WEBVTT - NFL Accelerator Program; Spice up the Pro Bowl 0:00:05.058 --> 0:00:07.778 NFL Inside Report is the production of the NFL in 0:00:07.898 --> 0:00:22.018 partnership with I Heart Radio. I'm read listen. This is 0:00:22.258 --> 0:00:26.898 NFL Inside Reports coming off the Spring League Meeting from Atlanta, 0:00:27.018 --> 0:00:29.218 where a bunch of our colleagues, including two of them 0:00:29.298 --> 0:00:32.098 joining us here today NFL Network consider Ian Rapp Report 0:00:32.298 --> 0:00:35.298 and Steve whitch all here with us after being in 0:00:35.338 --> 0:00:38.418 Atlanta and kind of starting to get an understanding of 0:00:38.458 --> 0:00:41.018 some new initiatives the league is trying to work with, 0:00:41.298 --> 0:00:44.258 one of which has been the Coach in Front Office 0:00:44.258 --> 0:00:46.378 Accelerator program. We're gonna get to that. We're gonna talk 0:00:46.378 --> 0:00:48.978 a little bit more about some potential changes coming to 0:00:49.338 --> 0:00:56.058 the Pro Bowl and some potential resolution to the Deshaun 0:00:56.098 --> 0:00:59.498 Watson situation. All that just ahead. So let's welcome our palace, guys. 0:00:59.618 --> 0:01:01.458 Glad to have you with us, Thanks for spending some 0:01:01.538 --> 0:01:05.138 time here. Let's also get into basically some of the 0:01:05.178 --> 0:01:08.218 biggest things that you guys found out from the Spring 0:01:08.298 --> 0:01:11.938 League meeting. And let's start with the Coaching from Office 0:01:11.938 --> 0:01:15.778 Accelerator program. Steve, and this was something, um that is 0:01:16.098 --> 0:01:18.938 the kind of the latest initiative for the league to 0:01:18.978 --> 0:01:21.298 try to rectify the diversity issues they've had in the 0:01:21.338 --> 0:01:25.738 hiring practices for coaches and gms and executives. And and first, Steve, 0:01:26.098 --> 0:01:27.498 let me get your thoughts in any end if you 0:01:27.498 --> 0:01:30.338 could follow up basically, what was what was the word 0:01:30.378 --> 0:01:34.578 there um once once this program you know, came about 0:01:34.618 --> 0:01:37.938 and got started here initially and what if folks don't 0:01:37.938 --> 0:01:40.978 know all thirty two teams had to send at least 0:01:41.018 --> 0:01:43.978 one most of them two representatives for potential head coaches 0:01:44.818 --> 0:01:48.818 or from office executives who are diverse or female. And 0:01:49.338 --> 0:01:51.498 you know, initially read well this isn't hours. I heard 0:01:51.498 --> 0:01:55.018 from some folks like, well, why wise the league need 0:01:55.058 --> 0:01:58.578 to do this for us when the white male coaches 0:01:58.778 --> 0:02:01.658 don't have this and they're getting all the jobs. Um. 0:02:01.778 --> 0:02:05.498 But by the end of the program, those who were 0:02:05.498 --> 0:02:09.578 cynical of it um, those who really didn't care too 0:02:09.658 --> 0:02:11.618 much for some of the workshops that they had because 0:02:11.618 --> 0:02:14.138 they said they already knew some of the information. They 0:02:14.138 --> 0:02:17.138 were like, it was actually good to get FaceTime um 0:02:17.178 --> 0:02:20.538 with the owners. You know, typically in the hiring cycle, 0:02:20.578 --> 0:02:22.938 the owners don't know who any of these candidates are, 0:02:22.978 --> 0:02:26.818 but the team president and general managers do, well, they're 0:02:26.938 --> 0:02:29.098 you know, they're like, we skipped that middleman part by 0:02:29.098 --> 0:02:31.178 getting the FaceTime with some of the owners and the 0:02:31.258 --> 0:02:33.738 fact that you know, they're gonna be able to keep 0:02:33.738 --> 0:02:35.898 in touch with these owners throughout the year, you know, 0:02:35.938 --> 0:02:38.618 as long as they're not actively being recruited right to 0:02:38.778 --> 0:02:41.898 violate the tampering things. So it's gonna be a slow burn. 0:02:41.938 --> 0:02:43.818 I mean, no one thinks this is gonna, you know, 0:02:44.018 --> 0:02:47.578 all of a sudden increase the pot overnight. But Ian 0:02:48.058 --> 0:02:49.698 I think the biggest thing I heard came from the 0:02:49.738 --> 0:02:53.698 owners um wanted somewhat disappointing, but too it's it's all 0:02:53.738 --> 0:02:56.858 a revelation. Most of them said they didn't know that 0:02:56.978 --> 0:02:59.538 a lot of these coaches and GM executives were out there, 0:02:59.578 --> 0:03:02.418 which is a shame on on their part. But at 0:03:02.418 --> 0:03:04.418 the same time, you know, they keep hearing the thoughts 0:03:04.458 --> 0:03:07.418 of oh, there's a pipeline, there's no pipeline. Well they 0:03:07.458 --> 0:03:09.418 saw it's not a it's not a pipeline. It's it's 0:03:09.418 --> 0:03:13.018 a vast ocean of talent that you know was in 0:03:13.258 --> 0:03:15.138 was at this meeting, and there's more out there. So 0:03:15.178 --> 0:03:17.858 I think that was eye opening and allowed them to 0:03:17.978 --> 0:03:21.418 understand that they don't have to really go reach that 0:03:21.578 --> 0:03:25.578 far to find diverse talent, like maybe they previously thought. Yeah, 0:03:25.738 --> 0:03:27.778 I mean it seemed to me from the you know, 0:03:27.818 --> 0:03:31.738 potential candidates that I spoke with, um who were there 0:03:31.738 --> 0:03:34.578 with us in Atlanta, it seemed pretty positive. You know, 0:03:34.898 --> 0:03:37.058 I'm not And there was some cool things. You know, 0:03:37.058 --> 0:03:39.538 there was some candidates who the candidates got to sit 0:03:39.578 --> 0:03:42.138 in on the owners meetings learn a little bit. All 0:03:42.178 --> 0:03:45.258 that was nice. It seemed the best was just talking 0:03:45.298 --> 0:03:49.018 to the owners, sitting there having a converts casual conversation 0:03:49.898 --> 0:03:53.058 at a cocktail party, just talking to these owners and 0:03:53.418 --> 0:03:55.378 you know, on one hand, it is sad that the 0:03:55.418 --> 0:03:57.458 owners a lot of them didn't know some of these 0:03:57.498 --> 0:04:02.458 guys existed. On the other hands, um, this is a 0:04:02.458 --> 0:04:04.258 great way to do it. Like, you know, if you're 0:04:04.378 --> 0:04:06.778 an owner and you're trying to feel like, look at 0:04:06.778 --> 0:04:09.938 coaches like you might not necessarily know like the defensive 0:04:09.938 --> 0:04:12.258 line coach for another team not in your division, or 0:04:12.258 --> 0:04:15.418 you might not necessarily know like the pro personnel director. 0:04:15.538 --> 0:04:18.818 You know, the coordinators, and certainly we all spend time 0:04:18.858 --> 0:04:21.218 talking about the hot coordinators as you get ready for 0:04:21.258 --> 0:04:23.938 the hiring cycle, but you might not know the guys 0:04:23.978 --> 0:04:26.178 who are going to be coordinators, who are going to 0:04:26.218 --> 0:04:28.818 be gms, are going to be assistant gms. This is 0:04:28.818 --> 0:04:31.618 a great way to introduce everyone to everyone in a 0:04:31.658 --> 0:04:34.658 sort of casual way. Um, you're right. I definitely heard 0:04:34.698 --> 0:04:38.738 some skepticism. Definitely heard some skepticism. Um, But I think 0:04:38.818 --> 0:04:42.018 overall the result was people got in the room and 0:04:42.058 --> 0:04:43.858 talked and got to know each other in a way 0:04:43.858 --> 0:04:47.218 they previously hadn't That is all a net positive coming 0:04:47.218 --> 0:04:49.458 out of this thing in Atlanta. So essentially it was 0:04:49.618 --> 0:04:53.178 it was, you know, a networking event basically to get 0:04:53.178 --> 0:04:55.538 to know people. And I mean that's the first step, right, 0:04:55.578 --> 0:04:58.178 I mean, uh, you know, as as kind of simple 0:04:58.218 --> 0:05:00.618 as it sounds, um, you know, And that's it kind 0:05:00.618 --> 0:05:03.738 of feels like part of Steve what we saw when 0:05:03.898 --> 0:05:07.058 we were seeing the trend of hot offensive coaches you know, uh, 0:05:07.218 --> 0:05:09.698 you know, the genius type offensive coaches getting all the 0:05:09.738 --> 0:05:12.258 love for the head coaching vacancies, and that's why they 0:05:12.298 --> 0:05:16.698 then started the quarterback uh coach or the offensive you 0:05:16.738 --> 0:05:19.498 know coaches summit, right, which we saw the last couple 0:05:19.538 --> 0:05:22.298 of years. Um. Is this kind of maybe just another 0:05:22.418 --> 0:05:25.178 piece of that that that can kind of get that 0:05:25.418 --> 0:05:29.298 pipeline of diverse talent in through the proper channels, which 0:05:29.338 --> 0:05:31.538 I guess Steve also goes goes along with the new 0:05:31.578 --> 0:05:33.938 addition to the Rooney rule right in quarterback coaches now 0:05:33.978 --> 0:05:36.738 being included. Well, first I've read to the latter point 0:05:36.778 --> 0:05:40.858 the Rooney rule change where for the quarterback coach position 0:05:40.898 --> 0:05:46.938 you have to interview an outside an external diverse candidate. Um, 0:05:47.018 --> 0:05:50.578 that's gonna that's gonna have a short term bounce because 0:05:51.418 --> 0:05:56.338 what this accelerator did. You can go fishing in that 0:05:56.458 --> 0:05:59.738 room right there, say you guys? Who who could? Who can? 0:05:59.778 --> 0:06:01.818 Who can go right there? Are they? These folks will 0:06:01.818 --> 0:06:05.578 not people, um who could help teams find that type 0:06:05.658 --> 0:06:07.938 of talent. And this is kind of building on on 0:06:07.978 --> 0:06:10.538 the Quarterback Summit. The one thing that the Quarterback Summit 0:06:10.578 --> 0:06:12.978 doesn't have that this did where the owners, you know, 0:06:13.058 --> 0:06:16.058 all the owners showed up. I mean they all showed up. 0:06:16.578 --> 0:06:18.218 And that was something I was watching out for the 0:06:18.378 --> 0:06:22.138 house since here they would be and Ian, you know, 0:06:22.178 --> 0:06:24.978 we saw it wasn't these guys having to approach the owners. 0:06:25.258 --> 0:06:29.298 A lot of these owners were approaching these guys. And 0:06:29.418 --> 0:06:31.898 what else really helped is I had one you know, 0:06:32.298 --> 0:06:36.818 rising personnel executive tell me meeting Roger Goodell and having 0:06:36.818 --> 0:06:39.218 a ten or fifteen minute conversation with Roger Goodell, who 0:06:39.218 --> 0:06:43.138 can now vouch for them. They've established that relationship where 0:06:43.138 --> 0:06:44.778 he said, Okay, Goodell's like, you can call me with 0:06:44.818 --> 0:06:48.218 any any issues you want and this guy said Goodell listened. 0:06:48.618 --> 0:06:51.578 So to be able to have that as a reference, 0:06:52.298 --> 0:06:56.378 UM is absolutely fantastic. So again, as as Ian said, 0:06:56.378 --> 0:07:00.858 so well, the net positive, UM, I think is the 0:07:00.938 --> 0:07:03.378 big takeaway because nobody was complaining that there was a 0:07:03.618 --> 0:07:05.938 that this was a waste of time. Sure, and you know, 0:07:05.978 --> 0:07:10.218 I think the the Rooney rule quarterback coach ad was 0:07:10.258 --> 0:07:12.138 a kind of an interesting one. I was talking to 0:07:12.138 --> 0:07:16.138 another media member, UM, a friend in Atlanta, just hanging out, 0:07:16.138 --> 0:07:18.138 which you know, for those who don't know, you spent 0:07:18.178 --> 0:07:20.338 a lot of time look at Steve getting senter the 0:07:20.378 --> 0:07:26.138 ca UM. You know, basically these events, you know, you 0:07:26.138 --> 0:07:29.418 have conversations in the hallways with owners and executives and 0:07:29.538 --> 0:07:31.698 a lot of time with media members. For better worst, 0:07:31.818 --> 0:07:34.778 Judy and uh, Steve had to hang out with me. UM. 0:07:34.898 --> 0:07:37.258 I was talking to another media member when we're kind 0:07:37.258 --> 0:07:40.258 of going through some of the quarterback coach hires and 0:07:40.498 --> 0:07:43.938 we're like, well, you know, you really don't interview for 0:07:44.378 --> 0:07:47.418 quarterback coach. You kind of just you just name the 0:07:47.458 --> 0:07:51.538 person or someone. And then I think both of us 0:07:51.778 --> 0:07:54.538 sort of at the same time, we're like, well, that's 0:07:54.538 --> 0:07:57.898 a problem, and it really is a problem. Like when 0:07:57.898 --> 0:08:00.458 you're hiring a quarterback coach, which is a feeder for 0:08:01.138 --> 0:08:05.418 head coaches and is a high profile position, just naming 0:08:05.498 --> 0:08:09.098 some guy is not good enough. It's just not And 0:08:09.258 --> 0:08:12.178 so often people go, all right, I'm gonna name the 0:08:12.218 --> 0:08:14.538 quarterback coach that I'm comfortable with that I know that 0:08:14.578 --> 0:08:17.978 I have coaches within the past that runs my system, 0:08:18.098 --> 0:08:20.818 whatever it is. So you see the same guys over 0:08:20.858 --> 0:08:24.058 and over getting hired for quarterback coaching jobs, whether they 0:08:24.098 --> 0:08:27.698 should or not. And I don't know if, like what 0:08:27.858 --> 0:08:30.658 kind of indictment this is of myself, but this has 0:08:30.658 --> 0:08:32.698 been going on for years and years, and I never 0:08:32.778 --> 0:08:36.658 really thought like, hey, shouldn't there be a more diverse pool, 0:08:37.218 --> 0:08:43.978 Like teams like the Eagles went into college football, um 0:08:44.378 --> 0:08:47.218 and found a quarterback coach who was at Florida. I 0:08:47.298 --> 0:08:54.578 was was actually there, um and who yeah, who? Who 0:08:54.658 --> 0:08:57.978 spent some time talking to yesterday and I was like, oh, 0:08:58.178 --> 0:09:00.938 that's a clever higher not thinking like I know, more 0:09:00.978 --> 0:09:03.778 teams open the brain a little bit and who else 0:09:03.818 --> 0:09:05.978 can I hire that? Maybe I don't know. It's well, 0:09:06.178 --> 0:09:08.858 this is all very interesting. Actually yeah. And so like 0:09:08.898 --> 0:09:11.618 I brought up the Quarterback Summit because you group that 0:09:11.698 --> 0:09:16.298 now with the addition of the quarterback coaching position to 0:09:16.418 --> 0:09:20.898 the Rooney Rule and now the front office and coach 0:09:20.978 --> 0:09:24.538 Accelerator program where you're getting hands on face time with 0:09:24.618 --> 0:09:27.978 the owners and it it feels like that's a real 0:09:28.138 --> 0:09:32.418 powerful trio to kinda to try to make some improvement 0:09:32.818 --> 0:09:35.338 in these areas in which we've we've all seen the 0:09:35.418 --> 0:09:39.058 league fall short in the last few years. So um, 0:09:39.098 --> 0:09:40.778 it's great. It's look, it's great to see. Let's see 0:09:40.778 --> 0:09:42.498 how it let's see how it happens. As you mentioned, Steve, 0:09:42.538 --> 0:09:45.538 short term is is is great. Long term is obviously 0:09:45.578 --> 0:09:48.538 what we're looking for here. And as as UH Commissioner 0:09:48.618 --> 0:09:50.458 Roger Goodell said in the interview with you that the 0:09:50.458 --> 0:09:52.258 individuals in the clubs, it's up to them to keep 0:09:52.258 --> 0:09:54.938 the momentum going. We put these things in place, it's 0:09:54.938 --> 0:09:59.578 now time to start seeing some change. So that's all 0:09:59.618 --> 0:10:01.938 great to see. And I do want to get into 0:10:02.218 --> 0:10:06.418 just a couple of other things here from the Spring 0:10:06.458 --> 0:10:08.898 League meeting there in Atlanta, and we'll do that here 0:10:08.898 --> 0:10:25.458 in just second right for this quick break, all right 0:10:25.498 --> 0:10:27.898 back with you on NFL Inside Report. Lewis joined here 0:10:27.938 --> 0:10:31.378 today by Steve White and Keen rap Reports as they 0:10:31.378 --> 0:10:33.818 were at the last League meeting just a couple of 0:10:33.858 --> 0:10:36.818 days ago in Atlanta, and now kind of looking at 0:10:36.858 --> 0:10:38.898 some of the other news that we've seen come out 0:10:38.938 --> 0:10:41.258 of that meeting, and we heard Commission Roger Goodell at 0:10:41.258 --> 0:10:44.178 the conclusion of the meeting talk in his press conference 0:10:44.178 --> 0:10:47.418 about the potential discipline coming forward to Shaun Watson Ian, 0:10:48.018 --> 0:10:50.698 what's your understanding of where that situation stands at this point. 0:10:51.378 --> 0:10:53.578 We kind of thought when DeShawn Watson was interviewed by 0:10:53.658 --> 0:10:57.018 NFL officials last week in Houston for several days that 0:10:57.098 --> 0:10:59.458 it would be kind of the end, because usually the 0:10:59.538 --> 0:11:02.778 subject of the investigation is last to gather all the information. 0:11:03.378 --> 0:11:07.578 You see, what you know, and then you basically present 0:11:08.338 --> 0:11:11.218 the subject with what you've learned, and you let this 0:11:11.258 --> 0:11:14.578 person give you know the take and get all the 0:11:14.618 --> 0:11:17.378 truth and move from there. So we thought this was 0:11:17.458 --> 0:11:20.458 kind of the end and Roger Goodell essentially confirmed that 0:11:20.898 --> 0:11:23.818 the investigation is nearing a close. So what's gonna happen 0:11:23.858 --> 0:11:28.018 now is the league, the officials, the investigators are gonna 0:11:28.018 --> 0:11:31.978 go look at what John Watson said compared to what 0:11:32.058 --> 0:11:35.738 they know way all the stuff they what they've gathered 0:11:35.778 --> 0:11:38.578 for the last several months, and then presented to a 0:11:38.698 --> 0:11:42.218 third party arbitrator who's not Roger Goodell. And that's different 0:11:42.298 --> 0:11:45.378 because in the past, Goodell has made the decision and 0:11:45.418 --> 0:11:48.578 then you know, the union or the player could appeal. 0:11:49.138 --> 0:11:51.618 It's different. Now it's a third party arbitrator and then 0:11:51.658 --> 0:11:55.818 both sides can appeal eventually. Um, so you know, the 0:11:55.818 --> 0:11:58.938 belief is that the investigation is basically done. The belief 0:11:59.018 --> 0:12:01.338 is that we will get an answer before the summer 0:12:02.178 --> 0:12:04.658 and well before training him. So at least if you're 0:12:05.578 --> 0:12:10.378 the Browns, you know, all right, like we know what 0:12:10.498 --> 0:12:13.378 we have during the season, and I know, Steve, you're 0:12:13.378 --> 0:12:16.418 gonna get a lot of you know, guesses. And each 0:12:16.458 --> 0:12:18.858 time any of us speaks publicly in any sense, people say, 0:12:18.938 --> 0:12:21.738 how much how many games do you think? I don't know, 0:12:22.458 --> 0:12:27.898 nobody knows, nobody knows. There's so much here. Um, you know, 0:12:27.898 --> 0:12:29.218 we're just gonna have to wait to see what the 0:12:29.298 --> 0:12:32.298 arbitrator decides, right, because we don't know which evidence is 0:12:32.298 --> 0:12:36.858 going to be relevant um to to a decision that 0:12:36.978 --> 0:12:39.978 they've collected. Um, you know, and we both were speaking 0:12:39.978 --> 0:12:42.338 to plenty of people there from you know, teams and 0:12:42.458 --> 0:12:45.018 in the league on this, you know, and they do 0:12:45.058 --> 0:12:47.378 want to get resolution as soon as possibly. Is the 0:12:47.378 --> 0:12:49.418 first phase of resolution, like you said, it has to 0:12:49.458 --> 0:12:53.538 go through a couple of layers before there's final resolution. Um, 0:12:53.938 --> 0:12:57.978 the feeling is no matter what the answer is, whether 0:12:58.018 --> 0:13:00.658 they wait on discipline until after the season when the 0:13:00.738 --> 0:13:04.258 civil trials could take place in three whether they administer 0:13:04.378 --> 0:13:08.298 discipline now, the length of discipline, severity of discipline, there's 0:13:08.338 --> 0:13:12.258 going to be no way that anybody is gonna like 0:13:12.378 --> 0:13:16.098 everybody's gonna be okay, like okay that was justified discipline 0:13:16.218 --> 0:13:18.698 or their patients is something that you know that to 0:13:18.778 --> 0:13:22.418 due process, like, there's gonna be an issue regardless. So 0:13:22.498 --> 0:13:25.458 they want to have that for punk relationship LEAs reasons 0:13:25.778 --> 0:13:29.258 they would love to take the blowback before the whistle 0:13:29.298 --> 0:13:33.218 starts snapping, before you know, blowing before training camp. But 0:13:33.298 --> 0:13:37.138 whatever it is, um, in some form or fashion, we 0:13:37.178 --> 0:13:40.178 should know something. The next couple of weeks. Also at 0:13:40.178 --> 0:13:44.778 that news conference commissure, Goodell was asked multiple questions about 0:13:44.818 --> 0:13:48.698 Washington Commander's ownership and Dan Snyder in the situation there. 0:13:48.738 --> 0:13:51.018 Steve will start with you and then get your thoughts 0:13:51.058 --> 0:13:54.418 here Ian as well. How much of the Snyder's situation 0:13:54.498 --> 0:13:58.338 was a topic kind of amongst ownership and and kind 0:13:58.338 --> 0:13:59.818 of in the hallways that you guys were there at 0:13:59.818 --> 0:14:02.698 the league meeting. Not much from from what I could tell, 0:14:02.978 --> 0:14:05.058 it doesn't sound like much. And even Roger Goodell came 0:14:05.098 --> 0:14:07.578 out and said, you know, someone I asked him a 0:14:07.658 --> 0:14:11.458 question about a report that owners are gathering votes to 0:14:11.498 --> 0:14:16.098 get Daniel Snyder removed from ownership beast like, yeah, Yeah, 0:14:16.098 --> 0:14:19.458 there was really no discussion, no discussion about that. Didn't 0:14:19.458 --> 0:14:23.258 hear anything about that. So whether that's true or not, 0:14:23.378 --> 0:14:26.298 you know, I I take Roger Goodell at his word. Um, 0:14:26.338 --> 0:14:29.938 but that did not seem to be among the owners 0:14:29.978 --> 0:14:33.058 at least um as much of discussion about other things 0:14:33.058 --> 0:14:36.698 that were on the actual meeting agenda. Yeah. I talked 0:14:36.738 --> 0:14:38.938 to an owner after the session after the you know, 0:14:38.978 --> 0:14:42.658 owner's only session, asked what they discussed. Uh, it sounds 0:14:42.698 --> 0:14:47.338 like no Dan Snyder discussion m hm, which I guess 0:14:47.378 --> 0:14:52.338 surprised me considering the reports coming into it. Um. And then, 0:14:52.378 --> 0:14:55.778 like you know, a lot of times, as Steve knows, 0:14:55.818 --> 0:14:58.778 when Roger Goodell talks to the press conference, we kind 0:14:58.778 --> 0:15:00.818 of know what some of the answers are gonna be. 0:15:00.858 --> 0:15:03.298 You know, yesterday it was pro bos and innapous, it 0:15:03.458 --> 0:15:06.818 was you know, Deshaun Lawson. Roger Goodell essentially said we 0:15:06.818 --> 0:15:08.098 thought he was going to say, which is that the 0:15:08.138 --> 0:15:11.458 investigations coming to a close. When he made his answer 0:15:11.538 --> 0:15:15.778 on Dan Snyder and really shot down any sort of 0:15:15.818 --> 0:15:18.618 report that Snyer was in trouble, that he was going 0:15:18.658 --> 0:15:21.858 to lose the team, that there were votes being counted. 0:15:21.898 --> 0:15:24.938 I elbowed Judy next to me because I was surprised, 0:15:25.058 --> 0:15:28.778 like it was a sort of rebuke of the report. 0:15:29.178 --> 0:15:32.698 And you know, things can happen many different ways this 0:15:32.738 --> 0:15:37.658 can go, um, but I was surprised that he came 0:15:37.698 --> 0:15:41.538 back so hard against the you know, possible removal of 0:15:41.618 --> 0:15:44.978 Dan snunder, which which is to say, in our thinking, 0:15:45.378 --> 0:15:47.778 he is the owner of the Washington Commanders for the 0:15:47.778 --> 0:15:52.858 foreseeable future until something dramatic changes. Sure. Sure, and obviously 0:15:52.898 --> 0:15:55.218 we'll keep following that story, but you mentioned two of 0:15:55.258 --> 0:15:57.898 the other big pieces of news to come out of 0:15:57.898 --> 0:15:59.858 the meeting there. Let's start with the Pro Bowl Ian 0:16:00.018 --> 0:16:02.058 because that was kind of a one of those When 0:16:02.098 --> 0:16:04.298 you sent out the tweet that potential changes were coming, 0:16:04.298 --> 0:16:06.458 it was like, you know, there was all right, what's 0:16:06.458 --> 0:16:08.218 it gonna be? Right? I mean like that was that's 0:16:08.218 --> 0:16:12.058 like a real like firestarter tweet right there. What wasn't 0:16:12.058 --> 0:16:14.618 necessarily anticipating it? But I gotta tell you this. So 0:16:14.658 --> 0:16:17.978 I was calling the Shrine Bowl in Vegas at the 0:16:18.018 --> 0:16:21.898 same time as the Pro Bowl this past year, and uh, 0:16:21.938 --> 0:16:24.578 and then I was down in Mobile, you know, as 0:16:24.618 --> 0:16:26.378 the Senior Bowl was going on. It's like I just 0:16:26.418 --> 0:16:30.138 didn't I didn't have I didn't watch the Senior the 0:16:30.178 --> 0:16:33.218 Pro Bowl live. Then went back went back and saw 0:16:33.258 --> 0:16:36.178 it and was like, wait, this is what the Pro 0:16:36.258 --> 0:16:38.898 Bowl has become. You did go back and see it. 0:16:39.138 --> 0:16:42.138 I did, after everybody was talking about it, after everybody 0:16:42.498 --> 0:16:45.058 about and I was like, well, what's what's going on here? 0:16:45.658 --> 0:16:49.058 So yeah, you're right, clearly the game had evolved into 0:16:49.098 --> 0:16:53.538 something that it should not be. And so what's the resolution? 0:16:53.698 --> 0:16:56.458 I guess that's the point that that we're trying to 0:16:56.458 --> 0:16:58.538 make yours and we didn't. We don't know, um, but 0:16:58.658 --> 0:17:01.458 that's what we're looking for, right, Yeah, I mean, I'm 0:17:01.698 --> 0:17:04.218 you could sign me up for a stolid quarter of 0:17:04.978 --> 0:17:09.018 Pro Bowl watching every year. Um, you know, it's usually 0:17:09.018 --> 0:17:12.098 when I get to the Super Bowl host city. In 0:17:12.218 --> 0:17:15.338 my hotel room Sunday called a little exercise put on 0:17:15.378 --> 0:17:18.218 the Pro Bowl, like all right, one quarter is good, 0:17:18.578 --> 0:17:20.818 leave the TV on so it gets the ratings and 0:17:20.858 --> 0:17:26.458 then uh, you know and that um it's not great. Uh. 0:17:26.458 --> 0:17:28.818 And I have to say I was not expecting that 0:17:28.818 --> 0:17:31.298 news yesterday and I was like smiling as I tweeted 0:17:31.298 --> 0:17:33.938 because I knew it would get a great because like 0:17:34.778 --> 0:17:36.578 it's so much. It's like, all right, well, if we're 0:17:36.578 --> 0:17:39.218 not gonna do the game, then we're gonna do what. 0:17:39.258 --> 0:17:41.178 We're not gonna do the traditional game, because I think 0:17:41.178 --> 0:17:43.618 there will be a game, you know, Steve, Like, I 0:17:43.658 --> 0:17:48.378 think we'll get a flag football game or something, some 0:17:48.418 --> 0:17:51.258 sort of seven on seven, some sort of something where 0:17:51.258 --> 0:17:53.738 you get to celebrate and showcase these players who deserve 0:17:53.818 --> 0:17:57.378 to be there, and the players like going. They bring 0:17:57.418 --> 0:18:00.058 their families, a lot of them. Hang, it must be 0:18:00.138 --> 0:18:03.218 clear the event like the week has been great, and 0:18:03.458 --> 0:18:06.378 the interaction with the community that hosts the Pro Bowl 0:18:06.378 --> 0:18:08.978 has always been great and all of the events surrounding it. 0:18:08.978 --> 0:18:13.658 It's just the game. It's the issue, right, um yeah, 0:18:14.298 --> 0:18:16.258 and let me take this phone, call me right back 0:18:17.018 --> 0:18:19.378 real quick. But but but still in on on the 0:18:19.418 --> 0:18:20.858 on the Pro Bowl. I mean, guys just don't want 0:18:20.898 --> 0:18:22.938 to get hurt. I mean that's to coming out. And 0:18:22.978 --> 0:18:25.378 I understand. I remember growing I remember growing up back 0:18:25.378 --> 0:18:27.218 in the day and like the seventies and eighties, and 0:18:27.258 --> 0:18:28.778 I mean, these guys are getting after it, but I 0:18:28.818 --> 0:18:31.258 mean they won't pay the money. They weren't getting paid 0:18:31.258 --> 0:18:34.218 the money or didn't have um things in their contract 0:18:34.298 --> 0:18:37.738 that said, hey, you know you've if you're healthy, then 0:18:37.738 --> 0:18:40.098 it's gonna be guaranteed by this day. So guys just 0:18:40.138 --> 0:18:42.218 don't want to get hurt. So this is gonna end 0:18:42.298 --> 0:18:45.498 up being read by all accounts, a skills competition. And 0:18:45.498 --> 0:18:48.298 they can make it fun. Right. Let's have you know, 0:18:48.938 --> 0:18:53.418 Tom Brady and Matt Ryan and some of the older 0:18:53.538 --> 0:18:56.538 Probowl quarterbacks against the up starts, you know, against Kyler 0:18:56.618 --> 0:19:01.018 Murray and Josh Allen and come. So it'll end up 0:19:01.258 --> 0:19:03.738 something to do it yeah, there are ways to do it. 0:19:03.738 --> 0:19:06.098 And see you're you're too right. But see I grew 0:19:06.178 --> 0:19:10.298 up watching the show on ABC called Like Superstars, where 0:19:10.298 --> 0:19:14.258 they would have like athletes and entertainers actually participating in 0:19:14.338 --> 0:19:16.898 kind of Olympic type competitions, be it swimming, be a 0:19:16.978 --> 0:19:20.298 track and field, um, be it whatever. I think it's 0:19:20.298 --> 0:19:23.538 actually gonna morph into that where you're not just getting 0:19:23.618 --> 0:19:25.698 niche football fans watching it, where where it could end 0:19:25.738 --> 0:19:28.738 up being a real crossover event with all the you know, 0:19:28.778 --> 0:19:32.138 the TV network UM programming and things like that. I 0:19:32.178 --> 0:19:34.578 think two or three years from now, we're gonna see 0:19:34.578 --> 0:19:38.338 people like you know, Ian, it's part of four by 0:19:38.378 --> 0:19:46.458 one hundred team with to Kill and Jordan Poyer. Um, Kelsey, 0:19:46.618 --> 0:19:49.858 you just got drafted. Ay event. I'm coming with an 0:19:49.898 --> 0:19:53.058 idea where we're mixing, we're making sports entertainment together. Ian, 0:19:55.498 --> 0:19:59.298 I think it's well a couple of things, Um dodge more. 0:19:59.618 --> 0:20:01.258 What are the linemen gonna do is do anything? I 0:20:01.298 --> 0:20:04.258 guess the dogs ball, that Dodgs ball thing you throughout 0:20:04.258 --> 0:20:09.258 there would be show awesome dodgeball. Oh god, I'm sorry, 0:20:09.258 --> 0:20:12.978 I gotta get that. But yeah, that's the point, Like 0:20:12.978 --> 0:20:14.738 you gotta fight you can't just have a flag football 0:20:14.738 --> 0:20:16.178 game because like what are the old lineman and d 0:20:16.258 --> 0:20:22.058 linemen do nothing? Right like it? So that's competitions and 0:20:22.058 --> 0:20:25.538 things like that. Yeah, yeah, there's gotta be there's gotta 0:20:25.538 --> 0:20:29.338 be a way to to include everyone because you know, 0:20:29.418 --> 0:20:31.498 that's that's the name of the game here. So I 0:20:31.498 --> 0:20:35.818 think that's ah, look, that's the dodgeball thing would be interesting. Now, Look, 0:20:35.858 --> 0:20:39.658 they've done skills, they do skills competitions already, you know, 0:20:39.738 --> 0:20:42.258 and like we saw that in Vegas. We've seen that 0:20:42.298 --> 0:20:44.898 in years past. Uh you know, we had the beach 0:20:45.338 --> 0:20:48.418 Um football game, flag football game, you know when it 0:20:48.458 --> 0:20:51.538 was back in Hawaii years ago until until Robert Edwards 0:20:51.538 --> 0:20:55.818 blew out his knee right right. So and that's the 0:20:55.858 --> 0:20:57.938 other thing, like it's it's you know, we gotta we 0:20:57.938 --> 0:21:02.418 gotta manage the fun and then the practicality why the 0:21:02.458 --> 0:21:06.498 injury risk? Sure? So all right, well, so something something's happening, 0:21:06.498 --> 0:21:08.338 something's brewing with the Pro Bowl, and that will be 0:21:08.338 --> 0:21:11.298 interesting to follow here. Uh, it's as we try to 0:21:11.298 --> 0:21:13.378 figure out what the next generation of the game and 0:21:13.658 --> 0:21:15.938 of the event and of the week is going to be. 0:21:16.738 --> 0:21:21.418 Next up though, and don't go back, Okay, I want 0:21:21.418 --> 0:21:25.018 to win in hold on. I'm sorry. I'm sorry about ever. Know, 0:21:25.338 --> 0:21:28.098 sometimes important people call you for not important reasons, so 0:21:28.218 --> 0:21:30.658 you just never know who's calling. Not that those people 0:21:30.658 --> 0:21:34.938 call me for not important reasons, but they did. Um, 0:21:34.978 --> 0:21:38.698 so here's what I want. The lineman dodgeball is a 0:21:38.698 --> 0:21:43.498 great idea. That would be fun. Kickball also fun. Um. 0:21:43.938 --> 0:21:46.378 What I also kind of like is like linemen are 0:21:46.418 --> 0:21:49.818 generally pretty funny. You could just give them lawn chairs 0:21:49.818 --> 0:21:51.618 and mike them up and just have them do the 0:21:51.658 --> 0:21:55.778