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Matt Jones
This is Matt and Myron the Podcast Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has signed a multi year contract extension with the franchise. Sources tell senior ESPN NBA Insider Sham Sharami that Donovan is viewed as a leader within the Bulls organization and will enter his sixth season in Chicago in 2025-26 with 800 NBA games coached over his career. Lo Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is dealing with back soreness and will not return to practice next week as initially anticipated. Rams head coach Sean McVeigh says there's been no setback and the team is taking a cautious approach this week. Stafford is still expected to be ready for the season opener against the Houston.
Myron Metcalf
Texas well done I must say. Sunday morning on ESPN Radio Matt Myron here presented by Progressive Insurance. By the way, there's a podcast, the Matt Myron Podcast available wherever you get your podcast. Monday night, Sunday night baseball's on ESPN Radio tonight Mets and the Giants. The government coverage begins at 6 Eastern a matchup that is for the Mets. They're in contention for the NL east and for both teams the wild card in play Mets and Giants tonight. Now if you've been listening show over the last few weeks we start debut a new segment King of the Mountain and it is for our listeners to figure out who who gives the best takes in sports and it's a chance for you listeners to do it. You get to pick the sports topic has to be sports. I don't want to hear about your views on, you know the world events sports and you just come in, you give your topic and you give 30 seconds and whoever's the best, they're the king of the mountain. And we have had the same leader for the last couple of weeks. You call in right now, get in 888 say ESPN. What is the name of our current leader he's led for the last two weeks I believe. Is it James? Is that his name or does anyone know?
Todd Archer
Yeah, I got it. Hold on.
Myron Metcalf
You don't know who The Jared in St. Louis. Jared in St. Louis. Okay, so Jared, Jared and St. Louis. He gave this take two weeks ago. Three weeks ago, actually. And it has remained as the top take ever since. And so let's play it. And if you would like to come on and try to take him out. 888, say ESPN. He here is our current king of the mountain leader.
Matt Jones
Call now with your hottest taste.
Myron Metcalf
Hello.
Matt Jones
And then Matt and Myron will announce the hottest of them all.
Myron Metcalf
Is his destiny gonna be fulfilled?
Jeff
My destiny awakens.
Myron Metcalf
This is the king of the mountain champion.
Matt Jones
The king of the Mountain.
Myron Metcalf
Ladies and gentlemen, your winner and a new king of the mountain champion. Let's go to Jared in St. Louis. What's up, Jared?
Jeff
I don't. Everybody's on Mike Tomlin's first ballot, hall of Fame guy. They're like, oh, he has no losing record. That's not a Hall of Fame ballot thing. Like, he's 811 in the playoffs in 10 years. He has eight straight postseason losses. He's up there with the Carolina Panthers, the Cardinals, the Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta and the jets as not having any of these playoff wins. He's three and nine in the playoffs in 14 years. Like, what are we talking about? Why is Pittsburgh held a standard now that somehow espn, not you guys personally, but seems to think like Pittsburgh's the standard of football and they've been mediocre to trash for 10 years now.
Myron Metcalf
So a hardcore anti Mike Tomlin stance right now is our king of the Mountain. Been there for over two weeks. We are presented by Progressive Insurance. Protect the stuff you love with renters insurance. You can visit progressive.com. myron, do you think that one will hold up as we get here into today's round of calls? It's pretty strong, man.
Matt Jones
I mean, but I feel like, you know, since we just started this segment, you know, more people getting into it and we are definitely getting some strong.
Myron Metcalf
Takes, but we need to make a hat or something for the. Like a crown for the person. They can walk around their town with it.
Matt Jones
I love it.
Myron Metcalf
Let's get started. Eight, eight, eight, say spn. Let's go to Terry in corn country. Terry. Go ahead, Terry.
Matt Jones
Terry.
Myron Metcalf
All right, is anyone working the phone? Do we have anybody? All right, well, let's.
Todd Archer
I was. I was still on the phone with.
Myron Metcalf
Terry, but we still got it. We still got to do this. Here we go. Let's go to Austin in Oregon. Go ahead, Austin.
Jeff
Hey, what's going on, gentlemen? I got Clarissa Shields as the best. She is balling right now. She's undefeated. She wants to fight Layla Ali. She's taken on all challengers and she can't be beat.
Myron Metcalf
All right, I appreciate the call. I. I don't even know what's he talking about, Myron. That's. That's. Box.
Matt Jones
Clarissa Shields just defended, I believe, her heavyweight championship last night. She's the greatest pound for bound boxer in the world. Women's champion, Olympic gold medalist. She's done it all. She. Yeah. So strong. Take. She wants to fight Layla Ali, who I think is like 50 now. Muhammad Ali's daughter, who hasn't fought in years. I don't want to see that. I don't want to see one of these spectacle things just for the purposes of money. But yeah, Clarissa Shields is as dominant a champion in boxing as we've ever seen.
Myron Metcalf
I can't put that one, though, as the best. He just said she's good. I didn't get any facts. I didn't tell me she fought last night. There was no context. We. I mean, so. So I'm afraid Austin and Oregon cannot be king of the mountain. 888, say ESPN now. We'll go to Terry in corn country. Go ahead, Terry.
Jeff
Well, first of all, I would just.
Say that that football player who said 7 inches, but more importantly, you gotta.
Myron Metcalf
Have a phone, Terry. I appreciate the call. I don't know, man, you gotta sweat.
Matt Jones
I think you gotta put some more minutes on that phone.
Myron Metcalf
I also think you were trying to make an inappropriate joke. So it may be the Lord actually making your phone break up. So. So, Terry, I don't think that's gon. I was going to ask him about corn Sweat, but he's not there. Mike in Illinois. Go ahead, Mike.
Jeff
Hey, guys, you might want to put on those oven mitts like you're getting ready to steal second base. This is that hot. University of Illinois will make the 2025 College Football Playoffs. Only two teams in college football return more offensive production than the fighting. Illinois. The Illinois fighting alignment will go 11 and 1 this year. Illinois will only lose to Ohio State. Illinois will be the betting favorites.
Myron Metcalf
I will say this now, not terrible, Myron. I mean, joke at the beginning. He did the sliding bases. It's a hot take. Illinois would be 11 and 1. I wish he'd given me one or two facts beyond just statements, but nevertheless, I think he's our leader today and we'll see if he ends up. So keep Mike's name up there so that we can see. Maybe he'll get a chance to go up against Jared at the end.
Matt Jones
Yeah, we need to know more about why he feels that way.
Myron Metcalf
I'll tell you What? Give him 40 seconds? Because I think like 30. I think the other guy got 40. And I just want to be fair to the people so they have a chance. If they're awful, I'll cut them off before we get.
Matt Jones
Yeah, make sure you do that.
Myron Metcalf
But we, we will get to 40 seconds. Paul in Phoenix. Go ahead for Paul, gentlemen.
Jeff
Great show. Love it.
Here's my pet peeve.
It's lasted for quite some time. The NFL needs to modify the defensive holding or the elig single hands to the face rule that defenses suffer when it's third down and 23 and you give a team a five yard penalty and an automatic first down. They need to have it where the referees can be at the discretion that if the holding or the hands to the face.
Myron Metcalf
Okay. So I, I wish he'd done it a little quicker. I get what he's saying. The problem is I don't want to give referees more discretion. I feel like in general, the one thing about that pass interference call, you know what it's going to do, which I think leads to allowing guys to make better plays.
Matt Jones
Yeah, it's hard to have a hot take involved in referee and officiating to surpass. I think our Illinois guy. So he's still on top.
Myron Metcalf
What is our Illinois guy's name? I wanted to. Let's leave it up there so that I can. Is it mine? Terry?
Matt Jones
No, that wasn't Terry or somebody else.
Myron Metcalf
Was it Mike or was it Terry?
Todd Archer
It was Mike.
Myron Metcalf
It was Mike. All right. Just leave that on the screen so I can see it. Let's go to Paul in Or another. We already did that. Fran in Long Island. Go ahead, Fran.
Jeff
What's up, boys? You guys do a great job. The bottom line is this on. My Chicago Bear is gonna suck this year. We're gonna make the playoffs this year or in two years is Caleb Williams gonna be working in his mom's nail salon. Love you guys.
Myron Metcalf
But that's not.
Matt Jones
Yeah, that in the end of it, I can't get with that. I mean, he's talking about the painted nails and these, these older guys who get caught up in guys wearing painted nails.
Myron Metcalf
And are you okay with tweet about it? I'm okay with painting nails if you can throw the ball. And.
Matt Jones
And none of them would say this to these guys's faces either. Like, you know all these guys who tweet about, oh, gambler believe he's wearing painted nails. You wouldn't say that to him if he was standing in front of you. So I got to knock him out.
Myron Metcalf
Off that, plus a lot of these people that are anti the painted nails. I can go look at something you wore in your life at some point.
Matt Jones
Yes.
Myron Metcalf
And it's going to look just a little bit different. At the time, you may have thought it was cool. But you know what? I'll tell you what. If you're a true Bears fan, Caleb Williams, take us to the Super Bowl. He can come paint my nails if he wants to. I'll be totally fine with it. And I think most Bears with painted nails would to Robert, Mississippi, go for it.
Jeff
I'm kind of getting tired of all the ESPN guys dogging Nick Sirianni, saying he's not the offensive or defensive coordinator, no part in their success. And we got Dan Campbell is the same way. He hadn't been to two Super Bowls. He had one one. There's just no comparison between the two. And he made a huge gap in the playoffs. And lastly, there are 8 million acres of corn grown in Minneapolis. I mean, Minnesota.
Matt Jones
All right, that last part helped I get. But he had a good take. I mean, I do think, you know, people knock Nick Sirianni because he doesn't run the offense or defense. Dan Campbell is in the same boat. I mean, there are a lot of coaches who are great game managers, quote, unquote, and don't get that kind of criticism. He should have just stuck with that and left the corn part out.
Myron Metcalf
I thought it was pretty strong. You are going to take Robert, Mississippi over. I'm going to take Illinois.
Matt Jones
I'm going to take them because I think that was a good Mike in Illinois.
Myron Metcalf
You're out. Robert Mississippi is our leader for today. We'll figure out if he can take King of the Mountain in a minute. Let's go to LS in Virginia. Go ahead. LS yes. Yes.
Jeff
Hottest, hottest take of the summer. Brock Pretty is better than Dak Prescott and Jared Goff. That's why he's getting paid the big bucks. And quick backstack Steve Young ran a 45 in the 40. Holla.
Myron Metcalf
First of all, I don't know.
Matt Jones
They keep adding these second things. I don't think they have to just.
Myron Metcalf
We also don't think it's that hot a take. I think there's a lot of people that would think Brock Purdy's better than Jared Goff and Dak Prescott. Right. I mean, I don't know if I do, but I think a lot of people do.
Matt Jones
Yeah. And I don't know. I mean, I don't really get the point of telling us About Steve Young, like, what was that?
Myron Metcalf
I think his privacy was. I bet you didn't think this guy ran a 4 or 5:40. Okay. All right, all right. No, he's out. Robin, Orlando, Rob, can you take out Robert Mississippi? Go, Rob versus Rob.
Jeff
When they talk about the impending doom of the Cleveland Browns and why they stink and they always will, people are talking about Kenny Pickett like he should be in the quarterback room. He's a bum. Then you got these guys on other network talking about Nick Saban and Arch Manning going to Cleveland. Just stop it. Move the franchise to another city and do us all a favor. Shut down football in Cleveland.
Myron Metcalf
Wow, that's a strong guy.
Todd Archer
I might be the one that might be strong.
Myron Metcalf
But he didn't say anything, though. He just like, they stink. You know, I need, I, I, I'm a former lawyer. I need a little bit of evidence. You can't just go. I don't know what Nick Saban has to do with anything. Archman.
Matt Jones
That was just pure anger.
Myron Metcalf
That was, that was more. If this was a angriest take that was, I think he would win. But for hottest take or best take, I can't go for Robin. Orlando. Let's go to Russ in Indiana. It's boring state, so maybe he's had time to come up with something good. Go Russ.
Jeff
Hey, Matt.
The Nebraska fan base and the Indiana fan base in basketball. Nebraska and football are the most overrated teams in college. In college sports, they are the McRibs that think that they're prime ribs. They haven't been relevant since the Clinton administration and they still think they're great and they're not.
Myron Metcalf
All right, now I got me like I did like the Mick that line. Pride rib.
Todd Archer
Very good line.
Matt Jones
That's the best line.
Myron Metcalf
Good line. And I actually agree with the premise about Nebraska football and Indiana basketball. Did like the line. So are you taking Robert Mississippi with his Sirianni? Dan Campbell, are you going to take a Russ in Indiana with his McRib Prime Rib?
Matt Jones
McRib the Prime Rib is the best thing I've heard all day. I'm taking him.
Myron Metcalf
So Robert, Mississippi is out. Russ in Indiana, McRib prime rib about Nebraska and Indiana sports. It's going to. Hey. Plus he lives in Indiana. That's a strong take if you live in Indiana. Let's go to Joe in St. Louis. Joe.
Jeff
Hey, fellas. Great show. So an Iowa Hawkeye fan. I think the sec, if they take in North Carolina should at Iowa State. Two sports or two teams in Iowa's Iowa State And Iowa U. Big Ten pitted against the sec. Both great football programs, both great basketball programs. I know it's geographically does. Doesn't make sense with South Eastern Conference, but I think it would create a massive competitive edge.
Myron Metcalf
Is this Matt Campbell?
Matt Jones
Is this. Is this Matt Campbell the head coach of Iowa State football?
Myron Metcalf
Because I thought, well, clearly you're an Iowa State fan and I get it, but when you say he's on the team is a great football program, that is, it's fine. But I think if the SEC were to rank the 20 programs that weren't they want the most, Iowa State would be on the list.
Matt Jones
I was just not on the list.
Myron Metcalf
So I'm sorry, man, I can't do it. I appreciate you taking up for your team. Me too. But I cannot do it. Last one, Jeff in Illinois. Go, Jeff.
Jeff
Hey, I'm a Colts fan and I predict that Anthony Richardson will be an all pro as a tight end or a linebacker. They need to get him out of that quarterback position. The Colts will not make the playoffs until they get a quarterback. I think next year they need to draft two or three quarterbacks. How many times do teams draft in the third or fourth or fifth rounds for guys that don't even make the team?
Myron Metcalf
That was all over the place. Yeah. IndianAP was drafting three quarterbacks, moving Anthony Richardson to linebacker, a position that's all he's never played.
Todd Archer
You think, you think Anthony Richardson can't stay healthy as a quarterback?
Matt Jones
Yeah, that's a lot. Ease, man.
Myron Metcalf
That's a lot. All right, so that was a lot. Here's the question. We had Jared in St. Louis. It's our current king of the mountain. That said Mike Tomlin is overrated as a coach and gave reasons why. Now we have Russ in Indiana, who's today's winner, who says Nebraska and Indiana sports are both irrelevant since the 80s and they are McRib, but think they're prime rib. Are you knocking Jared in St. Louis off the king of the mountain? Myron for Russ in Indiana?
Matt Jones
Yes, Russell, Indiana for me. I mean, the McRib, the prime rib is the best. I mean, that. That added it, that took it. For me.
Myron Metcalf
There were more, more facts in The Jared and St. Louis one, though. I mean, in the Jared and St. Louis one, he gave numbers, he gave stats. But the McRib prime rib line is enough for you to keep it in there.
Matt Jones
Yeah, it was. I mean, I like stuff like that. I like the that kind of talk. You know, you have a cool saying like that. You can get me that guy all.
Myron Metcalf
Right, Jared, you have been knocked off. Our new king of the mountain. Russ is in Indiana.
Matt Jones
Let's go.
Myron Metcalf
Russ, you are. You're the king of the mountain. Nebraska, Alaska and Indiana sports are McRib but think they're prime rib. Russ, you will be the king of the mountain and we will be back with you next week. It is time to go talk about some other things from the week, including a very sad death that brought back a lot of nostalgia for many people in the world of sports. That's next here on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio.
Matt Jones
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
State Farm
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Close your eyes.
Myron Metcalf
Exhale. Feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying.
State Farm
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Myron Metcalf
1-800-Contacts. It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. This is the theme song Great American, which Hulk Hogan used in wrestling. He passed away this week. You know, there have been a lot of Comments about his passing. There are folks who obviously focus understandably on the various things that Hulk Hogan did that were negative. And there were a lot, especially later in his career. And then there are others who tend to focus on the nostalgia of what wrestling was like in the 80s and his role of sort of bringing wrestling to the mainstream world. I generally take a view, and it's a controversial view to some people, that when people die, I tend to, at least in the short term, try to say something nice. Longer term, I think their legacy can be whatever. But I will say for me, when I was a kid, there was. It's less about Hulk Hogan the person than that whole era. That sort of. I'm a real American. There's some nostalgia. Nostalgia there that came. And when you combine that with the death of Malcolm Jamal Warner, it sort of had its effect. Myron, of me sort of missing my childhood in the 80s in some way. Does you know what I mean?
Matt Jones
Yeah, well, I think. I think it reminded me, you know, obviously Ozzy Osbourne, too. It reminded me that, like, it was an era when we were all sitting at home at the same time every week watching the same thing, which is gone now. You know, that's true.
Myron Metcalf
It is.
Matt Jones
So I think that, to me, is what I really reflect. And, yeah, Hogan's legacy is complicated. A lot of, you know, obviously a lot of some negative, hurtful things that he said. But also, I can't imagine my childhood without professional wrestling and what that meant and going to WrestleMania parties. So, yeah, it's. It's a. It's been an interesting week, man. Just to reflect on how important that era was and shaping a lot of our childhood.
Myron Metcalf
Well, you know, something mean, Gene. That was, you know, I've said that many times in very. And then brother like that. There's a lot of Hulk Hogan moments. Best Hulk Hogan moment. I think there are two that stand above all. Hogan body slamming Andre The Giant in WrestleMania 3, and then Hogan Rock in WrestleMania 18, where they end up flipping. Rock is the good guy, Hogan the bad guy. And by the end of the match, the crowd goes the other way. So these two performers are able to flip and go to t. To flip sides with the other becomes the good and the bad. That's a hard thing to do. It wasn't planned. They just kind of went off what the crowd was doing and made it happen. I think those are my two biggest Hulk Hogan moments.
Matt Jones
I think a lot of people would say the NWO move was probably.
Myron Metcalf
That was a big one, too.
Matt Jones
That probably should be on the list.
Myron Metcalf
Too, when he showed up at Bash at the beach and joined the nwo.
Matt Jones
Yeah. So that changed a lot, I think, in pro wrestling. But again, you know, here's what I grapple with Matt and, you know, one of my favorite athletes of all time, like my Mount Rushmore is Jim Brown. Like, one of my favorite athletes ever. I talk a lot about him, read a lot about him. Growing up, he was like an icon to me. But there's a lot of other stuff that comes with Jim Brown too, you know, that you have to acknowledge. And I feel the same way about Hulk Hogan and others, you know.
Myron Metcalf
Well, there's a great. There's a great book I read recently called Monsters that basically the question is, how do you deal with people who produced works or things that you like? Who then the person is not what you like? How do you deal with that? Right. You mentioned with Jim Brown, there's Malcolm, Jamal Warner, the Cosby show, like, how do you deal with that as a thing after it happened later? I just think when it comes to the character of Hulk Hogan, it's just a big part of my life. I loved it. The person, Terry Bolia, you know, I don't know. But when it comes to the character of Hulk Hogan, Myron, for me, that was a character in my childhood that was important. Yeah.
Matt Jones
And I can understand people not separating the two. I mean, some of the damaging things that Hulk Hogan said in his life, the racist comments, I understand how people take that and go. That's how they see him. And they can't escape the other. They can't look at the other elements. But for me, it's. It is complicated because I can't deny that I don't know what I would have done without watching pro wrestling growing up. And kind of what that, that meant to me, like you said, Bill Cosby, it was. I know, you know, made you say.
Myron Metcalf
Your prayers and eat your vitamins, right? I mean, I think you did because of that.
Matt Jones
Yeah, we had. Well, we had a lot of guys who turned out to be problematic later on, but they were important to us, you know, and that's hard to know what to do with all that.
Myron Metcalf
And, you know, to all you little Hulkamaniacs out there who, you know, with your 24 inch pythons, those are things, you know, that for a lot of.
Matt Jones
People balded like 22, I feel like the balding started early, dude.
Myron Metcalf
In the early Wrestlemania, in the early wrestling tapes, they made the cameraman shoot from an angle where they wouldn't show his bald spot, which is fine, which is fascinating to watch in hindsight. We'll head to the Cowboys camp next on Sunday Morning.
Matt Jones
Matt and Myron the podcast.
State Farm
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Matt Jones
Foreign.
Myron Metcalf
Jones news in the NBA this morning, Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has signed a multi year contract extension with the franchises. Sources tell ESPN Donovan has been with the organization for this will be his sixth year. He's considered a good leader within the Bulls. He has won. He's coached 800 games over his career with the Thunder and the Bulls. Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners hit his 40th home run. It's a major league leading number with a go ahead solo shot in the sixth inning propelled the Mariners to a 72 victory over the Angels. Comes the first major league player to reach 40 homers this season and the first switch hitting catcher to do it before August and Toddy Bogacha wins the Tour de France. Feel like you and I did our best ones the last time. Byron. It's good. Third time was the charm I think for both of us.
Matt Jones
I agree it got better but shout out Christine Lisa I think it's not.
Myron Metcalf
An easy job, right? Like they're playing music in your ear and you're having to read a lot of music. You hear Derna Nerd, Durna nerd.
Matt Jones
There's drums happening or something. There's a lot happening.
Myron Metcalf
All these drums. They've read a lot of music going on. Todd Archer is ESPN's Cowboys reporter and he's part of our NFL training camp weekend where we check with every team over the course of these last two days. Todd is here to do the Cowboys and I got to tell you Todd, you and I have talked on this show over the years, I find the Cowboys, I. You got the easiest. Well, I won't say the easiest job, but you got a job where there's always a lot to talk about because of all the controversy that continues to happen. Jerry Jones, Micah Parsons. Jerry Jones makes some odd comment about how you could get in a car wreck. That's weird. And then Micah Parsons kind of says, jerry's being Jerry. So this was a long week. Now that we're at Sunday, where would you say the Jerry Jones, Micah Parsons drama is?
Jeff
Well, we're waiting for Jerry to talk to us again to see if he wants to go back at Micah after he felt discouraged. This deal's not been done and, you know, and he just doesn't understand why. And he sees these other pass rushes get done and confusing him and things. So what we. That is yet to happen. It's a game of volleyball, right? He just keeps going back and forth across the net. Now it's up to Jerry to see if he wants to spike it or give an easy one and get this thing done. But, hey, Jake Ferguson, they got the tight end signed to a long term extension for your deal this morning. So they are able to get deals done with guys.
Matt Jones
What's the hold up on Michael Parsons deal? I mean, it seems fairly straightforward. You know, Miles Garrett wanted to get paid, he got paid. J.J. watt wanted to get paid, he got paid. That's class that Micah Parsons is in. What's the issue?
Jeff
I wish I could tell you. I. It's.
It's.
They've not really had any substantive talks at all regarding a deal. I'll go back to March right before the owner's meetings. Mike is in Abu Dhabi, calls up Jerry and said, I'd like to meet with you. Flies back home. They meet in the owner's office five or six hours, and then Jerry at the owner's meeting tells us, we came to an agreement on the length of the deal, on the money, and the total guarantee. Seems pretty straightforward like that they got something. And Jerry has done that in the past with guys, right. So it might sound weird that the owner is doing this stuff directly with a player, but that's how he's done it with Tony Romo, Jason Whitten, Demarcus Ware, Zach Martin. More recently. He's done that a lot of times with these guys. So the next step is the agent gets involved, and that's where this thing just kind of hit a brick wall. And Micah, the next day after that, came out and said, no deal will be Done without his agent. And here we are. I wish I could give you. Well, it's the hold up on the length of the deal or it's the structure of the guarantee. I don't even think they're that far down that road yet when they haven't really discussed it. But it is something that can come together quickly because we've seen these deals with TJ Watt, with Max Crosby, with Myles Garrett, that ultimately Micah Parsons will become the highest paid non quarterback in the NFL. It's just a question of when. And history tells us that the Cowboys take their time on these things. So maybe it will be an hour before kickoff against The Eagles on September 4, just like Dak last year before the opener against Cleveland when he became the highest paid quarterback in NFL history.
Myron Metcalf
Do the players like Jerry Jones? Like, I can't tell. I mean, I wouldn't. I don't think, but I. But then sometimes players have different views. I don't. Do they. Do they like him? Like, what do they say about him when he's not around? They do.
Jeff
They like them, yeah.
Myron Metcalf
Why?
Jeff
Because he treats them well.
Myron Metcalf
Okay.
Jeff
Their facilities, they're what they. All of those sorts of things. Like he's there with him. He's at almost. He's at every training camp practice, obviously, and he's at most of the practices during the season. He's not some absentee owner, obviously. I understand the frustration that people would have on how they negotiate their deals and things like that, but I've never had one player say he didn't like Jerry. Because when you're around Jerry, I don't know any other billionaires. He's the only one that I know. I don't know what circles you guys roll in. You guys might know more billionaires than I do.
Matt Jones
Matt knows billionaires.
Jeff
He's. I'm not gonna say he's normal, like a normal person, but he can charm you and, and make you feel like you're one of the most important people in his. In his world. And he does that with the players too. And it's not a fake thing. I don't mean it to sound that way, but the player, the players do like Jerry. But I'll admit there's probably some frustration with the higher end guys that their contracts sometimes take. Take longer to get done, but ultimately they all get done. Tell me the last star player, like true star player, that Jerry is not kept around as a cowboy.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. All billionaires.
Jeff
And now I'm trying to.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, there's nobody. I think once you get over 10 million, you start getting strange. And then after like 25, just forget it. You're. You're weird.
Matt Jones
Yeah. And Jerry's on a different level. How are they able to find money for Jake Ferguson, but still, you know, trying to figure out this Michael Parsons situation?
Jeff
Well, you can do two things at once, right? And they're talking with some other guys about contract extensions and trying to hem all in. I don't think it's like they're. They're doing these deals to take away the money available to Micah. That's a separate pie altogether to steal a Jerry term that he likes to use about. There's only so much pie. There'll be plenty of slices left for Micah whenever that deal's done. But, you know, this deal came together, you know, in a matter of weeks, I would say intensified when they get out here in Oxnard. And now he's the seventh highest paid tight end in football, coming off something of a down year last year because of the injury that he had first to his knee and then later a concussion. But they view him as a building block type type guy in this offense. And you look at Dak Prescott in his history came in, he had Jason Whitten, then he had Dalton Schultz, and now he's Jake Ferguson. He leans on his tight ends pretty heavily in this offense. And they wanted to get this deal done. Jake wanted to be here and he gets it done. And now you move on to Tyler Smith. I'll name everybody but Micah that needs a deal. Tyler Smith, maybe George Pickens or they probably want to see him playing some regular season. Actually before they go that down that road. Brandon Aubrey's technically restricted free agent. After the season, they're all pro kicker. I'm forgetting Daron Bland, Pro bowl corner, he'd be another guy that they can look at. But they're not done with their extensions while they're out here, be my guess.
Myron Metcalf
Well, it's never boring when you cover the Dallas Cowboys. Todd Archer will be ready for to hear when Jerry talks again. Knowing him, it will be soon. Thank you very much for your time.
Jeff
You got it. Thanks, guys.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. There you go. Todd Archer. Myron, you and I, because we hosted Amber and Ian this week, we talked Cowboys quite a bit. Do you. Do you think if you played for the Cowboys you would like Jerry Jones?
Matt Jones
I mean, I don't. It's so unique, right? There's no other owner who's in his position controlling personnel and that, that involves. So, I mean, I think you would say you like him. Because ultimately maybe he's. He said he's the one paying you, but how old? I don't know why things his age.
Myron Metcalf
Is he like 90, 80 some.
Matt Jones
I just don't know why he makes things so difficult. That's the weird part to me because Todd's right. He ultimately pays everybody. He paid that multiple times. He CD lab got paid. It's almost like he just likes the theatrics of these moments. And I don't know what that adds. Like I don't know how it helps anybody involved.
Myron Metcalf
I'll play a game. This is a Myron Metcalf. Let's see if I can stump him. Who is older, Mitch McConnell or Jerry Jones?
Matt Jones
Oh, okay. Talking about a couple guys who are probably that 1930s for 40s range. I'll. I'll say Mitch, here's the, here's the answer.
Myron Metcalf
It's a trick question, Todd. They are both 83 years old.
Jeff
Wow.
Myron Metcalf
Now what is Jerry Jones worth?
Matt Jones
Probably tied to the valuation of the Cowboys net worth. I bet he's 10 billion.
Myron Metcalf
What do you think, James? What do you think Jerry Jones is worth?
Todd Archer
I mean the Cowboys alone are worth like 7 or 8 billion. That 10 is probably a good number.
Myron Metcalf
Jerry Jones is worth $17.1 billion. Wow. So I mean you're right to some extent. It's impossible to be normal when you're worth $17 billion. I mean every billionaire is weird. But, but, but I do think NFL Jerry Jones, the combination of being obscenely rich and wanting to day to day medal in the affairs of the team, I think leads to a special kind of weird.
Matt Jones
Yeah. And I think the difference between Jerry and these other billionaires who own teams is, is the majority of them have other things.
Myron Metcalf
Yes.
Matt Jones
That made them billionaires and then they got into football.
Myron Metcalf
Oh, I think that's fair.
Matt Jones
This is Jerry's thing.
Myron Metcalf
You're exactly. I think that is a very, very important thing. I mean he made his initial money in like oil and gas, but then he kind of got away from that. And you're exactly right. I mean there's only a handful of teams. I mean maybe you know the Steelers with the Rooney family, but there's only a handful of teams where the owner's main source of income is the team. And I think that just naturally that leads to them being more involved. Then when you have this like conglomerate of interest in the team is just one of them.
Matt Jones
Yeah. No. And then even the hands on element is unlike any thing in sport. No, no. Owner is also making personnel decisions the way that Jerry is in any facet of pro sports, he's the only one.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, and I don't think he does a great job at that. ESPN, by the way, is touring the country. Sports centers. 50 states in 50 days. Today, Hannah Storm and Jay Harris are at Washington Commanders Training Camp in Virginia. Is this for Virgin or D.C. day?
Matt Jones
I don't know.
Todd Archer
Virgin. I mean, Virginia. Virginia is the state. So.
Myron Metcalf
So D.C. didn't get a day.
Todd Archer
It's 50 states in 50 days.
Myron Metcalf
I know, but what about D.C. the District of Columbus? So we're not going to let them have a member of Congress, and we're also not going to let them be. That makes me sad. Who are you taking out, Matt?
Matt Jones
They're not a state.
Jeff
Yeah.
Myron Metcalf
Who you're going to take out.
Matt Jones
Yeah, you got to get rid of the state.
Myron Metcalf
Should only be one Dakota. There's no reason to have two Dakotas.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I don't think so. I think there's.
Myron Metcalf
Why do we need to live what we. There's barely enough one thing out there for one Dakota. There should only be. Okay, what's your favorite North Dakota thing?
Matt Jones
Exargo Dome is a great place.
Myron Metcalf
That's in South Dakota.
Matt Jones
No, it's not. The Fargo Dome is in Fargo, North Dakota. I've played in it. Okay, I know what I'm talking.
Myron Metcalf
So then what would you want in South Dakota? See, I don't even know which Dakota switch.
Todd Archer
Evan Wilner just texted, texted how much of how much? And he said D.C. kicked it off, so you don't have to worry about these.
Myron Metcalf
So DC did kick it off. Okay, good. I'm glad. I wanted. I want dc. Yes. Scott Van Pell did a special. I actually watched that. I should have remembered that.
Matt Jones
How much of Florida do we actually need, though, in this? Now that we're having a conversation, how much of Florida do we actually need?
Myron Metcalf
What are you gonna do with the rest of the. It?
Matt Jones
Just let it go. I mean, I'm not.
Myron Metcalf
I'm not saying you attack it off and letting it.
Matt Jones
I'm not saying you attack it, but just keep Disney World. And then I think you can kind.
Myron Metcalf
Of catch Hannah and Jay throughout the day on Sports Center. Let it be known on the record, Myron does not want the United States to attack Florida. We will make their picks for all the big games today. It's take your pick next here on.
Matt Jones
Sunday Morning, Matt and Myron, the podcast.
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Matt Jones
Hey guys, it's Ceedee Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. I'm partnering with Abercrombie this season to tell you all about their viral denim. All you need to know is denim should fit like this. My jeans need to check a lot of boxes fit first, trend second. They need to go with whatever I'm feeling and Abercrombie denim has it down whether I'm throwing on a tee or putting a whole fit together. Shop Abercrombie Krami Denim in the app online and in store.
Myron Metcalf
Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. He's Myer Metcalf. I met Matt Jones Sunday night baseball tonight, Mets and the giants begin at 6 Eastern. Lot going on in baseball. You know the playoff race is is wicked close, especially for the wild cards. You go back to both leagues. Myron, if I'm sitting here, let me read you the wild cards right now. First of all, in the NL east, the Mets are only up a half game on the Phillies. The NL Central, the Cubs and brewers are tied. And then for the wild card you have at this very moment, you've got the Padres have the final wild card, the Reds are one game back, the Giants are two games back and the Cardinals are two and a half games back. So you got that craziness. Then you go to the American League and you have at this point, Toronto's got the best record in baseball. Who knew that? But the wild card Yankees have the first one, then Seattle. Boston's only a game back from the Yankees, only a half game ahead of Texas and only two and a half ahead of Tampa Bay. This wild card race could end up being one of the closest ones ever with multiple teams. And with the trade let deadline Thursday, there are so many teams who still think they can compete that it's kind of hard to find people mirroring to sell players because everybody still thinks they're in it.
Matt Jones
And so many teams that feel like they have to make a move, right? I mean what are the Yankees? A lot of, a lot of teams in that spot. So you look at the National League.
Myron Metcalf
With San Diego, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Arizona, probably all four of those teams could be sellers if they weren't right there close to the wild card. But now I don't know if they can because they've got. I mean, if you're Cincinnati, for instance, if you gotta, you got a chance. You almost have to go for it, don't you?
Matt Jones
Yeah, you got to.
Myron Metcalf
Yep. So. All right, let's time this. Let's not just talk about things. Let's tell you who's going to win. Let's take a pick.
Jeff
Take your pick.
Myron Metcalf
You take your pick.
Matt Jones
It's time to take your pick on Sunday morning.
Myron Metcalf
All right, James, what do we got?
Todd Archer
Yeah, Lots of baseball. Let's start off Dodgers at the Red Sox. Red Sox are -105 on the money line. On ESPN BET, it's Dustin May and Walker Bueller for the Red Sox. He's pitching. He won two World Series with the Dodgers. He's pitching against him for the first time. Who do you got here, guys?
Myron Metcalf
Walker Bueller, a Lexington, Kentucky native. The Dodgers are coming in here into Cincinnati and Monday, and I think they're going to come in with a loss. Give me the Red Sox to get a win at home, Myron.
Matt Jones
Red Sox coming here Monday and I'm going to see the game Tuesday against the Twins. The Dodgers are 5 and 11, I think since 4th of July. They got to make big moves at the deadline. Until then, they're still struggling. Give me the Red Sox, me taste.
Myron Metcalf
The Dodgers coming in town is good for a person like me who has season tickets and wants to sell some seats because the prices are through the roof. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Show hey, pitching on Wednesday. I'm going. I'm not selling. I don't think I've ever seen show hey, pitch. So I'm going on Wednesday. What's next?
Todd Archer
It's Skeens Day in Pittsburgh. Yeah. The Diamondbacks visiting the pirates. Pirates are minus 155 on the money line on ESPN. Bet it's Zach Gallon against Paul Skeens, who is obviously very good. The Pirates are not who you guys got today.
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I don't think you can go against Skeens on Skeens Day. What is Skeens Day? Everybody has to wear, like a wispy mustache, have a wife that's much more attractive than they are.
Todd Archer
Just what us Pirate fans call any day that skiing's pitches.
Myron Metcalf
Okay, so it's not like an official celebration every day. All right, I'll still take the Pirates. What do you got, Myron?
Matt Jones
I mean, is this the greatest pitcher of all time for a bad team? Like, just the combination is so compelling. Definitely. I'm not picking against Paul Skeens.
Myron Metcalf
You know, they still have him under contract for like five more years. So. So I don't. I mean it's going to be weird. You're right to have because the team's terrible, but yet they've still got this guy for five years. So he's, you know, he's gonna love.
Matt Jones
The Yankees and they're not.
Myron Metcalf
But it's gonna be five years from now because why would you get rid of him if you're the Pirates? There's no reason.
Matt Jones
True.
Myron Metcalf
So what's next?
Todd Archer
He'll pitch there for the next five years and they'll trade him somewhere for a bag of peanuts. Big time pitching match off in the Bronx today. Zach Wheeler and Carlos Rendon. The Phillies are the favorites on the road. Minus 130 on ESPN. Bet. Who do you guys got today?
Myron Metcalf
Well, Zach Wheeler. I saw him pitch up close about a week and a half ago and he is, he is nasty. So I'm picking Zach Wheeler in pretty much anything he does. Give me the Phillies.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean Phillies had to have the pitching, I think to be really competitive to win a World Series. And now you're playing the Yankees team that just lost. Aaron Judge. Definitely. Give me the Phillies here.
Myron Metcalf
What's Next?
Todd Archer
Zach Wheeler. 9 and 3, 2.39 ERA this year.
Myron Metcalf
Stuff is nasty. The Blue Jays.
Todd Archer
Blue Jays own the best record in baseball right now. And they are in Detroit against the tigers this game 10 even on ESPN. Bet who you guys got here.
Myron Metcalf
What if I told you, Myron, that the Blue like at the beginning of the season, Blue Jays, Tigers at the end of July will be the two teams with the best record in baseball. Would you have ever believed.
Matt Jones
No chance.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, no. Tigers have been awful recently. I think they break the skid and win tonight. Myron.
Matt Jones
Yeah. I give it to Blue Jays. Blue Jays have I think the lowest strikeout rate in all of Major League Baseball, which has helped. I mean they're, they're, they're win tally versus their run differential don't really add up. Still a very good team. Are they as good as their record suggest? I'm not sure. But they win today.
Myron Metcalf
Look at Mr. Stat over here. I like it. What's next?
Todd Archer
Rays traveling to Cincinnati today to play your Reds, Matt. Reds are minus 105 on the money line on ESP. I bet Shane Baz against Brady Singer. Who you got?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, the Ray. The Reds won the first two in this series. Both games were electric in the stadium. Ellie got the game winning hit last night. There's Cincinnati, there's Reds fever in Cincinnati. But Brady Singer is. He throws too many dingers. So I'm going to take the raise to win this eve, this afternoon, unfortunately. What do you got, Myron?
Matt Jones
Have some faith in your team, man. I mean, you've been bragging about the.
Myron Metcalf
Last two, but Brady Singer is kind of. So that's why I'm gonna. I think I'm gonna have to go with the Rays. That's a scientific term. You give stats, I go. Brady Singer.
Matt Jones
Terry Franco. Right.
Myron Metcalf
Done a great job.
Matt Jones
I don't know if anyone predicted he'd be this good getting the Reds back on track like this. So I like the Reds where they're going. Give me the Reds.
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, next year. Let me just say next year the Reds are gonna be really good. Like they've got their players all through 2029 too. The. @ least the most important ones. So just keep them on your radar. What's next?
Todd Archer
I like the hidden dinger off Brady Singer. That' Sunday night baseball. Mets and Giants. Mets are a slight favor on ESPN. Bet you can hear that right here on ESPN radio, 6pm Eastern, also on ESPN television. Who you guys got?
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I'll take the Mets. They, you know, for reasons that. Why not. I don't know who's pitching today. I'm just going to take the Mets. What do you have, Myron?
Matt Jones
I think the biggest thing with the Giants is people thought that the Rafael Divis trade was. Would change everything. Kind of put them in a position to be a real contender and actually they've been terrible since the traders been better.
Myron Metcalf
Could it be a diva's problem?
Matt Jones
Yeah. So I mean, since the trade, I think they're under.500, so things are not looking up for the Giants. Give me the Mets to win this one.
Myron Metcalf
And what's last?
Todd Archer
Well, the pitching matchup because you were wondering. Koday Singer for the Mets and Matt Gage for the Giants. Last one. Indiana Fever at the Chicago Sky Fever, a nine and a half point favorites on ESPN. Bet this game, you can watch it 3:00pm Eastern on ABC and ESPN plus. No Caitlin Clark, obviously, but who you guys got here?
Myron Metcalf
By the way, I will be in a rage when the Giants lose with Gage. I'll take the fever. There's been some Ewing theory here stuff. Indiana's almost been better since Caitlin Clark went out. I'll take Indiana. What do you got?
Matt Jones
Not true. I'll take Indiana. Interesting that we're not hearing as much about Caitlyn Clark. Angel Reese now that she's injured.
Jeff
Right.
Matt Jones
Are these people watching the games? Do they care? They don't. Let's ignore them.
Myron Metcalf
I care. I'm going to watch.
Matt Jones
I care too.
Myron Metcalf
And you don't care. That's fine. I I do care.
Matt Jones
About the game, nor the naysay.
Myron Metcalf
I hope you enjoy your corn and honey on the streets of Minneapolis. Jonathan Zaslow in his seventh show in the last three days with David Dennis, next here on espn.
Matt Jones
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM channel 80. Matt and Myron the Pod.
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Matt Jones
A draft since the 20th century. Or the one that decides their draft order by competing in a legit athletic combine.
Myron Metcalf
Or the league league where if you.
Matt Jones
Come in last, you have to sit.
Myron Metcalf
In a closet and assemble a 300 piece puzzle in the dark. Yeah, that stuff really actually happened. The football may be fantasy, but the stories are 100% real.
Matt Jones
So download the ESPN fantasy app, sign up and start your story today.
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Summary of "Hour 3: Dingers Off Singer" Episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron
Release Date: July 27, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosted by ESPN Radio's Myron Medcalf and Matt Jones, listeners are treated to a comprehensive dive into the latest happenings across the sports world. From NBA and NFL updates to engaging listener segments and heartfelt tributes, the hosts deliver an informative and entertaining show that resonates with sports enthusiasts.
The episode begins with Matt Jones sharing significant updates from the sports arena:
Chicago Bulls' Coach Billy Donovan Extension:
Rams' Quarterback Matthew Stafford Injury Update:
Introducing the new segment, "King of the Mountain," Matt and Myron invite listeners to submit their hottest sports takes for a chance to be crowned the top sports opinionator. The competition is fierce, with the crown initially held by Jared in St. Louis.
Jared's Critique on Mike Tomlin:
Challenging Takes:
Russ in Indiana's Winning Take:
The hosts pay homage to wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who recently passed away, reflecting on his complex legacy and the nostalgia associated with the 1980s wrestling boom.
Myron Medcalf's Reflection:
Matt Jones on Hogan's Impact:
Memorable Moments:
Shifting focus to the NFL, the conversation centers on the Dallas Cowboys' training camp and the intricate contract negotiations with star linebacker Micah Parsons.
Todd Archer's Insights:
Jerry Jones' Management Style:
The final segment offers a deep dive into the MLB Wild Card race, highlighting the tight competition and pivotal moments before the trade deadline.
Current Standings and Team Analyses:
Game Predictions:
Dodgers vs. Red Sox: Both hosts predict a Red Sox victory.
Pirates vs. Diamondbacks: Mixed opinions lead Myron to favor the Rays despite debts.
Phillies vs. Yankees: Consensus on backing the Phillies.
Blue Jays vs. Tigers: Matt picks the Blue Jays, while Myron opts for the Tigers.
Rays vs. Reds: Matt supports the Reds, arguing for their recent performance.
Mets vs. Giants: Both decide to back the Mets' victory, citing recent performance issues with the Giants post-trade.
Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky: Both conclude with Indiana as the winner.
The predictions are interspersed with humorous banter and strategic analysis, providing listeners with both entertainment and insightful commentary.
Matt Jones on Billy Donovan's Extension:
Jared in St. Louis on Mike Tomlin:
Russ in Indiana's McRib Analogy:
Myron's Tribute to Hulk Hogan:
Todd Archer on Micah Parsons' Contract:
Myron on Jerry Jones' Worth:
Conclusion
"Hour 3: Dingers Off Singer" delivers a rich tapestry of sports discussions, listener interactions, and personal reflections. Matt and Myron navigate through the latest updates with expertise, engage listeners with compelling segments like "King of the Mountain," and honor sports legends with heartfelt tributes. Whether you're tuning in for the latest NBA moves, NFL contract talks, or MLB wild card races, this episode offers something for every sports aficionado.
Listen to the full episode on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, or SiriusXM channel 80.