Fox 25 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: discussing the potential and what turned out to be the 26 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 1: case with Kingsbury losing his job. You knew that was 27 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 1: an option. If you didn't know it was coming or not, 28 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 1: you knew that was an option going four and thirteen 29 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 1: in the fourth year of his career here with the Cardinals, 30 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 1: and that's the unfortunate part of the business. And that 31 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: was something Thatsbury was touching on when hard Knox was 32 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 1: at his house again. Just what they said was two 33 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 1: days prior to that final game of him not necessarily 34 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 1: saying I know I'm going to get fired to come Monday, 35 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: but just understanding that that was a possibility, and that's 36 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: part of the business. And I'm sure he had a 37 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 1: feeling that was coming. I don't know what kind of 38 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,959 Speaker 1: conversations he had with owner Michael Bidwell prior in Bidwell's 39 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: press conference with the Medium Monday afternoon, he said that 40 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: he wanted to wait the entire eighteen weeks season before 41 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 1: he made that final decision. So I'm not sure what 42 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 1: conversations between the two were had prior, how much maybe 43 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: Kingsbury knew that was coming or not, but it was interesting. 44 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 1: Hard Knocks changed it up a little bit. They started 45 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:47,399 Speaker 1: with some of the game, and then they went back 46 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: six days prior to the game and they covered the 47 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:53,079 Speaker 1: week and everything basically around JJ Watt. They had a 48 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 1: sprinkle of possibly AJ Green's final game of his career, 49 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 1: and it ended with that coaching news in that general 50 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 1: manager Steve Kim was stepping down, and then they tied 51 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 1: it all together with a little bit of JJ again 52 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: at the end. Yeah. By the way, again you've mentioned 53 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: this before here on Cardinals Cover two presented by Hunda, 54 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 1: proud partner of the Arizona Cardinals. When we have the 55 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:17,359 Speaker 1: opportunity to discuss these hard knocks in season episodes, make 56 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 1: sure you watch all the way through because once again, 57 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 1: the end of or I should say, while the credits 58 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: are rolling, JJ Watt whatever he decides to do, whether 59 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:30,520 Speaker 1: it's first and foremost it's father, it's being a husband, 60 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 1: but whatever he decides to do, whether it's TV, radio, pitchman, 61 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 1: because he certainly endorsed the heck at a Gatorade to 62 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: close out Hard Knocks in season, but he is he 63 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 1: is flawless when it comes to the media, Danny, and 64 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: that is that is a trait that I wish I had, 65 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: because I am certainly far from flawless when we discuss 66 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: things here on Cardinals Cover two. But he certainly is 67 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: well aware of what he needs to say, how to 68 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 1: say it's and when to say it. But what is 69 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 1: unique about having those three qualities, Craig, is that JJ 70 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 1: is still honest and at least in my time working 71 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,839 Speaker 1: in the NFL for the last five seasons now, there 72 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:17,920 Speaker 1: have been players who have also, in my opinion, who 73 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 1: have also understood what needs to be said and what 74 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: they want to say. But you can see it on 75 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:23,599 Speaker 1: their face and you can hear it in their responses 76 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: that it's calculated and that's not necessarily a bad thing. 77 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:29,919 Speaker 1: They have their own image to protect and those of 78 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: their teammates, and there's you know, you want to make 79 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:33,560 Speaker 1: sure you're saying the right thing, you're not putting your 80 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: foot in your mouth, and I get that, but with 81 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: JJ it feels genuine. You don't ever feel like he's 82 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 1: saying something just to say it, or he's saying something 83 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:45,599 Speaker 1: knowing that that's going to be the quote everyone wants. 84 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 1: Like he's going to say what he truly feels and 85 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: what he thinks is right, and that's something that you 86 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 1: have to respect. In my opinion as a media member 87 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: is that while yes, you JJ is he was a 88 00:04:57,320 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 1: twelve year vet, he is seasoned when it comes to 89 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,839 Speaker 1: being in the media and what to say, but that 90 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: doesn't mean that he was be asking the media, and 91 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: that's something that I think is unique to have all 92 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: of those qualities genuine. In his final message on Saturday 93 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,279 Speaker 1: night to the team, as far as quote, I hope 94 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 1: you take something from me and you pass it on 95 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: to somebody else, and he talked about a ripple effect, 96 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:22,560 Speaker 1: which he had talked about with us meeting the media. 97 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:24,559 Speaker 1: As far as I believe it was even your question, 98 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 1: which I thought was a phenomenal question about legacy and 99 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,360 Speaker 1: what does he want others to know and remember about him? 100 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:35,280 Speaker 1: And I'm paraphrasing here, but he doesn't care, but what 101 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 1: he hopes people learn from him, either watching or literally. 102 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: One on one interaction is pay it forward and do 103 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 1: something that I did to the next person, the next generation. 104 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: That's where he goes to that ripple effect to try 105 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:54,279 Speaker 1: to make everything better so everyone has a more enjoyable life. 106 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:58,040 Speaker 1: JJ said, everybody gets forgotten, and I don't need anybody 107 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 1: to remember me because I enjoyed it while I had it. 108 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: JJ had said he wants to leave behind a chain 109 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 1: reaction effect to where he inspires and teaches others, like 110 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 1: you said, to work hard and dream big and do 111 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: well for others. And that's going to inspire others to 112 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 1: do the same. And that's the chain reaction that'll leave behind. 113 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: He will be remembered, whether he cares about it or not. 114 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: On the field in twelve years, three time Defensive Player 115 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:26,840 Speaker 1: of the Year, Walter Payton Man of the Year, five 116 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,600 Speaker 1: time first team All Pro, a Pro bowler, I mean, 117 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:32,760 Speaker 1: the accolades speak for themselves. In his final year of 118 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:34,200 Speaker 1: his career, at thirty three, he had twelve and a 119 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:36,720 Speaker 1: half sacks, the best season he sat since twenty eight. 120 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 1: Team that work ethic that he is instilled in his teammates, 121 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 1: whether he is intended to or not. By leading by 122 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:48,240 Speaker 1: example both all those things, he will be remembered on 123 00:06:48,279 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: the field and when he is going to be a 124 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 1: first ballot Hall of Famer. But he has done so 125 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 1: much for the community as well, even in two years 126 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:58,600 Speaker 1: in Arizona. But the big thing everyone talks about is 127 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 1: that hurricane relief. He made it clear those efforts on 128 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 1: the field and off he was not alone, which I 129 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 1: respect that he made that clear as well. But whether 130 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: or not he wants to be remembered or if he 131 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:13,480 Speaker 1: cares about being remembered, JJ Watt will be remembered for 132 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 1: his accolades on and off the field. And all you 133 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: have to do is just watch this episode and once 134 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: again for the second straight week. The week prior was 135 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 1: in Atlanta. This week in San Francisco, end game, congratulations 136 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: from the opponents George Kittle and their conversation. Literally the 137 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: game is still going on now there's a break in 138 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 1: the action obviously, but different players coming up and saying 139 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 1: thank you, congratulations, it's an honor to share the field 140 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 1: with you, and a very touching moment with two minutes 141 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 1: to go, and I know we it was talked about 142 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: on the broadcast. Paul CALVISI reported it in real time. 143 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:54,440 Speaker 1: But what the San Francisco forty nine ers did with 144 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 1: the video message and then the fans spontaneously not only 145 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 1: is standing of but a JJ chant as he walks 146 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 1: off the field for the last time and is now 147 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: on the sideline. More tears from JJ Watt, not just 148 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: the night before, but literally tears on the football field 149 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 1: because of that reception. I had tears watching that part 150 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 1: of this week's Hard Knocks episode, and I'm sure the 151 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: music played some part in it. It truly sounded like 152 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:25,560 Speaker 1: something of a superhero movie SloMo watching JJ walk off 153 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 1: the field for the final time. I was down on 154 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: the field that those last couple minutes of the game, 155 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 1: and I got chills hearing the JJ chance. There were two. 156 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: There was the first of just JJ, and then there 157 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:45,560 Speaker 1: was the JJ Watt and it was just incredible to 158 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: be down there, and that was what you heard at 159 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 1: Levi Stadium, and they had that on the video board, 160 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 1: congratulating JJ on his career, and he was blowing kisses 161 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,080 Speaker 1: and waving to his wife and his family, his parents, 162 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 1: his wife and his son were in attendance, and a sweet, 163 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 1: just an incredible moment. I just stood there just to 164 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 1: take it in. And as JJ is walking off the 165 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:09,160 Speaker 1: field for the final time, everyone's dapping him up and 166 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 1: he's slowly walking into the sideline. I mean, I can't 167 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: imagine the emotions that he was feeling. He had said 168 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:18,119 Speaker 1: he wasn't emotional all week, but we saw the emotions 169 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: and he had called it. He said, there's gonna be 170 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 1: a time where I'm gonna cry and I'm gonna lose it. 171 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: And it was Saturday night at the end of those 172 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: team meetings when that video was shown. Incredible job. It 173 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:30,079 Speaker 1: was Matt Burke, and then you know our video department 174 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,680 Speaker 1: who had a big hand in putting that together. His 175 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: brothers and his parents and his wife and current teammates 176 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 1: were in that video congratulating him, thanking him, opponents he 177 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 1: had played against, Tom Brady, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, 178 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: all these quarterbacks that JJ had made their lives hell 179 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 1: through the years. And that was the point that JJ 180 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:52,840 Speaker 1: lost it. And what a special moment, a special tribute 181 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 1: to have that made. And you could see who was 182 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:59,080 Speaker 1: emotional when he was walking off the field. His family 183 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: was emotional, but the way that he carried himself, and 184 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:06,880 Speaker 1: he stayed on the field to say goodbye to everyone 185 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:11,440 Speaker 1: that was congratulating him. Pregame was incredible, Craig. I mean, 186 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,720 Speaker 1: the amount of JJ Watt jerseys and he was still 187 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 1: playing catch with everybody, and you just hope that it 188 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 1: was what he had envisioned for that final game of 189 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 1: everything he wanted to feel and accomplish, and the fact 190 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 1: that he had two sacks in the final game at 191 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 1: the final place he had not played in his career. 192 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 1: You hope that it was the perfect ending, you know, 193 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 1: tie the bow on top to just an incredible career. 194 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:41,679 Speaker 1: We talked about it previously. Every player wants to go 195 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 1: out on top with that championship. But I don't know. 196 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:48,120 Speaker 1: If you can't get that championship in your final game, 197 00:10:48,160 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: which not everyone can get, it's darn near impossible, then 198 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 1: you know what you get the JJ Watt send off 199 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: where it's maybe not all season, but the last couple 200 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: of games to where your peers can recognize you, where 201 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:06,439 Speaker 1: you can say your thanks, and then that final game 202 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 1: and then his postgame comments to the media, oh, I 203 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: know I can still play. I'm choosing not to. And 204 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: the choice is because it's family now father, husband, but 205 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 1: just be able to get that kind of a send 206 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 1: off as opposed to once again that tap on your 207 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:26,560 Speaker 1: shoulder and saying, you know what, we don't need you anymore. 208 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 1: We don't think you can play anymore. That's not the 209 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: case with JJ Watt, whether it would be here or 210 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 1: somewhere else. If JJ wants to play, and I know 211 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 1: his father even kind of hinted at that, like, I 212 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:41,360 Speaker 1: I don't want it to end. He can play next season. 213 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:43,720 Speaker 1: I don't think there's any question about it. My J 214 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:47,320 Speaker 1: Sanders during practice during the week kind of alluded to 215 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 1: it as well, like maybe this isn't quite it, and 216 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 1: JJ push back says no, no, no, no, I'm done. 217 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 1: But again that's always going to be out there. I 218 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 1: don't know if it's really out there. I think JJ 219 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:00,680 Speaker 1: is done. He is very smart and he is calculated, 220 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 1: and not in a negative term, but I think he 221 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 1: is very He thinks about the logistics and he thinks 222 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: about everything that goes into not just playing. But him 223 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 1: and his wife Kaylee had talked about it. They have 224 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 1: never been on vacation together where training was at the 225 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 1: number one priority, Like there's a lot that goes into 226 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:21,320 Speaker 1: not just saying, Oh, I'm gonna train, I'm gonna have 227 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:23,680 Speaker 1: training camp, and I'm gonna play another season for somebody 228 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: at j jj Watt's caliber, and that work ethic that 229 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: is not easy to spend every single year. And I 230 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: love the fact that with the exception of missing one 231 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 1: game he had, he played every other game and he 232 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:39,679 Speaker 1: was productive, and he showed he silenced the people who 233 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 1: the last couple of years because of injury or not 234 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:44,719 Speaker 1: being as productive, that he can still do it and 235 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,040 Speaker 1: he is still one of the best. And that's how 236 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: he will go down. And you respect the fact that 237 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:53,200 Speaker 1: he is going out on his own terms. I would imagine. 238 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: I mean JJ had said after announcing his retirement before 239 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 1: the final two weeks of the season, he didn't have 240 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: that planned. It was very natural, very candid. I wonder 241 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: had he said it before the season started. One, how 242 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:13,680 Speaker 1: things would have changed after the heart scare. And two 243 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 1: do you think he would have gotten sick of having 244 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 1: seventeen games and every single commercial break and at the 245 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:22,599 Speaker 1: end of every game, opposing players and coaches and the 246 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 1: refs and everyone's coming up to you congratulating you. Obviously, 247 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:27,640 Speaker 1: that is like you know that that you have to 248 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 1: respect that, and I'm sure be appreciative. Don't you think 249 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: that would almost get like tiring of, like oh my gosh, 250 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 1: like come on, let me just play the game. Do 251 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,600 Speaker 1: you enjoy the spotlight? Are you used to? Are you 252 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 1: okay with always being the center of attention? That's that's 253 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 1: what it would become. And JJ even apologize Saturday night 254 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: day before the game was too Look, you guys have 255 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 1: had to talk. People talk two weeks. Yeah, that was 256 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 1: just two weeks. You can't think about seventeen games. I 257 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 1: don't know, Like, look, I I could not do that. 258 00:13:58,920 --> 00:14:01,679 Speaker 1: I don't like the spotlight. I prefer to just kind 259 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 1: of lie in the shadows. But there are some out 260 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 1: there that would, you know what calculated. I'm going to 261 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 1: do it now because I know what's to come and 262 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 1: where I can be honored and discussed and just sit 263 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 1: back and let everyone talk about And people are still 264 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 1: going to talk about JJ now, and that'll come up 265 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 1: again when it's time to vote him into the Hall 266 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 1: of Fame. You know who. I'm sure I would bet 267 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: good money. I'm not allowed to, but if I could 268 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 1: bet good money, good catch, I would bet that nobody 269 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:32,440 Speaker 1: in that locker room was happier that JJ made his announcement. Well, 270 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 1: maybe hard knocks because they had a great storyline to follow. 271 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: But in that locker room wide receiver AJ Green in 272 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 1: the same draft class. AJ Green is likely to retire 273 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 1: and has made comments saying that he is okay to 274 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: enter that next chapter of his life. And while he 275 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:54,040 Speaker 1: was not the most productive or maybe used to the 276 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 1: best of his abilities in Arizona in the last two years, 277 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 1: the career he has had is incredibly respectable. Six thousand 278 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: receiving yards seasons. He is a very quiet, introverted person, 279 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 1: at least from the media's perspective, but incredibly insightful, and he, 280 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: like the way you just described yourself, kind of likes 281 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,280 Speaker 1: to just go under the rug. So if in fact 282 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: AJ Green is going to hang up the cleats now, 283 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 1: it wasn't really talked about like it probably would have 284 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 1: been if people were thinking about everyone else in the 285 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:26,120 Speaker 1: locker room as opposed to just being focused on JJ. 286 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: So I'm sure AJ Green is probably the most thrilled 287 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: that JJ was getting that attention in the last few weeks. 288 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: AJ might be going out on a great moment as well, 289 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 1: because you see how that game played out, on Sunday, 290 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: did not get the one hundred yard receiving game, and 291 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 1: I think there was a conscious effort late to try 292 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:47,600 Speaker 1: to get him those final yards that did materialize. But 293 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: that seventy seven yard throwback to AJ Green, the longest 294 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 1: play of the season, longest scoring play of the season. 295 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: I think that's a fitting way for him to say, 296 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,840 Speaker 1: you know what my family needs me. I think I'll 297 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: be a father, I'll be a husband. And he gets 298 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 1: his seventieth career touchdown on that opening score for the 299 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:14,600 Speaker 1: Arizona Cardinals. Not only that, Craig, but what an incredible touchdown. 300 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:18,720 Speaker 1: A little trickery with David Blow and Farret Cooper and 301 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,000 Speaker 1: David Blow got it out. When I say in the 302 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:23,240 Speaker 1: nick of time, I mean him the nick of time. 303 00:16:24,280 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 1: Aj Green moss a defender and then stiff armed another 304 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: and shook him off right outside the end zone. What 305 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 1: an incredible way. If that's how you are going to 306 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 1: go out your seventieth your final touchdown everyone, of course, 307 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: and I'm sure that that's why. I also believe that 308 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: Aj probably told some people he was done just seeing 309 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 1: the reaction from the coaching staff and the players, And 310 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 1: there was an iso on offensive liman Calvin Beacham on 311 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: the bench and he looked at Aj and said he 312 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: might have to come back, and there was a no, no, 313 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 1: real response to that. So I'm again, if I were 314 00:16:57,960 --> 00:17:00,080 Speaker 1: to bet, I would say J Green's probably done. What 315 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:01,800 Speaker 1: a way to go out. I can share it now 316 00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:06,080 Speaker 1: because it's after the fact. But before AJ Green addressed 317 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 1: the media last week, I went up to him during 318 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:13,360 Speaker 1: the open portion of locker room and just thanked him 319 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:17,440 Speaker 1: because of what this season had been, how he had 320 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 1: handled this season, as far as the up and down 321 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: nature of how many times he was on the field 322 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: and just standing and being a spectator, probably the first 323 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 1: time in his career, going all the way back to 324 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 1: when he was probably little. And then I just asked, 325 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:34,159 Speaker 1: is like, do you think that this is it? And 326 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:36,640 Speaker 1: he got a smile and goes yeah, And I'm at 327 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: peace with that now. I think Mike jj Watt he 328 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:44,199 Speaker 1: thinks he can still play, and if there was a 329 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,679 Speaker 1: team out there that maybe he would give it a 330 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:50,919 Speaker 1: second thought. But his family is ready for him to 331 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 1: be around and be that mister mom if you will, 332 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 1: and take the kids from one practice to the next, 333 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:01,880 Speaker 1: to the next activity to the next and I think 334 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:04,440 Speaker 1: we will at some point here or something, and maybe 335 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 1: not even here anything. You just might float like Larry Fitzgerald. 336 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,680 Speaker 1: We don't get that official announcement, but I do think 337 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:13,520 Speaker 1: that JJ Watt and AJ Green have played their last 338 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:17,119 Speaker 1: football game in the NFL. AM I correct in remembering 339 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 1: off the top of my head that the Bengals are 340 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: an opponent next year. They are. So here's what's interesting 341 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:26,200 Speaker 1: is could we not get one more year? AJ Green 342 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:28,680 Speaker 1: to go against the Bengals, JJ Watt to go against 343 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 1: the Texans and his brothers Derek and TJ with the Steelers. Craig, 344 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:35,159 Speaker 1: that's right. The Texans are on the schedule. The Steelers 345 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:37,080 Speaker 1: are on the schedul to see. What people keep talking 346 00:18:37,119 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: about with the Steelers is that JJ wat would go 347 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 1: to Pittsburgh and get to play with his brothers as teammates, 348 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:47,440 Speaker 1: not as opponents. That's always been the speculation. Play with 349 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 1: play on defense with TJ. Yeah. Interesting. JJ seems very 350 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 1: excited though, to be the hype man for his brothers. 351 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,600 Speaker 1: I talked with him, and many times when it had 352 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:58,439 Speaker 1: come up in conversation, he had said, you know, I'm 353 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:00,840 Speaker 1: more nervous watching my brothers play when I step out 354 00:19:00,880 --> 00:19:02,879 Speaker 1: onto the field. And I'd asked him that in his 355 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 1: press conference the final week of the season, if his 356 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: brothers are prepared to have JJ's undivided attention throughout an 357 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: entire season watching the games, and he said, Oh, They're 358 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: gonna get sick of me. That's how he's going to 359 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:17,359 Speaker 1: spend what is normally an off season is now just 360 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 1: a normal summer for JJ moving forward in his life, 361 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:24,760 Speaker 1: training TJ and helping him out and supporting his brothers, 362 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:29,639 Speaker 1: and the fact that he was surprised to see on 363 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 1: social media the morning of the final game in San 364 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,120 Speaker 1: Francisco his brothers, Derek and TJ were out there because 365 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:38,160 Speaker 1: the Steelers had a game, and Derek and TJ showed 366 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,880 Speaker 1: up to the game and Cardinals JJ Watt jerseys, and 367 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:45,200 Speaker 1: JJ said the best scenario for him to go out 368 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:48,480 Speaker 1: would have won the game, but the fact that his 369 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:51,920 Speaker 1: two brothers did that. TJ I believe had at least 370 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 1: one sack, Derek had a touchdown. His parents, his wife, 371 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:57,640 Speaker 1: and his son were in San Francisco watching him. JJ 372 00:19:57,760 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 1: said that was the best send off for the Watt 373 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:01,520 Speaker 1: family way that he could have asked for. It was 374 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 1: fun to watch and I'll echo what you said as 375 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 1: far as JJ Watt making this announcement when he did, 376 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 1: because it has given us all this inside access, if 377 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 1: you will, behind the scenes, to see how JJ Watt 378 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:21,439 Speaker 1: is handling this, what his peers, his teammates, his family, 379 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 1: their reactions to all this within Hard Knocks in season, 380 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 1: so that for them especially is something that yeah, the 381 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 1: season did not go well, it did not end well, 382 00:20:31,640 --> 00:20:35,480 Speaker 1: but individuals, I think we'll look back and reflect upon 383 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:38,520 Speaker 1: this and have that Hard Knocks in season all nine 384 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:41,119 Speaker 1: episodes to where they can go back to different moments 385 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:44,880 Speaker 1: to product different episodes and take certain points out, especially 386 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 1: for young koa two and a half months old, who, 387 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:55,400 Speaker 1: by the way, looks tiny in JJ Watt's hands. Looks yes, 388 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:59,159 Speaker 1: he does. Yeah, I mean he's got great genes and 389 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:04,119 Speaker 1: I expect nothing but tremendous athletic career. Are considering who 390 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 1: mom and dad are. Yeah, no kidding, football, soccer or 391 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:09,439 Speaker 1: whatever is in his future. I'm sure he will be great. 392 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 1: You know. That's a good point, is how hard Knox 393 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:17,880 Speaker 1: has documented this important season for JJ and for him 394 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:21,240 Speaker 1: and his family moving forward, and for a lot of 395 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: other players I think and coaches who don't necessarily get 396 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:28,160 Speaker 1: that spotlight. The episodes we got to see Sean Jefferson's 397 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: personality wide receivers coach, you know, those players like Trey 398 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:37,920 Speaker 1: McBride who are younger, or players who don't necessarily have 399 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:41,200 Speaker 1: that illustrious career. And this is a way while yes, 400 00:21:41,240 --> 00:21:42,879 Speaker 1: you know teams are going to take you based on 401 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 1: your film that you put on tape out on the field, 402 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:48,320 Speaker 1: but this is a way for everyone around the league 403 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:50,720 Speaker 1: to just kind of get to know each other a 404 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:52,600 Speaker 1: little more in see their personalities. And that's the whole 405 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:57,439 Speaker 1: point of Hard Knocks, A hard season to cover this team, 406 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:00,280 Speaker 1: nobody knew what was going to happen. This certainly isn't 407 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:04,919 Speaker 1: the expectation, but I still think that all things considered, 408 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:08,359 Speaker 1: there were a lot of really great storylines that were followed, 409 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:13,760 Speaker 1: a lot of great people were highlighted, and this gives 410 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:16,480 Speaker 1: you an inside look at what it's like in the 411 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:19,560 Speaker 1: facility day in and day out, and I think maybe 412 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:21,679 Speaker 1: that can be more insightful when it's a season like 413 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:26,440 Speaker 1: this and how difficult it is to continue to work 414 00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 1: hard and push yourself and motivate yourself and others and 415 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:35,440 Speaker 1: be accountable when you have millions of people who are 416 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,639 Speaker 1: screaming at you or saying things to you online in 417 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 1: your DMS that this is still their job. And while 418 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 1: it might not be the most exciting from a winning 419 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 1: standpoint season for Hard Knocks, I still think that it's 420 00:22:49,119 --> 00:22:53,160 Speaker 1: incredibly insightful and gave a really great look at what 421 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:56,120 Speaker 1: these players and coaches had to go through every day. 422 00:22:56,480 --> 00:22:59,880 Speaker 1: And you saw that how the episode ended with players 423 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 1: cleaning out their lockers, saying goodbye, and then splicing in 424 00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:07,880 Speaker 1: that Michael Bidwall's press conference announcing that general Manager's Team 425 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 1: comm is no longer part of the organization, Cliff Kingsbury 426 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:14,120 Speaker 1: is no longer the head coach, and then you get 427 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:18,800 Speaker 1: that other scene of Cliff Kingsbury addressing his coaching staff, 428 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:25,720 Speaker 1: and despite what was reported, Cliff was typical Cliff, not surprised, 429 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:30,040 Speaker 1: not sad, not happy, just matter of fact. But his 430 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:34,520 Speaker 1: message to those coaches in that room, I'm forever indebted. 431 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:38,240 Speaker 1: Anything I can ever do for you, just let me know. 432 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 1: It was a very quick message, but typical Cliff Kingsbury. 433 00:23:42,880 --> 00:23:44,880 Speaker 1: That we've been able to cover now for four seasons 434 00:23:44,880 --> 00:23:48,360 Speaker 1: here with the Cardinals. I will say from what we 435 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,920 Speaker 1: saw in Cliff, and we saw a little more from 436 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 1: him in this episode, one on one from the person 437 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:58,879 Speaker 1: that I know from being out on the field on 438 00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:03,800 Speaker 1: game days, conducting interviews, being at the podium, talking to him, 439 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:08,040 Speaker 1: just around the facility. That is him, and I know 440 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 1: that whether it's online or other podcasts, people have given 441 00:24:10,920 --> 00:24:13,960 Speaker 1: high praises for him. Michael Biddwall had incredible praises for 442 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:17,240 Speaker 1: the type of person Cliff Kingsbury is. He said that 443 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 1: he has never been around a coach who has worked 444 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 1: harder every day. Cliff was here by four or fifteen 445 00:24:23,119 --> 00:24:26,359 Speaker 1: in the morning, and not having a wife and kids 446 00:24:26,359 --> 00:24:29,440 Speaker 1: of his own, He said that this was his family. 447 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:32,560 Speaker 1: And I truly believe when Michael Bidwell said that there 448 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:35,600 Speaker 1: was no disconnect from them. There there was no falling 449 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:39,680 Speaker 1: out between him and Kingsbury. This was just a business decision. 450 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:44,359 Speaker 1: But that even killed tone that Cliff showed. That is 451 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:50,360 Speaker 1: what he always has, the highs and the lows. He 452 00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:53,960 Speaker 1: was calm, and he understood the job or the task 453 00:24:54,040 --> 00:24:56,040 Speaker 1: that was at hand, whatever that might be. But he 454 00:24:56,119 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 1: was always respectful and kind and very hard working. And 455 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:06,000 Speaker 1: I've only been around a couple head coaches from my 456 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:10,000 Speaker 1: time covering the NFL, but he was so genuine and 457 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:13,000 Speaker 1: getting to know everybody's name and something about them, and 458 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:15,400 Speaker 1: it wasn't always just passing by, Hey, how's it going, 459 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:18,280 Speaker 1: like would stop in the hallway and have conversations with you. 460 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:22,720 Speaker 1: And I understand that this is a business and decisions 461 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:26,879 Speaker 1: have to be made moving forward as people who are 462 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:28,919 Speaker 1: in this building and get to know these players and 463 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:33,119 Speaker 1: coaches as people. Craig doesn't make it any easier seeing 464 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:35,920 Speaker 1: somebody that you have that kind of relationship with lose 465 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:38,960 Speaker 1: their job. So obviously wish the best for Cliff. I 466 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,040 Speaker 1: do think that there are still great things coming. While 467 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:43,119 Speaker 1: this might not have been the best scenario for him 468 00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 1: to be at, whether that was personnel, whether whatever it 469 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:49,359 Speaker 1: might have been, that it wasn't a great place for 470 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:51,160 Speaker 1: him here the last year, I do think that there 471 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:53,960 Speaker 1: are places that he could fit well and be successful, 472 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:56,000 Speaker 1: and that's what I wish for him moving forward. It 473 00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:58,920 Speaker 1: didn't work out here, but that doesn't take away from 474 00:25:58,920 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 1: the person that Cliff Kingsbury is and will always be, 475 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:06,240 Speaker 1: And that's what we forget at times as fans and 476 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 1: media members, the human side behind a coach a player, 477 00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:14,320 Speaker 1: and that's why I think Hard Knocks in season was 478 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:17,800 Speaker 1: so good because you got to see that away from 479 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:21,200 Speaker 1: the field or within the facility, how you interact, because 480 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:23,439 Speaker 1: it's not just what you see on the television screen. 481 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:25,720 Speaker 1: Not only that, I think you can tell the respect 482 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:28,360 Speaker 1: that he the players had for him with the way 483 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:31,040 Speaker 1: that they played this year. This team was out of 484 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 1: games pretty consistently, had some pretty bad losses. They were 485 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:39,560 Speaker 1: out of the playoffs early on in the season the 486 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:41,879 Speaker 1: last couple of weeks. But you can't say that this 487 00:26:41,920 --> 00:26:44,160 Speaker 1: team did not fight until the very end. They played 488 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:46,360 Speaker 1: with effort and they played with heart, and I don't 489 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 1: think that's the case if you don't respect your head 490 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:51,960 Speaker 1: coach and what they are preaching to this team day 491 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:53,639 Speaker 1: in and day out, and the way that he was, 492 00:26:54,119 --> 00:26:56,760 Speaker 1: Like he said in previous Hard Knocks episodes, He's going 493 00:26:56,800 --> 00:26:58,919 Speaker 1: to treat these players like men. And I think that 494 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,360 Speaker 1: you can see the respect players had for Cliff Kingsbury 495 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:04,720 Speaker 1: and we're seeing that recently since the news was announced 496 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: on Monday, whether on social media, zach Ertz giving his 497 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 1: thanks Hollywood Brown on twitch, Colt McCoy recently on Sirius 498 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:17,640 Speaker 1: XMNFL radio all appreciative of the work that Cliff Kingsbury 499 00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:21,880 Speaker 1: put in, but also understanding that you said it it's 500 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:25,000 Speaker 1: a business. It didn't work out, but that doesn't mean 501 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:27,199 Speaker 1: it's not going to work out somewhere else. And I 502 00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:29,920 Speaker 1: do think Cliff Kingsbury will get another shot, whether it's 503 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 1: a head coach opportunity or not. But he is too 504 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:36,159 Speaker 1: good of a football mind to be on the sideline 505 00:27:36,200 --> 00:27:38,960 Speaker 1: for very long. I agree. I don't know if it's 506 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 1: it's college. I don't think he enjoyed the recurring that's 507 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:45,080 Speaker 1: the impression that he ever wanted to go back. Yeah, 508 00:27:45,119 --> 00:27:46,680 Speaker 1: but but I do think I do think that there 509 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:49,320 Speaker 1: could be a place for him in the NFL somewhere 510 00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 1: else in a different capacity, whatever that might be. So 511 00:27:53,359 --> 00:27:58,119 Speaker 1: wish him the best moving forward. And from a media standpoint, 512 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:02,200 Speaker 1: Cliff respect the job that we had to do after 513 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 1: tough games and losses. He was still respectful and the 514 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 1: tough questions that we have to ask and interviews at 515 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:14,640 Speaker 1: the podium in on TV shows that he's on every week, 516 00:28:14,680 --> 00:28:18,720 Speaker 1: and that's not easy, and he was kind and understanding 517 00:28:18,760 --> 00:28:21,000 Speaker 1: to that, and that as huge as wall as a 518 00:28:21,080 --> 00:28:28,200 Speaker 1: media media member, we saw probably the most spontaneous reaction 519 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:32,440 Speaker 1: from head coach Cliff Kingsbury on the sideline in this 520 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:37,399 Speaker 1: most recent and final episode when the throwback pass for 521 00:28:37,560 --> 00:28:41,640 Speaker 1: a touchdown and they pan to Cliff and he's laughing 522 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:45,720 Speaker 1: out loud. It worked our Joe Montana play that we 523 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:48,400 Speaker 1: had worked earlier in the year with Ron del moore 524 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 1: and Colt McCoy worked with Farrell Cooper and David Blow 525 00:28:52,240 --> 00:28:56,040 Speaker 1: to AJ Green and the happiness that I'm sure he felt, 526 00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:59,400 Speaker 1: but also that David Blow got a touchdown. AJ Green 527 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:02,160 Speaker 1: got a touchdown, and yeah, for a brief moment there 528 00:29:02,160 --> 00:29:04,640 Speaker 1: on Sunday, the Cardinals were leaving the best team in 529 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:07,480 Speaker 1: the division. I did like that they showed that meeting 530 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:09,920 Speaker 1: when it was originally supposed to be Colt and Ron Dale, 531 00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:12,640 Speaker 1: because when the voiceover and Hard Knocks had a play 532 00:29:12,680 --> 00:29:15,280 Speaker 1: that they've been working on all year, of course, there's 533 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:18,160 Speaker 1: a little doubt of like, have you really been working 534 00:29:18,200 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 1: on this play all year and it's the final game 535 00:29:20,360 --> 00:29:23,320 Speaker 1: and you're on your fourth starting quarterback and a wide 536 00:29:23,320 --> 00:29:26,360 Speaker 1: receiver who has only been playing for like like two 537 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:29,960 Speaker 1: or three weeks. So when they showed that throwback clip 538 00:29:30,520 --> 00:29:33,400 Speaker 1: with Ron Dale and Colt supposed to be, you know, 539 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:35,600 Speaker 1: the focal points of that play. I was like, Okay, 540 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:37,640 Speaker 1: I am really glad that they pulled that off because 541 00:29:37,640 --> 00:29:39,280 Speaker 1: they have been working on it for a while, because 542 00:29:39,280 --> 00:29:41,080 Speaker 1: it has been a while since Rondo Moore had been 543 00:29:41,080 --> 00:29:44,000 Speaker 1: in the lineup. Because I when I saw or I 544 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:46,040 Speaker 1: think I heard ron Dell and I was like, Rondell, 545 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:48,000 Speaker 1: he hasn't played in a while. And I was like, oh, 546 00:29:48,040 --> 00:29:50,800 Speaker 1: wait a second, we've got a flashback here. And it's true. 547 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:54,400 Speaker 1: And you always hear it at the end when a 548 00:29:54,440 --> 00:29:56,520 Speaker 1: play works. All we've had that play for a year 549 00:29:56,520 --> 00:29:58,440 Speaker 1: and a half or two years or two months or 550 00:29:58,440 --> 00:30:01,480 Speaker 1: whatever it is, and you know what, sometimes it becomes cliche. 551 00:30:02,080 --> 00:30:05,480 Speaker 1: But we've seen here in Hard Knocks in season that, yeah, 552 00:30:05,520 --> 00:30:09,320 Speaker 1: these plays are in and then pulled out for a 553 00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:13,080 Speaker 1: specific reason, whatever it may be. But yeah, to get 554 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:16,880 Speaker 1: that again brief moments on Sunday in San Francisco and 555 00:30:16,880 --> 00:30:19,320 Speaker 1: then the caper with JJ Watt by the way a 556 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:22,320 Speaker 1: shot out as well. Not only do head coach Cliff 557 00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 1: Kingsbury and Steve conbo a shout out to the entire 558 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:27,960 Speaker 1: Hard Knocks crew that was here all season long, even 559 00:30:28,000 --> 00:30:33,400 Speaker 1: before episodes started to air. Cannot thank them enough. The 560 00:30:33,400 --> 00:30:37,560 Speaker 1: professionalism that they showed, allowing us to do our jobs 561 00:30:37,640 --> 00:30:40,600 Speaker 1: with the Arizona Cardinals never in the way, and also 562 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:45,440 Speaker 1: again the help back and forth to allow these episodes 563 00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:47,920 Speaker 1: to go forth. And I do you said it earlier 564 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:50,720 Speaker 1: not a great season to document on the football field, 565 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:53,280 Speaker 1: but I do think and maybe it might take a 566 00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:55,840 Speaker 1: while for everyone in the building and Cardinal fans to 567 00:30:55,880 --> 00:31:00,320 Speaker 1: think this way happy that this was happened. It would 568 00:31:00,360 --> 00:31:03,240 Speaker 1: have just been better if it was thirteen and four 569 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:06,000 Speaker 1: that you're documenting. But I do like the fact that 570 00:31:06,040 --> 00:31:07,720 Speaker 1: we got to know some of these players a little 571 00:31:07,720 --> 00:31:11,520 Speaker 1: bit better and to see the human side of them. Yeah, 572 00:31:11,560 --> 00:31:14,560 Speaker 1: the Hard Knocks crew has been wonderful to interact with. 573 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:17,520 Speaker 1: And it's amazing how many people and how much equipment 574 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:19,440 Speaker 1: they have out here, and yet they were still never 575 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:23,480 Speaker 1: in the way, truly. Where Flies on the Wall put 576 00:31:23,480 --> 00:31:28,040 Speaker 1: out some really great work. They get amazing storylines, great interviews, 577 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:32,840 Speaker 1: the shots are incredible, and if anyone's curious, there's a 578 00:31:32,880 --> 00:31:38,160 Speaker 1: collaboration with the film's crew and the team's broadcasting content crew, 579 00:31:38,240 --> 00:31:41,360 Speaker 1: sharing content and what's going on, and so from a 580 00:31:41,440 --> 00:31:44,640 Speaker 1: media standpoint, as a team media member like that is 581 00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:49,560 Speaker 1: incredibly helpful that NFL Films. That crew is not stingy 582 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:52,840 Speaker 1: with their content that they're getting, like when they're out 583 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:55,600 Speaker 1: there and they are with teams, whether in season or 584 00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:58,600 Speaker 1: in training camp, they are also very generous with the 585 00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:01,840 Speaker 1: information and the shots that they get and that's appreciative 586 00:32:01,880 --> 00:32:04,280 Speaker 1: of well. And it makes me now look forward to 587 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:07,200 Speaker 1: next year, whether that's in training camp or if there 588 00:32:07,280 --> 00:32:10,400 Speaker 1: is another Hard Knocks in season, because they do think again, 589 00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:13,320 Speaker 1: there might be teams out there larry about doing it 590 00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:16,240 Speaker 1: in season, but you do get these stories of these 591 00:32:16,280 --> 00:32:20,320 Speaker 1: people as opposed to stories of the players, and I 592 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:23,000 Speaker 1: do think it was well worth it for the Arizona Cardinals. 593 00:32:23,040 --> 00:32:26,320 Speaker 1: We'll see what happens next season. Yes, the season does 594 00:32:26,400 --> 00:32:30,200 Speaker 1: continue for everyone else, but the Arizona Cardinals. Real quick 595 00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:32,600 Speaker 1: here on Cardinals Covered two presented by Hunday probably partner 596 00:32:32,640 --> 00:32:35,240 Speaker 1: of the Arizona Cardinals. There is still football to be 597 00:32:35,280 --> 00:32:38,000 Speaker 1: played on the weekend, and I'm guessing you'll be in 598 00:32:38,040 --> 00:32:41,960 Speaker 1: front of a television somewhere Saturday, Sunday and Monday night. 599 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:45,440 Speaker 1: That's the plan. What are we going to be watching? 600 00:32:45,760 --> 00:32:50,640 Speaker 1: All right? Super wild Card weekend? Super Okay? Is it 601 00:32:50,640 --> 00:32:54,840 Speaker 1: really necessary? It's three days versus two. I don't know. 602 00:32:54,920 --> 00:32:57,920 Speaker 1: I mean, they build a super I'm just going, I'm 603 00:32:57,960 --> 00:33:00,200 Speaker 1: just saying, just saying, Super wild Card weekend. All right, 604 00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:04,520 Speaker 1: Saturday doubleheader, Seahawks forty nine ers, who do you got? 605 00:33:04,760 --> 00:33:07,080 Speaker 1: What do you think? All right? So they'll beat the 606 00:33:07,080 --> 00:33:09,880 Speaker 1: Seahawks for three times in one season, which is difficulty. 607 00:33:10,360 --> 00:33:12,720 Speaker 1: I'm I'm in line with that. Chargers at the Jaguars. 608 00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 1: I would not hate to see an upset here. I'm 609 00:33:17,880 --> 00:33:21,200 Speaker 1: gonna go Jags. I would not be surprised at the Jaguars. 610 00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:25,320 Speaker 1: And again, Chargers just they seem so fickle and then 611 00:33:25,560 --> 00:33:28,640 Speaker 1: some injuries as well that they suffered in Week eighteen. 612 00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:31,520 Speaker 1: But if you Cardinal fans, if you want an example 613 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:35,960 Speaker 1: of that, worst to first, Jacksonville Jaguars dead last in 614 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:39,480 Speaker 1: the FC, sea new head coach, and they win the 615 00:33:39,560 --> 00:33:42,440 Speaker 1: division in are hosting a playoff game on Saturday. By 616 00:33:42,440 --> 00:33:45,680 Speaker 1: the way, one of four teams of the fourteen that 617 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:49,040 Speaker 1: have first year head coaches. Yeah, we love hope. See, 618 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:51,040 Speaker 1: we'll give that to you here on Cardinals cover too, 619 00:33:51,040 --> 00:33:55,280 Speaker 1: all right, tripleheader on Sunday, Dolphins at the Bills. Bills 620 00:33:55,560 --> 00:33:57,960 Speaker 1: of course, because Skyler's Thompson is expected to start to 621 00:33:58,040 --> 00:34:01,000 Speaker 1: a tongue of a ruled out of that game. And plus, 622 00:34:01,040 --> 00:34:04,000 Speaker 1: can you can you root against the Bills at this point? No? 623 00:34:04,120 --> 00:34:12,120 Speaker 1: Absolutely not. Giants at the Vikings. M I feel like 624 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:18,080 Speaker 1: I understand why people say the Vikings might not be 625 00:34:18,120 --> 00:34:24,799 Speaker 1: as good as their record leads itself to seem. But 626 00:34:24,920 --> 00:34:28,759 Speaker 1: it's the Giants. I'm gonna say, Vikings. I'm gonna go 627 00:34:28,800 --> 00:34:31,200 Speaker 1: with the road team. I'll pick the upset. And you 628 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:35,600 Speaker 1: mentioned the Vikings. The most impressive stat I read this 629 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:42,080 Speaker 1: season Minnesota minus three point deferential despite having thirteen wins. 630 00:34:42,680 --> 00:34:48,279 Speaker 1: They were a minus three and they won thirteen games. Wow. Yeah, 631 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:50,560 Speaker 1: that's just unheard of. All right? The nightcap on Sunday, 632 00:34:50,640 --> 00:34:54,799 Speaker 1: Ravens at the Bengals. No Lamar Jackson, nothing official, but 633 00:34:55,360 --> 00:34:58,200 Speaker 1: it's a practice. In like six weeks, Cincinnati is called 634 00:34:58,239 --> 00:35:01,920 Speaker 1: Monday Cowboys at the Buck Here certainly the marquee matchup 635 00:35:01,960 --> 00:35:06,120 Speaker 1: of Super wild Card Weekend, the Cowboys against Tom Brady. Oh, 636 00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:09,320 Speaker 1: this one's tricky because one, it's Tom Brady. You can't 637 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:12,480 Speaker 1: count him out too. If I say the Cowboys, you 638 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:15,879 Speaker 1: will never let me live it down. Especially and I'm 639 00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:19,640 Speaker 1: thinking long game here, Craig, because Cardinals play the Cowboys 640 00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:23,480 Speaker 1: next season, so I know that if I choose them 641 00:35:23,480 --> 00:35:25,319 Speaker 1: to win anything, that's just going to come back to 642 00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:28,399 Speaker 1: bite me in the butt. So I'm saying Bucks, I'll 643 00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:32,560 Speaker 1: go Tampa Bay as well. You never count out Tom Brady, 644 00:35:32,560 --> 00:35:35,640 Speaker 1: and who knows, things don't go quite well on Monday 645 00:35:35,840 --> 00:35:38,520 Speaker 1: Night for the Dallas Cowboys. There might be a new 646 00:35:38,560 --> 00:35:42,480 Speaker 1: head coach coming to State Farm Stadium next season, that's true, 647 00:35:43,600 --> 00:35:47,560 Speaker 1: might be Sean Payton. Oh, by the way, just not 648 00:35:47,680 --> 00:35:49,600 Speaker 1: to throw it out there, but I'll throw it out there. Yes. 649 00:35:50,120 --> 00:35:53,640 Speaker 1: Ian Rappaport NFL Network reporting the Arizona Cardinals have received 650 00:35:53,680 --> 00:35:58,480 Speaker 1: permission to speak with Sean Payton informally right now, formally 651 00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:02,160 Speaker 1: not until January seven, teenth league rules, so that process 652 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:05,359 Speaker 1: as far as head coach search, has officially started here 653 00:36:05,400 --> 00:36:08,239 Speaker 1: on this Wednesday. Well, no matter what happens, you know 654 00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:11,160 Speaker 1: we're gonna have all of our listeners and viewers covered 655 00:36:11,360 --> 00:36:14,200 Speaker 1: every podcast content on asy Cardinals dot com. I don't 656 00:36:14,200 --> 00:36:16,360 Speaker 1: know what's in sore for us, but I see it 657 00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:19,840 Speaker 1: being another eventful offseason, a lot of unknown and hopefully 658 00:36:19,920 --> 00:36:23,480 Speaker 1: questions get answered sooner rather than later. Danny, this was 659 00:36:23,560 --> 00:36:28,720 Speaker 1: fun for nine ten weeks total Hard Knocks in season, 660 00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:32,440 Speaker 1: so I appreciate bird Gang following along. And again, congratulations 661 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:34,719 Speaker 1: to Hard Knocks in Season and entire crew. I thought 662 00:36:34,719 --> 00:36:38,399 Speaker 1: they did a fantastic job all year long, even though 663 00:36:38,400 --> 00:36:40,040 Speaker 1: it was just half a season, but they were here 664 00:36:40,080 --> 00:36:42,719 Speaker 1: all year long. Yes, absolutely, And on that note, we'll 665 00:36:42,760 --> 00:36:44,879 Speaker 1: put a lid on. This edition of Cardinals Covered two, 666 00:36:44,880 --> 00:36:48,480 Speaker 1: presented by Hunday partner of the Arizona Cardinals, has always 667 00:36:48,520 --> 00:36:52,040 Speaker 1: special thanks to our executive producer Jim Amahndro For Danny Siak, 668 00:36:52,160 --> 00:36:54,080 Speaker 1: I'm Craig Rayel Lou. We'll talk to you next time 669 00:36:54,120 --> 00:36:55,640 Speaker 1: here on Cardinals Cover two