The Kevin Sheehan Show - Ovechkin News + SVP From Masters

Episode Date: April 8, 2026

Kevin opened with the news that Alex Ovechkin will wait until the summer to make a decision about his future. Kevin also reacted to an ESPN.com story on Brandon Aiyuk's future. Scott Van Pelt joined Kevin from The Masters and Doc Walker jumped on to talk Commanders.   For all your football betting needs: DCRELOAD at MyBookie for a 50% Deposit Match Our listeners get the Harry’s Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/[INSERT CODE]  #Harryspod For all your garden needs: fastgrowingtrees.com/sheehan Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You don't want it. You don't need it. But you're going to get it anyway. The Kevin Sheehan Show. He is Kevin. Scott Van Pelt is going to be on the show with me today from Augusta. The Masters gets underway tomorrow. Doc Walker will join me on the show as well.

The show's presenting sponsor, as always, Window Nation, 86690 Nation, Windonation.com, if you need new windows. Just FYI, I am heading out of town, but I will have a show tomorrow with Tommy. I will not have a show on Friday. I'm off radio the rest of the week, taking some time. Typically, the first chance to kind of take some time is when the NCAA tournament ends. It's kind of the extension of football season through free agency, through the tournament, and there's always kind of an opportunity to take some days off before the

draft. So I'm going to head out of town for a few days and the weekend and I'll be back on Monday. But again, the show today, Scott and Doc will be on it tomorrow. Tommy and I are recording a show later on today that will run tomorrow and then no show on Friday. There is some news here to open up the show related to Alex Ovechkin. It is the headline right now on ESPN. that Alex Ovechkin will wait until after the season, probably sometime over the summer, to decide his future. He did an interview, a pre-taped interview, with Capp's Radio Play-By Playman, John Walton, that is airing today where he says, quote, we're going to make a decision in the summer, closed quote. He cited health is the most important factor. He's 40 years old. He's obviously being

peppered with questions about his future here as the cap season is very likely to end without a playoff berth. Not a good night last night for the Capitals. They didn't even play last night. They play tonight in Toronto. But last night, the teams in front of them that they needed to lose all one. Ottawa one, Columbus one, Philadelphia one, all bad news for the caps. Their chances have dwindled here over the last 24 hours. And not only do they need to win their last four games now, pretty much that's a given, but they're going to need a lot of help in the process as well.

So Alex Ovechkins, you know, had a good season. He has scored 31 goals. He's got 928 career now in the regular season. Back in late March, he scored number 1,000 total in the NHL, counting goals in the postseason. He holds records for the most power play goals with 331, the most game-winning goals with 141, the most shots with 7,091.

And, of course, he's been a fifth. physical force all over the ice, is third on the career hits list with 3,871. You know, two of his last three games will be against the Pittsburgh Penguins, his longtime rival, and Sidney Crosby. The home finale is on Sunday, and that home finale on Sunday is a complete sellout in the aftermarket for tickets for that game is climbing. It's a big, big ticket in town to see perhaps Alex Ovechkin's final game as a capital. There's been a lot of talk that he would continue for at least a year or two when he finishes in the NHL playing in Russia and the KHL. Who knows?

But if it is the last of Alex Ovechkin, what a run it's been. And look, there's no doubt about it. Alex Ovechkin in terms of, you know, the DMV, Mount Rushmore of athletes, of team sport players in particular, he's on it. And it would be, it'd be a shame to see it end without, you know, Alex Ovechkin in the postseason, because he's still a viable player, clearly. You know, he's had a good season. In terms of overall goals in the league right now, Ovechkin with his 31, you know, he's right in the top 30 in total goals. You know, this isn't a guy that's, you know, fading into oblivion and can't do it at 40 years old. He can do it and is continuing to do it at a high level leading the team,

you know, his own team in goals scored this year. So, yeah, we'll see. We'll see what happens with the Great Eight. But he does, we're not going to know it before these final games. We're not going to know it before the home finale. He's going to wait until the summer to make the decision. So yesterday there was a story on ESPN.com written by Nick Wagoner. Nick covers the 49ers.

He's like the John Kime equivalent at ESPN.com. And he wrote a long story about. Brandon Ayyuk titled Will the 49ers Trade, Release, or Keep Wide Receiver Brandon Ayuk. A lot of what we've talked about is in there. But here's the part that has gotten some attention here over the last 24 hours. It's in the first part of his story. He writes, team and league sources have indicated that the Washington commanders are the most likely landing spot for Ayuk when he does move on. Commander's general manager Adam Peters was in San Francisco's personnel department when it drafted IUC. More importantly, IUC is close friends with Washington quarterback Jaden Daniels from their shared time at Arizona State. And IUC has been open about his desire to play with Daniels in the past.

If anyone can offer some insight into how IUC is doing, it's probably Daniels. Shanahan is in Kyle Shanahan and Adam Peters dined together. at the league meetings in Phoenix, but it remains to be seen whether the commanders would be willing to give up something for Ayuk rather than wait to see whether he's released or not. So this story really gets into the detail of, you know, the contractual situation and what the 49ers options are. And I think I discussed this earlier in the week. But if I didn't, the 49ers don't owe him any money until September 1st. On September 1st, he is due a $24.935 million option bonus. So they don't owe him anything until September 1. So they're not going to keep him more likely than not,

but they could keep him until August 31st to essentially screw him and, you know, more importantly for them maybe, I don't know, maybe they really are being vindictive as it comes to IUC, but from a competitive standpoint, they don't have to give a team like Washington in their conference Brandon Ayuk for a full offseason to get him ready for 2026. It would certainly be more helpful for Brandon Ayuk to be participating in offseason activities and mini camp and then be there for day one of training camp, then arriving, you know, 10 days before the season opener. You know, I wonder whether or not anybody would sign them at that point.

I think somebody would. I wonder if Washington at that point will have moved on, whether it be through the draft or whether it be through, you know, Juan Jennings signing or some adding another receiver, or maybe just trotting out the current group, which isn't that dissimilar to the group that they had in 2024 when they were one of the top three, four offenses in the league. But the 49ers, I'm sure at the very least,

and this article sort of indicates, are going to hold on to them through the draft so that if teams didn't get what they wanted in the draft, maybe they would be more willing to part with a day three pick. Now, Nick Wagoner suggests that the kind of compensation or the kind of trade that would happen would be more of a late-pick swap, you know, a late-round pick swap. Like, we're going to get a sixth from you, but we're going to send you a seventh. Well, the problem with that is, he points out, is that the 49ers don't have any late-round picks in this draft. But they do in next year's draft, so it could happen after the draft.

but he also points out in this story something that I've said all along, and that is trading for him means that his current contract conveys. And you're talking about basically with base salary and, you know, the other minor things that are in there if he's on the roster, like just north of $27 million for 2026 and then another 20, 28 million in 2027 and another 29 plus million in 2028. Nobody's committing to that. Nobody is committing to the contract that he has.

So the trade just seems like a complete and utter non-conversation. If a team decided, hey, there's going to be a lot of competition if he gets released and we may not win that competition with him as a free agent. Maybe we trade for him. We believe in him and we'll take the contract as is and we'll do a late-pick swap or we'll send them a sixth rounder in next year's draft or a seventh rounder this year. I just don't see that happening, though. I see, you know, what's realistic and Nick Wagoner really says what's realistic

is that eventually they part ways with him. and even though they could designate a release is post-June 1 now, he thinks they wait until after the draft and maybe after June 1, which is what Mike Genetti from SpotTrack told us. He thinks that he'd be released on June 2nd. And a post-June 1 designation or an actual June 2nd release means they can split up the dead cap hit, salary cap hit over two years rather than having it accelerate. all into this year.

Some really interesting reading just about the overall situation. So, yeah, I mean, I don't know if Washington has a cutoff date in their mind, but at this point, it's not going to happen until at the very least after the draft is the best guess of everybody that's paying attention to this, and probably no earlier than June 2nd. and they could take it all the way to August 31st and release him then. You know, taking it through training camp and claiming, hey, we're waiting until the last possible moment. Injuries happen during the preseason and in training camp and somebody might get desperate

and we'd like to get something back for him. And we have zero incentive other than to help a competitor or to help him to release him prior to September 1st. so let's see how they handle it. Yeah, if they wait until August 31st, if that's the plan, do you want him on August 31st, even if he desperately wants to be here? Because then you're getting such a late start. When does he really become a viable, you know,

player in your scheme, in your system? October, you know, mid-October. if it happens, I'd love it to happen so that he's at the very least here for training camp. And again, I've said this before. I think the guy's a bit nuts. I think it's unprecedented what he did, basically walking away from $30 plus million for just a couple of days a month showing up to have his knee looked at. That's crazy bad judgment.

No good advice around him, or maybe he just, isn't listening to it. Incredible immaturity that he will regret one day because this was guaranteed for injury money. I mean, there was no way to avoid it if he just showed up to the facility when he was supposed to show up, which was a minimal, minimal commitment. And he didn't. All right, Scott Van Pelt from Augusta next after these words from a few of our sponsors. Hey guys, I've been talking about Mando now for a few months. I'm a big fan. Mando is a whole body deodorant.

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noon to two on ESPN. uh, is my good friend Scott Van Pelt. Man, I was thinking about this. Has it been now in terms of the number of years you've been going down there? Is it 25? First year I came at 90, 97. And so it's more than that. It's almost 30, uh, which is just astounding, but it's, it's around there. I, I missed a couple late 90s, early 2000s. I hasn't been a total of, but whatever. It's been plenty. That's right. Because the 97, that was your first one. And you did the interview with, Liger Woods, which became a big deal because it was like the first sit-down he did after he won his first major.

Correct. That still runs every once in a while. I mean, you had a lot of hair then. We both did. We both had some hair. Yeah. That was... Yeah, but you know what?

It's a cool one to go back to just because it was the beginning, like the origin story of a guy who became what he became. And, you know, certainly I've said this a million times. I'll say it again. I mean, it changed the trajectory literally of my life because the interview that we had was, he was great. I wasn't great, but he was great because he trusted me and we had this relationship. And so, you know, it was a long time ago.

No, the whole thing was great. And I remember how good it was. And I remember thinking in the moment, God, that is a big deal. I don't know how you'll make it pay off, but it was a big deal. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. And it's kind of thing you don't even recognize it in the moment. But then, you know, but then he continued to do amazing things. And because, again, because we had this really good working relationship, it continued to be beneficial.

How much of the story has he been so far this week down there? It isn't. I was all with Tony and Mike on Tuesday on PTI. And, you know, the combination of the absence of he and Phil Mickelson is significant. It's eight green jackets. eight. I mean, this is the 90th playing of it. So 8 of 90 is a lot.

And so the absence of not just Tiger, but Tiger and Phil, it's certainly notable because these are guys that people want to just see. They just like the same way that back in the day, they wanted to see Jack and Arnie, and it's the same type of thing.

But the Masters is still the Masters. You still feel a certain way. There's an excitement and an optimism of what the week may be. The weather's spectacular. The golf course is going to be exactly how they want it. And so to me it's the kind of thing, Kevin, that you're like, man, this is a bummer. Be like every year if you had a massive Thanksgiving get together.

And like, these are two important people. You would much prefer them to be at your table. But it's still Christmas, you know, and people are still excited about what all of that means. I actually think that analogy makes the most sense. You definitely would prefer them to be here. But no one's going to wake up and it's not going to feel like Christmas because these two important members of the Masters family, if you will, aren't here. What is your opinion of his current situation? I mean, I just truly hope that this is the come to Jesus that allows him to get the help that's necessary.

I mean, I think there have been concerns for quite some time that, and you would know specifically. what the back issues and surgeries and pain is like and trying to manage that and then the pills and then, you know, does how does your body become so dependent upon them that they're necessary to exist? And that's really a challenge from what I understand. And so, you know, I'm grateful. I said this on SportsCenter and I mean it. I understand that I've seen some of my colleagues say they have no tolerance or empathy or anything for the storyline. He's lucky he didn't kill some of somebody, I understand that. But because I have known him, as you mentioned, going back to before 97, I don't give a shit

about the golfer, okay? I know the human being, and I care about the human being getting help because I know his kids, and I want Charlie and Sam's dad to get help because he needs help. So that's how I feel. If he never swings the golf club again, it's a bummer for the golf world, but frankly, I'd much prefer the man be all right to be around when he's an old man. And I mean that's truly, that's how I truly feel. What's your specific changing subjects?

What's your specific favorite thing that you look forward to doing when you arrive in Augusto? And you get down there the weekend. I think you went down Sunday, right? Saturday or Sunday? I did. I did. So what's your favorite thing that you, because you are someone who is a creature of habit? There is no doubt about that when it comes to you.

What's your favorite thing that you love doing every year in Augusta? Man, it's such a long list because you are so right, because you know me so well and have for so many years. You know, there's a million things I do. Today, as you and I talk on a Wednesday, like today's my very favorite day, because my favorite place on the golf course is the 8th T on the par three. I typically send out, I still call it Twitter. I can't call it the other, whatever.

I'll still send out a picture on. on social media every year when I get here of the 8th T. My favorite, that's my first thing I do is I go to that T and just take a minute because it's a very serene setting. And it really kind of invites you to stop your brain and slow down and think, man, I can't believe I'm back again here because this place does represent such a significant part of how my life went because of Tiger and all the rest. And so I literally, I go there and just, it's like a, I, it's hard to describe.

It's just a feeling you get. And I'd say that's it. Going to that spot on the grounds. But then there's so many things that come with it, going to see the people that I've gotten known through the years that have truly become friends who work here. Going to the oak tree behind the clubhouse where people just gather and watching the world go by. There's really nothing like it. because it's captains of industry and superstar athletes or stars of, you know, movies or recording artists or whatever.

It's just, there's everywhere you look, it's just, holy crap, I can't believe I'm standing in the same place all these people are, and this is where they want to be. So I don't know, I don't want to keep rambling about it, but it's just that I am a creature of habit and all these little things I do, and Wednesday's my favorite day. And now I'm the one on the call of the Par Street contest, which, you know, it's a blast. And you watch these youngsters where their parents come out, they're the caddies and all that. It's just it's just a week of feelings that really you look forward to all year long. For sports fans, not necessarily just golf fans, but sports fans who also like golf, this, I think, has to be, if you haven't been to it, the number one sports bucket item list. I can't think of anything else that would top this.

If you enjoy golf, you don't have to be hardcore, but you enjoy it enough, you like the majors, that place is probably number one on so many people's bucket list, don't you think? It has to be, and if it isn't, your list is wrong, because I've seen pretty much all of them, I mean, in sports. I've pretty much been able to see them all, and I'm telling you this place coming here, it exceeds your expectation in a way that you just can't process unless you take it in yourself.

And I see, I see, Kevin, literally every day I'm walking through just this sea of people from all over. And they've come from all corners and all you see are smiles on faces. And I'll, I just, I do the same thing every day. I see people and I'll say, you know, I'll say, it's the first time and they'll say it is. I'm like, how good. Now, I can't believe it. I'm like, yep. I try to tell people, I said, you just got to take a bite, and then you understand, and you just end up talking to people, and they're floating out of here, although actually they're weighed down a bit because they've got three or four bags from the merch center.

Yeah. But I'm telling you, man, like sincerely, you don't have to love golf. You just have to have an appreciation for things that are done to a level of perfection that is incredible. and you just come here, I can't believe how every single detail is exactly right. I mean, truly exactly right. And so I tell people, I mean, it's not an inexpensive proposition, but it's worth the investment because you will never forget what the experience is like. All right.

Tell me about the course. Any major changes for 2026 or not? Not really. There's always, I asked, I'm not trying to name drop. It's just a weekly thing that, Among the traditions, I typically have lunch with Justin Thomas on typically Monday and get caught up on state of affairs. He actually had one of those back surgeries like you had.

Now I was asking, you know, how is it going to impact yada yada yada? I said, what's different? You know, a couple greens. There's always subtle changes. They don't publicize a lot of them, Kevin. They're just little tweaks here and there that you just have to figure out as you go out there. But the main sort of, how do I put it? I think the main difference of the course this year will be that it hadn't rained.

It's been as dry a winter as they've had in forever, and it isn't going to rain at all this week, and it's actually a little bit windy. What that means is they can get this golf course firm and fast, and you often hear that described about a U.S. Open golf course. Well, if Augustine Nationals firm and fast, buddy, have fun, good luck, and you better be precise, because these greens, as we know, are incredibly challenging. So I think that's going to be the real curiosity to find out is just how do they wish to set it up because for the first time and forever, it's in their hands, how they wish to set it up.

The weather can't impact it because they're not trying to plan around an inch and a half of rain. Is that the protection for the course more than anything else, the Greens? Without question. Because you can, well, yes, because it's not just the speed of them. it's the um the undulation um that that's really the issue there there really aren't greens anywhere else that are quite like these uh in terms of the combination of speed and undulation so that's it i mean you'll you'll hear it said forever this is a second shot golf course uh meaning you know got to be in position up the tee so that you can hit your second shot to the proper place on the

green because if you're in the wrong place on the green you just you really are are in a very defensive posture and can't do much with it. Conversely, you hit it to the right spot, you're going to have green light opportunities to try to make buries, which is how you see guys go low when they get it cooking. Give me your list of players that you really like to emerge on Sunday with a green jacket. I know you usually have a list of them. Give me that list and then tell me who your pick is. I picked Bryson before I came, excuse me, because I feel like you learn this golf course, Kevin, over time, takes a while, you figure some stuff out.

Not unlike, and I was going to make this analogy with Tony and Mike, but then I just slipped my mind. You know the way back in the day in the NBA playoffs, you know, you'd get there, but then you have to, you're going to take some lumps, right? And then, all right, then over time, we're going to, we might advance, but you don't just show up and immediately crash the party. Got to learn how to win in the playoffs. Well, you've got to learn how to play around Augusta.

And Bryson's done that. Last year, he's in the final pairing with Rory, finished tie, professional. fifth, he's won a bunch on Live, and so I just felt like the time was right. This morning, driving in one of my colleagues mentioned that John Rom, there was a lot of chatter about how John Rom is playing. And like, this isn't a shot at that tour. I just don't, I haven't seen as much of it as I have, you know, the PGA tour. So I just, I haven't seen him play.

And that's the part that bums me out so much because I miss watching the guy play on a weekly basis on courses I know better, but I've seen enough to know that, you know, clearly he can win here. We've seen it already, and there's a lot of chatter about John. So those two are on the list. I'll just rapid fire you a number of others I love. Xander, I think Xander's going to play well this week, some names that are maybe, and this is for people that are maybe looking to take a nibble somewhere. I mean, I think Adam Scott is someone that the get back is significant on. He at 45 continues to play great golf and has one here. Another 40, five-year-old who I like is Justin Rose.

He has been a, has had the lead here as many rounds as anyone other than Arnold Palmer. Think about that, because Arnold's a multiple winner. Rose twice gets to Sunday night and has as low a score as anyone, but doesn't win because he loses twice in playoffs. And he's won on tour this year. So what I give you, Scott, J.R.,

Xander, Rom, Bryson. I'm trying to go who else. Hedekhi, Matsuyama, I like him. I think he'll, I mean, has played well here and can again. And another name who was Liv and came back to PGA Tour and has one here. And I think I like him a lot, especially if the conditions are really hard, is Patrick Reed. He seems to play here very well all the time.

And, again, has one here. So, I mean, you don't have to squint too hard when you come to this place to try to get cute and find somebody kind of off the grid. I don't think it's necessary because it almost always, I promise you what I just said, like four of those names are on the first page, or first or second page. It's just how it goes. You didn't mention Rory. Why? Nope. Because he's a total wild card. Total wild card for me. I, Will Bond asked me, if they've got, what's he going to do, I'll say the three hardest words in our business for people to say, I don't know. I don't know what to expect. Is he truly R-ter relapping this week.

You know, last night he hosts the champion's dinner. He's waited his whole life to do it. Is he freed up in a way that allows him to just go without any consequence, whatever? I mean, I get to come back here until I'm 100. Like, there's nothing to threaten me with anymore. Did you just go out and let it rip and go crazy? Sure, he could. Or is there not a lack of fire in the belly, but a satisfaction, which would have been earned, right?

That allows him to play without maybe press, and the gas as hard. I don't know. I don't know what the level of push is at this point from him. And we're going to find out this week. But I feel like it's, especially if you're somebody that's interested, you know, from a Calcutta or a pool perspective, like, if you take him, I think you're kind of guessing. Now, you could counter with, I'm not guessing.

I've seen him play great here, and he just won't. That's true. I just wonder where's the headspace, you know, where's the push? Is it as high as it ever was? If it's, if it is, that's admirable. If it's not, I think it's understandable. Does that make sense? Yeah, that makes sense.

I think for me, and I'm sure many people shared the same feeling when he won last year, is that, you know, I thought the floodgates would open, and he was just going to start winning majors again, and that he was, you know, if not the best player in the world, certainly one of the best two or three, in that majors were going to be there on a regular basis for the next five, six, seven years. And it's only been a year, and he hasn't won another one. But do you think, you know, a Rory run, another Rory run, been a long time since the first one, but that another one is possible?

I would find it more likely than not, but only fractionally. Like, I don't think, oh, yeah, like three to one, he's going to go win multiple majors. That's like winning won's a lot. I mean, look how long it had been in between his majors from last year to the one before. I mean, it had been a lengthy drought. So, you know, to win a couple more majors would be quite a few majors. But I think, I do still think, his talent is such that he's on that very short list of guys. The issue just is how many people you've got to deal with, right?

We haven't even said Scotty Schaeffler's name yet, you know? and he's a guy who if he solves that riddle of the one round that's sort of spotty slash couple over that puts him out of position that he still seems to find his way

into the top five and you're like, holy crap if he just shot 70, and that one round where he was kind of wobbly he'd won. So you've got such a long list of people that you've got to beat to win majors that multiple, as I said,

I just want people to understand that. Like two or three is a hell of a lot of majors. There are a lot of people that have that many, and Rory's already got more than that. So I do think that we'll see another push in majors. I just don't have a clue what this week looks like. All right, one more because I know you've got to run, but some guys that I was having this conversation with the other day

would be upset if I didn't ask you this. Of the former champions in the field, and I'm talking about distant former champions, not recent former champions. But we see the Fred couples of the world, the Schwartzels, the Bubba's, the Zach Johnson's, and maybe Bubba's too recent. But they play well. They know the course really well.

And more often than not, somebody is on the first page of the leaderboard at some point during the first two days, and they end up making the cut. Do you have a player from that group, former champions, older former champions, champions that you think might play well this weekend. Not really. I mean, I feel like Zach is the youngest of Schwartz was younger than him. But, I mean, if Zach played, if that played well, would it surprise me? No.

The guy that's the most fun of that that you asked is, Fred. Last year, he's playing with a yellow golf ball. And he's out there hitting with a, he's out there hitting a scooper from the middle of like 14th fairway, and he hoops it for an eagle. and I see him after, and I go, because I've known Fred forever, and I think you and I've talked about this. He's the best. You would love him.

Just this insane sports fan, and I go over to see him, and I'm trying to, you know, give him, give him up, like a high-five. Like, Fred, that was insane. He's like, hey, we think, what's Willard, Merrill? Like, what's the basketball? What are doing? Like, and here's Fred couples who just, at 60, whatever, just played a great round of golf. no interest in discussing it just wants to talk Maryland hoop with me

because as soon as he sees my face, that's what he thinks of. And, you know, Freddy's just the best. And so, I mean, this isn't really an answer to a question. I think I just answered who I'd root for. Yeah, well. And Zach Johnson played well last year. And by the way, Kevin, but he's done it a lot since he turned 50. He's but a threat to play well through the weekend.

So, I mean, that's probably the most realistic if you're using your brain, but if it's your heart, it's Freddie, and that's by a lot. All right, thanks for doing this. Appreciate it. Good luck all weekend. We'll be watching. I appreciate you, Kevin. All right, perfect. Thanks. Talk to you later. See you. Bye. Doc Walker, will join me next after these words from a few of our sponsors. This time of the year always makes me rethink what's in my closet.

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It'll be your money to bet with, but you have to use my promo code, DC Reload, at mybooky.com or mybooky.orgie.orgie. All right, joining me right now is my good friend, Rick Doc Walker. Doc's going to be honored tomorrow night at the D.C. Touchdown Club Awards dinner in Bethesda. He will receive a career achievement award. Doc arrived here from the Cincinnati Bengals in the late 1970s, as you all know, was an instrumental part of two NFC championship teams and a Super Bowl tournament. 17 title winner and then has had an incredible post football career as a broadcaster, as a

motivational speaker, as a coach in this town. And I know you hate when we talk about you or anything involving, you know, your life. But you're going to be honored tomorrow night. I just wanted to ask you that, you know, I think you would have been successful in the way you've been successful here anywhere. Like it could have been Cincinnati. It could have been Miami. It could have been another NFL market. But aren't you glad it was here in Washington? Well, absolutely, because of its roots from high school, youth sports, collegiate, and pro-success. This area and guys like yourself who've coached the youth level.

And you know, I've been very consistent with this. and that my big coach and being under 13 winning in 12 those things matter the guidelines that you're following because I had people as coaches

to Jim Womack and Coach McCulley that cared so much about it they did it the right way they built the platform and, you know, they weren't sipping booze on the side. They were serious about it and about the fundamentals. And if you teach at the youth level and you care like art, I mean, the DMV,

what sport does this area not represent itself nationally at? They're there at everything. And so, yeah, this is a special place. I'm here, been here, love being here. I didn't grow up here. Can't change that. But I'd take every place you're at for full value. And wherever you are, we are.

And you asked the question, am I glad it was here? And I go, heck yes. Because of how they treated Greg Owens and the 70, Burgundy and Gold and the Wild Bunch and Over the Hill gang. All those things are factors. Our fan base is impenetrable. They're phenomenal. even though we're in a crisis split now,

it is still able to support two different followings. And if it ever can come back, get back together, it's an absolute, you know, bombshell again because the people in here care that much. I know it's a great area. All right. You can get tickets to the awards dinner where Doc will be honored. Josh Harris will be honored as well,

the new owner of our football team, just go to DCTouchdownclub.com slash awards dash dinner to purchase your tickets. So before we get to your draft board that I know you've been working really hard on all offseason, give me your overall thoughts on what they've done in free agency. They've been very active with purpose. getting people. We had to get younger. The AARP is nice, but not in pro football. And even though I just praised the Over the Hill Gang,

and they got it done. But for whatever reason, the group didn't get it done. They were terrible defensively. And so that didn't have a good thing to do with youth or age, not about age execution or lack thereof. So they went out to fix it. And on paper, which, you know, is undefeated, it looks really good.

If they can complement it with the draft and the whole nine yards, then you've got to get to the actual practice and start implementing these things. And hopefully the level of practice will help their performance because it'll be more violent than it's ever been. Who is the player that they signed

that you're most excited about? Is there somebody that you can't wait to see on the field after he's gotten through an off-season and practiced? No, no, I don't. I'm not going to object. I just got to see it. We've projected before. We throw out names.

We're going to see it. I need to see it. Then I'll tell what that's who it is. Because I still believe, you know, I believe in the Daryl Grants of the world, the 12th round pick. I don't care what rhyme after that is. I don't care how much they paid you.

I got to see if you're going to respond. And so I'm done with the price tagging and the reading labels on garbage. I need to see it done. and I don't care where they get them, I don't care how they get them. But if they can put that forth this year, then they'll get a chance to save all their careers. Because this thing is not going in the right direction, and they've got to flip it.

How do you feel about Brandon Ayuk being on this team whenever he becomes available? Would you do it? I don't want to do it, but if it made five, happy and he's a guy I've got to be most because JD5

Daniels I'd have to be leaning towards it it's too messy for me personally and the upside is not worth it from where I see

but I can be wrong on that well so would it bother you if they did it just to placate you know JD5 no we do that and that's part of our

society the people produce the most you want to make them happy. If that makes him happy, it's not going to hurt him. We can't be any worse than we were. Yeah. Healthy, he's a damn good player.

Right. But when people make that don't make sense to me, whether it's 26 million or however a million, you do things that make me question your mental stability. And you're asking me, if I could not do it, I wouldn't do it. But if I've got to do it, when, then sign me up. I mean, this is a guy who literally walked away from $30 to $40 million. All he had to do was show up.

All he had to do was show up at the facility twice a month. And that doesn't make you think mental illness? Is there something up more than what we're talking about? Bad judgment, worst, the best case, is that he's just immature. But that's got to scare the heck out of you. Yeah. What will he be thinking in 10 years, 20 years from now? My point.

That's my point. So this guy either has no advisors, and maybe it saves his life being with JD. Maybe that's a great story. Maybe it would be one of those things we say at a banquet later on and we everybody's crying. But my God, why receiver? There's got to be another way. You know, I just, but I swear I'm not going to chase. that rabbit. I'm not going to do that because I know that some of these little things like

brotherhood, friendship goes a long way. And if he can produce, but are you still going to be able to get rid of him if he doesn't? Yeah, well, you have to do that. You have to be in a one-year prove-it deal where you can, if you got crazy in the building and you realize he's, nuts, you can just tell him to leave, and it doesn't hurt you. Right. Right. It's like a guy with a record commit the crime and you act like you're shocked. Really? Okay. Well, you used to say, I remember there was a time where

we were so bad you said, I don't want squeaky clean. I want somebody with a record. That's who they need to come out and sign. That's comfortable with violence. Yeah, you're right. I said it. And that's why I'm not saying I wouldn't do it because I know I would. if I thought I could win with it and J.D. could control it. So I know you've been working hard on your draft board. I'm going to wait until right before the draft to get the actual rundown. Yeah, there you go.

We'll do another whole hour. We'll do a whole hour. We'll do a whole hour before the draft. It's a tradition, unlike any other. You and I together talking about the draft. I look forward to it. I know you do. In all seriousness, is there a player

you know, from college football that, you know, is going to be in that number seven area. You want the running back. Really, you want the running back. Tell me why. He's the most explosive creature in the draft. He would help my defense. He makes it very difficult for people to zero in on J.D.5. I've got to give five help, and I've got to keep that deep to group off the field. As much as I can. I need to control the country. clock and the scoreboard. What's the best way to do that when you get a premium back?

And I believe in that because that's all I know. If we consume the clock and can control the line of scrimmage and have a special individual, I can put that ball in his belly, that I don't have to be half the 85 bears to be good. Yeah, well, they work. Everybody needs to play less. It's our group. Although, I think with the new, new attitude,

new coordinators, new design. We can't do worse. It's impossible to be worse. On defense, for sure. On defense, that's my point. Yeah. No, I think this kid is running back. Now, can you imagine the defensive coordinator having to think?

They're worried about five. And all of a sudden I get this kid, four, who's a freak, and I got two of them. And then scary, and then anything else you add on it to me at that point, I thought Debo said, I thought Debo did a great job. but I thought he really did a great job. And so, and so that's, you know what I'm saying? If you can get that kind of production of people that make plays, yeah, man, you're in good shape.

All right. Well, we'll... I like us. I like what we're going, but we ain't there yet. No. Like you said, you got number five's got to be healthy and happy. I don't have any doubt that he's on, you know, that he's not happy. He's happy.

But got to get him healthy and on the field. All right. I know you're busy. I'm sure you're getting ready to go do another interview. No, thank you so much. Bergen and Gold today. No, thank you so much for making time for me. It was...

Hey, look, man. I hope, I hope Tom and whoever I had the bell out today is okay. And like I said, whenever you get in a jam, I'm your guy. You're always my guy. Good luck tomorrow night. Quite the honor again. Oh, it's a great group, man. I mean, like I said, it's just they're awesome.

The club, what they do. give back, Patriot Point. You know everything that I know about them. They're outstanding, and apparently somebody must have built out on them. I don't have a problem filling in. Well, it's not like this show where I turn to you, you know, as the backup. But you're always there when I need you. So I appreciate that.

For life. All right. I'll talk to you later. Thanks. Thank you. Bye-bye. Doc Walker, everybody. And again, Doc's going to be honored tomorrow night.

at the Touchdown Club Awards dinner. He's receiving a career achievement award. And if you're interested in attending DCTouchdownclub.com slash awards dash dinner. All right, done for the day. Back tomorrow with Tommy.