The Fumblerooski Podcast - Cornered -Ep 364 The Fumblerooski Podcast

Episode Date: May 27, 2025

Fred Warner gets his payday, now what’s next for SF? Along with this, a preview of the AFC South: will the Texans win the division again? How will Cam Ward’s first season go? A look at the WR/DB matchups that Travis Hunter will go up against this season. Chris Costich and CJ Medeiros talk all of this along with our Top 5 Cornerbacks going into the 2025 NFL Season.

Fred Warner finally gets his contract extension as the 49ers lock down another key piece to the puzzle. And another episode, another off-season episode of the Fulmaruzki Podcast. We're going to look at the AFC South and give our top five cornerbacks here. This is the Fulmaruzki Podcast. It may not have always showed it in the staff 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 Full Marouski Podcast by Poweradee18, radio and secret weapon consulting. He's CJ Medeiros. I'm Chris Kostich. Last week, pretty much right after we got done recording the episode, last week, a couple days after Brock Purdy got his contract extension, Fred Warner, we knew it was going to come up. We knew it was going to come up. We knew it was going to happen. It was only a matter of when Fred

Warner gets his three years, the $3 million contract extension with $56 million guaranteed. So looking at how that plays out down the line now for the Niners. So they'll have Fred Warner through a two thousand and twenty nine where he will be an unrestricted free agent. Any set to make about 21 million per AAV, cap hit of 29 million. So they said 49ers got their guy. It's really just It's really just how they end up building team now around the Three George Kittle Fred Warner and Brock Purdy

Now that they've all gotten three big contracts, so it depends on how they're able to build a team around them at this point Yeah, I to build a team around them at this point. Yeah. I mean, look, if you listen to us talk about the Niners last time around, you already know where I stand on them. I think that no good can come the way they're constructed. Now they have to completely tear it down. And look, there's something to be said for loyalty, right? I understand, I understand why they want

to keep Fred Warner around you'll get that fan engagement up probably get some money off merch, but Like what does this help you do because I mean even everybody stays healthy you're Far from a lock to win your division. I mean, it's gonna be very competitive I mean the Cardinals might swipe a game from you, you never know. The Seahawks are looking to stay steady and the Rams are keeping Matthew Stafford in LA for a bit. So as a whole, like I just,

like what do you really get out of this outside of, hey, we got it back. And hey, look, maybe once they're out of cap space, they can make me shut up but in the meantime I'm not really crazy about I mean look it's good to keep him around and honestly, I think it's a good deal But you have a lot of issues after you got you know picked to shreds in for agency I can't speak to how much this is gonna help

Yeah I can't speak to how much this is gonna help Yeah At the moment now Niners currently have just south of 40 million in total cap space, which is now fourth in the NFL so There yeah, they still got a lot of moves to make so I Still see this as a gonna be a down year for the Niners. I think that's pretty safe to say at this point. Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, I'm not even saying that just to bash on the Niners. Oh, yeah. I'm just saying like as a matter of fact, when you lose this much talent in this short of a time frame, regression is really the only way they're like, like the only thing that's going to happen. Like, yeah, I don't really think there's a happy ending for them at least this season unless Brock Purdy can go like full Mahomes, which hey, I'm not saying he can, I'm just saying that's one of those things where You got to see it to believe it, you know

Yeah, 100% So that was pretty that was the only contract that Really got signed or contract extension obviously a bunch of the rookie contracts just got Pretty much got over with already like Shider Sanders, Cam Ward, Guy and the Giants, Abdul Carter. Yeah. Can't believe I was blanking on that. I was thinking of Micah Parsons, but. Oh yeah, Penn State number 11. Yeah, it's too similar But yeah, that's kind of the extent of it at this point and like not even really wanting to talk about the rookie contracts finally get inside because I mean we're we're not I

Don't think anyone here's to Marcus Russell or anything like that. But yeah, well actually no no no I think it's the Angles where their first rounder. I think it's Shemar Stewart is Let's say holding out, but he hasn't signed anything yeah I'll pull it up a pull it because I remember seeing this and look every so often you get a rookie holdout Oh, you guys may remember that the Bosa brothers both did. And it's like, why are you holding out? I don't care if you're a first round pick or not.

You're a rookie. You have nowhere near as much leverage as you think you do. Here we go. Right, this is from May 20th and there's no solution in sight. This was a week ago, but just hear me out, okay guys? Bengals first round offensive end Shemar Stewart will remain

Sideline is phase two of offseason workouts begins due disagreement over contract language in his rookie deal So they're working out the language part of it Yeah, and honestly, I don't understand why like most of the rookie deal is pretty set in stone. So honestly, like just have it be ready. Or just like have it be uniform for all rookies across the league. If you were picked here, you get this goodbye the end. I mean, that kind of is almost how it is. Why is the language different from team to team? Yeah, exactly. You shouldn't be able to disagree. It's like you sign it or you don't play. That's how it ought to be. Oh, yeah. 100%.

Other than that, the only other NFL news for today, OTAs just started up in the league, 20 teams opening up OTAs just started up in the league, 20 teams opening up. OTAs with, so 20 clubs open the organized team activities, OTAs portion of the voluntary off-season workout program. Teams like Falcons, the Ravens, Bills, Browns, Chargers, Rams, Steelers, Titans, teams like that opened up today. Additional five teams will begin tomorrow, the Cardinals, Lions, Texans, Colts, and Commanders. And then the other seven with new head coaches began OTAs last week. So teams like the Saints, the Pats, stuff like that. All right. We're going to take a quick break when we come back. the AFC South again who's coming in the last couple new things going on such as Cam Ward in Tennessee is AR gonna be able to actually be a quarterback? Let's talk about when we

come back. It may not have always showed it in the stat sheet but you can see him making some changes in the stat sheet. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great player. He's a great in Tennessee, is AR gonna be able to actually be a quarterback? Let's talk about when we come back. It may not have always showed it in the staff 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 gotta 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 Fumbarooski Podcast. ECJ. I'm Chris. Let's get into it. AFC South preview. So both AFC South and the NFC South, just horrendous. These next two episodes is going to be a lot of shit talking, to say the least, I would say. Well, we got the AFC West next episode, man. Oh, we have the for some reason I thought.

Oh, for some for some reason, I thought we did the NFC East last week. I don't know why. I get it. I get it. But let's just keep next week should be more fun, though, because it's the AFC West then. So, yeah, let's get into the AFC South. Last year these standings were the Texans, the Colts, Jaguars, Titans. Colts got eliminated from playoff contention what week 17, week 18 last year. It was the last two weeks. Yeah it was down to the wire. Texans won the division ended up the fourth seed got a playoff win against the Chargers then eliminated the next round by the

chiefs Yeah, the Chiefs I believe so yeah, yeah, I was blinking on that but We'll go down the order again The way that we've done that we did last time starting with the Titans who finished in last place at three and 14. Well, their biggest addition, obviously, Cam Ward, number one overall pick who, as we just mentioned, just signed his rookie contract, so they got that out of the way, got that out of the way.

Good job, guys. In terms of the team itself, what has really changed? My first instinct is that this team isn't going to be much better than last season. Although you do get a solid receiver and Tyler to lock it during free agency. What was that? That is anything for some reason I heard I thought I heard a knocking sound coming from your end. Now my computer the Brian Callahan coach for the Titans, right? Yeah, I always I Always get like the Seahawks coach and Titans coach mixed up all the time. No, I mean I get it I get it. Well, the thing is Callahan is just very forgettable as coach. Yeah, you know, he's

Frankly not that good is frankly not that good. Yeah, so this could be the first season of what could potentially be an interesting tenure for Cam Ward. Uh, because as you mentioned CJ, if he's not good head coach and the amount of leash that NFL coaches have at this point. This could easily be the last year Brian Callahan. Yeah, and it would only be two years. How do you like that? Exactly. My the thing is and you know unless it's like a special scenario I'm not huge into firing head coaches

after their first year. I obviously, there are some exceptions. Like obviously his podcast wasn't a thing then, but I remember after Hugh Jackson and the Browns went 115, I was like, yeah, nah, nah, that's not good. Mayo with the Pats, like as a Pats fan, I obviously thought, no, there's no good that can come from keeping him around, get rid of him. know there's no good that can come from keeping him around, get rid of him.

Like it's just, it's more than poor roster construction. Like for those teams, it was poor roster construction, right? Like, especially those, uh, the Browns that only one, one game in two years. Like it's, it's very, just very poor roster construction, but you also have a head coach that no disrespect disrespect to you Jackson, but he's not really a good head coach. Or you have like Gerard Mayo that you could tell he wasn't a good coach on the field, but outside of the field,

like it was clear as day you needed to go. Situation like that. Yeah. But I just, Callahan is just not that good of a head coach. And for the Titans, I know they have rookie quarterback and I know they've got a, I won't say it's a good team, but it's not a team lacking in talent. It's a very oddly constructed team.

It's just a hodgepodge of names. But Brian Callahan is just very underwhelming. Players don't seem to be responding to him. And hey, maybe they make a deep run when the division shut me up, which possibly, but I don't see it. I know a lot of Titans fans online, at least, were calling for Callahan's head at the end of the season.

And I myself was kind of bracing for him to get fired, but he never did. And I get it. Me personally, I probably would have fired him, Myself was kind of bracing for him to get fired, but he never did and I get it me personally I Probably would have fired him Especially when there were see the thing is with head coaches It's kind of like players you might want to get rid of a player, but it all depends on who else is available, right? I

mean upgrade where you can but you know, you don't I mean upgrade where you can but you know, you don't Do you don't get rid of someone player coach? I'm having a backup plan and last season in my eyes was definitely the season To get rid of a bad head coach because the coaching carousel that year was stacked You know Ben Johnson Aaron Glenn Mike Vrabel. I am blanking on some of the others but that you know and but you choose to stick with Brian Callahan and honestly, I I'm not sure about That's gonna go. I mean the thing is if can ward struggles is rookie year

Especially if it's due to coaching, when a quarterback struggles, you can tell when it's coaching versus when it's the QB's fault. And I'm anticipating that if he does, sure there's going to be a learning curve, but I think coaching is going to be a lot of it there. And moving on from the Titans, we can talk them to death, but the Jaguars are a very very interesting team. I'm gonna stop you real quick. Where do we see the Titans going? If we're gonna wrap the Titans up, where do you see them going? I don't know. This is just a very weird division. Sorry, I'm gonna try.

Like I said very just odd Division but just because they have a rookie quarterback I think they're gonna probably be in last place but you can probably slap another winner to on there and Brian Callahan will use it and say see progress, but anyone with a mind would say nah, buddy You need to go get out. Yeah, I'm gonna agree with that. I'd say maybe five at best six wins I don't really see this team like I could see this offense improving like we said Tyler Lockett Being part of that receiving court now with Calvin Ridley. Tony Pollard had a really good year

So they're probably gonna rely on him a lot so but It's not gonna do a whole lot Anyways Jaguar so continue with what you were saying The Jags picked a good tiny order their head coach and they brought in Liam Cohen That's that's that's big. I like to be did in Tampa. Although admittedly I am a little Skeptical but as not even just because of that cringey way he says Duval.

I do think that he can be good. I just, I don't know what to make of them, honestly. Yeah. You know, these first year coordinators that immediately become head coaches after one year. Is that something? But for the Jags, the biggest question mark, of course, and you probably already know this is Trevor Lawrence.

This man is basically Schrodinger's quarterback. Is he good? Is he not? We don't know. He has flashes where he looks like the next big thing. And then the very next game, he just completely falls apart. Also doesn't help that he's starting to develop

a bit of an injury history as well. Yeah. And look, we all know first, last and always, your best ability is your availability. But his stats mirror Daniel Jones. I'm sure a lot of you have seen this graphic going around where Jones and Lawrence's stats are practically identical. Just Lawrence passes the eye test more than Jones does. And there's something to be said for that, but oh my God.

There's some stats where Daniel Jones is better than Trevor Lawrence. True, many such cases. Yeah. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to consider here. In fact, hold on, I'll try to pull it up. But every fiber of my being wants to call this a the put up or shut up year for Trevor Lawrence. But after they signed him to that contract, which let's be real, I'm not entirely sure he deserves it,

then I feel like they're kind of stuck to him for a bit. And as I look at his career stats, now look, if you've been watching the podcast for a bit, then you should know I don't hold his rookie year against him. No, not at all. That was an Urban Meyer disaster class. Then he gets banged up in 2023, misses a game.

But then 2024, you know, he's in and out of the lineup. You know, you had Mack Jones step in, how do you like that? But to be fair, his best season, right? He starts all 17 games in 2022, has a 66.3% completion percentage, very good. 44,113 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, eight picks. That's good.

But is the number one overall pick good? No, I'm cool. But that was pretty much it. Yeah, but you guys know how I feel about the Pro Bowl. I'm not a pro, I'm not a pro. They're fine. They're they're not gonna be bad as they were last year because come on Doug Peterson was out well past his expiration date But I think it was obviously, you know Liam Cohen, you know offensive minded guy. I definitely think is gonna help but for me that the Jaguars The only thing I even remotely care about is Travis Hunter Yeah, you know you draft you traded up to draft from second overall. I can't wait to see him play For me, the Jaguars, the only thing I even remotely care about is Travis Hunter. Yeah.

You traded up to Jack from second overall. I can't wait to see him play. Please don't ruin him, Jacksonville. He's the only thing on this team that I'm like, oh, hey, I can't wait to see that. Because other than that, this is kind of a put up or shut up year. And it's not because like Lawrence's job is in jeopardy,

but because if you don't have a good year, you might just be Resigned to the bus label forever. Yeah concur with that Travis Hunter so that that when the NFL schedule got released that was kind of the big top one of the big talking points because Obviously the Jaguars are potentially gonna use them them both ways at least that's what they say so of course everyone's going down the line and of their schedule and seeing what kind of matchups we're looking at here so look at Carolina week one Travis Hunter is gonna go up against Adam Thielen and Xavier LeGette when he goes on defense

he's gonna be covering one of those two guys and then he's gonna have to get Adam Thielen and Xavier LeGette when he goes on defense, he's gonna be covering one of those two guys. And then he's gonna have to get locked up or probably deal with J.C. Horn, maybe. Obviously, we have to also recognize that Brian Thomas is still on the team, right? Mm-hmm. But we're, but the number, CB1 isn't always on wide receiver one for every single way

Cincinnati Jamar chase T Higgins Houston Derek Stingley jr And Nico Collins and Nico Collins San Francisco San Francisco. Brandon I used also. I think I'm Tiberius Ward at corner still. Let me check real quick or where did he go to the Colts? I yeah, he's not on the team anymore.

OK, the corner see will be going up against. Do you have a Dia Madore Lenore Lenore? Okay, he's underrated. He's underrated Dior Madore Lenore. Renardo Green and Upton stout. Okay, well, nor is criminally underrated. Yes. But yeah, gonna pronounce that Jesus. It's a Dior Madore. Dior Madore Dior Madore Lenore Dior Madore Lenore deal Madore Lenore yeah his parents shared a sense of humor yeah Kansas City Trent McDuffie and receive Rashid rice Seattle

Jackson Smith and Jigba and I don't know there's quorum really notable on the Seattle side. Do you have a Wither Spoon? Tariq Wolin? Oh yeah, right, right. Don't listen to me. The Rams, Pukka Nuku'a. That's all you really need to say about that. Vegas. Or Devonte Adams. Oh yeah, I forgot about Devonte.

Devonte Adams. Vegas. Houston. Oh, we already went through Houston chargers And we don't live McConkey and they saw the resize Santa Samuel's that might not be terrible day for punter Yeah, who are we saying that? What were we saying? We were waiting on again. It was Son, I'm just saying well, junior. I think wasn't it like a neck thing Yeah, it was yeah the the next team Arizona Marvin Harrison jr. Most notable

Tennessee Calvin Ridley or Tyler Lockett probably one of those two Then Xavier Woods or safer woods is a safety nevermind Colts Right the Bengals Chadovia, yeah, I think Titans have them. Yes. Oh tightens. Yeah cults the the the the the

the the the the the the the the the the I think the Colts are this is it their aggressions are coming for him. Oh and by the way Actually, you know what? I'll hop on that train because I'll hop on that train too. I'll hop on that train because I very much agree with

Stikens on the hot seat too. So like that like Pat McAfee has I think he's a very good player. I think he's a very good player I'll hop on that train because I very much agree with that. Stikens on the hot seat, too. So like the like Pat McAfee has like ran on a show talking about how dysfunctional the courts, the cults organization is. Yeah. And by the way, real quick, before we go or before we move on,

I wanted to bring up I mentioned Trevor Lawrence and Daniel Jones having eerily similar stats Oh, yeah, I'm up. Yeah, let's waste that real quick. I want to point out in Defense of Trevor Lawrence Daniel Jones has played ten more games than Lawrence has Jones has started 70 games Lawrence has started 60 Lawrence has a record of 22 and 38. Jones is a record of 24, 44 and 1. That record will tilt towards Lawrence just because I said his winning percentage is a little better. Doesn't have the actual number in front of me but still it's a EE still Statistically is better there Jones is a better completion percentage. He's got a 64.1 percent career completion percentage to Lawrence's sixty three point three

Jones also has more passing yards than he does. He has fourteen thousand five hundred eighty two Lawrence has thirteen thousand eight hundred fifteen. So that so listen to K separating them. It's fine Jones has one more touchdown 70 to Lawrence's 69, but Lawrence has one less pick 46 to Jones's 47 Lawrence is a better passer rating in an 85 to Jones's 84.3 Daniel Jones has more rushing yards. He is 2,179. Lawrence is 1,083. I don't hold that to Lawrence. He's just not a scrambler like Jones is. But they have almost the same rushing touchdowns. Jones is 15. Lawrence is 14. So yeah, they're practically the same person. Although I would lean Lawrence being a little bit better because

Jones also has ten games on him I was just about to say I feel like you have to throw some of that out the window just because like the Jones has only played or Jones played ten more games, so I feel like you got to throw some of that out the window unfortunately Well speaking of Daniel Jones. He's on the Colts like he said Yeah, I'm moving on to Indy so really the Well, we just mentioned it the Colts are on the fast track to Sucking again they finished eight nine somehow

Last year and their season pretty much ended with What was a week 17 loss to the Giants Yeah, we 17 or 18 day were out. Yes. Yeah So Anyway, do you want me to start? Yeah, you can start. I was trying to oh, here we go Yeah, it was a week 17 lost to the Giants Those a joke good Joe Flacco game by the go. Yeah, it was a week 17 loss to the Giants. That was a Joe. Good Joe Flacco game, by the way. Yeah. Anyways, I like the Colts.

You touched on it, CJ is the team on the fast track to sucking again. I'm going to hop on the train that you are on in terms of the Jaguars being eight wins, nine wins, one or or two basically just trade records with the Colts Good. Yeah like is Anthony Richardson really gonna be all that now after you're like I just I'm gonna stay with the take Anthony Richard should not be quarterback in the league Like you just you just shouldn't be and the longer that they

Keep on this project the longer This turnaround is gonna be The thing with Anthony Richardson is that he has all the tools necessary to get it done But oh my god, I just it's been so frustrating and look let's go back to the 2022 draft you all who watch who've been watching for that long No, I was never a fan of Anthony Richardson I said I liked him and like maybe the second or third round as a project guy, but I Said he should not have gone first round let alone top 10 and I said he should not have gone first round, let alone top 10 and

They forced him to start right away and some people say oh, but he wins games. He has a career QB record of eight and seven by the way I'll break that down a second But the thing is the Colts usually have a solid defense and it's not like Richardson's hurting for weapons. He has Michael Pittman, he's got Jonathan Taylor. The Colts just drafted Brock Bowers. I mean not Brock. Whoa my god I'm getting my really great college science confused. They just drafted the kid from Penn State Tyler Warren And a lot of these games, they're not winning because of Richardson.

They're winning despite him. And a lot of people like to drool over his rushing ability, because he has 10 rushing touchdowns in 635 yards across his two seasons. And that's good. And because he's a bigger QB, right? He's got that Cam Newton build his two seasons and that's good but the and you know, cuz he's a bigger QB, right? He's got

that Cam Newton build 64240 where he can just bully around smaller defensive backs. You know, just run him over like they really can't bring him down by themselves, right? Yeah. However, my issue is that you have no business being a scrambling quarterback if you're injury prone.

Over the past two seasons, like I said, he's played in 15 games, has a record of eight and seven. There are 17 games in a season, 17 games. So you times that by two that's I believe 34 you have played 15 out of a possible 34 games. That's awful and Another issue I have with him is his completion percentage last season starting 11 games and has a 47.7 percent percentage. His career is 50.6. And it's weird because this guy can thread the needle deep. He's got on, he has one of if not the best arm in the NFL on pure arm strength alone, right? And he's actually

really accurate throwing the ball deep. But the thing is screen passes, quick outs, fade or short fades, slant routes. I don't know what it is. Like he can throw the ball effortlessly on the dot, 50 yards downfield, but if you want him to take a five yard check down, it's like always a gross overthrow. Yeah.

Like cannot hit his short passes, which is weird because usually for QB's It's the other way around but as far as passing goes he's accrued a stop 2391 passing yards 11 touchdowns 13 interceptions Like there's he has shown nothing that makes me believe he's capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL and worse yet They brought in Daniel Jones to be his QB competition That might be the worst QB room not in terms of talent

but in terms of fireworks because the worst QB room you can probably terms of talent, but in terms of fireworks. Because the worst QB room we can probably say is Pittsburgh, right, where it's Will Howard, the rookie from Ohio State, Mason Rudolph, and I think Skyler Thompson. And while talent wise it's worse, there are garbage-esque fireworks going on over at the Colts QB room just two guys that are they're spectacularly bad And also the team is like I don't hate the rest of the team, but I don't like their head coach

For me, that's really my issue. Yeah, I am a fan of Shane Steichen. He apparently has that Mike McDaniel problem because you may remember the Dolphins players like apparently routinely disregard him. They show up late and like nothing happens. That's happening to Indy too. And like you said, Chris, Pat McAfee, sports talking head and well-known Colts fan and former Colts punter. He's not even a Colts fan. He's like his only ties is him playing for the Colts. He's actually was a Steelers fan. He was, but you know, I'm just saying. It's really more like he's getting so frustrated

with his former team. And it's not just that their GM Ballard, I believe is also on the hot seat as well, you know, for drafting Richardson so barring a quick turnaround where they at least go to the playoffs I Think Stikens on his way out and truth be told if the Colts start out of the gate sluggish like let's just say Six or seven weeks pass nearly have one or two wins. I can see Stikken getting cam before the season's over. Yeah, which also since we're talking about the Colts,

rest in peace, Jim Ersay. Yeah. Died, what was it, Saturday, Friday? Something like that, 65. It was come time last week. Yeah, it was pretty sudden death at 65. It's a guy that lived quite the dream to say the least. Yeah, yeah.

Took over the cult for his dad and did what I think that, I think what I would do as billionaire, just minus like a DUI but and the copious drugs that he used but it was also a guy that he just lived a very what's the term extravagant life say the least was no very much known for his collectibles of amazing guitarists and just musicians in general. And it was not afraid to give back to the community when need be. But to wrap up the Colts, third place, Shane Steichen gets fired. Chris Ballard gets fired.

I'm going to say seven wins max and Anthony Richardson gets benched at some point and Riley Leonard, their third string quarterback rookie from Notre Dame gets some reps. Yeah, I can see that. Yeah. All right. To the Texans, the AFC South winner from last year. One of the more notable losses, Stephon Diggs, can also throw in Tank Dell at that point too, because, well, Tank Dell's out for the season. Won't see him until 2026. Pretty unfortunate loss to say the least.

Other than that, you still got Joe Mixon. You added Christian Kirk. Going to get another year out of Dalton Schultz, of course, which actually speaking of Tank Dell, I'm kind of surprised that he's not in like the IR he's currently quit listed as questionable which is kind of odd because of how severe Yeah, I watched it live I was oh well, I wasn't live there. I was all live on TV. I was oh, yeah I feel so bad for the guy Sam

great player too, but Still got a solid defense. Well, Anderson, you brought in CJ Gardner Johnson, Derek Stingley Jr. who we'll most likely talk about later when we do the top five cornerbacks. Spoiler alert, Derek Stingley is going to be talked about. But other than that, I see the Texans finishing in first place again, probably at another 10 and 7 record. I just don't know if this offense, like the big question is going to be the offense, right? Because it was so slow, so sluggish last year. They fire

their offensive coordinator. Who's the Texan's OC now? I don't know off the top of my head. Nick Kaley, hired to replace Bobby Skoik, previously spent time as the Rams past game coordinator and tight ends coach. So this is. This is going to be interesting, to say the least. This is going to be a lot of eyes are going to be on this offense this year, third year for CJ Stroud. Is he going to be able to make that extra steps?

Basically, are we going to see rookie CJ Stroud again? Yeah, honestly, I think we will. I don't know what happened last year. Yeah, sophomore slums happen. There's going to be some growing pains teams adjust Well, I definitely think Bobby slow it especially like looking back now. We have a full picture Bobby slow It was definitely punching above his weight and

That's great. But when you're in over your head for that long, then it's gonna come crashing down I think that's exactly what happened. I think to'Amico Ryan's is a good head coach. I really do. I think that with Kayleigh, you know, from the Rams who coordinates that passing game, I mean, now you get CJ Stroud, Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, Dalton Schultz, Joe Mixon, like, did let it fly. The only thing that concerns me for the Texans is the offensive line

I even think the defense is good, but oh my god that offensive line is gonna get Stroud killed and it gets bad You know, it's bad. So what do you do when your offense lines bad? Oh, yeah trade Laramie Tunsel like I know that was really more like a salary dump, but still I just Can't say I agree with that one. So a little bit more about Nick Kaley, just kind of doing some more research. According to Texans Wire, came out a couple hours ago today or earlier this morning. ESPN names Texans new OC Nick Kaley a top 10 name to watch in 2025. Entering 2025, the Texans could be one of the biggest surprises when it comes to offensive success.

And they're hoping to, the Texans changing over a new leaf, of course, hiring Nikkeli, looking for more consistent passing attack out of the backfield, especially with CJ Stroud. This is his third year. Another thing, of course, is that new contracts can be on the way. Brings in a blend of coaching between New England and LA, as we mentioned, being a passing game coordinator for the Rams. According to Ben Solik for ESPN, I'm always hesitant about later branches plucked off coaching trees. The first few Sean McVay Assistants probably have the goods, but the 4th, 5th and 6th options were probably in the back of the

line for a reason. But Kaylee, who spent the past 2 years in the McVay Incubator, was a longtime offensive coach for the Patriots before joining the Rams. So he isn't really a continuing chip off a chip, chip off a chip off chip off the block. That's kind of weird how I'm just gonna say chip off the block once. No offense was held back more by coaching errors last season than Houston's unit. If Caley is even league average as a year one play caller, expect the Titans to finally deliver on their 2024 preseason hype Biggest losses for the Texans Lamar Tunsel Stefan Diggs as I mentioned tank Dell So yeah, that's That's your Texans roundup you you want to respond to the quote that I threw out there

Do you want to respond to the quote that I threw out there? No, I guess just that I like Kaylee's a passing coordinator, but, you know, for the Rams. But I will keep saying a lot of this. Actually, all of this is on CJ Stroud. Yeah. Like it's it's his time. He just got to seize the moment. You know, like that's that's really that's it. That is the long and short of it. It's simple, but it's true.

Yeah. Yeah. Now that they've got the goods around him, what is he going to do with it? All right, I'm gonna be really sad, though, if it turns out he's like one of those teases, you know, just like a one year old, nothing like that. I had such high hopes for her out of the draft and I don't think that's gonna happen But I I definitely think that Texas are gonna repeat his champions at their minimum. Yeah, he's fun to watch He's fun going back to watch All right. We're gonna take a quick break when we come back. We're gonna get into our Player rankings this week cornerbacks. This is the fumble's podcast It may not have always showed it in the staff 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 gotta 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 Fumbaruski Podcast. He's CJ Medeiros. I'm Chris Gostich, powered by

Powerade 18 Radio Secret Rapid Consulting. Blair Rankins, top five quarterbacks. If you've listened the last two weeks, you know how this rolls. We're going to start with you, CJ. Okay, well, for those of you who don't know, I'm going to list my top five, Chris is going to list his, and then we discuss, because you don't know I'm gonna list my top five Chris go list his and then we discuss Because you can't always assume people watch so my number five this might shock some people because I know everybody Always has him consistently top three, but falling out of the top three all the way to number five is

from the New York Jets sauce Gardner Because I do think it's gonna be an anomaly but he did have a down year career low and passes defended career low and tackles he finally got a pick which is good for him but yeah but don't get me wrong he's still good even though to be fair he does draw his fair share of flags now that refs seem to actually start calling holding. But, but I will give him credit where it's due. He can still absolutely erase players.

Only gave up one touchdown and basically a 57% completion percentage. I can't hate that. He wasn't as flashy as he was, but he's still good. I will give him that. He's still very good. So moving on to my number four from the Baltimore Ravens, it's Marlon Humphrey. So let's start off. Career high interceptions with six. Six interceptions, including one of them being a pick six. 67 combined tackles as well.

15 passes defended, that's great. The only thing that keeps him from being higher was that he gave up quite a few yards, Alizea. 556, which is actually fine, but three touchdowns, but here's my issue a 60.4 percent completion percentage and that many tackles shows me that you know guy gets the catch on him, but he brings him down But to be fair, he was a first team all-pro as named by the ap and a pro bowler but as named by the AP and a pro bowler. But you know, like the amount of times he was targeted

doesn't really put me at ease. Now, number three, give me from the New England Patriots, Christian Gonzalez. Now, he had 59 combined tackles, doesn't sound a lot, but he is a pure tackling guy he By the way 50 of those were solo 11 passes defended two interceptions of fumble recovery, which I believe took back for a touchdown

But here's what I like gave up a passer rating of 71 percent and a complete percentage given up of 55.7. And keep in mind, right, he was targeted a lot at the beginning of the year. Then at the end, they would not throw his way because he was targeted 88 times and he only gave up 49 passes. He gave up two touchdowns, although to be fair,

I distinctly remember that one against the Texans really wasn't his fault It was blown coverage. I think Kyle Duggar should have had him and Gonzalez ended up having to backtrack unfortunately but regardless Another thing that I like about that was As far as Gonzalez goes is that he has a missed tackle rating of 4.8. He's not flashy. He doesn't have a big personality, but he is one of, if not the best,

pure man to man corner in the entire league. His zone, I think, needs improvement, but just man to man, I don't think there's really anyone that does it better. So moving on to my number two, Derek Stingley Jr. Second straight year with five interceptions, 54 tackles, 18 passes broken up. The numbers say it all.

And he gave up a 47.1% completion percentage. That's huge, That's great. First team all pro. My only issue is that he did give up four touchdowns, which I think is the most anybody in my top five give up. And he was, I mean, I thought about putting him number one, but A, four touchdowns, no, no. But B, this is the big one,

my number one is reigning defensive player of the year, Patrick Sertan II from Denver. I'm sorry, you gotta give it to him, right? He literally is the defensive player of the year, or reigning at least, had four picks, 45 tack tackles 11 passes broken up Pro Bowl first team all pro defensive player of the year a forced fumble and a pump recovery to boot but get this allowed a passer rating of

58.9 this man was locking players up left and Right only gave up 38 completions on the year as well, and only 326 yards, which I believe was the fewest among anyone in my top five, unless someone gave up 200, which I don't believe. So overall, Patrick Sertan, Reign Defensive Player of the Year, best corner, no doubt, well deserved.

Nice. Good job. I like it. I'm going to have to agree with a lot of those. CJ and I have very similar names besides like a couple. I will say Sauce Gardener not on

my list. And I feel like I had that easily. I I just don't think he's that good anymore. Not saying he isn't good. I just don't think he's top five good anymore. Marlon Humphrey, another guy. Honestly, I would probably switch,

would be more enticed to switch Trent McDuffie, who is at my number four. But starting out, Derek Stengland Jr. is going to be at my number five. Very, very good corner. Basically all the same reasons that CJ laid out. There's just a couple of times where I feel like that, like I think he does have makings to be a top two corner as you have him as CJ.

But at least from last year, I think that there's still a lot of things he needs to work on. So that's why I have him back to fifth. But I can very much see him being a top two guy. Trent McDuffie. So if I were to put Marlon Humphrey into the top five, I'd probably switch him with Trent McDuffie. But I just give him that little edge. If I were to put Marlon Humphrey into the top five, I'd probably switch him with Trent Mcduffy. But I just give him that little edge.

I just give him that little edge. He's got to- I mean, I understand why Mcduffy, when I was creating this, was going to be in my top five. But the Super Bowl, that abysmal Super Bowl performance where Jalen Hurts was targeting him. He was picked on there. He couldn't cover AJ Brown.

He couldn't cover Devontae Smith. Like these top five players, they show up and the lights are brightest and he just didn't. Yeah. I, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt though, that this is probably one of the rare occasions that he got lit up. I don't think it's enough to, obviously it's the Super Bowl, you need to show up.

But I don't think it's enough for me to take him out of the top five yet. All right. Number three, Jair Alexander. Jair Alexander has been consistently one of the best corners in the league, and I feel like he doesn't get talked about enough. You know, there's a guy that consistently, consistently straps up Justin Jefferson, like one of the only guys that can actually do that.

I will say one thing, the reason he was in my top five is his stats were great but he only played seven games. Like I said your best ability is your availability and the reason he hasn't talked about enough is because he's always hurt. You know there are some trade rumors surrounding him now too and you have to realize if you trade for him at most you're getting 10 games and that's if you're lucky like you're probably getting closer to seven or six He hasn't played a over half a season like three years because this season and last season he only played seven games Yeah, all right. I think you're right about that. I would not disagree with that at all It is tough to have like try to argue that this guy is a top

five guy when he's only played in seven games. I agree with that. The last time he's played a full season was 2022, but in the last four seasons, three of those, he didn't make it into double-digit games. I'm predicting a bit of a switch here. I say that he gets into that double-digit. I say he plays, at the minimum, 14 or 15 games. Well, I'm sure Packers fans everywhere hope you're right.

Yeah, exactly. Number two for me, Christian Gonzalez. I think when you look at last year, although to the same points that CJ made, obviously some things to work on still, but when you look at the statistics, it really was that close. I feel like it was really that close between. Pats are tan and Christian Gonzalez, but the numbers that Pats are are putting up, obviously, I'll get to that in a moment, are insane.

But there was a point where Christian Gonzalez was running right up there with him. So I see him being a top two corner this next season. I see him taking that extra step. Now he's also got to stay healthy, of course too. But did he get all his Miss Indian games? No, I don't believe he did. Maybe like one at most, but. Yeah. Anyways, and then number one for me, Patzertan.

Easily defensive player of the year last year. Patzertan is putting up prime champ Bailey numbers. Yeah. Prime champ Bailey numbers, which is insane. Like prime champ Bailey is like top five cornerback of all time, top three cornerback of all time, his numbers are out of this world fitting that they're on the both guys being on the Broncos or Champailey being on the Broncos for his prime Patrick tan and we're gonna call this his prime. He's on the Broncos for his pride

Yeah But that is my top five Going into that or that is our top five going into the 2025 season The only reason I didn't have Gonzales at number two as much as I really thought about it Was just because if you really stop and think last season was his rookie year So I think he only played three or four games his original rookie year So yeah, one of those things where I can't go off a one year wonder, I need to see a little bit more.

Although, but what we saw was insane, easily top five. Yeah. Well, that's why we're predicting where everyone's gonna go in 2025. This is merely a top, I mean, this merely a top five prediction going into the season. Yeah. So, but either way, I still feel confident about him being a top I mean this merely a top five prediction going into the season yeah so either way I still feel confident about him being a top three-corner oh yeah hundred percent easily as long as he doesn't have a weird injury like his

rookie year then think Pat's fans are like ourselves are gonna be very happy with some of the defensive play But that is it for today's episode of the foam risky podcast CJ anything else that is on your mind before we sign off No, nothing really. Um, I Just I'm standing by my list is all yeah. Exactly. I like it. I like it the only other thing that really came out in the last week was of course the tush push not being banned,

22 to 10 vote, which you need a majority of, what was it, 24? Yeah, you need the three quarters majority. Yeah. So, and they also released the teams that voted as well. Yeah, you need the three-quarters majority. Yeah, so And they also released the teams that voted as well which are voted which way what which I thought was Very funny. Oh, yeah. No, I mean I

Texted this and all because we have a Pomeranian group chat playing out episodes And when I believe was Chris brought up. Oh,'s not gonna banned I said well good I'm like I still want to know who voted which way like you can't get to vote and and you can't be anonymous and voting yeah anonymity there like you cannot that's you don't get to do that and face like zero media pushback yeah 100% and of course the 22 to 10 vote being the same score that the Eagles beat the Packers in the NFC wild card round and the Packers, of course, being the team that put this rule request in so. Karma Karma comes in a lot of lot of different forms. It. But that'll do it for us today. Thank you for tuning in for

another Tuesday episode of the Fomber Rouski podcast CJ. What are we going to be talking about next week? We got a mention AFC West and we're going to be doing defensive lineman with. Trying to What was it It was Where what the hell Oh AFC West breakdown and top five edge rushers

Yeah, so be sure to tune in next Tuesday at 730 for that be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel So be sure to tune in next Tuesday at 730 for that. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Also, all our episodes available on Spotify, Spreaker, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and so much more. Be sure to follow our Instagram, FullMarooski, underscore podcast, Keep Up with the Pod, and latest coverage on the NFL.

Otherwise, he's CJ Madero, so I'm Chris Kostich. We'll see you next Tuesday. Over and out.