Explicit

3 & Out - WF Head Coach Jake Dickert stops by, Why hate Nico, Rating the upcoming WR class

Published Apr 17, 2025, 10:01 AM

John is joined by the Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert to talk about the upcoming Wake Forest season, how he handles the transfer portal and how that has changed the landscape of college football, what it was like coaching Cam Ward and Josh Allen, and if he thinks we'll ever see another player like Travis Hunter in college football.

Lastly, John answers your questions in this episode's mailbag segment.

5:09 - Jake Dickert joins the show

46:37 - Mailbag

Follow John on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest. Check out Gametime - the fastest growing ticketing app in the US, and the official ticketing app of 3 & Out and GoLow -  for tickets to all of your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA teams. Concert and comedy show tickets, too. Go to Gametime now to create an account, download the app and use code JOHN for $20 off your first purchase. #Volume #Herd

The volume. What is going on everybody? How are we doing today? We do something that we don't usually do. We don't have that many guests on this show. Might change in the offseason. But we have coach Dickert, who is the head coach of Wake Forest, but who coached cam Ward for two years at Washington State. He was the head coach of Washington State. Cam Ward was there last year. He coached John Mattier, who was one of the biggest transfer portal quarterbacks, left Washington State to Oklahoma for seven figures. He also was an assistant coach for Wyoming Josh Allen's senior year. So this guy's this guy's seen a lot of quarterbacks and we will dive into everything nil scouting reports. He played ash and genty this year. Genty went for about two fifty on Washington State and four touchdown. So we'll talk to him about that as well as some other stuff. And we will also do a big mail bag at John Middlecoff. At John Middlecoff is the Instagram Fire in those dms and get your questions answered here on the show at John Middlecoff Instagram Fire into those dms. Other than that, yeah, fired up for Coach Dickert and some mail bag and you guys know the drill. Subscribe to the podcast Spotify, Apple, wherever you may listen, which is basically those two spots. I guess maybe there's some other spot. But make sure you subscribe YouTube as well. You can do a little alert button on the old tube to make sure anytime we get a new video up, did it alert you? So go subscribe to that. And yeah, before we dive into Coach Dickert, you know, I gotta tell you about my friends, my partners, and the official ticketing app of this podcast. Do you want to go to a game? Do you want to go if you listen to this and your NBA team is in the playoffs, if your NHL team's about to be in the playoffs, if you want to go to a baseball game? My Giants actually have started pretty hot somehow. They have a better record than the Dodgers. But the Mets are good, the Yankees are good at a lot of the premium brands in baseball are good. You got concerts going on at Coachilla. Just had a big weekend. Green Day was jamming. They've been going strong now for about thirty years. I think what's his name? The lead singers from Oakland. But other than that, any they got you covered. So any game, any event. You can search by venue, you can search by arena, you can search by team. You can figure it out by price point, where you want to sit, the views from your seat. It does not get any easier. So take the guest work out of buying tickets with game time down the game Time app. Created account and USIC go John JHM for twenty dollars off for his purchase terms of play. Again, create an account redeemed the coach John for twenty dollars off down the game Time app. Today last minute ticket's lowest price is guaranteed. Okay, very very excited to be joined by the Wake Forest head coach. And for several years it came from Washington State where he coached cam Ward. And we'll get into he might be a quarterback guru even though he's a defensive guy, but his roote swide receiver offensive guy. Coach Dickard, how you doing.

John's a pleasure to be on you know, obviously exciting time to be here at Wake before is just getting our program rolling. But it's a crazy time of college football. And we're in the best profession you could ever be in.

How's you know what's crazy? I was looking, you know, you go to a coach's Wikipedia, and I watched some of the interviews you did. I mean, like most people coming up, you had what I saw, you say, seven jobs in eight years or something. Crazy. If I would have told you a decade ago that you'd be headed into the twenty twenty five season, you'd be coaching against Bill Belichick, would you have thought you were the coach of the New York Jets.

Well, I was a big Packer fan Chiefs had growing up, so I would take that. At the at the least, My goal was to be a math teacher and coach at Kimberly High School, right, so to be able to swerve into college and to make this climb up college football, you know, started that Division III. John I was the graduate assistant that was painting the lines, that was doing the video, that was half equipment guy.

You know, DB's coach.

And just gotta to be around the right people at the right time and work my way all the way up. And I got a unique perspective, right, there's a thin line between playing at all these levels and I think sometimes the transfer portal shows that now. But at a great place here in wake Forest and an amazing league in the ACC and ready to compete, do you you.

Know, you're it was fair to call you a Midwest guy at heart coaching Dakotas for a long time and then spend some time on the West Coast going to Wake Forest. Obviously, it's an incredible opportunity and a big, you know, big conference. Is that just in the landscape of college football? Now you're write a program that. I mean, I'm from Sacramento area, so the Pac twelve grew up going to Memorial Stadium Cow games, and that conference disappeared on your watch when you were in it, and you were on the wrong side of that. I mean, uh, because I'm a big believer sometimes in regions with coaches you know, you know, so this is a pretty big move. But given the opportunity was just something you couldn't say no to.

Oh, it's one of those things down as you look at the landscape of college football, you know, for the West Coast to lose a prestigious West Coast league, I still think to this day is still a shame, right for those kids, for those fans for regional rivalries, for everything that comes with the pageantry and passion of college football. You know, you kind of step back when this opportunity came up. You start looking at the portal. You start seeing the region of the Pacific Northwest being harder, you know, to get some kids to be able to come there.

And you know, the.

One double as the group of fives. You know, ninety percent of those leagues are coast on down the South into Texas, and you got to be where the people are.

And I think that's just kind of what this came into.

And the more I studied about Wake Forest, the more I discovered they're ready to win, right. And I think the one thing is that no one expects anything about what we are. We're the winning this program in P four in the state of North Carolina in the last twenty five years. We're the only one in the state to win an ACC championship. Have been playing another right, so it has been done. I get to stand on a program that has a great foundation that's committed to winning in this region of the country in North Carolina is a big part.

Of why we're here.

Well, I want to talk a little bit about your background. I'm always fascinated by You were a wide receiver in college. Correct, a D three wide receiver.

I look like a fullback now. John. It's a tough bridge, but.

Your background, the highest level in what you played was offense. But then your coaching career takes off on defense and you came up and became a head coach and you're defensive guy. But your offenses, I mean in Washington State you had cam Ward for a couple of years, I mean have been fantastic. Is that something. Did you ever look to pivot as your career was taken off or did you just get so in deep it was like it's like a relationship with the ladies, like yeah, she just might be the one and you just let them rip.

Well, I think unique story. Like I played offense. My brother was still on the teams when I came back to be a GA. Our head coach was like, you can't coach on the same side as your brother. So I ended up thinking I was just gonna do the defensive thing for a year. The greatest opportunity in my life came as a graduate assistant under Craig Bowl, my greatest mentor in North Dakota State, and I learned a system of defense, and I just learned to fit my personality.

I'm a math guy. I see things a certain way.

You got to be a problem solver as a defensive coach, and I just started to work my way up college football and I just enjoyed it. You know, offense is almost too easy, John, right, But I know when we took over the head job at Washington State, you gotta be able to score points. The rules are in so the offenses can go out there and win, and quarterback is a premium position. And you know, I got to see Josh Allen's senior year at the University of Wyoming when I was there coaching obviously cam Ward for a couple of years at Washington State. Followed that up by a you know, really a Heisman campaign of John Mattier there last year. Where we're at, so we see some really high offenses and you know, while we get to put our stamp on a little bit different because I think we have one of the best players in the country here in Demon Claiborne that no one talks about it running back. So we're gonna be able to do it again. Just do it in a little bit of different fashion.

Well, I want to talk about that. It's fair to say one of your big breaks was getting hired at Wyoming I think in twenty seventeen a safety coach. That means you know you're going up against the offense, especially in training camp. And you have Chris Mortensen and had that tweet after the draft to basically keep an eye on Josh Allen. So the hype was there. When you have the job, What was that experience like coaching your DBS every day against Josh Allen, who was probably letting hun mon Our fastballs just rip all over layer of me Wyoming.

It's one of those things, especially in the thin air.

I walked out to the first practice and you hear the hype of Josh and obviously what he did the year before, he threw his first field side comeback to the bottom of the numbers, and it was unlike anything I've ever seen.

A frozen rope. There's no lob to it.

And the biggest thing though about John or why I knew he was going to be successful, is that just the person he was, he knew he was a first round draft pick. The way he carried himself in the locker room. The leadership abilities Josh possessed was just and he didn't have the greatest season, and scouts would come around and they'd ask, you know, what do you think. I said, guys, take him right, don't worry about his footwork. He's a playmaker, he's a competitor. He has that it factor in the locker room, and these guys love to play for him. It was just it was different. And to see him go out there and have tons of success in the NFL, it's like that that's what it takes, is more than just a great.

Arm because one of the knocks, like you said that the stats weren't that great, but you guys had just lost right, his number one wide receiver, I think, a tight end and maybe a running back or like a lot of his skill guys from the previous year were gone. A couple of them played in the NFL, so I mean they were high end guys. It was a pretty big loss.

Yeah, he lost an NFL center, tight end, receiver, tailback right, so he carried the shoulder of the load. We were really good defensively, and I thought we played well as a team, and we had seven nflers on our side of the football. So, I mean, Josh was just a special, unique talent and it really showed like what it takes to play that position at a premium level. And you know, he knew he came back in the bowl game he was going to be a first round pick. A lot of kids wouldn't do that, right, just showed his kind of love and passion to play this game.

Did your experience being around Josh impact the recruitment because you were the full time head coach by the time you recruited cam Ward correct, yep.

Yeah, and it was a unique situation. We knew we needed to make a change. Cam was the best, obviously portal target on the market. We hired his head coach as our offensive coordinator, and it was amazing just getting to.

Know him and his family. To know Cam is to know his mom and dad, right.

His mom is one of the toughest recruiting moms I've ever been around.

Ms Patrice. She's great.

Every time I saw her, she would come up to me and say, Coach, you better be coaching Cam hard. You better not be allowing him to just look past some of these mistakes. And I think that's the foundation of the way he grew up his story being a wing tea quarterback, coming out of high school only having the one offer, and then coming by us where we weren't established enough on offense, we lost a lot, right, so he carried the load. He's one of the most competitive people I've ever been around Zoon. I mean that from the way he carries himself, to the way he practices, to the way he attacks things. And I believe he grew up a lot in his two years at Washington State.

Was that the first year of the transfer portal when you landed him, was that take a first.

Year, but it was the first kind of big year. You know, there still was only a one time transfer, you know. I think even after you know, Eric left to go be the head coach at North Texas, you know, he had to stay because he didn't graduate yet. But it's one of the best things that ever happened to him, John Is because he now came under coach Rbuckles the oct.

Oklahoma and he had to learn a new drop.

He had to be with someone else in the room, and I think we just changed a lot of his habits and mechanics, and I think he learned going through that process. The first ten practices or so from that first spring in twenty twenty three, it was a little sloppy, and then finally when we got everything in sync, you know, you're seeing some of the highlight plays and cam is as good as it gets.

What was your guy's connection? I know you were hiring the coach, but how do you from Washington State? I mean, I fall football and done this for a living for Incarnate Word. Like how because I remember talking to an assistant GM and he was going to go to the West Coast and because Camp had already played two years that he would have been draft eligible. He's like, I'm watching this kid from Incarnate Word. I've never even looked at this program, and he's really really impressive. But it's easy to say now, but looking back at the time, how does he even come on your radar? And how does that all materialize? Well?

I think just the whole recruiting process is obviously very unique. I mean, coaches are tied to players, right, but we also had to share our vision of what he could do at Washington State, which when you look at their hierarchy and their Mount Rushmore quarterbacks just coming off of Minshew Mania, and she Letso and Ryan Leaf, and there's been a great history of a bunch of quarterbacks. You know, Luke Folk is the all time leading passer, you know, so we sold a vision of also an offense that.

He could come in and continue and enhance.

And then my job as the head coach is, hey, my job is to add value right from a defensive side, a defensive lens, a high performance, you know, mental ability that we needed to get him to to play at that level. Everything was happening really fast, right, so I think to get his family on board and to know that they supported him. He was going to a region of country, he had no idea about his first time going away from home. So I thought he handled all those little things that really high fashion.

What would your scattering report be on camp Ward?

I think the biggest thing, you know, we feel that a lot of a lot of phone calls because I think we've got a unique perspective just based on you know, we weren't the ones that found him, We weren't the ones that he ended with. Is just kind of that in between session and you know, I come back, like I said, the competitiveness, right, Like I said, I've seen Josh I've seen John Mattier see some high level guys. His anticipation in seam throws is unlike anything I've ever seen.

His confidence to throw it in any spots.

And his escapability, right, there's run ability in quarterbacks, there's escapability and creativity. His is off the charts, okay. And I think he's learned a lot about that that. You know, protecting the ball, taking care of those little things is what makes great quarterbacks who they are. But he's gonna walk into a locker room and they're gonna respect him because of the work, his competitive nature and what he brings to the table. And I think you're gonna be able to trust that man. And I think that's an important characteristic. And I believe John's the number one pick in the draft.

Yeah, I think by all accounts he's going to be. So that's your quarterback room for those two years when he was there. John Materi's now the starting quarterback at Oklahoma. Who was your quarterback last year? You know cam Ward part of it, you saw you landed him, and then last year the situation when he kind of dabbled in the draft and then it ended up traditioning transferring to Miami. Was that a re recruitment process for you or is that one of those financial situations in this modern day college football that a little out of your control at a certain point.

I mean, it was always the plan, even I'm being honest with you, John, I've we talked to Cam him and his family were incredible. I think when you're at that level and you have a starting quarterback for two years, that's what's going to happen.

Right.

And then obviously John, we felt extremely confident that we had the next guy, you know. And then obviously as things continue to matriculate, John's top ten and the Heisman, you know. I think it's a unique story where you just got to continue to plan and know that some these things are gonna happen.

Right.

John Mitteer is a unique story where he was going to go to Central Arkansas before we offered him. All right, he took an official visit to New Mexico State, right. But John is one of those guys is very first fall camp. I'm going home at ten PM. I look down on the field in the dark. There's John Mattier rehearsing place for the next day. Okay, there are secrets to success that ultra high performers leave behind in a trail, And I thought that was mates John, who was completely different player than Cam. That's why he's going to be successful in his own way, right, the competitive nature, how smart he is, how tough he is, how much he can get one hundred and five guys to go, you know, behind him and play for him. He is super special. So and then we were about a week away. I was telling you this off air from Land and Sam Levitt right, which had no other offers besides Washington State and was committed to us to a long period of time before Michigan State came in a week before signing days. So we've had a great run of finding those guys that really you can go out in college football and be really successful.

You know forever, if you're not at you know, Ohio State or Texas or whatever.

I mean.

Even Nick Saban was losing coaches all the time. When you hire a coach, I remember Mike Gundy used to talk about this a lot. He was getting so frustrated hiring bigger coaches, so he started going to smaller schools. But then those guys, even after maybe one year, would still get poached. Now you have to worry about not just the offensive coordinator as a defensive guy, but also the quarterback they're going as a package deal. I know the Wake four situation kind of materialized. It's fair to say a little later in the process. Is there a time last season when you're like, how are we going to keep this quarterback? Because you just know the landscape of college football, which five six years ago, or even when you first got involved at Wyoming, no one taught it didn't even exist. It was. It almost feels like like the nineteen fifties or something, doesn't it. I mean, you've you've been living in it, but that feels like a long time ago.

It does.

I think the biggest thing is as the season kept coming, I've never done an amazing job as a program that we put a seven figure deal in front of.

John r that's so I heard on the internet.

That's that's incredible, And there were so many people that stepped up there. I'm so proud of like all that helping those resources. But you gotta just, like anything else, draw a line. And then I think through the kid, through their family, through their agency, all the things that they have to go through. A lot of pressure on these kids. John, right, you start talking about those type of numbers. His loyalty us in our organization was high and I never doubted or questioned John one time. I think we built a tremendous relationship. Uh we still have one. I think those things are really really important, you know, but you look at even our time at Washington State. You know we didn't do so well at the end of the season, and those are the things. As a head coach, I learned that the focus needs to be high. You know, these kids are taking in offers, you know, they're getting recruited, Like, how do you navigate those things? And I think that's a unique challenge that you know, I got to find a better way as of a head coach to make sure that I can keep everyone focused.

So going through that sperience with you know, multiple quarterbacks, really, when you when you're interviewing at wake Forest, how big of a topic is the NIL I know it potentially is going to change who knows what the revenue sharing, So it might be somewhat of a moot point, but at least in the in the immediate was that top of mind for you?

It's now the first question.

You know you go through I mean, I think we had five of the top one hundred players or so two hundred players on the portal where our kids at Washington State. So when you find them, when you develop them, you know, when they have no stars and then they turn into these players, you got to have resources to keep them because you have built the relationships that you can stand on and you understand the family. So that's the first question I asked at Wake Forest. Are we ready to invest? And it was an overwhelming yes from a university standpoint, border region's standpoint, trustees, boosters like everyone's ready to be there. And you know, the collective nil piece has been hard for a lot of programs, right, And you know, I think that's why I'm here also too, because there's a transactional piece that has come into our game. You have to accept it. You have to know why it's great for young people and their families. But you have to stay transformational, right. You have to do it an old school a relationship way to understand these are eighteen to twenty three year old kids that need our mentorship now more than ever.

And when you lose that, man, are our game is gonna fall? With it right.

So we gotta find ways to make sure we preserve the greatest game ever and find ways to make sure we're mentorshipping with these kids the best way.

The NBA eighty two game grind is done, and now the real fun begins. The NBA Playoffs are here and it's time for the high stakes drama, clutch moments, and jaw dropping plays can't wait. If you're looking to make the playoffs even more exciting, DraftKings Sportsbook has you covered as an official sports betting partner of the NBA from the playing games all the way through the finals. Now the time to back your favorite players and teams as they chase glory. All season long. DraftKings has been your go to spot for NBA player props and that doesn't stop now. Want to make your playoff experience even more intense, try placing a bet on your favorite player's performance. Will Curry drop thirty, Will Lebron drop forty or more? It's your call. Ready to place your first bet? Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app. Now, lock in your bets and let's make the playoff run unforgettable. Here's something special for first timers new DraftKings customers bet five to get two hundred and bonus bets instantly make it a playoff run to remember. With DraftKings, download the DraftKings sportsbook app and use the code John. That's code Jawn for new customers to get two hundred bonus bets when you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

Gambling problem called one eight hundred gambler in New York called eight seven to seven eight hope and why, or text hope and why four six seven, three six nine. In Connecticut, help is available for or a problem gambling called eight eight eight seven eight nine seven to seven seven seven or visit CCPG dot org. Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino when resorting Kansas twenty one on over agent eligibility varies by jurisdiction, Boyden, Ontario. Bonus bets expire one hundred and sixty eight hours after issuins. Four additional terms and responsible gaming resources see dkang dot co slash audio.

You know, I think about this lot having you know, worked for Pat Hill and seen at Fresno State, and we had so many good players and just going if this was twenty twenty five, not two thousand and nine or ten. Would they have stayed. I mean, you've been in that world now once the Pac twelve kind of dissolved in Washington State and Oregon State got the short end of the stick, which is sad because you know how much they care about football. Can those programs even boise that? I think they were pretty outspoken that Ashton gent to you. I definitely need to ask you about Uh just turned down a lot of money to stay, and I think it's fair to say that's an outlier situation moving forward. But is that kind of going to become the minor league system of college football?

I'd really think, John, we're in a dangerous place, right. And I've been a big proponent of keeping the student athlete model as long as we can, right. I think that's important to our game. But I think now we've gotten to the point where we might need collective bargaining, right, We might need a certain situation where roster building is the hardest thing you've ever had to do. Now at this level, and especially at the group of five. You know, I would love to see you know, once you sign a kid out of high school, that's a three year locked in contract. It's good for the player, it's good for the university. It's just good for everyone to know. Then now as a junior, senior, right, the fourth fifth year guys, you can take advantage and move right, I'd love to see you know, almost a rookie pay scale.

Right.

Those guys coming into your program are slotted at certain levels, right, so you know at that level, you know, okay, these are the guys that I'm locked into. These are the guys that potentially could leave, and you can at least build a roster.

Right, there was a point where you know, you don't know, as any.

Team, I guess we could. At the same time, you could lose every running back, every quarterback.

It just you can't plan. And that could be twice a year now.

So whatever level you're talking about, you know, we need to have a better fixture of like how to build teams. I support the portal, I support you know, these guys getting rev share like all that things supported. But from a team building, roster building management, no matter what level you're at, we got to get a better handle on who's doing what we're and how so we can make sure we're building teams the right way.

Do you have a philosophy on the pie of money to go. This is what I think recruits are worth freshman or worth relative to transfer guy like a cam Ward in the portal And if so, did you develop that by talking to people in the NFL to kind of gauge how to kind of balance the economics of this world?

Yeah, I mean we were the first at Washington stated to go to a GM model. When I got hired in twenty twenty two.

You could see where the game was going.

And our biggest philosophy is you have to pay for production, not potential. Right, that just has to be part of what we do. And still stay towards a developmental structure. Right, find kids at low value, find the traits that you can develop, put them in what I call the slow cooker. Life is in a microwave society. Football players want it now. We got to find the right men that want to develop and then have the resources later in their career to stay in. Yeah, every position is a certain you know, we do it this way, right. You come in at a lower level once you're a low volume backup. That's a certain value, high value backup, certain level, low volume starter, high volume starter and Obviously everyone has those exceptions, right that you need to make sure you're going to the top of the market.

So that's how we need to stay.

And you know, obviously the current situation of the quarterback out there shows at time teams now need to know when to step away. And I think that's the hardest part because you're emotionally attached to these kids. You know these kids, right, You've invested a lot in these kids. So I think there's a balance. You know, We've asked a lot of different programs. We've been around some other NFL teams, but their models are different. Because free agency, they know when kids are up, they know when they can sign them. There isn't two periods that can happen, right, So there's some things that you know, even they're like, you know, that doesn't happen in our world.

When you got hired, the portal was open, correct, in the middle of December.

Well, I think the biggest thing is we got in.

You know, I was hired December twentieth, right right around there, so you know it's already been open for two weeks, right. I like to say we came in at the end of the draft, right, We're trying to find the best value for us, you know at that time, and I thought we did a really good job of that. Right now, in this cycle, it's always a little bit different.

You know.

In Wake four is like we want to get out of this. We're getting thirty kids a year out of the portal, right is the handwere dealt. We got to continue to enhance and run.

Is that what your number was this fall?

Yeah?

Yeah, twenty, you know, twenty about twenty and ten twenty in the fall?

Ten now and you know that need that number.

Needs to be from five to ten, and you supplement the positions on your team that you need to go.

You know, hans a little bit.

When you get hired and guys on your own team or in the portal, it's obviously a whirlwind. How do you know, It's like you look back, I would have loved to keep that guy. I just had a lot going on. I'm trying to hire coaches. Almost feels like a predicament that's unsolvable at the time.

If the NCAA asked me, like what you learn from the transition, I would love to have a ten day period where your team cannot get in the portal, allow a new coach to get there, to get established and at least be able to meet the team. Okay, we know in today's world, as soon as coach Classon resigned. You know, every starter on our team was fielding calls just during that uncertainty period. And that's tough, right, and just the way it is. I meanyone can complain about it. I think that's the way college football is structured now. So I would love a ten day period where just allow for a conversation to happen, right, And you know, there's nothing more important than trying to retain a roster so you can build off it.

And you know it comes with unique challenges.

Especially by the time I got hired, every kid was at home, right, so we had to do that over zoom and FaceTime, and you know this, you just can't feel the energy of a new staff that way.

Okay. I do want to talk about some of the guys that you've coached against, especially a lot of them are on offense and you're a defensive guy. I don't want to bring him a bad memory, but Ashon Jenty, that's a bad memory right there. Just just talk to me because he's he's a hot topic. I mean, he looks from Boise State has a chance to go in the top six or seven picks. He had a huge day against you guys, and you're a good defense. But I mean, in fairness, he did that against everybody. He did that against Oregon. He was the number one team in the country. From a game planning perspective, what did you see against him? And then what in the game were you're blown away by?

We really underestimated his speed, Okay, And I go back to the Oregon tape and you're watching him run away from those guys, you know, and you're just kind of watching it.

And his contact balance is elite guy.

He is about feels like five to eight, but he is a bowling ball of athleticism and power and speed. So he broke more tackles on us, I think than he did on anybody else, you know, statistically speaking, And it was his contact balance, the way he finished his and when he's out in the opening space, you're not catching him, right. So it was a unique challenge of trying to find ways and we were in that game and he broke two big fourth quarter you know, touchdown runs that just put us away. And it's a unique talent, but once again a guy that trusted the process the year before. I mean, you're talking about a backup tailback, right, and for him to burst on the scene. They always knew they had that type of talented player, and to kind of see it all the way through, I think it is good for college football.

I mean, Michael Pani's bow, Nick Travis Hunter Shador is safe to say he was the best player in your three plus years there at Washington State that you went against.

We went against Caleb Williams. I'm trying to think of all the other players.

It was a quarterback bill at Arizona.

I'm sure, yeah, I mean I would put Caleb Williams up there, just I mean, and we held him under three hundred yards passing, and I don't know if anyone did that that year. He was just an incredible talent to do it. Genti's right up there, you know, Pennix. You know, I still think the offensive line at Washington that year was just phenomenal. You know, all those players. So he's right up there, and he deserves everything that's coming his way. And you know, obviously, you know, I know, you know, coach Danielson over there a little bit just speaks to his character, and I think all those things put together, you know, he's he's right up there as far as the toughest people we've had to defend.

Someone asked me about a comp with cam Ward. Do you think there are some similarities in the way they play with Caleb little different body types, but.

Yeah, yeah, And I think that's the one thing Cam you know, you know, we do these scouting deals and everyone after the twenty two seasons like, hey, we got to get his body in order, and he did that. I think the escapability to wear off script. You know, defensive coordinators can come in with all these fancy plans, right, this is how we're gonna run this coverage.

This covers this coverage.

But when those guys break down and they playoff script, there's no defense for that. And I think that's what makes the quarterbacking special. It's the number one thing when we start to dive into taking a quarterback, you know, we make an off script tape.

That's what makes you elite.

And I think that's why Cam and the Caleb Williams, you know, Pennix was a little more pocket pass or NFL ready that way, but that what makes the special player. Like I grew up on Brett farv Right, you're gonna take a lot of the good with the bad sometimes, and Cam's that way a little bit because he's the ultimate gun slinger, like he's gonna throw it into some tight spaces.

But you need that.

You can as a head coach saying oh, this was terrible, and then celebrate him. You know, fourth and sixth against Oregon in a whirling left handed pass. It goes with it, and I think there's a style that he plays that I think is really unique.

Me and Coward were talking about this the other day. You know, you and I are similar ages. Forever. It was the Carson Palmers, the Manning Brothers, the Bradys. You've been now deep in evaluating high school football. If you look at the last three or four years, even Pennix was viewed as a pocket quarterback and then he ran like four or five two. Same thing with CJ. Stroud. It's like the the the guy that's six' six that can't. Move does that guy exist in high school football?

Anymore he, Exists he's out, there but not a lot of people are designing offense for that guy because it's hard.

Right and would you recruit that?

Guy we would. NOT i mean you have to be able.

To we're a big Fan john of not having the same skill sets in the.

Room, right we got to.

You, know we signed a kid out Of Steel pizzella that's five ten and a half ran ten four in high.

School.

Right we GOT Dsn purdy that's six' five two and twenty. Five pounds he got a.

Rocket, Arm, right well why?

Is that don't you want a similar? Skill? Set, historically like.

You know what we, really, don't RIGHT because i think the best coaches designed the offense to what, they, Have right and the one trade that will always be in there is athleticism to threaten, To, Run right that's the, one trade, not size but it's the athleticism to be a dual threat and flatten out. The DEFENSE and i think that's the important pieces of what. They bring like even can we run cam a?

Little?

Bit Right But john mattier opened up a whole different level of. The offense so you got to be crafty and creative enough to make sure you're designing it about you, know whatever the best you know elite trade is of.

Your QUARTERBACK what i know you Guys played colorado toward the end of the season two years ago when the team. Was, struggling Uh was travis healthy in? That game was he?

Was back He Was.

Shador sanders, you know he played for about a quarter and a half and then he wasn't.

Out There And travis hunter is a unique.

Skill set now he, caught ah he mossed a couple of our guys, you know back in the end zone and scored a couple. Of touchdowns he's, unique player obviously a, unique Competitor and i'm just excited to see him do it at the. NEXT level i think there's something that's obviously, very intriguing and, you know the best is still in front.

Of him did you think what could be what he did this year could be done playing all those snaps? Both ways when.

It, FIRST started i, was like this, can't, continue right, you know and to do it at an. Elite level but to be able to focus, AND develop i think. IS hard, i think in, my mind how do you even practice? This right so to be able to, DO that i think it's so UNIQUE and i think it's so good for college football now because, of, That though i've been asked the question about playing both ways. More, times yeah it doesn't happen. Like that is a once in a generational type talent that can do those type. Of Things so i'm just excited to see if he can continue that at the.

Next level how often over the last, couple years when some of these top quarterbacks are, coming out, you know you're you're a defensive GUY to. Nfl guys pick your brain About bo Nix Or michael Pennix or chador or obviously your, own guys but the competition because the way, you know you're heavily involved in the game plan of stopping and you did a really. Good job, you know two YEARS ago i looked at the Scores against oregon and uh And, against Washington and washington played in the final and what was what was the? Score there twenty four to twenty one or something couple of. Years, ago yeah if you're really laying on sorry bring you Won The apple cup? This Year, we yeah we had the ball with three.

MINUTES left I thought cam was gonna go down and lead us. To victory it. JUST didn't i.

Was watching there's a lot of people that ask.

ABOUT it i thought it was a unique time even in, that league right that last Year the pac twelve to have all that type of. Talented, quarterbacks yeah they, do that, you know they, kind, of hey how how do you see?

This guy what's What's bo nix's?

Greatest strength and the best, part is like, you said they're all different, skill sets they're, all unique, You KNOW but i think quarterbacking is something where you got to sit down the guy in the room and you got to be able, to understand like what makes that guy, tick right and you got to be able to coach him to their strengths and. Their abilities so trying to take away their their best thing that they do is always something that we. Focused on try to make. Him Uncomfortable, like panix we knew if we could actually move, his feet the, analytics said his completion percentage drops from like he was seventy eight percent down to like. Fifty two so the whole game plan was about getting pressure in. His face and we went out THERE and i thought executed one. Place short Credit to kalon, the bowler he went for it on fourth and one on his own twenty seven yard line with.

The reverse so it was a it was a hell of.

A game, you, say analytics is it safe to say you're pretty heavy into. The numbers in terms of, game planning.

It's huge.

YOU know i think it's one of those things like you can create an edge for your program by how you use and analyze. Those, things okay so even at way, for us we're, talking about, you know a, sports analytical student, driven team, you know that can take this unprecedent amount of information that we, now, have right you can look up any split any, you know because like, take example like completion percentage seems like a real thing we all. Talk, about okay well are you what do you do with a? A drop what do you do with hey running back missed a block and he had to just roll out and throw. It, Away right so when you Look At, josh allen he was fifty six percent completion percentage his. Senior year that's all anyone wanted to. Talk, about well what is the adjustment? Completion percentage what.

Is the down the field, you know deep?

Ball, range like there's a lot of different things that go into an accurate quarterback that one stat doesn't, talk, About right so there's a lot of THINGS that i think we use to, our ADVANTAGE and i think that's kind of been our ace in the whole of finding some of. These Things, like john the number one thing we look for in the portal is. Snaps, gained right that's our own little analytic, to, SAY hey i don't care If YOUR, Division iii division, two player if you've played nine hundred and fifty fifteen hundred snaps in, your career you understand what it takes to go out there and perform. And play that's relatable to us in the way we metric our organization and how we build.

A team you're being inclined to use. The metrics is that something you learned from someone else or is that something that naturally.

You Enjoyed rob schleeger is our, general manager and he's the smartest Human being i've ever, been around the best, kept secret in, my opinion in all of, college football from the biomechanics to, the anthropometrics all these big WORDS that i learned from HIM that i have no idea what, They, mean, nie circumference. FEMUR lengths, i mean there's there's things that, we really, you know put into our process that matters and why it affects movers and how you see things and what their growth. Potential is, you know we're not going to sign the six to six three hundred and five. Pound kid we're going to sign the six six two hundred and forty five, pound kid and we're going to put the sixty pounds. On them and there's all sorts of metrics that has been proven for us, to, say hey this kid can get there or this?

Kid can't you bring him with him with You.

From, wazoo, Yes yes and he was a j Fors At wyoming and like you always, knew that we just had, a special uh just kind of eye for talent. And evaluation and, you know we've kind of put our own stamp.

ON things i. Heard you sorry to keep, so long BUT this i heard you on an interview talking about the. Recruiting process where it used to be the assistant coaches were a lot like the scouts for a. College program that's changed a. Little bit is it's safe to say that their activity in the recruiting process is probably a little different than it used. To be and now you AND the gm work more hand in hand to get these guys because the money factors, into You don't is it completely different than it was five?

Years, AGO yeah i like to say recruiting.

Is over as, player, Acquisition right and one of the biggest things we changed and what we sold on what we bring them away for is is a scouting department and. A. Vision right so you know we HAVE, the gm the director of, player personnel the head scouts and. LEAD scouts i wish they'd allow that personnel to, leave, Campus right we're Still BEHIND the nfl doesn't ask their, position coach, you know throughout the year to go scout. Live games the scouting group. Does that so SO.

Your gm can't go to a high. School, GAME no i mean.

They can't now you can designate them as one as, the ten but most people have the coaches doing that in. The spring and, you know as football, has added we just keep piling it on to the full. Time, Staff right so allow a little bit, more flexibility, you know for us in our programs to kind of utilize, our personnel, you know as we. See FIT and i do think that would help the lower levels.

As well that feels like a no brainer move that your scouting staff can hit the high school while your coaches stay with your. Current.

Players, RIGHT yeah I mean i think the one thing even the calendar of major college football needs completely.

Be redone let's just take the.

SALARY cap i mean the salary cap for college Football runs August. To, august well we all know the Season is January. To january as far as like building, a team so there's some unique challenges and all that type.

Of stuff right when your team.

Comes Back in january and you might have added twenty portal players, and, newcomers right that's when the coaches are on the road recruiting high. School, Guys right so there's just a big SHIFT that i think we need to get coaches in, the room the guys that actually go. Through it a Guy Like craig Boll And nick saban and all these coaches heading it up and let's let's formulate a great future for.

College football do.

You, feel like at least headed in the? Right direction were still a lot OF unknown.

I mean this this is THE biggest, i mean we're in the place the. Biggest Unknowns, john like until this house settlement has approved and, goes through who knows what's gonna happen with collectives and, third parties roster managements one. Oh five there's more questions. Than ever, and uh, you KNOW like, i said we have the best game in all. OF sport i, believe, that uh the excitement of college football is better THAN the nfl in, my opinion and we got to preserve what makes, it special and you know.

It will will there be any more retired numbers than? COLLEGE football i think it's an.

AMAZING question i know there's TWO at ceu, going on but, you know as there gonna be those legendary one place high school or college players anymore getting the, numbers retired and.

Especially because that's where you get these relationships with you with the people you play with and obviously your. Coaching staff that when you're sixty seventy eighty, years OLD and i, started thinking some of these guys are transfer. Three times think how many people? They meet how do you even keep track?

Of, that well you know the old you're gonna meet the best man at. Your wedding you know it's gonna be harder, to find right?

For sure well coach the best of luck and keep this, quarterback train you know rolling, you know because you got you got a good thing going, defensive guy but a. Quarterback, GURU well i.

Appreciate that that's a that's.

A tag i don't KNOW if i want for to continue to grind through it and excited about the guys we have here.

As, well yeah good luck the rest of the spring and obviously.

This fall, Appreciate you john. Go, digs.

Okay time for a little mail Bag At. John Middlecoff At john middlecoff Is the instagram fire and those dms get your questions answered here own.

THE show.

I don't KNOW why i just, did that but, BIG fan i don't understand all the Hate. With nico your analogy about an average guard doing a holdout makes, complete SENSE but i feel like the hardcore college football fans want this to fail so badly because of the anti. Nil Sentiment If jeremiah smith does a holdout, Next Year ohio state shouldn't pay Him. QUESTION mark i think that's. A ridiculous i think. That's ridiculous AS an, ASU fan I Know sam levitt had some renegotiations this offseason to get. More money He's a. HEISMAN contender i don't see a problem. With that he didn't, hold OUT but i bet some stars will hold. Out, eventually well You Use. Jeremiah smith he had an elite season as an. Elite player no one has an issue with him wanting. A raise i forget the, guy's name but he was a huge Recruit In. South carolina he's like, the honestly he feels a LITTLE shiftier I mean, clowney one but like he's like this generation's Version For South carolina clowney elite. PASS rusher i remember reading during the season it was like they had to give him a, huge raise so it didn't become a problem At the, you know by the time the portal ended at the end of, the season no one had an issue with that kid. Was elite no one has a problem paying the elite's. Elite money but when you throw one touchdown against good teams and then you want to raise when you're already being paid, A premium. I think, You know i'm not counting the Fans because i'm. With you some people have an issue. With nil some people just want to see the best players on their. OWN team i think just someone independent, LIKE me i don't care. Either way you can make whatever you want, to make doesn't matter. To ME but i can't judge an. Individual situation and, YOU know I know nico's camp has come out and said it was because of. The offense HE before i, recorded this he just COMMITTED To ucla. I'm sorry making two million Dollars in tennessee with a really really good team no state income tax is not only financially beneficial in the, you know IN, the sec on a team that was just in, the playoffs with a coach that's proven he. Could win to Go. To, ucla now if you just wanted to, go, HOME okay i won't fault you if you wanted to. Go home but if this was a business slash, football move it's insanity that there's no way not a soul from a, football standpoint and making two plus million Dollars at tennessee Going to ucla where the Basketball coach mick never stopped bitch and moan and said that we don't have. Any MONEY so i think it's fair to assume that he took a. Pay decrease and That's just i'm just based on the. Gross number i'm not. Even factoring you, know what he's Gonna, lose california he's. Gonna take so he lost a lot. OF money i think it's fair, to guess take an. Educated guess and from a, football, standpoint now they won four of their last like, six games they wouldn't fin they didn't Make. A bowl tennessee was in the Playoffs Playing, ohio STATE and i would imagine they were a preseason top. Twelve, TEAM now i Did See urban meyer come out and Say that tennessee's gonna, be screwed like who's gonna, play QUARTERBACK which i think is they could have a big downgrade. At quarterback. Very TRUE so i. DON'T know i think this situation is. Just MESSY but i Think from, NICO'S standpoint i hope it was his decision and not as quote unquote handlers or his dad, or whatever because they're not the. Ones playing it's like, when people, YOU know i see this a lot, in relationships and a lot of you guys that are my age or older that have seen people go, through divorces that have seen people just had. Messy breakups, you know if you're listening to this in, your twenties as you, live life you're gonna see a lot. Of things but, no ONE and i mean no one can understand. Your relationship they're not sleeping with, the person they're not spending or living with. The person so it's like it's their life, to lead, you know whether, it's parents whether, it's brothers whether, it's friends everyone can give their opinions and takes on, your relationship whether you should get, a divorce whether you should, get married whether you should, break up whatever. It is, it's, like well two people are in the, you know driving the bus and. Riding shotgun everyone else is just a bystanderd and It's like nico's family. Or whoever, IT'S like i hope this was the, kid's decision which is a very very difficult spot to be in at nineteen twenty eighteen. YEARS old i even saw a. HEADLINE today i didn't click on, the ARTICLE but i think. It's fair like what THE headline, I saw i Would imagine cam was given pretty. Good Advice cam newton, was like you got to be very careful about getting advice because a lot of it can. Get bad and it's why you want to be in business if you're going to get an agent or people negotiating your deal with people that know what, they're doing and as a prospect and a revenue general raider like, he is, you Know, the Rosenhaus, the CIAS the i Don't Think tom condon is active As Much, ryan williams that does a lot of Dudes. LIKE mulgeta i mean there would be a lot of people that just know what the fuck. THEY'RE doing i would want to, Be IN but i also then defend, the, kid like how would he? Know that it's just, just messy it. Really is giving your background as a scout For, the eagles could you shed some standout, you recruited scouted you blew. Your, Way additionally i'd love to know the key prospects you were directly. Involved scouting, YOU know i think you know a lot of gms and. Personnel directors there's not any guy that's got to, get drafted especially a GUY with i would say fifth. Sixth round, you know once you get into, Seventh undrafted like IS the gm watching? Those guys but any guy the top one hundred and fifty two hundred prospects on your, draft board not only if you do the AREA like i only did college, ONE year i Did The. West coast BUT if i had a player that had a third round grade, ON them i bet five other people, watched THEM, the gm THE assistant gm scout that crosschecks watching, that position and the. College director so by the time you've watched a player and all these rooms are talking about their. Draft board, right now most players now that there is longer you do, an area the more you have a feel for guys and, your sources and maybe you argue if the entire room, hates them but for the, most part you're gonna have some people on the. Guy side let's just say a polarizing player and, you know Non Like, travis hunter and some people are arguing, against them and then you just kind of talk. It OUT but i think this notion that is like one, guy's idea it's just not really how it works because so many people one typically especially, bigger schools LIKE if i Run the eagles and We have Alabama Or ohio state or whoever has a lot Of prospects michigan, Last year you're gonna have multiple human beings go through the program during, the fall so you have multiple sets of eyes that wright the group up and then on top of your decision makers all watching the guy and any factor in the. Coaching STAFF so i think this notion of like diamonds in the rough that died when this little thing Called the, Internet started like the diamond in the rough does not exist because everyone knows who. Everybody is and now there might be people in a draft room that don't agree with, the, PLAYER right i think this guy's better than. You do but that probably happens all. THE time i was more active in terms of Fighting For. Andrews anddejo that's my claim. TO fame I knew Andrews and dejo. Could play he played in the league for like. Ten years he's playing IN. The ufl we didn't even have a write up in the system on Him from Rice. And lewis ridick told me. He SUCKED whenever i, see him we still make fun of him.

For.

That one just Played for Mike Zimmer vikings cowboys for a, long time. Big hitter but in terms of like draft guys, LIKE yeah I Love. Zach ertz, everyone's, like yeah SO? Do i, YOU know i, WAS like i Don't Think matt barkley's. That good neither. Do we so now if the decision maker disagrees, with you it. Doesn't MATTER but i think this notion that like one guy's pounding the. Table NOWADAYS now i guess they're, you Know. The eagles we had a pretty big. Scouting department some scouting departments. Are smaller do you think it would be a smart move for the forty nine ers To trade purdy To the STEELERS. For, tj watt Then the niners Would draft sanders with their. First round shador seems like the type of Quarterback that kyle, would like very accurate, and CHEAP plus Tj And. Nick bosa maybe you're ALLUDING to tj saying, THE DEUCES i i can't, do that as awesome it would be to have those two guys coming off the edge, this Notion and i've seen you're not the first person ask some version. Of this if Everyone Knew shador sanders was gonna be as good As, brock perty there is absolutely no Way The cleveland browns would pass On Shir, door sanders and Definitely the giants would not. Zero chance so both those two teams he would never make it. Past three but no one, knows that including the forty. Nine ers so you can't take the risk, of like what if he's not, as good not even remotely, as good which it's kind of the bird in the. Hand, thing now there are variables you have to pay, the guy, but like regardless of the, financial situation you just know you can win games. With them you do not know that with Even, cam ward any of these quarterbacks in this DRAFT so i think there's a big element to. That there what is to become of the running? Back Market ashton genty can probably go to the Transfer, Portal Oregon Texas ohio state and make ten. MILLION dollars i don't know if you can make, that MUCH but i hear what, you're saying and be more valuable to a college team THAN an. Nfl Team, najie harris first, round pick only made ten million dollars for his rookie contract for one thousand, yard seasons and most running backs aren't making it on their third to a third. CONTRACT anyways i think you're a little bold with your with, your numbers. YOU know i think the highest paid players in college football right now are making like two or three. Million dollars nico is one, of them and. They're quarterbacks so if you could make ten million dollars for, one SEASON then i think you would Go To ohio state and. Do that, you, know heartbeat. NO brainer i think That's Like cooper, Flag Money caleb. Williams money so it's. Pretty, rare now it doesn't mean we can't. Get There nigee harris was a late first. Round pick not only did he make ten million dollars for his first. FOUR years i think HE just i don't know what the, guarantee was BUT so i could be speaking out a TURN because i saw like nine, million dollars but if the guarantee was less. Than that, BUT yeah, I MEAN i i don't know what to. TELL you i. DON'T think I think blake korm is a. Good example two. Years ago he stayed when he could have, came out and he stayed, for money and because, it's, Like well i'm going to go on the second day of, the draft but if you're gonna pay me two, million dollars then it's a no brainer. TO stay i think your numbers got so big they don't even need to be. That big who is the one athlete you would choose to have a one on one? Dinner with and why how would you react if seid athlete is a complete asshole to the waiter? Serving y'all that's a. GOOD question i could take two. APPROACHES here i could, Be like I'll Go. Peyton manning, you know we'll just, talk life we'll, talk business we'll, talk football try to become friends. With HIM or i would Take Like patrick Mahomes Or josh allen and try to develop and cultivate, a relationship so like they come on the podcast all, the time and it'd be incredible for. My business so from a, business standpoint it would probably be the right move. TO take i mean Probably Like, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, lamar jackson one of the top quarterbacks in, The League. DAK prescott, i mean just on a sure, numbers Basis If dak prescott is going to be the starting quarterback For the cowboys for the next, several years going Dinner With, dak prescott become buddies, with him and having him come on my podcast all the time would be incredible. For Business, rock purty, same thing Forty, Nine Ers. JORDAN loff, i mean any of these quarterbacks and big brands would BE so I mean i from a, BUSINESS standpoint i would be crazy not to. Do that from just a, personal standpoint Not that peyton would be bad, for business but in terms of guys playing on a, weekly basis if like they came on my Show, every tuesday that'd be a. No brainer i'd Probably choose Peyton. OVER tom i think you asshole to. THE waiter I just i have a hard time seeing that with most of. These guys but it's pretty big. TURN off i mean unless the Waiters like i'll say, one thing and we went out to dinner last Week in scottsdale and One and i've eaten out, A lot i would say in my couple of years living in. This area they. Charge you and this is like most. BIGGER cities i guess the restaurant scene IS So overu it's just it just cost an arm in a lake or for the. MOST places, i mean there Are, master ros some certain steakhouses that are just, pretty elite but, MOST places i would say the food is very hit. Or miss the service, HERE sucks i mean sucks for what they're. Charging, you now is that a product of not enough? People working is it just a product of people not being good at? THEIR job i. DON'T know i don't work in the. Service industry but are you allowed to be rude if it is really? Really, poor now if someone's, just overwhelmed it's not, their fault, totally understand but it would depend on. The context if you're just being a dick to be, a dick, Then yeah i'd be out. On you what do you think about this year's wide? RECEIVER class i know it doesn't have the top end Talent Like marvin HARRISON, and JSN but i do think it's got a lot of guys that are immediately plug and. PLAY starters i do believe that this class has quite a bit of depth. From programs, For example I'm a Missouri Fan. Luth burton i've seen him play in person for, multiple YEARS and i think there's a chance he's a. REAL star i don't understand why he's falling in. THE moncks i do think there are some. Question marks i'll just leave it. AT that i think there are just. Question marks and sometimes when you see a, guy fall you know, the people especially people that are, dialed in, YOU, Know Dj, Matt miller, todd McShay guys that like do this for, a living like mock, the draft. Mock drafts they're talking to a lot of people in, the league and when they just start telling you things that, you know it's NOT really dj style to come out and just say what's really going on about. A Player and i'm not using this as an Example, for luthor but like that's usually why. Guys fall and then there's sometimes as simple as, like eah we don't think he's fast, or Whatever because i'm. WITH you i watched him play a lot the last couple. Of years you guys. Were good he. WAS good i think, LAST year, I Mean malik nighbors pretty, elite prospect pretty. Damn Good marvin harrison is like underwhelming and he's pretty good based on, one season not all. His fault but if you could redo, THE draft i mean You're Taking elie Neighbors Over. Marvin harrison we've just had pretty good wide receiver drafts over the last, SEVERAL years, i mean really good wide. Receiver DRAFTS so i think there are a lot of question marks with, this, Crew Right travis hunter is like this, hybrid player so, it's like is he even a? WIDE receiver i, don't. KNOW McMillan i think there are some question marks with just, overall speed, you know guys. LIKE him i think there hasn't been a wide receiver drafted in the top ten or twelve that ran as slow as Him Since. Mike Evans Now mike Evans a Hall. Of famer but like it shows you there's a little bit of. An outlier and sometimes when you run in the four fives or four six is even if you dominate in college you get. Discriminated, Against now i've seen a lot Of Guys, Keenan Allen, davante Adams, not blazers, elite players, you know in the prime of. Their CAREER so i think you got to be careful. About that but those guys went in the. Second ROUND and i, THINK historically, i mean just look at, recent memory some of the best, wide receivers some of the highest paid wide receivers have not been first. Round, picks now some of them, have Been Right, Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson. Ceedee lamb but there's also that crew OF Like, AJ Brown. Dk Metcalf so terry McLaurin was not a first. Round Pick diard, ravens fan what moves do you see us making? This offseason not exactly sure on our. Cap space off the top of, my head you usually don't. Have much me personally would love to send maybe, a first maybe two First, to cleveland but they Never, Give no you're not getting Miles get like the thing is in basketball, AND baseball i can trade a guy whenever because their contract is kind of pay by as you go IN the nfl with, signing bonuses LIKE once i give a guy a huge contract, it's very very difficult to trade the guy and even be willing to. Trade HIM so i think With, the, ravens honestly you guys have been good enough the last couple of years to Win A. Super bowl it really hasn't been a. Roster thing, You Know derek henry's a little. OLDER now, i mean you sign him, last year. HE'S old i wouldn't be shocked at all if you draft a, running BACK and i would say the first three rounds you can never have enough, offensive lineman, you know. DEFENSIVE line, I mean i just think you guys are kind of. Meeting potatoes but last year He, drafted wiggins the Corner. From clemson's he looks like he's. Pretty good humphrey's getting, up there a little bit, in age a lot of wear and tear on, those tires but he's still a really. GOOD player, i mean once they bumped him into. The slot, Last, year hamilton You. GOT roquon, i mean you got a. GOOD team i don't take the. Best players what do. You need it's more. SWEET players, i mean lamar not to turn the ball over in. The playoffs i've Been a steeler fan my entire life and watched the Peak Of, ben roethlisberger and even in the years, of decline they never had a. Contingency plan why do You think tomlin And the steelers front office are so tone death with the. QUARTERBACK position i actually really don't think. THEY are i just think you find YOURSELF and i use this analogy With the chiefs. And tackles when you, draft late what are you supposed? To? DO listen i didn't Like The candy, pickett pick but they. Did try they took a guy with the twentieth. Overall pick, it backfired and he's not even on. The, team hell he's On his however many teams, he's Been, the Steelers, the eagles and now he's on his third team. And whatever. Three years but four years, they TRIED so i can't say they. Never tried they. Did that They Drafted, bason rudolph, well around he gets drafted the third. Last year they brought in those. Two guys now granted they they were, both cheap but still that. They tried neither of. Them worked, right now they're Sniffing Around. AARON rodgers i DON'T really i would imagine they draft another guy. THIS year i give him more effort credit than.

YOU do.

I was listening to a recent episode debating the top corners in. The league Why doesn't Christian goan zalis get thrown into? The mix he missed a chunk of his, rookie season but almost immediately was a. Lockdown corner improved that again in a. Second year interested to hear. YOUR thoughts i think you guys have been. Really shitty so when you've been, that bad what you have the fourth pick? This year you had the third pick. LAST year i mean your games have been unwatchable now for, Two years belichick's Year And dried. Mayo's year like as, A consumer i, LOVE football i do it for. A living after a couple, OF weeks i don't need to watch you. Play football and the only Times like i'm watching you, if, like okay You're Playing josh allen And. The bills, it's like what's the point of?

This?

Game Right Or aaron, rodgers GAME which i think you guys, did win which. Was cool the one did you guys Beat the jets?

Last?

Year yeah you did right on a walk OFF touchdown, i think or basically a walk off touchdown drove. The field watched, that game but we're not consuming. You right so like Last year stingley became. A star why the team? Was good they've been a playoff team two years in. A row patrick's certain how did he kind of take a? Huge jump was team last year was the. Playoff TEAM so i think a huge part of becoming a quote unquote sexy name or whatever or talked about player IN, the nfl it's really hard unless you're a rookie in like set, some records you're drafting the top five back to. Back years we're just we're not going to be as dialed. Into you it's much easier To Watch steph Curry and lebron than it is to watch Like the hawks anyone you like offense. Or defensive rookie of, The year fantasy picks for rookies by, the way got any promos for DraftKings and? Game time? Of Course John Jaway. CHEN baby i think to make, those predictions you kind of got to see where. GUYS go, i mean one thing we've learned the last couple of years who you are playing with as a either running Back, or LIKE if i tell You the chargers draft a running back in the, FIRST round i WOULD say i would probably like that guy to have a chance to be the offensive rookie of. The year right if if you Tell me Denver the chargers draft a running back, Really high i'm kind of gonna. Like, It, right, SO yeah i think the fit for all now defensive rookie of. The year, you KNOW if i Have dual carter goes To, THE giants i means he's GONNA be i, don't know trying. To, THINK yeah i think you just gotta see where guys. END up a big Fan from canada always Feel Like. Drew brees this is one of the most underrated and underappreciated athletes. In sports after being on the wrong side of some of the most iconic playoff games such As The, minneapolis Miracle The, no Call The, beast Quake The vernon Davis The. Grab game do you think if a handful of these games ended differently and we would have a much different opinion. Of them it always said that It was brady In the, manning ERA but i feel like It undervalues breeze just Because the saints' Defense Made sam bradford look like the next. Great quarterback it's a pretty, GOOD question i. WOULD say, i mean if a couple, GOES away i mean the one what if he Wins The? Super, bowl right the one the, past Interference The, Jared goffire what if they went and they Beat. The patriots it's not Like the patriots were world beaters. That year they Beat, the rams what thirteen, To three so it's fair to say they were beatable in. THAT game i, would. SAY yeah, i mean part of it is Like If DREW if i Told You drew brees Won Two super bowls and went, TO another i think we would look at him a little differently. For sure that's part of the way, Sports works like it's easy to make Fun Of james Harden If james harden was a two time champion and it's IN an, NBA finals mvp know On what i'm, saying that which non player do you think contributed the Most to washington's success? LAST season i think you'd have to say the. HEAD coach, I Mean adam Peters Picked. Jayden DANIELS but i think it's fair to say that everyone was on, board THERE and I think adam's. A stud but, their TEAM and i Would imagine adam would, say this like, last year their roster on paper was NOT a nfc, championship roster So dan quinn getting those guys to believe the, toughness factor just a well rounded. Like operation it's felt like For decades washington was just kind of clueless and PART of i mean a huge reason their owner was, always acting, You Know. Bruce allen they always had too many cooks in. The kitchen and it just feels like they're just a. Normal organization they got A, good gm they got a coach and knows what. He's DOING So i i'd probably Lean. Dan, quinn uh you said you're currently a five handicaps. Five handicap describe the strengths in your weaknesses of your, golf game things you need to. Work, on also where do you Play in arizona in? The Summer assuming arizona is, too hot it's the best time. TO play, i mean if it's one hundred, and fifteen it's difficult. To play but if it's one, oh eight. One ten got the course. TO yourself i can play a teen holes in. Two hours the strength of my, Golf game i'm a. Ball striker weakness anything around the, green putting worset Putter. In america there is not a worst Putter in america than. Your boy it doesn't get. Any worse i've, changed putters it. Doesn't matter i'm just not a. Good PUTTER so i can play like a shoot up, seventy FOUR and i can putt like, one hundred and THAT'S why i end up shooting in the, low eighties. PUTTING terrible i would play golf in the heat any day over. The cold Should the vikings take a page Of the eagles book And extend addison Early use the fifth year thought process is based on McCarthy being the guy and capitalizing on his. Rookie, deal yeah not a bad idea. AT all, i mean he's probably gonna get suspended right for that dy situation from, Last year but he's, a PLAYER so i never against extending. Good, players now he's not gonna, be cheap so YOU have I guess jamar is now technically the highest, paid player but one of the highest paid non quarterbacks in the league at. That position so are you going to Also? Pay addison it's like You're getting addison for fifty. MILLION dollars, i mean it's probably gonna cost you eighty ninety million. Dollars guaranteed you're basically just taking the approach Of. THE bengals i GUESS which i can't. FAULT you, i mean you drafted these, two guys, SO yeah I mean i never. Against it now you'd. HAVE to i have to see the number you. Could argue just let it play out because you Drafted At jordan madison what pick forget off the top of. My head, twenty one, twenty four twenty five somewhere, in there so he's. RELATIVELY cheap i just played out. Another year i'm so Sick of, Packer, fans uh just. Being good i'm A lifelong, packer Fan and i'm so sick of just. Being good my eyes don't really. Work anymore it's fine every year with being in quote unquote, the hunt, but damn why won't the front office ever go get a big. Time playmaker we've Won Two super bowls in, my life and every year it's the. Same thing we're building for. The, future well last year they need a veteran voice in the wide, receiver ROOM and i think it showed at the end of. The year what's your opinion on Why the packers don't do shit? Every, year uh that's a. Good question. You know coward's always had, the THEORY and I think he's probably on. To something thing is not having an owner is like a blessing and. A curse not having an owner is incredible because for, whatever reason you have just had very very Capable From ron wolf who's Obviously a Hall, of Famer To ted thompson to Now To, Gouda, kins like these guys, are, good right but there's not someone hanging over them with billions of dollars in a, bank account huge ego and just like going to country clubs where his friends are asking, him like what's the deal with you with?

Your?

Team right what's? Going on seeing them at. Yacht parties so there's not as much urgency and pressure as when you're just working for one of these super, rich guys especially the older super, rich guys so like they can just kind of slow and stead he wins the race and they feel the least likely to ever just here's two first round Picks For. Miles, Garrett right BUT if i Told You andy reid had Traded For, miles garrett you'd, be, like yeah. Totally Shit Or howie roseman Traded For, Max crosby like TOTALLY if i told You the packers had Traded For, max crosby you'd have to do a. Double take, you're like. No, way now obviously those players. Aren't available but EVEN like dk metcalf like And again, i'm not they to me make more sense Than. The steelers but they would never. Do that that's just not what. They do and you, could argue like, why not why not take some, big swings and they. Just DON'T and i do think that's because there's not someone truly looking over. THEIR shoulder I Know mike, murphy's retiring but it's just not. The same it's not. His money the franchise is, money Shareholders which i'm still always a little confused how. That works but clearly there's not a guy that owns the. TEAM outright i can't wait for gent to be a star and for you to shut the. Fuck up. It's FUNNY all i do is. Just wonder the draft is an. Economic exercise So Like saquon barkley went number, Two Overall saquon barkley Is a Hall of, fame talent no one would argue that was it the right pick For. The. Giants no christian McCaffrey went eighth overall To The. Carolina panthers was that the right pick for THEM like I Love. ASHTON genty I was. I fall i stayed up Late on saturday to watch him countless times play in kind Of Meaningless mountain. West games he is a fantastic and, elite player but, saying, LIKE yeah i would draft a lineman at six and then take a running back in the second or third round is not a shot. At him it's just basic. Football economics and, one thing THIS clip i Did with coward the, OTHER day i don't want to say, went viral but it just got put on a reel and one hundred thousand. People watching people are commented, on it and people, are like this guy's? An idiot What About. Jamir gibbs he's because one thing is like a five eight running back and People Like barry sanders, is short so we're comparing With To. Barry sanders like that's so, it's, like okay if He Becomes, barry sanders what's the likelihood. Of that it's Like cam ward if He Becomes, Patrick, mahomes, like, well yeah, no shit you know that's not how. This works, Guess what i've been alive for. Forty years you know How Many Barry sanders i've? Seen one So Like, jamiir gibbs he's. Five, nine, WELL yeah i Would Take ashon Genty And tyler warren because that's What the lions Got With. Jamiir gibbs they traded from six to twelve and they got picked, thirty seven and they got a tight end Who's Name sam laporta to Go With, jamiir gibbs who again ran a four to. Three, five Now Maybe ashon genty is a four to three. Five guy if you told me that he had ran his forty and ran a four to, THREE five i would be more bullish on the draft pick at twelve if you told me it like picked. Twelve thirteen i'm not. AGAINST it i just think when we're talking about like, pick, five, six seven seems a little extreme to me in a class loaded with running backs that you can get like a starter in the second or third round and take my starting left tackle or defensive lineman in the. First round That's all i've been, Talking about not that like this. Guy sucks i've never said that. One time he's a really, good player. Awesome player but we've seen three guys get drafted in recent memory in the, top eight and it's been a bumpy ride for the teams that drafted, that guy even though we know they're. All sweet saquon With, The Giants bjon robinson is an. Elite talent, it's, like yeah it's like not working. Out perfectly McCaffrey's On. The niners i've noticed that over the last year, or so podcasters and other sports analysts are wanted to talk more politics or about their. Spiritual beliefs why do you think. THAT is i understand that it's their show and they can talk about whatever. THEY want, i, Know personally i'm more likely to tune in less frequently if. They do this is not specifically About steven a thinking about running. For president what is your Take steven a running? FOR president i do think it's a pretty genius business move, for him just saying this constantly driving more people to. His show i'm sure they just paid him one hundred million dollars so people can make fun of them all you want. AND listen i don't watch, first take but. HIS business, i mean he just got paid one hundred million Dollars by disney to basically Talk About. Lebron james that's what that show. IS too i noticed This whenever I'm at the ONLY time i ever see It is i'm at the gym and one of the main TVs HAS just. Espn on so if you go in, the morning first takes, just on everything Is About. LEBRON james I mean. I do i'm Not A lebron, james GUY and i fucking Hate. THE lakers i do understand him just being like these people will talk about. Me NonStop ovechkin breaks the record and there was a topic Like what ovechkin's record breaking goal Means For lebron james's legacy or it was like this. Is INSANE but I think i think people in quote unquote sports media spend a lot of Time, On twitter like relative to the average person that just Has a, TWITTER account i would say that the majority, of PEOPLE and i would say political media. As well people that quote unquote in the media spend a large portion Of their internet Going. On twitter and if you Live, on twitter it can make you feel that like this is all everyone's talking. About, NonStop wait sometimes like you're Watching A super bowl or a play off game or whatever the masters it's like clear a lot of people are probably paying attention to this have opinions. On IT but i think on a. Daily basis if you live in, that world it can kind. Of convolude you're thinking of how aggressively people want to talk, about SOMETHING and i think their percentage of the pie chart relative to just some dude that like sells insurance or the electrician that just came over to my house to fix some screwed up things in, my wiring AND just i, don't know normal everyday people that aren't in, the media that have, just jobs don't spend that much time and aren't inundated with. These thoughts so when you hear these, people that let's, face it all like the majority of sports media all lean heavily to. One side so they see their peer group all agreeing with what, they're SAYING that i think they HAVE a I just i'm. WITH you i don't think most people like are in. THE mood i think one thing that people, screw UP and I think twitter has made most of. These people it's hurt their ability, TO just i, don't know look at something through the lens of not. TRYING to i think groupthink definitely creeps in when you spend a lot of time on that app because you're afraid to go outside of, the, box which let's, face it most successful people kind of push the envelope in, any industry and that used to be a huge part. Of media the most successful people in the space and still to this day get Crushed, on, Twitter RIGHT and, i, THINK honestly i think that has, a huge huge problem. FOR people i guess quote unquote podcasters in terms of talking About POLITICS. STEVEN a, i mean there's a lot of money, in politics so if you just want to talk, ABOUT it i guess if you're using him as an example from a, Spiritual standpoint i'm not QUITE sure i follow on. THAT one i. DON'T listen i listened to a decent amount of sports stuff and don't hear it. That often but maybe we're just listening to. Different STUFF but I think i think people just being. TOO online, I mean i really believe that, it's, like guys you guys got to get to fucking get to the real world every once in, a WHILE and i think. It can it definitely started the downfall of like of radio sports talk radio is like ten, years ago a lot of people just thought things that were Big on twitter or what people wanted to hear driving around their car and just not, a fact now some things. Are Right If adam SCHEFTER tweets i Don't Know derek carr has been traded To The, pittsburgh steelers, WELL yeah i mean it's let's talk. About that but on an everyday topic and responding the laziest thing, is, like well this is what people are saying because you saw like. Three, comments no don't get, ME wrong i like scrolling Comments on instagram or whatever as much as the. Next guy but to think that that is the subset or repris sense, HUMAN beings i think you've got to be very careful, doing THAT and i think a lot of people make, that mistake and it's why there's only a small percentage of people having success on a lot of, these platforms and definitely would success making any money because people. Tune off and, To me i'm, with you, it's like probably just wanted to hear your take on Like the warriors game, last night and you're like going on some whatever. ABOUT whatever i, don't care and one like this is entertainment. And listen obviously there are crossovers, of THIS but i do think people lose sight of that of the, entertainment factor like this is, a release like our lives. Are stressful there's a lot going on no matter what, you're doing whether it's, your children whether it's, your relationship whether it's the bills you have. TO pay i mean the stress, of like dude comes over to, MY house i need To Do. Circuit breaker, i'm like it's? How much and they're just it's just. Like geez so the LAST thing i want to Do if i'm about to take my dog on a walk is listen some guy Ranting and raven pissed OFF when i don't even believe that he's. Pissed off, IT'S like i just think you're doing this like performative ART that i think you have a false sense of how many people even enjoy. This shit but other, Than That, Ashton genty i'm. A hater the volume