Brad Holmes! Nico Collins! Texans & Lions Outlook, Frank Ragnow & CJ Stroud! Zyn, Aaron Rodgers & Las Vegas!

Summary

Green Light with Chris Long — Episode Summary

Episode: Brad Holmes! Nico Collins! Texans & Lions Outlook, Frank Ragnow & CJ Stroud! Zyn, Aaron Rodgers & Las Vegas!
Date: June 13, 2025
Host: Chris Long
Guests: Brad Holmes (Lions GM), Nico Collins (Houston Texans WR), co-host Reed, Dr. Fax, and more

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Episode Overview

In this dynamic (and often hilarious) episode, Chris Long and crew dig deep into the outlooks for two of the NFL’s most intriguing teams: the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. Featuring in-depth interviews with Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes and rising Texans star receiver Nico Collins, the show covers roster building, adversity, culture, leadership, and the behind-the-scenes challenges facing NFL franchises. Packed between those segments is classic Green Light banter—touching on everything from the perils of modern nicotine products (Zyn) to Vegas travel escapades, and ending with a hot take on Aaron Rodgers’ 2025 prospects.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Culture and Challenges of the Detroit Lions

(Brad Holmes Interview | 20:30–46:49)

• Overcoming Adversity: Roster Crunch & Injuries

  • Holmes details the sheer difficulty of finding and signing replacements during last season's injury-laden stretch:
    • "Trying to trade for a defensive end was one of the hardest journeys that I've ever experienced... I was calling around for, like, teams’ thirds and their fours, right? Nobody wants to give them away." (21:46, Brad Holmes)
  • The gratitude and admiration for his coaching staff in getting new arrivals "ready to play like this" under crisis conditions.
  • Emphasis on not using injuries as an excuse:
    • “Everybody wants to blame injuries… but you can’t use that as an excuse… we just gotta be better.” (24:03, Brad Holmes)

• Coaching Changes & Internal Promotions

  • The Lions lost both coordinators—a validation of organizational strength, but also a challenge:
    • Holmes heaps praise on Dan Campbell for his patience and focus on "fit" during coordinator replacements, highlighting Calvin Shepard (DC) and John Morton (OC) and their strong internal familiarity with the roster and scheme.
  • Importance of ex-player coaches, especially on defense:
    • “When you know that guy’s been in your shoes at the highest level… your willingness to run through a wall for a guy just increases.” (28:18, Brad Holmes)

• On Ben Johnson Leaving for the Bears

  • Holmes clarifies there was no inside track or advance warning; he celebrates Johnson’s next step but admits, “It’s just a little, like, man, watch…” (30:58, Brad Holmes)

• Evolving the Offense and "Changing the Locks"

  • Dan Campbell wants to evolve regardless of staff departures:
    • “He’s looking to evolve it regardless anyway, like, regardless [of Ben leaving].” (32:28, Brad Holmes)

• Replacing Center Frank Ragnow

  • On Frank’s multidimensional importance:
    • “It’s not just player, it’s the person as well…he fit everything that we were about.” (36:43, Brad Holmes)
  • Key traits for a center: intelligence, communication, personality, ability to anchor against pass rushers.

• Defensive Line Strategy and Draft Philosophy

  • The Lions continue to invest in powerful, moveable interior D-linemen, with Ty’Leek Williams likely to pick up where Alim McNeill left off.
    • “[Ty’Leek Williams] probably more developed than Alim was coming out… got some movement skills in him.” (38:10–40:19, Brad Holmes)
  • The "rabbit out of the hat" moment: signing Za'Darius Smith (referred to as "Big Z").
  • On edge rushers:
    • "If you're not good in the middle, I don't care what you've got on the edges... that's a hard life." (43:13, Brad Holmes)

• Receiver Draft Gems

  • On drafting Isaac Tesla and his unique toughness as a physical receiver with QB chops.
    • “He’s tough, he’s tough on the outside, he can stretch it, he’s got instincts and he’s a hands catcher.” (44:39, Brad Holmes)

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2. Nico Collins: Leadership, Growth & Houston Texans Hopes

(Nico Collins Interview | 48:52–74:44)

• Year Five—The Leadership Jump

  • On feeling like a veteran and paying forward his experience:
    • “It's a blessing...a great role model, you know, for the guys that's coming in... lead by example.” (49:20, Nico Collins)

• Modeling the Game After Mike Evans

  • Describes learning and adapting from bigger-bodied WRs: Mike Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones.
    • Meeting Mike Evans at the Pro Bowl:
      • “Mike Evans, that's my idol... I've been watching Mike Evans since Texas A&M...” (51:05, Nico Collins)

• Staying Healthy and Leveling Up

  • Chronicles his own injury struggles (“groins, hamstrings, soft tissue injuries”) and the shift to Pilates and yoga for longevity.
    • “You just inspired a 40 year old man… I got a phone number for somebody for Pilates because I’ve been having back problems.” (54:49, Chris Long)

• 2024 Playoff Exit Reflections

  • On coming so close:
    • “Every loss we had last year was definitely that feeling. Like, we right there… that hunger, that chip on our shoulder…” (56:10, Nico Collins)

• The Tank Dell Injury

  • Emotional recounting of losing teammate Tank Dell, and its locker room impact:
    • “For him to go down like that, man, it was a...gut punch... missing that missing piece, man.” (58:06, Nico Collins)
  • On CJ Stroud’s leadership and emotional intelligence.

• Developing Young Receivers & Scheme Adjustments

  • Excitement about Jaden Higgins: “Remind me of Mike Evans…dude's nice, man. The sky's the limit for him.” (63:30, Nico Collins)
  • On learning a new offense (Nick Kaylee OC):
    • “Every offense was different, different terms… It’s just like going to the next grade… just learning the whole new office, new scheme." (65:16–66:37, Nico Collins)

• Going Against Texans Defense

  • Describes the defense's speed and violence:
    • “They got something called the kill zone…don't get caught in the kill zone.” (67:49, 67:59, Nico Collins)
  • On Stingley: “Doesn’t panic, play the ball well. Great ball skills.” (68:21, Nico Collins)

• Most Underrated Teammates

  • Shouts out Caleb and Denico Autry (“Autry’s a dog...62 career sacks. That’s a lot. Nobody knows.” (70:09, Chris Long))

• D'Amico Ryans’ Influence

  • “That’s one dude you’ll run through a wall for, man… all he coaches, just relentless swarm and just compete.” (70:41, Nico Collins)

• Texans' Celebrity Fans & Houston Culture

  • Enjoys encounters with Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Bun B, and Andre Johnson at Texans events.

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3. Lighter Fare: NFL, Lifestyle, and Off-the-Field Banter

Zyn, Nicotine, and the New Vices

(05:27–08:20)

• Chris and Reed warn about the appeal and risks of nicotine pouches (“Zyn is gonna be something in like 15, 20 years...they’re gonna have [class-action] commercials for Zyn.” – Reed, 05:38).
• “The nicotine pouch thing has become a real vessel for these industries, man. We’re gonna get an entire new generation hooked...” (07:38, Chris Long)

Cannabis & Moderation

(10:54–15:52)

• Candid discussion on "smoking mids" (lower-potency cannabis) for a more manageable high.
  • “I just think the 30-something's too much on the regular... that's weekend bud for me.” (13:48–13:54, Chris Long)

Vegas Misadventures & Observations

(74:57–86:17)

• Reed recounts a surprise Vegas trip:
  • “We went to a club... got to see 2 Chainz perform...he didn't go on until 2:30 in the morning…I'm realizing I'm getting a little bit old.” (77:07, Reed)
• Losing a debit card and speculating on the thief’s journey, reading off the chain of frivolous small purchases across the city.
• “Purgatory is like...the last day in Vegas when all your shit’s packed…just going through the motions trying to occupy some time.” (78:24–78:39, Chris Long)
• Vegas social commentary: casinos, shows, slot machines at the airport, and the general chaos of the Strip.

Content Recommendation: Tom Segura’s “Bad Thoughts”

(88:20–93:34)

• Chris’s enthusiastic, stoned review: “Doing something like this, I feel like, is a big risk…The hit rate was incredible…everything was hilarious.” (88:44–92:52, Chris Long)
• Reed weighs in on the humor spectrum (“I just feel like white humor and black humor... a little bit different.” (90:40, Reed))

Closing NFL Take: Aaron Rodgers’ 2025 Outlook

(93:57–100:29)

• Reed’s theory: Now-married Aaron Rodgers will have a career-year thanks to spending more time in the team facility.
  • “My prediction is Aaron Rodgers is probably gonna spend the most time he’s ever spent in his life at the facility. And a quarterback spending that much time…is only gonna equal better results.” (94:47–95:15, Reed)
• Chris’s counterpoint: Stability at QB can raise a team’s floor, but “it’s a big leap of faith…also a big leap of faith to think…second year off an Achilles, usually that’s better…but it’s uncharted territory with a guy coming off an Achilles in his 40s.” (97:29–98:54, Chris Long)
• Steelers as a potential surprise team: “Steelers are probably gonna be, like, formidable this year…Not gonna be an easy win.” (97:01, Reed)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Brad Holmes on "next man up":
  • “That next man up thing is cliche sometimes…but like, it truly, man...what we're all about, man, is sort of just looking adversity in the face and staring right at it.” (24:17, Brad Holmes)
• Nico Collins on CJ Stroud’s best throw:
  • “Deep ball for sure...just dropping in your hand...it's a soft touch, not like a bullet.” (61:31, Nico Collins)
• Chris Long on Vegas Purgatory:
  • “You wanna know what purgatory is? Like, not quite hell, not quite heaven...it's the last day in Vegas when all your shit's packed and you’re just going through the motions trying to occupy some time.” (78:24, Chris Long)
• Nico Collins on the Texans Defense:
  • “They got something called the kill zone…Don't get caught in the kill zone.” (67:49, Nico Collins)
• On D’Amico Ryans as a coach:
  • “That's one dude you'll run through a wall for, man. All he coaches [is] just relentless swarm and just compete, man.” (70:41, Nico Collins)
• Chris Long on “Bad Thoughts”:
  • "Everything was hilarious. I thought Tom did a great job. Definitely watch that…grab some weekend weed." (92:52, Chris Long)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lions’ Injury Management & Roster Challenges: 21:04–25:03
• Coaching Transitions, Staff Building: 25:03–27:43
• Replacing Frank Ragnow: 33:13–38:00
• State of the Defensive Line: 40:19–43:59
• Brad Holmes on Drafting Isaac Teslas: 43:59–46:32
• Nico Collins on Becoming a Vet: 49:20–50:10
• Lessons from Mike Evans, Career Jump: 51:05–52:25
• Body Maintenance, Pilates Chat: 53:02–54:57
• Losing Tank Dell & CJ Stroud’s Leadership: 58:06–61:06
• 'Kill Zone' on Defense: 67:49–68:05
• D’Amico Ryans’ Approach: 70:38–72:07
• Vegas Stories & Casino Satire: 74:57–86:17
• Aaron Rodgers Theory: 93:57–100:29

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Tone & Style

Energetic, irreverent, self-deprecating, and often heartfelt. The episode leaps between sharp X’s & O’s football insight and laugh-out-loud digression—with both guests and hosts never afraid to peel back the curtain on NFL life or personal habits.

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Takeaways for Listeners

• Lions fans: Brad Holmes gives unfiltered honesty about the unexpectedly tough injury landscape, the philosophy of internal continuity, and the importance of ex-player coaches, pointing to another gritty year ahead—even with coordinator turnover.
• Texans fans: Nico Collins is a humble star, dedicated to mentorship, and bullish on both the offense’s new wrinkles and the defense’s championship potential. Positive vibes and high expectations for the “kill zone” unit under D’Amico Ryans.
• NFL junkies and casual fans alike will appreciate the blend of inside football, street-smart health advice (avoid Zyn!), and the soul of a locker-room—full of banter, roasting, and real talk.

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End of Summary — Compiled and formatted for NFL fans and podcast listeners seeking a comprehensive recap of this episode of Green Light with Chris Long.

Transcript

[Chris]

Well, you just inspired a 40 year old man. Because I got a phone number for somebody for Pilates because I've been having back problems. Yeah, they said I need to get in there.

[Nico Collins]

Not gonna lie to you. The first, first couple weeks, big dog, you gonna be like, not for me, not for me. For him to go out like that, man, it was a, it was a gut punch. Him not being there was definitely felt, we felt that missing, that missing piece, man. They got something called the kill zone.

[Chris]

I believe it.

[Nico Collins]

Don't get caught in the kill zone. That's all I gotta say.

[Chris]

Where is that? Just so we know, so I could stay out of it.

[Nico Collins]

Linebacker depth in kills on one of.

[Chris]

My former co workers. I'll just say that. Earth City, Missouri, Earth City zone.

[Brad Holmes]

I ain't heard the Earth City in a while, man. You just took me back, dude. I didn't really know that. Like I knew he had interviewed for Chicago. I was happy for him, man. I mean he is a hell of a coach, man.

[Chris]

Welcome to the Green Light podcast presented by BetMGM. If you haven't signed up for BETMGM yet, use bonus code Greenlight and you'll get up to a 1500 dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code Greenlight. Deposit at least $10 and place your first wager on any game. If that bet loses, you will receive up to fifteen hundred dollars in bonus bets. Just make sure you use bonus code Greenlight when you sign up.

[Host]

Welcome to the Greenlight podcast. Hey, it's good to see y' all here. Thanks for tapping in to two wonderful guests on the show today. We got Lions GM Brad Holmes. He gets real about the coaches that Detroit lost and how they replaced them. How him and Dan Campbell are excited to see what they can do this season. That's Calvin Shepard and John Morton in the DC and OC roles. He also talks about the Lions draft class. Got a couple studs on the team, the interior and edge D lineman. And Frank Ragno, what his retirement means for the team, what kind of player he was. Brad talks glowingly about Frank. I mean, you all know him because he was on the show last summer. So great interview with Brad. And then it's Nico Collins. We talked to the Houston Texans wide receiver about all things Houston. C.J. stroud, Tank Dell. He gives love to Tank Dell and also what it's like going against that Texans defense every week and especially how excited he is now that they have cj, Gardner, Johnson. So a nice little pair of interviews. And we roll with Chris and Nate. They kick things off with a little bit of fun and then wrap up with Nate's Las Vegas trip. They recap that and talk a little more. Aaron Rodgers. Nate has a theory on Aaron Rodgers. Latest news, so make sure you stay tuned to the end of the show for that. Enjoy it. Thanks for coming by. We've got some great guests for you next week. We'll see you then. I ain't got me nobody I ain't.

[Nico Collins]

Caring me no.

[Reed]

I got that green light, Bab.

[Chris]

I got. What a big day today. Two guests. Dr. Fax is back in the building. I got Nico Collins, as my son would have called him for a solid year playing Madden. Niko Collins. He said, I'm throwing the. Nico Collins. That's the only person he threw to. So the other day when Nico came on. Now he's older and he knows exactly how to say Nico's name. And he's a. He's a fan. Both my kids, they got to say what's up to Nico Collins at the beginning of the interview. Who's the nicest guy in the world? Dude, he's just. You know, some guys, you're like, yeah, they. They're going the extra mile to make sure the kid feels seen and like.

[Reed]

My brother from another mother.

[Chris]

What do you mean?

[Reed]

We have the same last name.

[Chris]

Oh, yeah, that's true. It's a Collins thing. You do the same thing with my kids. Yeah, but he was so cool. Like, what a great guy. You know, Houston. Houston fans, there's a lot of good people on that team, dude. It just seems like a great organization. Of course, shout out to ever who hooks us up with all these great guests down there. They one of the best media relations departments in the NFL.

[Reed]

Yeah, I need that doctor Fax jersey, Houston.

[Chris]

Yeah, speaking of free, but also we've got Brad Holmes, who is the man. Brad Holmes and I go way back. We go back to Earth City, Missouri. You might hear some talk of an Aaron Brockovich situation in. In. In. In our city, Missouri.

[Reed]

Bad water.

[Chris]

They were. No, they were burying radioactive trash, like, pretty close to our facility. What comes of that? I might find out soon.

[Reed]

Maybe you got your Russian ability from that.

[Chris]

I could have used a little bit more of it.

[Reed]

A little bit more?

[Chris]

Yeah. You know what I'm saying?

[Reed]

Did they make y' all practice indoors once they heard about it?

[Chris]

Oh, hell no.

[Reed]

We were still outside.

[Chris]

We were up there, and our training camp smelled awful. Dude, oh, like it smelled like smell the trash.

[Reed]

But, like, did. It was like, funny, like, oh, oh, I see what you're saying. They're just like the ones once they burn it, like at the landfill, but.

[Chris]

They found out like, later on that, like, you know, there was some class action suit that. That would come of it. If you lived in the area, you could Google this. See how that's laughing.

[Reed]

That's not funny. That's. That's kind of crazy.

[Chris]

Well, we were just talking about Zen. You were like, oh, it's good to see you use regular tobacco. Gang back to tobacco the freebase naked.

[Reed]

I don't. I don't know what it is about Zen, but I think Zen came along the right. Right at the same time that I feel like robots and AI got really popular. So I didn't like the correlation with that. So I just feel like Zen is going to be something in like 15, 20 years. You remember those methyl filioma commercial. Yeah. Like, you remember those that, like, after what. Like, if you're watching the prices. Right. Yeah. This commercial probably come on four times during that slot. And I just feel like they're gonna have that for Zen. Yeah, they're gonna have that for Zen in 10, 15 years and be like, if you. If you use Zen, it's gonna be the newest.

[Chris]

The new asbestos.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

If you were in a fraternity.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Of 2020 and 2025. Listen, you brought up AI. In six years, we're supposed to have ASI, artificial super intelligence. That's where. That's where AI starts to build on itself. Right. Like, we don't need to stoke the fire anymore. The fire just grows, so to speak. But good news is, if you pack a bunch of zins a day, you might not even see 2031. Because we don't know what's wrong with it. I'd almost rather know what's wrong with it. You ever hear the saying the devil I know? That's what I. The devil I know is right here. I know this devil. It's big block letters. Warning. This product can cause gum disease and tooth loss. Zen. They're like, we don't know yet.

[Reed]

Too early.

[Chris]

So. Yeah. Thank you for noticing that. I'm still off the Zen wagon and I've not. I have not felt better. I'm just being honest. Somebody from Philip Morris is going to. Is going to smother me with a pillow at night, and you're gonna be like, what the happened to Chris? Are gonna frame my poor wife?

[Reed]

No. Because.

[Chris]

No.

[Reed]

But I'm just Telling them too, though, right? Like it's all. They own, everything.

[Chris]

Yeah. Your money, I get it. But what I'm saying is, like, you might get a.

[Reed]

You might get a million dollar offer across the table.

[Chris]

Now the nicotine pouch thing has become a real vessel for these industries, man. Like, we're gonna get an entire new generation hooked because the last generation was starting to get smarter and wise to the fact that cigarettes and, and chewing tobacco are not good for you. It's also unsightly. Like, it used to be cool to smoke a cigarette. Now that, you know, it's like kind of. It might feel cool for the person smoking it, but I can assure you, if you don't smoke cigarettes, a person that smokes cigarettes, they smell different. You know, it's like when they walk in the room, you're like, oh, that guy darts, right? And it's not as cool as it was like back in the Mad Men days or in the 80s. We're onto it. So the answer was, give him these fucking sweet little pillows.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

And tell them there's nothing wrong with it. We don't know yet. And I just, I'm here to say, as somebody who was, was all over those things, the minute I got off them, I started feeling better. And that's gonna last me clear until the assassin from Philip Morris double taps me when I get into my, my tundra in the morning.

[Reed]

Yeah. You remember they tried those stupid little blue cigs, like, the blue cigs. Like, they were like the, they were like our era. Like, they came out. They were like the first electric cigarettes. And I remember, like, people who did those, like, would get on so bad. Like, you're using an electric cigarette. You're so dumb. And then now fast forward, it's like everyone's a little choo choo train with these little electric.

[Host]

They're like vapes. They were like, just too early for vapes.

[Chris]

Little one hitters. Yeah.

[Reed]

And the tips will light up blue. Yeah. That's so funny.

[Chris]

Listen, none of it's cool.

[Reed]

Yeah. None of it.

[Chris]

We're all doing the best we can.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

But I will say this. My life has improved since I stopped Zen. And if you're out there listening and you're like, hey, what's been wrong with me the last three to five years? And you're like, man, the pandemic, really everything up. Like, it's not the same. It's not the pandemic. It's not age. It's the fact that you're. You're mainlining nicotine Salts every day. And, like, you're addicted, and you think there's nothing wrong with it. There's. There's no. There's no boogeyman in the process where you're like, if I have too much of this, I'm gonna get mouth cancer. So you just do it as. And then you hear people, like, some guys are like, well, I heard Tucker Carlson say that nicotine is really good for you.

[Brad Holmes]

It's a neurotropic.

[Chris]

It's a nootropic. It's a new whatever the fuck you say. I saw on a message board that it's really good for you. It's not.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

It's not.

[Reed]

These young kids.

[Chris]

Oh. Anyways, I mean, like, you know, I. I'm not a quitter, Right. So this is a tobacco pod now.

[Reed]

The grizzly long cut.

[Chris]

I love it, man. Grizzly long cut.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

I'm thinking about switching because Kodiak's got so much nicotine in it.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

I'm thinking about becoming, like, a skull cherry guy in the daytime.

[Reed]

Okay.

[Chris]

And, you know, save. Save the big buzz for at night.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Because I'm like, you know, I have about one and a half a day.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah.

[Chris]

How does that work? It's a law of averages. I also want to. I also want to bring this up. We talked about this right before. A new thing in my life is I'm smoking Mids now.

[Reed]

Been doing it.

[Chris]

I heard somebody else talking about bringing this back. We've been flirting with this thing for a while.

[Reed]

Been doing it.

[Chris]

Reed, put on the notes. Chris is smoking mids.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

For the table of contents, for the pods. I am smoking meds, and I'm not ashamed to say it.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

I hit my guy up, and I was like, hey, you got any Mids? Thanks, bro.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

I walked into a Porsche dealership and asked for, like, you know, like a sorrenta.

[Reed]

Yeah. A Miata.

[Chris]

I was like, bro, like, that's gonna get me where I need to go. So I. Here's the thought process behind it, and I think you could probably ask any of your family members who used to smoke pot back in the day, because that's what they called it.

[Reed]

No, reefer.

[Chris]

Reefer. Pot.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

They used to smoke pot. Also shout out to Hugh Douglas's. His cannabis company here.

[Reed]

I like this new marketing, Chris.

[Chris]

Cannabis that hits just like Hugh Douglas.

[Reed]

Oh, he.

[Chris]

Douglas used to hit a. But on the topic, I like my cannabis to hit, like. Like a third corner that. That doesn't like coming downhill, you know? Like, I like my cannabis to hit like, like a long snapper.

[Reed]

Now say a name.

[Chris]

I don't want to say a name.

[Reed]

All right?

[Chris]

I don't want my cannabis. I don't need my cannabis hitting like Ed Reed or Sean Taylor.

[Reed]

Okay, okay.

[Chris]

Or Ryan Clark.

[Reed]

I like how you flip that. Okay.

[Chris]

I don't need my, my cannabis hitting like vontes burfect. You know what, you know what 35 cannabis is? It's vontes burfect. Yeah, bro. Like you just, it's, it's not safe for anybody. Back in the day, people were always like, how did Willie Nelson smoke so long? And I don't want to assume, but I'm pretty sure Willie Nelson was smoking like 10 grass back in the day. 10, 15 grass. I don't know. Am I wrong?

[Reed]

I would think he probably has someone growing, he probably was growing plants on his bus.

[Chris]

And so what do you think? Like back in the 60s and 70s, dudes were smoking?

[Reed]

Yeah, like I, I couldn't imagine it.

[Chris]

Being like Bob marley wasn't smoking 30 or was he?

[Reed]

Well, I would think maybe like, you know, they were the most popular people like back then. So you would think they probably had access to like some.

[Chris]

Maybe so, maybe so.

[Reed]

But, but to your saying, I would say to be safe at the top, at the top, it would probably be like 25%.

[Host]

In the 1970s, marijuana commonly had a THC content of around 1 to 3% according to smart Approaches.

[Chris]

So that for me, that for me, if I'm extrapolating, what would like the most famous people have? Yeah, they were probably smoking 10 to 15. And I, I could be dead wrong. This is me guessing.

[Reed]

Yep.

[Chris]

And you know, Willie, when you come on the show, Willie, you can tell me, but yeah, I, I, I just think, I just think the 30 something's too much on the regular.

[Reed]

It's way too much.

[Chris]

It's way too much. That's weekend, buddy.

[Reed]

Yo. 25, 22% is way too much.

[Chris]

I think that's weekend. But that is officially weekend bud for me.

[Reed]

I can't do it since, since I've had a kid. It's one of those things where I can't, I can't indulge in any bud that can potentially like make me take that three hour nap that I'm not supposed to take.

[Chris]

Well, the three hour naps, tough. You know, this is tough for me. The sign that I'm truly high. I'm not high until I'm doing laps around my kitchen at like 11 o' clock at night trying to figure out how to Go to bed.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Like how do I start five minute routine?

[Reed]

I start cleaning. Oh, I start cleaning. I start doing laundry. I start doing, I start doing stuff like at night. And like my girls, like, like, what are you doing right now? Yeah. Like why are you trying to do laundry when.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah.

[Chris]

People are like, how does it affect your family life? It doesn't. I, I wait until they go to bed generally and, and when they're in bed, like it's just ruining my night. Like when I'm, when I'm this way, there's nobody else is being affected. But the biggest thing is you walk to the room, you're like, I forgot something out in the kitchen, man. You want to tell. So I go to the room, I say, oh, I forgot, I forgot like my, my Invisalign. Out in the kitchen. Go out to the kitchen. When you get to the kitchen, you realize there's something else you need. Then you go back to the bedroom. Didn't get the Invisalign. Go out to get the Invisalign. Grab the Invisalign. Go back, say, oh my charger is there. Go out and get your charger. Come back to the room. Oh, I didn't take these vitamins. They're in the fridge that I'm supposed to take before bed. Like a vitamin supplement or something, man. I find myself looking for that in the washing machine.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

You see what I'm saying? Like you, I'll go in the laundry room and be like, why am I in the laundry room? So not to make it sound like we're, we're just confused all the time. But that's kind of the way it goes on a nightly basis. That's why smoking midsummer smoking mids. I just grab all the shit I need, I walk back to the bedroom, I go to bed. Right. Smoking meds. Great after mid mids 20, 25.

[Host]

All right, so you go to bed on the floor though, right?

[Chris]

Dude, I was at a adult sleepover the other night and I slept on the floor like with no mattress I heard.

[Host]

In the, in a trophy room, right?

[Chris]

Yeah, my buddy has a. Well, it was his father in law's place, but he's got this. However you feel about this majestic. If you're into that room full of, you know, like big buck hunter type trophy animals.

[Reed]

Oh, hell no. Yeah. You slept in there?

[Chris]

Yeah, I took a bunch of mushrooms animal spirits and was like, we're going to the trophy room. I want to see what, what these animals have to say. But there were no, there were no beds. And so I had to sleep on the floor. I slept. My aura ring said. I said slept four and a half hours.

[Host]

Was your. Were your dreams just like Ace Ventura when. Ace Ventura to all the noises, you know, when he goes back to.

[Chris]

Yeah, you know. No, I. Once I got to sleep, my dreams are pretty good. It just took me a while because, I don't know, the floor sucks. But I do sleep on the floor at home on a mattress. So when it comes to Brad Holmes, the thing I was going to say earlier, before we started talking about everything else, is Brad is Jack. Dude, did you see Brad this fall up in the. In the. The GM suite there, looking like he. He benches £500, like he's been working out with Dan Campbell. Yeah. I asked him, I said, have you been working out with Dan Campbell? He was like, and this isn't on the interview. He was like, bro, honestly, no, this is unrelated. He goes, I don't even see Dan Campbell lift weights. Like, Dan Campbell rolls out of bed like that. It's crazy.

[Host]

It's that all that caffeine he's drinking.

[Chris]

It's all the caffeine and all the. The nicotine.

[Nico Collins]

Yep.

[Reed]

New genics deal.

[Chris]

I don't know. I don't want to doubt my man. You know, that'd be like. That'd be like meeting one of your heroes, finding out that that's not natural.

[Reed]

What? There's nothing wrong with new genics.

[Chris]

No, no. Nothing wrong with new genics. Shout out to Frank Thomas. Speaking of that, remember when Kyle used to be here and. Yeah, Kyle. Do you remember this with Kyle?

[Reed]

No.

[Chris]

Kyle was talking about new genics for a solid, like five minutes. And he kept calling it eugenics, which is a totally different thing and a terrible thing. And Kyle was like, man, Frank Thomas is great for eugenics.

[Reed]

What the big hurt.

[Chris]

Yeah, we gotta. We gotta educate some of the personalities on this show.

[Host]

All right, so he also just had a store. I don't know if you saw the story today on his show, but he said that he was playing golf and how. Kyle and the guys he was playing with, they were like, hey, you look like an athlete. You play? And Kyle's like, yeah, I played in Chicago. Played football, you guys. Are you guys a fan of any pro teams? And they were like, oh, we're friends of the Browns. And Kyle said, oh, that sucks for you. And they were like, oh, well, we're the Haslams. We own the team.

[Reed]

No.

[Host]

He said his buddy that he was playing with because it was like a two on two. Match. And Kyle said his buddy was like, yo. Because he thought that he knew, like, he. He recognized these.

[Chris]

God, Kyle.

[Host]

And so Kyle. Kyle said that he was the whole rest of the mat round. He was like, man, Cleveland's such a great city. They have this. They have that trying to work.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Oh, Rock and Roll hall of Fame. And also, these are just civil cases.

[Reed]

That is so great. That is so great. Also. I can't wait to put so much money on your door, Sanders, this year.

[Chris]

I would have been like. I would have been like, oh. I would have been like, man. Yeah. I just. This one question. What were you thinking with the Freddy Kitchens thing? I mean, unbelievable, Kyle. Unbelievable. So Brad Holmes is coming up right now. Lions fans, I thought they did a really good job last year of just keeping the ship afloat. There were so many things that went wrong, especially defensively with the injuries, and Brad was working overtime to get the right bodies in the building to be able to compete. And some guys stepped up in big spots. Now, eventually it caught up to him, but I thought Dan and him did a great job of crisis management. And now he's got two coordinators to replace, which they've done. And so we ask them about that and more. Enjoy. Brad Holmes. All right. One of my former co workers. I'll just say that. Earth City, Missouri, Earth City's own now Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes. What's up, Brad? How you doing, man?

[Brad Holmes]

Good, man. I ain't heard the Earth City in a while, man. You just took me back, dude.

[Chris]

I gotta keep you humble.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah. You remember the smell from the plants out there when you leave?

[Chris]

Oh, yeah, I know. It's kind of an Aaron Brockovich situation. I thought we were all going to be part of a class action lawsuit. More on that to come. We'll see. They had radio. They would. They bury radioactive waste up the hill from the field.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, it was. It was wild, man. You could smell it as soon as you walked out there. It's like, wow. Like. And you guys are practicing in August.

[Chris]

Yeah. You're like. You guys are just cooking it. And I just went upstairs and watched from the balcony. Well, dude, we both found greener pastures. Me, retired podcaster, you, gm, and really a big driving force of why Detroit has built one of the most physical, imposing, and quality rosters in the NFL. I just. Man, I had so much fun watching you guys last year. And I know there were times where it wasn't probably very fun to hit the curve ball, but you guys did a brilliant job fighting through so many injuries. A lot of adversity. What was it like late in the season when you were having to get on the phone and replace people? It felt like every day, dude.

[Brad Holmes]

It was. It was. It was trying. Like, I think I said something about at my end of the season presser, like, I think I told everybody that, you know, that trying to trade for a defensive end was, like, one of the hardest journeys that I've ever experienced, because nobody wants to give them away. Like, and I'm like, you know, everybody threw out all these top elite pass rushers because we lost. Aiden Hutchinson is like, get this guy. Get that guy. And I'm like, man, I'm calling around for, like, teams, like, thirds and their force, right? And, you know, they were very right there. Like, look, man, like, we got a lot of football left, and if we get one more hurt and I trade you on, then we're not. Now we're down. And so that was. That was hard, man. But, you know, but I want to say it was. I think it was after that Thanksgiving game, man, like, we had, like, three more guys going ir, man. Like, Malcolm Rodriguez went on ir, I think Makai Wingle went on ir. And I was like, look, man, like, there's nothing else we can do except, like, poach as many practice squads as possible, because, you know, that's a little bit better than. At least these guys have been practicing. They've been playing. You know, they got preseason tape. They may have been elevated. So there's some. Some. Some film to watch. And. And literally, we just. I think our pro director, Rob Lowman, he just said, is just Black Friday practice squad shopping, and we just. I think we poached, like, three guys from three different practice squads, which I don't think it been done before, but we were just in that situation that, you know, we were still. We still had enough, you know, on offense to kind of keep us afloat. We just had to kind of. Kind of keep up with it, and Dan knew that, and. And we just had to get aggressive, and we just kind of did all we could. And the way it ended was everybody wants to blame injuries and all that, but bottom line is, you know, look, yeah, I know the injuries play a part in it, but, you know, it's just. You can't use that as an excuse, you know, because everybody deals with that kind of stuff, and we just got to be better, man.

[Chris]

Yeah. I mean, you can't say it. I'll. I'll say it from where I sit. I mean, there were a lot of injuries, man. And I thought your guys battled pretty admirably and reflected, I think, the culture there as well. So, you know, yeah, it was the next man up.

[Brad Holmes]

Like any. I think that next man up thing is cliche. Sometimes it gets thrown out there. So, like, oh, next man up, next man up. But like, it truly, man, like, you talk about, like, our culture and like, what we're all about, man, is sort of just looking adversity in the face and staring right at truly is a marriage of. Of coaching and personnel. When you get into those kind of situations and you get a bunch of new guys, but you have to have really good coaches, which we do, that can get those guys ready to play like this. And so it was. It was. It was very admirable job, our coaching staff, to get those guys ready like they did.

[Chris]

So, speaking of coaching, and I think this is obviously a barometer for you guys. Being in a really good place is when you lose both coordinators, it's because you're doing something right now. The challenges that follow are always great as you prepare for the inevitable, which, you know, I'm sure you guys know, hey, these guys are doing a great job. A year out, we might not have these guys in the future. How do you begin to mitigate for those situations? What goes into that process?

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, look, I. First of all, I, I give Dan so much credit just for, you know. Yeah, you kind of had an idea that, that Ben and AG were going to be gone, but I don't think we're prepared for all of the guys that got poached. And I give Dan so much credit for just staying patient and not just trying to chase and feel and feeling under the gun and under pressure, like he stayed patient. And he was so much on about fit, fit, fit. And he ended up doing a really nice job and we got some really good coaches. But, you know, there's always news, but we don't. We're not as worried about it just because of who we were able to get and who were able to play in. So, like Calvin shepherd, man, he's. He's been groomed since 2021, right up under AG, you know, to eventually be in this spot. So. So we have a lot of confidence in him. And then Johnny Morton, you know, he was with us previously when really the offense was literally built, you know, in 22. So. So there's familiarity there. And then, you know, being able to get, you know, a David Shaw, you know, as passing game coordinator, being able to get tishard choice, you know, I saw that.

[Chris]

Yeah, Man, Tishar Choice is my guy, Brad. We ACC brothers, 40 years old, both of us.

[Brad Holmes]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Chris]

We were in all the same, you know, all star stuff and all Americans.

[Brad Holmes]

That's right, man. That was right, man. Like, yeah, no, so Choice, man, he was. He was a. He was a great kid. So we were able to get some really good coaches. So we're not. I know on the, on the outside it looks like, oh, man, like, what are you gonna do? But it's. It's not all that much different than what we've been doing. And I do think that, you know, we lost some great coaches, but we were able to fill those guys in with some great ones as well.

[Chris]

Well, I think Dan always seems to make it clear that it's about the players.

[Brad Holmes]

Yes, right.

[Chris]

Which. Which underscores, hey, like, listen, we're going to win and lose with the players. It's not because a coach walked out of here.

[Brad Holmes]

Yes, right.

[Chris]

Like, I think that emphasis definitely helps. But then on top of that, I think, like the Aaron Glenn replacement with Kelvin Shepard. Is it a coincidence that the guy played in the league? Because I feel like you guys have very intentionally filled the coaching staff with former players. And correct me if I'm wrong, I feel like it's even more paramount on the defensive side of the ball, for whatever reason. Yeah. To have those, those former players. Can you speak to the importance of that?

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, I think it's. I think it's huge, you know, and I didn't really. I didn't really truly feel the impact of it till when we got kind of late in the season when we first got here in 21, and, you know, you get to that point in November, getting into December, man, and, you know, that grind, as, you know, Chris, like, your body isn't feeling the best. And to have somebody like Dan to stand in front of the room and tell. Could tell the guys that and say, look, I know how you guys are feeling right now. Like, I know what, I know what this is like, man. You just have to respect it, man, because he knows and he truly, like, he puts the players first and foremost in all situations. And it's just, it's just a genuine respect. And look, he's got. Not just him playing and in all our other coaches that have played in the NFL, but, you know, it's all these other great qualities. It's just, you know, just the teaching and the development aspect is truly special. But when you know that that guy's been in your shoes at the highest level man, it's just the respect factor, you know, and just the willingness to kind of just, you know, run, Run to a wall for a guy just increases. And just like, what you said about players first, I'll never forget the first time because, you know, I mean, as, you know, like, me and Dan didn't even know each other when we got hired. And the first time I had a conversation with them, you know, they had a lot of success on offense with New Orleans, and he was part of that staff. And I'd never forget, I asked him, I was like, hey, man, are we going to run something very similar to what you guys in. In New Orleans? And he was like. He's like, I don't. It just depends on who we have. He was like, I don't. I just don't know the players that we're going to have yet. So I can't really answer that. And when he said that, it really was like, okay, like, this guy, he is putting players first. And, and so that. That's a good observation, buddy.

[Chris]

Does it. Does it matter? I mean, like, with Ben leaving, you know, he's going to leave. You know, he's. He's probably the hottest name in football as far as that position is concerned. An offensive head coach on the market. But to go in division, I know you don't take that as, like, some disrespect, but there's probably a little bit more massaging and conversation ahead of that. Does Ben come to you guys and say, hey, I want you to know I'm thinking about taking a job and it's right down the road, or is it. Is it. Do you joke about it leading up? Like, what. What. How does that go?

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, you know, obviously there were. There are multiple jobs that were open that cycle, and so I didn't really know that. Like, I knew he had interviewed for Chicago, but. But he interviewed for a lot of the other positions, too, so I really didn't know really which way was going to go. I was thinking Chicago would have probably been the last destination, but. Or I was probably hoping that, you know, probably. But no, I really didn't know that was happening until it actually, you know, until he accepted the job. And, you know, we had a little talk briefly before he left out. I was happy for him, man. I mean, he's. He is a hell of a coach, man. And, you know, he's. He's. They, they, they. They have a. They have a really good one up, up there. But. But yeah, it's just a little like, man, watch.

[Chris]

He must think that quarterback's pretty good. I tend to agree. That kid's got a good shot to be pretty good. And I also wonder the second part of it is like the changing the locks, right? Like, it could be my best friend, but I'm changing the locks when you leave. How hard is that to do? And does the fact that John Morton, when he was with you guys, it had been a couple of years, so maybe he's had some different experiences and he'll build the offense differently from like a terminology standpoint or. Or a tendency standpoint. Does that stuff get talked about? How do we change the locks? You know, it's not just he's leaving and we got to play him once every couple years is twice a year.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, you know, it's. It's. It's gonna be some. It's gonna be some new wrinkles. But I do, I think. I think in terms of the change the locks, that really. That really comes from Dan, in terms of. He's looking to evolve it regardless anyway, like, regardless. So rather Ben was still here or not, like, you know, he's like. But I will say, just because John Morton and Ben were there both in 22, with Dan overseeing the whole thing, I don't see a lot of, like, wholesale change. But it's gonna be some evolution there just because that's how Dan is. Just regardless.

[Chris]

Yeah. Another guy you're replacing, not a coach, is Frank Ragnow, obviously an amazing player, more than just a glue guy, a great player, you know, but seemed to be a leader as well. And obviously, when it comes to the center, that's a big one. What do you look for when. When you're talking about trying to find the next center? What are some inherent traits that you think are really important in a center?

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, well, first and foremost, it's intelligence. It's just, it's. It's intelligence. It's personality and communication. Like, I think you have to have that regardless of. Before you get into size and lateral quickness and all this and, you know, ability to get to the second level and picking up games and all that stuff, because that you have to do so much from a communication as, you know, Chris, and an intelligence standpoint. And especially, like, man, it's hard, man, like that. It's a. It's a complicated scheme. You have a veteran quarterback that, you know, has a lot of freedom to do a lot of different things. So you have to. You have to stay up to speed, man. So. So those are the first things I look for when it comes to the center position. But when you go past that, you know, do you have the ability to anchor? You know, because you're right there in the middle, man, and you have so much exotic, you know, games and dogs coming at you. And so you have to be able to anchor. And then even in the run game, you have to have, there's a level of quickness that you have to have just in terms of not only just at the snap, getting off the ball, but getting up to the second level. And I've always thought at the center position, I would even print, branch that out to the guards, to interior in general, is that there's just, there's an instinctual or like, there's an understanding of geometry and body positioning when you have to play out in space. So you can't just say like, snap and just run out there to the second level as fast as you can. Well, that, that's all for not. I don't care how explosive and quick and fast you are getting to the second level, man, if the linebackers is dipping right up under you and you just completely missed the blocks, that didn't matter. So you have to be able to kind of gear down instinctively. So it's a lot of traits, man, that a lot of people say, well, just throw, throw somebody in there at center. No, man, like you have to have a lot of the intangible qualities first and the mental aptitude first. And then there's, there's a, there's a level of, of physical qualities you got to have.

[Chris]

You think Frank's probably fishing right now?

[Brad Holmes]

If I had to bet, I would. Yes, probably so, man, he's, he's, he is the best, man. He is the best. He literally when I first got the job, you know, obviously I scouted him coming out and he was a great player. When I first got the job, he was the first player that had texted me, man, and just reached out and was like, hey, man, congratulations all this. But he is the all time warrior man, just a great human being and he's going to be sorely missed, sorely miss in a locker room because he fit everything that we were about, man. So, you know, I don't know if you can just replace him because it's not just a player, it's the person as well.

[Chris]

No question. I mean, was it one of those things where you could see the injuries mounting or did you have a feeling?

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, you know, he's, he's, he's, he's been through a lot. He's battled a lot man, and I didn't, I didn't know really how long it was going to go in terms of being. I mean eventually, you know, your, your body sometimes just can't take but so much. And he's, he's, he's got a family too, man. So you know when you start talking about long term view and kids and all that type of stuff, man, like look, man, I didn't even play in the NFL and I got a bad back and I'm an old dad with young kids and I had to watch myself bending over to pay. I'm like, I'm like, I can't just bend over to pick you. Like I need to squat down. I didn't play in the NFL. So you talking about the grind that those guys have to go to, the grind that you went through, man, like that's just, that's different level man. So I got the utmost respect. But you know, you had a little bit of a sense that maybe, you know, maybe it might happen. I didn't know if it was going to be this year. I didn't know if it would be next year. But, but those are things you gotta, you gotta think about and try to prepare for.

[Chris]

Well, obviously you're able to add a guy insight on the interior offensive line in the draft, but I was going to ask you about, about the investment in the interior defensive line.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Which seems to be a theme for you guys. Yeah, it was Ty Leak Williams, right. And I'm hearing him touted as being like an Aleem McNeil Junior.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, yeah. There a lot, a lot of similarities. You know, just the more you dive into his game. The thing about. So Aleem, when he came out in 21, he was, he was probably tilted more nose tackle but you saw this dancing bear in him that there was a three technique inside of him and, and now you know, at this point he's, he shed weight, he's got his body right and now he is a three technique where Ty Leak actually is probably when you kind of, kind of compare both and coming out, Ty Leak is probably a little bit more developed than, than Alim was coming out. So. But there are very similar players because Tali's got some movement skills in him, he's got quickness, he can move laterally, he can bend, he's stout versus a double team. And not only do they like player wise compare very well but like even personality they're kind of the same, kind of just mild, mild manners, good kids, kind of soft spoken, smart, really handled their, their business, man. I'll never forget when we had drafted a lean, you know, I was like, hey man, you ready to be a line? And he was like, yeah, sure, man, it's all good. But then when we gave him, we gave him his contract extension last year and when he got, when he got the deal done, you know, I called him and I was like, it's like, hey man, congratulations. Gotta go. And he sounded like, man, I really appreciate you guys. Believe it. I mean, like it was. And I told him, I said, elaine, you sound exactly like how you sounded when we drafted you, dude. And, and, and Ty Leak, you know, has very, very similar personality traits.

[Chris]

Well, that's great. And it's probably. Aline probably loves knowing he's the prototype now. Yeah, yeah, it's pretty flattering. Let's talk about the edges because. And maybe this is a chance for you to get your brand and bean on. By that, I mean it's, it's tell the media that they don't know what the hell they're talking about sometimes where you guys are third in the league in, in pressure rate last year. And you know, it's like, it feels like probably every week you're, you're fielding a question about, hey, how about another edge rusher, that sort of thing. So, you know, just give me the state of the edge position for you. I think obviously a lot of people want to know how Hutchinson's progressing, but I also thought as a side note, and I read something this morning about Big Z possibly coming back. I thought that was one of the most impactful signings of the year on any team. Yeah, talk about pulling a rabbit out of your hat. I love his game and it showed up in Detroit. So what's it look like out on the edge?

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, so, you know, Aiden looks great, man. He's, he's, he's been out there in OTAs. Really didn't expect anything else. You never truly, truly know. You don't have a crystal ball. But just knowing how that guy's wired and how he attacks things and how in tune he is with his body, it did not surprise me. I mean, he's out there, he looks explosive, he's changing direction. I mean he, he looks really good, man. And then we brought back Marcus Davenport on a one year deal. He was playing really good football for us before he unfortunately got hurt, man. And so hopefully he gets better luck on his side and so, and he's been out there and I would say he looks just as good, man. I mean he has been, he's his body is feeling great. His body looks great, man. And he had. He had a good summer as well in terms of the OTAs. And then, you know, we had. We brought Al Quadeem Muhammad back that we signed last year, who logged some good, good snaps for us. Played good football, plays hard. He's physical. He'll set edges, man, he plays with a lot of effort. And then we were able to draft Ahmed Hassanein from Boise in the sixth round, and he's just another guy. He's. He's got some work to do from a developmental standpoint. Just, Just like the all day dude. But he's not some fish out of water. Just raw. Don't know what he's doing out there. I mean, when you look at his production, he had the most. In terms of Saxon pressures combined the past two years. He was. He had the most production out of all the edge rushers in that. In that class. And just so happens that he plays with his hair on fire as well. So we feel good about where we're at at that position. But, you know, just going back to the interior, though, Chris is, man, you. You know as well as anybody, like, man, if you're not good in the middle, I mean, I don't. I don't care what you have on the edges and that corner and sit. If you're not good in the middle, it's. It's hard, man. That's not. That's a hard life. And so that's why we were really happy to get Ty Leak to really fortify that middle. Along with DJ Reader still coming back, we're able to get Levi Onzaricki back in free agency. And then, you know, while we're having a lean come back too, we were able to sign Roy Lopez in free agencies.

[Chris]

Oh, Roy Lopez.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah. So we feel really good about the middle because if that's not right, man, it's. It's just some long days on defense, man.

[Chris]

One more draft question here. Appreciate you sticking with us. Isaac Tesla. I was going to ask you what his skill set was, but then I was. I was watching him on the. The St. Brown brothers podcast. Shout out to those guys. Yeah, very good podcasters. Tesla played quarterback back in the day. That seems like something you might like, that your program might like that maybe this guy can throw the football, can do some tricky.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, no, he's got some versatility to him, man. Definitely. Yeah, he's got versatility.

[Chris]

Tell me what his skill set is, man, because you gotta a possession guy and then you got a big guy. Or fast guy outside.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah, no, he was, he really popped on the radar for me. Like I, I heard about him from our scouts and just said like, you know, look, this, this kid's really interesting. And that was. We had a meeting, we had some meetings before the Senior bowl. And then, then I saw him live at the Senior bowl and just saw how long and big he was and just the way that he was inserting himself in the run game. And this is not just run game, individual drills that they do at the Senior Bowl. This is team periods. And that just says something to me about what a guy like that at that position and his strain in the run game. And I hadn't seen a guy strain the run game like that since we drafted St. Brown in 21. Just in terms of, just my, my subjective view of a receiver block. But I just think, and I know we're just talking about blocking, but that just says a lot about the player in general. But after that, man, this guy is just catching every single damn ball with his hands. Like everything nothing's hitting his body. And so then I go back and I watch the tape and you know, his target, his targets were low that, that year, but he took, took advantage of all the targets because again, every ball is being caught with his hands. And he's tough, he's tough on the outside, he can stretch it, he's got instincts and he's a hands catcher. He's big, long, and he can run. So I know a lot of people think that the combine was what his combine performance will put him over the top. But we were in love with that kid well, well before he did what he did at the combine, man.

[Chris]

Yeah, he's got some traits for sure and I'd love to see him throw the football at some point. Hey, I appreciate the time so much and look forward to y' all doing it again this year, going out and, and, and playing that physical brand of football and, and thanks for, thanks for coming on the show, Brad.

[Brad Holmes]

Appreciate you having me on, Chris. Always a pleasure, bro.

[Chris]

So that was Brad. And now to the player side of things. Nico Collins, as promised. I thought he was just a super down to earth guy, man. Like you think about a number one receiver in the league. Like, they're cool, they're all too cool. Like even, even the nice ones, you're like, oh, they're so cool, man. Like, I don't even know how to talk to this guy. He's like a dude. He's like a dude's dude. And so, you know, enjoy Nico, I am bullish. Just say it right now on the Houston Texans this year. I really am. If you think of. Just take a moment here, you think about how dominant that defense was at times last year, how violent they were.

[Reed]

A little too violent.

[Chris]

Yeah. At times. There's something about that in this interview, too. See if you can spot it. And. And offensively, they had big problems up front. Schematically, they had big problems. I think they have the guy at quarterback. I think Nico's great. You're not going to have Tank, but some of the rookies are making noise outside. And yet Nick Chubb, like, quietly. Like a lot of people. You, you probably. Some people listen, are like, oh, I didn't even know they had Nick Chubb. They got Nick Chubb. You know how much gas is left in the tank for a guy like that? I don't know. And. And I just think I have faith they're going to get it fixed up front, you know, like that team was ahead of schedule in year one. Year two was probably aggression to the mean, and I jumped out of the gym. I'm not going to get off the bandwagon. I think Houston's going to be really good this year and I think Nico's a big part of it. So enjoy Nico and then we'll wrap up with a little bit of catch up. I haven't seen you in a while. I'm here with big play threat wide receiver. I mean, every, every time he touches the ball, it could be a house call. It's probably 15, 20 yards. A lot of fun to watch. Nico Collins joins the show now. Nico, how you doing, man?

[Nico Collins]

Doing great, dog. Can't complain, man. Just finish up OTAs year five flying by. But it's a blessing, man, to be in this position in the situation I'm in, man. Just gotta continue to thank God every day.

[Chris]

You just put it a certain way. Year five, like, that's. It feels like a marker for certain guys where you start feeling like a vet. Do you feel like a vet all of a sudden? And, and what. What do wide receivers learn between year one and year five in the NFL?

[Nico Collins]

Man, you. You learn a lot. But I feel like year five came so fast, man, and like the position I'm in right now, I have no choice but to be a vet, you know, and just a lot of young playmakers coming in, you know, looking up to me and asking me questions. It. It kind of put me in a weird position where, like, dang, yeah, it's okay. You do look up to me. You do, you know, watch, watch the way I. I play, you know, Then it kind of remind me, he's like, man, that's how I was. That's. I used to look up to Brandon Cooks, Amidola, Chris Conley, Philip Dorset. My first couple years, man, and it's crazy how, just how time flies, you know, but it's a blessing to be in his position, man. It's a great, you know, be a great role model, you know, for the guys that's coming in, you know, so it's only right by me to lead by example, you know, do the right things, you know, so we all can be on the same page, all be one, one beat, you know, so it's only right for me. I come in and do my part.

[Chris]

You treat the rookies pretty good, I gather. Yeah, because you need them. That's. That's the way we used to feel like, hey, if this guy doesn't want his haircut, we're not cutting his hair.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, we're good. We good. You know, I say that because my, My vets, they, they treated me well my rookie year, right? Brandon Cooks, you know, Chris Conley, man, they show love. You know, I took him to dinner one time and that was it. You know, nothing crazy.

[Chris]

That bill wasn't too bad.

[Nico Collins]

It wasn't too bad. It wasn't too bad.

[Reed]

It was real slow.

[Chris]

The question I had for you with, like, when you come in as a rookie is, you know, you had some great players to learn from and you mentioned a few of them, but, you know, there's nobody really with your body type in most wide receiver rooms. I mean, you're unique in that way. It's a, a differentiating factor for you. But when you try to, like, learn from somebody, is it, is it hard to find a, you know, like a, a body mechanics role model? Like, somebody's like, okay, I can run routes like him. You know, Cooks and Dola, they're smaller guys, but great players in their own right.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes, sir. So I feel like, man, my. When I started playing football, I kind of out a lot of my game after Mike Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones, just a bigger, bigger body receiver, you know, like just watching how they move at the line of scrimmage, you know, seeing how they create separation during the route, you know, so those guys always been studying. Like now I'm Mike Evans. That's my idol, man. I've been watching Mike Evans since Texas A and M, when him and Johnny Manziel was just killing Bama everybody. He's running post routes, man. It's unstoppable, man. Like, and just now, just watching Mike Evans, man, is. He's a. He's an underdog. You know what I'm saying, Dog, too. Like, he had 1k every single year he's been in the league. Like, that's. That's hard, you know? So I feel like that's one guy that's always been consistent, you know? I feel like, as a receiver, you want to get that one K, you know, so he's doing something right, you know? So I feel like, for me, man, that's. That's one guy I want to be like. And it was when I first went to the Pro bowl this past offseason, I got the chance to meet him, man. I ain't gonna lie. I was. I was. I was a kid. I was a fan, man. I was cheating. I was like, nah, I can't believe I'm standing beside Mike Evans right now, man. So it was. It was a blessing for sure. But, man, I feel like, just for me, idolize my game. You know, I try to watch bigger receivers, you know, that kind of move, like me, you know, and kind of outline my. Idolize my game at the club, you know? So that's kind of been my. My idol, my role model forever.

[Chris]

Well, Mike's a pretty good one, a good human being, too, and you definitely earned that meetup with him. So I just wonder for you, like, between years two and three, that's a. It's a time where a lot of players take a big jump and you took a huge jump, man. It felt like you figured some things out. Obviously, CJ is a part of that. Like, having a QB like him can. Can allow people to see how great you are. But, you know, what do you attribute the big jump to? Were there any moments where you were like, I just had a revelation. I got to do this different or.

[Nico Collins]

Over time, I feel like, man, my first two years was, like, not being healthy, not stand on the field.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah.

[Nico Collins]

You know, so it's a long season. They're from college. You know, you got that extra. The extra season. You feel like, you know, 17 games in college, used to. 12, 15 if you make it that far, you know. So for me, it was more just body fatigue, muscles, you know, just seeing how my groins and hamstring. Hamstrings can ustain, you know, 17 games, you know, practices, everything. So I feel like, for me, man, it was always those first two years was, you know, groins, you know, hamstrings, the soft Tissue injuries, you know, things that can really be preventable, you know, just based off your routine, based off what you're putting inside your body, you know, and just how you take care of your body, you know. So I feel like for me, my first two years, man, was a year to learn, you know, take, you know, advice from Brandon, Cuz, Chris Conley, Dola. You know, guys, I've been around the league for a minute, you know, that's been successful with their bodies, you know, just, just seeing what they're doing at the practice, you know, how they taking care of their bodies and getting ready to prep for the game. And I feel like those, my first two years, that's what I done, you know, I took notes and leading to my third year, man, I feel like in that off season I took a lead, a huge jump, you know, I was like, I'm worried about my body, my legs, hammies, you know, I want to be able to be on the field with my teammates, you know, I want to be able to be out there, you know, entire time, you know, and work on my craft at the same time. So I feel like, man, after that, the second year, going to my third, man, that's when I hopped in, you know, Pilates, yoga, you know, trying to do little things, man, really my core, you know, and I've really been sticking to pilates and yoga entire, entire time. So I feel like that's, that's one thing that worked out for me now and continue to do it, you know. So I feel like as you go, man, you live and learn, you know. I feel like that's what I've been doing, you know, every day I'm just learning different ways, different ways to get better for my game and just craft, you know. So still in the boat right now, just trying to get better every day, no question.

[Chris]

Well, you just inspired a 40 year old man because I got a phone number for somebody for Pilates because I've been having back problems. Yeah, look, they said I need to get in there.

[Nico Collins]

Not gonna lie to you. The first, first couple weeks, big dog, you're gonna be like.

[Chris]

I need something to kick my ass a little bit, man.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, it's hard, it's hard. It's really the little muscles shaking reformer. But when you continue to go get that routine, it's gonna be easy.

[Chris]

I'll let you know how it goes. So, so, you know, Texans fans, I, I feel like, and we've had, we've had mixing on, we've had different Texans on in the past and you guys got some great fans, and I know there. There was so much excitement going into last year, and you guys kind of created that. And maybe the standard was. I wouldn't say it was too high because I think if things went right, you guys would be right where you wanted to be. You went through a lot of adversity. I just look at that last game as, hey, I know it's disappointing, and I know some things went wrong and you left some points on the board on special teams and that sort of thing. But you outgained the Kansas City chiefs by over 100 yards. You have more first downs. You know, you went on a long third quarter drive that I felt like was the drive of the year.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, for sure.

[Chris]

You know, without Tank, with everything you'd been through, was there any party walking away from that game, he's like, you don't want to lose a game, but we are. We are getting there.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, it was every single moment. Like, I feel like every loss we had last year was definitely that feeling. Like, we right there, like, we know what it takes to finish the games. We just gotta execute and finish, you know, like, finish the last game. KC on the road, playoffs, man, like you said, that third quarter was the make it break for the year, man. It was 12 to 13. I never get to score. 12, 13, we down and red zone, man, I feel like we just couldn't. Couldn't move the ball, couldn't score. And he was like, bro, we right there, you know, so it's always that, that. I feel like that moment left, that hunger, that chip on our shoulder, like, yo, we. We got it. Like, we know what it takes to get there. Now let's get there, let's finish. I feel like we're just not finishing. I feel like we all know that as a team, as a unit, man, it's finished. Go and get to that Lombardi and go and get to that end goal that we want to get to, you know, I feel like that's been our approach this entire off season, man. Just one thing at a time, you know, just one game at a time. One, you know, do whatever you got to do to get better, you know, just take one game at a time, one concept at a time, you know, go out there and just have fun, man, and we know what it takes. And I feel like everybody's bought in, locked in right now, man, and competing, you know, competing. I feel that's really going to separate you at the end, you know, just competing. But we got all the pieces, man. We right There, but we just got to finish, you know, so. Can't wait for the year to start. You know, it's a new slate, new opportunity, new schedule, man. But same, same division, same opportunities, you know, but, you know, I feel it's a great chance for us to go out here and, you know, improve us. Right? You know, prove what we capable of doing.

[Chris]

I know you got some new faces in there. There's, you know, a couple wide receivers I might ask you about, but one of them is a guy that said, I'm just asking, how's he doing, y'? All. Y' all keep up with Tank probably on a regular basis. He seems like a guy that everybody truly loves in that locker room and. And. And the game before in Kansas City where he got hurt, I felt like that hit. That hit as hard as any injury I've seen on the NFL field.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, that hit home, man, because Tank, man, that's a special player, you know, he always got his special place in our heart, you know that. You know, he's a playmaker. And that's one guy, man. He put his blood, sweat, and tears on that field, man. He the best playmaker on, you know, practice field, game field. He out there. He the best one, man. And for him to go down like that, man, it was tragic, you know, just seeing the way he came back, you know, seeing the, you know, the grind and effort he'd been putting in just to come back on the field with us, man. And for him to go out like that, man, it was a. It was a good punch. It was. I feel like, man, it was only right for us to go out there and play for him, because we know how much it meant for him to be out there with us. Be out there, you know, just running around, laughing with us, just being in the. In the huddle, you know, in the receiver room, you know, it's not like your position group, man, and just having that bond laughed and joke around, man. You know, it. Him not being there was. Was definitely felt, you know, we felt that, missing that missing piece, man, but, you know, but we had to keep going. You know, we had to miss him. Miss him dearly every day. But right now, he's on the uprising. His mental good moving good, you know, he got a smile on his face like he'd been having, man. And I'm glad to see him moving, man. Glad to see him back in the building. Well, he's been in the building, but just seeing him back, you know, just being back to himself, getting back to normal again, man. There's no better feeling to seeing, you know, one of your brothers come back, you know, from a tragic injury like that.

[Chris]

Well, CJ seemed really tore up about it, and I know I was. You know, like, I know sometimes people are like, quarterbacks aren't supposed to show emotion. I'm like, I'm watching. I'm like, that's a guy who cares. He cares a lot about his. His. His brothers. And. And he. And he put his helmet on and went back to competing. And I just thought that was a real gut check on Yalls part. And, you know, I. I can't say enough about what CJ looks like as a teammate. From the outside looking in. Is it. Is it everything you'd imagine and more being on his team and. And are the dinners really as good as they said?

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Cj, the same guy, as y' all see from outside look, looking in from the inside out, man, I just feel like he's. Nothing changes about him, you know, he's the same guy every single day, you know, coming in, ready to work, compose, you know, he joke around with you, man, like to have fun, and most of every, he gonna care about you, you know, no matter what. He got your back, you know, like. Like you said, show, you know, when Tank went down, man, that's like. You know what I'm saying? That one hurt like. That one hurt, like, deeply. Everybody felt that, you know, and said me, you know, he showed his emotion, but, you know, that's why he got us, you know, to lift him up. Like, let's go. We got to keep going, bro. It's gotta. You gotta get game to finish right now. I'm saying so for us, you know, it hurt, but at the end. At the end of the game, they went in the locker room, you know, we, you know, did what we, you know, talked to him, talk to Tank, you know, cj, you know, we all came together as a unit, man. But at that moment, man, it's one of those, like, you just gotta continue to go, man. But C.J. is a great guy, man. That's one guy you want to have as your quarterback a leader, a guy that's going to be there for you no matter what, have your back and drop downs for you when you need them the most. Yeah, you know, you know, getting that play for sure. But no, man, I'm glad C.J. is our quarterback when trading for anything, man.

[Chris]

Yeah. Well, what's the. Is it surf and turf? Like, what's going on at his house?

[Nico Collins]

Like, I feel like it Was more tacos.

[Chris]

Tacos, okay. I've heard rumors about these dinners, man. I've heard rumors about these dinners. What about, like, for you? What's your favorite ball you catch from him? The best ball he throws that you're like, man, he just. Different deep ball for sure.

[Nico Collins]

It's easy. I know it's a lot of hang time. It's high. This soft touch. Soft. You're just like, just dropping in your hand. Yeah, that's like any ball he throws, man. It's a soft touch. It's not like a bullet coming, you know, it's not like one of those hard balls that. It hurt, pause. That hurt your hand, you know what I'm saying? But, like, it's a little touch to it, you know what I'm saying? I feel like his D ball is one of his, I feel like, best.

[Chris]

And to. To be able to get to some of the best balls he throws. Like. Like to access the deep middle of the field on, like, a dig route or something. Like, you guys got to have a little time.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, you do.

[Chris]

And. And obviously there were things going on up front that were tough and you guys were dealing with a lot. Do you feel like looking at it just a little bit? I know it's early in the summer that you see guys that can step up in the wake of Laramie leaving and off of everything last year.

[Nico Collins]

Yes, sir. I see everybody, man. The entire offensive line, you know, it was there for some new pieces coming, drafted a couple guys, you know, had some guys coming in, you know, from a free agency, man. But I feel like, man, we just. We got the right pieces, man, we feel like we got some guys that's really in the work, you know. Protect seven. Protect the offense, man. Get seven times. So he go through the progression, man. Make plays and shine like you do, you know? So I can't wait for us, you know, to come back during camp, get things rolling, man, put the pads on, you know, and get ready to play football, real football, you know, that's the best feeling, you know, But I'm excited for this group, you know, both sides, offense and defense, man. Like, we got. We got it when we know we got it, you know, because practice is hard, you know, none of the plays working, you know, make a play don't work, you know, that's how, you know, like, we really working. We competing, we getting each other better, man. And that's. That's the way it should be.

[Chris]

One guy they're saying is looking good so far, and I know it's just minicamp and everything. You've been in the league long enough to. To know how that goes. But. But Jaden Higgins, I've been reading about him, seeing him, and you got great corners, so if you catch a ball over those guys, that's something to be excited about, whether it's minicamp or OTAs or whatever. What have you seen from the young receivers and him in particular?

[Nico Collins]

A lot, man. All of them, man. I feel like those group of guys, man, they coming in with a mission, you know, to get better, learn, you know, and trying to be a great, you know, valuable to the offense, you know. And Higgins has dude special, you know, he kind of remind me of Mike Evans, you know, he stretched the field tall, lanky move quick at the line, goods hands, man. Dude's nice, man. The sky's the limit for him, man. I can't wait, you know, to see when the season come. Can't be. I can't wait to share the field. Well, no, man. Go out there making plays in front of the city and smiling while doing it, you know, just having fun, you know. But the dude's special, man. He got all the tools in the world for sure.

[Chris]

How about Nick Kaylee, man, it's turning the page a little bit offensively with the scheme. And, And I'm just wondering, what do you think you see a little bit more of generally with Nick or what have you noticed off the bat?

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, man, just his. The way he just called plays, man, the way he just get creative, you know, putting guys in situations to be explosive, you know, to. To make plays, you know, he put. Puts him in right position to go out and just have fun, you know, he's not. He not going to go out there and do something that is not you. You know what I'm saying? Like, you can go out there and put you in a great position, man, but his enthusiasm, his personality, man, is it. I feel like it's unmatched, man. It's. It's lit, you know, he's up there giving that install. He's juice, you know, he's jumping around, sweating, you know, he's. He's pumped, man. He's a great guy for sure. I'm glad he's. He's here calling plays, man. You know, he understands everything. You come back, what you got, you know, he'll do. Do what you need to do, you know, he'll do whatever it takes, man. That's one guy. I just want to win.

[Chris]

And you play for a couple coordinators. How hard is it these Days in the. In. In the NFL, in a wide receiver room, for instance, to catch up on new terminology. Is that a whole off off season kind of timeline?

[Nico Collins]

Man, it's terrible because, yeah, not gonna lie, you know, I think I had maybe three, four different offensive coordinators, three different office coordinators since I've been here. And every offense was different, different terms, you know, and it's one of those, man, you just gotta forget the old terms once you program it. And it's like, oh, it's a new language, you know, so you got to forget the old language to pick up on a new one. Sometimes the new one doesn't mean the same thing as the old one, you know. So I feel like, man, it's really come down to preparation, studying, you know, after the. After you leave the building, you know, just putting your eyes on the playbook, you know, doing and scheming through it, you know, do little things you need to. So when that time come on the field, you're ready, you know. But yeah, it's. It's hard, you know. It's hard, man. It's just like going to the next grade, you know. It's just one of those, man, just learning the whole new office, new scheme, you know, mining back to the minor details, you know, so back to the little things, breaking the huddle, formations, you know. So that's really how it is. But I feel like now, man, finish up OTAs. I feel like we all caught that, you know, learned. Learned the new playbook well, new scheme, little things like that, man, I feel like this offense, man, was. We had a clean, smooth, you know, spring for sure. I mean, it was minor hiccups, but it wasn't nothing crazy, you know. But I feel like, man, we all finished healthy, did good, learn the offense, and I feel like we all getting ready for camp.

[Chris]

So Talking about like one of the best units to watch last year, I thought was watching Yalls defense. The speed they play with at home and the violence they play. I mean, they're violent generally, but I just felt like. Did you feel like it kind of. They get sped up in that building, man.

[Nico Collins]

Everybody does. Especially when I defense, man, I feel like everybody. It's just the energy they bring, you.

[Brad Holmes]

Know what I'm saying?

[Nico Collins]

Like it's a swarm mentality instead. Just effortless, you know what I'm saying? It's that just relentless, just going out there and just playing fast, you know, as you. When defense playing fast, you know, as an offense, you kind of want to tell yourself, let's slow it down, you know? You know, but I feel like with all defense, man, you got no choice but to play fast. You know, them boys swarming everywhere, hitting you, you know, late, you know, Maddie being physical, man. But that's how they are in practice, you know, so practice how you play, you know, but, man, I feel like I definitely got the opportunity to be the best defense in the league.

[Chris]

No question, by far. The way they go top down on stuff is like. Like somebody will catch the ball in the flats and it's. It's like over like that. Yeah, it's just. And. And the backer, shy Al Shiyer, the having two corners like that, Petrie will knock your head off.

[Nico Collins]

Like, they're coming. They got something called kill zone.

[Chris]

I believe it.

[Nico Collins]

Or get caught in the kill zone.

[Chris]

Where is that? Just so we know. So I could stay out of it.

[Nico Collins]

I think it's anything that's linebacker depth in front. Yep, it's a kill zone.

[Chris]

There's a fence there.

[Nico Collins]

There's a fence. I don't get caught backing.

[Chris]

Yeah, so. So what. What do you attribute Stingley's like, for me, a defensive end who doesn't know coverage the way, you know, you do going against these guys. Like, what makes Stingley as. As great as he's become?

[Nico Collins]

Patience. Patient, man. Patient. Doesn't panic, play the ball well. Great ball skills. I feel like that's. That's what Sting is, man. That's one guy. Like, if you win early, it's okay, but he don't. He doesn't panic because he got to make up speed, got the ball, talent to go and just make the play. And I feel like just going against a guy like that every single day, and you have no choice but to get better. You know, this guy, he got patience, he got ball skills. So you got to go meet the ball when the ball's in the air, you know, he gonna try to. He gonna run the route for you, you know, he gonna go get it. So I feel like, man, that's one guy you want to go against every day, one guy you want to compete with, you know, win a rep, lose a rep, lose all the reps, but you getting better, you know, And I feel like he. He gets you better. Him and Kamara, man, they both sides, you know, both bouts the same, man, they both, you know, after we're done with a rep, good job.

[Reed]

Boom, boom.

[Nico Collins]

We go to the side, talk about it, you know, what you did different with your hands, releases. You know, I feel like it's just having that type of conversation with both of the corners, man, is. There's no. There's no better feeling, man, because I feel like that's the only way we can get better. But, man, I feel like we got the two best of the DBs, man, in the world.

[Chris]

Yeah, it's hard to argue with that, man.

[Nico Collins]

They nice dog.

[Chris]

It's hard to argue with that. Who do you think the most underrated guy on the defense is?

[Nico Collins]

Is underrated?

[Chris]

Underrated. Underappreciated.

[Nico Collins]

Like Caleb.

[Chris]

Yeah. What makes him go, man?

[Nico Collins]

He's silent. The sideline.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Nico Collins]

Limpy, you know, like, over his head, dude coming out, knowing dudes, wings fans is crazy. You know, he's so. That's one guy that's underrated.

[Chris]

I like that. I got one for you.

[Nico Collins]

I got Petri Peach, too.

[Chris]

Autry. Autry's a dog. Autry has 62 career sacks. That's a lot. Nobody knows. Nobody knows how good he is.

[Nico Collins]

That's a lot.

[Chris]

Yeah, he shows up everywhere he plays, so I was excited to see I wouldn't join the team.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, that's true. That's true.

[Chris]

He didn't play a full season, but that's that part.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, I fly D line, man. They're nice.

[Chris]

Oh, they're great. How about. How about d', Amico, like, being a defensive head coach? How does he. How does he relate to the offense? You know, like being a defensive guy. I've had offensive head coaches and, you know, their relationships to our side of the ball. It might be, hey, we just come in the morning, I say, how y' all doing? And then I walk out.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah. Keep pushing. Yeah. I feel like, man, with d', Amico, it's kind of the same.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Nico Collins]

I'm just saying, you know, he's a defensive guy. You know, if offense being the defense, you know, that period gonna go a little longer until, you know, until they get that look, we won't. You know how that go. But he's a guy, man, as you want to play for, you know, that's one dude you'll run through a wall for, man. You know, all he coaches, just relentless swarm and just compete, man. That's all he wanted to see. Just compete and have fun, you know? And so I feel like, as an offense, the thing we can relate to the most man's compete, you know, the defense, they swarming, you know, they everywhere. They gonna compete to the ball, you know, they gonna make sure you don't catch it. They're gonna be the last one to finish, rip the ball out. So I Feel like for us as an offense, man, that teaches us to finish the plays, you know, through the catch all the way, you know, finish behind the defense. You know, you catch the ball in traffic, tuck immediately, because they come in punching, trying to get the ball on the ground, you know. So I feel like for us, man, that's sharper than us on the details, like the little things, the minor things people, you know, tend to forget about, you know, catch and tuck, you know, and they like, you don't want to catch and just start ball everywhere, loose, fumble, you know, little things like that, man. I feel like, you know, d' Ameco tells offense, man, you take care of the ball, compete, you know, have fun, make plays, you know. So I feel like that's. That's one thing we all, as an offense, as a unit, we all can relate to, man. Just go out and just compete, man. That's all he want to see. And just play fast, you know, he want make a play, man. Let him know, you know, that's one thing he's about, man. Just enjoying the game. I feel like that's one thing we all can relate to the most.

[Chris]

Well, there's one guy I know that he will let you know when he makes a play, and he just joined, y'.

[Reed]

All.

[Chris]

His name's C.J. gardner Johnson.

[Nico Collins]

Oh, yes, sir.

[Reed]

Have you.

[Chris]

Has. Has he made his presence felt yet in practice and around the building?

[Nico Collins]

Most definitely. Most definitely. Man. We know what type of guy C.J. is, man. He's a dog. You know, that whole secondary, dogs. And I feel like, man, he's about to get everybody on that same train, man, real quick. Real quick.

[Chris]

That's a hell of a room.

[Nico Collins]

Look, I feel like the best defense in the league by far.

[Chris]

Hey, man, I give it to you this. This year, they can do it on. On. On tape. And. And I think. I think they're pretty close. I. I think they're knocking on the doorstep and you called it. So we'll check back.

[Nico Collins]

And I feel it. Yeah, I feel it. They got the potential to be the best defense in the league. That's how I see it from Stringers. OTA is Mini Cam, and I feel like we don't even have our whole defense here yet.

[Chris]

Hey, man, I could believe it. So last. Last question for you. A fun question question. Houston celebrities, who you've been most geeked out to meet? That's a Texans fan in that city?

[Nico Collins]

Slim Thug. Slim Thug. Paul Wall. Who else? Bun B. Bumby.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah.

[Nico Collins]

Andre Johnson, for sure.

[Chris]

Yeah, Andre Johnson. Sounds like the coolest guy in the.

[Nico Collins]

World, but he's so chill.

[Chris]

I just like. He doesn't say much, does he, man?

[Nico Collins]

Just one of those dudes here to walk by you and won't even. Yeah, nah, that's it.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Nico Collins]

But yeah, those four, man, you've seen those guys is at like regular texting events, you know, those guys really, in the city, man, which is a great thing, you know, like any event we have, you know, you. You bound to probably run into one of them, you know, so it's a great thing for sure.

[Chris]

Did you hit the rodeo?

[Nico Collins]

Yeah, I did. For the first time. It's crazy, right?

[Chris]

Because. Where are you from originally?

[Nico Collins]

I'm from Alabama.

[Chris]

They have rodeos in Alabama?

[Nico Collins]

No, no. The Houston rodeo was the first thing I like learned about when I came. Like, I didn't know. It was like, they really shut down, like the whole stadium to have like concerts, like the entire month, you know, fairgrounds and everything. It's pretty fun, actually.

[Chris]

I gotta hit that.

[Nico Collins]

A bunch of great country singers come. It was dope. My last thing, I just wanted to go see Post Malone, man. It was pretty fun. It was dope.

[Chris]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Nico Collins]

The flower stage going. So he. He saw a couple of his bangers, man. It was fun.

[Chris]

God damn cowboys fan, though. The biggest cowboys.

[Nico Collins]

I think he changed over. I think he had.

[Chris]

Well, why don't you pluck a couple of those cowboys fans, man? Good luck to the. Good luck to the Texans and I appreciate Nico joining us. Thanks so much and have a great year, dude.

[Nico Collins]

Yes, sir. I appreciate you a lot, man. Anytime.

[Chris]

So anyways, what did. What, what. What did I miss while you were gone? Like, what were you. What have you been doing?

[Reed]

So my girl took me since Father's Day is coming up, just in case people listening, you don't know, my girl took me to Vegas on like a secret trip, a surprise trip, I should say to Vegas for a secret trip. And it was amazing.

[Chris]

Secret trip? Yeah, it's like a kidnapping.

[Reed]

Yeah, kind of. It was amazing. We went down to Martinsville, we dropped our daughter off, and then we flew out of Raleigh, North Carolina, and we got to Vegas. We met up with our old quarterback, Peter Layla.

[Chris]

Really?

[Reed]

Yes.

[Chris]

How's he doing?

[Reed]

He's doing very well. Peter now is a producer slash musician slash songwriter. And he was with. I don't know, some people might know this person. I love Makonnen.

[Host]

Oh, no way.

[Reed]

So I love Makonnen is famous for the song Tuesday. Tuesday is going up. Oh, that song.

[Nico Collins]

He.

[Host]

And he does. Didn't he do I like.

[Chris]

Is that him?

[Reed]

Yes.

[Host]

I like to.

[Reed]

So the funny thing is, so Pete, he does. He does a lot of like, beats or collaborations with. With Ala Makonan. So they were all in Vegas together. His DJ is DJ Green Lantern Son.

[Nico Collins]

Okay.

[Reed]

And it was his birthday. So we looked up, we went to an event like with them. We got to see I Love Makon and put perform live, which was amazing. My girl, like, she's. She like, that's like her music genre. And so, like, it was amazing for her. Like, we got to see that and then we went to. What club was it? We went to a club the next night and we got to see two chains perform. And it was absolutely amazing. Like, he didn't go on. This is how I'm realizing I'm getting a little bit old. He didn't go on until like 2:30.

[Chris]

In the two chains.

[Reed]

Yeah. Like, he didn't get. He didn't get on stage to perform in this club until 2:30 in the morning. It got to the point that I was just like, yo, did we get bamboozled? Like, is he even coming out?

[Chris]

It's sounds like I'm not seeing two chains, right.

[Reed]

And so. But once this. Once this show started, he probably did like 45 minutes and it was just him. And it was like, it was the best thing in Vegas basically, to go in the club as a couple. It's going to be a hundred dollars, sixty for. For dudes and forty for females. So for 100 concert, like in a club, like, I felt like I got my money, my money's worth and more because it was just. It was like a really, really good time. So everything in Vegas is great. Last day. You know, Vegas, you start thinking we probably should have left yesterday. Kind of like dragging every time. Like you're waiting. Like, we took a red eye. So like we had the full day. We had to check out of the hotel. Like, they're not trying to give you a late checkout. So like we like, we like scratch the claw for 11am checkout because our flight wasn't until 12:30am that night. And we end up chilling in the sports book for a long time. I forget we're at whatever.

[Chris]

And that's purgatory right there.

[Reed]

Why is that?

[Chris]

You want to know what purgatory is? Like, not quite hell, not quite heaven.

[Nico Collins]

Yes.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Kind of a mixture of the two. It's the last day in Vegas when all your shit's packed.

[Reed]

Yes.

[Chris]

And you're just going through the motions trying to Occupy some time.

[Reed]

But like that. Push back 12 hours.

[Chris]

Terrible.

[Reed]

12 hours.

[Chris]

You see those people in the airport playing slot machines in the airport?

[Reed]

Why?

[Chris]

Somebody needs to help them.

[Reed]

Yes, that's why. But you. I understand it, but I don't understand yo. So we're. So we end up like finding a sports book. And if anyone's been in like a nice sports book, they usually have upfront, really comfortable chairs. Yeah.

[Chris]

So.

[Reed]

And you're able to order food. So we actually ordered sushi from Nobu. And like we chill in these chairs. My girl was able to take a nap. We. I watched the. Because the basketball game was on and in Vegas, the game's on at five in the afternoon.

[Chris]

I always like taking a nap after I house a bunch of maguro.

[Reed]

Right.

[Chris]

In a sports book.

[Reed]

Right. Versus the East Coast. Like it's not eight o' clock at night. All the games are on in the afternoon in Vegas. So watch the game. Then before we leave, we go take videos of the Bellagio fountain to kill time again.

[Chris]

Because naturally.

[Reed]

Naturally. Because we wanted to wait until the sun went down a little bit and then like the, the water show only starts at like 8pm to a certain time. So after we watched the game, we walked out, we took some videos there, went back to the hotel to get our stuff, then end up going to the airport. Get to the airport. My girl realizes she doesn't have a debt. Have her debit card. Right. Naturally. So go to cancel the debit card. It's Vegas summer, someone already spent 400.

[Chris]

No. So can you tell?

[Reed]

Well, yes. No. So she got her money back. She got her money back. Shout out Truist. Truist is a good bank. Gave her money back right away.

[Chris]

True. Supports our foundation. Oh, good folks at Truist.

[Reed]

So we laugh because. But just from the stuff that the person did, I was like, yo, when you fell asleep at the sportsbook, that debit card fell out of your pocket. And definitely one of the dudes that was pissed off losing money on Halliburton definitely picked your card up. And they were probably a local and they went to town. I forgot the name of the mall. So they went, they left the casino, they went straight to the mall. A mall that's like 25 minutes away. And they go into a store to.

[Chris]

An off strip mall.

[Reed]

Yes. And they go into a mall and they go in to a shoe store called Chic, which I looked up and it's basically like the new chain footlocker spent $212. So I'm assuming he bought a pair of J's.

[Chris]

One pair.

[Reed]

And a couple of T shirts and or socks. When he left there, he went to a bar and got a drink for $25.

[Chris]

Living large.

[Reed]

And then after the bar, he went to Jack in the Box. And this is where it gets a little. I'm like, laughing. And he only spent $3.88 at Jack in the Box. So I'm like, did he get, like, a milkshake? Like, I don't know what the prices are at Jack in the Box if you can get a full meal. Maybe he was drunk off from his drink and he just needed, like a burger maybe or something.

[Chris]

But this guy was out of cash. Like, he was slam out of cash.

[Reed]

No, it's not. It's opportunity. It's a crime of opportunity. I feel like. Like, you'll.

[Chris]

You probably, but this guy will get found.

[Reed]

No, like, I don't know. I.

[Chris]

Like we should find him and have him on the show.

[Brad Holmes]

I don't think that should be the.

[Chris]

Condition of not pressing charges. Have him on the show. Be like, what the fuck? Did you buy a jacket?

[Host]

No, it was a 25 drink. And what was the $3 order?

[Chris]

Jacket.

[Nico Collins]

I'm going bid.

[Chris]

He got it.

[Reed]

Wait, last spot. Last spot that he goes. And this is why, to me, I feel like it was. It was one of the black dudes that was in the sports book because they went to a jewelry store and they spent $81.81. And that to me, as a dude who has his ears pierced, that screams that he got some pretty decent stud diamond stud earrings.

[Chris]

How do you know it's not a white guy that, like, you know, like a Paul Wall type?

[Reed]

Because honestly, I think if it was a white guy, I think they're taking one big shot and buying something big. I don't think you're gonna go to four different. I think you move a little bit smarter than that. Like, it's just. I don't know. Like, I don't know. Everyone's different.

[Chris]

I don't think anybody's moving smart. Picking up a debit card in order to spend, like, 300. It's just not moving smart to me.

[Reed]

No, no, no, it's not. But you'll be very, very surprised how many people do do this on a daily.

[Chris]

Like, I'm just saying nobody that's in this situation is. Is like, no offense.

[Reed]

Oh, no, yeah, yeah, for sure. It's very, very.

[Chris]

Because there's a circumstance that got you there.

[Reed]

No. Yeah, yeah.

[Chris]

Or you're in Vegas, you have no Money betting on.

[Reed]

You're betting on Halliburton.

[Chris]

Can I say something real quick about Halliburton?

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

You know how everybody's doing the.

[Reed]

The. The.

[Chris]

The Halliburton Taliban memes?

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

There's a bin Laden documentary out right now, and I saw something from it today, and one of the guys with the US Government was talking about how they'd surveil him and he'd walk in his garden every day, like, Like, a lot. And they were like, man, he walked a lot. We called him the Pacer, bro. Out of control. It's all Jim Ursay's fault. God rest his soul. If German. If Jim Merce didn't die, died the same day as game one. That shot doesn't go in. That was a Jim Ursay six, man. Kind of bounce, dude, you think? Oh, absolutely.

[Reed]

That's so fun.

[Chris]

Absolutely. So you got.

[Brad Holmes]

You.

[Chris]

You went to the big city and got.

[Brad Holmes]

Got.

[Chris]

You got Jim Crocied.

[Reed]

Yeah. You know, but overall, it was. It was a great trip.

[Chris]

And box number 10. It's a Jim Croce song. Reed knows it.

[Reed]

Yeah. Oh, y' all man's was out there.

[Chris]

Our man. Who. Which one? Big Axe.

[Reed]

And I love Makonan, and I wasn't familiar with his game, but.

[Chris]

Is that. Don't touch me.

[Reed]

Let me tell you, the white Cougars, they was going. They was out there crazy. I'm not. I was not familiar with your game, but listen, let me tell you.

[Chris]

No, Kenny Chesney isn't.

[Reed]

Our hotel was filled with people going to see this concert.

[Chris]

He's an aphrodisiac for women with salt. Life back of their, bro.

[Reed]

I promise you. Like, these women, like, it looked like some of these women probably like. Like, like, did have. Haven't. Maybe put dresses on, like, in, like, a while.

[Chris]

Like, there was dust.

[Reed]

Maybe. That's. Hate saying that, but I seen a lot of older couples dressed. Dressed to the nines. Very, very excited for this show. And what. Who else was out there? Coldplay. And I'm not really. I don't know a lot about Coldplay, man.

[Chris]

I saw Coldplay a few times back in the day. Yeah, they weren't great live.

[Reed]

Okay.

[Chris]

No, they weren't great live. You thought they were surprising to hear? Yeah. Yeah, they weren't great.

[Host]

I've never seen them, but I figured.

[Chris]

That would be a good show. The acoustics might have been a little bit off when I saw him at. You got some hits, though. Merriweather Pavilion.

[Reed]

But Vegas is cool. I like Vegas. Yeah, it's a Fun time.

[Chris]

Vegas is cool.

[Reed]

It's exciting. It was. It was hot. But it's.

[Chris]

Lose a bunch of money and get your debit cards stolen, spend 10 hours in a metal tube, walk by a bunch of people on the way out playing slots and hanging out in the cigarette gas chamber. The Vegas is just. There's not a tree in sight. Not a tree in sight.

[Host]

And all that air they pump in the casinos, you know, it's a little too much.

[Chris]

Yeah. It's not good.

[Reed]

The oxygen is amazing.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Reed]

The good oxygen.

[Host]

It is wild. You can walk around there for 48 hours and not go outside.

[Chris]

No.

[Host]

Not realize it.

[Chris]

No, not at all.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Yeah. There were times where me and Reed were there. One time we weren't sure if we were outside or inside. Yeah.

[Brad Holmes]

Seriously.

[Chris]

Yeah. It was some real.

[Nico Collins]

We.

[Host]

We went to the.

[Reed]

No, but also too. Bro. Like, I forget. Like, it's.

[Chris]

Bro, don't do this anymore either. Hold on.

[Reed]

Buffets are amazing.

[Host]

Did you go to the Frog Waterfall?

[Reed]

No, it was sold out. It was.

[Chris]

That's what I'm gonna bring up.

[Reed]

But the buffet. But the buffet.

[Chris]

Could you not. Do you have Google? He puts in the group text, what's the name of the restaurant? In the wind with the frog.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

And, you know, like, I'm like, well, I tried. I googled it. I asked, like, chat. GPT gave me the wrong answer. Well, I'm at a stoplight. I'm like, bro, like, why. Why are you not the one.

[Reed]

To be fair. To be fair. Of all people in that group chat. That question probably wasn't directed to you. I wasn't expecting you to be like.

[Chris]

Oh, I can't remember the name of that restaurant.

[Reed]

It's. It's. It's something on the lake. Yeah.

[Chris]

It's not. It's not something on the lake. All right? It's not. There is a lake. There's a giant frog who sings Frank Sinatra.

[Reed]

You want to put money on it?

[Chris]

I'll put, like, Lake of Dreams. Lake of Dreams.

[Reed]

Lake.

[Chris]

That's also not the name of the restaurant. I don't think it is. Yeah, that's the name of the restaurant. We had a great night there. That one.

[Reed]

It was.

[Nico Collins]

We did.

[Chris]

Is that the one with the water?

[Nico Collins]

Yeah.

[Reed]

Yes.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah.

[Reed]

Frog. I wanted to go see that.

[Chris]

That's the best thing about Vegas.

[Reed]

Yeah. The shows. No, that's what I'm saying. Like, we have to go see more shows out there. Like, the adults. Like, you know. Yeah.

[Chris]

Be adults.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Yeah. I wanted to review a piece of content that I Saw. We know Tom Segura, right. He's hooked us up with tickets to shows. I love Tom. Great guy. Bert's awesome, too. Like, Bert, super nice guy. And, you know, I used to watch Two Bears, One Cave and all that stuff, and I think they're funny.

[Host]

So, Tom, friend of the podcast?

[Chris]

Friend of the program.

[Reed]

Yeah, yeah.

[Chris]

Tom's been on the show. He's coming out with this kind of skit deal. And it's, it's, it's like the. Who's the comedian from, from Michigan. He's the Lions fan. Tim. Tim Robinson. He has his I think you should leave or whatever that is. And it's funny as hell. It's a bunch of skits. Segura comes out with this thing called bad Thoughts. And I smoked some weekend weed the other night and decided to watch it. And doing something like this, I feel like is a big risk. Like you're going from being a stand up comic, a podcaster, to being an actor essentially in your own skits that you've probably presumably written. And you're taking a big swing at it. Like there's going to be some. That people are like, I don't find that funny at all. And it's probably hit or miss for some people. I thought the hit rate was incredible. And the, the, the, the topics were unbelievable. Like you said, you couldn't get through all of it. Where did you stop?

[Reed]

So I fell asleep. And I know exactly where I fell asleep, but I got through a few skits and I can't say, like, just like, not to like, spoil, like, I guess spoil, or if you are gonna go watch it, maybe skip this part. But the whole him being an assassin and like them narrating and being like, yeah, no women, no kids. And then boom.

[Brad Holmes]

Yeah.

[Chris]

He accidentally kills a kid.

[Reed]

A woman.

[Brad Holmes]

A woman.

[Chris]

I only have two rules and that.

[Reed]

That immediately, like, it did make me laugh. But you know, my thing, bro, I don't care about the gay jokes, but some stuff it's just like, I just feel like white humor and black humor.

[Chris]

A little bit different.

[Reed]

There's a spectrum where it's like.

[Chris]

Right.

[Reed]

It'S one thing to joke about something, but like the whole like virtual thing, like he's sucking the dick.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Reed]

And that whole thing, I'm just like.

[Chris]

He'S got the VR glass.

[Reed]

Yeah, this is a little much, but. But I can say that skit still, like, it still was funny.

[Chris]

Did you get to the Massimo one? The guy who was this Italian guy, he was like, he was basically like a New caretaker at an old folks home. Oh, y' all haven't seen this dude, that's the funniest skit. I mean, period. Like, like, basically it turns out like they were like, how is this guy? All of a sudden, all the old folks at this old, old folks home look like they've. They've lost 20 years. Like, you know, they've gained 20 years. Like they're. The glow is back. Like they're, they're all happy. And the guy running the old folks home is like, what's been going on? And then he walks in on, on Tom Segura getting his ass eaten by some old woman.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

And basically he's. He's just. All the people in the.

[Reed]

Oh, that's the one with the toilet thing. That one.

[Chris]

What happened with the toilet? No, no, that's not the toy. That's not the toilet one.

[Reed]

That was also crazy, bro.

[Chris]

But. But eventually they like kick him out. And at one point somebody's like, since Massimo's been gone, they're not even eating. They haven't eaten in two weeks. Like, they're all depressed. And so he comes back, gets one of them pregnant and has to skip town. But I thought it was like the most hilarious skit. And then also, like, there was the one where he was a disgruntled coffee shop, you know, customer, and he kills everybody in the coffee shop and because they got his order wrong. And the police are huddled around him at 10:00pm and they, they find out that it's him that caused all this carnage. Like, and it was gory too. Like there's some gory parts in the thing and at the end of it, they, they find his receipt and the fact that he. He asked for a little bit of milk and they. His order up and they're like, you can go. It just was like, everything was hilarious. I thought Tom did a great job. Definitely. Watch that. Grab some weekend weed.

[Reed]

Yeah, that I'm now thinking about it. That one. I think they were in jail trying to escape. Yeah. And the guy was like conning people.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Reed]

Telling them, like, we have to both sit on this toilet.

[Chris]

And they weren't in jail. It was like an alien invasion.

[Reed]

Oh, yeah.

[Chris]

And the way to, the way to escape was to take a shit at the same time. In a toilet.

[Reed]

Yeah. To open a portal. But like, you had to sit on each other.

[Chris]

This is a really good sell for the. For, for bad thoughts.

[Host]

The. It is three. The average is three rating on three out of one reviews. Three out of five. But the only Reviews are fives or one.

[Chris]

Yes. You either get or you don't get it.

[Nico Collins]

Yeah.

[Host]

One star review said. You remember that this was the idea of a comedian. He used to be hilarious and started on his own fans once he lost a little bit of weight and had more money than he knew what to do with. And then a five star. This show is bananas. Truly. Never seen anything like it. It's crude, silly and unhinged. Not to mention it looks fantastic.

[Chris]

Dude, it's a great show. You got to watch it. You got to watch it. So you also had a take you wanted to share?

[Reed]

Oh, this is about to be.

[Chris]

Can I have the lighter?

[Reed]

This is about to be the best. One of the best years ever for no other than Aaron Rodgers.

[Chris]

Why?

[Reed]

For one showed up to. Is it voluntary or is it mandatory? Minicamp.

[Chris]

Minicamp is mandatory.

[Reed]

Okay. It's mandatory. But a lot of times stars don't show up. Including him. That was a big deal last year, correct?

[Chris]

Yeah. He was missing a lot of stuff last year and we don't have to litigate, so.

[Reed]

So, yeah. New team. You want a good first impression. You're trying to win a job, but shows up with a ring on his finger.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Reed]

Congratulations to him.

[Chris]

Congrats, Aaron.

[Reed]

He got married in the off season.

[Chris]

That's right.

[Reed]

And as someone who's divorced, first year of marriage, not always easy. Yeah. So my prediction is Aaron Rodgers is probably going to spend the most time he's ever spent in his life at the facility. And a quarterback, spending that much time at the facility, it's only going to equal better results.

[Chris]

I think there's certain positions that it's better to be married. This is one of them. I think it is.

[Reed]

If it's going well.

[Chris]

Yeah. Yeah. You want a stable situation. You don't want to be a wild horse. The wild horse positions are more like, you know, D linemen or corners or. Yeah. Like mostly defensive players, you know.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Chris]

But I like your. I like, I like the thought, like.

[Reed]

Yeah, maybe this is a double edged sword too. Like he might really be in love. And like, like you said, it might be something. Hey, coming home to a nice home cooked meal and, and doing all that. Yeah. That might equal better results.

[Chris]

Yeah, it's. It is a little. It's interesting that we don't know who it is.

[Host]

Been a couple months is what he said.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Host]

Like, oh, look at that ring on your finger. Finger. Yeah, been a couple months.

[Chris]

No, if anybody cooked up any conspiracy.

[Reed]

Theories, that'd be funny.

[Chris]

But I do. I do.

[Reed]

Married to the game.

[Chris]

I want him to be happy, man.

[Reed]

What if he came out and said, I'm married to, to the game?

[Chris]

That'd be the biggest punchline ever on the McAfee Show.

[Reed]

Would you be mad or would you.

[Chris]

Just be like, I'd actually be kind of impressed. That'd be a pretty funny thing to do. Be a pretty funny thing to do.

[Reed]

That's why I showed up to Mini Kid, because I'm married to the game.

[Chris]

That'd be, that'd be my favorite Aaron Rodgers content moment. So.

[Reed]

But I just think Aaron Rodgers, man, last, last shot, you know, it's on a decline. Everyone's talking bad. You left a bad taste in people's mouth. I think he. If anyone can turn it around and you got someone like DK Metcalf, you can kind of throw the ball up, too. And I just feel like that's a great organization down there. It's like, to be in. And as a whole, that organization kind of like they have their backs against the wall. So, like, I, I'm excited to see what happens. And it'll be another year of everyone early talking about how Tomlin is not going to make it through the season. The season. Steelers aren't going to do anything. And I just feel like the Steelers are probably going to be, like, formidable this year and not going to be, not going to be easy win.

[Chris]

I guess the, the thought is it might catapult them into an echelon right above where they were last year. Right.

[Reed]

Where just a little.

[Chris]

Yeah, where they can win a playoff game, you know, like, compete there. Like, they might be able to play complimentary football better. I'm not sold on this, the supporting cast. Right. Like, like, I'm just not offensively at this point. And, you know, it's also a big leap of faith to think it, you know, second year off an Achilles, usually that's better. But we base that stereotype off of guys doing it at 28, 30 years old, 31 years old, where it's like, it's a little bit more uncharted territory with a guy coming off an achilles in his 40s. Right. And so I, I, I worry about that, and I worry about if he does succeed in leveling them up, they're only further away from being able to draft the heir apparent because that is what's happening on the horizon. They have a ton of picks next year. And obviously, talk about purgatory. Organizational purgatory to me is consistently putting a band aid on an open wound. And, you know, obviously, as football Players, we don't mind it when you show up to camp with a quarterback as opposed to not having a quarterback, but it's not always the long term fix and sometimes it's like kicking the can down the road. And so I worry about that, you know, it's. Do I think he can still have his moments? Yeah, he had him last year. Yeah, like he had moments last year where I was like, damn, he can really still sling it.

[Reed]

Still sling it.

[Chris]

But he wasn't moving around real well and it doesn't take a lot of big chances. Play action's got to be a big part of what they do, you know, with, with Arthur Smith and I'm just not, I'm just not sure that he's going to be able to, to get all the footwork down that's going to be demanded of him in that offense without Arthur changing things a lot. But I do think Mike Tomlin and him, that's a strong personality and that's a good thing, right? And I'm hoping that like, as a football fan he might say, hey, this is really my last shot. Like, look where I, look where I am. Yeah, I'm Aaron Rodgers and I had to wait for them to pass on your, the Matt Stafford thing to pass them by. And they investigated Justin Fields before me. And so like that, that's a very real situation where you're like, hey, taking some inventory. Maybe I'm not in the prime my career anymore. I gotta, I gotta try to be a little different this year. Like to me, I just want to see him have fun and I don't want to see a bunch of the stuff on the field bleed into his weekly spots on McAfee. That to me is like, hey, pedal whatever conspiracies you want. But as a football fan, if we're talking football, I just, I think it's a lot more fun when he's happy and, and there's no tension. That's what it's been wherever he's been the last five years.

[Host]

Discount double check.

[Reed]

I need to, I need to see the discount double check. Come back. Yeah, show us that you're having fun out there, right?

[Chris]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Do that.

[Reed]

Last year was some BS do that. It was some BS you don't often.

[Chris]

Get more fun once you get married though, and that's a worry, you know.