Club Shay Shay: "BEST OF NFL Preseason Week 2 Part 2: Bears are LEGIT?!+ Tyrone Tracy Jr. Joins the Show"

Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Shannon Sharpe (Joe), with Ocho and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Podcast: Club Shay Shay – iHeartPodcasts and Shay Shay Media

Episode Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into NFL Preseason Week 2, focusing on standout team performances, rookie quarterback debuts, dark horse teams for the 2025 season, and a candid player interview with New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. The hosts analyze preseason standout moments, discuss team trajectories, and exchange entertaining stories and predictions while keeping the energy lively and engaging.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cam Ward and the Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Situation

[02:38 - 05:55]

• The hosts discuss Cam Ward’s preseason performance (2 of 7 for 42 yards), emphasizing that stats don't always tell the full story.
  • Ocho: “There was a drop—Van Jefferson on that over route that he should have had. That was a beautiful throw.” [02:55]
  • Joe: “That’s a catchable ball for a professional receiver… As a professional, a guy that’s getting paid to catch the football, those are the type of… that’s what you paid for.” [03:11 & 04:30]
• Positives noted: poise, patience, decision-making.
• Emphasis on the difference between preseason and regular season intensity:
  • Ocho: “When you get hit upside the head a few times… Will they still have that same poise under pressure?” [04:03]
  • Joe: “You can play fast but not in a hurry. The game has to slow down for you, not speed you up.” [04:30]
• The balance of getting reps in preseason vs. protecting top players.

2. Importance of Preseason Reps

[05:56 - 10:52]

• Debate about whether top players should play in the preseason.
  • Ocho: “I’m playing in the preseason. I don’t care… I need these reps. I need to get acclimated to game speed.” [06:04]
  • Joe: “You can’t substitute that, bro. You can’t substitute them game reps, man.” [10:25]
• Brief stories of their own careers getting game-ready via preseason.

3. Chicago Bears’ Emergence & Caleb Williams’ Impact

[15:22 - 18:40]

• Bears dominated the Bills 38–0; discussion centered on new hope with rookie QB Caleb Williams and OC Ben Johnson.
  • Joe: “Williams led on a seven-play, 92-yard drive. Williams completed five of six, 97 yards, 36 of those yards came on a touchdown pass to Zacchaeus.” [15:22]
  • Ocho: “That goddamn Luther Burden… I’ve been watching the past two weeks… you look good boy.” [16:04]
• The offense’s new versatility and potential after being last in offense last season.
  • Joe: “The offensive line is much improved—the Bears look good... I'm a little over the speed limit. I'm liking what I'm seeing.” [18:18]
• Ocho’s “dark horse” playoff picks: Bears & Panthers.
  • Ocho: “The two teams… that I think are the dark horses… Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers.” [18:40]

4. NFC and Division Rivalries

[21:15 - 27:56]

• Bears’ offense last year vs. today.
  • Joe: “Chicago scored zero touchdowns on their opening possessions last year. In 17 games, zero touchdowns.” [21:15]
• The difficulty of the Bears' division: Packers, Lions, Vikings.
• Discussion on Detroit Lions post-Ben Johnson, and the importance of not just “players” but scheme and coaching when considering team performance.
  • Joe: “If it was that easy… why wasn’t Chicago better than what they were if all it was was about players?” [24:05]
• Eagles as a cautionary tale after losing their coordinators:
  • Joe: “What happened to the Eagles when they lost both of their coordinators after going to the Super Bowl?” [25:01]

5. 49ers, Niners, and NFC Power Rankings

[28:16 - 29:57]

• 49ers’ prospects, roster attrition, and Robert Saleh’s return.
• Notable injuries, contract situations (e.g., Jauan Jennings, Cam Heyward).

6. Bengals, Commanders Game and RB Competition

[31:00 - 34:52]

• The Bengals' defense struggles.
  • Joe: “Y’all defense still some trash.” [31:03]
  • Ocho: “Let’s be optimistic… We look bad, but we look better from that point on.” [31:05]
• Commanders’ young RBs showing out and Brian Robinson Jr. on the trade block.

Featured Interview: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (New York Giants RB)

[39:43 - 63:52]

Introduction and Vibe at Giants Camp

• TTJ shares his positive outlook, noting energy is high and they're taking care of player recovery.
  • TTJ: “They’ve been taking care of us, to be honest… The vibes in the locker room is high.” [40:14]

Personal Goals for 2025

• TTJ: “I want, you know, 1500 yards. I want 10 tuds… I want to be one of the running backs that people talk about.” [41:04]
• He stresses the importance of speaking goals into existence: “The power of life and death live within the tongue.” [41:04]

Practice Fights and Joint Practices

• Breaks down a training camp scuffle with Jets’ Will McDonald; confirms the physicality and competitive spirit, but dismisses anything truly “popping off.” [42:15]
• Details about rules in joint practices and maintaining boundaries.

Quarterback Talk: Jackson Dart’s Growth

• TTJ: “He has the potential to be a really good quarterback… he’s dialed in now, you can see some of that college Jackson Dart come out of him.” [45:41]

Locker Room Stories: Jameis Winston vs. Russell Wilson

• TTJ: “He does crazy stuff every day… Jameis is more like goofy, he is business, but also understands you have to have fun while doing it.” [47:46, 49:10]
• Ocho draws the “Fresh Prince vs. Carlton” analogy: “I see Russell Wilson as Carlton... I see Jameis Winston as Will Smith.” [49:39]

Giants’ Red Zone Woes

• The Giants’ endzone struggles are highlighted.
  • Joe: “You guys finished dead last in red zone touchdown percentage.” [51:04]
• TTJ: “When we get down there, we gotta score. Three points is not enough.” [51:32]
• The importance of playmakers and versatility out of the backfield.

TTJ’s Versatility: WR-to-RB

• Details on switching from wide receiver in college to running back, and how it benefits his all-around game.
  • Ocho: “That makes you a three-down back… that adds value… and another dynamic to your game that they can’t take away from you? It also adds dollars.” [56:06]

All-Time Running Back Lists

• TTJ’s personal Top 5 RBs: Herschel Walker, Emmitt Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson, Otis Anderson, Marshawn Lynch, Bo Jackson. [57:10–58:54]
• Ocho’s picks for “smoothest” running styles: Eric Dickerson, Arian Foster, Priest Holmes, Ahman Green. [60:11]

Expectations for 2025

• TTJ reiterates his goals and discusses how being in New York will help his Pro Bowl campaign.
  • Ocho: “The product sells itself based on where you’re playing.” [61:58]

Social Media Plugs & Madden Ratings

• TTJ shares his handles.
• Debate over his Madden rating; Ocho offers help if it needs boosting. [63:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ocho on Excitement for the Bears:
  “Maybe I’m going out on a limb… the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers—those are the dark horses to surprise everybody.” [18:40]

• TTJ on Manifesting Success:
  “You got to continue to speak life into my situation for each and every person I’m around.” [41:04]

• On Jameis Winston’s Locker Room Vibe:
  Tyrone Tracy Jr.: “He is literally one of one. Like, he’s a great, great person. He’s a very down to earth guy… does something crazy every day.” [47:37]

• Ocho’s Comparison:
  “It’s like watching Fresh Prince and watching Will Smith and watching Carlton… Russell Wilson as Carlton… Jameis Winston as Will Smith.” [49:39]

• TTJ on Value of Versatility:
  “Now that you just said that, boy, you just woke me up a little bit. That makes you a three-down back and that adds value.” [56:06]

• Ocho on the Importance of Team Success in NY:
  "You’re playing in the biggest market in the world… and when you win in that market… when you lose, everything is magnified.” [53:43]

Important Timestamps

• Cam Ward discussion: [02:38 – 05:55]
• Preseason reps debate: [05:56 – 10:52]
• Bears offense / Caleb Williams breakout: [15:22 – 18:40]
• NFC division, Detroit, Eagles coaching debate: [21:15 – 27:56]
• 49ers roster & prospects: [28:16 – 29:57]
• Bengals-Commanders game: [31:00 – 34:52]
• Tyrone Tracy Jr. interview: [39:43 – 63:52]
• Jameis Winston / Russ Wilson locker room: [47:19 – 50:59]
• TTJ’s top running backs: [57:01 – 59:12]
• Ocho's 'smoothest runners': [60:11 – 60:58]

Tone and Style

The episode is lively, candid, and features plenty of friendly banter, analogies, and first-hand anecdotes. The hosts maintain their signature conversational style, balancing in-depth analysis with humor and relatable references, making it engaging for football enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

This summary covers all key talking points, standout moments, and provides context for anyone who missed the episode.