The Ringer NFL Show - Answering Mock Voicemails With Nate Tice | The Scramble

Episode Date: October 6, 2022

This week, Sheil is joined by The Athletic’s Nate Tice to answer mock voicemails from various players and coaches. They answer questions about what’s wrong with the Rams and Steelers offenses (3:00), how the Cowboys will look once Dak Prescott returns (17:00), whether Lamar Jackson can carry the Ravens forever (23:00), and how the Eagles offense can be slowed down (30:00). Finally, they close the show by answering some mailbag questions (39:00). Do you have a question for Sheil? Email [e-mail] for a chance to have your question answered on the show. Host: Sheil Kapadia Guest: Nate Tice Associate Producer: Mike Wargon Additional Production Supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, my name is Kevin Clark. I'm the host of a new football podcast called Slow Newsday. I want to tell you about it. On Mondays, Lindsay Jones and I will recap the weekend in football that was, as well as look ahead to what's next. On Wednesday, the normal Slow Newsday, the thing you've been watching for years, current players, current coaches, current analysts talking about the football world. And on Friday, it's a wild card.

Could be some college football. Could be more pro stuff. It's a video podcast so you can watch it on Spotify or listen to it wherever you get your podcasts. Follow on Spotify. It's Slow Newsday. Welcome to the Scramble. I'm Shield Capadia coming to you on the Ringer NFL feed every Thursday with a guest. And today I'm excited.

We've got my friend, the legend, someone say I would say. Nate Tice from the athletic. Nate Tice, what is up, my friend? It's funny coming up with some football pun for a name segment. Dude, I've had to come over to this year, wind the clock, which was like, oh, yeah, we're going to do a 40-second gimmick. And I have to get the playoff in 40 seconds, which it turns out to be really. you're freaking hard to do. And so, and then everyone's like, well, why did you limit yourself to 40 seconds?

I don't know. I don't know. I needed a gimmick. And then now it's like, now I do the YouTube, wind the clock, the untimed down version. So it's just like, just puns. Football puns. And then doing, I do the article now. And I'm like, I can't call this like 10 things I like and don't like. People already do that. You did that. You did that. Did you? And I took it. And then I did it and I stole it from a Sixers writer. And then someone's like, you stole this from Zach Lowe. I'm like, listen, I don't know, it's a good idea. I'll give them credit every time, but I can't come up with new ideas. It's impossible. And someone's like, well, why don't you do 11? Because there's 11 people out there. And I was just like, well, I can't always come up with 11 things.

So now it's just the weekly rewind, which has been seven, eight, nine things. I don't think I've even made it to 10. So I truly have not stolen the gimmick completely because the number is not the same. That's smart. See, that's a veteran move right there. Don't tie yourself to a number. Yeah, you just write. And then when you're done writing, you're like, that's all I got, send it in and move on. But I'm reading that. I'm reading The Rewind. I'm, of course, listening to Nate on the Athletic Football Show with our friend Robert Mays.

I'm watching those videos that he posts, which are excellent. So you got to consume all of Nate Tice's comments. I mean, content, not comments. It's late in the week. I was revealing a documentary last night. The Maritola documentary on HBO. Everybody should watch that. I saw that.

His tweets. He's got it all. So once Nate agreed to come on, I thought, you know what, I got to come up with something a little offbeat. I'm not just going to hit him with questions and have a normal football discussion. You know, last year, you were dressing up as a pirate. I was dressing up as Bill Belichick. We were pounding Man Campbell coffee. So this has to be a little bit different.

So here's the gimmick, Nate. I picked out five people who need your help in the NFL right now through four weeks of the season. And so they've left voicemails for you. I know no one leaves voicemails anymore. rewind the clock a little bit. They've left voicemails for you. I'm going to read those out. I'm not going to like impersonate the people because I don't think I can do that. And then you're going to see if you can help. So that's what we're going to do. Does it make any sense to you? It does. I was hoping for some impressions. So but I can live with this.

I might slip into them. We'll see. All right. Let's get to it. And then of course we will finish with a mailback. All right. Let's start with the first person who needs little help. Hey, Nate. This is Sean McVeigh. I need your help, man. Did you see that game Monday? night, Damiko Ryan's ate my lunch. I'm struggling here. I'm down to like seven-string offensive linemen. I can't get Stafford to stop throwing these no-look passes. Have you

seen what we're paying, Alan Robinson? Oh my God. Our analytics folks tell me we're 26th in offensive DVOA, 28th in EPA per drive. I don't even know what any of that means, but it has me wondering if I should have gone into broadcasting. I could be sipping some rosé in

Cabo right now, working on my tan. Instead, I'm here dealing with all these issues. All right, Nate, hit me back when you get the chance. Let me know. Is this offense fixable? That was pretty good, though. That was a good impression. The man right at the beginning. I don't know, man, that was perfect. God, he's so much like Gruden in a weird way. It's so funny how much they were like. But I, this is the bet they made. I think this offseason, I mean, even if you look at them at their own little draft party, they looked like they're still partying from the Super Bowl. And I think this hangover is really kicking their ass right now.

Yeah, the offensive line stuff, Sean or Sheel, they both. I'll just go, I'll use them interchangeably. They just have a terrible combination of being slow and having a very shaky offensive line. And I think it's, you know, obviously the injuries, the offensive line, it was already had question marks, you know, with Joe New Boom at left tackle and whether you can replace Whitworth. But as soon as you lose centers, that's always not a lot of fun.

And you can see who the 49ers were teeing off on a Monday night. They, you remember in a water boy when they were about to kick the onside kick? And the kicker goes like, oh, yeah, there's my bitch. Like, you know, there's the guy shaking. Like, oh, my God, oh, God. Like, that was what the 49ers were doing to the center. They were just running all this stuff, all these games to attack the center. Fred Warner's blitzing, like coming around the, coming around.

They were just picking them off. I felt bad for the guy. I'm not even going to look at his name until he needs to learn up his name. But that and just also, yeah, the Allen Robinson signing, it was, I thought that was so curious. I've been a fan of Allen Robinson for the last few years. But what he was playing with Chicago last year, a little bit of me was like, is he just washed out? And a little bit, it was like, okay, it's a terrible situation. But what he played last year was not good.

He was slow and lethargic and wasn't separating, which I sometimes think is an overrated thing. But when you notice it so much that it's like, okay, maybe this is a thing. And he still isn't separating this year. and I thought this offense needed juice. I mean, I know they wanted 2-2-at-well to become something, but that's what happens when you draft a guy that weighs 140 pounds in the second round. So they're not getting anything out of him. So this is a very tight offense that can't run the ball very consistently.

Cam Acres is kind of a waste of touches right now. Henderson's kind of streaky as a runner. So they've kind of made this bet. It's really it's Stafford, Cooper Cup, and a little bit of Higbee. Like, that's really what this offense is, but they have. have nobody that can run the deep routes. They have nobody that can take the top off, even if it's the threat of it. And I think they just made, this is what they decided to do this offseason, which I thought was so curious, because I thought this was a team that could just get some

cheap guy. You know, you can find a speed guy for pretty cheap on the end of the house. Yeah. Yeah. Just somebody to have that threat, because Stafford can launch these balls. I thought the, using Scaronic, who I call Scars Guard as a fullback was a fun little, it was a fun little twist. Like, they're using them as a fullback and it was kind of cool. It was effective. But, you can see the limitations of that when you start going behind against the 49ers. And they're like, oh, we don't care if he's a fullback. We're going to tee off on them. So I think kind of like your boss says, they're kind of a bad, good team.

Like that's how I feel about the Rams right now, especially with their offense. There's a couple numbers that suggest that maybe they could be okay that I was looking at earlier today. Like I like looking at success rate early in the season. Basically, it just looks at, is it a positive play or not? So if it's third and six and you get seven yards, it's, the same as 50 yards. And so some of those outliers that you get early in the season, it's a small sample.

Football is always a small sample. I like looking at those. And they're actually sixth in offensive success rate, which really surprised me. And so, like, there are games, there are stretches where they're moving the football, even though those issues you mentioned are certainly legitimate there. They're turning the ball over on 23% of their offensive possessions. 23%. Oh, man.

I mean, that's the worst in the NFL. That's not sustainable, even though, you know, math. Matthew Stafford will throw it around a little bit. It's not going to be that high. So if like some of those things even out, not even out, but regress or whatever, they could be certainly could be better than they are right now. But those OL line questions, I mean, they're just so banged up. I think Jordan Rodriguez wrote, let me see you, nine different offensive linemen have played

in the five spots through four games. Like that's just going to crush most teams. And especially if we're zooming out and looking big picture on the Rams and the way they built the team and, you know, it's star-hast. heavy and don't get me wrong, they've hit on a lot of those mid-round and late-round picks, but when your depth gets tested, when you're a team that approaches it that way, and they've had the untold story of the Ramses, they've had unbelievable injury lock over that four or five years. Especially at the O line.

Yeah, especially at the O line. So if that comes back to bite you a little bit, it could hurt. I am curious to see with Robinson because I was sort of on the fence with him, too. It was like, I was hearing people say, oh, he looks washed, but I'm like, he's 29 years old. Right. That's what I thought. You usually don't lose it then. Yeah.

And you have McVeigh, you have Stafford. There's a need for someone to eat some of these targets. But there's been 62 wide receivers who have run 100 routes. He's 61st in yards per route run among that group. So like they got to, yeah, if they don't, they need somebody else. Like you said, if they don't get somebody else, it's hard to see their way out of this. But yeah, right now it's kind of ugly. So we'll say.

I'm glad he brought up the success rate because that's how it feels. Like they don't, obviously the turnovers. it's they move the ball, but it's all four, five, six yard gains. And then get the third down and then, okay, here comes scooper cup. And that's what it feels like. So it just feels everything's tight.

And that's where I think that ties into my complaint with that they're not having a lot of speed is even at the runoffack position because like it's, KMakers, I feel like has not made a single guy miss. Like it's, it's very frustrating. So even when they do get a nice blocked up thing,

because McVeigh, yes, he's a character. And I, I can see why people, people are like, oh, you know, he's annoying or everything, you know, it's just haters are going to be haters. He is a very incredible offense of mine. He really is. Like he, he figures these things out and how he reconfigures the offense, the Scars Guard at fullback. Last year, going to empty a whole bunch of times with Stafford. I do trust that they'll find some answer, but I just do think the ceiling is going to be capped, like, pun intended, like, you know, like ceiling cap, but also their place, their ceiling is going to be capped. I agree with you. Yeah. I mean,

I mean, they got, they were a top 10 offense three times out of four years with Jared Gough. It's like they, yeah, they don't have the same talent. But if they can find some guys on the O line, I feel like there's a second half version of them where they'll at least have a stretch where we're saying, all right, you know, they figured. It's like the 10th and DVOA offense with like a, like, a 10th to 12th kind of like kind of offense with. I think that's what they're going to get to. So that could be good. Exactly. So that could be good enough.

Yeah. All right. Next call on Nate's voicemail here. Nate Dog, what's up, bro? It's Matt Canada. You gotta help me out, man. Have you seen what film Twitter and analytics Twitter are saying about my offense? They're both crushing me.

The only thing they seem to agree on is that I suck. I thought motion would solve all the world's problems, but I think I might have been wrong about that. Anyway, Coach Tomlin made the QB switch. But if Kenny Pickett stinks, I'm probably going to get the blame. I'm not that bad, am I, Nate? Give me a call back. I'm in need of a confidence boost here.

I think you got the wrong number then, Matt. I don't think I'm going to provide that for you. Oh, man, it's rough. I got, I got like a bullet to point of list. If you want me to go through Pickett snaps. Yeah. Because it seems like they're just screwing up everything. Like everything.

Everything. So, so it's so sloppy. Yeah. Okay. And this is what it is. It feels like a high school offense at times. And that's where I feel bad for Pickett. It's like, I don't think he's, even if I was lower on Pickett than others,

I feel like he's not going to get a fair shot with how this design was. Like his first interception is a good kind of like, snapshot of this is, should he have thrown that ball? No, he should not have thrown the ball, but there's no other answers for him. And the play then tie down another safety by design, and he didn't have a checkdown option on it. So he throws the alert late, you know, throws the deep ball late into double coverage. Not good, but he's amped up. It's a rookie making his first, you know, he's excited. He hears the crowd. He hears the picket chance, the Kenny chance. And I don't know if they chant a Kenny or picket. I can't remember.

But he hears it, you know, so and so he's amped up. But that does. design, even if it's like, well, don't throw that. It's like, well, where else could he have gone to with it? There's nothing else for him. And I could, so I'm just going to rattle off. And this might take me a minute. But this is all the issues. These are just picket snaps.

I mean, he probably had like 20-ish snaps in the second half. And it's not just pickets ball itself. They ran a jet suite play that everyone was tweeting where Pickens was blowing up a guy. Quinn and Williams was blown up the offense alignment. They run a jet suite. They have one blocker for two defenders. So it goes for like a one-yard gain.

okay another play picket gave the wrong play in the huddle because then they had two guys doing the same thing they had the guard and the tight end going the wrong way and the guard going the wrong one of them was wrong because he gave and i could tell that he gave it wrong in the huddle because the tight end looked down and goes what like he was like what what did you just tell me like it's okay he's amped up it's first drive so that's rookie they run a y insert play which is where the the tight end leads in on a linebacker they run into a loaded box where it's literally impossible to run that play like it's the number they have six blockers for seven defenders So it's just dead.

Naji, it was a big Naji Harris run, too. Like, Noggi makes like five guys miss and gains like 20 yards on it. But it was a terrible design. They run a slant flat RPO. Pickett throws the flat into a cover two corner who's just sitting there waiting. Like, you should have just thrown a slant. They run a pinpole, which is where you guys pull into the outside to a two tight end side. Both tight ends block with the same guy.

So there's two unblocked defenders at the second level. They make a tackle for like a one-yard gain. They run a split zone. I'm telling me this. I went through it. I thought I was just going to get like three or four notes. This was literally all plays in a row. They run a split zone play.

The center tries to block the wrong guy. They go tempo. They run an RPO. This is after the pickings had a really nice catch on the sideline. They go tempo because they were like, okay, was he out of bounds? They run an RPO. Pickett looks for the tight end to run a route. The tight end doesn't run a route.

So I don't know who's wrong there. They run a play where the guards pulling instead of the center. He blocks the defense alignment instead of the linebacker. The best throw where Quinn Williams hits. the center does the wrong thing on that one. They're going to sprint out with a flat in a corner. Pickett throws the flat route right into a corner that's just sweating there. I mean, just, oh, the second air reception was Pickett.

Secondary reception was Pickett was did like an 11-step drop because he's just bailing, bailing, bailing. He's still at pit, throws it late. But the thing was, there's two defenders over there because there's two receivers in the same spot. So it's just, it's bad design with bad play, like a little combo. And so it's just, I feel bad. Because they're not even getting a fair shot to, like, truly see what he does because I don't think the designs are right.

And that's what it felt like with Chubisky. And now you've got a rookie plopping in with going against a murderer's row of defenses this next couple of weeks. So I'm a little worried for Matt Canada right now. I know. And it's surprising when you look at the, you know, other Mike Tomlin is the head coach. And they have Brian Floyd. Like they have on the defensive side of the ball. But the guy who's directing the offense, I mean, not to make one guy the punching bag, but that's pretty universal.

what you just said is just the sloppiness. It's not just a talent issue. It's not just a, hey, we don't have the right offensive linemen. Like these, I watched the, I was saying I watched the Eagles offensive line film. And then I watched a breakdown of the Steelers, those Kenny Pickett snaps. And I was just like, oh, my gosh. Like I didn't see like those mistakes on the Eagles. So you're just, you know, you're getting the brand and thought, oh, this is teaching tape.

And then I'm watching like a Steelers play where the guy is like trapping the three technique, but the other guards already blocking the three technique. and it's like, all right, well, so someone is wrong there. And so, yeah, I'm concerned about them. They're 14-point underdogs this weekend against the bills. I think the biggest dogs of this season, unless I'm missing a game. And you mentioned it. Then after that game, they've got the bucks at home at Miami, at the Eagles.

Second hardest remaining schedule per DVOA, they're one and three. So, yeah, if Tomlin keeps his streak up this year, hand him coach of the year. It just feels like they need to get through the season. and then figure out what do we really want to do offensively. We knew this team would be built through their defense, and their defense is pretty sweet. Like, Make a Fitzpatrick's been playing incredible this year. I know T.J. Watt's been hurt, but it's, like, at least give the offense a chance.

Like, that's the thing with bad coaching. It's like, you can have bad talent level or lower or young talent level if you want to make that argument, but at least, like, give them a chance. And that's where it just feels like a lot of times with this offense, they don't even give him a chance. Like, it's not always, yes, the players have to figure it out, but sometimes if the players are pointed in the wrong direction, that's not their fault because that it's like, well, are they trying to do the right thing that they're taught or the thing that they should actually do? So you see, it's, this is how McHana's offenses were in college. So now I'm seeing, it's not

an anomaly. So that's where I'm kind of very worried. And they don't really have other guys on that staff. I'm like, well, they could just use that guy as the coordinator to help out. It's like, who else they got? So it's, yeah, again, another team, this is, the bad they made. Yeah, okay. All right. This next person, they definitely have

the right number, okay? Okay. Caller number three. We'll do five of these. Nate, it's Dak, Prescott, hope all is well. I need a pep talk.

You've been my biggest supporter for years, but I'm feeling some heat here. I can't believe the guys are three and oh with Cooper Rush. Don't get me wrong. I love Coop, but I thought the whole operation

would crater without me. And now Jerry's telling anyone who will listen that he'd welcome a QB controversy. I know you can't see me, Nate, Now, tell me it's going to be okay. Maybe this will be a good thing.

They'll incorporate some of the stuff they're using with Coop with me when I get back. Pretty pleased, Nate, I'm begging you, man. Keep imagine your owner. Oder going on a call every week and going like, yeah, yeah, we got a QV competition. What? Pay me a 30-something million a year. Yeah, it's unreal with what they're paying him. But yeah, I am curious about your thoughts on just like what the,

offense looks like with Cooper Rush and like the Cowboys are sneaky in a pretty good spot, you know, like if they can figure some things out and then Prescott comes back healthy. Like I thought they were cooked. You know, I had a take on the ringer in it when they went down. I'm like, all right, start looking ahead to Sean Payton era. And now they're three and one. The conference doesn't look that great. Their defense is playing well.

They're getting guys back healthy. How do you kind of see it with Rush and what it'll look like when Dad gets back? It does help. The Bengals defense is fine. but it helps to play the Giants of the commander's defense. I think that does help. So I think that's what's something that people have to take in consideration. I, of course, I'm going to defend DAC,

but I think there are some lessons to learn with having the backup in there because it feels like there's not a lot of fat on this offense right now and that they're just going, lining up, running a good play. I love DAC, but DAC always tries to get to the perfect play. And sometimes he, and it's one of the things why I like him because he's there. He is, he is a, you know, like we talk about Payne Man being the sheriff. if DAC does those things, too, changing the play and changing the point for the offense line.

It's really cool to watch. But I think sometimes with Cooper Rush, they've kind of just kind of just kind of like, hey, like, keep it simple, stupid. Like, just, let's just wind up and go. Like, and I think there's some lessons to learn from that. Also, like, they're going more traditional as far as under center. There have been under 51% right now, I'm sorry, 51% under shotgun. I'm sorry, so far with Cooper Rush.

Dax been 67% in his career. So I think that, okay, what's getting understand? So I think that's helped the run game a little bit. And this is a very traditional offense in the sense. And this is why I like it. Kellen Moore, they run a lot of Scott Lanahan stuff. I've said this before. And Scott Lanahan was my dad's office coordinator in Minnesota.

So I'm kind of a sucker for it, some of the stuff. But I think because of that, their looks kind of designed a little bit better. Everything blends a little bit better now that it'd be under center. I think last year, yeah, DAC was 74%. on early down and shotgun early downs last year. It's 61% so far for Cooper Rush. They passed under center at 8% higher rate with Cooper Rush. And I think that's just, again, like we say, it's small sample size, but I think there are lessons to learn from that, not having DAC in the gun and being the sheriff and pointing everything around.

Hey, let's just line up, get a kill play. Let's run a play action out of this. Let's drop back. It's just, I think that's really helped them. It's almost like they made them get back to the basics. And I think that's what's helped this whole offense. I think Dak is, Cooper Rush has played well. Like he really has. I think they're also getting some contributions from Tyler Smith, that left tackle, who looks phenomenal. I had a kind of a, it was kind of a joke, but kind of serious that I said

Tyler Smith should be the leader for offensive rookie the year. But he is playing legit left tackle. It's him and Chris Olbe. Those would be my one too in some order. But he is playing very well. That first they try to help him with, you know, Chip helps. But now they're like, no, let's put him on an island. And against Washington, he played fantastic.

And so when you get contributions from rookies, Noah Brown is playing well. And then, of course, they got CD, and they're using CD a little bit differently than I thought they would. They're putting them outside a little more. Jake Ferguson, another rookie tight end, has played really well. That's helped them play.

They do a lot of good stuff out of two tight end looks. So now they got these twins and Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson. One's a Utah guy and one's a Wisconsin guy. So that's kind of fitting. But it's like now they got these guys like, working together. And I think that's, it's, they're, by getting back to the basics, I think it's going to help Dak when he comes back. And I don't think it's a true cure about controversy, because Dak can do so many more things than Cooper Rush can, a little bit more accurate.

But it has been fun, like, compliment Cooper Rush, but also compliment to this offensive staff for, like, not getting too out of hand. Yeah, it's good to have different solutions to problems. So like you said, maybe there'll be a game where you just have Dak and shotgun and he's directing everything like you said, but to not have to do that all the time and say, all right, that wasn't working or against this defense. Let's switch it up. Cooper rushes, it's, again, everything's a small sample, but it splits with and without play action are pretty, are pretty dramatic. He's 70% completions, 9.8 yards per attempt with play action, without play action, 58% completion, 6.2 yards per attempt. So that's

the worst quarterback in the NFL. So yeah, lean into some of those things when, when Dak, Prescott gets back. And I'm with you, it's like they face a couple bad defenses. And their defense hasn't allowed more than 20 points in any of their four games. So it's not like he's in these shootouts. I was thinking as a joke, if I'm Dak's agent, like, Jack, we're going to chill the next couple weeks here. You've got the Rams and the Eagles. We'll come back week seven, the Lions, one of the, maybe the worst defense in the NFL. We'll come back then. And then, you know, Jerry can have his QB controversy then. If they're 5 and O, then Cooper Rush is lighten out the next two teams there. But no, they're in a good spot. Yeah.

Come back and have a... What's anticipating? A 40 burger against the lions. And then just be like, see? See? Like, look it up. There it is. It's a good one to come back on.

All right. Next call. Call number four of five. Nate, what's up, man? Greg Roman here. Can you believe people are saying I look like Daryl. Get the frick out of here anyway. I need your help.

I can't get your break. Half the haters are saying my passing offense is elementary. The other half say, I try to run too many things and make it too complicated. Anyone check DVOA lately? You know which offense is first overall and first in passing? It's mine, bids! Who did Mike McCarthy and Josh McDaniels hire

for their PR campaigns? I might need to get those guys. Help me out, Nate. You've got a big audience. Set the people straight. It's not just Lamar who deserves credit. Do you believe in the glory of Roman? That is really amazing.

That's hilarious. It is Lamar, though. That's the thing. It is Lamar. No, but it's, God, this offense is going to always just make me want to pull my hair out. Why, tell me, because it's, I look at it, you know, it's like it's performing and Lamar's playing well, and I don't look at it. He's not surrounded by a great cast.

So, yes, Lamar deserves a lot of credit, but I'm not saying you're wrong. Like, I hear that a lot that, you know, they're not putting him in position to win. So I'm curious as to why you say that. It's, well, even last year, and I, they have improved on this, but it's like they, they do try to do too much. Like if you even look at Greg Roman's Playbook, it's ridiculous. It's like 700 pages of route combinations. It's insane. So like last year, they would

have guys trying to quote unquote read routes, which is like, okay, based on this coverage, I'm going to break in. And based on this coverage, I'm going to stop, I'm to break out. But the thing is you could tell it was just more of an idea than something they practiced because you'd have two guys in the same spot, which is just poor Lamar would be sitting there going like, shoot,

okay, where do I go with it? Lamar has never played better football. This is the best I've seen Lamar, even including his MVP season. He's throwing from the pocket more than ever. He's scrambling less. He still scrambles a decent amount, but he's scrambling fewer times than he ever has in his career. This is the best he's ever looked as a pocket passer. And I do think they have, Roman has done a good job of building routes that Lamar likes.

Lamar likes throwing over the middle. He likes having guys on the move. And he loves throwing those. That's why you see so many Mark Andrews over routes. And that's what he's good at. The thing that they were getting into was they run more heavy personnel than anybody. And this is the most under center Greg Roman's ever been in with Lamar as a starter. So like when they go under all these heavy personnel, they're getting into the defense has to load the box.

And so they'll run these kind of mirrored routes on the outside. But then they run hitch routes. And so this is the frustration that's like, I like the idea of what you're doing. Hey, they're loading the box. We got one-on-ones on the outside. Hopefully, Rashad Bateman comes back healthy because he's playing so well. But we got these one-on-ones. Okay, and then they run a hitch.

And it's like, no, run like a slant, run something vertical with it. You're wadding it up. So there's always a disconnect with this offense that they are trying to do the right things. But it's like they try to be too gimmicky in a way. But also I'm saying that they also, this is hilarious. So how you present it, it's like sometimes I'm too gimmicky and sometimes I'm too basic. And that's exactly what it is. And it's so, they do do some nice things.

But then they'll run, they'll run a play where they have a receiver screen coming across and then, but also having a traditional route combination to the field. So it's like they have all these guys ideas on the whiteboard that look great. But then when you look at it, it's like a defense is practice too. And they're just like, okay, well, just do this against you. And then it's like, okay, so what's your counterpunch? But that's the thing. It's going to work because Lamar is so incredible.

It's going to, that's where I. I think where the frustrations come from, it's like, Lamar is a unique talent. You have to have a unique offense around him, but they don't have any easy buttons sometimes for him. Hey, don't make it all on more. Throw a screen. Throw something. Hey, you got those mirrored routes.

Throw a different route than a freaking hitch. That's six yards. You know, throw something that's attacking down the field. So I think that's where the frustrations come from. So it's going to be what it is. This is how Greg Roman is in this passing game. And I think what's getting J.K. Dobbins back, getting some, you know, Daniel Falalei from Minnesota.

left tackle playing well. I think their run game's going to come together a little bit more. Lamar is also being in the gunner's run. They're kind of blending it together. But the passing games got, I think it always could be frustrating. Yeah, it's like, I just watch him and go.

Is this sustainable for 17 games? Like, is this guy going to be able to do this much every game for that many games against some really good defenses? You know, it almost seems like it's not possible, you know, like he could have a,

there's going to be stretches where it's just like, all right, it kind of weighs on you. Like you said, yeah, I think that that's a great point. It feels like if you could ease them up sometimes. I think you were the, were you saying the Josh Allen or the Bills or the Ravis that sometimes they call run plays just to give the QB a breather. Yeah, yeah, about Josh Allen.

I thought that was a great point. Yeah, like that makes sense. Like, all right, on every player where you drop back, we're asking you to be Superman and go like 110%. And so we'll give you a couple here and there. But I think it's a question with both those guys. I mean, as well as they've played and they're two different players, obviously. but as well as they've played, and especially with Alan when he's like just going into it and

taking hits and flipping upside down. And you just watch it sometimes going, man, it's week four here, guys. Like, it's a long season. Like, you know, I know you want to win every game, but right. It's helping out a little bit. A playoff game, I understand. Go for it. Yeah. Like, or going for it to playoff spot. But yeah, like week four, week five, it's week three, it's like, man, that's where, even with the Cowboys discussion, it's, it's about having the options when all the tools in your toolbox. Not everybody has built the same toolbox, but having as many as you can, like sometimes, yes, this screwdriver is working over and over. So why would I need, why would I need a Phillips screwdriver when just the normal one's working? You know, the flathead's

working, okay. But then now you need it. Like now they go, no, this screw does not work. So it's like, shoot, now I need that different tool. And that's why just like, even with the Cowboys offense, it's like, yes, we can do all the gun stuff and Dax point and all that, but being able to under center run is another tool in your toolbox. And same thing with the Ravens. It's, I think they do need the run game a little bit just to give Lamar more breaks because I'm going to make a joke that I've,

I've been workshopping. And that's, it really does feel like the original LeBron Cleveland Cavaliers when it was like, just give the ball and ball and ball, go, take a break. Okay. All right.

Now, LeBron, go do something. Okay, all right, LeBron, okay, play defense. Okay,

do this. Okay, here you go. Give the Baltimore Williams. Okay. All right, all right, come on. But that's, but do you want to give the Baltimore Williams? Like, you know, like, that's the tradeoff. Yeah, it's a great point.

Like, you think should they just call more straight runs? But then it's like, well, what makes them dangerous is that they have Lamar as a runner. So I think finding that balance with someone like him is definitely something to keep an eye on in the weeks ahead. All right. Last call here for me. Big Nate. What's up, my guy? It's Dan Quinn.

You ever use one of those shower mirrors for shaving? Complete game changer, man. How do you think? I think I keep this dome so clean. Give me your address. I'll order you one. Anyway, that's not why I called. As you've seen, my defense is bawling out.

But we've got the Eagles and Jalen Hertz and a big one next week. Have you seen that offense? They're shredding man. They're shredding zone. They're hitting explosives. They're running the ball. I'm not sure what to do. I watched that offense in the playoffs last year.

It stunk. There's got to be a way to slow them down. I'm just not sure how. You grind the film. What's the best strategy for stopping the birds? don't fumble the ball four times. That helps your offense. Oh my gosh.

Yeah. That was I saw your tweet was exactly what I thought like I was like, oh my gosh, the rain. Like I was like they're the two biggest, the two biggest mismatches last week were Cliff Kingsbury against the play clock and Trevor Lawrence against the rain. I couldn't decide which was a bigger mismatch. But my God, they couldn't do anything.

I mean, as I was watching the film, like people were, you know, here were giving the Eagles defense credit. And I'm like, he gave away like five possessions. I mean, two, he just fumbled on his own. He missed a deep ball. That was a touchdown. They killed the corner on a stutter go. Doug Peterson was trying to just call quick screens, and he was there mailing him.

So he called the draw. So, yeah, I'm with you. So that's definitely true in terms of the big game. I think Quinn wants to know, though, just that Eagles offense. What do you do? I'm speaking for him. I don't mean to speak about. No, but it's, man, they do make you pick your poison.

And it's the Cowboys are funny because it's, it sounds so simple. It's, we have good players. Let's just let them play fast. Like, let's just let them go. And they do it. And nothing is exotic in what they do. They run a lot of man and a lot of cover two. That's what it seems like to me.

And that's haven't looked at numbers, but just eye test when I'm watching this defense. And they, but they do a good job of like putting Michael Parsons around. So when you're playing this Eagles offense is one, hopefully you have a good game script. So you got to force. you know, you got to force J-1 Hertz to drop back and be a traditional drop-back passer, which is still a question mark with him. You also got to try and make him run to his left. Going into last week, he had one pass attempt breaking out of the pocket to his left.

Like he is, it's hilarious. Oh, that's interesting. And then, yes, and I haven't looked what it was after a Jaguars game, but I'm sure didn't improve much at all. And that's what the Bucks did to him last year in the playoffs was they kept funneling him to his left. And you've got to be disciplined against this team. You're going to take your punch.

Like, you're going to get hit in the face by this team. The offensive line is good. Like, you compliment the Eagles offensive line to how well coached they are. They're incredibly well coached. But I think sometimes you've got to force live with these 50-50 balls. Jayland Hertz loves to throw the go ball. And I think you just take your chances with that and try and get them to go to the left. But I'm saying you load the box because I think this run game over time is going to gash you.

You have to be disciplined against this team. Last week, the Eagles had a big spotlight. on Devin Lloyd, the rookie linebacker for the Jaguars. And they were running all the zone reads up, all the stuff. And you can tell Lloyd was just, his head was spinning. He didn't know, oh, am I attacking hurts here? And so it's just easy. That's why they're able to gash them over and over and over.

So I think it's just, you have to be disciplined against his team. The RPO's are going to be tough to stop because, but you can stop them. And I think actually getting him into the RPO world, which is their easy button. Getting him into that world is a win, I think, for the defense, unless you're the Vikings. because it's but that's like I'd much rather him throw a little flat route for a two, three, four yard gain than have them hand the ball off and gashes for eight to 12 yards up the middle. So I think that sounds, it sounds so basic, but really it's you have to be disciplined and hope for third and longs and get them to third and longs because they, they fall off a cliff like most

offenses do when they just have to drop back and they go for a four down so much that you want them to get a third and long so they don't get into that fourth one, two or three or four situation and they'll just they'll get those two three four yard gains on you so it sounds basic in a way but play discipline and play fast i think that's what you have to do day yeah no it feels like i mean if you're playing like the you know the zone stuff uh where you're matching but you have eyes on the quarterback because i mean his scrambling has been so good so if you're playing straight man it's tough i mean what about i always had this question about like one robber you know when you have that low whole defender. Is that guy like a spy? Like, can you put like your best athlete there and be like,

all right, you know, chase down hurts in addition to these routes crossing over the middle? Is that a method that could work? Okay. It's, and I think that would have to be like the coaching game plan. Like, because you, I think that's a misconception sometimes is that like, oh, this is the rules for this play. It's, it should good coaches tweak it and go, okay. So if you run one robber, focus on the quarterback. Look up a crosser and then focus on the quarterback. That's a great idea, though. honestly, that's a really good plan. And also the Cowboys, their safety group, they have all these long players that can run. Israel, and I'm blinking on his last name, number 26, and then they also have curse.

Like, those guys are good in these types of situations because they can run around a little bit and keep up with a running quarterback like this. So I know that's a great, great idea because rather than having a linebacker, like Anthony Barr sitting there like, okay, he's going to juke me. Like, let's get a guy that can actually move and have a little bit more. length and chase those guys down. But no, that's a great point. Yeah, that'll be fun in two weeks. Because like you said, I mean, Parsons will just wreck some plays. DeMarcus Lawrence versus Lane Johnson is just that that's like a, you know, a fun matchup for the football guys. And then

you have Trevon Dig. So if you're playing some single coverage on the outside with A.J. Brown has just been such a game changer that has solved so many problems for them in high leverage situations and opened up different parts of the field. But I was trying to look. I'm like, I kind of wish they played the 49ers or the bucks or the bills just to kind of see, all right, what are these teams going to do? But the Cowboys, the Eagle schedule is pretty soft. And so like that, that Cowboys game maybe in a couple weeks will tell us a lot. All right, those were all the voicemails. How do you feel about it? You got to delete it. You can delete them now. I will delete them. I think it's full now. No, I know. I think that was good. There was a lot of

man's throwing there. I feel like, yeah, I know coach speak is the thing. It's funny how much how much they all talk the same when I hear these voicemails. They're doing that last one. I'm like, I feel like I've morphed into like McVeigh Gruden on pretty much every one of these guys. I said I wasn't going to impersonate everyone. But as I'm reading something in my body just started doing the same thing with every guy. It's okay.

It was the first time. It's a Zoolander blue steel. Like it's all the same look. I'm taking crazy pills. All right. Let's finish it out with the mailbags. Start the NFL week off right with a no sweat same game parlay every Thursday from Fandul America's number one sportsbook. It doesn't matter if you're new to Fandual or already have

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Call 1800 gambler. Visit Fanduel.com slash RG in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia. 1-800 next step, or text next step to 533342 in Arizona, 1-888-789-777. Or visit ccpg.org slash chat in Connecticut, 1-8009 with it in Indiana.

Visit KSgamblinghelp.com and Kansas 1-8777-70 stop in Louisiana. 18778, Hope N.Y or text Hope NY 4-667-369 in New York, 1-800-522-470-0 in Wyoming or visit www.1-800 gambler.net in West Virginia. Of course, if you have a question, you can email the Scramble Mailbag at gmail.com. We'll just do two or three here. Cyrus says, hi, Sheila, Nate. Glad to have you back together even briefly. Is there an offense in the league that is under the radar doing really exciting things

or one that maybe isn't top five, but that you just have to watch every week? I know what your answer is going to be, but go ahead and tell us. I bet you do. That is the Falcons offense, Cyrus the virus. That is, I really, this is, the Falcons offense is a fever dream, man. It's awesome. I love it. They are running play action at the highest rate since 2019.

I think the Rams are the other one that has run as much as them in 2020 in golfs last year there. But not only just that the running play action, like I know everyone thinks that's a cheat code, it's the diversity of this offense and how they do it. It's not just the same outside zone type look. They're pulling guards. They have tight ends and fullback sliding across. The use of personnel groupings is so cool. And I know people are getting frustrated about Kyle Pitts's usage.

They are using him in good ways to open up the rest of the offense. They'll get into a heavy personnel grouping, 22, which is two tight ends and two running backs. But they make it look like a two receiver look because Kyle Pitts is so dynamic. And that is very hard for defenses because they have to. match with heavier bodies. Otherwise, they'll just gash you in the run game. So they're the only offense in the league so far that has run 11, 12, 21, 22 personnel is over 15%. So they're using just everything. And it's just, and it's not when they go in 20, they go on 11. So three wide receivers, they change up who it is. They go into 12. They have different tight ends in there. They go into

22. They have different tight ends in there. It's just this diversity that is so much fun. Marcus Marriota is only completing the ball 14 times a game, but they're all explosives. It's they started the game with eight completions against the Cioxx. Every single one went for a first down. Like this team, it's a very fun offense. It's, of course, this is another team that it's all going to depend on game script. I'm sure, but they go down double digits. It's going to be tough for them to come back because they're not built to drop back 20 plus times a game,

like a traditional dropback offense. But if they can keep it favorable and they get these turnovers on defense like they have been, it's a very fun offense against the Browns. They ran it 14 straight times. including one draft, 10 straight run plays. And it's not just zone, zone, zone. It's just this different types of plays. They're doing windback stuff with the center pulling.

It's a very cool offense. Is it Marcus Marriota's been okay? But the fact that they can look like this with Marcus Marriota playing okay is pretty remarkable. Yeah, I think they're second in success rate overall. And a lot of that is you're running the ball and picking up these gains. I have questions about the sustainability. Like I think if we're talking in December, I mean, they're really up there in a lot of statistical categories. And I give them credit, like you said, they're maximizing a lot of the talent they have at their disposal.

I mean, I thought that was going to be one of the worst offenses in the NFL coming into the season, just looking at kind of the talent and the offensive line. And I'm not a Mario da guy. And he's, I swear, every time I made this joke earlier, but every time they flip to red zone in the Falcons in the three to four eastern window, he's fumbling in the fourth quarter. Like how many fumbles? In the worst time. They're about the score to go up two double digits or they're about to like they're running out the clock and he drops a snap.

It's like the most bizarre thing in the world. Yeah. So they're doing the most with what they have. Seven completions in a game is usually not going to get it done. So that game script like you mentioned is a key. But that's a good. And what about the I wrote down the lions.

I mean, do you are the lions are right up there. I mean, their numbers this year are crazy. Jared, they're throwing the ball down. Even last week, they don't have Amman Ross St. Brown or DeAndre Swift and I know the Seahawks defense stinks, but man, they were getting, it was just T.J. Hockinson over and over again. What do you, what is kind of impressed you about them? Another well-coached team. Like they, I mean, it helped when the offense line's been a little banked up, but I mean, when they're healthy, they have three legit all-pro caliber

offense alignment. And, but even without that, like they, um, week two, uh, they were missing two of their starters. They're missing Ragnow, the center and Jonah Jackson, the guard, who are those two of those all-pro type players. And they didn't miss a beat. And I think it's just a, it's a very well-coached offense. They know, they understand defenses in the way that, okay, we shift in motion this way. We are going to get the defense to set this way. And then we'll manipulate it to get the favorable run look. They have a very diverse run game.

They, I think at one point in time when I wrote about them, they had run like five different concepts, six or more times at that point in time. I think that was after week two or three. So they don't just run one thing, but they're also able to pull guys. And I brought up the example with the Steelers. They're running into a loaded box. They would never do that. They understand what runs have answers to what defenses.

And that comes with the coaching staff. And they're making golf. They're having golf throw these explosive plays because their designs are really good. The Hawkinson touchdown, his first one, it was in the red zone. And how they had a guy in a jet motion and then they ran a little switch vertical. It's the same type of play that Trevor Lawrence threw a pick to Bradbury off. Same type of design, more or less. and how they did with that jet motion rather than a running back,

the defender had to fall off and you can see Jordan Brooks's head pop because he's like, wait, who do I take? And there's Hawkinson wide open on a wheel route. And that's just a design because Red Zone comes down to play design because it's just you have to manipulate the defense somehow. And they do it week in, week out. And no, it's an awesome offense because it's very sound in what they do. And they also have some dudes up front.

It's so funny having these conversations. You just want to like pluck this coach and put them with this quarterback. right in this code and you're like who that would be oh my gosh it would be allowed to see but that's the nature of all these discussions i guess i know so can i see jesus fields in this fricking offense like i'm like please like can we like swap them like i just want to see it like just see what it looks like when he has all this help around him you should allow that just give him a trade for a teams that aren't going anywhere just let him do a little trade like that for a couple weeks see what happens all right connor trial trial period trial period like that's right

my question is with regards to the AFC North. This has been a division with a reputation for being tough, gritty, relatively strong compared to others. Is it just me? Or is this division just bad this year? Don't even want to talk about the Brown situation. Steelers are in a place of QB transition. Ravens and Bengals are finding surprising new ways to look unconvincing. I'd love to hear your take on who wins the division this year and which team is best set up for long-term success. Thanks and keep up the good work. I guess it's really a question of, yeah, you know, I'm with him. Yeah, I don't I don't really have interest in discussing the Browns aspect of this right now.

So Ray Finsen Bengles, this year and also long term. Do you kind of see, do you like where they're at? Do you not like where they're at? How do you say it? Yeah, I think the Bengals, the qualms we had with them last year, as you know, especially in our gambling segment last year when I kept betting against them because I'm like, the bottom's going to fall out. Like it's going to, it took a year.

It just took a year for it. But I think the frustrations with them, it comes down to the coaching and a little bit of some of Burroughs bad habits, which is, you know, how he's kind of becoming a wanted done quarterback because I think he had, as far as his reads, because I think he doesn't have faith in what the play calls are going to be. And also if the line can hold up. So I think there is some of that. I also think this defense has been last year, this defense is pretty fun to watch.

But it's like, okay, who are the young guys, though? Like, it's more kind of a vet team. And that, you know, Logan Wilson at linebacker, I guess. but it's, you know, I'm interested in that. So I think they're a weird team to me. They're always going to be. They're the Bengals. But I do trust what the Ravens are doing.

But it's, I think this offense, they have some young pieces I really like other than Lamar. I do. I love a shot bait, as you know, Mark Andrews as well, J.K. Dobbins, when he's healthy, Gus Boss as well. Devin Duvine has become a nice complimentary piece. He's market number three. But it's fine because they have Andrews in that offense. The defense, and also I think they're a lot.

you know, with Linderbaum coming in and they need Ronnie Stanley back. But I don't know. I like where they're going with that. Greg Roman will isn't, you know, that's a whole other thing. But as far as the defense, it's they're just getting banged up. So it's like you think they're going to be okay, but up front they get banged up. And Patrick Queen is a negative player at this point in time. But they still have Justin Matabeeke.

They have Humphreys. Oh my God. Your guy Madabeeke last week. Holy cow. Oh, my God. How many plays did he make in that game? He's so disruptive. I was giving you fist pumps from my living room over here as I rewatched it.

He was fantastic last week. I was just a year early on him. I tried to hype them up all last year. It took a year before we finally got there. But yeah, no, but they have some young pieces I like. So long story short, is I do think the Ravens are still the favorite. I think their offense is just more, God, I love how we bash their offense. Their offense is more sustainable.

But it is. It really is. For whatever weird reason, I trust them more than I trust the Bengals. just because of, you know, having Lamar and having answers, I think more answers than the Bengals are running into when they face cover two. And I also think that's my answer for kind of long-term success because I just have faith in the GM and Eric Dacosta and Harbaugh. And I just think, you know, they can't keep getting hurt like this.

So I think long-term is like, if this team's healthy, it's one of the better, like, one of the very good teams in the whole AFC and the NFL. Yeah, I'm with you. The infrastructure in Baltimore just seems a lot more, sound and firm and I trust their decision making and what they're going to do to put players in position to succeed there. I still like Burrow a lot. Yeah, I just wonder, anytime they lose a game, I'm just like, did they put Burrow and like, was that, did they help him at all? Like, was anything schemed up for him or did he just make three great throws one on one on the

outside when he was getting single high? Like when they succeed, it just feels like that's what's happening every time. I wish they had some more help for him. I mean, their run game stinks. Their run game is 27th in DVOA. Their old line I thought could get to competent this year. I didn't think they were going to be like unbelievable. They disappointed for a while, you know, last week they played pretty well. So maybe they'll figure some things out there. So I still like them because I just like Burrow and I'm like, Burrow, Chase, Higgins, Boyd, you're going to make some, give him like, you know, if he drops back 42 times in a game, they're going to make, they're going to find ways to make some plays. Like 30 of them might look

terrible. Yeah. There's going to be, you know, a handful in there that they're going to make some play. So one note on the Bengals, the hardest remaining schedule in the NFL for DVOA. The Ravens are 16th. So if you're looking at, you know, who has an edge this year? I know it's early.

So schedule strength, don't read too much into it. But I would say Baltimore there. All right. Last question from Matt. Matt says, well, he had some nice words. I don't want to read the compliments. And I'm not going to be the host who just gasses himself up and reads out the compliments. No, gas him on.

He did say he'll be honored if his question makes the show. So you should feel honored. Matt, you are on the show. Thanks for writing in. I think it was because you were on me. Nothing to do with me. Four weeks into the season, there had been plenty of head scratching results. Which one game do you think we will look back on at the end of the season and say,

wow, that was a total fluke. And the outcome ultimately signified nothing for either team. He's thinking Bill's Jaguars game last year. The Jaguar's game. were ultimately fine and the Jags ultimately stunk. I don't even know if you got a chance to look at this one ahead of time. Okay, you did. Okay, so you have an answer.

What do you got? Ironically, it's the commanders beating the Jags. And week one. Interesting. Good one. I think that's going to be a fluky one. I think it's going to be one of those things where the hype got a little out control with the Jags last week. I'm very more like they're a good team, not a like this like team that everyone is going.

Like, holy shit, they're one of the favorites in the AFC. It's like, no, no, no, no. They're a good team. And I think that Eagles, Jaguars games can be one that we look back on later in the season and go like, wow, those were two good teams going at it. But, you know, the Jags are, they can't create explosives. They're still throwing too many balls to a converted corner. The fact that losing Zay Jones for a week devastated the whole offense,

this kind of tells you where they're at. But I do think they're a solid team with a solid defense with some fun juice up front. And I do think the offense, I do think Trevor Lawrence, I think, as long as he's He doesn't have to play in another rain game. Oh, gosh. Yeah. Keep him out of the rain. I know.

That was the thing. Somebody I asked, I was like, what is he doing in the rain? And there was one college game he had in the rain. It was the ACC championship game when he was a freshman. And he went 12 of 26, I believe, for 120 yards. It's a thing. Yeah. So, oh, God, discourse is building.

But it's like, so keep him out of the rain. He'll be fine. But I do think they are a good team. I think that Commander's team is a zombie team. I really do, especially with Carson Wenskin. being Carson White's like so I think that game we look back in a few weeks ago and like, holy crap, that actually happened. And I, where the Jaguars team is more of a nice solid, solid good team.

Yeah, even watching that game live, it was, you know, or rewatching it, it was like, man, the Jags had a lot of opportunities in that game to win the game. Even afterwards, it felt like a game they kind of gave away. I'm going to go with the Colts beating the Chiefs. I mean, we're taking this before Thursday night football. So we'll see if the Colts get it together. I think this Colts team might just stink. I don't see like answers coming back to them.

They seem flustered. They're showing all the signs of a bad team this year. The Chiefs, I mean, I think that will be the, I don't think a team will give away a game like the Chiefs gave away that game. They didn't even play well. They have special teams mishaps left and right. Which is so unheard of with them. Yeah. If Chris Jones doesn't have that late penalty where we don't even know what he said, then they still win the game despite all those mistakes.

So I think the Chiefs will be playing on championship weekend. I think the Colts, you know, I wonder if they're going to snow. a little bit here and just be a bad team. All right. Nate, this was awesome. Thank you, Nate Tice for joining me. Read his weekly rewind on the athletic. Listen to him with Mays on the athletic football show. Watch his weekly videos. Follow his tweets. What am I missing? Are there other plugs? You're doing like 1,400 different things. I think you got it. I'm not doing Twitch streams yet this year. We'll see once in a few weeks if I get bored and start doing those on Fridays. But yeah, I think you got it. It's nice being a company you may now as opposed to a mercenary

where I had like go like, oh, this is on Bleacher Report, this is on here. So nice. Yeah, just check me out on the athletic. We're not doing our pick segment anymore this year. And of course, I get off to a hot start. So it's like, no. I miss that. I know.

I do too, man. I do too. We'll figure it out in the future. We'll figure out some collaboration. Make it work. All right. This was awesome. Thank you to Mike Wargon for producing additional production supervision by

Conorne Evans and Arjuna Ramgopal. Stay tuned tomorrow for the Ringer NFL preview show on this feed. We'll talk to everyone next week.