Nightcap - Part 2: Shedeur impressing at Minicamp + Bengals Rookie Leaves Camp

Summary

Club Shay Shay: Nightcap - Part 2 Summary

Episode Overview In the "Nightcap - Part 2: Shedeur Impressing at Minicamp + Bengals Rookie Leaves Camp" episode of Club Shay Shay, NFL legend Shannon Sharpe delves deep into the current happenings within the Cincinnati Bengals. The episode primarily focuses on Shedeur Sanders' standout performance during minicamp and the contentious departure of Bengals rookie Shamar Stewart from mandatory minicamp due to contract disputes. Alongside these main topics, Shannon engages in broader discussions about NFL contract policies, player management, and personal anecdotes from seasoned professionals.

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1. Shedeur Sanders Shines at Minicamp

Timestamp: [13:33] - [17:09]

Shannon Sharpe opens the discussion by highlighting Shedeur Sanders' impressive performance during the Bengals' minicamp. Chad Johnson comments on Sanders' dedication and preparedness, emphasizing his readiness to seize any opportunity on the field.

Chad Johnson (13:33): "Cook, as he plans to fully participate in training camp."

Shannon praises Sanders for his proactive approach, noting that his attitude sets a positive example for both rookies and veterans alike.

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2. Shamar Stewart's Contract Dispute and Departure

Timestamp: [17:46] - [27:43]

A significant portion of the episode revolves around Shamar Stewart, the Bengals' 17th overall draft pick, who has left mandatory minicamp due to disagreements over contract terms. Tom Brokaw details the situation:

Tom Brokaw (17:46): "Shamar Stewart is no longer at the mandatory minicamp amid ongoing holdout with the Bengals over language they want to put into his rookie contract."

Chad Johnson expresses his frustration and confusion over the Bengals' stance, questioning the necessity and fairness of the proposed contract language.

Chad Johnson (19:00): "The Bengals really don't have any incentive to do anything because... all the money that you would get... is guaranteed."

Shannon and the co-hosts delve into the implications of the Bengals' contract demands, discussing how they might set a precedent affecting future rookies. They explore the potential consequences for both the player and the team, emphasizing the delicate balance between team management and player autonomy.

Tom Brokaw (24:02): "What do you think players would do? Maybe he’s going to be a free agent because Cincinnati was not the only team that had him high on their draft board."

The conversation also touches upon the NFL's policies regarding contracts and how they interact with team and player negotiations.

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3. NFL Contract Policies and Precedents

Timestamp: [27:43] - [34:19]

The episode transitions into a broader discussion about NFL contract structures and the potential long-term impacts of the Bengals' current negotiations with Stewart. Tom Brokaw critiques the NFL's handling of guaranteed money and contract defaults, arguing that restrictive clauses could discourage player growth and performance.

Tom Brokaw (20:28): "Why do you expect players... You want to say, well, look, take it or leave it."

Chad Johnson adds to the debate by highlighting the financial implications for teams and how such contract stipulations could affect overall team dynamics and performance incentives.

Chad Johnson (22:16): "Yeah. They make all the money, though."

The hosts consider whether the NFL should enforce stricter regulations to prevent teams from imposing overly restrictive contract terms that could hinder player careers.

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4. Training Camp Innovations: Practice Jersey Patches

Timestamp: [29:02] - [36:39]

Shannon shifts the conversation to recent changes in training camp practices, specifically the introduction of patches on practice jerseys to denote personal and team achievements. Tom Brokaw enthusiastically discusses the potential benefits of this initiative in motivating players and recognizing their hard work.

Tom Brokaw (32:12): "It's like the All-Star in basketball. They started putting your accolades on the jersey."

Chad Johnson agrees, suggesting that such visual acknowledgments could enhance team morale and provide tangible goals for players to strive towards during training.

Chad Johnson (33:19): "I think other teams might adopt it. Some teams might not care for it, but I think others will."

The hosts debate the practicality of implementing these patches across the league, considering factors like sponsorship and uniform regulations. They conclude that while not all teams may adopt the practice, it represents a positive step towards increased player recognition and motivation.

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5. Player Longevity and Health Maintenance

Timestamp: [34:19] - [47:20]

The discussion then moves to the importance of longevity and health in the NFL, using Trent Williams as a case study. Tom Brokaw shares insights into Williams' dedication to maintaining his performance levels, aiming to play into his 40s.

Tom Brokaw (33:55): "I'm going to do everything possible to play as long as I can."

Chad Johnson emphasizes the necessity for players to stay technically sound and physically healthy to extend their careers, drawing from personal experiences and observations of younger players' intensity.

Chad Johnson (34:19): "The older you get, the more technically sound you got to be."

They also reminisce about past practices and the evolution of player health habits, contrasting previous eras with the current focus on fitness and well-being.

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6. Personal Anecdotes and Experiences

Timestamp: [47:20] - [56:44]

To wrap up the episode, Shannon and Chad Johnson share personal stories from their careers, illustrating the challenges and triumphs they've faced in the NFL. These anecdotes provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the players' mindset and the realities of professional football.

Tom Brokaw (44:59): "Don't worry about that. He said, one day John Elway gonna call on you."

Chad Johnson reflects on his own journey, drawing parallels to current players like Shamar Stewart, and offers encouragement based on his own experiences overcoming obstacles.

Chad Johnson (54:53): "Shador, keep doing what you're doing, bro. I know your dad dealing with some health problems right now, but you've gone through adversity before."

The hosts conclude by reinforcing the importance of resilience, preparation, and seizing opportunities, leaving listeners with motivational insights drawn from their extensive careers.

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Notable Quotes:

• Chad Johnson (19:00): "The Bengals really don't have any incentive to do anything because... all the money that you would get... is guaranteed."

• Tom Brokaw (20:28): "Why do you expect players... You want to say, well, look, take it or leave it."

• Tom Brokaw (32:12): "It's like the All-Star in basketball. They started putting your accolades on the jersey."

• Chad Johnson (34:19): "The older you get, the more technically sound you got to be."

• Chad Johnson (54:53): "Shador, keep doing what you're doing, bro. I know your dad dealing with some health problems right now, but you've gone through adversity before."

---

Conclusion

In this episode of Club Shay Shay, Shannon Sharpe offers an in-depth look into the Cincinnati Bengals' recent minicamp activities, highlighting both Shedeur Sanders' promising performance and the controversial departure of rookie Shamar Stewart due to contract disagreements. Through engaging discussions with Chad Johnson and Tom Brokaw, the episode explores broader themes of NFL contract negotiations, player motivation, and the evolving landscape of training practices. Personal anecdotes and expert insights provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and dynamics shaping today's professional football environment.

Transcript

[Lester Holt]

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[Tom Brokaw]

NBC Nightly News legacy isn't handed down or NBC News. I'm Tom Brokaw.

[Tom Yamas]

We hope to see you back here.

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[Tom Brokaw]

It's carried forward. Tom Yamas is there for us.

[Lester Holt]

Firefighters are still working around the clock. As the world changes, we look for what endures. We are coming on the air with breaking news right now.

[Chad Johnson]

We look for a constant and from.

[Lester Holt]

One era to the next. Trust is the anchor for NBC Nightly News. I'm Tom Yamas. A new chapter begins NBC Nightly News.

[Chad Johnson]

With Tom yamas evenings on NBC.

[Lester Holt]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] credit card based on the February 2024 Nilsen report okay, have you heard about this?

[Tom Brokaw]

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[Lester Holt]

And even the world.

[Tom Brokaw]

And if that doesn't sound great already, I'll be there as the keynote speaker. If your company did something next level using T Mobile for business, you're eligible. Entries close July 31, so head to t mobile.com enter to learn more and nominate your team. The volume Ocho Shane Steichen says Anthony Richardson Village visited Dr. Neil Ellatrough in Los Angeles to get a second opinion on his shoulder. Steichen says nothing has changed and the plan is to just rest the shoulder for now. There's no timetable on his return.

[Chad Johnson]

Damn.

[Tom Brokaw]

So you. Oh, Joe. We start a race, we running, all of a sudden you catch a cramp or you get tired, your stomach start to hurt, so you stop.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

You see what happened?

[Chad Johnson]

So Daniel Jones right now is the starting quarterback for the.

[Tom Brokaw]

Absolutely. 1,000%.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay. Daniel Jones isn't the answer either. Just FYI.

[Tom Brokaw]

It all depends on. What's the question. Name the quarterback that went to Duke. He's the answer. When you say he's not the answer. I just need to know the question. You ask it first.

[Chad Johnson]

Listen, Daniel Jones is not the answer. I don't care what people say about Anthony Richardson, him being hurt. He was inconsistent last year, whatever it may be. Daniel Jones isn't the answer either. And I'm. And that's no disrespect to him. I'm. I'm just being honest. We saw. We saw a large sample size of what he could do in New York in the biggest market. Yes, biggest market with some decent talent around him. You know, I think from too many turnover, from a supporting cast standpoint, it's a lot better in indie form.

[Tom Brokaw]

Oh, for sure, man. They got Jonathan Taylor in the backfield. Look at those receivers that got Pierce and, and, and. And Pippen Jr. Pippen.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah. They got some talent over there now. Solid offensive line, defense isn't bad.

[Lester Holt]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

With no excuse. If, you know, if can't get it done here, then you are the problem. Damn, man.

[Tom Brokaw]

And that was damn ojo.

[Chad Johnson]

I was turn around here for Anthony Richardson. Huh?

[Tom Brokaw]

Picked the wrong time to have this type of injury because like I said, maybe if it's AC Jordan or something like that. He went to the Curling Joel Clinic out Neil Ellatron. Remember I was telling you about him?

[Chad Johnson]

Why are we waiting to do it now and not doing it when the season ended?

[Tom Brokaw]

I don't know. Did he have surgery then? Maybe. Maybe he's throwing because a lot of times they bring extra quarterbacks in, Ocho, because they don't want the quarterback throwing so much so early, so.

[Chad Johnson]

Right.

[Tom Brokaw]

So soon. And sometimes they just get dead arms and, you know, gotta. You know, I don't know how much he threw in the off season.

[Chad Johnson]

Right.

[Tom Brokaw]

You know, because as a pitcher, you know, you gotta throw.

[Chad Johnson]

Right. He might, he might. He might be overdoing it, man.

[Tom Brokaw]

There's a possibility of that too. We don't know. We just. Two years ago. Yeah. Yeah. If he's having. I think it's his AC joint, isn't it? He had surgery after his rookie. Well, remember, he missed. He only played. He Only played like three or four games his rookie year because he got that shoulder and he had surgery on.

[Chad Johnson]

It when he got hit.

[Tom Brokaw]

They're saying that he landed on soreness in that throwing shoulder that he had surgery on.

[Chad Johnson]

Damn.

[Tom Brokaw]

Lions head coach Dan Campbell wants to have a live lion on the team sideline at Ford Field. But the NFL said hell no, despite owner Sheila Ford Hamp approving it. Sheila said had no problem with it, but the league apparently frowned upon those type of things. You know what? He'll be a perfect college coach because they have to let you have anything. They let you have a Clydesdale, they'll let you have an elephant, a panther. LSU got. LSU got what? A falcon fly down like at Auburn. Campbell told Pardon my. Pardon my take oo. I mean, you want to lie on the sideline?

[Chad Johnson]

Hell yeah. I like that. So listen, all that does it gives me another idea. Obviously I'm not playing, but I could. Can you imagine me playing for Dan Campbell, you know, back during those days? And the lion on the sideline and I got. I get to come up with a celebration after scoring using the line. Using our mascot, man. Man. Yeah, I can see me jumping in the cage.

[Tom Brokaw]

I guess I can see that line. Tear your ass up in that cage. NFL say the last thing the NFL want that effort lying Mr. Row to break up out that cage. Ocho.

[Chad Johnson]

But don't know. Hey, listen, don't nobody want no part of that when you got on pads or not.

[Tom Brokaw]

Cause here's the thing. People don't realize like you see a line on television and you're like, oh, he ain't. But when you see that fo. Fo in person up close.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

400 pounds of all muscle.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, I want you to think about it for the people in the chat that have cats, right? Just think about this. Think about the people that have cats and how quick and agile your regular home domestic cat is. Now you take a full. How much they weigh?

[Tom Brokaw]

400. 400 average male lion.

[Chad Johnson]

400 pound lion that has that same type of agility and quickness just for some reason they sleep 23 hours a day and can still jump out.

[Lester Holt]

Out.

[Chad Johnson]

Man, it's dog. They have medicine. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. And they so damn lazy.

[Tom Brokaw]

Hey, they sleep half the day. They a. They hunt at night. Get there, get their little hunt on. Get their little a. And just chill.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, what a life, bro.

[Tom Brokaw]

No, like I said in college, you know college, they let anything go. They have goats and they have rams and they have, you know, even Colorado, they can have Ralphie Running field.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

Who is that? Oklahoma got Boomer, Schooner Boomer, Sooner, and that. Little mini horses.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

NFL said, nah, we good.

[Chad Johnson]

I like it, though. That would be dope. That would be dope if they could implement mascots that were. That. That referenced the teams but had the real mascot outside.

[Tom Brokaw]

Well, we got. We got. We got mascot fun to run on the field every time they score a touchdown.

[Chad Johnson]

The horse.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. See, every team. I'm saying every team. The Bengals should have an actual Bengal tiger. I mean, I think it would be dope. It'd be fun.

[Tom Brokaw]

You got your damn mind.

[Chad Johnson]

I'm just being honest.

[Tom Brokaw]

Well, the Cowboys, they do have a cowboy. I mean, so I'm trying to figure out, the Giants, how they gonna get a mascot? How tall are you gonna be? You gonna be dad? Are you gonna be Goliath?

[Chad Johnson]

The Giants. What is the Giants mascot?

[Tom Brokaw]

A Giant.

[Chad Johnson]

That's it.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay. I like it. I like it.

[Tom Brokaw]

I'm just trying to figure out. So the Seahawks.

[Chad Johnson]

The Seahawks having a Seahawk.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

The Colts, obviously having a horse. I'm. I'd assume the Chiefs. That's easy. Who else? We got Broncos, obviously. Obviously. You have the horse.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah. We got Thunder.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay. We got Panthers having a Panther. Oh, that would be dope. A black Panther come out. Oh, that. That'd be live. I'm trying to think what. Ravens. It's easy to get a goddamn Raven.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Buffalo Bills. Could you imagine if they had a. A big Bison?

[Tom Brokaw]

Oh, you want him to run out of field like Ralphie, huh?

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah. Get you a real Bison, man. Yeah. NFL needed. They might as well just, you know, try something different.

[Tom Brokaw]

One thing about the NFL, they do not want to pay no money.

[Chad Johnson]

They make all the money, though.

[Tom Brokaw]

I know. That's how you keep it. You keep it, you make it, and you don't spend away with lawsuits.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

Marvin Harrison Jr. Been hitting the gym Ojo. Even Kyler Murray couldn't believe how different Marvin Harrison Jr looked when asked about his transformation. Kyler said, hell, I thought it was AI. Yeah, he yoked up. He more than you, Ocho. He got you.

[Chad Johnson]

Nah, we about the same size.

[Tom Brokaw]

Nah, Ocho, he got you, Ocho.

[Chad Johnson]

I'm bigger. I'm bigger than Junior. I'm bigger than Junior.

[Tom Brokaw]

Nah.

[Chad Johnson]

Huh? Trust me, man. Trust me. You said what?

[Tom Brokaw]

Y' all think. Y' all think Ocho bigger than mhj.

[Chad Johnson]

All they gotta do. Look at me, man. Look at this, huh?

[Tom Brokaw]

Man, look at him.

[Chad Johnson]

Look at me. Look at this. This thing. This is McDonald's, man. You talking about, man.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, see, he got real good chicken breast, you know, he probably had some broccoli, cauliflower, maybe a little carrots, a Caesar salad, kale salad, arugula or something like that.

[Chad Johnson]

Me? What you talking about, man? What is real, boy? You're talking about. Hey, my a. I. I'm a full C cup. Like, I can't. I gotta put. I gotta put my T. I gotta get a. A one size smaller T shirt just to keep my chest down.

[Tom Brokaw]

You're still a small.

[Chad Johnson]

No.

[Tom Brokaw]

What?

[Chad Johnson]

This is a 2x.

[Tom Brokaw]

No, it ain't.

[Chad Johnson]

This. This is a 2x from H& M. I can show you H. M. See it?

[Tom Brokaw]

God dang. Joe sent me some. Some shorts. Who that need a 2X?

[Chad Johnson]

What's that God damn thing?

[Tom Brokaw]

Little, huh? That's what I'm saying. For 2x.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, send me them.

[Tom Brokaw]

Man. You get on that reformer.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, what kind of shorts and mirrors?

[Tom Brokaw]

They're supposed to be yoga shorts.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, they supposed to be small, huh?

[Tom Brokaw]

No, they don't. Not for me.

[Chad Johnson]

Nah. You know, but you know, hey, yoga, you support. I ain't never did yoga, but I'm supposed. You're supposed to be free, you know? Really?

[Tom Brokaw]

How am I free? With those little tiny ass things.

[Chad Johnson]

And you don't want nothing baggy, though.

[Tom Brokaw]

Hey, I gotta have. I have to have a jock strap on, man. No, you supposed to have all baggy stuff in yoga.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, no, you. You want. You want to be free?

[Tom Brokaw]

Nothing that's free, baggy. It's free, not constricted.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay, I got you.

[Tom Brokaw]

Joe. I don't know. I think you might have missized these.

[Chad Johnson]

Joe. Joe at.

[Tom Brokaw]

Joe.

[Chad Johnson]

Send me some too, man.

[Tom Brokaw]

So we'll. We'll see. We'll see it tomorrow. Ojo ocho. According to Ian Rappaport, James Cook is present at mandatory minicamp. New deal. James Cook had a simple response to why I like my money. That's why I'm here. Cook, as he plans to fully participate in training camp.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, yeah, they take care. They gonna take care of him. They gonna take and listen at the running back position. You really can't play that game with them, boy. No, I'm just being honest. But they do not play that. Even though how we view you thus on the outside looking in. We view you as a tier one running back along with Saquon and McCaffrey and the boys, but you really can't play that. They already don't value the position as it is, as well as you did for the Bills since you've been there. But they will replace your ass quick and feeling they can find someone else that can do the same stuff you can do. Nah, don't do that. Don't play that game. I'm glad. I'm glad he's at minicamp. I'm glad.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, man. Three day Miss Minicamp. Over 105, 000 in fines, man. Listen, and you know, back. Back when you and I played Ocho, if you got fine, signed a new contract, the team could forgive that fine. Now they can't forgive a fine.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, you can't forgive it. Yeah, you don't play with that money. He gonna be all right. They're gonna take care of him, though. They're gonna take care of him. You know, you got to wait for it, but they're gonna take care of him.

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[Chad Johnson]

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[Tom Brokaw]

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Ocho Shamar Stewart is no longer at the mandatory minute camp amid ongoing holdout with the Bengals over language they want to put into his rookie contract. Per Adam Stewart left mandatory minicap due to contract dispute Stewart, the number 17 overall draft pick, is one of four remaining unsigned first round selections from the 2025 draft. His situation appears to be the most contentious from that group. Pro Football Talks Mike Florio reported on May 24 that the issue between the Stuart, the Stewart and the Bengals involve a phrase in which the contract would allow a default and in the current year to trigger a Default in all remaining years.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Hey, hey, uncle, it's got.

[Tom Brokaw]

Just think about oo. Just say you get a contract. Let's just say for the sake of argument, I get a contract, I got a five year deal, I got a four year deal, a fifth year option. They can pick it up. So let's just say at my rookie year I do something.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

Conjure detrimental, I get suspended. NFL, whatever. The NFL suspended me. Not only can they take the money back that first year, but year two, year three, year four, they get that guaranteed money too. Oh, hell no.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. And listen as a player and chat. Y' all stay with me real quick. I'm not sure. Again, I asked this when we talked about it the other night. I asked when it comes to Stuart, what does his background look like? You know, what has he done in the past? What did the Bengals find out? Like we're going to take a chance on this young, on this young kid because he's a tremendous talent. But there must have been some red flags that we don't know about. It has to be because there's no reason that the Bengals are trying to set a precedent. All of a sudden out the blue with this individual, as good as he was in college, wanted you to and you wanted to draft him this high, I'm not sure what it is. And if, if it's something that other teams knife. If it's something that other teams did. Okay, I understand, I understand that. But the fact, fact of the matter is with that fine language, don't allow it to default money from years down the down the road, allow it to be a year to year thing. Like if you mess up this year as your, well, all that guaranteed money your rookie year, boom, young boy, you're not touching that. But all the money to come, that's guaranteed moving forward on later years. That's a no. No. As much as I love my Bengals, I mean I just don't see and I don't understand what the issue is or why they're doing it.

[Tom Brokaw]

Well, the NFL should institute a fine. If a team gets fined for doing something, all the money, the money that you would get in subsequent years would go away. So that $425 million that you would get in 2026, if you did, if you had something that go wrong in 25, you don't get 26, 27 or 28 money. I, I got, they wouldn't go for that.

[Chad Johnson]

Right, exactly.

[Tom Brokaw]

So why do you expect players? Why do you think? Because you're in an advantageous situation that you want to say, well, look, take it or leave it. Hey, take your ass back to the draft, young man.

[Chad Johnson]

I was just getting ready to ask you that. Huh?

[Tom Brokaw]

I was just. Yeah, absolutely.

[Chad Johnson]

Now, can he opt out and go back into the draft again and be drafted by somebody else?

[Tom Brokaw]

That'll be something that. That's something that the players association would probably get, the lawyers involved with the NFL. Because, look, you go back and look, normally what happens, Ocho. Quarterbacks are different, but normally, you look at what did the player get that was drafted in the same slot in 2024, and normally he gets a 10% raise. So let's just say, for the sake of argument, ocho, he got 20 million.

[Chad Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Brokaw]

10%. That's 22 million. Okay, now, you work on. You work on incentives and things like that. How much of the money is guaranteed? Because now you look at the top five, top six guys, their entire contracts are guaranteed. Yes, sir, the entire contracts are guaranteed. You get 25, $30 million signing bonus at the time, and then you know the rest of it. So if it's a $43 million contract, you get 30 million guaranteed. So, you know, you. Over the next four years, three, four years, you can get 13 million. But you got your money. So they prorate it over the length of the contract, the signing bonus, they spread it out. The Bengals doing this. And Ocho, I get it. This is a mom and pop shop. Their dad, Paul Brown, left it to the sun. Mike Brown. But ocho, everybody got 300 to $325 million. That's before you sold anything. Any tickets, that's any concession, any parking pass, local tv, local radio, local sponsorship. So you gonna the NFL cutting checks for between 300 and $350 million before you do anything locally?

[Chad Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Brokaw]

And you gonna try to hard time me talking about you gonna take some money back if I do something in year one, and you gonna take money from year two, Three, four, then y' all better get the BLEEP out of here.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, listen, it's unfortunate. It's unfortunate. It's frustrating. It's frustrating for me, obviously, being a huge, huge Bengal advocate and always riding for my team. The ups, the downs, and us already having issues on the defensive end and knowing that's what we need to focus all our attention on. And having a player that you draft is so high and these issues and having him not be a part of, you know, mandatory minicamp and him actually leaving, and there's an opportunity and maybe a chance that he can opt out and go back into it. Just. Yes, it's a distraction.

[Tom Brokaw]

It'd be interesting to see. Ocho, how have they done this with other contracts?

[Chad Johnson]

Well, listen, I told you, I told you it was a hold up, you know, I mean a little birdie told me, a birdie close enough that they had some wording and verbiage in Chase and T. Higgins contract, that they held it up just a tad bit. Oh, hell no. Not, no, not us. So this was lingering a little bit. But because they are who they are, they were able to get that, you know, what about it there. So now we talk about a rookie who is yet to prove himself. You know, we got two that already been proven so man, we not signing nothing until that's up out of there. So now in this case, they, they ride with it.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, they try. They try. They're trying to draw land in the sand. And so what that means if they start sc? Because here's the thing. I'm not gonna let you start the precedent with me because what you do, if you put it Nassau in 2025, they put this in his contract. Guess what? All the rookies that signed with the Bengals moving forward is going to have in their contract that language. You're not going to start that precedent with me. Yeah, it's not happening.

[Chad Johnson]

No, it's unfortunate. Man. It's very frustrating. Very frustrating though.

[Tom Brokaw]

Very. Oh, I don't know if you noticed this today. The new patches for the LA Chargers practice jerseys. Jerseys. We missed something. Oh. If a rookie do not sign their contract after being drafted, they can re enter the draft the following year. They can also choose to enter free agency and potentially sign with another team if the draft team's right them aren't traded. A player who doesn't sign can either choose to sit out a year or reenter the draft later. So he got leverage.

[Chad Johnson]

What would you do?

[Tom Brokaw]

You could become a free agent.

[Chad Johnson]

What would you do?

[Tom Brokaw]

I ain't said I like the money. I gotta play. I can't go back to college. I ain't got no eligibility because if I could, I'd go back to college to get an nil deal. But I'm going, I'm going to be a free agent because I'm sure Cincinnati was not the only team that had him high on their draft board right now. Is it something like, Is it something like. What do they call it? I think they used to do where you used to draft the guy in the summer. What did they call that? Draft Supplemental. Draft.

[Chad Johnson]

Supplemental.

[Tom Brokaw]

I don't think they have the supplemental draft anymore. But if you took somebody. Bobby Humphrey got drafted in the supplemental draft in 1989. They took Steve Atwater first, but they had a supplemental draft. Bobby Humphrey went number one in the supplemental draft, which means the following year, the Broncos didn't have a first round draft pick. So that's how the supplemental draft works. If you took somebody, whatever round you took him in that following year, you lost that round of a draft pick. So with more. I'm sure others had him as a top. As a. As a. As a first round. Had a first round grade on him.

[Chad Johnson]

Right. Okay.

[Tom Brokaw]

Hey, what y' all got for your boy? I'm not. See, I'm not sitting out on Joe because, like I said, I want money. I need that.

[Chad Johnson]

If you forget the. I mean, the money part is obviously. But my childhood dream has finally come true.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

I work all the obstacles. I overcame everything. I finally get drafted. Boom, mama, I made it. Thank you. Now I get here. Now it's another issue. That's another problem. Something that I can't avoid is the business side of things. It's the ugly side of things. I hate it. I know Young Bull wants you to get out there and play.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yes.

[Chad Johnson]

Ankles. I understand if he sits out. I understand if he. If he opts out to go back in the draft. I get it. I understand that he's frustrated. I'm sure his. His parents are frustrated, the agent probably frustrated, and so are the fans. So. Listen, Joe spoke his piece. Joe spoke his piece. But one thing about it, if you know the Bengals, if you know management, if you know ownership, you're not going to bully them.

[Tom Brokaw]

You're not.

[Chad Johnson]

You're not going to make them do nothing they don't want to do. You're not going to set that precedent as if you so.

[Tom Brokaw]

Oh, I know. But that's kind of why the Springs have been in that situation. They wouldn't pay Boomer. They wouldn't pay. A lot of their good players and their good players left. That's kind of why they've been in the situation. Now, you got an ideal situation. The last thing you want, Ocho, going into a season where you have so much hope and promise is distraction. Joe told you the Trey Hendrickson is a distraction because you're not asking how we're getting better. You're asking what should they do? I got to keep asking this. Now I got to ask answer another question about my first round draft pick and them not getting paid and them trying to set a precedent that no other team is setting. Yeah, distraction. But the Bengals don't. See, but, but here, that's the thing though, Ocho, because see, there's really no benefit other than your, your ownership wanting pride. That's the only benefit of winning. Because guess what, Ocho, whether you get, whether you win, the Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Eagles got the same amount of money. Who's the worst? Who picked first? Oh, Tennessee.

[Chad Johnson]

Tennessee.

[Tom Brokaw]

They got the same revenue. Everybody got a check for 350. So tell me the incentive. See, we normally have an incentive because prize money, Ocho, you win the event, you get 3 million, you get second, you get 2 million, so forth and so on. But just imagine, would there be any incentive to win other than your Pride if, okay, first prize, get 5 million. Second prize, get 5 million. Third prize, get 5 million. What incentive is that, Ocho? So the Bengals really don't have any incentive to do anything because guess what? The NFL is going to cut them a check for 350 million just like they're going to cut the super bowl champion or the last place team. And that's before they sell anything or they have any event in the stadium. And so that's, that's, that, that's, that's why, I mean, it takes a special type. I mean, some ownership, clearly Harry Roseman wants to win even though the 49ers haven't won. Hell, they go damn near all in every year. Stan Cronky, the owner of the Rams, he wants to win. He damn near shoved chips in the military all year. If you notice, it's only the Bengals that do things like this to haggle and try to penny pinch, bro. You getting a check for 350? Yeah, 350 million on Joe. Damn.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, listen. Well, it's frustrating, boy.

[Tom Brokaw]

It's very frustrating because like you said, the last thing that you want to have happen on your is to have it. Why are we still talking about a rookie but not signed? And here we are, we damn near. We damn near in July. We going, we going, hey, we going to training camp in a month?

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, we're going to training camp in a month and I got to deal with this bull drive. Ocho, New patches for the LA Chargers practice jersey show both personal and team achievement on East Jersey. This is the first form of professional. This is the first form of professional football team. Ocho, you like this? So, okay, got captain. I can't read this.

[Chad Johnson]

Is that water. Them water bottles?

[Tom Brokaw]

Okay? Yeah. So he got like, you got a captain. So you got the captains. So you got a captain and then you got A star for one year, two year, three, so forth and so on. And you got Pro Bowl. You got all. Probably if you got the franchise record most passing yards in the season.

[Tom Yamas]

Okay.

[Tom Brokaw]

Ocho, you had the record for the most receiving yards. You would have a patch. Now, they. I mean, that would be. You know what it's kind of like, I guess like nascar. You got. You know, NASCAR got all the damn patches on the fire suit.

[Chad Johnson]

I mean, this. This is strictly for practice, right?

[Tom Brokaw]

Strictly for practice.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I like it.

[Tom Brokaw]

You could put a patch. You could put your patch on there if you have a sponsor. But they. NFL ain't going to let you put all those patches.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, no, not. Not without them monetizing and making some money off of it. That ain't happening. But listen, I think it's dope.

[Lester Holt]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

I like it.

[Tom Brokaw]

I do.

[Chad Johnson]

It's no different than college, you know, Ohio State, Buckeyes, I think fsu, you know, they get the. They get the Tomahawks and I think.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah. You remember. Yeah. You remember how you used to get the DKL day? You get a tackle, you got a big head, score touchdown and you know. Hey, yo. Hey, I need to bring my helmet because I had all the things.

[Chad Johnson]

You was filled up.

[Tom Brokaw]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Filled up. Yeah. We had sculls and crossbones.

[Chad Johnson]

Right, right, right, right.

[Tom Brokaw]

And we had skulls and crossbones, Ocho.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay, okay. I mean, I think it's dope. It's cool. I'm cool. I mean, listen, I don't think you really need to incentivize NFL players and reminding them, you know, their accolades and what they've done. What they've done to date. But if they feel having it on the jersey and patches is some type of motivating. Motivating tactic, I guess it's cool.

[Tom Brokaw]

Think about what you would do when coach said, hey, we win this game, we ain't got to come in until Wednesday. But.

[Chad Johnson]

I don't care if that let me get money to money and Monday and Tuesday off. Man, stop.

[Tom Brokaw]

Hey, the joker's going, hey, man. Hey, man. Especially if you home.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, man.

[Tom Brokaw]

Guys try to catch a $5 Sunday night to go somewhere out of there, bro. Yeah. Oh, hey. All right. Hey, have a good practice. We off tomorrow.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

I'm like, really, dude? Really? Y' all gonna do this? But so y' all. So in other words, y' all been bull driving the other practices, but it's little things like that. Hey, hey, we're gonna have a way. We'll Have a cookout. Because we always did things offense against the defense. It was always competition whether we bowl, we shot, we, you know, we divided up teams and shot. And it was always, we always competing against each other.

[Chad Johnson]

Right, right, right.

[Tom Brokaw]

And so I, I get it. But I like, I do like that Ocho. I like that. I like it.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, it's dope. That's dope. It's dope. Something new.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, it's kind of like the, the All Star, you know, All Star in basketball. They started putting your accom time league mvp, Finals mvp. How many allstar teams you made? How many all NBA teams you made? So I, I like it. You think other teams gonna adopt this? Oo I think they will.

[Chad Johnson]

I mean I, I think they will. It all depends you, you think about it. Of course, when you look at the landscape of the NFL, know it's only maybe three or four, three or four players that's gonna have patches on their stuff now.

[Tom Brokaw]

Cuz they did it with the Walter Payton. You remember. Oh, if you won the Walter Payton award, they put that, they put that decal on there.

[Chad Johnson]

Yes, I, I do, I do remember that. Yeah, absolutely. But I think, I think, I think other teams may adopt it. You know, some, some teams might not really care for it or, or, or want to, to go to that extent of adding patches of accolades and, and what, what people have done.

[Tom Brokaw]

They do that. Hold on. They do that at this, at the super bowl now you know how the guys come out there in the tracksuits on Tuesday. Yeah. And for the thing and you see the MVPs and STU. Super Bowl.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

So I, I like, I like this, I like this. I can get behind it.

[Chad Johnson]

Might be something new, might be something.

[Tom Brokaw]

Oh, Joe. Left tackle Trent Williams says his goal is to play into his 40s. He turns 37 in July. It's one of them things that, where I'm going to do everything possible to play as long as I can and to put a good product on the foot, on foot of football out there. And then when it's going my way, then I'll know. But I could play until I'm 41, who knows? But that's a goal of mine. I definitely not going to retire with some left in the tank. So in other words, he said, hey, when the wheels fall off, hey, call roadside assistant to drag my ass off the field. But until then I'm playing.

[Chad Johnson]

That's it. And one thing about it, someone like Trent, someone of Trent Williams caliber, as good as he is, can play well into his 40. As long as you stay healthy. As long as he will stay healthy. That's all it comes down to. And he has to. Obviously, the older you get, the more technically sound you got to be. The older you get, the more technically sound you got to be. Because them young bulls, you know them.

[Tom Brokaw]

They come and they screaming off that edge.

[Chad Johnson]

Boy, they are coming. As great as he is, they got to make sure that kick still right now, better anchor down.

[Tom Brokaw]

So, yeah, if anybody thinks the thing is now, Ocho guys do a better job of taking care of themselves, regardless of position. And even though they might not have the most aesthetic bodies, guys take better care of themselves, right? Guys take better care of themselves. They just do. Because I got into the league, guys were still smoking cigarettes. I ain't gonna call no name, but guys were still smoking cigarettes. Hey, we get a break. Guys going to their car, they standing outside their car, they smoking. Like I said, the funny thing I see, I saw Greg Tyler at the Raiders. I mean, we walking in the first game of the season. We played on the road at the old Coliseum. Man, I get. I'm walking out and walking to the locker room. By the time I get there, he's sitting outside on his helmet, smoking. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it. O Joe. Now, did I know guys? Yeah. We have very prominent guys on our team that smoke, but not on Sunday.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. Hey, that's funny. You know that classic picture of Lynn Dawson?

[Tom Brokaw]

Yes. That's exactly how town was. Sitting on his helmet smoking a cigarette.

[Chad Johnson]

That was a.

[Tom Brokaw]

But you remember that picture there that. I think that picture been black and white. Yeah, I saw it with my own color eyes.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, that's funny, man. That's.

[Tom Brokaw]

It was wild back then, like some of the stuff. Oh, yeah, back then.

[Chad Johnson]

Well, I didn't heard the story. Boy, you ain't got to tell me. Listen. I didn't listen. I done said that Twin Peaks were lt. And I done got. Got some good stories. I done got some rigors.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, baby, I don't mean, I. I.

[Chad Johnson]

Don'T mean to be disrespectful. Right. But when you play football, when you used to fly airlines domestic, was that during the time they could smoke cigarettes on the plane?

[Tom Brokaw]

Yes. Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah. That's crazy.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah. You used to be able to smoke in restaurants. You had a smoking section and a non smoking section. Yeah, it's like, would you like to sit and smoke at a 9? And a lot of people like, well, what's first available? But if you, if you at a Restaurant. What is smoke going? You might be back to back in a smoking section. Do.

[Chad Johnson]

Dan. That's eight. You know what? History always repeats itself, right?

[Tom Brokaw]

No, I don't think that one coming back with you.

[Chad Johnson]

You don't think so?

[Tom Brokaw]

Hell no. Not smoking and door. No. Now you go to casino.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

You know, they anything they smoking cigars, cigarettes, weed, all in the club. That's what. That's what really stopped me from going to the club. Ocho, why me? All that smoke, man, you gotta hang. You gotta hang your shirt up in the shower and stuff.

[Chad Johnson]

Okay, I understand what you're saying. I didn't know that would deter you from going to the club now.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, I don't like all that smoke. Well, it wouldn't deter me from going to the club. I don't like me. Oh, so I can't stay up. I ain't. No, I ain't no late. I'm an early riser, so I need to be in.

[Chad Johnson]

Don't forget it. Now, your boy, he's an early riser too now. Understand? Understand? But you gotta say I take a nap during the day if I know I'm gonna want to do something.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

When I went to Area 29. Yeah, I had to do the show, man. I slept for five hours during the day. I took.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yes. I can't.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, when I go to tootsies, When I go to tootsies, you know, I gotta get my seafood rice and lobster tail. I take a nap during the day. And the fact that I only go places where I can smoke my cigar. If I can't smoke a cigar, I'm not coming. I'm not coming. Like, don't even invite me.

[Lester Holt]

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[Tom Yamas]

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[Lester Holt]

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[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, I'm not. Like I said, I. But I'd really never like. I'm not a. I'm not really a go out type of person. I like to go out for it. And I ain't really trying to. I ain't trying to close the club down.

[Chad Johnson]

Right, right, right, right.

[Tom Brokaw]

Last call for alcohol. Last call. Last. I ain't trying to be there.

[Chad Johnson]

Right. I got it.

[Tom Brokaw]

I ain't trying to. Hey, hey. You still sitting on the stool in the. Man trying to move the stool out the way and try to clean up and you still there, bro, take your ass on.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, hey. The lights come on.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

And I heard some funny stories, like, women look different. Women look different. You know, you get a couple drinks. So, you know, some people, that's really not attractive. They look a little different. You get a few drinks on you, you know, they hit them lights on and you get to see what you look like.

[Tom Brokaw]

And then, you know, hey, but what happens? What happens when you ain't got no alcohol in your system?

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, wait, my homeboy say when them lights come on. That's the fourth quarter. You better get what you can. You better get what you can.

[Tom Brokaw]

Nah, I done lost this one. I take my chances next time. As the Cleveland Brown quarterback competition progresses into mandatory minicaps, Doris Sanders has often found himself practicing with the backups while team other passes. Flacco Pickett and Dylan Gabriel have received first team reps. Shador said he's unbothered by practice reps. Instead of looking to take advantage of every opportunity give. Life is just based on how you view different things. So you can view things if you're not getting reps in a negative way, or you can view it as, okay, it's my time to get out there and let's be proactive and let's get warm. Let's get going. So there's no excuses, because when you get out there, nobody cares how many reps you got whenever you got in the game, nobody cares if you took a snap before. Everybody cares about production. So that's the main thing. When you get out there, you got to be able to produce. Ocho. See, I love this response. See, now you got me questioning whether or not he was unprepared when he came to those meetings. I think y' all tried to salt that man up, because I've only heard responses like this all the press conference. Yeah, he had. I mean, when he was in college, you know, he was a little facetious at times, but I didn't never, I never got the inclination that he was unprepared if the one thing that he was going to be is prepared.

[Chad Johnson]

Prepared.

[Tom Brokaw]

His father prepared him. He understands his dad. Although he didn't play quarterback, he understood what comes along with playing the quarterback.

[Chad Johnson]

Right.

[Tom Brokaw]

I just, look, I, I, I, I love the way he's answered the, answered that question.

[Chad Johnson]

He's answering the questions perfectly. And the funny thing about it that, you know, I got a, I got a couple of young bulls out there, you know, I taught a Denzel Ward, you know, I told some, but let me actually have my name. But anyway, I didn't talk to some people. He looked different. There's a difference. When that young bull is out there spinning that ball. You hear me? Difference. I'm talking about, I'm talking about football. I ain't talking about no media and all that. All that hoopla and all them, you know, on Twitter, they putting up the numbers some. He put 10 for, 12 for two, touchdown. I'm talking about when he's at the helm, he looks different. Whether he's going with the first team, second team, or third team, it don't matter. You know, I understand. Getting drafted in the fifth round, all that means nothing. When it's time to play football and that whistle blows, he looks different than the rest of the competition. That's, that's what I heard. And I'm talking, I'm talking from, from, from a, not, not Brother Ward. I'm just talking about from sources that's in that room, that's on that field, that's playing the sport, man, come on, man.

[Tom Brokaw]

This is something that I can relate to. Yeah, you can't relate to this. You're a second round draft pick, so you probably had, worst case scenario, you running with the second, the twos as soon as you step foot in the camp. I was gonna say somebody, but it's somebody that was a seventh round draft pick and that was with the third, fourth, fifth team, the last guy to get a rep. Some days, Ocho, I get one rep. What? I get one rep. That's all I got.

[Chad Johnson]

Serious?

[Tom Brokaw]

That's it.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, I would have cut up. Well, you got me mad.

[Tom Brokaw]

I just, I, I just remember having a conversation with my brother. My brother would tell me, say, man, how's it going? I said, spank, man, I ain't, man, Dang. I got like one rep. I got like two reps. I ain't even get in today. He said, don't worry about that. He said, one day John Elway gonna call on you.

[Chad Johnson]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Brokaw]

Just make sure when he called on you, you answer. Just make sure you're supposed, you're where you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be there. That's all he told me. He didn't say, ah, man, they messing over you. He never said he can't, hey, you know what you can do now? You gonna get your opportunity. It's gonna come.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

And when it comes, slowly but surely, I was with the threes. Slowly but surely I was with the twos.

[Chad Johnson]

Come on now.

[Tom Brokaw]

Hey. Now all of a sudden, hey, Sharp, get in there. I'm in the slot, but I'm running with the ones. Okay? Yeah, okay, so make the team. Mainly special teams, but, you know, hey, they called, he wants somebody. We ran the ball a bunch. So, you know, I'm big receiver, I'm blocking, you know, hey, it didn't matter. I'm blocking. Fortuner, Ronnie, lot, you know, Eddie Anderson, all them big time, big time hitters. But that's the only thing that my brother told me. He didn't tell me they messing over me. He didn't say. All he said is, like, you know what? John Elway gonna call your number one day. Just make sure you answer. And I was like, you know, I would go, I would go ask, John, man, what, what can I do better, man? I just, I just want to be. I just want to be like, when you, when you call him, I want to be there. He's like, hey, just make sure you get your head around. Make sure you get your depth on your routes, blah, blah, blah. You know, we run certain drills. He's like, hey, I like that. I like that effort. Slowly but surely. So if I could give. I can't give you no advice on how to play the quarterback position, but I'll say, just keep doing that. Yeah, just keep, just keep doing what you're doing. That's all you gotta do. And people like, man, you always turn it in. I said, no. What I try to do is that in situations where Ocho and I, we try to do, is that if we've been in those situations before, we can tell you how we handle it. We can get, go inside because you're talking to people that was in the huddle, not somebody. I didn't cover the game. I cover the game now. But you talk about some of that within the huddle. Know what it's like on fourth and three. There's Know what it's like when it's first and goal and you're down six. So I ain't telling what somebody told me to say. I'm telling you through firsthand knowledge. Yeah, firsthand knowledge. Being in the locker room, being in those meeting rooms. I. I love what Shador said. I love the way he's handling it. I don't know when that time gonna come, Ocho.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

Because the man say, you don't know when I'm coming. He said, you best make sure you be right when I return. Shador doesn't know when the opportunity will present itself.

[Chad Johnson]

We gonna be ready. Hey, I want to get back to this one rep, man. Now that. That's. That stuck with me. Out of everything. You don't say because. But they.

[Tom Brokaw]

What?

[Chad Johnson]

I would have raised hell. You hear me?

[Tom Brokaw]

Oh, yo, I'm a seventh round draft pick. I'm a body.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, okay. My bad.

[Tom Brokaw]

Ain't no. Yeah. If I was the first round draft pick and I ain't getting but one rep or second round draft pick yet, I would have some issues, too. But I'm a seventh round draft pick. And you know, the thing is, with me, I played one. I played, I played. I was the Z receiver.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

So now you know, Ocho, you coming as a rookie, you Z, you slot, you X, they throw you in a couple of plays, attack. Ro. Can I learn? Let me learn one thing right? Come on now. Let me, let me, let me. I'm trying to write cursing, and you try to get me to do trigonometry, huh? Man, one rep, two reps on Joe. That's all we out there for two hours, you know. Hey, everybody else getting called to get in there. Hey, Turner, get in there. Johnson, get in there. Young, get in there. Everybody get in there. Last play. Sharp, get in that to Z.

[Chad Johnson]

Man. Listen, let me tell you something.

[Tom Brokaw]

Oh, let me take that back. It was called. It was not called a Z. It was called the wing.

[Chad Johnson]

Right?

[Tom Brokaw]

Sharp, you had the wing.

[Chad Johnson]

Hey, you gotta think in 2000, man. TJ was on here with us. Remember? He told you. Yeah, I take. I was taking scout. I'm talking about 2005, 2006. I'm talking about my whole career. I ran our plays and I ran scout team, right? I'm. I would purposely. The gunner on special teams. I would purposely go on special team just to keep myself running through the whole practice. And I purposely took the scout team, whoever, the number one receiver. Based on who we playing, let's say we playing the Jag, you know, we playing the Jags. I'm Jimmy Smith on the scout team, and I take every rep because now I get to work with the number one DB on our team and give him good work so he be ready for Jimmy or Kenny McCardell on Sunday.

[Tom Brokaw]

Yep.

[Chad Johnson]

And I'm Man, Marvin and Hugh Jackson would have to pull me the F out of practice.

[Tom Brokaw]

But you know, Ocho, in training camp, it ain't really no scout team. It's ones versus ones.

[Chad Johnson]

Ones. Yes, yes.

[Tom Brokaw]

You don't really get to the scout team until like that first preseason game because now, okay, offense, you going against the twos, defense, going against the two, offense, things like that. And then obviously, when you get into the regular season, the scout team, you know, go to get given that. So. Yeah, that once. Once the regular season came. Yeah, I was. I was. I. That's me. I followed the ball, right? Whoever would have been the best receiver, it was Tim Brown. I'm Tim Brown. I'm Slim Brown.

[Chad Johnson]

Yeah.

[Tom Brokaw]

Did you know what I'm saying?

[Chad Johnson]

Oh, Timmy, man, that's the same thing.

[Tom Brokaw]

Rod Smith came in, he said, man, he. His rock was right across from mine and he. Every day, he's absorbed everything of everybody. That was that offense that I've ever been around. Ross Smith probably was probably my greatest student because he absorbed everything. He said, man, I just want. I said. He said, man, I want. I want that. I said, what you what? He said, man, the way the crowd cheer you, the way everybody respects you. He said, I want that. I said, tell you what. When the scout team come, whoever the best receiver is, you get that jersey. I don't care if you're X. I don't care if you're Z. You get that jersey. And you go out there when they say, hey, man, you bust their ass.

[Chad Johnson]

I like that part.

[Tom Brokaw]

The first time Foots got in a game, we playing Washington in Denver. Three by one, we down. Hold on.

[Chad Johnson]

Where he at? He.

[Tom Brokaw]

He the X receiver. They put him to the side. By himself.

[Chad Johnson]

By himself.

[Tom Brokaw]

He got Darrell Green matched up on him. Don't throw him the football. He jump over with Darren Green and catch it. We win the game. Oh, Rod. What? Rod.

[Chad Johnson]

You talk to Rod lately?

[Tom Brokaw]

Yeah, yeah, I talk to Puss all the time. Yeah, yeah, we hey him. You know, I still. It's a few guys I stay in touch with a lot, obviously. Bur I talked to House, who was my backup tight end. Chalkeye was another backup tight end, Foots. But it's a few guys I still keep in touch with. Yeah, but that's what I tell guys. And a lot of they say there are conspiracy theories circling that Cleveland trying to force the early piece. Yeah, they gonna do everything they possibly can because they draft. They don't want to look bad. Ocho. If I draft Gillen, Gabriel Howard and I drafted Shador, and Shador outplays him. Boy, that make me look bad if he gets in there. I signed Kenny Pickett as a free agent. If he gets in there and he outplayed performs Kenny Pickett, that makes me look bad. So I'm going to give these guys every opportunity to succeed. Because I don't want y' all to make me look bad. Cause you can say, oh, yeah, we didn't have this grade on him. Don't matter the grade. Cause at the end of the day, you gotta play. You can give that guy A plus or B, whatever the case may be. But when we get in there, yeah, something gotta give.

[Chad Johnson]

All right. Let them some good days, boy.

[Tom Brokaw]

Oh, yeah.

[Chad Johnson]

Oh.

[Tom Brokaw]

But I love the way Shador answered the question. It's like, look, first team, second team, third team. When they call my name, I'll be ready. Cause then don't nobody care. Didn't nobody care that, hey, all the tight ends got hurt and they putting a seventh round draft pick in there from Savannah State. Ain't nobody cared nothing about that at all. All these songs, number 81, sharp. Man, that's Sterling, brother. I wonder if he's as good as his brother. Hell, if I was, they'd better have. They took me to seventh round, and I'm just as good as my brother. Somebody doing some, hell, some poor ass scouting. But I thought I was. Ocho, you couldn't tell me I wasn't as good as my brother? I broke all his records. I did everything that he did and everything he did not. Was he more physically like I was, more talented. Right. He was a harder worker.

[Chad Johnson]

Right.

[Tom Brokaw]

So once I. Once I got to college, I was like, man, I'm like, man, scouts ain't really coming. Because he was telling me, man, we had all the scouts from every team. I think at the time looked like 2018, 2017. Every Scout was here today. Oh, yeah, Y' all have your scouts? Like, nah, we ain't have no scouts down here. So I know the opportunity. So I got to. I got to do something to make the scouts come.

[Chad Johnson]

Right?

[Tom Brokaw]

That's it. Shador, keep doing what you're doing, bro. I love it. I know you. Your dad dealing with a little. Some health problems right now, but you've gone through adversity before when you did Jackson State and your dad had that, had those blood clots. You built for this. You are absolutely 1000% built for this. Head up, trade up, stay up the volume.

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