Hour 1: Updates are Hard

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Episode: Hour 1: Updates are Hard (Released July 27, 2025)

Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf
Platform: ESPN Radio

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Introduction

In the inaugural hour of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf dive deep into the latest happenings across the sports landscape. The episode, aptly titled "Updates are Hard," navigates through significant MLB and NFL news, college sports realignment, and interactive segments with enthusiastic callers.

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Opening Remarks and Lighthearted Banter (00:00 - 04:30)

The show kicks off with Matt guiding listeners through a brief relaxation exercise, which is humorously interrupted by Myron's promotion of 1-800-Contacts. This lighthearted exchange sets a casual and engaging tone for the episode.

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MLB Spotlight: Cal Raleigh’s Historic Milestone (04:37 - 08:46)

Cal Raleigh’s 40th Home Run:
The hosts celebrate Cal Raleigh’s impressive achievement of hitting his 40th home run of the season, making him the first switch-hitting catcher to reach this milestone before August. Myron shares enthusiastic praise, stating, “Cal Raleigh is pretty amazing” ([05:52]).

Nickname “Big Dumper”:
A humorous segment unfolds as callers discuss Raleigh’s nickname, “Big Dumper,” attributed to his teammate Jared Kalanick’s playful moniker based on Raleigh’s well-proportioned physique. Matt reflects, “It is cool to see this guy... making such a big impact” ([07:53]).

Discussion on Player Recognition:
The hosts express admiration for Raleigh’s perseverance and performance, contrasting him with past players like Bonds and McGwire. Myron notes, “More people should be paying attention to this” ([05:52]).

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MLB Update: Aaron Judge’s Injury (08:46 - 12:08)

Injury Details:
The Yankee star Aaron Judge is placed on the 10-day injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. Fortunately, MRI scans revealed no damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, averting a more severe injury.

Expected Return:
Judge is anticipated to return within 10 to 14 days, initially as a designated hitter before resuming his outfield duties.

Impact on the Yankees:
The hosts discuss the potential ramifications of Judge’s absence on the Yankees’ playoff aspirations. Myron emphasizes, “This is a danger time for the Yankees and to lose Aaron Judge” ([10:15]).

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NFL Update: Terry McLaurin’s Status (01:21 - 20:04)

Injury and Contract Status:
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders’ receiver, has reported to training camp after a four-day holdout but has been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to an ankle injury. He has yet to finalize a contract extension with the team.

Team Dynamics and Negotiations:
Matt questions the team's strategy, pondering, “Is he just holding out? Does that mean he’s physically unable to perform?” ([19:00]). The discussion highlights the delicate balance between fulfilling contractual obligations and negotiating terms.

Team's Focus:
The conversation touches upon the Commanders’ focus on their quarterback, Jaden Daniels, and strategic player acquisitions to bolster the offensive line, potentially sidelining McLaurin’s contract negotiations.

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College Sports Realignment: North Carolina's Move to the SEC (23:20 - 36:22)

Potential SEC Inclusion:
The hosts explore reports suggesting the University of North Carolina (UNC) is positioning to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Myron and Matt delve into the implications of such a move, considering the cultural and geographical fit for UNC within the SEC framework.

Impact on ACC and Rivalries:
Discussions revolve around how North Carolina’s shift could affect the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and longstanding rivalries, such as those between UNC and Duke. Myron shares, “Realignment has messed up some of those rivalries” ([29:21]).

SEC’s Dominance and Future Conferences:
The conversation extends to the SEC’s expanding influence in college sports, debating whether other powerhouses like Notre Dame, Florida State, or Virginia Tech might also seek membership. Matt asserts, “The SEC is still connected to geography,” highlighting the conference’s strategic coherence ([29:54]).

Best College Campuses:
In a lighthearted tangent, the hosts rank their favorite college campuses, with mentions of Charlottesville, Chapel Hill, Ann Arbor, Oxford, and Athens, adding a personal touch to the discussion ([36:22]).

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Interactive Segment: NFL Nation Takeover – Titans Camp (16:17 - 45:55)

Titans’ Training Camp Insights:
The hosts attempt to cover the Tennessee Titans’ training camp but face challenges due to the absence of their dedicated reporter. This leads to a series of caller interactions offering their perspectives on the team’s prospects.

Caller Opinions:
Callers express mixed views on Titans’ quarterback Will Levis and Cam Ward’s leadership, with some critical of Ward’s blunt remarks regarding Levis’s injury. Matt summarizes a caller’s sentiment, “That guy could not face this fan base, so he took the coward's way out” ([45:56]).

Humorous Attempts at SportsCenter Reads:
Matt and Myron experiment with delivering news updates in a “SportsCenter” style, resulting in humorous exchanges. For instance, Matt’s subdued read of Cal Raleigh’s achievement elicits playful criticism from callers seeking more enthusiasm ([26:55]).

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Fantasy Football and Additional Sports News (49:31 - 49:55)

Fantasy Football Promotion:
A brief promotional segment highlights ESPN Fantasy Football, emphasizing the platform’s role in creating engaging and competitive league stories.

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Conclusion and Wrap-Up (40:40 - 49:55)

As the hour concludes, Matt and Myron reflect on their SportsCenter-style updates and the various caller interactions. They tease upcoming segments on the Titans and other sports news, maintaining an engaging and dynamic rapport with their audience.

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Notable Quotes

• Myron Metcalf on Cal Raleigh:
  “More people should be paying attention to this.” ([05:52])

• Matt Jones on Aaron Judge’s Impact:
  “This is a danger time for the Yankees and to lose Aaron Judge.” ([10:15])

• Caller on Nickname Humor:
  “Big Dumper. The big dumper has 40 home runs.” ([07:22])

• Caller on Titans’ Quarterback:
  “Surgery is a coward's way out.” ([46:09])

• Matt on College Realignment:
  “The SEC is still connected to geography.” ([29:54])

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Key Takeaways

• Cal Raleigh’s Achievement:
  Raleigh’s 40 home runs mark a historic milestone, positioning him as a standout catcher in MLB history.

• Aaron Judge’s Injury:
  While Judge’s injury is a setback, his expected return within two weeks offers hope for the Yankees’ playoff ambitions.

• Terry McLaurin’s Contract Status:
  McLaurin’s placement on the PUP list amid contract negotiations highlights the complexities of player-team agreements in the NFL.

• College Sports Realignment:
  UNC’s potential move to the SEC could reshape conference dynamics and influence future realignment moves across college sports.

• Interactive Engagement:
  The show’s interactive segments with callers provide diverse perspectives, enriching the overall discussion and listener engagement.

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"Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" successfully intertwines in-depth sports analysis with entertaining interactions, offering listeners a comprehensive and enjoyable overview of current sports events.

Transcript

[Matt Jones]

Close your eyes. Exhale. Feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh, my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order.

[Caller]

1-800-Contacts.

This is Matt and Myron the podcast. Washington Commander's receiver Terry McLaurin reported to training camp after a four day holdout, but was placed on the physically unable to perform list due to an ankle injury and has not reached a contract extension with the team. While sidelined from practice and still seeking a new deal, McLaurin will work with trainers as negotiations continue. New York Yankee star Aaron Judge will be on the 10 day injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, but MRI scans showed no damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, avoiding a more serious injury. He is expected to return in 10 to 14 days, initially as a designated hitter before resuming outfield duties.

Who was that? Who. Who is that SportsCenter anchor I just heard? Was that. Was that Keith Olbermann? Was that Dan Patrick? Did I just hear Craig Kilborn? No, I think that was. I think that was Myron Metcalf here on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio, Matt. Myron, presented by Progressive Insurance, Myron Metcalf, bring it in. Our Sports center news this morning. I will tell you, I didn't recognize that voice. Maybe that was. Is Rich Eisen's contract started a little bit early.

Stop. They just told me to do it. I don't know. You know, I didn't.

I didn't know that voice. That voice was something else. Is that your. Is that your news voice?

I think. I think that's like my Sports center update. I don't know. I don't know I'm supposed to do it. They just said you got to do it. But why did you change your voice?

Why did you change your voice?

Well, that's how they talk. That's how this. Like when I do play by play, that's how I talk. It's different.

Why don't you just talk like yourself? Why would you talk like someone else?

What do you mean? I'm not talking like someone else. I'm just talking in a way that.

I speak would talk. You've known Myron and I for A long time. There is no doubt he takes a different voice when he's doing something he considers professional. Am I right about that?

Yeah. Yeah. And that was a, that was a different Myron there.

That was a different voice.

It wasn't a different. My clip.

Do you have any of the clip from it? Because I'd like to, I would like to read. Yeah, but why do you sound different? I think it's kind of funny. Well, just so you know. So we don't have our sports center anchors this weekend.

Yeah.

So that means for some of the rest of the show I have to do it and I am going to do it in what would be known as a normal voice, the voice that I use on a regular basis. But for the first one, Myron did it and I just like Myron Metcalf the news reporter. It's like Myron Metcalf the, you know, I don't know, John Anderson reporter. I enjoy that.

Listen, they said I got here, they were like, you got to do the updates. You and Matt are going to alternate and you got to just read it live. So if, if I'm going to read something, I'm always going to read in a way.

So you read it a different voice. I found that fascinating.

It's my five o' clock news voice. Like growing up as a kid, like.

That'S, I just, I honestly, I closed.

My eyes, saw the news, man, and.

I thought it was Bill Pedo. I did. I thought it was Bill Pino here on Sunday Morning with Matt.

How do you want me to do it? Be like, hey, Judge on Andrew, Liz.

At 10:30 I'm going to show you how you do it. Okay. Because I've never done it. I'm actually kind of excited. I've never done a sports center read. And at 10:30 I'm going to come in and read the news and I'm going to use the exact same voice you're using here. It's going to be.

Use your voice. I just, I do a lot of different things, man. So, you know, you wear a lot of different hats.

I understand.

I do.

Well, Sunday morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. They offer auto, home and commercial insurance. Visit progressive.com for more.

What are we thinking about?

Trying to think, but nothing happens. Nothing happens.

Time to find out. This is off the top.

Flash off the top with Matt and Myron. It is off the top. Matt Jones and my man Tom Mees. Let's get started to a little baseball in. You know, last night Cal Raleigh hit his 40th home run. He became the first player to hit 40 home runs this season, breaking the tie with a solo shot in the sixth inning as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Angels 7 2.

He is the.

Alright, so let me give you some history with this home run. In July, Cal Raleigh is the first switch hitter to reach 40 home runs before August. Ever. Ever. He surpassed the record by Mickey Mantle. Think about that for a minute. Mickey Mantle, that's a name that's pretty good. He is only eight home runs away from the most home runs by a catcher ever. And he's only eight home runs away from most home runs by catcher. While they're playing the catcher position, like not just being catcher slash dh, this is a player. We talked about how baseball, sometimes these guys like become stars and the average American doesn't know them. I don't know how many people know Cal Raleigh or not. He plays on the west coast. He's in Seattle. But 40 home runs in July, I think most people can compute. Myron is pretty amazing.

Yeah, more people should be paying attention to this. I mean he's chasing bonds, McGuire Sosa. He's trying to get into those numbers. He's a cool dude. From everything I've seen, he's playing a position where a lot of people overlook. Catcher. I think in Major League Baseball he should be getting more attention. We, we, we were watching nonstop steroid home run baseball in the late 90s, early 2000s and people loved it. And now you see a guy who's a normal dude chasing the same numbers and people don't seem to care as much.

Did you just say he was a cool dude?

He seemed like a cool dude from the derby. Yeah, he seemed like it.

What does that mean, he's a cool dude? Like he's like, he's radical, he's bodacious.

He just seemed like a normal cowabunga man. Are you gonna do one of those shows today where you scrutinize everything?

I think no, no, I just think, I just think cool dude. I think cool dude is a funny thing to say about him. I think what is his thing is his nickname like. Isn't it like the dumper?

Big Dumper.

The Big Dumper.

Now how did he know what that means?

How did he get that nickname?

He's got, he's got a big butt.

Oh, it's about his rug.

Yeah, it's about his butt. Oh, that's what it is.

I thought that was just a joke. That's really about. It's really about his butt.

Yeah, that's how it came. Yeah, that's how it came about. Who gave him that name?

Who did give him that name? I don't. Is it allowed to just call people by their butt?

And when did he get the name? Like, what? There's a. I don't walk around looking at my friends and being like, you know what?

That appropriate?

I can't remember. He told, he told the story recently. I'll have to go back and look.

For it, but I just feel like that's. I'm surprised that in two, in 2025, you are allowed to use people's derriere for their nicknames. But good, because he. That's. That's what I know him for. Myron is the Big Dumper. I admit I only see his plays on highlights. Like, I haven't watched a Mariners game since Ichiro was there. But nevertheless, it is kind of. It is cool to see this guy playing in the northwest corner of the United States making such a big impact.

Quick, quick Google search. His former Mariners teammate Jared Kalanick started calling him that due to his well proportioned posterior. But how did that conversation start, though? But how does that conversation start? Like, your teammate walks up to you.

Like, man, you got a big.

Look at all that action back there. I'm gonna call you the Big Dumper. Like, I don't. I don't know that I feel okay about that. You don't get to just give me a nickname based on you looking at my butt. Yeah, like what? I don't.

I'm surprised.

But you know what? Let's get fighting back.

Big Dumper. The big dumper has 40 home runs. He's going to break this catcher's record. You know, I didn't realize that because when I think of catchers, I do think of bigger guys who it conceivably would hit a lot of home runs. I didn't realize that the catcher's record is 48 absent an injury. Myron, he's going to break that this year.

Well, I think a lot of people aren't as confident in this race because they think a catcher doesn't have the durability. Right. Can he do this through August through September? That'll be the question. But man, he is putting up historic numbers. And I think we should be recognizing that people want their home run hitters to look like Aaron Judge or Bonds when he was on the juice and McGuire and Sosa, the big strong life, you know, LA fitness looking dude. Cal Riley doesn't have that.

Yeah.

And I think that's part of why People aren't paying as much attention.

Well, one dude who does have it is Aaron Judge, and he has gone to the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Scans, however, show no damage to his ucl. I think they were worried about that. So the quotes are that it could have been worse. He'll be out for 10 days. You know, the Yankees. I saw a stat since I can't remember the date, but. But there's a stat going back where the Yankees have won fewer games during this time period than both the White Sox and the Rockies. Okay, the last 37 games, the Rockies have won 15, the White Sox have won 15, the Yankees have won 15, 14 in the last 37 games. Do you think losing Judge, I mean, this is a team battling not just for the AL east, battling for a playoff spot in general. Is there a world in which the Yankees don't make the playoffs this year?

I mean, there's definitely a world. I mean, the timing couldn't be worse, you know, and obviously have the deadline. Like, what? What do they do? I think the bigger question is going to be Judges out now, when he's back, whenever that is, is he 100% like, you know, I mean, this is one of those injuries that could just linger the rest of the season. So there's certainly a world, and I think if that happens where they're on the verge of missing the playoffs, then.

You know, well, I mean, right now they are in the top playoff spot. They're a game ahead of Boston, but they have the top playoff spot. Seattle's a half game back, Boston's a game back, and then Texas is a game and a half back. And then you still have Tampa Bay and Cleveland and Kansas City in, in. In shouting distance. I mean, it would be. They're 3 and 7 in their last 10 games. Now, they did make the trade for the guy from the Rockies, the third baseman. But I mean, this is a danger time for the Yankees and to lose Aaron Judge. You know, the Reds play the Yankees a few weeks back, and I remember during that game thinking, this lineup is not what I would think a Yankees lineup would be. Just in terms of. Does this lineup scare me? Like the Reds play the Dodgers next week, Their eighth hitter scares me. But the Yankees just aren't like that this year. And I do think they're entering kind of a danger territory.

Yeah, any lineup with Aaron Judge scares everybody. Right? And I think that's all.

But I don't know that it was really scary with Aaron Judge. Take him out and Now, I think it's a whole different thing.

You take him out and you're dealing with the white. You're dealing with a team that no one fears. You deal with a team that isn't intimidating anybody. And I think in that division, yeah, anything could happen. It feels like the worst possible timing for this to happen to Aaron Judge. And again, he said it could have been worse, but when is he back? When is he 100%? Do you have to kind of inch him back into things? Because a guy that big, that size, you know, you gotta be careful. So it's just terrible timing for them.

What person writes on the text machine? Remember, you could text us 772-774-5254. Matt, between Myron's host and SportsCenter update voice and his voice with you, I'm convinced he has multiple personalities.

What do y' all mean? What do y' all want me to do? Hey, what up, everybody? Sports center update. Aaron Judge is hurt. You know what I mean?

See, that's another personality. That's street. You've got. You've got Myron, you've got Sports Center.

There's no street, Myron. Do you think I was in the Crips and Bloods? What do you mean, street, Myron?

I didn't know that voice. One person writes. Okay, Big Dumper for Raleigh. Have you or Myron ever had a nickname?

Man, if you call me Big Dumper, that'd be the end of the show. If you one day looked at me and said, man, I'm gonna call you Big Dumper. We would have to get on the.

Phone with HR but have you ever had a. Have you ever had a nickname?

My mom calls me Mama. That's about it.

Mama?

Yep. My rap name was the Ace.

Your rap name?

Yeah. We have a rap group in high school. In high school, we had a rap group.

You were a high school rapper?

We had a rap group, yeah. We. We put out an album.

Okay, this is. Where is this album? Can I hear it?

Hidden. It's like hidden in the. Someone's vault.

So you're telling me Mama has a rap album?

Not as my. My. I was the Ace. That was my nickname.

The Ace.

My rap name was the Ace. Wow.

Who knew you were the Ace?

We sold our albums at lunch. We sold 60 copies.

Wow.

@ lunch.

Look at this. Sunday morning. Matt Jones and the Ace. Well, that sounds like a radio show. That would be a local hit.

Why'd you say it like that? When you said the Ace? You put up your finger like you were in third basis of that. That's not how it worked.

That's right. Matt and the Ace here on wkrd. Right? Coming at you in the afternoons. Matt and Ace. One of the most important pieces of the Commander's offense went from a holdout to a hold in. Come here. It's Matt in the Ace. Next.

Matt and Myron the Podcast if you've.

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[Myron Metcalf]

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[Caller]

Go on touchdown.

Feel good to be back with you.

Give me everything you got.

Football is here. It's the NFL's Back Together weekend and we're covering all 32 teams with an NFL Nation takeover on ESPN radio and on the ESPN app.

That's right. Sunday morning Matt Myron on ESPN radio. Matt and the Ace Meyer Metcalf bringing it to you. 60 copies of a rap album sold. I love it on the text machine. 772-77-45254. One person says your afternoon radio show in Milwaukee would be called Jonesy in the Ace. I could see that, honestly. On a crew, I honestly could see billboards in cities like Milwaukee that had me and you standing back to back with our arms crossed going, jonesy and the Ace.

In the afternoons, probably, hey, shout out to. Shout out to Ill Skill and the Cat. Those are my.

By the way, I love that. I love reading the names of shows from across the country and all the ridiculous names. Like, if you want to send in for me to make fun of, because I like 772-774-5254. There's, like, you know, obviously, the famous one was Mike and the Mad Dog, but then that leads other people to do them across the country. And I just, I. When I read them, I always think they're funny.

You can tell when people are overthinking it. You know what I mean? The sports come with a cool name.

In D.C. they have the sports junkies. Yeah. I'm like, you're 50 some years old, man. You can't keep calling yourself the Sports Junkies. All right, so it's NFL. It's NFL training camp time, which means we overreact to stories, but one big one. Terry. Terry McLaurin reported back to the camp commander's camp. He's put on the physically unable to perform list. What do you think that means? Right, like, so he's not holding out anymore. He's just not able to perform, but he also hasn't signed the contract. Is that just like, I'm going to just get paid while I'm holding out conversation? What do you think it is?

Yeah, I mean, is he. Is he physically unable to perform, or is he just, you know, holding in like, that's sort of the new phrase now? So, I mean, at the end of the day, if you're the commanders, your focus is Jaden Daniels, and you're trying to make sure he has the most weapons available to him. You went on and got Debo, Samuel, Laramie, Tonsil. You're bringing in from the Texans to, you know, boost that offensive line. You would think Terry McLaurin would be a guy that you would want as well. Um, but I think if you're the commanders, you're also going, we got a quarterback who maybe can be top five, top six. Good. We're not going to give you what maybe they would have given him two years ago before Jaden Daniels became this prodigy. So he said, he's in an interesting spot.

It Is. It is sort of an interesting spot, I think, this holding in. Why do teams. Why are they good with that? Because they're going to still end up paying. But the player doesn't play well.

The players are good with it, so they don't get fined. I mean, contractually, these guys are get fined if they miss training camp. So, you know, you're there. Right. But that doesn't mean you have to participate. So it's kind of like, you know, playing hardball while still being there. They're there around their teammates, which matters, but they're not going through everything because you don't want to do anything and get hurt. Like, I get it. You don't get hurt before you sign your new contract.

No, I get it too. I just don't know from the team's perspective why you would want that. Right. I don't. To me, it makes. It just doesn't make a lot of sense.

Yeah, I don't know what they can do, though. Like, you're not gonna offer him. You're not giving him what he wants contractually. Right now he wants this big extension, but he also is on the contract now. So he shows up, he's fulfilling his obligation, and the team has to fulfill theirs at this point. So, you know, so.

But real quick, before I go to the next one. So if we were Jonesy and Ace. Can I read you. I'm right now looking at the top 20 midday radio shows in America, like major markets. Are you ready? Can I read you some of the names? Yeah, some of these names are great. The Invasion. See, that would be a good one. That's. That's a nice one, isn't it? The invasion.

Well, in 2025. I don't know that that's a great. That's.

How about Case.

Be careful with that one.

How about Casey Masterpiece, by the way, which is also a name of a barbecue sauce.

So I think that's a name of a show.

Yeah. They call. The hosts are K and C. And so they call it the KC Masterpiece. You like that one? Or how about Be Mitch and Finley?

See, Be Mission Finley. Carmen and the Jerk is black.

Carmen and the Jerk. There's a show called Carmen and the Jerk.

I don't know about that. Carmen and the Jerk.

Carmen and the Jerk. I would hate to be the guy that was known. Yeah, you don't want me to be the Jerk, but that's all right. All right, let's go to my team real quick. The Chicago Bears. You got all excited and sent a text to our Little group chat because Caleb Williams threw an interception during practice and you were like, see? Caleb Williams stinks. Chicago Bears new offensive coordinator Chicago Bears new offensive coordinator Desi and Doyle said he's not concerned about Caleb Williams early struggles in camp, saying the team is still in a learning process and as Caleb gets more reps, he will look good. He had, according to reports, his best day in camp yesterday. What do you think of the early Caleb Williams reports?

Well, I mean, what's the offensive coordinator supposed to say? Hey, he's a new offensive coordinator, right? Like, what is he supposed to say? Caleb Williams looks terrible. Everybody's quarterback right now, at least through early September, is incredible and capable of leading their team to the playoffs. That's what every team will tell you. And I'm not going to judge him off of you.

Certainly judged in our group chat you were taking joy in the fact that he threw one interception.

Matt. Matt, he threw to five defenders. Like, I don't. There's a sea of people and Caleb Williams is like, my guy's in there somewhere. Right? So I think what is clear is if we get to like week five or six and he hasn't made the big improvements, the Bears have to think about what's next. I'm not saying you replace him in year three. You paid them too much money to do that, but they got to start thinking, do we got to bring somebody else in here to challenge him if he doesn't show progress in those first six weeks of the season?

Here's what Ben Johnson, the Bears head head coach, had to say about Caleb's play.

We are loading this plate up. We want to see how much he can handle. It's a lot easier to put too much on and then scale it back.

If necessary than do too little and.

Then wish that we could have pushed.

The envelope a little bit more. So, yeah, there's a lot on his plate. There's a lot on all those players.

Plates right now and. And they're a little bit uncomfortable, which is a good thing.

See, this is why you're. You jump to a conclusion. There's a lot on his plate, Byron, and there's a lot of all these players play. Yeah, let him finish all the plate and you will see him play a lot better.

I don't even know what Ben Johnson just said. He said everybody's got stuff on their plate.

Give him a chance to eat all of the food on the plate and he will play better, Myron. He just will. Let's go to Kevin in Texas. Go ahead, Kevin.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, it's Kenny, but that doesn't matter. It's this thing. It's the same. Okay, so I have two scenarios. First of all, that billboard doesn't say Sports wrapping from 1 to 3pm Somebody missed out.

[Caller]

Okay. He's good at it.

I like it.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. And my second thing for you is here's a scenario for the Big Dumper. So due to sitting on the bench, the catcher sitting in front of me says, move your big dumper out the way. I can't see the picture. And, you know, other players just picked up on it.

[Caller]

Listen, I'm fine with the nickname the Big Dumper. I appreciate the call. I just didn't think in 2025, those were still the basis for nicknames, but they are. And we, you know, it's. He's. He's been a sensation. 40 home runs by July is unbelievable. 888 say ESPN. You can weigh in. All right, so now we're going to take a. We're gonna have to take a break. And then now I'm gonna have to do my first Sports Center. Okay, Myron? Okay. So I am going to show you how I'm going to use the exact same voice I use right here. I'm not going to become like you, a split personality. And this will be. After eight years of working at espn, this will be the first time I have ever read a Sports center in this break. Are you ready for it?

You want a cookie? Yeah.

Thank you for the support. It's Sunday Morning. Matt and Myron, we'll head to Titans camp. That's next here on Sunday Morning, Matt.

And Myron the pod.

[Myron Metcalf]

On WhatsApp, no one can see or hear your personal messages. Whether it's a voice call message or sending a password to WhatsApp, it's all just this. So whether you're sharing the streaming password in the family chat, we're trading those late night voice messages that could basically become a podcast. Your personal messages stay between you, your friends and your family. No one else, not even us. WhatsApp message privately with everyone. With the Venmo debit card, you can Venmo everything. Your favorite band's merch. You can Venmo this or their next show.

[Caller]

You can Venmo that.

[Myron Metcalf]

Visit Venmo me debit to learn more. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp bank pursuant to license by MasterCard International, Inc. The card may be used everywhere. MasterCard is accepted. Venmo purchase restrictions apply.

[Caller]

I'm Matt Jones, sitting in for Christine Leasy. Last night in the majors, Cal Raleigh hit his 40th home run. It's major league leading and he got it in the sixth inning with a solo shot, pilling the Mariners to a 72 victory over the Angels. Raleigh becomes the first Major League Baseball player to reach 40 home runs in July and the first switch hitting catcher ever to do it before August and the NFL. Matthew Stafford will sit out practice next week. He's dealing with back soreness and it's absolutely. It was initially anticipated. Sean McVeigh says there's been no setback. The team is just taking a cautious week by week approach. Stafford is still expected to be ready for the season opener against the Houston Texans. Now that's my in how you do a Sports center right there.

Yeah. There was no emotion in it though. There was no emotion.

What do you mean there's no emotion?

That was a lot of emotion.

But I, I just used very subdued, normal voice.

But it was a little subdued for me. I, I want my Sports center updates to be a little more.

Your Sports center updates on the radio to be more exciting. Yeah.

So I thought, I thought it was a little subdued. Me personally, just my two cents, you know, it was good.

It's interesting. All right, well, I'll tell you what. We're gonna have two more chances, both of us, throughout the show to see what we could do. I'll, I'll give you my opinion as you do yours in the next couple of hours. I'm looking forward. I thought it was very good considering I've never been at SportsCenter in my entire life. I mean, I'm no Christine Licci. You said, you said she is a really good baker, right?

Oh, the best one. She's a great Sports center update. She does those well because people on Twitter are apparently saying she deserves a raise, which she does after hearing me and Courtney. I guess Courtney Cronin and Peter Burns did it too. So people haven't been impressed by our Sports center updates so far.

Well, I've never gotten to taste the food as well. She obviously does incredible. Center, Sports center. Well, we were talking just a minute ago. Let's switch gears for a second to college football and college sports. There were a report this week from on three Sports that North Carolina is trying to position itself to be ready to enter into the sec. North Carolina enter into the sec. It would still take about three years in order for the payments to go down as to what they would owe the sec. Myron, this is, you know, you and I have followed college sports forever. The Realignment process has completely changed all sports, but in my opinion, there are still two Big Four fish out there to steal. Notre Dame and North Carolina. And I think inevitably, eventually, Notre Dame is going to end up in the Big Ten, and North Carolina now potentially could end up in the sec. How would you like that as a fit? And do you think it makes sense for the Tar Heel program?

The fit makes sense. I mean, where it is and obviously the brand, you know, I don't think they'll be the only one that wants to go to the sec. So the question would be, what would that mean for the future of the acc? Selfishly, I don't want to lose Duke, North Carolina. You know, I think that's such an important element of. But they can support.

I love. They can still pull out.

I know, but. But, you know, realignment has messed up some of those rivalries. Right. We don't see them as often. We see them maybe once, as opposed to multiple times in a year. But it. If I'm North Carolina 100%, it makes sense. And I think one of the. One of the knocks against the SEC by, like, all these other leagues. What they're really upset about, Matt, is they know that every team in America, if Greg Sankey called them, would answer the phone. I'm not saying they'd leave their league, but they would certainly entertain the idea. And I think the SEC having that power and influence is what ruffles the feathers of a lot of them.

Can I tell you what I think makes. And it's not just the fact that I live in SEC country, but can I tell you what I actually think makes the SEC by far the best conference? It is still one centered around geography. I mean, right. Like the schools in the sec, with the possible exception of Missouri, which I would be willing to kick out, the schools in the SEC are in the Southeast. Like, they just are. All those schools are there. The ACC now is not connected to geography. The Big Ten is absurd. Like, it is not even connected to reality. And the Big 12 really isn't either. The SEC is still connected to geography. So North Carolina, you know, you could debate whether North Carolina is technically in the South. I think part of it's Southern. I think part of it's not. But it's. It has a Southern kind of mentality. It's contiguous to the states that are in the league. And I think it fits in very well. I think you can even take a Virginia or a Virginia Tech and also keep that geography and kind of cultural basis. So I've Always thought that for the sec, that's very important. Now, if Notre Dame said we wanted to join the sec, would the SEC say no, probably not. They'd probably take them. But I think in general, keeping that cultural and geographical significance has been important to the sec, and North Carolina would allow you to do that while also upgrading. Does it upgrade your football? Maybe not. But does it upgrade every single other sport? Yes. And you add North Carolina, the sec, and all of a sudden the SEC is definitively maybe the best basketball conference, whereas it's also been the football for a long time.

Well, it makes the Belichick move make even more sense because now the football product is elevated. Right. So you get North Carolina maybe at a stage that has never reached before. We know what basketball is in the brand in general of North Carolina. I mean, that's one of the most powerful brands in college sports. Right. You say North Carolina, Tar Heels. Everybody knows exactly what you're talking about. I just don't know what it means for everybody else. You know what I mean? Again, selfishly, North Carolina, the SEC cares about everybody else.

It's the sec.

But it does matter. But no, it. No, it does. It does matter, though. You can't say that. I don't. I don't agree with that. I think I don't want to see just two leagues and everyone else is pushed out. Because what we're headed to, whether people want to believe it or not, we're headed to an NCAA tournament that's not for everybody. That's just about the power teams and.

Excluding everybody for a while, I don't know if that's going to happen.

It's happening.

Well, but I heard Greg Sankey say in his press conference something to the effect of we always have to have those small teams. And since I think Greg Sankey is the most powerful person in college sports, the commissioner of the sec, I mean, I don't think that's just lip service. I think they genuinely believe it. Now, do I think it's very likely that we end up with a tournament that's more and more power teams than everyone else? Yes, but I don't think there's. Maybe I'll be. Maybe I'm neve. But I don't think there's going to be a world where there are no St. Peter's out there for the first round games. I just don't know if I believe that.

I believed it. I mean, less maybe two years ago. My challenge is rev shares, even widening the gap between the haves and have nots. And I just think the next edition of the tournament will look a lot different, man. And I, you know, I don't want to lose the flavor of the, the tournament, the event I love the most. But I think that's my fear. I don't want to lose North Carolina, Duke to one year in New York City, you know, one game a year as opposed to the rivalry that it is. So that's my only concern.

When you, the only thing that worries me about North Carolina leaving is what you said. I want to see Carolina and Duke still play. I think they will, though. I mean, Kentucky still plays Louisville. Like, I mean Kansas has started restarted series with Missouri. I mean, I do think that stuff can still survive if you want it to. It's harder in football, right? In football, I think those rivalries go away. In basketball, I mean, you got enough games you can still play if you want to, if it's important to you.

Yeah, I mean, but again, we don't see him as frequently. We've lost a lot of rivalries.

We won't see him as frequently. I think that's correct. Now, according to the Post and Courier Scott Hamilton, UNC has a hand quote, handshake agreement in place with the SEC to make a move in the future if the opportunity presents itself. But then the question becomes if Carolina's one, you said they can't take just one, who would be two? The Post Courier Scott Hamilton says Florida State or Clemson is number two. I want to just throw a little cold water on that because I do think there is a belief amongst the schools in the sec. We why should we share our state with our rival and give them a lifeboat into our conference? I know South Carolina does not want Clemson in the sec. I would assume Florida does not want Florida State in the sec. I think it's much more likely that if they add to the other one comes from a state that the SEC is not in. Virginia, I think Virginia or Virginia Tech makes some sense if you wanted to do that. Obviously, again, if you don't want, if you want to get away from the geography, you could try to get Notre Dame. Now I honestly don't think besides those schools, any of the other schools really make sense. If you couldn't get North Carolina, maybe you'd get NC State. But I don't really think going in and getting, you know, I don't know, pick a team in the Big 12 or whatever, I think those are the selections. But if you're the sec, would you rather have Florida State, Clemson football powerhouses, but really don't give you a lot in any other sport, or would you rather go have a Virginia or Virginia Tech? A Virginia good in a lot of sports, maybe not good in football. Which one would you rather have?

I mean, if you're Greg Sankey and you're just trying to, you know, expand your footprint, it's Virginia. To me, the weird thing to be is Florida State and Clemson for a couple of years have been saying, get us out. Right? Like, we want to move to the SEC or the Big Tit. And neither one of those leagues have said, okay, we got to go after them. Right. This is the first we're hearing about potentially mutual interests. So I think it would be Virginia. I was just at Virginia early this year for a game. I don't know if people might understand, like, doesn't have the name of a Florida State of Clemson. The money folks at Virginia are big time. You know, the, the investment at Virginia is in athletics is big time. So beautiful. That reflects the sec.

You and I've been to, like, every major college campus. Rank for me, Myron, your three most beautiful college campuses.

Virginia is up there.

I mean, Virginia is up there for me. I mean, if it's not, if it's not the top three, it's definitely up there. What else would you have?

Virginia's good. North Carolina is beautiful.

North Carolina is a beautiful campus.

Yeah. Yeah. And I think the Jordan, you know, the Jordan brand stuff, the, the bottom line is Greg Sankey. And this is what I think frustrates people at this point. I think can basically do whatever he wants. I think there are five schools maybe that would say no to Greg Sankey. If he said, we definitely want you to join the sec. Ohio State, Michigan, maybe Notre Dame, maybe two others. I'm missing everybody else, if the SEC was serious, would join the sec. If Greg Sankey reached out and said, come with us.

Yeah. Best college towns in America. Best. I'm just, this is off the top of my head. Okay. Charlottesville, Virginia. Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Beautiful.

Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Beautiful.

Oxford, Mississippi. Athens, Georgia.

Beautiful. Those are my five.

Those are my five. I can't, I, I, I'm not saying they're not other. Like, there are cities that have other stuff that's good, like Columbus, Ohio. Lexington, Nashville, Jean, Oregon. I mean, their cities.

Provo's beautiful Provost, but if you're just.

Talking about college town, how I picture a college town. Yeah, Ann Arbor is a little bigger than that, but I still think it has its Michigan city. It is. I would say, yeah, it's probably a little big. So I'm just going to go Charlottesville, Chapel Hill, Athens, Oxford. There's the list. No one else is allowed to to argue with it. We were square. We're doing our NFL Nation takeover. We're supposed to go down to Nashville to talk about the Titans. Where are we on that, James? Do we just would do is do.

We have a reporter still efforting that.

So just like they're like winning games. The Titans are still efforting to try to be relevant. We are still efforting to try. It's not James fault though. Our reporter is. Is am I this morning.

Did did you see Cam or the new quarterback? He was asked about Will Levis getting the season ending surgery.

Well, let's hang on. Let's do that after break. I'll tell you what.

Okay.

Since we do not have our reporter, if you are a Titans fan, I'm giving a shout out. 888 say ESPN. You call in and you let us know your Titans preview.

Yeah. Give us the update.

Give us the update. Here's your chance to go on national radio and show your knowledge. By the way, this is exactly how Dan Patrick got his start. 888 ESPN call in if you are a Titans fan and you would like to give us the Titans update. 888 say ESPN and we will tell you how Cam Ward was not the most sympathetic guy in the world to Will Levis. This week. It's Sunday Morning. Matt Myron on espn.

Matt and Myron the Podcast. 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.

[Myron Metcalf]

This episode is brought to you by Stay Farm. Knowing you could be saving money for the things you really want, like that dream house or ride, is a great feeling. That's why the State Farm personal price plan can help you save when you choose to bundle home and auto bundling. Just another way to save with a personal price plan. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state.

[Caller]

This is Sunday Morning with Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio and on the ESPN app.

Well, I'm going to say the Vikings fans are horn horny. I mean like they have, they always have the. Well, sorry, that's not what I meant. I meant they have the horns. I didn't mean that. Can we, can we, can we reset that? I meant horns like coming out of their heads. You know what, let's move on. Let's go to the next one. You're gonna have to rejoin the show. You broke Myron blew out. I think I did. Sunday morning, Matt. Myron. Yeah, I got that a little wrong. That was when we filled in on Amber and Ian Some this week presented by Progressive Insurance. It is time for our NFL Nation takeover. We're doing the Titans. Titans. We got some people on. We couldn't get our reporter on, so we just had callers call in. So we got callers are going to give us the thing. Before we do that though, during the break. Myron, you started a sentence that I wanted you to share on the air and finish.

Yeah, I'm just upgrading my honey game. You know, I've been buying in stores and I decided to go a different direction. I'm doing local honey now, so I've got a woman who has a hive down the street and I just go get it direct. So have you ever had direct? Are you buying your honey in stores?

I don't really have a honey game, per se. I, I don't. I, I've never really been like, I gotta up my game.

Where do you get your honey, though?

I get it in store. I, I don't. Honey is not part of my shopping. So if you look up honey beehive and let them like.

No, she, she has a, she has a place where she sets up, but.

She keeps her bees.

And a lot of beekeepers up here will ship their bees to a warmer climate in the winter. Not her. She keeps them year round. She likes to watch over them.

So I'm getting honey direct year round.

Milwaukee Bees, Minneapolis. I mean, she's in Minneapolis area, but yeah, I get, I get it direct. It's just changed me. Upgrading your honey game. I would recommend it.

Why? What do you use honey for? You. You drink tea. Like one of the Downton Abbey ladies.

You drink tea. But then you got to understand there's summer honey, right? There's fall honey. That's. It depends on when the honey is produced. I don't want to get into the details, but just my two cents. Go find a honey person. If I were you.

I do not have a honey person. And now I know from the ace that I need to get one. Titans quarterback Cam Ward was brutally honest when he was asked about Will Levins, Will Levis's season ending surgery during a recent interview. Here's what he said. Quote, I really don't have a reaction. I'm focused on Cam Ward. My dad taught me as soon as I hit college, whether you play good, they're going to talk about you or whether you play bad, they're going to talk about you. Mute everybody if you're not in this building. I really couldn't care less about your opinion of myself or my teammates. Wow, sympathetic. Does what. What a heart.

Is he a robot? Does he do that to everybody? Somebody comes in like, oh, man, just lost grandma. And he's like, no reaction, man. I'm focused on Cam.

Focused on who's in this building now.

What?

But Cam. But, Cam, Grandma wasn't in the building. Your grandmother passed away yesterday, but she's not in the building now. Right now. I'm focused on who's in the building now. And by the way, people who criticize me, they're not in the building.

Listen, you just hit my car. Cam Ward. Listen, I focused on Cam Ward. I have no reaction to that. It has nothing to do with me.

Wow, Poor Will Levis. I mean, like, dude's hurt, and he's like, are you in the building? Then I don't care. Get out.

He doesn't care. What? That's what. But that's one of those quotes, man. If he's really good, people will forget that. Nobody will care. If he's not good, stuff like that will follow him, man. Like, I just don't know why you wouldn't say, oh, man, I hate to see a teammate, I mean, again, in that situation.

Do you have a reaction to Will Levis's season ending surgery? I really don't have a reaction. I'm focused on Cam Ward. Like, you can't even say. I'm like, good luck again.

If he's good, really good, people won't care. But it's also like, are you a robot? Is he one of those dudes who just says the same thing?

Hey, your partner Myron is sick. He's in the hospital. I'm really only focused on who's hosting this show. Who's hosting this show? Jonathan Zaslow is in the building. That's who I care about. I don't even know the other guy's name.

If you're not in the building with us, you know what? I'm sorry. I Can't.

All right, well, let's. We don't have our guy for our Titans preview, so let's go to Titans fans. Mojo. I. That is a very Nashville name. Mojo Nixon. Outlaw country. What do you got? Mojo.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, guys. How y' all doing?

[Caller]

Doing good.

Good, Good.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, I was actually at the Titans practice yesterday.

[Caller]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

So I've got a pretty good analysis. Pretty. What you just said about. Well, the quote that Cam said, that's pretty much how Titans fans feel about Will Levis. That guy could not face this fan base, so he took the coward's way out.

[Caller]

Oh, okay. So you're saying that. That. That view is representative of Titans fans as a whole?

[Matt Jones]

100%.

[Caller]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

100%.

[Caller]

What does that mean?

So you all.

Surgery is a coward's way out.

He wasn't hurt.

[Matt Jones]

Say again?

[Caller]

Do you all think he wasn't hurt? Like, why do you think he's having surgery?

[Matt Jones]

Oh, we don't. It's not to the fact we don't think he. He wasn't hurt. But why would you. Why would you choose now to do your surgery if you're a competitor, then you were having that surgery in the off season and you're ready to compete with Cal.

[Caller]

Well, I mean, there is some. There is some. That's. That's a fair point. The timing is a really weird time. It is weird. All right, so what do I see from the Titans this year?

[Matt Jones]

This year, everything is going to be based around our offensive line. You know, we've made a couple additions in the offensive line. It's going to all boil down to our offensive line. I think our defense will be okay. Jeffrey Simmons looks like he's lost about £20. He looks to be much quicker. I could tell you yesterday, we saw. We saw a pass. I don't know if it made national news or not, but Cam road far left and threw completely across his body about 40 yards and hit a deep pass all the way to the right side of the field.

[Caller]

There you go.

[Matt Jones]

Everybody. Everybody lost it.

[Caller]

There you go. Myron, what do you think? Bojo, thank you. From the on field report, what do you think about that? He went left and then threw right. 40 years.

Stop with these tall tales from training camp. Every. Everybody looks like Montana in training camp. Everybody exaggerates in training camp.

He.

He rode left and threw it 48 yards and hit it like. Listen, I don't buy any of it. First off, it's not the real competition.

Clip of Caleb Williams messing up.

Because I feel like that's sort of who he it felt like that was an extension.

Oh, so that one. That one's real. But I don't.

But listen, I'm not judging. I'm not judging Caleb Williams and saying, like, he'll never grow. I'm not that. These tall tales about training camp need to stop.

All right, let's try 58 yards on the fly. There's got to only be one Titans fan in Toronto. And it's Phil. Go ahead, Phil.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, first of all, I am Phil from Toronto. First of all, let me say Mojo's kind of wrong. I. He. He kind of right. Will Levis should have took the surgery, maybe earlier in the off season, but I'm not the only guy from Toronto that likes the Titans.

[Caller]

First of all, who's the other one? Drake. Joe Carter.

Drake.

[Matt Jones]

Don't worry about who the other ones are, man. We're out here. We're here.

[Caller]

We like them. Why?

Why, why did y' all pick the Titans? Do you know? You had a choice.

[Matt Jones]

A lot of choice. I picked the Titans.

[Caller]

What a. What a tool. You're not a person I want to be choosing things. 40 seconds. Real quick. Give me the preview.

[Matt Jones]

Preview. This year, to be honest, probably go 7 and 10. Have a decent year. I hope 10 and 7 make the wild card. Shock the world. But it looks like Jeffrey Simmons might be balling this year. He lost a lot of weight from watching.

[Caller]

Do you all care about winning in Canada? You like 7 and 10? That's a good year. We'll take it.

[Matt Jones]

You mean the AFC championship, what, five years ago?

[Caller]

Canada? I don't know if you have to.

Say we when you're in a different nation.

I don't trust. I don't think that the Maple Leafs loser.

Appreciate the call, Phil. All right, so now it's Tom Myron's turn to become sports center anchor. We'll see if he's able to do it. A little butcher gross. Right now with Myron Metcalf on Matt, Myron.

Matt and Myron, the podcast. ESPN Fantasy football is more than just a game. It's thousands of stories in the making. Like that one league that hasn't missed a draft since the 20th century. Or the one that decides their draft order by competing in a legit athletic combine.

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