Pardon My Take - Episode Summary Release Date: March 12, 2025

Hosts: Big Cat & PFT Commenter
Guest: Michigan Wolverines Head Coach Dusty May, Pete Prisco

Overview

In this episode of "Pardon My Take," hosts Big Cat and PFT Commenter delve into the latest happenings in the NFL free agency, discussing significant player movements, team strategies, and the potential impact on the upcoming season. The episode also features an insightful interview with Michigan Wolverines Head Coach Dusty May, where they explore his team's performance, challenges, and prospects in the Big Ten tournament. Additionally, the hosts engage in their popular "Guys on Chicks" segment, addressing listener questions about relationships with their characteristic humor.

NFL Free Agency Breakdown

Sam Darnold Joins the Seattle Seahawks

The episode kicks off with a discussion on quarterback Sam Darnold's recent signing with the Seattle Seahawks.

• Big Cat: "Sam Darnold to the Seahawks. Good for Sam. His career seemed like it was over, and he just signed a hundred million dollar contract to go to Seattle." [03:25]

• PFT Commenter: "I think he played really well last year except for the last three games of the season. He earned this contract. Congrats to him." [04:00]

Analysis: The hosts express mixed feelings about Darnold's move, acknowledging his improved performance while questioning the Seahawks' offensive weapons after roster changes.

Justin Fields to the New York Jets

A significant focus is placed on the New York Jets acquiring quarterback Justin Fields.

• Memes: "We got our guy. Happy for Justin. A lot of Bears fans have been DMing me saying he's a lot of fun." [04:33]

• Big Cat: "If your expectations are not wildly out of control, it could be a fun time. The ceiling is nine and eight." [05:25]

Discussion: The hosts discuss the potential of Fields at the Jets, considering the team's offensive line improvements and the uncertainty surrounding his long-term performance.

Overall Free Agency Winners and Losers

The conversation shifts to evaluate which teams fared well or poorly in the free agency market.

• Big Cat: "The winners of free agency are the teams that didn’t have to do a lot, like the Ravens just resigning." [11:58]

• PFT Commenter: "The Cowboys went all in, signing a long snapper for three years, $4.45 million. That's pretty big." [12:39]

Insights: Teams already performing well, like the Ravens and Cowboys, are highlighted as free agency winners due to strategic signings and minimal roster churn, whereas teams with significant losses are deemed losers.

Interview with Michigan Wolverines Head Coach Dusty May

Season Performance and Challenges

Dusty May discusses Michigan's basketball season, addressing recent losses and areas needing improvement.

• Dan Katz: "Your team this year has struggled with turnovers. Is there something specific you're doing to fix that?" [45:31]

• Coach May: "We've been imploring our guys to stay alert and make simple decisions. Yesterday, in the second half, the light bulb went on." [45:32]
  “There hasn't been a consistent theme; it's been a myriad of things. Hopefully, we can figure this out before it's too late.” [45:32]

Key Points:

• Turnover Reduction: Emphasis on decision-making and communication to minimize turnovers.
• Team Depth: Challenges with player injuries and limited reserve depth affecting performance.
• Upcoming Tournament: Optimism about finding stride and improvements leading into the Big Ten tournament.

Player Development and Strategies

Coach May elaborates on the development of players like Danny Wolfe and the team's strategic approaches.

• Dan Katz: "What do you think Danny Wolfe's ceiling is as a player?" [49:11]

• Coach May: "He's scratching the surface, can shoot more threes, and simplify his game to reduce turnovers." [49:11]
  “His ability to get behind the defense and make difficult passes has really helped his production.” [49:11]

Discussion:

• Danny Wolfe's Growth: Highlighting his playmaking abilities and potential for further development.
• Team Strategies: Focus on physicality, ball movement, and adapting to high-level competition within the Big Ten.

Recruiting and Team Building

The conversation touches on Michigan's recruiting strategies and the integration of new players.

• Dan Katz: "How did you get your FAU guys to come up to Ann Arbor?" [53:49]

• Coach May: "We highlight the amazing spring, summer, and fall in Ann Arbor during official visits, ensuring recruits are committed early on." [53:49]

Insights:

• Balanced Recruiting: Combining free agency with high school recruiting to build a sustainable team.
• Player Relationships: Emphasizing lifelong relationships and high-achieving, motivated players.

Guys on Chicks: Relationship Q&A

In this segment, Natalie poses listener questions about dating and relationships, sparking humorous and candid discussions.

Listener Questions Addressed:

1. Exempting Hot Girls from Giving the 'Ick':

   • Natalie: "Is it possible for a girl to give a guy the ick? And if so, what is it? But also, if a girl is so hot, is she just exempt from all icks?" [108:20]

   • PFT Commenter: Humorously suggests that certain behaviors, like a cracked iPhone screen, can give the 'ick.' [108:55]

2. Managing Texting Habits in Relationships:

   • Natalie: "My boyfriend is addicted to the cry laughing emoji. It's non-stop. Is she exempt from all icks?" [108:20]
   • Dan Katz & PFT Commenter: Discuss the nuances of texting habits and how certain emojis can impact relationship perceptions. [119:00 onward]

Key Takeaways:

• Humor in Relationships: The hosts use humor to discuss common relationship quirks and challenges.
• Communication Styles: Emphasis on understanding and adapting to each other's communication preferences to avoid misunderstandings.

Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with the hosts summarizing key points, expressing excitement for upcoming sports events like March Madness, and teasing future content. They reiterate the importance of strategic team building in sports and maintaining healthy relationship dynamics in personal life.

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat: "We're here. It's one of the best two weeks of the year." [00:20]
• Coach May: "We played with more aggression and physicality, so it gives us hope that we can find our stride." [42:26]
• PFT Commenter: "Justice for Maradona." [30:18]

Conclusion

This episode of "Pardon My Take" offers a comprehensive analysis of NFL free agency moves, insightful commentary on Michigan basketball's season and strategies, and entertaining discussions on relationship dynamics. The combination of sports expertise and relatable humor makes it a valuable listen for fans navigating both the sports landscape and personal relationships.