Latest / The 3Ts: Tables, Tailgates, and Toploaders / Welcome To The House Josh Built

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Welcome To The House Josh Built · The 3Ts: Tables, Tailgates, and Toploaders

• TB: What's up, Sydney? Sydney: What's up, Dad? TB: Ready for your random Randy's question out of nowhere. All Sydney: Yep, I'm ready. TB: right. So there are a ton of good TV shows out there. I'm not sure exactly what you're watching, but I thought, hey, let's get a question pertaining to television. So if you had to live inside one television show for a year, what show would you pick and why? Sydney: So we just started watching Ted Lasso this past weekend, TB: Yeah. Sydney: and we've been watching probably three or four episodes a day, and we're both pretty obsessed with it. So I think I would pick Ted Lasso for right now. TB: Ted Lasso is an awesome show. How far in how Sydney: I love it. TB: far in are you? Sydney: We're about to finish the first season. TB: Yeah, that that's a awesome, awesome show. Pretty much every show on Apple TV is ridiculously good. I don't know if you've ever seen the show shrinking. Sydney: No, I've never seen that. TB: It's got Jason Segal, Harrison Ford. The cast is amazing. It's funny. It's it's, you know, heartfelt. It's it'll make you laugh. It'll make you cry. You gotta you gotta add that to your list. So after Ted Lasso, dive right into shrinking. It's it's amazing. But that that's a great answer. Who's your favorite character so far on Ted Lasso? Sydney: It's hard not to say Ted because he's so funny. Like he just TB: Yeah. Sydney: has this it's a perfect humor, in my opinion. He's just so witty and funny. but I also weirdly like the owner. I can't I'm blanking on her name right now. She is so hot and TB: yeah, yeah, yeah. Sydney: cold, but I I don't know why, but I kind of obsessed with her. I think that she is super funny and she's kind of we're at the point. right now where she's kind of warming up to Ted. TB: Yes. Sydney: so I'm really starting to like her. TB: Great cast. And have you seen the videos where she in real life is like a really good singer? Sydney: No, I haven't seen that. TB: she her and Ted Lasso do a duet. it's the Bradley Cooper Lady Gaga song from that Sydney: Yeah. TB: movie. They they do a duet of that. And she's she's a really, really good singer. So if you get a chance to do a YouTube dive of all her her singing, it it's pretty, pretty cool. She she's really awesome. Sydney: Yeah, I like her a lot. TB: But that's a that's a great show. That's a great pick. I think it's time to start the show. All right, what is up, ladies and gentlemen? Welcome into another episode of the three Ts, Tables, Tailgates, and Top Loaders. I'm your host, TB, and we are back yet again with the co-host Sydney. She's joining us yet again from Jacksonville. How you doing this week, Sid? Sydney: I'm doing good. It is hot here, let me tell you. I feel like it just keeps getting hotter and hotter every day. They weren't kidding about that, Florida summer. TB: Are you getting tons of these insane rain showers? It seems like Sydney: Yeah, it's funny. It I think anyone that lives in Florida will agree with this, but it rains at the same exact time every single day, like torrential downpour, and it'll rain for maybe about ten minutes or so and then it'll be completely fine after that. TB: Yeah, I I don't like these I know I like the Randy's random questions out of Noah. I don't like random insane thunderstorms out of Noah. Those are not cool where it rains like five inches in a span of two minutes. That's not that's not okay. Sydney: Yeah. TB: So what else is going on? How's how's things down there other than the weather? Sydney: It's good. just kind of wrapping up the basketball season, which is exciting. Ready to get back into hockey. so yeah, just kind of working on work. TB: Did you get to see Spider Man yet? Sydney: No, I haven't seen it, but I just went to the movies this past weekend with my friend and we went and saw a rom com. So didn't see Spider Man, but TB: Romcom, what did you see? Sydney: it's called One Night Only. It was really good. Really good. TB: Never heard of it. You did not see the Odyssey, the three and a half hour Odyssey. What are your Sydney: No no I didn't see it. I know, I need to. TB: thoughts on this must see global event? Sydney: I think it's kinda cool. I actually didn't know what it was, but everyone in my office was talking about how good it was and that they actually were gonna go watch it again, which is really interesting. I feel like that doesn't happen a lot where people wanna continuously go and watch these movies over and over again. but everyone was saying it was really good, so I asked my one co coworker, I was like, What even is this movie? And he kind of just explained all of it. TB: Right. Sydney: Not really too hip on that, but it seems like something that could be pretty interesting. So maybe I'll, you know, look into that whenever it comes on a streaming service or something. TB: So apparently the way to see this movie, you've heard of IMAX, clearly. We've been to an IMAX Sydney: Yeah. TB: movie before. Well, there's IMAX and then there's these mega IMAX, which is what everyone says you absolutely need to see this movie on. So 70, I don't know what it's called, 70 millimeter IMAX or whatever. These are even bigger than a normal IMAX screen. First of all, have are there any of these screens in the Jacksonville, Northern Florida area? Sydney: I think we do have an IMAX. I think. TB: Do you have one of the mega IMAXs? Sydney: I don't think we have the mega IMAX. TB: How far would you be willing to travel to go to see one of these must see global events? Sydney: I don't know. Maybe like thirty minutes, I'm not really sure. TB: Okay. Well, if you're familiar with the King of Prussia Mall, apparently they have one of these mega theaters, but that's like Sydney: Mm-hmm. TB: what an hour and a half hour, 40 minutes away. I don't know. I was thinking about doing it, but a ticket to see this on the huge screen is like $35, $40. Sydney: That's not too bad. I don't know. The the rom com TB: Yeah, not not terrible, not terrible. Sydney: I saw the other day was ten dollar. So and we were one of five people in the entire theater because we saw it at eleven forty five AM. TB: Now do you so rom com not a must-see global event? Sydney: I thought it was good. TB: No. Okay, to each their own, I guess. So are you ready Sydney: Yeah, I guess. TB: to talk some some Buffalo Bills? Sydney: I'm ready. TB: Well, we are bringing on our pal Mike here. Let's see if he is gonna be ready to join us. Mike, what is up? Sydney: I like that background. That's nice. TB: Welcome to the show. Mike: How are we doing? Good thanks for having me. TB: my goodness, look at you are all decked out. Is that a new a throw or is that a a actual Buffalo Bills sofa you're sitting on? Mike: It's just a blanket. TB: Fair fair enough. So I just asked Sydney if she was planning on going to see the Odyssey. Any thoughts on this musty global spectacular event? Mike: no, I don't have any any input on this. TB: Well, that's not your random Randy's question out of nowhere. Your question out of nowhere is, are you burnt out on winning? I heard you listen to the podcast last week, and so I have to ask you as well. Give me your take on this hilarity. Mike: I I I think the thing is now is we know our our time our time window is short now. So we know we gotta win now. we only got a couple more years left of Josh being Josh. So I I TB: Okay. Mike: think the the pressure is just turned up now to win. so when we don't win, it hurts even more. So it feels like we've got to be perfect now. TB: Understand that, but are you able to at least enjoy the regular season? Or have you been able to enjoy the regular season these last three, four years? Mike: absolutely. I mean, going through the drought where we haven't won at all, this this is like it's like Christmas every game now. Except for when we play bad, then it's not so much. TB: Well, we wanted to have you on this episode because hey, guess what? The stadium is live and open. They had the red and blue scrimmage. What a few days? What I don't even know what day it is. What day are we on? Tuesday. So we are four days, four days Mike: good. TB: ago. You were there, you were live in person. We wanted to touch base with you and see what it felt like to get in this place. So let's start. general overall thoughts, and then we'll kind of break this thing down. What did you think as you were heading towards the brand new high mark for the very first time? Mike: It was really awesome. I mean, I've driven by it a few times as it's been b been built. So we've seen the progression. it was kind of nerve wracking going in there because you didn't really know what your seat was gonna be like. You you saw the the renderings when we went through the the stadium experience, but you really didn't know what it was gonna be like. and I I thought it was awesome. TB: So good overall first impressions. Were there were there a lot of people there? Mike: There were. I think I heard the attendance was fifty one thousand. the the stands were pretty full, but there were a lot of people kind of like myself that were they're they were doing a lot of walking around and exploring as well. So when you looked at the stadium, just the seats they weren't all filled, but there were a lot of people there. TB: Okay. Okay. So the overall like blueprint of the whole thing obviously has changed a lot. Give us kind of like you park, you're walking. What what's the overall feel? What what's different? What's new? What's the same? Kinda let's start there. General like tail gaining lots, are they relatively the same or what what's going on? Mike: the private lots are relatively the same. there's a little bit of difference with the the bills lots. I I didn't really explore them much, but I heard the the spaces are a little larger to allow for tailgating. And before with all the tents and everything, you weren't getting emergency vehicles through there if there was anything going on, at least in between in between TB: okay. Mike: the rows. So they I think that's the reason why they did that. but the Stale gating, I is gonna be pretty much the same. TB: And tell me tell me about like the walk up process to the actual stadium. So I hear there's almost like two gates. The first gate is a and correct me if I'm wrong, like a security gate. So you pass through security and then it's a big open space where you can go to family circle and all this other stuff. Is that true? Mike: So Family Circle is actually outside of the security perimeter. So you you so you can see that first. We we went through there, really cool with the the giant bison and everything. And the the thing I found surprising is they're they have some some blank areas in the family circle for some future inductees. Sydney: That's cool. I like that. TB: Future inductees. Anyone pop pop to mind? Anyone you think's I mean, are we gonna put Josh on there right now or what what are we doing? Mike: ma you y you might as well. TB: Is there a space for the three Ts to go? But we might not make the first round. All Mike: Keep working at it. TB: right, so how how big are the buffaloes? Keep working at it. Thank you. Mike: they're Sydney: D TB: That's why Sydney's here. We're gonna we're taking this thing straight to the top. Mike: huh Buffaloes are huge. really cool to see. When we got there it was daytime. so TB: Yeah. Mike: you you really didn't see any special effects. When we left it was just starting to get dark, where they are lit up and they're really cool then. TB: Okay. Okay. Now are they like is it like a laser show on them? Like I I don't even know what to expect. Or maybe maybe I shouldn't be asking all these questions because all the surprise will be gone. But hey, the the listeners wanna know. Mike: So that they have a bunch of giant lights around them. So I think they can put TB: Okay. Mike: different types of lights on I didn't see any smoke coming out of their noses, but I've I've seen other videos TB: Mm. Mike: of that happening, which that could that could be really cool too. Yeah. TB: That that's yet to come. Yeah. Now is there a lot of space around there? Like can can a lot of people congregate in this area or is it gonna be just ridiculous? Mike: No, that there was a lot of space in there. even outside the stadium. Out outside that security perimeter. That there's a ton of space out there now. the one thing I found a little depressing is I I took my normal walk up there like we would for the old stadium. And the old stadium TB: Yeah. Mike: is no more. that was j j just looking across the street there where, you know, we just walked out of there a couple months ago. It's it's not there anymore. TB: Completely gone. Yeah, I s I was seeing the videos of the the demolition. It's just it's crazy when they took that the main wall down, you know, with the the the sign that said hi Mark, you know, the the main Mike: Mm. TB: most recognizable part of this data when they tore that down, that was that was insane. But so what else so you you noticed the b the Buffaloes are huge, it's a lot of area. How I know they're about fifty thousand people. Did it seem like everyone was still on top of each other or Or is it much more spread out? Do you have a lot more space to move as you're approaching the the gates and such? Mike: Th there's a ton more space. So the security perimeter is much further out than it was before where before you're you're hitting that security perimeter and right after that you're ch you're hitting in for the tickets. The security perimeter TB: Yeah. Mike: is much further out. so there's a lot of room inside there just to kind of walk around. They have they have concessions on the outside where they have some restaurants that were actually cooking food out there, barbecuing some food. we actually got in line for one of those. that was a an experience. we we were in line for a good half hour. I mean luckily we got there very early. The they opened up the security perimeter at four and then they didn't op open up the actual stadium until five. So we had some time to mill around. but TB: these permanent are these permanent restaurants or are these like food trucks that are gonna be able to be rotated? What what are we talking about here? Mike: I think they're permanent restaurants. I mean, they're they're actually like little outbuildings. TB: Okay. Mike: so I I don't know if they're gonna be switching up which restaurants are where, but we went to Southern Junction, which is kind of a barbecue type place. TB: Right. Mike: the the line to get in there was a little weird. you kind of wind your way inside where when you're in line, you really can't see anything inside there. And then as you're going through the line, which was insanely slow, which I'll give them credit for it just being the first day that everybody's doing everything and no one knew what they were doing. the way the food was, it had a bunch of food up on racks, but you didn't know what was what. There was just a menu at top that said how much everything was, so grab some food and a drink and then the the cashiers really didn't know what they were doing either. So I think that was kind of the reason why the line was so slow. But TB: wow. Mike: again, again, first day. hopefully they they work that out as as the season goes on. but the food was fantastic. TB: And what was the entry process to get through security? Was it did it seem a little smoother or Mike: Yeah, much smoother. You didn't you didn't have to take anything out of your pockets. if the alarm went off, they had you take stuff out of your pockets and walk through again. we were through there within a minute or so. TB: And then there's your your actual ticket gate to get into the stadium is a a good ways off. Okay. So then tell us first impressions upon actually getting into the stadium. What what were you what was going through your mind? What were you thinking? Mike: So I mean it was really cool because from the outside, you know, you're you're kind of peeking in the doors as you're out on that outer perimeter. You you can somewhat see the inside of the field. you can see the the seats and everything just looking through the window. So get your ticket, get checked in there, and then you you walk right in, and then it's it's right there. you you can see the field not being in the seats. It's really cool. TB: So as you're walking around on the concourse you can see down into the bowl. Mike: Correct. you gotta be kind of close to the the field side there to actually see the field itself. But a ton of standing room that are at the end of the sections. They have like little TB: I can do it. Mike: platforms there where you can put food and stuff down so you're not obligated to bring food back to your seat to eat. so there's a lot of standing room all over the stadium. TB: Okay. And and as far as like food options and stuff like that, obviously you said I know you and I have talked offline a little bit. You didn't get to see everything, but a lot more options, a lot more space just the the to be able to walk. I mean, the concourses in old high mark, you you just couldn't walk anywhere you without I mean you're you're running into fifteen people at least just to go to the bathroom for God's sake. And then it's just terrible. Mike: I mean, it was kind of weird because it was the first time everybody was in there. So they're all kind of walking around, not not paying attention to anywhere they're walking. And that was the same way. You're just trying to take in everything at once, and there's so much to take in. so TB: Yeah. Mike: everyone's kind of just walking around, looking around. but even with people doing that and as many people were on the concourses, you still didn't really feel crowded. TB: So what what else like stood out as far as I know one of the things you and I talked about when we went through the stadium experience is they actually are going to have kitchens. They're actually gonna be able to cook food. It's not just, hey, we're gonna reheat some hot dogs and and some Tim Hortons coffee that's been made six days ago and some stale popcorn so like they can actually cook stuff. Did you see any of the options at least by by the section where our seats are, or what are we talking about? You think we're in a good spot? What do you think? Mike: I I think we're in a great spot. I mean the the food choices there are almost endless. and not just like hot TB: Okay. Mike: dogs and you know, th there's a lot of buffalo stuff there. That was I saw some beef on wack there, a lot of wings. the the beer selection is very, very good there compared to before. TB: Okay. No, I I'm I'm super excited. So then you finally decide to go down to your seats to check out the brand new view. And Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: hopefully I'll be there in a in a couple of weeks. But what what did you experience? What did you feel when you walk into your seat for the first time? Mike: I mean, just the view is fantastic of the entire stadium. the you're looking at the upper deck. The upper deck is very steep. I don't know if TB: Yeah. Mike: I'd want to be wanna be up there standing the whole time. I I could see that being an experience in itself. just the whole stadium's beautiful. there there there's a stage in the one of the end zones where they had a band plane when we first came in. TB: Awesome. Mike: Just really cool. TB: Now, as far as the view from our seats, our seats are relatively in the same spot. So we're on the ten yard line. compare where we were in the and the sight line to to where you are now. What what do you think? The same, better, Mike: I think it's TB: worse? Mike: Very comparable. I think we're a TB: Okay. Mike: little bit hot higher up the w like elevation wise from the field. but TB: Yeah. Mike: I I love the seats. They're great. the the thing that had me worried is being in the drip line of the of the roof and looked up above us and like the edge of the roof is like directly above us and I'm I was a little nervous about that and I was actually thankful when it started raining. because we we didn't get dripped on much at all as far as from the roof. we actually stayed pretty dry too. I mean, it was really coming down rain wise. And every once in a while you get a gust of wind that would blow towards us and you get a little bit wet, but for the most part we stayed pretty dry. TB: Yeah, this was one of the controversies that we'll get into here in a few minutes that came out after the first scrimmage. People were complaining about God knows how many things. And and one of the things was the roof and the lack thereof. And the the thought when this thing was being built was that 60% of the seats were going to be covered by this roof, by the overhang, if you will. In your estimate, do you think that that is accurate or is was that a A poor percentage. Mike: I think if you have rain coming directly down without any wind whatsoever, maybe. But you y you throw TB: Okay. Mike: the wind in there, no matter how slight it is, it's not everybody's gonna be covered. And especially the sixty TB: And Mike: percent I think was very high. TB: Okay. But our seats tell me if I'm wrong. Are we on the the twenty fifth row? Mike: twenty eighth. TB: 28th row. And so you think that's pretty much the the line of where the roof. Well, how how do we pick that so perfectly? Mike: Well, we were also told that TB: Okay. Mike: there there there were no seats undercover in the lower bowl. in our section there's probably TB: Yeah, true. Mike: there's probably eight or nine rows that have the section above them, like the the roof of that right over them where you look up and you don't see sky at all. You you that's all you see is the roof of the the next level. TB: Yeah. So now you've been in other stadiums. I know when we went to a Pittsburgh game and we sat up top, that's pretty steep up there. Do you think it's comparable Mike: Mm. TB: to to that or worse? Mike: You know, I didn't go up there myself. I was just kind of looking at it myself. I I talked to a couple of people that were up there and they they said it's it's really steep. the the feel of the stadium though, just because you don't have any history there and it's the first time we're there, it it felt like when we went to Detroit, I think back in twenty twenty two when the game got moved, where it it was a TB: The snow yeah, the snow c yeah. Mike: It was a home game in Detroit and it they're playing all the Bills' music and everything there. It's a home game, but you're in a weird place. It's ki kinda what it felt like. TB: Yeah, and that that makes sense. It's gonna take it's gonna take some time. especially Mike: Mm. TB: when, you know, it's gonna take a while for everyone to get in there for the first time. I know, you know, a lot of the season ticket holders still don't go to every single game. So it's gonna take a while for everyone to kind of trickle through and and get used to everything. But I think by at least by playoffs, that place should be ready to rock and roll. And hopefully Mike: yeah. TB: they work some of the kinks out. So yeah, let's talk about some of these complaints because They were they were numerous. And I was I was just Mike: yeah. TB: hearing I was hearing a ton of stuff from the complaining about the roof to complaining about the the TV board and it was too small and not enough bathrooms and this and that and the sight lines and people were saying they had obstructive view seats and I know the bills came out yesterday and they put a statement out saying a lot of these things are gonna be addressed. and they commented on specific people who are posting photos of their obstructive view seat saying this is not an actual seat. this is not some this is not a seat that we would sell you to a game. So I don't know why you're posting this stuff. So it's hard to know what's real and what's not, but w speak on some of this other stuff. What what are your overall thoughts on some of these complaints? Mike: I mean i if we got a seat that was a where the view was obstructed and we weren't told about it, I'd be upset too. I don't know how how valid these complaints are if they were told during their stadium experience if it was gonna be an ex obstructed view. in some of these views I saw you're looking through plexiglass. Okay, I I don't know that's really obstructed. I you know, I if I paid that much for a PSL though and I wasn't able to see the field, I'd be upset. But I would just hope that, you know, if It isn't rectified that they take legal action if it's i if it's valid, but kinda sick of hearing about it already. TB: Yeah, it's like, and Sydney and I have talked about this for the last couple weeks. It's like every every week there's a new complaint by the mafia. And I'm just Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: like, my God, we just need the freaking season to start because I I can't I can't take this anymore. But to your Mike: Yeah. TB: point, you were talking about plexiglass potentially blocking some views. But when you're sitting up there, if if the stands are that steep, don't they need this to prevent people from falling over Mike: yeah. TB: the the railing anyway? So I mean, what are we talking about? Mike: Well I I was I saw some videos today about the the upper deck there and just the the rails that they have. And it doesn't look like it'll be enough. especially when some of the people start getting some beers in that it looks pretty dangerous the way it's set up right now. TB: Do you know if there's any validity to the claims that there were no bathrooms in the 400 section? I can't believe that's true. Mike: I did hear that as well. I don't think there's concourses up there. I think you have to go down down to the three hundreds to actually have concourses that you can walk around on. So I heard that is true. TB: so you have to come completely out of the section to get to anything? Mike: Yeah, from what I understand, yeah. TB: Okay. I mean, I guess I I don't wanna you know, I don't wanna say anything about it because I haven't seen it. I don't know what the layout looks like. do you is the four hundred section, would you say that that's equal to or smaller than the one hundred section? Mike: You know what, it might it might be about the same size. TB: Okay. The two hundreds are obviously club level, right? So Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: where's where's the three hundred? Mike: between the two hundred and the four hundred. I I I I I I I think TB: I I know, but like is it a is it specialty seats or or what what it what are we talking about? Mike: I'm not sure. I I I took it as their general seats, but TB: okay. Okay. Just another price point. Gotcha. Okay. Yeah, for some reason in my mind I can't like picture that because I'm so used to the old high mark where it's literally Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: the one hundreds, your clubs, and then your up upper deck. So I I don't know. But what about the the TV boards? Give us a a rundown on how minuscule these brand new TV boards were. Mike: You know, I I was actually kind of surprised myself how I want to say small, but you know, you're building a new stadium, you'd think they'd be a little bigger. I don't know where you'd put them though, because you'd be probably removing seating if you're getting a bigger board. And majority of the time you're looking at the field anyways. I I I don't need to be entertained by the giant video board myself. and I I think it suffices. TB: Okay, but were they were they clear? Like could you actually good see good quality on these things or what? Were they not really using them Mike: yeah. TB: too well? Mike: No, no, they're they're good. I I I think they're adequate. if you look at some of these other stadiums with these ridiculous video boards, the prices of the stadium were twice as what what what we paid to build this stadium. So it all depends what you're looking for. TB: You're talking about Jerry World there in Dallas where the screen literally takes up seventy-five percent of the field. Yeah, that's i insane. I mean, to me, that distracts from what the product is on the actual field. And you Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: don't know where to put your eyes because you got a mile long screen sitting right in front of you. So I'm there to watch a football game. I know other people are gonna say it differently. I'm sure the complaints will come in this week. So Man, it's frustrating. what what el what else am I missing? What what do you think is important that that we should talk about? Mike: So the seats themselves, they actually fold up completely. So it gives a lot more room when you're standing up. So if someone's walking, you know, trying to get through the aisle there to get to their seats, they're not stopping on your feet. So there there is a lot more room when you're standing up. sitting down, I think there is maybe a a tad bit more room than there was before. Not a ton, TB: Okay. Mike: but it it definitely feels a lot less cramped. TB: How about wider? When you're in full snow gear, so snow pants, boots, the whole nine, are we going to be able to actually sit in the seat? Mike: I think so. I th th there seems to be a a little bit more room there as well. TB: And how bad is the snow gonna pile up in these bad boys? Mike: it depends, you know, are we gonna get seven feet of snow like we did a couple of years ago or th there's gonna be snow there, but at least they're not gonna have to shovel the entire stadium like they did before. TB: 'Cause Sydney is no stranger to the three feet snow game. Sydney: I'm sad I'm not gonna get that this year in November. We'll see, but I don't think it's likely. TB: Hey, you never you never know man. So how early do you recommend people get there on a preseason game just to kind of take in all the sights? Mike: So we got there around three thirty. and the outer perimeter opened at four. so we kinda we just kind of took our time walking through the family circle area. when they opened up the security gates, we we went in there for we really took our time. W we really didn't need as much time as we needed in the security gates. TB: Okay. Mike: and then especially with the preseason games, I don't think everybody is No, it's gonna be it's fixated on the game itself outside the the first couple of drives. So you're you're gonna have time to walk around the stadium. So I don't think it's necessary to be in there right when they open up the doors. TB: Are you not glued to the Shane Buchel versus Kyle Allen one-on-one battle for the st the backup QB spot? Mike: I have to say you you brought this up in your in your last podcast, the the Nickel City uniforms. here we here we here we come. TB: we we stand by folks. We we got a hot take coming at you from Ohio. Mike: I did not like them to begin with. TB: Okay. Mike: I I hate them now. TB: Ho ho ho Mike: you could you couldn't tell who was who. so the the the special teams guys like the punter and the kickers were wearing the the Nickel City uniforms as long along with the quarterbacks. TB: Okay. Mike: when Josh Allen doesn't look cool, you failed with your jersey. TB: So hey, we'll we're Mike: Mm. TB: gonna use a three T scale out of four turnbuckles. What are you giving the brand new, brandly freshly debuted? I can't speak, I'm so excited. I wanna hear Mike's Mike: Mm. TB: rating. What are you giving these brand new Nickel City jerseys? Mike: I don't think I've ever heard you do this before, but I'm gonna say zero turnbuckles. TB: Is there anything they could do to salvage these things besides throwing them in the trash? Mike: No, the the number you can't really tell who who is who as far as the numbers go. You can't read the names on the back. they're very plain. I I I've seen the the comparison to a diet Pepsi can and that's kind of what it looks like. TB: Yeah. Mike: I I think they're terrible. TB: man, Mike is bringing the fire today. Okay, Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: okay, Oscar the Crouch. Mike: Ha ha TB: well, everyone hated last year's rivalry jersey. Are these better or worse than the rivalry jersey? Mike: I think they're worse. I think they're worse. I yeah. TB: Dramatic pause. They're worse. Okay. Okay. Because the the complaint was the rivalry jerseys didn't translate on TV. And it's the same thing. The numbers Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: get washed out, and you can't tell who's who. And it just looks like a big blob of a mess. So great. Now we have two of our six jerseys are completely trash. Mike: Yeah. TB: So I should not run out and buy them because I have one currently in my fanatics cart right now, waiting to buy. Mike: You you're gonna buy it anyways, but TB: So I should buy it from the third party somewhere overseas instead. Mike: You're probably not gonna tell the difference. TB: Especially from TV. All right. All right. Now you are heading back for preseason game number one Saturday, right? So who are they playing this weekend? Carolina, right? Okay. Is that a one o'clock kick? Mike: Yes. TB: So what's the what's the lineup look like for that day? Mike: I I think kind of the same thing. We're gonna get there somewhat early. so I I took took my daughter with me to the the red and blue, taking my wife with me to the preseason game. So we're kinda probably do the same thing exploring seeing it's her first time there. TB: Yeah. Mike: I wanna I wanna try to maybe explore the other levels. I I heard there's a like a a viewing deck from the very top where you can see downtown. I'd like to see that. so I just seeing more of the stadium. TB: So you're thinking maybe keeping tailgating to a minimum? For especially for preseason stuff. Mike: Yeah. TB: Yeah, that's not that's not a bad idea. Not a bad idea at all. any other thoughts or comments on the stadium? Sydney, you got any questions for Mike? Sydney: Yeah, I saw one video of a guy and he said that the material that the seats are made out of that you can't when you bang on them, they don't make any noise. Is that true? Mike: That is that is true. So but that stadium is gonna be loud. you're not gonna need to be banging on any seats. it it it really keeps the sound inside, so it's gonna be really cool once the season starts to hear how loud that place gets. TB: And you're not even gonna notice that it's ten thousand less mafia members in there. Mike: I don't think so. TB: Are you happy or sad that ten thousand people didn't get a seat in this stadium? Mike: I'm happy. TB: Okay. All right. And click that, Mr. Producer. No, I I can't wait. I can't wait to get in there and check it out. But how about we talk about a few more bills things before we let you go if you got a few more minutes? Mike: Yeah, bring it on. TB: All right. So the big news of the week was Osiris Torrance signed a four-year $78.4 million contract extension, $46 million contract. Guaranteed. Sid, I'm gonna start with you. The Cat Man, how do we feel? He's 26 years old. He's never missed a game. What are your thoughts that we locked up our right guard for the next four years? How do you feel about that? Sydney: Osiris, I think he's a cool guy, especially when he wore that nice little suit on draft day. yeah, I think it was an important signing, just to get him back on the line for the next few years. I think he's a good guy. He's a quiet guy, which I like. he's very humble and he's great. I mean, he's never missed a game. He's been very solid for us. so I think it's a good signing. I know other people don't agree, TB: Yeah, it's crazy. Sydney: but. TB: Well, it's crazy that he's never missed a game since he was drafted. So Mike, what what Sydney: Mm-hmm. Yeah. TB: are your thoughts? Mike: When I first saw that number, I was kind of shocked. but the more I thought about it, more I read into it. He doesn't give up many sacks. I think he only gave up three sacks last year. he doesn't miss any time at all. TB: Yeah. Mike: he doesn't miss snaps. and he's still young. So I I think it's a good signing. If if Josh is safe, that that's what we need, because if he gets hurt, we're doomed. Sydney: Yeah. TB: Yeah, and he's gonna play this whole season at age twenty six years old. So I mean, look, this this'll carry him till he's 30 and then we can reevaluate. But this is kind of the price it it's gonna take to sign. I I'm not gonna say he's a top five guard in the league, but he's pretty damn good. He's pretty consistent. He stays on the field, which is what we need. And it's that O line consistency. So now the whole line is locked in outside of left guard. Who knows who's going to be starting there? Probably Anderson, but we shall see. And the question that this brought up to me is what does this mean for Dion? Because Dion's kind of the one that's on the hook now for the big, the big money. And we didn't extend him. Usually he's one of those levers that we always extend or or you know mess with his contract a little bit to save some money on the cap. We didn't do that this year. And there was a lot of talk that this could be the last season for Dion. So now that we kinda re signed Saibo, do we think this means this could be the end for Dion? Sydney: Not a chance, in my opinion. I just I think Dion is a forever bill, in my opinion. I don't think I think he would take less money to stay and retire a bill. He's said that multiple times. He has no problem reconstructing his contract to give others the opportunity to play for the team. In my opinion, I just I could not see him ever wanting to play for any other team. He loves Buffalo. He's embraced Buffalo. He is, in my opinion, just a bill for life. So I don't think that would ever happen. TB: Mike, what do you think? Mike: I have to agree. I mean, anytime there's any kind of PR events, he's always a part of it. if the WWE's in b in Buffalo, he's there wearing a belt. like like Cindy said, he's Mr. Buffalo. I could see him taking less money. he had a lot of penalties last year too. I TB: Time. Mike: love him. But if anybody's performance was in question, I he didn't have a great season last year. TB: Well, that's my concern. Now he's come into camp. He claims he's forty-five pounds lighter. I don't know how to verify that. but that's what he's saying. But yeah, last year was kind of a down year. And if he keeps a downward trajectory, it's gonna be tough to continue to invest that much money in in that position. So especially when you've paid all these other guys, and that was the other question I had when we look at it. a deal like this is does this prevent us from really going out and signing a lot of these big name free agents or or being able to, you know, lure that big fish in via trade and then kind of trading and then re signing guys because we've spent a lot of money to re sign our own. And these guys are good. Don't get me wrong. I'm not I'm not not happy that we we signed Torrance, but You know, there's a lot of big fish out there that we just never seem to be circling around because we can't afford them. I would have loved to have seen them bring in the Cleveland guy. Sydney: Miles Garrett. TB: My thank you. It was just the name escaped me. But w there's no way we could we could number one offer that trade package and then re-sign him for what? What was he asking for? 50 some million bucks or some ridiculous. I mean, it's basically Josh Allen money. So well, we don't we don't have that kind of money in the bank account because we're paying all these, I don't want to say mid tier, because I don't think that's fair, but they're not they're not like top of the top. We talked about this a couple of weeks ago as far as the top ten lists. And outside of Allen and Cook, nobody on this team is breaking any top ten lists. So here we have deals like this that happen over and over again because Brandon Bean, he loves to re sign his own, but then there's no money left in the the coffee can to go after these big guys. So what are your thoughts on that? Sydney: Sorry, I didn't know I was getting up. TB: Mm-hmm. Mike: what kind of surprised me was how much we're paying DJ Moore. for the caliber player that he's been, I I thought we overpaid. then I saw him when when I saw him at the red and blue, he's catching everything. I think he's he's gonna be good. but I would rather have a strong offensive line with Josh than to have like Justin Jefferson with Kyle Allensburg. TB: So if we sign Justin Jefferson, Josh isn't on the team anymore. What happen what happened to J17? Mike: Well, if it gets hurt because we're we're not paying our offensive line or but that that's where I'm going. TB: Fair fair enough, fair enough. I was like, what happened? We traded him 'cause we needed Justin Jefferson? Mike: Hmm. TB: my gosh. Sydney, what do you think? Sydney: No, it's tough. I feel like you're almost stuck between a rock and a hard place. You you wanna invest in your defense, and I feel like we've invested a lot in our defense, especially this past season. We re-signed a lot of people just to keep them. and I feel like sometimes we neglect our offense. I don't know, it's tough. We talked about in the offseason all these offensive weapons that we wanted to sign. Like we could have gone after Jacoby Myers and we could have gone after this person or this person. And it just never seems we we are never the team that is in the running for any of these big names. So it can be a little bit frustrating. I think DJ Moore is gonna be really, really good. and I'm excited for that bond that him and Josh are gonna have. But you still kind of think about, you know, what could have been like all these signings that we could have had. But I don't know. I'm choosing to trust in the process. I think that they know what they're doing. so hopefully them investing a little bit more in our defense is is gonna pay off. TB: Yeah, they just they just need to stay on the field because, you know, we're seeing it already. Guys are starting to get dinged up in training camp. CJ Gardner Johnson can't seem to to stay on the field for more than a day. So the last thing I want to see is the fourth string safety out there with Cole Bishop again. And then, you know, we're we're we're calling up Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer one more time to get the band back together. It's just I don't know. And and hopefully with with Jim Leonard running the show on the defensive side of the ball, we don't have the same numbers on standby in the old Rolodex. so when guys start dropping Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: off like flies, we're not we're not getting the band back together. Cause I I just don't want to see that. but yeah, it it's always tough. Like, do you assemble a lot of B players, C plus, B minus players, or do you go stars and scrubs like you know, fantasy sports? And spend a whole ton of money on your top three or four players. And then the rest, you know, you're barely stock in the cupboard. So it's always tough. I don't know. I man, I would have loved to had Miles Garrett on this team, though. I g I gotta I gotta tell you. I gotta tell you. and I know what that cost would have been. Well anyway, I kind of wanted to look, if you guys don't mind, at the first quarter of the season, because everyone said it's gonna be a gauntlet. So I figured, hey, let's just look. Let's just preview, not really dive terribly deep into these first four weeks, but let's just look, do a general overview of the first four weeks. So we start on the road at Houston, then our brand new stadium gets opened with Detroit coming to town. Then the Chargers come week three into Orchard Park. And then finally three straight home games with the Patriots. So we have at Houston, home for the Lions, the Chargers, and the Patriots. General thoughts. How difficult is this four game stretch? What do we what do we think? Sid, I'll start with you. Sydney: Yeah, I mean, those are four powerhouse teams right there, in my opinion. I mean, Houston's defense was incredible last year. the Chargers were good. I the Patriots are what they are. I'm interested to see what their season looks like because I know everyone says about their schedule. and they had it really easy. So I'm interested to see how that's gonna go. But they also have a really hard schedule this year. So that is a coin flip, in my opinion. All of them are coin flips, but They're tough. They all have very good teams. and all of them in a row is is not gonna be easy at all. So I'm interested to see how the those go. TB: Mike, what do you think? Mike: The Houston game we we always we always play like crap against them. So that's kind of what scares me. I think their offense is almost non-existent. so I if we could just avoid mistakes, I I think we could win that game. Detroit, you never know. I I just hope we come out with a win being the the first game in the new stadium. Chargers, they're they're gonna be a tough opponent too. and the Patriots TB: Mike McDaniel's chargers, mind you. Mike: Mm. Sydney: Yeah, that's interesting. Mike: And the Patriots will crush. TB: all right. All right. So who is the best quarterback that we're gonna play in the first four weeks? Sydney: It's not Houston, I'll tell you that. Mike: Ha ha TB: Okay, CJ Stroud is off the board. I think he's completely overrated. Sydney: I also don't think it's Justin Herbert, so I think it's sadly either Drake May, I don't know. TB: Do you you you wanna rank golf over Herbert and his brand new offensive coordinator? Sydney: The thing the thing about golf, he is good for one or two horrible, horrible, horrible games. I remember a game last year, he threw five picks. So I think golf is is good. I don't know if he's better than Drake May. I don't know I don't know. TB: But he has so many playmakers on that offensive side. Sydney: No, his r his run game is insane. I think if our defense is not on point that game, Gibbs is gonna run all over us. For sure. TB: I think that's that is a nightmare of a game, week two to start the season. I gotta tell you, when that was announced as the opener for the stadium, I was like, wow, that's exciting. But at the same time, I'm not sure we can I I think we can win. I would have much rather have seen the Jets or the Dolphins or someone to get that early dub in that building. But holy cow, like that offense, when it's hummin, there's not hardly anybody outside of maybe Seattle who can slow them down. So, man, if they're ready to Sydney: Yeah. TB: roll week two, I I I've said this. I think Mike, I think actually both both of you, we've talked about this, in my opinion, it's gonna take six to eight weeks for this defense to get up to speed. And this team is gonna have to be carried by the offense. So man, I I don't know. This is I don't know. But I'm I'm I'm not sleeping on Herbert and his new offensive coordinator. I I think McDaniel can go in there. He might not know where the team's located. That's okay. He doesn't have to, but did you guys hear that nonsense? He thinks the team is like it doesn't matter. But anyway, but I think getting fresh a fresh mind to actually work with him. Herbert's Herbert can be awesome. I could easily see him being a candidate for AFC. Like V P am I crazy? Syd Sydney, you think Mike: I mean the the potential's there. TB: I'm crazy? Sydney: No, I don't think you're crazy. I think he definitely has the potential to do that. But I think going off of last year, was he better than Drake May? I don't know. Not in my opinion, no. TB: I think, well, you y'all know how I feel about Drake May. I think the Patriots were given the keys to the kingdom and they had the easiest schedule. And then when push came to shove in the playoffs, Drake May played like absolute garbage. So I don't wanna the Drake May love went way too far. Now, maybe that's me being a Patriots hater, because they're my most hated team for the last 40 years of my life. So maybe I just hate them and I want to see them fail. on every account. So I don't know, but I think the Drake May and the Patriot love went way too far. But maybe naive. Mike: He's completely overrated. I I I think that th TB: Ha ha ha. Mike: th this is gonna be this is gonna be a wake up this season when he's playing some actual teams. TB: Yeah, I I hope so. So out of those first four games, what's the hardest game and what's the easiest game, Sydney? Sydney: I don't know. I think the hardest game it is is gonna be Detroit, just solely because of their run game. I think our defense is is gonna need a lot of time to catch up. and I I don't know. He I feel like Houston could be these are so hard. I don't know. TB: Yeah. Sydney: Houston, if their defense is as good as they were last year, that could be really tough. But yet again, they don't have a great offense. Maybe that could be the easiest. I don't know. I don't even know. Yeah, TB: It's tough to pick, right? It's tough. Sydney: it's tough. TB: Mike, what's the hardest game? What's the easiest game? Mike: I think Detroit's gonna be the hardest, just 'cause they're a very complete team. I I wanna say that our defense is gonna be up to speed come week four. And I I I think we can beat New England. I think that's gonna be the easiest game. TB: Okay. Did you also find it weird that it's three straight home games? Weeks Mike: Yeah. TB: two, three, four, three straight home games? I d I don't I'm not a fan. Mike: No. TB: What's the best case scenario? Is there a chance we could win all four of these games? Sydney: For sure. There's always a chance. TB: What do you what do you put that at? Sydney: Hmm. TB: The Vegas the Vegas line is two and a half wins in the first four weeks of the season for the Bills. Are you taking the Sydney: Yeah. TB: over? Sydney: I don't know. I would love to take the over, but who knows. TB: Mike, what are you betting? Mike: I would take the over. I think we could win three of those four games. TB: We come out three and one. Mike: Yeah. TB: And in your opinion, who who's the one we're losing to? no Yeah Mike: gonna say Texas. 'Cause it was I I would rather lose to Texas than Detroit. Sydney: If we lose to CJ Stroud after I saw what he looked like coming into the first day of training camp, I'm gonna be utterly embarrassed. So TB: I don't know what it is about Houston. We play like absolute trash every single time we go to Houston. Do you I I Sydney: I don't get it. I don't get it at all. TB: don't know. It's been what? Fifteen years since we've won in it's rid something ridiculous. I don't obviously I did not do my research to know this, but I think it's been it's been quite some time. Quite some time. I don't know. Any other thoughts on the first four weeks, the first quarter? I think it's gonna be kind of brutal. But if we could come out three Mike: Mm. TB: and one. I think we're setting ourselves up nicely. two and two at the worst. If we start one and three, w we could be in some trouble. Sydney: Yeah, big time. Mike: Agree. TB: So what what do you think keys to early success are for these first four weeks? I know we've we talked about the defense. They need to get up to speed, ASAP, but and I I think offense needs to be humming those first four weeks. What what do you all think the keys are? Who needs to shine and who maybe unexpectedly needs to shine? I kind of think there's a lot riding on Josh Palmer. Look, we know I I have full confidence DJ Moore is going to be off and running. I think Shakir's going to be fine. Keon, let's just put him to the side. If we get anything out of Keon, I think that's a positive. I think Josh Palmer is the key. And if he's healthy and he's ready to roll, I think we can and he's actually comes in ready to be the role he was supposed to be when he signed here as like that third multi threat kind of wide receiver. I think sky's the limit for this offense. Am I crazy? Mike: I I agree with that. I think Duncan Kade too needs to have a strong start. need to get to get him the ball a lot. TB: absolutely. Dalton Kincaid, yeah. Absolutely. Said, you think I'm crazy with Josh Josh Palmer. Sydney: Not hanging my hat on Josh Palmer, I'm sorry. I'm I'm not. I hope he does I hope he proves me wrong and I hope he's amazing, but he did not impress me last year at all. I TB: He was never on the field. Sydney: no, and when he was, he wasn't impressive. I am hanging my hat on Dalton Kincaid. I think when he's on the field, he just makes everything run so much smoother. And I am sorry, Keon, he's gotta show up. W we can't be, like I said, hanging our hat on Josh Palmer. It's we have to TB: Well, that's why I said unexpectedly. Who who can unexpectedly shine? And I'm like, look, I I gave Josh Palmer so much crap last year on this show. Go back, check the tape. Check the tape. Like I I went wild on my Josh Palmer Palmer hatred. Maybe I'm turning a new leaf. Maybe my my bionic arm has has poured some new life into me. And like I gotta spread some love. So Kent, I'm just hoping it's possible he could show up and do something for this offense. But yeah, I I totally agree. Dalton Kickade, look, when he's on the field, the Bills score a rid a ridiculous amount of points. When he's off the field, it it's a struggle. So yeah, I totally agree with you there. But is there anyone else that outside of these main guys that could be a big a big key to this team? Sydney: I don't think it's gonna be a huge help, but I mean if we utilize Ty Johnson and Ray Davis more, I think the three of them work really well with James Cook. James Cook doesn't need to have the ball every single drive. Is he amazing? Absolutely, but the other two are good too. And Ty Johnson is great at receiving. so we need to use them just as much. TB: Yeah, totally agree. Mike, you got anything? Mike: I had good news at the red and blue. I didn't watch the entire practice, but I did not see one screen pass to Shakir. they actually th they TB: Ha ha ha ha. Mike: actually threw the ball downfield to him. So I if they could do that, I think they'll be entertaining. TB: Are you saying that Khalil Shakir is capable of running further than three yards? Mike: I I it's possible. TB: Wow. Okay. Well, this is this is breaking news on the three Ts, and they say it couldn't be done. Well, that's fantastic. So the other big news that came out, I don't know if you saw this. they are hinting that there is a major musical guest ready for halftime of the season opener at HighMark. Have have you all seen this? Sydney: Yes. TB: All right. Well now now is when we are putting our guesses in. So Sydney, I'm gonna give you the first guess. Who do you want? Sydney: I don't wanna get my hopes up because I think if I do that they're gonna let me down, but I hope that it's the killers. TB: ho! You are shooting for the moon. Okay. Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: And Mike, before you potentially steal Jackson's guess, I'm gonna have him go on the record here. He thinks it's the one and the only stampede. Mike: Yeah. TB: So I didn't wanna I didn't want you to steal his thunder there. He thinks they Sydney: Ha ha TB: he heard he heard The Lingo, major musical guest booked, and he's like, It's the Stampede. So do you have a better guest than the drum extraordinaire group, The Stampede? Mike: I'm gonna one up him and say it's the believers. TB: Who the hell are the believers? Do I not know this group? Mike: the the the w it's it's the band that's playing every time we walk into the old stadium. TB: okay. They they're so good they don't even get to go inside the stadium. That's right. That's right. They usually are on the the stage right across from the store. Mike: Yeah, I I gotta s it's it's it's it's gonna be the Google Dows, I think. it's c kind of the TB: I think s I think you're right. Yeah. Sydney: That's a great guess. Yes. They kinda like hinted at it. TB: I almost think it has to be the Google dolls. Sydney: Yeah, they hinted at it with the whole montage that they put together at the end of last season. TB: Yeah, if if if they're not there, playing at least five or six classic bangers, shout out to Seamus. I I think it's Mike: Well, TB: it's a disappointment. But yeah, that that was my guess. That's the first thing I thought of. I would love the killers, don't get me wrong, but I mean Buffalo Zone, tried and true, goo goo dolls, baby. Let's go. That would be that would be sick. So I mean, we can hope. Let let let's set our hopes high for one of those two musical guests. Mike: Mm. TB: But if it's the stampede, then hey, at least Jackson, at least Jackson was right. So I am on a big superhero kick lately. I've been coming off a high of of seeing the the newest Spider-Man movie and I'm diving into comic books and I'm I'm kind of loving it. I can't wait to see the new Avengers. So I was kinda like, Hey, let's translate this to Buffalo Bills and the NFL. I'm a big like hero villain type of guy. Look at the whole NFL. Let's zoom the camera out a bit. who do we think are the villains, the actual villains of the NFL? Sid, I'm gonna start with you. Who who you got? Give me like give me, I don't know. Sydney: All right. I made a list. TB: you got a list. Well, let's go, let's Mike: Mm hmm. TB: go back and forth. So so you don't potentially take take all of them, but give me your your top Sydney: I have two villains and one honorable mention. TB: Okay, gimme gimme your first one, first of all. Sydney: First villain, Patrick Mahomes. I don't think TB: Okay. Sydney: I need to elaborate on that at all. TB: Any other thoughts on on Patty Boy? Sydney: I think that speaks for itself. TB: Who who's the comparable bad guy like superhero villain? Like who would you say he is his his movie character? Sydney: Well, he's kinda like Thanos 'cause he's got so many Super Bowl wins at this point. It's like, holy crap, let someone else have a chance. So yeah. TB: Yeah, that that's good. I like that one. Yeah, that that that's easy. Mike, you got you got what who's your top one? Mike: Well, Mahomes was my top one, but I'll I'll go Travis Kelsey. TB: Okay, so we're sticking with the the KC and the family here. Sydney: Okay. I I stuck to quarterbacks, but I guess I should have elaborated a little bit. TB: yeah, the the the the world is your oyster. You could pick whoever you want as the villain who you got. can I can I give you mine? Sydney: Okay. TB: Mike Vrabel. Mike: Ha ha ha. TB: Because F that guy. I don't know how we just totally like swept all that nonsense completely under the rug with his off the field shenanigans. no, not not okay. Not okay at all. So shame on you, Mike Vrabel. I hate you and your stupid team. That's my number one pick. So sit back to you. You got a second one. Sydney: All right, sticking right along that path. I think that this person is a nice person. I you know, he's probably a great guy, but I'm gonna have to say Drake May. TB: Whoa! Is this like an Sydney: I'm sorry. TB: Anakin Skywalker situation that he starts good and then he just murders all the young badawans? What's going on here? Sydney: If he was on any other team, I wouldn't say that, but just because he's on the Patriots, I have to say his name. I d like I said, I don't think he's a bad guy. He seems like a very nice guy, actually. So I hate to do that to him, but I'm sorry. He's on my villain list. TB: Okay, Mike, you got any more? Mike: I'm gonna go with Aaron Rodgers. TB: Yeah. Sydney: I thought about that one too. TB: Yeah, yeah. Mike: And and it he just kind he kinda speaks his mind and doesn't really care what anybody thinks. So he j he just offends a lot of people with some of the things he says. TB: Yeah, I'm just I'm so done with him. I don't know how people keep signing up for this nonsense year after year. I don't know how franchises just sit around and wait and literally put other plans on hold while they wait for 86-year-old Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind whether he's gonna, you know, play. I I just what what are we doing with this guy? And then he just goes on rant after rant, he trashes everybody. He just doesn't seem like a good person. No one knows if his wife actually exists. Like what what are we talking about here? Like what is going on with this guy? I don't know. Sid, what else you got? Sydney: Alright, I just thought of one that I'm gonna mention. This wasn't my honorable mention, but I just thought of it. Since we're not going just quarterbacks, Cam Hayward, sorry, don't like you at all. You're a jerk. TB: Okay. Sydney: But my honorable mention I'm sorry, I just don't like him. TB: Any in any any insight into that? Sydney: I I used to like him. He is just a jerk. He was mouthing off to Josh in this do you remember this? When they got a penalty and like he was TB: Mm-hmm. yeah. Sydney: just about I don't like him. I'm sorry. Not yeah, of course. TB: Can I throw one out there real quick? I don't know who the movie equivalent is to Deshaun Watson, but w what what what are we doing? Is he not what what's going on here? Is he not a villain? Or am I crazy? Sydney: No, he's definitely a villain. He's a different kind of villain. Mike: He's a bad, bad person. TB: I mean Sydney: He should be on a list, but he's not. TB: Wha who else you got? Sydney: So, my honorable mention is Jalen Hurts. I am a very big Jalen Hurts hater. I don't like him at all. I think he's very fake. I think he's a phony. the way he speaks. He uses like this fake voice. I don't like him. I don't like the Eagles. I don't like anyone on the Eagles. I hate him. TB: Is Nick is Nick Siriani a villain? Sydney: For sure. And his stupid fake security guard, Dominic. TB: Yeah. Sydney: I hate all of them. I'm sorry, I don't like them. I also TB: man, yeah, yeah. I don't know. Sydney: made a list of heroes. TB: All right, well Mike, you gre do you have any other villains first? Mike: Mike McDaniels, you mentioned him before. TB: You you think Mike McDaniels is a villain? Mike: yeah. TB: Is he like the Lex Luthor Valen? Mike: Yeah. TB: Kind of like. like me, like me. I'm so funny. I'm this little short guy with capri pants. Ha ha ha. Mike: Yes. TB: And then all of a sudden he has like these crazy powers, or is he just rich Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: and then he just buys things? I Mike: Yeah. TB: don't know. He's like, I've been hoarding this laser. Like I trying to figure out like what is is he is he like the who who is the Steve Carell cartoon? Is he Mastermind? Is he really Mastermind from no that wasn't Steve Carell. I don't know. I don't know. I I should have done more research on this, but anyway. Mike: Mm-hmm. TB: All right. Hit hit us with your with your heroes. Sydney: Alright, I'll go rapid fire just to save time, but Baker Mayfield. Love him. Love him, love him, love him. I don't know. I TB: this is controversial. Hold on. Sydney: don't know. Love the shake and bake. Sam Darnold. He's just such a good guy. What are these balloons? TB: apparently we're throwing a party for Sam Darnold. I'm not sure what's happening. Sydney: For the Super Bowl win. He's friends with Josh. Actually, him and Baker are both friends with Josh. So anyone who's friends with Josh, I feel like he's a good judge of character. Brock Purdy. Really like Brock Purdy. Feel like he wouldn't hurt a fly. Very nice guy. Honorable mention, Joe Flacco. TB: Joe Flacco. Okay. He gets like the Obi Wan Kenobi Award for being ninety Mike: Yeah, yeah. TB: eight years old and still being. I was gonna say alive, but we'll play we'll say playing. Mike. You got Sydney: I thought he had he was good in quarterback, so TB: you got any you got any heroes? Mike: I I really wasn't prepared for this, but I'll go with Josh. TB: Okay, okay. Anyone wanna take a run at labeling Stefan eggs? Hero, villain, where where are we putting him? Sydney: Billin. Bellin. TB: Or we just pass he's the new the Sydney: Billing. TB: newest member of the Washington Commanders. Sydney: This is hard for me. TB: man. Mike: Yeah. Sydney: I don't know. another villain Tyreeko. I just keep thinking of more. TB: Yeah, but it it's hard to be a villain when you can't suit up. He's got bust Sydney: Yeah. TB: his his leg is busted up. But you mentioned Baker Mayfield. So hey, we're gonna transition right into that. I know this isn't Buffalo Bills talk, but Hero? Really? Because he was allegedly offered 50 plus million from Tampa Bay for the next two years. And he said, No, thank you. That's not respectable money. And you g s so Sid, you gotta stick up for your boy. Tell me how much is Baker worth to play for the Tampa Bay Bucks down your your way? Sydney: I don't know. I just feel like he I mean, I did see they covered this a little bit. in some of the stuff that I was watching. He basically just thinks that he's he turned around the franchise and he should be valued higher. I mean, I don't really care. TB: Can you really turn around the franchise if you go eight and eleven? Sydney: I don't know. I don't really care. I'm kind of indifferent. Tampa Bay is one of those teams where it's like I don't they don't really bother me. I TB: Yeah. Sydney: like them. It's kinda like the Jaguars. Like if as long as we're not playing them, I'll root for them. It's just indifferent. Like if he was my quarterback, I would feel differently about it. But it's just kind of one of those situations. I don't know. TB: Yeah, it's just tough when he's so inconsistent with his play. He could be a top five quarterback and then he could easily be a bottom five quarterback the next week. There's no consistency. I I think even last year, what they started out hot. They won, I don't know, they were four four and one coming out, coming out the gates, and then they tanked. So it's it's really I I I totally see it both sides. Okay, he's a gamer. I I Sydney: They had a lot of injuries. You really can't place that all on him. TB: Agree. I think I think the I think Cleveland did him dirty. And Mike, you you know, you could speak more on this, but I feel like they kinda rode him out of town and he he didn't really have a fair shake, but he played through a ton of nasty energy injuries, never complained and just gutted it out and he kinda, you know, I think they did him dirty, but I don't know, it's tough. Do you wanna pay Baker fifty million dollars to be your quarterback? I don't know if that's the answer. Mike: May maybe five years ago, but I I like Baker. like you said, he's a gamer. he he did get the raw deal in Cleveland, but to his advantage, he got out of Cleveland because it's it's a dumpster fire here. It always TB: Yeah. Mike: will be. mean, they're they're trying to play with Deshaun right now. I don't know if I'd pay him fifty fifty million, but he's gonna give it a his all when he's out in the field. He might make some mistakes, but and and he and he's entertaining too. I I'd like to have him as a quarterback. you know, not over Josh, but I I think he he'd be serviceable for any franchise. TB: Would you take him over Kyle Allen? Mike: absolutely. Sydney: What is this? TB: And when when does Baker sign Mike: Mm. TB: up to be Josh's backup? Does that ever happen? You think he gets Sydney: No. Mike: No. TB: to the point he's like, nah, forget it. I'll just go out Sydney: No. TB: to no, never gonna happen. Pipe dream? All right. Mike: Mm-hmm. Sydney: No. TB: Yeah, I figured. All right, Mike, one last question before we let you go. Give me your SummerSlam thoughts. You got 30 seconds. Mike: Night one I thought was pretty bad. night two was fantastic. the the th the that main event, they told a great story. I didn't want the match to end, but I thought night two was fantastic. TB: Did you shed a tear with all the shield nostalgia? I'll use. I'll use that word. I love that word. Mike: They they did a fantastic job. and the the more they went back to the Shield stuff, it it was great. probably one of the best matches I've seen in the last couple of years. TB: Yeah, it was a fantastic match. Give me your thoughts really quick on CM Punk Cody Rhodes. Mike: I I thought that match was really bad. they just they they both looked old, slow and it was just not crisp at all. I I did not enjoy the match much at all. TB: So you gotta give it the turnbuckle rating. Both nights, what are you giving it here on the three T's? Mike: Both nights combined. I'd I'd say three three turnbuckles out of four. TB: Okay. That's not bad. That's a solid score. Yeah, I agree. I thought it was night two was awesome. And agree. and and I agree with your assessment of the main event. But you got anything else to to to drop on us? Any other fire you wanna throw throw our way before we let you go? Mike: I I think I'm good. TB: Awesome. Well, we appreciate you stopping in here to the pod, giving us a rundown. Enjoy the preseason game on Saturday, and we will we'll catch up with you soon. All right. Thanks, man. Mike: All right, thanks for having me. All Sydney: Bye. Mike: right, go Bills. TB: Go bills. All right. Well, Sydney, are you ready to turn the page? We have already gotten what an hour and 13 minutes on this puppy. We Sydney: This is long, yeah. TB: we keep rambling. So we're we're not going to do too much more, We'll skip wrestling and we'll go right into collecting. I wanted to have a general discussion with you about this whole idea of just collecting and why people collect stuff. Because I was really thinking about this over the last few days. And I know you're not a big collector, but let's let's look at why people collect things. And it doesn't have to be just cards. People collect sneakers, they collect coins, they collect records, they collect comic books. So people collect jewelry. my latest thing is I'm huge into Funko Pops. And I may or may not have a problem when it comes to collecting too many Funko Pops. Why do you think people, first of all, give me your thoughts on collecting in general? Why do you why do you think people love it? Sydney: Yeah, I think that it holds a lot of emotion for people. and that can mean a wide variety of things. And I'm just thinking one thing off the bat that I actually do collect, which is like seashells. And I know it's not the TB: okay. Sydney: same kind of thing to like a card, but you know, when you go to these places and you're with your friends or you're with your family, like you're going out and you're together and you're finding these things and You know, I mean, I have a jar sitting on my counter just of all of the shells that I've collected, or shark teeth, or like anything along those lines. And I just think that it's kind of about either the memory, the emotion, all it could be all of those things that you have when you're either looking for it or you have it. And it's just one of those things where no matter what you're collecting, you're it holds value to you in some sort of way. So I think that that is why people enjoy it. And I don't know, it's just a fun way to spend your time. TB: So seashells, that that's awesome. How long have you been doing this? Is that since you moved down Sydney: Well, TB: there? Sydney: yeah, so it's cool because being in Florida, I the seashells are different depending on what beach you're at. So for example, we're on the right side of Florida and they're completely, completely different from seashells that you find on the left side of Florida. So even when I'm looking at my stuff, I can tell which shells are from which side. So it's just cool. Like I mean you can go into like the, you know, more historical side and you can look at it that way. But I mean, even just like I mentioned, it's just fun to have and you can see like, well, these I got when I was here with this person and these I got on this day. It's just more of an emotional thing. TB: Now do you mark them so you remember what's from what down the line or do you just keep it in in your head like memory, memory wise? Sydney: Yeah, I mean I don't mark anything, but I have thought about doing that. We don't have a lot of space in this apartment, but whenever we do move, I would like to kind of make like art with them because I've seen people do that. So you can kind of display in a tasteful way all of the things that you found. So I'm kind of collecting them for that reason, to kind of make like a little art piece. TB: No, that's awesome. And that's something that obviously you can collect from any beach anywhere and still have those memories and it doesn't cost you anything. So Sydney: Mm-hmm. TB: literally all you need is the room to house them somewhere and you could take that collection forever. That that's Sydney: Mm-hmm. TB: that's great. Can you see any anything else that you think you would actually want to collect? Sydney: I mean I mean this probably sounds silly, but like I think of like whenever I go to the store, I always well not always, but I always buy like a lip balm. And I TB: Yeah, yeah. Sydney: have like so many of them. But it's just cool to like I know it's not the same as a card, but you get to just like try different things and see what you like and what you don't like. And I think the same goes for like collecting cards, like you buy this big box and you're not really sure what you're gonna get out of it. And you know, when you unbox it, you say, I really like this design card and this maybe isn't really my thing. So although they're completely different sides of the spectrum, like I think the common denominator is that you're just trying to find something that you like and that you enjoy. so while I'm not a card collector, I like collecting my seashells or like there's other little TB: Yeah. Sydney: things that I just collect just I don't even think about it, it's just like a habit. TB: Yeah, and I think I've kind of reached a turning point with my cards. It used to be that I was really excited when a new product would come out and I would want to buy the big hobby box and sit there and rip the whole thing open. But I found what was happening is just mostly disappointment because it left me underwhelmed or I didn't hit a big card and there was nothing really, there was nothing really of of value there. And so it left me. feeling rather empty. And so what I'm starting to do now, I'm really getting into this Funko thing. And I know you you obviously know what Funko Pops are, correct? Sydney: Mm. TB: What would be the best way to describe them for those that don't know? All I could think of is almost Sydney: Yeah. TB: like a a cartoon character characterization of a character or a person from From some sort of genre. So it could be sports, it could be movies, it could be television, Sydney: Mm-hmm. TB: music. it what else? How how else can I explain it? Sydney: Yeah. I mean they can be of anything. They can be of a famous person or an athlete or a movie star or a cartoon. I even have one in front of me that is like a life like one of me and I'm wearing a Bills jersey and it's just like, you know, you can make them about yourself or your friends and it's just almost like a little bobblehead. Their heads don't really move, but TB: Yeah. Sydney: it's like a little bobblehead. TB: Yeah, exactly. So the ones that I've been collecting, I kind of have two categories. I collect WWE ones. And what I like about those is they are from all different generations. So they go all the way back to like Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant and a lot of the old school guys that I grew up watching. And then your current generations and all your stars that are out today and everyone in between. And then the other genre. That I collect are those from the music industry and like rock and roll. And so what we do, Jamie and I, we love to go to antique shops. And anytime we see a Funko display, we literally sit there and go through the whole thing trying to find some random Funko that would be a great addition to our collection. And specifically for her, she's more excited about the rock and roll ones. But like we've been able to find. the whole Aerosmith collection and Pearl Jam and Guns N' Roses. And I'm I'm piecing together my my Guns N' Roses one. And we have, you know, like and and we display together so they look like they're all performing, you know, it's like stupid things like that. and then to find the the random wrestling guys that I'm like, I haven't, I haven't seen this one before. And you know, we were just kind of going to random antique shops. around like the the Greencastle Mercersburg area Sydney: Mm. TB: the other day and we we found a spot that had Funko's and I found one I had never seen before. And so for like twelve, thirteen bucks, I added it to my collection. And it's like to your point, with the seashells, you can look at it and go, I found this shell at this place with this person. Well I can look at certain Funkos that I have and go, well, I got this one at this antique shop. when we were down in Charlotte or when we were in, you know, New Hope or I don't know. I I don't know. I I just I I find I'm having more fun with that stuff than I do just opening a random pack of baseball cards and then being like, well that Sydney: Yeah. TB: was kind of a waste of two hundred bucks. You know what I mean? Sydney: Yeah. Well, and I just thought about it while you were talking. Like me and Mike have a bunch of sports stuff from either like teams that I've worked for or teams that we just support and we collect things from over the years. Like, I mean, I have bobbleheads from the penguins and the pirates and it's just cool because I remember when we did those big giveaways or we had those big events and like my big penguins plaque with my picture on it. And those things are just like so cool to have. And I just like TB: Absolutely. Sydney: picture like our house one day. Like we have just like a whole room just dedicated to all this stuff that we've been collecting for so long. And like if you go to a sporting event, like they do they give you this or you know, even that little plaque that you got me from the Bills game that we went to with T Bass when he made the kick. Like I remember those things. So it's cool to like have a tangible object that you can think of that memory. So I just TB: Yeah. Sydney: thought about that. TB: Yeah. That that's that's fantastic. And so but that's what I'm talking about. Like sometimes we we collect stuff that we don't even know we collect. Like it it's it just popped in my mind that another thing we love doing is going to random record stores and just going in and thumbing through all the used vinyl. And I'm trying to find albums that my dad had when I was a kid, stuff that I like to listen to that is fifty, sixty years old. So we'll go into these record shops and spend an hour in there trying to find stuff from like the 60s and the 70s. And you know, slowly over the last, you know, five, six years, we've compiled a pretty decent record collection. You know, it doesn't have to be super expensive, but it can be fun and and you kind of can add it to a trip. hey, by the way, there's a antique shop over here or there's a record store over here and we'll make it a point to to go visit it just because it's something that we like and it it can add to whatever the you know quote unquote collection is. I don't know. What do you think Sydney: Yeah. TB: the biggest motivation for people is for collecting? Or do you think it's totally random depends on on the person? Sydney: No, I think it does depend on the person, but I think for the most part, people just want to feel something. I think in this generation, everything is almost so mindless. Like you're you're on your phone, you're scrolling, you're not really like paying attention. Everything is just so like unintentional. And I think TB: Yeah. Sydney: people are craving things that are intentional and like that you can you can have a hobby that doesn't have to do with your phone. Or, you know, you can actually just go out and do something that is meaningful in a way. So also just having objects around your house or you know, things that you collect, it takes up time that you're not sitting and scrolling. And I think TB: Yeah. Sydney: honestly that has a lot to do with it. because don't get me wrong, like I scroll all the time, but it does feel nice when you're, you know, not doing that. And doing those things is like what a human needs and craves. So like I don't know, I just think that that's the bottom line, what people are trying to get out of this is just emotion of some sort, feeling something that's not mindless. TB: Yeah. And when I got back into collecting cards, the reason I did it is because I pulled out those old cards that I had from my childhood and I I went through them and it was like, I remember what it felt like to have and open these cards when I was a little kid. And so I was chasing that feeling again, chasing that nostalgia. And so that's why initially I was ripping open. Everything because I was trying to recapture what it felt like to be a kid, but I really think that that became very fleeting and it wasn't really what I was after. And so as I said, the way I collect now is is a lot different. I rarely will buy a box of like I used to get all the baseball stuff and just and then I'm I'm opening it and I'm like, I don't even like these players. What what am I doing? And now what I'm doing is I'm I'm actually focusing mostly on Bill stuff, right? and very specific Bills players, but a lot of it is not even in the sports realm. Well, you and I have talked about the Marvel and the Disney and things like that. And we've talked about, you know, Spongebob and and Phineas and Ferb. And I collect stuff because number one, it makes me it it has some tie to either you and your brother or, you know, me when I was younger, or there's a memory there. Or or I just like the way these cards look because they're freaking awesome, you know, and and some of this stuff doesn't involve a baseball player or a football player and it's not tied to a monetary thing. It's more tied to an emotion, like, my God, the artwork on this thing is awesome. Like I'm I'm diving into the comic realm now and I'm spending more time trying to kind of separate myself from the real world because you know, when when things aren't exactly going going your way, you want to like, you know. unwind and unplug. And so you dive into the comic book comic book realm and the superhero realm and all that stuff. And so I'm I'm just looking at this artwork and that's how I'm seeing some of these cards now. And it's it's just it's kind of opening my eyes to to seeing this stuff in a different way. And I'm I'm starting to appreciate it more. Stuff that before even five, six months ago, a year ago, I'd be like, nah, I don't have any interest in that. But I'm looking at these cards like, holy cow. This is really freaking cool. This is something I would want to look at every time I enter this room or or when I when I, you know, when I'm feeling nostalgic or something. Not that some of the old sports cards don't do that, but some of the non-sports stuff, it's just it's it's completely different. I don't know. Maybe I maybe I'm crazy. Sydney: No, I think that makes sense. I think everyone just wants to at the end of the day feel something. I mean, TB: Yeah. Sydney: that's just a normal human emotion. TB: But if you had your pick, would you rather have one absolutely amazing item or would you have a bunch of stuff that was pretty good? Sydney: I don't know, I guess it depends what you're talking about. TB: Would you rather have one fantastic, like top of the line seashell, like that crushed all the other seashells, or would you rather have a bunch of really good seashells? Sydney: I feel like I'd rather have a bunch of really good seashells. I don't know. Like I said, I think it it depends TB: Okay. No, yeah. Sydney: like what you're talking about. Like, would you rather have one really good star player on your team or would you rather have a whole bunch of good ones? I don't know. I think it depends, but I think if we're talking about seashells, I think I'm gonna wanna have a bunch of good ones. TB: Does something being rare make it make that item more interesting to you? Sydney: Not necessarily. I've never been drawn to that, in my opinion. I think that everyone has their own thoughts of what's good and what's not. And sometimes what's rare is not necessarily good in my opinion. TB: Yeah. Sydney: everyone views things differently. But I don't know. It it just depends. I'm I've just never been a person that's like, because it's rare, I have to have it. It's just not if I like it, I like it. TB: No, I I agree. And it's becoming it's it's almost like not even worth thinking about in the the card collecting realm because these these super rare cards, these one of ones, no matter if they're sport, if they're non sport, they're so un unobtainable anyway. Like most people don't have millions or or tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars to go buy these things. So it's like, yeah, that's really awesome. But I like this five dollar card that I have here on my on my my shelf. way better because I I I can at least have it. You know what I mean? Like Sydney: Yeah, exactly. TB: there's no chance at all that I'm ever gonna be able to get this unless I sit there and rip pack after pack. And you know, like like Sydney: Yeah. TB: I said before, that that becomes that becomes too much. Sydney: Mm-hmm. TB: final question. When does a collection stop being a collection and start to become an inventory? I'm I'm this is this is like Real crazy thoughts. Sydney: I don't know. Yet again, I think it just depends what you're talking about and who you're talking to. In my opinion, I feel like that stops when you stop enjoying what you're doing. if something has no meaning to you, you're kind of just mindlessly collecting it, you're not really there's no intention for what you're keeping and what you're collecting. So, like you said, like you were buying these boxes for X amount of of dollars and it just wasn't fun or you would almost have this feeling of like you were let down by it. Maybe, I don't know, like maybe going to a shop and looking through the cards for specifically what you want is better suit or suited for you. So you can build your collection and you're not just piling up these this inventory of cards that you don't even like because you feel like if you buy this box, you might hit this one good card. You want to collect things that you like Like you said previously, you're you're collecting these cards and you're like getting players that you don't even root for, you don't even like. So that's when it kind of becomes like an inventory. Like, why are you holding on to these things if they have no meaning to you? Why are you collecting these things if y you don't like them? That's when it becomes TB: Yeah. Sydney: like, okay, they're just kind of collecting dust at this point. Why do you have them? So, and that's just my opinion. TB: No, yeah, I agree. And I I've I've kind of reached reached the crossroads and I'm having to like really think about where I'm investing my money. Not that I'm spending a ton of money on this stuff, but it's like look back over the last three years or so and like, no, why why did I buy this again? Why do I have Sydney: Exactly. TB: why do I have the entire set of 2024 top series one baseball when it's 350 players and 340 of them are Complete trash. Why do I have all these cards that are worth absolutely nothing? Sydney: Right. Exactly. TB: that I spent so much time and money putting together. I don't know. Just it's crazy. But anyway, any any final thoughts on that before we we wrap this thing up? Sydney: No, I think that was it. TB: Does Mike collect anything? Sydney: That's a good question. I don't think so. He has the cards that, you know, you found for him and you got. he's a simple guy. He just likes TB: Yeah. Sydney: to keep it simple. I don't know, he just lives. That's all I that's all I can really say. TB: Well, when you get that new that new place with all that extra room, you're gonna have to have a room that you could put all your collectibles in. Sydney: Yeah, that's that's the thing. We that might be the guest bedroom, who knows, with all our stuff. TB: Yeah. Sydney: He's gotta have a place to put Jaden Daniels, so and I didn't want him right next to my face when I wake up, so TB: Well, I think unless you got anything else, I think that is going to wrap up this episode of the three T's. I apologize, wrestling marks. We we didn't get to you this week, but that that's okay. Sometimes some of the other teas will go a bit a bit long and and we we got a little rambly when it came to the first thoughts of the new stadium, but that's okay. We we had a whole special episode devoted to wrestling marks a couple weeks back. when it came to SummerSlam. So I think y'all would be all right. But I think that's gonna do it for this episode of the three T's. If you have enjoyed this episode or any of any other episode, for some reason I can't ever say that line, do us a favor, leave us a review, hit us with a follow, a like, whatever you can to help us out. We're trying to grow this thing one episode at a time. And as always, I'm your boy TB. Thank you, Sydney, for joining us. Do good, be good, God bless, and we will see you later. Go, Bills. Sydney: Go wells. TB: See you later.