First Things First - Eagles passing attack, Expectations for Mayfield & Maye, Can Chiefs rookie transform OL?

Episode Date: July 29, 2025

Watch clips on YouTube! Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FIRST THINGS FIRST YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (00:00) Chiefs 1st round pick Josh Simmons projected to start at LT for Week 1 / Do the Eagles need to throw more to repeat? / Can anything stop the Ravens this year? (26:53) Can Baker Mayfield reach another level? / Could Davante Adams reach 2,000 yards? (39:35) Could Drake Maye have a huge year 2? (45:40) More pressure on Josh Allen or Sean McDermott? / Could the Lions take a step back this season? / Worried about Brock Purdy? (1:04:43) Can this Bengals team be better than last season? / More faith in Jaguars or Texans? (1:18:40) Should Shedeur Sanders be getting more 1st ream reps? (1:23:08) Final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live from New York. It's the show. It's back from North Carolina, where I was checking in on the winning culture of the Hornets. Oh, gosh. I was locked in Ann, Bryce. I'm a Carolina guy. You're a Carolina guy now. I'm a Carolina guy.

Rented an F-150? Why did you have to rent a car? Oh, you flew down. I got you. I'm sorry. I thought you broke down. Nick, I don't get it. Orlando, he's all over the magic when they're bad.

Now they're good. And he wants nothing to do it. We don't know if they're good. He's all over the rockets when they're bad. Now they're good. He wants nothing to do it. I like underdogs. Yeah.

Okay. Underdog. But you should stay with the ones they because the worst thing. Then you guys call me Caponesey. Myles likes the defending champion and the worst team. That's it. No. Also, by the way,

Drew yesterday announced he has a new home town. I saw that Detroit. I buy that. My mom lives there. My mom. My mom. My mom lives in Connecticut. Yeah, a Patriot fan.

That's the closest thing to me. My daughter went to Michigan. You're right. I didn't even say that. Yeah, that's 100%. My kid brother, my kid brother. That's how we used to say. Yeah, kid brother lives in Detroit.

Yeah, it's a lion's guy. Lions guy, Pat, you have. I mean, if they're good, I may be, I'll jump on it. Okay. They're not. Not. Yeah, no big day. First hour, first things first.

Today, the lightest sign out of Kansas City that the electric light show that we saw last year at the end of the Super Bowl, might be back. Now, granted, Siriani was soaked. What about this? How was Siriani in this? What about that? What about this?

Still winning a game in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Lamar says this is the best Ravens team he's been a part of. Oh, you know what? How about that? You don't like it? I'm just going to share a tad bit of my take. Okay. He had to say that.

Oh, okay. Yeah, that's a good point. He had to say that. They're like, nah. Not really. Two years ago, we were balling. Yeah. Well, really, how'd that work out?

Exactly. You're halfway there. That was your full take. And finally, which wide receiver says he might go for 2,000 yards? Is it Jamar Chase? Is it Justin Jefferson? Let's see the next one. Oh, is it A.J. Brown?

What about Tyree? Everyone forgot about Tyree. You'll be about five more minutes. Is it Devante Adams? There, there, there was. Never know. It's like a game show. CD Lamb?

This is a. Man, how the mighty have fallen with Tyree. Tyreek literally almost did it. It was a story. We were like, you would have been in the compilation. He's not even in the compilation. You writing him off now? I'm writing his press conference.

I'm thinking big year from Tyrere. Oh, I understand. But he would put on the field at 1,800 yards is my point two years ago. Yeah. He was the number one player in the NFL. No, he was great. Don't get me wrong. He also wants to quit the team.

a little pick up. Nick Wright, Kevin Wilde's Chris Brousard. We are starting in Kansas City. Holding the line. Chiefs first round pick Josh Simmons, reportedly going to start at left tackle. Ohio State Buckeye was a top prospect. Felt the 32th draft because of a knee issue,

but that looks great. Also got a fight today at camp. Yeah, love it. Wish we could run the video. May have been the worst video I've ever seen in my life. It was somebody's like phone recording of a screen recording. I just really want it. Maybe.

No. What does this mean for Mahomes and the offense? Light show season. Oh, why? Yeah. Okay. So I, the only reason the Chief's offense isn't explosive is if you have a position group or two in open revolt. Two years ago it was the receivers and the drops that brewed to his crew. Or just, it's not that good.

Yeah, well, yeah. I mean, I was telling you, I wasn't being. literal, but I mean two years ago, and you called it that it was going to be a problem after week one when Cadarious Tony popped the ball up at pick six, it was record-setting drops

and they were the worst types of drops because they weren't dropping them down, they were dropping them up, they were knocking them up in the air, turning them into interceptions. And then last year it was a combination of cluster injuries at Wagoners,

receiver and a revolving door at the tackle position. There were, we can show them to you, just a handful of teams that started four different left tackles last year. It was the Chiefs who managed to go 17 and 3 and make the Super Bowl. And four teams that combined to go 17 and 51, which is kind of a remarkable image when you look at it, that they were able to overcome that and the injuries at wide receiver. They now at the moment have healthy wide receivers. I know today a couple guys got banged up and left practice, but they're all of them were fine except for Sky Moore

who might not make the team anyway. And even with Rishi Rice pending a suspension should be better there. And now they have a guy who if the whole league felt as confident about his medicals as the chiefs, I think the Patriots might have drafted him rather than their T-Rex at four. No, he wasn't. He wasn't. He wasn't at him, was he? Going into last year, for a lot of the draft folks, he was offensive tackle one.

Oh, I didn't. And so, but then he fell massively because he suffers the Patella injury. And there was real concern, would he even be healthy by Halloween his rookie year? Instead, he's playing all of training camp at left tackle. And then the guy they signed to play left tackle now is insurance for right tackle, maybe the starting right tackle, maybe the left guard. So I think that if they actually got this solved, bro, plus the wide receiver room not being devastated by injury,

there is no reason the offense shouldn't be explosive again. Yeah, I mean, look, the tackle position has been a problem in the last two years, really. Yes. Not incoincidentally, the worst two individual seasons of Patrick Mahomes career, even though they still won a Super Bowl. So, you know, you move more or Jalen Moore or Joanne Moore, or Joanne Taylor, whichever one of them.

And we'll see. I mean, it's more a full-time starter. He was a backup in San Francisco. And Taylor, just his love of penalties could be a problem. No, he's been a problem. The other side, still a little bit of a question mark. And they lost Tuny, you know. So, like, he was a great, obviously, lineman for him.

But this is huge. And, I mean, last year, Mahomes had the most sacks of his career, the most hits of his career, QB hits while he's throwing the ball, which he led the league. Think about that. He led the league in QB hits, getting hit while he threw the ball. And then he had the least amount of pocket time in his career. He was 25th in the league in that.

So those are some of the reasons we presume that Mahomes didn't look Mahomes in over the last year or two. And so what I say, Nick, is if he doesn't, if they're, especially if the receivers are healthy, because that's a component too. Like with rice and. worthy making the jump we expect him to make. Like that's a really good duo. And that's not even to mention Kelsey. Yeah. Hollywood Brown.

Yeah. Hollywood. Like, if they're healthy, they have a really nice receiving core. Now you might have, at least looks like left tackle should be solved, if not the entire offensive line. If we don't see the light show, I'll throw this in there too. All

the motivation that Mahomes has from Madden not making them the third best quarterback. Wherever he falls in this top 100. Right. I mean, he probably won't be number one. Like, he's got a lot of motivation.

He's got better receivers if they're healthy, a better offensive line. If there is no light show, I'm going to be seriously concerned. Now, they still may be 15 and 2, but if there's no light show, I will wonder like what in the world is going on. Yeah. Chargers, Eagles, Giants, Ravens. Chargers tied for six and sacks. Eagles sacked Mahomes six times in the Super Bowl.

That's the Chief's first four years. First four. Giants were tied for eighth, and that was out without Abdul Carter. Ravens had the second most sacks. So if you don't have Ritchie Rice for those four games, and those are great defenses, I'm not expecting the light show right away. Well, I mean, right away, you're right in that some of the toughest pass rushes they face all year are in the first month of the season.

Now, I do think the Chiefs tend to be sharper. the first month this season than the rest of the league because of the way Andy does training camp and everything and I want to say one other thing but first respond to what Bruce said. I agree with you.

Now my concern, if they assuming the receiving course stays relatively healthy and that, you know, Josh Simmons that is the guy that he looks like he's going to be, if it's still a black offense, like good,

you know, third downs and clutch, but is not high scoring, then I do think it will be, they will take a harder look at the coaching staff, not obviously Andy, but keep the, because the other thing that has happened here, and it was, you couldn't criticize it because you shouldn't because they were winning Super Bowels and went to Super Bowl is BNemi left and Matt Nagy came in and the offense got a little more blah, you know what I mean, so to speak. And so I don't think anyone intelligence going to believe, ah, he, he lost the ability. And I also think

there is... And honestly, if he keeps winning, then it's... It's not really going to. Now, they have to win a Super Bowl. Yes. But it really wouldn't matter. Yeah, interceptions up and the fact that they... But the last two years, they've been bad throwing it deep, as you showed the other day. But I, you're focused on, it's funny.

Not funny, but interesting. The first four weeks, understandably. To me, this is a story, honestly, about the next four years. Because what... Who's the only person Patrick is chasing? Tom Brady. Tom Brady in his first five Super Bowls,

which was over 11 seasons, had the same starting left tackle in all five Super Bowls. Patrick in the next Super Bowl he plays is going to be on his sixth because Joe Tooney's not on the, none of those guys are on the team anymore. And so the idea that maybe they got their actual left tackle for the rest of Mahomes as, you know, prime, And he, you know, at three million bucks a year for the next four years, it would be such a massive win for him and for the team.

From the runners up to the champs reports out of Eagles camp, Tim McManus. Now, I think this is a good report, but I'm not 100% sure. Covering A.J. Brown has proven problematic for the defense this summer. But Quinnian Mitchell has had the most success to this point, staying stride for stride with the dynamic receiver for the the most part. So we'll spin this out into a larger conversation about throwing the ball, bro. Does Philly need to throw the ball more if they want to repeat? Which they do.

I checked. Look, I think that obviously last year's formula worked swimmingly, you know. So I'm not going to go overboard and say they have to rehall a lot of stuff. But I don't think you want, I don't even know that it's possible for Saquine to run 345 times again. again in this season. He had the most yards of any player ever, right? Over the course of the whole regular. Most rushing yards.

Playoffs. Oh, yeah, yeah. Over the course of a full season, he had the most yards rushing yards of any player ever. And the 345 carries is just in the regular season. Yep. And then Jaylon run, like, as he gets older, you're not going to have him running as much either. Now, I don't feel like it's a they have to throw more to win. because look, not only they were last in the league and past attempts per game.

And in the playoffs, it actually dropped. In the regular season, I think Jalen averaged about 24 attempts a game, which is low, below league average. In the playoffs, it was down to 22, and they obviously were successful. But look who was, you know who was second to last and past attempts per game? I do it just because I researched it. The Ravens. And then I think Pittsburgh's down. Buffalo was like fifth worst.

So you can clearly win being either run first or run heavy. So that's not really the issue with me. The issue is just you don't want to destroy Saquan Barkley with too many carries. Like I think you run him a lot because I want to see him get 1,800 yards if he could, you know. But 350 carries is going to be a much. And again, you got to dial it back for Jalen. So I would try to look, I think Jalen's very capable. I don't want to see him throwing 30 times a game,

although, because people think that's the magic number. Because last year or two years ago, he threw 31 a game, and he had all those interceptions. But three years ago, when he was second in MVP, he threw 30 a game. Not more than 30, but 30 a game. I think that 27, 28 is the magic number for them of passes you want to get. Because I also want, look, I do want to keep A.J. Brown and Devon Smith happy to a degree too.

As long as it's working. Yeah. So I'm looking at this totally different than you guys, than you, and I'm not sure how you're looking at it. I don't think it's going to be a choice. I think they are going to have to. And this is, I said on the show a couple weeks ago, for the Eagles to repeat their offense will have to be better. And that got aggregated in Philadelphia,

like I was taking a shot at their offense last year. It's not what it was. It's that I do not think it is realistic to think they are going to, in consecutive years, have the best defense in football, in consecutive years have the best running game in football. These were their numbers last year. You know what I mean? Kind of first, you know, great defense, historically great offense, and they weren't good. Well, they weren't prolific passing the ball.

So this, I'm not trying to, I know, Wilde, you've been radicalized on this. No, that's the defense. No, that's over. No, no, no, so the top three lines are defense. The bottom three lines are off. So you don't think they're, whether it's best or third, it can be up there. I think the rush offense will be excellent.

I don't think they're going to have a 2,000 yard rusher. You know what I mean? So I think it's, if Sequan's year last year was an A triple plus, just let's just slate them in for a regular A. You know, the defense, having lost, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Milton Williams, Berks, Bradbury, Slay, Rogers, Maddox, and Chauncey Gardner Johnson. I think it's fair to say we'll take at least a slight step back.

So in order to be as good as they were last year, if those things draw back a bit, they're going to have to be better passing the ball, which I think, as I give it to you, should be excited. Because if you are someone who feels like, Jalen Hertz can do a lot more than what, there are things he can do that he didn't do last year because it's not what the team needed.

I do think the Eagles are going to need that this year. You know what I mean? I think they're going to have, you know, call it the sixth best defense in football and the fourth best running game in football this year, which those two, if you have the 29th passing attack, does not get you the Super Bowl. You know what I mean? Like you're going to have to up that.

So I think it's going to be a necessity. The question I had about these graphics while I was looking at rushing and passing attempts and a percentage of rushing was how much of it was dictated not only overall team identity, but hey, we're up early. We don't need to throw the ball anymore. You know what I mean? Yeah. Go ahead.

I didn't dig into this. I have some historical numbers. So Ben Solak had an unbelievable stat. Oh, good. Which was last year after week four, Jalen Hertz threw nine passes while trailing in the second half. That makes sense. Wow.

After week four, there were nine passes. is he, now that is... Well, he'd never... You're nailing. The Eagles, right, the Eagles were never, essentially, after week four, were never down multiple scores. And you know what I mean?

When they were down one score in the second half, they usually, like, gave him to Sequin. He pops a big run. What, you know, what... So that is, that is a fact that can kind of support any Jalen Hertz argument you want, which is that either that, we don't know what he could do

if he were in a different situation. And the other argument it would be the hell do you want them to do? You know what I mean? They're winning. They have this great running game. Right. You want him to air it out.

It'd be idiotic. But I, that's my point is, even if they're excellent again this year, they're going to be in more situations where they're going to have to throw to win the game. That's what I think because I don't think they're going to be as dominant defense. Here's some historical numbers. I thought this was a great graphic from Josh. Lowest pass percentage of Super Bowl champions this century. 05 Steelers threw at the least, 43%.

The next year they say, you know what? Let's throw the ball a little bit more. They miss the playoffs. Then it's the Eagles 44%. We don't know what they're going to do this year. 13 Seahawks. This one's clever. 47% with Russ.

They go back to the Super Bowl. They run it basically 48% of the time. They lose the Super Bowl wide. Because they don't run the ball. Right. Then it's the Patriots. They threw the ball more. The Ravens end up throwing the ball.

No, that's a great. But do you think that's because those teams were like ego, our quarterback wants us to throw, or do you think it's because of what I was saying? I did, yeah. Which is when you're losing, you need to throw the ball. When you're winning, you run to ice the clock. Like that that was out of necessity that they threw the ball more,

not out of style points. Seattle still had the great defense. Which this defense is not that. Right. Seattle just was like, we're just going to run the exact same thing. But you're talking about ego kind of creeping into the identity of the Eagles, which I think Jalen Hertz is constantly trying to tamp down. He has in himself.

I just want to win. And he, look, obviously his first priority is winning, but he probably would love to throw the ball. Well, he did against the Steelers. He was like, enough. Yeah. For weeks, like, you guys want to see me throw the ball. And again, that was, and I know we have to move on,

that was not the media's creation. That was no one's fault, but his teammates. Nobody was that was purely because A.J. Brown, the week before had said, we got to improve passing. And then Jalen came out. And was like, is that what you guys wanted to see? Like, that was immediately. a thing when that was his teammate. He should have said that to AJ.

Right. To be fair, that was that none of us were. Maybe he walked into the shower. Is that what you wanted to see? Maybe not in the shower, but I didn't know. Look, there's a locker room. They showered again. Maybe just in the media happened. Let's head to Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is

very high on Baltimore's current roster. Take a listen. The chip on our shoulder and knowing what we got, what we have coming back, all these guys not knowing if we have these guys next year. You know we got to take advantage of what we have right now. Does it feel like this is the best team you've been on?

To be honest, yeah, just from the experience I have, the experience that we got coming back? Yeah, I'll say so. Okay, Brew, your reaction to Lamar saying this is the best Ravens team he's been on? Well, like I said, he had to say it because the goal obviously is a Super Bowl and you haven't gotten to the Super Bowl. So if you say a couple years ago, that team was better, but you didn't. didn't get there and that's a problem. However, I actually

understand why he said beyond that, I think there's good reason, football reasons to say that because he's looking at like, look, Derek Henry, this is second year in the offense. Now you can argue will he be as good? I'm sure in Lamar's mind, there's no doubt he's going to be as good.

So remember last year, early in the season, it was kind of like, you know, Henry had to adjust to playing with a quarterback like Lamar. Yeah. I mean, so however long it took there was a little bit of an adjustment there there'll be none of that now and so and I think Nick their receiving court has never been great I don't think it's great

now but I think it might be the best he's had Zay Flowers obviously might be the best receiver he's had in his prime Rashad Bateman solid and D. Hop I mean I don't know what he they were they were raving about that she made those guys they had those two guys last year right but now you just add DHop who I don't I'm not expecting greatness from me. I think he'll be better with Baltimore than he was with Kansas City because the improvisation is more there and he's very good at that.

Yeah. So this may be their best receiving core. Defensively, I think, you know, obviously second half of the season, they were really good. This was the graphic that Brew was right about. What? That brew always said that Zach Orr's defense was going to, they were going to get better because it's in Baltimore's DNA.

So I'm like, yeah, they did get better. But after that second Bengals game, they weren't just great. They were the best defense in everything. Yeah. It's what they do. You called it. I mean,

and I'm not even dusting off the shoulders because it's what they do. I mean, maybe I want. I mean, they went from last to first, bro. They, it is in their, they're going to be good defense.

Yeah, it's in their DNA. That's what they're going to do, all right? But then they add Jair Alexander. They got the kid Malichakia. Well, look,

I like Alexander. We'll see what he does. He's got to be on the field. Right. I mean, he barely played, last year's in Green Bay and he's hurt now in Baltimore. He's talented. Yeah, he's got to be healthy, of course. But then they get the guy Malachi, Starks. Yeah, no, I did like that and I already have a

great safety, obviously. Yeah, so I think on paper they're going to be great and, you know. So then the answer this question is the same thing every year themselves. Oh, I mean, what's stopping Baltimore this year? I don't know. The same thing that always stops them, that the great defense, you know, last year in the playoffs didn't play great. Their first ballot, all-time legendary quarterback, who, like, it is, there have been now three times in his career that he went all year without a multi-turnover game or without losing a fumble and throwing a pick the whole regular season and then did it in the playoffs.

Like there is, and I... He had nine turnovers last year total in the regular season and two in the first half. Two in the first 20 minutes of the playoff game. And I'm, and I, you know, I went. And some of these clips are now being shared on Mina Kimes, my dear, dear friend and hated rival, her podcast. And she was aghast at my Ravens skepticism. And it does seem like there is a cabal of media that are just convinced the Lamar playoff sample size just too small to draw any conclusion. from, to which I say

it'll never be big enough then. Like if we are, a guy who's drafted in 2018 is in the playoffs every year, we're in 2025 and it is every single now he has gotten better. Right, right. But it is still, it is like the, every single

year in the playoffs, it's like things he didn't do all year long happen. And so I am not saying that he'll never get over it. What I am saying is, and I think you might agree with me. This is where I think you are,

of all the Ravens supporters, I think the most reasonable. It is not irrational to say, I think what's always happened will happen again, and when I'm wrong, I'll be wrong. Like, it is... What you're saying is I'll believe it when I see it. Correct.

Now, the only disagreement I have with you is, and I don't know that you're even saying this, when you say draw conclusions, like if you're saying, Lamar will never get it I'm not saying that. Okay, right. That's what I would have a problem with it.

But to say it so far is fair. And that I have more skepticism of him in the postseason than any of the other great quarterbacks in this league because he's never had the moment. He's jailing, Burrow, Allen, Mahomes, have all had the moment to varying degrees. He's never had the moment. I think to say he hasn't done it so far.

That's just fair. Now, I think he will do it. I believe in him doing it because he has progressively gotten better. He's gotten over to Steelers hump. He's played well in some playoff games and was good last year except for the two big turnovers. But look, it's now maybe they take on Lamar's personality, but it's the whole team. Yes.

When they lost to the Chiefs two years ago, the penalty. They had three turnovers, which was the most they had all season, two of them in the red zone, and you lose by six. seven and they forget how to run the football or stop running the football that's their total identity they have five uh what was unsportsman like uh penalties like they they just fell apart and then the next year against buffalo and mark andrew like it's the entire team yes you know and so like i said a few weeks ago what what am i looking to see from them do they have championship medal I believe they do, but it's fair for you to say, I'll believe it when I see it.

Yeah, I mean, it's an interesting narrative for this whole year. Like, we still have to bring out sandwiches and your robe. But it is, no, but it's, it's always like, well, let me see it in the playoffs. Like, man, can we enjoy the sandwich? And then it happened again. Last year, you got mad at me because you were like, well, if this is how you're going to feel. But, well, that's, look, I want to bring out this sandwich and the robe and the Jordan.

Guys, this might be the longest day. I got to get some new Jordan. Well, I'm just worried about the sandwiches. Okay, it'll be fine. Dust, roll the animation. The most shows are over. Dusty's panicking. Dusty's like, the bake show get to the next level.

Next on FS1, the Fox Sports. If he had it, he was pulled out. Oh, I forgot. I took a picture at camp. I was going to send it to Dusty. It said speedy 17 miles an hour. Oh, the podcast has been on fire, and our YouTube channel was just great. We're up to about a million subscribers and some change,

but I would like to get to 2 million, maybe 5 million. Maybe 10 million, 15 million. Subscribe if you get a chance. Well, there's no count. Well, John, I got to shoot for the start. Bakeshow has outplayed his contract, so the Bucks reworked his deal to guarantee his $30 million salary in 2026. Last year, 4,500 yards, third most 41 touchdowns tied for second. Coach Manjini is here.

Coach Manjee, you've been a bake show guy once he got rid of his commercials. Oh, my God. I like him better. There's one bake show guy on this show. He became the bake show guy. He didn't become the bake show guy. He was giving him up love. He's the Kyle Trass guy.

That's true. I'm the baker guy. Coaches, you know, coaches come along begrudgingly, but what's the question? Chances, bake show gets to another level. I mean, I think people first have to recognize the level he's been at, which is last year he was statistically one of the very best quarterbacks in. the league. Now, he was not in the MVP discussion ever because the team, you know, was kind of came on at the end of the year. You're right. The team didn't have the, the team wasn't blowing people

away like Joe Burroughs was to get him in the conversation. And he also is a guy who, despite being two and three career in the playoffs, has been an awesome postseason quarterback. A 106 rating, 12 touchdowns, three picks, 270 yards, passing yards per game, basically. There's been one playoff game ever he didn't play really well in, and that was against the Chiefs

in Arrowhead when they were the defending champions. So I say all that to say this, Coach. I think another level is can they win 12 or 13 games? Can they be legitimate Super Bowl contenders? And my answer to that question is yes. I love the weapons. I think that the defense,

Defense is a little undermanned, but that is offset a bit by having a defensive-minded head coach. I think that they can potentially deal with the loss of Liam Cohen better than most teams would deal with the loss of their coordinator because Baker is a veteran quarterback and they have the veteran receivers. And so, yeah, I think he could get to another level where he has the best offense in his conference this year. I think that's on the board. Here's what I like about Baker. Obviously, the 41 touchdown. So that's 13 more than his highest, which was the year before. before when he had the 28 touchdowns, Cleveland would kill to have that kind of

production. And then now the interceptions are problematic. You've had 16 picks right on the year. Not great, not the highest he's had, but still not where you want it to be. Now, I guess if you want to get the 41 touchdowns, you're going to. I was going to say, do you take 41 and 16 over 28 and not eight? I look, when you're getting into that close to 20 picks, you're getting in the, you know, 50 plus. But if it's a two and a half to one ratio, wouldn't, isn't that fine? Two and a half, you know what I mean?

Like touchdown interception ratio, whether that's 30 to 12 or. I mean, I'd have to go back and look at that, like the, when those touchdowns came versus when the picks came in terms of the impact of the game. What I also like is his, um, production running the ball. Like him actually as a scrambler is significantly better than it's been. I think it's like three or four yards better. his stack percentage is about 6.5% that's pretty good too.

But the thing that's aided him more than Tom Brady late in his Tampa is their ability to run the ball. They were fourth running the ball and they were fourth stopping the run. Remember all the times we talked about Tom in his last year where they couldn't run the ball at all. I mean, it's terrible. So hopefully they'll stay. If they stay with this, it's a little bit Dak Prescott-esque where a good running

game makes Baker 8,000 times more effective than if they're going to just lay it all on him and say, you know, go with the game throwing it. No, that's fair. I mean, Bucky Irving was great for them. So if he does that again, I agree with that coach. And Nick, what you're saying, and you kept it to team goals essentially or team, that's taking him to the next level because he's already now essentially universally viewed for at least right now, we know it's fluid.

But for now, clearly a top 10 quarterback, right? And it's going to be hard to get the top five. And he's not, yeah, so he's tier two right now. He's not getting, I don't see him getting in that top four, that universally recognized top four, right? I do think at the end of this season, I'm just saying kind of realistic ceiling. I think he could be, at the end of this season,

I wouldn't be surprised if we're saying he's five. Wow. And I'm not, I'm not predicting. that. Wow. I'm not predicting it. I'm just saying that's the next left. Like I don't think he takes, I don't think he can jump into the Burrow, Mahomes, Lamar, Allen

category. They win the Super Bowl, I think. Well, yeah, but I don't, I don't think that's happening. But I think, I think he could be an MVP candidate if they win enough games without question. And I think he could play well enough where some are saying he's fifth. And this goes, and I'm not even, I wasn't trying to do the fluid. thing. But I really think five to 12

whatever is fluid. This is where Wild radicalization is coming. If Jaden comes down, you're forgetting somebody. If Jalen, I mean, you know, we'll see how he plays. I'm just saying it's, that's the next level for him. So if Baker wins the Super Bowl, you would consider him the fifth best?

Wait, is Baker universally accepted to be a top 10 quarterback? I mean, I feel like he is at this point. Coming in at 10 on a lot of. I mean, I think it's hard to name 10 ahead of. him, coach, at this point. You don't think it's, it seems like all the listings I've seen this offseason. It's certainly no longer controversial to put him in at, anywhere from 8 to 12 is generally

accepted as fine. You know what I mean? I agree. I have him in the top of state. Not universal. It's not universal, but it's. Okay. It's popular to put him in.

And remember, last year those numbers came with Chris Godwin, miss a half the season. Now you got Ibuka. Evan's missed part of the year. I haven't missed a few games. So I just think it's possible. That's the leap. I don't see him jumping into top four. But if he wins the Super Bowl, you have him as the fifth best quarterback

and he puts up huge numbers? Well, his, I know where you're going. I'm not saying necessarily I'm a top five quarterback. I'm just saying how it looks. Like just for example, if he does what he did last regular season. Right. And they win the Super Bowl? as opposed to if he, you know,

Bucky Irving, something crazy, like rushes for 2,000 yards and they have never one. Right, right. Then he might not. Can I just show the Buck's schedule? I'm not trying,

I'm trying to have your back. I didn't say anything. I was just wondering if you go to win a Super Bowl, you go to another Super Bowl. Do you get to be a top? So here's the other thing I love. And I'm not saying these top five. Just for the record,

I'm not saying these top of. And coach, I know you love when we do this. I love a good schedule. So I think basically through, up until the Bills game, there's a, you know, there's reason to believe

they can get off to a nice start. Six and three, I think is totally realistic. And then that entire right-hand column, they could be on a heater going into the playoffs. Like, there's not a team that they play from week 13 on

that I anticipate, you know what I mean, is going to be really good. And so, obviously, the Bills, stretch is a tough stretch. But the first half of the year, the Eagles are excellent. The lions we think are excellent. You know, and they play some other teams kind of in their tier, like Niners and Texans.

So as long as they don't start off terribly, you know what I mean? I think that they could be a team that's red hot going in. The Lions are in their tier? No, I said the Eagles are excellent. The Lions are excellent. Oh, the Lions. Okay. And then I was saying the Niners and the Texans are in their tier.

Gotcha. And so as long as you can just, I don't want to say tread water, but do fine in the first two-thirds, that last column is what you want. Is Devante Adams on the verge of a historic year? Well, maybe at Rams camp he sat down with K. Adams, no relation, and discussed his lofty expectation. Who gets to a thousand yards first? Do you or Fuka?

That's funny you say that. So me and Tutu were actually just talking about this in the locker room. I gave him like a goal that I don't share that stuff on camera because that's only bad. But it's like a veteran right here, he knows that's not the move. It's a very general goal, too. It's not like a specific number, but it's like more about just the way I want to do it. And I said, well, yeah, I, you know, I feel like I could get 2K. Like I feel like that's, that really wouldn't be that crazy.

That threw me for a loop. That was one of the most confusing sound by Tever. Yeah, he's like, I'm not going to put it out there. It's not a specific number and I don't say it on camera. Now on camera, let me tell you. Go ahead. Your reaction to Devante going for 2000. It wouldn't be crazy, he said.

It would be crazy. And Devante is a great receiver. And obviously was phenomenal a few years ago. But no, there's no way he can get 2,000 yards this season. And it's not just his quarterback's 37 and injured. And I think could be banged up for many games. He himself is 32. it's never been done by anyone.

That's the important. I don't even know if he's the number one receiver. That seems to matter. Right? I mean, so at the very late, like, Puka's going to get a ton of catches. And even Tutsu at well, the number three receiver is pretty good.

Are we sure we didn't misinterpret it? Like, as you said, like, it's so out of left field. I'm like, does he mean, like, him and Puka have a thousand yards season? I'll say what he, I watched. whole thing. He was

saying like we have enough, he was putting it into the context of that won't be necessary. Obviously, he didn't say this, but he's got other great receivers and stuff. But him just saying he could if he was the only receiver on the team. He's had 2,165 yards

combined over the last three seasons. That's his number over the last three. And I'm wondering, is his goal higher than 2000? Like, that's the goal he was willing to put out there. Like, what's the goal he's not willing to put out there? That's what I want to know, because that goal's got to be unbelievable.

What's that? 1,500, 11-100. The last two seasons. No, you're looking at the wrong way, buddy. What am I looking at? You're looking at it bottom up. This is why it's, last three seasons. Yeah, the last three seasons.

This is one season, Jets and Raiders. Oh, okay. That's why I think because he's had. So he has. Okay, yeah, you have it right. Because it look. What are my stats all? No, no.

Jets and Raiders read as two separate seasons, but they're combined. So he actually's had. But still, the moral of the story is, like this is, I think the real question is his 2,000 yards independent of it, is, is Devante Adams still, if he is still an elite receiver, then the Rams should be in the conversation with Philly and Cincinnati as the best receiving cores in football. Yeah. You know what I mean? Because Puka is, Puka, when healthy, is exceptional. He has draft position bias and size bias working against him, which is sometimes fair, particularly if it's a quarterback.

I was about to say, sounds familiar. But there is, but if Devante can still just be what, to your point, Wilde's correctly, he was with the Raiders for a full season, 1,100 yards, then they're in great shape. 2022, he had 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. With Jimmy G. That's like 4,000 yards. Yeah, if you put the Jimmy G. Curve on.

Yeah. It's pretty good, dude. Nick's going to be pulling for Jimmy. Why, Drake May, it's being called Wonderful from a friend of the show. And the full screen that I tricked Coach into supporting. Also, this is why I shouldn't look at your paper while. Friend of the show and esteemed reporter, Peter Treger. He's not a friend of the show anymore.

Was on Pat McAfee and relayed this intel about Drake May. I hear Drake May is just absolutely wonderful. Wonderful. So wonderful. So, again, it's early. It might not be a surprise when you get to year two leaps. It means they spent the off season work. I'm telling you, the juice out of Patriots camp right now about Drake May is very real.

Now, I am a unbiased, not really report. I just kind of host the show. Okay, I got makeup on. But I owe you honesty. And I don't pull punches with anybody. anybody. When Ben Johnson had to shut down Bears practice, send Caleb back to the locker room. You didn't send him back to the locker room. Oh, I don't know. I didn't read the details. But we said it was problematic. So here's the report out of Patriots camp, just because I'm honest, and I owe you honesty.

At one point in practice, there was a fumbled snap near the goal line between Derek Bradbury and Drake May. Mike Grable made the entire offense, get off the people. Thank you. And Josh Dobbs, group took over. I'm honest. That part wasn't great, coach, but the part where Peter Schroger, friend of the show, esteemed colleague says the news is wonderful, this on the heels of Ian Rappaport's conversation. That was not a report. That said he's like a mythical creature. When was that? That was during the Super Bowl. He's mythical. Yeah. Mythical. Are you buying a huge year or two out of Drake May coach? I'm buying that he has the chance to have a significant year to because of Josh McDaniels.

Josh McDaniels took Mac Jones to the Pro Bowl. Which is Herculean. Josh McDaniels left and Mac Jones said, that's okay. That wasn't great. We got a thousand. That part wasn't great. He didn't know any better. Doesn't matter.

Don't need the guy. And then we saw what happened. So I think that Josh being back there and if Drake May is anywhere near the character, you know, the high character that he's supposed to have and intelligence, all those intanguals. I think that this system is going to help him take a huge, get to his potential. How big a leap he takes could be limited by his potential, but he'll get to his potential. Two for two, Brew?

I think, yeah, I definitely think he can take a leap, but I think the leap will be limited. And I'm going to go back to what Jim Harbaugh said about Justin Herbert, except I feel like it's true. Drake May will be limited by what's around. That is not McDaniels. Right? Like the offensive line, pro football focus right now says it's going to be 29th best in the league.

That's entering the league. Okay. I'm just saying they're ranking it 29th entering the season. All right. How? From what they've seen? I mean, the real.

Hold on. I'm just trying to curiosity. Well, how else Campbell is going to do? How is he going to do? Hold on. But Wilde, but why is your opinion of it more valid than theirs? I'm just taking every, because they said 29. Yeah.

What do you say? Yeah, I've got one through 28 then. It's just the odds. Okay, if it's 26, it's going to be a lowered role offensive line. But if Drake May plays as one of the top 15 quarterbacks in the league, do you think his offense is going to be 29th? No, I don't. Well, I'm talking about the offensive line.

Yeah. That's saying the office of line. We've seen quarterbacks play well behind those types of lines. I mean, it can happen. But I'm saying that combined with dig. is 32 coming off in ACL injury. We'll be 32 soon. Coming off ACL entry.

And then the rest of the receiving, I'm sorry, I'm not impressed. So I see a jump coach. I see people getting excited about him. I see people saying we've got our franchise quarterback now, but I think it's limited. There's a ceiling because of what he has a room. There is a hard

ceiling on how good the offense can be. The team can be far improved because the defense... Why is it a hard ceiling? If with Mack Jones He had the six best offense. Because I think with Matt Jones, they had significantly better offensive line, significantly that first year. And I think that this is, I give you credit. So I want to, I am not anti- Drake Mac.

I think that when you look at those numbers in small font above the topic bar, the answer is he has to have huge improvement. He is three and nine, fine, hundred and seven. 75 passing yards and 15 touchdowns to 10 picks. Coach didn't love Baker's 16 picks, but they had 26 more touchdowns with it. And so, but I think that, right, I think it's fine. He was a very young player coming into the league. He's big. He's athletic.

But as far as your faith in the offensive line, I'm going to put it in a similar bucket of, I remember talking with you last year about the wide receiving core and you being like, you don't know how good Jalen Polk is. And now he might not make the team. He was their second row pick last year. This is a Josh McGeelellan. That's how much talent they've infused in the room. When we had the six best offense, here's who Mac Jones was throwing to.

Jacobi Myers, Kendrick Ford, Hunter Henry, and Aguilar. This year we have Stefan Diggs, Pop Douglas, Hunter Henry, Matt Collins. And if you want Kendrick Borenk, we still got Kenner. Yeah, I think Jacob Myers is better, was better at that moment in time than any receiver you have. And the rest of the same. I don't think so. I mean, Jacoby Myers is a good player. If Diggs.

So is Stefan Diggs. I don't know if Stefan Diggs is better than Jacobi Myers in 20, whatever. If he's the old Stefan Diggs, sure. Yeah. Then everything changes. But you seen him running around the cones? Yeah. He's moving.

I saw him chasing that little chicken or whatever that was. It was a puppy. Whatever. Puppy chicken. Rocky. He couldn't catch you. Whatever it was. Live from New York, it's the show that is going to invent a.

stylish walking boot. It's the second hour first thing sports. It's going to work. You saw my son during our fake wedding. Yeah. With war walking boot walking down the aisle. You never saw it. Matt's the tuxedo. Was it great? It was black. What with the tuxedo? That's cool. Exactly. They exist. Did have a logo on it? My point is they exist. Did he make it or he was able to purchase it? I would have made it cooler. You would have made it cooler. Yes. You're filling a market. You just shot down your whole theory. That was your whole take. When I roll up here in a Rolls Royce with a license plate that says cool walking boot.

You guys will think differently. Second hour, first things first. Today are the bills set up to succeed. And we make coach uncomfortable by saying should McDermott be fired if they fell. Meanwhile, does Brew have any doubts about Brock Purdy? We talk about their wide receiver situation and the latest reveal of the NFL 100, which was not. Brock Purdy. It was a nineer though. You should have said that. A nineer came. Yeah, I don't know if he's, he's not going to be ahead of Nick Bosa. Why not?

Because he'd be a head of staffer. It's trouble. They battled each other to a 12th up. I'm just saying I'm trying to get in the head of the players. And I, I'm getting nervous. But right now, Jeffrey Chediah, NFL.com released an article outlining each team's number one challenge. We're going to start with Buffalo. where Tudia writes that the bill's challenge is, quote, being reliable on defense when it matters most, noting that the team gives up 33 points in their last five playoff losses. So who's under more pressure here, Alan or McDermott, Brew?

Look, Josh Allen, like I said, about Lamar, every year he's facing a ton of pressure now. Now, the difference is he has played some of his best football in the playoffs. So that's different from Lamar. So I'm going to go with McDermott because if they, let's say they have a, the next season ends almost exactly like this past season did. You're not getting rid of Josh Allen. You stick with Josh Allen, but at some point they may feel like,

even if your coach is good and McDermott is good. Sometimes it's like when we keep getting close, but we can't get over the hump, we just saw it with the Knicks and Tom Tibido. Whether you agree with it or not. Like this is what happened. Andy Reed, and I know his last year. year there and Philly was bad. Tony Dungee in Tampa.

Yes. Like, I mean, even go to John Elway, Dan Reeves was a really good coach. And they got moved on from him at Wade Phillips. And then Mike Shanahan comes in. So you're never getting rid of your franchise quarterback if he's that good. So the coach, even if he's good, and McDermy's done a very good job. But at some point, they may be like, we got to look at the culture. We got to look at the, we need a voice or if we just, or, and this is the cruelty of the, of the gig.

or we just can't keep doing the same thing. And so to Chidiya's point, here's the numbers. Because this is kind of, the Bill's defense has been the opposite of the early Spag's chiefs defenses, where they were bad in the regular season and then stepped up in the playoffs. The Bill's defense is excellent every regular season. And then every playoff loss, they give up a 30 piece, basically. you know, 29 or 20,

it's a big number. And it's always against an elite quarterback that saw, usually Patrick, but it was also Burrow once. And was it Lamar once as well? No. And that solves them to a degree. So like that just,

that's what it's been. And then there is, I don't, I brought this stat up a number of times over the year. Scott Casimir, it's kind of his stat. He's the only person I've ever seen like. like publicize it, but there is no coach quarterback combo in the history of professional

football that went on to win a Super Bowl together that did not win their first one together in their first five years. So every coach quarterback combo ever that has won any Super Bowl together at one, at least one in their first five years. This is year eight for Josh and McDermott and, Loderman and, Lerner, and, like, Lamar and Barbaugh. I was wondering why Marbaugh is. Yeah, no, Lamar and Marble as well.

We've got to put in a little bit of context. That stat may be true, but you also look at the coach and quarterback that have won three Super Bowls in that realm. And that's the issue. That's the issue here. It's four out of the five games have been against Kansas City. So it's not necessarily solving the defensive problem. It's solving the defensive problem against the Kansas City Chiefs, which a lot of people have had a hard time dealing with. And you could say, yeah, maybe they're playing.

poorly in the playoffs or maybe Kansas City plays better in the playoffs than then you know so it's a little bit of both well look it's a problem when you have one of the greatest all-time players on a team that's in your conference and you've got to deal with them you you've got to keep trying new things and you're to some degree you've got to draft and build your free agency based on how are we going to beat Kansas City they tried that it was like the Von Miller thing yeah Which I totally get, but just because you tried it once and didn't work, the problem hasn't gone away. They're still there. You've got to try some other things because until you solve that problem, it's four out of five games against the Chiefs.

But so, I mean, I don't, I agree with almost everything Bruce said. I do think Sean McDermott's a good coach. I think he's proven that. And I don't think you would necessarily even be likely. so this might sound dumb to get better at head coach if you fired. But if they play the Chiefs in the playoffs again and they lose to the Chiefs again, I don't know how you can go into 2026

and be like keeping it the same boys. I don't know. You know what? Like it just seems like you would, you almost to give your team a sense a reason to believe this year will be different. Like the Ravens did that last year in my opinion by adding Derek Henry.

You know what I mean? It was a significant enough addition where it's like, you know what, we're going to have something. We lost in the playoffs because we didn't run the ball. What if we had this badass running back and whatever? To some degree they did do that. And then because they did do that,

then you've got to take a step back because when you spend like that. Oh, when they went and got on Miller. Yeah, you go and get some players and you take that swing, you know, for the fences. And then eventually you've got to pay that bill. And they paid the bill and still had success. It's easy to get rid of it. rid of guys and and it's easy to put it into one context but without looking at it in relationship

to how successful Kansas City has been I don't think it's a fair I don't think it's fair either I just think there's a weird thing psychologically like McDermick got fired by Reed Josh has always been measured against Patrick they clearly there's one other thing I want to say about this specific matchup I think Buffalo makes a mistake by caring as much as they're they do about the regular season matchup with the chiefs when the chiefs clearly are going a different way and they haven't learned from it. I think that because they're seating on the line and because of all these things, I think the chiefs and their coaching staff get every year an honest blueprint of how Buffalo thinks

they can beat us. And the bills go into the playoff game totally blind on what the chiefs actually think can beat Buffalo because the chiefs don't treat the regular season matchup the way Buffalo does. And I think it's a risky thing, you know what I mean, to not give it your best tactical effort in the regular season. But when it has been every year the bills beat the chiefs in the regular season, every year the chiefs beat the bills in the playoffs, the sample size is getting big enough to where you think maybe they need to change that up. Do you buy that? Coach, what are you supposed to do? I just don't think that you can go through

the regular season. Kansas City may be able to. Go through the regular season and assume we're going to be deep into the playoffs. I don't know if Buffalo has that luxury. And especially last year, when you look at last year, and I was as guilty of this as anybody, I thought that was going to be a rebuilding year. I thought the loss that they had at wide receiver was going to set them back. And they overachieved, in my mind, as to where they were. So when you play a team like Kansas City and you have an opportunity to win that game,

you're going to take that opportunity because they're not like Kansas City. They can't guarantee that they're necessarily going to leave. This segment. I love it. It's an interesting concept. I just think that's a benefit you have when you've won Super Bowls. Sure. But you know, every regular season game doesn't matter the same.

There was just that Kelsey little golf clap after they beat them in the regular season, even though that ended the Chief's undefeated season. You know what I mean? They were undefeated going into that game. And if they had a chance, like they were thinking three beat and be undefeated. And Kelsey's reaction was good for you guys. And it just felt like a very different kind of stakes on that game for the game. those two teams.

Head up to Detroit, one of Bruce adopted home cities where Dan Campbell goes into the season without Ben Johnson, Bears coach, Aaron Glenn, Jets coach. Chedea writes that adjusting to those changes is the number one challenge. Nick will start with you on the board. The Lions take a significant step back. All right. So here's one of the tricky spots is whenever there is like coaching change, right? One of the things I prepare my take.

I know what I want to say. And then like the last thing, like checking to make sure you close the garage door where you go to the airport. I'm like, let me just check real quick the Wikipedia page of the new coaches to make sure it wasn't like someone coach Manjini mentored. And then I'm like, God, dog it. I was like, no chance Kelvin Shepard or John Morton ever crossed past with Coach Manjini. Then I'm like two years in San Francisco.

These guys were the two years coach ever coached offense was when John Morton's coached coaching offense with the Niners. I'm like, God, dog it. He was very nice, too. He used to invite me over his house. See, I know. So I say that with a little trepidation. But even though Wilds, all of a sudden,

has totally done a 180 on Ben Johnson, I think Ben Johnson was great for that team. And was an excellent offensive coordinator and got the absolute best out of Jared Gough and the way they built that offensive lunch. helped Jared Gough a ton. The interior of that offensive line is now totally different with a retirement, a loss, and free agency, so that could go from strength to weakness.

And for John Morton, this is his first NFL coordinating job, and their defensive coordinator, who he's never been a coordinator at any level, that concerns me. Wait, wasn't Johnny the offensive coordinator with the Jets? The, maybe, so maybe I have it wrong. I thought this was John Morton, but the... DC, I think, is new. The DC, I know it's his first coordinator job. And John Morton with the...

Maybe I wrong. You probably know better than me. That just concerns me. So that going from, I thought, excellent, excellent, to new, new is a real reason for concern. But when Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn got there, wasn't that their first gig? Yeah, but those guys ended up being great. Like the... I'm not saying they can't be great.

I'm saying it's a big, it is a huge risk going from what they had to what they have. It is. And anytime you have to turn over both coordinators, it's a problem. And you're concerned about it. And you've got a new human being with his new tendencies and his new relationships and his new view of the game that's being inserted into your program. Now, the nice thing about this situation is John does have a relationship with the head coach, which is positive. And the head coach has set a very strong foundation in place, which is all. also positive. And we saw that Philly could use two new coordinators in a positive way,

which you haven't seen a lot of that over the history of the NFL where both guys get swapped out and you have the success that Philly had. So at least they've sort of changed that narrative to some degree. Look, it's not great to have to change over both guys, but I like the continuity that they have in general, organizationally and the strength of the head coach. A significant step back to me is 10 and 7 and barely get into the playoffs. 11 and 6, I don't expect them to win 15 games or even 14 games. 11 and 6 to me and making the playoffs, I don't view as like a big step back. To me, for the Lions, the key is just getting into playoffs.

And I mean, again, 10 and 7 you kind of limp in so you don't feel as good. But if you have a good regular season, particularly with their schedule, then I think they're going to feel they're going to I don't think that's really a big step back and I get it with the coordinators but you got the same quarterback you got the same running back Jemir Gibbs might be better you know than he was last year you got the receivers I think Jameson is going to take a step you know the same tight-in La Porter the defense which was good Aaron Glenn's night there but you add Aidan Hutchinson who missed basically all the last And a lot of other guys are healthy right so

I, they might not win the division. I do feel they're the best roster in the division. But, you know, maybe Green Bay could win it. But if they get in the playoffs with 11 wins, I don't view that as a big step. Are you, Wilds, real quick, before we move on? Are you shocked at their win total? I was going to ask you that. Okay.

I swear to God, like nine and a half. So, and listen, a lot of juice to the over, minus 170 plus 140, which means the real fair number is probably 10 even. But that is still. Patriots are at eight and a half. I knew you were going to. Patriots are no good. They're eight and a half.

Lions are at nine and a half? And so that at least says to me, Vegas thinks they're not the juggernaut that they were last year and that they turned into at the end of last season, at the end of the season before, pardon me. 49ers have the easiest schedule in the league, but have a difficult time keeping wide receivers on the field. Jadea noting no timeline for Iute.

Pearsall is on the pub list. Marcus Robinson might be looking at suspension for a DUI. Juan Jennings wants a new contract. And hurt his cap. Yeah. For the second time this officer. Yeah, that's not good. No, that's the bigger worry.

Is dealing with the wide receiver situation, Brew, the biggest challenge for the 49ers? Biggest, I mean, look, I think the defense will be much improved with solid, the D.C. And they still got, you know, very good players over there. McCaffrey back is great. I have faith in Purdy. I mean, this position, this is becoming a bit problematic. Like, you have to have somebody to throw to. Who knows when Iy could be back?

I think in that article, Chedia said he'll be out, he'll probably be on the Pup list to start the season. That's four games at least. Pearsall just got off the Pup list. But Pearsall's had injury issues, you know, like with the hamstring he just had. And then Jennings, this calf is big. That's what it started out with McCaffrey. You know, and then it turned out it was a. So I

This is concerning just with the receive I mean you need some solid receivers to throw to. I'm not as concerned about the receiving core and is the Joanne Jennings cap is that truly a calf injury or is that a He was practicing. Half slash contract injury.

That's what I wasn't. I read it as an actual injury because maybe I'm wrong. Like, I'm not there. But I read that, that it was something he dealt with in OTAs and then it got him again. And I'm not trying to stir it up, but typically if a guy wants a contract and isn't getting a contract, sometimes those older injuries tend to better off. You may be better off if it's that.

Yeah. My biggest concern with San Francisco isn't just the receiving group. It's collectively the whole team. What do we talk about every year with them is the injuries they're dealing with? And it seems like the rare year where they're. they don't have injuries, they go deep into the playoffs, but it's every, it's every other year. It's not one or two guys. It's seven or eight guys.

It's a ton of guys and a ton of miss time. That, to me, is the bigger concern as opposed to just the wide receiver group themselves. Yeah, I think any time you go from having one of the deepest groups in the league to one of the thinnest, it can be. Yeah, exactly. It can be a culture shock for everyone in. goal for the coach, for the quarterback, for hell, for McCaffrey, and for all of it. Because when they went to the Super Bowl, Ayuk was playing some of his best football, Debo, I understand, wasn't, you know, peak Debo, but was still excellent.

Kittle, I think, who's still there and still very good, but I think it's fair to say probably a little better two years ago than he is now. Joanne Jennings was coming on as the best version of himself. Now, Jennings got paid, but didn't think he got paid enough, kind of regret signing that contract, it seems like. Dibo's no longer on the team. Iuk is gone. Piercel was a guy who one of the reasons people thought he might and did slip a bit in the draft was because they thought he was something of an injury risk because that's who he was in college. And now, like, so much of what makes Kyle's offense so good is you can, you throw it, you teach the quarterback to throw it

before the guys even made his break. You know what I mean? Like it relies on the, the quarterback, being accurate, which purdy has been, and the receivers being precise in what they're doing. Well, if all of a sudden you're on your fifth, you know what I mean? If you're number five receivers and number two receiver, he's probably not as good of a route runner. He doesn't have as much experience in the system. I think it's a very legitimate concern. I mean, there have been good reports about the rookie Jordan Watkins. Like, he's pretty good, but he is a fourth round pick. Right. And right now, you would have to say, like, that's one that is clearly one of the weaker receiving groups in the league.

Until Ayyuk gets back, it definitively is. And even when he comes back, you see what he looks like. Sinci bounce back season. That's next on First Things First. Who are you from Cincinnati? That's one of these spots. Welcome back to the show. In episode two, a quarterback on Netflix.

Joe Burr talks about blocking out the noise around the Bengals slow start. Then the show immediately cuts to Brue who yells at the camera. It's over. Was that wrong? You nailed it. Well, it's a new year and good news. First round pick Shemar Stewart, who finally signed. said the past is the past.

Take a listen. I'm happy to be in Bengal. I'm happy that I got driving here. You know, we have a long relationship ahead of us. You know, there's no bad blood, you know. This is how things go sometimes. Brew, you sounded the alarm bells early last year about Cincinnati. Do you expect this year to be different?

I'm not writing them off. You guys know I'm torn between the Steelers and the Bengals for my second best team in the AFC North. But, and Rick's, guy, our producer, like Al Golden has got to work magic. Like, because we all know what the problem is, the defense,

right? And... Offensive lines aren't great either. Right, but Burroughs dealt with that, a lot of his career. But we, and we've seen it, Vic Fangio, that Philly defense was bad two years ago. And he goes in there and all of a sudden it tops in the league.

So it can happen. I'm not saying it's likely. Obviously, Lou Anna Rumo was really good. But then I look at their schedule too. Obviously their own division. They're playing the NFC North. Then they also got Buffalo, Miami, like you have some strong offenses that you have to face with this defense that right

now we're saying, I mean, look, Shamar Stewart, I think is a great pick. We'll see what he does as a rookie. But I'm the biggest change right now is the offensive coordinator. I mean, the defensive coordinator. And you're missing right now your best defensive player. I think they'll get Hendrickson done. They better, if they don't get him done going into the season, coach. Here's the bright spot for them.

They should start 2 and 0 if not 1 in 1. They never start 2. I know, but you got the bingo, you got the Browns, and then you got the Jaguars. At the very least, you should be one-on-one, which is an improvement for them. Last year they started with the Patriots. You think if they start 0-2,

if they start 0-2 this year, to wrap. They're going to probably have a new coach at the end of the season, assuming they wouldn't make the player. They start 0-2. They might have a new coach before the end of the season. Let's just talk about where everybody's talking about the defense, right? That's the problem. That's the problem.

I love it. I'm excited. I'm serious. But we've got a couple different problems, right? So last season, the receivers, they were frustrated with their contract. They were holdouts. You know, then there was the issue, you know, Joe Burrow heard his calf. I don't remember if that was last year or the year before.

but we talked about the slow starts. Just bring up the numbers just so you can put it in perspective. So this is what it's been, okay? In the one year they didn't really have a slow start. That's the Super Bowl year. And these one in threes, one in threes, two and two. So there's two issues here. One of it is a coaching issue.

So when you've got, we just killed, yeah, we just killed McDermott. Yeah, we just killed McDermott because he can't beat Kansas City in the playoffs. And we're not saying anything about, I mean, this, there is. They did beat Kansas City in the playoffs. There is an element of coaching here. for the slow start. And then the second thing is you paid everybody on offense.

Everybody on offense brought a new Lamborghini or 10 of them, okay? So maybe your defense isn't going to be very good. It's probably not going to be what you needed to be. But if you bring up that schedule again, you're going to have to outscore these guys. You're going to have to outscore the bronze. You're going to have to outscore. Go right on down the line. The only top five scoring defense in the first four weeks is Denver.

It's Denver. So you paid the offense, the offense is filled with stars, you've had a history of slow starts, you should have worked on that. It's all right there. It's all right there in front of you. It's all right there in front of you. And it's going to be, there is no reasonable explanation as to why next year will be different than last year. None. Because here's the thing, even if, like, I think Luana Rumo was good.

I think he had, I think that to coach's point, he did not have, they spent their resources on the offense. And I think Anorumo, to go back to the bill's conversation, if the, if everyone who plays in the AFC that isn't Kansas City has kind of multiple goals, but one of them is to reach the ultimate goal, we have to be able to deal with Kansas City in the playoffs. I wouldn't have gotten rid of the one defensive coordinator that over the last five years has given Mahomes trouble. I think it's a mistake because even if maybe you get marginally better in certain ways and then all of a sudden Mahomes does to you in the playoffs what he does to the bills. So I wouldn't have done it, but they... Bofalo, you should probably bring him in. Well, I said that.

Like, 100% that I... But I think it's weird because McDermott's a defensive guy is running his defense. You can't run that defense back. That's a... Well, it was... They blamed it on... They blamed it on him as opposed to blaming it on the personnel, which I think... Listen, you drafted an awesome safety.

It was great for you and Jesse Bates. You didn't pay him. You have Trey Hendrickson who you wanted a new contract two years ago. You're like, no, prove it to us again. He leads the league in sacks. You still won't give him the money. So I think that why I am so pessimistic by the Bengals is, I don't think it is realistic that Burrow will have quite as good of a year as he did last year,

just because that was a career year by him, a career. Jamar Chase wins the Triple Crown, all of it. So it's similar what I was saying about Sequin. If last year was an A triple plus, let's just say he, instead of getting 100 on the test, he gets a 95. And the offense just takes a tick down. They can't sustain it.

They couldn't sustain it with that offense. And so I think the Bengals are staring at a third straight year of missing the playoffs. And that should be unacceptable with that quarterback and those receivers. But I think that's what they're staring at. I think we all said this going into this situation. but as good as T. Higgins is, it was an absolute mistake to, if you had to choose between him and Trey Hendrickson,

I'm giving the money to Trey. Just because I already have Jamar Chase and a couple other pretty decent receivers, and I get it. The offense would take a step back, but the offense would still be great. That was a big mistake. You spent the money, so now lean into it.

That's right. Go outscore, but this is what we've chosen, and we could look back at and say, oh, we should have done this or we should have done that. Try to get something done with Hendrickson to pacify him for a year. Look, he did do a new deal not too long ago. He just wants a new deal every time someone else gets a new deal. But he's way underpaid code. He may be way.

He's at like half the market. But it's not like he hasn't done a new deal here. It's not that far removed from a new deal. But whatever. Let's go get him worked out even if it's on short term. And then lead into the fact that you're going to have. to score 30, 35 every game to win. But coach's old saying is just

just because you pay guys doesn't make them better. It just makes them more expensive. More expensive. And that's the, and the offense is not going to get better. It's almost impossible for it to get better. Their quarterback almost won MVP, even though they missed the playoffs. The offense was so good. And I just see nothing like I do,

listen, drafting Shemar Stewart, I think, was smart and I'm glad they got him into camp. But I don't think that is enough to move the needle significantly in that division. Let's head down to Jacksonville. Coach Liam Cohen talked about supporting his quarterback who threw for 41 touchdowns, just one interception as a senior at Carter'sville High School in Georgia. We need him to play well, but we're going to have to play well around him and help him.

We've got to run the football better to help Trevor Lawrence. We've got to turn over the ball more on defense to help Trevor Lawrence. Trevor needs to take it over, and he's done a phenomenal job of learning the system, putting in the time and the work. And that's great for $300 million. dollars. Jacksonville. Oh, it's just good. He's working. Number one overall draft. Yeah, you know, he's out there.

What would you rather insane? No, he could. He got to bind. You know what? I saw him with his nose in a book. That's just fantastic. Franchise. Face of the franchise. What do you want Liam going to say? I think at one point he's the highest paid player in the NFL. What do you want? Guys working hard.

Isn't that good? I saw him on the elliptical the other day. Jacksonville. Second best odds in the AFC South before I was distracted. excuse me more faith in Houston or Jacksonville all right I'm going to make a proclamation here oh oh right I know it's not predictions week no so this isn't a team related prediction we'll wait for that for predictions week but and you guys can clip this save this throw it back if Trevor does not have a better year this year than C.J. Stroud the nickname's gone

I mean, that's... Nicknames gone. How are we measuring better? I'll let you guys vote on. I'll stay out of it. I'll abstain. I trust Bruce and coach's integrity. Okay.

And you can be the deciding vote if they disagree, KW. I think they're going to disagree. I think that Houston's offensive line was hugely problematic last year, and they traded away their best offensive linemen. I think that the receiver injuries are significant, and now all of a sudden, Joe Mixon is bang. up in camp. Jackson, on the other hand, got better on the offensive line, brought in Travis Hunter. Brian Thomas Jr. was phenomenal last season, should only be better in year two. I think that the coaching, like the Wilde's take that if you've won a Super Bowl as a head coach, you have to be above all the non-super winning head coaches. It's really put to the test by old

Doug Peterson, but he's gone now. And I think Liam Cohen will be good for Trevor. And I think that they're, while I don't love the back end of their defense at all, I think that they will have a good pass rush and I like Bigsby and Etienne, but they might trade at TN, I like Biggsby. So I think Jacksonville can be good and I think Trevor understands

what's at stake for him this season, and I think he will have the best season of his career and be the best quarterback in that division. But there's no excuses. I'm leaving no room for excuses. Was that proclamation similar to the Jim Harbaugh proclamation, just missing the he works harder

than anybody else part. That's what I would have. Like, it sounded like, hey, we all have to do our part. But when Jim said it, he said, it's because the quarterback is setting this example

in so many different areas. And I didn't get that same sense from... Well, Liam's not quite as slick as Coach Harbaugh. I just didn't get that same sense of conviction that the work ethic is leading, is leading the group. And this is his fifth year. Right.

This is... About time. Yeah. It's... If he doesn't, doesn't do it this year, when's it going to happen? Exactly. I agree.

With the next, you know, two or three teams down the road. But I'm hoping for it because I love the trumpeteers. I love those guys. And I really. This is devastating for them. They're at home like, what? Yeah, I really look forward to when they come in, good or bad. Yeah.

The first look, that, that was, I mean, first of all, the nickname has been gone from a He's brought it back. This is like when someone slowly sells their stock. I'm not. You were done with, he's quite, he's been quiet quitting for you. Yeah, exactly, exactly. I'm not doing any of that. You went like a season or three.

He was hurt. So we didn't talk about it without calling him. Because we didn't, he wasn't on the show. He was trapped. Stop. You know, so, but. It was a proclamation. No, I have more faith in, in the Texas.

I mean, who's got the better quarterback? Well, that's the... To be seen. That's the question. But right now, C.J. The better head coach? I mean, yeah, we'll see what Liam... Right now.

DeBinko's been good to. Okay. Now do the right... The better defense. Texas. So far to... Okay. You're right about the offensive line.

But again, C.J's... Offensive line, why receivers running that? Receivers, I would give to Jacksonville. But Nico is a very good receiver. I think bringing in Christian Wilkes, Christian Kirk. I mean, Christian Kirk, yeah. He, that's a good number two receiving.

I watched him in, man. You've always liked him more than me. He's done things in this league. I'm just saying like that, for them losing Tankdale and Stefan Diggs, this isn't a bad catch-up. But the better receiving course Jacksonville. And the better running back room is Jacksonville.

No, I think Mixing, if healthy, is the best running back of the two teams. I don't think that's even with these questions. Well, I worry about his health and his age. Okay, but if he's healthy, he's the best. And so, listen, I am, I strategically, for, you know, take protection, I should be going the other way. I should be talking about how, you know, Travis is going to, you know, be a work in progress, rookie head coach, all these things. I am Jim Morris style.

You can in his fifth year. Not Jim Mora, a fossil, the Giants coach, put all the chips in the middle of the table. Was it fossil? It was possible. You could have used a poker term there. Well, that's what he did. Yeah. I know, but you could have just gone right to poker.

I understand, but you guys don't know if I would have said Michael Mizraki. style wouldn't have meant anything. I'm just right. As much as you love, that car. So the point that I'm making is I am adding to the pressure on the prince because he is, he did have

41 touchdowns and one pick as a senior in high school. He was one of the greatest college players ever. He is in year. He is in year five. And he's on the third head coach. He's got to make it work. He's going to. Head to Cleveland where Pickett's got a

handstring. Joe Flacko's got first team reps. And Chidor still with the practice squad, Brew. Do you think Chador deserves more first-team reps? Well, look, I'm obviously not there seeing how he's playing. He's not getting any first-team reps. I don't know what, I think yesterday was nine for nine with two touchdowns. I have no idea.

Do we have it? Oh, yeah, of course. Yeah, I would like to see. Practice stats, coach, bam, that's yesterday. Again, these are fluid. I have no idea what that means. I'll tell you what it means. No pass hit the ground and two out of nine were touchdown.

We have no idea who they're playing. Might be coaches out there. Team, might be the guy with the boxing on a stick. Would you like to see today's, bro? Just add. Yeah, I would. Because I'm close to do it.

Not quite as sharp. But again, Dylan Gabriel, you see that column on the right, that one pick? Not great. All right, go ahead as you were. Time out. Can I just dig into this? Coach, is it normally go through a practice

with not one team score, your whole offense has scored? One touchdown? Like, can we just do some red zone? No, no. They can run the ball too, buddy. I wanted to throw a touch. Okay, well, I'm saying.

How do the offense go? On Monday, Shador threw two. You didn't like that. On Tuesday, I don't know when he's playing again. The Browns. That's what he was playing. Maybe the Browns. Definitely the Browns.

Maybe some guy. No, the 13. Who is he going to be on the Browns? Yeah, well, we'll see. And who is he going against and who's he doing it with? It says the second and 13. This is the most blind argument that we have. So, the great thing for Shador,

And for Dylan Gabriel is the fact that Kenny Pickett got hurt. Okay, that's because everything changes dramatically. Joe Flacco is going to be on a pitch count because of his age. So that means there's this volume of reps now that was going to the designated number two that's going to be split between Chador and Dylan. And what you're trying to do is a coaching staff is you're going to try to balance those reps out. So Chador gets more red zone one day with the second group or the first group. However, however they...

He's got no first team reps here. But I think those are going to change. I think that's going to change depending on, you know, how much, if those numbers are realistic, okay? And but it's a fantastic situation for both those guys and you balance it off of staff. So Cedar Gets more Red Zone today, Dylan gets more red zone tomorrow. Dillon gets more third down today. Shador gets more third down tomorrow. So at the end of the week, cumulatively, you're looking at it like versus like.

and you can see how these two guys worked against each other. And just to be clear, even though we don't understand those stats, and none of those drills you want to throw an interception, right? No, you're not looking to throw an interception. But this is from a understanding what you have with those two guys, Kenny Pickett getting hurt is great organizationally because you can actually evaluate those two young guys a lot more aggressively than you could when Kenny Pickett was there.

Look, I do think if Shadour is playing, well. I mean, these numbers look good, but if he's playing well, because they seem to like Gabriel better. They drafted him higher. Yeah. He's going to get more initially. Shadur, I think, and you can answer this, coach.

Like, the players, if Shadur is playing well, even if it's with the backups, I think the players at some point are going to be like, let's see what he can do with the first unit, because one, we know he played well at Colorado. He was thought to be a first

round pick. He's got more upside, we think, than Gabriel. And I think he seems like, I bet he gets along with his teammates. He's a likable guy and, you know, popular and all that. And that last name comes with something, some respect. And so

if he actually is looking good in practice with the second and third teamers and they're just not giving him first team reps and Gabriel's looking okay, but I think that could cause a problem with the players being like, can we see like he can do.

Nobody's looking to get fired. So if he's the best player, it's in everybody's best interest to bump him up. So you may, you didn't draft him. You know, he wasn't the guy that you drafted ahead of it. But at the end of the day,

if he's better, you're going to do what's selfishly the best interest. I'm not a short guy. I just love the practice stats. I just love it. Shout out our magical. He looks like an all-time. The SP in Cleveland is.

Josh, the only person who dislikes him more than me is NFL Top 100 rules. On, Nick Bosa coming in at 57 brew. We still haven't seen 30. Is he going to appear or just be shut out of the NFL top 100? A week ago, I thought there's no chance he's not in the top 100. Now, I will be surprised if players have him ahead of Matthew Stafford and Nick Bosa.

Yeah. I think he should be in the top 100. I thought he'd be in the 50s. Maybe he will, but that's hard to. Classic one, KW. 48 coming in. We'll see. See you tomorrow at 3 o'clock, I think.