Tracy Sandler & Nikki Kay Preview Championship Weekend, Talk The Latest In Coaching Carousels, What Is Going On With Jimmy Butler, Dodgers Vs Everybody, And More!!

Published Jan 25, 2025, 11:13 PM

Tracy Sandler and Nikki Kay preview the upcoming Championship Sunday between Eagles vs Commanders and Chiefs vs Bills and wonder who makes it to the Superbowl. Tracy and Nikki also discuss the latest, greatest, and lamest in the NFL coaching hires within the last few days. Plus, the ladies talk more on that Jimmy Butler drama saga, the Dodgers vs everybody in the MLB is in full force, and much more!!

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Hello everybody, This is Tracy Sandler and Nikki k filling in for Carmen Vitally and Alex Curry.

We miss you guys, But Nikki, what do we have to do?

I'd say it's a blonde takeover in the studio. Happy Saturdya, Happy SATURDAYA.

I love that.

And the best thing about this Saturdayay is it's right before Championship Sunyay First Championship weekend. I will be watching from a couch and not a press box in a very long time, and I don't hate it. Let's jump into the AFC Championship, Nikki. It is the Bills at the Chiefs. The first question on everybody's mind. Can the Bills do it?

Is it their time? Tracy?

And first of all, I just have to say, how lucky are we? What a slate tomorrow? And yeah, beginning with you know, box office magic, the Bills and the Chiefs. It's something we couldn't ask for more of when you're talking about Mahomes versus Allen and I I wouldn't mind if the Bills and the Bills mafia got their due. But also I just think with this Chief's team and the way we've seen them play all season long, where you have to play essentially mistake free football to get close to winning and then to have your rip, your heart ripped out in the final minutes there, I just don't know if the Bills have what it takes to undo the Kings from their throne.

Well, it's Patrick Mahomes and I want to start with something. I want to get this part out of the way because it was a big topic of conversation last weekend.

It's been a big topic all week.

Patrick Mahomes gets some benefit of the doubt calls.

He's earned that.

I think he has earned that. Is it worth the controversy? And tomorrow are the refs going to be a little extra careful not to do that with everything that's gone on this week?

Well, this is what's so interesting. I think the flopping that people were seeing in mahomes play last weekend, it's not a pretty way to watch football. It seems a little bit untrue to the game, right, a little James harden esque, if you might go that way. But the thing is he's not doing anything wrong. He's playing the game the way the refs are calling it. And I believe the ref crew they have tomorrow are six and five all time with Mahomes starting. So if the script was written that the Chiefs were going to win this and advance to the Super Bowl, they would not use I'm blinking on the ref's name here, but they would not be going with this crew, right.

I think that makes perfect sense. I love the idea of the NFL script.

I think it's funny.

I just don't think it's funny with people actually believe that there is a script happening. But the thing with Mahomes is it does feel like a script because, as you said earlier, you could play mistake free football, You're playing a perfect game, you are ready to win this thing, and then he just rips your heart out. But I have to say, there is a part of me, a big part of me and watching this Bill's team, and I got to see them live this season.

That thinks they actually might have what it takes.

I mean, when you look at Josh Allen and what he's capable of, he is going to have to put on that superman cape and lead this team as basically all fans of the league have been waiting for this moment for him, right, And the Bills rushing offense is so good their defense is going to have to make Mahomes uncomfortable. But the interesting thing about these two teams is that they haven't been relying on big plays, right, and the Bills have been thriving being a mistake free offense. They don't turn the ball over, which is going to be absolutely important when you go up against this Chiefs defense that if you give them a sliver, they will take a mile. So if there is a team, it's this one.

Yeah, I would agree with you.

But there's another factor here that gets talked about a lot for a lot of reasons.

But Travis Kelce makes me think of Key Hernandez.

Sorry to already bring in Dodgers up, but you layoff Travis like playoff Keik, and he has turned it on and that also cannot be discounted, nor can the defense which I want to talk about in him.

He's been the vintage car in the garage with the tarp over it all regular season and they've just been keeping him on standby.

And the connection he has with.

Mahomes, and it was just so evident last weekend when you see Mahomes parallel to the ground and just with the dart to Kelsey waiting in the end zone, the stare down at the fallen defender, and in those moments you're reminded of the intuitive connection.

Those two have developed over years together.

And from what I understand, Travis might have a play drawn up and he just goes with whatever he sees open and with only a mind like Mahomes, is he able to adjust on the fly, see where his tight end is and connect with.

Him, and that throw only Mahomes can make it.

There are some incredible quarterbacks this league, including Josh Allen, but only Patrick Mahomes makes that throw. Though we did see Josh Allen throw a pass, catch a pass and score a touchdown on one play and like a four second right staying on a Sunday night, So edniething is possible, But this one is gonna be fun. I kind of been thinking about it, and sorry, guys, but I mean, is it Haley Steinfeld and Josh Allen or is it Travis Oh my gosh.

Who will write in the dreame. Wow, You're welcome. You're welcome for that everybody.

It's so funny. I am so Taylor swift coded and I'm unapologetic about it, and I have. I met Patrick Mahomes early in his career when he was with Texas Tech, and ever since then, you know from the relationship him and Baker Mayfield grew up together, and a lot of people don't really. I mean, it was it was a storyline played out a lot early on in their careers, but now you know, the two have kind of gone on their separate paths. But I've always loved the way Patrick Mahomes has razzled and dazzled, and then to add in the Taylor Swift element to Chiefs Kingdom, it's it's something that has been really fun to watch. And then but then you can't.

You can't not root for Bill's Mafia. What a life? Really? Can I have to say?

So? I got to go to Buffalo earlier this season, was my first time there and my first time at Orchard Park, and it was Sunday night football. I mean, it's everything you imagine would be. Also, it was like a snow globe. It basically didn't snow all day. The game started and it just came magic dumping down. But when you see these fans, first of all, and I know this goes without saying, but I'm gonna say anyways, it is freezing.

It is so flippin' cold. It is snowing.

I usually get to games four five hours early. There was so much traffic. There's not usually traffic that early because Bill's Mafia was already out tailgating rooting for their team. I mean, it's it's really incredible. There are two sections. I don't know if people know this, So here's a fun fact. There are a few sections that are heated. There are heat lamps above you. So if I were a member Bill's Mafia, I would do everything I can to be in those sections. But Bill's Mafia they love this team. They love this team so much that I do want this for them. And I think I wrote in something earlier this week, I was so proud of this. So I'm just going to share with all of you will miss Americana and the heartbreak kid be Hailey Steinfeld and Josh Allen or Taylor Swift and Travis k.

That is poetic. I mean, on my first rodeo, you know what, there are so many fun angles. And I do think too when you look at the Bills and what they were slated to be at the beginning of this season, right, was this going to be a changing of the guard year? Was this going to be a year that kind of signified a closing of a window for what their team was, not on Josh Allen, but the current iteration of it. Was it going to be a transition? And here they are in the AFC Championship and again, yep, I'm really intrigued to understand the reasoning behind their offensive decision making in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens last week, it did seem like they started to play.

Not to lose. Rather, you can't do against the Chiefs, right right.

So I wonder if they will approach this game with the same mindset knowing that you can't make a mistake, or with an opposite mindset, knowing that this is all in or nothing.

I think it has to be all in or nothing, because the Chiefs are already in their head. They've already not able to beat them in the playoffs. They can beat them the regular season, they can't beat in the playoffs. And so if you're going to play not to lose, more often than not, you're going to lose because you will make mistakes. I want to talk a little bit about something on defense for the Bills that could be a factor, and that's Taylor Rapp, who is going to be out, so they'll have a rookie at safety starting next to DeMar Hamlin. And that's the kind of injury that matters, and that's the kind of injury that can definitely make a difference that Patrick Mahomes can't take advantage of. But I think we talk so much about these offenses because of the quarterbacks because they're such prolific offenses. These defenses are not exactly anything to scoff at, and at the end of the day, the day that could be the difference maker.

I think what's so interesting about both of these teams when you step away and look at how they have won this season, They've been able to shape shift and morph to their personnel and to the strength they have. So let's say the Chiefs aren't necessarily exploding with big plays on offense anymore. They've become a team that can close out games with their on the strength of their defense. And likewise, for the Bills, not only is their defense strength, but we talk about their run game, right, it's not just Josh Allen contingent, but they're really establishing that offense early on the ground and it opens up things for them. So I think if you would look at these teams and their current iterations, you know, three years ago winning very differently, very differently, and it's a testament to their coaching, to the playmakers they have.

On the field.

So, yes, defense has emerged as a strength behind two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

And you bring up coaching, and I think It's something often when we preview games, we don't talk enough about it. Because you have Andy Reid, you have Sean McDermott. I mean, you do have a really good coaching battle. It's going to be it's going to be a lot of fun. The Bills have been playing though. I would love your take on this. This like underdog role.

Right.

People say we don't have talent. I don't know what people are saying saying that, saying that. You look at that Russell. It's a lot of talent, but you think it's motivating for them.

It's so funny. The chip on the proverbial shoulders of the Bills and the Chiefs like bulletin board material.

Right.

I think Andy Reid said something earlier this week or you know, we're probably not opening his favorites, something like what they are using to fuel their respective fires. And yeah, the Bills are playing this you know slided you know, kid from the back from next door role, right, that is always overlooked and it's like, now we know everyone's paying you your you're due, So I think whatever you need to light that fire, by all means do it. I want to see a close game that comes down to you know all two while Tracy, when you give Patrick Mahomes, you know what was it? How many seconds was it against the forteen? Or well he got overtime against you guys, so we got.

He got the overtime. And then it was the miss block on Chris Jones and then and I'll never forget being in the press box watching and this is the thing that like you forget, this is their job and this you know, we watched me, we play fantasy football, all the things.

This is their job.

And I'll never forget touch on his score and I could see the press box Charvarious Sword just rips off his helmet and it's that heartbreaking moment. But what has to lose and what has to win? And that is the hardest thing about it. But since you bring up the Super Bowl, we would be remiss if we didn't discuss the fact that the Chiefs are going for history. And I know that there's a little bit of Chiefs fatigue.

Which that's my best way to discribe. I think it's best.

I don't that's not my thing because I kind of think we're lucky to be living in a time. Not to be super dramatic about it, but living a time where we might see a team three pt we have not seen that. But they're going for history and I don't think that should be overlooked or down played.

That's a pretty big deal.

And I frankly felt the same way watching I mean, Tom Brady otis to the Patriots, but then Ina Tampa Bay was I found myself rooting for him, you know, and just what that meant for his legacy. And it does feel very special to watch this Chiefs team from Kansas City. Right they're not a major market obviously NFL. The difficulty of repeating as a Super Bowl champ, let alone going for something that's never been done before. I can't help but say, you know, no matter who emerges victorious from this AFC Championship game, we're lucky to bear witness to it. I mean, what a storyline for the Bills, What a storyline for sports if it's the case the City Chiefs that emerge and.

It's going to be taking care of the football.

During the regular season, the Bills led the league with a plus twenty four turnover differential. Postseason, they are plus three. All of the teams left have not committed turnovers. That has been the key to this, and I think in this game that's going to be the key the Bills. Neither team can make a mistake, but the Bills more than anything. None of these silly interceptions it could be snowing, None of the bumbling of the football, the fun that's what they call it, by the way, that's a technical term. The fumbling of the football, None of that. It's going to be a perfect game. But I think that turnover differential is just really interesting to keep an eye on because can they keep that going.

The Buffalo Bills offense is one of the most historically. I think it's the historically best team in NFL in league history at few turnovers. I'm saying this.

Completely take care of the football, right, Taking care.

Of the football, that's what they excel at. And it's going to be a strength against a team that frankly likes to make a make a mess if you if you give them the opportunity to do so.

I like, make a mess, make a mess.

It's kind of fun. Life's more fun when it's messy.

One hundred percent.

And this game, I think this would be one of those games that early on we're going to be tweeting this this game is drunk.

I just feel like it's going to be that.

It's the afternoon game, well after for us evening on the East Coast, early evening, where they're playing the game in all the different time zones. But uh, messy. I wanted to be messy. I wanted to be fun and messy.

And I think we're going to kind of look up or look at the TV and be like, oh my gosh, it's the third quarter and the Chiefs have had the ball for how long? Like, I think it's going to be a strategic goal for both teams to keep the ball out of the other's hands.

Right, How important this is probasically question? But how important is the opening drive? Whoever gets up ball first, do they have to make a statement right off the bat?

I would say it's really important.

But I think that whatever happens, the other team's going to get points on the board immediately after, and then things are going to slow down. Right, Okay, let's say whatever team scores first, the other is going to.

Match with a scorer or a field goal.

I think it's going to be a close game after those opening drives for each respective squad.

Actually, both games are going to be a close game, and we'll talk about the other one a little bit later in the show.

But it's going to be fun. Are you? Do you have rooting interests?

I mean just I might have been leaning this way throughout the segment. I do love what Patrick Mahomes has been able to accomplish, and I love Andy Reid. I have my good friend's dad is Christian Nakoye, who's the legendary running back for the Chiefs. Right, so I am very very much leaning towards Kansas City. But then again, if we're seeing Josh Allen and Haley Steinfeld and all of Bill's mafia in New Orleans, you can't go wrong.

What about you? I go back and forth on this.

I think I'd like to see the Bills when I think it'd be fun for them. But I also kind of like the idea of history, and I think if any team can do it, it's it's past one of the Chiefs. And I don't know if it's something we would see everever again, certainly not in our lifetime.

I'm so dramatic today about the lifetime. Oh, let's wax poetic.

I think it.

I love it. I have a couple more. Just another minute. We're going to talk about this before we move on.

Give me this is putting you on the spot, okay, but give me a tailor swift lyric.

That sums up this game. Oh I know it's putting you. Oh my goodness, I have one. It's really okay, a cop out. Yeah, I'll give it you. Okay, are you ready for it? I'm not ready.

For it, clearly, but oh my gosh, I got a blank space, baby, and I'll write your name in the Super Bowl.

There you go, Nicky Kay, Nikki Kay, ladies and gentlemen.

This is why we have for Ariana the Woods.

Yet.

That was fantastic, so thank you for that.

All Right, you guys, we are going.

To move on to the NFL coaching carasel. We are coming to live from the tire rack dot Com studios. Nikki, it has been a week in coaching changes. I mean, this really was this is this has been something else. I want to start in Florida because Florida is a place where drama happens.

We're crazy Florida, man.

Okay.

But first, before we do that, we are going to go to break and then we will come back to talk about the coaching Cassidyes, Florida Man, Florida Man.

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at Foxsports Radio dot Com and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live.

Welcome back to Fox Sports Saturday with Tracy Sandler and Nikki Kay filling in this week for Alex Curry and Carmen Vitally. We are coming to live from the tire rack dot Com studios and we are going to quickly talk about the coaching carousel, we promise you from some drama from Florida, and we will start there. Liam Cohen, no dice to the Jaguars. I'm gonna be the highest paid offensive coordinator with the Bucks. Just kidding the Jaguars fire.

Time, Bunky.

Now, I'm gonna go be the head coach of the Jaguars. So that is where we are with that. Pete Carroll the coach of the Raiders. Quickly, what do we think of that?

Nikki, I personally love it, thinking of him and Tom Brady kind of in the same you know mind bank think tank if you will. I hear he's very organized, very structured, and that's what this Raiders team needs and could we maybe see a reunion with Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson.

Oh, interesting, Las Vegas.

I'm looking forward to the post game handshakes with him and Jim Harbot twice year. That's my that's person that I all looking forward to. At the moment, Ben Johnson leaves Alliance for the Chicago Bears.

Will this one work? Tbd? But if he brings an O line with him, then it just might.

Everyone's looking for the next McVeigh and you know, I think Chicago, after the season they had with Caleb Williams, desperately needs it.

So godspeed, the Cowboys have their man. It is not Deon Sanders.

I don't really understand this.

I don't understand the Cowboys generally. I don't get that.

Right. Let's fire our current head coach and make the offensive coordinator. It just doesn't It doesn't compute a lot of moves in this coaching carousel, so to speak. Seemed a little bit panic and out of desperation.

Aaron Glenn to the Jets.

I think what's interesting for both him and Van Johnson is they're going to two organizations that have not been run all that well. Will their presence there change it. I don't know what to tell you on that time will tell, But Mike.

Rabel, of course, the Patriots.

I'm just running them through for all of you guys, and then I'm doing this for you forty nine Ers fans. Last, but not least, your defensive coordinator is back, Robert Sala back.

In San Francisco.

Basically, the Cowboys announced their coaching higher and the forty nine Ers announced within minutes that they've hired Robert Sala as defensive coordinator.

But now we need to go to the Great Martin Weiss for all of the sports up dates.

Right now.

Third quarter between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves, eighty three to seven. I through the score of Minnesota in the lead seven to sixteen, left Nicole Jokicchi with a fifteen points Jamalmurry leading all scores. You got twenty three three for four from three for him, sixteen for Julius Randall, Anthony Edwards fourteen points on fourteen shots, zero for four from three. In the NFL, the Washington Commanders have downgraded the Rond Payne for tomorrow she Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He's got injuries to a knee and his finger.

The Raiders officially announced Pete Carroll as the franchise's head coach this morning. You guys just touched on Brian Schottenheimer getting an odd promotion to head coach from offensive coordinator. He'll get a four year contract as a result. Colorado quarterbacks you Doris Sanders is in attendance for the East West Shrine Bowl, but he will not participate in practices or the game. He has met with teams this see that the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and the New York Giants. He's also expected to meet with the media later today. Madison Keys won her first Grand Slam title, winning the US Ambian side the Australian Open with an upset of Arena Sabalnka. She entered the match as a nineteenth seed. The American did piece and with thirty seven seconds left in the game, Vanderbilt looks like Vanderbilt with a four point lead over Kentucky seventy three to sixty nine. Texas A and M has a sixty four to fifty seven lead over Acus with four minutes and fifty seconds left in the second half. At halftime, Florida leeds Georgia fifty one to twenty six, and Oregon trailing Minnesota twenty seven to eleven. Oregon the fifteenth ra aine team in the nation. The eleven minutes, thirty four seconds left in the first half of college basketball.

Back to you guys, Thank you Martin, we love you. Enter updates.

We are coming to you live from the tyrack dot com studios and we will welcome our first guest, Maddi Glab Bill's team reporter. Kind of has a big day tomorrow, Maddie, Welcome to the show.

Hey ladies, Yes, a big day tomorrow for the Bills, but we are so excited that they have the opportunity to play for a chance to go to the Super Bowl.

I mean, I have to start by asking, what has the vibe been like this week? What has the vibe been in the locker room? Do they see Dervis? Do they seem loose and ready for some fun football? What's it been like.

It's been loose, it's been calm, it's been cool. It's a different type of vibe this year around compared to yours past. Last year when this team was in the playoffs, seemed like they were hobbling into the playoffs on one foot, they had to really play their final five games with a mindset of if we lose, we're not going to make it. And so then this year they win the AFC East early on, and they were cruising the last two weeks of the season. So I think it's a very different mindset. And this team is pretty healthy entering this week. I know there are a couple injuries that we're keeping a watch on and a couple guys that are questionable for this one, but the vibe in the locker room has been great, and I think a lot of that is because their team is getting older every year, so you've got a good bunch of guys who have been there, done that, and know what to expect on Sunday.

Hey, Maddie's pleasure to chat with you.

Nikki here, And I want to say I don't think anyone's surprised that Buffalo is in this position right But what I was a little taken aback by was the way the Bills closed out again against Baltimore last week, and it seemed like all the momentum from the first half just kind of stimmied in the second half. So I guess my question to you is why was the Bills offense so conservative there to close out the game.

Yeah.

I think it goes to ball control. I mean you look at time of possession and the Bills won that thirty one minutes forty four seconds to Baltimore's twenty eight minutes in sixteen seconds. And our head coach Sean McDermott was asked about this trend in the NFL to really take control of the ball and hold on to the football as much as you could, and he said, yeah, it's something that is well, it was of the NFL of the yester years when everybody was running the football. You're seeing it a little bit more now. And he said it's game plan specific, so it's dependent on your opponent. But I do think Buffalo wants to try and be the team who has the football at the very last moment. I know the Ravens did have success in the second half. Buffalo to start the second half went punt punt while the field goal touchdown, and so the Ravens were able to get in it pretty quickly. Thankfully, the Bill score on the next couple of possessions field goals instead of touchdowns, but Yeah. I think it comes from the fact that they wanted to run the clock out. They wanted to control the football, control possession, and that's maybe why you didn't see as many high flying plays out there. But against an offense like the Kansas City Chiefs and the team like the Kansasity Chiefs, I know they don't have the offense that we're used to, but still I think for this one there might have to be those Josh Allen plays where you look at the person next to you and you go, did we just watch that? Is he human? I think the Bills are going to have to do that.

To be the chief I also want to talk about turnover differential. It's something we talked about earlier in the show Something where the Bills led the NFL this season. How much is that emphasized on a daily basis? How much has it been emphasized really going back to training camp because they're so good at it that it also has to be a point of emphasis.

Yeah.

Plus twenty four turnover margin is what they finish with in the regular season, leads the league. It's the best since twenty twelve. And offensively, this has been something that Josh Allen has been working on for the last couple of years, and we're finally seeing the fruit of his labor in this He has just six interceptions this season and eight total turnovers for the team as a whole. That also led the NFL. It was the lowest in league. So it's something that he's wanted to do and he's focused on in the offseason and really made an effort to try and limit those turnovers, limit those interceptions because in the past couple of years he's been leading the league in that category. That's not a category you want to lead the league. And then defensively, we have a new defensive coordinator this year. His name is Bobby Babbitt, and I think he's really instilled a splash play mindset in his group. Splash play mindset meaning take the football away, give the offense as many chances as they can have to score. It happens to be thirty two takeaways is what they finished the regular season with, which is third best in the league. They had three against the Ravens and that was the difference in the game, not letting the Ravens have three more possessions. Who knows what would have happened if Lamar Jackson had the ball three more times with a chance to make something happen. So I think it's been critical for this team in the playoffs. I know they didn't have any takeaways against the Broncos, but really last week against the Ravens, it was the difference in the game, and I think you're going to have to do something like that against Patrick Mahomes when the two face each other for the first time this season. In Week eleven, Mahomes had two interceptions in two sacks. Josh Allen did throw an interception as well, but the Bills won the turnover battle there and I believe they're going to have to do that again this weekend if they want a chance to be the team that's heading to New Orleans instead of Kansas City.

Absolutely, you have to play mistake free football against the reigning back to back champs, right, But.

You kind of alluded to it earlier.

The Bills are winning in ways differently than they have in the past, and it's the same for these Kansas City Chiefs. But one guy that is time and time again proven in the postseason is Travis Kelcey. And I mean against Buffalo in the postseason when Kansas City three and zero against the Bills.

Kelsey has just dashed the Bills right.

He's had twenty six catches for two hundred and eighty nine yards and five touchdowns.

Bottom line here, what do the Bills need to do to stop Travis kelcey?

It is so hard to stop Travis kelce He has such a good understanding of his quarterback Patrick Mahomes and just knows where to sit in zones and knows the places to be where he's going to have room to make a play. And that's really hard. That's really hard to knock him off a spot and really hard to go up against him because if you're going to like double cover him, then you're taking a guy away from somewhere else on the field. If you cover him with just one guy, that is bad enough to affect Travis kelce I mean, he was averaging a clear low like fifty one receiving yards per game this season and then he goes off in the playoffs last week with one hundred and seventeen receiving yards. It was the second most receiving yards of any player last week. He is somebody you're going to have to really pay attention to. I'm really interested to see what the matchup is like on Sunday because one of our safeties, Taylor Rapp, is out and is not going to be playing in the game. Stepping up and his absence is a rookie safety. His name is Cole Bishop. He's made four starts this season, so he does have time on the field. But you're going up against and you'll be helping trying to stop a guy like Travis Kelce. It's going to be a tall task for this rookie. But I'm really glad he got first team reps all week and really had that communication with his other seat next to him, trying to figure out the game plan of how do we stop a huge weapon in Travis Kelsey. I think it's going to be priority number one or number two on Buffalo's list defensively.

And one more really quick before we go. You kind of touched on this earlier, but how important is it for them to make sure Patrick Mahomes does not have the ball in his hands to end the game.

It's going to be super important. I mean, if you look at the stats, it's crazy. This team has eleven comeback wins this year, eleven to one possession wins this year. Patrick Mahomes is five and one when trailing in the fourth quarter. He's won the last sixteen to one possession games. I mean, these are things that just screen at you do not let this guy have the ball on the last few minutes of the game, on the last play of the game. You want to try to possess the ball as much as you can. And that's why I think time possession, I'll go back there is going to be so important to this game. When they played each other in week eleven, Buffalo that as well, thirty four minutes to twenty six minutes. I think that's going to be what you have to do is you have to I think the Bills are really going to try to run the football in this one. They're going to try and run the clock. They're going to try and possess the football as much as they can, and then it's going to be on the defense to take the ball out of the Chief's hands and try and do that as much as possible. And at the end of the game, it's going to be so important for them to be the ones who have the football in their hands as the clock strikes down to zero, because if you have Patrick Mahomes and he has a couple of minutes, even a couple of seconds. I mean, talk about a fan base and a team who knows what the Chiefs can do. I go back to that thirteen seconds game. That really, I mean, it's a game that lives still in the back of our minds because the Chiefs can do anything with a few seconds. So it's going to come down to I think the last couple plays, the last couple possessions the last quarter of this game, because we know anything can happen with Patrick Mahomes at QB.

Maddie, will you sleep tonight? Are you going to be to nerves?

The nerves are have already started, guys. I hope I sleep.

But man, this is.

A game where I feel like usually on game days, I'm like, Okay, let's go, We're ready to go. I'm getting in I'm getting anxious. I just want to play this game. I'm already starting to feel that way and it is Saturday afternoon, so I don't think that bodes well for sleep tonight.

Well, Maddie, thank you so much. Excited to sleep.

I'm excited to sleep. Thank you for joining us. Hope you get a little bit of rest. Hello tomorrow and good luck and you guys. We will be back after our break. This is Fox Sports Radio.

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at foxsports Radio dot com and within the iHeartRadio app search FSR to listen live.

Tracy Sandler and Nikki coming back to you live from the tire Raq dot com studios.

NICKI is time for.

Our dues and our don't and I'm gonna let you headline the first one highlighting dudes.

I love that putting a spotlight on the don't.

The subject brings me no joy.

That's insane. It's time for the dues and the dots in sports.

Listen. We are yes girls, right Tracy, But we are going to start off with something you should absolutely not do in any line of work you are in. Do not assume anything is final until you sign on the dotted line. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Liam Cohne, we are looking at you. We sure are, Nikki so so a little breakdown of the coaching drama in case you missed it. The Jacksonville Jaguars were looking for a head coach this week, as were many teams right they had their site set on Liam Cohen, the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, at some point Tampa Bay knew Liam was in running Jacksonville. They said, hey, you take the interview, just do the first round.

It's good, good practice.

But we're gonna we're gonna pay you pretty to stay here in Tampa Bay. We want you to be here with Baker. We love what you guys accomplished this season. So Liam goes ahead and does one round of the interview with Jacksonville. He goes back with that leverage with Tampa Bay. They offer him a suite demon Right, Well, let's go back to Jacksonville for a moment where they fire their GM.

Yeah, and point of contention for mister Cochle, right, and then they come back.

Mister Kahn comes back to mister Cohen and says, hey, these are the moves we've made. We want to bring you to Jacksonville where you can have more autonomy, more authority, and you can be a head coach and we'll pay you as well. And so here here comes the shady part of things that people have a point of contention. Yeah, right, Liam Kuhn was supposed to sign on the dotted line with Tampa Bay to stay there as the offensive coordinator. All of a sudden, he goes a little bit radio silent and saying he has to attend to a personal matter on the day he's supposed to sign on the dotted line.

Nobody can get a hold of him.

Well, it turns out he had been on a flight to Jacksonville finalizing things with the Jaguars while they were also stalling to fulfill their what's the Rooney rol Rooney rule? Yes, thank you, to fulfill their Rooney rule, and they didn't want to scare away the candidate who was meeting for the Rooney rule because they were so very much in pursuit of mister Cohen. So all as things all unfold, the Jacksonville Jaguars are naming their new head coach as Liam Kuhn, and Tampa Bay is left without an offensive coordinator.

I have a do do.

Listen to Nikki Kay you are negotiating, because she has it down and she will make sure that you don't assume anything.

I was a little nervous. I'm sure I didn't clarify the timeline, you know, to the specificity that might clear up a lot of the clouds in that, but the bottom line is he never finalized things with Tampa Bay and he knew his worth and he masterfully played the art of negotiation and got the deal he wanted, which is coaching Trevor Lawrence having more control of being a head coach in the NFL. And we'll see if Jacksonville's you know, risk really pays off.

We will see this is another organization that doesn't have the best track record, but perhaps he will turn things around.

So there you go, and do I wmore?

Do though?

Know your worth? Know your worth? And I do feel bad.

I do feel sorry for Baker Mayfield.

Yes, because this.

Is a quarterback we've seen, you know, speaking of knowing your worth, bet on himself time and time again and really establish some rhythm and chemistry with Cohen, and he thought he was going to be with him again for another season. But I think he would be the first to tell his oc hey, go get your bag, go do what you're capable of.

And I think the other side of that is Baker Mayfield is now to point his career where he's getting his offensive coordinator head coaching Johbbs right. So there is something to be said for that, Well, I know you have a fun do.

Okay, do trust your mom when it comes to dating advice. And this is a nod to Jaden Daniels because his mama isn't letting him talk.

To any girls.

And look where it's gotten him in an NFC championship game as a rookie because he's not distracted.

I like that, And I have a commanders do as well. Do take what you did well in college and do it in the NFL. And I am looking at you, Mikey sanderstill a nose for the ball. This man can make a play when necessary like nothing I have ever seen.

Oh we need a big play to change the game.

I got you, So that is my due. Take your college to the NFL.

Are really in life right when you flips in college? Hey, go bring it into your I apply that every day.

I like that.

I like that.

So those are our funds.

And don't you brought up Baker Mayfield and I think that that actually is kind of a cool point. This is how the second yere to row where he's gotten somebody a job. And so also, don't give up on your dreams. Look at how Baker Mayfield started his career and look.

Where he was and when he was in college. Do plant your flag do?

Oh well, you know I agree with a do plant your flag in the middle of the Ohio State.

Quote unquote National Championship field. So there is that.

And also really quick, do give your rivals a shout out and a congratulations for winning the National Championship with a roster that never ever beat Michigan.

Thank you very much.

Love that, all right, you guys.

NFC Championship preview coming up next.

This is Fox Sports Radio. We are broadcasting live from the tire rack dot Com studios at tire rack dot com. We'll help you get there an unmapped selection, fast free shipping, free road hazard protection, and over ten thousand recommended installers tire rack dot com The way tire buying should be. Tracy Sandler and Nikki kay In for Alex Curry and Carmen Vitally.

And now we have.

Gotten to the part of the show that I've been really really looking forward to, and that is the NFC Championship review.

Tracy, it is so wild because I think if you had presented this situation to me, you know, two months ago, Hey, what game are you more excited for in the end, like in the NFL postseason, Bill's Chiefs or Eagles commanders, and I would automatically pick Bill's Chiefs. Yet, for some reason, in the build up to this week, the way Jaden Daniels has emerged as an absolute star, I am so intrigued to see how this NFC Championship plays out.

I am too, and I'm gonna start with some I guess housekeeping stuff, not so much the fun stuff.

But I think this tight up, tidy up train, tightying up for something that I think could make a difference in the game.

Personally, I have not been super impressed with Jalen Hurts in these playoffs. I think he has been fine. He's now dealing with a knee injury. How much of an impact he'll have It's gonna be hard to say, but they've been a little SECRETIVI ish she was wearing sweatpants the other day at practice, maybe covering up a knebrace. There many a rumor that we don't really have an answer to. But I have not been super impressed aj Brown.

Where'd you go? Where did you go?

I downloaded the book in her excellence. I think it is gonna be really helpful for my inner excellence. But aj Brown, where did you go? But Jalen Hurts haven't been that oppressed, which means this is Saquan's game.

It would have been anyway. But I don't know. I don't think these Eagles have it. I'm just gonna go and say it. I don't think they have it.

It's so funny because it brings me back to where we were at the beginning of the season when they played Green Bay in Brazil, right, and this team that was puffing out their chests and then it was such a close game, and then it was like do the Eagle what are they going to be? And then as the season played out, they looked more and more the dominant powerhouse they were going to be, with Saquon and the defense mainly carrying the conversation. But here we are, and you look at these two teams, you know, on paper, and the Eagles pretty much are more talented at every position with the exception of quarterback and what we have seen emerge on there was.

A collective just just you guys know, the collective in Philly.

There was just a.

No I I mean, it's just been so intriguing to see the gravity that a rookie quarterback has had in making people believe in this Washington Commander's team that has been in such a turnaround from where they were a year ago. And so I am just kind of in awe of right this Mighty Eagles powerhouse, the birds puffing out their chests, and rightfully so, they did close out the season looking strong. But here are the commanders.

Nobody thought they'd be here, and here they are. And you mentioned Jadeen Daniels.

I don't know if we've ever seen a cooler, war collected rookie at the quarterback position. I saw Tom Brady said something the other day about the thing with Jane Daniels. He goes on the field, he thinks he's gonna win the game. There's none of this is you talked earlier about playing not to lose. There's no that he thinks he is going to win the game. It doesn't matter who they're playing and who they're up against. And you could see it, and you can see it in his poise. Terry McLaurin finally has a quarterback, and their connection has been spectacular. It's it's been fun to watch.

It's really it's really fascinating. The game has slowed down for Jaden Daniels to a point where he is able to execute at a level that, you know, no other rookie has ever won, you know, one championship game to get to the playoffs. Right, He's the sixth rookie to lead his team to the NFC AFC Championship but not to win past it. So he has the opportunity to have the best rookie season of all time. And on top of that, just the connection and belief he's been able to develop with Cliff Kingsbury in you know an under Dan Quinn.

It's it's really cool.

And this is a fan base speaking of a tormented fan base.

My gosh, so tormented it is.

It's been a minute. Nineteen ninety three was the last time. I I need to double check that year, but it has been nineteen ninety one, thirty three seasons ago.

What's the last time even longer?

Right? Right?

So I'm just I'm fascinated. I think the one word I think of when I think of Jade Daniels is aura. Yes, right, there is a lot of talk about what players, what personalities have aura, and I mean the effect that he's had on him his play and his teammates belief in their play.

Yes, has been really fun to watch.

And it's something we saw actually a couple of years ago with Brock Party. There was a belief in the rookie sham and you, and there was the belief the teammates had in him. And this is similar. I think Jaydeen Daniels and this is no disrespect to Brock Party. I think it's great.

Quarterback.

Jane Daniels is at a different level of talent, but you can see it. They trust him. He feels like a veteran. He's a veteran in the huddle. And the aura, the aura is the perfect word, and the aura has really gone around the entire team, the entire organization. Dare I say they feel a little team of destiny, A.

Little I know, right.

The one thing I heard a commander's hand speaking the other day and he was like, the one thing that's concerning is that there's a little too many team of destinies being floated out. I mean in terms of coming from people calling the commander's team of destiny. It's like, honestly, you don't want to jinx it, right, but there's just something interesting about the way this game has a weight to it, and I think it's really hard not to be excited about what's going on in Washington, DC.

This game does have a weight to it, and I think that's something to keep an eye on early in the game, because, as we said, Jaden Daniels super cool, calm, poise.

Makes the throws, all of the things.

But this game does have a weight to it, and he will be on the road against a division rival with a very very shall I say, passionate fan base behind it, and it's hard for the best of athletes and people not to get a little like juiced up in the game, be a little bit excited, have a little bit of nerves, and it'll be kind of interesting to see if we see that tomorrow.

And I think that could be.

I really don't think the Eagles have it, but what I think could very well be the difference is what the Eagles have is playoff experience, and in a game like tomorrow, does that become the difference maker?

We shall see.

But and and we got to give the Eagles their flowers as well. I mean, watching Saquon Barkley and Ulie breakout touchdown run against the Rams last week and was special too, write and very much the best offensive player. You know, you can make an argument quarterback or not in the league. This year he has. It's been so fun to see what he's been able to do in an Eagles uniform. And I think that limiting big plays from him is going to be a key to any team success against.

The eas And it's going to be really difficult. No one's really been able to do.

It right exactly. And their offensive line is their strength, it's their skill points. So what it's going to be crucial for the health and protection of Jalen Hurts as well. Yeah, I'm interested. I know you touched upon it, but what do you think hurts hurt percentage?

Is hurts hurt percentage? I was like, where am I going with this?

But you know, we had to go with the play on wards there.

I like the hurts his hurt percentage.

You know, there's players speak and there's coach speak. And after the game he said, I'm going to play. He was limited early in the week in practice, he was a full participant. But I bring up the sweatpants. I kind of joking about it, but he doesn't normally wear sweatpants to practice, so was he covering up a knee brace.

I think he's probably hurt that.

If we were in week two or three of the season, he was not going to be playing for a little while. But at this point he's gonna go with it. But they're gonna have to change their game plan. I mean, his mobility is I think what's going to be changed. He no longer because he has the ability, not in the Lamar Jackson way, but he can't extend plays with his legs. He does have that mobility, and I don't know that he's going to have that as much.

So we think it is going to be a lot on sake one and the wide receivers are going to have to step up.

I mean joke about AJ Brown, but he's going to have to make himself a factor in this game because it's going to be important.

So you could make the.

Argument right now currently that McLaurin has the edge over Brown in the deceiver category.

Right.

I know, AJ Brown's an all time talent.

But so is Terry McLaurin, and we've just never seen it. He really didn't have anybody who throw them the ball, and we've really seen what he could be this year. I think he's just as talented and will end up with a really tremendous career, much like AJ Brown, because now he has a guy to throw them the ball. I mean, he's been through what five six different quarterbacks he's been there.

That's just bananas.

And I know we we've gone on and on about you know, Jaden, Jaden, Jalen. You know it's it's Jayden. We've gone on and on about Jaden and his composure. But he's going to be without a key member of his offensive line, and true, does that concern you at all when you have the likes of Jalen Carter coming down your throat, Because that's a bad, bad man, one hundred percent.

And I think the offensive line is often the unsung hero or goat of an offense and the importance of them cannot be overstated. And so that is a concern. And how he adjusts that, and how how they adjust that. I mean think with the commanders, what's surprising to people is there was the feeling they were going to be better, that they were rebuilding, they were turning this organization around. What's surprising is just how good they've been. But what I think they probably don't have that the Eagles do have is the same amount of depth and depth of positions where you can go from one to two and it's not as big as jump because you would think. I don't think that's going to be the case. They're offensive line and so that for sure could be a factor. And you know what, maybe the Eagles they really turn it on to Herrow. Maybe they're listening to this and they're like, she is wrong. We've got it and we are going to go. And if you guys are, then good for you. But I just think I haven't been that impressed so far. But tomorrow's the NFC Championship game and they're going against the division rival and they are at home for a chance of Super Bowl. And if you're going to turn it on, that is when you turn it on. And so I think you make a really good point there with the offensive line and the Eagles defense. And I think the same when we were talking about the other game, we talked so much about the offense. These defenses are huge, and the reason I thought the Commanders were going to lose last week is because I didn't think their defense was really up to the juggernaut.

That was the Detroit offense.

They did manage very well and they got helped with five turnovers, but or five interceptions. But can they stop this offense and the Jalen Hurt I mean the Saquon Barkley factor, right is they haven't seen anybody like that yet, and he's almost impossible to stop. It's almost like you have to plan for him to rush for well over.

One hundred yards one hundred and fifty.

Just to count it, count.

It, and then what do you do around him?

Right?

And the Eagles have to stick to what has gotten them to this point. They're tough, physical run game obviously carried on the back of Saquon Barkley and that offensive line. But control what you can control, and this is your identity, lean into it. Don't test the health of Jalen Hurts anymore than you need to, you know, just just run run the dang ball right right, And I think if you're the commanders, right you tell your rookie quarterback to be dead. He's got to be deadly accurate against man coverage. And when it comes to his own coverage that.

The Eagles are no doubt going to present, he.

Needs to be patient, yes, and that is where you know the Eagles defense it can be a mighty, mighty threat because if they can pressure him into making rookie mistakes in that high pressure situation, then they've got this one in the wraps.

And patience is such a fine line because you do want to be patient, but you can't be too patient and take a sack right to make up a stake.

So that is going to be, you know, a really big one.

It's going to be fun Jalen versus Jayden, As you said, I think. I just think it's going to be a really fun game. These Commanders are a fun team. I think it's going to be a close game. Both of these games tomorrow, I really do believe are going to be very close games.

What's the belief like in the Commander's front office? I mean, with what they inherited from last season to how they built this this year. I mean, did they see an NFC championship game in on the horizon? What's the belief?

I don't know.

I would say probably because they have to, but I will say this, they hired a general manager, a star in the NFL, and Adam Peters. He knows how to build a roster. He was in San Francisco a long time. He was the right hand guy, the key. He is the man. He hired a coach that I'm sorry, as the kids would say, he is him.

They hire him. Yeah, I don't really. We got riz we have Aura har Yeah, we got Rizz. We got Aura, we got all of the things.

They hired a head coach who also also kind of has an aura, a different kind of one butt or a hymn. So they built this team. They believed in Jade and Daniels. He was something that really hasn't been brought up that much. Was during the draft process. Do you remember they had all the quarterbacks meet and Jade and Daniels didn't want to be a part of it. And there was all this like little scuttle butt like, oh is Jade and Daniels a diva?

Is he not a team player?

And all that they believe in him, And they were certainly right, and they were smart how they built this team. They've got a young defense, but they also plugged in some veterans who've been in the league a while who can teach those guys who still know how to play. So I don't know if they thought NFC Championship game when.

This team started.

But I do think is the season went on, especially after that Bears game, which really just turned everything around them all of a sudden, it was.

Like, okay, maybe, yeah, maybe we can do this.

And we've talked a lot about the position edges, right, who has the edge advantage in position by position coaching advantage? Do you give the edge to Quinn or Sirianni?

Quinn? And I didn't even have to think about it. Why.

I don't know if I buy Sirianni.

Okay, I don't know that. I'm I'm all in. And I think Quinn. Your window shopping was sirian window shopping, and you're.

Like, okay, Like maybe I would think about it with Quinn.

Quinn's been through some stuff, right, He's learned a lot.

We talked about early about playoff experience, but the coaches too, now, Nick, Siriann, He's been through playoffs, he's had playoff experience, he's lost the Super Bowl, he's, you know what, an NFC championship game. But I don't know, I feel like Quinn has been through more in a way.

He just went and out coach the other Dan. He everywhere giving flowers too for the past.

Twelve Sure day he did out coach him. And I don't know, I give the coaching advantage to down dan Quinn. It might be negligible and it might be an any given Sunday kind of thing, but I give the coaching advantage to dan Quinn on this one. So before we go to break for a minute, who you got in the game?

You know what, I love a team of destiny and I'm drinking the kool aid. Give me all the razzle dazzle from the Commanders. I'm gonna say, Commanders twenty seven, Eagles twenty three.

I'm just gonna pick the Commanders because I'm really bad as score predictions.

Bo's a pretty bad. That was a pretty off the cuff.

I like show.

I like thank you.

I mean we'll be watching tomorrow and seeing if you're right. Everybody tweet it Nikki if she is. But next up, Jimmy Butler, what are you doing? This is Fox Sports Radio. Welcome back to Fox Sports Saturday with Tracy Sandler and Nikki Kay. We are coming to you live from the tire rack dot Com studios.

We sure are, and shortly after the show, our podcast will be going up. If you missed any of our show today, be sure to check out the pod. Just search Fox Sports Radio wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to also follow, rate and review the podcast. Again, just search Fox Sports Radio wherever you get your podcasts, and you'll see this show posted. Right after we get off the air.

We're gonna make a little transition from football for a minute, not for too long, but to the NBA. We are going to start with Jimmy Butler.

What are you doing?

What is you doing? Jimmy Butler.

Here's the thing.

I love NBA trade deadline drama and to add to this year's installment of the soap opera and by the way, the trade deadline. It's February sixth, right in time for Super Bowl build up. Jimmy Butler has gone and gone and started acting up again in terms of let's just let's just paint the picture now. Jimmy Butler does not want to be in Miami. Miami, I think is out of the Jimmy Butler business. So we really started to see this all percolate when the team announced a seven game suspension for Jimmy Butler for conduct detrimental.

To the team.

It's very rare you see that coming internally about one of your own stars.

It seems rare in the NBA, it seems in the NFL.

But the NBA r right. And then another two games were announced, and basically at the start of the season, you know, we see pat Riley with the Heat come out and say we're not trading Jimmy Butler, you know, kind of grand standing on that point. And then the situation has devolved to such toxicity that now he's being suspended. Pat Riley's searching for appropriate trade landing spots for Jimmy, who has come out and said Phoenix is the place I gotta go. But now that list seems to be expanding as the situation has continued to get hotter and hotter within the Heat.

So it's well done, said I did there, Rua.

And I know Jimmy in the sense that he likes to spark conversations in whatever way he can. For example, over the summer, he was seeing courtside at a Laker at a Sparks game talking about one of the Sparks players but saying twenty two would look good in purple and gold. Who wears number twenty two. Jimmy Butler. He's talking about the Sparks, but he's also hinting at maybe playing with the Lakers. He likes to stir the pot and it's entertaining, as I'll get out.

But Jimmy Butler, what is you doing?

Is there ever more of a chance that someone is going to get traded than when someone says, we are not trading Jimmy Butler, we are behind our coach one hundred percent.

We believe in him, our GM has been fantastic.

Is there ever more of a sign that whatever they just said isn't going to happen is going to happen.

It's like kind of one of those toxic relationships where someone says, oh, I would never cheat on you, and it's the exact opposite. The fact that you even have to say that is like, what like, oh, we're never trading him? Okay? That means you know, it's and each person has their own incentive in putting out those statements, right, but I do feel all to tie that into the relationship, right, Like we're watching a cohabitation dissolve right now, right it's a boyfriend girlfriend living situation and now they need to find other living arrangements immediately, right.

Yeah, I think that's a good way to put at The NBA isn't a very interesting place right now, and it'll be kind of interesting to see how this evolves. We saw kind of the NFL on Christmas take that over and changes to the All Star Game. It's at a crossroads, I would say. I would say it's at a crossroads, right.

I think this is a little bit of a cross The NFL is reigning supreme, it sure is, but we do love the drama and that's why we're talking about the NBA day before NFCNAFC championships.

That is correct.

But now we are going to go to our good fan, Martin White for some updates.

Speaking of the NBA, we had a rematch up a playoff matchup last year, the Minnesota t Wolves and the Denver Nuggets. Minnesota victorious this time, and they were also Victoria's last year's playoffs matchup. For those who care, one thirty three to one h four the final score. Anthony Edwards led all scores with thirty four points. He also set the Minnesota record for three pointers made in franchise history, passing Carl Anthony Towns. He made three of his eight attempts. Julius Randall had twenty one points. Rudy Gobert added fourteen points and fourteen rebounds and five assists.

Go ahead. Michael Porter Junior at eleven.

Nicole Yokus twenty points, nine for thirteen from the floor, eleven assists for him, seven turnovers, twenty five points for Jamal Murray finished ten for sixteen from the floor, three.

For five from three.

Earlier today, in Paris, the Indiana Pacers smacked the San Antonio Spurs in a homecoming for Victor win Ben Yama, one thirty six to ninety eight. The final there just a few minutes away from tip off between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, a finals rematch from last year. The Washington Demanders down great Dron Payne to out for tomorrow's NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He's got knee injuries and a finger injury.

Pete Carroll's officially announced as the raiders next head coach. Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys offensive coordator, got promoted to head coach yesterday. He's reportedly getting a four year contract to lead the Cowboys.

Colorado quarterback your.

Dor Sanders is inattendance for the East West Shrine Bowl. He's not participating or practicing in the in the game, or playing in the game or anything like that. He's meeting with teams including the Titans, the Browns, and the Giants and American Madison Keys won her first grandson title with an upset of Arena Sablenka in the Australian Open.

She entered the match as a nineteenth seed, so big upset for Keys. Congratulation sir.

Back to you guys, Thank you Martin.

We are coming to you live from the tyraq dot com studios and we are very excited to welcome Nicki Javala from the Washington Post. She covers the Commanders, who Nicki and I, Nicki, Kay and I have been waxing poetic on Nicki. Welcome to the show.

Thanks for having me.

Absolutely, let's dive right into this game.

I mean, did you when the season.

Started feel like, yeah, they're going to turn this team around to a point that I'll be covering the NFC Championship game.

I wish I could say yeah I knew this all. No, absolutely not. I thought they would maybe win eight games this season, just you know, having a rookie quarterback. They brought in like sixty of the roster's totally new new GM, new coach suff I thought they might need a little bit of time out. They don't. No, it's so here we are.

Yeah, it seems they really, they really do not.

And what does it say kind of about this front office the way they felt about Jade and Daniels from the beginning dan Quinn, you know, taking over coaching this team to get them here could have such a difference from last.

Year and the year before.

But kind of what does it say about the team they've put together outside the team if that makes sense?

Yeah, No, it's I mean, it's such a different from different from the last three decades early, But yeah, I think I think the biggest piece of it is obviously Jayden Daniels. Having an elite quarterback in this league just feels paramount anymore. You could probably go, you know, pretty far with a very good quarterback, but to go this way, I feel like you need an elite one. And he's going to be elite in year one. I mean, not perfect by any switch, but to be to be doing what he's doing as a rookie is remarkable. And then and they put the right pieces around him, I think got him. Peter's well regarded for his personnel decisions. He's brought in a lot of guys that I think we're less heralded or guys that have been passed up or viewed as washed up. And they've really been a perfect blend of veteran and rookie talent and guys that can mentor the younger players, the guys that can also step in, you know on Mama Sodis like Marcus Mariota has been a big help to Jaden and Coasquin. I feel like he's he's that perfect mentality. He knows how to motivate players, but he also knows how to build the right staff, and that was a lot of what was missing in Washington is having that stuff that you know, it's both X's and those guys, but you know also knows how to develop and motivate. I think there's a psychology the coaching that can often get overlooked, and Quinn has mastered it. So their role and it's fun to watch.

Hey, Nikki, it's the other Nikki. Pleasure to each chat and great name, Love your name.

Girl, I said, working with Nikki today, that's all I do.

So here's the thing. It's been so fun watching Jade and Daniels from Afar and the way it seems that his self belief has become kind of infectious on this team that has you know, you can say it's overachieving or you can say it's they're really rallying to achieve something that nobody saw them capable of. And I guess, just point blank, in your experience being around the team covering Jayden, does he have an like what is it about him?

Yeah, he's he's really unique. I mean he's he's one of the most self aware twenty four year olds I've ever been around in my life, whether athlete or non athlete. Like he understands that's sort of his place. He respects the veteran players, he can get along with everybody in the locker room. He understands the legacy of Doug Williams. And you know, he goes out and explorts DC without you know, creating any distractions. Like he's embraced the city. He knows. He just feels like he's inself and that authenticity I think rubs off a lot, and and the fact that he's he looks like he's having so much fun out there. I think sometimes he gets lost how how fun it is to watch pro athletes really enjoying themselves when out there, because he genuinely loves it. I mean he's smiling after getting crushed on a hit. I mean he's when guys are bickering at midfield, he's talking about posing DB's, you know, just asking how they are.

Like.

He just loves the game, and I think that comes off. And then I think there's also the poise. He never gets rattled, which is remarkable. You don't do that many veterans. He's just always even keeled, he's poised, you know, close games, in the last drives, final two minutes. He's the same guy no matter what. And that's what you need to play this position.

Someone else who looks like he's having a really good time. Finally, is why receiver Terry McLaurin and what has it been like kind of de see. I don't think ascensions the right word, because we always knew how talented he was, but to have the kind of season he's having and it feels like football is fun for him again.

Too, yeah, I think there was probably a lot of print up frustration knowing he could have more production, he could impact games more than he was able to because of you know, the quarterback position, and you know the since he's across the rocks for the coaching staff. Even so you can sense like like both a relief but also a pure joy of just having a quarterback that you can get him the ball and knows what he's doing. So yeah, Terry is one of the happiest people in the offer room these days.

And Nikki, this is another woo woo energy question.

But I mean you talked about the personnel changes within this franchise, but how has the energy shifted in.

Terms of like, is there a levity, is there a focus? Is there a self.

Belief you know that hasn't been associated with the Washington Commander's football brand for the past you know, I guess thirty three years at this point.

Yeah. No, absolutely. I feel like for much of the century when Dan Center was the owner, there was just like a black cloud above the franchise, even when they had you know, the sweeting good moments, you know, win streaks or a good season here and there. I feel like so many people were just waiting for the bottom to fall out, like this is nice, but it'll get bad again. You know, They've cycled through dozens of quarterbacks, had yet to find a true franchise star. So it just it felt where it felt like where a lot of careers went to die, frankly, and like so many good players would end up there and you just didn't hear about them thereafter. But now there's like a real sense of belief and confidence and fun around football again. And this is this is a franchise that used to be one of the market franchises in the NFL, you know, when they won three Super Bowls and then it gets this was one of the top franchises for a while. And so to see it sort of come back to life has been really really cool because they really do have a loyal fan base. The fans have just been put through the ringer with everything through with the team, so you can go. But they've around and now they're you know, reaping the benefits.

Well, I went to Michigan, so I would be remiss if I didn't ask you out another rookie, And please make sure John Kaime knows that I asked you about him. But Vikey Dan Roustill we tease each other all the time about this, but what did.

You see Fermit? I know he is not at a perfect season.

There's been some up and down, but you know his performance in last week's game and his nose for the ball cut. What is his young energy he could bring to this defense.

Yeah, I think he's one of the most impressive players on the SASHA. I just think the fact that he, you know, was a receiver to start a clause career. What's the dB in two years is the MVP? Like I think, you just have to be one heck of an athlete and be the really smart player to be able to make that transition and have such success early on. And they brought him in to be a nickel. They had enery issues, they had performance issues. They said, let's move them outside the corner. Not an easy transition as a rookie, especially when you're already transitioning this filmy things in the NFL. Yeah, there have been some ups and ouns, but he's a playmaker. He comes through when they need them, and he's a very smart player. And there's there's some similarities to Jane Daniel say and that they've a pretty similar mindset, Like he works his butt off, he studies a ton of film and loves the game. And he gets along well with everybody, veteran rookie, every coach you know, like they all love them because they see the work he puts in, they see the talent there. So I think there's like a ton of upside with him. I think he can be a really good corner in this league. I think he's already s done a bunch of improvements. So yeah, he's somebody that could be like a staple other defense for a good bit.

Well, I can think of no better place to end than there. Nikki, thank you so much, have so much fun tomorrow and really appreciate you coming on and talking some commanders with us. We will be back to talk some baseball. This is Fox Sports Radio. We are coming do you Live from the tyraq dot com studios. It is Tracy Sandler and Nikki k filling in for Alex Curry and carmeen Vitally And we are going to end on a little.

Bit of say it and so can we go on for two more hours? We are going to be here for multiple hours. No, just kidding, Sorry, I didn't want to scare everybody. I didn't want to share the producers.

Well, we are going to talk a little baseball, specifically a team in Los Angeles that won the World Series but somehow lost eight million pitchers throughout the season, and so in the off season.

He said, we're gonna now just sign every Bay.

Buckle up and that'll be where we're gonna put on a show and you're all gonna watch while you say ildly by.

But see, that's the thing, and there's been a lot of complaints the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Strong disagree over here. Anybody who knows me knows that. But what are what's everybody else doing? Well?

Jack Flaherty, Dodgers pitcher now free agents himself, he said, a certain team is not ruining baseball.

A lot of other teams are just doing very little.

And it's it's you. You can't blame the Dodgers for taking advantage of the way the system is laid out. Right. They're gonna spend They're gonna take advantage of those contracts where you don't have to pay everything on the front end, and they're going to find players who want to join a winning culture.

That is a thing and that's the thing. I know people get upset, especially in certain areas of the country when people say this, but the Dodgers have created a place where people want to play. And I don't just mean Los Angeles, I mean an organization where people want to play. And would you go into meeting with the Dodgers and the people sitting with you or Mookie Bets and Freddie Freeman and show Heyotani and most importantly Decoy Otani and maybe.

Even a Clayton Kershaw with his sleeves.

Cut off, and maybe maybe you know, maybe that you want to play with these people.

It's having gotten to really experience the closeness and family feel that this team has changed over the past couple of years in the sense that not only was it just big stars, but the guys really bought into one another and this world series meant so much to them this year or this in twenty twenty four, and that internal I think affirmation and winning it is now contagious in terms of joy and loving the game and loving playing for something bigger than themselves. Because in Los Angeles we get a lot of we get a lot of misrepresentation in terms of okay, you know, it's Star Central blah blah blah. But I think the way this franchise is operating now is truly organic from within and it's just fueled by now It's got money back banks behind it too.

Yeah, you have an ownership group that wants to win and will do whatever they have to do to win, and that is the first part of it is true of a lot of ownership groups. But not everybody will spend the money that they need you to win. So that's I don't think that's on the Dodgers. I think that is on other tea memes. Dodgers signed Tanner Scott this week. Roki Susaki, and I bring him up because I brought up decoy earlier. Jeff passed and reported that show Hayes dog de Coyotani was in the room for some of the meetings, maybe the final meeting, and I have to say, that's genius.

I'm going to be honce to you.

If I am in a room with de Coyotani and he puts his paw somewhere, it says that's where I should sign.

I'm signing. Listen, Tracy.

I was in the tunnel ahead of or after the NLCS clinching game against the Mets Okay Dodger Stadium. I saw you. You kind of understand when important people are about to be passing you to go out onto the field, and you got the sense that somewhat important was coming up. I kid you not. Whoever was holding Decoyotani in their hands walk by that dog made eye contact with me and stared into my soul, and I said, I would do anything for you, Decoy.

I am. My level of jealousy right now is very intense. I'm gonna be honest. You too, you too? Can I connect with decoy one day?

Oh?

It is?

It would be a dream come true. I saw a picture of that that woman holding the dog, and I really wanted to know, how.

Do you get that job? Sign me up?

I want sign me up the decoy o Tani job. But Dodgers are probably gonna be pretty unstoppable again this year. They talk about we talked about depth with the the eagle Otani returning to the rotation.

How do you feel about that? Though?

I would say, use it, use it as like the fun the I just very sparingly, don't Can you do that with a picture?

Yeah?

I don't know.

In my head, I was like, we don't, we don't need him in the rotation, and I say we sorry. I have been born and raised in southern California, Yeah, and do have a you know, allegiance to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But do the Dodgers need him in the rotation.

If it were up to me, and it's definitely not. Nobody is going to ask me, but I get to tell you here on the show. If it were up to me, he would just hit. I mean, I think he wants to pitch. He loves pitching, so it'll be interesting to see though if the numbers at the bat go down a little bit because he's pitching. It'll be one interesting to see kind of what happens there, but it is going to be cool to see it. It's something he had a tremendous season. LA has fallen in love with him and he hasn't even pitched yet. But I think there's something we need to talk about that I want our listeners to help with, or Los Angeles Sister listeners, because Asaki said he wants to find the best burger in LA and I don't quite know what to tell him. I have some thoughts, but I feel like as a collective group, we need to help.

Also, he has a dog.

His toy poodle was on his socks for his press sopper.

It's cute.

Okay, wait, give me your where your workshopping burgers from.

It's a really fair question that Benjamin has a great burger, and I'll counter with him in Venice.

Okay, I dive bar cook massive burgers that you just you know the authenticity of a good dive bar burger chef's kiss.

Okay, I'm gonna go with another one, Craigs great burger. But I'm gonna be ansk you, guys.

I love it and out in and out is a hot button topic these dage ers. And it's like it's either people think it's so overrated they can't stand at the car, the frenchise ore gard bar blah blah blah, or people love it. They it's a musket whenever they land here it's okaw.

And I've never been to five guys, so which is I know, kind of shocking. But the good thing is he's got options.

Well, since we talked baseball, before we go your super early World Series prediction for twenty twenty five.

Oh my gosh, let's go.

Dodgers, and oh shoot, who do you.

Have on the other side Yankees?

Why not just because I felt easy to say, all right, you guys, we had a great time with you today.

Thank you for joining us. Uh and don't forget to listen to the Box