The Fumblerooski Podcast - Behind the Times -Ep 262 The Fumblerooski Podcast

Episode Date: April 12, 2024

More truth than we think of Tom Brady unretiring at age 47? Blocking tight ends going extinct? Hidden gem running back prospects? Adam Wright and CJ Medeiros debate these topics and more!

Tom Brady flirts with unretiring yet again, and we continue our draft coverage with tight ends and running backs. This is the Fumble Rooski podcast. It may not have always showed it in the stat sheet, but you can see him making throws when he needs to make the throws. Back-to-back games where he has three touchdowns. Someone's got to get that six or seven spot. He's an elite wide receiver as a rookie.

Truly a lose-lose scenario for both sides. Welcome to the Fumble Rooski podcast by Power 88 and Seeker Weapon Consulting. I'm Adam Wright with CJ Medeiros. We are another day closer to that coveted day, which is draft day. I think it's about roughly two weeks away. As of right now, it's April 12th. So just under two weeks away. We're almost there, right around the corner.

Then we have some summer. We have the summer, which is a pretty big dead spot in the NFL, but we have plenty of stuff for you guys to hold you guys over until the NFL season starts, which is what we're all waiting for. So we will get to our draft coverage in this episode. We're going to cover tight ends and running backs. But I wanted to get to this juicy rumor so tom brady um has flirted with retirement yet again so the issue with him is um he already came out of retirement for a year technically he i mean he technically never left the game after 2022 when he retired he just came back and rather, uh, after 2021, when he retired,

he just came back for a season and just changed his mind right before free agency. Um, but when asked, he was, he said, Tom Brady, he said he wouldn't be opposed to coming out of retirement if any sort of injury came up. Um, yeah. So, um, I'm trying to find the name of, it was called, um, what was the pot? It was called deep cut podcast. Uh, the podcast that he was on. Um, it was a simple question. He was asked, um, if somebody made the call you answering and are you seriously considering coming out? Pretty simple. And he said, I wouldn't be opposed to it.

He said he's not sure if they would let me, since he's quite literally the owner of a team now, of the Vegas Raiders. But if he could, he said he'd be open to it. I know we have a couple of angles to take on this so cj i'll let you take the lead on on the beginning part well it's times like this that i wish our co-host justin tucker were here where he would say he better not go collect you gotta stay home go collect the arp checks i said that for you justin if heard this, please be proud of me. But all jokes aside, no, no, you better not, Tom Brady. And this, I think, is a problem than it feels like, but the fact that it happens at

all is aggravating. You have a player that retires, spends a year from the game, and says, hey, I'm coming back. No. My answer is no. It's just cheapening what retirement actually means. You know, you're supposed to be done. Just stop coming back. It's like, why? I just, I don't know. Of course you come back. It's never really the same. And do I think Brady can still play at a high level?

Yes, I do. I genuinely think if he comes back, he's still going to be a top 10 quarterback just because it's Tom Brady. The man has gray in his hair and I still think would be a top 10 quarterback. He it's Tom Brady. The man has gray in his hair and I still think would be a top 10 quarterback. He's literally just built different. However, there's a fatigue. You know, and you can't blame fans just having the fatigue of, wow, another star retires and then

just awkwardly shuffles back into the league. Like, what does retirement mean anymore? And I know the fans are going to hate this, but I genuinely believe that there should be a rule that says once you retire, no ifs, ands, or buts, don't care what age you are, don't care what pushes you into retirement, you stay retired. Because it's just tiring. It really is. And the worst part is how the football media capitalizes on it. They're just like, oh, now we get to flood the offseason with these big will-he-won't-he rumors.

Is he going to come back? And, you know, honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if they were purposely pushing this just to create some storylines so that they can keep the money flowing in the offseason. Which I understand doesn't mean I can't find it annoying. Yeah, so I can name three major cases where a player retired and then unretired. One is the obvious one, the one we're talking about, which is Tom Brady. The other is his former teammate, Rob Gronkowski. He retired for a year. Clearly, it was out of spite because as soon as Tom Brady. The other is his former teammate, Rob Gronkowski. He retired for a year. Clearly it was out of spite because as soon as Tom Brady changed teams, he said, you know what,

I'll, I'll go and play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now. Um, and then there's Brett Favre outside of that. And maybe I'm missing one CJ, but who Marsha marshall lynch yeah marshall lynch um that's not that much yeah i suppose but at the end of the day i just hate the media circus around it and then that's why they do it they do it to generate a story they do it because not because they want to come back because they want the spotlight. Not because they think that they can still play, because it gets more eyes on them. And as a fan that sees through it, it's literally just tiring.

I don't care. Just stay retired. Go be the owner of the Raiders, which I don't even think you're allowed to play if you're an owner. So let's just hope they don't change that. So just be an owner. Go be's just hope they don't change that. So just be an owner. Go be a broadcaster. Just come on.

But here's my question. Is that going to be enough? That reasoning. Is that going to be enough to be able to actually ban coming out of retirement? Like what harm does... It may be a little annoying.

What reasoning is? It's just an opinion. Sure. But why? So is that good enough reasoning to say for the league to actually take action? You can have that opinion if you want. I'm not saying that you can't. I'm saying, is that realistically enough?

Enough reasoning for the league to come out and say we're gonna once you guys are done you're done no coming back well yeah i feel like it's just common sense honestly because when players come back i mean i feel like brady if he did come back would be the exception and not the rule because when they come back they're just not the same. And this is true. Also, it goes more than just beast mode. You know, Favre did it. In fact, he did it twice. Also, want to know what else has happened? Randy Moss did it.

He retired in 2010, and he came back in 2012 with the Niners. Do you remember Moss on the Niners? No. No, you don't. So why does it matter? Wait, wait, wait. Or there's more. Ricky Williams.

Remember when he came back and retired in 2003, came back to the Dolphins in 2005? Or Deion Sanders with the Ravens in 2004? Panthers, Reggie White? Who wants this? It's just watering down the game. Well, those players don't have the spotlight by that time or even better. They, they do. And it's good for everybody. I mean, Tom Brady still flirted with 5,000 yards in his age 45

season. Now, do I agree that Tom Brady should have retired? Absolutely not. I don't think he should have retired at all. I think he should have played through his age 45 season as he had been saying for the past decade. That had been a goal of his for a very long time. If his, I mean, if somebody should not, nobody should be getting in the way of that. If somebody in his family was trying to pressure him and giving him ultimatums for something that has been a goal of his for how, for however long, I don't think you let anybody get in the way of that.

And had he not retired and then unretired and just played through that age 45 season, I think he would have had a better year. I really do. I think he would have had a better year. I really do. I think he caused way too many distractions for himself during that season that caused for him to not play at his absolute best. I saw his physical abilities were still there. If you are getting anywhere close to 5,000 yards, it doesn't matter how off you look. Your physical abilities are still there. If you are getting anywhere close to 5,000 yards, it doesn't matter how off you look,

your physical abilities are still there. I think it was a mental thing with him. And I also think this is another thing that's also on Tom Brady. I don't think he should have pushed out Bruce Arians. I think replacing him with Todd Bowles, I think those two were not a good combo. I think him and Mayfield worked better, but I think Arians and Brady just worked well together for the time that they were working with each other. Obviously, Arians had his issues, but I think they both had the same goals in mind. They were both trying to win right now.

They were both trying to inflate their statistics, and I think that's something that Brady should not have done. I don't think he should have pushed him out. And that's also his fault. I'm not blaming coaching saying, well, it's not Brady's fault. Todd Bowles is the coach that Brady wanted. Byron Leftwich was the offensive coordinator Brady wanted. So for him to have a bad year like that, that's on him.

I put that entirely on him. but that doesn't mean he still can't play in this league i don't think he should have retired i think if he believed that he wanted to play let him play but i agree yes don't like stop going on and off on and off that's kind of that's affecting your mental state i think he should have stayed this entire time. And if he really wanted to keep playing and go play for another team, go ahead and do that. Go ahead and do it. No one's stopping you. And wasn't it the 49ers, apparently, according to some report,

this is off the top of my head, wasn't Kyle Shanahan trying to get Tom Brady out of retirement and have Brock Purdy sit for a year behind Brady? I believe so, yeah. That would have been a pretty good fit. I think that would have been, it almost makes too much sense. But I guess I'm not, I don't hate it that much because I don't think Brady should have retired in the first place.

I think if you can still do it, then keep doing it. If you're doing the sport that you love to do, I just hate players moving on when it clearly seems that they still have that passion for the game and they still have the physical ability to do it. Peyton Manning stopped playing because he literally could not play anymore. Right? Joe Montana was sidelined by injuries at the end of his career. Same as Dan Marino. Tom Brady, he's been blessed with some of the best longevity we've seen in professional sports. So do we want him to retire?

Should he have retired? I don't think he should have. Hold on. Oh, do we want him to? Yeah. Should he have? No. But it's just, I don't think he should have. Hold on. Oh, do we want him to? Yeah. Should he have? No, but it's just, I don't know. Honestly, it's literally just my opinion.

It's just tiring. I agree. And it's not because of any love of the game. It's not because of that competitive itch. I mean, for Brady, it very well could be, but for all these other guys, absolutely not. It's literally just because they want the spotlight. It's a selfishness.

It really is. And I just, and you know, I feel like my issue isn't really with the players. It's more with how like the NFL media just continuously promotes this. And like I said, they play the big game of, oh, is he going to come out of retirement? It's just, we're tired of it. And we know they just only do this to generate money. And you know, the players are getting a cut of it as well. So it's just, why?

Just why? It's just unnecessary. Either do it or don't. Because if he was serious about it, he would just do it. Oh, not the so many likes and I'll come out of retirement. Oh, this and I'll come out of retirement. If he was serious about it, he would just do it. Oh, not the so many likes and I'll come out of retirement. Oh, this and I'll come out of retirement. If he was serious about it, he would just do it. I think at the end of the day, this is literally just a nothing burner.

I think we agree on a lot more than we think here. I don't think he should have come out of retirement at all. But I don't think it's entirely just for him to get attention because I genuinely believe he can still play. He still clearly loves the game, and he loves to play. He wouldn't be staying in shape. I'm sure he just loves to stay in shape, but I also think a big part of that is because he just loves playing football. You can love football and not be in football playing shape. But I also think a big part of that is because he just, he just loves playing football, right? You can love football and not be in football playing shape. You can be in good shape,

right? Like I work out all the time, but if I were to, if I were to run a bunch of routes, play football all the time, I'd probably get hurt right away. Cause I'm not built. I'm just not built for that. Um, I think that's the same thing with Tom Brady. He's in athletic shape to play football right now. Why do you think he's maintained that? That's not just to get attention. That sounds like somebody who genuinely wants to play football, and it feels like everybody, ever since he committed that first retirement,

has been trying to push him back towards the door, which I understand both sides. Shouldn't have retired in the first place. That's what I been trying to push him back towards the door, which I understand both sides shouldn't have retired in the first place. That's what I'm trying to say. I mean, yeah, I guess just like, I'm not going to lie to you. I literally don't have any reason other than I just, it's just aggravating. Yeah. Listen, all I'm trying to say is I can, I can bench a decent amount. I can squat a decent amount. I exercise quite a lot. I it's a good hobby of mine. Am I in good football shape? Absolutely not. I'd get bodied because I just like hitting the gym, but Brady, he seems like an athletic shape that he can actually still play. He seems to still have the arm strength.

He almost threw for 5,000 yards. You're not washed up if you come anywhere close to 5,000. And if he played the rest of that Falcons game, he would have hit it. And he probably would have had a few more touchdown passes too. So I guess I don't have an issue with it because I don't think he should have retired in the first place. And I also kind of like the idea of a 47-year-old quarterback still being able to do it. I think that helps his legacy. And that could be something that also is intriguing him as well.

All right. I do want to move on. We're going to get to our draft coverage. We're going to do tight ends and running backs. Tight ends next. That's next. This is the Fumble Rooski Podcast. It may not have always showed it in the stat sheet,

but you can see him making throws when he needs to make the throws. Back-to-back games where he has three touchdowns. Someone's got to get that six or seven spot. He's an elite wide receiver as a rookie. Truly a lose-lose scenario for both sides welcome back to the fumbled ruski podcast by power 88 and secret weapon consulting i'm adam wright with cj maderos so we've just previously touched on that juicy tom brady rumor which could turn into a nothing burger he could end up messing around and becoming a 47-year-old starting quarterback in 2024. But without further ado, tight end prospects.

The obvious one is Brock Bowers. But CJ and I, we have found a common theme with some of these tight ends not being complete tight end assets, if that makes any sense. CJ, do you want to elaborate a little bit on that? Ah, fair enough. First and foremost, we, we found that dude. Okay, sure. I mean, I mean, you must be talking about the people that make the game system because there was no, we, I just, no, I'm playing with you. However, what we have found... I know. I'm playing.

I could have whined at you and Kostic for ripping your Keon Coleman take from me, but we forgive. I didn't rip it away from you. That was more Kostic. You just kind of piled on. That's okay. I'm just playing. But for real, though, something that I and Tua Sersen and Adam have found that was more costage you just kind of piled on but that's okay i'm just i'm just playing but for

real though something that i and to us or stan adam have found is that the blocking tight end is basically dead because we're looking at the top five tight end prospects this is per nfl draft buzzer.com my ranking looks a little bit different. Number one is George Sprock Bowers. Number two, Texas' Jatavian Sanders. Three, Ohio State's, or should I say the Ohio State's Cade Stover. Then there is Theo Johnson out of Penn State. And then Kansas State's Ben Sanat. Yeah.

Not a whole lot of blocking going on there. In fact, all of their weaknesses, except for Theo Johnson, except for Theo Johnson, is blocking. For example, Brock Bowers, who is the number one tight end in this class, I'm going to where it says his weaknesses are. Ready? Ready? Ready?

I'm ready so they said he exhibits impressive physicality at the catch point but the ability to consistently separate from top tier safeties could need refinement as an inline blocking tight end his size will limit him, potentially pushing him towards more of a flex position. The surrounding tight end rule would need to be carefully constructed to complement his skill set. He says, quote, Bauer's battle against physical press man coverage limited release repertoire against safeties and edge rushers are concerning. Encountering challenges against robust defensive lines, be it through chips or actual blocking, and him lacking a wide array of release moves could hinder his effectiveness. Now, keep in mind, I'm ad-libbing a bit.

That's not exactly what it says, but I've read a bunch of things from a bunch of different people, and I'm filling in the gaps. So, hmm, not a whole lot of physicality or blocking going on there. And let's move to Jatavian Sanders out of Texas, who's a prospect I love. Weaknesses. Encounters difficulty when facing elite collegiate receivers, or I mean elite collegiate edge defenders at the line and less suited for traditional tight end blocking roles that require consistent in-line play.

Interesting. And next, the Ohio State University's Cade Stover. I'm just going to save you the quote, brother man can't block. And then Ben Sinat out of Kansas. You want to guess what he can't do? You want to take a wild stab? Oh, he can't block at all. But then we get a breath of fresh air, and that is Penn State's Theo Johnson. He is allowed to block. It says, quote, demonstrate superior blocking capabilities,

utilizing a combination of size strength and technique to dominate in the run game and then there was one weakness as though he's a formidable blocker he just requires some technique refinement and that's fine bro you have bowers sanders stover and sanat that are just like yeah they can't block and it gets worse when you look at the top 10 tight ends there's guys like dallin holker jared wywee jaheim bell and aj barner can they block no no they're not you're basically just big receivers then there's tip reeman from illinois who's draftbuzz.com's number 10 he can block and thank the lord that he can but adam and i noticed that uh that just the blocking tight end seems to be fading away as the nfo gears more towards the smaller faster offense that's all i mean obviously it's not the end of the world but it's just weird what the tight end position is becoming they're literally

just receivers just make them big receivers at this point. And just rename the position and extra wide receivers, put an extra wide receiver on the field. If you want to, I mean, everyone debates on whether or not Travis Kelsey can block. And even if you can make the case that he can, they don't have him block anyways. They always have them lining up wide or run it or just running out and running intermediate routes.

Why is he a tight end? And it's not just him. It's literally not even just Kelsey. Kyle Pitts is another example. Well, when he's used, but they also don't use him on the line. Or Darren Waller. That man cannot block. He is quite literally a wide receiver.

By the way, Darren Waller was drafted as receiver was he not like unironically he was drafted like i want to say the sixth or seventh round by the baltimore ravens as a wide receiver yeah so i'm just saying like these guys look they're gonna be some good playmakers at the next level. Don't get me wrong. And as prospects, I like Silver. I like Sanders. I obviously like Bowers. I like these guys. I do. I think they have a lot of potential, but it's just more indicative of what the tight end position has actually become. And it ain't a blocking one that much, I'll tell you. And it's almost like you get penalized for how good blocking how good your blocking game is because as you move further down the rankings you

start seeing block first run protection tight ends and you know that's good but it's like it's almost like if you are a good blocker you get moved down which i always figured that's kind of stupid. Yeah. The only one who looks like an all-around tight end is Theo Johnson. And if he can stay, he's going to be a problem. And the only thing I question is just his usage rate. Will he even be able to make enough of an impact in the passing game that he will be able to stay in the league. Cause it seems like if you're just primarily a blocking tight end, you don't last quite as long

because if you're just blocking as, as far as we've gone to one extreme, why, why not just call him a wide receiver? If he's just blocking, why not call him just an offensive lineman? You know, you're trying to be a, you want to be the best of both. So that's the only thing that I'm worried about with Theo Johnson, with his usage rate as a pass catcher, when he's used to pass catch, he looks like he's pretty damn good, but can he, can he be productive enough as a pass catcher so that he can stay in the league? You know, honestly, I fully believe that Theo Johnson is going to be capable. I mean, I do.

I mean, just look at how he is built. He's a physical freak. 6'6", 259, runs a sub 4' 4 6 40 is a tight end a damn near 40 inch vertical like i have every confidence in the world with theo johnson he's just a freak athlete he's good at like finding soft spots and coverage he lives in the film room he's a scary red zone guy he's got good hands it's just for a tight end i do agree with you adam this is one of those cases where stop you've heard this one before you might agree on a little more than we realize it's just the tight end is supposed to be a blend and obviously in the age of

positionless offense that might go by the wayside but i just don't like how a lot of these good blocking tight ends are penalized for actually you of these good blocking tight ends are penalized for actually you know being good blocking tight ends it's not like that's what they're supposed to do or anything right but like like i said in the same way that we that they're not supposed to just be wide receivers just pass catchers we also don't want them to just be offensive linemen either so the the whole point of being a tight end is you're a hybrid of you're a hybrid. You're a wide receiver and you're an offensive lineman. So that's that's something to consider, right?

Rob Gronkowski was great, not just because he was a good pass catcher, but also because he could block. And he wasn't a great tight end because just because he could block because he could also pass catch right he could do both that's what that's what we're looking for in tight ends if you're looking for one or the other then you're not you're missing the whole point of having a tight end on the field in the first place just put an extra wide receiver out there or an extra offensive lineman at that point just name name him a tight end. The only... Yeah, sorry, continue. No, just you keep going.

I'm done. All right, I was just going to say the only criticism I have, and it's just a small one, of your point is, so obviously we mentioned tight ends that are quite literally just wide receivers. How many tight ends can you name

that are literally just offensive linemen? How often does that happen? Don't really see it. Yeah, exactly. All right. All right. So I would like to – let's just move on to running backs. I know you had a couple in mind.

I know you have kind of a similar mindset or similar outlook as the tight end prospects in the sense that these guys really aren't complete backs. They either have never been a featured back or they look like they would not last in the NFL physically. Yeah. So here's the thing. The running back position, we all know what's happened to it in the NFL. We've spoken about it on this podcast, but that mindset is starting to trickle down into the world of college ball. For example, take Tennessee running back Jalen Wright, who I personally think is the best running back in this draft.

And it's not just because his name also has to be Adams' last name, although it is a good selling point. He's the right guy for the pick. Oh, you. I hope nobody tuned out from that terrible line but oh and you'll you'll you'll be forgiven so the thing is he's uh he's good you know he's the best running back he's uh you know he doesn't really have that many weaknesses except for the fact he might need to bulk up a little bit. You know, his physicality is a bit of a concern, but he's still just an athletic freak. He runs low. He's one of those Le'Veon Bell type backs where he's patient.

He's able to be agile in the pocket and just, you know, when he hasn't just get to the line or get through the line. And he can fit in any kind of system but then let's talk about jonathan brooks out of texas he's another top running back prospect here's a weakness his sample size as a primary runner is limited he has just a single season as a featured back and the same thing can be said with blake qu. Granted, he was the big star over at Michigan, but he was also part of a system. He was, quote, not overtaxed with carries in college. Exactly, and despite that, he still had a knee injury in 2022.

See, a lot of these guys are part of a system, and it's hurting them. You know, that's just, and Cor look i like quorum he's personally my third best back but he has his own weaknesses for starters he's five eight he kind of reminds me of darius geis he's a little guy who plays like a big man and i don't know if his body's gonna be able to keep up and uh when we look at florida state's trey benson it's the same thing where he is more of a feature back but he was also part of a system in college and it says he might not be more effective in the nfl he might just get lost in the shuffle so let me ask you this what's up out of these backs give me first first answer which one you think is most likely to succeed

give me one who's going to be overdrafted all right the most like the back that is most likely to succeed, I really think is Tennessee's Jalen Wright. And full disclosure, gang, I do not see a running back going in the first round. And I know a lot of people think the same way I do. In fact, I would take it a step further. I, for all intents and purposes, do not see a running back going in the second round either I feel like if there is going to be one there's going to be one that's going to creep into the back half probably like within the last five picks of the second round but I wouldn't be shocked if there was not a running back taken in the first two rounds. That's not an indictment on these guys, just how it is.

But yeah, Jalen Wright is still my number one. And I can see a case for Corum and Brooks, but I don't know how well they're going to translate. Oh, but mark my words, there is a bat that is going to be overdrafted. I really believe it. And that is Audrick Estime out of Notre Dame. See, NFL draft buzz has him at seven. And I've seen a lot of people that have Estime top three. I do not like him. Well, okay. Well, I'm sure he's a nice guy, but I'm just saying as a prospect. He's a running back, and Adam is making a face right now.

And I'm going to assume you're seeing what I'm seeing. Is it his 40 time? Yeah. Yeah. A 4'7", 140. I mean, his vertical's good. You know, he's a decent-sized back. The thing is, he doesn't fumble. He's very good. He's a decent-sized back. The thing is, he doesn't

fumble. He's very reliable. He's a workhorse back. But how many workhorse backs have we seen? Now, I've seen him getting mocked in the third round, whereas in reality, now it's hard to say who's going to be overdrafted, right, because this running back class is just weird. So, gang, do you remember what I said about the linebacker class? Flip down the offensive side of the ball, that's where you have the running backs. You know what I mean? What did you say about the linebacker class? Why don't you –

Oh, yeah, you were on that one. So what I said about the linebacker class was that it's not very deep. It's kind of just a very eh class, not that many great guys. It's ditto running back class. It's the same situation, you know, same crap, different bowl. And I just, he's a good rusher. He's not that great of a receiver. He's a pure workhorse back, kind of like a much slower Derrick Henry. That's the thing. And the Derrick Henry is now, look, y'all know I love Derrick Henry, but those kinds of backs, for better or worse, I'd argue for worse personally, are just kind of fizzling out. And if he gets drafted anywhere before, I would say,

halfway through the fourth round, I'm calling it a reach because his weaknesses are just scary. This man, he cannot extend to the next level. He can't hit that extra gear. His acceleration is lacking. It's just his breakaway speed is non-existent. He cannot catch balls. He's not a good route runner. And the NFL, not only is it transitioning to a running back by committee it's transitioning to the receiving back kind of deal kind of like you remember those old

new england teams with guys like james white danny woodhead rex burkhead dion lewis you know guys catch balls out of backfield not him and it's just he's not a blocking back either you know i mean which is weird because he's got a good build you'd think he can block oh but he can't so he's just the guy you hand him the ball he runs that running back outside of derrick henry and he's a notable exception he's once again another case of the rule, not the exception. That kind of back has fizzled out of the NFL entirely. If this were 10 years ago, I'd say estimate, Odrick estimate, he's fine. Yeah, just came in well, he'll be good.

But not anymore. Right. So it seems like most of these prospects have some ups and downs. We don't have any blue-chip prospects, as if you could even call any running backs a blue-chip anymore. No first-round talent. Yeah, no. I mean, not like Bijan last year because Bijan was an undeniable talent.

I mean, it's interesting about the running backs in this day and age, but Bijan can do it all. He's a decent blocker. He can catch out of the backfield. He can run. He can do everything you want him to do. He can juke. He can muscle you down, but those guys are becoming increasingly rare. And even still, just with how the NFL is, you don't take a running back top 10 anymore. That's not a knock on the position. It's just how the game is advancing. I don't really even's just how the game is advancing i don't really even really like how the game is advanced that much but these are just the undeniable concerns when it comes to draft

boards yeah and i mean like shocked if a running back does and i'll hammer this home i would not be shocked if there is not a running back taken in the first two rounds yeah and there there are there are backs who in yesterday and uh let's say past generations we'll say who are drafted today who would become franchise players like the quarterback position but this isn't really that time of year this this isn't that time of in our history anymore right like leonard fournette being drafted fourth overall and then the year before that ezekiel elliott being drafted and then uh saquon barkley being drafted in that same spot todd girley right uh bijan robinson jameer gibbs these are all great backs but will they lead their team to a super bowl if any of those backs win a super bowl which leonard fournette did this and this is the

point that i'm going to make if any of those backs win a super bowl it won't be because of them it will be because of the franchise quarterback that's leading them. Leonard Fournette only won a ring because he went from Blake Bortles to Tom Brady in one year. That kind of makes a difference, does it not? Yeah, it literally does. And actually, who was the Jaguars? Was it? It wasn't Leonard Fournette, was it?

It wasn't Blake Bortles, was it? It was Gardner Minshew. Either way, my point stands. I mean, same thing. It wasn't Blake Bortles, was it? It was Gardner Minshew. Either way, my point stands. I mean, same thing. Saquon Barkley had Daniel Jones. Todd Gurley is the closest out of the bunch besides Leonard Fournette who did it. He had Jared Goff, but he went down with arthritis in his knee.

This is kind of the issue here, right? I mean, that wasn't his fault, though. It really wasn't. It's not his fault, but it's also the nature of the position, right? The running back position ages like milk. It's not a good position to invest in. That's why we're seeing so few massive contracts nowadays because they don't last very long. And also, even when it does last, in those good years that you get,

you're not winning Super Bowls. You might make the playoffs a few times here and there, but you're not going to win a Super Bowl with them. It doesn't work that way. You need the franchise quarterback to do that, which is why quarterbacks always go early in drafts. That's because that's the, that's the position that you want to strike gold on.

And Adam, you've said it yourself off the show and that's because you're correct. Running back while fun is probably the worst position to strike gold on. You've said it actually, but you've probably said it on the show strike gold on. You've said it. Actually, you've probably said it on the show too. I think I've said it once on the show. Yeah, like the ROI is just not great. And by the way, one last thing before we end the show.

I'll make it quick. Yep. When it comes to running backs, I mean, I know the NFL draft as a whole is a crapshoot. I'd say even more so than a quarterback. Projecting running backs is probably one of, if not the biggest crapshoot because it quite literally now more than ever, and Le'Veon Bell proved this beyond a shadow of a doubt,

it literally just depends on their line. It quite literally just depends on their line. Yeah, yeah, there's that too. I mean, Najee Harris has still been a solid back despite pretty bad line play. And I thought... Doesn't even have a four-yard carry. Sure, but he still went over 1,000 yards

and he still catches... He's a pretty good pass catcher as well. He's a good complete back. If he had a better offensive line play, he would be a better back. But I think he makes do with what he has. Also, DJ Moore, not DJ, David Montgomery. During his time with the Bears, he had some of the worst offensive line play I've ever seen,

but he kind of made do. And now that he's on the Lions, a much better offensive line, we're seeing him play better than we've ever seen him play. And him and Jameer Gibbs are a great one-two punch. So, yeah, I agree with you. Offensive line is huge. But I still think the running back himself can still make do to an extent, right? Yeah, to an extent.

But how many top five backs have we seen that have had objectively, like, bottom of the pack, like, terrible O-lines? I guess Leonard Fournette. And how long was he able to keep that up? Not very long. But he had that one good year. Yeah, one good year. Actually, two.

He had 15. So he was out for most of 2018. But then 2019, he turned it back on. Then he was ultimately cut by the Jaguars right before 2020 started. Picked up by the Buccaneers. Better offensive line. He wasn't, by this time point in his career, he wasn't nearly what he once was, but he was still a pretty solid back. So, yeah, I mean, Leonard Fournette,

so I think the line is a big difference maker. I still think you can make do, right? Leonard Fournette was still okay. Yeah, I mean, even – and where did that get them exactly again? Can you remind me? 2017 AFC Championship. Uh-huh. And we had – okay, 2017 AFC Championship.

Did they win that again? Nope. Uh-huh. We agree on that. Yeah, exactly. I'm just saying that running backs can still put up good numbers despite that offensive line. We yourself said he only had like two games.

It's not sustainable. I agree. I think two are pushing it. We agree with a lot more than we think. I agree. I'm just saying that you can still play well can you sustain it absolutely not i agree with that offensive line is one of the most important parts of the field right um if you can't keep the quarterback on his feet then you're not winning

the game it's more important than the targets that they have yeah all right i think that's all the scheduled content we have is there anything else you wanted to talk about before we end the show tonight? Nope. All right. Well, that'll be it for us tonight. Thank you for listening to us. We have new episodes out on Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. Eastern Time and 5 o'clock on Fridays, Eastern Standard Time.

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