1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: What's up, y'all. We're back here at the twenty twenty 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 1: six NFL Scouting Combine. You're finding us on the Atlanta 3 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:09,400 Speaker 1: Falcons podcast network. I'm Will McFadden, Tory mcleaney, and I 4 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 1: sat down with a great prop of national media. Guess 5 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:16,040 Speaker 1: we got some heavy hitters including Judy Batista, Ben Solak, 6 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:19,319 Speaker 1: Bryant McFadden, maybe a cousin of mine. I'm not so sure, 7 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: but uh, you know, we chatted nonetheless, Dan Graziano and 8 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: Danny Kelly. It's a lot of fun, a lot of 9 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: insight into where the Falcons stand, where they could go next, 10 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: and it's great. So I hope you guys enjoy what 11 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 1: we've got coming up for you. We are so fortunate 12 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: to be joined now by Judy Batista, the co host 13 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: of The Insiders on NFL Network. 14 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 2: Yes, thank you, yeah, thanks for having me. 15 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: So things have been busy here in Atlanta. Yes, got 16 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: new head coach, got new GM, got new president football, 17 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:50,160 Speaker 1: new position for us. Let's actually start with Matt Ryan 18 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 1: in that president football role. What do you think of 19 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 1: kind of this new movement? Be it Andrew Lux Stanford, 20 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:00,280 Speaker 1: Dan Morgan with the panther like former players getting into 21 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: these leadership positions. What do you make of that and 22 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:04,119 Speaker 1: how do you expect Matt to kind. 23 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 3: Of do Toarny Pacelli who's done the job in the 24 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 3: Jacksonville Jaguars. I actually, I think it's really interesting because 25 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 3: I think there's I always have the feeling that this 26 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 3: generation of players who have made a lot of money 27 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:18,959 Speaker 3: and they're playing forres, I like, are they really going 28 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 3: to go the coaching route to stay in football? Like 29 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 3: coaching is a grind obviously, and I'm like, I think 30 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 3: those guys going to do that when you have had 31 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 3: a level of stardom and obviously an income level that 32 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:32,959 Speaker 3: like you don't have to do this. But this role 33 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:36,680 Speaker 3: for former players, for you know, top level former players, 34 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 3: like is the perfect fit because I think they get 35 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,559 Speaker 3: the bigger picture of the organization. Obviously they have deep 36 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 3: ties to the organization to ownership, and they sort of 37 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 3: get the bigger picture business side and football side. 38 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 2: So I think that's a great role. 39 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 3: And I mean, look, Matt Ryan is a smart guy, 40 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 3: so he will be fine in any role, but like, 41 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 3: I think it's a great fit for him. 42 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 4: Talking about pitch as well, Kevin is the twentieth head 43 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 4: coach in the franchise history. 44 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 5: What did you kind of. 45 00:02:07,640 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 4: Make of this chance that he gets to now go 46 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:14,520 Speaker 4: from Cleveland to the Falcons and being able to coach 47 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 4: this particular roster where. 48 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:16,799 Speaker 5: It is right now. 49 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 3: Well, first of all, he is he's a really good 50 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,239 Speaker 3: offensive coach, and he's had I mean, let's be honest 51 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 3: at Cleveland, like he has had to navigate some tough waters. 52 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 3: That year that he won Coach of the Year was 53 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,800 Speaker 3: the most ridiculous year, right, I mean, he like they 54 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 3: played like twenty five quarterbacks. It was ridiculous, and I 55 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 3: mean and they were winning with like literally quarterbacks that 56 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 3: he'd be like, all right. 57 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 2: Next up, let's got yeah. 58 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 3: So, I mean I have a lot of confidence that, 59 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 3: like that part of the game is going to be fine. 60 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 2: Let's say said, this team is not that far off. 61 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:52,080 Speaker 3: I mean, it's like as close as you can be 62 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 3: without literally without being the division champion. So I don't 63 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 3: think you have to I know this. You know they 64 00:02:58,040 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 3: always say you start from the bottom every year, but 65 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 3: you're this is not a team that you know, like 66 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 3: some of the turnarounds we saw this year in the NFL, 67 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 3: this is not that situation. 68 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 2: The floor is pretty high. 69 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:11,640 Speaker 3: You know, so much is going to depend on Pennix's 70 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 3: health if he can come back, pow will he come back? 71 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:16,679 Speaker 2: You know, what's the timeline there? 72 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 3: And I don't think we have a really good read 73 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 3: on that yet, so that's a big question. But I 74 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 3: thought franchise tagging Kyle Pitts is the obvious thing to do. 75 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,079 Speaker 2: Stefanski's had a lot of success using. 76 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 3: A tight end in his offense, so I thought it 77 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 3: was a really good fit for Kevin Stefanski. I mean, 78 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 3: quite frankly, Kevin Stefanski was the top head coach available 79 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 3: probably until John Harbaugh surprisingly got fired, and so I 80 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 3: mean you landed one of the best guys available. So 81 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 3: and I think it's a really good fit for the 82 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 3: pieces that you have, because this is a team ready 83 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 3: to win right now, Like you just don't have to 84 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 3: do that much more. 85 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I really like for that reason, kind of 86 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: keeping some stability on the defense side of the ball, right, 87 00:03:57,080 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: and that allows him to focus on the offense, and 88 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 1: particularly I think he get the nail on the head 89 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 1: is like the work that he did navigating tricky quarterback situations, 90 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 1: which is something Atlanta has been trying to get out 91 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 1: of pretty much since Matt Ryan's tenure ended here right 92 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: when you look at the situation around the quarterback though, 93 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 1: whoever that may be, I mean, how much more can 94 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: we get from Jean Robinson than last year? It seems 95 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 1: like a perfect situation in a lot of ways. 96 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 2: So awesome. 97 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, Listen, you always want to have as many weapons 98 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 3: around your quarterback as you can have, but you've got. 99 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:35,919 Speaker 2: Too really good like I just said, and. 100 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:39,840 Speaker 3: Kyle Pitts and Pishan is just I think I don't 101 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 3: know if he I think I don't know if he 102 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 3: was underappreciated or just not as high on the radar 103 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:45,279 Speaker 3: for most people. 104 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 2: But I feel like last season everybody. 105 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 3: Was like, oh, like, wow, he's good like and so 106 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 3: now the rest of the league is like, wow, this guy. 107 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 3: Those are two really great weapons to have. And again, 108 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 3: I think Stefanski knows how to use weapons like that. 109 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 2: I mean we've seen. 110 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 3: That from his experience in Cleveland again having a r 111 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 3: really good running back and again having a quality tight end. 112 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:14,039 Speaker 3: So I I think that this is the Again, they've 113 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:17,919 Speaker 3: got good personnel, you've always got to get more. And 114 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:20,360 Speaker 3: again you have to see what Pennix comes back like 115 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 3: and if he's what a situation's gonna be, well, I 116 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:23,840 Speaker 3: think that was gonna be. 117 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:25,600 Speaker 4: My next question is like really coming in on the 118 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 4: quarterback situation in Atlanta, you do have this question mark 119 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 4: with Michael Pinnox and you kind of have to like, 120 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 4: what what's the saying you gotta prepare for the worst? Yes, 121 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 4: expect the best or it and so now a falcon 122 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 4: smoke forward with Michael PINNOCKX Junior. You no longer have 123 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 4: Kirk Cousins in that room any longer as of March eleventh, 124 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 4: with a posting one designation for you, what would you 125 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:52,840 Speaker 4: like to see the Fuccans do in that quarterback room for. 126 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 5: Twenty twenty seven? 127 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 3: Well, I mean you obviously have to get uh U 128 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 3: a backup that you feel comfortable can play some games, 129 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 3: right because you, I mean, you don't know what the 130 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 3: timeline is and you know Panics has been up and down. 131 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 3: I mean you have seen flashes of wow, okay, is 132 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:12,839 Speaker 3: this what it's going to be, but it's been uneven 133 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 3: and so you, I mean you have to insulate yourself. 134 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 3: You have to have and even if he comes back, 135 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 3: you have to be prepared. 136 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 2: We saw so much in the NFL this year. 137 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 3: Quarterbacks rarely play all seventeen games unfortunately in the NFL, 138 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 3: and so you've got to be ready with a backup 139 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 3: who can go in and win games and win a 140 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 3: few games. 141 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 2: So they got to get that in the building. 142 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:37,840 Speaker 3: And I think it would also be better if they 143 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:40,720 Speaker 3: have a quarterback who's had some experience who can help 144 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,039 Speaker 3: him develop, right. I mean, I think those are the 145 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:45,839 Speaker 3: most successful quarterback rooms in the NFL is one where 146 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 3: if you have a young quarterback, you have a veteran 147 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 3: who's sort of been through it all who can mentor 148 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 3: him and be a sounding board. And Kevint Stefanski will 149 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 3: obviously be the sounding board too, but like a peer 150 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 3: to be that that helps young quarterback development too. 151 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I thought it was interesting yesterday Kevin Sfanski 152 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: was saying, you know, we want whoever is talking to 153 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 1: the quarterbacks to speak with one voice. Yes, doesn't mean 154 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 1: there's not going to be multiple people right kind of 155 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 1: in that player's here, but they all have to have 156 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 1: the same message. So he clearly understands quarterback development, especially 157 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 1: with a young quarterback. 158 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 6: Question. 159 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: But when you hire a two time coach of the Year, 160 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: a lot of people are going to know about that individual. 161 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 1: The gms are usually less known, and when you hire 162 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 1: somebody into that role, you kind of start then digging 163 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:34,760 Speaker 1: and learning a little bit about him for the first time. 164 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: What do you know about Ian Cunningham After talking to him, 165 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 1: he seems like a great dude. I'm excited to get 166 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 1: to know him, But what do you know about what 167 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 1: he's bringing to the table. 168 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 3: So I've interviewed Ian a few times as part of 169 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 3: the league's when he was part of the Accelerator program, 170 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 3: they would have it at league meetings. So he's been 171 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 3: on the GM radar screen for a few cycles now, 172 00:07:55,560 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 3: and obviously the work in Chicago really elevated him, like 173 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 3: really good roster developer. I think known for collaborative which 174 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 3: is so important that you have that sort of synergy 175 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 3: in a building because we've seen when you don't have 176 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 3: it that things go off the rails pretty quickly. 177 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 2: Like I am really excited. 178 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 3: To see what he does now that he has finally 179 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 3: gotten his opportunity, because he has waited for his opportunity 180 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 3: and the league, certainly, I think there were people in 181 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 3: the league who thought this guy is ready for the 182 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 3: next step. And so now that he's got it. I'm 183 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 3: super excited for him. I was really happy to see 184 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 3: that he landed a job. And again, I think this 185 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 3: is a really good situation because this is again not 186 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 3: a roster that you have to blow up and make over. 187 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 3: So like this is, you know, this is the kind 188 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 3: of thing where you like a few pieces here and 189 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 3: there and you can really have something when you. 190 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 4: Are interviewing him and you know before he ever got 191 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:51,319 Speaker 4: this opportunity and you kind of what about him made 192 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 4: you feel like, you know, this is a guy who he's. 193 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:54,880 Speaker 5: Going to be a kingdom day. 194 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 3: He's just really serious and smart and like a you know, 195 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:01,079 Speaker 3: I mean, all the things you would think about a GM. 196 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 3: Like he's just really you know, always really thoughtful and 197 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 3: like thinks about roster construction and just thinks about again the. 198 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 2: Sort of the big picture about how you put a 199 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 2: roster together. 200 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 3: And thinks about synergy with the coach that like you 201 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 3: need to write the GM can't just be getting guys 202 00:09:18,400 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 3: that he likes. 203 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: It's got to be guys that fit into what the 204 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 2: head coach wants. 205 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 3: So I mean, I just think like it was clear 206 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:29,439 Speaker 3: that he had the makeup and also just the bearing. 207 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 2: Of a general manager. He could do that job. General 208 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 2: managers more and more are. 209 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 3: Out there, just like coaches are, and so I think 210 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:39,960 Speaker 3: the ability to handle those questions is important. And so 211 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:42,600 Speaker 3: you know, I think he's going to be fine. I'm 212 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 3: excited for him. 213 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 1: One of the key insights, though, I think that he 214 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 1: has shared is how much he loves draft picks. Building 215 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,679 Speaker 1: through the draft. It seems like Kevin Sfanski shares a 216 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: similar kind of development attitude of mindset. And I've just 217 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 1: been trying to kind of square these two things. Atlanta, 218 00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:00,680 Speaker 1: on the one hand, we're talking about the as a roster. 219 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 1: It is kind of right there on the cusp, and 220 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 1: maybe can they get over the hump? Normally, I think 221 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:08,080 Speaker 1: that would lend to let's attack free agency. Let's go 222 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 1: get a couple of proven commodities at key spots to 223 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 1: really push us over the hump. With the draft approach, 224 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: especially only five picks, Like, yeah, what can Atlanta do 225 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 1: this offseason in your mind to get them into that 226 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: top spot in the NFC South. 227 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:25,559 Speaker 3: Well, first of all, again, they don't have to do 228 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 3: that much to get to the top spot in the 229 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 3: NFC South, right, I mean traditionally the last few years right. 230 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 2: The NFC South has been. 231 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:37,840 Speaker 3: Like right here, so right. I mean it's really tightly bunched. 232 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 3: So you know, they don't have to me they don't 233 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 3: have to be the New England Patriots where they have 234 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 3: to like go crazy and remake the roster and do 235 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 3: something dramatic. 236 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 2: Look, I think they have to get again. 237 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:53,199 Speaker 3: They need to put as much as they possibly can 238 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:56,199 Speaker 3: around Panis. They need to have a quality backup quarterback 239 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,480 Speaker 3: so that if he can't go or you need to 240 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:00,320 Speaker 3: make a quarterback change, you have somebody who go in 241 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 3: there and win. But you don't you know, you don't 242 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 3: need that much. You've got players on defense, like you 243 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:06,680 Speaker 3: don't really need that much. 244 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 2: With a few draft picks. 245 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 3: I mean, I think you can do some work in 246 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 3: free agency. You don't have to do blockbuster free agency, 247 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 3: but like smart signings in free agency, put some pieces 248 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 3: in place. Again, I think the Falcons are in a 249 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:23,880 Speaker 3: really good spot. Like I just don't think they have 250 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:26,960 Speaker 3: to have like some sort of crazy roster makeover to 251 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 3: be successful. 252 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:30,240 Speaker 1: Judy, thank you so much for sitting down with us, 253 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 1: my pleasure. This is incredible insight and we hope to 254 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: have a you on again. 255 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:35,079 Speaker 2: Absolutely look forward to it. 256 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:38,840 Speaker 1: Thanks guys, we got Ben sol lack of ESPN joining 257 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: us now. Ben, thank you for taking the time. It's 258 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:45,080 Speaker 1: always a busy time of the year. What do you 259 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:48,640 Speaker 1: think the impact of this offseason for Atlanta is going 260 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: to mean? Kind of for Atlanta's offense with Kevin Sefanski 261 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: coming in here and Tommy Reese if you have a 262 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,079 Speaker 1: kind of any insight on him as offensive coordinator. 263 00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 7: Yeah, I actually really like what Stefanskian restatingly, I was 264 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 7: one of the very few people who was watching the 265 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,400 Speaker 7: Cleveland offense, not for any quarterback specific takes or being like, man, 266 00:12:05,440 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 7: they've using tight ends is pretty cool. Right when they 267 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:09,199 Speaker 7: re signed Pits or I should say franchise tag Pits, 268 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 7: I was really excited because, like, this is the staff 269 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:12,640 Speaker 7: that uses tight ends in a really unique way. They 270 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 7: get them the ball behind line, scrimmage yards, it for 271 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,079 Speaker 7: the catch opportunities. So I really like it for Pitts. 272 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:19,280 Speaker 7: I think running game wise, a lot of what Kevin 273 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 7: did when his Browns line was at its best fits 274 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 7: a lot of what Atlanta's done previously with this group. 275 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 7: Kevin had to change some of that rushing attack over 276 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 7: time as Cleveland's offense change, they try to go more gun. 277 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 7: For Deshaun Watson, you'ren to see him get back to 278 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 7: twenty twenty twenty twenty one basics. And Matt I think 279 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:34,280 Speaker 7: fits really really nicely with with Bijon, with with how 280 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 7: ge or a few returns, and then this offensive line. 281 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 7: So overall, I really really like the general fit. There's 282 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 7: obviously one kind of big question mark in the middle, 283 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 7: which is are we going to walk into this season 284 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 7: with Michael Pennix for surez Aar and trench Starter. We're 285 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 7: going to bring it in a potential quarterback too, and 286 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 7: we're going to have the potential offense change around them. 287 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 7: And so a lot of the ancillary pieces and you know, 288 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 7: falcons stands have heard this before, Drake lond and Jon Robinson, 289 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 7: Kyle Pitts, A lot of the ancillary pieces are great 290 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 7: off It's a linees a lot of reasons of excitement. 291 00:12:57,280 --> 00:12:58,680 Speaker 1: They know that. I like the staff a lot. 292 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:00,719 Speaker 7: We got to solve the quarterback because hopefully that's the 293 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:02,160 Speaker 7: first domino and then things go from there. 294 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 4: I want to touch on the run game a little 295 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 4: bit more because something that I've been looking into recently is, 296 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:11,440 Speaker 4: you know, varying kind of what Kevin Spanski and the 297 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 4: Palaces have done with wide zone stuff, but also in 298 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 4: the fact that Kevin Sefanski wants to add a little bit 299 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 4: more gap stuff. Jehn Robinson comes from gap style in Texas. 300 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 4: When you look at kind of the evolution of what 301 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,560 Speaker 4: this run game can be, I know Tommy Grace and 302 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 4: Kevin Spansky said, we're not reinventing their run game, will 303 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 4: we are hoping to maximize that what still left is 304 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 4: there for someone like Robinson. 305 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:35,200 Speaker 1: Right. 306 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 7: So, one of the things about Bijon coming in Bijon 307 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,200 Speaker 7: coming into the season was the lack of the explosive plays, right, 308 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 7: like where are the forty runs and the sixty yard runs? 309 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 7: And when you're a super heavy zone team, you're just 310 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:45,440 Speaker 7: not going to get a lot of those because you're 311 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 7: going to get a ton of horizontal flow. The run 312 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 7: is going into one side of the field, You're going 313 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 7: to get funneled into the sideline. 314 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 6: Right. 315 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 7: If you can run a little bit more gap power 316 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:54,200 Speaker 7: gap power, hits on a lane, hits on a line, right, 317 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:55,800 Speaker 7: we are running to the B gap if we can 318 00:13:55,880 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 7: hit it. We're hitting a vertical right downhill fast. We 319 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,120 Speaker 7: can kind of get some build up speed here. I 320 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 7: think it's going to be able to create more of 321 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 7: those explosives now. Bijon also did his job handling the 322 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 7: explosives this year. Right is a really really good back, 323 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 7: so you don't need to. 324 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 6: Help him out too much. 325 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:10,000 Speaker 7: But in general, when we look at really good modern 326 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:12,400 Speaker 7: running games, we look at running games that can be 327 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,080 Speaker 7: identity less, that can be formless, aren't just running one thing. Right, 328 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 7: Atlanta was an extremely heavy zone team, most own heavy 329 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 7: team in football, and there were times in which that 330 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 7: allowed them to just like dominate right that Bill's game. 331 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 7: They just leaned on them, right, I mean like there's 332 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 7: times that that lets them go and then there's times 333 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:26,560 Speaker 7: so they run into clever defenses that feel like they 334 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 7: know what what's coming down the pipe. So typically you've 335 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 7: seen you know, Sean McVay was a very heavy zone guy, 336 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 7: and then he changed identity over his years. Kyle Shanahan 337 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:34,640 Speaker 7: was a very heavy zone guy. He changed identity of 338 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 7: beers and the Stefanski did the same. And so typically 339 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 7: we want to be a running game that's got multiple 340 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 7: pitches in our bag, multiple arrows in our quiver, such 341 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 7: that we can change our approach relative to the defense 342 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 7: that we're facing, and Kevin's going to do that, and 343 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 7: then when you kind of look adding onto that the 344 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 7: passing element. I do think that the Falcons fans at 345 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 7: least like to see more of a play action element 346 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,120 Speaker 7: added to this offense. Last year we saw a ton 347 00:14:55,160 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 7: of pistol, which I think gives you still some of 348 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 7: those downhill looks for the running game and keeping things balance. 349 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 7: But knowing Kevin Stefanski's kind of history and he's adapted 350 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 7: what the quarterback wants to do. But play action is 351 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 7: a big part of it. 352 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: How much do you think they're going to still want 353 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 1: to implement that in the offense here in Atlanta or 354 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 1: you know, do you get the sense that it'll try 355 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 1: to work with what is quarterback? Yeah, is most comfortable. 356 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 8: It depends on the quarterback, right. 357 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 7: A lot of Stefanski's best play action stuff is what 358 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 7: we'd call movement series, which is where the quarterbacks being 359 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 7: booted out. 360 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 8: Right. 361 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 7: It's not pla action from the pocket, think Jared Goff, 362 00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 7: but it's more play action on the run. Think like 363 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 7: Sam Donald what he did with the Seahawks. And so 364 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 7: that's what Stefanski did with Baker. I think that fit 365 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 7: Baker well kind of depends on who's going to be 366 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 7: throwing the football for us. 367 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:34,800 Speaker 8: If it's Panics. 368 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 7: Panics really is a pocket guy, right, He's best on 369 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 7: the three step and go, three step and go, And 370 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 7: so you'll see a lot more from the pocket. And 371 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 7: that's going to be stuff that crosses over the intermediate 372 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 7: part of the field right in the middle between the numbers, 373 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 7: something that Drake's really good at. But I would not 374 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 7: say the cardinal strength for Drake is the outside of 375 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 7: the numbers stuff, right, And so as we see them 376 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 7: address wide receiver two here, that's going to give us 377 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 7: a clue to where they'd like to throw the football, right, 378 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 7: Because if you go and you get yourself and Alex 379 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 7: Pierce and Alex Pearce is a shot player, is a 380 00:15:58,120 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 7: deep play guy, right, If you get yourself a jew 381 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 7: one Jennings, that's more of your intermediate in breaking physical guy. 382 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:03,800 Speaker 7: If you get yourself a one Delle Robinson, that's more 383 00:16:03,840 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 7: of your screens guy. Romeo Dobbs is an outbreaking guy. 384 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 7: So they've got a wide receiver two question, and how 385 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 7: they address it is going to tell us more about 386 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 7: how they intend to distribute the targets. 387 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 4: What would you like to say at the quarterback position, 388 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,520 Speaker 4: knowing what you know about, well, maybe what you don't 389 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:18,120 Speaker 4: know about what Michael Panis is. 390 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 5: Going, what his timeline is going to be. 391 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 4: You know, Kirk Cousins will no longer be here at 392 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 4: the Star as a new league here. 393 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 5: What's kind of the evolution for you? What moves would 394 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 5: you like to see them make? 395 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:29,200 Speaker 8: So my guess is going to be that they kick 396 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 8: the tires on the lake. 397 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 7: Willis they figure out what the price tag is, They 398 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 7: find out that the price tag is going to be 399 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 7: astronomically high for a player of six starts, and then 400 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 7: they get off that train. And once you get off 401 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 7: that train, I think you start looking at So you 402 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 7: have your veteran market, which is your Jacoby Risett's and 403 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 7: your Marcus Mariota's and kind of that caliber Russell Wilson's 404 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:45,720 Speaker 7: Jamis Winston's of the world, and then you have a 405 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 7: lot of these quarterback twos who are still young players 406 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:51,120 Speaker 7: who are interesting, are exciting, but they've lost their job 407 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 7: for whatever region. Anthony Richardson Spencer Ratler with the Saints 408 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 7: is one such guy. Tanner mckeeon Philadelphi. You've heard tison 409 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 7: pagent rumors in this combine from the Bears, and I 410 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:00,920 Speaker 7: think you're going to see them investing some of those options. 411 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 7: I would guess that both Tua and Kyler end up 412 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 7: getting cut, and you know, look at those options, who. 413 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:05,160 Speaker 6: Should they take? 414 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 7: Man, I don't know, like you know, I guess it 415 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 7: is a really really tough year for the quarterback market 416 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:12,640 Speaker 7: where it's just like there's kind of one really strong 417 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:14,680 Speaker 7: guy in free agency and Willis, there's one really strong 418 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:16,439 Speaker 7: guy in for Ana Mendoz in the draft, and after that, 419 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:18,080 Speaker 7: it's a lot of like you know, pick your flavors, 420 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 7: imperfect options. 421 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 8: And so I'm confident they will do something. 422 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 7: I think that the way that they're talking about it, 423 00:17:23,320 --> 00:17:24,800 Speaker 7: and with the way you've seen Panics play and also 424 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:26,400 Speaker 7: his health, they have to come in with a Bible 425 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 7: quarterback two option. Who it could be, Man, I'll let 426 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:31,119 Speaker 7: you know March. You know, after they figured out, they'll 427 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:33,400 Speaker 7: be the first to know, all right, well that's that's 428 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 7: a deal. We'll have you back on in March. You 429 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:35,959 Speaker 7: can let us know. 430 00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 1: But Ben, thank you so much for taking a few 431 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 1: minutes to sit down with us. 432 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:40,160 Speaker 8: H Thanks, I appreciate it. 433 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 1: This is a treat. We have another McFadden joining the podcast. 434 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:47,439 Speaker 1: We got Brian McFadden of CBS Sports sitting down with 435 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 1: us talk little Falcons football. Brian, thank you so much 436 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:51,640 Speaker 1: for I'm doing well. 437 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:54,159 Speaker 6: Thank you for having me of course. 438 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:56,840 Speaker 1: So yeah, well, I guess start with the biggest news 439 00:17:56,840 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 1: maybe the off season, Kevin Stefanski, Ian Cunningham now in 440 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:02,919 Speaker 1: as leadership. What was kind of your first reaction to 441 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 1: We'll start with Kevin Stefanski being named the head coach 442 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:06,200 Speaker 1: of the Atlanta Falconserts. 443 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:09,200 Speaker 9: You know what me personally, when you look at Kevin Stefanski, 444 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 9: his tenure in Cleveland, the way it ended did not 445 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 9: paint the entire picture of what he did while he 446 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 9: was there. Two time NFL Coach of the Year. You 447 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:23,040 Speaker 9: don't just mistakenly get that award. He did a really 448 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,679 Speaker 9: good job and creating a foundation there being able to 449 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:28,959 Speaker 9: win and you know, get into the postseason. Now, in 450 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 9: terms of how it ended, a lot went wrong, but 451 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 9: I believe he's still a more than capable head coach 452 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 9: in terms of being consistent, being competitive and putting forth 453 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:43,879 Speaker 9: a product that the fans could appreciate. And secondly, Kenny 454 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 9: lead a locker room of men. He's shown the ability 455 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 9: to do so, so it made sense for me. And 456 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 9: then with Ian coming on as well, you look at 457 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 9: where he's coming from. 458 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:57,160 Speaker 6: You know, being a part of something unique and special. 459 00:18:57,600 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 9: I think you want to if you're trying to create 460 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 9: something new, you want to bring in individuals that understand 461 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:03,680 Speaker 9: and they know what it. 462 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:05,119 Speaker 6: Takes and they know what it looks like. 463 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:08,679 Speaker 9: And hopefully, you know, that's the mindset for Atlanta as 464 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 9: they get ready for twenty twenty six. 465 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 4: Another big acquisition is well, maybe not acquisition, just kind 466 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:16,360 Speaker 4: of for a turn of a great Matt Ryan as 467 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 4: the president of football. And we were actually talking to 468 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:21,240 Speaker 4: Kevin Stefanski earlier today and he was like, I remember 469 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:24,800 Speaker 4: being in Matt Ryan's combine interview. 470 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 8: Yah over in Indian. 471 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 2: Now he's in these. 472 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:28,879 Speaker 5: Interviews with prospects. 473 00:19:28,880 --> 00:19:32,119 Speaker 4: Now, what are you seeing kind of from Matt Ryan 474 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 4: in that position? 475 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:33,720 Speaker 5: Something new? 476 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:34,000 Speaker 7: Not? 477 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 4: You know, he's not a franchise quarterback anymore, He's not 478 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 4: an analyst anymore. 479 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 5: Now he is the president of football. 480 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:43,679 Speaker 9: Yeah, my former colleague with CBS, and when I heard 481 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 9: about the potential opportunity I was all for it because 482 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,160 Speaker 9: I love seeing former players get an opportunity to get 483 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 9: in those type of roles because nine times out of ten, 484 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:57,960 Speaker 9: they have an eye for talent and they understand, they 485 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:00,679 Speaker 9: know what it looks like or what it needs to 486 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:01,119 Speaker 9: look like. 487 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 6: And Matt Ryan is a guy who loves ball. 488 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 9: You know, he can't play it anymore, but he still 489 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 9: has that same love and that passion for the game 490 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:10,359 Speaker 9: and for the Atlanta Falcons. 491 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 6: You know, regardless of how his career. 492 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 9: Ended and where it ended, he will forever be known 493 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:18,960 Speaker 9: as an Atlanta Falcons, right, And he's wanted to come 494 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 9: back to get this organization, get the organization back in 495 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:25,159 Speaker 9: a better place. And being able to be in this 496 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:29,399 Speaker 9: role and help identify not just players and prospects, but 497 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:32,600 Speaker 9: potential front office officials, head coaches and things like that, 498 00:20:32,840 --> 00:20:35,600 Speaker 9: it means a lot. And that's a stepping stone that 499 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,439 Speaker 9: a lot of former players would love to embark in on. 500 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:41,879 Speaker 9: They just don't get the opportunity. So I'm all in 501 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 9: rooting for him. I think he's going to do a 502 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:46,919 Speaker 9: phenomenal job. The best is yet to come. And like 503 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:49,119 Speaker 9: I said, when you have an individual that know what 504 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:51,399 Speaker 9: good football looks like a good brand. 505 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 6: What it looks like, usually it works out. 506 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:56,000 Speaker 1: That was. Yeah. One of the things that was so 507 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 1: apparent to me early on when Matt took this job 508 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 1: was a he is one of the most competitive people 509 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:04,400 Speaker 1: I have ever been around. Like he's got a professional demeanor, 510 00:21:04,440 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: but he is as competitive as they come. And also 511 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: it was a kind of a sense of unfinished business 512 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:12,560 Speaker 1: a little bit, I think, and him coming specifically back 513 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:15,560 Speaker 1: to this organization. You really feel that his heart is 514 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:18,679 Speaker 1: in it. But I'm curious, like what specifically can a 515 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: former player bring to a role like this and what 516 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 1: vantage points have they had throughout their career that allows 517 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 1: them to maybe see something from a different perspective and 518 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:30,720 Speaker 1: add that perspective to the leadership, brain. 519 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 9: Trust culture, bringing in a positive culture. I'll say this 520 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 9: every opportunity I get in terms of being a part of. 521 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:41,360 Speaker 6: Something successful, you have to have good energy. 522 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:45,160 Speaker 9: Not just in a football locker room, in a corporate building, 523 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:46,360 Speaker 9: corporate office. 524 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:48,040 Speaker 6: If you want to have good results, you've got to 525 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:49,679 Speaker 6: have good energy. Good energy. 526 00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 9: Secondly, understand it and knowing who to identify for certain roles. 527 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 6: Everyone does not deserve to be a leader. They shouldn't 528 00:21:57,240 --> 00:21:58,160 Speaker 6: be leaders. 529 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:00,959 Speaker 9: Right, And sometimes your leader might not be your best player, 530 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:03,800 Speaker 9: but in terms of what they bring in the above 531 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:04,880 Speaker 9: to show their game. 532 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 6: They have the best skill set. 533 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:09,840 Speaker 9: So great teams have great leaders in great positions, because 534 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:12,760 Speaker 9: when it's tight in the fourth quarter, you gotta have 535 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:15,200 Speaker 9: someone that can bring the troops together on the sideline 536 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,920 Speaker 9: who everyone respects and they instantly gonna listen to whatever 537 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 9: that player is. 538 00:22:18,520 --> 00:22:20,240 Speaker 6: Saying and follow suit. 539 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:23,520 Speaker 9: And a guy like Matt Ryan, he knows exactly what 540 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:25,880 Speaker 9: that looks like because he's been a part of those 541 00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:30,120 Speaker 9: said conditions throughout his professional career and oftentimes he's been 542 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 9: in those leadership roles and also too being able to 543 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:38,120 Speaker 9: help the maturation process in Michael Pennix, Right. I mean, 544 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 9: if you talk about having an extra voice for Michael 545 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:44,600 Speaker 9: to listen to, who other than a guy like Matt Ryan. 546 00:22:45,080 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 6: Because coaches can only do so much. 547 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:49,720 Speaker 9: And most times the coaches that are coaching these players 548 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:51,639 Speaker 9: they never really been in that fire when it's a 549 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:53,400 Speaker 9: two minute situation the fourth quarter and. 550 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 6: We got to score. They don't know how it feels. 551 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:58,159 Speaker 9: But guess who know how it feels to be in 552 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:01,240 Speaker 9: those moments, Matt Ryan, So that can be an extra 553 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:04,000 Speaker 9: voice for Michael Pennix, you know, when he's outside the building, 554 00:23:04,040 --> 00:23:06,000 Speaker 9: when he's at home, might have a question about certain 555 00:23:06,040 --> 00:23:09,280 Speaker 9: coverages and how to attack certain things. I understand Matt 556 00:23:09,359 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 9: Ryan might not have been involved in that game planning part, 557 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 9: but he understands ball, you know what I mean. 558 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 6: So I think that those are major factors as well. 559 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:19,239 Speaker 4: I'm glad you brought up Michael Penicks because let's talk 560 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:23,000 Speaker 4: about the quarterback situation in Atlanta. Falcons Ian Cunningham, new 561 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 4: general manager, said this morning at the combine that, yeah, 562 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 4: the once March eleventh gets here, really seeing Kirk Cutsanys, 563 00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:33,639 Speaker 4: we know Michael Panics coming back from torn acl this 564 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:37,640 Speaker 4: past year. You're looking at a recovery timeline that kind 565 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:39,760 Speaker 4: of makes week one a bit of a question mark. 566 00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:41,480 Speaker 5: So as you're looking. 567 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:43,879 Speaker 4: And evaluating kind of what that room looks like in 568 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:47,639 Speaker 4: Atlanta right now, kind of what are you hoping the 569 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:50,360 Speaker 4: next steps are for building that room. 570 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:55,439 Speaker 9: Well, you hope for a speedy recovery for Penis to 571 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 9: be able to be ready as soon as possible, but 572 00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:00,960 Speaker 9: you also have to prepare if that's not the case. 573 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 9: I think understanding and seeing what Kevin Stefanski has done 574 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:07,679 Speaker 9: in years past. I believe he potentially could look for 575 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 9: a veteran presence to be in the building just in 576 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:14,400 Speaker 9: case Penis isn't ready for week one, because you want 577 00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:18,159 Speaker 9: a capable quarterback that can keep things afloat until. 578 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:19,399 Speaker 6: Your young quarterback is ready to go. 579 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:22,760 Speaker 9: I think it should be Michael Pennock's job as long 580 00:24:22,800 --> 00:24:25,600 Speaker 9: as he's healthy, because you still haven't really seen what 581 00:24:25,680 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 9: he could do, and you don't want to turn the 582 00:24:28,119 --> 00:24:30,880 Speaker 9: keys or take the keys away from him too soon 583 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 9: without really seeing because year one he didn't really play 584 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:35,679 Speaker 9: a lot play at the final four games. 585 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 6: Year two, it was a lot. 586 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:41,480 Speaker 9: Of things going wrong around him, and then he gets hurt, 587 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:44,080 Speaker 9: and now this is year three for him, right So 588 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:46,919 Speaker 9: until he's healthy, you know, you have to bring in 589 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:51,159 Speaker 9: someone who understands the offense, understands what it means to 590 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 9: be a QB one in this league, and understands the 591 00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:57,560 Speaker 9: sense of consistency. And that could be a veteran guy 592 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:02,880 Speaker 9: who could be available, who's not a threat in terms 593 00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:05,600 Speaker 9: of a quarterback competition, because it's still Penison's job. 594 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:07,360 Speaker 6: But this is a guy who says, you know what, 595 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:09,159 Speaker 6: give me the keys until he's ready to go. 596 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:10,960 Speaker 9: I can do my best job to make sure we 597 00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:13,680 Speaker 9: winning games to be competitive, they'll ultimately get into late 598 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 9: January football. 599 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's interesting because that is an experience that Ryan 600 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 1: can also directly speak to as being a young quarterback 601 00:25:19,800 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 1: and growing in this league, and at every opportunity he 602 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:24,159 Speaker 1: has said that kind of the best friend of a 603 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:26,280 Speaker 1: young quarterback is a great running game and a good 604 00:25:26,320 --> 00:25:30,200 Speaker 1: offensive line. Yes, and Falcons have both. Yeah, So hey, 605 00:25:30,280 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 1: you know where do you kind of put Ajean Robinson 606 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:36,240 Speaker 1: amongst playmakers in this league? Just putting you on the spot, 607 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:38,159 Speaker 1: give me your mount rushmore and is a Bajon for 608 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:41,440 Speaker 1: all four heads? And what do you think Bill Callahan 609 00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:43,440 Speaker 1: is going to bring to this offensive line to help 610 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:45,479 Speaker 1: make them, you know, a step up. 611 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:48,600 Speaker 9: Bajean is one of the more talented running backs in 612 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 9: the National Football League. He is overly gifted, speedy, explosive, instinctive, 613 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 9: contact balances high level. 614 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 6: He's one of the best running backs in the National 615 00:26:00,040 --> 00:26:00,840 Speaker 6: in the Football League. 616 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:02,520 Speaker 9: So if you want to have a top three conversation 617 00:26:02,600 --> 00:26:05,560 Speaker 9: without b John Robinson, stop drinking. 618 00:26:06,160 --> 00:26:07,919 Speaker 6: And myopin at that position. 619 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 9: I think with Callahan unleasham do what San Francisco does 620 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:17,640 Speaker 9: with CMC do what Detroit does with Jamiir Gibbs. He's 621 00:26:17,680 --> 00:26:20,560 Speaker 9: that type of back in terms of a route runner, 622 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:24,639 Speaker 9: runner of the football, and explosive playmaker. It makes all 623 00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 9: the sense in the world to get him involved. So 624 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:28,399 Speaker 9: and at some point in time you got to address 625 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:29,120 Speaker 9: the contract. 626 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:32,080 Speaker 6: Situation as well too, because he's one of He's one 627 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:34,080 Speaker 6: of them, like, he's very, very special. 628 00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 9: He's the He's the best offensive weapon the Falcons have. 629 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:40,960 Speaker 9: And that's saying a lot when you have a Drake 630 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:43,360 Speaker 9: London and a Kyle Pitts, you know what I mean. 631 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 6: But that's how special he is. 632 00:26:44,880 --> 00:26:49,240 Speaker 9: So and the offensive line stays healthy, Remember you're missing 633 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:52,159 Speaker 9: the right tack with the entire season and Caleb to 634 00:26:53,119 --> 00:26:55,159 Speaker 9: so and then you got Linstrom, you got Maths, you 635 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:56,840 Speaker 9: got you got dogs, you know what I mean. 636 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:01,120 Speaker 6: And you lost Drew Dallman and didn't miss them that much, 637 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:01,720 Speaker 6: you know what I mean. 638 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:05,160 Speaker 9: So, collectively speaking, if the office line unit stays together, man, 639 00:27:05,720 --> 00:27:06,639 Speaker 9: I think Robinson b. 640 00:27:06,760 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 6: Johonn is gonna do some numbers. 641 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:08,920 Speaker 2: So we were. 642 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:12,239 Speaker 4: Talking before we started recording, and you don't live too 643 00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:15,919 Speaker 4: far from Atlanta. Yeah, and I'm curious. You know this 644 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 4: fan base too, you know you you live in this 645 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:22,359 Speaker 4: fan yes, And when you look at the next year 646 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:26,159 Speaker 4: of Atlanta Falcons football twenty twenty six, what are some 647 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 4: things that the organization can do right that you think 648 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:30,240 Speaker 4: is gonna light this. 649 00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:31,160 Speaker 5: Fan based on fire. 650 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:35,880 Speaker 9: Just be consistent. You know, I played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, 651 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:38,600 Speaker 9: so I was fortunate enough to be a part of 652 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:42,680 Speaker 9: winning right all the time. Now, our fans were accustomed 653 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:46,199 Speaker 9: to seeing that. For Atlanta Falcon fans, it's almost like 654 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:48,880 Speaker 9: the oh no moment is what they're wait for. 655 00:27:49,359 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 6: You know. 656 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 9: Being from South Florida moving to Atlanta, the first thing 657 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:54,680 Speaker 9: I always heard was nothing good happens to us well 658 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:56,520 Speaker 9: first and foremost. If you're a fan, you think like that, 659 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:59,000 Speaker 9: no question, nothing good is going to happen for you, right, 660 00:27:59,080 --> 00:27:59,360 Speaker 9: you know. 661 00:27:59,320 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 6: You gotta be up domistic. 662 00:28:00,560 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 9: But for the fans there in Atlanta being optimistic, they 663 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:06,640 Speaker 9: needed to see it to believe it. So I think 664 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:09,040 Speaker 9: for Kevin Stefanski, man, you're going into a new situation 665 00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 9: where they want wins, and if you win in Atlanta, 666 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:15,199 Speaker 9: they will love you. 667 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:17,879 Speaker 6: They will love you. And the most important thing. 668 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:21,040 Speaker 9: About the Falcons this season with all the uncertainty with 669 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:24,159 Speaker 9: the organization, You're in a wide open division in the 670 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:27,479 Speaker 9: NFC South. The team that won the division last year 671 00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:31,720 Speaker 9: had the same record as the Atlanta Falcons. Think about that, 672 00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:35,320 Speaker 9: the same record, you know what I mean, So one 673 00:28:35,359 --> 00:28:37,720 Speaker 9: would think it would be it should be better, but 674 00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:41,200 Speaker 9: you don't know. But the window of opportunity is definitely 675 00:28:41,240 --> 00:28:41,920 Speaker 9: there for Atlanta. 676 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:44,400 Speaker 1: So it's there, go, it's there for taking. Let's go 677 00:28:44,440 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 1: take it. Awesome. Well, Brian McFadden, thank you so much 678 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,560 Speaker 1: for sitting down with us. It was awesome to your insights. 679 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:52,160 Speaker 1: And that's the luck with everything else you got going on, 680 00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:53,560 Speaker 1: dur And I'm sure a very busy week. 681 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:54,560 Speaker 6: I appreciate you having. 682 00:28:55,680 --> 00:28:58,320 Speaker 1: We've got Dan grausey Ono of ESPN sitting down with 683 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:00,120 Speaker 1: us now, Dan appreciate. 684 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:00,680 Speaker 8: You take my pleasure. 685 00:29:01,360 --> 00:29:04,320 Speaker 1: So where do you view the Falcons kind of at 686 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:06,440 Speaker 1: this point, I know there's a lot to come free 687 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:09,360 Speaker 1: agency in the draft, but now that the coaching cycle 688 00:29:09,440 --> 00:29:12,360 Speaker 1: is settled, we know how close the NFC South is. 689 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:16,560 Speaker 1: As as your perception of what the Falcons can be 690 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:18,760 Speaker 1: or where they stand changed it all. 691 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:22,280 Speaker 10: I think you know, Michael Pennock's health is such a 692 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:27,000 Speaker 10: key part of it. So you know, it sounds positive 693 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:29,160 Speaker 10: on that front, but you know, without knowing for sure, 694 00:29:29,240 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 10: like what his offseason looks like, and it's hard to 695 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:36,040 Speaker 10: really peg it. I feel like they've kind of been 696 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:40,600 Speaker 10: right there for so long. But you know, obviously a 697 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:43,960 Speaker 10: lot of good players. Obviously a lot of it comes 698 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:46,680 Speaker 10: down to, as it does for every team, the quarterback situation. 699 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:49,480 Speaker 10: So if he can, if he can continue to ascend, 700 00:29:49,520 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 10: and if he can get and stay healthy, then I think, 701 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:55,080 Speaker 10: you know, it's probably arrow up. I think it's a 702 00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:56,960 Speaker 10: I think it's a good hire at head coach and 703 00:29:57,040 --> 00:30:00,480 Speaker 10: Kevin Stefanski, and I think he'll do good things with him. 704 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:03,120 Speaker 4: So to that point, I'm major talking for it for 705 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:04,520 Speaker 4: I think a lot of people is that with Kevin 706 00:30:04,560 --> 00:30:08,240 Speaker 4: Spanski kind of he specializes in this wide zone stuff. 707 00:30:09,040 --> 00:30:13,680 Speaker 4: John Robinson and this very veteran offensive line has done. 708 00:30:13,440 --> 00:30:15,200 Speaker 5: So well over the last couple of years. 709 00:30:15,680 --> 00:30:17,719 Speaker 4: For you, how do you see kind of the marriage 710 00:30:17,760 --> 00:30:20,760 Speaker 4: of what Kevin Spansky, Tommy Greese even did at Cleveland, 711 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:23,960 Speaker 4: who they who Kevin Spancy was with Minnesota and what 712 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:26,920 Speaker 4: the Falcons are right now. Knowing there's not really a 713 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:29,320 Speaker 4: lot of turnover offensively. 714 00:30:28,960 --> 00:30:32,360 Speaker 10: Right and presumably get the offensive line healthier, right. I 715 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:34,320 Speaker 10: mean that was a sort of an underrated part of 716 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:38,520 Speaker 10: what went wrong last year was that late injury to Caleb. 717 00:30:38,640 --> 00:30:41,640 Speaker 10: So look, if you're gonna build the thing out of 718 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:44,520 Speaker 10: Jon Robinson, there are worse ways to go right. So, 719 00:30:44,560 --> 00:30:46,600 Speaker 10: and I think, you know, Kevin Stefanski was a coach 720 00:30:46,680 --> 00:30:50,520 Speaker 10: that had options, that had other teams interested, and so 721 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:53,120 Speaker 10: saw this as a good situation where he can win. 722 00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:56,760 Speaker 10: And I think, you know, Jon Robinson and the offensive 723 00:30:56,760 --> 00:30:59,320 Speaker 10: line are probably a pretty big part of that. So yes, 724 00:30:59,400 --> 00:31:02,040 Speaker 10: I think I think we've seen enough of Kevin as 725 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:04,040 Speaker 10: an offensive coordinator and a head coach to have some 726 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 10: sense of what he wants to do. And yeah, he 727 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 10: keep everybody healthy on the line. I think there's a 728 00:31:09,920 --> 00:31:12,520 Speaker 10: pretty good chance to the guy went to the playoffs 729 00:31:12,520 --> 00:31:14,240 Speaker 10: and won a playoff game with the Browns. Like, I 730 00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 10: don't want to be mean, but like, not a lot 731 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:19,200 Speaker 10: of Browns coaches have done that, So, like you know, 732 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:21,920 Speaker 10: and they have a perpetual revolving door at quarterback. So 733 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:24,239 Speaker 10: if you have some stability, I think you have a 734 00:31:24,280 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 10: coach who's shown the ability to do good things with 735 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:31,360 Speaker 10: almost like a substandard roster, and I would say that 736 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:35,400 Speaker 10: your roster, particularly on offensive side, is above that. 737 00:31:35,920 --> 00:31:38,520 Speaker 1: And one of those key pieces we learned getting franchise 738 00:31:38,600 --> 00:31:42,040 Speaker 1: tag yesterday, Kyle Pitts coming back. We know what Kevin's 739 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:44,959 Speaker 1: fansky can do with tight ends. Do you view what 740 00:31:45,040 --> 00:31:47,959 Speaker 1: Kyle Pitts did last year, particularly later on in the season, 741 00:31:48,160 --> 00:31:50,959 Speaker 1: as the norm for him kind of moving forward? Did 742 00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:52,120 Speaker 1: he turn a corner. 743 00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:54,480 Speaker 10: Or seemed like he turned a corner with his health, 744 00:31:54,720 --> 00:31:56,280 Speaker 10: which I think is a big part of it, right, 745 00:31:56,360 --> 00:31:58,920 Speaker 10: Like he had even when he was playing in recent years, 746 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:00,520 Speaker 10: it seemed like he was playing through some stuff and 747 00:32:00,560 --> 00:32:02,719 Speaker 10: always had a cleanup of some sort after the season. 748 00:32:02,800 --> 00:32:05,560 Speaker 10: So it seemed like he was healthy and thriving last year. 749 00:32:05,720 --> 00:32:09,000 Speaker 10: So you know, I think that's a franchise tag decision 750 00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:11,520 Speaker 10: that makes a great deal of sense because new new 751 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:14,280 Speaker 10: coaching staff coming in and you're building off a great year, 752 00:32:14,320 --> 00:32:16,080 Speaker 10: but you want to make sure, like is this the norm? 753 00:32:16,280 --> 00:32:19,520 Speaker 10: They would like to answer that question before committing long term. 754 00:32:19,680 --> 00:32:23,080 Speaker 10: So it's a nice situation both ways. I'm pretty sure 755 00:32:23,120 --> 00:32:25,560 Speaker 10: the tag will make him like the fifth or sixth 756 00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:28,600 Speaker 10: highest paid tight end and uh and and then if 757 00:32:28,600 --> 00:32:31,720 Speaker 10: he does it again like cool, let's talk right, Like, So, 758 00:32:31,920 --> 00:32:34,680 Speaker 10: I think it's I think that's certainly in there with him, 759 00:32:34,680 --> 00:32:37,880 Speaker 10: There's no question about it. Uh, it's been consistency in 760 00:32:37,960 --> 00:32:41,000 Speaker 10: terms of health and production, and we saw that last year, 761 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:42,680 Speaker 10: and I'm sure they're hoping for more going forward. 762 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:45,840 Speaker 4: Switching over to the defense, retaining Jeff Ulbrick and kind 763 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:51,240 Speaker 4: of the the skyrocket effect of one year of his system, 764 00:32:51,680 --> 00:32:55,320 Speaker 4: especially this this defensive front in terms of sack production, you're. 765 00:32:55,280 --> 00:32:57,000 Speaker 5: Getting quarterback off of this spot. 766 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:02,040 Speaker 4: What's your opinion on kind of the continuity that retains. 767 00:33:02,440 --> 00:33:04,800 Speaker 10: I think that's that's a wise decision for them, obviously, 768 00:33:04,920 --> 00:33:07,720 Speaker 10: especially because they infused so many young players into it 769 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:10,240 Speaker 10: last year, and so you don't want to necessarily throw 770 00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:12,560 Speaker 10: a bunch of change at guys like that this early. 771 00:33:12,680 --> 00:33:15,320 Speaker 10: So I think you know, a good idea to keep 772 00:33:15,320 --> 00:33:17,160 Speaker 10: ober and keep that continuity there. 773 00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:19,640 Speaker 11: Jeff's a good coach, and and I think. 774 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:21,480 Speaker 10: You know, Kevin is a kind of coach that you know, 775 00:33:21,520 --> 00:33:24,040 Speaker 10: he doesn't necessarily like he's got such a network that 776 00:33:24,120 --> 00:33:26,200 Speaker 10: he didn't necessarily like I need my guy, right, So, 777 00:33:26,320 --> 00:33:28,160 Speaker 10: like you know, Jeff Olbrick best guy for the job. 778 00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:30,240 Speaker 10: Let's let's just keep him not not messed with a 779 00:33:30,280 --> 00:33:30,760 Speaker 10: good thing. 780 00:33:31,280 --> 00:33:31,480 Speaker 11: You know. 781 00:33:32,760 --> 00:33:34,840 Speaker 10: Elephant in the room is obviously what goes on with 782 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:37,800 Speaker 10: James Pierce, and that could have a significant effect. But 783 00:33:37,960 --> 00:33:42,560 Speaker 10: that'll you know, that'll be what it'll be. But yeah, 784 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:45,240 Speaker 10: especially in the secondary, the way the young guys performed 785 00:33:45,320 --> 00:33:48,520 Speaker 10: last year, I think that's that's very exciting. And and yeah, 786 00:33:48,520 --> 00:33:52,000 Speaker 10: I think you know Olbrike, anytime you install a new system, 787 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:55,280 Speaker 10: the second year is always smoother than the first, so 788 00:33:55,440 --> 00:33:56,920 Speaker 10: I think you can look forward to that too. 789 00:33:58,160 --> 00:34:00,920 Speaker 1: So we're kind of on the edge of free agency. 790 00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:04,280 Speaker 1: Obviously the draft. We know the quarterback situation in Atlanta. 791 00:34:04,360 --> 00:34:06,040 Speaker 1: But when you look at this roster, what are some 792 00:34:06,120 --> 00:34:08,840 Speaker 1: areas of need for the Falcons in your mind that 793 00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:10,200 Speaker 1: you'd like to see them add to. 794 00:34:10,560 --> 00:34:14,479 Speaker 10: I'd continue to build out on the defense, especially because 795 00:34:14,520 --> 00:34:17,279 Speaker 10: you know, again the unknown with with James Spears, but 796 00:34:18,160 --> 00:34:20,239 Speaker 10: I think they could stand to be I would say, 797 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:22,799 Speaker 10: if there was a criticism of the defensive front last year, 798 00:34:22,880 --> 00:34:24,359 Speaker 10: is it a little bit a little bit light, maybe 799 00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:26,279 Speaker 10: a little undersized for some of what they what they 800 00:34:26,320 --> 00:34:28,520 Speaker 10: need to do, So might want to add a little 801 00:34:29,080 --> 00:34:31,719 Speaker 10: there in terms of size and strength. I think, you know, 802 00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:34,440 Speaker 10: it seems like is Jesse Bates getting to the end 803 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:36,440 Speaker 10: of a contract, I would I would do what I 804 00:34:36,440 --> 00:34:38,760 Speaker 10: could to to keep him in a foll He seems 805 00:34:38,760 --> 00:34:43,960 Speaker 10: awfully important, you know, And I mean if Kyle Pitts 806 00:34:44,000 --> 00:34:46,600 Speaker 10: is going to be your number two wide receiver effectively 807 00:34:46,760 --> 00:34:49,480 Speaker 10: at tight end, that can work. But I think you, 808 00:34:49,719 --> 00:34:52,000 Speaker 10: I think you could stand some depth there. I don't 809 00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:53,839 Speaker 10: know what's gonna happen with Tyler Al's year. Does he 810 00:34:53,880 --> 00:34:55,839 Speaker 10: come back, does he go somewhere else to get more 811 00:34:56,160 --> 00:34:59,200 Speaker 10: of an opportunity, and if not, you know, make sure 812 00:34:59,239 --> 00:35:03,000 Speaker 10: you got jonp and then Yeah, the lesson from last 813 00:35:03,080 --> 00:35:05,400 Speaker 10: year is offensive line health can't be counted on, so 814 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:06,520 Speaker 10: you can never have too much of that. 815 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:10,319 Speaker 4: Ian Cunningham coming in as a first time GM coming 816 00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:12,120 Speaker 4: from the Bears and they have one of the. 817 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:14,240 Speaker 5: Work successful yes recently. 818 00:35:14,800 --> 00:35:17,319 Speaker 4: What did you make of that decision to bring in 819 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:21,759 Speaker 4: Ian Cunningham and what can you say about what he 820 00:35:21,840 --> 00:35:23,920 Speaker 4: did with the Bears as well as a partnership with 821 00:35:23,960 --> 00:35:24,520 Speaker 4: ground poles. 822 00:35:24,880 --> 00:35:27,640 Speaker 10: Yeah, and high level experience for Ian other places too 823 00:35:27,680 --> 00:35:29,719 Speaker 10: before he got to Chicago, So you know, I think 824 00:35:29,719 --> 00:35:32,759 Speaker 10: he's a guy that's that's certainly ready for this opportunity 825 00:35:33,560 --> 00:35:35,440 Speaker 10: and should do and should do well with it. The 826 00:35:35,480 --> 00:35:38,759 Speaker 10: success they had in Chicago, you know, they hit on 827 00:35:38,800 --> 00:35:41,160 Speaker 10: the they hit on the quarterback. You know, obviously he's 828 00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:43,560 Speaker 10: a magician that can do incredible fourth quarter things, and 829 00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:46,319 Speaker 10: that's cool to have. But if you look at their 830 00:35:46,360 --> 00:35:48,520 Speaker 10: approach last offseason, it was like, all right, what do 831 00:35:48,560 --> 00:35:49,840 Speaker 10: we need to make this successful? 832 00:35:49,880 --> 00:35:50,239 Speaker 11: Right away? 833 00:35:50,280 --> 00:35:51,719 Speaker 10: They went out and got a couple of guards in 834 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:53,600 Speaker 10: a center and made sure that they were sound in 835 00:35:53,640 --> 00:35:55,520 Speaker 10: front of so whatever it is, Like, I think the 836 00:35:55,640 --> 00:35:59,440 Speaker 10: lesson from Chicago is like is is team building doesn't 837 00:35:59,440 --> 00:36:02,040 Speaker 10: have sort of this one kind of you know, one 838 00:36:02,080 --> 00:36:05,640 Speaker 10: size fits all approach. So I'm sure that what Ian 839 00:36:05,800 --> 00:36:08,680 Speaker 10: is doing as we speak is assessing, like, okay, what 840 00:36:08,680 --> 00:36:10,640 Speaker 10: do we need to do like eight and nine? 841 00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:14,279 Speaker 11: Uh, you know, right the what do you got to win? Three? 842 00:36:14,280 --> 00:36:15,040 Speaker 11: Four more games? 843 00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:17,000 Speaker 10: And all of a sudden, you're you know, in pretty 844 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:20,719 Speaker 10: good shape seating wise, So how do we get him? 845 00:36:20,719 --> 00:36:21,719 Speaker 11: How do we win those three or four? 846 00:36:21,760 --> 00:36:23,560 Speaker 10: What do we need to do Now that we know, 847 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:25,640 Speaker 10: you know a little bit about who Michael Pennix is, 848 00:36:27,400 --> 00:36:29,439 Speaker 10: let's get him backed up because you know he does 849 00:36:29,480 --> 00:36:31,200 Speaker 10: have a little bit of a history there. So if 850 00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:33,200 Speaker 10: if you're if Kirk Cousins is out the door, then 851 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:34,520 Speaker 10: you've got to address that position. 852 00:36:35,160 --> 00:36:36,960 Speaker 11: But also like what do we need around? Does he 853 00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:38,239 Speaker 11: need more wide receiver help? 854 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:40,160 Speaker 10: Does he you know, does he need a different kind 855 00:36:40,160 --> 00:36:44,319 Speaker 10: of offensive lineman to run Kevin Stefanski's system? So I 856 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:46,279 Speaker 10: think that said, I think you're you're looking at a 857 00:36:46,280 --> 00:36:48,920 Speaker 10: guy that's had enough front office experience and enough different 858 00:36:48,920 --> 00:36:52,000 Speaker 10: places and enough different situations that he'll have And I 859 00:36:52,040 --> 00:36:54,360 Speaker 10: see Stefanski the same way. He's coaching a lot of 860 00:36:54,360 --> 00:36:57,080 Speaker 10: different systems, being able to say, like this is what 861 00:36:57,080 --> 00:36:59,880 Speaker 10: this situation calls for, here's how we address it and 862 00:37:00,760 --> 00:37:01,320 Speaker 10: move forward. 863 00:37:01,360 --> 00:37:01,560 Speaker 11: There. 864 00:37:01,800 --> 00:37:03,640 Speaker 1: That's a great point. Yeah, they both have great track 865 00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:06,480 Speaker 1: records through some tricky situations, right, So a lot of 866 00:37:06,480 --> 00:37:09,560 Speaker 1: experience to lean on there. But thank you so much 867 00:37:09,719 --> 00:37:12,279 Speaker 1: pleasure taking the time to sit down with us, and 868 00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:15,239 Speaker 1: hopefully we can chat again soon. Sounds good sitting down 869 00:37:15,280 --> 00:37:17,759 Speaker 1: with us now is Danny Kelly from The Ringer who 870 00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:20,200 Speaker 1: is co host of The Ringer Fantasy Football Show, now 871 00:37:20,239 --> 00:37:22,640 Speaker 1: The Ringer Draft Show, and you do the draft guide. 872 00:37:22,680 --> 00:37:24,600 Speaker 1: It's a great draft guide. We're going to get into 873 00:37:24,640 --> 00:37:27,080 Speaker 1: your draft guide, but thank you for sitting down with us. 874 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:28,399 Speaker 8: Absolutely thanks for having me on. 875 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:31,960 Speaker 1: So this is going to be a very draft centric episode. 876 00:37:32,000 --> 00:37:34,520 Speaker 1: As we are here at the combine, the Falcons don't 877 00:37:34,560 --> 00:37:37,880 Speaker 1: have a first round pick. Is is this a good 878 00:37:38,160 --> 00:37:40,880 Speaker 1: draft to not have a first round pick in, you know, 879 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:43,440 Speaker 1: like a I mean every draft is different, not to 880 00:37:43,440 --> 00:37:44,520 Speaker 1: a totally poop poo this. 881 00:37:44,640 --> 00:37:46,359 Speaker 8: Whole class, but yeah, I think it is. I mean, 882 00:37:46,560 --> 00:37:47,160 Speaker 8: there are just. 883 00:37:47,200 --> 00:37:50,040 Speaker 12: Probably fewer blue chip talents at the top than we 884 00:37:50,280 --> 00:37:52,200 Speaker 12: generally would see. I think it's going to be more 885 00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:54,680 Speaker 12: of like a you have a handful of guys that 886 00:37:54,680 --> 00:37:56,239 Speaker 12: are going to be in the top ten, and then 887 00:37:56,280 --> 00:37:58,560 Speaker 12: it's more of like a plateau. There could be you know, 888 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:00,840 Speaker 12: forty to fifty guys that could go in the end 889 00:38:00,880 --> 00:38:02,879 Speaker 12: of the first beginning of the second. I think that 890 00:38:03,160 --> 00:38:05,640 Speaker 12: does kind of lend to the Falcons advantage there, just 891 00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:08,359 Speaker 12: because I don't know if there's as many, like I said, 892 00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:11,080 Speaker 12: true elite elite guys in this classes compared to most 893 00:38:11,160 --> 00:38:12,920 Speaker 12: years to that point. 894 00:38:13,000 --> 00:38:16,240 Speaker 4: You know, when you look at the different position group breakdowns, 895 00:38:16,280 --> 00:38:19,160 Speaker 4: what are kind of some of the deepest groups that 896 00:38:19,280 --> 00:38:22,319 Speaker 4: when you're looking at the Falcons having a second round pick, 897 00:38:22,920 --> 00:38:25,440 Speaker 4: you could still have some quality guys that. 898 00:38:25,400 --> 00:38:26,440 Speaker 5: You're looking at right there. 899 00:38:26,520 --> 00:38:28,680 Speaker 12: Yeah, I think a couple of the positions that I 900 00:38:28,840 --> 00:38:31,960 Speaker 12: particularly like in this class with the depth and receiver. 901 00:38:32,560 --> 00:38:35,480 Speaker 12: I think there's quite a few really interesting edge rushers 902 00:38:35,480 --> 00:38:36,000 Speaker 12: in this class. 903 00:38:36,080 --> 00:38:36,959 Speaker 8: I think everybody, all. 904 00:38:36,880 --> 00:38:39,680 Speaker 12: The edge russers have like one question as to why 905 00:38:39,719 --> 00:38:41,960 Speaker 12: they're not going to be quote unquote like elite top 906 00:38:42,000 --> 00:38:45,840 Speaker 12: ten guy. There's a good amount of offensive tackles just offensive 907 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:49,319 Speaker 12: linemen in general, and so I think that those three 908 00:38:49,360 --> 00:38:51,680 Speaker 12: kinds of standout linebackers. There's a handful of linebackers. There's 909 00:38:51,680 --> 00:38:54,040 Speaker 12: some really interesting safeties in this class. They could get 910 00:38:54,040 --> 00:38:55,799 Speaker 12: pushed up into the first round just because of, like 911 00:38:55,800 --> 00:38:58,960 Speaker 12: I said, the lack of blue chip talent. But you know, 912 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:00,920 Speaker 12: those are the first positions that kind of come to 913 00:39:00,960 --> 00:39:01,319 Speaker 12: my mind. 914 00:39:01,440 --> 00:39:03,680 Speaker 8: Yeah, it's low. Not very many quarterbacks in this class. 915 00:39:04,680 --> 00:39:06,880 Speaker 12: The running back class is pretty thin, but yeah, I 916 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:10,160 Speaker 12: think receiver, tackle, just offensive line in general, defensive line. 917 00:39:10,200 --> 00:39:11,719 Speaker 8: There's some good defensive tackles as well. 918 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:14,200 Speaker 5: So you're basically speaking the Falcons language. 919 00:39:14,239 --> 00:39:17,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, essentially named off a lot of the key needs 920 00:39:17,560 --> 00:39:18,680 Speaker 4: of what this this. 921 00:39:18,800 --> 00:39:21,320 Speaker 8: UH roster needs at the time. 922 00:39:21,400 --> 00:39:24,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, I think for the last couple of 923 00:39:24,280 --> 00:39:27,440 Speaker 1: years I've been looking at a receiver. Hey, it's always 924 00:39:27,440 --> 00:39:29,480 Speaker 1: just kind of fun. There are a few positions I 925 00:39:29,520 --> 00:39:31,799 Speaker 1: think that when your team drafts that position, you're just 926 00:39:31,920 --> 00:39:36,160 Speaker 1: it's like a little extra exciting or highlights. 927 00:39:36,239 --> 00:39:36,920 Speaker 8: Yeah, totally. 928 00:39:38,080 --> 00:39:41,440 Speaker 1: So are there like where does the receiver depth in 929 00:39:41,520 --> 00:39:44,480 Speaker 1: kind of that second round? Are we now starting to talk? Hey, 930 00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:47,080 Speaker 1: it's dealer's choice. It's kind of like pick your your 931 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:50,759 Speaker 1: flavor of receiver or is there a specific type it's 932 00:39:50,760 --> 00:39:52,719 Speaker 1: slot heavy, it's outside receiver heavy. 933 00:39:52,880 --> 00:39:54,320 Speaker 8: No, I think there's a little bit of everything. 934 00:39:55,360 --> 00:39:55,560 Speaker 1: You know. 935 00:39:55,600 --> 00:39:57,600 Speaker 12: I think there's there are some guys that are going 936 00:39:57,680 --> 00:40:00,479 Speaker 12: to be going in the second round or in that area, 937 00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:04,080 Speaker 12: second third round that you know, Elijah Surratt, Omar Cooper, 938 00:40:04,120 --> 00:40:06,680 Speaker 12: two guys from Indiana who I think are very interesting, 939 00:40:06,719 --> 00:40:07,640 Speaker 12: each in their own ways. 940 00:40:08,280 --> 00:40:11,400 Speaker 8: Zacharai Branch another guy who's just really really fast. 941 00:40:11,440 --> 00:40:13,400 Speaker 12: But the way that you look at his you know 942 00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:15,400 Speaker 12: what he's what he did in college. It's kind of 943 00:40:15,480 --> 00:40:17,800 Speaker 12: a lot of screens, a lot of manufacturer touches. 944 00:40:18,040 --> 00:40:20,040 Speaker 8: Can he do more than that? I think he probably can. 945 00:40:20,239 --> 00:40:21,400 Speaker 12: You know, they kind of just use him as a 946 00:40:21,440 --> 00:40:24,600 Speaker 12: gadget guy, but I think he has more to him 947 00:40:24,600 --> 00:40:24,960 Speaker 12: than that. 948 00:40:25,760 --> 00:40:28,360 Speaker 8: But yeah, there's there's kind of all kinds of receivers 949 00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:28,759 Speaker 8: you could got. 950 00:40:28,800 --> 00:40:30,600 Speaker 12: You got like slot receivers, you have big guys that 951 00:40:30,640 --> 00:40:34,359 Speaker 12: are sort of like possession receivers. You got you know, 952 00:40:34,520 --> 00:40:36,680 Speaker 12: guys that can kind of do everything, play the Z 953 00:40:37,120 --> 00:40:38,080 Speaker 12: move around a little bit. 954 00:40:38,160 --> 00:40:40,719 Speaker 8: So there's there's you know, you pick your style that 955 00:40:40,760 --> 00:40:41,480 Speaker 8: you're looking for. 956 00:40:41,560 --> 00:40:43,640 Speaker 12: Probably with London on the roster, you're kind of looking 957 00:40:43,680 --> 00:40:45,960 Speaker 12: for a guy that can compliment that. I think Branch 958 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:48,040 Speaker 12: is actually kind of an interesting one just because get 959 00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:51,360 Speaker 12: some you know, get some explosive plays without having to 960 00:40:51,360 --> 00:40:54,080 Speaker 12: push the ball downfield and the high degree of difficulty throws. 961 00:40:54,480 --> 00:40:55,640 Speaker 8: He might be a good option for that. 962 00:40:56,440 --> 00:40:59,520 Speaker 4: Let's talk about the tackles, those dresses that you were 963 00:40:59,560 --> 00:41:03,520 Speaker 4: that you were mentioning. That's definitely an area that Ian 964 00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:06,440 Speaker 4: Cunningham now the GM here and I talked about building 965 00:41:06,440 --> 00:41:08,920 Speaker 4: in the trenches, and I think that de tackle spot 966 00:41:09,040 --> 00:41:10,320 Speaker 4: particularly is one. 967 00:41:10,200 --> 00:41:11,759 Speaker 5: That the falcon one take another step in. 968 00:41:11,880 --> 00:41:13,160 Speaker 8: Yeah, death in. 969 00:41:13,120 --> 00:41:16,080 Speaker 4: Playmakers, who were some names that kind of jump off 970 00:41:16,680 --> 00:41:19,239 Speaker 4: for you in that day to time bring. 971 00:41:19,400 --> 00:41:20,880 Speaker 12: Yeah, I mean it's again, it's kind of hard to 972 00:41:20,920 --> 00:41:23,200 Speaker 12: tell who is going to go where, but I think 973 00:41:23,239 --> 00:41:24,719 Speaker 12: guys that are in that range. 974 00:41:25,520 --> 00:41:26,920 Speaker 8: Kale Banks from Florida is another. 975 00:41:27,080 --> 00:41:28,759 Speaker 12: It is a really interesting one. I mean he's like 976 00:41:28,840 --> 00:41:31,480 Speaker 12: six six three forty or something like that. I don't 977 00:41:31,520 --> 00:41:35,160 Speaker 12: know what he weighed in today, but you know, he's just. 978 00:41:35,120 --> 00:41:35,759 Speaker 8: Got that length. 979 00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:38,360 Speaker 12: He's got a ton of potential as a pass rusher 980 00:41:38,360 --> 00:41:41,000 Speaker 12: because I think his size and movement skills are there, 981 00:41:41,360 --> 00:41:43,160 Speaker 12: but just hasn't really tapped into it yet. 982 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:45,560 Speaker 8: He was injured for most of this last season, so 983 00:41:45,640 --> 00:41:46,640 Speaker 8: he's a really interesting one. 984 00:41:46,719 --> 00:41:49,640 Speaker 12: Lee Hunter from Texas Tech is another guy that is 985 00:41:49,960 --> 00:41:51,759 Speaker 12: I think rising up boards. I don't know if he'll 986 00:41:51,760 --> 00:41:53,120 Speaker 12: go in the first round, but it or maybe in 987 00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:55,880 Speaker 12: the second round. He's more of a run defender at 988 00:41:55,920 --> 00:41:57,960 Speaker 12: this point, so I just kind of plug up the middle, but. 989 00:41:57,960 --> 00:41:59,120 Speaker 8: He's really got a lot of juice. 990 00:41:59,280 --> 00:42:01,400 Speaker 12: I compared him to a Meban I don't remember Brandon 991 00:42:01,440 --> 00:42:03,759 Speaker 12: Mebane from the Seahawks a bunch of years ago. Just 992 00:42:03,880 --> 00:42:06,279 Speaker 12: kind of a rotund guy that's gonna, you know, take 993 00:42:06,360 --> 00:42:08,879 Speaker 12: up space in the middle, eat blocks, and he's also 994 00:42:08,960 --> 00:42:11,799 Speaker 12: pretty quick, so he has sort of like some some 995 00:42:11,840 --> 00:42:14,120 Speaker 12: pass rush potential to him. 996 00:42:14,400 --> 00:42:16,239 Speaker 8: And then at the edge position, I mean, there's a 997 00:42:16,239 --> 00:42:16,640 Speaker 8: ton of guys. 998 00:42:16,640 --> 00:42:16,759 Speaker 6: Oh. 999 00:42:16,840 --> 00:42:18,759 Speaker 12: The other guy that the Caden McDonald from Ohio State 1000 00:42:19,080 --> 00:42:21,480 Speaker 12: is another interior guy that I think is gonna be 1001 00:42:21,520 --> 00:42:24,400 Speaker 12: in that second first round range again, kind of a 1002 00:42:25,440 --> 00:42:28,160 Speaker 12: designated run defender right now, but might have a little 1003 00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:29,919 Speaker 12: more upside as a pass rusher, just because you see 1004 00:42:29,920 --> 00:42:32,080 Speaker 12: the quickness on tape and like, depending on what they 1005 00:42:32,120 --> 00:42:33,400 Speaker 12: ask him to do in the pros, I think he 1006 00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:36,399 Speaker 12: has more to him the edge guys, there's a lot 1007 00:42:36,440 --> 00:42:38,960 Speaker 12: of I felt like I was writing the same scouting 1008 00:42:39,000 --> 00:42:41,040 Speaker 12: report for a lot, like four or five different guys 1009 00:42:41,120 --> 00:42:44,160 Speaker 12: in the edge spot because there are so a couple 1010 00:42:44,200 --> 00:42:47,160 Speaker 12: of guys Zion Young from Missouri, Derek Moore from Michigan, 1011 00:42:48,400 --> 00:42:51,279 Speaker 12: and TJ. Parker from Clemson. T J Parker he might 1012 00:42:51,320 --> 00:42:52,759 Speaker 12: go in the first round. He's another guy that it's 1013 00:42:52,840 --> 00:42:54,440 Speaker 12: kind of hard to tell exactly where he's gonna go. 1014 00:42:54,600 --> 00:42:56,600 Speaker 12: Coming into the season, he was really high off of 1015 00:42:56,920 --> 00:42:58,640 Speaker 12: and then Clemson just didn't really have a very good 1016 00:42:58,719 --> 00:42:59,640 Speaker 12: year and. 1017 00:42:59,360 --> 00:43:01,120 Speaker 8: He's kind of fall down a little bit. 1018 00:43:02,320 --> 00:43:05,719 Speaker 12: But those three guys in particular power players on the 1019 00:43:05,880 --> 00:43:08,440 Speaker 12: edge kind of like set the edge really strong. They're 1020 00:43:08,480 --> 00:43:12,160 Speaker 12: winning with power versus speed and explosiveness. So those three 1021 00:43:12,200 --> 00:43:14,759 Speaker 12: guys in particular kind of feel like the same category 1022 00:43:14,800 --> 00:43:18,120 Speaker 12: of pass rushers where they're bigger, stronger, more physical and 1023 00:43:18,200 --> 00:43:21,440 Speaker 12: winning with power versus you know, explosiveness or agility, that 1024 00:43:21,560 --> 00:43:24,319 Speaker 12: kind of thing. Ar Mason Thomas from Oklahoma is on 1025 00:43:24,360 --> 00:43:26,440 Speaker 12: the other kind of side of that, where he's just 1026 00:43:26,520 --> 00:43:28,560 Speaker 12: an explosive ball of energy off. 1027 00:43:28,440 --> 00:43:30,960 Speaker 8: The edge, you know, and he I really like him. 1028 00:43:31,000 --> 00:43:31,839 Speaker 8: He's another guy that's. 1029 00:43:31,760 --> 00:43:34,960 Speaker 12: Gonna be in that first second round range that might 1030 00:43:35,000 --> 00:43:37,120 Speaker 12: not be like the exact size they're looking for in 1031 00:43:37,239 --> 00:43:40,000 Speaker 12: terms of he's like a little bit undersized, but so explosive, 1032 00:43:40,280 --> 00:43:43,000 Speaker 12: so agile, just plays with the ferocity that you love 1033 00:43:43,040 --> 00:43:44,359 Speaker 12: to see. So those are some guys that I kind 1034 00:43:44,360 --> 00:43:45,080 Speaker 12: of have in my mind. 1035 00:43:45,120 --> 00:43:47,360 Speaker 1: I feel like those are all qualities that Jeff Olberg 1036 00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:50,360 Speaker 1: would be into, right ball of energy. 1037 00:43:50,480 --> 00:43:50,960 Speaker 8: Yeah. 1038 00:43:51,239 --> 00:43:53,840 Speaker 1: One of the reasons I love the Ringer Draft Guide 1039 00:43:53,960 --> 00:43:56,239 Speaker 1: is your kind of player comparisons. 1040 00:43:56,400 --> 00:43:57,799 Speaker 8: Yeah, you get very just. 1041 00:43:57,920 --> 00:44:00,120 Speaker 1: Outside of the box. So do you have one or 1042 00:44:00,160 --> 00:44:03,680 Speaker 1: two of your favorites from this track you're just kind 1043 00:44:03,680 --> 00:44:05,120 Speaker 1: of shades of. 1044 00:44:05,600 --> 00:44:08,360 Speaker 12: Well, yeah, the one sort of recurring joke that I 1045 00:44:08,400 --> 00:44:10,799 Speaker 12: do every year that you guys will appreciate for this 1046 00:44:10,840 --> 00:44:14,920 Speaker 12: one is Avionterrell from Clemson. My every year I do 1047 00:44:15,080 --> 00:44:17,319 Speaker 12: just like like if he had a brother, so like 1048 00:44:18,160 --> 00:44:19,840 Speaker 12: James Cook, I was like, if Dalvin Cook had a 1049 00:44:19,840 --> 00:44:23,680 Speaker 12: little brother Avian Trell as if Yeah, if aj Trell 1050 00:44:23,719 --> 00:44:24,480 Speaker 12: had a little brother. 1051 00:44:24,640 --> 00:44:27,200 Speaker 8: So that's that's just kind of a funny one for me. 1052 00:44:28,680 --> 00:44:29,000 Speaker 2: Him out. 1053 00:44:29,040 --> 00:44:31,360 Speaker 12: That's a good question too, because he's undersized, and I 1054 00:44:31,360 --> 00:44:33,879 Speaker 12: think it just depends on how teams value. He's another 1055 00:44:33,920 --> 00:44:36,800 Speaker 12: guy that just when you watch him play, ball of energy, 1056 00:44:37,480 --> 00:44:39,720 Speaker 12: he reminds me of Devin Witherspoon a little bit, who 1057 00:44:40,560 --> 00:44:42,360 Speaker 12: you know, maybe like a poor man's version. Not to 1058 00:44:42,400 --> 00:44:44,040 Speaker 12: get like two over my skis on this, but like 1059 00:44:44,040 --> 00:44:47,520 Speaker 12: he is really really intense on the field. You never 1060 00:44:47,560 --> 00:44:48,960 Speaker 12: know what he's gonna do in terms of if he's 1061 00:44:49,000 --> 00:44:50,680 Speaker 12: coming off the edge as a blitzer. They play him 1062 00:44:50,760 --> 00:44:52,759 Speaker 12: kind of in every different position. He plays outside, he 1063 00:44:52,800 --> 00:44:57,120 Speaker 12: plays in the slot, but he is just tenacious and 1064 00:44:57,200 --> 00:44:59,560 Speaker 12: I really really enjoy watching him play. But I've heard, 1065 00:44:59,760 --> 00:45:01,800 Speaker 12: you know, people are kind of worried about his size 1066 00:45:01,800 --> 00:45:04,320 Speaker 12: and that kind of thing, and are they are teams 1067 00:45:04,360 --> 00:45:05,800 Speaker 12: willing to take a guy who's like one hundred and 1068 00:45:05,800 --> 00:45:07,520 Speaker 12: eighty pounds that high in the draft. You've seen some 1069 00:45:07,560 --> 00:45:10,480 Speaker 12: guys with with weight limitations kind of struggle at times. 1070 00:45:10,480 --> 00:45:13,360 Speaker 8: But he's a lot of fun. Uh. 1071 00:45:13,880 --> 00:45:16,879 Speaker 12: Peter Woods from Clemson I compared to Shai Hallud the 1072 00:45:16,920 --> 00:45:23,160 Speaker 12: sandworms from Dune. Yeah, I like that one too because 1073 00:45:23,400 --> 00:45:27,240 Speaker 12: I was just picturing him like chasing after the rhythmic 1074 00:45:27,600 --> 00:45:30,240 Speaker 12: backstep or like the drop back of the quarterback. 1075 00:45:31,760 --> 00:45:34,680 Speaker 8: This sounds you gotta have a quarterback that like doesn't 1076 00:45:34,880 --> 00:45:37,879 Speaker 8: drop back in rhythm and it'll be okay. But yeah, 1077 00:45:37,920 --> 00:45:39,080 Speaker 8: those are a couple of ones that I have. 1078 00:45:39,040 --> 00:45:39,560 Speaker 6: For this year. 1079 00:45:40,000 --> 00:45:43,120 Speaker 4: Uh, when you are kind of looking at I mean 1080 00:45:43,200 --> 00:45:46,120 Speaker 4: looking back in time and the Falcons draft. 1081 00:45:45,840 --> 00:45:49,840 Speaker 5: Class last year. The immediate impact that before god do 1082 00:45:49,960 --> 00:45:50,840 Speaker 5: they gat of defense? 1083 00:45:51,560 --> 00:45:56,080 Speaker 4: They how much did that feel like an expectation that 1084 00:45:56,120 --> 00:45:58,200 Speaker 4: you had for those guys or how much do you 1085 00:45:58,239 --> 00:46:00,440 Speaker 4: think that you even like exceeded. 1086 00:46:00,040 --> 00:46:02,440 Speaker 5: The expectations and in the level of like how quickly 1087 00:46:02,440 --> 00:46:03,759 Speaker 5: they were on the field and making your back. 1088 00:46:03,960 --> 00:46:07,359 Speaker 8: Yeah, so start with run. Remind me of the guy 1089 00:46:07,440 --> 00:46:10,160 Speaker 8: so Dalen Walker in the first round. 1090 00:46:10,280 --> 00:46:12,360 Speaker 12: Yeah, Jalen Walker was like straight up one of my 1091 00:46:12,360 --> 00:46:14,960 Speaker 12: favorite players in the entire class. I just loved him 1092 00:46:15,000 --> 00:46:18,120 Speaker 12: coming out, and I mean, I think you saw the 1093 00:46:18,160 --> 00:46:20,319 Speaker 12: impact that he could make, the explosiveness, and again the 1094 00:46:20,360 --> 00:46:22,880 Speaker 12: tenacity and energy that he plays with. To me, that 1095 00:46:22,960 --> 00:46:25,280 Speaker 12: was the first thing that jumped off the tape with him, 1096 00:46:25,520 --> 00:46:28,399 Speaker 12: you know, and then obviously pierce production was there. There's 1097 00:46:28,440 --> 00:46:30,279 Speaker 12: now question marks going forward as to what that's going 1098 00:46:30,360 --> 00:46:34,600 Speaker 12: to mean. And then remind me some of the other guys, Yeah, 1099 00:46:34,600 --> 00:46:35,080 Speaker 12: we fell. 1100 00:46:35,200 --> 00:46:36,760 Speaker 8: I think I think a lot of people, Yeah. 1101 00:46:36,680 --> 00:46:39,399 Speaker 4: Myself included, was surprised that he was even still on 1102 00:46:39,440 --> 00:46:42,520 Speaker 4: the board when the Falcons kicked h He was somebody 1103 00:46:42,560 --> 00:46:42,960 Speaker 4: who I. 1104 00:46:43,000 --> 00:46:45,880 Speaker 8: Loved watching those same I mean, his ball production. 1105 00:46:45,920 --> 00:46:47,600 Speaker 12: I think I got to his tape kind of late 1106 00:46:47,640 --> 00:46:51,359 Speaker 12: in the process and remember being like, like, why does 1107 00:46:51,400 --> 00:46:53,160 Speaker 12: this guy not have a little more hype coming in 1108 00:46:53,200 --> 00:46:55,319 Speaker 12: because he was you know, all over, like all over 1109 00:46:55,360 --> 00:46:58,360 Speaker 12: the field, super rangy. He had the length and explosiveness 1110 00:46:58,360 --> 00:47:00,880 Speaker 12: and ball skills and kind of just you know, he 1111 00:47:01,200 --> 00:47:03,080 Speaker 12: was just kind of everywhere for a defense, and so 1112 00:47:03,160 --> 00:47:04,879 Speaker 12: he was a guy that I really liked. I remember 1113 00:47:04,960 --> 00:47:08,480 Speaker 12: really liking the Falcons draft class. I didn't particularly like 1114 00:47:08,480 --> 00:47:10,520 Speaker 12: to move up into the first round because of the 1115 00:47:10,600 --> 00:47:14,160 Speaker 12: risk that that comes with, and as a Seahawks fan, 1116 00:47:14,560 --> 00:47:17,520 Speaker 12: the Rams didn't make me super happy. 1117 00:47:18,160 --> 00:47:20,879 Speaker 8: But yeah, I think it all worked out for you. Right, 1118 00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:23,080 Speaker 8: I'll take a super Bowl, you know, that's fine. 1119 00:47:23,800 --> 00:47:27,880 Speaker 1: But he was Oklahoma, Yeah, Oklahoma. 1120 00:47:27,920 --> 00:47:30,040 Speaker 4: He was somebody who I think a lot of people 1121 00:47:30,040 --> 00:47:34,480 Speaker 4: were like undersized, goodball of inner fortunate because he airs 1122 00:47:34,520 --> 00:47:38,840 Speaker 4: his achilles rusts of achilles after having a start that 1123 00:47:39,000 --> 00:47:42,480 Speaker 4: was honestly the best start of a rookie DV that 1124 00:47:42,560 --> 00:47:45,480 Speaker 4: I saw one to that point those first four games. 1125 00:47:45,600 --> 00:47:46,759 Speaker 8: Yeah, he was electric. 1126 00:47:47,080 --> 00:47:49,520 Speaker 5: Did you kind of have your thoughts on with him? 1127 00:47:49,600 --> 00:47:52,400 Speaker 12: I mean, it's funny, it feels like there's a you know, 1128 00:47:52,560 --> 00:47:56,239 Speaker 12: just a through line here, like energetic, you know, intensity, 1129 00:47:56,480 --> 00:47:58,360 Speaker 12: like a tone setting type of player. 1130 00:47:58,400 --> 00:48:00,000 Speaker 8: I think that's kind of like what I remember for him, 1131 00:48:00,040 --> 00:48:00,839 Speaker 8: and in terms of. 1132 00:48:00,760 --> 00:48:03,440 Speaker 12: Just rangy, tone setter, willing to you know, run the 1133 00:48:03,480 --> 00:48:07,120 Speaker 12: alley hit guys. So, you know, I think maybe that's 1134 00:48:07,400 --> 00:48:09,000 Speaker 12: that was kind of like the through line that they 1135 00:48:09,000 --> 00:48:11,480 Speaker 12: were looking for, Like those tone setter type guys that 1136 00:48:11,520 --> 00:48:14,640 Speaker 12: are going to play with a ton of energy elevate 1137 00:48:14,680 --> 00:48:16,840 Speaker 12: the play of their teammates by that, you know, that 1138 00:48:16,920 --> 00:48:20,239 Speaker 12: kind of thing, and so you know, obviously good you know, 1139 00:48:20,320 --> 00:48:22,480 Speaker 12: good results in year one from a couple of different 1140 00:48:22,520 --> 00:48:25,920 Speaker 12: guys there, And obviously I think Jalen Walker has a chance. 1141 00:48:25,760 --> 00:48:27,160 Speaker 8: To be like a star in the league. 1142 00:48:27,840 --> 00:48:31,000 Speaker 1: So yeah, fingers crossed, you know, Yeah, Jared's gonna be 1143 00:48:31,000 --> 00:48:32,719 Speaker 1: mad at me for this. We're gonna go a little bit, guy. 1144 00:48:32,719 --> 00:48:34,520 Speaker 1: We got to ask you one more questions. So Kyle 1145 00:48:34,560 --> 00:48:37,120 Speaker 1: Pitts gets the franchise, tat Yeah. He has been a 1146 00:48:37,200 --> 00:48:39,840 Speaker 1: topic of discussion for The Ringer Fantas Football Show for 1147 00:48:39,880 --> 00:48:42,880 Speaker 1: quite some time. Sure, sure, yeah, knowing the season he 1148 00:48:42,880 --> 00:48:45,480 Speaker 1: had last year and with Kevin Stefanski coming in, who 1149 00:48:45,480 --> 00:48:48,080 Speaker 1: has gotten production out of the tight end position? Yeah, 1150 00:48:48,120 --> 00:48:49,760 Speaker 1: where are you at with Kyle Pitts? 1151 00:48:49,960 --> 00:48:52,080 Speaker 8: I'm back in. I mean, this is this has been 1152 00:48:52,360 --> 00:48:53,600 Speaker 8: you know, from a fantasy part of you. 1153 00:48:53,719 --> 00:48:56,480 Speaker 12: Obviously we kind of rag on him a little bit 1154 00:48:56,520 --> 00:48:59,520 Speaker 12: because of the expectations early on and then things just 1155 00:48:59,560 --> 00:49:01,919 Speaker 12: didn't really pan out right away for him. He's still 1156 00:49:02,000 --> 00:49:04,200 Speaker 12: very young. I mean he's he's twenty five. 1157 00:49:04,280 --> 00:49:04,759 Speaker 8: He's like the. 1158 00:49:04,680 --> 00:49:07,200 Speaker 12: Age Travis Kelsey was when he made his first like 1159 00:49:07,520 --> 00:49:08,480 Speaker 12: prorection in the NFL. 1160 00:49:08,560 --> 00:49:10,280 Speaker 1: He can rent a car for the first time now. 1161 00:49:10,560 --> 00:49:13,520 Speaker 12: Right, So I think, you know, from a fantasy point 1162 00:49:13,520 --> 00:49:16,040 Speaker 12: of view, I'm all in still, I think the talent 1163 00:49:16,120 --> 00:49:18,239 Speaker 12: is finally starting to show because obviously injuries were a 1164 00:49:18,360 --> 00:49:21,480 Speaker 12: huge part of kind of like what was slowing his development, 1165 00:49:21,520 --> 00:49:23,440 Speaker 12: I think, and you see this all the time with 1166 00:49:23,680 --> 00:49:26,080 Speaker 12: and tight ends, especially, I think, where an injury will 1167 00:49:26,120 --> 00:49:28,440 Speaker 12: kind of like sap your explosiveness and then you're just 1168 00:49:28,480 --> 00:49:30,239 Speaker 12: not the same player, and then they're trying to figure 1169 00:49:30,239 --> 00:49:32,520 Speaker 12: out a way to kind of deploy you where you're 1170 00:49:32,560 --> 00:49:34,600 Speaker 12: not the explosive player that you were that he was 1171 00:49:34,640 --> 00:49:38,439 Speaker 12: at in college. And so I think for the first 1172 00:49:38,440 --> 00:49:41,919 Speaker 12: time really last year you saw that explosiveness, the game 1173 00:49:42,040 --> 00:49:45,080 Speaker 12: changing ability to make a catch, you know, stiff armor 1174 00:49:45,120 --> 00:49:47,239 Speaker 12: guy from behind, he run in and do kind of 1175 00:49:47,320 --> 00:49:48,759 Speaker 12: some of the stuff after the catch that you saw 1176 00:49:48,800 --> 00:49:54,160 Speaker 12: in college, where he's really a dynamic mismatch creator. And 1177 00:49:54,520 --> 00:49:56,600 Speaker 12: you know, the joke is kind of like every year 1178 00:49:56,640 --> 00:49:58,759 Speaker 12: the fantasy guys are back in on Kyle Bitts. But like, 1179 00:49:58,800 --> 00:50:01,000 Speaker 12: I really do think there's a good, good reason for 1180 00:50:01,040 --> 00:50:04,399 Speaker 12: it now, especially with the coaching staff uh making such 1181 00:50:04,440 --> 00:50:06,800 Speaker 12: a big focus on the tight end position, and historically 1182 00:50:07,360 --> 00:50:10,000 Speaker 12: with Stefanski and so Uh yeah, I'm gonna be way 1183 00:50:10,040 --> 00:50:11,799 Speaker 12: too high on him and fantasy again, but I do 1184 00:50:12,040 --> 00:50:13,759 Speaker 12: I do think it is deserved because he's a really 1185 00:50:13,760 --> 00:50:16,880 Speaker 12: talented player, he's still young, and most importantly, he's like 1186 00:50:16,960 --> 00:50:19,719 Speaker 12: healthy right now relatives to where he has been previously. 1187 00:50:19,800 --> 00:50:24,680 Speaker 12: So yeah, all board, all board again, Travis. 1188 00:50:23,520 --> 00:50:27,480 Speaker 1: No doubt about it. I'm ready to be hurt again. Awesome. Well, 1189 00:50:27,520 --> 00:50:29,560 Speaker 1: Danny Kelly, thank you so much for sitting down with us. 1190 00:50:29,640 --> 00:50:31,560 Speaker 1: Everybody go check out his work at the Ringer. Thanks 1191 00:50:31,560 --> 00:50:35,920 Speaker 1: a lot, man, I'm tired. It's been a heck of 1192 00:50:35,960 --> 00:50:38,400 Speaker 1: a week. It's been an exciting week. I hope you 1193 00:50:38,440 --> 00:50:41,839 Speaker 1: guys learned a lot. Those were sawesome conversations and it's 1194 00:50:41,880 --> 00:50:44,600 Speaker 1: one of the best parts of this event is getting 1195 00:50:44,640 --> 00:50:46,719 Speaker 1: to be around all of these incredible people and get 1196 00:50:46,719 --> 00:50:50,239 Speaker 1: their take and their perspective on your favorite team. So again, 1197 00:50:50,600 --> 00:50:53,000 Speaker 1: thank you for sticking with us throughout a busy week, 1198 00:50:53,400 --> 00:50:55,279 Speaker 1: and we hope that it kind of kicked off the 1199 00:50:55,280 --> 00:50:58,200 Speaker 1: off season in the best way possible. So we will 1200 00:50:58,200 --> 00:51:00,640 Speaker 1: see you all again very soon. By that'll do it 1201 00:51:00,719 --> 00:51:04,240 Speaker 1: for us. From the twenty twenty six NFL Scouting Combine