B (2:26)

I agree with that.

C (2:27)

How about the, the year that he had, the game that he had and that wide receiver for Seattle, Jackson Smith and Jigba, how good is he? And how about some of the hits that he took?

B (2:38)

I mean you had to pick a receiver to save your own life. Between him and Puk, who was incredible, you wouldn't know. They're the two greatest things you've ever seen. With, with all due respect to, you.

C (2:49)

Know, Jerry Rice, they take big hits, they make catches. And the one so Nakua catches a touchdown, it makes it 31, 26. I understand it's late in the third quarter, but my, the one thing about Sean McVay, what about going for it? Going for a two point conversion there. If you miss, you still need a touchdown.

B (3:07)

There was enough time.

C (3:08)

I don't. But Mike, you, if you make it now, you're only down three. They did reach a point where maybe it was something I'm sure he did consider.

B (3:15)

We're going to get to real second guessing of a coach and the next story. Let's stay on Seattle for a second. I feel pretty good about this because today the trade deadline, when the dust settled, I thought that Seattle was the best team in the league and they approved to do that. This had to be on the quarterback. This was a referendum on Sam Darnold, a guy who was just turned loose from multiple places and last year had to be sort of an indignity. He had two bad games, but he also led the Vikings to something they couldn't reproduce this year. He was so humble and he took the high road yesterday, interview after interview and asked how he felt about his journey, having to take this winding road. And he, the way he handled himself. But I just thought, I kept waiting. I'm going to be honest about it. I was waiting to. Okay, is he going to go Sam Darnold? Is he going to go New York Jets Sam Darnold? It's almost an unfair question to ask. He answered it anyway. And so Seattle's just. Can we say Seattle's the best team? Seattle's the best team in the nfc.

C (4:21)

I think you're right. And you know, we had the stat on Friday about when the number one scoring offense faces the number one scoring defense in a conference final Super Bowl. The defense always wins.

B (4:31)

That's right.

C (4:31)

And it's the same thing when it's the leading passer in the NFL plays the number one scoring defense, the defense always wins. And Seattle's defense in the moment of truth came up big, especially on that the second to last series by the Rams when Stafford give him credit. He drove them up.

B (4:47)

He's got those downs in. You think he's going to put the ball in the end of one of those throws. You do not think that he's going to come up empty. That Matt Stafford's going to come up empty. Then by the way, going back to Seattle, when Los Angeles answered with a scoring drive, Darnold goes right down the field and Seattle scores. As if he'd been doing this all his life.

C (5:08)

Yeah. So how about this too? Usc, who's had all those great tailbacks obviously over the years. Yeah. Sam Darnold, the first USC quarterback that's going to start.

B (5:18)

That's a stunning.

C (5:18)

Right.

B (5:19)

Not believable stat, which I heard an hour or so ago.

C (5:22)

I think of all those great players. Marcus Allen back in the day, Charles White.

B (5:26)

But. But at tailback. Yep. And all of those guys made Super Bowls either. No, the college game was a completely different game.

C (5:33)

First US Pro quarterback. They've had so many great players. Never quarterback start a Super Bowl. Hard to believe.

B (5:38)

It is. And. And so. And by the way, this notion is somehow Matthew Stafford, his future is in question. What?

C (5:45)

He's coming. What?

B (5:46)

He's the mvp.

C (5:46)

What a great play.

B (5:47)

Where's he going?

C (5:47)

What a great. And so it's a totally great play. That's why they shouldn't have run the ball in second down late in the game. Over in the afc, the Patriots are back in the super bowl without anyone named Belichick or Brady. Head coach Mike Vrabel, quarterback Drake May and a tough defense helped the Pats edge the Broncos in the mile High snow. 10, 7. Denver head coach Sean Payton said he regretted his decision to pass on a field goal in the first half that would have put the Broncos up 10 nothing. So, Michael, what stands out to you about this result?

B (6:17)

The snow and Sean Payton. That's it. That's all. I'm not. I'm not going to go with a backup quarterback. I'm not going to go to Stidham. That's just almost unfair. I mean, we knew he was going to struggle. If you didn't think he was going to struggle against a defense as sophisticated as New England's even if it was dry out. You're not paying attention. No, no, no. It's the weather and it's Sean Payton. Sean Payton's a great coach. Who wouldn't want to have Sean Payton? He is also as arrogant as a summer day in Alaska is long. Okay. He doesn't have the stones apparently to just say I am to blame. I didn't kick the field goes my call. I got to live with a decision. No, no, it. Like it's a third person. Sorry, dude. And I think about all the times he made Russell Wilson look bad. He went after him and he's a. He's got a bully. Got that parcels bully jeans somewhere in him. And then he blew the. He blew it. You got a backup quarterback who's going to pass in 11 years. You got weather. You know what the conditions are. And you're a damn good coach. But no, your arrogance took you there. That's what took Sean Payton there. And I'm glad he's got to live with this.

C (7:32)

Yeah. So we all on the east coast, most of the country, we spent a couple of days knowing that a snowstorm was coming. So we prepare in advance. Shouldn't the head coach of the Broncos know that a storm might be rolling it to Denver?

B (7:43)

It's a little different. It's a little different.

C (7:44)

You say it's a little bit Mike.

B (7:46)

But comes faster in Denver over those mountains and Rockies.

C (7:49)

You have to consider something like that. And. And the fact it's a backup quarterback. Up to that point, the Patriots hadn't done anything. I could hear Bill Cowher take the points. You take the points, you go up 10, nothing. Does it mean you're going to win? Maybe not. But Drake May didn't have a great game passing the ball.

B (8:05)

No, he didn't.

C (8:06)

You gave the Patriots their opening. And after that, after they didn't convert on fourth down, they had three field goals the rest of the game. I'm talking about denver.

B (8:13)

Yeah.

C (8:14)

And 54 yards. Their offense didn't do anything. So then the weather comes in.

B (8:18)

Three first downs.

C (8:19)

Three first downs. Three first downs. Then if you look at what happened to the Patriots, Drake May. The biggest plays that he made, Mike, were his feet. Exactly. And his hands. He scored a touchdown after, which would have been a crime if they didn't score because why are the referees blowing the play dead? Let the play play out. That's ridiculous.

B (8:37)

Not enough discussion about that. He scored on that either.

C (8:39)

He converted a fourth and one. He had the 28 yard scramble. And then how about the bootleg at the end of the game yet.

B (8:46)

And yet if you kick the field goal, Sean Payton, you've got the points and you don't give them a short field to score. They're only touchdown on. So Sean Payton's got to live with this.

C (8:57)

He was chasing that field goal the rest of the Game, just kick it right there, go up 10, nothing with it. But you know what the problem too is? In today's NFL, everyone goes from fourth down. Which is fine. Yeah.

B (9:07)

Because you have some analytics monkey on speed dial that's telling them what to do instead of sometimes using common sense. The analytics can't take into account whether you've got Stidham, ninth string quarterback, or Joe Montana. The analytics can't tell you that.

C (9:23)

And Stidham, he hung in there. But the turnover in that first half was Achilles.

B (9:29)

I don't want to blame him, but.

C (9:30)

He can't do that. Mike, just take the sack.

B (9:32)

There's one person to blame and we've done it. At least I have. So in two weeks we'll have the Seahawks and Patriots facing each other in the super bowl. Super Bowl 60. The same two teams that met in the Patriots dramatic win in 2015. Frank, what are your first blush thoughts on this matchup?

C (9:52)

Well, the number 60 certainly applies because both teams went into the season as 60 to 1 favorites or that were their odds to win a Super bowl for both of these teams. So it's a great story for both of them. I think when you look at Seattle, you tend to always go with the defense and their defense has been outstanding. Mike McDonald, you look at him, you know the two years in Seattle, they've ranked first in points allowed. Last year they were 11th. His last two teams in Baltimore were both in the top five in terms of points. Defensively, they're.

B (10:23)

They're superior.

C (10:24)

They're terrific.

B (10:25)

Yeah.

C (10:25)

And you still are dealing. I like the Drake May story. It's unbelievable that the Patriots are back in the super bowl with a new head coach and a new quarterback, but he's still a little unproven. I like his toughness. I think he has a chance to be great. But it wasn't like he was throwing the ball all over the field during the playoffs. I don't know whether it has something to do with it.

B (10:43)

We had two weather games.

C (10:44)

All right.

B (10:45)

But that's why I'm. I'm reluctant to get.

C (10:47)

So Seattle has a lead, especially late. You're going to side with Seattle?

B (10:50)

I'm signing with Seattle already. I've been siding with them since October.

C (10:54)

Yeah.

B (10:54)

Because I just think that Seattle has the goods and if. Okay, so now I guess it could go the other way. That's why these games are so great. But Sam Darnold, if you feel that all these questions are behind you and you can just go in with a clear head.

C (11:12)

Yeah.

B (11:13)

And you've got these two weeks and. And let these coaches, let this staff that you praised, you know, so I thought it was very genuine when he talked yesterday post game about the teammates and the staff of coaches. That sort of propped him back up given his journey and given the bumps in the road. So if you're Sam Donald, do you ever go into a game more confident than you go into the super bowl, given what you've just come off of to get your team there? I don't think so.

C (11:39)

And you have that defense. How about New England nine zero on the road? Everyone's the schedule is that hard? You still have to go to Buffalo to win. You still had to go to Denver on the road.

B (11:48)

Wins are big no matter what.

C (11:50)

And I know quarterbacks. It's not baseball pitchers, but Drake may. He's played in three playoff wins. That's as many as Lamar Jackson. It's one more than Dak Prescott. He's accomplished a lot in just his second year in the NFL.

B (12:02)

We're taking a break. When we come back, what's the word for the Steelers hiring of Mike McCarthy as their next head coach?

C (12:10)

And will injuries to Giannis Antetokounmp, Ja Morant and Jonathan Kaminga keep them from being traded? Sean Payton just texted. He wants to talk to you.

B (12:20)

Yeah, let him in. Let him. I'd like to.

C (12:22)

He should have kicked.

B (12:24)

He not calling too many people. Okay.

C (12:26)

Because he knows he's wrong.

B (12:28)

He's wrong. He knows it. He's a great coach. He's a great coach. Sean Payton is on every level, but he blew it.

A (12:39)

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B (14:26)

Time for the viewers to honor us with their emails. Let's get the first one, Frank. I'm going to read it to you if I can get it. Open Mail time mail time first email it's on McCarthy the Steelers McCarthy what's the word to describe the Steelers hiring of Mike McCarthy?

C (14:44)

I think it's smart and I understand that some fans don't like it. I guess on social media it's being panned. Look at the two coaches in the Super Bowl. One is a first time head coach in Mike McDonald and then you have Mike Vrabel who obviously got experience. There's nothing wrong with the Steelers hiring experienced coach who by the way is 174 and 112, I was going to say, and has 111 playoff games.

B (15:04)

If he was some dude, that'd be one thing, but he's not.

C (15:08)

And let me ask you this, have the Pittsburgh Steelers done a pretty good job hiring coaches?

B (15:12)

They have. You would think that family would get the benefit of the doubt over anybody hiring a head coach in the league considering they've only had now what, four in the last, you know, 50 some years.

C (15:23)

Yeah. Joe Starkey in the Pittsburgh Tribune, it was pretty interesting. He said it's kind of similar. Mike McCarthy, Mike Tomlin are kind of similar early in their careers. You give them an A plus for what they accomplished. Super bowl, maybe the latter years, a C plus, which, which is fine. But you know, Mike McCarthy had some good years in Dallas, got a little unlucky in the playoffs. I thought he did a pretty good job developing the quarterback. Now he did have Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, but out Aaron Rodgers, he might even be on the team next.

B (15:48)

I'd have another word if Mike McCarthy hooks up with Aaron Rodgers again this time in Pittsburgh. That I don't care to see Mike McCarthy. First of all, he's very deserving. He's a worthy coach in this cycle of NFL coaches in terms of what he has done in a couple of different places, not just one where he rode only one quarterback. That quarterback whose name shall not be mentioned, but he had the good years in Dallas as well know. Won 12 a couple of times.

C (16:18)

You know, the Rooney and the Mar families are connected through marriage. The Steelers and the Giants and the way they went about their coaching hire is pretty similar. The Giants went with the experienced coach and John Harbar and obviously Pittsburgh High Mike McCarthy. I. I like the hiring.

B (16:31)

I like the hiring a lot.

C (16:33)

And I bet you like it a lot more because social media doesn't like it.

B (16:36)

I think I'm paying attention to social media.

C (16:39)

With the injuries Tianna Sentetumpo, John Morant and Jonathan Kaminga, what has it done to the trade deadline?

B (16:46)

It eliminated the trade. The trade deadline is irrelevant because if you're not talking about at least two of these dudes, what are you talking about? You're talking about some minor trades that will still go down. And also you're talking about a season that has been reduced. I mean, Kaminga, I realize that Kaminga, it hasn't worked at Golden State, but it could work somewhere. Kaminga's too talented a player, and he's only, what, 23? He wears a championship ring. Don't tell me that Kaminga is not worthy of someone's.

C (17:19)

He was their leading scorer. When. When Steph Curry went down against Minnesota. He was a leading scorer in that.

B (17:24)

So now he's just going to, what? Just going to sit And Giannis, like, they need Giannis in Milwaukee. No, no. Giannis needs to be gone from Milwaukee. I'm not saying he needs to demand a trade. That's not his way. Good for him. But the Milwaukee Bucks are going nowhere with Giannis.

C (17:41)

Yeah. So Kaminga's got a bone bruise. They're saying he's out indefinitely. Bone bruise. That could take a while. Giannis is saying himself, he said four to six. He said four to six weeks. Which not only makes him unhealthy for the trade deadline, he will not be available for the All Star Game, where they're going to have US Team, or two US Teams playing a national team. That's another story. Then the injury to John Morant is an elbow, which doesn't appear to be as serious. My thing about John Morant would be this, though, Mike. The Washington Wizards essentially stole Trae Young from Atlanta. They didn't give up a lot to get him. Yeah. Would a team now with jaw injured, with all the issues that he's had, would you try to lowball Memphis and think, you know what? We'll take him now? When he gets healthy, he'll be good in our program.

B (18:24)

I'm not giving a personal picture John Moran in the dmv. Really?

C (18:28)

No, no. I didn't mean I didn't be Washington. I meant what Washington did.

B (18:31)

Oh, what Washington did. Yeah. Another team doing that. There's certain places I'm not bringing John Moran into. Okay. We gotta be honest about John Morant and the influence that he's susceptible to and that he has. And so the fact that Ja's become irrelevant is sad. That's why you could see. It really is.

C (18:51)

That's why maybe you could say, I.

B (18:52)

Mean, for very different reasons. He and Zion.

C (18:55)

Yeah.

B (18:55)

Who should be two of the faces of the league. Poof.

C (19:01)

I know.

B (19:01)

They're not relevant. Unbelievable.

C (19:04)

And I think Giannis will get traded, but I think Milwaukee waits till after the season. They know they gotta wait which teams like where they're drafted, what position they're gonna draft in. Because you're trading Giannis, you better get young players and draft picks back.

B (19:15)

They gotta wait.

C (19:15)

Yep.

B (19:16)

The trade deadline.

C (19:18)

What happened next week? Next Thursday.

B (19:19)

Yeah.

C (19:20)

Wait.

B (19:21)

Thanks for your email. Let's take one last break. When we come back, the impressive freshman A.J. deBancer gets a huge test tonight.

C (19:32)

And we'll react to the latest highlight from Lamine Yamal. Gonna be a big star at the World Cup.

B (19:38)

Arizona worthy, number one team.

C (19:40)

Yes. Yes, Very much so.

B (19:43)

I've watched them only three to four times, though. I want to see them some more. Tonight will be a good test.

C (19:47)

Yes.

B (19:48)

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C (19:56)

Well, not anymore.

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That's f o u n d.com found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by lead bank member FDIC.

B (21:07)

Time to get Happy, people. Happy 65th birthday. Wayne Gretzky, the Great One, no longer holds the NHL goals record. That was broken by Alex Ovechkin, of course, last April. But Gretzky's points mark will never be approached. He finished with 2,800 points, more than 900, more than second place Jaromir Jagr. In fact, you could subtract every goal Gretzky ever scored and he still have the most points in the NHL's history. Bob Ryan Gretzky put up 215 in his best season. To give you some context, Conor McDavid, who currently leads the league with 90, is on pace for 139.

C (21:51)

Wayne Gretzky reached 200 points four times in his career. The rest of the NHL 00. Lemieux did get to 199 and that same year Gretzky had 168. Slacker. 168.

B (22:03)

Not good enough. You really don't want to just say.

C (22:06)

You covered sports at a time when Michael Jordan was playing to see them both.

B (22:10)

By the way, Wilt Gretzky, when it comes to record book, yeah, it's nuts. Happy anniversary, Chicago Bears. Bow your head, Frank. On this day 40 years ago, the Monsters pummeled the Patriots in Super Bowl 20, 46 to 10. My bears dominated the entire season thanks largely to their 46 defense. They lost just once all season in a December Monday night game in Miami, but still thought highly enough of themselves to record the now infamous Super Bowl Shuffle the day after the loss. These Bears were filled with so many great characters and I'm lucky enough to watch this season's games, many of them with guys including Otis Wilson and the hall of Famer Richard Dent.

C (22:53)

Okay, in my lifetime, I think that is the best defense I've ever seen. They were dominant. We showed the highlight in the super bowl and Mike Dickett talks about all the time handing the ball off to William Refrigerator Perry and not giving it the 34. Walter Payton's gotta get it.

B (23:09)

We don't wanna talk about that in Chicago.

C (23:10)

Oh, and now that the Patriots are in the Super Bowl. The Bears have been back to the super bowl once, Patriots 11 times since then.

B (23:16)

I know we could get this year. We'll see.

C (23:18)

Figured I'd rub it in just a little.

B (23:20)

Happy trails to any. Wait for Scottie Schefter's first win of the season. He already got it yesterday in the first tournament he entered the American Express at La Quinta. Scheffler birdied half his holes and going from a two shot deficit to a six stroke lead before winning by four. It's Scheffler's 20th career win on the PGA Tour, all in the last four years. Frank he joins Tiger and Jack as the only players in history to have 20 wins in four majors before turning 30. Though it took Scheffler 56 more starts than Tiger and 24 more than Jack to do it. 18 year old blades Brown, by the way, started the day tied for second but finished tied for 18.

C (24:05)

Sheffler also joined an exclusive club. Career earnings $100 million. Would you say he's the most underrated big time player? I mean everyone knows who Mahomes is. Everyone knows who I'll ask tomorrow.

B (24:19)

The San Diego Union as we go to the big finish, let's get to it real quickly. San Diego Union Tribune reports Hugh Darvish plans to retire, though he says he's yet to make a final decision.

C (24:29)

Are you surprised he's going to have elbow surgery? He's out for the whole season anyway. Aussie Open Defending champ Madison Keys got knocked out by Jess Pegula. Your reaction?

B (24:36)

We'll see it over and over all summer. Two of the top 10 players in the world. Men's college hoops, number one Arizona versus number 13 BYU and AJ Dupantson tonight. I know you're going to watch this.

C (24:46)

I'm looking forward to that. AJ Debance had 43 the other night against Utah. Greg Popich appeared at the Spurs G League game. Your thoughts?

B (24:52)

Just hoping that Pop is doing well. Last one, Barcelona's Lamina Mall had a scissor kick goal Sunday. You're impressed by that?

C (25:00)

I'm impressed by everything that he does. How about Man United beating Arsenal? Back to back weeks they beat Man City and Arsenal. I know you were locked in for that. We're out of time. Thanks for watching. I'm Frank Isola.

B (25:10)

I'm Mike Wilbon. Same team time tomorrow. Knuckleheads, Lakers, Bulls tonight in Chicago. Don't miss it. Here's Sports Center PT.