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NFC East to West · The Mostly Football Show

0:03
SPEAKER_00: This is the Mostly Football Show, a uniquely Australian take on the NFL and all things in the world of sport.
0:12
SPEAKER_04: Over to you, Pete.
0:14
SPEAKER_04: Good morning, good evening, good afternoon.
0:16
SPEAKER_04: Welcome everybody to episode four of the second season of the Mostly Football Show.
0:21
SPEAKER_04: We continue our preview this week where we're tackling the NFC East and West.
0:27
SPEAKER_04: And I have with me today the venerable gentleman KG and Matt.
0:32
SPEAKER_04: How are you, boys?
0:33
SPEAKER_04: All good.
0:34
SPEAKER_01: So happy to be here.
0:36
SPEAKER_01: And lots, lots going on.
0:39
SPEAKER_01: So it's it's it's actually getting exciting.
0:41
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, it is.
0:42
SPEAKER_04: It is Packers' first uh preseason tomorrow against Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh.
0:47
SPEAKER_04: So uh don't contact me between uh nine and twelve because I'll be working tomorrow.
0:53
SPEAKER_04: But but after after I've finished working, I'll watch the game, everybody.
0:56
SPEAKER_04: Thank you very much.
0:57
SPEAKER_04: Matt, how have you been?
0:59
SPEAKER_03: I'm doing really well, thank you, Peter.
1:00
SPEAKER_03: And it's great to I mean, we'd have had to have a s significant steward's inquiry if if Mr.
1:06
SPEAKER_03: Butler hadn't turned up to preview his beloved character.
1:11
SPEAKER_01: There would have been definitely a a problem.
1:15
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, very good.
1:16
SPEAKER_04: Well it's an easy preview, isn't it?
1:18
SPEAKER_04: We'll start well, we'll flatter, then we'll fade Pun Club game.
1:22
SPEAKER_04: We're we're done.
1:23
SPEAKER_04: Anyway, we'll hear that.
1:24
SPEAKER_04: We'll hear that from the horse's mouth later.
1:26
SPEAKER_04: It's pretty easy, isn't it?
1:27
SPEAKER_01: And then uh I have to ask, does preseason matter?
1:31
SPEAKER_01: Um I know you're you're gonna check it out, I'm sure, but is it is it going to tell you much?
1:37
SPEAKER_04: Look, uh it might tell us something about the uh the the draft picks and and the peripheral players who who at some point will have to come in because of the injuries.
1:47
SPEAKER_04: Uh for me it's just about getting to watch the Packers again.
1:50
SPEAKER_04: It's already been intimated that Jordan Love won't take a snap.
1:54
SPEAKER_04: So uh we'll see, but we we don't have a backup.
1:57
SPEAKER_04: The last couple of years we've had Malik Willis.
1:59
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, uh, and so it will prove something, but we'll come on to that next week when we're talking about the NFC North and South.
2:08
SPEAKER_04: But before we get into our uh previews for the NFC East and West, over to Matt for this week's news.
2:16
SPEAKER_00: Now it's time for the latest in NFL news.
2:18
SPEAKER_00: Matt, what's been happening?
2:19
SPEAKER_03: Thank you, Jens.
2:20
SPEAKER_03: Buckle up, because this one's uh this one's a big one.
2:24
SPEAKER_03: Um let's start off with your friend um Peter Adams Schefter, who's um give provided an update this week about multiple players who are under active NFL personal conduct reviews um with decisions on their near, medium, and long-term futures expected by the start of the season or sooner.
2:46
SPEAKER_03: Um Falcons um outside linebacker James P.
2:50
SPEAKER_03: S.
2:51
SPEAKER_03: Jr., according to Schefter, is going to be suspended.
2:56
SPEAKER_03: Uh the question will be how long for?
2:59
SPEAKER_03: Um Schefter's uh predicting six days to a full season, and this stems from a domestic violence arrest.
3:07
SPEAKER_03: We've talked in um last uh season about our friend Puka Nakua, who was under civil review after uh civil suit, uh alleging he beat a woman and made an anti-Semitic comment on New Year's Eve.
3:22
SPEAKER_03: He's also done a stin in rehab, and Schefter says it's within very reasonable realm of options that he will miss slash sit out the week one opener in Australia.
3:35
SPEAKER_03: Uh, your friend Josh Jacobs at the pair because Peter continues to be under review for his May domestic violence arrest.
3:42
SPEAKER_03: The charges were dropped, and the DA's investigation is ongoing, as is that um, the investigation from the NFL.
3:50
SPEAKER_03: And players also under review are Rams tackle Alaric Jackson, Broncos linebacker Jonathan Cooper, and free agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
4:02
SPEAKER_03: In other wonderful news, um, Kirk Cousins and Max Crosby had a fight in training camp this week.
4:10
SPEAKER_03: This is unbelievable.
4:12
SPEAKER_04: This is good.
4:13
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
4:13
SPEAKER_04: This is good stuff, right?
4:15
SPEAKER_04: What what what how can your preseason go any better?
4:18
SPEAKER_04: I know.
4:19
SPEAKER_04: Let's have a fight between our two big stars.
4:22
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, that was fled on an 11-on-11 uh practice when Crosby, who was rushing cousins, tipped a pass and then made contact with his throwing arm.
4:32
SPEAKER_03: Um, and that wasn't the first time that he'd made contact with cousins during uh the drill.
4:38
SPEAKER_03: Uh Kirk confronted Crosby, grabbed his jersey before teammates stepped in to separate them.
4:43
SPEAKER_03: Uh happily both were back at practice the following Monday.
4:47
SPEAKER_03: In bad news for my bears, I did report last week that um Kobe Bryan, who's been our marquee free agent signing, had um was projected to be out for six to eight weeks.
4:58
SPEAKER_03: It's even worse.
4:59
SPEAKER_03: He's hyperextended his knee, um, he's got a severe bone bruise and a small fracture.
5:04
SPEAKER_03: So that initial eight to ten week timeline now very much looks like a six-month um outage, uh, pushing the earliest possible return to mid-December, with some pundits um speculating that he's going to miss the whole regular season.
5:21
SPEAKER_03: So that's an absolute disaster for us.
5:24
SPEAKER_03: In more positive news, the Detroit Lions made Jamar Gibbs the highest paid running back in the NFL, um to a three-year 67.5 million, which the mathematicians is$22.5 million a year contract extension.
5:42
SPEAKER_03: And this followed two other contract extensions earlier in the week.
5:47
SPEAKER_03: And you'll see a pattern here.
5:48
SPEAKER_03: The the number went up incrementally for each of those.
5:53
SPEAKER_03: So, first and foremost, um, the Indianapolis Colts signed Jonathan Taylor to a two-year$44 million extension.
6:00
SPEAKER_03: Um, very shortly afterwards, I think within 24 hours, the Atlanta Falcons signed B.
6:05
SPEAKER_03: Janet Robinson to a three-year 66.75 million.
6:10
SPEAKER_03: And then a couple of days after that, I think it was four days afterwards, Jamal Gibbs was signed to his three, uh, his 67.5 over three.
6:20
SPEAKER_03: The Dallas Cowboys have also signed four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnan Williams for a three-year$105.9 million contract extension.
6:31
SPEAKER_03: Um, we mentioned last year that this was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Jets at last year's deadline.
6:38
SPEAKER_03: In the seven games he played for the Cowboys, he had 1.5 sacks, 21 tackles, three tackles for lost, and nine quarterback hits.
6:48
SPEAKER_04: Wow.
6:49
SPEAKER_04: I can't believe you used the word blockbuster and jets in the same sentence.
6:52
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, Matt, as well.
6:54
SPEAKER_03: The 10th signed their 2023 first-round pick and starting left guard Peter Skoronsky to a four-year$100 million contract extension with$88 million guaranteed.
7:05
SPEAKER_03: Skoronsky was the 11th overall pick out of Northwestern in 2023.
7:12
SPEAKER_03: Deshaun Watson has been named the Browns preseason opener starter, ahead of our friend Shador for Saturday's preseason game against the Bears.
7:22
SPEAKER_03: This could be an early signal in Cleveland's ongoing QB competition.
7:27
SPEAKER_03: Tua will start the Falcons preseason opener against Denver at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but Coach Stefanski stated that the team was far from being ready to name a regular season starter at this point.
7:42
SPEAKER_03: Um Carolina Panthers and tight end Darren Waller agreed to a one-year free agent deal.
7:47
SPEAKER_03: Waller played nine games last year with the Dolphins after coming out of a one-year retirement where he scored six touchdowns on 24 receptions for a total of 283 yards.
7:57
SPEAKER_03: In other news, the NFL will allow this season coaches to designate staff members to initiate replay challenges.
8:07
SPEAKER_03: So previously, only the head coach could carry and throw the red flag.
8:11
SPEAKER_03: Um, now they can nominate other members of their staff.
8:15
SPEAKER_03: But it's important to note that this is an either-or situation and doesn't add to the number of challenges.
8:21
SPEAKER_04: We're not going to suddenly see three red flags, hostile once all at the same time.
8:28
SPEAKER_03: The great Roger Craig, who's 66, revealed his dementia diagnosis in a very moving Hall of Fame speech last week, um, stating that head injuries played a major role in um in his illness.
8:43
SPEAKER_03: Craig has said that his intention for sharing the diagnosis is to help other people who may be experiencing a similar situation.
8:51
SPEAKER_03: The Jonas brothers will headline the half-time show in the week 149ers v Rams game at the MCG.
8:59
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, and the game's gonna be Netflix.
9:03
SPEAKER_04: Are you kidding?
9:04
SPEAKER_04: Yes, yeah.
9:06
SPEAKER_04: Fuck Netflix, I'd say that they are atrocious.
9:09
SPEAKER_04: They are atrocious at sports.
9:11
SPEAKER_01: Well, it's not their thing.
9:13
SPEAKER_01: Not their thing at all.
9:15
SPEAKER_04: They ruined baseball's opening day.
9:17
SPEAKER_04: Now they're now they're gonna ruin the first game in NFL history in Australia.
9:23
SPEAKER_03: Talking of broadcasters, an old mate of yours, Kerry, um Tony Romo, has been in the news again.
9:28
SPEAKER_03: CBS Sports David Burton has said there's absolutely no timetable nor final decision at this time in relation to Tony Romo's situation.
9:40
SPEAKER_03: Romo had held the position of the network's lead NFL TV analyst, but has been put on leave following his July the 23rd arrest in Wisconsin for operating a vehicle whilst intoxicated.
9:53
SPEAKER_03: Teddy Bridgewater has retired again for good this time.
9:57
SPEAKER_03: Um Lions placed him on the reserve retired list on August the 9th.
10:01
SPEAKER_03: It's his second retirement.
10:02
SPEAKER_03: He previously retired in 2023, then unretired to rejoin Detroit for their 2024 playoff run, and later backed up Baker Mayfield in Tampa.
10:12
SPEAKER_03: Detroit have responded by signing veteran Josh Dobbs for quarterback depth behind Jared Goff.
10:20
SPEAKER_04: Again, I I don't wish to correct you, Matt, but he turned up for their 2024 playoff game.
10:25
SPEAKER_03: A game.
10:26
SPEAKER_04: Not run, game.
10:28
SPEAKER_04: The the one game.
10:30
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, true.
10:37
SPEAKER_03: Um another team you love to back on.
10:40
SPEAKER_03: The Vikings have named Kylie Murray, their week one starter, um, which clearly puts J.J.
10:47
SPEAKER_03: McCarthy's career in an enormous amount of uh doubt.
10:50
SPEAKER_03: So um that ends an open quarterback competition before even the first preseason snap.
10:56
SPEAKER_03: McCarthy was interviewed and said the decision was entirely out of my control, but it that he wanted to stay and compete for the job.
11:05
SPEAKER_03: In the Hall of Fame game on August the 6th, the Panthers beat the Cardinals 3330 on a walk-off five-yard touchdown run by undrafted rookie quarterback Haynes King, who outshined more prominent names.
11:21
SPEAKER_03: The Cardinals third round of Carson back, as we were talking about before coming on air peak, impressed with uh 15 completions out of 19 attempts, 188 yards, and one touchdown in his NFL debut.
11:35
SPEAKER_03: And finally, other camp notes, the Jets corner Quantes Stiggers, um, passed out during a joint practice, has been hospitalized and is now home in concussion protocol.
11:49
SPEAKER_03: Um the Jets announced that they expect him to be fine.
11:53
SPEAKER_03: Giants wide receiver Malik Neighbors, who's been uh recovering from an ACL injury, could return to full team drills as soon as next week.
12:04
SPEAKER_03: Sounds like we've got another one for the ACL tally board.
12:08
SPEAKER_03: And final roster cuts to 53 players is set for August the 30th.
12:14
SPEAKER_03: And now, gentlemen, is your news wrap August the 5th to August 13th, 2026.
12:23
unknown: Wow.
12:24
SPEAKER_02: Very good.
12:25
SPEAKER_04: Round of applause, I think.
12:26
SPEAKER_04: Yes, good job.
12:27
SPEAKER_04: Yes.
12:28
SPEAKER_04: Hardly took a breath.
12:29
SPEAKER_04: Well done.
12:30
SPEAKER_04: Uh so the Hall of Fame game, Kerry, you watched some of it.
12:34
SPEAKER_04: I've watched the highlights.
12:35
SPEAKER_04: Uh, what did you think?
12:37
SPEAKER_01: Look, um, I was uh I hate to say this, I was a little bored, but I know it got a little bit better as the game went on because you know it actually turned out to be uh quite a relatively high scoring game.
12:50
SPEAKER_01: Uh but I think for me, because it it felt like um better than the UFL.
12:58
SPEAKER_01: But just you know how it is.
13:02
SPEAKER_01: You you wanna you wanna really see um you know um fantastic um plays and and and and I didn't feel that in the game, although it was still entertaining.
13:13
SPEAKER_01: I got halfway through before I had to move on to other things, so it was alright.
13:18
SPEAKER_01: And you got the whole highlights, so what did you th what did you get out of it?
13:22
SPEAKER_04: Well well, uh yeah, uh I I was gonna compare it to a UFL game, but you're probably right.
13:28
SPEAKER_04: It was uh slightly more exciting.
13:30
SPEAKER_04: Uh execution was a lot better.
13:33
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
13:33
SPEAKER_04: Uh and I came out with it, as Matt said, that the only thing I came out with is is Castle Beck looks like he might be the opening starter for Arizona.
13:41
SPEAKER_04: But we'll we'll talk about them as as we go through the preview show.
13:44
SPEAKER_04: But you know, nice curtain opener.
13:46
SPEAKER_04: Uh I think we've all our teams have all got a game this weekend.
13:49
SPEAKER_04: So it'll be interesting to see what comes out of that.
13:51
SPEAKER_04: Uh and as you mentioned early, earlier, Kerry, how much credence will we put on it if all of our teams get beaten?
14:00
SPEAKER_04: So we'll see.
14:02
SPEAKER_01: Yes, we will see.
14:03
SPEAKER_01: And and look, I'll I'll I'll be honest, you know, I I you never want your team to lose, no matter whether it's you know preseason.
14:11
SPEAKER_01: That's right.
14:12
SPEAKER_01: That's right.
14:12
SPEAKER_01: You you want to see them do well, and you know, even if if it's the backups, you kind of think to yourself, oh that you know, that's still the play calling, and it's still, you know, you the people who are gonna be the ones who have to take over if something happens.
14:26
SPEAKER_01: So you want them to still be superstars.
14:29
SPEAKER_01: But at the end of the day, you know, um, I think the Cowboys always go the same record, you know, like um they win one and lose lose three or whatever the, you know, so and and then they do all right.
14:41
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, two.
14:42
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so so I think um I I don't put too much um into it, but I want to see them show up.
14:51
SPEAKER_01: So let's see.
14:53
SPEAKER_04: Very good.
14:53
SPEAKER_04: Well, while you've got the mic and are talking about Dallas, let's head straight to the NFC East.
14:58
SPEAKER_01: Oh Dallas.
15:00
SPEAKER_04: And we'll start our previews with Dallas.
15:04
SPEAKER_01: Kerry, the mic is all yours.
15:07
SPEAKER_01: This is um going to be um a a typical Dallas uh start of the season where there's a lot of um hype.
15:17
SPEAKER_01: You know, there's there's some Dallas Cowboy fans who are really uh hot on this team, and I uh I get it uh because if you look at what they've done in the offseason, their big uh Achilles Hill was defense, and they went all in on defense.
15:35
SPEAKER_01: So the big change is um Christian Parker became the defensive coordinator, um, coming over from the Eagles as uh secondary, but um that's uh the big question mark as well.
15:47
SPEAKER_01: So for me personally, that's where I see the question mark.
15:51
SPEAKER_01: Can he move into the defensive coordinator position and make the difference that uh the team is expecting?
15:56
SPEAKER_01: So they're moving to a 3-4 defense, which is um mildly different from what they've been doing before, which uh puts a lot of emphasis on you know speed and uh um making sure that uh the read is right.
16:09
SPEAKER_01: So that's why it's gonna be uh interesting for the team.
16:13
SPEAKER_01: They've added some um good players.
16:15
SPEAKER_01: Um they've added um um through the draft, uh Caleb Downs, who for all uh all the previews looks really, really talented, um quick thinker, um, versatile, um, great uh in every position uh on the defense.
16:32
SPEAKER_01: So he's uh in the defensive backfield.
16:34
SPEAKER_01: They've also invested in um Malachi Lawrence um uh uh for edge rusher.
16:41
SPEAKER_01: So uh that replaces a uh piece that went to the Green Bay Packers that we won't talk about, but um I don't think it's an actual replacement, but it will help on the edge.
16:52
SPEAKER_01: Uh Jalen Thompson um has um come over from the Cardinals um at safety.
16:59
SPEAKER_01: And like uh Matt mentioned before, um Quinn and Williams is there.
17:04
SPEAKER_01: I personally was a little bit disappointed in Williams.
17:07
SPEAKER_01: Uh I know that he's um going to be a force, but um, you know, definitely showed some force in the middle, but uh I wanted to see more uh pressure in Sachs.
17:18
SPEAKER_01: But uh let's see if that extension um reveals that he's gonna be the superstar that we hope he'll be.
17:24
SPEAKER_01: Schottenheimer um is still the head coach.
17:28
SPEAKER_01: Um really no big changes on offense.
17:31
SPEAKER_01: A couple of key um draft picks um that may be uh backup players, but no big, big um changes.
17:40
SPEAKER_01: The only um real thing that you know everyone's talking about is um are Pickens and Lamb gonna do um what they were able to do last year?
17:51
SPEAKER_01: Are they gonna get along?
17:53
SPEAKER_01: Uh is Pickens gonna be happy because he's got the franchise tag?
17:57
SPEAKER_01: Um yes, he gets he gets you know a good um year um at 27 mil, um but um no long-term contract, which is what everybody expected uh after last year's blowout season.
18:12
SPEAKER_01: But uh let's see if he can hang in there and just um be a team player, uh, because that's gonna be a big thing, um, along with Quinn and Williams, um, their superstar, if you can call a um field goal kicker a superstar, Aubrey's probably close to it because you know he makes them uh from far and and wide.
18:33
SPEAKER_01: Uh so that was one of their other big signings for the year.
18:37
SPEAKER_01: For me, I see um some good things out of Dallas.
18:41
SPEAKER_01: I see them definitely improving their record.
18:43
SPEAKER_01: So I think if they get an improvement, that's uh, you know, uh making it to the playoffs, which I think they will do this year.
18:51
SPEAKER_01: So when we talk about predictions, Pete, my take is about 10 and 7.
18:59
SPEAKER_01: About.
19:00
SPEAKER_01: And and that just scrapes through and and let's see if it's them or the Eagles atop of the division.
19:08
SPEAKER_01: Uh, but I'm kind of edging towards the Eagles right now, but Dallas will be right there with them.
19:14
SPEAKER_01: That is my update for the Cowboys.
19:19
SPEAKER_04: Uh and I think that's the most positive I've ever heard you talk about the Cowboys.
19:24
SPEAKER_04: Ten and seven.
19:25
SPEAKER_01: Ten and seven.
19:26
SPEAKER_01: I know.
19:26
SPEAKER_01: This is this is big, right?
19:28
SPEAKER_01: And and this is how we we always start the year as a cowboy, you know, hopeful.
19:33
SPEAKER_01: And I'm I'm just more hopeful because the offense is in place.
19:38
SPEAKER_01: It's been good as long as there's no major injuries, and they actually have a defense that holds you know water for at least half of the games, they might be all right.
19:48
SPEAKER_01: So let's see.
19:49
SPEAKER_01: Let's see.
19:50
SPEAKER_04: Okay, very good.
19:51
SPEAKER_04: 10 and 7.
19:52
SPEAKER_04: Gary, Dallas, 10 and 7.
19:54
SPEAKER_04: I know.
19:55
SPEAKER_02: It's big, it's big.
19:59
SPEAKER_04: Okay, well, you've mentioned the Eagles there.
20:01
SPEAKER_04: We might as well segue to them.
20:03
SPEAKER_04: Matt, what's the the preview for the Eagles?
20:07
SPEAKER_03: Yes.
20:08
SPEAKER_03: Looking like the Eagles.
20:09
SPEAKER_03: Uh 2025 record was 11-6, good for first place in the NFC East.
20:15
SPEAKER_03: Uh, they lost the wild card game.
20:19
SPEAKER_03: Um uh in the playoffs, their general managers Harry Roseman, head coach Nick Siriani is coming back for his sixth year.
20:28
SPEAKER_03: They fired offensive quarterly coordinator Kevin Pattulo after a late season collapse.
20:35
SPEAKER_03: They started 8-2 um and then lost three straight, and then hired 33-year-old ex-Packers quarterback coach Sean Manion uh as a first-time playing play caller.
20:46
SPEAKER_03: We've talked extensively about the AJ Brown trade to the Patriots on the 1st of June.
20:53
SPEAKER_03: Um, they got a first rounder of a 2027 fifth bat for him, um, and that ends his four-year run in Philadelphia.
21:02
SPEAKER_03: Manion's uh scheme is expected to look and feel like a sort of Shanahan McVeigh style zone run under center system, and this is going to be a real philosophical shift from the way um Eagles opposition have looked and operated in the past.
21:21
SPEAKER_03: Defensive coordinator Victangio, one of the game's best, has been retained.
21:27
SPEAKER_03: Um he has an associate, uh, sorry, an associate head coach title has been added for defensive line coach Clint Hurt.
21:35
SPEAKER_03: Um the front office reload driven by general manager Roseman.
21:42
SPEAKER_03: Um uh he said if we could find something that achieved our goals of getting a first round pick near term on the Brown trade, that was what they wanted to do in terms of um uh of that AJ Brown trade, and they obviously reached that um that that goal.
21:58
SPEAKER_03: In terms of the draft.
22:00
SPEAKER_03: Makai Lemon was uh picked at number 20.
22:03
SPEAKER_03: Um, the Eagles actually traded up from 23 with Dallas to take the wide receiver out of USC.
22:13
SPEAKER_03: Um he was a Bolitnikov winner in college and is clearly being positioned as A.J.
22:19
SPEAKER_03: Brown's eventual replacement.
22:21
SPEAKER_03: Uh Eli Stow as a tight end was picked up again via a trade with the Eagles moving up to pick number 54.
22:29
SPEAKER_03: And the other pick of note was Markel Bell, a tackle, uh, picked in the third round at number 68.
22:36
SPEAKER_03: In terms of free agency, um, the big news is uh they uh picked up Brig Wollen, a cornerback, um, signed him to a one-year$15 million contract from uh Seattle Seahawks, Jonathan Greenard and Edge.
22:56
SPEAKER_03: Uh Russia came in via trade, acquired from the Minnesota Vikings for 2026 third.
23:03
SPEAKER_03: And then uh they just tinkered around the edges with Hollywood Brown, a wide receiver, um, Arnold Ebiketty, a linebacker, and Elijah Moore, another wide receiver.
23:15
SPEAKER_03: Um, other storylines, Jalen Hurts enters a scheme overhaul under Manion, um, which we've talked about.
23:22
SPEAKER_03: Um, so it'll be interesting to see how he um adapts and operates.
23:27
SPEAKER_03: The wide receiver room, as we've mentioned, has had a major overhaul with um Devonta Smith, Mackay Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, um, the primary targets, the secondary trio of Quinian Mitchell, Cooper Dejean, and Rig Wollen could and in some pundit size um be one of the league's best.
23:48
SPEAKER_03: Their week five game is in London versus Jacksonville, and of course, on Thanksgiving they play the Dallas Cowboys.
23:56
SPEAKER_03: Um week 10, obviously uh week five game in London via the Jags.
24:03
SPEAKER_03: I had them down when I did my initial um analysis as uh 12 and 5, but I've amended that to um 11 and 6.
24:14
SPEAKER_01: Oh, okay.
24:15
SPEAKER_01: And and why?
24:16
SPEAKER_03: Why?
24:17
SPEAKER_03: Um I'm not so much of a believer.
24:21
SPEAKER_03: Um I they've actually got quite a soft schedule, um, if I'm completely honest.
24:27
SPEAKER_03: Um, but I uh the the main reason was I I think they'll they might slip up against either the commanders or the cowboys, who in my first run through I'd got them beaten twice, but I've put in a wild card that they'll lose one of those games, one of those four games to either the commanders or the cowboys.
24:51
SPEAKER_03: Okay, the rest of their schedule is pretty they finish, they've got a tough run in Seahawks, Texans, 49ers in weeks 15, 16, 17.
25:04
SPEAKER_03: But they've got a super soft start to the um to the schedule.
25:09
SPEAKER_03: I mean they could go they could go eight eight and one nine nine and oh at the start of their schedule.
25:16
SPEAKER_03: Whoa.
25:16
SPEAKER_03: And they play the Bears.
25:18
SPEAKER_03: Really, they only played the Bears and the Panthers who uh who were much top at all.
25:24
SPEAKER_03: Sorry, Kerry, they've got the cowboys and they're weak step.
25:27
SPEAKER_03: Um but yeah.
25:31
SPEAKER_03: So I think they'll come out of the blocks fast.
25:34
SPEAKER_03: If they aren't, then um it could be a disaster zone because they've got tough running.
25:40
SPEAKER_04: Very good.
25:41
SPEAKER_04: Very good.
25:41
SPEAKER_04: Well, 11 and 6, that's a that's a bold prediction.
25:45
SPEAKER_04: So I think we've probably covered the two best teams in the East.
25:49
SPEAKER_04: So I'm gonna uh talk about I think the dark horse of the East with uh the New York Giants.
25:57
SPEAKER_04: I think this year it's uh it's it's gonna be a bit of a turning point for them, or uh, or probably that's what they're looking for.
26:04
SPEAKER_04: They're probably looking to turn that corner from being a nearly team to being some threat of a wild card, I would say.
26:12
SPEAKER_04: Obviously, the hiring of John Harbor uh means that what they're looking for for me is stability, settling things down and bringing in a veteran coach who'll provide structure for a very young quarterback in Jackson Dart.
26:26
SPEAKER_04: I think last year Dart did well, and I think this year it's it's time to step up.
26:31
SPEAKER_04: I think there's quite a few quarterbacks this year who are gonna have to think about how do I step up from where I were.
26:36
SPEAKER_04: We've talked about CJ Stroud uh and and the like.
26:40
SPEAKER_04: Probably Caleb Williams falls into that to see if he can replicate his season.
26:44
SPEAKER_04: I think Jackson Dart is the one who uh who has to step into and start driving the Giants around.
26:50
SPEAKER_04: So they do have a big loss in their defense, which is one of the things that uh you know kind of lets them down all the time.
26:56
SPEAKER_04: Dexter Lawrence was moved to Cincinnati for some uh trade collateral, so and and that will be a big miss.
27:03
SPEAKER_04: But they do still have Brian Burns.
27:05
SPEAKER_04: Um uh they've it introduced Tremaine Edmonds as a linebacker, and they've invested heavy in improving uh the secondary, including Greg Newsom the second.
27:15
SPEAKER_04: So hopefully he's better than Greg Newsom the first.
27:19
SPEAKER_04: Uh they still have a lot of injuries that they've got to get through, but their offense is picking up.
27:23
SPEAKER_04: I say Jackson Dart should be the one to to start commanding games uh behind the harbor thing.
27:30
SPEAKER_04: In preseason, he's been showing good arm strength, a lot of mobility, and more encouragingly for them the ability to extend plays.
27:38
SPEAKER_04: So not getting sacked as quickly as he was last year.
27:42
SPEAKER_04: Uh, they've got Cam Scatterbow and Devin Singletree in the running back position, so they'll be looking to Scatterbow again to have a big season.
27:50
SPEAKER_04: The the more they can get him to run and establish the running game, the better it will be for them.
27:55
SPEAKER_04: Um Malik Nabers is their probably their best offensive player.
28:00
SPEAKER_04: Uh, he he's a wide receiver, he's uh he's got the ability, um, as long as he could be hit regularly to become one of the NFL's best.
28:08
SPEAKER_04: And I think uh again, he'll be shouting for a trade if the Giants don't do stuff around him.
28:15
SPEAKER_04: Um they've also picked up Isaiah Likely as a new tight end.
28:19
SPEAKER_04: So uh um summary, if they could protect the quarterback, defend a bit better, establish the run.
28:26
SPEAKER_04: I think they've uh a dark horse to be a part of the playoffs.
28:31
SPEAKER_04: I am going to call them nine and eight this season.
28:37
SPEAKER_04: That's old.
28:39
SPEAKER_04: Yes.
28:40
SPEAKER_04: Now equally they could go five and twelve, but I'm I'm gonna be on the more positive side and say nine and eight.
28:45
SPEAKER_04: That's till Danny gets them third place in the uh in the division.
28:50
SPEAKER_04: But I think it's it's time, right?
28:52
SPEAKER_04: The Giants have been in the doldrums for a long time.
28:54
SPEAKER_04: They had some close games last year.
28:57
SPEAKER_04: What they've got to do is try and turn some of those close games into wins rather than losses as well.
29:04
SPEAKER_04: So uh well, we'll just have to see where things stand on week one.
29:08
SPEAKER_04: But uh yeah, I'm positive for a nine and eight for the Giants, uh mainly because they get to play the commanders twice.
29:15
SPEAKER_04: So uh Matt.
29:17
SPEAKER_03: Well, I can't see them ending up with a winning record.
29:20
SPEAKER_03: And remember, Malik Neighbours is coming back from a very, very serious knee injury and still um still hasn't started practicing in camps.
29:30
SPEAKER_03: And um, he is super key to their success.
29:33
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
29:34
SPEAKER_04: Uh agreed.
29:34
SPEAKER_04: Uh I just, you know, appointing uh Harbor though as coach, I think is a very, very smart move.
29:40
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
29:41
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
29:44
SPEAKER_04: So I I I mentioned the commanders there.
29:47
SPEAKER_04: Matt, over to you for the card.
29:49
SPEAKER_03: Let's give the let's give the commanders a shakedown.
29:51
SPEAKER_03: Then last year they finished with a 5-12 record, good for third in the NFC Eastern.
29:57
SPEAKER_03: This is one year after they went to the NFC Championship game.
30:01
SPEAKER_03: Um, GM Adam Peters is back for his third year, head coach Dan Quinn also back for his third year.
30:08
SPEAKER_03: Um, no change at the head coaching position, but uh the commanders fired or parted ways with both their offensive coordinator, Cliff Kingsbury, and their defensive coordinator Joe Witt Jr.
30:22
SPEAKER_03: Uh they promoted assistant quarterbacks coach David Bluff to OC.
30:27
SPEAKER_03: It was his first play calling job, and then hired ex-Vikings defensive back coach Dante Jones as DC.
30:34
SPEAKER_03: Um, Quinn had taken over play calling duties from Witt mid-season um before the full staff shaker.
30:43
SPEAKER_03: Um now I mentioned the team went from uh 12-5 in the NFC title game in 2024 to 5-12 in 2025, and this is the worst single season swing um, obviously, of the uh Queen Peters uh era.
31:03
SPEAKER_03: Um they unveiled new uniforms this season, inspired by the Slick Bowl era look, um, including a new black alternate.
31:11
SPEAKER_03: In the draft, they picked one of um McKund and my favorite player, Sonny Styles, a linebacker out of Ohio State, at number seven overall.
31:21
SPEAKER_03: He was an elite performer in the combine, and he's expected to be anointed the leader of the new defense, um uh uh the new um DC Durante Jones' defense.
31:36
SPEAKER_03: Um Antonio Williams, a wide receiver from Pemson, was picked number 71 in round three.
31:43
SPEAKER_03: Um he's projected to be a complementary target for Jaden Daniels, and uh they picked up a defensive end, Joshua Joseph's out of Tennessee with pick number 147.
31:57
SPEAKER_03: He's described as being a long developmental project.
32:02
SPEAKER_03: Um four of their five top edge runners are unsigned beyond 2026.
32:09
SPEAKER_03: So there's something to look out for there at the end of this season.
32:14
SPEAKER_03: In terms of free agency, um, they did spend a lot of money uh signing a daffy Oway, um 96 million with 68 mil guaranteed uh over four years.
32:28
SPEAKER_03: Uh they spent money at defensive tackle on Javen Kinlaw, 45 million with 30 mil guaranteed over three years.
32:37
SPEAKER_03: Uh Safety Nick Cross came in in a two-year deal from Indianapolis, and Leo Chennell, a linebacker, was signed on a three-year deal.
32:46
SPEAKER_03: Now, you might be sort of piecing all of those position players together and working out that free agency and draft is pretty much all focused on defense.
32:58
SPEAKER_03: So um other storylines, Jaden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, and Darren Payne are all back fully healthy after their injury plagued 2025 seasons.
33:09
SPEAKER_03: And to my point, uh, the point that I've just made, Washington used its$76.4 million worth of cap space, which was incidentally the highest in the league, to rebuild almost entirely on defense.
33:24
SPEAKER_01: Wow.
33:24
SPEAKER_03: Their week all game versus Indianapolis is in London.
33:28
SPEAKER_03: There could be a week four, week five party with four teams um playing in London in those two weeks.
33:36
SPEAKER_03: Uh, week four game, V Indy is in London.
33:39
SPEAKER_03: Um, and Quinn will be working hard to try to prove that their 2024 NFC title run, not the 2025 collapse, is the real baseline for the commanders.
33:52
SPEAKER_03: Their buyers in week seven.
33:54
SPEAKER_03: As I said, the week four game is against the Colts in London.
33:58
SPEAKER_03: Um I have them down as seven and ten.
34:01
SPEAKER_03: I think they'll finish third in the division.
34:04
SPEAKER_03: I think the Giants will finish last in the division.
34:06
SPEAKER_04: Interesting.
34:07
SPEAKER_04: Interesting.
34:08
SPEAKER_04: Uh a lot's gonna be dependent on Jaden Daniels this year.
34:11
SPEAKER_04: Like they've they've got no backup to him.
34:13
SPEAKER_04: If he can't stay healthy, then then it'll be another long old season.
34:17
SPEAKER_04: Uh and there's always a risk when you go all in on defense that uh if that doesn't work, then then you've got to gotta find something on offense to make up for it as well.
34:28
SPEAKER_04: Right.
34:28
SPEAKER_04: So yeah, interesting.
34:30
SPEAKER_04: Interesting.
34:31
SPEAKER_04: So you had them to seven and ten.
34:34
SPEAKER_03: I have them down seven and ten was there.
34:37
SPEAKER_04: Very good.
34:38
SPEAKER_01: Very good.
34:39
SPEAKER_01: It's an improvement, so that's that's good.
34:41
SPEAKER_01: And and look, the let's be real.
34:43
SPEAKER_01: When they made the run, we were all shocked.
34:47
SPEAKER_01: And I was shocked again last year when they collapsed.
34:51
SPEAKER_01: But you know, injuries do that, and then and that's um unfortunate.
34:54
SPEAKER_01: So let's see if this year with a uh a a healthy quarterback to do they kind of climb back up the ladder, which um they're liable to.
35:04
SPEAKER_04: And no one was more shocked than than uh Jared Goff.
35:08
SPEAKER_03: I think you I think you make the quite successful there carrying part of my raffle now for them finishing with a better record than the Giants is that Jaden Daniels has done it.
35:19
SPEAKER_03: We've seen him do it.
35:20
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
35:20
SPEAKER_03: Um Sandart hasn't yet done it.
35:23
SPEAKER_03: So um you know if Jaden Daniels does return fit, he's shown us he can win and he can take uh in his rookie season, he can take a team to the NFC Championship games.
35:34
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, but any can what anyone can win against a bunch of chokers.
35:37
SPEAKER_04: Come on.
35:39
SPEAKER_04: It's not hard.
35:40
SPEAKER_04: All right, let me stop back in Detroit.
35:42
SPEAKER_04: I'll save that all up for next week.
35:44
SPEAKER_04: Okay, uh that's the NFC East covered.
35:48
SPEAKER_04: Let's get on a plane, head west, and I'm gonna open up uh and talk about probably one of the strongest Super Bowl favourites in this division, and that would be the 49ers.
36:05
SPEAKER_04: Ooh.
36:05
SPEAKER_04: Wow, that's a big build-up for well again.
36:10
SPEAKER_04: They're fit and healthy.
36:11
SPEAKER_04: Carl Shanahan's still still there and back, and he's a legendary coach there now.
36:16
SPEAKER_04: Brock Purdy has shown time and time again he can be the man.
36:19
SPEAKER_04: He's probably a close to being a five-star quarterback, uh uh if not a five-star quarterback.
36:25
SPEAKER_04: He's one and will be one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL uh next year.
36:30
SPEAKER_04: Um they've got Christian McCaffrey in the backfield, all fit and healthy to go.
36:35
SPEAKER_04: And last year he he just crushed it.
36:37
SPEAKER_04: He did he was twelve hundred and two rushing yards um and nine hundred and twenty-four receiving yards.
36:45
SPEAKER_04: So you know, the the opposition have got to learn how to contain him because if he's not running at you and barreling you over, you know, he's suddenly appearing in the backfield and taking the reception and grabbing ten yards off you.
36:56
SPEAKER_04: So um he is getting older, and I say that with tongue in cheek because he will be half of my age this year.
37:05
SPEAKER_04: So um, but in terms of a a dual threat, 30 is quite old to be be a running back and acting as a receiver many times, but if he can stay fit, they have a great chance.
37:18
SPEAKER_04: In their wide receivers, they've got Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, they drafted DeJean Stribling, they also brought back Debo Samuel, and we heard that on the news last year.
37:29
SPEAKER_04: So their wide receivers are getting stronger and stronger and stronger.
37:33
SPEAKER_04: And again, if McCaffrey establishes that running game and buys Brock Purdy time, then there are many things he can do.
37:42
SPEAKER_04: Uh and I'm sure Matt will uh kind of remember the end of the Chicago 49ers game last year where he conjured something out of absolutely nothing.
37:52
SPEAKER_04: Um and let's not forget uh hit sitting at tight end is probably one of the top three tight ends, maybe top two tight ends in the league, uh after Tuckercraft, it's uh George Kittle.
38:06
SPEAKER_04: Um he again has has has proven time and time again um as much as you you try and not like the guy, but he is clutch.
38:14
SPEAKER_04: He's the guy they go to um when they're down, you know, fourth and five.
38:20
SPEAKER_04: You you if you're not covering Kittle, you know the ball's going there.
38:24
SPEAKER_04: Time and time again he rescues them.
38:26
SPEAKER_04: Um their defense, uh they've still got Nick Bosa, um they've got Fred Warner, who is one of the linebackers, uh uh best linebackers in the NFL.
38:36
SPEAKER_04: And they've added players, including Nate Hobbs, into their secondary, which I think is what let them down last year.
38:42
SPEAKER_04: I think these guys um are a real, real threat this year.
38:48
SPEAKER_04: I think uh being in the same division as the Rams and the Seahawks uh has got to be eating all three of those teams up, and we'll probably say the same thing about the NFC North when we talk about it next week.
39:01
SPEAKER_04: This is, I hate to say it, probably the strongest division in the NFL.
39:06
SPEAKER_04: Where will they come out?
39:08
SPEAKER_04: Uh well, you know, it's hard.
39:11
SPEAKER_04: First or second, I I I see them as a top two team.
39:14
SPEAKER_04: Um I reckon eleven and six.
39:17
SPEAKER_04: I think they'll have an eleven-six record.
39:20
SPEAKER_04: I think if you look at their schedule, you could give a shout for 13 and 4.
39:25
SPEAKER_04: But it's quite conceivable they could lose to the Rams twice and lose to the Seahawks twice, and that's your four games already.
39:33
SPEAKER_04: So I think it's uh it's gonna be 11-6.
39:37
SPEAKER_04: I'll call them 11-6.
39:39
SPEAKER_04: Um, but I do think they'll finish in the top two of this division.
39:44
SPEAKER_04: Um, and that means two other big Super Bowl contenders are not gonna be there.
39:52
SPEAKER_04: Anybody contending an 11-6.
39:55
SPEAKER_03: I think you might be actually under underselling them a little bit, but um I I don't know if you saw Pete, but it's it's news within the last 24 hours.
40:04
SPEAKER_03: Nick Bosa hasn't yet um participated in reps after a week of camp.
40:12
SPEAKER_03: And Carl Shanahan did come out I think yesterday saying he's got tendonitis, so he's week to week at the moment.
40:20
SPEAKER_04: Um until week one.
40:22
SPEAKER_03: He says um, yeah, he says we're no longer concerned uh about him.
40:27
SPEAKER_03: Um, but it's a you know little I think that I think the 489ers had said previously it was it was soreless.
40:34
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
40:34
SPEAKER_04: Um he doesn't want to travel to Australia, that's all it is.
40:37
unknown: Yeah, yeah.
40:42
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, we know he's only one cog in a in an enormously impressive machine.
40:49
SPEAKER_03: But um yeah, I I I think um I think you're around about right with 11 and 6, 12 and 5.
40:54
SPEAKER_03: I I think they're gonna be there or thereabouts this year.
40:57
SPEAKER_04: Very good.
40:58
SPEAKER_04: Well, I'll I'll get uh Kerry to charge that while he tells us about the current Super Bowl champions.
41:05
SPEAKER_04: Yes.
41:06
SPEAKER_04: The Seattle Seahawks.
41:07
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, they they've got the trophy, so you have to give them uh their dues.
41:11
SPEAKER_01: Look, this is uh a hard one for me because one, I didn't uh I don't know much about the Sea uh Seattle Seahawks and uh even doing research, um, the names and all that kind of stuff, I didn't really get a a feeling about them.
41:26
SPEAKER_01: But let me give you the rundown as far as um the Seahawks are concerned.
41:31
SPEAKER_01: Uh they are champions and they did what you would uh expect them to do, I think, and that's try to hold on to the team that they have.
41:40
SPEAKER_01: Um they know they've got um a great offense, a great defense, and they were just trying to hold on to most of the names.
41:47
SPEAKER_01: The um, you know, so there was no wholesale change.
41:51
SPEAKER_01: It was mostly just keep the team together.
41:55
SPEAKER_01: Um they did lose um, they lost Kubiak.
41:59
SPEAKER_01: Oh, of course.
42:00
SPEAKER_01: Kenny, KW3.
42:02
SPEAKER_01: Yes.
42:03
SPEAKER_01: So um that was uh a big loss uh to the Raiders, and um they was uh they were able to retain obviously Darnell, but um there will be some talk about Darnell later because um his extension will need to come up here soon.
42:18
SPEAKER_01: Um Jackson Smith in in Jigba in Jigba.
42:24
SPEAKER_01: Um be careful how you say that.
42:27
SPEAKER_01: Yes, exactly.
42:28
SPEAKER_01: And and uh funny, funny bit of um uh trivia.
42:32
SPEAKER_01: I um he went to the high school that I went to in Texas, uh Rockwall High School.
42:38
SPEAKER_01: Um so uh it was a big deal when they won because everybody on the little chat was talking about, you know, Super Bowl champion Rockwall High School.
42:47
SPEAKER_01: You were searching your name.
42:50
SPEAKER_04: Nowhere to be found.
42:51
SPEAKER_04: Nowhere to be found.
42:52
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
42:55
SPEAKER_04: No, no, no, not at all.
42:58
SPEAKER_01: Um what's the uh Shaheed uh got a three-year extension.
43:03
SPEAKER_01: Uh Cooper Cup is um feeling healthy and uh on the roster.
43:09
SPEAKER_01: Uh Cooper Cup now has two uh Super Bowl rings, which lucky him.
43:13
SPEAKER_01: Um and um they've uh added a little bit of uh defensive depth with uh Dante Fowler.
43:21
SPEAKER_01: Really, from a a uh coaching and uh overall philosophy change, not much has happened.
43:28
SPEAKER_01: And um I think you know, again, because they are Super Bowl champions, they're gonna be um with a big target on their back this year.
43:36
SPEAKER_01: And I I still have them finishing quite high, but I just looked at their schedule, and it's uh it's a tough schedule, like you were mentioning, Pete.
43:47
SPEAKER_01: The you know, having you know, LA, San Francisco, both teams are stocked and ready, and I think it's gonna be a tough year.
43:58
SPEAKER_01: Right now, uh Um as far as my prediction, I've got them at eleven and six.
44:04
SPEAKER_01: But I'm I'm I'm wavering one down or up um just because it's such a tough uh schedule for them.
44:13
SPEAKER_01: They've got a a couple of give me's, but if you look at um their division, it's um I I agree it's it's probably the strongest in the NFL.
44:23
SPEAKER_01: And um the Rams made some big moves.
44:26
SPEAKER_01: San Francisco just looks strong.
44:28
SPEAKER_01: Uh so I think they're gonna have a tough, tougher time this year.
44:31
SPEAKER_01: But I'm giving them 11-6 and um hoping that they'll make it back to the playoffs and have a good run.
44:37
SPEAKER_01: Um but um yeah, not as much change as we've seen in other teams across the league.
44:43
SPEAKER_01: That feels like Seattle Seahawks.
44:45
SPEAKER_04: Very good.
44:48
SPEAKER_03: Unbreaking news that Jackson Smith and Jigberry is the second best American football player to come out of Rockwall park.
44:58
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, yes.
45:00
SPEAKER_04: Yes he just got lucky.
45:06
SPEAKER_03: Were you in his um class at school, Kerry?
45:09
SPEAKER_03: Because according to uh what you do the same was born in 2010.
45:17
SPEAKER_01: Just a little bit outside.
45:19
SPEAKER_01: I mean, yeah, I mean, yeah, I could have been there.
45:21
SPEAKER_01: I could have been there.
45:23
SPEAKER_04: Kerry went to school with his dad.
45:24
SPEAKER_04: That's more like it.
45:25
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, that's that's probably true.
45:27
SPEAKER_04: Probably true.
45:30
SPEAKER_04: Well, uh from two heavy hitters in the division, let's go to the third heavy hitter, and and again, I would say another Super Bowl favorite.
45:39
SPEAKER_04: Matt, talk us through.
45:41
SPEAKER_04: Uh is it Matt Stafford's Rams that we call them these days?
45:45
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, look, I I don't care whose Rams they are.
45:48
SPEAKER_03: I uh they're my pick for the Super Bowl.
45:51
SPEAKER_03: So I'm going to go.
45:52
SPEAKER_04: Oh, wow.
45:54
SPEAKER_04: Save all this big talk for the prediction show in a couple of weeks, buddy.
46:00
SPEAKER_03: I'm gonna put on record.
46:01
SPEAKER_03: I'm flattered to do the preseason preview for the eventual Super Bowl winners.
46:07
SPEAKER_03: But anyway, 2025 record 12 and 5.
46:10
SPEAKER_03: Unbelievably, that was good for second in the NFC West.
46:14
SPEAKER_03: However, they went lost the championship game and they squeaked past the Bears.
46:20
SPEAKER_03: Um uh to get there.
46:24
SPEAKER_03: And the inimitable head coach Sean McVeigh.
46:27
SPEAKER_03: I think you've probably got the two best head coaches in the league with McVeigh and Shanahan locking horns four times a year in this league, which is a a trick for MFC West fans.
46:39
SPEAKER_03: Um McVeigh enters his 10th year.
46:42
SPEAKER_03: Um the um organization hired ex-Commanders offensive coordinator, Cliff Kingsbury, who we just talked about as a departure as an assistant head coach, and promoted Nate Scheelhaser to full offensive coordinator.
46:59
SPEAKER_03: Um, their new hires also include Robert Woods, um, assistant wide receiver coach and several other staff additions, and they appear to have moved on from Aubrey Pleasant, who was a former assistant head coach and defensive backs coach.
47:13
SPEAKER_03: They um we talked about this earlier this season, and they pulled off an enormous uh trade for all-pro corner Trent McDuffie uh from the Kansas City Chiefs, and then immediately signed into a four-year extension through 2030.
47:30
SPEAKER_03: And at that time, the you know, the world, the world watching the Rams went, gosh, that's an all-in declaration.
47:40
SPEAKER_03: But you know, they said hold my beer and did something afterwards.
47:46
SPEAKER_03: Um quarterback uh Matthew Stafford, who's the reigning MVP, um, did sign a contract extension to stay in LA longer term.
47:56
SPEAKER_03: They pulled off a very, very surprising move in the draft, um, trading up to number 13 overall uh to pick Ty Simpson, a core quarterback out of Alabama.
48:09
SPEAKER_03: So rather than adding, you know, another jewel in the crown and a player that could um, you know, deliver value in in the season ahead, they uh doubled down on the succession plan um behind Stafford.
48:24
SPEAKER_03: Obviously, Simpson's got a lot to offer, but he's not expected to play in 2026 unless something unfortunate happens to Stafford.
48:33
SPEAKER_03: Um that move left the cupboard a little bit bare.
48:37
SPEAKER_03: Um they only had seven total picks overall.
48:41
SPEAKER_03: Um, and then they sent their first, fifth, and sixth to KC in the McDuffie trade.
48:47
SPEAKER_03: So Max Clare, a tight end um out of Ohio State, was picked in round two, and Keegan troth a tackle out of Missouri in round three, really the only other noteworthy uh draftees.
49:02
SPEAKER_03: Uh in free agency, we talked about Trent McDuffie.
49:05
SPEAKER_03: Um, his four-year extension now pays him$30.1 million a year, uh, with$50 million guaranteed in his first two years.
49:16
SPEAKER_03: And then they did um they also went out and signed Jaden Watson uh as a free agent, um, also from Kansas City on a$51 million-million dollar total deal over three years.
49:33
SPEAKER_03: Um they also signed some bloke away from um, or traded for some bloke away from the Cleveland Browns, who I think is going to move the needle a little bit.
49:43
SPEAKER_03: Um the terms of Matthew Stafford's contract extension were undisclosed, but he's uh he's locked himself in for I think the speculation was two years, Peter, we said.
49:55
SPEAKER_03: Um they're the main sort of move.
50:00
SPEAKER_03: So two uh two enormously impactful uh secondary players and uh Miles Garrett um to put pressure on the passer.
50:10
SPEAKER_03: Um they opened the season um with the NFL's first ever regular season game in Australia.
50:17
SPEAKER_03: Um so they'll play at the MCG against the 49ers.
50:21
SPEAKER_03: They're widely viewed as having one of the most complete rosters, which is why I said what I said at the top of this uh pre-season preview.
50:29
SPEAKER_03: Um they have seven scheduled primetime games, four of which are at home at the magnificent Sophie Stadium, which a learned member of our crew has attended.
50:43
SPEAKER_03: Um McBay's ninth win season in ten uh years was last season.
50:51
SPEAKER_03: So he's um he's certainly delivering the goods.
50:56
SPEAKER_03: The Rams appear to be treating 2026 as a genuine Super Bowl window um with Stafford coming to the end of his career.
51:04
SPEAKER_03: Uh the 2026 regular season, so schedule sees them take their buy in week 11, and as we said, they kick everything off at the MCG in week one on September the 10th.
51:18
SPEAKER_03: Uh, they don't have a first place schedule.
51:20
SPEAKER_03: They still have a pretty tough, uh, uh pretty tough schedule.
51:25
SPEAKER_03: Um, we've obviously talked about their the challenge of being inarguably the NFL's strongest decision uh division, uh beg your pardon.
51:35
SPEAKER_03: But they also travel to Philadelphia, they play the Bills on Monday night football, and they're away at Mile High Stadium in Denver on Saturday night football.
51:46
SPEAKER_03: Um they're at Green Bay on Thanksgiving, um and County City on Thursday night football.
51:53
SPEAKER_03: So it's tough.
51:54
SPEAKER_03: Having said all of that, they're gonna go 12 and 5 and win the divisionship.
52:00
SPEAKER_03: Wow.
52:00
SPEAKER_03: Wow, wow, wow.
52:01
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, yeah, 12 and 5 feels about are about right.
52:04
SPEAKER_04: They'll lose to Green Bay and probably one to 49 as one of the Seahawks.
52:08
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, uh Stafford's no good in the cold.
52:10
SPEAKER_04: You know, when he was with Detroit, he had to be inside all the time.
52:13
SPEAKER_04: It's no, it's uh it's gonna be an interesting season if uh uh specifically if Matthew Stafford gets injured.
52:21
SPEAKER_04: Uh that has the the potential to come off the rail quite quickly, but you're right, that like the other L team in LA, they've looked to just load it up with superstars and and ruin the whole game by signing them all onto bloody long contract and all of that good stuff.
52:38
SPEAKER_04: But we'll see.
52:39
SPEAKER_04: We'll see.
52:40
SPEAKER_04: It's a it's a good show.
52:41
SPEAKER_04: It's gonna be a good show.
52:45
SPEAKER_04: So there is one other team in this division.
52:48
SPEAKER_04: Um and before I start, uh this team, the Arizona Cardinals, have two links to Green Bay.
52:57
SPEAKER_04: Would either of you gentlemen like to guess what they are?
53:00
SPEAKER_03: You went to school with one of their players.
53:05
SPEAKER_04: I I uh uh given their the chances I'm about to give them, probably yes.
53:14
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, very good.
53:15
SPEAKER_04: Well uh shame on you guys for not knowing this.
53:18
SPEAKER_04: Uh Jonathan Gannon was fired by them, but picked up as Green Bay by the defen as his the new defensive coach.
53:26
SPEAKER_04: And they have a new head coach who is Mike Lafleur, brother of your Matt LaFleur.
53:35
SPEAKER_04: Yes, gotcha, gotcha.
53:37
SPEAKER_04: The brother.
53:37
SPEAKER_04: Okay.
53:38
SPEAKER_04: The brother of a yes.
53:40
SPEAKER_04: Yes.
53:41
SPEAKER_04: And you can remember the famous um whinging of Green Bay fans last year when Matt LaFleur turned up to his brother's pest conference to announce he was being a head coach in the NFL.
53:52
SPEAKER_04: Shame on him for supporting his brother.
53:54
SPEAKER_04: Right.
53:55
SPEAKER_04: So other than that, um, I used the term with Cleveland last week that was suited towards their uh mascots and things like that.
54:03
SPEAKER_04: Uh Cardinal, I believe, is a bird, so I think that the Cardinals are gonna be absolute bird shit this year.
54:10
SPEAKER_04: There is nothing, absolutely nothing for them to look forward to.
54:15
SPEAKER_04: They'll lose six games straight off the bat in their division.
54:18
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
54:19
SPEAKER_04: Um there's no way they'll get a look in with any of those teams.
54:22
SPEAKER_04: Um they don't know who their their starter is, although, having said that, Carson Beck, as we we mentioned earlier in the show, did a really good job in the Hall of Fame game in establishing himself as the number one QB.
54:34
SPEAKER_04: But Jacobi Brissett and Kyler Murray are still there fighting for that as well.
54:38
SPEAKER_04: So it'll be interesting to see through the rest of preseason who gets the nod on that.
54:44
SPEAKER_04: Uh if you can name me a running back from the Cardinals, I will buy you dinner.
54:49
SPEAKER_04: Without using uh Claude or Gemini or Dr.
54:52
SPEAKER_04: Google.
54:53
SPEAKER_04: Um James Conner, Trey Benson, and Tyler Alja sit in their in their running backs.
54:59
SPEAKER_04: Probably their their um biggest letdown is Marvin Harrison Jr.
55:04
SPEAKER_04: They really need him to step up and become a star.
55:07
SPEAKER_04: Michael Wilson is then also a good target for whoever the quarterback is going to be.
55:11
SPEAKER_04: Their best player in the offense is Trey McBride.
55:14
SPEAKER_04: He's a very, very good tight end.
55:17
SPEAKER_04: And again, so probably someone hollering for trade at the end of this.
55:21
SPEAKER_04: Um their offensive line is, as I said, offensive.
55:26
SPEAKER_04: So um, whichever quarterback comes in, we'll we'll see how much protection they get when we get down to the nitty-gritty.
55:33
SPEAKER_04: Um, they concede a lot of points in the Hall of Fame game.
55:36
SPEAKER_04: Um, not something you really want to do pre-season.
55:39
SPEAKER_04: Um, they don't have any pass rush, so stopping sides from scoring is going to be very difficult.
55:44
SPEAKER_04: Um and they're secondary, they've put some promising young players together, but they are promising young players.
55:50
SPEAKER_04: No superstars, no nothing, nowhere to go.
55:55
SPEAKER_04: I think I am being generous when I say three and fourteen, they will be a bird shit this year.
56:02
SPEAKER_04: If you're a Cardinals fan, it's not gonna be pretty, and it's probably not gonna be pretty for a long, long time.
56:11
SPEAKER_01: That's a blip there.
56:12
SPEAKER_04: Well uh uh uh let me say something.
56:15
SPEAKER_04: They do have a a a a uh a defence um person, yeah, heart and soul of defence with a good name.
56:26
SPEAKER_04: Maybe we'll give them that.
56:27
SPEAKER_04: Uh Buddha Baker is the the heart of their defence.
56:30
SPEAKER_04: So let me give them some props for having a guy with a good name because I cannot give them props for anything else.
56:39
SPEAKER_04: Disgust guys, does anyone disagree with three and fourteen?
56:43
SPEAKER_03: No, I don't, and I don't think they are built to win nor intending to try to win too much this season.
56:53
SPEAKER_03: And that would make uh a heap of sense given um you know the window that the uh Rams have with Stafford, um some of the aging players on the 49ers roster and uh Stehawps having the recency of being Super Bowl champion.
57:13
SPEAKER_03: So I would um I would as general manager of the uh the team that we've just been talking about, be sending a message to my supporters that there'll be a little bit of pain, but I promise you in four to five years' time we'll be playing We'll be just like the Browns.
57:32
SPEAKER_04: E line now we'll draft Arch Manning next year.
57:38
SPEAKER_04: Uh look hopefully Carlson Beck can do something for them, but no, absolutely no chance this year.
57:44
SPEAKER_04: So that is the NFC East and West done and dusted.
57:49
SPEAKER_04: Uh next week, Matt and I will make no apologies as we talk through the NFC North and South as we big up our teams for their potential Super Bowl charge uh next year.
58:00
SPEAKER_04: Uh so for those of you who thought I was uh missing the fact that Minnesota have buggered up their quarterbacks yet again this year, don't worry.
58:07
SPEAKER_04: We'll be talking about that next week.
58:09
SPEAKER_04: Mm-hmm.
58:09
SPEAKER_04: You have not missed them.
58:11
SPEAKER_04: Yes, yes, we'll we'll come back to that.
58:13
SPEAKER_04: And on that bombshell.
58:15
SPEAKER_04: Um thank you very much, Gents.
58:17
SPEAKER_04: Uh NFC North and South next week.
58:19
SPEAKER_04: And the week after we'll hit the prediction show.
58:21
SPEAKER_04: So uh I'll circulate some predictions um and we'll go through it and we'll air them in public so that there's no ice it that when we get to the Super Bowl and it's not the ramps.
58:33
SPEAKER_04: Very good, everybody.
58:34
SPEAKER_04: Thanks, Gents.
58:35
SPEAKER_04: Enjoy your weeks.
58:37
SPEAKER_04: See you all next week.
58:38
SPEAKER_04: Ta-da.
58:39
SPEAKER_00: Bye.
58:41
SPEAKER_00: That's a wrap on another episode of the Mostly Football Show.
58:45
SPEAKER_00: Don't forget to subscribe and review or get in touch at mostly football twenty five at gmail dot com.
58:52
SPEAKER_00: See you next week.