OverDrive - Harris on his perspective on the young players trying to prove themselves in the preseason, Sanders making his preseason debut, and the excitement for Bo Nix in his second season

Episode Date: August 8, 2025

Former Super Bowl Champion Ryan Harris joins us on a Mail it in Friday! Harris shares his perspective on seeing young players try to prove themselves during the preseason. He discussed Shedeur Sanders making his preseason debut and his excitement for Bo Nix this season.

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the more you save. Switch to Canada's fastest 5G-plus network today. For details and more great offers, visit a Bell store or bell.ca slash promotions. Bell, back to school, just got better. Ryan Harris joins us, the Westwood One NFL analyst, joins us here on Overdrive. Ryan, how are you, man? Nice to speak to you. Brendan, Michael, great to be with you again.

Are you also someone that gets as dialed into the preseason as my man, Al's brother over here? I know you're watching games very differently than he is, I'm sure. He's looking for props and overs and totals and numbers. And you're looking for a different set of numbers, I would assume. Well, I'm looking for players to make their dreams come true. I mean, the preseason is so important. And it's not just important to the players who may or may not make a roster, but it's important to the veterans who know what it takes to play in the NFL.

It's important for coaches to get used to calling plays and understanding their personnel. So I love the preseason. I'm not sure who was talking before you brought me on, but I'm right there with him. I was watching it last night. I think it was like 35 to 3 or something, but couldn't be more glued to it. And what you're looking for is somebody who's going to make a mistake, but then make a play. That's the professional you can win with. Well, you talk about guys who are looking to make an impact,

And, you know, I was watching the Colton Ravens game. And I think it was Wester. La Jante Wester made an impact in that game for the Baltimore Ravens. And I'm curious, Ryan, like, you know, what's it like being a veteran and watching some of these younger players who, you know, are long shots, I guess, to make the NFL or make the roster kind of have a moment like that in a preseason game? Well, and that's the thing. Is it a moment or a career? and you're happy for guys, right? Whether it's a preseason or not, let's be clear.

Everybody listening here, if you played in the preseason in the NFL, it'd be real to you and it'd be all over your Instagram, right? So let's not act like we don't understand what we all would be doing. But, you know, what you do know as a veteran is that as a rookie, you still, I mean, there's thousands of rookies we're going to touch the field in the next two days who really have no idea if they can play in the pros. They've done it in practice now enough,

but they don't know what a game's like. And it's something different when you go out there and you see the helmet paint of the teams you watch your whole life, and you still got to execute, right? You can't be shocked by it. So you're just happy as a veteran to see guys get through that moment so where they think they can, they believe they can, and now they know they can,

and the next step is whether they can do it time after time and continue to improve. Consistency does not mean do the same thing. It means constantly growing and getting better at your craft, and that's what you hope that the rookies can do. There's every reason to believe that Shadur Sanders believes that he can be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and can be an NFL superstar. The rest of the teams in the league didn't seem to think that when they drafted him and saw him fall to the fifth round.

But the Cleveland Browns are giving him an opportunity, maybe a little early, but he'll have the ball in the preseason tonight. What do you make of the whole Shradur Sanders situation, the way Cleveland is handling things? And do you think they're setting him up for success by giving him the start in the preseason tonight? Well, number one, I'm happy for Shadour Sanders, an incredible collegiate career with a less than incredible offensive coordinator, really put things together. Number two, there are things that happen behind the scenes that those of us in the NFL know. Some of it very wrong that was done to Shadour Sanders. And number three, he's had the perfect attitude, right? I'm happy to be here, happy to work.

He improved on his throwing mechanics. So it's one thing when all of us hear something or critique about our performance, the natural reversion is that person doesn't know what they're talking about, or I can do it my way. But what I like is Shadur Sanders says, okay, that's the word on me. Watch me change. Watch me grow. And starting a preseason game, it's not the best, but you do get to start. And it is a validation of the work that you put in in a couple of weeks.

So I think that Cleveland did a perfect, got something perfect. They got two quarterbacks in the draft, but they've got the most attention on them and they've had, you know, since they signed the Sean Watson deal. And this is probably the first good attention that Cleveland Browns have had probably in 20 years. So happy for Sodor, happy for the Browns, and hopefully for the Browns fans out there, they get some wins, whoever the quarterback is. With Ryan Harris, the Broncos up in your neck of the woods there, I think a lot of pundits like them to take another step after a good season last year with Sean Payton and Bow Nix.

What are your expectations for the group? Well, first of all, this is the first time that Bo Nix has had the same offensive, coordinator and same offensive playbook for two straight years since his junior and senior year in high school. I mean, he went to back-to-back playoff games at Oregon, and he still had a new playbook. So I just got done talking to him today and getting ready to call the game tomorrow night. He said the biggest thing for him is he can go deeper now on the offense.

He's not having to learn the terminology and formations, and then he knows what coach wants, and he knows how coach is going to respond. So he wants to be even more accurate than the 66% he had last year. set a franchise record for passing touchdowns by a rookie. So, I mean, his name is already in the record books in the Broncos franchise along some of the greats, like John Elway, who, by the way, had four passing touchdowns, I think it was, in his rookie season. So there's a tremendous amount to like about the most experienced and accurate quarterback in college history that put together a historic rookie season and got to the playoffs, and in no way is he satisfied.

And that's the big thing. can you not be satisfied with remedial success? And Bo Nex has answered emphatically, yes, he's not satisfied and he wants more. Ryan, what do you think of the people who say they don't want any more of the Patrick Mahomes show? People that are bored of what's happened in Kansas City. And if the way that things have gone for the Chiefs were, I mean, look, last season they won how many games where we said, they didn't really deserve to win that game. And every good team and every winning team has a few of those.

That Raiders game, I still can't believe it. That Raiders game gets me every time. They had a lot of those. And I don't think that a certain radio personality is in a small minority here of people who are, maybe have grown tired of the Patrick Mahomes show and the Chiefs in that division. Yeah, this is something I don't understand. You know, if you don't like winners, you don't like people who do it right the whole time. And sure, maybe the Oakland game last year was tough. And how about being a team that can believe throughout?

all of that, through all that failure to come out and win the game. How about being the team that gets beat up, but on the final field goal against the Broncos deflects the kick? They're willing to work harder. They're willing to work longer. And they're all in it for the right reasons. And last year they did it without a left tackle. You can't one year say, oh, the left tackle second most important position behind quarterback. And then they have Joe Tooney out there, a center who has no idea what it's like to play on an island. And they get to the Super Bowl. So their roster betrayed them last year. I think that, you know, Patrick Mahomes had his best play in the pocket. He continued to

improve as a pastor, and you had a tough last game of the year. So if you don't like winners, I don't understand you, and I can't help you there. Maybe you can be a Maple Leafs fan or something like that. You know, they need some, you know? There we go. Oh, no, you wouldn't get tired of the Maple Leafs

win in six, five or six, but you don't win. They don't win. They don't win. The people up here would not know what to do themselves, Ryan. That was answered like a true Super Bowl champion. Fantastic answer by you. You know, just don't understand it, but, hey, everybody's entitled to their opinion. I just want to see that offense explosive again. I think that's more so what it is.

Like, the last couple of years, it's been successful. It's been efficient, but the explosion since Tyree Kill left has not really been there for that offense. Like last year, they were like 15th, last two years, 15th in points. But prior to that, this was a team that was putting up 30, 40 points on the regular. Valid? Well, a lot of that is going to be. be personnel, right? You lose Tyree Hill, and yeah, it's going to affect

your offense, right? You lose a guy that they nickname Cheetah, and yeah, your offense isn't going to be as good. You know, Travis Kelsey's getting older. Again, you had some offensive line problems, and then defensively, I mean, they've been about stuff they can be, and look, guys, they beat everybody in the AFC, you asked them to, right?

I mean, they beat everybody they could out, and they lost to arguably the greatest and most respected player in current NFL history in Jalen Hertz and a monster defense that was, oh, by the way, on turf and not in the shifting grass they faced each other with before. So, I mean, they've done the best they can,

but I'm telling you guys from being in the huddles with greats like Peyton Manning, like Ben Rothesberger, they don't think about losing. Even when they're down 14 in the fourth quarter, they just only think about winning. Because guess what? We know how to fail. We know how to put pieces together. But let's go keep this together.

And that's what the Chiefs do better than anybody in the NFL, and I'm looking forward to them doing it again. Look, they've got some competition. In that division this season, I think a lot of people feel pretty good about the Broncos, some people feel good about the Chargers as well, and who knows, maybe the Raiders can be a real surprise. In your opinion, the Chiefs went in the division again? No, I think you're going to get the Broncos, Chargers, or Raiders.

I think enough teams now do not fear the Chiefs. And I think one of the things we talked about that Oakland game of the Chiefs last year, you need those games as a team like Oakland or last year, you know, split in the series again for the Broncos, you have to get over the Big Bad Wolf in your division. And once you're not afraid of that Big Bad Wolf, now things can start to go. So I think that's going to be really competitive.

I think the Chargers surprised me with how well they played in the preseason, you know, first game, all the things. But they've got to overcome a devastating loss at Houston in the playoffs. And I'm not convinced they can do it. So I think it's between the Broncos and Raiders. Ryan, is there like a door course team out there that could make a run at the playoffs that isn't getting any hype right now heading into the season?

Tennessee Titans. Everybody is underrating Cam Ward. I thought he should have came out last year. I thought he was the best quarterback last year. He's been lighting it up in training camp. He doesn't care about what you think about him. He heard Sederer Sanders talking trash to him while he was practicing for the combine and stuff.

So this is a guy who's built tough, built to win, on the team with a great coach and Brian Callahan. And I just think that the Tennessee Titans are not getting enough credit for the team they're about to put on the field. What do you make about these NFL preseason fights? I know they happen all the time. I know there's more cameras than ever. I know we're going to catch them more, and it makes

a very good TV. But we had a fight this week, the Patriots camp. Dolphins were fighting each other. I expect it when it's, you know, inter-joint practices. I expect that. But it does seem to me like we're seeing a little more, or is it just because the cameras are showing more, Ryan? You were in the middle of enough pre-seasons?

cameras cameras guys and look coaches are trying to get away from it but i'm going to tell you something else people forget there are things that are said before that moment right and they're not the prettiest things not safe for radio right you know you so part of the preseason two is getting where's your point everybody's got a price everybody's got a point and whatever trash talk gets you to that point hey okay now they're going to use it against you in the game can you keep your mental acuity while someone's talking about taking off your tattoos how you do that i don't know right So, I mean, there's all kinds of things, and these are adults. You know, this isn't like playing Xbox against 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds, and

you're swearing at them. There are real comments by real men about real people, and it can get you going. At the same time, if somebody's getting mad because they're falling down the depth chart and wants to push after the play or something against somebody like me who's going to start 18 games, we're going to fight because I'm going to show you right now you don't have what it takes. And so fighting is a part of the NFL. Fighting is a part of life, and it's something that has been consistent, and will be consistent in the NFL and every sports league

when you pit professionals against each other. Anthony Richardson got injured in the game yesterday, taken on the Baltimore Ravens. Is there more pressure on Richardson to perform this year or more pressure on Caleb Williams last year's done one overall pick to perform? Caleb Williams, no question. Well, Anthony Richardson lost the NFL when he tapped out as a quarterback

because he was tired. you know, maybe there's something going on that we don't know. I always got to give space for that. But Caleb Williams is the number one pick overall. And more than that, guys, I went and called their game last year against the Seahawks, and his parking spot is the first parking spot next to the GM. So he was one of the most sack quarterbacks in college. That's a staff that doesn't change when you get to the NFL.

And already, you're seeing the reports out of Bears' camps that are less than stellar. I hope I'm wrong. I hope that he turns it around and has a great career. But I got to call three of his games in college, and I'm seeing what I saw there. He's fantastic. When he's the best athlete on the field, he'll never be the best athlete on the field in the NFL. And I think he's slowly starting to realize that. He has to learn to play quarterback a different way.

I am very intrigued by the NFC North this season. I think AB you are too, maybe to a different extent than me. But I'm interested to see how the Lions play out this season because I don't know if I am in the majority or the minority of people who think that their window has closed. because Dan Campbell and that team doesn't think so, but I'm fearful that their best chance to win in Detroit has passed them. What say you, Ryan? I'm with you. I'm with you.

It's passed. And look, they should have been in two Super Bowls, if not for Dan Campbell calling ridiculous plays and key moments at the end of games, right? He's the problem. And I'm not saying he's the wrong coach. I'm saying he needs to understand he's the problem, that his tackle eligible plays that get called back.

He showed the world he was terrified of Green Bay, when he went for it on fourth down with the lead, right? So he's still playing wild card football. I think he thinks he's, you know, Brett Farve as a head coach. But the Lions are in the most competitive division outside the AFC West in the NFL. I mean, all three of the four teams in the NFC North could be in the playoffs, right? The Vikings are going to be there, I think. I think you're going to be surprised by JJ McCarthy, who, oh, by the way, won a national championship.

You're going to be surprised by Green Bay who finally now has some more receivers. and you're going to be there with the lines who have been there. But to your point, you can win as many and play in as many NFC championship games as you can. But if you start losing them all, it really doesn't make a difference. So I think Detroit's window is closed. If not, this is the last little stop before it does close, and they've got to win now. From one coach to another, I mean, this is McDaniel's cat to me. It seems like it always is in the media, whether he's saying some weird stuff to the

media or he's breaking up fights like you did today in practice in Miami with their joint practice with the Bears, Miami fighting each other for some reason. Is he the coach on maybe the hottest seat going into this upcoming season? I don't think so. I mean, players love him. He's productive. He's been to the playoffs. And look, there are tough places to play.

And I'm sure this is the same way for the NHL and Canada. it's hard to be focused in Miami guys, right? It's very, very hard. And he's still doing it with guys. And one of them, Tyree Kill got arrested on the way to the game last year, right? So he's dealing with things that most coaches aren't dealing with. I don't think he's on the hot seat. But I do think you have some tried and true to establish coaches on the hot seat.

I think both Harbaughs are going to be on the hot seat. I mean, if you have that production and performance again as the Chargers, I don't know if they keep them. And the Ravens, how long are they going to be a great team that's one play away from the Super Bowl? I mean, it's been 20 years, guys, 20 years, right? So I think there's a lot of coaches on the hot seat, but I wouldn't say Mike McDaniels is one of them. How much on the hot seat do you think Harbaugh is in L.A.?

I think the temperature is rising, and it depends on how they play, right? It depends on how they play. So, you know, if you can come out of the gate and lead the AFC West, you know, the first quarter of the season, you just want to see him putting distance between themselves and others. But you also don't want to see a continuation of the failures that happen at Houston in the playoffs last year. So hopefully it's an aberration. I think both Harbaugh's are great coaches.

You know, who's got it better than us? What a thing to say every day. And a heck of a creepy meme, too, from Harbaugh over there in L.A. So it's a hotter seat, especially considering the division and the performance. So I think he's pretty up there. I think he's one of the top five coaches that could get the. acts if things don't go well and even though it's his second year they've got to see improvement so many storylines and it's still august i look forward to chat with you again right and have a

great weekend man thanks guys have a good one peace the biggest songs in the world you've heard them countless times now learn the details of how they came to be join ruby car for encore the stories behind the songs you love. New interviews and newly unearthed archive footage make for a fascinating weekly deep dive. Stream encore, the stories behind the songs you love on IHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts.