The Bobby Bones Show - Lots to Say: 5x Pro Bowl DE Jared Allen

Episode Date: January 11, 2025

HOW is 5x Pro Bowl DE Jared Allen NOT in the Hall of Fame after being a finalist the last 4 years? Jared relives his path to the NFL and how his first NFL sack resulted in a fine from the league! Matt remembers Jared's intensity on the field and the banter going back and forth.  Who was the toughest QB to bring down for a sack? Jared looks at the Vikings and how he feels about Sam Darnold's future in Minnesota.  What's the surprising reason a player like Darnold can revive a frustrating career?  Jared explains how a player decides between contract offers and their future in the NFL.  On his way out, Bobby wants a 'text flex' from Jared on someone cool that hit him up! Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel is part of the NFL Podcast Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and IHeart Podcasts. We got lots to say. And we got lots to say. Now here's Bobby and Matt. Jared Allen coming up in a few minutes. You ever have a song you would listen to before, like a specific song you would listen to before a game?

depending on the mood I was in I went through like this BDM like techno phase kind of really get myself fired up then I went through a little bit of like ACDC Thunderstruck then there was a little bit of Dave Matthews in there every now and then if I was in that

to kind of like calm yourself down but kind of at the same time give you good vibes so I went through I was kind of all over the map if they did your Spotify rap of songs you listen to going into a game, what song or what one and two songs would be there.

And I can give you a second to think. Before I go on stage, I have the same exact playlist. And I go before my music hits to do my act, which I have a song I come out to, but I listen to Seven Nation Army, White Stripes. Oh, I love that song. Because that's like, I need to have this mix of, I need to be up and fired up.

I'm too fired up because I've got to communicate. Too fired up is not good. Right. So I need to come out with energy, but I need to be focused. And that song does it just... Oh, it hits. It hits hard. That would be my number one on the rap list of songs that I would go...

That I go out to is that one. Yeah, the interesting part, a lot of times, I would listen to music when before... The pre-pre-game, right? I'd listen to music. As I came into the locker room is usually when I'd take out my earpods or whatever. might be and stop listening music and then go through the game plan one more time and get kind of just locked in, focus, especially because a lot of people don't realize you're usually scripted for those first 20 plays. So you know what's going to be called in the first 20 plays of the game.

Now, that might differ a little bit just based on situational football. You're in third down, third and one, third and two, but you have your list of third down calls from third and three to six, six to nine, ten plus. So I wanted to get locked in. So even if you, you had a communication problem, I usually could call the first 10 plays because I had them rehearsed in my mind. And so I wasn't one of those guys that would get completely distracted with music because I was one of those players that just wanted to come and focus in on what the task at hand had to be.

And especially if there was checks early on the game, this is a team that is either max pressure, max splits, okay, I got to be prepared to check to a seven-man protection, what it might be. And I'd just rehearse it in my mind and go through it before we, go out. So I wasn't always that kind of guy that would listen to music before the game. The big fight for high school football was we were a diverse team. We were the only team that had black guys in our county. And so the black guys would always want Tupac and the white guys would always want ACDC Helds Bells. So before every game, we had to flip a coin and whatever it was

on. And it wasn't contentious at all, but whatever it landed on. And some of the black guys ended up what at ACDC, some of the white guys ended up wanting Tupac, depending on how the game went in the last week. But we flipped a coin every game. And whatever it landed on, that's what we went out to, either Tupac or ACDC. Hells Bells. And when I hear those songs, it reminds me of that time. Like walking out.

For sure. I give you my, since we're both elite athletes and very high level football players, we'll end on this before we get to the segment. Because we have Jared Allen coming up in a second. First, I'd like to say to everybody, I do not think that I am any sort of, of talent at the game of football, like Matt Castle is.

So when I tell this story, it's not me acting as a football peer. I just need people to know that don't know me. You are a football peer. But so I was captain of our high school football team. Yes, you were. Nucs, nucks. And again, high energy guy, motor, you know?

A lot of effort. Technician. Good hands, good hands. But as captain, we go out for the coin toss and we're playing the team called Spartan, who I think they were like 9 and 0. I believe we were 8 and 1 at the time. the time. Oh, good game. And so we're up. Yeah. Like, we're go. And I'm fired. I was a little too fired up. And we go and they flip

the coin. And they win the coin toss. And so they say, we'll defer. And so they look at me and they go, okay, they deferred. I said, we will kick off. Oh, no. And they're like, the ref looks at me and goes, no, no, no, they deferred to the second half. They get to make their decision. at the second, when we come out for the second half. So what do you want to do now? All I remember is Coach Gandalf going, if we get the chance, we want to kick, we're going to stop them.

And I'm like, we want to kick. And the ref looks at me and he goes, okay. And that was, so, all right, they defer to the second half and Mount Pine has decided to kick. And I still, I'm just so fired up to go play defense. And I didn't even play defense, by the way. I played only like dying package.

And so... What is your coach doing? Oh, no, no. Here's why he did. I walked off. He grabbed me by the face mask. Now, luckily, pretty smart guy. As far as like standardized tests, life, I've been a pretty smart person.

He... And I remember everybody could hear it. He grabbed him by the face mask and said, you're the smartest mother effort on this team. And that's the dumbest effing thing I've ever seen in my history of coaching. We lost that game by six points. Oh, no. Even stung, boy.

worse. Yeah, we lost it by one possession. You know, believe it or not, I'm not lying to you. That happened to us. One of the captains on our team did this same exact thing when I was with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the NFL, it happened? We kicked off twice. In the first half?

There's no way. And the second half. No way. True statement. We need to find out who that is because I need to talk to whomever it is to take all this shame off me. He was probably the smartest guy. You know it was? No, I don't even remember who it was.

Did we kicked off both halves? I'm positive. That is the best news I've had all day. So you're not as dumb as you. Oh, I am. But somebody did it professionally. Wow, what a day this is. It happened.

We are fired up. It happened. Again, Jared Allen coming by in just a little bit. Thank you guys for being here. Thanks for subscribing to the show. Please, please go over to, if you're getting this on the NFL feed, a buy-bone show feed, go over to our own feed. It's called Lots to Say and hit subscribe. Please, we would love that. We need it.

We need the money. Let's just be honest. We need the money. Thank you. Going to be honest, I wish I knew Jared Allen. I don't. This is your buddy. How do you know, Jared? Well, I played against him for a number of years. And then when I went to Minnesota, he was there. So we became teammates. And he was right next to me in the locker room. Great time.

But when I called him up, I was like, hey, would you come on, be here? I know that he loves to talk. He'd be a great guest, and he's got great stories. And he's a future Hall of Famer. So he was like, absolutely. And that's the cool part is when you have relationships with guys like that, and they're just completely open and real and authentic. And so he came on without a doubt.

It was awesome. Here he is. Jared Allen. I would like to say that I have been advocating in many, many, many super small circles that it's the fact that you're in on the Hall of Fame drives me insane. I appreciate that. That's a heck of a way to start this segment, too, because I got a lot I can go off about that. I do believe it. Oh, give it to us. I don't know you, but I believe, I say it. It's not about me having a relationship with you. It's a travesty that you are not in the Hall of Fame.

I appreciate that. Yeah, I'll be honest, I really, I don't, I tell you a little time, and I think people that know me, no, I don't think about it except for, when they bring it up, you know, three weeks out of the year. And they have this unique way of making grown men get all, like, emotional about something that you have zero control over. I think that's what pisses me off the most about it. It's like, you get me excited for something, and I have no control over it. So, yeah, I had no expectations getting in the first year. I've been a first ballot.

I was a first ballot finalist. Been on the list now for five years. Unfortunately, collecting finalist ballots for the Hall of Fame is not a good thing. Ten-time finalists. It sucks. Something, though. Not everybody gets to say that. So, you know what? This last year stung, I'll be real honest, just from the standpoint, is statistically there's nobody on the list that's not, that's better than me. Right. Right. When he sucks is up this year, but if you compare my average per year, you know, you compare the years I played to everybody on that list, nobody is better than me. And that's to me. And that's what I actually told that to all of fame. I said, you can't sit here and tell me this is based on my merit because statistically, then I'm in. So it's basically

it's a popularity contest and either someone in the room doesn't like me or my presenters and I guess. So the part I get frustrated with is there's no, there's no, they don't give you any guidelines,

right? There's no basis for who, why, what, where, where, when. There's no real, what's the word I'm looking for. Like they're voting on the Pope. They don't really tell you what they're voting on.

Yeah, yeah, you don't know what they're looking for. Yeah. And when you said presenter, how does that work? So you have somebody that represents you to the committee and they go in

and advocate on your behalf. Yep. So I, it's one of, my voters in Minnesota, right? So I'm going in as a Viking. Well, I had vote, my very first year, no joke. And I don't know the guy, but I got arrested. So my, I had Minnesota and Chiefs was going in. Oh, both.

And my presenter in Kansas City died. And he was a young man. Like, I was like, are you kidding me? I mean, that's how it happened. And so, and I haven't talked to the new guy in Kansas City. I didn't talk last year. I didn't talk to anybody here last year. But so that's what happens is you're, you're,

your voter for that, your, that team basically, you know, they come in and some, some of the good ones will collect all this data on you. So the team will put together these kind of sheets, these profile sheets of why, you know, where you rank all time and all these different categories and try to give it to your presenter. And then it's their job to argue, basically argue you in, stand on the, on the soapbox for you and, and see where you're in. And, you know, people have different pull in the room. I mean, you got the dungies. You got, you got Dungie in there who's got a lot of pull. You got Bill Pullian, who's He got a ton of pull.

I have to say, I actually ran him to Steve Hutchinson of the Titans game the other day. And I'll never forget, we were in the Super Bowl, Minnesota, right? And he was up for the hall. That might have been his first or first or second ballot. But back then, they used to bring you out to the Hall or to the Super Bowl, all 15 finalists. And then you get dressed in your tuxedo, wife's all dressed up. And you either get a phone call saying, sorry, get on the plane, or, you know, you come down and you go to the awards ceremony and you get a Hall of Fame. So I see Steve.

And the dude's just ejected, right? Steve's already grumpy anyways, but he is a grumpy. He was just like, and I see him and I'm like, you know, I, you know, playing with them all those times close friends. I was like, I'm not even going down. But I could, I never understood it. And then I finally understood. He got in, I think, on his third or fourth, I think third time.

But then we were talking to that then. He's like, Brian, I was like, I get it now. Like, I get that, that emotion. He's like, you don't really care. But then you care in that brief moment. Then you're so pissed off that you allowed somebody to let you care about something that really doesn't affect your life, you know, from a standpoint of my wife's not going to love me anymore. My kids aren't going to think I'm cooler.

The dogs are not going to start to stop. I definitely would think you're cooler. I'm not going to lie. The intro would have been better. We'd have to be a hall of fame. I'm just saying. A little more clout. My friends might want to be a hall of favor.

So, yeah, so it's a weird, it's a weird process. It's a weird deal. But I appreciate you saying that I deserve to be in. And we'll see. We'll see what happens. There is somebody, and I know who it is, and I will not say who it is, but they have kept me. It's a single person, an entity that has kept me from hosting the CMA awards,

which is. the big. Oh, yeah. And so, and I am like, I do the ACMs and like Rebitt did it and I did like her second string. I'm part of that television broadcasts, but it's not the same as hosting the awards. I know the person that's kept me posting the CMAs. Do you know the person? Don't say who it is, but do you know who's keeping you on? No, I don't. Well, yes and no. And I, part of it is, is, you know, I, unless you hear it. Part of it is my presenter, right? My presenter is not a strong. You need a better temp is what it sounds like. Pretty much. Yeah. Well, that's the other thing about the process I don't get.

Like, we should be able to choose our presenters, right? Right. I have a team representative. Oh, you don't even get to choose them? Somebody that knows me, well, you get to choose which team you want, right? Gotcha. So, like, last year, I know there was a big push, and I love, I love Peppers. I love Freeney.

Pepper's one of my favorite players. Dwight Freeney is the reason why I became the highest paid defensive player in the league in the history of the NFL at the time because he broke the bank. Like, Dwight started getting paid. Wright's the one that got defensive players to get paid like quarterbacks, right? So, I mean, I, nothing I would ever say. I mean, anybody's up for the Hall of Fame as well deserving in my book, right? I'm kind of one of these things like, man, either if you're going to be on the final list, like, put them in, put them in or don't put them in.

Don't put them in. But, put me on the list just to keep me on the list forever. But again, so you go through and I know there was a big push, you know, for Dwight to get in last year where they were having, you know, other Hall of Famers were having video conferences with voters. And I'm not about that. I'm not going to kiss the ring. I'm not bound down.

I'm not, you know, it's like, if you want me in on my merit, put me in. If not, no harm,

no, I really, it is what it is. So I know there's, there's that aspect. So I don't, I don't know if there's one particular one person keeping me out. I just think it's,

uh, the nature of the beast. And, and, you know, when you play the game, the way I played it, you know,

you kind of get, which is, which is crazy because the characteristics that I want to teach my kids that I think are positive, hustle, try hard, right? Um,

you know, basically just, you know, being out there, making sure the fans know that I appreciate them showing up and I love what I do. It actually ends up being a negative because they come back and say like, oh, he got all the sacks because he hustled more than other people. I'm like, what? That diminishes my talent?

Yeah, what are you talking about? Yeah, you know, oh, he tried harder than everybody else. Yeah, a lot of sacks. I'm like, all right, I guess I'm just the try hard hustle guy. You know, Matt. You know, that's the label guy is good, right? It's a label, but the thing that I always appreciate about you is the motor guy.

When you play the game, though, the most exciting part for me was always to watch your youthful enthusiasm. Like, you had fun when you played the game. And that permeated throughout the entire team, right? And when you did your sack and you did the bowl or whatever the heck you do, right? I mean, that's the type of stuff that, you know, not everybody has that. They have this workman-like mentality and they're told to act a certain way or do it a certain in a certain method of, look, this is how you're supposed to act. but just how you went out each and every day and we had fun. Like, that's what made you a great teammate,

but that's also what made you such a lovable player in the NFL, man. Yeah, I last you're short not to have fun. You know, I got to remind myself of that in retirement sometimes. Now you're just parenting. Yeah, I'm going to say you. No, do your homework. Oh, my gosh. Real life issues.

No, I that, but I mean, I literally was fortunate. I told my dad when I was eight years old, I was going to play professional football. Most parents are like, all right, Johnny, like, go read the books. My dad would drop me off. My dad trained raining cutting horses, so I managed ranching. So my dad, the ranch lived at the time, was about a mile or so from the gate up to our double-wide trailer because we were high class back then. Yeah, baby.

And so, and I was, I mean, what was I, 10, some of the year, and I would run. He would make me run every night up to the hill. And his whole philosophy is like, you want to be in the pros? You better eat, sleep, drink it, because somebody out there is doing more than you are. So you better make sure you're doing the most you could ever do. So most parents are like, yeah, okay, have fun. You know, go to school. My dad was like, you want to be in the boroughs?

Let's get it. And he, it was hard-nosed on it. And but that was all I ever wanted to do. And so when I got to play professional football as a living and make a living doing it, man, there's no great, even on days that suck, even training camp days when you're just bitching and complaining because it's training camp, you look back and like, you know, I'm getting paid money to play a game. This is dope. celebrations that you have that didn't work out?

Because we all know you for the tie, but did you ever do like, they giddy up? Did you ever have like, like, yeah, yeah, well, that was a thing. Well, my very first one, my very first one, I got fined $5,000. So my tied in, my buddy, my roommate in college are tied in, never scored a touchdown, right? So I told him I was like, and he had this brilliant touchdown celebration that he's going to have, right? So we were going to, we were going to high five, you know, low five, and then bring it back around, slap the thigh like bodybuilders, and flex it out, right?

That was like, you never got a chance to do it in college. My very first sack, I'm doing that. Preseason, don't count, but who cares? First preseason game I sack, Eli Manning. Bam, I hit that leg, shake it out. Bam, flex it. $5,000 for sexually suggestive behavior. Oh, my God, that's what they said it was?

The outside of your thigh? Yeah, right here. Were they thinking you were slapping your butt? Yeah, they're, they're probably trying to. So they said, I got a fine. Well, I didn't get a fine because I was a fourth round picks. There's other people with my number on the team, right? There was an undrafted free agent lineman with the number 69.

They sent him a fine for $5,000 for sex. He said to be a hit here. He's like, what is this? Oh, he called the league and got it sent to me. And so in the preseason, if you get fined, you don't pay it until you get, make the team. And I'm like, bro, you know you're not making the team. Like, you know that. There's honest truth right now.

He didn't need to push that on to you. That's got on to me. It still costs me five grand for that. And then I had the vets, my first couple of years, they would just pick celebrations for me to do. Like, this week you're doing the lawnmower. Dallas, I had like two sacks against Dallas one year. And jelly roll, the original jelly roll, Lionel Dalton. He's like, all right, this year, this game, you're doing spirit fingers and high kicks.

I'm like, oh, geez. This sucks, bro. So finally, finally we caught on it. I was actually telling Dustin Colquist yesterday. Neil Smith, we went out to dinner. Neil Smith got put into the ring of honor, and Hank Jr. sang the National Anthemate. Okay.

So I meet up with Neil, and then we ended up going out, we went to dinner with Hank Jr. afterwards, which is a whole other amazing. Yeah, I'm sure. That was good. And so, Neil's like, hey, man, I really appreciate you doing my celebration. He's like, but you know, you got to come up with something of your own. So I grew up on a ranch.

I grew up calf roping. And so that's how we came about it. It's talking about it. Yeah, well, just tie them up. So when you're calf rope, you flank your calf, you tie up three legs, threw your hands up, that's when I stopped the clock. So we just started doing that on quarterbacks and it stuck. And then, yeah.

Did you ever sack me? I did several times. Thank you. I appreciate that. Actually, you cost me. You cost me. I was with the Chiefs. You remember that?

You're like, get back, yeah. Two with the Chiefs. But no, Dallas. We were playing you, Dallas when I was in Carolina. We were playing Dallas Thanksgiving. And I was clean off the edge. Smoked my guy. And you like,

just shuffle up. I think you got like one yard or flicked it away. I'm like, Castle, you could have just slid. I should have. I would have helped you out. I think I would have tied Richard Dent

if you were just taking the sack. I mean, I remember being at the chiefs and you come around this edge and I kind of just see you in my peripheral and I spun out and I just remember you, get back here! Like that I take off running. I'm like running for my life.

I'm like, blow the whistle. Blow the whistle. Is there an honor amongst people to know each other if the shot is there? Maybe you don't take, you almost brother-in-law it. A bit. Me never.

No. If I know you, I'm probably hitting harder. 100%. So if he's there blindside... Done. He's going to try to rip my head off how I know about it. I mean, I'm not going to know ill. I've never once in my life tried to intentionally hurt anybody.

But absolutely at no point would I take it easy on anybody on the football field. Even... Buddy, buddy. Buddy. He's going to not throw the winning touchdown. You know what I mean? That's, I think, actually, that's what I respect. It's where I respect about, like,

MMA and, you know, like boxing MMA and football, like contact, you know, athletic sports. It's like when you're on the field, you can be friends. We can be friends afterwards. When we're on the field, healthy respect for each other. Absolutely. We'll laugh and joke. Is he loud? When you're lined up a quarterback, do you know where he is by him vocally?

Well, 100%. Plus, you study the film during the week, and they always go through, like, early in the week. They go through game wreckers. So you circle the game wreckers, and he was always one of those dudes. We got to block this guy. We got to give him chip help. We got to do this. But on the field, there's a constant banter going on,

especially with somebody like him who's got confidence. He's a little brash. He's going to let you know, I'm coming for you. And you just, you got to tune it out, especially at my position. Because I've got a lot of other crap to think about other than getting hit from the backside of my head. But I mean, so you just got to, I mean,

and it's not just him. It's consistent banter, particularly linebackers and defensive linemen. long. Who was the hardest physically guy to take down? Oh, so Rallersberg's on that list is massive, but you know who was, you remember what, gosh,

Gerard? From Jacksonville. He was all, David, Gerard. He was a David or yeah? He was a tank. He was all 245, 250. And then like lower body thick, too. Like, you come in, you know,

he was tough. That really stands out. Um, Rathesberger was another one. Um, you know, I, that was probably the two that come off. Were you around coal pepper at all? I was. He's another, he's another massive human. Like some of these guys are just, you know, it's that lower half strength and all that.

And then when you think about Rathustberg, he was just savvy and elusive. And for a guy his size, he wasn't like a quick twitch. No, he just knew where to get, he knew where to be in the pocket to get you like, you know, where most guy you could probably come around, grab an arm or jersey and get that. But he's big and strong enough and knows exactly what to be where he can shake that off

and still keep his eyes down field. That was a tough part about him. You weren't afraid of him running. You're afraid of him, you know, you get into the quarterback, and then him shaking you, or as far as you missing the sack, and then you're extending the play long enough

just to get downfield. A lot of the mobile guys, when you hit him, they go down. You know, promise you got to hit him. That's why I'm glad I don't play anymore. Like Lamar, Lamar Jazzard would make me wonderful. The game has changed at that position so dramatically. It's wild.

Who is the most mobile guy you played against? Oh, Michael Vic. Yeah, that's it. Michael Vic, absolutely nuts. But you know what strange part was we destroyed him because we just knew how to beat him. And I'll never forget, I think it was my rookie year. And we watched tape, and it's no joke how we practiced to sack him. So we knew where he was going to escape.

So our whole plan was we're going to blitz the living crap out of our. and we're going to make him escape, right? And when he escapes, we know he wants it. He's going to juke you inside and he's going to try to get the corner. So don't fall over the first juke. So our whole practice that week, we would come. We'd play like basically boot leg style. We'd squeeze that a lot of scrimmage, and then we would just run to the sidelines.

And no joke. I got to say, I tell him I ran down Michael Vick because he broke out and I just ran to the Now, did you, do you string him or you actually got it? No, I got it. That's an accomplishment. He did break one. He did break one. I should have three that game.

I had two. But yeah, I hawked them down on a bootleg because I listened to my coach and I just ran to the sideline. Anybody you didn't get that think of back, you're like,

I never got X and that would have been. I never got Russell Wilson. I came very close there. But all the other ones, I think that's pretty much everybody. It's funny to hear you talk about big quarterback. You're like, you're a big dude.

But you're not a, when I met Eli Manning, it was like probably the first NFL player that I, like, stood next to, like, stood, not just sit. And there's a different, and I met Eli on television. He looks like just a dude. Yeah. A normal dude.

And he's kind of like, hey, I'm Eli. He's sneaky. He's a big guy. In our world, like in our world, he's a big guy. He's a, I had no idea. But if that's normal, it's a land of monster. Well, it's funny, too, because in our world, they're not, we don't consider them like a big quarterback.

Like him. He walks in here, like, I'm 6.1. He's 6.4. Right. He's a, but he's not. big. Yeah, Matt's in that, so we equate in the quarterback realm, like, so Rathusberger is

a big dude, right? Six-six, probably? Yeah, he's like six-six. You look at guys like Peyton, Eli. I look, we kind of think more of like on their physical prowess. Like, you know, Peyton and those guys, they're going to get, they live on getting the ball out of their hands quick. Right. But you, I mean, you breathe on Peyton hard enough and they're going to go down.

He was smart about it, that's my point. Payton's not going to set himself up to get waxed either. Like Brady's a, Brady's a big athletic guy. Right. But he, but he's, his. his demeanor is never like physically overbearing right to where there's certain guys you're just like holy crap you know those guys you got to worry about them beating that you have their physical attributes because they can throw the ball but mentally they know where they're going before

they go right that's what that's their that's their secret sauce is they know everything you're going to do and then they have a counter for it um and so you know when we talk about guys that were like man these guys are big physical guys you know you often led more towards the athletic guys but yeah i mean you can't be small and survive in the league. I mean, I get that all the time, too. It's like, you're a big dude. I didn't know you're that big. I was like, I just look small

because our offensive linemen are 6-6, 320. Yeah. We are presented in a different way. And then all of a sudden you see me, I'm like, comparatively speaking, I'm a pretty big dude. Yeah, I went to Japan. I was a monster.

I bet you felt good too. Oh, dude, it was like, I'm taller than the average person here, but I'm in Japan on the subway and I'm like, suck it. Like, I am a gigantic human. Get some. But that's what you guys feel like you here. Yeah. I don't.

I'm always like, I don't, I guess, I don't even think I'm that big out of the time. And then people are like, you're hella big. I'm like, oh. Hell of us. That's a Norton Cowan coming out. Drop weight or did you gain weight after you finish playing? No, I'm down probably 25 pounds. I played at 255 most of my career.

I'm like 2.30, 2.25, 2.30 now. Is that natural? Yeah, meaning was it hard? Is it work to drop weight? Was it work to keep weight on? Oh, gosh. No, but I'm, but I'm, I have my own little mini farm over here. I have my own orchard garden where you eat completely organic. I try to avoid all big food, everything.

But no, and then I realized muscle weighs more than fat, so I just quit working out. So, drop you quick. That's one way to do it. 20 pounds of muscle mass and, uh... Let's be honest, though. How many players that we've played with over the years go the exact opposite? Oh, you only go one or two. Did you guys see Tomah Lee on the Chiefs thing?

Yeah. Oh my gosh. My stepdad sent me a picture. I'm like, first of all, let's not talk about how big he got. Let's talk about the fact that dude is rocking a legit skullet. He has no hair and he's got braids coming out the back. I love it. I ever talked to Tomba in years and I just want, if you're listening to this at all,

Tomba, God bless you, yes. Love you, Toma. Staley got skinny. Yeah, right. I mean, a lot of these guys, they go the opposite. Kyle Turley, the opposite way. Kyle had to work hard as that big. Pat Williams dropped 100 pounds.

That's amazing. Yep. I mean, you've seen Hutt. You've seen Jake Long. Right. It's drastic changes for a lot of these guys. It sucks for us big guys that are big because our faces are big. So when our bodies get smaller, our faces like, oh, I just got a big ass head.

Your head does stay the same size. Why didn't my forehead shrink? Yes. When I was a baby, up until like six, and I didn't grow like you guys did, my mom had to cut slits into my shirt because my head was so big. Because they couldn't fit it through. Now, luckily, for me, I chose a life of doing television and radio and podcasting. So it works for me because there's a large presentation of a face here. But as an accountant, that would have a song.

But when you walked into the economy for people, like, damn, Bobby's here. His head. Yeah, you would be the big guy here. I get the circumference of that face. Like I can just. Man, that dude's computing powers off the charts. Brain power is huge.

I take a quick break. We have more with Jared Allen coming up on lots to say. The 26 NFL draft is here, and the NFL Daily podcast has it covered from all angles. Join me, Greg Rosenthal, and Jordan Roderig after night one on Thursday. Nick Shook joins me night two Friday and then Sunday to recap everything that went down over the three days in Pittsburgh. We'll tell you who won the draft. and which players were my favorite picks. Listen to NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal on the free IHeart Radio app.

Open the app, search NFL Daily, and listen now. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and free agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stopped. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency, the combine.

The NFL draft, Pro Days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters. From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits. To my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move?

We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations. stations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis.

Listen to 40s and free agents on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. How are you competing now? Do you need to compete in something? Is it the curl? Are you still doing the curl? Yes. No, I was up to this year.

I had a little snappoo with USA curling. I got asked to be on Corey Dropkins team as an alternate. They kind of blocked it. So, and the way the Olympic trials is set up this year, the first, the top three point setters, which are pretty much already set. They're automatically in. and then I have a one tournament winner take-all for the fourth spot. So next year we'll probably put a team together to try to do that.

I don't feel the need. I love it. I mean, competing is always fun. I don't feel the need to compete, I don't think. I just like having fun, to be honest. Talk about the curling thing a little bit. Oh, yeah, I took a bet. When you got done, right, you compiled a team of all ex-NFL guys, right?

It was bull. Yeah, when I moved out here about seven years ago, so I took a bet from a buddy of mine to make the Olympics. And a bet, like what's that bet consistent? Like, is it money? Yeah, well, money. It really might matter because he couldn't afford the bet anyways. He was drunk and threw out the stupid number.

And so... That's how the best bets happen. Yeah, yeah. Well, the first bet was I was supposed to make the PGA tour event within three years of retiring. So I was playing in the Tahoe golf tournament. And I sucked. I was just playing the crap. He's like, bro, you have no chance.

He's like, you might as well pay the bet now. He's paid. And so I told him, I was like, okay, put the money in escrow. Right now. You go put the money in escrow. and I'll match you and I'll pay. I couldn't do it. So then we're over at the house in Arizona,

I'm sitting by the fire. I'm like two for one bearing him, you know? Yeah, here you go. And so my financial guy, my buddies are all there, so we start talking about it. And I just watched Eddie the Eagle. And I was like, Moles. I was like, let's parlay this.

You know Moles. Yes. He's a beautiful human. Oh, gosh, what a train wreck. I love that guy. And arguably probably the funniest human being on the face of the earth. And he's talking about like small,

but he's got like a big nose. And so nobody actually hits him because they feel bad for him, just verbally assaults everybody. So that's always fun. And so we ended up getting this bet. And I just watched Eddie the Eagle. And so I was like, dude, how about we parlay this into me making the Olympics?

Right? And he was like, done. Done. So I originally started badminton. And then Bulger and I. That's a tough sport. That's just a bolder and I was like, and my wife was like, why don't you do with somebody that you know, right?

And I was like, all right, bulger. I just happened to run into Bulger. Right. So I'm like, bro, you want to try to make the Olympics as a badminton player? He was like, I'm in. I was like, let's get it. So I literally signed us up for like an average Joe style dodgeball tournament, but bad men up in like some Catholic church in Jersey.

And he comes to his read email and he's like, I can't do this. It was like the China national team, but these dudes are getting after it. Oh, dude, that's a different level. I'm like, man, they're five, 10, five shuttle. The 20-hour shuttle is pretty impressive. And he's like, my back won't hold up. I'm like, yeah, I probably might not either. I'm like, so we started looking at curling.

I was like, looking at all the sports we weren't very good at. And on the website, there's like, most people start in their 40s. The loser, the winner has to buy the loser's beer. And I'm like, this is a great sport. I'm in. Love this. So then I was having a dinner. Bullet, our kids go to school together too.

So I'm like, Keith. You want to try to make a limbox? He's like, yep, I'm in. So then Roos, I was having dinner with Roos, and Roos is like 6-6, 900 pounds. Literally, talking about a big guy. He's like 6-7, 6-7, 6-6, 6-7, 6. at like 3.30. And my,

Bruce, you want to curl, get the dancing bear on the ice? He was like, I'm in. Did you actually like it? Oh,

it's so much fun. I absolutely love it. I love it. Now, it's tough because there's like a four, they're like all four-day tournaments. Right.

But we've traveled all over the world. We've been Switzerland played, and we've qualified for four nationals. I played four nationals. No joke to actually have a silver medal. I have a silver medal on nationalist curler. So my first year, Rich Roonen's team asked me to be the alternate for nationals.

Yeah. which was great. I'm like, great learning experience. We just practiced all day, but they were whooping everybody. So I got to play like eight ends, right? I was the guy coming in the fourth quarter preseason. I did it.

I did it a lot. Don't worry. Fourth quarter, come on in. I was coming in and getting after it, right? Dead time. And so I played, I ended up in leaving her. I didn't even think. I'm like, there's no way that they didn't take in second place.

They lost the Schuster. And I got a freaking silver medal in the, in the mail. I'm like, there's nothing about this sport that makes sense. Hung right above your bed. On the right above your... But yes, it's fun. I realize, though, Curling, I'm... I'm my competitive spirit.

I am very competitive, obviously. But my competitive spiraling doesn't necessarily... Or spirit doesn't necessarily always translate to curling because they have a thing called, In the Spirit of Curling. They're supposed to be nice to each other. And in my first couple years, we'd get off the ice, get beat.

I would shatter brooms in the locker room and scare the piss. And everybody... And curlers are dorks. Like, honestly, I love them to death. But it's like bean counters. They're all, like, quantum physics. like engineers and I'm like,

they're all wicked smart. And I'm just like, so when a 6-6 dude comes in and shatters a broom, everybody's like, oh, some of the day. You're not allowed to talk any crap whatsoever on the ice. Or it's frowned upon.

It's very passive-aggressive. It's like, nice shot. And you know it wasn't a nice shot. I just missed. I know. So stupid. Oh,

that's so good. You keep up with the Vikings at all now? I do. I do. I don't watch a lot of football enough just to not be dumb when I get on the radio or whatever. But I do. I'm stoked. No one would have thought we were going this route.

Awesome. And it makes my not keep Kurt Cousins comment make it look a lot more. Yeah, you're strong with that too. Oh, was that the big take for a while? Well, yeah. Well, I got, I didn't necessarily throw the bus, although I think the organization wasn't the happiest way. I got calls from everybody just because I was asked if they should resign Kurt.

And I said, no, I don't know. Kurt, make as much money as you can. That's the game of the game. God bless you. And he has. But I'm like, we cannot go out and pay $40 million a year, right? For what? He's, you know, if he's supposed to be, we went five.

He was having the best year of his career and we went 500, right? We were like four and four, and he got hurt. We came in with guys that literally, I think they took somebody off a Southwest flight and put him in a quarterback. And we went like four and five, you know, like, it doesn't make sense, spend money on that. Go get a draft bit. they did and I think Kevin's a phenomenal coach and Coasey is a great GM because Grady does a great job of taking all the analytics right so I mean it's kind of like two philosophy in the NFL right you got guys

that are solely filled driven or player driven and you got guys that are solely analytic driven what I think the Vikings are doing a great job right now they're using the analytics to get the players that Kevin wants right and then Kevin's so humble that he you know he he works with guy you can just you can see the vibe that guys have you can see what Brian Flores is doing there you know they're going to put guys in the best position to be successful, not necessarily put guys for their, you know, for their system to be successful. If that makes sense. Well, what do you think about the quarterback situation? We're talking about it. We will not lead you in any direction. We have our thoughts, but what's happened with Darnold slash, do you sign them? I don't think, I don't think you pay them. I mean, you got to look at

I mean, I think, I mean, now you went a Super Bowl with them or you get an NFC championship game. He's going to get paid. But here's the problem. And this is what Sam's problem has been a long long. He's, when you're a top pick, you go to a crappy team. And then he went to another crappy team. on the team and has parts and pieces. You got to, Sam Ronald's not the guy. And, you know, just in the same way, like, you know, but you have success. If he takes them in and, let's say you go deep in the playoffs, a crappy team is going to sign him to try to be the guy, and they're not going to surround them with the pieces.

And I think that's what the Vikings have done great. They're not making Sam try to beat everybody. But what you want a guy like him to do, you hate to use them a game manager, but I always said, like, just don't screw it up. Hand the ball off, throw your time. I mean, with Justin Jefferson. I think I can play quarterback and be decent. But I don't know that you can pay him what he's going to be acquired because now,

but I don't, I wouldn't, I wouldn't be opposed to this. I wouldn't be opposed if they could get him at somewhat a bargain for another two years. What's a bargain? In this market, 25 a year. I was saying 35, 40. Yeah, I wouldn't pay him 3540. Because 50 is like top tier. That's the two, that's the dad money.

Yeah, I just don't think you can pay him 35, 40 based on one year's body of work, right? Because if you, you got to look over the totality of what he's done. And, I mean, yeah, there's circumstances. But if you could get him for sub-30, I would say, yeah, let JJ sit back there and, and soak it up for a couple more years. I think also, though, from a quarterback perspective, he goes into this offseason and says, yes, somebody might offer me that 45, say, 40, just based on what he did last year, but you're going to a worst team.

So I think Minnesota's bargaining power is the fact that if, you give me a fair market deal and within the realm of what we were just talking about. Now he knows he can come back and have success because he's seen the other side of it, right? The other side of the jets and the Panthers and now being thrown to the wolves and saying, you know what, this guy, maybe he's a bus, he's no good,

goes to the 49ers, see how a real organization's run. Then he comes here and he has his first real team and supporting cast around him and has a tremendous amount of success. If I'm him, I'm going to take a little bit of a pay cut to come back to an organization that believes in me that I led this year, that I have the locker room, everything else, because that's going to create more longevity

in the long run for you as a player versus now you go test the waters again and you go and you're at a rebuilding. Oh, I agree. The only downfall is that, you know, you have a top, what do they take JJ at? 10, 10, right? You have a top 10 pit.

So you have a couple of down games. You know how the fans are. I mean, it's every team. That's the nature of the beast. The Age of the Beast. So I think, yeah, I would hope Sam will look at it. I think what he's done has been amazing. I think, be honest, I just, I love seeing, I love seeing under,

I like to see like the rejuvenations of people's careers, right? But I think the most important thing to look at, too, and I always say this, when you got guys that are clearly good players, right? You'll see it when guys switch teams and they have a dramatic dip or something. It's usually coaching, right? You know, it's how, how coaches can make a huge difference on how they manage you, right? and what that stress level looks like. I mean, again, you have an overbearing coach who wants full control.

You know, you might not get the best out of that player. Russell Wilson is a great example. 100%. Guy went to what, eight Pro Bowls in a 10-year span, won a Super Bowl, goes to Denver, not in the great situation with Hackett in there. Is there a new head coach? He gets fired by the end of the season. Sean Payton comes in.

He's one of those guys. Sean's his way. It's his way. There's no in-between, right? There's no middle. It's black and white. You know, and he didn't have a bad season last year. That's the crazy part about it.

But they just don't want to pay him. They release him. Now he's on the Steelers, and he's probably got a better supporting cast and all that stuff. But what have they won? Nine straight? Yeah. You know, it's amazing how much environment and situation impact players. 100%.

I don't think enough players look at that when they're making decisions, right? I mean, it's understanding the environment you're going into is huge. So I can see darn old now depends on what New York, but the Giants do, right? I mean, the ball's supposed to be this offensive genius guru, but who do they have? So if I'm Sam, I'm going to this year, you know, I look at A, who's my, who's my, who's my, who's my offensive staff, right? And then who's my supporting cast? Like, you know, just, I don't know what did they do down in Tampa if they paid, you know, Mayfield or not. They did they get him a hundred million.

So, yeah, I just don't know where, where does he go? Well, did the Vikings have any, I mean, we're given darned all the power in the situation, but do the Vikings want to pay him 30 million, 35 million? And would they do that? Do you think? No, I think the way Quasi is going to look at it, I mean, I think. Like, do they want them back? Well, I mean, I think you'd be dumb to say you don't want them back. I mean, because, I mean, look at the success you're having. I think any coach, any organization wants consistency.

So if you have consistency, they obviously know what they have, but, you know, they put JJ down for a reason. Best thing for him, I think, best thing for Sam, because it created no tension, no controversy, right? So again, I think it all depends on where you end up in the playoffs. I mean, look at the north. The north is stupid good right now. And the bears are only going to get better. Right. And that's another situation.

Look at where the bears could probably be, what cable ones would be if they had the proper coaching staff in there, you know? Well, because they went out and spent money this offseason. Yeah. And it's just been one of those unfortunate things for Caleb. He's had his ungrowing pains. He hasn't played well at times. But again, he's got a supporting cast around him.

got to get better on the offensive line. Absolutely. But like you said, the north is... And they're young. Detroit, Minnesota, they're young. And then you got Chicago. So I think the Vikings are in a situation where they absolutely would take them back

for the right circumstances. And you got a top 10 pick that you can groom for two years. I mean, look at the success guys that have sat for a couple years I've had. Look at Aaron Rogers. Jordan Love. I think you can, there's probably a handful of other

that you could name, I mean, Patrick Mahomes. Right. I mean, so you look at guys that, you know, so I think if you could get Donald on a two-year, I mean, even if you get him on like a two-year, I don't know, 70, something like that. I mean, maybe it's worth it, two years, 60, just to kind of stop gap that and have some consistency going forward. Yeah, because the North is tough. So I think they do want them back.

But I think the Vikings, I think, are in a great position because they can stay strong to the price that they have. They have the guy that they want in the future, and where's he going to go? But that's the thing with JJ, you're also, you have to make that decision based on the fact you're rolling the dice. JJ has not taken a snap in the NFL. He came from a program in Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, where they ran the football. Now, I'm not taking anything away from Jay McArthur because I watched him in person and this dude's legit. Like he makes plays, he can extend plays, he's got a great arm. But again, it was a very run-first offensive unit and they were just better than their opponents.

No. And then all of a sudden you say, okay, we're going to let him step in and take over, which Minnesota throws the ball a lot more than they did at Michigan. So it'll just be interesting to see how that looks, right, moving forward. If they believe that JJ's the guy that can step in day one as a first, first time starter, basically, in this league, and pick up where they left off this year because you're trying to go, especially with the direction, like you said, of the division. That's the problem, right? I don't think any – I'll be honest.

I didn't expect to be 10 to, too. I didn't expect them. I was like, man, if we can get to, if we have a 500, or if we're slightly, and here I am, I'm like, we, like I'm still a part of the organization. You are. You are. Well, my name's in the stadium, so I figured I can say we ain't get away with it. Crazy is probably like, you have a zero pool shut up. So, but I think, I think if they can literally, I view Donald's as a stop gap, right?

But you can't because, you know, if we would have been 500, maybe eke into the place. playoffs, wild car. I mean, still might be the wild card. But you know what I mean? If you're okay, everybody would be like, dang, O'Connell's going to be coached the year. 100%. If he's not, Flores might be coached at the year.

But he's doing it out there. Just killing it. So he might be gone. We'll see what happens there. But then you take Donaldson, it's like, you can't, like you're right. If you're not in this position where you're literally fighting, you know,

one of the league's best records, you can't go backwards. He's also 27, which helps, too. If you were 33, it would be a different story as well. Well, I think that's what happened with Kurt, right? You're coming off an Achilles. You're coming off that. So the Vikings are like, we can't, we can't do that, right?

And so you find lightning bottle with Sam Darnold. I think you've got to write it out as long as possible. But again, I'm trying to think of all the teams throughout the league right now. I don't know where he goes to get a big payday that's going to give him the supporting cast Minnesota has. So I'm with you. I take a pay cut. Yeah.

Right? I mean, you're going to get an increase to make it, what, 10 of year now? Yeah, but you guys are. smart and retired, right? Remember when you were 25, 26, 27? Not smart. Right, exactly. It was, it was, I need to make sure I can get paid so I can, because what, you know,

the average player plays for so long and injuries. Yeah, but I think, I think he's in a situation where, you know, he's definitely, he's caught the eye of the entire league, right? Right. And there's going to be unfair expectations put on him. And I think, like you said, she's got the unique privilege, though, of knowing what the other end looks like. Here, I remember most young guys like myself, I mean, we were just, you know, I come off leaving the league in sacks. I'm like, I'm getting paid.

I will go anywhere from my hand of the dirt. Just let me come in one. But at the end of the day, too, I mean, I had a chance to go to Tampa. It was between Tampa and Minnesota. And Minnesota was a better fit for me based on who they had with the D-Line. I mean, Pat and Kevin Williams, you know, Ray Edwards on the other. I said, you had Antoine Winfiel, like we had, we had guy, Adrian Peterson. So, you know, guys look at that because you do want to win a Super Bowl.

And then from a quarterback position, you know, Super Bowl's playoffs, wins matter. Right. You know, there's other positions, defensive guys' stats matter for the most. I mean, all wins matter, right? You want to win, but my career is not judged by my win or loss record. Sam Donald's career will be judged by his winner loss record. Right. And so I think he's got to take that into accountability or take that into account when he's,

when he's looking at this. And again, I mean, he knows what it's like to be on a crappy team with all the expectations riding on you. And I understand what Bobby San, you're saying. 40 million dollars a year. Because not everybody looks at it like that. A lot of times, like that, like as a player, a lot of time, you're trying to capitalize and make the most money that you can because you know that tomorrow's not promised because of the injury rate. You also know that, hey, when you fall out of favor, you have an up and down year or whatever, they're looking for the next best thing and you're replaceable. Everybody in this league is replaceable.

And so I understand what you're saying. If somebody comes in and says, hey, we'll give you $50 million a year. Hey, you're probably. And you're getting 35 over here. That's 15 more. You're like, I can deal with some of these guys. We'll figure it out. Just make sure it's guaranteed.

Yeah, make sure. And that's what the leads go to. Big signing. Well, so many of these guys now, they're signing guaranteed deals, especially if you're coming to be the franchise guy that there is guaranteed. Now, it's not Juan Soto money. Really? But what is?

What is? It ever has been in the history of. But it's only 50 million a year. Patrick Mohams is making 50 million a year. It's 700 million over 15 years, though. So 50's good. Pat's making 500 over 10. But again, he doesn't get hit.

True. He just has to hit. And it's guaranteed that you could break his leg tomorrow and make three quarters of a billion dollars. That's wild. The 2026 NFL draft is here, and the NFL Daily podcast has it covered from all angles. Join me, Greg Rosenthal,

and Jordan Rodriguez. night one on Thursday. Nick Shook joins me Night 2 Friday and then Sunday to recap everything that went down over the three days in Pittsburgh. We'll tell you who won the draft

and which players were my favorite picks. Listen to NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal on the free IHeart Radio app. Open the app, search NFL Daily, and listen now. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal.

And this is 40s and free agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stopped. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg, free agency, the combine, the NFL draft, Pro Days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters. From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits, to my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got

Teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And the difference is, Soto, think about baseball, and this is the strong. And I love baseball. I grew up, but I don't love it as much because it's not as fun. There aren't as many stars. It doesn't have the room. But think of just go Otani. Yeah.

He's a big star. Let's go to the biggest star. I've watched baseball hardly anymore. I love Otta. Let's say you're watching baseball, though. You only see Otani bat one out of every nine times. He doesn't even play the field. No.

But even imagine if we played the field. He may make four or five plays a game. Yeah. So you're seeing him a total of like six minutes a game. Yeah. The biggest star in baseball. So, and again. So how is it?

He's coming back this year, guys. He'll be on the mound this year. True. Now, if you pitch on him. I mean, that's what makes him like a superstar. Football different. You're the quarterback. You're, and I'm just talking of marketing.

And the amount of being seen. Quarterback, you're seen all the time. So when you compare him a Holmes, you're like, but he makes it. But he is on camera at least 65% of the entire broad and telecast. Right, yeah. And Soto is not. True. He comes up, that's one at a nine times.

Gets a ball hit to him occasionally. Are they even on network television anymore? Dude, once a week on Apple. It's like the hard broadcast to find. All right, we have one question each, and we'll wrap this up. I'll go first. You ever have to hide an injury while you play so they don't take advantage of it? Not so they won't take advantage of it.

So you don't get a non-football-related injury. I tore my peck. Most of my injuries came from doing dumb stuff. Oh, you didn't want the team to know. Oh, yeah. So I tore my peck, my right, it's still torn. I never fixed it. I tore my right pack wakeboarding.

And I was literally, it was like a couple weeks before OTAs started, and I was out wakeboarding, screwing around, dragging my arm in the water, and it caught, and it just freaking, whewripped it. So I was like, oh, dude, my whole arm was just beat just purple from my chest down to my arm. And so I just, I iced it for like 10 days. Got their OTAs, and I never do anything in OTAs. So they were probably wondering why, why did you know, it was a manager? It was a man to remit camp, actually. So I put my shoulder harness on because I had an AC joint issue before.

So I went out there, I came back in after practice. I was like, ah, show, you know, I think I tweaked my peck a little bit, man. He was like, Doc came in. He was like, tweaked it? He's like, your peck is completely torn. I was like, so what is that? What are we doing here? And he's like, surgery is only cosmetic.

Like, what's your pain tolerance? Can you operate? I play the right side. So I only need my left side of the body. I was like, well, I'm good. How did you do it? I was like, clearly. I was like, I felt a straight lift in the other day, but this happened.

Oh, the other one was deer hunting. I fell, I was Kansas City. I still have the scar on my root. I think of my rookie or sitting here. And we're getting ready to play Indianapolis. And I was out, I shot two deer. Did you have tags for both? I did.

I actually had three tags. I shot three. I didn't want to say. I felt like three was like, three was like annoxious to say. But anyways, I felt all my tags. Let's put it that way. So I'm dragging them back and they're on the other side of the bar bar of fence.

I come over. As I'm climbing over the fence, the little D-ring on the bobb on the post snaps, right? And I got a barbed stuck into my nether region, so to speak, right? Right into my, I'm like, oh, crap, my femoral artery, right? So how do you blame that on minicant? No. Yeah, he's trying to come up with something. So I get the bar out, right?

I get these deer processed and everything. And I get my buddy. And I'm like, man, I'm covered in blood. in the world, his blood's coming from me. That wasn't that big of a deal. And I looked down, and my hand is completely

filleted back. I'll see the tendons of my thumb. So I call my buddy who's form. I'm on and I'm like, I've got to get to a doctor, like, low-key. Sorry,

no, no, Joe, I think he took me to the vet. All right. You took me, I was in the small town in freaking Kansas City or up in,

sorry, up in northern Kansas, or northern Missouri, like Gallatin, Missouri area. And I'm in a small town, get in there washing out, give me some pills

because I got deer blood just mixed with my blood. And it was like, here, take this so you don't get Lyme disease. I'm like, stitch me. I think I had like 35 or 25 stitches or something like that. And I'm like, so I go into the train room next time. I'm like, hey, bud. I was like, I need a pad for my hand. Why?

He's like, why? So, man, I was getting in my truck last night. I slipped on the running boards and went to grab the door and sliced my hand open. Just went down urgent care and stitched up. like that's not minor and he looked at me and he was like that's what we're going with I said well it's the story I'm going 100% you see my contract there's a lot of redlining down here

right there just to uh and I have four batted balls that game with that hand how'd that feel like oh so yeah never to hide you know I felt like if I'm on the if I'm on the field like I'm able to play I played through torn MCLs AC joints broken foot I played the shoot roll with broken foot busted L5

my back, that was fun so it's kind of way it is. Yeah, I don't think I've had anything where I'm jumping over barbed fences or doing anything like that. I mean, hiding injury,

the only time is when I thought I was going into a contract here and I knew that it was going to, like I sublux my kneecap coming from the Patriots and my knee was super swollen, but I knew I got traded to Kansas City.

Hey, speaking of payday, I'm going. Yes. So I was like, gosh, I mean, this thing was swollen like this.

I was supposed to go there that week. And I was like, I was icing it, taking all the anti-inflammatories, doing all that stuff. And I get in and they take, you know, all the x-rays and the MRIs to make sure that you're healthy enough. They're like, whoa, your knee. There's something going on with your knee here. I was like, no, feel great. Like, go right. Let's go run.

Honestly. No, seriously. They're like, yeah, it's pretty messed up. Like, they might need to do something to it. And I was like, no, I'm good. Seriously. I feel great. I played the whole season.

Yeah. And I passed the first. physical somehow some way and like we're good to go i was like yes let's go but it's a scary thought because especially when it's going to impact you you're set up to go you know financially make your payday or whatever you might do or even make the team next year because you get hurt and you go into an offseason you've got an injury that is going to be long lasting you don't want to go and have surgery like i tore my bicep tendon there's a hole right there i know it looks swole but it's actually the bicep rolled down in there.

And they said, you can reattach it. I was like, how long is that going to take? Like, four or five months? I was like, no chance. They're like, do I need it? And they're like, no, you just might lose a little bit of velocity early on and all that stuff. And I was like, fine, not going to worry about it.

Because when you're not playing, Brady once said it, he's like, you never want to see somebody else doing your job. Because if somebody else steps in and plays, and this is the Sam Darnel conversation, and they play and they do really well, they might have your job. I mean, it's Wally Pip. I mean, that's the legendary Wally. He lost his job because he got hurt. Well, they say no one loses their job in injury.

That's not true. Unless you're Drew Bledso. That's true. So true. I mean, it is true that way. You know, I think most great players feel like, or even competitive players, guys that are on the field, feel like if I'm 70% I'm better than the guy, you know, behind me. And there's no district the guy behind me. You just feel, that's just minus that you have to have.

So, yeah, I mean, and we have injury reports, too, so it's not like you can really hide injuries. because you get caught hiding an injury, either there's draft picks, you know, there's all sorts of punishment, you know, things. Now,

they actually throw people on injury report that don't even hurt, right? Belichick used to put everybody on it. Brady was on it, Brady was on it for like 10 years straight with a shoulder.

He had any shoulder issue. We accidentally created a segment earlier. We didn't know. We call it the text flex. He was going to text coach Belichick Raptor here, be like, congrats on the North Carolina job.

And so I decided to flex a text. Dan Lanning had text me today from Oregon, which I was like off last breakers. So flex a text, who somebody you got a text from recently that we think would be super cool? Nobody. No, come on. You got somebody. I don't hang out in those circles.

I don't hang out with landing out. He's in Oregon. Yeah, true. Who texted? Just to say, what up? Just to be like, yeah. You need to get out of your little bubble. You know what?

You know, Kid Rock's brother texted me the other day to say, you know, he was watching the lines. Fine, we'll take it. Bob's brother. Bobby's brother texted me. Billy texted me. Honestly, I don't hang out in those circles.

Well, how about, how about that? But we don't hang out with these people either. It's just like, it was cool that has sent you a text at all in the past couple weeks. Couple weeks? Nobody. Let's go month. Month, year. Year.

Two years? No. So, well, he last month or two, I guess, Dan Smyers. Okay. That's good. just because that's you guys will know. That's, that's Dan. But not to say what's up, just because they,

he's my old neighbor. Yeah, but he's checking in on you. I was checking in. They were coming over to the house. See, came over to the house. I haven't talked to you like six months. I'm coming over,

buddy. I'm like, okay. Perfect. We appreciate you coming on. Oh, my pleasure. Yeah,

this was actually brought Matt's text when Matt was like, hey, you want to do the podcast with me and Bobby Bones? That's a flex. Right there. Matt's from Matt. Yeah.

Oh, boy. Yeah. And then I get to meet Bobby Bones. on the radio all the time, you know? We have mutual friends that love you. They're like, Jared is the best. So they lie a lot, but they weren't. This time, they were right on.

They're right on. So we really appreciate you coming by. And I won't even say it again, but I felt a little weird. And I don't want this to be weird as you walk out. As you walk past the door, I was the youngest member ever in the radio Hall of Fame. You'll see that up there. I don't want you to take that and, like, feel that as you walk. It's right.

It's a big picture says, Hall of Fame. It's right there. Youngest person ever in it. But I don't want you to, like, feel anything about it. I won't see. That should be the flex. Like, how do I secretly put down my guests and make them have an accomplice? Send me to pit for you.

That's what I'm saying. You're shooting for the oldest guy. Yeah. Yeah, right? I will lobby those folks like they have never been lobbying. And next up 15-time Hallibank finalist. All right, Jared Pson. You're reeled out by his kids.

You got your cane. You're walking in like, hey, thank you. Thank you. But, I mean, there are some of those guys that switched over to the legend side, which that's what I'm like, I like the way the baseball, this last thing I'll say about the last, I like the way the baseball does it

because I think, to me it's very transparent. You're on there, Delhick is many players. If you get 70% of the vote, you should get in. I agree. If you can have 100 in the class,

you can have none in the class. Right. It's just, there it is. You need a percentage of the vote. Yep. And that's riders. Yep. I mean,

riders are pretty dumb now, but I do like how, I like the voters of the NFL Hall of Fame better, generally speaking, then I do the baseball. Yeah. Because baseball,

you can just like Barry Bons, this is a mean to you once as a writer and you're like, I'm never going to have. Yeah, no, I mean, literally. So, but I agree. I think that should be like the threat. It's still a lot of riders for the NFL. But it's not all. No, it's not all. I do wish there was, and I know there's a couple like Hall of Fame. I wish they kind of would segment

it like, you know, have like a, you have a riders vote, but you have, you should have a coach's and GM vote. Right. And then I think the people in the hall should have a saying. It doesn't have, it doesn't have to weigh the same thing. Right. But most of the time, players know who players are. Right. Coaches and those guys know, like you said, riders can get pissed

over, you know, take the Tio situation. I don't care how big of a prick Tio is or was or whatever deal. I don't know the guy. He was a whole thing. Dude was a monster on the field. That's all it matters. He should have been in a hallofing years before he was. I appreciate you, buddy.

Thank you for coming by. I'm up there. And that's the wrap for our third episode ever in the whole wide world. Thank you guys so much for listening. If you do not mind and you would like good luck, share this on your stories, on your Instagram stories. say, hey, everybody, listen to Lots to Say. These two guys don't have a chance.

We'd appreciate that very much. Lots to Say is a production of the NFL and IHart Podcasts. Kickoff Kevin, executive producer. Appreciate you guys listening. Thanks to Jared Allen coming up in the next couple of episodes, my favorite player of all time, Boomer Asiason, also Parker McCollum, Country Music Superstar. Thank you guys so much.

And if you're listening to this on a feed that is not our Lots to Say Feed, please go subscribe to the show. Lots to say on the feet that would really help us. We're just trying to make it. We're high energy guys. We're grinders. We're just trying to make it.

I appreciate you guys. Lots to say. Please subscribe and we'll see you guys next episode. Lots to say. Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL

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