Could Cousins Start OVER Mendoza Week 1?

Summary

PTI Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Could Cousins Start OVER Mendoza Week 1?
Date: April 2, 2026
Hosts: Pablo Torre (substitute for Tony Kornheiser), Mina Kimes
Podcast: Pardon The Interruption (PTI), ESPN

Overview of the Episode’s Main Theme

This episode, with Pablo Torre subbing in for regular hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon alongside Mina Kimes, dives deep into the latest NFL quarterback news—specifically the Las Vegas Raiders’ acquisition of Kirk Cousins and their presumptive selection of Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick—while also covering Jalen Hurts’ scrutiny in Philadelphia, the ‘chalk’ Final Four, NBA championship prospects and star appreciation, and assorted news across sports. Expect Pablo and Mina’s trademark wit, sharp analysis, and pop culture asides throughout.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Raiders QB Situation: Cousins vs. Mendoza

• Kirk Cousins signs with the Las Vegas Raiders after being released by Atlanta, reuniting with coach Clint Kubiak. Raiders are expected to draft Fernando Mendoza (Heisman winner) with #1 pick.

• Main question: Who will start Week 1—veteran Cousins or rookie Mendoza?

  Mina Kimes:

  • Favors Cousins starting Week 1, not as an indictment of Mendoza, but due to Mendoza’s inexperience in specific pro-style schemes needed for Kubiak’s offense.
  • Mendoza needs time to adjust: “I can count the number of snaps he played under center on one hand.” (01:52)
  • Raiders’ OL is questionable; better to protect Mendoza & acclimate him slowly.

  Pablo Torre:

  • Likes the unlikely pairing: “The two most linked in athletes in sports history are connecting.” (02:47)
  • Supports bringing Mendoza along slowly, referencing the destructive pressure on top picks if not surrounded by a good team.
  • Cites advice from Alex Smith and Peyton Manning about being cast into starting roles for struggling teams.

  Insight: Raiders may opt for experience while Mendoza develops—adding patience and protection as key priorities in handling rookie QBs on rebuilding teams.

  Memorable Moment:

  • Pablo’s “She’s All That” comparison for Mendoza as a prospect:

    “Did he just take off his glasses for the first time?” (04:24, Pablo Torre)

    • Mina jokes, “Spiritually he wears glasses on the field.” (04:43)

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Jalen Hurts & Eagles’ Offensive Struggles

• Reports in Philadelphia cite dissatisfaction with Jalen Hurts, including his reluctance to work under center, use pre-snap motion, or “just let it rip.”

  Pablo Torre:

  • Points to Hurts’ instability at OC/play-caller (six in seven years), so some frustration is justified.
  • “He also has been failed by his coaching staff and I think that’s indisputable too.” (05:10)

  Mina Kimes:

  • Contrasts Mendoza (not asked to play under center in college, but teachable) vs. Hurts (years of pro tape, set tendencies).
  • Reminds listeners Hurts recently took Eagles to a Super Bowl—when the run game works, Hurts thrives.
  • “What we have learned about him over the years is they got to run the football better to create the conditions for him to succeed.” (07:23)

  Memorable Quote:

  • “He is going to be their quarterback moving forward. I just think...they got to run the football better.” (07:23, Mina Kimes)

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Men’s Final Four: No Cinderellas—Good or Bad?

• Broken Brackets, Heavyweights Only: Illinois, UConn, Michigan, Arizona—no true ‘underdogs.’

  Mina Kimes:

  • Says absence of upsets is good for her bracket, but less so for “entertainment value.” Dominance and “chalk” throughout: “21 games…with a point margin of 20 or more, which is an NCAA record.” (08:50)
  • On heavyweights: “We actually have the four best teams now and the basketball should be so good that it’s all worth it.” (08:50)

  Pablo Torre:

  • Confesses a historic love for upsets (“picking a 16 seed over a 1 seed at every possible opportunity”)—misses the underdog/pageantry aspect.
  • Blames NIL, the transfer portal, "the economy of college sports,” for consolidation of talent at powerhouse schools.
  • “If we want college sports to be different... we certainly are not getting that anymore...” (10:37)

  Memorable Moment:

  • Mina and Pablo joke about a group chat on Asian athletes, lamenting Princeton's Xavian Lee transferring to money-flush Florida: “...the market seems more efficient and the tournament is more predictable, it’s because stuff like that is happening.” (11:15)

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[Mail Time] NBA Storylines

Lakers’ Title Prospects if They Beat Thunder

• Mina: Not convinced by one game; Lakers improved, but Thunder have been better all season.
  • “I will believe in the Lakers being competitive and it being a fun game…but I’m not going to come out of it suddenly convinced the Lakers are the better team solely because of one matchup.” (13:55)
• Pablo: Thunder “might be the best run team in pro sports.”
  • Pablo shares an anecdote about Luka Doncic ordering “two orders of nachos at a Hard Rock Cafe in Spain” at age 19—now in incredible shape. (15:37, Mina Kimes)

Is Kawhi Leonard Getting Enough Credit?

• Pablo: Kawhi’s secret/suspect business deals aside, his on-court play this year is MVP level. "He’s been a version of himself I didn’t think was possible as a three point shooter.” (16:25)
• Mina: Because the MVP field is so stacked (Jokic, Luka, Jaylen Brown), Kawhi is overshadowed despite career numbers.
  • “This is the most stacked MVP field I can remember…Kawhi Leonard, at 34 years old, is putting up career numbers…” (17:47)

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Happy Time / The Big Finish (Rapid Sports News Roundup)

• Pablo’s Namesake Pablo Torre (Spanish soccer player), and playful comparison of achievements. (20:06)
• Jay Cutler Anniversary: Cutler/Bears trade, Bears QB woes, Bears fans' hope in Caleb Williams. (21:05)
• Bill Self Returns to Kansas: Despite health questions, 24th season ahead; recent lack of tournament success. (22:17, 23:01)
• Yankees Take 2 of 3 from Mariners: Pablo gloats over Mina’s team, highlighting New York's pitching. (23:15)
• NBA & College Sports Items:
  • Cade Cunningham out, postseason awards hopes dashed (23:26)
  • Browns’ Monken missed league photo for a haircut—Mina ribbing his clock management (23:43)
  • Steph Curry return, Audi Crooks enters transfer portal (Mina: "Huge deal...come to UCLA..." 24:18)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pablo (on Mendoza hype):
  “Did he just take off his glasses for the first time? Like we’re being surprised that this dude is actually a good athlete somehow.” (04:24)
• Mina (on Hurts):
  “The lesson…is they got to run the football better to create the conditions for him to succeed.” (07:23)
• Pablo (on NCAA):
  “If we want college sports to be different…we certainly are not getting that anymore because of the economy of NIL.” (10:37)
• Mina (on heavyweights):
  “21 games thus far with a point margin of 20 or more, which is an NCAA record.” (08:50)
• Pablo (on Kawhi):
  "He’s been playing…more than peak Kawhi. He’s been a version of himself I didn’t think was possible as a three point shooter." (16:25)
• Mailbag: Luka Doncic’s nachos:
  “Two orders of nachos at a Hard Rock Café in Spain.” (15:37)
• Pablo and Mina’s constant good-natured ribbing and pop culture references, e.g., “She’s All That,” group chat about Asian athletes, MVP debates, and playful team rivalry.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:52] Kirk Cousins vs Fernando Mendoza debate starts
• [04:43] Mendoza “spiritually wears glasses” joke
• [05:10] Eagles’ Jalen Hurts discussion begins
• [07:23] Hurts’ future and Eagles’ scheme needs
• [08:50] NCAA Final Four—lack of upsets analysis starts
• [10:37] NIL/transfer portal and loss of underdog magic
• [13:55] [Mail Time] Lakers/Thunder playoff debate
• [15:37] Luka Doncic’s nacho anecdote
• [16:25] Kawhi Leonard appreciation
• [20:06] Pablo Torre “Happy Time” segment starts
• [23:26] Rapid-fire sports news (“big finish”)

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Episode Tone & Language

Playful, sharp, self-aware, mixing analytical insight with pop references and banter. Pablo and Mina lean into their camaraderie and media savvy, with Mina’s NFL analysis pairing well with Pablo’s wide-ranging sports and cultural references.

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Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is a quintessential example of PTI’s irreverent but knowledgeable style, featuring deep NFL quarterback talk, a nuanced reflection on systemic changes in college sports, and an entertaining tour around NBA and sports headlines—glued together with inside jokes and fresh perspectives. Even if you missed the show, you’ll leave this summary knowing the hot debates, standout moments, and the dynamic between two of sports media’s most engaging voices.

Transcript

[Pablo Torre]

From 30 for 30 podcasts. Did you say someone got shot? Brian Pata, senior defensive lineman from Miami, gunned down. The key to this case, It's Brian. An hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing with somebody. This might be a hit. You want the truth? They just want a conviction. Being placed under arrest. We had a killer amongst us. Murder at the U. Listen now. Pardon the interruption, but I'm substitute teacher Pablo Torre and I hope to earn an A for effort.

[Mina Kimes]

I'm Mina Kimes. Or a B for B team. Who wrote that? Come on.

[Pablo Torre]

That hurts to say, right? That hurts to say that you're actually satisfied with a B in any hyperbole.

[Mina Kimes]

Especially because, as you know, a B is an Asian F. It's an F.

[Pablo Torre]

An F minus for this rate. Welcome to pti. By the way, Mike and Tony are off square dancing, I believe. So I am pleased to be joined by my great friend from NFL Live in the Mena Kimes show featuring Lenny Mina Kimes. There is that familiar and almost pontically strong feedback in favor of my opponent. But we begin today with the Raiders agreeing to terms with Kirk Cousins. Vita the Falcons cut Cousins last month after two seasons. The 37 year old joins a team coached by Clint Kubiak, who was his quarterback's coach and offensive coordinator for three seasons with the Vikings. Vegas will also presumably take Heisman Trophy winner and national championship winner Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the upcoming draft. And I know you could not be more excited for that. Mendoza also had a strong pro day yesterday. So who do you expect to start in week one?

[Mina Kimes]

I think it could be Kirk Cousins and I say that. And it's not an indictment on Fernando Mendoza, who I think will be the first overall pick. I think he should be the first overall pick. He is accurate, he is tough, he is large. But he also hasn't done a lot of the things that the Raiders head coach and play caller Clint Kubiak wants him to do, which is play under center, throw over the middle of the field. Pablo Watching Fernando Mendoza's entire season in Indiana, I can count the number of snaps he played under center on one hand. He also threw over the middle of the field at a low rate. That's just not what Indiana asked him to do. It is, however, something that Kirk Cousins has done forever. He did it in Minnesota with Kubiak, and you saw him do it once he returned to health in Atlanta. So to me it makes sense to bring him in so that you can onboard Mendoza slowly as he acclimates to the offense and gets him comfortable without forcing the issue.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah. First off, I just love that these two guys are together on a depth chart. We're going to fast forward past the draft and just acknowledge the two most linked in athletes in sports history are connecting. They are finally together. It's kind of perfect. And you're right to point out that they're also different despite that basic vibe. I think that if you're trying to protect and raise a young quarterback, which is the hardest thing to do in the NFL, you want him to be the guy who comes in in relief at some point and not the guy who goes out there and then maybe gets relieved by Kirk Cousins. And I'm thinking about this because I've talked to our friend Alex Smith, number one overall pick before. I've watched. I remember the stories that Peyton Manning express. Like to be thrown out there when the team is bad enough to draft you at number one overall and how it could be that the pressure can be destructive.

[Mina Kimes]

Well, you made another crucial point there. The team was bad enough to draft Mendoza and the team is improved. But I still have some reservations about the build. They signed the highest paid center, Tyler Linderbaum. Great for Mendoza, but the rest of the offensive line was pretty atrocious last year. And this is not the most dominant group of pass catchers, shall we say? That's one of the worst things for Las Vegas about the Max Crosby trade being undone. They can't get another skill player in the first round because they don't have that pick anymore. So that's another reason why I think it makes sense for Mendoza to sit. Not only do you want him to learn the scheme, get comfortable playing under center, but you also want to make sure that that offensive line isn't going to get him killed.

[Pablo Torre]

Could I also just ask you whether there's been more of a she's all that style prospect than Fernando Mendoza? Because the guy, as you point out, it's like the big revelation is like w he's tall and has muscles. And I'm like, did he just take off his glasses for the first time? Like we're being surprised that this dude is actually a good athlete somehow.

[Mina Kimes]

He doesn't wear glasses, but spiritually he wears glasses on the field. All right, let's move on to another quarterback. The scrutiny on Jalen hurts. Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler report that team sources are pointing the finger at Herz for some of the team's offensive struggles. Specifically, Hertz is criticized for his unwillingness to leave the shotgun to move under center, another one, his resistance to pre snap motion and his reluctance to just let it rip. Pablo, what do you read into this report?

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, I'm reading the list of offensive coordinators, play callers that Jalen Hurts has had and it's six and seven years. Right. And so look, I believe that a report like this indicates that A.J. brown and his various discontents and the various controversies that you can hear listening to sports talk radio in Philly all the time. Certainly there are a lot of people in the building who are frustrated by Jalen Hurts, but to me the question is who? We just watched the worst Eagles offense under Nick Sirianni last season and if I'm taking anything away from that, it's the fact that this dude maybe should open up his aperture in terms of what he's comfortable with on the field. That's a through line in these topics so far. But he also has been failed by his coaching staff and I think that's indisputable too.

[Mina Kimes]

Yeah, it is an interesting through line. Right. Talking about these quarterbacks and whether or not they will they play under center. But the difference of course is that Fernando Mendoza, he just wasn't asked to do it. And, and also most college quarterbacks don't do it. So I think there's reason to believe you can get him to do it in the NFL and he's going to be good at it. Whereas. Whereas with Jalen Hurts, we have now watched him play in this league for many years with many different coaches and while a lot of the issues last season were due to the offensive coordinator, Kevin Pula, who was fired, I do think at this point is undeniable. The guy has his preferences. Now where I would quibble is with anyone who says because of those preferences the offense can't be successful. We are only a year removed from this team making it to the zero ball with a very successful offense. I think though the lesson from that offense in the times when the Eagles have looked good with Hertz is that it's come with a dominant run game. When the Eagles have a dominant run game, opposing defenses have to bring a safety into the box. Jalen Hurts gets to face the kinds of coverages that he likes to throw at, which is specifically getting one on ones outside. And what happened last year, the Eagles run game also cratered and there was sort of a cascading effect. So to bring this back to Hertz and what the Eagles need to do, get better, I'm a the belief they can still be successful with him. He is going to be their quarterback moving forward. I just think what we have learned about him over the years is they got to run the football better to create the conditions for him to succeed.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah. And I should point out that it's not unfamiliar to have a quarterback who won a Super bowl who thinks amid all of this mediocrity on his coaching staff at the offensive play caller position, that maybe I should be the one to call some of these plays. Right. Like that's a very ancient trope in the NFL. But Mina, I guess the last thing is we're looking at a contract where there are two years left, I believe, and it becomes a contract that is suddenly hypothetically movable. Do you expect there to be any movement as a result of this conversation? About what he's willing to be flexible about himself?

[Mina Kimes]

I don't. But this is an organization that made that move before with Carson Wentz, which is to say aggressively moving on from a quarterback. So there's reason to believe when you look at their gm, gm, Howie Roseman, he will do things and take risks that other GMs won't when it comes to the quarterback position. But for me, you'd have to see some real decline from Hertz or the offense wouldn't have to improve at all. And I think it will be better this season.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, we're about 48 hours away, by the way, from tip off of the men's Final Four getting back to college now because Illinois faces UConn in the early game, Michigan and Arizona square off later in the evening. Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo is writing that for the second straight year, the four remaining teams are juggernauts, but that the heavyweight matchups make up for the lack of madness. So, Mina, is this year's Final Four better or worse for not having a Cinderella or underdog to speak of?

[Mina Kimes]

Well, it's better for my personal bracket, which is just choosing favorites. But as far as entertainment value goes, I would say it suffered for it in the early part. Right? I mean, there were 21 games thus far with a point margin of 20 or more, which is an NCAA record. The theme of the Dirt Tournament tournament to this point has been dominance. It's been chalky. Now, the hypothetical benefit of that dominance and those massive margins of victory is that we actually have the four best teams now and the basketball should be so good that it's all worth it. And I kind of think that's what's going to happen, Pablo, because for me personally, with both of these two games, I have gone back and forth A million times deciding who I think's going to win. The points margins, the odds reflect this. You have a Yukon team that obviously just knocked off Duke with championship pedigree going up against an Illinois team that loves to shoot threes and is really good at it. And then on this side, I do think Michigan, Arizona are the two best teams and I truly don't know who's going to win that game. Maybe you can tell me. I don't know if you're confident in your picks, but all I'll say is that does bode well for this Final Four being a classic.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, look, I am the guy who has historically back on around the horn rip. I've been historically picking a 16 seat over a one seed at every possible opportunity. You know, my bracket is terrible. You know that. Now the question of like, am I enjoying this tournament any differently? Like, yeah, I miss that. I miss the underdog. Look, I love Goliath. I just think that Goliath, you don't appreciate even the full value of dominance if it's not contrasted against a true underdog. And I'm looking at, you know, I'm looking at my broken bracket. And yeah, like 11 seeded Texas was the closest thing we got. And Texas just happens to be one of the richest schools in America. So the pageant of college basketball.

[Mina Kimes]

Right.

[Pablo Torre]

I'm not saying that the product, the games are bad. I think that we're clearly with the four best teams. That is true. I am merely saying that if we want college sports to be different in ways that resemble the true pageantry of little schools and big schools, then we certainly are not getting that anymore because of the economy of nil. And the transfer portal, that's undeniable too.

[Mina Kimes]

Yeah. Especially when you look at these teams and you see players from overseas who chose to play in college, Michigan, Arizona in particular, because the money is there. And that does lead to this conclusion that we've arrived at where we do have these dominant heavyweights.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, I'm mourning the fact that we, Mina and I are in a group chat about Asian athletes. There's a kid called Xavian Lee. He was at Princeton. He transferred to Florida because they were paying him millions of dollars. If you're wondering why are we in this era in which the market seems more efficient and the tournament is more predictable, it's because stuff like that is happening which is a complication of college sports. Anyway, there was a bell at some point back there before I talked about Asian people. It's time for a break probably. But coming up, got it in? Should we believe in the Lakers title prospects if they beat the Thunder tonight?

[Mina Kimes]

And is Kawhi Leonard getting enough credit for the season he's having on the court? Pablo on the court?

[Pablo Torre]

What's his Wait, how do you pronounce that?

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[Pablo Torre]

It is mail time. I love a game. Here's how it works. You send questions to Mike and Tony. They get answered by me and Mina. I will read the first one if that's okay. All right. Ooh Will you believe in the Lakers title prospects if they beat the Thunder tonight?

[Mina Kimes]

Not really. I will believe in the Lakers being competitive and it being a fun game. But I reminded of this time last year Pablo, when these teams met in Oklahoma City. The Lakers actually demolished them on the road and then all the flaws became apparent in the postseason. Now I do think this Lakers team is better than that team. Over the last 14 games they've won 13 of them. Luka's putting up like historic offensive numbers and crucial the defense has improved. Before the all star break they were 23rd in defensive rating. Since then they are all the way up to 12th. The problem is. And this isn't about the Lakers. The Thunder have been dominant wire to wire. It's not just a pre post thing. And they show no signs of slowing up. Now, I do think the Lakers could absolutely win this game, particularly because a fun B plot is the MVP battle and Luka Doncic is going to play and show up very motivated to put up a fight. But I'm not going to come out of it suddenly convinced that the Lakers are the better team solely because of one matchup.

[Pablo Torre]

That's a very rational, data driven argument. I agree that the Thunder. The Thunder might be the best run team in pro sports, frankly, and I think I lean your direction in the macro. But to focus in on Luka for a second, it's not merely that the defense is better and the team around him has improved. I mean, you're actually the one person with personal insight into this because when you were at ESPN the Magazine together, you had an assignment to profile Luka Doncic. And I want you to see what Luka looks like now because he looks fantastic. But Mina, when he entered the league, what did Luka order for food in front of you?

[Mina Kimes]

Two orders of nachos at a Hard Rock Cafe in Spain. And I gotta say this, he does look better now than he did at age 19 when I saw him.

[Pablo Torre]

Your Honor. Your honor, I rest my case. There is a world in which the NBA math can be complicated. Also a world in which it's simple. He's one of the greatest players ever. He's in the best shape of his life in an actual way. I think it's closer than I think our brains would like to admit. Our stomachs have a different sense is all I'm saying.

[Mina Kimes]

Lakers have a good defense. The Thunder have a great defense. All right, speaking of great NBA players, I got an email about another one. Is Kawhi Leonard getting enough appreciation for the season he is having on the court?

[Pablo Torre]

Okay, so I will go off the court immediately just to acknowledge what it is that we're doing here and dancing around because yes, I've been asking the question, why was this secret deal that he made with this company called Aspiration, which is now collapsed into bankruptcy and was. I mean, frankly, you know, it's just. Go, go Google the articles. Go Google my podcast to see how it is that Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard are deeply inter in ways that the Clippers don't want to. All of that is happening over there. Secret deal. They never announced it. Huh, that's weird. Anyhow, what I've never had questions about is whether Kawhi Leonard is the caliber of player that you might want to circumvent a salary cap for. The dude is incredible and I've, I've been watching him and I've been frustrated by him as an NBA fan because of course he's load managing because he's so particular. But this season he's been playing. He's been more than Pete Kawhi. He's been a version of himself I didn't think was possible as a three point shooter. It's unprecedented. As a general physical specimen, he's banged up a playing more than he ever has. It feels like Mina, this is why you do alleged circumvention deals to get quality like this. There is no doubt how incredible he is. He's an MVP candidate. Problem being there are lots of other MVP candidates this specific season.

[Mina Kimes]

I think that gets to the core of the question, the actual question, which was is he getting enough appreciation? I think he's not. But it's largely because of what you just said, which is this is the most stacked MVP field I can remember. I mean, Luka is not even one of the two front runners and it's fair, it's accurate. You throw in Jaylen Brown as well. Jokic. It's an unbelievable season that some of these stars are having and it has almost overshadowed the fact that Kawhi Leonard, at 34 years old, is putting up career numbers in points per game efficiency, true shooting that and well, his team's not as good. So that that plays a role in it too.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, I'm just saying, if you knew this was the Kawhi you were going to get, maybe they got him at a discount even. That's all I'm saying. But that's enough mail for now. I've already plugged my podcast. Let's take one. What? What? What? I just want to take one last break because when you come back, Mina, there's an important story we'll be highlighting. The Yankees win over the Mariners yesterday. That's funny. I wonder who cares about that story?

[Mina Kimes]

And Browns boss Todd Monkin has an interesting excuse for missing the league's annual coaches photo. Really? I was hoping we wouldn't do the Mariner story.

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[Pablo Torre]

Happy time people and happy 23rd birthday. Pablo Torre that's right, my namesake. The other Pablo Torre plays soccer for Mallorca in La Liga and Mina. While he may be younger and arguably slightly more athletic than I am, it is worth noting that he's also shorter at 5 foot 8. That's right. We do have something in common though. He is known as an attacking midfielder. While I've been called both attacking and mid often by Clippers fans, I do follow the other Pablo on social media, but as of yet he does not follow me. He also approximately has 17 times more Instagram followers than I do, which is an injustice. So please follow me over therestore as well.

[Mina Kimes]

I looked him up. Impressive young man. 100 international appearances, 20 goals. But Pablo, he has zero Peabody Awards which is the same number as you. You were just nominated as you like to remind people you didn't actually win.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah yeah, I was a unanimous finalist. Thank you very much. Happy Anniversary Jay Cutler Moving on. God, on this day 17 years ago you got dealt from the Broncos to the Bears. The trade included Cutler and a fifth going to Chicago for Kyle Ordon. Two first and a third. Cutler spent eight seasons with the Bears leading them to the 2011 NFC Championship Game which he left in the in the third quarter with an MCL injury as the team lost to Aaron Rodgers, former Mina Kimes houseguest and the Packers. Cutler is still the Bears all time leader in passing yards and touchdowns which might be less a tribute to him then a slam on the general history of Bears quarterbacking. And just like there are two Pablo Torres we want to note here there are two notable Jay Cutlers, the other being the four time Mr. Olympia.

[Mina Kimes]

I remember this trade so vividly. I also remember his first start in Chicago. 4 Interceptions Week 1 was sacked 52 times this that season. Pardon me which kind of reflects the J Color era in Chicago. It wasn't all his fault. That said, that stat about him being the passing leader Incredibly depressing and also revealing as to why Bears fans have so much hope and stakes riding on Caleb Williams.

[Pablo Torre]

Right? And now I'm imagining Caleb Williams with Banks, which no one should envision. Happy trails. Meanwhile, to retirement for Bill Self. The Kansas coach announced last night that he will return to the team for a 24th season. Self had left the door open after his team was eliminated from the tournament, saying at the time, I love what I do. I need to be able to do it where I'm feeling good and healthy to do it fairly well. I'll get back home and it'll all be discussed, end quote. Well, apparently those discussions went pretty positively. Self has suffered several health issues in recent years, including heart troubles. The 63 year old has won 855 games in his college coaching career, which is so many games and his winning percentage mena at Kansas nearly 80%.

[Mina Kimes]

Crazy legendary coach only four years removed right from them winning it all. But in the time since then, the team has not been great. Bounced by St. John's hasn't made it to sweet 16. So they do need a turnaround next season.

[Pablo Torre]

Truly a self obsessed happies. No errors today though. We're running out of show. Let's go to the big finish. Oh look, my Yankees. My Yankees. Just took two of three from your Mariners. Mina.

[Mina Kimes]

Is that significant insofar as the Yankees have a crazy good rotation? Freed is unbelievable. Schlitter dangerous on the mound as it is his name to say on television. Pistons star Kate Cunningham will miss at least four more games in fall out of awards consideration. Is that fair?

[Pablo Torre]

It is tough out there. Yes. All those MVP candidates, he's not among them. Certainly not based on the minutes. New Browns head coach Todd Monken says he missed the NFL's annual coaches photo because he was getting a haircut for the coaches photo. Your thoughts?

[Mina Kimes]

Makes me a little bit worried about his clock management skills. Steph Curry is targeting a Sunday return at home against the Rockets. Is that important?

[Pablo Torre]

Yes. I'm old enough to remember when Steph Curry was the most entertaining athlete in all the sports. Our last one, Iowa State star Audi Crooks has entered the transfer portal. Is that a big deal?

[Mina Kimes]

Huge deal. She is unbelievable. Scored over 40 points four times last season. Come to UCLA so I can watch you in person. Adi,

[Pablo Torre]

we are out of time. Enough personal lobbying. Thanks for watching. I'm Pablo Torre. Please check out Pablo Torre finds out though. We can lobby for that.

[Mina Kimes]

We're still personal lobbying. You can get my podcast, the munichime show featuring Lenny in all the same places. You can find the PTI podcast 91 1.

[Pablo Torre]

Where is the emergency?

[Juju Chang]

It's the middle of the night in a small town on the Jersey shore. Someone reports an abandoned car on a bridge. A search gets underway for the missing driver, 19 year old Sarah Stern.

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Is it a missing person?

[Mina Kimes]

Is it a suicide? At this point, nobody knows.

[Juju Chang]

Old friendships, buried cash, and a sinister plot that was once pitched as a movie plays out in real life. I'm juju Chang from 2020 and ABC Audio. Listen now to Bridge of Lies. Wherever you get your podcasts.