NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - 5 Injuries To Watch, Raiders Belief and Luke Kuechly Joins the Show!

Episode Date: July 23, 2025

Gregg Rosenthal is joined by Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic to check in on the start of training camp and discuss the different vibes around the Raiders and Colts (02:00), give you the five injuries they are keeping an eye on (11:45), and talk about Philip Rivers retiring as a Charger (19:45). After the break, Panthers legend Luke Kucehly joins the show to talk about his illustrious career and tell you which opponent was his toughest assignment (25:27). Plus, a special announcement to wrap up the show (42:26)! Note: time codes approximate.NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Hey, everybody. Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the 6th, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.

It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet. We've got the insight to help you crush your opponents.

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Welcome to NFL Daily, where we're always looking for an excuse to talk about Philip Rivers. Yeah. I'm Greg Rosenthal. I'm here in the Chris Wesleyan. podcast studio with my friend Jordan Rodrig for the first time since got back from Tokyo. Welcome, Jordan, excited for this show, excited to welcome one of the greatest players that you ever

covered later on in the show. Luke Keeckley will be joining us. Yeah, that was a, This Is Your Life kind of moment for me watching him pop up on the screen. That dude has not changed at all. He still is so serious and handles everything with such preparation. and clarity. It just, it's so, it was, he's like a time capsule. Yeah, peek behind the curtain. Like, he wanted to know, like,

does he need to prepare for anything on the show? I was like, no, you don't, man. Do we? You're Luke Kinkly. But that was a great conversation. So we will listen to that a little bit later. And yeah, it's interesting. He's already, you know,

going for his second year, potentially, um, being considered for the Hall of Fame. But he's only 34 years old, obviously because of that, that early retirement. It messes with you. He really is that young. We are going to hit some news at the top, as we do.

We're going to highlight just five injury situations. That's a lot of the news that's happening in these first days of training camp. As we're taping Wednesday, the majority of the league is having their very first practice of training camp on Wednesday. And we also have a little fun kind of inside the show news. I'm wearing a shirt with a smiley face on it today. smiley face. It's related to Jordan. So stick around for the end. I'm excited to talk about that. Yeah, what whiplash for the listener after a whole episode about death earlier this week. Now we're talking about a smiley face t-shirt. I enjoyed the hell out of that conversation. So yes,

check out my conversation with Colleen Wolfe about the mortality that we all have to face every day, including with our own careers. But first, let's go positive. Let's listen to the most positive coach we have. to have Pete Carroll back in the league talking about whether people like me are right to be just irrationally exuberant about the Raiders. We could win a ton. We won a bunch of games. I can't even

imagine anything. I've been winning 10 games a year for 20 years or something you know. I mean, what are my expectations? We don't win a bunch. And I don't care who hears that. I mean, it doesn't matter to me. It ain't about what anybody hears. It's about what we do. I love him so much. He's just, I am all the

way in, man. I have been high on the Raiders since John Spitech and Pete Carroll took over shop over there. I'm high on the moves that they made, the Gino Smith trade. I loved. And I'm all the way in. I mean, I know that is a great. The AFC. West is crazy. Like, literally, like crazy people are coaching these teams. But also, oh my gosh, I'm all the way in on the Raiders. You can't fake belief. And it's really such a tricky thing, I think, for young coaches or coaches in general to have. Because I truly do believe in the Raiders more because of the way Pete Carroll talks and the way he carries himself and the way he does believe and the way it has worked 10 wins a year. Now, I will point out, you know, his first year in Seattle, they were under 500. You know,

it took a minute to get it going. But I do think that is an intangible, tangible, that the belief that he has, that's genuine, can go across that building and it can actually make a difference. there's only like one Pete Carroll. You can't really fake it. And like, I'm so freaking Jack. I'm so fucking Jack. So I know the secondary doesn't look great on paper,

the linebackers, and yet I kind of believe they'll overcome it. On the flip side, I feel like the Colts have relatively bad vibes. Like over the last handful of years, but especially this year because their young franchise quarterback is in a position battle.

Anthony Richardson was on the field. Throwing passes with Daniel Jones on Wednesday. Let's listen to Chris Ballard, their general manager. Talk about the number four pick from a couple years ago. Do you think people regret Baker Mayfield's timeline? Sam Darnel's timeline? Let's just go. Exactly.

And so how about a little, sometimes you've got to have a little patience with a guy and let them grow through things. Now, there's got to be, like if you just know this, guy, no, he can't do it. But if you think, hey, he's on the right trajectory, why are you going to, why are you going to flush him just because people outside think you should flush him? Okay. The first thing that when we were going over this sound before the show, the first thing both of us said was, hang on a minute. Those guys that he mentioned had their best success as reclamation projects for other teams with better vibes.

and better hands on and really developmental coaching. But I do appreciate someone does. My colleague at the athletic James Boyd does try to say this and interject and point this out. Yeah, because yes, does anyone regret it? And it's like, yeah, two teams. The Browns with Mayfield, although they had some fun with him. And definitely the Jets with Darnold. They regret that.

The point was attempted. And he goes, exactly. But it's like, no, no, that's not what he was. You're disagreeing with the point while agreeing with yourself. It's just, ooh, man, dower comes to mind. Dower are the vibes over there. It's a difficult situation because I think Chris Ballard and the Colts are talking a little bit out of both sides of their mouth, where I agree with what Chris Ballard is saying. I mean, Anthony Richardson is so young.

Of course, you have to be patient. And so toolsy, yeah. I also think the team is the one that has put out very publicly that he needs to be under pressure and that he needs competition. and that, frankly, based on what I've picked up, and it's not that hard to connect the dots of where the sources are. I think they're inside the building. I think Daniel Jones has a great chance to win this job in week one. I hope it doesn't happen.

But it's tricky because you immediately start seeing like videos from training camp, and the first one I saw was Anthony Richardson skying like a 12-yard pass that should be very simple over his tight end. And Colts fans and other fans are like laughing in the, dimensions and it's just the well is a little bit poison there. But I'm rooting for it because I want exciting football and he is much more. Yeah, I think the hard thing and probably the thing that's difficult in the scouting and evaluation process of it is sometimes he'll do this thing that breaks your brain with how unbelievably awesome it is. I remember that throw. It was

candidate for throw of the year with with you guys last year on the recap show. Just on a line all the way down the field. Like just incredible. But his floor is higher than Dan Jones is ceiling almost. I really believe that. But it is interesting because I do feel like this also is a Shane Stiking conversation. It certainly is a Chris Ballard conversation, but it's also a Shane Stiking conversation because Shane Stiken, you could see it when he sort of blew up on the field at Gardner Minshew,

when Gardner Minchew was spot starting for them and missed a fourth down pass. And Shane Stuyken strikes me as the person who just really wants to finally run the offense he wants to run, right? And even if the guy that could do that doesn't have a high. a high ceiling and even though the guy that could possibly do that does have a low floor to get a guy in there like Daniel Jones who's just going to run the offense that Shane Steichen wants to run, this is going to get complicated down the line. I believe the Colts that they're sticking with them. I believe it. I believe them. And I think they're being honest about that. And I do believe that quarterbacks should get more time than they generally do. But this is going to get complicated

between what the coach wants and what the organization has to show. I also believe Brian Dable that Wilson is the starter in New York. He tried to pooh-poo our position battles podcast from Monday saying it's not a position battle. He didn't say that exactly. But what he said is that Russell Wilson will definitely be the starter. I get that. But Jackson Dart is kind of playing against the future version of Russell Wilson.

So I think Russell Wilson is the week one starter. Jackson Dart has camp to basically show that he's a better option than Russell Wilson in week three after Russell Wilson struggles. And James Winston, I think, has a chance to show that he's a better. better option, too, if Jackson Dart is not working out. And so that's kind of how that battle is going to play out in my mind. Also in the NFCEs, Terry McLaurin is not at training camp. Just kind of wanted to cross that tea that he actually is holding out. It's pretty rare in these times that actually you get a legitimate holdout with this CBA, but Terry McLaren is not there at Washington camp.

And then we got news, Jordan, that Chris Godwin had another ankle surgery and we'll pivot after this to the other, the five injuries we want to keep an eye on. But I thought this was worth mentioning just separately. Chris Godwin had a separate ankle surgery. And even though Todd Bowles is saying, you know, they're hopeful for week one. It's a reminder when they gave him that contract. There was kind of no guarantees. And it was a really serious injury he is coming off of. Yeah. I like a few things about how the Bucks have handled this. Obviously, they're giving him as much of a timeline as possible. That was a heartbreaking thing to watch for him last year. And then I sort of looked at some of this contract that he did get his back pay for outproducing

the previous contract. Great point. He was also working on. He's a franchise face and an absolute team class guy, captain class guy. I like the team building that they've done, not basically holding out hope for a timeline that they're still unsure of. This is still one of the deepest and best receiving cores in the entire NFL. And this is still. a team that is going to be super competitive on offense, even with a couple of key figures, Tristan Worf's included, missing for at least the first couple of weeks. They've got enough around them to still be an effective team.

And it's not always a bad thing when key players join the team late. If you think you're a team that's going to make a postseason run, because you're fresh in November when you come back. That's fair. It's just with that big of an injury, you just hope for the best, because he's one of the best dudes in the league. And it was a reminder, actually, it took about while to come off his last ACL. He didn't really look like Chris Godwin, like, for real, for really another season.

So that could happen again. I think they have the depth, but it's just a reminder. You know, sliding doors moments. You know, the Patriots tried to give Godwin a huge deal, and the Bucks ended up matching it. And now the Patriots have Stefan Diggs instead. I just like that they didn't say, okay, yes, we've got Mike Evans. Yes, we've got Jalen McBillan, who is outstanding. Yes, we have Sterling Shepard.

So, okay, we've got a three. that's a, our three Intel, like Intel being until Chris gets back. They instead, they didn't stand pat. They went out there and they got a player who is very similar to Chris Godwin in terms of the range and ability and personality and like readiness for the pros. And Amika Abuko, one of my favorite players, as you know, coming into this draft class. And I feel like this is a team that knows it's in their window right now. Has Baker Mayfield playing the best football of his career and needs to push and needs to not just

wait for things to be okay, needs to sort of force the issue in a way. Yeah. And it might be just one of those things where you're lucky if you catch the bucks early. They might be a team that you don't want to face later in the season, but we already know with the worst and the Godwin injury. Like it might take them

a new offensive coordinator like a little while to get going. Just like this show does sometimes. But we're off and we're flying this time. And what we're going to do just quickly go back and forth. We're going to go do five injuries because I have this huge list of guys that are hurt to start camp. And I might list out some of them afterwards. But these guys to me were at a

higher level. So just five injuries that have caught her eye early in camp. We'll start with one. You were there for at Rams camp on, I'm losing track of days already Tuesday. Tuesday. I want to go take the listener inside baseball just a little bit. So the Rams sent out their list of players who would be available for media appearances this week. Matthew Stafford was not on it. Quarterback always talks in week one if he's throwing the football. So to me, my immediate flag was, oh, he must not be throwing this week. So then, of course, you prepare and you get ready to go for opening when Sean McVeigh rolls out onto the podium, onto the lectern

with his latest Matthew Stafford update, as we remember last year. This was a contract situation. This year, a little bit less serious than a lingering contract situation, but it's backsorness for a 37-year-old quarterback who's dealt with this specific thing, according to Sean before in his career, this very specific type of back issue that he's dealing with. So he's going to work to the side for the first five days of training camp. And then they were already planning on coming into camp with a modified throwing program for him to begin with.

So this isn't serious until it potentially gets serious. I'm not, you know, raising the alarm bells quite yet. But at 37 and missing the first part of camp, this is something to keep an eye on. I think it's a general just reminder with him. He's been dealing with his back injury for a while that there's a reason why they played a hard ball with him. There is some risk to this Stafford contract at this age. There's really that risk with any player at this age. Or any 37-year-old, frankly.

Or any football player, because it's like a car crash every single play, but especially Stafford at this stage. So that's a reminder. Joe Mixon is another guy. I'm worried about Aaron Wilson reported that he underwent another ankle surgery, and it was spun very positively that he'll be back in camp, and they're expecting him to be ready, and it's all good. But that ankle injury essentially ruined his last season.

and then he needed to get another surgery. So it's kind of like Godwin. When you're coming back for another one and then you find out at the start of camp, to me that is a pretty big red flag and they signed Nick Chubb to add to the depth. Damian Pierce is also on the Pupplist. The Texans have 11 players on the Pupless.

You never want to be leading the league in Pup to start. And I'm pretty sure the Texans are leading the league in injured players. So something to keep an eye on with Mixon. Let's go to the Giants for the next one. Andrew Thomas. Yes. Oh my goodness.

the difference. You pointed this out on a, on a previous show, Greg, the difference in the Giants offensive line, having Andrew Thomas on the field, also during joint practices, because I remember he was going back and forth with a guy at joint practice that sparked a fight last year and not having him on the field, at least for a little bit, especially when you're dealing with three new situations at quarterback. Andrew Thomas is going to miss the first part of camp. Yeah. And it's not a shock coming off the surgery he is, but we didn't know. And he's just someone to watch. I'm not necessarily concerned. Malik Neighbors, by the way, is practicing to start camp.

So I think more than any player that doesn't play quarterback in the league, Andrew Thomas can affect wins and losses in terms of an injury situation that we're watching. Another guy that reminds me of a little bit is Trent Williams when he is out for the 49ers. He's fine, but Brandon Ayuk and Ricky Pearsall are out of practice to start camp. Ayuk, that's not a surprise, but I mentioned him because John Lynch, the way he talked about the extent of the damage to Ayuk makes me worried that he's not not going to be ready for a lot of this season or might not be the Brandon Ayuk were used to for a lot of this season. We'll see. The bigger concern to me is Ricky Pearsall, who's still dealing

with this hamstring injury. And besides that tragic shooting that affected him last year, he had a lot of different injuries before and after that happened too. And so they're really thin there. They have the contract situation with Jennings. Let's wrap up our five injuries to watch with, yes, a downer in Vegas. It's not all. Yeah. I, you know, Christian Wilkins is not ready to go. He missed all of OTAs while recovering from this Jones fracture. And he also is going to miss at least the first part of camp. This is a little bit tricky because these types of injuries with especially trench players can be so fickle. A Jones fracture is a fracture in your foot, bottom of your foot. And so obviously all of the weight that's going on to your feet if you are

a defensive lineman or an offensive lineman, in this case, Christian Wilkins being one of the better defensive linemen in the league. And I just, I know that they built this defensive line out to try to get him to compliment and free up even more opportunities for Max Crosby as much as possible. They're a little bit thin, a lot of young guys behind him. So this is going to be one to watch. There was some good news there on the defensive line that Malcolm Coons, who's coming off at Torn ACL, is practicing. And they also added an old Pete Carroll. I was going to say favorite, but was Jamal Adams a favorite of Pete Carrolls in Seattle? I didn't think so. But he's now a member of the Raiders. So just a couple little nuts. before we get to our interview.

Micah Parsons is also sitting out of practice with a quote-unquote back injury. It seems more like a contract-related thing. Yeah, he told our colleague, Jane Slater, he told her that he was protecting himself a little bit, but also wanted to be there for his teammates do everything possible other than, like, put, you know, his body in danger. It was very funny seeing Trayvon Diggs,

who said his feelings were hurt by them taking away this $500,000 bonus. for not showing up. That's not what's funny. I totally understand that. It was funny to me, him being at Parsons media availability and just kind of standing there and every once in a while being like, yeah, that's messed up and stuff like that. He was very much like the flavor flave to Michael Parsons, Chuck D. And was just kind of like rallying like how messed up it is, how they're treating Parsons. So they were almost presenting a United Front. I love that stuff. A couple other just news and nuggets. Julian Blackman, who's been on

top 101 free agents list over the years a couple of times was signed by the Saints to replace Tyron Matthew. The Panthers cut Josie Jewel. I feel really bad for him. A concussion that he hasn't been able to overcome is really affecting him. The Titans saw one of their edge rushers Lorenzo Carter, who's had a really solid career, retire at the start of training camp. There's always a couple of those guys. And then a few more Pup Listers that just caught my eye. Quay Walker had an ankle surgery over the offseason, the Packers, linebacker, Bligeria Sneed is still not ready to practice. Darren Waller coming off that retirement is not ready to go.

Elkden Jenkins is very similar to the maybe Parsons situation or maybe it's contract related. And then Tassum Hill is still not ready to go for the Saints. Yeah, you sprinkled in Taysam Hill there at the end. I was watching the Google Doc. I was like, oh, yeah, Tastom Hill. So, yeah, the Darren Waller thing, he told local reporters over there in Miami that they just we're going to onboard him gradually at his age and also having spent some time out of football

making music videos. That's obviously important on board slowly. You know, yeah, he was very reflective and was talking about sometimes he was not being the man that he was saying that he was and not really walking the walk when he was talking to talk and he was talking very specifically about his recovery from addiction. So we really wish Darren Waller the best. With Frank Smith, by the way, as somebody who was a really strong figure for him during that time. I know we talked about it on a previous show, but those two back together,

hoping for the best for him in that journey and sort of self-discovery. And it might have a really big role for that Dolphins team who is looking for some more offensive weapons outside their top two receivers. So I had to get this into the show. We didn't have time for it with Colleen, and we'll be quick on it,

but Philip Rivers suddenly retired again on Monday. Gosh, golly. Officially as the member of the Chargers. Now, officially, he actually had retired a couple years ago. He hasn't played in the NFL since 2020, but every year you saw those stories where Philip Rivers is coaching a high school team and he's like, hey, if anyone wants to call, I want to play.

So it actually took him a little while to officially retire. But the Chargers are actually practicing fully in pads. They're the first team to do that in San Diego this week. They had one on Tuesday. They're going to have another on Wednesday. So I think that all matched up. And man, I love me some Philip Rivers. And they did such a good job with this video of

Rivers announcing how he wanted to retire as a member of the Chargers. I'm thankful for those 16 years and trusting me to be the quarterback and certainly never took it for granted. Come on. Keep fighting. Just keep fighting. Never took it for granted. Didn't suit up and lead the Chargers for shoot 240-something games in a row. on that. Oh, golly. I'm not ashamed to say that when Rivers was saying Galie, and he cries earlier in that video, too,

it's getting a little misty up in Santa Monica, me watching that. One of my favorite players, and I think one of the most underrated players of his generation. Yeah, it's interesting. I have some longtime friends who are San Diego Chargers fans, who were San Diego Chargers fans,

who have been disappointed for a couple of years, just about everything, the move and all of that. But one thing everyone can agree on is Philip Rivers. And the fact that the team and himself collaborated on this, the fact that they're practicing in San Diego, in the Harbaugh regime, you know, it speaks quietly and also loudly of the efforts that are trying, they're trying to do as an organization and as a team.

And Philip Rivers is like this universal. I mean, I could listen to every single mic'd up of him that's ever existed. I could listen to him, read the dictionary. As long as he sprinkled in his version of expletives, gosh,

golly, galdarn. And one of the, and I love all that about him too, and we're going to go to break with him actually kind of talking about some of that trash talk. I love that.

But also just the way he played football, I think brought people in. I mean, I don't think he was a gunslinger because I don't think he made, he wasn't reckless, but with that throwing motion, to be as vertical a quarterback as he was,

he is still one of the all-time leaders in NFL history in yards per attempt. And he's going to be up for the Hall of Fame soon. And like, if Eli Manning makes it ahead of Philip Rivers, I'll go insane. Because at every single point, in every single year of their career, the entire NFL would have taken Philip Rivers over Eli Manning. And Philip Rivers got MVP votes a couple of times. He was top five quarterback, I would say. Never missed a start.

252 games. I did the QB index and stuff. And he was very often a top. five quarterback throughout his career, probably six, seven, eight years of his career, which to me is not, you know, stamp him in to the Hall of Fame right away, but it means it's a guy that will probably get there and should get there eventually and was certainly a better player than Eli Manning. I'm just saying. And when he pointed out, and it is one of the things they lost moving from San Diego, the atmosphere and what he remembers is riding down that hill into Qualcomm

and the parking lot. San Diego Chargers fans used to get grief. It was one of the best atmospheres in the entire. You would smell, they would be tailgating the entire day. You would smell that food. You would smell that weed. And it was just thousands and thousands of people. And it was an incredible atmosphere. And they're essentially renting this SoFi Stadium. And that's one thing they've, they've really lost. And I think was really unfortunate. And I don't think that should be lost either. So when Rivers said that, that really stuck with me because I was at one of the last games, last couple games at Qualcomm. And it was just awesome atmosphere. And let's be clear, he is a San Diego Charger until the end.

Yes. Because this, I know I'm not the only one that cares about this, but sometimes it feels like these little gestures just get so lost in our just collective zeitgeist and all the things that happen all the time. But the class with which he showed the local newspaper people that covered him for so many years for the San Diego Union Tribune, he announced his first retirement to the local columnist who had covered him for so long. Been in the trenches, watched him grow up, essentially, Kevin A.C., and I will never forget that. That was a big moment for somebody of that platform to go to the local people versus

the national platforms to announce something that's significant. It's just that, that homey vibe that Philip Rivers always had, that, like, that locality, I feel like was just a big part of who he was. Great dude. I almost kind of forget he was in L.A. Charger taking the, you know, the trip up to, up the 405, and threw some big-time touchdowns to Mike Williams, who just retired this week. I remember in that game against Kansas City in Arrowhead. We will be back on the other side of the break with Luke Keekely. But, yeah, let's first listen on the way out to Rivers talking a little trash.

Good night. Good night. There are some clips that I look at and just shake my head. 90-yard touchdown. I go, dang, that was a lot of fun. I'm just having fun? Yeah. Is there an edginess too?

It, you know, are you trying to get under the skin of the opponent, of course? Is there some of them just a lot of fun? Hey, this is Matt Jones. Now, I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts Pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game.

What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here.

And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game from scouting reports and player development to team-building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots, from college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow. We break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you.

Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet,

we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit Toyota.com slash NFL now to learn more. Number 14, Luke Keakley. Accepted, picked off 10, 5, right side, AJ Klein, takes it to the house for a touchdown.

That's Lou Kinkley that's there. That's Lou Kikley. Very quiet. Goes on to the field, flips a switch, won't it think? Hey, let's go. I'm all over him. Hey, we've got to go now, Chuck. Left!

Ain't nobody know you. Third and three, and here they come. It's Kikli, who gets to Manning back at the nine. Favorite Blitz, sending these linebackers up inside, and Luke Keekley, just so fast. Luke Keekley, he reminds me of Peyton Manning, a guy that is totally prepared, that is going to know what's going to happen before it takes place because he has studied so much. On second down, Romo looking to throw, has time, sings it, and it's intercepted at the 38-yard line. Keekley has it. He's going to go into the house. It's the second pick six of the game for the Carolina Panthers.

Yes, my choice as the number 14 player of the last 25 years. The great linebacker of the Carolina Panthers, Luke Keekley, is joining the show. And Luke, you've been out of the game now for five years. I'm sure you're not thinking at the time, you know, when you're winning a defensive player of the year and your second year and you're making these big plays and leading a Super Bowl run. I like, I hope I get on a list in five years on some podcast that, um, beatwriter Jordan Rodriguez on, but you are on that list. And can you at least look back and maybe not about the list, but enjoy the body of work that you put out there as a player back then?

Yeah, it makes me feel, it makes me feel old. You feel like you just got out of the NFL and it's, it's been five, four years. I'm going into year six being out and it's, you watch those videos. You're like, man, I looked so young in those pictures. But, man, it was, it was so fun. I had, that's the thing that I tell everybody is I had so much fun playing the game of football.

I loved being in Carolina. I loved Ron Rivera, all the guys in our team we were super close with. And it, uh, it was a special time for me. It was a special time for my family. And I think I was just so fortunate to have the opportunity to play in Carolina for that team, for that organization, inside of that defense. I think it really helped me during my career. Yeah, you know, Luke, I remember my first day, you know, scared out of my mind, by the way. young journalist, young beatwriter,

going into this team of absolute superstars. And I was talking to your pal, J.J. Jansen, last week, who's still going somehow. I mean, long snapper and linebacker, a little bit different, but somehow he's the Iron Man still. And just, to me, you seemed so veteran at that time. And yeah, you'd been in the league for a while.

We were the same age, but you seemed beyond anything I could even comprehend because of the level that you were playing at because of how everybody in that locker room respected you, but you were able to cut loose with them and vibe with them a little bit, too. I remember the first day I walked in, music was playing. Tolbert, I think, had brought the boombox in. Yeah, those days were so much fun,

and it's cool that you remember them that way. Yeah, we had such a good group, and I think that's really what it came down to. When I got into the locker room as a 21-year-old player, our best players were our best guys. And, you know, you look at the older guys in the team that were just our dudes were Steve and Jordan Gross. And then that middle tier group of guys that I really grew up behind and learned from and modeled my game after. You know, you look at my room, it was Thomas.

And then Charles Johnson. And then, you know, on the offensive side of the ball was Greg and Khalil and Stu. And we just always had really good veteran guys. And Beasts was in that room. you know my first couple years in the lineback room you saw what it looked like not only did I have success on the field but you saw what it looked like to handle yourself correctly off the field as well and in meetings in the locker room with the media in public and so when I got into the NFL is like hey look I want to have success like John Beeson and Thomas Davis on the field and you know I'm going

to watch how they practice how they prepare and then you know you get in the locker room and you look around the locker and, you know, guys like Thomas with his charity and, you know, Greg Olson what he does with the hard, with his, with his foundation. It's just unbelievable what they're able to do. And you say, hey, I want to be a lot like those guys. And what can I do to emulate? I kind of want to get into like what made, you know, you stand out as a player. Because I thought it was interesting in that clip hearing Tony Dungey said, you're like a Peyton Manning on the defensive side. Obviously, like your speed and explosiveness, they, pop, but it felt like watching you sometimes you were half a step ahead with what a broadcaster

we'll call instincts, but I know a lot of preparation goes into that. So maybe like walk through for a listener what it took preparation-wise to get to that point. A lot of it started when I was in high school. So when I was in high school, our head coach Steve Speck, he's actually still coaching there now, won a bunch of state championships throughout his time at St. Savior, he would bring guys in during lunch, and we'd go bring our lunch in to his office, and he'd put on an old VHS tape. Now I'm sounding old, but you put a VHS tape on or a DVD or whatever it was, and we'd watch the team that we're getting ready to play against. And when you're in high school, you don't really know what

you're doing. You don't know what you're looking at, but every once in a while, spec would be like, hey, look, like, this is one of their top concepts. This is what defense I anticipate us being in. which just talk through responsibilities, run fits, past responsibilities, where we need to be. So then the game would roll around and, you know, you'd be like, wow, like here's that. Here's what Speck was talking about. And a lot of times for me early on it would happen after the play was over. So the play would happen. I'd be like, oh, man, that was that play that he was talking about.

But then what it did teach you was, hey, if I prepare during the week and I'm prepared pre-snap and I know what's going to happen. I can be one step ahead. So I wasn't very good at putting it all together as a young freshman, you know, young high school kid. But then when we got to college, then it's all digital and I can sort everything. I can sort, you know, personnel groupings, down in distance, situations, who's in the game, all of that stuff. And I had an older guy that I learned from named West Davis. That was a big tape guy. And he did the same thing that spec did. Hey, here's a look, here's a play, here's a formation. This is how we're going to be lined up on the defense side of the ball. This is what we need to do to be to have success. So then I really kind of learned it

from a young age and then going into, in the college I had access to way more information and data and, you know, resources. And I learned a lot from West. And then I took that as a freshman through my sophomore and my junior year. And then when I got to Carolina, it was just, I was just continuing to try to refine my pregame routine and my preparation. And I think we always talk about what how are you able to differentiate yourself before the ball gets snapped and you know rest recovery are you in good shape are you are you healthy and then you know obviously this one the preparation side of where do I need to be where do I fit inside the defense then ultimately what is the offense trying to do to us yeah including by the way preparation to the point where I remember

the story Ron Rivera likes to tell where he made you go home on Christmas because you are the only one with the light on in the tape room by the way um yeah he's no one was no one my parents weren't in town yet so i'm like hey i'm going to hang in a little longer as much time as you can get luke when as you're in the league you know because in part of defenses like yours and and like what you guys were able to do in in carolina the league started changing faster than ever and these coaches of these younger coaching trees started coming up and taking from you know the shanahan's the macfay's from the older um patrons of that offense and trying to like literally move you because and other talented inside linebackers because of what

you were so able to do and how you're able to affect the game. And all of these pre-snap motions and at snap motions and these shifts and these formations started really taking over and changing offense faster than ever. So how did you surf that wave? Because preparation was always such a gift of yours and understanding the cycles and the philosophical shifts of the league, when it starts moving faster than ever, for somebody who is the quarterback of the defense, how did you try to keep defenses from being reactive and more so assertive? I think we always thought about was we need to have our feet set when the ball is snapped, right? So, you know, you look at you reference to all these guys, the Shanhands and McVease,

the floors, McDaniels, Ben Johnson, and Chicago now the list goes on. with, you know, there's a pre-snap shift, and then there's a motion, and then on the, when the ball is snapped, like you said, you nailed it. What they're trying to do is get guys moving sideways pre-snap, and when the ball gets snapped, they're not able to get downhill right away. So what we always talked about was, you know, what is the final formation off of this motion? So once a guy goes in motion, get to your new alignment immediately, get your feet set, put your eyes on your new key, and go. I think when people get in trouble is they they're following this jet motion and they're moving sideways and they're high and their feet aren't set and they're looking at the wrong thing and then the ball gets snapped and their eyes are on the wrong key and they have a they're slow to pick up, you know, what the play concept might be. So our thought process always was get aligned, get set, have our feet in the ground and be able to put our foot in the ground and get vertical and get downhill. Right. Like watching some of the tape that we're showing, if you're watching us on YouTube,

is a lot of Lou Keeckley in coverage. And I think that is what you symbolized for a lot of people watching the game was this new type of linebacker. It was almost a transition. Back when the other linebacker on this list, Ray Lewis, was playing from run-stopping as your primary objective to you have to be able to read the keys in coverage. And that was obviously a strength of yours. Like, when you look at the game today and even back when you were doing it, kind of what were the keys to being a complete linebacker

that can survive because it's become one of the toughest positions, Luke, I'm sure you've seen in the NFL where now there's only one of you on the field a lot of the times because it's so hard for linebackers to survive in that part of the game and coverage. I think, you know, I think I'm going to go back to the scheme. You know, I've talked a lot about scheme in Carolina. And the one guy that allowed me to do what I did really well, which was I felt like I was better in past coverage.

We had a really good blitzing linebacker and Thomas Davis. And that was the big thing for me that was super helpful was I rather playing coverage and Thomas rather pressure. And our coaches understood that and knew that and weren't too proud to say, you know what? You like doing that. TD, like doing this. What's kind of make it work. So I think I think that helped me a lot. And then, you know, the one thing, when you get a lot,

line when you play inside linebacker, especially early in my career, you get matched up on tight ends a lot. You know, you're on tight ends. You're on the number three receiver. A lot of stuff is going over the middle of the field. And, you know, we always had, we always had Greg. And so you're in OTAs and training camp and I always trained with Greg in the offseason. And to have somebody like Greg that you got to practice against who was the best tight end in the NFL, he could do everything. He could, he was vertically fast. He had great field and zone coverage. He knew how to get open in small places, but then he can also be in line and block and you wouldn't come out of the game. You got, you got a really good feel, at least, you know, we did on the defense side

of the ball for it. A real tight end looks like what it feels like a guy that not only physically can do it, but mentally was way above everybody else. So I think that helped me a lot as well, was just having the opportunity to practice against a really good player in Greg my whole career. And then, like I said, Thomas was the pressure guy. So I could sit back and cover. and let Thomas go do his thing. I'm a sucker for just hearing who were like the toughest guys to go again. So you had Greg Olson in practice, but you mentioned you're always lined up against tight ends.

Like who were some of the toughest that you had to face between a tight end and a quarterback while we're here? Yeah. I mean, you know, tight ends and quarterback. I think I'm going to kind of go to a different direction. I thought Marshaun Lynch at the running back position was as big of a challenge I felt like that we had on a consistent basis. Obviously, they were not. a division opponent of us. Obviously, they're an NFC team,

but we played them pretty much every year and sometimes twice a year in the playoffs when I was playing in Carolina. And he was so, he had so many natural physical abilities from I felt how he was built to his, his power in his speed and how he ran the ball. He was kind of wide,

he had a very wide base and it allowed him to get very lateral very quickly. He could sink down in his hips. so he could change direction really well. He had great bursts, but he could also put his shoulder down and run right through you. So it was one of those guys where you had to really be smart with how you attacked him and what angle you attacked him because if he got you head up, he had so many tools in his pocket that he could do.

He could put his head down and run through you. He could slow you down, speed you down, speed you up. He could put a stiff arm in your chest and push you away or just run away from you. And he was built so physically strong and thick and dense. and he ran with an edge. And he was a fun guy to play against. But when you played against Marshawn Lynch, you're like, man, I better buckle it up because this is a real running back.

Yeah, I think those were some of the most underrated, like became a rivalry, really. Not a lot of people talk about that. Everyone talks about divisions and conferences and all of that. But you guys in the Carolina and the Seahawks, I mean, the trash talk was unreal leading up to those games and in those games and the energy was insane. Luke, I know we're running on time here, but when I covered you, I did a story about you and fly fishing and your hobby and one of your passions. And you said something that I have never forgotten and it broke my heart at the time listening to it because it was so real about what your life was like at that time. And for those listeners who don't know, fly fishing is such a meticulous craft and you are natural for Luke because you study so much about the movement of the river.

and the movement of the patterns of the ecosystem around you and you have to tie your own flies and the real fly fisherman tie their own flies. But you told me, and this crushed me, that you couldn't tie your own flies during football season because your hands were so messed up. It killed me. I've never forgotten it about the physicality

and the sheer dedication to your craft. I have to ask, can you finally tie your own flies and do you still fly fish? I tell you what, you know what? It's whatever he said, five, six years out. I feel pretty daggone good right now, so there's not much that I can't do physically, which is hopefully stays that way for a long time. That's awesome.

And, yeah, as we mentioned, you're on the show in part, you know, because you and Jordan have a history together, but mostly because, yeah, you were on this list. So let's put up the list here for a second. You were number 14 on our list. I mentioned, like, the other linebacker on the list was Ray Lewis there up there at eight. I got a lot. I got heat from Panthers fans. he's not high enough.

Kikley's got to be higher and then some people are like... He got heat for me, Luke. He's not high enough. I have to admit, Jordan had nothing to do with the making of this list. So don't falter,

but that's pretty great. I mean, it's tough. When you have all-time legends, you have Hall of Famers ahead of you and behind you. I know you will be a finalist for the Hall of Fame this year, the way it works now.

They revealed you were in the top seven last year, so you're automatically a finalist this year. So we wish you, you luck. And to me, this is an even greater honor than the Hall of Fame there, Luke. So congratulations. Oh, my God. This is what I deal with, Luke. Come on now. This is, come on. Like, appreciate you coming on the show. Thanks, Luke. Yeah, thanks, guys. Thanks again to the great Luke Kekley. And before we say goodbye to this show, I want to announce something. I'm very excited about that Jordan Roderig is not only going to be back with NFL Daily for another season,

but is going to be with us more often in an expanded role. Like, you wanted more Jordan Roderig, you got her. She will be part of the show. We're hoping three times a week all season long. And if you didn't, please don't tell me. Yes. So congrats. I'm really excited.

It's one of the things, obviously, we've been talking about this a long time. our vision for the show. And I look at it as our vision, you having a big voice in that. I just, I'm grateful. I mean, I feel like, I mean, the first day on the show, kind of out of nowhere,

being, you know, you calling me asking if I could help out and me thinking it was just going to be a short-term thing and crying and, of course, becoming the person that feels all the things all the time on the show.

I just, I've learned so much and I like working with you, because, first of all, you're so supportive and you're such an advocate. And you just say, you said recently, you said recently on this show, you're trying to get better at taking compliments. So this is a test for you here.

I mean, you changed my life, honestly. And I've said that to you before. And I never thought I could get an opportunity to do this in this studio. That means a great deal to me to sit in and to sit in more frequently than I was last season. and I just want to keep getting better and I want to keep sharing with people

how much love I have for football and how much joy I find in even the mundane tiny details of football and I want to thank you and the folks that I heart and NFL media and everybody's been so invested in helping me get better and I just want to keep growing.

And we're going to do that. It's going to be onwards and upwards and kind of related to that. Yeah, Jordan's on the show. Thursday. So get used to Oh, I'm going to sit right between you and Bridget Condon. Oh, yeah. We're having Bridgett, too. And slowly wilt in my chairs. They trade

the Northeast Bostonian insults. It'll be fine. Yes, we're going to talk a little bit on Thursday show. Of course, update you with all the news, but we're also introducing you to the corridor of uncertainty. Look, when

we're getting a big contract signed, not just the NFL teams to start training Cam, man, you know football's back. Pumped, Jordan's got to be with us three times a week. Hey, everybody, Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move to Six, we take you inside the game from breaking down college prospects and NFL rookies

to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else. It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sunday. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael Fiorio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?

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