The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - GBF- Paul Finebaum, Swagu, Ekeler, Golic & Simms

Episode Date: November 10, 2023

(0:00) After months of notice Golic and Simms still haven't been able to get Mikey A. sideline passes for this weekend's Jets game in Las Vegas that they're both covering. Golic previews this weekend's other games and refuses to take his shirt off. (20:24) Paul Finebaum is not a fan of James Franklin and shares conspiracy theories from Alabama fans. Check out the full Finabaum interview on this week's episode of Stupodity. (27:42) Marcus Spears tells us how they stole signs from Ben Roethlisberger. (45:34) Stu Ya Gotz. (50:38) Austin Ekeler was left on read. (1:06:34) Chris Simms and Billy make an alliance for the week against Jets fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're listening to Giraffe King's Network. God bless football Billy Gill. God bless football Mike Golick. God bless football Mikey A. And God bless football to you, Stu Gatz. Thank you, Mikey A. We have a big week upon us. We do. Mikey A, you are going out to Vegas for the Jets and Raiders game. Mike Golick is calling that game. Where are we with the arrangements for you, Mikey, eh? Well, Mike has been less than helpful in his help of getting me on the field. Wow. Sims has yet to return my text.

Frankly, I'm feeling a little ignored by these two. I thought we were all friends. So, let me give my excuse right now. I just drove 26 hours from South Bend to Arizona. Right, I'm like a lot of time you could be making phone calls. Has, it's a good point. Had to recreate the set here in the Cassita area. Right, your son did that for you, right?

Yeah, that's true too. Had to unpack all my clothes that I brought which was one two-caseful. So I've been pretty darn busy. Yeah. Pretty pretty darn busy. What's going on? So you had a lot of moving parts going on. A lot of things happen. You've been hanging out with Stu Gotz too long. Mikey Aid you need one just for you or am I supposed to be getting them for other people as well? Yeah, how many? There's only four of us. There's a lot of four.

So I can get a pass just for you then. Yes, if you could get me a pass, I will happily stand on the field and wave to the people I've come with. Wow. Well, you can only be on the pass. I guess you can only be on the field for pregame. For pregame, that's fine.

Billy's wow is justified from this standpoint. Is this a trip you planned with your friends? Are they close friends? What's going on here? Uh, no, they're, they're, it's, it's brothers. It's, it's a close. It does it's every year. You guys know every year that I know, but it's his willingness to take your field pass and wave to his brothers who are sitting in section 422 is ridiculous. I three, I three oh seven. Sorry, I'm so too you. If any of his brothers had the opportunity

to be on the field and look at his other brothers in pregame, they would take it. So they would completely understand this. If Mike Ye is roaming around pregame, we can hang out on the field pregame. I will, 100%. I will send the email after we finish this. The brothers, the brothers thing actually makes it more understand. If it was friends, it would be

good. That's not nice. But brothers like, yeah, that's what brothers do. Yeah, brothers, that is what brothers do. Yeah. When are you getting into into Vegas? Friday morning. Wow. Oh my God. So you'll buy the time the game rolls are on. You're going to be broke. Yes. Or rich. No. Or rich. That's why they have the big buildings because everybody says I'm going to be rich. That's how they air condition the desert. Stu got said going to be counting on Stu. You got this week. Wow. Really? Count on it. Okay. Mike, before we get to this week, not a great week for, for either college football or the NFL, I want to go back to last week because you seized in on something on Twitter that angered me when I was watching it at home. In fact, it was one of my weekend observations. The call on KJ

Henry. Oh, I know, getting 15 yards for sacking the quarterback is the worst call in the history of the NFL, Mike. I, I tweeted that out. And one of the responses was great. Well, you know, they're just protecting Mac Jones. I said, wait a minute, if the rest are picking a quarter back to protect, they didn't, Mac Jones. But I tweeted immediately after that one guy. So that was one, and there have been some egregious calls, horrible call. And I actually said, as someone who played the game for a lot of years,

I'm embarrassed for the NFL. I am literally embarrassed for the NFL that that call would be made. And again, I'm not going to put it all in the rest because they have been just hammered by the league. Protect the quarterback, protect the quarterback, protect the quarterback. And if they think there's a hit, that's too hard. They're going to throw the flag. That's why I have said we already have replay for everything.

Let that eye in the sky. You know how right now you can make a call and they can call down from upstairs and say, no, no, no, that wasn't a fumble or whatever. Let somebody look at that really quick. You can look at that a second later, even though that official double down after the game and say that was a penalty. Penelope. He's full. That wasn't a penalty. But have somebody review that and say, no, pick the flag up. That's a joke. And I'm so sick of people saying, well, you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet.

No, not when it's a sack fumble, not when it's a hit and a sack on a third down in your off the field, not when it's you hit the quarterback, what he's throwing and it's picked off. And then all of that's reversed because of a lame ass call like that. That just negates anything you did and gives them 15 yards in a first down. I literally was. That's one of the first time, might be the first time I actually tweeted out and said publicly I was embarrassed to be part of the NFL. And that's how bad that was.

As a former defensive lineman who lined up next to Reggie White, next applied Simmons, next to Jerome Brown, is Miles Garrett the best defensive lineman football right now? I mean, that guy, crazy. First off, I'd never have a shirt on in my life to look like that. Right. His athletic ability. And if you want to separate him, he's a true DN as opposed to ed rushers who are like outside backers who rush, but this guy still moves around. You're seeing it more and more. You're seeing guys move. You're seeing guys and we've seen him from the standing position over a guard. You see a guy like Aiden Hutchinson lining up on both ends or remember the old NASCAR from the Giants when you

just said your four best past rushers on that were probably DN's and some of them were inside over the guards. You know Aiden Hutchinson does that. I could read you used to do that all the time. Right. Go right on down the line and find the weak spot. So you're seeing more of that as well. You're letting these versatile players be just that. You're letting them be versatile. But that size at six five, whatever, two eighty, two eighty five, the athletic ability, the wingspan is ridiculous. The get off, the getting low, the leverage, the turning the corner, the use of the hands is just amazing. Yeah. I had said before the season, I picked Mike a Parsons to be the defensive player there. And my son Mike picked Miles Garrett. And listen, those, not like you're going on a limb, but when you're trying to pick that

award, you're not going to go out on a limb. Miles Garrett is absolutely unstoppable. And he's a guy. And when you get to this point, how great is it? You have to game plan. You know, you just can't let him go one on one all the time. You got a chip, you got a, you got a bump, you got a double team, you got a slide to, you have to account for him on every single play.

Mike, I don't like that you seem to not feel good about where your body's at. Like you said, if you, yeah, you said if you were miles, you'd always have your shirt off. I feel like there's a lot of people around this country and you know, internationally that see you and like, I look like Mike Gullig right now. I'd be walking around with my shirt off all the time.

Myself included, by the way, I feel like you're a better shape than I am. So, Billy, when I was in the best shape of my life as a professional athlete, it was one of the years I was with the Eagles. I was doing that bit on Randall Cunningham show called Goal of Scott, where I take like a lighthearted look at next week's opponent.

It was on Randall's show, was on TV every week. And there was a scene where they made a bunch of robot players. I won't get into it fully. But part of it taping, I had my shirt off. I was bare-chested for the scene. And I did it. No problem. Pro ball player don't care. Pro athlete, man. Take my shirt off. Yeah, go ahead. I watched that on TV and I almost threw up. Yeah. But I said, my God. I'm really showing the feeling of right now. But I feel like you're horrible. Yeah, but I said, my God, I'm really showing the final rest of my life. But I feel like you're, I look horrible.

No, but you're in better shape now. I feel like this is it. This is time for, you know, this is, this is time for you to feel good about. Take your shirt off now. Yeah. And then you can look at it. You'll feel, you'll look at it and you look at the progress that I've made from the time I was a player.

Yeah, try it again. Not happen again. Try it again. Come on. Whoa, you see? All right, a little higher. Mike, I am telling you, you look great. I mean, look it again. Try it again. Come on. Oh, you see, all right. A little higher. I am telling you, you look great. I mean, yeah, it was gun. Jesus. Wow. What are you benching now? All right. I just cramped up. I haven't benched since I got my first, my second shoulder operation, which is a reconstruction in 1989. I haven't benched for

a sense. Really? At the height, though, what were you benching? Yeah, I had. When I did won my one max in when I was with the Oilers, I think it was about 44450. Well, listen, I was not a very strong lifter. I mean, I didn't, I said you wanted to. Guys, there were guys benching over five. Hell, Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. He was a freak of zoi with the Cowboys. I was glad I

retired before I had to play against him. No, I mean, that was at the absolute peak belly of one time getting it when I was the strongest while my body was still okay. I have never been close to that since I was not a strong listener. There are so many guys that are so much stronger at lifting.

Now I'm not taking my shirt off. Take it off. Take it off. No. When I do it at home and front of my wife, she makes sure to like to rock, okay? Wow, geez. Mike, let's switch over to college here with Michigan. Where are you at with this?

Now the NCAA is getting involved. The Big Ten's getting involved. The only one not getting involved is Michigan, which I love. Where are you at with all this? So, here's what I think is gonna happen. Michigan are, the Big Ten can discipline, but I still haven't read anywhere or seen anywhere or been told by anybody

that they can do any more than find that school or the team or suspend the coach. Right. Because what all the a d's who were bitching and mowing into the commissioner were saying they want them locked out of the post season. Yes, right and the commissioners like. To himself wait a minute listen guys. Having a big 10 team or maybe two if it falls possibly right in the college football playoffs brings a hell of a lot of money into this. So that's not happening. And I don't even know if he has the power to say you're not going to the postseason, meaning the big 10 championship and or the college football playoffs, which is separate from the NCAA, by the way. So I don't think he can do that. So the

most you're going to get, I would say, is a two game suspension, and you know what? It doesn't matter. I know Michigan's going to Penn State. Michigan's going to roll Penn State. And state has a good record. They're not as good as their record against top teams as far as I'm concerned. They don't throw the ball vertical enough. Michigan is going to pound them, and they're going to win that game by double digits in

my opinion. And they're going to be Ohio State. They're going to go undefeated, and they're going to be in the final four. So nothing is going to even, so I don't see the big 10 doing any more than a two game suspension. And then literally I'm not being facetious when I say this, we'll get the NCAA ruling on this in probably 2026. They're that slow. I'm serious. No, I know, I know you are. It's funny. They'll vacate that you can't be. By the way, right? There was a great article in the athletic by a coach, an assistant coach for a team that's not on

Michigan schedule. And he is the sign stealer for that said team. And when I say sign stealer, I don't mean illegal sign stealing. You can steal signs. You can sit there and watch a game. You can watch coaches footage, the game footage on TV can steal signs, you can sit there and watch a game, you can watch a coach's footage, the game footage on TV, and steal signs. And that's perfectly legal. And that's what so many teams do. And this guy was saying Michigan just crossed the line, they let the paper trail, they were stupid about doing it, so they should get punished. But all teams do this.

Right. And the one guy said, I heard Deion Sanders say that, yeah, you can mail a game plan, but still have to execute it. And this guy said, I wish we played Colorado. I'll show Deion just how much of an advantage you have if you know the signals. And you know what?

Every coach does it. And people say, is it really an advantage? Everybody wouldn't be trying to do it if there wasn't some advantage. Is it the absolute difference in every game? No, absolutely not. Can it give you a little bit of an advantage? Absolutely can.

And what coach out there isn't trying for an advantage. But the way they did it went about it with Conor, you know, Stallion with the porn. Awesome. Yeah. You know, I mean, just incredible. And so however they get hammered, I don't know how bad they'll get hammered, but you got a couple of years before that happens. Conor Stall they get hammered, I don't know how bad they'll get hammered, but you got

a couple of years before that happens. Connor Stallians though, an all time, an all time, yeah, Michigan man. You agree with that right? Yeah, soon to be an Alabama guy though. Oh yeah, he's a gun for hire is what he is. I mean, but the whole I'm not going to cooperate. I'm not going to say anything. Well, listen, that's why we're going to get a job somewhere else.

He knows that just gets stitches, man. He ain't bringing anything up. Let's go to Mississippi in Georgia. Mississippi Lane Kiffin, they go down to Athens this week. Mike, that's going to be a sneaky tough game for Georgia, I think. Oh, I think it definitely is. Yeah. I mean, I still like Georgia in this. I still think they can control the ball enough.

We know with, um, with Mississippi and what Lane Kiffin likes to do. You know, I have the quarterback, who is at Jackson Dark, with the ball around, has got 16 or 18 touchdowns and only a handful of interceptions. So I kind of, they've run the ball more than they've thrown the ball, which would be good to be able to control the ball that way. But I still like Georgia overall. I think it'll be closer. I don't know what the spread is on this game. I'm not sure.

But I think it's Georgia minus 10 somewhere in that neighborhood. Mike might as time. Oh, it is about to still run double digits. Yeah, nine. I don't I don't think it'll be a double digit game. I think Lane will keep a little closer than that. I don't, I don't think it'll be a double digit game. I think Lanele will keep a little closer than that. All right. You tie any shot at Washington. Washington, big win last week. Their undefeated. They should be in the playoff. We'll see. Well, well, the thing about them is right now, Oregon is playing better. What a, what a juxtaposition we're going to have. Crazy. If Oregon and Washington get to the Pac-12 game and Oregon beats Washington. Now each of their only losses has been to each other, right? But Oregon's was late. One of the last game right before the final playoff pushed the final four are made. Washington has not been looking that great. Now Utah, I don't know

if their offense can put up points the way USC's offense did, but Utah is known for their defense without question. So that's going to be the big match up to me because PennEx Jr., those 2,000-yard receivers from last year or back and just what they're able to do offensive. They're going to score point. I don't think you talk and keep up with that. So I see Washington continuing on. Oregon and USC, that games at Oregon. No, you're saying no. The defense is so bad. No, Oregon's playing too well right now.

I think Oregon's playing better than Washington right now. And I picked Washington in the beginning of the year to be one of the final four. And I'll still hold that because they're right there. I'm gonna have the shot for it. Oregon's playing so well right now. And USC's defense is awful. I know they fired Alex Grinch,

the defense of coordinator, that defense had been awful. We know the offense at times can put up points. So there were a couple of games, a Notre Dame game and the one after that, where Caleb Williams struggled a bit. So we have seen them struggle at times. But for the most part, they can put up pretty good points. But Oregon's defense is pretty damn good defense.

They get to the quarterback and the USC defense is not very good. So I think Oregon is really peaking at the right time. So I think this will be, I think this will be a comfortable win for Oregon. Mike Clemson and what would happen? Clemson. Wow, Billy. That was obviously Tyler from Spartanburg, the call in guy for that ticked off dabble is going to take credit for the fire. Yeah, saying that that jacked up a dabble for the speaking of fire hot seat for Marcus or not one bit. So don't even start it or I'll reach through this. Just asking face. So, um, fair question. Clemson was not as bad as foreign for. They've had a lot of turnovers.

And Notre Dame played about, they didn't play well. They just, the offense has been kind of spinning its wheels for a bit. The defense had been playing lights out. Absolutely lights out, um, uh, blitzing and putting pressure and creating turnovers. And they weren't at that level against Clemson, and they needed to be more at that level because the offense had been sputtering a little bit, and they just weren't there. I, Notre Dame had the running game going early with Audric Estimane.

It wasn't going in the second half at all. Credit Clemson, and it was one of those, we just got the tickly applications from Notre Dame for all the possible bowl scenarios that they could go to anywhere from the frickin pinstriple to the fiesta bowl. That was the options. Well, now take all the new year six bowls out of the case for us off the fiesta bowl. They won't get into one of those.

We're good about that. Where is this right, Mike, for you in terms of all time disappointing seasons for Notre Dame? Yeah, I mean, listen, you know, Mike, you were so happy to have the corner back. You were excited. Yes. Yeah.

I was just, I thought the offense would be good to kill us. Run a little smoother than it did. It did not. But you know, I look at the losses. They were right there, or the Ohio State could have very easily won that game. The frickin' Louisville game, man.

That one, that one, that one surprised me a little bit. I'm not gonna lie. But like I said, I thought they played Ohio State really well. This comes the one, they just, they play bad. So I think they'll win their last two. They'll end up nine and three. You know, is it the greatest season? Absolutely not. Is it the worst? No, not at all. I'm still a believer in Marcus. Sam Hartman will be their next year where they go on the portal to get another quarterback. Or have this guy Steve and jelly who throws a great ball. As well will he be the guy they have a couple of four five star quarterbacks in the next couple of years. That are coming in so no I think you recruit so well let's give him time to get a recruiting class through to see where he's going to be.

Mike, I'm looking it up. It looks like you might, you guys might be back at the tax layer gator bowl this year. Could be, could be. And I went last year, you get, you get, there is workers, you're going back to Jacksonville this year or the past one, not unless I'm in, not unless I'm in the owners suite with another star who gets us in there. Like Darius did. All right, Mike. We, uh, we appreciate it. As always, check about gojo and golek 8 to 10 AM on the draft games that work. And wherever you get your podcasts, something I football Westwood, what Jetson Raiders with

Mikey A. What are we getting, Mike? Oh, God bless football, golek. God bless football one and all. Billy, yeah, very exciting. Billy, yeah, very exciting. The authority of college football. He is the authority of college football. He is Paul Feinbaum. Got to know him a little bit when we were at ESPN,

not as well as I would have liked to get to know him, but he is a fascinating guy. And he is the authority on college football and all things college football. Paul, do I have that right? I think I will, I will, I will, I will agree to that. I like that. Of course you will. I check out his show three to seven every day on the SEC network. Paul's Michigan good. What's that? Is Michigan good? Yes, I do think there. I'm sorry. That's okay.

I haven't been asked a football question in so long. I was a little caught off guard. Right because all you do is answering this conversation. They are, I'll sound like one of these talking heads on ESPN now, but you know, they're very well balanced. They've got a good quarterback. They've got two great running backs. And they have a really good offend. But having said all that, there's no way I'm really to support what I just got through saying because right now, Michigan has played a collection of high school teams, junior high teams, and one or two really good military institute teams. Finally, Saturday, they see, they see a legitimate opponent. They see Penn State. Now,

they don't have a legitimate coach in James Franklin, but they're a legitimate football team. Please expand the James Franklin. I love that. You just threw that in there, Paul. And that's what I love about you. You give the information with a little hot take of James Franklin. Will he ever win a big game? No. And you know, I'm not going to give you the qualifier. Well, that could all change Saturday. That's not going to change Saturday. That's why I said what I did I mean this guy has one legitimate victory in 10 years and somehow and I want him to if he ever if he ever gets fired and becomes a A talent agent. I want him representing me. He was able like two years ago to leak his name for Southern cow and LSU and all the Michigan state, all these other schools, whatever. And he was able to get like a $100 million deal

and he still hasn't done anything yet. I mean, try, I was about to say try doing that on our industry, but there are a couple of people that aren't getting away with that in our industry. You're looking at one of them. Well, I didn't want to be that guy. You can have said it that way. You're glad it to the party and started pointing fingers. I mean, I respect you guys, not much, but some. i i i didn't want to be that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that five ball. Yeah, yeah. I mean, that, that gave me a lot of cred.

You know, when I traveled to country, Paul, is it crazy to you that Alabama somehow has positioned themselves as this scrappy underdog story this year that's just kind of hanging in there? And maybe they'll just make it. It is a true genius of Nick Saban. And you guys may remember the third week of the year, Alabama went down to South Florida, played in the rain and Milro did not play. The new narrative on that is it nicks this was colors to the fine bomb show. It's not a men's acclub, but it's this is what they said.

That Sabin did that purposely. He wanted to prove to his assistant coach Tommy Rees that his guy Tyler Buckner from Notre Dame couldn't couldn't couldn't play and by doing so He now got everybody calm down and Milro was the starter. That's not exactly the way it went down Milro was very Petrolant I'm told after the Texas game, but it's a good narrative and when you when it comes to the legends of the game and Nick Sabin is the biggest right now, it's the new narrative, it's the new story. Sabin has us all figured out

and he also has to your point, the underdog thing worked out. I mean, nobody expects that. Nobody expected all about that but I'm gonna beat anybody this year and they have just simply rolled up a bunch of wins. Now, do they have what I would call a great win? No.

They beaten Ole Miss at home and LSU at home and Texas A&M, which is about a four or five or whatever lost team on the road. So far, they've done about what Alabama always does. But they have a chance for a great win and that's if they get that win, they're in. Yeah, oh, absolutely. And they're capable of it. I just want to be clear on this. This is according to your callers, okay? He put a quarter back in, who's not his best quarterback, risked another loss to South Florida, which would have been very embarrassing,

just so he could be right. Mm-hmm. Right, that is correct. And by the way, it's not only, I have a friend who's a radiologist who was listening to me on Monday and I kind of scoffed at a caller and she said, the guy's absolutely correct.

I'm saying, I hope I hope if I'm, you know, got some kind of growth going on in my brain. Uh, that you're not the radiologist reading the x-rays. The thing that you guys are not taking an account though is coach Sabid's in complete control. He's not going to get to the point of a loss. He'll get you right up to the line and he'll make sure they don't lose the games that he can prove that point. Yeah. And by the way, Nick Sabid is afraid of Tommy Reese, who's I think 31 years old. Right. And he's the offensive coordinator. I mean, I can see maybe Sabin having difficulty a year ago with Bill O'Brien. Remember Bill O'Brien? He's a well-regarded coach. He's now

with the Patriots. But I can't imagine him carrying with a 31-year-old offensive coordinator. Thanks a that. All right, Paul. Thank you so much to the ball-fine Bab Show, three to seven Eastern on the SEC Network, and all over your college football coverage everywhere on ESPN. Paul, we do appreciate it. We miss you, sir. Question was mine.

What's up, still? What's happening? What's going on, man? How are you? I'm good, my brother. I'm good. A little birdie told us, Marcus, that you've been at Savin's pond fishing. Is that true on his lake? When we were in BR, I used to all the time. Yeah. I was young. Used to all the time, man. Catfish, his wife and Terry used to go restock it

because I used to catch so many out of that. Did Sabin fish for the up? Hell no, he was busy trying to gain playing man. What do you mean he was busy trying to gain play? Yeah, he was trying to get rid of for the next Saturday. I was trying to get away from him, but be by him. I don't know if you guys saw the news that came out today, but Nick Saven down here in Miami just bought

two Mercedes Benz dealership for $650 million. Ain't got a beautiful thing man. Mm-hmm, is it? Boy, the college football is amazing. Incredible. I mean, incredible. To think that kids can make money just two years ago off their name image and like this man.

Crazy world. 650 million dollars. Such an amateur sport. You don't see bitter at all markets. Man, listen, and I love it. I love it. He has a lot to do with how my life was able to turn out with football, but Laura had mercy, man. I was just actually to do with how my life was able to turn out with football, but

Laura had mercy, man. I was just actually talking to one of my good friends. He was like, dude, could you imagine if you would have had NIL when you were at LSU? Call. The league would have been a pay cut. Well, that's why we're seeing some players stay for six, seven years now. I mean, Sam Martin has been there for a decade. I'm telling you, I would have stayed too. Right. That's true.

You're gonna arrive at that place, right, Marcus, where the offers from college to stay in college are going to exceed the offers, the rookie contract scale in the NFL. And guys are gonna decide to stay in college longer, right? I'll stay one more year. Listen, it's about to happen to, it's about to happen to a lot of these women's basketball players. Like, that's a real thing.

But yeah, hey, man, you fight for what's good and what's good is happening for these kids right now. And how'd you going back this weekend to celebrate the 20th anniversary of your championship? 20 years, man. I mean, when I got the email like six months ago, I was like, does this mean I'm aging rapidly? 20 years since that national championship. But I was, I'm sorry.

I know. I know. Still, I did not need you to re-enter right now. Okay. But now, man, it was, it's an honor, man. It's absolutely fantastic. And see the guys too, man. Like I haven't seen a lot of my teammates in 20 years almost. You had to pick six in that game, right? You know it. You know it. They still talk about it like it happened yesterday. But, but, but, you know, I thought, I thought 2019 with

Joe Burrow, then was still some of my thunder, but I'm still holding true. Spears, what's the place you got to go back to when you go to Baton Rouge? Where's the place you got to end up? Oh, man. I know you love your food, man. Rest of the run called Paul Rans, bro. Hmm. Paul Rans. Paul Rans in Louisiana, uh, language is your uncle, right?

So, it's like your Godfather, your uncle and Paul Rans has a fried cornish hen with dirty rice. And then you get the barbecue shrimp before you eat that. And when you get there, you just go pass out. You got to have a drink too. Like, right. This will be the first time I have a drink and I don't know two years, but I'm definitely going to drink. So I'm going to probably be drunk guys. That's okay. Enjoy it, man.

It's your 20th anniversary. I ain't married for you. You only get one of them. Uh, by the way, when you were at Sabin's house, like we had Jalen heard some, we've had other guys on. They tell us, you know, tales of Sabin taking them out on the boat and trying to throw them off the boat on a float, on a raft behind it, like water skiing. Did he do that to you?

No, I still we didn't have them. Time to buy their waters in Louisiana. You get chance, say it up by alligator, you get thrown off of it. No, he was doing it saving town, saving with doing it saving town. Oh, he would do it. Oh, at the lake behind his house. No, so, you know, we were in Louisiana at that time, man. Oh, he had was, he had a little pond.

He didn't do all, you know, coincidentally, he didn't do all of that with us. The guys from Alabama get much better treatment than we got. But he was trying to- He didn't have to have my money. Yeah, and he was still trying to put his skin in the game. Now, he's just an OG vet,

so he can do what the hell he wanted to do. Well, he is. He's buying Mercedes dealerships. Yeah, two of them. Don't forget two. Yeah. Two. I don't forget two. Two hundred and fifty million. Marcus Spears is an NFL analyst for ESPN who appears daily on NFL live and weekly on Monday

night count. Dad, we talked about basketball for a moment there briefly. I don't think people realize Marcus, you were, I think, Gatorade player of the year for Louisiana in high school playing hoops. Like, how close were you? Was there ever a decision hoops or football and how close were you to playing hoops? Oh, 100%. 100%. It was a, it was a, it was a big deal. My, if I would have played basketball, I was going to go to Georgetown and play for John Thompson. Wow. They recruited me, gave me a full offer for a ride to go play,

but Georgetown football program didn't exist. So I think for me, it was a decision made by default, but I got recruited everywhere, Stu, Duke, Carolina, Syracuse, all of the schools, all of the blue bloods, but coincidentally, and in a reason for it, like at that time, the football programs weren't good at any other high level basketball school. Oh, you wanted to play both, right? I wanted to play both.

I wanted to play both. If I would have fully committed the basketball, I don't know where it would have taken me, but I know for sure I could have had a overseas career. Right. But, you know, NBA, I played with a lot of guys and had a lot of the skillset and did a lot of the things that guys, from my era went to the NBA and did for a long time. So there's no doubt in my mind I could have played in the NBA,

just don't know how effective or how long of a career would have been. But I definitely had the skill level and the ability to play there. That's amazing. So the NFL felt like a, you felt better about making it in the NFL longer period of time than you did in the NBA. But sure, boring, you know, injury obviously was always a thing that I would talk about with my close friends

and family about, hey, man, you know, the NFL career is short and, you know, I had real and I don't get into it much, but I had real conversations about like if I'm going to play basketball or football, it was like, it wasn't like, oh, you a football player that played basketball really good when you decide to play back. It was like, it wasn't like, oh, you a football player that played basketball, really good when you decided to play back. It was like, no, are you going to be a full committed basketball player and go to the next level, or are you going to play football? And honestly, like, we were so broke when I was growing up, I knew football was more of

a sure thing for me, barring out and getting injured. I knew that I had the ability to like get drafted highly and get money right off the bat. And really that was my goal in college. I know it's blasphemy, Mr. Say. But I went to college to go to the NFL. I didn't go to college. I wasn't thinking about it debris and all that shit.

Okay, go. All right. Yeah. I was a bridge, the NFL, that's it. Yeah, I did, I was the NFL. That's it. Yeah, I did. I was good in school, very smart. But school in college for me was more of a necessity to be a eligible than it was.

I wasn't going in classes with like, oh, I can't wait to get this engineering degree. I went to class like, I have to pass this so I can stay eligible and play and get to the NFL. What do you make of what's happening with Michigan here? It's crazy man. I don't so initially I didn't I downplayed it because I'm like everybody's still signs. We all know that as a football player but when you start uncovering the layers and I think it's about the length right like the length they potentially went to in order to steal signs. And I think that's the part that you get to a point where you're getting an unfair advantage. And I'm a big integrity other game guy. Because and not for some politically correct reason or the NCAA, all you want as an athlete is for it to be

a even playing field within the parameters of how much information you can gather that may give you an advantage. So what I mean is we sit in the meeting room all week long to get ready for a game. And if I see something while I'm in that film session from a player or a coach or something that's going on and I pick up on that and it becomes a theme.

You damn right I'm gonna tell everybody. Hey man, when the quarterback, I'll give you an exam. So when we used to play Ben Rathasberger, he was in in in pit. And every time Ben would get under center, his either his left or right heel would be up off the ground a little bit. And most of like a lot of times when quarterbacks get the snap, their heels are flat footed. So they'll get the snap, they'll back out flat footed and get ready to throw a pass. Well, being right before the snap, he would just raise his heel up an inch or two. And that's how we knew the ball was about to be snapped. Wow. So in, in, like, in years of playing Pittsburgh, after the games, we would, the, the guys would always ask us, like, bro, how are y'all getting off the ball so fast and we never told them

but it was because being with 65 to 60 right he had to get momentum going before the actual snap came to get back into his drop so dude that's the type of football like you can't get into that on TV right but that's the type of film study and little things that we would look for when we play it. All right, Marcus, I don't mean to put you in a bad spot here. I really don't, I know you're gonna see him this weekend, but I am wondering, you love LSU, like you love LSU, man. Guys who went to LSU, they love that school. Let's do, you know I ain't gonna lie to you.

Just ask the question. All right, Brian Kelly, the right guy. I don't know yet, jurors still out, okay? Look, here's the thing in Baton Rouge, man. Last year, Brian Kelly went to the SEC Championship. And there were people that were ready to find a new coach. Now, I'm not unrealistic in that regard, right? Like, that's a good season.

When you, I know how hard it is to get to a SEC championship. That's a really good season in your first year. Here's what I'll say about Brian Kelly. He has a winning history, but your winning history at LSU don't matter unless it's national championships. Like that is the standard that's been set there. It's like, yeah, you could be good

and you could float along. But ultimately, if you don't get to the pinnacle, then you weren't worth being the head coach of LSU. And saving started that to his credit. Nick Savin started that less miles carried it through. Then it okay, man, it had the greatest team in LSU history. And now Brian Kelly, who left Notre Dame having success being to national championships. I think he's realizing unfairly, maybe unjust. Hey, man, we're not enamored

with a 10 win season. Like, nobody, we all gonna leave feeling like crap if we win 10 games and don't have, and play in the, not the knock-bow games, but play in the capital one ball. Right. You know, so I think the jury is still out. it's new, right? Like Ed O. was solo. He's down to do it. It was going to be so hard to follow up from a palpable from a field standpoint. This is one of our own. Like you can't come in with that type of thunder, especially after Ed O. won a national championship. How we talk about his voice. Like he was a dude, right? So Brian Kelly is buttoned up. He's clean. He comes from Notre Dame where people don't curse

and pee on the side of the street, right? So it's just a different, it's a whole different element for him. And I think what you do in the first couple of years at LSU is you have to show that you are trending towards having dominance. And this year was a step back from the previous year. So I think this third year, unfortunately, is going to be critical for Brian Killing and where this program can go. And it all starts with recruiting and getting the right type of players in there. Because that's where LSU fans thought that for me, I think you

got the right guy from a football standpoint. The jury is still out if he can gather that Louisiana kind of flair that really puts you over the top. Don't you think for one second in 2019, when they went on that run and went undefeated and won a national championship that Ed O'Persona didn't have a lot to do with wins? It had a hell of a lot to do with how them do his play and how they won games.

The top five college team I've ever seen, Marcus. It was not good. Me too, I believe a ball. Only when I put in front of him is that Miami, that Miami squad. The Miami-2, the early 2000s. Early 2000s. And I was still take Joe Barrow with Dorsey, so that's a close one. It is. Yeah, really.

It's all I would have liked to see that game, man. For real. Marcus Spears is an NFL analyst for ESPN who appears daily on NFL live and weekly on Monday night countdown also celebrating his 20th anniversary of winning his national championship at LSU this weekend. Before we let you go here, Marcus, and we do appreciate the time. Cowboys, good enough to make it to the Super Bowl. Nope. Really? Nope. Um, let me say this though. This is why football is hard because there is always luck involved in getting to a Super Bowl. Always like, dude, we, we, we analyze and we love to find these weaknesses and strengths. But you guys know that when you go through the last 20 years of Super Bowl runs,

it's been a moment or two in those team season where they had nothing to do with them winning. And Dallas is good enough to get themselves to that point. And that's why the playoffs are so And that's why I had to play also. So that's why you here everybody say, just get in the tournament. Just get in the tournament. And the great thing about football is the best team doesn't always win.

The 2007 giants were not better than the New England Patriots, brother. You know what I'm saying? That's just the way it goes. So, but they were that day, right? They won that day. So when you ask me, are they good enough? Yes, because if things go the right way,

if you're saying straight up, are they the best team? No, Phil is the best team in the NFC. As a whole, when you start talking about 22 guys on the field at any given time. But can Dallas get to the Super Bowl with things going, yeah, I don't think they gonna? Yeah, I don't think they going to beat them. I don't think they beat the top tier teams just straight up down for down going. But a turnover, a fumble, a kickoff return, some terrible pin. I mean,

we saw the game against Philly. Do you get a defensive pass in the fears? And then you get a rough in the passing, you end up on the seven-year line? Right that was no having nothing to do with that. No, but the Marcus Marcus member of the Rams wanted and that you know Tampa Bay should have picked that pass off Dude, I'm telling Jimmy Garoppolo misses a wide ass open I received with a B Kansas City in the first like so it's just can't sit there. Oh, I'm nothing to do with that The receiver is behind your secondary and Jimmy Garoppolo had time to throw the ball.

They didn't make the play. You didn't do anything to affect that, right? So it always takes that, man. And I think, you know, when it comes to Dallas, the issue that I have, because I want them to win so bad, Stu. I want, guys, I want them to win so bad still. I want, guys, I want them to win a Super Bowl so bad. I am going to rip the desk out of the floor on first take

if the Cowboys win a Super Bowl. I'm a destroy the frickin studio. But the thing is, man, is when you look at Dallas and you ask, well, do they have what it takes to get to a Super Bowl? Player-wise, they have some pieces. They never goes their way, bro. Like this is what we've been talking about. It never goes our way.

Even when I was playing, we are kicking a extra pun and Rommel from Buddhist now. We are going into New York in the playoffs and we have beat them twice in the regular season. And they beat us in the playoffs and go win the Super Bowl. Like, so Dallas, man, it's all, it's, I don't know who we cursed. I don't know what it is, but, um, yeah, I think I think a little luck is going to have to be on a side, but it has to be on the side. They'll get in the tournament though. Um, Mark, it's always great catching up with you, man. You were awesome.

You're fantastic. And yes, when you ripped that desk out, just throw it at Stephen A. Okay. Hey, oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. What's your love, that desk at just thrown it, Steven A. Okay. Hey, oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was a little fellas. I appreciate all of me. All right. Enjoy the weekend, man. Happy anniversary. 20 years first national. Well, you're only national championship. Pick into that game. Yeah. But I know you love film back to that place. So enjoy it, man. All

right, brothers. It is time for this week's edition of Stia Gats presented by Draffking's Sportsbook and official sports betting partner of the NFL. Download the draft King sports book app today. Use code stew for a special offer when you sign up. That's code stew only at draft King sports book college football week 11. We are inching closer to the playoff seven and five a week ago. 56 48 and five on the season SMU minus 16 and1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 wins they cover Michigan by 14 points on the road at Penn State. Kansas minus 3 and a half. They're taking on Texas Tech. Buy it down the three. Take Kansas. Kansas

wins. They cover Kansas by 10 points. Liberty minus 13 and a half. Take it on old dominion. Buy it down the 13 Liberty. They win. They cover Liberty by three tuddies. 21 points. Washington minus nine and a half at home. Take it on Utah. I'm taking Washington here. They win. They cover Washington by 17 points at home. Wisconsin minus 10. Buy it down to nine and a half. Wisconsin wins. They cover Wisconsin by 14 points at home. Mississippi plus 10 and a half, going to Athens, taking out Georgia. Mississippi, they're not going to win the game, but they are going to cover Georgia wins. Mississippi covers Georgia by four points at home. Texas

minus 10 at TCU. Buy it down to nine and a half. I'm taking Texas here. They win. They cover Texas by 21 points on the road. Oregon minus 15 against USC. Oregon wins by 35 points at home over Caleb Williams and USC. NC State minus two and a half. That wake forest. I'm taking the wolf back here and see state wins covers. They win by seven points at Wake Forest. Used it minus two and a half taking on Cincinnati Cincinnati not very good Houston. Pretty good. And when you have not very good versus pretty good, I take pretty good used it minus two and a half. They win. They cover the Cougars by a touch tap. We go to the NFL week 10, three and four. A week ago, 33, 34 on the season. Let's get to the touchdown. We go to the NFL week 10, three and four a week ago, 33, 34 on the season. Let's get to the games.

We go to Frankfurt. The Colts taken on the Patriots. Colts minus one and a half. They win, they cover the Colts by a touchdown. Belichet gets fired. Ravens minus six, taking on the Browns. Chris Sims told us a couple of weeks ago. Ravens, best team in the NFL.

I took them last week. They won. They covered. I'm taking them again this week. They're going to win. They're going to cover. Ravens by 10 points at home over the Cleveland Browns. Jags at home, taking on San Francisco. Big game this weekend. Jags plus three at home, not getting the respect they probably deserve. Buying up the three to half. Why not? The Jags win the game outright. They win by four points at home over San Francisco. Saints minus two and a half at the Vikings. Derek Carr starting to look a little more comfortable in that Saints office and the defense. Very good. Vikings.

I hate doing this to Josh Dobbs. I don't want to bet against them, but I have to say it's minus two and a half. They win. They cover sades by 10 points on the road. The Steelers. I'm not bet against my Tomlin ever. Minus three. They're taking on the Packers. Jordan love. Not good. Buy it down to two and a half. Steelers at home. Steelers win. They cover Steelers by a touchdown over the Packers. Chargers plus three, take it on the Lions. That game is in LA. Lions, really good.

Chargers. They're getting there. I would buy it up to three to half. I do think the Chargers are going to win the game outright. I do. The Chargers win the game by four points at home. The Giants, they're bad. They're taking it on the Cowboys.

They're good. The Giants, they're bad. They're taking on the Cowboys. They're good. The Giants, they're starting Tommy DeVito. Oh, it's a big spread. Cowboys minus 16 at home, but I'm taking up Cowboys win by 24 points over the Giants. Commanders plus six at Seattle. I like the commanders. I like Sam Howell. He gets sacked a lot, but he also makes a lot of great plays. Commanders, they don't win the game. Seattle wins by a field

goal, but I'm taking the commanders here. They cover the spread. Raiders plus one, taking on the jets at hold. I can't bet on the jets anymore. Okay. This is a win-win for me. Raiders are plus one. They win. I win the bet. Jets win. I'm happy. Doesn't matter

I'm taking the Raiders here. They win by four points at home and finally Denver plus seven and a half at Buffalo I don't know what's going on in Buffalo They're gonna win this game, but they're not gonna cover Buffalo by four. Those are the picks everyone good luck What's up heart breaker? Heart breaker. Hacker breaker of hearts. Yeah. Hey, it was a collective effort to break your hearts. So it wasn't just me.

You can't blame me. Well, I should thank you because you let me off the hook with your charity. I mean, I appreciate it. Man, oh, yeah. What was I forgot? What was the reason I said that? I told you not to go and give you two thousand. There was no agreement. There was no agreement. There was hollow promises. You went out and did too. You went out and did too the hard way off.

So good for you. Yeah, there we go. Thank you for letting me off the hook. It was a rugged win. I'll say that, you know, defense came through. And so did special teams, offense. We got to get our butts going. I can't that, you know, defense came through. And so did special teams offense. We got to get our butts going. I can't drop the flipping ball. God, I had like three drops, which was, which were killer two month or down and one that had some room to run. So, guess what? We got another week to get back. I get myself back in a rhythm and we'll put it together first, first Detroit. Austin, it's so funny. Congratulations, by the way. You have a Sunday 420 game, like a normal game, finally.

Congratulations to you. Finally, yes. Yes, yes. This last couple of days haven't been wild. We had time change, right, which pushed it all back another hour, and then we went to the East Coast. And then so after the game, we stayed out there and then flew back in the morning.

It feels like my body is just like, what is happening? Because the time change and now we're back in, you know, in New York and now we're flying back and now I'm back and now we have another day off. And so my body's like, where's the routine at? And so finally getting back into the routine, you know, today and tomorrow. So yeah, I feel like I just time travel there for a little bit. I'm glad you, I'm not, I'm not glad that you dropped the ball though I was when you were dropping them to be honest with you, but I'm glad with you.

I don't know. I'm a jet fan. What do you want from me? I mean, that's the fandom right there. So you can, I get it. Thank you. But I was thinking because I love to get inside the athletes mind, like I imagine, even after a victory, record four and four team is starting to play a little bit better.

You mentioned the offense. It has to get better and it probably will. But I was guessing that even in that scenario, two touchdowns of victory, you had a good game, that the thing that you walked away with from that game was the three drops and it's going to bother you for the rest of time. Yeah, for sure. For sure. You know, as a competitor, you're trying to compete at the highest level, there's no excuse for you to have routine plays that don't get executed. And if you continue to do that, you get yourself run out of the league. And so there's a standard that I have to hold myself to, and I do. And so yeah, it's something that I got to get corrected and make sure it

never happens again. And so for us, that's how you have to play. That's the mindset that we come with every single day. And if it's not your mindset, then you're probably not going to make it far in this league. You had that touchdown celebration, that little dance, like, was that the first time for that? Here's what was going on. So I was trying to get something. That's six of a, I was trying to get a group.

Celebration coordinated. And I was like, hey, boys, like let's get this little train, like line, like dance line going. And well, obviously, I was the only one. So I was sitting there dancing. That's so sad. And everyone, because you know, play a part which we're taking a little bit of, you know,

of the viewership off of my terrible dancing. And we've been like, oh, look, they're all doing it. Instead, I just look like a damn fool sitting there doing this little skip-hop thing. And so I'm like, all right, screw it. I'm going back to the air guitar. I was hoping there was a better story than they just all left you there.

I'm so sad. I left on red, man. Did you give your team a **** like, hey, guys, we're going for the celebration. Yes. The silence like, all right, boys, like, I guess no one wanted to get into the, the dancing, the dancing train that we were going to get going, huh? And I was like, yeah, sorry, yeah. It's like, okay, but whatever, right, F me then. I'm not gonna say the air guitar.

For those of you who didn't see the game, he had a catch where we thought it was a touchdown and it wasn't. Then they ran the ball with Austin and he scored a touchdown and they threw a flag. And then they ran it again to Austin and he got the touchdown. But I am wondering, after that second time,

so you thought you scored the first time that challenged it was not a score. Then you score, flag, they take it back. So you thought you scored the first time that challenged it was not a score. Then you score, flank, they take it back. Are you telling any one? Are you telling your hand coach, hey, you better give this b****** b****** me. I need to do all that for nothing. I think it's, I think it's a kind of like an unwritten thing. Yeah. One of those rules where it's like, hey, man, this guy got us down to the one. Let's let him finish it off and get in the in zone. Right.

Actually, we ended up, so the second time we ran it was incomplete. So we tried to throw in a little pop pass to parham and it ended up being incomplete. So they actually, that was after, I think the second, after the second touchdown that was called not a touchdown. And so yeah, they almost, almost gave it to somebody else, but that, no, you turn around. You said, Josh Kelly, you stay on the sideline right now. You were not coming into this game. I've been waiting for my care to need $1, you stay on the sideline right now. You were not coming into this game. I went them all.

My hair needs a thousand dollars, Josh. You've cost us enough. I'm not looking at the sideline, that's for sure. Unless Josh is running on, you're like, yeah, you're out. I'm like, okay, now get out. But yeah, if you're down the wand, you definitely want to make sure you finish in the in zone.

Especially for the one that got you down there. Is it the kind of thing where I don't look at the sideline because if I look, then they might, we might catch us and they'll pull me out like I don't want Don't call on me. So I don't look at Spotting the body like guys it's gonna It's a very passive aggressive way of saying I'm not coming out like, all right, guys, it's going to be a massive aggressive way of saying I'm not coming out. Right, right.

Exactly. Yeah. Wait, so Austin, how does this work? Because you're the captain of the chargers. You're such a great leader. And so you mentioned Breese Hall before and he's the next big contract. Well, you have a discussion with Breese Hall about, hey, this is a responsibility you have to the rest of the guys playing this position.

Ooh, see, I think that's a pressure that's already put on him indirectly, whether he knows it or not. Just because us and all the running back positions have, hey, guys, we need guys to go out there and perform to show that our position still makes a big impact that we really have an impact on the game. And we do that by having great individual performances throughout the season from guys. And so he's got to do nothing else differently than he's doing now, regardless if he knows it or not. Actually, told him after the game, I was like, look, man, you're going to be the next

one. Like keep it going. And for him, he's not even thinking about it probably. Anyway, he should be. He should be. But he should be, right? This is second year. And so your second year, you know, you're, you're so locked into just ball, ball, ball,

which is great. You're not really locked into the business side. You might have a like, like in the back of your mind, or have had conversations, but, you know, he's still got, you know, a couple of years to go before that even pops up for him. So he's on the trajectory to do it, I believe. And so I think, even though his offense is struggling, he's the part of it that actually is like the spark. And to be able to do that, I think speaks a lot of his skill.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I know they're go, go, go, they're young. They just got into the NFL but you have to I think for the position maybe just pause after that first or second year and just kind of evaluate where you're at what your Contract is because it's important because the next thing you know you're five years into your career Austin and you know how that works Yeah, and it's important note that there's transparency in between us as players as well when we to when we're just running back to general talking about these things. And you know, with the current landscape of agencies, really kind of pulling all into our own corner, a lot of that conversation is lost and a lot of the information about what teams are thinking is lost. And that's something that I think we could do better with with the PA is just being more transparent when it comes to, hey, what's going on with the conversations? Because we do rely on each other

indirectly for the conversation. Like, hey, you're getting compared to this player. Well, they're paying me this. This team came to me with that. And those conversations can be valuable. It doesn't mean we have to tell everything, but just even have the conversation of what's being said in the future for running backs to learn so that the old, the people that are not in that position can know what the terms were, you know, before them. So they're not coming in like, okay, what has everyone been talking about, you know, and they could already had these kind of like set up, you know, what a couple of years in advance. So I like where you're coming from.

I think that's something that we could definitely look into. You get asked by other running backs from other teams post game any kind of advice and stuff. I know we've seen it a few times this year. Like do you get that? Yeah, no, I haven't gotten any advice or anything like that. I'm out for the game. I'm more so just making sure I'm dabbing up as many people as I can because I'm on the executive committee. And so, you know, just representing this league and making sure that I'm showing my face and getting to meet as many guys as I possibly can is important. But then also just catching up, especially with the running backs, because we're in each position in their own little club within the team.

And we just relate the most on each team. So that's who I really try to reach out. And then I have some buddies on teams as well. But no one's, we haven't had that. I don't think it's necessarily the appropriate place. It feels like it's more of an off-season thing. If we're looking for stuff on contracts or even just plain things like that. So, and another thing, the running back position is so unique. Like we're also different when it comes to our play styles.

And so it's really hard, I think, even especially for me to really like try to emulate someone else because I have my style. Christian has his, you know, briefs all his his and we're all different types of runners and have different types of strengths. So there's some some variety in there. So in fact, is that with the account for how do you also handle Austin like players

union and CBA and stuff like that? Because like the NFL is different than the other sports in that when you guys are doing collective bargaining, the stuff that's being done for the future won't impact you. So like if you guys take hits now, it's really impacting you. So it has to be hard as a player in a position that you know, you get banged up so much in a sport where the average length of the career is so small that it's hard not to be selfish and try to give up long term benefits because I want to get mine now but I think that's the future. I think he thinks it's part of the obligation you have, I would guess.

Yeah, and we have ways to protect against that just because there's in our structure the executive committee which is 11 members that are voted on and voted upon from our board which is a rep from each team. So there's 32 people voting reps for the entire NFL as far as our teams. And so that's where you have those bigger discussions talking about the different levels of priority issues, whether it's contracts, whether it's the CAF, whether it's benefits. And so, yeah, there's going to be some things that benefit me right away. There's things that I might not be able to be able to get involved in with the cap, continuing to go up every single year and minimums being raised.

And so like the people in front of you are going to have more benefits than I did. But that's why this game has been around for so long because leadership has done a great job of not only taking care of the guys right now, but setting up an infrastructure to hope in how is the guys going forward. And the game continues to get more and more popular. So there's more resources to go around. So things get more complex as benefits of money, of what you do with this, what you do with that. And we're in a position with a board of reps and the executive committee to try to come up with the best solution that we can try to hold on to the gains that we've made and you know

this not it's every 10 years that this thing gets changed so it's it's not like you're gonna make huge changes every single time It's a lot of incremental growth here and there to try to make this game safer and more profitable for for us as a whole so Yeah, there's a lot there's a lot, but for the most, I would say we've done a pretty good job protecting ourselves and continuing to stay safe and then get our guys as much as we can as far as benefits and compensation. They were reports that the Jets defense, the Jets offense, excuse me, was apologizing on the fields as they were coming off and the defense was coming on. The Jets offense was apologizing to the defense. Did you hear any of that? I didn't hear the apologizing, but I mean, we were doing the same thing if I'm like, I'm trying to get you guys to points, man. Like, like, we're trying. Like, keep going, boys, because it's a team game. Devon was enough. Seven was enough. Austin. That's all he did. But the special teams got the first seven. Yeah, they did. Yeah, they did.

And so, yeah, I definitely, I feel their pain. I feel their pain when the defense is playing, you know, well, and you just can't get it going. And you go three and out and you put them right back on the field. And you're like, ah, guys, I'm sorry. Like, ah, we're trying. Like, we're trying. And but I think the most important thing is, you know, I'm hoping they're staying together, I'm hoping they're, you know, coming into the locker room either today or yesterday and making sure

that, hey, okay, let's try to move forward. Like, obviously, we had some issues, but, you know, as an offense, we have to make sure that we stay together because if it starts turning into this drama show, then it's going to make it even worse than it already has been for them. So, and look, they're four and four. So they're sitting in the same position record wise as us. So I mean, they have everything in front of them that we do. So there's no reason for them to get like, ah, like we can't bounce back because that's what the NFL is. You get on runs. You know, sometimes it's to the losing side, but you can always turn it around and all of a sudden, like our defense, people like, wow, this defense is the whole new defense. Who are these guys? I haven't seen

the play like this ever this year. And so she comes down and makes her stay together. So that's my advice to them over the state together. Keep the leaders leading those guys and get ready for another week. Another opportunity for them to get on the field and try to do something better. You have Herbert, we don't like it's not exactly apples, apples, you know. Yeah, well, hey, we talked about that capacity thing. You know, every team has a different capacity.

I know. But here's the thing. If you play a little bit higher than, you know, what the other team did, they might not play it for their full capacity. That's why you go out and play every single week because you never know what's going to happen to Santa. Was there any part of you that wanted to tell Aaron, hey, enough, man, we know you're not coming back.

Like just knock it off. He's out there throwing the ball. I saw that like last week, I think. He telling you he was telling your teammates. He was like, hey, I'll be back in a couple of fortnite. What? Yeah, he just tease it y'all. He's doing a good job staying around the team in the media sense anyway, showing that I'm hoping he's, you know, given some leadership too behind the scenes. Right, but he's not coming back. You know that, right? No, it's impossible. Man, Tor is a keel. He's not coming back.

Exactly. Well, Billy, there's a conspiracy. It made news if we were all over the news team. Maybe he didn't. We don't know. He thinks he never tore it. He just, I didn't say I think that I said, maybe you're right. What if?

I apologize. Last thing on the way out, you have the Lions. The Lions, really good team. So, certainly you've watched Philm already because you guys are always on to the next game. Uh, what do you see with the Lions here this week? Offensively, they got two studs in the backfield that are running the ball. And, uh, I think it's going to be a game that is going to be decided who can run the ball more. Um, and so we're up, we got to be up for the challenge, um, because that's where we've kind of struggled these last few weeks. And, um, I think it's going to come down to that because that's gonna be time of possession

and then turnover. So at the end of the day, running the ball and turnovers, a lot of times decides who wins the game. So that's I know what we're gonna be focused on, if I'm focused on just on the chargers anyway. Watch out for that Hutchinson guy. He's crazy, okay? Just be careful.

Yeah, that guy's a stud too. Pretty good, yeah. Where Wolf is that what you call him? He is a werewolf. Oh, he would classify him as one of those, yes. That's the highest of honors from Austin. Yes, it is. Anything on the way out? You want to promote here?

Yeah, actually, I have a new Discord channel that I've been running some events in. It's called X Games. So I want to check us out, just search us on Discord. We've been doing some group events and things like that. We did a trivia night. We're going to do a poker tournament here in a couple weeks for like some signed gear and some Adidas gift cards. And so it's just a great place to come and hang out and you can hang out with me and we do like Thursday night watch parties.

And so yeah, come check us out. EKSX games. Correct. EKSX games on Discord. All right, man. Well, good luck to you this week against the Lions. We will, your tiger, man. I could tell. We'll talk to you next week. You know what? It's nice just to be able to root for you again, man. Well, good luck to you this week against the Lions. We will your Tiger, man. I could tell we'll talk to you next week You know what it's nice just to be able to root for you again Austin. Yeah, look forward to it. Yes. I love

Since have you recovered yet from the beat down that Billy Gil gave you last week He feels bad. He's been a place the text texting me all week. He feels awful about it Chris. No, yeah, I don't care. Like you said it. It's what we do. I don't even remember what he said to me last week He said something about me sucking and that's okay. Whatever. He sucks too. We're all good I love your guys' relationship. Why do you want us to not like each other? I don't understand this No, Billy, I keep no, no, no. I keep trying to tell you that Chris... You're a survivor.

That's your role, er. I'm the divider. I didn't say he was bad at football, you did. Okay, don't let that mean. Yeah, that's right. Oh, no, no, no. Look in the mother mirror and say, I did this to myself.

Here's the thing. I like Chris. I'm not gonna blow smoke up his ass, you know? Right. Right. Right. We understand that. So I'm not gonna blow smoke up his ass. You know? Right. Right. Right. And we understand that. So I'm not trying to divide you.

I've just, I've been telling you for a while that Sims really liked you. He loves you. And I thought it was a ridiculous thing to say. It's so did you that he wasn't very good at football. That's all. All right. Billy, Billy, I love you, Billy.

I'm usually on your side. What's that over your shoulder? After you said you weren't usually on your side. Yeah, what's that over your shoulder after you said you Worked up low smoke up is that what is that a Chris and Jersey? Why can't I support him? He's my friends Right, and then I mean you can't get mad at me for my job and what I did I mean come on we just came on here and we were having audio problems It was the only thing he's got to worry about today so I mean just heard the interceptions before the first quarter ended I mean not good in fairness you didn't pay your internet bill yesterday

so we had to change days for you I know it wasn't that I caused a I caused a fight in my house yesterday I got a, because I was calling my, I was my iPad was glitching so much, right? Cause I had had it off for a while. So it's like, it was making these updates and getting back on, you know, Apple home sharing and I cloud back up, that like simple things like hooking up to zoom. It was like my internet or whatever.

There was so many things downloading on it. It was glitching. So then I couldn't even, it was like my internet or whatever. There was so many things downloading on it. It was glitching. So then I couldn't even, it was glitching so bad. It was asking me for my Apple ID password. I was putting it in there and it wasn't even accepting it. So I was like, wait, I'm calling my wife. I was having you guys waiting thinking like, maybe she changed the Apple ID. Something happened.

Let me get it. Whatever she wasn't answering. And she was out with a friend and I kept calling. Oh, she was pissed at me that I called. So, yeah, you guys owe me one. Holy crap. Well, we owe you one. Chris, it's serious football business. I have a question for you. So lastly, obviously, the dolphins and the chiefs played in Germany. The first half looks like the chiefs completely figured out the dolphins. The dolphins couldn't do anything. Second half, McDaniel and the dolphins made adjustments.

They were able to score two touchdowns. Moving forward, do you think that we will see more teams do what the chiefs did to the dolphins? Like did they figure out the dolphins or did the dolphins now figure out these are the adjustments we need to make to those adjustments? No, well, I think they did a lot of cool things in their game plan. I talked about my Wednesday,

like what the f*** happened podcast, right? Because that's something that we got a lot of questions about what they do. You know, there's one thing of like, hey, teams can try to do that, but ultimately, they don't, most teams don't have, you know, the horses, the players that the chief's defense has or the Eagles defense has to pose some of those problems that they did to the Miami

Dolphins. I still expect the Miami Dolphins to be, you know, the most explosive offense and football, you know, or definitely one of the top ones for sure. But what we're seeing here is that when they play good defenses, and again, you heard me say this after the Eagles game, you know, when you take away some of the tricks from, you know, the McDaniel scheme, right? Oh, we want to throw screens to Tyree Kill. Oh, they're all over it. Oh, they fumbled and they picked it up and ran for a touchdown, right? You know, none of those plays, none of the McDaniel's specials,

trick screens, draw plays. Oh, shovel pass. You know, other than the reverse, nothing worked in the game, right? And then again, Kansas City's defense is awesome, Billy, where they got great corners, so they can, they can go every now and then go, we'll play you man to man. What's not like, we're gonna do it every play, but if we do it a quarter of the game or 20% of the game, our guys are good enough to hang in there and we gotta feel for you.

And then they got a great defense of coordinator who's ultra creative. Steve Spagnolo is one of the best in the game. And to me always does something that I talk about when you play the dolphins or the Eagles. And I even talked about this last year, you can't think, Oh, we're going to play sound and simple. And we'll just be like, they have too much creativity and things that your sound and simple is going to go out the window. They have an answer for everything. So you've got to be willing to take some tactical chances and go like, okay,

I might leave this area avoided here, but through my studies, it doesn't look like they tack you a lot. I'm going to but the corner on one of the first plays of the game, or I'm going to but the corner again when they bring in a tight slot or some other creative butses that they were very good at throughout the game. So most teams aren't going to be able to pull it off that way too. And most teams added to the great secondary that chiefs have, you know, like Philadelphia to, you know, the chiefs have great team speed. So Tyree can waddle. Don't look as fast when they're out there against those teams. But the other problem too, Billy, is that, you know, your offense

align your run game can't even get going against some of these elite defenses. That's what we're seeing. They lose the physical battle against the Eagles and the chiefs up front, too. And that's another big piece of what makes Miami so special is, oh, you know, you weren't about all this. The screens, the passes, the pop passes, the, the blaze down the field. And then you're playing past events and they run the ball for 15 yards off the edge and another 20 yards up the middle and the old teams don't have to compromise themselves because they got enough good players up front in the back end to kind of do it all a little bit. And from what you see is that a correctable thing for Mike Daniel is that just like the teams of Killy's Hill like that's their personnel. What he's gonna have to do is try to figure out ways of

What's gonna be my next thing with some of these great defenses? Whether that's keeping extra guys into block every now and then or coming up with some different run schemes or Whatever that they're gonna have to figure out to yeah, move the ball against these better defenses and football because that that to me me is the concern with Miami right now. It's just that are they going to feast on the poor all year and really struggle against the upper echelon teams in the league, right? You said two scoring drives, right? They really only had one. The other one was what? They got the ball like the 20 something yard line off the strip sack, right? So, you know, there are certainly some things that concern me against the playoff football teams when Miami has to go against them. But Sam, do you buy into that because the dolphins based on the schedule, the schedule

the next five weeks is really soft. The dolphins are going to be 10 and four, 11 and three, something like that after they get through the next five games. But you have concerns about them not being able to beat good teams, had it into the, they're going to be a playoff teams headed into the there going to be a playoff team. Chris, you have to be a playoff team. Right. I'd be surprised if they don't win the AFC East, right? Right. And I know it's not like a given and Buffalo's still good, but yeah, when I look at

late-ning year schedule and start to look at the cowboys and the Ravens and defense is like that, I go, oh yeah, I worry about one, the good enough players to gamble and play man to man every now and then, the pass rush and the defense aligns that can overwhelm your front a little bit. And till what I tell everybody, when I talk about the Dolvins on my podcast,

there's three things that I beat into everybody's brain. Take away what I've heard you heard me say, the McDaniel specials, the screens and all those Q plays that bust 50 and 40 yard games. You take that away, that's one thing. You gotta dominate the edge in the run game. They love to run the toss sweeps, the toss cracks, get out there with their track stars

and all of a sudden they rip off 40 yards up the sideline in a run game play, right? So those are things we saw Philly and Kansas City stop both of those. And then what that does to me and the kryptonite of Miami is you get them to third down. Third down, they're not very good for being as explosive offensive football team. I think they're below average as the rest of the NFL. And that's one because of the past protection. Two, because, hey, defenses, you don't have to

worry about all the McDaniel trick plays on a third and seven, right? And then, and then also, two is not a great. Oh, I got to stand in the pocket and throw a laser on third and 10. That's not his cup of tea. And that's where you're seeing the three losses. That's kind of what teams did to beat Miami. Oh, Chris, you told us like three or four weeks ago that CJ Strabb might be the best rookie quarterback you've ever seen. What do you do have to last week? Like what can you say?

Yeah. No, I mean, it's like really I say it like, I, you know, me, I'm a football historian and I'm going back through my head going like, I don't know if I've ever really seen this like this. Andrew Luxe rookie year was damn good, right? It wasn't as efficient yet. So fourth quarter comebacks. Of course, they went to the playoffs, but it's like few and far, you know, far between Dan Marino, his rookie year. I mean, it's like a very short

list. Chris, you know, one interception. One, right. One interception, Stugots, and like, you know, the, there's no dink and dunk with them at all. Like when you watch Houston on film, it's just one like, we're going for a 20 yard gain. We're going for a 25 yard gain. We're going for the 50 yard gain. We're going back to the 15 yard game. And he just thought, it's like he, it might as well be a two yard pass with how accurate it is, the quickness of the release, right? He makes so many good quarterback plays as far as throwing it away, waiting to the last second to hit the check down as the pocket collapses, right? He sees the field phenomenal. They have a good game plan and formula around him. And if there is an inch to fit the ball in there, he's as good

as it gets. Like CJ Stratt is not just like rookie quarterback good. It's gone into like, he's really good. And he's a top 10ish quarterback in the NFL already for my money. That's what we're talking about here right now. It's kind of, it's kind of special. Should he be the MVP conversation, CJ Stratt? I think that's like a little overdoing it, right? Okay. And again, I have no problem with being in the conversation. I've heard some people this week start to go like, oh, he should be up there.

And I'm like, well, I don't know if I'm going to quite buy into that, right? You know, again, they're still, they just don't just go, oh, a taxi, J Stroud, right? There's some managing of him still, right? You know, again, they're still, they just don't just go, oh, a taxi, J Stroud, right? There's some managing of him still, right? To where I go. That's not what an MVP is. He doesn't get managed, you know, through a bunch of weeks, right? Would be called anybody in MVP if they put up 140 yards and 13 points against the worst team in football and the Carolina Panthers. That's where I'll push back against it a little bit,

right? It's four and four. Most quarterbacks, in fact, never get mentioned in the MVP conversation when they're four and four. So I get it. He's the man of the moment. He's exceeding expectations. Right. He's kicking some butt there, but I'm not ready to put him like towards the top of that MVP conversation yet. PFT with Mike Floreo every day on peacock, the on button podcast, football night in America, jets and raiders. Mike Yeas going to the game. We'll finish with that here in just a second.

What's been your evaluation through I guess a game and a half of Will Levis so far? Yeah. I mean, good. I mean, how, right? How could it not be good, right? I mean, it's, mean, how, right? How could it not be good, right? I mean, it's, it's like shocking to me. And I don't want to say shocking, but surprising, regardless. It is. I think what I'm impressed by is the accuracy of his throwing. That was my problem

with him coming out was just that like, wait, why'd you throw the ball this hard? The guys four feet away, right? Why did you hold the ball here? Why are you sliding over here into the pass rush and getting hit? You know, why are you missing this guy wide open? You're so talented. How can you miss a wide open guy in front of you? 12 yards down the field, right? There was just too much of that that bother me, but that but that ain't been a problem so far. You know, kind of like we were talking about with CJ Stroud. He's damn good in the pocket. He knows how to get the ball out of his hands when he needs to for the most part.

He's fearless in the pocket in like the past rush around him. And then like I was talking about with CJ Stroud, and he ain't no dink and dunk fest. It's not like, oh, let's make his numbers look good. You guys have seen the last two games enough of it. I mean, they're looking to strike and make big plays down the field. So I think that was totally the right decision. He's shown enough there. They're not going to the Super Bowl. Start building something for next year, figure out the things. He does really good and great. And you can kind of start then, you know, formulating a plan of, woo, receivers me want to sign or draft in the offseason that fit will levice in a skill set. And I think

that's where you go there. But I mean, pleasantly surprised. He's been killing it so far. Chris Suss to guys mentioned it a little earlier. Sunday night football this week, Raiders Jets. Yeah. Someone in this room is going. Has he been taking care of yet or what's going on He's not been taking care of yeah, I want to see where it goes. I know where it goes There's more idiots in the universe than I thought and more people want to go to this game than I would think and more people Want to be on the field for this game that I would think so So I thought you had pulled, but they don't all know you. Yeah. Well, apparently that don't mean no one me, right? That's what we're sitting right now. Because I so Mikey A reminded me on Monday. And I, you know, started to call the appropriate people right away. And right away, I got

all right away. We've, we've had a lot of acts already. And we've already given out a bunch of like, so I'm waiting to see, right? Jets fans, as we know, with the two guys on here, right, Billy? They don't think so clearly. They're a little delusional. And so they're going to be. Don't look to Billy as an ally, please. Okay.

He's right. He's right. Don't you dare look to Billy as an ally. That's what we're going He's right about this. Don't you dare look to Billy as an ally. That's it. Let's go. It's our turn to get exactly. It's over here. You should have told him sooner, Mikey.

He only told him the preseason. Wait, do you guys really, do you believe Sims got the text and just started making calls right away? No. No. I promise you, I can show you I did. I promise. I promise you. Listen, I believe believe you Billy does. Now I probably

should have been on it before this. I, because I think Mikey, I did say something to me in the preseason. But I guess I thought I was a little bit, you know, more powerful than I was at NBC and I'm a little late. So it's a double whammy here. Okay. I'm sorry, Mikey. We'll see where it goes. I'm not saying it's not done yet We'll see maybe go at a pocket for Mikey. I'm thinking you know Out of pocket there's nothing you can do to get field passes that way It's either you know people that can get him or don't and I'm not willing Like I like Mikey. Yay, right? But he ain't family or my best friend yet I'm not calling the jets are the rapers to go down there yet, right? That's not happening. I mean go with that. I don't feel come I don't do that ever really for anybody

So I don't feel comfortable for doing it for a delusional Jets fan Billy, you know Sims because that Sims we all need I need to get a body here just give me a second. You need to get out of here. Just be real and it's me It's you it's personal life. You got time. You got someone. Oh, usual.

A asshole. I mean, how about your eye pencil? We're all it's cracking. The whole the band just is falling. Me and Chris are closer than ever before. You go. You go. Okay. Too much ego. Everyone wants to talk.

Kyla Murray decision to start him. Good one, bad one. No, I think it is a good one. You got to see what you got here. You got to see what he looks like in your offense. You know, they got to feel or get a feel for whether they believe in this guy to be the future of their football team. It's a big decision. You know, you don't just give away Kyler Murray or just go throw in the white tongue. Oh, we're getting somebody else. He's got too much talent to do that, right? We've seen enough good at it. You just don't give up on them. They got a creative offense.

They got some personnel that fits him, some people that can really run it receiver, right? I like the what they do on that side of the ball. They've been running the ball party damn good this year. So, you know, they got to figure out, is he the guy the future, right? And then we can use all these draft picks we got next year to fill in the team. Or is he not the guy and we got to use these draft picks to get a quarterback we want? I think that's the decision over the next 10 weeks. What do you make of head coach Robert Salah being stumped when asked why they haven't gone to Trevor Simmy and yet. I don't know.

What that to me, you know, is a one of the issues like I love Robert Salah. You know that. I mean, I love the energy in which they play with the jets. They're offense. We know stinks and all that. But this would be my one flaw with Robert Salah. You guys have heard me say this before. Let's people and young guys in the locker room

talk too much and give everybody the state of the union where I wanna go, they shouldn't be talking to anybody or giving anybody the state of the union. That stopped this year, but you're causing all your problems to yourself, Robert Salah, that's where I wanna go. I plead the fifth, why would you say that on ESPN radio, right, in New York City, where you know it's a bunch of crazy jets fans listening and can't wait to jump on something and make it more dysfunctional

that way. So then he has to come out and press conference go these conspiracy theories. No, no, you added to this conspiracy theory. You're the leader of it right now. So you can do that. I don't understand it. And, hey, Zach's not been good. We get that, but the offense stinks. It's not good. There's not a much there that I don't look at Trevor Simmy and go, oh, he's going to turn it around and all of a sudden they're going to light up the scoreboard. I'm going to name a quarterback.

You tell me what you think the Jets record would be if they had that quarterback. Okay. Josh Dobbs. Yeah. Six and two. No way. No way. No. I think it would be. I think it would be three and five. Really? Okay. Yes. Taylor. Hi. Nikki. I think it would be four and four. All right. Carson. Once. I think it'd probably be three and five. He'd find a way to

game or up or two. for sure. He always does. Andy don't. Five and three with Dalton. I mean, come on. I've eaten. Maybe, maybe I made me think for sure. It made me think. It did.

But like again, like you've heard me say, in the Zachan, he could have a better clock in the pocket in his head for sure. You know, he'd still miss his too many throws where you go, what, how do you miss the five yard out throw or some of those for sure? All that bothers me. But I don't come away watching film with the jets going.

Man, people were open everywhere. They missed some plays to have some points on the board and all that. That's where it's a little different. And let's not forget they did win three to the last four. Right? And they did go toe to the last four right and they did go toe to toe with the cheese and made that very interesting right so that's where I wouldn't want to jump ship quite quite yet on this.

Sims it feels like he's throwing to open receivers as opposed to throw and receivers open. That's why it's not throwing interceptions is because they have to be open for him to throw it to them. He's got to go. Yeah well I don't disagree with that. I don't think he's there. Next level is a passer yet to always throw with rhythm and timing and trust it.

Again, I think he's still getting comfortable himself. It is a new offense to him there, right? And yeah, he does not have the greatest feel when it comes to that stuff. Like a lot of big arm quarterbacks, they wanna see it and then they go, ooh, I can just fire it in there now. And, you know, what big arm quarterbacks start to realize,

at least the good ones is you can't always do that. And sometimes you gotta do what you're talking about, Mikey, I gotta lay one out there in the hole and let the guy go get it and do that. Josh Allen, he learned that, right? So, yeah, listen, I'm not trying to sit here and defend it and say it's perfect or anything like that. I know, it's bad, but I wouldn't change quarterbacks

right yet, I would not do that. All right, PFT with Mike Florio every day, I'm Peacock, the on-button podcast as well, midseason awards, it's all going on for Chris Sims right now. Who's your midseason MVP quickly, that's it? The guy that plays wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, his name's Tyree Kill. He's the MVP of football. Yeah, that's who I'm going with right now. I'd go with him and Mike McDaniel is like right now in the coach of the year too. Right? I mean, I know what a like

recent CBIA is saying great and all that. But then they're still doing record setting, revolution, everything's on the offensive side of the ball. So yeah, I would go with those two and Miles Garrett would be my defense MVP. Chris, we appreciate it. We'll talk to you next week, man. We love you. Always you said you sucked a football. I mean. Ha ha ha ha ha. See ya.