NFL Cover Zero: It's Conference Championship Time!

Summary

NFL Cover Zero: It's Conference Championship Time!

Podcast: KSR
Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Drew Franklin, Billy
Date: January 23, 2026
Episode Focus: Analysis, news, and discussion heading into NFL Championship Weekend

---

Main Theme

This lively episode of NFL Cover Zero is dedicated to breaking down the storylines surrounding the upcoming AFC and NFC Championship games. Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, and Billy discuss surprising quarterback matchups, coaching changes, controversial firings, and league news, all while keeping the tone irreverent, witty, and loaded with pop culture and personal anecdotes.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Championship Game Fever—and the Lack of It

• Quarterback Surprises:

  • The hosts struggle to muster excitement for the Championship games, particularly with lesser-known QBs like Jared Stidham and Sam Darnold (01:03, 01:54).
    • "Only pass, once he throws one this weekend, will be in the AFC championship in three years." (02:49, Matt)
  • Stidham's backstory is discussed—his Kentucky roots, college career, and sudden thrust into the spotlight (03:06–13:33).
  • Comparing city names spelled backwards sparks a humorous tangent—e.g., “Dallas” becomes “Salad” leading to a joking proposal of a “Salad Festival” (03:33–05:10).

• Emotional Angle:

  • Matt admits he’s rooting for Stidham simply because he doesn’t want Boston sports (and especially Bill Simmons) to be happy (06:00–09:28).
    • "I want him to lose is the point." (08:41, Matt)

2. Jared Stidham Deep Dive

• Bio & Career Trajectory:

  • Born in Corbin, KY—coincidentally the birthplace of KFC (03:13).
  • Career arc: from Kentucky to Texas high school star → college at Baylor → transfers to Auburn; MVP of the 2018 Music City Bowl (10:52–11:33).
  • Pro highlights include being third-string for the Patriots and a $12M deal with the Broncos, with $7M guaranteed—despite minimal playtime (13:33).

• Underdog & Unknown Factor:

  • The Patriots have little tape to prepare for him; some jokes about him potentially being left-handed now (14:20).

• Prediction Banter:

  • Hosts humorously predict multiple TDs for Stidham out of local pride and pure hope (15:02–15:19).
    • "Big time players make big time plays in big time games. And he is from the home of Nibrock." (15:19, Matt)

3. NFL Coaching Carousel

• Sean McDermott Firing (Buffalo Bills):

  • Surprise and skepticism about the logic of firing a coach with a solid record, suggesting the GM should bear more blame for roster issues (16:24–18:19).
    • "I actually thought this was not smart decision..." (16:24, Matt)
  • Dumbfoundment at the public finger-pointing around Keon Coleman, Buffalo’s young WR, during ownership/GM fallout (19:26–21:07).

• Replacing Good Coaches Trend:

  • Matt and Drew debate whether teams like the Steelers, Ravens, and Bills will actually improve after firing respected coaches (17:21–18:19).

4. NFL Rules and Oddities

• Catch Rule Confusion:
  • Ongoing frustration about the vagueness and inconsistency of the NFL’s catch rule—claims that the league plans to just “promote better understanding” rather than clarify the rule (22:41–25:15).
    • "I've never understood the rule because it's not the same rule when you are, like, in play as when you're going to the end zone or out of bounds." (23:08, Matt)

5. Coordinator Hires & Interview Hijinks

• Mike McDaniel to Chargers:

  • Speculation whether he chose LA partly for lifestyle or career move, versus taking less desirable head coach jobs (25:29–28:29).

• Eric Bieniemy Back to KC:

  • Sympathy for EB’s inability to land a head coach job despite solid track record—discussion about the hiring process overvaluing interviews (29:33–30:23).

• Interview Punctuality Bit:

  • Humorous debate: how early or late can a coach show up for an interview before it becomes a dealbreaker? (30:42–33:27)
    • "If you're there more than an hour before. Okay, you're trying too hard." (32:36, Drew)

• Robert Saleh to Titans:

  • Mixed feelings about the fit—Saleh as a defensive coach with a team needing offensive development (33:56–34:35).
  • Banter over who is the “hottest” NFL head coach, with semi-serious reference to survey results and Us Weekly (35:06–37:58).

6. More NFL News & Rivalries

• Baker Mayfield vs. Kevin Stefanski:

  • Baker’s sharp tweet after being called a “failed” QB by a Falcons reporter, and his accusation Stefanski never called or texted him after his exit (38:20–39:21).
    • "You're still waiting on a text call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage.” (38:57, Baker Mayfield via tweet)
  • Nostalgia and defense for Baker and Tim Couch, both maligned yet successful Browns QBs (43:02–43:16).

• AFC/NFC Franchise Icon Status:

  • Lively ranking of most iconic NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA franchises (47:03–55:19).
    • NFL Top 5: Cowboys, Packers, Steelers, Giants, Bears (49:15)
    • "Those are the three... you latch on to a star you like. If they move team, maybe..." (55:20, Drew)

• Championship Games Preview:

  • General lack of excitement for the NFC matchup, with unfamiliar QBs—joking about not recognizing the names walking toward the Super Bowl trophy (58:32–59:43).

7. Game Picks and Season-long Scorekeeping

• Weekly Picks Segment:
  • Liberty Mutual Bundle picks: Guardians baseball, Rams over Seahawks, Patriots over Broncos with spread (64:11–65:30).
• Touchdown Scorer Picks:
  • Each host picks likely TD scorers for the weekend’s games, with points at stake for the season-long contest (66:00–67:55).
• Extended Banter:
  • Dispute over last week’s points, mock seriousness about scorekeeping integrity, and running jokes about reviewing previous calls (60:24–63:38).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I have such an odd relationship with this person [Bill Simmons] in the sense that I don't miss his podcast, but also wish he wouldn't talk. How's that possible?" (06:04, Matt)
• "Big time players make big time plays in big time games. And he is from the home of Nibrock." (15:19, Matt)
• "It's not a great sign when those are the three facts that are considered the most interesting about your player career. But c'est la vie." (13:33, Matt)
• "You latch on to a star you like. If they move team, maybe." (55:20, Drew, on NBA fandom)
• "You're still waiting on a text call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can't wait to see you twice a year, coach." (38:57, Baker Mayfield via tweet)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Championship QB Fever + Jared Stidham Deep Dive: 01:54–15:19
• Firing of Sean McDermott & Coaching Trends: 15:54–18:19
• Buffalo WR Keon Coleman Fallout: 19:26–21:17
• Catch Rule Discussion: 22:41–25:15
• McDaniel & Bieniemy Coordinator Moves: 25:29–30:23
• Interview Etiquette Debate: 30:42–33:27
• Robert Saleh to Titans & "Hottest Coach" Bit: 33:56–37:58
• Baker vs. Stefanski Drama: 38:20–43:16
• Franchise Icon Rankings (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA): 47:03–55:19
• Championship Game Previews: 58:40–59:43
• Liberty Mutual Bundle Picks: 64:11–65:30
• TD Scorer Picks / Contest Banter: 66:00–67:55

---

Tone & Style

The conversation is humorous, spontaneous, and candid, marked by Kentucky local flavor, pop culture asides, and light-hearted jabs. The crew blends deep football knowledge with irreverent storytelling, making even the tangents engaging for listeners.

---

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a dynamic mix of crucial NFL news, game previews, and entertaining discourse. You’ll get substantive analysis on quarterback narratives, NFL coach decision-making, and football culture, all wrapped up in the KSR crew’s trademark banter. Even with few classic household names left in the championship picture, the hosts find both the humor and drama in unlikely places—making this essential listening for any football fan looking for both info and laughs ahead of championship Sunday.

Transcript

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[B]

At Arizona State University, we're bringing world class education from our globally acclaimed faculty to you. Ranked number one in innovation for 11 consecutive years and number two among public universities for employability, ASU isn't just ahead of the curve, it's creating new paths to success. Earn your degree from the nation's most innovative university online. That's a degree. Better. Explore more than 350 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs at ASUonline. ASU. EDU.

[C]

Alright guys, so check this out. Have you ever heard of Gold Belly? Okay, so it's this amazing site where you can order the most iconic famous foods from restaurants all across the country and they will ship it straight to your door. That's right, these guys will ship you Philly cheesesteaks from Jim's or Pat's in Philly, Buffalo wings from the Anchor bar in Buffalo, and even Kansas City's most legendary barbecue sports. So if you're looking to host an epic super bowl party, go to coolbilly.com and get free shipping and 20% off your first order with promo code Gameday.

[D]

NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcast. All right, welcome. It is championship weekend of the NFL Cover Zero podcast. We are going on Thursday, getting ready for the two championship games on Sunday. Afc, nfc. Drew Franklin is here with me along with Billy, our sports and Drew. I have really enjoyed these playoffs. There have been some great games, only a couple of duds. Everybody's been into it. It's been exciting. With that said, I can't get the fever about these two championship games. Help me get some fever about what's happening. Help me get some hot Sam Darnold, Jared Stidham, Drake May, Matthew Stafford fever.

[A]

You know, all year, you know, AFC is the loaded conference. But now that we're here, I'm more excited about the NFC game because of that Bonix injury. I wish Bonix were healthy. Completely changes the dynamic dynamic of the game. Maybe they win, but from an excitement standpoint, haven't stood them. Respectfully, a guy hasn't thrown a pass in two years, started an AFC championship game. Feels weird.

[D]

All right, so yeah, let's talk just a minute about what Jared Stidham is. He has not thrown a pass in two years.

[A]

Two years has not attempted a pass.

[D]

That's a fairly amazing fact. He's thrown a pass. Not even like not even tried to hit on a woman. Not even an old school pass. So he's just been run Only his.

[A]

Only pass, once he throws one this weekend, will be in the AFC championship in three years. Like, I didn't do. I didn't do a week nine. Didn't even get in for a series. Week three, just AFC championship.

[D]

So I did think it would be helpful, though, for people so that they could learn about him, for me to give some facts.

[A]

Oh, you got Jared.

[D]

Because they need to learn about Jared Stidham. Okay. Jared Stidham was born in 1996 in Corbin, Kentucky.

[A]

Place, you know.

[D]

Well, no, Corbin very well.

[A]

How far is that from your. Your. Your hometown?

[D]

45 minutes from where I grew up. First KFC there. They have a festival there, which is just the word Corbin spelled backwards that they call the Nibrocks.

[A]

My favorite festival anywhere. What a terrible name. But a beautiful name.

[D]

You don't like Nibrock? They just spelled their town Corbin backwards. So, like, is there any other city in America that could go with a backwards city? I have one for you.

[A]

Oh, you do?

[D]

Croy Win.

[A]

New York.

[D]

New York. There we go. New York could say it's the annual Croy Win festival.

[A]

Corbin has the benefit. It's a music festival. And they have rock in the word Nimrok.

[D]

Exactly.

[A]

That's hard to tell.

[D]

Dallas. Salad.

[A]

Oh, that might be the best one. How do they not have a salad festival?

[D]

A salad festival? I mean, maybe because it's two Ls.

[A]

They would call it a salad salad.

[D]

A salad festival. But that is still. I think that one. That one works. Does any. Can anyone think of any other good ones?

[A]

I'm aim. Miami. I'm aim.

[D]

I'm aim. Do you understand?

[A]

I'm trying here.

[D]

I'm trying. I'm aim. I like it.

[E]

Sagev.

[D]

Vegas.

[A]

There we go.

[D]

Sagiva.

[A]

You gotta add the loss, though. What would that be?

[D]

Sag of Sal.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[D]

Sag of Sal.

[A]

That sounds like an expensive place to.

[D]

Visit, first of all. It does. It sounds like it would be hard to get a table at Saga of Sav.

[A]

You're going to Sag of sao. Wow. What is this, like a honeymoon?

[D]

Bad bunnies playing in Sag of Sal this year.

[A]

My cousin can get us in.

[D]

I think that works. Let me think real quick.

[A]

Cincinnati, I'm trying to do. That's a tough one.

[D]

At Nalt. Atlanta.

[A]

Atlantis.

[D]

At Nalta. That also sounds like that could be something. That's an island in Greece at Nalta.

[A]

Do you think this is how they let off good morning football this morning? Just probably.

[D]

I'm just saying Jared Stidham could start because he's from Corbin. If he goes to super bowl, could start a whole wave of people who have festivals with their city name backwards.

[A]

And Dallas has to be next.

[D]

Yes. The Salad Fest salad I've salad, I think makes perfect sense. So I'm just saying for. For. For. For those of you that have hoped for this idea for a long time, probably none of you, if you have, you're going to be rooting for Jared Stidham. I'm going to be rooting for Jared Stim because I hate the Patriots. Not even the Patriots. I hate Bill Simmons being happy.

[A]

Really? You always use him, which is an example, but really just Boston being happy.

[D]

But let me give you an example what Bill Simmons does. And again, I listen to Bill Simmons every week and like him, I have such an odd relationship with this person in the sense that I don't miss his podcast, but also wish he wouldn't talk. How's that possible?

[E]

You choose to listen to it.

[D]

I know. And I choose to listen. Like he does the 50 most rewatchable movies of the 21st century. I'm like, I gotta watch that. And then I just get mad. How can you pick that movie?

[A]

And you've been following Bill Simmons since I've known his page two stories back in the day, whatever it was called.

[D]

Let's be real. I remember the first time I read Bill. Bill Simmons sitting on the toilet at Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering as a summer associate in the summer of 2001.

[A]

Wow. That big of a moment. You remember exactly where you were sitting.

[D]

I would. I hated being a lawyer at Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering. Good people. But it was a summer associate. I hated it.

[A]

I didn't know Bill Simmons was one of these moments where you always remember where you were, but that was a.

[D]

Very picture you painted. I had to wear a suit every day. I lived in D.C. not intentionally. That's where Wilmer Cutler got me. Their apartment.

[A]

You go where the business is.

[D]

Well, every time I would like ask a taxi again, pre Uber asked a taxi to take me home, the taxi driver would look at me and go, oh, see what you want. I promise you, I live. I would walk from 10th and M in D.C. to Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering, which was on like 33rd and M. In a suit in the summer. So I'd be hot, right? I'd be hot. I'd get there and, you know, they had all open windows so everybody could see. And you had to sit at your desk. You had to sit with your jacket on. It was miserable. So the only time I knew that I could be left alone is if I went and sat on the toilet.

[A]

Did it nine times a day without even using the bathroom.

[D]

You think because the thing they won't question you on is the toilet.

[A]

That gets you in trouble. If you're like knocking on the door, choosing someone.

[D]

Know the answer to your question. Right. So I would. And remember, this is just a few months before 9 11. Everybody was a lot more laid back. I would print off the latest. I think every Tuesday, Bill Simmons would have a page two column. It would be 14 pages long. And I would sit and waste a good 30 minutes. So I've had a long relationship with this man. Sounds intimate. It's coming towards 25 years.

[A]

Wow.

[D]

But I hate how happy he gets with the Patriots. And like today I listened to this just before I came here. He's like, so the catch by the Patriots on Sunday, in my opinion is one of the seven best catches by the Patriots in a playoff game. Let's go over them. And I was like, no, no one wants that. But then he does and I still listen. So I want him to lose is the point.

[A]

Well, if you followed someone for 25 years and they're a Boston sports fan, they're going to have a lot of success that you're going to have to.

[D]

Deal with a ton. That Red Sox during that period of time, you know, they've won all those Super Bowls. The Red Sox won their first World Series when they won a couple. The Celtics have been really good. The Bruins maybe even want, like. It's just been too much, Billy and I. I want him to be sad. Not unlike his day to day, but I want him to be sports sad.

[E]

I felt like we were getting there with Kansas City, though, with all the Patrick Mahomes and the winning he was doing.

[D]

But they're not good at any other sport. Right? So they're not good at baseball. They're not good at bas. They don't even have a basketball team or a hockey team. So what's okay.

[E]

So not the same dominance as the.

[D]

Entire city of Boston. Do you know any Kansas City people? Like who?

[E]

Like fans, like media.

[D]

Like, they're Boston people. On every station, there's Boston people. Name me a famous Kansas City media person, Jason Anderson. No one listening to this knows who Jason is. And I like Jason. It's not. It's not the same.

[A]

It's not in. Boston gave a lot to us. They've. They've had too much fun. It is now. I appreciate.

[D]

We thank you for the tea party. It helped when Paul Revere, I think.

[A]

He did something around there.

[D]

He was good.

[A]

I like what he did.

[D]

Yeah, big Paul Revere guy. Sam Adams.

[A]

Great beer.

[D]

Thank you.

[A]

I've been up there, did the tour.

[D]

But boss, I like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck. Have you seen the new movie yet?

[A]

It's on my list, but I feel like I've been saying that for some movies for six years that just keeps getting pushed away.

[D]

Yeah, well, point being, I don't want them to succeed. And that's really what's driving me to be pro. Jared Stidham, I didn't give you a lot of facts. I got stuck at Nibrock.

[A]

No, that was just one fact.

[D]

We're still going number family. Then moved to Stevensville, Texas, where he went to elementary school and then he went to Stephenville High School and he was named the sixth best dual threat quarterback in his class.

[A]

I remember him being a hot target.

[D]

He committed to Texas Tech, but then later changed to Baylor. But then after Baylor, things didn't work out so well, so he went to Auburn, which is where he played his college football, and I may add was the 2018 Music City Bowl MVP, Auburn.

[A]

Quarterback, right before Bo Nix. So they went Auburn to Denver.

[D]

You could argue this has been his biggest game since the 2018 Music City.

[A]

Bowl, which is bigger. We're big Music City bowl guys. This has got to be a pinch yourself moment for him. You know, being an athlete, he's got to have the confidence or he wouldn't be where he is. But what a world where you're just an earpiece clipboard guy for two seasons. And we're not just throwing you into the playoffs. It is the Patriots and if you win, you are the starting quarterback in the Super Bowl.

[D]

Yes. Okay. I found this on the three interesting football facts about Jared Stidham.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

Jared Stidham was picked in the fourth round and he was. And he selected the number four as his jersey for the Patriots is who select him because he was picked in the fourth round. It was an honor because he was the first Patriots player since Adam Vinateri to wear the number four.

[A]

Oh, he took Vinnetary's number, Didn't retire it. Well, maybe when they got Stid on, they're like, I don't know if we should retire yet. Maybe.

[D]

But I mean, is that an honor?

[A]

I think so. That's a legend. People still probably wearing Venatori jerseys around. You could say, you know, that was me too.

[D]

Yes. His first start happened in 2020 during the COVID season when he was third string for the Patriots. Cam Newton and backup Brian Hoyer both got Covid the same week, which allowed Jared Stidham to start.

[A]

He probably had a shot. It's a big, big moment in that locker room.

[D]

Vaccine awareness. He is right. So we know he is Provax and we also know that he appreciates the history of the number four Provax or.

[A]

Social distance, one of the two. He was just cautious, knowing he didn't want to lose his opportunity.

[E]

And he comes back home to play the Patriots.

[A]

That's right.

[D]

And he comes back home. That's exactly right.

[A]

Mike Vrabel said that they called about adding Stidham this year. We're kind of checking in, see if he was available because they trust him so much as a backup.

[D]

And now finally last year, after signing a two year $12 million extension with the Broncos in which he got $7 million guaranteed, he only had one play of the season. He came in to kneel down on the final play of the Broncos victory over the Cowboys. So those, it's not a great sign when those are the three facts that are considered the most interesting about your player career. But c' est la vie.

[A]

It's still him time. It's gotta be cool. Also seeing the Patriots team, he knows. Well, they know him. They liked him there. He's a backup. Backups are always lovable. So huge moment for him. I just, I wish he had played a little bit of football. So I know what we're looking.

[D]

But the problem is no tape.

[A]

No tell you they can't prepare.

[D]

They have. Here's what they may not know. Since the last time he's played he's left handed.

[A]

Found out one doctor's visit changed everything.

[D]

It's going to throw everything off for they're going to have their entire defense projecting him to roll right, but he is going to roll left and now they're not going to be ready.

[A]

Rosters and coaches have changed, but maybe he knows the Patriots playbook or at least knows his way around the building. That'll help his way around the building.

[D]

Be hard to know.

[A]

Hey guys, I have this playbook from five years ago. We could look.

[D]

I think that's going to help a lot, but so should be exciting.

[A]

Now I will be betting the Stidham over on touchdowns.

[D]

What do you think it is?

[A]

I'm just going to bet it at two. I assume it's probably one and a half.

[D]

I would assume it's one and a half, but maybe I'm going two plus.

[A]

Yeah, Big Stidham game won't pick a win, but he's going to be. He's going to perform two plus.

[D]

Yeah, you think my man's going to throw two touchdowns?

[A]

Big time players make big time plays in big time games. And he is from the home of Nibrock. And there's nothing bigger with brighter lights than Nimrok.

[D]

Well, Nibrock salad, saggy sag of Sal.

[A]

The big one was the, the highfalutin one.

[D]

Was that the saga sale?

[A]

It was how you pronounced it, I think.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, wow. It just got more expensive visiting there. Just doubled in price.

[D]

Yeah. All right, so now there's other news besides Jared Stidham and Billy is here to bring us some of that. Billy, give us some headlines.

[E]

Yeah. Shortly after we recorded on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills fired Sean McDermott after their loss to the Broncos. He was 98 and 50 in nine years with the Bills, but 8 and 8 in the playoffs. Owner Terry Pegula commented on the firing of Sean McDermott, citing the visible distress of many players in the locker room as a big reason why he made the change. He said, quote, I saw the pain in Josh's face at his press conference and I felt his pain. I know we can do better and I know we will get better.

[D]

I was a little surprised by this. You know, to me, if you. He's had such a good run. It's not his fault, McDermott, that they lost the game. I don't know why they think a new coach is going to make a huge difference. If anything, you might blame the GM for not having enough offensive weapons. I mean, I actually thought this was not smart decision, but what about you surprised me.

[A]

I mean, I know they haven't gotten to their ultimate goal, but to be in the conversation every year and have a shot seems weird to fire coach. And in hindsight, it may. You know, maybe Alan didn't want him. I don't know their dynamic. But with.

[D]

Is there. Is there reports that that's true?

[A]

No, no. I'm just saying when Alan was. Was crying and saying it was on me, was that like trying to keep it off of him in that moment? I don't know.

[D]

Well, that makes it even more make.

[A]

It weirder that they'd fire him. Yeah, so that's what I'm saying. I don't know their dynamic, but that could have been the case because we know how Allen was over the top and trying to put it all on himself, you know?

[D]

Yeah, I don't get it. I mean, I mean people are quick to hire. They've allowed three. Three coaches have lost their jobs who to me have done really well. Tomlin, Harbaugh and now him. I mean, maybe. What are the chances that the next coach for the Ravens, Steelers or Bills does better than those three? How many of them do you think will make a hire that is more successful than the guy they fired?

[A]

That's why I think it's so crazy with him. He's been knocking on the door. I mean, sure, they just lost a road game, but I mean, you're in the second round of the playoffs, so that means you trust your search is going to go find someone that will have you at the bare minimum in the AFC championship.

[D]

Let's just go more specific because, I mean, these are also teams that are full of veterans. Which of those. How many of those three franchises over the next three years will be better than they were the three years before the Steelers?

[A]

I don't think will be because they.

[D]

Don'T have a quarterback. I mean, Rogers, do you think they're going to be better?

[A]

Same situation. Both the Bills are going to be better in Corvette. I see Allen having a little more life than Aaron Rodgers and even Lamar.

[D]

I agree, but do you think they will do better than.

[A]

No, no, no, no. That's my point. That's why I think they've been to back.

[D]

I mean, they've been to two of the three last AFC championship games.

[A]

That's why the bill, specifically the Steelers kind of think it was good for both parties. Even though Tomlin's great and I don't think the results. The McDermott one blows my mind. I mean, yeah, I guess they could have. Would you let the game at Denver, but you're going to go make a hire that would have won that game. I don't think those people are out there.

[E]

McDermott.

[D]

No.

[E]

Even though he should have answered for giving up 33 points as a defensive head coach. I mean, that's. That's.

[D]

I mean, but what did you want to want him to do?

[E]

I don't know.

[D]

Jump in front of a train like he said that they had to be.

[E]

I mean, he should have some responsibility to that. I'm not saying I always.

[D]

When people say that, what do they mean should have some responsibility? What should he do?

[E]

He should take some criticism, cut off his pinky. I mean, maybe focus on the defensive side of the ball, not drafting Keon Coleman, which we can get to in a second.

[D]

Okay, but. All right, so turnovers are why they lost. So let's go to that part because that's part of it, too. What happened with Keon Coleman?

[E]

Terry Bagula, the owner for the Bills, kept Brandon Bean as general manager despite firing Sean McDermott. And he was noticing all the heat that Brandon Bean was getting on drafting Keon Coleman. So the owner, Terry, went out and said the coaching staff pushed to draft Keon. I'm not saying Brandon wouldn't have drafted him, but he wasn't his next choice. That was Brandon being a team player and taking the advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player.

[D]

Let's start on you, though. First of all, even if I think all that's true, two things. One, still on the G. Favorite party.

[A]

They're talking like, he came in and burned down the building. He's on your roster next.

[D]

He's on the team.

[A]

He's right there.

[D]

I'm here. He's on the team. Like, he. Like he didn't move. You got to go see him. You got to be like, hey, man, you know when I said we shouldn't have picked you? It's true. But we still need you to play well. Like, how do you. I don't understand either of those comments. The gm, okay, he was listening to his coach. Well, it's still on you. Secondly, Keon is right there and young.

[A]

It's like, second year.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, they're having this press conference, and on the other side of the wall, Keon Coleman is lifting weights to get better for next season, and they're talking.

[D]

Catches an unnecessary strike. Keon is, like, excited for the off season.

[A]

Got to get focused. I could do better and I'm going to do better. But they're talking about him in the next room like he sabotaged the organization and left and he's not even in Buffalo anymore. No. He is in your wide receiver room and is, in theory, part of your offense the next season or two.

[E]

Now, Brandon be. Indeed. Say later in the press conference. He was my pick. I made the pick. Terry's point was that we might have had a different order of personnel versus coaching.

[D]

But. But see, that's even more of a cop out answer. Right. Do you think if Keon Coleman had been successful, he would have come out and said, I actually wanted someone else?

[E]

No.

[D]

But Sean talked me into him. No. I mean, there's nothing worse than not accepting responsibility for a decision that you did make. Right. He did make it. So I just. And then it's almost like he's putting the whole failure of the McDermott regime on Keon Coleman.

[A]

There's also this thing that I think people forget exists videos and the Internet today has been sharing nonstop videos of Bean on draft night and in interviews talking about how bad he wants Coleman. So whatever narrative they're trying. Trying to paint now, we have. We have clips of him saying it's Keon and things like that. So we can just go to the tape and know who they wanted. But even if the coach did force him into it, if you're a gm, you can't admit that the coach is pushing you around in the call. That's your job. So you're either. You either drafted him or admitting you don't even have enough clout in your own room to make the pick. The coaches are doing it for you.

[D]

By the way, there's some breaking news here. The NFL and the competition committee are not planning to make major changes to the catch rule, although they could take steps to promote better understanding of the rulings. What is that going to be like?

[A]

You're going to hire a PR team.

[D]

Teaching children in schools? I still understand what the. What the rule is.

[A]

Here's your fluoride. We're going to check you for license now. This is how you complete a catch. Young kid, I've never.

[D]

I've never understood the rule because it's not the same rule when you are, like, in play is when you're going to the end zone or out of bounds. It's not the same rule. Like, you're down, but then you're not down until you roll over and like, sing a lullaby.

[A]

You have to declare to the ref that you caught it.

[D]

You guys are holding it, but I don't know why. Declaring is part of it. There should be no declaration involved. It should be objective. We don't ask these receivers to go, I hear by the cloud that I've caught the ball.

[A]

I get. They're saying, complete the catch. But it seems referees don't agree on what's completely roll six times.

[D]

Understand you're down when your knee hits the ground, right? I don't say that.

[A]

If it's a catch, you have to complete the catch.

[D]

Why?

[A]

To show you have possession, I guess.

[D]

But I'm down for fumbling purposes. When I'm touched with my knee on the ground, why am I not down for catching purposes?

[A]

I guess you can get an image where you have two hands on the ball and a knee down. But do you really have possession with your knee?

[D]

I don't know. I mean, do I really exist or am I a figment of the Matrix's imagination?

[E]

Well, they say you have to.

[D]

On some level, I have to have some objective truth, Mr. Kant.

[A]

I'm with you. I'm with you.

[E]

Well, you're supposed to make a football move after you make the catch.

[D]

I don't like that, though. What do you got?

[A]

You got a stiff arm. You got.

[E]

Well, that's why you have to survive the ground. That would be your football move in this instance, would it not?

[D]

I have to survive the ground.

[E]

Yeah, you have to make the catch. It's like DEZ Bryant back in the day.

[A]

He's the famous one.

[E]

I mean, hit the ground, ball came.

[A]

Out, you got roll over a little bit.

[D]

Say it happened in the past doesn't mean it's a good rule now.

[E]

If you made a football move and then you.

[A]

That's the thing I hate the most.

[E]

Two steps.

[D]

What'? Football.

[E]

Two steps and possession.

[A]

What if I'm falling down? I can't make two steps. I'm diving. That's why you have to catch.

[E]

Complete the catch.

[D]

But I mean, sometimes they'll make you roll over and bark before.

[E]

I can't. I can't speak to the barking.

[D]

I like that they're.

[A]

They're hiring a PR team to help, though.

[D]

Well, it's not. I mean, maybe we're the PR team. I don't completely understand it now, and I. But maybe with. With the help of. Of these explanations, I will. All right, what's the next one?

[E]

We have a couple of new offensive coordinator hires in the national football league. Two we'll talk about now. Mike McDaniels is going to become the Chargers offensive coordinator, teaming up with Jim Harbaugh and Eric B. Enemy is going to return to Kansas City and become the offensive coordinator once again.

[D]

Eric sleeping with B. Enemy. First of all, Mike McDaniel odd to choose to be an offensive coordinator when supposedly he was up for other jobs. Is this a. I wasn't going to get the jobs, so I am. I am getting out before you get rid of me. Or do you think he thinks that being the Chargers offensive coordinator is better to get him a better job than Cleveland, Tennessee or whatever was open for him?

[A]

I leaned that one. The second option of let me do a holdover year look great with this offense and Herbert on a team that's probably better than how they've. I know they probably have more than what they've shown. He thinks he can help break that through. But also part of me thought, you know, la Mike McDaniel.

[D]

Oh, you think he's going to party. That's interesting. I hadn't thought about that. So he's been in Miami. He's used to going to the clubs after a big win. He goes to 11.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I didn't know that was a club until I just saw all the Indiana people went. Did you see that big party? Yeah, they went to. I guess it's the one of the big nightclubs. And they all went. But they were all dressed in, like, jeans.

[A]

We never would have gotten jeans.

[D]

Yeah, and they wouldn't have gotten any. And so they. The club had to just agree, we will let in all these yokels and we will bring our dress code down for the night.

[E]

I know Mendoza wasn't out there partying, was.

[A]

Oh, he was. Yeah. There's video of him now. I can't tell you how hard he's 11. He was in 11.

[D]

The fact that I know a name of a club in Miami is crazy in and of itself.

[E]

Get ready to learn. San Francisco club.

[D]

Oh, dude, we already know. I don't already have the promoters.

[E]

12.

[D]

Yeah, that'd be nice. Just across the street, open up a club called 12. We are them plus one. So maybe he just. He's used to the. He can't imagine moving from Miami to.

[A]

Cleveland and then like Cleveland with an unknown quarterback and almost certainly going to get fired in three years.

[D]

Tennessee, I mean, maybe. Unless you just don't believe in Cam Ward.

[A]

I think he failed the Tennessee interview. When I saw his outfit that was not a serious outfit at the airport. Yeah, I think he was going. He was doing Baltimore and Tennessee.

[D]

You don't think he went home, changed first? He should have.

[A]

He should have went home and changed before he got in the Uber. But I do think there's something to. It's hardball. There's a quarterback I can win with. It's la. All I got to do is go make this offense look good. My phone's going to ring again pretty quickly.

[D]

Yeah, I mean, that may be true.

[A]

I don't have to be in front of the cameras.

[D]

I'm just scoring points. Huge pay difference between that and a head coach.

[A]

It's true.

[D]

Yeah. I was just a little surprised by it. But he also may have thought, well, I'm not going to get any of these jobs except Cleveland. I don't want to go there.

[A]

Like I said, I'm going to be fired. And then what am I going to be doing?

[D]

Yeah, and then what am I. Because you're not going to get a third chance. I mean, there is that. There is a partial where you can't fail three times. You can fail once, but you can't fail three times. And then what did you say was the other one?

[E]

Eric B. Enemy?

[D]

Yeah, I. I was surprised. I thought like, I'm not. I knew he wasn't the OC of. Of Kansas City. He had been where I think he was.

[E]

Chicago.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

He had like a. He was a position coach, but he wasn't the oc. No, no. It was running backs or something.

[D]

Yeah, but he left. He left on his own, didn't he? From Kansas City?

[E]

Well, he wasn't getting head coaching jobs like that was because everybody was.

[A]

Every year his name came up. Right.

[E]

So he went to the Commanders for a little bit as an assistant head coach.

[D]

That's where I knew he was. Is the commander.

[E]

Then he went to college.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

He college for a year.

[D]

And why do you think he can't get a job? Do you think it is. Do you think he's just not good at interviews?

[A]

It's got to be the interviews because every year for. It felt like a decade. The moment a coach got fired, the list would come out.

[D]

This goes back to my point we made a few weeks ago. Do you think maybe you just. People overreact to the interviews?

[A]

I think so. You know, when I sit down and I got my Sunday ticket in my red zone, not one time I've seen a coach sitting at a desk in an interview setting when they're trying to win a game.

[D]

I mean I.

[A]

They're calling plays and coaching plays.

[D]

Especially if he comes back to Kansas City and let's say the offense immediately clicks again next year and there's back. And they're just back with draft season. There'd be a case of maybe we shouldn't listen to our gut on these interviews and just go, does he win or not?

[E]

Who's Todd McShay have as the best coaching candidate? Just like the draft you mentioned during the last thing. Just.

[D]

Well, I mean if you were objectively looking at who are the best candidates, Eric B. Enemy would have won years.

[E]

Right.

[D]

Right. So maybe that's what they should do. I just can't imagine the man keeps failing all of these interviews. Yeah.

[E]

Maybe he's got a bad handshake.

[A]

Could be it by going. Maybe he's late to all of them.

[D]

It could be little things Interesting. He doesn't.

[A]

He does know how to tie a tie.

[D]

They're like, who?

[A]

Look at that Windsor.

[D]

If you. Let's say you were a GM and you were doing a head coach interview and the person was scheduled at 3:00'. Clock. Well, and let's say you knew they were in town. Okay. Like they're at the hotel across the street. What's the latest they could get there before you would just disqualify them for the interview?

[A]

I'm gonna have to flex my GM muscles and not tolerate more than a couple minutes unless it's like a big name. And I really want him. He can be.

[D]

So you're saying if. Let's just assume this is. You're down to two people and let's say you're like, I genuinely don't know. Is 305 too late?

[A]

I think so.

[E]

No way. John Harbaugh shows up 30 saying, like.

[D]

Let'S say it's two random people. It's Mike McDaniel and Robert Sol. And you're trying to decide what is the moment where them being late becomes part of the decision process. 305.

[A]

I'll give it 10 minutes. Then I. Then I gotta start doing my job.

[E]

I might even go 315.

[D]

All right. But you know, they're across the street. They roll in at 3:15, no explanation. What up, man? Don't even acknowledge they're late.

[E]

Well, I don't like that. Like, we're off to a bad start.

[A]

Yeah. At that point you're just going to.

[D]

Hold it against them.

[A]

You have to.

[D]

All right, now what you're good at your job. What's the earliest that they get there that you don't think they're a freak?

[A]

This is tough. I like to be early. But there's a psychotic early.

[D]

There is a psychotic.

[A]

Why are you in the parking lot?

[D]

You're making us uncomfortable. You're here. So how long have you been here? What's the earliest you get there that like, people go, would you like some water? Like, there's, there's coffee shop across the street.

[A]

Yeah, we don't even. We're not open yet, man.

[D]

Like 2:30. 2:30 too early?

[E]

No, no. I was going to say like 2:15.

[A]

If you're there more than an hour before. Okay, you're trying too hard.

[D]

So you're saying 145 too early.

[A]

I almost think you're overcompensating for a weakness. Like, I'm going to try to win the getting there early because I'm bad at something else.

[D]

I'm going to be freaked out if you're there at 2 and I'm starting to get freaked out if you're there at 250 because it's like, are you going to just annoy me the whole time? You're here, but when you've hired them.

[A]

You want them to be the first in the building.

[E]

Oh, yeah. You want the first.

[A]

So you're the first one in, last one out. Like, if you're 15 minutes late from an interview, I don't want my starting running back being like, where's my coach? We were supposed to be here.

[D]

But I don't care how good you are as a coach, if you're going to make my skin crawl for three years, I got to move on. So you're only giving them 15 minutes late, but you're letting them be an hour early?

[A]

Yeah. It shows they want it well.

[D]

So we're going to assume Mike McDaniel was late.

[A]

He was late and Robert Sala was not.

[D]

Okay. All right, what else?

[E]

Well, Mike McDaniels will not be going to Tennessee because they hired.

[D]

Singular. It's like Stanford Cardinal.

[E]

What?

[D]

McDaniel?

[E]

No, McDaniel.

[D]

Excuse me.

[E]

Well, Josh McDaniels is still coaching right now, but it will be Mike McDaniel not going to Tennessee because they hired Robert Sala. And I think Drew has touched on it in the past, but now the news is official. I wanted to get his thoughts.

[A]

I like it. He was high on my list. Part of it was I enjoyed the hard knocks he was in. Not gonna lie, I'm a sucker for hard knocks. And I believe that the jets are just one of those cursed organizations where you can't judge. His time with the jets, the defense was good, but I mean, they never win. Why would you expect him to win? So I'm excited about him. My only concern is he's a defensive guy, best coordinator in the NFL probably. And we have a bunch of young offensive guys who need developed. So he has, has to. Has to absolutely get a good oc. Now, I've seen Brian Day Balls rumored if we get a head coach from the Giants that I thought did pretty well given the circumstances as our OC with him very happy.

[D]

Oh, yeah. He'd definitely be very.

[A]

So I'm still pleased with the. With the hire. It just. It wasn't enough. Offensive coach.

[D]

If I'm Dave, I'm sitting out before I'm being the OC of the Titans. No offense, but like, I'm going to wait. If I'm going to have to be the oc, I might have to be on a team that I know is going to be good.

[A]

It all comes down to do they believe in camera.

[D]

That's true.

[A]

A good OC would love to get their hands on a young up and comer quarterback.

[D]

Do you is Robert Sala now hottest coach in the NFL? Head coach.

[A]

Trying to think Andy Reid. No, I'm swiping left on Andrew. Andy swiping left.

[D]

Probably the least hot.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Anybody less hot?

[E]

Trying to think of less hot than Andy.

[D]

I mean, Mike McCarthy's not back.

[A]

I'm swiping left in my mind through the whole. I think it's going to have to.

[D]

Be Rob Robert Sala. I mean, who else are even the.

[E]

Contenders like a Kyle Shanahan.

[D]

Oh, McVeigh.

[A]

Oh, McVeigh.

[D]

McVeigh.

[A]

Too much hair gel, though. He does like the middle school spike.

[D]

Yeah. I mean, Robert Sala is one of three people I've ever watched a sporting event with a woman and had them go, who's that?

[A]

And you have to change the channel like you didn't even see that. Here, let me.

[D]

Yeah, I mean the all time of that is Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy Garoppolo can be on any TV screen anywhere. And you have lost your woman. She leaves you and goes and tries to start date.

[A]

She buys season tickets for his team. I didn't know you liked football. You only got one season ticket. Didn't even think about me.

[D]

But now you have that Nashville, so that's exciting for you.

[A]

You know, Nashville is a town where I don't know if he's married. I think he is.

[D]

I hope so.

[A]

But that's where all the like the bachelor Bachelorette, love island reality people have now just descended upon Nashville. Big dating scene. I don't want any distractions with my coach. Need to be stuck with the playbook and not out in Nashville. But I still like the hire.

[E]

There seems to be a consensus top three here. Sean McVeigh, Matt LaFleur and Dan Campbell.

[D]

Dan Campbell.

[A]

Dan Campbell.

[E]

I'm looking at it.

[D]

Campbell looks like the gym teacher on Beavis and Butthead.

[A]

Did Billy make this list? Look it up. This is Billy's list.

[D]

This is not. Dan Campbell's not in the top. Yes, he is. When you say consensus on what site?

[E]

Us magazine dot com.

[D]

Us Magazine. Yeah, it's not. There's no thing called Us Magazine.

[E]

Us Weekly.

[D]

Us Weekly. Yes.

[E]

And then if you ask AI, that's the third name that comes up.

[D]

I'm not worried about who AI thinks is hot.

[E]

I asked him. That's the hottest head.

[A]

I'm framed way over.

[D]

That's looks maxing and I'm against that.

[A]

Mario, make sure you don't send this video off for them to use.

[D]

No, we can use it.

[A]

This is an Easter egg.

[D]

We are this, this is. We are very. We're fine in this.

[E]

Casino CA did a poll. Who Casino CA did a poll.

[D]

Casino Ca. First of all, when have you ever heard the phrase ca.com wasn't available?

[E]

I guess.ca McVeigh got 16% of the.

[D]

Vote and who got second?

[E]

Matt LaFleur at 12% and then Dan Campbell comes in at 5%.

[D]

So AI is basically casino Ca, which is not, I think, a reputable source. So I, I think we can agree you have the hottest cup.

[B]

Ranked number one in innovation 11 consecutive years. Arizona State University isn't just ahead of the curve. It's creating new paths to success. Learn from notable clinical and research faculty online. That's a degree. Better explore Programs at ASUonline ASU EDU.

[E]

Let's talk about Baker Mayfield and his comments towards new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski. A Atlanta Falcons beat writer tweeted earlier this week that Falcons Kevin Stefanski had a dumpster fire at quarterback in Cleveland. Baker Mayfield and DeSean Watson failed, which started a chain reaction to 11 other starters. QB Shadur Sanders closed out last season with seven starts. Baker took notice of that. He, quote, tweeted it and said, failed is quite the reach, pal. You're still waiting on a text call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can't wait to see you twice a year, coach.

[D]

Yeah, I mean it was pretty. I think the two things that are poor form. One is throwing the quarterback on the bus, especially if you know you're going to be in the division. But then if he really didn't call him when they left and I'm going to assume he didn't. If Baker says that, then Drew, I do think that's poor form. I think you got to at least say, hey man, going to miss you, right?

[A]

Yeah. Guest reporter. Wasn't even a text. I mean you should call, but if you don't even send a good luck or even the hand waving emoji like get your ass out of here. Just no communication is the worst for a head coach.

[D]

By the way, I don't think I realize. Are you wearing wrestling pants?

[A]

I tried to bring those up on the morning show and couldn't get the words in. Those pants are incredible.

[D]

Just a second for me. They dazzled.

[A]

Yeah, they got jewels.

[D]

You. That looks like what a WCW wrestler in 1994 would have come out in return.

[A]

They have like bedazzled flames. I know.

[D]

Who would wear that. Disco Inferno.

[A]

Oh, I was going to Go buff Bagwell.

[D]

But yeah, he would have been buff in the stuff in those.

[A]

Those are Disco Inferno.

[D]

I'm just saying I've never seen those. I wish I could pull that off. I don't want to. I think if I wore those in public, the reaction would be different than you wearing them in public.

[A]

I don't want to get too personal, Mario, but I do have to ask, just from my own knowledge here, did you buy the pants and bedazzle them yourself or were they on?

[D]

They were. They're pretty bedazzled.

[A]

Okay, so you didn't do your own bedazzling. Well, they look good. They're very shiny.

[E]

Yeah, they buy them today with holes in the jeans already.

[D]

That's not what this is.

[E]

These are same vein, Matt.

[A]

Do you even go through a metal detector in those?

[D]

Do they make you at the airport take off your pants? They do me and I always don't think it's necessary. Just wear sweatpants, sir. Why am I the only one?

[A]

Are those going to San Francisco? Are those super bowl pants?

[D]

Oh, that might be super bowl pants. I think that's like a Wednesday night party pants.

[A]

You're going to get a compliment from a famous NFL player wearing those.

[D]

Yeah, I like it. It's a good look. It's. Those are Cover Zero level pants. What were we talking about? Baker Mayfield.

[E]

See you twice a year, Coach.

[D]

Do you like that there's going to have that little NFC south rivalry. Chris Meyer is going to have a lot to talk about. We need.

[A]

We need reasons other than Cover Zero's promotion to talk about the NFC South. Not for us. I'm not sure people even know there's an NFC South.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

And Carolina Mike, who performed at the Wake Forest College basketball game this week.

[D]

Did you watch it? I did.

[A]

Want to make sure that gets a mention.

[D]

A few people in the stands, very excited. Yeah. A lot of people perplexed, Kind of exactly what we thought would happen.

[A]

Kind of nodding their head like, I'm so enjoying this.

[D]

What. What happened to the guy who does the splits with his dog on his feet and they're like, nope, if I had a. If I had 150,000. So. But I like it. And as far as Stefanski, next time text.

[A]

Yeah, you should text. And I like the saucy Baker when the Bucks had it rolling early in the year. He's talking a lot of noise. I kind of enjoy when Baker's got a swagger going. I'm glad he sent that out to let him know, put him on notice.

[D]

In the conference Swaggy Baker is a better Baker.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I don't like philosophical Baker.

[A]

No, Browns Baker, Tampa Baker. First half of last season is the Baker we want.

[D]

Yes.

[E]

Also, the Browns had from 2020 to 2025, Stefanski had 13 starting quarterbacks, and Baker Mayfield went 11 and 5 and led them to the playoffs.

[D]

Yeah. I mean, the thing about the Browns is the sort of narrative that their quarterbacks have always stunk actually makes them overlook Tim Couch and Baker Mayfield. Tim Couch and Baker Mayfield both had some success for them, but people just don't care because they get lumped in with every other terrible one. Whereas Tim Couch took them to the playoffs, Baker Mayfield took them to the playoffs, and they just get also thrown into the dumpster fire.

[E]

It's a good point.

[A]

That jersey with, like, the 41 last names, they're just a name on that. But they did better. And then both those get. Well, Baker still got a good career going, but we're big Couch defenders.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Any other team there would not be bus conversation. And the Browns let them down.

[D]

Yeah. And I think. I think he went to playoffs and maybe Kelly Holcomb or whatever, he might have gone to the playoffs once.

[A]

And I think when McNabb and couch same draft class, like, if you flip them, McNabb, couch leads the Eagles.

[D]

The way it. The way it goes. Who's. What's next?

[E]

The Buffalo Denver game peaked at 51.3 million viewers in overtime. That is the most watched Saturday telecast in on any network since 1994 and the winter Olympics.

[D]

Oh, and that was Tanya and Nancy, Also the biggest TV broadcast since Tanya and Nancy on a Saturday. You, Billy and Mario Drew may have a small memory of it, because he would have been like, oh, I remember it. Nothing is bitten. Tanya and Nancy captivated this country. Maybe unlike any sporting thing in my life. It was. It was like as if Taylor Swift was playing quarterback, not dating the quarterback was playing quarterback. That's what it was because it was women's sports, but with men caring about, like, they combined everything. And then one of them tried to hurt the other one, ended up breaking her skate and crying. And there was a guy named Galilee. And it was. It was amazing that that happened.

[A]

It'd be like right before the AFC championship, Jared Stidham hire someone to go break Bo or Dr. May. I don't know what it's called.

[D]

You had one woman who was like, from the trailer park and country, and then one of them was like a ice queen. Right. They both were attractive in different ways. There were Weird people involved. If it had been live. It wasn't live back then. They used to just tape the Olympics and you weren't allowed to. And there was no Internet, so the news leaked of who won. But if it had been live, I don't think there would have been one human being in America who wouldn't have watched it. Right.

[A]

There's really never been anything like that in sports.

[D]

Really? I think it is. You know, we remember, like, okay, you go. Who are the biggest sports people in the history of sports? Most people would answer Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods. I think most people think those are historically the biggest four. And I'm not disputing that. But there's also a group of people that you had to have lived through it to realize how big they were. And Tanya, Nancy is one of. Mike Tyson is one of them. Like, unless you lived through that, you don't know what it was like when Tyson was coming up, just knocking people out. I think Tanya, Nancy's one of them.

[A]

This is a little different of, like, Mike Tyson, but like a thing that happened that never gets talked about anymore. That was crazy. Is just this week I saw on Twitter the Monica Seles video where she.

[D]

Got stabbed in a mat in the French Open.

[A]

That is insane. Like, that is absolutely insane. A lot of people don't even know that happened. But at the time, it's like, what?

[D]

Yeah, I think that was in the French Open and she got stabbed. That's right. And her career was really never exactly the same after that. And tennis was still very huge then. Much bigger than it is now. Yeah, there's a history talking about this.

[E]

Because it's the most watched telecast on a Saturday since 1994.

[D]

Well, I understand. I mean, that was a great game, and it was very, very exciting. I mean, I would assume. Have they gotten the ratings for the Bears one? I mean, I assume it didn't see that.

[E]

Just saw this one.

[D]

The Bears, Rams. Has. Will have to be an insane rating, too, I would think, right?

[A]

Oh, absolutely. Especially with that. I'd be shocked if it's not in the conversation.

[E]

NFL's king.

[D]

Yes, it is.

[A]

It is.

[D]

What else?

[E]

Just a couple more and then we'll preview these games. John Harbaugh was being introduced as the new New York Giants head coach, and he called the Giants the most iconic franchise in the biggest sport. He will also have final say on the roster selection, which the GM downplayed. But do you think the Giants are the most iconic franchise in the NFL?

[D]

No, but, I mean, so let's rank, the iconic franchise. The Cowboys are number one. Fair.

[A]

I'd have the Packers.

[E]

I was gonna say.

[D]

Yeah, no, Cowboys are number one. Cowboys are bigger.

[E]

They're valued more.

[D]

You mean, it's just Cowboys have been. There's a reason why they have the Thanksgiving game. You know, that. That it's easy to forget. But you have to remember that when football became football, the Cowboys and Steelers were good. Right. Packers were just a little before that. I mean, don't get me wrong, I would go Cowboys 1, Packers 2, Steelers 3. I think those are the top three, and I don't really think you can dispute it, which is interesting, because they're not the biggest cities.

[A]

Right.

[D]

But I do think they are the three biggest franchises. Would you agree with that?

[A]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, however you want to order them, I could hear you out.

[D]

Three and then fourth.

[A]

I think the Giants.

[D]

Aren't they one of the original argument. You could make it because the first game that people remember in football, I believe was Giants, Colts. Right. Isn't that the famous one? Maybe the first game live that was on television was the Giants.

[A]

And aren't they one of the original teams?

[D]

I think they are.

[A]

They have Super Bowls. And I hear.

[D]

I can hear an argument for the Giants. I think along with the Giants, you would put in that group the 49ers, the Bears, and that's probably it. So I'll hear an argument for the Giants. It's fourth. I think if you made me do it, I would go Cowboys, Packers, Steelers, Giants, Bears. That would be my five. What about you?

[E]

I would agree with that. I mean, I think you sneak the Giants in a little bit. I don't remember a ton of success that they've had recently.

[D]

I mean, Tom Eli won two Super Bowls. You got in the 80s. You got to remember. Lt was a big thing in America.

[E]

Parcels.

[D]

Parcels.

[A]

Several from before it was the super bowl, too. I don't know how far back is.

[D]

Again, it's how far you want to go. They were the iconic 50s franchise, like Frank Gifford played for them. So, like, if you're kind of thinking iconic franchises by by decade, packers are the 60s, the Giants are the 50s, Steelers and Cowboys are the 70s. And in some ways the Bears are the 80s because of the 85 Bears. So, like, I don't think it's coincidence. Those are the five we mentioned.

[E]

Right?

[D]

Right. Probably.

[A]

I think Harbaugh can say it in that setting. If someone had gotten up there and, you know, it's the new head coaches of Jacksonville. Okay, shut up. You Liar. No one believes you. But I think they're close enough that he can say it as the new head coach of New York.

[D]

What about the other Sports? Baseball. Yankees 1, Red Sox 2.

[E]

Dodgers.

[D]

Dodgers or Cubs 3. Which one?

[A]

Dodgers have had a little more success, but it's Cubs, man.

[D]

I think it's Cubs.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Go so far back and then Dodgers five then or four then who's five?

[A]

Dodgers moved around.

[D]

I don't know who five is. Five's hard because there's Arrows.

[A]

Mets. I mean, I think old. The Reds are. I mean, they're not very good.

[D]

Yeah, I don't think they would have been in a while now. There would have been a time like during the 70s, Big Red Machine that they would have put the Reds.

[A]

I mean, when you dial in on the timeline, there's teams.

[D]

I don't think if you went historically, I think you'd have to say Mets or maybe the Phillies. But I think you're going to probably say the Mets.

[E]

Would you like to know what casino ca. I want to know the Mets as number four. Cubs at five. Dodgers.

[A]

The Giants have a lot of history.

[D]

I'm sure that's a good one. Actually, you know what? I'm taking the Mets out. I'd put the Giants fifth because they go back to New York way back as well. All right, so I'm about to put the Giants now. I mean, as well do these for all. I'll save the NBA hockey.

[A]

This is going to have to be you.

[D]

Well, this is hard, but it also like gives you a sense who. You know, you're not a hockey fan. So I actually think that would matter. The ones that come to my mind as likely. Red Wings.

[A]

That was my first one was the Red Wings came to mind.

[D]

Maple Leafs, Rangers, Bruins, Bruins, Canadians. Maybe the Canadians. Yeah, I think those are actually the five. The only other one I could think of is. I mean the. Who's in the original six is the six. Chicago I think is higher. The Blackhawks on this, I think there's. I think that's the original six. So I'm going to go Red Wings 1. Maple Leafs, Rangers, Bruins, Canadiens. Do we like them?

[A]

You know NHL a lot more than me. I just know Red Sox or Red Sox. Red Wings immediately came to mind. Detroit, Canadians. I can't tell you much about them.

[D]

I couldn't tell you much about the Canadians either.

[E]

But Florida team surprisingly good in hockey.

[D]

But nobody cares about Florida. I mean, they don't. That's not even a state.

[E]

It's my home state.

[D]

Basketball is It Lakers or Celtics?

[A]

Just call it the Lakers. Celtics probably. I was about to say Celtics and right as I went open my mouth I was like, is it the Lakers?

[D]

Well, historically it's probably the Celtics, but I do feel like the Lakers are the bigger draw in the last 25 years. So I'm going to go Lakers, then Celtics, Knicks. And then I think I. It's hard because like the Bulls are so huge. But like, have you cared about the bulls in 25 years? I mean they were never good before Jordan and they were never after Jordan had Derrick Rose. They did for a little while.

[E]

Yeah. And got hurt.

[D]

And he got hurt, man. I think there's a big drop after number three though, isn't there? After the Knicks, I would even say.

[A]

One and two are on their own pests because the one they have like same amount of chance, one apart.

[D]

But again, when TV became a thing, the Knicks were big in the 70s. They were.

[A]

They would just win a little more. They'd be in it.

[D]

Yeah, yeah. I don't know about fourth. I mean, I guess it might be the Bulls.

[E]

Spurs.

[D]

I mean the spurs have won a ton, but I. I don't know if I consider them iconic. I. I think maybe Sixers. Yeah. Argument.

[E]

Where do they have the warriors seven behind the Pistons.

[D]

The warriors go back all the way to Philadelphia and they go to Wilt Chambers. So I'm going to put the warriors fifth because of that. What about you?

[A]

And the last 15 years was about as good as any run as you can have too, outside of the Lakers.

[D]

And it's odd I go Bulls just.

[A]

Because the iconic Jordan.

[D]

It's odd how much of basketball is based on the individual players that are there, whereas these other sports are more based, as Jerry Seinfeld would say, on the lawn.

[A]

Well, I'm an example. I have a favorite team that I have not changed on, switched up on since I was an infant. I've never had an NBA team. Like I love players. I love the Pacers when Reggie Miller was there.

[D]

And I think you could make an argument that only the Celtics, Lakers and Knicks are non player dependent.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Because.

[D]

Because I think all these other teams are dependent on who happened to play for them. The Celtics and the Lakers and the Knicks are the Celtics and the Lakers and the Knicks no matter who's played for them.

[A]

Those are the three.

[D]

Those are the three.

[A]

The rest of them, you latch on to a star you like. If they move team, maybe.

[D]

All right.

[A]

That's how it is for me.

[D]

I didn't mean to get off on this, but. All right, one more.

[E]

Yeah. My final note isn't much of a news note, but in both games in the championship weekend, we will have Sean versus Mike. It'll be Mike Vrapel versus Sean Payton.

[D]

That's nice.

[E]

We have Sean McVeigh versus Mike McDonald.

[D]

Let me ask you a question. Did you notice that or did you see someone else?

[E]

Oh, that was my research.

[A]

Well, I actually have to butt in. The top note I have. I can show it is Mike Ver. Sean. Mike versus Sean. Because they've been talking about that.

[E]

So another good researcher.

[D]

Oh, wait a minute. Wait. But he's. He's acknowledged I didn't research.

[A]

I.

[D]

He's.

[A]

I consumed it.

[D]

Now here's somewhere. He's acknowledging he got it from someone else.

[A]

It is my first number. Look at my computer.

[D]

No, I believe you.

[A]

See, like you're Mike versus Sean. Mike.

[D]

You're suggesting, though you didn't come up with it, you saw it somewhere else.

[A]

I consumed it at some point. I couldn't point to where it was, but I.

[D]

Are you suggesting it came out naturally from your head or that you consumed.

[E]

I consumed it.

[D]

Okay. All right, fair enough.

[A]

It is cool, though.

[D]

It is cool.

[A]

Top note, right above Stefanski versus less.

[E]

Interesting for you that I didn't have. It wasn't an original thought.

[D]

No, I just. I was going to be impressed if you came up with.

[E]

Okay.

[D]

Also, I was going to be skeptical.

[E]

Well, I forgot the cayenne pepper as well, so I can't put that in my socks.

[A]

But. But we didn't do my third note. I meant to bring it up.

[D]

What was that?

[A]

We already went over the topic, but Travis Kelsey can't wait. Said he can't wait to see the enemy around the off the facility next year.

[D]

Oh, he may come back as his boy.

[A]

That hire might have changed the course of Swifty ism.

[D]

Interesting. That would be interesting. If he comes back. Does b enemy get to go to the wedding?

[A]

I think so.

[D]

The way.

[A]

The way Travis talks about him. Maybe. Maybe a groomsman.

[D]

Did you read the Taylor Swift Blake Lively text?

[A]

You know, I tried to keep up with that. There's just a lot going on.

[D]

There is. I don't really. I actually don't even know what the fight is about at this point. I know that Blake Lively doesn't like some person named Justin and Justin Bell fight each other, but what. Less judging. I thought it was kind of sad that their personal text to each other got released to the general public. Like they're talking about difficult parts of Their life, and it's just on the Internet. Do you. I feel like that's wrong. I feel like I shouldn't now. I read it.

[A]

I'm Googling it right now.

[D]

I feel like I shouldn't have been reading it. But, like, they're talking about the disappointments they have in each other's friendship and what the other could do to be a better friend. And I kind of thought, why? Why do I get to read this?

[A]

This seems pretty personal between them. I think it got caught up in this big feud with this Justin guy.

[D]

But why does the public get to see that? Maybe it's necessary for the lawsuit. But did it need for everyone to see it?

[A]

No, it did not. But that's the world we live in. Public interest. And Taylor Swift is number one on that list.

[D]

Yeah, well, we talk about how they.

[A]

Don'T have much privacy, and you think about just walking down the street in restaurants, but as you're saying, like, best friend texts are on the Internet.

[D]

They shouldn't get.

[A]

Everything of their lives gets together.

[D]

Are they friends again or no? Do they like each other now?

[E]

I haven't been following this one.

[D]

Okay, well, I mean, you're supposed to be in charge of the news, but he was. You're not going to.

[A]

He was busy Googling how many Sean's.

[D]

And Mike's about to get a new Blake Lively reporter. All right, the games. We already previewed one of the games. Do you have anything you want to say for Ram Seahawks?

[A]

I'm really excited. I still don't know which team I'm going to pick. I have to gamble because we only have a few football games left, but as close as they played in the regular season, three points separate between two games and having overtime in there. I'm really looking forward to it.

[D]

Yeah, I mean, I'm kind of looking forward to it, but kind of not.

[A]

I mean, those west coast teams sometimes feel like they're not part of.

[D]

I wish it was a better. I wish it was a better matchup. I'm not going to lie. You wanted the baby. I just. Just. I just can't get in the Seahawks. I just. I can't get into it. If we had Seahawks vs. Stidham in the Super Bowl, I mean, I'm going to go, but I don't know what to say to anyone.

[A]

Well, I mean, even right now with what we have, and I know it's.

[D]

Not a great Super Bowl.

[A]

Well, they did that graphic where it's the four quarterbacks walking towards the trophy and the names are on the back. And it used to say Mahomes.

[D]

Yeah, Jackson hurts.

[A]

It said, you know, Stidham.

[D]

I'm glad they had everyone's name up there, or I wouldn't have known any of them. I'd be like, just doesn't carry the same. Please keep these four men away from the trophy. They're going to steal it.

[A]

We just got used to so many last names or the same last names, and now it's like, oh, yeah, it's a new guard.

[E]

I mean, you're not worried about Sam Darnold's oblique?

[D]

It's true.

[A]

What if Sam Darnold's oblique vowed to let it rip?

[D]

I mean, let it rip. I don't. To be honest with you, there's not a less interesting person in the league to me than Sam Darnold.

[A]

Oh, Blake feels about right for an injury to, Like a. Kind of boring.

[D]

Yeah. Like, I don't even know where my oblique is.

[A]

Mine's been acting up lately. Hope I'm ready to go for the weekend.

[D]

I mean, if I don't want to strain it, though. All right, so quarterback touchdowns, touchdowns. What was the score last week?

[E]

Well, we had some controversy, obviously, and I do want to look Drew in the eye here and apologize.

[A]

Thank you. When you looked me in the eye last week in Lauderdale.

[E]

Well, then take it with a grain of salt, I guess. But did review the footage, and you did pick Kyron Williams, so we have to change the scoring. Matt, you now lose a point. You're down to seven because you picked.

[D]

Rico down about two weeks ago. One week.

[E]

Two weeks ago.

[D]

No, we're not. The review process has to end at some point.

[A]

I didn't need a review. I've been telling you for three weeks what it was.

[D]

You can't continue to review the tape weeks. It's like when the NFL the next play takes off.

[A]

I told you what happened in the moment. You all just didn't believe me.

[D]

The adjustment cannot be made. The. The play is under review. They make the decision, then it's over. You don't get to go back. So you cannot go back to two weeks ago.

[A]

This was your error that you were carrying a month later. I tried to fix it in the.

[D]

Moment, and you're going to have to look at him if he loses.

[E]

I already looked him in the eye.

[D]

I changed him in the score to. I had already relied on this score. I had started to. I changed the way I looked at things.

[A]

You picked different players the next week.

[D]

So I. I have eight points.

[E]

Hold on, hold on.

[D]

I have eight points now. He can have what. I don't care what he has. I have eight. You cannot take a point away from me.

[A]

Last Sunday. We don't have to count it because I've clearly lost. Because we're going to make things up. I had an incredible run last Sunday. Credible run.

[D]

I have eight points. What do you have?

[E]

Okay, Matt will keep you with eight. I have eight as well. And Drew has four.

[A]

There's no way I had four last week alone.

[E]

Now we are updating.

[A]

No way. I am betting them draftkings is paying me after. After they hit and I come in.

[D]

Here and you're telling me they're going to hit. I do have to throw the challenge flag that he only has four. He got three out of four last week and I don't think he had one on the year.

[E]

So this is my update that was going into last week. Okay, okay. It was eight. Eight, four.

[D]

Okay, okay, Fair enough.

[E]

So now, last week, Matt, you hit zero of them.

[D]

Okay, I can accept that. All right.

[E]

I hit two of them. I have 10.

[D]

Are we sure about that?

[E]

Yes. And Drew hit three of them. He is now up to seven.

[D]

So 10, eight, seven. Yes, I will accept that, theoretically, as the score.

[E]

I understand.

[D]

Although I will acknowledge this entire season is under review.

[A]

I mean, I have. I can't put any trust in this. Like when you say scores, you might as well tell that wall because it means nothing to me.

[D]

This entire season is under challenge.

[E]

No, you shouldn't. I got worked up. Matt agreed with me on the take.

[A]

Of course, because you were giving him points.

[E]

We went with the moment.

[A]

Now he's. No, forget the moment. How about me, just an honest person telling you and you insisting I'm lying.

[E]

Well, I just wrote it down.

[D]

I just assumed that I could trust the person.

[A]

I even replayed the whole conversation about Matt saying, rico, Nico. I said, I don't want a wide receiver. I knew everything they've said and you.

[E]

Still went on and said, colston.

[A]

No, no, you're gonna spend this. Don't do this. You're trying to deflect the argument. Kyron Williams. That was in Colston.

[D]

You did argue that you picked Colston.

[A]

Well, that's after he kept lying. I got it's all about Kyron. And you're not going to go back.

[D]

To two weeks to review, though, because you end up hurting everyone involved. Just keep this in mind for the future. You're getting a lot of trust in you here and you have sort of shamed yourself over the course of this.

[E]

Is really one misstep. I would not put the whole season under review here.

[D]

Let's do this. First of all, let's do this. We'll do this as the Liberty Mutual bundle. Okay. The Liberty Mutual bundle is presented by Liberty Mutual. We're supposed to pick three games, but there are only two. So let's pick and over, under. Don't. That's too much. Too complicated. All right, so we're going to. We'll do this. We'll pick Reds, Guardians. First spring training game on February 21st.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

It's going to take us a while to find out. The result of this probably is going.

[A]

To take a while to pay out.

[D]

I'm going to go Reds.

[A]

I like what the Guardians are doing this offseason.

[D]

Free training, though, though.

[A]

Yeah, I need to see the weather. But I think for right now I'm going Guardians.

[D]

Okay. Bill.

[E]

I think I'm going Guardians as well.

[D]

So that's the start. So we'll take the Guardians because we get two out of three. Now let's go to the games. Seahawks versus the Rams. I'm taking the Rams. What about you?

[A]

We're just doing to win here.

[D]

Yeah. Why not? Well, no, because they got the spread with the other one. With the other game. Yeah.

[A]

So Seahawks are a field goal favorite.

[D]

Seahawks are field go. I'm taking the Rams. Even.

[A]

Yeah, I'm going to take the Rams and the points. I'm not committing to an outcome there, but we are in for a tight game.

[D]

What about you, Bill? Rams, we got it. Then you. I've got. Denver is only plus one.

[A]

I'm seeing four and a half.

[E]

New England, four and a half.

[D]

Why does it say plus one?

[A]

I don't know, but you should bet that immediately if you have access to that.

[D]

All right, plus four and a half. I'm taking New England.

[A]

I want the Broncos to be competitive. I just can't put faith in that quarterback. Respectfully to Nibrock and Corbin, just bad circumstances for him. So I think Patriots win big in New England.

[D]

All right, so we're going Patriots, Rams, Guardians. That's your victory Bundle presented by Liberty Mutual. Start your quote@liberty mutual.com let's pick the quarterbacks here or pick Sumi. Pick the scores. So, Drew, I think you'll go first here this time and you got to pick who you want for a touchdown. Let's start with the early game. Broncos and Patriots.

[A]

I'll also note last week I only did long shots, all plus 200 or more and they hit. So I pat myself on back there and I'll stay with that model. I'm going long shots again. I'm looking at it. Diggs is plus 210 just scored for me. I'm going to keep riding the Stefon Diggs wave in New England this weekend.

[D]

You're going with Stefan Diggs?

[A]

Yep. Let you all have all the running backs.

[D]

Okay, so I'm going to take a running back. Who do I want? Let's see. I think I would like. I mean, with the Patriots, you can go with Ramon J. Trey Stevenson or I can get a little saucy, and.

[A]

Drake may run in one end.

[D]

You know what? Let's just go with Ramon Dre Stevenson. I'm going to take Ramon Dre Stevenson is mine.

[E]

And you can doubt the Corbin boy all you want, but give me Jared Stidham for a tush push touchdown in this game.

[D]

Push.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

You're going with the tush push. You're taking Jared Stidham?

[A]

I am.

[D]

All right. Whatever his. Whatever you want to do. All right. I'll go first on this next one. Rams, Seahawks. I mean, I'm going to take Pookie. Okay. Drew second.

[A]

Well, I'm certainly not going to pick Karen Williams.

[D]

No. Excuse me, Billy second. Sorry, but go ahead, Billy.

[E]

I will take Kenneth Walker and jump on that train. Drew got on last week.

[A]

Three for him last week. All right, Drew, that threw me a curve. In that case, I will go. I'm going to go way long shot. I'm looking at plus through, plus 350. Colby Parkinson.

[B]

Bank it.

[D]

Colby Parkinson.

[A]

They have, like, five tight ends. They'll throw to him.

[D]

Okay, Colby Parkinson is your pick. I've got Puka Nakua, and you've got Kenneth Walker iii. So there you go. That's our quarterbacks, and I guess we're ready to do a little championship.

[A]

Heck, yeah. I'm excited. I hate that there's only three football games left.

[D]

Me. Do you know what?

[A]

That's at the super bowl in, like, two weeks.

[D]

Yeah, it's right here.

[E]

Let's go.

[D]

All right, guys, thank you all very much for being with us and being the kind of people that we like to see. We'll see you later. NFL Cover 0 with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and iHeart Podcast. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast, guaranteed.