Best of NFL News Part 1: Jets’ ownership the real problem in New York, Marcades Lewis joins Broncos for 20th NFL season

Summary

Club Shay Shay – Best of NFL News Part 1: Jets’ Ownership, Marcades Lewis’ 20th Season, and NFL Real Talk

Podcast: Club Shay Shay
Episode: Best of NFL News Part 1: Jets’ ownership the real problem in New York, Marcades Lewis joins Broncos for 20th NFL season
Date: November 1, 2025
Host: Bucky Brooks (Shannon Sharpe not present in this segment)
Guests: Mercedes Lewis, Cam Curl, Ocho, Joe

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Episode Overview

This packed episode of Club Shay Shay dives into hot NFL topics and features deep conversations with current and former players. The hosts and their guests discuss team dynamics, coaching philosophies, the impact of NFL ownership (with focus on the New York Jets), and the extraordinary career of tight end Mercedes Lewis, who just signed with the Denver Broncos for his 20th NFL season. The episode’s tone is casual, insightful, and full of locker-room candor.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Cam Curl on Defensive Success and Team Continuity (03:13–13:25)

Defensive Continuity Leads to Success

• Cam Curl describes how the Rams' defensive unit's continuity has elevated them, highlighting that this is the first time in his career that the entire secondary has remained intact for consecutive seasons.

  “This is the first time I done seen… bring back a whole secondary unit… that just helps us play even faster…” (04:50–04:55)

Adaptability Within the Scheme

• The system is tailored to player strengths:

  “I feel like the system… the scheme we got is built around our players…built for our skill set.” (04:28–04:37)

• Curl says coaches encourage instincts, not robotic play:

  “They do emphasize… not being robots... They don’t want to take the football instincts away…” (05:40–06:01)

Cam’s Mindset as a Late-Round Pick

• As a 7th-round pick, his mentality was: prove yourself every day:

  “I gotta take everything to the next level, you know what I’m saying? Just to try to make this team…” (08:41–09:04)

Difference between Defensive Systems: Washington vs LA

• LA’s defense is much more complex and emphasizes disguise:

  “It’s a way more complex defense... we run tons of different coverages… real complex.” (10:00–10:20)

Practicing Against Elite Offensive Talent

• Cam talks about daily battles with guys like Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Matthew Stafford:

  “It’s amazing to see in practice for sure… just makes us a lot better as a defense.” (12:07–12:34)

Memorable Moment:

• Lighthearted banter about whether Cam could have tackled Ocho if they played against each other:

  Ocho: “You think you would have been able to hit me?”
  Cam: “Yeah.” (06:42–06:44)

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2. Mercedes Lewis Reflects on 20 Years in the NFL (18:27–44:44)

The Call to Denver

• Lewis describes the unique experience of not being signed immediately in the offseason, and how he got the unexpected call from the Broncos’ GM, George Paton.

  “I come back from Joshua Tree… I get a call from a Denver number… the GM left a message like ‘Yo, big dog, give me a call. This is George Paton, GM at the Broncos. Want to talk to you for a second.’” (19:17–19:49)

Longevity, Motivation, and Routine

• Lewis never envisioned 20 years in the league—10 years seemed like a dream at first. His mentor, coach John Embree, set him on the right path:

  “He said, ‘I came to UCLA to coach you.’ Gave me a whole rundown of… my family knew where I was from… that kind of, you know, lit a fire under me.” (21:21–22:41)

• Key for his longevity? Developing a consistent year-round routine and committing to personal bests every day.

  “My in-season workout recovery does not change from my out of season… I don’t take it off.” (32:31–32:55)

Breaking Down the 20-Year Barrier

• Only a handful of NFL players (mostly kickers and specialists) have played 20+ seasons in league history—Lewis joins that illustrious list as a tight end, a physically demanding position.

  “There have only been…13 players to play at least 20 years or more. Most of them, as you could imagine, are kickers… and now Mercedes Lewis is on this list.” (35:16–36:09)

Endgame? This Is the Final Season

• On the record, for the first time:

  "This is it." (28:22–28:24)
  Lewis commits that year 20 will be his last, sharing the mental challenge of waiting for a call and coping with not being in a training camp for the first time.

Adapting and Giving Back

• Green Bay and Chicago: Lewis adapted to tough, cold-weather environments, changing roles, and contributed as a mentor and a “do-it-all” tight end.
• His training includes martial arts:

  “I’ve been training mixed martial arts now for 15 years. So… whether it’s jiu jitsu, muay thai, wrestling, judo…” (33:05–33:16)

Minimalist Mindset

• On life after football:

  “The older you get… I’ve been more of a minimalist… I realized that I don’t need a whole bunch to find joy. Like, I’m happy inside, you know?” (41:04–41:22)

Notable Quotes

• On setting an NFL record:

  “Once I got 18, I was like, I have to get 20.” (27:37–27:44)

• On staying in it:

  “You’re not staying in this league for as long as you have just for being a great leader. You've been dominant.” – Sean Payton to Lewis (29:44–30:06)

Fun Banter

• Ocho claims a black belt; Lewis and Ocho joke about sparring and martial arts skills. (37:14–38:52)

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3. Ownership Woes and the New York Jets (49:12–53:13)

Jets Ownership Under Fire

• Bucky Brooks lays blame for the Jets’ historic struggles squarely at the ownership and management, particularly Woody Johnson's approach and public comments:

  “It’s easy to point a finger at Justin Fields or Aaron Glenn for the Jets’ troubles, but Robert Saleh seems to be the coach... How much blame should we place on ownership led by Woody Johnson for the long, long history of jets failure?” (49:12–50:22)

• Ocho: “Management is to blame as well for the long, long, long failures for the quarterback position with the Jets… It's always been the defense.” (50:22–50:35)

• On how public statements by ownership destroy confidence in young QBs:

  “...it has to hurt to know that your owner feels that way and I still got to go out there and play for him.” (51:44–52:00)

Broader Organizational Issues

• Discussion highlights that the Jets (like the Bears) have lacked organizational stability and vision—while owners like Jerry Jones get away with being outspoken, New York's failures are persistent.
• The panel notes it’s not just the coaching, quarterback, or bad luck; it's systemic.

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4. Player Development, Trades, and NBA/NFL Parallels (53:13–63:12)

Talent Evaluation and Player Growth

• The conversation parallels how player talent can sometimes be missed or underutilized, referencing NBA stars like Jalen Brunson and James Harden as analogues to NFL players like Daniel Jones (who improved significantly after leaving New York).

• Ocho on NBA front office talent evaluation:

  “There’s a certain thing that we can see called the it factor… You can tell when a player is going to be special.” (58:11–58:40)

• Bucky Brooks: “Everybody gets to say that after the fact… I knew that boy was going to make it… I thought I told such and such that boy gonna make it.” (61:53–62:21)

Situational Development Matters

• Players' environments—system, teammates, leadership—can make or break that "it factor."
• The hosts argue that sometimes organizations don't nurture talent properly, leading to missed stars or busts.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Cam Curl on Defensive Instincts:

  “They don’t want to take the football instincts away from us... He lets us play how we play.” — Cam (05:40–06:01)

• Mercedes Lewis on Longevity:

  “Once I got to 15, I was like okay… I still feel really good.” (25:07–25:34)

• On Player Value and Development:

  “You’re not staying in this league as long as you have just for being a great leader. You’ve been dominant.” — Sean Payton to Mercedes Lewis (29:44–30:06)

• On Owner Interference:

  “It has to hurt to know that your owner feels that way and I still got to go out there and play for him.” — Ocho (51:44–52:00)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:13–13:25] – Cam Curl and the Rams defensive philosophy, continuity, and team culture
• [18:27–44:44] – In-depth with Mercedes Lewis: from free agency limbo to the call from Denver, lessons from 20 seasons, training regimen, and his impending retirement
• [49:12–53:13] – Critique of the New York Jets’ ownership and long-term issues
• [53:13–63:12] – Broad discussion: organizational versus individual talent, parallels to the NBA and lessons on player development

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Tone and Style

Throughout, the conversation is authentic, informal, and deeply NFL "locker room" flavored—there’s a camaraderie rooted in shared experience and knowledge. Guests and hosts speak candidly about league politics, life after football, what it takes to survive in the NFL, and what’s broken about some franchises.

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Summary

• For NFL fans and students of the game: This Club Shay Shay episode provides an insider look at why some teams never get it right (hello, Jets), what keeps a player in the league for two decades, and how culture and coaching philosophies directly impact success. Mercedes Lewis’ segment is particularly inspiring and loaded with wisdom for anyone pondering a long career in football or beyond.
• Don’t miss: Mercedes Lewis announcing this will be his final season (28:22), tales of martial arts cross-training, and the unsparing take on NFL ownership dysfunction.

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If you’re interested in player psychology, career longevity, and what truly drives team success (or consistent failure)—this episode is a must-listen.

Transcript

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[Mercedes Lewis]

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[Mercedes Lewis]

It feels like it's trying to divide people.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

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[Mercedes Lewis]

Maybe we could calm down a little.

[Bucky Brooks]

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[Cam]

Let's meet at the Facts. Let's move forward from there.

[Mercedes Lewis]

NBC News reporting for America.

[Bucky Brooks]

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[Ocho]

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[Ocho]

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[Ocho]

Hey, see what's up.

[Mercedes Lewis]

What.

[Cam]

What up? What up?

[Ocho]

We like.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You about to rob.

[Ocho]

You about to rob something?

[Cam]

No, I'm just comfortable, man.

[Joe]

Okay.

[Bucky Brooks]

Welcome to the show. Ram, Safety Cam, Curl Cam, how you doing, man?

[Cam]

I'm doing good, man. I appreciate y' all for having me.

[Bucky Brooks]

Appreciate you coming on the bye week. You guys are coming up the bye week. So what did Cam do in this bye week? So what? So. So take us through your bye week. Did you had the whole week off? So you. You got out of town? Boom.

[Cam]

No, I ain't even leave. I ain't gonna lie. I stayed here. I was tired.

[Bucky Brooks]

Okay.

[Cam]

Because we did all that traveling, like.

[Bucky Brooks]

Right, right.

[Cam]

Baltimore. That whole week.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah.

[Cam]

Then we traveled to London and played, like, within, like, that certain amount of time. So I was really tired from all the traveling. And we didn't get. I ain't get home to, like, Monday, 2:30 in the morning.

[Bucky Brooks]

Damn.

[Cam]

Like, I slept all Monday. Tuesday, I went to the facility a few days, you know what I'm saying? But I just spent time with the family, really. Just trying to let my body rest.

[Ocho]

Okay. You ain't do nothing outside of that, though, like, to get away. Just to get away from the game.

[Bucky Brooks]

Of football, I mean.

[Cam]

Yeah. Like, you know, I took the kids to the park and stuff, like, you know what I'm saying? Like, just a little. Little stuff. I ain't do nothing. Crazy.

[Ocho]

Crazy.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Yeah.

[I]

I like it.

[Bucky Brooks]

You're. That you guys are number one. The first. You're first. The red zone. Defensive touchdowns allow 30 points, allow eighth and takeaways. What do you think the biggest reason you guys have having such success on the defensive side of the football?

[Cam]

I mean, I feel like the system we got and the scheme we got is built around our players. And what we able to do is, like, it's built for our skill set. And, you know, we've been in this system. It's our second year going on in the system, so we all comfortable with each other, especially in the secondary like this, the first place. Like, the first time I done seen. Let's bring back a whole, like, secondary unit, you know what I'm saying?

[Bucky Brooks]

Same group came back for the second year.

[Cam]

Yeah. Usually every year, the room changes, you know what I'm saying? But, you know, since we did that that just helps us play even faster because we're more comfortable with each other and you know, know how we. How each other play?

[Ocho]

Yeah. And now that you are in your second year of this other defense, how comfortable are you? You know.

[Cam]

I mean, I'm real comfortable. Like, I'm real comfortable how Sulacar's game, and I'm real comfortable with all my teammates, you know what I'm saying? And I just like flying around with those guys like we out there making plays, you know what I'm saying? You know, trying to keep doing that.

[Ocho]

Hey, does your coach, your defensive coordinator, does he allow you the freedom to do things off script? That really, really isn't part of X and O's, but because you're the one out there on the field and playing the game and you have a feel for stuff, can you go off script and do stuff based on what you've seen on film?

[Cam]

I mean, you know, as long as you make the play, you know what I'm saying? They ain't gonna be too mad. But now they do emphasize on us not being robots, though, you know what I'm saying? They don't want to take the football instincts away from us, you know what I'm saying? So he lets. He lets us play how we play, you know what I'm saying? We gonna always go within the scheme, you know, in the play call, but, you know, he lets us go out there and fly around.

[Bucky Brooks]

Okay, you're known for your physical style of play. How you get the. How you get the nickname Cam Bam?

[Cam]

I got that name, like in high school, it was a. I ain't gonna lie, you know, the. The females used to call me that, you know what I'm saying? Oh, that's what it was, you know? Nah, you know, you know, I bring that boom on the field too, you know what I'm saying? You know, it rhymes, you know, but like, yeah, it's just. It's just a little nickname.

[Ocho]

Hey, let me, Let me.

[Mercedes Lewis]

I got.

[Ocho]

I got a question for you. Since they call you Cam Bam and you. And you know, for, you know, coming down here, coming to the party, you. You think, you think you would have been able to hit me if we were playing? Like, if I just happened to be in this area, you think you would hit me?

[Cam]

Yeah.

[Ocho]

Like, hey, hold on, you laughing. You see, you think about, hey, you.

[Cam]

A little thin man.

[Ocho]

I'm 220. What you talking about then?

[Cam]

What you. What you was wearing back then?

[Ocho]

Back then, I was 2:30.

[Cam]

All right?

[Bucky Brooks]

If you 2:30, then you got it.

[Ocho]

Yeah, I would have ran through you, but, man, don't do. Don't do that. Don't do that.

[Mercedes Lewis]

With your.

[Bucky Brooks]

What was some of the factors?

[Mercedes Lewis]

What.

[Bucky Brooks]

What was so appealing for you with signing with the Rams, honestly, like, off.

[Cam]

The bat, just, you know, Sean McVeigh, you know what I'm saying? Just even before I got here, just seeing him from afar and, you know, hearing things about him and watching his interviews and stuff like, that's just off the bat, like a guy you want to play football for, you know, it's just the type of guy he is. And, you know, I knew it was a winning culture here. You know, they just won the super bowl not too long ago, you know what I'm saying? You know, they always get into the playoffs, you know, so it was just. It felt like the right fit, you know what I'm saying? It's a bunch of young, hungry guys on the defensive side with some stuff to prove. And, you know, I felt like I fit right in.

[Bucky Brooks]

You came in the league kind of like I came in the league. I was seventh round draft pick. I was 192. You were seventh round draft pick. And I never felt like I made it. I feel like I had to go out there every single year and reprove myself that, like, I got to give them one reason. And I always had this mindset I gotta get. When I went to practice, Cam, I went. I said, I got to give him one reason to keep me. Just one. Yeah, man, you see that Rob Sharp ran, man, you see that catch that he made? You see how he picked up that blip? Just one. I needed one reason for him to say, yeah, we got to keep him another day. What. What was your mindset coming in? You got a seventh round draft pick. The commanders. What was your mindset? Because, you know, normally seventh round picks don't count bodies. They just. They just, hey, they need somebody to fill out the roster. They ain't really tried. They really tried to give us no look, but you got to see me, because I'm gonna make you look.

[Cam]

Nah, facts. Nah. My mindset. I mean, I knew getting drafted in the seventh round, like, I was just talking to myself like, you know, I gotta take everything to the next level, you know what I'm saying? Just to try to make this team, you know, coming in because I was the only rookie DB that had picked up that whole, like, draft process. You know, they ain't pick no credence up or nothing. So I was the only rookie DB in the room. So, like, it's like, I'm going against vets, I'm competing against vets, you know what I'm saying? People already been in, so I just know how to take everything to the next level. And, you know, all my vets there back then at 2020 season, like, they really brought me in, you know what I'm saying, and showed me the way, and I just sat back, watched them and learned and, you know, started making plays.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah, you look being in two different. Look, Washington, la, How similar or how different are the defensive systems that when you were in D.C. compared to what you are in right now in LA?

[Cam]

I feel like it's a difference. I feel like in Washington, it was more of like, you know, like a. Like a straightforward. This is what we doing, you know what I'm saying? We. Not really. We wasn't really doing no disguising, like, you know, damn, man, line up and play. We running black.

[Bucky Brooks]

How you just going out there? You ain't got no ski mask, you ain't got nothing. You ain't got no dark clothes on.

[Ocho]

You just going like.

[Cam]

That's how Dario is, though. Like, you know, I.

[Joe]

Like.

[Bucky Brooks]

I know Jack. I played against Jack.

[Cam]

We go, you're gonna put your position, you gotta make the play. You know, that's all that matters. And I feel like this Rams defense, it's. It's a. It's a way more complex defense, you know what I'm saying? We run tons of different coverages. Like, it's coverages that I'm learning about this year. I ain't even know it was coverage, you know what I'm saying? So it's a real complex defense, and it fits us. Cause we got real smart players on our defense, you know what I'm saying? That can think on the fly, you know what I'm saying? And we communicate very well. Like this defense, communication is key, for sure.

[Ocho]

Yeah. And it's. It's funny when you talk about defenses being very complex and you're able to do more with the defense when you have the right players with this, with the right skill set and can communicate. It brings me back to that 2000 Ravens, that 2000, early 2000 Steelers defense. But KC, they used to run defenses that weren't even on film. Yeah, they weren't on film. And people were always out of position, but they were so good with a great understanding of being able to communicate. Communicate. And when the ball snaps, they fly back to exactly where they supposed to be at. But it was so confusing for me as an Officer Player. So the fact that you guys are able to do that, to run complex stuff that you really don't see on film, you really don't know what's coming.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah.

[Ocho]

And keep an offense thinking all the time, especially at the snap and after the snap of the ball, you always have an advantage. Always have an advantage defensively for sure, man.

[Bucky Brooks]

Cam, I'm looking at you guys schedules. You got the Saints, Niners, Seahawks, Bucks, Panthers, Cars, Lions, Seahawks, Falcons, Cardinals.

[Stephen Curry]

Them.

[Bucky Brooks]

Damn, y' all got a lot of birds up in there. The Seahawks, the Cardinals. The Seahawks, the Falcons, the Cardinals. Y' all were trying to put some of these birds out their misery.

[Cam]

Oh, yeah, yeah, we're gonna do that for sure, man.

[Ocho]

Hey, speaking of, man, what has it been like, man, to watch Puka Nakua, man, and devonte Adams, man, Devonte Steel. I know, you know, we. We talk about some of the best receivers in the game. You know, they mentioned Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson, you know, JSN and some of those. You know, those. Those younger guys. But to me, devonte ad still the best route runner in the league, man. What is it like playing with him?

[Cam]

But it's crazy, man, just starting off like at practice, just watching every day at practice and being able to go against those type of guys every day, it makes us a lot better as a defense. Because every. Every team, you're not seeing that every day.

[Ocho]

Oh, you know, every day.

[Cam]

So that's. That's just making us better. And then to add Matthew Stafford in the mix with those two, like, it's crazy, but, like, it's just. It's amazing to see him practice for sure. Yeah.

[Bucky Brooks]

And it's hard to like, oh, why follow the quarterback eyes? And Matthew Stafford looking over here, and he throwing the ball over there. He looking over there, throwing the ball over here. You're like, coach, why you go there? Because he was looking over there. You said, follow the quarterback eyes.

[Cam]

He do that to some practice, too. It's not just them. He do it to us, too.

[Bucky Brooks]

Hey, when we saw it on the tape. Cause in the game, you didn't know it, because I was at the super bowl when he threw. When he did that in the super bowl, when he threw, hey, he was looking like this here. And he threw the ball, and Cooper cup ended up catching it. It was right because the linebacker was dead right. If he looks at it, the linebacker's gonna pick it. But because he was looking over here and he threw it, he said, oh, he ain't finna throw it. Like, oh, my Goodness.

[Ocho]

Right off his ear hole. That was nice.

[Cam]

That's crazy that we see that every day, man. It's crazy to watch.

[Ocho]

Hey, you know, Coach Yard's still a receiver. Coach, huh?

[Cam]

Yeah, yeah, my dog.

[Ocho]

That was my coach at Oregon State.

[I]

For real?

[Cam]

Yeah. No, Yard's a cool dude, man.

[Mercedes Lewis]

That's my guy, man.

[Ocho]

That's my guy.

[Bucky Brooks]

Well, Cam, thanks for joining us tonight, man. Best of luck. Continued success, stay healthy. And, hey, you guys got a nice little schedule coming up. But, hey, you don't got your bye week. You get your second win. Now it's time to. Hey, time to go finish the task.

[Cam]

Yes, sir. Already. I appreciate y' all for having me.

[Bucky Brooks]

Thanks for coming on. Appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of the evening.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Morning, Zoe.

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[Joe]

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[Daniel Jeremiah]

What's up everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here and I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game, from scouting reports and player development to team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots. From college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow, we break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig into coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a die hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Cam]

Me too.

[Bucky Brooks]

All right, we got our Special guest joining us. He just signed with the Broncos, playing in his 20th season. Played a grand total of 285 career games from playing University of California at Los Angeles, AKA ucla. Here he is, ladies and gentlemen. Mar Sadie's Lewis.

[Mercedes Lewis]

What's up, brother?

[Bucky Brooks]

I'm good, man. How you doing, bro?

[Mercedes Lewis]

I'm doing well, man. Just. Everything happened so fast. It was like, Obviously, I played 19 last year. I didn't get picked up for camp, didn't do OTAs. This was the first time I hadn't been in camp. So it was a. It was a mental. It was messing with me mentally for a second, because it's something that I've been used to, and I'm one of those that. I love camp. I love building that gristle and getting ready for the season. So when I didn't get picked up, it was like, okay, you know, how do I want to go about this? And so I just was kind of more introspective about it and just kind of was in a state of allowing meaning, like not resisting nor forcing what was meant for me. I come back from Joshua Tree. I go to a place where I recover at, get in the sauna. I get a call from a Denver number, and obviously, I didn't answer it because I didn't have it. I'm thinking it's Spam. I'm like, man, what is this? So the number calls back probably like three minutes later. And I'm like, I still look at my phone, didn't answer it. And then the GM left a message like, yo, big dog, give me a call. This is George Payton, GM at the Broncos. Want to talk to you for a second. So I called him back, and literally right there, and this was Monday. He was like, yo, can you fly out here tonight? And I was like, mind you, I've never been in this situation before. Like, I've always been contracted. So it was just different feeling this, you know, feeling this. Right? So, yeah, I'm like, you know what? Yeah, I could fly out there. So I hopped on a flight like, around 8, got. Got to Denver, like, around 11:30 at night, sat on the tarmac for, like, 50 minutes, then went to the hotel, and then literally next day, Tuesday, worked out, took my physical and signed on the spot, man. So it's. It's definitely a different experience.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah, you tell them, hell, yeah. You fly. You buy? I fly.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Come on, now.

[Bucky Brooks]

Will I fly? Hell, yeah. You buy, I fly.

[Mercedes Lewis]

No, Doug.

[Ocho]

Hey, Mercedes. Was it ever the thought in your mind that you will be able to, for one, make it into the league is one thing. You want to play, you want to have a healthy career. You want to squeeze in as many years as you can, obviously. But did you ever think you'd get the year 20?

[Mercedes Lewis]

Man, I thought obviously, coming out of UCLA, that 10 was going to be a great career. And, yeah, you know, and it was a situation where I'm not sure. You familiar with John Embry? He was my tight end coach at ucla.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah, he was in camp with me my rookie year in 1990.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Okay, okay. So, you know ambo, you know, his.

[Bucky Brooks]

I do.

[Mercedes Lewis]

His energy and just the type of person he is. So obviously Embo, you know, he coached Tony Gonzalez, George Kittle for a little while. Remember Daniel Graham? So as far as, like, that, his resume is dipped in blood when it comes to, like, tight ends and how he's able to get across to those guys and, you know. Yep, 100%. And I remember, I would say he got to UCLA my sophomore year, then fired the tight end coach we had. He got to ucla, and the first conversation we had, he was like, look, I didn't come to UCLA to coach for ucla. He said, I came to UCLA to coach you. Gave me a whole rundown of, like, my family knew where I was from. I'm from the east side of Long Beach. My mom had me at 15 years old. I've been through just a whole bunch. So he had already done his homework, and that kind of, you know, lit a fire under me. And so right after that, that formed a connection and just like that vibration that we had. And literally, he took me from. He said, look, this is where you are now. You got the ability to go through here. He was like, there's a lot of people that can catch the ball and run and look pretty. We know that you're an athlete.

[Bucky Brooks]

Cool.

[Mercedes Lewis]

We get it. You want to play a long time in the league, you gonna have to learn how to get your nose dirty. And it starts right here. And so he literally took me from, you know, just being able to catch a pass and do nice things with it to, like, really being a dog and what it meant to being a dog. And so I learned how to compete under him. And so by the time I got to the league, this is my rookie year, I get drafted in 2006, Freddie T. Fred Taylor took me under his wing. And Fred Taylor, he called me slim. Like, at that time, I was. I was six, six, like 260, but I didn't have the mass right. So he just always just called Me slim. So one, the first day of pads, we got the Oklahoma drill, right? So this is like my first Oklahoma drill in the NFL. We get 3D ends. Freddie T's running behind me twice, and then Maurice Drew is running behind me. I pancake the first two guys, move the third guy out the way. Freddie T. Jumped on my back, kind of, like, wrestled me almost to the grass, and was like, yo, you keep blocking like that, you gonna be in the league for a long time. So, yeah, fast forward to when I signed my contract this morning. Freddie T text me and was like, you remember that conversation we had? I was like, bro, how could I ever forget that? That's something that I always have with me, and it's something that's inspired me this whole entire time. So I'm just grateful to, you know, he didn't have to take me under his wing. He played running back. It was. It's just been. It's been smooth, man. And I just take it one day at a time and, you know, just get my personal best or whatever it is I'm doing in that day, and I live with the results.

[Bucky Brooks]

You.

[I]

You.

[Bucky Brooks]

You mentioned Mercedes, but, bro, that's still a long time to get your body to go through the rigors. Look, we know that you don't, you know, situational now, but still, you got to come in there, and it ain't Jacksonville, where you got nice warm weather. You play you in Chicago, bro. Outside, you got you having to go. And you were the Green Bay outside. So. So we get it. So what is the. So once you got past year. Once you got past year 10, as you mentioned, I can get 10. Then you get to 15, because once you get to 10, you take it one year at a time.

[Mercedes Lewis]

100.

[Bucky Brooks]

Once you got to 15, you had to be like, hold on. Gonzalez played 17. Whitten plays 17. The way I feel right now, 17 is in the bag. Was it ever a realistic shot Once you got past 15, that 20 would be into the play in the equation?

[Mercedes Lewis]

Bro, you. You just hit it on the nose. And, like, this conversation is something that I have pretty often with people because they ask me, like, how did you, like, like, what in your mind made you think that you can just keep going and keep jumping up to Continue your career? 15 was literally that magic number. Once I got. Once I passed 10, I got to 15, and I was like, okay. I don't want to question it, because I don't want to jinx myself, but I still feel really good. Right?

[Cam]

Okay.

[Mercedes Lewis]

And so I get to 15 I'm in green Bay and literally Green Bay is like, well, we want to sign you to a two year deal. Because I was only doing one year deals, trying to just play it by ear.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yep.

[Mercedes Lewis]

And like at that time in Green Bay, obviously we had Jimmy Graham, he had signed a contract, he was there for a couple years, then he ended up leaving. And then I ended up being like the full time Y, like, so I was the Y, which means like the do it all tight end for the listeners out there. And then we had obviously the pass catching tight end at that time, Robert Tullyon. So I was doing all the dirty work. Outside zone, power ISO, all that, like.

[Bucky Brooks]

Got that edge marced. You gotta set the edge.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Come on, man, I'm sifting. I was doing all that. So they, I didn't expect them to offer me a two year deal. I thought it was going to be one year, one year. But when they offered me a two year deal, I felt like it was my responsibility to go out there and continue to give them what they know that I, that I'm about. And I signed a deal, didn't look back, got through 17. Still, still felt really good. A rod ends up leaving. Devonte ends up leaving. Cobb retires, Dave Bachiari leaves. I'm like, okay, it's only me here. I know it's about to be my time to go too. So they hit me up like, hey, Sadie's like, you know, we're kind of changing the regime. Like, you know, you know, the, the, the. So I'm like, all right, like no doubt, whatever. Like, you know, I'll figure it out. And then not too long after that I would say, June, Chicago hit me up. And then we had had Luke Getzy, who was the quarterback coach with Green Bay and was familiar with, you know, how to use me as far as in, you know, plays and what I'm good at and brought me to Chicago thinking that was going to be a one year deal. Played that out. Still played about 43% of the plays at 39 years old. So I'm still rolling. Then the next year bring me back. So that's two years and then here we are now. It was just like once I got 18, I was like, I have to get 20.

[Cam]

Got 19.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah, I gotta get, I got, I can't end on odd number. I gotta get 20.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Like this is I literally it was like the capstone like I 20 is like when I wake up number in.

[Bucky Brooks]

The NFL ain't a whole lot of players that's ever played 20 season, you get a. You get a Jackie Slater, and you get a Tom Brady, and you get a handful of guys, but maybe. I don't think it's 20 guys. Maybe. Maybe it's 20 guys of 25, 000 people. Men that's ever played this game. Daryl Green. It ain't a whole lot of guys. So let me ask you this. Is this it? You trying for 21 or you done at 20? You stopping on a nice. A nice round, even number?

[Mercedes Lewis]

Okay, so. So this will be the first time I've ever said this, because I haven't, but this is it. Like, if I said that last year, like, if I said that after 19, I wouldn't have felt like I did in these months that I was not playing right. Like, bro, I would wake up sometime. Like, the season started, it was a few teams hitting my agent up, but it was like, just. Is he still working out? Does he still want to play? Just a bunch of, like, fluff. It wasn't nothing serious. So I told my agent, Buzz Cook, I told him. I said, look, if it's not serious, like, don't hit me up because it's messing with my head. Like, some days. Some days I wake up sharp and be like, right. I feel good. And then some days I wake up and I feel like I'm in a nightmare because I'm waking up, I'm watching ball in my mind, I'm like, there's not 64 tight ends better than me in this league. And I know I could be out there helping somebody win. Yeah. And, like, especially for what I do at this point, point of my career, like, I'm the best at this, right? Like, just point of contact, setting the edge, rock setting and play pass. Like, you know how it is. Like, it's.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Mercedes Lewis]

I take.

[Bucky Brooks]

I'm gonna block it. We set the thing up. Hey, we'll scoop it. Whatever you want. Whatever you want to do. Hey, if y' all want to put play, let me be Gilligan. I get on that island if I need to.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Come on.

[Bucky Brooks]

Hey, hey.

[Mercedes Lewis]

And that's kind of where I'm at. And, you know, today Sean Payton pulled me aside and was like, I've been watching you for the last eight years. Like, even when I was in Green Bay, the Saints kept trying to get me. When he was with the Saints, he was like, I just want you to know that I've been watching you for the last eight years. I know what you're about. Everybody talks about how you are as a person. Like, I get it. But you're not staying in this league for as long as you have just for being a great leader. You've been dominant. We need somebody like you. And so they made me feel valued. They made me feel welcome. And to be honest with you guys, like, today was the first time I felt like. Like nervous because it was like, I'm 41. I didn't do camp. No OTAs. What's my reaction time? Like, regardless if I'm working out, right?

[Bucky Brooks]

Like, it ain't. You ain't where you ain't playing football.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Exactly, exactly. And I really questioned myself, like, the night before, going to sign my contract and then going to practice. Like, I'm in there, and I'm like, you know, he's. They give it, like, you know, they give me the playbook. All of that I'm looking through, and I'm like, okay. Every hour that went by today, I felt more and more confident. Like, I get in there, and it's just like, all my teammates are like, you know. You know, just loving me up, bro. And I'm just like, damn. Like, this is where I'm supposed to be, you know? And it. And it feels good. Once I got on the field, bro, it was just like riding the bike. So I'm. I'm grateful for the moment. I've always been in. Gratitude. I lead with just gratitude, man. And I. Yeah, it's special, bro.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yo, you had a question. That's.

[I]

What's up, man. Yeah, that's. I wanted to say, first off, Mercedes, man, congrats on 20 years, bro. That's a long time, especially in the NFL.

[Bucky Brooks]

What.

[I]

What's the biggest difference? What would you say the biggest difference is from, like, year one to, like, year 20 now, whether it be mindset training, obviously. You know what would probably be the biggest difference?

[Mercedes Lewis]

I think the biggest difference for me, bro, is the time I had to form a routine, because when I first got into the league, right. Like those first three years, you're trying to figure out who you are. Yeah, right.

[Bucky Brooks]

Like, you.

[I]

Yeah.

[Mercedes Lewis]

You know, you're athletic. You know that, like, you can do some things, but you don't know if you can consistently get it done at that level, right?

[I]

Like, absolutely.

[Mercedes Lewis]

You're playing against guys that got families that are not having it. And when I got to Jacksonville, Dogs in Jacksonville, like, I was raised with the Wolves in Jacksonville, you know what I mean? So I feel like being in that.

[Bucky Brooks]

Environment.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Made, like, molded me into who I am today. And I would say after year three, I started to form this routine how, like my in season workout recovery does not change from my out of season workout and recovery. And, and mind you, I said out of season and not off season. I don't take it off. Right. Like I.

[I]

Right, right.

[Mercedes Lewis]

It's maybe two and a half weeks of just letting my body heal. And, and that means infrared and cold tub. I'm still doing something to keep the blood flow, right?

[I]

Yeah.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Once it gets close to February, like right after Super Bowl. I've been training mixed martial arts now for 15 years. So whether it's jiu jitsu, muay Thai, wrestling, judo, whatever it is, I, I would do that from February all the way to May. I do not step on the field until the end of May going into July. Once I hit the field in June, I get on the grass, straight ahead running, and then we do like 400 breakdowns on the track and then that's really about it. I'll do like cone stuff, but not too many routes. Even in my prime when I was catching the ball, it wasn't a lot of routes and like putting that pressure on my knees. And then when I would get to camp, I would be peaking at the perfect time. And like, I really just feel like that regimen has paid me back right now because I still have my legs. I went to Jacksonville where we were run first play action, pass, right? Like, Yep. You know, Jimmy Smith was getting out of there. Kenan McCardell had just got out of there. It was like Freddie T, Maurice Drew. Obviously we had Kyle Brady at tight end. I was backing him up as a, as a rookie, and then I ended up starting as a, as a second year guy. Exactly. And it was like we ran the ball, bro, for at least four or five years straight and I was still getting my numbers. You know, I went all pro my fifth year, Pro bowl, all of that. But not like I should have. Right. And I would always be like, damn, man. Like, was I supposed to get drafted here? Like, I came out of ucla, Mackie award winner, all the records, doing my thing. Like, I get to Jacksonville and I'm like, bro, I'm blocking ISO power I'm doing. You know what I mean? Like, I'm not really being used. Like, they drafted me in the first round, so I didn't get it.

[Bucky Brooks]

That's the best thing to happen for you. Marced. You didn't know it because had you put up those numbers early and now all of a sudden you in year 10, year 11, year 12, and they're not the same as they were in year three or four. Now all of a sudden they're gonna say, you losing it. But because you didn't have 80, 90 catches in the beginning, they're like, yep. And what we're asking him to do hasn't changed for what he's been asked to do. The previous team, right? The previous 12. The previous 15. We looked it up, Mercedes. There have only been 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 players to play at least 20 years or more. Most of them, wow, as you could imagine, are kickers, no doubt. George Blander played 26 seasons, he was a quarterback, but his last couple of years, he was mainly a kicker. Morton Anderson, 25, kicker. Adam Military, 24, kicker. Tom Brady, 23, quarterback. John Carney, 23, kicker. Gary Anderson, kicker. Jeff Feegles, 21, punter. Earl Morrow, played 21 as a quarterback. Jackie Slater, offensive lineman Darrell Green, cornerback. Vinny Testaverde, quarterback. Brett Favre, quarterback. Jason Hansen, kicker. And now Mercedes Lewis is on this list of guys that have played at least 20 seasons or more. And you played a position. Now, Jackie. I. I would say Jackie might have had, because Jackie had to bang every play for 20 years.

[Mercedes Lewis]

No doubt.

[Bucky Brooks]

For 20 years. Sometimes you got to run. You got to run. You got to run routes. 20 years, it's still crazy. Let me ask you this. Are you married, Mercedes?

[Mercedes Lewis]

No.

[Bucky Brooks]

Because I was going to say, that's an awful long time to ask somebody like, hey, I need you to make these sacrifices for 20. I need you to pick up the kids. I need you to be the pta. I need you to be the recitals and the football games and all this and all that other stuff. So you understand the sacrifices that you make. But when you have a partner, you're also asking them to make said sacrifices 100 as well.

[Ocho]

Yeah, absolutely. Mercedes, what combat sports you do again?

[Mercedes Lewis]

Jujitsu, muay Thai, jiu jitsu, a little bit of judo, some wrestling. I don't really.

[Bucky Brooks]

I think that's you, right?

[Mercedes Lewis]

Hold on, hold on, hold on.

[Ocho]

But, you know, I got a black belt and all that.

[Bucky Brooks]

You got a brown belt, too, to hold your pants up. Mercedes, I thank you. Hey, that's what we want right here. Mercedes and Ocho.

[Ocho]

Hey, well, you know, I gotta.

[Joe]

I got.

[Ocho]

I got a black belt. I got a black belt in jiu jitsu.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Yeah.

[I]

Yeah, you heard her.

[Ocho]

Hey, let me tell you something. Must say, when I'm. When I'm done with James Harris and I beat his ass. I mean, you. I'm.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You.

[Bucky Brooks]

You welcome.

[Ocho]

We We. I mean, whatever you want to do.

[Bucky Brooks]

Oh, Joe, start somebody, like, at 140, say he's six. 6265, 270.

[Ocho]

Hey, listen to me, Mercedes, I'm 64230, man, what you.

[Bucky Brooks]

What you talking about? So he. You not got to worry about his conditioning. He fight, he mma, he trains like that. So, you know, his condition is through the roof.

[Joe]

Hold on.

[Ocho]

Time out. Time out, man.

[Joe]

Stop playing with me.

[Ocho]

On, sweet Jesus, man. I. I trained.

[Mercedes Lewis]

It's just. It's just different. It's just different, though, Ocho. It's like, if we was just straight boxing, potentially, like, you may be able to land a couple shots, but I'll still fight behind my jab. And if we listen.

[Ocho]

No, hold on.

[Mercedes Lewis]

No, you see how. You see how calm I am right now?

[Bucky Brooks]

How you gonna get.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I'm calm right now.

[Bucky Brooks]

Let me ask you a question, Ocho. How you gonna get up? You don't. You've never fought from your back. You don't know how to get up.

[Ocho]

What you talking about, man? I could fight off my back foot, front foot.

[Bucky Brooks]

No, I said your back, not your back, your back, your back.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Oh, I'm.

[Ocho]

What, you. Hey, I was. I was. I was a state champion grappler. Oh, what you talking about?

[I]

Your ground game?

[Bucky Brooks]

Like.

[Ocho]

No, my ground game?

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah, his foot game like that. Running.

[Cam]

Yeah.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Nah, it would be. It would be dope to. To roll with you, though, Ocho, if you ever want to roll, obviously.

[Ocho]

Yeah, let me know. Let me know. Let me know. Hey, what's wrong with my goddamn camera?

[Bucky Brooks]

Don't start me lying. It's your camera. We. We got. We got marced, you know. Hey, if you want. If you want to bang a little bit. Hey, he ready. He got to get everything.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Oh, you're logging off now, huh? It's all good.

[Joe]

I don't know.

[Ocho]

No, spare me. The only thing. Only spare I know about is the tire, and it's in my trunk.

[Bucky Brooks]

So let me ask you a question. So where. Where is home, Mercedes?

[Mercedes Lewis]

Sherman Oaks Now.

[Bucky Brooks]

Oh, okay, okay, okay. So you. You stay. You stayed in Cali?

[Mercedes Lewis]

Yeah, I'm in la. I bought my mom a house in Lakewood, which is about 30 minutes from long beach, where I grew up at. We spent some time in, like, South Central. Decent relationship, all that, you know. You know how I go. And for me, I bought a house in Encino, and then, obviously, the fires happened. It got close to the crib. Thankfully, I was able to sell. Sell my house last year, and then now it's More so just renting to be more cash free because I'm not sure what I was going to do. Was I going to play a 20th year or potentially go to the front office or whatever? I just didn't know. And so right now I got to hold that off for another two months or three months and figure that out.

[Bucky Brooks]

But that's what. So you're looking at potentially thinking the Valley is probably going to be where you set. Drop anchor at?

[Mercedes Lewis]

I think so.

[Bucky Brooks]

But it's going to be California, not necessarily the Valley, because we don't want to give out your information.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Right.

[Bucky Brooks]

Well, you know, probably California. You're Cali kid at heart, so. Yeah, that's probably where you go set up shop.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Yeah. Like, California is, you know, I, I feel like, like me and my mom are like best friends too. I don't know if I could just, you know, bounce on her like that and then that far away from her. Yeah. And so, like, I would probably rather stay there, but I'm. I love to travel too. So even if. Even if I, like got something again in. In California, it would probably be like just a dope penthouse or something. Something I don't have to worry about maiming. I want the panoramic and I could just pull up plug and play and then I travel because having a house and all that is upkeep the mortgage, bro. I'm over it. I'm over paying mortgages and interest rates and I'm just over it, man.

[Bucky Brooks]

Right.

[I]

Yeah.

[Mercedes Lewis]

So I just, you know, the older you get, like, for me, I've been more of a minimalist or minimalist the older I've gotten. And so I realized that I don't need a whole bunch of. To find joy. Like, I'm. I'm happy inside, you know, so.

[Bucky Brooks]

Wow.

[Mercedes Lewis]

All the other things that, like. And mind you playing in Jacksonville, it's not. It wasn't the real NFL experience. Right. Like, it's not. There's nothing in Jacksonville. Right?

[Bucky Brooks]

No.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Yeah.

[Bucky Brooks]

Come on.

[Mercedes Lewis]

I mean, when I got to Jacksonville, they robbing players. It was barely anything. Dudes was getting stuck up at gas station. No. Swear to God. Dudes getting stuck at the gas stations. It was just not. I was like, yo, what am I, what am I doing out here? Like, I was born in Long Beach. I, I saw all that in Long beach, went to ucla. That changed, right? I'm in Brentwood.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah, you're in Westwood. You, you between Brentwood and Beverly.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Get to Jacksonville. I'm like, okay, we, we going backwards now as far as like, how I'm living. Right? And so, yeah, man, at this point, I'm just, like, the. The least that I have to worry about. Least overhead that I have to worry about. Can I just pack a bag and go travel and go see. Yeah. Playing ball. I've been playing Pop Warner since I was seven. Have not stopped. I'm 41 when I retire after this year. I just want to see the world, man, like, in a real way, you know?

[I]

Yeah.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Yeah.

[Bucky Brooks]

Well, you know, at your size, you know, everybody gonna think you did something. So you go to far country, they gonna be poor. They like, you did something 100. You ain't just big for no reason walking around.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Nah. And, I mean, I'm low key, too. Like, I've already checked into it, like, certain places, especially in South America. Like, I've been in Costa Rica for my birthday. But, like, I'm. I'm getting NFL to give me some security or something. Like, I'm not walking around, you know, dilly dallying and not expecting nothing to happen. So. Yeah, right.

[Bucky Brooks]

You definitely got to be on. You got. Hey, you got to be on your best behavior. Watch your six at all times. And the best thing to do is say, hey, NFL. Hey, hook it up for your boy.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Come on, man, set me up, please. Right.

[Bucky Brooks]

Hey, when you're at the Broncos, what. What number are you wearing?

[Mercedes Lewis]

I'm wearing 89.

[Bucky Brooks]

Okay. You got cars? I thought you was gonna get 84. I said, man, make the 84 look good one last time, man.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Now you best to ever do it, bro. And ain't no way. Ain't no way. And I. And I wouldn't even. I just wouldn't. Just out of just the respect. And it was crazy because you came up like, I'm in there, and they're like, what number do you want? I'm like, 89. And they're looking at the thing. I was like, yeah, there's no 89. And then I looked at Sean Payton. Sean Payton was like, yeah, the best tight end ever played here is 84. I said, yeah, he's one of the best ever playing this league, too. You know what I mean? So, like, and that's. That's all positions. So that's not even a question.

[Bucky Brooks]

Like, I appreciate that, man. Hey, man, enjoy it, man. Hey, Broncos look good. They got a nice defense. Defense is sensational. Bo Nicks is playing really well. Cortland, Sutton, Mims. Hey, they got guys that can go make plays, that can run the football with Harvey and. And Dobbins. Hey, keep it going, man. And who knows? Might see you saying, fran, baby, hey.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Let'S do it, man. I appreciate you guys. Thanks for having me, bro. This is the first time, you know, me and Sharp actually had a conversation, so I was geeked for that. Oh, sure. We always be seeing each other out and hollering at each other. Joe was a pleasure, man. Respect your careers.

[Bucky Brooks]

Whatever you want to do. Whatever you call it a Mercedes, you call it.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Okay.

[Bucky Brooks]

And we we'll get Ocho there. We have a paramedic pick him up and bring him back.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Michelle, man, appreciate y' all love, man.

[Bucky Brooks]

Thank you, bro. Have a good one, man.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Thank you, bro.

[Bucky Brooks]

Jeff's Woody Johnson made headlines last week for some harsh comments.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Morning, Zoe.

[Bloomberg News Host]

Jeff Bridges, why are you still living above our garage?

[Mercedes Lewis]

I want to be in a T Mobile commercial like you.

[Bucky Brooks]

Teach me, Saldana.

[Bloomberg News Host]

I couldn't possibly AT T Mobile get the new iPhone 17 Pro on them. It's designed to be the most powerful iPhone yet and has the ultimate pro camera system.

[Bucky Brooks]

Impressive. Let me try AT T Mobile. You can save up to 20% versus the other big guys.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You heard them. T Mobile is the best place to get the new iPhone 17 Pro on us with eligible traded in any condition. Check them out to see how much you could say versus the other big guys.

[Bloomberg News Host]

@T mobile.com switch the big take podcast from Bloomberg News dives deep into one big global business story every weekday.

[Bucky Brooks]

A shutdown means we don't get the data, but it also means for President Trump that there's no chance of bad news on the labor market.

[Bloomberg News Host]

What does a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich reveal about the economy? Our breakfast foods are consistent consumer staples and so they sort of become outsized indicators of inflation. What's behind Elon Musk's trillion dollar payout?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

There's a sort of concerted effort to message that Musk is coming back.

[Mercedes Lewis]

He's putting politics aside.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

He's left the White House.

[Bloomberg News Host]

And what can the PCE tell you that the CPI can't?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

CPI tries to measure out of pocket.

[Ocho]

Costs that consumers are paying for things, whereas the PCE index that the Fed.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Targets is a little bit broader of a measure.

[Bloomberg News Host]

Listen to the big take from Bloomberg News every weekday afternoon on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Stephen Curry]

Greatness doesn't just show up. It's built. One shot, one choice, one moment at a time. From NBA champion Stephen Curry comes shot ready. A powerful, never before seen look at the mindset that changed the game.

[Ocho]

I fell in love with the grind. You have to find joy in the work you do when no one else is around. Success is not an accident. I'm passing the ball to you.

[Stephen Curry]

Steph Curry redefined basketball. Now he's rewriting what it means to succeed. Shot Ready isn't just a memoir, it's a playbook for anyone chasing their potential. Discover stories, strategies and over 100 never before seen photos. Order shot ready now at stephencurrybook.com don't miss Stephen Curry's New York Times bestseller Shot Ready available now.

[Joe]

Run a business and not thinking about radio? Think again. Cause more people are listening to the radio and iHeart today than they were 20 years ago. And only iHeart broadcast radio connects with more Americans than TV, digital, social, any other media, even twice as many teens than TikTok. And that reach means everything. Just think about the universal marketing formula. The number of consumers who hear your message times the response rate equals the results. Now let's get those results growing for your business. Radio's here now more than ever, and iheart's leading the way. Think radio can help your business. Think iheart streaming, podcasting and radio where the reach is real. Let us show [e-mail] that's iheartadvertising.com or call 844-844 iheart one more time. Just call 844-844, iheart and get radio working for you.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

What's up everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here and I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game. From scouting reports and player development to team building philosophies, coaching trends and how front offices construct winning rosters. Every week we study the tape, talk to decision makers and share the insight. Insights you won't find anywhere else. It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots. From college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow, we break down the draft, analyze matchups and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day. Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction and the trends that shape the league year after year. Whether you're a die hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture. If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you. Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bucky Brooks]

He gave about Justin Fields Johnson is hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that we got, if we could just complete a pass, it would look good According to former quarterback Jordan Travis. These aren't the only troubling comments Johnson has made to one of the team's quarterbacks. Despite dealing with serious leg injury, Travis remembers Johnson asking him, are you ever going to get healthy? Travis? There were things that were said to me, not obviously to that point because I never got on the field to play about my leg. Just slick comments. I don't know if he was trying to be slick about it or you know, how some older men just say whatever comes to their mind and that kind of made me feel a certain type of way. Now how you feeling? Never that. There was always comments like that. It's easy to point a finger at Justin Fields or Aaron Glenn for the jets troubles, but Robert Salah seems to be the coach defense really well for the 49ers. Aaron Rodgers look pretty good. Pittsburgh Sam Darnold 2 Ocho Joe how much blame should we place on ownership led by Woody Johnson for the long, long history of jets failure?

[Ocho]

I mean listen, similar to the quarterback situated Chicago Bears for the long, long history of failures at that position as well. I mean management is to blame as well for the long, long, long failures for the quarterback position with the Jets. Most of the time the identity for the jets has always been their defense. That has always been the better part of the successful part of their, their team. Obviously not this year and obviously offense not this year as well. But I thought, I really thought this was Justin Fields year. Yeah, I thought it would have been his year. He had nothing to worry about. He had nobody eyeing over his shoulder. It was his team, his team to win and his team to lose. They're one and seven obviously beating my Bengals. But it is what it is. But I think at some point they will turn it around. I think he can be the future for the New York Jets. Is he going to get that opportunity to be? After Woody Johnson came out and said some of the things he said publicly that most owners would say to themselves or people. Yeah, yeah, you never say anything like that publicly. But it seemed like since Jerry Jones said what he need to say, other, other owners are now having the, the, the onus and the wherewithal to say, you know what, forget it. I'm just gonna say how I'm feeling and let them know. And it has to, it has to hurt to know that your owner feels that way and I still got to go out there and play for him.

[Bucky Brooks]

What'd you think, Joe?

[I]

Hey, look, I, I kind of, I kind of, I agree kind of with Justin Fields. I mean you got other guys who don't play for their franchise, man, quarterbacks, and they went off and, you know, play for other organizations and they've been.

[Bucky Brooks]

Playing exceeded playing extremely well.

[I]

So therefore, yeah, you got to start up top with the organization and how things have been ran because for whatever reason, they hadn't been getting, you know, great outcomes. Obviously, Justin Fields played great this past week, but, man, you hope he can build confidence from that and try to, you know, continue to, you know, play at an elite level.

[Bucky Brooks]

They gotta improve the roster overall, Ocho. I mean.

[Ocho]

Yeah, but that's hard, huh? You know how much time that takes.

[Bucky Brooks]

But, hey.

[Ocho]

Will they give Aaron Glenn the time to improve the roster?

[Bucky Brooks]

I think, because AG played there, I think he'll probably have a little long. I think he'll have a little longer right. Leeway than most. I don't wanna. I don't wanna, you know, say what we would normally say along a leash because everybody say, just try to be politically correct. I think he'll have a.

[Ocho]

Right, right, right.

[Bucky Brooks]

A longer opportunity to stay than probably most because of his history with the organization and how well he's played for the organization and what he knows in personally. So, yes, I do think he'll have a. But, look, look, I don't care who you are. If your quarterback doesn't play well, it's hard for you to win in this league. It's hard.

[Ocho]

Very. But hey, hey, Joe, situations matter. Situations on where you play, surrounding you is very, very important. Joe. Yeah, I can't think of it in basketball terms, but maybe uncle and Joe, you could. You could probably. Probably relate to it. Who would be Daniel Jones on the New York Giants in basketball terms? And then all of a sudden, Daniel Jones, that player, actually leaving said team and going somewhere else and succeeding the way Daniel Jones is succeeding in Indianapolis? Who would that be in basketball terms?

[I]

Who would that be? Good Daniel Jones, baller.

[Ocho]

I'm talking about killing it.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah.

[I]

I'm trying to think.

[Bucky Brooks]

Let me see.

[I]

The only thing is that Brunson didn't. I mean, he left the Mavericks and went to New York and he ballin in New York.

[Bucky Brooks]

That's his own team.

[Ocho]

Okay.

[I]

But that was it.

[Bucky Brooks]

Yeah, he was back.

[I]

You know what I mean?

[Bucky Brooks]

Ain't nobody. Ain't nobody overshading Luca. Not now.

[I]

Yeah, yeah, he was backing up Luca, but he went off and, you know, obviously, you know what he's doing in New York right now, but trying to think who. Because, I mean, they let Daniel Jones go.

[Bucky Brooks]

They just. They.

[I]

They let him walk on about it.

[Ocho]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Bucky Brooks]

And he ended up. He went to. What? Didn't he go to Minnesota for a year? What then you.

[Ocho]

Yeah, he was the backup. He was the backup in Minnesota. Went to Minnesota, then went on down to Indy.

[I]

In basketball. I don't know, man.

[Bucky Brooks]

No, but he played.

[I]

He was good in Chicago. Who was that?

[Bucky Brooks]

Jimmy Butler?

[I]

Yeah, Jimmy was good in Chicago.

[Ocho]

Jimmy been good everywhere he went on Chicago, Philly. He's always been consistent. I mean, with what he does.

[Bucky Brooks]

Well, see, the thing is, is that we thought. We thought if you go back and look at Brunson when Luca was out, he showed you what he can do if he had his own team.

[I]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bucky Brooks]

Go back and look at when Luca missed that time and look at what Brunson was doing. So now he got his own team.

[I]

He's going to be the primary ball handler.

[Bucky Brooks]

He's going to be the primary shot taker. I don't think anybody's surprised by this. Now, maybe. Maybe the guy averaged 26, 27 points a game and as many 30 point games he's had, but I thought he would be really well now, did I think he'd be an all NBA selection? I wouldn't go that far, but I thought he could make the all star team. I thought he could make an all star team because the guy.

[Mercedes Lewis]

I agree.

[Bucky Brooks]

Playing that well in spurts when he has the ball in his hand and they say, okay.

[Mercedes Lewis]

And.

[Bucky Brooks]

Kid, kid, like, okay, we need you to do more of a role and not be so boom. We saw that. But look, yeah, James Harden, we saw what he was. Yeah, you remember he was sixth man of the year.

[I]

Well, he was eight.

[Bucky Brooks]

They. I'm sure people thought he could be good, but not averaging 36 point a night.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Good.

[Bucky Brooks]

Not changing the game. Good with that step back.

[I]

Nah, nah.

[Bucky Brooks]

Who else would like that? Now with Shay just didn't get a chance to play. If Shay got a chance to play. And plus, look, he was. He was not gonna do that with the Clippers, not with Kawhi. You had just gave. You had. Just think about what you got with Kawhi. Kawhi was going to be the main ball handler. Shay's in a situation. Shay knows he can get as many shots as he want and he ain't stepping on nobody's toes.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Yeah, the.

[I]

The Clippers, they didn't. They weren't gonna wait for his development.

[Bucky Brooks]

No, they couldn't. Because why do you bring in Kawhi And Kawhi wants to win now? And he basically. Yeah, basically said if you don't get me Paul George, I'm going with the Lakers. Can you imagine Kawhi LeBron and AD and then you playing in the basement with that? No, they had to, they had, they had to do it, Ocho.

[Ocho]

I mean.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Hold on, hold on.

[Ocho]

I have a question. Joe, Joe and Uncle. If the Clippers knew what they knew now about Shay and how, how he.

[Bucky Brooks]

Would, they would have never traded him.

[I]

They would never know. Yeah.

[Ocho]

So how do you not see? How do you not see?

[Bucky Brooks]

Because, because he wasn't, how do you not see the rookie Ocho and no rookie? Because you got to realize he wasn't the first pick in the draft. He wasn't ad, he wasn't Zion that you're running your offense through. So now he's in a situation, he's the offense. So you, there's no possible way. Let's just like James Harden now. People thought James could be good because he was a great ISO player. When the sick, when, when they, when KD and Russ went to the bench, James Harden was sensational. But sensational is averaging 16 points a game. He averaged 36. He had dreams where he went like 30, 40 games. He's average getting 30 a night. 60 point triple doubles, 50 point triple doubles. But he knows it's a lot easier to play Ocho if you the number one. And you know you gonna get 12, 13, 14 targets a game.

[Ocho]

Right, But I, I, I understand that. Right. But the basketball heads that are in the Clippers organization, those that have been watching the game, scouts, GMs and understanding, you have an eye for talent. There's a certain thing that we can see called the it factor. It's called the eye test. Even if it's not his team, you can tell when a player is going to be special. You can look at them, their game, their skill set, what they can and what they can't do. And when you look at Shay's game on both ends of the court, that's somebody that you say this MF is special.

[Bucky Brooks]

Hey, Ocho, I'm not letting him go.

[I]

I think the, the Clippers knew he was special. I seen Doc Rivers. Yeah, he knows coaching. He said that was the hardest thing to put in the trade was to add Shay into that trade because he knew that Shea was gonna be pretty good. Now, I don't know if he thought he was gonna be impacted, but he knew he was gonna be good. And then on top of that, Uncle Ocho, you never know. Like for Shay, maybe that was great for his career because it probably put.

[Bucky Brooks]

A little fire in him, you know what I mean?

[I]

To be like, all right, they got rid of me. I'm gonna show him, you know what I mean? And now he's playing at a level to where I don't think nobody's seen this, bro.

[Bucky Brooks]

He's a bucket.

[I]

He's 30 points every night, give or take. I don't care how. I don't care what. What happened. He gonna have 30.

[Bucky Brooks]

And plus, the biggest free agent available was Kawhi. Kawhi said, if you don't get me Paul George, I'm going to sign with the Lakers. Do you really want LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and AD in the building that you play in? Do you really want that to happen?

[Ocho]

Was that even possible?

[Bucky Brooks]

Yes.

[Cam]

Was that possible?

[Ocho]

Is that realistic?

[I]

He was going home. He was going. Kawhi was going back to la. I don't know what team yet, but he was going back to LA for sure.

[Ocho]

Okay, that's crazy how. How players, especially NBA players, can control where they want to go. They can pick and choose where they want to go. If they. If they say, I want to, I want to, I want to trade, I don't want to be here anymore. The team had no choice but to move superstars.

[I]

Well, you have to. Because if a guy only has one one year left on his deal, Ocho, and he's telling you, you know, he ain't signing back, in so many words, then you gotta. You gotta trade him to get something back. You know what I mean?

[Bucky Brooks]

What doomed OKC was Kevin Durant walked out the door and didn't get nothing for it. Yep. Imagine if you could have traded him before. See, he walked out the door and you didn't get anything. Nothing. KD at his prime walks out of your door and you don't get anything for him. The same thing had the Clippers could have tried to play. I mean, Scott, the Clippers, the Horn, the Hornet, not the Hornets. The Pelicans could have tried to play hardball, but at contract was coming up. Do you really want Anthony Davis to walk out of there and you don't get nothing for him. And you the Pelicans.

[Ocho]

Okay, okay.

[Bucky Brooks]

Ain't nobody coming to New Orleans. I'm sorry. It's a great city. I mean, the Jazz and the food is amazing. But you're not getting superstars to come down to New Orleans. You're just not. So you have to. You don't have a choice, right? Oh, so. So what? What do I do? What do I do? Ojo and like I said, yes, I think Doc realized that Shay was going to be good. But I don't know if Doc thought he'd be this good. Coach Belichick, the reason why they kept Tom Brady, they kept four quarterbacks that year. Coach Belichick said with a little work, he thought he could be good. You thought he was going to be seven. Seven Super Bowls good, 15 pros. You thought he was going to be the all time leader in passes, touchdowns wins, super bowl Wins, Super Bowl MVPs. You thought he's gonna be that good because if you did, you'd have took him in the first round, you wouldn't have took him in the sixth round.

[Ocho]

Exactly.

[Bucky Brooks]

And you guess what? You'd have started him from day one. So you didn't know. You thought he could be good. Everybody like, oh, yeah, we knew she had, bro. I was my draft pick. Me making the team was a feat in and of itself, let alone being able to play 14 years and having the accomplishments. Everybody gets to say that after the fact. Ocho. Yeah, I knew that boy was gonna make it. Oh, I knew. Oh, I. Garvin's high school. I thought I told such and such that boy gonna make it.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Right.

[I]

Hey, it's a lot. It's a lot that has to transpire and a lot has to happen along that journey, man. You know what I mean? The things that mold us into becoming pro, professional athletes, the things that we go through, man, it's. It's. Ultimately, it determines pretty much your longevity in the game or, or how you, you know, approach the game. So when you look at Shea, this is like, when I look at Shea, I'm like, damn, can you imagine him in LA in that new arena they got over there?

[Bucky Brooks]

Oh, and that's. And think about it, that was another reason they're getting better, to build a new arena. What do you need to go into a new arena, Joe? Superstars, people ain't better than sga. Maybe not. Now. If you think. If you think SGA in his first or second year was better than Kawhi. Y' all a damn fool. Y' all watch out. Damn.

[Joe]

Mind.

[Bucky Brooks]

That man was a two time Defensive Player of the Year and a two time Finals MVP. The man is one of the 75th, 75 greatest players of all time. What do you mean? Okay, if you want to say he's not better than Shay, now, I. I'm not fitting to fight you. As a matter of fact, I'm putting my hand behind the chair. You know what I'm saying, Joe? I ain't gonna fight him. But come on now. Y' all make it seem like Kawhi was a bum and he was far from. He's still not. Is he injury prone? Yes. Has injury robbed him of some of his best years? Yes. But to say that he was sga was better at that time, it's just not true. Because I remember before Jaja cheap shot, stuck his foot up under Kawhi, they had. They had golden state down by like 18.

[I]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bucky Brooks]

Kawhi was. Kawhi was a really. Kawhi was a great player. There's a reason why he's a. A two time champion. He's a two time defensive player of the year. He could play both ends of the court and he can play it well. But injuries have robbed him of some of his best years. Hey, I told his Kawai like six, seven, six, seven.

[I]

Yeah.

[Ocho]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Bloomberg News Host]

In the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming [e-mail] Dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming and performance that won't quit. Push your gameplay beyond performance with int Intel Core Ultra processors for the next era of gaming. Upgrade to smooth high quality streaming with Intel Wi Fi 6e and maximize game performance with enhanced overclocking. Win the tech search power [e-mail].

[Mercedes Lewis]

Morning, Zoe.

[Bloomberg News Host]

Jeff Bridges. Why are you still living above our garage?

[Mercedes Lewis]

I want to be in a T Mobile commercial like you.

[Bucky Brooks]

Teach me Suldana.

[Bloomberg News Host]

I couldn't possibly AT T Mobile get the new iPhone 17 Pro on them. It's designed to be the most powerful iPhone yet and has the ultimate pro camera system.

[Bucky Brooks]

Impressive. Let me try AT T Mobile. You can save up to 20% versus the other big guys.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You heard them. T Mobile is the best place to get the new iPhone 17 Pro on us with eligible traded in any condition. Check them out to see how much you could save versus the other big guys.

[Bloomberg News Host]

@T mobile.com switch the big take podcast from Bloomberg News keeps you on top of the biggest stories of the day.

[Bucky Brooks]

My fellow Americans, this is liberation day.

[Bloomberg News Host]

Stories that move markets.

[Mercedes Lewis]

Chair Powell opened the door to this.

[Bloomberg News Host]

First interest rate cut impact politics, change businesses. This is a really stunning development for the AI world and how you think about your bottom line. Listen to the big take from Bloomberg News every weekday afternoon on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Stephen Curry]

Greatness doesn't just show up. It's built one shot, one choice, one moment at a time. From NBA champion Stephen Curry comes Shot Ready A powerful, never before seen look at the mindset that changed the game.

[Ocho]

I fell in love with the grind. You have to find joy in the work you do when no one else is around. Success is not an accident. I'm passing the ball to you.

[Stephen Curry]

Steph Curry redefined basketball. Now he's rewriting what it means to succeed. Shot Ready isn't just a memoir, it's a playbook for anyone chasing their potential. Discover stories, strategies and over 100 never before seen photos. Order shot ready now at stephencurrybook.com don't miss Stephen Curry's New York Times bestseller Shot Ready, available now.