Green Light with Chris Long - Alex Highsmith! Chris Ballard! Steelers Training Camp & TJ Watt! Colts Outlook & Anthony Richardson! Jordan Love's 'Wisconsin Holdout,' Aiyuk Trade & Sam Darnold!

Episode Date: July 23, 2024

CHRIS IS BACK! Monster episode today with two guests and a big world news roundup. Chris is hanging in Montana and gives a quick update of his time spent there this summer and how he's slowly decreasing his Zyn intake. Then we send a Hello out to Washington D.C. and talk about the recent political news in this country. Chris updates everyone on the music he's been consuming, his review of the Billy Strings show he saw and then Chris' review of the Sturgill Simpson album. Chris then runs through some NFL News - talking through the potential Brandon Aiyuk trade, Sam Darnold being QB1 in Minnesota and Jordan Love's 'Wisconsin Holdout' as training camp starts. Then we welcome Steelers Alex Highsmith, who joins Chris to talk Steelers outlook for 2024, getting ready for training camp, rushing with TJ Watt, refining his pass rush moves and UNC Charlotte football. Then Colts GM Chris Ballard who talks Indy's season outlook as they head to training camp, Anthony Richardson's Development, Shane Steichen, working through Andrew Luck's retirement & working through the rumors of the NFL Draft. Enjoy the episode! (00:00) - Intro (6:00) - Hello to Washington, D.C.: Chris on the Recent United States Political News (31:26) - Billy Strings and Sturgill Simpson Reviews (40:15) - Nick Castellanos' Uncanny Ability to Hit a HR at just the Right (or Wrong) Time (47:33) - Jordan Love's 'Wisconsin Holdout,' Potential Brandon Aiyuk Trade and Sam Darnold QB1 (1:07:17) - Alex Highsmith on Steelers Training Camp, TJ Watt, Refining his Pash Rush Moves and UNC Charlotte Football (1:45:30) - Colts GM Chris Ballard on Colts Outlook, Indy's DLine, Working Through Andrew Luck's Retirement and Getting Anthony Richardson to Slide Want your Green Light Merch so you can look exactly like Chris and the fellas? Hit the website below and get kitted! https://stores.kotisdesign.com/yotehouse/products Have some interesting takes, some codebreaks or just want to talk to the Green Light Crew? We want to hear from you. Call into the Green Light Hotline and give us your hottest takes, your biggest gripes and general thoughts. Day and night, this hotline is open. Green Light Hotline: ‪[phone]‬ Send any Talent Search submissions to: [e-mail] Include any video of your talents, takes and bits as well as a little bit about yourself. Love hearing from the Green Light fans. Also, check out our paddling partners at Appomattox River Company to get your canoes, kayaks and paddleboards so you're set to hit the river this summer. https://paddleva.com/ Green Light Spotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/user/951jyryv2nu6l4iqz9p81him9?si=17c560d10ff04a9b Spotify Layup Line: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1olmCMKGMEyWwOKaT1Aah3?si=675d445ddb824c42 Green Light Tube YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgxWFAA-wuB7osdiAJyLOcw Green Light with Chris Long: Subscribe and enjoy weekly content including podcasts, documentaries, live chats, celebrity interviews and more including hot news items, trending discussions from the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA are just a small part of what we will be sharing with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Anthony Richardson, what was the blueprint for development? When I have a head coach, Shane Thicken, who is outstanding in terms of his understanding what the position needs and can do and how to fit the offense around it. And then his history of doing it, you know, from Philip Rivers to Justin Herbert to Jalen Hurts to watch the just fundamental changes that offensively he was able to make, to make the quarterback successful really help me understand, okay, this is the vision. I mean, you've got to have a vision for the player and what he, you know, how we're going to use him and how he's going to fit within the offense and the scheme. And I thought Shane had a tremendous vision.

He did not have the same production as a lot of. quarterbacks have, but the flashes were loud and they were really strong. Welcome to the Greenlight podcast. Thank you for jumping into today's monster episode. Chris is back. Back from a two weeks vacation in Montana. He's still out there. He's tuning in from his house on Flathead Lake. Plenty to listen for. We've got two guests and plenty of news to cover. Chris gives his thoughts about what has happened in the world, covering both politics and sports. He also recaps his Billy String show he went to at the Under the Big Sky Music Festival.

Talks a little Sturgle Simpson music. And then we welcome on Alex High Smith, the Pittsburgh Steeler joins us. He's going to talk to Chris about pass rushing moves, the Steelers, T.J. Watt, becoming the best team that they can be. Then we talk to a guy who knows all about building teams. Chris Ballard, Colts GM, joins and talks about Anthony Richardson, Shane Steichen, working through the Andrew Luck retirement. A whole lot of football in today's episode.

We hope you enjoy. We will be back on Friday with plenty more Chris. Stop by then. Listen all the way through today. Make sure you pop over to YouTube. Catch us there too. And we'll catch you next time. Guys, I was kind of like checking to see how things were going while I was going.

And it seemed to be going pretty good. We didn't die. We're still a company. No, it kind of makes me think that like maybe I could just fuck off. for the whole offseason. Yeah, like, Bo was great. You know,

Beau saw it and Macon? Making killed it. Killed it. You know, I personally didn't listen. That's more of a principal thing because he doesn't listen

to our podcast when he's not on him. Right. But he established himself. Sam Hauser got paid, got a big extension right after that. It must be the green light bump. Oh, yeah, dude. Hey, no, listen,

I did think that was very good. I walked in at the end of that. that interview he did that interview right before i took off from montana but uh nice having an NBA player on especially one that just won the title with UVA ties and making it out of the ballpark so suffice to say i missed you guys but i did not miss it but here we are i'm back i'm back i'm in montana i've been up here a couple weeks personal update matt my zen consumption is down to about 35, 36 milligrams a day. That's good because I have bad news about the Tower of Zen that you bought for the studio.

What happened? It's gone? Well, I've just been using a lot of it. Okay. You know, life is actually, believe it or not, much better without so much nicotine. You know, just a little nicotine will do. I just wanted to update you there. inspire you Matt you too can kick the nick now I haven't fully kicked it but my first week here I was I was cutting down from about 100 MGs down to where I am now a day

and I know there's some of you bros 23 20 something year old bros listening this like you're a fucking quitter you don't know what it's like to be 39 with three kids yet you don't know what's like all the things you enjoy now your body starts to reject the things you enjoy now like alcohol too much marijuana too much nicotine the older you get you have to make some concessions you know and and one of the concessions i'm making is i'm trying to i'm trying to cut down on the zen okay so don't judge me anybody at home struggling with the same thing it can be done it can be done just don't spend the the first couple days that you're cutting down with your family they'll think that you hate them.

And if you are, just tell them what you're going through. I didn't do that at all. I think my wife is like, what's wrong with you? I'm suffering from withdrawals. Philip Morris, it's his fault. Okay. Well, I'll tell you real fast, we'll have to find something different to use for this. I don't know if you can see it.

But our friend Brent, Brent Payne, he just started an engravement. He just started learning how to engrave. He sent us this. It's a Zen pouch holder. This is a Zen pouch holder. And it has your name on it. And it's got a greenlight logo. Matt has one too.

That's pretty down. And so we'll have to find something for you to hold. No, I can put a lot of breeze in there. I'm not quitting Zen. Okay. I'm just trying to, I'm just trying to get it into a normal range. You know, Washington, D.C.

Hello. Why? Well, first off, I shouldn't have yelled the baby sleeping. But because a lot of shit is going on. Okay, where were you when a former president almost got clipped and Richard Simmons died? Okay, I'll never forget where I was. Okay, like I was on the river in Montana. I was on the Swan River.

It was gorgeous out there. Hopped on the bus afterwards. Had to tell 10 and 12 people that Richard Simmons died. Basically, everybody piled on the bus. Some people I didn't even know. and I was like, guys, I have an announcement. Richard Simmons died and nobody cared. But I cared.

I think people cared a lot more about the president, almost getting clipped, the former president, President Trump, 45, almost got clipped. Hey, listen, I know y'all know this about me and a lot of you have preconceived notions about me because of things that I've said in the past and things that I have talked about. I just want to take this opportunity to let you know

that you don't know me. And I don't mean that in like a like a combative way. You might know, you might know what I don't like, right? Like I can't stand Trump. Nothing's going to change. You won't catch me voting for that guy. You can. Hey, obviously, it's a free country and I'm not judging. You already knew that. But I just wanted to make it clear that like I'm not for clipping presidents, former presidents. I'm not for assassinations, deaths. I think that's the stuff we got to stay away from in our current political climate, don't you? It's a canary in the coal mine a little bit, right? Like a couple canaries in the coal mines. I think the the amount of conspiratorial stuff being talked about right now, the distrust in political officials, the distrust trust in our system,

which I don't blame people for not trust in our system. Believe me, when everybody said, hey, we need to, we need to drain the swamp. We need a guy who's not a politician to come. I just wanted a different guy. You know what I'm saying? Okay. So I'm not one of these people that, you know, I'm not, I don't have a Che Guevara poster on my wall. I'm not wearing a beret. When Trump almost got clipped, I was concerned because no matter what happened when that bowl left the chamber, things are going to be different. And I don't think we can afford too much more different. I think we can afford different in a way that we, We take a breath and we say, the country's never been more divided.

I don't want to say never. There was a civil war. Okay, we've been through things like civil rights era, Jim Crow, we've been through the Vietnam War. We've been through, like, there's an election every four years. But these elections feel different, and I'm just getting tired of it. Yeah, I just don't trust politicians. Where I fall in the political spectrum, you can make certain assumptions based on what I don't like. But I truly believe, unless you sit down with somebody and have a conversation on issues, go issue to issue, you really don't have an idea of what somebody is like politically.

And I'm not a big fan of boiling people down in two groups. And I'm not a fan of the division right now. That's not to say that I'm considering doing one thing or another. I was going to vote for Joe Biden if they wield him out there like weekend at Bernie's. okay but i also recognize the nature of flying too close to the sun and the fact that the the dnc and democrats have had a long time to assess this problem off in the distance and they didn't do it they didn't do it until right now and what that does now is it bursts all sorts of conspiracy theories new conspiracy theories you know it's a coup it's it's become the party of victimhood

on the right ironically because that's the thing they hate about the left but it's just it it becomes the same thing everything's a the election was stolen the dems are staging a coup suddenly we care about the agency of democratic voters no you don't what it seems to me is that there was this big game and one team had this quarterback who's fucking falling apart he's got gout he's shown up on the injury report for all types of non-standard ailments general age fucking you got a quarterback with rheumatoid arthritis, about to trot out there for the big game. A bunch of people cheering for that team are like,

hey, could we go to the backup? You know, there's not a lot of people that I know that weren't willing to look in the bullpen here, okay, over the last couple months, including myself. So when they went to the bullpen, I don't care if I'm not the biggest Kamala Harris fan in the world. I don't care if there are things that in the past that I don't like that she's done.

it is what it is okay and uh i just want people to understand me clearly on a couple things number one i don't like the i don't like the climate politically right now number two if you're one of these people who feels disenfranchised by the american government like you feel like the government's not working for you i would agree with you in that sentiment but that doesn't mean we just throw the baby out with the bathwater that's kind of my point and so that's why i won't be voting for Donald Trump. If you're a listener and you're voting for Donald Trump, I just want to tell you, I still love you. This isn't like Democrats have to sell sneakers too kind of thing. I really, I just don't like not getting along with people. And I think that some of the things are outside of American

citizens control and they're over our heads. And we are voting and operating in a system that is imperfect. So I just wanted to say, like, I have a. I'm not for assassinations. I don't know why you even have to say that. But I figured I'd come out and say I'm anti-assassination. This is like one of those things where, and I'm glad things have cooled off a little bit. Part of my take always makes a joke about how

when a player's leg snaps in half on the field, like fans are quick to say, or like somebody dies. You know, like a player dies. A Steelers fan, be like, hey, I'm no Browns fan, but even as a Steelers fan, I can say that it's very sad that that player has died. It kind of goes without saying that I don't want former presidents getting shot in the head. So I don't even know that I needed to say it, but I wanted to say it.

And I just wanted to like, because I've been going for two weeks and yeah, Richard Simmons died, Biden dropped out, Trump almost died. A lot has gone on. I figured if I just got back, if I got back in the podcast, I know most of y'all just want to hear sports, and you're going to hear a lot of sports today, but like, and you might already fast forward through this. I just wanted you to know where I stand. And this is kind of my effort to let you know where I stand one time, and then just be done with it.

And like the rest of us sit here and buckle up and watch this divided country, try to work this shit out, the remainder of 2024 and beyond. And I'm hopeful, but I'm also, I'm also feeling a little bit, uncertain. And it's not just if Trump gets elected. I mean, obviously, if Trump gets elected, I'm not happy, right? You know who I don't like. But I also don't feel great about leadership on the other side.

You know, and this isn't an indictment on issues, because if you took me down a list of issues, I'm pretty sure you'd say, this guy leans left, whatever it is. I just don't like where we are. And it sucks. And so for listeners of this podcast, I'm going to try. try to make this podcast throughout the remainder of the year a safe space for you all. I will talk about real issues when I feel like it, but this is an election year. And if you haven't noticed, it's an entertainment business.

There are plenty of verticals for you to consume election-related entertainment content. I will not be talking about a whole lot. But I just wanted to tell you guys this. Around the Super Bowl, this is a share. Okay, like I just think sometimes it's good to share. And I never told you guys about this because I figured I'd have an opportunity to later and you'd understand later. You know, sometimes when your kids are like, Dad, why? You're like, I'll tell you when you're older.

This is one of those I'll tell you when you're older things. Okay, so around the Super Bowl and these guys can attest to this. We were contacted by the White House. Okay. and they wanted to to arrange for joe biden to go on a number of sports shows i don't think it was a lot of sports shows but it was maybe like five seven of them and i don't know if he actually ended up going on many of them i know he went on like conan o'brien because that that was an interview that they were like check this one out and what was my reaction when we got that call hesitancy yeah yeah it was like

Can we change our number? Like, read, every day I was like, have they emailed back? I hope they forget about this thing. You know, I, when they first reached out, I said, I don't want to do it. Number one, I don't want to do it because if I ever got an opportunity to interview a president, whether it were 45, 46, 44, okay, like, and there'd be varying degrees of, of excitement or trepidation and doing those interviews, I would want to be able to ask whatever I wanted, no holds bar, you know, and I would like to be able to do it like a journalist.

Not that I have those aspirations, but if I'm going to be sitting in a room with a president, I'd like to be able to ask whatever the fuck I want. Now, they didn't say overtly that they were going to screen the questions, but this was kind of a fluff piece. This was like, we're getting ready for the big game. It's February. Who's Joe rooting for? probably ask him something about football,

probably ask him something about his personal life, probably a puff piece, right? And it's not like I don't want Joe or whoever's running against Donald Trump to win the election. That's just me talking. I understand that some of y'all might feel differently, but bear with me.

I also don't want to carry water. I am not a water carrier. Actually, I have a charity water boys Check it out, waterboys.org, but I don't carry water. Okay. My biggest fear in doing that interview was number one, that I wasn't going to be able to do it the way I wanted to do it. Right. Number two.

And I also didn't want to get down the road where we made all these, you know, hey, can we do this? Can we do that? Can we not do this? Can we not do that? Because then it kind of seems like it's a big negotiation. So I just, I said no to the guys and I said, I hope they forget about us. And eventually I think they did. The reason I did that mostly, though, is because I saw this coming.

Like, listen, I can be a victory lap guy as a football analyst. This is not one I take great pleasure in taking a lap on because I'm not happy about the lack of foresight that leadership had. I'm not happy about the position we're in. But I was not going to, in my opinion, pacify concerns about the guy's fitness to run you know i saw it last summer i tweeted something about it it felt like stepping out on a ledge to say they have we get trump and biden again this is fucked and when i said it it's like the hit dog will holler thing right you had trump fans who were mad at you you have biden fans who were mad of you and um you have people calling you a

closet conservative you have people saying hey what about everything joe did If you want to pat on the back for every confirmation bias for what you think Joe Biden and the administration did the last three, four years, I can't help you. I'm looking at the future. And I didn't want to be a part of a group that kind of whitewashed the situation. You know, I didn't want to be interviewing Joe Biden and working around some of the inadequacies he has right now communicating or making his points in a cogent way. Like, listen, I am not an ageist. You know, I was called an agist for saying this last summer. I think some of the best football, I wish Bill Belichick could have coached until 90.

But there's a different set of stakes and circumstances that come with leading the free world. And I just did not, I would not have, and I called people. Believe me, these guys will tell you, I struggle with it. I fucking, I struggle with it for a month. didn't struggle with whether I was going to do it or not, struggle with, was this the right decision to say, I'm not going to have Joe Biden on the show? And some of you guys might be like,

why are you talking about this so long? Well, it was fucking surreal to me. Hey, the president called, and he wants to come on your podcast. And the weight of responsibility of making that decision. If I say no, am I, am I in effect carrying Trump's water? If I say, yes, am I carrying Biden's water? water, especially considering last summer, I think it was clear to see over the last couple years

that Biden was not trending in a way where people were going to be like, yeah, this guy's fit to run. And you see what happened on the debate stage. And in my personal opinion, you guys want to say coup, whatever the fuck you want to say. I don't think you know what a coup is. I didn't realize you guys cared so much about what Democratic voters wanted. I just want a candidate who can sit up there and duke it out with Trump. go toe to toe and we'll see where the chips fall right but it wasn't going to be Biden and uh i

understand that guys done a great deal of service for his country and you know like some people call it elder abuse the way they propped him up there and the whole thing i think the guy really wanted to win and i think the guy had the best of intentions but he couldn't do it and i wasn't going to be a part of the group that was like trying to convince people that he could um so i don't know how you feel about that, but I just had to get it off my chest. It's a lot easier to get it off my chest. You know, when that happened and I said, no, I said, hey, that's a secret. I hope I never have to tell.

Because if I do tell that secret, that's probably going to mean that I was right, right? I'll keep it to myself if he wanted in a landslide. And he was out there sharp as a tack into his 90s. But that's just not the way things are going. And so, hey, like, listen, I just wanted to take a couple minutes, because the former president almost got shot the other day and the president pulled out of the race and this is a sports podcast.

I just wanted you to know where I stand and I want you to know that I'm not going to beat you over the head with it the next six, eight months because I am exhausted with partisan politics. Not because I think I'm making a difference in the political landscape as a fucking guy with a podcast. Like I expect you to care beyond like, oh, what's Chris talking about in the open of his podcast? What he's talking about.

You guys all, you guys and gals, all have your liens you all have the people you like some of you're going to come out of this this open and say fuck chris he should have interviewed biden some are you going to come out of this open and say fuck chris he has td s td s is curable did you know that j d vans said never a trump guy never liked him terrible candidate idiot if you voted for him america's hitler cynical asshole obnoxious, reprehensible, cultural heroin. He called him an opioid. So I guess the point I'm making is TDS is curable.

I just haven't found the cure. I hate the motherfucker. And if you love him, we're going to work this thing out together as a country. This is all I'm saying is we got to, hey, when there's a disaster, and I think that's what we're in right now, this is a disaster, right? Like we have never been more divided. The gears are turning to make us hate each other. There's former president's getting clipped.

People are dropping out. There's conspiracy theories. When there's a fucking hurricane or a tornado or a or or a fucking landslide. Since the beginning of time, people have rallied around each other to survive. When things go wrong in a place. people forget about their differences and they work together all right and i just think we need a lot more of that now that sounds super abstract and fucking idealistic and that's not going to make issues like how do we tax billionaires or where do you lean on abortion or should we reform bail laws or

that's not going to make those issues more agreeable for a lot of people. And I know some people say, hey, when Mitt Romney or John McCain and Barack used to get along, like, that shit is just so naive to yearn for. But that's where we need to get as people, man. We need to start respecting each other a little bit more, right? And we've all been guilty of it. But I think everybody's trying. There are some people who are not trying, right?

And we know who those people are. I just want you to know that like, I don't hate you. I don't hate anybody listening to this fucking podcast. We are all Americans, except for you in the various other countries that listen to this podcast, the Singapore's of the world, the Zambias of the world where our listenership is growing. But like a lot of you guys are Americans. A lot of you guys and gals are Americans. Let's just fucking figure this thing out. Let's take the temperature down a little bit so people aren't getting shot in the head.

Or we're not spending all day online just assaulting each other. Like when did this become? Over the last 10 years, I feel like we lost the plot. And I'm not here to point fingers. I'm not here to blame. What I am here to do is say, let's have a fucking great year. And we could use some football. Maybe we use some football more than anything, right?

that's not to say I don't want my play. I got no problem with demonstrations. St. Louis Cardinals yesterday, they're doing the fight thing. They're doing the Trump fight thing, dude. And boy, do I think that's stupid as fuck. But I don't care at all. Because the same thing that's true today was true five, seven years ago.

Everybody's fucking different. And I don't think that everybody has terrible intentions when they make a decision politically. I don't think that. It's a big country. We're a country of 50 states that are almost like 50 different countries. You know what I mean? If this was Europe, how many countries would there be in this motherfucker? Okay. So there's a lot of people who are very different in this country. Fundamentally, I believe we should give all of each other an opportunity to coexist and be empathetic and caring and yes be patriotic and be proud of this place but we got to work together a little bit and we ain't doing that anymore and that's concerning and you might call me an apologist for the

way things were and are somebody who's falling for the lie that is like American governance I'm not doing that I think it needs to be a lot better I don't like the two-part party system. I don't like the way we nominate candidates. I don't like the way politicians are guided by special interests and money. But that doesn't mean you throw the baby out with the bathwater. That's just where I stand. And I hope that for the rest of the year, we can get to football as quick as we can because training camp's coming. And I think football is going to make things a lot better. It's also the one sport we're actually still good at. You talk about like American exceptionalism. I know some people are going to be upset when I say this. I'm being hyperbolic. And I'm

kind of fucking around on the hills of USA basketball, almost losing the South Sudan the other day. And we're about to maybe lose to Germany. We're tied at 71 right now. Oh, we're definitely going to lose the Germans. I might lie, bet the Germans. Okay, here's the deal. South Sudan's been around like 10 years.

Okay, they just started being a country. The other half of the country wasn't even out on the court. Imagine you had North Sudan and South Sudan. I think we lose that game. Okay? this has been a thing that's kind of been happening. It's like we're getting beaten basketball. Shohei Otani's coming over here,

emasculating all these white boys. He hit a ball yesterday that just landed. Out of the park. In fact, in fact, the fact that the ball even landed is the best evidence that flat earthers have. Like that ball was hit so fucking far. And guess what?

It's a Japanese dude. All right? We're getting the NBA. It might as well be the Euro League. So American sports, not only is the American way under attack, not only is the country in crisis. American sports are in crisis. We need some football.

That's the one thing we're still pretty fucking good at. Like, there will be a day when we're playing an exhibition against Mozambique. And they take us to the wire and we need like two overtimes. But it ain't 2024. We can still plant our flag firmly on the sport of American football. So we need football. We need it to heal our country. And we also need it because we're getting beaten everything else.

It's fucking embarrassing. You know? Thanks, Biden. Kidding. I think Biden did some good things, man. I didn't. turn down the interview because I think he's a terrible guy. He wasn't my favorite politician.

I turned down the interview because I'm sitting there like Dan Marino watching two on TV. I'm like, throw the ball! I'm like, he's open. You know, like Trump's just out there with his fucking, he's just, his chins out there. Right hook. That's why I'm like, hey, Biden, you got to go, man. You can't even communicate, bro.

And I'm not going to do an interview. puffing this guy up. No way. This is a journalistic podcast, dude. You heard it here. Don't forget it. Let's have a great year. Let's fuck. Ready break. Let's get together on this thing. We're 250-year-old country. You think it's just going to last because it's supposed to? We got to work together. We got to work together. It's a lot of people taking the bait. A lot of people. A lot of people. people taking the bait. Let's work together. Let's survive this football season. Let's survive this election. Wherever the chips fall, I sure hope they fall one way. I'm sure a lot of you hope they fall the other way. But that doesn't mean I don't love you. That doesn't mean if your car wasn't

broke down on the side of the road, I wouldn't help you. If I'm on the river and somebody needs help, you think I'm asking them, read, who they voted for? Fuck. I love you. Chad Johnson comes to work every morning and says, I fucking love you. By the way, a lot has happened in the two weeks of God. We have our conquering Killy reunion every year. We have veterans and athletes

that climb Kilimanjaro, open invitation. If you climb with me, come out to my house in Montana or Virginia. Like we kind of set things up to where it's easy for everybody to come out for a couple days. We drink beer. We get on the water. We do whatever. And this year, I built it around Under the Big Scott, which is a festival up here in Montana up in Columbia Falls, which is not far from where I am.

And Billy Strings was headlining it. He was playing Sunday night. We went Saturday night as well. So gosh, we were revivalists, if that sounds correct, Cowboy. You saw the revivalists, too? I think. Are they kind of like a little poppy? Yeah, they're poppy.

They got horns. Yeah, I like them, though. They were good. Yeah. I have a list. Obviously, Sierra Farrell, got up on stage with Billy Strings. She's awesome. Zach Top is a star, bro.

Zach Top, I don't know. Some of you guys, you're like, you lost me already with fucking politics talk. Now you're talking about country music. Zach Top was incredible. I will say this, Billy Strings, and this isn't being hyperbolic because I've seen him before. I've seen him at the Hollywood Bowl. and I've been a fan of them for a few years now, like probably four or five years, maybe longer.

I don't know. Ever long he's been out, I've been aware, but Reed is a huge strings fan. And so we're always talking about Billy Strings. And as I've gotten to love bluegrass, even more of the last five, seven years of my life, it's apparent to me that he is rare. He is a rare, rare talent.

I really think he was like, he was born in the era of Flat and Scruggs, and just kind of terminatored here. Like one day, Doc Watson and fucking, you know, Bill Monroe and Tony Rice were all hanging out. And,

you know, like there was a lightning bolt. And instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger, it was Billy Strings. Like, that's how fucking good this guy is, dude. And I knew it before I saw a full show. But sitting through, two hours of Billy String's. That was the happiest that I've been in a concert in many years.

That was the most excited about being at a show that I've been in years. He did a, he did Freeborn Man, which is one of my favorite songs. It's a Tony Rice song. And if this fucking performance ends up on nugs.net, you will hear me. I screamed like a wild animal. and the only other guy that knew was Tony Rice in the vicinity was like 30 feet away and I didn't even know who the motherfucker

we just ran up and gave each other a hug like it was that awesome hearing Zach Top and Billy Strings do Freeborn Man at Under the Big Sky which is a fucking tremendous venue I just want to take a minute to shout out all the workers that Under the Big Sky

shout out the venue There were there was There were no lines There were no fucking Oh, you got to swipe your wristband at this thing Oh, it doesn't work, it doesn't work I got to swipe everything It was parking was wonderful

It's set in the middle of nowhere Montana relatively speaking I mean it's not nowhere to me But if you traveled in like so many did I mean there's people from all over the country that come to this festival now It was It was the perfect festival

and the Billy show Sunday night didn't just didn't just not disappoint it took my fandom to another level I walked out of that show and I said hey you know how there's like deadheads I think I could be a strings head I'm going to at least two three more shows

on this tour and he's going to come to Charlottesville next February I think Reed is on it bright and early we're going to be a really really string show so yeah I don't I don't know what to put the layup line as. He just came out with a live album, by the way, guys. Right before I saw him.

He came out with a live album the same day as the Sturgle Simpson. Cowboy, have you heard the Sturgeon album? Yeah, we were texting about it a little bit. It grew for me. Is it grown? It's grown. There's a couple songs on there that I really dig. I was telling you if the world ends or if it's the end of the world.

The second song in the album is Very Eagle. mint tea i like mint tea it's not it's not the you know we talked about it it's not it's not prime sturgle i i just want to say this i'm a huge sturgeon what do you do when you're a huge fan of a and i'm not saying this like in it with any air of self-importance this is just me if i were talking to two guys at a at a concert and we're all sturgeal fans what do you do when the the the guy goes in a different direction right like this is a little bit different over direction. And so like, am I not a fan if I don't love the new album?

It also feels like everybody's just like, yep, it's the best album ever. And I'm like, what am I missing? There's nothing, I mean, there's nothing wrong with the album. It's just not an album I'm in love with at all. And if you were to ask me, like, what's my favorite Sturgle stuff? And you could say this is still country. I don't know that you could classify that album as a country album. And I don't think he would tell you it's a country album.

I think one of the things that Sturgle loves doing is a bunch of different shit. Like when you look at all his projects and this is one of the things that I think makes them great, they're all different. So you can't expect all your fans to love all of them. But I think what you can't expect is like if you're a fan of Sturgle, you want Sturgeon to be making music that he likes making because obviously he's really creative. And that's what he likes doing is exactly what the fuck he likes doing. Now he's Johnny Blue Skies.

And it's a little bit different. It's still an album I respect. and can listen to, but to me, it ain't high top mountain, it ain't metamodern, and it ain't Sailor's Guide to Earth, but he's been going in this direction a while and where he's like, I want to do different shit. And I really like Sound Infuri. That to me was different, but I liked it. This is different, and I'm not really that into it, and I feel weird as a Sturgle fan.

I feel like it's one of those things where fans expect you to not say anything at all if you have nothing nice to say. But I don't think that's the way, like, talking about music should be. And I don't think I'm disrespecting Sturgeon when I say, like, I haven't been as into it as the other stuff. Does that make sense? Yeah. And it's not disrespectful at all because, you know, everybody has different tastes. And you're right.

Like, I think there is a lot to be said about his early stuff and how it, how it was so different at the time and still hits at such a high level. You can, like some art of an artist. and not like some of their art as much. Like with movie directors, it happens all the time. I'm expecting their next movie to be the same type and going to be a banger. And it's just like,

yeah, that's not really for me. Yeah, and I would feel weird. Like, it feels weird. Like, I'm going to go see Sturgel at some point here soon.

Like, people are like, you know, dudes in the beer line are going to be like, how about that new passage de, passage, how do you say it? I don't even know how to say that.

the last word. How do you say a bunch of dudes like me are going to be trying to pronounce the fucking rail line. And I got to be like, how do you really like it? Or just be like, how'd you like passage? How'd you like passage? I don't know what we're calling it. But I feel fake.

I feel weird. I feel like kind of disingenuous. But I'm still going to go to the show and I'm sure those are all going to be bangers live and like, listen, I'm sure the album's going to grow on me. The point was Billy Strings live album that kind of snuck under the radar there a little bit is fucking fantastic.

Let's do devil what was it devil on my shoulder? What's the name of that song? Hellbender. Hellbender, live at St. Augustine Amphitheater. This is a double feature. We're going to go, Hellbender, off the Billy String's new live album.

And then the second part of the double feature is Castle's Way to Sand. It's obviously a song that I love. One of the saddest songs in history in my period. to be in my opinion. The reason I'm bringing this song up working backwards, Nick Castellanos,

if you are to look up the etymology of the word, the name, surname, Castellanos is a Spanish name, and it means somebody worked in a castle. And Nick works in a castle. It's a castle of sadness. And the castle is falling in the sea. and at every turn in the road, this motherfucker does something when something bad happens.

He's a harbinger of death and destruction and, like, bad things. And, like, for those of you who don't know who Nick Castellanos is, if you don't watch baseball, he's a tall, dark-haired guy with a lot of swag that plays for the Phillies. He's got a little bit of an attitude. Sometimes he'll be mean to reporters. But like overall, he's just, he's a guy you notice, right? Like, everybody knows who this motherfucker is if you watch baseball. If you're not online, maybe you didn't know that there is a trend wherein anytime somebody gets on air to announce somebody dying or to apologize for something they've done, it all started.

I think the awareness was when there was a Reds announcer or somebody like that that said a homophobic slur. and had to, had to apologize for it. Imagine that. What is this country coming to? It's like 1984 out here. Basically, the announcer called somebody a terrible name or something on the, on the broadcast. And then he had to come, he had to come out and apologize about it. And, like, mid-apology, Cassilanos just hits a bomb.

And so, like, it's become basically a part of pop culture where it's like, and there's a drive to left field by Cassiados. and then it's in the middle of some apology or some death announcement. And so it just continues. It continues. It continues. And then somebody came up with this exhaustive list of everything that he's, everything has happened the same day or during him hitting a dong. Okay.

So I have the list here. This is from Moblin Redux on X. I'm just going to go down the list. He hit a dong during or right after or right before all these things. Apology for homophobic slur use on broadcast. We talked about that. Career threatening injury for tattoos. I remember that.

Ulogy for a World War II veteran. I didn't even see that one. 9-11 video package on air. Can you schedule these during like a Brandon Marsh at bat? Like, you know what I'm saying? Because I don't think he's, they just keep doing this stuff during, next step bats. Ten minutes after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, I didn't know that. The day Dwayne Haskins died. Ulogy for a deceased PA announcer. And that's probably how

the guy would want it. Cancer announcement for the team's owner. Ben Scully's death announcement. An hour after the death of Queen Elizabeth, this guy is a monster. When the bridge collapsed, he hit a dinger. Okay? When the Ocean Gate submarine thing happened, he hit a dinger. Then the guy went on the list three other celebrity dust. He just left that open end. I don't know which other celebrities. And then this is wild.

The anniversary of Hiroshima in Nagasaki, he hits two dongs, one for each city. And now it's culminated in him hitting a dinger. I think right after the assassination attempt or during an announcement. And right after and right after Biden would and right after Biden would draw. And it's become

so predictable now that the books actually move the odds on the Castiano's home run from plus 800 to plus 600. And he hit one. Yeah, I think Fandul also limited the amount of money. A homer that day. Hey, this guy's unbelievable, dude. Here's the most

unbelievable thing. Somebody was like, hey, it's not just that. You ready for this? Okay. I don't know. So in 2011, does anybody know where Castellanos was playing baseball? He was playing his first minor league season with the Detroit Tigers. In Fort Wayne, Indiana. Okay. So his first game was at 306 p.m. He hit a home run in the first inning of his first game with that affiliate ball club there in Fort Wayne. Now, you might not think anything of it. What time is it in Pakistan? No way.

What time is it in Pakistan when it's 3.30 in Fort Wayne? It's 12.30 in the a.m. And what happened that fateful day at one end? They clipped Osama bin Laden. Bro, you can't make this shit up. So yeah, Castle's made a sand indeed. It's falling into the sea. We need to find his home run record from Little League.

He was nine in 2001. You know, there's a deep, you know. You're playing fall ball? Yeah, there's a lot of things that we could go back and kind of check out. It was September. That'd be wild. Yeah, ball ball, dude. I don't think they're keeping a nine-year-old pimping one.

Yeah. Fuck, dude. You know, I took my first steps as the as that, what was it, the space shuttle crashed in 1985. I suppose that I'd do. What is it?

Columbia, right? Challenger. Challenger, yeah. I took my first steps and suppose they went, but that trend didn't continue for me. Somebody like Nick Castellanos, it's nonstop. So anyways, that's crazy.

I don't care that the Cardinals are doing the fight thing, dude. They can all put orange wigs on and sport spray tans. It's a free fucking country. I'm going to react way differently than y'all did when I put my hand on a black guy's shoulder or didn't go to the White House. Like literally,

that was supposed to be, just to hey yeah no no fuck you i'm not going to the white house it didn't have to be everybody else's fucking it did the think pieces and the fucking i became a mascot only difference now is i don't think any of that stuff makes a difference i'm just going to do it you know that's what i'm gonna do what i want to do uh let's get football back let's get football back okay couple football items before we get into our interviews number one jordan love is exercise what I like to call the soft holdout, also known as a Wisconsin holdout,

where you just hold out, but you're super nice about it, and you stay in the building, and you go to meetings, and you watch film, and you work with the team, but you just don't practice because fucking, you know,

a bag could fall over and, and, you know, I mean, freak things happen. I kind of, if he's close to getting a deal, I don't blame him for when to get the deal before he goes out on the field, I also think he knows he's about to get the deal. I think they're going to get this deal done.

And I think if you're the Packers, you've been at this thing since 1990 or so, right? You've had a quarterback, like, contiguously from early 90s to now. And there's a couple of the teams like the Colts. You can talk to Chris Ballard today, hear from Chris Ballard. That's another team that had it going for a while, right? And there were a couple hiccups when Andrew Luck retired. But had Andrew Luck not retire, they might still have their quarterback, right?

You go from Manning to luck and then now you've got Anthony Richardson, but the one team that just seemed to nail these transitions, and I don't even think they've done it on purpose at times, has been Rogers, Far, Love, not in that order, but, you know, those three guys now. And I think Jordan Love's really good. So I should say that at the outset. I think he deserves his money.

if he's going to be the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, it's timing, right? I'm not saying he's the best quarterback in the NFL, but he has an opportunity to be mentioned among them for the foreseeable future. If he kind of continues to ascend the way he ascended the second half of last season. And yeah, you could argue it's a really small sample size, but when you know somebody, as long as the Packers have known this guy and you've been there and you watch the development, you know what went into last year making that jump, I thought the offense changed completely. I thought they really gave him the keys to the car a little bit more and said,

okay, now you can drive. You know, first half the year, he was like me running stop signs with the driver's ed teacher in the car. Second half of the season, they were like, you and all these other young motherfuckers, all these young receivers get out there and drive this car. And it looked great. And you could accuse me of jumping out of the gym, but I think he deserves this money. And I think whatever it takes, just get it done.

I think what's playing into this is Trevor Lawrence deal. He's going to want more than Trevor Lawrence, and he deserves it. Now, you can say Trevor's been at it longer, the whole thing. Okay. I also saw what Jordan Love did down in Dallas in the playoffs. I saw what Jordan Love did at home playing Kansas City last year, the Super Bowl champions, eventual Super Bowl champions. I saw the way Jordan handled those situations.

I saw the way the Packers looked. in San Francisco in a game that they could have won. I don't like doing the coulda would or should have, but they were good enough to win that game. He was good enough to win that game. So I think he deserves every bit as much as Trevor Lawrence, and that could just be a personal preference thing. And I think he deserves more if he wants more.

How much more? I don't know. Is it going to be 200 guaranteed? Lawrence was five for 275. Is it going to be five for 295? Is it going to be? I don't know. but we're getting to cutting hairs right now.

If you want to stay the Green Bay Packers, you make sure your quarterback's taken care of, and then you enjoy the next 10 years. Obviously, the deal's not going to be 10 years long. But it's also relevant for Tua in Miami. We've been kind of dancing around this thing for a while. I've been really kind of kid-gloving it because I don't want to be accused of being like a vindictive take artist or something

or somebody that, like, you know, doing a victory lap. But you know me? I think too is a good quarterback, but I think some of the conversation around them, just a little bit much. Okay. Like, I'll put it this way. I would not be, if I were Miami, saying, hey, we just got to sign the guy. It just is what it is. Okay.

But here we are, and this is the NFL, and quarterbacks don't grow on trees. And it's a little late in the game. Just be like, yes, you're not in our plans. I know they want to get a deal done. I'm sure they do. but I'm sure they're not going to want to get it done on the heels of a Jordan Love deal that's probably juicier than the Trevor Lawrence deal. If two his agents are asking for more money than these guys, they got to be drug tested. You could make an argument on Trevor Lawrence, but I see something in Jordan Love that I'm sorry.

That guy's a little bit different. And so this is the way these contracts can kind of complicate things, right? like Miami's paying close attention to what's going on in Green Bay. I'm sure they'd like to beat Green Bay to the punch. Also, Hughes got Kenny Clark done. Frank Ragnow talked about him last week on R-Pod with Bo Allen. I thought Bo and the guys, as I mentioned earlier,

did a great job. And so, yeah, we'll see what happens. But I just trust Jordan Love with the football. I trust him with the football more than Trevor Lawrence. I like the way he can keep plays alive. I think he fits what they do really well. You can tell him in LaFleur have a really good relationship. And that's got to be like a breath of fresh air after kind of the contentious chapter that was the end of Aaron Rogers tenure there.

So quarterback news, I think by the time the next pod comes out, Jordan Love might be signed to a mega deal. And I hope he is. Another thing that I think might happen is I think the IUk trade might happen. I think IUC might be a jet soon. And if that's the case, if he, you know, if it's the Jets, okay, I kind of get it. Right? Like for, and we're talking about Brandon I, you just on its head, wanting a trade, totally get it.

We don't have to hash out all the reasons why or the for it or against it on the club's side of things. What I'm talking about is the player side, right? And if you're Brandon Ayyuk, and we're getting close to nut cutting time here where there might be a trade, or maybe he just stays a 49er and they've. pay them and it's not perfect for either side, but they get it done. You've got to weigh the options as a player of, do I want to stay in this imperfect situation, where I win, and where my production might not be as high as it could be elsewhere, but it also is certainly not going to be as low as it could be in other places because of the

way poor quarterback play, poor roster construction, poor offensive coordinating can kind of hamper the production of a wide receiver. I look at some of the teams that IUC is slated to be to be dealt to. If you're looking at like, hey, five destinations, these bullshit articles, it could mean nothing. You're looking at like Washington. You're looking at New England. You're looking at the Giants. Okay.

If the Jets are in the game and he wants to go try to win like he is now because I think that roster is ready to win, fuck, I picked him to go to go to the Super Bowl last year. before the whole team got hurt. I think Aaron Rogers is still that good. We'll see, though, off in Achilles. There's just a lot of risk when you take that deep breath and you walk that plank. It's like when Indiana Jones walked over that invisible fucking bridge with the chalice. Okay, Brandon, I, you want the chalice,

but you also could end up catching balls from Drake May, and Drake May might not be very good. We don't know. be really good. The guy in Washington might be really good. He might not be very good. We don't know. And, you know, Daniel Jones could be gone in a year. Like, we don't know. Aaron Rogers could tear his Achilles again. I'm not, again, I'm just playing out scenarios where the grass might not be greener. And I understand you want to get paid. And this is your first big deal. I'm not trying to talk a guy out of getting his money. But I just, I look at these things. And remember when Debo a couple years ago was, was,

trying to get traded. And he got the bag and he stayed in San Francisco and, you know, you could almost argue. And I've made this argument at times of like maybe San Francisco would be better off figuring out another way because it seems like when they end up in big situations sometimes because of the way he plays and I respect the hell out of him for it. He's just not available in some of those big spots. And their team changes so much when you got a Swiss Army knife guy like that on whom you you rely. San Francisco really has to rely on this guy. I don't know. I don't know who would have won that trade, right?

But I have a feeling Debo wouldn't be very happy. They were talking about the Jets a couple years ago. He would have ended up two years catching balls from Zach Wilson. Now, I don't know if that would have changed the trajectory of Zach Wilson's career, but I doubt it. But I know whose career might have changed a little bit. bit and that's Debo Samuels. You know, you're talking about guys 28 years old, a couple more years.

You're going to want one more big deal, right? I'm not saying I have all the answers, but what I am saying is like sometimes the grass isn't always greener. And, you know, I look at Devante Adams. I'm not comparing all these situations. There's going to be people saying, well, it's different. I'm just talking about receivers wanting to be elsewhere, right?

Hey, Vegas sounds great. No state tax. Derek Carr. Guess what? Devante. Derek Carr's now down in New Orleans. You're catching the ball from Jimmy G. Or not catching the ball from Jimmy G. And I can't get the

vision of Devante Adams. And a lot of this is the miced up content that comes out of inside the NFL where I work and you see some of this stuff get leaked late in the season. I saw recently the Devante Adams

looking just trapped. The feeling of being trapped. I've been there. Not as good a player as him by any stretch of the imagination, but just feeling trapped, where you feel like I cannot be my best right now on this team, the way things are. And at receiver in the NFL, your success is as dictated as any position by others around you. And so I look at the Devante Adams situation. And you could say, hey, there's a ton of situations where the guys get their walking papers and their careers improve. I just look at Brandon I

Yuk and I hope, because I think he's a talent. And I hope he ends up, if he ends up somewhere, that he can get that second big contract, you know, in a couple years. Because I'll tell you what, if Brandon I.U. got traded to the Jets two years ago, right? And you put him in Debo's position. I don't know that he's good enough,

and there's very few guys who are, to overcome a cycle of bridge quarterbacks or firings of offensive coordinators or poor offensive line play. Like, I don't know if he's at that level where if he goes somewhere else and some kids throwing him, the ball is not going to be there in two years. Like, I don't know if he's going to get the bag the way he'd want to get the bag at 28, 29 years old. I don't know how old he is right now, but I'm talking about contract three.

So I do know that if he's in San Francisco, the floor is high. And I don't blame a guy chasing the moon, right? but there are there are downsides that i'll give you a harrowing stat for devante adams he had 26 targets of deep balls of 20 plus or more yards last year didn't drop one of those 26 passes but he only caught four of 26 because nearly 60% of those targets were inaccurate he was just doing cardio all day and that was the most most of any receiver in 2023 2022 2021 or 2020 Very frustrating watching that happen to a player, frustrating for the player. And, you know, Brandon Ayyuk, I'm not feigning concern for the guy.

I'm just analyzing the situation and saying, like, hey, listen, he might be a really rich guy catching three balls a game somewhere because the guy can't get him the football. And you probably look up and say, oh, I'm a little bit richer. But 27 mil a year, I don't know what San Francisco is coming to the table with, but like maybe 25, 27 a year, like, that probably sounds pretty good when. you're making 30 and not catching the ball or your team's terrible. I've just been in those situations as a player. Another little bit of news that I found really compelling is Sam Darnold's going to be

the guy, at least at the beginning of training camp. I think that's the right way to do it. I talked about this before. I think I talked about this summer. You have to do it this way. This creates good pressure, right? It gives Sam Darnold an opportunity. That's going to motivate him, right?

it's good pressure for JJ. He's going to watch Sam Darnold. He's going to learn from San Darnold, but he's also going to want to beat out Sam Darnold. And that's okay. If you do it the other way, it's the pressure that can fuck up a quarterback's trajectory. If JJ's not ready, if the team's not ready,

and then Sam Darnold's coming in there in a circumstance, possibly where if you see him, it's bad news for the rookie. and it's probably bad news for the outlook when it comes to Darnold. And then if Darnold lights the world on fire in the first half of the season, you've either got your quarterback or if you really like J.J. McCarthy, you work him in eventually and you can find a trade partner for Sam Darnold. I'm not like, I'm just going over all the possibilities.

I happen to be somebody and I'm not one of these people that's like, don't give up on first rounders. That ain't it because some first rounders stink, okay? was one you didn't want to give up on. But for a year and a half, had somebody said, this guy kind of stinks. I'd have been like, all right, well, that's, you're right. I look at quarterbacks, and yeah, there's a lot of people that think these first round quarterbacks get a lot of, like, Zach Wilson gets another job. You know, you hear about all these first round quarterbacks that keep getting opportunities. Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, like, I'm sorry, there's a reason Baker

Mayfield was drafted in the first round. That kind of played itself out last year. He had a really good year. Is it a perfect quarterback? No. Sam Darnold never really. really has had that landing spot yet where he had a big opportunity in the right opportunity. You know, like, I'm sorry. You can call me somebody making excuses for a guy, but I would like to see that kid in particular not playing for Adam Gase or down in Carolina. You know, I did see it briefly against the Baltimore Ravens. There was a moment last year where he almost started the Cincinnati game. And I would have been excited to see him get an opportunity because I think the kick and sling it a little bit, and I like when I've seen Sam Darnold talk,

I like the way he operates. There's reason for me to believe there's something in there that's untapped. Now, if it doesn't work with Kevin O'Connell and Justin Jefferson to throw to and some of the weapons they have out there and the playbook, I really think a lot of KOC, then it is not going to work. But this is a last chance that I think should be afforded. and I'm excited to see him play. I like stories like this. So anyways,

that's sports. Do you a Magnita movie recommendation? Yeah, I'd love one. Dude, you gotta check out Twisters. Unbelievably fun in theaters. The theater was packed. People were gasping. It was like we were back at the movies.

In the 90s? Yeah. Oh, dude, I can't wait to see it. I cannot wait to see it. There's a couple movies I can't wait to see. Planet of the Apes is damn near out of theaters now. won't go see it with me there's a few out that i haven't seen i went to see despicable being four with the kids i finished 1883 finally what we think dude i thought 1883 was very good i never liked

yellowstone i thought it was like cartoonish i thought it was kind of a soap opera but anything you got sam elliot in uh i thought tim mcgraw did a great job i think faith hill did a great job like they are really good performers like it ain't just music those are amazing it's a hard show it's like heavy just like one tragedy after another after another not to give too much away the slavic people hollow man they just every yeah in that these lavic people made along the organ trail seemed to be the wrong one you know yeah they were they were not ready and and all of it like the whole story everything is really well researched and really uh it's accurate it's it's like a very accurate representation of

what those people went through. Very good show. I know I'm late, but if you haven't seen 1883, it's pretty fucking good. Now, I wasn't crazy about the young gal's monologues starting and finishing.

Yeah. I was going through those 10 seconds at a time. But otherwise, tremendous show, really well acted, top to bottom. And a lot of babes on the Oregon trail. That's the only thing that I think is a little bit unrealistic.

There were, The amount of good looking women in that show, I can't imagine match the actual, you know, in actually 1883. No, no, no, no, no. So yeah, anyways, here's a who's first up today, guys? You guys are running the show for me. Alex Highsmith. Pittsburgh Steeler, he's going to be a blast and a half to talk to. I bet you guys are going to talk some pass rush moves, maybe a little training camp because he's getting ready to head to La Trobe for the Steelers home away from home.

And then you're going to talk to Chris Ballard. He's going to talk about the Colts, a little training camp as well. Anthony Richardson, his development, Shane Steichen. A couple of great conversations. Make sure you listen to them both, and we will see you next time. Hey, y'all. Green Light has official merch, like this hat right here, like the one on my head, this dad hat. Love this hat.

I'm not even a dad hat guy, but this thing fits great. This hat right here fits great. We've got hoodies. We've got T.E. By the way, this hoodie's like super comfy. I mean, it's like soft, plush. It's not the type of hoodie that's going to get stiff with one wash. And the shirts, too, because I'm a big comfort guy.

Okay, you got like this white shirt here. You got the shirt with the logo, the Abbey Road looking logo, with Dr. Fax smoking presumably a blunt, Kyle carrying Cowboy Reed, making driveling a basketball, which I've never seen him actually do. And me carrying a football. And then you've got the black shirt here, too, with the logo.

So stickers, hit the link in the description in the video, below the video, actually, and make sure to tag us on social media showing off your green light merch. It's quality, quality threads here, okay? Wouldn't do it any other way. All right, got one of my favorite players on. This dude can rush, and I don't think he gets enough attention, but been a lot of fun to watch over the last three, four years now. one of the best pass rushers in the AFC North, if not the entire league.

Alex Hossmith, welcome to show, man. How you doing? Doing great. Doing great. Appreciate you having me on. Yeah, dude. So, listen, it is, listen, let's make no bones about it. It's Monday, July 22nd.

When I used to play about this time, that dark cloud would kind of drift over me and it was time for training camp. And, you know, I started thinking about, man, I haven't hit anybody in a couple months. And it's going to be hot out there. you're headed to La Trobe when? Talk me through the next couple days. Yeah, so we head down Wednesday. Got some stuff we're doing there on Wednesday.

So that's the check-in day. And then, you know, Thursday, it starts. So we're excited. You know, everyone's going to excited to get ready to rock. So I can't wait for it. It's going to be a special year. Do you have like a last meal or something? Do you do something like the last couple days?

Because, I mean, training camp is not what it used to be. I don't mean like old man you, but if you talk to the older guys, It was a real grind. It's always a grind now, but is there anything you do, like, right before you go where you're like the last gasp of fresh air before I go in the washing machine? Yeah, every, every, the night before camp every year, me and my wife always go out to eat and spend some time together. So we got to me and my wife, Alyssa, have a great dinner planned, and I think we're going

to a nice sushi spot. So it's one of our favorite spots to go to. So I'm going to do that and just enjoy some time together because, you know, we're going for most of the time, but get it come on one day a week. So it'll just be good to spend that last night with her like I always do. So you get that one day off a week now, right? You're saying one day where you can actually go home. And how far is La Trobe from Pittsburgh?

From Pittsburgh is probably like an hour where I'm from, hour 20. So it's not too bad overdrive at all. So dudes go home on the off day? Yeah, a lot of guys do. Guys who have families back here and who are married. And like I said, our families, we usually come back or some guys just come back, you know, just to come back and just relax on that day off. Tell me, tell me what La Trobe's all about, man, because it's one of those things I can remember playing. I was talking about in the open, and nobody was coming to our training camp practices, and there was no NFL network.

But I used to watch Green Bay dudes, riding bicycles and La Trobe. It was like, it's like a fixture in the NFL. It's like something that's like a tradition. And I kind of wonder what it's like to actually walk. down in that bowl and practice, what's it all about up there? It's about the experience. I think, honestly, La Trobe is probably the best camp experience in the whole NFL. Just fans coming out every day.

I mean, there's thousands of fans that come out every day. So every practice feels like a game out there, especially when the pads come on and we're doing competition drills and we're doing all our team drills and stuff like that. So it's just a feel like no weather. And whenever you come out of the locker room every day, there's always fans. We always walk down this little gravel rock path to the field. There's fans on both sides, just cheering you on the whole time. And then when practice gets done, you got fans coming up that same path, going back to the locker room and also fans on the other side.

So it's just a crazy atmosphere. And every day, like I said, it feels like a game. And it's just a cool atmosphere. And now the fans love it. And, you know, it's always a good time being out there and putting on a show in front of the fans. What's, what's Tomlin's camp like? Is it you guys pad it up a good bit? Or you got, like, you know, talk to your buddies around a league.

Like, I used to talk to my friends down in New Orleans, and they'd be like, bro, this is, it's like a work camp down here. Dudes are out here. It's 100 degrees, 75% humidity, full pads, live. Like, what is Tomlin's tempo like in camp? And what do you like? What do you need? Because I remember there were things that I needed to get back in the swing of things. What's his camp like and what do you personally need to get back in the swing of things?

Yeah, I think he runs things great. It's a physical camp, that's for sure. You know, whenever we're in pads, you know, we've got some lot of peers. We got different hitting drills and stuff that we do, different one-on-ones like we do against the O line, and we do stuff against the tight ends as well. But I think he just breeds competition, and he wants that, he wants to see guys be competitive. He wants to see the best out of everybody. So I think that's something that is really highlighted during camp is the competitive nature, the competitive aspect of the game, whether it's starting from our first. first team drill in seven shots or doing competition drills or, you know, finishing the day with

just a team period. I think everything we do is about competition and whether that's in pads or whether we're in helmets and shorts. No matter what we do, we're competing. I think he just brings the best out of us during those times. And so if you're a competitor, you love, like, I think, you know, so many guys that I know that our competitors love, love Coach T's camps. And I love it too because I'm a competitor myself. Well, also, I feel like if he's a guy that gives you a lot of reps, you do a lot of team period, you do a lot of real football. Like I can remember used to come out and I hate an individual. I don't know about you.

I mean, I like getting the work in, but I'm like, hey, we're spending 35 minutes over here. I want to get to it. Let's get to inside run. Let's get to, you know, one-on-one pass for us. Let's get to the stuff where I can hone my skills a little bit good. You know, man on man. You know, I love hitting the bags and all that sort of thing. Are you the type of guy that when you get into camp, you're fighting to get those

reps even though you're established now, it's kind of an interesting thing because you, you know, coming up, I'm sure you were fighting to get those reps to show what you could do. Now you've kind of arrived, but do you still fight to get those reps so you can get back in the swing of thing? Yeah, I mean, I feel like I'm the type of guy who always wants to be in and be competing and getting reps. And so whether there are some days, you know, where I get, you know, since like you said, I'm established now, whether I get it toned back a little bit, you know, I still want

to be in and getting the full reps that I get because that's just kind of the mentality I've always had. I was a walk on in college. And so for me, I've had to work for and earn everything that I've gotten. And so I think that's just this mentality that I care with me every single day is just to get better every single day. And like I said, I think it was a couple years ago during camp. I broke my ribs during camp. And it was, I think it was, we were doing some type of like past team, team drill, whatever. And I broke, like, I felt something pop inside. It was like my rib cartilage. I thought it just got the wind knocked out of me. And so came out the field and everyone was like, chill, chill, chill. I'm like, nah, like I got to get back in there

and get some more reps. And then I go back in and I felt something weird happened. And then ended up sitting out the rest of camp. But like I said, I'm a guy who always wants to be in and be competing. How did you, were you like arm over and somebody in the guard came in? Or what, what? Because that happened to me in training camp too. It was my brother, dude. And they had, uh, the bears come up. when we were practicing live stuff against them. And I beat him across his face on a stunt. And he whipped his big ass arm around and hit me with an ice pick. Yeah.

My ribs during camp. And so I've been through that same thing. How did it happen to you? It was just like, it was just a weird situation. Like, I was just rushing. I ended up tripping. I can't remember how it happened. But then I fell.

I like fell on someone else was already in the ground. I fell. I think my, like I said, broke my cartilage, not the ribs. I think my, I fell right on someone's heel. Yeah. And it just like hopped and just took the, took the air out of me. And then I was riding back. I remember on the bus back, I think it was like our Friday night lights practice.

So we were like at this high school field in the trobe. And I remember riding back on the bus and my ribs popping in and out. And I was, oh, this ain't right. So I had to go get an MRI that night and everything. And so, yeah, it was just kind of a crazy crazy. I was like, I still feel it now. It's weird. But it's just like kind of a little deformity.

but I don't think it's hindered my play at all. Yeah, you can feel little bumps, like where you, like, you know, the bone builds up or whatever. Actually, funny thing, you said you fell on somebody's heel. That's the worst. I went to tackle a running back and landed on his heel between the ground and his heel, and it fractured my sternum, you know, like where you go, where you, you know those tackles where you kind of slide down back to somebody's leg. I think it was actually Adrian Peterson. That shit sucks.

with with camp getting back to like reping and I think pass rush is so important it's so important to try things man you know like I was always so not afraid to but if you get two reps and one-on-ones you're like well I'm not going to work this crazy thing because I don't want to be in the meeting room later and people be like you got blocked

by this rookie or whatever it was I'm working on my bread and butter it's hard to find the times to work on the new stuff and I kind of I wonder what you want to put in your game this year that's new. I had read or heard that you were working on some counters off your spin. Talk me through, you know, you're going to, what, year five? Yeah, your five now.

What it looks like for you with your toolbox and how you get the work on the new stuff, the stuff that you want to add to it? Yeah, I think for me, it's just really finishing at the top of the rush. I think just looking back over my film in the past couple of years, there's been plenty of times where I've, felt like I have one with a chop rip or a cross chop or a ghost, but then the quarterback stepped up and I just got pushed back to the quarterback past the quarterback. And so I think something for me that I've kind of worked on is just really working those moves at the top of

the rush and getting back to quarterback level, I think is something that's going to help me, whether it's a counter spin, whether it's a hump or whether it's just coming around and pulling an arm down and getting around. I think that's something that's going to help me a lot because I think that's one thing that TJ does really well. He sees someone who, He wins a lot with his first move, but when he doesn't, he's always working his hands and always working that counter. Because if offensive line recovers, he's, like I say, he's pulling that arm. He's ripping up to him. He's pulling that, pulling some arm down.

So I think that that's something that he's really good at is just the counters and stuff like that. Yeah, I used to watch Aaron Donald, and he'd have a guy beat, but he continued to beat him. You know what I mean? Like, you have him beat at four or five yards, and then it's like, he's just assaulting him on the way to the quarterback, you know, on his back, pulling the arm out, pushing him through. Like, and I watched TJ, too, and I used to struggle at times at the top of my rush, you know, where it was like, hey, whether it was the turn in the outside hand,

like working on getting that outside shoulder in or trying to use the tilt track, that type of stuff. Do you vary your tracks up a lot? Yeah, most of the times I try to keep the same angle with a few rushes to try to make everything look the same. But this year, too, I think I'll work even more of my hands. angle. And last year, I felt like a lot of times I was taking a false step at times in my rush when I was standing at a two point. And so sometimes getting back to that three point helps me to really explode off, split off. Because I'm an outside hand, outside foot back guy when I rush. And so sometimes like when I'm the same at two point like I got my inside foot up, but sometimes in a two point stand. So I take a false step. And so just kind of looking at what I did last year, just kind of, you know, being able to really just find, tune in those fine. details and just be able to get better in that way.

Being an outside step guy is that tough or and play away in the run game? It can be, but I think sometimes I, if I'm watching film or if I see something in game, like a lot of times you see stuff, like you know this, you'll see stuff on the field that you don't see on on film. Like if I see, if I got a two-man surface

and I see that the tackle's eyes are, you know, looking down. I know he's he's most likely blocking down and that once he blocks down, I can take, I can kind of scoot in and take an angle to either get down to the stretch play or climb high for boot, depending on what the play is. So just really looking at things,

and that's the same I was talking about, looking at things and seeing things in game, because, like I said, you don't see it all during film, and so I think that's something that helps me. Did you drop a lot at Charlotte, or were you mostly on ball? These and this. In my first couple years at Charlotte,

I was, like, outside backer. I was dropping a lot. set my, it's crazy, my junior year. I went from like outside back or then my junior year, started D-N. Then we had this, this three, I think it was a something in the realm of a three-three stack, but it was a three-down defense.

And I was playing a four-eye at 245 pounds. Didn't get many sacks, but had a lot of tackles for loss that year. And then my senior year, we ran a four-two-five that really, you know, let me rush a lot. And I dropped a decent bit. But, you know, just being here

and being in this system, I know that we drop, we drop a good bit. And so that's something that I've been working on as well. And when I do go in coverage, because when I'm in coverage, you know, I always prefer to rush and get out to the quarterback, but I don't want to be a liability when I'm in coverage. And so I want to be the best that I can be when I do that. Yeah, you guys are two of the best rushers that also drop regularly in the league. Like, you know, there might be some guys that they work around and they don't drop guys

a certain bit, but I always see you guys making plays. do you sometimes marvel at TJ's playmaking ability? I think, you know, there are great rushers. Like, he's a great rusher. You're a great rusher. There's great run players. But then there's also guys that, like, just have a real knack for the ball.

You know what I mean? What is it about him where it's like, whether it's a bubble screen and he's just going to jump off and pick it off or he's going to chop down at somebody closing. He's not just going to make the play. backside he's going to take the ball off. What is it about him? Does he spend extra time? Or is that just a thing?

I think it's just a thing that he knows and just the experience that he has. He's going into year eight now and just like I said, the awareness that he has. I think it was a couple years ago when he had those two picks against the Bengals, against Joe Burrow where he jumped up at the line, another one where we were playing the Bengals at home and he did a swim move inside and just put his hands up and caught the ball. Like it's just things that he does like that that make him. who he is and that's why I believe he's the best of the world of what he does because of

the way he can rush and the way he gets picks, forces fumbles and stuff like that. And so I think it's something that just really makes him a complete player is what he's able to do in the rush, of course, and they've run game and also getting his hands up and picking balls off. And even

when he dropped in coverage against the Rams this year, and we had some coverage adjustment that we did and him running that, looking out there looking like a DB, he picked that thing off. and almost cribbed it. And so that was just a crazy thing to see. But we practiced stuff like that.

And so I feel like we're prepared when we get caught up to do that. I also feel like he might be the most jacked he's ever looked. I don't like, I saw a picture of him a week ago. And I'm like, what the fuck is this guy doing in the wait room? I mean, I said to my dad yesterday, I said, can you imagine if T.J. Watt was playing in the 80s what he would look like compared to some of the dudes. And we were just marveling at him. What's his kind of like routine and are there any stories you can share about the extra mile he takes it? Yeah, I mean, I think he just, he's very disciplined in his training, where he's at, you know, back in Wisconsin.

I think he's had the same trainer for a long time. And that's something that he's, he's accustomed to. And like I said, his trainer probably knows his body and he knows his body. And so he's something that he takes all different phases of training. serious, whether it's lifting or mobility, recovery. I think, you know, he prepares well in the off season to be able to perform well in the, like I said, in the season. Like I said, his mobility is really good as well and just being able to bend around the

corner and stuff like that. And so he just takes that stuff seriously. And I think he handles, he's a pro in all areas. And that's why he is what he is. And so I think it's, I was really blessed coming into the league and having guys like him, Bud Dupree, Cam Hayward and other veteran guys to. really, you know, to be around to suck up information from. And I think that helped me a lot coming in as a rookie and being able to have those guys.

And now, you know, learning from them still in year five has been really cool. You talk about Bud. I was a huge fan of Bud still am. I just think his style of play is so underappreciated. A lot like yours, you know, which I think you know is a compliment is, you know, he was like a rolling ball of butcher knives. He just, he just wanted to, whatever was in his path, he was going to fight. it up.

Yeah. He was going to, yeah, that's true. And sometimes he wasn't going to make the play, but somebody else was going to make the play. And I just feel like watching you guys with you, What, Hayward, obviously, and I don't want to leave guys off, Herbig can play.

And it was fun watching him kind of come along and you guys play together. But there's got to be a feeling of like, because we had it on our old D-line in St. Louis, where just the strength in numbers, man, And that group becomes so close and you come like a pack of wild dogs out there. You just really feed off each other. What's it like on third down?

And they play Renegade or whatever they play up there. They play sticks. The place is on its feet. And you look down the line and you've got some combination of Benton, Hayward, T.J. Watt yourself. Like, how exhilarating is that? I mean, it just has to be, it has to be a great feeling to rush at home with that group. Yeah, now it's a great feeling. I mean, our stadium gets loud too. And especially, like you said, the fourth quarter when we play Renegade,

I think that's a feeling like no other. And it's just sometimes those moments, like, you know, as a pass-frew, you can feel like when a play is about to be made. And I think all of us on that line really, really feel that all the time. TJ talks a lot about it, Cam as well. And I think, like you said, we do have strength in numbers. I think we have a lot of depth this year at our positions. And like you had mentioned, I think Nick, Nick Herbig and Keanu Ben,

are both going to have really big years this year coming into year. for them both. And both of those guys are just going to be able to come in and make a lot of place for us because they did last year. And so I'm just excited to be able to ball with those two as well. And I know they're going to do whatever they can to help us. And so I think overall we just have a really, really solid unit out front. And so I just can't wait to get the ball with them.

Now, as much as you all get along and love each other, is there also moments where you fight over sacks on Monday in the film room? Yeah, we always make jokes where it's like one of us is close. And we fall in the paw. we'll just say half or something like that. So everyone matters. You know what I mean? So we're always making jokes like that. Even if someone, it doesn't, even if it's not even close,

they'll just, we'll just make a joke and just like say half, just to mess up everybody. Well, when you, when you, you never know week three, that half sack could trigger an incentive week 15. No doubt. Like you said, everyone matters. It's never happened to you, but when you hit that incentive on the head in December, it feels pretty good. Yeah, I haven't had that yet because this is the last year is first year of my extension,

but now this is my second year of my new deal. So I know that, like you said, it's all, we're all trying to get it and get after it. Is there any fighting over a fish week to week? I don't know if y'all call them fishes. We used to call a guy that you wanted to rush over a fish, not that we're going to name anybody. But is there ever a fight over who gets to line up where? Sometimes, not really. I feel like most of us we kind of play on one side whenever we do play.

So TJ's mainly the left. I'm mainly right. And usually Cam and Larry usually play left and Cam plays right. And so I think usually it's, you know, when we do get those fish, we know that at our position, we got to take advantage of them and make the most of it. Oh, that's the worst because you'll win a bunch of rushes and maybe not get home. And you'll be like this. And I know you had that kind of year last year where it was like, and seven sacks is a lot of sacks.

dude in the NFL and especially i know for you having done 14 the year before you're like i want double digits every year i know that but you had to be happy with some of the quality of your play man i mean you're still you're applying a lot of pressure tj was down you know that getting close has got to be frustrating but i think you also probably see the effect that you have even when you don't get home sometimes yeah no doubt and i think also frustrating too and i had a couple taken away from, you know, penalties and so like that, that's definitely frustrating too. But, no, for me, it's, I don't want to let it get to my head too much. Sometimes I feel like when I'm rushing well, there was a couple of games, I felt like I was rushing

really well last year and beating my guy and just didn't hit home. And, but for me, it's just keeping my head and keeping my confidence and knowing who I am and knowing that I had that 14-Sec year like I did a couple years ago, that that gives me the confidence to know that that's the type of player I am. And like, even last year, there were some times where I felt like I was running, better than I was a couple years ago, even though the numbers didn't show it. But for me, it's just keeping the mindset and keeping and keep getting after it. And also, too, I've, like, I had two pictures here I never, never had that in my career.

And so I felt like I was able to make some plays in the past game as well. And so for me, it's just about keeping my confidence and just getting after it and not really worrying about, you know, what's, what's being said or whatever. But because I know the type of player I am. And I know that my best ball is still in front of me. And so I just know I just got to, don't get wrong. I'm not content at all with, not content with 14 and a half, not content with seven, no matter how many. That's kind of the mindset that I want to have and I want to always get better.

And I think that's what kills guys in this league is they get complacent. And so I just never want to be that type of guy. I want to always be striving for more and always be striving to get better. You seem like the type of guy that really cares, though. I mean, everybody cares, but like you really care. I can tell. and hearing you talk about putting pressure on yourself and that sort of thing. I think the edge rusher's got to be one of the most mental positions in football

because we're evaluated on one thing, that number, you know, which me is bullshit and also doesn't tell the whole story all the time, but that's the currency that we agreed to operating under. And so, you know, I kind of wonder if you've developed any strategies when there is a slump. Because I can remember there were games where, and I had the vets tell me, they come in bunches. I'm sure you've heard that a bunch. But like, Leroy Glover would tell me, hey, easy, don't press. You know, or I'd come to the stadium and I'd be, it would all I'd be thinking about was I need one today.

You know, I want to win. I need one. Have you developed any mindset strategies when things aren't going right where you can just let it go a little bit? Yeah, I mean, I think just letting my preparation just play out in itself. And I think for me, like you said, there's been times where I come show it to a game. It's like, oh, I've got to get at least one or two today. You know what I mean? And I think for me, when I'm coming to a game and I'm not thinking about that,

when I'm just thinking about playing my best and just going out there and playing, I feel that that's when I play my best. But when I'm thinking about it, playing and play out, getting that every single play, I think that sometimes when it gets in my head And I put that pressure on myself and it all plays well as I usually do. And so whenever I just go out there and just have fun and do my job and ball, I think that's when those plays come to me. And I feel like I'm able to make those plays.

It's just when I'm going out there and I'm having fun with the guys and just I'm going out there and do what I'm supposed to do. And there's nothing worse than trying to steal one and then watching something crees you for 30 yards, you know. No doubt. Yeah. Coach up. Yeah. You can never get a sack on a run play. So I've had some times where I've got outfield and created a gap.

So just no, you've got to let it come to you. So this year I want to talk, do you guys, is you guys acutely aware of how difficult your schedule is in the second half of the season? I know people aren't supposed to look ahead, but we have these schedule releases for a reason. And I was pulling for you all last year. I was one of the biggest Steelers fans and just saying how I think you guys are a good football team. when you guys hit that slump around the Arizona game and Picky got hurt and, you know, you guys were there so close, even in that game where it's like if you just finish a couple

times on offense, but you can't go through that slump this year in the second half of the season. And you guys know that. You got six division games and then the Eagles and the Chiefs. So how important is it to you to start fast? Is that something you guys are talking out loud about starting fast and figuring things out earlier. Yeah, I think as of right now, something that we're not really talking out loud about, but I feel like, you know, a lot of people do know that that end of the year schedule is going to be a gonlet. But, you know, as you know, every single game in the NFL is a whole game is hard to win in

the NFL. And so I think just having that mindset, and sometimes, you know, when you underestimate teens, when you underestimate teams, that you know you're better than or have a better record, then they'll keep up on you and they'll beat you. And that happened a couple of times last year. And so I think And yeah, I think for us, it's just focusing on one game at a time. And I think for us, you know, as long as we stay healthy, I think we're going to have a great team this year. And I feel like ever since I've been here, I feel like we played pretty well in the division. And that's one thing I love about our division. It's the best division in football.

And it really brings out the best in you every single game to compete. And so it's definitely going to be a gauntled towards that end of the year. But I think the mindset we have is focusing on one game in a time. And we know that starts with Atlanta week one. The thing I found out about you this morning, actually, and it should have made more sense to me, you being a Carolina dude, is we got something in common. You grew up a big Panthers fan, so did I. I was a huge Panthers fan. I used to paint my face when I was like a little kid and go to the games.

I was a huge Kevin Green, Julius Peppers, Steve Smith, Sam Mills, dude, like, I'm a little older than you. But were you like a fanatic? Were you like really into the NFL growing up? Yeah, I'd say I was. I wouldn't say I was a fanatic like face paint and stuff like that Bro, I had Sunday ticket I remember crying when they lost

like in the playoffs I was like 11 okay, don't judge me but you know I was really boys man I think I did after I think I was like five I think whenever they lost to the Patriots in the Super Bowl that one year and I was sad man

and too I remember that that 2015 year when they went 15 and 1 And now I was upset at that Super Bowl as well. Hey, I think that was definitely a winnable game for sure. But I think just overall I did grow up. Like you said, I love Joyce Peppers.

I love Steve Smith. And during that 2010 era, like guys like Cam and Luke Keekley, Thomas Davis, Charles Johnson, so many other guys I can name. But there were so many great guys on those teams. and I never really watched the Steelers. Of course, I knew who they were because they had a lot of great players and they won Super Bowls when I was growing up and stuff like

that, but now being here with the Steelers, I think there's no other team. I'd rather be on. You know, you say Charles Johnson, you kind of, you don't play exactly like him, but I think of the same way, like, super underappreciated, one of the best rushers in the league and a lot of power.

You know, like a lot of power, a lot off the power. I thought Charles was a great player, man, and we were about the same age. So he was one of my favorite players. I got his jersey. So yeah, funny thing, when you went back, I'm sure everything went fine. But I went down there and I grew up a huge Panthers fan. I'm playing against Steve Smith.

Like, Steve and me are cool. And they got into it with Robert Quinn and they're like punk and Robert. And I go over there and I get in a fight and I punch some guy in the face. And I get ejected. What was this? This was 2014. It was Rams, Panthers. So we ended up losing that game, but they, you know, they're walking me off the field

and motherfuckers are throwing beer bottles out. And I'm thinking, bro, like, I love you. I was like, this is my team, man. This is fucked up. So I'm glad your homecoming went probably better than mine there. Yeah, it was, it was probably one of my favorite moments of my career. No, it's basically, you know, being from Wilmington, Wilmington is only three hours from Charlotte. I played ball at Charlotte.

It's a piece of, you know, a piece of my story. Huge piece of my story. It's where I met my wife. That's where I, of course, went to college. And so I think being back there was huge. I think I had 40 people, something like that, come to the game. I had, it was really cool the night before the game. Our team chaplain at Charlotte, he did our chapel of the night before the game.

So we actually stayed on Charlotte's campus when we were there. as well. I said a lot of guys where I didn't know, like, you know, like, oh, this is, this is here. And like, no, the shooting is Charlotte. We're not a small school, but it's a smaller football school. And, you know, it's, it's getting, they're getting better and better every year. And so, but I think that was just a special moment. I had a sack and a forced fumble on the goal on that game.

And that was just a, maybe we got the win, of course. That was the biggest part. But I think that was just definitely one of the more memorable moments of my career being down there and playing against the team that I, you know, really forward. growing up. Did you meet Biff yet, Pogie? Yeah, yeah. So that weekend was the first time that I met him when we went down there. Yeah, he's, so one of my college roommates who played

tied in the NFL, he married Biff's daughter. Okay. And so I just, I was at Biff's house, wherever it is, down at the beach somewhere, but he's got a beautiful house down there and they had the wedding there. That program's a good hands with that dude. as no doubt that dude is 100% a guy you'd want to get a beer with a guy you'd want to play for uh so that's real cool i think we were eventually going to get down there for game so um but yeah no i before i let you go i wanted to i wanted to i wanted to ask you about

russle wilson to me he was like a young guy dude like when he came in the nFC west we just tried to tee off on him and he was he was a beast he was like we were like wow who is this kid but he would hold the ball a little bit. He would drift out of the back of the pocket and make things a little easier on your boy. So we like playing against Russ. He was a younger guy. For you, seeing Russ show up,

is that like seeing, you know, an OG, like an older guy? Like, to you, he's like football royalty, right? And what's that like having him walk into the building? When you guys have had this carousel of quarterbacks and nothing against any of them. But there certainly wasn't a Russell Wilson. Yeah, I mean, I remember whenever he came in the building for OTAs, it was just, I just remember seeing him.

So I'm like, yeah, that's Russ, like, a guy I grow up watching and, you know, this guy, Super Bowl winning quarterback and everything. And he's definitely like an OG, but I think he, a lot of the guys love him. And so I'm just excited to see what he brings force this year. And I know he's, I think, you know, no, I don't think. I know he's excited to be a steel. and play for this team and play for this organization.

And so I think a lot of guys are rallying around them. And I just think he's going to be great for us and provide a lot of spark to our offense as well. And so I just can't wait to see the way that he leads us and the way the guys rally around them and stuff like that. And so like I said, he's just, I think he's really motivated right now. And, you know, even though I don't know what year he's in, but I think he's feeling as good as he has his whole career right now. He's getting up there. But Fields, man, young, fash, fast, explosive, probably bigger than you even.

Like, if I stood next to the guy, I'm pretty sure I'd be like, just blown away. Same thing with Josh Allen. You've played Justin, I believe, and had to chase him around. What's that like and how nice is it on he's on your team? Man, this is a special talent. He's a freak athlete, great quarterback. And I remember we played him my second year. We played the Bears at home.

It was like a Monday night game, I think, and I was chasing around the edge, and he started scrambling out to the left side, and I was chasing behind him. He turned around and looked at me, and he was gone. I'm talking about it hit another level, and I'm like, that's when I really realized how fast he was. So I just think he's just going to provide a lot of value for us, and he's a great quarterback as well. So the competition between them two is just going to bring out the best of them both, and so I just can't wait to see. And I think both those guys are great leaders, and so I'm just excited to see them both compete and get out there during camp. All right. So last thing, man, you got some exciting young rookies. You also have some exciting second year players.

I think you're going to make a big jump. But like Fetano, Zach Frazier, you guys have been in underwear mostly, no pads yet. A couple days now you're going to see it. What have you seen so far from the young offensive line in the building? And also like Broderick Jones, you know, kind of got thrown into it last year. And there was some stuff on tape that I was like, this is fucking going to be fun. And if he hones a little of technique, have you seen that jump from him? And what do you see from the young guys?

Yeah, I mean, I think it's just a steady growth that I've seen. Of course, no one comes in as a rookie and is out there, you know, looking, looking, you know, perfect and doing everything the right way. But I think whether it's Broderick or Zach or Troy, I think all those guys have taken a steady growth. And so I'm just excited to see, you know, how it is during camp. You know, we're going to be competing against them. And so we're going to want to be winning against them and stuff like that. But I'm just excited to see the way that those guys grow and mature throughout this camp. And I think for a guy like Brodick, when he came in last year,

and I think he just added such a spark to the offense when he came in and was clearing holes in the run game. And he wasn't on his natural side, but I felt like he got better throughout the year at that right tackle spot. And so I'm just excited to see what those guys are able to do for us this year. How long do you wait in camp before you start telling those guys of secrets? Do you try to beat them the first two weeks and win your reps?

And then you're like, hey, man, when I do this, maybe you shouldn't do this? Or do you wait until almost week one? What's your style when you talk to a younger offensive lineman in camp? I feel like it's usually after like a couple weeks or so. I think, you know, you got to get in and, you know, get after them and stuff like that. but I think it is important to teach those guys and help them. Because the end of the day, you know, it's iron and sharpen iron and iron and sharpening iron.

And so we're on the same team and we got the same goals. And so we want to do whatever we can to, you know, give all we got and compete against them. But also, you know, we know that we're on the same team and we got to make everyone better. And so I think that's just what it is during campus, iron, sharpening iron. And that's just really the mentality that we have, you know, every single camp. Last thing, I'm excited to see Peyton Wilson. That guy looks exciting to me for a lot of reasons, a lot of the athletic skills he has.

And I think your lineback room with Holcomb coming back, going to be a lot of fun to watch. Also, a guy that I played with, I had to ask, have you gotten a friendly fire concussion yet from Landon Roberts? I haven't. I haven't. Are you aware, though? Are you aware of how big that guy's fucking head is and how hard he hits?

I can't remember. It was one day during camp last year, and he hit somebody so hard. I can't remember for the competition or whether it was in like a team run or goal on or something. But I'm like, yeah, this dude is a head hunter. I think it was like week two against the Browns. He had like a crazy goal line hit too. I'm like, yeah, that dude loves football and he loves to hit people. But you need that.

You need that type of guy on your defense because I know the game is changing and, you know, it's not as it's so much more, I feel like revolving around the past. But in the day, football is still a fiscal game and always will be and always should be. And so I think you've got to have guys like that in your locker room. He's a veteran guy. He's a leader for us and a lot of guys rally around him. That's so funny to say. And it makes me feel old because I remember when he was young and he was in New England. And the motherfucker gave me a concussion and walk through.

So just ask him about the time he binked me. Yeah, we were doing like a walk-through form-up tackle kind of thing. Yeah. I was a, I think I was a running back, and we were doing some off-to-the-side work. And he, you know, he just kind of walked through and bink, dude, that big-ass head. He put that big-ass head right here, and I told Matt Patricia, I said, I might have a concussion. So I might have to take the rest of the practice off.

But we, you know. Not going against him again. Yeah, as he are about the time he hurt old man Chris. But yeah, I'm rooting for you this year, man. A lot of fun watching you play. Best of luck and hope you come back soon and chop it up with us after a big win. Yes, sir, no doubt. Appreciate you, Chris.

Great talking to you and I appreciate you. Yeah, likewise, bro. All right, so this is a real treat. We love having GMs on. This is Chris Ballard, one of the best in the game. And one thing I appreciate about Chris Ballard is he's put together a D-line that is downright scary. And I'm looking forward to watch it come together, looking forward to watching the Colts in general. Chris, how are you doing?

I'm good. Thanks for having me on. Yeah, of course. Thanks for coming on. The first question I had for you, 2013, you all draft Kyle Long in Chicago. And then you say, fuck this, I'm out. But two weeks later, what was the story there? How much did you have to do with getting big man to Chicago?

No, I was involved in it without question. Phil Emery loved him. And, you know, I remember the discussion was because he'd only played like six games in college. I remember telling Phil, and Phil loved him. I kept going, Phil, he is an absolute freak. I said, are you sure he's going to get to us where he's at? and I think he was like three days later. I was in Kansas City with John Dorsey and Coach Reed.

But I'll say this. Like his success did not, I mean, he was so physically gifted and such a talented guy. So Robert Garza is, so when I coached, Robert Garza played for us in Kingsville, Texas. Yeah. And I remember, yeah. So I remember Robert texting me during training camp when I was. in Kansas City and he said he said yeah he goes you're not here anymore he said but this guy's going to the pro bowl and you know so he was right yeah and and Garza was one of his best vets

yeah no Rob Rob was a great Rob was a great pro that whole like that time there you know because Garza was with us for a long time and he was trained Olin Crutes who was just tremendous as a player and as a leader um him and Rob were real close and he kind of showed him the way. And Robert's so loyal. I remember when, you know, when the organization finally moved on from Olin, Robert felt guilty playing center. I'd finally told him.

I said, look, man, I said, he's not coming back. And you can extend your career for a long time if you do this, which you ended up doing. Yeah, that's so funny, man. I remember being in St. Louis trying to change my number when Leonard Little retired. Spaggs made me wait a whole year just in case he was coming back. I was stuck out there at 72 for a whole other year, but sometimes you wait for those guys to walk through the door.

The thing I was going to ask you, I'm really interested in this. When I was in St. Louis, you know, we had a real big D-line. We had, you know, built like y'all, where it's like, hey, we're building through these guys and we're going to put first rounders into this group, but also the D-tackles were huge.

They were tall guys. One thing I noticed about y'all's entire team is they're great football players, but they seem to be guys that you want to look good walking off the bus a little bit. Stewart, 64, Defos up there in the clouds, you got a lot of big tight ends, big receivers. What's your philosophy when it comes to player size? Is that a thing that you chase a little bit, the length, especially at certain positions where you might not think of it? Yeah, I mean, I think it matters. I mean, it's a big man's game. and of course there's going to be exceptions, you know, that go on and play.

We try to, we try to slant towards, you know, more height, weight and speed at each and every position. Now, they got to, they got to have good tape. You know, we're not just taking all height, weight, and speed guys, but they got to have good tape. But I do think it's a big man game, a big man's game. I do think that those big men disrupt the game more. And especially third down. And I mean, look, I am front. It's just the way I've been trained in this league, both O-line and D-line, you know, just very front-driven.

And I just believe as the season wears on, they're going to win games for you down the stretch. And it's when, and those are the two positions, you know, next to quarterback. O-line and D-line, like when you start, if you don't have enough depth there, guys wear down. And even more, if you have injuries at the position, finding replacements is almost next to impossible. So you better load up on them in the offseason when you get a chance. Who's a guy when you mentioned, you know, Garza hitting you up and saying, hey, this guy's going to be pretty good? Who's a guy that you saw right away in camp? And you were like, yep.

Is there one guy you remember? Because I remember Aaron. Oh. You know, Aaron, of course, like you could be Ray Charles could see it. But I told Lesneed, I said, hey, y'all need to make him nice pay defensive live and in the league. I know that's not how it works, but day three, we saw it. Yeah, through my career, like in Chicago, Tillman, Charles was pretty much an instant. The second he got there, you knew, hey, this guy's going to be really good.

I thought Lance Briggs was very similar. I thought Hester, I mean, like the first game against Green Bay, he'd juice one. You're like, okay, we got something here. when I was in KC, I mean, Tyreek Hill, I'll never forget during rookie mini camp, you know, we kind of took him as a returner and Coach Reed, you know, put him out there at Wadown. Next thing you know, you know, we're all looking at each other like, oh, man, this guy's got some real special in him. And then Quentin and Darius Leonard, Quentin Nelson and Darius Leonard, like the second they got here, there was no, I don't know, like confidence is some guys just,

believe. It's almost a naive confidence with them that we don't care you know, where we came from. You know, Darius was South Carolina State and you never would have known it because the second he stepped on the field, I remember the first practice, he missed all of

OTAs because he had a quad injury from the, from training. And the first day of training camp, he picks off Andrew. But they just belong. So I, I do believe in that. I do believe that when guys, especially young players, when their confidence level is so high that they just know they belong.

And I know you've seen it too. Some guys, it takes a little longer to build their confidence. But a lot of times the ones that become really, really great players, man, they just know it. They know. Yeah. They're not overthinking it, you know, which is something I'm sure you look for. is a fine line between being a smart football player,

you know, preparing, taking care of all the details, but also not overthinking in the paralysis by analysis thing. You see that all the time. I actually just spent a couple days with Quinn Nelson. It felt like a couple days, but I think it maybe was just one day. I went to the beer Olympics in Nashville, and he was my partner at the beer Olympics.

So me and Q threw back some cold beers, and I got a stick. That guy, hey, you can't find a bigger fan of that kid than me right now because after spending a day with him, you really get it. He's all ball. Not only is he built like a brick shit house and doesn't care how he dress, anything like that. He's just all ball. I mean, we talk ball for about an entire day. And he's the type of guy you can kind of build your whole program around.

How's he doing now? I know he had some injuries over the last couple of years as he rounded into form again. Here's why I love him. Like he's really loyal, Chris. I mean, to his teammates, to anybody that's like, he'll call bullshit on you quickly. And the one thing is you can't bullshit him. Because if you try to, you're done. Like you're done.

He will, you're done. Like, if you're not honest with him and tell him the truth, you're done. But if you do, he will go to the end of the earth for you. as a teammate, as a coach, as an executive, but it doesn't matter. Once he knows that he can trust you, he will go to the end of the earth. And he is all ball and he cares deeply about his performance and winning. And it bothers him when we don't do well. And he is not afraid to voice his opinion, which I like.

Like, I don't, one thing that never has bothered me is when players voice their opinion. Like, and even if I don't agree with it, that's okay. But tell me what you think. And one thing I don't have ever have to worry about Quentin is telling me what he thinks. Yeah. No, he was a beauty. I mean, he was awesome. I see why you guys love him so much, not just the play on the field.

He pulled the first time I ever touched him on the field, y'all were playing us in Philly. You remember that game? Yep. It was 18. Andrew Luxe. Yeah, it was 2018. Yeah. We had him backed up on the goal line and he pulled on a counter.

And I was like, is there an F-250 on the field? like what the fuck just I was like, damn, you know, some people just, they feel different. You know, when you're up, he's one of those guys.

I kind of wonder, and I'm glad to get a chance to meet you because I've been following you guys and through the whole quarterback carousel thing. And you know I was a Carson fan. And I know you were so close to getting that playoff win against Buffalo. The whole question I have is,

you know, the Andrew Luck retirement kind of put you guys in a place where you can't plan, right? And then you're like, all right, we've got a pretty good team. We've got a, we need competent quarterbacking year to year. You guys kind of went through that cycle. Is there anything you would have done differently? And this isn't a leading question. I'm not saying I have the answers because when you had Philip and when you had Carson, I was like, oh, it's going to work. You know, so you fooled me too a little bit. Do you ever look back and say, hey, I would have done it a different

way and how close were you guys at your closest during that period? Well, all right. So 18. we had a really, it was, we were really young. Andrew was just coming off the injury. Yeah. And we get, you know, we get hot playing really good football, kind of ran out of gas in the second round of the play. We beat Houston in the first round. And, you know, the second round,

I thought we just kind of ran out a young team, you know, there was their 19th game. They had to win like nine or 10 in a row to get in the playoffs. I just thought we exhausted so much energy. After starting one in five, we kind of ran out of juice. And I thought 19 going into that season, and we were about to be really a force to be reckoned with. And then Andrew retired.

And the one thing I refused to do is make an excuse. I love Andrew. I do. I care deeply about Andrew Luck. He had had some unfortunate injury things that had happened to him. And I think a lot of it he didn't, he was playing through things that I'm not necessarily sure he should have been playing through. But he did because of the type of teammate he did.

He was. And so we go through 19. Things don't go our way. started out really well. I think we were five and two and I just didn't I didn't do a good enough job building the team depth at that time to overcome you know the loss of the quarterback and and Jacoby actually played really well for us. Jacoby Brissette and you know going into 20 we had an opportunity to sign Philip and his history with Frank Wright. It was just kind of a no-brainer you know at the time and Philip brought a and that was during COVID

in 20, which was not easy to navigate. But Philip brought an energy that was really good. And we had a really good football team. We took Buffalo to the wire. We missed some opportunities in the game looking back. And then going into 21 after Philip retired, the transition when we traded for Carson, especially with Frank's relationship with him, we thought it was going to be the best world force that were able to transfer into a quarterback that Frank knew,

had talent, had won games. And, you know, at one point we're nine and six. And we had a slow start to the season. And we ended up nine and six. I think we had beaten Buffalo at Buffalo. We'd beaten Frisco at Frisco. We had beaten New England at home. I mean, we had weathered a stretch that I was like, okay, we are really about to take a run here. And the wheels came off at the end. And it's unfortunate, but it happened. And it came off. And I, look, I think a lot, I think a lot of Carson, it just didn't work out at the end of the day. I don't look back because, like a lot of times with the quarterback position, especially in the draft, the second, you've got to be right on the guy you take, especially if you're getting up high. We were never in a position high enough to really

get one that we were willing to bet on. And when the wheels kind of came off in 20, is when we kind of reset. I don't regret the decisions we made. We thought at the time with the information we had, it was the best thing to do. I mean, it's easy to hindsight anything and look back and say, definitely learn from it, but I don't regret the way we did, you know, the way we handled it.

You know, we were trying to stay relevant and we had a good competitive team that we wanted to give a chance to win. Yeah. Was there ever a point because a human being, man, you can't help it. I've been around Andrew just a little bit and I couldn't help being a fan. And I was hoping for y'all's sake he would, if he was happy with the decision, walk back through the door and say, you know, I miss football. When he'd come around, was it clear immediately that the fire was out?

Or was there a moment two years in where you're like, okay, he ain't come back now? Yeah, I kind of knew it all along. I mean, sure, in the back of my mind, I thought, well, man, it'd be nice if he would come back. But also know Andrew well enough that, look, did Andrew miss competing? Absolutely. I think he'll tell you that. Did he miss the, like, I think one of the things that are what made Andrews such a unique player and teammate was how much he cared about the guys in the locker room and how much he valued the relationships in the locker room. Like that meant something to Andrew Luck.

And he took time to really create and foster those relationships, thought that there was a level of trust, you know, when the seasons started. So I think if you asked him today what he missed the most, he would tell you that part of it, the relationship aspect of what the locker room brings you, which I think every player that leaves the game will tell you, that's what they missed the most is the locker room and what it gave them and the relationships that you were able to form and go through things

that the general public just doesn't quite understand that dynamic and the human interactions that take place on a daily basis in there. But in terms of him playing again, I was in the high 90s that he would never plan again. Of course, there was days when I was like, okay, be nice, but I knew we had to move forward as an organization. so it didn't consume me. Yeah, timing was tough.

I mean, I'll never forget when he retired. It's one of those things where I'll never forget where I was as a sports fan or as a player. It's just so non-standard the timing, but I also know who he is. And I imagine what you just said played heavily into not being able to walk away until the last minute. You know, like you fight your instincts to walk away because you love your teammates and you don't let people. down and then it's just too late and you say hey I got a walk I just remember where I was when he did it and I imagine who he is had a lot to do with why that went relatively sideways some people would say sideways it's just people don't understand when the fire's out it's out

that's it and like I told and Andrew I mean as you can imagine we had long talks about this but like I thought it took up a lot of courage even though I didn't and he knows it I didn't 100% agree with what he was doing. But on the flip side of that, I also wasn't critical of what he was doing because I understood his path and his journey because we had gotten so close. So it took a lot of courage for him to do that. And it's a shame we live in a society that, you know, the instant reaction of people and the criticism that he took,

I did not, I vehemently disagreed with. And it's a shame because, you know, and I think time heals all wounds, and I think you're seeing that now as he's coming forward. But, you know, now he needs, you know, we need to celebrate Andrew and what he stands for because he stands for all the right stuff. No question.

And with Anthony Richardson, a guy I was really excited you guys took. I mean, you watch his tape. It's tantalizing. I'll always take the upside. And I know when you're looking at him, you see everything, you know, it's currently available to him in his toolbox. But there's also a projection, right? There's like a we see this guy developing.

What was the blueprint for development, if any, in your head? Was there another example, another player? I know comps can be kind of polarizing. But as far as a development goes. Well, okay. So a couple of things. one, I did think about your brother a lot. Yeah.

When we did that because a very, you know, I'd been a part of that. So, you know, taking a now much different, taking an offensive lineman than a quarterback, you know, with that, with a limited amount of experience. But then I, but then when I have a head coach, Shane Stuyken, who is outstanding in terms of his understanding what the position needs and can do and how to fit the offense around it. then his history of doing it, you know, from Philip Rivers to Justin Herbert to Jalen Hertz to watch the just fundamental changes that offensively he was able to make, to make the quarterback successful really helped help me understand, okay, this is the vision. I mean, you've got to have a vision for the player and what he, you know, how we're going to use him and how he's going to fit within the offense and the scheme. And I thought Shane had a

tremendous vision. Now, he did not, he did not have the same production as a lot of quarterbacks have, but the flashes were loud and they were really strong. You know, I kept watching, and he's probably a little different, but he reminded me a little of Steve McNair when he was coming out of Alcorn. Now, I was coaching still at the time, but, and McNair broke every record and had every, you know, small school record for a quarterback. But just their play style, I thought, was very similar. Yeah. And having played for Jeff Fisher, he loves Steve McNair as a guy, as a player.

I mean, and I watch Anthony, and immediately even as a D-Lyman who appreciates a quarterback putting his head down every now and again, I know we're all saying the same thing. get your big out of bounds, brother. Also, I had Dawson Knox on last year from the bills, and I asked him the same question about Josh. I said, you know, it's a lot of fun, but you need your guy back there healthy, right? So how do you get Josh to slide? And they said they had a reward system for him where if he slides in a game, somebody has

to wear a jockstrap to practice on Monday. And so I'm wondering if you guys have thought of any incentive to get Anthony Richardson's big ass down or out of bounds. God, Lee. I mean, you know instinctively as a player. I dealt with this with Andrew, you know, because that was the, when I took the job here, that was the talk is that he wanted to run everybody. over and wouldn't step out of bounds. And, you know, that in 18, when he had such a big year, you know, he actually, I mean, there would be moments when he still would take people on when we needed a play.

But for the most part, he figured it out. And I think Anthony's just got to, like you don't want to strip the instincts from him. Right. And you want him to play the game. So everybody's going to say, well, you got to, you know, get, but he's just got, he's got to play. And I don't want to strip him. And I know Shane didn't want to strip him.

So just know the time and place in a game when it's okay. And then there's other times when, okay, we need to protect ourselves here. And that's okay. Yeah, I think that comes with time. Like I remember being young and forgetting what part of the game, the situation I was in, you know, running up the field in the red zone, like a mad dog in a meat house or, you know, like running by the quarterback or forgetting that we were in four-minute mode, like it just takes time for

any player to kind of find themselves grounded in that situation. And maybe that's the same thing with a quarterbacking for him. Talking about young players, I mentioned this offline right when you got on. You got the stud, I think. I mean, the guy's toolbox lot to is unbelievable. He reminded me a T.J. Watt a little bit. I've heard that. He's an option rusher, which I love.

You know, you can tell he doesn't go into it with a, with a set plan. What have you seen so far from him competing against the good guys here at offensive tackle at the pro level? And how excited are you to see him develop? Well, I mean, until we get the pads on, I mean, you know this. I mean, until we get the pads on, it's a little hard to really make a full evaluation of anybody. I mean, especially up front. Like, I've got to temper everybody's feelings in the building during OTAs that we're not cutting the team before we actually play football. But saying that, he is very skilled.

And I thought that T.J. Watt is that's a really good comparison. That's, you know, we made some mention of that too. But here's what I know. He's a great kid. He works. He wants to be the best he can be. So he exhausts himself each and every day to take in everything he can to learn. And it's going to be fun to watch them in camp.

And, I mean, you know this as much as anybody. You know, it's hard for new, it's hard for young rushers in this league. They're not used to the, the techniques and the talent that they're about to deal with on the offensive line. That they had, it's just nothing against the kids playing in college. But these, these are grown men playing tackle and garden center in our league that have been well schooled. and trained. And there's a little bit of an adjustment period. But to Latu's credit, and it'll be interesting to see over the next month, you know, how he continues to develop. He is an option rusher, and he is extremely instinctive and athletic. He does some freaky things

just with no pads on. So we're excited to add him to the group and think we have a really, really good defensive line group to throw at people this year. Yeah, we used to roll our eyes when it was no pads one-on-ones. Like, what are we doing out here? You know, so that we're not figuring anything out. If anything, you get embarrassed and, you know, it's not real. It makes no, I mean, look, it's good to get the reputation. The reps are great. But until we get the pads on, we're just, you know, we're not, We're not playing real football yet. I mean, you got the pads on. Players change when the pads come on.

Every year there's five or six guys. You know, everybody's all excited about. And sometimes it works. But for the most part, when every player changes, it's my issue a little bit with young quarterbacks today in high school and all the seven on seven, which is, look, it's great for reads and they get throws, but they don't have the threat of being.

hit. Like it's a different game when that quarterback knows he's going to get their shit knocked out of him. Like he is not looking at the defense the same way as he is in seven on seven when the threat of getting pounded is is in the equation. Yeah, no question. I know camp coming up for somebody old like me, I kind of just set my calendar so I can kind of chuckle when I wake up the morning of the 24th. I don't have to go. But it's coming. And I kind of wonder what Shane's camp like? I mean, everybody's got a different kind of style. What's his camp like?

No, it's, you know, we get after it. Not sure, you know, our practices are not long, but they're intense. So, I mean, there's a lot of, you know, that's kind of the point he makes to the team is that, look, I'm going to take something off you in terms of the time we're going to be out here. But when we're out here, we're working, and it's full speed and it's physical. And we will have some physical spots. in camp, especially on the fronts, to get them ready to play. It's one of my, and Shane and I've talked a lot about this because, you know, walk through, you know, when you get to the point in the season when it's time to walk through,

which is good. And especially for the vet players that need to walk through, but your fundamentals, you can never lose your fundamentals, especially up front in terms of pad level. So you've got to, even during the season, there's points where you still got to be able to get some pad work in. Doesn't mean you have to beat on them every day, but at least for a certain amount of time during the season, you need to be able to get some pad work in just so your pad level doesn't get high. You can watch as the season goes on. Just watch teams across the league, and you'll see who's practicing in pads and who's not, because pad level will slowly rise on certain

teams. Some guys are able to get away with it, and some teams can't. Which is amazing that San Francisco go so damn good in the run game because from what I hear, it's pretty, it's pretty chill out there. Same thing with McVeigh and the way he runs his practices, but I'm with you. I think there has to be as late as you can do it. You got to put shells on a Wednesday inside run and then take them off. Yeah, no, exactly. No better feeling. You strip them.

Then after a good inside run period, you put them off to the side and then you go get your fast work. So one thing I wanted to ask you about was was Mitchell, A.D. Mitchell, I liked what you had to say. You know, for one, I like a guy who's got a big vocabulary like you. Oh, it's very educated vocabulary, too. I got the same vocabre. But, you know, you colorfully stated why some of this stuff is bullshit. And it feels like there's a lot of games that get played with guys. with agents and with teams trying to drive guys up and down. And I just think the same way as you. I think we're talking about a young man's future. And I just don't like it. Can you expound on what you hate about the current climate when it comes to leading up to the draft and some of the smoke screens?

We beat up people regularly. And it's like in terms of me and the cut, okay, we can hit, you know what? We've been doing this long enough. and I never shy away from criticism. And Lord knows I deserve it. There's times when I'll hear something, I go, well, fuck, they got that right. I mean, I deserve to be kicked into balls for that.

But kids make, like, if we sit here and act like, we were perfect coming out of college. And kids today, they make mistakes. That's how they grow and they learn. And they're not all perfect. There's not a perfect. and for us to like it it what bothers me is that people entrust us sometimes with information that is pretty sensitive and we have no problem giving it to other people like I wouldn't give us shit if I were other team I wouldn't I wouldn't tell us anything because if they tell the truth so we can just know who we're getting how do we

help this young man be the best he can be with when he's got issues going on or something going on in his life and so it bothers me when we're getting. And we, as a scouting group, give that information out. And, you know, it's not always, it's not always scouts. I mean, there's other equations that happen. But it, you know, we're tearing people down instead of trying to build them up. And that's, that's probably where my biggest struggle comes at times. And look, it's human nature.

You know, we're all, I tend to look at the bright side of what someone can be. And I'm pretty forgiving, you know, when they make a mistake, especially when they're 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 years old, 23. I mean, they're young guys, man. They're not fully formed, grown men. Yeah, no, you're right, man. And I just appreciate you saying that because I think guys can change a lot, too. You know, some of the best. Absolutely.

You would have read their sheet coming out and been like, what the fuck? But I just wanted to slide that in there because I think that was a really good thing. And the other thing was the Pittman Jr. And I got a chance to interview Pittman at Super Bowl. I think he's a great kid. You could tell right away. Glad you guys got that deal done. But then he's getting the whole team together in L.A.

I always wondered this. When you have the offseason stuff with the way the schedule is now, you want some guys getting together, but you don't want them getting hurt. When you see that stuff, is it kind of a mixed emotion where you're like, hey, guys, be careful. But I am so glad that our team seems to be taking ownership. Yeah, I don't. sweat it. I mean, look, it's football, you know, and guys, you got to, I mean, like, you got to

work out and train, you know, they have to. So it's just part of it. I mean, that's why I don't, I don't get cringy either during practice when it gets physical. I mean, it's just part of it. And one thing I'll say about Mike Pittman, who I just think the world of, he's a tremendous competitor. And it's easy to poke holes in people. But all I know is he shows up every year and he catches 80 balls for over 1,000 yards. And he competes and freaking cares. I mean, like he's another one that will not bite his tongue. I mean, when he's not feeling it or happy, he has no problem coming down to my office. Funny story. So 22. I mean, I totally jacked us all up. I mean, we're all freaking jacked up.

And a lot of it was my fault. And Pitt had come down a few times. I mean, just going off. Finally, at the end of the year, like I am beat. I'm like a beat-up boxer by that point, man. We're getting our ass beat every week. It's not fun for anybody. Pitt comes down, pokes his head at the door.

And I go, what do you want? And he goes, I just wanted to say hello. He goes, every time I come down here, I'm bitching. I just wanted to see how you're doing. Oh, that's great. Oh, yeah. That's cool. I mean, having GMs that you can visit and bullshit with.

I mean, Joe Douglas was great that way, less. Yeah. I mean, just that makes it a lot easier when it comes time to make hard decisions and come together. Last one for you. Appreciate the time. You guys finished last year. By the way, Shane gets a lot of credit for going from quarterback to quarterback. How about the job y'all did with Gardner?

And being right there, and I think the Houston Texans are really good football team. And you guys are right there. And I don't question the call because it's right there. You know, I mean, but the whole thing to me is, and this goes for if I were interviewing Doug or, you know, whoever down in Jacksonville, anybody in the vision, C.J. Stroud changes things a little bit, haven't seen him play. Does it, does it reinforce why you got your stewards, your Buckner's, your pays, your Latus? and is this going to be a rivalry because you're from Galveston. I think you've lived in. You sound Texas.

Oh, yeah. No, I didn't lose that. You open with these guys this year. You finished with them last year. Talk me through what the landscape looks like now that the Texans and Stroud are here. And is this a fun rivalry? Well, and I, look, the whole division, I mean, We kind of downplay, but, I mean, there's no, look, at the end of the last year,

I thought both us and the Texas were playing really good football. And it didn't surprise me when, you know, that game came down to the last minutes of the game. And, you know, we just, we didn't make a play, and they did. And they won the game. And Stroud made some tremendous plays in the game. And, but it was a tight game came down to the last, you know, minute of the game. And, you know, Houston, Houston made more plays at the end to win it. And, but the one thing I'm here telling Shane, I said, look,

whoever ever, you know, us or them win and gets into playoffs. We're going to make noise because we're playing as good as anybody. But I don't want to discount what Jacksonville is a very talented football team. I know Doug very well from Kansas City. And as you know, I'm from Philly. He's an outstanding football coach. And he's got a really good staff. And they've hired a de-coordinated from Atlanta, who I thought did a tremendous job, you know, a year ago.

So they're going to be good. And then, you know, we've got Tennessee who did a lot in the off-season. and hired Brian Callahan, who I actually interviewed here, who I thought was outstanding. And I know his dad, who he hired Billy, from Wisconsin when I played at Wisconsin, he was our O-Line coach. So, and he's as good as any O-Line coach in the league. So they're going to be better.

So our division is, I think sometimes couldn't always get enough credit. I mean, I think after this year it will, it's about to be excellent. man they added dinard up there in tennessee you you got now you got sneed you got simmons on the same i mean i think he's going to be solid you got a great point it ain't just about you in houston no it's the whole division so i wish you the best luck and i appreciate it really enjoy talking you and i enjoy watching you guys play that d lines a lot of thank you i know thanks for having me on man i enjoy listening to your stuff i appreciate you and hopefully catch you soon yeah anytime I'm