PHLY Philadelphia Eagles Podcast - Way-too-early Eagles 53-man roster projection: Are Bryce Huff, Lewis Cine on the outside?

Episode Date: May 12, 2025

Now that the Philadelphia Eagles’ roster is mostly set, we’re taking an early look at whether players like Kyle McCord, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, A.J. Dillon, Ainias Smith, Bryce Huff, Josh Uche, ...Azeez Ojulari, Kenyon Green, Tyler Steen, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Lewis Cine are likely to make the 53-man roster for the Super Bowl defending Eagles. Zach Berman and Bo Wulf break it all down and react to the announcement of a season-opening game against the Dallas Cowboys. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 In Hook, Tarek Castro Fields, Ben Van Sumrin, are these guys going to be on the Eagles roster? Maybe. We're going to give you our early, early 53 men roster projections coming up next on the P.HLY Eagles podcast, plus Eagles Cowboys to kick things off. What a season to come. Monday afternoon, P.HLY Eagles podcast, Bowulf, Zach Berman here. A show for the sickos. We're talking 53 men roster. It's all presented by the good folks at True Mark Financial Credit Union.
Starting point is 00:01:17 Zach, how you doing? How was your weekend? Doing well, excited for the show. You really hooked them with Max and Hook there, huh? Weekend was nice and excited for the weekend. I had big week. It had big week for Eagles coverage. Well, big news today.
Starting point is 00:01:32 Big news about what this Eagle season is going to look like. Why don't you break it down for us? Week one, September 4th, Eagles, Thursday night. Thursday night. They kick off the season. You were wondering, Was it going to be the Detroit Lions, the two NFC heavyweights? Oh, was it going to be the Chicago Bears, the up-and-coming quarterback?
Starting point is 00:01:52 Fun. Instead, we go with the big NFC East rivalry. They'll start the season. First time Eagles Cowboys opened the year since 2000, the pickle juice game. So it should be a fun one. I imagine an energized crowd, a great pregame and post-game show in PHLY. So excited for that. I imagine the Eagles, you know, in the grand tradition of selling the snow and selling the confetti,
Starting point is 00:02:19 they're going to auction off the opportunity for one lucky Eagles fan to be the person who gets to pry open Jerry Jones's eyelids to make sure that he watches as the Eagles lift their Super Bowl championship banner right and from him. Oh, I think he will. I think he has respect for Eagles. Oh, I think so? Jerry Jones? Yeah, yeah. I mean, if you here's public comments. You don't think they need the clockwork orange him and just pry them open?
Starting point is 00:02:42 His public comments are very reverential about what the Eagles have accomplished. What else is he going to say? I think it's more Cowboys fans would be, you know, you always have the Cowboys fans who come into the stadium. It'll be tough for them. Deservedly so. It should be tough for them, right? The Eagles earn that.
Starting point is 00:02:59 You win the Super Bowl. You open the season at home on a Thursday night. And then it helps you from a football perspective. It helps you on the back end. You get that extra rest going in the week two. Yeah. How do you feel about this just from a football standpoint? You know, a division game one.
Starting point is 00:03:12 You know what? Presumably the two teams at the top. Sure. I guess that's unfair to the commanders, but I would, I personally think that the Cowboys. Oh, don't bring that up to, don't bring that up to Anthony. Commanders. Because I said that on, it was, it was controversial today on Anthony's show. Oh, I just saying, you agree with me.
Starting point is 00:03:29 Yes, I was, I was saying, I like the Cowboys more than the commanders this year. You would have thought it was like blasphemous to bring that up. So it'll be a spirited conversation Wednesday night. We'll get to that. But, but yeah, it was, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, think it is a tough week one game. You know it's going to be a tough week one game, right? They're not going to put your easy games, if you will, there.
Starting point is 00:03:50 I mean, I think the Cowboys are an easier opponent than the Lions. I don't know if you love like a high leverage division game to start the season. I did see something online. It might have been Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk, who was saying, you know, because there's rumors that the Chiefs Chargers will be the Brazil game. And so they're saying maybe the NFL will lean into. to like division rivalries to open up the season, which I don't necessarily love.
Starting point is 00:04:16 I think there's enough juice for week one. You don't need to use a big division game on it. Yeah, that's true. But look, football's football. But maybe you want to save the really juicy, you know, intra-division games for the middle of the season, I guess. I don't know. Sure.
Starting point is 00:04:30 And but then it's the flip side now, too, because if you think about it, I was going through some of these Eagles, Cowboys games in recent years. And because the NFL now closes the whole schedule out with you know, meaning, at least the last two weeks, division games. Yeah, with division games,
Starting point is 00:04:46 you sometimes have these meaningless Eagles Cowboys games. That's true. So at least this is meaningful. Like, the stat that really jumped out to me is Jalen Hertz and Dak Prescott. We talked about this last year. They've only played against each other
Starting point is 00:04:59 three times head to head. Because, well, it's been injury, but there's also been, you know, there was that week 18 game in 2000 and 21 when Jalen didn't play. So you're getting some of that. as well. I actually, yeah, I thought it was even less than that. That's...
Starting point is 00:05:15 I mean, if you think about it, Dax played the Eagles 13 times. Okay. And, you know, they've only played against, you know, Hertz and Prescott have only played against each other three times. That's what, you know, I was getting, I don't want to say getting into it. It was nice back and forth. You can check out Anthony's show. Anthony is not a Dack guy.
Starting point is 00:05:35 And he's saying, how can you, like, defend Dack? And I said, well, look, if I just go with my own eyes, I've said, seen him start against the Eagles 13 times. He's won nine of those games. I've seen him have like real prolific games against the Eagles. I'm not saying he's elite, elite, but I think Dak Prescott's a good quarterback. And I think the Cowboys, I like what they did in the draft. They got your boy Tyler Booker in the first round. They got my boy, Donovan Azaraku in the second round. They got Franz Boy. I mean, my boy, Tyler Booker at 12 is a little bit different. But yeah, but they got Franz boy, Ravel in the third round. So they, I mean, whether it's Will McClay or
Starting point is 00:06:11 Jerry Jones or Stephen Jones. They're watching the P.HOLI Eagle Show. Thank you. I saw Brian Schottinheimer wants to be a guest on the DLLS Cowboys Show. Okay. How do you feel about people worried about shoddy getting to, you know, unleash all of these secrets in week one against the defense? Yeah, I find it uninspired. I found the Schottenheimer higher uninspiring.
Starting point is 00:06:29 Yeah. But hey, he's good for the brand. I saw him in the press conference. I think it was Clarence asks him a question. Clarence Hill from DLLS. And Schottonheimer says, when's my invitation to the podcast coming? So Nick, Siriani, you're watching this right now. You have an open, am I allowed to invite him?
Starting point is 00:06:44 You have an open invitation. Yeah, why not? At the third desk here, you can sit right between us, or we can head over to Studio A. Or how about this? I just wanted to do a Michigan basketball. Oh, Fab Five, back of trivia. You know what? I've lost him once.
Starting point is 00:06:59 I think I can beat him this time. I wasn't preparing, you know, I would read, I would read Mitch Album's book in preparation. Well, the whole idea. It has to be spontaneous. Fair enough. I won't read much album's book. But yeah, so I would love if we can get Nick Siriani here, talk shop. Okay.
Starting point is 00:07:18 The other thing about the Cowboys, and I appreciate that Jimmy Kemsky has made this a cause celebrity of his, which is that the Cowboys continue to weasel their way out of ever having to play a short rest Thursday night game on the road because they always have the Thanksgiving game at home, and now they get their Thursday night road game week one of the season. it's a good point and it's something actually the eagles once proposed a change to the to the thanksgiving uh tradition and and that's part of the reason it is an advantage that they always
Starting point is 00:07:50 have the thursday game at home right um yeah it's a good point by jimmy i i i don't have i don't know if it's if it's wheezoing their way into it i mean because i mean i would say it's it's a weas it's the same thing for the lions like the lions have it too and but i i i certainly see it's advantageous and it's not it's not fair per se to the rest of the league that those teams have it now the eagles will still have a Thursday game in addition to this right right but this does help you that week one to week two turn around yeah yeah um now this is the week right we'll find out on wednesday night we're going to have a special show on wednesday night the two of us with anthony gargano as well which will be a fun thing presented by philly sports trips what when when the schedule comes out yes
Starting point is 00:08:36 give me like the first two things that you're going to look for Because I know what one of them is and it's non-football related. So give me the first two things you want to see. From a football or just in general. In general. Well, all right, my sister's getting married in October. So I have never missed a game in 13 years, non-COVID. Shout out to Athletic Greens.
Starting point is 00:08:54 The COVID season, I didn't travel to all the games. But I've never missed a regular season game in 13 years otherwise. So 12 of those 13 years. And I hope I don't have to miss one this year, but I will miss it if it's my, if there's a game in Los Angeles or Green, Bay, my sister's wedding weekend, and I'll miss that. But otherwise... Very big of you. What a hero.
Starting point is 00:09:16 What a hero. You know, not all heroes wear Cape Bo, right? And then, but, you know... I like that you tugged at your jacket as you said that. That's very nice. But look, if you think about it, there are eight home games, Washington, Dallas. So, and then a buy week. So right there you have 11 of 18.
Starting point is 00:09:35 There's an 11 of 18 chance. If you add in a Monday game on the road, You can probably get the Buffalo Sunday morning probably. So I'm thinking my odds are pretty good that I'll be able to be in my seat on Sunday morning. Okay. Or on Sunday morning. Is that weekend? That's the first thing.
Starting point is 00:09:53 Honestly, you know, from a football perspective, what you look for is the short weeks. You look for the buy week. Yeah, when's the buy? Yeah, when's the buy? And then, yeah, the short week games. You know, what's your Monday, Sunday turnaround? That's something that I know teams always think about. about what's your, what's your Thursday game?
Starting point is 00:10:11 Is it home or is, is it on the road? The NFL stopped doing this, but if you remember, I know you do, 2012, I'm sorry, 2011, they played a Thursday game in Seattle, which is just brutal. And they got destroyed. Now, I mean, Seattle was much better than them, of course, but they got destroyed in that game. The NFL doesn't send you. Yeah, but I got to have a great, like, 36 hours in Seattle. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:10:33 Now, and I'll say from a reporter's perspective, what I always look for is, yeah, what's your, you know, what's the travel schedule? You want, now, you know, are they prime time games on the road? The primetime games at home? I prefer primetime games at home, honestly, because... Yeah, for sure.
Starting point is 00:10:53 Yeah. Of course, you're human being. You're not just killing the day. You know, then you have that quick flight the next morning. So I look for that. And then... You probably will get, unfortunately, some prime time away games.
Starting point is 00:11:04 But you know what? You want your prime time games then to be on the West Coast. So you'd rather the Rams game be primetime. Because it's 5 o'clock there. So it's not like a crazy turn. You can still catch that red eye if you want. But it's not a crazy turnaround.
Starting point is 00:11:18 But the prime, if it's like, you know, Green Bay prime time, that's brutal, right? Because Green Bay is not an easy place to get to. Anyways. So,
Starting point is 00:11:28 but from a football perspective, you look for the by week, you look for the tough spring of games. It is funny to think about, like the buy week is always the most important thing you think about. And last year it's like, oh, man, the Eagles got screwed with that week five buy as early as it could possibly have it.
Starting point is 00:11:42 And it turned out like not only did they win the Super Bowl, but that buy came in very handy for them. So anything we say this week could be completely wrong. Yeah, there's almost likely to be. Yeah, there's a commenter or a social media commenter who always, he says I promote my books too much. So sorry about that. I'm going to mention something here.
Starting point is 00:12:01 There's a book coming out in September. And there's a chapter on that by week. that I think is actually pretty good chapter. What's the name of the book? The book is called Leapier. Oh, that's a good title. Yes. And so, but I think the bi-week chapter is pretty good
Starting point is 00:12:18 because you're able to put a bunch of different things together. People can pre-order it. Oh, that's cool. Anywhere books are sold. Oh. Yes. Well. Online.
Starting point is 00:12:25 Okay. Not in stores yet, but it'll be in stores on September 23rd. Oh, got that circled on the calendar. I definitely do. Actually, that'll be a good thing to look at. Who are they playing that week? Are they playing that week? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:12:36 And, yeah, that is a good thing to look at. That's true. Okay. How about you? What do you look for? Yeah, the buy. The buy. Okay.
Starting point is 00:12:44 One of the primetime games. Yeah. Hopefully there's hopefully no Thanksgiving or Christmas games. Okay. Basically. Sure. Yeah. This year, I think they're doing, I think they have, what day is Christmas fall on?
Starting point is 00:12:56 Do you have that in front of you? Because I think there's like Friday, Saturday, Sunday games. It's a whole string there. Well, yeah, they want to take over. Yeah. Christmas is. is a Thursday. Okay.
Starting point is 00:13:07 So I think they have like Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Yeah. How would you feel about a Black Friday game? It's fine. That's fine. Yeah. From a show? I mean, I would prefer it not, but better than...
Starting point is 00:13:17 Better than Thanksgiving. Yeah. I actually think that'd be good for a show. I think that'd be a good show game, right? Like a good pre-post, you know, Black Friday game. Okay. Why? Well, you have college football on, but I feel like people will be...
Starting point is 00:13:32 You get a captive audience. Yeah, you have a captive audience. It's a day game. you can probably sell some merch, right? We have a black Friday deal going. We got a nice deal going on merch right now. It's a little spring cleaning going on. 30% off.
Starting point is 00:13:45 Check it out at the PHOI store. Up to 75% off the stuff that's already marked down. So that's an organic tie-in right there. Beautiful. All right, Zach, let's get to the conceit of the show, the main conceit here. And that is, I mean, what's better than a 53-man roster projection in May? And I got to tell you, like going through the second.
Starting point is 00:14:05 exercise. I am not of the of the camp like you where I'm like counting down the hours still training camp like you know, we need football. I'm going to enjoy this summer break, but going through this 53 man roster projection, it made me excited for training camp because there's a lot of, that's a tough mission for you. There's a lot of little battles. Yes. For roster spots that I find pretty fascinating. A lot of players who we, we saw last year or joined the team midway and I want to see them on the field. So this was a fun exercise. That's a great point. I I think there's also a different wrinkle to this year is that we've never had to account for a potential, or I shouldn't say never, in a long time account for a potential fullback roster designation and a potential return specialist roster designation.
Starting point is 00:14:49 Now they've had. Yeah, I was going to ask you, my first question for you was going to be what position group did you put Avery Williams in? I put them with the specialists. Really? Yes. Did you put them with a position? Yeah, I put them with wide receivers, but I feel like actually running back is more likely. He's going to have to practice with somebody.
Starting point is 00:15:04 he's literally listed on the roster as a special. Yeah, I understand that. But that's like that's their way of just, you know, not giving it away. Sure. It's a special thing we have. But when they go through position drills, he's going to be with somebody. He's not going to be just throwing balls up to himself and catching them. Yeah, but I suppose it's similar to like the Van Sumer and thing at fullback is you're typically saying,
Starting point is 00:15:25 all right, they're going to keep X amount of running backs. Well, yeah. Or X amount of wide receivers. You, an X amount of skill position players. Do you include him in that? Yeah, I see what I kind of. This is just from a. your tax on. Yeah. So the way I've always done 503s, and by the way, I'm sitting next to
Starting point is 00:15:39 the King of the Beats with the 53s. Back to back. The back. The only time it's ever been done. Only time it ever will be done. So I typically, you pick your 50 and then you just add on three specialists, right? And this year, you know, you pick your 49 and you add on four specialists. So you think that Avery Williams is a lock given the way that Nick Siriani was talking about about the owners meeting. I don't know. I mean, that's, but for the May 12th one, yes. He's on my 1253, spoiler. But the thing about this, and it's the concession we always give. We haven't seen them practice.
Starting point is 00:16:12 We haven't seen the undrafted guys. So you're putting weight on things that, you know, it's all going to change once you see them. But it's a fun exercise post-draft because you see positions where there are those competitions and where there are not those competitions. All right. We are going to get to it right after this break.
Starting point is 00:16:28 Our 53-man roster projections, we will start obviously on the offense. Dorian Thompson-Robinson versus. Kyle McCord, who you got. Find out who we have on the other side. It is on. What is that? That's the Memorial Day sale at Ashley. Save $100 off every $100 off every $1,000 you spend. Plus, get amazing savings on outdoor furniture. That's not all. Get 60 months special financing and have your furniture delivered locally free. Plus, with your qualifying purchase, get a free gift.
Starting point is 00:17:08 Save on top brand mattresses and get free local delivery. Set up and removal at Ashley South Jersey and Philadelphia. Visit Ashleyfurniture.com for more information. Financing with approved credit minimum purchase required. See some exclusions may apply. See store for details. Get your shopping on for that home furniture at Ashley. You know, in my 20 months or so doing the show, I've learned a lot and I've been kind of my
Starting point is 00:17:36 antenna's been raised to different things. And among those things, it's flooring. When I go places now, I'm like, ah, this is nice flooring. I bet you got this at Empire Today. Because Empire Today is the place to go. They are the flooring experts. They're dedicated flooring professionals
Starting point is 00:17:51 who focus on flooring every single day. We've all been to these big box stores where you wander endless aisles. Then somehow you're hauling all these materials home. I get home and I'm like, what am I supposed to do with all these materials, right? I need a stallor. I need to coordinate everything myself.
Starting point is 00:18:06 No, not with Empire Today. Empire Today is your best bet for new floors. They live and breathe flooring and they will be with you every step of the way. It's a whole different ballgame. They're flooring experts bring you the showroom right to your home. So you pick the right flooring and the right colors for your space. You see how it looks with your furniture in your house. That's convenience.
Starting point is 00:18:28 That's worth it right there. You get precise measurements taken and you have all your questions answered so there are no surprises. With Empire Today, you get clear up front and inclusive pricing, plus you can schedule installation as soon as the next day because when you have flooring this good, why wait? Schedule a free in-home estimate today because some things are just better at home. P-H-L-Y listeners can receive a $350 discount when using promo code P-H-L-Y. Yes, you heard that right, a $350 discount with code P-H-L-Y.
Starting point is 00:19:01 Restrictions apply. Visit Empire Today slash P-H-L-Y for full. details. Hey, did you read that story about the, what is it called? The life thing in Columbus? The life thing that, you know, the thing that Siriani is doing. Oh, like the religious. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Did you read that? I didn't read it. No. Okay. It was just at Ohio State or was it? Yeah, it's kind of gross, but we'll say that for another time. All right, yeah. All right, quarterback. give that a read. I see the billboard. Jalen Hertz, Locke.
Starting point is 00:19:41 Yeah, I would say so. Yeah, he's on my 53. Tanner McKee, lock. Tanner McKee, lock. Now, head-to-head battle. Kyle McCord versus Dorian Thompson, how do you feel about this? I'm going Kyle McCord here, and I understand, like, the draft pick investments, not so significant that you can't get out of it, right? Right. But... I saw them cut Clayton, Thorson as a fifth round pick several years ago.
Starting point is 00:20:02 And Thompson, someone who they did have legit interest in the draft. I mean, they brought him in on a top 30. There are tools there that shouldn't be dismissed. I just think I like Kyle McCord in the draft. I think there's some, you know, pop to his arm. I think that he'll have a good summer. So I'm going Kyle McCord here for the upside. It's an interesting one because these are stylistically such different players.
Starting point is 00:20:26 Yes. Right? And so you would imagine that like practice settings are probably a little bit more weighted towards Kyle McCord's favor, but he is a rookie. Dorian Thompson has been in the league for a couple of years. So maybe it's in his favor. He's a bit more of a run-around,
Starting point is 00:20:42 you know, make plays athletically kind of guy. Like day one of camp, who do you think takes the first snap with the third team? I was going to ask you that. I'm going Thompson. I think so too. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:20:54 But what I'm curious is do you think... But that's what they... I mean, think back to two years ago, that's what they did with McKee. I forget who he was going up against. Was Ian Book? Yes. And like Ian Book got the first reps.
Starting point is 00:21:06 And then McKee was like with the backups. But I think, you know, if things progress well enough, one week in, McCord's taking those reps. So how much preseason work do you think McKee's going to get the order? Do you think it's going to be mostly these two guys? Like, do you think McKee will get plenty of reps? Because I don't think Jalen Hertz is going to play more than like a series, right? Yeah, I doubt he plays at all, honestly. Right.
Starting point is 00:21:26 And so. Yeah, McKee probably plays a fair amount. But, yeah, I mean, last year, for instance, they played McKee a lot, right? They played Pickett some, but they played McKee a lot. They really wanted to get a good look at McKee. I'm guessing that they're going to want to get a good look at McCord and in Thompson Robinson this summer. Yeah, I think so too. I also have McCord getting my third quarterback spot.
Starting point is 00:21:47 But like you, I don't think that this is done and dusted. I also think Howie would probably love to flip Thompson Robinson if he could. I mean, yeah, of course he would. Sure. What's he going to flip him for? I mean, a seventh, you know. I think, if anything, you're flipping him for. a player who's not going to make another team, right?
Starting point is 00:22:08 I mean, they've, they flipped guys. I did not think they'd be able to flip. This is a drafted quarterback who has not, correct me for wrong, he hasn't been available to the league yet, right? He hasn't been cut. He wasn't on the practice squad there. But I'm saying he, so in theory. I mean, this is wishcasting of the highest order.
Starting point is 00:22:28 How he's known to wishcast at the highest order sometimes. All right. So no disagreements at quarterback. Let's talk about running back. Sequin, Barclay a lock. I'd say so. Will Shipley a lock? Yes, for sure.
Starting point is 00:22:40 No other locks here. No. Let's put Van Sermen to the side of the conversation for now. There are four other running backs on the roster, A.J. Dylan. Lou Nichols. By the way, did you think it was interesting that they released Ty Davis Price? I did think it was interesting. As to why he was the last guy standing?
Starting point is 00:22:58 Yeah, they're off the board, off the boat. Yeah, you know, they have certain numbers for positions, and they probably felt, well, they surely felt like. Well, it's interesting because they carried him for most of last season. Didn't carry Lou Nichols. And now Lou Nichols has must have had the, you know, the offseason of a lifetime. Yeah, good point. So you've got AJ Dylan, Lou Nichols, and then the two undrafted for agents,
Starting point is 00:23:19 Montreal Johnson, Jr. from Florida and Shun Derek Powell, who you guys discussed in that undrafted for agent show. Do you think that this is three running backs? And if so, who was your third? I've gone AJ Dylan. Okay. stylistically, there's something there. No, again, I don't know how his, how his neck is.
Starting point is 00:23:38 I mean, Andrew and him can commiserate, right? I know, Andrew's going in for surgery. Yes. Give us some thoughts and prayers in the chat. Yeah, AJ doing. But the good news is you're going to sign a big fat free agent contract next year, Andrew. You sit out the year and then play next year. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:23:54 And, oh, my God, the size of your quads, they're about to balloon. You think those two things are connected? I do, yeah. So AJ Dillon, when he's been in the league, he's been He's been solid, right? He's been in, he's definitely been a rosterable player. And so I gave him the edge here of the two running backs that they signed on the undrafted market. Montreal Johnson, you know, showed some juice of Florida.
Starting point is 00:24:19 He had that 70 plus yard run against Miami that stands out. A couple big runs against Florida State. There you go. So I, but I went doing here. I wouldn't dismiss Lou Nichols. There is a reason why they brought him back. I mean, there is there literally is no bigger Lou Nichols fan than me.
Starting point is 00:24:38 And I would discount Lou Nichols as making the 53 man roster. I think he's got a shot to make the practice squad. But I would be very surprised. You don't think he can beat out age. I mean, what if AJ Dylan just doesn't happen anymore? Well, I don't have AJ Dylan on my roster. Who do you have? I have Montrell Johnson.
Starting point is 00:24:52 Ah, okay. You're going with the undraft. You're working before you've seen him into flesh. Yeah, I mean, I'm throwing a dart here. This is, I mean, could not be more speculative. Sure. But I think this is a spot where somebody else can make the team.
Starting point is 00:25:05 It could be somebody from another team. Do you think that they will make another addition here? Do you think they're okay with this group heading into? Yeah, I do think they're okay with this group. I think they're bullish on Shipley. And I think they feel like Shipley can be a strong number two running back. Yeah. And I think that's part of the reason why they did not bring back gain well.
Starting point is 00:25:23 And I think there's a school of thought there. And actually, I probably subscribe to it, that Shipley will be a better number two back. than Gainwell. And so I'm in. This is good bait. This is the way to get Nick Siriani on the show. The more that you publicly castigate Kenneth Gainwell, the more likely it is that
Starting point is 00:25:43 Nick Sirionni is going to burst through this door and suplex you through this thing. Yeah, he does love him to him, Kenne Gainwell. I like Kenning Gainwell too. This is a good gambit from you. The two things aren't related, but Nick, you have an open invitation to come here. But yeah, I think that Dylan, if Dylan's right, this is a fine backfield. And obviously, as we've talked about, maybe they do take a bit off of Sequin's plate. And as we've also discussed, Sequin was more healthy or it's healthier last season than he's been in the past.
Starting point is 00:26:17 So you have to account for the possibility that this might be Shipley and whoever is that they're running back getting significant time this year. Yeah, I think from a roster building standpoint, a third running back is a fairly fungible resource in the league. You should be able to find guys. And so I think, yeah, let's see how these guys play in the preseason games. I'm going on Montreal Johnson, which is probably more of a bet just against, like, definitely pending in A.J. Dillon for the roster than anything else. And typically the Eagles carry undrafted guys.
Starting point is 00:26:46 So you need to, yeah, I don't have an undrafted player on my 53 yet. We'll get to that. I have two. See, that's why you're the king of the beats. Yeah, baby. All right. do you have Ben Van Suman on your roster? You buy that Jeffrey Lurie's wants to make fullbacks great again. So I do have Ben Van Van Sumerant.
Starting point is 00:27:05 I don't buy the Jeffrey Lurie part of this. I think Jeff, as I said on the show last week, I think Jeffrey Lurie was, I don't want to say pandering, but was talking to his audience, yeah. Yeah, I mean, he was chatting with John Ritchie. I think it was a way of like, you know, having a good banter with John Ritchie, good back and forth with John Ritchie.
Starting point is 00:27:24 I don't think the Eagles, like, Like, you know, there's this thought that, oh, he gave away this big seat. I don't think the Eagles have these grand secrets for Ben Samir. And I think it's going to be similar to what you saw last year. There'll be packages where you use him. But if Van Sumer is healthy, and again, he's coming off an injury, it's coming off surgery, so we have to see how he is. But there's versatility there, right?
Starting point is 00:27:42 He plays fullback. He's a key special teams player for them. Like, that's probably what you want in that role. You know he can step in if he, if you need to as a depth linebacker. So I just think there's a lot of value for him on the 53. So I did go him. I did go with him and I went with him in the fullback spot. What about you?
Starting point is 00:27:59 Do you think that he will actually like practice with the running backs? Even though they're, I know that they're listing as a fullback. I do. I think he'll be more on the offensive side of the ball than the defensive side of the ball. But do you think he'll still practice that linebacker at all? Do you think they are giving up on him as a linebacker? I think, I mean, this is like Shohei Otani, right?
Starting point is 00:28:20 I mean, just like that. You're going to say that. Travis Hunter. Ben Van Zumerman. I think that... Let's get Howie Roseman to give a James Gladstone speech about Ben Van Sumer. I would like to hear that. So I think that he'll take some work at linebacker,
Starting point is 00:28:39 but I think he'll spend more time at fullback. Okay. I mean, last year I said throughout the year that he's not a linebacker playing fullback. He's a fullback and special team's player who's listed as a linebacker because he, who's pretty far down the depth chart at linebacker. Yeah. I don't have him on the team. You don't have them on the team.
Starting point is 00:28:54 You think this isn't happening? Or you think? Practice squad elevation. Last year, like the Ben Van Sumeran fullback package is amounted to like two snaps a game a couple times. I don't think that that's in and of itself worth a 53 men roster spot. I think if they wanted to be Ben Van Sumer,
Starting point is 00:29:11 they can elevate them. I don't think the league is screaming down their throat to try to get Ben Van Sumer in. And I think there are probably other guys who can approximate that role with the tight ends. Back up tight ends. Yeah. I mean, I don't think this.
Starting point is 00:29:25 This tight end group is so strong that you need to be like, let's, you know, we can't afford to cut him. But we'll get to that. I mean, it doesn't have to be. I'm not keeping a guy who I wouldn't otherwise keep. Sure. Yeah. I mean, I think. Ryan can't just be.
Starting point is 00:29:39 Here, I'll put it this way. I don't think Van Sumer is on the roster specifically for fullback. I think it's his special team's value and the versatility. But I do have him. The first time I've had someone in the fullback spot, I believe, since Emil Eguanek, Aguanicu in 2012, I had him making it over Stanley Havili, I believe. Yes. We all remember that, of course.
Starting point is 00:30:01 Of course we do. Now, I'm going to just, let's just mention Avery Williams. You have him on? I have him on as well. Yes. Every Williams, if you were just tuning in and you haven't heard about this, I mean, Nick Siriani, the joy and the buzz that he spoke about, Avery Williams with at the at the owners meetings.
Starting point is 00:30:21 I mean, it was as if A.J. Brown had been added to the team. Avery Williams has been in the league for a couple of years, was return specialist with the Falcons. And Nick feels like this is the key to them winning the Super Bowl again. So he's got to be on the roster. He said, and have an offensive role. Yes, I said offense.
Starting point is 00:30:38 That's what you do. That's right. Boom, mic drop. Bam. Yes. Like, I said offense. Like, man, I just hoisted the Lombardi and wait until you see what I can do.
Starting point is 00:30:54 with Avery Williams. You think that, you know, Rahim Morris and before Rahim Morris was Arthur Smith, you think Rahim Morris and Arthur Smith knew what they were doing with this guy? No. Oh, we are very excited about Avery Williams. He's going to be a big return specialist for us.
Starting point is 00:31:10 I think he might even help out on offense. I said offense. Hey, man. So good. All right. How many wide receivers do you have? That was a fun, Avery Williams conversation.
Starting point is 00:31:24 I have everyone who's as a return specialist, but I should say. I have five wide receivers and I'm uncreative in this. AJ Brown, Devante Smith, Johan Dotson. Those are for sure. And then it's, it's wide open after them. Wide open. I don't think it's, I think, I think Johnny Wilson's on the team. Okay.
Starting point is 00:31:40 I would be very surprised if Johnny Wilson doesn't make the team. He did the dirty work stuff. Well, I think there's a reason to believe he takes some minor jump. And I also don't think there's anybody else of these depth guys screaming down his neck. So I think he's, you know, not a lock, but there's a bit of a difference between a lock and a true bubble guy.
Starting point is 00:32:00 I think he's there. A real quick Johnny Wilson thing. And in the chat, please supplement this or add to this if this is incorrect or if I've only told it half, half correct. I think I saw this on social media. Johnny Wilson's card, his sports card, is him dropping, his football card is him dropping the pass in the Super Bowl.
Starting point is 00:32:22 Like, because it's not like you don't know, but it's, it's him in the Super Bowl. Oh, that's very funny. Like in the ball coming to him, but he dropped the pass, right? And so, like, that's a tough one there. But still, yeah, I do have Johnny Wilson making the team. Okay. So then the rest of the guys competing for five or six spots, or one or two spots, rather. Elijah Cooks, who is a guy who's been around the league, spent some time with the Jaguars,
Starting point is 00:32:50 Darius Cooper, the undrafted rookie from Tarleton State. Danny Gray from SMU, the former third round pick of the 49ers, so you told us last year, Zach, the guys in the locker room said was tearing up practice. Terrace Marshall, the former second round pick, who was signed this offseason, Taylor Moran, the undrafted rookie out of Wake Forest. And then finally,
Starting point is 00:33:12 one of, I think, the most interesting players this summer, Anaya Smith, who had a terrible summer last year as a fifth round pick showed no juice, but was coming off of an injury. and they carried him on the roster. I think he got like one or two touches over the course of the season, unproductive ones.
Starting point is 00:33:28 I want to see if he comes back and looks like a different player because if not, he will not make this team. Great point. I have a Nye Smith on my 53. He's your fifth. But he is one of the more intriguing players. There was palpable buzz about him
Starting point is 00:33:43 in the building last year. No, I mean, there was excitement about him last year. I mean, they kept him. Before the season. Before the, before it. Well, no. Before camp. camp yeah before camp well they drafted him they thought this this guy a juice they kept him on the
Starting point is 00:33:57 53 oh i'm sorry they they carried him on the initial 53 then put him on i r so he could return they brought him back yeah and didn't yeah he had a bad summer he didn't do him much in the season to really distinguish himself even in that week 18 game like john dotson looked like he was a legit player out there. Naya Smith did not necessarily in that game. So anyways, I have him on the 53. I think this is a group that they can continue to add to. I think so too. But I went Wilson and Smith because of the draft pedigree here. I went with one that I don't really believe in. I am not going in Naya Smith. I wish that one of the undrafted guys had been more of a player or that they had drafted a wider receiver on day three.
Starting point is 00:34:46 But I'm trusting the eyes of the guys in the locker room from what you told us last. I'm going Danny Gray. Why not? 433.3's got some speed. They could use some speed. Talk about draft pedigree, third round pay. Yeah, exactly. So I go Danny Gray.
Starting point is 00:34:59 Okay. What's your what's your Go Deeks level with Taylor Marin? Um, not super high. Very like significantly sub Michael Campanero. So my, if I was doing like fearless predictions, I promise you, there's going to be a media availability at some point with Taylor Marin at training camp. You promise that? No, no.
Starting point is 00:35:24 And some reporters are going to be like, so is, is Britain Covey someone that you studies? Did you have you? Yeah, that's true. And he, you know, he'll either not know who Britain Covey is or he'll go so over the top in talking about Britain Covey that it's like, all right, you prepped a little too hard for this question. Yeah. That's why you're just thinking that the white guy from White Forest has to be a smart guy? No, because.
Starting point is 00:35:48 You know how dumb I am? No, because Fran said, this is your new Britain Covey. And I've been reading this. Well, no, but you're saying he's over preparing. No, no, because I imagine, you know, the PR staff does a good job. And they'll be like, you think they're going to prep him for that specific question? I mean, it's, it's, but what will crack me up is if the question gets asked and they don't mention, the questioner doesn't mention Covey's last name.
Starting point is 00:36:09 And it's like, so did you want? Watch Britain as if like he's supposed to know you're talking about Britain Covey. Because that happens sometimes. This is a very funny thing for you to be pretty angry about. Yeah, it happens sometimes. Yeah. All right. How many tight ends do you have?
Starting point is 00:36:23 Dallas Goddard and Grand Caceterra. I think we would agree are pretty close to locks. And then you've got Harrison Bryant, E.J. Jenkins, Kyle and Granson, Cameron Latu and Nick Mews competing. Numbers-wise, they don't need seven tight ends. I would be surprised if they enter camp of seven tight ends. I bet one of those guys gets cut. Agreed. Which one? Nick Muse?
Starting point is 00:36:43 Probably Nick Muse. Agreed. Sorry. I mean, he got to go to the White House. I was about to say that. Good one. HB. I'm going with here.
Starting point is 00:36:55 HB. HB. HB gets his, he gets on the 53. Harrison Bryant. I agree with you. I have Harrison Bryant getting this last spot. I wouldn't be shocked if they went with four tight ends from this group. But I'm sticking with three for now.
Starting point is 00:37:11 I'm going Harrison Bryant. Do you think there's any chance they still trade for a tight end or like to have one in the pipeline beyond this season? Like, you know, you're, you're possible to develop someone for 2026. Yeah, but similar to what they did with Albert. What kind of player would be available for free essentially who was going to matter to their 2026 projections? It's a good point. I mean, they did this with Alberto a few years ago. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:37:40 But it's a good point. Well, they didn't trade for them. Oh, they did. They traded for him. Yeah. And then they traded for him to make sure they got him. Okay. That's not crazy.
Starting point is 00:37:48 I mean, I'm just saying I don't know if Harrison Bryant is like definitely your third. Yeah, I agree. All right. Offensive line, which, I mean, you want to talk about fascinating.
Starting point is 00:37:57 Oh. Depth chart competitions. Like battles galore. Oh, you and Fran are going to be. I can't wait to watch these guys. So let's go with four locks, you know,
Starting point is 00:38:09 Jordan Mila, Lott, Lennon, Dickerson, Lane Johnson. I think Tyler Steen is a lot. For these, I wouldn't be like, like, bold over if they traded Tyler Steen or something like that. But not cutting that. He's going to make this team.
Starting point is 00:38:23 I think it's Kenyon Green's probably a relative lock to make this team. So that's six there. And I don't think there are any other locks. And it's an interesting group. So let's run this down. And then we'll talk about the competitions that are interesting. So the players involved, Holland Pierce, the undrafted player out of Rutgers, Darian Kennard, who was carried on the team last year and is a virtual guarantee Super Bowl championship.
Starting point is 00:38:50 He's been in the league three seasons and won the Super Bowl all three years. Matt Pryor, Kendall Lamb, Miles Hinton, Lakin Vacalahi, who gets that international roster exemption, Drew Kendall, the fifth round pick, Brett Tooth, and Cameron Williams. So this is an interesting one. It feels like, to me, the swing tackle spot. a competition between Kendall Lamb, Darren Kinnard, and Matt Pryor. Is that fair to say?
Starting point is 00:39:19 Ooh, you don't think Hinton can push to be the... I don't think that they're going to view Hinton as a... Game Day guy. As a game day guy right away. Okay. I think the developmental guys is a separate roster spot. Yeah, all right, that's a good... That's an interesting one there too.
Starting point is 00:39:35 Yeah, I think those are the candidates for sure. Now, I don't quite know what to make of the... Lam prior signings because that was obviously done before the draft. I think that was the draft proof of you there. But then they add to that position. Yeah. They add to tackle. So lamb 32 years old, a little bit older, but but legit capable swing tackle who can
Starting point is 00:39:57 play on both sides. I think he is your he is your baseline there. I think prior is is more of a guard. Yeah, that's what I was. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. But he gives you some flex. He's probably not someone you're putting it left tackle either. Right.
Starting point is 00:40:08 And then Conard, you know, presumably this. is what they kept him for was to be this year's precisely exactly and maybe you know lamb is the bar for him to clear yeah uh so do you want my answer there sure i want canard yeah i went canard too okay just at this at this early uh point
Starting point is 00:40:26 but i think that's i think that's a good battle to watch uh now how many other guys do you have making it i have because you've got you've got kegan who's got to prove that he can play who didn't wasn't asked to play last year um i've you've got the rookies in Hinton and Cameron Williams on the outside. You've got Drew Kendall.
Starting point is 00:40:46 Can he be ready to be a game day active? And then you've got the holdovers like Keegan and Holland Pierce as well. Sure. So I have Kenyon Green as my starter on my list. And again, I'm not married. I think that's a legit competition. I'm not married to that. But I have Tyler Steen, Drew Kendall, Miles Hinton,
Starting point is 00:41:03 Trevor Keegan, and Dary and Kennard. So I erred on the side of young developmental players here as opposed to the veterans that might be a poor decision to go with because there is a reason why they signed Kendall Lamb and Matt Pryor. The Eagles didn't go out and sign 30 plus old players at other spots. Clearly, Jeff Stoutland wanted like some type of, you know, assurance at these spots here. But I don't have Cameron Williams here because I think Cameron Williams is going to be your injury redshirt player. I could be wrong there.
Starting point is 00:41:33 You're going to whack him on the knee? They're going to pump for him, right? They're going to, I mean, there's going to be. a back injury or a hamstring injury or something. Yeah, I mean, I... Predicting subterfuge. I mean, look, I lost my 53 last year because you said they were doing that with Trevor Keegan. They should have done that.
Starting point is 00:41:52 I was doing great. And then you were like... Don't blame it on me. Yeah. You talk, I mean, you're the king of the beach. You talked me into that. I'm like, well, you know, I was trying to be howlily. I was gathering information from reliable places.
Starting point is 00:42:04 And... Don't blame me for your failures. So I went with, uh, I went with Keegan and, oh, I put, Keegan on I are. That's what they should have done. Yeah. So there's a reason why they kept Keegan around last year. I don't know if he's going to for sure be on this team. Yeah. He's another player where I'm very interested to see what he looks like this year compared to last year. But they're more tackle heavy than guard heavy. So now I know I know Kinnard can play inside prior. Obviously it has has the guard background. But I, I'm just I got a smile on my face
Starting point is 00:42:35 now trying to think about what the second team offensive line is going to be on the one of camp. The things that do it for you, man. I think it's going to be. Are you with me on Kendall, by the way? That he's going to be on the team? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Kendall or Keegan?
Starting point is 00:42:48 No, Kendall. Yeah. He's the first one. Exactly. I think he's going to be on the team. But let me think about the second team O' line because that's really exciting stuff. Like do they lead, do they go tooth at center or do they let Drew Kendall be the second team center? I'm going to say they let Drew Kendall be the second team center.
Starting point is 00:43:03 You'll have, you'll have Kenyon Green at right guard. You will have Dary and Kinnard at right tackle. you will have Trevor Keegan at left guard and Kendall Lamb at left tackle. I think you nailed it. Look at that. You nailed it. I have 11 offensive linemen making the case. Of course you did.
Starting point is 00:43:21 I have this as like the last, my very last roster spot went to Cameron Williams. So I have Cam Juergens, Kenan Green, Lennon Dickerson, Trevor Keegan, Darian Kennard, Tyler Steen, Miles Hinton, Lane Johnson, Drew Kendall, Jordan Milata, Cameron Williams. They all make it. You know what? I probably should.
Starting point is 00:43:36 Like, I don't think Cameron Williams is going to get cut. I think Cameron Williams is going to be in the building. But I think it'll be more of a Milata situation. My lot of his working, not to say the two are similar, but I think this is one where they want him around four next year. All right. We will get to the defense just after this break from our sponsor. A lottery party tonight, Zach.
Starting point is 00:44:01 What's your prediction? Man, I've been spending too much time thinking about this. Yeah? Yeah. I'm going sixers. Staying at six. Okay. set the state from here. If they go below six,
Starting point is 00:44:17 they lose the pick? Okay. Okay. But they have, they have like a 10% chance of one, two, and three and four, I believe. And they have like a 14% chance of of six. They don't have as good a chance of five. And then they have
Starting point is 00:44:33 a 40 plus percent chance of losing the pick altogether, right? Very exciting stuff. And it's interesting hearing Darrell Morey speak. Like, it's such a good way of spinning. He's like, he's like, so we either get the pick this year or next year, right? That's how he's talking about it. Because if they keep it this year, then Oklahoma City definitely gets it next year.
Starting point is 00:44:57 So he's like, so, you know, we, so it's out of this year or next year that, you know, we've got the draft, right? Where it's like these stakes are considerably different. Yeah. And I bring this up because whether you are celebrating or drinking away your sorrows, tonight's going to be a good night to suck back a few PAPS lights, because PAPS, Because Papp's Light is a new light modern beer from the Paps Brewing Company. It's 96 calories, 3 and a half carbs, and full of crisp and refreshing flavor.
Starting point is 00:45:24 At Paps Light, they used high quality ingredients so you can get that high quality beer at a smart, approachable price. And it retains the fun and independent spirit Pabst is known for. But it's a light. Learn more about the new Paps Light at papslight.com. Please drink responsibly. Must be 21 or older. Boe mentioned this earlier. I can't wait for Wednesday night. Because we have this NFL schedule release show.
Starting point is 00:45:48 We're hosting a special extra show presented by our friends at Philly Sports trips. They do a great job, by the way. I see them on the road. It's a great place to travel to Eagles games with. They take care of everything for you. But Wednesday night, May 14th, coverage kicking off at 7.30, 30 minutes into the show. We will tell you every single game. When, where, okay?
Starting point is 00:46:12 Who? Who? Of course. Why? Well, we already know who. What? Yeah, but look, you don't need us on the second screen. Make this your primary screen.
Starting point is 00:46:23 There's no analysis you're getting on the national networks like what you'll be getting from Bowulf, from Anthony Gargano, and from me on Wednesday night at 7.30. Tune in to see us react to the matchups that are coming for the reigning Super Bowl champion, Philadelphia Eagles. Again, the NFL schedule extra show will be hailed on Wednesday. Wednesday, May 14th beginning at 7.30 p.m. Can I ask you something real quick? After this, because that's your chance to watch us,
Starting point is 00:46:51 but your chance to hang with us. Well, that comes on June 14th at Valleybrook Country Club for the second annual PHLY Liberty Open. The golf tournament presented by Xfinity. Xfinity combines the power of internet and mobile in an all-in-one plan. You can get lightning fast speeds at home and a secure network on the go.
Starting point is 00:47:10 Restrictions apply. Xfinity Internet required actual speeds vary. And as for the golf tournament, four-person scramble includes a limited edition PHLY golf tea, prizes and post-round dinner and draft beer, along with a great raffle, including Philly, visit all phly.com slash events to learn more and purchase on an individual or for some reservation for the tournament. Diehard members are eligible to save $50 on a foursome terms and conditions apply. Zach, go ahead. Was your question about foursomes? No, it was not.
Starting point is 00:47:44 Nor shotgun starts, which means everyone starts at the same time. My question was about the lottery. I asked this to Jamie last week. Do you think the NFL should have a lottery? Not really, but I'm not opposed to it. It's probably Roger could steal a bunch of views that way. It's a good way to build in one more event to the calendar. Yeah, what do you think of the pitter-patter of the schedule release?
Starting point is 00:48:10 Three games announced today. I don't know what at some point today, Fox and Amazon are going to announce games. There's like Netflix is going to announce games tomorrow. There's just this pitter pattern. But you love the bifurcated schedule. You love all the different options to watch a game. Can't just subscribe to one thing to watch football. We don't need to get that.
Starting point is 00:48:28 I don't love it. I'm saying that's the reality of the world we live in. It's two separate conversations. It's technology. Okay. But I mean, I am curious if you think there should be a lottery. I don't necessarily think there's tanking in the NFL. So you're not dealing with.
Starting point is 00:48:46 the same thing, but it does provide it provides some variability to it. And it's not, it's not just like, if the Saints stink this year, they got the number one pick and they get a chance to change their franchise. Yeah. I don't feel strongly about it. I don't think it's,
Starting point is 00:49:02 I don't think it's broken in the NFL like it might be in the NBA. I've always wanted instead of a lottery. I've always wanted it to be that in all these sports, some type of sister. where the best teams that don't make the playoffs get the top,
Starting point is 00:49:21 get the first pick. And you go from there. What's that? That's not good either. No, because I want you to try, well, because then teams might be trying to lose not to get the eight seed you're saying.
Starting point is 00:49:30 Well, yeah, but it also, then you're not creating parity. You're going to have teams that are terrible for a long time. I like the, I like the Danes idea. And we're going to talk to Danis a couple times this week of you.
Starting point is 00:49:42 It's, you're rewarding basically games won after you've been mathematical. Okay, yeah. So you're incentivizing teams to still try. Yeah, okay. I like that. But it's not just, you know, the best team we didn't make the playoffs gets the first pick. Yeah, I just mean like I want teams to, you know, can you imagine like trying to win this game to get the number one pick, right? Yeah, that's more fun.
Starting point is 00:50:01 Yeah. Okay. Real football guy take here. So we know you're giving me. I am surprised that the Eagles didn't sign an undrafted long snapper. Interesting. Don't we want competition for Charlie Hewlett? You're really down on Charlie Hewlett.
Starting point is 00:50:20 Well, you know, it's not like they replaced Rick Lovato with a young whippersnapper to be their long snapper of the future. This guy's just as old. Yeah, I think it was a performance thing. Well, yeah, but I mean, let's solve this position long term. I don't think Howie wants to burn a 90-man roster spot on a long snapper. You get 91. Thanks to Lake and Vakalai.
Starting point is 00:50:41 That is true. You know what you should do. Maybe when they, maybe when Brandon Graham, actually that's a great idea that's a great idea Zach use your international exemption exemption on teaching a guy every single day
Starting point is 00:50:55 for two years to become your long snapper and groom that guy find a rugby player who can race down the field that is a great idea yeah it's a free roster spot there has got to be somebody in Australia who's showing enough promise as a long snapper
Starting point is 00:51:11 that you can carry him for two years that's a great idea I mean, if you think about it from like just a percentage perspective, your odds of getting a contributor are far better teaching a guy how to play longsnapper than teaching a guy how to play offensive tackle. And you think that the like the whole premise of a long snapper is, it's like a 10,000 hours thing, right? You just need to just do it and do it and do it.
Starting point is 00:51:32 And if you have a guy in the building just doing it and doing it every day for two years. And you imagine the guy's a good athlete, right? I love this. Yeah. I mean, you get a good. This is the best idea you've ever had. I don't know what the best I ever had, but yeah, you get like a linebacker type body. You know, you get a guy's like, you know, 6-3-260 who is going to chase it.
Starting point is 00:51:53 You know, he's going to be a maniac running down. I don't care about that. I don't want that. I just want him snapping. Just snap for two years. Okay. That's what the exemptions for. This is great.
Starting point is 00:52:02 Yeah, that's what I would do. I mean, they should have done it with Matt Leo. He would have been great in that role. He's too big. Yeah, true. This is, I feel like we, I think, I think, I feel like we've just won the Super Bowl. this is great wait till how he hears about this
Starting point is 00:52:16 all right seeing how he tonight I'll let him know yeah speaking of fours not like that he's being honored yeah he wouldn't be so honored
Starting point is 00:52:29 I'll have more tomorrow's show about this all right let's talk about the defense the edge group interesting group a couple dart throws in free agency draft Antoine Powell Rylund how are they going to backfill
Starting point is 00:52:43 after Nolan Smith and Jailix Hunt and do you think that Bryce Huff is definitely on the team? So KJ Henry, Bryce Huff, Patrick Johnson is back. O'Shaun Mathis, Aziz Ojolari, Antoine Powell Riland, Josh Ushay, plus Nolan Smith and Jailix Hunt. I think only two locks there with Nolan and Jalix. You don't think Ojolari's a lock?
Starting point is 00:53:04 I don't think he's a lock just because he has to prove he's healthy. Sure. But I do think for this exercise he's a lock. Sure. Who else do you have? I have Uche and Powell Riland. So I have Bryce Huff being trained. I could be wrong, but I had to throw a little spice in here.
Starting point is 00:53:19 I couldn't just go chalk. And so. For this the first time for you. So, yeah, I mean, Pal Ryland as a developmental player here, Uche, I feel less, I feel least strong about Uchay here. Ushay was my spot 53 was initially Ushay and then I gave it to Cameron Williams instead. Okay. I mean, I think if it's between those two, they'll keep Cameron Williams. And so I do have Bryce Huff on the team.
Starting point is 00:53:44 So I have Huff, O'Jolari, APR, and Nolan Smith, Jelik. And do you have Bryce Huff because the contract, it just makes it prohibitive from your perspective? Or do you think Bryce Huff has some juice to still offer? Both. I mean, more so the contract, but, yeah, I mean, Bryce Huff has done more recently in the NFL than Josh Huchay has, right? True.
Starting point is 00:54:05 Yeah, I'm saying you might as well give him one more chance. Fair enough. Defensive tackle. I think you have four locks here. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Ty Robinson, and Morrow Ujima. Correct. The rest of it is between Thomas Booker, Byron Young, who is a player that I want to see.
Starting point is 00:54:23 Yes. You know, the Eagles added him after roster cutdowns from the Raiders, former third round pick, kept him on ice all season long. I'm going to see what this guy looks like. And then, your boy, Gabe Hall. Gabe Hall. Yes. I have Ty Robbins.
Starting point is 00:54:40 I have Thomas Booker making it as my fifth spot here. I do think you need kind of that backup nose and that's what Booker's been. Yeah, I wouldn't be shocked if Byron Young takes that. That's more of like maybe Howie's investment comes true. And like it's, we talked about it with Booker last year. A lot of shine for the Eagles player development program. Sure. Spearheaded by Connor Barwin, right?
Starting point is 00:55:02 They've done a very good job with these guys who have been in the building for a while. Maybe it would be unfortunate if the next year's version is Byron Young. But I have Booker taking it as well, but I'm not so sure that that would be the case. All right, linebacker. Do you have Nicoby Dean on Pup? I have them on Pup.
Starting point is 00:55:19 As do I. So after that, you've got Zach Bonn and Jihad Campbell as lock, locks. I think Jeremiah Trader Jr. is going to be on this team. Yep. And I think Smile Mondin Jr. is going to be on this team. Is that it? That's it for me because Lance Dixon and Dallas Gantt are the other two. Yeah, and then Van Sumer and Ken mix in here as well.
Starting point is 00:55:36 Right. So I have those four and Van Sumer as an extra guy. I'm with you. I have those four. as well. I like a Dallas Gantz a little bit. I'm curious to see what he looks like in, uh, in campus here, but I think that's a, that's a pretty down the middle four. Corners. Quignan Mitchell, Cooper DeGine, Kille Ringo, those guys are on the team. The rest of the options. Adoree Jackson, Mack McWilliams, Perry Nickerson, Tarik Castro, Fields,
Starting point is 00:56:02 Brandon Johnson, BJ Mays, Eli Ricks and AJ Woods. How many do you have making it? And who are they? I have six I have five I have Quinion Mitchell Cooper de Gene I agree Keeley Ringo I also agree
Starting point is 00:56:19 Adore Jackson You disagree That's Adoree Okay Mac Mac Mac Mac And then Eli Ricks Okay
Starting point is 00:56:28 My only difference here is I just don't have Eli Ricks on the team Okay so you think The Eli Ricks experiment's finished Yeah I mean I'm not Nothing against the guy
Starting point is 00:56:37 I'm not my prediction is that they keep five okay okay yeah yeah you're worried no no no just because his name is Eli
Starting point is 00:56:52 doesn't mean you have to love him that's not why I love him I think that Rick says he's going to get any creative questions at training camp this year what is that a reference to nothing nothing
Starting point is 00:57:01 let's move on the safety I mean what is what you got to give me what the callback is chat will know. Will the chat know? Yes, the chat will know. What was the question to Eli Rex last year?
Starting point is 00:57:14 No, it wasn't last year. No, do you think he'll get any creative questions this year? Yeah, this is, this is, this is, this is awkward now. He had some like, um, his White House visit. He had some thoughts about the White House visit that had nothing to do with politics, right? So I imagine if that comes up at all. I explained why he was the only African-American. player on defense who is not from another country who went to the White House.
Starting point is 00:57:44 That explains it. I just mean it was just... H.E. Anyways, safeties. Okay, let's talk about safeties. Read Blankenship, Andrew McCuba, those guys are locks. I think for this exercise, Sydney Brown is a lock. And then you've got Lewis Seen, Max and Hook, Tristan McCollum, and Andre Sam.
Starting point is 00:58:06 Do you have four safeties or five? I have four. And in the spirit of draft pedigree, you know, I got to go with my man, Louis. Of course, yeah. Yes. I mean, I feel seen here. Yeah, I have read blanket chip, Andrew McCuba, Sydney Brown, and Lewis C. This is my other undrafted rookie.
Starting point is 00:58:25 I have Lewis seen making it and I have Maxen Hook. Yeah, making the team. Why not? Very much in the read blanking. Yeah, that was your hook for the show. Yeah, why not? Special teams. Good friends with Quinnian Mitchell.
Starting point is 00:58:40 That's going to be a good. Now, do we know that just because they played together in the same second. Yeah, they're roommates. Oh, they're, well, maybe that means they're not. Best friends. Best friends. Well, that's different. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:58:48 I mean, best friends from when I understand. Living together can put a strain on a relationship. Depends, but. That's why I said can. Yeah, can. Yeah. I got a reliable source that these are best friends, that these are real close friends. Oh.
Starting point is 00:59:03 Is it the guy you're seeing tonight? No. No. Also, in the spirit of talking about read blankship, And Cooper to Jean, don't want to get ahead to myself here, but Anthony did say something on the show this morning. There's some exciting things coming at PHY. I just want to put that out there.
Starting point is 00:59:19 Exciting being the operative word. Well said. Yes, we did some viral marketing. I don't know if you were watching during the draft weekend, but there was a point when Fran and I were on here, and we saw two little things running around out there. And so the exciting mice will be debuting at some point soon. Very cool.
Starting point is 00:59:40 Very cool. All right. And that's it. And then we have Jake Gallia, a great man in Charlie's asking about it. I do think that Tristan McCollum and Andre Sam are interesting guys fighting for spots. I want to see what Andre Sam looks like. Yeah, I really like Andrews.
Starting point is 00:59:56 I really like Andre Sam. Yeah. How do you feel about having an Andrew and an Andre apostrophe? As if the apostrophe is for the W. I got to know what Andre Sam a bit last year, spoke to him. Real great, yeah, great story, nice guy. Also has a brief appearance in the book. Ooh.
Starting point is 01:00:19 I'll ask you about that in one second, second. If you want to find out where Andre Sam appears in Leap Year and why, you're going to have to stick around for overtime. So angry. No, it's excitement. It says, Jim Harvall says, bringing an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. So, you know, Super Bowl Sunday. I have to talk about Cooper DeGine and Sequin Barclay celebrating their birthday.
Starting point is 01:00:53 But I can't just mention those two and not put in parentheses. It was also practice squad safety, Andrei Sam's birthday. So I thought it was going to be because he was making the rounds in the post-game locker room celebration. Oh, no, no, he did not get into that chapter. Yeah, he is in the Super Bowl chapter. Well, that is a very important distinction that you needed to include there. I just thought like, you know, I don't think there's there's going to be a an index in this book. But if there were an index, I would make sure.
Starting point is 01:01:29 I would love if like Andre Sam's family bought the book. Yeah. You know, they go to the back. And they search it and they go to Sam. You got to Sam. They go to Sam. Exactly. I did.
Starting point is 01:01:39 I got Belchek's book. And I read, or I went. least surprising sentence you've ever said. I went searching for Eagles, you know, because you want to know. I mean, come on, Bill. Did you read the book? I read parts of it. I read parts of it.
Starting point is 01:01:52 I heard it's terrible. Left something to be desired. Yeah. But you can't play the Eagles in two Super Bowls and they pretend one, you can't write a book and pretend one doesn't exist, right? There's like, whatever he wants. Yeah, he could. It's his book. He can do whatever he wants.
Starting point is 01:02:07 But I just feel like. Do you think he wrote the book? I do, actually. Yeah. I do think he. He wrote the book. Okay. I mean, if he didn't write the book,
Starting point is 01:02:16 I, yeah, I think he wrote the book. Yeah. Okay. I think his creative, his creative muse wrote it. It's hard for me to imagine him sitting down and typing it out,
Starting point is 01:02:26 but I, he's always waited to write a book for this point. So I think he worked the book. Yeah. Well, wasn't worth the weight, apparently. Wasn't worth the,
Starting point is 01:02:35 I mean, I'm sure it's selling well. So I don't know if that was his objective or not. Some, some chatter over the week. about after Derek Carr's retirement. You think Kellen Moore is going to be coming after Tanner McKee? He should.
Starting point is 01:02:53 Now, I think just spent a second round pick. Yeah, I think they already made this choice. Exactly. To me, I said it on draft day, I would rather trade for Tanner McKee than the 20,
Starting point is 01:03:03 you know, then Tyler Show or Shuck. Shuck. Shuck, yeah. 26. Like Tanner McKee's younger. I've seen he played for your coach before. I like Tanner McKee better than Tyler Shuck.
Starting point is 01:03:14 Doesn't that tell you that they couldn't have been that interested? Or maybe the Eagles weren't moving him, but I imagine the Eagles wouldn't move him for a second round pick. I would imagine. But yeah, I mean, I agree. They made their decision. I keep reading. I also don't think it benefits the Eagles to give up McKee at this point
Starting point is 01:03:34 for less than a blowing away cost. Sure, exactly. And if they were going to blow you. Like, I imagine they knew about their car, where they weren't planning to have their car, this season anyways. Right. So I'm curious to see what they do.
Starting point is 01:03:49 It sounds like they're just going with Shuck. I keep reading this idea that like, no, Arch Manning's definitely coming back. If Archmanning's worthy of being the number one pick and the Saints get the number one pick, he's going in the draft. Now Arch hasn't told me that. Neither is Eli or Peyton or Peyton or Peyton.
Starting point is 01:04:05 But if he's worthy of being the number one pick, I mean, that's like LeBron going to the Cavs. That's, that's, he's going to, he'll go to the Saints. That's a match made in heaven. Isidore Newman's finest? Actually, his door Norman's finest is Michael Lewis. But, yeah, get him to, get him to Giacimos.
Starting point is 01:04:32 I'm sure he's been the Giacomos. Sure. You have that, you have the alligator cheesecake. Man, that's worth moving in New Orleans for. But you're not. I'm not. I mean, there's nowhere I'd rather be than with Emily and breeding slump.
Starting point is 01:04:48 Okay, but absent them, you'd move to New Orleans for the, for the alligator cheesecake? I would visit. I'd visit frequently. That's what visiting for. You get one of those national jobs that you get to, you get to go to a different game every week. That'd be pretty awesome.
Starting point is 01:04:59 I mean, my job's great right now. I'm not saying that. But yeah, you get always looking for the next thing. You get one of those national jobs where you're covering a game in a different city every week. I love that. You wouldn't love that? Yeah.
Starting point is 01:05:12 I could. So there's one. if you're a person. Kidding. All right. What else is going on? How was your weekend? I answered mine.
Starting point is 01:05:24 How was yours? Did you answer? I said it a nice weekend. Well, thanks for the, no, I have a thing. All right.
Starting point is 01:05:31 Here you go. Oh, you have a thing I want to say this long. I will say it. Man, I had a brain fart and a half this weekend. Uh-oh.
Starting point is 01:05:41 Embarrassing as, well, I mean, humiliated myself to seven-year-olds with this one. So Brandon Graham has a book out right now, a children's book. I highly recommended actually. My son read it to me two nights ago.
Starting point is 01:05:54 So I saw that... Is it like his story? It's ABC. It's like, so for every letter, there's like something about. About him or about like... Like advice for kids, but about him. Like, you know, I don't want to give any of the letters away because there aren't that many of... But it's, you know, like Z is like, it was like dumb.
Starting point is 01:06:16 Zucchini. I was like zest, I think, or like having zest, you know, something like that. Anyways, so I saw an ad on social media, I think it was, or no, it was in my email, that Brandon Graham was having a book signing at a local Barnes & Noble. And for some reason, I thought this weekend was the 17th. Like, it was like the Dwight Shrewd thinking it was Friday when it was Thursday. And like, you know, I told, I signed up for it online. I took Reed or I told Reed,
Starting point is 01:06:48 Reed invited our cousin his same age, leave his baseball game early to go to this, right? No way. He pitches, uh, then he, he catches one inning pitches, you know, hits. And then I'm like, we got to go because there's,
Starting point is 01:07:04 because there's probably going to be a long line here. Pull him away from the game for this. He's, he brings a, he, he brings a jersey in the car. Okay, the change in too, like an Eagles jersey. Okay.
Starting point is 01:07:16 go to his cousin's house, I pick up his cousin. We get to the store and I thought there'd be a longer line right now, right? Walk in, announce my presence. Like, I'm here for the book signing. The one at the front desk is like, what book signing?
Starting point is 01:07:35 And I was like, what book signing for any Graham? It's like, that's next Saturday. Ah, the egg on my face, man. How mad was Reed? Reed was cool about it. Okay. I can't believe you took him out of the baseball game for this. I mean, it's a chance to, well, we're at the baseball game for an hour and a half, right?
Starting point is 01:07:51 So, but. He's met Brandon Graham before. Okay. All right. What's the thing you say? Don't tell someone else how to parent. Well, I'm surprised. Yeah, no, I thought it was, I thought it was my real cool opportunity.
Starting point is 01:08:08 And, you know, you get him to a bookstore, but yeah, I got the wrong day. You get them to a bookstore. Get into the bookstore. And, uh, but I, I, I, I thought it was. got both of them the book then read read to me Saturday night. Okay. But, um,
Starting point is 01:08:18 now are you still going to go next weekend? Uh, yeah. Yeah. Okay. I mean, I promised them and that. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:08:26 So, but man, that was stuff. How did, how was the, uh, oh man, how am I going to tell Emily this?
Starting point is 01:08:33 That must have been. Oh, yeah. It was, it was more. It was, it was telling, you know,
Starting point is 01:08:38 my, my cousin. Yeah, I felt, I felt worse about that. Um, yeah. Emily's like,
Starting point is 01:08:44 how did you just, screw that up. I mean, that's a very easy thing to screw up. You just, you get it in your mind and then you don't think about it. Yeah. But man, that was that, yeah, that was a tough thing. That's tough. Here's my thing for you from the weekend.
Starting point is 01:08:57 Yes. Last night, you know, we spent the day outside. You know, put the kids to bed. Got a shower. Like, you know, I've been, you know, outside all day. But, but, uh, Rachel and the baby were asleep. And I don't want to, I don't want to, like, risk waking them up. turn on the light.
Starting point is 01:09:16 Take a nice dark shower. Oh. Do you ever do a dark shower? All the lights off. You know where the soap is. You know where the show. I've never done a dark shower. I love a dark shower.
Starting point is 01:09:27 A great way to get ready for bed. Okay. Did you fall asleep in it? No. Like you doze off, I'm saying? No. Okay. No, but I like a dark shower.
Starting point is 01:09:36 It's a good like, oh, prove to yourself that you can do this in the dark. Fantastic. I'm sure you took that as a challenge and you did it well. Yeah, I love to give yourself. Give yourself a challenge. You ever do that when you were a kid, see if you could like make your way downstairs with your eyes closed?
Starting point is 01:09:50 I do that now, like go pee, but not. That's a little different. Yeah, but no, I've never showered in the dark. I highly recommend the dark shower. Okay. Chat, have you dark shower? Andrew, have you? If people say dark showers are good for migraines.
Starting point is 01:10:03 Have you dark showered, Andrew? I can't say I have. Okay. But I would try it. Yeah. Sounds like a good test. Yeah. Love a dark shower.
Starting point is 01:10:10 Yeah. In the chat, a lot of support for the dark shower. I was support for the dark shower. Yeah. Okay. You can get like a during the day, there's a little natural light. That's one thing. But if you get the true darkness shower, great experience.
Starting point is 01:10:24 I do like the shower a lot. So I will, I will try a dark shower. Okay. Yeah. I had one other fun or like aside from the weekend that Matt reads basketball on Saturday morning. Okay. Sports weekend. Oh, yeah.
Starting point is 01:10:42 There's like three sports a weekend. It's just I'm a shuttle. I'm a chauffeur driver during the weekend. Anyways, I offered a blind, like a trade in fantasy baseball when I was there. Usually there's like negotiate. There's like emails back and forth. And you just got straight accept. I did this.
Starting point is 01:11:03 And then I got the straight accept. And then you're worried that you were like, why? Yeah, I offered. Oh, I'm around the room. Yeah. Oh, yeah. You never, you never want the straight accept. I got the straight accept.
Starting point is 01:11:13 And I was for like, there was like three minutes at the basketball where I wasn't focused on the basketball because I was like, oh God, what just happened here? Did I, you know, I see, you see hurt. And the straight, the blind office was I was scrolling through social media and I saw that Roki Sasaki had like a horrible start on Friday night. And I'm like, all right, maybe I can, you know, buy low on Roki Sasaki. So, you know, I mean, usually I'm like studying the peripherals and doing all. I just did the straight, I just did the blind proposal. And it gets the accept. And my heart sank.
Starting point is 01:11:48 I was like, did I put the wrong person in here? He accepted the deal as it was. And who did you part with? I offered Kukuchi, who's on the last year of his deal. He's a good pitcher, but, you know, he doesn't have to control for Sasaki. Yeah, for three years. But at $20. And then Jared Jones, who had a good price at a good price.
Starting point is 01:12:11 but he's coming back from that elbow. And so... Yeah, that's a lot. Yeah, it's a lot. But, I mean, Sasaki, it was like the best amateur pitcher in the world, or not amateur, best non-MOB pitcher in the world going into the season.
Starting point is 01:12:25 Okay. That doesn't seem like a crazy unfair trade, but yeah. No, but you know the feeling when you get the accept. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, you do get worried about that. Okay. All right, good stuff in overtime on a Monday. We are back tomorrow.
Starting point is 01:12:40 Fran Duffy's going to do. to join us, a little three-way. And don't forget the final episode, at least this draft cycle, of the PHOI draft show with Fran Duffy. That's at noon tomorrow. All kinds of stuff. You got that. You got the regular 2 o'clock show.
Starting point is 01:12:55 On Wednesday, you got the regular 2 o'clock show with us and the professor talking schedule stuff. And then you got the bonus show Wednesday night as we break down the schedule with CUS here in studio. And then, by the way, we're back on Thursday and Friday as well. So all kinds of stuff coming your way. in the middle of May on P.H.O.I. Enjoy the lottery party tonight. Good luck to the Sixers fans. Check out the lottery party show with our P.HOY Sixers gang. And that's all we got.
Starting point is 01:13:22 We'll talk to you tomorrow for Andrew and Zach. Thanks for watching. Thanks for listening. Comment below. Tell us whether you think Max and Hook is going to make this team. And that's all we got. As always, we love you.

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.