
Hour 2: Herm Edwards, ESPN NFL Analyst
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Ryan Reynolds
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Matt Jones
This is Matt and Myron the podcast.
Myron Metcalf
It is Calvary Kickoff. Matt Jones Myers at Calf Howard 2. On the last week of the regular season, not the most exciting. Still, some things up in the grabs. Time to be joined by our favorite, Herm Edwards, ESPN's NFL analyst Herb. I took up to you, Myron was over here saying people overseas, 60 were elderly. No, don't use that word. I was trying to be respectful, as elderly is hermit.
Herm Edwards
I was trying to be respectful.
Myron Metcalf
I'm just, I'm just one of them old souls.
Okay? Yeah, that's right. He's old.
Herm Edwards
Old souls. That's different. Okay. I learned my lesson. I learned.
Myron Metcalf
But the word soul after, it's not as bad. Let's. Let's let you get the final word on the conversation we were having just before that break. You're the Patriots, right? You lose today, you get the number one pick. You don't need a quarterback. The three or four teams behind you do. You're sitting there in the cat bird seat. You still though I know you, Herm, you ain't losing on purpose no matter what.
Oh, no, no. Correct.
Yeah.
And I think this organization is built that way. After what Coach Belichick was able to do all those years, they get that they're, they're going to try to win a football game. I mean, that's, that's.
But wouldn't it be better if they lost?
You going, look, you're going to get the players you get. Yeah. Everybody's like, you know, everyone acts like the draft is the be all, best all. First of all, how many draft choices are you going to mess up?
Herm Edwards
Yeah, that's true.
Myron Metcalf
So they always say that, well, we'll get this guy. You don't know. Stop all that. You're going to get the number of guys you pick. Pick good players that can make your team and help your team and you can develop them. The draft is not a science. Like, if we get a first round, how many first round busts do we see every five years after the fact, the guy's in the league for three years, and we go, the guy wasn't the guy we thought he was.
Herm Edwards
Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
Stop.
I don't get in, man. I don't. I don't.
I don't.
I don't believe all that mess. I really don't. I just don't.
Herm Edwards
Yeah. I'm curious, Coach. Somebody's going to picture Sanders probably pretty high, top 10. You know, that's a package deal one way or the other when it comes to Deion Sanders. You're the head coach of whatever team picks your Dura. Sanders, Deion comes to your office. What's that conversation?
Myron Metcalf
I think he's gonna. I think what Dion's gonna do is, is tell that organization, if they don't already know about his son.
Herm Edwards
No, from you. To Dion. You. You as the head coach.
Myron Metcalf
To Dion, the.
Herm Edwards
Dion said, hey, this is my. My kid. I'm involved. You're the head coach. What are you saying to Dion?
Myron Metcalf
I'm say, hey, I want you involved, but I want you involved this way to let us know, you know, what makes him go. But, you know, you. And Dion knows. Look, Dion, you know, as much as.
I know Deion, you're not as worried about Dion.
Ryan Reynolds
I'm not.
Myron Metcalf
Not at all.
Yeah, not at all.
I'm not. I think we're get. We're. Deion gets it. He's going to give his son advice. He's going to let those people in the organization know all about his son, what makes him go. Deion's harder than on his son. He'll be harder on his son than any coach.
But.
Herm Edwards
But you don't worry coach about him. Every press conference, he's going to be asked about your door. And if he likes the way things are going, I'm sure that's good for a head coach, the NFL. If he doesn't, he's also going to make that note.
Myron Metcalf
Well, I think he's going to make the note of this, is if. If whoever has. Whoever takes him, if that offensive coordinator is not playing to his strength, that he's going to say something.
There is that part of it, but people didn't seem to care when Archie Manning made sure that Eli was in the right place. I mean, there is a part where I do think Dion gets a little criticism on that. The big game tonight, Herm. Vikings and Lions. The Vikings went and bought 2,000 seats in Detroit to make sure their fans got to go. Sold them at a discount. Lines are mad about it. But the bottom line is this is as big a game as I can remember to in the regular season because it's the difference between a one seed and a five seed. It's a difference between home games throughout the playoffs and maybe no home games in the playoffs. I mean, this is as good as it gets, right?
No, the league couldn't have. Couldn't anticipate this. I mean, you're right. This is like a. It's not a Super bowl, but it's, It's. It's the biggest game we've had this year thus far. At the end of the season, you got two teams that have 14 wins. And this is the funny part about this. The team that loses actually has to go on the road and play in the playoffs after winning 14 games.
No, I mean, not only. They probably won't have a home game the whole playoffs. No. You know, there are times where it's win and get in. That's happened. But I don't think I've ever seen two teams that are both super bowl contenders. That was so much at stake in a regular season.
No, you're right. But, you know, but I do know this. Both teams can travel well and play on the road and not going to bother them. That's how good they're both playing. I mean, think about the Vikings. They've what, what, nine in a row now?
Herm Edwards
Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, so, I mean, they can go wherever you and Detroit's proven they can go on the road and play. This is going to be an interesting game. I said this earlier when I was on SportsCenter. I think the Vikings win this, and I think they win it because of this. I think at the end it's going to be left up to the kicker. I think it's going to be that kind of close of a game, and the kicker's going to find a way to win the game. And I think you're thinking about the kickers. I mean, you know, the, the Viking guy is a, was a. Is a. Is a rookie kicker. And obviously, you know, Detroit has their. Bates has their guy. So it's going to be interesting.
Herm Edwards
If you're the Vikings front office, have you already made the decision that Sam Donald is your quarterback of the future, at least the near future, and you're going to try to work out a deal that makes sense and figure out JJ McCarthy's future another time, or does he have to do something in the postseason to solidify that decision?
Myron Metcalf
No, I think you win in 14 games. I mean, are you kidding me? See you gonna let him go? People are saying, well, you got this other guy.
The other guy hadn't won. He's good.
Herm Edwards
But he was a good rookie, though.
Myron Metcalf
I'm almost say this, but. But who says. Who says when you draft a rookie in the first round, he has to play right away. You can keep this guy.
He keep this. But here's.
Let me watch this one. I'm gonna say this. I say, yo, if I got him and somebody wants him bad enough, maybe somebody will come to me and give me some draft picks for him.
Herm Edwards
You trade them, you get.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, if I can get some draft picks. And I'm going, hey, man, okay. I go two years and get some draft picks, man. I'm good. I got a quarterback.
Herm Edwards
I go, what if he's great, though? What if McCarthy's great? What if he becomes one of the.
Myron Metcalf
He might be, but we don't know.
But Darnold's already.
He ain't playing. He ain't playing next year. I'm keeping Sam Darnold.
Let me ask you, I mean, Herb, and I'm on your side on this. We're kind of arguing with Myron here, but if he wins tonight, wins 15 games, what are the chances I'm going to pick a quarterback that's going to win 15 games? It's going to be, like, minuscule. Yeah.
I mean, this guy, to me, guys, he's done enough. I mean, if he wins, that's great, but if he. 14 wins, it's big, Coach.
Herm Edwards
But here's. I guess, here's what I think is a concern from a lot of people. There are not many stories in NFL history of a guy in his late twenties.
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
Herm Edwards
Suddenly emerging.
Myron Metcalf
Right.
Herm Edwards
And then going on to have this incredible run. You can give me Brady and Rogers and all these other guys who were 23, 24 after maybe sitting on the sidelines. There aren't many guys who have been at this stage of their career, like Sam Donald, and suddenly went on to have a good stretch. Does that concern you at all?
Myron Metcalf
It concerns you, but here's the case. This is why you, whatever you do, you sign him to, I don't know, coach, couple year, contract, whatever, three or four, whatever it is. This is kind of like what happened with. What you're saying is what happened to Atlanta Falcons, Kirk Cousins. But you have the other quarterback sitting there, and if he struggles, you know, what you say, okay, now it's your turn. You go play.
Well, Kirk Cousins, though, is aged out. Yeah. No, no, no.
But I'm just saying, if you're you're right. Kirk Cousins is aged out, but I'm just saying, if this would happen to Sam. But Sam Darnold's not an old quarterback guy.
No, he's not.
He's not even 30 years old.
Yeah, I mean, he. Well, he's. He's. He's very young. He's like 27.
28.
Herm Edwards
27. He's 27. Won't be 28.
Myron Metcalf
Right. It is rare to see a guy kind of bust and then become great. Usually the bust becomes a backup, but, you know.
Well, let me ask you this. Okay. Well, how about Baker Mayfield?
Well, that's. What. That's exact. You. You and I are on the same page. I do wonder, and you tell me what you think about this hermit. I do wonder if maybe we in the modern age, where you sign these guys for such long deals that you kind of have to give them a second chance. That if other team, like I think of my guy, Tim Couch, and think, right, well, if he'd gotten a second chance and not had to be on the Browns, maybe it would have worked. Like, sometimes guys just may need a different place, Herm.
Well, need a different place, but also a system that fits what they do. Well, yes, to me, a lot of these quarterbacks fail because of the system. Who's. What system? You putting this guy in, who's calling the plays? You know, a lot of it has to do with that guys, because, look, there ain't too many guys, and I'm not gonna say they're all. It's perfect. But when you get drafted in the first round, you got some talent. Now, I mean, there's a reason that you got something.
Yeah.
There's a reason. All these boards that put you up there now. Now, whether you pick the top five or 10, whatever, but there's a reason that you talented enough to be there.
Yeah.
Then it's just a matter of, okay, how do I use the talent? Am I using the talent correctly?
Herm Edwards
Let me ask you this, Herm, before we get out here. Sam Donald, you know, he's probably feeling himself a little bit. I mean, he's a pro bowler. He's led his team, maybe a one seed. He gets to the negotiating table, and he says, I'm as good as Jordan Love. I'm as good as Trevor Lawrence right now. I want. I want 55 million. I want that kind of a number. I'm not giving you some sort of discount.
Myron Metcalf
Right.
Herm Edwards
Uh, I'm not giving you the Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff discount. I want that kind of Top market money. What do you say then?
Myron Metcalf
Well, I say this. I. I see that that has a lot to do with his agent, and his agent is probably already shopping him around to figure out what the number is.
Herm Edwards
But would you give that. If he. If it cost, if it meant that you had to pay him top market dollar to keep him, would that change how you viewed him as a part of your future?
Myron Metcalf
No, because I think you're going to overpay all these quarterbacks. Yeah, that's the world we live in now. You overpay them guys and it's just the money has gotten crazy. I'm happy for the players, to be quite honest. I am. And, you know, you just got to live with it because you look at the numbers and you go, man, some of these quarterbacks, the money they're making now, in the era that I played in, you could pay the whole roster.
Well, somebody's got to make the money. Rather have the players make it than the owners.
Hey, no doubt. I ain't mad at no players. You get as much as.
Let me ask you this before you go. The report in the Athletic this week about the sort of dysfunction in Indianapolis with Coach Steichen and all that. I'm sure you heard or read the report. How abnormal is the kind of insanity that, at least to me as an outsider, they were talking about? Or does that kind of craziness happened in locker rooms? It just doesn't get out.
Well, I think a lot of things, we always say what we say here, what we do here stays here when we leave here. And it's a shame if stuff gets out, leaks out. But that's, you know, what. That's what happens when you're losing.
Yeah.
You know, it's just stuff. And, you know, I say that some of it's probably fairly, fairly correct. Some of it's been, you know, it's the guppy story. You know, it was a guppy in Miami and the time it got to New York City, it was the great white whale. Cause somebody adds a little something to it to make it more juicy. And then, you know, as we continue to talk us on talking heads, you know, we make it more juicy. And. Oh, you know, I would be careful with all that. I always say that, you know, just.
Well, I would generally say, though, when you talk about leak it out, the mere fact something leaks out usually suggests there's a problem in and of itself.
When there's no doubt. And, you know, but that happens when you lose. And there's always some disgruntled person in the building or one or two, you know, and they feel like I got to say something. And sometimes it's not from the locker room, sometimes it's upstairs in the boardroom that comes out, you know, who knows? It comes from her.
Edwards, always great stuff. Enjoy the game tonight. I don't know if the games today will be good, but the one tonight will be great.
Everybody's waiting on that one.
Yeah. Appreciate it.
You guys have a nice new year. Happy New Year, man.
Happy New Year. Happy New Year to you. And enjoy yourself the rest of the day. Coming up next, we could be. What could we be watching? The last game of a Hall of Fame career? Does Aaron Rodgers hang it up and do we hope he gets one last ride into the horizon with a victory? That's next here on countdown.
Matt Jones
The kickoff Texas Ohio State at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Myron Metcalf
The stakes get much higher.
Matt Jones
Penn State, Notre Dame at the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Myron Metcalf
The magic continues.
Matt Jones
The semifinals of the college football playoffs coverage begins Thursday and Friday at 7 Eastern on ESPN radio. And on ESPN, Matt and Myron the podcast.
Myron Metcalf
Hey there, Ryan Reynolds here. It's a new year and you know what that means. No, not the diet resolutions. A way for us all to try and do a little bit better than we did last year. And my resolution, unlike big wireless, is to not be a raging and raise the price of wireless on you every chance I get. Give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch $45 upfront.
Herm Edwards
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Matt Jones
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Myron Metcalf
I just keep looking outside here on Countdown to Kickoff on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. And the snow is just piling down here in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a beautiful sight. You know, there is something I like, Myron. I don't know if it's like this up there where y'all drive around, but in a place like Kentucky, when it's snows like this, it's eerily quiet. No one gets out. It's like perfect. It's like a quiet you don't get anywhere else when snow falls to the ground.
Herm Edwards
Yeah. No. It kind of slows. Slows life down a little bit. So. No, I think sometimes we always need that reset. Let me ask you this, though. Is. Is there a number one weather person y'all go to down there or what?
Myron Metcalf
In Kentucky, we have three weather guys that fight. I like it. They hate each other. All right. They hate each other. Their differences are minor to me and you.
Herm Edwards
Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
But in the weather community, the differences are. And they. They yell at each other. Let me tell. There's a local T shirt company in Kentucky that says, I need bread, milk, water, and. And then the weather guy they choose in the three in the fight. And you. They sell all three of them.
Herm Edwards
Okay.
Myron Metcalf
Everybody has their own weather guy.
Herm Edwards
Is that serious? So it's like. So it's like you don't mix and match. You have a. You have a guy, and that's your guy.
Myron Metcalf
Y'all. In the rest of the country should look up Mark Weinberg, Bill Mack, and Chris Bailey, three local weather guys. They hate each other. They talk trash to each other. They'll be like, oh, you predicted four inches of snow. I said six. Who's right now?
Herm Edwards
You always like that.
Myron Metcalf
Like, they fight. It is great. Weatherman fights in Kentucky are one of my favorite things.
Herm Edwards
And I bet right now they just, you know, they're. They're probably really showcasing their power because this is when they're most influential right now, no doubt.
Myron Metcalf
I'll tell you one quick thing about it. One of them took the Twitter account. Early Kentucky weather. That's his Twitter account.
Herm Edwards
So you think, I've seen that guy.
Myron Metcalf
I've seen Kentucky weather. The other ones resent him, that it seems like he's the official weather of Kentucky. It makes them mad, and they take little shots at him, and I enjoy watching.
Herm Edwards
Intense, man, but they have a lot of power, man. The ability to tell you about the weather is still a very influential position.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, there's a weather guy in Louisville that people still blame. Louisville had a football game this year against SMU, who, you know, obviously made the playoff. Only, like, 20,000 people went, and SMU upset Louisville, and the Louisville fans blame the weather guy for predicting rain. They said the fans didn't go because you said it was going to rain, and they blame him.
Herm Edwards
And I'm fine with that. Like, all the power you have, don't be wrong. Don't get mad when you're wrong. We call you out. That's my challenge is when they're wrong. Then all of a sudden the models were off. But when they're right, it was all them. You know what I mean? You can't have a both ways.
Myron Metcalf
The models on when it's bad and it's them when they get it right. That's true. Kind of reminds me of Aaron Rodgers. When he wins, it's because of him. When they lose, it's cause of the models or the other players or the coaches or the GMs. Aaron Rodgers a little bit like a weather guy.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, he is.
Myron Metcalf
And we might be watching him play for the last time. Plays the Dolphins in a game the Dolphins have to win. So a lot on the line. This is probably it, at least to me. Aaron Rodgers said a bunch of things in the last few years, but he said, quote, these have been the best two years of my life. And it's acknowledging this could be his last NFL game. So I'll ask you this. Yeah. Do you believe these have been the best two years of his life? Torn Achilles in the first game and then A, four and whatever it is, 12 season. And B, do you think this is his last game?
Herm Edwards
I mean, maybe his personal life, I don't know. You know, that's up to him to decide, but certainly not on the field. I do think it's his last game. And I think about how weird this is. Five years ago, if you told me on January 5, 2025, Aaron Rodgers would be playing his last game, I would assume that the buildup to this game would be incredible. There would be coverage across the country leading up to this game and people talking about the end of Aaron Rodgers and what he's meant to the NFL. But because he's been such a weirdo over these last three to four years, no one cares. And I think he has legitimately written the book, Matt, on how to tarnish a legacy that was set up for you to be a really successful dude after the NFL and kind of do whatever you want. And now he may play his last game and I don't think the country cares at all.
Myron Metcalf
I totally agree with you. It really is. He went from being talked about as the Jeopardy. Host three years ago. Yes. To his last game is not even on national tv. Like, his last game is so insignificant. They're going to have Chris Myers call it Myron. Like it's going to be one of those games. I'm just saying.
Come on, man, what do you want?
Herm Edwards
It's, it's, it's a big game. It's just not.
Myron Metcalf
Listen, I love Chris Myers, he should get better games. But if Chris Myers is calling your game like it's at the bottom of the barrel.
Herm Edwards
If I'm a sideline reporter at your game, it's probably next.
Myron Metcalf
Exactly.
Herm Edwards
Am I the Chris Meyer as a sideline reporter?
Myron Metcalf
If Myron is on the sidelines, then.
Herm Edwards
You know, this game is like, somebody called in sick.
Myron Metcalf
Probably called it sick. That's exactly right. That's kind of what this is. So it is amazing that that's happened to him. Let me ask you a question, though. Aaron Rodgers on the jets. If I give you the scale of Tom Brady wins the super bowl in Tampa, all the way down to. Willie Mays is dropping balls in center field for the Mets.
Herm Edwards
Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
Where is Aaron Rodgers on that scale of last act of his career?
Herm Edwards
He's down there with Willie Mays. I mean, he's down there with the guys where it just. He's down there with the guys where we pretend it didn't happen.
Myron Metcalf
Like Shaq on the Celtics.
Herm Edwards
Yeah. Like we. We just don't even remember where.
Myron Metcalf
What are those. What are some of those, by the way? You got Shaq on the Celtics.
Herm Edwards
Muhammad Ali's last fight. I mean, there's a. There's a bunch of things I think you could add to that. But here's the challenge. Yeah, here's the challenge, though. He's not revered like those guys. So I think that's a part of why people don't care. At one point he was like. At one point, I think a lot of people thought it was Brady, Manning, Rogers, and now obviously Montana's in there somewhere, but like top five quarterback all time. That was the conversation.
Myron Metcalf
Is he going to be on. I mean, like, when you think of the words. For me, for me, it's. The example's always Willie Mays with the Mets. Although did he drop a lot of.
Nick
Foul ball, but that was that. No, he fell down in center field. But it was in the World Series, so at least he even got there.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, but. And he was still Willie Mays. This isn't.
Nick
It was 73 with the Mets.
Myron Metcalf
That was in the World Series. I didn't know that. Okay.
Herm Edwards
This is like his former teammate Brett Favre in that year after the run to the NFC Championship game that no one remembers because he comes back.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
You know, but I. I don't know what to compare it to because he has lost so much of his street cred.
Myron Metcalf
Do Green Bay fans put curse on their former quarterbacks that their lives fall? It's not the moment they get out.
Herm Edwards
Green Bay is the. Is the quirky, fun uncle's house where you can do all these things that don't work anywhere else. So it works at his house, but when you go to regular society, it's like you can't do that.
Myron Metcalf
Interesting. All right, besides Maze in the Mets, what are the other examples of what Aaron Rodgers says? I didn't know he was in the World Series. Thank you for that info. Saquon has a chance to break an all time record, but he's not going for it. Is that the right decision?
Matt Jones
Next on ESPN Radio, Matt and Myron, the podcast.
Myron Metcalf
It is Canada Kickoff here on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance. We were talking about where Aaron Rodgers is going to rate in sort of the last, you know, last moments. We mentioned Willie Mays at the Mets. I guess he hit.211 that year. That was pretty bad. You mentioned the Ali fights, but Nick, you had a bunch of them here. So what were some of the ones that sort of our famous bad last acts?
Nick
Yeah, there are a few I actually didn't even realize. Obviously we all remember Shaq with the Celtics, right? Those 30 games that he played in.
Myron Metcalf
And really fat, those 30 games.
Nick
Yeah, that was 2010. Patrick Ewing with the Orlando Magic.
Myron Metcalf
I vaguely remember that. He was. That was sad. He was the Magic jersey. It's weird when they go. The stars go to jerseys or go to teams with like kind of funky jerseys. Myron. And it looks weird seeing Ewing in them, you know?
Herm Edwards
Yeah, that's not fun. No, that's. That's always weird. Again, those are those things that we. We just forget they ever happen. I got one.
Myron Metcalf
Well, wait a minute, hang on. Nick's got more. What else you got?
Nick
Do you remember Joe Namath with the Rams?
Herm Edwards
I don't remember time. I wouldn't remember it.
Nick
I wasn't his final year after being waived by the Jets.
Myron Metcalf
Okay, who else?
Nick
Deion Sanders. After he retired, he came back and played two years with the Ravens.
Herm Edwards
I covered that stretch.
Myron Metcalf
I have no memory of that. He played two years with the Ravens. Yep.
Nick
2004 and 2005.
Herm Edwards
I was there in 04 at Ravens training camp as an ESPN the Magazine intern. I covered that training camp. I remember hanging out with those dudes.
Myron Metcalf
Did you say Pedro Martinez pitch?
Nick
Pedro Martinez with the Phillies. And he pitched in the World Series against the Yankees and got shelled.
Myron Metcalf
Wow. Pedro Martinez pitched for the Phillies?
Herm Edwards
Yeah. Who? No one.
Nick
2009.
Herm Edwards
When the Yankees are my daddy. Yeah. Oh, nobody remembers.
Myron Metcalf
I didn't remember that.
Herm Edwards
These are the forgotten years.
Myron Metcalf
And then Hakeem, he was with the Raptor.
Herm Edwards
Oh, I don't even like talking about that. I don't even like. That was sad. That was sad. I got. I got one.
Myron Metcalf
Okay.
Herm Edwards
40 year old babe Ruth played for the Braves.
Nick
Yeah, we knew that.
Herm Edwards
Who knew that?
Nick
I knew that.
Myron Metcalf
I didn't know that. Nick.
Herm Edwards
You say stuff like we knew that. Like who. Who is your week. You and your group chat. That's not us. That's not everybody.
Myron Metcalf
It's the Royal week. No, I did not know that. Babe ruth played.
Herm Edwards
Yeah. 40 years before he was 40. Played for the.
Nick
Do you know John Smoltz played for the Cardinals?
Herm Edwards
No, but that's a different level though. I mean, that's not Babe Ruth.
Myron Metcalf
John Smoltz played for the Cardinals. I had no idea. Well, if you have some of those, the text machine is 772-774-5254 and give us a shout if you have one of those. Like, because I think Aaron Rodgers with the jets is going to be one of these. People may remember it more. Yeah, but 888, say ESPN sort of destructive final acts. You know, there are very few final acts that work well. You know, Montana worked well with the Chiefs. Brady worked well with obviously with Tampa Bay. But it doesn't happen a lot. Myron at the end.
Herm Edwards
No, I mean, usually people stay past their prime. I mean, the greatest ever, right? There are a couple of them, right? John Elway, it kind of how he went out with the Broncos. I mean, that's kind of ideal, but for the most part, you know, guys stay too long.
Myron Metcalf
Did you watch last year, Rick Flair's final match?
Herm Edwards
Here's my thing about Ric Flair. You can't have 18 final matches in your life. Like, you can't. Ric Flair has been having final matches since like 2002.
Myron Metcalf
Well, he did a pay per view a couple years ago called Ric Flair's final match. And then I saw that he was like, I'll have some more matches.
Herm Edwards
That dude doesn't have a final match. Like, you can't just keep having 18 final matches and then we keep having, you know, events for you and stuff. Man, I'm not crying over you. The second or third time you only.
Myron Metcalf
Come back, you only get one set of two.
Herm Edwards
Absolutely. That first time is it. After that you're on your own.
Myron Metcalf
There's a guy that plays for Kentucky football who had three senior days because he did the senior day because he was thinking about going to the draft. He didn't go to the draft. He came back and then they Gave him a Covid year. And he went through the Senior day ceremonies. Myron. All three times. He went out there with his jersey all three times.
Herm Edwards
Now, you can help organize the party or something, but you're not. Get off the field.
Myron Metcalf
888, say ESPN. Jim in Ohio's got one. What do you got, Jim?
G
I'll tell you what, man. Frank O'Hara is trying to break Jim Brown's record in Seattle.
Myron Metcalf
Was just.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Myron Metcalf
He wasn't the only one. Didn't Jerry Rice go to Seattle?
Herm Edwards
Seattle, yeah.
Myron Metcalf
I appreciate the call, Jim. I think Jerry Rice played a year in Seattle, which I have no memory of, but apparently happened.
Herm Edwards
That. That happened. That wasn't pretty.
Myron Metcalf
Our.
Herm Edwards
Our brother who, you know, hope he's doing well, everything he's dealing with. But I remember Randy Moss coming back to Minnesota and for a stretch at the end, you know, and that was like a whole. That was a whole thing. Came back late in his career. Terrell Owens, which.
Myron Metcalf
Where'd he go?
Herm Edwards
Terrell Owens, remember, he played late with Cincinnati. That weird Cincinnati year.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, with it. With. With Ocho Cinco. Greg is in Houston. What do you have?
G
I got a good one. My favorite player, Karl Malone. Watched him big for a championship. 99 season, gets out of Utah, goes to the Lakers. They got Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and they do nothing.
Herm Edwards
It wasn't 99. That. That was 03.043.
Myron Metcalf
That was.
Herm Edwards
That was 03 04. That was after the. That was after the. They had the three Pete. Then the spurs wanted an 03. And then that's when they added Peyton and Carl malone for the 0304 season.
Myron Metcalf
Carl Malone. I appreciate the call. Like, that wasn't great, but they weren't awful by. I mean, they. They weren't like some of these people we were talking about. They were okay during that run.
Herm Edwards
No, they were. They were decent.
Myron Metcalf
Was on that team too, wasn't he?
Herm Edwards
Who?
Myron Metcalf
Nash? Wasn't he on that team or.
Herm Edwards
Nash was on the Lakers team later, I don't think. Yeah, I was. Remember Carmelo and Gary Payton and then.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, yeah. Tim is in Pittsburgh. What do you got?
G
A guy was a star who later in life fell out of grace.
Herm Edwards
O.J.
G
Simpson with the 49ers.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, that's right. He did play for the 49ers at the very end. Yep. Appreciate the call.
Herm Edwards
You can't really do anything in media. When somebody brings up O.J. it kind of just stops there. Right. Like someone says that David is kind.
Myron Metcalf
Of like, okay, well, he did say he fell in.
Herm Edwards
No, I know, but I don't.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, you just. You say, like, don't even mention his name.
Herm Edwards
Well, I mean, listen to this Saquon Barkley conversation. The greatest rushing performance in NFL history was O.J. 20, 14 games. But it's like, what do you say beyond that?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, you really can't say anything. Fran in New York, what do you got?
G
What's up, boys?
Herm Edwards
Embarrassed?
G
You guys are great. Embarrassed to say I'm a New York bad fan.
Myron Metcalf
How about my man Jim McMahon? Who did he play?
Herm Edwards
Where'd he go?
Ryan Reynolds
Oh, he went.
G
Didn't he play for the. The Vikings? The Eagles? I think.
Myron Metcalf
Well, he played for everybody. Yeah, but I don't. I love McMahon. I'm a Bears fan, but I don't feel like McMahon's quite on the level of the dudes we're talking about.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, I don't know about that.
G
He's as famous as them. I mean, come on.
Myron Metcalf
He's famous. He was very famous. Yeah, I mean, he's definitely as famous as them. Let's try Mike in North Carolina. Mike?
G
Yes, Johnny. Unit, San Diego Chargers, 1973, I believe.
Myron Metcalf
Now, I want you to think about Unitedus. How old. How old Was he in 1973? Mike? It had to be like, what was he then, in his 40s?
G
Yeah, even. Yeah, he played for the Chargers one year, I do believe.
Myron Metcalf
Appreciate it.
G
And it was a nightmare.
Myron Metcalf
He was 40, man.
Herm Edwards
And that was. That was a 1970s. 40. That was a different. That's what.
Myron Metcalf
How old is 1973? 40.
Herm Edwards
1973. 40 is 67 years old. In today's years. You see some of those pictures of dudes.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, dude, have you seen a picture of why Diddle smoking?
Herm Edwards
Those twos were 67 years old.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
At 40.
Myron Metcalf
First of all, the fact there was a quarterback named why A Tittle. And he was good, too. Like, he was one of the good ones. Yeah, there were dudes who had the. What do you call it? The horseshoe hair that were still playing.
Herm Edwards
It was. I was. That was. Those dudes looked like they were all 64.
Myron Metcalf
Steve in California. Steve, what's your.
G
Hey, can you hear me?
Myron Metcalf
Can you hear us?
G
I'm sorry, I'm not in California. I'm in Palm Beach. That's why I didn't respond. I have. I have two for you. They both ended up on the same team. Brett Favre went to the Vikings in his final year, and Randall Cunningham, you may remember, went to the Vikings also.
Myron Metcalf
Well, first of all, I don't those two.
Herm Edwards
Don't. Those two. Those two had great years, though.
G
That's what I'm saying.
Myron Metcalf
Super bowl that year. That doesn't care. But.
Herm Edwards
But we're asking people like the, the bad years for the list.
Myron Metcalf
The bad years. If you want to bring up Favre, you bring up the chip. I mean, like, Favre is the Favre NFC Championship.
Herm Edwards
Randall Cunningham, offensive mvp. I mean, I think it's offensive player of the year.
Myron Metcalf
I think MVP that year.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, I think that's. You hear about Brady in Tampa Bay.
Myron Metcalf
I think Steve was worried about us getting his. His state wrong. He got the topic wrong.
Herm Edwards
It was like, let me tell you the greatest things I've ever seen.
Myron Metcalf
Jeff in New Hampshire. Give me another bad 1.
G
Wayne Gretzky, 1999, final season with the New York Rangers.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. Good, though.
Nick
Yeah, he wasn't. He wasn't.
Herm Edwards
He wasn't terrible.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
I mean, Gretzky never had a really bad.
Myron Metcalf
Wait a minute. Did the. Didn't the Rangers. I'm not a hockey efficient, but didn't they win the cup?
Nick
94. No. 94.
Myron Metcalf
Oh.
What happened in 99? Were they good?
Nick
They were okay.
Myron Metcalf
Okay.
Herm Edwards
Gretzky never. Gretzky was one of those guys that never had like a. A terrible. Kind of like Jordan. There was never a terrible year.
Myron Metcalf
Play for the Blues as well for a year or something.
Herm Edwards
I think so.
Nick
Yeah, he did. He got traded after the Kings.
Herm Edwards
Like. Like MJ never had a terrible. Even with the Wizards. People make fun of those years, but those would have been a lot of people's best years. Michael Jordan scoring 20 plus a game.
Myron Metcalf
Me remembering Gretzky played for the Blues. Kimberly and Maryland. Go ahead, Kimberly.
Herm Edwards
Hello, gentlemen.
Myron Metcalf
How are you?
Herm Edwards
All good. How you doing, Kimberly? Doing well. Well, I think you just said it, but yeah. Michael Jordan. Jordan going to the team formerly known as the Bullet.
Myron Metcalf
But he was okay.
Herm Edwards
He was good, though. I mean, he was better than people realize. Yeah, he wasn't Michael Jordan, but I mean, he averaged 20 plus a game those years. Just kind of messing around. So I actually think that. I actually think that the Wizards years, Matt, help MJ's legacy.
Myron Metcalf
I actually agree with you. Let's do one more Bearcat in Ohio. What do you got?
G
Yeah, it says the Johnny United Story, but I got a little something to add to it. It was 73 and the Chargers were in disarray back then. Guys smoking dope in the locker room and everywhere else. And here's Johnny Yu and his high tops and the slap top crew cut. And it was just a total disaster for him. He didn't. He didn't like it at all.
Myron Metcalf
I bet he was one of the ones, though, that called it dope too, when he did it. I appreciate the call. I haven't heard the phrase smoking dope in a long time.
Herm Edwards
That's old school.
Myron Metcalf
My grandma would call every drug dope.
Herm Edwards
Everything.
Myron Metcalf
Everything was dope. Everything. It didn't matter. Didn't matter what it was. She'd be like, they're on dope. That's what it's. What it is.
Herm Edwards
We did.
Myron Metcalf
We never got to the Barkley thing, but we will do it at some point. But we're going to do no huddle. There's a lot of games that Myon's going to have to sell today. Hopefully he won't be on dope and he'll be able to do it next year. I got that.
Matt Jones
To kickoff, Matt and Myon the pod.
Myron Metcalf
It is countdown to kickoff here ESPN Radio. It is presented by Progressive Insurance. Round out your protection with life phone and pet health insurance. You know you got money when you got pet health insurance, Myron?
Herm Edwards
No, you just love your pet. Say, pet health insurance is very handy. Just love your pet.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, do you have pet health insurance? You're the cheapest person I know. You have pet health insurance. I don't have a pet, but I have a lot of friends who do. A lot of people have pet health insurance. I don't have a pet. So, like, I don't know.
Herm Edwards
I never heard of a black person in my entire life talking about pet health insurance. That's. That's something that I've never heard. They don't even. They don't even market it to us. They.
Myron Metcalf
You think that sounds like a white person?
Herm Edwards
100%. Little Rocky is on his own. I think.
Myron Metcalf
Little Rocky, poor little Rocky, he doesn't get. Is he part is. Does Obamacare include.
Matt Jones
I don't.
Herm Edwards
I don't know.
Myron Metcalf
But I don't think.
Herm Edwards
I've never heard of that.
Myron Metcalf
But you can get your pet health insurance.
Herm Edwards
Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
At Progressive Insurance. No, they don't even market to you.
Herm Edwards
They know, like they don't put it on. You know, you wasting your time.
Myron Metcalf
They don't put that on the Shay Shay podcast.
Herm Edwards
Absolutely not. All these bills we got anybody paid health insurance.
Myron Metcalf
That's true. Progressive. Oh, the reads are very. For very specific shows.
Herm Edwards
Do you have pets? Have you ever had a pet, Matt? No.
Myron Metcalf
Are you kidding me? Like, ever? No, because it like used to end up at your house and like, what are you Going to do. Where do I put.
Herm Edwards
They end up at your house.
Myron Metcalf
That's okay. I mean, like, if you have a pet, you can't go anywhere because then you got to be like, will you see my dog? And no one wants to watch a stupid dog. So you have to like, put it in with somebody and pay for.
Herm Edwards
You should get a dog. I think you'd like a dog, man.
Myron Metcalf
What am I going to do with the dog? It's going to just walk around. Like we're not going to be able to talk.
Herm Edwards
I mean, you could do it. You could have fun with the dog. Take them all here.
Myron Metcalf
Fetch.
Herm Edwards
Dog park. I mean. Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
Slobbering everywhere. All right. There's. Every week there are a lot of really bad people to talk. Well, I like to have communication. There are. There are games that stink this week. There's a lot of games that stink. But Myron's job is to make you care about a game you wouldn't otherwise care about. And let's see him do it in no huddle. All right, we got to go quick with these. So you got 20 seconds to sell us on the game. What's first? Sell it to me.
Herm Edwards
You're watching Dolphins and Jets because this could be the end of Aaron Rodgers. Whether you love him, whether you hate him, this is the last time you may see him in the NFL. It has been a wild ride. Comes to the jets. He's going to restore the franchise. Instead he gets hurt. And then this year he's paid more attention to politics than what's happened on the field. It feels that way at least. But it will be the end of what has become a polarizing.
Myron Metcalf
That was too long. Way too long. More than 20 seconds. I'll say this. I'll watch the game if you promise me I'll never have to Aaron Rodgers in any form again. If you promise me that, I'm in to say Goodbye. What's next? 20 seconds.
Herm Edwards
Shane stocking came to the Coats as a guy that everyone thought would be sort of the future of the organization. Young coach on the rise. And instead recent weeks it sounds like the Colts are a dysfunctional mess. So Shane Stacking might be coaching for his job, maybe trying to prove that he belongs there beyond this season.
Myron Metcalf
What about that story? It did sound like a mess. I mean, Pat McAfee said he came out firing at him on Monday. It's kind of a huge. Do you think like, is Anthony Richardson salvageable?
Herm Edwards
Not there. I don't think. I mean, I don't. To me, how much More time do you give him to prove he can be an elite quarterback? I don't know. You know, it sounds like a lot.
Myron Metcalf
Of his problems, though, are not even the plane, right? Like, it's the work ethic and all that. I think that's a lot harder to come back from, don't you?
Herm Edwards
Yeah. And when has he been a great quarterback?
Myron Metcalf
Never. Never. That's why he should have.
Herm Edwards
You know what I mean? Like, let's have that conversation.
Myron Metcalf
All right, what's next? Yeah, good luck.
Herm Edwards
You watching this game? Because, hey, the Chargers are a team that could be there to kind of shake up the AFC playoff field. But really, what are the Raiders going to do? Is Antonio Pierce safe? Is he coaching for his job? What does this mean for a draft pick? Does Shador Sanders, Cam Ward somehow end up with the Vegas Raiders? So there's a lot about the future in the line in this game, but.
Myron Metcalf
You can't promise me that anyone I see on the field not named Brock Bowers for the Raiders will be playing next year. Right? Like, there's not going to be anybody.
Herm Edwards
This is the hardest sale for anybody. I don't know how to sell any of these, if I'm being honest.
Myron Metcalf
Like, well, you didn't sell that one. Great. What's next? All right, tell me. Let's go.
Herm Edwards
Well, the Eagles are sitting everybody, right, because they locked into the two seat. But the. But the Giants, you don't still have playoff positioning. I mean, draft positioning on the line. Does Brian Dayball care? I don't know, but I really don't know any other reason to really watch this game. This is a pretty meaningless game overall.
Nick
He just said, don't watch it.
Herm Edwards
You literally, no, you should watch it. But I don't know what I'm supposed to say.
Myron Metcalf
You're doing the whole car salesman. You don't want this car, do you? Like, it doesn't work. Like, you've got a tr. Anyone can sell Vikings lines tonight. Your job is to sell me on the bad ones. And so far, like, I can feel your disinterest as you're coming through. Let's start again. This one you got. Are you ready? What's next? Come on now. Sell it to me.
Herm Edwards
Well, here's why you are watching Bears vs. Packers. A. The Bears. I was going to move on to a new head coach, trying to figure out kind of what's next. Caleb Williams is a guy who they need to put some better pieces around him, but this could be his last shot to show you what he can be in the future. No, J. Earl Exander for the Packers. Is that secondary going to be ready for the postseason? All those things are questions.
Myron Metcalf
So your thing is turn on the Bears because I'm not going to see these coaches afterwards.
Herm Edwards
No, I don't. Listen, man, I got to be honest with you, man. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with these games. Like, week 18 is terrible.
Nick
I don't know about to be the first bearish quarterback to ever throw for 4,000 yards in a season.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I, I here's what I would like to say. I, I would say about the Bears. As a Bears fan, I want to get.
Herm Edwards
Why don't y'all do it now? Y'all always got 2 cents added to what I say about what wasn't good. Like. Like some, you know, professor grading my paper. Why don't y'all go ahead and do it? Everybody wants to do. Everybody talking about what I'm not doing. Go do it.
Myron Metcalf
Are you.
Herm Edwards
You got it.
Myron Metcalf
You don't like the criticism?
Herm Edwards
No, I just don't. I mean, what am I supposed to.
Myron Metcalf
Do in week 18? I'll do last one. We'll do the last one. I promise you. No commentary afterwards. It's just you. And we'll put it in the ether and we'll let the world decide. Okay?
Herm Edwards
Okay.
Myron Metcalf
All right, last one. Who is it? 49ers at cardinals.
Herm Edwards
You. You. You're watching this because Brock Purdy is still trying to make a statement and say that he is the guy for this organization going forward. The asking price might be $60 million, and every game will factor into whether or not he ultimately gets that money, including this one.
Myron Metcalf
Okay, I like that one. I like it. You sold me on Brock Purdy. And by the way, are you coming closer to my view that maybe you don't pay Brock Purdy? You got angry at me about that a few weeks ago.
Herm Edwards
No, you absolutely. You pay every quarterback. You just pay him. It doesn't make sense to not.
Myron Metcalf
You're going to be paying a guy who's not going to win. Poor Sal Palantonio got it to the jets game tonight. S. Good luck.
Herm Edwards
Sam Rogers, though.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, look how cold he looks. It's a storyline I. I do like the.
Nick
It's only 30 degrees.
Myron Metcalf
Coming up, the Lions were. It's colder here. Coming up, the Lions were favorites to win it all. But now, will they even win a playoff game? We'll find out.
Herm Edwards
We'll deal with that.
Myron Metcalf
And Saquon Barkley. That's next here on espn.
Matt Jones
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron the Podcast.
Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Episode Summary
Title: Hour 2: Herm Edwards, ESPN NFL Analyst
Release Date: January 5, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf
Guest: Herm Edwards, ESPN NFL Analyst
The episode kicks off with Myron Metcalf and Matt Jones welcoming listeners to "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron." They introduce their special guest, Herm Edwards, an esteemed NFL analyst from ESPN. The hosts set the stage by discussing the current state of the NFL's regular season, highlighting that although it's the final week and not the most thrilling, there are still significant outcomes at stake.
Myron Metcalf [00:35]: "It is Calvary Kickoff... some things are still up in the grabs."
The conversation begins with an analysis of the New England Patriots' potential performance in the last game of the season. Myron suggests that even if the Patriots lose, they wouldn't intentionally underperform because the organization, led by Coach Bill Belichick, is intrinsically built to win every game.
Myron Metcalf [01:11]: "They’re going to try to win a football game. I mean, that’s, that’s."
Herm agrees, emphasizing the Patriots' commitment to excellence, regardless of the implications for their draft position.
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Deion Sanders, particularly focusing on the potential dynamics if Sanders’ son joins a team Herm is coaching. Myron speculates that Sanders will advocate for his son’s inclusion and performance within the team, highlighting the possible pressures and expectations that come with it.
Herm Edwards [02:32]: "Every press conference, he’s going to be asked about your door... If he likes the way things are going, I’m sure that’s good for a head coach."
The hosts delve into the critical matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions. Myron underlines the game's importance, noting it's one of the most significant regular-season games they've seen, with playoff implications hinging on the outcome.
Myron Metcalf [04:02]: "This is as good as it gets, right?"
Herm adds that both teams have demonstrated strong road performances, making the game a compelling contest likely to be decided by clutch moments, such as field goals.
A substantial segment is dedicated to discussing quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Sam Donald. Myron expresses skepticism about Darnold's future success and questions the value of investing heavily in him over other emerging talents like Darnold might pose.
Myron Metcalf [06:25]: "If I got him and somebody wants him bad enough... maybe… I'm good. I got a quarterback."
Herm counters by emphasizing the uncertainty in predicting a quarterback's future performance, comparing the situation to past quarterbacks who had late-career resurgences.
The conversation shifts to the financial aspects of NFL quarterbacks, with Myron critiquing the trend of exorbitant salaries for quarterbacks. He suggests that while players deserve their earnings, the inflated salaries create a financial imbalance within teams.
Myron Metcalf [10:39]: "I just think you’re going to overpay all these quarterbacks... Somebody’s got to make the money."
Herm concurs, acknowledging the financial realities of the modern NFL and how it impacts team dynamics and salary structures.
Addressing recent reports about dysfunction within the Indianapolis Colts under Coach Steichen, Myron and Herm discuss the challenges teams face when internal issues become public. They explore the implications of leaked information on team morale and public perception.
Myron Metcalf [11:28]: "The mere fact something leaks out usually suggests there's a problem in and of itself."
Herm adds that such leaks often arise from frustration within the organization, further complicating the team's performance and reputation.
A heated discussion emerges around Aaron Rodgers, focusing on his potential retirement and the waning of his legacy. Myron and Herm compare Rodgers’ current standing to iconic athletes whose final performances left lasting impressions, questioning why Rodgers' possible final game hasn't garnered widespread attention.
Herm Edwards [17:40]: "He has legitimately written the book… to tarnish a legacy that was set up for you to be a really successful dude after the NFL."
Myron Metcalf [19:25]: "He went from being talked about as the Jeopardy Host three years ago to his last game not even on national TV."
Herm and Myron draw parallels between Rodgers and other athletes like Willie Mays, Shaquille O'Neal, and Ric Flair, examining how these figures managed their final stages in their respective sports. They debate the effectiveness and public reception of these final performances.
Herm Edwards [20:36]: "He’s down there with the guys where we pretend it didn’t happen... He’s down there with the guys where we pretend it didn’t happen."
The podcast features a segment where listeners call in to share examples of athletes whose final performances were either underwhelming or overshadowed by other factors. Examples include Joe Namath's tenure with the Rams and Deion Sanders' brief comeback with the Ravens.
Listener Nick [28:07]: "Deion Sanders. After he retired, he came back and played two years with the Ravens."
Transitioning from on-field performance, the hosts discuss the influence of weather on sports, particularly how it affects game outcomes and fan perceptions. They humorously compare weather broadcasters' rivalries to player performances.
Myron Metcalf [15:15]: "In Kentucky, we have three weather guys that fight... they don’t even market it to us."
In a playful segment, Myron and Herm attempt to "sell" games that are deemed uninteresting or have little at stake. Both hosts humorously struggle to find compelling reasons to watch such games, highlighting their lack of enthusiasm.
Herm Edwards [37:43]: "You’re watching Dolphins and Jets because this could be the end of Aaron Rodgers... this is the last time you may see him in the NFL."
Myron Metcalf [38:20]: "I'll watch the game if you promise me I'll never have to see Aaron Rodgers in any form again."
As the episode wraps up, Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf thank listeners for tuning in and tease upcoming content, including coverage of significant college football games and future discussions on player performances and team dynamics.
Matt Jones [43:14]: "Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN Radio..."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
Patriots’ Consistent Winning Culture: The Patriots remain a formidable team aiming to win every game, emphasizing the organization's dedication under Belichick.
Draft Pick Uncertainty: The unpredictability of the NFL Draft continues to be a topic of concern, with hosts highlighting the inefficacy and uncertainties surrounding first-round picks.
Legacy of Quarterbacks: The discussion underscores the challenges of defining and maintaining a quarterback's legacy amidst performance fluctuations and off-field narratives.
Financial Pressures in the NFL: Overpaying quarterbacks is critiqued as a systemic issue impacting team dynamics and financial sustainability.
Media and Athlete Interactions: The episode touches on how media portrayals and public interactions influence athlete legacies, using Aaron Rodgers as a primary example.
Engagement with Fans: Through listener calls and interactive segments, the podcast fosters a connection with its audience, encouraging fan participation and diverse perspectives.
Conclusion
This episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" offers a comprehensive analysis of current NFL dynamics, focusing on team strategies, player legacies, and the economic factors influencing the league. Herm Edwards provides expert insights, while the hosts engage in thoughtful discussions, enriched by listener interactions and comparative analyses with other sports figures. The episode underscores the complexities of maintaining performance and legacy in the high-stakes environment of professional football.