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

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.

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]).

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]).

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]).

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]).

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.

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])

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.