← Scoop City: Inside The NFL
Scoop City: Inside The NFL
2025 NFL Season Preview: Will Jalen Hurts, Eagles repeat as champions?
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- [00:01]
BetMGM Announcer
As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM this season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code TheAthletic. Make your first deposit of at least ten dollars, place bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic.
- [00:37]
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- [01:01]
BetMGM Announcer
Don't forget if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager.
- [01:14]
Diana Rossini
I wish somebody taught me how to regulate my emotions. No one ever taught me that you're allowed to be sad.
- [01:19]
Podcast Host Hesoo Jo
Heartbreak hits hard and yet managing romantic grief is so often left out of the conversation. On the season finale of Mind if We Talk, host and licensed therapist Hesoo Jo is joined by dating coach and podcast host Sabrina Zohar. Together, they unpack her journey through heartbreak, the boundaries she's built, and the self worth she's reclaimed. The end of a relationship might break you in the moment, but looking for help with the grief can bring some fresh perspective and build you in the long run. Catch every single episode of Mind if We Talk, including this one. Wherever you get your podcasts, listen and follow today.
- [02:00]
James Palmer
You know how many times users searched football on eBay.com last season? Try 12,000 per hour. That's because ebay has been the home of collectibles since 1995, with unrivaled selections of trading cards and Memorabilia, Premium singles, Unreal Live card breaks. Truly unique game, used gear. All the epic finds you need are right here on ebay. Collect with confidence by downloading the ebay app on the app store or by going straight to eBay.com the Athletic. That's eBay.com the Athletic. Get busy building your collection today.
- [02:42]
Diana Rossini
Yeah. Go on ebay. You can find me and Chase's trading cards.
- [02:46]
James Palmer
What?
- [02:47]
Chase Daniel
Diana's trading cards. Going more.
- [02:50]
Diana Rossini
I sat my kitchen table yesterday and did a bunch of them to get them because, you know, they come in the mail and you have to sign them. And yesterday we got our first picture of Kevin I's wedding day, and they asked for Kevin's autograph. Weird or not weird.
- [03:11]
James Palmer
Hello. It is a Monday. It is the NFL season. It is upon us. It's game week. I am James Palmer. This is Scoop City, presented by ebay. We're going to have our super bowl picks. We're going to have some superlatives done only the way Scoop City can do it. We have a lot coming up. Also, Zach Kiefer will be joining us. But now we do have The Athletic, senior NFL insider Diana Rossini, as well as Chase Daniel, 14 years in the NFL. Chase, I don't want to bring that up. I want to bring up one day in the college football booth. Duquesne, Pitt. This guy's calling games. Diana, how's it going, man? How was.
- [03:49]
Chase Daniel
Was great. It was a whirlwind. I've done a few small games where it's just a home run broadcast, which means you just have the monitors. So being there live and in person, like, seeing the band, seeing the teams run out, like, the energy that it creates, it was epic. And I mean, like, the first 10 minutes of the game, I just, like, I blacked out. Like, I was talking too fast.
- [04:10]
James Palmer
I was watching. I could tell.
- [04:12]
Chase Daniel
Yeah, I was just like over the top. My wife was texting me. Slow down. Enunciate your words. Like, stop. And then once we got settled in, like, there's a lot of traffic at the top, right? You got the opening, you got all this stuff. Once we settled in, it was great. We had a game for like a quarter and a half, and then the rest of it was just like, ah, you know, but it was. It was fun, man.
- [04:31]
James Palmer
It's.
- [04:31]
Chase Daniel
I told my wife this. It's probably the closest feeling that I've had to playing because you're getting ready. You're going through the prep, you're on the field pre game, you're talking to the oc you're getting some inside information, trying to use it in the broadcast, but at the same time, it flexes a different muscle that I haven't done a lot of. And that's storytelling. Right. Especially in college, you're trying to tell these kids stories, you're trying to get them, and there's just a lot that goes into it. But for overall, I thought it went well.
- [04:57]
James Palmer
Yeah.
- [04:57]
Diana Rossini
Speaking of flexing, I saw some of the photos that you took. Man, that creatine is hitting. I'm like, is he editing his photos? Like, what happened to Chase? So, James, just background. Hillary was a broadcast journalism major, so she's like the best piece of our Scoop City family because she doesn't join the show, but she gives critiques.
- [05:20]
James Palmer
Those are educated notes.
- [05:22]
Chase Daniel
I can show you the text message. Like, literally, it's like first series for Duquet. Slow down. Stop popping your peas. You're talking too loud. You're talk. And it's like, I, I appreciate that because, like, she'll be real with me and honest with me. So I, I really enjoyed it.
- [05:39]
Diana Rossini
I was curious on Saturday, the come down from it. Meaning, like all the adrenaline. I know you had nervous energy. How could you not? Like, what was the rest of your Saturday like after being in a booth calling your first college game for espn?
- [05:53]
Chase Daniel
That's a great question. I definitely was amped, right. But I had a seven hour, like travel day home. So by the time I was home, I was, I was able to get out Saturday night, which is great. But I flew three and a half hours. Salt Lake City had a hour and a half. Like, I had one uno beer, but I just don't like it. Like, I drank half of it. It wasn't great. And I watched some college football I didn't get. I didn't get in bed till like 11.30pm and then yesterday we celebrated my kid's birthday, which is today. He's turning 8. So it's been a very busy week for the Daniel family.
- [06:25]
James Palmer
Oh, I'm sure. Listen, the price of airport beers. I don't think I've ever not finished an airport beer. I don't know what you're doing, Chase. Yeah, I've always seen the bottom of that club.
- [06:32]
Chase Daniel
I'm like Cops, though it was hoppy.
- [06:34]
James Palmer
Yeah. I guess Stuffy knows from that overly IPA stuff. Real quick before we move on because we have to. Arch Manning. I had a great Saturday too, because the Buckeyes took down Arch Manning. What was your take as everybody's talking about him? Arch Manning's Performance real quick in about 30 seconds.
- [06:48]
Chase Daniel
Yeah, real quick. I thought that he. Look, there was a lot of outside pressure because of who his family is. And when you saw him play, first of all, the defense that Matt Patricia runs at Ohio State, it's just like he's not going to see a more complex defense the rest of the year. And everyone's like, oh, you know, he's going to do. I'm like, just relax. Like, I've broken down the film. It's. It's bad. It's not good. It's not. But also, a lot of that has to do with the defensive people and personnel and coach in Ohio State. I think he'll be just fine. I never thought Texas was like, should be ranked number one in the country. Right. You got to give him some chance to grow a little bit. He's going to get better from it. And his mechanics really, in the second half were. Were a little off. I think they'll be just fine. But there's definitely some work to do.
- [07:36]
James Palmer
Nobody's talking about Julian saying. Just saying. Listen, this is what we have on the show. We're talking about quarterbacks. We're developing them. Or are we not developing them in the NFL? Senior NFL writer Zach Kiefer is going to be joining us on a brilliant piece he had about why the NFL is failing these young quarterbacks. We're going to have a superlative scoop city style in our super bowl picks in this show. But right now, this is what we're hearing from around the league. We're going to start with the defending super bowl champions. The Eagles will hoist a banner or host a banner, however you want to say it, at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys. I want to go around the horn twice here to the two of you. I want a reason why the Eagles repeat. And when we go around again, it'll be a reason. Reason why the Eagles don't repeat. Chase, why do the Eagles repeat as super bowl champs?
- [08:20]
Chase Daniel
I think the biggest thing is coach Nick Sirianni. I love what he sort of morphed into. He's always been a great head coach. Right. But on this show, last year, James, before you, you know, came on this year, Diana and I, at least me, we were a little bit interested in his coaching style. Meaning when they started two and two times. Yeah. You use critical, I use interesting. It's the same thing.
- [08:46]
James Palmer
I look when he goes.
- [08:50]
Chase Daniel
When he goes. They were two and two. And there were some coaching decisions. Right. That you just really second guess. Because when you Go from managing the offense to really a CEO type coach, that really falls on you, right? They brought in two new coordinators last year. Now another offensive corner this year, Vic Fangio, obviously back. But when you look at that and your only job was to manage the game, he mismanaged two or three games on their two to two and their two and two start. And so we came on the show and we were, you know, this, that and other. And then they just roll off like 16 of the next 17 games or whatever. It was like something crazy. 15 in the next 16, one. And you really just saw him keep that entire group together, from all this stuff with AJ Brown to Herz to this defense, and their defense played really well down the stretch. But when you really look into it, right? And you know the thing that he was saying was the thing he's been preaching a lot is contribution over credit, right? Like, how are you going to contribute to the team? Like, yeah, we won the Super Bowl. Yeah, we're going back to back. It just takes a really special coach because, look, I was able to be a part of a Super bowl team in 2009, and going into the 2010 season, Sean Payton, I thought, did an excellent job keeping the team together, doing everything that they could. We didn't start great. We finished like 10 and 6. We lost in the beastquake mode game. But I thought for the most part, like, Sean was so good at it, like giving us time off. The message, what it is, it's almost like starting over and tearing it down. But when you look at their roster along with the coach, like, the coach is so critically important coming off of a Super bowl year to set sort of the expectations and set like, hey, this is the path we're following. Let's keep them together. And I thought he did a really good job last year. I imagine he's going to do a good job this year.
- [10:31]
Diana Rossini
I love that concept of knocking it down to build it back up, right? Because you would think, why would you ever want to knock down a Super bowl winning team? But in a way, you kind of have to do it because that's the only way to turn the page, to give them that, like, fresh vibe, fresh energy of we got to go back to work and do it. It does not tail into the new season for sure. And I was like, looking at, like, what teams do in the off season to celebrate, and it felt heavy initially. Right. Didn't you feel like the. And maybe it's just because of where I live, just. I just feel like the Eagles were everywhere. You know, I could get away from it, but then they. They tightened it up, and then it just kind of went away and camp was here, and it's like, oh, yeah, they won't keep moving on. But for me, I think the reason why they do. Will beat the. The super bowl hangover, so to speak, is. Is because of Jalen. Hurts. Someone close to him shared with me that Jalen views this season so differently than he has every other year, because now that he has the ring, it's a completely different mentality. The pressure's off. Right. He's done it now.
- [11:31]
Chase Daniel
Yeah.
- [11:31]
Diana Rossini
So now it almost feeds into the confidence that he's done. And he knows how to do it. He knows how to win in the big. And said, look, we saw him play at an exceptional level in a loss in a Super Bowl. Right. So now that he played exceptional again and has it and turned out to be the winner in it all, how could he not feel great about what he's doing and how his play is at the quarterback position? So I think a quarterback last year we would not have said was the reason why the Philadelphia Eagles could win a Super bowl. Is my reason for this year why I believe that they can.
- [12:06]
James Palmer
I love it.
- [12:06]
Chase Daniel
And experience on the ring, like Ian put on the ring yet. But like experience for him. He's been in these situations before. It'll bode well down the stretch for him.
- [12:14]
James Palmer
Yeah, I think. I think is exactly right. And knocking back that experience and going through a Super bowl win and then having to adjust the year after. I look at Howie Roseman, Chase. I look at what Howie did the year after they won it in 2017, and he knows the mistakes he made and the aging players that he brought in to try to win immediately, and he avoided that this year. They're a young team. They're the third youngest team in the NFL. And this defense, yeah, they're like 20. Their average age is like 26 years old. And the score of this defense is young compared to what it was that year after they won the Super bowl in 2017. So I look at Howie learning from that first time around. I look at this offense being multiple. They can beat you a variety of ways. They don't need to lean on Saquon Barkley again. They can do different things offensively. And when you have 17 of 22 starters returning and all six of your pro Bowlers returning, I just think the roster and the roster construction by Howie is a big part of it. All right, Chase, Why won't they repeat as super bowl champions.
- [13:09]
Chase Daniel
Dude, you know, I thought of a thousand different reasons.
- [13:13]
James Palmer
That many.
- [13:14]
Chase Daniel
But. But here's the. Here's the thing I thought, and I'm like, no, that's not going to happen. I don't have a reason why they're not going to repeat. Internally.
- [13:24]
Diana Rossini
It's a little hangover.
- [13:25]
Chase Daniel
Yeah. Like the one. Like, I would say, like, maybe the one thing that is going to take some time getting used to is the relationship with Jalen hurts. And offensive coordinator Kevin Petullo, like, that's a different type of relationship that a lot of people don't think of. And they're like, oh, you have the offensive line. Oh, you have Saquon. Oh, you have Jalen. Oh, you have these. These receivers here. I get it. But they're going to have to figure out a way to get on the same page quickly. And I know Jalen's had a lot of offensive coordinators and a lot of that. That's one thing internally that I think could maybe down the stretch if they don't get down the same page, could happen. Another thing externally is you're like, hey, why won't the Eagles repeat? I think the Chiefs, like, I think the Chiefs play them well. I think the Chiefs get back to that game. That's for later. But I think, like, that's the internal. The external is like, man, everyone is gunning for you. Like, you're going to get everyone's best shot every single week. And we know and we've seen this roster is like a dream team, Right. It is very well constructed and easily, in my opinion, the best roster in the NFL from 1 to 53. Just depth every position. You mentioned, Howie. But. But externally, like I say, the Chiefs, like, you know, being tongue in cheek, like another team. Right. Like, we are not sure who it is. It's just so difficult to repeat.
- [14:48]
Diana Rossini
I don't want to do it, but I got to do it. You're asking me why they won't repeat. He was perhaps the best player in football last year in Saquon Barkley. Okay. They ran him a lot. And I'm not just talking the regular season. I'm talking in the postseason. And Saquon has dealt with health issues when he was with the New York Giants. Right. So I'm not saying that's going to come bite them. I'm just being realistic to be able to produce as much as he does and to be as physical and as athletic. And those long runs, right. We're not talking short yardage. We're talking Long runs.
- [15:25]
Chase Daniel
Yeah.
- [15:25]
Diana Rossini
That Saquon was part of and he did take a lot of hits. And it's an offensive line that I have a little bit of concern. Not as that I'm not like red flagging. Oh my goodness.
- [15:36]
James Palmer
Okay.
- [15:38]
Diana Rossini
But for me, I think if the, I think the reason why the Philadelphia Eagles don't win the super bowl, it's because something in Saquon's game took a step back. And that may be protection, that may just be the wear and tear on him, just something with Saquon's piece of this. Because to me, he was the, he was the straw that stirred the drink last year.
- [15:59]
Chase Daniel
The catalyst, no doubt.
- [16:00]
Diana Rossini
And so I, I, that would be the reason for me at this. By the way. It's such a weird thing to say because you're like, this person is going to get hurt. Like, I don't want to say that.
- [16:09]
Chase Daniel
No, I don't think you're saying that. I think you're saying just lack, like it's so difficult to run for 2,000 yards and to have the magical. Like it is a once in a lifetime season. I will go out on the plank right now and say he's not going to have the season production wise that he had last year. It's just one of the best seasons ever for a running back in the history of running backs. And so for him to be able to do that again, I mean, I hope he does. I just don't think it's realistic to have an expectation going into beginning of the year.
- [16:38]
James Palmer
Yeah, fair, James. It's fair because I'll tie into this the three things that I look at, why they will not repeat its health. And I'll get into that. And you mentioned it, Diana. It's this defense and it's the NFC East. Nobody repeats as the division winner of the NFC east. Not since Philly did it four years in a row leading into 2004, they had 21 of 22 starters play in the Super Bowl. They really were healthy last year. And that's just hard to continue to do year after year. And then the other part is, and I remember talking to somebody earlier this offseason with somebody on their defensive staff, which was like, we were the number one defense in football that just doesn't repeat. And Chase, you know that, right? It just doesn't happen. You just for one reason or another, you don't back to back, stay the number one.
- [17:22]
Chase Daniel
I see somebody, though. I'm. And I'm Vic Fangio. I'm putting my trust in him. Vic Is my guy.
- [17:27]
James Palmer
Oh, I'm putting a ton of trust in Vic and Nick is putting a ton of trust in Vic. I don't think Nick Sirianni knows three calls in Vic's defense. I don't think he has to. Vic runs that entire side of the ball. It doesn't matter.
- [17:37]
Diana Rossini
But here's what makes you fantastic too. He also is constantly coaching himself up, right? He's very open to you. Remember when he was in Denver, right? James, probably your best.
- [17:47]
James Palmer
He's my guy, man. He's die hard Phillies fan. You know, from scrap, you know, from, from. From Pennsylvania, you know, went to East Stroudsburg. Let's go. But like, I, I just think when I talk about the defense, it's. We always talk quarterbacks second year having to make a jump. You got to have a really big jump from Quinion Mitchell. You have a big jump from Cooper DeJean. You got to have Jackson Hunt on the, on the edge because you don't have sweaty anymore. Like edge play is going to be an interesting thing to look at the getting after the quarterback. You got to have some young guys take a big step in year two of this defense. I don't doubt Vick. I'm just saying a couple of things that could come together real quick because we got to get moving here. Diana, I need to hear something that was given to you this weekend because I guarantee you're always working the phones about Micah Parsons. Something that was texted to you about this trade that shocked the earth and we did a live show about it. You can go watch it on the channel.
- [18:37]
Diana Rossini
Yes, you can. Well, since we're talking Philly, why don't we just start there of just knowing what the news did for that Philadelphia offensive room. Right. James, you brought it up earlier. Like, man, I wonder, I wonder what that was like for them, knowing that they don't gotta. They don't have to face Micah Parsons, knowing that they definitely game planned for him, that they've got protections for him. And I had someone in Philly, you know, weigh in on it, essentially being like, it is a huge weight off our shoulders. It doesn't matter how good Jordan and Lane are, they need help. Right. Like, it's a fair thought, adding tight ends and running backs. Chip, you know, helps in every pass play, but knowing where he is is unpredictable and he jumps around so much. So just knowing that he's not going to be out there Thursday night is just a big win for this Philadelphia team. Even, even just psychologically knowing that the best player in football that's not a quarterback isn't on the field. But also the mindset of what Dallas is. I had a GM set send a text to me on Saturday afternoon after we got past the how is Green Bay going to be better? What's this defense going to look like? I thought the perspective of the Dallas mentality, the psychology of where they're at as a team, knowing that Micah's not there and look, we know that Micah wasn't the perfect teammate and he wasn't considered to be at the caliber that Dak is in terms of leadership. But at the end of the day, he's the best player on the team and you want the best player on the team with you on the field when you go, when you're, when you're trying to win games. So for Dallas to go into the link where it's going to be wild to face the Dallas Cowboys without understatement of the year.
- [20:19]
James Palmer
Diana. Yeah, continue.
- [20:20]
Diana Rossini
They're just a little.
- [20:21]
Chase Daniel
We actually have a game this week, guys. How about that?
- [20:24]
Diana Rossini
So, yeah, so, so starting from just the matchup this week, that was certainly it. But I had an assistant coach point out which I wasn't thinking about in the moment because we were going so quick on Thursday in our show was just the fact that Kenny Clark practiced on Thursday. Like, I don't think we talked about that. Usually when a player is in a part of a trade, they don't practice. This came together so quickly. I know there's a lot of chatter that this was, there was a handshake and that things were worked out for days. That not true from what I gather. There were definitely conversations, but in terms of it being close, I, I was told this thing really got slammed together on Thursday when, when, when the news broke or at least close that, which is why Kenny practiced. And I don't say that to laugh. It just, just, just tells you. Right. That tells you exactly how this went down.
- [21:14]
Chase Daniel
What, what are you hearing about Kenny? I mean like how many snaps? Like it's pretty easy for a defensive lineman like interior to get a game plan down. What are you hearing snap wise for him in Dallas? Because that's a big, that's a big part of the trade. Right. He turns 30 October 4th. Right. So he's a little bit older, but I feel like he's, you know, he's one of the best D tackles in the league. Is he looking for a full set of reps or how does, what is that?
- [21:38]
Diana Rossini
Do you know Kenny Clark?
- [21:40]
Chase Daniel
No. I know.
- [21:41]
Diana Rossini
Okay. Yeah. Yes, yes. Okay, okay. So Kenny. Yeah, very much so. So I reached out to him right after the trade and look, I. I was expecting to get more. More response from him of like, what Green Bay meant to him, you know, because usually in those moments it's. It's hard. You're getting traded. He didn't idea, but he sounded really pumped and ready to take this on. I don't know what their specific game plan is going to be, but knowing Kenny and knowing how the Dallas defense is going to need them, this alleged improved Dallas front right against Saquon, they're going to want them out there.
- [22:19]
James Palmer
They're better against the run. Now, Diana Chase, real quick, what happens in that Eagles quarterback room offensive meeting room? They see it come out from Diana and everybody trade has gone down. Micah Parsons headed to Green Bay. What happens in the Eagles offensive meeting room?
- [22:35]
Chase Daniel
Yeah, I mean, well, in the Eagles offensive meeting room, screams and shouts and everything and the Eagles quarterback room, they're thinking, hey, you know, the game plan for the most part's already in because you got two weeks to plan. I'm sure base pass and third down was in. And then you get into game week like we are now, and you start going through different, you know, which one do you like? As soon as that trade came out, they said, hey, let's take this third down protection plan that we've been spending five months on with Micah. Let's just cross it out. Let's go. Five men out in the route. Every time Jalen hurts, you're good, right? Let's focus on the interior with Kenny Clark and stuff like that. I'm telling you, like, there's only been like two or three guys that I've been around and played against in my entire career that Sean Payton, Andy Reid have ever game planned against to actually stop it. One was Aaron Donald, one was J.J. watt. Both excellent dudes. And Micah Parsons is one that you would absolutely do it. We would have protections called 22 paint Micah or 22 paint JJ, meaning like the back. Just go to JJ Watt and just look at him. Don't worry about getting out. Like, help your guy. Like, that's the type of stuff that in, in, in Diana hit it. It's like, now you get more people out into the route. Now it's just like, all right, we still have to play a really good front, but we're not adding new protections that we would never have again to just for this game. So now they're probably playing a little freer.
- [24:01]
Diana Rossini
Yeah. What was the weird. Not weirdest, but Anything interesting you guys saw from the post Micah trade, like online or any comments or anything that stood out? Because the thing I'm obsessed with right now is just the Green Bay packers beat reporters videoing every single thing Micah does. Like they are. They've been handed this gift. These poor packers fans who I feel like just haven't had anything to be excited about since Aaron Rodgers left. And I. I'm just excited for packers.
- [24:28]
James Palmer
Fans how difficult life has been to be a Packers fan over the years. Course of your quarterback, your lifetime. Yeah, it's been a struggle. And they're legit super bowl contenders. And we will get to those jets videos.
- [24:41]
Diana Rossini
I really get into that stuff.
- [24:42]
James Palmer
We'll get to Super. Speaking of super bowl, we'll get to those, those picks. We'll have them at the end of the show. I want to real quickly before we get to Zach Kieffer who's I think just patiently waiting for us. We're going to get through some Scoop city superlatives right now. Okay. Froyo is the first one. It's a pretender. And I'm going to kick this off. Okay. I know this is blasphemy on this show. We're all friends of Sean Payton, we love the guy. But I'm going to say the hype is almost too big right now. Could the Denver Broncos be pretenders? Chase, I'll tell you why I love this team. They're deep, they have a great roster. I think they really are a complete football team. But I mentioned health earlier. This has been one of the healthiest offensive lines over the last couple of seasons. Does that continue because it's one of the better offensive lines in football. If they lose anybody, whether it's Caribbean bowles or Mike McGlinchey for an extended period of time or anybody in the interior with Quinn Miners, who's one of the best guards in football, that's a huge blow to this team. I think the defense is really good. But I also look at the additions they made and I'm just playing devil's advocate here. You had J.K. dobbins, Evan Ingram, Telenoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw. What do they all have in common?
- [25:44]
Chase Daniel
Outside?
- [25:45]
James Palmer
They're all good at football. They're all have injury history. Exactly. So I'm curious if they all can stay injury free. And then the last part is, and I was going through this in my head, guys going, what if the AFC west had like two dodgeball teams and they were picking dodgeball teams? You pick each guy, each Guy with all the skill players in the AFC west, how quickly do you start picking the Broncos skill players honestly over the other players in the division? You're picking Brock Bowers, you're picking Ashton Genty, you're picking lad McContley, you're kicking Justin Herbert, you're picking Patrick Mahomes, Rasheed Rice, Travis Kelce, all of you, Cortland, Sutton. Like, when does he get off the board? When does Bo Nix get off the board? When does J.K. dobbins go off the board? Like, their skill group isn't outstanding. I think their coach that runs it is outstanding and can get them open. I'm just playing devil's advocate to the hype that's been happening. And the division is tough and they beat no quarterbacks last year.
- [26:39]
Chase Daniel
Temper expectations. I like it. But at the same time, I was, I was part of. I was part of that team.
- [26:44]
Diana Rossini
Team.
- [26:45]
Chase Daniel
The teams in New Orleans where you couldn't name a skill player other than Marcus Colston, maybe Jimmy Graham toward the end of it and like, that's it. So it's, it's built the same way.
- [26:55]
James Palmer
He's used to that.
- [26:56]
Chase Daniel
It's not, it's not. It's not a bad.
- [26:58]
James Palmer
And then I'll just add this. These are the quarterbacks they beat last year. Aaron Rodgers, Baker is good. Aiden o', Connell, Spencer Rattler, Bryce Young, Kirk Cousins, Gardner minshew, Jameis Winston, AR15 and Carson Wentz. Those are the quarterbacks they beat last year.
- [27:12]
Chase Daniel
Defense was still ranked number three and.
- [27:14]
James Palmer
Every.
- [27:16]
Diana Rossini
One really good part of your team to go far. Maybe it's their defense, maybe it's the defense.
- [27:21]
James Palmer
Defense is awesome.
- [27:22]
Diana Rossini
I love that you're just picking and we're just gonna fight you on it. We're like, no, you fight me on.
- [27:26]
James Palmer
It too, because I live here in Denver and I love the team. Chase pistachio. That is the dark horse team. You wanted this one. You wanted it bad. You wanted the dark horse team who.
- [27:36]
Chase Daniel
You go, yeah, you know what I mean? I love what you said, James. Like, I, I can see that. I just don't think it's going to happen. I have pistachio as the Broncos. I think that the Broncos are the pistachio, which is the dark horse team. Like, no one really likes pistachio, but you give it a chance. Like, it grows on you a little bit. Especially you've been to Italy, like, this pistachio and stuff like that. Like, it's, it's. It's something that I think that, like, obviously 10 and 7 last year was able to give the Bills a run for their money in the playoffs, at least for a little bit. I, I think that the growth.
- [28:11]
James Palmer
At least for a little bit.
- [28:12]
Chase Daniel
Yeah, a little, little bit. They got experience. Right. But I love Sean Payton like, I love Bo Nicks. Like, that defense is excellent. The coaching staff is top notch. It's like New Orleans West. I think they can challenge for the number one seed in the AFC like I really do. And, and it's really not like it doesn't want to sound hot take because, like, look at their games against the bra against the Chiefs last year. Right. And the Chiefs have just like the class of the afc like they should have won one. And I just, I think the backups in the other. They beat the backups. But I'm just saying, like the one that they, they felt really good. And who did the Chiefs say they didn't want to face out of anyone in the first round? It was the Broncos because they match up really well. So if you can get through the Chiefs, like I do think there's a confidence builder if that were to happen. So Pistachio for me.
- [29:01]
Diana Rossini
Yeah, I'm looking forward to. I'm probably most excited about that scene, this team, just because I see both sides of what you guys are saying.
- [29:07]
Chase Daniel
Yeah.
- [29:08]
James Palmer
Like, if it falls right and goes right, it could be great. It could fall backwards in some com.
- [29:14]
Diana Rossini
Okay, go D. Well, what's our next flavor? Which flavor?
- [29:18]
James Palmer
I'm gonna real quick just say the Cardinals. That was my dark horse. I, I, I think the Cardinals are going to be good guys I've spent some time with.
- [29:24]
Chase Daniel
I'm not gonna lie.
- [29:25]
James Palmer
Kyler Murray's the big question mark. Front seven's good. Marvin Harrison, year two left tackle, solidified. Nobody wanted to play them the last couple years. They're a tough group. All right.
- [29:34]
Diana Rossini
We don't talk about, talk about them at all.
- [29:35]
James Palmer
And I'm going to.
- [29:36]
Diana Rossini
Why don't we do that this season? Let's try to make some effort this year. And Arizona Cardinal fans that are listening to the show. What's up? If you don't want to hear about the Cardinals, let us know what's up.
- [29:46]
James Palmer
I saw Trey McBride against that Broncos defense in joint practice, and he was unguardable. How about Rocky Road? Toughest team, Most approved, hot seat.
- [29:55]
Diana Rossini
Diana Rossini, the Miami Dolphins. I, I know this is a team that went to the playoffs in 22 and 23. They had a decent shot despite the fact that Tua missed six games last year to making the playoffs. But I feel like they're going through this movement of moving on from the veteran players. They're very young. Right. I agree with that. You have to do that. They had to move on. But you know what comes with a lot of young players? It just, it, you need time and I don't know how much time they have and I feel like we've been mentioning this a lot on this show, unfortunately. But injuries are always a problem with the Dolphins. It's every single year, starting with their starting quarterback and look off the field. Let's just call it what it is. The Tyree Kill situation, the back and forth, the apology, the, the drama that's there, the fact that he is a good player and you know, this offense needs him. It can destroy a team if you have the wrong guys in your building, it can destroy a team. And I think I have a lot of questions, Marks about the future of the Miami Dolphins and even this season of what is this going to look like and can their head coach rally these guys together to get on track? Because I just don't have a lot of belief in them right now.
- [31:05]
Chase Daniel
Yeah, I like your pick. I thought you would have picked the Colts though. Stiking on the hot seat quarterback situation sticky like who knows what like, you.
- [31:13]
Diana Rossini
Know, just saying no, look, we could probably have a lot of teams that.
- [31:19]
Chase Daniel
Are, you know, there's a lot.
- [31:22]
Diana Rossini
I've been on this Miami Dolphins train for like two months now because I don't. I want to feel better about them and I just don't.
- [31:29]
James Palmer
Real quick, before we go to get to Zach Kiefer, I do want to say my rocky road team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nobody likes to battle against time and they kind of are battling against time. Could this be the last chance for TJ Watt and Cam Hayward and Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin? Is this the year he doesn't get.
- [31:44]
Chase Daniel
9 digit win 9 and 18?
- [31:48]
James Palmer
I just see like they're all in right now. This is a lot of pressure coming in because this could be it for a lot of big name players that we've been loving watching playing football for a long time. All right, we get back to Scoop City, presented by ebay. I love saying that, by the way. Zach Kiefer has an unbelievable piece, hasn't even been released yet on the Athletic, but we have him to talk about why the NFL is failing young quarterbacks. That's coming up next. You saw that play when your quarterback dropped back, looked off the safety and threw a dime deep for the go ahead touchdown. Well, that's not just hall worthy, that's wall worthy. And you can own a piece of it when you shop the unrivaled selection of trading cards and memorabilia on ebay. The home of collectibles since 1995. Huddle up with the 132 million users around the world to find that rookie autograph you can't find anywhere else. Premium trading cards, singles and sealed boxes. Unreal. Live card breaks. Truly unique game use memorabilia. All the epic finds you need are right here on eBay. Plus with the eBay authenticity guarantee for trading cards, you know what you buy is the real deal. Collect with confidence by downloading the ebay app on the app store or by going straight to eBay.com the Athletic. That's right, your collection journey kicks off right here, right now@ebay.com theathletic come through and collect with us today.
- [33:18]
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- [33:26]
James Palmer
Yep.
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- [33:48]
Diana Rossini
Hi, I'm Kristen Bell and if you know my husband Dax, then you also know he loves shopping for a car. Selling a car, not so much.
- [33:54]
Chase Daniel
We're really doing this, huh?
- [33:56]
Diana Rossini
Thankfully, Carvana makes it easy. Answer a few questions, put in your vin or license and done. We sold ours in minutes this morning and they'll come pick it up and pay us this afternoon.
- [34:07]
Chase Daniel
Goodbye, truckee.
- [34:08]
Diana Rossini
Of course, we kept the favorite.
- [34:12]
Chase Daniel
Hello, other truckee.
- [34:13]
Diana Rossini
Sell your car with Carvana today. Terms and conditions apply.
- [34:21]
James Palmer
Welcome back to Scoop City. Presented by ebay. James Palmer. Diana Rossini. Chase, Daniel. And now we have a legend in our mix. We have senior NFL writer Zach Kiefer joining us with a brilliant article that we're getting a chance to read early, which I felt kind of like I got behind the curtain, guys. I was like nobody's read this yet, but I'm reading it. The bust files. How NFL teams break young quarterbacks. Zach, appreciate you joining us, man. This was killer.
- [34:47]
Zach Kiefer
I'm hoping to tease this to Chase a little bit earlier. This group city. And now we're here. The season's starting, but let's dig in.
- [34:54]
James Palmer
Yeah, I Love it. I love it. Everybody was kind of talking to you before we jumped on, going, you know, Diana's like, you know, you could hear Hasselbeck and how he talks in his quotes. You could hear kind of. I think the frustration in Alex Smith, like, this still wears on some guys. I think they're just like, you could read the quotes from Alex Smith and he's like, I remember when they told me, like, you could see, like, it sticks with them. And I think that's the importance of this, too. And I think you conveyed that really well to where you can still see some of the information and the guidance and the expertise on it, but some of the frustration on some of these guys that you talk to that have been through it, and it still sticks with them. It seems like, yeah, I felt like.
- [35:34]
Zach Kiefer
I was Alex Smith's therapist for a while, and if you know his story or if you read this story, it will hit you hard. The other part of that was kind of stunning to me was talking to guys like Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning. Right? Like, two of the best to ever do it.
- [35:47]
Chase Daniel
Yeah.
- [35:48]
James Palmer
Yeah.
- [35:48]
Zach Kiefer
The fragility and, like, the lack of confidence they had earlier in their careers was like, are you kidding me? Like, Peyton Manning was looking at his coach six quarters into his NFL career thinking, I'm going to get benched because I can't stop throwing interceptions. That's Peyton Manning. And then Troy Aikman's like, zach, I wouldn't be here today if we didn't bring in Norv Turner in year three. Like, they were going to bench me, and the Cowboys were probably going to move on from me. Which sounds crazy right now, but those were two of the best to ever do it. Imagine what it's like for all these young kids coming in that are not playing the college careers that those guys did.
- [36:24]
Chase Daniel
When you get to Alex Smith. Because I. I played with Alex for his first three years after he left San Francisco. And reading it, reading your article and really focusing in on Alex's quotes, you could tell that he was still pretty pissed about how things went down in San Francisco and just the lack of support and, you know, stuff around him. And it rings true, Zach, because, like, I remember when. When we. When he got traded to. To Kansas City, we were on the same, like, physical, like, bus to go get a physical together. We were there at the same time, like, they traded for him. They signed me in free agency. And I remember through the first year, it was, like, really hard for me to get him to open up a little Bit like, because he's always in your article, he's like, I prep by myself. Like, that's just how I. Because. But then like toward the end of the last year and then the next two years, he's like, man, like, I was like that in my first year because I had had all these scars from everything that had happened. And I seen the prep with you and the other quarterback room, Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray. He's like, I wish I had this. Because we would watch film on Tuesdays or off days for four hours and go through everything and we were just like a group. And another guy had mentioned, hey, the quarterback room. He's like, I wish I would have had this to me, like when I was in San Francisco. And so for me, it's like, when you do this article, how in the world are these billion dollar franchises not doing everything in their power to help the young quarterback who doesn't know how to prepare like a pro? Because the Caleb Williams article came out this last year with Seth Wickersham. I don't know how to watch film. Like, it just blows my mind. So when you talk to these guys, like, have you got a why? Like, why is that not the case?
- [38:23]
Zach Kiefer
It's stunning. I mean, Caleb Williams wasn't the only quarterback watching film alone. Alex Smith told me the same thing. And to speak to his experience, I mean, Chase, you know this. Seven different offensive coordinators his first seven years. He was looking at the sideline as a rookie, asking the coaches if he could get into shotgun. Asking them, and they said no. When Jim Harbaugh got there seven years into his career and basically saved his career, he said two coaches saved his career. Jim Harbaugh first, Andy Reid second. Yeah, he said, Jim Harbaugh said you were great at running the football at Utah. Why didn't, why didn't you run it ever? Like, why don't you ever run it dual threat? And they said, because I'm not allowed to. They never let me. They've never let me run the football. So to speak to the bigger issue, like, this is a Troy Aikman quote and this was really damning. He said, coaches say they're going to build their offense around their quarterback skill set. Only a few of them actually do it.
- [39:17]
Chase Daniel
Yeah, no doubt.
- [39:18]
Zach Kiefer
And Alex Smith said, look, like these coaches are stubborn and they look for guys who will fit a playbook. And he said, if you look for guys who fit a playbook and you don't get that guy, it's never going to work. And you just spend Your whole career looking for those guys who fit the playbook. And Alex Smith made a really good point. He's like, look, the offense I ran in Kansas City is nothing like the offense Patrick Mahomes runs now. He said, Andrew Reed is the best at that.
- [39:41]
Chase Daniel
Real quick, Diana, sorry, I know you want to talk, but that's just exactly what I wanted to hit on because I have that first hand experience. Because I remember our first year with Andy Reid. Me and Alex are like, hey, I came from New Orleans, he came from Harbaugh with this, like the Saints, like offensive, like gurus. And Andy's obviously an offensive guru. But we're like, hey, like coach, why in the world are we calling the Z receiver a flanker? Like, we'd have to say flanker motion. Like, why can't we just call it a Z? He's like, well, this is just how it's always been done in, in, in Philly. And then. But you see Andy and this is not the case for a lot of coaches. Morph his scheme to be like, take the player feedback, Diana. When we were there last year, he's like, I take place from janitors, I don't care. And so I do think that's a big issue on coaches today. Like you. And maybe not as much. Right. But you see them saying, hey, fit the system. I'm not changing it. And those are the guys that usually don't pan out.
- [40:34]
Diana Rossini
Well to that point. Chase. I remember talking to a team president or team executive during the hiring process about what that was like for them when they were meeting with all these different head coaches. And I don't think we truly understand how difficult that process is for teams to parse through what these coaches are saying, what they've been prepared to say, perhaps even taking a lot of the ideas from the organizations that they came from. And so many of these coaches lacking the ability to make it their own and explain how they're going to make it work with this new organization that they're interviewing for. But this person was just saying, it's just hard to know and find the characteristic that we're talking about here, which is how do you bring in a head coach or an offensive coordinator, the play caller that is truly going to make the quarterback the best version of him without any ego of the coach being involved. How many times have we seen head coaches? Well, they're great play calls. We're talking about Chicago so much right now. Brian Dable is one of those for a while where they are tremendous. Are they able to get the most out of the quarterback, though. I thought Kevin oconnel, Zach was. Was phenomenal in just really taking ownership of it. Of, like, it's on us. Like, that's the first time I had heard a coach really go out swinging a bit and take and admitting, like, if the quarterback doesn't work, that's on us. We're not doing enough.
- [41:59]
Chase Daniel
That's not normal.
- [42:00]
Diana Rossini
Right. And. And because he. But what makes Kevin so great is he has that ability to connect with these quarterbacks because he's been there, right? Chase, like, he's. He's failed.
- [42:10]
Chase Daniel
I think it's the way you.
- [42:11]
Diana Rossini
It's the way you worded it. I remember reading that line, like, oh, that was. That was harsh. But it's the truth, right? Like, he did it. But from. From your conversation with o', Connell, what do you think the characteristic he has that has made him the coach of the year last year and really get the trust of quarterbacks.
- [42:29]
Zach Kiefer
This is where it all started. If you guys remember, KOC said last year, he said young quarterback. He said organizations are failing young quarterbacks before these young quarterbacks fail the organization. And I thought, someone needs to figure this out, like, why, how does this keep happening? Because we've had seven benchings of guys that are highly drafted in the last couple years, right? So the position's getting younger. Youngest average starting quarterback age in like 67 years last year. So the. The quarterbacks are getting younger and the leash is getting shorter. So how do we get here? And I'll give Kevin o' Connell a lot of credit. He goes in on basically the entire league saying everybody is in a race to either crown this guy as the future or to move on from him. So everything gets expedited, everything is hurried. There's not the time. And then I'll give him a lot of credit because he called out the coaches. He said, you need to put on your big boy pants as a coach. You need to buckle up and you need to coach the player through failure.
- [43:26]
Chase Daniel
I love that.
- [43:27]
Zach Kiefer
As you know, Chase quarterback is failure, right? Every quarterback struggles when they're a rookie, even the great ones. And a lot of times the teams abandon their plan, if they even had a plan, as soon as they can to go find the next shiny toy, as Alex Smith put it.
- [43:43]
James Palmer
This conversation went on for a really long time, and it was outstanding. Tomorrow on the YouTube channel, we're going to be dropping the entire conversation we had with Zach Kiefer about the developmental, or lack thereof, the developmental process with these young quarterbacks. Check out that tomorrow. But this was just outstanding. We have one more block of Scoop City presented by ebay coming up. It's our MVP picks and our super bowl picks. Diana Rossini's favorite time of the year. You saw that play when your quarterback dropped back, looked off the safety and threw a dime deep for the go ahead touchdown. Well, that's not just hall worthy, that's wall worthy and you can own a piece of it when you shop the unrivaled selection of trading cards and memorabilia on ebay, the home of collectibles since 1995. Huddle up with 132 million users around the world to find that rookie autograph you can't find anywhere else. Premium trading cards, singles and sealed boxes. Unreal Live card breaks. Truly unique game Use memorabilia. All the epic finds you need are right here on eBay. Plus, with the eBay authenticity guarantee for trading cards, you know what you buy is the real deal. Collect with confidence by downloading the ebay app on the App Store or by going straight to eBay.com TheAthletic that's right, your collection journey kicks off right here, right now@ebay.com theathletic come through and collect with us today.
- [45:15]
BetMGM Announcer
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- [46:16]
BetMGM Announcer
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- [46:29]
Verizon Advertiser
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- [46:37]
James Palmer
Yep.
- [46:38]
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- [47:02]
James Palmer
Welcome back to Scoop City presented by ebay. I'm James Palmer alongside Chase Daniel and the athletic senior NFL insider Diana Rossini. This is her favorite segment. She requested that. She's the one who wanted to do this. This was her call. So we all just followed suit. It is our mvp. MVP picks for the season. Chase. And our super bowl picks. Chase and I said, no, no, no, no, no, Diana, we don't want to do MVP picks. We don't want to do super bowl picks. And Diana was like, guys, guys, guys. I've been thinking all holiday weekend about doing my MVP picks for everybody and doing my super bowl picks. So Diana, we'll have you go first on your MVP pick.
- [47:37]
Chase Daniel
You are first.
- [47:37]
Diana Rossini
First. The Scoop City fam that listens knows how much I hate doing this stuff because I have to hear from others and people in the league after I name them as to why'd you go with that one? Why did you pick us? Why'd you pick this one? As you guys found out last year when I picked for the MVP title, I voted. No, I voted for LaMar Jackson for MVP.
- [48:01]
James Palmer
It's not a bad pick.
- [48:03]
Diana Rossini
It was a great pick. I stand by it. But I did not know that my vote was going to be revealed to the world.
- [48:08]
Chase Daniel
No, I'm talking about your preseason vote, Diana. Didn't you go? Didn't you go?
- [48:12]
Diana Rossini
No.
- [48:12]
Chase Daniel
Last year preseason on this show? No.
- [48:18]
Diana Rossini
Real quick. So. But I am going to double down. I think Lamar Jackson is going to be the MVP again this year.
- [48:26]
Chase Daniel
Trey times.
- [48:27]
Diana Rossini
I think we're gonna see him pull this off. This is why. But we'll get to our my super bowl pick in a second here. He is not slowing down. Lamar Jackson is just getting better and they're just continuing to giving him more weap and more tools and more protection and a good defense that I think that this could be one of Lamar's best seasons. So I'm sticking with Lamar again, publicly, as painful as it is for me to admit. So, Chase, you're up. You're mvp.
- [48:55]
Chase Daniel
I mean, literally, it's. It's come down to like the top four quarterbacks, Right. Because this is a quarterback.
- [49:00]
Diana Rossini
I know where you're going.
- [49:01]
Chase Daniel
Driven league and it's like the top four in any given order. Josh, Allen, Mahomes, Burke Burrow and Lamar. Right. However, I'm gonna go with a guy who has been getting a lot of disrespect lately.
- [49:17]
Diana Rossini
Oh, I know where you're gonna.
- [49:18]
Chase Daniel
No one's really been talking about him and I think that's stupid. So I'm gonna go with Patrick Mahomes. I think Mahomes gets back to form throwing the ball down the field. I know where she rices out six games, but when he comes back, along with Hollywood Brown, along with their stud guy, Xavier Worthy, they got this royal kit, like all these guys. It's speed galore down there in Casey. And I was talking with somebody this, this off season that I know really well in the Chiefs organization and they said, chase, I promise you that we are going to throw the ball down the field. So I believe them. I believe him. It's a pretty good source and I'm just. I'm excited to get back to a lot of disrespect. I mean, I just don't know how they're disrespecting, like, oh, they want to say, oh, the refs and this and that. Like, dude, they were in the super bowl about the three peat. So like just put some respect on his name.
- [50:16]
Diana Rossini
Did Taylor gave you that nugget?
- [50:18]
James Palmer
Yeah, she did. Yeah. She knows her ball. She knows her ball. They were about. You're right. The Chiefs were about the three peat and then the opening kick happened. Boom. And there went the chances of any sort of three peat. That a boy, Chase. What a good go out on a limb and suggest the best player on the planet as your mvp.
- [50:34]
Chase Daniel
I wouldn't say that is out on the limb because out on a limb.
- [50:37]
James Palmer
I'm going to go with somebody that's getting a lot of disrespect. Our friend Jeff Howe has an article up on the Athletic and it has a bunch of head coaches and executives asked who they think their MVP is going to be. There were six players on that list on Chase's Point. There were all six quarterbacks. You know, this guy was not on that list of six quarterbacks that they believe could win the mvp. There was also another question in that article about which quarterback would you want to build your franchise around? There's 16 quarterbacks listed. Trevor Lawrence got a vote. This guy did not get a vote. Do you guys know who I'm talking about? The man who was the runner up for the MVP in 2022. I'm going Jalen Hurts as the MVP of the NFL this season. He had his highest completion percentage and passer rating a season ago. They look to throw the football downfield more and stop leaning on Saquon as much. Could he go aired out and have an opportunity to go win the mvp? He is a guy that has gotten better each and every year, and he beat Mahomes on the biggest stage twice. We've seen him outplay him twice. And I think Mahomes the best player on the planet. But maybe Jalen Hurts deserves a little respect at some point. He's not even in the conversation in any of these.
- [51:42]
Chase Daniel
Chase, so you're pick. I just want to make sure I got this right. You're picking your MVP this year for a guy who threw for 2900 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.
- [51:53]
James Palmer
Okay. Yeah.
- [51:54]
Chase Daniel
Just making sure.
- [51:56]
James Palmer
Okay. We're going long, but I can tell you some of the traits he has. Like, listen, he finds ways to win, does he not? He does exactly what his team is doing.
- [52:04]
Chase Daniel
He's 1,000% a winner.
- [52:05]
James Palmer
Yeah. He does what his team's built to do. If I had Saquon Barkley, I'd hand the ball off all the time. But I can't throw like any of these quarterbacks either. All right, let's go to our super bowl picks. Diana, your favorite segment.
- [52:16]
Chase Daniel
Go ahead.
- [52:17]
James Palmer
Ahead.
- [52:18]
Diana Rossini
Yeah. James, last year you weren't with us. I went with the Houston Texans. That did not do very well.
- [52:23]
James Palmer
Okay.
- [52:24]
Diana Rossini
Chase reminded me every week, every week that I think the Houston Texans it was, which is why I hate this game, because I hate being a loser. I was very, very, very tempted to go with the Minnesota Vikings on this one. Okay. And then I took a breath. Wow. No, I took a breath. I remembered. I remembered that they have a young guy. Yes, I think their team is built, but they've got a young guy. And we've got to be patient to take Zach Kiefer's article to heart. So I chilled out on that, and I decided that the Philadelphia Eagles are going back to back.
- [52:58]
Chase Daniel
Way to go out on A limb here, Diane.
- [53:01]
Diana Rossini
Their roster to me is just better than anyone else's. It doesn't take a lot of math. It doesn't take a lot of research. I don't need to make phone calls on that. They are just able to put.
- [53:10]
Chase Daniel
That's a good line.
- [53:11]
Diana Rossini
Players out on the field that are just better than yours. And I just think if the field of Eagles can stay healthy, stick together, how we continue to make moves, which we know, and he's proven that he's willing to make moves even before the trade deadline. If they see that perhaps maybe on defense, they, they need to supplement or figure out some answers that they don't have the answers to just yet, or perhaps some injuries on the offensive line. We'll see. I just have all the confidence in the world that this team's just going to keep on rolling.
- [53:38]
Chase Daniel
Yeah, that's hard. That's hard.
- [53:40]
Diana Rossini
I don't want Kevin to make dinner tonight.
- [53:42]
Chase Daniel
Yeah. Guess who I could argue with. Yeah, I don't. I don't really have that long winded of an answer.
- [53:49]
Diana Rossini
Oh, sorry.
- [53:50]
Chase Daniel
No, it's all right. You don't think it's gonna have a pick? Of course I have a pick. I'm just gonna. I'm gonna go with the team that. I just really still think that the best team in the world is the Chief. Yeah. I mean, because, Diana, they've been to, I don't know, five of the last six Super Bowls. Right. And then no one's playing the odds. Seven straight AFC championship games and. Yeah, I'm just. I mean, that's the odds. Right? Like who, Like I would say here, here, here's the one thing that I'll defend myself on.
- [54:18]
Diana Rossini
Okay.
- [54:20]
Chase Daniel
I do think that Mahomes is obviously, like, at least for me, the best quarterback in the world. And I think that matters in today's age. I think Andy Reid's a top one or two coach and, and you put those two together and then you get better. You get better offensively. We think they drafted their stalwart at left tackle from Ohio State and they, they, if they're healthy, is. Is fast and it's just like, man, we've seen a sort of drop off for sure. Mahomes dropped off like the last few years, but he's a drop off of the bar. He said he's still really good. You know what I mean? So I just think it's just. It's hard not to pick them.
- [55:03]
James Palmer
Okay. I would say Mahomes didn't really drop off. I think Mahomes has just found ways.
- [55:07]
Chase Daniel
To win 70 yards per attempt, less passing yards. I just.
- [55:11]
James Palmer
He also finds ways to win with what he's got.
- [55:14]
Chase Daniel
He's a winner.
- [55:15]
James Palmer
I'm going to go and tie this into Diana's MVP pick.
- [55:18]
Diana Rossini
Okay.
- [55:19]
James Palmer
I think the man gets his third. Like Diana said, possibly. Does that happen? I don't know. But I will say he gets his super bowl. And I'm going with the Baltimore Ravens. And I think after the Eagles, this is the best roster in football. I think this defense is one of the top three in football. I think they have an extremely versatile secondary. I think they can beat you with both tight ends and running the football. And Zay Flowers gets better every year. Like, I think the Ravens could be this. This could be the time that they get. They get over the. The Chiefs hump.
- [55:50]
Chase Daniel
I like that. I like that a lot.
- [55:52]
James Palmer
I think the Ravens, they have it, too. And we're talking about Coach Quarter, like, it's one of the better coaches in football. And John Harbaugh, can they do it? I think this might be the year that they do it. That's my favorite.
- [56:03]
Diana Rossini
That's not a bad one. All right, well, we. Let's make sure we keep track of these because I was wrong on the.
- [56:08]
Chase Daniel
Micah One last show. Oh, my God. You asked me. Micah is going to be on the field for the open.
- [56:15]
Diana Rossini
Oh, yeah, of course.
- [56:17]
Chase Daniel
Yeah. Come on. I was like. I was like, oh, God, yeah.
- [56:20]
Diana Rossini
Then we've got you Jackson Dart by Halloween and see, that's happening.
- [56:24]
James Palmer
I like that one. And a lot of people like that. I'm not sure if Diana discussed it with Brian Dable over ice cream if Jackson Dart will be there by Halloween.
- [56:35]
Diana Rossini
But, you know, don't live in the same town as head coaches. Oh, note to self. You gotta run into him. No, it's all good. He's great. He's. He actually. He is energized. He is ready to go for this. For this season. Which is. Which is good to see because we know that the Giants went through a lot last year, so you better be.
- [56:51]
James Palmer
Yeah, I love it. Well, we're energized to get this season going, aren't you? Right? We're here.
- [56:56]
Diana Rossini
We are. Guys, I know this is what's crazy. I feel I was thinking about this before the show. Show. We spent so much time on Scoop City the last month talking about contracts, which I know for the listeners could be a little dull and boring, but they were big stories, so it's fun to. That we get to really start talking some, some ball now guys. So I'm glad to be doing it with you.
- [57:13]
James Palmer
I love it. I love it. Remember, you can catch the entire Zach Kiefer interview, which was outstanding when it's just separated in its in its own self as well on the channel. So for Zach Kiefer, for Chase Daniel, for Diana Rossini, I'm James Palmer and this was another wonderful now we're in Football week episode of Scoop City presented by ebay.
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James Palmer
Yep.
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Chase Daniel
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James Palmer
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Chase Daniel
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James Palmer
Really?
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Chase Daniel
That's great news.
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James Palmer
High five everybody.
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Chase Daniel
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James Palmer
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Diana Rossini
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James Palmer
Other restrictions apply.