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The podcast Matt Myron on ESPN Radio Championship Sunday. We haven't spent a lot of time on the championship game Jeff, presented by Progressive Insurance, but that's still to come because we have more to do. But right now, if you've listened to this show a lot, you know we do King of the Mountain. That's where you call in and you give your best takes. The funniest, the hottest, the smartest, whatever you want. And whoever gets the best gets the belt. For the week, we'll pick a weekly winner and then we will get the winner from. You get to challenge our previous winner. So 888 say ESPN. We need to get you in. Normally I call for him the segment before, but you know what? I got behind. I got so excited about Ryan getting tased that I got a little off. James.
C
James, this.
D
Go get. Go get Justin.
B
I went and got Justin and now we're ready for King of the mountain. 888 say ESPN and Myron will be ready to go. I can't. I have to tell you, that last segment made me feel like home and I did kind of like it. I'm not gonna like it. His voice, the announcer's voice.
C
That's true.
B
Mountain. It made me feel like I had gone home. Myron.
C
Still a lot of unanswered questions too. I mean, I would like to read the investigation report to know there's no investigation, no answer.
B
This is every game.
C
You can't just tase somebody without it. I hope there's an investigation.
B
You can't incarcerate. And what I love say yes.
C
No one said if he was official or not the dude who did it, by the way, like, who is that dude?
B
So we don't know they we're going. It is now time to go King of the Mountain. Ladies and gentlemen, your winner and new King of the Mountain champion, Jonah in Ohio. Go ahead, Jonah.
D
All right, I got you guys. I've been listening to you for a long time. Love you. Listen to you every morning on the way to work on Sundays. Here's my hot take. You two Are like an old married couple. All you do is bicker and argue and fight and you have dissent. But deep down, I feel your love for each other. You really do love each other. You're the old married couple. That's my hot take.
B
Pretty good take, I feel like. And it's lasted for three weeks as the champion, but it is there to be taken off. 888 say ESPN. Let's get started. You can get on the line and let's make your takes. Let's go to Noah, who's in New York City. Noah, are you getting ready for the snow?
D
It's snowing right now, so I'm already ready.
B
What part of New York City are you in?
D
I'm in Manhattan on the east side.
B
All right, there you go. All right, let's go. What's up first?
D
So I want to say it's a smart take, but it's really an obvious take. All season long, the Broncos have won close games with Sean Payne A plus play calling in Bo Nicks. A plus plus execution that's been the X factor last week versus the Eagles versus the Giants versus the first time they played the Chiefs. They've won on the margins with incredible QD play. And if he's not playing today, they have no shot. It's. It's an obvious take.
B
All right, there you go. Do you agree no shot without Bo Nicks today?
C
No, I think they have a shot. I mean that Denver defense is real. I think you also got Drake May traveling across the country to play at altitude. As a second year guy, I think you went from really not a pressure on Drake. May I be lose in this game. You've already achieved so much to now you're supposed to get to a Super bowl because you're facing Jared Stidham. So I think Denver definitely has a chance.
B
Let's go to Ray and Gary. Is that Gary, Indiana, Ray?
D
Yes, sir.
B
Okay, let me ask you a question, right. Real quick before you start in Gary, Indiana, take up for your city. A lot of people like to throw it down. I bet you have pride in it. Take up for Gary.
D
I have. I have pride in it. I'm 67 years old. And bring on the Gary Bears, the Carry Bears.
B
It might end up happening. All right, go with your take.
D
Okay. Mine is on LeBron. I know he's still great, but I am so tired of hearing him. I think he just ought to retire and take his kid Bronnie with him to be his chauffeur. But all he good for.
B
Myron. Thoughts that's intense.
C
I mean, I don't know why Brianny got thrown into it, but I will say this. I do wonder how people will view LeBron when it's all said and done, based on how his career finishes. Right. And how he goes out. It's gonna be interesting to see, but.
B
Well, it doesn't feel like he's the kind of guy who's going to go with a whimper.
C
No, there's gonna be a tour. There's gonna be a farewell. There's gonna be all of that. I just want how people respond to the LeBron farewell tour.
B
It'll be interesting. Eight, eight, eight, say ESPN. Let's go to Maurice in Jacksonville. Go, Maurice.
D
Hey, fellas. How y' all doing today?
B
Good.
D
Oh, good. My take is this right here. I've been living for 49 years, and I've been a big sports fan since, you know, I've been a kid up to now. And this is the most coaching vacancies I have ever seen in the NFL at 10. How many have y' all seen in y' all lifetime that has been almost like this?
B
I mean, I think it's the most. I think it's the most ever in one off season. So never.
C
Yeah.
D
Oh, man, it's brutal. This is the most brutal one I've seen since I've been living. But my take from is this right here. When these coaching vacancies get filled, how many of these head coaches do you think are going to go to the playoffs and might win a playoff game?
B
All right, I tell you what I appreciate. I've been living once after you turn.
C
40, black folks love to tell you how long they've been in the land of the living, how long they've been living. They love it because he said, since I've been living, like, he was 89.
B
He's 49.
C
He said, since I've been living, it's like. That's like 75, man.
B
It's an interesting way also to say how old you are. Since I've been living.
C
But he said it like he'd been, you know, through some things over the course of history. It's like, come on, man.
B
Yeah, he did say that. Like, when I was at the Spanish American War, he said, you know, I.
C
Was sitting at a coffee table with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And I said, are we sure about the march?
B
You know, that's how I was sitting with Martin. And we were like, I don't know about this mentor hire in Baltimore. Mitch in New Jersey. Go, Mitch.
D
Good afternoon, Good afternoon.
E
Go for it.
B
30 seconds.
D
Yeah, you got it. I say, Sam, don't be the first starting quarterback from USC get to the super bowl, but he's got to win first. Of course. And I want to see. I don't want to see New England love Drake, but I guess Jared Stanham's not to play like Trent Alpha. I don't know how he got to the Super Bowl.
B
All right. I appreciate it. I was mesmerized. But that is the most New Jersey voice.
C
That's got to be the most, right?
B
That's the greatest. That's the most. That's a perfect, like, American hustle, too, about Trent. New Jersey. He's going to. He's going to be playing the mayor that gets in trouble for corruption.
C
I couldn't get past the accent. I was like, that is the most authentic.
B
That's New Jersey.
C
Yeah, that's. That's midweek Mitch, actually. He calls it all the time.
B
Oh, is it that? Is that. I don't know. But I will say that is the best Jersey accent.
C
Yes.
B
That I've heard in a long time. Victor in Maine. Go, Victor.
D
Good afternoon, guys. I just wanted to say Josh Allen should not be counted out yet. People have been counting about writing them off, saying, this is his year. He carried us to those playoffs. Lamar Burrow and Mahomes all missed. That's what people aren't talking about. It was his best opportunity, but he got us there. Unlike them, I'm never gonna count out 17. I'll always believe. Go, Bills. Thank you.
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Can I count him out for this year? Where'd he get you to?
C
Do you think y' all are playing today?
B
He said.
C
He said it like, we still have a chance. Like, I don't think that's how the playoffs work. He said, like, the Bills are on the sidelines saying, we got next. That's how he talked about it.
B
I like James. James, this.
D
Go get.
A
Go get Justin.
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Jim in Chicago. Go, Jim.
C
Count us out.
E
You're out.
D
Hi, guys.
B
Hey.
D
I'm a Michigan and Illinois fan, but Ohio State's going to outspend everybody because they've taken a personal front that they lost two games this year there.
F
It's.
D
It's going to be ridiculous. And if it weren't so it's just. It's just not fun to have Ohio State be on the top again. They're going to.
B
But it sounds like you're just saying that because you're a Michigan fan. I mean, I feel like you all spend a lot of money too. Didn't you spend more on the quarterback last year than any other team in the country?
D
But they're going to find a way to. They're going to find a way to pay for every single play, and they've got the money in the backers to do it. You think you got money in the South? No.
C
Wait, are you. Do you think Michigan is poor? Like, do you. Do you, like, are you saying Michigan doesn't have a bunch of money to spend either?
D
Michigan has. Has the funds, but they have an ounce of integrity, and Ohio State has none.
B
All right, there you go.
C
If Michigan wants to be. Oh, that's it. I don't know if Michigan fans want to throw the word integrity around after the last couple of months. I don't think. I think you need to wait out that word a little bit.
B
All right, so who's our winner? Noah with Bo Nix, Ray and Gary about LeBron. Maurice talk about how many years he's been living. Mitch in New Jersey, Victor in Maine. Josh Allen or Jim in Chicago says Ohio State's too much money. Who you got? Myron.
C
I like the bonus guy. I think that was probably our cleanest take. That was actually like a take.
B
I agree. I'm gonna give Noah the win. Congratulations, Noah, on the east side of Manhattan. I still don't think you can beat Jonah, though. I think Jonah is still ahead of Noah. Do you agree?
C
I agree.
B
All right, so, no, you don't take the belt, but you win this week. And Jonah remains for a fourth week in a row, our king of the mountain, Herm Edwards, has joined us. That's next.
F
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Matt and Myon the podcast Matt Myon here on ESPN Radio, Herm Edwards joining us. Herm, how you liking the snow? You're a California guy. You're going to be stuck up there in Connecticut in the snow.
A
I'm, I'm watching this fall. I got to find a way to. I'm going to unscrape my car here. That my rent a car and get over to the hotel and watch the game and then hopefully I can park underneath and then when I come back over here tonight. That's the one I haven't figured out yet. How am I going to do that?
C
Let's just stay there. Are you going to leave all day?
B
I would just stay if I were you.
C
I wouldn't even leave then.
A
I got to scrape it off tonight at 11 o'.
D
Clock.
B
No, we're going to scrape it.
A
Yeah, I'm going to go scrape it and go to the hotel and park.
B
Eating. You're eating, aren't you?
A
Herm, I got you, man. I've been here since 5 o' clock this morning and then where are you.
C
Staying Herm, are you staying close?
A
Yeah, right across the street.
C
I'm good.
A
Everybody's worried about this snow. I said just be smart, drive slow, get to where you're just.
C
Nobody does, though. Nobody drives slow.
A
Ain't nobody on the road right now. People scared death.
B
Yeah, well, and y' all are at least used to it here in Kentucky, we don't even get this very much. So we none of us are moving two games today. Let's start with the early one. We got Jared Stidham versus Drake May. Let's say you were the coach of the Broncos. You lose Drake May. Jared Stidham has done one pass in two years. He started seven games in eight years. How do you get that? He's not a kid, he's a young man. How do you get him calm and ready for this insane stage?
A
Well, I think Sean Payton will simplify the offense. The guy has some talent. Look, Sean hand picked this guy. He wanted this guy. So he saw something in him in the fact that if something would happen, he's going to have to go in and play. Now, he didn't anticipate he's playing in the championship game, but with that being said, I just think he has to try to find a way to. To get him some early completions. Because if you're the opponent, the first thing you're going to do, the Patriots, and they've got a really good defense as well, they know, you know, anyone that was watched football says, well, if you know, if you have a quarterback, hadn't played a lot, hadn't thrown a lot, we're going to run the ball. So when you, when you think of it that way, your whole mindset, if you're defensively, what are you not going to allow them to do? Run the ball? You're going to get a seven man, eight man box. So you're going to have access with your receivers and tight ends to throw the ball on early downs. And I think Sean Payton realizes that he's a smart coach. He'll allow this guy to throw the ball to get to second and four so he can move the chains with the guy. Don't get him behind the chains.
C
What's your pregame speech to Derek Stidham? Like, what are you doing with a guy in that situation? Are you talking to him? Are you leaving him alone? Like, what are you doing going into a game with a guy who doesn't.
B
I feel like you'd have something motivating to say, wouldn't you?
D
Yeah.
B
Like, what's your Phrase to get him going.
A
Don't screw up the cha cha.
B
What?
A
Yeah. What does that mean?
B
What does that mean?
A
Well, listen to this. Okay, well, if you ever learned how to dance when you were young, the first dance you learned was a cha cha. It's one, two, cha cha cha. Just don't screw up the cha cha man. Just go play quarterback. Don't try to be Hercules. You don't have to do anything. Just get the snap. When you're supposed to hand the ball off, hand the ball off.
B
When you.
A
When you're supposed to throw it to the guy that's open, throw it to the guy that's open. Don't try to.
B
All of a sudden, I need to understand the thing. So you're saying you go one, two, cha cha cha. So your point is? Do the one, two. Just don't screw up the cha cha cha.
A
Don't screw the cha cha cha up, man.
C
Okay?
A
You can't do. And people do it all the time. I said just do the cha cha man. It's real easy. It's the easiest dance you ever learned in your life. One, two, cha cha cha.
C
Are you. Coach, how many mistakes are you allowing him to make? Like if Jared Stidham comes out there, throws an early pick, what are you doing?
A
Well, I'm not doing anything. Say you. Okay.
C
Are you gonna let him ride it out? Can he? I mean, well, who else are you gonna play?
A
Who is he gonna play? The third string quarterback.
C
You may have to.
A
No, no, no, no, no. We saw Drake May go through this, right? I mean, everyone thinks off of Drake. Major. Look, if I'm New England, I'm worried about my quarterback. Did you see how he played last week?
B
He did not play well.
D
Thank you.
C
Young, too.
A
That's what I'm saying. So the quarterback that does that can protect the ball is going to win this football game. It's big for Drake. May too. The last time he played, he. He wasn't like, oh, you know, he wasn't getting invited to the dance the way he played.
B
Yeah. Don't screw the cha cha. Never heard that phrase before. But I'm going to start. I'm going to start using it. You. You've played in Denver. What difference? Tell. Tell people what? What does it make a difference? You know, altitude.
A
You don't. They. They put all those signs up there and all the altitude, man, just play. You don't worry about that stuff.
B
So you don't think it matters?
A
I mean, on long drives, it matters. You know who it matters to? To the big guys. And that's where you can gain an advantage. You stay out on the field for a time, and this is why you got to substitute the big guys. You know, I always say athletes are athletes. You just play. You don't worry about that stuff. You don't even talk. I never talked about it. I mean, when I was at Arizona State, we went to Colorado. And that's like I said, man, I ain't even talking about that. I'm not even gonna mention it. Just go play football. Guys. Don't. Don't use that. Don't use that one, man. Because players buy into that stuff. Some of these guys.
C
What's your biggest fear in this game? If you're Mike Vrabel, like, you're going into this game, you feel fairly confident they're playing a backup quarterback who hasn't played in a long time. What's the thing that scares you the most about how this game could go wrong?
A
I'm worried about how my quarterback's gonna react to all this. After watching him play last week. Is he okay? You know, we talking about this Stidham with the cowboy hat on. I'm worried about my own guy. First playoff game he played in, like, it wasn't like, oh, boy, you know, we want the repeat of that. He didn't play good, guys.
B
No, he didn't play good.
A
He did not. Neither of those quarterbacks played good. Now, the good thing for the New England Patriots is they have a really good defense and they don't get talked about enough. They only allow 19 points a game. Right? So. And this is what he's going to have to deal with. He going to get hit now. May going to get hit. This is the number one defense. Sacking the quarterback. 68 sacks. But here's the big one. Quarterback hits 224.
B
It's a lot.
A
So he going to get hit now?
B
He is going to get hit.
C
You know what?
A
When it's cold outside and you hit the ground, it hurts.
B
Well, let's switch over to the nfc. Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford. These two teams know each other very, very well. This is, in my opinion, probably for the massive favorite of the Super Bowl. What do you like?
A
Oh, I'm hoping my favorite player. I told you guys many times, Josh Allen, my second favorite player.
C
Where is he at?
A
Matthew Stafford. I still got one guy in it.
B
Why do you like Matthew Stafford so much?
A
I just like his story. When the season started, he had back problems. People didn't even think he was coming back. So he might Be done, Might be done. He's sitting in the position now to play in another Super Bowl. And, you know, I just like what this offense has done and watching this team play. They're a lot of fun. Boy, and he can throw the ball. Now he's got to have a clean pocket because he's not going to run around. And I think that's what Seattle's going to try to do. They're going to try to muddy the pocket, rush him, get him off his mark. He's got some excellent receivers. You know, between Puka, Adams, Parkinson's And Higsby, that's 35 touchdowns with those four guys. So I just like the way he plays. I just do. I like the way he plays the quarterback.
B
What makes Puka so good? I don't understand how he gets open so easily. He doesn't have crazy speed. He's tough, but he's not like, like, why is he so good?
A
Okay, very. He understands the concepts of what defense are trying to do is. And this is who he is, guys. And I said this. We played against him when I was at Arizona State. He reminds me of this guy. People go, oh, same attributes. Michael Irvin. Uh, oh, they're sick. No, go. Look at. Go, go, go.
C
We can't do that.
A
No, no, no, no, no, no. Listen, they're both, they were both six two, 225 pounds. Michael Irvin wasn't a fast guy. Long arms, catch the ball with his arms, with his hands. Very physical. When you guarded him, he could catch it. Powerful player. This, this guy plays the same way. He just, he plays.
C
He's an all time great. But, but I mean, he's an.
A
I'm not saying he has his attributes. I'm not saying he's Michael Irvin. There's only one Michael Irvin. I get that. Fantastic football player, but he has his traits. He plays a lot like Michael Irvin. The built is the same. The way he runs is the same. It, it, it just. If you put an 88 on him and you put him on and they put the star on his hat, you'd go, man, they have some.
B
I'm with Myron Kimiron's hating, but I think that's a really good.
A
I'm just telling you.
C
Yeah, he's great. I just think.
A
I'm not saying, I'm not saying he's Michael Irvin. I'm not saying that.
B
All right, but he's enough.
C
He's pretty.
B
Final message for Jared Stidham. Say it to him again.
A
Jared Stidham. Don't screw up the cha cha man. One, two cha cha cha. Just do that, you'll be fine too.
C
Cha cha cha.
B
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Designer shoe warehouse store is on sale right now.
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Sneakers, boots, dress shoes.
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Today.
C
Matt and Myon the podcast.
B
That's right, it is. Matt Meyer. Not here on ESPN Radio. My Metcalf, the television star. Have you figured got the shoes now? We, we're not doing the scoots right, so we got, we got what we need.
C
We'll see. I'm, I'm still on the fence about like a lot of you sneakerheads are a little too, it's too much pressure. You all aren't a very welcoming community. I tell you though.
B
I, well, we're going to deal with this with soccer people this summer with the World cup because they're not a very welcome community in my opinion. They, they, they try to keep you out and we don't want to do that in the sneaker world. I am excited about these games today, though. Actually not really. I'm not excited, but they're happening and I'm going to. Well, I'm not. I can't act like these are exciting games. Do you. I mean, who in America that's not living on the west coast is excited about Seahawks, Rams, who?
C
But who's excited? We just spent an entire college football season talking about Indiana and the story.
B
But that was a great story. That was a great story and it.
C
Had, we're about to get a great story.
B
Every single team Alive story.
C
A 100% people didn't know what was going to happen him after his disastrous finish with the Vikings last year. Drake May is a second year guy who would MVP and get his team to the super bowl as a Patriot and everything that that franchise represents. And then you have the possibility that Sam Darnold, I mean, Matthew Stafford could win a second super bowl. And if Jared Stidham leads his team to the super bowl, that's going to go above Indiana probably for me in terms of greatest sports stories of the year, potentially. So no, there's a great story that's going to happen today. No matter the outcome. You got to support that.
B
Do you genuinely think that Drake May versus Sam Darnold is a great story, that America will be captivated by that?
C
Did you know who Tom Brady was when he replaced Drew Bledsoe? Drew Bledsoe got hurt and then Brady shows up and now he's leading us. No one knew who he was. And this could be the same for.
B
You're saying Drake May is Tom Brady?
C
That's not what. I don't do that, man. I didn't say that. I'm talking. What I'm saying is we don't know who Drake May is going to be like. This could be the start of a run that could be pretty incredible.
B
All right, let's go to Patriots Broncos first Jared Stidham. One pass in two years. Everybody knows that. Do you give the Broncos any chance to actually win the game?
C
100%. They're at home. The altitude is an adjustment. You have a young quarterback you're facing who hasn't been on this stage before. So I think there are a lot of things working in Denver's favor despite what happened with Bo Nix. I'm not saying they'll win, but they certainly have a chance. Like, I don't think this is the blowout that people imagine it will be because that Denver defense.
B
Yeah, I don't think it's a blowout. I think it's probably a lot like the game between Houston and New England, minus the five turnovers. I don't know that I expect that, but I just feel like this is going to be a game that's always going to be in the Patriots hands. And while I don't think that Denver defense allows him to get blown out, I have zero confidence that Stidham will make the plays necessary to win. I mean, I just. How can I? I've not seen the guy play in ever.
C
I mean, I think you trust Sean Payton, right? Sean Payton has been in his position. He's had a lot of success with backup quarterbacks over the course of his career. And I think, I don't think Jared Stidham has to do it all like that defense, much like Seattle is the heart of that team. And that defense can make go ahead. Well, they can make life really hard on Drake May.
B
So they've hit the quarterback I think her mentioned 224 times this year, which I saw during the break is maybe the third most of all time. Are you, if you're Denver just coming at Drake May with everything you have and hoping to rattle him 100%.
C
You know what I mean? To me, if Bo Nixon Drake May face off in the AFC championship game, right. I don't think either one of those guys is facing real pressure because your young quarterbacks, your second year guys being in the AFC championship alone is an achievement. And I still think that's the case. Drake May, but now without Bo Nicks, now all the, the pressure is you're supposed to be in a Super Bowl. Like people are acting like this is just what they say. Monopoly, you skip. What do you skip? Go uno. What do you skip in Monopoly?
B
Just first of all, you're skit. You're. You're combining a lot of games. Monopoly, it's do not pass go. Do not pass go in Uno, it's skip.
C
Okay, well some combination those two games. People act like he's just going to skip Denver to get to the Super Bowl. And we've seen a lot of players in this position fail. We watch. Josh Allen was supposed to win a Super bowl without Lamar and Patrick Mahomes in the mix. Get there. He didn't do it.
B
Just for the record, I don't put that loss on Josh Allen. I know he missed a pass at the end, but at some point, you know, receivers have got to help him. He his defense get a stop. I mean I.
C
What about the turnovers?
B
The turnovers are bad but I mean I don't put that loss on all of you.
C
You Josh Allen apologist.
B
It's cultish.
C
Almost like you could, you could show.
B
It is clear the video. Sam Arnold. Sam Darnold has had some success. You have completely flipped on him. He used to be the guy you hated the most. Now I'm going to rank the Myron Metcalf hatred of. Of football people. Scale number one, Mike McCarthy. Number two, Kirk Cousins. I think Josh Allen has moved to number three. And Sam Darnold has fallen all the way from number one to number four. Showing how fair weathered Myron's love and hate can be.
C
Listen, I just assess the facts as I see them. And sometimes facts change. You know, Sam Darnold at the end of last season wasn't a lot to hang your hat on, right. To think that he was a good quarterback. This year he comes in, it looks like he looked for most of last season with the Vikings, but I don't think that game is even on him. That defense is really good and that's what the core of this game will be.
B
All right, let's switch gears to the Rams and Seahawks. I was listening to, of all people, Mad Dog Russo. Mad Dog, I was listening to him and he did a really good job actually breaking down the best quarterbacks of all time. And here was his argument. He basically said that there's a top four that's pretty unassailable. Some order of Brady Mahomes, Montana United. And then he noted that there was a group of six or seven that most people would agree to be next. That includes Manning, Elway, Staubach, and he, you know, I can't remember all the people that were on there, but there was a list of six or seven. And then right outside that is a group of another six or seven attempting to leap into that top group. Matthew Stafford was one of those quarterbacks. Do you think if Matthew Stafford were to win a second super bowl, which would be more than Aaron Rodgers, his career totals in yards are going to be huge. Does he knock on that door of that group that includes Staubach, Bradshaw, Manning, you know, Aaron Rodgers, etc.
C
Yeah. I mean, I think it puts him in that conversation and for a lot of people would put him ahead of Aaron Rodgers doesn't have foreign VPs, but he's have a second ring, which is how we define quarterbacks.
B
It'll be interesting to see after today, especially if they win today. That'll be a conversation a lot over the next couple of weeks. We are going to it's time to do take your pick. We're bringing on a former Broncos quarterback, talking about Denver and what it'll be like for Jared Stidham. That's next here on Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.
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C
Matt and Myron the Podcast it is.
B
Matt Martin here on ESPN Radio getting you ready for the championship games. And with the Broncos playing, we want to bring on our friend Brock Oswald, former Broncos quarterback, ESPN college football analyst and a Super bowl champ. BROCK all right, so you've been in this situation in Denver to know what it's like to play in that crowd and to get ready for a game like this. Let's just say you're Jared Stidham and you've thrown one pass in two years. How do you get ready for this massive moment?
D
Well, you know, you've been getting ready, you know, your whole career and you've been getting ready all season long. You know, if you've been doing the right stuff as a backup quarterback, you know, the, the old adage is, you know, you never know when your number is going to be called, right? And so you're either going to be prepared for that moment to be able to step in and handle the role that your team needs you to do or, you know, if you haven't been doing the right things, then that's going to show. And, you know, everything that I know about Jarrett Stidham and the Broncos organization and Sean Payton and how they go about their business, I have the utmost confidence that Jarrett is ready for his opportunity. He's been preparing the right way behind the scenes. And I think he's going to make the most of this opportunity today.
B
Can I ask you what just for people who don't know, when you say what the backup quarterback is doing to get ready throughout the season, give an example of what that means, like what it means to what they're doing on a week to week basis.
D
Yeah. So what I mean by that is, you know, and I think it's pretty well known by now, but if you're the starting quarterback for an NFL team, you pretty much take all the reps in practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, there's very few reps, if any, in practice that go to the backup. So how do you prepare just in case the starter goes down so you can step in and operate the way your team needs you to do? It's really on you. You kind of have to take the bull by the horn, take initiative and get things done. So maybe what it is for a backup is okay. I didn't get any red zone reps in Thursday's practice, but when practice is done, I'm going to grab some extra guys, maybe some practice squad receivers, maybe some guys that work in the equipment room. I'm going to grab my quarterback coach and we're going to go run those reps on air so I still get the timing of my feet. I get to deliver some of those throws. But my point in saying that is that's up to the quarterback to grab his coach, grab some guys and say, hey, guys, I want to go get some extra reps after practice. You know, it could be something before practice, maybe getting out before the practice starts and taking that day's practice script and running through it as though you are the starter, knowing that you're not going to get any of those reps in practice. It's things that happen behind the scenes when nobody's watching. And I think that's the difference between. Between a lot of backup quarterbacks. You know, I think there's a lot that just kind of go through the motion. You know, they show up when they're told to show up, kind of, you know, just do what they're asked to do. And then there's others that take, you know, that next step, take the initiative just in case their numbers called. And that's. That's why I have confidence in Jarrett Stidham today, because everyone I've talked to that's around him inside the Broncos organization, they say he goes about his business the right way.
C
Brock from the outside, a lot of people assume across the NFL, once you turn to the backup, it's just a different level of talent. What is the real gap in the NFL between most starters and their backups when it comes to talent and execution?
D
You know, I think every situation is different. I don't think there's just one simple answer for that. I mean, let's remember Tom Brady was a backup quarterback, right? You know, until Drew Bledsoe went down, nobody knew who Tom Brady was or as far as who he was going to be as a pro and what he brought to the table. And so I think a lot of times, and the reason Why I bring up that example, you don't necessarily know what you have in a backup quarterback until they get their opportunity, and every opportunity is served. Different. And for Jarrett Stidham, and I think my case was very similar to what Jared is stepping into today. When I stepped into the huddle for the Denver Broncos back in 2015, I was surrounded by a great team. I had a good offense. We had some veteran pieces. We had Pro bowl wide receivers. We had one of the best defenses in the National Football League kind of during that stretch. So I had a really good team around me. Well, what does that do? It makes you look a little bit better as a backup quarterback, especially if you don't have the experience. So while you're learning the NFL game and getting your feet wet, if you have guys like that to lean on, which Jared Stidham does, it's going to make you probably, you know, perform a little bit better than if you're in a situation, you know, you know, not to poke at them, but, you know, say you're a backup quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders this year and you step into the ball game. I mean, that's a really tough situation. So that's why I say every situation is different. It's really hard to say, well, you know, the drop off is going to be, you know, not so much or a lot from the starting quarterback. Every situation so different. But obviously, losing Bo Nix, who's taken all the reps essentially the last two years, he's played every single down. I think that's the cause for concern for Denver Broncos fans because they don't know who Jarrett Stidham is in a regular season or playoff game. But certainly all the things that he's done in preseason in practice have been phenomenal.
B
Talking to Brock Osweiler, former Broncos quarterback. Let's switch to the other game for a second. Sam Darnold, I mean, except for the last two games of last season, which didn't end well, has been really just a revelation in a different way than he was before. Part of that, of course, our teams he's played on. But, I mean, you've known this guy for a long time. What would you say are the biggest reasons we. It's a different person now, that is now in the championship game than it was through the beginning of his career.
D
It's. It's a really simple answer, and I love that we're talking about this because I think more people need to be aware of these situations. If you think back to Sam Darnold's beginning to his career goes to the New York jets. And if you look at that situation that he went into in New York, he didn't stand a chance, right? And so he really got drugged through the mud. That was a tough situation. It's what I was just talking about with the backup quarterback. What are the pieces that you're surrounded with? And in New York, he didn't have great pieces. To be a successful quarterback, one, you have to have experience, and that's what Sam now has, right? It's whether it's been good or bad. He's played a ton of football, and now he understands defenses, he understands the NFL game, he understands the speed of it, and you're seeing that. But the biggest thing with a quarterback, it is impossible, I don't care how talented you are, to play quarterback by yourself. It takes everybody around you, from your head coach to your play caller to the other 10 guys that are on the field with you when you're out there on offense, your defense and your special teams. If you look at all the great quarterbacks in the history of the game, they had great teams around them. They had great coaches, they had great systems and play callers. And for a guy like Sam, when he stepped foot into the league, we knew the physical tool set that he had. We knew the intangibles and the moxie that he carried with himself. But now you're seeing what he had in Minnesota last year when he got a play, in San Francisco, when he was a backup and now in Seattle. He's got the whole package around him. And so they're able to use that tool set that he has and the skill set that he has. And I just think it's so great because I don't think there's enough quarterbacks that get this, you know, second, third, fourth chance to go find that place where they can truly display how good of a player they are. I think you guys like Baker Mayfield right now, Sam Darnold, and they're making the most of their opportunity because their first, you know, one or two opportunities in the league, they were just such tough situations. They didn't have great pieces around them. It's going to be impossible to have success. And that's certainly not the case right now for Sam Darnold. He's in a great situation.
B
Great stuff, Brock. All right, so now it's time for us to pick the games. We do this every week, and it's only a couple this week, but let's get started. It's time to take a pick.
D
Take your pick.
B
You take your pick.
C
It's time to take your pick with Matt and Myron.
B
All right, we'll go game by game.
C
Patriots at Broncos.
B
Patriots.
C
Broncos.
B
Myron, then Brock. Go, Myron.
C
Obviously, a lot of people looking at the quarterback position. When B threw for more than 300 yards, the Broncos were 3 and 1. This season, when he threw under 300 yards, they were 11 and 2. Which what that tells me is you can win without a spectacular quarterback effort in Denver with that defense and everything else they have. Give me the Broncos to pull off the upset in the AFC Championship game.
B
Byron going with an upset to start. What about you, Brock?
D
Yeah, I'm right there as well. I think Denver gets it done today for Jarrett Stidham. I think there's been too much conversation about the backup quarterback play. And listen, it is Jared Stidham's job to not lose the game today. He doesn't need to win it. His job is to not lose it. He needs to lean on that defense, his supporting cast on offense, Sean Payton, that home crowd, I mean, Mile High is going to be rocking up there. They're going to be ready to go. And the Patriots, to me, when I look at them, I still think Drake May, he's got some learning to do and he's turned the ball over a bit in the playoffs. So I'm taking the Broncos at home.
B
Wow. I didn't expect to be the only one to pick the favorite, but I will. I think there'll be a little cha cha cha in the way for Jared Stidham to quote Herb Edwards. And I will take Drake May and the Patriots to win on the road. What's next?
C
Rams at Seahawks. Two numbers to pay attention to. The Seahawks put up 829 yards on offense in two games against the Rams this season. But also Sam Donald through six picks in those two and get two games, they split with them. I just think the Rams defense has Sam Darnold's number and that'll be the difference. Give me the Rams to win.
B
Brock.
D
I'm going the same direction. This. This one was really, really tough. I've looked at it all week long. I think what Seattle's done this year and spec on offense under Clint Kubiak, really impressive and obviously the 12th man. Great home field advantage, but I just don't know how you bet against Sean McVay, Matt Stafford. Momentum in football is very real. They've been road warriors the last month throughout the playoffs. I don't think you can bet against the potential mvp. I'm taking the Rams on the road.
B
It is. I'm with you. I just feel like who wins Super Bowls? Guys on first. On first, you know, draft contracts or hall of Famers? I'm going to take a Hall of Famer. I'm going to take Matthew Stafford. I think he wins. Brock, thank you very much for your time. Great stuff.
D
Appreciate you guys having me. Enjoy the ball games today.
B
There you go. Brock Osweiler. It is now. It's been fun with you, Myron, but it is now time for the pros to get on. No more just listening to Myron talk about his Scoot Henderson shoes. It's playoff preview with the with the pros Freddie Coleman and Harry Douglas, who might be a card, but otherwise he's all right. That's next. This has been Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio. Enjoy the games. James. James, this.
D
Go get. Go get. Justin.
C
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10:00am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron, the Podcast well, the.
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Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron — Hour 3: Herm Edwards and Brock Osweiler Join the Show
ESPN Radio | January 25, 2026
In this lively championship Sunday episode, hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf take calls for their popular "King of the Mountain" segment, discuss NFL playoff scenarios, and welcome football minds Herm Edwards and Brock Osweiler to break down the day's big matchups. The show blends sharp analysis, playful banter, and authentic fan viewpoints from across the sports spectrum, all in anticipation of the AFC and NFC championship games.
Theme: Fans compete to deliver the smartest, funniest, or hottest takes, with a weekly champion determined by Matt and Myron.
Jonah from Ohio (Reigning Champion):
Hot Take: "You two are like an old married couple... all you do is bicker and argue and fight... but deep down, you really do love each other." (02:19)
Matt's Response: "Pretty good take... it's lasted for three weeks as the champion." (02:46)
Noah from Manhattan, NY:
Focuses on Broncos' season-defining play:
"All season long, the Broncos have won close games with Sean Payton A+ play calling and Bo Nix A++ execution... If he's not playing today, they have no shot." (03:14)
Myron's Response: "I think they have a shot... the Denver defense is real." (03:43)
Ray from Gary, Indiana:
Unleashes on LeBron James:
"I know he's still great, but I am so tired of hearing him. I think he just ought to retire and take his kid Bronnie with him to be his chauffeur." (04:33)
Myron: "I do wonder how people will view LeBron when it’s all said and done, based on how his career finishes." (04:52)
Maurice in Jacksonville:
On NFL coaching vacancies:
"This is the most coaching vacancies I have ever seen in the NFL at 10... How many... coaches do you think are going to go to the playoffs and might win a playoff game?" (05:23)
Matt: "I think it’s the most... ever in one offseason." (05:51)
Classic Banter:
Myron and Matt riff on listeners' ages and colloquial phrases with genuine humor:
Matt: "He said, since I've been living, like he was 89." (06:28)
Myron: "I was sitting at a coffee table with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr...." (06:55)
Victor in Maine:
Defends Bills QB:
"Josh Allen should not be counted out yet... I'll always believe. Go, Bills." (08:15)
Matt: "Can I count him out for this year? Where'd he get you to?" (08:42)
Jim in Chicago:
Discusses Ohio State's spending:
"Ohio State's going to outspend everybody because they’ve taken it personal that they lost two games this year..." (09:12)
Myron: "Do you think Michigan is poor?... I think you need to wait out that word [integrity] a little bit." (09:58, 10:07)
Edwards: "Sean Payton will simplify the offense. The guy has some talent. Look, Sean hand picked this guy... you have to try to find a way to get him some early completions... Don't get him behind the chains." (15:02–16:04)
Herm's Motivational Phrase:
“Don’t screw up the cha cha.” (16:18)
On letting Stidham make mistakes:
Herm: "Who else are you gonna play? The third string quarterback? ...The quarterback that can protect the ball is going to win this football game." (17:23–17:49)
Herm on Stafford: “I just like his story... when the season started, he had back problems. People didn’t even think he was coming back... and now he’s sitting in the position to play in another Super Bowl.” (20:21)
Herm on Puka Nacua: “He reminds me of... Michael Irvin... Not saying he is Michael Irvin... but he has his traits. The build is the same. The way he runs is the same.” (21:11–22:16)
Final advice to Stidham:
“Don’t screw up the cha cha man. One, two, cha cha cha.” (22:25)
Myron: “100%. They're at home. The altitude is an adjustment. You have a young quarterback you’re facing who hasn’t been on this stage before.” (26:10)
Matt: “I just feel like this is going to be a game that's always going to be in the Patriots hands... I have zero confidence that Stidham will make the plays necessary to win.” (26:33)
Myron: “If Bo Nix and Drake May faced off... neither is facing real pressure... but now without Bo Nix, now [for May] all the pressure is you’re supposed to be in a Super Bowl.” (27:41)
Matt summarizes Mad Dog Russo's QB tiers and poses the question:
“If Matthew Stafford were to win a second super bowl... does he knock on that door of that group that includes Staubach, Bradshaw, Manning, Rodgers, etc.?” (29:58)
Myron: “Yeah. I think it puts him in that conversation and for a lot of people would put him ahead of Aaron Rodgers. He doesn’t have four MVPs, but he'd have a second ring, which is how we define quarterbacks.” (31:09)
Brock: “If you've been doing the right stuff as a backup quarterback, you never know when your number is going to be called... It’s things that happen behind the scenes when nobody’s watching. And I think that's the difference between a lot of backup quarterbacks... I have confidence in Jarrett Stidham.” (33:17–36:20)
On Talent Gaps Between Starters and Backups:
"Tom Brady was a backup quarterback, right?... Every situation is different. You don't necessarily know what you have in a backup quarterback until they get their opportunity." (36:36)
Patriots at Broncos:
Rams at Seahawks:
For those craving a spirited, knowledgeable, and genuine pregame football discussion, this episode delivers expert commentary, fan engagement, and plenty of laughs.