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And if you haven't made the switch.
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Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's National First Love Day. Tony, do you remember your first love?
A
I'm Tony Kornheiser, my high school classmate, Eleanor Roosevelt. And I mean, I'd asked her to the prom and she said she was going with Franklin. And I said, what do you mean, Franklin? He'll never amount to anything.
B
Why are you doing that? Well, so that's, that's a bad scouting report on your part. Really is.
A
Little bit. Little bit. What can I say? Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, Shohei considers ways to contribute. Lionel Messi agrees to a new deal. And Booger McFarlane joins us for five good minutes. But we begin today with a Thursday night game, Miami at Buffalo. A division game with maybe more than just divisional standings on the line. There is talk that a loss here could cost Miami coach Mike McDaniel his job. Miami's 02 this year. Buffalo is 2. 0. Wilbon, what's on the line for Mike McDaniel tonight? A lot. A little or nothing.
B
I mean, if you consider his job everything, potentially. I don't know where there's probably. Here's the thing, Tony. The Dolphins made the playoffs his first two seasons and then they didn't last year. And they've looked, you know, bad coming out of that and bad so far. And even though he had made the playoffs two of his first three seasons, he came into the season with that sort of, you know, label of, oh, he's the coach on the hot seat as the season begins in the NFL. And I remember thinking it was a little bit overly dramatic, but apparently not. And here's the thing. Buffalo has owned. We talk about Aaron Rodgers and he, you know, talked his own smack about owning the Bears. Buffalo owns Miami in the same way. In the exact same way. Sean McDermott, Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills have owned the Dolphins. So I'm not expecting some great resurrection tonight. I don't know how he's going to get his fanny off the hot seat tonight. Am I expecting Miami with what we've seen so far to beat the Bills and what we've seen so far out of them? No, I'm not. Am I not seeing something here that you are seeing?
A
No, I agree with this. I can see Mike McDaniel getting fired if the Bills win by a large margin. I can see that. And to be specific as to how much Buffalo owns Miami, Mike McDaniel in his last six games against my, against Buffalo is 0 and 6. And Sean McDermott I think is 15 and 2 against Miami. So like, look, if Miami wins the game, Mike McDaniel is going to be the coach. I also believe if it's a close taught game and at the end Miami just loses. I think he survives and he is the coach. But what you're saying is true. It happened all of a sudden. He did have playoff teams his first two years. Now he's 02 and he's given up 66 points, which I believe is second most in the league. I got relatives in South Florida, Mike. My cousin Marilyn calls me and says, are they going to fire the coach? That was after the first game, not even after the second game. So this thing seems to have a momentum of its own.
B
It does not good for him. Look that college football momentum, it seems so out of control, like a brush fire. Let's move the baseball tone where the most versatile player in the game could become more so in the playoffs. The Dodgers are considering using Shohei as a reliever to bolster the bullpen, particularly in its first round series. And relieving would have to mean staying in the game to play the outfield, which the current DH says he wants to do. So Tom, would the Dodgers be smart to use Shohei in relief and all that?
A
It means okay, Shohei Ohtani is a starting pitcher. He's not a reliever. I would be very careful about using him in the playoffs. I can understand it in the World Series. I can understand it to save a critical game, you know, a clinching game in an earlier series. I'm informed on this, Mike, because I watched the Washington Nationals do this when they won the World Series. They used their three best starting pitchers in the bullpen either in an earlier playoff series and or the World Series. That was Max Scherzer and Steven Strasberg and Patrick Corbin. So I would, you know, I would put Shohei in an all hands on deck thing. But that's not the biggest news out of the Dodgers. Today, the biggest news is that Clayton Kershaw is going to retire. This is going to be his last season. Clayton Kershaw this season is 10 and 2 with a 353 ERA. 10 and 2 is good. He's going to the hall of Fame. His career number is 222 and 96 and a 254 ERA. He's going to the hall of Fame. So if you. If I spin it back to Shohei, I would be more inclined to put Clayton Kershaw in the bullpen than I would put Shohei in the bullpen.
B
You know, Tony, I started thinking about that when I heard about Kershaw. I'm like, okay, how can Kershaw best help a first ballot hall of Famer? How can he best help his team in these playoffs? And the Dodgers, who looks like they could open against the Mets. I know that looks like a homecoming team right now. The Mets do in part. But, Tony, going back to Shohei for a second, don't tell me Shohei can't play in the field somewhere, first base or the outfield, because he's done it in his life.
A
Sure he can.
B
And this is not like some declaration like they're pulling out of mothballs. I understand. It's been a few years since he's done a lot of it. Well, guess what? If you're that great a player, and we presume Shohei is, and people throw around this comparison with Babe Ruth, Babe didn't come out of the outfield. All right? So Shohei's gonna have to play some outfield and play it. I don't want to hear that. This is the greatest dilemma in baseball history.
A
We should explain. We should explain that the reason this has to happen is if he goes in in relief and he's the DH that day, if he then comes out of relief, he forfeits his subsequent DH at bats. So you got to play the field. He did this with the Angels. I'm sure that he can do that. My position is that the reason I talk about Kershaw going into the pen is that the Dodgers have been very methodical with Shohei. 1 inning, 2 innings, 3 innings, 5 innings, but always as a starter, Always as a starter. And I would try and keep him.
B
Doing that emotional component and a psychological component to being a relief pitcher, to coming in out of the bullpen, even whether it's something as subtle as whether you're going from the stretch or not. And so, Tony, I agree with you. The Nationals, though, that year, you're right. But I Thought they were the exception. So often we see starters.
A
They were, but that's when they come out, because I watch them. All right, let's move to soccer in the mls. According to a report in the Miami Herald, Lionel Messi will continue to play for Inter Miami on a new contract extension. Messi is 38. He leads Inter Miami with 20 goals in 21 MLS games this year. And Inter Miami is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference among 15 teams and solidly in the playoffs. Wilvan, what does it say to you that Messi apparently still wants to play?
B
Nothing special. He wants to play. I mean, that's what it says. I mean, it's like LeBron James at 40. It's like Joker. What is Djokovic, 38. I mean, it, you know, there are these players, these not just generational but lifetime players, guys who, you know, people put in the argument for goat in their sports. And Messi is certainly not just in the argument. He's at the top of it. He wants to play, and he can still play, as evidenced by those numbers of goals and assists. He's the star of the biggest team in his league. He's the face of that league. Even at this age. I don't think there's any doubt about that. So, like, Tony, if there had been another decision, that would shock me. Just you keep him. He wants to play until he can't play or somebody tears the jersey off him. This is like automatic to me.
A
All right, so let's look at this question. What does it say to us that Messi wants to continue to play and he signed an extension. We just signed an extension. Right? We signed an extension because we like what we're doing. We like doing the show. And we're much older than Messi. I'm Messi. The 20 goals in 21 games, that's remarkable. And they're paying him a ton of money. $20 million this year, 150 for the whole contract. He's a cash cow for the mls, and so they're going to pay him even more money next year and more money after that. I mean, this seems perfectly reasonable to me. I think we do have to say about the MLS that it is a league where great players from soccer countries come at the as their career winds down and maybe it's done. But he was the MVP of the league last year and 20 goals in 21 games. What more could anybody ask for? Of course, you want to sign him up, right? You have to sign them up.
B
Well, Tony, Tony, the value of the franchise, the franchise is so much more valuable. Exponentially.
A
As they say about the wi, fi is booming. Yeah.
B
So again, no brainer.
A
One thing, Mike, one thing. Pink shirts. It's genius. Genius. Every kid wants a pink shirt. Totally brilliant. Let's take a break. Coming up, the bill's Joey Bosa said he's feeling as good as ever, but how does he look on the field? We're going to ask Booger McFarlane.
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We'll also ask him to break down the best college football matchups of the week. If I get a pink shirt, I want it to be from Zania. I don't want it to be from Miami. I'm just saying, really?
A
The pink shirt? I know you hate marketing people.
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A
In a story we uncovered in our first segment, week three of the NFL season kicks off tonight, which makes it a perfect time to welcome back our great friend, ESPN NFL and college football analyst Booger McFarlane, wearing a shirt from El Dorado in Baja, California. Yes, sir. Let's start with this. The Dolphins are at the Bills tonight. Joey Bosa looks like his old self on the Buffalo defensive line. What do you see when you watch him?
D
I think, number one, he's healthy. I think, you know, that's been a big question mark throughout his career. Could he stay healthy? The number two, he's being used a little bit differently than he's been used in the past when he was with the Chargers. They do a lot of two gapping. They're asking him to play two spots, two gaps. Now that he's with Buffalo, the Buffalo bills, Sean McDermott, this defense, it's a one gap system, so it allows him to play a lot faster, it allows him to have minimal responsibility and he can just go C ball and get ball. And as long as he stays healthy, I think the, I think the rebirth of Joey Bosa is going to continue throughout the season and it's going to be great for the Buffalo Bills because they need defensive linemen throughout the season because in the end, we all know who they got to go get. They got to go get Lamar Jackson and they got to get Patrick Mahomes and they're going to need Joey Bosa throughout the year.
B
Booker, we entered this season hearing a whole lot of hype, a whole lot of promise about the Steelers defense and how great it was going to be. What are you seeing so far through two games?
D
Not a lot. I mean, that's the thing about it. Like, you heard a lot about this Steelers team and they got, they got Watt, they got Hayward, they got Bosa, they got Ramsey. I mean, you just start naming off all these guys with these accolades. But funny thing about football, football is not played on paper. You actually got to go out there and strap up. And those guys that I named, they hadn't been performing. Now, I have hope that Mike Tomlin, who is a tremendous coach, he's a Hall of Fame, first ballot hall of Fame coach, he's going to get it fixed. But they're the highest paid defense in football. Let that set in. There's more money on that defense than any other defense in football and right now they're not playing that way. They got to get their stars, their big name players to play that way. And there's no doubt in my mind Mike Tomlin will get it done.
B
I will transition to college football for a second. I'm trying to figure out, Booger, what to make of this weekend's games. There's some nice matchups, but not the ones you can hype and say it's the greatest weekend of all time. So what are you looking forward to this weekend, specifically out of these games?
D
By the way, Mike, I'm sorry about what happened to your Northwestern Wildcats last weekend. I was waiting on that text from you. I didn't get it. That's number one. Number two, let's move forward to this weekend, okay? I'm going to stay in the same conference. I'm going to be right there in the Big Ten. And I think the Illinois Indiana game to me is going to be outstanding. I'm a big believer of identity. I, I love teams that know who they are. And Illinois and Brett Bielema, they understand who they are. They are a physical team. Their running backs have 90 carries on the season. Their quarterback only has 78 throws. That tells you what kind of team they want to be. They want to be physical, they want to control the line of scrimmage, they want to run the football. And they're going up against this Indiana team led by this guy who's the head coach, Kurt Signetti. He's a little cocky, he's a little ornery, and he's got this quarterback named Fernando Mendoza and I think he's going to try to put up a ton of points. That game really intrigues me because much like the big prize fight that we saw this weekend between Crawford and Canelo, Styles make fights. And so now you have the rugged Illinois team that wants to run the football and you got Indiana that wants to kind of chunk it around a lot. I can't wait to see how this thing plays out.
A
Booker.
B
Same here. And I know my bias. I'm looking at these two teams I usually root against, but I'm interested in this game. My follow up question is can either one of them emerge and sustain this and be a factor down the stretch as we start moving to playoff talk?
D
I don't think they can just because if you look at the Big Ten, it's going to be top heavy. You got Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, like those are the three teams at the top. If there's going to be a fourth team, maybe Illinois, and if Indiana can win this game, maybe it's Indiana. But I do think those three at the top of the Big Ten right now are a step above everybody else.
A
We are going to stay in college football and get you out on this question. Yesterday on this show, I didn't say that Dabo Sweeney was on the hot seat because Billy Napier is on the hot seat. But I said he was on the warm seat. You know, I watched what he said and all of that and I said he was on the warm seat. How do you see it?
D
Well, I'm going to put it right in you guys wheelhouse. Like you guys have won Emmy after Emmy after Emmy. You might not win it every year, but you've won enough. Like Dabbo's won a lot. He might not win every year, but he's won enough. How would you guys feel if somebody said you guys were in the warm seat? Tony like nobody's putting Tony and Michael Wilbon on the warm seat. So why are we trying to put Dabo in the warm seat?
B
Like Dabo?
D
Dabo has done enough.
A
Now.
D
It's not good right now, and he knows that. But if you look at Dabo's resume, it's been very successful. I think people in Clemson, especially Clemson fans, they get a little spoiled. They want to win a national championship every year because of what Nick Saban did and the success that Kirby Smart's having right now. But the success that Clemson has had, there's probably a hundred programs around America, one named Northwestern that would take that success. So let's back dabble off the hot seat just a little bit, gentlemen.
A
Okay, that's fair. That's fair. Thank you, Booger, as always, thank you.
B
Appreciate it.
D
Anytime.
A
Fellas, let's take one last break. Still to come, two NFL head coaches go on the record about Tom Brady's supposed conflict of interests.
B
Uh oh, and the Minnesota Lynx did something last night they'd never done. Booger is right. And that's why people in Clemson need to just chill, okay? Chill.
A
I understand with take success. We talked about this. It's college football. There's no tolerance.
C
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A
Happy Time People. Happy Style 73rd Birthday Rick Pitino after winning national championships at Kentucky and Louisville, Pitino's off court issues overwhelmed his basketball accomplishments. Pitino was fired by Louisville in 2017 and he surfaced at Iona 2020 Pitino twice took the Gales to the NCAA tournament and then signed on with St. John's he's been in Queens for two years now. Last season, St. John's won the Big east for the first time in 33 years and went to the NCAAs as a 2 seed, losing in an upset to Arkansas and John Calipari of all people. We have known Pitino for 40 years. We know all about the personal scandals and we know about the successes. Regardless of where you fall on the Pitino continuum, he is a terrific coach.
B
Tony, I'm going to go further. He's a great coach, an all time great college basketball coach. I know I was shocked when St. John's lost that game to Arkansas, but I expect Patino to get them right back there. Tony I wish he'd had a little bit longer try at the NBA because I thought that Rick could actually be one of those guys who when he got to the NBA in the right circumstance could really get it done. He was okay with the Knicks, but not what he was in college basketball where again he was great.
A
Happy Anniversary Michigan State. On this day 15 years ago, the Spartans lined up for a 46 yard field goal to tie Notre Dame in overtime. When they instead executed a perfect fake for a 29 yard touchdown pass, a play they called Little Giants. Michigan State stunned first year Irish coach Brian Kelly 3431 in East Lansing, the holder, Aaron Bates connected with tight end Charlie Gantt for the game winner. Bates was three of three passing in his sparty career. That season Michigan State and quarterback Kirk Cousins shared the Big Ten crown with Ohio State and Wisconsin. The Spartans went on to win the conference title twice more in the next five seasons, but never since. This year Michigan State has opened 3, 0 and will play at 3. 0 USC on Saturday night.
B
That's kind of a cool game Tony. I want to watch. It's hard to to stay to sustain anything in the Big Ten where you just keep bumping up against Ohio State and Michigan. We saw Michigan State do that in that period. You talk about Iowa's done and people are taking turns. Penn State, but it's hard to just remain there with those two. And so it's been a while for Michigan State. I'm interested to see that game.
A
I yield to you. It's your conference. Happy trails to the WNBA playoffs for the Valkyries. Golden State had a 414 point lead on Minnesota entering the fourth quarter of last night's game. And since 2006, the Lynx had been 0 and 76 when trailing at that time by that margin. But last night was different. The Lynx bounced back to win by one and eliminate Golden State from the playoffs. Elsewhere, the Mercury evened its series with Liberty and a laugher, winning by 26 on the road tonight, we've got winners take all. Between the Fever and Dream and Storm and Aces.
B
I got both results right last night, Tony. I didn't want to. I was rooting hard for the Valkyries and Veronica Burton, Northwestern's own, the most improved player in the league who had 13, 6 and 9 last night. Screaming my brains out for Veronica, whose family members I went to school with too. They're like the first family of Northwestern, the Burtons. Veronica's got some future ahead of her. Sorry, they're eliminated.
A
I actually landed on the Liberty game for about four minutes and it was such a blowout, man.
B
Blowout.
A
Total blowout. Let's go to the big finish. Commander's quarterback Jaden Daniels out of practice again today. Would you start him?
B
No, I wouldn't play him. No. No, not in this game against the Raiders, Tony. He hadn't practiced all week. College football is officially moving to a single transfer portal window, though the specific dates have yet to be decided. Your thoughts?
A
It's fine to have one window. It's fine. Just started after the playoffs end. After it ends, Cindy McLaughlin Livroni became the first woman in nearly 40 years to break 48 seconds in the 400. That's a big deal, right?
D
Yes.
B
And she's so great. But she didn't break the world record. How many world records stand for 40 years? That's amazing.
A
Amazing.
B
Ben Johnson and Brian Schwartz say they're not concerned with Tom Brady's access to information. Your thoughts?
A
Of course they're not. This is Tom Brady. The NFL wants this to go away. Last one. The Guardians beat Detroit this afternoon for their seventh straight win. Is that a big deal, Tony?
B
They have won 12, 13. Only a game and a half back of the Red Sox for that last Wild card spot, so, yes, it is.
A
We're out of time. We'll try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornhodger.
B
And I'm Mike Lobot. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads. And now.
A
Yo, this is important, man. My favorite Lululemon shorts, the ones you got me back in the day. I think they're called Pace Breakers. The ones with all the pockets. I just got back from vacation, and I left them in my hotel room. And, dude, I need to replace these shorts. I wear them, like, three times a week. Could you send me the link to where you got them? Oh, also, my birthday is coming up soon, so. Anyways, thanks, bro. Talk soon. Looking for your newest Go to's Lululemon what's new gear drops on Tuesdays.
B
Every Tuesday, head to lululemon.com to shop what's new gear.
Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle the most pressing sports news of the day—centered around Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel’s job security ahead of a key Thursday night NFL matchup. The duo also discuss Shohei Ohtani's playoff role, Lionel Messi’s contract extension, and bring in ESPN’s Booger McFarland for in-depth football analysis. The episode closes with quick hits on Rick Pitino, a legendary college football play, and developments in the WNBA playoffs.
(00:56 - 03:49)
(03:49 - 07:26)
(07:27 - 09:58)
(11:47 - 17:21)
NFL Focus:
College Football Brief:
(19:43 - 24:26)
"Buffalo owns Miami in the same way. ... I'm not expecting some great resurrection tonight."
— Michael Wilbon, (01:48)
"I can see Mike McDaniel getting fired if the Bills win by a large margin."
— Tony Kornheiser, (02:47)
"Shohei Ohtani is a starting pitcher. He's not a reliever. I would be very careful about using him in the playoffs."
— Tony Kornheiser, (04:25)
"Don't tell me Shohei can't play in the field somewhere, first base or the outfield, because he's done it in his life."
— Michael Wilbon, (05:46)
"How would you guys feel if somebody said you guys were in the warm seat? ... Why are we trying to put Dabo in the warm seat?"
— Booger McFarland, (16:30)
"If there had been another decision, that would shock me. ... He wants to play until he can't play or somebody tears the jersey off him."
— Michael Wilbon, (08:54)
This episode delivers classic PTI energy and sharp insight, utilizing both hosts’ wit and deep knowledge across multiple sports. The lively exchange on McDaniel’s future, the nuanced debate over Ohtani’s role, and Booger McFarland’s football expertise stand out. Listeners get both entertainment and clarity on the NFL’s and broader sports world’s major storylines.