The Fumblerooski Podcast - Passing The Torch -Ep 366 The Fumblerooski Podcast

Episode Date: June 11, 2025

In this episode, Aaron Rodgers signs with the Steelers, Jaire Alexander gets released by the Packers, Nick Chubb gets signed to a 1-year deal with the Texans, and JK Dobbins gets signed by the Broncos (with live reactions). Is George Kittle still the best TE in the league? Where do Brock Bowers and Travis Kelce rank? Chris Costich and CJ Medeiros talk all this and more, including a preview of the NFC East, will the Eagles repeat as division champs?

Big news hitting the NFL last week, Aaron Rodgers, now a Pittsburgh Steeler, Jair Alexander is no longer a Green Bay Packer, and the Texans revamped the running back room, picking up Nick Chubb. Along with this, our top five tight ends and a preview of the NFC East. You're listening to the Fulmaruuska 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. You're listening to the Fulmaruuska Podcast by Power 88, Dean Radio, and Secret Weapon Consulting. He's CJ Madero, some Chris Kostich. Let's get into it.

Got a good one lined up for you today. We'll start out with Aaron Rodgers signing with the Steelers. Obviously, the news is just short of a week old at this point, but now we're getting to it right now. One year, $13 million contract, and this is kind of at the point where people thought where Rodgers was going to sign with the Steelers, and that was basically the only team left that people were going to say that he was going to sign with as well. Took a little bit longer, I would say.

I think most people knew it was going to be after the NFL schedule was released, which they were right, ended up happening that way. Doesn't matter what the theories are. The theory was that he wanted to see how many prime time games the Steelers were going to get or something like that. And if they didn't get a ton, then he would sign, which also ended up being somewhat true as well. Um, but yeah, one year, 13.65 million dollar deal for Rogers.

I mean, what else are you really going to say at this point? You know what you're going to expect when you get Rogers. You're going to get somewhat a good play. I don't know how much of the same Aaron Rodgers from last year we're going to get, but now the Steelers look a little bit better than what they were looking like. I mean, you're going from Mason Rudolph to Aaron Rodgers or what you thought you were gonna start out with Mason Rudolph and maybe go to Will Howard. You're now starting with Aaron Rodgers and he's

gonna be throwing a DK Metcalf which is gonna be is gonna be some somewhat of fun football in itself but I think the facts are the facts. You're still looking at a eight and nine, nine and eight record here if you're the Steelers. CJ, what are your thoughts? In terms of last year to this year, I got some news for you my fellow Americans. This doesn't move the needle at all.

I'm sorry, it just doesn't. I don't understand the stats last year, he was the Dodgers truthers that will But when when you stuff the stat sheet and it doesn't translate into wins It's just empty calories and I'm sorry the stats say one thing but the one thing right that Trump stats Was special comes to quarterbacks. It's all about the eye test and Aaron Rodgers just doesn't pass the eye test Because here's the thing. It doesn't matter what the stats are, because for example, look at Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow, you can run up all your numbers, but it doesn't necessarily translate into success.

Yeah, I mean, look at, I mean, you look at their career records and look at their stats and there's a bit of a disconnect. I think it's the same thing with Aaron Rodgers right now. And even still, stats are okay. I mean, they're not bad, but they're really not that good, you know? And like I said, it's just, he just didn't look good.

And I don't care what the stats say, if QB doesn't even look good, then odds are the team's not gonna be good, which is probably why he led the Jets to a five and 12 record last year. And there is something that I do want to make abundantly clear for everyone listening. When we look at Roger's stats, right?

A lot of these really, really good games he has had were literally from him just wailing on really bad teams. For example, he threw three touchdowns against the injury-riddled and underperforming Houston Texans. He had another three touchdown game against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. He had another, he had a four touchdown game against the Miami Dolphins who literally just don't function in the cold. So congratulations, Rogers. Literally 10 of your 28 touchdowns were just you wailing on really bad teams. I mean, to be fair, maybe not the Texans, but hey, you saw what the Texans were last year. They were underperforming.

They were just not that good. You know, they're another team that just didn't pass the eye test. So yeah, look at you, Rogers. Like, do you feel good about yourself stuffing the stat sheet against really bad teams, you know, grossly inflating your numbers and saying, oh, look at me, I'm still good.

I mean or That's pretty much error who could forget memory they lost to Denver nine to ten No touchdowns, I remember that I Remember you're losing the Buffalo Twice you lost to New England one so even still some of the other Teams that are more questionable like I said like New England or the Arizona Cardinals or even the Colts you lost to New England once. So even still some of the other teams that are more questionable, like I said, like New England or the Arizona Cardinals or even the Colts you lost to. So no, no, you don't get to beat up on bad teams and still even lose to some of these bad teams

and say, oh, but I'm still good. Now, as for the Steelers themselves, is Mike Tomlin a masochist? Seriously, right? He seemed to, and I keep, and I'm tired of that nickname. Oh, he's the diva whisperer. He knows how to get them to fall in line. Like really? He got Antonio Brown to fall in line. He got lady on bell to fall in line. He got all these guys to fall in line. George Pickens most recently. No, they said you're such a head case. It's easier to trade you than to deal with another minute of your being a mess. And, they said, you're such a head case, it's easier to trade you than to deal

with another minute of your BS. So yeah, and also when you have Rogers, who's one of the more mercurial quarterbacks in the National Football League, compared with DK Metcalf, who has a notorious temper, and granted he's not as bad as Pickens, but he's still kind of a head case And I mean, I feel like he probably goes a step or two beyond normal receive a receiver diva in this It's not a word, but you know

And then you really think they're gonna get along Like oh, yeah, I can't wait till DK Metcalf is throwing his helmet down again and getting in Roger's face, and Roger's just tells him exactly where he can stick his complaint, because that's what Roger's does. Roger's demands ultimate loyalty from his players,

and when he doesn't get that, he pouts and will probably get your coach fired. I mean, you saw what happened to Robert Sala, and I will maintain, even though I'm a Pats fan, I don't think Robert Sala was the problem with the Jets. And as far as the Steelers go, like I said, like don't get me wrong, you probably get some juice out of Roger, especially with Mike Tomlin,

who I think is an okay coach. But once again, they're just, they need to get off the QB carousel you know they remind me of remember when the Indianapolis Colts lost Andrew Luck and they spent a solid like three to four seasons just on the QB carousel just going from bridge QB to bridge QB this is that's Pittsburgh that is exactly what Pittsburgh is doing and at some point you got to get off the carousel like you just have to but the thing is The big issue with Pittsburgh is that they're very they're very arrogant organization. They're extremely prideful

They are incapable of admitting when they've made a mistake and they're more likely to double down on than anything In fact, remember when they had that really terrible offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, and they had a fire in mid-season? That was the first time Steelers fired a coach, be it coordinator, head coach, or anything else, during a season since World War II. I wish I was joking, but that is unfortunately very true. And another part of their pride extends to the fact that they refuse to tank. And now our producer Adam has said about tanking how he understands it, but he's not a fan.

And he says how it can become an addiction when things don't go your way, you just blow it up. That's something he has said before. No, not addiction to habit. He said tanking can become a habit. Which honestly, I do agree, but Pittsburgh's gotta blow it up because as long as you are mediocre, as long as you just keep going nine and eight, you're never going to get a good quarterback

unless you're willing to like give an arm and a leg to move up into the draft. You know, like unless you were willing, and you look, we all know if you wanna move up into the top 10 you know, unless you were willing and you look, we all know if you want to move up into the top 10 from a from the mid round, that costs you a fortune. And until they, you know, go below 500, they're just not going to, you know, they're just not going to have the ability to take a swing at a top prospect. I mean, unless you're willing to settle for Kenny Pickett or whoever, one is just considered not good enough

to go in the top 10, QB-wise. And that's just the long and short of it. And I will say one thing. I don't care what the pundits say. I don't care if the talking heads say. I think Tomlin's seat is starting to get a little warm. Because the last time the Steelers won a playoff game, I was a freshman in high school

because they beat the Dolphins and then they beat someone on a different team. I wanna say it was the Chiefs to lose in the AFC Championship game that year. But then that was it. They've been in the playoffs a few times, but they're always one and done. And unless the fans are starting to get tired

of the mediocrity, and personally, I don't blame them for it. I really don't. But once Tomlin's claim to fame, which is he's never had a losing season, as soon as that's gone, as soon as he has a losing season, he's going to look mighty fireball, you know? Because technically you can't get rid of him, you know, he's never had a losing season. Oh, but if he does, then just like that, all that protection is gone. And but then again, the Steelers won't do anything. They just won't. I mean, they're

very set in their ways organization. And when you add Rogers into the mix, like, they're not a contender. They're not bad enough to tank. Say with me kids just another year where they are mediocre. Yeah, I'm pretty much setting up for essentially the same thing. Another mediocre season or a mid season at best. And I said the same thing that you said basically. There's a team that needs the tank, but they're not willing to tank. So there's your problem but with the Rogers signing a lot of a lot of people look to the schedule of course and you

know there's a lot of interesting matchups coming up for the Steelers schedule week one at New York the Jets so that'll be a fun little week one storyline to go after once we get there And then they're playing the entirety of the NFC North so a bunch of storylines there, of course facing off against Green Bay at home for Sunday Night Football And then also playing the Bears Around Thanksgiving time as well. So that'll be another fun one. So there's going to be some solid storylines throughout the season for these games.

Doesn't mean that they're going to be good games. No, I do not think that this game against Minnesota that they'll be in London for wherever the hell they're gonna be at 930 a.m Eastern Standard Time is gonna be a good game Fun to talk about but other than that not really Looking at some of the other storylines Jerry Alexander getting released by the Packers and This was one of those things where both sides were trying to figure out Potential trade options even or structured contract that would have kept him in Green Bay

But last week or or actually yesterday, Jair Alexander ended up getting released. Only 28 years old, but we've mentioned this before, especially when we were doing our top five cornerbacks. You know, there's a little bit of an injury history here. Still one of the better cornerbacks in the league, but that's your problem at that point is the injury history. So it's gonna be interesting to see how some of these teams or which teams take a flyer on them. Huh, yeah. I just, there are some good fits for

him. Like, for example, I know the Ravens have been sniffing around him. Hell, even the Vikings have. It's just one of the things that I don't think it's talked about enough with Alexander is that he's quietly becoming a diva. He literally had one game where he shut down Justin Jefferson and then he starts

running his mouth and then he wants us to conveniently forget that the next time they met up, I believe Jefferson put a hundred yards on his head and hung a touchdown on him as well. And a lot of this is also a money thing too as they're behind the scenes, I believe were some contract disputes with Alexander as well. And I hate to say it, but it's unfortunately very true. Alexander does not deserve to be paid like a top five corner because you he's great at coverage, both man and zone. He's a good tackler, but he's forgotten that your best ability is your availability and that is just an ability he does not have. He has only played, I believe, a combined 14 games over the past two seasons. In fact, hold on, I'm actually going to look at that

because I'm a big fan of his game. It's just you gotta stop running your mouth if you can't stay healthy. Yeah, I was right. 14 games over the past two seasons. Then he played 16 games in 2022. Good for him. And then four games in 2021. I mean, really, this is really the hill we're gonna die on. Is it Jair Alexander? So think about it. So think about it this way, right? There's 17 games in a season since that over the past four years.

So what is 17 times four? That's 68. 68 games that he could play, right? I mean, that's very true. But he played 34 That's half he has missed half the games He could have played over the last four years and don't give me this whole erm Well, actually did you know that he's the best when he's on the field?

It's like okay when he's not on the field for half the season, then he's just not the best I mean statistically he's good It's just if you could get mean statistically he's good it's just if you could get anything more than 10 games out of them then consider it a miracle yeah that's gonna be the problem I mean if the Ravens get him that'll be a great fit because the Ravens love to be heard on defense a lot. So that'll be a fantastic fit. So speaking of I guess, contract negotiations or players disgruntled about certain contracts, James Cook, according to Adam Schefter, and this was from Sunday, he has basically

disconnected himself from the organization and the city put his house up for sale. Might be old news, but was he in training camp? And my fault. He was at training camp, but, you know, that was, that That was going to be a little interesting because especially the fact or the part of him his house being put up for sale, but throw that out the window. So what was the, oh, Nick Chubb. That was the other one we were going to go after. Nick Chubb signing a one-year deal with the Houston Texans There's our feel-good story for today a guy that tore everything but the skin in his knee and

Here he is getting another shot with the Texans didn't I? Wanted him to do good in that year after injury with Cleveland last year. And it's tough to get back into the swing of things, especially when you get thrown in, like, middle of the season on a team that just sucked. But this is a good opportunity for Chubb to kind of revitalize his career a little bit, especially in a running back room that's going to feature himself, of course, Joe Mixon.

So that that can be pretty fun to see those two go at it with each other or go at it and terrorize the rest of the league. But that's the other question though too is, is Nick Chubb going to be able to get back to the form that we saw him pre tearing everything in his knee? CJ, what are your thoughts? Well, that's a good question, Chris. There is a tweet being fed to me from my Adam. Apparently the bills right now we were talking about James Cook said that I like my money.

That's why I'm here. And he's apparently planning to be in training camp. And mini camp actually mini camp same. Come on. I mean, the thing is, this, or well, look, Chris, I get it. But Ian Rappaport did say training camp. And I will say one thing. I mean, that's nice. But we're taught from the time we're toddlers, that actions speak louder than words. I mean, that's nice, but we're talking from the time we're toddlers, that actions speak louder than words. I mean, he can say all this,

but it doesn't change the fact that he put his house up for sale. But yeah, let's just leave that be. So as far as Nick Chubb goes, man, just talk about a guy you feel bad for. Like, oh my God. Seriously, man. Nick Chubb, like the past two seasons, just has not been able to stay healthy.

I mean last season, only played in eight games, 3.3 yards of carry, three total touchdowns, I think. He might have had a receiving one, I think, but maybe four total, but geez. It's clear that, and here's the thing with Nick Chubb, right? He was drafted back in 2018. And we have spent countless hours on this show talking about how, you know, once running backs get that one injury or even when they, when they get,

or when they when they get seasons and will be turning 30 this December. I don't know if he's a star anymore, which is a shame. I'm a massive fan of Nick Chubb. That guy is a problem. But I do think he could be a good number two. You know, like I'm struggling to think of someone of his skill set that would have to be a number two. But I feel like once he's back, he's still gonna be a problem, but it's probably better that he's not to be a number two but but hey I feel like once he's back he's still gonna be a problem but it's probably better he's not gonna be

a bell cow he and Joe Mixon is going to be a scary backfield forget one-two punch that's a one-two haymaker because Mixon's a bit of a power back in his own right and then you've got Nick Chubb just to is the power back. That's like, defensively speaking, getting hit by a baseball bat and then getting whacked over the head by a brick. I think that's a great way to describe Nick Chubb and Joe Mixon. Like Nick, like Nick Chubb basically runs like a freaking brick. And you mentioned the fact that he's about to turn 30, right? And we're looking at some of these other running backs start to get up there in age, AKA like Derek Henry,

you could even throw Saquon in there as well. Nick Chubb, I feel like would have definitely been one of those guys in the Derek Henry, Saquon throwing Joe Mixon as well of guys that we're going to reset the running back market. Like those three have done so far. If Nick Chubb doesn't get hurt, he's the fourth member of what could be the four horsemen of running backs that do that. But instead we have a trio instead. Yeah, it's almost like it's almost like

not like his legacy is being tarnished, but Nick Chubb's legacy could have been heightened that much more. Yeah, I mean, injuries are just brutal. One of the problems is also that Derek Henry's a fun category, but he seems to be more of the exception than the rule. And there just really don't seem to be that many bell cows anymore. And Chubb probably could have been, but usually all it takes is one injury and then that's it.

However, Henry did have like an ACL tear or something like that, then bounced back. So I guess it can be done. But once again, as much as I like Nick Chubb, I wouldn't put and I wouldn't put him in the same conversation with Henry. No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying like he probably could have been one of those guys. Yeah, I feel like the could have been, I'm not saying he is. I'm saying he potentially could have been.

Cause that that's how good like pre pre knee tear that that's how good Nick Chubb was. He was insane. Yeah, no, no, he was. I mean, I've watched him play. I mean, no one could tackle that guy. It's just, I really hate that knee tear thing. I really do man.

Yeah, it's tough Any other news on the docket before we move on? No, that's pretty much it. All right, cool. We're gonna move on when we come back We're gonna get to our top five tight ends and the in our preview of the NFC East coming into the 2025 season. This is the Fulmeruski Podcast. Welcome back to the Fulmeruski key podcasty CJ. I'm Chris. Let's get into our top five tight ends So we're just gonna do a combined one because turns out CJ and I

Had the same five in the same exact order when we First were sharing our top five with each other turned out we had the same five in the same exact order. When we first were sharing our top fives with each other, it turned out we had the same one. So we're just gonna get right into it at this point. At number five, we have Mark Andrews. A lot of people probably wouldn't have kept Mark Andrews. If you were to have a conversation about Mark Andrews by week eight of last season, I don't think a lot of people would have kept Mark Andrews in

the top five, but then he started to really produce again. But the problem is also that a lot of people will think about the drop on the two point conversion in the AFC divisional game against the Bills this past season but when you think of Mark Andrews other than that you think of reliability you think of a guy that can block you you think of a guy that is almost like George Kittle but not as but not to the same tier he's very very good still. Yeah, he's getting a little older.

He may have been overshadowed by Isaiah likely for what the first seven weeks of the season maybe. But then Mark Andrews showed us. He's still that guy. Yeah, well, Mark Andrews statistically last season really didn't do that bad. He had like 11 receiving touchdowns. It's also just that drop in the playoffs is gonna haunt him. And that in of itself. Look, I'm sorry. I feel like one play doesn't necessarily make or break you, but he is also getting up there in age. And

one thing that concerns me is how many targets is he going to get? Because is he the title one in Baltimore? Yeah, he is. But Isaiah likely is nipping at his heels right now. And he's gobbling up a lot of his targets. Likely had, I want to say what, do you have like five or six touchdowns last year? Something like that? Yeah, Mark Andrews? Likely. Because I see like, Likely is right on his, okay, he had five. Okay. Like I was saying, Likely's on his heels right now and Likely is breathing down his neck. He's they have two tight end ones and On top of that, they just paid Rashad Bateman. He's gonna get more looks and you know, their wide receiver one is a flowers

So the Ravens offense sneakily is a few more mouths to feed and that's why I at least put him at five yeah, I I Wholeheartedly agree with you on that. Six actually is the number for Isaiah Lakely for touchdowns. And Mark Andrews sneakily got up to 11 touchdowns last season with 55 catches, 673 yards. But yeah. Moving on to number four, Trey McBride.

Gosh, get this guy a touchdown. God damn. What was it? The most receptions without a touchdown? Like at one point and he didn't get till week 16. 111 catches, 1100 yards. He was basically, he was the number one target for the Cardinals this season and Easily is a top five guy and what about to be his third season insane

insane stuff No, yeah, you're right. Yeah, I just and Yeah, I just and He kind of reminds me this is gonna be an extreme example But the tight end equivalent of Julio Jones where he's a yardage guy racks it up But at the end of the day, he just did it. I mean like Julio I meant he just never really had a nose for the end zone. He always struggled to find it But I mean you'd be good for five six a year, but but know, tight ends are going to be a little different. You know what I mean? But that's kind of how I view Trey McBride. Like, I think he had two touchdowns last season,

three the year before that. I mean, I think he's going do better, but if Marvin Harrison Jr. develops, then that could be a problem. Yeah. And you know, the Cardinals also a couple months ago making McBride the highest paid tight end in the NFL as well. So you know how Arizona feels about him and the fact that they want to keep him around for a little bit, which you should. Moving on to number three, Sam Laporta. Now, Laporta's had a couple injury issues, mainly from last year, but this is another guy when you think about reliability, Sam Laporta is

up there. And one of the biggest when the Detroit Lions offense is spinning, Laporta is one of the biggest reasons why it's spinning the way it is, the way you can block the way you can get downfield and get open the way you can just get up and catch a ball is is great 60 catches seven under 26 yards seven touchdowns last season as mentioned only missing only one game last year. But yeah, I know you man. Laporta. He's the opposite of Trey McBride McBride is a yardage guy. Laporta is a touchdown guy. And even though you could argue that he took a step back from last year, He still had over 700 yards and seven touchdowns. Sure, he had 10 his rookie year, but come on.

17 touchdowns over two seasons, I think is still pretty good. And yeah, sure, there was a bit of a sophomore slump, but I feel like he's gonna rebound. And I mean, it's, I just, I feel like people are panicking I mean, it's, I just, I feel like people are panicking a little over nothing, you know, just because you had guys like Jameson Williams coming into his own. You had a Jameer Gibbs taking more catches as well. There's a, like I said, there's a lot of mouse to feed on the Lions offense as well. But Laporta is their big red zone threat as evidence, like I said, by his seven touchdowns

last season And I think he's probably good for about nine to ten next season For what it's worth But overall he's young. It's his third year and Yeah, he's definitely worth number three Yeah, hundred percent number two Yeah, 100%. Number two, rookie last year setting a bunch of tight end records for receptions, receiving yards.

It's Brock Bowers. 112 catches, 1,194 receiving yards, five touchdowns broke Mike Dick is rookie tight end receiving records from 1960 insane Brock Bowers is almost I feel like Brock Bowers is what people thought Calpits was gonna be a guy that can get downfield, get open, and make big plays. But and the craziest part is that nobody's throwing. Like there's not a good quarterback. Exactly. That's literally the most impressive part about Brock Bowers is that his quarterbacks were Gardner, Minchew and Aiden O'Connell. And despite that, as a rookie, he came in and not just as a rookie, as a rookie tight end, he came in, wrestled a starting job away from Michael Mayer, got 112 catches, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns to boot. And I don't know, but Chris, what do you think? I mean, I feel like it's pretty self-explanatory

Brock Bowers. Yeah, they're I think the last thing you can really say about Brock Bowers is that he can make a Major case for being the top tight end after this season after this coming season He yeah, he's going to have to do it again though. And for these tight ends, unless you're like Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski, prime Travis Kelsey, like these back to back thousand yard seasons are something that's incredibly difficult because the tight end position by itself is really top heavy.

Yeah. 100%. Which leads us to number one, George Kittle. He is the highest paid tight end in the league. We met, obviously I mentioned Trey McBride, but that was two months ago. George Kittle, as of a couple of weeks ago, was throwing the bag, $19.1 million per year for him. And that's just highest pay tight end per AAB. But you talk about what makes a tight end, this is what makes a tight end George George Kittle is Like when you like when you think of the top greatest tight ends and you mentioned two of them Gronk and

Tony Gonzalez Blocking very physical and can catch the damn football and score touchdowns and George Kittle can do all of those There's reason why is the highest paid tight end Yeah, Kittle What else is there to even say he seems to emphasis on seems to have shaken off a lot of his injury concerns and at least for the past two seasons, three really, has put up some very solid numbers. I mean even 2022 where he didn't crack a thousand yards, he still had 11 touchdowns, 2023. Cracked a

thousand and had six touchdowns and cracked a thousand again last season and had eight touchdowns. And he's another one where age really doesn't seem to be affecting him like it has some other tight ends. At least not yet. Not not yet. You're right. And as a whole with guys like Devo Samuel gone gone guys like Brandon IU becoming blatantly untrustworthy. I Really think we could see George Kittle dare. I say perform even better Yeah, could definitely could definitely make the argument for that but uh All right. Now we got through the top five. Let's go through some other Titan names because we mentioned it's very top heavy lists.

But we'll just get right into the first one. Everyone knows that Travis Kelsey didn't make the top five and he's old and he sucks. There's my analysis. Yeah, real honest to God. Like that's actually good analysis. I'm tired of hearing Travis Kelsey is the goat tight end or at least in the conversation. I'm sorry, the past two years, he has officially played himself out. His big claim to fame was, oh, he had the most consecutive thousand yard seasons

for a tight end. Meanwhile, it's kind of like, I don't know how to describe it. I'm trying to think of another scenario that's similar to this. Where in reality, Mahomes just kind of force fed him the ball, whether he was open or not. He seems to be more, he's always been a volume target kind of guy, a guy who could never really do more with less. A guy that needs his targets in order to rack up his numbers. I mean, you're not going to see him have three catches, but turn it into 75 yards and a touchdown.

If he gets three catches, he's going to go for like 20 yards. He's a volume guy. And especially last year, now his second straight season, under a thousand yards. And even still, he was always good for like eight to 12 touchdowns a year. Now he's had three, he's slower. And like I said, like the vision, the decline, it's not just in the numbers and the eye test as well. He's just not as dominant.

They're not really throwing to him unless he's like wide open. I mean, and even still, he was never that good through contact. He was never a good blocker. But now they went on running plays where the Titans have to block. They outright take him off the field. They have another guy, Gray by the last name. Noah Gray.

Noah Gray and it's the other dude behind all who are primarily used to block because Kelsey either we used to be that he won't now I just don't think he can I Mean that's I don't even I don't even know if it's like a thing that you can't like a question if he can or not you just have to Two younger tight ends that you know will hold up the job at that point. So you might as well just go with the other two rather than your top guy that, I don't know. I mean, maybe, but the biggest thing for Kelsey

going into next year is that Rashid Rice is coming back. Xavier Worthy showed some flashes and you're no longer a one man show. Mahomes now has the ability to spread the ball around. And once again, when there are more mouths to feed, your targets decrease. That's just simple math. Yeah, 100%.

And to be fair, the only reason Kelsey's numbers are even as passable as they were last season because Rashid Rice got hurt. Yeah, Rashid Rice. I mean, the entire wide receiver room in general for the Chiefs was just beaten and battered because Rashid Rice was out for the year at one point. Hollywood Brown missed the majority of the season, didn't show up till what? Like week 16 or something like that. I don't even know. But yeah, you could 100% make the argument that the numbers are inflated because the fact that there's injuries in the

receiver room the entire year. But looking at a couple other tight ends real quick that probably our fringe top five Dallas Goddard I'd probably throw in there. Tucker Kraft probably another one that could rise through the ranks this season seven touchdowns last season pretty solid for him. Kate Auden, I'll throw that one out there because when Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were both hurt for those few weeks, Kate Auden was the number one target in the entirety of the league through those few weeks. So he could be another guy that's on on the rise but it's kind of similar to

some of the others in this top five that that uh a lot amounts to feed now that's uh pretty much it but uh we're at 42 minutes now i think we should move on what do you think no i agree we're gonna move on take a quick break when we come back we're gonna get into our NFC East Preview are the Eagles gonna take the top spot again? Are the Giants still gonna suck and are they gonna go to Jackson Dart? Where are the Cowboys gonna do and can the commanders? Keep on their hot streak from last year. This is the pulmaruzki 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. You're listening to the Fulmarovski Podcast by Powerade 18 Radio and Secret Weapon Consulting East, CJ Medeiros.

I'm Chris Kostich. Let's get into the NFC East preview. So from last year, of course, the Eagles, the Super Bowl champs won the NFC East, followed by the Commanders, cowboys and giants. Eagles finished at 14 and three, commanders 12 and five, cowboys seven and 10, and the Giants three and 14. And that's where we'll start is the New York football Giants. Well, the most prominent moves that they made was drafting a dual Carter number three Drafting Jackson dart with the 25th pick at trading back into the first round to draft Jackson dart, right?

They did yes. Yep And then probably an underrated pick. It's camp scat about And then probably an underrated pick, it's Cam Scadabow picked in the fourth round, who a lot of people are kind of putting their eyes on at the moment. But, you know, this is a New York Giants team that is definitely going to be a little not saying they interesting in the sense that they'll be good interesting in the sense of they're gonna suck But what we're watching what I said, but they'll at least be watchable. Yes like what direction of suck are we talking about here are we talking about suck of like they're gonna suck that they're gonna need another draft to really see some sort of production or maybe some sort of improvement or are they gonna suck where you can see the improvement through this season?

You know what I mean? Yeah, oh believe me, I understand. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But as far as the Giants go, I don't think they're going to be good, but I think they'll be watchable. That's what I can come down to. And let's be real.

They probably have the most entertaining QB room in the entire league. You've got Mr. Unlimited, you know, Mr. Dad Jokes himself, Russell Carrington Wilson. That's actually his middle name. Look it up. You got everyone's favorite, famous Jamis, the Lord, I mean, may the Lord deliver him from pick sixes.

I mean, seriously, we love Jamis. Gotta be one of our favorite players in the league. I love Jamis. He's like a fun guy, man. Like, he just looks like a really happy dude. Just looks like he's fun to be around. Then he's got Jackson Dart, rookie, out of Eli Manning's alma mater, Ole Miss,

and wannabe mobster, Tommy Devito. So I think it's going to be cinema, that QB room. Of course that cinema's gonna get like a 20 on Rotten Tomatoes, but it's gonna be something nonetheless As the rest of the team though, I'm interested in seeing of dual Carter I am really interested to see how Malik neighbors progresses now that you know, he's actually gonna have somebody I mean say what you about Ross, but he's solid He's not abysmal. And hey, who knows,

maybe Jameis gets to chuck some bombs to him as well. Will Wondell Robinson improve? And what about Tyrone Tracy? He's extremely underrated. So as a whole, I wanna see how this giant scene tends to click, especially since it has become abundantly clear that Brian Dable and Joe Shane are on the hot seat. I was about to go, that going to be my next talking point was uh Brian. We know Joe Shane is on

hot seat. We know that I think that's pretty that's pretty clear. Brian Dable. I don't feel like he should be located. He shouldn't be. That's it. He shouldn't be. He shouldn't be. That's a he shouldn't be. He shouldn't be. He is the product of a dysfunctional organization. Like he is. He was given the keys to a shitty franchise and was able to get them to a playoff birth with Daniel Jones ain't got a playoff win with Daniel Jones Yes, he's just year in and year out He's been given such a shit roster and they're expecting him to make lemons out of it or lemonade out of it Unfortunately that you pretty much just summed up the giants right there, Chris. I don't understand why Dables on the hot seat. Uh, because for what it's worth, I do think he's a very good coach.

Yeah. I mean, maybe not a world beater, but I do think he's a good coach. He's one of the coaches from the Belichick tree that have somewhat done well as a head coach. Yeah, no, you're right. You're right. But I don't understand why all these Giants fans have such a fetish for firing him. Yeah. So yeah, you do realize like he's the only reason you won that playoff game against the Vikings back in the day. Remember that? I do. Some would say Pepperidge Farmer members. If you get that reference, then salute to you. But seriously, I just...how short-sighted can this franchise be? And if they do fire him, now if

Shane firing him, I get it. I'm not going to here and say oh they shouldn't fire Shane if they'd be right to It is the right thing to do to give it a Joe Shane, but Dable now that just seems lazy and That would reflect really poorly on ownership But the one thing I will say is I do think that the Maros should be thanking their lucky star that the Jets are right across the hall from them Because oh my god I feel like the Maras would get a lot more hate if they didn't share a stadium with the other Embarrassment to East Rutherford. That is the Jets. Yeah So the Giants finished with a three and 14 record last year

I'll give them five and 12 this year and still finishing last. Yeah, 5 and 12 seems about right. Moving on to the Dallas Cowboys finished 7 and 10. Honestly, for the amount of injuries that the Cowboys had deal with last year, respect that they got to 7 and 10. Respect that they got there 7 and 10. Respect that they got there because with like all the injury, like it was almost like a Detroit Lions level of injuries, just minus the fact that they were still doing good because the Cowboys weren't doing good at all.

because the Cowboys weren't doing good at all. Cowboys have not made the NFC championship since 1996. And I do not, I see this as another year where they will not make it. I could even see them not making it the next five years. Most notable pickup really that they had was trading for George Pickens. So now their wide receiver room is CD Lamb, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, Cavante Turpin, Jake Ferguson. I'll shout out Jake Ferguson, another name we didn't throw out there when we were talking about the tight ends, also a very solid tight end.

But other than that, there's not really much else going on. Yeah, that's how it seems to be. And as for my record prediction for them, now I'm gonna stand on this. I think I don't care if they stay healthy. I think they go seven and ten again, eight and nine at best. You know why, Chris?

Chris, you're my buddy. Love you to death. Pause. But there's one thing you forgot to mention. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Yes. Not be a head coach. And that is a team that needs a strong leader. Brian Schottenheimer. Yes, not be a head coach and That is a team that needs a strong leader like an actual real competent game planner to go far They don't have that so seven and ten again, maybe eight and nine. Yeah You mentioned the record part I actually wanted to go through the schedule because the Cowboys much like the Dolphins are

Notorious for not beating teams over 500 So real quick down the schedule Eagles opening night loss Giants I'll give them the win 101 Bears That's gonna be tough Bears. That's going to be tough. This feels like a game that they should win, but head coaching or coaching in general is really going to bite them.

I'll get the Bears on this one. I'll give the Bears the one and two Packers. LL one and three Jets to tell you. Panthers. Hmm. I think they're going to win, but it's going to be gets to a tiny panthers. I think they're going to win, but it's going to be a game that's closer than what it should be. Yeah. What are we at now? Three, three. Yeah. Yeah. Something like that. Three and three. Now you're at home against Washington.

First we kind of got to speed it up. Yeah, I know. I know. I know. I know. First we kind of got to speed it up. Yeah, I know I know I know I know Washington I'll give I'll give them the win just cuz it's at home Broncos We split with Washington, but they'll lose both the Philly. Yeah I'll I'll also give him nine and eight. I'll give him nine and eight Maybe if everything goes right, but regardless, let's move on to the commanders. Yeah, Washington commanders boy, what a What a turnaround for the commanders that that's for sure really Big pickup that they had in the draft was Josh Connerly

Tackled from Oregon beefing up the old line a little bit which they needed Tackle from Oregon beefing up the old line a little bit which they needed And this is a team that like not not really a lot changed, right? Still got Jaden Daniels and this this season is really gonna ride on if Jaden Daniels gonna have a sophomore slump or not. I I Think that's basically as cut and dry as you can get with us I think that's basically as cut and dry as you can get with this. But yeah, I do agree though. I don't believe personally

that it's gonna hurt them all that much. I mean, the sophomore slump, I mean, I said, I know I said the same thing about CJ Stroud, but as a whole, what's it really gonna do? I mean, I actually think these things staying the same is good Gives Daniels another year to acclimate and also they got a Debo. So maybe he can turn back the clock

Yeah 100% um For the commanders, I would probably give them Similar record 12 and 5 maybe 11. I'd say maybe 11 and 6 somewhere between 11 and 12 wins. Yeah, yeah Assuming that the NFC doesn't have as ridiculously good of a year as they did last year. Maybe like the the five seed Yep, however, it has come to my attention that our producer Adam right has some breaking news Adam what are you at?

Jake Dobbins signing a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos. Oh boy. Oh my goodness. It's finally happened. J.K. Dobbins, injury-prone but still good, has finally been signed. Hallelujah. It's about damn time. the animosity with James Cook kind of going on too. So there was some whispers that that could go on but this just whole 180 just let's go to the division arrival and play ball over there. Oh yeah. If you're Denver this is a steal. This is a steal. This is a unbelievable steal. I mean, it's like they got hurt last year but I really do think that he I mean he rebounded from his injuries nicely. So, why can't you do it again? I know

it's against the odds but hey, let's see and if anyone could use him, it'd probably be Sean Payton and look don't be wrong. I have my misgivings about Payton but he knows how to use a running back. We'll give him that. Yeah. He was, he missed four games last year and still had 900 yards was just a hundred yard, like just under a hundred yards short of a thousand. Uh, and if you're the Broncos, you're starting running back would have been RJ Harvey or Audrick Estime.

So this is huge. Uh, in an offense that we've talked about before. This is basically an offense, analytically speaking, was basically the same thing as 2023 with Russ. And it was just the defense that stepped up to be a top five defense in the league. But now you got you got a guy in J.K. Dobbins that can give you an established run game at this point, like a real established run game. Now, that's that's the other thing, though, is is he going to stay healthy for that? I I don't know, because one thing, you know, about the whole physicality of the Stay healthy for that. I don't know, because one thing about the whole physicality of the position is that he's already the best running back they have.

You guys know I wasn't a huge fan of the RJ Harvey pickup. And Audrick Estimé, we really don't know what they have there. He's going to be facing stacked boxes every time he takes the field I do assume that due to his injury history, they're going to lean towards a running back by committee and there's nothing wrong with that but When he comes out their teams are probably gonna be in the know we'll say Yeah, 100% it'd be interesting to see if they try to pick someone up to pair up with Dobbins, but who's really available at that point? I don't know. They'd have to trade.

I wasn't going to say Nick Chubb, but no, he's gone. Yeah, exactly. Nick Chubb was still available to one year deals for Two guys that have a very high ceiling but have the slight injury history True. Let's keep pushing with the NFC East for we got it. Yes We only have one team left it's the reigning Super Bowl champs the Philadelphia Eagles I the Philadelphia Eagles. I mean, the Eagles had some somewhat of big losses to say the least, especially in the secondary. CJ Gardner Johnson got let go.

James Bradbury got let go. Help me out here. Who else am I forgetting? That they lost on the defense CJ Gardner Johnson got traded. They lost linebacker Lauren Burks Milton Williams and Josh Sweat are gone as well. I forgot about Milton Williams. Well, you're a Pats fan. You shouldn't. Yeah, I know that that's that's the biggest part.

Yeah, I know that that's that's the biggest part But yeah, I I see This Eagles team basically doing the same exact thing really as they did last year They lost one piece on the line I'm blanking put one piece on In terms of the Eagles, there's something about their GM who's also leaving my head. Dude, I'm terrible, right? Howie Roseman. Howie Roseman. Geez.

That's what you know. I need to wrap this shit up, I guess. Howie Roseman is just that guy. He just picks up guy after guy after guy after guy. And this Eagles team is basically reloaded to go back to back. Now the now that's the other thing is are they going to have a Super Bowl hangover which most teams have had I guess the only other team that hasn't had these Super Bowl hangovers have been the Chiefs as of recent, just talking the, just this side of the decade.

On that in terms of teams that have gone to the Super Bowl and have had to either play the Chiefs or just have gone to the Super Bowl in general, hasn't looked that great for them. Can the Eagles do that now? Especially after the first time that they played the Chiefs, they ended up collapsing at the end of the season and being a first round exit. And I mean, you're right, you're right.

Also, I would like to point out, by the way, that the J.K. Dobbins news is up on the Fumble Ruskie page. I think everyone listening should see their way to go like, but that's neither here nor there. The thing with Philly is, the fun with the page. I think everyone listening should see their way to go like but that's either here nor there. The thing with Philly is I mean, grand the last time I played the Chiefs in the Super

Bowl, I suffered Super Bowl hangover but the difference is they lost this time they won. They are the reigning champs and honestly, I don't think I mean the roster didn't change too much. I mean, they drafted pretty well again. Shocker. But hey, come on.

As a whole, I see them largely staying the same. I do. And yes, I know, I know Adam. Sorry, folks. Adam's telling us who we lost. We have literally gone over this. If you mention this again, I'm going to lose it. I'm sorry. But it's like, no, Chris, did I not mention Milton Williams and Josh Sweat? Yeah, I asked for help and you gave me help at the snap of the fingers and Adam's coming over here five minutes later giving me help. It's okay. We love Adam obviously Paul's but like but no no, but overall the one thing this is gonna sound stupid

But hear me out the one thing That does actually concern me for Philly. We keep talking about Super Bowl hangover. Let's talk about something else arbitrary Oh Christ the Madden curse for those of you who don't know Saquon Barkley will be on the cover of Madden 26 and know Saquon Barkley will be on the cover of Madden 26. And that is known to do a number on players if they're not injured and they have down years. So I don't know. Let's just hope it doesn't happen. I guess. Yeah, I mean, I guess look at Josh Allen. He didn't suffer

from the Madden curse besides losing the AFC championship again If you want to call that a curse, it is yeah, it is a curse But I mean compared to other Madden curses, I'd say they have put down one MVP as well so Maybe we're gone from the Madden curse. Maybe maybe not I wouldn't know We won't know till we get there. It comes also What by the way, say ones also a running back though, so you know, well usually where we have a big year It's tough for them to repeat it. No one knows why oh, yeah

100% um I'm gonna look up running backs that we're on the matting cover real quick Because I get it I get it, I get it. But as a whole roster wise, Philly can just kinda chill for a bit. I mean, really awesome guys, but their roster is still stacked with talent, especially with the NFC,

not having that many great teams. I mean, you got the Lions. But you know, yeah. Other running backs that made it. Eddie George, Madden 01, his career kind of took a slight downturn after that, but it wasn't anything crazy. Sean Alexander, Madden 06 went from MVP to being a bum. Paine Hillis, Madden 12. Oh one year wonder. One of the most random thousand yard years that for some reason earned him the Madden cover. What about last year Christian McCaffrey man? Yeah last year Christian McCaffrey sir I was I was going on order. Adrian Peterson in Madden 25 not last year Madden 25 because Christian McCaffrey is Madden 25 from last you get it. Barry Sanders was also on that in 25 cover with

Marshall Falk Madden oh three Marshall Falk was still a solid running back, but he was towards his older years at that point So he has been brutal for a man. Yeah For the majority of the running backs on that I would say all the running backs on the list that made the man and cover is a little brutal But I guess if we're gonna wrap this the Eagles up basically we're saying that the Eagles are going to be Are going to repeat in the division which hasn't happened in years first time which hasn't happened since a little over 20 years ago when the Eagles won it from 0-1 to 0-4.

Making it to the NFC Championship in a few of those years as well. 0-4 and 0-2 more specifically. 0-4 they made it to the Super Bowl, lost to the Pats. 0-2 lost to the Tim Bay Buccaneersers and then FC Championship game in which the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl Yeah, I Mean seriously, I Know it doesn't know something in the world, but dude the Madden curse

It's something else It is I get we won't know till week one made But uh, who knows maybe say Kwan has some mystery Achilles injury that he has to I hope for But that'll do it for us any other We don't have any other breaking news, right? No. No, we're good. All right, good We don't have any other breaking news, right? No, no, we're good. All right, good. That'll do it for another Tuesday episode of the Full Marouski podcast.

Be sure to tune in next Tuesday at 730 PM Eastern Standard Time, in which we'll be talking about best offensive linemen in the NFC North Yeah, that's yeah unless any other news breaks yeah unless any other news breaks Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel also have all our episodes available on Spotify speaker Apple podcast I heart radio Google podcast and so much more be sure to follow our Instagram full Moorsky Underscore podcast keep up with pod and latest coverage on the NFL. Otherwise, he's CJ Madero some Chris Kostich executive producer Adam, right? We'll see you next Tuesday over and out