NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Carson Palmer Retires; Black Monday Recap

Episode Date: January 3, 2018

A room filled with some heroes- Dan Hanzus, Gregg Rosenthal, Marc Sessler & Colleen Wolfe break the news about Carson Palmer’s retirement (00;00) and all the comings and goings of coaches including Bruce Arians (14;31), Jack Del Rio (24;47) and Vance Joseph staying in Denver (40;50). Finally, The Go get my Lunch standings are revealed (48;48) and much more!Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comNFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Oh, yeah, you know when a show starts like that, that something big happened. And it did. Dan hands us with Mark Sessler and Greg Rosenthal. Connie Fox is going to join us in a few minutes. But let's start with the big news. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals, no more.

The quarterback has decided to retire after 15 seasons. He makes the announcement with an open letter to, The fans that reads, in part, over the years I've had teammates who decided to hang it up and I would ask them how they knew when it was time to walk away. The answer was almost the same, always the same. You just know for me that time is now why. Quite simply, Mark, I just know. Shocked?

No. 38 years old. Tied at the hip with Bruce Ariens. And with Ariens departure, are you going to stick around with the Cardinal? or go somewhere else, have to completely reboot offensively in terms of scheme. And, you know, you're coming off multiple injuries over the last couple years for this guy. I just think that Palmer's sort of a chill dude, too, who's kind of ready to say, yep, I'm ready to go.

Southern California boy, for sure. I mean, he made a lot of money. He was the number one overall pick before the rookie draft scale came into effect. He was the highest paid player in the league for a time on his second contract. a really good career, top 15 all time in passing yards and I believe touchdown. But unfortunately, I'll kind of remember it for some what-ifs. You know, what if he doesn't tear his ACL in the 2005 playoffs? That was definitely the best Bengals team of my lifetime.

I thought they had a chance to make a run at a Super Bowl. That year, I think that was also the best he ever played. I thought he was the third best quarterback in the league behind Brady and Manning at that time. And then you think of 2014 when he was six. and O as the Cardinal starter, and he tore his ACL a second time. The great thing is that he did come back and play very well the next year, and he did kind of get that, hey, I'm going to win a playoff game. I'm going to have a nice little run as an elder statesman.

I also remember him basically in 2010 saying, or 2011, I'm willing to retire right now and sit on my couch because I refuse to play for the Bengals anymore. He was like Chris Wesleyan 12 years later. He just could not stand the Bengals anymore. He was done with football if he couldn't get out of it. The Bengals, the pit stop with the Raiders, traded to the Cardinals and with Bruce Ariens, who we're going to get to in a little bit, who's also leaving football, really revitalized his career. And yeah, that 2006 knee injury forever in every Cincinnati football fan's mind,

the name Kimo Von Olhofen is burned into it. It was his low hit that really pulverized Palmer's knee. It was thought at the time potentially to be a career-ending injury. It was that serious. He made it back and had a really great, is he a Hall of Fame? It took him, you know, when he came back, though, it took him a while to get really back up to speed. Do you think he's a Hall of Fame or?

No, I don't think he'll have much of a chance at the Hall of Fame. I don't think he'll even really get seriously discussed for that. And I think if you're a fan of, if you remember the All or Nothing season, the first season of that show, which is essentially hard knocks but blown up to a full season. They documented that 2015 Cardinals team, which was the closest, ultimately, he ever got to the promised land, got to the NFC title game and then just couldn't hang.

They got overmatched in the NFC title game. But it was a great career for Palmer, but maybe it didn't reach quite the heights coming into the league as a prodigy and a guy you thought could be multiple championships type of course. He would have had to come out of this with a couple Super Bowl titles. And you're so right, Greg, that 2005 season. I don't know if Pittsburgh with Big Ben wins that Super Bowl if that injury hadn't occurred.

I mean, that was a sensational Bengals team. And in my head, I'm thinking, okay, Torr's ACL in 2014, that was a shame. But he did come back and lead the league in yards per attempt. The only time he ever made an all-pro team, they won that exciting playoff game over the Packers. So it's not like he really seemed that effective. He was very good under Bruce Ariens,

who that's part of Ariens' legacy, too, as he brings out the best in these guys. And speaking of Cincinnati, his old coach, Carson Palmer's old coach, We thought his forever run in Cincinnati was going to end. And that is the other big piece of breaking news. This all came out, as you may suspect. We taped earlier today.

We have to get this out there before the show went live. So Marvin Lewis is back. And we wish Chris Wessling was here just to get Wes's reaction to it. Wes never bought into the fact that Marvin Lewis could leave. And guess what? Marvin Lewis against the odds is back for what is this? Is 500th season? 15th, something like that, somewhere between.

16th season coming up. Mike Brown. How did he do it? How did he survive, Greg? It's amazing. He's not an idiot. Wes was right. He's like, Bengals are different.

Mike Brown, you don't know. That's my Damashek doing an impression of Wes' impression. It's crazy because the exact same thing happened back in 2011 where he got to the end of his contract. Everyone said that he was going to leave. And then they ended up, I think, sort of doing this dance. And according to what Ian Rappaport reported, where they kind of looked at outside candidates or possibly people that could come in and Lewis was maybe going

to take some interviews and then they just kind of looked around and was like, eh, I guess we're just better off together. That seems better. Well, I think they were waiting to see if there was any chance that Jay Gruden was ever let go. And, well, Rappaport also noted that Lewis had heard from another team with a vacancy wanting him as their head coach. I'd love to know who that was. And they were, you know, potential potential on fire about we got to get here. Hugh Jackson. We got to get the 1-131 guy in the building. I want to know how real that was.

This is not going to be popular with Bengals fans because I know Marvin Lewis has had a good run overall, but they're tired of him. They're tired of these 15 years in the last two years. And I get it. I always defend Marvin Lewis's track record, but sometimes it just feels like your time is up and it felt like that was it. I think I know what Wes would say, but do you think that that the last two weeks of their season, especially that win over Baltimore, changed anything in terms of his fate? I could have. I mean, especially the nature of that World 17 game.

It shouldn't, but I'm wondering if that joyfulness from the way they ended the season, if that maybe put things over the hump, I wouldn't put it past. Maybe the football God simply won't allow Dom Capers and Marvin Lewis to be killed in the same season. I do. I do. Tom Capers is dead? I do think back to the fact that career-wise, you know, two weeks ago on this podcast and on national television, both ESPN and our network reported that Marvin Lewis had mutually agreed to part ways.

And Marvin Lewis was on the record talking with Ian Rappaport about possibly looking at GM jobs elsewhere. And I do think it might have been Marvin Lewis's way of, I don't know, I mean, I'm just speculating, but his way of kind of saying to Bengals' ownership, like he wasn't happy with how talks were going at the time. Like, all right, I'm leaving. If that's what you want, I'm leaving. like that was his public way of doing that and then the Bengals respond maybe give him a little more of what he wants

That's quite a bluff to call though by the way when you're like five and eight It's not a bluff though It's he really it was ready to leave You know if if Brown didn't maybe change his mind Because when Lewis was asked about it He said well I'd be open to it if certain things are also Or maybe a change of heart

When he realized suddenly I'm not going to be a coach anymore And I still want to be Maybe when he had that really awkward high 10 With Andy Dalton after they beat the Ravens it all clicked that he wanted to stay. By the way, Ian Rappapagos fan reported on our air that other teams were poking around the idea of Marvin Lewis as a head coaching option. Did you guys talk to? We did.

All three of us have now said that. Okay, good. It's all covered. And one more thing before we get the show started, circling back to the Carson Palmer situation, you wonder if Larry Fitzgerald now follows cousin Brucey and QB1 out the door. It is a time of change. for the Cardinals who came close, but now they have to start something new. All right, that's it.

That's breaking news. Hopefully we don't have to do this again before the show goes live. Now let's send it to us and Connie for the rest of the show. The Around the NFL podcast is close to finalizing an extension through 2024.

Welcome back to another edition of the Around the NFL podcast. No way. Presented by head and shoulders. My name is Dan Hansus, and I'm joined by a room. filled with Heroes in 2018, Mark Sessler, Colleen Wolfe, and Greg Rosenthal. What's up, people?

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. We will definitely have fractured and split apart either by our own will and human quirks or by the company's will by 2024. And much sooner, I would have made. That reminds me of our flight back from the owner's meetings, I think, three or four years ago, Mark. And we were just kind of talking about the future of the podcast. and he was just like, I don't know if we're going to all be able to keep it together. Like the egos are going to get too big.

I was like, what are you talking about? We were in a podcast. I'm dead. I'm dead, dead accurate about that. It's only six years away, 24. Just wait. Colleen Wolfe, today's your birthday. It is.

How about that? Happy birthday. Thank you. Thank you. And we're excited because you are, you know, you're turning an age. I'm 33. 33, by the way. This is saving for the theology podcast.

Jesus is 30. And he didn't make it out of it. No, I've already done something more than Jesus had. So you feel like you've made more of an impact than Jesus on the earth. Interesting. No, I've just lived until 33. The podcast characters don't have any ego issues. You also, you share a birthday with Debbie Rosenthal, my mom.

Shout out to Debbie who listens to every show. Shouts to Deb. Happy birthday, Deb and Cuba, Gooding Jr. And Cuba. What a trio. I saw a bombed. Cuba getting junior walking out of a diner at the Super Bowl. It was me, Connor, and Ali.

We were walking out of diner. What city was that? It was like three years ago. Anyway, Cuba was all crunked up. Really? Yeah. He's having a good time. I think it was San Francisco.

San Francisco. That's what it was. Oh, God. All right. Never mind that. Anyway. Big show. Big show today.

Coming up on today's show. So much to get to a big news show because, First, there's a GM shocker that came down late yesterday, late Monday, someone that has been reassigned, always ominous. Also, you know, we're checking in on some butts, little butt check for coaches. Some are off the hot seat because they're, you know, on the unemployment line. That's just the nature of the game. It just got too hot.

Yeah, got too hot. They had a hop off. And, yes, it's that time of year. Always the first show after our week seven. wrap up we check in and do some housekeeping with a go get my lunch regular season predictions who owes sandwiches who doesn't owe sandwiches who is the the grand champion of the regular season and you may be surprised by the winner this year really right or you like that surprised you do like it good anyway so let's get to it and behind the glass today

producer Lindsay Fulton is back in the land that's Cleveland yes it is so behind the glass is a woman who I have been attempting to recruit for years now for a podcast one day I will be successful I know who was successful in recruiting Emma VP that bow of hers because she's engaged hey guys how you doing Emma congratulations thank you so much congrats to you Yeah, you finally got the call up to the big podcast. What a big news for you. Yeah, big news of 2018. Your ring is so sparkly.

Thank you. Nice. And you want to hear the real move. Does your fiancé listen to the podcast you do? Yes. I mean, he's not going to listen to this one. He is moving here. What?

Nice. And that is, you want to talk about the future is female? Bang. Get out here. We're starting a life in California, man. It's called the Colleen Wolf move. That's right. You did it too.

That's what you. John did. Hold the wolf. The wolf. Yep. Did it come as a surprise? Or did you like, you guys have like steady talks for months and years?

Hey, when I come home for this break, you're going to do this and I'll say yes. It's all choreographed. No, it was a surprise. We definitely talked about it, but the whole proposal was a surprise. Glad it went well.

I don't, but I don't buy the, was there a discussion about where we're going to end up together? Because I feel like Emma was like, you want to make this happen? Get your ass out here. No, for sure. I mean, he lives in Philly still, right?

Or around Philly? He lives in Philly. Yeah, it is cold. It's really cold there. I almost said a bad word. It is like, of course he's going to move here. It's so much nicer. All right.

So a lot to celebrate. It's a new year. Colleen is letting us know that it's cold on the East Coast. It's freezing everyone. Colleen is 33. Emma is getting married. Christian told us before the show that he was friends with Paul Thomas Anderson back in the day. Wow, so much out there.

Deb Rosenthal's birthday. Woo! Let's do some news. Capricorns. Andy Dalton takes the snap, steps up, fires down the middle, complete at the 15, 10, 5 touchdown, Cincinnati. Dan is obsessed with that. The headset being thrown to the counter will never not be funny to me. Stan White.

Stan White. Ex-Cultz linebacker, Stan White, loses it in a big spot. Come on, you, White. That's got to go in your call. right? Yes, it's been clear. That's number one. Wow.

Well, we don't want to jump to conclusion. We have to go through all of them, Greg. And then the first show after the Super Bowl, we will reveal. This shows all about hot takes. That's my hot take. All right, I like that. I like that. All right.

But so much news to get to. And let's start with comings and goings. And here's a going. Bruce Ariens. After five years as the head coach of the Cardinals, this was percolating for a while. In fact, I don't want to, you know, say nothing. I don't want to talk out of school here. You know, but the old ATN Media Insider

had a conversation back in early September and I said on this podcast that there was no chance that Bruce and Ariens return. That this was it. Suck that in, right? I don't remember that. Dan, you break so much information. I don't understand why you left the news division of our website.

It's just hard to keep up with it all. Yeah, I get it. But Ariens is done. This was his last. Last year he had a emotional news conference making the announcement, and first he described, or during the press conference, he described why he was leaving his postal tear what Bruce had to say. The tears you see are really tears of joy and peace. I'll miss the players. I'll miss coming out of the locker room here in the national anthem because it still gets me.

But somehow, some way, I'm going to be in touch with the game. game. I'm not leaving the valley. And if you know anything about the life of an NFL head coach from a distance like us, but you still know how much hours they put in, Bruce had something of a come to Jesus, come to Colleen type

moment during a conversation with his wife. He also talked about that. Probably one of the hardest things for me this year was sitting at the lake this summer. And Krista, you know Jake's going to be 40? His son. And I mean, it hit me like a

of bricks that I missed all that time. Oh, God. I'm going to cry. And that's coaching. There you go. So Bruce Ariens ends, Greg, what was a great run with the Cardinals. They never got over the hump, never quite got to the Super Bowl, but 4930 and 1 got to the NFC title game, made the playoffs twice, and Ariens is out. And what a gift that he got this opportunity that we got to see.

him as a head coach that his players got to know him as a head coach because it could have easily have never happened, a career assistant who got his first chance at 60, a guy who won coach of the year for two different franchises? Was that back-to-back years? Within three years. Within three years. I mean, that's, it's just an insane run. And he just seemed like when he wrote, he wrote a really great book with Lars Anderson called

The Quarterback Whisper. And in that book, he telegraphed pretty clearly. he thought this was going to be his last year just because he thinks there's more to life and props to him. I hope he has a great. And I think he's got, I have a sense he'll be in the media.

So I don't think we're going to lose Bruce Ariens. Ian said that he's hired a media agent. What if he takes the spot of John Gruden? That would be great. Yeah. And we're going to get to Gruden in a second, but that Monday night post is about to open up. He even made a winking reference in the press conference.

Yep. He said, you know, I'll even love working with you guys referring to the media. Maybe I'll be on your side or something like that. So expect them to pop up either on a pregame show or maybe even in a booth, we shall see. I asked him one time. You go to these owners meetings. You mentioned the owners meetings that they have a chance to sit down where they're eating breakfast.

And there aren't that many people there. And you can sit with these coaches for 30 minutes if you want. And I'll never forget, Arian's just eating this giant plate of eggs and bacon. And we were just talking about stuff a little bit off the topic of football. The thing was wrapping. And I asked him what he would do if he wasn't a coach. and he talked about he loves teaching and he wants to always be around

the environment of teaching and counseling and I honestly think that if it's not broadcasting that he's going to continue to work with people for the rest of his life because he had incredible passion to talk about his players over and over and his players that he coached 20 years ago who are now in their 40s and aging and they still have that tight relationship

I think he's a lifer in terms of working and mentoring people and he's going to do a lot of charity work that's what he was referencing in the bit we played he's going to stay in the Sun Valley and he's got a lot of charity work I got a chance to talk to him at the all or nothing premiere in downtown L.A. And he was belly up to the bar and a very, very, very real person. Yeah.

Very true to himself, obviously, and kind of a naturally charismatic guy. It's going to be at the Combine this year. That's what I was thinking too. No Bruce Ariens. Ted Thompson about to get to. He was always one of my favorite guys with his dry sense of humor. He will not be at a podium this year. These are the type of guys you want around in the NFL. Yeah.

when they kind of take a step out of these roles, it does hurt the coverage angle. I'm going to miss seeing him and Sean Payton drinking together at the bar. There's only like one bar that everybody goes to in Indy. And it was like you would automatically see those two together or at like the cigar bar together. But just hearing him talk, he's so genuine. And you can obviously see it from the tears that he's shedding. And when he's talking about his family and you can tell that he's a family guy.

And I think that translates so much with the players. because he seems like a dad. Yeah. Like, I feel like he's a dad. He's the coach that if I could have a beer with any coach, it would be Bruce Ariens. Well, now he has time to do that with you. I mean, Wes, West loves him to death, too. I wish Wes were here to talk about him.

But I think he's an example of someone when you find your opportunity later in life. He absolutely knew who he was. And that's why we got this Bruce Ariens who was so honest and real and not someone that I think if you're into it early, it can change you. Right. He was a great example that I hope other coaches follow. I don't think they will. He gave more information to the media and was just himself than any coach. And it's not like it heard him at all.

He had an incredible career and an incredible run lifting up this Cardinals team. He also changed the career of Peyton Manning. He changed the career of Ben Rathesberger. He changed the career of Andrew Luck. And then he changed this franchise in Arizona. Carson Palmer. And spinning forward, the Cardinals have put in a request to interview Vikings, as offensive coordinator and former Browns head coach, Pat Schumer,

that according to rap sheet. So things are going to be different around the Cardinals and probably not quite as fun. They have a bunch of requests. Yeah, I think Mike Munchack is one of the other. Patricia Jim Schwartz. They're looking. Your boy Brian, Brian Flores, the Patriots can lose all sorts of coaches.

Greg, get ready. I'm get to a kid. I'm really sad about this one. I'm sad that he's out. Yeah. This one's the. Why don't you should call him up and have a chat? Why is it so cold in Philadelphia, too?

It's freezing there. Ted Thompson, Ted Thompson, who has been the general manager of the Packers since 2005. A lot of people view Thompson as one of the best in the business. Well, he's no longer going to be in that role in what would, yeah, let's say, bombshell announcement by the Packers. He will be transitioning from GM and director of football ops to a senior advisor to football operations, which is pretty nebulous. The team announced Tuesday, Thompson's greatest move ever, of course, was selecting Aaron. Rogers when he fell in the first round of the 2005 draft and he obviously benefited from 12 years of Rogers' greatness or once Rogers got in, he still had Brett Farr for a while

there. However, Greg, the idea that Thompson, and maybe it came through this year, we don't know the whole story here, but maybe it came through that at a certain point, if Aaron Rogers goes out, you shouldn't be the worst team in football, how much do you think that could have played into the fact that they just seem to be so vulnerable if the greatest quarterback in the league is not healthy. I think it was a big factor that the lack of depth that they had. They did dive into free agency a little more over the last few years, but I think that

frustrated some people around Green Bay. And the reason I say that is because Bob McGinn, the veteran reporter who covered them for a long time now as his own online website, said the board of directors pushed him out. So that's his report that they instructed the CEO to push him out. It mentioned some health issues with him, perhaps. And even more interestingly, I think the article suggests that the change in GM, and it's expected to be an in-house candidate. And he has a lot of guys, including Elliot Wolfe.

Ron Wolf sold his son, who is the guy who trained Ted Thompson. It suggests that Mike McCarthy might not be safe with the new general manager coming. Well, I do think it's going to be an in-house candidate. And our own Gil Brandt passed on a little nugget this morning to me. That Elliot Wolf. Y'all Brant also wished them a VP a happy engagement. Bill Brantz all over the place. He's got a lot of handling.

I do it. So they have Elliot Wolf, who's their director of football ops. And they have this guy, Brian Gutakunst, who is, apparently they both interviewed last year for the Niners' GM spot. Didn't get it. But everyone knows Ron Wolf, so everyone talks about Elliot Wolf nonstop, is this future wonder boy. But everyone talked about Brian Gutakuntz.

The guy knocked the interview out of the park. And Elliot Wolf is still. Still a guy who is young and learning has a ways to go. So I'm not, I wouldn't assume it's Wolf that just steps into that role, despite the lineage with the Packer. I'm rooting for Wolf, obviously. Yeah, obviously. I never underestimate a good a cuntz.

Yeah, well, that's, I know. I mean, come on. He's like, oh, Brian Good a cuntz. No, it's got to be Elliott Wolf. What about, don't, don't downsize. Gutacunds over Wolf. How about that? No, uh-uh.

I am so intrigued by the idea that Mike McCarthy could be out there because that is a C-Chief. I mean, Thompson, his first draft pick was Aaron Rogers. He made a lot of great draft picks over the years, especially at wide receiver and the offensive line. I mean, he took some guys in the fourth round that turned into all pro. He did a great job, but it kind of eroded the last three or four years if you look at their draft. And I just love the idea of maybe Aaron Rogers getting a different coach for. Wow, that would be crazy. You're hot about that.

You're hot in the pants about that. I just think it would be a good story. That's a weird turn of phrase. I don't agree that with that at all. Dan, in our current environment, I would suggest new phrasing. I just got some hot pants about it That's all Not a hot butt

You do the math I don't need to do math Around that area Thank you In other news The Raiders are very confident They will replace Jack Del Rio

Who they let go After Sunday's week 17th finale With John Gruden The ownership That according to rap sheet And as Greg said I can't remember Greg If you said

At the beginning of today's show Or before we start Started rolling So I'll just add a quote from Gruden. My understanding is that they're interviewed and candidates this week and they're going to let everybody know

sometimes early next week or whenever they make their decision I am being considered. Yes, I hope I'm a candidate. Did you say that before the show or during the show? It was before we started. Oh, good. Gruden said it.

Yeah. Yeah, Gruddin. Okay. He hopes he's a candidate. He relayed that. Pronouns. Greg. They have to go through this whole charade

of interviewing coaches and pretending Sherrod A. He's not the guy. Meanwhile, John Gruden's going to be announcing a game this weekend, including his old buddy Andy Reid, who he's going to likely be coaching against next year in the AFC West. Greg is very concerned about this. You were hot in the pants about that too. Yeah, Greg is very concerned about Gruden announcing this game on the weekend.

I don't think it's a big deal, but I mean, he's still, he hasn't flipped jobs yet. It is strange. It's just strange that everyone's going to pretend that this all hasn't already happened. That's true. It's like, just pay the Rooney Rule fine. That's an option. You don't have to go through this whole. Yeah.

I feel like it's really, though, incredible because every year John Gruden, rumors fly, and this is finally one that's actually real. Although Ian Rappaport noted that there was a moment last year where John Gruden, Peyton, Peyton, Peyton, and Jim Ursay were on a plane, and they thought when that plane landed, there was going to be an agreement where Peyton Manning was the general manager of the Colts and John Gruden was the coach, and he backed out of that agreement. So you never know. You never know if he could just change his mind if ESPN offered him $13 million a year or whatever the hell.

I mean, who knows? Well, we just talked about Arias. The lifestyle change of going from preparing each week to announce one game to suddenly becoming a head coach. Years after you were head coach, the game has changed a lot. Do you want it that bad? Why have you not wanted to coach in the time in between? Remember back to Hard Knocks when he was, was it Hard Knocks this year? When he was in there talking to all the guys and like you could see.

how bad he wanted to coach again. It's been on the wall all season, both from Hard Knocks all through the season on ESPN where he had one foot out of the studio. You knew this was coming. Not to mention he loves Derek Carr. There's a clip of him doing the Derek Carr QB camp. He loves every player.

He's like, I'll go get you. He's like, I pick you. It was like him talking about the difference. Any job he took, we could point to eight players that he loves, though. I mean, I love this guy. It is why. I just want to know, if you're that obsessed with coaching, if you think about one thing in your life,

you're that obsessed about, Why does nearly a decade pass before you take that opportunity? Because now you're getting the best offered to coach the team that you had your greatest success or you really rose with and you're getting an ownership stake potentially, which is like that's a God. Yeah, but other coaches just keep grinding. That's a Godfather. A youngest kid graduates high school this year too. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation.

He climbed the mountain from his 20s. Saw his kids grow up a little bit. You're right. He won a Super Bowl and then he decided to step away, made millions calling games on Monday night. and now he's got the itch again. I don't see that as like a negative. Do you? Absolutely, no.

I mean, I think his final six years in Tampa were a negative where they didn't have an above average passing game at any point. I think people forget about that. Now he has a quarterback. The one thing that everyone assumed, though, was that the Raiders only would make this move if it was agreed to. And from the reporting that Steve Weish and others have done, Jack Del Rio was getting fired anyways.

That was a ship going downhill. And he said in that locker room, Not a lot of tears were shed when Jack Del Rio was let go. No, there was almost no reaction in the locker. There was even some chuckling ship going downhill. I like that. Ship going underwater. I mean, that's not what you want is a ship going downhill.

That's a good word. So you're right. Actually, you're right. You definitely don't want that. Moving on. By the way, hey, Emma, lifestyle changes. We're just talking about your fiancé coming out west. Do you think he'll be able to hit the ground around?

He can burn all of his jackets. Do you think he'll be intimidated by this fresh start and you being the breadwinner and all that? I don't think so. I think we're going to make it work. I think it would be great to have to marry into money as he is apparently. She's making all that ash loaded.

It worked for Gonzo for a while. I never saw Gonzo in a warm calm state. Well, that's just Gonzzo's resting. I don't know. I wonder why Gonzo's always so calm and relaxed. It is weird, huh? Yeah. Yeah, I don't know.

I don't know. Let's move on. It's loaded, that's why. Jim. Yeah, right. Jim Hersey. mercy is the owner of the cults and he fired his head coach Chuck Pagano so they are in the hunt for a coach. But, you know, everything around the cults right now is about what's going on with Andrew Luck.

Is he going to be ready? Is he going to still be Andrew Luck if he does come back after missing an entire season with a shoulder injury that just did not heal the way anyone had hoped? Ersei spoke on Monday and this is what he had to say about luck. He's very optimistic. I have no doubt in my mind that Andrew is going to come back. And when I talk about the look in his eye, when I talk about the temperature of 107 of a fierceness, I am telling you that that kid is a special kid, special.

He was born to do great things in the National Football League. And he will do great things in the National Football League. The 107 was a reference to something he said earlier where he says, you don't know the fire that's burning in number 12's eyes. You don't know what type of fever he has for success right now. It's a 107 degree fever. Can I tell you something? Just an FYI, you would be essentially dead.

I just did some research. He can shoot fireballs out of his eye. That would be fun. It's called hyperperexia, a fever that is, equal to or above 106.7. This temperature is too high. It constitutes a medical emergency for the patient. So let's read between the lines here.

What is he really saying? Andrew Luck is in a... I hope Andrew Lump's okay. He's in mortal danger. Forget about the shoulder. His blood's boiling within him. Whoa. Yeah.

Let's move on. Anybody, yeah. That's just interesting. No, the only thing I was going to say is a lot of people are saying that this is like maybe the most attractive opening, one of them. but I'm not sure I really buy that just based on the division at this point now and you look at Deshawn Watson coming back with the Texans

and the way that the Jags are right now. Worth a shot, though. If you get a healthy... I don't know. You better come and win right away. You need to go to the playoffs right away. One man who's but no longer on fire because he hopped off the seat

and onto the unemployment line, Jim Caldwell. The team announced early Monday morning, the team being the Detroit Lions, that general manager Bob Quinn informed Caldwell that he will not be returning his head coach. In addition to Caldwell,

Quinn told Ron Prince, the offensive line coach, he won't be coming back. Sorry, Prince. And that's it. Quinn had this to say, we didn't beat the real good teams. Our record was above average. We're nine and seven the last two years, but our record against the better teams in the league

has not been that good. Hmm, it's an interesting quote. Thoughts. Well, it's crazy. They were 17 and 3, I think, against teams under 500 and something like 1 and 15. It's close to that against teams over five months. So clearly he says we have the talent to be beating those teams.

We just don't have the coach. I think it's fair to say that Caldwell got a raw deal. He did a good job overall there, second highest winning percentage in team history, and that it totally makes sense to change coaches when you have a GM that's not aligned with his philosophy. I think a GM that's under pressure to fix some longstanding issues with Detroit's roster.

I mean, how about find a running game for the first time in our adult lives? That would be too much. They're looking at defensive coaches. though. The idea, it seems, is hire a coach that wants to keep Jim Bob Cooter in Detroit, which makes sense. You've got a top 10 quarterback. Nothing else on the team is really very special. They're interviewing Matt Patricia, Steve Wilkes from Carolina, Mike Rable, who I think is the guy to watch for that job

in all defensive coordinators. Colts want Matt Frable too. Unless you're one of those upper echelon type coaches, a Bill Parcell's type, it's hard to get a third job. But when you go back to back nine and seven, then get fired it's not like you're a john fox scenario uh do you think coldwell could get another head coach job down the line i think it's possible because well here's what i'd say what pat shirmer suddenly is another candidate who i thought never would get another that's for number two okay but but i'm just saying that called well did not totally fail here that's what i'm he'll work for the for the rest for as long as he'll be a coordinator if he coordinated a really

top offense you're right rex ryan made the point and i thought it was it was astute that you don't get a third job usually if you don't like win a Super Bowl or do something special after your second job, it's very hard to get it. North Turner did. Yeah. Phillips did? In Caldwell, there's no drama.

Rex Ryan doesn't because there's a lot that comes with a Rex Ryan. Jim Caldell does not bring any of that drama. But he's almost on the other arm. He is, but I don't want either side of that. It's not going to be next year. It's just that is it possible? Yes, it is. John Fox also out as expected the Bears.

He had a third try too. Wow, you're right. 16 straight years for three different teams, John, Johnny Fox. Yeah. Yep, it's true. Fox A. The Bears announced that they have fired the head coach. Fox's firing was first reported by rap sheet.

Nice job. Ian. Ian. An excellent work by him. Interesting name. Working round the clock. Ian's an interesting name? Yeah, just like Ian.

The Bears announced later Monday that GM Ryan Pace's contract has been extended through 2021. There was a tweet sent out by the Bears. We can maybe show it on our video. show, which is on tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. Pacific. Thank you, John Fox, which if you click into that, you see what bears think about that. Thank you for what. But I get it. Listen, he was the face of the franchise in some way and it didn't work out. Fox is out of work. But the surprise, I think, a little bit, Connie, is that Ryan Pace is better employed after this. And some people would say maybe Pace should have been going too. Yeah. I mean, I guess they're obviously

happy with Mitchell Trubisky. It seems like that was sort of a thing that the entire team, the coaching staff seemed surprised about it. Like it just didn't, it came out of nowhere when all that went down at the draft. So I wouldn't be surprised if they brought in and often, they have to bring in an offensive coach that is going to help develop Trubisky and, I mean, maybe what we've heard, Pat Shermer a lot, as you just mentioned. Josh McDaniels, John D. Filippo, so you're absolutely right.

Exactly. So we'll see. They could also, I wonder with D. Filippo. I wrote an article trying to put together like the ideal matches. What if they bring in a defensive coach? They're also interviewing Steve Wilkes and Vic Pandio as head coach. And you get DiPhilippo to come as the offensive coordinator. Now, maybe he does get a head coaching job,

but he is out of his contract in Philadelphia. The Eagles did him dirty last year by not letting him interview for coordinator jobs. I think he kind of, you know, behind the scenes maybe wasn't thrilled with that. So he's going to be a hot coordinator candidate if he doesn't get a head coach. We talked that Johnny Morton could be, not Johnny Morton, Charlie Morton. John Morton. John Morton. Johnny Morton was the old Chiefs wide receipts.

John Morton. Anyway, the Jets offense coordinator who could be moving to join Gruden in Oakland, the Jets would be interested in DiFilippo, who they were interested in last year, but the Eagles said no. So we could have some musical chairs. Used to work for the Jets. In play there. And other news. Won't miss John Fox. Sorry.

I mean, what a boring. Well, like you said, he's had three chances. There was one game where he was like super animated this year and everybody was like, whoa, John Fox, look at you having a personality and then that all went away again. Nice guy. And why did John Fox get a third job? Because he went to the Super Bowl with his first two teams. Maybe Peyton Manning really took the Broncos to the Super Bowl.

But usually you have to have some level of success in those sports. Yeah, Caldwell, been to a Super Bowl too. Yeah. Moving on Dean Peas, the defensive coordinator of the Ravens who saw his defense. let's face it collapse on their last play of the season when Andy Dalton knocked the Ravens out of the postseason angering many including Chris Wesleying and also perhaps Colleen Wolfe because Colleen I don't know if you're aware

that we had stuck a fork in the bills who of course advanced to the playoffs when the Ravens blew that game and as we had all agreed upon if we forked a team that made the playoffs we would make a charity donation And furthermore, and this calls back to Mark's ref earlier that you were doing very well financially. Very well. You would be handling the charitable donation to the Western New York area. So just something to think about it.

That's great. Okay. I'm sure your family lineage has sent you birthday checks in excess of. I mean, I've just, yes, I'm growing money on trees basically right now. It's great. Better be a big gift. Well, maybe you could join the Bills fans that have done. donated over $100,000 to the Andy Dalton Foundation.

So it's not, it's not, be matched that donation. It's not technically a Buffalo area, but this is what the Bills fans have gotten behind. And we've got, you know, we've, I love that story. We've made fun of the Bills fans over the years. Sometimes they've had some fun with them for their pregame activities, but what a great job by the Bills fans helping out this charity, which helps, I think, under served kids. That's a good one. Bill's fans at me with some charities. What's the charity gig?

The Andy Doughton Foundation. Yeah, it's not clear who they're helping, according to Greg. No, it's totally clear. I just wanted to make sure I think it's disadvantaged kids with serious illness. Well, that's good to help them. That's nice. I know everyone's all fired up. Oh, now we have to watch the bills in the playoffs.

But everything else about this story has been great. Right to this charity cause now. Well, a lot of Bills fans, just for the record, are donating $17 to the Dalton Foundation to match the 17-year playoff drought that they had. I love it. Yeah, you could do like $1,700, Colleen. Yeah, you should definitely do a multiple of 17. Cool. All right.

Is that a write-off? Let's check out the opening and the video show you can check it out. So the openings as of right now as we spin forward in the NFL. Six of them. Six job openings. The Giants, the bears, the lions, the cults, the Raiders, and the Cardinals. All looking for head coaches. And that could get beefier in that list.

We'll see. If you're watching on the video show, I really like how they put five in one column, and then a second column with just one. It's very pleasing and symmetrical to the eyes. Taking shots? What are you going to do? I said it was very pleasing to the eye.

That's a cost of this move to go after the behind the scenes. Very much on the aisle. That's how you make them. Just said it was very pleasing to the eye. Christian, your takeaway on that. Oh, a knife to the heart. He doesn't like it. There are a couple teams hanging out there,

the Bengals we still don't know about. The Tennessee situate, I think that Mike Malarkey could still get fired. even if they lose this week. And now maybe you throw the Packers into that mix. That would be the number one job. There's all these columns like, what's the best job?

I would say the Giants. But how about the Packers if you get to coach here? Greg could not be more excited about the concept of Mike McCarthy being canned. I think Greg has some type of inside info. Overrated, boring to watch. Let's unleash the most talented quarterback of all time with a more inventive head coach. Okay.

Greg's gunning for that job, actually. And Vance Joseph, this is a bit of a surprise That he is staying in Denver You know, he never chased bad money But guess what? I'm glad he's day John Elway says I'm going to stick with my boy I trusted him, I hired him, he's my guy

I'm going to give him another year And hopefully get him a quarterback Well, that's the hard part, John, because Peyton Manning ain't hitting free agency So go find somebody Well, they're going to be one of these teams that gets stuck trying to find a quarterback in the first round of the draft. Just like the Patriots in a couple of years,

because you sent Jimmy G. West for 50 cents on the dollar. The number, they have the number five pick, but there are some free agents possibly available, especially Kirk Cousins. And I would think the Broncos will be high on that list of teams going after him. And it's good they didn't fire him because it's all Elway's fault. He's the one that hired Joseph. You give him one year.

He's the one that wanted Mike McCoy, who he then fired midway through the season. He's the one who gave him Paxton Lynch. Elway recruited Peyton Manning, and no one else could have done that the way he did. So he will never be looked on negatively because of that and what happened after. But his drafts, if you look at them, from one to this one, they've been really suspect. I would have looked at him much more negatively than I do now if he got rid of Vance Joseph.

I just think it would be completely unfair to give him only one year with the situation he was dealt. That's fair. It seemed like he was a goner, though. Yeah. And so it was a surprise. ultimately so Joseph gets another shot but really got some guns by the way by the way it's not but here's the other take some guns yeah they showed the little video veryance joseph he's in a little workout shirt there he's got some prominent muscle a little workout shirt i get everybody's letting

him off the hook because brock osweiler and paxton lynch and your boy trevor simeon who i guess now is terrible but um so but what if they don't get a quarterback next year do you have to keep vance joseph again because it would be the same reasoning i think it has to has to be a special circumstance to fire a guy after one year. And I don't know if I don't see that special circumstance. I mean, Todd Bowles has had a terrible year as a head coach. A lot of head coaches have had one terrible year. Take a look at the rosters.

I mean, I don't think Todd Bulls had a terrible year. No, I just mean his second year. I'm saying like you can live with one bad year. That was a little defensive there. Well, I'm a jet's man. Oh, yeah, I know. Okay. All right.

We're good. Get off my back. Birthday girl. Finally, hard knocks. Oh, yeah. Hard knocks. Everyone else is excited about the playoffs. All I can think about is premium cable in eight months.

This is your playoffs. Yeah, this is my beat. This is my corner. So the way it works is everyone should know by now that they decide in 2013, the NFL passed a provision that made appearing on hard knocks mandatory for a team if they did not fulfill one of the three provisions. They have a first year head. coach in place.

Then you could be excused. They have a playoff berth in the last two seasons. You could be excused. They have appeared on hard knocks in the past decade. You could be excused. So if you put those three, load those in with all 32 teams. It eliminates 26 of 32 teams. And what you're left with people.

Here are the six teams that could appear on hard knocks this season. Last six standing. And if we go by last year at least, The Bucks were on this short list and they got picked. We'll see if it happens again. The 49ers, the Broncos, the Browns, the Chargers, the Ravens, and the Redskins. All can be compelled forcefully to appear on hard knocks. And I wrote in a piece I wrote on the end around.

I feel like just like last year, there could be a temptation to go with the Browns with the added juice this year that they're coming off the 0-16 tragedy and drafting and quarterback first overall. You know, Hugh wants those cameras in the building. But I think the 49ers are the juicy pick because of their history. They've never been on the show. Jimmy Garoplo, the five-game winning streak to end last season.

John Lynch is probably going to spend some money and bring in some more named brand talent. That seems like a really good choice. I love that one. I would absolutely be excited to watch that, especially with Jimmy G. and Kyle Shanahan, that would be amazing. I think that'd be a great season.

I wonder if Kyle Shanahan would want it. Typically, these coaches don't want this at all. No, but the ownership, maybe. They seem kind of like they could use a little brand building, for lack of a better word. I know Jimmy GQ is definitely helping in that area, but it's not a, they've struggled to get people to drive to that stadium, which is nowhere close to San Francisco.

Yeah, and I know the Bucks had a bad season, but that gave them a huge pop in terms of like the football cognizente, everybody was interested in the Bucks during the show's run because of all the social media bites that came out. And if you actually watch the show, I don't know if people watch television anymore. But the Bucks really came off well last season. I think it's a good PR for your team. And it's fun. And if you're a fan of the Jets did it in 2010, it's a lot of fun.

I mean, I had no idea that Gerald McCoy was so hilarious until hard knocks that him and Chris Baker. I do wonder if by August, after we go through the process of, you know, breaking down the offseason 7,000. times over, that the Jimmy Garapolo and the hype around the Niners is going to be at a fever pitch. They close the season out with nonstop wins. It would have any. Oh, I'll be picking that. I'm just wondering. I don't want the Ravens. The Browns, I don't want either, to be honest, but I think the Browns are compelling. If you're into watching, like, the most Netherworld team on the farthest reaches of space be examined over the course of five weeks, you know, the Niners are a nice story, too. HBO could go off the board, too.

if another team volunteers and really wants to be on the show, like the Jaguars have reportedly raised their hand over the years. I believe the Falcons have said that they volunteered as well. That's the thing. They only have to make one of these teams do it. If a team doesn't kind of want to do it, that HBO agrees that that's a good choice. I mean, it's got to.

We got down to just six teams that they can force to do it this year. What if it ever happened where there were no teams? Is that mathematically possible? I guess it. I mean, well, let's say every one of these teams had fired their coach now, then, yes, there would be no team. But then once we get out of the last decade situation, like the universe collapses into itself. Some teams, this isn't also law. Like some teams, Scott McLuhan, the old Redskins general manager, said it doesn't matter if the Redskins are on that list.

Dan Snyder, as long as he owns the team and Bruce Allen's there, they're never going to be on hard knocks. They would just refuse to. Oh, okay. I don't know what that. But see, but I don't, we don't know that because it's an NFL rule that. they put in so that would mean that what are they going to do take them to kangaroo court all right that's what's happening in this kangaroo court i'm just saying if you want to make us think about it they could just be like no we're not doing that um that would that would be called

anarchy though why i put in any rules if that's something that could happen i don't know that's a higher philosophical question because they all agree to it yeah including the rents yeah they also So, you know, they agree on a lot of things that they're going to make a Redskins rough? No. You're going to talk a little controversy? I was going to talk about, they also all agreed to get Roger Goodell a big contract extension and raise and things happened after that. Right. Life happens.

But then he eventually did get it. He got it. It's a way to go, boss. So are you saying that Redskins could be on Hard Knocks then? Your point has come full circle and I'm utterly confused at this point. All right. here we go it is time now go get my lunch you tired every year every year every single year i hate that we do this but this year it's special first of all you know why it's special because go get my lunch

season recap is presented by head of head and shoulders oh my god the shoulders of greatness and you know who has the shoulders of greatness in 2017 who i teased it earlier And here it comes. The winner, in terms of winning percentage, is none other than Connie Fox who's good at this. Oh, a girl who doesn't understand games on the show and can't follow the rules. Look who's winning now.

Love it. Wow. Happy birthday to me. The inner anger comes out. Oh, that was so real. I liked it. It is true, though. I forgot that you most of the time with most of your wagers have no idea

where you're coming down on. No. Like, I don't understand. Like, obviously, you know, the NFL. You're not allowed to gamble. You're not allowed to talk about it. I don't even understand. I don't understand the lines.

I wouldn't even be able to do it if I could, but I'm leading in game picks right now. So I'm just saying. Look at you. The future is female. Here are the standings for this season. And let's see, Colleen first. The old Zusser had a tough season

and we'll go through all these picks in a second. Let's go through them, in fact. And by the way, this is all possible because of the great work of Nick Fortier or Fortier who is on Twitter at Go Get My Lunch

Nick EF What is his actual Twitter handle I'm sorry It's Mark can you Can you get on that? I will work on that Okay I want to make sure people Know where to go

I know wow okay Well Mark didn't seem to be doing anything I thought he could help me Dan also didn't mention that I'm sitting in third place I'm surprised we're even doing this segment with Dan sitting in the last place Let's start there

Overall I am not but it was a tough regular season. There could be a, you know, a complaint filed doubting Colleen's victory. By the Redskins. Why? Let's go through it. By Connor. I'm just saying winning percentage.

He's in the mix. Oh, he doesn't qualify. It's like in baseball. He made one sandwich prop and he nailed it. With the batting title, you have to have at least like a third of the bats or something like that. By the way, yes. Nick Fortiery or Fortierty, go get my lunch. That's the Twitter.

Oh, it is. Oh, well. Excellent. Follow Nick. It looks like he also has just been engaged or married himself or has a significant other. Very cute couple. They're so cute couple. He certainly appears to be in love.

Yes, he does. Just like him. We're going to a weird place now. What a great time. And Christian. And Christian. Christian's in love. Well, I can't tell.

Maybe. He's in love with the film show girls. Did not get him in trouble? You know that, as we learned from a prior time. Why are we bringing up show girls again on the show? All right, here we go. We'll start with Connie Fox, and she is the big victor in the regular season

and the first one, and she hit a home run here. And Andrew Luck starts fewer games than Mike Lennon. Mike Lennon started two or three games. About that? I think it was three or four. That last one was the Thursday night game against the Packers.

It seems like he started one. And apologies. for the mixed metaphor, but when you go across the board and get a wager from everyone, we call it the Grand Slam. Why not? And you got four sandwiches off that one pick. And the theory was, and everyone obviously was working under the theory of what the owner, who was not being quite honest with us,

was that, oh, he'll be back soon. He'll be back early. And Andrew Luck, the quarterback, never came back at all. So it ended up being all Glennon had to do is start a game, and that's what he did. That was my reasoning. Very smart. That's four in, nice. Well played.

Now, this one, you got one sandwich off the old Zusser by predicting that the Titans make the playoffs. Amazingly, only Dan took you up on it. Wow, I know. Came down to the last week. It wasn't pretty, but you got it. Well, you guys like the Titans. Yeah.

I don't like the Titans. That's why I was in the one of the took it. But usually you go with the field in that sort of scenario. This was back in the, oh, Marcus Marius Carriota. He was amazing. He's the greatest. Dan never on that train. But they still did make.

take the playoffs. So there you go. And then here's a good one if he just would have put it together for a full season because he was insanely productive in the back half of the season. Keenan Allen leads the league in receptions. Yeah. Greg, would you mind pulling up where we ended up in the receptions race?

I think he got. He was in the top five by the end. He had 102 catches for 1,393 yards. He finished fourth in receptions and third in receiving yards. So he certainly was up there. He just got started a little late. And that one actually wiped out your luck prediction because we all took you up on it.

Imagine if Alvin's Landry I know, I know. Jarvis Landry with all those seven-yard catches ended up being first. Larry Fitz at his age was second and Michael Thomas with a quietly great year for the Saints. Did Landry get 1,000 yards? I don't think he did, no.

Who was 18th in receiving, Greg? Came up 13 yards. 19. I could look that up. Please do. I'm going to hand out of assignments too. Please get on that immediately. 18th and receiving, Greg, please now.

So there you go, Colleen Wolfe, 8 and 5. Oh, and there is one hanging out there, one pick hanging out there. It won't be decided until the night before the Super Bowl. Okay. 2017 MVP, you got Tom Brady. So you could end up 9 and 5 here. That's great news. I don't know how that works.

Do you get sandwiches from all of us for that? Because that is looking, I would say, likely. Well, she's not alone. Wes also has Tom Brady. Yeah. It's 50-50. Well, Greg, a little trauma. here we're going through it one over the time come on that receiving stat please receiving stat

now 18th in the league and reception speaking of west here we go you know his envy pick is tom brady his i really spoiled it though all right there we go what ew ew yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah damn attempting to get through this segment the rams west finished eight and eight the rams finished the two thousand 17 season with a winning record and talk about surprise he got a grand slam out of that A salami pick. All four of us said, I thought they were going to sniff around 500, and they did a lot better than that.

What they do? 13 and 3, 12 and 4. Man, Wes has been singing their praises, I mean, since early, early in the off season. He was ahead of the game on the team of ATL. He really was outed. Well, this was done before we named them the team of ATL. Yeah, no, I know. But he was ahead of the game.

He did win 11 games after tanking that last one, so 11 and 15. He had the Buccaneers allow less yardage than the Broncos. He lost that one big time. Lost that big time. That was an odd one. Daring one. This is one of those ones that probably confused Colleen because the three of us took it and Colleen sat it out.

It sounds like one where you're just your head with spinning. I was like, I don't know. Everybody else is doing it. I'm not going to. I mean, he was kind of right that the Broncos defense would not be as good. But unfortunately, he picked one of the worst defenses in the league. But I'm like, Wes must see something. He must know something.

And speaking of Wes, and I really do wish Wes is here right now. He did very well. During Sunday show, I was trying to figure out why West was so angry about that the Bengals come back win. Wes's third wager, the Ravens will make the 2017 playoffs. Oh, really? That changed the standings. If that play by Andy Dalton doesn't happen, Wes ends up 11 and 5, which might be the best record anyone's ever had at Go Get My Lunch. So once again, Andy Dalton, and the Bengals, they get a lot.

I was doing the show, and I'm like, why is he look so mad? Why is he so angry? Well, it cost him three sandwiches once again, Colleen, confused, sat it out. Dan Gregg and Mark all took Wes up on that. Wow, we do. Now we move on to the sizzler. Mark, you went nine and nine, old Eve and Stephen. Not based on my, not based on what I offer.

You've got six sitting out there that you're going to lose, so enjoy this. You don't know that about Big Ben. Pat McAfee will be back in the NFL by all. Halloween. That cost you two. How did you not take up, Mark, on that calling? I don't know. I'm questioning me just because I'm the winner, Dan.

Don't come at me. She was. We did West via satellite. I think I talked to you into why it was logical. Probably. You have Tom Brady won't start more than 14 games. He started all 16. And that was, that cost you four sandwiches.

So right off the bat, you're 0 and 6. But then, oh, wait. The other ones are just hanging out there. Hang it out there. He's in trouble. Big Ben retires after the season. Colleen did not take you up on that. Dan Gregg and Wes all did.

You have Philip Rivers as the MVP. That's not going to happen. That is not happening. And the NFL will be forced to reschedule an entire week of games. Almost impossibly, Colleen also passed on that. I will say, if there had been any year where it felt like something weird could happen, it was this year. I guess we're giving you through the playoffs for that out of, I don't know. That's not generosity because he's leaving that out there.

Because otherwise you're in trouble. Well, I like how West goes eight and eight, and Greg says, West did a great job. Mark goes 9 and 9. But you're not. You're going to go 9 and 15. We'll see. We'll go 9 and 16 with the rivers as well.

We'll see. Yeah, that's true. All right. Greg, 10 and 9. Congratulations over 500. I don't think I got anything right. Dalvin Cook leads all rookie running backs in yards. Will you stop spoiling things with your inner monologue?

It's not so inner though. Dalvin Cook leads all rookie running backs in yards from scrimmage. This is a good. one, Greg, but he was leading it. He was leading the league when he got hurt. And Dan Mark and West took you up. Colleen said, no, I'll sit this one out. Tough one. The Patriots will finish worse than 14 and 2. That's a good one. Because they finished worse than 14 and 2, a miserable 13 and 3 for the past. Way to go, Jay. You know, my guy got it done for me. Dan and Wes both lost languages there. The Bungles will play during wild card weekend. Yikes. Did not work out.

They went seven and nine. I thought that was going to happen, too, so I didn't take you on. that Colleen and Mark made sandwiches and the MVP pick Aaron Rogers and you got banged by the injury bug there. The old Zucer finally. The Patriots will lead by double digit points midway through the first quarter of a game right before Halloween. I don't even know what that was, but Mark and I had a sandwich bet and I lost that. How strange.

I don't even remember what the game was. I will look it up for you. Dorel Revis plays in 2017. Got that. He signed and he's an also-ran type of guy. Yeah, that was one of those side wagers. That wasn't even in the actual show. But, yeah, I gave you a sandwich on that.

By the way, Dan, I was confident. That was the Chargers game. I don't know where that came from in your mind. We must have been just talking on the show and I got fired up about something. Antonio Brown, this one piss me off. I'm going to be honest. Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant are the number one duo in receiving yards in 2017. I made the mistake, and I lost sandwiches to Colleen, Greg, and Mark, of getting too specific.

What I should have done, and I will make note of this next year, I should have said Antonio Brown and the second leading receiver for the Steelers will be the number one duo but I got too specific Martavis Bryant did not have a big role I think he finished with about 600 yards and Brown led the NFL in receiving

but if I would have had Antonio Brown and Juju I probably would have won probably but you didn't but I didn't Colleen happy birthday I don't think you would have picked Juju Smith back No but I'm saying would have said the number two receiver right no I think that's you've learned lessons

Learned a lesson this one I got banged on Jadavian Clowny gets 12 plus sacks in 2017. He was on pace, and then he kind of fell off the table statistically. I think he was banged up. I mean, he played all 16 games. Yeah, but he was banged too hard. He just came up short. Well, no, he got a little unlucky.

I saw a sack at the end of the season. I thought of you that was taken away by penalty. You know what I think I got unlucky that? He had nine and a half with like four games to play. Yeah. Nine and a half. So I was in good position there and it just didn't work out. And this one, this one stinks.

This one gets to the Zucer. Adrian Peterson. and Marshaun Lynch combined for less yardage than the 2017 rushing leader. I nailed this one in a lot of ways. I didn't think Peterson or Lynch would be big time players, even though a lot of people were like saying, oh, these guys will be good. They both, Peterson got traded after getting bench.

Lynch was hot and cold. Didn't really have a big season. However, this out of all years was the year where the leading rusher had the lowest total in a long time. And on top that, the top three guys. Since 1990. In the rushing race, all sat out week 17, which allowed West to get me by 13 yards. Oh, shoot.

That's a tough loss. And we all agree. That's a bad beat. Yeah, that is a very bad beat. We all agreed with you on that one. That's why West was the only one that took it up. And I had Russell Wilson as MVP, which was looking pretty good until week 15. And then he went away.

Durel and just to do a little more housekeep before we say by it, Connie. Connor or had Revis signing a multi-year contract. He snookered us on that one. because it was a Fugazi multi-year deal, but it is. And Tamposi has Julie. He won three sandwiches on that. He did. Julian Edelman will play in 2017, and that's not going to happen, three sandwiches.

Ugly work, but it was impossible. He was literally on season-ending injured reserve when she made the pick. And she was like, no, he'll play. Doesn't matter. I was like, that's the league rule. All right, we're out of time with Colleen. That's it. Oh, we got it.

I got to go, guys. Before you go, Colin. Hold on, Colleen. Keep my headset on. Keep it on. Here, hit me up. Emma, it is your birthday. Oh, this is.

Here we go. Something special here. Emma just threw in a package. All your help. It didn't break, so it's not a bottle. Everything that you've done for us. I'd say close your eyes. We thought, like, what is worthy of the contributions that you've made through this year?

We had to think of something that matched your eyes and put your hands out. Can we get a? Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. We're handing it to call.

There you go. That is a red hot beef burrito from 7-Eleven. And here you go. Here's some ranch dressing. Thank you. What a gift. That's a 7-Eleven brieo presented by head and shoulders. You're not easy to find gifts for, but I think the show has found the perfect gift for you, Colleen.

I'm glad that you guys saw this and thought of me. Red-hot beef. Well, yeah, it is hard to come up. You know, 7-Eleven's right across the street. Not a lot of options. You guys are so thoughtful. Thank you. A rich spread of increasing.

If you look on, if you, when you're during your meeting, just see what it's involved in that. You actually should open it up and just start eating at the meeting. That'd be great. I'm going to bring this to the meeting. Thanks. It is the size of your forearm. So it's going to be a delicious meal. It's longer than my forearm, actually.

All right. That's it. Connie Fox's got to go to some meeting. It doesn't matter. But you know what? Colleen, she's doing the power rankings program, which you could watch on Tuesdays on NFL network at a certain time. 6 p.m. Eastern and 3 p.m. Pacific.

She's also on Good Morning Football, the weekend edition. She's also on Damashek show, which M.G.D. strangely says that she's cheating on them, but clearly Damashik pilfered Colleen from us. I'm in an open-pond relationship. Well, just let them know that. They're the side piece. Okay. There she goes.

Connie Fox. Happy birthday, and we'll see you dinner with Colleen tonight. Celebrate. Gonzo set that up. Nine o'clock reservation. What the hell is that? 9 p.m. They don't have kids.

They hit at Los Angeles. At 9 a.m. at the earliest. Like Italy? Oh, let's have a dinner at 10 p.m. I think you mean like South Central America where they'll do like an eight-hour siesta than an 11 p.m. South slash Central America. We'll do like an 11 p.m. dinner and they'll eat till 3 in the morning.

I think the Italians eat pretty late too. Oh, those guys know how to enjoy life. That's not us. It's a nice thing. Temposi saying Julian Edelman will play. I'll take free sandwiches. Let's make her pay up quickly. Because Nick does such a great job, if you go to gogatmylunch.org, that actually shows who actually owes whom in terms of sandwich count.

And check that side out because it also has a fun soundboard where you can hear things like this. This guy's crazy. NFL media bozo don't know nothing. The assignment that I am handing out. My relationship with the facts, not always that strong. Edelman, you better shake it off. Oh, M.G, I swear. It also has the all-time standings, Dan, which you have now given up the first place to me.

By a small amount, though. Yeah, it's very close. I'll get you in the playoffs. We will do a playoff. prop around maybe the Super Bowl I think we do it'll be fun good stuff um finally I want a special shout out to a listener of the show um he is active on the subreddit his name is Alex and I believe him I believe he's stationed down and not stationed like a military member but he's in south Korea uh because we got a care package from Korea and um kind of concerning out of the gate

you weren't here for a day and we weren't sure if it was south or north Korea It was just a package with a different type of language But as it turns out It was a great care package With all sorts of goodies from that land And including these masks Cacoa

Cacoa friends Look at this Oh, split screen All right So all sorts of stuff Including what I've always wanted to have it Because I saw the YouTube challenge He sent the fire noodles

Alex did, and I tried those and those are delicious. And the shrimp-flavored potato chips, which you also enjoy. Those were pretty good. I enjoyed those as well, but socks and all sorts of fun stuff. So thank you to Alex. Our listeners are amazing, and that's that. So

gave those socks to Simone. She loves them. She is all over them. She does. She posted about it. She's all over the sun. I mean, she's been wearing them nonstop. We're wearing them non-stop. Next time you hear from us will be... You should change them. Sometimes. Next time you hear from

us will be Thursday and that will be our proper wildcard weekend preview and one more big announcement special announcement in fact that was good for the first time the around the NFL podcast will hit the road for a non-super Bowl or combine affair we are going to be at the los angeles Coliseum for the wildcard game between the Rams and the Falcons. So that's exciting. We're going to be on the week. Yeah, we're going to be on the field.

We're going to do a recap of that on Saturday night and talk to a player. It's all scheduled things to be going well. The shadowy league figures perhaps getting this one right, Mark. They are. And it was voiced to us that this could be the first of many future events. So the sun finally shining on this podcast. To be clear, if they're the listeners,

we're still going to release the podcast Sunday evening after all the playoff games are done for the weekend, but we'll tape that. Well, it also sounds like they're going to split this up and make it do some video on Twitter and stuff when we got Tamposi and the group back in the house. Greg will not be with us because Greg will be in Nola.

Again, he finagled another trip to his stomping grass. I was assigned to that. I would have been very happy to do the old Rams Falcon. But it'll be kind of fun. even though we wish that you were there, Greg, but you'll be in New Orleans, so we'll be boots on the ground in both Los Angeles and Louisiana for playoff games this upcoming weekend.

We're like, got correspondence all over the country. I'm like you're James Palmer from Denver. Yeah, you're definitely a Palmer-like character. Okay, that's it. Love James Palmer, nice guy. Dan Hads is signing off for Quiet Storm. Connie Fox, the old boss. Congratulations.

MVP for your help, Christian Anderson. You are a good man, Christian Anderson. Finally on a good Thursday.