The Pat McAfee Show - PMS 2.0 1192 - NFL Football Eve, Roger Goodell, JJ Watt, Bill Belichick, Darius Butler, & AJ Hawk

Episode Date: September 4, 2024

On today’s show, Pat, Darius Butler, AJ Hawk, and the boys look ahead to tomorrow night’s NFL kickoff game between the Ravens and the Chiefs as well as the game on Friday night in Brazil between the Packers and Eagles, check in on Ja’Marr Chase being back at practice, and bask in the fact that the NFL season is officially only one day away. Joining the show in the first hour for a wide ranging conversation on the state of football and a look at global expansions is the Commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell. In the 2nd hour, joining for another season of Watt Wednesday’s, is future Hall of Famer, 3x DPOY, Walter Payton Man of the Year, 7x All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowler, NFL on CBS panelist, JJ Watt to chat about his thoughts going into this NFL season about everything happening around the league. In the 3rd hour, the GOAT, 8x Super Bowl Champion, the greatest coach and GM of all-time, Bill Belichick joins the show to chat about preparing for week 1, how different preparing for an international game is, his plans for this season being the first time he isn’t in a football building in the last 50 years, his process of telling his teams exactly how a game was going to play out, and much more including a special announcement. Make sure to subscribe to youtube.com/thepatmcafeeshow or watch on ESPN (12-2 EDT), ESPN’s Youtube (12-3 EDT), or ESPN+. We appreciate the hell out of all of you. We’ll see you tomorrow. Cheers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello beautiful people and welcome to our humble abode, the Thunderdome. On this NFL Eve Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, this program starts now. Football! It's here tomorrow night and there are a lot of conversations to be had. A conversation with Roger Goodell will take place in about 25 minutes or so. I can't wait for the world to hear that. And then the second hour we got J.J. White. White.

Back for his regularly scheduled Watt Wednesdays. And then we got Bill Belichick at 2.05 Eastern time. So today should be packed and stacked with good football stuff. Speaking of good football stuff, more money is going into players' bank accounts at a rapid rate. Congratulations to Patrick Sertain II. Negotiates an extension with the Denver Broncos, obviously immediately upon arriving in the NFL from Alabama.

Alabama, by the way, has now over a billion dollars in contracts secured in ex-players in this particular offseason. One billion dollars. We'll talk to Nick Saban about that on Friday, about how proud he has to be in that entirety. But $77.5 million guaranteed going to Patrick Sertain in a second from the Denver Broncos. And obviously, the Denver Broncos in a little bit of a transition era here with Sean Payton. From the old to the new, Russ Wilson gets a bunch of money.

He's gone. They view this guy as a pillar, as they should, on the defensive side of the ball, literally since the day that he got to Denver. Now, nine-year NFL vet host of everything DB good D bad D uh Darius J Butler breaks it all down why did Patrick Sertain get this money and uh what does this mean for the cornerback market as a whole man we talk about second generation players NFL players a lot his dad played 11 seasons a lot of those years for the Miami Dolphins coached him in high school then on to Alabama, got coached by Nick Saban, who's obviously a defensive

and a defensive back guru. You want a guy that can play off coverage, he can play off, he can play press, he can tackle. His technique, technically sound, probably the top five corner almost the day he entered the league. You run the tape, Foxy. Let's see some examples of this. Just a couple quick plays.

Hey, shout out to NFL Pro from NFL Plus Premium. They have this new thing on NFL Plus Premium. It's called NFL Pro, and it has all 22. It has every broadcast thing. You search names. Like, let's search Lamar Jackson on third downs. It brings up all the analytics and stats, and then you can find all of the plays. All 22, all the broadcast.

It is, this might be one for our particular program with what we do. Oh, yeah. Revolutionary. This is a game changer. So shout out to NFL Plus Premium and NFL Pro. Let's get back into the film. Any Jagoff now can watch film like a pro. Literally, you can go right through it.

Fantasy, whatever you want. Betting, whatever you want. But just quick, on the point right now. Press against Garrett Wilson. Got a slot fade. Great technique. Top shoulder. Look back. And great ball ball skills as well didn't only have one pick last year but he had saving his career we want to see more product ball production but great technique once again technically sound obviously garrett wilson is one of the best now not a great ball that was zach that was not aaron we get to the next plane we see him in zone so now the bottom

he'll be a flat corner. Cover two. Everybody kind of knows cover two. You got the short area of the field. Some pre-snap disguise. And then post-snap, you'll see him rotate down. And then once he gets into his position to where he breaks on the ball, just watch the suddenness, the quickness to explode and cover that. So that's why this guy reset the mark.

You mentioned rebuilding, going to the next phase of that Denver Broncos. This is definitely a cornerstone that you want in your secondary. So, what is our end? He's a Broward County guy, so always be true. Shout out to that. South Florida guy. Okay, always going to have good moxie if you're down there from South Florida. But you talk about that second-generational, second-generation athlete, an NFL guy. And I guess there's even third-generation guys that now have made it in the NFL.

Quite an advantage if you let it be. Like, there's a lot of, you know, kids are professional athletes or stars that are shitbirds. Yeah. So it doesn't automatically mean that you're going to be an NFL guy if your dad or family member played in the NFL. But if you take it and have work ethic and you pay attention and your dad coaches you, you have such a head start. Like, hey, here's the prep.

Here's what you're going to have to do. Here's real life of what it takes to become a professional athlete. Marvin Harrison Jr., which is why I think we're going to see him just have a very smooth transition in the NFL because he's been living the NFL life since he's in high school they talked about him showing up on Ohio State's campus more jugs reps than anybody else more time spent in the film room than anybody else more time in the weight room the routes he's running in practice are actual routes not like they're not trying to figure out what it takes to be an NFL guy. You already know what it is because the example has been set for you.

He's been like this since we talked. He was in Alabama when we first talked about him? He was like a 35-year-old man we were talking to whenever he was in Alabama. And then the transition in the NFL was seamless. It was seamless. And that's on the field. And then off the field, you mentioned,

when you're giving a guy $100 million pretty much, you got to know, okay, I can trust him off the field. I can trust him in the locker room. I can trust him to be a leader in his meeting room. So that's what you're giving a guy a hundred million dollars pretty much like you got to know okay i can trust him off the field i can trust him in the locker room i can trust him to be a leader in his meeting room so that's what you're getting you mentioned to marvin harris and other guys and even his running mate in high school tyson campbell he went on to georgia and he was a high second round pick he just got paid as well was also coached by his dad in high school down there at american heritage it's uh good stuff good anytime money's going to players we like that yeah we like that speaking of money going to players and guys that are trusted and appreciated,

let's go to Pittsburgh Steelers fan, one half of the hammer, Don Cowboys AP tone. Cam Hayward negotiates an extension here before the season. I know this was a big talking point in Pittsburgh. Yeah, it was a huge talking point. Walter Payton, man of the year. He's been the anchor and basically the leader of that defense for, I don't know, 12 years now, Kim, has been doing it.

It reads as a three-year, $45 million deal. It's basically a two-year, $29 million extension on the back because he was in the last year of his fifth year of his current deal. Right now, they converted that $16 million that he was due in salary this year to a signing bonus. So he gets that $16 million this year as a signing bonus. And then after that, he's got two years, basically $29 million more. So it's basically a two-year, $29 million extension for Cam. So obviously his dad is loved not only around the NFL, but in Pittsburgh. He was loved when he went in there.

His brother played for the team. Deep roots in Pittsburgh and with the Steelers since before he got to the Steelers. He has been a pillar of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They didn't know if the Steelers was going to get done, though? Was that a real? I mean, I don't think there was any worry within the organization or the fan base. I mean, Cam, he's 35.

He's been there forever. There was, what was it, a couple years ago, we saw him running 70 yards down the field making tackles against the Chargers. We love Cam. Cam is the face of that defense. Tony's on a softball team. Tony and him play softball together. Cam's head

is this big. And he somehow still looks fresh. He should look like things should not fit the way. Looks cool. Acts cool. Is a great leader. I think he's represented Pittsburgh very well, which I think a lot of Yinzers would agree with.

Yeah, and I would assume, now I don't know if Cam plans on playing into his 40s, but I assume after these three years, I hope he retires as a Pittsburgh Steeler and just has another one of those. He's an all-time great Steeler, in my opinion. Yeah, so that D-line remains intact for what it's been, and obviously the defense is going to be great

for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's just how Pittsburgh Steelers football is and has been and forever will be. Well, they have an offense this year. Well, they have an offense. It's already Smith and Russell Wilson going to dial it up to give these guys some help on the defensive side. We shall see.

Let's go to the Talks at Table at Boston Corner and at Ty Schmidt. Talking about money going out, Trent Williams telling a little bit more about how that all came together with San Francisco 49ers. Yeah, you know, I love just – I mean, it's war. It's war. Listen, a lot of people don't really know what these contract negotiations are like. He laid it out for us. Listen, they're going to spill some blood. I'm going to spill some blood. But in the end, we're all going to wave the white flag. Now, granted, you know, the Niners were doing a little bit more guerrilla warfare, and he was basically like, you know, the U.S. military. He was launching nukes because he knew,

listen, these guys got to pay me. So his were maybe a little bit more flesh wounds, and he was blowing limbs off. Let's go to the comment from Trent and see how your entire world is there. Adding up the fines ever in your head? No. No, I ain't trying to think about it.

It's one of those things where you kind of know you're going to leverage it. You're going to, it's what, you know, for lack of a better word, it's kind of war. Both sides are going to lose a little blood. But, you know, way to white flag at the end. We both signed a little peace treaty. They fined me for four mil. Got it. I'm getting 83 million on the other side.

So I think what you said was journalistically standards accurate with everything you laid out there. Yeah, I mean, maybe put a little sauce on it, but I think that's the way to look at it. He knew going in, like, hey, guess what? They're going to be able to come out with their little pea shooters and maybe nick me up a little bit. But in the end, he knew, like, hey, I'm a generational talent.

This team goes as far as I'm going to take them, and with Purdy, obviously. But he knew that a deal was getting done, and he knew more than likely that he'm going to take them, and with Purdy, obviously, but he knew that a deal was getting done, and he knew more than likely that he was going to get what he was asking for. Let's say in San Francisco, General Manager Lynch, who's had a lot on his plate. We got out you, who self-admittedly

said, I made it a little harder than it needed to be. Whatever deal gets done. That's good. Trent Williams obviously shedding a little blood, a little less than you guys are. Then John Lynch has a player get shot. He addressed that entire good. Trent Williams obviously shedding a little blood, a little less than you guys are. Then John Lynch has the player get shot. He addressed that entire conversation yesterday, did he not? Yeah, and it turns out Ricky Pearson might be

first team all generation as far as swagger goes, if you will. I believe the first thing he said when John Lynch talked to him was like, hey, you make sure those boys have that party tonight. You make sure Rick Ross pops a couple bottles in my name. I got a bullet wound in my chest, but you know what i would do if it was you guys i'd party yeah so you guys better go party and enjoy your time at shenahan let's see how accurate your

depiction of the situation is here's john lynch talking about ricky pierce yesterday you know i wanted to touch on you know at at the time of all this going on we had a team party that was scheduled when I got to the hospital and visited with Ricky it's one of the first things he said mr. Lynch what's going on you know I would really like everyone to to go to that party and I'd also like to talk to some of my teammates I said Ricky you take care of yourself but you know kind of a cool moment we were able to pipe Ricky into the party. Don't stop!

And that show of love and respect was a real special moment for our team. Hey, I think you were accurate with everything you said. And they started blaring many men. Yeah, they did. I'm pretty sure. I don't know if Rick Ross is blaring any 50 Cent songs anywhere. I don't have that good of a read on the internet streets. I don't know where Rick Ross is playing any 50 Cent songs anywhere. I don't have that good of a read on the internet streets. I don't know where the beef is.

I think it was Pop That. I think it was Pop That. Yeah, I believe Pop That. There's a lot of songs that potentially came on. The fact, though, that Pearsall just as a rookie, right? He hadn't done anything with that team other than training camp and offseason. And he's like, Lynch, you tell them boys to party. Let the boys party.

You better rip him. And then how about him say, we're able to pipe them in? What they do is put his ass on a projection screen. Uh-huh. And bust him. All right, everybody look to the south wall here. Guess who's going to pop up?

He's in the hospital. Sling. It's all boys. And then when he pops up, I heard like a thousand bottles of champagne showed up with like a couple ballet dancers it was a really nice adult ballet dancer

okay that's good whatever the case is and Trent Williams even said that whenever he saw that Ricky got shot it like enticed him to kind of get things done quick wait a minute everything we were talking about with the Niners was like they're getting drawn apart and kind of from within it's all going bad and then everything we're hearing now like teammate gets shot says let those boys party

they pipe them in trent williams who's gonna go down as a goat is like you know that rookie got shot i'm like wait a minute that's my teammate like what are we even and then iuk saying i i definitely made a little bit more difficult him Him and Debo are in there. Kyle Shanahan's dressed like a gangster mobster. McCaffrey's back. Christian McCaffrey's back on the field dapping people. It's like. Purdy's jocked.

Holy shit. Kittle's got those sweet new tats. Are the Niners more tight than they have ever been? And Kittle is still telling kids to wear these in their little leagues. Exactly. Still telling kids to wear these in their little leagues. Exactly. Still telling kids to wear these in their little leagues. I mean, what a wild scene over there in San Francisco from one week ago to now. It's like Ricky Pierce was back in the weight room.

Yeah. Guy got shot through his chest out of his back, back in the weight room yesterday. It's like, look out. You know, because I heard Shady this morning on the facility say, you know, a couple things are for certain. Taxes in the San Francisco 49ers are going to be in it. And I think that's – you forgot death there, which is always something. But death taxes in the Niners, this particular Niners being in it, is real.

And it feels like they're maybe even more motivated than they've ever been. And I don't think we were telling that story for, what, six weeks? Yeah, the entire offseason maybe. I mean, it was. It was literally last week where it's like, hey, they're not going to have Ayuk or Trent Williams. And it could be for an extended period of time. We don't know.

And now they've been forcing fire. They're going to be better than they were last year. Fresh legs. Fresh legs, exactly. Fresh legs, tighten, more sense of community. I mean, what are we? Ayuk. I made it a little more difficult probably last month.

How about John Lynch? Thank you. What was going on last month? He probably slapped the table. What was going on last month? Training camp. Smart. Good move.

Hey, not bad. Fresh legs. Fresh legs. It's going to be a long season, especially with the way that Niners team views everything. Congrats to everybody getting their money. Congrats to everybody getting their money. And speaking of money, we got a chance to chat with a guy who's gotten a lot of money for the nfl over the last whatever the league's been around for 100 plus years but it feels like the last 20 years it's really become you get it yeah yeah

ladies and gentlemen conversation from earlier today ladies and gentlemen joining us is a man who does not need an introduction i but we'll give him one. This guy took a league from being good to phenomenal. Ratings through the roof. Everybody else has kind of plateaued or gone down. What has this league done under this man's leadership? Well, it's just gone up and to the right in every single factor. The commissioner of the greatest league on earth, the NFL, ladies and gentlemen, Roger Goodell.

Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. How are you doing? Hey, we got a big week. Four straight days of NFL football to kick off the season. It's the biggest of all time. How are you feeling going in? Four straight days and a trip to Brazil.

So that's pretty good. So it should be fun. I love this weekend. This is where it all gets going. Okay, so for you, a lot of your work happens in the offseason, or is regular season also very, like, I'm trying to get into the life of the commissioner of the NFL. We were talking about this earlier.

Like, is your busy season done now because offseason is when everything gets handled, or how does it work for you? Our downtime is, like, July 2nd to July 5th. America! Hell yeah, hell yeah. You know, the offseason, you spend a lot of time preparing for the next year. You know, everything we do,

you know, whether it's rules, we have to go through competition committee, then voting of the membership, other votes for the membership. So, we're really, the offseason has become very busy. Obviously, you add in the draft, you add in the combine. So there's a lot going on.

The season gets you back to a little bit more of a rhythm, and obviously you're reacting a lot to what's happening on game day. So that makes it fun. It's a little bit of a nice focus for us. Okay, so let's talk about game days. Game days are going to look a little bit different now, especially with how games are starting with this new kickoff. The dynamic kickoff was obviously past this past offseason, and it was basically with the guys or the conversation of like, hey, we have to change this play or we're going to lose this play, and nobody in football wants to lose the kickoff.

hybrid-style kickoff. How do you feel about how it went in the preseason? Obviously, returns are up through the roof. And is there a chance to still change this through the season and tweak it to make it better so we get what we're hoping for out of this hybrid kickoff? You know, Pat, first off, you know preseason. You don't see a lot, right? So to make a judgment after three weeks of the preseason

is probably a little bit questionable because coaches are holding back. we'll see uh we'll see what they do once the regular season starts but to your point stats wise it was up i i think it's very clear we're going to get more returns it's also very clear that the average start drive is going to be out probably five or six yards uh close to the 30 yard line again good for offense. And I think we'll see some longer returns. We saw that in the context of just the three weeks. The safety part looks good, but it's still too early to tell. We don't want to make any judgments just off the data we have. But that's the driver for us. Make this play the exciting play it's always been, but make it also safer, closer to the

safety level of a normal scrimmage play. It hasn't always been. It was for a long time. Then the last couple of years, I think even I, who am one of the biggest kickoff advocates on earth, would say that it became just a routine ceremonial type play and worthy of going to the bathroom. But Mr. Commissioner, do people call you that? Do people call you Mr. Commissioner? What do they call you? You can if you have to, but I prefer bathroom. But Mr. Commissioner, do people call you that? Do people call you Mr. Commissioner? What do they call you? You can if you have to, but I prefer Roger. But okay, whatever you want. Rog?

Yeah, hell yeah. Hell yeah. Roger that. You know what I mean? I will dive into that. Is there a chance, are you worried though, and just as a special teams guy, how will you handle this situation?

If they just say 30, touch back to hell with it, we'll just give up the 30. And it becomes a routinely ceremonial touch back thing again. I know it's not normal for the NFL to change anything during the season. But is there a thought that maybe a conversation will take place about tweaking this thing before we get what it is whenever we see it happen in regular season? Well, I think what would happen, no, not before the regular season. The competition committee met last week.

They made some very minor adjustments. They were really very minor. I think what we're going to do, Pat, is what we always do. We put this in for a year. We'll evaluate it for the entire year. If we see that type of circumstance come out, probably evaluate where the ball goes out to the 35 next year and try that. I think it depends on sort of the outcome and what it is we think we can tweak. Okay.

Well, I love to hear that, and we can't wait to see how it goes. I do fear that it's just going to become a touchback thing, but if not, hopefully some magic takes place so we can save an important play and a lot of important jobs for special teamers who make up, obviously, a core portion of the roster. Let's talk about some stats and analytics that we looked up. Okay, Mr. Commissioner, Raj, we looked these up so you could puff your chest a little bit. Do you know that every season since 1990, at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs after missing postseason action the year before?

Well, that streak took 35 years straight, it could turn. 35 years straight of that particular thing happening. Six teams last year had this rule happen for them, including the Cleveland, Brons, the Detroit Lions, who almost went, Green Bay, who almost went, Houston obviously was a surprise to everybody, Los Angeles Rams, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Why do you think this is the case? And do you think the product on the field

is the reason why the ratings and money is everything up and to the right? And how do we preserve that for as long as possible, Kamesh? Well, I always think the game, it always starts with the game of football. So when the game of football is competitive, when it's exciting, we feel like that product is the best in the world. And I think that shows because I think the fan base is telling us that. Obviously, you rely on your partners to make sure that the production and that we're reaching fans where they are and you know we've added new partners to our family over the last several years and I think they've brought a new approach to how to cover

the NFL, how to use creators and how to try to use technology that I think fans really enjoy. So it's a constant evolution, but we always spend the offseason, going back to your first point, how do we make the league better? And that can be on the field, but it can also be around the field and around our events. And so that's where the focus has been. And I believe ultimately that's why it continues to grow. But I also think and none of those numbers are reflected there in the context of our international growth, which I think is, it's a big future for us. Yeah, let's talk international. And how often do people tell you, hey, let's make sure football remains football?

I mean, I was in one meeting that you were in. Yeah, sure. I was in one meeting that you were in, a roundtable thing, and there were some old football players that literally every other sentence that came out of their mouth was like, this is football. This is football to you. That's a big deal. Honestly, keeping the product the product. It is.

I look in the mirror every day and I say keep it football. But, you know, the reality, Pat, you know it's a tough game. These guys are bigger, faster, more athletic. It's back to fundamental football, right? I don't think we've taken the contact out. What we've tried to do is remove those dangerous techniques that we see an increased rate of injury. The hip drop's a good example of it. We'll try to coach that out this year, try to get it out of the game, because it deserves to be out of the game. When you have the serious injuries you have and

four times the rate of injury, it's just not out of the game. When you have the serious injuries you have and four times the rate of injury, it's just not acceptable in the game. Kamish, I was down at the league owner meetings down there in Orlando, Florida. It was hot as shit. I forget what it was. It was down in Florida. It was very hot.

You should have been in the room. Well, especially when you're talking. I assume it does get a little hot whenever we're trying to pass some things. That's good passion. That's good passion. That's good energy. But I saw Coach Harbaugh, Jim, and it was my first time seeing him since the national championship or whatever,

and I know he's a super big football guy. He is one of the most football guys of all time. And I'm like, hip drop tackle? What does that even mean? Like, how do you feel about it? He goes, got to get out of the game. Got to get out of the game. I'm like, what are you talking about?

Like, everybody that I've ever talked to that plays defense, they're like, I never was taught a hip. I don't even know what a hip drop. That's not on purpose. Harbaugh grabs me by my shoulders and he goes, it's just taking this. He's like a big dude. He's like, this just can't happen. He's like, for the good of the game, this can't happen anymore.

And it was like, okay, that makes sense. Feels like you're going to be able to, you got Jim to buy in, which means I think you'll be able to keep everybody to buy in, but everybody's worried that the toughness is going to get taken out of the game. I don't think that's the case because I believe you and nobody's going to, I'm going to get heckled for saying this. Roger Goodell is a football guy. I mean, your life is actually football through and through. I think you're trying to persevere and keep it around forever. Now you talk about international growth. Let's dive into that. Obviously, England has had a game.

Germany had a game last year. I think there was a couple million people in the queue. Canada has hosted games. I think Japan hosted a preseason game a long time ago. Mexico has hosted games in the past. Now you're going to- Regular season. Mexico, regular season.

Yeah, like Monday Night Football. Yeah, I think it was like Monday Night Football game. Now, opening week on Friday, you're going to Brazil. When we were with DAZN a few years back, they had the international NFL rights. And it was like Italy, Spain, I think Germany was in there. And then Brazil was like this massive hotbed of NFL fans. Why did you pick Brazil? All the stuff that's being chatted about, the things that could potentially happen outside the stadium with the players and everything like that.

How much does that weigh into the thought of where you're going and how long do you see us going to brazil for football and how south america growth going to go in your eyes you think well we you know we sort of we follow the data uh fan base uh is incredible down there uh this is sort of like the spark that just creates the fire and so that's uh the the point of this regular season game is to make sure that uh we can bring our game directly to those fans and we're seeing that reaction it's you know we're a couple days out now and uh tickets are really at a premium it's hard to find uh there's a lot of excitement in town So when you bring our game and share it with others, they love it. And that's that's essentially what we're doing is is letting the game sell it.

And, you know, obviously, there'll be a lot of entertainment around it. There'll be a lot of excitement, not just the football game. But, you know, every time we've done this, they want more. And, you know, you take Munich, you mentioned before the first year. Tom Brady told me after the game, he said that was one of the best experience I've ever had in football. And that's a big statement from a TV. But the reality is we almost had to throw people out of the stadium. They were still singing almost 40 minutes after the game.

And that's, you know, that's what we're doing. We're sharing the NFL experience with the world. And we are really focused on becoming a global game. And I think global expansion is obviously, you know, still very viable for you. I mean, there's still so many parts of the world that are other sports first. And then as soon as they get a chance to see our American Gladiator game, I mean, it is it's only a matter of time, I think, before the entire world gets in there. And I assume you're dabbling and trying to figure out

where the NFL is going to head to next. And having it be week one, that feels like a big statement from you for an international game, especially Packers-Eagles. Those are two sold-out stadiums if those are both home games, right? Jacksonville used to get sent to England a lot, obviously because they have ties over there, but not necessarily a sellout every single game.

Green Bay and Philadelphia, that place has been sold out forever and ever. Amen. I mean, that's how it goes. So to have this game be international, be in Brazil, opening night, making its own night almost, Friday, is a massive statement, I think, by you guys. Is that a right way to read it, or am I ducking into it too much? No, it's absolutely right. I mean, two historic franchises playing in an historic game. They're

first in Brazil. So to us, it is making a statement. I'm glad you read it that way. For us, we want the world to know we're coming, that we're bringing football. Our clubs have agreed to play up to eight regular season games. We have expectations that we'll go well beyond that. We think we'll be at seven next year. We're already going to Spain next year. We'll be back in Mexico, I hope, by next year. So we're really excited about where the future is for us

on an international basis. We are too. We just won international a week ago, and we have a pitch for you from Tone Diggs, who's an AP voter this year for NFL awards. Yeah, Commissioner, you mentioned Spain next year, and I asked you at the draft about bringing the draft to Pittsburgh. Thank you.

Appreciate that for you doing that for us. Thank you, Hank. Thank you, Commissioner. We have another plea after going to Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Ireland. It was unbelievable, and you see how the college does over there. And I actually had the pleasure of having a conversation with Dan Rooney III over there because I think he was exploring bringing a potential Steelers game over to Ireland

because the fan base there is incredible with the ambassador. Have you thought about going to Ireland soon and maybe a Steelers game? We thought Steelers Patriots felt right. Yeah, a lot of Irish, folks. A lot of Irish. Yeah, well, I hear from the Roonies every other day about going back to Ireland to play.

So, yes, Ireland is definitely on the watch list. Let's put it that way. I would expect to be over there. Hup, hup, hup, hup, hup. You need to – hey, listen, Raj. It's a good time. It is. Pat, you're coming with us.

Well, I actually don't know if I need to go back into that city. I had 30 Guinnesses on one night. I mean, obviously you're not supposed to. 30. Raj, they go down. That's impressive. Thank you. Thank you.

I thought that was the same reaction that everybody would have. Not everybody had that reaction. Just wanted to let you know that. If you have a game in Ireland, we would obviously love and take the show. We would take the whole show there, obviously. And I think they would be set up right for it, as would most places. I'm pumped to see where you take it to next. Australia, obviously, would be a difficult thing to figure out.

But they are starting to have more NFL guys with the punters in the time zone. I'd be pumped to see how you navigate that. Speaking of navigating, your schedule this season, D-Bud has a question for you. Yeah, Commissioner, talk briefly about your offseason. I hope you have fun with that, but I'm a Sunday ticket guy, maybe some red zone, throw a couple games here. What's your travel schedule like during the season?

How do you decide which games to go to? Do you try to watch them all on some type of screen? I know you have that button under your seat at all times to control scores and ending of the game. What's your travel like throughout the season how do you how do you make those decisions um it usually starts with the requests uh if there's you know a big moment like i'm coming back from brazil for the giants game because it's the start of their 100th season so uh they asked if i'd come out there and teams are celebrating different things during the season so

i try to get around as many stadiums. I'll probably get to 27 or 28 games this year. Obviously, having the Thursday and Sunday and the Monday helped me sort of double up once in a while. Because when I stay at home, I make a lot of notes. I can see a lot more when I'm home, which everybody here hates. But I come back with two pages of notes, three pages of notes. Because I can watch everything. And I can see what's going on.

What year is this for you as commissioner? Good question. 2006. It's about 19th season, I think. Hell yeah. 43rd, I think, overall, though. When I started as an intern in 82. And you're taking that many notes still every single Sunday.

You could have mailed it in, let other people handle it. You know, you've got a McCarthy over there who could enter a room and say McCarthy here, get a deal done for the NFL. Good point. Yeah, he could. At this point, he could get that done. Can't figure out the angle of a camera, but he could figure out everything else if he had to.

The fact that you're still this invested, this is like, I don't want to say passion project because you get paid very well, but you take a lot of shots on your shins, and you've created immense profit for a league and owners, so your payment is worthy, I do believe, personally. But it's like a passion project for you still? What do you do whenever you're not involved? You think about players?

That's a question my wife asks me all the time. don't know because it's really it has been such a passion it would be a big adjustment for me but you know everything comes to an end and you know when i feel like i can't give it everything i have i can't give it uh the passion that you're talking about then i'm definitely hanging up my cleats but um I don't feel that. I couldn't be more excited. I'm ready to go, and I can't sleep at night because I'm so excited. So I'm ready. There's a lot of things going on, so we need you to at least stay in that seat for a while

because you've been able to navigate it. Let's go to the holidays. Ty has a question for you. Yeah, Kamish, last time we talked to you at the draft, there were kind of whispers of the whole Christmas games being on Netflix, but it hadn't been announced yet. Now that is happening. How excited are you on the process i mean obviously we all see the numbers we know what nfl games do but the amount of new eyeballs you'll be able to get on netflix

how enticing is that and then also will these christmas games be available on like the european versions of netflix like is it going to be to be part of that global expansion as well? Yeah, that's a good question. It's one of the reasons we chose Netflix is because we were looking for a global media partner, and they are global. They're nearly 300 million subscribers on a global basis. So many.

They really wanted to get into live sports with the NFL. We love that. They wanted to own Christmas Day. We love that too. And I think this was a chance for us to take our games on a platform that we know a lot of our fans are there and we need to go to those platforms. And also, I think they're going to bring a different twist to it. You know, they're really excited by this. They want to make it something that's different than what you might see on other carriers. And again, we think that'll be appealing for our fans. Yeah, Commissioner, you're just trying to get every dollar.

That's all it is, Commissioner. You want to get every single dollar. And I talked to Brian Rollat. You know, Pat. Go ahead. Go ahead. You want to finish that one yeah i'll take you on on that yeah so i was talking to brian rollat who is uh the media guy i believe for the

nfl i believe he's rogers number two whenever it comes to me i don't know the exact titles of the suits so i apologize over there but he's been around long time 20 i think 27 years in this entire thing and i talked to him about like the backlash the Peacock and the Netflix and the Amazon and this and this and this. And he goes, people are blaming us or saying that we have a money grab or whatever. He said, there's numerous times where we could have done money grabs. We do not want to take the money grab path. We want growth. We want our game to still be seen by a lot of people.

And he said, some of these platforms, Netflix more specifically, people that have never seen an NFL game are going to be able to see it because they're on there so it's almost like uh we're trying to do the game in the audience a favor from going to some of these platforms while also having new partners come along and see what the future is it's kind of how he explained it to me now i don't know if i took his statement 100 correct in a phone call but i believe so that no that's right i you know at the end of day, the number one thing we look for is reach and reach to new fans. And if if someone paid us a lot of money and it had a very small audience, we wouldn't do it because that doesn't help us much. Now, maybe a close to an exception of that was Peacock, because that was an opportunity for us to really open up a platform that was important for us on streaming.

And it worked. And now Peacock has got the NBA. They had the Olympics. That's now providing a better platform and a better service to our fans. And ultimately, the NFL was part of building that. It's the same way when we went with Fox fox 25 years ago you know they weren't even a network at the time they didn't have a sports division they called it nfl that was it that was sports and they built something that was incredibly valuable to i think our fans over

the last several decades and that's what we'd look for as partners who understand our content understand the the ability to bring in new audiences, to bring in advertisers, but more importantly, provide a great product for our fans. That Madden documentary explaining the story of Fox is awesome. I would recommend it for anybody that's interested in football, the NFL and business, because NFL and Madden were kind of the move for Fox to create their entire entity. And then you talk about Peacock. You and NBC have been great partners for a long time. So that's another thing like doing business with people that you've done business with for a long time. This is the modern world that we're in.

It's going to get to a point. I respect the way you guys have done it, although I understand where people get pissed about missing one game or two games. But the majority of football games are viewed free television. You've done great. Well, Pat, you know, the games in those two, every game in those home markets, it is shown on free television. But we're still close to 80, 90%, 85 to 90% of our games are on free television. And, you know, that's far and away any other league, any other league worldwide. Is this what you said on the stand in California whenever they were questioning you?

I don't know if you heard our coverage of that whole thing. I don't know if you heard our coverage of that whole thing. You walking in there to testify, we were like, we wish we could be in there right now. We wish. And that's the whole scene, but I think it's all because of the passion of fans. It's a good problem to have, but it's certainly something you don't want a majority of your fans

to start thinking because it's not based in reality. But, you know, there is business to be had here. Everything doesn't go for free. But, Pat, that's why we were so strong on defending it because we think our media policies are as fan-friendly as you can get, far better than any other league on a global basis. And we pride ourselves on that, and that's why we go to defend that when that happens. That's pretty much what Brian said. You've got a good group over there, too, now that I've got a chance to meet them. Last question here from Boston Connor.

And we appreciate your time. We know it's a busy week. Yeah, Roger, big conversation this offseason has been kind of the use of guardian caps, not so much in practice but in the preseason games. And now it feels as though players are going to use them during regular season games, too. Is this something you guys always kind of thought was going to happen with the Guardian caps? And also, how far off are we from a product of a helmet that is the same quality of safety as a regular helmet with a Guardian cap on top of it? It's a really good question.

And we already actually have a helmet that is as safe as the one with a guardian cap. So I think we've already achieved that but if a player is comfortable in a what I'll call an older helmet not the last generation I think we have six new helmets come out this year all scored incredibly high on the safety standards that we go through and if you wore an old helmet with a guardian cap, that new helmet would exceed that or be just at the same level. There'd be no marginal difference in it. So the reality is that exists already today. I think the big change for us in helmets, besides raising that bar and raising the standard, is going to be getting position-specific helmets. So you get different impacts right a quarterback

could have it back here defensive line offensive line here uh and that's already on the field also and so it's an adjustment because players want to get used to that helmet um but they're they've done it i think we had 360 players that changed helmets this year and upgraded to better helmets that's good for the game that's good for our players that happens helmets this year and upgraded to better helmets. That's good for the game. That's good for our players. It happens every year, too. Every training camp, there's like a new helmet that's been certified. I think you guys have been focusing on this for a while.

Some of them are incredibly uncomfortable. Some of them look stupid. But nowadays, it's almost like we've got to the point where it doesn't matter. Nope. Like, it almost looks cool because you have that. Like, that quarterback one, if that thing has a big, like a... I don't know. Could you imagine?

I don't know. Could you imagine they put like... Swag, swag, swag. I'm not getting into it. It's sort of like one of your haircuts. All right, watch your mouth. Watch your mouth. Hey, before we let you go, if I didn't ask,

I'd be the worst journalism human of all time. Where are you right now? Good-looking wood. Good-looking wood there. Beautiful mahogany. I see a bunch of NFL balls. Is this your office there? That is your office?

This is the office. Those footballs are all footballs that were from Super Bowls, game balls. And, Pat, I think it's about time you brought the show to the NFL office. All of you. We'd love to have you. Are you sure? Okay.

Is that you're not sure? No, no. I didn't think that was going to be coming this way. So bring the show to the NFL office. We'll do like a tour. We'll be able to walk around, see things, touch every one of those Super Bowl footballs, act like we're there, wear a ring.

Sit at your desk. Is that what you think? Sit at your desk, sign some paperwork? Eat some peanut M&M's. Peanut M&M's, for sure. Is that what we're doing, or what are we doing? Use your private bathroom. Yeah, I'm still working on those M&M's from the draft.

You guys killed me on that one. You look good. Thank you. You look good. What are you talking about? You guys are welcome. We'd love to have you here. Everyone would love it.

All right. We'll do our show live from the NFL office. Okay. Whoa. Deal? Let's have it all right let's figure it out safe travels to brazil and back uh continue leading the way we appreciate you i'm 37 years old the boys in their 30s we need the nfl to continue to be king for about the next 30 years and we'll go into retirement so let's go ahead and uh keep it going roger we appreciate your big brain, brother.

You got it, man. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you, guys. Appreciate it. Hey, we appreciate you. Mission of the NFL, Roger Goodell. Keep going, Roger.

Immediately after I said that, he said, you got it, babe, on the way out of that entire thing. It's like, I know he's obviously not bad at 1,000. Okay? He is not bad. I played in the league. It's like, I know he's obviously not bad at 1,000. Okay?

He is not bad at, I'm a, I played in the league and by play, I mean that in the lightest way possible. You get it. I was in the NFL

front row for a lot of things during a lot of very important times. The lockout, other rulings that would set precedent for probably the rest of the NFL's

existence in history and I've seen him come speak to a group of men who were very pissed off at what decision was happening from the NFL of the NFL's existence and history. And I've seen him come speak to a group of men who are very pissed off at what decision was happening from the NFL with the lockout because losing insurance and everything like that and how he handled that, navigated that situation.

I think he has developed over the last, what did he say, 19 years as the commissioner. And it's like, if you just look at the success of the league, now granted, there's a lot of people that work their asses off. We mentioned a few of them there there even though he said McCarthy's useless McCarthy that stuff there's been a lot of people that have obviously put into this and the players are certainly very much responsible for it as well but being able to guide the Titanic

yeah and have it continue to grow with so much transition happening technologically the way people view things concentration times attention span you you just so many different things have changed over the last 20 years very quickly because of the invention of you know the phone shout steve jobs shout out mad dad brilliant innovator yeah yeah trailblazer game changer so bingo ding bathaus just like roger goodell but legitimately i i think he has he's done a fantastic job and when they try to find the next one and it kind of got brought up there a little bit that's gonna be a tough gig dude that's gonna be a tough gig especially with how big it is and how how much bigger can it get you know at some

point it's gonna have to which is just gonna be natural and i'm sure there will be people uh people that say like growth of nfl slows or something like that but it's like well the mountain's still standing the tallest you know behind everything else at that time is going to come eventually like when is it who knows and then what takes place i don't we are in the middle of like it seems like just like the toddler stage of the nfl globally too like when we went to ireland there was people that knew who we were. And that is strictly because they watch our coverage for the NFL.

They've become NFL fans, but it wasn't everybody. There was a lot of, you know what I mean? And that's just Ireland, a place that will love football. Whenever they get fully introduced to football and a game goes over the NFL and everything like they will fall in love with it. That's just one country. That's just one country, beautiful country.

Beautiful. Oh my God my god great great people great best in the world tough well good time shake hands just gritty good group of people over there that's just one country let alone everywhere else yeah that's what i'm saying like he probably sees so much opportunity in that netflix deal that's a good question 270 or 300 300. three yeah but yeah almost 300 i think yeah he said almost 300 globally i think it's like 279 280 270 i forget what it was it was announced when wwe did the raw deal it's like everybody on earth netflix and chilling you know and that's been like that since tiger king came through sure you know in uh during the covet and they've just remember how much money they

invested they were like billions of dollars in debt there for a while. And people were obviously talking about their demise and this is going to be another one that's coming to go. And then on the other side of that, it was like, no, we spent that money to make all of it. And everybody's there. What a weapon for the NFL to now grow. The business has only grown.

And that dude has had to be the face of the growth. He's taking it on the shins. I think he's been very nice to us, too. I'm very appreciative of him. Well, and that's like having the wherewithal to take all the heat and the bullshit from when they have a playoff game on Peacock. A bunch of people are going to watch it regardless because it's the NFL. It is the king in the United States and will be for as long as we're living.

But you also know when you do something like that and then this game on Friday, the amount of people who are going to incessantly bitch about that and complain that it's not on NBC or it's not on Fox. It is a money grab. All they're trying to do is get an extra $10 out of us per month. Knowing that it's not going to be very well received, but in the end, it doesn't matter. People are going to watch it. The number's going to be very well received but in the end like it doesn't matter people are going to watch it the number is going to be huge like so there's a reason he's making the amount of money that he's

making because he is literally just he's just a shield for bullets and he just eats them and he also said in there um whenever we talk about peacock they now have an nba deal and they also had the olympics he likes the fact that the NFL is like, we ran a test with the NFL. And he mentioned Fox. You watch that Madden documentary. I did not know that that was Fox's whole thing. Like, we're just going to do the NFL. And Madden's going to do the thing.

In hindsight. What a play. I know. I didn't know about that either. Yeah, it was like, what a play, what a move. And, you know, you talk about the Super Bowl number because people are watching all over the world. That's what's,'s like that Christmas number. Yeah.

That Netflix number on Christmas is going to be absolutely bananas on there because of global expansion. It's like I wonder how excited those owners are, you know, because they're sitting on a rocket ship. They have been. Yeah. It's a cash cow actually taped to a rocket ship. That's what it is. And it has been seemingly for about 20 years. And now you see these mega billionaires, which is everybody a billionaire? There's a lot of them.

There are so many of these billionaires. They're all trying to get this. What happened? I don't know. What was it? There's so many fucking billionaires out there. And they all have so much money. So, so, so much money.

And it's like, own an NFL team? That seems like something that would be pretty cool to do. I couldn't even fathom what some of these teams could get for right now. Oh, God. If they were to go in there. And that's only going to continue to grow. So, Roger Goodell is obviously better. Good for them.

And we need another 30 years, selfishly. Selfishly, we need another 30 years. It's good for the sport, too. You mentioned it being kind of in the infant stages. Like, just think about all the athletes that we're missing out on, kind of how the NBA was, you know, 40 years ago, like, with the game. Now, obviously, it's tougher, you know, building football and the infrastructure that has to go into it, the training, the pass,

the equipment, all those different things. But being that they're, you know, globalizing the game is so important to them. We just saw the Olympics. We saw all these great athletes around the world. Imagine these guys from these different countries actually being able to pick up a football, learn these fundamentals as kids. And seeing it, it's kind of like the first part of it. As a kid, we were three, four, five years old, seeing somebody on TV and then actually,

hey, I can go to a game with my mom or dad. Like, I'm excited for the future of the NFL and the game really globalizingized they talked about the dream team you know being the reason yeah they went over there they were star every spectacle it was like the beatles showed up and everybody's watching they fell in love with the sport then and then that obviously grows and everybody develops now into a a world league of the nba it's like in the nfl kickers are a good entry point it's like a gateway for these international players. Punters have been a good gateway because all of those, not all those countries, because I don't know all those countries, obviously.

So whenever I say this, I mean, you know. Sure. A large amount. And I guess, like, you know what I'm going to say? Matter of fact, all of these countries have a sport where they kick something. Okay? All of them. That's why they talk about, like, the World Cup is such a weapon weapon and the numbers that that brings in is because there's people playing that sport

everywhere so like these kicking camps like i i think we as a kicking community need to be like a little bit more hands-on with like taking like shane leckler should be bombing footballs in ireland right now in front of people like that should be happening. And then you get some Irish lads like Charlie, like the kicker for a punter from Georgia Tech. Oh, lad. Sorry, fella from down there. McClanahan. Mick something.

It's Shanahan. It's the Shanahan boy. But if they were to see that, then all of a sudden now, because once you get representation from your country, you pay attention. The Scottish dude, or the Welsh dude that signed with the Chiefs, he got cut. Yeah, Louis Rezumit.

Zammit. And on Hard Knocks last night, there was a Canadian offensive lineman that made the practice squad. And obviously, Canada, he was having a good conversation about how Canada actually created the rules of football. Okay, well. Dude, I'm telling you, it was a a good conversation about how Canada actually created the rules of football. Okay, well. I'm telling you, it was a good little give and take. Because I forget who was representing the United States of America, but there was certainly Walter Camp.

Okay, that was the official rules of football. And then Canadian guy back goes, yeah, but we gave you the rules, and then you made the rules. Okay. It was a good give and take. It was a good give and take. This was the same dude that was in the Speedo in the first episode. Inlikable guy. Yeah, he's the rules. I don't know if that's how. It was a good give and take. It was a good give and take. This was the same dude that was in the Speedo in the first episode. Inlikable guy. Yeah, I like that he was talking.

Well, he was just talking shit. Of course. I respect that people are talking shit. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Me too. But to your point about the next commissioner and kind of what the Steve Jobs thought, you got to assume that whatever happens after Goodell he'll still have his hands on it like the plans that they're developing now like I mean they've been talking about having

teams overseas and having like a London division in a European division like that's already getting worked on now so you can imagine that when it does happen 10 15 20 years down the road like we can still point back to hey Goodell had this kind of in his bag as well. I wonder how long it would be until it's a Goodell-less NFL. Yeah, like with no... Maybe another 60 years. And you want to make a point that you're not in your 30s? No, I'm 29. Thank you.

Appreciate that. I'm hanging on. Happy birthday. It's your birthday too? No. It's not my birthday either. Hey, the mustache looks very good, though. Thank you.

It is clean. Yeah, yeah. I mean, it got a little hanging into my mouth, but that's okay. That's okay. Oh, that seems like that was a shot. No, I'm just joking. That was a shot of one person only? No, I'm just joking.

Who's a gentleman? Who's an absolute gentleman? Babyface today. Babyface? JC, we have one of the coolest looking barbers on earth by far for sure yeah no questions asked i sit down that thing i said make me look more like you it's not possible long hair gotta be born into that tats yeah oh yeah sweet beard always dressed cool yeah golfer great golfer unbelievable scratch it's unbelievable, this guy. And he can fucking give a fake. He is a...

Thank you, Jay. The best. Didn't perfect the mustache today. Nah. It's what Connor just said. That's what he said. Hey, look, I just want to hold you out of the stand. We're up here telling him how great he is.

You said someone's going to knock him down a peg or two every once in a while just to keep that grit. Can't bet a thousand. That might be a thing to say. Team of the day. Well, that's not what happened either. We had to build him back up because you knocked him down I didn't knock him down, he knocked my hair down

Without asking Yeah, that's what happened He trimmed the mullet a little bit too short He flew too close to the sun Connor held a sit-in protest For six months A solid half year Right in front of the guy

No, I'm going somewhere else to get my hair cut I know you come Six months. A solid half year. Right in front of the guy. Right in front of the guy. No. Had to do it. No, I'm going somewhere else to get my hair cut. I know you come 10 feet away from me every single week. Travel from miles away. To do this. And you're sitting right here. And I wouldn't have to make another stop in my life. You know, it's kind of why it's set up this way.

Hated doing it. But I'm. Hated every second of doing it. But I had to do it. Nice. Standard, standard. It's precedent. You said, we're not doing this ever again.

Just want to let you know that. Hey, look, it's never happened to you guys. Yeah, you're right. Thank you for taking that bullet for us. No problem. I shed a tear yesterday watching a video on X. You never know what type of videos you're getting on X in this particular time frame. Literally anything.

Literally anything could pop up there. But when Alabama football posted a video that was two-some minutes long and Kalen DeBoer was talking to the team, I was excited to test out what the culture was, you know, get a chance to get a peek inside this Kalen DeBoer-led Alabama team that hung it on them. I mean, it had a hell of an opener down there on Saban Field and this entire thing.

But what was the story? Well, let's let them tell. Two minutes worth your time. You're gonna cry. Shout to football and sports being amazing, and shout this girl kicking ass, and I can't wait to see what she does with her life. Okay, come on up, come on up.

Let's give a round of applause to Susanna. Okay, Susanna, come on up. All right, all right, Susanna, how old are you? 10 years old. Susanna's 10. Okay. And what's your favorite position? I know what it is, but what is it? Running back. So shout out to the running backs. Shout out to the running backs. But of course, your favorite player is? Jalen Milrow. Jalen Milrow, of course your favorite player is Jayla Milrow of course the quarterback the quarterback there he is back there waving to you all right hey just just you know I don't know a lot of the details but I know she's working and battling and fighting hard with a disease that you know a lot of times

attacks the muscles but in her case it's attacking the heart okay and man we appreciate you and the fight that you're putting up. You bet. We're excited to have you here. And what we would like to do, we would like to see you score a touchdown and see if you can get that done. So we're going to have the one offense and the one defense line up here on the 20-yard line. Your guy right there, Jalen Milrow, is going to hand you the ball as a running back, and we're going to see if you can score and we're going to go celebrate with you in the end zone, okay? And then at the end, I'm going to give you this football, alright?

So you can have all the guys sign it when they're done. Alright? Let's hear it for Susannah. Somebody talking to to her. I like that. Arizona. Okay. Arizona. Bucca, Bucca.

Ready? You want to stand right here. You want to stand right here. Interception. Fumble. Fumble. She's at the 5. Touchdown, Louisiana! One, two, three, Vandal. Ready?

All right. Ready? One, two, three. Vandal! Thank you so much. Thank you, guys. Nice to meet you. I'm going to see you tomorrow. Awesome, awesome.

Nice to meet you all. Thank you so much. Thank you all so much. Man, just think about that whole story for the whole family. It's hard not. I mean, I'm getting choked up just thinking about it right now. Obviously, with my 16-month-old daughter, that family, everything, her being a badass, and then the Alabama football team

making a moment that will be remembered literally forever. And then sports have that to make you cry. And then the same exact day you get this from the U.S. Open make you laugh your absolute ass off now some people are saying it wasn't classy you know or something like that and there has since been an apology but anytime this is taking place in a tournament on the same exact day where you're crying i don't wear that ball i don't want that ball. What? I guess. She apologized. I guess she was in the middle of it.

She was in the middle of a moment where she was extra emotional. And once again, people aren't going to bat 1,000. But sports are the greatest, man. They are the absolute greatest. And shout out to the Alabama football team putting that out and making everybody cry immediately upon watching it. And Suzanne, let's go. Here we go.

You're kicking ass. You're going to continue to do that. We've been a part of a couple of those moments with teams, you know, wherever you get to meet family and stuff to take place. And there's always magical moments. And she did a lot more for the team than the team would ever be able to do legitimately on the flip side of that. Always special.

And being a player, you forget about a lot of things. You bitch and moan about a lot of things. And not even a player, just a regular life. And it puts a lot in perspective. And I had my daughter go through some things. Had to have open-heart surgery as a two-month-old. So we spent a lot of time in the NICU and just seeing those families down at Joe DiMaggio Hospital. So all you down there battling, keep kicking ass.

So it's tough to see what people are going through day-to-day, battling, fighting things so to give a moment like that not only to the to the child but to the family is awesome sports are awesome oh yeah sports hell yeah sports shout to the doctors too man advancements in medicine have certainly affected a lot of things but like whenever you go to like these uh fundraisers like the Chuck Strong Foundation, they're fundraisers to research, to study. And whenever they show these videos of the advancements of things, just from five years ago, ten years ago, it's like, okay, okay, okay, okay. It feels like we're going to get to a point where basically everything, hopefully, is being able to take care of. Like Peyton's. Yeah, Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, same exact thing.

Hopefully he's being able to take care of them. Like Peyton's. Peyton Manning's Children's Hospital, same exact thing. Whenever they talk about everything that they're able to take care of now versus maybe like 10 years ago, it would have been awesome, dude. Hey, let's enjoy this. We're lucky. We're lucky to be alive right now. Let's remember that.

That doesn't get talked about a lot. We're lucky to be alive right now. We should remember that every single day. Shout out to Susanna. Shout out to US Open, too. That was awesome. I'm happy that moment happened. I was laughing so hard. Obviously not like a. And shout out to Susanna. And shout out to US Open, too. That was awesome. Yeah. I'm happy that moment happened. I was laughing so hard.

Obviously not like a moment you're supposed to laugh at. And I hope that that moment she was going through did pass. She apologized. She knows she messed up. Right. But, like, sports are the greatest. At Desjardins, we speak business. We speak equipment modernization.

We're fluent in data digitization and expansion into foreign markets. And we can talk all day about streamlining manufacturing processes. Because at Desjardins Business, we speak the same language you do. Business. So join the more than 400,000 Canadian entrepreneurs who already count on us and contact Desjardins today. We'd love to talk business. Football is the greatest, and tomorrow the NFL season kicks off in a massive way

as the Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens in a banner-hanging evening that is going to kick off the most electrifying NFL season in the NFL's history. History. History. History. Or herstory. Herstory.

Ever. Ever. What storylines will develop? Who will be the AP MVP at the end of this year? Well, let's go to one half of the hammer. Don! Cowboys AP tone. What are you looking for in an MVP this year, AP tone?'s go to one half of the hammer. Don! Cowboys AP Tone. What are you looking for in an MVP this year, AP Tone?

First and foremost, leadership. Alright. What? Like you said, ass in the middle of that. First and foremost, leadership. You know, the eye test, too. Not just stats, okay? Anybody can pad their stats

and stuff like that. You need to pass the eye test. That's right. We're watching the all-22 sideline, end zone cam stats, okay? Anybody can pad their stats and stuff like that. You need to pass the eye test. We're watching the all-22, sideline, end zone cams, everything. Everything. Sideline demeanor. Does a non-QB have a chance to get your vote? Christian McCaffrey maybe?

I don't think I can say. I don't believe I can say. That sounds like a cop-out. You can't just say I don't believe I can say. Any position can be the best player in the league. But can it be the most valuable? That's not true. Hey, excuse me. You answered that question very much in a fashion.

You said any position can be the best player in the league. Yeah, I did. The MVP is the most valuable player. Yeah, it's going to be tough to beat a quarterback. You can't say that. This guy's already going in. You can't say that. This guy's already going in. You can't say that. Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, it don't matter.

It's going to be tough to win over the bias of this particular AP voter. Unbelievable. The toxic tables here at Boston Corner. I'm disgusted. I can't believe it. And this is the day after he told me, hey, don't tell anybody, but I'm going to vote for DJ Watt. He didn't say that.

Yeah, he did. He told me yesterday. No, he didn't. You can't say that. You don't tell anybody, but I'm going to vote for DJ Juan. He didn't say that? Yeah, he did. He told me yesterday. No, he didn't. You can't say that. You can't tell me that. You certainly can't tell anybody. No. You need to keep those inside voices, Tone.

I know. People are already upset with the decision of Tone getting an option here. Yeah, sure. There's only 50 spots. That's bullshit. What is? Dad. What is?

I mean, Tony covers the league like nobody else. Thank you. Of course he deserves a vote. I only saw a positive reaction. Now, once I've said this before, I have 3,500 people muted. He got a screenshot and sent it to me. It has to be a record of some sort. I couldn't even imagine how many I blocked.

I don't see a ton of negative stuff anymore on X, kind of like Brazil. All right. He feels good about that. You really felt good about that. Joining us now is a former president of Ohio, a man who I assume will try to sway A.P. Tone at some point during the season for some award. What's your problem, Tone?

You should not be welcoming and inviting, swaying or anything like that. You need to stay... This needs to be by the book. You're right. I'm sorry. I like the transparency. I'll give you $25. This is how it's been going for 50 years.

I like the transparency. New era. It is a new era, isn't it? Yeah, we're going to learn about his actual thoughts. I'll tell you what. You see that guy tweet me back yesterday? What's value? Most valuable to who? Me? To the big league? Foxy sent me a tweet yesterday. Dan Campbell acting. Does that go into it? A little bit.

A little bit. That should. It definitely should. A little bit. That idea's been sitting there. Oh, yeah. That idea's been sitting there for so long. Perfect coach to deal with. Yep. He really nailed it.

He did. He really nailed it. Good acting. And I don't know how often this takes place, but here's an Applebee's commercial that they did not pay for because MCDC absolutely crushes it. Look out Hollywood when he's done. Welcome to Applebee's.

Can I interest you in America's favorite boneless wings for just 50 cents each? I'll have the 50 cent boneless wings. Cover your mouth. They could steal your order. I'll have the 50 cent boneless wings. I'll have the same. Perfect.

They'll never see it coming. Nailed it. Well done, coach. He must have wrote that. Yeah, one take I heard the entire time. They had to get a couple different angles, obviously, for the theatrics, but MCDC nailed it the first time through, obviously, all the way. Saw the chemistry on set, too.

Oh, my God. You saw the menu get lifted from the offside with the camera. Had to make sure they caught that in the corner. Because all parties are doing it at the same time. What a commercial out of Applebee's. And I'll tell you what, Applebee's, they've been delivering for a long time. They have been. They're still doing it. Half-price apps there for a while. What the hell were they thinking? 50 Cent Wings? Oh, my gosh. They're back.

Kidding me? And I read a tweet today that MCDC said in this press conference there might be more where that came from. Oh, get out they're back. Kidding me? And I read a tweet today that MCDC said in his press conference, there might be more where that came from. Oh, get away. I'll tell you what, can't spell Applebee without app. And they have dominated that game for a long time. MCDC rolling out new Applebee's commercials every single week is something I'm looking forward to.

And that's what tomorrow brings. Is the hope, maybe your team can go all the way. The hope that maybe your city will become one that is talked about as the greatest football town in the entire planet. And the hope is that MCDC will release a new Applebee's commercial every week. Absolutely. Joining us now is a man who might be a part of some of these Applebee's commercials. He's a former president of Ohio. He's a college football national champion, a Super Bowl champion, the all-time leading

tackler for the Green Bay Packers. Ladies and gentlemen, A.J. Hawker. Hawker! I give it a 10. I give it a 10. Dan Campbell, unbelievable. He nailed every second of that. You could tell. He was probably coaching up the other paid actors on set and telling them exactly the timing, what you need

to do here. We're going to see that every week. He probably filmed for one hour, and they got about 15 commercials out of him. Yeah, and there's no way that he was there for hanging out in the trailer, right? No. He was coaching up everybody. I couldn't even imagine the speech he gave to the camera people. I couldn't even imagine the speech that he gave to the crew.

I'll tell you what, man. It's a good group here. Let's sell some 50-cent wings, man. That's what we're here for, all right? Applebee's, they do it right. Let's do it right for them, man. You think he did any Marks? Margies while he was there?

I would imagine. Douche, douche. Yeah, drank about six or seven of them. I appreciate the fact that the Detroit Lions are in the spotlight because we saw that stat earlier that we presented to Roger Goodell because we did do some research, so Roger could puff his chest a little bit. And there were six teams this last year that made the playoffs that didn't make the playoffs the year before.

Detroit Lions were one of them. Green Bay Packers were another one. Pittsburgh Steelers were another one of those teams. And then obviously the Houston Texans, and we'll dive into that a little bit more here whenever J.J. Watt joins us. Cleveland and the Rams as well. It's like every team legitimately has hope that your team can do it and I think you go back a few years obviously Cincinnati Bengals were like worst team in AFC North then they go to the Super Bowl it's like every city has faith every city thinks that their team can go how many realistically you

think can AJ everybody always says like eight you always hear those former coaches they all say like there's about eight teams we all know that could actually win a Super Bowl. How many do you think, AJ? Yeah, I think eight to ten. Eight to ten, I'd say, would be the... Yeah, that would be the most I would put in there. No question. Because some of these teams that we have hope for are going to just be ass.

You know? Which ones are those first two columns? I think being ass is a very negative conversation, so let's keep it positive. But it does suck that some of these fan bases are going to find out this weekend, probably, with one game, our team sucks. Happened last year to me. We are not going to win a Super Bowl.

Our team is out of it. And that's not fun, so let's not focus on that right now. But the teams that could make it, legitimately, you're going through, you said you think 12? I think you could get down to the Dolphins, which, if I counted correctly, is 12. Okay. Like, after the Dolphins, any of those other teams would in the Super Bowl. But that's what's so awesome is that, like, there are teams on the right

and the middle right tier that are going to surprise people and be very, very good and are going to make a run at it. Yeah, Colts are plus 6,000. I mean. That feels like, okay, money. Why do the Patriots have the worst odds? Really? That doesn't seem right.

I mean, things aren't too good up there. What do you mean things aren't too good? I thought we were doing it. I mean, our best defense player last year in the last couple years, Matthew Judon, got traded. Then our other best defensive player in the last couple years has blood clots. He's back, I heard, though. He's back. He's back.

He's on PUP. He's back in the building, though. blood clots so he's back i heard he's back he's back he's on pop he's back in the building though who knows how long he'll be out david andrews had it in 2019 and he missed the entire season but i mean it's bridge year we got a one year starting quarterback and then we got a rookie quarterback but the expectation isn't what it is but i do think we're going to surprise a lot of people truly i genuinely do jacobo says we're around exactly jacoby can play ball. He's still got a lot of good defensive players. Mayo, obviously, is a new head coach, but he's been around that building. No doubt.

I think the guys are going to play for them. Definitely don't think they should be last. Plus 25,000. Yeah, plus 25,000 is crazy. I see about six teams that can realistically. Six? I can see hoisting. Do you agree with the books? Are they all in the left one?

Or do you think L2 has one too as well? It's one in that second row. Who is it? It's got to be the Dolphins, obviously. I'm not going to put it out there. It's not the Dolphins. Yeah, it's not the Dolphins. We got to win the playoff game in Miami.

We got to start – Sure. We got to have the playoff. I'm not saying – Just saying, yeah, we got to – So it's the in Miami. We've got to start. Sure. We've got to have some playoff. I'm not saying it. I'm just saying it. Yeah, we've got to. So it's the Packers. It's good teams there.

New York football. The Jets. The Jets, too. I mean, the Jets. People are hiring the Falcons, too. The Falcons are trending up. And the Rams. People love the Rams as well.

And the Bears. The Browns are on that list. So he said six. So what in the left one is he taking? He's taking Detroit out. I bet he took Detroit. No, he just saw that Applebee's commercial. Taking the Bills out.

No, he's going the first four. It's too early to make enemies. Just saying. Everybody's got a clean slate. Everybody's got a shot. How about the Texans there on the left side in the top quarter of odds to win the Super Bowl, which is bananas if you think back a few years. Joining us now is a man

whose name is in the Texans ring of honor. He's back for another season of White Wednesdays. Ladies and gentlemen, number 99, owner of Burnley, J.J. Wall. Yay!

Hey, guys. Good to see you, buddy. So happy to be here. Happy birthday, Connor. Thank you very much. Thank you for weighing on your gift. Tone, congratulations on the AP gig. I want to give you that. Thank you, JJ. Maybe we can get the right defense player of the year this year.

Well, hold on. That cannot happen. Say that. He's getting dropped. Defensive player of the year this year? Well, hold on. That cannot be. Say that. Say that. He's getting dropped. He's getting dropped before he ever makes his first vote. JJ, we had the conversation earlier, which I know you've been actually on the record. I think you're the one that brought it into the forefront about best player, most valuable player. Did you hear his answer to that whole thing? He said.

No, love to hear it. Well, he danced around it just like you thought he would. Just like you thought he would. And it's going to a quarterback regardless. Well, not JJ's year. He would have definitely won. Oh, of course. This guy. I'd love to get into this conversation because I am so fascinated by the fact

that you have a vote and how the whole process works. And this is really interesting stuff to me. Oh, you hate it. me well oh you hate it it sounds like you hate it all yes no i just i would really love to hear the thought process on how he's going to go about his voting week to week or year to year it'll be a lot and i assume you'll have some questions for how he's handling things as well with your brother absolutely uh let's talk about the offseason obviously a lot happened with Burnley. We're winning, right? Yeah.

We're winning games. We're winning games. Crush it. Yeah, Burnley's going great. Transfer window's finally closed, thankfully, so now we've got our squad moving forward, and we're going to have a lot of fun. Okay, football-wise, I saw you were working out with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I saw you were working out with the Houston Texans. Let's start with Pittsburgh. How was the trip over there? How's TJ doing? How's family? And are you still in football shape? Because you posted a thirst trap through this offseason. Oh, yeah.

With like 2% body fat. What are we doing here? Are we still trying to see if we got it every once in a while? Is that what took place during training camp? Oh, I mean, I like going to watch football, man. I enjoy that. And I think any athlete wants to know that they've still got it, no matter who you are, no matter what level you're at.

You know, you hit the gym and you put certain weight on the bar or you go run in the backyard and you just want to, anybody who says that they aren't, like, testing out to see how they feel, I mean, you got to be lying to yourself. But I really, really enjoyed stopping by the training camps because I've never been to a Mike Tomlin practice or meeting, and I got got to sit in on them all and i got to see how he operates and see how he goes and obviously i've heard all the stories over the years of everybody talking about him and for me it was really cool to sit in that meeting and see he is who he is i mean every single day

i was there on a random i think it was a tuesday and his meeting was exactly how you would expect the Mike Tomlin meeting to go. You left informed, educated, motivated, ready to roll. And then you go out on the practice field. And I got to watch them practice. And, you know, for me, it's like, it's this big thing. Everybody obviously knows us as NFL players, but for me to watch TJ in his environment as the captain of the Pittsburgh Steelers and just to watch him as this historic iconic franchise go out there and be this incredible player this leader as an older brother was a really really cool and special thing for me to see that.

That would be dope I didn't even think about that and how people react to your brother around there is probably something that's pretty cool to see like not just obviously teammates and media but like cafeteria people in a training room how they talk to your brother and react to your brother i didn't even think about that that had to be a sweet trip that had to be a very sweet yeah i've never been able to do that and so it's just like i think that when you strip it all down it really is just a brother mentality and me, just watching him flourish and grow as a person, as a player, as a human, has been the coolest thing for me. And obviously I speak extremely highly of his play on the field

and everything, but I couldn't be more proud. It's a really cool thing for me. Hey, howdy, baby, TJ. You done good, TJ. You done good, TJ. Did you try to break any Casey Hampton squat records over there in the gym? Oh, those are tough. Those are tough to bring down, man.

Those are tough to bring down. But I did have a good time in that weight room. I always love being in an NFL weight room because it's just, you guys know, I mean, well, maybe AJ a little more than you, Pat, but you guys know like they have every single thing you could possibly want. It is literally a kid in a candy store. And I just love being in an NFL weight room uh i just i love being an nfl weight room yeah i you love being in an nfl weight room i like being in the dungy gyms yeah that's why

that's why i like to go hawk house yeah i like the hawk house we got we got grit and job all over the place you got some free weights i'm good you got some kettlebells i'm good you know that's all i need i i understand you want to use the i like that i like that do. I've talked about this before with some guys because, obviously, weight rooms are getting nicer and nicer now, like college programs, NFL programs. And one of the things that we've talked about is, you know, those old, dungy, like, basement weight rooms are where some of the best work is done and some of the best teams are made. And with these new weight rooms, sometimes it's easier to get complacent.

So nice, so clean. So throw back the old school, those steel plates, they definitely feel heavier than the rubber ones. Yeah, clanging and banging, Bob. That's what we're actually doing, you know, and you said it better than I ever could, so you understand what I'm talking about.

AJ has a question for you. JJ, when you were, you know, throwing weights around the Steelers weight room, obviously I'm sure your brother was there in the weight room with you, but no question, Russ Wilson was in there just squatting probably 650 or so or above. Did you get a chance

to watch that offense and kind of watch Russ take control of that team? What do you think that offense looks like with Russ at the helm and obviously Arthur Smith as the new OC? I'm looking forward to watching Arthur Smith. Obviously, I've played against him many years when he was at Tennessee. Obviously, also when he was with the Falcons. I'm looking forward to seeing Arthur Smith. Obviously, I've played against him many years when he was at Tennessee,

obviously also when he was with the Falcons. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does in that offense. I think there's no doubt that I don't think there's much argument to the fact that there's room for improvement on the offensive side there for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing that. I think Russ brings a guy with experience. I think Russ brings a guy who knows how to win. I'm really looking forward to seeing how that goes for them. But, you know, obviously they were pretty heavily involved in these IU trade talks,

and it didn't end up happening. So I think that George Pickens is an incredible player. I think he's a freak athlete. I think he can do some incredible things on the field. So it's going to be about building around that and being able to build an entire offense, not just looking for that one target. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Lots of questions. JJ's got some questions. I don't know how they're going to go about doing what they're going to do. Also, some offensive linemen conversations. I'm hoping there's that fields package. Tomlin's talked about a possible package for Fields. I mean, what he did in the

preseason, there's a lot of good stuff there, and I think that that should be not only something for offensive coordinators or defense coordinators to plan and think about during the week, but it can give them a lot of juice. Why didn't TJ just score a touchdown every week? Yeah, just like his brother. Yeah. I mean, it's

a tough thing to do. Not everybody can do it. I mean, it's a tough thing to do. Not everybody can do it, you know? I mean, only certain brothers have those capabilities. Sure, you can score whenever you're down on them, but, I mean, five in a season? Come on. You can do that. Vrabel?

I mean, that's the... Derek? Yeah, Derek could do it. He just needs the ball a little bit more. He gave the ball a little bit more. He dives. Yeah. Let's get some dives with Derek. A full back dive.back dive a little spider two wide banana out to the flat boom now we're speaking the same language tj though needs to we need a swat into a pick six every week and then meet With blood on her first

You and Russell Wilson talking I couldn't even fucking fathom Could you imagine It happened in the cafeteria It happened in the cafeteria It was happened in the cafeteria over there in Pittsburgh. It was good. It's a good place, man. It's wild.

It blows my mind that they share a facility with Pitt University. That still is shocking to me. Unbelievable recruiting tool. Yeah, absolutely. That's why the Kenny Pickett thing was supposed to be the one, right? Because they saw him there for a long time. He didn't have to change. They're booing him now. They're

booing him in Pittsburgh. That is what Pittsburgh is, though. I know Russell Wilson knows that. Speaking of Pittsburgh, let's go to one half of the hammer. Cowboys AP Tone with a question. Yeah, JJ, I know you have questions about me and how I'm going to vote, but don't worry. I've already signed on some of the best consultants in the DB room, the special teams room, the linebacker room,

the AQ and the O-line room. Well, you can't say actual names. Wait, you're not voting? You've got to do it on your own. I said consulting. Wait a second, is this a conglomerate? Well, kind of. JJ, if you'd like to consult with the D-line, just hit me on the side. Appreciate that.

Week one, O-line versus D-line. What? Nobody has a shot against TJ. That sounds like well-rounded smart man right there. He's buying journalism. No. No. That's what it smells like.

I don't know if these are the standards we're looking for. That's what I'm talking about. This is journalism. This is why it's all screwed up already. No. This has been happening for 50 years. That's how we got into this mess. I'm going to consult you two on pizzazz and that type of thing.

I hope Jerome Mayo's got the pizzazz. Okay. Don't you feed into this. JJ, week one, is there an advantage, O-line, D-line, either side coming into week one? Is that a thing? I mean, I think historically, especially when you start training camp,

defenses are generally ahead of offenses. I think offense does need a little bit more of that gel time to get the chemistry to work together. But by the time now, I mean, training to get the chemistry to work together. But by the time now, I mean, training camp seems so long to me now. I feel like it's like five or six weeks long before playing this first game. But I generally believe that defense has a slight advantage early on because it's more of just the see ball, get ball mentality, whereas offense is very gelling and coming together

and passing off games on the offensive line and things of that nature um so i would say that but another thing that i will say that i've always noticed throughout my career week one everybody's healthy for the most part so everybody's nobody's banged up nobody's fatigued nobody's had a long season so it does you feel like you're getting everybody best shot right out of the gate whereas later in the season some guys are worn down some guys are tired you might be getting a backup or a third stringer so i do think week one is generally one of those tough ones where everybody's healthy and they're gonna have a great battle i don't think i ever thought of it that way you know i think that is a good point like maybe the fastest guys are going to be all years this weekend yeah you know like

this fresh because all you need is like one little strain playing okay now you're at 98 maybe the fastest guys are going to be all years this weekend. Yeah. You know, like this. Because all you need is like one little strain playing. Okay, now you're at 98%. And that's going to be the best that you're ever going to be. And then you take a couple shots, a little bruise to a thigh maybe, or a bruise to anything. Okay, now you're down to 87%. I didn't even think about this. Weekend is the fastest.

Okay, boys. And they've got that adrenaline. Like they're humming off the line. You know how it is. You go out in warm-ups in week one, you're gassed within 10 minutes of warm-ups because you're so excited. The fans are there. There is nothing better than that.

But you go back to the locker room and you're like, Holy shit, man, I've got to calm down here. Otherwise, I'm not going to make it to the second quarter. I've got to breathe throughout this entire thing. Okay, so we're going to have great football this weekend. And you said the offense might take a little bit more time to gel as the conversation around training camp, defense, see ball, get ball. There's some big names

with new teams. Go ahead, D-Bud. Speaking about gelling and chemistry, which one of these guys, these defensive linemen, pass rushers on new teams are you looking forward to the most? I know I might miss a couple, but I know Christian Wilkins heading out to Vegas with Max. Brian Burns in New York now. Bryce Huff in Philly. Some other, Hunter down there in Houston. Which one couple but i know christian wilkins heading out to vegas with max brian burns in new york now

bryce huff and philly um some other hunter down there in houston uh which one of these guys are you looking most forward to in a new place yeah i like those guys teaming up you know i like wilkins with max brosby i love seeing how that's going to work out down there um because anytime you put two two big guys like that together same with neil hunter and will anderson down down in Houston, you're going to take pressure off each other. You know, teams have to start to decide where am I going to slide my protection? Who am I going to double team? We can't chip everybody. So I love to see

those. And I mean, obviously I'm a Houston guy, so I'm very much looking forward to seeing Daniel Hunter, Will Anderson and when we get Danico Autry back. I think, unfortunately, obviously he's out for the first six weeks, but I think he's a very underrated signing. So that's going to be huge when he gets back on that D-line.

But I'm a massive Daniel Hunter fan. I think he's extremely underrated in this league. All he does every single season is perform both TFLs and sacks. So I think hopefully he gets some more shine this year and even less double teams now. So it should be fun. Yeah, Houston, what is it, the fifth largest city in America? Fourth, what is it?

Fourth. Wow. So big. Yeah. Such a good football fan base too. Great fan base. We've all seen the photos, okay, what was happening in that stadium. Yeah, early on.

We saw it. We all saw the photo. We didn't like that we saw it. We hated it we didn't like that we saw it hated it didn't like that we said yeah i mean we got cherry picker over here we got we got king cherry picker over here what's he talking about anyways i don't cherry it's like it's like people cherry picking photos of somebody puking in ireland you know i mean sure you can take one photo or make it a story but But, I mean. Journalistic standards, pal. Okay? We need full context of everything.

Didn't happen, by the way, which is maybe a bit. I mean, could that have been more fun of a trip? That trip was absolutely incredible. 39 hours, dude. 39 hours over there. Just as soon as you hear this, I've heard in Ireland. I don't know if they knew. I don't know how realistic it is.

But, I knew that for us it worked. Hup, h that the whole place is about to have a great time i mean for at least 90 seconds to two minutes and it's uh it was awesome what was the so like i know obviously you guys were only there for a short period of time the plane ride over i mean we obviously saw the guinness flowing on the plane ride over and then continued to flow. But how many Guinness went down on the plane ride? I think I... This is going to surprise everybody. I mean, Jesus.

What the hell? Aliens? Oh my lord. That just turned on my television. You're now on my TV. Oh, it's an honor. So are you. Congrats. They're on TV.

These guys are on the big TV. Your dogs, they're on as well. What type of dogs do you have over there? Is that Doberman? Yeah, we're going to pretend they're German Shepherds. Rottweiler? Are they the Belgium or German Shepherd? No, I got a Golden Retriever and a Golden Duel.

Hey, Tats, you want to keep it down? We'll have TV in here. Thank you. You sound like a goddamn bump hey you're not the alpha in that house that's what i just learned every day same guy comes every single day. Delivers the mail every single day. Sees him every single day. Yet every day he barks at him. Nothing ever happens.

Never attacked our house one time. We've never been having issues. Yet every day we bark at him. Like, worm! You're not the only one, Jay. Say hello. Just say hello. My dog did that too.

Yeah. I have a very dumb corgi who has a similar situation. Fat as well. Just because you slimmed down a little bit doesn't mean we should. No, no. JJ, you don't understand. I'm concerned about the corgi. I'm trying to shave it into losing weight.

I will say dog is down four pounds in the last three months. Nice. We're going to be making trips, so we're bringing it out with the plan. Chuck would never be taken out. I mean, he is he's a dumb dog. He's a dumb dog. This particular corgi is a dumb

dog. Apparently so is mine. Tex, I'm going to... What's the name of the dog? Tex. Tex is the boy. Finley's the girl. And Tex is the... He's on the verge of being tossed out into the backyard. Is Tex the retriever or the other one? 106 degrees outside.

Tex is the doodle. I was told it was a smart breed of dog. Tex is just saying hello to a friend. Tease him every single day. That's right. Same exact time. Every day. Tell Tex it's all good. If they want to bark through our show.

We are big fans of dogs over here. Although some people on the internet are not. Did you hear this about Ben? I mean, I did not know Ben. They're mad he's flying on a private jet. Yeah, you're mad you're not on a private jet. So, suck it. This guy gets it.

This guy likes dogs. I mean, that's how it's going to go. JJ, we learned a lot about you through your football career off the field. Through one particular program, Connor has a question for you. Slim Connor has a question for you. That's not true. But, JJ, have you been keeping up with the Hard Knocks? It wrapped up last night.

There were some interesting moments. Ryan Pohl's kind of cool moment where he cried when he had to cut one of the players, which I think everybody kind of loved. Did you have any feelings around the entire show, and what are your expectations for the Bears this year? You guys all right over there? Choked up. Yeah, amen.

What happened? What did I miss? Guys, what's wrong? What did I miss? I was just asking about the expectations for the Bears. I don't know if something was said or shown behind me. I'm not sure, but sorry. Sorry, back to you.

The whiteboard? The whiteboard? I'm going to try. Just the way he worded that question was the most absurd thing of all time. Everybody loved it. Like, okay, we did it. I did. Everyone I saw.

That was the most absurd thing, but it was a cool moment. So, like, I didn't want to. That's why I turned my back. Human. Yeah, just human. Amen. The way he laid that out was unfair i i i think that was an unfair there was a lot of exposure though we saw a scene that i don't think i've ever thought i would see ryan poles was actually crying while cutting somebody he was like one of the most empath legit one of the most empathetic cuttings i've ever seen. It was a wild team. It was a very wild team, a Hard Knocks that I couldn't have expected.

But they did showcase the human side. And you on Hard Knocks, same thing. You were on Hard Knocks. We learned a lot about you. Overall, fan of program? Follow program? What can we take from program, you think? And how should we view it going into the season?

I think that they've i think that the more they show the better it is i think as a player and somebody who's been on the show you want them to show less because i mean there's some seriously vulnerable moments there's some serious obviously discussions and things that go on behind the scenes that are very personal and that you don't always want to discuss but um i think that moments like that are uh those are what makes the show the best when you see things that you would never get to see um like and then this off season they had the giants one where they were showing some of the discussions between behind trade talks behind saquon's thing um some of that stuff you're kind

of like wow i'm surprised we got to look at this Yep, because I why would that get out of the building? But as a viewer you love it because you're like wow, this is really cool stuff And I think I think you you know, I think we all know like if you could actually truly truly show a Behind the scenes of absolutely everything that goes on in organization. It would be Be unbelievable, but I think Was a lot of fun. what do you mean actually i watch hard knocks i'm right back in arizona oh who knows well you know what i did like that tennessee video where they put out like

they called in guys like they were gonna get cut and then they told them they made the team i'm a big fan of that i don't know if i've like fully seen that one done before which was really cool that's a whole new era down there uh everybody nobody's really talking about them you know the tennessee titans aren't really getting chatted about much as a team that could go obviously will he's being talked about as being a starter in the quarter in the nfl and everything that comes alongside of that on the field and off the field uh but like nobody's really thinking about the titans going on because there's a team in houston ty has a question for you yeah jj obviously everyone always talks about hey the

quarterbacks making that jump from the first to the second year it's tough to imagine cj stroud getting much better than he was last year but we saw him doing all like the podcast did a lot of media in the off season and was kind of talking his shit a little more and rightfully so you have that kind of year you can kind of do that. But what do you think realistic expectations are for the Texans this year? Are they looking to kind of just take the next step, or do you think fans are expecting, like, hey, this team needs to go win a Super Bowl this year?

They're supposed to be that good. I mean, I think to make winning a Super Bowl the absolute expectation on a second-year coach and a second-year quarterback is tough, but I don't think it's unrealistic to think of it as a possibility. And I don't think that setting the expectation of a very deep playoff run is out of the question by any means. Now, just think about it. You have to think about the teams they had last year and what they were able to accomplish and do, and what have they done since. They've added Stephon Diggs.

They've added Joel Mixon. They've added Daniil Hunter, Autry, Aziz. They've added some of these guys to an already stacked team. They were able to keep their offensive coordinator, Bobby Sloak, during all the head coach carousel this offseason, which is a huge win to be able to have CJ under the same offensive coordinator adding more weapons. I mean, one of the questions you have

and that you want to see how it's going to play out is there's only one ball. You've got to spread it amongst these incredible playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, and it's going to give defensive coordinators nightmares. But I think that CJ and D'Amico, the demeanor that they have, the way that they attack each day they have the way that they attack each day and the way that they lead that team nobody's set up better to handle this type of

hype and expectation than those guys so i'm very very bullish um it's going to be a lot of fun man i mean even just watching these clips man like nico counts one of the best wide receivers in the league and people he slept on he slept on nobody knew existed his beginning last year obviously and then he comes onto the scene and just dominates and now you add stefan diggs and another weapon to take maybe a little safety coverage the other way it's in cj didn't throw a pick for 11 weeks or something like that 12 weeks tankdale back healthy and their run game has been great dalton schultz is a salty dog. Who's offense coordinator? Slowik? Slowik, yep.

Back? Should have got a head coaching job. What the hell? What's that all about? I mean, I think you know what they're doing down there, man. I think you look at opportunities. I mean, this is a really special time in Houston football. Expectations are high, but that also is an unbelievable football town.

So these people are going to be jacked up, ready to go. And we talk about CJ this offseason, but it's very easy to talk about everything you see in the public and not talk about the work and the things that are done in private. You talk to his teammates, you watch him around the building, you talk to the people around the building. Everybody speaks so incredibly highly of the way he carries himself, the way he handles himself, and I think that speaks volumes.

Yeah, he's awesome. And that also is how you keep a room full of playmakers happy and all pulling in the same direction as when you have the main leader the head honcho doing things the right way he's every time he's come on our show just like everything he does is right in every situation the way he handles himself you're like that's how i would want like burt kreischer comes in drunk radio row he starts talking shit to him like that's yeah that's exactly what i would like my quarterback to do. Just on the spot, what is this?

He called him a muscle hamster? What is this? Just starts talking shit immediately. And it was like, obviously, Bert was having a great time with Tom, and they were pitching their thing. But, like, every situation he's in that we've seen, he just does the thing that I would want. How about your Colts?

What do we got? Week one. I mean, how are we looking? What are we thinking, Texas Colts? Could be great. Could be great. I mean, how are we looking? What do we think of Texas Colts? Could be great. Could be great. This could be the year. This could be the year. 13-4 maybe. Yeah. 15-2. We don't know. Preseason, we didn't really get to

know much. We watched a lot, but not a lot of good happened, but I'm not resting any yawnies on what happened in preseason. Don't worry about that, but tough test week one there. Houston Texans at home, one o'clock game. I mean, hello. Welcome to the NFL season.

Would have been nice to get you guys maybe week four or five. That would have been cool to do that. As fresh as you guys are going to be. Yep. As fast as we're going to be. You're right. We are fresh. And we are fast.

Anthony Richardson is going to be fast. Healthy. He's going to be fast. JT's playing. Yeah. All the way in. Michael Pittman Jr.'s got some new money. Right.

That Blando line is as healthy as they'll be. Bland. What do you mean by that? You called the video from the offseason. What do you mean? What do you mean by Bland? Well, there's a lot of conversations from Colts fans. Like, you know, the Colts are definitely back because they're O-line.

What? Who said that? The way their O- on looked. It was very Indiana, if you will. What are you talking about? What do you mean? Just some big, mean, cornbread fucks. That's what bland means?

That's what, I mean, look at it. Yeah. Jesus, that's insane. Yeah, it is, right? People were losing it about it. I thought, you know, first wave and then, no. That was almost... Yeah, I don't know.

They move bodies. Hey, don't you worry about it. They're moving bodies. 75 doesn't look very bland. I'll tell you, they're a veteran crew, too. It is a veteran crew that has a lot of snaps. And it is... A lot of snaps. Yeah, but you saw what I was...

I've never seen so many neoprene sleeves in my life. It takes them a little bit. I think the Colts have a chance, though. I think the Colts have a chance. You know, because Shane Steichen's a good coach. Shane Steichen is a... I think he can game plan and get things done.

Defense, they invested a lot of money back into, so it's like I expect them to play good football. It's like the Colts have a chance, I think. What's the vibe around Indy? What's Lucas Oil going to feel like? Is it like we've got a hype vibe? Do we have like a tepid vibe? Football season is always good here.

It's a lot. In Indiana. Your face is saying otherwise. Your face crinkled up right there. It's not as bad. Not as bad like it usually does. Your face is saying otherwise. Your face crinkled up right there. It's not like he usually does. You're right, J.J. Well, we didn't go to the preseason game, so I cannot say that I know exactly. But you show a little hope this weekend.

We'll always be ready. Yeah, it'll be a – and I'm not saying we're – still be sold out and filled up. There's commercials for tickets, though. Yeah, will it though? Will it though? J.J., it will fill up. There's commercials for tickets, though. Will it though? Will it though? JJ! It will fill up. There's no tickets still.

Week one for sure. Yeah, week one will. What are you saying? I'm saying it's the quiet house. Not one! You do not mean that! You just said, can they show a little hope this weekend? You just said, if we can show a little hope.

AR is a rookie. This guy's a rookie. Until they rev it up. Having won week one in like 15 years. Whoa. What? I didn't know that. Hey, Gump. Good to see you. Haven't heard from you in a while. Good to see you. Oh, geez. Take it easy, Gump. He's a citizen of downtown

Indianapolis. I'll have you know. And when the Colts are winning, it's great. But like, literally, AR, he started his entire NFL career touchdown on the ground, touchdown through the air. He broke some rookie record where it was like, it's the most electrifying football player that has ever scored on the ground and throw. It's like broke a record for most consecutive games to start a career.

So five or four or five or whatever it was. And he was just gone. See ya. It's like never see him again. So it's like, we have no idea what's going to happen. There's a chance. But hey, we still almost made the playoffs. Bingo, Gardner Minshew, who's a dog.

That's Shane. He sent Gardner to the Pro Bowl. Now he's starting somewhere else. Look, excitement. It's a new year. We got AR. He's healthy. We got JT.

Can he be the JT of old? I'm a little concerned about the defensive secondary. Just a little concerned there, but I love our defensive front. I love the guys we got up here. I love our backers. We've just got to grow a little bit in that secondary early test. He talks them into week one, but

I'm excited about week one. I don't know about you, Pat, but I'm excited. First play of the game for Houston last year in the Loud House was a 75-yard touchdown. I love playing up there. I like that city, man. I like that nice big hotel they got downtown. They always put the bracket on. I like the Elmos. I like that city, man. I like that nice big hotel they got downtown. They always put the bracket on.

I like St. Elmo's. I stop in there, get some good food. I really enjoy Indianapolis. It's a great city. We walked down the field, kicked a field goal. All right, good start. CJ, that's one step. Top step.

It was live, though. It was live. It was live. It was live. So what live. It was live. It was live. So what I'm saying is I have no idea what the season looks like because it is very much like if AR can continue to be the AR that he is, there's real, real fucking shot. But then is there like growing pains that's going to take place because he didn't play for it?

Like it's so much because he's not going to be considered a rookie quarterback, but it should be. That is how it should be viewed. I don't know if we fully know up here, but down there, you guys, Super Bowl bust. Super Bowl bust down in Houston. Ain't that right? Super Bowl

bust down there in Houston. I think that's how the whole city's viewing it. That's why that place is going to be filled up down there. The Stride House is going to be packed down. AJ has a question for you, JJ. JJ, there's a lot of guys, not a lot, but there's a handful of guys that are recently signed with their team that are going to be playing week one most likely.

I know you've said you needed practice. You enjoyed getting all those reps. We had Jared Allen on last week, I believe. It sounded like he thinks training camp is a thing of the past. He said he didn't need training camp. He didn't want training camp. He would come out there flying. How do you think some of these guys are going to do i guess it really haven't been on the practice field much yeah i think it depends on the guy

i mean you look at a guy like trent williams he's going to be just fine he's been doing it for many many years he doesn't need the meetings he doesn't need to practice he's just a veteran a pros pro he knows what he needs to do for his body to get ready, and he's good to go. You look at IU, you obviously assume that same way. He's been working hard on the side, doing what he needs to do. The only thing there is getting the timing down. I'm sure they've had it the last couple of years. So just getting back into that rhythm may take a practice or two, but I'm sure it'll be good. From a defensive standpoint, for me personally pass rushing i feel like i could step into with zero practice i feel like i go out there i can rush the passer um literally you know today if you had to run game is where i feel like you do need reps in my personal opinion the hand

placement the footwork um the eyes just making sure you see your keys and everything that's where i feel like it takes the most amount of reps to get back into the group um is the run game because i think that's hard okay and also taking the you know probably yeah like the neck yeah like there i mean there's literal just physical things where you have to recondition the body to get hit again to those little things because you're going to wake up the next day sore as shit uh and then you're going to have to do it all over again and you just have to rebuild those calluses you don't have those calluses from the whole off season so it's a matter of rebuilding all those muscles and those groups and being able to handle the repeated pounding that's why i like those going full pads the repeated poundings yeah of course that's why let's go to full pads you know i wanted i wanted

to get hit yeah yeah you had to You had to get those practices. What a life, man. What a life. Watch it. It's a great life. That's what we all would love. It's fantastic. You wonder who the hell would quit that.

Why would anybody ever quit that? Retire. It's the greatest. Retire. You just put it to bed. It's a retire situation. If youire. You just put it to bed. Just put it to bed. It's a retire situation if you're referring to me, it sounds like. But yes, incredibly lucky that that was my profession,

but it would have been cool to be 20% luck, 30% skill, 15% concentrated power and will, 10% pleasure, 45% pain, 100% pleasure. 45% pain. 100% reason

to remember the name. I'm going to use that in my workout today. I'm going to blast that. That would have been cool, though. That would have been really cool to do that as well. We're talking different in-person life. It was enjoyable, man. There's nothing better. There's nothing better. That's why you're still...

Every guy... Anybody that tells you that they don't want to check themselves against professional athletes in their prime better. There is nothing better. Yeah, I bet. That's why you're still, you know, and I still, you know, every guy, anybody that tells you that they don't want to check themselves against professional athletes in their prime, every day of their life, they're lying to you. It's like, I'm telling you, I don't. It sounds like you do, absolutely, which I hope you get a chance to prove. And we talk about practicing and getting dropped in there, and earlier you said offense takes a little bit more

time to jail and everything like that. We have some big news out of Cincinnati. Breaking news, Jamar Chase is walking out to practice in a uniform. Okay. Okay, it is Wednesday of game week on Sunday. He has a jersey on there and pants. I don't see pads on anybody, so I think that's good news. It appears as if he's going to go today. Now, is Jamar Chase all the way back because he just said,

fuck it, a deal's not going to get done? Is he coming back because they're maybe close to a deal? Are they coming back because the just said fuck it a deal is not going to get done is he coming back because they're maybe close to a deal are they coming back because the season's getting what is it that is happening which marches we have no idea but we do know electricity is about to take place on that practice field right down the road from a highway that's right and down the road from a stadium that was selling tvs where are they where are they going this is how they get to practice to the park yeah hold up traffic what are you saying JJ hold up hold up team of the people team of the people four or five cement truck is coming down the road yeah tomorrow Chase all right

you're gonna walk past the cement truck okay it's gonna be coming at you cop will stop it don't worry about it they're gonna walk another block and then the practice will be there they just got an indoor facility though let's hey let's applaud what's going on do coming at you. Cop will stop it. Don't worry about it. They're going to walk another block, and then the practice will be there. They just got an indoor facility, though. Hey, let's applaud what's going on. Do you think we got the DeMarcus? Do you remember when you were a kid? So, like, for me, I grew up in Wisconsin, Green Bay Packers. Like, I would love to go, like, they had training camp where they did the bikes and everything.

But even that, slam-packed. AJ, you know this better than anybody. Slam-packed. You can't see your favorite players. I mean, you want to go and see Brett Favre, like, impossible. I didn't know that all you had to do was go down to the local street and stand there, and you could see literally

every single one of your favorite players walk right past you. I mean, how are there not kids just lined up right there? Yeah, we learned of this, I forget if it was last year or a couple years ago. We got school now. We got school. Yeah, obviously, Ohio kids going to school. I would take my kid out of school to go stand and see Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase. Like, that's

such a cool experience for kids. Like, a little high five right there from a kid. Come on. And this is every day. Yeah. This is every day. It is very easy to find where they're at. You know, just look for the cops stopping. Alright, Bengals are here. Hey, Cincinnati's only up and

coming, though. They sold the naming rights to the stadium first time. Indoor facility. TV's out of town. New TV's in. You guys buying some? Turns out we were a couple weeks late. I don't know how we let that slip by either. To be clear, that is a story that is right in our wheelhouse.

85-inch TV for $65? $65? Kidding me? Out of the parking lot of a stadium? Bengals fans think I don't like them because I said something about their lockers, the new locker room, which looks awesome. But in the press release for the lockers, they talked about how heavy they were. Saw that.

And so I just pointed that out. They're 850-pound lockers, which is incredible. So I just thought that was a fascinating point to point out. They thought I was ripping out their locker room. It's quality. Well, how much is this? What is a standard quality mahogany like in the backyard? What is a standard locker way?

What is a… It depends. It's mahogany. I never lifted mine up. It's hard. You know, I wonder what our lockers would… How many pounds they say? 850?

Yeah. I think it was… I they say 850 yeah i think it was it could be a snake but i think it was 850 pounds that had to be mahogany huh i mean it's got to be a nice oak yeah white oak real dense yeah i think because you gotta get you also gotta might be concrete yeah that's the concrete lock that's cheapest concrete is cheapest yeah 850 pounds would make sense this thing is two tons what is it made out of concrete uh size each locker is a 10 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 800 pounds it is a best built locker all metal finishes are powder coated or laser cut stainless steel shelves or through bulk construction for extra strength okay so we don't have any wood yet

no maybe i they use wood. I wonder if Best Built Locker has got a wood butt. Yeah, let's get to the bottom. It's an 800-pound locker. I mean, what do we – What makes it so heavy? They're not cutting any corners. What does it –

Okay. We're lifting them up. What accents there? Not saying that. Wood veneer. Ventilation system. That's good. Nine fans throughout the locker.

You have nine fans throughout the locker? Paul Brown signed each locker. That's cool. Patented ventilation system. That's a big deal. Okay, that's good. Bluetooth smart locks. What? I do appreciate the personal. I like the quick-dry compartment. I never had one of those. No. And then there's one fridge.

Yeah, locker room's power. Cool. Yeah, one fridge. In a microwave. One fridge, Joey B. Jamar chasing me. He goes, that must be nice. He goes, you can use it. And then Jamar's like, wait, I'm going into negotiation. Maybe he got a fridge. And that's why he's doing practice. Oh, it all makes sense

now, doesn't it? It all makes sense. Alright, JJ, who's winning the Super Bowl this year? This week? I mean, I refuse to pick anybody but the Chiefs until proven otherwise because they've earned that right. So I'll say the Chiefs. But if you're asking me who's knocking them off,

Houston Tech. Okay. And on the NFC? On the NFC side, I have a very difficult time seeing again who's going to knock off the 49ers. Sweet. What about the defense? Really, really, I love the Lions.

I think the Lions are great. When I look at the 49ers and I look at that team top to bottom, it is so well-rounded, so stacked. I don't see somebody picking them off. And Brock Brody's jacked, too. He's jacked up. Freaking yoked. Do you know that? He's been hitting away at them. Yeah, I saw. don't i don't see somebody picking them off and brock party's jack too he's jacked up freaking yoked do you know that he's been hitting the weight room yeah i saw i saw he's uh he's been

doing the weights why'd you get why'd you do put that thirst trap out what was that all about why'd you do that you're trying to get a movie you're trying to get a role in a movie or something you look like you had a like a it worked marvel yeah it looked like your your lats were a cape Marvel. Yeah, it looked like your lats were like a cape. Yeah, I don't know. I just felt proud of myself and I wanted justification

and validation. And did you get it? Did you get it? It worked, yeah. Everybody was very impressed. Everybody was very impressed. That wasn't the one but that was that wasn't that one was just me showing off a really cool place that i was i was proud of where i was i never in my entire human existence thought i would be on a yacht in the south of france

that was close close to school south of france really close like very similar the views um you're in is that nice you're in nice france is that where you are um yes that was one of one of the stops we we wow hey you've earned it pal you've earned it pal i don't know if we're gonna pull the thirst trap photo or not but it was so man jj it was hard to find yeah scrolling show it show it yeah plaster it up there i'm scrolling on my phone and then all of a sudden what the and i go back and it's you and it's just like i didn't know that was happening wow do you eat like are you trying to get to

no body fat what is the goal what is it i mean i would love to yeah i mean i'm retired so like i just want to look good feel good um but like everybody like my weight is the goal? I would love to. I'm retired, so I just want to look good, feel good. My weight is the exact same as when I played. Literally, I weighed myself this morning. I am the exact playing weight of when I played. I'm just trying to shape it differently. That's all. You look great.

We're not able to find it because there's too many traps out there. You look great. Slimmed it down. You look trim. You look great. Haircut's strong. I heard the haircut conversation earlier. Thanks, JC.

When I stop up in the dome, I'd love to get a snip from the man. Okay, so whenever you come through the Thunderdome, we will have JC certainly give a patented snip. Snip, snip. Snip, you're good. Yeah, he'll lower your ears a little bit, give you a good snip.

We appreciate you, man. We'll see you next Wednesday, and we'll know a lot more, won't we? Thank you, little bit, give you a good snip. We appreciate you, man. We'll see you next Wednesday, and we'll know a lot more, won't we? We'll know a lot more. We will know a lot more. Really looking forward to that game in Indianapolis. Going to be paying close attention. Well, it's a loud house. There it is.

That's the thing. Look at that thing. Did your wife take this for you? Did you have her come out and take it, or what? Yeah. Do we set this on a tripod? How did we take the photo? Yeah, no, it was definitely a tripod. No, yeah, it was my wife okay uh my wife we work out here we are workout partners uh it's all lighting guys if i'm going to give you any tip it is

find some good lighting okay oh no and you're good to go like you know shadow half the issue with the photo is that there's no lights. Like that is the issue with this particular photo. So we just kind of. The issue is beauty. That's right. Yeah. You got to leave the viewer something to behold.

Look at how fucking jacked you are. Is that what you look like right now? Or is that just this one day was like your peak day? That's a pump. That's a pump. Like Arnold always talks about the pump. You know, at the end of the workout you feel good and the shittiest part is that it goes away and so then you look like an hour later you're like wow i thought i was jacked yeah i woke him up right after a workout great feeling i woke him up before game day by the time i was shirtless on game day they had one to sleep you know and i'm

gonna have to i'm gonna have to time it a little bit better jj you're the man we'll see you next wednesday brother ladies and gentlemen so jocked absurd uh bill belichick will join us in about 10 minutes be a friend tell a friend something nice it might change your life we'll continue on youtube and espn plus and tick tock we'll see you tomorrow goodbye oh that one felt pretty that was a really good one yeah jj was out on time that was sweet promoted Bill Belichick too that's real hosting yeah we're here you know we could have like promoted some stuff more

throughout our history like what? like whenever people are on the show we could promote them more nah then we do that and then something happens and they can't come on and we look like assholes that has happened what four times I think four times we have promoted somebody coming on the show and then it's just gotten cancelled and we look like assholes. That has happened, what, four times? I think four times we have promoted somebody coming on the show and then it's just gotten canceled and we look like the dumbest people on earth.

Exactly. So we have adopted a mentality if we're not, we will never promote anybody come on the show. Or jinx it. But now that, like, our lineup's pretty solid. Yeah, it's not bad. Pretty good. Pretty solid for this upcoming fall.

And the dude that's going to join us in about ten minutes, he's going to be joining us every single Monday. Have you seen his schedule this fall? Craig. What the fuck is he doing? I would get him Monday. What is he doing? Exactly.

That's what I'm saying. He's enjoying retirement, yeah. It is. He's got a lot going on. He's now the strategic advisor for the 33rd team. That's correct. Is he giving speeches in the morning? Is it a...

Yeah, like a newsletter every day. Because the 33rd team is what? All ex Is he giving speeches in the morning? Like, is it a... Yeah, like a newsletter every day? Because the 33rd team is what? All ex-NFL guys, right? Yeah. Coaches, players, execs, refs, I think.

So he's got that, he's got this. Is he doing a Zoom call with them every morning like a team meeting? Hey, here's the deal. I'm going to advise you on a strategy today.

Shoot, might be. Probably. I mean, what a weapon. Football is about to get so much better, the coverage of it, because his brain. Not just because of

what he's going to do, but because everybody that's in this particular field of talking football is going to listen to everything he says. And then they're going to adopt some of that

into their own thoughts because why would you not if you're learning from Bill Belichick? You know, everybody that got a chance to experience it in New England

talks about how brilliant he is about football and the way he views things and his leadership. Now it's everybody that got a chance to experience it in New England talks about how brilliant he is about football and the way he views things and his leadership. Now it's like it's going to be on display everywhere. And it's like everybody that talks football is going to be affected by it. Yep. Everybody. And I think we're lucky for it.

He's fucking doing everything, though. Yeah. He's going to be busy. Very busy. Very busy. But is it as busy as what he used to be? I guess not. No, not even close.

In his eyes, he's probably like, yeah, he probably wants more. He's thinking, like, what do I do with the rest of my day? So that's probably what it is, right? Whenever he thought about his schedule, he's like, I got to fill up this time and this time, this time and this time. The adjustment for his life schedule, that's like those musicians that have toured for, like, 50 years. And then whenever they're done, they go home, and it's like, well, what am I?

Yeah. Bill Belichick's been locked in an NFL building for 50 years and then whenever they're done they go home and it's like well what am I what is Bill Belichick's been locked in an NFL building for 50 years like that's actually half a century he's been locked in an NFL building now it's his first time getting to spread his wings a little bit he's like what's stacked this fucking thing

he really is going to be locked in he's going to have to pay attention to everything too because he's talking about it everywhere he's not going to look like a dumbass ever. That's not really his thing. I couldn't fathom beyond how hours this guy's about to play. Man, I'm excited for it, though, because a lot of things that people are going to be saying, it'll be Bill saying the exact opposite.

That's the only thing. Yeah, the exact opposite. But I just can't wait for everybody to get inside that mind of his when it comes to the ball. He's already kind of done that. Whenever we were all overreacting to how people were playing in preseason and there was conversations taking place about, like, the Chicago Bears might be all the way back. He's a good quarterback to ball. He's already kind of done that. Whenever we were all overreacting to how people were playing in preseason and there was conversations taking place about, like, the Chicago Bears might be all the way back.

He's a good quarterback to play. And then he comes on. I put no stock in preseason football. None. It's like, well, what's it for? Well, can they execute what we taught them? That is all this is. Can they break the huddle?

Can they look like a professional football team? What about the games, though? Nothing. They are pointless. You know exactly what the other team's doing. We're not showing shit to anybody about anything. And it's like literally the entire conversation the day before because of hard knocks and sports meetings.

Like, Caleb Williams? Yeah. Caleb Williams. And then Bill gets on. Not shit. Can't see shit. I'm like, all right. That is awesome.

I'm like, I was overreacting Alongside everybody else I'm pumped to hear Every single week What we overreact to Yeah And like what he's saying How AP tone You know is affected

By all of it I can't wait to check it out He's another good consultant Alright let's get to a break Okay on the other side Bill Belichick will be joining us And we'll be wrapping up This NFL Eve

It's a big one One more sleep Wow Yes Almost You did it Packers are leaving today I believe for Brazil NFL Eve. It's a big one. One more sleep. Wow. Yes. Almost. We did it. Packers are leaving today, I believe, for Brazil. They're already in the air. They've been in the air for a couple hours now.

Safe travels. Don Eric Greenberg. Football! It is back tomorrow night. That's A.J. Hawk. The Toxic Table is here at Boston Corner and at Ty Schmidt. One half of the hammer. God. Cowboys AP. Tone is here.

You look great. I see the felt. Yeah, yeah. We're back. I see that. Summer's over, unfortunately. Well, I thought you said that you were going to. Are you never going to be Glenn Powell from Tornado?

It depends. he'll come out of movie he'll come out every once in a while is that movie worth it yes yes in one word yes it is pretty good yeah glenn does a great job time to change his entire character he was kevin costner in montana as a gangster there for since what since cove he got cove Since he got COVID. He came out of his COVID cave an incredible gambler and then also a cowboy. He started speaking like he was Kevin Costner in his entire thing. We had no idea. Two weeks, obviously

17 days. Let's make sure you stay isolated in a cave away from everybody. That's what was just happening at the time. He came back a cowboy. He was the COVID cowboy. I think one of the first ever public COVID cowboys. And now you are a tornado chaser. Tyler Owens.

That's who you are now. Yep. Great movie. And also an AP voter. That's right. And that's why we love him. Why we love him. Nine-year NFL vet Darius J. Butler is here.

D-Butt, sweet fit today. Thank you. Appreciate it. Sweet fit. Is this season fit or still preseason fit? Oh, this is season fit. Okay. Okay. We've got football tomorrow. It's season fit or still preseason fit? Oh, this is season fit. Okay, okay. We've got football tomorrow.

Okay, so we've gone into the closet for the season fits. It did show up in a big way here. Crispy fall fit. Crispy fall fit, okay. I do like the weather right now. It's getting better. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a man for the first time in half a century who will not be in an NFL building for the entirety of this NFL season. Instead,

he will be doing media all over the place, making the football landscape even better than it has ever been. The greatest of all time when it comes to general managers in the NFL and head coaches in the NFL joining us every Monday, but today on this glorious NFL Eve Wednesday, Bill Belichick. How are you, coach? Good, Pat. How's it going? Hey, fantastic. How are you doing? It seems like you're loving the shit out of life right now. Is that accurate? Yeah, it's football season, so ready to start the year. Excited to see the real game start and start talking about them. Okay, so Coach, we always talk about players whenever they leave the game and coaches whenever they leave the game.

Trying to get accustomed to life without being in the NFL structure or football structure is a part of the conversation for people as they transition out of the game. For you, obviously, none of us know what the future looks like. We all assume you're going to get back into coaching. I think that's what everybody just assumes at this standpoint. They've even given you jobs already at different places for next year. But this year, with that mindset. You mean besides Washington? Yeah. Exactly. already at different places for next year but this year with that mindset besides washington

yeah exactly the uh but yeah besides washington over there which you've been coaching all training camp and i assume all year you're gonna be up there working with steve but like getting into the regular life here how has it been for you and is that why you're trying to stay active is because how active you've had to been for the last 50 years. Have you thought about all that stuff? Is this all planned? Yeah, no, no big plan, really. Just, you know, working with a lot of guys who have been, you know, been in the NFL and, you know, trying to keep up with the league. So I've had a chance to look at all 32 teams, not just one.

You know, I've been focused on one team and then a team we're going to play for a long time. But now it's a chance to look at other teams and how they do things schematically how they build their organization contracts salary cap management scouting and so forth I've had a chance to look at a lot of college players and and watch you know just watch how teams how teams are operating and that's different than what I've done in the past but I've enjoyed it and you, we'll see how it goes.

What have you learned from the whole process that maybe you didn't know from this TV stuff? Because you're working with NFL Films. They're like top of the line production company. And obviously you've had a relationship with them through your time in the NFL. They're like a 33rd owner, which leads to the 33rd team, which is an online digital brand making content. Then you're doing stuff with Sirius XM. Then you're doing more stuff with Omaha whenever whenever you're talking about the Monday Night Manning cast. And I know you've been working diligently through all of these things and like the prep and rehearsal in learning

about these things. What have you learned about the entertainment business, we'll say, that maybe you didn't know? And how are you liking all of it that you're kind of doing for the first time here? Well, I've learned a lot about it. There's a lot about the production side that I had no idea, didn't know. But, you know, I'd say that, you know, my podcast sponsors have taught me a lot. NFL Films has taught me a lot. You know, being on with you has taught me a lot. So, you know, I'm starting to get some idea what goes on behind the scenes,

things that I never knew about. I just showed up and, you know, did an interview. Now some idea what goes on behind the scenes, things that I never knew about. I just showed up and, you know, did an interview. Now there's a lot more to it than that. I appreciate what you guys do. Okay. Well, good. We appreciate the hell out of what you do. Let's talk about what you did for a long time at such a high level.

Can't wait to learn from you all fall. And we thank you for joining us every Monday. Here we are, night before first game for the Chiefs and the Ravens. Would you rather be in Harbaugh's position? Take away like you just won a Super Bowl. Would you rather going into this game talking to team, be in Harbaugh's position going into banner night, or Andy Reid's position hosting banner night?

And I'm just talking specifically as like motivator message to team. Which side can kind of fuel off of that more, you think? I think Baltimore definitely can. I think they've got to look back at the game last year and say, you know, here's the things that we didn't do well. And if we can do those things well, then, you know, we have a good chance to win this game. I think that, you know, Kansas City obviously has an excellent team and there's some things they have to sort out too. So, you know, look, these two teams are going to be around for a while nothing's going to be decided after this game I think both teams have a great opportunity because they've had to prepare for a tough opener and I think

that's probably heightened the intensity and the urgency in training camp where you know it's not a lot of going through the motions just you know one day after another but okay you know we're getting ready for the Ravens or we're getting ready for the Chiefs I think that just heightens everybody's preparation and in the long run just makes your team better because you've had a good training camp you know all the good years that I've ever been a part of have always you know been the result of a good solid training camp where guys are ready to play and are prepared to play both physically mentally and emotionally so it's a good opportunity for both teams to do that yeah it feels like Patrick and Travis have the right mindset. Literally after they win the Super Bowl.

Yeah, they do. They legitimately feel like they just want to be great, the greatest versions of themselves. And when you have that at your key positions, that helps everywhere else as well, right? 100%. I couldn't agree more, Pat. That's absolutely true.

And, you know, I think their attitude is, hey, we have a chance to repeat, never been done before, and, you know, it's going to be tough, but we're up for the challenge, and we want to do it, and they embrace it. And, look, if your best players are working harder than anybody, then everybody else just tries to keep up, and that's a great situation to be in. Go ahead, AJ. Coach, we hear about the message you used, you know,

anyone that played for you or coached for you, like what you would tell them before the game, whether it's night before or even like the morning of, you would kind of lay out how the game might go and what's going to happen back and forth. I'm wondering, like, did you do that always as a head coach and how did you learn that and how did that kind of evolve over time? And also, how do you know that? How do you figure all that stuff out before it happens? How does that work?

Specs Murray up here. Well, yeah, I think it's – look, I think, AJ, you know how it is as a player. Pat, you know the same thing. You listen to the coaches all week and you get told 10,000 things, right? If they do this, you do that. In this play, we got this call. If you do that, they do this and all that. It's just back and forth.

I've always tried to boil it down for the team. But, like, look, fellas, everything's important. But we got to start somewhere. Like something's number one, something's number two, something's number three. Let's not lose sight of the big picture. And really a lot of that came from Coach Parcells. Bill Parcells is the biggest big picture,

best big picture person I've ever been around. He could absolutely sort things out and figure out these are the most important things we got to do. And he would tell me, Bill, don't bother me with this other stuff. That doesn't make any difference if we don't do these other things right. And so I really learned that from Bill at the Giants, tried to take it to Cleveland and throughout my career. And so, you know, I think when you look at it, for example,

like the Baltimore-Kansas City game, it comes down to a few basic things. You know, the running game is going to be really important, you know, for Baltimore to be able to, you know, for Baltimore to be able to, you know, stay out of third down situations and be able to control the ball and run it more than they did last year. I'm sure they'll do that. You know, I think that'll help their third down situation, which wasn't very good in the game offensively. For Kansas City, I think they're going to have to prove that they can shut down the run. I don't think Baltimore is going to not run it as much as they did last year.

They're going to have to shut down the run. I don't think Baltimore is going to not run it as much as they did last year. They're going to have to shut down the run and then they're going to have to, you know, play well and get off the field on third down like they did last year. But I think it'll be tougher than it was last year for him. So, you know, those are pretty straightforward matchups there. We'll see how it turns out. But in the end, I think that, you know, those are really important. And honestly, for, you know, for Baltimore, I think that as much as Kelsey hurt them last year with his 9 for 97 and a touchdown in the first half, what they really better be careful of is they don't get explosive plays against them by the Kansas City core receivers

because they've had a lot of speed with Worthy and obviously with Rice being in his second year. I think that's a dangerous part of Kansas City's offense. It'll play a little bit different than it did last year. You talked about Kansas City being able to stop the run against Baltimore. Baltimore adds Derrick Henry. Derrick Henry, anomaly? What do you think about Derrick Henry's game?

The message is just like, hey, you're going to have to stand up. How do you coach against Derrick Henry? Yeah, I think you absolutely have to stand up to it. This guy can, you know, he's an explosive player that can push the pile, gain the tough yards when he needs to, and he can also, you know, hit the home run. But I think the best thing about Derrick Henry is the fourth quarter. You know, if you can get into a close game with him in the fourth quarter,

he wears defenses down and, you know, he's really a tough guy to tackle. Once he gets those guys a little bit tired in their arm tackling and maybe there aren't quite as many of them there as there were early in the game, he can break those tackles. Again, I don't think there's any way Baltimore runs the ball as infrequently as they did in the AFC Championship game. I think that Kansas City is going to have to stop it, and we'll see whether or not they can. Why does matching him up with Lamar Jackson just

seem like an impossible task to stop? That's like the perfect quarterback for Derrick Henry to be there, right? Because when I was at West Virginia, Pat White obviously had the speed to get the edge, but we had Owen Schmidt who was going to run you over. So he had to load the box a little bit, but if you're able to get outside, you're good. Lamar, Derrick Henry seems like the perfect fit, and when it happened, we're all like, of course, Derrick Henry is a Baltimore Raven. Is it a perfect fit over there in your eyes? Well, I really think, Pat, the toughest thing about the Baltimore offense is their combination of power and speed. I think it's unlike any other team in the league, honestly. They have Derrick Henry. They have Rashard. They have a power

running game and a mentality that they can get the ball down there and hit you right in the mouth. If you put too many big, slow guys on the field, it's hard to deal with Jackson's speed and the speed that they have at receiver. They have great downfield speed with a receiver. If you have too many slow guys out there, you have trouble with their speed. If you have too many little guys out there, you have trouble with their power. I think they're a really hard team to match up against. And you want to go in there and stop the run, but you've got some fast players at quarterback, fast players at receiver. I mean, really fast players. And if you can't catch them, those guys gain a lot of

yards in a hurry. So I think that's why there's such a tough matchup. It's not just Lamar. He's a big problem. But it's the overall speed they have at receiver to go along with the power that they have running the ball and the attitude they have running the ball. I assume more questions will pop up about this game tomorrow and the game on Friday as our conversation continues to flow here. So excited the football is back. Tone Biggs has a question for you, Coach. Yeah, Coach, I know your record is almost impeccable

against rookie quarterbacks. Going into week one, these rookie quarterbacks, the three that are starting as a head coach, defensive coordinator, do you try to do more against them, or you just do your normal stuff and let the rookie quarterbacks make the mistake themselves? Well, I think it depends on who you're playing against. I think you've got to take away the things that they do well. So, for example, against Jaden Daniels,

I mean, you just can't let this guy run. I mean, you go back and look. First of all, none of these guys played very much in preseason, right? I mean, there's only a handful of passes from Penix who it doesn't look like is going to start anyway. Caleb Williams was 10 for 20, so he didn't play very much and only completed half his passes. Yeah, but they looked good, Coach.

They looked good. He did a one of these. He did one of these. Cool. He did one of these. Yeah, well, you know, so, you know, Nix played a little bit more. May played a little bit.

So it just depends on those guys, you know, of what you've seen from the player, what you think it's going to be. With Jaden Daniels, to me, you can't let this guy run. We saw him in the SEC against a lot of fast players, against Alabama. He ripped off three or four long runs, and then he got knocked out of the game. And I think that's kind of the concern with Daniels is just his durability if he ends up running. But look, this guy can run.

You've got to take that away. I don't think that's as big of a problem with some of the other quarterbacks. So I think you play them based on what you feel like their skills are but look they haven't seen any any coverages in the preseason games they probably saw them from their own team in practice they probably saw them in joint practices but you know I'm sure that that some of these guys are going to be tested with you know some different looks and you know uh disguises and things like that but look in the end what I would do is I would try to protect those guys a little bit with quick passes, the running game, and try to stay out of a lot of long-yarded situations

and obviously try to play a game from ahead. Coach, confusing rookies is one of your M.O.s, I think, how football people talk about it. But also, having different game plans for like each quarter. Is that real? And like, I think people talk about you showcasing two complete different game plans, which might be one of the reasons why a rookie quarterback thinks they have it figured out.

And then all of a sudden we got a whole new, have you always done that? Is that an accurate depiction of what you do whenever people talk about it in the public and media? And why doesn't everybody do that? You think, why isn't that a, why isn't that an everybody do that type of thing?

Yeah, look, I don't know what's going on on the other side of the field. I only know what's going on on my side of the field. But what I say is, Pat, you get into the game and you have a game plan, and if it's working, then you probably are going to stay with what you're doing if you're not having any problems with it. You see how your opponent's attacking you and you feel like, well, that's an issue, or they start to have success with the way that they're attacking you. Well, then you shift from what you're doing to something else. I would say that against good offensive coaches that I've competed against,

if something's working for you, then they shift out of it and they do something else. Well, you just can't keep doing what you're doing you need to now adjust to you know how they've shifted their attack on you and how you need to deal with that and so it's a game within a game that goes back and forth if you're doing well they're not going to keep doing what they're doing they're going to do something else and eventually you're going to have to do something else to counter it uh and so there there is a little bit of back and forth there the game within the game yeah to have to do something else to counter it. And so there is a little bit of back and forth there, the game within the game. Yeah, you have to change because they've changed,

and now they're hurting you with something that they didn't hurt you with before. Man, some of those games I felt like nobody was changing on the other side. Yeah. Nope. It felt like, you know, some of those games. You know what, Matt? There are some teams absolutely that do what they do, and I've heard a lot of coaches say, I don't care what they do.

You know, they're going to have to stop us. we're not going to adjust to them and and that's you know it's a different mentality just a different way of looking at the game i'm not saying it's necessarily wrong but it's just you know a different approach to it and i really haven't tried to take that approach but uh look there's a lot of people that's doing it that way yeah maybe maybe if you get an extra job just do that you know we're gonna do this exactly how we do things, which is one way or the highway. Just the amount of respect that everybody that is in the football world has for you

and the way they talk about, like, this fucking guy. We fucking didn't see that for eight weeks. He had to hide that. Like, the way they talk about you, do you hear that? And do you, like, how does that make you feel in every football conversation, no matter who it is, they go like, holy shit, he beats me football. Is that a weird feeling for you, or is it like a humbling feeling for you?

Yeah, well, you know, look, Pat, it's always nice to be complimented. But, I mean, look, we've had some good games, and we've had some success, and I've had some as head coach, and I have some that weren't so good. So, you know, it is what it is. I always try to look ahead to the next game and not back too much, other than maybe to learn from what happened in the past. But, you know, it's all about the next opportunity and preparing for it and doing the best you can to help your team in the next game,

you know, not worrying about something that happened in the past. So maybe someday we'll look back on that. But right now, I'm looking at high opportunities this year. Yeah, well, I respect it. Straight back to the podium there. And that was something we saw for about 20 years. We respect it, appreciate it. Football question here from Tash Schmidt.

Yeah, Coach, a couple years ago, you had the international game in Germany. How much different or how much more difficult is it with the preparation going into one of those games? And do you think there will be any difference with the game on friday it being a season opener and having to kind of prepare for an international game when you haven't had a an actual game uh that matters yet yeah there's a ton of preparation

that goes into that and it starts in the offseason it starts uh six months or so before before the game itself uh i think in germany we took three, maybe four trips with our operations people, video people, the nutritionists, all the people that support the game in terms of facilities, hotel, meals, transportation, the stadium itself, security, and all that. And so it's really a big undertaking not to mention the fact that uh you know everybody has to have a valid pass passport to travel which uh you know when you're dealing with a lot of people you know call it you know over 100 people

in your traveling party uh maybe not necessarily everybody has one so there are really a lot of things that go into that and then you know the trip itself just the different scheduling uh could be time changes you know in the time zones things like that yeah there's a lot to deal with it's the same for both teams so uh i don't think there's a bit but it does definitely disrupt uh you know your overall uh travel set and then you have families as well right so sometimes families want to travel to those destinations and so you know how you handle that whether you accommodate them on the team plane whether you don't we have another plane so forth it's you know it's all part of the process

so you know you just got to figure all that out I think the Brazil game because it's really kind of a new one down there there's some dynamics on that I think you're going, because it's really kind of a new one down there, there's some dynamics on that. I think you're going to see some interesting uniforms, colors, and stuff like that at the game that maybe aren't traditional. So, you know, it is what it is. It's going to be – It's different. Is it going to be all blackout uniform and all white uniform?

Yeah, I think so. Eagles are wearing white and black, I believe. Okay, and then just flipping that black and white on the other side. Yeah, Packers, I think, made new uniforms for the game specifically. Oh, for the Brazil game? Yeah. For the international game? Yeah.

That's really cool of them to do that. Yeah. Yeah, I saw some of those jerseys. That'd be great. Yeah, I'd do it. Down there in Brazil. All the little challenges you heard. We saw your brain go, well, then the families, obviously, and then ticketing.

I saw your brain go, and then traveleting and then i saw your brain go and then travel and then are we getting another plane and then that's a whole nother like watching you just go through all of this shit and that's how you guys are starting the season yeah so i guess it's good though that it's in the front of the season you think or middle like what are you the timing of it for these two teams probably better than middle of season or what that's one thing you can't control when they schedule them you play them and that's what it is i remember we landed when we landed in mexico we played the raiders in mexico we came in from colorado springs uh which was 8 000 feet mexico city was 8 000 feet

but i remember we landed and we we get in the bus and you know there's like two pickup trucks they were like little toyota pickup trucks but they had these machine guns mounted in the back of them and you know we've had escorts before but i mean not with machine guns mount the back of a pickup truck and you know they're swirling them around and and you know pointing at things and i mean some of them are pointed straight at us and then they're pointing at the side it was kind of a crazy scene there. So that was our escort down in Mexico City. I don't think we left the hotel, but it was a little bit of a different setup. So you just kind of look.

You take it as it rolls. And I talked to some of the coaches that played down there previously. And just in Mexico City, for example, the distance from the field up to the locker room, because the field was depressed, you had to climb all the way up to the locker room. It was basically several stories in terms of the ramps and everything. A couple of the coaches couldn't make it back down, you know, the thin air and all that. And so, you know, we had to have a little bit of coaching training on that and all. But, yeah, there's a lot of stories that go with those international games. Just they're different.

That's all. They're different. We had to get gas masks for some of the coaching staff so they could go in at halftime. We figured it out, though. For sure, oxygen, absolutely. Oxygen in the coaches, oxygen in the players, oxygen in the trainers. Yeah, that was a haul there in Mexico City.

And then Gostkowski, of course, kicked the 63-yard field goal. So, I mean, that was great. And the thin air and the altitude and all probably helped that situation. But, yeah, it was a long haul up to that locker room. It's a shame you couldn't take the machine gun trucks out to a golf course out there. 8,000 feet? Yeah. You could drive that thing forever.

I mean, that would be a fantastic thing. So we'll assume you're not going to the Brazil game on Friday. D-Bot has a question for you, though. Yeah, I know you got a full slate this season and obviously roaming those sidelines a long time as a head coach. But you got a lot of relationship with the coaches in the league now. Any chance you take a trip to an NFL game, an NFL stadium this season? Saw you at the Battle of the Beach last week, I believe.

Yeah. But how was that, number one? And then number two, any plans on taking any trips to NFL games this year? Yeah, so the Battle of the Beach was great, D-Bud. It was awesome. It was a great environment there, maybe 15,000 people, fans. The stands were packed. You know, IMG and Bergen Catholic played a, you know,

really played a really competitive game. IMG's got, I don't know, they've got like 20 Division I players, you know, over the three years. Bergen Catholic's got a lot of good players, too. It was very competitive, great atmosphere. It was really, really a lot of fun to be at. And so, you know, but next week, because I'm doing, you know, filming here at NFL Films, you know. Next week, because I'm filming here at NFL Films,

next week I plan to be at the Philly-Atlanta Monday night game. You'll see me there. That'll be my first game at the stadium this year. Looking forward to that one. That won't be a Manning cast, is what we just learned, right?

That won't be a Manning cast then if you're there? No, it will be a Manning cast. Yeah, no, I'll just do it from the stadium. Oh, that's a nice wrinkle. Hey, that would be nice. You know how it is in TV, Pat. These tech people, they can do a lot. I'll be able to go to the game

and then do the Manning cast from the stadium. That'll be awesome. The people will be pumped that you're there. I'm excited to see your reaction. Oh, yeah, the Philly fans love me. Yeah. Fly, Eagles, fly. Yeah, they just love me.

Actually, since they beat us in the Super Bowl, they love me a lot more. They hated me up until that point. Right now, I've probably got a couple of, like, you know, thanks, Coach. Glad we could, you know, get you in the Super Bowl. Yeah, no problem. I think there has been horse poop was eaten after that. It was, yeah. After that.

So you brought a lot of great times to that city of Philadelphia. I think your baby face, Bill, I was actually thinking about, like if you were to come to a Colts game where we sit, I think they would put you on camera. And I don't know if that would be a full boo. It would be a boo and then like a, all right. Into a standing up. Yeah, into like a.

Pat, same thing in Indy. They hated me in Indy, okay? They hated me from the time the plane landed on the combine. All right, they killed me there. Then I went for it on fourth and two and didn't make it, and the Colts beat us. Then it was, hey, coach, good to see you. Hey, good to see you back in Indy man we love having you here yeah so yeah easy come easy go melvin bullet hell of

a player they didn't like me too much of the giant then he beat us for two super bowls you know and and now it's like hey we love you we love you when we were at the giants and we loved you you know you won four super bowls for us two off the Giants and we loved you. You won four Super Bowls for us. Two for us and two for the Patriots. The Giants love me. Four Super Bowl wins as part of all four of them. Coach, I know there's probably some football fans that are a bit jaded that you

delivered the worst times of their life on a regular basis for like 20 years. That's a long time. There's a chance at Buffalo. Jets fans. Steelers fans. Colts fans will probably feel that way forever because you brought, you know, bad experiences. Supposed to be joyful.

Yeah. Supposed to be joyful. But instead, this guy is every time. Him and his super handsome little quarterback. They come to town and they just always win. But now I think everybody's so appreciative that you're joining the media and spreading all the incredible knowledge that you have. Legit, I think it's big baby face Bill Belichick fall season. I think everybody's

going to, I think so. Bill, I legitimately believe that. I can't wait to experience it. Another man, last question here, who is obviously incredibly pumped. Talked about it all morning, whenever we found out you were going to be joining us again today for a bonus Belichick Monday. Boston Connor has a question for you.

Yeah, and also all those fans, like, fucking suck it. You know, what's he supposed to do, not win games? He's going to win games, okay? But, Coach, looking at week one, for a lot of these teams, are the playbooks wide open on offense and defense? Obviously some of the teams have had injuries in training camp, and then some others have holdouts and things like that. But are playbooks all the way open for these teams or do they have to kind of figure out what their team is good at before you know being able to call whatever the hell they want yeah no that's a

great question i think there's a couple things on that i mean number one i think you want to run in this game you know what you're most confident in and what you've worked the most on so again if you look at the preseason games uh you know the average time for starters in the preseason games was 10%. That's league average. A third of the teams played their starters less than 5%. So whatever you've worked on in practice is probably what, you know, what you're going to want to run in the game because if the other team does something different, it'll be a lot easier for you to handle it or adjust to it on the fly because you have more confidence and more experience in those plays.

I also think, though, that coaches are going into the opener saying, OK, here's something we're going to need to do against this team in the opener. And so you practice that. For example, the Giants going to Minnesota. I'm sure that Coach Dable has some answers for the blitzes that Coach Flores is going to run at him in Minnesota. So what those answers are, I doubt that he's shown them. I think he's probably got a couple of new things. And so whether you want to say that's open in the playbook, I would say it's more preparing for an opponent that you have a pretty good idea what they're going to do.

I think there'll be some different answers. I would imagine that in a situation like that, Coach Fl Floyd should probably get up there and show a heavy pressure look, maybe back out of it, drop out of it a time or two and kind of see what the Giants are up to, something like that. So it's a little bit of a cat and mouse game there. But I think if it's something that you know you're going to have to deal with early in the season, that you want to prepare for that in training camp, not just wait until the week of the first game to do it so that's uh you know is the playbook quite open well sure it

is but you know to go in there and run a bunch of triple reverse passes and fake punts and everything else yeah and i don't know if that's really the way you want to open the season uh when you've been practicing things you know for uh you know six seven weeks now i think you really want really want to see how good you are at the things you've been practicing. Oh, the no fun league. Got it. All right. We're not running. Well, no.

Hey, Pat, look. Give the Lions credit. They ran a fake punt last year on fourth and two. Ended up driving down and beating Kansas City on that. That was a big play for them. So I'm not saying you can't run trick plays and that kind of thing. But I think as far as like opening up the playbook, you don't want to, I would say this is a game

you don't want to outthink yourself. Look, it's opening day for the players and the coaches. Do the things that you're most confident in, that you've had the most reps in. There's a lot to prepare for. If you overthink it and you're paralyzed out there, then you're probably not going to be any good at whatever you do.

Let's try to play the most sound game we could possibly play this early in the season, and then we continue to develop and evolve. Coach, we can't wait to do the season alongside you. We appreciate the hell out of you. Can't wait to watch those two Bryans battle there. Yeah. Debo and Flores, that's going to be a little, I hadn't even

thought of it really, and then now I'm like jacked up about the cat and mouse game, and before we go, Coach, I do believe there's, you have an announcement, a lot of announcements, okay? This one is before we go coach i do believe there's uh you have an announcement a lot of announcements okay this one is a big one i do believe if i uh am hearing what i think you're about to say correctly uh bill any announcement for the people you know pat i can't really believe i'm doing this but i've joined instaface yeah he's on instaface yes yeah he's gonna be tweeting on insta face officially uh at

bill belichick on instagram welcome to social media bill this is what we're talking about i'm excited and uh we checked it out this morning whenever we found out about this there's a link obviously to his website that has a hub for everything that he's going to be doing this fall with clips and everything bill i'm excited that you're doing this welcome to social media people are going to love you on the internet big brain big name doing good things we appreciate you diving in bub thanks i appreciate it pat thank you look forward to being with you all year really excited to see the game start and uh talking to you every monday you're the man ladies and gentlemen the goat billAT, Bill Belichick.

He's on InstaFace. That's awesome. Never thought I'd see the day. No, I'm not on MyFace or whatever. InstaTweet, I'm not. InstaSpace. That's his website right there. Great website. Hey, they've been- That's sweet. That's him and his dad too. Yeah. Just think about Bill Belichick, attention to detail type shit for everything he's got going on. That's what's his dad too. Yeah. Just think about Bill Belichick, attention to detail type shit for like everything he's got going on. That's what's happening right now. That's what's happening right now. So like the Instagram getting launched is hilarious to think about

because of his views on social media. But also the more he learns, he's like, oh, I have to have a place that I can release my own shit through. Yes, Bill. Bingo. Or you're using everybody else's. Yeah, you either use your own

or you use other people's, Bill. And if you use other people's, you know what that means. I do know what that means. Yeah. Okay. I will join Instaface. I think he's going to get on X2 inevitably. I assume that's going to be the case.

But this is his entire setup. You wonder what he's doing? Everything. He's doing everything. The Coach Podcast should be fantastic inside the NFL with NFL Films. That's on Friday nights now. Yeah. It was on Tuesday, I believe, last year. It Coach podcast should be fantastic. Inside the NFL with NFL Films. That's on Friday nights now. Yeah. It was on Tuesday, I believe, last year.

It is now on Friday nights. Incredible cast, him getting out of there. Then he's doing, you know, everything. He's got Let's Go, being joined. He's going to be working. Oh, yeah. Spreading that knowledge. Love it.

We're lucky to do it. All right, let's get the hell out of here. That U.S. Open lady, is she all right? The lady with the ball? Yeah. Why was she pissed? Honestly, when we rewatched it, if we were to rewatch it again on the left side of the screen, you can see her coach talking to her and

she's moving her hand as if she's talking to him too. Like right there on the left side, keep going right there. White hat. White hat. Yeah. I think that's where her coaches like are sitting and she's like actually talking to the coach, not even locked in on the ball.

She gave a nod, though, for the first ball. I don't know. What an interesting situation. She's an asshole. She was in this moment, not her entire life. She said she was mad at herself. She gave an apology. Here is the apology from Yulia, I believe her name is.

I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was when she was giving me balls. Honestly speaking, it was not about her. I was to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was when she was giving me balls. Honestly speaking, it was not about her. I was really pissed at myself by not winning the game from break point and then got empty with my emotions and deep in my thoughts that I was not even focusing on what's going on and who gives me the ball. All the ball kids

was doing amazing as always at the open. So she was just, she was in a zone. She was not happy about what was going on. And she got fucking killed on the internet for it. So she's kind of already paid her penance. All right, Yulia. We appreciate you. That ball girl, though, just want to let you know, good work.

Good toss. Good work. Oh, yeah. Good tosses. Very professional. Very professional. And I don't know if Yulia won. Still need this.

But she better hope if she did, that ball girl doesn't have her again. Because she's going to be fucking firing them off her shins, off her shoes. Oh, you think like the, hey, check, check. Yeah. Yeah. A couple of those. Short hops. West Virginia, Penn State fan.

What? What happened? No. What are you talking about? What are you talking about? Well, I didn't see that. That didn't happen. I don't know.

Maybe it was AI. Bingo. Could have been. Maybe. We were there. I didn't see it. I didn't see it. I was there. I didn't see it. I didn't see it. I was there. I did not see it.

I thought they were just going crazy because they were excited. Yeah, because that one photographer caught that football that one time. That's right. It was a good time out there. Man, it was hot as shit. I can't believe... I can't believe that weekend ended the way it did, you know, with West Virginia getting beat the way it did. That was shocking. It was a wake-up call. I can't.

Can't believe it. Not even for a second. Shocking, as Tone says. Not even for a second. Are you AP college, Tone, as well? No. No. Only Mr. Maude runs the NFL party. Not yet.

Not yet. Yeah, we're trying. We're trying to get him into the college AP award system. Penn State's the real deal. Penn State's the real deal. I mean, until they play Ohio State. Big Ten looks pretty good. We have an update from Cincinnati.

Jamar Chase, I believe, is catching balls in practice from Joe Burrow. Okay. Going through the motions, they're saying. That's pretty good, yep. We'll see. He looks pretty good. Him and Joe have actually been throwing probably in Joe's backyard throughout this entire training camp.

Jamar Chase going, hey, I can't come to the building. I'm trying to do my thing, what I'm trying to do. Joe's like, no problem. We'll just do the whole practice in the backyard. Because Joey B's got a nice spread out there. Oh, yeah. Jumping off the diving board. Joe throwing him to him in the pool.

Jet ski. Yeah, exactly. On the go. It's like, let's do off-balance catches. All right. On the jet ski. We'll do this entire. That's probably what's been taking place. I hope Joe's wrist is okay, exactly. On the go. Right. It's like, let's do off-balance catches. All right, on the jet ski. We'll do this entire. That's probably what's been taking place. Well, I hope Joe's wrist is okay, though.

Hey, Joe's wrist is A-okay, they're saying. Yeah. They're saying because of how quickly they healed that thing, it's going to be no problem at all. Joe Burrow, first ever full-time training camp. Now, he didn't have Jamar Chase, or maybe he did off-site instead of on-site. He looks good. He looks fast.

He looks clean. And he's back on the field. All right, so I don't know what of on-site. He looks good. He looks fast. He looks clean. He's back on the field. Alright, so I don't know what happened business-wise. There's been no update for that. Gotta be close, right? You have to be close for him to be on the field practicing. I don't know. Unless he just got to the point where he was like, alright, that's right. Thank you, man. I don't know.

I don't know if that exists. I have no idea. Schefter talking about how last year the Burrow deal getting done at 820 on opening night, and then you see all these deals get done today. It's like, okay, maybe that Jamar deal is going to get done at kickoff just like Burrow's. Yeah, I mean, I guess there are some people reporting or saying that nothing has changed in the entire contract conversation, allegedly.

That's what's being said. So, like, that's wild to me then. So Jamar's just like, just like i would imagine for something like this they could probably keep it under wraps though until yeah i would assume like jamar hasn't spoken right quite yeah cincinnati really hasn't said much other than like way back whenever they said two years or whatever the case is and i'm not gonna be paying people willy-nilly yeah or whatever the case is it's like there had to something. It would be a massive waste of his time, and he would look like a huge idiot if he just did all of that

and then was just like, okay, whatever. I tried. I failed. I'll go play. No, not a massive idiot. It's just a guy who came to school. That's not happening. He's got fresh legs.

He's got fresh legs, though. He's getting paid within the next 36 hours, and he knows it. That's why he's practicing. Has to be. What if he doesn't know what if he did just go like all right i guess i'll come play now the first real practice of the season what if he lights it up though what if he lights it up in the first game and he's like all right i'm gonna sit on down now until you give me a deal see that could be now we're playing that's

not gonna happen now we're playing a game now jamar chase is like maybe they forgot about my route running let me run the first period of this practice anything he he's like you remember you sure you want to pay me holy shit give him his money now he should maybe he makes one today Let me run the first period of this practice. He's like, you remember? You sure you don't want to pay me? Holy shit, give him his money now. Maybe he makes one today that him and Joe have been practicing on the jet ski. Right in front of him. Brown's going to be out there on a golf cart.

The whoop-de-whoop. Yeah, whoop. They're going to say whoop-de-whoop-de-whoop. He's going to go do it right in front of the golf cart. Flip. Give me my money. Yeah, and he's going to do the whole song and date. I love that Wednesday practices look like that right now.

Oh, man. Usually Wednesday week one. Pass. Yeah, pass. Banging. You're banging on Wednesday. Should we read into it? Earlier, whenever it said that Jamar Chase was in uniform and we all kind of had the same realization,

it's Wednesday game week. This is practice week. This is practice. This is like real team practice here. Then they showed him without pads on. That was a very big surprise to me but then he was next to somebody who didn't have pads on either that was an even bigger surprise i'm like okay so they're just is this a walkthrough is this this is practice and it's that modern day hey technology we're not gonna you know we're not gonna we're not gonna have guys banging as much as they had in the past

kind of wasted hits is what they're saying with the data telling them but old school football guys i try to bring this up to roger goodell like, hey, it's always going to be a tough sport, right? It has to be. And I think Goodell said everybody's bigger, stronger, faster right now. So his collisions are bigger. So there has to be a balance at some point. But like this first game, if when guys are taking hits, they don't have the ball, right, and they fumble and ball security is bad, or guys get hurt immediately upon getting hit one time.

Then you're going to, there's a counter there to the thing. Like, don't you think you have to prepare your bodies though, for what it's about to go through? Even if the data says they're wasted hits, are they wasted? Like,

and is it a situations or situational type? How is everybody being treated? It's interesting. The state of football we're in right now with hitting and how much we hit, we're scared to lose a lot of big money investments from a stupid injury in practice that's worth nothing. But if you don't prepare the person for what's about to happen and you lose them anyways, is that stupid?

It's like there's so many. And you never know how it's going to work out. What a wild time. What a fucking wild time right now. Kind of do the last couple of years at least. You think so? Kansas City, Andy Reid, we know what kind of ship he runs. We know what kind of training camp, what kind of preseason.

They're playing. Yeah, they play. They practice hard, spags, hardball. The Bengals actually changed it because of the last two seasons, because of how they started. They actually changed it this year, and Joe did play a little bit in the preseason, and their camp was different.

It's interesting, though, because it feels like at the end of the day it's always going to be like, who's... Who wins the trenches? Who wins the trenches for real? Yeah. You have to have a tougher team than either. That first game, you know how conditioning plays a huge role in the first couple games, especially week one when think if you haven't played in the preseason,

you haven't really had, you know, you haven't practiced with other teams. When you're going to the ground, like if you're on defense, you're chasing the ball and you're getting in on the tackle, you're making tackles, getting up and down, you're not used to being on the ground that much. Honestly, in training camp, when are you ever on the ground? You're doing up-downs just every play. You're actually just doing up-downs.

That's with the adrenaline, all the adrenaline dump and everything that happens after the first couple series and everything. That's a fun thing to watch. Look in the third and fourth quarter and see in those hot games who is cramping because that is a real thing week one see some of these anytime you got the good one of these right here you know there is trouble around the corner and you're yeah especially if you have like one of those hot places you're wearing all white and it's completely see-through as well you're like oh this guy's his his cleats are sloshing. So he's so sweaty.

Yeah. Good. Down to a knee. All right. Let's wrap this show up. I just got some news. We have been live. So it's literally Georgia school shooting took place today while we have been live here.

I don't know when exactly it just happened. I just learned about it. That is obviously terrible, horrendous. We hope everybody is okay. And a nice reminder, like, hey, we need to, you know, take care of each other here. Like, it's a wild world right now. We have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow. We might as well be kind to people and try to enjoy this time on a rock because all you need is one actual lunatic psycho to do something that we've seen happen over the years that none of us want. Nobody on Earth wants anything like this to ever happen. So all our thoughts, prayers, love, vibes positive to Georgia and everybody affected and also to society. Hey, let's be kinder to each other so that we can hopefully live in a tomorrow where these types of things aren't in conversation now obviously there's a bigger political conversation that's going to take place immediately upon this happening which is disgusting and you political people

seemingly do that with everything but also hopefully somebody's able to figure it out in this entire world that we live in let's be kind to each other all right we're in this thing together be a friend tell a friend something nice it might change their life that fucking sucks let's go. Tomorrow's going to be better than today. Team on me. Team on three. One, two, three.

Team. Goodbye.