Lots to Say: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Lots to Say: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Bobby Bones Show
• Host/Author: Premiere Networks
• Description: Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
• Episode: Lots to Say: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport
• Release Date: January 15, 2025

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1. Introduction

In the episode titled "Lots to Say: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport," Bobby Bones and Matt Castle delve deep into the intricacies of NFL coaching dynamics, leadership styles, and the upcoming coaching searches. The conversation is enriched with personal anecdotes, expert insights from Ian Rapoport, and engaging banter between the hosts.

2. Host Banter and Introduction of Matt Castle

Bobby Bones kicks off the episode with light-hearted interactions with Matt Castle, discussing Matt's quirky personality:

• "[02:22] Bobby Bones: ...people that know you go, he's a quirky guy."
• "[03:00] Matt Castle: Weird feels a little bit more, you know..."

Bobby contrasts "quirky" with "weird," emphasizing the unpredictable yet endearing nature of Matt's character.

3. Locker Room Dynamics and Leadership

The conversation shifts to the importance of leadership within NFL teams, particularly in the locker room environment.

• Matt Castle shares his experiences:

  • "[05:50] Matt Castle: ...everybody in the locker room knows my real personality... I had an alter ego that they called Creepy Matt before the game..."

• Bobby Bones reflects on his own leadership style:

  • "[07:04] Bobby Bones: Would you ever give the speech pre?"*

They discuss how leaders like Justin Herbert prefer intimate, camera-free motivational talks, contrasting with more vocal leaders like Ray Lewis:

• "[08:32] Matt Castle: Yeah, there's some guys that..., like Ray Lewis loved having a camera there for his speeches..."

4. Coaching Styles: Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels

The hosts delve into the coaching strategies of Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, exploring their strengths and potential impact on their respective teams.

• Matt Castle praises Vrabel's adaptability and collaborative nature:

  • "[23:09] Matt Castle: ...young quarterback, he's developed young quarterbacks before... he knows the area."*

• Bobby Bones shares his admiration for Josh McDaniels:

  • "[20:15] Matt Castle: ...he took over as our OC and quarterback coach. He was a guy that was a grinder and he was so knowledgeable of the defensive side of the ball."

They discuss how Vrabel's approach could stabilize the Patriots, contrasting it with McDaniels' challenges moving to Denver and the Raiders.

5. Deion Sanders: Personal Anecdotes and Coaching Impact

Matt Castle recounts his genuine friendship and collaborations with Deion Sanders, highlighting Sanders' competitive spirit and strategic mind.

• "[33:20] Matt Castle: There was nobody behind me... Deion looks up and goes, hey, young man, why don't you come sit over here..."*

He emphasizes Sanders' authenticity and dedication:

• "[35:03] Matt Castle: We get to the pilot finally. Cause we work on this forever... he is that dude, right? To me, that's the relationship that I had with him."

Matt shares their experiences coaching together, including a Major League Baseball celebrity softball game where he earned MVP under Sanders' leadership.

6. Insights from NFL Insider Ian Rapoport

Ian Rapoport, a renowned NFL Network insider, provides expert analysis on ongoing coaching searches and potential hirings.

• Mike Tomlin and the Steelers:

  • "[46:50] Ian Rapoport: I don't get the sense he's going anywhere... the Steelers are unbelievably loyal."*

• Mike Vrabel and the Patriots:

  • "[47:06] Ian Rapoport: Mike Vrabel is a great coach... they got a good quarterback and I think he's going to do a really good job..."*

• Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys:

  • "[48:08] Ian Rapoport: The Cowboys tried to bring him back in a shorter deal... if Dallas wasn't sure long term about him..."*

Rapoport discusses the complexities of coaching changes, emphasizing the importance of organizational fit and leadership styles.

7. Coaching Searches: Jets, Bears, Cowboys, and More

The conversation expands to other coaching vacancies, with Ian Rapoport highlighting key candidates and their prospects.

• Front Runners for the Jets:

  • "[49:20] Ian Rapoport: Aaron Glenn and Arthur Smith both have a really good chance..."*

• Potential Coaches for Chicago Bears:

  • "[49:46] Ian Rapoport: Cliff Kingsbury has a good chance in Chicago... Mike McCarthy has a good chance..."*

• Dallas Cowboys Dynamics:

  • "[52:11] Ian Rapoport: The Cowboys have Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and a couple of all-pro corners... they have some great players."*

Rapoport underscores the strategic considerations each franchise must evaluate when selecting a new head coach, balancing immediate win potential with long-term vision.

8. The Drones Anecdote

In a humorous tangent, Bobby Bones shares a personal story about encountering mysterious drones over his house, sparking a playful debate on drone regulations and safety.

• "[62:20] Bobby Bones: I thought it was an airplane at first because of the lights..."*
• "[66:13] Matt Castle: They can't see at night. That's the problem..."*

The segment lightens the mood, showcasing the hosts' camaraderie and knack for entertaining storytelling.

9. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Bobby Bones reflects on the season's developments, particularly critiquing the Tennessee Titans' performance:

• "[68:31] Bobby Bones: Everything about the Titans is an absolute disaster... it's a dumpster fire right now."*

Matt Castle concurs, elaborating on the team's numerous shortcomings:

• "[69:45] Matt Castle: If you're number one pick in the draft, that means you're not at a good place in time."*

They conclude with a mix of humor and candid opinions, emphasizing their honest takes on NFL teams and coaching prospects.

10. Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Bobby Bones on Matt Castle's Personality:

  • "[03:00] Matt Castle: Weird feels a little bit more..."*

• Matt Castle on Locker Room Leadership:

  • "[07:04] Matt Castle: ...everybody knows my real personality..."*

• Bobby Bones on Leadership Styles:

  • "[08:32] Matt Castle: ...some guys that..., like Ray Lewis loved having a camera there for his speeches..."*

• Matt Castle on Deion Sanders:

  • "[35:17] Matt Castle: That's why he got the first pick..."*

• Ian Rapoport on Mike Vrabel:

  • "[47:06] Ian Rapoport: Mike Vrabel is a great coach..."*

Conclusion

This episode of "The Bobby Bones Show" offers an in-depth exploration of NFL coaching dynamics, enriched by personal stories and expert insights from Ian Rapoport. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on leadership styles, the complexities of coaching searches, and the interpersonal relationships that shape team success. The engaging dialogue between Bobby Bones and Matt Castle ensures a rich and entertaining experience for both avid football fans and casual listeners alike.

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Transcript

[Bobby Bones]

Come on, hurry up.

[Matt Castle]

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[Peter Schrager]

I'm Peter Schrager, host of Good Morning Football on the NFL Network and the Season with Peter Schrager Podcast. Whether you're ordering wings for the game or you're whipping up a seven layer dip or you're ordering a pizza, there's something about football that makes you want to eat in this football season. Uber Eats has the best deals on game day food no matter what you're craving, from two for one pizzas to buy one, get one wings to whatever it is you want. Uber Eats will be dropping new deals each week all season long. Uber Eats is the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day terms and conditions apply and see the app for details.

[Ian Rapoport]

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[Bobby Bones]

Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcasts. We got lots to say. We got lots to say we're better here and we hope you stay cause we got lots to.

[Unknown]

That we got lots to say.

[Bobby Bones]

Now here's Bobby and Matt. Ian Rapaport coming up. I'd like to start because Matt, I was talking about you today on NFL Network.

[Unknown]

I bet that went really well. You're like, who? Kind of like you did when you first heard my name. You're like, was that the guy in.

[Bobby Bones]

New England that well that is true. I didn't say who I was like, is that the guy in New England? I knew More than that. Come on. So, you know what's odd is I wouldn't define you as a. I can. Now that we spend a little more time together, I can see you're a bit quirky, but people that know you go, he's a quirky guy. Oh, what does that even mean?

[Unknown]

I don't know. I kind of take it as disrespectful time. I have been called. The most recent comment was by Todd Blackledge. We were on the road. He's like, I made a joke. And he goes, you're just a weird guy. I was like, weird.

[Bobby Bones]

I get weird a lot more than quirky.

[Unknown]

Weird feels a little bit more, you know, take me down a notch. It just puts you in a different category.

[Bobby Bones]

Weird feels like. Weird people do bad things.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

Quirky people, just unpredictable. But I. I just got off a call and with one of the producers, and they were like, oh, Matt Castle. We like Matt because you've done Good Morning Football before, right?

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

And they were like, he's a quirky guy. And that was just in my head. And so I did say, yeah, he's a quirky guy. But that. Just know that's where that came from, because I wouldn't have called you quirky. I don't use that word. But here's what I said. Here's what I said about Matt a little bit ago on Good Morning Football on NFL Network. Castle, who is, like, the quirkiest dude. I love this dude. It's. You know, I remember him when Brady goes down and he goes in and wins 11 games. And so I didn't really know him, and he lives in Nashville, and so we start to be friends, and I feel like God had two buckets, okay? And there were two buckets, and he was supposed to put equal amount in each. Looks, athleticism, height, intelligence, the Matt's bucket. And then, remember, there was just a little bit for me. So that's the annoying part about that because, like, dude played college baseball because he was bored in college, so it's really fun. Matt Castle relationship. He's a great dude, but he just was given too many talents, and I'm.

[Unknown]

A little jealous, man.

[Bobby Bones]

Is it any better than that?

[Unknown]

You just filled my cup for the day, Maybe for the week, maybe for the month.

[Bobby Bones]

You didn't need to be filled, is my point. You have it all, man.

[Unknown]

I'm gonna go home and record that and just put that on repeat for my family so that they know that's good. Like, guys, this is the type of individual that's your father, your husband. I'm here for you now. You just need to see these same talents in me.

[Bobby Bones]

What I'll do with my wife sometimes is. And I'm sure you can speak on this too, like anything that my wife really loved about me, surface level, when we met, she doesn't find as appealing anymore. Like, she just think I was hilarious.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

And I, through my career have been celebrated by great jobs, monetary rewards for being funny or being compelling. Can't make her laugh or anything.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, she already knows where I'm going. She doesn't. If I get any laugh at all, I point at her like, ah. Like it's such a. Ah. And so there are times where we'll go out and if we're with other people, other couples, and I'm just crushing it at dinner.

[Unknown]

Yes, of course you are.

[Bobby Bones]

Just I'm just like. And they're laughing so hard because they're not around this all the time. Not that this is the greatest and funniest ever, but I'm pretty good. And so we're there and we'll go home and I'll be like, see, I am funny. See? Do you see? You see that?

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, that's, that's what you don't even respect anymore.

[Unknown]

That's me. I get the. Honey, they're laughing at you. They're not laughing with you. And I'm like, wait, wait a second. That's all same the fact that they're laughing. Like, I'm enjoying that aspect of it. She's like, no, you need to take it down a notch.

[Bobby Bones]

What were you like in the locker room? What do you think people said about you as a locker room guy when you weren't around?

[Unknown]

The same stuff. I mean, everybody in the locker room knows my real personality because I like to have fun and build relationships and mess around and prank people and do this, that and the other. Now when it was time to get serious, I. I had an alter ego that they called Creepy Matt before, like the game where I'd go around, get real serious and focus and stuff. But in the locker room, I mean, I'm all about making fun of people and doing this, but that was the way that I would show my love. And that's kind of what the locker room is. It's the only place that you can go into with 50 plus dudes and make fun of somebody and critique somebody in a way that you could never say that stuff in public. And everybody kind of just goes with the flow and gives it right back and I just, I love that aspect of the locker room and the dynamics. It's just so interesting when you go in there. And that's one of the components that I miss the most about playing is just those interpersonal relationships that you have. And, you know, I've played with so many guys over the years that are just the same way. And so, yeah, I would say that they define me as a guy that was pretty loose. Like to have fun would work hard, there's no doubt about that. But at the same time, when it was time to have fun and enjoy ourselves, I tried to make everybody enjoy it.

[Bobby Bones]

Would you ever give the speech pre?

[Unknown]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. You know, not when I was younger, obviously. You had guys like Teddy Brusky and Junior say how, I mean, he could give a sermon where you're sitting there and you're like, you'll run through the wall for this guy. But as I went to Kansas City, became a team captain and stuff like that, there was a lot of times that, you know, you take, take the lead as a leader on the team and you go up there and I'd give a good rah rah speech and try to fire these guys up. You know, sometimes it feels, you know, a little forced where you're just like, we know what we gotta do. Let's just go out and execute. Other times it's like we need a pick me up. Like, there was a time in Kansas City where we were about to go to playoffs. We lost the last game of the year. And really my message to the team was, guys, that was, that was regular season. It's about to really start now in playoffs. And so I felt like we needed that because everybody's reading the press and this, that and the other. He's not playing great at the end of the year. Well, we did get, go out and get beat. But nonetheless, it's about trying to build that momentum and get guys to believe and understand we're a good football team. Now we gotta go out and prove it. And sometimes it's just little things because you can say all the speeches that you want when you step in between those white lines. It's all about execution and going out and crushing your game plan.

[Bobby Bones]

Why do you think a guy like Justin Herbert this past week did not want the cameras there when he was talking to the team? Because that was the request. No cameras as I give the pregame speech.

[Unknown]

Yeah, well, there's some guys that, you know, if there's a camera around, they're going to run right to it. Right. Ray Lewis loved having a camera there for his speeches. I mean, he gave. He's another guy that has legendary speeches, and you can watch them. And then there's other guys that, hey, it's not about somebody else hearing what I have to say to my teammates, because this is a big moment for us, and I want to have this very intimate moment with my team and tell them what I feel. And you don't know what came out of those speeches, but there's just guys that take it a little, have a different approach to that pregame speech. And it's more about the guys in the locker room than it is about everybody else in the world hearing what you have to say before a game.

[Bobby Bones]

From what I know about Justin Herbert, you know, not the biggest rah rah guy, right. And, you know, we went and spent some time with the Chargers as well. Seems like a pretty quiet guy. Hard worker, but pretty quiet guy. Were there those guys when you played that led by example, that did not say much at all? You just looked at them instead of to them and saw what they were doing instead of what they were saying.

[Unknown]

There's definitely those leaders, and I'll use one example. And he was a tremendous leader. When I first got there to Tennessee here, Marcus Mariota was going into his second year. Now, his background, how he was raised, humble background, quiet. But he was a guy that nobody would outwork him. We'd go out for the run test, and there was always like the offensive lineman down here. The mids and the quarterbacks got to run with the mids, and there was the skills. And each one of those groups had to get progressively quicker as you'd run the test. Marcus would always go down and run with the skills and beat all those guys. He was one of those guys. So he did it by example. He was the first guy in the building, last guy out. I just loved his work ethic and who he was as a person. And he was humble. And my biggest message to him going into the second year is, you know, there's times where you got to show a little bit of dog, a vocal standpoint, and you don't always have to do it on the field where you're mf. And somebody like Tom would get after Wes Welker, but he knew that he could do that to a player like that. Well, you go to Randy Moss, Tom would talk to him at the locker after practice, so his leadership was a little different, but they have to be able to hear your voice at times. And I said, there's different ways. Like I said, there's on the field stuff, but then some of the biggest components are going into the film room and sitting down with just your guys and saying, hey, I need you to get your depth on the 16 yard route. It's just another way to lead and be vocal. Even if you're not comfortable always doing.

[Bobby Bones]

It in front of the team, not asking for names. It does feel like though, that is a cliche that everybody uses. First one in, last one out.

[Unknown]

Yeah, I love that. First one in, last one out, where.

[Bobby Bones]

There are guys, star guys that you're like, man, they just put in very little effort. And if they put in, if they were mid one in, mid one out, they'd be, they'd be awesome. But instead it's just like they don't.

[Unknown]

Really care, you know?

[Bobby Bones]

Can you get to that level with little care?

[Unknown]

Well, I, I think it's their skill set, right? They're so superior in terms of just their physical abilities that sometimes they take the little minute details that guys like myself or when you played in the.

[Bobby Bones]

NFL three years, but it was quick.

[Unknown]

It was quick. But you know what? That beats the average that you have to grind, right? And it's those little details that keep you around and separate you. Where those guys are just freaks of nature that can come in, they show up, they might eat McDonald's for lunch. They don't take care of their body as much and they might take it for granted, but that's who they've been their entire life. And I'm not. Adrian Peterson was one of the hardest workers, but this guy would eat two hot dogs and an ice cream before practice and go run circles around people. He's a freak, right? And so there's these unicorns out there that. And again, this is not talking about Adrian's work ethic or being first one in, first one out. But I'm saying there's guys like that that when the day ends, they're out. They're not going to put in a little bit extra effort because they believe that when push comes to shove and Sundays show up, they're going to go out there and dominate the opponent that's across from them.

[Bobby Bones]

I was talking about coaches and how a lot of the best coaches were the, we'll call them third string guys, division two guys. Guys that got the absolute most out of their ability because they had to get the absolute most out by learning every detail and every trick of the business, every route, other people's routes, other positions to have every advantage that way because they did not have all the intangibles. Right, right. And so where that translates into the next level, now all of a sudden you're a coach and you've been doing that for 10 years to try to get as high as you can as an athlete. But now all of those habits, all that discipline of learning, of understanding things on a second and third level, now you've played enough ball to understand the ball and the culture. But now you get to be a great coach because of all the extra which guys like Michael Jordan. And you can go through some of the really A plus players that didn't turn into good coaches because they were such great athletes. They never really had to learn the stre the soup called the super strategy of it.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

Because they physically were so gifted. It's not that they pushed against it, it's that they never had to.

[Unknown]

Right. And then they also never had to be taught certain mechanics in the fundamental aspect because it just came naturally to them. Like, there's natural throwers of the football. There's other guys that work continuously, year in and year out on footwork, on fundamentals, on arm angle, on, you know, your hips and. And what it does from the biomechanics of the body that they're just not. Not natural. Where there's other guys that just go out there effortlessly and every time. And I hate guys like that. Like, Carson Palmer was one of those guys, Matt Stafford was one of those guys where the ball just would come out of their hand and I'm sitting there going, do I have to take this next rep right now? Like just. It would make you jealous and a little bit frustrated where I had to grind and be like, okay, why did that ball come out a little bit ugly? Because there's nothing worse as a quarterback than throwing that ugly football. But like you're saying, translating that to coaching, coaching is such a different craft. And so many of these guys that you see have success in the coaching ranks have start on special teams, then they're a tight ends coach. They might even start on the defensive side of the ball and come over, learn the defensive structure, what the adjustments are, how they're trying to take certain things away, and then come over the offense inside and become a receivers coach and then work their way up that way and pay their dues. But now, holistically, in a macro standpoint, they understand the game from a different perspective and can teach it from so many multifaceted ways.

[Bobby Bones]

Let's go to Mike Vrabel. Did you play with him?

[Unknown]

Yeah, he's my boy as a player.

[Bobby Bones]

Go player first. Before we talk about anything else, what was he like to have on the team? What was he like in the locker room?

[Unknown]

He was a dog. He was. Excuse my language, but he was a dick at times. I mean, he really is that guy that you respect because you talk about a guy that grinds. He was that guy. And I think he had like a third chamber in his heart. Because we'd go out after a win, he'd come back and run circles around people. Like, that's just who he was. And he loved the game of football. We used to call him Papa Rabes or Coach Rabes because we always knew after he was done playing, we knew that he was going to go into coaching. He was just that guy in that middle.

[Bobby Bones]

He loved the game.

[Unknown]

He loved the game. And so it was everything from. He was obviously a standout on the defensive side of the ball, Won a bunch of Super Bowls there. But then he would fight to get on the field and goal line offense because he wanted to be the tight end and catch touchdowns. And he caught a bunch of touchdowns, like 14 touchdowns in his career or something like that. I actually threw him one in Kansas City. So then on scout team, he would go over on the scout team and that's usually your guys that are practice squad players, probably your backups. He'd go play safety on scout team and try to give us looks. But he would also, he'd cheat the system because he. He was so knowledgeable of the game. He would see that three by one set, and it would be so frustrating because, you know, on the cards it's showing, you know, cover two, you're supposed to be here. And most of these guys are like robots. Okay? Coach told me he wants me here. And you're just trying to give a look. Well, he'd cheat it and he'd know that, okay, we've got the slot going vertical. I'm going to cheat down and try to steal this. And so he'd do that constantly and then be talking smack. He's, you know those guys in. Particularly in baseball, the guys that are out in the stands and they can talk like the best trash because they're educated and then just will get underneath your skin. His mouth never stopped. And he would talk so much trash to Belichick, to Brady, and it was just this ongoing feud and it was awesome.

[Bobby Bones]

When he became coach in Tennessee, were you there when he was there or did you miss him?

[Unknown]

This is a funny story. So we were. We were actually traded to Kansas City together. So we played a year before then. So then he went into coaching, went to Ohio State, spent some time in Houston, became the head coach. I was the backup quarterback here. And so it's literally the off season. I'm like, oh, my boy. And he had come out the year before, stayed with me in Tennessee. Like we're, we're close family, family units. And so then all of a sudden, I get a call one day in the off season. It's the gm, John Robinson. Hey, I want to talk to you. And I was like, gosh, this is strange. I'd been up at the facility working out next to his son Carter, all these things. And I go in and they, they decide to go. You. They said they're going to go younger this. And it wasn't even Braves that did it. And that pissed me off because he's my boy. So they released me. And I was like, I sat there, I was like, what the hell just happened? So I grabbed a few things, said goodbye to a few people, got in my car, jump on the 65 rock hits my window, splinters my window. Great day all together. And then I get a call from Brave. He's like, where'd you go? I wanted to talk to you. I was like, well, then you should have done it. I was just hot. I wrote him licked. Scathing text messages later that night, like, I hope the red ants get in your bed and rip all your back hair out like it just got after him. But I mean, it's one of those things that, decision wise, you got to make decisions based on organization. I understand. I was year 14. I was probably getting paid more so than what they could go with a youthful quarterback and go that direction. But that, that one stung a little bit. But you know what? You have to understand, that's the nature of the beast.

[Bobby Bones]

He's going to New England.

[Unknown]

Yep.

[Bobby Bones]

What's he going to do in New England?

[Unknown]

I'm excited, man. I. I really am. I mean, to think about the career he had in New England. But he's a guy that, he walks in the building and he already has respect. He doesn't have to demand it. He has respect as a player, as a coach that's been successful here in Tennessee. But he's also somebody that understands the player and the mentality and what you have to do. He's going to be a guy that's going to push you, make you accountable, make you earn it. As he said in his press conference yesterday. He said, look, everybody starts with a clean slate and You've got to earn it, and each day you've got to earn it. But he's going to hold these guys accountable on a day to day basis. He's got a great vision and understanding. I'm interested to look at the dynamics of. They're still keeping Elliot Wolf on as like a player personnel guy, but how much ability do they. Did they give him to kind of make big decisions? Because they've got the number four overall pick, they've got 130 million in cap space. I think that the only reason that he would have said yes as quickly as possible was that they said they're going to give him that type of leverage. Now there'll be collaboration, but at the same time he'll be the alpha in the room.

[Bobby Bones]

Do you have Josh McDaniels? An OC?

[Unknown]

Loved him. Loved Josh, Yes. I had him in my first four years.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay. I'll speak openly and honestly. Never met him, but I've met people who say the opposite. Right. Like, well, what about his personality? Make people love or not love him, because a strong personality will do that.

[Unknown]

Right. You know, Josh, when I got there, it was his first year as our OC and quarterback coach. He took over for Charlie Weiss. And so he was a guy that was a grinder and he was so knowledgeable of the defensive side of the ball. He taught me so much. It was a master class. We'd come in the second off season, I was there, and you get into certain stacks, bunches, and he's talking about all the different adjustments and quiz me, would take me out on the field, go through two minute mechanics of signals, how we're going to call cadence, what we want to adjust to if they're all of a sudden bringing pressure, you know, so all these little details of the game that are so important to be successful. So I had a great relationship with him. And then the year I took over for Brady, he was my biggest advocate. And so I always respect him, love him for that. Now the thing that happened was when he went to the Broncos and when he got his second shot at the Raiders, everybody that I've talked to have said, well, there's a transition there. And there is a transition when you're the offensive coordinator and you're kind of behind the scenes calling plays, and that's who you have to be. You're leading that one group of men right in the offensive side of the ball. When you take over an organization as the head coach, your messaging has to be clear to everybody. And I think it's difficult sometimes when you come from a Belichick style background where he has full control and he's got his hand in everything. He's meeting with the quarterbacks certain days, he's meeting with the wide receivers, he's meeting with the linebackers. That, that's what you think. That's how you think that it's supposed to operate on a day to day. And I think that rubs people the wrong way and then you fall out of favor with some of the players, with some of the coaches. And I really believe that's probably what happened in, in some cases primarily with Denver, not so much with the Raiders because obviously ownership's a little bit messed up there.

[Bobby Bones]

I've never met someone with a dynamic, strong personality that is beloved. I mean I. My goal is not to be beloved. My goal is to say and do as I feel as long as I'm appointed the leader, which for the last few years been going pretty good and lead my crew. I don't really need them to always like it. I just need them to respect it.

[Unknown]

That's 100% it.

[Bobby Bones]

Because no one's ever going to like all the things all the time. No, but as long as they respect it. And I bring up, I bring him up because I wonder if he's going to be the offensive coordinator. I've heard a couple places that that's who Vrabel would like to bring with him.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

And would that be, in your opinion, a good move?

[Unknown]

Brilliant move?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Best case scenario.

[Unknown]

Best case scenario because you've got a young quarterback, he's developed young quarterbacks before. He's a brilliant mind as an offensive coordinator. He knows the area, he lives in the area. He's not coaching right now. You don't have to buy out a contract or anything like that. And he's a guy that will give your offense stability and also really help Drake may going into the second year because again it's for that quarterback OC relationship. He doesn't have an ego when he's in that room. At least he didn't with me. Now he'd hold you accountable and you respect what he has to say. But he also was collaborative. He's like, what do you like on third down? What do you like in the red zone? I want to call things that you like and that's the most important thing. I'll never forget when I first took over over in the two minute drill, we used to go two by two to three by one, which means two wide receivers, two wide receivers based on hash and I said I'm more comfortable three by one, three by one. I just saw the field better that way. He's like, no problem. That's exactly what we'll do. Immediately switched it and we had success in two minute doing that. And so those are the type of coaches and things that you think about for a young player. You have to allow them to grow as a leader, but at the same time you have to hear their voice as well. Because sometimes as young football players, you just run the system, right? You don't always speak up for what you believe in. If you don't understand to play, you're like, okay, coach said it's going to work, so I'm going to go out. But it sometimes it just doesn't feel right. And so you're like, let's make this adjustment or allow him to feel comfortable speaking with you to say, I feel more comfortable with this. And then, then you're going to be probably you're going to execute that play a lot better than if you're 50, 50 on it.

[Ian Rapoport]

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[Unknown]

Gambling problem Call 1-800-Gambler in New York.

[Bobby Bones]

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[Unknown]

See DKNG Co Audio.

[Matt Castle]

It'll only take a minute, they said. But it took a minute to find the aisle with the cheese sauce, a minute to find the shelf with the cheese sauce and A minute to text pictures of all the cheese sauces, only to get the reply that no, none of those are the right cheese sauce. You know what actually takes a minute? Figuring out who's going to DD so no one drives impaired after the game. Take a minute, make a plan, Never drive impaired. Go to takeaminutenow.com from Diageo. Mad Uber and the NFL. Please drink responsibly.

[Unknown]

Whether you're ordering wings for the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes you want to eat in this football season. Uber Eats has the best deals on game day food, no matter what you're craving. From two for one pizza. To buy one, get one wings. Uber Eats will be dropping new deals each week all season long. Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day. Terms and conditions apply. See app for details.

[Bobby Bones]

Kevin, being a big Pats fan, Massive die hard.

[Unknown]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Bobby Bones]

Hearing him say all of that, I don't know. Get like a little half half.

[Unknown]

Say a little. Just a little bit.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, a little bit.

[Unknown]

Just so you can see a little something.

[Bobby Bones]

But yeah, absolutely, absolutely. I mean, we talked about it earlier this week.

[Unknown]

Vrabel, I love that.

[Bobby Bones]

And McDaniels, bring him back. I'm all for it, man.

[Unknown]

And then Matt fires me up even.

[Bobby Bones]

More because obviously he worked with him.

[Unknown]

So yeah, I love it. Get him on board. Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

I want to talk about Deion Sanders for a second. And so here's my story with Dion. It was probably seven years ago at this point, and I get called to Los Angeles. This is before my television career had started to have any success. It was before I did four years on Idol, before I did Bear Grylls, before I did any of this stuff. And so they call me out because I've been doing a little here and there, just like begging for work, right? Like, I was secretly flying out to California telling people that I was in town, could they meet and if they could, I would just fly out there and meet them. Like, I just hustle, like, hey, I'm going to be here on, on Friday afternoon. Any chance you want to, you know, get together, you know, grinding and. Yeah, and I don't drink, but I'd be like, have a drink because. And so they'd be like, yeah, sure, they set the meeting. Then I'd fly out there, right? And I was going back and forth and I'd met some really great people. And the crazy thing about Hollywood, and I'm Not Hollywood at all. But they say a bunch of crap they don't mean generally.

[Unknown]

Yep.

[Bobby Bones]

It's just kind of the.

[Unknown]

It's very convoluted.

[Bobby Bones]

That's the culture that they say a bunch of crap that they don't mean. But I did meet somebody that was really nice. Never believed anything anybody said, but she was like, hey, we're doing this. Basically a cattle call for people because we're doing a new daytime. Daytime talk show on abc. And she's like, you should come out and be one of the people to try out for it. And I'm thinking, well, that's cool. I wonder if it's real. And then not only that, it's probably gonna be like, I'm gonna show up 15, 20 other people that look like me, then more famous than me, Better. Like, all the things that I think. Cause I'm wildly insecure. And so I'm like, okay, we'll see if it happens. So then I get a call. It's like, hey, it's in two weeks. We'd love for you to come. Here's where it is. And so I go. And there's like, 150 people there.

[Unknown]

There wasn't 40. There was 150.

[Bobby Bones]

I was thinking, like, worst case scenario, 15. There's like, 150 to 200 people there. And it's everyone from the girl that played Rudy Huxtable, Lance Bass.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God.

[Bobby Bones]

It's like all of the me tier of celebrity. Right?

[Unknown]

Not really famous, but were you intimidated at all?

I was just kind of like. I thought there'd be, like, 50.

[Bobby Bones]

No, I have no confidence, so. Especially at that. I have no confidence.

[Unknown]

Come on.

[Bobby Bones]

Outwardly, I am confident. Inwardly, I'm still wildly insecure. And so I'm like, what even is this? So they sit you at a table with three other randoms. A housewife, a newspaper, and they're like, talk about this. Okay, now I'm confident because I am a Swiss army knife, because I've had to develop those skills. I covered fashion for E. On the red carpet.

[Unknown]

I Did you really?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, like, two years ago.

[Unknown]

Such a stud.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, I've had to learn it. I can do sports, I can do music, I can do comedy. But it's all because I don't feel like I have an absolute skill. So I've learned all these, like. I'm like Vrabel, basically. I'm so. I want to learn everything. And so I'm crushing to where it's like a Survivor type thing where some people, they just send Home. And they continue not to send me home.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And so at the end of the day, there's, like, six people left. And I'm like, they're six. Only four for the show. I got this job. This is like, just. Odds are I'm gonna be the host's daytime. It's like me and Juliana Rancic and some other. And so they come and they go, okay, you6, you're moving to tomorrow for the real call. And I'm like, oh, that just did. Double A baseball. That wasn't. That wasn't even the pros.

[Unknown]

No, you started. You started. Rookie ball, single A. Now we're at double. I was feeling great.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes. I thought I had just got the show. And so the next day, hard hitters, actual famous people that have credentials and news and, like, famous writers. Wow. It's famous, right? And so I'm there.

[Unknown]

And how many people. The second day?

[Bobby Bones]

80.

[Unknown]

80.

[Bobby Bones]

80.

[Unknown]

Oh, my gosh.

[Bobby Bones]

I would think 80, 75 to 80. Yeah. And also, they weren't calling them all in at once because they actually were famous where with us that were fake famous, they could just be like, yeah, just show up and just wait. And we did.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, the little. You know, we were just happy to have a shot.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

So I get. I stay the second day, and, you know, 70, 75 people and same thing. Go to the table, talk. It doesn't matter what they bring up. If it's politics or sports or pop culture. I'm in.

[Unknown]

You're on.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm in. Because I read a lot. I keep up. I have a lot of personal, like, stories from my life that relates, and I'm crushing it again.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And so it's down to, like, 20 or so, and they're cutting people as it goes.

[Unknown]

So will they just come up in.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, tap the short when it's over? They would see you in the hallway. It was very much Royal Rumble, and.

[Unknown]

Basically, hey, thanks for coming.

[Bobby Bones]

That's exactly. You would see people being told, thanks for coming, and be pissed and be. And just be like. But I guess in that culture, you're told no to a lot of auditions at this time, I wasn't doing. There were no auditions. That nobody cared enough.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And so there's, like, 20 left. They say, go to lunch, and I go to lunch, and I freaking see. I never met him before. I see Deion Sanders sitting at a table, and I'm like, oh, my God. This is, like, one of the greats of my lifetime.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

He's absolute stud in every way. Because it was not only football, not only baseball. I had his tape. That must be the money.

[Unknown]

Must be the money.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes, I had.

[Unknown]

That was the worst video of all time.

[Bobby Bones]

He was the guy. And he's sitting at this table. There's really nowhere else to sit. It's very much a Forrest Gump scene. Whenever you can't sit here, I can't see. I'm looking around and I don't fit in any of the clicks, right? And Deion looks up and goes, hey, young man, why don't you come sit over here? And I'm like looking behind me. Because the worst is when someone waves and you wave back and you realize it's somebody behind you. Oh, God. And you, like, fixed your hair instead.

[Unknown]

Never mind.

[Bobby Bones]

There was nobody behind me. I'm like, me goes, yeah, come sit down. I got an open seat. I'm sitting next to Deion Sanders, and I'm talking with. And he's right, the nicest guy, right? And I'm just thinking to myself, I gotta remember all this. Cause my friends aren't gonna believe me that I'm sitting next to Deion Sanders. Freaking primetime. And he's so kind. And again, he allowed Jenny or Forrest to sit on the bus. And so I sit on the bus and I'm with. And we have our lunch. We go to the next thing. Eventually we get teamed together because they're just putting and chemistry checking people. And so at this time, there's probably 14 or 15 people left. And Dion and I get on a panel together and they tell the other two people to leave until Dion and I to stay. Two other people come and they tell them to leave, Dion, I to stay. And Dion and I look at each other like, hey, I think they like us together. And he's like, I think you're right. So we stay, we finish the day, we get the show. So. Wow. So it's me, Deion Sanders, and they have another more newsy person. Because for us, it was like, be funny. Know what's happening in current events, have life stories, but be like, well rounded. And the other. They had like a news person, right, to be that. And so for like six weeks, I spent six hours a day with him every day.

[Unknown]

Wow. So you have a genuine relationship with him.

[Bobby Bones]

Dude, he is. When people would speak ill of him, they would be like, I wanted to crawl through a screen or through the Internet and punch them in the nose. Like that dude as real, as caring as everything that he does for attention to be big and attention seeking. He does it to be big and attention seeking. Like, he knows what he's doing.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

So smart. So we.

[Unknown]

We.

[Bobby Bones]

We get to the pilot finally. Cause we work on this forever. Ever, ever. We get to the pilot. We'd spend a lot of time together. We're legitimately friends at this point. And the pilot does not get picked up. Oh, so. And that's the name of the game, right?

[Unknown]

That's. Yeah, that's what it is.

[Bobby Bones]

And so there had been a change also in. In, like, upper management, and they decided they don't. Fine. But Dion was, like, the guy. And I'd written my first book, and I'd written a story about how I would run through a wall for certain people that I've met in life, people that wouldn't even ask me to run through a wall, but I would do it. And he was one of them. Just being around the guy because everything is sincere. And then when he's kidding, you know he's kidding. But there wasn't a part of him that ever seemed like it was disingenuous. And I was like, I would run through a wall. Dion post on his Instagram without me asking a picture of him reading my book on his Instagram feed.

[Unknown]

Wow.

[Bobby Bones]

To just go, like, you guys should check out this book. So he's that dude, right? To me, that's the relationship that I had with him. I went back and I played in the. This last year Major League baseball celebrity softball game, and he was my coach, and we ended up winning the game. I won the MV of the whole game. It was awesome.

[Unknown]

Did you really?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Did you hit some bombs?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, dude, I hit inside the Park Homer. Then I1 hopped the fence for a triple, made some diving plays. But he was the co. It was. So I won the mvp, the big title belt, whatever. And so we. We win the game. What was cool was he was so competitive.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

He would have killed a player on the other team. It was all, like, celebrities and fake celebrities.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

He would have killed them. Like, I saw for the first time, though, that in him.

[Unknown]

Yeah. The competitiveness that we don't lose. Right.

[Bobby Bones]

And the rule was, in that game, you played an inning, and then you moved a position, and then you set out an inning because there were, like, 13 people. After the first inning, he told the whole team, bobby is not leaving the mound, because I was all over the place. I was dying all over the place making plays. And he was like, he's. And he set us up, and we won the game. But I saw Eye of the Tiger, and that dude, and I didn't get to see it when I was becoming friends with him, right? I saw eye of the tiger in that guy because it didn't matter if it was, because when I knew him, he was coaching his kids high school football team. It was before he went to Jackson State. Now they're rumoring him possibly as coach of the Cowboys. God, I hope he gets that job.

[Unknown]

You know, it's interesting because he's got that gravitational pull, right, that people just respond to. And as you said, it's interesting because a lot of people, you hate him, you love him, because a lot of things that he does or puts out on social media or just the different areas in which is different than everything that they've seen in a traditional sense, it's intentional. Why he went to Colorado. Colorado won one game. Prior to him getting there, they had nothing. They had nothing. So what does he have to do? He has to create buzz. He has to create excitement for the program. So he had to go out and be prime time and promote. He's promoting Colorado, but he's also had to promote himself a little bit because that's what brought the notoriety. That's why in his first year, in the second game, game days there, in the third game, game days there, that everybody was excited. And so he understands the dynamics of what culture is and how to bring attention back to his team. Now, it'll be interesting because you look at one of the most storied franchises in all of NFL history and the dynamics of the power struggle there with Jerry Jones and how that all works. But I think he clearly understands that he played for Jerry Jones. And I would. I think it would be fascinating if he went to the Cowboys because let's be honest, they don't lack talent. You need pieces here and there. But when you have Micah Parsons and you have Dak Prescott and you have CD Lama, True, number one, that you can go out and compete on Sundays, immediately, he. He's one of those guys also that he'll put together a great staff. He's got relationships with everybody and as you said, with his personality and who he is as a person, if you've ever met him on a different level, outside of what you just see in the public eye, you love the guy and want to be with him and want to be on his staff and want to have success for him, so he'll be able to put together a great staff. I think it would be fun to watch him as back on the Dallas Cowboys sideline and with that dynamic now, whether or not it works. It's. It's complicated and it's difficult to win in the NFL. We all know that. But that franchise being who it is and the players that they have could be really fun for just the league in general next year.

[Bobby Bones]

If Deion were to come on, we're recording this late Wednesday or late Tuesday, so this will be up Wednesday. If something happens and he's not the coach in the next 10 hours, that's on us. But there would have to be an understanding of that. Jerry Jones has to release that a bit.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

Because Deion would not take that job otherwise.

[Unknown]

Well, I think when you look at that organization, when you look at Jerry Jones, at some point, you have to evaluate yourself and say, we haven't won a Super bowl since the 96.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

When I was growing up and I loved watching the Super Bowl. But you have to empower your head coach to be seen as the figurehead that guys can't step over that boundary and go over your head. He. He has to be able to control the team. And I was there for two seasons and I saw it firsthand. It's difficult when you come into the locker room after a game and the first person that talks to you is Jerry Jones. It's. That's a different dynamic that I'd never seen anywhere else. You know, it's not the head coach who's the guy that's leading your team from inside out. It's Jerry Jones because it's his team, and everybody understands that. But there's gotta be some kind of give and take at some point for whoever comes on board next, because otherwise it'll be another hit and miss or. And a few years later, we need to make a change because we're going to run it my way or the highway. Well, it just doesn't work like that.

[Bobby Bones]

And it hasn't over and over and over and over and over again with some really qualified guys.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

I think Robert Kraft, same way. I mean, he's getting. These guys are getting older. You get to your 80s and you're, like, itching for another one.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

Sometimes you just gotta do stuff different.

[Unknown]

Yeah. And I think that's why Kraft, when they evaluate this season, and I like Gerard Mayo, I think he's a great guy. He kind of got a raw deal. He came into this thing without the number four draft pick coming up in a franchise quarterback. And 130. Mike Vrabel's in a much better position right now to succeed than what he was. But when he looked at it and he said, as you're saying that clock's ticking. And he'd been through the glory years, the first dynasty, the second dynasty.

[Bobby Bones]

Jerry, though, it's funny because he had the glory years, too. Not that. Not as much dynasty, but they both had that, right?

[Unknown]

They both had that. But Jerry's is in the 90s.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, that's true.

[Unknown]

I mean, Kraft is coming off. His latest super bowl was what, 2019. So then you lose your franchise quarterback, and things have gone downhill for that organization since. And I think the sense of urgency just to make that change now, as hard as it is, because I know he had a great relationship with Mayo. He said, look, this is the time to jump on it. We've got our guy, Mike Vrabel sitting here, hall of Famer in our Patriots hall of Fame. That can come in, steady the ship, and maybe give us another opportunity when I'm still here to experience it.

[Bobby Bones]

I am very biased toward Deion Sanders because I love him as a person, but also, when looking at his record, coaching, meaning he's been at. First of all, he's played at a very high level, and then he's also coached at all the levels. Right. He's coached high school, he's coached college at hbcu, he's coached Colorado, and he's done well at every. Every stop. Even if it doesn't work, even if it went miserably, I think this is the opportunity to take a humongous flyer, even not. Even though it's not that much of a flyer. If he didn't have that big of a personality, I don't think people would be like, I don't know, this sounds crazy. If you would have been like, here's a person, and just here are his stats, first of all, here's his playing stats, and here's his coaching stats, and here's where he's been across. You would go, this seems like not that outlandish of an idea. This seems like a coach that's one at every level, and we feel good about it. But because he's such a big personality, even if it goes horribly, I think it's the right decision because you want things to change, you got to do things different. And I think that would be a Deion Sanders hire.

[Unknown]

Right. The other thing that I'd push back on a little bit is Deion himself and some of the antics and some of the things that he does in the sermons that he delivers to the team. The dynamics of a professional locker room are a little bit different. These are grown Men, people that have kids and wives and big personalities, big egos as well. The dominant nature in which he controls a locker room in college is going to be much different than, I believe, the interactions and the dominant nature in which he has over the players. Now it's about messaging, it's about mindset, but there are going to be subtle things that he probably clearly understands that he's going to have to change about how he approaches maybe the day to day versus what he's done at Colorado in the hype machine that he's created behind Colorado.

[Bobby Bones]

And what I would say to that is different than like a Jim Trestle going to coach an NFL team where that will absolutely be something that he has to know, acknowledge and learn from. Deion has been in those locker rooms forever and like you said, knows that dynamic. I don't think he would go in even talking to the players the same way he would talk to a 19 year old. Right. Because he was also that 31 year old. So I'm excited for it. I'm not so much Cowboys fan. All my friends are great Cowboys, they love the Cowboys. But I hope he gets the job. If not, like, what the crap are they gonna do?

[Unknown]

I have no idea.

[Bobby Bones]

How funny would it be if it were Sark? That'd be hilarious. Sark, that could be right down the road. Doesn't want to pay relocation fees. So.

[Unknown]

Yeah, just. Just make a quick drive over here. We're not gonna send a plane. Why would we do that?

[Bobby Bones]

Exactly.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay. Coming up in Rapaport. Back in a second.

[Unknown]

Come on, hurry up.

[Matt Castle]

The stadium bathroom line. It's like TSA and the DMV merged in the waters of rush hour traffic. And you're in it. No closer to the bathroom than you were five minutes ago. Just closer to, well, going to the bathroom. You know what actually takes a minute? Figuring out who's going to DD so no one drives impaired after the game. Take a minute, make a plan. Never drive impaired. Go to take a minute now.com from Diageo. Mad uber in the NFL. Please drink responsibly whether you're ordering wings.

[Unknown]

For the game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza. There's something about football that makes you want to eat. In this football season. Uber Eats has the best deals on game day food, no matter what you're craving. From two for one pizza. To buy one, get one wings. Uber Eats will be dropping new deals each week all season long. Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day Terms and conditions apply. See app for details.

[Bobby Bones]

As far as insiders go, this guy's the best. You can see him on NFL Network. You can follow him at Rapsheet. R A P S H E E T He is the guy on the phone. He is the guy that knows. Here he is. Ian Rapaport.

[Unknown]

Ian. There's a lot of stuff going on, obviously with the coaching searches right now. Mike Vrabel gets hired by The Patriots. Mike McCarthy out in Dallas. We hear a lot of rumors about Tomlin down with the Steelers. What are you hearing with those organizations and what's, what's the latest right now?

Okay, we'll start with Mike Tomlin. I don't get the sense he's going anywhere. The coaching world can be crazy. He was asked about this on Tuesday. Basically said, don't waste your time. You know, be sort of like picking against the Chiefs in the playoffs. Like, until something actually happens with Mike Tomlin. I will choose to be in the belief that the Steelers are unbelievably loyal. Know they have a great coach. Tom was unbelievably loyal, knows he has a great organization, and I imagine they will stay together. The Mike Vrabel one is really, really interesting to me. It's the only reason you move on from Gerard Mayo. Obviously the season was bad. It was nothing that anybody in New England wanted. But, you know, you bring in a young coach who you believe is going to be a leader, to give him only one year. It didn't make a lot of sense to me unless you had a sure fire, better option who you know is going to hit the ground running. Mike Vrabel is. He is a great coach. He is not for everyone. He will be hard on a lot of people there. I think he is going to be extremely demanding and he will get what he wants eventually, as he showed in Tennessee. I think they're going to win and I think they're going to win a lot. They got a good quarterback and I think he's going to do a really good job of building up the middle class of that team and getting everyone to be like a little bit better, which is really the thing he did best in Tennessee, you know, and then the Dallas thing, you know, I kind of went about this believing that Mike McCarthy would be back. That's what sort of made sense. I know all parties kind of thought they would be back. The Cowboys tried to bring him back in a shorter deal. He wanted some security. But the reality is, like, if Dallas wasn't sure long term about him and he wanted a little more than they're willing to give. Like, what are we doing? You know, like, what? It's like if you're dating someone and you're, like, not sure whether or not to move in, like, you should probably not be dating that person, right? Like, this shouldn't be a question. So I thought they did the right thing in moving on. And I'm curious to see what happens next for all parties.

[Bobby Bones]

Dude, the Bears and the jets now.

[Unknown]

Well, that's a little more challenging because they've all interviewed a lot of people. And so people have been asking me for the last week and a half, like, you know, who do you see as the front runner for the Jets? And it's like, well, when you interview 15 people, you know, if you have a front runner, then, like, why are you interviewing all these people? Right? So it's a pretty open search. I mean, there's a couple of candidates I think have maybe better chances than others. Like, I'd say Aaron Glenn and Arthur Smith both have a really good chance in New York, for instance, to name a couple. I think Cliff Kingsbury has a good chance in Chicago. I think Mike McCarthy has a good chance in Chicago. Kind of a wild card will be Mike Kafka. It's just, you know, it's so wide open and expansive. It's tough to nail down, you know, one favorite there.

Do you. Of those organizations that you just mentioned and then even throw in Jacksonville, what do you think's the most attractive job, in your opinion, for any of these head coaches that are coming out? Because obviously the jets, they're. They're going to sit there and you don't know if Aaron Rodgers is coming back. The pieces in Chicago are very attractive. Jacksonville as well, with their team, the youth that they have, and a quarterback that obviously has had really high highs, but really low, a lot of lows as well.

Well, I would say to me, we'll include the Patriots in that. Even though it's already been filled. The only thing you're really looking for if. If you're a coach taking over, for taking over a job is can you win? Like, can you win?

Right?

What's the infrastructure? Like, what are you inheriting? Can you win? And I think most times during this time of year you're kind of like, well, yeah, like, I do want a job, but they don't have a quarterback or they're in bad salary cap space or like, they got all rebuild. Like, there's actually a surprising number of places this year where you could go in and win. Like Chicago has a quarterback. Like, do they need some work? Yeah, they do, but they got a guy. Jacksonville, I believe has a guy. Is Trevor Lawrence going to be Patrick Mahomes? Probably not. But you know, could he be starting for a playoff team with some better coaching? Like he could and he has been like he has.

Right. And divisionally. Right. It's probably when you look at Jacksonville and the division that they're in, they go in and win now.

Well, yeah. And like if you look at the roster, like they got some pieces. They got three good receivers, they got a good tight end, they got a good young offensive line attack, left tackle who's locked up. They got couple really good pieces off the edge of defense. They got a good back end, they have a highly paid corner. They have a really good linebacker who's the first round pick. I mean, that's a lot of good players, right? So. And then, you know, so I think those are some of the better ones and a surprising number. And Dallas, it's like if you're the Dallas Cowboys head coach, it's a lot. Okay. Like I can't even. It's like almost nothing else in sports where you're the head coach, slash spokesman, slash carnival barker, slash, you know, front man. Like all of the things just, it's like it's the most all encompassing coach job in sports. I can't compare it to anything else. But they got Dak Prescott, they got a good offensive line with some good young pieces. They got some great receivers, they got Micah Parsons and a couple all pro corners. Like they got some dudes. So you can win there. The toughest one for me, which may eventually end up being Ben Johnson's job, is Las Vegas, but they have Tom Brady. And that in itself for people who like to be associated with people who are awesome, it's a pretty interesting place as well.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, the Vikings lost to the Rams. Have any say on what the Vikings do with Sam Darnold? Or did they already know?

[Unknown]

You know, I would say the Lions game was tough. And if you were wondering whether or not that was an anomaly, Darnold followed it up with the playoff game last night. So it's like that game alone wasn't anything but those two games. And then it's almost like the Sam Darnold detractor spent the whole season waiting for that, being like, all right, well, eventually he's going to turn into Sam Donald. And then when he did, it's like every jets fan in the world text me. Yep, I've seen that guy before. And I'm like, I get it. Like, everyone wants to say, I told you so. I think a long run in the playoffs would have really helped him. I don't think it means he's not going to be able to get a starting job next year, but it does alter the landscape a little bit. Like, if you're Minnesota, are you a little, little, little, little less likely to give them a long term deal? Maybe you want to give them the franchise tag instead, or maybe you want to say, you know what, I've seen the good, I've seen the bad, it's just not enough. And we got a young guy, we're just going to roll. I think it probably at the very least made them think about, all right, like, what really are our options? Rather than like, this is our franchise quarterback, let's move.

Don't you think it's going to be really complicated though? Like, why not franchise them for a year considering JJ McCarthy hasn't taken a snap, he's been hurt all year. How long is Daniel Jones there? Did he just sign for the rest of this season or did he sign just the year? So they, they potentially could bring him back, but they'd have to give him a deal as well. But I think it's a very complicated situation because if you don't bring back Sam Darnold as a franchise guy, then you're basically rolling the dice with a guy, J.J. mcCarthy. That's unproven.

Yeah. And I would say you can't roll the dice.

Right?

Like, and I'm not saying. Here's what I would say. If they decide to not bring back Sam Darlon, I mean, which is a, it's a bold decision. And they just made it, they just made it with Kirk Cousins. They said, he's good, we want more and we want to pay less and we're moving on. And they did. And they got a great performance most of the season from Sam Darnold. And I think obviously what. Cousins has fallen off a cliff. So I think that proved to be the right decision. But I will say this. If they move on from Sam Darnold, I don't think it'll be a gamble. To me, it would mean they know, right? Like, and we've seen it, like, we've seen it across the league with guys have players and they say, this is a guy. Like, I don't have any. Like, I remember going to commander's camp and they were like, yo, like, we got a guy. Like, this is. We got a guy usually, you know, and so if the Vikings move on from Darnold, I think we'll probably know that they got a guy in JJ McCarthy and they've already seen it.

[Bobby Bones]

Talk about Kirk Cousins, what's he going to do? Was he hurt? Like the team still see that there's a. More of a ceiling after his Achilles injury.

[Unknown]

You know, the most interesting thing that we'll see or talk about with Kirk Cousins happened with Aaron Rodgers. Similar time frame. Rogers, you know, tore his Achilles, was kind of most of the year, also was banged up in his lower half, had a knee, had a hamstring, had some other stuff. And then there were pockets late in the year where he really looked like the Aaron Rodgers of old. The second year after the Achilles. And I keep thinking about that because it's all projection. Nobody knows. You don't know how Kirk Cousins is going to play. But if you want to project it out, you could say second year back from an Achilles, Aaron Rodgers somewhat similar age, second half of the year looked a lot better. And maybe Kirk Cousins come back from Achilles, second year back, similar age. Maybe he's going to look better. If it's going to be what it was with the Falcons this year, the last four or five games, then I don't know that he gets a job. If it's going to be like it was the first six games or whatever, then I think he'll end up somewhere that doesn't want to spend a lot of money but wants a viable starter. Because remember, if they cut him, he's going to play for the minimum. No one is going to eclipse what the Falcons were paying him. His salary is going to be the minimum. It is going to be Russell Wilson. So he's going to be an attractive quarterback signing for some Tennessee Titans, I.

Bet watch is this between the Baltimore.

Ravens, Tennessee Titans actually make sense. They're going to take a quarterback number one. They need a placeholder. If he's your backup, like, who cares? You're paying him the minute and like he's a decent human who will probably help. That would make sense.

[Bobby Bones]

Aaron Rodgers, you mentioned him. What's up with him? Where will he be next year?

[Unknown]

I'd like to know if he's going to play next year. I imagine there'll be some darkness, some mushrooms, whatever. Ayahuasca, a deep dive into his mental, the whole deal to figure it out. I don't, I don't know. Everyone says like, you know, he's not going to want to go out like this, but it's like everybody goes out like this, it's always, always it's bad. It's like every relationship that ends, it's like it didn't end badly, wouldn't it? You know, like he would play be friggin Tom Brady, you know, I wonder if it's the end for him. You know, I think I've said this publicly, but I know some people close to him who think it's the end. I don't know. I don't know who signs him and says, all right, we have our quarterback situation solved. Like, how much do you pay him? Is he a bridge quarterback now? And like, does he at some point get beaten out by like a younger quarterback? And that's kind of weird. And what he signed, knowing that's possible. Like, I have way more questions than answers when it comes to Aaron Rodgers.

Okay, so another interesting game. Washington, what they've accomplished this season. Dan Quinn, Jaden Daniels, he's a bonafide dude, right? He's going to be the rookie of the year hands down. He's had one of the most incredible rookie seasons of anybody. Do you think that there is a chance that they could go into Detroit and beat this machine that Detroit is right now?

I mean, they're going to have to play so well, right? It's going to have to play so well. Which, you know, the interesting thing about Washington is if they somehow manage to keep it close, like let's say they're down 7 in the fourth quarter, okay. You know, again, they're going to have to play great. But let's say they're down 7 in the fourth quarter, everybody on the team is going to know, hey, we got a chance. We've been here before. We got that guy. We got a chance. And that is the really cool thing about having Jaden Daniels. Like, there's a lot of cool things he is, he's awesome. He's like truly cerebral. He's got an absolute canon. He's really fun to watch. But the knowing that every, when it gets late and it all goes crazy, he's going to be the most chill dude on the team. You got a chance. They just got to get there and like the lines are so explosive and like, you know, they get a takeaway or two on defense, like they could, you know, I do wonder if the Lions kind of run away with this a little bit.

[Bobby Bones]

Ian Rapaport at Rap Sheet. Ian, thank you for the time. Time. Always appreciate the knowledge and hope you have a great rest of the day. Awesome.

[Unknown]

Take care, guys. Thank you for having me.

Thanks, Ian. Come On Hurry up.

[Matt Castle]

The stadium bathroom line. It's like TSA and the DMV merged in the waters of rush hour traffic. And you're in it. No closer to the bathroom than you were five minutes ago. Just closer to, well, going to the bathroom. You know what actually takes a minute? Figuring out who's going to dd. So no one drives impaired after the game. Take a minute, make a plan, Never drive impaired. Go to take a minute now.com from Diageo. Mad uber in the NFL. Please drink responsibly.

[Peter Schrager]

I'm Peter Schrager, host of Good Morning Football on the NFL Network and the Season with Peter Schrager podcast. Whether you're ordering wings for the game or you're whipping up a seven layer dip, or you're ordering a pizza, there's something about football that makes you want to eat in this football season. UberEats has the best deals on game day food, no matter what you're craving. From two for one pizzas to buy one, get one wings to whatever it is you want. UberEats will be dropping new deals each week all season long. UberEats is the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day terms and conditions apply and see the app for details.

[Bobby Bones]

Do you have drones, giant drones flying over your house?

[Unknown]

It's crazy.

[Bobby Bones]

I mean, not just regular drones, giant drones.

[Unknown]

They're not normal drones. Like, at first I'm like, am I just. Am I hallucinating right now, seeing like a mini plane?

[Bobby Bones]

I thought it was an airplane at first because of the lights. I mean, literally, it looks like it could be. It could have been an airplane. Right?

[Unknown]

And they have lights and green lights and all kinds of stuff. And I'm going, what is going on? I literally filmed it the other day, one flying over my house and I'm just like, what is that? And nobody. There's no answers. You don't see anything. Nobody says anything.

[Bobby Bones]

It's gigantic too. And again, it's shaped because they're kind of have a big X in them.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

So you can think it's an airplane at the shape of the lights, but.

[Unknown]

Then how it's moving, it's floating.

[Bobby Bones]

And the one that flew low enough, it was like little after dusk, but not fully dark. And I was able to really see one. Yeah, because my wife is the one that pointed them out because obviously all those drones in New Jersey and the east coast, it's like, oh my God, are they aliens? Is it China? Who knows? But then I'm just thinking, she sees all that on the news and is thinking she's seeing a drone. I'm like, that's not a drone. That's not a drone. It was a freaking drone. And so it's a real drone. I wanted to shoot it down. I literally, Because I have guns. And So I grabbed my 12 gauge that I have under my bed and my wife's like, what are you doing? I was like, well, I'm just gonna walk out there and see how low it is.

[Unknown]

That would be amazing if you shot that thing down.

[Bobby Bones]

So she goes, can you even do that? You know, we're in a neighborhood.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And I said, that's a great point. I don't know that I was going to, but I had it in my hand just in case. And so I google it. And you cannot shoot down a drone.

[Unknown]

It was interesting. I read an article about a guy in Tampa that got arrested. Like he was a 75 year old man. He's like, what's this drone doing over my house? It's floating over my house. And he shot it down. They came and arrested him. He's like, what for? It was over my house. Like, you can't shoot down a drone.

[Bobby Bones]

I was like, I would think that was my property too. Like the air up to a certain point.

[Unknown]

Yeah, isn't this mine? All the space too.

[Bobby Bones]

So I didn't shoot it, but I Googled, like, what can you do if a drone's flying over? And they give you options. One is, this is the stupidest option ever. It says, put up a sign that says no drone zone. Because apparently drones will pay attention. There's no chance a single drone is ever going to see that and go, like, you know, we were flying over this house, but let's avoid it.

[Unknown]

Yeah, we got to avoid that one. No trespassing. No drones.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, Jim, there's a no drone sign here. So the second one was call the cops. Now, can you imagine if I called the cops? Oh, my gosh, what they would say if they came over?

[Unknown]

Like, we're dealing with some serious stuff over here, but you want me to come look at the drone with you or.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, we got them flying over a house too. You know, what do you want to do the third, and I'm not kidding, says you can launch a counter drone.

[Unknown]

Yes. Now this is like Battlestar Galactica. Now we got something. Tell me you have something brewing here.

[Bobby Bones]

I literally have a drone right over there. Now, it was a little smaller than I thought, but this one moves fast. Oh, yeah, you should get this one moves fast. It's very agile. And this is a camera. It's got both a click click camera and a video camera.

[Unknown]

Yes. I can't wait for this.

[Bobby Bones]

So I'm sending this up.

[Unknown]

We should get. We should send a fleet. Like five of them up.

[Bobby Bones]

Dude, I don't know if I can fly one. You're trying to fly five?

[Unknown]

Well, we're gonna have to get. We're gonna have to bring over some more people.

[Bobby Bones]

And then we would crash. You know, we crash them into each other.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

If it's five of us, you know, we're for sure crashing them into each other. I'm gonna fly this up and try to find out what exactly that thing is because again, I did think it would be a little bigger, but if you fly it over 500ft, that's against the law. A drone. But what's the difference in 500 and 580? They're not going to know.

[Unknown]

They're not going to know.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm not going to know.

[Unknown]

Plus, who's going to call the cops on you? Nobody.

[Bobby Bones]

That true. Maybe the people with the no drone zone signs might be over theirs and they'll call it on me. The thing that I worry about with this drone is that drones can't see at night. That's the problem. And that's why it's so weird that drones are flying over is.

[Unknown]

And let's be honest, these are superpowered.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes. So they're looking for something where they're getting either heat radiation, some.

[Unknown]

Some kind of activity.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes. But I'm going to try to launch this at dusk. What you get? They're laughing over there.

[Unknown]

Do you know there. You know their flight patterns right now?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Above my house. That's the pattern. They just.

[Unknown]

Do you think it's going to be dusk for sure.

[Bobby Bones]

We see them at dusk sometimes.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Bobby Bones]

Like I don't think I can launch when it's full dark because I don't know that it will see anything. I will try. Yeah, but I think it's going to come in. Dude, if I go to jail, I'm going to call you to bail me out then.

[Unknown]

No, you said I read it on the Internet. I could go. I could go up and go head to head with this thing.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm going to drone. I don't want to say battle yet. I'm doing a little recon work first.

[Unknown]

See what kind of body armor it has.

[Bobby Bones]

Anybody that's ever saved the world had to do it because no one else was doing it.

[Unknown]

True. And you're about to do it.

[Bobby Bones]

And I'm about to do it.

[Unknown]

You're about to find answers.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes. So if I have to be the one to save the world with this drone right here. Although I did think it'd be a little bigger. When I opened it out of the box, I was like, huh, yeah. Not that intimidating.

[Unknown]

I don't know if it's going to be intimidating, but at the same time, it might give us some answers. And that's what we're looking for.

[Bobby Bones]

That's all we're looking for.

[Unknown]

That's all we're looking for.

[Bobby Bones]

Answers for this. Answers for games this weekend. Another episode coming up this week, we'll have Boomer esiason and Parker McCollum on who's Big Texans fan. So it must have been a big, big weekend for him also. And it may be tomorrow. Tomorrow, the next day, we'll go through each of the games, make our picks. We appreciate you guys listening. If you don't mind, let's say you're hearing this on one of the NFL feeds or my feed. Please go subscribe to the Lots to say feed. That would help us a ton. We appreciate all the messages. Actually, we've gotten none. No messages.

[Unknown]

No messages.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, I've gotten messages, but there's no place to where they can actually send us messages.

[Unknown]

Obviously, my mom hasn't found the subscribe and comment section because she dropped quite a few.

[Bobby Bones]

We'd need it because it would help our algorithm. Oh, yeah, Tell her to do that.

[Unknown]

Or I'll just go on and start dropping stuff randomly.

[Bobby Bones]

As your mom or as you?

[Unknown]

No, probably as me.

[Bobby Bones]

I want to play you. To conclude, I said this about the Titans, and I've been told it was a little too harsh. When I went on Good Morning Football today, I said this about the Tennessee Titans.

[Unknown]

A little too harsh on the Badger.

[Bobby Bones]

I don't know that I was too harsh. I was just like, I do. I say, hey, I have lots to say.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And I was just being honest. Here we go. The Titans suck. Let's just be honest.

[Unknown]

That's why they got the first pick.

[Bobby Bones]

They're terrible. The colors look slow. It's weird. The colors are even slow, but even our colors look slow. So everything about the Titans is an absolute disaster. Derek Henry goes, has a great season. It's all. It's a mess. We have the number one pick. I'm sure somehow we're going to trade the for, like, Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees for, like, a Broadway play. Like, that's what I expect us to do. We're gonna. We're gonna trade our best pick for a Broadway play or something. So, no, it's a disaster, and nobody wants to go to the games because it's cold, but we're building a new stadium, and, well, that's all we have to hang our hat on. Thoughts?

[Unknown]

Wow.

You definitely unloaded as a true or frustrated? No, it's. It's a true. It's a dumpster fire right now. I mean, not only that, you fire your GM after two seasons, you don't really know who's in power. What, the ownership, you know, the power play at B. And then you look at the team. There's so many different holes that you have to be concerned with. Not just the offensive line, your quarterback position. Defensively, there's holes as well. So there's a lot, A lot of work to be done in order for this organization to get back to where they're at least competitive.

[Bobby Bones]

And they just look, the colors are slow.

[Unknown]

I mean, anytime you're the number one pick in the draft, that means you're not at a good place in time.

[Bobby Bones]

Unless you're like the Golden State warriors when Steph and Clay both got hurt and they lost a bunch of games that year and had a really great pick.

[Unknown]

Right. You know, those guys were coming back.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, yeah, that's what I'm saying. Like, that's the. That's the only, like, good part.

[Unknown]

We don't have those guys coming back.

[Bobby Bones]

We don't. We don't even have football players like Steph and Clay if they played football. All right, we're done. Thank you. This is executive produced by Kickoff Kevin and shot by Reed Yarberry. He's Matt Castle on Bobby Bones. We had lots to say. Thank you, guys. Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcasts. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Ian Rapoport]

Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate First. Like, you know, to check to make sure it's a heated stadium first before you paint your chest for the big game and spend the entire time trying to keep warm and eating atomic buffalo wings. Yeah, checking first is smart. So check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Savings vary subject to terms, conditions, and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.

[Matt Castle]

The stadium bathroom line. It's like TSA and the DMV merged in the waters of rush hour traffic and you're in it. No closer to the bathroom than you were five minutes ago. Just closer to. Well, going to the bathroom. You know what actually takes a minute? Figuring out who's going to dd. So no one drives impaired after the game. Take a minute, Make a plan. Never drive impaired. Go to take a minute now.com from Diageo Mad Uber in the NFL Please drink responsibly Whether you're ordering wings for.

[Unknown]

The game, whipping up a seven layer dip, or ordering pizza, there's something about football that makes you want to eat in this football season. Uber Eats has the best deals on game day food no matter what you're craving, from two for one Pizza. To buy one get one Wings. Uber Eats will be dropping new deals each week all season long. Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Order now for game day Terms and conditions apply. See app for details.

[Ian Rapoport]

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