Hour 1: Shedeur Struggles

Summary

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Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Episode Title: Hour 1: Shedeur Struggles
Hosts: Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf (ESPN Radio)
Date: August 24, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this hour, Matt and Myron catch up after summer travels before diving into the sports world’s hot topics. The main focus is on Shedeur Sanders’ struggling preseason performance with the Cleveland Browns and the narrative swell around it—touching on NFL preseason competitive dynamics, media controversies, and quarterback development. The show also recaps the messy but entertaining college football opener between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin, examines the latest Dallas Cowboys drama with Micah Parsons and Jerry Jones, and discusses the SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule and long-term playoff expansion risks and rewards.

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1. Catching Up & Travel Banter

00:30–03:37

• Hosts’ Recent Travels: Matt recounts upcoming trip to South Africa as part of a fellowship, joking about 15-hour flights, audiobooks, and safaris.
• Podcast Tone Set: Friendly, humorous banter about travel tips and prepping for long flights.
• Prominent Quote:
  • “Think the friendly lions though, they’re the ones you can just talk to and hang out with, right?” – Matt (01:52)

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2. Shedeur Sanders’ Preseason Struggles

03:37–11:58

Key Discussion Points

• Game Recap: Shedeur Sanders gets benched late for the Browns after a poor performance, replaced by Tyler Huntley for the final drive—Cleveland still wins.
• Performance Breakdown:
  • Sanders lost 24 yards on a sack, reverted to bad habits from college days.
  • Debate if poor O-line play is really to blame or if Sanders holds responsibility.
  • Myron: “You can make the case in that first preseason game, he did enough for people to say he shouldn’t have been a fifth round pick, but he certainly didn’t do enough yesterday to make you feel like he could be a first round pick.” (05:16)
• Coaching Decisions:
  • Should preseason be about winning or player development?
  • Myron’s verdict: “Your quarterback has to prove that he deserves that chance to be developed. And Shedeur just didn’t do that.” (07:13)
• Media Narrative & Social Controversy:
  • Some media suggest Stefanski benched Sanders to avoid “controversy” if Sanders won the final drive.
  • Both hosts refute this as tinfoil hat thinking; Matt compares the discourse to the Tim Tebow phenomenon, where the debate becomes more about the narrative and fan loyalties than the player.
  • Myron: “It’s a joke that people have made Shedeur Sanders some victim somehow at this stage of his career.” (09:49)

Notable Quotes

• “There are people on Twitter saying his offensive line has to protect him. Like, what do people think that offensive linemen can do? Do they think they can create this 20 yard pocket? Like, that’s not how the NFL is.” – Myron (05:16)
• “Shedeur has become a little bit like Tim Tebow in the sense that the arguments now have very little to do with him.” – Matt (10:18)
• “He’s getting the same opportunity that everybody else in his position is getting as a fifth round quarterback prospect.” – Myron (11:26)

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3. College Football Opener in Dublin: Iowa State vs. Kansas State

14:22–21:43

Key Discussion Points

• Sloppy but Entertaining: Rainy, messy conditions lead to fumbles and a chippy game, but set a memorable scene for the season opener.
• Cultural and Fan Commentary: Matt recounts Iowa and Kansas’s export to Ireland; both hosts have fun with the idea of Iowa State and Kansas State fans blending with Irish pub culture.
  • “Those were the right teams, I think, to send to Ireland because… those two fan bases could keep up.” – Myron (16:21)
• Memorable Moment – Family Feud: Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson’s father and brother fight in the Dublin streets post-game, adding wild drama.
  • “A father and a son fought on the streets of Dublin… they are in the puddles.” – Matt (17:38)
  • “Imagine getting that phone call… ‘your dad is outside fighting your brother’.” – Myron (17:20)
• College Football Pettiness: Matt and Myron laugh about the pettiness of college coaches—e.g., Iowa State’s coach Matt Campbell clapping back about black warmups.
  • “I love petty college football because those guys have a lot of job security… once they get into that place, they can be petty and go at one another.” – Myron (21:21)

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4. Cowboys Drama: Micah Parsons, Jerry Jones, and Sideline Antics

24:47–32:33

Key Discussion Points

• Micah Parsons’ Standoff:
  • Parsons seeks new contract, seen lying on the sideline in street clothes during preseason—interpreted as sending a viral message.
  • Both hosts agree Cowboys coach Schottenheimer has little authority compared to owner Jerry Jones in these matters.
• Host Perspective:
  • Matt sides with Parsons, skeptical of Jerry Jones’s process.
  • Myron: “He [Parsons] knows he’s doing stuff to go viral. Like he’s doing the kinds of things…” (25:12)
• Predictions:
  • Both expect Parsons won’t be traded and will play after signing a deal, likely last minute, reflecting on how this mirrors past contracts with Dak Prescott and others.
  • “This isn’t your quarterback doing this… you’re not going to be as good, but you can play [without him].” – Myron (31:12)
  • “What’s happening… Jerry Jones… wants to be the biggest story with the Cowboys. Michael Parsons is going to be the biggest story no matter what. I think that bothers Jerry.” – Myron (28:41)

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5. SEC Moves to Nine Conference Games: College Football Landscape Shifts

36:51–44:31

Key Discussion Points

• Format Change:
  • SEC expands to nine conference games + mandatory ‘quality’ non-conference game.
  • Schedules will rotate so every player visits every stadium within a four-year career; eliminates old scheduling anomalies.
• Arguments For/Against:
  • Matt likes the new format, arguing fans prefer more competitive SEC matchups over byes or lesser opponents.
  • Myron expresses skepticism, fears further playoff expansion will “squeeze everybody out” except SEC and Big Ten, and predicts traditional rivalries (Alabama-Florida State, etc.) may disappear.
  • “By going to nine games… you’re just going to squeeze everybody out.” – Myron (38:16)
• Implications:
  • Expanded SEC/B1G schedules influence playoff selection, pave the way for a likely 16-team playoff and beyond.
  • Matt sees benefit: more ‘middle-class’ teams like Kentucky may sneak into future playoffs (“those end of season games will matter now in a way that they maybe didn’t matter before”). (43:09)
  • Myron warns: even with more teams, the power is ever more consolidated at the top clubs.
  • “At the end of the day, where we’re headed is the SEC and the Big Ten… being the only two leagues that can actually win national championships.” – Myron (43:42)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• “You can’t take a 22 yard sack. Ended up actually being 24. That didn’t sound too promising, saying he’s back to Colorado.” – Matt (04:58)
• “This idea that someone thinks an NFL coach… is somehow concerned about controversy is the biggest joke.” – Myron (09:12)
• “It’s not even about him anymore. It’s about some other thing.” – Matt (11:16)
• “Iowa, Kansas are farmers. Like, Irish people. They farm a lot of them as well. So that’s a good combination.” – Matt (16:42)
• “Imagine getting that phone call like you do post game press conference: ‘your dad is outside fighting your brother.’” – Myron (17:20)
• “He [Micah Parsons] knows he’s doing stuff to go viral. Like he’s doing the kinds of things…” – Myron (25:12)
• “At some point, I think what’s happening, especially with Jerry Jones and why he’s doing all these interviews, he wants to be the biggest story with the Cowboys… and I think that bothers Jerry.” – Myron (28:41)
• “You can do whatever you want. Where we’re headed is the SEC and Big Ten… being the only two leagues that can actually win national championships.” – Myron (43:42)

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Quick Segment Guide

| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Travel Talk & Banter | 00:30–03:37 | | Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Preseason Debacle | 03:37–11:58 | | College Football: Dublin Game & Feuds | 14:22–21:43 | | NFL: Cowboys, Parsons’s Contract Drama | 24:47–32:33 | | SEC Schedule Expansion & Playoff Debate | 36:51–44:31 |

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Tone & Style

• Matt and Myron alternate between lighthearted ribbing, serious sports critique, and cultural commentary.
• The discussion is energetic, with playful jabs (“I love petty college football…”), occasional deep dives into media narratives, and frequent personal asides and quick-witted analogies.

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Listeners get a comprehensive and entertaining walk through the week’s core sports headlines—anchored by Shedeur Sanders’ struggles and the swirling dynamics of NFL and college football power plays—with the signature Sunday blend of humor, candor, and insight.

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Transcript

[Myron Metcalf]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling.

[Matt Jones]

And when it comes to checking off.

[Myron Metcalf]

Coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person on the phone or using the award winning app, it's nice knowing you have help finding coverage that best fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. This is Matt and Myron the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

It is Sunday morning, Matt myron, here on ESPN radio, Sirius XM channel 80, presented by Progressive Insurance. Every Sunday from 10 to 1, we are here giving you a little dose of whatever's going on in the world of sports. Matt Jones, Meyer Metcalf. We haven't been together last couple weeks because of our various vacations, but we are pretty much together from here at least till I go to South Africa. Myron, it's nice to see you. Everything going well?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, yeah, it is. So you're leaving again when? South Africa.

[Matt Jones]

I go to South Africa for like three weeks into September. Yes. Going to, you know, I've never been that far. 15 hour Myron, direct flight from Newark to Johannesburg.

[Myron Metcalf]

Wow, that'd be fun, man. My friends have gone there, have had good experiences.

[Matt Jones]

So people say that Cape Town there is the most beautiful city in the world right here. And I'm going there and then going to Johannesburg where people are like, just keep your head on a swivel, like it's fine, but you got to be, got to be careful. And then Kruger national park where I get to see the big five, hopefully the lions, giraffes.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And all those.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. I mean just be, be careful with lions. If you do happen to see, I.

[Matt Jones]

Think the friendly lines though, they're the ones you can just talk to and hang out with. Right.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I don't know if they're any friendly lions, but I'm just saying I would be, I'd be mindful, you know, if you end up in Cotter and one.

[Matt Jones]

Well, we'll talk between now and then. I'll get everybody's, maybe I'll get advice because I think one thing is when you say you're going to South Africa, a lot of people come up to you who have ever been there and they all give you like, they all have tips, you know what I mean? And, but it's a long way away. I mean it's long, 15 hour flight is a long way. So I'm having to get myself mentally prepared for that.

[Myron Metcalf]

That is law. I mean, you got to Have a lot of books. I don't know if you got audio books. I don't know what you do. Music, whatever you're into, but you definitely got to find something.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I don't know. So. And then I promise you I will get to sports. But as part of this fellowship, I'm in. I'm in like an academic fellowship and we have to read a bunch of stuff from like Desmond Tutu, et cetera. And then one of the things they added this time is I have to listen to the Trevor Noah audiobook. They don't want us to read it. They want it to be the audiobook. So I think I'm gonna do that on the plane.

[Myron Metcalf]

So I hope he can be.

[Matt Jones]

I hope he can keep. Is he a good narrator?

[Myron Metcalf]

Very, very good narrator, Very good book. Very, very compelling story you've heard. Yeah. So the thing about him is like he has a really incredible story just about his upbringing. Then how it, how it applies. Like South African history is really good. You'll like it.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. All right, well, see, now you've got me. I was, I was kind of dreading it. You've got me thinking it's going to be good. All right, well, he's good. That's going to be my flight. We had a Sunday morning here, Matt Myron. And probably a little less serious, but probably a lot more argumentative than the status of Trevor Noah's book is the status of Shador Sanders who yesterday. The Browns have made their preseason exciting, if nothing else. They played the Rams. Shador Sanders came in, I guess. Was he QB2 yesterday behind Dylan Gabriel or three? I think he was two. He comes in.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Cause Gabriel. Sorry, Flacco, I don't think played. And Pickett is hurt. Dylan Gabriel plays pretty well. Then Shador Sanders comes in, really does not play very well and as a matter of fact gets benched for the two minute drill at the end of the game where they put in Tyler Huntley to finish and the Browns actually go down, score and win the game. So after the game there were really, I saw kind of two competing narratives as to what happened Here was the. But. But the story before the end was it sure didn't play well. As a matter of fact, here's an example of a. Of a play that Gay led to a 24 law 24 yard loss at a key point in the game.

[Myron Metcalf]

All right.

[Matt Jones]

Out of the shotgun on second down, Sanders backpedaling pressured again, spins away now backpedaling. This looks like colorad Sanders sack back at the 23. So he's not getting the open receivers.

[Myron Metcalf]

And he's starting to develop, drift back into some of his bad habits.

[Matt Jones]

Drifting back there.

[Myron Metcalf]

You have two negative plays that lose.

[Matt Jones]

I can't even. How many yards was that when our great statistician right there, 22 yard sack. You can't take a 22 yard sack. Ended up actually being 24. That didn't sound too promising, saying he's back to Colorado. So first of all, before you get to what happened at the end, what do you think of how he played?

[Myron Metcalf]

It wasn't good. I mean, you can make the case in that first preseason game, he did enough for people to say he shouldn't have been a fifth round pick, but he certainly didn't do enough yesterday to make you feel like he could be a first round pick. Like, yeah, he has a lot of issues and the way he took those sacks. There are people on Twitter saying his offensive line has to protect him. Like, what do people think that offensive linemen can do? Like, do they think they can create this 20 yard pocket? Like that's not how the NFL is so on. At some point your quarterback has to make smart decisions and I don't think he did that. And I think we saw the best of him in game one. We saw the worst of Shador, I think last night.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Flacco, by the way, did play for a couple series at the end. So. So Flacco plays well. Gabriel plays. Doesn't play well. Does play well. Shador doesn't. So then it comes down, the final drive of the game. Cleveland needs points in order to win. They take him out. They put in Tyler Huntley for the final drive. Do you like that decision?

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't know that I like it or dislike it. I think it just shows you what they think of Shador. Like Tyler Huntley getting reps and he was the four string quarterback. So Flacco started yesterday, then Gabriel, then Shador and then they put in Huntley at the end. I don't think she had done enough to prove that he deserved a chance to kind of finish the game in a two minute drill when he's taking these sacks. And I don't know if Tyler Huntley will make the roster, but I don't know that Shadow is going to have a prominent role either. Like there were a lot of big flaws with Shador that made you question if he can play at this level.

[Matt Jones]

Well, okay, so is the goal. I know it's preseason, but in your mind for a coach is the goal to win the game or not. If the goal is to win the game, it worked. He put in Tyler Huntley, they went down, got a field goal, won the game. If the goal is to only develop your quarterback, you could argue maybe you put him in that situation. What do you think the goal should have been for the game?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's both. But your quarterback has to prove that he deserves that chance to be developed. And Shador just didn't do that. Right. Shador didn't do anything to show that he had the patience, the accuracy, the efficiency in the two minute drill to, to be someone who would have been effective. Dylan Gabriel looked pretty good in the same situation. I also don't know what else the Browns have seen. Like, we've seen Shador twice, practices, minicamps. Like, they've seen other parts of him. They've had a lot more reps from Shador Sanders, and I just don't think they're sold. Like, I think they picked him as a 5th round pick because of what we saw yesterday. Yes, there are some high ceiling things, but then there are a lot of tendencies. Like, and then what we saw in.

[Matt Jones]

Week one because he did have some good moments in week, in the first preseason game.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yes. And I think that's some high ceiling stuff, if you want to believe that, what you do. But yesterday's the kind of stuff that didn't even work at Colorado, Matt. Like it didn't work in college and he's trying to bring it to the NFL where it certainly won't work.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so then the narrative kind of got in the social media world. Many people took the position. Probably the most prominent was one of our former colleagues, Josina Anderson. But there was kind of a, this mindset going out there that he, Stefanski, did not put him in at quarterback because he didn't want the controversy of Shador going and getting a last minute drive that if Shador had led them to a final score, that would have led to a lot of chatter. And they basically said you didn't give him the chance because you didn't want him to succeed. What do you make of that?

[Myron Metcalf]

So. So Matt, you know, you know Mark Stoops pretty well, right. You interact with him as a, as a college football coach, right?

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Myron Metcalf]

Do coaches. Are coaches on social media taking advice?

[Matt Jones]

Like, how do you see, like very rarely, almost never. I mean, there are some like, like, you know, like Lane Kiffin who I think are kind of wrapped up in it. But. But most of them are not. No.

[Myron Metcalf]

This idea that someone thinks an NFL coach Who by the way, coached to Sean Watson is somehow concerned about controversy is the biggest joke. Like at the end of the day, he wants to win and keep his job. That's all Kevin Stevenski is trying to do. And sure doer has to give him a reason to be out there. One of the reasons I don't vibe with this new media culture is because everybody is just a PR machine for their sources, which include agents and coaches and all these folks. They're not really saying what they think. They're saying what these sources want them to say. They don't want to get the phone call from Dion. They don't want to want to get the phone call from Shadora's agent who's like, hey, how could you not stand up for my guy? It's a joke that people have made Shador Sanders some victim somehow at this stage of his career. And I think the, the, the folks who are promoting that, they're better than that, I think. And it's just weird how they're trying to make this suggestion that somehow Shador is a victim when he's been given every opportunity to play at this level and he just wasn't able to capitalize.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I do not think that it was based on any sort of social media thing. Here's what I can best compare Shador to. Shador has become a little bit like Tim Tebow in the sense that the arguments now have very little to do with him. You know what I mean?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Like the argument like Tim Tebow became this phenomenon where you took a side based on many different things ranging from just that you like the kid to political things to social things, to whatever Shador has become. I don't think it's the political social thing. It's more just like a. Do you like the. What Shador Dion represent or not? And then do you want to see bigger meaning in the decisions? And I think a lot of times it just, I mean we. Would anyone else in football after the day he had, would it have been criticized that they let the fourth string guy play? No.

[Myron Metcalf]

No one know.

[Matt Jones]

It's just him. He's the only one that would be critical that people would have these comments about and that makes it to where it's not even about him anymore. It's about some other thing.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. And the, some other thing is just weird. It's a lot of people who said this guy is a first round pick. This guy is going to be able to play at a high level in this league. He's a starter, starter in this league and, and now that they're seeing that's not the case, this is where a lot of these emotions are coming from. You don't have to do this with Shadow Sanders. He actually doesn't need it. Like at the end of the day, he's getting the same opportunity that everybody else in his position is getting as a fifth round quarterback prospect. But there are a whole lot of people who are, to your point, trying to make this something else, but they really just don't.

[Matt Jones]

If I'm the Browns, I'm trying to think do I want my backup to be a veteran or, or do I want two rookies? It's a fair question, right? It's a fair question. Do you want to have a. Do you want to make your whole season a 40 year old and two rookies or do you want to have another option? I don't think that's a crazy thing for them to think. Now yesterday was also the start of college football. They used to call it week zero. Now, I don't know what they call it, but they called it a game in Dublin. It was rainy, it was messy, but it was kind of fun to watch. Is that the best way to start kind of college football? Next here on Sunday morning on ESPN.

[Myron Metcalf]

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[Myron Metcalf]

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[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron.

[Matt Jones]

The Podcast so when I think of the two most states in America, Iowa and Kansas are in competition. Like Nebraska's fighting with them, maybe the Dakotas, but really I wouldn't. Kansas are right there. And yesterday we exported Iowa and Kansas with no tariff to Ireland for a football game. It was Iowa State. Kansas State. It was a top 25 matchup and it kicked off the college football season in Dumblin. It was rainy, it was messy, it was fumbly. At times it was exciting. At times it wasn't well played. It's exactly why we love college football. Yesterday it ended at the end with Iowa State winning. Kansas State fans are furious. It was a top 25 game. I kind of loved it. I had it on as I was doing other stuff, but I enjoyed it. Myron, did you like that start to the college football season?

[Myron Metcalf]

No, I think that game was great. And you gotta, you know, give credit to the Big 12 because if you play that game next week it gets lost with Ohio State and Texas and all the other top teams playing. So I think it was a great way, great thing, not only just for those two teams, but also for the, the Big 12. It was sloppy at times, you know, the conditions first game of the season for both teams. You could also see like, you know, how many times are Iowa State and Kansas State the game that everybody in the world is watching. So there were some nerves there. But I thought ultimately it was a good start.

[Matt Jones]

As a single game, it was very rainy. Have you ever been to Dublin before, Myron? You ever.

[Myron Metcalf]

But it looked rainy.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Is that a place you want to go? You want to hang out with the Irish?

[Myron Metcalf]

No. I mean, not nothing against the Irish, but it's not like on my top list of places.

[Matt Jones]

Why wouldn't you want to go there? I mean, like, I feel like you and Ireland, it's a fun place. I love Irish people. A lot of pubs. There's parts of Iowa, especially the rural parts are absolutely beautiful.

[Myron Metcalf]

Here's what I thought. I thought I was State and Kansas State probably had a Good time in Ireland. Those were the right teams, I think, to send to Ireland because. Because they could keep up, you know, I mean, those two. Those two fan bases could keep up. I felt like in Ireland, you feel like that's.

[Matt Jones]

That's the right people to sit there.

[Myron Metcalf]

That was. I mean, there were fights.

[Matt Jones]

Iowa, Kansas are farmers. Like, Irish people. They farm a lot of them as well. So that's a good combination.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. I mean, there were. I mean, it looked intense. There were fights outside the stadium. It was a lot. They had a lot going on.

[Matt Jones]

One of the fights was between the Kansas State quarterback's dad and. And. And the Kansas State quarterback's brother. So a father and a son fought on the streets of Dublin. Did you see that video?

[Myron Metcalf]

I did. And I'm just trying to imagine their quarterback, Avery Johnson. I'm just trying to imagine getting that phone call like you do post game press conference.

[Matt Jones]

First of all, you lose, you lose.

[Myron Metcalf]

You lost a close game. You're upset, you're furious. You know, you and your teammates got to take that trip back to. To Kansas. And somebody's like, hey, man, your. Your dad is outside fighting your brother. Like, I mean, that's.

[Matt Jones]

And like, they're. I don't know if you've seen the video. They're rolling around in the puddles. Like, they're not just fighting. Like, they are in the puddles. And there seeming to be random Kansas State fans trying to break it up. Like, please, guys, what are you doing?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, and I think, too, some of those fans knew who they were. Like, they know.

[Matt Jones]

I think they did. I think the dad was for sure.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yes. So there's an element of it where they're like, we don't need this too. Right. You know, and then, you know, it just. It just wasn't a good look after something that was already hard to digest, man.

[Matt Jones]

But by the way, I had a moment like that where I saw someone I knew and I thought they were gonna do something they didn't want to do. Have I ever told you this?

[Myron Metcalf]

No.

[Matt Jones]

I saw. I. I broke up a fight once involving Carrot Top. Okay?

[Myron Metcalf]

What.

[Matt Jones]

What. What are you laughing at? I was at a casino, and there was a guy kind of chirping at Carrot Top, making, like, Carrot Top jokes. And I was sort of watching Carrot Top. I mean, this is where I, like, some people go to Vegas. They're partying, the clubs. I was watching Carrot Top play blackjack, okay. At, like, a high limit table, because there were, like, beautiful women next to him. And I was like, these. This is who Carrot Top hangs out with. This is what he gets. And I was watching, and then this guy was chirping, and he stood up Carrot Top like he was going to fight. And. And I looked at Carrot Top and said, hey, man, it's not worth it. Right.

[Myron Metcalf]

So you. You say Carrot Tops career.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I'm not saying I saved it. I just was thinking, like, you're better than this, Carrot Top. You don't need to be fighting. I think it was at the Hooters Casino many years ago, and I was like, even though you're in this classy establishment like this, there's no reason for you to be fighting with whoever this. This random person is.

[Myron Metcalf]

I've never, never heard that story. You tell a lot of random stories. That's probably the most random you've ever told. They could have used you, though, and they could have used you in Ireland. Because what I realized watching that video, no one really knows how to break up a fight once it started. You know what I mean?

[Matt Jones]

Let me ask you, are you. If it's a father and a son, a grown son. This was not a kid. This was like a grown son. I think also people are like, might be hesitant to go, you know, is this a family thing? Like, what are we doing here?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, if. I mean, if it's the father of somebody who's leading my team, yeah, you get involved because you just don't. That can turn into something else.

[Matt Jones]

And then it's also like, go ahead.

[Myron Metcalf]

You go to jail in Ireland, that's not going to jail in America. That's a different thing, man.

[Matt Jones]

Well, how's it different? You think Irish jails are worse?

[Myron Metcalf]

You don't want to have to deal with that kind of a situation. I just feel bad for the kid.

[Matt Jones]

So I also. Another thing I love about college football is the pettiness and the randomness. Did you see the thing where the Kansas State. I believe it was the ad, said something like he didn't understand why Iowa State was wearing, like, black warmups or something, because that's not one of their colors.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And then in the post game press conference, I guess Matt Campbell, the Iowa State coach, heard about, and he came onto the stage and looked at a reporter and said, ask me something about black clothing. And the guy was like, why did you all wear black clothing? And he goes, I'm glad you asked. And then he proceeded to rip the Kansas State athletic director. I love that, Myron. People don't do that in the NFL. In college football, they will take a slight shot about clothing of the other team. Then the other coach will feel the need to storm into the press conference to defend himself. That's what I love about college football.

[Myron Metcalf]

I love petty college football because those guys have a lot of job security. Like a Matt Campbell. He's gonna stick around as long as he wants. So once they get into that place, they can be petty and go at one another. I loved it, man. Like, the game was chippy. The ending I thought was was fun. It was a good overall showcase. But again, man, I can't imagine being the quarterback and you get a text, it's like dad's fighting again.

[Matt Jones]

Why don't you ever join me in talking about how boring Kansas is is? You know it's true and yet you always don't want to. You always don't want. It's the worst state and you always don't want to join me in saying it.

[Myron Metcalf]

I think ESPN has a great relationship with the Big 12. I'm glad you asked about that, Matt. I've been fortunate enough to go to a lot of the schools in the Big 12 as a result.

[Matt Jones]

All right, you're listening to Sunday MORNING Matt Myron on ESPN Radio and the all new ESPN app. You can have all of ESPN in one place. Check out the new Sports center for you. Feature a concept of tailored sports center directly to you. Download the new ESPN app in the App Store and Google play more next on Sunday morning.

[Myron Metcalf]

The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University helps you go from I know the way to I've arrived with our top 10 ranked online MBA. Gain skills you can learn today and apply tomorrow. Get ready to go from make it.

[Matt Jones]

Happen to made it happen and keep striving.

[Myron Metcalf]

Visit Strayer Edu Jack Welchmba to learn more. Strayer University is certified to operate in Virginia by Chevin as many campuses including.

[Matt Jones]

At 2121 15th Street north in Arlington, Virginia.

[Myron Metcalf]

Hey guys, it's Ceedee Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. I'm partnering with Abercrombie this season to tell you all about their viral denim. All you need to know is denim should fit like this. My jeans need to check a lot of boxes fit first, trend second. They need to go with whatever I'm feeling and Abercrombie Denim has it down whether I'm throwing on a tee or putting a whole fit together. Shop Abercrombie Denim in the app, online and in store. Matt and Myron the Podcast Sunday morning.

[Matt Jones]

Matt and Myron here on ESPN Radio. Having a good day. It's beautiful here In Lexington, Kentucky. Myron is in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Where? Are there beautiful days there or is it just always perpetually foggy? It's been beautiful. It's been.

[Myron Metcalf]

It's been beautiful. Awesome.

[Matt Jones]

When is your house thing? Don't you have like a concert series or like some big thing that you always yap about here?

[Myron Metcalf]

This, the state fair. You get it confused. I live in Minnesota. I'm from Wisconsin. Summerfest is a big thing in Wisconsin. Okay, that's over. By the way, did you know Jordan.

[Matt Jones]

For two hours get one of the 180,000 burgers they had?

[Myron Metcalf]

I didn't drive over now. I didn't drive over to Wisconsin to do that, but I know people.

[Matt Jones]

180,000 hamburgers for the brewers 14 game winning streak.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's a lot of huge advertisement too, right?

[Matt Jones]

Well, she was.

[Myron Metcalf]

Why don't you say anything?

[Matt Jones]

I thought you might add more. Since I'm talking about your hometown give birth away. I thought you might say more about it.

[Myron Metcalf]

But if you don't. I said a huge advertisement. You asked me about two different things. You asked me about summer festival and the burgers. So now I've got to answer. Two thoughts. I mentioned the burgers. I also said Summer Fest is where I saw a two hour Montel Jordan concert. You didn't respond to that. You went straight to the burgers.

[Matt Jones]

Well, because you've told that a lot on the show. Now, the Cowboys, which like Montel Jordan, the Cowboys with Jerry Jones and Michael Parsons have been constant drama this off season. One chirps, the other chirps. And now, Myron, because I had the opening of my restaurant last night, I was a little out of the the of commission the last week. And you were telling me that there is more drama. Am I right?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. Well, you know, yesterday the Cowboys played the, the Falcons on Friday. I'm sorry. And Michael Parsons was there. Obviously he's looking for a contract. He was kind of lying on the training table behind the Cowboys bench, like as the offenses on the field. Like there were times where it looked like he was sleeping. Uh, he was the only player that didn't wear a jersey during the game. Like he was just wearing like regular clothes. And it's a couple things, Matt, when it comes to Michael Parsons. One, he's obviously frustrated, but this looked almost like the teacher's like, sorry, guys, we're not getting ice cream today. And there's the one kid kind of in the back of the class who's just like on the floor not participating. So there was a little bit of that, number two, I think Micah Parsons is of a generation where he understands social media very well, and he knows that Jerry Jones cares about perception more than any other owner in the league. And he knows he's doing stuff to go viral. Like he's doing the kinds of things.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think that helped him? I mean, I've tended to be on Michael Parsons side in a lot of this because of what I think about Jerry Jones in general. But do you think that helped? Like, I laying sort of the pictures of him kind of laying on the sideline and stuff. I, I, that's sort of. I didn't think that was a point in his favor, did you?

[Myron Metcalf]

I think it's a point in his favor if he wants them to do something like whether that something is meeting his demands or agreeing to trade him, which is what he has requested. So I do think he's reaching that to point where he's saying, I'm going to keep doing things that, you know, go viral online and that make me the biggest story in training camp until you either meet my demands or you make me or you.

[Matt Jones]

I feel like, though, he doesn't need to do that, but, I mean, maybe he thinks he does. Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys head coach, had this to say about Micah's behavior during the game. I have not, I'm aware of it, but I have not had a chance to talk to Micah. I will talk to Micah tomorrow and get a chance to sit down and visit with him and we'll handle it internally. All right. So if you were Brian and you did that visit, how would it go for a first year head coach?

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, I don't think he has any power. Like, I don't know what he can do. Hey, man, could you not act like that? And Michael Parsons will say, well, tell Jerry to pay me and I. And I won't. So I mean, that's where they're at now. If they make the move and say, Micah Parsons don't come to games until you're willing to behave or whatever they.

[Matt Jones]

Want to say, would you do that? I mean, it's one thing to have it in your third preseason game when it's week one on Thursday Night Football with the entire country watching and what will probably be the highest rated game until the playoffs, are you going to tell him to stay home?

[Myron Metcalf]

That would be terrible. I mean, forget the PR stuff. I don't think that's the decision you want to make. Like, Micah Parsons is still doing a lot more than guys do in this situation. Most guys aren't at training camp in this spot. Most guys don't show up.

[Matt Jones]

Well, that's changing, though. I mean, that's changing because, like, people are starting to opt. What is it? Opt in? Yeah. Or whatever. Hold in. Excuse me. Hold in. Because they want to get paid. They want to get paid. So, like, the idea of, like, not showing up, that's kind of changing. A lot of these dudes did show up for this reason, but.

[Myron Metcalf]

But I think first off, Brian Schottenheimer has no power in this. This is about Jerry and Micah. I think Micah would laugh at him. You know what I mean? Like, he's just not in a position to do anything, even though he's the head coach. And at some point, I think what's happening, especially with Jerry Jones and why he's doing all these interviews, he wants to be the biggest story with the Cowboys like that. That's what he wants to do right now. And Michael Parsons is going to be the biggest story no matter what. If he's there in week one or not, he's still going to be the main headline. And I think that bothers Jerry. I don't think Schottenheimer. Schottenheimer has any power in that.

[Matt Jones]

Well, he's not.

[Myron Metcalf]

He's a story.

[Matt Jones]

They do have to figure out what they're going to do with the roster. And here's what he said about how Micah's status will affect their decisions on roster cuts. Well, again, I think it's an area.

[Commercial/Announcer]

That we're pretty deep.

[Matt Jones]

I think, you know, we still got.

[Commercial/Announcer]

What, two weeks plus or just under two weeks, I guess 12 days, whatever.

[Matt Jones]

It is, before we tee up and play in Philadelphia. But again, as we go through all the different position battles, you know, you have to evaluate all the things that you're dealing with, guys that got nicked up and banged up in the game last night and things like that. But we'll be aware of all those things, not just with Micah, but with.

[Commercial/Announcer]

Some of the other guys that got.

[Matt Jones]

Dinged up a little bit last night. Just be aware of it. I mean, there's at least one guy on the roster whose existence on the roster or not will come down to whether or not Micah signs. We don't know who that person is. Let's just say you were instead of Coach Brian Schottenheimer, it's Coach Myron Metcalf. Right? Like, he is. He is the players coach. Everyone loves Meyer Metcalf, and Jerry Jones is your boss. He says you're in this exact situation. What Are you doing. What are you doing to make the peace between two stubborn people, one of whom is one of the 10 best players in the league and the other of whom is an old owner who just put out a Netflix documentary that basically praises himself for being, like, one of the best owners in all of sports. What are you doing knowing you got to play the Eagles in 12 days?

[Myron Metcalf]

Not getting involved at all. I mean, that's. Don't get involved.

[Matt Jones]

My name is Bennett.

[Myron Metcalf]

Not at all. He has a team to coach. No matter what happens with Micah Parsons, like, Micah may be there, he may not be there. He's got to be prepared for both situations. In terms of contractual stuff, he has no role in any of that. That's.

[Matt Jones]

But you're letting him on the side. You're letting him on the sidelines.

[Myron Metcalf]

I am not going to upset the best player on my team.

[Matt Jones]

Are you asking him to tone down his behavior?

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't know if tone down is the right word, but I think you say, like, hey, you don't want him to be a distraction. I don't think it's going to work, though. The thing about Micah, the advantage that you have of your Schottenheimer is he's not a quarterback, right? So, like, yes, he's important. Yes, he is, I think, the best player on that roster. But this isn't your quarterback doing this. This isn't. We don't have a team if this guy isn't available. Like, you can play the Eagles. You're not going to be as good, but you can play them. Kansas City, a couple years ago, play without Chris Jones until he got his deal. So I just think you gotta hope it doesn't get out of hand before he signs, that's all.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I think that's right. And, yeah, I actually think you have a little bit of a benefit that your first game is at the Eagles, because I don't think anybody's going to think they're going to win that game. So you do have, like, a little bit of grace that. It's not like people are going to say, well, if we had Micah Parsons, we would have beaten the defending super bowl champs on their field the night they get the ring, right? Like, I. I don't think anybody would have. Would have thought that, I guess. How does this end, though? I mean, it's been assumed. I've heard for weeks from NFL experts and insiders on all the various shows, look, Mike is not going to get traded. This is all going to work out before camp. But now we're down to 12 or before camp's over? We're down to 12 days. Are you still confident that that's how this ends or could you see a different result?

[Myron Metcalf]

You're not going to train them. This is not the NBA. Half the problem with this, Matt, is that these guys think they're in the NBA. Like the worst thing to happen to NFL guys is they watch NBA guys kind of dictate their futures. That's not going to happen with Micah. They'll never trade him. So he'll be on the field. I think for week one. It might be a deal decided the night before the game. He might take off.

[Matt Jones]

That's okay. So that's the question. I was going to say our show because we've had times where it's broken on our show before the first games that they've signed, but I guess what is the show? What would be the show, guys? Let's say it's Clinton and friends. Okay, 10 to noon the day of the Thursday night Cowboys Eagles. Is he going to come in with breaking news that Michael Parsons has signed and that he will play that night?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's possible. It's certainly possible. I mean he can't go anywhere else to get the money and he's not going to get onto the field unless he has a contract, which is smart. He shouldn't play football unless he has a new deal with a bunch of guaranteed money. But he'll get it because what else does he do? You think Micah Parson is going to sit on the sidelines for three, four, five weeks and just take the loss?

[Matt Jones]

No, I don't. But I also think if you were going to have somebody who was stubborn, he would be it. But it is worth noting this happened with Dak and they got it worked right at the last minute like this happened with that. So like there, there's a part in CD Lamb, there's a part of this that's just, you know, for something that annoys me. There's a lot of Jerry being Jerry here and that's what he does and I find that exhausting. But it is. There's some precedent there from, from the past. Now I, I believe the best thing in football is something called the sec. But they've had two straight years that they have not won the national championship. Now they've made a move that could have long term implications on all of college football. The SEC is going to nine games. I'm going to tell you why it really matters and then we'll see if Myron agrees that this year there will be an SEC champion. That's next here on Sunday Morning with Matt Myron. Lowe's knows tough jobs call for tougher tools. The new DeWalt Elite Series power tool accessories are built to last for the pro who doesn't stop with precision, fitment, durability and impact resistance. Finishing jobs faster has never been easier. Shop the new DeWalt Elite Series at an everyday low price exclusively at Lowe's. We help you save.

[Myron Metcalf]

Gatorade is the number one proven electrolyte blend designed to hydrate better than water so you can lose more sweat and raise your game. Gatorade is it in you, Matt and Myron the podcast now joined by one.

[Matt Jones]

Of our favorite guests, Eduardo Perez, who's winning the Little league World Series 2.

[Myron Metcalf]

Not sleep on Japan, that Japanese team.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

Couple, 17, 18 year olds, somebody's got.

[Matt Jones]

To know who's going to win them. So it is time to take a pick.

[Myron Metcalf]

Let's go to the Little League World Series Panama against Mexico.

[Matt Jones]

Meyer thinks they have two 18 year olds. That'll be an advantage.

[Myron Metcalf]

And that's two teams where I don't know that anybody is actually going into seventh grade. I mean 17th grade. Carlos, that's great.

[Commercial/Announcer]

How old are you?

[Matt Jones]

And 12. More like 1200. Mine was very accusatory. I didn't think that was very nice. You still, you got you standing by your accusations as we get to the championship game today between Las Vegas, Nevada and Chinese Taipei.

[Myron Metcalf]

Absolutely, absolutely.

[Matt Jones]

Who you got today? Well, we'll do it and take your pick. But the championship, the Little League World Series is today. Las Vegas versus Chinese Taipei. We will have it on ABC at 3:00'. Clock. Now, you know, you and I know that the best college football in the land is in the sec. Would you agree with that?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, yeah, I mean, and the Big Ten, but yeah.

[Matt Jones]

No, no, no, no, no, no.

[Myron Metcalf]

Top to bottom.

[Matt Jones]

No. And top to bottom. Bottom.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. Yes. What's the best top to bottom sec?

[Matt Jones]

All right, good. I'm glad we can agree on that. One of the hold ups for people in recent years has been that the SEC only plays eight conference games. Now they had a rule that they played eight conference games and you had to play one quality non conference game. And then basically you got to do whatever you wanted with the other three. The SEC sort of announced surprisingly this week that it would now be nine conference games. They kept the rule that you have to play one good non conference game. So basically they went from nine power teams on the schedule to ten, nine of which will be in the sec. Every team in the SEC will play three rivals every year and they will play every team in the league every two years. It will make the schedule more balanced. You will not have a situation like Texas A and M has been in the league since 2012 and has never hosted Georgia. They have sort of schedule anomalies like that. Kentucky, we've since A and M has been in the league, they've never been here. We've never seen them in Lexington. That will not happen anymore because during a four year career, a player will play at every school on the road in the sec. First of all, do you like the sec, Myron? Going to nine games?

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't. Only because I don't think it's necessary. I think even with eight games, you're still going to get a ton of SEC teams in the playoff. Whether it's the current setup or some expanded or whatever the Big Ten is proposing. I think by going to nine games and knowing that they're going to play, you know, these Big Ten matchup games, you're just going to squeeze everybody out. Like I don't think between the Big Ten and the SEC expanding their schedules. I think you could bet for me the next decade that every champion comes out of those two leagues. Like I just don't think the other leagues are going to be able to compete.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, but on paper, wouldn't you rather see LSU play Georgia than see LSU play Louisiana Lafayette? I mean, I mean that's basically what we're talking about. You're taking away one of their games against a by school and making it be another SEC school. You don't like that?

[Myron Metcalf]

I think right now that's the case. I think what's more realistic is if there were ever an opportunity for an SEC team to play a good Big 12 team, a good ACC team before the conference season, I think those are the matchups that go away. The SEC teams are going to say we're playing a ninth game. We're not going to play one of those squads. So I think the buy game remains.

[Matt Jones]

You're saying like we get this Saturday where Alabama plays Florida State. You think that game's going to go.

[Myron Metcalf]

I think those go away. I think those go away in the future more than the Louisiana Lafayette because that's still a win. You know, you're not going to take the risk of playing well.

[Matt Jones]

You have to remember there's a lot of SEC schools that have traditional rivals that in theory this would allow them to continue playing. So Clemson can play South, South Carolina can play Clemson, Florida can play Florida State. Kentucky can play Louisville. Georgia can play Georgia Tech. That will allow those games to continue. I think now whether they'll continue, we'll see. Maybe they'll choose to play a Big Ten school instead and all those rivalries will go away. I don't know. You were talking, though, about the playoff, because the reason the SEC did this is not out of some. Well, there's two reasons. One, ESPN offered them more money if they did it, so now they'll have one more game again getting a lot of money. And then two, under the new playoff selection format, which kind of got quietly changed this summer, strength of schedule matters more. And because of that, the SEC does not want to get in a situation where the Big Ten with nine conference games, is getting more teams in, even though they don't think they're as good. This also allows it to get the playoff from 12 to 16, because the other conferences, from what I understand, had told the SEC, we will only go to 16 when you agree to play nine games. So this is probably a step, Myron, into making the playoff go to at least 16 teams.

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, at least. Right. Because when they see all the SEC teams that get in, they're going to want to expand it even more. They might go to this Big Ten model of 24, 28.

[Matt Jones]

What do you think?

[Myron Metcalf]

SEC?

[Matt Jones]

Could you live with 24 or 28?

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, I don't know that. You know, I'm a sports junkie. Like, yes, I'll watch it, but I don't. I don't like the idea of it. Right. I don't think it's necessary. Like, you can't tell me there are 24 teams that are legitimately in the running to win a national championship.

[Matt Jones]

But you also know there are not 68 teams that are in the running. Different NCAA tournament match, you know, that's different, though.

[Myron Metcalf]

It's different.

[Matt Jones]

Why is it different?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's different. It's different because the sport's different. You can. You can, on a great day, get hot and beat a really good team in the NCAA Tournament in ways that you just can't do that in four quarters.

[Matt Jones]

I agree. That's true. No, that is true. Can I make you the case, though, for why I think the 24, 28 could be good? Okay, let me use my Kentucky Wildcats. I, in a 24, 28 team league, can see a world where Kentucky could make the playoff. Like, I've gone my whole life thinking the team that I love never will have a chance to win anything. And by the way, there's a ton of me, right? Arkansas fans, Mississippi State fans, Minnesota fans, Purdue fans. I mean, pick your team, right? There's probably 40 teams out there that are even in major conferences that legitimately don't ever think they'll make a playoff. And now they have a chance. And what happens is as the year goes on, those end of season games will matter now in a way that they maybe didn't matter before. So that at the end of the year, when you watch Kentucky, Louisville, those two teams could both be playing for a playoff berth. And in years past you didn't care about that game. Is that a reason to maybe care about it?

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, that's the reason why they'll expand it, right? Is because of what you just said. However, I don't want everyone to think that this opens up the door for everybody. We've seen this in the NCAA tournament. If you're in the sec, last year's sec, you're going to get a lot of credit just for being in the sec. Texas, Oklahoma, you're going to get opportunities to get in just because you are affiliated.

[Matt Jones]

Would you like more if they, if they bring in two teams from the non power conferences because that's what they've talked about.

[Myron Metcalf]

You can do whatever you want. At the end of the day, where we're headed is the SEC in the Big Ten, in my opinion, being the only two leagues that can actually win national championships.

[Matt Jones]

But aren't we already there? Aren't we already there?

[Myron Metcalf]

We might be, but I think this makes it inevitable. If you're in the sec, you're in a good spot right now because of what you just described. I don't know that the overall football picture though is.

[Matt Jones]

See, I think we're already there. I think we were there, to be quite frank with you, I think we were there the moment the Big Ten signed their last TV contract, which then led the SEC to sign their next TV contract. And the other leagues just can't get the money. So I think we were there no matter what. So I say give more teams a shot at it to at least get in because the national championship is going to be the same number of eight teams no matter what. So we might as well have fun in the process.

[Myron Metcalf]

Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the podcast. You can listen to the show live.

[Matt Jones]

Every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on.

[Myron Metcalf]

ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

Talk about stepping up.

[Myron Metcalf]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Myron Metcalf]

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