Vic Fangio on Coaching for 40+ Years in the NFL, Eagles Defense Expectations & More | Exciting Mics

Summary

Exciting Mics – Episode Summary

Episode: Vic Fangio on Coaching for 40+ Years in the NFL, Eagles Defense Expectations & More
Release Date: July 2, 2026
Hosts: Cooper DeJean, Reed Blankenship
Special Guest: Vic Fangio (Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator, NFL coaching legend)

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Episode Overview

This episode welcomes legendary coach Vic Fangio as the first guest of Season 2. Cooper, Reed, and Coach Fangio dive into longevity in the NFL, share locker room stories, discuss changes in football culture, and analyze the upcoming seasons for both Reed in Houston and Cooper in Philly. The banter is as real as ever, with plenty of laughs, jabs, and thoughtful moments—giving fans unique insight into both life in the secondary and the mind of a defensive mastermind.

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What’s Exciting This Week

(02:46–10:40)

• NFL Trade Rumors
  • Reed and Cooper address rumors about Maxx Crosby possibly being traded again after his return to Las Vegas.
    • Reed: “Whoever gets him though, is gonna be lucky… have you watched him play on tape? He’s an animal.” (03:42–04:04)
  • They agree rumors are rumors until something real happens, but speculate on the impact wherever he lands.
• Houston Texans AFC South Hype
  • Texans are preseason favorites in the AFC South.
    • Cooper: “A lot of games you gotta be locked in for…we’re just worried about week one.” (05:08–05:10)
• World Cup Vibes
  • Soccer fever is sweeping the U.S., with fans from all over the world descending on American cities.
    • Reed: “Soccer bringing this many people together… beautiful thing.” (05:55–06:49)
  • Wild matches highlighted; Brazil defeats Japan in dramatic fashion.
• NBA Trade News
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly traded to Miami; Tyler Herro heads to Milwaukee.
  • Ja Morant joins Dame Lillard in Portland.
• Show Recommendations & Personal Updates
  • Cooper and Reed catch up on TV series, camps, and Reed’s massive youth football camp in Des Moines with over 700 kids.
    • Reed: “714 kids…crazy turnout…it was fun though.” (09:56–10:47)
• Eagles’ Autism Fundraiser
  • Both praise Jason Kelce’s latest charity events, which raised $1.25 million—topping last year.
    • Reed: “36 hours, we raised $1.25 million for Eagles Autism Foundation… just having fun with the people.” (10:54–11:46)

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Fan Engagement – "What's Exciting You?"

(12:05–13:38)

• Listener asks which safety will grab the first interception this season.
  • Cooper: “Check my stats…where all my interceptions look like? Everybody does.” (12:44–13:12)
• Fun debate about who gets more INT opportunities—the "full-time safety" or the versatile nickel/corner.

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Guest Segment: Coach Vic Fangio Joins the Show

(13:40–39:50)

Quickfire “Most Likely To”

(14:48–19:25)

• Most Likely Late to a Team Meeting:
  • Fangio calls out Cooper for being late to Mass, drawing laughs.
• Most Likely to Watch the Most Film:
  • Fangio wisely claims he doesn’t know, as it happens away from coaches.
  • Fangio: “I’ve had a lot of players over the years I really don’t want…watching tape without a coach.” (15:59–16:10)
• Most Likely to Switch to Offense:
  • Cooper is the pick; both reveal they had college QB offers.
• Most Likely to Talk During Drills:
  • Reed’s the talker—“always got something to say.”
• Most Likely to Request Extra Drills & Stay at the Facility:
  • Cooper loves box drills and is the classic “always at the facility” guy (especially when single).
• Most Likely to Get Yelled At:
  • Fangio says he isn’t a yeller: “I’m a teacher.” (19:52)

Life, Golf, and Football with Fangio

(20:02–27:19)

• Fangio’s Summer:
  • Golfing at iconic courses (Applebrook, Boba Lake, Olympic Club); “in a slump” with a 14 handicap.
    • Fangio: “Not playing that good. 14…in 2022, I was as low as 7.5.” (22:52–22:59)
• Player Golf Stories:
  • Tales of playing with Saquon Barkley, Jake Elliott; Jake’s 79 at Aronimink after the PGA is called “pretty impressive.”
  • Reed: “I spray the ball all over…not my sport.” (21:11)
• Golf as a lefty:
  • Cooper considers switching to right-handed to avoid “bad habits.”

Coaching Philosophy & Player Development

(27:19–36:46)

• Fangio’s Approach with New Teams:
  • He prefers to give players a true fresh start:
    • Fangio: “I really don’t want to watch the guys from the previous year…I’d rather just start from scratch with everybody.” (27:37–28:22)
• First Impressions:
  • Praises Reed for reliability, leadership; recalls only seeing Cooper injured for the first stretch.
    • Fangio: “Coop was a good example of how important practice is…once we put him at one position, he flourished.” (29:48–30:48)
• Practice Importance:
  • “Nothing’s as valuable as real practice reps.”
• Old School vs. Modern Coaching:
  • Self-identifies as “old school” but “not a yeller” and doesn’t curse much—“I’m a teacher and I keep it real.” (32:51–33:07)
• How Football Has Changed:
  • More change in coaching/practice culture than in players themselves.
    • Fangio: “Players want to be coached…want to get better. That hasn’t changed in 40 years. But we’ve made it harder…individual teams have cut back on practice and reps.” (33:33–35:02)
  • Development of young players is tougher with fewer reps.

Eagles’ Defensive Outlook

(36:46–39:30)

• Fangio bullish on Eagles’ defensive starters, but notes need to develop backup depth.
• Friendly banter about Reed’s move to Houston and Cooper possibly filling Reed’s shoes.
  • Fangio: “Coop, your days at corner hopefully are over—but you better stay honed up at corner.” (37:47)
  • Cooper: “That’s a high bar to clear. Reed played well for you.” (38:08–38:18)
• Fangio’s closing quip:
  • Promises Reed his locker is still reserved in Philly.

---

Fan Voicemails: Get Dialed In

(42:04–52:28)

• Congratulatory messages for Reed’s new baby, farewells from devoted Eagles fans, lots of “Go Birds!” and “Go Texans!” energy.
• H-Town love:
  • “H-Town ’til I drown, baby!”
• Fan questions:
  • Interception goals (Coop aims for 3–4+ picks), playing against former teams, and what they’ll miss most after football:
    • Reed: “I feel like football is the #1 team sport…you need everybody on the same page.” (51:17–51:43)
    • Cooper: “The adrenaline rush…you don’t get that anywhere else.” (51:43–52:25)
• Parenting sports debate:
  • Reed discusses Lucy’s future in sports—soccer and golf top the list, with Elsa’s support.

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Notable Quotes

• Vic Fangio:

  • “Players want to be coached, they want to be worked and they want to get better. That hasn’t changed in 40 years. But we’ve made it harder.” (33:33–35:02)
  • “I’m a teacher. I don’t really yell at anybody.” (19:52)

• Cooper DeJean:

  • “I’m one of those guys that listens to music all the time on the course. I just go out there to have fun.” (26:22–26:27)
  • “Check my stats. Safety, you get way more ops, bro.” (12:44–13:01)

• Reed Blankenship:

  • “714 kids…crazy turnout at the camp. It was fun though.” (09:56–10:47)
  • “Football is the number one team sport that there is.” (51:17–51:43)

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Timestamps for Core Segments

• Rumors & Current Events: 02:46–10:47
• Fan Submission & Trash Talk: 12:05–13:38
• Coach Fangio Introduction: 13:40–14:48
• Lightning Round w/ Fangio: 14:48–19:25
• Golf & Offseason Life: 20:02–27:19
• Coaching Philosophy: 27:19–36:46
• Eagles D Outlook: 36:46–39:30
• Listener Calls: 42:04–52:28

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Final Thoughts

This episode blends nostalgia, insight, and pure locker room fun. Coach Fangio’s candor about football’s evolution and the way he relates to modern players spotlights how personality and philosophy endure despite an ever-changing sport. Cooper and Reed’s on-field and off-field chemistry make this a can’t-miss listen for Eagles diehards and football fans seeking beyond-the-helmet dialogue.

Closing:
“Go Birds…and Texans! See you next week.”

Transcript

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[Cooper Sharp]

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[Cooper Sharp]

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[Reed Blankenship]

A lot of good players in 40 plus years.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

That's how you get the 40 plus years.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, don't give Reed too much so he can take it back.

[Cooper Sharp]

Might as well just cut me out of this section.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

He's got his hands full in Houston.

[Cooper Sharp]

Are you single, Coop? But I see you Christmas Eve though.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Why do we play you then?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, we come up to Philly Christmas Eve in Philly.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I'm focused on our opener. Better be too.

[Reed Blankenship]

Welcome back to Exciting Mics Connected with Xfinity.

[Cooper Sharp]

I'm Cooper Dean and I'm rebling ship. Make sure you like, comment, share and subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast.

[Reed Blankenship]

And be sure to follow us on all socials at exciting mics so you won't miss anything. We're going to start this podcast out with how we do it every single week, episode, whatever you want to say with what's exciting us this week. Some rumors going around about Max Crosby possibly getting traded to a new team. We saw earlier in the off season he was going to get traded to Baltimore.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yep.

[Reed Blankenship]

Ended up not happening. Went back to Vegas. So now he's there, but word on the street is. Could possibly get moved again.

[Cooper Sharp]

How, How. How legit are these sources, though?

[Reed Blankenship]

I don't know. That's a good question. I've seen it a couple times, but I don't know if whoever gets him though, is. Is. I mean, is going to be lucky to have a guy like him on their. On their team. He's just. Bro, have you watched him play on tape?

[Cooper Sharp]

Yes.

[Reed Blankenship]

He's an animal.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yes.

[Reed Blankenship]

Freaking animal.

[Cooper Sharp]

I mean, even from what Epps. I mean, Epps used to play with him. Just from what he said about him, I'm like, yeah, that's true. Just what I crazy.

[Reed Blankenship]

But I feel like I don't even think he wants to leave Vegas, though. Like, I feel like he's built his legacy in. In Vegas, but obviously he probably wants. Wants to. I mean, Vegas could be a contender, but go to another contender and, you know, get a chance at a Super bowl ring.

[Cooper Sharp]

Let's think about rumors, man. Like who? I like some.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, it might not even happen.

[Cooper Sharp]

It might not even happen, you know, so one small person. Yeah. Just talk, but you never know. I mean, it could get heated up

[Reed Blankenship]

here soon, but we'll see. Sit back and see what happens with Mad Max Crosby.

[Cooper Sharp]

Another thing.

[Reed Blankenship]

Another thing happening this week.

[Cooper Sharp]

Another thing.

[Reed Blankenship]

The Houston Texans are the favorites to win the nfc. Oh, the AFC south, easy.

[Cooper Sharp]

Come on now.

[Reed Blankenship]

What are your thoughts? You got thoughts on that?

[Cooper Sharp]

You know, I'm the type of cat to keep it, you know, neutral, you know, and yeah, you gotta humble guy. You gotta stay humble, man. But there's. There's a lot of games you gotta be locked in for. And. Yeah, we're just worried about week one.

[Reed Blankenship]

A lot of games to be played. Long season.

[Cooper Sharp]

Long season.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, these are. These are just prediction.

[Cooper Sharp]

No.

[Reed Blankenship]

1, no one's even played a preseason game yet.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah, we haven't got to camp yet, but I do like the squad really, like, I'm just. I'm really excited to get back down there and start playing football again, man.

[Fan Caller]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Get back to work.

[Cooper Sharp]

Get back to work.

[Reed Blankenship]

To get back up there.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh, yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

And get to work. We got to go our separate ways now. Another thing that's exciting us is the World Cup. World Cup. Country vibes. Seems like every country is, like, taking over each city in the the U.S. it's pretty funny. Everybody from outside of of the country and it's. It's pretty cool to. To see, you know, soccer bringing this many people together. You got Julian Edelman and in Boston partying with the people from Scotland. I'm sure that's fun.

[Cooper Sharp]

You got the can University of Kansas marching band learned what Algeria's national anthem. I mean.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's crazy, though, Just bringing everybody this the sports like it always does, Bringing

[Reed Blankenship]

everybody together, bringing people closer together.

[Cooper Sharp]

One common them sports, and that just brings everyone together.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yes.

[Cooper Sharp]

And just having fun.

[Reed Blankenship]

Beautiful thing. The World Cup's actually been fun to watch. There's a crazy game today.

[Cooper Sharp]

By the way, who was playing today?

[Reed Blankenship]

It was Japan versus Brazil this morning. It was tied one to one going into extra time. Six minutes of extra time in the 95th minute. So in the last minute of the game.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yep.

[Reed Blankenship]

Brazil scores a goal to win the game. Crazy.

[Cooper Sharp]

That place is going crazy.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. It's actually been fun to watch, and I don't even usually watch.

[Cooper Sharp]

It's a new thing, man. Soccer's opening up a new thing for the United States. I feel like.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. Yeah. There's been some trades happening recently. Our boy Giannis. Not our boy, but say. We don't say he's our boy. Giannis is heading to Miami for a like, a boatload of picks and players. They, like, sold their whole team. Dang near to the bus.

[Cooper Sharp]

Nuts.

[Reed Blankenship]

But that's not Tyler Hero guy. I like to watch or I've watched since he was in. In high school. He's going back to his home state of Wisconsin to play for his home NBA team, which is kind of cool. But, yeah, Giannis is going to Miami, which will automatically make them better. It'll be a weird dynamic because they got him and Bam Adebayo and Bobby Portis, three guys who kind of do a lot of the same things.

[Cooper Sharp]

So be interesting to see. You got Job Morant.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Going to Portland.

[Reed Blankenship]

John Morant to Portland. Him and Dame Lillard teaming up. How about that? You're gonna have to start watching the NBA.

[Cooper Sharp]

I know. I know, bro.

[Reed Blankenship]

You got to get locked in on It. Have you finished our show? I will find you, mister.

[Cooper Sharp]

Unfortunately, I have not finished it. Been a little busy.

[Reed Blankenship]

What episode are you on, dude?

[Cooper Sharp]

I think I'm on five or six. I'm on six because I have two episodes left and I will finish it. I have two episodes left. I plan on finish it.

[Reed Blankenship]

You're gonna finish it by next week?

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

And please, nobody ruin it for it for me. Revisit it next week. Good show. But another show I just started watching was Nemesis. I'm almost done actually with it. I've been grinding the shows lately. I've been traveling, so, you know, that's

[Cooper Sharp]

a good thing to do.

[Reed Blankenship]

What about you, Reed? Is there anything, anything exciting you this. This week?

[Cooper Sharp]

I got a lot of things coming up. I'll be in Philly for a camp

[Reed Blankenship]

mean Reed's camp coming up soon. What is it, a couple weeks? Not this Friday, but next.

[Cooper Sharp]

The 10th and 11th.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yes, sir.

[Cooper Sharp]

Is that right?

[Fan Caller]

Yep.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yep. I'll be back up there. And you had. You recently had a camp?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yes, I just had my camp last Friday in Des Moines, Iowa. 714 kids. Wow. the camp. It was crazy.

[Cooper Sharp]

Wow. Was it. How many days was it? Two. Was it a two day camp?

[Reed Blankenship]

No, just one day.

[Cooper Sharp]

700 kids.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yes, that's one day. We were literally. I was out there, they were doing drills, you know, learning ball from all the great volunteers who helped me out. And then I was out there playing, playing all time QB while we were playing two hand touch football.

[Cooper Sharp]

700 kids. Dude, that's nuts, man. Congrats. That's. That's big time.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Everybody to see you. That's.

[Reed Blankenship]

That's crazy. Crazy turnout. It was. Yeah, yeah, it was fun though. Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Speaking of crazy. Yeah, Speaking of crazy, you were at Kelsey's event again, so.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Phyllis, Felicity. I don't know how that went.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, it was a lot of fun. A lot of fun. As it always is. I believe in the two days, his two, the bartending event he had on Wednesday and his beer bowl on Thursday, I think it was 36 hours. We raised $1.25 million for WOW. Eagles Autism Foundation. Yeah, it was. No, it was, it was awesome to see all the fans and, you know, the way they support the foundation.

[Cooper Sharp]

I feel like it gets bigger and bigger every year.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, I think last, Last year was 1 million right on the dot. This year was 1.25. But it was, it was a lot of fun. I was, you know, spraying whipped cream everywhere, walking across the bar.

[Cooper Sharp]

No care in the world, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. Just having Fun having. Being one with the people, you know, you and Colby.

[Cooper Sharp]

I saw Colby there.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, Colby was there. Sydney Brown came back.

[Cooper Sharp]

I did see Sydney in the background.

[Reed Blankenship]

Man, we got to get you there, bro. Yeah, one day. One day.

[Cooper Sharp]

We'll get you there one day.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, we got a ex. What's exciting us this week? Fan submission. Let's hear this one.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah, I'm kind of. Let me. Yeah, I want to hear this.

[Fan Caller]

Hey, Cooper and Reed, this is for what's exciting me. So what's exciting me is wondering which one of you, if you're both playing safety in this next season, who will get the first interception? So I want your predictions now and then. I guess we're gonna see it in this year. Go Birds. Go Birds.

[Cooper Sharp]

Love you, Reed.

[Fan Caller]

Congratulations on the baby.

[Cooper Sharp]

Thank you.

[Reed Blankenship]

Go Birds.

[Cooper Sharp]

At least. At least she said that the end.

[Reed Blankenship]

But I feel like.

[Cooper Sharp]

Just check this. Check my stats. Check my. Check my interception stat.

[Reed Blankenship]

But here's the thing. You play safety full time, and so it's. It's different.

[Cooper Sharp]

You played corner last year. You had nickel. You played nickel and corner last year, bro.

[Reed Blankenship]

Safety, you get way more ops, bro.

[Cooper Sharp]

Okay, here we go.

[Reed Blankenship]

I'm not getting ball goes up middle of the field.

[Cooper Sharp]

I got it. Where. How many times you. You know what all my interceptions look like? Everybody does.

[Reed Blankenship]

They're thrown overthrows over the middle.

[Cooper Sharp]

They're not overthrows. Someone barely overthrows or under throws. Check the tape.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, but we'll see. Maybe We'll.

[Cooper Sharp]

I'm saying me.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. All right, we'll see. We'll see what happens. Do I have. Hold on. Do I have to be playing safety or can I. What if I get it at nickel? Does that count?

[Cooper Sharp]

Said safety. That's what I. That's what she said.

[Reed Blankenship]

Of course.

[Cooper Sharp]

Michael Scott.

[Reed Blankenship]

All right, whatever you say, bro. Our first game guest of the season is a living legend. He's coached in the NFL for 40 plus years. Shoot, that's more years than Reed and Lucy have even been alive together.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's crazy. But he's coached for 10 NFL teams, including the Houston Texans and obviously the Eagles. He's gone from a Dunmore High School QB turned best safety in the Big 11 to father the one of the most popular defensive schemes and modern football, to super bowl champion, to the first guest on season two of the Exciting Mics. Welcome to the podcast, Mr. Coach Vic Fangio.

[ZipRecruiter Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, baby.

[Reed Blankenship]

Have you watched. You watched any of the episodes of the podcast?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I can't say that I have. I've heard a lot about them.

[Reed Blankenship]

All Right.

[Cooper Sharp]

You got to watch this one.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Right.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

But then again, I've never watched anybody this podcast.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, don't feel bad. He's no Reed. He was. He was getting on me during OTAs. He said I haven't invited him on,

[Cooper Sharp]

so here it is.

[Reed Blankenship]

We had to come on here. All right, so we're gonna. We're gonna do a little Most likely to. To start off this episode, and you're gonna. You're gonna tell us who's most likely to do each one of these between me and Reed. So who is the most likely to be late to a team meeting?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

That's pretty hard. You guys were. That was pretty hard about being there on time. I can say, though, that Coop's been late to Catholic mass the night before the game a few times, so I guess would have to say Coop.

[Cooper Sharp]

Well, he's been in saloon.

[Reed Blankenship]

No, I'm trying to get my last minute, you know, mental reps in with coach CP up in his office usually. So it's all for good. But, yes, I have been late to mass a couple times.

[Cooper Sharp]

I don't know if that's a good enough excuse. Coop, who's most likely to watch the most film between us two?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

That's a good question. I don't know, because that would happen when I'm not around.

[Reed Blankenship]

You know, you can say both of us. You don't have to answer which one?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, I would say both of you.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. I feel like we watch a good amount. Yeah.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I've had a lot of players over the years that I really don't want them watching tape without a coach present.

[Reed Blankenship]

Why is that?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

They may see something they like that doesn't fit or it doesn't fit them, but, you know, then you wonder where the hell it came from from the next day on the practice field or game.

[Reed Blankenship]

Who's the most likely to switch to offense? Who you think could play offense out of me and Reed?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Definitely Coop.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh, my gosh.

[Reed Blankenship]

Definitely.

[Cooper Sharp]

I had an offer in college at MT to go play quarterback. Just want to let you know.

[Reed Blankenship]

So, hey, I didn't offer high school to. To go play quarterback, too, so we're.

[Cooper Sharp]

I'm still slinging, man.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Where did you have that offer from Reed?

[Cooper Sharp]

At Middle Tennessee.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Okay.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, to play quarterback there?

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah, it was quarterback, receiver, or safety.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, so you had. You had an option.

[Cooper Sharp]

I did.

[Reed Blankenship]

Wow.

[Cooper Sharp]

And I was staying on the dark side, though. Who's most likely to be talking during the drills?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

During the drills?

[Cooper Sharp]

Yep.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Definitely Reed.

[Cooper Sharp]

Why is that? You talking about? Like, explain talking? Because it can Go to. Am I encouraging or am I just, like. Just not paying attention?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

No, I paying attention, but I always got something to say occasionally.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, I feel like that's. That. That Southern in you. I feel like those Southern people, they always got.

[Cooper Sharp]

Got easy. So easy. Not too far off.

[Reed Blankenship]

That's not a shot at anybody. I'm just.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's what it sounds like.

[Reed Blankenship]

Who's most likely to request more box drills after we finish?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Coop?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yes.

[Cooper Sharp]

Wow.

[Reed Blankenship]

The box drill. Do you miss this off season?

[Cooper Sharp]

I was gonna say y' all did it this off season.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, we. We did it more this off season than we did last offseason, I think.

[Cooper Sharp]

Really?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

He always seems to like him. He takes it as a challenge.

[Cooper Sharp]

Who. Who did he go with? Did he ever go with you?

[Reed Blankenship]

I never got lucky if I had

[Coach Vic Fangio]

him this year at all.

[Reed Blankenship]

I was with Coach Wash and Coach Hurt.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Get the D line guys grinding.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, yeah. Reed, did you bring. Did you bring that box show down to Houston or.

[Cooper Sharp]

No, I didn't. I didn't. I know I need to be more influential.

[Reed Blankenship]

I want to do a couple box drills before you get to camp.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh, I will. Trust me. I'm gonna do it in the heat. I got to, for sure. All right, who's most likely to be at the facility more than the coaches?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Coop. Ah. Because he's single.

[Cooper Sharp]

Are you single, Coop?

[Reed Blankenship]

I was.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, he was single. And,

[Reed Blankenship]

hey, listen, I don't got anybody at home, so I don't. I mean, I don't got nothing to go home to. No wife, you know, living.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

And he had to wait for Cole many times for them to go out.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah, him and Cole are tight, man. Shout out.

[Reed Blankenship]

All right, last one. This might be the best one most likely to. To get yelled at by Coach Fangio.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Well, I think you can both attest that I don't really yell at anybody.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, he doesn't. You don't really yell unless there's. There's probably been two or three times I've. I've seen you really yell and get on us, but, yeah, that's. That's about it.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's about it.

[Reed Blankenship]

So you're pretty chill.

[Cooper Sharp]

I don't know how you were back in the day, though.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I'm not a yeller.

[Cooper Sharp]

Okay.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I'm a teacher.

[Reed Blankenship]

Like that. I like that. Did you get on guys more back in the day then?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I don't think so. You know, maybe when I was a position coach and I had my own group, I might have.

[Reed Blankenship]

Gotcha.

[Cooper Sharp]

Mike's always like that, that as a younger coach you seem to express your feelings to players a little bit more. Yeah, from what I've known. But what have you been doing this summer? I mean, you've been golfing, obviously.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, I've been golfing. And ashamed to say my golf this year has not been good.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh, no.

[Reed Blankenship]

Really?

[Cooper Sharp]

You in a slump?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

In a slump. But I hit it a little better today, so I'm got a little bit of encouragement as I move forward.

[Reed Blankenship]

Where. Where'd you play it today?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Apple Brook.

[Reed Blankenship]

Okay. How'd you shoot?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Played there.

[Reed Blankenship]

I haven't, but I've heard of it.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

It's a good spot. You need to go. It's got wide fairways, which will help you.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Fan Caller]

I heard.

[Cooper Sharp]

I heard y' all went golfing together, and he was always in the woods. Where was it?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I mean, we had to check them for ticks after the round. Yes,

[Fan Caller]

dude.

[Cooper Sharp]

I mean, it's always the worst.

[Reed Blankenship]

That's like. That's the hardest course I've ever played. And me off the tee, I spray the ball all over the place. So it's not. It wasn't. Yeah.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

You'll be happy to know that it might be the hardest course in the world. So.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Wow. Okay.

[Reed Blankenship]

Played like it that day for me

[Coach Vic Fangio]

to once got a 1:54 slope rating.

[Reed Blankenship]

You know what that means, Reed?

[Cooper Sharp]

What is it? Explain it to the listeners.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Slope indicates the difficulty of a course. And most courses are in the 130s. The good courses, there's a few in the 140s. It's rare you see one in the 150s.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's insane.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah. Don't put me on that course.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, every ball. Where'd. Where'd you say you played at this. This last weekend?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

This last weekend? I. Well, I've been in Chicago, Played in a member guests at Boba Lake, and played in the Olympic course in San Francisco.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, yeah. How was that one? How did that one compare to the golf up here or up in the Northeast?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

It's a great course. It's, you know, it's a course they've had many US Opens at, and in fact, they have the pga. The event that was just at eeronomic is there in 2028.

[Reed Blankenship]

You got a what? Can we know your score or was

[Coach Vic Fangio]

it my score that day? It was in the high 80s, I think.

[Cooper Sharp]

What's your handicap right now?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

It's a shame to say it's 14.

[Cooper Sharp]

Okay. What was it last this past year?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

14. In 2022, I was as low as seven and a half. I usually sit in between 11 and 12. But this year, I'm not playing the that good 14.

[Reed Blankenship]

I mean, when I was playing with you, you weren't playing like 14. I don't think I was playing like, at Pine. I don't know.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

It's just that your 8 is not truly indicative.

[Reed Blankenship]

Do you.

[Cooper Sharp]

I got a question. So when you play with somebody, like, I guess, Coupe or another coach and it's like a tournament, are you like, do you get mad when they don't perform well?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

No, because usually I've got enough reason to be mad at myself or if I haven't up to that point, I know it's coming.

[Cooper Sharp]

So you're pretty calm with everybody?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, I am. Unless he misses a short putt.

[Reed Blankenship]

Have you played with any other of our teammates or not?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I played with Saquon earlier this off season.

[Reed Blankenship]

Have you played with Jake at all?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

No, he's too good. I played Pine Valley once when Jake was there. He was in a group behind us or ahead of us, and he was playing from the top tips. I've seen Jake hit the ball with. I've never played with him, but he's really, really good.

[Reed Blankenship]

I heard he. He played Arona Mink the day after the PGA Championship and shot like, low mid to low 70s or something like that.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's nuts.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

79.

[Reed Blankenship]

79.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Which sets the par 70. They kept the pins in. They had the Sunday pins. He played the next day and played it from the same. The tips and. Yeah, 79 on that course in that condition with those pins is pretty impressive.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah, it is nice when you play with Coot. The. When was it? I guess a few weeks ago. A few days ago.

[Reed Blankenship]

Months ago.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh, a few months ago.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Six, seven weeks ago.

[Cooper Sharp]

I got you.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Did.

[Cooper Sharp]

Did you let him, like, listen to music or. Or kind of do what his young self does or trying to get him straight?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

That's not allowed on Pine Valley. First off, you have to walk Pine Valley. You're not riding. And Coup was in no mood to listen to music that day.

[Reed Blankenship]

No.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh, he was locked in.

[Reed Blankenship]

I was.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

He was frustrated.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, I was. I mean, I had my first hole. I took out. I took out my five wood and hit it right down the middle of the fairway. And I thought we were going to be off to a good start, and then it was downhill from there. Yeah, I mean, I think. I think walking gets to you on a. On a course, especially if you don't walk too many courses.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, I mean, it did to me today because it's hot here today. And the last four or five holes, I felt it.

[Cooper Sharp]

Would you prefer to walk a course?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I do like walking with a caddy. I don't like carrying my own bag.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah, I don't. I would never do that either.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

That sounds like you would just never golf with all the never.

[Cooper Sharp]

Look, I go out there to have fun. I'm one of the guys that listen to music all the time.

[Reed Blankenship]

Reed's a lefty.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's my problem. I think I do everything else right handed but swing left handed.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Why is that? Did you play baseball growing up?

[Cooper Sharp]

Played baseball. Used to switch. Switch hit when I was in little league. Oh. And then. Yeah. And then just stuck with left handing the whole time. My mom's left handed, my granddad was left handed. But I don't know, I don't see how I got backwards.

[Reed Blankenship]

Could have been a hell of a baseball player. Switch hitter, playing center field or something.

[Cooper Sharp]

I got burned out of it fast.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

When you do pick up golf, seriously, maybe you want to start right handed. So since you have no bad habits that way and you can scratch, that is.

[Cooper Sharp]

You do have a point. I do need to take lessons, though. I'm just raw right now. I just don't put in the time, fortunately.

[Reed Blankenship]

So when, when you first get a new job, do you like go through the whole roster and look at everybody? Watch the tape from, from, from years previously or do you watch it like, like for each player that's on the roster, this the next year that you're going to be there?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

It's a good question. And I think I'm in the minority, but what I like to do when I go somewhere new is I really don't want to watch the guys from the previous year unless they're a free agent and they, you know, the front office has asked me to watch him and see if we want, I'm gonna pay, but otherwise I like to draw my own. Give everybody a fresh start, draw my own conclusions. You know, I wasn't there. I don't know what they were being told to do and what the scheme was. So, yeah, you know, if they're gonna be in camp with us and we know they're gonna be on a team, I'd rather just start from scratch with everybody.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, that's fair. What was your first impression impression of Reed when. When you got to, got to know him when he came to Philly.

[Cooper Sharp]

It's a safe space.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Then it was reliable and very conscientious. Be a good leader in the secondary, especially what you're looking for from a Safe perspective. All good stuff.

[Cooper Sharp]

I appreciate that. What about Coop?

[Reed Blankenship]

What about you? What about. Oh, yeah, what about me?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Well, Coop. My first impression of Coop was he had a bad hamstring pull, and all I did was stand on the sideline for about five weeks.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

So we really didn't get to see him until. You had another injury. First injury coming out of college, too, didn't you?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, yeah, but I was. I was there for OTAs and then came back for camp, and I was hurt, and then I didn't play. I played in the last preseason game.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Correct. You didn't fully partake in the OTAs as a rookie, did you?

[Reed Blankenship]

I slowly eased into it.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Slowly. Easy. By the end, I was. I was good to go. Yeah. Because I was coming off that fibula.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

But, yeah, Coop was a good example there of how important practice is, because as he said, he did get to play in the last preseason game, and really, with only about a week's worth of practice, and he didn't play good in the game. And, you know, so we were. You know, we slash. I was afraid to put him in there with him not being ready and, you know, so we had made him the dime for the few times we played. Dime. And also he was the backup corner nickel at the start the season. So, you know, see, he was having to learn two positions. Positions. And finally after the fourth game, I said, hey, we just need to put him in there. He needs to learn. He get the reps and just go forward with him. And once we put him at one position, you know, he flourished.

[Cooper Sharp]

Right? Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

I mean, I think. I think those first four weeks, though, me sitting out and being able to watch it and get the practice reps has been much as I, you know, wanted to be out there. I think it. I think it really helped me, you know, be ready for, you know, when I was put in there and I was. I was ready to play it at that point, I felt like you just

[Cooper Sharp]

didn't stop learning, though, you know, like you kept learning even though you were not playing as much.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Being in meetings, watching practice is all good, and it has its value, but nowhere near as important as practicing.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, My. My first impression, Coach Fangio. I was on my top 30 visit in. In Philly, and I was sitting in there with Casper and cp and Coach Fangio walks in, like, middle of the meeting and just walks around and sits. Sits right behind me. Doesn't say anything, nothing. He's just watching. Watching the meeting. So he just sits there. And, I mean, I was Nervous because he didn't say anything. But then I met him, met him later at lunch. But he reminds me of. I've had a lot of like, Like Coach Parker and at Iowa's an old school type coach. So I've been, I've been, I've been kind of around that, but it's been, it's been fun so far. So.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah, that's what I, that's how my, like, my first impression was, was the old school coach that you really don't see in the NFL today, I feel like. But you had it in college, you had it in high school. I'm like, hey, I actually like you. Like this guy, like, he keeps it real, you know, sometimes.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

But when you say old school, everybody has this impression that I'm just an ogre or something.

[Cooper Sharp]

No, no, no, that's not it, you know, Trust me.

[Reed Blankenship]

No, I don't yell.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I don't cuss very often and.

[Reed Blankenship]

But you coach, you coach hard.

[Cooper Sharp]

I think you coach and you keep it real, though. That's. That's like the old school. There's no like sugar coating anything. Like, keep it real and that's what people need. Honestly. I mean, why not?

[Reed Blankenship]

Keeps it honest.

[Fan Caller]

Yep.

[Reed Blankenship]

Speaking of old school coaches and players today, what do you think has changed in players or coaches since from when you got to the league to now? Has there been a lot of change from when you first got in the league as far as the coaching and the players?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, there has been. And I don't think it's the players. I think it's more. I don't think the players have changed very much at all, to be honest with you. What has changed is what is expected of the players or what they can and can't do. And, you know, people are afraid to practice too long, work too hard. I personally believe that coaches, players want to be coached, they want to be worked and they want to get better. And that hasn't changed in 40 years. But we've made it harder. And I don't think, not so much the league, it's just all the individual teams have, you know, cut back on practice and cut back on reps. And I don't think players are against working, as I've said. I think you both heard me say, you know, how many, I asked him, get in front of the defense, say, how many of you guys have heard from retired players and players that have played in the NFL previously that you guys don't work as hard as we did. And everybody raises their hand and I say, it's True. But it's not your fault. You know, we're not structuring things that way now.

[Reed Blankenship]

That is a good. There's a lot of. A lot of changes from. I mean, from. Even from college to the NFL. I feel like, you know, college, you obviously, I mean, you got to go to school and stuff, but I think you get a lot of practice at least we practice a lot at. At Iowa, especially during. During camp and things like that. But yeah, I mean, it is nice some days, like when. When you get into the middle of the season, end of the season. But yeah, when you're first getting there and learning it, I feel like the mental reps or the physical reps go. Go way further than, you know, the mental. And watching it on. On the film, you know, every.

[Cooper Sharp]

Every single day, you got to see it full speed.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yep.

[Cooper Sharp]

Honestly.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, you do. And yeah, I'm not talking about turning it in the North Dallas 40 and being out there for three hours and yeah, just have a good practice, you know, where guys get reps. And I think it's harder some, in some ways to develop younger players than it used to be because they're not getting as many reps in practice as they used to get. Yeah. So you have to make it a real priority to get younger players some reps if you're thinking that they're gonna make your team and be counted on. Yeah, you know, that's what happened to Coop his rookie year. He. He didn't practice till the last week of training camp.

[Cooper Sharp]

Fresh legs, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

I probably played the worst football game of my career that last preseason game.

[Cooper Sharp]

But you figured it out though, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

We're here now. Yeah. One last question. We want to just get your thoughts on. What are your thoughts on this upcoming year and the guys we have on our team. Yeah, I'm taking notes on our defense. Obviously, Reed's. Don't give Reed too much, so he can take it back.

[Cooper Sharp]

Might as well just cut me out of this section.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

He's got his hands full in Houston. He's got to convince everybody. I like. I like where we're at, especially on defense. I like our frontline guys. We're gonna have to do a good job of developing and finding good backups for the perceived starters that we have lined up. You know, Coop, your days at corner hopefully are over, but I will also tell you, you better stay honed up at corner.

[Cooper Sharp]

How about safety?

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah, he's gonna. He still learning much. Said that Coop might be. Is replacing Reed part time.

[Cooper Sharp]

Hey, go ahead.

[Reed Blankenship]

Part time, part Time. Yep.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

All I want. Do you think that's a high bar or a low bar coop that you have to exceed?

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, I don't know.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh, come on, be honest.

[Reed Blankenship]

I think. I think it's pretty. I mean, I'd say it's a high bar.

[Cooper Sharp]

Oh. Appreciate it.

[Reed Blankenship]

I feel like Reed played well for

[Coach Vic Fangio]

us, so we have to drag that out of him.

[Fan Caller]

Reed.

[Reed Blankenship]

I know.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's. That's the tough thing, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

I hate getting soft, you know, with. With Reed, you know.

[Cooper Sharp]

Hey, come on, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

But, yeah, it's. It's pretty high bar, but, you know, we got. We got good coaches and still. Still learning

[Coach Vic Fangio]

offense. Interesting. With the new system and a bunch of new coaches and. But really, still the same group of players, minus a couple and then adding in a couple.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yep.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yep. No doubt. Well, we appreciate you joining us on the podcast. Finally. Finally got you on.

[Cooper Sharp]

Finally.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I had to needle you a few times.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

We just never know if it's true or not.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

You'll be happy to know, Reed. I. I don't allow anybody to sit in your seat yet.

[Cooper Sharp]

Thank you. Hey, I appreciate that. Keep it that way.

[Reed Blankenship]

Someone's gotta earn.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I don't know if I'll keep somebody's. Hopefully somebody will learn.

[Reed Blankenship]

Hopefully someone takes it over. Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Well, I respect that. But I'll see you Christmas Eve, though.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Why do we play you then?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, we come up to Christmas Eve in Philly.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

I'm focused on our opener. Better be, too.

[Cooper Sharp]

I could say that, though.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

A lot of games to be played before Christmas Eve.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, yeah, right.

[Fan Caller]

You. Right.

[Cooper Sharp]

My fault.

[Reed Blankenship]

All right, we appreciate it. Thanks for. Thanks for joining us.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yep.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yes, sir.

[Reed Blankenship]

Now it is time for our Cooper Sharp Player of the Week. Last week was Wyndham Clark. This week, Mr. Victor Hovland won the Travelers Championship. Crazy. Did you watch?

[Cooper Sharp]

I watched. I watched it, man. I watched.

[Reed Blankenship]

Dude, it was a crazy.

[Cooper Sharp]

Crazy.

[Reed Blankenship]

I mean, him and Scotty Scheffler were just going back and forth, and.

[Cooper Sharp]

It's just one of those things, man. It's just like he was just a better golf. Like, everything was hitting. Everything was just.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Going well.

[Reed Blankenship]

They were both playing crazy.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's what I'm saying. Like, one person just makes one or two better shots than the other. I mean. I mean, 21, 21 under, like, that's insane.

[Reed Blankenship]

That's hard on any course, bro.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's. That's exactly. And it's just like I said last week, we talked about how hard it was and how it was seven under. Yeah. This one he's 21 under in four days or. Yeah, four days.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. But they had a. They had a weather delay.

[Cooper Sharp]

It's pouring down rain Sunday.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, they standing water and so they got done. They finished late on Sunday, so they had to come back. Scotty scheffler drilled like 8 footer to. To keep it tied to going to Monday. They had to push it to Monday because it was stark out, so.

[Cooper Sharp]

That is nuts, dude.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Wow. I didn't. It was at 6am here, so I didn't get to see this the finish, but.

[Cooper Sharp]

And that's this week's Cooper Sharp player of the week. When you're building your own game day lineup, make it Cooper Sharp. Visit CooperCheese.com to learn more for next week. We want your nominations for our Cooper Sharp player of the week. This could be a professional player or maybe a high school or a college athlete that has the skill, smarts, and clutch performance worthy of the spotlight. Submit your standout athlete nominations in the link in our bio DM or in the comments.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, yeah. You know what time it is? I think this might be my favorite.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah, this is starting to become my favorite. Yep.

[Reed Blankenship]

That we've had. This is get dialed in, connected with Xfinity. You guys called in, left us some messages. We're gonna listen to them and use them to get us focused and dialed in for the rest of the week. Let's hear what we got.

[Fan Caller]

Hello, Cooper and Reed, very excited for exciting Mike Season two. You guys are the best. Keep doing what you're doing.

[Cooper Sharp]

Appreciate that, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

Hey, that was very kind. Very kind of love. Appreciate that.

[Cooper Sharp]

Love it.

[Reed Blankenship]

Appreciate the love.

[Fan Caller]

Hey, Reading, it's Julie and Ashley. First off, we wanted to say congratulations for Elsa and Reed for baby Lucy. She's so cute. We have been Eagles fans for a while and watching y' all play together was always the highlight of our week. When we got the notification that Reeb is no longer an eagle, we low key bawled our eyes out for, like, weeks, to say the least. Now we still aren't Texans fans, but we will forever be fans of Coop.

Pardon me, Reid.

Whoa. So go Birds and go read. Good luck for y' all season. We are so excited to watch y' all play. So excited to watch this season. But that's okay. It's okay. We will support Reed no matter what. No matter what.

[Cooper Sharp]

Thank you.

[Reed Blankenship]

Thank you, guys.

[Cooper Sharp]

Thank you. And I know Elsa.

[Reed Blankenship]

Go birds and go read.

[Cooper Sharp]

Thank y' all, too, for that. Yeah, they're. They're angels.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. A little shout out for Elson. Shout out.

[Cooper Sharp]

A little shout out to the fam. Shout out.

[Reed Blankenship]

Low key. Balled our eyes out though. I don't know how.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's crazy.

[Fan Caller]

Hello, my name is Jackson, man. Down here in H Town, you already know what it is. What's up, Reed? What's up, Coop, man? Hope y' all are doing good. Read. My dude's a new father, man. I'm somewhat still a new dad. I got a one year old. You know how it is, man. Go dads. Go dad. Happy late Father's Day. How about we go make some history out there at H Town, bro? Let's do it. Reed, this is the year, bro. I'm telling you, bro. Ace town till I drown, baby.

[Cooper Sharp]

Whoa. Let's go, baby. Appreciate that, man. Happy belated Father's day to you too, and all the dads out there, man. You know, you know how it is.

[Reed Blankenship]

H Town till I drown, he says

[Cooper Sharp]

H town till I drown is crazy. I never heard that before. I hope.

[Fan Caller]

Read. My name is Bud from the old big sky state of Montana. Got my 9 month old daughter here. You want to say hi? Being quiet. Okay, first of all, read, go Birds. Read. Second, read, go Birds. I hate D leaves. Cooper. Keep it up, my guy. And question for Coop. What is your interception goal for this season? Oh, you want to say hi now? And Reed, here's a question for you. Will you take it lightly on the Eagles offense when you play him a Christian? Go Birds. Dickhead.

[Reed Blankenship]

Dickhead. Interception goal. I don't know. I think. I mean, if. If I can get three, three or four would be nice, but I'll take as many as as comes to me, so we'll see what happens.

[Cooper Sharp]

You know, no limit, man. No limit. Yeah, I mean, it's gonna be exciting coming to Christmas Eve, coming to Philly again. I don't know if I would say we collectively want to take it easy.

[Reed Blankenship]

Are you gonna take it easy or no?

[Cooper Sharp]

No.

[Reed Blankenship]

Pretty easy answer.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

No.

[Reed Blankenship]

There you go. Give it to him straight.

[Cooper Sharp]

No. Yeah, no sugar coating, right?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. They aren't gonna take it easy on you either, so.

[Cooper Sharp]

I know. Trust me.

[Reed Blankenship]

Don't worry about it.

[Cooper Sharp]

Trust me.

[Fan Caller]

That voicemail scared me a little bit. I'll go quick. I got two things to say. First thing is I just listened to the past podcast. Not too much on the Knicks. Now shout out Jaylen Brunson. Obviously all Philly loves him, but not too much on the Knicks. You guys are hyping up that parade way too much. We all know that Philly does it better than anyone. Else. So I need you guys to take that back a little bit. Not too much hyping up the parade. And then my second thing is, Reed, I love you more than anyone in the whole entire world besides my boyfriend. Shout out. Matthew, I love you more. But like, Reed, you are the actual go some obsessed with you. You were actually the best football player ever to exist in my eyes. I miss you so much in Philly. I hate Texas, but I will do whatever I can to fly out there to watch you play. So shout out, you read. And then I just got a quick question. I need to know what sport you're gonna get Lucy in, because obviously she won the genetic lottery. I need to know my opinion. Get her in soccer. You know what? I played soccer when I was younger, but also, like, everyone's getting their kids in golf now. Honestly, I need to know what sport you're getting her in. I better see her getting in some sports. Elsa, I believe in you also. You're eating up life, Elsa. Keep on going. You're an amazing mom. You're beautiful. Shout out the Blankenship family. Shout out. You too, Coop. But, Reed, I love you so much.

[Cooper Sharp]

I appreciate that.

[Fan Caller]

I love my boyfriend. But, Reed, love you more. Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Wow. It's a long one. But I appreciate you. First off, the parade thing. Yeah, I mean, that's.

[Reed Blankenship]

Did we. What did we even say about the parade?

[Cooper Sharp]

I don't. I don't know if we went crazy on a parade.

[Reed Blankenship]

We said shout out. Jalen Brunson, you dropped 45.

[Coach Vic Fangio]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Game six, bro.

[Cooper Sharp]

Easy. Now this. Secondly, five. Don't. You can't. You can't hate the whole state of Texas. I mean, you can hate Dallas. Houston's not Dallas. Let me just say that. Houston's different. We'll just go ahead and say that. And third, I guess about Lucy. Golly. Thought about soccer, thought about all, like, the dance stuff, like ballet. Definitely. If. If I have any say, definitely gonna put a stick or a golf club in her hand and let her go to work. Hopefully she's not gonna learn anything from me, but I know Elsa. She's. We're gonna push the sports, obviously, but she. We really appreciate you, man. Really? Really.

[Fan Caller]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

You guys. You guys both come from a sports family, so I feel like, you know, true. It's natural. I can give her some golf lessons, too.

[Cooper Sharp]

We're gonna. Probably for free, right?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, I can give her some golf lessons if you need it. I think soccer. I think soccer is like, an underrated sport for little kids because.

[Cooper Sharp]

Very underrated.

[Reed Blankenship]

It Teaches them a lot. Like, they find their body, you know, kicking the ball around, hand, eye coordination, all the things.

[Cooper Sharp]

Yeah. But Elsa and Lucy, they. I'm going to say they appreciate you. And we, as a blank, the blanking chefs as a whole, we thank you so much for the support. We're gonna keep on keeping on, baby. Yo, Poop and Reed.

[Fan Caller]

I live down here and Houston, I'm a real big Eagles fan, and I think we should come back to the Eagles and play for the Birds, the better team. Go Bird, baby. Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

Too early to tell, brother.

[Reed Blankenship]

Go Bird that, brother.

[Cooper Sharp]

That's crazy.

[Reed Blankenship]

Look at that.

[Cooper Sharp]

I ain't gonna react to that. I'm gonna be cordial.

[Reed Blankenship]

Nothing to say, huh?

[Fan Caller]

All right, this message is for Reed. Want to say, bro, we're excited that you came in Houston, Texas. Be ready to take it all the way, because this is our year. And welcome to the number one defense in the league, brother.

[Reed Blankenship]

Glad to have you on our team.

[Fan Caller]

And go Texas. H is up. Yeah.

[Cooper Sharp]

H is up, baby. Appreciate you, man. Glad to be down there.

[Reed Blankenship]

Number one defense in the league. He says y' all do have a good defense, though. Not gonna lie.

[Cooper Sharp]

Like I said, I'm gonna be cordial about everything.

[Fan Caller]

Yo, longtime fan, first time caller. Just got a question for you guys. What do you think is the thing you'll miss most about football when you retire, apart from, like, the relationships in

[Cooper Sharp]

the locker room and everything like that?

[Fan Caller]

So I guess another. What's your favorite part about being a professional athlete? Apart from the relationships? Can't wait to see Reed Ball out in Houston, unfortunately. Coop. Keep falling. Go Birds.

[Reed Blankenship]

Go Birds.

[Cooper Sharp]

Man, that's a tough one. You take out the relationship part.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, I mean, the team aspect is such a big part of sports, I think, especially football, like, being able to. I feel like I've said this before, but I feel like football is the number one team sport that. That there is just because you need everybody on the same page to. To be good and to be. To be successful in the sport.

[Cooper Sharp]

So I think I'm just going to admit, like, I don't know anything other than playing football, you know, by smacking people around. It's just. I feel like the. The adrenaline rush you get, obviously, the. On game day or the night before. I don't. I don't feel like you won't get that anywhere else, you know? And I. Like I said, I don't know anything. Anything. I don't know any different. But the relationship part, I have to say, does go a long way. Like family, football is a huge family. You'll. I mean, you'll never forget the guys you played with or the talks in locker whatever. I mean, I can go on forever about it, but yeah, yeah, team aspect

[Reed Blankenship]

is such a big part of football.

[Cooper Sharp]

If you want to help us get dialed in, call 347-491-3774 and your message could be featured on a future episode of Exciting Mics Connected with Xfinity.

[Reed Blankenship]

With Xfinity, get Fiber powered Gig WI fi to watch every goal of the beautiful game this summer and lock in your price for five years. Visit xfinity.com soccer to learn more. Restrictions apply. Select Plans only Use of Fiber coaxial

[Cooper Sharp]

cable and that's it for this episode of Exciting Mics Connected with Xfinity.

[Reed Blankenship]

Be sure to like, comment, share and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

[Cooper Sharp]

And please don't forget to follow us on socials at Exciting Mike's.

[Reed Blankenship]

And as always, we appreciate your love and support. Hope you guys enjoyed the episode with Mr. Coach Fangio. See you guys next week. Go Birds.