NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Preseason Pop and Mailbag with Colleen Wolfe

Episode Date: August 6, 2025

Gregg Rosenthal is joined by Colleen Wolfe to get you caught up on news from around the NFL including Kyren Williams getting a contract extension from the Rams (02:10), which starters will be playing in their Week 1 preseason games (04:55), the Browns quarterback room getting more crowded (13:20), and more! Plus, Colleen updates us on her training camp travels (17:10), and the duo opens the NFL Daily mailbag and answer questions about, the Lions (24:55), Micah Parsons' future (29:30), how the season will play out (31:40), Travis Hunter's potential (34:15), the top-five coaches of the last 25 years (37:54), Kirk Cousins (51:20) and more. 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 trying not to have an NFC East bias. I'm Greg Rosenthal here in the Chris Wesleyan podcast studio. We're trying. We're pushing against it. But I do have Colleen Wolf here.

Well, listen, we can only play the cards that we've been dealt. And, you know, the NFC has a lot going on. There's a lot of interest in it. We did have like an Eagles heavy show, like an Eagles deep dive last week. You know what? We should talk more about the AFC self. You know, I know you were in Philadelphia. We will get to Connie's travels.

But it's good to have you back in Los Angeles, my favorite day of the week, Tuesday. Yeah. Hey, I'm so happy that I'm back. Also, I get to do another show just with you, which, you know what? The first time felt a little weird, then we kind of found our footing. And now it's just like, we've been doing this for what, 11 years? It was a fun dynamic. You know, we got deep.

I don't know if we're going to get as metaphysical. What was the feedback on that? It was good. So we'll see if we talk about life and death. Cool. We will talk a little bit of news. And then we're diving deep into the mailbag. But the fans demanded some mailbag action.

And we will get to that before. that I will remind everyone that 40s and Free Agents, my podcast with Daniel Jeremiah is back. We're doing it a couple times a week leading up to the season. So if you like this show, NFL Daily, please check that out. And please subscribe to the 40s and free agent feed because I'm working on the bigwigs of stop posting it in the NFL Daily feed. So next show, I want to go out on her own and we need to have a strong showing to go ahead and subscribe. All right. I'm subscribing right now. Oh, look.

Colleen's doing it like, for real as a bit. And yeah, then you get the automatic downloads right away. Okay. Wait, what is it called again? 40s and free agents. Okay, cool. But, you know, now we're talking about how those free agents, how those rookies from Daniel Jeremiah's own Noggin will help your team.

He had a couple actionable items, I would say, in terms of fantasy. Not that that's why he was doing it, but of some rookies that he expects to have an early impact that surprised me this week. So we talked NFC West with. Daniel, and we have an update on one of the teams. The Rams signed Kyron Williams to a $23 million guaranteed contract extension. And it's good to see a good player, maybe not a great player, have a contract that is perfect for both sides. Like, he was not trying to break the bank and they're going to use him, I think, in a rotation with maybe some more explosive backups.

But one of the kind of hardest working, you know, best guys that have entered the league in the last few years. And then especially with Matthew Staff, and I saw your tweet earlier today about your concern with his back. So if you have any type of stretches without him or stretches with him just not 100%, then this is a guy that you can lean on. He's so durable. He works so hard. And the offense struggled last year with explosive plays.

So this, I feel like, is something, I mean, despite his production last year, they still sort of struggle. Partly because of him because he's more of a guy that gets you like seven when you block for five, if that makes sense. But he doesn't have the big plays like Sequin, but that doesn't mean he's not extremely valuable. Yeah. I mean, and they're trying to be more versatile on offense, but they need to keep these guys around to even get that way. The Rams since Sean McVeigh has gotten there have been good when the running game is good. It really is the different. And they always have a sneaky good running game. They were top six or seven in the league in success rate last year.

So I like this move and I think he'll feel better and if they give some more carries to Blake Corum or Hunter the rookie behind him now he doesn't have to worry about it. He is paid. And he's a pass catcher

out of the backfield too. So I mean, look, the more you can do. He is great at that. And yes, I tweeted out like everyone's so cool about this Stafford thing. Like, is it okay to be like a little panicked?

And then I'm not saying I have this sort of power, but almost immediately after I sent that out like an hour later, Adam Schefter had some report that Matthew Stafford, the Rams are not worried, it's just maintenance. I don't think it was a response, but I might not have sent that tweet out and it actually didn't make me feel better, that it was like, the Rams are fine with this. It's just maintenance for an older guy. And I'm, I was just thinking, like, I don't know, Sean McVey was saying, like the guy is just starting to walk, you know, a couple days ago. And he's like a 37 year old.

also, I do remember last year, didn't Jordan talk about and describe Matthew Stafford as like someone, when you're trying to get out of bed and like, it's hard to get out of bed and walk around? Right. I know he always overcomes it, but some year, like, he'll stop overcoming it. And the regular season was a little iffy. Also, playing at quarterback this season and starting not just in the regular season, but the preseason is Joe Burrow. What?

Got to play like a couple quarters this week. So, J.J. McCarthy, he's going to be playing in preseason week one. Kyler Murray is going to be playing in week one of the preseason. I love this. And then Anthony Richardson, less of a surprise, but it is interesting how they're going to divvy up the snaps. Here's Shane Steichen, the Colts coach. Yeah, Anthony will start on Thursday. The plan is for him to play about a quarter and a half.

And then get Daniel about a half a quarter in a perfect world. That's how I want it to play out. And then the following weekend, Green Bay, Daniel will start, get about a quarter and a half. And then Anthony will play about a half quarter. How are you feeling about your Colts? That was one of the questions, but we'll just jump to it. Listen, I want to be loyal to them, but it's a really tough spot for me, considering that the quarterback competition is between Daniel Jones and now Anthony Richardson.

When I was there last year, it was such a different, amazing experience. Everything was positive. The expectations were high. Anthony Richardson was. healthy. Now he's like ready to go. Did they send you this year to Indianapolis? They did not. They knew. So that's, this is the big difference for me. I wasn't there. And I didn't drink the Kool-Aid. So yeah. Also that camp situation's kind of strange. It's just like next to someone's house. It's in a field. And they,

it's a farm on the other side. And there were angry roosters there last year. If the, if the, if the ball is punted too far, it like goes into someone else's yard. Yeah. It does. And then I don't know like what the, like if it's a friendly neighbor or maybe they're angry that, you know, it's always so noisy. Maybe they get a little taste or they get some free, you know, season tickets. That's the way to do it. I do think it's interesting that Richardson goes up first in this battle. Now he's been there before.

So if you had to guess, like that would make sense. But generally in these QB battles, how it goes is you give the favorite, the guy likely to win the first week. You give the underdog. the second week. And then you go back to the favorite, any cements, the job the third week. Not saying it's over.

I think Richardson probably has a little bit of a lead right now. So that's a little interesting item. And it's got to make this weekend watching some of the preseason games more interesting. Like Saints, they have a quarterback battle. You know, we're going to have a few more starters than normal.

The preseason's back. Oh, coming to a preseason game near you. It is maybe a trend. It is maybe a trend. The Bengals have. had it in their head this whole off season. Like, we start every season slow. We're going to change things. We're going to. We're going to play a ton in the preseason. See if that helps us. Well, they kind of need to. Right. They always lose the first, the first game, the first two games.

But God, what was I going to say? Because then I just got distracted by the Bengals, but I was still thinking about the Colts. Because they have, I do like the fact that they have Lou Anarumo there. Yeah? And they do have some good defensive pieces. So the defense actually, I'm up on the defense. but what do you think which version of the Colts has a higher ceiling if they have Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones? Richardson.

Okay. Even with like the way that he plays and there's no future. I think starting Daniel Jones is like it's just like admitting you have a problem and trying to manage like your addiction. That sort of like if that makes sense that it's a weird comparison.

It is for sure. But it's basically saying like we accept our fate and we're probably all going to get fired. I don't think that that. that's a path forward. And I think they have a better chance to make the playoffs than most people would think

because they're in that division because they have a handful of good players and I think that it's just a little more variance in that division between them and the Texans and the Jaguar. They went up to Week 17 last year. Like they were one game away for getting into the playoffs.

They could keep some competitive. Like they almost won the division with Gardner Minshu. I mentioned the Stafford. We'll see over the next week. Other injury news. And this is the flip side of like we want to take the preseason more serious

we want to take camp more seriously. The Jets have been like team physical at camp. They're tackling to the ground. Nobody's tackling to the ground anymore. They're tackling to the ground at practice. I can just see the New York Post headlines though is like, are they going too hard? Because on Tuesday, their rookie tight end,

who I was all excited about, had won the starting job. Mason Taylor has a high ankle sprain. And Tyrod Taylor's knee is getting looked at, which is not a good thing because they really need Tyrod Taylor. Justin Fields, though, says he wants to and I think expects to play a lot in the preseason, but sometimes

the physical approach is not the best thing. As we're taping, we're getting some breaking news. What's happening? That I might have even had a little higher in the rundown, but it's perfect right here. The NFL has suspended Jordan Addison without pay for the first three games

of the 2025 season for violating the NFL's substances of abuse policy. This is not a surprise. to Vikings fans or completely to Addison. This has been hanging over his head because there was a DUI citation

that he had last year and it took a while to go through the courts. He was speeding. He had a couple speeding tickets to. And yeah, that's a reminder that this Vikings offense, which has a pretty easy schedule early in the season, Colleen. You know, Jordan Addison is one of the best

number two is in the league. Right now, Justin Jefferson is out with a hamstring injury. It's expected he'll be back and it'll be fine, plenty of time. But like, let's just say that injury popped up in the regular season or something. Suddenly, like, it's going to be hard to win games with Jalen Naylor as your number one wide receiver. And I don't even know who, you know what I mean? Number two, that's a big loss.

And essentially a rookie quarterback, like a quarterback who's in his second year, but starting for the first time and J.J. McCarthy, like, you want to have everything available for him. Sam Darnold did, and that's how he was able to do what he did. but now you have someone with no experience and you're down a guy like an important piece of the offense. Yeah, that's not great.

And there's, I don't have any guess of like what they were expecting of the suspension. I think anywhere between one and four would have been possible. So it's sort of on the upper region. It's three. Maybe he'll try to appeal it

and get it down to two. But looking at the Vikings early this season, as I mentioned, the defense especially, I think is going to feel good about the schedule early in the season at Bears, home for Falcons, home for the Bengals. That's a tough one. And then at Pittsburgh, at Cleveland before the buy.

Overall, a manageable schedule, but no Jordan Addison for those first. I think it's just going to be tougher for Justice Jefferson at that point because he kind of opens things up for him. Yeah. And I don't think they really have a true number two, but they do have T.J. Hawkinson at tight end, who's also had some injuries and been in and out of practice. All right, just a couple of quick items. And then we're going to get to Connie's travels.

The Eagles had a trade on Monday night. How about that? Shout out to our friends, Bo Wolf and Zach Berman on the show last night, all P.H.O.I. They had an emergency podcast at like 11 p.m. Eastern. You guys produced in this show, think you guys have it bad. They did an emergency podcast at 11 p.m. Eastern for a trade of Thomas Booker, their fourth or fifth string defensive tackle for Jacorian Bennett.

Of the Raiders, who was probably their cornerback four. We did a podcast on Mother's Day about Derek Carr retiring. I win. I love spicy Eric so much. Need more of it. Love it. Great call. Yeah.

I mean, what are we doing here? It's sure. It helps both teams and the Raiders needed some depth after releasing Christian Wilkins. And, you know, the, they need some, the Eagles need some experience in that cornerback room, too. I kind of like Georgian Bennett. He is my type of overseas. a cornerback who just moves really fluidly and well. I thought he had a lot of good

reps as a rookie. This is actually a rare trade this time of year. Usually it's guys who aren't even going to make the team. Both of these guys have an opportunity to have decent size roles for their new teams. I'm not saying Bennett will, but they'll throw him in the mix and see if he can actually get snaps there. I think it shows a little bit of

concern from their cornerback position. The Browns added a sixth quarterback to the roster, which is outrageous because Deshawn Watson still counting. He's on their roster. Tyler Huntley is there, which probably says that Dylan Gabriel and or Kenny Pickett

and or Shador Sanders aren't going to be ready to play in that preseason game they just need someone to take some snaps in the second half but I mean Tyler Huntley might be better than a couple of them

certainly better than Dylan Gabriel Keenan Allen and the Chargers met the meeting reportedly went well it supposedly in my mind is going to lead to a signing

at some point but we'll talk about that when it happens and then Teddy Bridgewater signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You know what, Teddy's back. That's great.

I was so surprised last year when he signed with. Who was he with last year in the playoffs? Detroit at the end. And he came in for a couple of plays. It was like, I remember when he came in. And I was like, wait, Teddy Bridgewater. How long has Teddy Bridgewater been still in the league? This doesn't make sense because he had just won that like high school coaching championship

wherever he was before. And I love that they signed him. I'm like, oh, that's kind of a great idea just in case. And now he's back. And he's in an amazing situation with the Bucks where he can be the backup to Baker Mayfield. I'm thrilled about this as a huge Teddy fan. Dan Campbell was talking about possibly signing him to back to the lines if it didn't work out there. But he had a- Okay.

Dan Campbell in a press conference said he talks to Teddy Bridgewater every day. And I was like, really? How? I mean, I don't talk to my mom more than not even close to every day. and him and Teddy are talking every day. I want that sort of male friendship in my life. I mean, listen, are they texting or talking? Because I think that that could be a little bit different.

That's incredible then. I don't know how Dan Campbell's managing his time. People inside the NFL love to talk on the phone. They're not. I feel like maybe it's the generational thing, but they're just like they'll call a bunch of people and have like a one or two minute conversation. It's one of the things I'm most jealous of like executives

and people in the NFL. They're able to have. like extremely quick conversations. I'm not able to do that. Every phone conversation is a long. Maybe not long. That's a nightmare. Or like when someone comes into the office and hard knocks,

like they wrap up so much in like 80 seconds. I've never had a situation where I've walked into an office or if I had an office, someone walked in and like gotten in and out in like 90s. That's what you got to do, Greg. That's my goal for the second half of my life. Okay. Assuming I have a half to go. I mean, that's a waste.

I think I think you do. I think you have more than a half. And more breaking news that is not breaking to the people listening to this because we're taped ahead of time. Shudor Sanders, who I just talked about, is expected to start in the Browns preseason. Oh.

They're going to give him some real run. And Joe Flacco, they figure, hey, we know what we got. I'm excited to watch the door. I want to see what that looks like. More pop. And by all accounts, people there, like, he's made a lot of the best throws in Browns camp.

He's flashed. He's obviously, to me, a more talented, and I would guess, just better football player than Dylan Gabriel, who's their third round pick, and he's the fifth round pick. If you just flipped him, that'd be fine. It would make more sense to me. I'd like to see him more than Kenny Pickett. Of course. To me, rolling with Flacco and Shadur, that, to me, seems like your duo.

I would imagine everything that went down at the draft too just makes, like, lights a fire under him as well, just from a competitive stage. standpoint. No lies told. You know? You know who's competing out there on the street. Who's that? Connie Wolf. Connie Wolf. Connie Fox. You're out. You're traveling. You did the inside training camp thing. You wore the polo. It was so fun this year. You flew all around. Why was it more fun this year? I don't know why it was more fun this year. Maybe because there was only a couple locations that were unbearably hot. And as in just Philadelphia, but I was there twice.

It was so God-awful. Judy, I was there one day with Judy Patista, and I felt a little nauseous from the heat. I know that the Eagles ended up, like, moving their practice up even because it was just so hot. But, I mean, come on, that's part of the training camp. So what were some of your big takeaways from your time on the road? Big takeaways were, first of all,

I'm sitting at the bar in Philly, hotel bar, just trying to get some food. And I hear someone behind. me talking and I say to myself, ah, that sounds like Big Dom, but like, Colleen, come on. Not everyone in Philadelphia sounds like Big Dom. And then I look to my left and he's like, Colleen, and I'm like, Dom. And so that was super fun because I've known him since 2008. So he's been my guy. And he brought me over to the table that had like the whole Eagles, all of like the head scouts

and personnel guys. Wow. Dave Caldwell was there, former Jags GM. Now with the Eagles, yeah. From way back when. So got some interesting background on a lot of different things.

That's all I can say right now. But for the Eagles. Rubbing elbows talking with Big Dom in a Philly bar. Getting a lot of behind the scenes. Now, it's possible, like, is he just in every... I feel like that's a feature of Philadelphia.

You just go to a bar and Big Dom's just... there waiting for you. It's like if you go to Disney World, like you'll see Mickey. I feel like that's what Big Dom is in Philadelphia. We actually had a question as part of our mailback about Big Dom, so we might as well just, let's just do it here. We'll throw it up because it shows the picture of Big Dom. God, look at him. He's so young. On the Eagles website, and it is an outrageous picture. The question is from a great listener, Brad Beetson, who his question was about Big Dom. and it was Will Big Dom add another title before the season kicks off.

And he didn't mean Super Bowl title. He will get another ring. They'll have that. Well, I guess he got the ring, but they'll have the ceremony with the banner before week one. But his title right now is senior advisor to the general manager slash chief security officer slash game day coaching operations. Yeah. And the game day coaching operations, that was a new title that was added just this year.

Right. To avoid more fines. Right. Exactly. So I'm not going to lie. I think that he has a lot more influence on things than people might think. Wow. Maybe slash like pizza maker or something like that. More than that. But he could probably, he knows some people that can make a mean pizza. Okay. Yeah. And, you know, if you need anything taken care of at all, he could probably help you out. Not a man you want to cross. All right. What else did you learn on your trip? So I loved my trip to Denver with the Broncos.

That was really enlightening. They really love their running back. Their rookie running back, R.J. Harvey. They're super high on him. Evan Ingram, obviously, he's looking really good too. But they think that this team is, of course, like, incredibly good. And you never know what's going to happen. But based on last year, like, I,

I talked with a couple of the very high-up ranking members of the Broncos. And they just gush about Bo Nix, first of all. And now you have all of like Cortland Sutton, now that he's got his deal in place, and he has such a great connection with Bonix. I don't know. There's some talk. Man, now it's just happening.

Jordan had a big thing that maybe they could win the Super Bowl last week. and then Sean Payton actually is trying to speak it into existence literally on Monday at the podium he said this team can win the Super Bowl. Okay, yeah. So he told me that too. Wow. But I think their first preseason game

is against the Niners. So their whole thing is start the preseason, their first game here against the Niners in Santa Clara and end the season in Santa Clara for the Super Bowl. And it'll be Drey Greenlaw and Talenea Hufunga revenge game for the pre-

won't be, you know, too much revenge being taken in early August, but I'm sure those two would love to be in their former home stadium for the Super Bowl. All right, I'm uncomfortable but maybe that's just how I'm wired that if everyone is too in on someone, I'm like, oh, they're not cool anymore, but okay, Broncos. And Jaday Barron, their first round pick.

he apparently crushed it at the rookie show if anyone cares about that he has an incredible personality and he went in front of everyone and sang dreams and nightmares

so did a little meek mill and like they said absolutely just brought the house down I think the correct term would be wrapped I don't think you'd like sing a meek mill song

okay well he's an artist Greg Any other nuggets from your trip? Let's see. When we were in... Put you on the hot seat here. When I was in Ashburn with the commanders, a very funny moment when we were talking to Debo Samuel.

I was off to the side because I was like, you guys, there was three of us. So I wanted to like share the interviews. So I was just watching off to the side and it was Mark Ross and Mike Garifolo interviewing him. So he comes and he sits down, Debo does. and Garifolo goes to like, you know, daff him up, give him a little fist pound. And he's like, ah, sorry, man, like I jam my finger today.

And so then Mike does the whole interview. And at the very end, he goes, yeah, when Debo came over here, I went to go give him fist pound. And he was like, ah, no, like a little jammed finger. So I hope your finger feels better. Debo's face was like, gave him a death stare. and yes i want to find this clip oh it's so good it's so good and garrifolo's like what what was i not supposed to say that and so i'm like dying laughing in the background and debo is still just like staring at him like what the hell man so they cut away and then finally debo gave him a fist pound but like

left garrifolo hanging so it really looked like he did not um but it was quite awkward and he was not happy. People get weird about the injury stuff. Also, you don't want to mess with the guy who was nicknamed Debo. Like that was... Exactly. It wasn't born Debo. He became Debo. Right. That's how it works. Do not cross that man. Uh, that was Connie's travels. Yeah. Around... I'm sure there were other things that happened, but... Philadelphia, you know, you talked Big Dom. We'll get into it off. I went to a slightly stupid concert. What is that? I don't even know who... Slightly stupid, it's like a... They're sort of like a reggae-ish band. Yeah. I should know this. I don't.

know this. I'm going to learn about it. But first, we're going to take a little break and we're going to come back and we're going to get all your questions in the mailbag. It's nice to you travel, but it's nicer you're back here. I feel better. Keep track. Anchored here. Hey, this is Matt Jones. 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 IHeart 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 is 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 Flaureo, 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. Back on NFL Daily. And yeah, Tuesday is my favorite day, especially this week. We have some really good, meaty shows. I feel like this is just a nice, refreshing palate cleanser in the middle of the week. I love that. I was getting more questions.

When are you guys got to do a mailbag again? So here we are. I love a mailbag. The first one, the first question kind of, kind of bummed me out, but I needed to talk to my friend Walter. Wasn't aware of him before this tweet or whatever you want to call it on Blue Sky. But he's a Lions fan and his question was so sad we have to lead with has the Lions window closed. I mean, man.

First of all, I don't really believe in windows anyways for good organizations of which the Lions are won. I know that's hard to believe because the ownership's not totally different. or whatever, but they're good. Secondly, they've improved every season significantly. They won 15 games last year and we're still in the divisional round despite like all the injuries in the world

and all the excuses like the offense still kept making it happen. Number one seed in the NFC. I would go as far to say as if this season doesn't go as well and you're getting a vibe from the lines like, well, we don't care as much about the regular season now. If you could just fast forward us to the playoffs

and we're 11 and 6 and we're the 5 seed like, we'll take that because all that matters is the playoffs. And that's a danger, it's a little bit of a dangerous place to be. But if they did take a step back this season because the schedule is so tough and everything, it's like, no, I think the window, like why would the window be even remotely closing any time soon?

The coach, the front office are awesome. Like, there's so many good young players on the roster. I know Jared Goff isn't the youngest quarterback, but he's not the oldest either. But also he's kind of like the offensive coordinator a little bit on the field. Right. That's a good thing. It's wide open, is my point.

Like, there's going to be ups, there's going to be downs. But you got to get over the old Lions thing. I guess that is hard to overcome. Well, that I'm sure that's, this is the first time that they've been experiencing success since ever when. Like since before the merger, since like it wasn't really the NFL and they're winning some titles in the 40s or whatever. Sure. Literally, this is the greatest Lions era ever. Yeah.

Like in the modern era. era, by far, just the last couple of years. But, like, yeah, I don't believe in that window stuff. No, but I think that they do have a point to be concerned about the coordinator turnover. But, like, also, you have John Morton, who he was with the team before, but this was before they were experiencing, like, this success. I think he was there in 2022. And then he was under Sean Payton, who is an incredible offensive mind.

So this is not like. he was going around to different rando teams and learning from other people who don't really have the experience. And also, Kelvin Shepard, as the D.C., who knows how that's going to go, but he was already in the building and he already has a report. Handpicked. Ben Johnson wanted to take him. They all wanted to take him with him. Aaron Glenn wanted to take him with him. Exactly. So he learned under him. So I wouldn't be so worried about that. The important thing here is the players are awesome. Right. The offensive line, there's some questions, but you still have Penae Sewell and Taylor Decker, who you love.

You still have James and Amon Rae. I like these rookie receivers. You still have Sam LaPorteur. You still have maybe the best backfield league. You have Aiden Hutchinson. Everyone's going absolutely crazy about. You have a lot of young players, including Brian Branch, like, in the secondary. Like, just nothing to worry about.

It did register to me, though, that the NBC crew doing the Hall of Fame game, sometimes you can pick up a little something from what Chris Collins were said. You could tell by what he said from his conversations with the line. lions, that they are sick of hearing about Ben Johnson, that they don't, that they probably think Ben Johnson's impact on the lions, that I'm guessing this is Dan Campbell, was like a little overrated. And like everyone thinking that they're all going to fall flat on their face because oh, big brain, Ben Johnson's gone. Well, I'm Dan Campbell and I got my big muscles and we're going to win some games. So don't worry, Walter. Is this the new Tom Brady or Bill Belichick debate? That is funny. But yeah, I'd rather have all the players.

Johnson and his big brain. And Dan Campbell. Not that they didn't all get along, but I get that. I think they probably are sick of those questions. There were a lot of these types of questions. And so let's go to the question about Micah Parsons. And it was,

what would a trade for Michael Parsons look like? This is from Meatbreath. And he suggests Arizona because they got some cap room and they'd be aggressive. Yeah. And they're, I think, at the right time of the team build. That makes sense. I haven't dove too deep into this because I just don't think he's going to get traded of like the types of teams that are going to trade for him because I just don't think the Cowboys

are going to listen. But if they were, just to answer the question, what would it look like? I think the Cowboys would really want a player back that mattered. Yes. And so I was trying to think of different teams. I don't know how the bills could make the money work. But like could you do Greg Russo a first and a third or something like that? Or if you're the... I don't think that's enough. If you were the Bears, could you do Montez Sweat a first and a second? Like something like that where a legitimate player is actually coming to the back to

the Cowboys in addition to draft stock. Because I know people look back at these old trades calling, like, and compare them to like Cleomac got this. That's exactly what I was thinking. He got two first rounders. And I know the Cabell... is going to, but Cleo Mac wasn't making $40 million a year.

The percentage of the cap for these top pass rushers is even crazier now that you have to pay Mike Apartson's that much money. I think that brings the cost down just so slightly. And by the way, I just gave you like a plus

very good starter, plus a first round pick. Like, that's still a lot. You know what? The Ravens, maybe. That would be potentially interesting if they pursued him. But yeah,

I think that you would have to do, I don't know if they would go for anything less than two first rounders. I agree with that. I guess when I think of like a guy like a Russo or a sweat, that's like a borderline first right there.

And to me it should be at least that much because you're kind of guaranteed you know that they're already good players. The Ravens is spicy. But again, I said this on the first show about Micah. I just don't think they're going to want to trade them for picks

when those picks aren't going to help you this season. That's true. They want to win this season. Dave asks a sad question. this time of year, but one I often think about was just who's the worst team?

You got any picks? The worst team. I guess it would be the Titans, right? They're in the mix. They're... In Las Vegas, the favorites to have the worst record in the league. Now, this is a little bit different

than worst team because you have to take into account schedule. Is it in the AFC South? No. It is the Browns and the Saints are tied for the most likely teams to be the worst. And the Titans weren't even third.

It might have been the Panthers. They're up there. They're kind of like a sneaky could be bad team. There's not a lot of really obvious bad teams. My choice is the Browns. You'd go with the Browns. Yeah. God. They have six quarterbacks

right now. It's comically bad. And the quarterbacks is the biggest part of it. And I know they have Miles Garrett and Denzo Ward. Like they have some players. But the skill position are not good. The offensive line, which has been good, has real big questions now at tackle. I think they have problems all over the place, which is kind of why I can't believe

that Andrew Barry, their GM, has apparently so much job security. I don't really believe it, though. I think if they go 4 and 13, they're going to change. Schedule's tough. Their schedule's rough. They have the lions in there and the Vikings, obviously. Their own division is so tough. Yeah. It's a bummer to think about, but I think the Panthers are a sneaky choice for this option too. Yeah? Because everyone thinks it's on the up because it got better got better last year. But, you know, I think

it's a pretty thin roster overall. I don't know. I think that they're going to get a little bit better. I hope so. Yeah. I don't think I'm going to pick that, but I think it's possible. Like, some team could just completely blow up. Like, the dolphins have been on my radar as, like, a team that could just completely blow up. I don't, you know, they'll probably take a two injury. I think that they are really going to

implode the dolphins. Like, that's not even a question in in my head. I'm worried about how spectacularly they're going to implode, honestly. Wow! So you think they could be one of the worst teams in the league?

I don't know, one of the worst, but they're not going to be any... I think they're just going to keep getting worse. They do have a lot of talent. The one thing with the AFC East is I think the out of division schedules are pretty good. Okay.

But you get the Jets twice. You get the Patriots twice. Patriots are okay, but they're not any world beaters. but I feel you. I agree with you on that one. The next question is from Josh. What chance is there that Travis Hunter is better than Brian Thomas Jr.? Immediately.

Immediately? I know he's so good, but he's taking on so much learning the playbook, going to all of the meetings for both sides. If you heard him describe what his. schedule was. I couldn't even, I got lost immediately. He's now doing the thing where he's practicing on both sides on the same day. So he's graduated to that. Exactly. Which, I mean, he must just be such a genius to be able to take all of this information in, retain it, and then be able to differentiate in such a quick nature of like the game. The game moves so fast and it moves so much quicker when you go from

college to pros. So I think that there might be a little bit of a learning curve. Maybe eventually, and maybe even this year eventually, that Travis Hunter is better than Brian Thomas Jr., but not right out of the gate. Yeah, when I read immediately, I think, by the end of the year, maybe, but that's a good point. He's talking maybe more September. I was

really high in Brian Thomas Jr., because he just moves different. I'm not a scout, but you watch a guy that big move the way he moves, and I was just like, I think this, this is probably going to work. And it really did. That said, Travis Hunter is a way, but was a way better wide receiver. receiver prospect coming out of college.

And what you said about the game going so fast and his smarts, I think that's such an awesome point because that's what stands out to me watching his tape in colleges. The game seems to go so slow for him. Right. Whereas I think he processes just a natural football intelligence in addition to all the study that he obviously must do at a way that is next level, you know, on top of his athletic gifts.

And you hear from training camp, like things are starting to slow down. I love that they released the depth charts and he's a starter at wide receiver and a backup at cornerback right now. It's just like... It's so cool. I do love that. But it's just so impressive he was talking about

how just from being around the game for so long and playing from the time he was so young that it's all just such second nature. But I think to myself, okay, but there's so many other players that have also just only been playing football from the time that they could almost walk. and it's, this is not, like, this is not a one-to-one comparison.

It's never happened, at least in the current modern NFL. So I'm going to answer the question, what chance percentage-wise. And I didn't have a Brian Thomas Jr. this year in terms of, like, a prospect that I was just so high on, felt higher consensus. I felt so couldn't because it was Travis Hunter. And, like, everyone thinks Travis Hunter is amazing. I'm not on an island there. But I do think he's the type of amazing that it's going to translate immediately. And so I'm putting the percentage at like 60.

Whoa, really? I just think I truly believe he is going to be incredible. Okay. Like he is going to be a top, you know, 10 to 15 receiver by the end of the year. When he says immediately, I'm thinking during the rookie year. But yeah, I think he'll be right there and that they'll just have one of the best combinations. I think that I'm actually trying. Maybe he doesn't get the volume because he has to play defense and all that stuff.

But I do think he's like that. Oh, this is interesting because they have the Panthers first. and then the Bengals, and then the Texans. At AFC South Schedule, there's a lot of good eating in terms of the defense you play except for the Texx? All right, I'll say 30%. Even that's high. I mean, Brian Thomas Jr. is awesome, but I'm just a big believer in Travis Hunter.

Clive asks, who are the top five coaches the last 25 years? So I prepared for this one. I did some research. I think Belichick and Reid are won two in that order. But if you wanted to make the argument, how big of an impact Reed made. on offenses in his time with Philadelphia. Like, I could even listen to that.

After that, it gets tricky. I went Sean Payton, Mike Tomlin, and then I... What about, like, Bill Parcells? Well, he's not really the last 25 years. Oh. I mean, he did coach within the last 25 years, but his peak was before that. So some guys got a little cut off. There were good, like Marty Schottenheimer, his career, I would have considered for this list,

but his peak is before 2000, even though he, had some good teams after that. So I'm only considering the last 25 years. So the fifth spot, I thought about Pete Carroll. I thought about John Harbaugh. You could have either Shanahan. Mike Shanahan would be on this list if you could count the 80s, but you can't. I don't think it's crazy to think about Sean McVeigh there in terms of impact and just how good he is.

I think I would maybe even take him over Pete Carroll and John Harbaugh. But by the numbers, you know what the numbers would tell you? Like wins, like wins, playoff appearances, playoff wins, winning percentage, all that. Like John Harbaugh should be on this list. Well, I was thinking about John Harbaugh. I mean, and then if you could just put a last name on there, Shanahan, Harbaugh. That's fair. That's true.

So kick Tomlin out and then we put Shanahan, the family, and Harbaugh. Sorry, McBave. Yeah. You haven't been around as long. Exactly. So, by the way, when you brought up Marty Schottenheimer, when I was with the Cowboys in Oxnard, we were talking to Shottie. And he was saying, we found out that he used to, for years.

and years and years and years, carry this card in his wallet. And the card he had written on there that his goal was to be the youngest head coach in the National Football League. Wow. Yeah. So, he said that eventually he took it out when he realized that wasn't going to happen. But he said it was such a blessing that it didn't happen because he wouldn't have been ready. And now he's in such a better spot. But I just thought that was so interesting and also adorable. So when Sean McVeigh got hired by the Rams, however old he was, somewhere that day, Brian Schott-Henheimer.

That mother-f-hirt. Sorry, I don't know why. I just was imagining Schottenheimer with his backwards. Because, well, with Sean McVeigh was like 31 at the time, Sean McVey's still young. He's a baby. I don't know how old he was. But I should have asked him where he put the car.

Did he throw it away? Did he put it in the little special box? It could be viewed as a sad story, but he got there. And I think, I think he's going to do as good job as he can do. I sneakie like the cowboys. I like his baggage. Mark asked, Greg, you frequently cite all these team-specific podcasts you listen to,

but you're also an avid reader who is said to have a healthy work-life balance. Who is said to Evan? Who says that? How many hours are in a Greg day? Wow. Yeah. You know what, Mark? Absolutely.

I want to know this. I don't know how you have time. balance not as healthy as I would like it to be during the season. Okay. I mean, I definitely do my best. Now, are you counting? My kids like me. Audio books?

I don't know about love. I do listen to audiobooks. Not that much. I would say like one out of seven books I read is an audio book. What was the book that you had on tape when we picked up Steve Smith and me and a bunch of other people from the network jumped in your car? Yeah, that was a biography of the author Gene Reese, who I really love. I usually don't get that dorky, that, like, academic.

And Gene Reese. She's amazing. Like, I think, like, British slash sort of Jamaican author. And the time period? But it was about her life. Okay. It was like early, early last century, I would say. Okay, great.

Yeah. Yeah. That was embarrassing. Not the work, like, I've kind of cut out, like, you have to, some things go. TV and movies have taken a big. hit. Oh man. I never watch movies. I never watched TV. They're kind of gone. Uh, and then the team specific podcast, I do listen. Like, there's very little time when I'm, like, just doing, like, in my life where I'm not listening to a podcast, I feel like. I'm like, when I'm around the house, I'm always

listening to a podcast. Or are you going like the grocery store? I'm listening to a podcast. If I'm doing any sort of like, like, Aaron or brushing my finger on the pulse. I'm just saying I'm like brushing my teeth or you're going outside. And, and then you do the 1.5 speed or whatever. Yeah. You just, There's never a time where you're just in silence. There's not a lot of that because that's where... That's my favorite show. The conversation that we had a few weeks ago comes in, where you start to face the void.

I love, I like to sit in the void. It's comfortable. I do sometimes. And that is what I read about often. I mean, like, that's sort of the number one subject I would say of literature in general. Really? Like, everyone's going to die sometime.

Yeah, I think that's like the number one topic. I love how ex is text. Don't you think? I mean, it's not always directly that, but I do think it's talking about the human experience of having that knowledge while you live, because it's kind of like the thing that makes humans so unique. That and apparently that we can gossip about each other behind like each other's backs with no other animals are able to do. Oh, God, I never thought of that. Well, neither did I, but I'm reading slash listening to.

the very popular book, Sapiens, because the, our friend Chris Wesleyan, who this podcast is named after, carried that book around and love that book. It was recommended to him by Henry Hotson. I found this out just over the last couple weeks. I mentioned Akisha. I finally picked up. He loved that book so much. It really blew his mind. And I always wanted to read. I was like, eventually I will read it. And now I'm reading it. I like to read books sometimes that he was into feel closer to. I might try it out too. that's very like you know academic and stuff but what does that mean I wouldn't like academic stuff I just read I read I read novels I just like books when like Anthony Bourdain's telling me about what

kitchens are like and how he got into the biz and all of the crazy stories but I also would say with that time stuff I don't know how old Mark is who asked but to paraphrase Mike Gundy the great Oklahoma State, head coach. Like, I'm a man. I'm 40. And I feel like your 40s, this is an idea I've been... Okay.

They are your prime. I agree. I don't mean like physically, obviously. False. But I do think it's probably the decade you're peaking. Yeah. In the sense that you can handle the most and do the most like all things,

like family, work, life. I think you're just sort of ready for, like, if you're like going up and like now you're in it more than any other time, that's how I feel in the middle of my 40s. So I'm saying I can handle it better than I ever, that I certainly would have been in my 30s or 20s or even in my 50s. I wouldn't want to do my 20s or 30s over again. I'm much happier where I am right now. I feel like I could handle things way better. I totally agree. I've always liked getting older. At some point, that'll probably, that'll probably stop. Oh, why?

There's the movie, yeah, I think my dad, for instance, is having the best time of his life right now. So is my dad. Yeah. This is what we could all do. We don't have to complain about getting old. I wasn't expecting to take this big a detour, but you know the movie, you know the movie Garden State. Yes. Which is somewhat famous for, I think, rightly being not as rewatch it.

Like, when you watch it now, you're like, oh, this didn't age well. Natalie Portman? Natalie Portman, Zach Braff. There's some things that are problematic about it. But there is a part of the book where he's talking to her, or she's talking to him, I think it actually is. And she's talking about, you're in it. You know, you're in it right now, which is like, a lot's happening in his life, his personal life and everything. And that is like a time in your life when a bunch of different things are happening, you're almost like alive to everything

around you in a way that almost feels like uncomfortable. Those are the moments where you grow the most. I feel like the 40s are the closest to you're in it as like a time of life. At least that has been my experience. Yeah. Especially, you know, the kids are now 10 and 13. It's like, it's just all happening. That's why people have midlife crisis when they turn 40 because they're like, oh my God, I'm in it. And this is not what I wanted to be when I was in it. So got to make some changes. Yeah, like my five tattoos I've gotten in the last like five years. Like says you're right. I got my nose pierced last year. Like, what are we doing? It feels. It does feel great. And it's a fun day. I want to get another. I want to get one. Where are we here? All right. Let's, let's fly through a few more.

Let's do a speed round and then say goodbye. What former current NFL player would have the best energy to join the C.U. Next Tuesday team. Great question. Jordan Milata would be great. Oh, that's a good one. Yeah. This is from John, by the way, John Byrne. Okay.

I immediately thought of like, well, people we know. Marshawn Lynch would be funny. Like Steve Smith. I don't know him personally, but you do. Yeah. He'd be great. He's someone we actually, maybe we get him. I think he'd be great. Kobe Turner, who we've had on the show, I feel like adds a nice sunny vibe.

we did a show with Mina Kimes and him too so now we met him twice and just feel like I know him a little bit he would add a nice vibe and then people I don't know CJ Stroud to me

is such a ball knower and has just a great ball knower I think he would add a lot of knowledge but also goodbye like he's unique Jair Alexander's just

out in left field he would be fun and then I thought someone that I like but that wouldn't fit would be Todd Bowles he's too serious oh yeah

what that's I just for some reason I thought who would be a really funny person to just have on this desk every single week and it'd just be Todd Bowles over there I don't know just being like he'd be cool

I think he's chill but it just would be I don't know if it worked yeah not sure but who knows Stroud I think would be great Stroud would be good I think to MJD is always I love MJD

Joe Thomas Like the guys we've worked with it's an unfair advantage but we know that it would be great. So MJD would be amazing. Charlie Weber asked, how much concern should there be for the Packers cornerback room? Maybe this happened after the Nate Hobbs surgery.

Maybe not. Their top cornerback, by the way, is undergoing surgery and is expected to potentially be back for week one. I have no concern. Actually, I feel better about that room now than I did at the beginning of camp because of the reports coming out. And I think they have a pretty good group.

They brought back one of their former players as well to kind of fill in while Nate Hobbs is out. But I'm not that concerned. Is Colleen in on the Colts? We hit that. Judging on reports out of camp, what free agent has had

will have the biggest impact? It's a really good question. You know, I was thinking about my list of free agents. Yeah. I hope it's Milton Williams. We haven't heard a lot about Milton Williams, but they could really use a pass rush

and him combining with Christian Barmore would be big. That would be awesome. I like that one. Yeah. I don't know. I feel like this is something I need to marinate in for a second. That's a tough one.

I should have just sprung you on that. Have you counted Zach Bond? Because technically he actually, you know, got to agency that that would count. I'm still on the last one. I'm like, Ed Reed would be an amazing ad to a Tuesday show. See, Ed Reed is like two on his own planet that I don't think you could integrate him. Could you into the rest of the group? You know what was a great pickup was the Colt-Charvarius Ward?

I think is a sneaky answer for this. also the guys maybe that the Broncos brought in that we mentioned earlier like Drake Greenlaw that could be one yeah Coach Finstock asks

and he's one of the best follows on Twitter I mean on Blue Sky rather how far can the Rams go with Jimmy G playing quarterback not very far I think that would really make them a

no a team that's not going to make the playoffs win some games but I think that's a big enough problem that it's not going to happen the next question from Brett let's give Brett

Drake me a competent offensive line. What's his ceiling? I think it could be a ceiling is like a top 10 quarterback this year. Top 10, yeah? They're making the playoffs? That's his ceiling. I mean, that's pretty, you're talking about ceiling.

I mean, physically, yeah, that was a great rookie year. Like, why can't, like, Justin Herbert was a top 10 quarterback as a rookie year. Stefan Diggs there now. He's looked good. Uh-huh. He has some. They have other issues. Yeah, there was another Patriots question where he was like,

Massachusetts is panicking. happened with Carlton Davis and Morgan Moses. Did they strike out in free agency? I was like, don't panic. Don't listen to the sports radio in Massachusetts. It's just stupid. They spent so much money. Don't. None of that. Okay, Morgan Moses is like being wrapped up.

This doesn't matter. Our last one is from T. Shane. And he asks, Justin Fields has been dreadful in Jets. I don't know if that's totally true. If he's awful in two weeks, should we explore a move for Kirk Cousins? Oh, that honestly feels like something that could 100% happen. It's dark, though.

Kirk Cousins gets sent. Be patient. Well, wait. It'd be too far off of what I think Aaron Glenn wants to do. So the Blue Sky name of this gentleman who asked in said Jets should tank for Lenoris. And I think that's fine. Don't be trying to win one or two extra games with Kirk Cousins.

Just see how this works. And if it doesn't work out, you'll have a high pick. You think Cousins is going to want to go there? I think he'd like to play football again unless Michael Pennix gets hurt. That's not happening. We'll be doing this again. You're back next week.

We're getting the whole crew back together. Jordan Roderig. We already have the plan for next week. We do? We're going to do a rerun of our very popular show last year. I can fix him.

So think about who's going to get fixed. Okay. Not cold play style. Like, I can fix him. No, this is fun. That's a great one. So we're doing that next week. Looking forward to that.

And looking forward to our next show, we will be back on Thursday. Ollie Connolly and I are going to talk about the most interesting defenses in the league. Not ranking, just like who we want to talk about. We're going to go deep on it. Really excited about that. Colleen Wolf is the absolute best. No, you are. When she's back off the road, football's back.

Hey, everybody. study Daniel Jeremiah here. And I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the 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 Podcast. 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. This is an IHeart podcast.