Alec Pierce, Tetairoa McMillan join the set + Super Bowl LX novelty bets

Summary

Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Alec Pierce, Tetairoa McMillan Join the Set + Super Bowl LX Novelty Bets
Date: February 4, 2026

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Overview

This episode of Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry is broadcast live from Radio Row during Super Bowl week. The hosts – Matthew Berry, Jay Croucher, and Connor Rogers – break down the latest NFL news (including coaching hires and quarterback controversies), review fantasy football implications, and welcome star guests Alec Pierce (Indianapolis Colts WR) and Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers WR). The latter half features fun interviews and ends with the famous Happy Hour “novelty bets” segment, predicting entertaining Super Bowl prop wagers.

Tone: Playful, energetic, with in-depth football analysis and lots of friendly ribbing.

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Key Segments, Insights, & Memorable Quotes

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1. NFL News Rundown & Fantasy Impact

Timestamps: 04:02 – 19:02

Key Points:

• Todd Monken Hired as Browns' Play Caller

  • Hosts react positively: “Why have Todd Monken if he’s not gonna call the play? That's why you hired him, right?” (Matthew Berry, 04:22)
  • Quarterback situation in Cleveland is unstable. Discussion on whether Shador Sanders will start, with Jay and Connor mildly favoring him over alternatives:
    • “I would take Shador.” (Jay Croucher, 05:34)
    • “You just say, we're gonna roll with Chedeur for a year and see where we are.” (Matthew Berry, 05:53)

• Atlanta Falcons QB Situation: Matt Ryan's Comments

  • Falcons president Matt Ryan is coy about Michael Penix Jr.’s chances as starter after injury. Berry expresses concern for Penix dynasty managers:
    • “If you are a dynasty manager who has Michael Penix, you can't...you can't feel good.” (Matthew Berry, 08:54)
  • The hosts poke fun at the Falcons’ longstanding quarterback purgatory, comparing them to the Commanders’ struggles.

• Jets Hire Frank Reich as OC

  • Hosts find the hire uninspiring, see Reich as a “placeholder”:
    • “Frank Reich is the offensive coordinator of the Jets in three years? Like, it just seems very much like a placeholder type of operation.” (Connor Rogers, 13:48)
  • Discussion touches on lack of a clear QB, with hopes the Jets draft and develop a young passer.
    • “It signals that they will draft a quarterback...it's just a matter of who.” (Jay Croucher, 18:09)
  • Berry probes the disconnect between Reich’s young QB reputation and recent struggles developing Bryce Young in Carolina.

Notable Quote:

• “So it’s like going all in on a two and a seven. Like, what are we doing?” (Connor Rogers on the Jets' OC hire, 15:28)

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2. CBA & 18-Game NFL Season Negotiations

Timestamps: 19:02 – 21:24

Key Points:

• The NFLPA is resisting an 18-game season due to player health and revenue negotiations. Berry and the hosts are convinced it’s inevitable once financial demands are met, especially as the NFL eyes international expansion.
• “This is going to happen. It’s just what it’s going to cost.” (Matthew Berry, 20:03)

Notable Moment:

• They speculate on broadcasting changes and adding “two preseason games, two bye weeks, 18 games.” (Jay Croucher, 21:24)

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3. Coaching Carousel Surprise: Nathaniel Hackett to Arizona

Timestamps: 21:28 – 24:03

Key Points:

• Deconstruction of Nathaniel Hackett joining the Cardinals as OC, possibly to improve locker room culture or even lure Aaron Rodgers.
• Matthew jokes: “Maybe this is an attempt to get Aaron Rodgers in Arizona. Well, people do retire to Arizona.” (22:31)
• Realistic note: “It feels like if Aaron Rodgers comes back next year, he’s going to want to go to a team that has a chance at the Super Bowl...if his options are basically Arizona or retire, feels like he would retire.” (Matthew Berry, 23:44)

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4. FEATURE INTERVIEW: Alec Pierce, Colts Wide Receiver

Timestamps: 24:09 – 36:38

Discussion Highlights:

• Alec reflects on his development and breaking free of the “deep threat only” label:

  • “Just getting a lot more opportunities to do more things...building on that and just doing more this next year, you know, just getting that intermediate game...and just getting more catches.” (Alec Pierce, 25:31)

• Berry and Jay admit to being huge Alec Pierce fans (“For the shoe!”) and discuss his fantasy football impact.

• Pierce on playing with multiple QBs, transitioning after Daniel Jones’ injury, and what it was like having Philip Rivers return:

  • “It was pretty cool to see...being able to play with him [Rivers]. You know, he’s future Hall of Famer, just legendary guy...something I’ll be able to talk about for the rest of my life.” (28:36)

• Pierce’s experience with fantasy football fans:

  • “A lot of people will come up and be like, ‘I had you in fantasy, or I picked you up and I dropped you,’ and I’m like, that’s cool. Nice to meet you too.” (32:59)

• Funny: Berry asks if family members ever ask for injury updates for fantasy purposes; Pierce shares stories about random contacts fishing for insider info.

• Beer Pong Segment: Alec, like other guests all week, tries his hand at beer pong in the bar-themed set – misses both shots but handles the “celebrity pong” with a laugh.

• Berry’s closing: “Congratulations. Good luck in free agency – for the shoe!” (36:21)

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5. FEATURE INTERVIEW: Tetairoa McMillan (T. Mac), Panthers Wide Receiver

Timestamps: 37:35 – 43:35

Discussion Highlights:

• T. Mac talks about earning respect from NFL referees vs. college, and adjusting to being a Panther:
  • “My rookie year, so I felt like I had to earn my stripes to get some calls, but...I didn’t get the calls that I wanted, so, you know, just gotta play a little different.” (Tetero McMillan, 38:01)
• On Bryce Young as a leader:
  • “He’s definitely one of those players that people want to play for...he always puts the team before himself.” (Tetero McMillan, 38:52)
• On fantasy football and fans:
  • “People tell me they had me on their team, but, you know, it’s not as crazy as other people.” (Tetero McMillan, 40:42)
• Spam sponsorship: McMillan touts “Spam vs. everybody,” describes eating Spam in spaghetti, fried rice, and even ramen.
  • “I eat Spam, like, every meal of the day. Pre game. I eat it, man. Whatever.” (41:43)
• Fun bar-game close: T. Mac attempts (and misses) the “celebrity pong shot.”

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6. Rookie Receiving Leaders and Fantasy Outlooks

Timestamps: 43:39 – 47:59

Key Points:

• T. Mac (Panthers) led all rookie pass-catchers in yards; four rookie TEs had more yards than all but two WRs.
• The hosts see future promise in the new tight end class and dissect how situational context (coaching, QB play) may cap or enhance certain players’ (like T. Mac, Luther Burden, Travis Hunter, Egbuka) upside in fantasy.

Notable Quotes:

• “[T. Mac] is what he is. He’s alpha WR1. He’s going to be the WR1 for that team...but where you’re drafting him now, you’re paying a premium price.” (Connor Rogers, 46:42)

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7. Super Bowl Novelty Bets – “Last Call”

Timestamps: 48:23 – 51:23

Discussion Highlights:

• The crew debates favorite "novelty" prop bets for Super Bowl LX:
  • First touchdown scorer jersey number (“I think it’s over 10.5” – Berry, 50:12)
  • Will a flea-flicker be attempted? (“I like a flea flicker to be attempted at +200” – Connor, 50:15)
  • A player attempting a pass not normally a QB
    • “It’s my favorite one every year.” (Jay, 51:07)
• Energetic, tongue-in-cheek sign-off:
  • “It’s closing time. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here...” (Matthew Berry, 51:23)

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Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• On Todd Monken/Browns: “Why have Todd Monken if he’s not gonna call the play? That's why you hired him, right?” (Matthew Berry, 04:22)
• On Alec Pierce, fantasy perceptions: “He is the best wide receiver. I think he’s the best pass catching option in this offense.” (Connor Rogers, 24:39)
• Alec Pierce’s response to fantasy fan encounters: “A lot of people will come up and…‘I had you in fantasy, or I picked you up and I dropped you,’ and I’m like, that’s cool. Nice to meet you too.” (Alec Pierce, 32:59)
• On the fun of bar games with guests: “So far, none of our guests have hit this yet, but I’d love for you to surprise pressure.” (Matthew Berry, 35:54)
• T. Mac, on spam: “You can never go wrong with Spam. Super versatile...” (Tetairoa McMillan, 41:19)
• Jay on “fantasy hype trains”: “Hype trains in fantasy over summer get crazy for Luther Burden.” (Jay Croucher, 46:14)

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Summary Table – Episode Structure

| Segment | Timestamps | Highlights | |-------------------------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Opening Banter / News Rundown | 00:00 – 04:02 | Wardrobe jokes, NBA tangent, Waymo story | | NFL Player/Coach News & Fantasy Implications | 04:02 – 19:02 | Monken hire, QB debates, Jets/OC situation | | CBA/18-Game Season Talk | 19:02 – 21:24 | NFLPA negotiations, international expansion | | Coaching Carousel & Hackett Hire | 21:28 – 24:03 | Cardinals add Hackett, Rodgers speculation | | Alec Pierce Interview | 24:09 – 36:38 | Career arc, fantasy, Rivers/Daniel Jones, fun | | Tetairoa McMillan Interview | 37:35 – 43:35 | Rookie year, Bryce Young, Spam, fantasy stories | | Rookie Pass-Catcher Review & Fantasy Outlook | 43:39 – 47:59 | T. Mac, new TE class, WR analysis | | Super Bowl Props “Last Call” & Wrap | 48:23 – 51:23 | Novelty props, closing time, sign-off |

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Conclusion

This jam-packed episode brings signature Fantasy Football Happy Hour banter, hitting coach/QB news with real fantasy implications, quirky and revealing interviews with Alec Pierce and Tetairoa McMillan (including “celebrity pong”), and closes with spirited debate on the best novelty props for Super Bowl LX. With inside stories, honest player reflections, and Berry’s signature wit, the episode is a must-listen (or read) for any NFL and fantasy diehard.

Transcript

[Jay Croucher]

How about this one from Tim in the chat? He said, is Jay wearing the same thing as yesterday? Did he never go back to the hotel last night?

[Matthew Barry]

That's a good question and it's a fair one because, yeah, it is a.

[Connor Rogers]

Slightly different shade of suit gone from John Wick henchman to John Wick himself.

[Jay Croucher]

I can confirm as a pattern.

[Connor Rogers]

Yes.

[Alec Pierce]

It's not a solid color.

[Connor Rogers]

It was dark blue yesterday. Go back, watch the tape.

[Jay Croucher]

Don't make me bring producer. Backup producer Pete up here.

[Connor Rogers]

Backup producer Pete looks like he's been reading Moby Dick all night and watching Master and Commander man looks like he is about to commandeer a boat through the. Through the Caribbean.

[Matthew Barry]

Let America see what you're. What you're rocking.

[Jay Croucher]

This is the man, the legend right here.

[Matthew Barry]

We weren't lying.

[Jay Croucher]

We actually undersold it.

[Matthew Barry]

There you go. We undersold it. I just want to know why.

[Connor Rogers]

The buttons are golden. That's my only thing.

[Matthew Barry]

Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Barry.

[Jay Croucher]

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. We are live again here on Radio Row for Super Bowl. 60. Tons of guests rolling in on this very busy Wednesday. And Fantasy Football Happy Hour rolls on. We've already talked to T. Mac.

[Matthew Barry]

Yes.

[Jay Croucher]

Tedro and McMillan.

[Connor Rogers]

Yes.

[Jay Croucher]

I know you and Jay were with Demar Hamlin and Teddy Bruski.

[Matthew Barry]

Yes, we were.

[Jay Croucher]

There's a lot happening right now and.

[Matthew Barry]

We'Ve got a jam packed show coming up. I believe later on in the show, your man Alec Pierce.

[Connor Rogers]

Wow.

[Matthew Barry]

For the shoe, will be joining us.

[Connor Rogers]

I get to interview Demar Hamlin and Alec Pierce on the same day. My two NFL heroes.

[Matthew Barry]

That's right.

[Connor Rogers]

What could be better?

[Matthew Barry]

Well, and by the way, and Joe Flacco turned us down. Didn't want to get in the crosshairs.

[Connor Rogers]

I almost tripped over his six children walking onto set. I'm not even kidding. They were sitting right there.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Very troubling. But no tune in. We did the definitive comeback player of the year interview with demar Hamlin. He's very happy to talk about it.

[Matthew Barry]

It's good.

[Connor Rogers]

It's very cathartic for me. Very therapeutic.

[Matthew Barry]

Very therapeutic. And Teddy Bruski was some. Some awesome Belichick stuff.

[Connor Rogers]

So he's very good on tv.

[Matthew Barry]

Teddy Bruski, he's great. And he, by the way, he's like an awesome human being. Just not that demar Hamlin isn't, but just. No. I mean, I worked for many years, obviously, with Ted. He is just. He's an awesome teammate. He's an awesome human being. It was Great to spend some time with him as well and you know, not bad to spend some time with you guys.

[Jay Croucher]

I was going to say we don't, we don't really do this here. This is the only time you have business meetings. You're at NBA games where no players play.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, I went to the by the.

[Matthew Barry]

Way because when we went last year we went to the combine, we saw a Pacers Raptors game and literally no one, no one played.

[Connor Rogers]

This is the dark side of the NBA. Sometimes the players don't play. So yeah, I went to Warriors Sixes last night expecting to see all the stars. No Stephen Curry, no Joel Embiid, no Paul George, no Jimmy Butler. But it's fine. We got to see a lot of. A lot of Pat Spencer and Brandon Pajemski. Matthew's man, Brandon Pajemski. Producer, Backup producer. Pete went. Did not wear his legendary jacket.

[Matthew Barry]

That's a shame.

[Connor Rogers]

He was talking to people in the crowd about Tom Brady's legacy and stuff. It wasn't great. It wasn't great.

[Jay Croucher]

Not the place.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, he's like yelling a lot.

[Matthew Barry]

It's very tough.

[Jay Croucher]

I'm really sad I missed it.

[Matthew Barry]

No, it isn't. It sounds like my fantasy basketball team, by the way, which is constantly injured. Although somehow I beat you last week.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, yeah, it's true.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, it's very second to last place.

[Connor Rogers]

It's a terrible team. No one told me that Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard ever missed time. But the highlight, we were all in a Waymo last night. Robot car. Rotopat was in the car. He's not a man that you want to drive in a Waymo with. He kept on trying to grab the wheel.

[Jay Croucher]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

But people don't know what a Waymo is. For people, it's a San Francisco thing.

[Connor Rogers]

It's a self driving robotic car. You get in like an Uber and it just transport you there. There's no driver in there, but the wheel does. The wheel does move, which is very eerie. Yeah, it is very. But it's very cool and also fel. Safer honestly than like a random Uber driver or whatever.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah, very high on way very high on whammo.

[Connor Rogers]

Such a novelty as well. Felt like a six year old boy. It was awesome. I really want to get in the rope.

[Jay Croucher]

Not a fan.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, he's just nervous and kept on trying to touch the wheel.

[Alec Pierce]

It's not what you do now.

[Matthew Barry]

You got to let the robot do robot things.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

All right. Everyone knows that.

[Jay Croucher]

Let's get into the ROTOR World player news before we have some awesome interviews on set here today, and we're going to kick things off, of course, with Todd Monken. The biggest news, or maybe the biggest surprise of all the hirings, as you look at the Raven ranks under Todd Monkin, he confirmed he will be calling plays for the Browns, which I think is great news in our world. Matthew.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah. I mean, why have Todd Monkin if he's not gonna call the play? That's why you hired him, right? Exactly. I mean, he's not somebody that you feel. I don't know, he wasn't the most inspiring head coach choice, but I think people all agree that as a play caller, he's somebody that can get the most out of what the. What the Browns have on the roster.

[Jay Croucher]

And now what everyone's wondering is how they're gonna use those quarterbacks on the roster, which, of course, Todd.

[Alec Pierce]

Mon.

[Todd Monken]

Am I excited about Chidor? Am I excited about all the quarterbacks in the room? Am I excited to coach this football team? Absolutely. I can't wait for them to get back and for us to get started. From an offense or defensive perspective, it starts with having elite players and then having an elite coaching staff with you, and then you can call the game freely because of that.

[Jay Croucher]

Todd Monken obviously not going to, you know, commit to one player.

[Matthew Barry]

No, I mean, it's interesting. You mentioned Chador in the other, and he.

[Jay Croucher]

They posted a video of him meeting with Shador right away after he was hired.

[Todd Monken]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

No video of him and Dylan Gabriel.

[Todd Monken]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

No video of him and desean Watson noticing.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah, I'm noticing.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Would Connor, would you take Shador or the field for starting quarterback for the Browns week one?

[Jay Croucher]

I would take Shador.

[Connor Rogers]

Okay.

[Jay Croucher]

Number one. It's not like they're in prime position to take a guy that you're starting right away. And they just try. I know, I know he didn't draft two quarterbacks last year, but I think they need to build out the rest of the roster, notably the offense, the offensive line, the wide receiver room. And then you look at free agency, there's just not a lot of options.

[Matthew Barry]

So I feel like you were running the Browns. You just say, we're going to roll with Chedeur for a year and then see where we are.

[Jay Croucher]

Like, yeah, build out the rest of the team.

[Matthew Barry]

Build out the rest of the team. And then maybe next year you're in a next year in a better position for a quarterback. They get out of desean in what, two more years? One more year.

[Jay Croucher]

I think it's two.

[Connor Rogers]

I Believe it's seven to nine more years of Deshaun.

[Matthew Barry]

We'll never escape seven to nine more years of bad karma. But I think in terms of cap space, it might be. It might be two.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Jay Croucher]

So they're kind of been a transition phase of the team.

[Matthew Barry]

But do you try to. You try to make something that is. Sean.

[Connor Rogers]

Like, I mean, I don't think there's anything there. Where does Shooter stack up in this draft class? Like, if he was going to wear a question, Mendoza presumably is a tier above.

[Jay Croucher]

I mean, it's Mendoza ahead of him for sure. There's a combo with him and Simpson. I don't think Trinidad will be in this draft. We still have to see with this lawsuit. But I think it'd be the second quarterback taken. If you just took away all the theatrical round in his draft last year, like just based off of the player himself, he'd be the second quarterback taken.

[Connor Rogers]

Okay. All right.

[Jay Croucher]

That's not a good quarterback draft.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, it's very tough to evaluate.

[Matthew Barry]

You would rather, knowing what you know now, forgetting the. The noise, you'd Rather Shador Sanders vs. Ty Simpson straight up. Like, if you're a general manager, I said you can have one of these quarterbacks to build around.

[Jay Croucher]

I would take Ty, but I don't think that's unanimous. Like, I think that's just. It's not consensus.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

I think it's a more interesting combo than people want to admit.

[Matthew Barry]

I think that's probably right.

[Jay Croucher]

I think Shador is more accurate than Ty Simpson.

[Todd Monken]

Fair.

[Jay Croucher]

So it's just a matter of if you can kind of slow down the game for him. Free snap to stop taking sacks like that and making those mistakes, which is why Todd Monkin will help with that. Todd Monkin's an accomplished offensive coach. Now we just have to see ultimately how it plays out.

[Connor Rogers]

Yep. No question.

[Jay Croucher]

Our next bit of news here, Matt Ryan, who, if you missed it, he is the Atlanta. The Falcons president of football right now. Non committal on Michael Penix Jr. As the starter. Listen to this sound. Is Michael Pennix the starter? As soon as he is healthy. And if not, is there a plan to bring him in?

[Matt Ryan]

Well, neither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can't answer your question on that. But, you know, I think all of us are going to get together and we're, you know, excited about Mike and what he's doing with his rehab. I've been up at the facility the last, you know, three weeks, and Michael's been in there attacking that and he's in a good space right now, so we're excited about where he's at, but certainly a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster.

[Jay Croucher]

I like the. That's up for the head coach to decide.

[Matthew Barry]

Well, listen, he's a broadcast professional. Matt Ryan. And by the way, friend of the show, Matt Ryan.

[Jay Croucher]

He was with us at Radio Row in Vegas.

[Matthew Barry]

Yes, sir, he was.

[Jay Croucher]

Definitive Matt Ryan interview.

[Matthew Barry]

Definitive Matt Ryan interview. He went back to the pros after that interview. Took a CBS stop for an hour. But, like, you know, clearly. All right, here's my question. If you're Michael Pettix, that can't make you feel good.

[Jay Croucher]

No. What are you gon now?

[Matthew Barry]

No, I understand. What are you going to do? But I'm just saying, like, if you're Michael Penck or if you are a dynasty manager who has Michael Penck, you can't. I mean, like, here's my. Matt Ryan, the greatest Falcons quarterback in history. Sorry. Brad Gradkowski, Michael Vick.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Ryan had a better career than Michael Vic.

[Jay Croucher]

Longevity versus Matt Ryan.

[Connor Rogers]

Won the MVP and was up 28. 3.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, that's right. No, I know, but Matt Ryan. I would argue Matt Ryan is the greatest quarterback.

[Connor Rogers]

Goes above.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Or Matt Shaw.

[Jay Croucher]

I'm not sold on Quinn.

[Alec Pierce]

Chris yet.

[Jay Croucher]

The public is hyping up, but not me.

[Matthew Barry]

I was just trying to think of, like, obscure Falcons quarterbacks, and that was the first one that came to mind.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, I've got Matt Ryan over Desmond Ritter.

[Matthew Barry]

Right.

[Connor Rogers]

Certainly.

[Matthew Barry]

Who's the. Chris Chandler. Chris Chandler. That was who I was trying to pick up. Chris Chandler.

[Tetero McMillan]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

All right.

[Matthew Barry]

Anyway, but the fact that he just didn't come out. I mean, you know, here's Matt Ryan. He didn't come out and say, like, yeah, Michael Pennix is our guy. Michael Penix is healthy. Like, what I saw in the draft. I'm excited about this kid. The fact that he didn't just kind of come out and say that, I think is. I think it's very telling. Especially because, by the way, part of the reason he's there is because the guy that had the job before him, more or less right, spent an early pick on penix after spending $100 million on Kirk Cousins. Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

The other thing, too, is, like, he tore his acl. He might not be ready to start the season. So it might not be a commentary on where he stands healthy in the pen. He may just not be ready to start the season as well. So whether that leads.

[Matthew Barry]

No, I push back on that because while you're correct. He may not be ready to start the season. The answer there is like, look, he's still a long way to go in his rehab, but we believe in Michael Penix whenever he's healthy and we hope it's soon. He's our starter. I love what I saw. I loved him coming out of Washington. He's our guy. Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

You just don't need to paint yourself into that corner though, right? Like, I don't think you need to.

[Jay Croucher]

Well, especially when you're not the coach of the team.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

So maybe he hasn't had those combos with Kevin Stefanski yet. Although you would think that's part of the hiring process.

[Matthew Barry]

You would think so.

[Jay Croucher]

I'm just, I'm just saying you would.

[Matthew Barry]

Think that would come up at some point during an interview.

[Jay Croucher]

Kirk Cousins is on the roster still. It's a weird situation to dice.

[Connor Rogers]

It's a very weird, sneakily weird organization because the thing is the Falcons not thought of in the same breath as the Browns or the Jazz, but like the Falcon trifecta. And also like they're bad, but they're bad where they're like 7 and 10, 8 and 9 every year. They never bought them out to 2 and 15, which is kind of why they're 7 and 10 every year. But I don't think the same has made the playoffs in eight years, years now. No, they have a super talented roster.

[Matthew Barry]

It's like the, it's honestly, it's like the commanders for years and years and years. What I was going to say, like we were always like a. We were always in QB purgatory because we could never be bad enough to get a good quarterback until Ron Rivera, God bless, understood the assignment. The one thing he did right was the tank. The tank commander, Ron Rivera. But we were always like a seven win team, eight win team. And so we always, you know, was picking like 6, 16th, 18th, you know, and never were able to get a franchise quarterback. And then we bungled the whole Cousins thing when we. The one time we lucked into. Well, RG3 got hurt. But anyway, the thing about the Falcons, I saw this, you know, there's an account, NFL memes, IG or whatever.

[Connor Rogers]

Those guys bring it up every seven stars. I love those guys for a mention. Yes.

[Jay Croucher]

It's been a while. So he's talking about NFL memes.

[Tetero McMillan]

Ig.

[Matthew Barry]

Those guys are so good. I just, you know what I admire because they first off, they're super. It must be a team of people because it's like they're super 14 year.

[Jay Croucher]

Old in his house.

[Matthew Barry]

They never miss, I don't know, they, they always have like 20 carousel Instagrams, like, whatever, like, and they do like two a day, it seems like. But they did a one where it was just like the Patriots won a bunch of Super Bowls. Brady retired, Belichick retired. They had to, they had to rebuild. They fired a coach, they got a new coach, they drafted Drake May and you know, went back to the super bowl all before the Falcons had a winning season. Like, I mean like, it was just like this entire trek of like everything the Patriots have been through. Up, down, up again.

[Jay Croucher]

Speaking of a team in the same exact situation, the jets hired Frank as their oc. I mean, we don't know who the quarterback is going to be. We have so many questions of what this team will ultimately look like. It's a shame that Tanner Angstrand is, you know, never really given a fair shake opinion. But here we are, Frank Reich back in the NFL after a couple years at the college level.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, I mean, Connor, this feels like a uninspiring choice without a doubt.

[Jay Croucher]

There's no way to like hype up Frank. Right. Especially since you don't know who the quarterback is that he's working with and the options are limited.

[Matthew Barry]

Right. What do you think that. Do you think, do you think this is Aaron Glenn just wanting another veteran?

[Todd Monken]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

You know, veteran play caller. Is this the best they could do?

[Jay Croucher]

Do both?

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, this is the best they could.

[Jay Croucher]

Do out of the veteran play calling market.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, yeah, just.

[Jay Croucher]

He knows Frank Reich doesn't feel like.

[Connor Rogers]

Frank Reich is the offensive coordinator of the jets in three years. Like, it just seems very much like a placeholder type of operation. I will say with Frank Reich now, it hasn't gone great in recent years. It's such a weird hire between Stanford. Obviously didn't go very well in Carolina. Last year in Indianapolis was a mess. 2021. I thought Frank Reich did a really good job with the Colts initially when he was the head coach of the Colts, he had universal approval. Did a good job, great job with Andrew Luck. Andrew Lux clearly seems to rate him and trust him given that he brought him to Stanford. And I thought that he was very creative as a play caller and it's an offensive mind. And I like the Frank Reich. He was very variable as well as the coach. He would take what the defense gave him. There would be games where he'd run Jonathan Taylor 28 times and then there was one game against the Bucks where they were loading up against the run and he's like, all right, well, you're doing that. I'm just going to throw the ball. Carlson wins 21 times. Like, he seemed to be very variable and malleable in impressive ways, and then it just seemed to all fall apart. And that is also five years ago at this point.

[Jay Croucher]

That's the thing. What is a Frank Reich NFL offense look like today? I guess.

[Matthew Barry]

Right. You can talk yourself into it. It was a mess in Carolina. He had, he's had success. He's somebody who's had success at multiple levels. He's. He's the, he's the.

[Connor Rogers]

He's an adult in the room.

[Matthew Barry]

Right. He's that right. He's right. And you know, he was the quarterback of, you know, one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. So he understands a comeback, which is what the jets need to do. I'm trying to talk. Talk you into it.

[Jay Croucher]

There we go. We're getting somewhere.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, but, but it's weird because I feel like Aaron Glenn is coaching for his job this year.

[Jay Croucher]

Without a doubt.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

Calling the defense and you're just sort of like, hey, man, if your job's on the line, this is, you know, it's an interesting hire. Right. Because this is who you're going to go to war with.

[Connor Rogers]

So it's like going all in on a two and a seven. Like, what are we doing? I. I would imagine that it is less than 50 that Aaron clan is the head coach of the New York jets in two years time.

[Jay Croucher]

Right. It's just a matter of what level of competency can a Frank Reich offense bring to Garrett Wilson, maybe Breeze Hall, a good offensive line.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

No quarterback right now. I think there's a chance Greg Roman is hired as the run game coordinator, which is a. He's good in that role.

[Matthew Barry]

He is good.

[Jay Croucher]

Like Greg Roman, running the entire offense. We've seen the lows of that, but he knows how to orchestrate the run game. So if they can patchwork Frank Reich with Greg Roman, it's for the Jets. You could do worse. It's just. We just don't know who the quarterback is. And that's always the jets problem.

[Connor Rogers]

The difficulty is too, is that it's so hard to get a marquee offensive coordinator when you literally don't have a quarterback on the roster. It's not even an option at the moment.

[Todd Monken]

No.

[Jay Croucher]

They don't want to go there.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

So one little.

[Matthew Barry]

Deshaun Watson's probably available. They should pick up the phone.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

He's a quarterback.

[Connor Rogers]

Where are you at emotionally now, Connor, who do you want is your quarterback? Do you have a preference?

[Matthew Barry]

I like that question. Where are you emotionally?

[Jay Croucher]

Where am I emotionally?

[Tetero McMillan]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

You've got the Kyler Murray spectrum of the emotions. Ty Simpson.

[Jay Croucher]

At what cost?

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

Ty Simpson at 16.

[Connor Rogers]

No interest. Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

33. Okay. You could talk yourself into it.

[Matthew Barry]

That's a different. Do you think Ty Simpson lasts till 33?

[Tetero McMillan]

I don't.

[Jay Croucher]

I really don't. I think he'd go somewhere in that Rams, Steelers.

[Matthew Barry]

Right.

[Jay Croucher]

Jets at 16 kind of mold where you're just in such a tough spot. Like, why would Malik Willis sign there? Malik Willis should have options that make more sense for Malik Willis.

[Matthew Barry]

Right.

[Jay Croucher]

It's just.

[Connor Rogers]

Thing is though, is that as bad as the jets situation is to your point? Like, it's a good offensive line with continuity and you have Garrett Wilson, who should be on talent, the top 1012 receiver in the NFL. Now, the organization is the mitt mess. Everything around it is a mess. But like, it shouldn't be the worst situation for a quarterback to come into. Just with the starting point of the O line and the star wide receiver and.

[Matthew Barry]

And for all of our. I mean, I. I don't know if that's changed a year. You'll know this, Connor, but like, at least a year ago, players swore by Aaron Glenn.

[Jay Croucher]

Right?

[Matthew Barry]

Players love playing for Aaron Glenn now. I don't know if the jets players would say that a year later, but.

[Jay Croucher]

A little uneven still. Guys that really like Aaron Glenn and then they've also moved on or will move on from some of the guys that didn't work work. So it's just. It just felt like he was very in over his head year one. Maybe that's why you go to an experienced offensive coordinator instead.

[Matthew Barry]

Right.

[Jay Croucher]

Because Aaron Glenn now needs to direct so much of his attention specifically to the defense that somebody else needs to entirely run one huge portion of the team.

[Matthew Barry]

Do you think the hiring of Frank Reich means that they're going to go young at quarterback? Like, that's one of the. The hallmarks, if you will. Or that Frank Reich's a good developer of young quarterbacks. Whether that's true or not, that's sort of the reputation.

[Jay Croucher]

It's a great point. To me. It signals that they will draft a quarterback with one of those first picks in the top 44. They have four picks inside the top 44. Whether it's Simpson on the higher end, Nussmeier on the back end, with a veteran that, hey, we're gonna have Frank try to develop the Young guy while the veteran plays. And then let's look at what the young guy has at the end of the year or the second half of the year and hopefully he could save our jobs.

[Connor Rogers]

What is that rep based off for Frank Reich? That he's good with young quarterbacks because he went to Carolina and it was a match mess with Bryce Young. He had veterans in Indianapolis. I mean he had Andrew Locke, I.

[Jay Croucher]

Think, because he was one.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

I'm not, I'm not disagreeing with. I'm just saying. But that's the reputation. Yes.

[Jay Croucher]

Quarterback that works with quarterbacks.

[Matthew Barry]

Right.

[Connor Rogers]

It's not great. I need more. Like more. Yeah, yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

Interest. Well, it's never boring. It's.

[Jay Croucher]

That's the perfect way to put it. Never boring. There's always something to talk about with the New York Jets.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

Our last bit to talk about with the news. This isn't shocking because this would be a little bit of a battle negotiation. The NFLPA has no Appetite for an 18 game schedule. That is per the interim executive director David White, because the give to get an 18 game schedule. Jay, lawyer yourself.

[Connor Rogers]

Yes, technically a lawyer gotta give something. Yeah. Of the Lionel Hutts variety, but technically a lawyer on the Supreme Court roll. Yeah. I mean this seems like negotiation. There will be a price point at which point 18 games becomes viable for everyone. Whether that means the introduction of a second bye week, which I think would make sense. Yeah. Ultimately, in the interest of the spectacle of the game and player health and safety, I don't think they should be playing more games. If anything, they should be playing less. But certainly money speaks. The. The more games on the schedule, more ticket receipts, everything, etc. Etc. So I suspect this probably gets done at some point because that's the momentum it's going towards. But not sure it's ideal.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, no, I completely agree. This is. This is going to happen.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

It's just. It's just what it's going to cost. Right. And so. And yeah, they'll get to a point where what will happen. My uninformed total guess is that, you know, the. At some point the players will say, okay, we'll do it, but you've got to guarantee us this amount of money or the salary cap has to get to here. To which the NFL will say, okay, because the NFL will then go to all their broadcast partners and say we've now added an extra game. And whether there's now a new package for, you know, one of the streamers or you know, one of the. One of the companies that doesn't have an NFL package, but there'll be, now there'll be 18 new games, you know, that'll, that are available and somebody will pay the price.

[Jay Croucher]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

And the NFL will make a healthy profit on that. And some of that will go to the players and some of that will go to the NFL. Roger Goodell at his press conference on Monday talked about that his goal is or hope, I think probably not more accurate his hope, but it's going to happen is that there's a 16 game international schedule. They've got nine games next year, but they'll eventually get to 16 games. And so if you have an 18 game season with two bye weeks, that makes international travel a lot more easier to mix and match and get teams over there, get them back, give them, them, give them one of their two bye weeks to recover from the long travel to Australia.

[Jay Croucher]

Yes, more Australia.

[Connor Rogers]

More Australia.

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

Two preseason games, you know, two bye weeks. 18 games. So breaking news.

[Connor Rogers]

Oh, wow.

[Jay Croucher]

Right now, look at that great jets hat on Nathaniel Hackett. You're looking at the new offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. How does he keep doing it?

[Matthew Barry]

Come on, someone's got it.

[Jay Croucher]

Someone's got to ask the questions. I know, Michael. I know Mike LaFleur, assumingly is going to call the plays and I think Mike LaFleur is a pretty good play caller. When he did it with the jets, he didn't do it with the Rams. But I mean, what is the purpose?

[Matthew Barry]

I guess, I guess the, I guess the pro Nathaniel Hackett argument is that he is a players coach. Like players love him.

[Jay Croucher]

They do.

[Matthew Barry]

Players love him. He's fun, good guy, lets them do whatever they want.

[Jay Croucher]

Loves Austin Powers.

[Matthew Barry]

Yes. And.

[Connor Rogers]

Don'T do that again.

[Matthew Barry]

Yes, exactly. The Gold Zone rock.

[Tetero McMillan]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

So I guess maybe that's it. Maybe just quote, trying to change the culture. Not worried about the play calling because he's going to do the play calling. And so, you know, I don't know, maybe, maybe this is an attempt to get Aaron Rodgers in Arizona. Well, he's, he's. People do retire to Arizona.

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

You know, old people like Arizona. It's warm all the time. So it wouldn't actually be the worst. That's actually not the craziest idea. I mean, I just made that joke.

[Connor Rogers]

But like that's actually the worst spot for him either. I mean, it depends what you want to do with the Cardinals. Like long term. What does that actually mean? Like where you, what's the direction? Like you're not going to win the super bowl next year without Rogers's quarterback might go nine and eight and get a wild card. Maybe that's what they want to do. Aaron Rogers is a starting level of quarterback in the NFL still. What he showed Pittsburgh nothing go great. It's not going to be a starting level if he has to play the Houston Texans pass rush. But he is probably gives them a better chance or as good a chance to win as guys like Jacobe Brissette.

[Jay Croucher]

Right. Indoor stadium.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah. The great Michael Wilson.

[Jay Croucher]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

Although it just feels like if Aaron Rodgers comes back next year, he's going to want to go to a team that has a chance at the Super Bowl. And I mean you sort of know Minnesota well. Right. That's what I'm saying. Like if Minnesota will have him. Like it just doesn't feel like that if, if his options are basically Arizona or retire. Feels like he would retire just because like you're not.

[Connor Rogers]

Not.

[Matthew Barry]

You're not getting to the super bowl with the way the Cardinals roster is currently constructed in a division with the Rams, the Seahawks and the Niners.

[Todd Monken]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

You're just. They're just not doing it next year. Like I suppose anything's possible but like I mean you know, could have said that about the Patriots last year, I suppose but like yeah, just fair. So you know, you never know. I suppose. But feels like he'd probably go back to Pittsburgh if he wants to return. But it is interesting and. And Hackett and Rodgers are very close.

[Jay Croucher]

All right, coming up. You can see the excitement building up in J. Oh yes. Look at this.

[Connor Rogers]

Let's get physical.

[Jay Croucher]

Piercing the pale. Look at these stats. Let's get physical. Coming right up.

[Connor Rogers]

Pierce I think is now moved above Josh Downs as the clear number two guy. He's a legitimate wide receiver one for the Colts in real life and I think a wide receiver two Type in fantasy. If you're like a kid in Germany, you must be growing up as a kid in Germany. Like geez, quarterback's easy to play in America. Maybe we can do that. One of all I thought what you.

[Matthew Barry]

Were going to say is like there's a kid in Germany who thinks like Alec Pierce is the greatest. Thinks of Alec Pierce the way you think of like Randy Moss.

[Jay Croucher]

Randy Moss.

[Connor Rogers]

It's a stain upon the industry. But Alec Pierce remains so available. He has been fantastic. He is the best wide receiver. I think he's the best pass catching option in this offense. Alec Pierce? Yeah. Like we've said Conor, he's going to get paid like a wide receiver one.

[Matthew Barry]

And he's performing like since week seven. He's the 17th best wide receiver on a points per game basis.

[Jay Croucher]

All right, we are back from radio row and you see him at the end of the set here. Alec Pierce, Colts wide receiver for the shoot. Welcome to the show for the show, Jay Croucher's favorite. I mean, I kid you not, you're probably his favorite player in the NFL.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, it's been. It's been a long going bit. We were very high on your earlier fantasy football show. We saw your development. You know, I think that people largely pigeonholed you in your early seasons as a deep threat and just seeing your game develop this year was awesome. What do you see of your own development this year?

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, like you said, you know, I think just getting a lot more opportunities to do more things. You know, talking about, you know, from the inter. Short to intermediate game, I think really my third year, the year before, I think I kind of established that, like I can be dominant in the downfield passing game and I think just kind of going from there and just building on that and just doing more of this next year, you know, just getting that intermediate game and stuff and just getting more catches.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Alec. Unfortunately. So what we did while you were. We should have timed this a little bit better. We didn't. We had a whole montage of Jay talking up. Yeah, talking you up and just saying, like, I think he's the best receiver on the Colts. I think he's one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. I think he's been somewhat miscast or somewhat pigeonholed to your point in terms of just as a deep threat. Jay is a. Jay's a degenerate. And not only is he a big fan of the Colts, but also put a lot of money on the Colts as well. Legally, of course, as well.

[Alec Pierce]

So.

[Matthew Barry]

So he watched every single. When I tell you, he watched every single play of yours and of the Colts. I mean it. So for the shoe is a. Is a big phrase we throw around on the. On the show quite a bit. We were. We wanted to play it back for you, but unfortunately it was playing while you were getting set up. We didn't plan that right.

[Connor Rogers]

Which is typical as a Colts fan. It was awesome, particularly the first half of the season. And Shane Stockings offense just seemed like it was rolling. Like, what did it feel like those first nine weeks or so where you guys were a historically great offense?

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, I mean, it felt awesome. Like it felt like we couldn't do anything wrong. You know, like we just go out there. It was just easy you go out there like, we were going to score our first drive. I think it took us a couple games to punt the ball or something. Some crazy stat on that. But, yeah, it felt like we just couldn't do anything wrong. So that was pretty cool to see. And, you know, obviously knowing the NFL like that, it wasn't realistic. That wasn't going to last the whole year. But, yeah, we just got to find a way to kind of keep that going, like, throughout more of the season.

[Matthew Barry]

Next year.

[Jay Croucher]

Going into camp, it felt like a lot of the NFL world had kind of written off Daniel Jones with how things ended with the Giants. What was it like, for your perspective, where the outside noise was, all right, Daniel Jones, then he gets to camp, not only lit it up, won the starting job, but he was playing so well before he got hurt.

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, yeah, it was awesome to see, like, that he's able because, you know, obviously that wasn't. That wasn't easy for him, you know, with what happened in New York. And like, you know, that's kind of happens in this league sometimes. And it's awesome to see when guys, you know, can kind of get back up from getting knocked down and having a tough situation. And I think he made the most of his opportunity last year, really showed.

[Matthew Barry]

What he could do.

[Alec Pierce]

And it was unfortunate that he got injured, kind of cut things short. But I think with. With him as our quarterback, like. Like, you could see how dangerous our team was and the things we were doing. So, yeah, I think he did all he could have done last year.

[Matthew Barry]

Alec, take me inside the locker room. So, obviously, devastating injury to Daniel. You guys have been rolling along so well, but take me inside the locker room when Coach Steichen comes in and says, by the way, Philip Rivers is coming out of retirement and coming to play for the Colts.

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, that's pretty crazy. I mean, I think, honestly think that's one of the things I just heard from, like, media first, because I think it was prior off day, so we weren't even in there, but they announced he's being signed to practice squad. And then I think they gave him probably a day or two of practice to see, like, what he had left in him. And once he looked good enough in practice, then they kind of announced later in the week, hey, like, we're rolling with Phil this week. He's going to be our starter. Like, so, yeah, it was pretty cool to see and just like, pretty special moment, being able to play with him. You know, he's future hall of Famer, just legendary guy. So So I think it was definitely something I'll be able to talk about for the rest of my life.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah. Did he adopt you? Did he officially adopt you?

[Alec Pierce]

Are you one of his kids? 11th or 12th kid?

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

He's really had a full team, right?

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, maybe.

[Matthew Barry]

Really? Is. Is there one thing specifically that you took from Philip that you learned, like, obviously, incredible veteran. You're still young in your career.

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, I.1. I just. I loved his speeches. I thought he was like. Like, when I saw that he was getting interviewed for head coaching jobs, like, I think he'd be an incredible, incredible head coach. I don't think he. I know he's got the whole family and, like, a bunch of kids back home and his sons. You know, he's the coach for his son's high school football team. So I'm. I'm sure he's not ready to get into coaching right now because he's got all the family and stuff like that, but, yeah, I was like that. I think he'd make a phenomenal head coach.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah. Alec, you should know that Matthew passionately defended you on national television after you got kicked out of that game against Houston in week 18. But I appreciate that. Yeah, it was a big rant. It went on for way too long, but it was okay. His heart was in it.

[Matthew Barry]

I thought it was the dumbest thing I've ever seen in my life. And I feel like he walked in. I feel like the ref. Like, if you look at the video, Tell me if I'm wrong on this. I feel like so you don't understand the call, and so you're like, your arms are out, but that he walks into you that, like, if you walk like, he's.

[Alec Pierce]

Lean into me a little bit.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, a little bit. Yeah, a little bit. I don't think he was. I don't know if he was trying to, but, like, I feel like he actually initiated the contact. If you go back and watch it, like, there's a Pruder film, which I did. I broke it down frame by frame.

[Connor Rogers]

So you throw the challenge flag. Maybe he gets overturned. Maybe Alec gets two free throws. But what gets lost in that is that you were balling out in that game with Riley Leonard, who played really well against the Texans defense. Like, what did you see from Riley and his kind of growth over the course of the year?

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, it was awesome to see Riley. Yeah, I was definitely proud of how he played that game. It was, you know, obviously going in their first ever NFL start and playing against the Texans. That's a tough Defense, a really good defense. So, yeah, it was great to see what he was able to do there. You know, he's a playmaker. You see the playmaker abilities like passing the ball, running the ball, and any of that rushing, touchdown. So I think quarterbacks like that are dangerous. I think he's a good fit for him. Like, him and Daniel get along well and I think they work together well, like really study well, and they probably are both learning off each other. So I think it's good, like, set up for them.

[Jay Croucher]

It's those Duke guys. They all seem to mesh well together, Daniel and Riley. So for the first time now in your professional career, you have a little control where you can go, go more excited or nervous about free agency, which is such a whirlwind process.

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, excited for sure. You know, I think like you said, first time can control where you go.

[Connor Rogers]

So.

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, we'll see. I think it's going to be nothing but exciting this next month. Probably be pretty crazy, but we'll see what happens, right?

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah. Well, you timed the breakout year pretty well going into free agency. Want to ask you about Shane Steichen. Like, everyone thinks that, you know, his offensive guru, very accomplished car. Do you have any examples of what makes Shane such a good coach?

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, I think, I think the. I think there's like the play calling and just like the, you know, everything he does just with the offense, like, and it's probably like really, like during the week, I think, figuring out like, what the other team's running. And I think that really shows with how well we were doing, like, especially early in the year on those opening drives. Like, I think he just had them schemed up and ready to go and just had a. A good, good game plan going.

[Matthew Barry]

Hey, Alec, you know, we're a fantasy football show, so. Fantasy football managers loved your season this year. Breakout star. I was curious, does fantasy full come up in your regular everyday life? Do fans come up to you? Do they tell you they've got you on your team? How often does. Does this happen?

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, a lot. Honestly, a lot. Like, I think a lot of people will come up and they'll be like, oh, you know, I had you in fantasy, or I picked you up when I dropped you. And I'm like, that's cool. Nice to meet you too. Yeah, right, Yeah, I played you and you gave me zero points. I'm like, yeah, like, good to meet you too. So it's pretty funny though. A lot of people do like to mention that, and honestly, I think a lot of times that's when I get recognized. People be like, oh, you'll be talking to, like, wait, look, I think I had you in fantasy football, or I have you in fantasy football. So I think it's probably good. And that's probably why a lot of people know, like, the skill players, honestly, in the NFL is just from fantasy football.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah. I mean, it is true, right? It is. I think that, you know, obviously, Colts fans know who you are, but the reason you have a national name, I think, is. Is in part because of fantasy football. Because you produce such great stats, because you had such a breakout season, and because so many people had you in fantasy football. Jay had you in our league, by the way, just so you know. He was. Did great things. Have you ever played fantasy football, Alec, when you were younger?

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, Yeah, I played.

[Jay Croucher]

I probably.

[Alec Pierce]

Last time I probably played was sometime in college.

[Matthew Barry]

Okay.

[Alec Pierce]

I feel like I was never, like, super, super into, but my.

[Tetero McMillan]

My.

[Alec Pierce]

I know my brothers are huge into it. My cousins and stuff. So, yeah, they usually. I'd talk to him, like, Monday or Tuesday, and he'd give me the. The rundown and be like, you know, like, oh, I just need a couple points out of this guy tonight. Or, like, I can't have this guy get this many points or else I'm gonna lose, you know?

[Tetero McMillan]

So it's.

[Alec Pierce]

It's always kind of fun.

[Matthew Barry]

Did they. Did they hit you up, like, saying, like, all right, listen, you know, jt gonna play this week or whatever? Trying to get some inside tips.

[Alec Pierce]

Honestly, my brothers never, never do. No, I. I did have, like. It is. It is.

[Matt Ryan]

It is weird, though.

[Alec Pierce]

Cause I had, like, random people, like, hit me up before. Like, I think when I was hurt, I had a concussion. I had somebody, like, random. Like, I had their number still on my phone, but they text me, like, you playing this week?

[Matthew Barry]

And I'm like, I don't even know. Hello?

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Alec Pierce]

I'm like, oh, no, you're not gonna, like, ask, like, is. They're just like, yeah, are you playing this week? And I'm like, oh. Like, I'm like. I was like, I'm not even gonna respond to you.

[Connor Rogers]

I was like.

[Alec Pierce]

I was like, I'm not. I'm not letting you know that. Like, maybe if you ask nicely, like.

[Matthew Barry]

No, that is the right response. That is absolutely the right spot. Never answer that unless it's me texting you and then. Which I really need to know. We have a.

[Jay Croucher]

There it is.

[Matthew Barry]

What happened here?

[Tetero McMillan]

All right.

[Matthew Barry]

Goodness. All right, well, we're a. Our show Fantasy Happy hour. Takes place in a bar when we're not normally in radio row. And so we've been asking all of our guests to do as part of the show. We do a bunch of, we, you know, we have a bunch of bar related games that we do. And one of the, one of the things we do is we do beer pong. We do beer pong. All right, so if you, if you don't mind, so far. No get by the way. No, we'd like you to do celebrity shot. We want you to be the celebrity pawn shot for us. So far, none of our guests have hit this yet, but I'd love you.

[Alec Pierce]

For you to surprise pressure.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah. Stand it there, professional athlete. Here you go. No, unhook him so he's got. All right, here we go.

[Connor Rogers]

Lefty. Wow. Mono ginobly. Ah, good technique.

[Matthew Barry]

Here, take one more shot. There we go. There we go.

[Jay Croucher]

The old lefty.

[Connor Rogers]

Oh.

[Matthew Barry]

Listen, superstar fantasy football superstar Alec Pierce. Huge, huge season. Congratulations. Good luck in free agencies for the shoe and we thank you. We thank you for taking some time with us today.

[Jay Croucher]

Thank you, Alec.

[Alec Pierce]

Appreciate the support.

[Connor Rogers]

100%.

[Matthew Barry]

We got your back.

[Jay Croucher]

NBC Sports now is live from San Francisco all week with special guests. Tune in live from 9am to 7pm Eastern time each day, Monday to Friday after the Dan Patrick Show. PFT Live. Chris Simms unbuttoned the Dan LeBatard show and of course us. Plus here at the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. NBC Sports now is a free 24. 7 streaming channel. Full details on where to watch NBCSports.com now we're going to go to break when we're back. Our interviews on Radio Row continue all week long. It's legendary February at NBC and streaming on Peacock in just two days. Join the celebration as we kick off the Winter Olympics in Italy with the opening ceremony and we continue here at Radio Row. Matthew and I got to catch up with standout rookie wide receiver of the Carolina Panthers, Teteroa McMillan T. Mac. Check this out.

[Matthew Barry]

This is the definitive interview.

[Jay Croucher]

Our interviews at Radio Row continue and we are with Tetero McMillan T. Mac. This time last year you were up here with us. A thousand yard rookie season later, how was the transition of the pros? Feel like it went pretty smart? Smoothly?

[Tetero McMillan]

It was, yeah, it was pretty solid.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

What was the biggest difference to you when you got to Carolina compared to all those years at Arizona?

[Tetero McMillan]

Shoot. I mean, I tell everybody it's definitely the refs.

[Jay Croucher]

It's definitely interesting.

[Tetero McMillan]

I mean, my rookie year, so I felt like I had to earn my Stripes to get some calls, but. Whereas in college, I was. I was pretty much getting every call that I wanted, you know, but definitely gotta earn my stripes a little bit more.

[Matthew Barry]

Do you feel like. Do you feel like that was a rookie thing or was that a Panther thing? Because, you know, know, obviously the fr. No, I'm being dead serious because last. The reason. The reason you're a Carolina Panthers, because the year before they didn't have a great year, they were able to draft you very high. This year, you guys are a playoff team. Do you think. Do you think it was a you thing or do you think it was like a. Hey, okay, okay. The Panthers are for real now.

[Tetero McMillan]

Oh, I mean, I don't know. It could be a little bit of both, but who knows? Regardless, this is. I didn't get the calls that I wanted, so, you know, just gotta play a little different. That's it.

[Matthew Barry]

Well, you were able to play. You were able to play through it, so congratulations on a. On a great season. Tell me something about Bryce Young that.

[Tetero McMillan]

We don't know what you want to hear. I feel like, you know, he doesn't get enough credit, you know, that I think he deserves. You know, a lot of people don't realize that, you know, he got drafted and came into the league in a terrible situation and then was able to take his team to the playoffs in the third year. So, I mean, it's kind of something that, you know, you want in your franchise quarterback. You know, he's definitely one of those players that people want to play for and one of those people that. That want to play for other people. You know, he's a very humble dude, so he always puts the team before himself. So, you know, there's a lot of things that people don't. People don't realize, people don't see. But, you know, I got. I give a lot of credit to him.

[Jay Croucher]

I think a lot of people know this, but you were in a unique situation. You played with the same quarterback in Noah Fufita for so long, going from high school school all throughout college. Was there a little bit of a transition period with Bryce or did that. Was that a little easier because you were catching passes from the same guy for seven years?

[Tetero McMillan]

Eight years.

[Jay Croucher]

Eight years.

[Tetero McMillan]

I mean.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah, that's crazy.

[Tetero McMillan]

No, it's a lot different, man. You know, just being able to play with a different quarterback is. It was hard at first, you know, but at the end day, it's football, man. My job is to catch football. So that's what. That's what I Did. And whether it's Noah or Bryce or anybody else, you know, know, as long as they get the ball to me and it hits my hands, I gotta kiss.

[Matthew Barry]

All right, so I've heard different stories. Some people have said, oh, he loves being called T. Mac. I've heard other people say, like, no, gotta call him Tedoroa. What do your friends call you? If us. If us in the broadcast world, how should we refer to you?

[Tetero McMillan]

My friends call me tmac.

[Matthew Barry]

Tmac. All right. Are we allowed to call you tmac? Can we have a blessing as a show to refer to you on tmac?

[Tetero McMillan]

Y' all got it. Just don't call me Ted. We good?

[Matthew Barry]

All right, good. No Tet, no quartet, but tmac. All right.

[Jay Croucher]

We talk about you a lot in the fantasy football world, so that's why we need to know.

[Tetero McMillan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

I'm sure this. I'm sure fantasy football comes up a lot. And do fans come up to you and talk to you about it? They have you on your team. Thank you.

[Tetero McMillan]

No, I mean, yeah, people tell me they. They had me in their team, but, you know, it's not. It's not as crazy as other people. I feel like, you know, my rookie year, a lot of people didn't expect much from me, so they probably. I probably didn't get as much hate as I probably should have. But, you know, it's always cool to hear that, you know, people got me on their fantasy team. I'm like, man, well, I hope I did you justice.

[Matthew Barry]

You absolutely did. And by the way, anyone that didn't expect much from you this year didn't listen to this show because we have been fans for a long, long time. He had you as highest rated wide receiver coming out of the draft, and you were a preseason sleeper for us, so we're very happy. Talk to us a little bit, T. Mac, about Spam.

[Tetero McMillan]

I mean, as you see on my shirt, Spam versus everybody. You know, I was fortunate enough to partner with something that I grew up on my whole life and still eating to this day. So you can never go wrong with Spam. Super versatile. You know, I don't know if y' all familiar with it, but you can eat Spam musubi if y' all ever had it. Spamming eggs, spam, fried rice. I put Spam in my spaghetti. I put Spam in my ramen noodles. So I'm a big fan of Spam.

[Jay Croucher]

Pre game Spam.

[Tetero McMillan]

No, I eat Spam, like, every meal of the day. Pre game. I eat it, man. Whatever.

[Jay Croucher]

Literally the face of Spam right here.

[Matthew Barry]

I have two last questions for you. Number one is, I have a favor to ask. Will you next time you talk to Jalen Coker, who's also big fans of Jalen Coker. What I'm trying to make a thing is that all the fans of Jalen Coker that were the Cokeheads. The Cokeheads. So just see if we can get Jalen on board with that. Cokeheads unite.

[Jay Croucher]

Like his fan club.

[Matthew Barry]

His fan club. People that are big fans of Jalen Coker.

[Tetero McMillan]

Yeah, I feel like a lot of people are big fans of him. You know, I've heard the Cokehead thing thrown around a little bit more.

[Jay Croucher]

We've been saying it way too much.

[Tetero McMillan]

Yeah, we're allowed to say that or anything like that?

[Matthew Barry]

No, we're trying to make. That's his last name. And after that playoff game, I'm sure he's got a lot more fans. Last thing for you, T. Mac, before we let you go. So the show is called Fantasy Football Happy Hour. So normally when we're not on radio row, we're in a bar. That's our set is in a bar. And so we do a lot of different bar related games. So I was wondering if you would be willing to do a celebrity pong shot. This is what we're asking all of our guests. You ever play beer pong? I'm sure you never have.

[Tetero McMillan]

No, I don't play that. I don't play that.

[Matthew Barry]

You don't do that.

[Tetero McMillan]

I'm not familiar with that one. Okay, no, I'll play it, but I'm not familiar with the game.

[Connor Rogers]

Oh, understood.

[Tetero McMillan]

Yeah, that's all right.

[Matthew Barry]

Very simple. Take a beer, you take a ping pong ball, go to the end of that table, stand up, and just try to get into this. Get it in. Get it in here.

[Jay Croucher]

We haven't had anybody hit the cup yet.

[Matthew Barry]

We haven't had anybody hit the cup yet. We'll take you out. Yeah, you don't need to do that.

[Tetero McMillan]

How does game work?

[Jay Croucher]

You got no elbow over the table. All you have to worry about is.

[Matthew Barry]

No elbow over the table.

[Jay Croucher]

You're good.

[Matthew Barry]

You're good.

[Jay Croucher]

Oh, it's pretty close.

[Matthew Barry]

Almost pretty close. But listen. Thousand yard rookie season fantasy superstar, Carolina Panthers superstar, playoff team, bright future in Carolina. Thank you so much for spending some time. And we thanks to Spam for making you available to us.

[Tetero McMillan]

For sure. I appreciate y' all taking the time out to have me.

[Matthew Barry]

All right, T. Mac, we're back after this.

[Jay Croucher]

Of course. That was Hetero McMillan who stands at the top of the rookie receiving yards leaders from the 2025 NFL NFL season? The only guy to get to that thousand yard mark. Matthew.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah. And then you. What's interesting is as you look at this list in terms of rookie pass catchers right. For receiving yards Mecca Buka. No surprise at number two. But look at the next four all tight ends. Tyler Warren, Harold Fannin, Colston Loveland, Arande Gadson. So Connor, anything you make of that? That was just a weak rookie wide receiver class Burton got going late. Obviously Higgins and Rel couldn't get on the field that much.

[Jay Croucher]

Golden.

[Matthew Barry]

Golden was disappointing.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

I think what's even more alarming is rookie tight ends don't ever produce and we had no. I know that were a pretty big deal. That's right. I think it gives you a lot of promise Jay, going forward that hey we finally got a new. Because it seems like we're pretty close to where Travis Kelce is not going to be in the NFL anymore. Mark Andrews has declined. We've needed some guys to step into.

[Matthew Barry]

That role and Hawkinson depending on what happens with Minnesota, Hawkinson's taking a step back as well.

[Jay Croucher]

That's the positive. But the receiver class as a whole besides Burden who I think we're excited about the upside and the question year was a little flat on some areas.

[Connor Rogers]

I think the thing is too is that I don't think he would have caught TMac but I think that the guy would have finished second in receiving yards if he didn't get hurt was Travis Hunter. Because Travis Hunter was really starting to come on the last game before he got hurt. I think he had 100 plus yards against the Rams in Europe and was looking like they were really focusing on the offensive role for him. But it is interesting and it kind of lends itself into fantasy. The fact that seems like there is now this premium on these tight ends coming out of the draft who are effectively receivers like a Ronde. Gadson's a receiver. Harold Fan Jr. Is more a receiver. He's more a slot receiver than a tight end in a lot of ways. So that is going to make I think the tight end position a lot deeper in general.

[Alec Pierce]

Yeah, without a doubt.

[Matthew Barry]

Which fantasy wise we're very excited about. I wonder like I mean I think there could be more touchdown equity but do you guys feel like. I don't want to say that T Mac has reached his ceiling but just feels like as long as Dave Canales is his head coach and as long as Bryce Henson's quarterback There's always going to be a limit there because they're going to want to be. Be more run heavy, more ball can, you know, more ball control. Like just, you know, like a mecca Buca. Like if Mike Evans moves on, like you sort of feel like a mecca Buka could, you know, just have, you know, put together a full year. He obviously had an amazing start to the season. Or Luther Burden over a full year. Right. What we saw over the second half. But as brilliant as T. Mac is from a talent standpoint, just feels like his situation limits his upside a little bit. Little bit. I would agree with that.

[Jay Croucher]

I don't think. I mean that's a big season for any receiver. So the fact is you're looking for guys. I think what you're trying to say, Matthew too is like now you're going to pay a different cost for 10 million in the draft. You're probably not paying that same level of cost. Although hype trains in fantasy over summer. Get crazy for Luther Burden. Travis Hunter, there might be a dip on because people forget about him. And like you pointed out, Jay, things were trending the right way for Travis Hunter. So I think that's the point is like we like T. Mac. We think he's going to be really good in the NFL.

[Connor Rogers]

NFL.

[Jay Croucher]

But where you're drafting him now, you're paying a premium price. You have to have those results.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, it feels like like tmac is what he is. He's alpha wide receiver one. He's going to be the wide receiver one for that team. Luther Burns on an upward trajectory. Hunter is obviously a wild card. The one who's most confusing to me though, Connor to figure out is a macro Booker where he was looking like. I mean he's producing like a top five wide receiver for the six seven weeks. And then it felt like it just all snowballed downhill when where he started to have some drop issues. He had the drop against the Saints in the end zone which is just comical and. And just kind of just not a ball that an NFL wide receiver drops. And then by the end of the season he wasn't even playing. He's playing like half the snaps on a team that really needed his skill set in theory.

[Matthew Barry]

Although the counter to that is that it wasn't just him. Baker played back. B.L. baker was in the MVP conversation for the first six, seven weeks of the season. Season and then. And they should have made the playoffs and they didn't. Right. And I know like, you know, they won the game. They showed. But the Falcons but still, the fact is, is like, like the entire Buccaneers offense, it felt like from the second half of the season on just hit a wall.

[Jay Croucher]

I think so. And I think once again, like Baker's play falling off combined with just everything they move on from the offensive coordinator.

[Connor Rogers]

It felt like Baker wasn't healthy as well. I mean, he did the shoulder against the Rams. He did look nearly himself in the second half of the season.

[Jay Croucher]

All right, we're going to take one more break here on Radio Row. When we're back, we're looking at some of the novelty props on DraftKings for the super bowl. DraftKings Sportsbook is an official sports betting partner of the NFL and new customers can bet $5 and get $300 in bonus bets. If your bet wins, download the app and use promo code ffhh when you sign lineup. DraftKings sportsbook.

[Connor Rogers]

The Crown is yours.

[Jay Croucher]

The crown is yours.

[Matthew Barry]

Crown is yours.

[Jay Croucher]

It's time for last call. That was a good one. Oh, man, it's like a dying animal. Super bowl novelty props.

[Connor Rogers]

Dead Barry.

[Jay Croucher]

What?

[Matt Ryan]

You good?

[Jay Croucher]

You're not, you're not there yet.

[Matthew Barry]

Matthew.

[Jay Croucher]

You're doing pretty well. It's Wednesday.

[Matthew Barry]

Thank you.

[Jay Croucher]

You're in top shape for Wednesday. All those business meetings.

[Matthew Barry]

I, well, we had media, we had, you know, we had media days yesterday. For your own football night in America.

[Tetero McMillan]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

What was your favorite question?

[Todd Monken]

Question?

[Matthew Barry]

What was my, my favorite question?

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

I don't know that I had a. Oh, you know, here's my favorite question.

[Jay Croucher]

Is it a must win game?

[Tetero McMillan]

No, no.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah. I didn't get those. I did get some, like, you know, are you, you know, are you excited? Yes, obviously. I'll tell you.

[Connor Rogers]

No, really, Jim.

[Matthew Barry]

No, the best question, I, I don't want to derail us too much. The best question I got, actually, and I, I tweeted this one was it's like most people on a NFL pregame show are either a former coach or player player, a host or a news reporter.

[Jay Croucher]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

You know, what does it say that you, who are none of those things are on it, are on football night in America and about to do a Super bowl pregame show. And I really appreciate that question. I'm like, it's, you know, it's amazing. It's incredible. I'm not going to sit here and say like, oh, it's just another, like, it is super cool. I'm incredibly grateful and I said it's a credit to NBC Sports for having the guts and vision to say like, we think this is a massive way where People engage with the NFL and this is should be part of our pregame presentation. So anyway, trial blazer.

[Connor Rogers]

Love it.

[Matthew Barry]

Thank you. So that was my favorite question.

[Jay Croucher]

I thought that was a. I think.

[Matthew Barry]

I love that question. And so yeah. That Ryan Glass Spiegel of front office Sport.

[Jay Croucher]

So news breaker.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Yes.

[Matthew Barry]

Glass break. Anyway, so it was. Appreciate Ryan.

[Jay Croucher]

Here are the novelty props which are always interesting to look at. The jersey number of the first touchdown.

[Matthew Barry]

Score take on this one.

[Alec Pierce]

Oh, you do.

[Jay Croucher]

You're away.

[Tetero McMillan]

Yeah.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah. Af. I think it's over. I think it's over ten and a half.

[Jay Croucher]

Mr. King agrees with you. Minus 160 exactly.

[Matthew Barry]

Well here. Here's some of the players that are over whose jersey numbers are over 10 and a half. Jackson Smith and JMA and Jigba Randre Stevenson. Trayvon Henderson, Hunter Henry, Rashid Shahid. The only guy there's. There's two guys that I think under ten and a half. Drake May, Ken Walker.

[Jay Croucher]

Right.

[Matthew Barry]

But I just feel like you've got a better shot with all the players I just listed of the players that are most likely to score the first touchdown, 66 of them have a number over ten and a half. Again, JSN the the Patriots running backs. Hunter Henry, Rashid Sheehy.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, I like a flea flicker to be attempted at plus 200. Patriots ran one against the Broncos in the snow in not great conditions and I think that they. The Patriots are going to have a lot of issues against the Seattle defense. They will need to get creative.

[Jay Croucher]

Seattle should call one to Rashid Shahid.

[Connor Rogers]

Y.

[Matthew Barry]

Absolutely.

[Jay Croucher]

Players have a past time. It's my favorite one every year.

[Matthew Barry]

Yeah. Yeah. And what do you think you're taking the over? The under.

[Jay Croucher]

I. I take the over for the thrill but the under is this, this sharp.

[Matthew Barry]

The under is the same just like, you know, like I don't think either guy gets hurt. Right. And they. They other than they don't. Neither team really does a lot of trick plays.

[Alec Pierce]

No.

[Matthew Barry]

All right. It's closing time. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here for Jay Connor and Alex Pierce and 10 Rob McMillan on Matthew Barry. Peace out.