Latest / The Tailgate Cam Podcast / The Tailgate is Joined by Nate Smith: MLB, UFC, MLS, CFB Scores and Notes + Preview of NFC West and Best NBA Offseason

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The Tailgate is Joined by Nate Smith: MLB, UFC, MLS, CFB Scores and Notes + Preview of NFC West and Best NBA Offseason · The Tailgate Cam Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_02: What is up, Tailgators?
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_02: It is time for another episode of the Tailgate Cam Podcast.
• 0:07
  SPEAKER_02: It is your host, Cameron Clark.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_02: Let's get started.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_02: So we had a busy weekend in baseball, starting off uh as a recap.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_02: The White Sox took on the Rays in Tropicana.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_02: The White Sox ended up getting that series, uh, scoring 15 runs between Friday and Sunday to take the series from the Rays.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_02: We saw Miguel Vargas, Moneta Murakami, Colton Montgomery continue to hit for power and really dominate the Rays in those uh bookend games from Friday and Sunday, taking two out of three.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_02: The Dodgers have already lost the series to the Red Sox.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_02: They have apparently been beat so bad by the Red Sox that they had to go out and ruin baseball.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they lost Friday and Saturday.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_02: They have still yet to play their cap game uh because they are featured on Sunday night baseball, which is going to take place after this recording.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_02: But regardless, the Red Sox took at least two games from the Dodgers uh moving elsewhere.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_02: The Yankees and the Cubs.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_02: Both offenses really struggled at Wrigley.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_02: You could really see it on Saturday night when they played Saturday night baseball in Wrigley.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_02: The wind was blowing in at about 30 miles per hour.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_02: We only saw 12 total runs in the series, which is crazy to think because the Cubs have one of the better offenses in baseball.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_02: The Yankees hit for some of the best power.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_02: In fact, the Yankees only scored via the home run despite that wind.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but they did take two out of three as they prepare to host the Cardinals tomorrow in New York, and the Cubs offense has a little bit of questions after struggling this weekend.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_02: I would expect both teams to make a couple moves.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_02: Both teams have already made a move or two uh leading up to the deadline, but I would expect a few more moves from each of those ball clubs by the time that uh the trade deadline comes to a close tomorrow evening, and we will do another recap pod going through all the trades and transactions that occur at the trade deadline tomorrow.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_02: And finally, the Brewers took on the Angels, and the Brewers ended up taking over the top record in all of MLB.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, they took the first two games of the series before dropping the finale today on Sunday.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_02: The Brewers continue to impress with their pitching, and like I said, they're now the top dogs in all of baseball and continue to shine.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_02: And one guy that I just have to give a shout out to is Jake Bowers.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_02: That guy has hit for power all year.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, they have also already gotten a little ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring catcher Bo Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_02: So again, look look to see the Brewers make maybe a few more moves to shure up the back end of their bullpen and maybe add another bat into their lineup as they clearly are striving for the top record in baseball as we head to the postseason.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_02: UFC Fight Night took place in Belgrade, Serbia.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_02: Our main event featured a Serbian native, Euros Medic, in the welterweight division, taking on longtime UFC welterweight Daniel Rodriguez.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_02: And Rodriguez was not long for this event as he was KO'd in about 30 seconds.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_02: A pretty impressive performance from Euros Medic in front of his home crowd in Serbia.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_02: We saw some other notable names, but most of those names really took hard losses.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_02: That tends to be the case in the UFC when you see dominant fighters start to fade.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_02: They get moved to UFC fight nights off of big pay-per-views.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_02: And that was certainly the case for a guy like Jan Blahovic in the light heavyweight division.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_02: He it was a really dominant showcase from uh a newcomer, really, Navo Sterling.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_02: Um, Jan Blahovic was also finished.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_02: Um, while we're talking about the finishes on this card, this actually set a record on for the UFC for the most first-round finishes ever in a single event.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_02: There were 10 first-round finishes on this card that took place this weekend.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_02: Alexander Rakich also fought Marcin Tibura.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_02: Rakich ended up getting a unanimous decision to position himself to climb back up the heavyweight ranks.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_02: And another notable performance that I just want to give a shout out to is Brazilian welterweight Michael Oliveira.
• 5:13
  SPEAKER_02: He had a dominant performance against Oban Elliott, who is a longtime UFC veteran.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_02: Again, the theme of that fight night this weekend in Serbia was the names took losses against these young and hungry guys, which is always the case in the UFC.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_02: There will always be a newcomer ready to replace the old dogs in their divisions.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_02: Some quick college football notes.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_02: One thing that I just want to get off my chest is last week uh a quote that started circulating at the Big Ten media days was that Kyle Whittingham uh apparently was not fond of using the word hate to refer to Ohio State.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_02: Kyle Whittingham, for those that are not aware, formerly the longtime head coach at the University of Utah, very successful there, had a great run after he replaced uh former head coach Urban Meyer in the early 2000s.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_02: He was a very successful coach at Utah, moved over to Michigan after the entire Sharon Moore fiasco went on record and said that he doesn't hate anybody.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_02: Is that really what college football should be?
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_02: Or should I I mean I've always been under the impression maybe maybe things are different in Utah than they are in the Southeast, but rivalries are what make college football unique.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_02: You know, rivalries, the the territories, the geographical um distances between schools, when you talk about Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Clemson, you talk about people that grow up in the same areas that do not like each other.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_02: And the idea of wanting to tone down the temperature and rivalries, I'm not a fan of.
• 6:56
  SPEAKER_02: I want to see taunting, I want to see trash talk, I want to see it all.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_02: If I'm watching a rivalry game that last weekend of the college football regular season, I want someone to get suspended.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_02: Uh speaking of the Big Ten media days, Kurt Signetti also went on record by basically declaring that the Big Ten is officially the best conference in all of college football.
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_02: Is he right?
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, I mean, if you look at it factually, the Big Ten is seven and two in the last three years against other Power Five conferences in the playoffs.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_02: It's pretty impressive.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_02: You know, and three straight national championships from Indiana, Ohio State, and Michigan dating back the last three years, it's hard to argue them.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_02: But I would push back a little bit by saying that these things do move in cycles.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_02: They this sort of acts as a pendulum where talent tends to spread itself out naturally.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so while the Big Ten may be on top right now, we'll see if that's the case by the end of this season.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_02: And I want to give a quick bit of love.
• 8:07
  SPEAKER_02: We'll get into some more college football previews here in a couple weeks, but three teams that I want to give you guys some heads up on that I really think could take a nice leap and win some games.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_02: Maybe even uh, I don't know about contending for the playoffs, but I like all of these teams to really um overshoot their win totals and also contend in their own conferences.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_02: So I have a Big 12 team, which is the Houston Cougars.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_02: They have Redshirt Senior, uh Connor Wegman coming back, head coach Willie Fritz still in the mix.
• 8:42
  SPEAKER_02: They really took a good step last year to take some strides as a program.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, I like Houston in that conference this year, where I think some of the other teams, you know, Kansas and Iowa State are really gonna drop off and be less of a factor.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_02: Uh that can easily position Houston to move up in the Big 12 rankings.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_02: I don't think that they're gonna be in position to win the Big 12 because I I think, as I said on previous podcasts, that Texas Tech is in a very solid position just in terms of their total roster talent.
• 9:18
  SPEAKER_02: But I like what Houston is doing.
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_02: I like the players that Houston has in place to make some noise this year.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_02: Moving over to the Big Ten, the Spartans, Michigan State, who bring back head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who knows a little bit about the Big Ten, former uh Northwestern coach, and now he takes over at Michigan State.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_02: And I think they have a really good opportunity to uh uh uh um improve from where they were last year.
• 9:51
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, bringing in Cam Edwards as a transfer, Jusan Patterson um as a transfer at running back.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_02: I think both of those moves immediately helped them.
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_02: We also saw them attack the transfer portal for receivers, um, getting transfer receiver Frederick Moore, uh transfer receiver KK Smith, and they really went into the portal on defense.
• 10:13
  SPEAKER_02: They they got over 15 defensive transfers on their three deep.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_02: So they really attacked um improving this roster, and and there was no other choice to be made from how bad Michigan State has been for Pat Fitzgerald to come in and aggressively overhaul that roster.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_02: And my third team that I like to surprise a bit this year is Virginia Tech.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_02: And that should probably come as no surprise to most college football aficionados.
• 10:43
  SPEAKER_02: They hired head coach James Franklin from Penn State, where he was fired mid-season.
• 10:48
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, and and quite quite honestly, I don't think Penn State should have fired James Franklin.
• 10:54
  SPEAKER_02: Yes, I get the criticisms that he couldn't get over the hump, but I think James Franklin, for what Penn State wants to be and they are, was never going to be the guy that allowed them to drop off.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_02: You know, this year they had some hard losses before they fired him, but they had some hard losses after they fired him.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_02: And I think that they consistently were in position to contend.
• 11:17
  SPEAKER_02: They made the playoffs last year with Drew Aller.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I I or two years ago, I guess I should say.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_02: But now coming over to Virginia Tech in a conference that has very winnable opponents in that deep conference now.
• 11:31
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you talk about Stanford, you talk about um really North Carolina, uh, I mean Syracuse.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, there's there's a long list, even Florida State, um, of teams that could be got this year.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_02: And then he brings over quarterback Ethan Gronckemeyer with him from Penn State, who ended up taking over the job from injured starter Drew Aller at Penn State last year.
• 11:55
  SPEAKER_02: So I think that familiarity between Franklin and uh Grunkenmeyer is gonna provide great dividends for Virginia Tech and the Hogies.
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_02: And just as a general rule of thumb, if you are following some of this coaching carousel moves for your college football team or any college football team that you like, typically when these coaches move from school to school, if they are gonna bring guys in, especially at the quarterback position to their new school, that is a very telling sign because they it's not like they're limited to what they can see on the recruiting trail and what they get from their family in terms of notes and information.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_02: They have had hands-on experience coaching them, seeing them perform in practice, in games, seeing how they work out.
• 12:39
  SPEAKER_02: So I really think that marriage between Grunkenmeyer and James Franklin is gonna be very successful for Virginia Tech this year and put them in prime position to be able to uh really take off.
• 12:52
  SPEAKER_02: A quick WNBA note a pretty large trade occurred last night uh when longtime veteran Kelsey Plum, uh former MVP of the WNBA, was traded from the Los Angeles Sparks to the Phoenix Mercury.
• 13:08
  SPEAKER_02: I also want to give a quick shout out to what my prediction was for what the game of the week should be, and that was the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx, which was another phenomenal game offensively.
• 13:19
  SPEAKER_02: But the Indiana Fever did fall short.
• 13:22
  SPEAKER_02: But that was a great matchup between the best team in the WNBA and Indiana, who was sitting right around uh fourth in the WNBA right now.
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_02: Um they had been on a five-game winning streak, and they still have scored a hundred or more points in six straight games.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_02: But Minnesota, they are the best team in the WNBA for a reason.
• 13:40
  SPEAKER_02: They got the job done and secured their top spot moving forward as the number one team in the WNBA.
• 13:48
  SPEAKER_02: Let's talk a little bit of soccer.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_02: Mauricio Pogetino staying on as coach of the U.S.
• 13:54
  SPEAKER_02: men's national team.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_02: He just agreed to a new contract.
• 13:58
  SPEAKER_02: There were some questions whether following that loss to Belgium, the U.S.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_02: men's national team might make a move and change the headman.
• 14:07
  SPEAKER_02: But it seems like the U.S.
• 14:08
  SPEAKER_02: men's national team and the soccer federation in the U.S.
• 14:11
  SPEAKER_02: made the right decision, I would say.
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um in my eyes, the way that the U.S.
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_02: men's national team performed prior to that game against Belgium, which say what you want, I think that was just kind of a weird game all around.
• 14:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they were not focused.
• 14:28
  SPEAKER_02: There was a lot of distractions and chatter surrounding the folo Balogun red card, red card recension.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, there was a lot of distraction leading into that game.
• 14:39
  SPEAKER_02: So I I almost give him as a coach a pass a bit.
• 14:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but he did lead us to a knockout round win, which if you follow the United States in soccer, that is not something that always happens.
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and he was able to get us through the group stage uh really successfully, um, other than that last game.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_02: Um and now getting to stay on as U.S.
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_02: Men's national team coach, I would only think that that means good things for the future of U.S.
• 15:07
  SPEAKER_02: soccer.
• 15:07
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, touching a few MLS scores from the weekend, uh, the Chicago Fire captured a two to one win over the Charlotte FC with two goals from leading man Robert Lewandowski.
• 15:22
  SPEAKER_02: We also saw a major matchup of the top two teams on the Western Conference of the MLS, Vancouver and LAFC, that ended in a 1-1 tightly contested draw late Saturday night.
• 15:37
  SPEAKER_02: And shout out to my friend Spencer Rice for still being the only man in the world that could support sporting Kansas City as they fall again to the Houston Dynamo.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_02: And lastly, St.
• 15:50
  SPEAKER_02: Louis City continues their streak of unbeaten play, continuing to push up the leaderboards in the Western Conference.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_02: They were able to sneak in a late goal in the brain in Energizer Park to steal a win or steal a tie back and get that point back against a pretty good West playoff contender in Real Salt Lake.
• 16:17
  SPEAKER_02: The Tailgate Podcast is proud to welcome the first guest of the pod.
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_02: I am joined by I'll go ahead and take one of your teams from you.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_02: You're the Los Angeles Rams fan, extraordinaire.
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_02: Nate Smith.
• 16:32
  SPEAKER_02: Uh Nate, go ahead and introduce yourselves.
• 16:35
  SPEAKER_02: Tell us who you are, you know, what you what's what teams you like.
• 16:39
  SPEAKER_02: Tell us something fun about you too.
• 16:43
  SPEAKER_00: Well, first, thanks for having me, Kim.
• 16:44
  SPEAKER_00: Glad to be here on the uh the Telegray Cam podcast.
• 16:47
  SPEAKER_00: Um I'm a as as you mentioned, I'm a huge Los Angeles Rams fan.
• 16:52
  SPEAKER_00: Getting back to the St.
• 16:52
  SPEAKER_00: Louis Rams fan.
• 16:54
  unknown: St.
• 16:54
  SPEAKER_00: Louis Rams days.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_00: With that, I'm also a big Cardinals fan, St.
• 16:58
  SPEAKER_00: Louis Cardinals fan is um big Lakers fan, and then of course viewers can't see, but always gotta have my Mizzou shirt on and rock to have a tribe.
• 17:08
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, so for those that don't know, me and Nate met uh living in Columbia, Missouri.
• 17:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um we we both love Mizzou football.
• 17:17
  SPEAKER_02: You know, Nate grew up in Columbia and loves Mizzou, so uh we we we bonded pretty quickly a few years ago back when we met over Mizzou Athletic.
• 17:28
  SPEAKER_02: So Nate's always rocking something black and gold.
• 17:31
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it's been a few years since I've uh this might be running days covering Mizzou football and basketball, but yeah, the fandom always remains black and gold, definitely definitely runs in my veins for sure.
• 17:42
  SPEAKER_02: Nice.
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_02: And so the reason, Nate, that we have you on here, I feel like it makes sense.
• 17:48
  SPEAKER_02: So I've been going through NFL divisions doing some previews, and we have already gone through the NFC South, we did the AFC North, and now we are making our way to the West Coast in the NFC.
• 18:02
  SPEAKER_02: So I thought, who better to ask?
• 18:05
  SPEAKER_02: Come talk about the NFC West than my my friend Nate Smith.
• 18:10
  SPEAKER_02: I know Nate is excited to talk about Miles Garrett.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_02: I know he's ready to get some Stafford takes off.
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um, the first thing that we're gonna do, as we have done with the other divisions, is kind of give you like a preview of each team, um, talk about some of the biggest things that are going on with them.
• 18:28
  SPEAKER_02: So, starting off in alphabetical order is the San Francisco 49ers.
• 18:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um the the question will always remain with the 49ers, at least in the recent years, how healthy will they be?
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_02: And mostly out of that question, how healthy will Christian McCaffrey be?
• 18:45
  SPEAKER_02: Um, it seems like an ongoing joke, almost an ongoing fact that Christian McCaffrey will be hurt.
• 18:51
  SPEAKER_02: It's just not known always when it will happen.
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, but at some point, Christian McCaffrey, you know, has faced injuries through many of the last several seasons.
• 19:00
  SPEAKER_02: Um, from an acquisition standpoint, they brought in free agent wide receiver, longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Evans, um, who leaves the Bucks after playing 11 seasons for the Buccaneers.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um, probably a future Hall of Famer already, but now he's in a different stage of his career joining the San Francisco 49ers.
• 19:21
  SPEAKER_02: So um, Nate, initial thoughts.
• 19:23
  SPEAKER_02: Like, what do you think about the 49ers, like what they did this offseason?
• 19:28
  SPEAKER_02: Like, just kind of give me your your feelings towards the 49ers as a team in 2026.
• 19:36
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so for me it's it's always interesting looking at the 49ers as a fan.
• 19:40
  SPEAKER_00: Obviously, they're a huge rival of the Rams.
• 19:42
  SPEAKER_00: I do also have a lot of friends that are 49ers fans, just as it checks out.
• 19:46
  SPEAKER_00: Um it's one of those things where there's a healthy respect there.
• 19:49
  SPEAKER_00: Um it's not the same smash mouth identity as they had a couple years ago, and the injuries have kind of piled up a little bit.
• 19:59
  SPEAKER_00: So not just the injuries, but I kind of would say fragility for lack of a better term.
• 20:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um Mike Evans is probably one of the most consistent receivers really in NFL history.
• 20:07
  SPEAKER_00: He is now 32 years old.
• 20:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um as you mentioned after 11 years in Tampa.
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_00: So when you lose Juwan Jennings, um, you know, Brandon Ayuk.
• 20:17
  SPEAKER_00: Um unfortunately Pearsol not in the fold anymore with the injury.
• 20:21
  SPEAKER_00: It looks a little thin to me.
• 20:22
  SPEAKER_00: And then you look at guys like Kittle and CMC, I have no doubts about their ability, but again, it's that same familiar question with the Niners is can they say healthy who's really gonna be on the field?
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_00: So for me, that's what stands out the most to me about San Francisco.
• 20:34
  SPEAKER_02: So let's let's talk about McCaffrey um just for a second.
• 20:38
  SPEAKER_02: Like this can be like real football take or like fantasy football take, however you really want to like go with it.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_02: But what what do you think McCaffrey looks like if we are talking about him in five months?
• 20:50
  SPEAKER_02: Like, do you think he was like RB1 territory still?
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_02: Or do you feel like he's gonna drop off a bit this year?
• 20:59
  SPEAKER_00: You know, he's one of my favorite players ever, so it pains it pains me to say this, but I do think that he's probably reached a stage where he's still an elite fantasy football option, but not necessarily quite at the top end in terms of just pure runners in the NFL.
• 21:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um and that's not really even a knock on him by any means.
• 21:18
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's more so just about simply the age.
• 21:21
  SPEAKER_00: But again, we do have you know himself and Derek Henry as guys that are showing they can do it, you know, like a 30-year-old and pass.
• 21:29
  SPEAKER_00: So if anyone can do it, I would bet on CNC, but certainly it's not not quite the same as in his prime anymore.
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_00: I do still think though he can be a lead efficiency catching the ball out of the backfield.
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I mean, it it seems like every year, and this is really like a a trend that you see within the McVay tree, is that they constantly will draft or acquire running backs.
• 21:55
  SPEAKER_02: There's no McVeigh coach, whether it's Kevin O'Connell, whether it's Kyle Shanahan.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_02: And that out of that system from the Mike Shanahan tree, um, where you where you see people not investing in the running back position.
• 22:09
  SPEAKER_02: So it was no different this year.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_02: They drafted another running back in the third round, uh Caleb Black, who was actually a backup running back at Indiana, but very explosive.
• 22:19
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they still have Isaac Grendo on the roster from a couple years ago.
• 22:23
  SPEAKER_02: And last year they drafted Jane Jordan James, um, the running back from Oregon.
• 22:27
  SPEAKER_02: So, I mean, three years in a row, while they've continued to have elite production from McCaffrey, they've still drafted running backs.
• 22:35
  SPEAKER_02: So um, do you think he dominates like 80% of the touches that he plays, or do you would you say that that number might change a little bit?
• 22:46
  SPEAKER_00: I think his usage's usage still stays at a very high rate.
• 22:50
  SPEAKER_00: A couple reasons.
• 22:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um, just a fantastic relationship he has with Shanahan and the coaching staff.
• 22:55
  SPEAKER_00: And I mean that dates back to when McCaffrey was a kid, just with the relationship their families had with Shanahan and then Ed McCaffrey, his dad, going back to the Broncos days.
• 23:04
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and then the draft capital they invested in him.
• 23:06
  SPEAKER_00: And then the track record, they've they've shown over and over they're gonna continue to feed him.
• 23:11
  SPEAKER_00: I think the 49ers view this year as, hey, their window is still open.
• 23:15
  SPEAKER_00: Uh it's CMC is still in his prime, and you might as well get the most out of him now.
• 23:19
  SPEAKER_00: So I don't expect his usage to dip at all, uh, barring an injury.
• 23:23
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and a credit to him for how he takes care of his body and continues to be, despite facing some injuries, continues to be one of the most available players in the NFL.
• 23:31
  SPEAKER_02: Yep.
• 23:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um last note that I want to ask about before we move on to the next team is a guy that you're pretty familiar with.
• 23:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um, Raheem Morris gets brought in as defensive coordinator.
• 23:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um, formerly the Rams defensive coordinator when they won the Super Bowl with McVay.
• 23:47
  SPEAKER_02: Um, he most recently was the head coach in Atlanta where he was just let go.
• 23:52
  SPEAKER_02: He replaces former 49ers defensive coordinator who was on his second stint with the team, Robert Sala, who has left yet again, has said goodbye to Kyle Shanahan.
• 24:02
  SPEAKER_02: I don't want you to be my boss anymore.
• 24:05
  SPEAKER_02: I want to be my own boss.
• 24:06
  SPEAKER_02: And he goes over to the Tennessee Titans.
• 24:09
  SPEAKER_02: Um, is that a big deal to you?
• 24:11
  SPEAKER_02: Is that not a concern as a fan of a team in the division?
• 24:16
  SPEAKER_02: Does that worry you at all?
• 24:19
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and actually two conflicting thoughts actually come to mind for me.
• 24:22
  SPEAKER_00: So, as you mentioned, obviously the NFC West familiarity that Raheem Morris has as a former Rams defensive coordinator.
• 24:28
  SPEAKER_00: Um, in a way, of course, that's that sets the Nier's up well.
• 24:31
  SPEAKER_00: You know, kind of um being able to share some insight into what Sean McVeigh ultimately wants to do.
• 24:37
  SPEAKER_00: However, Sean McVeigh has shown over and over that he's elite uh versus former coordinators.
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_00: I can't remember the exact stat, but let's say it's something around, you know, 14-2, something in that range versus um his former coordinators.
• 24:50
  SPEAKER_02: I know he's one and go against Cohen.
• 24:53
  SPEAKER_00: I didn't want to go there, but um but yeah, I so I think you know obviously that familiarity help helps Raheem Morris a bit.
• 25:03
  SPEAKER_00: I do think as well that he's um a very solid defensive coordinator, probably best served as as a DC and not head coach.
• 25:10
  SPEAKER_00: But to mitigate some of that familiarity that he has, McVeigh always evolves.
• 25:13
  SPEAKER_00: We saw last year the 13 personnel.
• 25:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um we see every year McVeigh is kind of ahead of the curve.
• 25:18
  SPEAKER_00: So I don't anticipate that slowing down the Rams, but I do think it's it's a positive bump for the 49ers.
• 25:23
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, well said.
• 25:25
  SPEAKER_02: Um next team in the division, probably the team with the most shakeup.
• 25:30
  SPEAKER_02: Um they have a new head coach um and drafted at the fourth overall pick, running back from Notre Dame, Jeremiah Love.
• 25:41
  SPEAKER_02: So, yes, they did take a running back in the top five picks of a draft, and nobody held a gun to anybody's head, as far as I'm aware.
• 25:50
  SPEAKER_02: So um they do have probably the most premier tight end in all the game in Trey McBride.
• 25:57
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they also were just involved.
• 26:00
  SPEAKER_02: This is kind of where I want to start.
• 26:02
  SPEAKER_02: They were just kind of bullied in a contract negotiation by Jacoby Brissett, which he knew they were in a in a tough spot because their only other option at this point was Carson Beck.
• 26:14
  SPEAKER_02: And they don't want to be that bad.
• 26:15
  SPEAKER_02: They want the team to at least try to compete and win some of these games and you know allow their offensive, young offensive players like Michael Wilson and Trey, Trey McBride, Jeremiah Love, um, obviously Marvin Harrison Jr.
• 26:32
  SPEAKER_02: to be in competitive games.
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_02: You know, that would not be the case if they started the season with Carson Beck.
• 26:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um, do you mind what happened with Jacoby Brissett or the fact that they gave him this$10 million pay raise out of nowhere because he was saying he wasn't going to play without it?
• 26:51
  SPEAKER_02: Is it just like, oh, respect to you, or like what's your take there?
• 26:56
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it is another thing I was a little bit conflicted on.
• 26:59
  SPEAKER_00: Um this isn't an exact comparison, but the first thing that came to mind for me was the Daniel Jones Giants contract a couple years back where I thought it was both an overpay, but also they kind of had to, it was market value.
• 27:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um Tua was probably a worse example of that.
• 27:19
  SPEAKER_00: Those guys aren't all equal, but I think it's kind of the same thing where teams are just between the rock and a hard place.
• 27:24
  SPEAKER_00: They know that maybe they don't have a great option, but without that, without that somewhat average option, they might be in a much worse place.
• 27:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um say this in there in in there in the Cardinals defense, it they they didn't extend him any additional years, it was just a one-year deal.
• 27:41
  SPEAKER_02: Like they they have the cap space, so to me, it's almost like, yeah, who cares?
• 27:47
  SPEAKER_02: Like, you weren't gonna pay anybody else with that money at this point.
• 27:49
  SPEAKER_02: So okay.
• 27:50
  SPEAKER_00: I didn't realize it was a one-year year deal.
• 27:52
  SPEAKER_00: That's even better than for them.
• 27:53
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, they didn't add any extra years onto it, um, but they literally just gave him like almost 11 million extra dollars because he was like, I'm not gonna play this season for 10 million, like I need at least 20.
• 28:06
  SPEAKER_02: And I kind of feel like shots to him.
• 28:08
  SPEAKER_02: Like, wait a way to hold your hold your own, you know, like you deserve that money.
• 28:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um he was able to accurately quantify that he's 11 million dollars better than Carson Beck.
• 28:18
  SPEAKER_02: So yeah, right.
• 28:20
  SPEAKER_02: That's exactly right.
• 28:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um, all right.
• 28:23
  SPEAKER_02: Uh obviously, we touched on the fact that they drafted star running back, um, Heisman Trophy finalist from Notre Dame, Jeremiah Love.
• 28:32
  SPEAKER_02: What do you think about the impact that he might make, both as a real life running back in terms of winning games, and then you know, fantasy-wise, uh, what's what do you think about Jeremiah Love being an Arizona Cardinal?
• 28:45
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, um, shout out to St.
• 28:46
  SPEAKER_00: Louis.
• 28:47
  SPEAKER_00: Um, another St.
• 28:48
  SPEAKER_00: Louis running back entering the NFL, uh, just like Kyron Williams and a lot of other guys.
• 28:52
  SPEAKER_00: But I don't think that there's a problem with drafting Jeremiah Love.
• 28:56
  SPEAKER_00: I think that there's a problem with the Arizona Cardinals at number three overall drafting Jeremiah Love.
• 29:02
  SPEAKER_00: I think they could have spent their resources better.
• 29:04
  SPEAKER_00: Um even despite that, I think things could be okay.
• 29:10
  SPEAKER_00: But Nathaniel Hackett to me is the deal breaker at offensive coordinator.
• 29:13
  SPEAKER_00: He's he's shown that he doesn't really know how to get the most out of his players.
• 29:18
  SPEAKER_00: He often sabotages player outside with just weird snap counts and stubborn ways.
• 29:23
  SPEAKER_00: So overall, it's questionable to say the least to me.
• 29:27
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's fair.
• 29:28
  SPEAKER_02: It is funny because we were just talking about like that Shanahan McVay tree loving running backs, and then the first thing Mike LaFleur does when he leaves the Rams is draft a running back in the top five, which I just think that's hilarious.
• 29:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um so we talked about Jeremia Love, talked about the quarterback, their best player, and it's really not even questionable, is Trey McBride.
• 29:53
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, from just a tight end play perspective, do you think he is going to be yet again the the premier tight end in the league?
• 30:02
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think so.
• 30:03
  SPEAKER_00: And I think um speaking to the Brissett points to tie those together, I think that's a huge difference maker there.
• 30:08
  SPEAKER_00: The narrative around Trey McBride pre-Brissett era was that he simply was not a red zone threat and could he catch touchdowns.
• 30:15
  SPEAKER_00: Turned out that was actually a Tyler Murray's incompetence.
• 30:18
  unknown: Right.
• 30:19
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 30:19
  SPEAKER_00: If Jacoby Brissett, no offense to him, but if an average, competent, regular middle of the road quarterback can unlock McBride to that level.
• 30:28
  SPEAKER_00: Um A, that shows McBride's the best to me in the league.
• 30:32
  SPEAKER_00: And B, I mean, what would a guy do like that with, you know, a Patrick Mahomes and Matt Stafford?
• 30:37
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's fair.
• 30:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um, last thing before we move on to the next team, um, what what do you think like the absolute?
• 30:45
  SPEAKER_02: I I was trying to think about this when I was thinking about the the Cardinals this year.
• 30:49
  SPEAKER_02: Like, let's say Jeremiah Love is like a complete stud all year, you know, in the rookie of the year conversations.
• 30:56
  SPEAKER_02: Let's say Marvin Harrison take, you know, they they get a lot of contributions.
• 31:01
  SPEAKER_02: Like, what's the best record that they can have?
• 31:04
  SPEAKER_02: I feel like it's probably like if all things go well, seven and ten, like I think that's the absolute best that they could be, you know.
• 31:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I think when you have Jacoby Brissett, we just kind of gave him some credit, and I better knock him back down.
• 31:21
  SPEAKER_02: When you have Jacoby Brissett as your quarterback, you're you're already behind the eight ball because 20 teams in the NFL immediately walk out with a guy that for sure is better than him without even having to make a list.
• 31:34
  SPEAKER_02: So that already kind of puts him behind the eight ball.
• 31:37
  SPEAKER_02: But what do you think?
• 31:38
  SPEAKER_02: Like, if all things go right, like what's the most their win total could be?
• 31:43
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I so I was gonna say more towards six, five, advice with my actual prediction being four.
• 31:50
  SPEAKER_00: Um refreshing myself from their schedule, I think my goodness, they've got ad chargers.
• 31:56
  SPEAKER_00: Uh okay, let me rattle these off.
• 31:58
  SPEAKER_00: They've got chargers, Seahawks, 49ers, Giants, Lions, Rams, Broncos, Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams, Chiefs to start.
• 32:06
  SPEAKER_01: Oh my god.
• 32:07
  SPEAKER_00: Um they might start, they might start 0-11.
• 32:11
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, that's tough.
• 32:13
  SPEAKER_00: They might that's really tough.
• 32:15
  SPEAKER_02: Like, that's yeah, that's definitely where they might go winless.
• 32:18
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and it doesn't really get that much better.
• 32:21
  SPEAKER_00: It's I mean, then it's wash then it's uh Washington, the Eagles, the Jets.
• 32:26
  SPEAKER_02: They just need they in that stretch, they need a couple teams to not care that they're playing the Cardinals, is what they need.
• 32:32
  SPEAKER_02: You know, like they need a couple teams to be asleep at the wheel for an afternoon.
• 32:37
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, absolutely.
• 32:38
  SPEAKER_00: If if they can get two wins out of that stretch, I mean that that's honestly more than I'd expect for them.
• 32:44
  SPEAKER_02: Yep.
• 32:45
  SPEAKER_02: Um, all right.
• 32:46
  SPEAKER_02: Well, let's move on to a team that you are probably very excited to start talking about is the Los Angeles Rams.
• 32:54
  SPEAKER_02: They, I would say without a doubt, in my opinion, um, have made the biggest story of the offseason, which they might also be able to top that before the regular season starts if we get official confirmation that Aaron Donald comes out of retirement.
• 33:11
  SPEAKER_02: We've been, I've even seen him like walking around their facility like during practice, and I've heard all the rumors, I've seen the stuff that you said about him wanting to come out of retirement.
• 33:23
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but as of today, that is not official.
• 33:26
  SPEAKER_02: So the biggest move of the entire offseason was the Rams acquisition of, I think, the best defensive player in the NFL, Miles Garrett, um, who you couldn't even hide that guy on a team like the Cleveland Browns.
• 33:41
  SPEAKER_02: He sets the NFL stack record on one of the worst teams in the NFL.
• 33:47
  SPEAKER_02: They do give up a pretty good player that's only going into his third year in Jared Verse, and a first round pick next year, which again is a supposed to be a good class, and a second round pick in 28.
• 34:00
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, I obviously think this is like a major thing, a major deal, like shockwave level transaction.
• 34:08
  SPEAKER_02: Is that what you think about it?
• 34:09
  SPEAKER_02: Or is it just you know a good player going to a good team?
• 34:14
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think the hype is is very deserved.
• 34:16
  SPEAKER_00: Uh Miles Garrett, to me, I know we've I think you and I have both said for a couple years now that to us he's the best player in the league.
• 34:23
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 34:23
  SPEAKER_00: Uh the Rams last year, despite having a good defense, the the holes end up ended up showing up and ultimately it was their downfall.
• 34:29
  SPEAKER_00: So uh the offense is more than fine.
• 34:31
  SPEAKER_00: It was just about adding a couple things here and there.
• 34:34
  SPEAKER_00: They really needed um splash move on defense.
• 34:36
  SPEAKER_00: I didn't expect it to be Miles Garrett necessarily.
• 34:39
  SPEAKER_00: So I think it is um justified the hype and hopefully the catalyst for doubling down and bringing back Aaron Donald as well.
• 34:48
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.
• 34:49
  SPEAKER_02: We can get into that in a in one second, because I also failed to mention the fact that not only did they bring in Miles Garrett, but they also brought in both of the starting cornerbacks from a very good defense and the Kansas City Chief, Jalen Watson, and they traded for um star cornerback Trent McDuffie, who who the Rams then gave a contract extension to um because he was about to be going into his last year of his deal with the Chiefs.
• 35:18
  SPEAKER_02: Um I think both of those moves were not only the Rams' biggest need, pass rush wasn't even a need for the Rams.
• 35:25
  SPEAKER_02: Like they had great pass rush last year, but they still went out and got the best player that pass rushes in the NFL.
• 35:32
  SPEAKER_02: But the secondary help was a real need.
• 35:35
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I'm I am curious.
• 35:37
  SPEAKER_02: So Stafford's obviously back in the mix.
• 35:40
  SPEAKER_02: Puka, Devante, you know, they they have all these guys.
• 35:44
  SPEAKER_02: Is this like a one year like they have to win this year, or can they maybe stretch this out for two or three?
• 35:53
  SPEAKER_00: What do you think?
• 35:55
  SPEAKER_00: I think that with the way Lesni operates, I think they've shown that even if they were to take a hit, have a couple players, you know, end up with injuries or whatnot and have a down year for any reason.
• 36:04
  SPEAKER_00: I think they've shown the window will still stay open.
• 36:07
  SPEAKER_00: Um, despite not having the the first round picks, seemingly always because of trades, they've shown an an uncanny, unbelievable, frankly unmatched ability to draft uh late-round picks and just kind of spawn starters out of nowhere.
• 36:21
  SPEAKER_00: They then use the money that they don't have to pay first round picks, you know, to be able to make these splash deals and resign a McDuffie.
• 36:27
  SPEAKER_00: Um and again, not afraid to use assets on a on a Garrett like that.
• 36:31
  SPEAKER_00: So um I think the window is gonna stay open.
• 36:34
  SPEAKER_00: Stafford with his extension now, looks like he has it he hasn't said this officially, but it sounds like this year and next year, two more years.
• 36:41
  SPEAKER_00: The reason why I mean that'd be huge.
• 36:43
  SPEAKER_00: That'd be huge.
• 36:44
  SPEAKER_00: That would be.
• 36:45
  SPEAKER_00: I think the reason why um, I'm sure I can speak for all Rams fans on wanting it to be this year, not just for the obvious that you want your team to win.
• 36:52
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but the Rams have lucked out with hosting the Super Bowl again.
• 36:56
  SPEAKER_00: Last time they hosted the Super Bowl, of course, it ended up working out perfectly.
• 36:59
  SPEAKER_00: They ended up defeating the Bengals and actually uh hosting the hoisting events the party.
• 37:04
  SPEAKER_00: So that's gonna be the game plan for them this year, obviously, that they want to try to execute.
• 37:09
  SPEAKER_00: And I know that Sean McFay is gonna have the team motivated to try to get that number one seed so that they can have home field advantage um quite literally throughout the playoffs.
• 37:17
  SPEAKER_02: You didn't I I honestly forgot to even put this in my notes, but you did mention that they usually never have a first-round draft pick.
• 37:26
  SPEAKER_02: And this year they did have a first-round draft pick, and it was a pretty, it was probably like the first, like, oh wow, moment in the draft, maybe.
• 37:33
  SPEAKER_02: You I know at initially you were kind of upset about it, and it seems like from talking to you since then, that maybe you've warmed up to the idea that they took Ty Simpson.
• 37:44
  SPEAKER_02: Are you still against the move on August 2nd?
• 37:48
  SPEAKER_02: Or do you see do you see some kind of path where that makes sense?
• 37:53
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I I've warmed up to it a little bit.
• 37:55
  SPEAKER_00: I see the vision, I just disagree with it.
• 37:58
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I understand the Rams.
• 37:59
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, that's true.
• 38:00
  SPEAKER_00: We don't we don't operate with these first round picks anyway, so let's just take a luxury and try to extend the window.
• 38:06
  SPEAKER_00: Again, I see where they're coming from, but um, I'm always a proponent of let's try to win the Super Bowl this year.
• 38:12
  SPEAKER_00: Um, the Rams have always shown that they've done that.
• 38:14
  SPEAKER_00: So for me, I wanted someone like Mikai Lemon.
• 38:18
  SPEAKER_00: Um, what does encourage me though is you know, Les Need, I think he knows ball better than me.
• 38:23
  SPEAKER_00: So um I'll always I'll trust in him based on his track record.
• 38:26
  SPEAKER_02: I think it also shows that they are willing to be flexible in their own thoughts.
• 38:32
  SPEAKER_02: You know, like they're not just like Les Need and Sean McVeigh have been good at what they're doing for a really long time now, and that they don't just swing for the fences every time.
• 38:44
  SPEAKER_02: They do have some like differentiating thought where they can draft a quarterback early when it is a luxury, like you said.
• 38:51
  SPEAKER_02: So um honestly, I I kind of I liked the move initially and I still kind of feel the same way about it.
• 38:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but I just I was curious about that.
• 38:59
  SPEAKER_02: Um one guy I also want to talk about is Puka Nakua.
• 39:04
  SPEAKER_02: Like, I feel like every month I've seen some ridiculous headline.
• 39:08
  SPEAKER_02: Either he's like getting bitten on streams and slapped in clubs and stuff.
• 39:14
  SPEAKER_02: What is going on with him?
• 39:15
  SPEAKER_02: Like, is he still like a wide receiver one or is he like Antonio Brown?
• 39:21
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so that that's actually a perfect segue because one thing I meant to tie into the Ty Sensed thing is not only the aforementioned reasons why I wanted him a Kai Levin or something like that.
• 39:31
  SPEAKER_00: Um a little worried about Puka, man.
• 39:33
  SPEAKER_00: A little worried.
• 39:34
  SPEAKER_00: And he got one of the best duos with Puka and Devontae Adams, but um it's one of those things where like let's say Puka was to end up facing, you know, an off-the-field suspension or something like that.
• 39:44
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, all of a sudden, all of a sudden, you know, Devontae Adams and either um Kenyatta Mumfield or um CJ Daniels or Whittier or whoever, all of a sudden that duo is way, way, way worse.
• 39:55
  SPEAKER_00: Um the Rams again could scheme and adapt, but Puka also plays such a huge role in the um the run blocking game that I just need him to chill, stay out of trouble, folks on the field, um, because he can he can really be the wide receiver one in the NFL when he does.
• 40:11
  SPEAKER_02: It seems like I saw him talking at training camp the other day, and it seems like you know, he's it's it sounds to me like one of those I'm here at training camp, like I'm good right now.
• 40:23
  SPEAKER_02: Like I'm not I'm too busy to do something stupid, kind of kind of vibe.
• 40:27
  SPEAKER_02: So that would be good a good thing to know for the rest of the season.
• 40:31
  SPEAKER_02: Um, the last thing that I want to touch on before we move to the last team of the division is the running back situation.
• 40:38
  SPEAKER_02: So um Kyron has been you know very, very productive, uh scores a lot of touchdowns, is very versatile, can catch passes, and um he even at times has returned kicks in his career.
• 40:51
  SPEAKER_02: Um I am curious though, Blake Coram um coming into is this his third year?
• 40:57
  SPEAKER_02: I think this is his fourth year, right?
• 41:00
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, year three.
• 41:01
  SPEAKER_02: This is year three.
• 41:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but a very a very productive running back in his own right when he's been given the chances, and he was amazing at Michigan.
• 41:11
  SPEAKER_02: I love Blake Coram at Michigan.
• 41:12
  SPEAKER_02: He was such a good running back.
• 41:14
  SPEAKER_02: Do you think this is more close to 50-50 this year?
• 41:18
  SPEAKER_02: Or do you think this is absolutely still like Kyron's job?
• 41:24
  SPEAKER_02: You know, if they're they're making a run for it like Kyron's the guy the whole time.
• 41:30
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so I think I guess let me answer it like this.
• 41:34
  SPEAKER_00: I think that Kyron continues to be an elite running back, um, or maybe not the very top of that elite range, but lower tier or lower end of the elite tier.
• 41:43
  SPEAKER_00: Blake Horam has really ascended and he's shown he's a I think a really good running back too.
• 41:47
  SPEAKER_00: I just don't think it's to the detriment of Kyron per se.
• 41:50
  SPEAKER_00: Um if I had to estimate like a snap share that I see this year, you know, 63, 37, 62, 38, something like that.
• 41:58
  SPEAKER_00: Um where I think both players are incredibly impactful.
• 42:03
  SPEAKER_00: Horum kind of on the surface, you might think, oh, he's the goal line back too.
• 42:06
  SPEAKER_00: The Rams actually really love Kyron around the goal line um for his versatility.
• 42:11
  SPEAKER_00: The one area of concern is Kyron had a brief um bout with fumbolitis.
• 42:16
  SPEAKER_00: So as long as that stays fine, I think it'll be you know that 60 to 65% of snaps, if not more.
• 42:22
  SPEAKER_00: If he does have another bout of fumbolitis, that would be the catalyst for Blake Koram ascending to the 1A or and Kyron being 1B.
• 42:30
  SPEAKER_00: But without that, I think it continues to be Kyron um with a stranglehold on the on the 1A, while Quorum is a very solid 1B.
• 42:38
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's fair.
• 42:40
  SPEAKER_02: Um, all right, well, let's move to the last team in the division.
• 42:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um, the team that ended up winning the Super Bowl last year, uh kind of surprising to everybody if you had told them that a year ago that Sam Darnold would start all the games for the Seahawks and they would win the Super Bowl.
• 42:58
  SPEAKER_02: I think most people would be like, all right, okay, maybe.
• 43:02
  SPEAKER_02: You know, a lot of things have to go right.
• 43:04
  SPEAKER_02: Well, guess what?
• 43:05
  SPEAKER_02: A lot of things went right.
• 43:06
  SPEAKER_02: Kenneth Walker, Zach Charbonnet were both pretty good.
• 43:09
  SPEAKER_02: Their offensive line was much more efficient uh both in the run game and in the pass block game.
• 43:16
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they really struggled as an offensive line the two seasons prior and took a lot of strides last year.
• 43:24
  SPEAKER_02: But the two biggest catalysts that led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, in my opinion, one was their amazing defense.
• 43:32
  SPEAKER_02: Uh they forced a lot of turnovers, they got a lot of pressure last year, and they had a very good secondary.
• 43:38
  SPEAKER_02: Um and then the second piece was Jetson.
• 43:42
  SPEAKER_02: He was an amazing receiver last year, um, had an all pro season.
• 43:47
  SPEAKER_02: Um, honestly, one of the better.
• 43:50
  SPEAKER_02: I think he was the most yards and catches for a Seahawks receiver ever in the history of their franchise.
• 43:57
  SPEAKER_02: Um so they they leaned.
• 44:00
  SPEAKER_02: On those things to win the Super Bowl, but they lost a lot.
• 44:03
  SPEAKER_02: They lost Boye Mafe.
• 44:05
  SPEAKER_02: They lost Kenneth Walker, obviously, who went to the Chiefs.
• 44:09
  SPEAKER_02: Reek Woolen went to the Eagles.
• 44:11
  SPEAKER_02: Kobe Bryant left.
• 44:13
  SPEAKER_02: These are all guys that played a lot for them last year in pretty meaningful roles.
• 44:20
  SPEAKER_02: Do you think they take a step back this year?
• 44:25
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think there's at least a little bit of a Super Bowl hangover.
• 44:29
  SPEAKER_00: You know, some key losses with the aforementioned guys there.
• 44:33
  SPEAKER_00: So I've got them at 0-17 this year.
• 44:38
  SPEAKER_00: In all seriousness, it's hard for me to be positive about the Seahawks, but um they did.
• 44:41
  SPEAKER_00: Um I think you highlighted their improvements well last year.
• 44:43
  SPEAKER_00: JSN was obviously tremendous.
• 44:46
  SPEAKER_00: Um the offensive line play was a weakness for a long time before last year.
• 44:49
  SPEAKER_00: You know, even on paper, things would be good, but then coming to the year, even one injury could really set them back.
• 44:54
  SPEAKER_00: Things were never consistent.
• 44:55
  SPEAKER_00: I didn't really like the scheme.
• 44:57
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but yeah, last year, you know, Kudiac um helped a lot, and then the offensive line was just simply better.
• 45:04
  SPEAKER_00: Um I think Sam Darnold must have sold his soul.
• 45:07
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not really sure how he performed that well last year.
• 45:11
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but you know, credit to him for looking at you know, being creative enough to find the resource of dark magic is is honestly just impressive alone.
• 45:18
  SPEAKER_02: So um, the crazy thing is the honestly, the craziest thing about it is I know that the the Seahawks won the last game that they played against the Rams, but the all three of the games that they played against the Rams were three of the best football games that happened all year.
• 45:36
  SPEAKER_02: You know, those were clearly two of the best teams in the NFL, and all three of those games were awesome, exciting games, very close games.
• 45:46
  SPEAKER_02: Um the Rams won the first game, the Seahawks won the second game, and then the Seahawks won the very close game back and forth in the playoffs.
• 45:55
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, you mentioned Kubiak, who is gone.
• 46:00
  SPEAKER_02: Do you think that Sam Darnold, you meant you said he sold his soul?
• 46:04
  SPEAKER_02: Do you think he's do you think he plays like a playoff, not whether or not they make the playoffs, do you think he plays like a playoff level quarterback?
• 46:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um I'll say, yeah, because of the structural structural foundation they have.
• 46:20
  SPEAKER_00: Again, Kubiac leading does does hurt that.
• 46:23
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but I like the core they have in place.
• 46:26
  SPEAKER_00: You know, even looking at like outside of uh JSN and Shaheed, having a solid guy like Cup, who's not in his prime, um, but as solid as you can get as a like a third receiver.
• 46:36
  SPEAKER_00: I have a big fan of Tori Horton.
• 46:39
  SPEAKER_00: Um Kenneth Walker being gone does hurt, but it's they're in a unique spot where I think it almost made sense, I guess, for him to get a first-round running back.
• 46:46
  SPEAKER_00: So we'll see if you're gonna be able to do it.
• 46:47
  SPEAKER_00: I agree.
• 46:48
  SPEAKER_00: I think Donald Um has enough experience now where he's kind of shaken off you know some of the early early on moments in his career, like the seeing ghost thing.
• 46:55
  SPEAKER_00: You know, he's obviously a different quarterback now than Lombardi.
• 46:58
  SPEAKER_00: So he's got enough experience, I think he'll be fine.
• 47:00
  SPEAKER_00: But overall, I think the Seahawks take a step back.
• 47:03
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 47:04
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and then the last thing that I'll touch on before we put our rankings out there.
• 47:09
  SPEAKER_02: Uh Jason obviously was all pro last year, had an amazing season.
• 47:14
  SPEAKER_02: But when I think of the best receivers in the NFL, he he's probably not number one.
• 47:20
  SPEAKER_02: He's probably not number two, he's probably not number three, he might not be number four.
• 47:28
  SPEAKER_02: Like, he's I know he was an all-pro, but like, is he what if you were gonna like put him in a ranking of other receivers, what number is he to you?
• 47:40
  SPEAKER_00: I think I have him forced.
• 47:41
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I think I've got Hookah, Jamar, Jedas, and then JSN Ford, I think.
• 47:51
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's fair.
• 47:52
  SPEAKER_02: I I I was having this conversation with some other I was talking to Brandon and Chase, and maybe Foley was in this conversation the other day.
• 48:02
  SPEAKER_02: We were talking about who we thought the best receivers were, and I'm I'm pretty impartial.
• 48:08
  SPEAKER_02: I we haven't done the NFC East podcast yet, but I love CeeDee Lamb.
• 48:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I think he's so versatile.
• 48:15
  SPEAKER_02: I think CeeDee Lamb to me, if I was gonna pick a receiver to start my football team, it would be him, and then it would probably be Jamar and then Jefferson to me, and then Puka, and then a then a then a gap, honestly, like until you get to JSN and Amonra.
• 48:33
  SPEAKER_02: Like they're just different guys, and if I'm gonna draft a receiver, I want my guy to look like the other four guys that I said before then, you know.
• 48:42
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, that's very very fair.
• 48:44
  SPEAKER_00: I I normally have Lamb up there.
• 48:47
  SPEAKER_00: Looking at my list right now, I feel like it's wrong.
• 48:49
  SPEAKER_00: Um, he was a little bit of a down year last year, and yeah, yeah, I think I would take him over ASV.
• 48:55
  SPEAKER_00: I have a question for you.
• 48:56
  SPEAKER_00: Um The Lions and Seahawks get on the phone.
• 48:59
  SPEAKER_00: JSN for ASV, who says no?
• 49:04
  SPEAKER_02: I think in that conversation, the Seahawks would say no because I think they need JSN more.
• 49:11
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 49:12
  SPEAKER_02: And he's younger.
• 49:14
  SPEAKER_02: So I I I think the Lions could actually they're a well enough run organization.
• 49:21
  SPEAKER_02: I think they could figure it out, honestly.
• 49:25
  SPEAKER_02: I think they could you know draft another receiver, draft a couple lesser receivers, and recreate Amon Ross St.
• 49:32
  SPEAKER_02: Brown somehow.
• 49:34
  SPEAKER_02: And I mean they do it with their running backs, they do it with their receiver.
• 49:37
  SPEAKER_02: I I love what um what Dan Campbell does with the Lions, like they they really all are are pretty inventive.
• 49:45
  SPEAKER_02: So I I think in that hypothetical, that's a good one, though.
• 49:48
  SPEAKER_02: I I would say probably Seattle would say no.
• 49:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um yeah, me too.
• 49:53
  SPEAKER_02: But let's let's stack our rankings up so we can start at the bottom and we'll just kind of alternate and and sharing in uh where we predict this division to really shake out.
• 50:04
  SPEAKER_02: So um just give us a team that you think that will finish in last.
• 50:08
  SPEAKER_02: And um do they make the playoffs?
• 50:11
  SPEAKER_02: Is this a four-team division?
• 50:13
  SPEAKER_02: Uh so start us off with your last place team in this division.
• 50:17
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I've got the Cardinals um in last place.
• 50:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um not only just because I think roster-wise it makes sense, but one of the hardest schedules in the league this year.
• 50:27
  SPEAKER_00: I it's gonna be a complete uphill battle for them.
• 50:29
  SPEAKER_00: So I just I just don't see it.
• 50:32
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, uh, we see this the exact same way.
• 50:34
  SPEAKER_02: I think the Cardinals also miss the playoffs.
• 50:37
  SPEAKER_02: I do think they kind of hover around their win total, which is four and a half as of today.
• 50:42
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I think they probably lean to the over.
• 50:45
  SPEAKER_02: Like maybe they steal a couple games here and there where team teams always slip up against somebody.
• 50:52
  SPEAKER_02: There's very it that's why teams don't really go 0-16, or I guess 0-17 um very often.
• 50:58
  SPEAKER_02: You know, uh, I think they'll win a few games, and I do like some of their offensive talent, but we'll see what Michael Floor can do.
• 51:06
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, your third team in the NFC West.
• 51:11
  SPEAKER_00: I kind of went back and forth on this.
• 51:12
  SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna put the 49ers.
• 51:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um I I just you know, I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I I also do.
• 51:23
  SPEAKER_00: Um the unhappy situation, whether that's a narrative, whether it's a coincidence, whether there's real impact.
• 51:29
  SPEAKER_00: Um, in all seriousness, the 49ers just continue to be banged up year after year.
• 51:35
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I trust almost everything about them.
• 51:38
  SPEAKER_00: I trust the scheme, I trust the coach, I trust a lot of the player talent.
• 51:42
  SPEAKER_00: I just they just have the injury bug more than anybody, so it's hard for me to see them um just putting it all together this year.
• 51:50
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's fair.
• 51:52
  SPEAKER_02: Um I we do see the middle of the of this division playing out a little bit differently, but not by a ton.
• 51:59
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I I think the Seahawks actually come in third.
• 52:02
  SPEAKER_02: I I think we see a little bit more regression to the mean for JSN and Sam Darnold.
• 52:09
  SPEAKER_02: And I also think losing Kenneth Walker, while he's not like the biggest numbers guy, like it's not like he led the league in touchdowns.
• 52:17
  SPEAKER_02: I just think that is impactful to who they are as a as a team because he's a good receiver.
• 52:22
  SPEAKER_02: You know, he was very good in the red zone.
• 52:25
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I just think that that's gonna be a big impact.
• 52:28
  SPEAKER_02: And they've lost a lot of guys in free agency, too.
• 52:31
  SPEAKER_02: Like that's that's just hard to do.
• 52:32
  SPEAKER_02: It's why teams don't typically win Super Bowls back to back.
• 52:36
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but my take on this is that they actually miss the playoffs.
• 52:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so that leaves you to introduce who you believe finishes in second in this division.
• 52:47
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so I and I think you said that well.
• 52:50
  SPEAKER_00: I do have the Seahawks finishing second also missing the playoffs.
• 52:53
  SPEAKER_00: But um, yeah, I went back and forth on second and third, Seahawks 49ers.
• 52:57
  SPEAKER_00: I do think they both ended missing the playoffs.
• 52:59
  SPEAKER_00: Um again, I could be interchangeable on second and third, but the Seahawks I think are gonna take enough of a step back with a little bit of a Super Bowl hangover.
• 53:06
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I think they'll regress a little bit to the mean.
• 53:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, maybe I'm biased, but I think they got a little bit of lucky last year, or a little bit of luck um to aid things last year.
• 53:16
  SPEAKER_00: And then also, like you mentioned, they are really gonna be missing um, you know, four or five team names that they lost from the season before.
• 53:23
  SPEAKER_00: So yeah, I think they finished, I think, probably just outside the playoffs, like you know, eighth seed or right around.
• 53:31
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's fair.
• 53:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um, yeah, we kind of see the Seahawks playing out the same the same way, but the difference of how we see that this division really shakes out with the 49ers.
• 53:42
  SPEAKER_02: Um, yeah, the injury bug is a concern.
• 53:45
  SPEAKER_02: I I won't lie, but I do I think a lot of the younger guys that they have, like when you look at their roster, like a younger guy like Jacob Cowing, now going into his third year.
• 53:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they just drafted DeJohn Stribling out of Ole Miss, who I really like.
• 54:01
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, and they also have another young guy, uh Jordan Watkins.
• 54:05
  SPEAKER_02: Like that these young receivers and these young running backs that I mentioned when we kind of broke the 49ers down, Jordan James, Calen Black, Isaac Garendo.
• 54:15
  SPEAKER_02: I think that at this point they have enough of those guys that have been 49ers for a few years that if something happens to Devo Samuel, which it will, or Mike Evans, which it will, or Christian McCaffrey, which it will, or could, that they have competent replacements that Kyle Shanahan knows how to use that may not be on people's radars right now, but I do think structurally, they have so much still on defense that I like, and they have enough on offense in terms of dynamic, you know, touchdown scores.
• 54:50
  SPEAKER_02: I actually think they sneak into the playoffs.
• 54:52
  SPEAKER_02: I think they're gonna be the like the seventh seed in the NFC.
• 54:55
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, I could see them maybe getting up to the sixth seed if they win some of their harder road games.
• 55:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but I I do like their chances of getting back into the playoffs this year, um, especially if they have a healthy Brock Purdy than he was last year.
• 55:12
  SPEAKER_02: But that leaves both of us to give the winner of the NFC West probably the NFC best from last year with the Rams and the Seahawks.
• 55:22
  SPEAKER_02: So who is the best of the West in your eyes?
• 55:27
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so no surprise for me.
• 55:28
  SPEAKER_00: I've got the Rams.
• 55:30
  SPEAKER_00: I think not only because they have such a loaded roster now on both sides, but I think McVeigh will have the team especially motivated to get the number one seed and maintain that home field advantage throughout the playoffs and throughout the Super Bowl, like the entire way.
• 55:45
  SPEAKER_00: Um the other three teams have enough holes that I think we kind of highlighted too that I think it's a little bit hard for me to see the Rams taking a step back.
• 55:56
  SPEAKER_00: McVeigh is also somebody that understands the moment very well, uh, doesn't leave too much meat on the bone and understands what's at stake.
• 56:05
  SPEAKER_00: So I expect you know the Rams to I think I think 13 wins and above.
• 56:10
  SPEAKER_00: I think well, let's say 12 wins and above, but officially my prediction is 13 and 4.
• 56:16
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, uh I I'm right there with you, honestly.
• 56:19
  SPEAKER_02: Um, when you look at the moves that the Rams made this offseason, I mean we talked about Miles Garrett for a while, we talked about uh Trent McDuffie for a while, um, we talked about their offensive skill players.
• 56:32
  SPEAKER_02: When you when you just look at the Rams as a team, you know, there there's a dozen guys that you can name right off the top of your tongue that are Pro Bowl, Pro Bowl level, all pro level players without even like pulling up your phone.
• 56:48
  SPEAKER_02: You know what I mean?
• 56:48
  SPEAKER_02: Like the Rams just have a loaded roster um in a lot of different ways in the secondary, in their you know, pass rush in their offensive line and their receiver room, like it's everywhere.
• 57:02
  SPEAKER_02: And they have one of, you know, if not the best coach, one of the two or three best coaches in the NFL, without a doubt.
• 57:09
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and one of the best general managers that has been doing it for over a decade now, which is hard to do as a GM.
• 57:17
  SPEAKER_02: And the other thing that I thought about too, like just considering where they might follow or fall in the NFC, I I think they're probably gonna push for the one seed, honestly.
• 57:28
  SPEAKER_02: And the reason I I feel strongly about that is if you think about like the teams that have been at the top of the NFC the last few years, like teams like the Eagles, you know, teams like the Packers, teams like the Lions, like teams that have had the best records the last few years, I think all of those teams take somewhat of a step back.
• 57:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um you know, even like a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who's been in the playoffs the last several years, like I think all of these NFC contenders, if you will, look a little bit worse than I thought they did last year.
• 58:02
  SPEAKER_02: And the Rams look obviously way better.
• 58:05
  SPEAKER_02: So I think it's no question that they win the division, and barring you know a catastrophic injury to somebody, I think they win the division, and I think they, if not the one seed, they're in in contention for the one seed, you know, towards the later stretches of the season.
• 58:22
  SPEAKER_02: So to recap, Nate has the Cardinals finishing in last place, the 49ers in third, and the Seahawks in second all missing the playoffs, while the Rams win the division um and strike for the number one seed to have home field advantage through the Super Bowl.
• 58:41
  SPEAKER_02: And I have also have the Cardinals finishing last, missing the playoffs, the Seahawks falling from their Super Bowl glory and missing the playoffs.
• 58:50
  SPEAKER_02: I have the 49ers coming back into the playoff mix, but ultimately the Rams, they're just too good to not pick.
• 58:58
  SPEAKER_02: You know, you you can think about not picking the Rams while my buddy who likes the Rams is on the podcast, but there's no reason.
• 59:06
  SPEAKER_02: There's just there's no reason.
• 59:07
  SPEAKER_02: There's no reason for silliness like that.
• 59:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um the next thing that me and Nate are gonna do while Nate is on the pod, this was probably you you would maybe be a better judge of this than I would.
• 59:20
  SPEAKER_02: This was probably the best NBA offseason in a decade, maybe.
• 59:27
  SPEAKER_02: But I mean, is that is that fair to say?
• 59:29
  SPEAKER_02: Like, since LeBron went to the Lakers, I I'm I'm trying to think of like other big off-seasons.
• 59:36
  SPEAKER_02: And I don't even know if like the LeBron thing like is the reason for that.
• 59:41
  SPEAKER_02: You know, like there was so much, like, even before LeBron went to Philly, there was a ton of moves that happened, like big stars that got traded.
• 59:49
  SPEAKER_02: Um, just to highlight a few, me and Nate are gonna draft, you know, who we thought, you know, three of the best moves were in the NBA this offseason.
• 59:59
  SPEAKER_02: And I'm just gonna list out a few to jog everybody's memory that might not follow the NBA as closely.
• 1:00:05
  SPEAKER_02: Um, Jalen Brown, star player from the Boston Celtics, was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
• 1:00:11
  SPEAKER_02: LeBron took his free agency to Philly behind Jalen Brown, signing a two-year deal.
• 1:00:18
  SPEAKER_02: Giannis finally made his way to South Beach, a move that's been rumored for feels like my whole life.
• 1:00:25
  SPEAKER_02: Uh he was finally traded to Miami for Tyler Hero, Jaime Hawkes, Khalil Ware, and Casper Jacob Cunis uh in a couple draft picks, but Giannis finally lands in Miami.
• 1:00:37
  SPEAKER_02: Kawhi Leonard gets traded back to the Raptors, Lomelo Ball to the Timberwolves, John Morant.
• 1:00:43
  SPEAKER_02: We can go on and on.
• 1:00:44
  SPEAKER_02: You know, Mitchell Robinson went to the Celtics.
• 1:00:46
  SPEAKER_02: There was a ton of moves.
• 1:00:47
  SPEAKER_02: Bunch of moves.
• 1:00:49
  SPEAKER_02: So I'm gonna take the lead on this one because I was obviously very excited about one of these moves.
• 1:00:54
  SPEAKER_02: So my favorite move of the offseason was Giannis coming to the heat.
• 1:00:59
  SPEAKER_02: And the reason for that is when you have Giannis on your team, you just know, unless he gets hurt, you know you have a guy that's gonna score over 25 points a game.
• 1:01:09
  SPEAKER_02: He's done it every year in his career, he's never scored below 25 points a game.
• 1:01:14
  SPEAKER_02: That guy scores points.
• 1:01:15
  SPEAKER_02: It may not be the most efficient all the time, or it may not look the best, you know, to the naked eye, but that guy is an all-pro defender, and he scores points every game.
• 1:01:28
  SPEAKER_02: It's so hard to defend Giannis because he's so big.
• 1:01:31
  SPEAKER_02: And the thing that I said about this before it happened, when it happened, after it happened, I love that Bam and Giannis get to play next to each other because to me, that is probably the best defensive combo on one team in the NBA.
• 1:01:47
  SPEAKER_02: Maybe San Antonio could say something different if you want to do Castle and Wimby.
• 1:01:53
  SPEAKER_02: But to me, Giannis and Bam right next to each other is the best defensive duo in the NBA.
• 1:01:59
  SPEAKER_02: Um, that was my favorite move.
• 1:02:00
  SPEAKER_02: What was a move that you loved?
• 1:02:05
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, um, I I would agree they're the best defensive duo.
• 1:02:08
  SPEAKER_00: Um, for me, a move that I really, really loved, probably more than consensus, even, uh, was the mellow ball to the Wolves.
• 1:02:16
  SPEAKER_00: I think that for me, when you when you look at the Wolves, they're obviously trying to capitalize on surrounding Anthony Edwards in the best way possible.
• 1:02:23
  SPEAKER_00: You might think, okay, he's kind of got the backward held down, let's just get a supporting player.
• 1:02:28
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I think we've seen the NBA the NBA has kind of evolved over the years, and now you can you have guys like you know Luca and Austin Reeves that can be complimentary fits despite sharing a lot of strengths.
• 1:02:39
  SPEAKER_00: Um Ant and Melo fall in that bucket, but I think even better.
• 1:02:42
  SPEAKER_00: I think for me they're immediately the best or the best backwards in the NBA.
• 1:02:46
  SPEAKER_00: Um they do a lot of similar things, but they're stylistically different enough that I think it's gonna be a perfect fit.
• 1:02:52
  SPEAKER_00: Melo is more of the true point guard, ant's more of the true shooting guard.
• 1:02:56
  SPEAKER_00: Um if ant had a weakness in his game, it'd be passing.
• 1:03:00
  SPEAKER_00: He's not a bad passer, but that's probably not his strength.
• 1:03:03
  SPEAKER_00: He doesn't you don't want to put him at the one.
• 1:03:05
  SPEAKER_00: So putting a guy there with like Melo that shows he can play not only as a scorer but also as a distributor.
• 1:03:11
  SPEAKER_00: People thought last year, oh Khan can nipple being there in the picture in Charlotte will mean Melo and him can't be at their best, which is quite the opposite.
• 1:03:17
  SPEAKER_00: Um, Melo's one of those rare point guards that can run the show, distribute, score, do it all.
• 1:03:23
  SPEAKER_00: And just from a talent perspective, um, if you can really swing for the fences and somehow get mellow for Nas Reed and a and a field buller.
• 1:03:33
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I'm totally with you, yeah.
• 1:03:35
  SPEAKER_02: Even I'm I'm not the biggest LaMelo fan, but I totally agree.
• 1:03:39
  SPEAKER_02: Like, if that's what you're gonna give up for him, like why wouldn't every team do that?
• 1:03:44
  SPEAKER_02: You know, like for the upside of what it could be next to Anthony Edwards, it's like, why not?
• 1:03:49
  SPEAKER_02: Like, I like Nas Reed, but come on, like, what are we doing?
• 1:03:54
  SPEAKER_02: Um and just like a weird thing that was going on this offseason.
• 1:03:58
  SPEAKER_02: Why was everybody what do they know about whatever graduating class is 2033?
• 1:04:04
  SPEAKER_02: Like, there were like 15 teams that traded for 2033 first round picks, and it's like they know like whoever's in the eighth grade or something.
• 1:04:13
  SPEAKER_00: Like, is if I had a guess, I'm I'm guessing it's when the CBA expires and it could be Breamer that um high school prospects will be eligible again.
• 1:04:21
  SPEAKER_00: So you get a double class, like a double class, you get the two classes you've been looking at.
• 1:04:26
  SPEAKER_02: If I had to interest that's interesting, that's something I didn't I didn't think about.
• 1:04:30
  SPEAKER_02: Um my my second move that I really liked, and this is a guy that I don't really I wouldn't say I'm a fan of him by any means, but the Portland Trailblazers made a trade and acquired D is he is star?
• 1:04:47
  SPEAKER_02: Do you is is John Moran a star like star point guard?
• 1:04:51
  SPEAKER_00: That doesn't feel right.
• 1:04:52
  SPEAKER_00: Is that right?
• 1:04:54
  SPEAKER_00: I'm okay with star.
• 1:04:55
  SPEAKER_00: I'm I'm not okay with superstar, but yeah, definitely not superstar.
• 1:04:59
  SPEAKER_02: I feel like it's close.
• 1:05:01
  SPEAKER_02: I'd say he's a star.
• 1:05:02
  SPEAKER_02: Like a lot of people know who he is.
• 1:05:04
  SPEAKER_02: And he has a shoe deal, right?
• 1:05:06
  SPEAKER_02: So yeah, oh yeah.
• 1:05:08
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, I'd say he's a star.
• 1:05:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but he gets traded to the Portland Trailblazers, and I just think it's an opportunity to have a fresh start.
• 1:05:17
  SPEAKER_02: Like I've seen a couple interviews that he's done um this offseason, and it does seem like he is a little bit more humble and trying to come off in a better tone with the things that he says and the way he is conducting himself.
• 1:05:34
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, the dude's like made so many dumb mistakes in his career, like from the strip club incident to the gun on IG Live to the grenade celebrations.
• 1:05:45
  SPEAKER_02: Like, it's just it's just one thing after another.
• 1:05:49
  SPEAKER_02: But I like this this is why I'm saying this, Nate.
• 1:05:53
  SPEAKER_02: And I want to hear what you say.
• 1:05:55
  SPEAKER_02: I like that he gets to play with Damian Lillard and like.
• 1:06:00
  SPEAKER_02: Not have to be the the you know the the leader of the room.
• 1:06:06
  SPEAKER_02: Like Damian Lillard, if he's on the trailblazers, he's the he's the boss.
• 1:06:11
  SPEAKER_00: That's just my take on.
• 1:06:13
  SPEAKER_00: I think that's a great point.
• 1:06:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um not only Damian Lillard, but through holiday being there as well.
• 1:06:18
  SPEAKER_00: I think both of those guys will be um tremendous mentors for not just John Morant, but um uh in a in a different way, just on court wise with Scoot Henderson too.
• 1:06:27
  SPEAKER_00: Um that being said, those four guards are definitely a weird miss.
• 1:06:31
  SPEAKER_02: It is in there chain sharp, too.
• 1:06:34
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
• 1:06:35
  SPEAKER_00: Um and then high usage Dendia as well.
• 1:06:37
  SPEAKER_00: So um for a team like the Blazers, I'm okay with it because um, you know, I don't they're not gonna win a championship this year.
• 1:06:43
  SPEAKER_00: So let's throw some talent at the ball.
• 1:06:45
  SPEAKER_00: Let's see what hits, let's see what sticks, knowing that one or two of these guys are gonna be probably traded um at some point.
• 1:06:52
  SPEAKER_00: You know, if if it's me, I'm thinking probably Drew Holiday, um, because be a team out there that you know is a contender and could really use him, maybe a team like Detroit later in the year.
• 1:07:02
  SPEAKER_00: Um so we'll see how it plays out, but I'm if in favor of the Blazers um buying low on a talent like John Morant.
• 1:07:10
  SPEAKER_02: Nice.
• 1:07:10
  SPEAKER_02: I didn't know if I was like wildly off base, but I just I feel like I liked something about that.
• 1:07:15
  SPEAKER_02: Like I'll also be very interested in watching the trailblazers just to see what goes on because Scoot was already a good watch, but now with Ja, I mean that's that's musty league pass to me.
• 1:07:29
  SPEAKER_00: Like, what is going on with it?
• 1:07:31
  SPEAKER_00: What guards might be one of the worst defenses in the league, though.
• 1:07:36
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, for sure.
• 1:07:37
  SPEAKER_02: So those games are gonna be fun to watch.
• 1:07:39
  SPEAKER_00: So yeah, 138, 130 games, you know.
• 1:07:43
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, absolutely.
• 1:07:44
  SPEAKER_02: Um, give us your another move that you really like this offseason.
• 1:07:49
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, um, and you could argue I should have led with this, but um LeBron James.
• 1:07:55
  SPEAKER_00: So there's a lot of ways you could look at what the best fit for LeBron would or wouldn't have been.
• 1:08:02
  SPEAKER_00: You've heard the media narratives about you know family fit, um etc.
• 1:08:07
  SPEAKER_00: etc.
• 1:08:09
  SPEAKER_00: But um at the end of the day, LeBron and he has has even said that a pure basketball fit was what he cares about the most.
• 1:08:16
  SPEAKER_00: When you look at it from that standpoint, joining a roster where you've already got Tyrese Maxie, you know, similar to a Kyrie Irving-ish, just to look at the archaeotypes and guys LeBron's been great with.
• 1:08:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um DJ Edgecombe, again, not making this exact comparison, but Dwayne Wade S a little bit.
• 1:08:37
  SPEAKER_00: Um and then not to mention Jalen Brown sliding in as a great fit, and then Joel Embiid, um, one of the most dominant centers in the game.
• 1:08:43
  SPEAKER_00: I think the only area of a pure basketball fit where there's a question mark is that um those are a lot of high usage players.
• 1:08:51
  SPEAKER_00: So they're gonna probably, I have think have some weird, clunky high turnover games to start, and then they'll smooth it out and you know, really align with each other and everything will kind of slot in place.
• 1:09:02
  SPEAKER_00: But LeBron's slotting in there at the four.
• 1:09:05
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I mean, how funny is it that we hear for years and years, you know, trust the process, trust the process, and it eventually ends in the final form by acquiring Jalen Brown for pennies and LeBron for pennies.
• 1:09:16
  SPEAKER_02: So it was like that uh tweet that I sent you guys where there was the account that the name of the account on Twitter was Has LeBron signed with the Sixers yet?
• 1:09:27
  SPEAKER_02: And the last time the guy tweeted was like Goodnight World, and it was like 2017 or 2018 when he went to the Lakers, and then the guy opened his account and just said, I'm back.
• 1:09:44
  SPEAKER_02: It was so funny.
• 1:09:46
  SPEAKER_02: Oh yeah, that you definitely can't talk about the offseason without talking about LeBron, so I'm glad you you did.
• 1:09:52
  SPEAKER_02: My third move uh was going to be Jalen Brown, but I wanted to give a love to give some love to a little of a more under the radar move.
• 1:10:04
  SPEAKER_02: The Pistons made a deal for Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• 1:10:11
  SPEAKER_02: The Pistons were the one seed in the East last year.
• 1:10:14
  SPEAKER_02: Cade Cunningham was you know one of the best three players in the NBA.
• 1:10:20
  SPEAKER_02: Um, he was fantastic all season.
• 1:10:23
  SPEAKER_02: I know he missed some games um towards the end of the season.
• 1:10:26
  SPEAKER_02: Did he break his hand?
• 1:10:28
  SPEAKER_02: What did he do?
• 1:10:31
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I do.
• 1:10:32
  SPEAKER_02: He did something towards the end of the year where he missed a few games um toward down that last stretch.
• 1:10:37
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but they were obviously one of the best teams in the East, and I think they still are gonna be very good next year or this coming season, as long as Jalen Durin stays in the fold and is willing to kind of play ball on whatever contract that they're gonna come to an agreement on.
• 1:10:53
  SPEAKER_02: If they don't have Jalen Duran, that's a much different conversation.
• 1:10:57
  SPEAKER_02: But they're one of their biggest weaknesses, like the reason why they acquire a guy like Duncan Robinson, who can be as hot as and cold as anybody, is they desperately needed three-point shooting around Cade.
• 1:11:09
  SPEAKER_02: And Isaiah Joe is one of the better three-point floor floor spacers in the NBA.
• 1:11:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, always felt like he knocked down big shots for the Thunder when they were going on a big run.
• 1:11:19
  SPEAKER_02: The guy that hit the shot to take them from an eight-point lead to an 11-point lead, always felt like it was him.
• 1:11:26
  SPEAKER_02: Like he was just in the game, like making big shots.
• 1:11:28
  SPEAKER_02: So I just wanted to give some love to Isaiah Joe.
• 1:11:32
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, give me one more move that you loved this offseason.
• 1:11:36
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 1:11:37
  SPEAKER_00: And uh just real quick, I out of curiosity, I booked up the Cunningham injury.
• 1:11:40
  SPEAKER_00: I guess it was a collapse, um collapsed lung.
• 1:11:43
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
• 1:11:44
  SPEAKER_00: I forgot about that.
• 1:11:45
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, that's crazy.
• 1:11:47
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, um, I also do love another under the radar move.
• 1:11:50
  SPEAKER_00: I like to take out John Collins.
• 1:11:51
  SPEAKER_00: In the past, I wasn't a big John Collins guy.
• 1:11:53
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but I think for the Pistons specifically, I think it'll be a good fit and someone that can um slot in well between Asar and Durin in the front court.
• 1:12:02
  SPEAKER_00: Um but yeah, for me, uh a third um third on my list of off-season moves I really liked.
• 1:12:08
  SPEAKER_00: I think the Lakers um faced a lot of criticism, but I think overall they had a good off-season.
• 1:12:14
  SPEAKER_00: Walker Kessler being obviously the move to highlight there.
• 1:12:18
  SPEAKER_00: They did give up a lot.
• 1:12:19
  SPEAKER_00: Um, for me, I was a little bit um a little bit dealing with sticker shock for the price, but the Lakers didn't really have much leverage.
• 1:12:26
  SPEAKER_00: Danny Ainge on the Jazz is not about to hand the Lakers a great deal for nothing.
• 1:12:31
  SPEAKER_00: And it was just such a great fit.
• 1:12:32
  SPEAKER_00: The Lakers just had to make the move.
• 1:12:34
  SPEAKER_00: Um, Luca advocated for it a lot.
• 1:12:37
  SPEAKER_00: The Lakers brand is having you know a prominent, dominant center that's been glaring holes since Anthony Davis left.
• 1:12:44
  SPEAKER_00: And so the Lakers being able to secure, you know, um, I mean, I what is he, like 25 years old or under somewhere around there?
• 1:12:50
  SPEAKER_00: Um guy that's been by a lot of advanced stats, you know, a top two, top three rim protector in the league.
• 1:12:56
  SPEAKER_00: The Lakers got by with DeAndre Aiden last year.
• 1:12:59
  SPEAKER_00: It was very, very clear that they're not gonna be able to feature him and get the most out of this team and be a serious contender.
• 1:13:06
  SPEAKER_00: Um yeah, not next to Luca.
• 1:13:08
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I mean, Luca needs a guy that can catch lobs.
• 1:13:11
  SPEAKER_00: Aiden just struggles catching the ball in in general.
• 1:13:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um it was just it was just rough.
• 1:13:16
  SPEAKER_00: So a lot of empty stats from Aiden, but a lot of true impact for Kessler um as a bonus to.
• 1:13:22
  SPEAKER_00: I'd call him like a you know, closer to like a top 10, top eight center, but I think in LA he's gonna perform like a top five center just due to the fit.
• 1:13:29
  SPEAKER_00: Um, he can also, um, some people don't realize, but he can he's also um at least a decent or average to above average three-point shooter.
• 1:13:38
  SPEAKER_00: So um I really like that fit a lot overall.
• 1:13:40
  SPEAKER_00: And I think for the Lakers, that's exactly what they needed.
• 1:13:44
  SPEAKER_02: Nice.
• 1:13:45
  SPEAKER_02: Well, this has been fun.
• 1:13:47
  SPEAKER_02: We went through the NFC West.
• 1:13:49
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we gave our predictions for how we think that division is gonna shake out.
• 1:13:54
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, we talked about some of the biggest moves of the NBA offseason.
• 1:13:58
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, Nate, thanks for getting on this podcast.
• 1:14:01
  SPEAKER_02: Anything you want to leave the tailgate with?
• 1:14:03
  SPEAKER_02: Did you enjoy your time in the tailgate?
• 1:14:06
  SPEAKER_00: I love my time in the tailgate, though.
• 1:14:08
  SPEAKER_00: I appreciate you having me, and I'm I'm looking forward to joining again.
• 1:14:11
  SPEAKER_00: I know, um, I know we're both excited about college football coming up too.
• 1:14:14
  SPEAKER_00: So it's starting to be you know closer and closer to one of the best times of year sports-wise, and look forward to uh to talking more about that come soon.
• 1:14:22
  SPEAKER_02: Nice.
• 1:14:23
  SPEAKER_02: Well, thanks, man.
• 1:14:24
  SPEAKER_02: I appreciate you joining the tailgate today, and uh, I'll talk to you soon, man.
• 1:14:29
  SPEAKER_00: Sounds good.
• 1:14:38
  SPEAKER_02: Well, that was a lot of fun having Nate on the podcast.
• 1:14:41
  SPEAKER_02: So we're gonna wrap things up with what are we looking forward to?
• 1:14:46
  SPEAKER_02: So tomorrow, or I guess today when this episode is released, is the official MLB trade deadline.
• 1:14:53
  SPEAKER_02: So that means this afternoon there will be no more trades finalized.
• 1:14:58
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but I am looking forward to two series that are about to start tomorrow.
• 1:15:03
  SPEAKER_02: We gave the emergency pod, we broke down the crisis.
• 1:15:07
  SPEAKER_02: That is the Dodgers, who are currently losing and about to get swept as of the sixth inning right now.
• 1:15:15
  SPEAKER_02: They're losing to the Boston Red Sox five to three, who, as I touched on earlier in the podcast, won Friday and Saturday, but I digress.
• 1:15:24
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they begin a series tomorrow against the Chicago Cubs, who just played my Yankees, and they will be able to debut their star trader, if I will, to Reek Scoobal.
• 1:15:40
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, as I'm also getting breaking news that the Chicago Cubs have acquired star pitcher Kevin Gossman from the Toronto Blue Jays.
• 1:15:50
  SPEAKER_02: I'm going to give a quick shout-out to my good friend Brandon Ogden as the Boston Red Sox hit another home run to go up six to three.
• 1:15:57
  SPEAKER_02: There's breaking news here on the Tailgate podcast.
• 1:16:00
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but anyways, the the Cubs and the Dodgers kick off a series tomorrow, and the Cardinals and the Yankees, two teams that uh very much matter in my household, my wife being from St.
• 1:16:12
  SPEAKER_02: Louis and growing up a Cardinals fan, but I I think I've converted her to a Yankees fan.
• 1:16:18
  SPEAKER_02: I'm pretty sure.
• 1:16:20
  SPEAKER_02: Uh but the biggest thing is the trade deadline wraps up tomorrow.
• 1:16:23
  SPEAKER_02: So we will be back perhaps with another guest to talk about the trade deadline and what really took place.
• 1:16:32
  SPEAKER_02: And then lastly, I will leave you with my gold star of the weekend, and it's got to go to the UFC main event winner, Euros Medic, with his 30-second knockout of Daniel Rodriguez.
• 1:16:45
  SPEAKER_02: Congrats, Euros.
• 1:16:47
  SPEAKER_02: You have a gold star.
• 1:16:48
  SPEAKER_02: Thanks for listening to the tailgate.
• 1:16:50
  SPEAKER_02: Appreciate appreciate everybody.
• 1:16:53
  SPEAKER_02: See ya.