Hour 2: Myron the Racing Expert

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron Episode: Hour 2: Myron the Racing Expert
Release Date: February 16, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron, hosted by Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf of ESPN Radio, the duo delves deep into the latest happenings in the sports world. The episode features insightful discussions with NFL analyst Herm Edwards, a comprehensive review of the NBA All-Star Weekend, and an expert preview of the Daytona 500, reflecting Myron's expertise in racing.

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NFL Recap and Analysis with Herm Edwards

Super Bowl Victory: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The episode opens with reflections on the Philadelphia Eagles' impressive victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, securing their second championship in seven years. Herm Edwards shares his enthusiasm, declaring, "We're world champs forever" ([15:05]).

Player Evaluations and Team Strategies

Herm Edwards provides candid opinions on key NFL figures and team strategies:

• Aaron Rodgers as a Starter: When questioned about signing Aaron Rodgers as a backup, Herm emphatically responds, "If I'm signing Aaron Rodgers, I'm signing Aaron Rodgers as a starter" ([01:15]). This underscores Rodgers' value as a premier quarterback who should lead rather than serve in a secondary role.

• Travis Kelce's Future: Discussing Travis Kelce's potential return, Herm advises, "If he's not willing to commit, be committed to it in the offseason" ([01:38]). He emphasizes the importance of commitment for player longevity.

• Bill Belichick's Playoff Chances at North Carolina: Herm expresses skepticism about Coach Belichick's ability to secure a playoff spot, stating, "I don't know. I think it might be tough" ([02:31]).

Analysis of the Super Bowl Game Dynamics

Herm provides a critical breakdown of the Super Bowl performance, highlighting offensive line issues and defensive strengths:

• Eagles' Defensive Prowess: Herm notes, "They got some rookies that they started in the back end, and as the season went on, those guys got better" ([04:04]). He credits the Eagles' defense for their dominance and ability to adapt.

• Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' Offense: Discussing Mahomes, Herm suggests improvements are needed, particularly in offensive line protection: "He was under duress most of the season, and that's what makes him so unique and so good" ([04:41]).

Quarterback Evaluation for the NFL Draft

Herm shares his criteria for evaluating aspiring NFL quarterbacks:

1. Accuracy: "Accuracy. And does he [have it]?" ([06:25])
2. Athleticism: "Is this kid athletic?" ([06:59])

He underscores the importance of leadership and the ability to command the huddle, stating, "I wanted to hear him command the huddle, to bring guys in" ([07:00]).

Trevor Lawrence's Future

Matt and Herm discuss the challenges facing Trevor Lawrence, highlighting the mental aspects of his game over physical retooling:

• Mental Resilience: Herm asserts, "I think it's more mental than anything else" ([08:36]).

• Potential Team Change: He advises, "Maybe you need a change of scenery" ([08:54]), drawing parallels to other quarterbacks who benefited from team changes.

Chad Pennington's Coaching Success

The conversation shifts to high school coaching excellence, celebrating Chad Pennington's achievement in winning a state championship in Lexington:

• Coaching Leadership: Herm praises Pennington, noting, "he.e has ownership of the huddle, how he could talk to the players" ([10:22]).

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NBA All-Star Weekend Review

The hosts transition to covering the NBA All-Star Weekend, providing grades for various events and discussing standout performances.

Event Grades:

• Celebrity Game:

  • Myron: Grades it a "D" due to a lack of engaging celebrities.
  • Matt: Highlights the disconnect between traditional celebrities and modern influencers, "Their celebrities are, like YouTube guys and TikTokers" ([28:46]).

• Rising Stars Game:

  • Matt: Assigns a "B plus," appreciating the showcase of upcoming talent.
  • Myron: Rates it a "B," acknowledging the higher level of play and potential future stars ([29:57]).

• Skills Challenge:

  • Matt: Criticizes it, giving a "C minus," particularly citing disqualification incidents involving Chris Paul and Wimby ([30:52]).
  • Myron: Agrees, rating it a "C minus" and likening it to disjointed activities ([30:30]).

• Three-Point Contest:

  • Matt: Enjoys the event, giving it a "B," mentioning stellar performances like Buddy Hield's ([31:08]).
  • Myron: Assigns a "B minus," appreciating the entertainment value despite occasional weak performances ([31:23]).

• Dunk Contest:

  • Matt: Rates it a "C," commending Mac McClung's performance but noting a lack of top-tier dunkers ([31:55]).
  • Myron: Provides a "C plus," expressing discomfort with awkward moments when participants underperform ([32:26]).

Spotlight on Mac McClung:

The hosts discuss Mac McClung's memorable dunk contest performance, weighing his legacy and future prospects:

• Myron: "He's been trying to get into the NBA for years. He's played in the G League, kind of bounced around" ([25:38]).
• Matt: Praises McClung's impact despite limited NBA success, hoping he can monetize his moment ([27:11], [27:26]).

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Daytona 500 Preview with Ryan McGee

Transitioning to racing expertise, the episode features insights into the Daytona 500, with special coverage by Ryan McGee.

Racing Strategies and Race Dynamics:

• Drafting Explained:

  • Myron: "Drafting is when two teammates kind of are in tandem and the car behind is using essentially the gravitational force of the car in front of them to get a boost" ([41:10]).
  • Matt: Clarifies, "Drafting is when two teammates kind of are in tandem and the car behind is using essentially the gravitational force of the car in front of them to get a boost" ([41:27]).

• Rain Delay Impact:

  • Myron: Discusses the potential impact of weather on race momentum, "There's a 70% chance of rain midway through the race" ([42:13]).
  • Matt: Emphasizes how weather interruptions could influence driver performance and race outcomes ([42:13]).

Driver Predictions:

• Matt's Pick - Austin Cindric:

  • Believes Cindric's focus and composure make him a strong contender, especially if a rain delay occurs ([44:54]).

• Myron's Pick - Austin Dillon:

  • Channels Dale Earnhardt's legacy, combining experience and skill as key factors in Dillon's favor ([46:12]).

Race Logistics and Attendance:

The hosts humorously dissect confusing race-related statistics, such as passenger volumes at Daytona International Airport, highlighting the complexities of event logistics ([42:30], [43:59]).

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Listener Engagement and Interactions

Throughout the episode, Matt and Myron engage with listener messages, adding a personal touch to their discussions:

• Fan Feedback:

  • A listener praises Myron's dynamic and humor, highlighting Myron's laughing qualities and Matt's relatable persona ([15:29]).

• Dynamic Between Hosts:

  • The camaraderie and playful banter between Matt and Myron are evident as they discuss hypothetical scenarios and personal anecdotes, fostering a relatable and entertaining atmosphere ([16:04] - [19:15]).

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Closing Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Myron reflect on their favorite moments and express excitement for upcoming events, including the Daytona 500 and future NBA All-Star activities. Their genuine enthusiasm and expertise provide listeners with a comprehensive and entertaining sports recap, bridging the gap between different sports disciplines seamlessly.

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Notable Quotes

• Herm Edwards on Aaron Rodgers:
  "If I'm signing Aaron Rodgers, I'm signing Aaron Rodgers as a starter." ([01:15])

• Herm Edwards on Travis Kelce:
  "If he's not willing to commit, be committed to it in the offseason." ([01:38])

• Herm Edwards on Coaching Leadership:
  "He knew where everybody's supposed to. He would not Chad really smart. He knew protection." ([10:22])

• Matt on Mac McClung's Legacy:
  "I think he's made more from the dunk contest." ([27:26])

• Myron on Drafting:
  "Drafting doesn't have to be teammates. It can just be anybody. But yes, the car in front kind of pulls the car behind." ([41:10])

• Matt on Race Predictions:
  "I think Austin is going to be a guy that will have the right mindset if there's a break in the action, regain his composure and he wins." ([45:51])

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Conclusion

This episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron offers a rich tapestry of sports analysis, blending NFL insights, NBA All-Star Weekend reviews, and expert racing predictions. With engaging dialogues, expert guest contributions, and interactive segments, Matt and Myron deliver a compelling and informative show that caters to a diverse sports audience.

Transcript

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[Matt]

This is Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Myron]

It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. The super bowl happens. No more NFL analysts till next year, but we have to have one more. Herm. Can we call you Uncle Herm? Or is that, like, not a thing you want?

[Herm Edwards]

No, it's okay. You know, when you see the third name, to me, that's. That's part of it. I get that part.

[Myron]

I'm giving you a couple. I'm going to give you, like, three questions, and I want you to just give me a short answer. On what? On what you think of number one. Real quick. Aaron Rodgers. If you were a team, would you sign him as a backup?

[Herm Edwards]

Let me think about that. No, no, no. If I'm signing Aaron Rodgers, I'm signing Aaron Rodgers as a starter.

[Myron]

Okay, I agree with you. You can't sign him as a backup. I don't think.

[Herm Edwards]

No, no.

[Myron]

All right, Travis Kelsey, if he. If he came to you and said, herm, you're my buddy, I want your advice. Should he come back for another year.

[Herm Edwards]

If he's not willing to commit, Be committed to it on the off season? No. And you know what I would tell him? And this is how I retired. I'm getting long winded. Look at the tape. Go in the room and look at the tape. Watch yourself play and ask yourself this question. Are you playing up to the standard that you want to, and if you can't, then it's time to retire.

[Myron]

That's a good answer. And finally, Bill Belichick. Will he make a playoff at North Carolina?

[Herm Edwards]

Oh, I'm pulling for coach. He was going to win seven games, right? I'll play out.

[Myron]

Oh, no, no, no. He'd have to win in the ACC. Probably win nine. Nine of 12, maybe 10.

[Herm Edwards]

Oh. Oh, you gotta win 10.

[Myron]

Yeah, nine or 10. I mean, you went seven. Wouldn't do it. You'd have to get nine or 10.

[Herm Edwards]

Yeah.

[Matt]

No.

[Herm Edwards]

I don't know. I think it might be tough.

[Matt]

All right, Might be tough. Coach, when you look at A lopsided super bowl win for Philly, where they dominated Kansas City in every facet of the game. If you're Andy Reid, do you have to hit the reset button or is it just a tweak here and there? Like, how do you approach the off season when a team has punched you in the face the way that Philly.

[Herm Edwards]

Did Well, through free agency, obviously, you got to look at. You got to look at some offensive linemen. I think somewhere along the line, you got to ask yourself early in this game as a coach, what happened to the run game? And he had 11 runs. Yeah, 11. And the quarterback ran five times. So, you know, it was one of those games where I was watching it and kept asking myself, well, if you want to slow those four guys down, you got to run some. You got to do something. Game still in. You know, if the game's not out of reach in the first quarter, I mean, it became 707. Here's the problem. They ain't blocked them guys yet. They still ain't blocked them. Yeah, they're having nightmares. Those guys wake up at 12 o'clock at night, them offensive linemen, they start sweating over. Here they come again. They can block them guys. It wasn't a fair fight.

[Myron]

But you, you kind of saw that. I remember you said on this show, you said, if they can get to him with four guys, it's over. Did you feel like after a possession or two, it was over first quarter.

[Herm Edwards]

And the only thing that was keeping it close was the Eagles were moving the ball, but they weren't scoring. They don't score 10 points. And I went, come on, guys, get this over with. This is done. If you score, if you get out to, you know, this thing gets to 17 boys, they got a problem. Oh, it was. They're still partying in Philadelphia.

[Matt]

Coach, let me. I'll use the word my dad would use. Is Mahomes getting too cute and how he plays, like, I mean, this assumption that no one can touch him, that he's just going to find his way out of those difficult situations, which. That didn't work in the Super Bowl. I mean, how much of this off season is Mahomes having to be better if they want to get another ring?

[Herm Edwards]

Well, I think what they have to do is do this. And the fact that, look, this was a little part of the offensive line not trusting those guys. No one, that there was a weakness there, that he was going to have to move around in the pocket some extended a little bit earlier than maybe he wanted to because of the fact that, you know, this is his. This is the guy, this. He had to play this way. I think they would be more comfortable him sitting in the pocket like Jalen Hurst did, for the most part, throw it. Oh, and play from there. But he couldn't, guys. He couldn't. He was under duress most of the season, and that's what makes him so unique and so good. They thought, well, he'll. He'll bail us out again. You know, he'll run around, he'll make some plays. Not against that defense, guys. Remember, that was the number one defense in the National Football League. Everybody forgot about that. It's like, guys, these guys are really good. They're good at all three levels. They got some rookies that they started in the back end, and as the season went on, those guys got better and they got a rush and, you know, the linebackers can run and tackle. I'm like, guys, this could be ugly if you don't block them.

[Myron]

Talking to her Medwards, ESPN NFL Analyst now we're going to be switching here soon to NFL draft stuff. Now, when you, when you are. When you did this back as a college coach, but even in the NFL and you're evaluating quarterbacks coming out, there are Shadur Sanders, Cam Ward, there are other guys that have a shot at the first round, Jackson dart, et cetera. But when you're sitting there looking at tape on a quarterback, beyond just physical, like he can throw it a million yards, what are the first one or two things you're looking for from a quarterback coming out of college to determine in your mind whether he'll be successful?

[Herm Edwards]

Accuracy. And does he. And does. And are we willing. Are we willing as an organization to do some things that might not be in our system to massage a system for this guy? Is he a dual quarterback? I've had numerous. You know, Chad Pennington stayed in the pocket. He was a pocket guy. He wasn't going anywhere. But I think that you have to look at these guys now and say.

[Myron]

His kid can play. Herm, he's in Lexington. His kid can play Chads. Just so you know.

[Herm Edwards]

Is this kid athletic?

[Myron]

Yeah, he sounds like him. I mean, he's kind of like him. He's a little. Maybe a little more athletic than he was, but his kid can play.

[Herm Edwards]

It doesn't surprise me. I tell you what, Chad, I love him. He's like my. He's like my son, man.

[Myron]

He's a great coach here. Yeah, I'm just in, like, in. Because he lives in Lexington I. I don't know how much you keep up with him, but he's doing great here. But anyway, go ahead. You.

[Herm Edwards]

When you see him, tell him, call his coach.

[Myron]

I will do it. I will do it.

[Herm Edwards]

Tell him, call, Tell him to go, coach Herm. Coach Hermy. Talk to him.

[Myron]

All right, I will.

[Herm Edwards]

But no, he was. I mean, so I just think offenses are built around the quarterback. You just mentioned Sanders and Ward. Those are the two guys, I guess, coming out the. Supposedly the first rounders. They both have the ability to extend it, you know, and are you willing to do that? But I like accuracy. I like leadership. What I used to do when I was a coach with young quarterbacks, I would go stand by the huddle. I wanted to hear him command the huddle, to bring guys in. In the huddle when he had to bring them in there. In big moments, you know, in practice, I would create situations. I wanted to hear him. How he talked to the players. That was important to me.

[Matt]

Coach, you got a guy, Liam Khan, who's as. Really to me, his first, second, third task is can you restore Trevor Lawrence back to what people thought he could be when he was drafted, get him back on the right track after obviously a couple of disappointing seasons. How much of that is a physical retooling and how much of that coach is mental in terms of trying to get Trevor Lawrence back to where we think he can be?

[Herm Edwards]

I think it's more mental than anything else. And I don't know if. And I heard now, I don't know this. You guys have been keeping up with it, but is. Was Pittsburgh, like, kicking the tires with him?

[Matt]

I don't know about that.

[Myron]

There was a. There was a report on the Pittsburgh side. I don't know how much truth it was, but there was.

[Herm Edwards]

You know, if I'm him, Trevor Lawrence, maybe you need a change of scenery.

[Matt]

Really.

[Herm Edwards]

Maybe you.

[Myron]

Oh, oh, he's had a tough go of it. We forget he had to deal with Urban Meyer with him, you know, he's been beat up.

[Herm Edwards]

He's been emotionally beat up. Right? And rightly so. Some of it he brought on himself, but some of it, okay, it ain't all on him now. And some of it sometimes, you know, the change in scenery kind of like, hey, we've seen that with numerous quarterbacks in this league now, Sam Darnold.

[Matt]

I.

[Herm Edwards]

Mean, you, you, you, you go down the list, your boy down in Tampa, Maker Baker Mayfield. We've seen a change of scenery all of a sudden. Oh, that guy. Guess he ain't as bad as we thought.

[Myron]

And to be fair to Liam, to be fair to Liam, he kind of helped. That Baker Mayfield thing happened. So maybe, you know, maybe.

[Herm Edwards]

Hey, by the way, go ahead, go ahead.

[Myron]

No, I was just going to tell you. I didn't realize. I thought this was the case. You may not know this. Chad Pennington is the coach of Sarah High School in Lexington and won a state championship this year. Did you know that?

[Herm Edwards]

Oh, I did not know that.

[Myron]

Following his coaches footsteps, Myron goes and wins a state championship at his current high school. He's coaching.

[Herm Edwards]

It doesn't, it doesn't surprise me that when you said he's a good coach, that does not surprise me one bit. Because he was, he was the coach. I mean, when he got in the huddle, it was amazing, you know, the ownership he had of the huddle, how he could talk to the players. Just his whole demeanor, it reminded me a lot of Jaden. Except Jaden has a different skill set as far as command in the huddle and players respecting him. And then, I mean he knew where everybody's supposed to. I mean he would not Chad really smart. He knew protection.

[Myron]

How'd you like to have played FCS Byron against Pennington foe into Randy Moss? How would you like to have that? That would not have been fair, would it?

[Herm Edwards]

No, no, that ain't, that ain't a fair fight. That's. No, that ain't, that ain't a fair one. No, that's not fair.

[Myron]

Herman Edwards, ESPN NFL Analyst I'm sure we'll talk to you close to the draft. I hope you have a great call in summer.

[Herm Edwards]

All right, yeah, you guys call me. I get lonely, man. Call me so like we can talk about football. Football is year round, as you know.

[Myron]

All right, thank you. There you go.

[Herm Edwards]

Appreciate you guys.

[Myron]

Who'd have thought we'd have this Chad Pennington talk? Myron, they gave everybody an update on the, on the former Jet.

[Matt]

Those, those years. That was when like college football was at its peak for me, man. But like I can't imagine having to face those two at the FCS level.

[Myron]

Like now Marshall's fbs. But they used to be fcs.

[Matt]

When those guys played, that would have.

[Myron]

Been try to be a dude in what's the equivalent of Division 2 covering Randy Moss in Huntington, West Virginia. Come on, like how you gonna do that?

[Matt]

That would not have been fun, man.

[Myron]

And then also Byron Leftwich, remember from there too? Yeah. Remember the playoff where they picked him.

[Matt]

Up, picked him up and carried him? Yeah, man. Classic.

[Myron]

Mark heard had some stuff going. ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance. At Progressive, they're making things even easier. They'll help you bundle your home and car insurance together so you can save on both. Learn [e-mail] or 1-800-Progressive. The Eagles had quite a celebration. Say whatever you want about Philly. They know how to celebrate. But does the honeymoon last? They go for back to back. That's next here on espn.

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[Matt]

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[Matt]

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[Myron]

And they do good too.

[Matt]

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[Matt]

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[Myron]

Come from being in slavery and now how we having a chance to have a voice and speak out and help our young Black youth get better and better. I think it's very important. So we should definitely continue to keep celebrating it and whatever we can do as Black men and Black women to educate our young guys, guys and young girls about you know what it takes and you know what it is to be a Black person in this world.

[Matt]

Honoring Black History Month on ESPN Radio. Matt and Myron the podcast. The Philadelphia Eagles have won Super Bowl 59.

[Myron]

They have beaten the Kansas City Chiefs 40 22. It's their second Super bowl win in seven years.

[Matt]

We don't get. How about anybody else thinks we won the way we wanted to win and.

[Herm Edwards]

We'Re world champs forever.

[Matt]

We can't rewrite history, but we can make it even.

[Myron]

I'm grateful it happened that way. Means a lot. Foster.

[Matt]

Find all that work over the years, embracing everything, taking every challenge, processing them all as one. Processing them all as one.

[Myron]

Boom, boom, boom, boom. The Eagles. Do you like that, Myron? I'm showing you a little bit of.

[Matt]

I don't know yet. It was.

[Myron]

I want. I got a message. Can I read you a message that I got on the. So I have a text machine. 772-77-45254. We're fans of my KSR show in Kentucky. Can write in. But we've also given it out on here. Mike. Myron. So sometimes people write that are fans of Sunday morning.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

And I got this message on Thursday. One person writes, matt, I love you. And Myron, there's something about your all's dynamic that I find really entertaining. Myron has the best laugh in sports. And sometimes you all say something that isn't formative. I like these. Some. Like, it's not. It's not a regular thing.

[Matt]

Yeah, he said.

[Myron]

But there are two things that really make me surprised. Number one, Myron seems like the nicest guy in the world, but will fight at the drop of a hat. What's that about? And then number. And then number two. Well, and then number two, Matt, I could have sworn you were black. Myron makes it seem like you are. Why does he do that? So both of those questions, I guess, are for you. Like, do you agree you have a. You fight at the drop of a hat.

[Matt]

That's a lot in one text. I mean, that was like. I feel like that should have been four different texts. Course of the year.

[Myron]

I looked it up. Someone from. It was someone from California. We go, you want to fight?

[Matt]

I'll fight. I don't care. No, I'm not a fighter. I don't fight. I'm.

[Myron]

That was you, though, that said that. You said that.

[Matt]

Well, but what was the context? I don't. You want to fight? I'll fight. I don't care. I don't remember when I said that.

[Myron]

Somebody called in, probably talking about Milwaukee.

[Matt]

And you go, well, that's a different. Okay. So then the Wisconsin call. It's just different. I don't know how to explain it. But like, it's like when you, what someone from Wisconsin calls, there's like this idea of you gotta be more Wisconsin than the other person. And other states maybe don't have that. We do. I'm not fighting people in terms of black thing. People do text me randomly or DM me and go, like, I thought Matt was black. As if I did something wrong. Like, as if I.

[Myron]

But what is it about me that makes people think I'm black?

[Matt]

Because you're, you're, you're. You have a southern accent. So I think a lot of people, like, in the south, it is hard to. Like, if you just call a bunch of random phone numbers in the south, you could get confused. You know what I mean?

[Myron]

But no, no, not, not me. I could.

[Matt]

Maybe you couldn't. A lot of other people could. And I think the other thing is maybe the way we joke, maybe people assume that I wouldn't joke that way with a white dude. I don't know. I actually think my humor only works with a white dude. Probably.

[Myron]

Right.

[Matt]

Like it's probably gotta, gotta, you know, the dynamic works for us in a lot of ways.

[Myron]

Well, I think the, I do think the. You and I both having a non coastal quality.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

Right. We're both not New York. California.

[Matt]

Yep.

[Myron]

And the vast majority of people on espn, whether white or black, are New Yorker California people. Right. Or Philadelphia, you know, coastal.

[Matt]

There's a lot of Philly people here.

[Myron]

There's a lot. Like I would say, and I'm not being critical, but I'm being a little critical. Like 90% of the people that work at ESPN in on air talent are from one of the coasts. It's just what is or live in one of the coasts right now. So, so you and I not being from that and then, and I don't know why this happened, but we have a way, like we'll talk about anything and give each other a hard time. And I think that's how people want to be. But we actually, we do it and like real friends, we fight. And then you get mad and then like a few minutes later you're okay. And then we just roll on and move something next. Well, you get madder than me. Like I, you, you get mad sometimes. Like you get sometimes a little angry. You get a little.

[Matt]

I'll get better. I'll get madder. I get over it quick. No, no, no.

[Myron]

And I get over it quick. Yes, we both get.

[Matt]

I mean, I think.

[Myron]

And we have Mikey, who like Mikey. And with Nick's a great producer. And then Mikey's been on our show for like six or seven years.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

And Mikey thinks on, like, non sports issues the exact opposite. We do. And I think that leads us to a good dynamic as well.

[Matt]

Yeah. Mikey is that friend where everybody pauses and just says, okay, what is he about to say? Right, everybody.

[Myron]

No, Mikey, here's what Mikey is. Everybody has a friend like this, all right? Everyone has a friend that is this close to saying something that might get him taken to hr. And you're trying to protect them from happening because you like. Yeah, I'm just saying, you're like, we could. I don't want you to get in trouble. So, like, stop right there. You know? And that's kind of where.

[Matt]

And then Nick, you know, is like, he is the east coast guy who is like, what are these Midwest dudes talking about? You know what I mean? Like, for him, it's like, if it didn't happen in New York or Philly for Cardi, like, it didn't happen. You know, I think it's important.

[Myron]

Yeah, I think it's important for ESPN to remember that there's a lot more people like me and Myron out in this world than there are just on the coast. And I think this is a good show to kind of remember that. Now, speaking of the coast, though, Phillies on one of the coast. And they'll tell you about it, and they'll tell you about the fact that they won the Super Bowl. They are already chanting disrespect, Myron, because the odds to win the super bowl next year have the Ravens and the Chiefs with the same odds plus 650 as the Eagles. Do you think that's fair?

[Matt]

No. I mean, the Ravens got to be out of there. Like, we're not trusting Lamar Jackson again. And I love Lamar Jackson, what he's done, what he stood for and the journey. One of the greatest in terms of, like, you know, Bo Jackson was like this for me. When you look at someone, you're like, what's the most memorable athlete of your lifetime? Lamar Jackson's on that list. Like, I've never seen anyone do some of the things that he does on a football field, but I'll never believe in him again. I don't care how good he plays. No, I can.

[Myron]

So you mean next year if we're through the season and they're like 10.

[Matt]

And two, I won't care?

[Myron]

You're just going to be like, I don't care till the playoffs.

[Matt]

I can't. I can't invest in the idea that he's going to win.

[Myron]

But he didn't lose that game to the Bills because of him. I mean, Mark Andrews dropped the ball. If he catches it, they win.

[Matt]

He did. But he did have a few, you know, costly mistakes. But I'm not going to invest the idea of Baltimore winning anything until I see it. So you got to get the Ravens out of there. Kansas City clearly has some things they got to fix. And I think the Eagles should certainly be the favorite to win it again because, yes, they have some pieces to replace, but if Jalen hurts is this good now you have a quarterback that you can just continue to build around and be in the same spot. I mean, he's going to two Super Bowls in three years. He's won one of them against a guy that a lot of people think is the goat. The Eagles should have the best odds to win it again.

[Myron]

Now, history has told us that the loser of the super bowl falls back for a year. It's happened like eight of the last nine years. Is that going to happen to the Chiefs?

[Matt]

It could. Mahomes has to get better. And people don't want to hear that because they're going, what are you doing? You're talking about one of the greatest of all time. Yes, but he wasn't the greatest in this NFL. I mean, he was arguably the fourth or fifth best quarterback in this league this year. So I think he has to make some improvements, too because he didn't play well on the biggest stage in the NFL.

[Myron]

I think it's more about the offensive line. I mean, I agree with you. He didn't have a great run, but it's hard. You know, he got, they had a heck of a record. I mean, they were basically 17 and 2 this year. So I don't know that he needs to improve a lot, but they got to get the positions around him better. And I agree with Herm. Like, if Kelsey's going to come back, he needs to get himself probably in some better state now. Coming up next, NBA All Star game has made changes, but does it make you want to watch? That's next.

[Matt]

Hey, it's Michelle Smallman. And coming up Monday, Giants, jets and Browns, they all need quarterbacks.

[Myron]

So what's the best and worst, worst case scenario for them? My answer might surprise you.

[Matt]

It's unsportsmanlike. 6:00am Eastern right here on ESPN Radio, ESPN2 and ESPN U. Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Myron]

Get in zone.

[Matt]

Autozone.

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My check engine light's on that could hurt your gas mileage.

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This whole report for free?

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[Myron]

Both balls what is going on in San Francisco?

[Matt]

Here we go.

[Myron]

Waiting on the scores for Mac McLung.

[Matt]

50, 50, 50, all 50s.

[Myron]

First time ever in NBA All Star history.

[Matt]

We have a three peat. Matt McLung.

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I'm incredibly honored.

[Herm Edwards]

I've loved this event. I wasn't sure I was gonna do.

[Matt]

It again, but I thought, you know.

[Herm Edwards]

Always act in love. I feel like it been an action.

[Matt]

In fear if I didn't do it again.

[Myron]

I like how Matt McClung acts like he wouldn't do it again. Yeah, no offense Mac. What you got that's better.

[Matt]

Exactly.

[Myron]

Like I, I, I, I like you Mac. I like K. You know, what is it? Gate City, Virginia? I've been there, I've eaten at the diner there. All right, so I know your stomping ground. So it's all Appalachian hillbilly love. But don't act like you weren't going to do the dunk contest. What did he have to do that was going to be better than that? Myron?

[Matt]

Yeah. And you know, I could see him being somebody who's like, I don't want this to be my legacy, you know, because it is. I mean he is a guy who has been trying to get into the NBA for years. He's played in the G League, kind of bounced around. But yes, this is who you are, man. And that's okay. If I'm Matt McClung, I turn this into a halftime show. Like if I'm Matt McClung, I would just.

[Myron]

You want him to be like Red Panda.

[Matt]

Yes, I would. Just for the next. I mean, how old is Matt McClung? In his mid-20s. Maybe for the next five to seven years. That you can still do a lot of this. Go tour America, go to all the games around the country and just dunk and make that your life, man, because that's more promising.

[Myron]

I mean, look, it's. It's nice in life to be known for something rather than nothing. I mean, if I were to say to you, Cedric Sabalos, what are you gonna say? You're gonna say dunk. If I were to say to you. If I were to say to you, D. Brown, what are you gonna say? Pumped up his shoes and he dunked. Right. So, like, it's nice to have something to me. So Mac McClung, you like. Like, roll with it and. But the idea that he. They interview, you know, invited him, he was like, ah, I don't know, man. He's gonna be there as many times as they ask, and he should be. There's no reason for him to act like he doesn't need to play hard to get.

[Matt]

Yeah. What. What else are you gonna do that weekend? Yeah, I mean, like, that is just what you do now. But I can't understand how. And you know, it's not fair. He hasn't made a ton of money off basketball. I think he's made more from the dunk contest.

[Myron]

He gets. He got 125,000 for winning the dunk contest last night. So he's made, I think, three, 40 total.

[Matt]

So that. I think that is three times more than he's made in the NBA or that's all the.

[Myron]

But all the more reason to do.

[Matt]

Yes.

[Myron]

Right.

[Matt]

Yeah. So, I mean, like.

[Myron]

And the thing is, you're. He's like, in 30 years, they'll bring back the dunk contest legends for, like. And then he'll get to go. Like, it's a good chance to kind of hold. Always have something to do.

[Matt]

But I wish, you know, I hope there's a team around him to find some way to monetize this. And I don't know what that is. Is that a shoe? Is that him taking this on the road? I don't know what it is, but there has to be a way for him to capitalize on this moment, because this is the moment.

[Myron]

Yeah. So his career earnings were. Have been 132,000 playing basketball. 310,000 in the dunk contest.

[Matt]

Yeah. Yeah, buddy. You don't. That's what you do.

[Myron]

That's what you do. It's all right. All right, so here's what I want you to do, man. We're gonna play a game called Grade the Events.

[Matt]

Okay?

[Myron]

All right. For the events up until tonight, I want you to give me the grade for what you think this is as an event, just as a format. And then I want you to give a pre preview grade for the event tonight. Let's start with the Celebrity Game. What's your grade on NBA All Star Weekend for the Celebrity Game.

[Matt]

See, you know, I mean, what I'm realizing is that celebrities to me are not celebrities to this generation, and vice versa. You know what I mean? Like, their celebrities are, like YouTube guys and TikTokers. So I don't know. The combination of that just doesn't. It used to be, like, Justin Timberlake, and now it's like, this dude has 30 million subscribers that watch him play video games. You know his name? Like, I don't know those dudes.

[Myron]

I'm a D. I've always been a D. First of all, they don't. They don't really get good celebrities.

[Matt]

Yes.

[Myron]

Right. Like, it's like they used to. Even if it's heyday, though, it was like Dan Cortez and the Secretary of Education. Like, there is a sense in which. Remember that one year, the secretary of education just bawled during the game?

[Matt]

Yes.

[Myron]

Dude with the gray hair. Do you remember that?

[Matt]

Yes. Yeah, like, bad. Like, that was better, though. It was, like, more recognizable, and there were some guys that really took it seriously. I don't know if that's the case.

[Myron]

Yeah, I don't like it. So I'm going D. What about the Rising Stars event with all the young guys? Were you always fun?

[Matt]

Yeah, it was fun. I'll give that a B plus. B plus.

[Myron]

That was fun.

[Matt]

And then obviously having something on the line now that they get to play in the All Star Game. So, like, almost. That was, like, the first four. I. I enjoyed it.

[Myron]

I'm gonna give it a B. I actually thought they tried really hard.

[Matt]

Yep.

[Myron]

You know, the level of play is so.

[Matt]

So.

[Myron]

But. But, like, I. I liked it, and it's nice to see these guys who might be stars. You got to see a lot of guys who've been in college in recent years, so I'm. I'll give it a B.

[Matt]

All right.

[Myron]

What about the skills challenge?

[Matt]

Is there something lower than F? I mean, I thought the way that Chris Paul and Wimby tried to, like, beat the rules and got disqualified, Only Chris Paul would be on a team that got Disqualified from a skills challenge and then for Wimby to take the blame. Like, come on, man, that wasn't Wimby's idea. It was Chris Paul's.

[Myron]

Yeah, I'm not an F, but I'm a C minus on the skills challenge. It's like I feel like I'm going through a mic and drill or something when I watch it and it's just not. Not my thing. Three point contest. What do you think of it?

[Matt]

I'll give that a B. I mean, you know, Tyler Hero put up big numbers. Buddy Hill had one of the greatest rounds we've ever seen. I think he got 31, which I think it tied Steph Curry's high. Kind of cooled off a little bit, but that was fun.

[Myron]

Yeah, I'm going a minus. I'm a big, I'm a big three point contest guy. I mean, I. Even the bad ones are still entertaining to me and it still feels like an event that the top players want to play in sometimes. And I, And I enjoy that. You'll see guys who are good be in it. You know, Carl Towns won it one year. That was kind of random and cool. And Tyler Hero wins it this year. So I enjoy the three point contest. Dunk contest, not so much this year, but just as an event. Where are you on the dunk contest now?

[Matt]

I think it's a C overall. I mean, you know, Matt McClung is an A and I thought Stephen Castle actually has some big dunks too in the final. But if you're not going to get guys who are the best of the best who are willing to get into it, I mean, what Andre Jackson did not, you know, I'm a Milwaukee dude. But you can't be doing dunks that you just thought of on the Uber ride to the arena. You know, let me.

[Myron]

That's my point. I'm going to give it like a C plus because there's too much awkwardness.

[Matt]

Yes.

[Myron]

I don't like when like, you know, it's like if you go see stand up and somebody bombs. Yeah, some people really enjoy that. I find it awkward. It hurts my heart to watch somebody bomb. And watching that, for every good Mac McClung, there's a guy who does something and he wants a good reaction and everyone just looks at him and it makes me sad. So that's why I'm going lower than you are. All right, so 8, 8, 8. Say ESPN. By the way, do you feel good about what's going to happen tonight? Will it be interesting?

[Matt]

It'll be Interesting. And again, I think the rising stars will show up. I just hope the NBA All Stars do as well.

[Myron]

Well, you could tune in to college basketball. Well, no, tune in tonight for the 2025 NBA All Star Game. Live from San Francisco, presented by. Indeed. Coverage begins at 7 Eastern on most ESPN radio stations. There's another big event. That's right, the Daytona 500. Once a year we get to talk car racing on this show. And Ryan McGee is going to join us.

[Matt]

I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, hey, find a keto friendly restaurant nearby and text it to Beth and Steve. And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more.

[Myron]

Squats anywhere I can.

[Matt]

1, 2, 3.

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Will that be cash or credit?

[Myron]

Credit.

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[Myron]

So you can do.

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[Myron]

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[Myron]

Check responses for accuracy.

[Matt]

This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate First. Like you know to check the date of the big game first before you accidentally buy tickets on your 20th wedding anniversary and have to spend the next.

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[Matt]

Yeah, checking first is smart.

[Myron]

So check Allstate first for a quote.

[Matt]

That could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate Savings. Vary terms apply. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.

[Myron]

That's next here on Sunday morning, the.

[Matt]

74Th NBA All Star Game on ESPN Radio. It's an all new format.

[Myron]

Three all star teams of eight players.

[Matt]

Each along with the winner of the.

[Myron]

Rising stars game battling it out for All Star Game supremacy.

[Matt]

Coverage begins tonight at 7 Eastern on ESPN radio and on the ESPN app. Presented by indeed Matt and Myron. The podcast. Yeah.

[Myron]

So you like that little Waylon Jennings?

[Matt]

Myron, is that Waylon?

[Myron]

That's Waylon. Which of the do you know the old country singers like Johnny, Willie, Merle, Waylon. Randy's a little after that. I'm talking about like the. The core. Johnny will let me do it. You're telling that you're getting guys in the 80s? I'm talking 60s.

[Matt]

Okay, 70s.

[Myron]

Johnny, Willie, Waylon, Merle Christofferson. Hank, like, do you like that girl?

[Matt]

Hold on, wait. Kristofferson. Who's that?

[Myron]

Kris Kristofferson. He just died a couple months ago. One of like the most renaissance men of our time. You don't know who that is.

[Matt]

No, no. And the name doesn't sound as country as he wrote.

[Myron]

He wrote Sunday Morning Coming Down. He wrote me and Bobby McGee. You don't know Chris.

[Matt]

I know me and Bobby. Me and Bobby McGee. And I'm a Johnny Cash guy. I like Johnny Cash. Randy Travis isn't in that.

[Myron]

He's later. He's like, 80s. That's. That's. That's George Stray.

[Matt]

That's a different gen. All my exes live in Texas. Yep.

[Myron]

You say that. It's like, the only song you know. Ryan McGee is here, the host of Marty and McGee. He is at the Daytona 500, where service is a little spotty, we hear, but he's there. Ryan, now, are you excited about the Great American Race?

[Herm Edwards]

I am, and I'm proud to say not completely the fanboy that I. I'm.

[Myron]

Worried we're going to lose it here, which is unfortunate.

[Matt]

Yeah. I don't know that we have them.

[Myron]

Yeah, I don't know that's going to work. Ryan, it was great having you, but. Yeah, maybe we can figure out. Let me know if we get him with better service, because Ryan knows the Daytona 500 better than anybody. And, you know, it is the great American race. Are you. Are you excited about watching it at all, Myron?

[Matt]

Yeah, I mean, you know, Chase Briscoe, pole sitter, you know, fastest qualifying time. I think that to me.

[Myron]

Wait a minute. How did you. How do you know? How do you know? Did you look that up?

[Matt]

I'm. Part of our show is getting ready for the Daytona 500. So, I mean, I said Chase Briscoe.

[Myron]

Yeah.

[Matt]

I think me and a guy, pole sitter, fastest qualifying time. I think a lot of people are looking forward to that, to seeing what he.

[Myron]

All right, so let's play that. Let's play a game here. Let's play a game of the guys starting in the top. All right, we got Ryan again. Ryan, you there? You there? Here we go. All right, now we got him. All right, Ryan, you're there.

[Herm Edwards]

Yeah.

[Myron]

Third time's a charm. All right, we got it.

[Herm Edwards]

Yeah. What I'm saying was that I just. Right before you guys caught. I was interviewing Captain America.

[Matt]

All right, never mind.

[Myron]

All right. I love you, Ryan, but we're just not gonna be able to do it. That's okay. That tells you how many people are excited about the race. All right, so let me go through here. Let's do. I'm going to give you the top 10. You tell me, before today, had you heard this person's name? Are you Ready? Myron Chase Briscoe.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

You had hurt. Okay. Austin Cindric.

[Matt]

Yeah. Ford number two car, been running.

[Myron]

Well, Bubba Wallace, you'd heard of. Had you heard of erik Jones, the.

[Matt]

43 car for Toyota? Yep.

[Myron]

No, wait a minute. You can't just. Look, I meant had you heard of it before today? You did not know that?

[Matt]

Eric Jones, 43 car, Toyota.

[Myron]

Who else drove the 43 car in history?

[Matt]

I. I don't know. I know he drove. I know he drives.

[Myron]

Well, there was a guy named Richard Petty as well. William Byron.

[Matt]

Chevy guy, right?

[Myron]

Yeah. What. What number he's running?

[Matt]

The 20. Might be right.

[Myron]

24. Close 24. Chris Buescher.

[Matt]

So another foreign guy, right?

[Myron]

You've never heard of Chris. You're looking this up. There is no way you knew who Chris Buescher was.

[Matt]

What do you want, man? So I'm always confused. I'm asking you.

[Myron]

I just know that you know who.

[Matt]

Hold on a second. When we talk about these things every year, you're always like, you're never prepared. Like, you never know what people are talking about. You ask me questions, I don't know what's going on. You name these random guys, and then I just do my research. Okay, you don't know who these guys.

[Myron]

All right, well, let me ask you then. Okay, let's see, you made. Okay, let me give you a couple people I've never heard of.

[Matt]

Okay.

[Myron]

You ever heard of Shane Van Gearsbergen?

[Matt]

Shane Van Gearsbergen? Oh, that's a new one for me.

[Myron]

Yeah, me too. He's driving the 88 car. What about Riley Herbst?

[Matt]

That's another Toyota guy, isn't it?

[Myron]

I don't know. I don't. I've never heard of him.

[Matt]

I think he runs 35 car for Toyota.

[Myron]

All right, what about Cole Custer? Straight out of the what now?

[Matt]

That's like, what else do you do about race?

[Myron]

What was it? Cole Custer's got to be the Days of Thunder movie. Wasn't that the name of the driver? And wasn't that Tom.

[Matt]

I've never heard of Cole Custard. That's. That's a racing movie right there.

[Myron]

Sounds like some ice cream. And then I think the interesting story. Let me give you the back three cars.

[Matt]

Okay.

[Myron]

Martin Truex Jr, former Daytona 500. Jimmy Johnson, former Daytona 500 champion. And then starting in 41st at the back end, Castro Nevis. Nevis, former Indy car and Dancing with the Stars champion. What do you think about Halo getting his NASCAR ride?

[Matt]

Legend, man, it's gonna be a heck of a race, man. Those are the three back cars. That's. Those are the swell, slowest qualifying times. Right. That's why they end up in those positions.

[Myron]

Yeah, and they're. They're all three, like driving just this race and then stopping.

[Matt]

So they don't like celebrity appearances. Right.

[Myron]

It's cold trickle from days of thunder.

[Matt]

Cold trickle.

[Myron]

Different than Cole Custer. Brothers.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

Okay. Brothers. All right, so. So here's the thing. I'm going to try to sell the, the listener on why you should care about the Daytona 500. The Daytona 500 is the only race, well, this in Talladega where you can, like anybody can win. The fastest car doesn't always win, Myron, because there's drafting. Do you know how to describe to people what drafting is?

[Matt]

Yeah, drafting is when two teammates kind of are in tandem and the car behind is using essentially the gravitational force of the car in front of them to get a boost and to get an edge in the race.

[Myron]

Yeah, close. It doesn't have to be teammates. It can just be anybody. But yes, the car in front kind of pulls the car behind. And you can also side draft. But because of that, Myron, even if you don't have the fastest car, if you're good at the drafting, you can pass the other car. So we sometimes in the Daytona 500 get really random winners. Guys who never win otherwise have a chance in this race. So it makes it very exciting. Anyone, Myron, at any given point can win the race.

[Matt]

Yeah, and I think the other thing with a challenge like today is 70, 70% chance of rain, you know, midway through the race. So what does that do? If you got to stop the race and they got to restart it and somebody loses momentum, I mean, that's going to be something to watch as well.

[Myron]

So I have a question. One of our producers, Nick, just wrote. This is the sentence he wrote on my screen. As the 2025 Daytona 500 NASCAR series starts, over 150,000 people will be in attendance, many arriving by air. What does that mean? Mini arrival?

[Matt]

I don't know what that means either, Nick.

[Myron]

What does that mean? Like they're gonna parachute?

[Matt]

Does he think. Does he think there's a Runway in the middle of the traffic?

[Myron]

So I got it.

[Matt]

No, hold on.

[Myron]

So I got it from a travel.

[Matt]

Website because I just wanted to know how many people would be there.

[Myron]

And I don't know why it gave me that part, but it is one.

[Matt]

Of the most traveled to events. So that's what It's. By the U.S. transportation Security Administration but that makes it sound like there's a landing strip in the. In the.

[Myron]

No, it makes it sound like, to me that people parachute into their seats, many arriving by air.

[Matt]

Now, I would watch that. You told me that people had to get to their seats via parachute and people just crashing into their seats. About 2,000 people by day are arriving for the race. How many? 2,000 since the 18th or 7.

[Myron]

What's today's date?

[Matt]

2,000 today. Is that like a crazy number out of 150,000?

[Myron]

Yeah. Hang on just a second. I want to know if you read these. You're saying 2,000 people are arriving on the 17th. The race is.

[Matt]

No, no. Okay, I see it. The average daily passenger volume at Daytona International airport is around 1500 per day for the race. What is that?

[Myron]

There's 150. I don't know if they're writing it.

[Matt]

Must be a lot sometimes. I'm going to teach you a lesson, Cardi. Sometimes you just got to tell people when you made stuff. Right? I'm looking. I'll share my screen right now for people to digest, because, you know, then you're just like, you know what? And I didn't know what I was really talking about.

[Myron]

All right, let me read this. It says that the average daily passenger volume at the airport is a thousand passengers a day. It'll grow to 2,200 on February 17th. But that's the day after the race. That's when they're flying.

[Matt]

Wait, wait. Why are people. Wait, so, like, people are coming in, like, a month in advance. Like, what does this mean?

[Myron]

I think that's the most meaningless stat.

[Matt]

Yeah. I don't know what it.

[Myron]

Took it from the airport website and then brought it on here.

[Matt]

Well, does that even mean.

[Myron]

I think everybody should tune in?

[Matt]

Thousand passengers is like. How many flights is that? 5. I know what it means, but I'm not gonna say.

[Myron]

What does it mean? Yeah, I know.

[Matt]

It's one of those HR things.

[Myron]

Whoa.

[Matt]

What are you. What do you mean?

[Myron]

You can't volunteer the information yourself to.

[Matt]

Say who's flying in?

[Myron]

Well, either way, who is your pick for the Daytona 500 today? Myron, since we've given such a good preview, who do you have winning today at Daytona?

[Matt]

I'm just curious what just happened because I'm still confused by, like, the travel, and then.

[Myron]

Well, until we figure it out, just what are your twitcher pick?

[Matt]

Briscoe's a fancy pick, right? A lot of people gonna pick Briscoe. Polt. But I think Austin Central wins it. Austin Center Wins. I mean that Toyota car has been running well and I think again, you got to think about the momentum of this race and how it could change if there's a weather delay, which I think there will be. Who's the most focused driver going into a moment like that. And I think you could certainly make the case that a guy like Austin, you know, who's a younger Guy Born in 1998, 26 years old, who's been a champion at a lot of lower levels, here he comes to do his moment, but he also doesn't feel the pressure that so many other guys have felt. So being part of Team Penske, I think Austin is going to be a guy that will have the right mindset if there's a break in the action, regain his composure and he wins.

[Myron]

So you're picking Austin, Cedric, if there's a rain delay halfway through?

[Matt]

No, I think he'll be the most focused guy because he's a young guy who doesn't maybe feel the pressure that some of the other guys feel.

[Myron]

Yeah, the rain doesn't bother me.

[Matt]

He'll be ready to go. This is his moment.

[Myron]

I'm gonna take after that Freeview. I'm gonna take another Austin also shout.

[Matt]

Out to the Skip Barber Racing School that he went to, but go ahead.

[Myron]

Yep, you big fan of the Skip Barber Racing School.

[Matt]

A lot of talent come out of there.

[Myron]

Lot of talent. I'm gonna take Austin Dillon in the three car channeling Dale Earnhardt, who did not go to the Skip Barber Racing School. Skip Barber Racing School. Coming up next, is the NBA boring? Well, ask Skip.

[Matt]

Hey, it's Michelle Smallman. And coming up Monday, Giants, jets and Browns, they all need quarterbacks, so what's.

[Myron]

The best and worst case scenario for them? My answer might surprise you.

[Matt]

It's unsportsmanlike. 6am Eastern right here on ESPN radio, ESPN2 and ESPNU. 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.

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