This is the best of the Ben Maler Show on Fox Sports Radio.

This is the best of the Ben Maler Show on Fox Sports Radio.

Well you heard the man. Greetings and salutations and oh yeah, happy New Year. Where for many of you it's already twenty twenty five. I am not Ben Maller, I am not Archie Bell on the Drells. I am not Kim Kardashian. My name is Bernie Fratter. We're coming you live from the tarrac dot com studios here in Las Vegas, Foxsportsradio tarret dot Com. We'll help you get there. And I'm Matt Selection. Fast free shipping for your road hazard protection and over tenth and recommended installers tyreck dot com the way tire buying should be. Well, if you're scoring at home, I hope you are. This is my twenty second Ben Mallard Show. You know I have mad respect for the mal of Milsia. Tonight we'll bring in the new year together and we'll be taking your calls as well. Eight seven, seven ninety nine on Fox we honor the Mallard tradition where callers are a priority. A lot of great callers on Sunday night, a lot of great callers last Thursday night. There's a lot to talk about. And as you probably already know, there are three types of people in the world, those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened, especially when it comes to New Year's celebrations, and it turns out, well everybody celebrates New Year's in some form or fashion. Big parties on the strip here in Las Vegas going on right now. We're fifty eight minutes away from the New Year here in Las Vegas, having even had a Rob Gronkowski setting, A million people observe the ball drop in Time Square. You get the picture. And yet we've also come to learn that many countries around the world celebrate New Year's and well some very unique ways. You know, in Spain at midnight they eat twelve grapes, so for that. In Colombia, they carry around empty suitcases. Who thinks this stuff up? In Denmark they smash plates and they jump off chairs. I don't know. And whatever they do, that sounds like a real hoot. In Panama, oh boy, they know how to party. They burn effigies. How about Greece they hang onions from the ceiling. I wonder how they do that. In France they have a little nash. What they do They just stack of pancakes at midnight? Pancakes? Why not crapes? I don't know. I'm not that smart. I don't know how school drop out. I went the full six years, But how would I know why they eat pancakes instead of crapes? And oh yeah, and the Netherlands at midnight people eat donuts. In the Philippines they wear shirts with polka dots. Yeah I could. I could go on for a while with this Michig guys here. But it turns out that in Penn State they win quarterfinal football games, and I know they they won by seventeen points. And that's going to of course bring the group think echo chamber out of the woodwork again saying, oh, how can we have this? And they shouldn't have been in the playoff. YadA YadA ya Okay, save it, will you? You know you want the complaint department. Uh yeah, that's that's what you do. You want the complete department call it. But I will say this if you want some perspective on how these playoff semi final games have gone to the pass, because in the past several New years, we've had actually semi final playoff games during the old you know TV made for TV Invitational four team Goofball tournament, the last twenty semi final games the winning margin was fourteen points or more the last out of the last twenties. Let me let me try that again in English in the last twenty semi final games. Fourteen of those games and it was a victory margin of fourteen points or more. Eight of those games ended with a margin of twenty points more. Let's not act like this is some new phenomenon. We get blowouts in the NBA finals. We could certainly get blowouts in Super Bowls. This wasn't wasn't really a blow As a matter of fact, I'm a little underwhelmed by by Penn State. Boise State had you know, they left a lot of opportunities on the field, but at the end of the day, Penn State scored more points. They won rally through three touchdown passes, and Penn State and their current number five ranking prevails. And one of the things they did do is they certainly bottled up the Heisman Trophy winner Ashton genty and that gets them a spot in the semi finals, coming up to play a winner of Georgia Notre Dame. And so now they opened their first playoff berth with a you know, a blow out, went over SMU, and then it appeared they were going to blow out Boise State. They jumped out fourteen nothing. But you know, the Broncos is sort of if you understand their history, and it's a good one. They've actually really relished the role of underdog, going back to when their brand win national in the two thousand and seven Fiesta Bowl, when they were in that great hook and ladder play. By the way, the kid who scored the touch that went to my high school anyway by a digress, give it up to the Broncos. They came back from that early hole. They actually got the game to seventeen fourteen at one point on a beautiful fifty three hour touchdown catch by Matt Lauder midway through the third quarter, and I thought we had a game. I did. Then Penn State tripped up Boise State's latest comeback bid. Because Boise State has had their share of comebacks. Tayler threw his second town touchdown pass to John mckeward. If you don't know John mckew, Award is young bloods read a damn book. You know what the book is. It's that thick thing with pages and you turn it. You don't turn it down, you read it. John mckew was a legendary tight d field Baltimore colts Tyler Warren, who's Penn State's best weapon, And once Penn State figured out that nobody on Boise State could cover him, it was pretty much good night, nurse right, Nick Siegeldon burnts up the middle, burst it up the middle, excuse me, fifty eight yard touchdown, round, and all of a sudden, now it's game, set match. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Penn State was riding Boise State like a stick horse. They did it because they controlled both lines of scrimmage all night, and they shut down Ashton Genty and his running lanes. You may have gotten one hundred and four yard yards took him thirty carries. His longest carry was twelve yards, and let's fazy, he got hit more than a rocky ball ball. That was their name plan. Every time Genty got near the ball, there were five blue and white jerseys around him. Genty ends up twenty seven yards short of Barry Sanders single season NCAA record. He should know this because I'm a bury guy covered the lines for many years. Barry's a great guy. Of those twenty six hundred and twenty eight yards he accumulated, they didn't count the two hundred and twenty two he got in the bowl game when Oklahoma State played I want to say miss I would think it was Michigan State in nineteen eighty nine. Anyway, regardless that bowl game, Sanders got an extra two hundred and twenty two yards that didn't count on that record that they've been flashing around. But gent didn't make it anyway, even though he played three more games. Okay, that's beside the point. Basically, Boise State tried to push back by gaining pressure on Drew Aller, and they tried to turn the momentum. They stripped the quarterback a couple of players after gent He lost his third folm of the season. He'd only got one on our two coming in. And then Boise State turned into a guy named Tyler Crowe, not Ashon Genting to full back. He uh, he turned and twisted and carried about three or four Nitley lions on his back for an eight yard touchdown and it seemed to be within reach. But it's just never It was like, you know when you go to a nice fine dining restaurant and they bring out that big long tube and would you like fresh ground pepper? Yeah, hit me up with some of that, and they're turning it and turning it and turning it, and you're waiting for the pepper to come out, and it comes out really slow. Wait, wait is it coming out with I can't see it? And wait and wait. Meanwhile, you feel kind of bad because the guy's arms about to fall off and ended up with Tommy John surgery. But you want the damn pepper, but it's taken forever, and now your salad's getting cold and you're getting tired, and now you gotta Hey. That's how Boise State's comeback was. It just never quite got there by the way not fair to Maddox Matts and you may you might find this interesting. Maddox Matts and Maddox m A. D. Dux is named after the picture Greg Maddox lotus. He had a lot of those side arm deliveries tonight. He's back. He's a good player. He through three picks tonight. Their field goal kicker missed a couple of field goals. And you know that's just the way it is, all right, Penn State likely the better team, but at least we're deciding these damn things on the field much better that it's been in the past. And one of the reasons I like this. I know people are bitching and morning, and we don't have the best twelve teams. I don't know, we're never going to decide that. It's like arguing about your favorite noodland to play a spaghetti But you know what, at least they have done this year. They've created a path, a possibility for certain teams to make it to the Promised Land, like you have in March Madness. At least there's that likely. Boise State wasn't going to do it. Arizona State's got their shot tomorrow. SMU looked like a drunk crossing an icy street. But at least their conference championship appearances in games mattered. It mattered. We'll never know what would have happened to Florida State last year. It probably would have lost, but it wasn't decided on the field, so we were left to speculate. Meanwhile, Alabama, okay, you can pour yourself a big old glasses, shut up juice now after the way you performed against Michigan, who everybody sat out. And oh, by the way, South Carolina got punked by Illinois. So Savior complaints for one eight hundred. But all right, coming up. There's a major story that continues and it bruised. And I covered this heavily the other day, the old nil and transfer portal. We're living in a world where twenty seven hundred people have already entered the transfer portal this year twenty nine and one team Marshall couldn't put a ballgame the old team I covered the Michigan Wolverines. It just hit a kid from Billville twelve million dollars to play quarterback next year. He's never thrown a single pass. Who better to bring him than our guy, Chris Plank who is a staple among the Oklahoma Sooner faithful, and he's right there in the belly of the beast. I know Chrystal Pomo punches, so I'm really curious to hear what he's got to say about this, because this story ain't going away.

Well you heard the man. Greetings and salutations and oh yeah, happy New Year. Where for many of you it's already twenty twenty five. I am not Ben Maller, I am not Archie Bell on the Drells. I am not Kim Kardashian. My name is Bernie Fratter. We're coming you live from the tarrac dot com studios here in Las Vegas, Foxsportsradio tarret dot Com. We'll help you get there. And I'm Matt Selection. Fast free shipping for your road hazard protection and over tenth and recommended installers tyreck dot com the way tire buying should be. Well, if you're scoring at home, I hope you are. This is my twenty second Ben Mallard Show. You know I have mad respect for the mal of Milsia. Tonight we'll bring in the new year together and we'll be taking your calls as well. Eight seven, seven ninety nine on Fox we honor the Mallard tradition where callers are a priority. A lot of great callers on Sunday night, a lot of great callers last Thursday night. There's a lot to talk about. And as you probably already know, there are three types of people in the world, those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened, especially when it comes to New Year's celebrations, and it turns out, well everybody celebrates New Year's in some form or fashion. Big parties on the strip here in Las Vegas going on right now. We're fifty eight minutes away from the New Year here in Las Vegas, having even had a Rob Gronkowski setting, A million people observe the ball drop in Time Square. You get the picture. And yet we've also come to learn that many countries around the world celebrate New Year's and well some very unique ways. You know, in Spain at midnight they eat twelve grapes, so for that. In Colombia, they carry around empty suitcases. Who thinks this stuff up? In Denmark they smash plates and they jump off chairs. I don't know. And whatever they do, that sounds like a real hoot. In Panama, oh boy, they know how to party. They burn effigies. How about Greece they hang onions from the ceiling. I wonder how they do that. In France they have a little nash. What they do They just stack of pancakes at midnight? Pancakes? Why not crapes? I don't know. I'm not that smart. I don't know how school drop out. I went the full six years, But how would I know why they eat pancakes instead of crapes? And oh yeah, and the Netherlands at midnight people eat donuts. In the Philippines they wear shirts with polka dots. Yeah I could. I could go on for a while with this Michig guys here. But it turns out that in Penn State they win quarterfinal football games, and I know they they won by seventeen points. And that's going to of course bring the group think echo chamber out of the woodwork again saying, oh, how can we have this? And they shouldn't have been in the playoff. YadA YadA ya Okay, save it, will you? You know you want the complaint department. Uh yeah, that's that's what you do. You want the complete department call it. But I will say this if you want some perspective on how these playoff semi final games have gone to the pass, because in the past several New years, we've had actually semi final playoff games during the old you know TV made for TV Invitational four team Goofball tournament, the last twenty semi final games the winning margin was fourteen points or more the last out of the last twenties. Let me let me try that again in English in the last twenty semi final games. Fourteen of those games and it was a victory margin of fourteen points or more. Eight of those games ended with a margin of twenty points more. Let's not act like this is some new phenomenon. We get blowouts in the NBA finals. We could certainly get blowouts in Super Bowls. This wasn't wasn't really a blow As a matter of fact, I'm a little underwhelmed by by Penn State. Boise State had you know, they left a lot of opportunities on the field, but at the end of the day, Penn State scored more points. They won rally through three touchdown passes, and Penn State and their current number five ranking prevails. And one of the things they did do is they certainly bottled up the Heisman Trophy winner Ashton genty and that gets them a spot in the semi finals, coming up to play a winner of Georgia Notre Dame. And so now they opened their first playoff berth with a you know, a blow out, went over SMU, and then it appeared they were going to blow out Boise State. They jumped out fourteen nothing. But you know, the Broncos is sort of if you understand their history, and it's a good one. They've actually really relished the role of underdog, going back to when their brand win national in the two thousand and seven Fiesta Bowl, when they were in that great hook and ladder play. By the way, the kid who scored the touch that went to my high school anyway by a digress, give it up to the Broncos. They came back from that early hole. They actually got the game to seventeen fourteen at one point on a beautiful fifty three hour touchdown catch by Matt Lauder midway through the third quarter, and I thought we had a game. I did. Then Penn State tripped up Boise State's latest comeback bid. Because Boise State has had their share of comebacks. Tayler threw his second town touchdown pass to John mckeward. If you don't know John mckew, Award is young bloods read a damn book. You know what the book is. It's that thick thing with pages and you turn it. You don't turn it down, you read it. John mckew was a legendary tight d field Baltimore colts Tyler Warren, who's Penn State's best weapon, And once Penn State figured out that nobody on Boise State could cover him, it was pretty much good night, nurse right, Nick Siegeldon burnts up the middle, burst it up the middle, excuse me, fifty eight yard touchdown, round, and all of a sudden, now it's game, set match. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Penn State was riding Boise State like a stick horse. They did it because they controlled both lines of scrimmage all night, and they shut down Ashton Genty and his running lanes. You may have gotten one hundred and four yard yards took him thirty carries. His longest carry was twelve yards, and let's fazy, he got hit more than a rocky ball ball. That was their name plan. Every time Genty got near the ball, there were five blue and white jerseys around him. Genty ends up twenty seven yards short of Barry Sanders single season NCAA record. He should know this because I'm a bury guy covered the lines for many years. Barry's a great guy. Of those twenty six hundred and twenty eight yards he accumulated, they didn't count the two hundred and twenty two he got in the bowl game when Oklahoma State played I want to say miss I would think it was Michigan State in nineteen eighty nine. Anyway, regardless that bowl game, Sanders got an extra two hundred and twenty two yards that didn't count on that record that they've been flashing around. But gent didn't make it anyway, even though he played three more games. Okay, that's beside the point. Basically, Boise State tried to push back by gaining pressure on Drew Aller, and they tried to turn the momentum. They stripped the quarterback a couple of players after gent He lost his third folm of the season. He'd only got one on our two coming in. And then Boise State turned into a guy named Tyler Crowe, not Ashon Genting to full back. He uh, he turned and twisted and carried about three or four Nitley lions on his back for an eight yard touchdown and it seemed to be within reach. But it's just never It was like, you know when you go to a nice fine dining restaurant and they bring out that big long tube and would you like fresh ground pepper? Yeah, hit me up with some of that, and they're turning it and turning it and turning it, and you're waiting for the pepper to come out, and it comes out really slow. Wait, wait is it coming out with I can't see it? And wait and wait. Meanwhile, you feel kind of bad because the guy's arms about to fall off and ended up with Tommy John surgery. But you want the damn pepper, but it's taken forever, and now your salad's getting cold and you're getting tired, and now you gotta Hey. That's how Boise State's comeback was. It just never quite got there by the way not fair to Maddox Matts and you may you might find this interesting. Maddox Matts and Maddox m A. D. Dux is named after the picture Greg Maddox lotus. He had a lot of those side arm deliveries tonight. He's back. He's a good player. He through three picks tonight. Their field goal kicker missed a couple of field goals. And you know that's just the way it is, all right, Penn State likely the better team, but at least we're deciding these damn things on the field much better that it's been in the past. And one of the reasons I like this. I know people are bitching and morning, and we don't have the best twelve teams. I don't know, we're never going to decide that. It's like arguing about your favorite noodland to play a spaghetti But you know what, at least they have done this year. They've created a path, a possibility for certain teams to make it to the Promised Land, like you have in March Madness. At least there's that likely. Boise State wasn't going to do it. Arizona State's got their shot tomorrow. SMU looked like a drunk crossing an icy street. But at least their conference championship appearances in games mattered. It mattered. We'll never know what would have happened to Florida State last year. It probably would have lost, but it wasn't decided on the field, so we were left to speculate. Meanwhile, Alabama, okay, you can pour yourself a big old glasses, shut up juice now after the way you performed against Michigan, who everybody sat out. And oh, by the way, South Carolina got punked by Illinois. So Savior complaints for one eight hundred. But all right, coming up. There's a major story that continues and it bruised. And I covered this heavily the other day, the old nil and transfer portal. We're living in a world where twenty seven hundred people have already entered the transfer portal this year twenty nine and one team Marshall couldn't put a ballgame the old team I covered the Michigan Wolverines. It just hit a kid from Billville twelve million dollars to play quarterback next year. He's never thrown a single pass. Who better to bring him than our guy, Chris Plank who is a staple among the Oklahoma Sooner faithful, and he's right there in the belly of the beast. I know Chrystal Pomo punches, so I'm really curious to hear what he's got to say about this, because this story ain't going away.

Be sure to catch live editions of the Ben Maler Show weekdays at two am Eastern eleven pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.

Be sure to catch live editions of the Ben Maler Show weekdays at two am Eastern eleven pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.

Well, that's right, you heard demand Ben Mallor show just keeps rolling right along. My name has been Bertie Frout, not Ben Maller. We're coming to a live from the tirac dot com studios here in Las Vegas. Fox Sports Radio tirack dot com. We'll help you get there an unmatched selection, fast free shipping for your Roadnazer protection, and over ten thousand recommending installers tyraq dot com the way tire buying should be. All right, let's walk him in a gentleman. He's with our local Fox affiliate here in Las Vegas, has his own show on Sundays on the Line. He's been a dedicated coverman for the Raiders ever since they moved to Las Vegas six years ago. Been in his press box every Sunday in the locker room, got his finger on the pulse. Say hello to Brian Feld. Hey, Brian, I know you're out their party and I really appreciate you breaking away for a minute. Man, not a.

Well, that's right, you heard demand Ben Mallor show just keeps rolling right along. My name has been Bertie Frout, not Ben Maller. We're coming to a live from the tirac dot com studios here in Las Vegas. Fox Sports Radio tirack dot com. We'll help you get there an unmatched selection, fast free shipping for your Roadnazer protection, and over ten thousand recommending installers tyraq dot com the way tire buying should be. All right, let's walk him in a gentleman. He's with our local Fox affiliate here in Las Vegas, has his own show on Sundays on the Line. He's been a dedicated coverman for the Raiders ever since they moved to Las Vegas six years ago. Been in his press box every Sunday in the locker room, got his finger on the pulse. Say hello to Brian Feld. Hey, Brian, I know you're out their party and I really appreciate you breaking away for a minute. Man, not a.

Problem at all. Bertie was easy. I got a suite at hotel and I walked up through the suite and here I am so appreciate being on All right.

Problem at all. Bertie was easy. I got a suite at hotel and I walked up through the suite and here I am so appreciate being on All right.

Let's really dive into this. We know the Raiders have had an abysmal season, but now all of a sudden, they've won a couple of games. Let's start at thirty five thousand feet and to send downward. Not everybody's happy the fact that Raiders won a couple of games. I'm not one of those people. I couldn't care less but talk about the state of the state and what the group think. Echo Chamber is sort of banning about now since the Raiders have all of a sudden won a couple of games and no longer we'll have the number one draft pick.

Let's really dive into this. We know the Raiders have had an abysmal season, but now all of a sudden, they've won a couple of games. Let's start at thirty five thousand feet and to send downward. Not everybody's happy the fact that Raiders won a couple of games. I'm not one of those people. I couldn't care less but talk about the state of the state and what the group think. Echo Chamber is sort of banning about now since the Raiders have all of a sudden won a couple of games and no longer we'll have the number one draft pick.

Yeah, you know, it's a different vibe, Verdie, whether you're talking from a Raiders perspective from the team or whether you're talking about a fan perspective. Obviously, fans want this team better. Raider Nation. These are rabid fans.

Yeah, you know, it's a different vibe, Verdie, whether you're talking from a Raiders perspective from the team or whether you're talking about a fan perspective. Obviously, fans want this team better. Raider Nation. These are rabid fans.

Still.

Still.

The fans in Oakland love the Raiders. Here in Las Vegas. They might not be happy they're not in Oakland, but they want draft picks. They want to see this team get better. They want to see them developed quickly. People don't like to hear rebuilds.

The fans in Oakland love the Raiders. Here in Las Vegas. They might not be happy they're not in Oakland, but they want draft picks. They want to see this team get better. They want to see them developed quickly. People don't like to hear rebuilds.

And on the.

And on the.

Raiders side of the ball game, they're going to try to win, Bernie. They're never going to go in there and think as players. A lot of these guys are auditioning for a job next year, as this team is civility depleted and needs help in a lot of different areas. So there's two schools of thought as far as the team goes. They want to win. I don't understand why they smoked cigars in the locker room after you win your fourth game of the season, but that's what these Raiders do. Not my cup of team. I think guys like Vince Lombardi would roll over and they're grave that they saw that. But in the same respect, that's the way the Raiders. They celebrated their fourth win and they went from being second in the draft out but I think they're eighth thous.

Raiders side of the ball game, they're going to try to win, Bernie. They're never going to go in there and think as players. A lot of these guys are auditioning for a job next year, as this team is civility depleted and needs help in a lot of different areas. So there's two schools of thought as far as the team goes. They want to win. I don't understand why they smoked cigars in the locker room after you win your fourth game of the season, but that's what these Raiders do. Not my cup of team. I think guys like Vince Lombardi would roll over and they're grave that they saw that. But in the same respect, that's the way the Raiders. They celebrated their fourth win and they went from being second in the draft out but I think they're eighth thous.

Yeah, Brian, Listen, this has got a lot of layers. I don't believe tanking works. It's stupid cover the Lions for ten years. Players want to win, they want jobs. Everything's on tape, and it's a little silly to smoke cigars when you've screwed the pooch all season. So it leads to the second question, Now, is there a chance because this happened last year too, Brian, when the Raiders went back to back weeks in week fifteen and sixteen in interim coach Antonio Pierce got the gig. What's the current scuttle? But in terms of whether or not Antonio Pearce is going to save his job or be back next year.

Yeah, Brian, Listen, this has got a lot of layers. I don't believe tanking works. It's stupid cover the Lions for ten years. Players want to win, they want jobs. Everything's on tape, and it's a little silly to smoke cigars when you've screwed the pooch all season. So it leads to the second question, Now, is there a chance because this happened last year too, Brian, when the Raiders went back to back weeks in week fifteen and sixteen in interim coach Antonio Pierce got the gig. What's the current scuttle? But in terms of whether or not Antonio Pearce is going to save his job or be back next year.

Bertie, you know everyone here has kind of been, you know, a little bit perplex as to what exactly would happen. I think it's played out during the course of the season. I think the writing is on the wall. I'm sure you know, he's made things a little bit more difficult with his recent success. But the bottom line is, you know, the team has continued to play hard for him. Yes, the roster's gotten younger, the young guys have developed and going to Scott Turner as the offensive coordinator has mostly worked out they want Sunday. That said, with the expectation that the football people will be under a mandate to find a long term quarterback this offseason, changes is absolutely in play, if not likely, and I believe that Antonio Pears is.

Bertie, you know everyone here has kind of been, you know, a little bit perplex as to what exactly would happen. I think it's played out during the course of the season. I think the writing is on the wall. I'm sure you know, he's made things a little bit more difficult with his recent success. But the bottom line is, you know, the team has continued to play hard for him. Yes, the roster's gotten younger, the young guys have developed and going to Scott Turner as the offensive coordinator has mostly worked out they want Sunday. That said, with the expectation that the football people will be under a mandate to find a long term quarterback this offseason, changes is absolutely in play, if not likely, and I believe that Antonio Pears is.

Going to be gone.

Going to be gone.

I think Mark Davis brought you know, number one. He needed the money, but I think he brought Tom Brady aboard so he could turn the him and decisions like this, and we all know Tom Brady has a history with Mike Brabel. Mike Rabel probably below Ben Johnson the most sought after person right now that is available as far as head coaches go. I think Ben Johnson's probably going to go to the Bears. It's a smart move for him staying in the same division, knowing the teams that he knows really well, the Lions, the Vikings, and the Packers. And I think Mike Brabel's a fit for the for Vegas, at least as far as upper management and ownership is concerned.

I think Mark Davis brought you know, number one. He needed the money, but I think he brought Tom Brady aboard so he could turn the him and decisions like this, and we all know Tom Brady has a history with Mike Brabel. Mike Rabel probably below Ben Johnson the most sought after person right now that is available as far as head coaches go. I think Ben Johnson's probably going to go to the Bears. It's a smart move for him staying in the same division, knowing the teams that he knows really well, the Lions, the Vikings, and the Packers. And I think Mike Brabel's a fit for the for Vegas, at least as far as upper management and ownership is concerned.

That's my guest.

That's my guest.

I think Mike Brabel will be the next coach to the Raiders, and I think it will be to start the twenty twenty.

I think Mike Brabel will be the next coach to the Raiders, and I think it will be to start the twenty twenty.

Five season talk with Brian Feldman, host of Vada Line on our local Fox Sports affiliate ninety eight nine FM, where you're listening right now here in Las Vegas. All Right, you basically read my mind with what my next question was going to be. Brady's in the fold. He's got one percent of the team. It's basically just like a annuity investment. But I guess he does have Mark Davis's ear. How much influence will Brady actually have? And I know you mentioned Rabel and that seems to be to Scott about as well. Is it as simple as Brady can look at Mark bra might look at Mark Davis and say, hey, just hire Mike Grabile.

Five season talk with Brian Feldman, host of Vada Line on our local Fox Sports affiliate ninety eight nine FM, where you're listening right now here in Las Vegas. All Right, you basically read my mind with what my next question was going to be. Brady's in the fold. He's got one percent of the team. It's basically just like a annuity investment. But I guess he does have Mark Davis's ear. How much influence will Brady actually have? And I know you mentioned Rabel and that seems to be to Scott about as well. Is it as simple as Brady can look at Mark bra might look at Mark Davis and say, hey, just hire Mike Grabile.

He does it, you know, Bernie, I don't know that that's that it's as simple as that, but it just very well might be. Mark Davis and Tom Brady show up at Las Vegas aces together, which now Tom Brady has an interest in. They hang out together a decent amount, at least you see him in public together here in Vegas at these events. So I do think Mark Davis is turning to Tom Brady, and I think Tom Brady is a great fall guy, because who's going to argue with what the goat has to say when it comes to football moves, and especially if you're looking at a coach when you talk about his in Belichick's relationship, and when you're talking about the quarterback position, which is definitely something the Raiders need to address this offseason. I think he absolutely does turn to Tom Brady, and I think Tom Brady has as much influence as he possibly could on Mark Davis.

He does it, you know, Bernie, I don't know that that's that it's as simple as that, but it just very well might be. Mark Davis and Tom Brady show up at Las Vegas aces together, which now Tom Brady has an interest in. They hang out together a decent amount, at least you see him in public together here in Vegas at these events. So I do think Mark Davis is turning to Tom Brady, and I think Tom Brady is a great fall guy, because who's going to argue with what the goat has to say when it comes to football moves, and especially if you're looking at a coach when you talk about his in Belichick's relationship, and when you're talking about the quarterback position, which is definitely something the Raiders need to address this offseason. I think he absolutely does turn to Tom Brady, and I think Tom Brady has as much influence as he possibly could on Mark Davis.

I'll tell you one of the things that players have talked about here is I mean, Josh McDaniels and they had so many coaches and so you think it's a fan of Compley that whoever they bring in Antonio Pearce will not be here next year. Is that fair?

I'll tell you one of the things that players have talked about here is I mean, Josh McDaniels and they had so many coaches and so you think it's a fan of Compley that whoever they bring in Antonio Pearce will not be here next year. Is that fair?

That's the Bernie.

That's the Bernie.

That's my feeling.

That's my feeling.

I think a lot of my colleagues out here have echo the same sentiments. You know, the players, a lot of them are going to say they Antonio Piers is our guy. But I even think a guy like Mass Crosby, and look at last year, Max Crosby and Devonte Adams were all in on Antonio Piers. DeVante Adams is gone and Max Crosby is out for the rest of the season. Getting his ankle worked on, and believe me, he's made it clear. He's got five Raiders tattoos on his body. He loves being a Raider, but like anybody, Bernie, he loves to win more. And he has definitely stated he wants to win and doesn't want to be part of any rebuild. And that is something that came out of his mouth, So you take that for what it's worth. There's a lot of changes are going to take place. But to answer your question directly, yes, I believe that Antonio Pearce will be gone at the end of the season and somebody else will be in his spot to start twenty twenty five.

I think a lot of my colleagues out here have echo the same sentiments. You know, the players, a lot of them are going to say they Antonio Piers is our guy. But I even think a guy like Mass Crosby, and look at last year, Max Crosby and Devonte Adams were all in on Antonio Piers. DeVante Adams is gone and Max Crosby is out for the rest of the season. Getting his ankle worked on, and believe me, he's made it clear. He's got five Raiders tattoos on his body. He loves being a Raider, but like anybody, Bernie, he loves to win more. And he has definitely stated he wants to win and doesn't want to be part of any rebuild. And that is something that came out of his mouth, So you take that for what it's worth. There's a lot of changes are going to take place. But to answer your question directly, yes, I believe that Antonio Pearce will be gone at the end of the season and somebody else will be in his spot to start twenty twenty five.

All Right, you mentioned Ben Johnson, who's the hot name. I do think he would end up with the Bears, but I don't know. We'll see. We've mentioned Mike Vrabel, but there are other candidates out there as well. Who do you I mean, obviously Mark Davis will interview more than one candidate. Is there anybody else on the list that you've heard? That's a possibility, because I got to tell you, Brian, I'm with you on how much momentum the Verabel thing has. But if you pay attention to what's happening in some other football markets. Many of those other football markets, they're thinking they might get Verabel too, including but not limited to the New England Patriots.

All Right, you mentioned Ben Johnson, who's the hot name. I do think he would end up with the Bears, but I don't know. We'll see. We've mentioned Mike Vrabel, but there are other candidates out there as well. Who do you I mean, obviously Mark Davis will interview more than one candidate. Is there anybody else on the list that you've heard? That's a possibility, because I got to tell you, Brian, I'm with you on how much momentum the Verabel thing has. But if you pay attention to what's happening in some other football markets. Many of those other football markets, they're thinking they might get Verabel too, including but not limited to the New England Patriots.

Yeah, you know, I mean, Berdie. There's a lot of people out there that you could talk about. I don't know exactly who. The only name that I really have heard is Mike Rabel. I've heard Ben Johnson. I've even heard, excuse me, Eric Glenn's name tossed around a bit, the Lion defensive coordinator who, as we know, as his hands full right now in Detroit. There's a lot of other guys you know that I know that are out there that people are talking about potentially for a job that might be that might be interested. But really, to this point in time, that is that is the prominent name that I occurred. I think they do want somebody Bernie, though that is a bit younger that you know Vrabel. I mean, I think you know, they maybe somebody in their mid to late forties at the oldest. And I don't think it's an age discrimination. I think they're just looking for somebody that they can say, if this guy is successful, he can be here long term. That was their feeling with Antonio Pierce initially that he's at the eighth where he could be here long term at the success. That's something I have heard. They want somebody for long term, but who doesn't Brian.

Yeah, you know, I mean, Berdie. There's a lot of people out there that you could talk about. I don't know exactly who. The only name that I really have heard is Mike Rabel. I've heard Ben Johnson. I've even heard, excuse me, Eric Glenn's name tossed around a bit, the Lion defensive coordinator who, as we know, as his hands full right now in Detroit. There's a lot of other guys you know that I know that are out there that people are talking about potentially for a job that might be that might be interested. But really, to this point in time, that is that is the prominent name that I occurred. I think they do want somebody Bernie, though that is a bit younger that you know Vrabel. I mean, I think you know, they maybe somebody in their mid to late forties at the oldest. And I don't think it's an age discrimination. I think they're just looking for somebody that they can say, if this guy is successful, he can be here long term. That was their feeling with Antonio Pierce initially that he's at the eighth where he could be here long term at the success. That's something I have heard. They want somebody for long term, but who doesn't Brian.

Just for the hell of it, let's do a quick lightning round. I'm gonna throw some names at you. Tell me if you think there's any possibility these guys will at least interview with the Raiders. Brian Flores, currently the defensive coordator of Minnesota, Yes or no?

Just for the hell of it, let's do a quick lightning round. I'm gonna throw some names at you. Tell me if you think there's any possibility these guys will at least interview with the Raiders. Brian Flores, currently the defensive coordator of Minnesota, Yes or no?

Bernie, you know, I didn't like Brian Flores a lot when he was with the Dolphins. I like Brian Florence as by as a defensive coordinator. You know he's gonna get recycled eventually. That's not a terrible choice.

Bernie, you know, I didn't like Brian Flores a lot when he was with the Dolphins. I like Brian Florence as by as a defensive coordinator. You know he's gonna get recycled eventually. That's not a terrible choice.

Fair enough, it is Marked. What do you think what I'm trying to do is have you read Mark Davis's mind?

Fair enough, it is Marked. What do you think what I'm trying to do is have you read Mark Davis's mind?

And I would think, yes, I would say, okay, the guy that would be that.

And I would think, yes, I would say, okay, the guy that would be that.

Would see I'm gonna give you some good names here that they are going to provoke. Thought. How about Jesse Mintter. He was the most important hire for Jim Harbaugh. Staff took him from Michigan, got him paid big time as the defensive coordinator for the Chargers. They turn it around in one year, he's gonna get interviews. Would Mark Davis talk to Jesse Minterer?

Would see I'm gonna give you some good names here that they are going to provoke. Thought. How about Jesse Mintter. He was the most important hire for Jim Harbaugh. Staff took him from Michigan, got him paid big time as the defensive coordinator for the Chargers. They turn it around in one year, he's gonna get interviews. Would Mark Davis talk to Jesse Minterer?

You know, Jesse mint is a good name, Bernie, and I would agree with you. I think that's somebody that you know, again, I don't know privately. This is something that is obviously kept under wraps and beyond my pay grade. But I would think Jesse mint is another good choice and somebody that should be looked at. So, yes, you know, is he in the radar of Mark Davis? That what I don't know.

You know, Jesse mint is a good name, Bernie, and I would agree with you. I think that's somebody that you know, again, I don't know privately. This is something that is obviously kept under wraps and beyond my pay grade. But I would think Jesse mint is another good choice and somebody that should be looked at. So, yes, you know, is he in the radar of Mark Davis? That what I don't know.

About, all right, Given the fact that the Raiders can't find a quarterback listen, I got nothing I could say, O'Connell, right, but he's not your quarterback of the future. No, I'm serious, okay, But that that allows Cliff Kingsbury's name to enter the mix because people know what he's doing with Jaden Daniels in Washington. And you know, would Mark Davis consider hiring Cliff kings or at least talking to Cliff Kingsbury?

About, all right, Given the fact that the Raiders can't find a quarterback listen, I got nothing I could say, O'Connell, right, but he's not your quarterback of the future. No, I'm serious, okay, But that that allows Cliff Kingsbury's name to enter the mix because people know what he's doing with Jaden Daniels in Washington. And you know, would Mark Davis consider hiring Cliff kings or at least talking to Cliff Kingsbury?

You know?

You know?

Again, another name that's a good find and a good call and a guy that I think will be retreaded. Again, Yes, I think he's somebody he can positive pretty your name, you know. And I know this one's probably stupid to a degree, but I brought it up before. If he Carol done coaching, is he done?

Again, another name that's a good find and a good call and a guy that I think will be retreaded. Again, Yes, I think he's somebody he can positive pretty your name, you know. And I know this one's probably stupid to a degree, but I brought it up before. If he Carol done coaching, is he done?

He's he wants to coach again, and I know his The team he wants to go to is the Bears, and I think they're crazy if they don't talk to him. I don't think he's a fit here. I don't think he's a fit here, are you. I don't think you could sell that press conference here. Not that he can't coach I don't think you could sell that press conference here. But here's another guy who's done a miracle. He's done miracle work for Dave Knalis with a Panthers and uh, he's now he's now in Tampa Bay. Uh, you know, mentoring Baker Mayfield was having his best year ever. Got by the name of Liam Cohen. If you saw what those offensive rocheries did the Lions back in Week three, I think it was when they had their full defense. This is the name you're gonna be hearing about. Liam Cohen.

He's he wants to coach again, and I know his The team he wants to go to is the Bears, and I think they're crazy if they don't talk to him. I don't think he's a fit here. I don't think he's a fit here, are you. I don't think you could sell that press conference here. Not that he can't coach I don't think you could sell that press conference here. But here's another guy who's done a miracle. He's done miracle work for Dave Knalis with a Panthers and uh, he's now he's now in Tampa Bay. Uh, you know, mentoring Baker Mayfield was having his best year ever. Got by the name of Liam Cohen. If you saw what those offensive rocheries did the Lions back in Week three, I think it was when they had their full defense. This is the name you're gonna be hearing about. Liam Cohen.

Okay, that's name, Bernie I am familiar with. Uh have not heard any interest or his name has not been brought up amongst them.

Okay, that's name, Bernie I am familiar with. Uh have not heard any interest or his name has not been brought up amongst them.

Again, what I'm trying to do is, because you're in the press box every Sunday, I've only got my credential a couple of times this year. I just can't. It's I get a migraine.

Again, what I'm trying to do is, because you're in the press box every Sunday, I've only got my credential a couple of times this year. I just can't. It's I get a migraine.

I'll tell you another name, another name that i've heard Bernie, that I've heard thrown around a little bit. How about Vic Fangio.

I'll tell you another name, another name that i've heard Bernie, that I've heard thrown around a little bit. How about Vic Fangio.

Yeah, I don't know. See, I don't know what they sell that conference. But along those same lines, how about Vance Joseph. Now you don't know that. You don't know that Denver. Again, I'm trying to have you read Mark Davis's mind. Would he talked to Advanced Joseph when he talked to with Joe Brady. You've already mentioned Aaron Glenn. You know these are the names right now. These are the usual suspects that are floating around Bernie.

Yeah, I don't know. See, I don't know what they sell that conference. But along those same lines, how about Vance Joseph. Now you don't know that. You don't know that Denver. Again, I'm trying to have you read Mark Davis's mind. Would he talked to Advanced Joseph when he talked to with Joe Brady. You've already mentioned Aaron Glenn. You know these are the names right now. These are the usual suspects that are floating around Bernie.

I think, and again, I really do believe that he is going to sit down with his brain trust, Tom Brady being one of them, and have these conversations. I think anyone is open game. I do think they want someone with familiarity, which is why I brought up Pete Carroll. I think somebody like that would probably make greater nations somewhat happy. This guy has a history. He wears a Super Bowl ring, what a national championship in college. This is the guy that I think would be respected right away if he came in. So you know, those are the kind of like again, another Brian Floyd's another one. He's been a head coach, Cliff Kingsbury, same way. I think he's gonna want somebody a retread, but a retread with the name, and he definitely doesn't want to run into another Josh McDaniel's situation. Though.

I think, and again, I really do believe that he is going to sit down with his brain trust, Tom Brady being one of them, and have these conversations. I think anyone is open game. I do think they want someone with familiarity, which is why I brought up Pete Carroll. I think somebody like that would probably make greater nations somewhat happy. This guy has a history. He wears a Super Bowl ring, what a national championship in college. This is the guy that I think would be respected right away if he came in. So you know, those are the kind of like again, another Brian Floyd's another one. He's been a head coach, Cliff Kingsbury, same way. I think he's gonna want somebody a retread, but a retread with the name, and he definitely doesn't want to run into another Josh McDaniel's situation. Though.

All right, Brian, two more quickly. We'll let you get back to your party of their big fella. So Aidan O'Connell plays hard, he's hurt a lot. I got no beef with him, but come on, he's not your future. When the Raiders kickoff opening day in September of twenty twenty five, will aid and O'Connell be the quarterback? If you expect someone else to be here.

All right, Brian, two more quickly. We'll let you get back to your party of their big fella. So Aidan O'Connell plays hard, he's hurt a lot. I got no beef with him, but come on, he's not your future. When the Raiders kickoff opening day in September of twenty twenty five, will aid and O'Connell be the quarterback? If you expect someone else to be here.

I expect someone else to be here, Bernie, I really do, either via free agency or through the draft.

I expect someone else to be here, Bernie, I really do, either via free agency or through the draft.

But also, yeah, here's the deal. That's the last thing I want to get to is the draft. Obviously, one of the by products and then winning is they've fallen out of the quarterback race. I think they're down to eighth now is where they're drafting. I'm glad. I think this shador Sanders, to hear would have been a bust. I everybody's gaga about cam Ward, He's okay, this is not a great quarterback draft. I really think, Brian that the Raiders need to build from the inside out and get a badass defense and worry about a quarterback later. Just my opinion, I think it's a the Skies. So if they don't get a quarterback, who do you think they go after? What position are you hearing is the most of need? And maybe did they go into the free agent market to get a quarterback?

But also, yeah, here's the deal. That's the last thing I want to get to is the draft. Obviously, one of the by products and then winning is they've fallen out of the quarterback race. I think they're down to eighth now is where they're drafting. I'm glad. I think this shador Sanders, to hear would have been a bust. I everybody's gaga about cam Ward, He's okay, this is not a great quarterback draft. I really think, Brian that the Raiders need to build from the inside out and get a badass defense and worry about a quarterback later. Just my opinion, I think it's a the Skies. So if they don't get a quarterback, who do you think they go after? What position are you hearing is the most of need? And maybe did they go into the free agent market to get a quarterback?

The thing is, Bernie, they need a lot of help. But my opinion, I've agreed with the hundred percent. Other than I don't know if it's a blessing in this guy, I agree.

The thing is, Bernie, they need a lot of help. But my opinion, I've agreed with the hundred percent. Other than I don't know if it's a blessing in this guy, I agree.

I'm not sold on Senor Sanders.

I'm not sold on Senor Sanders.

I think cam Ward looks like he's all for talented, but we've seen that kind of player before come in and not have success. It's hit or miss as the quarterback as we know. I look at a guy like Will Johnson. Now I'm not biased, not from Michigan. I went to Michigan State. I think this guy is the best defensive back in the draft. I think he is a he can be a lockdown cover quarterback. I think he can be a difference maker. And I think if he is somehow available when the Raiders draft, to me, they would be moronic not the draft him. In my opinion, Bernie, he's the second best player in this draft.

I think cam Ward looks like he's all for talented, but we've seen that kind of player before come in and not have success. It's hit or miss as the quarterback as we know. I look at a guy like Will Johnson. Now I'm not biased, not from Michigan. I went to Michigan State. I think this guy is the best defensive back in the draft. I think he is a he can be a lockdown cover quarterback. I think he can be a difference maker. And I think if he is somehow available when the Raiders draft, to me, they would be moronic not the draft him. In my opinion, Bernie, he's the second best player in this draft.

Yeah, no, I'm in agreement. That's a guy steps on, starts week one and you can probably plug him in for the next five to ten years for sure. And he he's got Pro Bowl potential. All right, Brian, onward and up word. I know it's not always fun covering the Raiders, but we do a great job. And thanks so much for joining us tonight, and happy happy New Year.

Yeah, no, I'm in agreement. That's a guy steps on, starts week one and you can probably plug him in for the next five to ten years for sure. And he he's got Pro Bowl potential. All right, Brian, onward and up word. I know it's not always fun covering the Raiders, but we do a great job. And thanks so much for joining us tonight, and happy happy New Year.

Thanks to you, Bertie, Happy New Year's well appreciate it.

Thanks to you, Bertie, Happy New Year's well appreciate it.

But by now, as Brian Felman, our local Fox Sports affiliate, has his own show online, he's been a ton of a lot of years and he is diligently at the Raider games, same spot in the press box every week. I've only I've only I've got a couple of times this year. The Raider's got some great people in the front office that take nice care of us, and I'm going to be more active next year. I'm going to be more active next year with the Raiders. But this is just one of those years that's just you know, all right coming up. One of the callers earlier mentioned my lions, and uh, look, one of my one of the things I hate most in life was when someone's p and I my shoes and telling me it's raining. I'm very concerned that the lines even make it to the super Bowl, much less win it, because there's some inconvenient truths and these have been buildings since Thanksgiving, and I'm gonna share them with you because the numbers don't lie and the reality doesn't lie. That doesn't mean they can't beat Minnesota Sunday and end up at the super Bowl, but they have a far tougher, tougher road to ho And when I share with you what I share with you, you're gonna say, ooh, I didn't know it was that bad.

But by now, as Brian Felman, our local Fox Sports affiliate, has his own show online, he's been a ton of a lot of years and he is diligently at the Raider games, same spot in the press box every week. I've only I've only I've got a couple of times this year. The Raider's got some great people in the front office that take nice care of us, and I'm going to be more active next year. I'm going to be more active next year with the Raiders. But this is just one of those years that's just you know, all right coming up. One of the callers earlier mentioned my lions, and uh, look, one of my one of the things I hate most in life was when someone's p and I my shoes and telling me it's raining. I'm very concerned that the lines even make it to the super Bowl, much less win it, because there's some inconvenient truths and these have been buildings since Thanksgiving, and I'm gonna share them with you because the numbers don't lie and the reality doesn't lie. That doesn't mean they can't beat Minnesota Sunday and end up at the super Bowl, but they have a far tougher, tougher road to ho And when I share with you what I share with you, you're gonna say, ooh, I didn't know it was that bad.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Ben Mallor Show weekdays at two am Eastern eleven pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.

Be sure to catch live editions of The Ben Mallor Show weekdays at two am Eastern eleven pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app.

All right, back on the Ben Mallor Show. Ben is off, you'd be back in this chair. I believe tomorrow night. Ronie Froud is sitting in for Ben Maller. We're coming to your line from THEE Tarrek dot Com studios here in Las Vegas, Fox Sports Radio. It is officially the new year here in Las Vegas, twenty twenty five at twelve twenty five. How out that? By the way, phone lines are open eight seven seven nine nine six sixty three sixty nine, eight seven seven ninety nine and Fox callers have been great. James, if you're out there, buddy, I kind of cut you shorty to mean too. I ran into a little clock issue and that's on me. You're welcome to call back. Eight seven seven ninety nine m Fox and I want to get everybody in. Want to gi everybody a fair amount of time. There's a lot of stuff happening. One of the callers brought up this this this coming week in the NFL is a lot of situational handicapping, and there's still there's still a lot to be decided there really is. These games are meaningful and there's a lot too determine, and one of the callers brought up the Lions, and I was quite candid about the fact I think I might have I think it might have been our kead guy in Kansas City. Look, there are personal feelings in their objective truths. The personal feelings are man, it would just be such a great story to get the Lions to the Super Bowl, as it would be for the Buffalo Bills. The Minnesota Vikings have been there four times, they never won, but so we be a great story, right, But the Lions, come on, man. Before last year they won one playoff game since nineteen fifty seven. And you saw what happened in San Francisco. And Detroit's got the best sports town in America. I don't care what anybody says. You had four very proud, prestigious Major League teams and all four sports two Big Ten teams run on the corner and well. In my tenure in Detroit, I covered a lot, all right, The two thousand and six Tigers who got to the World Series and lost to Saint Louis, the Super Bowl in two thousand and six, Pittsburgh and Seattle, Super Bowl forty obviously, the All Star Game in two thousand and five, Michigan State's basketball team won the national championship. In two thousand, Michigan's football team won the national championship. In nineteen ninety seven, the Pistons won out of four, beat the Lakers in five, the Gentleman sweep, and came back and almost beat San Antonio. Big shot Bob got Us got to the finals tiers in a row, and then the Red Wings all those years. But my colleagues and I used to joke that if the Lions just got to the super Bowl, if you thought those other championships were exciting, and they all were, if the Lions just got to the super Bowl, you'd have to shut down the damn city for three days. You have no idea how people go gaga over the Lions. It's incredible. Well, this is the inconvenient truth about what's been happening lately. All right, Yes, yes, they are still fourteen and two. I get it. They played Minnesota at home Sunday. Whoever wins that game wins the NFC North, and they are rightfully the number one seed. You lose that game and you're the number five seed, which begs a different conversation. You mentioned going fourteen and three and having to go on the road. That does that ain't fair? Man, That ain't fair. This is the first inconvenient truth about the Lions since Thanksgiving. And I did the show Thanksgiving night. I did Maller the second half. The Bears went up and down the field, not because Kayleb Boyans was figured out how to play, because they got a bunch of injuries in the pass rush ain't getting home. It all started with Aidon Hutchinson, who has drawn a double team, and Alex Anzeloni. It went from there and now you've got injuries everywhere. The last since Thanksgiving, Lions have allowed the most points per game per game, averaging thirty that ranks thirty eighth in the league. They are annoying seven yards per play, that's last in the league. They are allowing three hundred and one yards per game passing, that's last in the league. They've allowed nine rushing touchdowns that's last in the league. The opponent passer rating of the quarterbacks they played cumulative leads since Thanksgiving, and it includes Caleb Williams one or nine point seven. That's last in the league. You got the Vikings, come minute, are you worried about the Lions defense. You damn will better be be concerned, be very concerned. Eight seven seven nine nine six six three six nine seven ninety nine nine Fox. Let's go back out to the phones. Mark in Maryland. How you doing, buddy? Are you Budy chance having any any crab cakes on New Year's Eve? Hello? Mark?

All right, back on the Ben Mallor Show. Ben is off, you'd be back in this chair. I believe tomorrow night. Ronie Froud is sitting in for Ben Maller. We're coming to your line from THEE Tarrek dot Com studios here in Las Vegas, Fox Sports Radio. It is officially the new year here in Las Vegas, twenty twenty five at twelve twenty five. How out that? By the way, phone lines are open eight seven seven nine nine six sixty three sixty nine, eight seven seven ninety nine and Fox callers have been great. James, if you're out there, buddy, I kind of cut you shorty to mean too. I ran into a little clock issue and that's on me. You're welcome to call back. Eight seven seven ninety nine m Fox and I want to get everybody in. Want to gi everybody a fair amount of time. There's a lot of stuff happening. One of the callers brought up this this this coming week in the NFL is a lot of situational handicapping, and there's still there's still a lot to be decided there really is. These games are meaningful and there's a lot too determine, and one of the callers brought up the Lions, and I was quite candid about the fact I think I might have I think it might have been our kead guy in Kansas City. Look, there are personal feelings in their objective truths. The personal feelings are man, it would just be such a great story to get the Lions to the Super Bowl, as it would be for the Buffalo Bills. The Minnesota Vikings have been there four times, they never won, but so we be a great story, right, But the Lions, come on, man. Before last year they won one playoff game since nineteen fifty seven. And you saw what happened in San Francisco. And Detroit's got the best sports town in America. I don't care what anybody says. You had four very proud, prestigious Major League teams and all four sports two Big Ten teams run on the corner and well. In my tenure in Detroit, I covered a lot, all right, The two thousand and six Tigers who got to the World Series and lost to Saint Louis, the Super Bowl in two thousand and six, Pittsburgh and Seattle, Super Bowl forty obviously, the All Star Game in two thousand and five, Michigan State's basketball team won the national championship. In two thousand, Michigan's football team won the national championship. In nineteen ninety seven, the Pistons won out of four, beat the Lakers in five, the Gentleman sweep, and came back and almost beat San Antonio. Big shot Bob got Us got to the finals tiers in a row, and then the Red Wings all those years. But my colleagues and I used to joke that if the Lions just got to the super Bowl, if you thought those other championships were exciting, and they all were, if the Lions just got to the super Bowl, you'd have to shut down the damn city for three days. You have no idea how people go gaga over the Lions. It's incredible. Well, this is the inconvenient truth about what's been happening lately. All right, Yes, yes, they are still fourteen and two. I get it. They played Minnesota at home Sunday. Whoever wins that game wins the NFC North, and they are rightfully the number one seed. You lose that game and you're the number five seed, which begs a different conversation. You mentioned going fourteen and three and having to go on the road. That does that ain't fair? Man, That ain't fair. This is the first inconvenient truth about the Lions since Thanksgiving. And I did the show Thanksgiving night. I did Maller the second half. The Bears went up and down the field, not because Kayleb Boyans was figured out how to play, because they got a bunch of injuries in the pass rush ain't getting home. It all started with Aidon Hutchinson, who has drawn a double team, and Alex Anzeloni. It went from there and now you've got injuries everywhere. The last since Thanksgiving, Lions have allowed the most points per game per game, averaging thirty that ranks thirty eighth in the league. They are annoying seven yards per play, that's last in the league. They are allowing three hundred and one yards per game passing, that's last in the league. They've allowed nine rushing touchdowns that's last in the league. The opponent passer rating of the quarterbacks they played cumulative leads since Thanksgiving, and it includes Caleb Williams one or nine point seven. That's last in the league. You got the Vikings, come minute, are you worried about the Lions defense. You damn will better be be concerned, be very concerned. Eight seven seven nine nine six six three six nine seven ninety nine nine Fox. Let's go back out to the phones. Mark in Maryland. How you doing, buddy? Are you Budy chance having any any crab cakes on New Year's Eve? Hello? Mark?

I love crab cakes. The number one crabcake place in the United States is Jimmy's Crab House in Baltimore. Yes, so yeah, and they they have about out of the top ten, it's at least about three or four.

I love crab cakes. The number one crabcake place in the United States is Jimmy's Crab House in Baltimore. Yes, so yeah, and they they have about out of the top ten, it's at least about three or four.

Could I talk about one thing when you get to your point. I was in Baltimore once and they got got them to try crab cakes and they were really good. They were amazing, right, And then I was in I think in Seattle on business about a month later. I said, I'm gonna try the crab cakes. Big mistake. If Baltimore is the first place you ever have crab cakes, it only goes downhill from there. Number one in the country. All right, Wow, that's my crab takenowledge, big fellow.

Could I talk about one thing when you get to your point. I was in Baltimore once and they got got them to try crab cakes and they were really good. They were amazing, right, And then I was in I think in Seattle on business about a month later. I said, I'm gonna try the crab cakes. Big mistake. If Baltimore is the first place you ever have crab cakes, it only goes downhill from there. Number one in the country. All right, Wow, that's my crab takenowledge, big fellow.

Yes, sir, yes, sir Bernie. I love you, of course. Happy New Year, have a healthy and prosperous year. I'm a frequent caller because you're the only real dude I really call in the rest of them are I don't know. I'm ain't gonna comment if I don't have to say anything. Well, okay, Detroit, too many injuries. You have to have a respectable defense, you have to have balance. Sooner or later in the playoffs, it's going to show up. I love Detroit. I feel sorry for him. It just wasn't their year. They had too many injuries. The window is open for them, but not this year. But I think Detroit's got two or three more years. You know, the offensive coordinator may leave, he may or may not. He wants that Super Bowl, but he's a hot commodity. Okay, the Washington wanted them last year. Dan Quinn was a second replacement, but it all worked out. But yeah, so you know, so you know, as I said, I'm a Washington, I'm crazy about it. I'm gonna make one statement about this last week's game, Jaydon Daniels, he single handedly won that game. He reminds me so much of RG. He's better than RG because he's a more accurate passer than RG. But but but as far as as as running and passing. I mean, they're they're both phenomenal. They're they're they're top rookies, best rookie seasons ever. Now I'm gonna get to my point. First of all, he's doing too much. The reason I say RG is because I'm afraid, because I'm afraid he's gonna be injured, because I mean, he's just taking the whole team on his shoulders. It's just so much. So I'm kind of worried. We got to win this game against Dallas because I want to succeed, because I think we can go out there and be competitive against the Rams. So what do you think, my friend?

Yes, sir, yes, sir Bernie. I love you, of course. Happy New Year, have a healthy and prosperous year. I'm a frequent caller because you're the only real dude I really call in the rest of them are I don't know. I'm ain't gonna comment if I don't have to say anything. Well, okay, Detroit, too many injuries. You have to have a respectable defense, you have to have balance. Sooner or later in the playoffs, it's going to show up. I love Detroit. I feel sorry for him. It just wasn't their year. They had too many injuries. The window is open for them, but not this year. But I think Detroit's got two or three more years. You know, the offensive coordinator may leave, he may or may not. He wants that Super Bowl, but he's a hot commodity. Okay, the Washington wanted them last year. Dan Quinn was a second replacement, but it all worked out. But yeah, so you know, so you know, as I said, I'm a Washington, I'm crazy about it. I'm gonna make one statement about this last week's game, Jaydon Daniels, he single handedly won that game. He reminds me so much of RG. He's better than RG because he's a more accurate passer than RG. But but but as far as as as running and passing. I mean, they're they're both phenomenal. They're they're they're top rookies, best rookie seasons ever. Now I'm gonna get to my point. First of all, he's doing too much. The reason I say RG is because I'm afraid, because I'm afraid he's gonna be injured, because I mean, he's just taking the whole team on his shoulders. It's just so much. So I'm kind of worried. We got to win this game against Dallas because I want to succeed, because I think we can go out there and be competitive against the Rams. So what do you think, my friend?

Absolutely, don't forget who's their coaching to Dan Quinn, who got a team to the Super Bowl blew a twenty eight to three lead. So they have the DNA and Jen Daniels plays. In addition to him being a world class athlete and excellent arm talent, he plays the position with his eyes. Mark, He's gonna be okay. He's gonna learn how to avoid the big hit. There are quarterbacks he's like. He reminds me a lot of Steve Young in terms of it's not just that he runs, it's the decisions he makes to run in what part of the game, and what he needs to do. His situational awareness is off.

Absolutely, don't forget who's their coaching to Dan Quinn, who got a team to the Super Bowl blew a twenty eight to three lead. So they have the DNA and Jen Daniels plays. In addition to him being a world class athlete and excellent arm talent, he plays the position with his eyes. Mark, He's gonna be okay. He's gonna learn how to avoid the big hit. There are quarterbacks he's like. He reminds me a lot of Steve Young in terms of it's not just that he runs, it's the decisions he makes to run in what part of the game, and what he needs to do. His situational awareness is off.

The charts, Yes it is. I'm just worried because right now he's a splinter. He's six four, maybe two ten, two fifteen. You know you mentioned let.

The charts, Yes it is. I'm just worried because right now he's a splinter. He's six four, maybe two ten, two fifteen. You know you mentioned let.

Me tell you he got hit a lot of lsu. He's tougher in a two dollars steak man. He may be tall and thin, but he's tough.

Me tell you he got hit a lot of lsu. He's tougher in a two dollars steak man. He may be tall and thin, but he's tough.

They're right, he's skin anybody's strong. But I just don't want him to do too much because you get in trouble soon or later, they're gonna hurt you. He was already hurt with the rib injuries and all that kind of stuff. I just want more balance. I mean, of course, we're way ahead of schedule. We're two years ahead of schedule. Let me tell you something. Eight to ten players are not gonna be on that team next year. We are way over doing things, okay, but strength of schedule helped us a lot. I believe it's strength of schedule we had. We had a last play schedule. Next year, we may not win as many games, but we'll be a better team. It just works out that way.

They're right, he's skin anybody's strong. But I just don't want him to do too much because you get in trouble soon or later, they're gonna hurt you. He was already hurt with the rib injuries and all that kind of stuff. I just want more balance. I mean, of course, we're way ahead of schedule. We're two years ahead of schedule. Let me tell you something. Eight to ten players are not gonna be on that team next year. We are way over doing things, okay, but strength of schedule helped us a lot. I believe it's strength of schedule we had. We had a last play schedule. Next year, we may not win as many games, but we'll be a better team. It just works out that way.

So it does sometimes, but deal with it, all right, Thanks, Mar, appreciate you men. All right, I want to get to this line stuff because I've got more receipts. And by the way, eight seven seven nine ninety six six three six ninety one a wigh And you can talk about any and want but or you can respond to my topics. It's New Year's we're having a little fun. And Ben madoull be back tomorrow night. All right. If you watched, if you watched the Lions for the nine Ers game Sunday night, for a great large portion of that game, and you didn't know any better, and you were a martian coming down from Mars, and you hadn't been paying to get attention to the NFL all year. It was the San Francisco forty nine Ers that looked like the Super Bowl contender. And this is the way that the Lions had envisioned what might happen if they could just put it together. But for three quarters it were the Niners that went toe to toe with the team they beaten the title game last year. The Lions and the Niners are way down. They're six to nine, and you talk about injuries, but they managed four hundred and seventy five yards, thirty four points. Their field goal kicker missed two field goals, an extra point. They left seven points on the board. Does this carry over? This is reality? Okay? Now, brock Purty through two second half interceptions right to Kirby Joseph. It's like pitch and catch and somehow the Lions they did what they needed to do. They're gritty, they're gutty. When the moment you requires greatness, They've been great and they're elite, and they're interesting and they're flawed. Right now, it hasn't shown up in the lost column. I'm not wishing it on them, I'm not predicting it, but inevitably you wonder when is this gonna catch up? Why the team was depleted? Man, there are eleven players on IR that at one point or another started on defense for the Lions this year, including Aiden Hutchinson, including Alex Azeloni, including two key defensive backs. So many players, and by the way, I'm both sides of the ball are out. The two top ones of course, Aiden Hutchinson and David Montgomery. But it's particularly on defense, and you have to start to wonder, at what point is it too much to overcome on the playoffs. You're not gonna be playing stinky teams like the Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Uh and in the in the regular In the playoffs, you're gonna you start with the Vikings and then sooner or later you're you're gonna run across the Rams. Are you gonna run across uh? Uh? The Washington Commanders? Are you gonna run across baby Minnesota again? A Green Bay? Or uh? Philadelphia? Who's the team that's got me worried because when Malcolm Rodriguez went down, if you saw hard Knocks a couple of years ago, his nickname is Rodrigo, the kid out of Global State. He's he's a linebacker stud. He was the spy. I believe that would despied Jalen Hurts, which is the difference maker on offense if those two teams hook up, and I would tell you that's that's gonna be the thing I'm most concerned about. Okay, So it's easy to wonder if it's too much to overcome in the playoffs. The Lions had a dream season and it's been a lot of bad luck ever since Aiden Hutchinson went down. Wait, on way back in what week four, whatever the hell was. But the truth, I don't care if you're a Lions fan or you're a neutral observer, right, you have to feel for Lions fans because not again, not again. If you know the history of this team and what's happened since nineteen you know, since well before the Super Bowl era, then you you have a soft spot in your hard for these fans. And yet somehow the team has the IT factor. You know what the D factor is. You can't describe it, you can't characterize it, but you know when you see it. The Lions have kept pace even as their defense is you know, depleted, and over the last four weeks Detroit's defense again, the last four weeks, I just gave you since Thanksgiving, the last four weeks, they're allowing an average of thirty three points a game, but their offense puts up thirty seven points a game. So shootout win in the playoffs too, and they can It's happened before, you know. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in twenty ten Super Bowl forty four. I thought that the Indianapolis Colts were the better team, but the Saints won that Super Bowl because they had the better offense. Now their defense wasn't great, but it was good enough. You don't have to be the eighty five's bear the eighty five Bears defense to win the Super Bowl. You don't. But you have to get stops and you need them. And when you come up against the opposing quarterback. The money downs are third down, in the red zone and in the fourth quarter, and that's when the Giants have to be on their p's and q's on defense. All right, So we get this ultimate Week eighteen matchup this Sunday must see TV Game two seventy two, the final game on the docket this year in the National Football League. The Lions are fourteen and two. They host the Vikings fourteen to two. Oh nothing on the Lions, just the NFC crown on the conference's number one seed on the line, Losers on the road in the first round. Brutal. Imagine going fourteen to three and you gotta go play a road game against a team that probably won five less games than you. Brutal, brutal. Maybe the NFL should receive I'm not done coming up. There's a great website. And by the way, they know what Detroit Okay, a great website of Detroit called Pride of Detroit and they give Lions forty nine ers report cards or they give Lions report cards after every game. And their report card on the Lions versus forty nine ers was very honest. You know. They great the quarterback, they get their running backs, you get a tight end, wide receivers, offensive line, and then they go to the defense. And give this website credit because they tell it like it is.