Are the Yankees BACK in the Series?

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: "Are the Yankees BACK in the Series?"
Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Special Guest: Steve Young

Episode Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle the day's most electrifying storylines in sports, headlined by the New York Yankees’ exhilarating comeback against the Toronto Blue Jays. The hosts break down the significance of Aaron Judge’s epic home run, discuss high-stakes meetings within the Philadelphia Eagles, weigh in on the Florida Panthers’ chance at an NHL three-peat, and welcome Hall of Famer Steve Young for a deep dive into NFL quarterbacking culture.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees’ Dramatic Comeback vs. Blue Jays

[00:51 – 04:17]

• Game Recap: Yankees beat Toronto 9–6 to stay alive in the series after coming back from being down 6–1 by the third inning.

  • Key Moment: Aaron Judge’s towering three-run homer off the left field foul pole, tying the game.
  • Yankees relievers then shut down Toronto for the final six and two-thirds innings.

• Wilbon’s View:

  • Describes Judge’s homer as "Ruthian or it's the natural—take either one" (01:46), emphasizing not just the impact but also the sheer spectacle:

    "Tony, it was majestic. ... I was watching by myself and started screaming."

  • Elevates the moment as Judge’s "signature," though noting he still hasn’t had the postseason success of Yankee legends.

• Kornheiser’s Analysis:

  • Admits he thought the Yankees were "pretty much lost early," but credits their quick comeback and the bullpen's newfound resilience:

    “The word that I would have used for the Yankees is determination. I would have said collective determination, and I would have included the bullpen." (03:10)

  • Cites the stat: Toronto was previously “39–0 this year when they had leads of five runs or more” (03:17).

• Notable Quotes:

  • Wilbon (01:46): “It's Ruthian or it's the natural—take either one. ... When he hit that thing, I, I was watching by myself and started screaming...”
  • Kornheiser (03:10): “The word that I would have used for the Yankees is determination. I would have said collective determination, and I would have included the bullpen.”

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2. Philadelphia Eagles’ Locker Room Meeting

[04:17 – 06:37]

• Background: After their first loss, star Eagles players (Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown) held a meeting to address frustrations over touches and targets.

  • Barkley & Hurts say meeting was not contentious.

• Kornheiser’s Perspective:

  • Notes star WR A.J. Brown has been unhappy with his workload (43 yards against Denver; four games under 50 yards after averaging 88 last year).
  • Says team outcomes depend on whether issues are resolved:

    “If they come to resolution and they're all happy, it could be a very big deal. ... Conversely, if it doesn't work out, it could go the other way.” (04:50)

  • Points out the Eagles are 4–1 and the defending champions; not a crisis.

• Wilbon’s Take:

  • Downplays the meeting as "no deal":

    “It's no deal. None...What are you there for if you can't talk?” (05:55)

  • Reminds listeners the Eagles “won 20 out of 22” and are sure playoff contenders.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Wilbon (05:55): “It's no deal. None. ... They should talk about it. It's one loss.”
  • Kornheiser (06:27): “They won 20 out of 22. ... They're not going undefeated.”

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3. Florida Panthers Seek NHL Three-Peat & Ring Inscription

[06:38 – 09:09]

• The Florida Panthers, defending Stanley Cup champions, opened their season and had championship rings engraved with: "We apologize to no one."

Wilbon: Skeptical about their three-peat chances: - “I don't give a damn about their rings...The three peat chances. I don't see that either.” (07:06) - Notes even dynasties (Gretzky’s Oilers, recent Penguins, Blackhawks) never pulled it off.

Kornheiser: - Sees the three-peat as extremely unlikely, citing how rare it is in modern sports and how hockey’s unpredictability (bounces, breaks) makes it even harder: > “I think it's harder in hockey than in any other sport, and I think so, because something in hockey is different...Small things change everything.” (08:07) - The “We apologize to no one” inscription is “pretty chesty” but reflects the Panthers’ response to critics who accused them of dirty play.

Notable Quotes:

• Kornheiser (08:07): “I think it's harder in hockey than in any other sport, ... Small things change everything.”
• Wilbon (07:06): “I don't give a damn about their rings. The three peat chances. I don't see that either.”

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4. NFL Quarterback Play: Interview with Steve Young

[11:11 – 18:22]

A. Kyle Shanahan’s Quarterback-friendly Offense

[11:11 – 12:49]

• Steve Young: Explains how innovative coaches like Kyle Shanahan have made the quarterback ‘job’ easier to execute by system design:

  • Shares an anecdote about play call security:

    “He says, you didn't mention blitz, Kyle, you didn't say anything about blitz. He goes, oh no, it's good against everything.” (11:34)

  • Notes Shanahan’s ability to “draw out the full measure” of any QB, contributing to the success of Garoppolo, Purdy, and recently Mac Jones.

• Why Not Every Team?

  • Only a handful of coaches are true innovators and can continue to reinvent themselves week after week:

    “That's why you're a genius coach. ... there's not 32 genius coaches.” (12:49)

B. Quarterbacks & Accountability (Mike McDaniel/Tua Tagovailoa)

[13:30 – 15:11]

• Wilbon asks if it's fair to hold all QBs equally accountable per Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.
• Young: Emphasizes the immutable truth of quarterbacking:
  • “The truest truth is the quarterback. The ball was in my hands, and now it's in their hands. ... You young players, watch your language after a losing game..." (14:22)
  • Praises leaders who use "words of accountability, not mitigation."

C. Trevor Lawrence's ‘Panic’ Touchdown Scramble

[15:11 – 16:47]

• Wilbon: Cites Lawrence's admission he was “panicking” as he stumbled twice before scoring a crucial TD.
• Young: Relays his own experience as a scrambling QB and credits Lawrence's resilience despite the chaos:
  • “Weird stuff happens on the football field...It’s a closer’s league. ... Who can close in the last few seconds is going to win.” (16:20)

D. On Being on a Losing Team (NY Jets 0–5)

[16:47 – 18:18]

• Kornheiser: Asks about the pain of being on a team that just can't win.
• Young: Highlights the difference between "losers" and losing, referencing respected ex-teammates on his old Tampa Bay teams and the negative impact of toxic team culture:
  • “I was playing with incredibly inspiring people. We just. The culture of the place was not good.” (17:55)
• Notable Quotes:
  • Steve Young (14:22): “The truest truth is the quarterback. The ball was in my hands, and now it's in their hands. ... Use words of accountability.”
  • Steve Young (16:20): “It’s a closer’s league. ... Who can close in the last few seconds is going to win.”
  • Steve Young (17:55): “I wasn’t playing with losers. I was playing with incredibly inspiring people.”

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5. Rapid Reactions & Big Finish (Variety of Quick Takes)

[23:31 – 25:27]

• Docuseries on Bill Belichick at UNC Canceled

  • Kornheiser: “No specific reason was given. ... They stink in a way you and I did not think was possible.” (24:01)

• NFL Disciplinary News

  • Cardinals fine coach Jonathan Gannon $100k for conduct towards a player.

• Quarterback Notes

  • Bengals start Joe Flacco; Wilbon and Kornheiser skeptical of any meaningful impact.
  • Browns QB debate (Stefanski not committing to Shador Sanders).

• Baseball (Phillies vs. Dodgers)

  • Kornheiser leans Dodgers.

• WNBA Finals (Aces at Mercury)

  • Wilbon roots for Mercury at home.

• Closing Repartee:

  • Wilbon throws a playful jab at Cleveland’s football legacy (“...they’re irrelevant forever and evermore with that franchise.” – 24:54)
  • The hosts end on their trademark “Knuckleheads!” banter.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wilbon, on Aaron Judge's Home Run (01:46):
  "It's Ruthian or it's the natural—take either one... Tony, it was majestic. ... I was watching by myself and started screaming."

• Kornheiser, on the Yankees' Win (03:10):
  “The word that I would have used for the Yankees is determination. I would have said collective determination, and I would have included the bullpen.”

• Wilbon, on Team Meetings (05:55):
  "It's no deal. None. ... They should talk about it. It's one loss."

• Steve Young, quarterback accountability (14:22):
  “The truest truth is the quarterback. The ball was in my hands, and now it's in their hands... Use words of accountability.”

• Steve Young, losing teams (17:55):
  “I wasn’t playing with losers. I was playing with incredibly inspiring people. We just. The culture of the place was not good.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Yankees Comeback Discussion: 00:51 – 04:17
• Eagles Locker Room Meeting: 04:17 – 06:37
• Panthers Three-Peat Talk: 06:38 – 09:09
• Steve Young Interview:
  • Shanahan Offense: 11:11 – 12:49
  • QB Accountability: 13:30 – 15:11
  • Lawrence’s Scramble: 15:11 – 16:47
  • Losing Teams: 16:47 – 18:18
• Big Finish and Variety Reactions: 23:31 – 25:27

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Tone & Flow

The episode features the fast, witty, and sometimes combative banter typical of PTI. Quotes are direct and conversational, often punctuated with humor and sharp opinion. Steve Young brings insightful, reflective, and motivational commentary, particularly on team culture and leadership.

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Summary Takeaway

This PTI episode was a rollercoaster of sports emotion, with the Yankees’ remarkable comeback serving as the centerpiece—a moment both hosts agree could redefine their postseason. The show transitions effortlessly between sports, combining sharp statistical insight, colorful personality, and a timely, wide-ranging discussion with Steve Young. For those who missed it, the episode captures urgency, resilience, and drama both on and off the field, making it a classic, quintessential PTI experience.

Transcript

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's National Salmon Day. Tony. Name your favorite dish.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Tony Kornheiser. Mike Trout, Catfish Hunter. Tyrese Halliburton. Un tuna Tonga violoa. You like any of those?

[Mike Wilbon]

You skipped Tim Salmon.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, I did, yes, yes. I forgot about Tim Salmon.

[Mike Wilbon]

Come on now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You like salmon? Yeah, love it. Good, because there's so many things you don't eat like you don't eat anything. Gre. Am I correct?

[Steve Young]

Broccoli.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, but you eat no fruits, right? No fruits. That's it.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Broccoli.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's the list. Fantastic.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the Eagles meet the Panthers pick up where they left off and Steve Young joins us for five good minutes. But we begin today with last night's dramatic comeback by the Yankees to beat Toronto 9 to 6 and keep their series alive. Toronto scored quickly on Vlad Guerrero Jr. Two run homer in the top of the first and stretched that lead to 6 to 1 by the third inning, knocking out starter Carlos Rodon. The Yankees got two back in the third and in the fourth tied the game on Aaron Judge's dramatic three run homer off the left field foul pole. The Yankees won as their relievers shut down Toronto for the last six and two thirds innings. Wilbon, what is the word for how this game played out?

[Mike Wilbon]

It's not even a game. It's the home run. It's Ruthiean or it's the natural take either one. The foul pole made it more than natural. Yeah, and it was hit to right field from a pull. Right. Left hand pull. No, no, left field, left field, right hand hitter, right roof, way inside pitch to left to. To right field. And it just, it, it was Tony, it was majestic. When he hit that thing, I, I was watching by myself and started screaming because as you know, I said arrogantly for two days, the Yankees are going to win this game and it's 6:1. I'm not looking real good. But when he Hit that. That's got to be right now. It's early for a guy who hasn't won a World Series. He's not Jeter, he's not DiMaggio. He's not Manto, he's not Ruth or Garrick.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nope, nope.

[Mike Wilbon]

Not Barrow. This is his moment right now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I thought that game was pretty much lost early, but the saving grace is that it was too early to be lost. And the Yankees came back quickly. The Yankees came back quickly. And that home run is a fabulous visual moment when it knocks off the foul pole. And it is a symbolic moment because he's their big man.

[Mike Wilbon]

But.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But it only tied the game. They still had to win the game.

[Mike Wilbon]

Didn't you feel the Every bit of.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, they go out, they get a home run from Jazz Chisholm. They get another run in the fifth, they get another that same inning, two runs, and they get one in the sixth and they win the game. They keep their season alive. And maybe it is a reset here because I was given the statistic Today that Toronto was 39. 0 this year when they had leads of five runs or more. I mean, and I want to. The word that I would have used for the Yankees is determination. I would have said collective determination, and I would have included the bullpen. Mike, the bullpen's ERA in the playoffs was nine, was one run an inning. Now it's only 6.46, but you shut down a hot team. Do you know by the end of the top of the third last night, the score differential in that series was 29 to 9. So this is. I don't think you can overstate the potential meaning of that win.

[Mike Wilbon]

But. But Boone said during the on field interview, or whatever they call that thing in dugout interview, we got to hold him down a little bit. No, he held him down completely. The bullpen did. It's still unjudged. How great must that dugout have felt?

[Tony Kornheiser]

You could see it when that.

[Mike Wilbon]

When that ball. Forget the foul pole, when it came.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Off the bat, you could see it. But again, Mike, it tied the game. You still have to go win it. I had to go win it.

[Mike Wilbon]

It felt like it was over at that point to me. Let's move to the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen hurts, Saquon Barkley and The always peeved A.J. brown met Monday to discuss how to move forward after Sunday's first loss of their season. Hertz and Barkley downplayed the meeting and said it was not contentious. Tone was this summit of stars in Philly A big deal. Little deal or no deal.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I love how much you hate wide receivers. It is the pleasure of my life. You just think they're all awful.

[Mike Wilbon]

I love them, but they're crazy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I would say of this, what matters is what was discussed and if there was resolution. And then it could be a very big deal. I mean, we've been told for A while that A.J. brown is unhappy about not getting enough passes. Then he goes on social media and posts cryptic messages. And we've been told Saquon Barkley is upset that he doesn't really get the ball anywhere near the way he got the ball last year. And we've been told about Jalen Hurts. He's very conservative, as you know, as a quarterback out there. So if they come to resolution and they're all happy, it could be a very big deal. Conversely, if it doesn't work out at all, it could go the other way with this team. I took these notes because here are some numbers here. A.J. brown, five passes, 43 yards against Denver.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's only averaging 38 yards.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's under. That's four out of five games. He's under 50 his first five games last year he averaged 88. Barkley, one carry in the second half as they passed 23 out of 24 times. That's six. Six carries in the whole game. It's the lowest amount since 2010. My problem with this is this. They're 4:1 and they're defending super bowl champions. So I don't think we're on the eve of destruction.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's no deal. None. First of all, when you're at practice every day, all day, and some people get to the compound, I'm sure Hertz does at like 5:30 in the morning. What else are you supposed to do but meet and talk to each other? What the hell are you there for if you can't talk? I realize two generations now can leave text to each other.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Maybe they can.

[Mike Wilbon]

Glad they're in a room and they actually talk. Maybe they set the room and break through. Give me headline writers. It's no deal. This is what they should do. They should talk about it. It's one loss, the Philadelphia Eagles. Let us remind all the other shows.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They won 20 out of 22.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're not going undefeated. They weren't going undefeated and they'll be. Are the Philadelphia Eagles gonna make the playoffs, yes or no?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, sure.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes, they are.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, sure. Okay, so let's. Let's. The NHL regular season opened yesterday. One of the featured games had the Two time defending Stanley cup winners Florida Panthers beating your Chicago Blackhawks 3, 2. The last time the NHL had a three peat was 1982 when the Islanders did it on their way to four in a row. The Panthers raised their banner yesterday and their rings are inscribed, and I quote here, we apologize to no. 1. Wohbon, what do you think of their three peat chances and the inscription on their rings?

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't give a damn about their rings. The three peat chances. I don't see that either. I don't. I mean, I can think of a couple of teams that came close. A lot of teams won multiple championships. The Penguins have done it, the Kings did it. The Blackhawks did it with a loss in game seven at home in overtime of the Stanley cup semifinal, keeping them from having a shot at three. So people have come close, but nobody's done it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't think Gretzky did it.

[Mike Wilbon]

Gretzky didn't do it. So, I mean, they went like 2, 1, 2.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Gretzky didn't do it.

[Mike Wilbon]

Gretzky didn't do it. No, I don't see it. I'm not saying it doesn't take away from Florida's greatness to have done what they've done so far, but no teams bubble up. Edmonton's not going away. If McDavid and dry side are healthy, I expect them to sort of catch them and pass them.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm going to deal with the inscription very, very briefly here. I think it comes from the fact that both Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett said this stuff in the various championship celebrations. It's pretty chesty to put on a ring. They were reacting to the notion that they were not just a physical team, but a dirty team. Okay, they won. They can do what they want. That's fine. I agree with you about the three. Pete and I thought about this. I mean, I agree with you because it's over 40 years since it's happened. I think it's harder in hockey than in any other sport, and I think so, because something in hockey is different in this regard. Small things change everything. The bounce of the puck, the shot that hits the post and doesn't go in. So I thought it was harder. The Lakers did this in 2002. The Yankees did this in 2000. But I was surprised. I had to go back to the packers in 1967.

[Mike Wilbon]

So for football, for the NFL.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So I was surprised at that. But I. No, I don't like the one other.

[Mike Wilbon]

Thing about the NHL. Their rules preclude you. It almost forces you to get rid of up and coming or already they've signed guys too quickly. It doesn't matter if you signed. You've got players who know how to win. And you can't continue to win because the rules make you get rid of them. The problem, that's the NHL.

[Tony Kornheiser]

One of the problems there is inside that locker room. Maybe there's a change in attitude. Maybe there's a change in motivation because you just won two in a row.

[Steve Young]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take a break. Coming up, what makes Kyle Shanahan's offense so easy for quarterbacks to pick up? We're gonna ask Steve Young.

[Mike Wilbon]

We'll also ask him about Trevor Lawrence's admission he was panicking on that touchdown run that beat the cheese.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I just looked in the wrong camera. I just looked at the red light and I was at the wrong camera. And then I get a hand saying, look at this camera. But I'm trained to look at the red light.

[Steve Young]

I was trained to Pardon the interruption is presented by the refreshing taste of twisted tea Hard iced tea. Please drink responsibly part of happy hour.

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Steve Young]

Welcome back to Pardon the Interruption presented by Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, part of happy hour.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We've got some NFL issues to discuss with our great friend and the man who threw righty before I suggested he try south for back in the summer of 1981, hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young. Let's start with this. Mac Jones. He looked pretty good subbing for Brock Purdy as A quarterback. What makes Kyle Shanahan's offense so friendly to a wide variety of people?

[Steve Young]

Let me just quickly a quick anecdote. So I'm at the, you know, night before the hotel at a home game where they go through the first 15, Bill Walsh started that back in the 80s where the head coach is going to introduce the first 15 offensive plays, go through the reads. So everybody goes to bed with what's, you know, they're clear, clear minded. And so I'm sitting there watching him introduce the first 15 classically and I'm thinking the plays. I'm like, man, that's cool. Oh, that is ingenious. That is amazing. That's. And so at the end of it, I go up and he says, you didn't mention blitz, Kyle, you didn't say anything about blitz. He goes, oh no, it's good against everything. And I was like, what you're telling me you get to run all that cool stuff and I don't have to worry about blitz? Like, you know, so that was my response to your question is that's the genius of innovative football that Andy Reid and He and Sean McVeigh and Sean Payton started about 10 years ago. And a tactical advantage because he's made the job of quarterback not simple, but man, like, it helps you be better. The full measure of who you are as a player can come out is the way I would say it. And you're seeing that with Jimmy Garoppolo, you're seeing it with Brock Purdy, you're seeing it with Mac Jones.

[Mike Wilbon]

Like, yeah, then Steve, why don't more people copy it? It's supposed to be a copycat league. Why don't more coaches say, let me.

[Steve Young]

Do this well, track everyone that's come out of those guys coaching trees. Mike McDaniel in Minnesota Green, like, just track it. It's throughout the. It's better than ever, Michael, because they've all been trained in this way. But not everybody is elite innovator, right? Because Kyle has to keep reinventing himself all the time. And That's Andy Reid, 67, 66 years old, is reinventing himself every week. It's a certain spirit of, of, of. That's why you're a genius coach. And to me there's not, there's not 32 genius coaches. There's a handful, a few, a couple.

[Mike Wilbon]

You mentioned Mike McDonald. I'm going to follow up for him for a second. The Dolphins are one in four and Mike McDonald said today about Tua and all quarterbacks, quote Mike McDaniel I'm sorry, Mike McDaniel. Who did I say? Mike McDonald, like Yamo B there? No, Mike McDaniel. And he said about Tua and all quarterbacks, quote, a bottom line, black and white, is that you're held accountable for the results while you're trying to get better. Close quote. Is that fair to all quarterbacks to lump everybody like that?

[Steve Young]

It's a rock solid foundational truth that you have to take in as a quarterback. Every play starts with the ball in your hand. And think about all the mitigation that happens every play. It's football's too many guys. It's chaos. How many things go wrong, you throw an interception and how many reasons why. True reasons. There's a truth. The guy turned the wrong receiver, turned the wrong way. The guy didn't block the defensive end, the ball was slippery, the sun was mild. They're all true things. But I think what Mike McDaniel's talking about is there's a truer truth. And the truest truth is the quarterback. The ball was in my hands, and now it's in their hands. And a quarterback that takes that on and owns that can now collect. Everybody else on the team, especially the offensive linemen, are getting paid a third or a quarter or a tenth of what he's getting paid. They're not on TV to have them go fight for you every week, because I know my guy is going to stand for it. And so you young players, watch your language after a losing game, when the media asks you what happened, you don't use words of mitigation. Use words of accountability. I love Mike McDaniel saying that.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah. One quarterback who owned his situation when it was difficult the other night is Trevor Lawrence, who described his touchdown scramble, which he, of course, fell down twice as sheer panic. Steve, you played a long time. I don't remember you falling quite like that on the snap of a ball. But did you ever have a situation like that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

And what.

[Mike Wilbon]

What were you thinking when you watched him?

[Steve Young]

We've all had. I got stepped on when I threw a Terrell Owens to beat the packers in the playoffs. That was half of. The secret of the play is I got stepped on by the center, almost fell down. But if you actually go to the ground and then you get up and you go to the ground again, I think Chris Jones, the defensive lineman, was so baffled by it, he just watched. But yes, I have. I have scrambled around and I remember scrambling on crazy, crazy, crazy. Straightening up, throwing a ball, two linebackers instead of catching it, they did the typical linebacker thing and batted it and batted it back to me and I caught it and almost scored. And I was like, this is insanity. I don't know if it's panic, but weird stuff happens on the football field as the Cardinals. But I thought that was the most bizarre thing, that you could fall down, biggest play of the game of the goal line, fall down again, then scramble up and then go score. Makes you just say to yourself, the league is different. It's different than it's ever been. It's a wild last 10 minutes of the game, last two minutes, last 30 seconds. It's like it's changing. It's. It's a closers league. I said it's the NBA. It's a closers league. And who can close in the last few seconds is going to win.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We will get you out of here on this. The jets are now 05 to start. You were on two really bad teams at Tampa Bay that went to 14. What is the experience like as a player? And you know this when you just cannot seem to win.

[Steve Young]

I'll own one of those full seasons. But anyway, it was bad. And really we're talking about accountability. I want to be accountable. It's the culture of the place, Tony. It devolves and people. There's always little whisper groups in the corner, finger pointing. It's all the stuff that I just didn't say where the mitigation and all the blame game and then no one stands for it. From the owner to the head coach to the offensive coordinator to the quarterback to all the way down. It's a terrible situation. But the thing I learned from going through that is that you might have lost a lot of games, but I played with James Wilder and I played with Jimmy Giles and I played with Kevin House. Those freaking guys were not losers. Like, that's the thing about it. They were not like we lost a lot of games, but they were. James Wilder is one of the toughest human beings I ever played with. And so I like, I just want to honor the effort despite the losing. That a lot of times you miss the sacrifice that people make and the quality of people that might have been 2 and 14. But you know, that don't get. You know, they have to. It's brutal. But to me, I wasn't playing with losers. I was playing with incredibly inspiring people. We just. The culture of the place was not good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's really good to hear. It is so good to have you on the show. Thank you.

[Mike Wilbon]

Much appreciated, Steve.

[Commercial Narrator]

Thank you.

[Mike Wilbon]

Thank you.

[Steve Young]

You guys are the best. Thanks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take one last break. Still to come, Bill Belichick's docu series goes kaput.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's probably a good thing the Bengals aren't wasting any time with Joe Flacco under center. What are they gonna do? Have a special scheduled game today to play Flacco?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is there any point in trading for him and not putting him in right away? What are you doing?

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[Steve Young]

Pardon the interruption is presented by the refreshing taste of twisted Tea Hard iced tea. Please drink responsibly Part of Happy Hour Happy time people.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy 55th birthday. Matt Damon. Yes, the wonderful actor. And no, we don't have a specific sports connection except that he and his buddy Ben Affleck are insane Boston fans. I know someone who was at a Super bowl party with them when Malcolm Butler intercepted that Russell Wilson passed in New England, won, and Damon and Affleck went crazy. Damon played driver Carroll Shelby in Ford vs Ferrari, a terrific movie. He played basketball entrepreneur Sonny Vaccaro in Air, the Michael Jordan sneaker movie. He does beer commercials with David Beckham. And in his breakthrough movie, Good Will Hunting, Damon gets into a fight on an outdoor basketball court. Plus, he has the great line, you like apples? I got a number. How about them apples? I don't remember the line.

[Mike Wilbon]

I remember the movie.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's in the bar. I don't he's talking to the Harvard kid. How could you not remember that?

[Mike Wilbon]

How did you get invited to that party?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Who said I did?

[Mike Wilbon]

I said you did.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Good job out of you. A not so happy anniversary. Brad Wing Wing was the punter for lsu and here is his moment of grace glory. On this day 14 years ago, LSU's freshman punter had his brilliantly disguised 52 yard fake touchdown run called back because Wing stretched out his arms in joyous celebration during the last few yards of this run. Technically, this was unsportsmanlike conduct. This has to be one of the worst calls ever. Wing is Australian. What does he know about this dopey rule? LSU won this game 41:11 over Florida anyway, won the SEC and ultimately lost to Alabama in the BCS championship game. And Wing is currently punting in the ufl.

[Mike Wilbon]

I hope this call wasn't made by a zebra official that I know and buddies with. Let me just say this in retrospect all those years later. If that guy is working now, he should be called into an office now and fired retroactively. For the dumbest, meanest, stupidest call, you'd.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Have to give back years of pay. You should have to do that.

[Mike Wilbon]

Absolutely.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy trails to the Bill Belichick docuseries. The behind the scenes effort, which Belichick announced in late August, is reportedly no longer in development at Hulu. According to Inside Carolina, no clear reason was given. An earlier project at HBO never got off the ground. Belichick's arrival at UNC was met with huge hoopla, but the results so far have been underwhelming. Victories over Charlotte and Richmond, but losses to Power 4 opponents TCU, UCF and Clemson by a combined score of, hello. 120 to 33.

[Mike Wilbon]

No specific reason was given. I'll give you a reason. They stink in a way you and I did not think was possible.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not this.

[Mike Wilbon]

Even if they were losing, we thought there'd be some drama to it. There'd be some in you interested in watching that. We won't even watch their games, much less a look behind the scenes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's go to the big finish. The Cardinals find their head Coach, Jonathan Gannon. $100,000 for his behavior toward running back Amari DeMarcado. Too much, too little, Just right.

[Mike Wilbon]

The fact that they find him at all took some guts. Let me applaud that. The Bengals will start Joe Flacco at quarterback against the Packers. You think this is good, right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

You're going to trade for them, put them in there. My problem is they couldn't protect the other guy who's younger and can move. How did they protect Flacco? Browns coach Kevin Stefanski did not commit to making Shador Sanders the backup to Dylan Gabriel on Sunday. He's surprised.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, nothing that happens with Cleveland is even worth discussing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right?

[Mike Wilbon]

They're irrelevant forever and evermore with that franchise. Phillies, Dodgers tonight. Which way you leaning?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm leaning to the Dodgers. They've been very impressive. I think the Phillies are a terrific team, but this is the game in la. Last one, Aces at Mercury. Game three tonight. Who you got?

[Mike Wilbon]

Mercury at home. Mercury have to win this game. You can't go down.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's a hometown pick for you.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're a worthy team. They're in the final.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hometown pick for you, though.

[Steve Young]

Home.

[Mike Wilbon]

Hometown teams in the final. You want me to pick the aces to sweep?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is that what you want? If you had any moms, if you had any guts. We're out of time. We'll try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornhuise.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Wilbon. Same time tomorrow. Knuckleheads. I want to give a shout out to Bernie Costar. Is he the last quarterback who mattered in Cleveland? We like Bernie. Talk about stepping up. It's time to level up your game.

[Steve Young]

Introducing.

[Mike Wilbon]

Introducing the all new ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place. Your home for the most live sports and the best championship moments.

[Steve Young]

The electricity is palpable.

[Mike Wilbon]

Step up your game. With no annual contract required. It's the ultimate fan experience. Level up. For More on the ESPN app or at stream.espn.com sign up now.