Podcast Summary: Pardon My Take – Episode Released January 22, 2025

Hosts: Big Cat & PFT Commenter

In this engaging episode of "Pardon My Take," Big Cat and PFT Commenter delve deep into the recent developments in the sports world, focusing primarily on Ohio State's triumphant national championship run, the Baltimore Ravens' heartbreaking playoff loss, and the Chicago Bears' significant coaching hire. Additionally, the hosts welcome special guests Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stavros Halkias to provide expert insights and personal anecdotes. Here's a detailed breakdown of the episode's key discussions, insights, and conclusions.

1. Ohio State Wins the National Championship

Dominant Playoff Performance: Big Cat opens the discussion by celebrating Ohio State Buckeyes' victory in the national championship game against Notre Dame. Despite a closer scoreboard and Notre Dame's resilient comeback attempts (00:00-05:32), Ohio State showcased their dominance throughout most of the game.

Key Moments & Strategic Decisions: A pivotal moment highlighted is the 50-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith in the fourth quarter (05:32-07:32). PFT Commenter praises the gutsy play, likening it to similar successes in the Super Bowl, emphasizing Ryan Day's fearless coaching style. Big Cat elaborates on the play's impact, stating it was "a testament to Jeremiah Smith and how insanely athletic he is" (06:09-06:44).

Playoff Structure Impact: With the introduction of the new 12-team playoff system, Ohio State becomes the first national champion under this format (03:07-04:03). The hosts discuss the implications of this change, noting that it allows teams to recover from losses to rivals like Michigan without jeopardizing their championship chances permanently.

Rivalry with Michigan: A recurring theme is Ohio State's intense rivalry with Michigan. Big Cat references Woody Hayes' famous quote about the importance of beating Michigan to claim a national title, highlighting the enduring significance of this matchup (13:15-15:05). PFT Commenter echoes this sentiment, discussing the perpetual ammunition fans have to challenge Ohio State's championship legitimacy based on their rivalry outcomes (15:12-18:57).

Fan Reactions & Future Expectations: The discussion touches on fan sentiments, particularly Ohio State fans' pride juxtaposed with lingering frustrations over losses to Michigan (13:28-18:57). Big Cat speculates on the potential for future championship encounters between these storied programs, hinting at heightened excitement for upcoming seasons (15:05-15:52).

2. Chicago Bears Hire Ben Johnson as Head Coach

Historic Coaching Hire: A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson as their new head coach, marking a substantial shift in the franchise's approach (21:13-26:07). Big Cat expresses cautious optimism, rating his happiness with the hire as "6 out of 10" (23:00-23:21).

Financial Implications & Strategic Vision: The Bears reportedly offer Johnson a lucrative $14 million contract, a first for the team's coaching hires (24:40-26:07). PFT Commenter critiques the departure from traditional Bears hiring practices, suggesting that this investment signals a new era aimed at revitalizing the team (26:12-27:22).

Impact on Team Performance: Big Cat believes Johnson will transform the Bears' dynamics, particularly focusing on quarterback Caleb Williams' development (25:01-26:07). The hosts discuss the necessity for immediate improvements in the offensive and defensive lines to complement Williams' talents (27:05-28:07).

Fan Base Reactions & Future Prospects: While Big Cat remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the work ahead, PFT Commenter voices skepticism about the immediate effectiveness of the hire, emphasizing the traditional challenges the Bears face (23:05-28:07). The conversation also touches on potential future hires, including Aaron Glenn for the Jets, further indicating a period of significant coaching transitions across the NFL (32:37-33:38).

3. Interview with Ryan Fitzpatrick: College Football Insights

Championship Conversations: Ryan Fitzpatrick joins the show to discuss the recent college football playoffs, focusing on the Bills' journey and their upcoming conference championship (75:21-83:35). Fitzpatrick highlights Ohio State's strategic prowess and the significance of their $20 million roster (02:38-03:04).

Game Analysis & Player Performance: Fitzpatrick provides an in-depth analysis of key players like Josh Allen and Travis Kelce, praising their efficiency and chemistry on the field (78:01-81:03). He draws parallels between Ohio State's gameplay and past NFL strategies, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in high-stakes matches (83:35-86:05).

Quarterback Dynamics: A significant portion of the interview centers on quarterback dynamics, particularly Jalen Hurts' performance and mental fortitude (86:20-93:10). Fitzpatrick discusses Hurts' ability to remain calm under pressure and his exceptional play-making skills, comparing him favorably to other elite quarterbacks (84:53-93:10).

Strategic Recommendations: Fitzpatrick offers strategic advice for teams facing formidable opponents, stressing the importance of ball possession and forcing turnovers (84:53-86:17). He also shares personal anecdotes, including humorous incidents like getting a shot put stuck in a golf hole, showcasing his relatable personality (97:07-101:17).

4. Interview with Stavros Halkias: Ravens' Playoff Loss and Personal Reflections

Playoff Heartbreak: Stavros Halkias discusses the Baltimore Ravens' recent playoff loss, expressing deep personal anguish and its impact on his life, including his journey to sobriety (73:10-91:30). His candid reflections provide a raw look into the emotional toll of sports defeats (93:05-99:26).

Team Performance & Coaching Critique: Halkias critiques the Ravens' coaching strategies, particularly the offensive play-calling and defensive inconsistencies that contributed to their loss (99:37-107:05). He emphasizes the importance of disciplined coaching and the detrimental effects of poor in-game decisions (105:15-107:15).

Personal Growth & Future Outlook: Despite the painful loss, Halkias shares his resilience and determination to move forward, both personally and professionally. He highlights upcoming projects, including his "Stavi Biz" tour, indicating his plans to balance personal challenges with career advancements (112:06-135:57).

Emotional Insights: The interview sheds light on Halkias' emotional state post-loss, detailing his struggles with depression and the steps he's taking towards healing (108:07-135:57). His openness provides listeners with a heartfelt understanding of the human side of sports fandom (114:22-135:57).

5. Miscellaneous Discussions & Fan Interactions

Hot Seat, Cool Throne Segment: A brief segment introduces the "Hot Seat, Cool Throne" competition, sponsored by Game Time, encouraging listeners to participate in last-minute NFL playoff ticket deals (44:15-46:44).

Lighthearted Banter & Challenges: Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in humorous interactions, including playful challenges like Hank's ambitious "nine darter" darts challenge and discussions about potential podcast topics and future events (46:35-60:16).

Audience Engagement: The hosts maintain a dynamic rapport with their guests and among themselves, fostering an entertaining and relatable atmosphere for listeners (60:27-65:00).

6. Advertisements & Sponsorships (Skipped)

As per the summary guidelines, segments related to advertisements, sponsorships, and promotional content were omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions and interactions within the episode.

Conclusion

This episode of "Pardon My Take" offers a comprehensive exploration of the latest developments in college and professional football, enriched by insightful interviews and personal stories from guests. Big Cat and PFT Commenter adeptly balance in-depth analysis with humor and candid conversations, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking both information and entertainment.

Notable Quotes:

• Big Cat on Ohio State's 50-yard pass: "That was gutsy, that was mobile, that was ballsy call" (06:25).

• PFT Commenter on Ohio State's playoff structure: "Best thing they got. They do have that big expensive roster, but to their credit, most of those guys stayed around" (04:11).

• Ryan Fitzpatrick on Jalen Hurts: "Jalen Hurts is good. But then sometimes I watch him, I'm like, wait, is he" (89:40).

• Stavros Halkias on Ravens' loss impact: "That loss fucked me up so bad. I watched it... It sucked dick" (120:05).

End of Summary