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Backslash NFL Welcome to Move the Sticks.

Backslash NFL Welcome to Move the Sticks.

I'm Bucky Brooks and I am here with my man Alz. Lance Zerline is stepping in for Daniel Jeremiah and we're gonna talk all things football today. But before we do it, I got to give a shout out to my guy Agetown putting it down with up Lance.

I'm Bucky Brooks and I am here with my man Alz. Lance Zerline is stepping in for Daniel Jeremiah and we're gonna talk all things football today. But before we do it, I got to give a shout out to my guy Agetown putting it down with up Lance.

I'm just subpacking rusher, just trying to come in and create havoc and disrupt the pocket. That's all I'm trying to do.

I'm just subpacking rusher, just trying to come in and create havoc and disrupt the pocket. That's all I'm trying to do.

Well.

Well.

I love that we can call you anytime, just like Mike Jones. I can't pay you one hundred K to come and for the show, but I appreciate that in Agetown, y'all steal respect.

I love that we can call you anytime, just like Mike Jones. I can't pay you one hundred K to come and for the show, but I appreciate that in Agetown, y'all steal respect.

Mike Jones like that.

Mike Jones like that.

And I look, I respect the fact that I'm able to bring you on a week and talk all of these things, and so what we want to talk today, we want to talk about.

And I look, I respect the fact that I'm able to bring you on a week and talk all of these things, and so what we want to talk today, we want to talk about.

How hot Ben Johnson is. He is the flavor of the month when it comes to the head coaching search. We're gonna talk about game of the week, the Green Bay Packers taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.

How hot Ben Johnson is. He is the flavor of the month when it comes to the head coaching search. We're gonna talk about game of the week, the Green Bay Packers taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.

I think we'll talk about a little bit about this college football playoff, the semi finals, and who you expect to move on after the weekend is over. But let's talk about it. Let's talk about Ben Johnson. Ben Johnson is hot. Everyone loves him. He's certainly been putting on the show with the Lions. They lead the NFL and like points per game thirty three point two points per game break second and total yards for game with four nine point five.

I think we'll talk about a little bit about this college football playoff, the semi finals, and who you expect to move on after the weekend is over. But let's talk about it. Let's talk about Ben Johnson. Ben Johnson is hot. Everyone loves him. He's certainly been putting on the show with the Lions. They lead the NFL and like points per game thirty three point two points per game break second and total yards for game with four nine point five.

He has scheduled to interview with the Raiders, the Patriots, the Bears, and then the Jaguars snuck in.

He has scheduled to interview with the Raiders, the Patriots, the Bears, and then the Jaguars snuck in.

One, tell me what you think about Ben Johnson, the job that he's done with Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions. And two, why do you believe so many people are hot on his tail?

One, tell me what you think about Ben Johnson, the job that he's done with Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions. And two, why do you believe so many people are hot on his tail?

Well, I mean everyone's I'm going to reverse order, I mean everyone's hot on his on his scent, because look at what he's done for the renaissance of Jared Goff over the last couple of years, it's been unbelievable.

Well, I mean everyone's I'm going to reverse order, I mean everyone's hot on his on his scent, because look at what he's done for the renaissance of Jared Goff over the last couple of years, it's been unbelievable.

And you remember Bucky you there in Los Angeles, people are done with him.

And you remember Bucky you there in Los Angeles, people are done with him.

With the Rams, it started off with that bad game in the Super Bowl, had no momentum.

With the Rams, it started off with that bad game in the Super Bowl, had no momentum.

The next year people were done. They brought Matthew Stafford.

The next year people were done. They brought Matthew Stafford.

In and it was like, man, what a you know, what a what an unbelievable move for LA But it turns out that it was a great move for Detroit as well. And a lot of that has to go I think to to I'm gonna get to Brad Holmes in a second, but a lot of it goes to Ben Johnson. I think Ben Johnson did a fantastic job of recognizing what his quarterback did best, and then over time, once the personnel came in and I don't know how much you know, input he had on Gibbs for example, or not, I would imagine a decent amount he was able to, I think, work with Brad Holmes and start picking up different pieces that made the most And that's and you know, to me, he's he's a brilliant play caller.

In and it was like, man, what a you know, what a what an unbelievable move for LA But it turns out that it was a great move for Detroit as well. And a lot of that has to go I think to to I'm gonna get to Brad Holmes in a second, but a lot of it goes to Ben Johnson. I think Ben Johnson did a fantastic job of recognizing what his quarterback did best, and then over time, once the personnel came in and I don't know how much you know, input he had on Gibbs for example, or not, I would imagine a decent amount he was able to, I think, work with Brad Holmes and start picking up different pieces that made the most And that's and you know, to me, he's he's a brilliant play caller.

You never know what he's going to do. He keeps you, he keeps he keeps the game loose.

You never know what he's going to do. He keeps you, he keeps he keeps the game loose.

I mean, he's got more trick plays than anybody I've ever seen in the NFL. A lot of times we feel like, you know, that's a Dan Campbell. You see that and you think, man, that's Dan Campbell riverboat. But it's Ben Johnson calling the plays and designing those plays. So I think there's a lot of that. But Bucky might.

I mean, he's got more trick plays than anybody I've ever seen in the NFL. A lot of times we feel like, you know, that's a Dan Campbell. You see that and you think, man, that's Dan Campbell riverboat. But it's Ben Johnson calling the plays and designing those plays. So I think there's a lot of that. But Bucky might.

You know, there's no question why he's hot.

You know, there's no question why he's hot.

I mean, he's gotten the most out of an offense, He's got the most out of his quarterback.

I mean, he's gotten the most out of an offense, He's got the most out of his quarterback.

But the tricky part is when you have to say, Okay, who is this guy as a head coach. It's one thing to be a great play caller.

But the tricky part is when you have to say, Okay, who is this guy as a head coach. It's one thing to be a great play caller.

It's one thing to be a great defensive coordinator like Robert Solo was, but it's another when you have to take over and lead an organization. And you know, I didn't think Mike Frable was the best coordinator when he was with the Houston Texans, for example. US coaching material though, so you know, I mean he's made to be a head coach. He may not be made to be a coordinator. Some guys are made to be coordinators and maybe not head coaches. You know, I think we're still finding out what might be Daniel right now? How's that gonna? They got some turmoil oil? And so it's easy to do it when you're doing well, but when the adversity sets in, how do you handle it? And now you've got to figure out with Ben Johnson, how does he operate independent of Dan Campbell, independent of Brad Holmes, making personnel decisions, independent of all of the talent that has been aggregated over these last few years. Nobody's going to be as good without those elements. But if you're a real one, then eventually the cream rises to the top. And I think figuring out who the real ones are versus who the good coordinators are, I don't.

It's one thing to be a great defensive coordinator like Robert Solo was, but it's another when you have to take over and lead an organization. And you know, I didn't think Mike Frable was the best coordinator when he was with the Houston Texans, for example. US coaching material though, so you know, I mean he's made to be a head coach. He may not be made to be a coordinator. Some guys are made to be coordinators and maybe not head coaches. You know, I think we're still finding out what might be Daniel right now? How's that gonna? They got some turmoil oil? And so it's easy to do it when you're doing well, but when the adversity sets in, how do you handle it? And now you've got to figure out with Ben Johnson, how does he operate independent of Dan Campbell, independent of Brad Holmes, making personnel decisions, independent of all of the talent that has been aggregated over these last few years. Nobody's going to be as good without those elements. But if you're a real one, then eventually the cream rises to the top. And I think figuring out who the real ones are versus who the good coordinators are, I don't.

Know how you do it.

Know how you do it.

I mean, I think you just have to have a feel and as an organization when you interview, and you have to have guys who know how to read situations and kind of like feel out personalities in the in their interviewing process.

I mean, I think you just have to have a feel and as an organization when you interview, and you have to have guys who know how to read situations and kind of like feel out personalities in the in their interviewing process.

Have you ever been involved in a coaching interview?

Have you ever been involved in a coaching interview?

Have you ever sat in been in a room where somebody was being interviewed and you had to and you kind of were trying to read the person in a short period of time like a card game.

Have you ever sat in been in a room where somebody was being interviewed and you had to and you kind of were trying to read the person in a short period of time like a card game.

No.

No.

No, not at a high level in terms of like understanding the interviewing process and head coaches and those things. But what I can tell you know, I'll do this and just so everyone kind of understands, like point of reference. So, uh, doing my journey in Nation Football League, of the five coaches once a Hall of Famer Marty Schottenhammer, three were Super Bowl winners Mike Holmgren, Tom Coughlin, John Gruden, and then the fourth, I mean the fifth was Marty Schottenhamer who went two hundred wins. And so when I kind of compare head coaches to like that compilation of guys that were in front of the room, the one thing that those guys were they were extremely consistent. They were detailed, and they were disciplinarians when it came to the little things. And so they created a culture of accountability and so everyone always knew what the standards were and where the lines were when it came to what you needed to do, and if you didn't do that, then you're putting yourself in jeopardy in terms of being on the team. I think the hard thing to do is to look at someone who's a coordinator and project out how they're going to be as a head coach, because head coaching has nothing to do with being a coordinator. Coordinator, you're responsible for unit, but really you're a play caller. You're this guy is trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. As the head coach, you are really managing people, and you're also the biggest problem solver. And sometimes as a coordinator, you may not have to answer or solve some of the problems that exist on other parts of the team because you're just responsible for your unit. And everyone that is a great play caller isn't comfortable with the confrontation that comes with being the head coach. What I would also kind of warn people, and I will use Ben Johnson as the example, but would make this point. So, Ben Johnson is a great play caller, but Ben Johnson has a lot of weapons and toys to play with.

No, not at a high level in terms of like understanding the interviewing process and head coaches and those things. But what I can tell you know, I'll do this and just so everyone kind of understands, like point of reference. So, uh, doing my journey in Nation Football League, of the five coaches once a Hall of Famer Marty Schottenhammer, three were Super Bowl winners Mike Holmgren, Tom Coughlin, John Gruden, and then the fourth, I mean the fifth was Marty Schottenhamer who went two hundred wins. And so when I kind of compare head coaches to like that compilation of guys that were in front of the room, the one thing that those guys were they were extremely consistent. They were detailed, and they were disciplinarians when it came to the little things. And so they created a culture of accountability and so everyone always knew what the standards were and where the lines were when it came to what you needed to do, and if you didn't do that, then you're putting yourself in jeopardy in terms of being on the team. I think the hard thing to do is to look at someone who's a coordinator and project out how they're going to be as a head coach, because head coaching has nothing to do with being a coordinator. Coordinator, you're responsible for unit, but really you're a play caller. You're this guy is trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. As the head coach, you are really managing people, and you're also the biggest problem solver. And sometimes as a coordinator, you may not have to answer or solve some of the problems that exist on other parts of the team because you're just responsible for your unit. And everyone that is a great play caller isn't comfortable with the confrontation that comes with being the head coach. What I would also kind of warn people, and I will use Ben Johnson as the example, but would make this point. So, Ben Johnson is a great play caller, but Ben Johnson has a lot of weapons and toys to play with.

They have arguably the best offensive line in football. They have a former number of work pick at quarterback in Jerry Golf.

They have arguably the best offensive line in football. They have a former number of work pick at quarterback in Jerry Golf.

They have a first round running back and Jamior Gibbs who everyone slept on. But you can see the closeness when he was at Georgia Tech and Alabama. You didn't think about the receivers on the outside, Amaras Saint Brown, who was underrated in the draft process, Sam la Port who was the second round pick, Jameson Williams was the first round pick. I mean, they have empty the clip when it came to surrounding the quarterback and the play caller with the best of the best, you take him out that environment, is he going to be able to do the same things somewhere else that doesn't have that setup. So that's the part where you're trying to separate the play caller from the guy that is able to really benefit from all the weapons that he had, because if you're not able to replicate exactly what he has, there's no guarantee that he's going to be the same guy that he's been probably's been in Detroit.

They have a first round running back and Jamior Gibbs who everyone slept on. But you can see the closeness when he was at Georgia Tech and Alabama. You didn't think about the receivers on the outside, Amaras Saint Brown, who was underrated in the draft process, Sam la Port who was the second round pick, Jameson Williams was the first round pick. I mean, they have empty the clip when it came to surrounding the quarterback and the play caller with the best of the best, you take him out that environment, is he going to be able to do the same things somewhere else that doesn't have that setup. So that's the part where you're trying to separate the play caller from the guy that is able to really benefit from all the weapons that he had, because if you're not able to replicate exactly what he has, there's no guarantee that he's going to be the same guy that he's been probably's been in Detroit.

Yeah, And I think a big part of it is, I mean, look, you're you're really only as good as a quarterback. You can be only so good, but eventually, if you don't get the quarterback right, you just you can't stick around because you can't win.

Yeah, And I think a big part of it is, I mean, look, you're you're really only as good as a quarterback. You can be only so good, but eventually, if you don't get the quarterback right, you just you can't stick around because you can't win.

We know that.

We know that.

It's why teams make drastic decisions around quarterbacks. My guy over in Indianapolis is fighting and scrap because you know, he had Andrew Luck. Just shut it down. He went there, he had Andrew Luck and all of a sudden he didn't. And you see what happens, like you get caught up in this. Do we play to win? Do we do we take a step back and try to develop a quarterback? What if we win too many games? We you know, we're not in position to draft quarterbacks. It's a tricky tricky road, the quarterback situation. So wherever been I think wherever Ben Johnson. You know, when Ballard made that decision to go to Indianapolis, one of the things that appealed to him was he had a quarterback until he did in his second year, and so or his third year, I guess. So you know, even his first year, he didn't realize how beat up Andrew Luck was and didn't realize he wasn't going to have that year, and he thought the best thing is is to get Andrew Luck right. So let's just set them all year, get them physically right. If you're Ben Johnson and you're making decisions like you know, you look at the Jets, the roster looks good in many regards, but at quarterback you're empty right now, realistically, right you look at Caleb Williams and then Ben Johnson's got to go back. And this is why Bucky I remember asking this question of some scouts years ago, and actually some front office people.

It's why teams make drastic decisions around quarterbacks. My guy over in Indianapolis is fighting and scrap because you know, he had Andrew Luck. Just shut it down. He went there, he had Andrew Luck and all of a sudden he didn't. And you see what happens, like you get caught up in this. Do we play to win? Do we do we take a step back and try to develop a quarterback? What if we win too many games? We you know, we're not in position to draft quarterbacks. It's a tricky tricky road, the quarterback situation. So wherever been I think wherever Ben Johnson. You know, when Ballard made that decision to go to Indianapolis, one of the things that appealed to him was he had a quarterback until he did in his second year, and so or his third year, I guess. So you know, even his first year, he didn't realize how beat up Andrew Luck was and didn't realize he wasn't going to have that year, and he thought the best thing is is to get Andrew Luck right. So let's just set them all year, get them physically right. If you're Ben Johnson and you're making decisions like you know, you look at the Jets, the roster looks good in many regards, but at quarterback you're empty right now, realistically, right you look at Caleb Williams and then Ben Johnson's got to go back. And this is why Bucky I remember asking this question of some scouts years ago, and actually some front office people.

Why do you guys spend a lot of time?

Why do you guys spend a lot of time?

Why are you interviewing players who are not You don't have a need at quarterback, you don't have a need.

Why are you interviewing players who are not You don't have a need at quarterback, you don't have a need.

A wide receiver. Why are you interviewing him?

A wide receiver. Why are you interviewing him?

And the answer was simple, Hey, there's always free agency. Maybe this guy busts out and we want to look at him down the road. But if you're Ben Johnson and or you're an offensive coordinator that has or a defense coordinator that's got a shot to elevate to a head coaching role, I would imagine you want to talk to as many of these guys as possible, especially quarterbacks, because you look at Ben Johnson now, and he's got to look at Caleb Williams. He's going to look at the Tennessee situation like, you know, not great over there. You don't have your GM in place right now, You're gonna look at is Drake.

And the answer was simple, Hey, there's always free agency. Maybe this guy busts out and we want to look at him down the road. But if you're Ben Johnson and or you're an offensive coordinator that has or a defense coordinator that's got a shot to elevate to a head coaching role, I would imagine you want to talk to as many of these guys as possible, especially quarterbacks, because you look at Ben Johnson now, and he's got to look at Caleb Williams. He's going to look at the Tennessee situation like, you know, not great over there. You don't have your GM in place right now, You're gonna look at is Drake.

May that guy.

May that guy.

So if he did his work on Caleb Williams and Drake May I don't know that he did a deep dive. If he did, he's already got opinions on those guys. And that's important because your job's going to be tied to your quarterback.

So if he did his work on Caleb Williams and Drake May I don't know that he did a deep dive. If he did, he's already got opinions on those guys. And that's important because your job's going to be tied to your quarterback.

Yeah, it is, and that's why it's also interesting that the Jags are on the list. Obviously I'm tied to the jack So knowing that team, well, a lot of it will depend on For Ben Johnson, we talk.

Yeah, it is, and that's why it's also interesting that the Jags are on the list. Obviously I'm tied to the jack So knowing that team, well, a lot of it will depend on For Ben Johnson, we talk.

About quarterback and quarterback being that critical piece.

About quarterback and quarterback being that critical piece.

What's his opinion of Trevor Lawrence and coming off a situation where he just did a rehab project with Jered Goff, does he feel like he could orchestrate a similar deal with Trevor Lawrence. Look at it, assess it, say oh, if we just fixed this and that we have a quarterback that can play at the top five, top ten level, and that will be enough with the rest of the roster to get us over the hump.

What's his opinion of Trevor Lawrence and coming off a situation where he just did a rehab project with Jered Goff, does he feel like he could orchestrate a similar deal with Trevor Lawrence. Look at it, assess it, say oh, if we just fixed this and that we have a quarterback that can play at the top five, top ten level, and that will be enough with the rest of the roster to get us over the hump.

Because one thing that we're seeing in the league now, the.

Because one thing that we're seeing in the league now, the.

Patience is definitely not there for head coaches and you can try and trick it when it comes to getting contract extensions, and all that. But we're even seeing, particularly on the gym side, where Ran Carthurin has just signed an extension with four editions of years. That contract doesn't matter. People are pay to get out of it. They don't care. You have to be able to jump into place and win right away while you're rebuilding. Ben Johnson has to be able to do that. And that's why I would say the most important part of the Ben Johnson question, it's not only like the play calling and that stuff, is who's coming with him in terms of his staff and if he has the juice where he's gonna bring a personnel man with him, who's coming with him to reenact or recreate what they did in Detroit? Because everyone wants a little bit of that sauce. Right, It looks fun in Detroit, tough and they're grizzled and when you look at war Feel, you see how the environment is, so everyone wants to recreate that. But for Ben Johnson, who are the people he can bring with him to recreate what has been so successful in Detroit.

Patience is definitely not there for head coaches and you can try and trick it when it comes to getting contract extensions, and all that. But we're even seeing, particularly on the gym side, where Ran Carthurin has just signed an extension with four editions of years. That contract doesn't matter. People are pay to get out of it. They don't care. You have to be able to jump into place and win right away while you're rebuilding. Ben Johnson has to be able to do that. And that's why I would say the most important part of the Ben Johnson question, it's not only like the play calling and that stuff, is who's coming with him in terms of his staff and if he has the juice where he's gonna bring a personnel man with him, who's coming with him to reenact or recreate what they did in Detroit? Because everyone wants a little bit of that sauce. Right, It looks fun in Detroit, tough and they're grizzled and when you look at war Feel, you see how the environment is, so everyone wants to recreate that. But for Ben Johnson, who are the people he can bring with him to recreate what has been so successful in Detroit.

Yeah, it's some of that. Bucky's ownership too.

Yeah, it's some of that. Bucky's ownership too.

Like you just talked about patients, Hey, impatient ownership is the number one culprit when it comes to keeping a team in flux and havoc and.

Like you just talked about patients, Hey, impatient ownership is the number one culprit when it comes to keeping a team in flux and havoc and.

Understanding who your ownership is and.

Understanding who your ownership is and.

Feeling like, you know, will this person support me, Will they have the faith? Will they have the patience to tune out the noise, because there's gonna be noise. If you're not successful, there's gonna be noise. If you're successful, there's noise. The Houston Texans are in the playoffs. They won a division for the second time in a row. The offense, you know, took a little step back this year. Fans in Houston want Ben Slow, want Bobby Slowing the offense coordinator. There's a huge contingency of fans who want him gone. Just fire the play car if you don't like the way things are going. This is all the hottest prospects in the coaching carousel. Last year a guy who got CJ. Stroud looking good. The offense was looking good. This year, the protection is not as good. CJ regresses a slow. It doesn't have the same feel, whatever the case may be. Instead of it being, you know, it's just a down year. Let's see what happens in year three. You got people want to say, let's go get rid of it's out. Let's go to the next one, on to the next one. And you have to have ownership. Who doesn't listen, who tunes out social media, tunes out talk shows, tunes out the podcasts, and who is bought in with the building, Like the building has to be moving in a direction that is independent from any outside noise. And that seems easy, but I think it's increasingly harder and harder with the amplification of all of these voices now that are typically a lot more negative. When you're not doing well, it's hard to have. We're a microwave society, man, so a guy like bench, you know. So on one hand, we're microwave society. Bobby Slock is not a hot prospect anymore. It took one year and now he's kind of rebuild himself. But it's also a microwave society, and we'll get rid of you quick. You know what you can You can get there fast. You can become a hot name fast, but you can become cold fast. And they, like you said with Rand Carton, with Jared Mayo, with with a lot of these guys, now these teams are ownership groups, are just saying we don't think you're the right guy onto the next one.

Feeling like, you know, will this person support me, Will they have the faith? Will they have the patience to tune out the noise, because there's gonna be noise. If you're not successful, there's gonna be noise. If you're successful, there's noise. The Houston Texans are in the playoffs. They won a division for the second time in a row. The offense, you know, took a little step back this year. Fans in Houston want Ben Slow, want Bobby Slowing the offense coordinator. There's a huge contingency of fans who want him gone. Just fire the play car if you don't like the way things are going. This is all the hottest prospects in the coaching carousel. Last year a guy who got CJ. Stroud looking good. The offense was looking good. This year, the protection is not as good. CJ regresses a slow. It doesn't have the same feel, whatever the case may be. Instead of it being, you know, it's just a down year. Let's see what happens in year three. You got people want to say, let's go get rid of it's out. Let's go to the next one, on to the next one. And you have to have ownership. Who doesn't listen, who tunes out social media, tunes out talk shows, tunes out the podcasts, and who is bought in with the building, Like the building has to be moving in a direction that is independent from any outside noise. And that seems easy, but I think it's increasingly harder and harder with the amplification of all of these voices now that are typically a lot more negative. When you're not doing well, it's hard to have. We're a microwave society, man, so a guy like bench, you know. So on one hand, we're microwave society. Bobby Slock is not a hot prospect anymore. It took one year and now he's kind of rebuild himself. But it's also a microwave society, and we'll get rid of you quick. You know what you can You can get there fast. You can become a hot name fast, but you can become cold fast. And they, like you said with Rand Carton, with Jared Mayo, with with a lot of these guys, now these teams are ownership groups, are just saying we don't think you're the right guy onto the next one.

And I mean it's good for it's.

And I mean it's good for it's.

Great if you got a big contract, you're chilling for three or four years, But no one wants to do that.

Great if you got a big contract, you're chilling for three or four years, But no one wants to do that.

Rand don't want to just sit and Lance will.

Rand don't want to just sit and Lance will.

I will, but I'm me and Rand are probably built different, so I'm sure he wants to still be out there grinding and doing that.

I will, but I'm me and Rand are probably built different, so I'm sure he wants to still be out there grinding and doing that.

But if you want to mess.

But if you want to mess.

Around and write me off, of scratch me off for a three or four year deal and to get rid of me, I mean, let me know.

Around and write me off, of scratch me off for a three or four year deal and to get rid of me, I mean, let me know.

But no, I feel bad for those guys.

But no, I feel bad for those guys.

I feel bad for dry Mail, But I also understand that Elliott Wolf and and Roberts guys, and so Manzo high Smith. They like, if you're with the quarterback or a head coach Bucky that you don't think is the right guy.

I feel bad for dry Mail, But I also understand that Elliott Wolf and and Roberts guys, and so Manzo high Smith. They like, if you're with the quarterback or a head coach Bucky that you don't think is the right guy.

The longer you wait, the more your job is potentially in danger.

The longer you wait, the more your job is potentially in danger.

Yeah, you wasting time.

Yeah, you wasting time.

And you know, the common denominator is really the quarterback and the quarterback play.

And you know, the common denominator is really the quarterback and the quarterback play.

We've seen it.

We've seen it.

So girod Mayo has the young quarterback, but then ownership feels like, man, we need to make sure we give the young quarterback what he needs to flourish and we can build the rest of the team around the guy that's really linked in with the quarterback. We're also seeing the failures and look, let's be real, Ballot Ballet went all in on Anthony Richardson, right, and so now they gonna hit a crossroads, you know, this offseason. They have to make a decision because Shane Stakeen and Chris Ballat, they have their jobs on the line. Do they continue to believe in Anthony Richardson or do they go and get someone or hand the ball to Joe Flacco Right now, I say, Joe, I need you to get us. We need to get to the play so then we can get the extension kind of build it the way that we want.

So girod Mayo has the young quarterback, but then ownership feels like, man, we need to make sure we give the young quarterback what he needs to flourish and we can build the rest of the team around the guy that's really linked in with the quarterback. We're also seeing the failures and look, let's be real, Ballot Ballet went all in on Anthony Richardson, right, and so now they gonna hit a crossroads, you know, this offseason. They have to make a decision because Shane Stakeen and Chris Ballat, they have their jobs on the line. Do they continue to believe in Anthony Richardson or do they go and get someone or hand the ball to Joe Flacco Right now, I say, Joe, I need you to get us. We need to get to the play so then we can get the extension kind of build it the way that we want.

But that is a legitimate thing. And if you don't have a quarterback.

But that is a legitimate thing. And if you don't have a quarterback.

And I do wonder this because and I'm not being Debbie Downer when.

And I do wonder this because and I'm not being Debbie Downer when.

I say this, but hey man, the.

I say this, but hey man, the.

Way Cayley Williams look this year, beyond the numbers, I'm not saying he's a coach killer, but I have some concerns about it because the perception is that he's going to be Pat Mahomes two point oh. He's the guy that whatever, and the coaches are messing in him up. Lance, I'm just concerned that maybe he's not what many of us thought he was going to be when he came into the.

Way Cayley Williams look this year, beyond the numbers, I'm not saying he's a coach killer, but I have some concerns about it because the perception is that he's going to be Pat Mahomes two point oh. He's the guy that whatever, and the coaches are messing in him up. Lance, I'm just concerned that maybe he's not what many of us thought he was going to be when he came into the.

National Football League.

National Football League.

I am too.

I am too.

I have my concerns with the draft me. You can read in my profile. The tape did not look like all the generational stuff I had heard. You know, That's why used in generational. We got to stop like I used it. I probably used it Lawrence, but I thought I actually had one, and I'm very hesitant to use that phrase. But we got to stop throwing the word generational out there for all that like, there was nothing generational about Caleb Williams take.

I have my concerns with the draft me. You can read in my profile. The tape did not look like all the generational stuff I had heard. You know, That's why used in generational. We got to stop like I used it. I probably used it Lawrence, but I thought I actually had one, and I'm very hesitant to use that phrase. But we got to stop throwing the word generational out there for all that like, there was nothing generational about Caleb Williams take.

He made nice plays, but he also hung out of the ball too long, did not throw at the anticipation.

He made nice plays, but he also hung out of the ball too long, did not throw at the anticipation.

There was a lot of football stuff that we already knew if you've done this long enough and you have Bucky. There's certain things that take a lot longer to coach out of a player, especially quarterbacks. So you know, with offensive linemen it can be you know, lunging, it could be different things with outside hands, with your punch.

There was a lot of football stuff that we already knew if you've done this long enough and you have Bucky. There's certain things that take a lot longer to coach out of a player, especially quarterbacks. So you know, with offensive linemen it can be you know, lunging, it could be different things with outside hands, with your punch.

I mean, every position has things that takes.

I mean, every position has things that takes.

Longer to coach out of you, and for quarterbacks, unfortunately, those can be the toughest because you're under such duress. And so the generational tag all that did. All that did was put it in. I don't think the Bears necessarily thought he was generational, but that tag is out there, and now Bears fans have these expectations, and like you said, it feeds into a negative concept.

Longer to coach out of you, and for quarterbacks, unfortunately, those can be the toughest because you're under such duress. And so the generational tag all that did. All that did was put it in. I don't think the Bears necessarily thought he was generational, but that tag is out there, and now Bears fans have these expectations, and like you said, it feeds into a negative concept.

I think, you know, based on what I saw from Caleb, there's a lot of things.

I think, you know, based on what I saw from Caleb, there's a lot of things.

I still like a lot about Caleb, but I also thought it was going to be a process for him to break some of those bad hats. Jayden Daniels I thought had the best tape any quarterback last year. It translated he didn't both oh Nicks had second best tape of anybody.

I still like a lot about Caleb, but I also thought it was going to be a process for him to break some of those bad hats. Jayden Daniels I thought had the best tape any quarterback last year. It translated he didn't both oh Nicks had second best tape of anybody.

But then I got a little scared when I saw him a senior ball. I was thought, hey, it's not as great there.

But then I got a little scared when I saw him a senior ball. I was thought, hey, it's not as great there.

He didn't feel like he had the same juice on the field watching him throw at the combine. But also in the back of my mind thought, man, if he could somehow get with Sean Payton, they would be a perfect match. And I just didn't think it could happen because of the draft picks. I just thought they got no second round pick. Seawan's not going to take him this early, so Bo Nicks, you know, won't, won't go to that team, and then he did, and then Michael Pennix went early. And so now you know, now everyone's job is on the line because every one of those guys is playing now. And Will Levis, you know, did did he put he was a second round he was the second round picker?

He didn't feel like he had the same juice on the field watching him throw at the combine. But also in the back of my mind thought, man, if he could somehow get with Sean Payton, they would be a perfect match. And I just didn't think it could happen because of the draft picks. I just thought they got no second round pick. Seawan's not going to take him this early, so Bo Nicks, you know, won't, won't go to that team, and then he did, and then Michael Pennix went early. And so now you know, now everyone's job is on the line because every one of those guys is playing now. And Will Levis, you know, did did he put he was a second round he was the second round picker?

Did that? Did he kill ran carthin Is?

Did that? Did he kill ran carthin Is?

You know Ballard with Ballard had to make this move, he had to do something a quarterback, so he went Richardson. But Richardson is a development It always was a developmental prospect with high upside traits, but a lot of work to be done. And then they lost almost his entire rookie year to an injury, so you didn't get that development in the first year.

You know Ballard with Ballard had to make this move, he had to do something a quarterback, so he went Richardson. But Richardson is a development It always was a developmental prospect with high upside traits, but a lot of work to be done. And then they lost almost his entire rookie year to an injury, so you didn't get that development in the first year.

I mean, man, these quarterbacks, it makes me nervous. Is talking about this. I'm like, man, well it does.

I mean, man, these quarterbacks, it makes me nervous. Is talking about this. I'm like, man, well it does.

But I think here's the lesson to be learned.

But I think here's the lesson to be learned.

Right, So we can talk about Will Levis being a second round quarterback. I mean you can even talk about like Brock Perdy being a seventh rounder, Like we can talk about value and it's a great find in all this, but at the end of the day, Lance, no one cares whoever you try to under center. They are judging him based on is he a franchise quarterback or not. And so as a decision maker team building, you're almost better that if you don't like your guy in the first round, don't waste your time getting someone else. Just pun on it, find a veteran because no matter who you put in. We saw in Atlanta with Desmond Ritter. You've seen it and time again, like if you don't find the right guy early, they're going to move on. And it's one of those things that I love the draft process, but we end up doing our sales a disservice by.

Right, So we can talk about Will Levis being a second round quarterback. I mean you can even talk about like Brock Perdy being a seventh rounder, Like we can talk about value and it's a great find in all this, but at the end of the day, Lance, no one cares whoever you try to under center. They are judging him based on is he a franchise quarterback or not. And so as a decision maker team building, you're almost better that if you don't like your guy in the first round, don't waste your time getting someone else. Just pun on it, find a veteran because no matter who you put in. We saw in Atlanta with Desmond Ritter. You've seen it and time again, like if you don't find the right guy early, they're going to move on. And it's one of those things that I love the draft process, but we end up doing our sales a disservice by.

Taking some of these developmental guys.

Taking some of these developmental guys.

And that's absolutely And you know, Indianapolis was caught in a spot where they had gone older quarterback, older quarterback, older quarterback. And I remember asking Chris Ballad on the floor of the combine he was he was looking at Richardson and he made a comment about, you know, how talented he was or just you know, he'd made some throws.

And that's absolutely And you know, Indianapolis was caught in a spot where they had gone older quarterback, older quarterback, older quarterback. And I remember asking Chris Ballad on the floor of the combine he was he was looking at Richardson and he made a comment about, you know, how talented he was or just you know, he'd made some throws.

And I said, but you can't possibly take him. You got to win, and he made a comment that I had a lot of respect for.

And I said, but you can't possibly take him. You got to win, and he made a comment that I had a lot of respect for.

He said, I'm going to do whatever I think is best for the Colts, and if I get fired, I get fired. But I gotta make moves that I think for So even if a guy takes two or three years and I'm not still here, if it's best for mister ursay and it's best for the Colts, and we develop it and he becomes a good player even after I'm gone, then that's that's what my job is to do.

He said, I'm going to do whatever I think is best for the Colts, and if I get fired, I get fired. But I gotta make moves that I think for So even if a guy takes two or three years and I'm not still here, if it's best for mister ursay and it's best for the Colts, and we develop it and he becomes a good player even after I'm gone, then that's that's what my job is to do.

And you want your.

And you want your.

General managers not trying to cover their own asses, but as head coaches, you want them trying to make moves that are best for the organization. But when you're firing these guys so fast, how do you not run? You know, how do you not operate in cya mode? And another point that you made about quarterbacks and interesting trend is I think developing and it speaks to what you're talking about. The second round is becoming like that's a dead round for quarterbacks. If you if a guy thinks, if a team thinks you can be a quarterback, we're taking you in one.

General managers not trying to cover their own asses, but as head coaches, you want them trying to make moves that are best for the organization. But when you're firing these guys so fast, how do you not run? You know, how do you not operate in cya mode? And another point that you made about quarterbacks and interesting trend is I think developing and it speaks to what you're talking about. The second round is becoming like that's a dead round for quarterbacks. If you if a guy thinks, if a team thinks you can be a quarterback, we're taking you in one.

And if we don't think your.

And if we don't think your.

Face of the franchise and we don't think you're a franchise. We're taking you in three. And the Kindy picket.

Face of the franchise and we don't think you're a franchise. We're taking you in three. And the Kindy picket.

Draft was one guy in the first and everyone else went in the.

Draft was one guy in the first and everyone else went in the.

Three Matt Corral, Desmond Ritter, Malik Willis, they don't even mess with the second round on quarterbacks. And I get it because guess what, you still get fired off a second round quarterback.

Three Matt Corral, Desmond Ritter, Malik Willis, they don't even mess with the second round on quarterbacks. And I get it because guess what, you still get fired off a second round quarterback.

You still second round still have that juice. It will get you fired where third rounders are like, eh, they're backups.

You still second round still have that juice. It will get you fired where third rounders are like, eh, they're backups.

They're backups and maybe we scratch off a lottery ticket and get lucky.

They're backups and maybe we scratch off a lottery ticket and get lucky.

Yeah, it's the promise of it is literally the draft position kind of sets you up to fail if you don't hit it on the breakout.

Yeah, it's the promise of it is literally the draft position kind of sets you up to fail if you don't hit it on the breakout.

So let's take a break. Lance. When we come back, we will preview the game of the week.

So let's take a break. Lance. When we come back, we will preview the game of the week.

All right, it's time for Game of the Week, presented by Draft Kings Sportsbook. This week it's the Green Bay Packers taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. The spread is minus four and a half favorite the Eagles the over unders forty five.

All right, it's time for Game of the Week, presented by Draft Kings Sportsbook. This week it's the Green Bay Packers taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. The spread is minus four and a half favorite the Eagles the over unders forty five.

And a half.

And a half.

And Lance, we just spent that first segment talking about quarterbacks and quarterback play and those things, and.

And Lance, we just spent that first segment talking about quarterbacks and quarterback play and those things, and.

Here we have two quarterbacks. If Jalen Hurst plays that are.

Here we have two quarterbacks. If Jalen Hurst plays that are.

Really intriguing, really been developed in different ways, but they're really.

Really intriguing, really been developed in different ways, but they're really.

Critical to both team's success.

Critical to both team's success.

When we talk about the Philadelphia Eagles and the running game and all the different things that they bring, look they bring to the table. What stands out to you about the Eagles in this contest and what they got to get done on offense?

When we talk about the Philadelphia Eagles and the running game and all the different things that they bring, look they bring to the table. What stands out to you about the Eagles in this contest and what they got to get done on offense?

Well, I think the Eagles for me has been you know, the play of Quinnon Mitchell so raggedy in the secondary last year in pass pro, and he's really added to see a rookie ad that element of stability on the back end. I think that's that's a big part of it. But I mean it starts in the ends with Saquon Barkley. This has been the year of the running back and maybe no one more my draft grades. I joked that my draft grades are looking a whole lot better this year, Bucky on guys like Sam Darnald, Like, oh see, maybe I wasn't wrong on Sam Donald.

Well, I think the Eagles for me has been you know, the play of Quinnon Mitchell so raggedy in the secondary last year in pass pro, and he's really added to see a rookie ad that element of stability on the back end. I think that's that's a big part of it. But I mean it starts in the ends with Saquon Barkley. This has been the year of the running back and maybe no one more my draft grades. I joked that my draft grades are looking a whole lot better this year, Bucky on guys like Sam Darnald, Like, oh see, maybe I wasn't wrong on Sam Donald.

You know they took about five years, six years, Oh maybe I wasn't. You know Saquon.

You know they took about five years, six years, Oh maybe I wasn't. You know Saquon.

I had this unbelievably high grade on Saquon and we didn't see it ever. Materialize in the Giants, but you see it this year. So I think the addition of that big time running back and Saquon Barkley takes a tremendous amount of pressure off of Hurts, off of the play caller, off of the team to generate, to find a way to generate offense. When Hurts isn't throwing the ball. Well, you got a guy now that you can throw swing passes to, or you can give the ball to him twenty five times, and Sequon can go win a game. And I think we you know, there's been I get the analytics behind the running back arguments over the years and historically, yes, you can find running backs outside of the first round.

I had this unbelievably high grade on Saquon and we didn't see it ever. Materialize in the Giants, but you see it this year. So I think the addition of that big time running back and Saquon Barkley takes a tremendous amount of pressure off of Hurts, off of the play caller, off of the team to generate, to find a way to generate offense. When Hurts isn't throwing the ball. Well, you got a guy now that you can throw swing passes to, or you can give the ball to him twenty five times, and Sequon can go win a game. And I think we you know, there's been I get the analytics behind the running back arguments over the years and historically, yes, you can find running backs outside of the first round.

I get it.

I get it.

But when you have a really good running back, it makes everyone's life easier. Kyron Williams makes things easier on the rams. He wasn't even a it was a Day three pick. I don't care where you're picked. When you have a guy that can control tempo, they can get tough yards and they can score touchdowns in a variety of ways. I think it's it's what has turned Detroit into Detroit with their two headed monster. And I think, you know, in a way the two headed monster of Hurts and Saquon Barkley. It makes them a more consistent team. They're less likely to have the huge ups and downs. So I think what I love about him is that it hurts him playing well.

But when you have a really good running back, it makes everyone's life easier. Kyron Williams makes things easier on the rams. He wasn't even a it was a Day three pick. I don't care where you're picked. When you have a guy that can control tempo, they can get tough yards and they can score touchdowns in a variety of ways. I think it's it's what has turned Detroit into Detroit with their two headed monster. And I think, you know, in a way the two headed monster of Hurts and Saquon Barkley. It makes them a more consistent team. They're less likely to have the huge ups and downs. So I think what I love about him is that it hurts him playing well.

It doesn't anymore. It could be a saque.

It doesn't anymore. It could be a saque.

Game, you know.

Game, you know.

And that's the thing, and I think that's the thing that everyone has to understand, Like the more balanced you are, the ability to have the running game.

And that's the thing, and I think that's the thing that everyone has to understand, Like the more balanced you are, the ability to have the running game.

And it's not lost on me that most.

And it's not lost on me that most.

Of the teams in the playoffs have really, really good workhorse running backs that can alleviate some of the pressure on them. These two teams we're talking about Phil Eagles with Sayore Barkley, but the Green Bay Packers having Josh Jacobs who had nearly fourteen hundred yards and gave them the juice that they needed. It alleviated some of the pressure on Jordan Love to have to do everything. And when you have the ability to run the ball, what it does is it creates they play opportunities on the perimeter, whether it's the deep ball off play action, whether it's a tight boxes we're going to stretch from side to side with the screens and the swing game all of those things matter, and to me, when we look at the eas the Eagles can get away with Jalen Hurst and not having his a game, the Packers can't. The Packers need Jordan Love to play at a high level because all eyes are going to be on Jordan Love. We know Vig Fangio is going to try and minimize his impact. Jordan Love is going to have to make the Eagles pay when they either load the box or when they have those opportunities to attack down the field. But let me say this, and we said it in the draft two years ago when Jalen Carter was coming out prior to the all field issues cloud near evaluation. That's why you need to grade the player on tape. You can put like the little addendums about his character, but Jalen Clark is exactly who we thought he was going to be when he came into the league.

Of the teams in the playoffs have really, really good workhorse running backs that can alleviate some of the pressure on them. These two teams we're talking about Phil Eagles with Sayore Barkley, but the Green Bay Packers having Josh Jacobs who had nearly fourteen hundred yards and gave them the juice that they needed. It alleviated some of the pressure on Jordan Love to have to do everything. And when you have the ability to run the ball, what it does is it creates they play opportunities on the perimeter, whether it's the deep ball off play action, whether it's a tight boxes we're going to stretch from side to side with the screens and the swing game all of those things matter, and to me, when we look at the eas the Eagles can get away with Jalen Hurst and not having his a game, the Packers can't. The Packers need Jordan Love to play at a high level because all eyes are going to be on Jordan Love. We know Vig Fangio is going to try and minimize his impact. Jordan Love is going to have to make the Eagles pay when they either load the box or when they have those opportunities to attack down the field. But let me say this, and we said it in the draft two years ago when Jalen Carter was coming out prior to the all field issues cloud near evaluation. That's why you need to grade the player on tape. You can put like the little addendums about his character, but Jalen Clark is exactly who we thought he was going to be when he came into the league.

Yeah, if I remember, he was my top rated player in that draft, and just Jeffrey Simmons. I remember he had some stuff also, he was injured and I had him way up there as well when.

Yeah, if I remember, he was my top rated player in that draft, and just Jeffrey Simmons. I remember he had some stuff also, he was injured and I had him way up there as well when.

He was coming out.

He was coming out.

Those are two guys that look physically dominant and play physically dominant on tape, and once you throw those guys in an environment of professional football, with professional weight training, professional nutrition, if you have any desire to be great, you're more than likely going to grasp that opportunity.

Those are two guys that look physically dominant and play physically dominant on tape, and once you throw those guys in an environment of professional football, with professional weight training, professional nutrition, if you have any desire to be great, you're more than likely going to grasp that opportunity.

And once that happens, the traits and the talent explode.

And once that happens, the traits and the talent explode.

And so it should not be a surprise that Jalen Carter is doing what he's doing because it was all on tape. I mean, he was the most talented prospect in that draft. You understand why fell, but you also understand why a team like Philadelphia said, ooh, we're going to move up and get the best player in a draft and we'll figure out the other stuff because we're not passing on this opportunity, this talent. You get burned, You can get burned by it from time to time, but at this point it looks like in you know, an unbelievable steal and one of the catalysts for you know, a chance to make another Super Bowl run, because frankly, you look at the injuries that Detroit has and it's it's astounding that they are not only still standing but thriving.

And so it should not be a surprise that Jalen Carter is doing what he's doing because it was all on tape. I mean, he was the most talented prospect in that draft. You understand why fell, but you also understand why a team like Philadelphia said, ooh, we're going to move up and get the best player in a draft and we'll figure out the other stuff because we're not passing on this opportunity, this talent. You get burned, You can get burned by it from time to time, but at this point it looks like in you know, an unbelievable steal and one of the catalysts for you know, a chance to make another Super Bowl run, because frankly, you look at the injuries that Detroit has and it's it's astounding that they are not only still standing but thriving.

But can they do it through the rest of the playoffs.

But can they do it through the rest of the playoffs.

We have to.

We have to.

See especially when you look at the defensive talent on that Eagles roster, that is that's something that is you know, is going to make life a little bit more difficult for anyone playing them this year.

See especially when you look at the defensive talent on that Eagles roster, that is that's something that is you know, is going to make life a little bit more difficult for anyone playing them this year.

Yeah, and so okay, so who you got in this one? Lance, Because I'm looking at the Packers the ability to turn it over.

Yeah, and so okay, so who you got in this one? Lance, Because I'm looking at the Packers the ability to turn it over.

I like their defense.

I like their defense.

You can't cant out the Packers' ability to create a big play in the kicking game. Because Rich Pasati one of the best special teams coach coaches out there.

You can't cant out the Packers' ability to create a big play in the kicking game. Because Rich Pasati one of the best special teams coach coaches out there.

They can they can make the game kind of money.

They can they can make the game kind of money.

But I will say this, and I've told people this before, sometimes there's more pressure on the home team in these playoff games because when you're the home team, if you happen to fall behind.

But I will say this, and I've told people this before, sometimes there's more pressure on the home team in these playoff games because when you're the home team, if you happen to fall behind.

All the inks, all the anxiety you can feel in the stadium.

All the inks, all the anxiety you can feel in the stadium.

So to me, it is all about the Eagles having to jump out on them from the jump, because if they don't, you know, They're fans will turn on them.

So to me, it is all about the Eagles having to jump out on them from the jump, because if they don't, you know, They're fans will turn on them.

I just I don't see the Eagles losing this. I think the Eagles win. I think they cover.

I just I don't see the Eagles losing this. I think the Eagles win. I think they cover.

I think you know, I look at this and I think, Josh, it's going to be a lot harder to run between the tackles, and that's been one of the magic of Josh Jacobs and Green Bay is that they've been able to run between the tackles and he can go break tackles and extend runs. But I think that Josh Jacobs the action make it spilled a little bit wider.

I think you know, I look at this and I think, Josh, it's going to be a lot harder to run between the tackles, and that's been one of the magic of Josh Jacobs and Green Bay is that they've been able to run between the tackles and he can go break tackles and extend runs. But I think that Josh Jacobs the action make it spilled a little bit wider.

I don't know if the wide receivers from Green Bay, if you really have a group.

I don't know if the wide receivers from Green Bay, if you really have a group.

Of guys that can take over, I do know you have it with the Eagles, and I just think Eagles have been there.

Of guys that can take over, I do know you have it with the Eagles, and I just think Eagles have been there.

They've done that.

They've done that.

They've got two great running backs, but one I think is a little bit better with Sakuon Barkley. And then when you look at the trenches, I give the trench advantage to the Eagles.

They've got two great running backs, but one I think is a little bit better with Sakuon Barkley. And then when you look at the trenches, I give the trench advantage to the Eagles.

So I think there's a lot of things flowing in Eagles favor.

So I think there's a lot of things flowing in Eagles favor.

I know that you know, Jalen Hurts just made it back from the concussions, so that's obviously something you have to keep an eye on. But as we've talked about previously, you mentioned Jordan Love, Jordan Loves got to have a big game.

I know that you know, Jalen Hurts just made it back from the concussions, so that's obviously something you have to keep an eye on. But as we've talked about previously, you mentioned Jordan Love, Jordan Loves got to have a big game.

Jalen Hurts doesn't have to have a big game to win this one.

Jalen Hurts doesn't have to have a big game to win this one.

So I think there's too much right now, there's too much pressure on his should I think there's no margin for error on Green Bay side, where there is some margin freyre where you still win if you're Philadelphia.

So I think there's too much right now, there's too much pressure on his should I think there's no margin for error on Green Bay side, where there is some margin freyre where you still win if you're Philadelphia.

That's one of the reasons I really like Philly here. I like them to win by a touchdown or more.

That's one of the reasons I really like Philly here. I like them to win by a touchdown or more.

Okay, all right, so we're both gonna take things because I just went on that riff about them being there.

Okay, all right, so we're both gonna take things because I just went on that riff about them being there.

But there are more talented team. They're a team that should move on. They have it going. Let's just see if they can handle the pressure of having to deal with it. In the link download the Draft Kings Sportsbook app. Now use code MTS.

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So Lance, right before we go, you know, we got to talk about these college football playoff games. We have Ohio State take it on Texas. I know everyone in your state is really hook them horns.

So Lance, right before we go, you know, we got to talk about these college football playoff games. We have Ohio State take it on Texas. I know everyone in your state is really hook them horns.

They're excited about the law.

They're excited about the law.

Not everyone, not everyone, Bucky. Oh, I mean, there's a lot of Aggie's in the state. There's a lot of people I don't like Texas.

Not everyone, not everyone, Bucky. Oh, I mean, there's a lot of Aggie's in the state. There's a lot of people I don't like Texas.

I just felt like all you guys would have your horns up ready to go because the school of the State. Yeah, so I feel like, Ohi's day Texas. That's gonna be talked about. And then Notre Dame versus Penn State, let's start on that. When Notre Dame Penn State, when you look at that game and you look at the talent on both teams, what stands out to you?

I just felt like all you guys would have your horns up ready to go because the school of the State. Yeah, so I feel like, Ohi's day Texas. That's gonna be talked about. And then Notre Dame versus Penn State, let's start on that. When Notre Dame Penn State, when you look at that game and you look at the talent on both teams, what stands out to you?

Well, I think Drew Aller. You know, it's a battle of the quarterbacks for me. Drew Aller had a nice bounce back year this year. You look at Riley Leonard and Riley is one of those classic Riley and Will Howard have some things in common in terms of how tough they both are their gamers. They make big plays at big times. The games don't get too big for him.

Well, I think Drew Aller. You know, it's a battle of the quarterbacks for me. Drew Aller had a nice bounce back year this year. You look at Riley Leonard and Riley is one of those classic Riley and Will Howard have some things in common in terms of how tough they both are their gamers. They make big plays at big times. The games don't get too big for him.

I think Leonard is a better runner than Will Howard.

I think Leonard is a better runner than Will Howard.

But you know, the question is going to be can Drew Aller beat Notre Dame from the pocket and then can Riley Leonard? Can he stress that really talented defensive front and pass rush led by Duel Carter from Penn State. Is he going to be able to stress those guys with his legs. I think this has been a wonderful year for Marcus Freeman. I'm just so impressed. They lost a couple of starters on the offensive line early in the year, got better and better and better and better. They were on the short list of our teams that we consider putting into uh you know, the the Joe Moore Awards semi finalists. They really improved over the over the course of the year. They're running a ball well. I think defensively they found their their groove. So there's a lot of reasons to like Notre Dame. But I think the thing that that concerns me the most is how will Notre Dame's offensive line hold up against the rush and.

But you know, the question is going to be can Drew Aller beat Notre Dame from the pocket and then can Riley Leonard? Can he stress that really talented defensive front and pass rush led by Duel Carter from Penn State. Is he going to be able to stress those guys with his legs. I think this has been a wonderful year for Marcus Freeman. I'm just so impressed. They lost a couple of starters on the offensive line early in the year, got better and better and better and better. They were on the short list of our teams that we consider putting into uh you know, the the Joe Moore Awards semi finalists. They really improved over the over the course of the year. They're running a ball well. I think defensively they found their their groove. So there's a lot of reasons to like Notre Dame. But I think the thing that that concerns me the most is how will Notre Dame's offensive line hold up against the rush and.

Then can Notre Dame stop Drew Aller, who I think is built for games like this.

Then can Notre Dame stop Drew Aller, who I think is built for games like this.

You don't always see it, but I think this is a game that is the weather's going to be good, you know, it's.

You don't always see it, but I think this is a game that is the weather's going to be good, you know, it's.

Not going to be cold. I think I think it. I think it benefits Penn State.

Not going to be cold. I think I think it. I think it benefits Penn State.

I know Penn State is like I think Notre Dame is a small favorite because of how they're playing, but this is a very even game and I lean a little bit to Penn State.

I know Penn State is like I think Notre Dame is a small favorite because of how they're playing, but this is a very even game and I lean a little bit to Penn State.

And yeah, no, it's funny because I look at Notre Dame and I will say that you can see the work that they've done since they'd lost in.

And yeah, no, it's funny because I look at Notre Dame and I will say that you can see the work that they've done since they'd lost in.

Those BCS games.

Those BCS games.

You know, over the previous decade, how they've become a bigger, more physical team.

You know, over the previous decade, how they've become a bigger, more physical team.

And I'm being honest, like when I watched the old line.

And I'm being honest, like when I watched the old line.

And didn't get together before the game, and you hear their leader talk about, this is the f you game. We're gonna run it down their throat and they're gonna do all these things. Notre Dame has an edge to them that didn't exist. Marcus Freeman has really done a really good job of kind of creating this culture where they kind of have some tough guys. In terms of the way that they're going. Penn State is I would say more dynamic on defense, but really, man, these are mirrored images in terms of the way these teams are built. I'm gonna go with Notre Dame in this one over in Penn State, and I don't really have a reason, because look, he comes down to the quarterback play whether you have Riley Leonard or Drew Allett. But there's something about the way Notre Dame is getting after it, and I'm just gonna kind of say, I'm gonna say they kind of get it done. Maybe it's the hype video. Maybe it's the Rick Ross hype video that they put out. Maybe it's the young Jezy thing that they put out a few weeks ago. Their social team has kind of swayed me. So that's why I'm going with Notre Dame.

And didn't get together before the game, and you hear their leader talk about, this is the f you game. We're gonna run it down their throat and they're gonna do all these things. Notre Dame has an edge to them that didn't exist. Marcus Freeman has really done a really good job of kind of creating this culture where they kind of have some tough guys. In terms of the way that they're going. Penn State is I would say more dynamic on defense, but really, man, these are mirrored images in terms of the way these teams are built. I'm gonna go with Notre Dame in this one over in Penn State, and I don't really have a reason, because look, he comes down to the quarterback play whether you have Riley Leonard or Drew Allett. But there's something about the way Notre Dame is getting after it, and I'm just gonna kind of say, I'm gonna say they kind of get it done. Maybe it's the hype video. Maybe it's the Rick Ross hype video that they put out. Maybe it's the young Jezy thing that they put out a few weeks ago. Their social team has kind of swayed me. So that's why I'm going with Notre Dame.

That's good enough. That's good enough for me.

That's good enough. That's good enough for me.

It's a toss up, all right, Let's go Ohio State Texas.

It's a toss up, all right, Let's go Ohio State Texas.

Yeah, Ohio State is being the team that many of us expected them to be when they showed up this season. Everyone talks about the twenty million dollars payroll. It didn't necessarily come to fruition when they lost to Oregon in Michigan during the regular season, but in the playoffs they had clearly been the best team.