NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal - What is no one talking about?

Episode Date: July 28, 2016

A room filled with heroes -- Dan Hanzus, Gregg Rosenthal, Chris Wesseling and Marc Sessler – break down the latest NFL news, including Ryan Fitzpatrick signing a new deal with the Jets and the chances Paxton Lynch will start for the Broncos. Then, the heroes discuss some under the radar storylines before wrapping the podcast reading more iTunes comments!Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comNFL Daily YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nflpodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Damashek here. Make sure you check out the new episode of the Dave Damashick football program as the around the NFL boys walk here into Studio 66. We just spoke with Greg Jennings, late of the Packers and of pro football as a matter of fact. Aaron Nagler from Cheesehead TV and Patrick Claibon talking all things Packers and the Ryan Fitzpatrick signing.

Check it out on iTunes for NFL.com slash podcasts. The Around the NFL podcast. Praise for Tony Romo's clavicle every night. Welcome back to another edition of the Around the NFL podcast. My name is Dan Hansis, and I am joined by a room filled with heroes. Mark Sessler, Chris Wessling, and Greg Rosethal. What's up, boys? Hey, Dan.

That money tag was special to you, Greg Rosenthal, your love affair for Tony Romo in full bloom in 2016. I'm on the Romo train. I mean, you're a big Romo guy. I am, but you've kind of taken the crown. In fact, I'll go as far as saying it's a little bit messed up because you've been driving that Ryan Tannahill bandwagon to nowhere for two years. You can...

And I've been hanging out on the Romo bandwagon this whole time, and all of a sudden I got company. I didn't necessarily ask for it. I've always liked Romo. I mean, I'm thinking of it back to the beginning of his career. That's when I really loved Romo when he came out of nowhere to get Drew Bledsoe out of the lineup and Bill Parcells is the coach. Those were fun team.

You love to see Drew Bledsoe. out of the lineup forever. Kind of, yeah. After I read some of the backroom dealing, he was trying to do in 2001, cut Tom Brady's knees from out under him with the coaching staff, and they said, no, we're keeping Tommy in the lineup.

Is this on deep background? No, this is in the excellent book, Patriot reign by Michael Holly, where Bledsoe goes into Belichick's office and tries to politics saying that, you know, these veterans, they're not going to trust Brady and blah, blah, blah, and he was like, get them. Wes, you and I, let's not say a single, word the entire show.

By the way, Wes wearing a hot dad tea today. We're in a t-shirt on Thursday, which is a little outside just on the outside of the lines. I'm a bad boy. I've got the beard going. He's got a beard coming in. Ironic, you're the only non-dad

here. I got a dad bad though. It's pretty nice. His forearms. Tomorrow, by the way, and we can't, at an undisclosed location because it is a private party kind of like how they have the party where they give out the Super Bowl rings every summer. It will be the Shield reflection slash celebration happy hour at a bar in West Los Angeles

for all members of the Shield as well as the front office. Hopefully, Mark, you'll be able to make it. We know you have a concert to go to tonight, and I really hope that Lil Debbie does not interfere with your role as GM because you pulled the Doc Gooden, of course, last Thursday for our title win. You didn't show up. Well, hold, okay. I need you at the celebration. Once again, family was ill. I was doing...

It's what Dwight said. All right, well, I was doing the right thing by, you know, the core members of my life, my family, but the event is not until 6 p.m. And I am off tomorrow, so I do not think I'll have a problem getting to the softball celebration. That's very good.

One question. Are super fans allowed to attend this event? On a fan-by-fan basis, I'd say. What about the boss? Oh, Greg Rosenthal. If you were quoted in the quang lamb piece that was posted on NFL.com, you're definitely in. That's good to know.

Yeah. Super fan. And I will point out, by the way, I should say, pull back the curtain a little bit, Mark, that I reached out to, this is not a joke, Lil Debbie's manager to see if she would be interested in an appearance to promote her show. Do you want to, you know, come on, you know, the most popular, most downloaded NFL podcast in the world and promote, you know, your crappy rap artist did not, didn't reply. Well.

So I'm taking a picture shot. You got to go straight to Queen D on that one. Yeah, you should have gone. She's pretty, she's very active. You could have gone. I mean, she's retweeted Mark like 15 times today. From what little we know of her? I was trying to treat her like an actual professional.

That was my mistake. I mean, at this point, she's, you know, seven hours away from performing. We have no idea what state she's in. The clues we've been given about Queen D is it could be, she could, her mind state could be varied. All right. So. Anyway, so I look forward to the full report. for Mark Sessler, meeting up with Lil Debbie at the Troubadour tonight. A lot of stuff to get to on the Thursday edition of the Around the NFL podcast.

Sponsored by no one, loved by millions. Behold it to no one. Correct, Chris Wessling. On today's show, we will talk about something that no one else is talking about. What's that? well that that's kind of the tease what is one thing out there and we're all going to go around the horn that no one else is talking about but they should be and if there's literally one person out there that's talking about this topic already that's trouble it's it's bumpkis is that what they call

it buckus zatz zats all right well that's challenging but let's try to so in this time of hyper narratives as all the teams report and they throw throw it out to the reporter, you know, at the practice field for the same update over and over again. This is what you should really be talking about. And that's what we're going to get into. Well, but it has to be something no one in the country has talked about at all. For instance, I'm going to be talking about it. Stugatz!

The Bill's, I don't know what that means. The Bill's fifth receiver battle, including Colby, Listen, B. Because no one has talked about that. Yeah, there's a reason. It has to be something that. Oh, God, Stugats is not good. Something that, yeah, that matters. Wait, it has to be about football.

Yes. What if we just go through every team schedule game by game instead? Predict each week. Who's going to win? So we'll talk about that. Something we haven't done in a while. You know, it's very important. I think part of the growth of this show.

And by the way, our subreddit around the NFL podcast on Reddit is up over 2,500 users now. So make sure you get involved with that community because we are plus. plugged in on it. Wes, I know you're an active member on it. I'm a lurker. Mark, I know you're a lurker.

Greg has nothing to do with it. He wants nothing to do with the fans. I wouldn't say that. That has nothing. That's not true at all, but there's many different. How often do you log on and, you know, peruse? Well, I'm saying there's many, I'm about the fans.

You don't have to be about the subreddit to be about the fans. Okay. So, yeah. Like that Ted William, the line about Ted Williams, gods don't answer letters, you know. Yeah. Now his head's frozen in the freezer somewhere.

You're paralleling yourself as a god. Right, that's the joke. Awkward. Yeah, so we'll check out the iTunes reviews. That's what I was trying to get to see what people have to say, both good and bad about our show. But before we do that, we check behind the glass with the Irishman. What's up, Brandon?

Dan, I'm not going to lie to you. I'm kind of sad today. Oh, what's that, bud? This is the first Thursday, and I don't know how long. that you know we don't have a game that's true that's a great point i had the same uh feeling of sadness wash over me this morning but it should bring you some solace to know that only one team gets to end the season with a win and that was us shield damn straight that was us and we'll celebrate tomorrow and reflect let's do some news

What a terrible beer. You don't think that has a chance. Of the six or seven things that you've attempted to bring back into the, that's probably the worst. That's never was here in the first place. I don't even remember that. None of us are even remember that. All right.

I'll just, we'll use it. All right, at the party tomorrow or at the reflection celebration. Ask me what I would like to drink. Dan, here we are at the. celebration what can i what can i buy you bud light i said literally no chance of that happening you're drinking a bud light i like bud light uh all right we'll start with the news and uh it comes out of um florham park and it is a team called the new york jets based in new jersey but they play uh and represent new york my home state and they're a quarterback and his name is

Ryan Fitzpatrick, and he has a new deal, baby! I'm walking on sunshine. Oh! I'm walking on sunshine. Whoa! And God feels good. Hey! Oh, right.

Katrina in the waves. Yeah. Get those pit stains out of my face. Wow. You bitter. Sad fool. A man that's never had a sweat a day in his life. His air-conditioned strawberry truck.

Oh, please. Living off the coast of Marthor's Vineyard. That's what a common man does. He sweats. He earns his paycheck. Just like Ryan Fitzpatrick earned his paycheck, Greg Rosenthal. He deserved this money. A contract worth $12 million with a chance to make $3 million more based on team performance.

It is essentially the deal that he's. wanted all along and he got it and it's to me as a jets fan first of all thrilled that i don't have to endure any more gino smith bits from yes you gregg and also thousands of people on twitter and i speak for all jets fans when i feel like the fun thing here is to make fun of jets fans because ryan fitzpatrick is not that good so why are they so excited about ryan fitzpatrick because Ryan Fitzpatrick was a quality quarterback last year, the Jets never have quality quarterbacks. You could say what you want.

He had a very nice season. He is well liked in that locker room. He's a good dude. And he is not Gino Smith. The Jets did not want anything to do with him as a starter. And that's why this deal got done. If they actually did feel confident in Gino Smith, Greg, this would have never happened.

They would have kissed Ryan Fitzpatrick goodbye a long time ago. But ultimately, they decided they needed to get this deal done. They couldn't look themselves in the mirror. and that's why Ryan Fitzpatrick reported to camp today with a big old afro and a giant beard. I love that picture of Fitzpatrick. I like Fitzpatrick, but I disagree with your assessment on the Jets plan. If there was any team in the league that saw Ryan Fitzpatrick as a real starting quarterback, he would not be on the Jets.

But the other 31 teams agreed with the Jets that he's not a real starting quarterback. He did not get the money he wanted. He wanted 16, 17, 18 million. That's what starting quarterbacks make. There is not a single quarterback in the league other than Ryan Fitzpatrick that makes between, on average, a total of $7.5 to $16 million. That entire gap, no one makes that money except for Fitzpatrick who's right in the middle because the Jets are value them as the guy who's right in between a starter and a backup. So does the rest of the league. Exactly.

Cudos to the Jets. I think the Jets got exactly what they wanted. They paid the right price. They played hardball and they got them back in at the right price. It was a good job by the Jets. But this was a compromise because the Jets were offering $8 million. And that was what we had heard. And that was pure backup money or I guess a high paid backup.

And the Jets and the Jets and to Ryan Fitzpatrick credit, he dug his heels in. Even though he didn't have a market, he still got the Jets to come up $4 million. And the incentive, again, it's performance base for the team. But that could kick it into $15 million. And then you're talking about the- If they win the Super Bowl, right? Which, listen, could happen. If that happens, you give every one millions a dollar.

But if Ryan Fitzpatrick wins a Super Bowl, they're going to name streets after him in buildings in New York. Who are getting goosebumps. That's exactly what's going to happen. But no, I mean, everything is in perspective as a Jets fan, at least this Jets fan. I know he's not the long-term answer, which another one-year deal makes sense, Mark. Well, we talked about, in general manager, Mike McCagnan, a month ago, it looked like this offseason for the Jets was, you know, a plane spiraling to Earth, total chaos. Now you got everyone you wanted.

There were people critiquing McAgnon last night, and Joe Banner was one of them, and he tweeted. Joe Banner. Well, I'm just, you know, listen, he's been in front offices before. Very dangerous for the new GM to be perceived as someone you can wait out and get what you want at the end. Do you feel that's what happened? I don't really. I think that McCagnan has done a good job getting the players he needed to get in the building. Didn't Fitz one a multi-year deal?

So maybe he didn't get what he did. No, he wanted the one-year deal. The Jets wanted a three-year deal where basically he was, they could keep him around as kind of an option 1B backup. And he said, well, I'd rather bet on myself for one year. And if I can repeat that season, maybe I'll get a long-term deal. Do you think that a year from now that their plan is they want, do they see Christian Hakenberg as the quarterback of the future? Is it just going to keep drafting quarterbacks every season? They love him to be.

I think in a perfect world, Fitzpatrick is again playing at this level or better. and then they have to, even though it won't be pleasant, maybe negotiate again. But if he comes down to Earth, which I think a lot of people think is what's going to happen here, and let's say it does happen, I can totally see them if they like Hackamberg's development, giving them a shot at next year, maybe against a veteran in a competition, hopefully not Geno Smith. A year from now is an eternity. Could you imagine if I told you on July 28th of 2015 that you're going to be playing Katrina in the waves

because Ryan Fitzpatrick re-signed to be the jet starter? Yeah, it's funny being a Jets fan, and it's a funny world, the NFL, because that Ryan Fitzpatrick, by the way, got about a 300% raise over his salary last year. So that's the kind of year he had, and still is in the lower paid echelon of starting quarterbacks or the lowest paid. But he was making peanuts because he was a literal journeyman, nobody, and then he had the season of his life. Well, and he's the guy who gets intercepted a lot, and I think he was very lucky to not get intercepted. intercepted more than 15 times. I think only Eli Manny has more interceptions per throw since 2009,

although, obviously, if he was like Eli, they wouldn't be disappointed. They did say today, Todd Bowles said, basically confirmed Gino Smith's not getting cut. He said, Gino's here. He's going to be our number two quarterback. Of course, there's competition if, even at, he mentioned Fitzpatrick. If it's Patrick or Gino really struggled or someone from the bottom really pushed to climb, you know, they could change things around.

but he said he's the backup he's stay and to gino smith's credit he's handled this very well the last four months he got jerked around a little bit and all this where he was just a pawn in this game and he could have run his mouth but he's and he's probably not happy behind the scenes but he didn't speak out and he's going to slide into that backup role and maybe he'll end up playing a big role in the season you never know this fitzpatrick thing can go either way I'm going eyes are wide open I know people like damasheck try to have fun at the expense of me and other Jets fans, but I think a logical Jets fan has their eyes

wide open going into this, but it was the right time to bring him back. Let's see if he can win some. Is this the best offense he's ever been on? I think so. I mean, those Bill's offenses when he had that one good stretch that he had some players on that team,

but the combination of Decker and Brandon Marshall is a no-brainer. He fits with this team. Moving on. Another new deal, Mike Zimmer, of the Minnesota Vikings, their head coach, not going anywhere. The team announced the contract extension for the third year head coach, the length of that extension, not immediately available to the public.

But Zimmer has 18 wins in his first two years. That's the most for any Vikings head coach to start his career other than the late Dennis Green who had 20. Mark, I know you're bullish on the Vikings this season, and you like Mike Zimmer, don't you? Yeah, I think that I said earlier in the offseason that after they this year that we'll view him as a top five coach. I think it took him way longer than it should and he should have to get the head coaching job. And he's very quickly made the most of it.

So this was a good move by the Vikings. That was a prescient statement by you because when I hear this statement from Rick Spielman, their general manager, there is no doubt Zimmer is going to be our coach for a long time. That tells me that they view him as one of the best coaches in the NFL. He reminds me of Bruce Ariens, guy that you can see why maybe he didn't interview that well. not a guy that plays politics is very honest and it took him a while to get his chance and he's awesome he and the thing is you kind of know what defines a mike zimmer team a tough secondary maybe with some veterans that are going to play over their heads a good defensive line and aggressive team they're stuck in a loaded nFC i really think the nfc is better this year that there's going to be better top level teams in the nfc it's going to be tougher to make the super bowl of the nfc you put them in the a of see, they're right there, maybe with the top teams. Greg is in his sweet spot.

What is? He's just, this is the whole world is before him the whole season. I just, I can see the excitement in Greg. Okay. Where is this coming from? Football's back, yeah. He's texted me again, and I'm going to have to, I see, this is a setup. I don't know, I'm at some point I have to shut this thing down because it's too much.

What, the bit or the text? The whole thing. Because, you know, for obvious reasons, but, you know, it's about 2.15 a.m. I wake up. From, you know, I was 15. Well, he sent it around. It was 1.48 a.m. I got this story isn't true.

He said, I wake up. Like, you weren't already up? No, I was asleep. Oh, I believe. 14 a.m. I believe this story, Mark. Go ahead. Do you want, I'm just going to read flat out.

There's no analysis here. It just says, he wrote to me, hey, bro, what up, my dude. I'm just sitting around the house drinking some white wine and looking through old vacation photos of my trip to Japan. Well, that checks out. Yeah. Really got me thinking about how much I miss traveling. I love to get on a passenger jet right now and fly to Europe and tour that region's rich array of ancient castles.

Do you like castles? I really like castles so much. This is what I was like, Greg is obviously drinking the white wine. I love human history and the study of architecture. Tonight I ate roast beef for dinner with a side of bismati rice. Yes, I know it's kind of weird to mix roast beef with a rice that originates from the Indian subcontinent. but I like doing experimental things with food. You never know how various platters will combine

to form a completely new dish. I looked out my window just now and saw a child flying by in a bike. I miss being a child and feeling free. Do you agree? See you tomorrow, fondly, Greg. I want to know what you're drinking before that comes out. I like how the text starts out in a very friendly, informal tone

and then ends in the most. former of all type of sign-offs. Fondly, Greg. I can't explain it. I will not be receiving any more text from Greg. What you can do, you can put it on silent or do not disturb on your iPhone. The real villain here are the parents that led that kid ride the bike at 1.30 in the morning. It's fair point.

It's Los Angeles. Oh, I thought that was a vision. No, I don't know what it was. Flying by on a bike like E.T. literally flying? Greg Moving on The Cleveland Browns They will not be wasting any time

Naming that starting quarterback Coach Hugh Jackson Told reporters on Thursday He plans to pick His starting quarterback Quote before the first Preseason game This according to

Mark's Paramour Mary Kay Cabot of the plain dealer What? Is that not accurate? I think that was the wrong word This paramour now is Lil Debbie I don't know. Oh, that's true.

Never mind. Former Paramore. Well, also, barrel on. It's completely fixed-tictions. I mean, that's ridiculous. Okay. Well, you seem a little frazzled by it, which makes me think it might be true.

Well, I was looking at something else, and then I heard that. So you're not dating or formerly dating Mary Kate Cabot of the plain deal? I am baffled at where you're going with this. The Browns enter camp with RG3, Josh McCown, Austin Davis, and rookie, Cody Kessler all in a competition, Mark, sorry for sidetracking you there.

Who is winning this competition that will be over before the first preseason game? I don't need the Walking on Sunshine Song here. I mean, I think this is, it feels like they're just going to give it to RG3 unless he really crumbles. Because this is an odd timeline for me. I think you need to see RG3 in-game situations, but what are they going to do? Hand it to Josh McCown before the first game. It's going to RG3. three and I don't really get it.

This sounds like a terrible idea. It reminds me of how Bill O'Brien played the Texans quarterback last year. So you're going to play RG3 in the last two years. We've seen him absolutely implode in the preseason. So what happens when he does that and you have to turn around and name Josh McCown? How many live tackling practices are there before the first preseason game? I think you only get 14 or something, the whole camp. So there's how many before then and you're going to make a decision?

To me, this is all Hugh Jackson. He's made up his mind that it's RG3, and it's almost like he wants to warn everyone and prepare them and announce the starter before anything can change that. All evidence that we have is that the best quarterback they have is Josh McCown. And, you know, I was vocal about this when they signed RG3. It felt like a terrible decision when it happened. Still think it's a terrible decision.

I think it's a train wreck. And giving him the job before it just, it makes me think they really are serious. They seriously believe that they're going to be able to fix him. And this is not a patchwork. They think in their mind that they have a chance to fix this guy and make him a multi-year starter. And they're treating him that way, frankly,

by giving him the job before he has frankly done anything to prove that he deserves it. It's a little puzzling to me. I agree. That's fine to believe it. But you still got to watch and see what happens. That's the thing. The writers who are watching the off-season practice

kept saying, look, if you were just watching them, you would think Josh McCown is the guy who is most ready to start, which doesn't surprise you. All you have to do is watch the last three years of games when RG3 played or Josh McCown played. Not that Josh McCown is an all-probe, but that he would- He wasn't their problem last year. I mean, McCown gives you a starter until you find your guy.

So maybe we're all wrong, and he's going to name Josh McCown the start. That would be something. That would be a huge surprise, right? Well, the way Mary Kay Cabot and the rest of the Brown's beat reporters have talked for the past few months, that would be a support. The timeline would be equally baffling, though, because then why wouldn't you have wanted to see the rest of your guys before you named Josh McCown or you inherited as your starter? I mean, either way, it doesn't make a lot of sense. See some games. I went into this camp with the Browns thinking McCown still has a decent chance to pull an upset because he'll just out play him.

But this quote makes me think he does not have much of a chance. Moving on, other quarterback talk, the Denver Broncos traded up to select Paxton Lynch with a 26th overall pick in April's draft and, you know, a lot of talk that he would need at least a year to get ready. He was a raw quarterback. But then there's Paxton Lynch, who's a real guy and a competitor, and he's looking at a quarterback depth chart that includes Mark Sanchez, a journeyman, let's face it, and Trevor Simeon, who, you know, not for nothing, is kind of in the same category. is our old friend from Houston, for me anyway. Tom Savage? He's a little Tom Savagey. Does he actually exist?

Is he just some type of propped-up 3D hologram of some sort, meant to stir up this quarterback competition a little bit? I don't know. I'm not saying yes or no. I'm just saying it is what it is. And so Paxton Lynch is saying, hey, I can be the starter this year. If you're going to choose between those guys, here's what he said.

I definitely think I have the opportunity to better myself and put myself in the position to play right away or sooner than I. had thought. I know these guys were going to be ahead of me just because of experience. Trevor, his experience in the offense and Mark, his experience in the league and me being a rookie, and this is the first time

I've seen a playbook like that. So, yeah, that's basically what you're saying. The only thing working against me is experience, give me a shot, bro. And then Gary Kubiak came out and said it's going to be an open competition with all three quarterbacks. They're going to get equal reps. I still

think that Kubiak has gone so far out of his way to point out, how green lynch is, that there has to be a purpose to that. But he also said on Wednesday that all these areas running the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage, that Lynch has improved. That was an issue in April and May, and now it's not as much of an issue. Even today in the first practice, you know, he came out after the practice and he said he thought Sanchez looks sharp and he thought Lynch's head was swimming after the first day

at camp, which is totally to be expected. That was the book on Lynch coming out of that system in Memphis. It was going to be a tough transition. You can't get much different than Kubiak. I mean, Elway has come out multiple times and said Lynch can and maybe will start sooner than people believe. I've always looked at this Broncos team as Kubiak wasn't afraid to switch quarterbacks last year. We could see three different starters this season. I just don't think that would be crazy because Sanchez is a master of working himself out of a job.

They're going to want to see Simeon at some point. And then maybe Lynch is ready later in the year. Who knows? I have some bad news for you, Chris Wesleying. Okay. One of your colleagues or former colleagues has been injured in a boating accident. Oh. I think I know where you're going with it.

Warren Sat made history Wednesday. He became the first Hallfamer to survive a shark attack. The former Bucks and Raiders star and former NFL Network commentator was bit on the arm during a lobster fishing expedition off the Florida Keys. Apparently that's something it happens. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Jack Carlson, a chartering. Captain who is involved with this mess, tweeted or texted with the Tampa Bay Times. It's simple.

He was lobstering with me, and a shark bit sap while he was grabbing the lobster. He's okay. A gross Instagram photo of a pretty nasty gash in Sapp's arm, but he will survive, I repeat, Warren Sapp will not die. We caught four-foot sharks off the coast of Tybee when I live there. Those things run on batteries. Four-foot's nothing. batteries as opposed to the sharks you plug in

you get a nine or ten foot shark then we're talking I mean then we're talking about Warren's sap really survives something Wes is basically saying to any of the sharks listening come at me I'm not afraid of you four foot shark this is slightly more than a mosquito bite it was a nurse shark too not the not exactly a bull or a great white I'm impressed Dan the research and you guys can check out this article well done on the Dan's new end around page which is

The End-A-Round project. A lot of fire on End-A-Round. So check it out. NFM.com slash End-Round. But a lot of research must have gone into that to go back, check every single Hall of Famer to make sure. Oh, wait, I heard Mel Hine might have gotten the bite. Maybe Bronco Nogersky.

Nope, that was just a deal. Well, some previous Hall of Famers have actually bitten sharks. It was actually, Greg, I don't like to pull back the curtain. In terms of my research and the work I do behind the scenes. But, yes, this was a post I had been working on for a week. In fact, I didn't even know Warren Sapp was being bitten. I just, I want to do some sharks. Well, right.

It's going to happen at some point maybe. Be ready for it. And then fortune shined down on my little blog project. That's the truth. That's what's happening in the news, guys. Nice news, Seg. End around project. You don't want to call the page.

What is it? Site? It's just the end around. It's a lab. NFL.com slash end around. um that's a thing i'm working on right now um all right let's do it let's talk about uh one thing no one is talking about nobody one person's talking about it already null and void you're going in the penalty box that's the glass where brandon's sitting looking at you mark you up first

well i'm banged right out of the gate because you know the vikings Yeah, everyone wants to hand the NFC North to the Green Bay Packers, right? Yes. Oh, Jordy Nelson's coming back, and the Vikings that, you know, came within a missed field goal of knocking the Seahawks out of the playoffs last year. Well, forget about them. They're going to come back to Earth, and it's going to be Green Bay's division. I know 14 and 2 have a nice time.

Disagree. Disagree. People need to realize. People are sleeping. What are people not talking about? They are not talking about the fact that the Vikings. The Vikings to me, I just said it, they have a time. Top five coach.

I think that they, one of the most improved teams over the last two seasons under Zimmer were from where they were then until now. They've got talent all around Teddy Bridgewater. They just drafted Laquan Treadwell to help the passing game.

You've got Mo Boringer there, the German sensation. Here's what they're not talking about. You can't bring up Mo Borench. Here's what the people aren't talking about. The Vikings are this year's Cardinals. They're going to be one of the most exciting teams to watch. Look at Wes hijacking.

point. Go ahead, Wes. We can agree. We discussed this at lunch, and so we actually did talk about it before. But here's the thing. That game against the Cardinals last year, they lost 20, 320. That is the blueprint of what this team can be, minus the loss. That was one of the best games for a team that didn't win all season last year. They looked fantastic. So you're saying there's a chance that that that team is going to learn how to close out those type of games. Yes. And nobody's talking. And win the division. I don't like this immediately handing the NFC North to the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings need to be paid attention to, and they're going to win this division.

Got it. So no one's talking about the other teams in the NFC North, specifically the Vikings, as real division threats. And the Vikings as a potential juggerna. I'm not sure if I... Juggernaut. Who's the quarterback here, Warren Moon? I'm just, I'm putting this out there.

I'm not sure if I would buy this argument. But I think what Wes is getting to in terms of their excitement level and the team that they've built slowly rising, there is an argument to be. made that they're going to be one of the top four or five teams in the NFL, that you think of the power teams, and they kind of fit that profile of a team that stayed together and could be in that mix. Now, I would throw the Packers in that mix, too, Panthers, Seahawks, Patriots, maybe those are your five teams, but that the Vikings have a shot at least to be at that sort of level.

Cardinals, too, so that's six. Wes, you're up. Here's something that nobody is talking about. That's the key to this exercise. Nobody is talking about the ongoing disrespect. for the Cincinnati Bengals who will enter the season once again with the strongest roster in the AFC and should be considered prohibitive favorites in their division

over a Steelers team that loses a difference-making talent seemingly every week. That's fair dog. You know, we talk about Andy Dalton as if he's some one-year wonder and that because Hugh Jackson's gone and Marvin Jones is gone and Mohamed Sanoo's gone, that he's just going to turn back into a pumpkin at midnight. but I think the fact is he made the leap. He's a franchise quarterback now, and you heard it when Brandon Lafell came in

and saw him during the offseason, compared him to Tom Brady for his mastery of the offense and how he leads that team. I think a little more respect is due, Andy Dalton. I think that's fair, but this is the chance for him to prove it, because he's going to start the season, like you said, with Lafell,

Boyd as a rookie as his slot receiver, and Tyler Eifford being on the bench, so I don't know who's starting a tight end, Tyler Croft or something. So it's not an easy start in situation. He's coming off an injury too. And if he is that guy who made the leap, he'll keep the ship afloat and he'll play well.

Well, we've talked about the Steelers and Bengals as a patriot-like in their just consistency organization from top to bottom. The Bengals, I understand the playoff situation, but they are the benefactors now of keeping their coach and assistance around and Marvin Lewis has a huge coaching tree at this point and the Bengals have to be looked at one of those teams

that year to year, they don't blow the ship up and they now have grown a roster through Marvin Lewis and a scouting department that didn't exist before into something formidable. There are very few teams in today's NFL that can just allow veteran free agents to walk and then immediately plug in somebody just as good and the Bengals have that kind of depth.

Think about their cornerbacks about how they really have like four cornerbacks including three that are their own high picks. They don't even have to play their first round pick because they have so many. Or Vantes Perfect, who no other team wanted. I will go to the NFC West and the Seattle Seahawks who for years, we never had to think about the running back position because he had Marshawn Lynch there and he was one of the best running backs of his generation.

He's going to the Hall of Fame. And then he got hurt last year and this guy Thomas Rawls stepped in and he looked just as good. Well, maybe not just as good as Vince. Better. Marshall Lynch. You're going to say better. All right. He was great.

He was tremendous. Then he suffers a particularly nasty lower leg injury that requires surgery. And I just want to throw it out there here. The Seattle team, they love running the football. And I know Russell Wilson's a superstar, and that's going to help you in any situation. But you've got to run the rock. And Thomas Rawls is not ready for training camp. He's going to stay on the Pupp list.

They don't expect them to play much in the preseason. They are really babying him, which makes me think that this. This is a serious injury, the type of injury that you really don't know what you're going to get out of him at the very least in the beginning of the season. But who knows how he'll come back from a nasty leg injury. And you look at the rest of their depth chart. I don't know. You can get excited about somebody if you're a spice rack type college enthusiast. Well, we know Kristen Michael.

Who knows if he'll even make the team, though, probably. They drafted three guys. Yeah, they got the guy at Notre Dame in the third round. C.J. Procis. But he's also dealing with it. He didn't play any spring workouts because he has a hip injury. So, I mean, I'm just saying there's a lot of uncertainty suddenly in Seattle's backfield for the first time

and in a very competitive division and conference. That's something to keep an eye on. I don't think people are talking about that a lot. Well, not to mention their entire offensive line won't return a single starter at the same position as a year ago. So that's a combination with the running backs. And maybe they'll be better. Tom Cable, you mentioned Mark last year. show as a great assistant. They're putting a lot of faith in him to figure all this out.

Maybe they'll be better on the offensive line. I would think with Rawls, though, that if I was a fantasy leaguer, I'd be very wary of taking him. Because who's to say that Collins or Prosses or their seventh round pick or another undrafted guy? Who's to say they're not the next Thomas Rawls? This is a team that might manufacture running backs. There are people who watch college tape and can see this kind of stuff. But my point is no one was talking about Thomas Rawls as this type of player a year ago. Who's to say one of these guys can't compete with him and at least share some carries with the guy who's coming off a serious injury?

Well, I'm going to have to call little BS on that. I'm not going to downplay Thomas Rawls injury because it's a major injury and he's not healthy now. But if he's healthy, he's quite clearly a top 10 running back in the NFL and these guys on the bench are not. But you don't know that. That's what you would have on Thomas Rawls. Well, when you read Scattery Ports that Collins is an average talent and has a 28-inch vertical

and a slow 40 time, you kind of doubt that he's going to out-play Thomas. Right. But my point is, if any scouts knew Thomas Rawls was Thomas Rawls, he wouldn't be undrafted. But you can't ignore what he put on tape last year, which was great. Legitimately great. One thing about Seattle, and it started with Russell Wilson, it didn't matter who else was on that roster. This is the month where they're going to decide who their starters are, and it's not going to be, it is, it's a meritocracy. And Rawls, if he plays like last year, should be the starter, barring someone tearing up the field. I mean, someone's going to have to come in and play very, very well.

Yeah, I think it's more a thought where one of these guys, if they emerge, especially as a third down back, like ProSys, you know, could split work with him, especially as he's getting back healthy. I think that's, I mean, Proces is the guy. He's, they have huge plans for him as their third down guy, passing down guy. And I, whether Rawls is healthy or not, Process is going to play. And to Wes's point, Thomas Rawls was tremendous last year, 147 carries is all he got before he got hurt.

in early December, but he had 5.6 yards per carry. That guy was moving the ball every time he touched it. We'll see if he gets back to form. Greg. I am going to talk, well, see, this is tricky. You really laid down the gauntlet that no one is talking about. Literally

no one. I'm not saying people in the business. I failed completely, I believe, at this exercise. I'm not saying people. I'm saying fans. I'm saying fathers and sons in their den on a quiet Sunday evening. No one could have talked about this. Well, I was going to talk about that. I don't think Jared Goff starting week one is a lock, but I feel like Steve Weish has started to hint about that. So someone has talked about that. That is something to watch that you just shouldn't

get it. You shouldn't assume that Jared Goff is just locked in day one starter, whether it's Sean Mannion or whether it's Case Keenum. It's really all about Goff fighting himself and expectations. If he can show he's ready to start, he'll start. And if not, maybe they'll bring him along slowly. So you are going to talk about this? I don't know. I'm so confused. I really thought you got more bold with this one. That there's very little chance that golf

starts week one. Well, I don't believe that though. I don't believe that. I don't want to overrate what happened in OTAs. It sounds like he was definitely not going to be starting if he keeps up his trajectory from OTAs. But you never know. That's non-padded practice. Maybe things are going to come along

quickly where he's practicing twice a day in training camp. You don't know. It sounded like he was not on that trajectory to start. It's pretty stark the reports that we heard from Steve Weish about golf compared to, say, Marcus Marietta in Tennessee last year when Mariotta was seen as a project and came in and blew the doors off. Even Wence. Wence is getting praise from all his position coaches, no matter what the red shirt nonsense with him,

give me a break. Reminds me a little of Alex Smith, who was not ready when they put him in, of Aaron Rogers, who really got hammered by the Packers' writers during his rookie training camp. By the way, so did Brian Brom. Right. So you just never know. You just never know. But people have talked about that, so I think I failed. I would have beat yourself up. How about the fact that the Cardinals don't have two starting quality cornerbacks, that they have really poor depth. Well, now you're failing because you're going down to a second time. No one's talking about that.

I don't even buy this. This is supposed to be a super team. Justin Bethel is their starting cornerback, and he's not healthy. He's not going to be back for three weeks. And he was their fourth cornerback a year ago. So if I'm hearing you correctly, nobody's talking about the huge Gerard Powers loss in their secondary. I'm just saying they... Give me a break. They've got the best cornerback in the NFL on one side. They've got Honey Badger coming back.

They've got Justin Bethel who did fine down the stretch, and they'll probably sign some veteran off the street. They know how to coach them up. You've got to get Honey Badger. I never knew you were such a Gerob Powers fan. Ooh, that's low. More of a Tony Jefferson guy. Do you have a third topic you'd like to bring up Greg? Don't do it, Greg.

Uh, yeah. Check out, uh, NFL.com slash camp battles. There you go. Nice. You can read more. You can more ideas there. Two bangers. When in doubt, fall back on the vanity URL.

Get your Greg Rosie. Get your Greg Rosie. Uh, all right. Good to say, guys. Before we go, uh, yes, we promised it. Uh, we are not afraid, um, to hear feedback from fans. Not just the good stuff. But we do.

We listen to, we read the good stuff, and we see it on Twitter, and it feels good. But also, you've got to keep that head small enough where you can get through the door into the podcast studio. So that's why we read the bad stuff, too. This is called iTunes Customer Reviews. Wow. Irish. I need to workshop that a little. This is from MKL-O-6, title pre-review grade C-minus.

But a five-star. So it's a bit. A former Cold Town resident, a post-postman, a tarot card enthusiast, and an NFL Japan correspondent get-together three times a week to bash the Browns and pronounce Jerrus Bird. Jairus Byrd. Jairus Byrd. This is a good one.

You ready? This is a true story, by the way, this one coming up. title i was far away on a boat five stars from adregeous yes it's true i was away on a boat when this was dropped on me a bob upon a wine dark sea we ran an iPhone up the mast a three g lobster pot and checked to find a squirming juicy pod trust me my friend said you'll like it

perhaps it was the time three weeks at sea with snorting seals for company perhaps it was the drink wine whiskey and rum until our pores grew pores and wreaked a dead sloth gassed swirled around our feet. Probably it was the companionship, two old divine friends whose words had weeks before begun to strangle cord around each other's necks. Into this dank space flowed four heroic voices,

which soothed like manly naids, all the white-capped nerves and creaking tackle of our sea-fraid minds. Greg is the will to rule them. Dan is the hand to shape them. Chris is the past to judge them and Mark is the future to guide them now years have passed back on land I have lost my salt

and filled the empty space there's always a place for them and there always will be Ghost written by Mark Salas I was gonna say no no that was amazing what who is this person I was gonna say get off the boat

and write out if Mark is writing him I did not write that so that's a great one yes that was inspired one ones ever. It has to be. But they're not all good. This guy. He lefted some of that from Old Man in the Sea. That was beautiful.

From William is Bill. He wrote it on the 4th of July. Seemed like an interesting time. Should have been. This is Bill being Bill. Says something about him. Title, they don't talk football. One star. They are great when they actually talk football, but most of the time they talk about things that should be left off air. It isn't entertaining or funny. The first 10, minutes of every show is a torture to listen to. It's very disdaining, considering this should be one of the best NFL podcasts.

But until they get a new host or get professional enough to actually talk football, I will be unsubscribing. Written by Greg. Right. I was going to say, that shouldn't count either. I want to party with you, William is Bill. Can I, a formal reply on behalf of all the around the NFL team to William's Bill. Go fuck yourself.

So we are very open to the criticism. Yes. Thank you for your feedback. I think I'd like better criticism than they have too much fun. Next one. It is what it is. It is what it is. One star by Charger in 1971.

Yeah, enjoy the team in L.A. next year, bud. Gross written by Bill Parcells. Middle class white dude bros talk about the local softball team and 90s alt rock, riveting stuff. I like that one That's good That's good That's fair

That's very fair You gotta give him credit When you're right You're right Best NFL podcast Five stars by Joe Q Thank you around the league Well that's around the NFL Joe

For helping fans Through their football Ups and Downs Dan Hansis You're my sports writer spirit animal Don't let the boss Keep your jet spirit down I won't buddy

Rosenthal You're as tolerable as a Patriots fan as one can be. That's nice. Keep drumming up the dolphins so maybe you can jump ship post- Brady. Wes, consistent analysis that keeps the debate focused when talking points become ridiculous. West of this was one of the funniest football holidays there is.

One of them. How many football holidays are there? Not the funniest. It's just one of them. Sessler, the Browns can't stink forever. Keep going with the post-apocalyptic creative writing pieces. You should look into narrating books on tape. You love you guys.

That was nice. Very nice. Right underneath that. Nope. One star. Nope. By Action Potato Hero. A bunch of nobody's socializing with each other,

occasionally touching the NFL. It's accurate. These are definitely off-season criticism. Do a couple more. Oh, this is a good one. Four guys who obviously never played football beyond Little League, one star. By the way, not a real criticism Because 95% of the people in this business

That played football Have absolutely nothing to say We at least have something to say Whether you agree or disagree They're mailing it in There's a mindset that if you haven't played football in the NFL You don't belong talking about it And we are not the podcast for anybody with that mindset

So Blake Bard I'm going to read your comment anyway But just know where to stick it Typical non-players who read stats and numbers and make horrible predictions year to year. It's pretty accurate. This is a Patriots, Jets, and Browns podcast. I have no team but really care very little about the Jets or the Browns because they are hopelessly irrelevant in the league.

Amateur. That's fair. Amateur comedy, this is written by Wes. Yeah, exactly. Amateur comedy mixed in with acting, condescending to the athletes. Nice writing there, bud. They make their parasite living off. all talented writers.

That was random. But of course, sold out for actually a low amount of money because their self-esteem is so low, they don't pursue writing original material. Find low-hanging fruit stories. Wow, this is just delving right into the written side here. Guys going right into it. Find low-hanging fruit stories and pretend to hate it

even though they shouldn't be talking about it so often. Very nice guys. I like how every sentence is like preface with the compliment, and then the dagger comes down. He's conflicted. He is, yeah. Very ambivalent. I'm not even going to read.

rest of this guys he made a lot of good points and some bad ones no that was fair though again these are these guys are doing a good job i don't think he i don't like being called a sellout that's one thing i've never been all right wise calm down finally art and science five stars andy just by the name you know it's a nice guy what do you get when you combine the comedic artistry and the hair game of the old zeuser the nostalgic prose of hurt and hope from the quiet storm and the scientist's heat of mailman and boss. It's a high octane-winning, duh, combo platter of first-rate analysis,

mirth, and genuine camaraderie. Five stars on the Everyman scale. I like the nice ones better, and all of a sudden, I used to like the mean ones, but... The mean ones are cutting a little too close to the bone, and I think it's... I think it's, you know, that's why. It got a little real.

There were some very accurate, intriguing things said, and there were some completely incorrect things stated. And, you know, yeah, I'm feeling a little hurt. My first statement to the first negative commenter, I will now, you know, that goes toward everyone else that's something negative to say. Well, I've got an open statement to all of the negative comments. Yes.

We'll give you your money back. No, we're handling us very well, I think. Greg. Bring it, yeah. Just keep listening. I don't give a shit. What's the matter? Keep listening.

Yeah, that's it for this week's edition of the Around the NFL podcast. We hope you enjoyed our three shows. Yes, you could leave comments on iTunes. The hashtag iTunes Challenge still going on. Oh, yeah. I went and just checked. We have 930 reviews. We've got to get that thing in quadruple digits.

The reviews. We've got to get it to 1,000. We're at 930 now. Okay. The challenge is there. Get it to 1,000. The iTunes challenge has been out. If you haven't left the comment

We don't care, good or bad Just leave a comment Let us know what you're thinking We might read it on the air And that's fun We'll be back on Monday With another week of shows As we get into the training camp

In full swing By next week And then all of a sudden Right around the corner Is the preseason The fantasy football extravaganza We have coming up In August

There's so much fun stuff Coming up, get excited everybody But that's it for this week Until then, this is Dan Hansa signing off for The Quiet Storm. Have fun at Little Debbie, buddy. Thank you. The mailman, the boss, and the Irishman behind the glass. Till Monday.

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