← Scoop City: Inside The NFL
Scoop City: Inside The NFL
Best of Scoop City Season 1: Cam Heyward, Fred Warner and Will Anderson Jr.
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- [00:01]
Diana Rossini
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. See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico gambling problem call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text HOPE NY 467-369 in New York, call 1-800- NEXT STEP in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 Massachusetts 1, 800, bets off in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1-800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico for first bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. 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 only.
- [01:14]
Bob Grotz
Boost Mobile will give you a free year of service when you buy a new 5G phone.
- [01:18]
Cam Hayward
Oh, like a BOGO.
- [01:19]
Bob Grotz
A BOGO.
- [01:19]
Fred Warner
Buy one get one BOGO.
- [01:21]
Bob Grotz
Well, technically it's buy one phone get one year.
- [01:24]
Fred Warner
So bopgoy ah bopgoy get the boost.
- [01:29]
Will Anderson Jr.
Mobile bo bop goy.
- [01:30]
Bob Grotz
Deal bopgoy with Boost Mobile Bob goy.
- [01:33]
Fred Warner
Bop goy bop goy. This is the best idea we've ever had.
- [01:37]
Diana Rossini
When you purchase an eligible device, you get $25 off every month for 12 months, with credits totaling one year of free service, taxes extra for the device and service plan online only.
- [01:45]
Bob Grotz
I'm not switching my team to some fancy work platform that somehow knows exactly how we work, and its AI features are literally saving us hours every day. We're big fans, and just like that, teams all around the world are falling for Monday.com with intuitive design, seamless AI capabilities, and custom workflows, it's the work platform your team will instantly click with head to Monday.com, the first work platform you'll love to use. Hey, guys, welcome into Scoop City. I'm the athletic senior NFL insider Diana Rossini. Don't forget to like and subscribe for the latest scoop. Our Scoop City best of series from season one continues this week with not just some defensive stars, but some tone setters for an entire organization. We sat down with steeler Cam Hayward, 49er Fred Warner and Texan Will Anderson Jr. To talk about identity, leadership and what it takes to dominate in today's offensive driven league. All Pro defensive tackle Mr. Steeler himself, team captain Cam Hayward. We wanted to hit you right away on the fact that, that you broke the record recently for a defensive player playing the, the absolute most snaps as, as a Pittsburgh Steeler. And it had us thinking, how far do you want to take this thing? Like, do you want to break the Steeler record for, for most games played, most snaps taken, and own the crown? What's the game plan here for you?
- [03:26]
Mike Tomlin
Oh, I'd like to break the record. We'll see. We'll take it year by year. But Big Ben, Ben set the bar pretty high and what I think he's at 249. So that's a good chunk of games, but I like to take a swing at it.
- [03:46]
Bob Grotz
So you've been doing this a long time and I know we do the old man jokes with you. Everyone gives you a hard time about it. But that being said, I do want to know, what is it like getting out of bed in the morning at your age compared to what it was 10 years ago? Like, start me with the eyes open.
- [04:02]
Mike Tomlin
And go, oh, eyes open. And then once I get up out of bed, I'm like, oh, ankles and knees hurt?
- [04:11]
Fred Warner
A little knees?
- [04:13]
Mike Tomlin
Yep. You start to shake around, say, okay, we can still go and we start walking. And you know, from there it's, I get better as the day keeps going. You know, I think I try to be intentional about taking care of my body. And I think that's been the main thing for me even playing this long is learning at a young age how to take care of my body, especially in the league. Whether it's, you know, massages or it's Pilates or it's, you know, extra stretching or, you know, cupping. It's a multitude of things. And, you know, I just have to be, you know, smarter about it and, you know, after a game I have to be on a massage table.
- [05:01]
T.J. Watt
You getting the cold tub after the game?
- [05:03]
Mike Tomlin
Yes. Gotta be in the cold tub.
- [05:05]
Bob Grotz
So it's cold tub and then massage.
- [05:07]
Mike Tomlin
Cold tub, hot tub, massage. You name it. It's. It's a plethora of things these days.
- [05:13]
Cam Hayward
Days.
- [05:13]
T.J. Watt
Look, Cam, you're one of the, if not the unquestioned leader, obviously of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and, you know, Diana and I and the rest of the world, we're not in the locker room with you guys. So we don't know how everything was handled with the Russell Wilson, Justin fields situation, because in my opinion, you know, I'm a big Justin fields fan. He played really well when Russ was hurt.
- [05:32]
Cam Hayward
What.
- [05:33]
T.J. Watt
How was that transition? I mean, it helps when you go two and oh, as Russ, and he's played outstanding. But how was that transition from the leadership perspective in the locker room?
- [05:42]
Mike Tomlin
You know, I think for us, it came to a point where, especially during training camp, we acknowledged both guys were pretty damn special. And we knew it was going to be, you know, a pretty good competition. Either way, we were going to be set at quarterback just because these guys are amazing.
- [06:01]
T.J. Watt
Yeah.
- [06:02]
Mike Tomlin
And so it worked out where, you know, we were playing. Russ got hurt, and, you know, you roll with Justin. Mike T. Came and addressed us once he felt Russ was able to go, and I don't think we missed a beat in that. You know, I think we understood we're going to support both guys and whoever's on the field. We got to provide short fields. We got to make sure we give them every opportunity to succeed because we understand it's not our decision, but it's our decision to make these guys look good. And so making sure we were able to just help out as much as possible.
- [06:37]
Bob Grotz
Yet at the same time, he. Mike makes the decision to move off Justin after having some success there to. It almost felt like he was on an island there. Right. Like, he's on the out. I'm not going to talk for your team. I'm just going to say on the outside, we're all like, mike, what are you doing? You know, and he obviously made the right decision here, as you guys have been able to find ways to win every week. What was coach like the next day? Come on. Like, you're telling me he wasn't walking around like, on the guy. I told you what. What was you really like?
- [07:07]
Mike Tomlin
I think the only thing I heard him say, you know, when everybody started asking about, you know, congrats on making that decision, he was just like, well, that's why they pay me the big bucks. And I was like, you know, it's a pat on his back. But, like, you know, he's not looking for the pat on his back. He's just looking to make sure we win, because if we lost, he'd be like, man, y' all need to make me look right? And so, you know, he's. He's big on that.
- [07:35]
Bob Grotz
You were part of that recruitment when Russ came on that free agent visit, and you were explaining to him, like, look, this is Pittsburgh, the scene. This is not la. You know, you play in Pittsburgh. It's a certain type of community, right? It's a certain type of culture there. It's all about football there in Pittsburgh. So now Russ is there, and he's part of the community. He's leaning into it. What's, like, the most Pittsburgh thing you've seen Russ do, even though he's new to all this? Anything you've observed where you're like, this guy, he's acting like he's been here?
- [08:04]
Mike Tomlin
Well, I think once I saw Russ go to the Steelers pro shop and he was buying a lot, I was like, oh, he's investing.
- [08:12]
Diana Rossini
Team issue.
- [08:13]
T.J. Watt
He was team issue gear.
- [08:15]
Mike Tomlin
Yeah, he. It was like, I'm like, russ, they give you that stuff for free, and he's going out buying himself. I'm like, I guess he's committed. Like, he's locked in from there. So, you know, you appreciate it. Like.
- [08:27]
T.J. Watt
Yeah. How is Russ integrated to the locker room, though? Because, you know, there's a lot being said about how his time finishing in Seattle, even though he's won a Super bowl, been to another, and then the time in, you know, Denver where they pretty much gave him away for free for you guys, they're pretty much paying for his salary. How was that, that in the locker room? Because there's a lot of stuff outside of that said about him, you know.
- [08:51]
Mike Tomlin
For us, I think it comes to a point where, you know, we don't really care what happened before. All we can worry about is what's going on. And so when he got here, it was more just like, you know, be a part of the team. You know, we don't need you to be some savior. We have a lot of good teammates. We got. We got a lot good leaders. We're just asking to be a part of this. And Russ has been bought in just trying to connect, trying to learn people, communicate. You know, I don't think there's a day where you don't see Russ trying to work with a guy extra after practice or trying to get to know people. So I think Russ has been, you know, just trying to extend himself and just learn from different people.
- [09:33]
Bob Grotz
After years of covering you, I don't, I can say this fiercely. I don't think I know a player and a head coach that have a bond and a relationship the way you have with Mike Tomlin. Like, I've even noticed, like, after the games that I'm chasing after, you're trying to get an interview. Mike will wait for you to finish your interview with us and then walk into the locker room with you. He waits for you every single game. Right? You guys obviously got something really special. We only see the stuff at the podium. You know, we've all. If you, if you cover the team, you've had a couple conversations, but we don't know him the way you do. From a, from the coach side of this on what makes Mike Tomlin so good every year? What is it that you've learned over all your years being a Steeler that makes Mike Tomlinson so good?
- [10:15]
Mike Tomlin
He knows how to push each of our buttons in different ways, and he is very keen on doing that, you know, even if you're not practicing. Like, today was my day off and he was still finding ways to push my buttons, you know, sharing analytical data with me about my age. And, you know, he does that for every single player. You know, I know everybody, everybody makes a big deal about, you know, he, he's a players coach, man. Coach finds different ways to motivate different players. And whether it was AB when he was here and he was chasing greatness and, you know, sharing all the different stats for him, Mike T. Knows how to find stuff for each one of us. If you're a guy who needs a little bit of embarrassment, he's going to give you a little bit of embarrassment. If he's a guy, you know, that just needs a little bit extra love, he's going to do that. Or if he's a guy who's just, you know, you don't have to say a lot too, but roll out the ball. He's ready to play. He'll provide that as well.
- [11:14]
T.J. Watt
You guys are off to one of your better starts this year. And quite honestly, it feels different on the outside for the Pittsburgh Steelers because you guys really have been through a revolving door of quarterbacks. That defense has always been the Steel Curtain, right? And you continue to be that. Still curtain. But you got a good test this weekend against Jaden Daniels and those commanders. He was born, just so you know, in the year 2000.
- [11:36]
Bob Grotz
That was one of the stats Mike probably gave him. He was like, yo, you know, the quarterback's 2000, which is.
- [11:41]
T.J. Watt
Which is nuts. Like, what are you looking forward to? And what's going to be your toughest test this weekend?
- [11:46]
Mike Tomlin
The thing I'm looking forward to, I just read this crazy stat that they've only had 19 punts in nine games. In two games, they had zero punts.
- [11:57]
Bob Grotz
Zero. Yeah.
- [11:58]
Mike Tomlin
So. So when you think about that stat, I'm like, shoot, we were even talking about it. Like, if you get off the field, you gotta. You got to throw a pep rally because, like, nobody else is really doing this. And, you know, he's having a lot of success running the ball. I can't say enough about the mobility he has, but their whole offense has been just gelling since day one. So excited to really just go against that group.
- [12:22]
Bob Grotz
Yeah. Their punter trusts Way, doesn't do much. He just, like, hangs out.
- [12:25]
T.J. Watt
Yeah.
- [12:25]
Bob Grotz
It's like.
- [12:26]
T.J. Watt
But, like, I want to know from a defensive perspective, because I'm a film nut, right. And I watched every one of his games. And you're. As you're watching him, you don't have to give away a lot of, like, what makes him so special, though. Like, they're third in the NFL, and third down, they're. They're third in the NFL. And rushing, which a lot of people don't understand either. They run the ball really well. What makes him so difficult to defend?
- [12:45]
Mike Tomlin
You know, I think with the rushing, you have, you know, two really good running backs leading the way. But then you add a quarterback that pretty damn special as well, that. That's going to really screw up a lot for a lot of people. You know, you could have the perfect play call as a defense. Right. But if this guy makes somebody miss, you're playing 10 on 11, and it's just, you know, it. The defense is always at a disadvantage because, you know, there's a chance for everybody to be covered. And if one guy misses a tackle, you know, it's a home run hit.
- [13:21]
Bob Grotz
I said, TJ Watt is better than his brother jj and people were coming at me hard. Help me, help me. You greet me. Come on.
- [13:29]
Mike Tomlin
I've only played with tj But I know JJ as well. It's something in that Wisconsin water that, you know, they were born in, you know, genetic test tubes, because these tubes are special.
- [13:42]
Bob Grotz
I don't know. I don't think the Hayward brothers are doing too bad themselves. So let's not sell that too short. Let's not sell that short. All right, to get you out of here. So our show is called Scoop City. Thank you so much for hopping on with us. So we always ask our guests some scoop. So we want some scoop on you. What's the scoop on the Buckeye? You dressing up as a Wolverine for Halloween?
- [14:04]
Mike Tomlin
You know, I wanted to play more into my age because, you know, the big thing was Wolverine was in the Deadpool movie and they say he could play Toys 90 or you could do it, Toys 90. And I was thinking that that kind of fits my, my M.O. these days. Everybody wants me to retire or everybody thinks I'm supposed to be done. I'm like, maybe I'll just play till I'm like 75 years old. That's a joke, by the way. I'm.
- [14:26]
Bob Grotz
No, I was just gonna say you just gave us the best scoop.
- [14:30]
T.J. Watt
I got it. I got a. I got a scoop.
- [14:31]
Bob Grotz
Congregation. Can you see it?
- [14:33]
T.J. Watt
And they were placed at 75. Last question. What's this? Because. Because I've studied you and I've really enjoyed watching your media career. Right. You have a podcast right now. You went to the NFL broadcast boot camp a couple years ago. What's the scoop on you when you retire? Are you wanting to get into the media full time? Because you can do it.
- [14:54]
Mike Tomlin
I might like to. We'll see what happens. You know, I don't like the jump in all the way and, you know, declare, hey, I'm gonna be this media person. But there's options there. But I think I enjoy the podcast where I enjoy talking about my Buckeyes, I enjoy talking about my Steelers. I also enjoy just talking about, you know, pop culture stuff, whether it's love is blind and all that stuff. So it's a good time.
- [15:29]
Diana Rossini
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 your first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic. See betmgm.com for terms. US promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto rico. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text Hopeny 467-3369 In New York, call 1-800- NEXT STEP In Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 In Massachusetts, 1-800-Bets Off In Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help In Michigan, 1-800-981-0023 In Puerto Rico. First bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. 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. Breaking up is never easy.
- [16:45]
Fred Warner
But saying goodbye to your old clunky work tools, well, that's easy.
- [16:49]
Diana Rossini
Just repeat after me. It's not me, it's definitely you, you rigid, unfriendly software. It's time to freshen things up with Monday.com the first work platform you'll love to use. With stunning dashboards, customizable templates, and built in AI that actually works. Switching to a new work platform has.
- [17:08]
Fred Warner
Never felt this good.
- [17:10]
Diana Rossini
So move on to Monday.com.
- [17:14]
Bob Grotz
Epic views, waterfall, mists, summit, sunsets. It's all better outside and with alltrails, you can discover the best of nature with over 450,000 trails around the world. Download the free app today and find your next adventure. All right, joining us now, San Francisco 49er Fred Warner. After a really good season, once again, for years, you, despite the fact that you were dealing with some injury here midway through, through the year, we kept describing the 49ers this season as just weird. It just, it was weird vibes. You guys were going through it. What was it like for you since, you know, you were out there and with these guys?
- [17:56]
Fred Warner
Yeah, I think weird is the perfect word because it just wasn't us.
- [17:59]
Mike Tomlin
Right.
- [17:59]
Fred Warner
We're so accustomed, just high level play dominance, always making the playoffs, always having a chance at winning a Super Bowl. And all year we're kind of waiting on that, not waiting on it. We're chasing that moment of like, all right, this is the win that's going to catapult us to going on a run. Right. And getting us exactly where we need to be. And it just never really quite happened that way. You know, we had a bunch of injuries at key positions and just could never find it. Right. And so then once we were out of it, it was just, it was tough.
- [18:24]
Bob Grotz
Yeah Obviously, the Christian McCaffrey injury, you know, dominated the story, kind of just hung over you guys all season long. And yet you have the Ricky Piersol situation, which I've never covered anything like that. You guys have never been a part of that. What was that like in that short window for you guys when you weren't sure if Ricky was gonna live or not?
- [18:44]
Fred Warner
It was super. Just emotional time because, like, you mentioned, like, this was life or death. This wasn't something where I was like, oh, a guy may have hurt himself on the field. Like, this is a guy who's fighting for his life, you know, and it was. This was home. Like, this is in your backyard that this is happening. You know, one of your teammates getting shot. So it was tough. Obviously super blessed that he's even still with us, thank God. But, I mean, Ricky is so amazing. The moment he stepped on our team, he walked up to each of us. He walked up to me and was like, Fred Warner.
- [19:15]
Bob Grotz
I'm.
- [19:15]
Fred Warner
I'm Ricky Piersol, you know, and he was just like, the complete right guy. So super happy that he was able to end the season the right way and be with us and everything. So he's. The future is very bright for him.
- [19:25]
Bob Grotz
How'd you help Christian McCaffrey battle through just what was obviously outrageously frustrating for him as he was doing everything he possibly could to get out there?
- [19:33]
Fred Warner
Yeah. Christian McCaffrey, you mentioned how that was the bulk of the talk, right? And rightfully so. This is the guy who is one of the best players in the league, you know, mentally and physically on the field for us, on and off. I think just talking with him, you know, just kind of keeping his mind right and the moments that he was. Wasn't on the field, just making sure that, hey, man, you're going to get back. You're going to be ready to go. He did come back, and versus that, Buffalo Bill's game gets injured again. But before he gets injured, you're thinking like, man, this guy, this. He's having his best game of his. Of his season so far. This is where he. This is where he takes off and, you know, obviously hurt his knee and everything. So it was just a tough year for him. I know he's. He's got that fire in his belly right now. We've been texting back and forth. I know he's gonna be ready to go next season.
- [20:12]
Bob Grotz
Well, another person, the leader of your team, your head coach, Kyle Shanahan, always has that fire in his belly. What was he like this year? Because I felt like even from watching him from afar, he. He was on a roller coaster himself trying to keep you guys together. Like, we're so close.
- [20:24]
Fred Warner
Yeah. I mean, it's so tough. As a head coach, I could never imagine, you know what I'm saying? Like, I. I'm. I feel like I'm one of the head leaders of the team, and I try to keep the ship afloat. Right. But he's. He's the guy that, you know, we're all looking at week in and week out, and he does such a great job every week, getting us prepared and getting us right. And at the end of the day, players got to go out there, players got to win games, players got to make plays. So, you know, that's kind of out of your control as a coach, but. But it's tough when you are losing games and you're not playing up to that standard that, you know, that you. That you're accustomed to and that you've built and want to continue to see. So I know he's going to be fired up, ready to get us going this offseason.
- [20:56]
Bob Grotz
All right, I'm done with the sad and the depressing side.
- [20:58]
Fred Warner
The season's over.
- [20:59]
Bob Grotz
It's over. Let's turn this page, right? So let's turn this page. It's fresh, right? It really starts now for you guys as you start thinking about what the 49ers are going to be. And you guys got some stuff to work out, right? This roster's got some contracts got to be adjusted and fixed. You got to figure out what it's going to look like. But there's no question that Brock Purdy is the guy that this is who the 49ers want. This deal is going to get worked on soon. What is it about Brock Purdy that maybe people outside of the 49ers, outside of that locker room, don't really understand what makes him so good?
- [21:29]
Fred Warner
Well, I mean, the thing is, is, like, if you truly watch the tape and you watch all the other elite quarterbacks in this league, they all have a common thread amongst all of them. And the fact that they're able to process the. The game at a. At such a high level, being able to create plays with their feet, make the high level throws up and down the field. Brock Purdy does all these things, and he was in the MVP conversation a year ago, like, let's not forget that he took us to a Super bowl and he gave us the lead before. Obviously Patrick Mahomes and them took it away from us. In that super bowl, right? So this is the guy. Like, there's no question. Everybody out there, if you have any questions about Brock Purdy, I'm here to tell you I'm not biased. I. I know Ball. He's the guy. Like, it's not. It's like it's just.
- [22:06]
Bob Grotz
Want a Toyota? Is that what it is?
- [22:08]
Fred Warner
I do want a little bit of a Toyota too.
- [22:09]
Mike Tomlin
Okay. I want.
- [22:10]
Fred Warner
All right, hook me up, brother, but.
- [22:12]
Bob Grotz
Get on that highlight.
- [22:13]
Fred Warner
But listen, this is, this is by far the guy. He's such a great quarterback, such a great guy, you know, great leader for us. I'm, I'm excited for what's to come.
- [22:19]
Bob Grotz
All right, so the Niners will be set with Brock at quarterback eventually at some point here in terms of the future of him. You got Robert Salabak. Yeah, that's your guy. You know, he's coming back to San Francisco after just an up and down experience as a head coach in New York, but obviously ready to get back in there in a space I think he's really comfortable in.
- [22:38]
Fred Warner
Yeah.
- [22:38]
Bob Grotz
What are you looking forward to with having Robert back in the building?
- [22:42]
Fred Warner
Just getting back to playing dominant defense. That's. That's all I've ever known since being here with the 49ers, you know, is playing dominant defense for our team to ultimately give ourselves a chance to win the Super Bowl. And we weren't that last year. We haven't been just on the details of just how to be that. Right. And so I think Coach Solid, he knows that recipe and I'm excited to get him back in and get back to work.
- [23:03]
Bob Grotz
Now you're really close to your teammates. I'm going to do this quick with you before I let you go.
- [23:06]
Mike Tomlin
Okay?
- [23:06]
Bob Grotz
All right. It's really just quick answers of only one guy you can name. All right, so if someone had to just pick the music in your Toyota, someone was running. Dj, which teammate are you picking to run the music?
- [23:18]
Fred Warner
I think that's kind of a no brainer. I think Debo Samuels, one that kind of run the show in the locker room pregame. So I'm gonna let him go and run.
- [23:23]
Bob Grotz
All right. So if one of your teammates has to make a toast at your wedding, wow. Who would you say? Okay, this one would knock it out of the park.
- [23:30]
Fred Warner
Knock it out of the park at the wedding. I probably say Dre Greenlaw. It's like my brother. Right. You know, and give him, give him the toast to the wedding. How about that?
- [23:40]
Bob Grotz
What about him? How's he doing? How is he holding up?
- [23:42]
Fred Warner
He's doing great. You know, he's, he's, he's training right now. He's over in Dallas, and that's where his home is with, with his wife and son and family. So he's training, getting ready for obviously, a very fiery free agency period that's coming up, and we got to get him.
- [23:54]
Bob Grotz
Let's, let's see if you guys are able to do that. All right. Finally, if someone was to just have to take care of your home, let's say you and your wife take a nice trip away. You shut it down. You need to see someone to take care of what's going on back there. Who would you trust in with all your valuables?
- [24:07]
Fred Warner
You know, the guy that kind of pops into my mind is like a true bodyguard type. Trent Williams. Trent Williams. You know, nobody's going to come over to my house and try to mess around. Trent Williams.
- [24:16]
Bob Grotz
Exactly. Could you imagine a robber pulling up to your house and just being like, huh? Yeah, yeah.
- [24:21]
Fred Warner
Probably not. Yeah, yeah, exactly. So I'll just be like, beware of Trent Williams. Beware of Bear.
- [24:26]
Bob Grotz
All right. I know that you're very particular about what you put in your body. You have to be. And I've heard you say before, if you can't pronounce it, you don't, you.
- [24:34]
Fred Warner
Don'T get to put it in you.
- [24:35]
Bob Grotz
I don't know how you're, how you're doing in New Orleans knowing that, because the food here is tremendous and I can't really pronounce half the things because.
- [24:41]
Fred Warner
It'S all in French.
- [24:42]
Bob Grotz
But that being said, can you tell me about Ascent?
- [24:44]
Fred Warner
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, for the longest time, I think as athletes, we're all looking for protein powder because protein is so crucial to building muscle, to recovering for your sport, you know, And I've been trying so many over the years, it's been a hassle trying to find the best one. But then finally I find a scent, you know, and they're by far the best because of the taste and the quality, you know, I don't have to worry about, you know, all the banned substances, like, are they, like messing around with all that they do all the third party testing, and ever since I've been using it, I've been able to see my game take it to another level, you know, since using them. So they're the best and I love using them.
- [25:17]
Bob Grotz
For super bowl coming up this Sunday. I mean, it's wild to think you guys were just playing in this thing.
- [25:22]
Fred Warner
Yeah.
- [25:22]
Bob Grotz
You know, and just how different this is. But either way, you got the Chiefs back in this thing. In terms of the defenses. Better, better unit, the Eagles or the Chiefs putting you on the spot? No, I know because I know they're both different in their own way.
- [25:35]
Fred Warner
They're both different. I have such a admiration and respect for both, obviously, the players and coaches, Spagnola and Fangio, the things that they've been able to do for both teams. I don't know if I could say one's better than the other, but what I am looking forward to is the matchup between both sides. Obviously. The Eagles defense stopping Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce vs. The Chiefs defense stopping Saquon Barkley. Right.
- [25:56]
Bob Grotz
What is the plan? Like if, if you're. If you're with the Chiefs right now.
- [25:59]
Fred Warner
Yeah.
- [26:00]
Bob Grotz
What are you doing? Like if you're with. In the room with Spags, you're going, all right, how are we going to stop Saquon? Like, how do you stop him?
- [26:05]
Fred Warner
I wish I knew. Obviously everybody wishes they knew because everybody had that same game plan going against them and they never. Nobody was ever able to stop him. So yeah, if they do stop him, obviously that gives the best chance to win.
- [26:16]
Bob Grotz
And for Patrick, how do you stop 15?
- [26:18]
Fred Warner
That's another one I'm still searching for.
- [26:20]
Bob Grotz
I know no one seems to have. I feel like you guys have little like blips of figuring it out, but he's finding ways around it.
- [26:27]
Fred Warner
You got to win the fourth quarter. You know, teams talk about, hey, let's, let's start fast. Let's get off to a fast start. And in the super bowl and with this guy, you got to finish fast, you got to finish faster, you know, because those moments are the crucial ones. When the game's tight, who's going to be on it? Who's going to make that one play to knock a ball loose, pick a football off?
- [26:43]
Bob Grotz
I'm curious to see if the Chiefs actually, and I've never said this about the Chiefs before, if they're going to be able to keep up offensively with Eagles. Cuz I just think this is going to be a high scoring game and we haven't had to see the Chiefs really score that many points this year.
- [26:53]
Fred Warner
They just, they always score one more than they than the other team.
- [26:56]
Bob Grotz
Always. Always. Just one more right at the end. I sound like I'm a chief hater. I'm not. Look at the pants either way. Fred, thank you so much. I appreciate it. All good luck this season. You guys are going to be turning it around. We're excited to see it. Okay.
- [27:06]
Cam Hayward
Thank you.
- [27:07]
Bob Grotz
All right. Thanks for hanging out.
- [27:08]
Mike Tomlin
Absolutely.
- [27:08]
Fred Warner
Thank you.
- [27:13]
Diana Rossini
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- [28:27]
Will Anderson Jr.
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- [29:34]
Bob Grotz
All right, joining the Toyota studio studio, thanks to Campbell's Chunky Soup right now, Texans Houston, Texas. Will Anderson joins the show right now. First of all, how's this experience been for you being down here in New Orleans with all the hype and energy of the city?
- [29:48]
Cam Hayward
Yeah, it's been fantastic. I was like, they asked me about it. I was like, yeah, I'm gonna come down here. I get to get some good food, some good weather, good people, great vibes, see some of the guys, see some of the members on clutch and do this experience. So I'm excited.
- [30:01]
Bob Grotz
Yeah. How much of this experience makes you think, well, this is what I want to get here and play in this thing. Just by being around all this.
- [30:08]
Cam Hayward
I know I was after the game that we had lost or whatever like that I was so upset because I'm like, I just want to keep going. I want to keep playing. Like, my body felt great. Like I was in good spirits. But just being around this atmosphere, like, it just must make you keep chasing that dream.
- [30:23]
Bob Grotz
You said before that this Texans team has just something really special that you've never played on a team like this. Why do, why do you think you guys are like this? What is it that makes this Texans team so special?
- [30:33]
Cam Hayward
Yeah, first I to just want. Want to start by saying our faith. I think like God is just like, that's like our number one priority in that building. Like just seeing how many people speak about their faith and how important God is to them. And when you do that, his favor is upon us. And we just have the great white people in the building. We have great people in the building from the top of the staff all the way to whoever it is from the nutritionist, sports performance, everybody, the team coaching. So we have a special group of guys and people that want to help build the coach and make it right.
- [31:00]
Bob Grotz
The nickname, the Terminator. Just give me the backstory here. Where is this coming from?
- [31:04]
Cam Hayward
So that came from Steve Sarkeesian. He's the head coach at the Texas right now. And my freshman year, he would call me that because I just be wrecking practice all the time.
- [31:13]
Bob Grotz
You're so young, though. Do you even know what the Terminator is?
- [31:15]
Cam Hayward
I still have not watched my Terminator movie yet.
- [31:18]
Bob Grotz
You, you have a Nickname of a movie from a show that you've never seen.
- [31:22]
Cam Hayward
Never seen.
- [31:22]
Bob Grotz
Have you seen pictures? Looks like. Yeah, Schwarzenegger, the whole thing. I think you need to put that in your off season plans, but in between a couple workouts to check it out, because it is really good.
- [31:31]
Cam Hayward
Okay. I'm gonna binge it this off season.
- [31:33]
Bob Grotz
Good. Do it. There's like, seven of them, so you can't, you know, maybe you'll get addicted. It could be something that you. That you tune into. So I have to admit to you that you guys were my super bowl pick all year. And I. I stood strong all the way to the end. Like, everyone was trying to convince me, switch teams to hop onto the Eagles, and I was tempted, but I stood in it. And you guys. I really like the way you guys ended the season. And I do think that there was a time during the season where you guys were just trying to figure out what it was that you wanted to be. Have you figured that out? Do you think the end of the season is more who you guys are?
- [32:03]
Cam Hayward
Most definitely. I think that was the best complimentary football that we played all season. I thought we was clicking. Thought defense, we were clicking. Offense was clicking. CJ was rolling, coaches was rolling. Everybody was rolling in the building. And we just want to keep feeding off that energy. Like, we have to do whatever, like, whatever it takes to win. Find a way. That's, like, the message that, you know, my D line coach was telling us, like, we have to find a way to win these games. And I feel like the. The last two games of the season that we put on, that's the type of brand of football that we want to continue to play.
- [32:28]
Bob Grotz
You were an absolute monster against the New England Patriots with three sacks. When you reflect back on that game, what was. What was your mindset that you had such a good one?
- [32:38]
Cam Hayward
Yeah, I thought that week of practice was, like, one of my best weeks of practice. And Derrick Barnett, he plays defense, the van, and he was like, all right, well, it's time to get back in the hunt now. Like, you slipping a little bit and like, a little, like, switch went off in my head, and I just was like, bro, just go out there and be free and play. Play ball and be you.
- [32:54]
Bob Grotz
Yeah. How much have you learned about being an NFL player Just. Just from when you started to where you're at now? It's obviously not been that long, but do you feel like you're just a completely different kind of guy than you were when you entered to the league?
- [33:04]
Cam Hayward
Most definitely. Most Definitely. Like, I remember last year, my rookie year or whatever like that. Like, I was just timid to do things I didn't want to mess up. I wanted to make sure everything I was right. But now I'm just free and I'm just like, bro, just go ball. Have fun. It's just like practice out there, bro. Like, you know what to do, bro. Like, you got your guys with you. They give me so much confidence to go out there and do what I need to do. Coach Ryan's my D line coach. Everybody in the building is fantastic. They rally behind me. So it's just fun.
- [33:29]
Bob Grotz
I've never had a conversation with your head coach and walked away going, gosh, that guy has no energy. Or he's seems sleepy. He's just a 10 all the time in Revan. Do you ever see him not energized?
- [33:39]
Cam Hayward
No, never. And I think that's why we love him so much, because we feed off that energy. It's contagious. And I think that's what keep our team going. Like, he still has that player mindset, that player attitude, and we feed off of that attitude.
- [33:49]
Bob Grotz
Yeah. Give me something that you guys are going to probably lock in this off season to make sure that this Texans team looks a little bit more like the first year compared to last year with cj, obviously.
- [33:59]
Cam Hayward
Yeah, I think it's just a execution part of it. I think coach is going to do a really good job of making sure that we understand exactly what we're doing and how to do it the right way and how to do it consistently the right way. And I know going into OTAs and things like that, we want to continue to just gel as a team. And, you know, I was talking to my coach yesterday and he was like, this is where we find out who we want to be as a defense, who we want to be as a team, and that's what we have to do during this time of off offseason.
- [34:21]
Bob Grotz
OTAs, how's CJ doing?
- [34:22]
Cam Hayward
CJ's great. CJ, he's in LA, chilling, having fun, you know, doing his thing, man. And I'm excited for him. I love playing with him. He's a great guy, great dude. And there's no other quarterback that I'd rather play with than him.
- [34:32]
Bob Grotz
Does he still have that, that swagger about him, that confidence that he had after that year?
- [34:36]
Cam Hayward
Always. Always.
- [34:37]
Bob Grotz
Yeah.
- [34:37]
Cam Hayward
CJ's a baller. CJ's a baller. He has all the tangibles, everything like the skill set, the mindset, the leadership to to take this team to where it needs to be, and I believe he can do that.
- [34:47]
Bob Grotz
I want you to take a second to think about this, because it may be a little hard, but if there was a quality about another player in the league that plays your position that you wish maybe you had, so something maybe you'd admire about someone else. Is there something specific, like a skill set that. Another player that. That plays your spot and you're allowed to say you have it all? No, I'm just kidding.
- [35:08]
Cam Hayward
No, I don't have it all. I would say Miles is, like, one person that I really look up to. Miles Garrett. Just as far as, like, the rush and stuff, though, how you can bend the corner a little bit more. You know, I think working with him this offseason, you know, stuff like that will help me more. He's been a great help for me, and that's somebody I really and truly like look up to. He's a great person off the field. Jesse is on the field, so that's one guy that I look up to that, you know, I want to emulate my game a little bit after.
- [35:32]
Bob Grotz
Yeah, I won't do this to you, but if I were to take your phone and looked at all your texts, who on your team would you say you text the most with?
- [35:39]
Cam Hayward
Who on my team would I say? Probably John Mechi. Yeah, that's my guy.
- [35:43]
Bob Grotz
What are you. What are you texting him about, bro?
- [35:45]
Cam Hayward
Everything. We. We went to Alabama together.
- [35:47]
Bob Grotz
Yeah.
- [35:47]
Cam Hayward
So we're like brothers. So, like, just being crazy. Just talk about, like, shoes. Drake is our. Like, he likes Drake. I like Drake. And, like, I'm trying to go up to Canada, Toronto. That's where he's at. So just all different type of things. For real.
- [36:01]
Bob Grotz
Do you think Drake should be doing the halftime show or are you.
- [36:04]
Cam Hayward
Hey, I'm not getting into that. I'm not getting into that.
- [36:07]
Bob Grotz
You keep it separate, but I don't know. It sounds like you're Team Drake here. Headline news right on the bottom of SportsCenter. Will Anderson says he's Team Drake. That being said, just. Just. Just for. For your overall outlook here, for. For you personally, who do you want to be in this upcoming season?
- [36:23]
Cam Hayward
I just want to continue to be myself. Just continue to be will Anderson Jr. And build off what I did last year and just keep progressing and getting better and just keep taking that next step of consistency and playing my brendable ball.
- [36:34]
Bob Grotz
Cool. And one last question for this weekend. I gotta ask about the Super Bowl. Who. Who on the field, defensively, do do you think is gonna have the advantage between the Eagles and the Chiefs?
- [36:43]
Cam Hayward
I think they have both. I think both of those guys have really great defenses. They have a lot of great players on both sides of the ball. Yeah, it's going to be a good game. It's going to be a good matchup up front. You know, I really just look at the D line and the O line when I play. I think they have studs on both sides of the ball.
- [36:55]
Bob Grotz
I had Fred Warner here before and I was like, come on, let's, let's, let's come on up with a game plan. If you're the Eagles defense trying to stop Patrick Mahomes, he's like, this is the problem. Yeah, we don't really know. Like you don't know how. I mean, you have small piece of things ideas, but consistently stopping him for you. What. What do you think is going to be?
- [37:11]
Cam Hayward
It's just containing him, man.
- [37:12]
Bob Grotz
Yeah.
- [37:12]
Cam Hayward
You do a good job of pushing the pocket, collapsing the pocket. And it doesn't always have to be about sacks. You're getting pressure in his face, making an old lame and sitting his lap. He can't move around. He can't escape. Making him go west and east and that's north and south. Yep, you're fine. You have a good. You have a good game. But that's like one of the biggest things that you think.
- [37:29]
Bob Grotz
Let's flip it. Saquon. I mean, how do you game plan for him? You can, right? You have.
- [37:36]
Cam Hayward
You got all 11 hats to the ball.
- [37:38]
Bob Grotz
Yeah. Unfortunately they got this guy named AJ Brown too, who they can throw to if they are able to stop the. The Brown game. That's the thing that they're talented top to bottom on that roster. I almost look at it as the Eagles are destroyed strength and the Chiefs are the scheme, right. Because they're really smart about how there's. They find ways to win.
- [37:56]
Cam Hayward
Find ways to win.
- [37:57]
Bob Grotz
They find ways to win. Whereas I. I do think the Eagles have a shot though to outmuscle them. So we'll say if you have to make a pick, what do you got?
- [38:04]
Cam Hayward
I'm not going for either of them.
- [38:05]
Bob Grotz
You know, just a big.
- [38:06]
Cam Hayward
My Bama guys though. My Bama guys.
- [38:09]
Fred Warner
I want them to win one.
- [38:10]
Cam Hayward
My Bama guys.
- [38:11]
Bob Grotz
All right. On behalf of Campbell's, Chunky Will, thank you so much for hanging out with us. We appreciate you so much. Stopping by the Toyota studio here on Scoop City.
- [38:18]
Cam Hayward
Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
- [38:20]
Bob Grotz
You're amazing.
- [38:21]
Cam Hayward
Thank you.
- [38:34]
Will Anderson Jr.
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- [39:05]
Bob Grotz
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- [39:41]
Cam Hayward
If.
- [39:42]
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Bob Grotz
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Bob Grotz
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Diana Rossini
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- [39:57]
Will Anderson Jr.
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Bob Grotz
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- [40:04]
Diana Rossini
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