The Fumblerooski Podcast - Hot Takes Or Dumb Takes? -Ep 108 The Fumblerooski Podcast

Episode Date: August 17, 2022

Have the Steelers found their next superstar wide receiver? Is Zach Wilson becoming an injury liability? Is Derwin James worth the money he's being paid? Adam Wright and CJ Medieros debate these topics as well as hear some scorching-hot takes from our listeners!

Here's Edelman broken up and the pass is no sign yet. Edelman comes down with a football and they're saying it's a catch. It's in. Close. Takes. Sideline. Touchdown. Unbelievable.

Swings it way down the field to Watkins. Sammy Watkins for the touchdown. Week one of preseason is officially in the rearview mirror with week two of the preseason coming right up. I'm Adam Wright along with CJ Medeiros. You're listening to the Fumble Rooski podcast by Power 88 and Fans Only Sports Network. We got a lot to talk about from week one and heading into the rest of the preseason. We're going to talk on a certain Steelers prospect, a wide receiver prospect who has been shining so far in camp and preseason. We're going to talk about Zach Wilsonson's injury uh but first let's dive

into the top safety being paid top safety money so derwin james has been extended is a four-year 76.4 million dollar extension and i believe a lot how much of it is how much of it is, how much of it is guaranteed? Uh, I didn't see that. I don't know if they're like, that's like come out yet. All right. So maybe it's not out yet. I'll, I'll look it up. But what are your thoughts on, on this guy being made so early in his career, the highest paid safety in the league?

One, I just saw that it's 42 million guaranteed. And two, he is a top three safety when he's healthy. Yes, I know. That's the kicker for everyone, isn't it? But, I mean, I love Derwin James. He's like, he can do it all. He's kind of like Teran Matthew on steroids if you catch my drift. He can do anything. He can blitz.

He can tackle. He can cover. He can blitz. He can tackle. He can cover. He can run with the best of them. And he's a ball hawk. But like I said, the issue with him is health. And he missed a few games last year. Adam, did you say how many? How many did he miss last year?

He missed two games this past season. All right, he missed two games this past season. He did struggle with a lot of injuries earlier in his career. But he seems to be getting a lot better and uh frankly there's other than that there's really not a lot you can say about that other than well he he's he's very worth it he's a young guy but he totally deserves every penny Yeah, so based on his playing ability, he deserves this money. But based on what he has gotten so far, so I believe he's entering. So he played all of 2018, played 16 games, was an All-Pro.

That was his rookie year. 2019, he was only he only managed to play five games 2020 he couldn't play at all and then 2020 and 2021 he had a bounce back year playing 15 games but like i just feel like so is this is he going – I believe this is a contract year for him, correct? So they do need to extend him. Yeah. But I feel like he might need to prove himself a little bit that he can stay healthy before they give him this record extension because he essentially didn't play for two seasons. Yeah, yeah.

And I totally agree. So like I said, you know, draft in 2018, and, you know, he only played a few games in 2019, a missed all of 2020. So he's entering his fifth year, I believe. Yes, yes. And he's on as a fifth-year option. But yeah, I mean, it was now or never.

And I mean, but Adam, this is kind of like one of those things where you're bidding against yourself. You know, it's like, do you want to take a chance? And you know, you don't extend them right away and prep and almost perhaps have them leave a free agency. Now, if you're the Chargers, ask yourself, is that a risk you really want to take? or do you bite the bullet and extend him? I mean, neither option looked all that enticing. I mean, James does deserve the money, but, you know, there's those health issues. But long story short, I feel like they did make the right decision,

and frankly, it was a safer decision because I would have rather them extend them now than maybe roll the dice and hope he resigns with you this offseason. I just want to, what I do want to look at is what were the, what are the highest paid safeties in the, in the league? Because it says he's, it says he's actually the highest paid now by a good margin. So like, what's the, what's the next, you know, what, what's the next highest. So it's Minka Fitzpatpatrick 72 for four years not sure how much of that's guaranteed then there's jamal adams i mean i think i just don't know if he even

deserves minka fitzpatrick money because at least he's been able to stay healthy and i know that he's he's such a big time wait here we go here we go uh minka fitzpatrick has 36 million guaranteed jamal adams and jamal adams is 38 million guaranteed i'm on over the cap okay and what it what was uh what was it like 42 mil you said for yeah yeah 42 million guaranteed so there so 42 so there you go that the guaranteed has a big gap the the overall money there it's not that big it's 72 for minka fitzpatrick and then um obviously as we mentioned 76 for derwin james it's not a huge gap but like i don't know if he does like just be just based on his injury history, because, like I said, he essentially, 2020 and 2021, excuse me, 2019 and 2021,

he essentially did not play at all. He played five games over that two-year span. So, like, it's, he deserves the money, but just based on his playing abilities but his health still needs a little leaves a little bit to deserve to be desired so like what do you think do they do they franchise tag him for a year and then say look we need you to be able to prove that you can stay healthy and then give him that money it's's just this could wind up being a big mistake for them. Yeah, I hear you. And you know me.

I'm not a fan of the franchise tag. I'm really not. And whenever you franchise tag a player, that's a really dangerous game you're playing because they could hold out. They could be unhappy. So honestly, as much as I – well, i'm in the same boat that you are but i will stay on that hill that this is like the right decision you know it's probably like the safest and uh i'm sure perhaps there's like a clause in there you know regarding injuries so and if he

can play more than we'll say like 13 games this year then then I would just consider it fine yeah we'll have to see really how that how that goes for him it's one of those things where just time will tell and if it turns out he he's on the field and he's healthy the rest of his career and he's playing to the level that he can play, then there you go. That's good. That's a win for them. I'm just a little nervous about his injury history. That's all. And another player with some injury issues to be concerned about, Zach Wilson. He just had his surgery the other day and we're going to cover that and what it means for the Jets going forward. Don't go anywhere. This is the Fumble Rooski podcast. And up, and the pass is no sign yet.

Edelman comes down with a football. They're saying it's a catch. It's in. What? Gets! Side-eyed! Touchdown! Unbelievable!

Swings it way down the field to Watkins! Sammy Watkins for the touchdown! Welcome back to the Fumble Rooski Podcast. I'm Adam Wright. Along with CJ Medeiros, affiliated with fans-only sports network power 88 and Zach Wilson has gone and had his surgery on his torn meniscus. And, uh, I believe he had a bone bruise as well. And so this one thing to look at with this injury is that he's, this isn't the first time he's injured this knee in particular he missed four games last season because of this not not not not necessarily because of he tore his meniscus but he had a he had a knee injury so that's something to look at recovery

timetable said it's two to four weeks and i believe that they're optimistic that it could be closer to two two to three weeks so week one's still in play for them but CJ what do you think of Zach Wilson and you know this little injury history that he's starting to develop now right now I would say there's a there's really no reason to panic just yet if he injures this knee a third time, then perhaps you could raise a red flag. However, I don't really view this as that big of an issue, especially because, you know, they said, say two to four weeks, they're optimistic that it could be two. But if I were them, I would just, you know, pretty much sit him out for the rest of the preseason and then, you know, just save him for week one how but the

only thing that concerns me is that he's a mobile quarterback we know it you know i know it he was touted in the draft as being a mobile quarterback so that does complicate things and if i'm robert sala i say you stay in the pocket you, don't run unless you have to. You are now a pocket quarterback until your knee is fully healed. That's just my two cents. Yeah, and, like, it's one thing if you're Lamar Jackson where you almost, and I say almost, live and die by your rushing attack. But it's like Zach Wilson over there in Utah was looked at.

People were calling him the Mormon Patrick Mahomes with the arm angles he could throw at, with his ability to throw on the run. You just got to be smart about it. If you really need to roll out of the pocket, do it. If you need to throw it away, do it. If you're going to run for a first down, slide at the right time. Don't slide late so that a defender accidentally dives into you.

So, like, I just think it all comes down to being smart, especially with how Zach Wilson's built. Like, if you look at the kid, he's not – like he looks really young he's he's not really built that well so like it's not like he's this big big guy like cam newton who could who could actually survive doing that for about 10 years or josh or josh allen but josh allen's becoming more smart about it and he's more he's becoming more of a pocket passer as as he goes on he makes plays with his legs and he's he's dynamic when he does it but like i mean the the real like the the real trademark to josh allen's game is his ability to throw he can chuck it down the field

and he has receivers over there to do it he's in the perfect offensive scheme zach wilson still figuring all that stuff out so he needs to be careful early on in his career. And if his legs are gone, then that's going to be tough. That's going to be tough for him. So Wilson, he's got to be smart. Got to be smart about this. Yeah, I mean, he's a fairly slender quarterback. I have his measurables right here.

He's 6'2", 214, which, like we said, is a far cry from your Josh Allens and your Cam Newtons, you know, guys that can, like, take the punishment, you know, as a running quarterback. But when I see Zach Wilson, I would say that, look, you got some weapons now. You know, you have Garrett Wilson, you know you have garrett wilson you know you have elijah moore you have a decent tight end cj uzama and a strong rushing game probably so like dude just stay in the pocket you don't need to be a scrambler you know and plus you have like a good defense so you don't have to like take all matters into your own hands and i would definitely say maybe like slacking the leash a little bit but mark my words if this right knee it's his right knee right i believe so yeah i think it's

injured a third time that's when you say that's it you're a pocket guy you know especially when these young guys start getting injured early it can haunt them later yeah you're absolutely right there and like also looking at it this is a big year for Zach Wilson because so usually so the timetable is usually about three years as I've mentioned before with quarterbacks it's about three years when you draft a quarterback to really figure out whether or not this guy works for you. And he didn't have the best rookie year, so he's going into his sophomore season, and he has a much better situation around him. So while this isn't the third year for him,

with the team that he has built around him, he has a couple of good wide receivers to work with, actually a few. Corey Davis as well, added on top of now newcomer, Zach will, excuse me, Garrett Wilson, the other Wilson,

a good, a good backfield, a very good, actually an offensive line. That's actually starting getting better and better as the years go on. And then they bring in Dwayne, Dwayne Brown, everything's working in his favor.

So this is a big prove it year for Zach Wilson, although he's only going into his sophomore season. Adam, you are absolutely right. But yeah, it shouldn't be a long-term thing, but just something to keep an eye on. Certainly. And speaking of players to keep an eye on, a certain wide receiver, a rookie wide receiver out of the Steelers preseason and training camp has been shining.

We're going to talk about that next. Don't go anywhere. This is the Fumble Rooski podcast. Here's Edelman broken up and the pass is no sign yet. Edelman comes down with a football and they're saying it's a catch. It's a catch! It's a catch! Sideline! Touchdown! Unbelievable! This is the Fumble Rooski Podcast by Power 88 and Fans Only Sports Network.

I'm Adam Wright, CJ Medeiros. So, George Pickens, the wide receiver, taken by the Steelers in this past draft. What was it, second round? Yeah, second round. So, second round, this kid was taken. And all reports coming out of training camp is that he has been one of the big, bright spots on this team, even better than Chase Claypool and Deontay Johnson, Pat Friermuth, all of them, all of the pass catchers. He has been showing up. And it showed during the preseason game that they played this past game,

three receptions, 43 yards, and a touchdown. So showing that he can get a few catches, some yards, a touchdown. This kid is showing that he could potentially do it all. But another thing to look at his character and a few, a few issues, not necessarily off the field, but with maturity and full and lack of focus, CJ,

what do you, what do you, what are your thoughts on George Pickens so far? Now he's an interesting guy to say the least. So talent wise, he's top five. He's a top five receiver in this draft, I meant, not in the league, but in like the most recent draft, he was top five in terms of talent. And a lot of people have said that one of the reasons he fell to the second round

was due to maturity issues. And if you know a thing or two about the Steelers, you know they love flashy receivers with maturity issues. Think about some that a thing or two about the Steelers, you know, they love flashy receivers with maturity issues. Think about some that they've had in recent vintage, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Juju Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool. And I was talking to a friend of mine who's a Steelers fan and he said, oh, Tomlin can straighten them out. And I'm like, oh yeah, because he's done a wonderful job of that so far. Now there is this really good article by, I believe, yes, SB Nation called The Steelers May Have a Star in Receiver George

Pickens If They Can Keep Him Focused. And one of his biggest weaknesses is that he's got a poor temperament. He's immature. He's reckless. He's overaggressive. He's like gotten with fights on other players. He's like tripped other players when they crashed into his sideline. I don't remember what game it was last college football season. I know he dumped water on like an opposing player when they crashed into their sideline. And not to mention, he's like really aggressive when it comes to blocking. That's a good quality in a receiver but he does get flagged for a lot he's just a really aggressive guy a hothead some would say now we've seen players like that before and you know they can tone it down but that's going to be a big if especially because mike tomlin doesn't really seem to really ever have a handle

on his crazy receivers. But that being said, the sky's the limit for George Pickens. And I'm rooting for him. I am. But the attitude is a big, big, big question mark. You know, when I look at this guy with character issues, being drafted by the Steelers, and not only that that but also panning out and turning out to actually be a pretty talented kid just feels so much like the Steelers they're just they're such great talent evaluators on wide receivers they've been they've been a factory for the past what 10

to 12 years and the guys that we listed aren't even the only ones who have been pretty good there is Emmanuel Sanders who was drafted by them mike wallace was drafted by them uh dionte dionte johnson i was just i was just naming head cases but yes yeah but like i'm going like even past those because the head cases have been great those actually have been their best you can make a case for heinz ward too he was a little nutty yeah but all of these wide all of these wide receivers and most of them to have uh character issues this dealer this dealer's front office really doesn't care about any off the field issues don't do they because they're they've been great with evaluating the talent side but they kind of ignore everything else that goes along with them.

And it's kind of like the talent has kept them competitive during that time frame, but they still, like, the other issues with these receivers has dragged them down. Remember Martavis Bryant? Yeah, he could never like stay on the field due to like the substance abuse rules he was he was suspended an entire season

due to substance abuse the steelers went to the afc championship that season and they were bounced and they were bounced by the patriots because they didn't have enough firepower to compete with them. And they really could have used Martavis Bryant that year. So that's really not good on their part. It's not. Yeah, you're right. You're right. And it's just, if he wasn't on the Steelers, I would say it's fine. But they do have a bit of a diva issue not just at receiver you

remember Le'Veon Bell I do and I not and who could forget uh the guys on defense like Vince Williams and uh Mike uh Mike Mitchell the former safety yeah they were head cases too and just Tomlin's got to get a hold on like these, fast and loose players and fast. I don't want to see another Antonio. I don't think he's going to be Antonio Brown, but another Antonio Brown-esque flame out where a super talented receiver runs himself out of town. I want George Pickens to have a great career.

I really do. Yeah, and to add on to that, William Gay. Do you remember that one game he got what he got a pick six and he kept on celebrating the touchdown dancing with everybody then he was on the sidelines and then there was a flag for excessive celebration and as they were and as the ref and as the official was announcing that it was that it was you know excessive celebration on sportsmanlike conduct he was still on the sideline dancing with all his teammates that was just good god uh who could forget he just didn't give a damn he really didn't all right guys well we're

gonna move on to the fumble ruski fan box where we're going to dive into how you guys feel about this 2022 season specifically some takes that you guys have everybody has that one hot take and we want to hear what you guys have to say so we got a lot of them and this is going to be a great segment lots of good responses on some hot takes going into this 2022 regular season you won't want to miss this so don't go anywhere this is the fumble ruski podcast here's edelman broken up in the past is no sign yet. Edelman comes down with a football and they're saying it's a catch.

It's a catch. Oh! It's a catch! Side-line! Touchdown! Unbelievable! Swings it way down the field to Watkins! Sammy Watkins for the touchdown!

This is the Fumble Rooski Podcast by Power 88 and Fans Only Sports Network. Adam Wright, CJ Medeiros. We have reached the fumble ruski fan box so what happens is we post a question filter on our instagram every monday and you can respond with hot takes questions and more and we will discuss it and give you a shout out on our podcast respond to next week's fan box question to be featured on our show so the question of the week it wasn't really a question it was just telling you guys it was a command yes it was a request give us your hottest take

for the 2022 season so i expected a lot of good ones from you guys and you did not disappoint kick it off with ian mulhern who's a panthers fan by the way said panthers have more than five wins this year talk about a smoldering hot take huh hey i mean you know they have a lot to overcome name most of them are matt rule yeah and you know maybe baker doesn't pin out but they should i mean they have the talent to but one never knows when one's coach is matt rule yeah and so jay-z ate hockey i don't know his real name that's just his username on instagram he said tom brady wins the super bowl i mean i guess it's a hot take but i mean i expect super bowls from tom brady every year but maybe that's maybe that's just a little bit of bias but i mean they have the they're they they have the talent level to do it and tom brady hasn't shown any signs of

slowing down he he retired just to unretire in a two-month span so he clearly he's clear his mind his heart is clearly still into it so i don't see why he why they can't be able to do it uh then uh luke banning said saints win the the nfc south so there's another take on the nfc south and it's going to be tough for the saints a lot needs to go right for them but they do low-key have a very talented roster and they could they'll they'll be i think they'll be competitive yeah not to mention they always give tampa a rough time during the season so i mean hey though those division wins add up yeah uh jaron shuts said kurt throw so see as in Kirk Cousins, throws for 5,000 yards. Perhaps.

I mean, he's got the weapons to do it, does he not? You know, Dalvin Cook's a pretty good receiving back. Not to mention there's guys like Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborne on their offense, and even Irv Smith to an extent. But then again, this is Kirk Cousins. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, they have a better offensive scheme.

Well, theoretically, a better offensive scheme. So, sure, it could happen. I'm not too high on Kirk Cousins, but he has an elite offense around him. Good offensive line, weapons on offense, good offensive backfield. So we'll see how it works. Chase McGinty said, JT for MVP. I mean, I don't hate it, but the MVP is just such a quarterback award, you know? Yeah, and you can kind of understand why. I mean, running backs are very rarely the reason why teams win championships.

But when a team wins a Super Bowl, then usually the quarterback's right in the middle of it. Or if they're leading that MVP, like if they're leading that season where they're just, the team is just devouring everybody, usually the quarterback's in the middle of it. But I completely understand. JT, if anyone's going to do it, it's him. That's the thing. And I don't think, I don't, I'm sorry, but Derek Henry's getting up there in age. He's starting to get some injury issues racking up,

and you can understand why because the guy continues just to, you know, he. Getting up there in age. He's 28. That's kind of old for running backs. Jeez. In the past 10 years, only two. Only two. I forgot the statistic. In the past 10 years, only two running backs have been the league-leading rusher while being under the age of 25.

Both of them were adrian peterson huh um anyways uh where were we so jt for every okay connor fallon said justin uh justin fields leads the bears to a 12 and 4 record that's going to be i just that's a herculean task if If Justin Fields can do that, then he deserves – if there was a most improved – if there was an award for most improved, he would get that because with the offensive line they have, the depleted defense, they have some pieces on offense, but you can only do so much with that when you don't have any time to throw.

Like it was one thing with Joe Burrow this past season where he didn't have much time to throw, but he had all the weapons in the world, so he didn't need that much time. And he was still getting his teeth kicked in by defenders. But, like, I just don't see it. I don't see it. I hope I'm wrong. I think that kid is very talented, but I don't see it. I don't see it. Not in that division. I hope I'm wrong.

I think that kid is very talented, but I don't know. Zachary Stilson said, Patrick Mahomes will not have a spectacular season. He'll be good, but not spectacular. I would say that's pretty realistic for him. Yeah, that's pretty reasonable. I think he'll have a pretty good season because like from a production standpoint i think i think mvs and juju can hold

their own with trying to replace the production of tyree kill one can play play well underneath like tyree kill and the other can be a deep threat like Tyreek Hill. So they can kind of be all right, but not nearly what Mahomes has been. Tyson Tate said Tua leads the league in passing touchdowns. Well, he has no excuse not to. Yeah. And, like, to lead the league in touchdowns that is pretty hard even if he can play because it's there's a lot of good quarterbacks out there especially this year

with the teams around him but like the talent level that that that tua has around him two awesome wide receivers and a great offensive line to throw behind and coaching that that theoretically is actually very friendly to quarterbacks yeah it should work out for him um jack brie uh jack breel said vikings win the nfc north of, I mean, I think they deserve to be favored too. They have all the talent to do it. Their rivals, their division rivals are getting weaker. And I mean, maybe the Lions are getting better, but they're a few years off from contention.

But yeah, they should. I think they should win the NFC North. Eli Turner said Broncos go 11-6 and win the Super Bowl. Hmm. See, when Russell Wilson was added to that team, everything changed. It makes all the difference in the world with Russell Wilson. And they have the ceiling to be a Super Bowl contender. Well, yeah, I mean, they were always – I mean, ever since Peyton Manning left, Russell Wilson and they have the they have the ceiling to be a Super Bowl contender well yeah

I mean they were always I mean ever since Peyton Manning left the Broncos were always a team that was one quarter excuse me there that was always one quarterback away and now they've got their quarterback let's see what they can do they finally traded for him we'll see how it works I mean Russell Wilson's no Peyton Manning, but still. Yeah, well, you know. Very competent, very good quarterback. All right, Landon Weber said, Jonathan Taylor gets 2,000 rushing yards. So Jonathan Taylor is young, like I said.

So if anyone's going to be the league-leading rusher and just destroy the NFL world with his rushing ability, it's, it's this guy, it's Jonathan Taylor. Yeah. And like maybe Najee Harris someday, but that offensive line for the Steelers are just,

it's just not it. I am not a fan. Yeah. Um, and I get, Joe, Joe Mixon is getting up there in age, but his offensive line is getting better. You and running backs getting up there in age. I don't even know if Joe Mixon is that old.

Let me look. Running backs age. He's 26, Adam. He's 26. He's not 25 and younger. Oh, well, then. He could be really good. But like another thing to look at too but like another thing to look we're talking about like rushing for 2 000 yards is joe mixon doing

that probably not just because no it's not his fault i'm sure he could alas you know the the bung the bangles there they are a pass first offense that's true gonna change i see it more balanced though isn't it because makes it makes and still had a pretty good year i mean yeah he did but that's just because joe mixon yeah maybe yeah uh all right mike hansen said bears make the playoffs that's like i said earlier on like let alone a 12 and 4 record i don't even see them really making a run at the playoffs because i think green bay is still going to find a way to be competitive because they have aaron rogers um and then there's the there's obviously the vikings we just talked about

probably the most talented team there and the lions are an up-and-coming team and maybe they're not a contending team but i don't see look i i don't see the bears catching them because their their defense sucks now yeah and so does their O-line. And their offensive line sucks. So they're going to get their quarterback killed too, and that quarterback is not going to be able to get the ball to the talented Darnell Mooney, and David Montgomery is going to be lucky if he's not tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Not to mention they really don't have many receivers not named Darnell Mooney i think there's uh there's is anthony miller still there i don't believe so oh okay also they did draft this guy vellus jones jr but that's that's they draft they drafted your boy nikhil harry No, no, they traded for him. They traded for him. The greatest touch world piece. He's your problem now, Chicago. Yeah. All right. Cash Withers said,

Seedy is a top five receiver. Now, Adam, I don't know if you remember. Yeah. Can you? Yeah, sorry. my camera bugged but i i believe it was cath cash where's it cath oh my god what's wrong with me cash withers who had an mvp candidate yeah it was an mvp candidate i'm like this man loves cd lamb i don't know if I'm ready to crown him top five though. How could you not love CD lamb?

I see like he had a top five talent since he's entered the league so far. Now Amari Cooper's out the door. So like all of those targets are going to go to him. And on top of that, like it's not like he's the only option in that offense and their defenses are going to focus on him because now there's also Dalton Schultz at tight end. There's also Michael Gallup right behind him. Who's who's a good receiver in his own right.

So CD lamb is going to get all these targets. And I think he's going to have a career year. I think he could be top five. He can, he has that ability. Um, Patrick Williver said, I called the Bengals last year.

I'm ready for the newest legal, uh, excuse me, the newest lethal offense lions top eight. That is bold. That yeah, that's probably the hottest take we've probably gotten so far oh they need a they need better play a quarterback but like their offensive line is getting better they have pieces on 2018 golf

they yeah and even then like that was that felt like it was more coaching and some offensive weapons around him that were making Goff better. Oh, you don't believe in Dan Campbell? It's not that. It's just he's no Sean McVeigh. Yeah, he's no Sean McVeigh. Yeah, I hear you. And Goff is still a decent quarterback, and he proved it this past year.

He was, he was serviceable, but he's not the type who's going to lead a top eight offense. He's, he's not going to be, and you need a better wide receiving core. You need better coaching for that. They have a good wide receiving core. It's good young it's up and coming, but I don't know. I'll. And also we forgot about TJ Hawkinson. He's a good guy. I like him. Stephen Parker said Dax will win defensive rookie of the year, and the Bengals will win the AFC and the Super Bowl. In case you didn't notice, Stephen Parker is a Bengals fan. How could you tell?

Lots of faith in his home team. I love the Bengals this year. The only reason I hesitate. I know, and I don't know why. Because there's nothing analytical about it. It's just an emotional thing. It's some sort of mental block for the entire team. It's like, guys, you got better this year.

Just let's go. Come on. It's in the past. Let's go. I don't like that it's a real thing like me neither it's it's weird and very few teams have been able to have the mental toughness to really overcome it you know what's interesting adam adam what's up the last team to lose a super bowl that went right back i believe was new england that's it it was it was new england and but like teams to go back i think there were like seven of them all time yeah i know to go back and win it the patriots were only the second team ever to do it who was the other one was that like dolphins oh yeah yeah and maybe there was a third team but i know it's just it's extremely rare air

like it never happens and the patriots were able to do that balls freaking balls that was a ballsy patriots team not the best roster but that team had they had a heart that team had a heart and they were able to work through a lot of difficult things during that season um uh right where are we where are we kaylee morton said patrick mahomes yes i agree patrick mahomes indeed write it down thank you on a pillow kaylee thank you very much for the response we asked we just asked for a hot take that's all do you think that patrick mahomes is going to have an uh an elite year that's a hot take just try to maybe add some context that's all maybe i don't know hot take i mean patrick mahomes is cute i've heard so i mean i don't know maybe that's what she meant oh boy but yeah patrick mahomes is a cool one's getting sauce. Patrick Mahomes.

Yeah, indeed. Yes, Patrick Mahomes. Good take. All right. Grayson Mortimer said, Bills win the Super Bowl. May not seem hot, but they're cursed. Jim Kelly would agree.

Oh, yeah, absolutely. The Four Falls of Buffalo. Have you seen that ESPN documentary, the 30 for 30? Yeah, I have. It's actually pretty good. It is. It's heartbreaking because you see how much they try. Yeah, I mean, look. Eventually, teams actually started to hate them because they would go and everyone said they're going to lose.

Year four, they were really like fighting everyone. Not only were they fighting back from three straight Super Bowl losses, but everyone wanted them out of the Super Bowl because they're saying, don't go back. Please don't go back. You're going to lose. And look, there are division rivals. And as a Pats fan, I feel bad. I felt so bad watching that.

I really did. I like Jim Kelly, and I like bruce smith and it's just you know they should have won at least one that's it's sad honestly yeah luke banning said the lions go eight and nine and barely miss the seventh seed uh that's not really a hot like that's like i could really see that happening like a 500 team, they have some talent, and they're up and coming, but they don't actually get anywhere. Not yet, at least. Will Hinkley said,

Dolphins win against the Bills in the Super Bowl. Now, for those listening at home, can you spot what is wrong with that sentence? What's wrong with this picture, guys? What's wrong with the picture? Can two teams in the same division meet in a Super Bowl? Oh, that's a tough one. Science doesn't figure that one out yet. That's a tough one.

That's a good take. Hot take right there. God, I didn't even i didn't even know what i was like i looked at that response i was like obviously he was just trying to be funny it was pretty funny i had a little laugh and then i i poked some fun i put the anchorman uh i put the uh ron burgundy anchorman line where bon ron burgundy after uh after it was after uh what's his name? The other guy was saying, it's called Sex Panther.

It's illegal in nine countries. You know, they've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time. And then Ron Burgundy says, that doesn't make sense. And that's what I put up for that. So I had some fun with it too. But I liked that. It was funny uh nick normand

said seahawks most underrated offense in the league just a quarterback away and an offensive line yeah so which is a little important especially since they lost their best their best player and left tackle duane brown yeah losing duane brown and rus and Russell Wilson the same offseason can really hurt your offense surprise surprise I mean their running game I mean they have the up-and-coming Rashad Penny he's he's decent yeah and they have and they're receiving core yeah rookie Kenneth Walker and you have a tight end you just got Noah Phan he's a he's pretty good and you have DK Metcalf and uh Lockett yeah and Tyler Lockett. So, I mean, the weapons are there,

but is the protection there for the quarterback that you also don't have? Yeah, the quarterback you don't have. Quarterback and offensive line is pretty important for an offense that you claim to be underrated. Cola DJ said Tua throws 30 or more touchdowns. Once again, he has no reason not to. That's kind of got to be the expectation. And if he can't do that, then you might need to say goodbye to Tua.

Bring in Tom Brady, who almost came to New England, it turns out. You mean Miami? And the Miami Dolphins who are talking to, uh, and the Miami dolphins who are talking to, uh, to Tom Brady illegally and Sean Payton, I thought that was a big conspiracy theory. That was crazy. It was crazy. That was a lit episode though. When we were talking about it, um, Damon Berg, Birch Bergfeld, let me know about the pronunciation

Damon, but, um, Vikings take last in their division. Maybe if they are like the Ravens last year and everyone and their mother gets injured. If they get hurt and they play really poorly, that's very hard to see. It's hard for me to see them not finishing in last, let alone finishing in, excuse me, it's hard for me to not see them finishing in first.

Not even, like, let alone finishing last. So, like, that's tough. I don't know. But Derek Houle said Jameis Winston and his crab legs make top 10 in MVP voting. I'd say that's a pretty realistic standard for him. Yeah, the Saints are sneaky underrated. Good wide receivers.

They fixed their offensive line. They did replace Taron Armstead in the first round of the draft. And they got another wide receiver out of it. Chris Olave, Jarvis Landry, Michael Thomas coming back. I could really see it. I do. And there's also Kamara. If they have him.

If they have him. But chances are they will. If he gets suspended, it'll be later on in the season. He can appeal it and then drag it out into the season, into the offseason. And then next thing you know next thing you know he's suspended in 2023 instead when he'll probably be kind of washed up we're doing this again are we i look running backs age like milk all right that's just i'm because so i'm setting the standard that way and if they surprise me, then golf clap.

Golf clap. But until these teams with their offensive schemes stop running their running backs into the ground, then yeah, yeah. Just running backs, it's tough for them. It's tough. Jack Robb, and brace for this one, said Drew Locke is a pro bowler and has a run at MVP.

You know, we have a friend that's a Drew Locke fan and I'm sure he's at home weeping tears of joy. Oh, he probably loves this take and it's tough for me to see him being a pro bowler, but an MVP. And even if he does,

if it does turn out he can play, that offensive line still stinks. And in order to win league MVP, you also want your team to have a high seed. So even if your offensive line does turn out to pan out, then your defense is going to lose you games anyways. So Drew Locke's screwed either way. And also, he may not even be the week one starter. It could be geno smith

so there's that much to look at but still it is a hot take i mean it's very out there but yeah all right sean howe said fins make a playoff appearance that should be the expectation man yeah if they don't make the playoffs, I'm calling their season a disappointment. All right. And Isaac Zonana said, Tua MVP. Yeah, he can if it turns out he can play. And it's tough to win league MVP. It is.

Even if you have weapons around you, it turns out you can play and it's tough to win league MVP, it is. Even if you have weapons around you, it turns out you can play. Just ask Tom Brady last year, I guess 40. What is it? 42, 43 touchdown passes. Isn't good enough.

Over 5,000 yards to over 5,000 yards. I guess that's not good enough to win league MVP over a guy who threw like what? 35 touchdowns, but the interceptions he didn't like Rodgers he didn't throw many interceptions so that must mean he's the MVP doesn't it just for him to disappear in the playoffs you gotta remember the MVP is a regular season award because Rodgers is a regular season quarterback the more you know all right uh Leo, and I apologize for the pronunciation, Koivu?

It's K-O-I-V-U. So let me know about the pronunciation, Leo. But he said Raiders taking it to the Super Bowl this year. Their secondary is a little questionable, and their offensive line is questionable. Everywhere else, they're pretty solid. Yeah. Their front seven's good.

Their offensive line's questionable, but their backfield is good. Their quarterback is really good. Their receiving core is awesome. Dang right. And they have an elite tight end. But they have a couple of question marks there end but they have some they have a couple of question marks there let's see if they can fill those in if they can then maybe and also want it also depends on how they fit in in that division because it's a tough division uh steven parker

said broncos super bowl so another super bowl pick um yeah like they have the ceiling to do it. It's a new team that's kind of thrown together, new quarterback. They kind of just need to gel early on. Gel early and win some games and win that division because it's a tough division. So Isaac Zonana again said Waddle and tyreek both have over 1.3k yards so 1300 yards for each well that depends on tua now doesn't it depends on the quarterback play depends on the quarterback play all right well that's all our responses we had 30 of them to

go over and i'm pretty sure we spent about half the episode going over them. We had four segments. The first three took about just over 20 minutes. The others took probably close to 30, or the others as in like that one last segment, the fan box. You guys are giving us a lot of responses. We got 30 this week, 21 the week before, and 26 the week before that. We appreciate you guys coming in to answer and give us some hot takes.

And we're going to be doing it all season, so we appreciate getting you guys' feedback and everything. But, CJ, do you have anything else before we end the show today? Nope. Nah. Just saying it was a good episode. Good episode, man. All right, well, that'll do it for us tonight.

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