Podcast Summary: Pardon My Take – Jon Gruden, Week 8 Picks And Preview, Commanders vs Bears, Rams Are Back + Fyre Fest of The Week

Pardon My Take, hosted by Big Cat and PFT Commenter from Barstool Sports, delves deep into the NFL landscape in this episode titled "Jon Gruden, Week 8 Picks And Preview, Commanders vs Bears, Rams Are Back + Fyre Fest of The Week." The episode offers comprehensive insights into upcoming Week 8 games, an engaging interview with former coach Jon Gruden, and a humorous segment dubbed "Fyre Fest of The Week."

Week 8 NFL Picks and Preview

Commanders vs Bears The hosts analyze the critical matchup between the Commanders and the Chicago Bears. PFT Commenter highlights the Bears' struggles, noting, "Every single person that you're playing against, you're going to have to win" (07:00). They discuss the Bears' defensive lapses and Commanders' potential to exploit them. Big Cat emphasizes the importance of limiting the Commanders' offensive output while maximizing their own scoring opportunities.

Rams Improvement and Quarterback Trade Speculations A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Los Angeles Rams' resurgence with players like Puka and Cooper Cup returning to form. Memes comments on the Rams no longer being "buyers," indicating a shift towards a more competitive roster. The conversation also touches upon rumors of trading Matthew Stafford for Sam Darnold, with PFT Commenter expressing skepticism: "I don't think the Rams would win that [trade]" (07:05).

Vikings' Schedule and Injuries The hosts examine the Minnesota Vikings' challenging schedule ahead, facing teams like the Colts, Jaguars, and Titans. They discuss the impact of injuries, including Darasol's knee injury, and the Vikings' struggles with inconsistent running games.

Special Teams and Defensive Plays Emphasis is placed on the Vikings' defensive improvements and the importance of players like Lane Johnson. PFT Commenter lauds Johnson's exceptional performance, stating, "He's the only offensive tackle in the league with a minimum of 100 pass blocking snaps to allow less than five pressures this season" (26:20). The discussion highlights the critical role offensive linemen play in a team's success.

Draft and Trade Insights The conversation delves into broader NFL strategies, including the importance of draft capital and the ramifications of trading key players like Matthew Stafford. The hosts debate the long-term effects of such trades, weighing immediate gains against future team building.

Fyre Fest of The Week

In the "Fyre Fest of The Week" segment, the hosts share amusing and unusual anecdotes from the NFL. One notable story involves a British woman attempting an extreme number of men running train on her, which elicits both shock and humor from the hosts. Memes highlights societal reactions to such extreme challenges, emphasizing the blend of ambition and public perception.

Interview with Jon Gruden

A standout feature of this episode is the comprehensive interview with Jon Gruden, a Super Bowl-winning coach and founder of the Fired Football Coaches Institute (FFCA).

Establishing the FFCA Gruden discusses the inception of the FFCA, explaining, "When I got fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I got into Monday Night Football. I needed a place to go and study and put all my game plans and my servers and memorabilia" (119:07). The institute serves as a hub for former coaches and players to collaborate, study film, and stay engaged with the game.

Coaching Philosophy and NFL Trends Gruden shares his disdain for the RPO (Run-Pass Option) offense, lamenting, "I don’t like passing plays with the offensive line, run blocking. I don’t like seeing quarterbacks getting their ass knocked off because of this ridiculous protection offense that I'm watching" (123:56). He advocates for a more traditional, disciplined passing game, emphasizing quarterback protection and offensive line effectiveness.

Analyzing Current Quarterbacks Gruden evaluates current NFL quarterbacks, praising Jared Goff's performance with the Detroit Lions: "I think Jared Goff is starting to look like Joe Montana to me. He plays with continuous movement. He completes almost every single pass. He's tough as hell" (124:02). He contrasts this with his thoughts on other quarterbacks, providing a nuanced perspective on their abilities and potential.

Offensive Line Challenges Addressing offensive line struggles, Gruden advises, "You got to mix it up. And I believe in analogies a lot. I would make videos... This is where the great ones from the really good ones, is their ability to go out there and just lay it down, man, when they're not at their best" (124:10). He underscores the necessity of versatile and adaptive offensive strategies to overcome defensive pressures.

Gruden's Future and FFCA Goals Looking ahead, Gruden expresses readiness to return to coaching if opportunities arise while continuing to develop the FFCA: "I try not to overanalyze it. I just try to stay ready and be ready to go if that opportunity does arise" (120:18). His passion for the game remains evident as he discusses staying updated with NFL developments and refining coaching techniques.

Notable Quotes

• PFT Commenter on RPO Offense: "I don’t like passing plays with the offensive line, run blocking. I don’t like seeing quarterbacks getting their ass knocked off because of this ridiculous protection offense that I'm watching" (123:56).

• Gruden on Jared Goff: "I think Jared Goff is starting to look like Joe Montana to me. He plays with continuous movement. He completes almost every single pass. He's tough as hell" (124:02).

• Memes on Lane Johnson: "Lane Johnson is so, so great... He is the best right tackle in football right now. What?" (26:20).

• Gruden on FFCA Purpose: "I have two servers... we bring in a lot of coaches, players, college players, pro players. We collaborate on football, study football..." (119:07).

Conclusion

This episode of Pardon My Take offers listeners an in-depth analysis of Week 8 NFL matchups, shedding light on team dynamics, player performances, and strategic insights. The engaging interview with Jon Gruden provides a unique perspective on coaching philosophies and the evolving nature of NFL offenses. Coupled with the humorous "Fyre Fest of The Week" segment, this episode delivers a well-rounded and entertaining exploration of the current NFL season.

Note: Timestamp references correspond to the transcript segments provided and are formatted as MM:SS for clarity.