Summary of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron - Hour 2: An Odd Choice"

Released on January 26, 2025, "Hour 2: An Odd Choice" of the "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" podcast offers listeners an in-depth exploration of the NFL's championship landscape, focusing primarily on the Philadelphia Eagles versus Washington Commanders game. Hosted by ESPN Radio staples Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf, the episode seamlessly blends serious sports analysis with lighthearted listener interactions, making for an engaging and informative listening experience.

1. Championship Game Breakdown: Eagles vs. Commanders

The episode kicks off with a comprehensive analysis of the upcoming championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders. Matt and Myron dissect the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, emphasizing key players and strategic considerations.

• Saquon Barkley's Performance: Saquon Barkley has been a standout for the Eagles this season. Myron highlights his dominance:

  "Saquon Barkley has been unstoppable this year." [01:08]

• Running Game Concerns: Both hosts express skepticism about the Eagles' ability to sustain their running game deep into the playoffs, referencing historical trends:

  "I don't think anyone has rushed for over 140 yards in a championship game in 13 years." [01:52]

• Jalen Hurts vs. Jaden Daniels: The importance of quarterback performance is underscored, with Matt emphasizing Jalen Hurts' role:

  "This is one of those moments where you're going to need Jalen Hurts to play well." [02:07]
  Myron adds pressure dynamics: "I feel like the most pressure is on Philadelphia today." [04:05]

• Game Predictions: The hosts predict that if Hurts performs averagely, the Eagles stand a strong chance, while also noting the Commanders' potential to disrupt:

  "No Jaden Daniels vs Mahomes. The build-up to that would be epic." [18:58]

2. Listener Interactions: The Raleigh Pronunciation Debate

A notable portion of the episode revolves around a humorous debate sparked by a listener named Linwood from Raleigh, North Carolina, regarding the correct pronunciation of "Raleigh."

• Pronunciation Struggles: Matt and Myron engage in a playful argument over whether it's pronounced "Rally" or "Rawlee," highlighting the confusion and regional differences:

  Matt: “I feel like a fraud saying Raleigh.” [08:56]
  Myron: “I've heard one person in my life say rally.” [08:26]

• Callers' Contributions: Additional listeners chime in, contributing to the lighthearted banter and showcasing the hosts' chemistry:

  Caller: “We get in the car, my wife says, can we listen to those guys that we listened to last week?” [25:05]
  Myron: “You and your wife are wonderful people.” [25:29]

• Humorous Exchanges: The segment is filled with jokes and friendly teasing, making it a standout moment for entertainment:

  Myron: “Raleigh, roll like R, A, W, L roll.” [08:57]
  Matt: “You can't stop me from buying.” [23:15]

3. Critique of the Cowboys' Coaching Decision: Brian Schottenheimer Hire

A significant focus of the episode is the Dallas Cowboys' controversial decision to hire Brian Schottenheimer as their head coach. Matt and Myron offer a critical analysis of this move.

• Unexpected Hire: The hosts express surprise and disappointment over Schottenheimer's hiring, questioning the rationale behind the decision:

  Matt: “Nothing surprising me with Jerry Jones, but it doesn't make sense.” [14:45]

• Comparison to Other Candidates: They compare Schottenheimer unfavorably to other potential hires like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, suggesting that Jerry Jones opted for a "yes man" rather than a visionary coach:

  Matt: “Brian Schottenheimer is the coaching version of settling in a relationship.” [36:19]
  Myron: “Brian Schottenheimer, F. Yeah, that's a failure.” [36:06]

• Impact on Franchise: The discussion highlights concerns that this hire indicates a lack of accountability and a stagnant franchise culture:

  Myron: “This is Rudy 2 the next season.” [16:47]

4. Grading New NFL Coaches

Matt and Myron take on the task of evaluating newly hired coaches across the NFL, assigning letter grades based on their fit, experience, and potential impact.

• Pete Carroll (Raiders):

  Grade: C Minus
  Matt: “I don't know if Pete Carroll fits in this NFL.” [33:44]

• John Ben Johnson (Bears):

  Grade: A Plus
  Matt: “You got the hottest guy... that's A.” [34:21]

• Brian Schottenheimer (Cowboys):

  Grade: F
  Myron: “Brian Schottenheimer, F. Yeah, that's a failure.” [36:06]

• Liam Cohen (Jacksonville):

  Grade: B Plus
  Matt: “Liam would be an A if I didn't think how it all went down was so messy.” [37:06]

• Notable Insights: The hosts discuss the importance of coach stability and the potential long-term effects of these hires on their respective teams.

5. Jacksonville’s Liam Cohen Hiring Controversy

Delving deeper into the Jacksonville coaching saga, Matt and Myron explore the messy circumstances surrounding Liam Cohen's appointment.

• Background on Cohen: Known for his strong offensive mind, Cohen's track record includes multiple departures that raise concerns about his reliability:

  Myron: “He was at Kentucky twice, and he left twice. Both times were slightly messy.” [39:22]

• Current Controversy: The hosts debate the implications of Cohen's behavior, emphasizing the need for transparency and professionalism:

  Matt: “Liam Cohen needs to come out of his first press conference and immediately separate fact from fiction.” [38:31]

• Potential Impact: They discuss how Cohen's hiring might affect team dynamics and public perception, especially if he faces challenges in his new role:

  Myron: “If he struggles, he's got this will be a show really good.” [41:47]

6. Miscellaneous Segments: Lowe's Table Selling and More Banter

Interspersed with the main discussions are lighter segments that showcase the hosts' personalities and rapport with listeners.

• Lowe's Table Selling Controversy: A caller claims that a local Lowe's is restricting table sales to Missouri driver's licenses. Matt and Myron humorously question the validity of this claim:

  Myron: “It must be true, right?” [22:57]
  Matt: “Why would you do that?” [23:21]

• General Banter: The hosts engage in playful exchanges about various topics, adding a personable and relatable element to the show:

  Myron: “We have a lot of new coaches that have been hired in the next.” [32:56]
  Matt: “You got a fish place. You got a steak place.” [27:14]

Conclusion

In "Hour 2: An Odd Choice," Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf deliver a balanced mix of serious sports analysis and entertaining interactions. From dissecting the Eagles' championship hopes and critiquing the Cowboys' coaching decisions to engaging in humorous pronunciation debates, the episode offers something for every sports enthusiast. The blend of insightful commentary and lighthearted banter ensures that listeners are both informed and entertained, embodying the essence of a quintessential Sunday sports morning.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Saquon Barkley has been unstoppable this year. [01:08]
• This is one of those moments where you're going to need Jalen Hurts to play well. [02:07]
• I feel like the most pressure is on Philadelphia today. [04:05]
• Nothing surprising me with Jerry Jones, but it doesn't make sense. [14:45]
• Brian Schottenheimer, F. Yeah, that's a failure. [36:06]
• Pete Carroll fits in this NFL. [33:44]
• Liam Cohen needs to come out of his first press conference and immediately separate fact from fiction. [38:31]
• "We get in the car, my wife says, can we listen to those guys that we listened to last week?" [25:05]

This detailed summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and memorable moments, making it a valuable resource for those who haven't listened to the show.