Ten Takes is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio.

Ten Takes is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio.

Well, obviously I'm happy for him. I like where the Niners are going. But I just think right now, as we're still in the week after the draft, we have to sit here and really put it through the lens of the NFL Draft. I want everyone to remember that George Kittle, who's now thirty one, who just signed a massive extension and will one day retire as an all time great forty nine er, was a fifth round pick in the twenty seventeen draft. George Kittle was the ninth tight end selected. There was no conversation about him. The draft that year for the Niners was all about Ruben Foster and Solomon Thomas, and then they grabbed this guy as an afterthought in the fifth round. No one cared, no one was terribly interested ou in Niners fans, and this is how it worked. We're about nine years later, and he is a household name. He is a star, he is a massive contract.

Well, obviously I'm happy for him. I like where the Niners are going. But I just think right now, as we're still in the week after the draft, we have to sit here and really put it through the lens of the NFL Draft. I want everyone to remember that George Kittle, who's now thirty one, who just signed a massive extension and will one day retire as an all time great forty nine er, was a fifth round pick in the twenty seventeen draft. George Kittle was the ninth tight end selected. There was no conversation about him. The draft that year for the Niners was all about Ruben Foster and Solomon Thomas, and then they grabbed this guy as an afterthought in the fifth round. No one cared, no one was terribly interested ou in Niners fans, and this is how it worked. We're about nine years later, and he is a household name. He is a star, he is a massive contract.

Guys. I even went back and looked.

Guys. I even went back and looked.

I looked at the Bleacher Report review of this draft, and they gave the Kittle pick a B plus. He's raw, He's not the best route runner, but his combination of speed blah blah blah.

I looked at the Bleacher Report review of this draft, and they gave the Kittle pick a B plus. He's raw, He's not the best route runner, but his combination of speed blah blah blah.

I just want you.

I just want you.

Understand that the fact that George Kittle is now where he is from where he started, it would be like in this year's draft, uh, pick one sixty three, Mitchell Evans tight end from Notre Dame nine years from now is a massive star who's in Marvel commercials and has huge deals. Like you don't think about these types of guys after the draft. You didn't think about Kittle after his draft, it was all like, Wow, the Bears really drafted Trubisky, and the Chiefs moved for Patrick Mahoonmes from Texas Tech. What and then here we are and then the Niners have Kittle. I know Kitt a little bit personally. Is one of my favorite athletes I've ever met. He has fun, he is contagious, and all his energy it is the real deal. And he is really, in a lot of ways, the face of the San Francisco forty nine ers.

Understand that the fact that George Kittle is now where he is from where he started, it would be like in this year's draft, uh, pick one sixty three, Mitchell Evans tight end from Notre Dame nine years from now is a massive star who's in Marvel commercials and has huge deals. Like you don't think about these types of guys after the draft. You didn't think about Kittle after his draft, it was all like, Wow, the Bears really drafted Trubisky, and the Chiefs moved for Patrick Mahoonmes from Texas Tech. What and then here we are and then the Niners have Kittle. I know Kitt a little bit personally. Is one of my favorite athletes I've ever met. He has fun, he is contagious, and all his energy it is the real deal. And he is really, in a lot of ways, the face of the San Francisco forty nine ers.

I'm very happy for him, happy for them.

I'm very happy for him, happy for them.

Don't forget, kids, it's not when you get drafted, it is what you do when you get there, and Kiddle is living proof of that. They're getting somebody listen, you can't start the season with that room. Mason Rudolph is an old friend. He's been around, he went away, he came back.

Don't forget, kids, it's not when you get drafted, it is what you do when you get there, and Kiddle is living proof of that. They're getting somebody listen, you can't start the season with that room. Mason Rudolph is an old friend. He's been around, he went away, he came back.

I get it.

I get it.

We all like Will Howard, but you're not. He's not starting Week one. And that's this question. The Steelers, who are in the playoffs virtually every year, who is their quarterback in the first snap of the seed when they come out to play. I feel like the fact that they went into the draft and did not draft someone to start in any of the first few rounds means.

We all like Will Howard, but you're not. He's not starting Week one. And that's this question. The Steelers, who are in the playoffs virtually every year, who is their quarterback in the first snap of the seed when they come out to play. I feel like the fact that they went into the draft and did not draft someone to start in any of the first few rounds means.

You can't start a season with that room.

You can't start a season with that room.

And I mean respectfully to those guys that Steelers are trying to win the AFC this year. That's the goal. So the Cousins thing is interesting. I never thought Cousins was going to go to Cleveland. I still don't think he's going to go to Cleveland because he gets to basically decide what this do not trade. And then there's obviously the Rogers thing. The last time we heard from Rogers, really the only time we heard from he was talking to McAfee and he was just emotional and a little bit scattered and all over the place and citing things like personal life and inner circle and going through a lot, so respectfully, that sounded like kind of a mess. I think either the Steelers know that eventually Rodgers is going to get there, or they do have something in the works with someone like Cousins. But you can't tell me they don't have a plan and they don't have some sort of ace in the hole. Because Mike Tomlin Cayse played with a lot of quarterbacks. I don't think the twenty twenty five Pittsburgh Steelers are going to say to their fan base or their locker room guys, none of that stuff worked out. We will rally behind Mason Rudolph. Everybody in that organization knows what Mason Rudolph is and isn't.

And I mean respectfully to those guys that Steelers are trying to win the AFC this year. That's the goal. So the Cousins thing is interesting. I never thought Cousins was going to go to Cleveland. I still don't think he's going to go to Cleveland because he gets to basically decide what this do not trade. And then there's obviously the Rogers thing. The last time we heard from Rogers, really the only time we heard from he was talking to McAfee and he was just emotional and a little bit scattered and all over the place and citing things like personal life and inner circle and going through a lot, so respectfully, that sounded like kind of a mess. I think either the Steelers know that eventually Rodgers is going to get there, or they do have something in the works with someone like Cousins. But you can't tell me they don't have a plan and they don't have some sort of ace in the hole. Because Mike Tomlin Cayse played with a lot of quarterbacks. I don't think the twenty twenty five Pittsburgh Steelers are going to say to their fan base or their locker room guys, none of that stuff worked out. We will rally behind Mason Rudolph. Everybody in that organization knows what Mason Rudolph is and isn't.

He's a backup quarterback.

He's a backup quarterback.

I think they have a plan, and I think either they know Rogers is coming or they're working on something else, because they didn't do anything in the draft and suggest you we're going to get a quarterback for this season the Browns.

I think they have a plan, and I think either they know Rogers is coming or they're working on something else, because they didn't do anything in the draft and suggest you we're going to get a quarterback for this season the Browns.

I'm trying not to be insensitive. That's one of the weirdest rooms ever.

I'm trying not to be insensitive. That's one of the weirdest rooms ever.

Like, so, if you just let's the rundown, you have not you have two rookie quarterbacks, you have one of the most polarizing, reactive rookie quarterbacks.

Like, so, if you just let's the rundown, you have not you have two rookie quarterbacks, you have one of the most polarizing, reactive rookie quarterbacks.

In NFL history.

In NFL history.

Then you've got just like the everyman, who's Kenny Pickett, who has a lot of starting experience and has a Super Bowl ring and all that.

Then you've got just like the everyman, who's Kenny Pickett, who has a lot of starting experience and has a Super Bowl ring and all that.

That's your room, right.

That's your room, right.

No, then you have a forty one year old Joe Flacco on his eighth team and eight years who is in his own way like this Rooster Cogburn legend, who's like one last job.

No, then you have a forty one year old Joe Flacco on his eighth team and eight years who is in his own way like this Rooster Cogburn legend, who's like one last job.

I'm here.

I'm here.

I have no idea what that room is. I don't know what the depth chart is. I don't know who the reps are. Russ, let me ask you sometimes, is should your Sanders is definitely gonna make this team.

I have no idea what that room is. I don't know what the depth chart is. I don't know who the reps are. Russ, let me ask you sometimes, is should your Sanders is definitely gonna make this team.

He's the fourth quarterback.

He's the fourth quarterback.

Right, He's gonna make this Why because a fifth round pick?

Right, He's gonna make this Why because a fifth round pick?

Yeah, because they want to see what they have in him.

Yeah, because they want to see what they have in him.

So seeing training camp they got three other quarterbacks, it's definitely gonna be like, there's a chance you could not make the team.

So seeing training camp they got three other quarterbacks, it's definitely gonna be like, there's a chance you could not make the team.

They're gonna end up trading Flaco or Picket, which one Picket? Probably? Right? Why would they bring in Flaco in the trade them? Like, yeah, probably Picket. I feel so much.

They're gonna end up trading Flaco or Picket, which one Picket? Probably? Right? Why would they bring in Flaco in the trade them? Like, yeah, probably Picket. I feel so much.

Different about this conversation before the draft because there was murmurs that maybe this is Russ's job and it's his thing. It's like, well, now there's this first round rookie in the room. So the answer to the question who has more to prove? I think it's Fields. I feel like last year was Russell Wilson's year to prove. It's in the wake of the Denver disaster. He came in, he did have a really good run before it fell apart, and now I feel like we're kind of maybe at peace a little bit with Russell Wilson about what he is and what he isn't.

Different about this conversation before the draft because there was murmurs that maybe this is Russ's job and it's his thing. It's like, well, now there's this first round rookie in the room. So the answer to the question who has more to prove? I think it's Fields. I feel like last year was Russell Wilson's year to prove. It's in the wake of the Denver disaster. He came in, he did have a really good run before it fell apart, and now I feel like we're kind of maybe at peace a little bit with Russell Wilson about what he is and what he isn't.

We still don't know what Justin Field's, what he is and what he isn't.

We still don't know what Justin Field's, what he is and what he isn't.

Honestly, the whole Chicago thing in Pittsburgh also like, I still think it's Fields. He's much younger, he's played far less football, and I still think he is more of an untapped deal.

Honestly, the whole Chicago thing in Pittsburgh also like, I still think it's Fields. He's much younger, he's played far less football, and I still think he is more of an untapped deal.

But this is it.

But this is it.

If the Jets thing doesn't work it out, this is this is really You're gonna be your final shot as a starter.

If the Jets thing doesn't work it out, this is this is really You're gonna be your final shot as a starter.

I think. So my answer is Fields.

I think. So my answer is Fields.

Incredibly, I'm gonna go with someone who used to be a panther. It really did happen that Baker Mayfield was a Carolina Panther. And the craziest thing is that we started this segment with Sam Darnold. He was also a Panther and a teammate a Baker Mayfield. Listen, you could hear anybody talk of a Baker in the huddle, in the locker room, anything, and there's many players who can do that.

Incredibly, I'm gonna go with someone who used to be a panther. It really did happen that Baker Mayfield was a Carolina Panther. And the craziest thing is that we started this segment with Sam Darnold. He was also a Panther and a teammate a Baker Mayfield. Listen, you could hear anybody talk of a Baker in the huddle, in the locker room, anything, and there's many players who can do that.

I will just speak.

I will just speak.

I covered the Pro Bowl down in Orlando, and I witnessed with my eyes what Baker Mayfield does, even at the Pro Ball, how he handles HI stuff. Let's just say, when I got in the night before the game, Baker had quite a tab at the bar because everybody's on it. You want this, you want this? I got you, I got you. And the next morning I'm at breakfast. He's there with his family, his baby, his wife, clear eyed, bushy tailed, ready to roll, working every table, saying hello, signing autographs, taking pictures. Baker Mayfield impressed me in a weekend when he could just mail it in and lie around if he wanted to. I saw it with my own eyes. I will always be a Baker Mayfield fan, and I know I'm not alone. Let's play a game here amongst the four of us right now, a year ago, I remember vividly like the Patriots were looked at his team thirty two. They were just no one thought anything of them, No one picked them to make the playoffs. They certainly didn't make the playoffs, and that was even reflected in the off season odds to make the playoffs. I have right here the DraftKings odds in the team's most likely to make the playoffs this year and then least likely. I want to go around the horn and guess where the Patriots land, just for context. The Bills they have at number one, most likely team to make the playoffs, and the Browns they have least likely.

I covered the Pro Bowl down in Orlando, and I witnessed with my eyes what Baker Mayfield does, even at the Pro Ball, how he handles HI stuff. Let's just say, when I got in the night before the game, Baker had quite a tab at the bar because everybody's on it. You want this, you want this? I got you, I got you. And the next morning I'm at breakfast. He's there with his family, his baby, his wife, clear eyed, bushy tailed, ready to roll, working every table, saying hello, signing autographs, taking pictures. Baker Mayfield impressed me in a weekend when he could just mail it in and lie around if he wanted to. I saw it with my own eyes. I will always be a Baker Mayfield fan, and I know I'm not alone. Let's play a game here amongst the four of us right now, a year ago, I remember vividly like the Patriots were looked at his team thirty two. They were just no one thought anything of them, No one picked them to make the playoffs. They certainly didn't make the playoffs, and that was even reflected in the off season odds to make the playoffs. I have right here the DraftKings odds in the team's most likely to make the playoffs this year and then least likely. I want to go around the horn and guess where the Patriots land, just for context. The Bills they have at number one, most likely team to make the playoffs, and the Browns they have least likely.

So I'll start Willy Mantai. Colleen.

So I'll start Willy Mantai. Colleen.

Just guess what the number is and where the twenty twenty five Patriots ranked to make the playoffs.

Just guess what the number is and where the twenty twenty five Patriots ranked to make the playoffs.

What do you got? Wait?

What do you got? Wait?

Tenth, tenth, tenth Manti, I say, twenty sixth twenty four. Okay, ten, twenty six, twenty four the winner. It's actually a tie. It's a tie between Willy and Colleen. They're seventeenth. They're seventeenth, so split ten and twenty four. Seventeenth is a huge jump from a year ago. To go from thirty two to like we were barely recognized as a team. To seventeen is really really big.

Tenth, tenth, tenth Manti, I say, twenty sixth twenty four. Okay, ten, twenty six, twenty four the winner. It's actually a tie. It's a tie between Willy and Colleen. They're seventeenth. They're seventeenth, so split ten and twenty four. Seventeenth is a huge jump from a year ago. To go from thirty two to like we were barely recognized as a team. To seventeen is really really big.

The other thing we.

The other thing we.

Do, certainly on this show and on this network, is if we were to do thirty two of these segments where we say what do we think about the twenty twenty five Patriots, it's all they're so great, They're gonna make a huge jump, They're going to the playoffs.

Do, certainly on this show and on this network, is if we were to do thirty two of these segments where we say what do we think about the twenty twenty five Patriots, it's all they're so great, They're gonna make a huge jump, They're going to the playoffs.

They're amazing.

They're amazing.

Like, there's gonna be thirty two playoff teams if you watch these segments. I'm not making this one of those teams. I don't think the Patriots are going to make a massive jump. I don't think you want to compare them to last year's Commanders and all that stuff. No, no, no, They're still in in the division with one of the biggest, baddest bullies in the league. They have different jets, different Dolphins.

Like, there's gonna be thirty two playoff teams if you watch these segments. I'm not making this one of those teams. I don't think the Patriots are going to make a massive jump. I don't think you want to compare them to last year's Commanders and all that stuff. No, no, no, They're still in in the division with one of the biggest, baddest bullies in the league. They have different jets, different Dolphins.

I'm not ready.

I'm not ready.

I think the Patriots a year away, and I don't apologize for saying that. Also, Mike Vrabelm I went back and looked at his first year as the Titans head coach. The Titans had gone nine and seven, nine and seven. He comes in and they go nine and seven. It was not this big. Jim Harbaugh type jump. It was not a massive turnaround. I think the Patriots are still way in terms of talent. And the other thing I think is the Patriots right now are the team that is the draft darling all of the draft grades or they nailed it. They crushed it, which makes me actually root against them because I hate draft grades. But everyone is on the Patriots now a badass. May is good and they crush the draft. Even though we don't know if they crush the draft. I'm gonna zag a little bit here. I still think they need more talents. I think they'll win a few more games this year, but I don't think they're gonna be a playoff team. You guys know, I've been looking at this all morning, the DraftKings odds about who's most likely to make the playoffs. I'm gonna go with the true long shot. This is number twenty eight on that list, twenty eighth most likely the Raiders.

I think the Patriots a year away, and I don't apologize for saying that. Also, Mike Vrabelm I went back and looked at his first year as the Titans head coach. The Titans had gone nine and seven, nine and seven. He comes in and they go nine and seven. It was not this big. Jim Harbaugh type jump. It was not a massive turnaround. I think the Patriots are still way in terms of talent. And the other thing I think is the Patriots right now are the team that is the draft darling all of the draft grades or they nailed it. They crushed it, which makes me actually root against them because I hate draft grades. But everyone is on the Patriots now a badass. May is good and they crush the draft. Even though we don't know if they crush the draft. I'm gonna zag a little bit here. I still think they need more talents. I think they'll win a few more games this year, but I don't think they're gonna be a playoff team. You guys know, I've been looking at this all morning, the DraftKings odds about who's most likely to make the playoffs. I'm gonna go with the true long shot. This is number twenty eight on that list, twenty eighth most likely the Raiders.

Why the hell not, it's May second Raider. It is. Listen.

Why the hell not, it's May second Raider. It is. Listen.

I don't know if the Raiders are gonna win the Super Bowl this year. I know that they are going to be a professional unit of players and coaches. They have a professional coach they have a professional quarterback.

I don't know if the Raiders are gonna win the Super Bowl this year. I know that they are going to be a professional unit of players and coaches. They have a professional coach they have a professional quarterback.

I like that brain trust right there, especially the guy in the right.

I like that brain trust right there, especially the guy in the right.

You think Pete Carroll's gonna come in there, They're gonna go five and twelve this year.

You think Pete Carroll's gonna come in there, They're gonna go five and twelve this year.

He doesn't do that. He will not do that with Gino.

He doesn't do that. He will not do that with Gino.

He will not do that with that defense, that brand new running back they just got. And by the way, I don't know, I just like it better when the Raiders matter.

He will not do that with that defense, that brand new running back they just got. And by the way, I don't know, I just like it better when the Raiders matter.

I really do.

I really do.

If I had to pick one team when the league is more fun when they're good, it's the Raiders. It's been a minute, of course, but even that joke we got two years ago when they beat the hell out of the Chiefs on Christmas Day, that was just this one off win that didn't amount too much after that, and it was so exciting because it was the Raiders who did it.

If I had to pick one team when the league is more fun when they're good, it's the Raiders. It's been a minute, of course, but even that joke we got two years ago when they beat the hell out of the Chiefs on Christmas Day, that was just this one off win that didn't amount too much after that, and it was so exciting because it was the Raiders who did it.

I am taking the silver and black.

I am taking the silver and black.

They're my long shot there, like my thirty to one horse at the derby.

They're my long shot there, like my thirty to one horse at the derby.

But I'm still throwing down on them. I like the Raiders.

But I'm still throwing down on them. I like the Raiders.

It's a pretty tall order to be the Commanders, guys. I mean, like we're talking about the Titans number one overall pick. The Commanders knocked the Lions out of the playoffs, the Commanders were in the NFC title. That was an historic season for the Commanders. So no, keep trying that not going to be the Commanders. But listen, it was c. J. Stroud two years ago in the Texans. Then it was Jaden, it was the Commanders. Now is it cam Ward? You got to have a hell of a season for cam Ward to make this team the team that really really matters.

It's a pretty tall order to be the Commanders, guys. I mean, like we're talking about the Titans number one overall pick. The Commanders knocked the Lions out of the playoffs, the Commanders were in the NFC title. That was an historic season for the Commanders. So no, keep trying that not going to be the Commanders. But listen, it was c. J. Stroud two years ago in the Texans. Then it was Jaden, it was the Commanders. Now is it cam Ward? You got to have a hell of a season for cam Ward to make this team the team that really really matters.

And the thing I like about cam warden and there's a lot to like.

And the thing I like about cam warden and there's a lot to like.

Cam Ward threw over twenty three hundred passes in college. Trevor Lawrence has not thrown that many in the NFL. He's been in the league four years. Tua has not thrown that many in the NFL he's been the five years. So this guy has played so much football, granted, all over the place and at universities that people can't even find on a map. But I'm a huge, huge fan of Camward. I'm not saying that's just to say it. Most people are apathetic about cam Ward. Most people are apathetic about the Titans. And my take on the Titans this year was I don't think they're gonna be the Commanders. I do think we will be talking about them and I'm proud of us because we are one of the few shows in history to talk about the Tennessee Titans and Good Morning Football.

Cam Ward threw over twenty three hundred passes in college. Trevor Lawrence has not thrown that many in the NFL. He's been in the league four years. Tua has not thrown that many in the NFL he's been the five years. So this guy has played so much football, granted, all over the place and at universities that people can't even find on a map. But I'm a huge, huge fan of Camward. I'm not saying that's just to say it. Most people are apathetic about cam Ward. Most people are apathetic about the Titans. And my take on the Titans this year was I don't think they're gonna be the Commanders. I do think we will be talking about them and I'm proud of us because we are one of the few shows in history to talk about the Tennessee Titans and Good Morning Football.

We remember the Titans, and I.

We remember the Titans, and I.

Feel like we should have a counter about how many segments we do about the Titans between now and September. We've already done one right here, so we have more than all the other shows will. But I want to count them, and I think they'll give us more once the season starts. Listen, eight and nine's on the table for the Titans this year. Hell yes, you jump on that. The Commanders are in the ether. That was a really special season. They'll be documentaries about I think cam Warden. The Titans give to something to talk about is a big improvement.

Feel like we should have a counter about how many segments we do about the Titans between now and September. We've already done one right here, so we have more than all the other shows will. But I want to count them, and I think they'll give us more once the season starts. Listen, eight and nine's on the table for the Titans this year. Hell yes, you jump on that. The Commanders are in the ether. That was a really special season. They'll be documentaries about I think cam Warden. The Titans give to something to talk about is a big improvement.

Ten Takes is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio. For more iHeartRadio pods, go to the iHeartRadio app, go to Apple go anywhere you like, it'll be there.

Ten Takes is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio. For more iHeartRadio pods, go to the iHeartRadio app, go to Apple go anywhere you like, it'll be there.