First Things First - Russell Westbrook Retires, Ben Johnson Wants Best Offense Ever, Nick’s Tiers

Episode Date: August 12, 2026

(00:00) Russell Westbrook announces retirement, Lakers new ownership, and Ben Johnson wants highest-scoring offense ever (24:36) Drake Maye says his job isn't to try to keep everyone happy (38:37) Agree with Dak saying Cowboys shouldn't be hesitant to say they're S.B.O.B.? (48:45) Nick reveals The Committee's inaugural Tiers (01:09:50) Are the Seahawks underrated? (01:18:33) Which coaches are on the hot seat? (01:25:30) Will Buxton joins the show to preview Freedom250GP (01:31:13) Danny LOVES Ben Johnson's latest quote + the coolest stats around (01:54:27) Bears CB Jaylon Johnson joins the show to discuss camp and preview the upcoming season (02:04:02) Danny gives his Cowboys schedule predictions (02:12:33) First Things Last Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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In a very cool video, Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement from the NBA, nine-time All-Star, two-time All-N-BA first team, MVP in 2017, 11 years in OKC, had stints in Houston, the Lakers, the Clippers, Denver, Washington, Sacramento, but really a legendary player for the Thunder, Brewer, reaction to this news. Well, look, I think you said it, legendary.

And he is. He is a legend. I think he will be remembered. He obviously didn't win a championship. But he'll be remembered as an athletic marvel. Yep. A spectacle. Like when you can play sports at the highest level,

which obviously the NBA is, you're talking about the greatest athletes in the world, and you stand out for your athleticism. It's a good team. And your energy. That's special. Now, I used to say he would be iconic, like an Alan Iverson,

like a pistol Pete Marevich who also neither won championships but they're icons. I said it because he averaged for triple double four years. Yokic doing it the last two years has taken a little bit of shine off. It's still

a tremendous achievement. He's the only one to do it four times. Yokish with two, Oscar Robertson with one. But if Yokic had never done it, it would just be like, this is incredible. I think now we feel like maybe

somebody, maybe Luca one year, you know, somebody else might do it as well and Yokish might do it a few more times. So that takes, that to me takes a little bit of his iconic status. I don't think he'll be an icon. He'll be a legend, all time great, obviously a Hall of Famer,

on the top 75 team already, rightly so. And he's just, you know, I could put him in the category of an Irish I would say, I think you'd rank Iverson ahead of him. Touch higher. But yeah, but Iverson, of course, I do think is iconic. Like he just, he kind of is the poster child for the meshing of NBA and hip hop culture. Russell doesn't have that, but a legend, all time great.

And I'm actually, I mean, look, if he had played, it would have been fine. But, you know, you don't, it's not always great to see the legends kind of on the decline. LeBron is still obviously playing at a very high level. Westbrook's not at the same level. Played well last year, but I think it's good that he stepping away and he should get his flowers. When this show first started was the year he won his MVP. And even then, in the midst of winning the MVP,

he was somewhat polarizing amongst, you know, basketball media, basketball fans, but certainly at that point, point the fledgling and now full-fledged analytics crew of how good is he really and i remember i used one of the things i used to say 10 years ago was if you have a kid that plays sports russ might be the number one guy i would tell them to watch as far as you have no idea the time of the game if it's a playoff game or not the score of the game if you watch his effort And I thought that that was so admirable.

Even if you're playing for Sacramento. Say it again? Even when you're playing for Sacramento. Yes. But this was, again, you know, when he was with the thunder. But yes, it was, he was full energy at all times, full effort. And I do think the analytics community has a hole in some of the algorithms is the way the difficulty of being that high use. what it does to your own efficiency, but how it potentially helps some of your teammates'

efficiency because like Iverson took all the bad shots for Phil. For the Sixers. And so Peek Russ, I think, was a better player than he is remembered for being by some of the smart numbers. Yeah. And I agree with everything you said. I think we would probably have him around the same spot on our all time list. I tried to jot it out. He's right around, like, right outside the top 10 for best guards ever, but inside the top...

Just guards, guards, period, like, but inside the top 15, he's in my top 40-ish players of all time. He's in, like, the same area of, like, I have him ahead of Nash and, you know, right behind AI, right around Walt Frazier, that area. And so I want to give him his flower, especially today. I also think he is, cautionary tale is too strong, but a bit of a lesson in refusal to evolve or adjust and how that can hurt you once you're no longer the athletic marvel he was at the beginning of his career. Because I think he could have had a better, more productive, and not individually productive, but team winning wise, been part of winning more if once he was no longer the best athlete in the league. he was willing to adjust a bit, but he never. I remember last week, I think it was last week, you said to Josh Allen. Can he play different?

Can he play different? I don't know that Russ could. How many years did he play? 18. 18? Yeah. He was what he was. I agree with you that that was necessary for him to really win.

But I just think he was what he was. Final note, I'll put a bookend on your statement. My son's name is Russell and his. his first NBA game, we went to see Russell Westbrook because it was like his favorite player. So we went to the guard and he has a little Westbrook jersey on. And also just outside of basketball, it always, I remember when he left OKC. And then I remember very quickly he was back in OKC running his charity there.

So obviously like a great basketball player also just by all accounts, a great guy. He's like by the NBA legendary tipper, great to the people around the arenas. Like his, his, like, he's kind of like surly on the court, like with my only friend was basketball. But off the court, he is considered one of the best guys in the league. And I don't know. And look at the loyalty show, though, Casey. Yes. Yep.

You know. Great, great. Congratulations to Russ. Other basketball news happening today, the Lakers were sold again. Mark Walters group, which owns the Dodgers, bought the Lakers in June for a record $10 billion, previous June. And then turn around and sold them. for 12.5 billion new owners former Disney CEO Robert Eiger and Josh Kushner that group releasing a statement that said our long-term commitment is to build on

the Lakers Foundation compete at the highest level and serve this extraordinary team its fans in the city of Los Angeles your reaction to this macro level and how do you think this filters down to on the court my macro level is this is a little weird a little bit and I've never seen house flipping, but with the NBA crown jewel franchise. And they were sold for a valuation of $10 billion, like you said, just about a year ago, now sold with the valuation of $12.5 billion. So one way to look at it is, hey, 25% return in a year, you know, sign me up for that hedge fund.

That's great. Yeah. The specter of what you can ignore, Wall Street Journal reporting just a couple weeks ago, that Mark Walters, the main guy in this group, the Walters group, is under FBI investigation. I think it's also hard to ignore the fact that he was just at the White House because of the Dodgers celebration. And a couple weeks later, the brother of the president's son-in-law owned, you know, bought the Lakers. Like that is, that is, that, those are all just timeline accurate things that happened. And it is very, all of this is very odd, particularly on the heels of them potentially trying to buy the World Cup, not being able to do that.

And so I think there will be good, really good investigative journalism on how all of this came together. I know the reporting today is this happened in three days. That feels unlikely to me that you can buy the Los Angeles Lakers on a Wednesday. after first broaching it on a Sunday. But again, I'm not doing the reporting. It just strikes me as difficult. I tried to buy a house once. It took three months.

Buy a house. A lot of paperwork. But on the court, I do know that when the Walters group came in, everyone's like a new day in Los Angeles. They know how to run pro sports teams. You're going to have the smartest people. You're not going to lack for resources, all of this. I'm not saying Cushner and Iger won't do that.

do have some history in, you know, Kushner owns a piece of the heat. He's going to have to divest of that. Iger owns an NWSL team. So they have some, you know, history there. But it's not the rich history of what the Dodgers folks had. So if I were a Laker fan today, I don't think I'm overwhelmed in a positive direction by this news. But my initial reaction was a little confusion and surprise at never seeing a team flipped like

this, especially a team like the Lakers. I feel like speculation based on the reporting, I feel like this is definitely related to the investigation. Like maybe Mark Walters got a tip, whatever, that he's going to need some money. And so I think he did. You don't buy a team to flip it like a house, as you said. I mean, you just don't, especially the Lakers. These are the Lakers.

Like this is the glamour franchise of the NBA. So that's my take on it. I could be wrong. Just devil's advocate. It's nice to make $2 billion. How much is he worth? How much money is he worth? Yeah, but you don't think he bought it.

I mean, I know it's all leveraged and everything, but I'm saying it's a pretty sweet return. No, but I just. He's probably worth so much money. I don't know the number offhand, but. No, I guess my only response that I agree with you, but if they're worth $12.5 billion today, unless he thinks it's going to go down, it's going to be worth more, you know what I mean, in the future. And one would think he bought it for a long-term thing.

something I agree. If it went up two and a half billion in nine months. Or the bus family made a terrible deal. Well, that's it. That it was worth 12 last year and they sold it for 10 because they screwed up. And I don't think they made it terrible. Just quickly on the fine.

And this is not our wheelhouse. Yeah. But it's worth noting the Celtics are also a marquee franchise. They don't own their building. The Lakers rent from Aegee. They sold for $6 billion. Well, that's why I don't think the buses got robbed. Double the lake, you know, to, we had $2.

12.5. But he threw out a huge number to, you know. But anyway, as far as I agree with you that Walters, they know what they're doing. Look at the Dodgers. Yes. I mean, the Dodgers were great, but just couldn't get over the hump. And they went out there and spent all the money it takes to create a super team. And they've won the last two World Series.

Paying for it for decades. But some interesting. No, I mean, he does. Go ahead. he's doing whatever it takes to win. Now I get it, baseball doesn't have the salary cap like the NBA. No, but Wild's his point, he's also deferring a lot of that money down the way. Oh, yeah.

Everyone's on like the Bobby Bonilla deal. Hey, that's all right. He's trying to win now. I bet you the fans, you know, appreciate it. But so I think Iger, you know, obviously on Disney for a long time, or CEO of Disney, you know, you would think he'd be a good owner and stuff. But the Walters, you know that group knew what they were doing. as far as the basketball team

look and this is not regardless of what the ownership was I think now I threw out last year and I never would have said this two years ago I threw out last season it is very much on the board and Luca is phenomenal

it would be an all time great but it's on the board he never wins a championship and I would I'm leaning well over 50% now that he doesn't he could why I just, I think the West is so strong and the teams are younger and the Lakers spend a lot of their money, which it looks like a solid team, a good team, but I don't think they're better than some of the teams they need to go through. So he did release a statement today. Yep.

I don't think we pulled it, but it was just kind of a boilerplate. But it was interesting that he has the face. It was sort of like, I'm officially the face of the team. Here's my statement. I had it. My number one question kind of speaks to what you said. We heard countless articles or read countless articles. Like, you know what?

They're going to take all the analytics guys from the Dodgers, bring them over. Magic's guy, Juan Rosen, became the Dodgers guy. Then he moved over to the Lakers. What happens to this? Are people being fired now, or is this Eiger-Kusner group? Yeah, line is great. So it'll be interesting to see you write what they do. Do you have more?

Who's the running the show now? One other question, and then very quickly one observation. we move on. One question is also if you remember it was in writing unlike the Cuban thing with the Walters deal but Janie Bus stays in charge for like the next five years. How does that now survive

a new ownership? I would think they would get rid of that. That's what I think again this is where I don't know how the contract law and things like that. The other thing that I just want to say to sports fans as a whole as these teams have these insane

valuations. We are, you're running out of human beings, individual human beings who it's like, I started a business, I did great, I'm going to buy my local sports team. And instead, it is, as we are into decad billions of dollars to cost these teams, it is, it is trickier and trickier to acquire that type of money without potentially all of a sudden having a Wall Street Journal article written like, hey, you might be in some trouble. And I've not been overwhelmed by some of the newest NBA owners. Matt Ishby is one of the newest ones.

He's in the Wall Street Journal today for, you know, for various reasons. The newest owner for the Blazers, Tom Dundon, no malfeasance, but I just don't love how he's doing things. The casino folks who bought the Mavs. And so, and now Walters, who we liked buying the Lakers, all of a sudden he flips it. Like, I do worry about sports in general that the more. that you need, like, for an investment and, you know, private equity and things like that, is it going to get a little messier at the ownership level rather than, will we long for the days of Jerry Jones?

Guy made a bunch of money, bought a team, ran it himself. Like, I do wonder. Yeah, it feels it's a little mom and pop. Exactly. Like, we're actually owned by a huge hedge fund. Yeah, for real, as opposed to, like, the Merrill family. Which is what Walters is kind of being investigated. And so I think that is just something that came to mind when I see how much these teams are worth.

That's interesting. Okay, we're moving on to the NFL. Chicago writer Dan Pompey at the Athletic sat down with Bears coach Ben Johnson. Who we learn usually wakes up before 4.30 a.m. Thinking about how his Bears can redefine greatness. That's what Pompey is writing. Here's one of two quotes from the Bears coach. Buckle up.

You've got 31 other teams coming. to training camp saying our goal is to win the Super Bowl. I want more than that. I want to have the highest scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos. I know how many points per game they scored, 37.9. And I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts. Before we get your reaction, I'm not done. There's actually more. He also asked about the consecutive victories record, which the Patriots hold 21. straight W's. What does Ben Johnson say? Well, why can't we do that? There has never been an undefeated season since we've moved past the, you know, the dolphins. The moon is the Super Bowl.

We're shooting beyond that for the stars. Okay, very buzz light-eary from Ben Johnson. Your reaction to Ben Johnson's ambition. I will say this. I do like his energy and his intensity. and credit to Dan Pompei, who wrote the article for the athletic, go read it. It's a great article. I thought it, his energy and intensity jumped off the pages. Like, I almost felt, I felt it as I was reading. Yeah, I felt, reading the story, I felt like, man.

Ben stressing 250. This guy is a ball of energy. And I do think there is a positive in that. Like, him going into the facility, being so optimistic, being so energetic. We can do this. We can do that. I do think players can respond positively

to that. I think it raises the standard and really makes them believe. Now, I think there's a downside. I think it's a mixed bag. And the quotes he had, it's right there. When you say,

I want more than the Super Bowl. He's like to think, if you win the Super Bowl by a point, on the last second field goal, 17 to 14, you're not going to be happy because you didn't hit 38 points because you didn't shut the team. Like, I think that is disrespectful to the rest of the NFL. And if I'm an opposing coach, I'm pointing this out, this dude thinks that he and his team

are the guys give to football. Let's go out there. I mean, really. Yes. But when you say, we're going to be going undefeated, we're going to average 30. He wants to be a, he's saying they're going to be a mix of the 85 bears, the greatest show on turf. Yep. And throw in the Tom Brady, Randy, Randy Moss Patriots.

So I'm going undefeated and then also starting the next year, four and oh. Yeah. For the record. Yeah. Week five. And I was, look, you're not coaching the Catholic high school in your city where you recruit all the best talent and you beat up on the inner city public schools that don't have a budget. All right. This is the NFL, and I think it comes off as disrespectful.

As I said, if it works, he will be lauded. He will be legendary. If it doesn't work, he will be made to look, especially if they don't play well at all. He will be made, he will look like a clown who didn't understand the level of football you are playing at. This is the NFL. Every team has great players. I'm not known as the big spender on this. show, the gambling man, that's really you. I'm willing to gamble everything that I've got.

I'm all in, all of my assets and my family's assets. That the Chicago Bears this year will not run off a 21-game win streak, have the highest scoring offense of all time, and throw in a few shutouts along the way. I don't think that. And I don't think Ben Johnson should either. Okay. Last year, we also were on the hype train for Ben Johnson last year. week one, they lost to J.J. McCarthy, and they fell apart in the fourth quarter. Then for the whole year, and I know we have a lot of recency bias, because at the end of the season, they beat the Packers, which were on a terrible losing streak. They were also the two-seat, right? They were the two-seed and won their division, like your team.

Yeah, they were on the two-seeing won their division like your team. I mean, we did go to the Super Bowl. I understand, no, but I'm saying, I'm just saying not to minimize what they did over the game. You guys lost week one, they lost week one. You guys both ended up two seed one year division. You guys had a better year. But I don't think we had a better year. I don't think we can just minimize what they did last year.

They were hyped last year and they reached the hype. They had he is an offensive genius. Were they first in points last year? No, they were ninth. They were ninth in points. You know, they scored one more point than the Baltimore Ravens who had a disaster of the season had to fire everybody. One of Lamar's worst here.

The coach is out, offense coordinator out. What's going on? Everything's broken. We got no wide receivers. Derek Henry Wash. What's going on? There was one more point. One more.

And now he's like, you know what? We're prime to do. Be the best offense of all time. It's hubris to the highest degree. So I agree with that what you're saying. Listen, I think the line is, and it doesn't really make sense, actually, but you shoot for the moon. So if you fall short, you land amongst the stars.

Yeah. Which really, I don't think actually from an astrology, astronomy perspective is accurate. Stars are quite far away. Stars are further. He's kind of twisting it. I agree with you, KW. He's not going to reach those goals,

but if you fall short of highest scoring offense ever, fall short of an undefeated season, but win a Super Bowl at some point, nobody cares that you said bigger things. So I don't mind him having these goals. I think saying it to a reporter is ridiculous. except for this and this is where our

you're and my only Ben Johnson rub is this is who he's always been he has always at every opportunity wanted to be if not the lead actor the co-star

of his team's offensive movies and when he was the play caller for the lions I was the only person who didn't like it when they were doing trick plays up 30. And I was like, I hope you have a lot more left. You guys loved it.

And you were all over it. And you wanted them to run the, to stick it to the cowboys. They lined up. They lined up. You loved it. So I'm surprised that you're surprised that now that he is the head coach, he is coming off even though I, and I do think you minimized it, a very successful season.

They were a four or five win team. Caleb was, people were in training game last year. Like, I don't know. What about Bayesian and his arm wrestling dead? And all of a sudden, they win the division. They win a playoff game. All those things. The ninth best scoring offense in the league for the Bears is amazing.

Like they're not historically a good offense. To be surprised that he is leaning into who he's always been is to me silly. Like this, he has been a guy that talks a lot that is very brash. For a guy who talks a lot, this is like he's. This is beyond, we've never heard a quote like this. No, I've been doing the show for like five years. This is way. We talk about like, man, you shouldn't be talking about the Super Bowl.

He's talking about winning the Super Bowl and then starting next year, undepated and going after legendary teams. No, I, listen, I said, here's what it feels like. The only thing I can comp it to. it feels like the personality we've seen from a lot of legendary college coaches. Feels like Steve Spurrier. Feels like the, where you are the star. Where you are the star of the program.

No, no, and you are, you know, and this is what we're going to do. You're right. We don't hear about it in the NFL. I do think he's a very good coach and I think they're going to be good. And I think he is a very sharp offensive mind. But I think it is a touch. unfair to Ben Johnson. Real Canadian Superstore has everything you need this back-to-school season.

Save on lunchbox savers like Ziggy's sliced deli-meat products for always 375. And get Life Brand Pure Vita shampoo or conditioner for $8 each. At Real Canadian Superstore, when you're ready, we're ready, with a whole world and more. To be surprised that Ben Johnson has stayed Ben Johnson. Predictions week coming up, August. I mean, what have... See, we have, this is a great... Is it Mandela effect?

What is it? Where like KW was convinced Ben Johnson took his shirt off a bunch. I thought he did it once. I couldn't believe he did it one time. Been haunting me in my nightmare. You only have to do it once. How many times do you take your shirt off, Coach? I mean, every day, but when you have a body like this, why would you hide it?

You know what I mean? Predictions week. It's going to be great. Also, coach, in the article said he can do 250 bench six times. You can. That was impressive. I think I did do 250 six times. Yeah.

That was impressive. Head to New England. Drake May was asked about a good problem. Having too many weapons in only one football, he was asked about what his plan was for keeping everyone engaged and happy. And here's what he said. The best thing for that is winning. I think nobody really, you know, try us to complain when you win games. And I think nobody's, you know, really, you know, that prideful in this sport about, you know, personal staff or achievements when we're winning games. You know, my job isn't to try to make everybody happy. You know, I think my job is to, you know, have the offense, you know, move up and down the field and score points. Make me happy. Your reaction, Nick, to this wonderful quote from Drake May. I think it is a super smart quote from Drake May.

I think is the exact way the quarterback should look at things. I think the only part that was misguided is when he says, I don't think anybody's worried about stats as long as you're winning games. I don't know if he's up to date on the Patriots offseason transactions, but their major addition is maybe my number one draft pick in the league as far as a guy who is on the record that winning games is not what makes me happy. In fact, winning a Super Bowl. Two day.

It'll last two days. And then I will go back to, and Brew and I both ask for this to be pulled. This is the Instagram he posted two days after the Super Bowl. We'll put it in a quote board so people can see what it actually said. I tried to feel everyone made it seem to be a champion. Fortunately, it was short-lived. Two days to be exact. I've never been a champion to highest level for it,

but I thought my hard work would be justified winning at all. It wasn't. My through for this game comes when I dominate. It's the hunt that does it for me. It's when the DB drops his head and surrenders because he can't F with me. Heck yeah. What is? You know, what was?

He had a good Super Bowl. What was not included there was, and I take massive pride in running a go route as a distraction so someone else can get the ball to run the old, for the love of the game, clear out route. So I think Drake May has the right mentality. And I think if you're a Pat's fan, you're hoping A.J. Brown has adjusted his because a lot of those upset A.J. Brown locker press conferences came after wins. It wasn't just the Eagles lost. It was often they won, but the offense wasn't good enough or he didn't get the ball enough and he was upset. So that would be my concern if I were a Pats fan.

Yeah, I think Kevin must have gone to Patriots training camp and used those men in black glasses on Drake May so that he couldn't remember what was said by the dude that they just picked up. And so here's what Drake May said is exactly right. throw the ball to whoever's open. And that's what he did last year, and they were great because of it. Yeah, and he doesn't need to make it exactly right, and that's how Tom Brady did it.

Now, the difference is Tom Brady had cachet and could, as he continued to grow, it didn't matter who came in. He was going to do what he did, and everybody fell in line with that. Drake May's not there yet. And with AJ, it's one of those things where as much as he, as much as he, may try to do that early on. I just don't think he's wired that way. And when you have a young quarterback, he's going to get a lot of pressure. And he hasn't had to deal with a personality like that. The Stefan Diggs that he dealt with was on team number four. Okay, so that, or three or four. No, four. It was four. So, so it was a radically different type of Stefan Diggs. And he got a great

version of it. And, and I've worked with challenging wide receivers that believe there always open, whether they're covered or not. And it doesn't happen. It doesn't stay quiet. The frustration doesn't get hashed out in the meeting rooms. It gets hashed out on the field. It gets hashed out, you know, on the practice

field, and it can be a real problem. Yeah, I hate to say it wilds, but this is problematic. No way. AJ, he wants numbers. He wants a gold jacket. And he's got his Super Bowl. And that obviously didn't

He's got a Super Bowl and his money. He's got his money. He wants to put up numbers and dominate, and that means he wants a ton of targets, all right? Look, he went off in Philadelphia. Jalen Hertz was his good friend at one point. Like, really good friends at one point. I don't think he has that relationship with Drake May.

He had not only been to a quarterback that hadn't been to a Super Bowl like Drake May, he had a quarterback who had won a Super Bowl and been the MVP, still did not deter him. So Drake May doesn't have close to the cash. I don't know if a quarterback has enough cash for AJ to be like quiet. Okay, I'll just respect the situation. He did it with Devante Smith, who really is a number one. We'll see that this year.

As his second receiver, you think he's going to respect Kishon Booty and, you know. Okay, yeah, Romeo Dobbs. He's not close to Devante Smith. Romeo Dobbs. Very good player. He had Sequin Barclay as his running back. Remindre Stevens is supposed to. He had all these other weapons and was not happy sharing the wealth.

What's he going to do in New England now? Would you say it would be his dream to be in the Hall of Fame? Yes. That's his ultimate goal. I think that's fair. You know what else is very powerful? Childhood dreams. And when you see a guy who has always wanted to be a patriot and is steeped in patriot culture,

finally wind up in the Patriots and post things on his Instagram with a song called Heaven and is just radiating joy and happiness, I think that he is going to be happy following the Patriots culture that he saw growing up. So here is a stat of Patriots culture last year. and even in Tampa Bay. Teams to make the Super Bowl with the most players with 35 or more receptions, including the players. So the Patriots last year, the Bucks in 2020, and then the Saints. So I think A.J. Brown gets it.

I think that he has always, like, wanted to be a Patriot. So you're saying that that was a distribution of targets to multiple players. Yeah. And he's saying he thinks that AJ's going to be fun with that. I think the patriot he thinks about is Randy Moss. That one year when Moss was attacked. Well, I don't know. He freaked out when he had an Edelman jersey.

The guy has, there's what I think is unfair to A.J. Brown. A.J. Brown had a few comments that even you agree with, like, hey, this offense is basically broken in Philadelphia. And then on the sidelines, he read a book. Oh, do you say that? Like, that's just, oh, and he was reading a book. Can you really read a book? KW. That's just a small thing.

What else was it? He had a few. Tell me. Okay, it was, I mean, it was, I don't know, six or seven locker room press conferences over the course of multiple years, including the first of which was when the Eagles were on a long winning streak and was asked, you know, basically why are you upset? He's like, the passing game's not working. That's what started it.

It then culminated in him telling the world, drop me from your fantasy team when he was on the Twitch stream. I don't let, and it was, and it also. was fractured the relationship between your beloved Jalen Hertz and him to the point. And that's not, you know, us just doing tea leaves. Brandon Graham, midway through it,

went on the radio in Philadelphia. He's like, I don't know what happened. They used to be friends. They're not anymore. Yeah. And he read a book. So, yeah, and he read the book on the sideline again and again.

And whatever this was. But that's fine. I'm not even, what I am most interested in is, what is the evidence you have or why do you have the belief that he has changed? What's happened other than the fact that as a little kid he was on the Patriot? He is in a completely different culture. So if he has 81 catches or whatever. Well, second, it was Vrabel's culture.

And just getting back to the whole childhood dream, don't you think most people dream about winning a Super Bowl if you're a child? Yeah, but I mean, Patriot. He had the dream and made it happen for two days. One in one. You want to be on the Patriots. You're going to go. Yeah. So I think if you were in a situation where the offense is broken, and I like Jalen Hurds,

this is not a jailer on a hurt thing. Well, if you're in a situation where the offense is broken and you're cycling through offensive coordinators and you don't feel like you are being used to the. They won the Super Bowl in the midst of it being broken. Right. Like that's what you was going to like this. He wasn't complaint. This is that's no

he was complaining the year they won the Super Bowl. It looked like he was he was reading the books on the side line. So then it's not a problem. So then what's the problem? So if he's reading a book and wins the Super Bowl, what's the problem? You know what?

I bet him getting traded to the Patriots satisfy him for two days. Guys, there's just no evidence that he is going to be. Winning the Super Bowl playing for the Patriots? I think a few things. One, I think that we're we're misinterpreting his, he's just saying like he's still hungry for winning, for more, no, not for dominating

the game, which can help you win a Super Bowl. Do you know a lot of great players that are traditionally traded twice early in their career because, you know, it's not problematic? Like in the history of the NFL is like, oh, yeah, we have an unbelievable young, talented player, let's trade him. I do. Oh, we have them too. The Titans, we let's trade him.

We let go of Mike Brable, A.J. Brown, and Derek Henry. I just don't think they are the bastion of wise decision. And then if your former coach wants you back, I feel like it's different if your former coach wants you back. But he didn't kidnap him. The Eagles had to walk to get rid of him. This is to me. Because he's wanted to move on. Because he wasn't getting his touches.

I mean, this is to me where it is. Okay. Do you think E.J. Brown will have a successful year with the Patriots this year, yes or no? By whose standards, A.J. Brown standards or league standards? Your own question. I don't know how that chemistry is going to work. I am very concerned about the chemistry. I take that.

I wish I went last. Here's what I, this is what I find the friction here is. Someone is to blame for A.J. Brown and J. Brown and J. Helens. having to break up. You are an ardent, Jalen Hertz is, doesn't get enough credit for all of the intangible stuff, the leadership stuff, all of that. So I feel like, maybe I'm wrong, that you are not one of the first people would be like, J.L.N. Hertz blew that.

I think most people feel like A.J. Brown, even if some of the complaints might have been valid, the way he levied them and the overall kind of firestorm he created within the locker room, particularly this season, was counterproductive to winning. And it feels to me like your stance is, yes, but as a little kid,

he wanted to be a Patriot, so it's going to be all better. How about this? I don't think the things that happen in the Eagles locker room and in the Eagles leadership would happen in New England. Just because he likes the Patriots.

Well, I think, It's a Brable-Siriano thing. But I think there's the leadership of Mike Grable is a little different than the leadership of Nick Sirian. That part, listen, that part I agree with. I don't think he is going to, I don't know that that's going to keep, I keep him from doing,

if he's not getting the touches he wants. But they did trade him when Mike was still the head coach of the Titans, right? Yes, well, then he ended up, then he ends up letting, you know, I don't think Brable was happy about that. Okay. I think, no, I actually, I think that's true. I think. I'm just saying it did happen while he was still,

I just don't know, is there any, I thought he wanted to throw his, but I don't know, I got to go out. I don't know if there's many places that A.J. Brown could have been traded to that you would have felt, well, now he's going to be a totally different guy. But maybe it is because he grew up. I hope it works out. I mean, I'm just concerned with a young quarterback. You might be right. You don't want Drake May going out there feeling like I got to get to. I got to throw him the ball.

Right. That's not how we work, guys. But that's, babe, I almost called you baby. He's not time great. Hey, W. You don't, you. We don't know how old drink. Get your tickets now for the dog stars. It's no surprise how fast civilization can disappear.

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Out. Okay, tough guys. And Guy Pears. Arm up! The Dog Stars, directed by Ridley Scott. In theaters, August 28th, get tickets now. I may works with a star receiver. I should have pulled the video of him celebrating when he had an element shirt.

He's going to nominate Agent Brown for Walter Payton the end of the year. Might be. Because he wore a Patriots jersey for Halloween once. Wonderful episode of Weird and Wonderful, Weird Rangers, Angels, and the fourth. Fly ball to left, Wyatt Langford loses it. Center fielder. He comes and grabs it. It's the old classic.

Oh, that's pretty good. Yeah, good teamwork. Good job, Evan Carter. Yeah, good job. Wonderful, Bucks practice. Look, the throw, I'm not saying we're at full speed here on throw, but the catch. Do you see it? Oh, no, I was watching the other one.

Oh, okay. Oh, that's pretty good. You know what? I still miss Mike Evans. I think the Bucke will miss Mike Evans, but he looks great. Well, he also, by the way, Bucca. Left practice stay with the toe injury.

They're calling it minor. I'm telling you right now. Boca. No. Not a fan. Never good. Never good. Yeah. Can I ask you a question, coach?

Yeah. Everyone, like, oh, the veterans always want to get out of training camp. It's so hard. All the videos, it seems pretty chill. They're doing social media games with Jana. They're like, training camp changed dramatically. Okay. It just seems like a blast.

Those early days were, oh, they're painful for coaches. A lot of teams only let people take video during like warm up period, stuff like this. So like there's a lot of teams that just really restrict. Remember you have like the ping pong balls like, who do you like? You put it in, you know, Johnny. I see that. Weird. Mariners in the Bronx up the middle,

bounces off second. George Lombard Jr. Makes a great play. Everyone's high on George Lombard Jr., huh? What do you think about 96? He's been playing? What's the 96? What are you doing? Just a just way up there. 90s? Oh, it's his number.

Yeah. Okay, I didn't know what we were referencing. Okay, sorry. You don't like 96? No, but the Yankees used to, they gave G or two because like, you're going to be great. I'm going to put you in money. And they gave Aaron Judge the other way, 99. 96 is interesting.

Okay. Cool. More wonderful. He doesn't believe in Babe Ruth, but he sure is good at baseball. Pete Crowe Armstrong, taking on the Cardinals, not enough. Nationals win eight six. Coming up at the... I like that you won't let that go.

I will never let it go. I think people should be... I think there are certain takes people should be shamed for. And we need Tony Cornheiser was right about Kyrie's flat earther thing being the tip of the iceberg for people just opening the aperture on crazy beliefs. Yep. And saying Babe Ruth is a, you know, like Paul Bunyan.

Yep. I think, I agree with that. It never ends well. I like the use of the word aperture. KW taught me that one. Yeah. Any red socks highlights in you? No.

Gosh darn it. In the tent. This is a dodgy. Gosh darn it. Max Muncie walks it off. The Dodgers win. They're eight and a half up on the snakes. I stayed up to watch that game.

The Royals are 60 back. The good news is, though, you expect it at this point. I mean, your expectations are low. It hasn't been a good year for the boys and bloke. Yeah, early. That's true. That's all right. Next year.

And Jack Hageley-on looks great. Yeah, and Bobby Witt's awesome. And hopefully we can re-sign pass watch. Yeah, where's he going? Well, I don't know, you know, the Royals aren't known for paying a lot of money. Oh my goodness, Pasquatch on the move. It'd be good to have him in New York. I mean, I hope he make, wherever it is, I hope Pasquatch makes a bunch of months.

Afternoon headlines sponsored by Ram Trucks. Doc Prescott wore a vintage Cowboys champion T-shirt. Said he wants to lead the goddy. Greatest offense there is. Wait until Ben Johnson here. Yeah, you love that. You know, a great point. He said the same thing.

He just didn't say a number of points and you loved it. But he said a greatest offense. There is, meaning this season. I took a day. Why are we hesitant to say that's what we're playing for, the Super Bowl? I don't know if it's just getting older, having kids and blatantly not caring too much. What other people think. But if that's what this is about, then why is anybody being hesitant about it?

And why is it, honestly, such a big deal even saying it? That's Dr. Albert Breer. Where are your thoughts on this, Bru? I have taken the Cowboys to task in the past for talking about the Super Bowl. talking about the Super Bowl, mainly though it was because of Jerry Jones. Always talking about the Super Bowl

in training camp, this is the year, blah, blah, blah. It not being the year for 30 years. And I felt Jerry simultaneously, as you're talking about winning the Super Bowl, putting that pressure on your players, we have the team to do it. I feel like

he's simultaneously doing things to take, like, work against their chances of winning the Super Bowl with all this talking, you know, after games and, you know, right outside the locker room every game, going on the radio every week. Like, I feel running the team like a soap opera. It's a drama. And I think that takes away from the team is ability to be the best they can be.

This is not that. This is Dak saying this is our goal, which it is the goal for every team. He's the leader of the team. He didn't come out like, man, we're going to be awesome this year. we everybody better watch out. We went into Super Bowl. I mean, he did. He did too.

We're going to be the first undefeated team. Well, not that far. Since the schedule went to 16, 17 games. No, I'm fine with it because he's in his 11th year. And it's time for him to win a Super Bowl. Okay. And the Cowboys, too. Bendu went to, we were 1 in 15.

The Jets from Parcells got there. Went to the AAC championship game and then won three Super Bowls in New England. was with Jim Harbaugh. We went to the NFC championship, went to the playoffs, the head coach. So went through a lot of different winning experiences. And then none of those experiences were we talking about the Super Bowl in preseason.

What we were talking about is whatever was in front of us, whatever the next thing we had to do was. And when you listen to podcasts or listen to different experts on leadership and success and all of the things that traditionally go into achieving your ultimate goals, it's never about just putting it out into the universe. It's about focus.

It's about controlling what you can control, which is the moment that you're in. Because you can't do anything about the past. You can't do anything about the future. What you can control is this moment right now. So to put this out there, it's a big deal because, yeah, everybody wants to win the Super Bowl. We get it, but that's not what's important. What's important is in front of you, and I know Nick will say, well, that's not fun. Don't talk like that.

It's no fun. Those things I haven't changed at all in the 10 years we've worked together. You rubbed off on me a lot. That shaved head, Nick. That was wild. Willie nilly. It's just, it's just unnecessary. You're right, Brew, it's unnecessary pressure, which is usually provided by the owner who is

completely backed off of that. And now we're going to be the greatest offense, whatever that acronym was. And now we're going to win the Super Bowl. And the best record the dudes had was his rookie year when he was, he hasn't won 13 games, right, since his rookie year? So maybe we need to go back. Maybe that should be the goal. Let's get back to 13 wins.

So why is it a big deal? It's a big deal because it's unnecessary. It's a distraction and it doesn't win. Counterpoint. I've made a list. Okay. Who is allowed and who is not allowed to talk about wanting to win the Super Bowl. Wow.

You're going to love Vince G.W. Here is who is not allowed. Can you tell me, is it one specific phrase they are allowed to say? Just talking about... Like, we want to get... Matthew Stafford. Like, we want to get back to the Super Bowl. No, hold on.

Not to jump your list, but I guess... That's a kidding. Just in... Before the season starts, talking about our goal is the Super Bowl. Okay. Here is who is not allowed. Not, okay.

Oh, not allowed. Not allowed. Bad players. Not allowed. Yeah. Players on objectively awful teams. Not allowed. Everybody would be like,

okay, shut up. You want to sniff 500. oddly, teams that have been this close and have the door slammed in their face. So like Josh Allen. Not allowed. Not allowed. No, because you're getting ahead.

That's them putting the banner up. So you might say, okay, who does that leave? Who is allowed? People that are already champions. We have one goal around here that just win another title. You can say that, definitely. Players who are about to be or who were just drafted, I'm bringing a Super Bowl to this team.

Allowed. Allowed. Allowed. On the stage. On the stage, you're in the interviews going in. That was totally on the court. I don't know. Lamar's like,

you're getting a Super Bowl out of me. That is allowed. Yeah, the, um, yeah, like players who were just drafted, like AJ DeMontza. What am I going to do in Washington?

I'm bringing a super ball. The Axel's doing it right now. Yeah, exactly. Those are, and long time veterans who are good and have never actually been that close. Correct.

which Dax, DAC is. Guys who have been, like, I've been in the league a long time. Everybody knows I'm good. We haven't even come that close. The team, but you know what? It's the only thing left. Is Lamar allowed? Lamar's a tricky one because they haven't been close.

So maybe. Derek Henry can't bring it up, but Lamar can't agree. So is back allowed or not allowed? DEC is allowed. He's allowed. He's a long time veteran who hasn't been close, who everyone knows is good. He's allowed. I agree with everything you said except,

That's true. Except the rookies. If a rookie walks in there on stage, with your draft. No, it has to be before you're drafted or the moment after. Yeah, with your draft hat on. Yes, like on the stage. Not now. No, no, no, no, no.

Reando Mendoza, we want to win Super Bowl. The last guy that said it was Terrell Davis in 1997. Now, they were close to you before. The 2026 Chevrolet Tracks is the stylishest. for those on the move. And with the standard Chevy safety assist package, you have the backup to handle every turn with confidence. The 2026 tracks.

Start your build at Chevrolet.ca. First Things First is sponsored by Ram Trucks. Live from New York, the show that wants to ban books. You guys don't like reading anymore. Oh, this is an A.J. Brown thing. I didn't know what he was talking about. That's on the sideline. KW.

Not 18. I'm a fan of reading in all places. I love literacy. During games. Are you okay with your kids reading on the sideline? Oh, yeah. I support them reading. On the sideline of the game?

No, for the record. I'm going to get a couple books. I'm going to get a couple books, reading part of them telling you, dropping into conversation that he's been reading that book. No, that was that one. The book you gave me, the Rick Rubin book. Yeah, that was, I got it.

You give people books a lot, though. You just come up? What was it about? About hip-hop. No, he didn't read it. The fact that he- Yes, I did read it. Did read it?

Was Sasha Jenkins wrote it? No. Johnson. Yes, I did read it. Yes, I did. Okay. I'm not sure. I read it.

I'm not sure. I'm a big fan literacy. Okay, okay. It's a doorstop at his house. No, I just kidding. It's a great book. It's a great book. Is Nick Siriani on the hot seat?

Meanwhile, can anyone stop Polo? counting down to the 3 and 250 grand prix. But right now, wow, you're in for a real treat. Last night, while fervently defending the idea of wearing seatbelts and elite committee of savants, analysts, and people that will tell you, I'm ready the count of Monte Cristo. Okay.

I got one update on that. It's supposed to be a great book. I didn't say I was reading it. I said I ordered it. You had it in your hand. The count of Monte Cristo. Yes. You showed it to me.

I did. Yes. Wow. I haven't started. I did start reading The Odyssey, or the Iliad. Oh, give me a break. I was like, I'm going to read it before. How's that going?

How's that going? I had to tell you, even in the kindest translation, that thing's a bit of a struggle. Homer was really not messing around. And that's only part one. Fought and toiled and burn the midnight oil to deliver the best segment in all of sports. It's an honor and a privilege. It's time for next tier. In the committee, serious.

Thank you. KW. Let's get right to it because there was a bit of, off the air argument yesterday about A, what was or wasn't a deep sleeper in the NFL, and B, whether or not I invented the term. And so let me make this very clear before we reveal the bottom row of the tears. I am not claiming that I invented the term deep sleep. Like obviously people's, you know, the rim sleep's important. People use it all the time.

In the context of people throwing around, oh, the giants are my sleeper this year, that's a shallow sleeper. A deep sleeper is these teams, which are the history says tier. You invented this. Yes, the idea of picking an NFL team to make the playoffs that would, here's the deep sleeper test. Would you go, oh my God, they made the playoffs. Before the year, you're like, I'm picking this team. And everyone would be like, you're crazy. But here's why it's the history says tier. All of these teams are 100 to one or longer to make the super to win the Super Bowl.

Last year, team that was longer than 100 to 1, the Carolina Panthers made the playoffs. The year before, two teams that were longer than 100 to 1. The Broncos and Washington made the playoffs. The year before that, the Houston Texans were 200 to 1, they made the playoffs. The year before that, the beginning of the disrespect of the Prince, they were 140 to 1. They made the playoffs. I had an all-time playoff comeback, by the way. Almost every year, a team that has these are the six teams in the league with

with 101 or worse Super Bowl odds. History says one of them is making the playoffs. Do you have the courage to pick it? I don't. That's fascinating. Yeah. That is interesting. Could be OK.

Speaks for itself. Seems could be OK. I don't really have much more to say about them. It could be OK. They could win eight or nine games. They could. I don't know that I believe they will. They could be OK.

Committee kind of mailed in the name of this tier. I'm going to be honest with you. Marshall is kind of already on his summer Fridays on a Tuesday night. NFC South. That's exactly what it says. It's the NFC South. I like the Bucks.

Colin I know likes the Saints. I think KW. likes the Panthers. Danny probably likes the Falcons because I'm sure they have some fancy offensive wizard he likes. Like it's the NFC South. Someone's going to go 8, 8 and 1 and win it.

And I hope it's Baker. And I hope he gets hot in the playoffs. Concerning camps. So like, Laramie Tunsel's injury is a huge deal. We don't have time to list the Niners concerning injuries. I don't, these are older teams like we've talked about, coach, that we don't love. The fact that they have one, one of them already has one key guy done for months and the other one has a bunch of guys out intermittently.

It's just the bad part of training camp. You don't love it. Can it all come together? Can the Bengals revamped defense on the fly come together? Plus finally get a good offensive line year, maybe a bit of a rushing attack, and Joe Burroughs stay healthy. If all those things come together, they're obviously dangerous. The Chargers, can Mike McDaniel somehow create a legit receiving court out of the guys they have? Plus, what was the offensive line questions last year at tackle? Is it not going to just transition right now to the interior of the old? offensive line. And oh yeah, by the way, can they get some type of sports hypnotists to convince

Justin Herbert before the playoffs? It's September. If so, you're in decent shape. And then for the Texans, what is the deal and who is the real C.J. Stroud? And who are we going to see? If they, if they get just good production from the offense, that could be a Super Bowl team. The defense and I think Domingo is so good. Feels like something's missing. So for the Lions, They just lost their center. Frank Ragnow retired. Then the replacement center is now out, I think, for three months. And then his backup, Juice Scruggs, is out.

I don't know for how long, but he's injured as well. That sneaky may be the most important position on that entire team because golf, if you pressure golf, no quarterback likes getting pressured up the middle, but golf in particular, up the middle pressure just flips who he is. And for the Packers, I know. know what I think is missing. Micah Parsons for maybe, I mean, it might be the first half of the season.

Seems like it. And that's, that to me is concerning. I also, Matthew Golden got dinged up. I haven't loved their receivers as much as other people have. I know they paid Christian Watson. I do think these two teams could be excellent, but it just feels to me right now, middle August, something's missing.

High ceiling, low floor, both these things. We talk all the time about how the Cowboys, they could have a top three. offense. They have number one office. But we've seen them have awesome offenses and not be that awesome because the defense didn't hold up its end of the bargain. Now they've put a lot of money, a lot of draft resources in revamping that defense, but that does create the high ceiling low four. We have to see what that team's defense is going to be. Plus, it's not fair to call DAC an injury concern, but he is not like Iron Man level quarterback. And we know the

team falls off even that month that brew. Remember when Brew was flirting with for Rush quarterback. He wasn't saying it, but people are. People were calling into the odd couple and saying it. That's what it was. And the Eagles might be the highest ceiling, lowest floor, the best example of the high,

ceiling low floor of any team I can remember in recent memory. I absolutely think they could be the number one seat again in the NFC like they were a few years ago. I also think they could be below 500 after Thanksgiving. We're talking about who's the next head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Prove it to us. 14 wins, 13 wins.

Two teams with, I'll go ahead and say it, polarizing quarterbacks. Two teams that their fans feel like don't get near the respect they deserve coming off the year that they had. Broncos obviously beat the bills in a playoff game. The Jags had a lead against the bills in the playoffs. Like three minutes left. I don't remember exactly what happened at the end. But I don't think either team has earned anyone's full faith. But if they come back this year, win their division again,

or even if they don't win their division again, if they just win double-digit games, get back to the playoffs, then I think you start saying, okay, you know, with Liam Cohn, with Sean Peyton, with Bo Nicks, with Trevor Lawrence, expect those teams to be consistent AFC playoff teams. They've got to prove it to us this year. Measuring sticks, two teams.

with third year quarterbacks, with second year head coaches, both of which were the two-seat, both of which won their division, both of which had, you know, a story to tell about their playoff run last year. The Bears is the unbelievable comeback against the Packers, the great game against the Rams where they fall short, the Patriots, it's the dominant defensive performances and getting to the Super Bowl way ahead of Drake May's schedule. I say measuring sticks because I believe these two quarterbacks are going to be measured against each other their entire career. I know coach would like me to include Jaden in that. I personally don't.

I think these are the two best quarterbacks not only of their draft class, but the two best quarterbacks in the whole league under, gosh, 28 years old, I think. And I think those two guys are going to be who they're measured against. I think they both have very different, but excellent head coaches. They're both in right now stable organizations, and they're going to be measured against each other. One team's here. My team. Doubt them at your peril, Kansas Chiefs.

I understand, Nick, you're a homer. Nick, you've got them, well, there's going to be the fifth, the team with the fifth best super wads. You've got them ahead of every team in the AFCOS, the team that's favored win the AFC West. I know, I get it. Here's the other thing I know. I know that there are,

every other team in the league is allowed to have a bad year and it'll be like oh the lions they should bounce back the Ravens obviously they'll bounce back bills to their credit haven't had a bad year we expect them the Eagles is supernatural fun come right back win the Super Bowl

Chiefs have won bad year and all of a sudden we're like I don't know what can you expect from Kansas City that's fair they have lost the benefit of the doubt to some I think that all you need Patrick Mahomes needs is his health, which he has right now, and the stable offensive line, which he has right now,

and their floor in that situation is 11 wins. You add some other elements that I think they will have over the course of the year, and it becomes a 12 or 13 win team. We'll see. Is the grass greener tier? Two teams that said, we got to move on from the coach. Maybe, I get it. Every coach quarterback combo that has ever won a Super Bowl together won their first one within five years for Harbaugh and Lamar and for Alan McDermott, it was year eight. So they were like, it's not going to happen. But, and I know the Ravens had a bad year last year, but the bottom never really fell out for these teams. And last year, you can attribute to Lamar's injuries, if you will, we'll find out.

I'm not saying they made the wrong decision. I thought the Ravens needed to, you know, get a change of scenery, if you will. And I understand what the bills did, but it's risky. And apologies for not being definitive here, but the committee, trade. Mark, can't decide. We've gone back and forth between who the best team in the league is. The defending Super Bowl champ or the champion of the off season. These two teams played each other three times last year.

It was as close as could be. The Seahawks are basically bringing everyone back except for Super Bowl MVP Kenner Walker. The Rams, meanwhile, revamped their entire past defense. The committee will know who it believes is the best team in the league before week one. But as we sit here today, can't decide. That is preseason week one tiers.

So when you go through training camp and you have your installation schedule, even with a veteran player and things that you've done a lot of times, you can have a really sloppy day and you get frustrated as a coaching staff and you think, well, how could this happen? And to me, that was yesterday with Mahom Bahrain. I mean, that was a man. But then we come back today and we put in a different segment of the installation. I think it's solid. I'm very happy with the like this. I don't know if we need to rehash yesterday. Well, I'm just saying this is very much part of the preseason process, even for shows where you get back in. Yeah. Great job on coming back strong today.

But like with any practice, there's things you can correct. And I think the chargers are too low. Wow. So with the charges, you've got Harbaugh, we've got the coach that everybody said, you know, they needed. And he's had back-to-back 11 wins. And where that's impressive is last season. So Herbert was hurt with his hand. He played through that.

Hampton, he dealt with an injury a significant part of the season. They lost both of their tackles. Now they get both the tackles back. They addressed the interior part of the offensive line with four new players, three free agents and a draft pick. That's good. They were top ten in every offensive category last year, or every defensive category last year, even though they lost the defensive coordinator, the guy who's replacing was part of the system. The issue was the passing game, so they bring McDaniel to address that.

So there's a lot of positive things. And then you've got the vibes. Nobody loves Jess and Herbert more than Jim Harbaugh, except maybe Mike McDaniels, followed by Danny. And then the vibes in general, I don't know if we have. I mean, there's all kinds of love going on at the facility. Look at this. Like this. You talk about confidence building.

He's the most loved. He gets my MLP, most loved player. in the NFL right now because everybody loves them and that's going to help his confidence and that should help springboard them. So, great take. Listen, it is, I probably should for preseason tiers have the Chargers higher because no month on the calendar is kinder to the Los Angeles and a San Diego Chargers than the month of August. Every August, they are the Trinity team.

And then by January every year, we realize all the holes in the team. It's like we should have seen it coming. They had this goofy coach who went for it on fourth down. Yeah, they have these great defensive players, but they're hurt all the time. Oh, how can you ask Justin Herbert to not throw more picks in a playoff game than he did the entire regular season put together? But in August, the team always looks really good. And then in January, we're like, we're really doing not doing right by Justin Herbert. We'll see this year.

I'm with you, coach. That was mine last week. Back to back 11 win seasons with no offensive time. I mean, but they're probably, right there going to be terrible. It's not terrible. I don't have him terrible. I mean, like the 18th pier. No, I mean, they're two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve.

I have a, it's tied for 14th. That means they could make the playoffs for whatever it's worth. But go ahead. I think my team is on that tier two. Yeah, right next to them, the Texas. And I know Wild's love this. They're too low. They have to move up.

We know they have a top defense. And I get it. That defense can fluctuate year to year. But not, I mean, the neck Willie Anderson, De Neal Hunter, they added Jada, being climbed like that defense is going to be legit again it always has been under Domeko ryan's these last three years he turned it around immediately and they're climbing so they're going to be great defensively the question obviously is the offense they bring in

David Montgomery six in the league in the last three years he's six in the league in total touchdowns rushing and that's with Jameer Gibbs on the team who was second over that three year stretch Nico Collins Take Dell at some point I don't know if he'll be ready for week one But he'll be back That'll help the vibes I think it'll help CJ

And I look I don't know if CJ Will ever be the star That we thought he is I'm not writing it off But I definitely think He's going to play At least solid football this year

I think they're the best team in that division I think they will win it over Jacksonville So I think that Houston should be up It's fair point. I have huge concerns about the scar tissue from that playoff run for C.J. Strub. And if it has a not, and the fact that it is because of that playoff run that they didn't give him a contract this summer. And if it has an impact this year. KW. Again, I'm not the Bow Nix guy. Okay. I'm not. I'm not the Broncos guy. That being said, someone has to receive him. respect the Broncos and how good they are. It's just, it falls to me.

They're tied for eighth. They won the AFC. You keep saying that. Your team won the AFC. Well, in the regular season, they had the number one. They were the number one there. I know we won.

We were in the Super Bowl. Yeah. Yeah. They won the AFC. I wanted to win the AFC. You said that. You said they would say that, but I could see someone saying that.

First of all, coach, I've been watching football. I came up with this theory, a little avant-garde. Games are one at the line of scrimmage. Thoughts? I had never thought of that or heard it. Look through the tape. Tell me what you think. They have a great old line.

They have a great old line. They, they, they, Bo Nix does not get sacked in the Broncos defense delivers a lot of sacks. They had the most sacks and only of allowed 23 sacks. So look, is Bo Nicks an amazing quarterback? Maybe not, but everyone who's a pro quarterback. If you're sitting back there. you're going to be pretty good if you're not have no pressure guys is 24 and 10 did they have an easy schedule last year they did but bo necks also beat patrick mohams he beat josh allen went into philadelphia and won

went into houston before they rattled off 10 straight wins and won that game then for the denver home field is only the prince and prince played out of his mind that game this is a real home field advantage of 14 and won the last 15 games with bow nicks we're not counting the jarratt the javert the javel in-game, which I'm not saying the Patriots would have lost that game, but there was a point where we weren't even trying to get first downs because we were confident that the Broncos weren't going to score. I just feel like the guy deserves a little bit more. All right, so can me just real quick throw tears back up there and leave what the bar on the screen? So this is where I think the committee can get a bad name. There are seven teams ahead of the Broncos on the tiers. See the little blue bar we have? Broncos, according to our friends in Vegas, and the desert.

Yeah. 13th in Super Bowl lines. So the committee is respecting Denver far more than John Q. Public. They get up with them as well. I'm trying to move the line. I probably, if you checked it now, if you had my head, I probably moved a little.

Let me ask you, honest question. Other than the bears, who above the Broncos? And maybe the answer to the chiefs. I don't know. I don't know. Do you think, do you expect the Broncos to be? better than this year. Not, I know last year they were the one seed.

I know you think the bears are overrated. That one's obvious. Right. But those teams that I had, Ram, Seahawks, Bill's Ravens, Chiefs, Patriots, are the other six teams ahead of them. You expect the Broncos to be better than the Buffalo Bills.

Wow. Okay. I think they're in Super Bowl winning head coach to rookie head coaches, but I guess that doesn't matter, right? At like, oh, like, like, DJ Moore is very good. Is he is, did we think he was?

was as good as Jalen Waddle. We don't even talk about Jalen Wattle. Do we think Denver's defense is better than the Bill's defense? Yeah, I think the gap in quarterback's massive. I think it's massive. That's me just advocating. And then if we see them play.

No, we did see them play. And that's why I said last year they beat them and I give him credit for it. I don't expect Denver to be better than the Buffalo this year. It'd be thrilling if they were. I think they're going to be. Yeah.

Okay, coming up next is Nick Siriani on the hot. We did this coach, Texas. He's the group chat. He's like, hey, can we do a coach hot seat combo in August? We're like, we got quiet. In Toronto, every arrival is a statement, and nothing says it better than this. Cadillac Optic was the number one selling luxury EV in Canada for 2025.

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Could be an LCS preview. Yeah. I know Dodgers got to get it back home. Snakes taking on the Braves and the Red Sox taking on the Pirates. I had a bad news about skeins. I know. I was going to bring that up. When you said 96 about the guy's number, what came to my mind was the Skeens thing. about how he doesn't throw over 96.

Yeah, that's how good he is though. He's only throwing 96. Yeah, but it's still a concern. Check out credible, great rates and little. Seahawks Edge to Marcus Lawrence. Wanted to run it back now the Seahawks have gone from Hunter to hunted. Take a listen.

I kind of had my mind made up that, you know, if I won, I was done, you know, but I kind of had a bittersweet feeling in my heart, you know, understanding that, you know, with this, With the type of team that we have, like, you know, we should have been where we were last year. You know, this is where the hard part begins and, you know, staying on the top. They say there's no fun when the rabbit has the gun.

You know, we're the ones with the dot on our back. So, you know, I just want to, you know, see how that feels. Seahawks bringing almost everybody back. Remember Brady's bucks at the parade? Remember there's the boat parade? Like, we're bringing everyone back? And they actually did. 21 Packers brought 21 stars back.

The Seahawks are bringing 20 starters backs. So anyone think the Seahawks are underrated? We haven't talked about them a ton, and it feels like the Rams took all their shine. I do not think they're being underrated. They have the third best eyes to win the Super Bowl behind the Rams and the bills. And we know there are only two teams that have repeated as champs this century. And they had Tom, Brady, and Patrick Mahomes.

You and me, Coach. Just coaching on it. Brady and Mahomes is the quarterbacks. Are we putting Sam Darnold in that category? In fact, there's been eight all time.

Bart Star, Bob Greasy. Tell me when you hear one that Darnels is good as. Bob Greasy, maybe. Greasy? Bob Greasy maybe, but go ahead. We don't have to, sorry, Wilds. Montana.

Bradshaw, Aikman, John Elway, and then, like I said, Brady and Mahon. Well, if he goes back to back, all of a sudden we will. He'll be Bob Greasy, sure.

But who's the quarterback who came closest that hasn't in the line? Russell Wilson. Russell Wilson. Yeah. Could he, yeah, could he be Russell Wilson? Russell Wilson on the goal line? Yeah, Russell Wilson. Then there's that the Rams, their division obviously is tough.

You got the Rams and we'll see about the Niners. But the Rams looked better on paper period. Last year the games were so tight. I think three points or four points separated them in those three games. So I think people are giving them a shot. Like, they still know they're great. They just don't expect them to repeat. And I don't either because of the history.

Well, I love the saying, it's no fun when the rabbit has a gun. I've never heard that one before. You've never heard it? No, that was the first time I've ever heard that saying. And what I really like about Seattle, they're not being underrated. So they're favored in 15 out of 17 games. And they do have the third highest Super Bowl odds. And as much as you want to say, you're being underrated, the reality is everybody measures themselves.

against you. But what I love, what I love about this is he's talking about this is where the hard part happens. And I, I, what did, what did their head coach say about their offense? Are they going to have blowouts and shut out? I couldn't, I couldn't, I couldn't, that was him talking about it, right? Oh, no. See, they're not talking about that. They're talking about all the difficult things that are going to go into them being successful again this year, to me, which gives them the best opportunity to actually be successful this year. And it sounds like the words that are coming out of that locker room is, it's going to be hard. And getting guys after you win a Super Bowl to realize how hard it is to do it again

is one of the biggest hurdles that you have to overcome because success is like a martini. It relaxes you. So they do have, in my opinion, two notable losses. One is Super Bowl MVP and potential franchise changer Kenneth Walker. Who had, I think, 350 yards in their three playoff games and five touchdowns and was a huge part of their playoff success. Not as big of a part of their regular season success. They drafted a running back. But a huge. Yeah.

Talented. And then Clint Kubiak. And that is one thing where we have seen, the loss of the offensive coordinator and how that does or doesn't affect Darnold, especially with the defensive head coach. Like that is something that I will at least flag. as a potential concern. But I don't think they're underrated from Vegas. I do think they have been wildly under-discussed by people who do what we do.

I think that they have been- They're not underrated, they just don't rate on TV? No, right. So that's, I mean, I think that they are correctly, you know, rated in the odds. Yeah. But I think that what I do think is under, was underrated last year, even in the midst of it,

by everyone, and as much as I hate to give them credit, except for really Danny was how awesome they were start to finish last year. They lost three games all year. Week one, which Darnold had them, they were down four, Darnold had them in the red zone through the pick, and they lose to the Niners. Their other two losses, Tampa scored 10 points in the final 70 seconds, including a field goal at the gun to beat them, and they missed a field goal down two to the Rams.

to lose that game, 2119. And so they had the brutal schedule having to play the, they played the Rams and the Niners combined five times. They, you know, went a total of 17 and 3. And a lot of their wins were blowouts, and their losses were by a combined nine points. So like that, I do think typically that team bringing everyone back, it wouldn't matter what one of your divisional rivals did.

you would at least be co-favorts with them. Yeah. So I do think that part of that is that they are not the trendiest team. They are up in the Pacific Northwest. And there is fair or not. And this is the part that I think probably riles you up a bit on his behalf. Part of it is, yeah, but can you win a Super Bowl with Sam Darnold? Like, I mean, really.

The biggest question, Mark, was JSN is great, the coach is great, the defense is great. Yeah. But Sam Darnold's going to melt down in a big moment. Yeah. And then he didn't. And people are still aren't giving him credit. And literally Super Bowl change. Even he was like,

I didn't play great. Like, dude, you won the Super Bowl. Well, in the Patriots. He did melt down a little bit against the Rams that first time. That first time. But then. Well, I know.

But at some, you have, you've crossed over into another dimension. You're no longer considered a choker. I know. I think he got, he's on that spaceship to the other dimension. I don't know if he's. He won the Super Bowl.

But I'm just telling you how I think he is. That's why I said I knew it riles you up. I just think it's how he's perceived. Up to an including the Patriots, I think, very clearly, their game plan in the Super Bowl was Donald's going to give us a couple. Yeah. You know what I mean? He almost did.

He almost did on the first throw of the game. Like the first throw of the game was this close to be in our second throw, pick six. But he completed it. And then obviously he played really well. And they, you know, obviously blew out the path. But it does feel like they're really. really is the yeah, but Sam Darnold, even though they are the defending Super Bowl champions. It's weird. We haven't, they have not gotten the historical respect. They're a historically

great team with point differential. That's what I was saying, yeah. It's just wild. They're up there with like the 2000 Ravens. They're like, well, this is an all-time great team. It's just these are. Best point differential this century, including the playoffs. They have the best. Yes. Like you said, they were blasting teams and they barely lost. Oh, this is among Super Bowl champs. But still, yeah, that is I mean, that is something. And they lost Kenneth Walker, wasn't their starting running back for most

of the years. I mean, he was their lead back, though. I mean, the starting things, I mean, he let him in yards and he was their lead back. But regardless, like, the, no, they didn't lose the biggest loss for them objectively is Kubev. Like, Kenneth Walker for them is easier to

replace than the offensive coordinator. I'm scared of them. You're not going to have to do it. Welcome back to first things first. Bleacher Report ranked hot seats. Number one, hot bleachers. Come on, man.

For coaches, number one, Shane Stuyken and the Colts. The Jets, Aaron Glenn coming in at two. Todd Bowles in Tampa Bay at three. Zach Taylor at four and I brought my team to two Super Bowls and I recently just won one at five, Nick Sirianney. You don't like Siriani anymore. Who said that?

I thought you, I thought. You tried to pin, you tried to, I just don't think he has, Eagles have a strong and culture of the Patriots. Okay. All right, sorry. That being said, I don't think guy should lose his job just because he's not Mike Vrabble. Well, no, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to derail. You just had a lot more success than Rabel. That's right. He's a Super Bowl champion. I mean, Mike Rable did catch touchdowns in the Super Bowl. As a coach, as the coach. As the coach. So your biggest issue with the list is Sirian.

Yes, obviously he's Super Bowl champion. Well, I mean, yeah, the last coach the Eagles fired was Super Bowl champion, too. And he got a couple years. Well, every Super Bowl champion. He did fall off. The, no, but he, to be fair, Doug Peterson fell off for a year and got fired. They won four games. Right.

But so that's, I mean, I think that's what they're, I don't think they are saying Nick Siriani if they make the playoffs. I don't think they're saying any of these coaches if they make the, the playoffs is going to be out of the job. I don't want to belabor it, but like, then why is he on it? He always makes the playoffs. Because the, well, again, I think the idea would be, I mean, here's how I look at this list. I think Aaron Glenn, sorry, and you're not going to let this coach, I think he's almost

pre-fired. Like, Aaron Glenn, I'd be very surprised if Aaron Glenn is back. I think he's in a rough spot. I think that place historically because of ownership is very difficult to win. I don't know they have a good quarterback situation. I think he's in trouble. I look at the other four guys on this list. Three of them, if their team misses the playoffs, I expect them to be fired.

Stuyken, Bowles, Zach Taylor, I expect them. If they missed the playoffs, or Zach Taylor will be four years in a row. For Stikin, it feels like he's gotten a long berth without any real front-line success. Bowles was hot-seedish. We heard last year at the end of the year and held on. I would be stunned if any of those three guys can survive missing the playoffs. Siriani, if they miss the playoffs, I would expect, unless it is disastrous, like five and 12. I would expect him to get another year, but I would not be shocked at all.

If Howie Roseman in Philadelphia, who, as I've said before, have fired much better coaches than Nick Siriani, if they're like, hey, we appreciate, nobody's discrediting the work that you did, and we appreciate it, but we want to move on from you. I don't think that is unreasonable at all. And I can't, to like take issue with him being fifth, I scoured the league, and I'm like,

all right, who would I replace Siriani with? Like, I don't know, Dave Canales, because he hasn't had a winning season, but they made the playoffs. You know what I mean? Like the... Is Dan Quinn, like... Dan Quinn?

When is maybe. Last year, you were hearing some talk, and Daniels was hurt. If Daniels plays the whole year and they don't show much improvement, Quinn could be. Could, but he, I mean, I think that he's, yeah, I agree with you. I'm not saying he should, but he could, you know, I think Siriani, and I get it, people just don't think he's a good coach. But you look at the results, he wins at least 11 games. He's been in two Super Bowls. he helped develop Jalen Hertz into what he is.

Like Jalen Hertz was, people didn't even think he was necessarily a starting quarterback in this league before Siriani got Doug Peterson, kind of the quarterback whisperer at that time. We thought couldn't do it with Hertz. And he did it. And I get, it seems like he hasn't created a great culture and all that I understand that.

But their results are great. And I don't expect them to win the Super Bowl. I don't expect them to win the division. But if they win eight or nine games and miss the playoffs, should he be fired? I'm not saying it's necessarily fair, but it is kind of the Philly way. For them to move on from Andy Reid,

and we talked about... Reed had a few bad years, though, before they did it. Right, but they're not afraid to, if they feel like the organization isn't maximizing the ability the players, they're not afraid to move on from head coaches, even if they've had a history of success there. And remember when they changed both the offensive and defensive coordinator and he wasn't able to hire those guys, so that tells you how involved the front office is with the day-to-day

operations. So that wouldn't shock me. With Dan Quinn, the interesting thing there is that owner came in and they get a rookie quarterback who lights it up. They go to the NFC championship. He experienced only that. and then the next year they have drop-off, so we don't really know what his pattern is. Now, he does own the Sixers, and I think he's only had four head coaches in the, I think it's 16 years that he's owned the Sixers.

So it looks like he saves with guys for a little while. I'd say with Zach Taylor, it's a question of, on record, this is his final year of his contract, but then someone reported that he had a sneakie extension of one year to where he's actually signed through the following year. So that could save him this year because they don't like to pay dead money in Cincinnati if he has that extension. Remember when Mike McCarthy took the year off and then all of a sudden like, oh, he was watching all the film in his barn. But then he admitted that was a lie. Yeah, that was. He watched every snap in a barn.

The barn was too far. Then Sean Payton famously was like this like coaching free agent, did a little media. I wonder what Mike Tomlin's long-term. future in media is. Sure. Where if he takes a year off, it just kind of clears his head, relaxes a little bit,

and then just starts to put, I wouldn't mind throwing my hat back in the ring. Does this list change for you? But that's the type of thing, KW, that can go ahead. They can put a lot of other guys on the hot list too. Yeah, like I... If he's available, places that maybe wouldn't

even think about him over on the head coach would really feel strongly about Mike. The Siriani thing and the reason, I wasn't trying to put words. in your mouth. But I just know. Oh, Will Buckson's going to join us? Yeah. Oh, okay. Well, then I should shut up. We'll have Will Bucson. Oh, okay, great. Freedom 250. Can't wait.

Indycar races through the heart of Washington, D.C. in a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, celebrating America's 250th. The Freedom 250 live Sunday, August 23rd, only on Fox. Joining us now. The voice of IndyCar on Fox. Will Buxton. Will, I haven't seen you since Indianapolis. Great to have you back on the show. Yes. Guys, great to see you. It's been a long time.

Yeah, looking forward to Washington. It's coming along, not this weekend, but next weekend, 25 drivers racing around the nation's capital. It's going to be an unbelievable and a once-in-a-lifetime show because this isn't going to happen again. So thank you so much, as always, Will. I want to talk about the guy that has dominated IndyCar for as long as I've really been in IndyCar. for as long as I've really been in Indy car which last five years, and that's a friend of the show, our guy Alex Palo.

When we were at Indy two years ago, one of the things that we were kicking around before the show was like, should we ask Alex about whether or not he can become like a Mount Rushmore driver? And I remember saying, man, it feels premature, like he's been great,

but this is, we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. It's not ahead of ourselves now. And now the conversation is, is he maybe in route to becoming the greatest driver ever? So it's kind of a two-part question. One is how could you sum up his, why he is so dominant? And the other one is how high on the all-time list can he climb? Great questions.

They're great questions. I think undoubtedly he's going to be seen as one of the greats. It's always difficult to compare different drivers from different generations because the technology is so different. are so different, the tracks on which we race are different, the safety is different from the years of the AJ Foists or the Mario Andretti's through to today. But when you look at the modern era,

there is nobody that is able to do what Alex Palo does on track. He's amazing with his tires. He's amazing with his fuel, gets his strategy right every time, executes just so efficiently every single weekend. And the astonishing thing this year, guys, and this is what really fascinates me about this year is he hasn't looked as dominant as, he did last year. And yet after 13 races, his lead in the championship in 2026 is larger than it was

in 2025. And that's the astonishing anomaly with him and with this season. Because I truly believe that his rivals have raised their game. But his consistency is so exquisite that no one can touch him. I actually went back and did some looking at the stats. And if you removed all of his victories this year and moved him down to second place in all of the races that he's won and awarded the the second place driver, the points for the win, he'd still be leading the championship. Oh, wow. He'd still be leading the championship by 29 points without a single victory to his name. That's the level of consistency.

That's the level of driver you've got to beat. Yeah, I mean, like you said, he's way out in front. He's led for over 550 laps. No one else has led for even 200. So, but if somebody other than him is going to win, win it this year, who do you think it would be? So I think we've got three drivers who've shown themselves to be phenomenal over different types of race track.

Joseph New Garden has got two wins for the season on ovals, but it's actually his young teammate, David Malukas, who is higher up in the championship and who stands a better chance of the title. He's yet to win an Indy car race, but it's just on the cusp. It's coming for him. And he's such an exciting young prospect, brilliant on the ovals. So I'd keep an eye out for him and we have the doublehead in Milwaukee later this season. Christian Lungard from McLaren, brilliant on the road courses.

He drove from last all the way up into the top 10 last weekend in Portland. Phenomenal prospect there. And Kyle Kirkwood is brilliant on the street races. And why that's important is because this weekend in Markham and next weekend in Washington, D.C., we have two brand new street races. The last brand new street race we had was earlier this season in Arlington, who won that. Kyle Kirkwood, the guy is immediately up to speed. So any one of those three, I think, could still take the fight.

to him, but it needs Palo to do one thing which he never does, which is crumble and collapse and the entire weekend fall to nothing and him to ultimately eliminate himself from the race. And as we know from his consistency, that does not look likely. All right, so we've only got about one minute left. Can you explain what makes Kyle so good on new racetracks and why Palo might not have such an edge? Is it just that he does more research? Why do you think? Kyle is very, very smart.

He has a natural feel for street courses and can take risks and make them pay off. The thing with Alex Palo is, he doesn't need to take the big risks. He can afford to finish second. So it's going to take a driver like Kirkwoods to throw everything at it, and Palone needs he doesn't need to throw everything at it.

He can just hold it cool, hold it steady, bring it home, and bring the championship with it. And he's going to. He's got to win four in a row and his fifth total, and he has an indie car, And he's my dear personal friend. Yeah, he's the best. And Spain won the World Cup.

Yeah, Spain. It's just, it's just pull up. Will, thank you very much. 11 days to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Hope to see you at the end of the season to celebrate. And then we'll see you next year in Indy too. Thank you, Will. We'll see you soon.

Go Hawks. First things first with Danny Parkins. First things just overtime. With cool stats. Cool stats back. The return of cool stats. I'm excited for it. Live from New York, first things first.

overtime today. Dak Prescott says, why can't I talk about winning the Super Bowl? Got the champion T-shirt, Cowboys Throwback. We're going to have the greatest offense of all time. Or no, offense there is. Great offense of all time spoken for. Sorry. We're about to get to.

Also coming up on the O.T. Bears, Jalen Johnson joins the show with Danny. Long-time friend of the Parkins and program. Thank you for being a long-time speak. too. Long time list for the radio show. Yeah. Yeah.

Jaylen used to come on weekly, the old radio show. Looking forward to catching up. Nice. And finally. The return of cool stats only took a year, we finally got rid of the briefcase. Nope. No briefcase? The briefcase is still here, buddy.

We didn't listen to any of your suggestions except we're just calling it cool stats now. Oh. Oh, it was packed stats. Yeah. Yeah. I took all of your recommendations under advisement. It's good. Cool stats, though.

The cool stats had a Tom Brady, Drew Bledso-esque Klein. Like certainly PAC stats was the established starter. But all of a sudden, cool stats came and just became legend. That's right. Great, great analogy. Pack stats. Timeless. Pack stats got its ribs cracked by Mo Lewis.

It's never been the same. Chris was sorry, Kevin Wilde, Nick Wright, and the great Danny Parkins. Thanks, buddy. Very excited for this. I can't wait to hear your take on this story. Do you have two hours? Let's go. Dan Pompey of the athletic sat down with a very confident.

I mean, I'm just saying it feels like he did this. It happened once, bro, but it's on video. We see it again and again. It's good video. That's how much it bothers. Sat down with a very confident. He loved the video of Rable head button players bleeding from the mouth. That's not performative at all.

Go ahead, sorry. He has some lofty expectations. Bying the scenes for a day with Bears coach, Ben Johnson. Here's a quote. you're going to think was AI. You've got 31 other teams coming to training camp saying, our goal is to win the Super Bowl. I want more than that.

I want to have the highest scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos. I know how many points per game. They scored about 38. And I want to surpass them. Also, I want shutouts. I want blowouts. Parkins, your reaction to this insane quote.

I have had half of one cigarette in my entire life, and I wanted a cigarette after reading this article. It's oddly gross, and not because of the nicotine. It was euphoric. I read the article, finished it, texted it to like seven friends, and then read it again immediately. It was, it is so great. You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. That is how I spent my entire train ride into the city today. It's the greatest.

You have to understand. Don't, Danny. Don't do the tortured Bears history offense. 4,000 yards, 50 years. We can't do refrigerator, Perry, Jim McMahon stuff. Actually, it's since then, Wild. They've never been the best offense in the league in my life. 40 years, 40 years, Brew.

They've never had the number one ranked. offense in my life. They've been second twice. It's going to be 41. You guys are mischaracterizing what he said, by the way. We read the whole quote. I want to be on your side, Wiles made it seem like he was predicting it for this year. He said that's what he wants. It's the goal, the goal, to one day have the best offense. I don't know that he meant one day over the next 10 years. That's the goal.

There's a sign in the Bears facility that says strive for greatness. Every win. You don't think he's talking. If I'm like, hey, I want pizza. And you bring a pizza. I'm not talking about tonight. No, no, no, no, no, I'm talking about 2020. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. We can do, we can do a pro sports comparison to your guy, Wemby. Wemby wants to says all the time on the record he wants to be the greatest player of all time. He has zero titles and zero MVP. Anyone have a problem with it? He's not talking about next year. Greatest player of all. That's what he says.

Not even the equivalent of what he said. I think that's kind of, I want to have the highest scoring offense ever. I do think it's, I mean, I understand the argument he's making that this is, that it is the event, eventually supplant the Broncos. I didn't read it that way, but I at least think it's plausible. Look, someone far better at what he does. And Ben Johnson is very good at what he does. Maybe the best. It's way too early to say that.

It's not. But he ain't LeBron James. And the last time when LeBron went to Miami, he said something like this. Not one, not two, not three. How'd that work out? I mean, they won two. But they didn't, he still gets ridiculed for that statement. I would be thrilled if Ben Johnson's tenure was akin to LeBron's tenure in Miami.

But like that's my point, he's not LeBron. He's not the. LeBron James of coaching? He might be the LeBron James of play calling. Why? Okay. The Bears last year. They were the ninth best offense. Ninth in points, sixth in yards. Right? His first, his first year with the Bears that were a terrible team the year before with year to Caleb Williams. If anyone has it, can we maybe pull up over a three-year sample every year that Ben Johnson was the play caller? First. First and points. They were the best. He expects to be the best.

The lion still had a better offense without Ben Johnson. Right. The players got a little bit of that credit, right? Ben Johnson's whole thing. Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good gets better and your better gets best. He is striving to be the best, the greatest of all time. That's the goal.

That's his mantra. That's who he is. There's a strive for greatness signed for the players as they walk into the bear's facility. That's the whole thing. Every team is striving to be the best. Look, I like his energy and intensity. I think that is great for the players and all that. So I think he's changing the culture there and already changed it, no doubt.

But this quote is disrespectful to the rest of the league. Good. The Super Bowl's not good enough. That's what he said. I want more than the Super Bowl. I want to shut teams out, be the best team ever. This is not high school football where you have way more talent than all the other teams. There are teams more talented than them, and he's talking about shutting them out, blowing them out and all that.

I'm just saying it better work because if it doesn't work, then he's going to look like he doesn't understand what it takes to win at this level. So I have a question for Danny and then I want to ask you a question maybe if that's okay. The question for Danny is, do you think he needed to say this to Dan Pompeii? I think it's one thing to have this be internal. Internal, like, guys, we're building towards it, and I believe one day, some people in this room, we're going to be the greatest offensive, like everything that he said, if it was part of, because they talk about how he spends a lot of time putting together his speeches and his PowerPoints, whatever it is.

If that was private, now obviously, then we wouldn't know about it. that's one thing. I don't see, and I'm curious, what the value you think there is from sharing it with the reporter for the athletic. I don't think Ben Johnson is scared of a target being on his back. He said F the Packers. We don't like them.

Blew off Matt LaFleur at halftime and then they went out and beat him in the playoffs. He's like good, bring it out. He talks the talk and walks the walk. But so, hold on. So, but that's a, you might say there's not a lot of downside to it, but is there any benefit? There's probably not a benefit, right?

I mean, listen, I can tell you that his players love him. No, I buy that, but I don't. And this is part of it. But I think that, I don't think they love him because of stories they read in the athletic. I think they love him because of what he says in the locker room, which is, so this, my only, I, where I disagree with KW, I think is, like, well, this was the question I was going to ask. you. Do you think Ben Johnson has been a good NFL

head coach? Yeah, I think if in year one you make the playoffs, you did a good job. Right. Made the playoffs. Won the division. Won the division, got the two seed, one of the play. Yeah, I mean, I think that up to this point he has from a results

base, a result stance, an excellent coordinating and coaching resume. Yes. He was the hot coordinator candidate year over a year, those teams were consistently excellent on offense. Now, if we want to ding them a bit because it didn't fall off without

him, I actually like that more than you like that historically, but yeah, I like that. Okay, well, maybe that team was a little more self-sustaining than we gave it quite a more. Yeah, I mean, acid to a degree. Way in a little bit. Yeah, and so I, that's fair, but did a really good job of Chicago's first year. So I

think he is objectively, you know, you go a little far with he might already be the best. Like, I think he has high upside. I think he's very good. I think the biggest weakness he has, though, was on display in Detroit and is on display in this article, and it's the hubris and the need to scratch his own ego of, guys, I'm a big star. And historically in the NFL, that is not always the M.O. of coaches. Now, the modern quarterback whisperer coach, Shanahan has a bit of that. I think McVeigh has a lot of that, actually. I think McVeigh, he doesn't rip his shirt off, but he does a

lot of look at me performative stuff, but he's been so excellent that he's won. You know what I mean? Everybody acknowledges that he's great, so nobody cares. I just think I am not surprised at all that a guy who, as arrogantly as you can call in an NFL game, called games for the Lions, they ran more trick plays in the rest of the league combined, that he would say things like this. I am surprised at the level of almost dismay you have for it because this is who he's always shown us who he is.

He thinks he's great. He thinks he's great. He thinks he's going to be great, and he doesn't mind telling you he's going to be great. And that's who he was in Detroit. I think the truly great coaches who have Super Bowls and, like, pelts on the wall, wouldn't say something like this. The closest we get to it was Sean Payton.

Sean Payton. Last year, you know what? Sean Payton said this team could win the Super Bowl. And we were like, what? Bow Nixon, the Broncos. And all of a sudden, they were, you know, a broken ankle away from, playing the Patriots. Close.

We almost got him here. The issue I had was it's not like the Rams. If the Rams said this, I'd be like, oh, okay, yeah, Stafford threw a bunch of, you know, or if Andy Reid's, if you guys had a huge acquisition, you got Justin Jefferson somehow, and Andy Reid said that, they'd be like, oh, wow, but you have some track record. here's the two teams that were top 10 offense, bottom 10 defense. The guy is the coach of the entire team. So I think that I just wouldn't be advertising how focused I am on offense.

And then with a little chaser being like, and by the way, I would like a shutout too. Two teams were top 10 offense, bottom 10 defense is the Bears and the Cowboys. I do think the thing that's most unlikely about what he said is that he wants a bunch of shutouts. Like I don't know that the defense is ready for a ton of shots. He did say in the article he wants to be more involved in the special teams and the defense. Well, that's great. He feels like he doesn't get a lot of questions about it. He is the coach of the entire team.

But he also called himself out for how he called the Rams game and said that he went over every key third down, fourth down field goal, like situational play call from last year. And said that he went into that Bears Rams game thinking it was going to be a shootout. He should have kicked the field goal in the first quarter after the Dune's A drop was matter. himself for it, didn't take in the, so like he was accountable. He called out Caleb Williams in the article. He called out Colston Loveland for getting knocked off a route in an article. He, he does a lot of things that we generally speaking like from coaches. And there is a big, I mean, it's certainly a huge part of the mental health community, but like positive mental talk, manifestation, like speak it into existence. He, he, he believes it. He believes it. But that's that you can,

there's a lot of that without. This is, I don't, I know this is going to sound crazy, but this is something, this is another thing I've stolen or I've learned from you, KW, this line. I know I'm right. I know my opinion is the right thing. I don't know if I say that. I know, you say it all the time, usually off the air when something goes wrong and you want to do. That is true. I'm never wrong.

I know I'm right. I know my opinion on Ben Johnson is, and Brew might share it, but I know you're a little wrong and I know you're a little wrong. He is objectively a very good coach and objectively a brilliant offensive mind. He also is over the top arrogant and that could be his biggest weakness. Like I know that is the right Ben Johnson take and that and he has never shied away from any of that and has always been very brazen about it from when he was a play caller for the for the lions four years ago. Well, to that point, Danny, he believes in himself and they obviously, he thinks Caleb, you know, will be a superstar.

But do you think they even have the personnel to... Danny thinks this is about 2029. I mean... I think they're building it. You have Mahomes, maybe, you know, the second greatest quarterback ever. Tyreek Hill, a Hall of Fame receiver. Travis Kelsey, the best tight end ever, arguably. And Andy Reed, a great offensive mind.

And they never averaged 38 points again. Well, no team ever. Yeah. I mean, no team ever... Or 37. You guys haven't seen Luther Burden and Colston Lowe this year in a Ben Johnson system. You know what I mean? Stay tuned.

This is exciting, though. It's great for content. It's great for content. It's great for content. It's cool. You know, a lot of people say statistics are only for dorks who wear pocket protectors and manage hedge funds and live in mansions with miniature waterfalls and outdoor pizza ovens. Actually seems pretty sweet when I think about it.

It's not true. Stats can be cool, too. Here is our first edition of cool stats for the 2026 NFL season. Indeed it is. Wow. You thought I was going to lose the briefcase and the gloves? No, the gloves still take slightly too long. It's all right.

You know what else is cool? What you asked? Outliers. Wrote a book about it. That still works. DJ Moore is going to have a big year. Last year was an outlier. No, it wasn't.

It absolutely was. No, it wasn't. His 17 games. game average over the first seven years of his career, 83 catches, 1,100 yards. Last year, in the Great Ben Johnson's offense, he had only 50 catches for 680 yards. But if you watched it, there was a perfect explanation for it. Okay, I'll tell you. They wanted Colston Loveland and Luther Burden to get worked into the system who they were drafted.

They knew that DJ Moore was coming up on a huge cap hit and he wasn't going to be on the team in the future. Caleb and Roma Dunezay came into the league together. So he got more targets. DJ Moore played in 17 games, but he had 55 fewer targets from one year to the next year. Also when Caleb threw it at his feet, and he like, well, he had 98 catches with Caleb and a Shane Waldron offense when Caleb was a rookie. DJ Moore has produced with Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Anderson and Justin Fields. He will produce.

He will produce, he's 28 years old. He will produce as the number one weapon with Josh Allen and Buffalo. So three of the last four years, he's under. a thousand yards. I mean, he had 98 catches two years ago. But yeah. If he had 98, for 98 yards. Okay.

So that means two years ago, not only was the under, under a thousand yards, he was also very low yards per catch. On a Mattieper Fluse team, yeah. Yeah, but on the Mattieber Fluse team, he had a monster year the year before, when Justin Fields was throwing the ball to him. I think the guy, and I, and you say he's 28. I thought he was 29, but all, he might be turning 29. Yeah, I don't think he is.

is still an elite player. I don't think that last year was an outlier. I think that he was, in his first five years in the league, or four, yeah, five years in the league, he was totally independent of quality of quarterback players. In Carolina, putting a monster years.

And then his final year in Carolina and two of his three years with the Bears, he has been under a thousand yards. Like I don't, I, I am, I am nervous about the impact he will have if I'm a Bill's fan in Buffalo. I don't think he is the player that he was when the Bears traded for him.

Danny, I actually agree with you. I think you're right. I think he's in for a big year. So I know you got to get to the second. Oh, yeah, I mean, because you want to know what else is cool. Yes, please. Three musketeers. Wait, the three of the three musketeers.

The candy or the people? Well, like three of them. You know, the three of me as we could have done. Ah, I got you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. A big three. Trioes. All things that are cool.

D'Artagnan. We're underrated the Bengals. is the point. He was one of three. No, six. Oh, I didn't know that. Here's why we're underrated the Bengals, Brew.

Their three highest paid players are Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, and T. Higgins. When they play, they're 12 and 6 and score 29 a game. When just one of them misses time, their 3 and 13 scoring 22 points a game. They've invested in the big three.

I know we can't predict injuries, but if they're healthy, they're going to score a ton of points and win two-thirds of their games. Do you guys think we are underrating the Bengals, Mr. Chris Broussard, because right now all three are healthy. I do like the Bengals.

I may pick them to make the playoffs. I got Baltimore winning that division. Oh, it's not predictions week yet. Pencil, not pet. And they did add to their defense. They got the, you know, a couple Super Bowl guy, Mafei from Seattle, Cook from the Chiefs, a couple other Jonathan Allen, like obviously Dexter Lawrence.

Like they added some good defensive player. Kind of like Dallas. I don't like their defense as much as I think Dallas. I like Dallas's, but they should be improved on that side of the ball. If Burroughs healthy, they should be in the playoff hunt and really have a great chance to make it. So I'm with you on that. I don't know. Their win total is set big number.

Yeah. It's a 10 and a half. That's not underrated. To me, that's a little overrated. I don't know what the Bengals have done to deserve where they could win 10 games and not hit their over. I would be, I personally would be stunned to see the Bengals win more than 10 games. And I'm basing that off the crazy history of, in Joe Burroughs' entire career, they've won more than 10 games one time. Like they, the Bengals are, you know, he's been in the league six years.

They've missed the playoffs, four of them. As I just mentioned, they've won double-digit games twice and more than 10 games just once. I think the Bengals are not only not underrated. I think Vegas has them a touch-over rating. Wow. You think they're a nine-win team? I mean, that's what historically, yeah. I mean, yeah.

I'm, I hope everybody's healthy. What else is cool, Danny? I'm glad you asked. Everybody was healthy two years ago, and they want nine and eight, and Joe Burrow almost won MVP. Nick, I gotta tell you what else is cool. Perfect attendance. Oh.

The boss likes perfect attendance. A little off camera. If Kyler Murray plays in every game, yeah, I like this. The Vikings are going to be good and make the playoffs. Love it. It's very simple. Kevin O'Connell has been the coach of the Vikings for four years.

for four years. In the two years where he's had one starter for the whole year, whether it was Sam Darnold or Kirk Cousins, their records are no big deal, 27 and 7. I love this. In the two years where because of injury or poor play, they've had to start, you know, Max Brasmer and Carson Wentz and Dobbs and Hall and McCarthy and cousins and all that, they go 16 and 18. So it's a pretty simple question. Can Kyler Murray, who yes, has had injury questions, no doubt about it, But if Kyler Murray could just play all year, Kevin O'Connell's going to get them at least league average quarterback play and they'll win a ton of games. League. As a floor.

Oh, floor league average. As a floor, because with their defense and their coaching. He would kill for it. Last year he was healthy and a coach on the hot seat was like, we're going with Jacoby Brissette. Well, that was a contract thing. Wasn't that an insurance? I do not believe that to be the case. They play better under Brisset.

They played better with Brisset. And by the way, also, Kyler has shown no ability. to play all 17 games. Well, that's the thing. I think once in the last four years, he's played all 17. Yeah. Look, if he plays every game,

even beyond the health, if he plays every game, that means he's playing well. Because I think if he's struggling, they're going to go to McCarthy unless he just looks horrible. No, they're not. I think that shit was failed.

If they're struggling as a team and Murray's not playing well, you don't think they throw JJ McCarthy in there? They were bad last year, right? They were bad. They were nine and eight. That's the thing. They only can he flip two games?

They are win. Brosmer won one game when he threw for 51 yards. Yeah, I'm not right now. And if he wins the other game, okay. 10 and seven. When one of the Brosmer game. Cool threat. Yeah, I don't, I, I don't think they're guaranteed to get the same defensive

performance they got last year. Brian Flores, defense always good. Okay. I'll take the, I'll take the under on the, on the Vikings being the 10 win team as well. I'm going to hand predictions week. August 31st. I'm gonna hammer that. Jalen Johnson, friend of the show.

Can't wait to have Jalen on the show. I'm gonna be radio hour with it. We'll talk about Ben Johnson's quotes. Why, he didn't go far enough. You couldn't have win any further. That's a great exercise. Could he go further? Welcome back to the OT.

Joining us now is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, who also once upon a time was one of the best weekly interviews on local radio in the NFL with a certain host who looks like me. Two-time Pro Bowler for the Chicago Bears, Jalen Johnson. He's got an awesome charity initiative in his hometown of Fresno, California, that we will get to in just a little bit. But Jalen with us now on the O.T.

What's up, Jalen? It's been a minute, man. How are you? Good, good to see you. Good to see you as well. Now, I love your coach, Ben Johnson. He's just the right amount of crazy. Have you seen his quotes today in the athletic to Dan Pompeii?

No, I haven't. I'm going to read it to you. He says, I want to have to have. have the highest scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Broncos. I know how many points per game they scored and I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts. He also said he wants the longest win streak in NFL history, which is 21 games.

That sound like your coach to you? Yeah. It's funny that you say that because that makes sense of why Kim's been the way that it is. So he's there. Yeah, I can definitely tell that's his goal, especially on the office, just how to put up a lot of points, the things they've been doing on that side of the ball has really only gone up, and they just continue to set new limits for themselves. So I'm definitely curious to see what's going to look like this year.

Tell me more. What does it look like in training camp? It's crazy because normally, like, in camp, you think you would just work like your install, and you're not really scouting too much, but it's like, he's scouted me, he's scouting the defensive tendencies, and he's giving us double moves. If you jump around here, if you're covering. initial around now he's going to manipulate it and make it look like this and to give you something different. It's just like he's almost treating it like a game, which is how you want to go about

camp, but it's like, dang, just work on your basic installs. Instead of attacking the defense, but that makes us better too. So for us, it's really just being able to go against one of the best offenses, if not the best offensive football, and that's going to help us raise our game on defense. I mean, you've been around the block for a bit, both with being in camp with the Bears when normally, frankly, like the defense is ahead of the offense. You've obviously played against great offenses. Like, how good can this offense be? I think the sky is a limit.

I don't think there's any weaknesses. I think until the point of being around a long time, there's been plenty of times. Okay, we have a good run game, but our past game hasn't been too good or vice versa. And our O line may not be the strongest, but we have good weapons on the outside. Now there's not any gap in our offense.

There's not any weaknesses that we have. I think for them, they're really, the only thing I can stop them is them. I think Caleb is going to be electrifying. I know we've seen a glimpse of what he can do last year, but this year I feel like it's only going to be better. I think he'll be more effort, he'll be more confident and just running the show. And then, of course, Superman stuff's going to take over whenever that time comes.

But I think he's going to be better. I think Ben is going to be better in his first time being a head coach and running a team, not just the offense, but I think just all of that all together collectively. And then our weapons on the outside, I think Colson Loveland is going to have a really big year. And I think our receiving corps is going to really produce. I promise I will ask you about the deal. defense. One more thing on the offense. No, you good. I know you want to talk about your defense,

but you were quoted a little bit ago saying like, you know, Caleb's the best quarterback you've had since Nick Foles. And, you know, I love Nick, but I got to be honest. Like, I'm thinking Mahomes. I'm thinking Rogers. Like I'm thinking maybe, yeah, yeah, I was like, can we maybe raise the bar a little bit here? Talk to me about my point. Okay, okay. You want to see, it hasn't been great in Chicago. What should we expect this year from him specifically? Like how is Caleb different this time in training camp compared to this last year in training camp? I would say consistency. I think that's been the biggest thing.

I would say everybody has been looking for and just playing the QB role. And I even told him in Frosting some days ago, like I'm picking up between putting down. He's definitely been putting the ball in really good spots. He's been throwing a ball in tight windows. A lot of young quarterbacks come in and feel like guys aren't open. But I think now he's throwing guys open for those who've seen the clips, I'm sure. of him putting the ball and tight windows with Colston Loveland and Coeurne and Loveland making some good catches. And then even just on the outside, he's just putting the ball where they need to be with better timing.

So I definitely think he's throwing the ball a lot more confident. They're on the same page when it comes to timing and spacing. So Kobe Bryant has the injury out until maybe the playoffs. Kyler Gordon is still injured. But you're back, which is obviously massive. Tell me it's going to be okay or should I be worried about the secondary? I'm going to tell you it's going to be okay. I know it's not going to be as strong as we want to be, of course, losing Kobe with things.

I mean, I talked to him and nobody expected it to be worse than what it was. So I think really just going in and just picking up the slack wherever that can be. And then guys coming back from injury, we all have a collective to put in and to add to this defense. We know guys are out, but we just got to do what we can. And I know for us, we have the guys to do it and still play at the highest level. Do you take it as a sleigh? Because I got to be honest, like, I've been trying to remind people like, the bears are getting back a number one corner. No doubt.

But I feel like it's almost been your absence last year. And then when you played, you also weren't 100%. I feel like your absence has maybe been overlooked. Are you taking that personally and out to prove something this year? I want to say, yeah. I think more so I'm just trying to prove to myself. But, I mean, everybody was going to have someone say when I was healthy and playing, it wasn't, it was still doubt. So, I mean, it's not like Dallas not going to creep in at any given point,

but I think for myself, it's just going out there and being who I proved myself to be in this league. I mean, I've been all pro. I've been pro bowl. So, I mean, for me, it's just getting back to that level and caliber of play. I mean, even going up from there, I know I haven't had a season where I've had more than four interceptions. So I think for me, it's just keeps showing people why I am who I am. And I think more interceptions would do that. And I think some more accolades and winning and being a top 10 defense will definitely prove.

prove to people that I am who I say I am. All right. So we used to do this on the radio. I would go through the schedule and I'd be like, oh, you got this guy coming up on the schedule. Who do you have? Which receiver do you have circled this year? The schedule is littered with true number one.

I got to see. Who you put up there? I would probably say JSN. He's somebody I haven't won against in a few years. He wasn't who he was last time we played. And then I would probably say DJ with Buffalo. I would say those two are probably some different matchups that I want to have. I mean, I play Justin L. all the time.

I play, I'm in Ross and Brown all the time. I played AJ Brown quite a few times. Garrett Wilson, I would say that he's pretty good in this. And then I haven't played him since he was younger. What's DJ got in store? I got to imagine you guys might have a little trash talk on the side when DJ shows on there. Yeah, I mean, honestly, I think just competition. I think he's always been a good dynamic player.

I've definitely seen a lot of the highlights and connection he's been building with with Josh up there. So I think that would be good competition, good back and forth between us. I mean, we're clearly familiar with one another. So I think that'll just be a fun matchup. I haven't played a former teammate like that. So I think that'll be fun.

What is a realistic goal for the team? Offense, defense, but the team. I know everyone's going to say it's the Super Bowl, but like how are you guys approaching this upcoming season? I mean, the Super Bowl. I think that's why we all play the game. We don't play the game to just win a certain amount of games. I think at the end of day, we all want to win and be the last team standing. So, I mean, for us, that's what we're bringing almost conditioning program for throughout the offseason throughout this camp is just to be the last team standing. So the way we go about our preparation, the way we go about our work and our businesses to be the last team standing to be able to do hard things the longest. And hopefully that'll show at the end of the year. Well, I mean, that's all what Bears fans are rooting for. But I also, you're given back to your hometown at Robinson Elementary in Fresno. I've talked to you about your hometown and what it means to you on the radio back in the day.

You're partnering with Reebok. You're giving way I think it's 141 pairs of sneakers. Tell people about the initiative, but also like why it matters so much to you to give back to Fresno. Yeah. So one of my other non-properms that I have is called Rare, Rare Breed. And really, we really do a lot of mentorships back in Fresno, California. We do mentorships at different in need elementary schools in Fresno, California. And then we really just wanted to figure out ways to just help those kids that need a little help, need a little assistance, need a little after push.

So I was able to get with some teachers and admin over there in the Robertson Elementary School and find out what was going on. They had summer school and they had a lot of kids out, some of the trouble kids that were there. So I was like, hey, let's give them some encouragement. Let's give them a way to show them that we're supporting them. and we came up with shoes. So Reebok blessed us with 100 plus shoes. So we were able to really just help give those kids something to look forward to or know that they're not in it by themselves.

So I just was really blessed and fortunate to be able to get the backing to do that. And everything fell in place for those kids. Well, that's awesome, Jalen. Thank you so much for coming on the show. Good luck. Stay healthy this year. And we'll talk to you again soon, man. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Danny. I'll talk to you soon. Predictions week just around the corner. Good boy. I mean, Caleb and Ben Johnson shirts optional. August 31st of September 4th. Check out where I see the season going.

Yes, the Bears still good. But welcome back to the O.T. Coach. Manjini out here with me. Let's go to Dallas. We know it's not a Cowboys off season without premature Super Bowl talk. You still liking it? No, didn't think so. All right.

Well, Dax says, hey, what's the big deal? He said, well, why are we hesitant to say that's what we're playing for? I don't know if it's just getting older having kids and blatant. not given a bleat what other people think. But if that's what this is about, then why is anybody being hesitant about it and why is it honestly such a big deal even saying it? So my point is, let's put it out there.

Like I'm a big manifester. Wouldn't be here, my life I didn't think I would be here going back, blah, blah, blah. He says we're going to win the Super Bowl. Coach, ridiculous, problem with it? It's interesting because Jerry is usually the one that's putting out those vibes and now it's that. Look, it's everybody's hope and it's everybody's goal to win the Super Bowl.

But I've been part of a lot of organizations. When I was with the Jets, we were 1 in 15, then eventually went to the AFC Championship game with Bill Parcell, so I got that perspective. And then being in New England with the three Super Bowls, being with Jim Harbaugh, we went to the NFC championship game. And the common theme with all those situations was it wasn't about talking about a game that was months and months away.

it was about focusing on what was in front of you. And I know it's boring, but when you look at whether it's leadership podcasts or listening to different people who have been extremely successful, it's always the same thing. It's focus on what's in front of you and you build on that

because you can't control the past and you can't control the future. And that's the reality of it. The only thing you can't control is this moment. And when you do that and not worry about something so far in the distance, that gives you your best chance to be successful.

I think that is all totally fair. And compared to Ben Johnson's quotes about 21-game win streaks and greatest offensive all time, just talking about a little measly Super Bowl, feels pretty tame. I also would say, for the Cowboys specifically, George Pickens is on a franchise tag. They're probably going to have to pay Quinn and Williams. There's a good chance that next year's team isn't as talented as this year's team because of some of the money ramifications and a guy like Pickens leaving on a tag. So I could see them if it starts well, being a team that trades future draft capital to add even more to this team.

I do think they are kind of approaching this season as an all-in year. Not that they won't want to win next year's Super Bowl, but I do think this is the best Cowboys roster we're going to see for a couple of years. And you may be exactly right with that, but in order for this team to be the best version of this team and to realize their potential, it comes down to consistent focus on what's right now. So many people and so many teams get lost in looking forward that they get upset in the moment or they lose a game they shouldn't or they make things bigger than they are

because they put this out there, they have this lofty expectation, and then they go through a little bit of a rough spot and it feels like the world's falling apart. Well, and the reality is it just move forward with the next thing and maximize your potential. I thought it was interesting that this was DAC doing it and not Jerry. I know. It's in an off season that Jerry's taking the pressure off the group,

Dak decides, hey, I don't want to live in this world. But again, the Cowboys, there's pressure on them all the time. It's just a quote in a press conference. It doesn't have to be bigger than it is. Jack's best season was his rookie season where he won 13 games. Well, let's just get back to 13 games. I mean, let's start with some benchmarks you hit. All right.

So the Cowboys talking Super Bowl isn't new. But let's talk schedule. This is what it is. Their win total is. My favorite. We're going. It's pencil, not pen. We're going through it.

Game by game. If we could put the first third and break it down, I think they are going to continue to have a ton of success against the Giants. And Washington, I thought the tonsill injury was a disaster for them. And they Dallas get that as their home opener. So I think they start 2 and 0 in the division and actually start 5 and 6. I was debating. The Ravens.

surprising to me. So I think that the Ravens, I think they're going to get better as the year goes on. With Minter as a new head coach, getting his everything going in on their defense. And I just don't know that Baltimore's ready to win a shootout. Like I am not as optimistic on Baltimore's offense as I am their defense.

And I think their defense will be better later in the year than early. I don't love their matchup in Houston against what I think is the best defense. And then that week six game against Green Bay, I spent probably too much time thinking about a pencil, not pen segment. But I was like, you know what, flip a coin. Micah might not be back.

I will give Dallas the hot start to the season. Yeah, Dallas Nation, be excited to start five and one. It'd be unbelievable. Yeah, be great. It gets a little tougher here as we get to the second third of the schedule. This is where I have them going three and three. I think Indy, Shane Steichen is maybe the least discussed coach in the NFL for how good he is. That guy has had no consistency whatsoever.

quarterback. He's had all sorts of turnover all over his roster and their floor seems to be eight or nine wins. I think he's really sharp. I think the Niners are an overlooked team because of how good Seattle and the Rams are. And I think you're splitting with Philly. I think those two teams are so clearly the top two in the division. I think they're both really good. I have it as a three and three middle quadrant, middle third. Yeah, I actually probably would have gone Colts 49ers wins and taking some of those wins off from the early part of the season.

I'm just not sure where San Francisco is going to be at that point in the season, just based off of their injury history, really talented. But historically, until they overcome this, historically, they lose key players, especially in the early part of the season. If we go to the last third of the schedule, that's a great timed buy for the playoffs. But I think it might be the worst buy of any team in terms of the two games that it sandwiches. At Seattle, at the Rams. But you get to fly home and rest only to go back out to the West Coast to play the two toughest teams in the NFL.

I don't think Dallas is on their caliber yet. Obviously, their offense could be humming at that point. But then I think two of the last three at home, the easier two teams in the division, I think they finish strong. But I don't have them at being on Seattle or the Rams level. See, I think that buy before the Rams game is fantastic. So if you do a good job maximizing that buy, not only with the rest of the game, to your players, but also as a coaching staff going back and saying, okay, what do we need to fix? What do we need to work on? And it gives you an extra week to prepare for a pivotal game.

No question. It gives you your best shot at the Rams having a buy the week before it. But just you want to think that it's two even teams. The buy gives me an edge. I don't know that the buy week is enough of an advantage to give me that pick for the Cowboys. But overall, an 11 and sixth season for Dallas. And you're not loving, you're not loving Jacksonville late in the season, huh? You're thinking Dallas is going to be. I'm sorry. Dak Prescott is a more reliable commodity than Trevor Lawrence. I'm noticing in your schedules, your teams tend to start really hot and slow down at the end of the season. There's another one where you've got these guys going. The Bears started 7 and 0.

Chargers, they started pretty good. Pretty hot. Yeah. Well, we've picked three teams that I like this year. Well, but you'd like those teams that you think are going to be good to be peaking at the end of the season, not going 500 like you've done multiple times now. I mean, I can't help when Seattle and the Rams, I promise you if Seattle and the Rams was in September or October, I'd have them losing then too. But historically, the good teams are getting better in the late part of the season, not going 500.

Okay, plenty of good teams finish three and two to win 11 games. But they don't really typically go deep in the playoffs. I didn't pick them to win the Super Bowl. I didn't pick them to win. I picked them to be an 11 win team. I like them kind of. I do. Okay.

I do. 11 wins. Make the playoffs. That would be progress. It's a pretty solid pick. Not quite the Super Bowl. Not quite the Super Bowl. No, I'm picking up what you're putting down. Hammer to right. That one is deep and it is gone.

Oh, baby, absolutely crushed. Home run number 27 with an exclamation point. That was Pete Crowe Armstrong's 27th home run of the season last night, giving the Cubs their 70s. 20th win and moving them to a season high 20 games over 500. And right now, the odds say it's a 50-50 toss-up for NL MVP between PCA and four-time MVP winner Shohei Otani. Now if the voting were held today, my vote would go to PCA. Now here's where it's time for me to admit my bias.

Yes, I'm a lifelong Cubs fan. Everyone has biases. The ones you can trust are the ones who admit them to you. Now let me also be clear on this. Otani is the best player in baseball. He's a two-way superstar. The problem for his MVP case this year, he hasn't pitched since July 3rd. Now if he returns to the mound soon, pitches effectively, and helps the Dodgers secure

the top seat in the National League, I reserve the right to change my mind. But right now, look at the offense. PCA and Otani are having remarkably similar seasons. They're neck and neck in average, hits, homers, doubles, walks, slugging, and OPS. And a quick side note, PCA has 65 walks this year. That's more than he had in his first three seasons combined. His mid-season play discipline improvement? Remarkable. So if the offensive production is essentially a wash, that's where PCA starts to separate himself.

Defense? Well, PCA is the best defensive center fielder in the game. And he leads all of baseball and wins above replacement. On the bases, it's not even close. Otani is only two years removed from stealing 59 bags, but he has seven this year to PCA's 30. So let's add it up. Similar offense, Otani's pitching has stopped, and PCA. has the clear edge on defense and the bases. And then I'll turn to the V in MVP.

Value. PCA has helped carry the Cubs through a season in which over a dozen pitchers have spent time on the I.L. Meanwhile, Otani is playing on a super team with a payroll that exceeds Chicago's by over $170 million. All that extra help, and the Cubs just swept the Dodgers last week. They have just two fewer wins than L.A. on the season. Now, none of this takes away from Shohai Otani. He may very well be the greatest baseball player we've ever seen. But as Otani continues to build that legacy, it's okay to acknowledge something that shouldn't be controversial.

This year, in the National League MVP race, Pete Crowe Armstrong, is second to none. That's all I've got. Thank you so much for hanging out with us on the OT. We're back tomorrow with more First Things First.