NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - Radio Row Day 3: Sandwich Props + NFL Honors reaction + Aaron Jones + Austin Ekeler

Episode Date: February 10, 2023

An elevated stage on Radio Row in Phoenix filled with some heroes - Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Gregg Rosenthal recap the NFL Honors awards ceremony and react to the winners (6:33). Then, the heroes talk with Aaron Jones about the distractions surrounding the Packers with Aaron Rodgers (29:34) before Austin Ekeler joins to discuss personal branding and Beachbody workouts (41:31). We close the show with Super Bowl Sandwich Props (55:27), including an appearance by the Rainmaker™️ (57:46), and a message from Nick Wesseling (1:10:18). Note: timecodes approximate.NFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. The Around the NFL podcast is perfectly positioned to make their heel turns. Oh, I love that. From the Phoenix Convention Center, it's around the NFL. Arizona Super Bowl edition. The OPEG game. Actually, there's a clock behind us. As we record this, the Super Bowl is two days, seven,

hours, two minutes, and 21 seconds away. Now 20 seconds. Now 19. If we take the heel turn, though, what do I do? Because I've been the heel the whole time. You guys are the bad guys for the next 10 years of this show. Have you ever watched? I'm the baby face.

Yeah, he turned baby face. But that never works. Whenever they, one way or the other, 90% of the time when you turn the guy face to heel or heel to face, it's kind of a desperate move to reinvent the wrestler before you kick him into some southern territory. He's never heard from him. I think that's where Greg sits at this point in his career. I think that's what the sound drop said our entire podcast,

that we're at 10 seasons in. On the precipice of irrelevance around the NFL. Right when we're feeling ourselves. You guys have been really feeling yourselves this week. And I'm, I feel. Feeling myself, I'm conceded. Very close to the sun, flying high. Mark knew on borrowed wings.

What did Mark know? What did Mark know? A little pop culture reference. What was it, Mark? I just saw what he said was funny. Craig likes rap, so. Hey, before we get into things, we have NFL honors recap, including Hall of Fame Inductions or announcements.

We have some sandwich props for Super Bowl 57 to share. We have guests, good ones, some of the best running backs in football on this show today. How about that? How are we going to do, you know, I don't know. How are we going to do, what, as interviewers? Yeah, I don't know. Interlocutors? It's pretty hit or miss.

So hopefully it goes well. They're like, oh, the running game's dead. Running backs are irrelevant. Not today. Not on this show. Very well done. But more importantly, I think one of the things that people love about the show is the human side of it. And I think we need to, Mark, address something very human that happened yesterday.

We were at a Super Bowl sworee. And Justin, we couldn't help but notice that something seemed off with our producer, the Gravedigger. Yeah, I think if you get to know Justin in general, and Greg used the word yesterday, which I think was apt, an unflappable individual on the work scene. But then we went out socially with him, and something just seemed off that I would describe him as jittery. I thought at one point maybe he had a bomb attached to his body and just didn't want to tell us. I didn't know. There was like you were waiting for like a wink like, I'm in danger. Please help me. And were you, Justin? How are you right now? I feel good. I don't know. I mean, I feel like this was a bit of you guys.

Just maybe reading a little too much into me being a little quiet. No. We're all experts at the human condition. I will say I'm definitely missing my bay, my boo. Yes, it does. She's known on this show. I mean, Justin, did you get a chance to communicate with her after we hung out? Yeah, we heard an update on that as well. Yeah, I went home from our soiree and FaceTimeed with her for about five hours.

Oh, my God. We had a really nice night together, just hanging out. We watched a movie together, just like on FaceTime. She's coming here, right? She'll be here this afternoon. And you had a five-hour conversation on FaceTime last night? It's just like every day away from her is heartbreaking, so... You know what?

You're in love, and I applaud you, Justin. Thank you. You know what? I'm going to check my cynicism at the door. I'm happy for you as well. Thanks. That's pretty intense, though. I got to say, that is next level.

The five-hour thing, respect it, love it. It's beautiful, how much you guys miss each other. Is there a chance that someone's kidnapped? a member of your family and they told them that you can't tell your podcast hosts, I think there's a chance. Cook up a cover story about some Fugazi five-hour

baseline conversation. Something more is happening and we're concerned and we love you. I really appreciate and there will be better days, Justin. Like your concern means a lot to me and I just appreciate how much you want to know if there was a kidnapping but no, everything's fine, everything's good. And just so people

don't think that we're raging a-holes, we did actually text Justin after the event. In a sincere fashion and a sober fashion to ask if you were all right. Sober feels strong. Sincere. It was nice.

I love you guys, so thank you. All right, good. Love you too, buddy. You've done great work all week. First Super Bowl in the big chair. We sort of take it for granted because, like Mark said, this is a man without flaps, unflappable, but doing a great job.

The man danced in from the 2,000 people in England. You know? It's up to 2000. No, Mark's text last night at 8 p.m. was, Funny night. Hey, Justin, we love you. If you're really having a rough evening, tomorrow will be new and good. And then I chimed in with that.

You are not alone. And you wrote, appreciate you guys, heart, everything is good, smiley face. And that was when he's probably been hour two of his conversation with his live-in girlfriend. But that's the real us. We care about others. Who's coming today. Right. You got to bridge that 13-hour gap there.

I don't know if all of our listeners love the six-minute update here, but our cameraman is our MVP in the week. And he's been laughing at all their jokes. I'd love it. I love it. He has a name. Yeah, I know. I know, but Travis, Travis.

I didn't know it. Remember what I said yesterday, 98% of our show is for the listener, and 2% is for us. We're now down to 94% of the listener. Okay, we are. But actually, 4% is for Travis. Four, 94 for the listeners, four for Travis, the cameraman, two for us. I think you broke that down accurately. Did it add up to Andre?

Hey, all right, let's get into some NFL honors talk. Let's hit the news. Tom's won seven times when to ten. He's on some beach so maybe Kirk could win. Wait, you can really sing. Yeah, yeah. Since he's been gone. Wait, hold on, hold on.

First of all, you can really see. Sing what? Kirk Cousin, cousins, wearing many, many chains, as per the bit. The season, singing with the great Kelly Clarkson at NFL honors. I thought Kelly did a nice job, by the way. That's a good job by Kelly Clarkson. Yeah, she did. She leaned into her strength.

She's got a lot of talent. She's a great singing, very personable. It's a good job by her. And cousin, and that was, by the way, a interpretation. of since you've been gone, not the Kelly Clarkson song that you guessed, which was what? Unbreakable or something?

Well, no, it's like, please don't forget to dance when you're dancing. But you know, Kirk Hussein, just to let you know, I wasn't so surprised to see that he was adequate on stage because there was that footage that came out of him at Holland Christian High School where he was in a school play and was made fun of, but that's another aspect of his God-given abilities.

He's a the Thespian. Of the three and, NFL players who did sing, him, Cameron, Jordan, and Kiddle. I think Kirk was the most ready for the moment. But Kiddle had some, you know, some hoodspot to his performance. That's good. Kiddle loves it. He loves the stage.

All right, let's get into it. The winners of the major, it's a major award. 2003 NFL honors. And by the way, Greg, we were talking about this while it was on in the hotel bar. We're getting some dinner with our producer, Jason McLeanman.

This is nice. I like the NFL honors feel has come into itself and it is nice that a guy, you know, you see all these guys get to go up on stage, they get to be dressed up,

they give their speeches. I guess it's kind of ephemeral and silly, but also so our real award shows, quote unquote, like the Grammys and Oscars and all that. Why not? Right.

I think like MVP is a more definitive and sometimes earned award than some of the acting awards where it's more of an art form like we can almost definitively say Patrick Mahomes was the best player in the league and I think putting it on Thursday night's been a big move it used to be on the weekend and get a little buried.

So yes, Patrick Mahomes wins the MVP. He got 48 out of the 50 first place votes. Jalen Hertz got a first place vote. Josh Allen got a first place vote. Hertz came in. So the point system they have, it was Mahomes 490, Hertz, 193. Allen 151 So there you go

It was a runaway win For the Chiefs quarterback Who will attempt to win His second Super Bowl On Sunday Here in Arizona Any thoughts on that Or should I just keep rolling

Through the awards here Getting to that quickly Especially if he were to win Like a Super Bowl MVP that quickly Is you know It is worth mentioning Completely unprecedented In the history of the NFL

I mean To have the team success and the MVP success that early in his career. For instance, it took Tom Brady 11 years to, like, get all those awards. But the harder part is winning on Sunday. I don't know if he's going to do that. We shall see. I like the voting that you get to see, like, who gets votes.

It's a little weird that Trevor Lawrence came in seventh for MVP, but I guess that's what happened. We get that far down, and it's like, come on. Gino Smith got a fifth place vote for MVP. We'll get to Gino in a second. We know who cast that vote. We do? You, I would assume. I would love it if I have a vote.

Danny Kellington, the trainer, the EMT, medical professional who helped with the bill's got a fifth place vote. How about that? Wow. That's strange. Offensive player of the year, although that man is a hero. I don't know if he should be getting an MVP vote for play on the – Justin Jefferson won offensive player of the year. And you know what, Greg?

I know you've long been down on offensive player of the year as an award. But it does allow a player like Jefferson to be recognized for his greatness when otherwise it's a quarterback that's always going to take that big trophy for offensive greatness. So maybe there is a lane for the O-P-O-Y trophy for... Just make it, I just think make... Reasonable minds. Why not just make quarterbacks ineligible for it then? They kind of are, though, aren't they?

Well, no. They're not ineligible, but... Mahomes came in second, and Hertz came in third, and it wasn't like a blowout vote or anything. we could have had a situation when our homes won both. I think it should be a non-QB award. Can you look up the last 10 Offensive Player of the Year awards? Thank you. Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa,

and that was widely expected. Not a ton of drama. Man, big, big, big day for my team because the Jets win, they sweep. Offensive Rookie of the Year, Garrett Wilson, and defensive rookie of the year. Sauce Gardner, not to mention, Dorel Revis goes into the Hall of Fame.

Joe Cleco finally gets into all the fame. Nice day for a fan base. Otherwise, it doesn't get a lot of nice days. And I think it's interesting with Sauce. I'm very happy. I would have been really upset. Garrett Wilson absolutely can have made a case for other guys in that category, although he deserved it as well.

But Sauce, I thought, was truly special. And I think it's fitting, Mark, in a lot of ways. I remember on this very podcast in August, talking about how the way the beat reporters and people close to that team were talking about. sauce in training camp was the way they talked about Revis. Like right away you knew this guy's different. He's going to hit the ground running and be a star.

And it's fitting to me on the same night that Sauce is on the stage winning rookie of the year. Revis is on that stage getting the Hall of Fame, which he obviously greatly deserved as well. Very nice. Yeah, there's symmetry and poetry to that. And, you know, there is also symmetry to the fact that Daryl Revis never really had a quarterback in New York. And, like, that's what needs to be different for Sauce Gardner. tree for the... No, but that's the case right now, too.

And it says a lot about Garrett Wilson to win. And very deserving. I was on the Brock Purdy train, but I mean, I have no issue with him winning. And to do it with so much quarterback carousel and chaos in New York, it says a lot about him just sort of... The receivers that can do that are next level. And he already looks like he's going to be an absolute star for a decade to come. So Garrett Wilson won this award because they changed the voting procedures.

Ken Walker had more first place votes. So in every year previous, he would have won the award. And I'm glad they changed the voting because Walker had 19 first place votes. Garrett Wilson had 18. It was very close. Brock Purdy had a number of first place votes and was reasonably close for third place too. But Wilson was more consistent across the board, made all the ballots, you know, had more second place votes and ended up winning by a decent margin because, and I think he was the better option. I would have had Wilson and Olave won two.

I would have had Olave over those other top two. I think he finished fourth. Can we, I know Aaron Rogers is on his retreat right now. I'm just going to go. I'm just going to try to just let him know what's going on right now. I'm just going to knock gently on his door, his darkness retreat. Aaron. Aaron.

I got to tell you something. You know what? I'm kicking this door in. Aaron Rogers. The Jets swept the rookie of the year categories. Let's go. We have a future. We just need you.

Wake up! Wake up! All right. Feels like that... I don't know if that's going to work. I feel like that would be absolutely counterproductive. You're right. You're right.

That is like the one... He's like, I'm not going to New York. Get up! Get up! Anyway, comeback player of the year, Gino Smith. Another well-earned award, Gregie. Congratulations to you personally on that. The biggest surprise...

Again, we're sitting in the hotel bar. We're watching this. The sound is off, but we hear, we read lips, Gino Smith. What a moment. Gino's going to go up there, and Gino famously began the season in such an exciting way where he beat Russell Wilson and the Broncos in that much-hyped showdown in week one. And then after the game had the famous quote. They wrote me off.

I ain't right back, though. That's the problem. I ain't right back. Let's go. And Gregie, I was so excited to hear what he had prepared for this. and he wasn't there. Did we get any type of update on why that was the case? That felt like a perfect moment.

You could argue is the greatest moment in Gino's professional career. Well, I would point out the five touchdown performance at the flag football game last week where he really was probably the MVP. No, I don't know why he wasn't there. He sent out a little tweet many hours before, thanking God. A little sweet many hours before.

I know that. That was probably when he found out. they had a Seahawks fan, Joel McHale, and a fan of the year from the NFL, who was a Seahawks fan, give the award, so they clearly knew it was going to be Gino. I don't know. Maybe he felt like he had his weekend in the sun in Vegas,

because I know you guys didn't watch a lot of the Pro Bowl games, but it did-I watched every minute, actually. It did kind of feel like Gino was the star of the show. They really made a big deal. They even asked him after he, like, did the little target practice thing. Like, so you write back yet? And he was like, still haven't written back? And it was like, maybe he felt like he,

You check those boxes? No. Who knows? You've got to show up to this. I guess. Show up to this. Who knows why, though? Unless there was something going on that, like, I mean, what, it's, this is the, the biggest thing that's happened to Gino Smith, and it's the biggest thing it might ever happen to.

We have no idea if this will continue to no show on this, to me, is an odd move, but I don't know why. Like a good take there. What? How about this? How about this? There could be a lot of reasons why. He's in the midst of contract negotiations. He goes up there with a planned, carefully cultivated speech that.

like tears the house down, that makes it more valuable to the Seahawks. Like this guy, we kind of got a star here. It could have been like, you heard, you know what? The loser of the night is Gino Smith, Greg. You got to know. I mean, come on. This is ridiculous. I think him giving that speech could have,

you were speaking to so many other football players that are wondering what will happen with their careers if they're stifled right now, if they're not all who they are. And he goes and says nothing. He knows those. We don't know why. So we don't know. Yeah, we don't know. It could, maybe he's uncomfortable with all the attention. and adulation.

I don't think that's the case. He is the comeback player of the year. He could have spoke. Because he's been so outspoken and so like he's been, he loves, he's loved being on the mic this whole season. He could have been the voice of the disenfranchised. It was a lost opportunity on that front to help others to inspire others, Dan. We're getting Greg, man.

We've got to stop. Coach of the year, Brian Dable. Mark, now you take your bow. I know that is your boy toy. Well, I, no, I actually thought that Kyle Shanahan should win this. But I think that Brian Dable, Coach of the Year is, just accept that it is narrative-driven, and he's more than a narrative.

He turned what we think about the New York Giants completely around. I think he's difference-making coach, and I think he's totally deserving. And, I mean, he sort of checks all the boxes for it. He does. I think it is hard for, like... I mean, what else do you want from Coach of the Year? It seems like it's never really always the...

I'm good, stop, Angelo. It's not the best coach necessarily. It's the coach that made the biggest difference for a team, in disarray to the playoffs. Shanahan was close. I'm just off, Angelo. He came in second. Peterson came in third.

Doug, how do you feel about this? I feel like you, you know, you came close to the AFC title game. I'm pissed off, Angelo. He's a man, a few words. He's a bad for him. He's very repetitive as well. I feel like Nick Siriani, though, was a pretty big victim of his success. Everyone, once you got through week two or three, thought the Eagles were this great team.

But they were like the 10th most likely team to win the Super Bowl in the preseason odds. They were by far the best team. and when you look at in-season decision-making, like during games, he's really stood out there, too, and he was like an afterthought here. That was kind of a stacked category this year, I thought. Yeah, it wasn't really go wrong, but congratulations to Dable. I think the Dable one I felt good, because a lot of people thought that's a four-and-thirteen team this year. Absolutely.

I'm not saying he's not. He's deserving to me. I would have gone Siri Antibone one table too. All right. Any other thoughts on the big? You know, we saw our friend Rachel Benetta was doing the

red carpet. Did you happen to catch Rachel's song about the third Kelsey brother? Well, talk about being in your wheelhouse. This is what she's excellent at. Do you got a little bit of that? I think it's a song for all time. It's a classic. There's a big game in town. I got a story

you might find interesting. Goes a little something like this. On the dark side of the desert Where the Super Bowl's to be played Someone's waiting in the wings To join this big parade They say it's the bull of brothers But that's just not quite right

Someone you don't know about And man there's no gas bite He's the third Kelsey brother His name is Raphael He works for a place of sells Tupperware, and man, he sells it well. He may not have the muscle, and he may not have the might. He may not be going to the Hall of Fame, but I'll tell you he's doing all right.

Could it be that the brothers are just jealous, and told everyone that he don't exist? Could it be that they're disappointed, because all the girls they've loved, he's already kids. Well done, Rachel. She is quite talented, that Benetta. I mean, she could be singing with Kelly Clarkson. She's, you know, she's got the chops. She's very talented. She's funny.

She's a beautiful woman. She's got everything kind of, it's like when I walked in on Kyle Brand, getting a pump in in the gym yesterday, immediately felt inadequate on a number of levels. And he also killed it at NFL honors. Maybe next year, we need to make our imprint on honors on some level. She did the gritty in front of Justin Jefferson. Did a good job on that, too. Just a woman of many talents.

I mean, maybe Kyle and Rachel have skills that we don't have. Oh. I know it's been a week of us, you know, inflating ourselves and suddenly where balloons rises. Now, I'm close to the sun on barred wings. Yeah, you're suggesting that a year from now you're going to be presenting an NFL honors. Like that, you are living in an alternate reality. All right. You know what?

Ambition, it bites at the nails of success, they say. They do. Before we take a break here, here are the rest of the class of 2023 Hall of Fame class, a defensive-dominated class. And you know what's kind of cool about this now? Now we're old enough. It's a lot of reason, you know, getting old is not great in some ways. Some ways it is cool. Like when these Hall-famers now come into focus and like we remember vividly, they're playing days.

So Ronde-Barber, I mentioned Revis. Yeah, boy, Mark. Joe Thomas, left tackle of the Brown. Zach Thomas, linebacker of the Dolphins. DeMarcus Ware, a great pass rusher for the Cowboys and then Broncos. Don Correale, this is where you love. I know West would have an amazing. Air Correale, he changed offensive football.

Amazing, an innovator as a coach on the offensive side of things. And then in the senior class, Chuck Howley, I mentioned Joe Clecoe and Ken Riley all gets, get nods. Congratulations to all of those men. It's cool. And if you got a chance to watch a video, I think Steve Weiss sent it out of how they learn that they are Hall of Famers. They're now using kind of ex-players to do that knock thing where they find out that they get it. So they're not using the big man anymore. No.

Well, he's no longer running the Hall of Fame, David Baker. And so it's like Thai Law, who also played in Alecippa. Same high school as Dorel Revis. Another respectful knock. To Marcus Ware, who to me is one of the. the best pass rushers we've ever seen. I think he had to wait a year, which that's how good the Hall of Fame is. That shocked me, but it was only...

He's definitely worthy of first. It was only one year, and the Don Correale thing is great, and it was great to hear his kids so overwhelmed by it. But it also is a little annoying to me when, like, you know, he died 12 years ago, 13 years ago, and he was someone whose impact was pretty obvious and clear that he really changed this league into a pass. league and he was up year after year after year and you mentioned west we did talk about don

coriel when he kept getting shot you know pushed back uh at this stage so it is great to see him um make it but you you do sometimes wish uh ken riley also um no longer with us that you know if they were going to make it you'd love to see them you know make it while they're still yeah it seems like the the barrier for some of these coaches so the bar for them um is a little bit all over the map and it's changing though that's we're seeing more coaches that's how coriel is getting in because before it's like you have to win well he took he took the chargers to two straight aFC title games and i think one of the reasons west would have known about him and made an imprint early on his life was that one of those was against the bengals in like frigid like negative 18 degree

weather and those chargers uh they did not make it through that game he changed the game and yeah it used to be something where the coach and the contributors were going against the players and they could never get over them right um but he he's a man if you look compared to certainly a lot of players that are in the Hall of Fame and are deserving, that impacted the sport we see today as much as anyone. I mean, the passage of time, like, annoyingly, like, it struck me that Joe Thomas has not played in five years. I kept thinking it was that he had retired much more recently than that. He's an interesting one because he was so happy, and his kids were there, and they were just like, we love you when they opened the door and everything. But, like, Joe Thomas,

there was no mystery. He's known since, since, like, three years before he retired, whether he wanted to think about it or not, that he was going into the Hall of Fame. And Cleco was a stud for the Jets. He's the first member of the New York Sack Exchange, the fame New York Sack Exchange to make the Hall of Fame with Gassano, Marty Lyons, Abdul Salam. And he was all pro in multiple positions. The defensive tackle, defensive end,

had 20 and a half sacks in 81. I think I was the year before Sacks became an official statistic, which also muddled some of those guys because sacks now are such an important stat for certain players in the league. Big night for the Jets. And now that we're eight years out, can you be happy for Dorel Revis? And it does get a little lost in the shuffle that he was an absolutely integral part of the title that the Patriots won here in the Malcolm Butler game here eight years ago.

Can I be happy for what? That Revis got his ring, a great player. And he was, people kind of forget that season. He changed that defense. It was one last kind of great season for Revis. I think he was a second-team All-Pro, something like that, a terrific season. Why would Dan need to be happy about that in particular? Now he's, you know, just for the man, the Dorel Rivas said he got his ring with the Patriots.

Bygones be bygones. I thought that Revis, who was a kind of very shrewd negotiator, that helped spell the end of his first run with the Jets. He landed with the Bucks, uninspired, short-term stay there, then went to the Patriots. So he chased the ring, got the ring, came back to the Jets in a big contract, and fell off hard, and there were questions about his effort. I didn't like, in general, the end of his career. So, no, him winning a Super Bowl as kind of a hired gun does very little for me personally. The Pats was his last great moment, but that was, it gets a little loss in the shovel.

It was like, that was a great hired gun season. You know what I mean? I'm sure it does a lot for you. But the gist of your argument is that Dan needs to come around and be celebrating that, and I think that's an odd request. I wasn't really expected to win him over. First team all pro. How about that that season?

First team. I do like, though, Greg, who's distancing himself as a New England sports fan. Sometimes, the mass hole comes out sometimes, and that's okay. I don't mind that. I grew up with a lot of them. That's good, but I do want to just say,

like, Jess fans don't get a lot of good things. So if you want to come in with your six Super Bowl rings and then try to tarnish Revis, that's great, buddy. Have fun with that. But I will appreciate. Not tarnishing. What are you talking about tarned? Well, you're trying to say, like. I really mean it.

Patriot. No, I'm not saying he's kind of a patriot. I'm saying he's an all-time great that got to have. That was a big year of his career. And I'm happy. I'm sure he was very happy to win the ring. The Massel came out at Chase Field last night. The Massel came out when we were at Chase Field.

Site of Game 7 of 0-1. Yeah, that was a tough one, too. Yes, Justin. I have an update on those offensive player of the year winners that you asked for 15 minutes ago. Oh, very good. Before we go to break, let's check in on this. Yeah, so 2013, Peyton Manning, quarterback, also won MVP. 2014, to Marco Murray running back, led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

That's when the Cowboys, like, drove him into the ground because they had no intention of bringing him back. And then he went to the Eagles, and then he went to the Titans, where he was second in the NFL and rushing two years later. 2015, Cam Newton, quarterback and MVP. 2016, Matt Ryan, also won MVP. 2017, Todd Gurley had, like, 2,500 scrimmage yards that year was a machine. 2018, Patrick Mahomes, also won MVP. See, that's what I'm talking about. Let's take it out.

2019, Michael Thomas set the receptions record, I think, or receiving yard. You set a record. 2020, Derek Henry, 2000 rushing yards. 2021, Cooper Cup, wide receiver triple. Well, it's trending towards non-quarterback positions. Sure, but three of the last seven years. You just want to make it official. I mean, that's three of the last seven years, the quarterbacks have gotten it.

But each of the last three. We got like, yeah, Justin Jefferson, Super Cup, Derek Henry, Michael Thomas. Four and a four in that world, then the MVP has to be a quarterback? No, no. In this world, you know, quarterbacks could get left out of the cold. I don't think that'll ever happen, but yeah. But aren't you to turn your Revis argument around, but aren't you just, now can you say you're happy for those players that won that offensive player of the year award that they could be celebrated in that way?

I am happy. He's a big man. No, he's taking steps forward. Yeah. All right. I'm loyal to football. Let's take a break, and we will get to our first guest. Star Running Back, Friday show.

All right. So on the Wednesday show, we had big-time wide receivers. Friday show, some of the best all-around running backs in the sport. And joining us right now is one of them. He is Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers. What is up, Aaron? How you doing? How you doing?

Thank you all for having me. Well, we did have one running back on Wednesday. your old buddy, Jamal William. Jamal, that's a good guy. You have a lot to live up to to match what he brought, just energy-wise. That is a high-energy guy right there. I love it, but it's contagious. It's been a big year for you, Aaron.

You're coming off a big year. You had your over 1,500 yards from scrimmage this season. Another big year offensively. You're the Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for the Packers. That's obviously like a huge thing. where do you stand right now in terms of your feelings about where the Packers are

and where you are with the team I feel good where I'm at with the team you know, talk to Goody he came out and said they want me back maybe restructure or whatever it may be but they want me back there

so you know to be wanted is a great feeling and then I mean I feel like we have everything we need there in the locker room I feel like we started picking it up later on in the season started putting it together

and show that we were capable and we got the pieces we need. Yeah, you've been there a while now. It's kind of snuck up on me when I looked at your career stats and stuff. You're like stacking big, you know, plus 1,200. This year is plus 1,500 yards from script. Year after.

You're talking about his pro football reference page is starting to look beefy. I'm just saying, like, you've been there for a minute. And I know like they kind of split up work. And we had a friend who used to be on our show, Chris Wesleyan, who's always a huge fan of yours. He always wanted more work for Aaron. Jones. More work for Aaron Jones. But all that

splitting, maybe, it's kept you fresh, it's kept you healthy, you're more productive than ever. You have a chance now, stacking those years. You keep coming back. You could be the Packers' all-time leading rusher after a handful more years. What do you think about that? I think that would be a blessing. I've made it up to

three this year. I think the top two are like $8,000. So I still got a little bit to go, but like you said, that is definitely one of my goals. If I'm there long enough, I feel like I can definitely hit that. I got to ask you, how do you feel about, you know, when you go on Twitter or check out what's going on in the league and you see your old wide receiver, Devante Adams, trying to recruit your current quarterback, Aaron Rogers, to Las Vegas.

Slightly annoying. It's crazy. He already broke my heart once. He's trying to break my heart again. Take your quarterback. Do you guys, I mean, do you talk with Rogers at this time of year and get an idea where he's at? No, I just give him his space, you know, let him think. he probably already has a lot of people in his year.

What are you going to do, ask him questions? Let him go in a silent retreat. Yes, sir. Well, yeah, I don't think you can contact him right now. He is in the dark. Yeah. Is that, like, in all serious, you don't have to answer this, honestly, but it'd be cool if you did.

Is it kind of like, at a certain point, like, every offseason now is about your quarterback, and whether he's playing either for the team or playing for another team or retiring or going into the darkness forever, it kind of dominates everything around the past. Packers? It has, yeah, I think like the last three years, this is the third year. So it has a, that's a lot of the off-season talk. But, you know, us guys in locker room, we know we can

control what we can control. Just focus on yourself, get the off-season started and going and, you know, control what you can control. If he's here, great, we love it. If he's not, we'll be sad, you know. We lose one of our leaders, one of our great locker room guys. It's hard to replace somebody like that, but I think if that was happening, Jordan is definitely ready. You play this Eagles defense. It's going to be playing on Sunday. You know, you had some success against them. It would be putting it mildly, and they struggled with your running game.

When you kind of look at this defense and you look at who the chiefs have and everything, like, what did you guys do well and look to attack in terms of like you getting you the ball out of the backfield and in the running game like how how do you you approach it against his team we we kind of look to attack the deal on their d line a little bit they had some like moving pieces they had guys who were kind of just getting there when we played them like sue sue was just getting there um i can't remember who else uh they had up front of that linball joseph he was just getting there as well so um we they weren't playing as much so he's like let's must attack the D-line so I mean I feel like that's because may have changed a little bit

because they have some vets stepping in who played at a high level so they may have changed a little bit but just that and then matching up against the backers getting in space you know we ran some screen that popped big they just moving me around they line me up at three on a broken play we hit the scramble during the score to touchdown so and just getting trying to get vertical as quick as possible because they have a fast defense. They have guys who are swarming, but they're always in position for the most

part. Yeah, they don't quite have an Aaron Jones, but you could do the Pacheco for the getting vertical and the McKinnon for the catching to make it happen. Yes, sir. I definitely think I'm a huge fan of Pacheco. I got the chance to talk to him in the preseason. I think it was our last preseason game, and I saw how he played

and I just went up to him and gave him his props and told him, man, keep going. Put your head down. It'll it'll work out for you. You put your head down and work and show up every day and stay consistent. And I believe that's what he did because he's starting. He's having a great year as a rookie. So it makes me happy to see.

Mark, can you engage with Aaron for a moment here? I'm doing some math and figuring out the all-time rushing record and how we're going to get Aaron to the Green Bay Packers records. While I do the math over here, which I struggle with, I once got a 39 on a state-mandated math test. I thought you're about to sit on the ACT. I got a focus. Go ahead. I actually was taking a little bit of look at you,

the man, the person, and I think the Packers could use two of you, but I realized that you have a twin brother named Alvin Jones, and I did some studies about twins. Oh, he's here. See, there we go. That's amazing. I wonder if this applies to your relationship as twins. I read that twins start interacting in the womb at 14 weeks,

although you wouldn't know if that was the case, but if you have a close-ness. 40% of twins invent their own way. languages that no one else could get your own words, your own syntax. This has nothing to do with you, but I learned that Giselle Bunchen actually has a twin sister named Patricia Bungeon, so that's weird. How about your brother? How about your relationship with the right? He's a football player, too? Yes, he's a football player. We played together all the way up into college. Then I left, I got drafted, and then he went to Baltimore for two years,

and now he's playing in the CFL, but a lot of what you said is true. We've made up our own language before all of that. Wait, you got some what, some words. I can't even remember. We were younger. I can't remember. But people were like,

what are you saying? I'm like, what are you talking? Don't worry about it. That's wild. So I saw you do the, your foundation with your brother, right? Yes, sir. And, you know, you're one of the three

finalists that's at NFL honors for man of the year. So that's next level. That's out of the whole league. This is your second year, I think, coming back and doing this, which is, I mean, that's amazing for such a young,

a lot of times that's a player at the end of their career like what what is that foundation about and it's pretty cool yes our foundation is geared towards the youth and military families and giving back to underserved communities as well um you know we feel like the youth is the future a lot of kids are born into unfortunate situations that they didn't they didn't ask for they have no control over and uh so if i could be a resource in my community or even the plan filled for them or or maybe an athlete giving them advice or whatever it may be, you know, just being that in my community. I wish when I was growing up I had an athlete, a professional athlete who I could pick their brain, well, nothing from them but just to pick their brain and let them know that, hey, I can do this.

Very cool. Very cool. All right. I figured out our target here is Ahmad Green. Remember Ahmaud Green? Oh, yeah. Kind of went under the road, I think, during the far of years, 8,322 yards. Okay. Aaron Jones right now is 5,284 rushing yards career. That leaves, you 3,038 yards short of the Packers record. If you average over the next two years, what you did this year, which is about 1,100, I'm thinking you could break the record in around October of the 2025 season. So we've got to get three more years of the Packers, most likely. Can we do it? Let's do it in two, but yes, sir. I like that. It's good luck. That's your number 33. You got the special Aaron Jones hats. Like, where, you know, I don't see those

Aaron Jones hat. That's like a special one. This one, we came on with it last year. And then The push was like around the Super Bowl last year. One last thing quickly is like, what would you rather do in a big time game? Would you rather run someone over and like take their manhood or make them miss and take their manhood and have them like at your feet? Why they take their manhood? Either way you made a say. Make a miss for sure. Both of them look bad, I guess.

But we definitely make a miss. Have you gotten the scepter from our colleague Kyle Brand? I have not gotten the scepter. See, we would like to get one of those. and then we can focus on making a miss. That actually hurts less, right? Not having to run over guys. Yeah, it definitely hurts less.

All right. You can play a little bit longer like that. Aaron Jones, we are big fans' view and best of luck going forward with the Packers. Thank you very much for joining us. Yes, sir. Thank you. There he goes.

Aaron Jones. Nice gent. Nice gent. Good vibe. I liked him. He'll be back, but it sounds like there's going to be a restructure situation there. for him to make it happen.

I think it sounds driven to stay with the Packers and achieve that record we talked about. I was surprised that was even a question, but he does have like a $20 million cap hit when you're running back. But he's also coming off arguably his best season. I think it was the highest he ever at his yards per carry. He's healthy.

He's playing every... So that's one where you push the money a little bit into the future, and I think he'll be there at least two years. I like that he was honest about the fact that it is not only annoying for us. But for Packers' players to deal with the Aaron Rogers' heightened drama year after year. I mean, basically sort of said, yeah, it's a bit of an annoyance.

I wonder if this is the end for Aaron Rogers, who, by the way, I believe it now day three of his darkness retreat. He might not know that. We heard some speculation that this is all a mirage. Roger said that this was scheduled for a couple weeks from now. No, not the darkness retreat. and not him wrestling with retirement in his mind, even if he's likely to come back, but the whole idea that he would leave the Packers,

that the Packers want to keep him, and he ultimately wants it. But then why? It's not a mirage, because we're talking about it show after a show. It's a tangible thing that we have to deal with verbally. But if it's a Mirage, and he's under contract, right? Why is he going through the whole rigmarole of telling everyone that he needs to disappear for four days to think about it? us with the retirement, but him leaving the Packers.

You were with me that we've heard some buzz that that's kind of all. I just don't know. I don't know if I believe anything with this anymore. I don't know. It is crazy. Anyway, good conversation with Aaron Jones. Let's now talk to another star of the gridiron who lines up behind the corner. Here we go.

Up next, Austin Echler. Joining us now another star running back, one of the great all-around playmakers in football. from the Los Angeles Chargers. Austin Echler, welcome to Around the NFL. Welcome back. Yes. I remember the first time you were on the show with us, it was remote,

and I was really struck by the logo that you had behind you. I think it's your home setup. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I just, I want to say with Austin Echler that I notice the logo's on point. I love that you have a signature touchdown celebration, the guitar squeal move, which is not only memorable,

but, like, kids can easily emulate it at the playground. This is all subtle brand building, and I'm here for it. Yeah, this guy, he's on to me. He's on to me. Absolutely, man. Well, thanks for having me back on the show in person now. But, yeah, you know, there's an art to write, right? Putting yourself out there and trying to brand yourself and represent something.

So, yeah, I'm all about it. Well, Dan's been trying to become a hair influencer for many years. And I think he once got, like, a free tube of gel. I got several pallets of Redkin work hard molding paste in 2016, so that was cool. It's the same thing. It is pretty nice, though. Like, you can't really get the full beauty of it remotely. I can see that, though.

You got the nice little swoosh going there. People like the swoosh. Who was it, Jamal Williams were talking about it? There's some silver in there, and that's distinguished, they say. But enough about me, Austin. I look at your workout videos that you do, and I think, like, as a small. somewhat lazy man myself like what would you give me um like if like without any actual weights what's the laziest way like thing that i could do personally wow yeah way to get into it

that's yeah that's because that's going to be a good stepping point for you right right i don't think i'm ever i've it's i've never like joined a gym or done that so i feel like always about the gym it's really about staying active right you want to be able to move when you're 70 years old yeah so you want to be able to stay active and have your joints feeling good, you don't have knee problems, because you just sat around all day forever for the last, you know, all your years. And so for me, the most lazy thing that you could probably do that's going to keep you active, I mean, I would say like going on like walks. Okay, well, I do that.

I do that 30, 40 minute. I do a lot of running. I do a lot of running, but that's, yeah, I'm thinking more like, you know, to make me look a little less diminutive, you know. Jump rope. Okay. See, that's what I was looking for. There you go. There's another aspect.

to Greg and to Dan, like a number of years ago, I attempted to get into all this, and I think you were in this world, too. I did Beachbody. And was ripped mercilessly, yeah, see, that's so I was ripped mercilessly, show after show for it, and that sound drop

a play endlessly, just tell them that they're in the wrong on the beach body. Wow. There was a... This has been talked about a lot, then, if you have its own sound. Absolutely. It did for like a year, yeah. There was a female spokesperson that we were wondering if Mark was in it for the working out or just to be closer to Amber

Calabrese? Well, hey, we all have our own motives, you know? Don't question people's motives as long as they're going. No judgment zone. No judgment zone. Doesn't that like turn into like a Ponzi scheme or something, you know? No. I think there's still a thing. Okay. Oh, this is the episode where Greg gets sued.

Okay, good. Good, good, good, good. You played this chief's team and you guys have been quite productive offensively against this chief's team. So actually, actually like you, maybe more than any running back in football, has an experience of knowing what to do and maybe how to attack this Chief's defense

with some success. What would you say to the Eagles? You've got to have the ball at the end. Okay, well, yeah, that's... That's what it is. That's what it is. You got to have the ball at the end, right? And so how do you control the games?

Offensively, you've got to run the ball. You've got to be able to run the ball. If you can run the ball, you can control the clock, right? You limit possessions that you're going to give away, potentially, and then you have a better chance to have the ball at the end. And so, man, it's tough they're so sticky like the chiefs are so sticky like they're always in it at the end right

like we've seen it was just seconds on the clock go down and get into field go range kick it and win the game right so you got to have the ball at the end but you guys did do that you did run the ball well against them i know that's sunday night game was right i'm sure massively annoying to you but it always is i feel like we every time we play the chiefs it comes down to the last drive like even when we played them you know Thursday night football at the beginning of the year It was the last drive for us to go down and score, you know. That's right. You had your sons at the game, and they're burgeoning potential Chargers fans,

and they were at that Chief's game. They were. Kelsey Walkoff and OT. That was a tough one, too. Yeah. Not to dwell on such. I've seen two of those now, man. I'm tired of seeing that for sure.

And we don't need to dwell on the Jaguars game either. That was a tough pill to swallow. I do wonder, just from your angle as a player, because the week before, in a relatively meaningless game, you guys, starters are in there until the very end, and Mike Williams goes down, and there was a sort of a Reagan-esque trickle-down effect to all of that in the next week to not have them on the field.

I mean, were you guys all on board with the Brandon Staley-esque nature of that? That he just, that's the way he attacks week after week? Yeah, man, you know, there's so many ways you can look at it. For us, you know, we're never thinking we're going to get hurt when we go out there, right? So that's not part of the thought process as a player, but it definitely is a possibility. Like, you can't be naive. like you're definitely going out there in harm's way if you go out there and so for us it was in the mentality with with coach where he's like hey we're going to go out there we're going to get a rhythm going we're going to go out there and you guys are going to just play so that's my mindset I'm going out I'm playing I'm playing and then for me we got taken out in the fourth quarter and so I was surprised by that because I didn't know we were coming out or what was happening that was communicated so in our head we were just playing and then yeah obviously Mike's ends up getting hurt which doesn't help us right he's one of our bigger playmakers out there and so it's unfortunate but it's not something that you

you could be like, I don't know, you can go both ways. We're like, sure, you don't play anybody, but then you didn't play last week. And so, I don't know. I don't know. For me, I play. That's why they coach, right? I show up. What do you want me to do, coach, right?

You want me to play? You know, we want to sit now, let me know. I'm thinking as we were heading to the Super Bowl this week, we said goodbye to some of our coworkers, our production staff. And one of the last things they said to me, because we had Justin Herbert, your teammate on the show last year, they said, and this was multiple women said if you see Justin Herbert

down there can you like you know maybe put in a word for us or get a huge ass. Yeah get get him like our number which you know is not professionally appropriate no yeah I wouldn't I wouldn't do that but I'm wondering like has that happened to you a lot as

a guy who spends a lot of time with Herbert that they're like trying to use you can we use you to get to Justin By the way we apologize for Greg we had to do this Look, I'm not out, I'm mingling amongst people where I'm in a situation where people are like, hey, give this to Justin type of thing.

I try to stay away from people, especially during the season, kind of live in my own little shell, so no, no, no one's asked me that. Herbert does seem to have a strange pull on the women folk. That is something that's an undeniable thing. I'm going to let y'all observe that one. You know, he's just my teammate in there. Tall, you've handled it very well. A quarterback, nice long hair.

But we didn't call these women out by name. No, but you know who you know who you. You are. You are one of the rare players in the sense that you embrace the fantasy community. There's an antagonistic relationship between players and fantasy. A lot of times when you hear these guys get asked about it and the abuse players can take online, which is garbage, obviously. But you, in addition to being arguably the most productive fantasy player, you love it.

You do a podcast with our buddy Matt Harmon. Like that is, is this like, do you think you'll be in the fantasy realm after you're playing days? How do you see this path? Man, fantasy is so powerful. And the reason our game is as strong as it is today is because of the sports betting world and the fantasy world. Absolutely, there's a fan base there. But the thing that took us to the next level as far as our exposure and things like that. And the loyalty is definitely the betting, right?

Like, I have so many fans. I have so many more fans that are fans because of fantasy or sports betting that are instead of charges, right? Like 90% of time people coming up, hey, you're on my fantasy team. I'm an Eagles fan. I'm a bear's fan, this fan, that fan, but you're on my fantasy team. So thank you. Let's get a picture. right and that's so powerful right it's so powerful to be able to connect with those and so

I found a lot of value within the relationships that I've built in the community that I've been putting myself into like all the branding and stuff like that and so that's why I've tapped into the fantasy sports world and it's it's so powerful I wish more guys would you got to look past the trash because there's a lot of it there's a lot of people oh I need two more points this out of roundhouse kick you in the jaw all this random BS you know but you get down to it you know especially for coming off a good season for me it's like man these people like are really excited to talk about you, see you want to take a picture. So I love it. We needed an Austin Echler back in the day when I was working at Roto World to really fully

embrace it. I don't think we had that. How is your relationship with the old Matt Harmon? Because we did work with him for a long time. And he's like a bit of a diva. Yeah, he's a new guy on the block. You know, Liz was there. She crushed it last year. She got poached by ESPN. So good for her. You know, Matt came in. And, you know, no, I'm just playing. It was really good. It was really good with Matt. No, we had a good We had a good time. We bounced things off of each other. We went to a podcast for him, so we rocked it again.

I love it. Again, you just connect the dots. The logo, the guitar celebration, big on fantasy and gambling. Eckler gets it. Forward thinking. Exactly. Can you actually play guitar? That's my last.

Yes, I have been learning. Can you play Wonderwall? I cannot play Wonderwall. Here's a guitar. Yeah, now's your chance. Awesome. Austin, before we let you go, what brings you? to Media Row.

Yeah, so I've been working with Sleep Number for like five years now, and actually 80% of the league right now, 80% of our guys are on sleep number beds. And as you all know, we're all human, right? A good night's sleep, right? It leads to, you know, good energy, right? A good start to the day, right? So you can get those walks in.

Mark hasn't had a good night's sleep in like seven years. So I may go purchase one of these ASAP. Oh, yeah. So the great thing about sleep numbers, you can customize the bed to your own fitting. Like you like a harder, you like a softer, like to adjust, like they have cooling, they have heating, all this. Like a modern-day craftmatic.

I was going to say, for Mark, is there a less nightmares mode? You know, they might be working on the psychological part. Yeah, I'm like, what does it all mean? Can you stop those thoughts from happening just over and over? All right, Austin Echler, thank you so much. Good luck down the road. Awesome. I appreciate that.

Wow. The beach bite. Throwing in that idea. Thanks, Austin. Good stuff, boys. That man, he does a nice job. branding himself Boston Eckler.

Yeah, I think these players don't wait until they're playing careers and to figure out what they're going to do next. He's got like four or five significant ventures already unfurling while he still plays. Is that another thing that we should be doing as well? Not if we're hosting NFL honors next year.

We have to get involved with, I don't know, NFTs or... I don't think that way. I think we missed that boat. I don't think that's... What about the ape thing? I think that's a problem as well. He did feel seen though He felt seen by you

I think I struck a chord there in a negative way No I didn't mean to I thought there were some individuals might take it that way But I think he looked at it as a compliment Like you see what I'm doing There's no malice to it I'm just trying to be There's not a lot of subtlety to it

A business Yeah that's fine That's where he could take offense But I don't think he I don't think he did You don't have to be subtle If you want to be business-minded In addition to being a great player

and he puts in the work. A lot of people say he's pound for pound the strongest man in football. You've heard that bandied about, so. Well, you know, he doesn't get the same endorsement deals that Justin Herbert does in others, so he's making his own way. Right, Beachbody never gave him a call.

I mean... Speaking of Herbert, he wasn't looking to help out anybody back in L.A. on the... There will be a romance from. Do you think Herbert needs a lot of help? It's not Herbert who needs help. It's the certain individuals that are back in... Why would Austin Neckler?

I wish for these. these females that they have all the fun that they can have with anyone, but it's like why, why would Austin Ecclure burn favors to help anyone in our media group? I wish you could have seen Travis's face when you made that comment about women wanting to have all the fun. You answered your own question. I wish well for them. If he does a favor for someone within NFL media, quid pro quo, bro.

Right. I think that would be the only angle that you could come. from. And quid pro, do not meant, this is a no Brett Farr of commentary zone on today's episode. Everyone's got to. Oh, right. He could sue us.

Exactly. It's happening around our sphere. Just be aware of that. It's all around us. I will be aware. Litigation is all around us. For some reason, okay. But you do have something to share a take, a strong take about that situation.

Go ahead, Mark. The floor is here. Mark Sessler, Los Angeles, California. phone number don't even attempt to set me up on this he's a gigantic human being what jersey oh Randy Johnson

Kyle Brand walking by and you're right he has been in that gym he is he continues to he's a bulky in the right way he's a bulky man what does that he works out any person this has a Friday show feel to it

for sure all right let's let's take one more break and then we'll get to some sandwich Props. All right, welcome back. Let's get into the Super Bowl preview. Sandwich props presented by Draf King's Sportsbook.

Our friends over at Draft King Sportsbook sent us the following same game parlay for The Big Game. This is kind of fun little data points for you. Okay. Specifically, Greg. Well, no, we, okay, I will listen and then I will comment. Okay. Well, that's why I'm teeing you up on it. Jalen Hertz over 249 and a half passing yards plus 115.

I like the running from the Eagles more, you know, even in a big game. Right, right. Patrick Mahomes over 324 and a half passing yards plus 180. Feels fair. That works. Getting a little extra juice there with the plus 180. Eagles over two and a half total TDs minus 190. I like that, yeah.

That's good. Two and a half TDs by the entire team? Over. Total, yeah. Well, absolutely. What's the odds there? Minus 190. Yeah, see, but you're not getting, it's tough.

Not touching that. Tough sitch. Not that you would. No, but it's just not, I'm not interested. Yeah. But perhaps some other people are. Always, it should be important to remember, though. We have a code of conduct and we have signed the NFL's gambling policy before every season.

I thought Mark was like scratching an inch. I said, no, no, don't touch that inch. No, to cycle back, that's what I was. I understand the policy. Anyway, odds and lines are. subject to change, so be sure to check out the Draft King's Sportsbook app for the latest. All right, let's get into it. Wait, Dan, what are the combined odds for that same game parlay?

I don't know what that means, but it's plus 475. Ooh, okay, so you've got to, like, attach them all together. Oh, thank you. Craig. All right, let's get into it. Sandwich props. Super Bowl 57 edition, always a integral part of our Super Bowl week show where we really kind of put ourselves.

out there with a prediction about the big game, and Greg Rosenthal, I'd like to start with you. Okay, I will start, and it's it's been a long season. I feel like you can go back and listen to our Thursday preview show for everything we think most important in this game. I hope so.

I love the Eagles. I love the high-scoring game. I love the running game of the Eagles. But we're here in the desert, right? And it's dry. I'm just chugging. My lips are killing me. I'm chugging that. water day after day. My lips are cracking. My skin is cracking. Getting like a semi-nose bleed. It's not great. And maybe it's been- Well, that's maybe a symptom of a much more serious issue and you must get

medical attention as soon as possible. I'm not saying it's a full-on, but like when it's dry out, that happens to some people in their noses. And it can't happen. So it could have been a long week. You came down here for the Super Bowl and you might open the wallet and it looks very dry. And that's why I'm just focused not on what's the most interesting thing to pick, but I'm just thinking what is the wettest thing to pick on Sunday. I don't care that that roof is closed on Sunday. I looked at all the numbers sent to us here by Draft Kings, and I looked at Isaiah Pacheco, and I looked at that rushing total, and it's at 47, and I looked at that Eagles defense, and I think Andy Reid will listen to our preview show, and he'll know that you got to run the ball,

and he's going to know that those pass-rishers are coming up the field and there's big lanes in the middle and Pacheco's running guys over and I know that roof may be closed on Sunday but it don't matter because it's going to be raiding inside a State Farm Stadium. Let's go. The rainmaker's coming out one last time this season. We've been on fire. Open it up and pour. It's getting easier for you to. to do this, which is both good for the show, but also stupid.

A little troubling about what is Greg's next career step. Although I think he's hit on an absolute, I absolutely think that that's an absurd place for him, for Pacheco to be at. Absurd. 47? Yes. 47 yards? That was the one in my heart that really jumped out quite a bit.

They do like to pass the ball in Kansas City. Yeah, I just think this is a game that sets up for Pachaco, but maybe that's maybe what they got going on here. Pachico is the hot kind of, everyone's hot in the, pants over Pacheco. Pacheco. Everyone's very hot in the pants on Pacheco. And this idea that he will be the X Factor, could be.

But Patrick Mahomes also there's a chance he throws it 52 times. And if that's the case, Pacheco is going to find it tough to get over that. Barry, what is it? 48? 47. Yeah, it's pretty good, though. I think it's a good rainmaker. But just everyone be careful with, because for Greg, it's just like, oh, throw this out,

throw that out. For you, it might be about whether. your kid goes to college. I need someone to go check, but I think we're five and two on the season, something very strong. And you know what? There's a big difference

between six and two and five and three. That's true. So there's a lot riding on the Rainmaker. Those are unconfirmed stats, by the way. They've grown out by the Rainmaker himself. They inflate every time we hear them. I'm sure I'm five and two. It's like actually two and five.

No, no. People having a home's foreclosed. Yeah. We started on a three-game hot streak to start the season. It's like, oh, guys. A guy came up to me on the street. and it looked like, you know, he's been in the street for a while, and he said, yeah, I love your show.

I can't listen anymore because I followed Greg's advice and they turned my phone off so I can't listen to the show anymore. Yeah, thanks to Greg, I have a bounty hunter chasing me down in the middle of Arizona. You never think about that. Zero accountability. With great power comes great responsibility. I mean, five and two.

You should be... Maybe. Mine's going to be pretty simple. I'm on record. I'm way out. there on a limb here that the chiefs are going to win handily on Sunday. This is a take that has put me in that position where it could look very bad or conversely, the old Sessie move where it goes that way and all of a sudden you look like you know a little thing or two.

So I'm going to continue to lean in that direction and we know how great that chiefs, that Eagles pass rush is. We talked about it, all the different layers and how they can get to that QB with so many studs. who just rack up pressures and sacks. And we know that Patrick Mahomes, even though he's telling everyone he's fine, he's not 100%. He's not as nimble as he is before he got his ankle rolled up on.

Did you know, here's a Mahom's stat from NGS. He was sacked for the first time in 128 scrambles in the AFC championship game. How is that possible? It went from the AFC title game last year to the AFC title game this year. He evaded pressure in the pocket or had a rollout of any kind. He was never taken down for an entire season.

He also has the lowest sack rate, 17.6%. And high success rate, 35.1% on extended dropbacks. So this man's comfortable in the pocket. He can get out of the pocket. You can send all your pass rushers at him. He'll find a way. What do we think about the Chief's offensive line? Give me one out of 10, Greg.

Where do you put him? Eight. Good line. Very good line. A historically great quarterback of evaded pressure. All this talk about the Eagles, Pastros won in this game. The Homes doesn't get sacked on Super Bowl Sunday. That's an onion hanger.

I think also it lines up with, I told you, about the width of their schemes, their offensive formations. I went out there with my own measuring tape at times. You also told us that Saan Reddick would be the MVP, so that... Loggerhead. That was... Legends! That was...

That was showmanship. Where I took it in multiple directions to keep the listener on their heels. That's what you do. You're about to do it again. Go ahead, bud. Are we saying if we're taking you on the? Oh, yeah, we never did that. I'm not taking Greggs because I totally agree with that.

This is why you're in last place. You always take everything. Just take everything. But I have done that the last like 14 times. But you're that confident for check-off. I will take you up on yours down. I'll take you on it. I'll take you on yours.

That's bold. As well. You were the winner this year, by the way. You did a good job. Here's Akbar rolling in. All right. What's up, buddy? I love Super Bowl week.

Akbar just jumped up. Goes to my gym. Really? Yeah. Speaking of not feeling. I would love to see, yeah, you next to Akbar, Gabaja, Bia Bia Biela. It's not doing any favorites. See you working out.

Yeah. Where are we at? 13 and 4. Look at you. In the sandwich props this year. I went 12 and 8. I'm happy. And at some point we should go over the over-under.

Oh, we also, by the way, we threw it out. Because I went undefeated on those. The over-unders? Yeah, that we did with Meena Kimes back in that. Oh, you want to do that maybe? You were pretty in on the Houston one, even though it was technically marks. Yeah. I mean, you know that Greg is tracking these by the hour.

It's on the Go Get My Lunch website, but we're already long today. We can do it another time. But it should be stated that we did remember there was some controversy about the Seahawks. We'll have a top five pick in the 2023 draft, and we agreed to throw it out to Instagram. and it was decided, where did it come down? It was pretty one-sided that everyone thought you did deserve your sandwich. I said I would stand on what the public thought. I think you did.

It was a bit vague, but we didn't parse it correctly, not in your favor, so you win. All right. Now, you, Mark Sessler, are up, sir. This is simple. I have been seeing this. I've been visualizing this for, for, weeks, even before I knew the Eagles would be in this game.

But if they got here, that the whole Philly Special business that we've spent years on, I don't need to, you know, wish- You mean the Philly Special thing that Chris Maddoog Russo dismantled? I don't like the Philly Special because they were going to score a touchdown. They were going to score a touchdown anyway.

First of all, they weren't going to score a touchdown anyway. Like, on that show was also called... Don't tell us. You should have sold him. It was also called a two-point conversion. It was a touchdown. Well, I don't remember the play, too. It was a game-changing touchdown. And what I am telling you right now is going to happen is because I think that that is a play that you cannot deny with the statue out front of their home stadium is interwoven in the sports history of Philadelphia for all time.

No one of course. So I think we all get that. The Kelsey brothers, when they did their show, Travis Kelsey has said the same that it's hard to understand the impact of that play and what it did for the Eagles, their franchise, the city, the whole thing. I think that you've got a whole new coaching staff here, got a bunch of new players, and it's not the kind of thing where they're going to look on that game and what happened in that game as a we-bust do it differently. I think there's going to be something special in this.

I had the Eagles winning, and I said in a Thursday show that I think they're going to win this game by a very special play. Now, for this prop bet, I'm going to go a little simpler because I'm always getting bit in the behind with my specificity. That's true. They are simply going to run.

the Philly Special in this game. I don't know if it will be a botch job, if it will be a touchdown, we'll see, but they're going to run the Philly Special. It will be called that. It will be noted. It will be tweeted about a billion times. I tend to believe this is outside of the bet

that it's going to be successful. I think it's going to be, I said on Thursday. So it could be run for like a 7-yard gain near midfield? Well, I mean, earlier in that game, Tom Brady had something that wasn't that far off and had that drastic incompletion that was a laughing-stock scenario. Well, what if it's like a variation on the Philly special where they update it and make it new, and it's not the Philly Special.

I think they need, I think let's... Is that the play call? I think the play call needs to be, I mean, you know, like the way that you can line certain players up, there can be little variations on that, but it's got to be Philly-Filly. It's got to be the Philly Special. You've got to recognize it as that. Well, I will take you on this. I think that's a problematic road to go down for Nick Siriana.

He's got to blaze his own path. Doesn't mean he can't come up with a creative play. I was thinking for my prop that he's going to have a huge fourth down call in this game that changes the game. But I don't, he doesn't, there's already a statue out in front. What, you know, if it goes poorly, either way, I don't like the idea of him kind of mimicking what Doug Peterson already did. So I will take you on that. Well, it's a good thing you're not the Chief's defensive coordinator. I would hope they'd think that it's in the realm of possibility that you dial that back.

It is, it does strike me a little bit as like the huge hit movie and then they go for the cash grab sequel. That's, you know, not nearly as special as the original. The purge, too, you know. Purge two symptom corollary. So let's, and also that does feel like that is the property of Doug Peterson and Frank Reich and Nick Foles. So, yes, I don't think you will get that echo. Now, if they do it, it's going to be a very cutesy nod to the cognizante. Yes, it will.

And to myself. Dan is frozen in place right now Which would be cool I'm all for like cool Twitter stuff on Super Bowl Sunday And we'll enjoy it and you'll have sandwiches Man I thought I really thought And you could see Mark is needing some sandwiches Because right now he owes a lot of sandwiches this season

So many I thought he was going to say that another play was going to replace it That and the helmet catch No you can't you can't replace it No I'm saying like top of that Top that and the helmet catch Speaking of the helmet catch, by the way, like Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning had a little bit in the NFL honors,

and they, I think, referred to the helmet catch as the most famous play in Super Bowl history. I do not care about that at all. How about Peyton was with you. He didn't like Eli getting that shine, but Kelly knew. I got Kelly Clarkson against me now. Implicitly on all things. Beautiful. Good work.

And that was the Super Bowl preview. Sandwich's edition, presented by Draft King's Sportsbook. What a week. What a week. Not over. I hate that play. You like that play? Oh, jeez.

It's going to be the gift that keeps on giving. And did he else Gravedigger? I do, actually. We got a video submission from Nick Weston. Oh, this was funny. Is it a cute? Nick sent it a lock for the Super Bowl. That's what he asked if he should, and we said we should.

Who was we? You, me, and Mark. You did. It's cute. You sent it in. I love it. I guess it's workmanlike. The lock competition's over, I guess is what I'm trying to say.

But if we got a chance to hear Nick one last time this season, fired off. Gentlemen, happy Super Bowl week to you. There's a few things I'd like to discuss today. The first of which is, Dan, give Marcus props. It's only special now as stood the test of time. It was a great play when it happened. Never said that was a case. at least on par with the helmet

catch if not better give the man as sandwiches on to this week the Venmo is in the mail. I'm curious why am I not in Arizona right now you guys have some pool with the NFL you could have gotten me a ticket or giving up one of your comp tickets

I should be there covering imagine the ratings you'd have with me right now on Radio Row with you come to think of it why am I not getting paid again Anyway, that's neither here nor there I'm here for you guys Just remember that always

Even if it's not reciprocated Anyway, on to the game Settling scores The Eagles will dominate this game On both sides of the ball The defensive and offensive lines are going to be too much They win by 10 points Take home the Super Bowl trophy

Lock that up Stunner A guy from the west side of Cincinnati picked against the team that beat the Bengals in the AFC title game. I think he believes it. A little bit of a rival

which is a problem for you but he also confronted you on multiple fronts. I would say A, it's not a problem for me on any level. I think he speaks for the people. He speaks for himself. I listen to Chris Mad Dogg Russo

in all matters of the heart and mind. I listen to Nick. I do like the idea that he is aware that we have comp tickets for the game and that he didn't get one. He's a word for next year. So something to think about. I gave him a comp ticket a year ago.

So I think it was more pointing at, Greg, what are you doing with your tickets? And, Dan, how about you? The NFL did it all about you again. Great job. They brought all the Wesleyan brothers eventually the NFL last year. What a moment. Maybe if he would align with my thoughts on various topics, he would have gotten a ticket this year. But I would kind of sense that he was going to betray me in his final dispatch of the year.

You have so many inner issues. No, yeah. My father-in-law, Watanabe's son, he wanted this Phoenix Super Bowl ticket years back. Watsanabe's son gets what he wants. I can't cross that man. No, no, no. He's going to come rolling in hot tomorrow. Sorry, Nick.

It was claimed in about, I think it was like 2019, he asked for it. We got it done. Where would you put your relationship with your Japanese father-in-law? Like, where it started to where it is now. I think it's full of incredible respect on both sides. No, I've had to prove myself again and again. Does he respect your career? Now he does, that I can get him to the Super Bowl.

No, I think he could have. And you've taken care of his daughter and, you know. He did ask me how much money I made the first time I ever met him. Has he ever said to you bring. And when I told him, and it wasn't that much, it was at Roadworld. He said, that's enough. Did he ever say anything along lines of you bring great honor? to the family.

No. That's like what you want from your Japanese father-in-law. I'm still waiting for it. In movies, I've seen that. That message was distinctly absent, apparently. Well, maybe this will be the weekend. Yeah.

Watanobi son. Watanabi son. I think the fact that his daughter lives on a different continent, that's a tough. It's a tough one to overcome totally, but yes. All right, let's wrap this up. Let's bring this in for a landing.

Yes, Watanobi's son coming in. Keith Hansis coming in. We got all friends and family. Yessica. Thank God, Yessica is coming in. Holy cripes. Imagine she wasn't coming in this weekend. He wouldn't even be at the show on Sunday night.

We'd lose him entirely as a human. He'd be curled up in a corner. But I'm very happy that you've found someone that you're in love with. Thanks. Me too. I believe it will stand the test of time. Me too. And I can't wait to see her. She's a great time.

And sometimes absence, you know, it makes the heart grow fonder. It's only been a few days. Yeah. Justin, like little cat and mouse technique. here, you know? That's a fair point. Cat and string. Imagine how emotional and... Electric, let's just say.

How enthralling it would be if you didn't see each other or talk to each other for five straight hours on FaceTime. And then she shows up at the hotel. I mean, Maron. Yeah, you would have created that natural absence that need to see you, but instead it's a five-hour-long convo, which I'm glad that happened for you. I mean, think about the...

You know, the explosion if they didn't see each other on a digital realm. But Grave Digger is like, I'm just going to pull the plug out of the wall. We're just going to start over. Next time again, I approve. Like when you, in hour four, you get to like, oh, what's the UN been up to this week? I think, you know, you get, you know, we're losing. Grave Digger's starting to not find this amusing. And I, we're not being amusing.

All right. Thank you to everybody for checking out all the shows this week from Radio Row. Next time you hear from us, we will be. at State Farm Stadium, talking about the results of Super Bowl 57. How cool is that? Till then, heed the call. Draft King's Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of Super Bowl 57 has all the Super Bowl action. New customers can bet just $500 and get 200 and free bets instantly.

Plus all customers get in on the excitement with Draft King's happy hour. Super Boost, download the Draft King Sportsbook app and use code ATN. New customers can bet $5 on Super Bowl 57 and get 203 bets instantly, only at Draft King's Sportsbook with code ATN. 21 plus in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction, void in Ontario and Ohio. Eligibility of deposit restrictions apply. See draftkings.com slash sportsbook for details in state-specific responsible gambling resources.

Gambling problem, call 1-800 gambler. In New York, call 8778, Hope, NY, or Texas. Hope, NY, 467, 369. Bonus issued as free bets. Opt-in required for odds boost. Bet type and amount limits vary. Eligibility in terms at sportsbook. draftkings.com slash football terms.

This is an IHeart podcast.