← The Bobby Bones Show
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- [00:00]
Bobby Bones
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:07]
Marcus Grant
I'm Marcus Grant.
- [00:08]
Michael F. Florio
And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.
- [00:13]
Marcus Grant
Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
- [00:16]
Michael F. Florio
Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies.
- [00:23]
Marcus Grant
Whether you're a rookie manager or a.
- [00:25]
Michael F. Florio
Fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents.
- [00:28]
Marcus Grant
Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [00:38]
Daniel Jeremiah
Hey, everybody. Daniel Jeremiah here and I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Six. We take you inside the game. From breaking down college prospects and NFL.
- [00:46]
Bucky Brooks
Rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters.
- [00:52]
Daniel Jeremiah
We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.
- [00:58]
Bucky Brooks
It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sundays.
- [01:03]
Daniel Jeremiah
Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:11]
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.
- [01:21]
Michael F. Florio
We got lots day.
- [01:26]
Bobby Bones
We're glad you're here and we hope you stay. Cause we got lots to say. Yeah, we got lots to say. Now here's Bobby and Matt. Welcome to the show. That's Matt Castle. I'm Bobby. We're so happy we had actual football games. By the way, before we get to the NFL slate, how was week number two in college?
- [01:49]
Matt Castle
Week number two was great. I mean, we went up to Michigan State, they're playing Boston College. Got to see my old coach, Billy o'. Brien. Got to do when he comes in the stadium. I got to interview him, give him a big hug, you know, that was a nice moment. But then the game turned out to be an incredible game when double overtime Michigan State ended. But that's what you love about college football because you just never know what's going to take place.
- [02:09]
Bobby Bones
I didn't think I'd like Bill o'. Brien. I do. I had him. He was on the show last year and so I spent half an hour with him. Really cool guy.
- [02:16]
Matt Castle
Awesome guy. Great personality. Fantastic laugh, too.
- [02:20]
Bobby Bones
Like, I guess I wasn't that funny to him. No, I never got the laugh.
- [02:23]
Matt Castle
You never got a laugh?
- [02:24]
Bobby Bones
Well, we're talking ball. Who knows what you're talking about? We're talking ball.
- [02:27]
Matt Castle
Like a defining butt chin, too. That really brings it home. But I mean, hell, of a coach. We have a special relationship because when I was in New England, he actually was the wide receivers coach. So there's a different dynamic there than when he's maybe your offensive coordinator, head coach. So we spent a lot of time and obviously early on I was running scout team and he would be doing the cards and I'd always throw it to the wrong guy because they'd circle people on there and make you force it into coverage. And I was like, I'd never throw that ball if I was playing. So I just throw it to who I wanted to. And then he would get yelled at because I wasn't doing the right thing. Then he'd yell at me. It was hilarious. But we had a good time doing it.
- [03:02]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, I wouldn't want to make him mad, I don't think.
- [03:04]
Matt Castle
Oh, it was hilarious.
- [03:05]
Bobby Bones
You're a larger.
- [03:06]
Matt Castle
It was hilarious.
- [03:07]
Bobby Bones
All right, now we're going to go back and forth as we often do. Let's go for threes. I'm still trying to come up with a name. Three, 33 things.
- [03:13]
Matt Castle
Is this from last week, Looking ahead, what we're going to do?
- [03:16]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, I think it's always moving forward.
- [03:18]
Matt Castle
Yeah. Moving forward.
- [03:19]
Bobby Bones
We're doing like, I do my three. You do your three.
- [03:21]
Matt Castle
My three, year three.
- [03:22]
Bobby Bones
Got it. But I have a good name for it. Like 30 threes. 30 threes, 33. Doesn't matter. You go up three for three.
- [03:28]
Matt Castle
Three for three.
- [03:28]
Bobby Bones
You go up, you're number one.
- [03:30]
Bucky Brooks
Okay.
- [03:30]
Matt Castle
I think number one for me looking ahead is, are the Giants truly committed to Russell Wilson? Are they going to already make the change Because Brian Dabal was non committal in his press conference right after, then came out this week already and was like, we're going with Russell Wilson. But that leash is going to be so short. And it's unbelievable that we're in week two and they're already talking about making a quarterback change to Jackson Dart. And I know that Russell Wilson struggled, but why not start the kid right? Right off the jump?
- [04:01]
Bobby Bones
You know how I know Russell Wilson really struggled is because Malik Neighbors didn't want to play anymore, 100%.
- [04:08]
Matt Castle
And not only that, he wouldn't even high five day ball. Did you see that interaction? And day ball's trying to come up and like dap him up. And that has to. There has to be something behind that. And I think that's exactly it.
- [04:20]
Bobby Bones
So two things. When you talk about the Giants, I think Dable's probably going, this could be it for me.
- [04:27]
Matt Castle
Right.
- [04:28]
Bobby Bones
I've had the Run didn't work out with Daniel Jones, didn't work. We could go through the last few years with the Giants. I mean he didn't have his own quarterback when he started work there with the Giants anyway. And so if it doesn't work this year, it may not work at all. And as fair as that may not be, because I think Jackson Dart is the guy, right? He's the future. You probably want to play him, have some success even if it's later in the season so you can show you're actually building something positive. So I understand why you want to make that switch, that flip now.
- [04:58]
Matt Castle
I agree. And you've got also a defense with four first rounders. They've drafted well. They've got dudes you said Malik, neighbors. You bring in Jackson Dart, they've got a pretty good offensive line. But for him, he's got to win now. Like you can't let this thing continue to play out with a quarterback. That's not the future of your franchise. And for as you said, and I think you hit the nail on the head when you said if he wins now and shows progress and promise that this as we build this into year two, year three, that we might have something here, then everybody in the organization, the fan base, they feel better about it. But if you go and wait six games, seven games and you're dead last in that difficult division and there's not a lot of promise, I mean you might get fired.
- [05:41]
Bobby Bones
I think with Jackson Dart as well, or any rookie, it could be insert whomever rookie, it's going to take 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, however many games to just get them to baseline and you need to get them there so you can get them above so you can show that there is promise. If you wait until week four or five, that's going to be three Jacksonville games before he probably feels comfortable starting. If you do it now, that way when you get to week eight or nine, he may actually be in the groove and you can show that hey, we are the Giants. We are now going to win some games. It could be Pantheresque like last year. By the way, they sucked week one.
- [06:13]
Matt Castle
They were awful. That might change your mind. Yeah, I know Denver didn't do much.
- [06:17]
Bobby Bones
Better, but they, yeah, but with the Giants, I feel like for him, for his job safety, the quicker they can switch to Jackson Dart and the quicker they can have success because they're not going to be a team that wins a lot of games this season. But if in that second half they can go over.500, let's say in the last eight games they go five and three.
- [06:35]
Matt Castle
Right.
- [06:36]
Bobby Bones
I think that's enough to give him another year because they have a quarterback.
- [06:41]
Matt Castle
That he drafted, of course, and it's week one right now. But people don't understand a lot of times this is a 17 game season. So exactly what you're saying, you're going to go through your bumps and bruises with a rookie quarterback. It's just the nature of the beast as he learns how to be a professional. He's got good guys behind him with Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson who will take on that mentoring role but help him grow. The back half of the season is where you want to see them start to win games, put people away and you say, wow, look at the development that we've had.
- [07:11]
Bobby Bones
So I'm going to take yours, I'm going to roll it over into mine. The Cowboys and Giants are playing this week.
- [07:15]
Matt Castle
Yes.
- [07:16]
Bobby Bones
Cowboys look pretty good.
- [07:18]
Matt Castle
Hell yeah, they look good.
- [07:20]
Bobby Bones
The Cowboys look offensively like a team that could win some games. Now I don't think they're going to win 13 games this season because I don't think they have the defense to do it. But the Cowboys, especially Dak, look great. I mean this is prime Cowboy letdown game though, is my point. Because Cowboys are like a five and a half point favorite going into this week. They should win. Every part of them should win this game. Especially because we have no controversy in New York with the quarterback. Is it Russell Wilson? It's not going to be for long. This is classic. Okay. We feel good about the Cowboys. This is their week to and that's.
- [07:55]
Matt Castle
The thing that they have to guard themselves against because last week all the different noise on the outside of the building was about Parsons. They just got rid of their most prolific pass rusher, which they did. But where's that take them? They're basically throwing away the season, not realizing they've got a high octane offense. And Dak Prescott was hurt last year and he's a guy that can play this position at a really high level. What you think about him or not, he wins a lot of ball games and then to go out there and yes, they lost the game but that was a competitive ball game and now you get an opportunity to go back and have another divisional game right off the jump and you say you need to go out there and impose your will on another team and win this game convincingly because I think that puts a lot of the other all the noise even it quiets even more down and that's really what they need to do if they go out and crap the bed this week. And it's a loss to the Giants. Now everybody picks up again in the banter.
- [08:53]
Bobby Bones
And it's in Dallas.
- [08:53]
Matt Castle
And it's in Dallas.
- [08:55]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. I'm not a Cowboys fan, but I'm hoping. I like to see a team that's told, hey, now that you made this decision, A is going to happen and.
- [09:04]
Matt Castle
Then b happens, oh, 100%, that, that underdog kind of, you're idiots, and then go out and prove everybody wrong.
- [09:10]
Bobby Bones
CD Lamb did not have. He had a good game stat wise, but did not have a good game in when he needed to make a catch.
- [09:18]
Matt Castle
He missed some opportunities. It's three drop balls, 100%.
- [09:20]
Bobby Bones
One of them was real bad. It could have changed the game.
- [09:22]
Matt Castle
Pivotal.
- [09:23]
Bobby Bones
Did you ever have a wide receiver that was awesome, but made like a couple inopportune drops and you just had to go, bro, I know you got it, didn't you? But we're just like, what do you do as a quarterback?
- [09:36]
Matt Castle
It's such a hard thing because you know when you have a number one wide receiver like CD Lamb, that he's your dude. You're gonna. He's gonna constantly the guy that you go to. And unfortunately, you know how competitive he is, the pride that he takes in his position, otherwise he wouldn't be where he is. And those things happen, right? They happen. And sometimes it costs you the game. And it's just the same thing as if I'm a quarterback and you're driving late. You miss a throw, you throw an interception. You feel that CD Lamb feels that he's going to come back, work harder, do all that. So it's hard to. To go up and be like, dude, you gotta get that. He understands it. You don't even have to say it. The biggest thing for me always as a quarterback in those situations is to go up and be there for the guy and say, hey, dude, I believe in you. If we get another opportunity, I'm coming right back to you. Because you got to help them flush that out of their system so that they're not thinking about it come the next series.
- [10:30]
Bobby Bones
Were there times where you purposefully went back to the person or your wide receiver that made a drop just to say that? Well, so it comes right back to you.
- [10:38]
Matt Castle
Yeah, Dwayne Bowe, we're in Kansas City. I forget who we're playing. Drops a critical third down. And so we go off the sideline. You can tell he's pissed. And coaching staff's pissed, all that stuff. But I'll go up to him and I'll say, hey, we're going to get another opportunity. And right off the jump, I'm coming right at you. I need to stop saying right off the jump because I've said it three times now. Right away I'm going to come back to you and throw you the football. And that's exactly what we did. And he goes up and he makes a big play and then we go down. So that number one wide receiver is never going to stop being your number one wide receiver. It's just that it's not a lack of focus. It's just sometimes it happens.
- [11:14]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. That was disappointing because he played such a good game.
- [11:17]
Matt Castle
Right.
- [11:17]
Bobby Bones
And he found ways to get open all game long. That drop that would have flipped the field. And again, it's been week and a half now, but that's brutal. They could have won the game easily.
- [11:28]
Matt Castle
Could have won that game.
- [11:29]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. So they for sure will lose to the Giants. That's just how the Cowboys work. I'm not a Cowboy lover. I'm not a Cowboy hater, but, man, if they don't. If they actually beat the Giants and they win a game, they should win, possibly. We have a different Cowboys team than we thought.
- [11:41]
Matt Castle
Yeah.
- [11:42]
Bobby Bones
And that's exciting because the NFL needs.
- [11:44]
Matt Castle
They need the Cowboys.
- [11:45]
Bobby Bones
They need a competitive Cowboys team because it makes the NFL more fun. It's like the NBA needs the Lakers to be in the mix.
- [11:51]
Matt Castle
Yes.
- [11:52]
Bobby Bones
Because it makes the league more fun. So I'm rooting for the Cowboys. Although I know Dan was your boy.
- [11:57]
Matt Castle
Dabel's my boy for sure. And I hope that he does well and has all this success. I just think they're in a bunch of turmoil right now. And it's. It's very interesting when you look at their schedule, their division and their quarterback situation.
- [12:10]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, that division is terrible because the commanders are going to be good.
- [12:15]
Matt Castle
They're going to be good.
- [12:16]
Bobby Bones
The Eagles are obviously going to be awesome.
- [12:18]
Matt Castle
Yes.
- [12:19]
Bobby Bones
And if the Cowboys are okay, that leaves the Giants to just be the little brother.
- [12:24]
Matt Castle
Yeah.
- [12:24]
Bobby Bones
And.
- [12:24]
Matt Castle
And that's the thing. They have dudes to go out and compete now. They just got to go out and compete. But that is a difficult division.
- [12:37]
Daniel Jeremiah
What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here and I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game, from scouting reports and.
- [12:45]
Bucky Brooks
Player development to team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters.
- [12:51]
Daniel Jeremiah
Every week we study the tape, talk to decision makers and share the insights you won't find anywhere else.
- [12:57]
Bucky Brooks
It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots. From college football prospects to the NFL.
- [13:02]
Daniel Jeremiah
Stars of tomorrow, we break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day.
- [13:08]
Bucky Brooks
Plus, we dig into coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year.
- [13:15]
Daniel Jeremiah
Whether you're a die hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture.
- [13:20]
Bucky Brooks
If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you.
- [13:25]
Daniel Jeremiah
Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [13:37]
Marcus Grant
I'm Marcus Grant.
- [13:38]
Michael F. Florio
And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football podcast.
- [13:43]
Marcus Grant
Fantasy season is here, and the question is, are you ready to dominate your league?
- [13:47]
Michael F. Florio
Because if you're not locked in with us, the NFL Fantasy Football podcast, you're already playing from behind.
- [13:53]
Marcus Grant
Every episode, we're breaking down the biggest fantasy headlines, injury updates you need before kickoff, and matchups you can exploit to bury your competition.
- [14:02]
Michael F. Florio
We're talking sleeper picks, breakout stars, and the players you can't afford to bench.
- [14:07]
Marcus Grant
Whether it's rookies making noise or or veterans keeping their value, we cover it all.
- [14:11]
Daniel Jeremiah
Whether you're drafting for the first time.
- [14:13]
Michael F. Florio
Or chasing another championship, we'll give you.
- [14:15]
Marcus Grant
The edge, the insight, and the confidence to make every move count.
- [14:19]
Michael F. Florio
Weekly analysis, hot takes, and insider knowledge all in one place.
- [14:23]
Marcus Grant
So what's it going to be? Another just okay season or total fantasy domination? Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [14:43]
Bobby Bones
All right, you're up.
- [14:44]
Matt Castle
All right. I looked, obviously. We've all watched the Chiefs game, right? Against the Chargers. Chargers ended up winning that game. I thought Herbert had an outstanding game. But looking forward, you also saw two of the Chiefs wide receivers go down, which is critical because they didn't have much of a passing game. They didn't have much of a running game other than Mahomes. And now you're going to play the Eagles. And so it's another challenge right off the start of the season where you've.
- [15:12]
Bobby Bones
Got someone said right off the jump.
- [15:13]
Matt Castle
No, I changed it. Do you see that? I thought about that.
- [15:17]
Bobby Bones
Some would say right off the jump.
- [15:18]
Matt Castle
Somebody would say that, but not I. Not I. I believe it's going to be a really interesting matchup to see how they overcome one that those injuries at the wide receiver position. But also they're going up against the Eagles and it's going to be a game where Mahomes is going to have to have some magic. But I do believe that they're going to have to get the run game going in order to help take some pressure off this pass game.
- [15:43]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. Hollywood Brown's going to be the number one now. Going to have to be. Thank God he's healthy. I mean, he missed last year. And Rasheed Rice is to come back to what, Week six. So six games suspended back at week seven.
- [15:56]
Matt Castle
Xavier Worthy, Xavier Worth.
- [15:58]
Bobby Bones
And you saw the doctor or he mouthed it. We saw him go. That does not look good.
- [16:07]
Matt Castle
Yeah. What was it? Dislocated shoulder?
- [16:09]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, that's. That's what it was. Yeah. They didn't say how severe it was, at least. I haven't heard yet. Kevin, have you heard how severe it was? Because all I heard was just dislocated.
- [16:15]
Matt Castle
Doctor.
- [16:16]
Kevin
Yeah, they just said it's like a day to day thing and he'll play with a bracelet.
- [16:19]
Bobby Bones
Well, he's going to play.
- [16:20]
Kevin
I didn't possibly. If he does, it'll be with a brace. But Andy Reid said it could be like a day to day, see how the week progresses.
- [16:26]
Bobby Bones
I would say the benefit of that is he's a burner anyway.
- [16:29]
Matt Castle
He is.
- [16:29]
Bobby Bones
So if anything, you can set him out wide, throw him one or two and he has to keep the defense honest.
- [16:36]
Matt Castle
Look, we're not going to throw you the ball because you can't reach above your head with the brace, but run really fast and clear it out for Kelsey on the outside. On the inside. Just go. Just go.
- [16:45]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. Rough game week two for the Chiefs after losing week one.
- [16:47]
Matt Castle
It is, I mean, this from a scheduling standpoint, to go out there and play. They're in Brazil.
- [16:55]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. That's terrible. And you had to play one of those games. Yours wasn't Brazil.
- [16:58]
Matt Castle
Yours was not Brazil, though.
- [16:59]
Bobby Bones
London. Right.
- [17:00]
Matt Castle
And they said that, I believe that the Chiefs were the away team in that game. And so Todd Blackledge and Noah Eagle did that game last year and they said that the away team stays about an hour and a half away from the stadium. Just so from a travel standpoint, to get the same versus the home team that's right across the street from the stadium, that's a big deal. So you're dealing with all these different elements and then to go out and lose to a division rival and come back and play the team that just absolutely smoked you last year in the super bowl, it's. It's tough Scheduling to say the least.
- [17:32]
Bobby Bones
I'll go again. I'll go. Joe Burrow needs a big bounce back game. They did win, but that's because the Browns browned.
- [17:37]
Matt Castle
They had what, like 140 total yards or something like that? Offensively, he.
- [17:42]
Bobby Bones
Well, Burrow specifically was 14 for 23 for 113 and a touchdown. And I was talking to kickoff Kevin about this and I was like I cannot believe the Bengals won. Except for they're playing the Browns in the Browns Browns. They found a way to lose.
- [17:56]
Matt Castle
Missed two field goals.
- [17:57]
Bobby Bones
Kevin made a great point. The Bengals don't win week one or week two.
- [18:01]
Matt Castle
They. The stats are mind boggling when you look at them.
- [18:04]
Bobby Bones
So this is actually big for the Bengals.
- [18:07]
Matt Castle
Yeah, they're always awful week one or week two, but it sometimes comes back to bite them like it did last year.
- [18:12]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. So my bounce backs are. Burrow needs one. Now they are playing Jacksonville. I don't know that we have an accurate measurement of what Jacksonville is. They beat a bad Panthers. The funny clip at the Panthers game was Bryce Young watching the football like the. Which helmet is the one that has the ball in it up on the screen in the middle of the game. They have him just watching it and then he goes out, throws a pick. Like the next play.
- [18:36]
Matt Castle
It was a bad pick too.
- [18:37]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. So I don't think that's what made him throw the pick. But the timing was terrible because that went viral and I like Bryce Young a lot.
- [18:43]
Matt Castle
And did they have a full weather delay too for.
- [18:45]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, for like.
- [18:46]
Matt Castle
Which was awful.
- [18:47]
Bobby Bones
Almost two hours.
- [18:47]
Matt Castle
Yeah.
- [18:48]
Bobby Bones
And those games rolled into the 4 o'.
- [18:51]
Matt Castle
Clock.
- [18:52]
Bobby Bones
So you know, the big bounce backs needs to be burrow against Jacksonville if the Dolphins are going to bounce back. Man, TUA was terrible.
- [19:01]
Matt Castle
It was bad. And then you talk about another wide receiver that was upset. We had a discussion about him last week, Tyreek Hill, about why isn't he a captain. He's the most talented guy on the team. It's stuff like that, the sideline antics, the screaming at the coach, all that stuff during game day becoming a distraction. That's why he's not a captain. And that's something that's going to be continuous until they start to perform better. Because that was awful. But how awesome was Daniel Jones? We talked about him.
- [19:30]
Bobby Bones
I'm a big Daniel Jones guy. I've been made fun of for being a big Daniel Jones guy. I just think he can do it all. I think he can run again. Don't confuse the pigment in his skin for somebody that's extremely slow.
- [19:41]
Matt Castle
Yes, he can run. He is athletic as I'll get out.
- [19:45]
Bobby Bones
And I don't think week one is the absolute litmus test of what he's going to do all season.
- [19:50]
Matt Castle
No, name him comeback player of the year right now.
- [19:52]
Bobby Bones
But how? Yeah, he was awesome. Tua was not. He went 14 for 23 as well for 114 yards, a touchdown and two interception. Two interceptions. Now they're playing the Patriots. Patriots. Not a great game. Kevin, those are your boys.
- [20:06]
Kevin
Yeah, it was tough to watch.
- [20:07]
Bobby Bones
What did you think?
- [20:08]
Matt Castle
Yeah, what'd you think?
- [20:09]
Kevin
I thought Matt could obviously speak on this a lot better, but offensively it. He threw drake, I believe 46 times, but it just looked very boring. Still, everything looks boring. And then I watch other offenses and I'm like, dang, that looks fun. And I know they don't have like a Derek Henry or anything like that, but it just looked like offensively it was a rookie quarterback still back there that Josh McDaniels didn't trust.
- [20:31]
Matt Castle
Yeah. You know so much of that system too when I was in it with Josh McDaniels and you've always seen it, it's a possession passing scheme. Right. So it's going to be intermediate routes, it's going to be screens and then you're going to take your shots. You're not always wanting to throw the ball 46 times. I think a lot of that was the fact that they were behind and needed to make up some ground late so that you're kind of put in this two minute mode where you've got to go throw, throw the football. But Stefon Diggs, I would say is their number one wide receiver. They've got Douglas as well, who had a catch for a touchdown. But Diggs, when you watch him, he's a really good player. I mean he's a good route runner. He's not the guy he used to be and so he's not surrounded with that one alpha that you need to go out when it's one on one and you need him to go win that battle for you at the quarterback position. I don't think they have that dude right now. And that's the hard part.
- [21:23]
Kevin
And then what about the run game? I mean the run game was just.
- [21:26]
Matt Castle
Non existent at all, which was the most surprising part.
- [21:29]
Kevin
And Will Campbell had a bad game. I mean rookie, I get it.
- [21:31]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, he was hurt. He was playing hurt. Yeah.
- [21:33]
Kevin
And I get it. I'm not blaming him. But the offensive line just, they did a lot of turnover there and week one just. There was nothing to show for it.
- [21:40]
Matt Castle
Yeah. And that's. It's still week one, you know, and it's still a new system and all that stuff. And the Raiders came out and played a heck of a game. And Geno Smith, man, I love Geno Smith. I love how he resurrected his career in Seattle. But to go out with a new organization week one and play the way that he did, I think that the Raiders are going to be a lot better than people give them credit for.
- [22:02]
Bobby Bones
So I know we've done two. I'm going to go do my third one before you do your third one because I want to roll it from this conversation to that and that Brock Bowers, I don't know where he is injured and George Kittle's out for weeks.
- [22:11]
Matt Castle
Now, I was going to say those are two massive injuries.
- [22:14]
Bobby Bones
What's the latest on Bowers? Because the last I saw they were speculating it might be an acl. It might be nothing. Do you see anything, Kevin, on Brock Bowers?
- [22:23]
Kevin
No, I just see Carol saying we're just going day to day with it.
- [22:26]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, well, Kittle is out.
- [22:27]
Kevin
Yeah, Kittle is out. He's on IR now.
- [22:29]
Matt Castle
Yeah, that's sucks too.
- [22:31]
Bobby Bones
Kittle on IR with a hamstring injury. He suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday season opener over the Seahawks. He only played 21 of the 76 offensive snaps. He caught four balls for 25 yards. And he will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks. Now the good news is this is the 49ers next four weeks. The Saints, they can win that. The Cardinals, probably, the Jags, probably. The Rams are going to be a bit of trouble.
- [22:57]
Matt Castle
Yeah, Rams.
- [22:58]
Bobby Bones
But I think. And also you're looking at Brock Purdy. I mean, he has two injuries.
- [23:03]
Matt Castle
He has two injuries. They said Fred Warner was banged up. They also said Trent Williams was banged up. That's an incredible amount of injuries that take place in week one.
- [23:13]
Bobby Bones
It's also like last year for them, right?
- [23:15]
Matt Castle
They had all the injury last year.
- [23:16]
Bobby Bones
Everybody was hurt. I think the good thing about Purdy's shoulder injury, it's the wrong shoulder because I think his left shoulder is what's hurt. It was the other. It was his other injury that they were worried about. So, yeah, the 49ers moving forward, they have a favorable schedule if they can.
- [23:32]
Matt Castle
If they can field a team. Well, they only was on the injury report. They're saying that he might not even go. Luckily he did. They played really well.
- [23:40]
Bobby Bones
They played great. Caught a Bunch of balls. Ran a bunch of balls. But yeah, they only need eight guys to beat the Saints, so give it another week.
- [23:45]
Matt Castle
Yep.
- [23:47]
Bobby Bones
Cardinals, they could probably play 10 on 11 to win that.
- [23:49]
Matt Castle
Cardinals is a better, better football team this year.
- [23:52]
Bobby Bones
Maybe.
- [23:53]
Matt Castle
Huh?
- [23:54]
Bobby Bones
Maybe.
- [23:54]
Matt Castle
They. They what they? Who'd they be?
- [23:59]
Kevin
The Saints.
- [23:59]
Bobby Bones
The Saints. That's what I'm saying.
- [24:00]
Matt Castle
Yeah, maybe barely.
- [24:02]
Bobby Bones
Maybe. That's why I said maybe this week. Let's see, we got the Cardinals. Who are the Cardinals playing? And the Panthers. Yeah, Cardinals should win that one. Oof. The poor Panthers. I pick them as my favorite team and then that's what they do. Of course. Of course that's what they do. But it is going to be the battle of the small quarterbacks. One quarterback will reign supreme.
- [24:24]
Matt Castle
The battle of the small of the small quarterbacks.
- [24:26]
Bobby Bones
Very athletic. Yes. What's your final point?
- [24:30]
Matt Castle
I think this weekend another intriguing game for me is going to be Bills jets. Because when you watch that game Justin Fields played, he looked like a completely different quarterback going up against Pittsburgh. And you could say the same thing about how Pittsburgh looked, but for that organization, for them to come out and play that way. Right. Right away against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense and he was making throws. He's doing it with his legs. I just want to see if he can do it again against another really good opponent with the Bills.
- [25:01]
Bobby Bones
What's the best game coming up this weekend? Seahawks and Steelers. Looks interesting. Nobody cares about those teams here. Like it's nobody's. Brandon's wife. That doesn't count. She's like secondary. So, you know, we're always drawn to like our teams. But I'm curious to watch the Seahawks and Steelers play just because they both had. Seahawks did not win.
- [25:25]
Matt Castle
Right.
- [25:26]
Bobby Bones
But I feel like that's a little bit of work in progress. There's a whole lot of new parts up there.
- [25:29]
Matt Castle
Whole lot of new parts.
- [25:30]
Bobby Bones
And. And how good is Aaron Rodgers? Because his arm is still freaking great. That first sack, I was like, okay, they're about to run him over. He can't move.
- [25:37]
Matt Castle
He got hit a lot.
- [25:38]
Bobby Bones
He did get hit a lot.
- [25:39]
Matt Castle
He got hit a lot. But I'll tell you what, the boy can still sling it.
- [25:44]
Bobby Bones
I guess It's Commander's Packers. That's probably the best game.
- [25:46]
Matt Castle
I was going to say Commander's packers would be up there in a must watch for me.
- [25:51]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. It's a Thursday night so we must watch it.
- [25:53]
Matt Castle
Yeah. And the Packers, I mean, let's be honest, that packers defense, that front looked good before Parsons showed up, but he Shows up, they can go offensively, they've got some skill. Jordan Love, I mean, he's a good. Really good quarterback, in my opinion, so. And then you got Washington. When you watch them, they got weapons all over the field. Jaden Daniels, that guy's a freak of nature.
- [26:15]
Bobby Bones
He's a freak. He looks like he's going to get broken every time he drops back because he's small. He doesn't.
- [26:19]
Matt Castle
He's very Kevin Durant, and he makes everybody mess when he runs the football. He can just flat out rip the ball anywhere he wants.
- [26:26]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, he runs around people with. It's like a deer. He is deceivingly extremely fast.
- [26:34]
Matt Castle
Extremely fast.
- [26:35]
Bobby Bones
Because I know he's fast. But I was watching him outrun angles this last week, and Deebo looks good.
- [26:39]
Matt Castle
Deebo, you saw him on the. He looked like he maybe, you know, maybe put on a few extra pounds of muscle. I don't know, maybe it was an all white uniform. He's wearing more pads. Who knows? Yeah, yeah, he's got rib pads on, hip pads on. But I'll tell you, he can still run the Rock.
- [26:53]
Bobby Bones
You wanna know? Something happened to me, so I was talking about this on the show today on the Bobby Bones show, is that I got a call from someone, and it was a San Diego number. And I answered, and they're like, hey, someone's trying to buy four different purchases at Home Depot for $5,500. This you? It wasn't me. And so I'm like, oh, God. Well, the night before, my card had to be canceled because someone was using my debit card. And so the night before, I had. I got an email, and I said, is this you using the card? And I pushed. No.
- [27:21]
Ben Jones
Boom.
- [27:21]
Bobby Bones
We cancel the card immediately. So I get that call the next day, and they're like, someone's trying to buy four things at Home Depot. It's not going through. Is this you? I'm like, no, except they know a little too much. Meaning they know my bank, they know the type of card it is. They know my home address, they know my cell phone number, and they have my card number. And so they're like, hey, we're calling from your bank. All of that is enough to make you think that it's legit. And so I'm like, yep. And they say, hey, we need to verify that this is your account. So we're gonna FaceTime you. And are you able to get into your account on your app, let us know how much you know? So they FaceTime me. I'm half asleep. Cause I had fallen asleep at like 3:30. Wasn't feeling great. My allergies are killing me. So I answer the FaceTime and they're like, if you'll just log on your app. I'm like, there's no way. And I say to them, you're trying to scam me.
- [28:09]
Matt Castle
Yeah.
- [28:10]
Bobby Bones
And they're like, no, sir, we're not trying to scam you. And I'm like, yeah, you're trying to scam me. I'm not going to do this. And he gets like, sassy with me. And so all this has been running through my head. I'm like, how did they know my phone number, my home address? Because if you just get a. A credit card number or a debit card number, you don't have all the other information. You just use that and you have use the CVV code and you buy until they shut it down. So we just found out what happened. So I went to buy something online that I buy a lot of and I googled to get to it. Razors, something similar, something that I have to buy. And so it was a new product and I googled. And so I went to the site and I bought it. And I remember it not going through. Not going through. Not going through. Turns out they had set up a full fake site. And so the reason it wasn't going through is when you type in your name, your address, your credit card, it goes to scammers who have set up a fake site to like, mimic what the actual site looks like.
- [29:05]
Matt Castle
That's scary.
- [29:06]
Bobby Bones
So they had all that information, which is crazy. All day long in my head I'm like, how do they know my home address? Turns out they didn't know my home address. They knew my business manager's address because that's where my bills go, right? But they were like, you're at this address. And I was like, well, they do know that. So my bank does. But that's what it was. They set up a complete fake website that looked exactly and seemed exactly like the other site that I got there from Google.
- [29:32]
Matt Castle
That's really scary.
- [29:33]
Bobby Bones
It was crazy. And that's what I was dealing with today.
- [29:37]
Matt Castle
Well, at least you didn't give them all your information, because that would have been.
- [29:41]
Bobby Bones
Well, you know what they did? They did. They said, how much is in your checking account? And I told them, and then they were like, okay, this also could be your savings. How much in your savings? And I told them and they're like.
- [29:51]
Matt Castle
Wow, we've got an elephant. We got an elephant. Let's go, boys. Like, FaceTime them now. FaceTime. Em.
- [29:58]
Bobby Bones
Now, I know we'll get way more.
- [30:00]
Matt Castle
Than 5,500 from Home Depot.
- [30:02]
Bobby Bones
But that was. That was scary. I was like, how do they know all of this? But it turns out that they created a fake account, a fake website to look like the site.
- [30:10]
Matt Castle
Yeah. I don't normally get the phone call from American Express.
- [30:14]
Bobby Bones
I do.
- [30:14]
Matt Castle
Sometimes American Express. I do.
- [30:16]
Bobby Bones
Yeah.
- [30:16]
Matt Castle
But all the other stuff is going to my business managers.
- [30:20]
Bobby Bones
I was like, I did have to cancel my card last night. So this all makes sense. But it makes sense because they were using it last night, and then they were calling.
- [30:26]
Matt Castle
Yeah. To verify. Hey, how much you.
- [30:28]
Bobby Bones
Have you ever been scammed? Huh?
- [30:31]
Matt Castle
No, I've just had the. Well, I've had similar situations. I get a lot of text messages, like, there's this amount on this credit card. Please call. So we can. And I'll. And I'd call my business guy, and I would say, is this spam? He's like, absolutely. I just checked all your accounts. No, nothing's wrong. Anything like that. But you'll. Every now and then, they'll get a hold somehow of your credit card, and you'll have these random purchases. I forget the last one. It was. It was like a $2,600 deal at Target.
- [31:01]
Bobby Bones
They went hard.
- [31:02]
Matt Castle
They went hard in the paint. They said hard.
- [31:04]
Ben Jones
Yeah.
- [31:04]
Matt Castle
Grab the skateboard.
- [31:05]
Bobby Bones
Hey, from the jump. From the jump. They went hard. Kevin, you ever been scammed?
- [31:11]
Kevin
No, I haven't. But it's funny you bring this up, because I think we're in the middle of one right now, too. My wife got a letter in the mail from her work. She stopped working because the kids let her in the mail from their work. That's like, hey, Sara, we accidentally paid you, like, 12 grand over. Which happens because they try to figure things out. And then. So she was like, well, can you provide evidence? They've been going back and forth, and ever since she asked, can you provide evidence? We haven't heard back from them because they asked. You need to pay this within five days. Not going to.
- [31:40]
Matt Castle
Why would they do that?
- [31:41]
Kevin
12 grand in five days?
- [31:43]
Matt Castle
Like, I spent that in Vegas.
- [31:45]
Kevin
That sounds like a scam, right?
- [31:46]
Bobby Bones
That's a scam.
- [31:47]
Kevin
And then she was like, oh, well, can you. What about this? My pto. Did you guys put all this in? And they're like, oh, actually, it's like nine grand. And she's like, well, can you show me evidence of where you got the nine grand from having her back.
- [31:58]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, Brandon. Oh, Brandon's been scammed. Brandon proudly has been scammed.
- [32:04]
Matt Castle
You saw it. It was right away. It was a heavy nod, and then.
- [32:07]
Bobby Bones
He'S like, thank God the microphone doesn't work.
- [32:09]
Matt Castle
Yeah, don't really want to tell you what I gave away.
- [32:11]
Bobby Bones
We're going to come back. Your buddy's going to come in.
- [32:14]
Matt Castle
Yeah. Benny Jones, one of my favorite people ever.
- [32:17]
Bobby Bones
So you and Ben Jones played together?
- [32:18]
Matt Castle
We did at Tennessee.
- [32:19]
Bobby Bones
Funny guy.
- [32:20]
Matt Castle
Really funny.
- [32:21]
Bobby Bones
How big is he? Speculate.
- [32:23]
Matt Castle
I mean, he's got to be 6, 3, 3. He probably played at 315. I think that was what his weight was set at. But as soon as he would starve himself the day before, weigh in, so he'd make weight and then he'd meet me in the breakfast area and he'd have, like four plates. So probably jump up to 10, 320. Pretty quick.
- [32:40]
Bobby Bones
Big old boy.
- [32:40]
Ben Jones
All right, big old boy.
- [32:41]
Bobby Bones
We'll come back and do that next.
- [32:53]
Marcus Grant
I'm Marcus Grant.
- [32:54]
Michael F. Florio
And I'm Michael F. Florio. And together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.
- [32:59]
Marcus Grant
Fantasy season is here, and the question is, are you ready to dominate your league?
- [33:04]
Michael F. Florio
Because if you're not locked in with us, the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, you're already playing from behind.
- [33:10]
Marcus Grant
Every episode, we're breaking down the biggest fantasy headlines, injury updates you need before kickoff, and matchups you can exploit to bury your competition.
- [33:18]
Michael F. Florio
We're talking sleeper picks, breakout stars, and the players you can't afford to bench.
- [33:23]
Marcus Grant
Whether it's rookies making noise or veterans keeping their value, we cover it all.
- [33:28]
Daniel Jeremiah
Whether you're drafting for the first time.
- [33:29]
Michael F. Florio
Or chasing another championship, we'll give you.
- [33:31]
Marcus Grant
The edge, the insight, and the confidence to make every move count.
- [33:36]
Michael F. Florio
Weekly analysis, hot takes, and insider knowledge all in one place.
- [33:40]
Marcus Grant
So what's it going to be? Another just okay season or total fantasy domination? Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [33:54]
Daniel Jeremiah
What's up, everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here.
- [33:56]
Bucky Brooks
And I'm Bucky Brooks.
- [33:57]
Daniel Jeremiah
On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game. From scouting reports, player development, to team.
- [34:02]
Bucky Brooks
Building, philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters.
- [34:07]
Daniel Jeremiah
Every week, we study the tape, talk to decision makers, and share the insights you won't find anywhere else.
- [34:13]
Bucky Brooks
It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots. From college football prospects to the NFL.
- [34:18]
Daniel Jeremiah
Stars of tomorrow, we break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day.
- [34:25]
Bucky Brooks
Plus, we dig into Coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year.
- [34:31]
Daniel Jeremiah
Whether you're a die hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture.
- [34:37]
Bucky Brooks
If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you.
- [34:41]
Daniel Jeremiah
Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [34:52]
Bobby Bones
We got lots to say. We got lots to say. We're glad you're here and we hope you stay. Cause we got lots to say. Yeah, we got lots to say. And here's Bobby and Matt. We actually had football. What an exciting week.
- [35:18]
Matt Castle
Seriously.
- [35:18]
Bobby Bones
Yeah.
- [35:19]
Matt Castle
Yeah, football's back. It was an incredible week.
- [35:21]
Ben Jones
Was.
- [35:21]
Bobby Bones
It was. And we have Ben Jones with. I think we should clap our hands.
- [35:24]
Matt Castle
Big Ben Jones. Big Ben Jones the great is right.
- [35:28]
Bobby Bones
Why don't you introduce your friend Ben here so everybody can have a proper.
- [35:32]
Matt Castle
Okay. Ben Jones, one of my best buds. He's somebody that grew up in Bibb County, Alabama.
- [35:37]
Bobby Bones
Sounds like a wrestler.
- [35:38]
Matt Castle
Yeah, it does. Well, he kind of was a wrestler, let's be honest. Went actually ended up going to Georgia. All American at Georgia. Gets drafted by Houston, the fourth round, gets traded. What in 2016.
- [35:52]
Ben Jones
Free agent.
- [35:53]
Matt Castle
Free agent, 2000, not even a free agent. 2016 comes to Tennessee Titans. I'm blessed to be there, be his teammate. He was a Pro bowler in 2022 and a guy that's just an ironman. Played through so many different injuries, but was the anchor for every offensive line. But I'll also say this about him as a teammate and as a human. He always made it fun. He was always there for everybody. And he's the guy that brought the locker room together. So the great Ben Jones is here.
- [36:22]
Bobby Bones
My wife saw Ben walk by the window and said, a large man is here. I said, well, that's my cue to go down to the studio. Ben, how are you, man?
- [36:29]
Ben Jones
I'm great. Happy to be here. And when my guy called me the other day, I was like, absolutely, I'm here.
- [36:34]
Bobby Bones
So what's it like when football starts for you?
- [36:38]
Ben Jones
Yeah, I look. You look forward to it. It's different now that you're not playing. I'm like, man, I can sit back, enjoy it, look at different schemes, look at, hey, how they're attacking defenses because you still have that in you as a player. But now you're like, man, I don't feel bad after games. I don't hurt. I can wake up the next day. I'm like, man, this feels awesome.
- [36:56]
Bobby Bones
How many years you better tired.
- [36:57]
Ben Jones
This is going on Year three.
- [37:00]
Bobby Bones
Are you missing it less and just enjoying it more? Are you shifting over there 100%?
- [37:05]
Ben Jones
Definitely. The first year out, you miss it. You miss everything. The hurt, the ache, the grind. Now I'm just like, I can enjoy it with my family. I coach high school ball, so I kind of scratch that, itch that away. And now I can Thursday night, Sunday night, Monday night, I can sit down and actually be like, yes, I can enjoy football.
- [37:22]
Matt Castle
Well, let's talk about your first year out, right? You were undecided whether or not you're going to go back and play, and so you were staying in shape, which is hard to do to stay motivated in the off season when you don't know the end result is actually going to be signed. But I remember sitting down with you at breakfast, right where. Yes, we're sitting down at breakfast, and all of a sudden, Ben says, hold on, this is my agent. His agent's calling him because Miami had both of their centers go out. So this is what, Week eight, Like.
- [37:47]
Ben Jones
Right around Thanksgiving, somewhere around there.
- [37:49]
Matt Castle
Right around.
- [37:49]
Ben Jones
They. They happened versus the Titans. Center tours, acl first drive. The backup center popped his calf mid game. They're like, hey, you want to come down this week? I'm like, let me think on it.
- [37:59]
Matt Castle
So.
- [37:59]
Bobby Bones
So this is like, not at the beginning of your first year out. This is in the middle of.
- [38:03]
Ben Jones
This is the middle of my first year. So I've been training that whole year after I've been out, and I'm like, all right. I'm golfing with Matt, like, once a week, workout three days a week. I'm like, hilarious.
- [38:12]
Bobby Bones
And the season has already started.
- [38:13]
Ben Jones
Oh, it's like week 12.
- [38:15]
Bobby Bones
Got it.
- [38:15]
Ben Jones
I think it was four games left.
- [38:16]
Matt Castle
There's four games left. So I all of a sudden go on and look at who they're about to play. It was like Baltimore Ravens. It was Eagles. It was Dallas. I was like, bro, I don't know if you better tell them to hike up the money.
- [38:29]
Ben Jones
Pay me more.
- [38:30]
Matt Castle
Yeah. I was sitting there going, you sure you want this? And then having to also talk to your family, like, it's a crazy circumstance and how this all comes about, because they obviously need you, but at the same time, you have a family there that's getting used to having you home, right?
- [38:44]
Ben Jones
No doubt.
- [38:45]
Matt Castle
What was that conversation like, honey?
- [38:47]
Ben Jones
Maybe I was like, hey, I got a call from Miami today. She's like. She gets quiet like, you there. She's like, what? I Need to tell my Christmas. I'm like, hey, it's going to be all right. Let's talk through it. I haven't said yes.
- [39:02]
Bobby Bones
One worst case already.
- [39:03]
Ben Jones
Oh, yeah. She's like, when I call her, she's like, oh, he's gone.
- [39:05]
Matt Castle
Is she crying?
- [39:06]
Ben Jones
Oh, never. Not my wife. She is not emotional at all. She's just thinking through it. And because that's the first thing she's trying to make sure everything works. That's what our wives do. They literally do everything for us when we play. From everything in the home life. Bills I'm talking about, they run the show. And she was like, oh, I'm going to have to go back into grind mode. It was going to turn into camp for her. So she had to get her mind right if I wanted to take that next steps and take the job with the jets or not the Jets. That was preseason.
- [39:33]
Matt Castle
Yeah, it was Miami.
- [39:34]
Ben Jones
For Miami.
- [39:35]
Bobby Bones
I would assume, though, it's pretty quick. You have to give a yes or no, especially mid season because they've got to make a decision because they're only calling you because it's quick. We got to find somebody to fill a gap.
- [39:45]
Ben Jones
Yeah, they played Monday night and they called me Tuesday morning while I was sitting in the country club eating some breakfast, about to go play around, and they wanted me on a flight that evening.
- [39:53]
Bobby Bones
And I'm assuming you said no.
- [39:55]
Ben Jones
I said no. I was like, as it came down to it, I was like, hey, what am I chasing? Can I win a championship with this team? Is it worth the risk to put my body through more harm? I just had shoulder elbow all fixed that off season. I'm like, do I want to go back there and risk that? And is it. What is it worth? Like, do I need the money? No. Do I want to go out there? If I'm sitting there and it would have been the Chiefs or somebody like the Eagles, I'm like, I might have chased it. I might have tried one more time just to get that ring, but I didn't think Miami could win it right there. I saw the four game stretch they had. I'm like, I think it's better off for me to stay right here with my family.
- [40:27]
Matt Castle
Did you ultimately know when you made that decision that that might be the, the final time that you stepped on a field? Because that, because at that point you kind of, you had that opportunity. But again, it's. It's always one of those difficult situations because, you know, maybe, maybe this is the.
- [40:44]
Ben Jones
I think if they were calling to say, like, hey, we need you to be a backup this week, not to come in right that week start week one versus the Ravens or whoever they were playing that week. I'm like, oh, is my. Am I in shape? Have I been training hard enough? All that's going through your head. Am I putting myself at risk for the. For my wife and kids at home? Like, is it worth it? And I'm like, if this would have been the Eagles and be like, hey, let's. Let's bring you as a swing guy. We want to build some depth before the playoffs. I've been like, yes, I'm coming. But right there as a starter, I'm like, I don't know if my body is physically ready yet for the ground that I'm gonna have to do for the next four to six weeks.
- [41:21]
Bobby Bones
Let's go all the way back to your high school days. Did you play center in high school also? What other positions did you play?
- [41:28]
Ben Jones
Yeah, so I've had a crazy journey through the O line. And so in high school, I started as a freshman at left tackle. My brother was the quarterback. Next year, his senior year, I was the center. And me and him are totally different. He is all ball, all time, Mr. Keep Me in line. Like, held everybody on the whole team accountable. Like, I had a bad snap. I'm walking to the sideline. I might get punched in the face. In school, if I did something wrong, I would be having to call my mom at home, like, hey, I got in a fight at school today. Hand the phone to my brother, hey, I got in a fight at school today. She's, like, with each other. So we fought literally all the way through college. Like, we were best friends. He was my father figure. My dad passed when I was 10, so he was our rock. He was the reason why I went barefoot before every game because he was so superstitious. And I carried that on all the way through high school, college, and pros to kind of show him, like, hey, you turned me into a man. You're a guy I look up to. And that was one of the key things in high school. Played everything center, guard, tackle, defense, kick punted. I could. I was literally. All right, if you want me to do it, I'll try.
- [42:36]
Bobby Bones
Pretty good athlete.
- [42:38]
Ben Jones
Not bad. Played baseball, basketball, wrestled, wrestled.
- [42:41]
Matt Castle
Weren't you a state champion as well? And wrestling. Can you imagine getting in the ring with this guy? And you're like, I don't know.
- [42:46]
Bobby Bones
I don't know. I think I wouldn't.
- [42:47]
Matt Castle
The Big Bear. It's like wrestling a Bear. My kids call him the big bear.
- [42:50]
Bobby Bones
Did you like wrestling?
- [42:51]
Ben Jones
I did. I wrestled. So, 10 years old, my dad passed. Then I got hit in the head with a baseball bat, like, six months later. Had a crane anatomy. Didn't think I was going to live.
- [43:01]
Bobby Bones
How'd that happen?
- [43:02]
Ben Jones
I was at a high school baseball game. I was behind home plate, and I went to walk out to the outfield bleachers to get some money from my mom. As I'm turning the corner, boom. Get hit with a bat. Somebody was swinging as I come around the dugout.
- [43:14]
Bobby Bones
Oh, you walked into it.
- [43:15]
Ben Jones
Walked into it. Never saw it.
- [43:16]
Matt Castle
Oh.
- [43:17]
Bobby Bones
Oh. Do you remember it? Oh.
- [43:19]
Ben Jones
I walked over to my mom crying, and she told me to sit down and take deep breaths because she thought I was.
- [43:24]
Matt Castle
She thought I didn't go to the hospital.
- [43:26]
Bobby Bones
You're from the South. You're like me, from the South. That's what you do.
- [43:28]
Ben Jones
No doubts. Take some deep breaths. And passed the concussion test, Castle. Somehow, like I always did. Shocker. Pass the concussion test.
- [43:35]
Matt Castle
Always get through that one.
- [43:36]
Ben Jones
Then I started getting sick. Throwing up because I had blood clot or blood hematoma pressing on my brain, so making me sick. So I go in there, I have emergency surgery, and the doctor is, like, trying to hold me down because I wake up from anesthesia too early, and they're like, hold me down. Two hands. And he moves his hand. He looks. I'm cut ear from ear. Little did he know. Two weeks before that, I hit a barbed wire fence on a bicycle. So I was super glued up that my mom super glued me up. She didn't want to take me to the doctor because I had a baseball game that night. Just a different way of living in the South. Down there in the small town, I think I was meant to play football, not baseball. Another sport, I think. I think I picked the right sport.
- [44:13]
Matt Castle
So when you got to Houston, though, your first start was actually at guard, right?
- [44:17]
Ben Jones
Yeah, I started my first three years ago.
- [44:19]
Matt Castle
Who was your first start against? And was that a wow moment for you?
- [44:22]
Ben Jones
Yeah. First start, a loadonada.
- [44:25]
Matt Castle
Oh, gosh. From the Ravens.
- [44:27]
Ben Jones
The biggest human being.
- [44:29]
Matt Castle
Lock out the sun.
- [44:30]
Ben Jones
First of all, I'm like, who is this? I can't say his name. I wasn't going to say his name because I didn't want to mispronounce it. He's the largest human. I remember firing off and hitting him. Like, this guy. Don't move. I'm like, who is this guy? I'm like, yeah, don't mess with those guys. Yeah.
- [44:44]
Bobby Bones
Did you know on tape he was going to be as difficult and as large as he was, or was that you have to experience it in person to actually understand it?
- [44:52]
Ben Jones
Yeah, you see him on tape, but they had him mount Cody, Terrell, Suggs, all these guys, they all just look to you. I'm, oh, he's just normal. Then you walk up to him like that's not normal.
- [45:03]
Matt Castle
Then they used to line him up off the ball and give him a five yard head start.
- [45:06]
Ben Jones
Yeah, I'm like. Then they were like said, oh, we're going to formation this so he's not on you. Where do you think he went? He went to the rookie Every snap for the next six games. I got him Kyle Williams and then Dominic Sue. I'm like, oh, y' all all just want to pick on the rookie over here, not the, not the 12 year Pro Bowler on the other side. Leave me alone.
- [45:25]
Bobby Bones
Was that a bit overwhelming? Your first X amount of games you were getting the best of the best because they were probably like calling dibs.
- [45:31]
Ben Jones
Like, I got the rookie, no doubt.
- [45:32]
Bobby Bones
And so you're like, was there ever a question like I don't know if I can do this?
- [45:36]
Ben Jones
No. Back then I'm like, I was just excited to get the opportunity I was having to block J.J. watt every day in practice, who had 20 sacks every year. I'm like, man, if I can somewhat block him in practice, I can block these guys. So I think going in practice versus him kind of gave me the confidence that I can go out there and do it on Sundays.
- [45:52]
Bobby Bones
So they go ones and ones. You would work out against him.
- [45:55]
Ben Jones
Oh, so in the NFL it's a little different. Like veterans get a lot of days off. So I would come in and take all 10 reps of scout team, then turn around and do. I was a starting right guard so I would take three reps at starting guard, three reps at center, three ups at left guard. So all them could get a break. But I would take 20 straight plays while they take three.
- [46:14]
Matt Castle
Got you in shape though.
- [46:15]
Ben Jones
Oh, I could play all day. Hardest part was practice.
- [46:18]
Matt Castle
Well, if you were to pick a position, would you have rather played guard or did you like center more? So.
- [46:23]
Ben Jones
Oh, 100% center.
- [46:25]
Matt Castle
Why?
- [46:26]
Ben Jones
I'm a strong guy. I like making the calls and I don't have to put block those freaks on the edge. Like I don't, don't give me a guy who's six' six and can tie a shoe standing up. Give me the biggest, strongest fat guy out there. Sign me Up. Who was the biggest in a bull?
- [46:43]
Bobby Bones
Who was the ultimate gap filler that you played against?
- [46:46]
Ben Jones
Oh, Vince Wilford.
- [46:47]
Bobby Bones
Because he was.
- [46:49]
Ben Jones
I couldn't tell if he was touching me or the guard. That's how wide he was. He was just £380 in the gap. I'm like, you're not going to move him. So I'm going to. It's like Dancing with the Bear. I just try to cover him up and not let him make tackle, but. Because you're not going to move him, he's that big. He's doing his job. But you didn't have to worry about him. Pass blocking, though.
- [47:07]
Matt Castle
How pissed were you when they took out the backside cut, cut blocking drill? I mean, that rule where they said you're no longer allowed to cut because, I mean, I remember back in the day when we first came to league, if you're running an outside zone, they just are cutting at their legs and they're just getting after these guys, and they hated it. But what it would do is back them off a little bit. But then all of a sudden, they said, no more of that. It's. There's too much risk of injury.
- [47:31]
Ben Jones
Yeah, that's. That's probably why I was starting at guard, because I could care less. I didn't watch pro football growing up. I grew up in the South. Sunday, you went to church and you went to grandma's house and went fishing. Like, didn't watch pro football at all. Like, I watched Alabama, Auburn, Georgia. Other than that, didn't watch tv. So I was like, who are these guys I'm blocking? Didn't know them. And I was like, I didn't care. I didn't cut. I cut anybody. Like, some people, like, hey, you shouldn't be cutting him.
- [47:54]
Matt Castle
Like, who is it?
- [47:55]
Ben Jones
Like, I'm just not out here. I'm just doing my job. This is cut on the paint. I'm cutting you.
- [48:00]
Bobby Bones
And some of it was. I don't cut them out of respect because they're.
- [48:02]
Ben Jones
Yeah, they're like, hey, this guy's in year 10. Like, hey, you probably don't want to make him mad. I'm like, make him mad? What do you mean? I'm trying to win here.
- [48:08]
Matt Castle
He's always mad.
- [48:09]
Ben Jones
Yeah. Like, I didn't know the difference between college and pro and how to practice. Like, in college, I treat it every day like a game. I didn't care if you were starting nose guard, starting linebacker, if the play I was supposed to cut. I cut you in practice. Didn't care if you did that in pro practice. They would run you, they would fight you. I'm like, why are y' all so upset like this? I'm practicing like, a game. They're like, no, no, no. That's not how we practice here.
- [48:31]
Bobby Bones
So you spent a few years with the Texans before you went over to or you came over here, where we are, to the Titans. You said you left as a free agent. What, like, what was it about Tennessee that made you come?
- [48:43]
Ben Jones
Definitely Matt Castle.
- [48:46]
Matt Castle
I wanted to be there. We came up as free agents together.
- [48:49]
Ben Jones
Together.
- [48:49]
Bobby Bones
It was guys.
- [48:50]
Matt Castle
Yeah, we did.
- [48:51]
Ben Jones
It was a big selling point. But the biggest thing was I wanted to be the leader of the room. I was going to be the oldest O lineman in our group at year five. I wanted to run the show as offensive lineman, and they sold me the dream of like, hey, we're bringing in demarco Murray. We're changing the culture here. Like, we're going to run the ball, we're going to pound the ball. We're going to go back to being a tough Tennessee team.
- [49:12]
Bobby Bones
Who's selling you that dream?
- [49:13]
Ben Jones
John Robinson and Mike Mullarkey. They're calling me like. I'm like, guys, y' all are the worst team in football. Y' all have the first pick. I just won the division in Houston. And we always like, hey, stat. Game versus Tennessee. Like, we're going to go down there, we're going to play hard. We're going to win this game. We're going to run the ball for a lot of yards. I'm like, why would I want to go there? But they sold me that dream. And I was like, man, I want to do something different. I want to get back closer to the home. And I was like, I'm in. Let's go.
- [49:39]
Matt Castle
And that's one of the things that I always appreciate about you, because a lot of people don't understand how much goes into playing the center position. Obviously, you. You take on those big guys that he's talking about and the matchups that you. You have on the inside. But it's the mental side of the game, especially for a center, because as the quarterback comes up to line of scrimmage, we're trying to set protections, but he also was my eyes and ears at the line of scrimmage, where he's communicating constantly to these guys. And I remember, Ben, you would always have your own meetings, too, with these guys. And we'd go in for third down, which is always the most pivotal down for situational football, to keep the drive going. But Ben would run the meetings. Talk about like, was that just something that you knew that's what we needed or because you took a lot of pride in that and you were a leader of that room and that showed every, every single day.
- [50:22]
Ben Jones
Yeah. It's only so much you can hear from a coach. For me, I'm like, if I made the calls, if all my guys saw me there at 4:30 in the morning staying like doing all these extra meetings, they trusted me with anything. I could have told Lawan or any of the other guys to do anything. They're like, absolutely. Ben knows it. Like I could have made a check in there. Like, no question. Lawn's like, absolutely. Because he is not there in the morning. He's going to show up and do exactly what Ben tells me. Absolutely. I'll do it, anything he says. And I kind of built that out of respect. And they're like, hey, he's going to do all this stuff on the tape. He's going to be here every day, he's going to practice every day and he's going to play in every game. They knew I was going to be there no matter what injury I had. And I was like, hey, I'm going to do it a certain way. And I wanted to build a different kind of culture here.
- [51:06]
Bobby Bones
You block for Derek Henry?
- [51:07]
Ben Jones
Absolutely.
- [51:08]
Bobby Bones
He ever run up you?
- [51:09]
Ben Jones
Did he? I think that's why everything got fixed on my right side and everything else. If you, if you didn't move your guy, he moved you and that was the thing, like you got the way or you were going to get ran over back.
- [51:33]
Daniel Jeremiah
What's up everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here and I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks, we take you inside the game, from scouting reports and.
- [51:40]
Bucky Brooks
And player development to team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters.
- [51:46]
Daniel Jeremiah
Every week we study the tape, talk to decision makers and share the insights you won't find anywhere else.
- [51:52]
Bucky Brooks
It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots. From college football prospects to the NFL.
- [51:57]
Daniel Jeremiah
Stars of tomorrow, we break down the draft, analyze matchups, and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day.
- [52:03]
Bucky Brooks
Plus, we dig in the coaching strategies, roster construction, and the trends that shape the league year after year.
- [52:10]
Daniel Jeremiah
Whether you're a die hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture.
- [52:16]
Bucky Brooks
If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you.
- [52:20]
Daniel Jeremiah
Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [52:32]
Marcus Grant
I'm Marcus Grant.
- [52:33]
Michael F. Florio
And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football podcast.
- [52:38]
Marcus Grant
Fantasy season is here. And the question is, are you ready to dominate your league?
- [52:42]
Michael F. Florio
Because if you're not locked in with us, the NFL Fantasy Football podcast, you're already playing from behind.
- [52:48]
Marcus Grant
Every episode, we're breaking down the biggest fantasy headlines, injury updates you need before kickoff, and matchups you can exploit to bury your competition.
- [52:57]
Michael F. Florio
We're talking sleeper picks, breakout stars, and the players you can't afford to bench.
- [53:02]
Marcus Grant
Whether it's rookie rookies making noise or veterans keeping their value, we cover it all.
- [53:06]
Daniel Jeremiah
Whether you're drafting for the first time.
- [53:08]
Michael F. Florio
Or chasing another championship, we'll give you.
- [53:10]
Marcus Grant
The edge, the insight, and the confidence to make every move count.
- [53:14]
Michael F. Florio
Weekly analysis, hot takes, and insider knowledge all in one place.
- [53:19]
Marcus Grant
So what's it going to be? Another just okay season or total fantasy domination? Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [53:38]
Bobby Bones
The first time you saw Derrick Henry and you saw he was going to be playing with you, what were your thoughts?
- [53:45]
Ben Jones
Crazy story. So my brother was a strength coach at Alabama. I was coming home from my rookie year in the league and I walk into the baseball strength coach in the strength department. I see a guy leaving workouts, no shirt on. I'm like, is that Dante Hightower? He goes, no, that's that new freshman. We just got here, Derek Henry. I was like, oh, he's 18. I'm like, that is a grown man. Then four years later, he's on my team, the quietest human being but me and he is like my brother. Like, I talk to him at least once a week. We're so tight. Our families are tight. And he's literally one of my best friends.
- [54:18]
Matt Castle
I mean, he had 2,000 yards that one year. What was it like being a part of that? And what kind of gifts did he get you, Derek? I know he got you. I know he's a gift giver.
- [54:27]
Ben Jones
He is the man. He takes care of us. He went to every o line dinner with us. He might be a little late, but I saved his seat beside him. I knew he's only two 12 ounce fillets. I would get his meal. He'd come in, he'd eat, talk a little bit and bounce, but he was going to be there to eat those steaks every week. And just an unreal guy. But that was special. We had goals. He would set goals. Like, hey, what Do y' all want if we get this, this year, Russian title? I get 2k. So every week we. You never saw Derek get up off the ground by himself in the game. We were picking his butt up. No. How heavy he was. We'd pick him up, get him back in the huddle, like, hey, you got one more in you? And it was special. Like you're chasing greatness. Like how many 2000 yard rushers out there are. It's not a lot. And to be able to do that and accomplish that, that's like an old lineman's dream. And he did. He hooked us up every year. From Rolexes to every kind of device in your house. I got Pac man machines, I got them all. You naming it. We got it from you.
- [55:25]
Bobby Bones
I mean, he and possibly Saquon, but he is the only for sure running back, first round hall of Famer right now in the NFL. Saquon will get there, but that's a Hall of Fame guy, no doubt. How long until you realized one that, listen, he's big and he's fast, but he also would have the legevity. Like he's talked a lot about spending money, investing money into himself, and I think that's probably a big part of his success.
- [55:50]
Ben Jones
100%. He is so dialed into his. All his routine, from his diet to his how he takes care of his body to what he's. How he takes care of massage and prep work. It's every single day. Like you can see him in the off season. Everything is built off of, hey, when am I going to train? Who's going to do my massage? Who's going to do this? He is so dialed in that well, and he's been doing it his whole career. And a lot of guys do it when they're later trying to add a couple years left in their career. For me, I was like a guy that big, that strong, that physical, to really only miss a handful of games with a broke foot. That speaks highly of how much he cares. And a lot of guys, once they get paid, they kind of relax a little bit. And I feel like he's been out to try to prove it the whole time.
- [56:33]
Matt Castle
How excited were you when he finally got that opportunity to go to Baltimore? Because it gave him that opportunity that set a new standard for Baltimore just to potentially go win a Super Bowl.
- [56:44]
Ben Jones
Absolutely. That's what you're sitting there wanting. We're talking through it and you want to see his career just keep climbing. And we're definitely Ravens fans at our house. We watch him Every Sunday, he's on my fantasy team. He is my guy, and he's in the perfect scenario. You got Lamar Jackson back there, so if you want to dial in on him, good luck. You got to stop Lamar, too.
- [57:05]
Bobby Bones
Let me ask you about spitting, because this past weekend, we saw it a couple times, like, change games, the trajectory of games. Because I don't think the Cowboys would have been able to run as much up the middle had that not happened after the. After the kickoff. Right. Like. And then secondly, we saw in the Florida game, like, that lost in the game. I feel like offensive and defensive linemen are probably spitting a little more, just naturally. Is that the ultimate insult that somebody spits on you?
- [57:33]
Ben Jones
Absolutely. That or slap.
- [57:37]
Bobby Bones
We saw that too, though. Yeah, With Kelsey.
- [57:39]
Matt Castle
Slap. But I'd say a spit is just so disrespectful.
- [57:43]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, some spitting is going to happen just naturally, right?
- [57:45]
Ben Jones
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [57:46]
Bobby Bones
But. But there's an obvious hunk tool.
- [57:49]
Ben Jones
Yeah, that's. It's kind of gross. But.
- [57:53]
Bobby Bones
But more than gross, it's like you're. You were disrespecting me too much space.
- [57:57]
Ben Jones
Yeah, that's pretty bad. Yeah, I give you that.
- [57:59]
Matt Castle
That's.
- [57:59]
Ben Jones
That's pretty bad. I would been. I'd been. I'd been throwing out the game with him if he spit on me.
- [58:03]
Bobby Bones
Is that. Does that happen? That we don't see offensive, a defensive line because, again, the proximity is so close.
- [58:07]
Ben Jones
Right.
- [58:08]
Bobby Bones
What we were able to see with Dak, right, was there was a. A good amount of distance. That was a strong spit. The camera's on him. It's him going up to all the Cowboys players spitting on deck. Is that happening, though, a little more with the interior offensive, defensive line that we just don't see it.
- [58:23]
Ben Jones
I think it's more of a respect. Like, I blocked, say, Avery Jones at the Jaguars for 22 times over 11 years from. And I knew his. I played with him at Georgia. I knew his family. Like, his whole goal was to get a sack on me. We fought every single play like we hated each other, but soon as the game over, hugging, talking about his family. You got to have some respect this game. You got to play in between the whistles. You play as hard as you can, but it comes down to, hey, are you a good person? You got to respect others because you're set an example for not only your family, your kids. Like, you are a roll mop. Everybody is watching. What do you want to be? What do you want to put on tape? Like. Yes. If you're a Hard player. That's great, but don't be disrespectful.
- [59:04]
Matt Castle
But who didn't you respect? Because you know that there's players like, you've got respect for most players, at least you're giving them the benefit of the doubt. Yeah, but there's those dudes. Oh, yeah. Like I'm saying, yes, sir to some people.
- [59:14]
Ben Jones
Yeah, like when you play, say sue, you don't wake up the sleeping giant. Like, hey, if it's. You're playing a noon game, like, hey, you're playing against Tennessee and a lot of guys probably ain't watching Sue. Like, you're not, you're not doing anything extra. Hey, you good, man? You get up off the ground like, hey, you good there? You good? You're, you're, you're not trying to wake that giant up during the game.
- [59:34]
Matt Castle
Do you remember when he cold cocked demarco?
- [59:37]
Ben Jones
He punched demarco in the face in the game and they didn't catch it on.
- [59:40]
Matt Castle
They didn't catch it. I'm sitting right, just released the ball. You saw it too.
- [59:43]
Ben Jones
I'm like, demarco, I gotta block you.
- [59:46]
Bobby Bones
Leave him alone. It's almost like you don't want to get Hulk Hogan mad because when he starts shaking his head, oh yeah, you don't want that. And when he doesn't feel the slaps anymore. Yeah, that sounds a bit like what sue might have been like.
- [59:55]
Ben Jones
Yeah, you don't wake that giant up.
- [59:57]
Matt Castle
Yeah, he's.
- [59:57]
Ben Jones
You're nice to certain guys in the thing, but then you know who to talk to. Like, you get a D lineman who's a rookie and they're trying hard. I'm like, what? Who are you? Yeah, you on peace squad. Congratulations.
- [60:07]
Matt Castle
I'm glad you made it up today.
- [60:09]
Ben Jones
So you know how to poke the bear on some of them.
- [60:11]
Bobby Bones
Aaron Donald, what was he like going against?
- [60:16]
Ben Jones
I mean, he's one of those guys, you're like, it's not the fact that he's going to run you over. You just couldn't touch him. Like, you'd go and punch and you'd be like, where'd he go? Like, how did he possibly get in between both of us? Like, he was like Houdini out there. I'm like, there's no way he's going to fit in between this little crack. He would find a way. And he was the most dynamic, physical freak that you ever play. And he could go every play and talk smack with the best of them. Like, he let you know. You're like, I know I know. I know you're good.
- [60:45]
Matt Castle
We're going to try to double team you and slide you and slide the.
- [60:48]
Ben Jones
Protection to you every play. And you knew, like, I'm like, thank goodness I wasn't the worst old lineman at that point in my career, because he didn't come to me. I'd get some.
- [60:55]
Matt Castle
Like, some little nose guard who had.
- [60:57]
Ben Jones
No business being on the field, like, yes, I'm blocking you. You can deal with Aaron today. I don't have to block you.
- [61:02]
Matt Castle
Good luck. The physicality of your position. A lot of people don't appreciate the offensive lineman because they're usually not the focal point of what's going on. But you guys constantly play through pain. How many surgeries have you had? And talk about the one where.
- [61:16]
Bobby Bones
Collarbone.
- [61:17]
Matt Castle
Yeah. Your collarbones coming out your chest. Yeah.
- [61:19]
Ben Jones
That was fun. Yeah. I've had multiple hands, knees, ankles. They took out my labrum, did everything to my elbows, collarbone. It gives me a little trouble. I'm a golf swing, definitely. I get it caught in a twist, and collarbone comes through, sticking in the back of my throat. All the fans and reporters think I have the stomach virus because that bone is sticking it back in my throat, tickling it, making me throw up.
- [61:47]
Bobby Bones
No way.
- [61:48]
Matt Castle
Yes.
- [61:49]
Ben Jones
Yeah. So they had to. I came to the sideline. It was on third down. Thank goodness. I didn't have to come out. I come to the sideline, I'm like, hey, my collarbone's out. And they're like, what do you mean it's out? I'm like, it's poking through. They're like, oh, yeah, it's in the back of your throat. Let's get this back in. So I'm like, trying to put it back in place on the sideline, and they throw it back in. They're like, all right, can you snap? So every time I would snap, it would pop out and hit me in the back of the throat. So I'm, like, constantly throwing up.
- [62:13]
Bobby Bones
Because it's a gag reflex, right?
- [62:14]
Ben Jones
Yeah. 100. You stick your finger down your throat, you're gonna throw it. Imagine a bone hitting the back of your throat. It's gonna make you throw up. So I'm like, my wife's in the stand. My mom's there that game. She's like, is Ben sick? Like, what's going on? I. I wish I was sick. I wish I had the stomach burn.
- [62:28]
Matt Castle
Anything other than my clavicle hit.
- [62:30]
Ben Jones
Yeah, like so. And I had that point. I had a streak of starts going on. So I'm like, I'm not coming out. So all the next week, couple weeks of practice, I couldn't snap it. I just handed the football and go out there and practice, and I'm like, all right, I'm going to tough it out during the games, and it's going to just keep poking out. Just figure it out during the games.
- [62:46]
Matt Castle
Legendary.
- [62:47]
Bobby Bones
You ever have a quarterback that's so nervous you can feel his hands trembling under center?
- [62:51]
Ben Jones
Oh, yeah, we had one of those. I'm trying to think he was like.
- [62:54]
Bobby Bones
Because I think that's what I would be doing. I think my first game, I'd be like, oh, God. And I want to be able to see it. But the thing in me that shows when I'm nervous, my hands.
- [63:01]
Ben Jones
We had a quarterback, like, I was on P squad, and I think he was going to get elevated. He, like, I never took snaps with him in practice, and they're like, how was he? I'm like, besides him, just give me a butt massage.
- [63:11]
Matt Castle
The whole practice, you kind of were excited by it.
- [63:13]
Ben Jones
I'm like, oh, what have we got here? This is new. This is a. This is a new territory. I've been down here. But, yeah, I could. I can see for a quarterback and center is a different relationship. Like, how many guys walk up and just, hey, let's put your hands right up in somebody's butt.
- [63:27]
Matt Castle
Let's get intimate now.
- [63:28]
Ben Jones
Yeah. So I feel like some quarterbacks take it a little different other. So I always try to lighten the mood. No telling what I would say or do to them, but it always made the relationship better. As the years went on, you two played right.
- [63:40]
Bobby Bones
And you.
- [63:40]
Ben Jones
You had too many good moments.
- [63:42]
Matt Castle
Too many good moments. The thing that I remember most also is the locker room and the banter that Ben would create. So he's legendary. If it's your birthday, he knows it's your birthday. So what he does is he comes up and he'll go to great lengths to smash you in the face with a birthday cake. Well, it happened. Or anything. Anything, basically. So you could go through countless guys in the locker room, and they all have been smashed by Ben Jones. Two of my favorite. Well, one was me. I was walking in.
- [64:14]
Ben Jones
I didn't know.
- [64:14]
Matt Castle
My wife, of course, text message some of my buddies, like, hey, it's Matt's birthday. Make sure you celebrate. They distract me when I come in. Next thing I know, I get just mashed in the face. And I'm telling you, I thought I broke my nose. My eyes are watering, and none of the cake actually sat on my face. Because, dummy, here. It was a frozen cake.
- [64:33]
Ben Jones
I thought I got it out of the refrigerator section.
- [64:35]
Matt Castle
It was fro.
- [64:36]
Bobby Bones
You hit it with the ice cake?
- [64:37]
Ben Jones
No, it was a.
- [64:38]
Matt Castle
It was one of those refrigerators.
- [64:41]
Bobby Bones
That's basically. It's a fro. That's an ice cake.
- [64:42]
Matt Castle
It's like hitting me in the damn face with a brick. So I thought I broke my damn nose. My eyes are water. I'm like, what the hell? And he filmed it. And then the other one. Tell him about Arthur Smith.
- [64:54]
Ben Jones
So me and Arthur Smith, we had. We went at it like oc. Like, he was like, you can't get me. I went lengths and bounds to get him. I got him at a law office one year on his birthday because he was, like, on a holiday. I snuck into his own house when he was the Atlanta Falcons coach. I figured out when he was getting back into town. I had drone footage on different maps. I'm like, all right, that's cameras there. I staked it out the night before to see if he had motion lights at his house. I'm like, all right, he's FedEx. He's going to have some kind of security that's going to set off something. I army crawled through the trees through his house. He had a broken sprinkler head, which he should have thanked me. I helped him out there. I'm like, fix the sprinkler head for him. Got in there, looked in there. Doggy door in his house. His wife's like, what are you doing? So he's sitting on the couch. It's like 11:30 at night. I come running full superman over the couch, and boom, Hit him right in the face on his own couch. He was like, how did you know I was even in town? Like, I'm everywhere. Nobody is safe.
- [65:51]
Matt Castle
Nobody is safe.
- [65:52]
Ben Jones
Nobody.
- [65:53]
Matt Castle
Bobby, what's your birthday?
- [65:54]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. No, I don't have one. That's the thing. I no longer have a birthday. Was it always Georgia for you? Were you always going to go to Georgia?
- [66:01]
Ben Jones
So that was a big thing. Like, my dad went to Georgia. When once he passed, I was like, if I could ever go to Georgia, it was a 100% lot for me.
- [66:08]
Bobby Bones
Well, how many stars were you?
- [66:10]
Ben Jones
Three star. So I was literally. I had no film, nothing. My senior year, I literally. Whatever school I went and took a visit to, they offered me. So I was like, I really want to go play at Georgia. So I went to Georgia camp, and literally, they didn't know who I was. I lined up and went 20 straight reps in one. And at that point, I didn't even know who the coaches were. They were like, you do another. I was like, how many damn times you want me to go? Like, you got.
- [66:35]
Matt Castle
I've already got 20 play drives.
- [66:37]
Ben Jones
I was like, I've already beat all these guys three times. They're like, all right, we'll take him. We'll take him. Then the next week, I went to Alabama and kind of the same thing happened. And that was the thing. Like, I was like, all right, I got the two schools I wanted. I'm done. They're like, hold on. Keep it alive for your recruiting stuff. I'm like, georgia, off of me. I'm going there and I'm going to be there in six months.
- [66:54]
Matt Castle
Yeah.
- [66:55]
Bobby Bones
So 2010, 2009. When did you go to Georgia?
- [66:58]
Ben Jones
I went there. Oh, eight. So I was there with Stafford.
- [66:59]
Matt Castle
You were there with staff, right?
- [67:01]
Bobby Bones
Marino.
- [67:01]
Ben Jones
Yep.
- [67:02]
Bobby Bones
Stafford. Was Rick your coach?
- [67:03]
Ben Jones
Yep. Martin was coach.
- [67:05]
Bobby Bones
Were you there all your years with Rick? Was. Did you ever play with. Who did you play? Who was on the defensive side of the ball?
- [67:11]
Ben Jones
Gino Atkins. Rashad Jones.
- [67:13]
Matt Castle
Gino is a stud.
- [67:14]
Ben Jones
Justin Houston.
- [67:16]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. You guys had some dudes, huh?
- [67:18]
Ben Jones
We were loaded.
- [67:18]
Bobby Bones
Did you love college?
- [67:19]
Ben Jones
I absolutely had a blast. It was the best four years of my life.
- [67:22]
Matt Castle
And you lived in a house too, with like, how many dudes?
- [67:24]
Ben Jones
It was five of us.
- [67:26]
Matt Castle
Five. Five guys. Were they all all on the football team?
- [67:28]
Ben Jones
All football walk ons. Everything we had.
- [67:30]
Matt Castle
I can only imagine that place.
- [67:32]
Ben Jones
Oh, the amount of dares. And they always said I would say, who won't? I remember trying to do the super Troopers, like, chug the bottle of syrup at like 2 in the morning. That is 100% fake by super Troop. They had to be cocoa. It's no way. You can. There's no chug a bottle of syrup.
- [67:47]
Matt Castle
No, but you would.
- [67:48]
Ben Jones
I tried, I tried, I tried it.
- [67:50]
Matt Castle
Yeah. There's no.
- [67:51]
Ben Jones
I ate praying man is a Bugs I Night crawlers.
- [67:56]
Matt Castle
That's this drink my country ass bumpkin in you.
- [67:58]
Ben Jones
So my rookie year. Here you go, Cass. So they would pay the most outrageous amount of money for anything you would do.
- [68:05]
Matt Castle
You're saying the rookie year in the league?
- [68:06]
Ben Jones
Yes.
- [68:07]
Matt Castle
Oh, yeah.
- [68:07]
Ben Jones
I'm like, I was dirt broke. I'm like, cheap as I can get. I'm like, you're gonna pay me ten grand to eat that? Like, drink my piss? Absolutely. There you go.
- [68:16]
Bobby Bones
They're like, you drafted in the fourth round, right? Like, you had a little money.
- [68:19]
Ben Jones
Yeah, but if you're Gonna pay me that?
- [68:20]
Bobby Bones
Oh, no, there's a difference.
- [68:22]
Matt Castle
Like, if somebody offers you 10,000 right.
- [68:24]
Ben Jones
Off the top, you're like, oh, you want me to drink hot tub water? Absol. Absolutely.
- [68:26]
Bobby Bones
Yeah.
- [68:27]
Ben Jones
You want me to eat a cockroach and let it run around my mouth?
- [68:29]
Bobby Bones
Yeah, sure.
- [68:30]
Ben Jones
I lived my whole rookie year off of cash. My financial advisor was like, hey, do you. Did you lose your credit card or debit card? I'm like, no, sir. He's like, you haven't spent money? I was like, oh, I got cash.
- [68:40]
Matt Castle
Yeah, I got a side gig.
- [68:42]
Ben Jones
I'm not gonna be broke, guys. I'm gonna. I'm gonna make this money last. I'm like, I'm not going back to that farm in Alabama. I'm gonna. I'm gonna make this NFL money last a long time.
- [68:51]
Bobby Bones
Did you do well with saving your money?
- [68:53]
Ben Jones
I've put it away. Put it away. And now I get to spend a little bit, I guess.
- [68:57]
Matt Castle
Then you got married, and then that's going on.
- [68:59]
Ben Jones
You have kids, and I have Amazon at my house every day.
- [69:01]
Matt Castle
100%.
- [69:01]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. So when did you know it was.
- [69:02]
Ben Jones
Over for you playing? Yeah, I think when I had three concussions in one year. And you have to come home and make that. You look at your wife and kids and like, huh, I could probably keep doing this. Then I sat down with Vrabel in his office, and he was like, I can't be responsible if something happens on the field, and I gotta call your wife because he loves my daughter. My daughter was always in his office. And he was like, as your friend, like, I know you're going to keep playing until I have to drag you off this field. Like, I can't be responsible. He's like, you need to retire. I'm like, let me make that decision on my own and let me train and figure it out. But I respected him for that. And that was one of the things. I'm like, hey, somebody else is telling me this. Should I really honestly be playing? He played for such a long time. I was like, is he looking out for me at this point? I'm like, at the time, I'm like, I was just mad. I was like, no, I want to keep playing. But when you think about it through those times, you're like, man, he's probably right.
- [69:58]
Matt Castle
You were with Variable, obviously, as your. As your head coach, but you're also with him in Houston. So you guys had a long, long relationship. And what is it about him that makes him such a good football coach?
- [70:09]
Ben Jones
I think you can relate to him. He cares about it. He's out there living it with you. He's out there at practice doing every drill with you. He's coaching you through it. It's not just like, oh, it's coaches, players. He. He holds the coaches accountable in front of the players, the players accountable. It's no question that you can't ask him. And he's the same to everybody. Like, he's going to treat me the same way as the other guy, and he's going to rip everybody. So nobody was safe in a meeting.
- [70:35]
Bobby Bones
Did he also love on you?
- [70:37]
Ben Jones
Absolutely. He knew that's what you give him credit. Like, having family at practice, having everybody there to support you. He knows when you're having hard times. Like, say, when my granddad passed, he was like, hey, go get. Get away from football. Like, go home. See your family. Like, you can take off with Ota. Like, don't worry about it. I'm like, no, I really want to be here. He's like, hey, he meant a lot to you. Go home and spend some time with your family. So he understood stuff like that, or. Kid was in the hospital all night. He'd be like, ben, you've been in the hospital for all night, hadn't slept. I'm like, hey, how about this? I do practice, then I leave for meetings. He's like, sure, if you want to be here, that's fine. I can't technically kick you out of the building, but he would try to give you breaks, and he understood that, hey, you have a family at home, and it's not always football.
- [71:22]
Matt Castle
I know that you guys have stayed close, too, and he's even called you and tried to get you come up, be his online coach. What do you think are some of his challenges now that he takes over the Patriots?
- [71:31]
Ben Jones
Yeah, I think it's to build that relationship with those guys because it takes time. Like, you got to trust him. You got to. You got to show him your method. And it takes winning to show it works. Because sometimes you're like, man, this guy's crazy. Like, this method. How can this work in week in and week out? But it takes a group of guys believing in something, and once you start winning, you're like, oh, this. This makes sense. Like, he is looking out for the best of us. He is. He is all in for this. So it just takes a little bit of trust and know he's at the best interest for you.
- [72:00]
Bobby Bones
What are you doing now to scratch the itch?
- [72:02]
Ben Jones
Yeah, I'm coaching some high school ball At Innsworth.
- [72:05]
Bobby Bones
What does that mean?
- [72:06]
Matt Castle
Even though he goes to FRA with me.
- [72:09]
Ben Jones
Yeah, yeah.
- [72:09]
Bobby Bones
So I'm confused. So he's.
- [72:11]
Matt Castle
So it's basically another school.
- [72:14]
Bobby Bones
Your daughter goes to one, you're coaching another. Okay, fair enough.
- [72:17]
Ben Jones
So the reason behind that, through that year off, when I was struggling, trying to figure out what's the next step, Tim Hasselbeck was the guy. One that reached out to me is like, hey, I know what it feels like going through this. You're kind of feeling lost. I know you. You still want to play and stuff. But he's like, hey, how about you just come out to spring practice and just hang out and see if this scratches the itch? So I literally went out to spring practice just to help for six practice. I'm like, oh, that was fun. Didn't think I was going to get into high school football. Went off for the summer with the family at the beach. Then I came back. He's like, hey, what are you doing? I'm like, I'm back home. Kids are in school. He's like, well, I could really love you in the booth to help out on Friday nights. So I'm like, sure, I'll come on Friday nights to help out. Then it turned into, hey, you want to help with some run game and give us some insight on that? Now I'm there every single day in the box helping Matt with the run game, and it's just a cool dynamic. Him and his brother got to work with his father last year. He passed away this year, and he was like a rock for me. Like, he'd been through it. He knew, you seen a guy who lives a certain way, raised his sons, he's out there with his grandkids, and it really opened my eyes up to what a family looks like and how to do it together and do it the right way.
- [73:29]
Matt Castle
And you're also now covering. You're on the radio now, buddy. Your radio personality. Welcome to the wild side.
- [73:34]
Ben Jones
Yeah, no, I feel like when I played, I stayed as far as possible from the media because all I cared about was winning, and I hated the media. Like, I'm like, all that could be is negative. Like, nothing good could come from this. Like, all I care about is winning. I don't care about what anybody else thinks about me. All the people I care about was right here in this room. Probably would have helped a little bit if I'd have been. They'd have saw this side of me and got to see how much I actually enjoyed playing the game and how much I Cared about my teammates, but I didn't care what they thought.
- [74:03]
Matt Castle
Do you find it difficult to criticize at times now that a lot of people are gone, it makes a lot easier.
- [74:07]
Ben Jones
Yeah, yeah. You still have that passion because you don't know what's going on in that building. Like, yes. I'm quicker to say, like, hey, hold somebody accountable up top. Like, hey, I know Kush cushion Barry, they're center. Like, know him as a good dude. Like, I know Jeff on the other side. I know Luke Stocker, their tight end coach. Like, no, I'm not going to talk bad about those guys. I know how hard they work. But it comes down to it. Like, you got to win games, especially at the Titans. Like, you got. You got. Something's got to change. Like, you can't do the same thing over and over and expect something different. But I hope they get on track. I think they got a young quarterback there that's going to turn it around.
- [74:45]
Bobby Bones
He looked dynamic.
- [74:46]
Ben Jones
I think he's special. Yeah, I think he's going to be special for him.
- [74:49]
Bobby Bones
Well, then we really appreciate coming by, man. This has been awesome.
- [74:51]
Ben Jones
I enjoyed it.
- [74:52]
Bobby Bones
All right, Ben Jones. Thank you. Ben there is a great appearance.
- [74:57]
Matt Castle
The man.
- [75:01]
Bobby Bones
All right. Thanks to Ben for coming in. You know, I was going to read his social media. He doesn't have one. Did he have one?
- [75:07]
Kevin
No, I couldn't find anything. I was going to ask Castle the same.
- [75:09]
Matt Castle
He's definitely on social medias. Maybe. Maybe he's got a burner account or something like that. Because I see him scrolling on that stuff.
- [75:16]
Bobby Bones
You never changed your name?
- [75:18]
Matt Castle
I'm working on it.
- [75:19]
Bobby Bones
You don't have to. I just.
- [75:20]
Matt Castle
No, I need to mcastle16.
- [75:24]
Bobby Bones
Like, people don't even know it's you. Like, if I tag you publicly. Yeah, they're just like, I don't know who M. Casal is or if it was like, well, that's what most people think. Unless they know you.
- [75:32]
Matt Castle
Yeah, that's true. So what was. What were some of the tags that I needed to. Don't remember?
- [75:37]
Bobby Bones
It's just my advice to you, as somebody who lives in this space, is have a social media handle. A name that most people will know it's you whenever they see it. No one knows mcastle is you.
- [75:51]
Matt Castle
Okay.
- [75:52]
Bobby Bones
Is it 16? Does he have a 16 or something?
- [75:54]
Matt Castle
Yeah, 16. I don't know. So if I change, it does you.
- [75:57]
Bobby Bones
Don'T lose any followers.
- [75:58]
Matt Castle
Don't lose any followers. Followers. I don't have to get a new blue check mark.
- [76:02]
Bobby Bones
I would have Your person do it, though, because you'll end up killing your whole site somehow. You'll get scammed. It'll all be a disaster.
- [76:09]
Matt Castle
Oh, if I try to do it. Yes, yes. Oh, there's no doubt about that. I have no idea what I'm doing on those things. Definitely have. Have them do it.
- [76:16]
Bobby Bones
Yeah. But this is the last time I'll recommend it because I think you're really good at what you do, and I think that is an element that is being underserved.
- [76:23]
Matt Castle
Thank you. You know, you're looking out for me. I'm being. I'm taking this seriously. I am. Even though I'm smiling at you because you're making fun of my stage name.
- [76:31]
Bobby Bones
But I do need a stage name.
- [76:34]
Matt Castle
I don't even know what it is.
- [76:35]
Bobby Bones
It's a handle.
- [76:37]
Matt Castle
Whatever the hell it is. Guys, come on. I didn't have social media until, like, three years.
- [76:40]
Bobby Bones
No, I know. And that's my thing. I. I think some people would love to follow you if they knew it was actually you. Like when I tag you and stuff.
- [76:46]
Matt Castle
Yeah.
- [76:46]
Bobby Bones
People are like, I don't know who his partner is. M. Castle, but if they were like, oh, Matt Castle, quarterback.
- [76:55]
Matt Castle
That's it.
- [76:56]
Bobby Bones
That. That would be cool.
- [76:57]
Matt Castle
That makes more sense.
- [76:58]
Bobby Bones
That'd be Matt Castle, qb or something like that. Okay, it is available. Well, you better get it again before.
- [77:03]
Matt Castle
Do it real quick here.
- [77:05]
Bobby Bones
Well, I don't know if the have. Have your guy do it and then before this post. Oh, dang.
- [77:13]
Matt Castle
Oh, dang. Oh, yeah. There is charges right now.
- [77:15]
Bobby Bones
$6,000 for it.
- [77:17]
Matt Castle
So much.
- [77:18]
Bobby Bones
That's M. Casal, 16.
- [77:24]
Matt Castle
QB.
- [77:24]
Bobby Bones
That's kickoff. Kevin. That's Brandon Ray. I'm Bobby Bones. Thanks again to Ben for coming by. We've had lots to say. Goodbye, everybody. Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle is a production of the NFL and iHeart Podcast. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [77:48]
Daniel Jeremiah
Hey, everybody. Daniel Jeremiah here, and I'm Bucky Brooks on Move to six. We take you inside the game. From breaking down college prospects and NFL.
- [77:57]
Bucky Brooks
Rookies to evaluating team building philosophies, coaching trends, and how front offices construct winning rosters.
- [78:03]
Daniel Jeremiah
We study the tape, talk to decision makers, and give you a perspective you won't find anywhere else.
- [78:09]
Bucky Brooks
It's everything you need to understand the why behind what happens on Sundays.
- [78:14]
Daniel Jeremiah
Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Sticks podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [78:24]
Marcus Grant
I'm Marcus Grant.
- [78:25]
Michael F. Florio
And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.
- [78:30]
Marcus Grant
Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?
- [78:33]
Michael F. Florio
Then you need the NFL NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies.
- [78:40]
Marcus Grant
Whether you're a rookie manager or a.
- [78:41]
Michael F. Florio
Fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents.
- [78:45]
Marcus Grant
Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [78:55]
Matt Castle
This is an iHeart podcast.