Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Episode: Hour 3 – "Can You Hear That?"
Date: November 2, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf (ESPN Radio)

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively, sports-focused morning show blending fan interaction, humorous banter, and sharp NFL and MLB analysis. Matt and Myron react to breaking news, take on callers' hot takes, play "King of the Mountain," discuss World Series rule changes, debate NFL fan bases and quarterback situations, preview upcoming NFL matchups, and share personal anecdotes—all in the energetic, relatable style the duo is known for.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. College Basketball Season Introduction

• Matt highlights the start of the college basketball season but notes its low-key arrival compared to other sports:
  • “We don't really do the thing other sports do, which is let you know when the season is starting. It just happens all of a sudden.” (00:06)

2. "King of the Mountain" – Hot Takes Segment

• Listeners compete to offer the best sports “take,” with the winner challenging reigning champ Bill in Nebraska (with his Kevin O’Connell quarterback shop jingle).
• Matt sets the comedic tone:
  • “That ad is specifically for you—all six of you that have a motorcycle, an RV, and a boat.” (01:19)

Highlights from the segment:

• Best and worst submissions:
  • Halloween Hot Take: Caller says Halloween is for “women to look sexy, kids to dress up, and men to steal chocolate.”
    • Matt: “It's not really a hot take. It’s more just a description of what Halloween is.” (03:43)
  • World Series Recap: Play-by-play call got roasted.
    • Myron: “Are y’all trying to get on top of the mountain? Are y’… What are y’all doing?” (04:37)
  • Baseball Playoff Rule Change: Suggesting MLB use the ghost runner in the playoffs.
    • Matt: “Now that is a hot take. I will say, I don't know if it's a good take.” (06:05)
    • Myron: “It's definitely a hot take... but no, I don't think that's crazy.” (06:17)
    • Matt explains the integrity of extra innings in World Series: “You can't do it in the World Series because what ends up happening is you bunt the runner over to third and then you hit one lazy fly ball and you've scored a run... that's not how you want the World Series to end.” (06:26)
  • Mike Tomlin Steelers Take:
    • Caller: “I don't think the Steelers will be in Super Bowl contention until Mike Tomlin is fired. The Super Bowl he won was with Bill Cowher's roster...” (07:00)
    • Matt acknowledges: “Just out of sheer badness of the other ones, this is our initial leader in the clubhouse.” (07:24)
    • Myron draws parallels: “Reminds me of many years ago at Kentucky with Tubby Smith... Locally, people are ready for a change.” (07:55)
  • Blue Jays’ Long Losses & Rule Guy Banter:
    • Matt and Myron poke fun at MLB’s “rules guy”—appreciating a rules expert with a deadpan role:
      • Matt: “I don't say this to be rude. The Fox Major League Baseball analyst. I think we can do better than the rules guy.” (09:26)
      • Myron: “It's tough to be a rules guy.” (09:42)
      • Matt: “I feel like, why is it tough? You just come on and say the rules.” (09:43)
  • Caller - Shift Ban & Pitch Clock:
    • Pat (Worcester): Credits the ban on defensive shift and pitch clock for making the World Series more exciting.
    • Matt: “The pitch clock has made baseball infinitely better... The shift has made it with more offense.” (10:56, 11:21)
    • Myron: “Rob Manfred has been arguably the best commissioner in sports... I was surprised [he] got booed.” (11:21)

King of the Mountain Decision

• Pat’s take (shift ban and pitch clock) wins the week but doesn’t dethrone Bill in Nebraska’s Kevin O’Connell jingle.
  • Myron: “No chance.” (14:12)
  • Matt: “Wasn't our best week. Everybody tried hard, but we didn't really have our best week.” (14:16)

3. NFL Fans & Game Atmosphere – Live from Cincinnati

• Matt reports from the Holy Grail bar in Cincinnati, describing the crowd and musical atmosphere.
  • “They are 40 minutes away from Bears and Bengals. Got a big crowd of Bengals fans. They seem to be playing polka in the background.” (15:11)
• Debate on best traveling NFL fan bases:
  • Steelers and Cowboys get the nod for largest national presence due to ‘70s TV exposure.
  • Matt: “Teams that were good in the 70s seem to have national fan bases.” (16:00)
  • Myron: “Steelers fans... Four Super Bowls in the 70s, that's one of those things that carries over.” (16:53)

4. NFL Game & Quarterback Talk

• Focus on the significance of the Vikings-Lions and Bears-Bengals games, especially for young QBs.
  • McCarthy’s pressure as the Vikings potential long-term starter—judging based on limited but highly visible play:
    • Myron: “JJ McCarthy has to be good. Like, there's no one coming in that you can trust... You could shape the future of this organization going into 2026.” (18:42)
• Discussion of the "sleeper" quality of the Detroit Lions:
  • Matt: “I still think the Lions might be the most slept on good team in the NFL.” (19:19)
  • Myron sees them as top-tier, even post-Chiefs loss: “There’s no question they might be the number two team in the NFL to me.” (19:32)

5. NFL Previews & Why You Should Care

• Matt challenges Myron to sell him on the day’s least appealing games in 20 seconds each:

  • Seahawks at Commanders

    • Myron: “Commanders have given up 27 plays of 20 passing yards or more. Sam Darnold is one of the best downfield pass announcers...”

  • 49ers at Giants – Offensive struggles, new QBs, and “seeing the Giants quarterback of the future” (Jackson Dart).

  • Falcons at Patriots – Drake May’s ascent; Myron: “If he can solve this Falcons defense... he's got a chance to be the best in this group...”

  • Saints at Rams – “Rams looking like maybe the team to beat in the NFC potentially...” (26:45)

  • Panthers at Packers – Jordan Love’s development: “He hasn't had that superstar moment yet in his career. And a big game today... maybe that's the start of that.” (27:35)

  • Chargers at Titans – Historic Titans’ futility: “Could be the first time that the Titans lose four consecutive games by double digits since they relocated...” (29:27)

6. Personal Touch: Hometown Football Praises

• Matt shouts out his Middlesboro High School team for their undefeated season, describing their win over a private-school team coached by Chad Pennington:
  • “They really get all the players and all the money, and they came into the mountains and they played our good country boys who had their pregame meal at Cracker Barrel, and then they went and they won.” (21:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Funniest Moments

• Matt mocking the tiny audience for bundling motorcycle, RV, and boat insurance:
  • “That ad is specifically for you—all six of you that have a motorcycle, an RV, and a boat.” (01:19)
• Myron comparing school buyouts to payment plans:
  • “The governor made it sound like he wanted to pay a coach on an installment plan or something. Like, get a guy for $43 an hour.” (12:51)
• Banter on pregame meals:
  • Matt: "They had their pregame meal at Cracker Barrel, and then they went into Bradner Stadium and historic Bradner Stadium and beat Sayre to go undefeated." (21:05)
• Discussion of rules officials:
  • Matt: “I feel like, why is it tough? You just come on and say the rules.” (09:43)
  • Myron: “It's tough to be a rules guy.” (09:42)

Strong Opinions

• On MLB’s rule changes:
  • Matt: “The pitch clock has made baseball infinitely better... The shift has made it with more offense. Two rules changes I was a little skeptical on. I think they both ended up being really positive.” (10:56, 11:21)
  • Myron: “Rob Manfred has been arguably the best commissioner in sports... I was surprised [he] got booed.” (11:21)
• On QB evaluations:
  • Myron: “JJ McCarthy has to be good... you could shape the future of this organization going into 2026.” (18:42)
  • Myron: “I just don't know if small quarterbacks can compete in this NFL anymore.” (39:53)

Timestamped Guide to Important Segments

| Time | Content/Segment Description | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:06 | College basketball season’s soft opening discussed | | 01:19 | Matt jokes about bundling insurance ad | | 02:01–14:17 | “King of the Mountain” hot takes segment and winner decision | | 15:11 | Matt reports atmosphere from Cincinnati: Bears vs Bengals | | 16:00–16:53 | Best-traveling NFL fanbases — Steelers, Cowboys, Bears | | 17:47–20:18 | Vikings/Lions QB focus, J.J. McCarthy analysis, Lions as NFC sleeper | | 24:08–29:27 | “Why Should I Care?” - Quick preview of the day's worst NFL matchups | | 21:05 | Matt’s Middlesboro High hometown football story | | 31:04–39:11 | Rapid-fire “Pick ‘Em” NFL picks and game opinions | | 39:11–40:00 | Cardinals/Cowboys, Kyler Murray future; wrapping up picks | | 40:18–41:11 | Humorous Will Smith reference and sign-off banter |

Tone & Style

• Conversational, irreverent, enthusiastic, and accessible—the show mixes serious sports talk with relatable jokes and gentle ribbing.
• Myron’s analytic but laid-back tone complements Matt’s self-deprecating humor and regional anecdotes.
• Deep engagement with listeners through live calls, serving both diehards and casual fans.

Summary

This episode showcases Matt and Myron's mix of entertaining radio and insightful sports commentary. Listeners are treated to everything from the quirks of Halloween and insurance advertising, to meaningful sports debates about QBs and fanbases, to hot-take and rapid-fire pick ‘em competitions. The show is full of memorable quotes, seamless transitions from lighthearted to serious analysis, and a running, honest assessment of both callers and the NFL landscape. Whether previewing games or playfully repping their roots, the hosts deliver an hour that feels both lively and rooted in genuine sports passion.

For first-time or returning listeners, Hour 3 of "Can You Hear That?" offers an energetic slice of Sunday sports culture, great if you crave both steady NFL/MLB insights and a good laugh.