1 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: It all comes down to this. 2 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 2: In the NFC. 3 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 3: West Seahawks forty nine ers for the number one seed 4 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:18,119 Speaker 3: on Saturday night. Brian Baldier and Bucky Brooks will be 5 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:21,959 Speaker 3: here tonight to break down how the West will be won. 6 00:00:22,680 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 3: The number one seed in the AFC also up for grabs, but. 7 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: It's pretty straightforward for the. 8 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 3: Broncos win and they're in with the AFCs only by 9 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 3: our bridge Oft Condon will be here to tell you 10 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:38,200 Speaker 3: how Denver and the Chargers are preparing for a unique 11 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:41,199 Speaker 3: Week eighteen rematch. Name all, a lot of decisions to 12 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 3: be made on the final Hall of Fame ballot before 13 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 3: he goes door knocking. Ar Guy Steve Whites will be 14 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 3: here to discuss who could be in and who could 15 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 3: be left out again. Welcome Inside with the Insiders, presented 16 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 3: by Progressive Insurance alongside Ian Rappaport and Judy Batista. 17 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: I am Tom Pelisero. 18 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 3: It is seven pm Eastern time right now on New 19 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 3: Year's Eve, which means for our good friends across the UK, 20 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 3: in London, in Edinburgh, Scotts, Scotland, among other places. 21 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 1: Right now it is New Year's and look at. 22 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:20,600 Speaker 3: This the live feed from CNN The London, I Big 23 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 3: Ben bringing in the new year right now overseas, so 24 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 3: many great memories for NFL fans building over there with 25 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 3: all the NFL games for our friends. We will be 26 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:34,679 Speaker 3: doing one of these every hour for the next five hours. 27 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:37,320 Speaker 3: Just kidding, We will not be doing that. We will, however, 28 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 3: be taking you through this next hour before all the 29 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 3: neighbors that you really haven't seen in the last year, 30 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:46,960 Speaker 3: since the last New Year's party begin to fill your house. 31 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,880 Speaker 3: We are coming up on a big week eighteen edit 32 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 3: may involve Lamar Jackson, the Ravens quarterback retary to practice today, 33 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 3: officially listed as a full participant, first time in a 34 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 3: month that Lamar has practiced on a Wednesday. He is 35 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 3: not at a full practice week in two months, but Judy 36 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 3: John Harbaugh says he's optimistic QB one will be out 37 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:10,360 Speaker 3: there Sunday night for that AFC North title game against 38 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 3: the Steelers. 39 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: What do we know. 40 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 4: It feels like there. 41 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 5: Is just so much more attached to this performance than 42 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 5: even the chance to win the AFC North. 43 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,960 Speaker 4: There's so much weight being put on Lamar, as. 44 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 5: You pointed out, like he hasn't practiced fully basically. 45 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:29,079 Speaker 4: Since he came back from his injury. 46 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 5: The time that he missed with his injury, he really 47 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 5: hasn't been healthy throughout most of the season, with various ailments. 48 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:38,080 Speaker 4: We just have not seen the best of Lamar Jackson 49 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:38,840 Speaker 4: at all. 50 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 5: And certainly the undercurrent is what is his relationship with 51 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,040 Speaker 5: the franchise, like, what is his relationship with John Harball like? 52 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 4: And in the meantime, they could still go to the playoffs. 53 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 4: As a matter of fact, they're in the driver's seat. 54 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 4: If they beat the Steelers, they will go to the playoffs. 55 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 4: It is just a really. 56 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 5: Important performance for Lamar Jackson coming up. It's been a 57 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,639 Speaker 5: bad season and he's really got a chance to turn 58 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 5: everything around with this one. 59 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 6: And the crazy thing is if the Ravens somehow go 60 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:09,600 Speaker 6: out and win, and certainly if the ground game looks 61 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:11,799 Speaker 6: like it did last week, they will have as good 62 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 6: a chance to go out and compete and win games 63 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 6: and reach the Super Bowl as maybe any other team, 64 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 6: and certainly as they would have before they had kind 65 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:22,960 Speaker 6: of all these issues this year. Be right, Judy, It's 66 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:25,840 Speaker 6: been a strange year. It's been really weird for Lamar Jackson. 67 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,360 Speaker 6: He's been in some sort of an odd situation it 68 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:31,480 Speaker 6: seems basically every week and there's a lot to play 69 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 6: for this week for the Baltimore Ravens, and there's a 70 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 6: lot to play for just as far as his entire 71 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 6: career in Baltimore. We started this season this summer, guy's 72 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 6: talking about whether or not the Ravens were going to 73 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 6: give Lamar Jackson a huge contract extension because his CAB 74 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 6: number is enormous. They didn't, Okay, So going into next year, 75 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 6: he has two years left making about forty two million, 76 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 6: then about fifty two million. The forty two is low 77 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 6: for a starting quarterback, for a two time MVP. 78 00:03:58,160 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 7: If the Ravens are going to give Lamar. 79 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 6: Ja a huge contract extension, you got to imagine they're 80 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 6: going to want to see him play like the MVP 81 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 6: that he is. Sunday might be his only opportunity, and 82 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:10,839 Speaker 6: if he wins, he's gonna have a lot more. 83 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 7: A lot is riding on this and everyone is going 84 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 7: to be watching for many many reasons. 85 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:18,720 Speaker 3: Really a huge return for the Ravens seems like it's 86 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 3: trending in that direction. Also seems like it's trending towards 87 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 3: the Steelers getting back a big piece of their defense 88 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 3: and you know a guy to chase around themar TJ 89 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:29,839 Speaker 3: Watt on the practice field again, officially listed is limited today. 90 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:32,359 Speaker 3: That could be a little misleading when it comes to TJ. 91 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 1: Watt. He usually doesn't practice in full at this time 92 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: of year. 93 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:39,359 Speaker 3: Anyway, monitor the participation, as Mike Tullvilan would say, let 94 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 3: the participation be our guide. Want coming back from a 95 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,599 Speaker 3: procedure to fix a small hole in his lung, but 96 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 3: does seem as I reported last weekend, he is expected 97 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:50,840 Speaker 3: to be back for a game that is winning in 98 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:54,279 Speaker 3: for both these teams. The Steelers, as much as it's 99 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:56,840 Speaker 3: been bumping over the last couple of weeks, sports No 100 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:01,039 Speaker 3: Dk Metcalfe remains suspended for this game. If they beat 101 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 3: the Ravens on Sunday night, the Steelers will be in 102 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 3: the playoffs AFC North champs and also having a home 103 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 3: playoff game. If they lose, well, that could be the 104 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:14,839 Speaker 3: last game for Aaron Rodgers, though the four time NFLVP 105 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 3: certainly has not closed any doors right now. 106 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 8: I'm thinking about this week, but obviously I'm forty two 107 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:22,920 Speaker 8: years old and I'm on a one year deal, so 108 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 8: you know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, 109 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,720 Speaker 8: I'll be a free agent, so that'll give me a 110 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 8: lot of options if I still want to play. I'm 111 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 8: in a lot of options, but there'll be options. I 112 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 8: would think maybe one or two if I decide I 113 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,279 Speaker 8: still want to play. But I've enjoyed this experience, and 114 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 8: everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and 115 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:45,719 Speaker 8: off the field, and it's really what I was hoping 116 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:49,280 Speaker 8: for for this experience was it's been even better than 117 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:49,799 Speaker 8: I was hoping. 118 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 3: I don't know how long this dance will go on 119 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 3: as perhaps an annual dance Judy, But once again talking 120 00:05:56,880 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 3: about Aaron Rodgers his future, whether he wants to play, 121 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,360 Speaker 3: It does look from Aaron Rodgers over the last let's say, 122 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 3: six to eight weeks, like there is something left in 123 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 3: the tank. The real question is if he were to 124 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 3: come back in twenty twenty six, would he do so 125 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:13,799 Speaker 3: for anybody other than the Steelers, And would the Steelers 126 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 3: welcome Rogers back given where they are right now in 127 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 3: terms of the state of the program. 128 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 5: Well, I do think Aaron Rodgers is right. I think 129 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 5: he'll have options. I don't know if there'll be a 130 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 5: ton of options, but I think he will have a 131 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,720 Speaker 5: handful of options if he decides to play first, he 132 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:31,880 Speaker 5: has to make that decision if he wants to go forward, 133 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 5: and I would think that will be linked closely to 134 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:37,680 Speaker 5: whether the Steelers would welcome him back. Remember, earlier in 135 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 5: the season, when they were winning a lot, we were 136 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 5: already hearing that the Steelers would want him to come 137 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 5: back next year if he wanted to continue playing. Now, 138 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:49,279 Speaker 5: obviously things have gone up and down since then, but 139 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,360 Speaker 5: the struggles of the offense have not been because. 140 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 4: Of Aaron Rodgers. 141 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 5: He's through twenty three touchdown passes only seven interceptions. 142 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 4: It's much more. 143 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 5: Been about the weapons that are available around him. So 144 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 5: you could imagine a scenario work. Perhaps they want to 145 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 5: bring him back and then bring in a young quarterback 146 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 5: and get that quarterback ready while Aaron Rodgers plays. It's 147 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 5: going to be an interesting decision making process. I suspect that, 148 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 5: knowing Aaron Rodgers, it may take a little while for 149 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 5: him to arrive at his decision. That's not great for 150 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 5: any of us, but not good news for any of us. 151 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 5: But I do think that there will be people out there. 152 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 5: We have seen the dirths of quarterbacks. There will be 153 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 5: people who want Aaron Rodgers. 154 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 6: Yeah, really looking forward to discussing this topic next May. 155 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:35,240 Speaker 6: Just so we did this past May. You know, Aaron 156 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 6: Rodgers really does have the opportunity to do something that 157 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 6: he and really anyone would want, which is just to 158 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 6: go out the right way, to go out playing some 159 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 6: good football for a good team in a high stakes game. 160 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 6: You know, everyone wants to end it like Jerome bettis 161 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 6: not everybody gets that right. 162 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 7: So if Aaron Rodgers goes out. 163 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 6: Plays well, and you know, on a big stage, even 164 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 6: if he ends up losing, he'll have gone out the 165 00:07:58,160 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 6: right way, and I think he can make some peace 166 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 6: with this. The one thing I go back to in 167 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 6: Judy you kind of mentioned it is like, if you're 168 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:06,280 Speaker 6: the Pittsburgh Steelers, you have to have a quarterback of 169 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 6: the future at some point. Okay, so let's say you 170 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 6: draft someone. Let's say you bring in a young, unproven 171 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 6: player potentially well, okay, who better than Aaron Rodgers to 172 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 6: come mentor that player? That actually makes a lot of sense. 173 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 6: We know it's been a good experience for the Steelers too. 174 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 6: We know they would welcome him back. I don't see 175 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 6: why that wouldn't work. 176 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 3: Would be Steelers wrapping up again Sunday night against the 177 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 3: Ravens AFC North title on the line. The Patriots have 178 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 3: already punched their ticket to the playoffs, the team that 179 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 3: is in their division champions and they also have some 180 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 3: significant issues that they are dealing with off the field. 181 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:43,720 Speaker 3: Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore faces a charge of assault 182 00:08:43,840 --> 00:08:46,959 Speaker 3: and battery on a family or household member, according to 183 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 3: the Attleborough, Massachusetts District Court. Patriots said in a statement 184 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 3: they were aware of the allegations against Barmore and his 185 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 3: pending arrayment. The NFL, addressing both Barmore and Stefan Diggs, 186 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 3: who was separately accused in a legal filing a day 187 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 3: ago of a significant off the field issue, said in part, 188 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 3: there is no change to the status of Digs or Barmore. 189 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 3: Both are eligible to play at this time. They'll pursue 190 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 3: it to the Personal Conduct Policy consideration for placement on 191 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 3: the Commissioner Exemplests may be considered following formal charges. Here 192 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 3: is what coach Mike Brabel had to say. 193 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 9: Sure, well, I would say not disappointing at all. 194 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 1: I think that. 195 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:33,000 Speaker 9: You know these are allegations, Like you mentioned in your question, 196 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 9: it's things that we have to handle and every day 197 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:43,440 Speaker 9: that there's distractions. Some are smaller than others. And you know, 198 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:48,319 Speaker 9: I'm confident that, you know, we'll focus on the Dolphins 199 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 9: and you know those two individuals that you mentioned. Will 200 00:09:52,840 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 9: you be able to you know, handle the ongoing legal process. 201 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 1: Outside of you handle it the beat team discipline, as. 202 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 7: Far as your concert. 203 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 9: Oh again, there's ongoing you know, legal matter, and these 204 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,679 Speaker 9: again are allegations, and you know, we've made a statement, 205 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 9: we've taken the allegations very seriously. And what comes of that, 206 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:21,240 Speaker 9: I think then we'll have another discussion. But you know, 207 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 9: I don't think we have to. You don't jump to 208 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:28,200 Speaker 9: any sort of conclusions right now and let the process 209 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 9: take a take it still. 210 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 3: So here's where we stand on the field for the 211 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,880 Speaker 3: Patriots and the two other teams that potentially have a 212 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 3: shot at the number one seed. For the Broncos, they 213 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:41,599 Speaker 3: clinch it with a win or losses by both the 214 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 3: Patriots and the Jaguars. The Patriots would need a win 215 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:47,679 Speaker 3: plus a Denver loss. The Jaguars get the number one 216 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 3: seed with a win and losses by the Broncos and 217 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 3: the Patriots. We've also got all kinds of scenarios in 218 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 3: the nf seed, but one that is very straightforward. Seahawks 219 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 3: forty nine Ers, Saturday Night National TV NFC West title 220 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,559 Speaker 3: and the number one seed on the line. As we 221 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:09,959 Speaker 3: welcome in are Steve Witz and Bucky Brooks to the 222 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 3: conversation here. 223 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: Steve, it's amazing. 224 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 3: We're talking about the forty nine ers in this regard 225 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 3: because back in September October, the entire feeling around that 226 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 3: team was here we go again. Everybody's hurt, the quarterbacks out, 227 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:25,960 Speaker 3: they're all kinds of banged up. 228 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: Once against to be one of those years, get time 229 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:30,599 Speaker 1: and again. The forty nine ers have persevered. 230 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:34,079 Speaker 3: How Kyle Shanahan and company gotten to this point that 231 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:36,600 Speaker 3: not only are they in the playoffs, but they're a 232 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:38,320 Speaker 3: threat to even have a week off here. 233 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 1: Before it begins. 234 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,320 Speaker 10: Absolutely, Tom and people are talking about Kyle Shanahan of 235 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 10: being up for the Coach of the Year because of 236 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 10: everything that he's done. 237 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 3: Well. 238 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 10: I spoke the fullback Kyle ugh Check this week and 239 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 10: he kind of told me where this all started. We've 240 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:53,840 Speaker 10: heard some reports about Shanahan having a preseason meeting where 241 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 10: he invited all the veterans over to kind of you know, 242 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 10: repurpose a message, you know, give them some leaders, skilled messages. 243 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 10: But instead of saying, hey, we're going to win the division, 244 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 10: go to the playoffs, do this, he said, we're going 245 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 10: to be having more new players and inexperienced players than 246 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 10: we've ever had. I need you veterans to become teachers 247 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 10: from everything from the classroom to on the field to 248 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 10: off the field to get these guys ready. And Yushchek said, 249 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:22,959 Speaker 10: this thing really reframed everybody's mindset and it was a 250 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:25,319 Speaker 10: highly effective message because they did that. 251 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: And this was before all the injuries. 252 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:30,559 Speaker 10: So when Nick Bosa and Fred Warner and those players 253 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 10: got hurt, all of these guys were ready because the 254 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 10: veterans had prepared them to step in and play up 255 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:37,160 Speaker 10: to a certain standard. 256 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 11: You know, Steve, is interesting that you talked about that 257 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 11: standard because I would say the guy that has really 258 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 11: helped him carry on the standard has been Christian McCaffrey. 259 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:49,560 Speaker 11: And Christian McCaffrey, and what he's doing isn't a short 260 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 11: or remarkable. 261 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 1: He's on the verge of. 262 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:55,160 Speaker 11: Having his second one thousand, one hundred season, one thousand 263 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 11: rushing yards, one hundred receptions, and he may go one 264 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:00,439 Speaker 11: thousand and one thousand when it comes to rush yards 265 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,760 Speaker 11: and receiving yards and what he is. He's a chess 266 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,679 Speaker 11: piece that says the table for everybody else. He's a 267 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:08,360 Speaker 11: queen on the chess board, if you. 268 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:08,959 Speaker 1: Want to call it. 269 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:10,959 Speaker 11: He can catch the ball out the backfield, he can 270 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 11: run in between the tackles outside, and Kyle Shanahan does 271 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:17,959 Speaker 11: a great job of putting it in positions to exploit 272 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 11: matchups on the second level. This is a great offense, 273 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 11: but a big part of it is because Christian McCaffrey 274 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 11: does so much that allows all the other pieces to 275 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 11: play in complimentary roles and have a lot of success. 276 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 3: Biking a running back. Steve a big difference with this 277 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:36,120 Speaker 3: Seahawks team this year. Of course, Clint Kubiak coming in, 278 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 3: they really wanted to focus on the balance and having 279 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 3: a run game that was going to be a force. 280 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 3: It seems like as they've gotten healthy in particular, they've 281 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 3: kind of made steps that direction. How big is that 282 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,599 Speaker 3: in a matchup against this defense that Robert stall and 283 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:53,319 Speaker 3: keeps patching together and finding ways to make life difficult 284 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 3: on offense. 285 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 10: Yeah, really, good boys, Tom, Remember this run offense at 286 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 10: Sciata wanted to establish under Kubiak. It took some time 287 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 10: to get going and it's been kind of fits and starts, 288 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 10: but over the back half of the season it's gotten better. 289 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 10: They're about sixteenth overall, but the past two weeks they 290 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 10: have gone in on the ground against the Los Angeles 291 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 10: Rams and the Carolina Panthers. This is after only a 292 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 10: fifty yard rushing game against the Colts. So I spoke 293 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 10: to Tighten to aj Barner and he said, the whole 294 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 10: thing you're seeing is kind of the purpose of their offense. 295 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 10: It is a run game where they're going to continue 296 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 10: to run the ball a lot, even if it's not 297 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 10: effective in the first half of games, so they can 298 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 10: wear teams down in the second half of games. And 299 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 10: we saw that the past two weeks against the Rams 300 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 10: Kenneth Walker with the explosive run. They went off on 301 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 10: the ground in the second half. Same thing against Caroline 302 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 10: as Zach charboney two of their rushing touchdowns more than 303 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:45,680 Speaker 10: twenty rushes in the second half. He said, that's a 304 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 10: playoff teams want to do. We know what we are, 305 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 10: We're going to continue to do it. And against the 306 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 10: forty nine ers, they're not going to see a change 307 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 10: and what they're going to try to do with the 308 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 10: ground game, even if it isn't that effective in the 309 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:57,760 Speaker 10: first half. 310 00:14:57,760 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: Bucket Yeah, Steve. 311 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 11: Great that they've talked about leaning into the run game, 312 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 11: because the one thing that they have to do is 313 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 11: they got to make sure they alleviate some of the 314 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 11: pressure on Sam Donald in these high pressure moments. No 315 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:11,800 Speaker 11: matter what they'll say, Sam Donald has to live with 316 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 11: the memory of how it fell apart from him last year, 317 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 11: and the best way to get past that is to 318 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:18,520 Speaker 11: lean on the running game to be able to throw 319 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 11: comfortably off play action the Jackson Smith and Jigba and 320 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 11: some of the other pieces, but it's the running game 321 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 11: that says the table. When you can run the ball, 322 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,080 Speaker 11: you dictate the front, you can control the game, and 323 00:15:29,120 --> 00:15:30,880 Speaker 11: you alleviate the burden on the quarterback. 324 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 1: Even though Sam Donald's played. 325 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 11: At a Pro Bowl level, you don't want him to 326 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 11: have to carry this offense going into the postseason. Look 327 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 11: for that running game to be the straw of the 328 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:43,120 Speaker 11: stirs to drink so Sam Donald can be the complimentary 329 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 11: piece that helps him win the game in. 330 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: The fourth quarter. 331 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:49,800 Speaker 7: Big one for the Green Bay Packers. 332 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 6: Today they claimed former Cowboys cornerback Trayvon Diggs, two time 333 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 6: Pro bowler, was out in Dallas yesterday. I think a 334 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 6: lot of people thought he would go unclaimed. Instead, the 335 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 6: Packers swooped in, grabbed him, take on his salary, and 336 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:08,200 Speaker 6: partner up with his good buddy, Micah Parsons, his good 337 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 6: friend formerly with the Cowboys, now both on the Packers. 338 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 6: We'll see if Diggs can give Green Bay a little 339 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 6: help heading into the playoffs. Meanwhile, they focus on not 340 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 6: quite the playoffs just yet. But on week eighteen, some 341 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 6: good news for Jordan Love, their starting quarterback. He was 342 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 6: a full participant in practice. He's in the concussion protocol. 343 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 6: Sounds like he's going to clear soon. Plus he's dealing 344 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 6: with the shoulder. Engine Then Malik willis still limited in 345 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:33,800 Speaker 6: practice with the shoulder. That said, really nothing to play 346 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 6: for us, so we may see Clayton tune In as. 347 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 7: The starter and Desmond Ritter as the backup. 348 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 6: Reason I say that Packers don't have much to gain 349 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 6: as far as the playoffs go, but plenty of teams do. 350 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 6: That is the NFC playoff picture right there. Surely Number 351 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,600 Speaker 6: one set up for grabs number two set up for grabs. 352 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 6: There is a lot still to be decided. Are the 353 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 6: Bucks going to be in it? Are the Panthers going 354 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 6: to be going to be a very fun weekend? And 355 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 6: these two teams, right, you're going to go after it 356 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:06,400 Speaker 6: Lions Bears, with the Bears potentially getting the number two 357 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 6: overall seed. Our good buddy Stacy Dale's is all over 358 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:14,120 Speaker 6: this one, as she is all over everything with these teams. Stacy, 359 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:17,520 Speaker 6: what's going on? Happy New Year early? A couple hours early. 360 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 6: One of the things we've been talking about all year 361 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 6: and something we're seemingly going to be talking about to 362 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 6: the end of time is Caleb Williams' growth. 363 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:26,800 Speaker 7: Now, before the season, this was kind of an open question. 364 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:29,440 Speaker 6: As we get late in the season and we see 365 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 6: how much he has killed it, especially in crunch time, 366 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 6: how much has the Bears franchise quarterback grown this season. 367 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,359 Speaker 12: Substantially? Happy New Year to you and all of our 368 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:45,160 Speaker 12: viewers as well and everybody back in our control room 369 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:49,199 Speaker 12: and everybody at a NFL network. Caleb Williams' growth is substantial. 370 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 12: What's really impressive about it. You can talk about his 371 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 12: completion percentage, but he feels the improvements weekly and from 372 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 12: game to game. But what's really interesting is to take 373 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:04,480 Speaker 12: care of the football is so impressive. We're talking about 374 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 12: a quarterback that has the I mean this offense. 375 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:09,439 Speaker 4: They just simply take care. 376 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 7: Of the football. 377 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:11,719 Speaker 12: They have the fewest giveaways in the league, ten of them. 378 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 12: They only have six picks. Interesting stat here Ian Williams 379 00:18:16,040 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 12: has been intercepted on just one percent of his career 380 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 12: passing attempts, which is the lowest by any quarterback in 381 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 12: his first two seasons all time. 382 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:25,000 Speaker 7: Think about that. 383 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 12: I asked Caleb today about his ability to not put 384 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 12: the ball in harm's way and he said, well, it's 385 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 12: been preached to me consistently and instilled in me throughout 386 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:37,840 Speaker 12: the entirety of my career. But he said, it comes 387 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:40,439 Speaker 12: down to really good decision making, belief and trust in 388 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,160 Speaker 12: what he's seeing, but then belief and trust in his receivers. 389 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 12: And that is how far this thing has come with 390 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:48,840 Speaker 12: his playmakers. He also gave us a good quote today 391 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 12: as it pertains to my question in terms of what 392 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 12: Matthew Stafford he said once said quote, sometimes you throw 393 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:57,640 Speaker 12: it hard enough, typically the dbs can't catch it, and 394 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,360 Speaker 12: you love that He's a sponge like that looking at 395 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 12: some of these veteran quarterbacks. By the way, the Detroit 396 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:05,879 Speaker 12: Lions I think have eighteen takeaways this season. Expect Caleb 397 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 12: to take really good care of the football again here 398 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:09,160 Speaker 12: on Sunday. 399 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:12,560 Speaker 6: Even as a rookie when he maybe didn't have like 400 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 6: the greatest greatest season, still took care of the football. 401 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:17,640 Speaker 7: And obviously that is carried on this year. 402 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 6: Has had an unbelievable year, especially when it matters most. 403 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:22,520 Speaker 6: And you got to think that some of that is 404 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 6: about his relationship with Ben Johnson. I mean, I think 405 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:27,280 Speaker 6: a lot of people wondered early in the season, like 406 00:19:27,320 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 6: how would they coexist? 407 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 7: I think it's going pretty well, Stacy going really well. 408 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:36,360 Speaker 12: I was out at Hallis Hall today and we've been 409 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 12: asking all these fun questions to Ben Johnson and Caleb 410 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:42,680 Speaker 12: Williams about their relationship and it has grown substantially. When 411 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:45,240 Speaker 12: Caleb was asked about it today, he talked about the 412 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:49,240 Speaker 12: constant meeting time, the constant communication between me and Ben Johnson, 413 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:52,359 Speaker 12: and the consistency though that it really comes down to 414 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 12: the common denominator with his head coach. This guy is 415 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 12: really the same every day, whether it's coming off of 416 00:19:57,640 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 12: a win or it's coming off of a loss. And 417 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:01,919 Speaker 12: Caleb said, when you understand who somebody is and you 418 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 12: learn about them and realize who they are, there's an 419 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:09,080 Speaker 12: element of respect, trust and loyalty that develops. Then when 420 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:11,479 Speaker 12: you take what he's teaching you onto the field and 421 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:15,639 Speaker 12: it works, that trust and loyalty just continues to evolve. 422 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 12: And that's where these two are at. I don't think 423 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 12: he's even played his best football, and they maybe haven't 424 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 12: hit their ceiling. They just continue to peak despite coming 425 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:26,280 Speaker 12: off that loss to the San Francisco forty nine ers. 426 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 12: And I thought it was really cool what Ben shared 427 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:32,280 Speaker 12: about Caleb today. He said, the conversations have advanced in 428 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:36,480 Speaker 12: terms of their football acumen together. Pre snap penalties have 429 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:39,120 Speaker 12: gone down, his control at the line of scrimmage, Ian 430 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:43,119 Speaker 12: has improved substantially. He's playing faster, he's playing more freely, 431 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:46,480 Speaker 12: and we're seeing him starting to let it rip through 432 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:49,080 Speaker 12: the air. With as good as this ground game has been, 433 00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:51,960 Speaker 12: that's really exciting for Bears fans as they get ready 434 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,560 Speaker 12: for the Detroit Lions and a trip to the playoffs, 435 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:55,080 Speaker 12: will see what. 436 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 4: Seed they land with. 437 00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:59,719 Speaker 6: Yeah, and think of what impression you can make as 438 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:01,399 Speaker 6: a play. I said, they have not hit their stride 439 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:04,359 Speaker 6: yet kill and the Bears team can certainly do that 440 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 6: with the entire nation watching in the playoffs. Stacy, thank 441 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:10,840 Speaker 6: you very much for hanging out as always. You're the best, 442 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:13,359 Speaker 6: and happy New Year to you and to all of 443 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:15,560 Speaker 6: us and to bot X. We are going to be 444 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:16,920 Speaker 6: talking about coming up. 445 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 7: Next on the Insiders. 446 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 6: They got a big one against the Chargers, who are 447 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 6: going to be resting guys as the number one seed 448 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 6: hangs in the ballast. Our good friend Bridget Condon is 449 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 6: going to be on hand to talk all about it. 450 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:43,560 Speaker 5: Welcome back to the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance. There's 451 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:48,040 Speaker 5: your AFC playoff picture, the Denver Broncos in the lead position. 452 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 5: They've already clinched the AFC West, but they've got bigger 453 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:52,680 Speaker 5: aspirations than that. 454 00:21:53,320 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 4: Let's look at the clinching scenarios. Very straightforward for the Broncos. 455 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 5: If they win over the Chargers the number one seed, 456 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:04,840 Speaker 5: or if the Patriots and Jaguars lose they are the 457 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:07,760 Speaker 5: number one seed, they certainly have the easiest path there. 458 00:22:07,840 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 5: Let's bring in our buddy Bridget Conton, who is wearing 459 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 5: an absolutely fabulous jacket. 460 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:13,560 Speaker 4: For New Year's Eve. 461 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:15,400 Speaker 1: Bridget you are going. 462 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:19,479 Speaker 4: To I'm going to bet though, you are going to 463 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,200 Speaker 4: be at the Chargers Broncos game. 464 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:25,280 Speaker 5: The Broncos wrapped up the division and really did not 465 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 5: get all hyped about it. 466 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:29,440 Speaker 4: They are very much focused on that number one seed. 467 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 13: Judy Alex Singleton, the linebacker for the Broncos, put it 468 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:34,480 Speaker 13: perfectly when he said he was at Zoo Lights with 469 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 13: his family when they won the division on Saturday. Of 470 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 13: course winning it because the Chargers loss on Saturday to 471 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:42,960 Speaker 13: the Texans, but that's really the mindset. So they went 472 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,600 Speaker 13: into the facility on Monday. The hats and T shirts 473 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 13: were there in their locker, but nobody really did anything. 474 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 13: A lot of players said they'll probably just go into 475 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:53,199 Speaker 13: a box. Sean Payton didn't even address it in the 476 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:55,920 Speaker 13: team meeting on Monday. He said he didn't even say 477 00:22:56,240 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 13: congrats on winning the division, none of that. Joe Lombardi, though, 478 00:22:59,359 --> 00:23:02,240 Speaker 13: did mention it with his offensive players. All he said 479 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:04,399 Speaker 13: about the shirts was they're just going to serve as 480 00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 13: a bad reminder if we don't finish the job, the 481 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:10,040 Speaker 13: job being winning the Super Bowl and it starts Saturday 482 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:12,879 Speaker 13: or Sunday against the Chargers, a team they've lost to 483 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:19,760 Speaker 13: three straight times, and the mindset win the game regardless 484 00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:21,679 Speaker 13: of who the Chargers are putting out there on the field, 485 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 13: so they get home field advantage. Sean Payton understands it's 486 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:26,800 Speaker 13: very important to be able to play at home. Not 487 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:29,000 Speaker 13: only just play at home, Judy, but kind of skip 488 00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 13: that first week, right, You're not going to have to 489 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:34,119 Speaker 13: play in the first weekend of the playoffs. You just 490 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:36,159 Speaker 13: skip ahead and you have two games and then you 491 00:23:36,359 --> 00:23:38,879 Speaker 13: get to go on to Santa Clara, the place where 492 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:40,960 Speaker 13: they won their last Super Bowl. Let's not forget in 493 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:41,639 Speaker 13: twenty fifteen. 494 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:45,160 Speaker 4: That's right, I remember that quite well. All right. 495 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:49,400 Speaker 5: The Broncos are thirteen to three, so they've obviously had 496 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:53,080 Speaker 5: a fabulous season. If there's one thing that concerns you 497 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:55,400 Speaker 5: about them, though, it is their turnovers. 498 00:23:55,720 --> 00:23:56,760 Speaker 4: How are they going to address that? 499 00:23:56,920 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 7: Yeah? 500 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:59,480 Speaker 13: Absolutely, Sean Payton said, we have to hone in on 501 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:00,639 Speaker 13: the turn of margin. 502 00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:01,600 Speaker 4: Really interesting. 503 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 13: They have a minus five turnover margin, which is tied 504 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:07,119 Speaker 13: for the worst of any playoff teams right now with 505 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 13: the forty nine ers. And to put it in perspective, 506 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 13: what all that means, Well, only one team in the 507 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:15,199 Speaker 13: past twenty five years has had a negative turnover margin 508 00:24:15,240 --> 00:24:17,400 Speaker 13: in the postseason and went on to win the Super Bowl, 509 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 13: and that is the Los Angeles Rams. And you know, 510 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:22,439 Speaker 13: Sean Payton said, we really need to focus on that again. 511 00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 13: Like they understand justin Herbert that defense. A lot of 512 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:27,600 Speaker 13: those stars aren't going to be out there on Sunday, 513 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:30,120 Speaker 13: but they're more focused on themselves. They want to get 514 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:33,479 Speaker 13: on a good foot into the postseason and clean up 515 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 13: some of those mistakes that they've been making. Pat Surtan 516 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:38,800 Speaker 13: told me it's been an emphasis all week. He says, 517 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:41,399 Speaker 13: Sean Payton tells them when an offensive player has the 518 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:45,040 Speaker 13: ball in his hands, he's holding everyone's aspirations and dreams, 519 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:47,520 Speaker 13: and he's like, it is so important. The ball means 520 00:24:47,640 --> 00:24:50,240 Speaker 13: everything in this league. They've been focused on punching it 521 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,880 Speaker 13: out in practice and attacking the ball. That is their 522 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:55,040 Speaker 13: goal for Sunday so they can stay home. 523 00:24:55,080 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 7: I also asked Pat. 524 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:57,560 Speaker 13: Sartan, just real quick, Judy, I said, do you think 525 00:24:57,560 --> 00:24:59,399 Speaker 13: Sean Payton will let you guys celebrate if you get 526 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:03,119 Speaker 13: the number one? He's like, ah, probably not. Hopefully if 527 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:05,040 Speaker 13: they win the Super Bowl, he'll let them celebrate. But 528 00:25:05,040 --> 00:25:07,560 Speaker 13: that's Sean Payton and it's worked for this Denver team. 529 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:09,159 Speaker 4: I did see that. 530 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 5: Sean Payton also was unaware of that. Today is New 531 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:14,720 Speaker 5: Year's Eve. I will say it to you, Bridget, throw 532 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:15,920 Speaker 5: Happy New Year. 533 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:16,200 Speaker 7: Happy. 534 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:17,960 Speaker 4: We will see you in the new year. 535 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:18,719 Speaker 1: Tom. 536 00:25:19,119 --> 00:25:22,680 Speaker 3: If the Broncos falter may be distracted by whatever jacket 537 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:24,919 Speaker 3: Bridget is wearing on Sunday, there. 538 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:26,520 Speaker 1: Is an opening for the Jaguars. 539 00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:29,400 Speaker 3: They would clinch the number one seed with a win 540 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:33,000 Speaker 3: over the Titans plus losses by both the Broncos and 541 00:25:33,080 --> 00:25:35,920 Speaker 3: the Patriots. As long as they win or the Texans lose, 542 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:39,280 Speaker 3: Jaguars at minimum win the division and get a home 543 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:41,680 Speaker 3: playoff game. As we welcome back to our Bucky Brooks 544 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:45,640 Speaker 3: and speaking of great Jackets, welcome in our guy, Brian Baldinger, 545 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:48,640 Speaker 3: straight out of the mansion and with you here on 546 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:51,680 Speaker 3: New Year's Eve. Baldi, you've dug into the tape. Jaguars 547 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:53,640 Speaker 3: seem like a team peeking at the right time. What's 548 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:54,879 Speaker 3: jumped out to you? 549 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:56,680 Speaker 14: Well, me and Bucky you have talked about this a 550 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 14: couple of mondays, Tom. I mean, the edition of to 551 00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:02,040 Speaker 14: Kobe Myers cannot be understated enough. 552 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:04,280 Speaker 1: He came right when. 553 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:06,040 Speaker 14: They play Houston and he got a couple reps in 554 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:08,400 Speaker 14: that game. But then they've gone into seven game win 555 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:10,840 Speaker 14: streak and Jacoby Myers has been a huge part of it. 556 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:13,360 Speaker 14: He's got his all three touchdowns this year have come 557 00:26:13,359 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 14: from Trevor Lawrence. He's got thirty four completions almost four 558 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:19,920 Speaker 14: hundred yards right now. But he's their go to guy 559 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 14: when they got to get that first down, when he 560 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 14: have to have those tough catches right here in the 561 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:27,760 Speaker 14: middle of the field against the Chargers right there, he 562 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:30,040 Speaker 14: just gives you those tough catches. 563 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:32,199 Speaker 1: When you need him the most. And then you have. 564 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:35,239 Speaker 14: To count for Trevor Lawrence as a runner. I mean, 565 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:37,640 Speaker 14: he's got eighty runs. Half of his runs have gone 566 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:41,200 Speaker 14: for first downs. Nine of those runs have gone for touchdowns. 567 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:44,040 Speaker 14: So I think the addition of Jacoby Myers and then 568 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:47,080 Speaker 14: just turning Trevor Lawrence loose when he can just do 569 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:49,640 Speaker 14: this and he can finish these drives like he did 570 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 14: here against the Colts. 571 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:52,119 Speaker 1: He's a very good runner. 572 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:54,440 Speaker 14: He's picking his times now when you go this a 573 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:57,960 Speaker 14: design quarterback draw last week, Good job by the right 574 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:00,639 Speaker 14: guard right there, Walker Little getting the key blocking the 575 00:27:00,680 --> 00:27:02,840 Speaker 14: middle linebacker and then the layoff with. 576 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:03,520 Speaker 1: The left hand. 577 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:07,080 Speaker 14: But I thought, really those two parts of this offense 578 00:27:07,359 --> 00:27:09,399 Speaker 14: kind of jump off during the seven game win streak. 579 00:27:11,359 --> 00:27:12,840 Speaker 11: You know, Baldy, one of the things that you and 580 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:15,280 Speaker 11: I both know is when you play with a franchise quarterback, 581 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:19,119 Speaker 11: he gives the entire team hope. And because Trevor Lawrence 582 00:27:19,160 --> 00:27:22,520 Speaker 11: has played so well, that hope changes the energy on 583 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:25,360 Speaker 11: both sides of the ball. When I look at this defense, 584 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:27,440 Speaker 11: this defense believes that they can play at a high 585 00:27:27,520 --> 00:27:30,119 Speaker 11: level because they have a quarterback that can get it 586 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:32,440 Speaker 11: done if they give them the ball back. The entire 587 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:36,200 Speaker 11: emphasis on the Jaguars defense has been hey, stop the run, 588 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 11: eliminate the big plays, and take the ball away every 589 00:27:40,359 --> 00:27:42,680 Speaker 11: chance they get. This is a team that is second 590 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 11: in takeaways. They do a good job of making these 591 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:48,600 Speaker 11: critical plays and key moments of the game, and the 592 00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:52,320 Speaker 11: extra possessions are now being converted into points. When you 593 00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:55,600 Speaker 11: look at what the Jaguars are doing, points offer takeaways 594 00:27:55,760 --> 00:27:57,840 Speaker 11: leading the league and a big part of that is 595 00:27:57,840 --> 00:27:59,360 Speaker 11: because the defense. 596 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:01,400 Speaker 1: Knows if they take it away and give it. 597 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:04,280 Speaker 11: To sixteen, sixteen can put it into paint, and that 598 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:08,360 Speaker 11: energy that you're feeling around the team is because they 599 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:10,320 Speaker 11: feel like they got a squad they can go all 600 00:28:10,359 --> 00:28:12,879 Speaker 11: the way. They don't talk about it outwardly, but the 601 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:15,960 Speaker 11: confidence that they're walking around with is because sixteen is 602 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 11: balling and that is hill everybody else raise their level 603 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:22,119 Speaker 11: of play, which is why the Jaguars are well positioned 604 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:24,000 Speaker 11: to get the number one seed if two teams in 605 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:24,920 Speaker 11: front of them fall to. 606 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:28,639 Speaker 3: The winners of three different AFC divisions can get the 607 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:32,280 Speaker 3: number one seed. AFC North winner not so much Baldy, 608 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:34,680 Speaker 3: but somebody's going to win this division Sunday night, the 609 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:37,760 Speaker 3: Ravens and the Steelers. Somebody's going to get that home 610 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:39,760 Speaker 3: game and the right to face a really good team 611 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 3: in the first round. As you dig into what we're 612 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 3: seeing right now from Baltimore, which sounds like it'll have 613 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:48,680 Speaker 3: Lamar back, what's jumping out from them, Well, whether. 614 00:28:48,520 --> 00:28:50,880 Speaker 1: Lamar can go or not go, whether it's Snoop or Lamar. 615 00:28:51,040 --> 00:28:52,760 Speaker 14: I mean, they got to put the ball back in 616 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 14: Derek Henry's hands. 617 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:55,200 Speaker 1: They did last week instamation. 618 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:58,280 Speaker 14: When teams struggle, sometimes all you have to do is 619 00:28:58,360 --> 00:29:00,959 Speaker 14: just go back to the basics. This week against Green Bay, 620 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:04,560 Speaker 14: they went to eye formation, Patrick Ricard the fullback, the 621 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:07,600 Speaker 14: lead back for Derrick Henry, and Derek Henry's coming off 622 00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 14: the game with his most carries thirty six most yards 623 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:13,880 Speaker 14: two hundred and sixteen yards, most touchdowns four touchdowns, most 624 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:17,800 Speaker 14: points scored this year was forty one points against the 625 00:29:17,840 --> 00:29:19,160 Speaker 14: Packers last week. 626 00:29:19,160 --> 00:29:21,520 Speaker 1: And I think that's the reset button. 627 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:24,320 Speaker 14: Like sometimes you can get carried away with formations and 628 00:29:24,400 --> 00:29:28,600 Speaker 14: all these personnel groupings. I think the Bravens literally got 629 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 14: a line up in eye formation and just knock people 630 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:33,320 Speaker 14: off the ball like they did last week, and then 631 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:38,880 Speaker 14: get creases. You give Derrick Derrick Henry creases to the secondary, that's. 632 00:29:38,720 --> 00:29:41,120 Speaker 1: A long hard day for anybody in the secondary to. 633 00:29:41,080 --> 00:29:44,280 Speaker 14: Get Derrick Henry to the brow, Derek Henry to the ground. 634 00:29:44,560 --> 00:29:47,120 Speaker 14: And that's what I thought last week they did, and 635 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 14: I think that's. 636 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:50,520 Speaker 1: What the Steelers have to prepare for this weekend. 637 00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:54,720 Speaker 11: Yeah, body, that's a tough task because when Darrek Henry 638 00:29:54,720 --> 00:29:56,840 Speaker 11: gets the ball, it allows him to control it. But 639 00:29:56,920 --> 00:29:59,760 Speaker 11: if I'm Mike Tomlin, this is the game that I 640 00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:02,959 Speaker 11: got Aaron Rodgers for. I wanted a four time MVP 641 00:30:03,160 --> 00:30:05,560 Speaker 11: to be on this team so it could get us 642 00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:08,360 Speaker 11: over the hump. And when you look at Aaron Rodgers, look, 643 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:11,480 Speaker 11: the numbers haven't been spectacular in terms of Look, he 644 00:30:11,480 --> 00:30:13,520 Speaker 11: doesn't have a three hundred yard game, he does have 645 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:16,440 Speaker 11: twenty three touchdowns, he only has seven interceptions and has 646 00:30:16,480 --> 00:30:19,440 Speaker 11: been six games since he's thrown an I int. In 647 00:30:19,520 --> 00:30:22,560 Speaker 11: this game, we need Aaron Rodgers to turn back the clock, 648 00:30:22,880 --> 00:30:26,720 Speaker 11: be efficient, be effective, but more importantly, find a way 649 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:30,680 Speaker 11: to generate some explosives. As good as the Ravens looked 650 00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:33,680 Speaker 11: last week in Week seventeen, this is a team that 651 00:30:33,720 --> 00:30:37,120 Speaker 11: has been vulnerable on defense. Look for Aaron Rodgers to 652 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:40,560 Speaker 11: find generate a couple of explosive plays. Because to me, 653 00:30:41,120 --> 00:30:43,080 Speaker 11: the magic number is twenty one. The team begets the 654 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:44,760 Speaker 11: twenty one is the team that is going to win. 655 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:47,920 Speaker 11: Look for Aaron Rodgers to be the guy to push 656 00:30:47,960 --> 00:30:49,840 Speaker 11: the envelope and see if he can get that team 657 00:30:49,880 --> 00:30:50,280 Speaker 11: over that. 658 00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:53,760 Speaker 3: Bark fucky, great stuff, baldy. I'd be remiss if I 659 00:30:53,840 --> 00:30:55,560 Speaker 3: didn't ask you before we let you go. Where are 660 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 3: you in that fine jacket going tonight? 661 00:30:58,720 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 7: Oh? 662 00:30:58,960 --> 00:30:59,760 Speaker 1: This is good New. 663 00:30:59,720 --> 00:31:02,800 Speaker 14: Year's party up the road in Boca raton tonight. Tom, 664 00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 14: It's probably already started but I'm going to join it. Actually, 665 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:09,440 Speaker 14: it all starts when I get there, so that's where 666 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:09,880 Speaker 14: I'm heading. 667 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:17,840 Speaker 5: Welcome back to the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance. 668 00:31:17,400 --> 00:31:19,840 Speaker 4: And congratulations to these gentlemen. 669 00:31:20,120 --> 00:31:23,920 Speaker 5: These are the finalists for the twenty twenty six Pro 670 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:28,240 Speaker 5: Football Hall of Fame class. There are fifteen of them. 671 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:31,200 Speaker 5: Right now, we're going to bring in our Steve wife. 672 00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:34,360 Speaker 5: We're going to talk about these candidates. But Steve, first 673 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:36,959 Speaker 5: of all, you and I should go over a few things. 674 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:39,080 Speaker 5: You and I were part of the panel that made 675 00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:42,040 Speaker 5: the initial cut down from one hundred and twenty eight 676 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:45,320 Speaker 5: candidates down to fifty two. That wasn't an easy cut either, 677 00:31:45,400 --> 00:31:48,120 Speaker 5: by the way. It's been cut one more time since then, 678 00:31:48,160 --> 00:31:51,200 Speaker 5: and now we are down to the fifteen finalists. Fifty 679 00:31:51,280 --> 00:31:55,000 Speaker 5: voters will make the selection. It is not easy to 680 00:31:55,000 --> 00:31:57,520 Speaker 5: get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A class 681 00:31:57,560 --> 00:32:00,880 Speaker 5: between four and eight people, and that includes coaches like 682 00:32:00,920 --> 00:32:03,840 Speaker 5: Boll Belichick, contributors like Robert Kraft. 683 00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 4: Senior candidates, and you have to get eighty percent. 684 00:32:06,840 --> 00:32:09,760 Speaker 5: Of the vote to get in. That is a really 685 00:32:09,840 --> 00:32:12,360 Speaker 5: high bar. We saw a small class last year. It's 686 00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:16,200 Speaker 5: just really difficult to get to eighty percent of the vote. 687 00:32:16,280 --> 00:32:19,320 Speaker 5: I got to say those, Steve, this class has quite 688 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:21,760 Speaker 5: a few guys who I think are going to get 689 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:26,360 Speaker 5: that vote, Those first ballot guys, Drew Brees, Jason Whitton, 690 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:30,280 Speaker 5: Larry Fitzgerald, just such a Frank Gore, such a strong 691 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:32,120 Speaker 5: group of first ballot guys. 692 00:32:32,520 --> 00:32:34,240 Speaker 4: Who do you think is getting in from that group? 693 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:36,160 Speaker 15: Well, well, Judy, I think both of us, you know, 694 00:32:36,320 --> 00:32:38,240 Speaker 15: covering the sport for a long time, do not think 695 00:32:38,280 --> 00:32:41,640 Speaker 15: that Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald don't get you that 696 00:32:41,760 --> 00:32:43,720 Speaker 15: knock on the door for first ball Hall of Fame 697 00:32:43,960 --> 00:32:44,720 Speaker 15: would be stunning. 698 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:47,880 Speaker 10: But you talked about this process because those two could 699 00:32:47,880 --> 00:32:52,040 Speaker 10: be almost near unanimous, unanimous that could take down that 700 00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:55,479 Speaker 10: eighty percent margin from anybody else going in, regardless of 701 00:32:55,480 --> 00:32:58,240 Speaker 10: what year of eligibility they are. So we could be 702 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 10: looking at another small class. Last year when they changed 703 00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:04,000 Speaker 10: the rules, it was only a four person class including 704 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:07,000 Speaker 10: the seniors and contributors. Nobody would be stun if it's 705 00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:09,800 Speaker 10: that small of a class. Again because of Breeze and Fitzgerald. 706 00:33:09,960 --> 00:33:12,360 Speaker 10: But you talk about Whitten, you talk about Frank Gore. 707 00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:14,320 Speaker 10: These are guys who are not going to go away 708 00:33:14,320 --> 00:33:16,600 Speaker 10: if they don't get in, which is only Judy going 709 00:33:16,640 --> 00:33:19,360 Speaker 10: to clog things up for other classes down the line. 710 00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:23,960 Speaker 5: Well, that leads me nicely into conversation about the guys 711 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:27,479 Speaker 5: who are on their second year of eligibility. Frankly, I 712 00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:30,320 Speaker 5: was shocked that Adam Vinteri did not get in on 713 00:33:30,400 --> 00:33:33,200 Speaker 5: the first ballot. He's one of the greatest kickers in history. 714 00:33:33,240 --> 00:33:36,920 Speaker 5: Has maybe the greatest kick in history and the snow 715 00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:41,160 Speaker 5: globe that was the tup rule game. He's won multiple 716 00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:43,720 Speaker 5: Super Bowls with field goals. I was surprised he didn't 717 00:33:43,720 --> 00:33:46,400 Speaker 5: get in. I would hope that he gets in on 718 00:33:46,520 --> 00:33:50,040 Speaker 5: this time around. And of course Eli Manning the Giants 719 00:33:50,120 --> 00:33:53,880 Speaker 5: quarterback two Super Bowls, both over the New England Patriots 720 00:33:53,920 --> 00:33:57,080 Speaker 5: and Bill Belichick, including an incredible. 721 00:33:56,600 --> 00:33:59,600 Speaker 4: Upset of the undefeated New England Patriots. 722 00:33:59,640 --> 00:34:02,640 Speaker 5: Coming the two thousand and seven season, he is in 723 00:34:02,680 --> 00:34:05,720 Speaker 5: his second year of eligibility. It is very difficult with 724 00:34:05,880 --> 00:34:09,280 Speaker 5: so many of the top level quarterbacks coming in, including 725 00:34:09,400 --> 00:34:09,960 Speaker 5: Drew Brees. 726 00:34:10,080 --> 00:34:12,760 Speaker 10: Yeah, and you talk about that, you know, with Eli 727 00:34:12,840 --> 00:34:16,560 Speaker 10: Manning situation, he got significant debate in that room with 728 00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:18,319 Speaker 10: the selectors last year to see if he was going 729 00:34:18,400 --> 00:34:20,680 Speaker 10: to get in. We'll see if that helps or it 730 00:34:20,760 --> 00:34:22,960 Speaker 10: hurts him. Like you mentioned, Drew Brees is coming in. 731 00:34:23,160 --> 00:34:25,120 Speaker 10: But Judy, let's also not forget it doesn't get any 732 00:34:25,160 --> 00:34:27,480 Speaker 10: easier in the next coming years. And players like you know, 733 00:34:27,560 --> 00:34:31,720 Speaker 10: Adrian Peterson, our first time ELT was Gronk, Andrew Whitworth, 734 00:34:31,760 --> 00:34:33,480 Speaker 10: Camon those guys are next year, and then is Tom 735 00:34:33,480 --> 00:34:37,720 Speaker 10: Brady and JJ Watt. So it'll be interesting if Eli 736 00:34:37,760 --> 00:34:40,040 Speaker 10: doesn't get in this year, how long he's gonna have 737 00:34:40,160 --> 00:34:42,360 Speaker 10: to wait because of some of the other players. But 738 00:34:42,400 --> 00:34:44,520 Speaker 10: you talk about a player, you talk to Adam Miniterieri 739 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:46,920 Speaker 10: who didn't get in last year on the first ballot. 740 00:34:47,360 --> 00:34:51,319 Speaker 10: I'm sorry, I was stunned that linebacker Luke Kinkley was 741 00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:54,200 Speaker 10: not a first ballot Hall of Famer. This is somebody 742 00:34:54,239 --> 00:34:56,840 Speaker 10: who was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in twenty twelve, 743 00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:00,760 Speaker 10: Defensive Player of the Year in twenty thirteen, A seven 744 00:35:00,840 --> 00:35:04,680 Speaker 10: time Pro Bowler, a five time first team All Pro, 745 00:35:04,880 --> 00:35:06,279 Speaker 10: two time second team All Pro. 746 00:35:06,480 --> 00:35:07,000 Speaker 7: He was the. 747 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:10,160 Speaker 10: Dominant linebacker of an era. He picked up the reins 748 00:35:10,280 --> 00:35:14,759 Speaker 10: from Patrick Willis, who had exact similar credentials and was 749 00:35:14,880 --> 00:35:17,160 Speaker 10: enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in twenty 750 00:35:17,200 --> 00:35:20,640 Speaker 10: twenty four. And speaking of another player, second year eligible 751 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:26,480 Speaker 10: player Terrell Suggs, who also the Ravens outside linebacker. Terrell 752 00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:29,439 Speaker 10: Suggs has where he sits in his. 753 00:35:29,440 --> 00:35:33,080 Speaker 7: Sack record one hundred and thirty nine sacks. He's eighth 754 00:35:33,160 --> 00:35:34,239 Speaker 7: overall all time. 755 00:35:34,360 --> 00:35:36,560 Speaker 10: The seven guys in front of him are already in 756 00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:39,480 Speaker 10: and there are eight players with fewer sacks in him 757 00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:41,640 Speaker 10: who are already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 758 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:44,640 Speaker 10: So T Sizzle, Yes, he's got an uphill climb just 759 00:35:44,640 --> 00:35:48,640 Speaker 10: because of the numbers, but he absolutely, by production and 760 00:35:48,719 --> 00:35:51,600 Speaker 10: performance over his career, needs to be in the Pro 761 00:35:51,640 --> 00:35:53,600 Speaker 10: Football Hall of Fame. And I tell you what, since 762 00:35:53,600 --> 00:35:55,920 Speaker 10: we're speaking of Ravens, his teammate Marshall Yanda on the 763 00:35:55,920 --> 00:35:58,560 Speaker 10: offensive line, Judy, he was considered the best guard of 764 00:35:58,600 --> 00:36:01,840 Speaker 10: a generation. He is also a finalist and he's going 765 00:36:01,920 --> 00:36:03,720 Speaker 10: to get a lot of consideration to get. 766 00:36:03,560 --> 00:36:05,239 Speaker 7: In this year. And Judy, think about this. 767 00:36:05,560 --> 00:36:08,520 Speaker 10: There are people like Darren Woodson and Tory Holt and 768 00:36:08,560 --> 00:36:11,200 Speaker 10: Willie Anderson who are finals have been waiting an awful 769 00:36:11,280 --> 00:36:13,759 Speaker 10: long time. We're just talking about the first and second 770 00:36:13,840 --> 00:36:17,000 Speaker 10: year eligibles. This is really going to be a struggle 771 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:19,200 Speaker 10: for some of those guys who've been waiting Reggie Wayne 772 00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:21,000 Speaker 10: to get their name called as well. 773 00:36:22,480 --> 00:36:26,840 Speaker 3: Now for good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance, the Bills 774 00:36:26,920 --> 00:36:29,480 Speaker 3: and ter week eight team with the number one pass 775 00:36:29,600 --> 00:36:33,760 Speaker 3: defense in the NFL, Buffalo's held opposing number one wide 776 00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:38,360 Speaker 3: receivers under seventy receiving yards in each of their last 777 00:36:38,400 --> 00:36:41,399 Speaker 3: five games. Because the Bills they play their final game 778 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:45,319 Speaker 3: at high Mark Stadium on Sunday, hosting the Jets new 779 00:36:45,360 --> 00:36:47,759 Speaker 3: Hei March Stadium, wanted many things to look forward to 780 00:36:47,960 --> 00:36:50,520 Speaker 3: in the year that kicks off in about five hours 781 00:36:50,920 --> 00:36:55,040 Speaker 3: from right now. Playoff seating still at stake for Josh 782 00:36:55,120 --> 00:36:55,880 Speaker 3: Allen and company. 783 00:36:58,120 --> 00:37:01,560 Speaker 16: Yeah, I mean, I think it's still treating it as 784 00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:04,120 Speaker 16: the most important week and making sure that we're not 785 00:37:04,239 --> 00:37:07,960 Speaker 16: just going through the motions and we're taking everything extremely 786 00:37:08,040 --> 00:37:12,440 Speaker 16: seriously and holding ourselves to the standards that we like 787 00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:14,760 Speaker 16: to hold ourselves to, which is the playoff caliber standards. 788 00:37:14,760 --> 00:37:18,239 Speaker 16: So yeah, just making sure that, you know, having a 789 00:37:18,239 --> 00:37:21,400 Speaker 16: good week of practice, game planning as well as we can, 790 00:37:22,360 --> 00:37:24,800 Speaker 16: you know, and still trying to become the best versions 791 00:37:24,840 --> 00:37:26,080 Speaker 16: of ourselves throughout this week. 792 00:37:26,160 --> 00:37:29,600 Speaker 3: Is that we can DJ Stroud and the Texan still 793 00:37:29,600 --> 00:37:32,000 Speaker 3: have a shot at the AFC South title with a 794 00:37:32,040 --> 00:37:36,000 Speaker 3: win over the Colts plus a Jaguars loss to the Titans. 795 00:37:36,360 --> 00:37:39,640 Speaker 3: Houston already playoff bound third time in the postseason in 796 00:37:39,760 --> 00:37:43,439 Speaker 3: three seasons under Tamiko Ryans the site this year coming 797 00:37:43,480 --> 00:37:44,840 Speaker 3: off of zero and three start. 798 00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:48,000 Speaker 2: That's what I'm most proud of this year. Like nobody 799 00:37:48,040 --> 00:37:51,520 Speaker 2: wavering on our staff, our player is no one wavering, 800 00:37:51,840 --> 00:37:54,600 Speaker 2: and so it to be in a position we're in now, 801 00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:58,240 Speaker 2: it's and again that the destination is in the playoffs. 802 00:37:58,280 --> 00:37:58,799 Speaker 17: We're there. 803 00:37:58,920 --> 00:38:01,920 Speaker 2: Of course that's the every year to get in, but 804 00:38:02,040 --> 00:38:04,279 Speaker 2: for how we had to do it this year, you know, 805 00:38:04,360 --> 00:38:07,840 Speaker 2: it is one to be proud of for our guys 806 00:38:07,880 --> 00:38:08,960 Speaker 2: and the work that they put. 807 00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:10,960 Speaker 1: In and the turning back. 808 00:38:11,040 --> 00:38:14,319 Speaker 3: Rico Dowdell a full participant in practice today ahead of 809 00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:18,120 Speaker 3: a win and in game for Carolina against Bucks. Coach 810 00:38:18,200 --> 00:38:20,920 Speaker 3: Dave Fanalison down played that injury when Dowdell set out 811 00:38:20,960 --> 00:38:25,720 Speaker 3: practice on Tuesday, sounds like all systems go heading into 812 00:38:25,880 --> 00:38:29,040 Speaker 3: Saturday afternoon for Rico, I mean, while the Eagles wrap 813 00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:33,120 Speaker 3: up their regular season on Sunday against the Commanders in Philadelphia, 814 00:38:33,160 --> 00:38:36,280 Speaker 3: already celebrating some of their favorite looks from the twenty 815 00:38:36,360 --> 00:38:37,520 Speaker 3: twenty five season. 816 00:38:37,960 --> 00:38:41,440 Speaker 1: Another NFC East title still a shot at another Super Bowl. 817 00:38:41,480 --> 00:38:43,920 Speaker 3: Could end up as the number two or three seed, 818 00:38:44,280 --> 00:38:47,480 Speaker 3: depending how things play out, though Nick Sirianni's focus is 819 00:38:47,560 --> 00:38:48,280 Speaker 3: just unimproving. 820 00:38:48,880 --> 00:38:53,600 Speaker 17: You're constantly in this quest to get better, regardless of 821 00:38:54,280 --> 00:38:56,920 Speaker 17: you know, even even last game. Like there's things and 822 00:38:57,000 --> 00:39:00,960 Speaker 17: there's lessons that came out of last game that like, man, 823 00:39:00,960 --> 00:39:04,160 Speaker 17: that's really you know, maybe obviously we're all we're all 824 00:39:04,200 --> 00:39:07,919 Speaker 17: pissed that we didn't execute as and coach as well 825 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:09,640 Speaker 17: as we needed to in the second half of that 826 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:12,239 Speaker 17: Buffalo game. But I really looked at it as like, man, 827 00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:16,200 Speaker 17: there's some opportunities here that we can really get better 828 00:39:16,239 --> 00:39:18,520 Speaker 17: from and as we as we went through it as coaches, 829 00:39:19,760 --> 00:39:21,520 Speaker 17: and that's got to be the constant mindset you have. 830 00:39:21,640 --> 00:39:27,719 Speaker 17: So my experience, my belief and I know this is 831 00:39:27,719 --> 00:39:29,440 Speaker 17: that you just keep your You're just trying to keep 832 00:39:29,440 --> 00:39:31,960 Speaker 17: getting better, and the best teams are playing their best 833 00:39:31,960 --> 00:39:33,480 Speaker 17: football by the end of the year, and that's the 834 00:39:33,520 --> 00:39:36,960 Speaker 17: teams that continue to excel through the playoffs. 835 00:39:37,560 --> 00:39:39,160 Speaker 3: All I was trying to get better here on the 836 00:39:39,200 --> 00:39:42,680 Speaker 3: Insiders as well. You can catch us throughout the rest 837 00:39:42,719 --> 00:39:45,880 Speaker 3: of this week. Hey, we're back first Thursday night showing 838 00:39:45,920 --> 00:39:48,960 Speaker 3: a long time seven pm Eastern. That's right, New Year's Day. 839 00:39:49,239 --> 00:39:52,040 Speaker 3: We will be live as well as on Friday of course. 840 00:39:52,080 --> 00:39:54,880 Speaker 3: Also you can catch us on YouTube, on NFL Plus 841 00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:58,399 Speaker 3: and across wherever you find your podcast or to stick 842 00:39:58,440 --> 00:40:10,720 Speaker 3: around more insiders right after the Yes, the twenty twenty 843 00:40:10,719 --> 00:40:13,360 Speaker 3: five NFL Playoffs are here and the stakes could not 844 00:40:13,640 --> 00:40:14,320 Speaker 3: be higher. 845 00:40:14,719 --> 00:40:15,600 Speaker 1: Be part of the action. 846 00:40:15,840 --> 00:40:16,080 Speaker 4: Live. 847 00:40:16,440 --> 00:40:19,840 Speaker 3: Verified tickets are available through the NFL ticket network, including 848 00:40:19,880 --> 00:40:23,400 Speaker 3: ticket Masters, Seek Geek, and Sports Illustrated Tickets. 849 00:40:23,880 --> 00:40:25,160 Speaker 1: If Joe Burrow wants. 850 00:40:24,960 --> 00:40:27,080 Speaker 3: To go to the playoffs this year, he also will 851 00:40:27,120 --> 00:40:30,000 Speaker 3: need to buy a ticket. Another non playoff season for 852 00:40:30,200 --> 00:40:33,520 Speaker 3: Burrow and the Bengals, another tough year in terms of injuries. 853 00:40:33,719 --> 00:40:35,400 Speaker 1: You got a new Year's resolution, Joe? 854 00:40:35,600 --> 00:40:38,080 Speaker 7: With the calendar year ending today, what's your new Year's resolution? 855 00:40:38,360 --> 00:40:44,120 Speaker 1: Be happy? Straightforward right there from Joe. 856 00:40:44,200 --> 00:40:47,279 Speaker 3: He's been talking a lot about his personal feelings here recently. Ian, 857 00:40:47,440 --> 00:40:50,200 Speaker 3: do you have anything slightly more for boset than that 858 00:40:50,280 --> 00:40:50,960 Speaker 3: for your resolution? 859 00:40:52,560 --> 00:40:54,640 Speaker 7: Only slightly more for both? 860 00:40:55,280 --> 00:40:56,759 Speaker 6: I do a lot of things. Well, so there's really 861 00:40:56,800 --> 00:40:59,560 Speaker 6: not a lot to resolve to do better. But here's 862 00:40:59,560 --> 00:41:02,239 Speaker 6: what I would Dad. I'd like to get jacked, maybe 863 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:04,000 Speaker 6: use the tone a little more, and I'd like to 864 00:41:04,040 --> 00:41:06,360 Speaker 6: get a little better at golf so I can crush 865 00:41:06,400 --> 00:41:07,399 Speaker 6: you the next time we play. 866 00:41:07,480 --> 00:41:08,720 Speaker 7: I think that's fair, right, Judy. 867 00:41:10,520 --> 00:41:13,359 Speaker 5: Uh, this is something that Tom might appreciate at this 868 00:41:13,520 --> 00:41:16,880 Speaker 5: very moment too. I resolve to get my homecam fixed 869 00:41:16,920 --> 00:41:19,279 Speaker 5: before we kick off the next New Year. 870 00:41:20,640 --> 00:41:23,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, you's been going for a while on this one. 871 00:41:23,160 --> 00:41:25,799 Speaker 3: Mine just went down today. I would just say, here's 872 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:28,759 Speaker 3: my here's my resolution is next year on New Year's Eve, 873 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:31,279 Speaker 3: I want my first shot of the night to not 874 00:41:31,400 --> 00:41:33,800 Speaker 3: be cold medicine because I've been down for the count 875 00:41:33,840 --> 00:41:35,959 Speaker 3: for a week, missed a couple of shows, for sure. 876 00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:37,840 Speaker 3: You guys picking up the slack for me. 877 00:41:37,920 --> 00:41:41,480 Speaker 1: So Bottom, what does he drink? 878 00:41:41,480 --> 00:41:42,520 Speaker 7: It is that absence? 879 00:41:42,640 --> 00:41:43,040 Speaker 1: Best? 880 00:41:43,160 --> 00:41:44,799 Speaker 7: Are you drinking absence? On TV? 881 00:41:45,719 --> 00:41:45,799 Speaker 4: No? 882 00:41:46,000 --> 00:41:48,239 Speaker 1: That's that's cold medicine right there? Any of my mom 883 00:41:51,040 --> 00:41:53,560 Speaker 1: the enjoy your evening, B safety them