2 Giant Goofballs: A NY Giants Podcast

Jaxson Dart Hype Has to Be Earned

The Giants finally have reasons for optimism, but the cost of buying in too early is ignoring the same “ifs” that burned fans before. Jaxson Dart, John Harbaugh, Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, Arvell Reese, and Colton Hood all give Giants fans something to watch, but this episode keeps the pressure where it belongs: the team has to prove it.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.Can Jaxson Dart and John Harbaugh make the Giants a consistent winner in 2026? They can, but only if Dart takes a real Year 2 step, Harbaugh’s practice structure translates into September preparedness, and the roster’s biggest “ifs” turn into actual answers.Drew opens with NFL Media’s Eric Edholm laying out a possible Giants path back to respectability, and maybe even playoff relevance. The optimism makes sense on paper: Dart had rookie flashes, Nabers and Skattebo could return healthy, the offensive line may be trending upward, and the defense still has real talent up front. But Drew pushes back hard on the number of conditions attached to that hope. The Giants went 1-7 in one-score games last year, the Eagles still own the division, and the secondary still has real questions. The message is simple: optimism is available, but the Giants have to earn it.Is John Harbaugh the one reason this year feels different?The Harbaugh conversation centers on Charlotte Carroll’s minicamp takeaway from The Athletic. Longer practices, more situational reps, and a tougher tone already separate this regime from the Brian Daboll era. Drew argues that Harbaugh may be the only reason to feel cautious optimism right now, because the Giants too often looked unprepared early in seasons under the prior staff.The Jaxson Dart section becomes the main quarterback debate. Gary Davenport of Footballguys listed Dart as one of eight players set to explode into stardom in 2026, and the upside is clear: rushing production, early touchdown-drive success, confidence, and a more vocal presence. But the concern is just as clear. Dart’s physical style already created concussion worries, and the offense badly needs Malik Nabers to return as a true top weapon. Andrew Thomas’ comments about Dart’s improved communication matter because he has seen Dart’s growth up close, while Isaiah Likely’s praise carries weight because he came from a Lamar Jackson-led offense.Are Giants fans putting too much on Arvell Reese too early?Drew and Rob then move into rookie expectations, starting with Arvell Reese. Frank Bush’s message was not to turn Reese into someone else or overload him too soon. That led to a bigger debate about unrealistic comparisons, especially the habit of comparing every athletic defensive rookie to Micah Parsons. The hosts agree Reese does not need to become a superstar overnight. A realistic rookie year should be about sound football, being in the right spots, flashing athleticism, and growing into the role.The episode closes with Colton Hood, who may be the rookie the Giants need most. Donald D’Alesio praised Hood’s mindset, strength, and fast learning, and Drew explains why the cornerback room makes Hood’s development so important. The Giants need more than another rotating cast of replacement-level corners. Hood does not have to become an instant CB1, but if he can become a reliable, physical starter, that would change a lot for this defense.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballsAll episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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Giants’ Home Field Problem Gets Louder

2w ago00:32:38Tap to summarize

MetLife Stadium may still make money, but the latest World Cup pitch complaints raise a bigger problem for Giants fans: is the home field becoming an embarrassment the team cannot ignore? Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.The Big Question: Is MetLife Stadium a real Giants problem or just an overblown player complaint? The answer is probably both: FIFA may say the field is playable, but when World Cup players, NFL players, and Giants fans all keep circling the same stadium complaints, the issue becomes bigger than one surface.Drew and Rob spend the first half of the show on MetLife after Adrien Rabiot and Vinicius Junior criticized the pitch and FIFA defended the stadium conditions. The conversation quickly moves beyond grass vs. turf into the broader problem: the NFLPA’s F- field grade, the bland fan experience, the stadium’s lack of identity, and why Giants fans still compare it unfavorably to old Giants Stadium.The second half shifts into roster construction. The Giants are getting heavier under John Harbaugh, and the hosts debate whether that means the team is finally building a more physical identity or just changing the average because of roster churn.Paulson Adebo also gets a spotlight after strong spring reports. The debate is not whether Adebo has talent — it is whether he can actually become the CB1-level player the Giants need after last year’s injury comeback season.The final stretch hits two roster ideas: Najee Harris as a possible Devin Singletary replacement and Vita Vea as a defensive tackle name to monitor if Tampa Bay’s contract situation gets worse. The hosts are clear that Vea is not a Giants trade story yet, but the Kayvon Thibodeaux angle makes the hypothetical hard to ignore.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballsAll episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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Thibodeaux’s Giants Future Comes With Pressure

2w ago00:33:11Tap to summarize

Kayvon Thibodeaux is getting the praise every player wants, but the sacrifice is obvious: his Giants future now runs through a contract year, a crowded pass-rush room, Abdul Carter’s arrival, and the pressure to prove his value at camp.Drew and Rob ask whether Brian Burns’ comments show that Thibs is fully bought into John Harbaugh’s Giants, or whether professionalism only matters if the production follows.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.Has Kayvon Thibodeaux handled the Giants’ pressure like a pro? Yes — based on the discussion, the strongest argument is that Thibodeaux has stayed professional through trade noise, role uncertainty, and contract-year pressure, but training camp still decides whether that buy-in becomes a real Giants future.The episode opens with the Giants’ public training camp dates at The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Drew walks through the open practice schedule and why moving camp away from home changes the usual fan experience, especially for fans who are used to seeing the team up close in New Jersey.Then the main debate turns to Thibodeaux. Brian Burns praised the way Thibs has handled his business, and Drew argues Giants fans should give him more credit for staying professional while the team drafts Abdul Carter, trade rumors float around, and his next contract hangs in the balance. The question is not just whether Thibodeaux is talented. The question is whether he can turn a tough situation into a season that forces the Giants to rethink his future.Has Kayvon earned more respect from Giants fans, or does “handled it like a pro” still have to show up on the field?The second half shifts to Ed McCaffrey’s comments on Odell Beckham Jr. and Malik Nabers. McCaffrey believes a healthy OBJ could give defenses something to worry about opposite Nabers, but Drew and Rob are not ready to buy the full hype. They debate whether OBJ can still be more than a nostalgia signing, where he fits in a deeper receiver room, and whether his best value may be as a mentor and situational weapon rather than a true WR2.Is OBJ still a real weapon for the Giants, or are fans chasing the old version of Beckham?Drew and Rob also get into the details of OBJ’s low-risk contract, the injury waivers attached to it, the memory of the old slant-route magic, and why even a small Beckham role could still matter if he helps Malik Nabers and the younger receivers develop.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/ Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballs All episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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Giants All-Time Defense Leaves Legends Out?

2w ago00:54:16Tap to summarize

Building the Giants all-time defense means gaining Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan, Harry Carson, Sam Huff, Emlen Tunnell, and decades of franchise greatness — but it also means sacrificing real Giants legends who do not fit on the final roster.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.Who belongs on the New York Giants all-time defense?The strongest answers start with Lawrence Taylor and Michael Strahan, but the real debate comes after the obvious names. Drew and Rob work through the defensive line, linebackers, secondary, and special teams while comparing Hall of Fame résumés, unofficial sack totals, championship moments, positional value, and era context.The defensive front turns into one of the toughest parts of the list. Andy Robustelli’s case depends partly on sack totals from an era before sacks were officially tracked. Osi Umenyiora, Leonard Marshall, George Martin, and Jim Katcavage all bring different versions of Giants pass-rush history. Dexter Lawrence opens a modern-versus-old-school defensive tackle debate next to names like Arnie Weinmeister, Rosey Grier, and Keith Hamilton.At linebacker, Harry Carson and Sam Huff carry the historical weight, while Jessie Armstead, Brad Van Pelt, and Carl Banks force the question of how many great Giants linebackers can realistically fit. The secondary brings another layer with Erich Barnes, Dick Lynch, Mark Haynes, Jason Sehorn, Corey Webster, Emlen Tunnell, Jimmy Patton, Spider Lockhart, and Terry Kinard.Special teams closes the roster with Pete Gogolak, Sean Landeta, and Zak DeOssie. Gogolak’s case is about more than field goal percentage because his soccer-style approach changed kicking history. Landeta brings the punter résumé, and DeOssie gives the Giants a clean long snapper choice with a unique family Super Bowl connection.This episode is not just about naming legends. It is about deciding what matters most: peak dominance, longevity, awards, championships, franchise records, playoff moments, or the way Giants fans remember a player.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/ Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballs All episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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Giants Coaching Legends Force Brutal Cuts

3w ago00:49:45Tap to summarize

Building an all-time Giants coaching staff means stacking Parcells, Lombardi, Belichick, Landry, Coughlin, Spagnuolo, Steve Owen, Sean Payton, Mike Pope, and more — but the cost is brutal: real Giants legends get pushed into smaller roles or left out completely.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.The Big Question: Who belongs on the greatest New York Giants coaching staff ever? The answer depends on whether you value Giants-only impact, total NFL résumé, championships, innovation, or clean role fit.Drew and Rob start with Bill Parcells as head coach, but Steve Owen’s Giants résumé keeps the conversation from being automatic. Parcells has the modern Super Bowl weight and the franchise-shaping presence, while Owen brings the longest Giants head-coaching résumé and pre-Super Bowl championship history. Jim Lee Howell also gets major credit as the CEO-style coach who had Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry on the same staff.Does total football immortality matter more than the exact Giants job a coach held?That question drives the offensive staff. Lombardi is the obvious offensive coordinator, Allie Sherman gets tied into the Giants coaching tree, Sean Payton lands at quarterback coach, Mike Pope is the tight ends lock, and Steve Owen’s playing background gives him a place with the offensive line. The uncomfortable debate comes with names like Ray Handley and Tom Coughlin: one was a rough head coach but valuable assistant, while the other is too important to Giants history to leave out.The defensive side becomes even more stacked. Bill Belichick gets the defensive coordinator role, Tom Landry still has to be honored for his Giants impact and defensive innovation, and Steve Spagnuolo lands as defensive line/pass-rush coordinator because the staff is that overloaded. Romeo Crennel, Marty Schottenheimer, John Fox, Earl “Potty” Potteiger, Mike Nolan, and John Harbaugh all create different arguments about résumé, role fit, and how much Giants connection should matter.Who got punished by how loaded this list is?The episode closes on the real problem with building an all-time Giants staff: there are more qualified names than available jobs. Some fans will value Parcells and Belichick. Others will argue harder for Landry, Owen, Flaherty, Fassel, Reeves, or another old-school Giants figure. That is what makes this debate work — there is no painless version of the final staff.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/ Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballs All episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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Giants All-Time Offense Leaves Legends Out

3w ago01:01:49Tap to summarize

Building the all-time Giants offense gives fans the fun of stacking Eli Manning, Tiki Barber, Frank Gifford, Odell Beckham Jr., Mark Bavaro, Rosey Brown, Mel Hein and other legends on one roster — but the sacrifice is brutal: somebody great has to get left out.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.Who belongs on the New York Giants’ all-time offense? The answer depends on whether you value peak, longevity, championships, era dominance, or pure Giants impact.Drew and Rob work through the full offensive side of the roster, starting with the quarterback room. Eli Manning is the clear modern anchor, but the Y.A. Tittle and Phil Simms discussions force a bigger argument about how to compare stats, championships, records, and historical context across eras.The running back debate gets messy fast. Tiki Barber’s production is impossible to ignore, Frank Gifford has to be included because of his all-around Giants legacy, Joe Morris brings the “what if injuries didn’t hit?” case, Saquon Barkley forces the uncomfortable fact-versus-feelings conversation, and Ken Strong brings the old-school era test.The receiver room might be the most fan-splitting part of the episode. Amani Toomer gets the top career argument, OBJ gets the most explosive Giants receiver argument, Del Shofner gets the era-adjusted dominance case, and Ray Flaherty and Homer Jones bring the historical impact conversation.At tight end, Mark Bavaro is treated as the clear No. 1, but Jeremy Shockey creates the classic talent-versus-maturity debate. Red Badgro also forces the question of how to translate old-school “end” positions into a modern roster.The offensive line closes the episode with some of the strongest names in Giants history: Rosey Brown, Mel Hein, Cal Hubbard, Chris Snee, Jack Stroud, Ray Wietecha, Al Blozis, Shaun O’Hara, and Frank Cope. The Al Blozis story also becomes one of the strongest historical moments of the show.Coaches were planned, but the offensive player debate ran long. That discussion gets pushed to a separate episode.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/ Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballs All episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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James Conner to Giants? Dart, OBJ & Egos

3w ago00:41:18Tap to summarize

.James Conner would give the Giants a proven veteran running back, but the tradeoff is age, injury risk, contract value, and whether giving up anything for a 31-year-old back makes sense.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.The Big Question: Should the Giants trade for James Conner if Arizona makes him available? The answer depends on the price, because Conner still has value as a reliable veteran, but the Giants should not give up meaningful assets for an older running back coming off a major injury.Drew and Rob debate whether the Giants should even be interested in Conner after Dan Graziano floated Big Blue as a possible fit. The conversation centers on the real cost: would Conner help the offense enough to justify the risk, or should the Giants only get involved if he becomes available without a trade?The episode also gets into Bill Parcells’ comments on Jaxson Dart and why “give me more time” might be the most honest answer about the Giants’ young quarterback. Parcells compared Dart’s mobility to Phil Simms and made it clear he still needs to see more before making a real judgment.Did Cam Newton overrate the Giants’ ego problem?Drew and Rob push back on Cam Newton calling the Giants a team full of egos after Odell Beckham Jr.’s return. OBJ, Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, and Jaxson Dart all bring personality, but that does not automatically make the locker room a problem. Isaiah Likely’s comments on OBJ also add a different view: Beckham can still be a veteran presence and “big brother” type for the receiver room.The show also covers John Harbaugh getting early Coach of the Year buzz, Abdul Carter’s minicamp ankle update, the Giants trying out Grant Finley, Anfernee Orji, and Marlon Davidson, and former Giants standing out in the UFL, including Deon Jackson, Jashaun Corbin, Jaydon Mickens, and Tae Crowder.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballsAll episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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Giants Scrutiny Comes With a Real Cost

4w ago00:18:43Tap to summarize

Giants Scrutiny Comes The Giants have more young talent, more national attention, and more reasons for optimism than they have had in years — but that also means the excuses are running out. This episode looks at the cost of being under the microscope: Jaxson Dart has to prove Year 2 is real, John Harbaugh has to steady the culture, Kayvon Thibodeaux trade rumors will not disappear, and the defense has to become more than just interesting on paper. Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate. The Big Question: Are the Giants a real surprise-team candidate or are fans talking themselves into another offseason trap? The answer depends on whether Harbaugh, Dart, the pass rush, Malik Nabers’ health, and the new-look defense can turn the “prove it” pressure into actual wins. Rob runs a solo show reacting to NFL.com putting the Giants among the teams facing the most scrutiny this season. The discussion starts with the obvious pressure point: this franchise has had too many losing seasons, and national media is finally treating the Giants like a team that has to show progress instead of just sell hope. Can Jaxson Dart and the offense prove the optimism is real? The episode gets into Dart’s Year 2 expectations, Malik Nabers’ short- and long-term health questions, Odell Beckham Jr.’s return, and whether this offense is still a piece or two short of being complete. OBJ is a headline, but the bigger issue is whether the Giants actually have enough around Dart to make the leap feel real. Are the Achilles injuries just bad luck, or a real warning sign? Rob also breaks down John Harbaugh’s comments after Thaddeus Dixon, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Gunner Olszewski all suffered Achilles injuries during OTAs. Harbaugh said the Giants did not find a common load pattern, but did identify a similar movement pattern and added testing, body-movement equipment, and strength-training equipment to try to individualize the process for players. Should Kayvon Thibodeaux trade rumors still be taken seriously? The Kayvon Thibodeaux deadline-rumor conversation comes back again after ESPN listed him as a possible player who could be moved. Rob looks at why the idea keeps surfacing, why the contract number matters, and why a strong start from Kayvon could actually make the decision more complicated if the Giants are not clearly contending. Then D.J. Reader gives the optimistic counterpoint. His “get-off-the-bus” quote frames this Giants defense as big, strong, fast, and potentially special if the pieces come together. That creates the real divide of the episode: ESPN’s FPI does not believe in the Giants, but the roster has enough physical talent to make fans wonder if the national projection is too low. The show also hits the Jaxson Dart, Odell Beckham Jr., and Brian Burns NBA Finals trip, the canceled OTA practice for a New York City community bonding event, and the live chat’s questions during a solo Rob night. Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/ Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballs All episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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Malik Nabers Rumor Creates a Giants Trust Test

4w ago00:25:47Tap to summarize

Malik Nabers was stopped by police, but the bigger Giants story became how fast one video turned into rumor panic before the facts caught up. The gain was urgency; the sacrifice was accuracy, because the reporting later pointed to no arrest, no weapon, no citation, and a mistaken-identity situation.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.Did Giants fans overreact to the Malik Nabers police stop? Yes, the rumor cycle went too far once people started speculating about an arrest or weapon, but the initial concern was understandable because the video looked serious before the full reporting came out.Drew opens the show by separating the Malik Nabers rumor panic from the actual reporting. The discussion focuses on how quickly Giants fans and social media jumped from a police stop to worst-case speculation, even though the later reports said Nabers was allowed to leave with no arrest, no weapon found, and no citation. The episode also works in the one thing Nabers might actually be guilty of: questionable Cybertruck taste.Did OBJ say exactly what Giants fans needed to hear, or is this still just June press-conference talk?The show then circles back to Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to the Giants, including his comments about earning a roster spot and going out on his sword. Drew gives OBJ credit for sounding self-aware and grounded, while still keeping the bigger point honest: this is not a guaranteed roster spot, and the old concerns do not disappear because of one good media session.The wide receiver room also gets another look after the Giants added OBJ, Braxton Berrios, and JuJu Smith-Schuster on cheap one-year deals. Drew argues that JuJu may be the most likely of the three to actually matter this season because he still looks like a legitimate depth receiver, while OBJ and Berrios have clearer roster-question marks.Did the Giants make a smart roster move by cutting Jason Sanders, or did they just make the kicker battle more uncomfortable?The Jason Sanders release creates the next major debate. The Giants cut their veteran kicker to make room for JuJu Smith-Schuster, leaving Ben Sauls and rookie Dominic Zvada as the names to watch. Drew weighs the concern of losing the only proven kicker on the roster against John Harbaugh’s special teams background, Sanders’ reported struggles, and the idea that Sanders’ high-trajectory kicking style may not fit a windy MetLife environment. The Jets signing Sanders right after the Giants cut him only makes the whole thing stranger.PFF’s All-Giants Team closes the episode with the kind of argument Giants fans love. Eli Manning is obvious at quarterback, but Ahmad Bradshaw over Saquon Barkley starts the first real fight. The wide receiver group of Odell Beckham Jr., Hakeem Nicks, and Victor Cruz gets mostly defended, while the tight end/flex choices, Michael Strahan omission, and linebacker group create more debate. Rob joins late as the conversation turns to how thin the Giants’ linebacker history has been in the PFF era and whether names like John Beason deserved more love.The episode wraps with quick OTA notes, including returner possibilities with Deonte Banks, Braxton Berrios, Calvin Austin III, and Xavier Gibson, plus a positive Roy Robertson-Harris injury update that leaves the door open for a possible late-season return.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballsAll episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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OBJ Returns as Giants Face WR Risk

4w ago01:04:35Tap to summarize

The Giants gained name value and veteran depth by adding Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, but the sacrifice may be obvious: this many June receiver moves raises real questions about Malik Nabers and the health of the wide receiver room.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.The Big Question: Why did the Giants sign three wide receivers in one day? The cleanest answer is that the Giants needed return help after Gunner Olszewski’s injury, veteran depth for Matt Nagy’s offense, and insurance in case Malik Nabers is not ready as quickly as fans hope.OBJ coming back is the emotional headline. Drew and Rob gave Beckham his due as one of the most electric Giants receivers ever, with a résumé that still sits near the top of the franchise record book. But they also pushed the conversation past nostalgia. This version of OBJ is older, has dealt with major injuries, has not produced like the 2015 version in years, and only makes sense if John Harbaugh keeps the role clear.Is Braxton Berrios a real Gunner Olszewski replacement, or just a veteran swing?Berrios makes sense because the Giants needed a return option after Olszewski landed on IR. He has All-Pro returner history, but this episode does not treat him like an automatic fix. The debate is whether there is still enough return-game juice there, or whether the Giants are simply taking a low-risk shot at a familiar veteran profile.Is JuJu Smith-Schuster actually the most useful signing of the three?The OBJ name carries the most emotion, but JuJu may have the clearest path to practical snaps. Drew argued that Smith-Schuster’s recent playing time, power-slot profile, and Matt Nagy connection could make him more useful right away than fans expect, especially if the Giants lean into more spread looks or need reliable short-area targets.Are the Giants quietly worried about Malik Nabers?That became the real tension point. Adding OBJ, Berrios, JuJu, and still working out Anthony Miller makes the wide receiver room feel less like normal depth shopping and more like insurance. Drew and Rob pushed back on overreacting to Nabers moving cautiously at a charity softball event, but the larger roster behavior still makes the question fair.The episode also covers Zach Triner being released, Ben Mann becoming the only long snapper currently on the roster, Jarrod Gray joining through the International Player Pathway, Arvell Reese officially signing his rookie contract, and Russell Wilson moving toward CBS Sports.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballsAll episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

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