Green Light with Chris Long - Derrick Brown Backs Bryce Young As Franchise QB + Joe Burrow Hypes The 2026 Bengals

Episode Date: May 21, 2026

The Carolina Panthers are on the Green Light Podcast. Derrick Brown joins Chris to talk about the Panthers 2025 season that culminated with a home playoff game against the LA Rams, Bryce Young's upstart play, the Panthers DLine and assistant coach Daren Bates. Chris asks for your favorite Panther from the late 90s and early 2000s so make sure to leave that player in the comments. To finish the episode, Chris talks about Rashee Rice and Nolan Smith's recent troubles with the law and ends with Joe Burrow's comments on the Bengals roster. Plenty of NFL talk in this one, enjoy! (00:00:00) - Intro: Carolina Panthers & Derrick Brown (00:08:45) - Derrick Brown on the Carolina Panthers Ascension, Bryce Young & Carolina's Playoff Appearance in 2025 (00:43:00) - Rashee Rice & Nolan Smith (00:53:19) - Joe Burrow's Bengals Comments 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 presented by Zone Nicotine and give us your hottest takes, your biggest gripes and general thoughts. Day and night, this hotline is open: ‪[phone]‬ With the return of the Layup Line, make sure to check out the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1olmCMKGMEyWwOKaT1Aah3?si=YP1-ffQ3T_yUDRnJRhDtOw Check out Green Light's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can catch all the latest GL action: 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

That game against L.A. in the playoffs was, I mean, it just felt like the energy in that building was so live. It was the loudest I've ever heard that place. And I'll tell you what, I remember coming out for war-ups. And I was like, damn, this whole place is full. Like, it is insane. This is the best football atmosphere I've been in. I think we could go line item by line item and try to debate if what he's saying is true. The O-line's certainly better, which probably weighs into it. But I think the important part is, that Joe's saying it. I know everybody's got an opinion about him, but I would never want to be a quarterback in the NFL.

It might be the worst job to have. It's the highest fan, but it is the worst job to have in the NFL. So, man, you know, I salute Bryce every single down, you know, just dealing with all the outside noise and then still be able to come in there and be efficient to work. Welcome to the great iPod. I have a soundboard at my house now. I don't want to turn this thing off.

I don't want to be a robot. The whole podcast. I have Derek Brown on the podcast today, defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers. I think he's a fantastic player. I think he's underrated. I think if it weren't for the market that he's in, he would garner a lot more attention. Incredibly strong hands. If you like watching D-Line play, watch the way this guy throws people around.

I wish we could use film to show you. but the NFL doesn't like it when we use film. So we're not going to use film, but just take my word for it or pop on some tape. This dude throws people out of the club. No white T's. Out of the club. Honestly, I don't want to be hyperbolic here,

but he does as good a job of shucking blockers as anybody in the league. And he is a key part of that Carolina Panthers defense. They got better. this year in free agency with Jalen Phillips and Devin Lloyd. And I think, and I didn't get a chance to ask him about this, they have one of the most underrated secondaries in the league. I mean, it's not a complete unit yet,

but like Mike Jackson overshadowed. Obviously they have Horn. Morrig, who's a hell of a player. A lot of fun watching Carolina. I think this year they've got some expectations. They actually drew a Sunday night football game for the first time since, I think Cam Newton. was under center for them.

So it's been a long time. And I think they deserved the attention. I think there was a lot of fun last year. Had they gone to the dance and gotten their asses kicked by L.A.? Remember they beat L.A. last year, in the rain, at home. And because they won their division backing into the playoffs, right? They had to watch New Orleans and Atlanta battle it out on Sunday after on Saturday getting beat by the buck.

who they beat two weeks prior or whatever was. The NFC South is crazy. Backed into the playoffs. Needed help from the Falcons. Everybody's like, yeah, the first game was a fluke. They're not going to beat L.A. again. And they didn't beat L.A. again. But what they did is they took them to the wire.

Took them to the wire. I thought, you know, moral victories, not big on that, but in the playoffs to play a team like the L.A. Rams with a coach that's won a Super Bowl, with a quarterback that's won a Super Bowl, with a veteran team like that that's been there and they're used to spots like that to hang in there. That building got loud.

I'm excited about the Panthers in the future. I grew up a Panthers fan. I did. Some of my fondest memories were, like, huddled around the TV, had Sunday ticket watching pretty bad Panthers teams in the late 90s. Like there was one team that the, I think it was like the 97 team or something. like that. It was a second year or third year that they existed, that they made it all the way

to the NFC championship game and got throttled by Brett Farr. But, you know, obviously that 2003 team, I think it was going to the Super Bowl. I used to go down there, paint my face, collect the cheerleader calendar. It was just a wholesome time in a young man's life, being an NFL fan. having a favorite team. I grew up a Cowboys fan. I know dirty little secret here. I don't know why. I think because they were good

and I was a front runner. But they started doing so much cocaine that as a kid, I was like, I can't abide by this, dude. I got to switch teams. And when I moved to Virginia as a wee lad, right after that, the Carolina Panthers took shape not too far south.

And I was like, yeah, let me be a Panthers fan. So that culminated in me being a pro athlete and playing the Panthers in 2000. And what was it? 2000 and what year was it that we played the Panthers in Carolina? I want to say it was 2013. And I got ejected from that football game for punching a guy. And as I was leading,

even the field, somebody, like, threw a beer can at me. And I pointed to the guy in the stands, and I've told the story before. And somebody got this grainy-ass 2013 picture of me with my finger up, like, pointing to the dude, like, hey, get him out. I got to go. Well, he's got to go. And Will Brinson, who I've since become buddies with in the media, will Brinson, like, put me on blast and was like, hey, man, like, look at Chris Long flipping Panthers fans

the bird and here I am sitting in the locker room with a me and the GM watching the game on a tiny TV in the training room I'm the only person there's no weirder feeling than being inside the locker room while the game's going on outside and you can hear it and you're not hurt your hand hurts a little bit from punching somebody but you're not hurt you're in there because you're an idiot and and I'm thinking of myself like damn this was my like boyhood favorite team and and this is how I mean everybody in the stadium thinks I'm a fucking douchebag now.

So, enjoy the Derek Brown interview. I guess the question I could ask to Carolina Panthers fans here is, who is your favorite player from the early Panthers teams? So many to choose from, I'm going to go, shit.

I mean, Julius Peppers is such a chalky pick, but Julius Peppers was my favorite player growing up. And I remember my name. dad took me to the NFC championship in in Philly ironically and I was on the sideline at the end of the game like behind the bench and I get to just watch like all those guys like Julius Peppers Mike Rucker all those guys and I was so starstruck 16 17 year old kid and uh I just love watching the panthers I you know I was huge fan so let me know your favorite player from those early 2000s late 90s Panthers teams. I mean, you have so many

Sam Mills in the early days. Kevin Green, you know, Wesley Walls used to he used to, you know, shoot clays like in the end zone. Like he, when you could like, you know, fake shoot a shotgun. Sporting clay celebration.

Tishmunga, Biaka Batuka, uh, Fred Lane. Does that ring a bell? got rest of soul. You know, Musi Muhammad, dude. Yeah, it was a party out there. There were great players everywhere.

All right, so here's Derek Brown. And after that, we have a little NFL news, and then we'll send you on your way. From T-shots, the game-winning goals and buzzer-beating baskets make every moment unforgettable with BetMGM. BetMGM gives you access to second-chance promos, odds-boost tokens, same game parlay.

and so much more. Check back every day for new promos and offers to take advantage of. And if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use Bonus Code Greenlight, and you'll get up to a $1,500 new player offer on your first wager. BetMGM, make it legendary. All right, joining me now is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated players in the National Football League,

on one of the most underrated teams in the National Football League, Derek Brown, who's a lifelong Panther. His whole career, he's been a Carolina Panther, and they are making moves and getting better every year. Derek, welcome to the podcast, man. How are you? Man, I'm good. I appreciate you all having me.

Of course. Of course. Thanks for coming on. The first question I got to ask you, and it's something I wonder when I watch Panthers games every week, does Darren Bates find the camera? Is Coach Bates looking to get on camera? or his Bates just happen to be there when the big play gets made?

Yeah, I think he's just a wild man, bro. He's like, as a player, he's like, the coach on the sideline chasing the ball. And, like, it's the funniest thing because we get a clip in the team meeting every week of this guy. He's, he is nonstop, dude. That's what he was like as a damn player, too. I remember when he was a rookie. Look at him now. They're electric.

He don't care who you all. You do. From right down, it don't matter. Oh yeah, and he's your Auburn guy. He's an Auburn guy. Yep, yeah. You know, he was way older to me, but, uh, yeah. He's definitely an Auburn guy.

We spend those sad Saturday sometimes when we lose. Yeah, I hear you. Yeah, in the lunch room or in the, in the, in the dinner room, in the ballroom, sitting there like, what happened? Yeah. I just wanted to bring up Bates. He's one of my favorite people, um, was, was a demon on special teams. And, man, he was a dog.

But you guys. got a lot of, I mean, I introed you as an underrated player. I think your team is, even with what you did last year, somehow still disrespect it a little bit under the radar. Do you guys feel that and kind of internalize that? I think so, man. You know, I think, you know, you don't want to be in a situation where you got to watch two other teams play for you to get into the, to get into the dance. But I'll tell you what, man, to be able to, you know, win the South and be able to, you know, lay something down in which we've been trying to figure out for years. I mean, it was, hands down. It was a great, man. It was kind of like you laid that foundation. Like, you've been

waiting to crack through. And finally, you laid a foundation because, you know, I think, I think it's a, it's easy when you're on the outside looking and talking about the playoffs. But I mean, man, it's damn hard to get there as a player. And, you know, I think that's just one of those things that we appreciated from the last season. Getting there, finally feeling what that was like. And then, you know, the moves we made in the offseason to, you know, better this team going forward. So this was what, this last year was your six or seven for you? Was it six or seven? Six going into seven now.

So, you know, took you a little bit to, because I'm looking at the win totals prior. It was five wins, five wins, seven wins, two wins, five wins. And then boom, you're in the playoffs. And, you know, you put it, like, you don't want to be in a situation where you're having to watch New Orleans, Atlanta. But like, damn, that had to be, that had to be crazy, kind of like the fate is not in y'all's hands and you're watching that game. And I figure y'all watch it together at somebody's house or something.

How did y'all watch that game? No, man, I was sitting at home on eggshells, dude. I was walking around the house. I was like, my wife's like, you need to sit down. I'm like, don't talk to me right now. I'm sitting here on eggshells. Either we go to work tomorrow or I'm going in and packing my locker tomorrow. It was one of the two.

And, I mean, that game was so up and down. And, you know, you hate to be in that situation. But, man, damn, you got to deal with it when you're in it. That game was crazy, too. I mean, the NFC South is nuts. So what else did you expect? I guess. But I was so impressed, man. I actually grew up a Panthers fan, so it's fun to see you guys. I used to go to the games and everything, you know, Charlotte being a couple hours away. But like, it's fun to see y'all in a good position. It was really fun to see the stadium packed. You know, that game against L.A. in the playoffs was, I mean, it just felt like the energy in that building was so live.

least on TV. It was the loudest I've ever heard that place. And I'll tell you what, you know, I think that's the environment we're looking to build for a weekend and week out, because I remember coming out for warm-ups. And I was like, damn, this whole place is full. Like, it is insane. And it's the atmosphere we've been building, like, over the last year, like, trying to get the wins and, you know, which would have people come to the game, right?

Like, you don't want to go to your stadium and see that thing packed out with the other team's colors. And, you know, if it's not been here, it's been far too. than we've seen that. And, you know, to be able to go to that playoff game where it was blackout, I mean, the whole stadium was, it was insane, man, to say the least. It's the best football atmosphere I've been in. And y'all hung in there.

I know there's no moral victories, but, I mean, that's as good a team as there is in the league. And you guys showed you can beat anybody. And last year, you know, there was some real signature wins for y'all. You got a younger, I mean, there's younger guys on your team. I mean, you're becoming like a big vet, dude. you're not like I was uh who was I talking to you're zire franklin about he's he are you unk status yet i don't know if you're on status yet but like you're big vet dude and so you're like one of the older guys in this team and and i feel like half of it is just trying to figure out like your team

has to learn how to win the big games like you got to be in them and then like learn to win them but you guys last year went to lambo in one you know you you hung with Seattle at home i know you beat the Rams in the regular season. Like how much do you see kind of that light bulb going off in team meetings and, you know, around the building where it's like dudes are, dudes are starting to understand what it takes to be a real, you know, kind of upper echelon team in the league? Yeah, man. I mean, you know it firsthand, like the consistency of, you know, being consistent every week

is the hardest thing about playing the game. You know, you don't want to put a different, you know, product on tape every single week. have the ups and down. So, I mean, I think for us, you know, coach always says it's about like, you know, being consistent, right? Like continuing to show the growth. You know, that's as far as, I mean, and that just even starts off like, man, we went to, um, I think we put Atlanta week three and like we beat them 30 to zero. Turn around, go to New England and they will whoop our ass in all three phases of the ballgame. And I mean, now at the time that, like, you know, we sit down and talk about it.

and, you know, amongst each other, like, that was the time where the team had to figure out, okay, what's it going to be? Like, we had to shut out the week before and then go to New England and get stomped. Like, you know, what were we going to be? What was going to be our identity going forward? And I think, you know, that's when we just like, hey, man, like, no, like, we lose. There's no soaking. Like, man, get our eyes in here and let's go to work. Like, we're going to come in and be the same people we are on Monday, whether we win or lose.

And I think that attitude going forward and, like, just kind of instillating. feeling that within the team, like, that was the biggest thing. And, like, you know, just, you know, Dave, I mean, obviously, you know, his voice is obviously most impactful being the head coach. Like, dude, never freaking, like, ever, like, sweats it. Yeah. Because, like, that wasn't our brand of all. We'll get back here Monday.

We'll go figure it out. Yeah, it's a thin line to walk between, like, you want to learn from your mistakes as a group and as a unit, but you also can't sit in there and sulk on Mondays and Tuesdays. And I think that's the hardest thing is. And then the hardest part is when you get good is you're going to win a lot of games that maybe you're not supposed to win because you're good.

Right? And like maybe you didn't play perfect ball, but you escape with a win. I always find it's hardest for a team to kind of take those messages off a win. It's easy when you lose the game. Everybody knows you sucked or it didn't work out. But like when you get away with one,

you know, as you get better, I don't know if you've been there yet where you're like, man, we won that game. But I think that's where a team's where a team kind of turns the corner where you start policing your own a little bit. And, like, dudes are like, hey, that wasn't good enough. We got lucky there. Let's fix this stuff.

Oh, yeah, 100%. I mean, you have those games where, like, it's good to win, but you get in there and you turn on the film. And, like, you can feel it. Like, you know, being a player, you can feel it, man. You know it by the time you get to the plane. Like, I'm on the plane. I'm already got the film downloaded.

Like, I'm already sitting there watching it. I'm like, man, like, this just wasn't a good showing. And then, you know, we addressed it in our rooms. I think it's a fine line, right? Like a correcting and, you know, adjusting to it. I mean, you got enough people that's going to talk noise about you in the world, right? So, like, you know, finding that happy medium of correcting but yet still enjoying the moment, like that's the middle ground that you've got to be able to do.

Hell, yeah. I mean, football games are hard to win, man. They're hard to come by. And, yeah, you've got some young players, but I feel like, at least on the defensive line, I've been talking this guy, I'm going to ask you about sports. Scorton because I think personally that guy's got a chance. Umami Yellen, I don't know if I'm saying his name correctly. Prince, Prince Lee, the kid from old.

The Scorton kid is one of my favorite rookies that I saw on tape last year. Can you speak to the upside of those two guys in particular, but also just the youth on your, on your roster there are defensively. Yeah, man. I mean, you know, obviously coming in as a rookie, you got all these different things going on. You're trying to learn the playbook. You know, day in and day out, you're getting coaching. you know, from the guys around you that are older, from the coach.

So you got things around a million miles in your head. And I think, you know, Nick stepped up to the challenge, man. Like he soaked all of it in. I'm not quite sure how, but he soaked all of it up. And, you know, went out and executed at high levels on Sunday. You know, he's one of the guys like, man, I'm excited to see it here too because, you know, just seeing and working with him every single day, man, it's one of those things where he's like, you know, he's like, I don't care like, all right, like, hey.

And then the thing it's, it's a thing nowadays, like, right? Like, this young kids coming out, like, they get yelled at, you know, it's kind of, hopefully they don't shut down, but like, it's different. It's different. And, you know, like, now he's like, yes, sir, okay, all right, let's go. Like, take the challenge. And I think, you know, with Princeley, and it's the same thing, man, like, they come, they show up every single day to work, you know?

I think Prince Lee doesn't quite yet know, like, what his body is capable of. But, man, like, he is becoming, like, Like, when he figures it out, man, like he'll be that monster for many years to come. They've got some tools, both those guys, man. Scorton just, he's got that instinct. Like, he's got that, I think, for a rookie, he's got really good sense. You know what I mean? He feels blocks, you know, and that takes some time.

But once Prince Lee gets going, man, that long arm is going to be, that's going to be hell for people, dude. I mean, once he figures it out, man, like, it's going to be fun to watch. Yeah. You know, obviously being here and playing with Brian, like, Brian was like that same body type. Like, I mean, spins and long arm. It's just like, I used to just enjoy watching it on tape, man, because, I mean, when it, to be able to have that speed and be able to get off the ball and, you know, just damn near beat the man off the snap, man. Like, he would put guys in such awkward positions that, like, you didn't know what he was going to do next,

but you knew he was going to be something to beat you, so you need to try to figure it out. So I think that's one of those things that, you know, he's got to learn. Yeah, Burns had a full bag, man. It didn't matter how you said him. He had an answer. And I look at these ends and, you know, they're young players, but as they get better, as you alluded to, like, I think the best friend for a defensive tackle like you is edge pressure. I can't tell you how many times I've seen you win rushes.

And, you know, you're not running a four or five. The quarterback runs straight backwards and burns the ball. like you're getting a disruption or a pressure, but I think, you know, having those ends working in concert with you is going to help a lot, man, because I see all the disruptions that you cause, right? And I think that can that be frustrating

being a guy that, like, sometimes caused a lot of disruptions and you leave the game and you're like, I hope people saw that. I know you don't just care about, like, the perception of your game, but I think you're very disruptive, and I think some people might miss that. Yeah, man, I would say it's frustrating.

you know, like I'm, I'm, I'm, to be honest, like, I'm doing my job, right? Like, I'm going to do my job. And, you know, I, the one thing I hate is seeing guys be envious of another guy. So, I mean, it's one of those things where, like, you know, a lot of times, like, I get back there, a quarterback flushes and, you know, somebody else get it. And, like, it's just kind of one of those moments where, like, I basically smile because I'm like, of course. So, you know, it's one of those things. And it's just, you know, I enjoy seeing the guys around me be successful, too, man.

So, I mean, it's, we get to this now. We get to get a half sack, then we go to Sinal. We'll argue about that one. All day. All that. Keep it going. And always, you got to run away from the pile with your hand up. Oh, yeah.

You're the half. You got to run away with your hand up. And then we ask, guys, what y'all's protocol in your D-line room about turning in sacks? Oh, if I feel like it's, if I feel like it's mine, there. There we go. There we go. And if you got 10 already, then we don't even discuss that goes to other guys. That's good.

You're already, yeah, you've already taken care of business for the year. The other guys, the other guys that you've got to be excited, man, to see Jalen Phillips show up, you know, on topic, having a, he's a very disrupt, speaking of disruptive. I mean, that guy, he affects the game in so many ways that sometimes don't even show up in the stat sheet. But he's going to definitely shorten that, you know, he's going to shrink that pocket a little bit. it like how exciting is it to see phillips and then lloyd also in carolina yeah man i think we had two awesome you know pick up some defense and devon and um you know i'm excited to be able to got there in rush with jeline and you know devon coming in taking taking control of the the huddle i mean it's been it's been great so far yeah you can already tell like kind of the the

the leadership factor you know coming from that linebacker position the signal call it like you can feel that kind of that energy already, huh? Oh, yeah. You know, it's one of those things that I always say, like, you know, the linebackers, they control the huddle, man. It's a quarterback of the defense. Yeah. So, I mean, as far as, you know, set the tone and, you know, you know,

just, I mean, I think it starts when you break the huddle, right? Like, getting the call in, you know, getting set. I mean, those guys are so smart. I mean, they sit there and watch it so much during the week. Like, you know, I can watch them all day, but I'm be honest, like, there's not a single pass concept that I'm looking for on that film. I'm looking to see where the back is. I'm looking to see where the quarterback drops to,

and I'm looking at the three interior guys. And then if I'm playing the outside, sometimes the tackles. Like, you know, it's a completely different ball game. But, I mean, just to, you know, know that those guys are putting in that much work and the knowledge they have and for us just trusting them with the processes. Dude, I had no idea what was going on behind me for 11 years. I just knew where the safety was and what the call was, brother. I didn't know.

you know dagger concept whatever there's just words I heard until I started playing Madden that's the like some of the DBs like the rookies they were like asking like you know what was it called when I was standing back of the huddle the other day

and walk through I was standing off the side I'm like I just heard the first part I don't know what the coverage is in the back end my guy like I don't know what to take odd even yeah that's it over under odd and even that is it yeah speaking of that

Like, do you have, some people don't like playing a four-eye. I think you do a great job at it. I mean, you guys seem to read it a little bit more. Like, I've been in a four-eye. It's difficult depending on the block that you get. I don't know about you. I hated front-side zone because you get that little bump from the guy, you know, you'll get your hip-bumped out of there.

Love front-side gap scheme. And I love, I love the ball going away. because you're kind of shaded inside the tackle. Like, talk about, like, the intricate differences between, you know, playing a 4-Eye and playing a 3 for people. Well, I mean, you know, it goes back to that whole React attack, attack thing. And, you know, like, that was a hard concept for me to understand that first. Yeah, when they put me in a 4-0, it was like, damn, like, I'm far away from the ball. Like, I don't really like this.

Like, the plays are inside. But I'll tell you what, man, like, as far as being. able to, you know, read the, read the run concepts and understand what's going on. Like, it is a completely different ballgame, right? Like, you either got to bring it to me or cut me off, right? So, like, it's not a bunch of thinking to do. And it's, and, you know, I think, like you said, like, even when you're on the backside, like, I mean, you're fighting to stand that gap, but pretty much, I mean, we all know.

If you're running outside zone the other way, like, just stay in your gap. Like, I mean, that ball is 15, 20 yards ahead of you. Like, you know, that's front side. I just think, like, that's the difference, right? Like, when you're playing the three technique, like, you're in it. Like, you play in the two-eye? Shit, you are in it. And, like, you need to get off and find the ball and all this stuff.

But, like, the four-eye, I don't know why it is, but, like, you get a lot more time to figure out what's going on around you. Yeah. No, I hear you. And the doubles don't feel as forceful for some reason. Well, I think that's, like, they got to get up faster. Like, because a lot of the time, like, I'm getting, they're trying to, like, bend me out of there with a time. tackles trying to like throw me across and you know they're trying to get up to the second level so i mean i think that stuff has to happen a lot faster because the linebackers are flowing clean a lot longer

so i think it's true contact and get up you do a great job and you're just talking about you know riding that backside getting getting trying to get in the big gap and just keep your body in there even when you give some ground like he can he can cut you off for a split second but you know that ball is going that way you know so hard later you do a great job of like I don't know how to put this but like just tossing motherfuckers out of the club dude I don't know what if you used to shop put in high school or something but when you when you throw somebody they they go somewhere what is that about dude is that just natural strength I don't know man like I've been blessed to be naturally strong and I'm one of those guys that translates from the weight room to the field so I'm definitely blessed in that situation yeah yeah dude that's the one thing like a lot of a lot of times like I don't really know I'd do it I'm like I'm I'm so focused on trying to find the ball carrier like I'm trying to figure out what's going on so like it's just kind of like a natural reaction and like all of a sudden like it happens yeah well I mean shoot it it's it shows up a lot

on film and and I just uh I just you know Iverro's defense seems complicated on the back end but but for you guys it seems like hey it's pretty simple like play blocks right like you You guys are technicians and you're playing blocks. You know, it's funny. Like, I mean, he listens to us, too. So, like, you know, it would be sometimes about, you know, like, we're moving way too much. Like, we slam and all this. And, you know, he's always like, you know, he wants us to play straight up.

But he's like, like, all right, he be like, we got to throw some curveballs in there, too. We can't just play everybody straight. So, I mean, just dialogue back and forth. Like, that's a good dialogue with your D.C. To be able to have this conversation. That's great, man. That's great to have a D.C. this I mean he's a little bit younger I think right

I don't know how old he is but like it's it's nice having a guy that'll communicate with you and like actually take y'all's suggestions because that is the worst when you get in a game and all you're doing is movement you know it just takes you out of certain plays and you know you don't feel like you're making any play you don't feel like you're playing

any blocks but no yeah 100% how important is knowing that that center slide obviously in past pro past pro that's kind of everything you know I've I've I've like, that's become, like, you know, the part that in my game that I've needed to work on the most the last few years. Especially, like, if you know the slide's coming to you, like, hey, man, sometimes you got to bury yourself in there and you got to take one from the team, keep two with you, right?

Like, allow those other three guys to get off. That's right. Some days I get the slot a lot. Some days, you know, I don't see much of it. But, I mean, those are far between, but, you know, that's, that was like the biggest thing. learning where the center is going to slide because that kind of tells me exactly how I need to do exactly what moves I can and can't do at the time. Yeah. Right?

I hate when the center, you know, Molly protections and go straight back because I just know watching see what's going on. And, you know, some moves off the table because I damn sure we'll be trying to spin back inside and get hit. Not to you that much. No, that's a tough one. Spending into the slide is like you hopefully just do that one time. and then you learn the lesson. But I saw, shoot, I feel like I was watching your sack cut up and the Miami sack.

It felt like you knew slide was away. And then you just beat the dog out of the guard. It's so, I feel like when you know you can pry that inside shoulder open, like you can just get there right now. You take your inside move hit rate. Like, you know, your batting percentage pretty high on that stuff. I honestly in that game man like I see it on tape that he was jumping and throwing both hands and I was like I'm gonna win this end time moving the first one and go at it and see how it works

and sure enough that first drive he jumped right out of me two hands and you know those are the ones that are like I was right like all that film was right yeah and there's some get into and they're like oh hell no I'm not playing him the same way I play somebody else so it's a a completely different set and you got to like figure out what's going on. Yeah. And then if you get that sack on the first drive, it feels like you're playing with house money. There's no better feeling than a first quarter sack. Oh, yeah.

You all right about that. I think it kind of leaves you like slob, like just freaking like saliva at the mouth, like foaming at the mouth. Like, hey, man, like I got to get another one. Like I got a whole game to get a mouth. You start doing unsound shit. Try to get there. Yeah.

What's your pass rush kind of process? I know we just talked about like, you know, you want to know where the slide is and that sort of thing. But I know you got some other moves in your bag. And I've seen you with a little hump move, dude, a little Reggie White in there. You like the hump move and attacking edges that way. But yeah, like, do you predetermined stuff? Or do you kind of feel it? I kind of feel it, man.

Like, I go with the flow because a lot of guys, a lot of guys sit down trying to wait for my power, right? Obviously, I'm not coming out trying to cross-shop you, spin, all that, right? Like, I'm going to give you power. And, you know, whether that be a long arm, bull, like, they're sitting on their weight on it. And they try to get hands on me quick. So it's not, like, I'm not getting a head start with him. And, you know, I think that's been one of the things, right? Like, guys, if you want to sit on me heavy, then I'm going to get as close as I can to you and see if I can throw you out and go inside. Yeah. Is there any guard in, I don't know, I'm always, this is always tricky because, you know, players don't want to give opponents too much praise,

but is there any guard that you're just, that you've run across in your career? Let's say your career, because maybe we can talk about a guy who's no longer in the league, but a guy that's anchor was just like, holy shit. Like, what do I do with this? I remember the first time, well, actually my first game ever, it was like Richie Incognito, Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson. So, I had a long day, at least. and uh you know i was like trying to figure it out trying to figure it out i was like man this is just

not working like none of this stuff is working i'm like let me just go back to borrush and like let me at least try to help do something uh man it was a long long day that day i tell you that much dude richie was his anchor i mean that dude was incredibly strong you know i you know he was just like another level but i know people are going to people listening are like damn i want to hear about the panthers not just d line talk so i want to i want to talk about the schedule because the schedule just came out fans and media make a big deal about it you know i don't remember exactly what we used to think when we looked at the schedule but i used to look at like hey you know wins are by right yeah you know who are the quarterbacks that we're playing i don't want too many

that i can't chase down i want some slow dudes yeah you know you know I don't want to play in Tampa week one. It's going to be hotter than the motherfucker down there. What do you look at when you see the schedule? Man, I think it's just same thing. Like quarterbacks, buy weeks.

You know, a lot of, you want to see some of the same teams from the year before because, you know, you got familiarity and, you know, you got the books on them. And I think for me, man, like, it's the fucking weather games. Like, to know, like, hey, I'm in green

Bay in October, I'll take it. Like, I'll take it. Like, I'm not sitting in the middle of January. I'm good on that. Or, like, you know, our cold game at the end of the year. Like, we're in Minnesota. Everybody's like, oh, man, like, dude, it's inside. Like, what are y'all talking about?

Like, that's perfect. They got you with that Pittsburgh Week 16 Flex game. Dude, that could be eight at night. It could be 10 degrees, man. You just never know about that one. I'll take it. I'll take it. For that one, I'll take it. I don't care.

Four of your last five games are at home. And the way you talk about like, hey, when you're in it in that stadium, the way that that stadium was, like, that's a major factor. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. When you got a chance to go to playoffs, then people are, you know, excited to see you play on Sunday, man, to be able to finish out at home like that. And I'm excited for that. That's awesome. Early by week.

What do you think about an early buy week? Does that bug you a little bit? I mean, we got the early by week and then we got a Thursday later on in the season. So, I mean, you know, you know how it is. That's like a three-day weekend, hopefully. and just get the body back right and go back at it. I saw this, and I don't know if this is true or not, but I heard that you guys hadn't played on Sunday night football

since Cam Newton was a quarterback. And you guys, week four, I think that's a big sign of the respect that you're getting a little bit. You're hosting Detroit under the lights. How many primetime games in Carolina can you remember in your career so far? Shit, man, a few, like Thursday nights

and one night. Yeah. I haven't played, uh, definitely haven't played Sunday night football. Um, so I mean, I'm excited for the opportunity. That's awesome, dude. That's, that's going to be fun, man. But, you know, as you guys get better, then half the season becomes like, uh, prime time games and your sleep's all fucked up because you're up till three. I don't know about you.

After these night games, I can't sleep. So, you know, like, kind of. Yeah. I'm sitting up. I'm tired. If it's a bad game, if it's a bad game, then I'm definitely. sitting there watching that film over and over and over. Yeah. Yeah.

Even if it's a good game, I'm probably sitting up watching TV until 1, 2 o'clock in the morning because my body's just not real and letting me go to sleep. You can't. I drink four, I drank like four cups of coffee just to get up for those games, man. So it's like you sit around the hotel all day. You probably take a nap. If you're like me, I'm napping all day if I can. And you just wake up and try to wake back up for the game. Yeah. I hate being in the hotel all day. That sucks. It does suck. I want to talk to you. about Bryce, man. I'm excited about Bryce, man. I think I felt for him when they benched him,

and I was really hoping that the story would have a happy ending where, you know, he would turn it around and he has, man. I just, I don't think people have given him the respect he deserves. I think as a thrower of the football, when it comes to making the right plays, especially considering his stature, his vision, his field vision is as good as almost anybody. And, I think he's put together a couple really good years of football here. How excited are you guys to see him kind of around that corner? You've seen the whole thing. Yeah, man, he's our guy.

You know, like they said, he's our guy. And, you know, we robbing not all the way through. And, you know, that's one of those things that, man, you know, people don't want to admit how good he's becoming because they have to go back and admit how wrong they were, right? So, I mean, as we all know, people don't like doing that. You know, I think, too, like, he took the bench in, and, man, he just came into work every single day and killed it. He didn't care.

He went right back to doing what he does. And, you know, to him, it was about playing football. And I'm going to be honest, like, I know everybody's got an opinion about him, but I would never want to be a quarterback in the NFL. It might be the worst job to have. It's the highest paying, but it is the worst job to have in the NFL. So, man, you know, I salute Bryce every single. day on, you know, just dealing with all the outside noise and then still being able to come in there and be efficient to work. He just made some, he made some great throws down the stretch. And, you know,

I'm, I'm super happy for him. We, uh, we've been talking them up. I'm, I'm the opposite of the people that, uh, every, you know, how people are covering their bad takes. I'm, I'm, I said he was going to be okay. So I'm all, I'm like every chance I get, I'm hyping the dude up. But I, I, um, I still think some people haven't because of y'all's team you guys aren't on in the in the big games every is going to change this this year but like i don't think people have really seen him play enough and and and so i'm excited what's his personality like i know he's quiet but like for people at home that don't get to to hear him a lot that might mistake him from being for being a little boring or whatever like what's his personality really like in the building man he's cool we all hang out and

show like he's him man like i mean he doesn't try to put on the show for the world like he he he's funny like i mean he just kind of sits around and he'll shoot it he'll shoot the shit with us but i mean like yeah maybe he doesn't want to get in front of reporters and talk and you know he who he is right that's 90% of guys in the NFL but oh he is that man he's a cool dude just just just kick you with have you gotten him to go hunting yet or i saw that you were you were maybe going to have to happen. Probably wouldn't be too hard. Just pick him up and take him, put him in the truck.

You know, West Coast guys have a little bit different take on the guys that are born down here in the South, and it's a little bit different thinking. I'll have a lot of the idea a few times. He hasn't welcomed it with open arms. So, you know, maybe we just go shoot him first. Yeah, it's probably a good start. Turkey season just ended up here. I think it's probably just ended down there too.

I don't know if you got a bird this year or what. No, dude, I haven't done much hunting. I got all these kids now. They're all in sports. How many kids you got? Four. So my seven-year-old, he's in baseball, and my daughters, my five-year-old daughter is in softball.

And then my one-year-old and my 10-month-old or nine-month-old, about to be 10-month-old, get dragged along. So we are a full-car, a little. every weekend. Hey, fours, that's a wild number, dude. I'm sitting here with three, like, my life is forever changed. The jump from two to three is crazy. The jump to four, I can't even imagine. That's where I'm going after this. I'm coaching Little League baseball. I got to, you know, my 10-year-old, so we're undefeated. We got to get, I got to get this dub, man. But that that sports thing, it's fun, but it does take up your whole damn summer. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

But you know what, man, this part in my life, like, I wouldn't want it anywhere, any other way. Yeah. Yeah. And it's cool. that they get to come to your games and actually remember it and and kind of like see you because my kids were young before I retired and that was cool and everything on one hand but I kind of wish they got the experience that your kids are getting that's got to be special having them down on the field and stuff or in the locker room after the game dude definitely and I think too like I was talking to the other day I'm like I'm more stressed out watching my kid at bat than I am on Sunday I'm like in there like we go to hidden lessons

head like, you know, he does what he's supposed to eventually. And then, like, we get up at the plate and we just start wild. And I'm like, bro, what are you doing here? The ball's coming in there fast, man. The ball is like, what are they? Yeah. Oh, that's so funny. Man, it's the best.

Being a dad's the best. You're a hell of a player, man. I'm glad you get some time with your family and, you know, just keep up the great work. We appreciate you coming on the show, dude. But I appreciate you having me, man. Yeah, anytime. After one of these wins this year, we'll hit you. get you back okay oh yeah i'm down for that all right and tell bates to give the fucking camera arrest

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Whether you like a fresh mint flavor or you're in a citrus flavor, check out their roster of options and use promo code GL20 at nicokeek. com slash zone for 20% off at checkout we got a little NFL news and it's not good news um in this week's edition of is that absolutely necessary nolan smith was booked doing 137 and like a 70 that's pretty fucking fast buddy and um obviously the lead is that he's a georgia bulldog and those can't seem to drive well or make good decisions on the road. And listen, I think Nolan Smith is a great dude. Like honestly, I came where we interviewed him in the RV. His rookie year, he's become a really key part of that defense. And somebody I would count as like a leader on that defense, his personality,

the way he plays, the standard that he sets on the field, and seemingly off it, puts him in that leader category for me. He's a young player, but I think guys look to him as a tone setter, and he's a good dude, but I don't know what the fuck he's doing here. And I would tell him, I'd be like, what are you doing, bro? Obviously, he doesn't need to hear that from me. He should know. You can't double the speed line.

limit. The rules of the road are kind of unofficial, but they go like this. You go 10 miles per hour over. You're fine. You go 15 over. If a cop's having a bad day or if he's an asshole, he's going to write you a ticket. And if it's over 15 over, it could be reckless driving. And that's, we don't want to wait into those waters. If you're doing a back road and there's nobody on the back road, maybe you can speed a little bit, but I've just never been a fan of, of people that drive obnoxiously. Honestly, I see dudes in those little crotch rockets doing like 120,

you know, like last year, there was a dude. I was driving back from like Williamsburg, and this guy was like standing on the seat of his crotch rocket, and he's doing like 115. He's like doing, he's got his hands off the, off the whatever you call it. And he's weaving in and out of traffic. And he's making things more dangerous

for the other people on the road, including myself and my two kids. You drive like that, the best thing that can happen is that you get off the road as soon as fucking possible because everybody else is in peril because you're driving around like an asshole.

And I'm not saying that Nolan's that guy on the crotch rocket. but if you're doing 135, I mean, it's pretty irresponsible, man. And it's selfish. And it hurts the football team. I don't know what's going to happen, but like, that's not good. And also, like, for Georgia players, I don't know. If I went to Georgia, the first thing I think when I got in a car was like, don't be an asshole.

But evidently, that's not top of mind for guys that went to Georgia. I don't know. Like, this is becoming, it's becoming like a bit, dude. it's becoming a bit i don't understand it in related news rishie rice this is a wild deal this rishy rice thing is a wild deal if you haven't heard the rishy rice thing and guys step in if i'm butchering the details but rishy rice was doing some asshole driving uh you know like last year was it last year guys two years ago rishu rice was driving like an asshole two years ago so they put them on like a five year probation period where they're basically like hey we're going to let you

get away with this we know you play for the chiefs like even though you did it in Dallas um we're not going to give you like we're not going to throw the book at you but probation entails that there's no alcohol and no marijuana and so two years go by so he tested positive for marijuana and as a result he's got to go to jail he's got to go to jail for 30 days dude he's got to go to jail he's the he's the key to the chiefs regaining their balance offensively i mean this guy is their do-it-all guy he's their quick game guy he's a screen game guy he's the run after the catch guy he's kind of like a swiss army knife for them and you know when you think about where the chiefs are right now. I think they're like I'm bullish on the chiefs or I was um you think about the

prospect of Rishi rice getting a knee surgery a week ago and then having to spend the next month in a Dallas jail cell like that is not ideal that is so not ideal um it's hard for me to describe how fucked up that is. And obviously, like, I smoke pot every day. So, you know, it sucks that smoking pot is what lands him in jail, but the details of the probation and the state where it happened, like, that all factors into this. 30 days in jail while you're trying to rehab an injury, that's supposed to be a process that puts you that puts you back on the field like right before camp, right?

He's supposed to be ready right before camp. And I was talking to somebody the other day about this, like, I think I was talking to Zaire Franklin about this in the interview. You know, when they say you're cleared as an NFL player, you're not typically 100% healthy. Like, you don't feel 100% just because you are structurally ready to play. You know, you have a knee surgery and the doctor's clear you doesn't mean that like there's not swelling that you don't have to continue rehab or maintenance or

that sort of thing and like rehab in and of itself has to go perfectly for you to get the desired outcome i always say this to guys that that have um a stint of rehab that they're undergoing like you only get one shot at it sure you can go back in clean something up sure you can be sidelined again and try to rehab it over again, like more correctly. But that's not ideal. And you are leaving, you're leaving it to chance. And so just thinking about like, it's hard enough rehabbing, getting guys to lock in and do things correctly.

You're talking about a knee surgery. You're asking him now to rehab in jail, which to me is like unbelievable. It's unbelievable. I'm imagining, I don't know, how this process works. You know, like communicating in jail. But I'm imagining Rishi Rice is probably in communication with his trainers on like a fucking pay phone. That's a wild deal. Like his trainers have to come in and talk to him through the glass. Is that what's going on in jail right now? Like,

hey, I need you to do, you know, can you get some marbles in your commissary? We've got to work on your pro preception. You got to pick up marbles off the jail cell floor. Um, Can you do like step-ups? Will your cellmate mind if you're doing step-ups on the bunk? Like, what the fuck? How do you expect a pro athlete? You're talking about somebody that swings the fortunes of the Kansas City Chiefs this year, one of the most important franchises in football.

You're talking about Patrick Mahomes' legacy, one of the best quarterbacks of all time, and his number one wide receiver is rehabbing his fucking, knee in a jail cell. And you can say, yeah, it's because he smoked pot, violated his probation, but ultimately it's because he was driving like an asshole. We got to stop driving like assholes. It is not, it's not that hard not to drive like an asshole. What are you in a hurry for anyways? I'm sorry, it's going to hurt your football team. It's going to hurt somebody on the road, most importantly, but secondly, it's going to hurt your football team. And it might hurt your career.

So that's my, uh, that's my soapbox topic for the day. Just slow it down a little bit. Please, guys, it's, it's kind of like, I don't know if this has always been a thing, but it feels like now, young guys want to drive fast. And, uh, I've never been in a hurry, unless I'm getting to the river, which I did yesterday. And it was really fucking hot, guys. So the other piece of news is Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow, some quotes. I don't want to butcher these quotes, guys.

Do you have the quotes that Joe Burrow is making news with? I think this is the most talented roster we've had since I've been here, Burrow said after Wednesday's voluntary workout. He said a lot of pretty, pretty positive stuff. They had a press conference. He said, you know, we're going to win a lot of games this year. You know, we're going to compete for a Super Bowl.

This is the most talented roster. That's the thing that peaked everybody's interest was, you know, Joe Burrow being positive. Joe Burroughs kind of like started to become known as this guy that, you know, he's kind of a brooding guy, right? He kind of, he can be a little mopey. He can be a little. I don't mean to like, this isn't me tearing him down because, like, I get it. like that guy was under assault for most of the beginning of his career and when you think about like getting to the Super Bowl um after the 21 season and losing that thing you're this close you got

the ball last Aaron Donald makes a play but before that I think there was a bad penalty uh on Wilson the linebacker so you you know you're right there um you feel like you could win that game. 22, they were really good. They lose to Kansas City in the AFC championship. Osai penalty. You know, like these are the differences between winning and losing. This is a team that easily could have been in the big one two years in a row.

And then to go through what they've gone through the last three years with the injuries, the September struggles, all of it. I mean, it is, I'm not, listen, nobody's going to feel sorry for Joe Burrow. He makes a fuck ton of money. He's got a million girlfriends, I would imagine. He drives a Batmobile, good looking guy, one of the best quarterbacks on the planet. Nobody feels sorry for Joe Burrow. I feel bad for Joe Burrow because I can empathize with how hard it is to play quarterback in the NFL

and how hard it is to be under that much pressure. and, you know, to watch them go through what they've gone through the last three years. And I should be as mad as anybody because I'm the first guy that's hitting the futures on them winning their division every August annually. And I talk them up on this show and I say, this is the Bengals year. And every year, they fucking, they burn me. And it's becoming a running joke. It's becoming a bit.

So I should, if anybody should, you know, should. to miss the empathy train on Joe Burrow. It's me, but I do feel bad for the guy because I think he's a hell of a player and I think that a lot of people are undervaluing his career so far because he hasn't been able to win the big game. And I put that in quotes. I mean, legitimately he hasn't, but, you know, there's about 28, 29 other of those quarterbacks who haven't been able to win the big game. And sure he's had Jamar Chase, T. Higgins, you know, Boyd back in the day, who as you're comparing this roster in 26 to the 21 and 22 roster, I think, you know, it was something I noticed was like, damn, you know, they had Tyler Boyd, who was damn near a perennial,

almost thousand yard receiver for them. Probably one of the most overshadowed careers that, you know, in the last 10 years in the NFL, like, I don't think he's anywhere close to a household name. But when you look at Tyler Boyd, he's going on 6,500 yards receiving for his career. And he was a brilliant number three for them. Now, probably the best job in the world playing between Higgins and Jamar Chase, but he got it done in the slot for them. Now they've got Yoshivas. They've got Gaseki.

You know, they've got Chase Brown. You know, they had Joe Mixon. And I say that to say this, like, you're kind of cutting hairs reading into and analyzing, like, are they really better in 26 than they were in 21 and 22? Like, why is Joe saying this? Like, I think we could go line item by line item and try to debate, you know, if what he's saying is true. The O line's certainly better, which probably weighs into it. but I think the important part is that Joe's saying it

that Joe that Joe's in a good enough mood to say it that Joe feels heard enough to say it because it's almost like it's almost like a domestic conflict with him in the Bengals like where he feels unheard he's like you know I don't want to assume the gender roles here

but he's the let's flip it he's the husband he doesn't feel heard and he hasn't felt heard for most of his career, even though he's had these great receivers and everything like Cincinnati doesn't customarily spend money. They aren't known to be a team that goes for it. And this year, ironically, especially on defense, they have gone for it. They go out and they make the Dexter Lawrence move.

They give up the 10th pick in the draft. They get Jonathan Allen, who was in Minnesota last year. They pay for Boy A. Mafé. You know, if I'm forgetting some of the other valiant, efforts that they've put in this off season, forgive me, but the bottom line is I feel like Joe Burrow feels heard, which is a start,

right? And, you know, we could sit here and hash out. Is this offense better than the one in 21 and 22? I think, like, you can't discount the fact that Joe probably feels like a smarter player. Feels better just by having been in the league six, seven years now, as opposed to two or

three years. Same thing goes for Jamar Chase, for T. Higgins. They have more experience. They're battle-hardened. you know, they've already died, right? Like, they've missed the playoffs. They've, you know, he's been hurt. They've, they've invented new ways to lose games over the last couple of years. It is, it should be studied some of the ways that they lost games over the past couple years,

which is why I have questioned the head coach at times. And I just think Joe feels hurt. I feel like, you know, Joe looked at Dexter Lawrence thing that, you know, the investment in line that sort of thing and said, hey, at least you're taking a shot. And I don't know what he did this offseason, but he seems rejuvenated. And I'm excited to see him play. The defense is, you know, like we can cut hairs all day and compare the 21 and 22 offenses to this offense and that sort of thing. But I think that's a waste of time. The hot lamp unit. And by that, I mean, the unit that needs to shape the fuck up and be ready to roll is the defense. And it's not just the roster that we need

to compare as well. We got to talk about Lou Aniruma was the guy in 21, 22, and we got a lot of respect for him. And obviously, Al Golden being my former head coach, not head coach defensive coordinator in college and a guy I really like. I think, you know, there's a lot of pressure on Al this year. And there's a lot of pressure on this defense. And in some spots is very young. I think linebacker, somebody's got to step up. I want Knight to be the guy there. I think Knight, you know, like some people that some real tape crunchers told me last year that like how he sucks. He's not, he's always in the wrong place.

I don't know. I see something with him and he might not be always on schedule or in the right place, but I see, you know, an athleticism with Knight and, you know, knows for the ball that there's potential there that he can be a really good player for them. but he's a very young player at a position that, you know, like, you need the experience and linebackers a spot that I kind of worry about. But the bottom line is we can cut hairs all day and say, hey, are they better than 21, 22? The important part is Joe feels heard and Joe feels better and he's in a positive mood, at least right now in May, a lot can change. The other thing is this, like we just got done talking about Kansas City.

You know, Kansas City missed the playoffs last year. Patrick Mahomes is coming off an AC. Rochey Rice is in a Dallas jail rehabbing his knee. You know, you talk about speculation on the defensive side of the football for Cincinnati. And Kansas City's got some speculation, right? Like, I don't know what they're gonna look like. You know, Delane, Woods, like, these guys gotta play for them.

You know, they all floated a couple corners this year. The defense is taking a step back. So you look around like Josh Allen and that offense, you know they just fired the head coach we'll see what the joe brady era looks like you know um they've got concerns defensively you look around the aFC man like i i feel like part of what might be baked into this you know this positive air that joe burrow has about him is like you know the afc looks looks mortal right and i think if joe burrow was in the dance last year we always it's like an annual thing in december now

if since he could get in, they'd be the team that nobody wants to see. But they got to get in. So I, you know, I'm encouraged here in Joe Burrow talk like that. Do you read it into anything, any of his comments about Trey Hendrickson? So I honestly,

I think people might have that wrong. You know, like there are guys that we don't like, like as players, right? Like, you know, there's guys that in the locker room, like fans like him, but like players, players don't like them so much.

And I think a lot of people kind of thought it was like an aha moment, like, oh, we, we ID'd one of those guys, right? I think that was the interpretation. The way Joe Burrow talked about him is insight into how they really feel about Trey Hendrickson. I think we got that one wrong. Like, I was looking at that last night. I think what he means is you have to realize the comment.

of what he's being asked, he's like, are you, did you ever reaction to him signing with Baltimore? Baltimore is their arch rival. Baltimore, you're going to see twice a year. Baltimore is where you go if you want to, if you want to rub your old team's nose and dog shit, right? Like, to me, he was saying, I know how Trey operates. Like, he's a, he's a, he's a head-on guy. like he likes a challenge he takes things personally in a good way you saw he a smile on his face loves tray you know and honestly if i was that productive for a team and they cut me i'd want to go play for the rival too so you know it's kind of a competitor thing and i think that's what joe was saying. If that makes sense, when I, when I heard the quote initially, when you read the quote,

when you read the quote and there's certain things omitted, this is why it's always important to listen to the press conference and that sort of thing. It reads one way. But when you watch the quote and when you consider what he's saying and the question he's being asked, I think it makes a lot more sense that he's just saying, Trey's a competitor. And, and, I'm going to have to deal with him twice a year now. And I'm not surprised because, like, we kind of, we kind of undervalued him here. That was my interpretation.

You guys think, do you guys think I'm, I'm off on that? Did you all think he was kind of saying, oh, Trey's a douchebag? No, I think that's a good way, a good way talking through it. Because, you know, like you just said, if you look at it on its head, just written out, it looks like it could be perceived as a shot.

But if you watch the video, then you do see that there's a lot more, there's many more layers under it that could be, you know, hey, this guy wants to be, he wants to go after it. He wants to prove us wrong and he wants to play for a rival that can get our number. He's a head-on guy. He's not looking to run and escape or not see the Bengals again. He wants to see him twice a year. And they might see him three times, honestly, because I think these two teams are going to be. you know, it's not a hot take. Very, very good.

You got Joe Burroughs bullish comments, and you got, and you got, you know, mentor taking over in Baltimore, which I think you're going to get that honeymoon phase this year for the Ravens. You're going to get the honeymoon phase. You're going to get the defense shorted up a little bit just by him being a hell of a coordinator.

And we'll see. We'll see. The AFC North is going to be interesting. And as I said, you know, the fact that Pittsburgh's not taking the easy way out. They're going to play this thing out. They're going to play it out with a 42-year-old quarterback, and they have a good roster.

You know, this is going to be a tough division. And don't forget about the Browns, although Todd Monkin's like, what the fuck are we doing, dude? We're throwing interceptions in OTAs. We're throwing interceptions in seven-on-seven. There's no pass rush. It was like he'd never seen anything like that before.

Also, I'll say, this. Hey, Noel, I don't know, I don't know how tradable Deshawn Watson is, but it's kind of starting to feel like propaganda that they're putting out, they're putting out as much noise as they can. Hey, Deshawn Watson looks fantastic. Take our word for it. The GM after Todd Monkham was like, yo, their fucking quarterbacks are terrible. The GM was probably like, Barry was like, what the fuck are you doing, dude? We got, you know, we got, uh, Mary Kay Cater. it writing fucking 600 word pieces about how good are Dishon Watson is. Like he's he's he's on the comeback trail post you one trade you be looking at

43 six in dead money and a cap savings of 1.3 million so not not an ideal chunk of change in the dead cap charge category. I think your issue is more so the asset than the the contract in terms of trading them. Oh no cool. Hey what's you doing? Are you doomscrolling other people's vacations? Miami, San Diego. With Expedia, your trip can earn rewards which you can use towards your next eligible stay. Soon, people will dooms school you. Expedia, the one place you go to go places.

Terms apply. Question, no question. Who wants Deshawn Watson up? How many articles would it take? But I don't know. Like, for that reason, maybe if he's untradable, then maybe they're telling the truth. Like, I don't know why else you'd be writing these articles. But it does feel like a coordinated like effort to blast out that Deshaun Watson looks pretty good.

Or maybe it's a maybe it's a way to like soften the PR blow that it's going to come with playing him again. And most importantly, not playing Chador Sanders, Pro Bowler. So yeah, I, I, uh, AFC North, a lot of fun.