
Hour 2: The Anthony Richardson dilemma
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Matt Jones
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Matt Jones
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Herm Edwards
The time is here. The time is now. Hour number two, Cat had a kickoff on ESPN Radio. We welcome all the folks listening. Presented by Progressive Insurance. Maybe you're listening on the podcast. The new Sunday Mornings with Matt Myron podcast joined by Herm Edwards. Herm, Last week the Sunday morning new Sunday Morning with Matt Myron podcast debuted at number four on the sports podcast charts.
Myron Metcalf
Congratulations.
Herm Edwards
Myron said he was the most popular black male podcaster in America. Do you believe that? I was.
Matt Jones
For a stretch, I was.
Herm Edwards
I believe.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, you guys show. You guys, you know, must listen to if now, now here again. You know, I always tell people, some, some people are made for radio and some people are made for tv.
Herm Edwards
So I'll leave it. You don't even know her.
Matt Jones
What I look like.
Herm Edwards
I don't even want to hear it. I never even heard.
Matt Jones
You think. No, I'm just saying. Do you think they'll put me in the history books? You think that, you think people will remember this moment?
Myron Metcalf
You, you, you made a little history. Middle radio history. That's good.
Herm Edwards
Okay. I did like the car a minute ago. Herm. That said, if you Google Meyer Metcalf, it comes back. Why?
Matt Jones
See, that's unfair. That's not real. That's not real.
Herm Edwards
All right, Herm.
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
Herm Edwards
My Bears last week lost in the most heartbreaking way you could look. First of all, if you were the coach of that team.
Myron Metcalf
Yes, sir.
Herm Edwards
What do you say in the locker room and then how do you get them ready to go play a winnable game this week at Arizona?
Myron Metcalf
That's a winnable game. It's a tough game, too. Don't, don't count the Cardinals out. They're sneaky now. They actually have two division wins. But about the Bears, if you're the coach, you got to address the team this way as I let you down as a head coach.
Herm Edwards
Okay.
Myron Metcalf
There were some situations in that game that I've got to manage it better and do a better job for you guys. And.
Herm Edwards
But how do you deal with the dude that was up taunting the crowd made the play.
Myron Metcalf
Let me, let, okay, let me finish. Let me finish. First of all was the fact that we're down in the red zone. And you know, and I know I had this play in, but it's a tight game. I'm not letting offensive lineman run the ball and fumble it. The next one is before the Hail Mary. I'm not letting them have a 15 yard pass and nobody detests it. And the guy steps out of bounds and with. With time left. And then I'm not rushing three and spying with one guy to let him throw a pass down the field, right? And then obviously, Stevenson, obviously, he's a guy that. And I said, he, you know, he's gonna, he's gonna. For his lack of awareness. I always tell players, look, I'm not gonna fine you. I don't want to find you. I'm gonna find you, minimum, because I don't want to take your money away from your family. But what I'm gonna do to you is this. No recess for you this week. So, you see, recesses is a wonderful thing when you don't allow him to play. See, I learned that in kindergarten. I was one of those rambunctious kids that ran around, made a lot of noise, and the teacher could never calm me down. So one day she says, you know what? Come here. I want you to put your nose on the window and look outside. And she says, you sit here. And the class went outside, had recess, and I had my nose. And I'm looking at all the kids playing, and I'm going, you put your nose.
Herm Edwards
She made you put your nose.
Myron Metcalf
Put my nose on the window to look outside.
Herm Edwards
That's not okay.
Myron Metcalf
And then I went, oh, no. And I'm like, I get no recess. That she's not letting me play in the playground. That's what you got to do to players. They get that part. You don't let them play. They say, hey, man, you're going to sit over here by me. You watching the game.
Herm Edwards
So, Byron, if we see Tyreek Stevenson watching the game today with his nose on the window, we'll know why that happened.
Myron Metcalf
I'll tell you what, he wouldn't even have a helmet on. He'd be sitting right by me.
Matt Jones
I think a lot of people agree with that. I think a lot of people agree with that. Agree with that. Coach, there are two conversations happening right now around Anthony Richardson.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, yeah.
Matt Jones
There are the people who are saying, listen, even though you're in the NFL, you get to be tired and exhausted, and you get to have a moment where you just need a break. There are other people saying he let his team down, and at that position, you are not allowed to do what he did. Where do you stand on that.
Myron Metcalf
Well, in any position in the National Football League or football player, as an athlete, you don't get to tap out. That ain't part of the deal. You don't tap out. Now, what I'd have told him is this. He's young. He is your quarterback of the future. He's a little bit immature. I'd have told him this. When you're tired like that, if that hits you, okay, no one knows. Only you know how your body feels. You go down. You just go down. Just go on the ground and grab your hamstring or your calf and, you know, we'll run runner trainers out there and we'll say, hey, cramped up. You got a hamstring, I give you a timeout. But you can't tap. You can. Don't even. You. We don't even have a signal where you're going to tap your helmet because you can't tap out. That ain't part of the deal. It ain't never been part of the deal. Not only the quarterback position, any position, you cannot tap out, that ain't that you. That.
Herm Edwards
That.
Myron Metcalf
That's not part of it. And that's. It's a teaching moment. And I think going forward, this game, Joe Flacco is a starter. What I would do, even though Joe's a starter, I would give him 10 to 15 plays in this game. Richardson, I would design some things for him. Third down, red zone situation where we could use his legs to keep the team off balanced, right? That defense, because they're worried about this guy when he comes in the game.
Matt Jones
But you. He can't lead again, though, right, Coach? I mean, he's. He's done as a leader in Indianapolis.
Myron Metcalf
No, no, no, no, no. I wouldn't say that. I. I would say lesson learned, let learn. You got guys. He's a young guy, man. I mean, if you. I'm just saying that just now, you don't want to do that now. You don't get your emotions in the way. Now.
Herm Edwards
He's. I say this with respect because I'm sure he's a good guy, but he's never going to be a player in the NFL, Coach. I mean, he wasn't even good in college. Like, on some level, what is it that people. I know he's a great athlete, but how many chances does a guy get?
Myron Metcalf
Well, Coach, how long you been in the league?
Herm Edwards
Yeah, but he wasn't even good in college. Like what?
Myron Metcalf
Didn't play a lot in college.
Herm Edwards
I mean, I know.
Myron Metcalf
How many games has he played entire in football so far, not only.
Herm Edwards
I'm with you, they drafted.
Myron Metcalf
They drafted an athlete that they think they can mold and build. Well, let's let it. Let's. Come on. We don't want to give up on the guy this fast, do we?
Herm Edwards
I feel like when you take a guy out, though, in their second year.
Myron Metcalf
Coach, they took him out because of. Because he tapped out. That's the only reason they took him.
Herm Edwards
You. Oh, you think if he doesn't do that, he's starting today.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, well, you know, now, here, Joe Flacco. Joe Flacco, he. He resurrects your team every time he goes somewhere. So, I mean, I get it. I mean, if Joe wins this game and he keeps winning, then. Then coach gonna have to make a decision. But Joe Flacco's not your future.
Matt Jones
We know that, but would you have played him again? Like, to me, today, he comes out and you're coaching because we know. We saw you coach, you know, when. When you were head coach at moments like that.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
What would you have done? If your quarterback goes to the podium and says, I tapped out because I was tired and that's what happened.
Myron Metcalf
That never would have happened, but let's.
Matt Jones
Say it does, though.
Myron Metcalf
No, no, it ain't gonna happen. I'm gonna tell you why. I'm gonna tell you why it ain't gonna happen for me. Because here's what. Here's what transpires after the game, guys, for me with the quarterback. When that game ends. If you've ever seen me as a head coach, I'm walking with my quarterback into the locker room, and I'm telling him, or he's telling me whatever he needs to tell me, and I'm telling him, this is what I'm going to say so we can. He doesn't have to. He doesn't have to quote me verbatim, but he understands the direction I'm going in. Win, lose or draw. He knows how I'm going to deal with the media. Because we got to be on the same page, because that is the spokesman of the team in the locker room as a quarterback. And I got to tell him, hey, man, you tapped out and you got it. You got to apologize for that. Right? And then there will be consequences, but we won't get into that. You ain't got to tell them anything. But you got to say, I was wrong, I was tired, and I shouldn't have done that. Then it's done. It doesn't become a story. See, you got to squash the story, man. Before it starts, man, you know they.
Herm Edwards
Weren'T able to do that.
Myron Metcalf
You just got to be smart, man. You always got to talk to the quarterback.
Herm Edwards
A couple updates for the Cowboys. Trayvon Diggs is active. Micah Parsons inactive today for the Cowboys and the Falcons. Those are both just announced. Let me give you three teams, Coach, that have a losing record that certainly, when the season started, thought they were making the playoffs. And you tell me if you think any of these can bounce back and make them. Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys, all three thought they were playoff teams. All three are under 500. Can any of them bounce back to get to the playoffs?
Myron Metcalf
Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys, Cowboys. Cowboys got no run game, guys. They got no. They got no runner. That's going to kill them at the end. Right? They got no runner. And Dak Prescott doesn't. He doesn't run. How do they have a run game? They don't. Right? They don't. That's what I said earlier. Why didn't you get Derrick Henry? But that's another subject. Cincinnati, their runner left, too, and they're leaving it all up to the quarterback. I still. They're three and five. Yeah. Yeah.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
That's eight games. What? They got nine games.
Herm Edwards
Nine games left. Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
They're probably done. They're probably done.
Herm Edwards
They play the Raiders, the Ravens, the Chargers, the Steelers, the Cowboys. They have a hard.
Myron Metcalf
They're done because. No, they can't because Baltimore and Pittsburgh were probably going to get in. And the other one was Miami.
Herm Edwards
Yes.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, they're going to lose to the Bills because they can't beat the Bills. Okay, so now they're. They'll be 2 and 6 and they'll be tied with the jets and the New England Patriots. Hey, I think if the jets play like they did and continue to play that way, do the jets have a chance? They got a better chance in Miami.
Herm Edwards
I think all three of those are out.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I think. I mean, they need help. You know, they need help. They need. This is what. This is the problem they got. They. They're hoping other teams lose, but remember something, they got to win first.
Herm Edwards
Yeah. That's the problem. They have Byron. We'll do one more before we get out her.
Matt Jones
Why are we allowed to say that Patrick Mahomes isn't as good as he's been in past years, that they're not winning because of him as much as that defense is kind of keeping that team alive in these games?
Myron Metcalf
Well, I say this. You know, he's having an off year because of the numbers that he's put up and what we expect out of the guy. But seven and oh, seven and oh, and I keep saying, okay, well, he ain't going to play 16 games like this or 17 games like this.
Herm Edwards
Well, let's put it like this for both of you guys. Myron Herm, you get the ball at the 25 yard line, two minutes to go. You need a touchdown or a field goal. Who would you rather have as a quarterback tomorrow?
Myron Metcalf
Oh, I'm going to take. Well, yeah, there's two guys. Two guys. There's two now.
Matt Jones
He's the, he's the guy.
Myron Metcalf
Well, he's the guy.
Matt Jones
He's number two.
Herm Edwards
Josh Allen.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Herm Edwards
Okay, so. But my point is for however critical people are still though you'd still rather have him than anybody else.
Myron Metcalf
Sure. And people, because you want this guy. Look, every once in a while you have one of them off years. But that's why they call it a football team. They call it team guys. That's why it's a football.
Matt Jones
I just don't see him beating NFL history if he's playing like this as good as.
Myron Metcalf
Well, you talking about winning another Super Bowl?
Herm Edwards
Yeah.
Matt Jones
I mean, that Patriots team was better than this one. Right. That Patriots team that goes 17 and up and runs through the playoffs and they lose in super bowl was better than this group. Right. So I just don't see they were discontinuing even if it does.
Herm Edwards
But Brady won Super Bowls in his off years. There was a year he won a Super bowl where he wasn't at his best. Hermit defense is awesome.
Myron Metcalf
The defense is really good. They're, they're, they're ranked top five defense, they're really good.
Matt Jones
But hall of Fame quarterbacks win Super Bowls so.
Myron Metcalf
Well. They do.
Matt Jones
They got to do it.
Myron Metcalf
They do. They.
Herm Edwards
He is a Hall of Fame quarterback.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, he is one.
Matt Jones
I mean, they have to lead it. They have to lead the way is what I'm saying. Well, and he hasn't been the leader he was in past years. That's all.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, you know, but I mean. Okay, let me ask you guys this question since we're talking about quarterbacks. Okay. Right now, who's the top four quarterbacks?
Herm Edwards
Three are easy. Patrick Mahomes, Allen and Lamar. But the fourth could go a lot of ways, in my opinion.
Myron Metcalf
But see, you still said Patrick Mahomes even though his numbers are high.
Herm Edwards
Of course he's number one to me. I don't know.
Matt Jones
His body of work puts him in that, in that conversation. Your boy might be. I mean, he's just hard. If it weren't about years, Jaden Daniels would be in that conversation. Honestly, if it's just based on what.
Herm Edwards
We'Ve seen so far, the Bears won that game. Except they didn't. Herm, thank you very much for your time and we appreciate it.
Myron Metcalf
Appreciate you both. Thank you.
Herm Edwards
Hit us up on the Dr. Pepper. Call in line. Countdown to kickoff nations 888, 729 3776. JP and Jeff, I'm coming to you right after the break. This is Countdown to Kickoff. Hey, I'm Ryan Reynolds. At Mint Mobile, we like to do.
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That's right.
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Matt Jones
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Myron Metcalf
Welcome to AutoZone.
Herm Edwards
What are you working on today?
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Matt and Myron, the podcast.
Herm Edwards
It is countdown to kickoff here on ESPN Radio. We got a football doubleheader today. Bills and the dol Dolphins. Little AFC east battle followed by Bears and the Cardinals. Coverage begins at noon eastern on select ESPN radio stations. We've had some people holding and I, you know, I like talking to people. It gets my worked up. So let's try Jeff in Wisconsin. Jeff, you're not from Milwaukee, are you?
Ryan Reynolds
No, no, Matt. Myron, love the show. I'm from just outside of Milwaukee and I, I sympathize with Myron. I, I love being from just outside of Milwaukee. It's a great city. And so Myron, you do you, you're doing a good job, buddy.
Matt Jones
I appreciate.
Ryan Reynolds
Second off. Second off. I really wish the packers would sit. Love this week.
Herm Edwards
Oh, interesting.
Ryan Reynolds
Do a bye week. You only got to sit them one week. Yeah, it's a big game. But Jordan Loves proved he can win on the road in the playoffs. I just, I don't. Risk versus reward.
Herm Edwards
But aren't you worried if you lose this game, I'm going to pull up your schedule. First of all, you'll be two games behind the Lions and they'll have the tiebreaker. Then when you come back from by, excuse me, you'll play the bears, the 49ers, the dolphins, the Lions, the Seahawks. That's a pretty tough road. I mean, I feel like if you lose today, your chances of winning the division kind of go away, don't they?
Ryan Reynolds
I agree, Matt. And I'll tell you this in response. Yeah. If we lose today, it's going to make it a lot tougher for the packers to, well, win the division. I think they'll make the playoffs. But if you lose Jordan Love for the, for the season or for an extended amount of time, you've lost a lot more than just the game. Malik Willis is. He's proven that he can, he can hold his own and win some games. He's done that.
Herm Edwards
That's a fair point. Yeah, I appreciate it. That's a fair point, Myron. I mean, you lose Jordan Love, you're not going anywhere at the end of the year.
Matt Jones
Yeah, no, I mean, I think certainly Malik Willis, what he was able to do when Jordan Love got hurt early in the season is a factor in all this. But I also don't think like I trust the organization. They're not putting him out there if he's going to risk long term injury. I think the groin injury maybe look worse than it really was. I also think, man, you're not going to tell a 55 million dollar quarterback that he can't go and fight the best. You know what I mean? If this were a different opponent, maybe it's a different conversation. You know, if they're playing a team that doesn't maybe present much of a threat, a team that's sort of in the bottom of the standings, maybe Jordan Love is thinking, all right, let me maybe sit down for this. But playing the Lions, a team that you may have to go through, not even just in the division, potentially in the NFC championship to get to a Super bowl, you're going to show up for that game, but also trust the packers that they wouldn't put him out there unless they thought he was ready to go and he was not risking major injury by playing.
Herm Edwards
J.P. is in Atlanta. How are you, J.P. man, I'm doing great, man. Myron, I got your back Man, I just googled you.
Ryan Reynolds
I got the latest update and it.
Herm Edwards
Said that you are the number one black podcaster for half a week.
Matt Jones
That's what I got. Let me tell you something, Half a week's good, though.
Herm Edwards
I mean, think about jp. A lot of people don't even get half a week.
Matt Jones
He got half a week. I tell you what, I'm one week away from a BET documentary. I'm telling you, I'm getting there. Get ready, Matt, get ready. They're going to call you to appear on it, man. Oh, I appear on your documentary?
Herm Edwards
Okay.
Matt Jones
Go ahead.
Myron Metcalf
Hey, you know, I wanted to talk about this.
Herm Edwards
Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboy.
Ryan Reynolds
You guys keep running this promo about Emmett Smith.
Herm Edwards
It reminds me of that saying where there's like, you know, if a tree.
Ryan Reynolds
Falls in the forest, does it make a sound? If Emmett doesn't play in this game, does anyone notice?
Matt Jones
I mean, it's like Emmitt hasn't been.
Ryan Reynolds
I mean, not Emmett, but Zeke. I'm sorry, I don't even know.
Matt Jones
Oh, yeah, I was like, wait, what decade are you in, man?
Herm Edwards
I don't think Emmett's gonna play today.
Ryan Reynolds
It might as well be Emmett.
Matt Jones
Emmett do better than.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, I mean, he might.
Matt Jones
You're right. Hey, I tell you what, they gotta stop Tony Gonzalez though, don't they? I mean, that's gonna be the biggest thing for the Cowboys.
Herm Edwards
Jb, have you subscribed, have you subscribed to the podcast yet?
Matt Jones
Yes, sir.
Herm Edwards
All right, good. I appreciate it.
Ryan Reynolds
My kids and I made them subscribe.
Herm Edwards
All right, thank you very much.
Matt Jones
Jp, tell their friends too as well.
Herm Edwards
Let's talk for a second. Byron. 888, say ESPN about what? Emmett Smith, inactive today. Okay, good. About Anthony, About Anthony Richardson.
Matt Jones
That's 30 years. What are you talking about, man?
Herm Edwards
Go ahead. When you bench Anthony Richardson in the middle of a season and he's healthy, I mean, aren't you saying you're not bringing him back? Unless Flacco gets injured, he will never.
Matt Jones
Be the starter in Indianapolis again. And I think there are a lot of signs that suggest that he'll never be a starter in the NFL again. Like, I just don't know how many. There are a lot of people saying he's too young. We don't care about youth except at quarterbacks. There's some 23 year old cornerback, some 24 year old linebacker who got a couple of chances and never came back. We don't care. But with quarterbacks we're like, give him more time. How much more time do we need? To see that he's an accurate passer, right? Clearly not the greatest leader. I'll tell you something I saw when I did the Colts packers game, he was a guy who, when he came to the sidelines, he was just by himself. There's nobody around him.
Herm Edwards
That's never a good sign when you.
Matt Jones
See those guys and you know the game when everything changed, Matt, because a lot of people didn't see him in college. He had that big Utah game and then he played Kentucky. And from that moment on he showed all of the weaknesses that we see now. This isn't new. If you saw him in college, if.
Herm Edwards
You were to go back and watch his game that year against Kentucky, you would say, how was that dude, the number four pick? Which has always been my view about him. I've never understood how he was the number four pick. He was completely shut down by a good Kentucky defense, but it's not an NFL level defense. And I remember thinking he, okay, I could see taking a 5th round pick on him and thinking, okay, we can do it. But the idea that you would spend the number four pick on a dude who I think had 40 yards of passing that game, I just never understood it. And I still don't understand it. I'm not surprised about this, Myron. Going into that draft, I said over and over he'll be the worst of the group. And I think that's still the case. It is interesting to me though that they're completely giving up, but I think they're giving up on him because they think they can make the playoffs if.
Matt Jones
They have Flacco and they're not giving up because he tapped. That was an extension of what they already believed about him.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, 888 say ESPN, we'd love to hear from you. Stash is going to be watching the phones. Stash, are you watching the phones? I'm worried you're not watching the phone. I'm watching the phone. I want you to ask sometimes I don't know if you do. It's 888, say ESPN. We're going to talk about the commanders. Do they follow up on their miraculous win? That's next.
Matt Jones
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Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
Matt and Myron the podcast.
Herm Edwards
She was now at the 48 for the final play of the game. Steps up, fires, heads towards the end zone. It is. It sums up what this team is about, man.
Myron Metcalf
Fight until the last second. Jaden did a good job staying alive, trying to box out and make the play. We got out here with a dub.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I knew once I threw, I had a shot. When the ball left my hand, I.
Herm Edwards
Was like, man, all right, as long as I give my guys a shot to go out there and, you know, make a play, I like our chances. You know, some of you may know I'm a, I'm a Bears fan. Here on Countdown to Kickoff, Matt Jones. Meyer Metcalf. That game, that game hurt Sunday. Not gonna lie. I knew when they let him throw that 15 yard pass underneath, I knew we were in trouble. And then the video of our dude taunting the dude in the crowd and then popping the ball up in the air, it was pretty bad. And a lot of the focus has been on how do the Bears move on. But what about the commanders? Okay, the commanders are now six and two. They, you would say, not only have a shot to win, the NFCs are likely the favorite at this point. They play a Giants team on the road today. It's 2 and 6. You would think they feel like they're a pretty good, pretty good shot to win. Jaden Daniels has been really effective. The Bears kind of held him in check in the second half, but the first half played really, really well. So how much do we believe in the commanders? Byron, there was an ESPN story today that said players want to be traded to Washington, which I thought was kind of a funny thing because that's never been a sentence that's been true in 20 years. Long term, you're obviously buying on Jaden Daniels, but what about for this year? How good can they be?
Matt Jones
I mean, I think they're in the mix, man. I think that's, that's legit. You know, it's also a sign of what can happen with a franchise when you get rid of toxic ownership and you bring in fresh faces. It's changed the whole vibe of that whole team. But, yeah, the NFC east looks wide open to me. There's no real threat, I think, stopping them from winning that division. And then you look around the NFC and you go, okay, who would you say they would have trouble with in the playoffs? Most of the NFC north, you know, if you have to run into Detroit or maybe Green Bay or Minnesota or.
Herm Edwards
Well, or also Chicago. Chicago had a beat on their home field until the last play.
Matt Jones
That division is probably not what you want to see in the playoffs. But beyond that, does the NFC west really scare you a whole lot? Between the injuries and all of the challenges they're having, the NFC south doesn't intimidate anybody. So I think you could certainly see Washington being the team that's a major player going into the playoffs with a quarterback that. I don't care if it's the Caleb Williams versus Jaden Daniels thing. I mean, we'll figure that out a decade from now. But they have a franchise quarterback, it looks like, and they're benefiting from that.
Herm Edwards
Let me ask you a question. Let's say I give you for the Super Bowl, Myron. I give you NFC north and Kansas City or the field, who would you take? You get the whole NFC north and the Chiefs, or you get the field, who you take?
Matt Jones
That's tough. I probably have to take that over the field.
Herm Edwards
You take NFC north in Kansas City? Because, I mean, the NFC north to me is 70% chance to have the NFC winner in it. And I put the Chiefs at least at 50% to win the AFC. So, I mean, I might have a chance where I have both teams in the Super Bowl.
Matt Jones
Yeah. I mean, yeah. No, if that's my money, I'm betting. Yeah, I definitely would take that, I think, over the field. But at the same time, you know, we know the history that Kansas City's up against, but I think Washington can play. Spoiler. I don't think there's a team in the nfc, you know, that's in that group of contenders, wants to play Washington and wants to play a young quarterback who doesn't know any better, who's just out there really having fun and just playing. I think being number two helped Jake Daniels.
Herm Edwards
No, I didn't.
Matt Jones
Took so much pressure off of him that Caleb Williams has to deal with in Chicago, and you're seeing the result of that, man.
Herm Edwards
Can I give a shout out to Caleb Williams for a second? He was terrible in the first half.
Matt Jones
Yeah, you're going to do it anyway.
Herm Edwards
But in that second Half. He played really well and you started to see why, why everybody. I mean he has been. Jaden Daniels has been awesome but Caleb Williams the last few weeks has been playing really, really well. Myron.
Matt Jones
Yeah, two different, two different standards. I'll admit that Caleb Williams comes in as the guy who's supposed to rescue a city that hasn't had a real franchise quarterback in 30 plus years. Right. Different circumstances and they spent a bunch of money around him to contend. Now Jaden Daniels just had to come in and look like he was good enough to maybe be that guy with an organization that has been a joke in the NFL for a long time. So I think everything Jaden Daniels does is just all frosting on the cake because no one anticipated that this franchise would look like this with the number two pick. Whereas Chicago is going to have to get into the playoffs and really look like a contender at some point very soon in order for the Caleb Williams pick to make sense and justifiable for life.
Herm Edwards
I'm good with. I think the Caleb Williams pick is fine either way. Like they, you know, you can't, can you?
Matt Jones
What does that mean though? What does that mean in the future?
Herm Edwards
I think he is on path to be a very good franchise quarterback. Remember, one year doth not make a career. RG3 had the best rookie year of a guy I can remember. Peyton Manning was awful in his first year. The question is, do they show the signs of being a franchise quarterback? I think Caleb Williams does. I think Jaden Daniels does. I think it's still the, still to be determined about Bo Nicks. Maybe, maybe not. We'll have to see. Although he's 5 and 3 so I mean I can't, I can't crush him. Haven't seen enough with McCarthy and Pinnix. But if you're one of the top two teams, if you worry less about, you know, comparing them to each other and just say do you feel good that you have a franchise guy? Myron I think both teams feel that way, yeah.
Matt Jones
I mean right now, I mean halfway through the season certainly, you know, and again, we're not going to have the full grade, the full report card for a long time. But they are in different situations. The Chicago Bear said we think this dude is so good that we can win a Super bowl on his rookie contract because I can't even imagine rookie contract.
Herm Edwards
Yeah, but I don't think they thought they were going to win it this year.
Matt Jones
But they're spending to get into the playoffs and to be a team to be taken seriously and if they put.
Herm Edwards
Here'S the bottom line. We like to make huge leaps based on small sample sizes. Let's be real. If that dude Stevenson had not been over there taunting the crowd.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
Then the Bears are 5 and 2 and Washington is 6 and 3. And you know, none of that has anything to do with Caleb Williams or Jaden Davis. It's just. It's just, it has to do with somebody else. So I can't put any significance either way on it.
Matt Jones
But the problem is what Tyrick Stevenson did represents that organization.
Herm Edwards
It doesn't represent Caleb Williams, though.
Matt Jones
But it represents a team that has fallen short in big moments because of silly things for a long time. It doesn't change Caleb Williams.
Herm Edwards
You're talking about different coaches, different GMs. Listen, I've watched every game this team's played for five years. This is a different team this year. It just is. Now, are they good enough to win a title? No. But is it a different team that is worth praising their come up? Yes, they're much better.
Matt Jones
Yeah. But Jaden Daniels in Washington deserve more praise, though.
Herm Edwards
It's a one play.
Matt Jones
It's one play. It's one half of a season. They didn't spend the money Chicago spent.
Herm Edwards
You can't do that because if Chicago wins that game, they went on their field and they have a better record now. And are you telling me that Tyreek Stevenson having a brain fart for one play says a lot about the two franchises overall?
Matt Jones
What it says is you've been a Bears fan for so long that you got a what if category, which I didn't know that that was applicable to any people.
Herm Edwards
I hate when people make grand pronouncements about singular moments. And I feel like that's what's happening in that. It was a terrible decision by that kid.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
But it has no reflection on Caleb Williams, in my opinion. Let's go to Cedric in Atlanta. What's up, Cedric? Sir.
Ryan Reynolds
Hey, quick question. You guys are talking about how Dak's not a good quarterback.
Herm Edwards
But my question is, if you put.
Ryan Reynolds
Dak on any other team, what kind.
Matt Jones
Of team would it be?
Ryan Reynolds
For instance, the Detroit Lions.
Herm Edwards
So I guess your question is if the. If the lines had Dak instead of golf, would they be better?
Ryan Reynolds
Correct.
Herm Edwards
I don't think they'd be better. Could they be the same Myron? Could a Dak. If Dak was in Detroit, is he as good? Is he able to win in the same way that golf is?
Matt Jones
I think a lot of people would pick Dak over Jared Goff if you tell me they're in the NFC championship game and he's with the Lions, I can understand that. But the problem is Dak's never going to get to experience that with this team. One of my pet peeves just in life is this what if game. Like, I mean, I don't get it right. Like at the end of the day.
Herm Edwards
When you're in a business where what if is a big part of it.
Matt Jones
So, well, somebody needs to change it. They paid that Prescott to figure it out no matter what he was up against. He's being compared to Lamar and Josh and Patrick Mahomes, whether that's fair or not. But he's being paid that way. So I think to me, the what if doesn't really help Dak Prescott. If you're saying the other thing is he needs a lot more to win.
Herm Edwards
Dak is going to be a judge by a different standard because he makes what, 15 million more dollars? And maybe part of the reason, the part of the reason that he's got less around him is because he has more money. That was his choice. But if you're going to make that much money, I mean, I'm sure Mahomes wishes he had more weapons. He chose to make that money. Now he has less weapons. You still got to do it. And so the question so much for me isn't would you rather have Dak or golf? Would you rather have Dak at the money he's being paid or golf at the money he's being paid? And I think I would take golf in that scenario. 888, say ESPN. Kendall, we'll get to you and others on the phone. Plus, a lot of games seem like they might stink on the slate. Can Myron sell them to where you care? That's next. Here on Countdown to kickoff.
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Matt Jones
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
Herm Edwards
It is Canada kickoff here on ESPN Radio 888. Say ESPN. Myron, I've noticed our call screener today. Stash is very stern and angry with the callers.
Matt Jones
No, he's Stash.
Herm Edwards
Do you. Do you not like the people that call the show? It feels like you're almost scolding them. No, I love the people that call the show. You do?
Matt Jones
No, Matt just want you to answer like he does. Like Matt. Matt is basically trying to become friends with everybody because I want to be.
Herm Edwards
How you build an audience. Right. Generally speaking, I'm not an angry person.
Matt Jones
But do you think I'm angry?
Herm Edwards
People that call, do you? Only when they don't answer the questions. Right.
Matt Jones
Yeah. That's because Matt wants to take everybody out to lunch. Yeah, but I bet you one of those people who promises everybody that you'll go out to lunch with them and then you never go out to lunch with them.
Herm Edwards
No, I'm not going out to lunch with anybody. That's fair. I'm not going out to lunch with anybody. It is. All right. So every week we talk about the big games, but there are other games, too. And on paper, those other games don't look that good. So what I like to do is have Myron try to sell us on the games. Now, Myron, sometimes he gets a little long winded. He doesn't do it. So we decided to institute a game. Can Myron sell us on this game in 30 seconds. So, Myron, you have 30 seconds to explain to me why I should watch the game. Are you ready? And after 30 seconds, you will hear that buzzer. All right, let's do it. All right, here we go.
Matt Jones
Yeah. That's what I'm talking about.
Herm Edwards
You have 30 minutes.
Matt Jones
I love it.
Herm Edwards
To sell us on these games. What's up first?
Matt Jones
Okay, Charges at Browns.
Herm Edwards
Go.
Matt Jones
Well, I tell you what, this is a matchup that could be magical for everybody who watches Jameis Winston now the starting quarterback of the Browns. I think you watch it not just for his performance on the field, but because he has the greatest quotes, I think, in the NFL. Last week, I believe he said, why say shoot for the stars only when we've been to the moon? I believe that was his quote. It doesn't always make sense from James Winston, but between his play and what you're going to get as a sound bite, you're going to watch him, I think, this weekend.
Herm Edwards
Yeah. All right. Why did you change your voice at the beginning of it?
Matt Jones
You told me to sell it. Like I'm on. I'm on a game show, so I'm doing like Chuck Woolery.
Herm Edwards
He definitely went to full game show mode. Mode there. Yeah, you were. If you thought you were normal, Myers, I'm going to say you did not sell me on that game, since you didn't.
Matt Jones
I wasn't. I got you.
Herm Edwards
All right, here we go. Ready? What's next?
Matt Jones
Saint said Panthers. I think you watch this because you might enjoy train wrecks, right? You might enjoy seeing disaster in real time because I think that's what both of these franchises are. Who is going to be the worst team at the end of the season? Saints are. Panthers. Panthers. Bryce Young has been benched. They bring in Andy Dalton even though Bryce Young played last week. And then the Saints have just been a mess despite bringing back a bunch of guys who were hurt. So this is like a race for the bottom of the NFL. What do you think? Like that?
Herm Edwards
Yeah, we might have lost Matt.
Matt Jones
Did we lose Matt? Yeah, I think we lost Matt. What did you think about that, Mikey C. Because I thought. I thought I did a good job with that.
Herm Edwards
I think so. And you didn't change your voice either. So you want to move on to the next one?
Matt Jones
Here's my problem. I grew up with 90s game shows. So, like, if you see Game Show, I'm thinking Bob Barker, Chuck Woolery, that's, you know, those were the game show guys. So I'll try not to be as Game show either in this next one. Okay, who we got here? All right, here we go.
Herm Edwards
Oops.
Matt Jones
Patriots at Titans. Patriots at Titans. Oh, man. I mean, you know, the Patriots beat the jets, and I think you're always watching to see if Drake May can develop into a franchise quarterback. I just don't know. I mean, we're talking a lot about Jaden Daniels, a lot about Caleb Williams. I think we feel pretty good about those two guys. Drake May is. It's interesting. I don't know what to make of him yet. If we can say enough to say he's the future. So I think that's why you watch. Is Drake made the right guy or not for this new Patriots setup?
Herm Edwards
I'm back, by the way. I don't know what happened. The Internet didn't want. Didn't want me to hear your sale job, so I can't rate it. Yeah, but I'm gonna rate your next one. Now, I've given you two to practice. The next one is huge. What's next? Yeah, we skip Raiders. Bengals.
Matt Jones
We did. We did skip that.
Herm Edwards
All right.
Matt Jones
All right. Raiders. Ed. Bengals.
Herm Edwards
All right, sell it. 30 seconds.
Matt Jones
You got to watch it, because as long as Joe Burrow's on the field, you still might be watching one of the great quarterbacks, despite some of the challenges his team has had. I think the Raiders are basically going for how high of a pick can we get? Will they get Shadura Sanders? Will they get someone like that? Because they are not a good team. But I think you watch this game because if Joe Burrow's on the field, magic can happen.
Herm Edwards
All right, well, I'm gonna give that one, like, a B minus. Have you. Were you ever in sales?
Matt Jones
How did I get a B minus?
Herm Edwards
Were you ever in sales when you were. When you.
Matt Jones
No, I've never sold anything. No, I've never. I've never been in sales.
Herm Edwards
Never. Never sold anything. Okay. All right, well, let me. You. Would you like me to do one to.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I think you're gonna do one. Did we lose him again? I think we might have lost him again. I think he was gonna say hello. Are you here?
Herm Edwards
Yes.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I couldn't hear you.
Herm Edwards
What are you gonna do? I'm here. All right. You want me to do one? Hey, look, to be fair, some of these games are really hard to sell. That's okay.
Myron Metcalf
That's the point in the game.
Matt Jones
It's not supposed to be easy, but I mean, what you want me to say here?
Herm Edwards
Let me do the next one. Let me do the next one and help. Here we go.
Matt Jones
Rams at Seahawks.
Herm Edwards
Rams at Seahawks. These are two teams in the NFC west that both still believe they can make the playoffs. You're starting to see improvement for Matthew Stafford. And Geno Smith has quietly had a great year. The loser of this game may be out of the playoff race. The winner actually comes in and has a shot to make it. I consider this like a loser leaves town game. Whoever takes this game has a shot not only making the playoffs, but winning the NFC West. And Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff forgot, or Matthew Stafford and Geno Smith forgotten about this year, Much better. See, like, immediately, you give a reason, you give consequences. Hold on.
Matt Jones
Wait a second. Wait a second. So, like, the professor makes the presentation is like, this is an A. Like, you're the judge and the jury. That doesn't make.
Herm Edwards
Well, Mikey or you be the jury. Is that Was that. Is that how you do it? That was the best one.
Matt Jones
That's not the bit. Hold on. That's not how we talked about it. The bit was, I'm selling it. And now he's inserting himself into. But I'm trying to help my segment.
Herm Edwards
All right, I'm trying to help you with that.
Matt Jones
No, you're not. You're making it your segment, man. You're singing my song. Go ahead, sing all the lyrics. Play guitar, too, while you at it.
Herm Edwards
I'm thinking it's like a three part essay.
Matt Jones
You got.
Herm Edwards
You got to tell the person why you want it. What happens if you don't get it. Exactly.
Matt Jones
Did I lose a segment in the middle of the show that was built for me? Somebody explained that to me.
Herm Edwards
I want this to be your segment. I want this to be your segment, but I want you to knock it out of the park on this one. This is going to be the one, Myron, that showcases how you have this in you. You are able to sell Avon products. I know you can.
Matt Jones
It's just a. I want to sell Avon products. Go ahead. Okay, I got you.
Herm Edwards
And we probably lost him again. So here we go. Next one.
Matt Jones
Did we lose him? Did we lose them again? Don't worry about me.
Herm Edwards
You don't worry about me.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah.
Herm Edwards
Here we go.
Matt Jones
Okay. Jaguars at Eagles. Well, you're watching this because first off, the Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to figure out if they have a $55 million disaster on their hands. This is the team that paid Trevor Lawrence more money than any quarterback had ever made. And right now, this team is one of the worst in the entire NFL. You saw that when they played the Packers. They were up early, but they couldn't hold on to the lead. That has been the story of Jacksonville and a quarterback who's worth $55 million per paper, but he's not playing that way. And also, the same questions are about Jalen hurts and whether or not he's worth the money that the Eagles have invested in him. Two potentially overrated quarterbacks and overpaid quarterbacks. That's why you're watching this.
Herm Edwards
Better. But it was just a lot of what you've been doing, just faster and louder.
Matt Jones
You know what? I think I'm being graded on a different. I feel like I'm being graded on a different scale. And I think we lost Matt again.
Herm Edwards
We did. On my zoom.
Matt Jones
On my zoom.
Herm Edwards
Breaking news.
Matt Jones
It's just a. There's just a picture of Matt.
Herm Edwards
Breaking news.
Myron Metcalf
Matt's Internet has died.
Matt Jones
Yeah, there's a, there's a picture of just Matt on the zoom and then I would do it and then he'd be frozen and I couldn't, you know, I'm waiting for the grade and he says nothing. So I still feel like though he was trying to take that segment, but it's my segment, you know, here.
Herm Edwards
There is one way that all of these games can be much more interesting.
Matt Jones
What's that?
Ryan Reynolds
Got to tell the people how to bet on them.
Herm Edwards
Seven and a half. The Eagles are giving the Jags today. That's true.
Matt Jones
That's true. I should have, I should have gone with that. I was trying to be more organic. I was trying to be more like, you know, can I. But I also, I'm, I'm not a sales guy. I think probably because of that reason, like I don't think I could have been a door to door salesman.
Herm Edwards
Sales is tough.
Matt Jones
It's tough. I say no to all the salespeople come to my house. So I don't really understand, you know, how people do it and do it well. Matt Jones, hopefully we get him back. Can the Ravens get back on track? Is the trap game ahead for a surprise contender? That's next on espn. Ring 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 Sirius XM channel 80. Matt and Myron, the podcast.
Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Episode Summary – Hour 2: The Anthony Richardson Dilemma
Release Date: November 3, 2024
In the second hour of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf delve deep into the complexities surrounding Anthony Richardson, alongside a myriad of other pressing NFL topics. This episode offers insightful analysis, spirited debates, and candid opinions, making it a must-listen for dedicated sports enthusiasts.
The episode kicks off with celebratory news about the podcast's success. Herm Edwards shares, “Last week the Sunday morning new Sunday Morning with Matt Myron podcast debuted at number four on the sports podcast charts” (00:22). Myron modestly acknowledges the accolade, stating, “I was” (00:45), while Matt humorously muses about his place in radio history.
The hosts transition to discussing the Chicago Bears' recent devastating loss. Herm Edwards poses critical questions about coaching morale and strategy post-defeat (01:34). Myron offers a thoughtful breakdown of how a coach should address the team, emphasizing accountability: “You got to address the team this way as I let you down as a head coach” (01:48).
A significant moment arises when Myron explains disciplinary actions against Tyreek Stevenson for taunting the crowd, comparing it to his own childhood reprimand: “I was one of those rambunctious kids… put your nose on the window” (02:12). This analogy underscores his approach to player discipline and maintaining team focus.
The core focus shifts to Anthony Richardson’s performance and future in the NFL. Matt introduces the dilemma: “There are the people who are saying… there are other people saying he let his team down” (04:09). Myron categorically states, “In any position in the National Football League or football player, as an athlete, you don't get to tap out” (04:29), emphasizing the expectation of resilience in professional sports.
Myron critiques Richardson’s maturity and handling of fatigue, suggesting that tapping out is unacceptable: “You cannot tap out, that ain't part of the deal” (05:22). He proposes strategic adjustments, like incorporating Joe Flacco as a starter while still nurturing Richardson’s potential.
Herm interjects with skepticism about Richardson’s long-term viability, stating, “He's never going to be a player in the NFL, Coach” (06:03). Myron defends giving Richardson more opportunities, highlighting the importance of developing young quarterbacks and the team’s ongoing support.
The discussion broadens to analyze teams with disappointing records despite high playoff expectations. Herm names the Bengals, Dolphins, and Cowboys, questioning their ability to rebound: “Can any of them bounce back and make them” (08:34).
Myron dissects each team’s shortcomings, particularly focusing on the Cowboys’ lack of a robust running game: “They got no runner. That's going to kill them” (09:09). He remains pessimistic about their playoff chances, forecasting a bleak finish for all three teams.
Patrick Mahomes’ performance is scrutinized, with Matt questioning his current effectiveness: “Would you have played him again? If your quarterback goes to the podium and says, I tapped out because I was tired” (05:44).
Myron and Herm engage in a lively debate about the top quarterbacks in the league. Herm confidently lists, “Patrick Mahomes, Allen and Lamar” (12:48), while Myron introduces Josh Allen as the preferred choice over Mahomes when faced with critical game situations: “I’m going to take… Josh Allen” (11:23).
The segment includes a call from Ryan Reynolds, discussing the Packers and Dak Prescott’s potential impact if moved to another team. Herm and Myron exchange insights on Prescott’s performance and the Packers’ reliance on him.
Myron offers a critical view of the Packers’ future without Prescott, stating, “He’s not going to get to experience that with this team” (31:30). The conversation underscores the challenges teams face when evaluating and potentially replacing key players.
In a dynamic segment, Matt and Myron attempt to "sell" various NFL games to listeners. This playful endeavor highlights their ability to highlight compelling storylines, even for underwhelming matchups.
Chargers vs. Browns: Matt humorously pitches Jameis Winston’s quotable moments as a reason to tune in: “He has the greatest quotes, I think, in the NFL” (36:22).
Panthers vs. Saints: Focusing on the turmoil within both franchises, Matt describes the game as a “train wreck” scenario with both teams struggling (37:40).
Patriots vs. Titans: Herm takes over to emphasize the uncertainty around Drake May’s development as a quarterback, though the attempt is humorously critiqued for being underwhelming (38:12).
Rams vs. Seahawks: Finally, Herm effectively sells the high-stakes nature of this NFC West clash, highlighting the implications for playoff standings: “Whoever takes this game has a shot… to win the NFC West” (40:16).
As the episode wraps up, Herm and Matt reflect on the day's discussions, reiterating the importance of strategic decisions in coaching and player management. They emphasize the unpredictable nature of the NFL and the constant evaluation required to maintain competitive edge.
Myron Metcalf on Tapping Out: “In any position in the National Football League or football player, as an athlete, you don't get to tap out. That ain't part of the deal” (04:29).
Myron on Richardson’s Accountability: “I was wrong, I was tired, and I shouldn't have done that. Then it's done. It doesn't become a story” (07:05).
Herm Edwards on Top Quarterbacks: “Patrick Mahomes, Allen and Lamar” (12:48).
Myron on Dak Prescott’s Future with Packers: “He’s not going to get to experience that with this team” (31:30).
Herm on Rams vs. Seahawks Stakes: “Whoever takes this game has a shot… to win the NFC West” (40:16).
In this episode, Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf navigate through a labyrinth of NFL narratives, with the spotlight firmly on Anthony Richardson's future. Their candid analysis, combined with interactive segments and sharp commentary, provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current sports landscape. Whether dissecting quarterback performances or evaluating team strategies, the hosts deliver content that is both informative and engaging, solidifying the podcast's position in the sports media arena.