Latest / Unicorn Football Talk / Training Camp Starts!
Transcript
- Emily: Hey, Hilary, we're back. Hilary: Hey Emily, how are you today? Emily: I'm great. I'm excited because we're gonna try a new format today as we get closer to the NFL season. We wanna do a few more reaction type videos, like what's happening right now. you'll see this a lot more during the the actual season, but training camp is starting up for all 32 teams. So we're gonna talk a little bit about what caught our eye. We're not gonna cover every story, but what W stories that we're the most interested in. Sound good? Hilary: Sounds great. Have you got a few things on on your radar this week? Emily: I do. I thought we could start with the QB competitions. I'm I'm always really interested to see. we're lucky in Seattle that we know who our starting quarterback's gonna be, but it's really interesting when teams don't know. I was gonna call out one of the ones that interests me is what's happening at in Atlanta with Penix Hilary: Okay. Emily: and now Tua is in Atlanta. I Hilary: Yeah. Emily: think that one's really interesting because I think. You know, we both followed Penix pretty closely, right? Being at the University of Washington. And Hilary: Yeah. Emily: I think we both had really high expectations for him. And Hilary: did have I high expectations. Emily: Yeah, I thought he was gonna knock it out of the park and it's been a little bit of a struggle for him. I mean, I think he does his to me, he hasn't looked like horrible. but between injuries and just some games that look like he was struggling, I think his starting status is at risk. And with Tua coming in from Miami, I think Tua's a really good quarterback, but He's got some red X's against him as well. Like his concussion history I think is a little risky. I I just don't know what's gonna happen there. D what do you think? Hilary: I don't know what's gonna happen there either. I think that Tua was a really interesting choice to bring in for the competition because as you said, they both kinda have some injury red flags and some lack of good performances in their, you know, last seasons. that one to me is a toss up. I'm not sure who's gonna prevail there. Emily: I think it's a toss up, but I give a slight edge to two a, but we'll see. We'll find out. Hilary: We'll find out. Yeah. Emily: Are there before I move on to the second one that caught my eye, are there any competitions that are catching your eye? Hilary: for sure. I am watching what's going on at Vikings training camp between JJ McCarthy and Kyler Murray. I find that Emily: Yes. Hilary: one fascinating. You know, JJ was the starting quarterback at Michigan. He went 21 and one and he has like a 96% winning percentage. That's like the most in NCAA, FBS D1 history. And he was drafted in a draft class that had a lot of other, Stars that year, Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, Drake May, Michael Penix, as a matter of fact. But for him, I don't think that his college success has really translated very well to the NFL. of course, he lost his rookie season to injury. And even last year, he only played 10 games. So he maybe he's a little, you know, got some injury risks again there too. And The games he did play last year, his stat lines aren't that great. 11 TDs to 12 picks with a 57% completion rate. I I think he's a little immature. I think he needs Emily: Yeah. Hilary: some more development. I I think he's really got good basic skills, but I don't know that he's a starter right now. I and Vikings fans are cringy when I say that, I'm sure. But I think Bringing Kyler in is a fascinating move on the Vikings organization part. You know, he he was picked, I think, number one. Was he number one in his draft class? Do you remember? Yeah. Yeah. And he, you know, his started off great. I think he was offensive rookie of the year, Pro Bowl, but he hasn't been as sub hasn't been as successful the last few seasons. Of course, he only played five games last year again. Because of injuries, he's on a league minimum kind of prove it deal. In my opinion, this one really isn't a competition, even though the media is hyping it that way. I think this one is Kyler's job to lose. I I I just think he's Emily: I think so too. Hilary: got the skills. Emily: I think so too. I'm not I don't I don't really like either of those quarterbacks. if I was a Vikings fan, I'd be feeling pretty bad about the decision to move on from Sam Darnold. Hilary: Yeah. Emily: but I think Kyler I don't you know, we saw Kyler twice a year in the NFC West. Hilary: Yes. Emily: And I was never that impressed with him, but You know, maybe this is a fresh start, fresh attitude. You know, may maybe he could do something in Minnesota, but I kind of doubt it. Hilary: Yeah, I don't know. You know, if he's healthy, he's got some great I I'm gonna call him escape skills, you know. He's kinda slippery back there. And he's got a good arm. I and you know, he's he's got some just maturity in the league, I think, over JJ, and I think that's what's gonna win the day for now. I don't think Emily: Yeah. Hilary: the Vikings have solved their starter quarter starting quarterback issues long term with either. Emily: I don't either. I don't either. Okay, then I'm gonna move on. I'm gonna highlight one more QB battle. These are not Hilary: Yeah. Emily: this is not exhaustive of everything that's happening right now in the NFL. But the Browns, I'm I am so fascinated by this one. we on one side Hilary: I'm glad you brought it up. Emily: we have Sanders, second year. You know, that whole draft slide, just fascinating that alone was a fascinating story. And then we have Deshaun Watson, finally healthy. But I think it's funny that people are calling it a two QB battle because just a year ago, the Browns also drafted Dylan Gabriel and they drafted him higher, higher than Hilary: yeah, right. Right. Emily: Sanders. But whenever I read articles on this, people are talking about a two QB battle. I So I think Watson by far, no question, is the better quarterback. Like that that's not even a question in my mind. But do the Browns really want to Hilary: But he hasn't played. Emily: go there? Like, I know he hasn't played, but he's he's on finally the last year of his deal, the the horrendous deal that they signed him to. Don't you think the last thing that they would want is to start him and he's awesome in a weird way? And then what do they do? Do they sign him again? Hilary: I hadn't even thought about that. Okay. Emily: So I I don't know. I think they're in a tough spot. Well, they're always in a tough spot. Sanders, I I don't know what to think about him. I think if I were the Browns, even though the Watson's the better QB, if you think Sanders could have a future, I would give him a try to see if he's the long term answer, unless you are willing to commit to Watson after this year. Hilary: That is an interesting thought. What if he is really awesome? And then you're faced with do you extend him or do you try and trade him? Or do you yeah, I I I don't know. And you know, that's funny that you mar mentioned Dylan Gabriel too, because quick going back to the prior one, there is a dark horse in Minnesota also. Carson Wentz is there, and I totally forgot about that. So, you know, you never know. At least they'll have I don't think they'll keep three on the roster, but I might keep. Him? Is this s st tried and true steady guy? I don't know. Emily: I forgot. Well, I think yeah, I think he would be he's a great backup, but Hilary: Exactly. Emily: yeah, I forgot about him. Sorry, Carson. Hilary: Me too, until you mentioned there's a third guy, right? Emily: What el what else are you interested in as training camp opens? Hilary: Wow, you know, I there was a lot going on this week. But the first thing I guess that came up yesterday as a quick call out is Vita Vea down in Tampa with the Buccaneers. He's on the last year of a four-year $71 million deal. And he's been trying to negotiate for quite some time to get an extension before he plays his last season. And he the talks that kind of stalled and he put out yesterday, multiple s sources that he's requesting a trade. And I thought that was really interesting. And I'm not sure if he really wants a trade or if he's trying to use it as some leverage because Green Bay just extended Devontae Wyatt for a benchmark setting contract, three year fifty seven million deal with a twenty million signing bonus, I think. And that probably resets Vita's you know, salary ask. So I don't know, but I'm just kind of watching that one. And it just seems a little interesting too that they've got two kind of marquee players down there in Tampa with unresolved contract issues. Yep. Emily: Baker Mayfield as well, right? Hilary: Yeah. Emily: Yeah. I I don't know what that says about their organization, whether they're being smart or or not, but yeah, I I had not heard about Vitavea. It would be super interesting to see what happens there. Hilary: Been following him a long time. He's a former husky, so disclosure there. But you know, he's he's he's 31 this year, I think. So, you know, some teams may look at him from the age factor and wonder if he's worth the money he's asking for. But at this point, his performance and stats back up the monetary ask, I think. Emily: Yeah, yeah, I agree. Hilary: Yeah. So that's just something was caught caught by yesterday. Emily: What else? What else are you interested in? Hilary: you want to talk about Denver? Denver Broncos? Sure. Emily: Sure. What what's going on in Denver? Hilary: Okay. Well, you know, Denver had a pretty awesome season last year, 14 and 3, right? And they of course lost Bo Nicks in the game against where they beat Buffalo in overtime to the fractured ankle. And so I'm I'm I'm looking at Bo Nicks in a couple of different ways. One, I know that he had two surgeries on his ankle in the off season. So as far as I know, he's fully cleared to practice. And I'm looking to see if he's really coming back healthy and able to jump in from the beginning and go through the reps and start training camp 100%. I'm also looking for him to make a jump this year, just more confidence, more mastery of the playbook, that kind of thing. And This kind of ties into the other thing I'm watching in Denver is I don't know if you know that back in February, Sean Payton promoted their quarterbacks coach, Davis Webb, to be their new OC. So yeah. Emily: Yes, I did hear that. Hilary: So Davis Webb has two years now coaching Bo from the positional standpoint, and now he's gonna be the OC. And the other thing I'm watching about that is that I read that for the first time in his twenty year coaching career, Sean Payton is gonna give up play calling responsibilities to his OC. And I think that's fascinating. And I would love to like know the discussions there that prompted him to make that philosophy change after all this time. Emily: Yeah, I actually read something this morning that one theory is that Sean was worried about losing Webb to another team. Hilary: okay. Emily: who knows? But yeah, that is unusual for somebody with so much control. Like he's, you know, he he's always been the guy. So that will Hilary: Right. Emily: be very interesting to watch. Hilary: Yeah, so that's kind of what's going on in Denver, Emily: In Denver? Hilary: I guess. A couple other things to call out that they signed Jalen Waddell from Miami. So that gives Denver a very full receiver room this year, along with Cortland Sutton and Troy Franklin. And I think they kept Marvin Mims too as a as a fourth there. So pretty solid on the QB to receiver roster slots, I think. For Denver at this point. Emily: Yeah, Denver's looking good going into the season for Hilary: Denver Emily: sure. Hilary: Yeah. Yeah. What's on what have you Emily: All right. Well, Hilary: got? Emily: well, I've I've been really interested in in Arizona, the Jacoby Brissett holdout or hold in or whatever. Did you I don't know if you've been following that at all, but it's been resolved. And it it was not resolved. It's Hilary: Okay, another quarterback. Emily: not the resolved the way I thought it would. so, you know, as we talked about Kyler Murray, their starting quarterback's gone. And I don't know what Arizona's planning to do long term, but the Jacob Kobe Brissett is presumably going to be the starter. But I don't know if anyone in Arizona really believes that Jacoby Brissett will be their starter for years to come. So, Hilary: Okay, so what did they do? Emily: So Jacoby Brissett had a con was had current contract was about four point eight eight million dollars and not all of it guaranteed. And he's thinking, hey, I'm gonna be a starter. So that's not starter money. And he starts to hold out. And I assumed what would happen is Arizona would be like, Dude, we're giving you an opportunity to show your stuff for one year. If you're great, great. And Jacoby, who is his own agent, by the way, he's Hilary: Interesting. Emily: his own agent and he said he lost a lot of sleep over this. He's like, I'm a starting, you're I'm gonna be your starter, so I'm worth more. And I guess when I was listening to this, before I get to how it ends, Hilary: Okay. Emily: I was thinking, dude. You're really not a starter, even though you're a starter. And they're giving you the opportunity. Take the opportunity. But Arizona caved and they gave him a deal worth now $15.5 million. He got an extra $10 million basically guaranteed Hilary: For one year. Emily: for one year. And bon there could be bonuses, I don't really know, or incentives that could take it higher. I mean, they could be like win the Super Bowl. I don't I didn't look into it. Let's just assume you're gonna make fifteen point five. Completely guaranteed. I mean, good job, Jacoby. Like I Hilary: Wow. Yeah. Emily: I applaud him. I just didn't think Arizona would agree to that. I I don't know Hilary: Who's their backup down there? I don't even know. Who who's who's behind Jacoby? I mean, Gardner Minshew, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Emily: Yes. Thank you. Yes. Hilary: So, okay. So in a way, it's almost like pulling, do you remember like that's like pulling a DAC, right? Like betting on yourself, you know, and and saying, I'm gonna prove it. Yes. Yeah. I guess I just meant that confidence, right? Emily: But Dak is a starting quarterback. So I don't know. Yeah, I mean, I good for him, good for him. But like we'll see. they're they're in one of the toughest divisions. I don't really think they're playing for anything this year. Hilary: No, they're in such a tough spot, right? With the Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers. I yeah. That's a tough one. Good luck. Right. Right. Emily: Good luck. Good luck. All right. What else are you following? Hilary: I'm following what's going on in New York. Giants, you know, there's something about that New York media spotlight that just turns even not so big things into really big you know, big things in the media anyway, all the time. So I'm just looking at the Giants and all the change. You know, last year they were four and thirteen. And so they hired John Harbaugh, proven track record as a winning coach. Jackson Dart's gonna be starting you year two as the quarterback. they've got two new draft picks both from in the top 10 in round one, Avril Reese and Francis Magoa. And by the way, that second pick is a result of the Dexter Lawrence trade to the Bengals. So you have a kind of a giant stalwart who, depending on how you read it, asked to be traded, forced his way out, you know, whatever however you want to interpret that. But anyway, both draft picks are expected to contribute immediately. And There's a no new OC, there's a new DC, so two new systems to learn on both sides of the ball. And despite all that, the expectations are super high. You know, they really are expecting that this group is gonna and Harbaugh are gonna turn things around. And I don't know. It sounds like a lot. so I don't know what a, you know, I don't know what a good turnaround expectation is. You win eight. You win. I mean, like, I don't know. but it just seems Emily: Yeah. It Hilary: like a lot to navigate in the short time of training camp and preseason to kind of get it all together to start the season. So I'm watching that. Emily: what do you think of Dart? I I'm I'm not sure that I think he's really going to be a success, but not sure what you think. Hilary: I the jury's out for me on him. I think he has so some potential. And I'm not sure who the quarterback's coach is in New York right now, but I think he needs some development. And I think last year he was kind of, you know, feet to the fire, right? I mean, I think he's got some learning and growing to do. I we'll see. Emily: Yeah. Okay. Hilary: Yeah. Emily: I ha only have one more topic I was gonna bring up and then I'll let you wrap up with anything else that you've got on your mind. I wanna talk about the 49ers in division. I think Hilary: Mm-hmm. Emily: they've been fat they've had a really interesting off season, in my opinion. the Brandon Ayuk saga is just the gift that keeps on giving with drama. Hilary: Yeah. Emily: I don't think it'll affect them, but man, is that some crazy, crazy stuff? I don't know if you've been following that. Hilary: little bit. I I I don't know what to make of that, but I from what I understand, the San Francisco Forty Niners have kind of take the taken the position of, you know, we're moving forward. We're moving on. And I think that's the right take on that. Emily: Yeah. I mean, yeah, Brandon Ayuk is on the like the reserve li whatever the list is where they don't have to pay him anymore. so Hilary: Mm. Emily: anyway, that'll be fun to continue to watch. I don't I feel like Brandon might never play again. That's my opinion, but but really one of the really interesting storylines the last couple of weeks is Coach Kyle Shanahan's car accident. And Hilary: Yeah. Emily: What was really interesting about that is it took eleven days for that news to come out. I don't know how they kept it secret. They must have called in because I know that people knew. Hilary: for sure they did. He was in the hospital. He got stitches in his face, right? Like I mean, how they kept that I hadn't thought about that, but how they kept that quiet is really something, really. Emily: It's impressive. They must have called in favors with their, you know, media contacts to just not say anything, but it was a bad accident. So 40 stitches in his face. And I heard yesterday they thought he was gonna lose his eye. broken hand. And and I think one of the more concerning things going forward is apparently this really bad concussion he has. that he has not been Hilary: Yeah. Emily: able to join the team and actually start resuming his duty and the duties. And this is weeks later at this point. And the reason I bring it up is I I mean the coach goes right the team goes as the coach goes in this case for sure. Shanahan is Hilary: For sure. Emily: a brilliant coach, leads the team, no question that he's the guy. The I heard I read an article this morning, Purdy was asked about it and he literally said, He's our guy, quote, he's leading the all the team meetings and stuff, and he's going over situational football, what practice is gonna look like. He's our leader. So it has been weird in terms of not having that. When the Chris Forrester was tapped to run while run the team while he was out, but when he was asked about it, he said He didn't first of all, he didn't know he was tapped until the statement came out. So he didn't apparently even know that the accident Hilary: Mm-hmm. Emily: had happened. which seems weird to me. Hilary: Within within the organization that's really interesting. Emily: Yeah. I mean, maybe that's not true, but he said it, you know, he didn't know until the statement came out. So I don't know how what Hilary: Okay. Emily: else to take that. but he said it's he and when he's was asked about running things, he said it's really a group thing. So I don't know if he's really taking the reins and like filling that that hole. so I just wonder what effect that'll have on the team 'cause you know, and when he'll be able to get back. Pretty scary. Hilary: Yeah, it's a kind of a critical time. I mean, there there would never ever be a good time, of course, Emily: Time. Hilary: but as you're trying to launch the season and bring everybody together. And I I think there's a few good pieces of information kind of coming out of San Francisco too, right? Fred Warner's back. Yeah. Emily: Yep. And Mike Evans is now in town. So I think people are underestimating the Forty Niners. The people talk about the Rams and the Seahawks. I mean, we've always been scared of the 49ers. last season I think not having Fred Warner was was huge. And then Kittle was out. You Hilary: I think that was huge. Yeah. Emily: know, Kittle got hurt. Like they're a great team, but if Shanahan is not up to the task, I do wonder if what kind of hit. I think it'll be a big hit personally. Hilary: Yeah. Yeah, he really drives drives the bus there for sure. Emily: All right, before we wrap up our very first r reaction, what else do you want to share? Hilary: I guess this is football related and just sports in general relate related. I just want to make a couple of comments about the ESPN layoffs last week because I think that affects sports media as a whole. you know, as you know, they announced a series of layoffs last week, kind of as they I I let's call it merging rosters after the NFL network purchase, right? and the cuts included on air talent. across all sports and the studio shows and stuff like that. But specific to football, there were a couple of really recognizable names like Ryan Clark and Tom Pelisario, among others. and there was also, I did some more reading. There's a loss of talent, just of people working in the background too, camera crews, production staff, and you know, some other talents who, at least to me, the names weren't. as familiar like Charles Davis, who's kind of a draft analyst guru, and a woman named Stephanie Bell, who's made a 20-year career out of being the injury specialist for football, which I found that kind of fascinating. So I just I think there's a loss of depth and knowledge, and it makes me a little bit sad. And I wish all those people well. And, you know, is it just a blip in the way? media is moving now with needing less people and less talent or was this kind of a a mistake by ESPN? I don't know. Got any thoughts on it? Emily: I have heard about the cuts. I mean, obviously the Ryan Clark one was all over the place because for those of you that don't know, he was fired while he was on the air. I mean, not on a commercial break, but Hilary: Right. Emily: well, he found out about it. Let's just say he was found out about it during a commercial break. I mean, I feel like just layoffs in general is all over lots of industries right now. And Hilary: Yeah. Emily: so I know from experience it's not always as simple as just you cut people and you keep going. so I'm really curious to see. I there will be an impact to them. I am sure there will be an impact, so Hilary: Yeah. And, you know, some reading I did too is a you know, is this a drift towards more of the individual? Obviously they've kind of promoted Pat McAfee and Stephen A as their marquee talent, right? So, you know, are they putting their efforts and their money behind a few individuals as opposed to a more group scenario the studio shows and that kind of stuff. I don't know. We'll see. We'll see. Emily: We'll see. Hilary: Let's not forget Emily: Yeah. Hilary: the NFL own owns ten percent. E of ESPN. Emily: of ESPN. That's crazy. That is weird. Hilary: Okay, I think I've reacted enough for this week. Emily: Okay, well, this was fun. It was fun to chat about what's going on in train camp. Lots of there'll be lots of new stories emerging that we will try to cover and hop on and do our takes on. we will continue doing deep dive content. You just might not see it as frequently. And if you haven't followed us on social media, start. I know we haven't pumped anything out, but we're gonna we're gonna start putting stuff on social media. So if you're not following us, you're gonna be missing out big time. Hilary: All right. Instagram and TikTok, right? Emily: Instagram and TikTok at Unicorn Football Talk and that is in our show notes as well. So you can check it out there. So Hillary, this was fun. Good to see you. And I'll see you again next time on Unicorn Football Talk. Hilary: Yep, see you next time.