Tony Kornheiser (2:48)

I'm gonna sing a love song to Mendoza here because he showed that every honor he's gotten, he deserves. I mean, he was really that good last night. A couple of weeks ago, we saw the Oregon quarterback, and he had a terrible night. And he was rated the second best quarterback in the college draft. And he said, after that, I'm going back to school, presumably to raise his draft stock the other day. CJ Stroud. Four interceptions in the first half. The spotlight can be withering, but it was so complimentary with Mendoza. This is why the guy won the Heisman. He got hit early, Mike. They cut his lip open. Yeah, he was bleeding. You could see it. And he held up and he stood up. And on that most important call of his life, that fourth and four, he went in there like a pinball. And he made it all the way to the end zone. And, Mike, he justified everything that has been said about him to this point. You mentioned Signetti. They hired Signetti two years ago from James Madison. Nobody had ever heard of him, and Indiana wasn't any good. Signetti right now looks like the smartest guy to ever coach football. You Google him, he's got a national championship, Mike. It's one of the greatest seasons of all time because Indiana had never won. The last time they were in a bowl game was something called the Copper bowl in 1991. They had not won. Nobody expected this. And from the time they won the Big Ten championship on, the teams that they beat were great teams, and they beat them. They were plus 4.93on the season.

Mike Wilbon (4:16)

It's astonishing, the Big Ten just to end with a note on that. You know, I don't want to let the SEC bow down. Tip your cap to the Big Ten, because the Big Ten is the best conference right now. I know many, many, many years it is the sec, but it ain't now. Now with three straight Ohio State, Michigan, and now Indiana. And I don't know who's on the clock, but it's the Big Ten. Now let's move to the NFL's latest coaching hires. The Dolphins hired Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Halfley as their next head coach, and the Titans are going with Niners defensive coordinator Robert Sala. Drew Petzing will join the Lions as their new oc and the Chiefs plan to bring back Eric B. Enemy as theirs. Tone, which move stands out to you the most?

Tony Kornheiser (5:07)

None of them. I mean, it's not very glamorous. I guess you could say that Salah is kind of sort of glamorous. But he was a disaster with the Jets. Mike, he was 20 and 30.

Mike Wilbon (5:16)

Everybody's a disaster with the Jets.

Tony Kornheiser (5:18)

He goes to Tennessee. Here's what you need to know about Tennessee. They fired Mike Vrabel a couple of years ago. Since then they're 6 and 28. Vrabel is 16, 3 and 1 win away from the Super Bowl. Halfley is interesting to me. I'd never heard of him except for this one little fact. A few years back he was the head coach at Boston College. So he's in a Power 4 conference job and he had won a bowl game. He quit. He quit to become the defensive coordinator at Green Bay. And people like me said, what are you doing? It felt like a backward step. Well, maybe it wasn't because now he's got one of the 32 jobs in the country that go to NFL head coaches. And BC went 2 and 10 this year. I, I will say this, there's a lot of teams that need coaches. The three that interest me, these are the ones I'm waiting for. Buffalo with Josh Allen, Baltimore with a two time MVP in Lamar and Pittsburgh because it's an iconic franchise. The other things, I don't care. I want to know who's getting those jobs.

Mike Wilbon (6:15)

I care about the Kansas City Chiefs and therefore it's interesting. For one, I'm losing my running backs coach from Chicago and Eric B. Who did a hell of a job with that running game this year. This year. And he's going back to Kansas City where he already was. And basically they are saying something that I told you for four years. Don't tell me that Matt Nagy's offense is any good because it's not. Because the offense got worse because they were up in the top one and they went to like 15 and then dropped and dropped and dropped. And Matt Nagy's out there and who knows whether he's going to have a seat when the music stops. But Eric B. Enemy, it's not like he's gonna call the place. Andy Reid presumably will do that. He calls the. But the Kansas City Chiefs still matter. And even if the position of OC isn't glamorous, the quarterback certainly is. And he, in my opinion, will be helped by getting B. Enemy back and getting Nagy out of there.

Tony Kornheiser (7:10)

Yeah, well, that's perfectly fair. The only other job that you care about a little bit, not because of the franchise, but the rate the Raiders have the number one overall pick. So you want to see who gets that? Let's move to the NBA. And the stunning news that Jimmy Butler tore his ACL last night and will be out for the rest of the season. Butler had been averaging 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 31 minutes a night. And the warriors have been hot lately. They won last night. They're 12 and 4 in their last 16 games. Well, but I know you love the warriors, and I know you love Jimmy Butler. Yeah. Where does this leave the team? Butler and the exile, Jonathan Kamingo.

Mike Wilbon (7:43)

Tony, none of this is good. Jimmy Butler. Jimmy Butler is so important to what the warriors knew they could do last year when they acquired him. And then giving a training camp and some time, some patience, and here we are just getting just past the halfway point of the season, and the warriors and Butler were playing so well and well together, and now this. The warriors can't win without Jimmy Butler. The west is too hard. The west has got teams. I mean, first of all, they're not even in the top six now. And so I don't know what this means with Kaminga. Do you just plug Kaminga back in? Kaminga should have been in anyway, in my opinion. You know, I love Steve Kerr, but I don't love the handling of Jonathan Kaminga. So do they just play Jonathan Kaminga, or they still look to trade him against someone they think is a better fit? These are all very difficult questions and issues for the Warriors.

Tony Kornheiser (8:40)

Yeah. So Kaminga, a couple of years ago, averaged 16 points a game. He's only 23 years old.

Mike Wilbon (8:44)

Yeah.

Tony Kornheiser (8:45)

Butler is 36. Steph Curry is 37. Draymond is 35. They picked up Al Horford. He's 39. They are so old, they could have watched the first show that we ever did on pti. It's possible. They are that old. But to Kaminga, for a second, he has played nine minutes since December 6th. I think I have that correct.

Mike Wilbon (9:03)

Yeah.

Tony Kornheiser (9:04)

That's only nine more minutes than I have played since December 6th. I mean, I don't know what you do with this guy. The guy wants to play. If he doesn't play at the warriors, he wants to be traded. And I know that you're conflicted because you love Steve Kerr that much. I always. I always think that the warriors are a threat because they have Steph Curry and Steve Kerr. But you know what, Mike? They haven't been in the playoffs three of the last six years. So I may be living in the past on that and I have no idea about Kaminga, but it does seem to me he's got to play immediately. Right?

Mike Wilbon (9:35)

You would think. Where's the championship ring? The kid was on that team in 22. So I don't know exactly what happens, but it feels like the Warriors. I mean the sands of time feels that way.

Tony Kornheiser (9:50)

Feels that way.

Mike Wilbon (9:50)

I hate that.

Tony Kornheiser (9:51)

Let's take a break. Coming up, how can the Patriots offensive line rise to the challenge the Broncos defense? We're going to ESG Saturday.

Mike Wilbon (9:58)

We're also ask him how the Broncos offensive line will have to adjust to new quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

Tony Kornheiser (10:07)

All the people we know on the warriors are basically our age.

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Tony Kornheiser (11:38)

Let's dig into the conference championship game trenches with our great friend ESPN NFL analyst Jeff Saturday. Jeff, let's start with this. The Patriots pass protection has struggled and now they come up against the Denver Broncos, who actually lead the league in sacks. From the perspective of an offensive lineman, how can the Patriots improve?

Jeff Saturday (11:57)

Well, first of all, the last two team or the two teams that are Playing last week and this week are nightmares anyway. So, I mean, you got the best edge. Guys, they're pushing pressure. You know, you have a young guy and Campbell going to try to take the edge, but the reality is he's going to, they're going to get some kind of pressure. It's making sure from an offensive line perspective, you keep your body between he and the qb, make him reach over you, make him do those kind of things. And then it's on Drake May to protect the football when he's in the pocket, keep two hands on it, be strong, don't let those strip sacks. What you don't want to do is get on the edge and get driven all the way back and give up these free shots like that's, that's the worst thing. But if you're talking about strictly from an offensive line perspective, be aggressive in your set, make the guy run the long way around, whether you're guards or tackles, make him go the edge. And May's going to have to be strong in the pocket, stepping up, not just trying to run outside and push the ball down the field. But the reality is they're facing the two best groups in the AFC the last two weeks. Some guy, you know, they're on scholarship, too. You know what I mean? Tony. So they're going to get home at some point.

Mike Wilbon (12:59)

Jeff. Meanwhile, the Broncos are going to turn to Jared Stadtman, quarterback. So what is involved? Give us the most complex things involved when an offensive line has to adjust, and I'm sure there are many adjustments to a brand new quarterback, particularly in a game of this magnitude.

Jeff Saturday (13:18)

Yeah, I would say this. When you're at the line of scrimmage and you're going to have to make some kind of adjustment, whether it's an adjustment in pass protection, an adjustment in audible, whether it's going from a run to a pass or pass to a run, whatever it is, and the defense shifts or moves in the middle of the cadence because we all, human nature, you know, the speed of the cadence changes at times. You get very accustomed as an offensive line to listening to Bo Nicks for week after week after week, and all of a sudden you got a new voice, you have a new way that he wants to kind of go about his brain processes a little bit different. And Sean Payton's going to do a great job of trying not to allow that to happen too much. But it's the most complicated part because it's, it's the timing of everything. We always talk about the timing of a passing game. Well, there's timing of the run game and there's timing of protection and checks and audibles. All, all of those things are going to have to be worked through during this week. It is. It is very difficult. The great part for them, they're playing at home. If this was on the road, it would be significantly worse, but at least they'll have the cadence to kind of to lean back on. But there ain't nothing easy about it. And let me tell you, the Patriots do a fantastic job of kind of mucking it up in the back where you don't know exactly what they're doing. Guys kind of jiggy jack around. They're not kind of in the place they may end up. There's a lot of communication that's going to have to occur for that Broncos offensive line who's done a good job, but they're going to have to be even better with Stidham at the helm.

Mike Wilbon (14:44)

Let's go back for a minute to something that pains me. Rams, Bears and Rams head coach Sean McVay says afterward that he has to be a better play caller. Jeff, after abandoning the run for a lot of the game against the Bears, and I want to ask something in general, really, why is it that so many great play callers and Sean McVeigh is clearly one of them, why do they abandon the run? Like, when things start to anything happens, abandon the run. We've seen that. What happens?

Jeff Saturday (15:16)

Explosive plays. Like, and I tell people this all the time, if you looked at last year with the Philadelphia Eagles, what made their offense so good was Saquon Barkley. Explosive runs. Right. It's a low risk, high reward. Well, you get in these games and all of a sudden, you know, you want to make sure you're getting first downs, you're moving the ball, you're flipping the field, per se, like getting on their side of the 50. Or even if you're not scoring points, you're. You're making them go the long way. And coaches, they just forget. And I've been involved in games where you go in with the idea, the concept, hey, we're going to run the ball. We can physically dominate this team. And they start off doing that and, and you kind of fade away and then you kind of catch back up at the end of the game. But he's exactly right. You got to stick to who you are. Physicality matters. Opening up for play action and, and plays down the field, all that, all those explosive plays come from the defense getting closer to the line of scrimmage if you don't stay physical with them, they'll stay back and make your passing game much more difficult. But again, it's much easier said than done. And when you're a design maniac Like Sean McVeigh, you can think of all these great concepts. Yeah, it's hard. And you got a Hall of Fame quarterback, so you're like, why not? Like, why not put the best at the best. But at times, physicality is the most important, and he understands that. He needs to make sure he gets with that. With the Seahawks this week, just to.

Mike Wilbon (16:37)

Follow for one second, quickly. As a veteran offensive lineman, can you ever go and stand next to the play caller, particularly if it's the head coaches on the sideline and say, yo, coach, hand it to Saquon?

Jeff Saturday (16:50)

Absolutely.

Mike Wilbon (16:52)

They all are.

Jeff Saturday (16:52)

Hey, listen, go YouTube. Me and Manning on the sideline. That's exactly what that is. Don't tell me about any checks in the red zone.

Mike Wilbon (17:00)

Don't tell me about.

Jeff Saturday (17:01)

We're throwing some passes. We're all, we're going to run the ball down their throat. We better get to it. Every offensive lineman better feel comfortable enough to walk up to jab. Sean, we can't just sit here and throw it all around now, you know, we're not playing in the park. Let's go hit him in the mouth and take some physicality. But absolutely o line. Say that, but you better. That's what we do best.

Mike Wilbon (17:20)

I love that.

Tony Kornheiser (17:21)

We will get you out of here on this. And it is also about running. The Seahawks have averaged 172 yards, a lot rushing in their last four games, but they're going to be without Zach Charbonnet. How much does it matter to. To the blockers which running back is actually carrying the ball?

Jeff Saturday (17:39)

Yeah, it. It definitely matters, Tony. But I. I'll say this about Seattle. They have been committed to the run all season. Like, even when they weren't really efficient at it, they kept calling them up. You know, you'd see 30 runs on the chart, and they're putting in the work. It has come to fruition. You've seen the run game kind of take off these last few weeks, starting back in, like, week 18, I think it was, against the 49ers. But they're getting physical, and you could tell their offensive line and their backs are finding rhythm. But backs do run different. Like Charbonnet, you know, interior, those short yardage goal lines. He's. He's exceptional at it. And then you look at Walker, who's a kind of an explosive play right, bounces outside and can hit the home runs. But, but the bottom line with Charbonnet being out is you understand exactly what Walker wants to see as an offensive lineman. He wants to see a clean edge. He wants to be able to push the ball north and south and then bounce and get outside. So as an offensive lineman, you know, going in, he may like it a little different, but you ain't got Charbonnet.

Mike Wilbon (18:37)

So.

Jeff Saturday (18:37)

So we're going to stick with the Walker and have the one kind of the one thought process as offensive, my own. It definitely matters. But you know exactly what he wants and that's what you do.

Tony Kornheiser (18:47)

It's a pleasure, Jeff. Thank you. As always.

Mike Wilbon (18:49)

Thank you, Jeff. Appreciate it, man.

Jeff Saturday (18:51)

Appreciate you fellas. Love it, man. Have a great one.

Tony Kornheiser (18:54)

Let's take one last break. Still to come, baseball's newest hall of Famers will get announced tonight. Will there be any surprises?

Mike Wilbon (19:00)

How about just, will there be any? Alex Nadelkovic describes his strategy in last night's goalie fight. I hate goalie fights.

Tony Kornheiser (19:10)

It's just like why Save money and.

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Tony Kornheiser (21:05)

Happy time people. Happy 37th birthday. Nick Foles Everybody remembers when Foles took over for an injured Carson Wentz and quarterbacked the Eagles through the playoffs all the way to the Super bowl in 2017, where the Eagles beat the Patriots 41 33. Foles was the MVP, throwing for three touchdowns in the scoring one on that memorable trick play, the Phillies Special. Foles retired in 2024 after a career of mostly backup with six different teams. Foles took to social media the other day in regard to Bo Nix breaking his ankle and Jarrett Stidham being named quarterback against New England in the AFC title game. Foles wrote, quote I feel for Bo and the team. A positive note going into the game against the Patriots is that they struggle against backup quarterbacks in championship title. He'd know, wouldn't he?

Mike Wilbon (21:53)

Tony the Eagles have won two Super Bowls of recent vintage. They got to another one three Super Bowls. They've had a lot of success, so why is everybody so unhappy all the time? And whiny and complainy. They stay in the news for all the wrong reasons. For a team that's that good, they've been very successful.

Tony Kornheiser (22:12)

Really a not so happy anniversary. Harvey the Hound on this day 23 years ago with the flames up, their snowhound mascot was harassing Oilers coach Craig McTavish. So the former NHL tough guy pulled out Harvey's tongue and tossed it into the crowd. McTavish also reached for a stick to take a swing at the mascot, but was held back by assistants. Shortly after, Harvey appeared back on the scene with a long red scarf as a replacement tongue and continued taunting the Oilers. McTavish said, quote, you deal with a lot of stuff as a coach, and Harvey the Hound isn't normally in the job description, nor should it be, unquote. The Flames later reprimanded the person inside the Harvey suit, or so the story goes.

Mike Wilbon (22:55)

In the early days of pti, we used to talk about mascots a lot on this show. I'm glad we don't because I hate mascots. There's one I love. Do you remember who it is?

Tony Kornheiser (23:04)

The chicken. You love the chicken.

Mike Wilbon (23:06)

The gorilla. The only real athlete of the mascots. The gorilla could jump up and throw it down.

Tony Kornheiser (23:12)

Chicken or a Philly fanatic. Happy trails to Last night's game for the Panthers, San Jose beat Florida 4 1. But the real headline is our first goalie fight since 2020. Sharks goalie Alex Nadelkovich got involved in a corner scrum which prompted Panthers netminder Sergey Bobrovsky to skate the length of the ice and start swinging. Nadelkovic said later, I was just doing my best to not to get punched. I was just trying not to lose any teeth. It might have straightened my nose out a little bit more, but I don't want it that way, Unquote. Also in the NHL last night, jets center Jonathan Toews returned to Chicago for his first appearance since leaving the team and he received a three minute standing ovation.

Mike Wilbon (23:53)

I can't stand to hear Taves called Jet center and then here Patrick Kane called the Red Wings. Patrick Kane, he's a Blackhawks. They were the guts of a three time championship team. That that standing O could have gone six minutes as far as I'm concerned.

Tony Kornheiser (24:10)

Big finish quickly. Kansas head coach Bill Self was hospitalized. Did not travel with the team for tonight's game at Colorado. Your thoughts?

Mike Wilbon (24:17)

I worry about Self. I just hope he's okay. I hope this is nothing. Baseball's hall of Famers are announced tonight. Are you intrigued?

Tony Kornheiser (24:24)

It's the only hall of Fame that matters. It really is. Yes, I am intrigued. The Pistons beat the Celtics last night. Is that significant? Yeah.

Mike Wilbon (24:32)

The Pistons are piling up evidence Tony is the best team. The best team in the Eastern Conference. College golf champ Michael Lasaso is passing on his senior season and a Masters invite to join. Liv, you surprised?

Tony Kornheiser (24:47)

I'm more than surprised. I'm stunned. I didn't see this coming. Passing up on a Masters. Really. Last one. The Clippers go for their seventh win in a row tonight against your Bulls. You like their chances?

Mike Wilbon (24:57)

Yeah, the Bulls will surprise you a win at Denver and be Cleveland and then lose games you can't believe. So I like the Clippers chances. Yep.

Tony Kornheiser (25:05)

We are out of time. We will try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornhuj.

Mike Wilbon (25:08)

And I'm Mike Wilbon. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads. How about to Rico Going from Soldier Field in the snow to Madison Square Garden yesterday pti before we go.

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