Hour 2: Against The Breakfast Spread (Feat. Ken Rogers)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Hour 2: Against The Breakfast Spread (Feat. Ken Rogers)
Release Date: December 11, 2024

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1. Sports Betting Picks

Hockey: New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres
The hosts kick off the episode with their picks for the hockey matchup between the New York Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres. Billy confidently states, “Rangers are favorites at a goal and a half” (02:07). Roy concurs, emphasizing the Sabres' struggles by mentioning, “Sabres are one of the worst teams on the Lou” (02:09). The consensus leans heavily in favor of the Rangers, with minimal discussion on the Sabres’ prospects.

Football: Bills vs. Detroit Lions and Army vs. Navy
Transitioning to football, Roy presents his bet on the Bills, stating, “I'm going to take the Bills plus two and a half over the Detroit Lions” (02:20). He elaborates on the matchup’s significance, pondering whether both teams aim to win or strategically lose to motivate future performances (03:00).

Army vs. Navy Analysis
Dan Le Batard shares his prediction for the Army-Navy game, “I'm taking Army this weekend to cover six and a half against Navy” (04:01). He highlights Army's offensive prowess under quarterback Bryson Daley, suggesting they have a slight statistical edge over Navy. The discussion underscores the competitive nature of this storied rivalry.

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2. Odell Beckham Jr.'s Career Trajectory

A significant portion of the episode delves into the career of Odell Beckham Jr., analyzing his recent performance with the Miami Dolphins. Stugotz raises a critical question: “Would Odell have preferred to see zero catches for zero yards in the box score when he left that football game?” (07:10).

Jessica and Roy contribute by debating whether Beckham values minimal stats over potential high-impact plays. Stugotz asserts, “Odell Beckham is embarrassed by seeing his one catch for one yard,” reflecting on Beckham's illustrious past versus his current underwhelming performance (07:26).

Roy further explores Beckham’s contract incentives, noting, “He was signing a deal knowing I'm going to have to prove it to get all of this money” (14:01). The hosts discuss the fleeting nature of sports stardom, comparing Beckham’s situation to broader athletic career challenges.

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3. UCF and Scott Frost Coaching Changes

Genesis shares a triumph regarding the University of Central Florida (UCF) football program: “UCF is back because they listened to me” (25:25). She credits her influence in bringing back Scott Frost as the head coach and highlights the hiring of Mackenzie Milton as the quarterback coach (25:09). This segment underscores the impact of fan and media voices on collegiate sports decisions.

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4. Guest Segment: Ken Rogers on Hard Knocks

Introduction of Ken Rogers
Stugotz introduces Ken Rogers, a producer and director for NFL Films’ Hard Knocks, highlighting his extensive experience: “He’s an NFL Films producer and director. He’s had nearly 20 years of hard knocks under his belt” (29:00).

Behind the Scenes of Hard Knocks
Ken Rogers provides insights into the production dynamics of Hard Knocks. He explains the collaborative nature of the show, stating, “It's a collaboration always. So they know what's in the show and we're very careful to not give away competitive secrets” (31:16). Rogers discusses the balance between showcasing team dynamics without compromising competitive integrity.

Potential for More Content
A thought-provoking question from Samson asks, “How great would Hard Knocks be with all the unfiltered footage?” (29:07). Ken Rogers responds, “It's plenty great the way it is,” acknowledging the show's established quality while contemplating the allure of additional exclusive content (30:17).

Challenges and Fatigue Concerns
Addressing concerns about audience fatigue, Jeremy reflects, “There's a lot of history here… I don't think we'll ever get bored of Hard Knocks” (36:10). He emphasizes the ever-evolving nature of NFL teams and player stories as a safeguard against repetitiveness.

Memorable Moments and Regrets
Ken Rogers shares anecdotes about moments from Hard Knocks that teams later regretted airing, such as a clip of Rex Ryan seemingly seeking snacks (32:12). He highlights the unintended interpretations that can arise from isolated moments captured on camera.

Audience Interaction and Final Questions
Towards the end of the segment, Rogers engages with the hosts through a series of rapid-fire questions, revealing candid thoughts on coaching and memorable team stories. Despite some humorous exchanges, Rogers maintains professionalism, concluding with appreciation for the discussion (40:14).

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5. Interactive Banter and Show Dynamics

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in lively banter, often interspersed with playful jabs and personal anecdotes. Dan Le Batard shares a childhood story about outlasting his parents with a repetitive song, drawing parallels to his stubborn nature on the show (22:39). The hosts also humorously discuss their minor ailments and the behind-the-scenes challenges faced during production, adding a relatable and entertaining layer to the podcast.

Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz: “Odell Beckham is embarrassed by seeing his one catch for one yard” (07:26).
• Jeremy: “It's a lot of looking at a board, looking at the plays, going over another play” (11:32).
• Roy: “He may not be a star in terms of stats he's putting up, but, like, do you think he's just going to be forgotten?” (12:33).

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6. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with additional advertisements and light-hearted exchanges among the hosts, maintaining the show's signature blend of sports analysis, humor, and candid conversations. The guest segment with Ken Rogers provides valuable behind-the-scenes insights into Hard Knocks, enriching listeners’ understanding of NFL media productions.

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Timestamps Reference:

• 02:07
• 02:09
• 02:20
• 04:01
• 07:10
• 07:26
• 14:01
• 25:09
• 25:25
• 29:00
• 29:07
• 30:17
• 31:16
• 32:12
• 36:10
• 22:39
• 07:26
• 11:32
• 12:33
• 40:14

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode, capturing key discussions, insights, and notable quotes to inform those who haven't listened to the podcast.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

You're listening to DraftKings Network.

[Stugotz]

This episode is brought to you by Amazon Prime.

[Jessica]

There's nothing sweeter than baking cookies during the holidays.

[Stugotz]

With Prime, I get all my ingredients delivered right to my door, fast and free. No last minute store trips needed. And of course, I blast my favorite holiday playlist on Amazon Music. It's the ultimate soundtrack for creating unforgettable memories. From streaming to shopping.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's on Prime.

[Stugotz]

Visit Amazon.comprime to get more out of whatever you're into. This message comes from PNC bank who believes some things in life should be boring. Like banking. Because boring is steady, pragmatic, responsible. You don't want your bank to be exciting. Exciting is for setting trends, not banks.

[Mike]

That's why PNC bank strives to be.

[Stugotz]

Boring with your money so you can be happily fulfilled with your life. PNC Bank Brilliantly boring since 1865 brilliantly boring is a service mark of the PNC Financial Services Group Inc. PNC Bank National Association Member FDIC this is the.

[Roy]

Dan Levator show with the Stuttgarts Podcast.

[Billy]

All right, you know what time it is. It's time for a guest sponsored by DraftKings. Stay tuned because you'll hear more about DraftKings and all it has to offer offer throughout the show. DraftKings, the Crown is yours. I'm going to start with an easy one. The New York Rangers at the Buffalo Sabres. Not much need to be added here. Rangers are favorites at a goal and a half. Take the Rangers tonight against.

[Stugotz]

Really minus.

[Roy]

Goal to have nothing more needs to be said.

[Stugotz]

Nothing needs to be said.

[Billy]

I mean the Sabers are one of the worst teams on Lou.

[Roy]

Yeah, nothing needs to be said.

[Jessica]

Playing for their city, Roy.

[Roy]

Yeah, well, sullied.

[Billy]

Yeah, I mean that's the. I mean the Bills, they got the Bills. Don't worry about them.

[Roy]

All right, Roy, you mentioned the Bills. I'm going to take the bills plus two and a half over the Detroit L Sunday at 4:25.

[Jeremy]

Wow.

[Roy]

Surprise. Why you ask? Great question. We talked about this a week and a half ago or so, more or less. This is a big statement game for both teams, but not necessarily the statement that you want to make because it's also the opportunity for a revenge game for both teams. Should this be the super bowl that a lot of people want to see? Now here's what you ask yourself. Both teams, do they want to win this game or do they want to lose this game? Because if you lose the game, then you. You create a revenge game for yourself and both of these teams Were in need for quality losses to kind of motivate them a little bit more.

[Stugotz]

17 against the spread.

[Samson]

We should hear them out.

[Roy]

It would be a quality loss for both teams. And it's a game in which we discussed you don't pull out all the stops. You leave some stops in there. So then should you have the rematch in the super bowl then you think we saw all the stops. They were all pulled out. No boom, new stop, not anticipated. You catch the other team off guard. However, both teams are kind of in the same position where they could do this to the other team. So you wonder how many stops will be in, how many will be pulled. Who knows? I'm going to go with the Bills plus two and a half against a spread.

[Jessica]

Does that count toward your record?

[Roy]

No, this is not outside. Against the spread is different. And here's the thing. I won last season of against the spread. I won the big prize. Still waiting on it to arrive. But I won the big prize last season. My against the spread honestly is probably better than my big board bets. Record. Record. It's kind of crazy.

[Jessica]

Jessica, your reasoning sounded ass.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm taking army this weekend to cover six and a half against Navy because Bryson Daley, the Army quarterback, the army team this year, they have been so good. Except for that one game against Notre Dame. We don't count that. Don't worry about that one. Bryson Daley, by the way, 100% completion percentage. Last weekend he threw two passes. But the army offense is electric. So is the Navy offense really. But I think Army's is just slightly better. Statistically, they've just been slightly better this season. Navy, he's fallen a few times. I think this is armies and I think they're going to cover.

[Stugotz]

Thank you for your support both sides in that game. Samson, why are you laughing at Stugac's maniacal coughing and choking? And he would say, billy made me laugh. We're in a contract year. We're trying to do the. I mean I'm trying the sponsored segment correctly and Stugatz is just coughing and wheezing. As Billy says, both teams need to lose. So somebody has a revenge game.

[Roy]

Correct.

[Jessica]

And my stomach hurts so badly that I'm doubled over him.

[Samson]

Same here.

[Stugotz]

Piece of candy.

[Jeremy]

Yeah.

[Roy]

Something's going on because someone else said they had a tummy ache too. And everyone's being a brave boy today and just kind of working through it.

[Dan Le Batard]

My God, is the bacon sandwiches.

[Jessica]

Coco was sick also.

[Roy]

Wow.

[Jessica]

I think there was. There's something going on, but I'm just Saying that. I thought it was more show related, but it could be the potatoes with the pork.

[Stugotz]

It is not the potatoes in the pork.

[Roy]

Sounds like you have something against the breakfast spread.

[Samson]

I like it.

[Roy]

I'll leave.

[Stugotz]

No, that was a good one. That one was a good one. You can, you can stay here. And I'm also going to create another penalty because you guys deciding when it is you leave sort of defeats the purpose of punishment. So I'm going to, I'm going to get a punishment that you guys don't actually want to walk into where you guys offering the bad joke. And then I'll leave because you get rewarded for it. We're going to fix the way the.

[Dan Le Batard]

Punishment box right now. So please kick me out.

[Stugotz]

Okay.

[Dan Le Batard]

You need to finish getting mashed.

[Stugotz]

Well, I might kick st. Godzilla because he doesn't want Genesis.

[Dan Le Batard]

I will take his punishment.

[Stugotz]

No, again, not understanding the way punishments work. That's not what we're going to do right now. Now I do want to ask you guys a question here before we get to the useless sound montage. Odell Beckham, when I say that name. It was not long ago that that was a New York superstar, that that was an athlete that was Kardashian world adjacent, pop culture famous, Internet famous in a way that made him a giant sports star. The New York Giants have been basically an unmitigated echoing since they were photographed on a boat wearing whatever it is, jeans, shirtless and like construction boots. They were all wearing it. Take care, stugots. I hope you're okay. I hope you don't die. Maybe you should have Genesis take it out of your system now. It's now. Well, and now you're coughing too. Because there are a number of elements playing defense against me being able to do this well or professionally today mostly all of the people I'm paying. It's almost all of the people that I'm paying.

[Jessica]

It's been perfect.

[Stugotz]

A whole lot of been going on that nobody sees behind the scenes that has made today an unmitigated disaster in every way that these things are produced. But the question I was asking you is about Odell Beckham, a huge sports star once upon a time for the Miami Dolphins on Sunday he had one catch for one yard. And I'm asking you, would he have preferred to see zero catches for zero yards in the box score when he left that football game? Or does a huge sports star once upon a time leave that football game feeling proud that he contributed one yard and one catch to a victory?

[Jessica]

We did not plan this, Dan. But you're talking about superstars, pinch hitting. I'm going to move it to baseball and then relate it back. To answer your question, there are players who say, do not pinch hit me on an off day. The big guys who are getting paid a lot of money, they want to prepare and do what's necessary to have the one at bat and then stare at a donut and an 0 for 1 going against the closer. Throw in 99. So they ask for the full day. Odell Beckham. The question is, before the game starts, is he told by Coach McDaniel, hey, listen, you're. Put your shoes on, you're going to be in this. Or was it. Oh, Christ, go back, put your toes on.

[Stugotz]

No, it's not. He expected to have a big day. I'm assuming he always expects to have a big day because he's Odell Beckham. I don't think that. I don't. I don't think that he's happy at his role with the Dolphins. At any time you're taking a prop bet on Odell Beckham this year, it's over. Under. Will he have 11 and a half yards for the game because he's their third receiver or. Actually, he's their third wide receiver, allegedly in name value, but they got about seven guys they're more likely to throw it to on any given route. I'm just asking you the question about the box score itself. When it's one catch for one yard, would Odell Beckham prefer that be zero catches for zero yards?

[Jessica]

I think he wants the yard and the catch.

[Roy]

Hmm.

[Billy]

No. Because I tend to think about Michael Irvin in this situation. I think he wants the yards. I think he wants more yards. I think he wants more catches.

[Roy]

You think he wants no targets as opposed to like a stat line that's nine yards, one reception?

[Stugotz]

No, no, not. I thought it was one yard, one catch. I thought it was one catch for one yard.

[Billy]

I don't think he's happy that he received that literal amount of targets.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, of course, I think the. Does he have a streak going on that if. Is he our hypothetical. No, he doesn't have a baseball player with the streak. 10 year streak.

[Stugotz]

He doesn't have any kind of streak because he's got plenty of games.

[Roy]

Zero catches, zero yards, the 800 game history. A Hall of Famer, that one.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah. If Odell Beckham is that guy, then I think he wants the one yard, one reception.

[Jessica]

I think he knows. People know. We tell him before a game. He knows he's third string. He knows how many targets he's going to get. Do you think he. Do you think Odell Beckham goes into the game thinking I'm the number one target?

[Dan Le Batard]

No, I think this has sadly been like the reality for the last few years for him.

[Stugotz]

But Stugott is in the other room. I'm being told that he's in the other room now.

[Samson]

Hey, Daniel.

[Stugotz]

And he's ready to go. Go with Genesis. And he is. Oh, wait a minute. He's getting the good stuff. That's not, that's not the stuff that hurts.

[Samson]

That's the stuff.

[Stugotz]

That's the stuff that feels good right there.

[Dan Le Batard]

No, the theragun on the kidney is.

[Samson]

A. Yeah, it hurts.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's a bad spot. The theragun on the kidney.

[Jessica]

That's not his kidney.

[Stugotz]

The theragun feels good. The theragun. The. The.

[Samson]

Not in the kidneys. Dan.

[Stugotz]

Oh, when, when I'm watching that Dolphin game on Sunday and I think Samson's got this wrong. They don't know how many catches they're going to have. I'm guessing that Johnny Smith thought he was like the last month worth of games, 10 targets in that game. Then they don't target him all game. And then in overtime, all of a sudden they're thrown three times to him and he wouldn't have had any warning whatsoever that they weren't going to target them all the entire game. And then in overtime, because Jason Sanders manages to make the 16th consecutive kick of his career, longest active streak in the league. Then all of a sudden he gets a chance at some catches. Otherwise, John Smith was leaving the the stadium with zero catches for zero yards. Zero targets, too.

[Jessica]

I think the players are in communication a little more than that. And I think when you're in the game, if you're in the play, you know where you are with tua. Are you the check down guy, you're going to get more or are you the third option? You may get fewer. Odell Beckham, you are told prior how he doesn't.

[Stugotz]

Odell Beckham does not think that he's going into an NFL football game and all he's going to have is one catch for one yard.

[Roy]

You think Odell's waking up and he thinks he's going to get 12 targets this week.

[Stugotz]

Not 12 targets, just not one catch for one yard. Like that's not what he's going to the stadium for. If you told him beforehand this is what it's going to be, he's going to say, I don't even want to play. What's the point of playing, Dan?

[Dan Le Batard]

What if he had a second catch, but it was for, like, negative three yards? Do you think he'd rather have one for one yard or two for minus two yards, then?

[Roy]

Good question.

[Dan Le Batard]

Ooh, this is a good hypothetical.

[Billy]

It could be incentives in his contract for snaps played, perhaps.

[Stugotz]

I don't think he's going to meet those, though, because he hasn't actually played that much. I'm. The reason I'm actually bringing it up is because of how fleeting stardom can be in that sport.

[Jessica]

But let's sport Dan.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, but no, that one. Yes. Any sport.

[Dan Le Batard]

But podcasting as well.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, I think football. The average career in football is three years.

[Jessica]

Same in baseball.

[Stugotz]

It's same with podcasting.

[Roy]

Yeah.

[Jessica]

You don't reach arbitration.

[Roy]

But, I mean, he's. He's still a name. Like, his name still has brand recognition. He may not be a star in terms of, like, stats he's putting up, but, like, do you think he's just going to be forgotten? People are going to remember him all.

[Stugotz]

I'm all. I'm all. The only place I was trying to take you guys is I believe Odell Beckham is embarrassed by seeing his name and that stat line, given where he's been in the sport. And I know that career mortality. You've heard me say some version of this before. That confidence is the last thing to go. I'm sorry. That confidence is the last thing to go in the mirror, is the last thing to know that these guys generally keep thinking that they're going to overcome odds again and again. Odell Beckham. Look, I don't know what he expected his career to be after making what was being described as the greatest catch any of us had ever seen in a Monday Night Football game with the New York Giants. But what happened to his career after that is he went to Cleveland with great expectations, was supposed to carry them over with the great expectations, and that entire Cleveland team ends up falling apart. And then he does resurrect himself by going to the Rams. And in that super bowl, he was going to be super bowl mvp. The way that game plan was structured, if he had not gotten hurt in that game, Odell Beckham was going to win the super bowl mvp. To have that as your career and go to the Dolphins and be fighting at six and seven, one catch for one yard, that seems like it happened pretty fast to me. Maybe it doesn't feel that way to you, but that feels like it evaporated pretty fast.

[Roy]

So his contract is full of incentives. He gets $450,000 if he catches six touchdowns. He gets $400,000 if he gets four touchdowns, 1 million if he gets 55 receptions, 400,000 for 36, 800,000 for 45. It seems like he was signing a deal knowing I'm going to have to prove it to get all of this money. And these are incentives that, I mean, he's not going to reach you. I think he's played nine games and has nine receptions at the moment.

[Jessica]

I don't think they're purposely holding him down.

[Roy]

No, no, I don't think so either. I think, I think he also came in knowing, like, hey, I'm like the fourth option here.

[Jessica]

And that's why I don't think he was surprised to have one catch for one yard. He was not. He didn't sign with the Dolphins. It was a really weird deal down here in Miami when he signed as though you were signing the player. He was with the Rams before the injury. He's sort of. He's done. He's in the, you know, 16th minute.

[Stugotz]

No, I know the Will Fuller contract with the Dolphins where you come in and cash in at the end of your career. I'm still telling you, and I will move off of this subject in a second. You are underestimating the amount of personal pride that these people have. One catch for one yard is embarrassing to him. Like seeing those numbers based on what used to be the threat of that name. There is no pride in that. And if you have pride as an athlete, those numbers look, looking at him, you're like a little bit ashamed of what your career has become.

[Dan Le Batard]

How many athletes go out on their career after like a 13 reception game with two touchdowns?

[Roy]

But also, like, if Odell Beckham goes out and it's like, hey, Odell Beckham is at this club. Come, like, see Odell Beckham. You think like, oh, one catch, one yard. I don't think so. I don't want to hang out with Odell Beckham today. Like, no one knows his stat line. He's Odell Beckham Jr. He made the catch.

[Samson]

Who the hell cares about Odell Beckham Jr. That cash was the worst thing that ever happened to him and his career, Dan. I mean, what do you care? Odell Beckham Jr. Chose to come to the Dolphins. Tariq Hill is on this team.

[Stugotz]

Team.

[Samson]

Jalen Waddle's on this team. Jonu Smith is on this team. Achan's on this team. The guy who led the NFL in touchdowns can't even sniff the field. Who cares about Odell Beckham Jr.

[Dan Le Batard]

It sounds like the theraguns in your mouth.

[Samson]

I mean, I leave for a minute, you talk about Odell Beckham. I mean, you really nailed that phrase. That saying Dan, by the way you.

[Jessica]

Say nailed in that position is not my perfect visual. It's hurting my tongue.

[Stugotz]

Okay, I need you to stop making this overt sexual innuendo.

[Samson]

Is this is the good part though.

[Genesis]

He is Genesis is laughing.

[Stugotz]

He's getting the theragun. The theragun in the glute is good. Yes.

[Roy]

I like Nick Tartura just watching his.

[Stugotz]

Rage faces are great.

[Mike]

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[Stugotz]

Don Lebatard, but it's just his titties are sitting on the shelf that is his belly Stugats.

[Mike]

He said titties anymore? It like shocked me a little bit. I wasn't quite prepared for titties.

[Roy]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats.

[Stugotz]

We're trying to get the turos. I want to see if we can get them on because Yankee fan rage is something that's fun to consume. Roy, give me the useless sound montage, please. All of the football coaches, all of the football players who said irrelevant things that are immediately forgetful, give it to me. Cliche fest you know, he never blinked and we gave him opportunities just because wham. First is one thing.

[Jeremy]

The stand first is a whole nother deal.

[Billy]

The strength of the pack is the pack.

[Stugotz]

Remind myself of how hard this thing is and how much of a competitor you got to be for four quarters and go and take it. Nothing's ever given to you.

[Billy]

Losing period sucks. And when you're up in the fourth quarter, all of a sudden it starts to feel like you have a losing problem. It's like you have like a gene.

[Stugotz]

Brazilian group. We play for each other. Guys step up when other people are down and that that's what football is all about.

[Roy]

Teaches life lessons.

[Billy]

Just got to build, got to progress. Have to find a way to come together and come in sync as a unit and play complimentary ball.

[Genesis]

We got our ass kicked today and there's no way around it.

[Billy]

We got our butts kicked. There's no other way to say it.

[Stugotz]

Big part of it is my appreciation for them. You know, they work the right way, the process is intact. The guys are working hard during the week, walk throughs, meetings, the whole thing. Details. High energy is high, execution's high. It's not translating to the field on Sundays. Thought the guys were ready to play.

[Genesis]

Trying to put it all together, all three phases.

[Stugotz]

I thought we took a step today on special teams. I went through my reads how Trav released it looked like a corner and then in the halfback and a couple other guys. And then as I went to ready.

[Billy]

To run, I just saw 8, 7.

[Stugotz]

Just sitting right there in the middle of the field open. So I just fired it to him. You never go broke taking a profit. We didn't make enough plays today. And so that's on us as an offense to take a look at it, watch the film, be critical about ourselves, especially in the first half and see what went wrong, where we can improve and what we can do moving forward.

[Roy]

I mean, do you see Josh Allen as an alien?

[Stugotz]

This is football like we're all grown men. It's an opportunity for the world to see that we're going to keep fighting, you know, and this is who we are. And when the Bengals walk on the field, you know you're going to get our best shot.

[Billy]

Appreciative of the efforts in game. It didn't start off the way we would like in terms of fluidity. We weren't converting third downs there early on, but the guys found their traction. I appreciate the defense providing some short.

[Stugotz]

Fields and some splash. Reminded of Sir Andrew Barton. Fight on my men Sir Andrew said I'm a little wounded but not slain I'll lay down and bleed a while and we'll rise and fight again.

[Billy]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

Jim Harbaugh nailing the dismount. I've got some more useless sound for you from basketball Bonus. Here is Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown being fully useless 26 times. We just need to be methodical by stacking or playing the right way. Possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession after possession. You guys got what I'm saying, right? No, I thought it was AI. I thought it was. I didn't believe that that was a real. That I didn't. I didn't believe that that was a real thing that had happened. I figured that if you're gonna go all in on that, why stop? Like, why. Why stop it? Why stop it?

[Samson]

Just keep doing it until they walk out.

[Stugotz]

Just keep doing it until the press conference ends. Like, stand up. Keep doing it as you walk out of the room. Just end the press conference that way.

[Dan Le Batard]

This is the kind of thing that I was known for doing as a child. My parents always tell me the story. One time we were on a road trip and I kept repeating the same song from, like, summer camp and singing it to my sister in the back seat. And my parents in the front seat were like, just ignore her. She's going to shut up if you ignore her. Don't yell at her. She'll keep doing it. And I said, oh, you want to bet? So then I sang the song all the way from, like, the Kentucky Ohio border to, like, Tennessee for, like, 45 minutes. And my parents and my sister wanted to murder me.

[Stugotz]

A singing tribute to your stubbornness, basically.

[Dan Le Batard]

Exactly. I was like, I bet I can outlast you with my annoyingness beyond your wildest expectations. And yeah, I have. Nothing has changed since then. I'm still super, super annoying and stubborn.

[Stugotz]

Speaking of which, let's go out to Jeremy. Nothing more fun than hearing Jeremy enjoy being right. Jeremy is doing the. The Wicked Green Witch of the west as part of his punishments here, I'm assuming. I don't even know it's not a punishment.

[Roy]

I don't think he even picks teams. I think he just likes dressing up.

[Genesis]

The bill lost.

[Stugotz]

He does. That's true. So what are you doing a victory lap about? What did you get right?

[Genesis]

I got right. What was going to happen with the UCF nights, Dan. And before we get to that victory lap, I know Roy has some info on this peloton victory lap.

[Billy]

Yes, this victory lap is brought to you by peloton. Find your push, find your power with peloton.

[Genesis]

So, Dan. Yes, I am, I am dressed as Elphaba from Wicked. And if you were wondering, yes, everything, and I mean everything, everything is green. But ucf, ucf, Remember when I went up to the UCF Colorado, nobody was thinking about. And you guys, you guys didn't pay me to go up, but I went up anyway and made a bunch of content. And at the end of that content, I was really upset that UCF had lost the game and I was the first person on the fire gust train. But I also said something else that the video team has prepared. Prepared. I don't know if I'm allowed to say this because I'm on the sideline, but Fire Gus. Bring back Scott Frost. Bring back. They're all saying it with me. Bring. Show them. Bring back Scott Frost. So what eventually happens? That was September 28th. What happens now in mid December? Well, we're here. And what did UCF do? Listen to me and bring back Scott Frost as the head coach. I also tweeted on October 1st first that their offensive coordinator under Scott Frost should be Mackenzie Milton. And hey, what happened yesterday? Mackenzie Milton gets hired as the quarterback coach for ucf. Dan, UCF is back. And they're back because they listened to me. I am the biggest voice in sports media representing ucf, which doesn't mean much, I know that. But my opinions, my beliefs have now been accessed.

[Samson]

It's a long vacation.

[Stugotz]

That's what it's supposed to be, though. And pushed. He's supposed to be tired.

[Genesis]

The UCF administration, Terry Mahoger listened to everything I had to say and he knows that I, more than anyone, can defy gravity.

[Jeremy]

All right.

[Stugotz]

Congratulations, Jeremy. Not surprising that this entire show would be a tribute in some ways to your narcissism. I thought that Pablo Torre was the most narcissistic person that we have here at the network. But Billy, you've seen how everything that's been Jeremy related today has been an inception of his narcissism where it's just Jeremy throwing it to sound of Jeremy or Jeremy throwing it to the face of Jeremy or Jeremy being self involved about Jeremy.

[Roy]

Today has been a picture of Jeremy when his teeth was taken out. We showed that to a guest. Then we saw a video of him predicting a coach would get fired. A tweet of himself and then he.

[Stugotz]

Sang a song that sounds like the entirety of the Jeremy. And he did. And all of a sudden he has a green penis, which was strange.

[Dan Le Batard]

He didn't talk about the heat. So it was a win.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, it's a win for everybody actually. Yes.

[Roy]

We weren't at the whiteboard.

[Stugotz]

We all will take the holiday.

[Roy]

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[Samson]

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[Stugotz]

Don Levitard.

[Samson]

I had Rachel and Emma both home, and I was in a fight with Rachel, and I said, if you roll your eyes one more time, there's going to be a problem. A big problem. And she said, really? What are you going to do?

[Stugotz]

Stugots? Oh, God damn. I mean, that's where I didn't have an answer.

[Roy]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the St.

[Stugotz]

Ken Rogers the gambler.

[Samson]

Huh?

[Stugotz]

This is not Kenny Rogers.

[Samson]

Know when to hold up.

[Stugotz]

No, I need to introduce the guest. Nobody knows why I mentioned Ken Rogers. Okay. You just wanted to get to your gambling joke so you could leave football. Okay, you're leaving. You don't know when to walk away. Dano. No one to fold them. Yes. Thank you for your help, Stugotts. Appreciate all your good work on the show. I, Ken, God bless football Monday through Friday. Can I introduce Ken Rogers, not Kenny Rogers, so I can tell the audience who the hell he is instead of you just singing a song by Kenny Rogers. He's an NFL Films producer and director. He's had nearly 20 years of hard knocks under his belt. Four teams are being followed for the first time. Hard Knocks is streaming on Max. And we're basically just doing this for Jessica because she's the one around here who is mainlining all of the Hard Knocks. And one of the reasons I want to talk to Ken Rogers is because, Ken, if we were to go through all of the footage that were not allowed by the NFL or the teams, how great would this show really be? Beyond how great it already is, it's plenty great the way it is. But if you could put everything on air that you guys have that's in the vault of all the secrets, how great would that show be?

[Jeremy]

I think you would love it. I think the general fans would be a little bored. I think people overrate how exciting a facility is, whether it's training camp or even in season. It's a lot of looking at a board, looking at the plays, going over another play, going over yet another scenario. If you love the intricacies of football, you might love it more than another person. As far as the real juicy stuff, a lot of that makes the show. These guys are pretty Serious, especially in season. Joking around in training camp as well, one thing. But in season all four of these camps, you can tell that the division is on the line or their pride is on the line. Jobs are on the line. It's pretty serious there. So you might get a lot of insight. But it, you have to really love football to love it.

[Jessica]

The bonus material to the owners ask for final edit, final cut. How much power do you give them?

[Jeremy]

No, I mean this is a collaboration always. So they know what's in the show and we're very careful to not give away competitive secret. So there's a lot of that sort of discussion of that play that you heard. We can't show that, especially in division. We can't hear that play call because we're going to use it. That being said, the sensitive stuff is, is pretty, it's pretty unremarkable when it comes to the personality stuff. You see the best stuff. Owners don't really get involved. I'm not sure that. And any, any of them have necessarily watched the show beforehand. Even in, in, in, in season. I think they sort of watch with everybody else. It's definitely a football driven show. Personality driven show. It's a, it's a workplace drama.

[Billy]

Have you ever had somebody from any team complain about what they seen on the show and had they taken out the show?

[Jeremy]

No. Sometimes afterwards we all regret things. I'll tell you the best example and it's, and it's so famous is Rex Ryan's got to go get a snack, right? So we got that and we put it on and we were like, this is, this is great because he's, he's so vehement. And it was taken out of context by a lot of people then that, oh, Rex is overweight. Rex wants to go get a cookie. Oh, let's go get a snack. Actually, it was just next on their schedule and people forget like that's what happens on a team is you have a team meeting and then literally on the schedule it says snack. So I think they regretted like, boy, that became a big thing. There's a lot of things that become memorable that weren't intended that way and there's nothing you can do and go back. And I know what you're going to probably ask, you're probably going to say, you know, well, have teams regretted it? Not many teams after they're on have ever expressed one iota of boy, we wish we didn't do that. I think they realize that it's, it's good for them and for Their fan base.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I have a bunch of questions, but first, I'm a Steelers, and I get the sense that Mike Tomlinson has put on this front that he doesn't want the cameras to be there. But then when I'm watching the show, I'm like, I think he kind of secretly really loves this. What is your sense from working with him on the Steeler stuff?

[Jeremy]

I think he knows how to send a message, and I think he's embracing the message without letting it disrupt the team. And that's what the very best coaches on Hard Knocks have done. He's not about to act differently.

[Stugotz]

He's not.

[Jeremy]

He's not going to be quiet in a meeting because our camera's there. He's not going to all of a sudden let his team see him clam up or play to the cameras more. He's going to be himself. So he's. He's been a great example of being himself, allowing it to exist and not letting it distract. I think the more you worry about what am I doing on television, the worse it would get. And luckily, after a day or two, everyone in the organization is kind of relaxed and go, oh, I get it. It's not that big of a deal.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, now he's just being himself. My favorite part of the in season, Hard Knocks has been all of the archival footage that NFL Films has. And like, 15 years ago, my boyfriend was actually an intern at NFL Films and used to log all the footage. So I know there's like, just.

[Jeremy]

So he knows all the secrets.

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, yeah, he knows. He. He wears his NFL film stuff everywhere and gets compliments on it everywhere he wears it. And I will be stealing that hat one day, Lee. But anyways, I love all of the archival, you know, AFC north divisional footage because there's so many iconic moments from those rivalries. So how much fun was it going back and putting together all the sort of archival montages that are in each episode?

[Jeremy]

Yeah, you really realize the depth of history. And we haven't even gotten into the Paul Browns of it and all, but I think the best example was really this week when we sort of rediscovered, some of us knew, but rediscovered that the Steelers logo comes from Cleveland. Cleveland. And it was like, wow, like, there's a lot of history here. And I bet a large percentage of Pittsburgh fans heard that and said, wait, what? Our logo came from Cleveland? Like, we. To heck with that. I'm amazed at how much history there is between these teams. Of course, the north. The AFC north isn't that old, but the old division that they played in. It's just been so much hatred. And I think it's because of the proximity. And what you see in this show is when they play each other, holy cow. It's up to another level. And that's where we've sort of created these cinematic game openings. When they play each other, it's just another, another step up in intensity for everybody on, on both teams.

[Billy]

There's this thing called Marvel fatigue. The MCU plays a lot of movies every year and people are getting tired of watching, watching them. There have been a lot of episodes of Hard Knocks. Are you afraid of Hard Knocks fatigue?

[Jeremy]

I'm. I used to be. I used to be. I used to say Steve Sable would say it too. Well, you know, we got to be reaching the end here, right? Like there's, there's a bubble. The great thing is that every year every team is different. And although the basic structure of a training camp or an off season or an in season is kind of the same, everyone's situation is so different. We're so blessed. Blessed as storytellers in the NFL that when, when one person retires, when Tom Brady retires and we can no longer tell his story on a day to day basis, oh, you know, here comes Joe Burrow or, and, oh, well, week seven. What are we going to do? No, here comes Jameis Winston. Like, the revolving storylines are so great that I don't think we'll ever get bored of Hard Knocks.

[Jessica]

All I keep thinking about is the Sack Exchange and Mark Gastineau going out.

[Jeremy]

I knew that was going to come up.

[Jessica]

How was I not going to ask, dealing with Castano, if he, like, does he have something against you? Is he coming back at you 10 years after?

[Stugotz]

What's the backstory? What's the back? You guys know what you're talking about? The audience might not know what you're talking about with Gastineau.

[Jessica]

Mark Gastineau, former member of the Sack Exchange, New York jets, has a little beef with Brett Favre from decades ago. Our esteemed guest directed a movie called the Sack Exchange.

[Stugotz]

Nobody knows that. You know that. He knows that. You have not told anybody that. He's directed 6:30 for 30 films. He's directed Belichick and Saban. Sorry. The Art of coaching for hbo. You've. You did Bill Belichick, A Football Life, dozens of film projects. Now ask the question, David.

[Jessica]

You've completely ruined it. But here we go. Hey, Ken, just out of curiosity, are you scared of Mark Gaston? Oh, given your resume.

[Jeremy]

Mark is a great Guy who has a lot of passion about how he feels. So, yeah, I think if I were in a room with him, I could both be charmed and find him very empathetic, which I do. And I could also fear that he might kick my butt because he's able to kick anybody's butt still. The New York sack exchange film that airs Friday, you know, was quite an experience to walk. Walk in side by side with Mark Asino. I know the Brett Favre clip came out yesterday, but there's so much more to the story and these four guys that, yeah, I haven't gotten a call yet from Mr. Gasineau, but if I do it, I might conveniently, you know, put my phone down.

[Stugotz]

A couple of fill in the bank blank questions as quick as you can go. The coach who. The coach who has wanted you around least is blank.

[Jeremy]

Oh, geez. I don't have an answer to that.

[Billy]

Not Mike Tomlin.

[Jeremy]

No.

[Stugotz]

None of them really want you around, right?

[Jeremy]

Well, yeah, I mean, I. I think. Here's the thing with coaches. They. This isn't a quick answer that the coaches want everything to just stay the same every day. So, yeah, they don't want any change. So why don't I say everybody.

[Stugotz]

The most interesting story I think we've told in our history is blank.

[Jeremy]

The team, the 2001 New England Patriots.

[Stugotz]

The most surprised I have been by an individual success story was blank.

[Jeremy]

Ryan Leaf and his recovery.

[Stugotz]

The most heartbroken I've been by something that we have filmed is blank.

[Jeremy]

Every player that gets cut on Hard Knocks.

[Jessica]

Oh, sweet.

[Stugotz]

Why do you do it that way? Why do you. What?

[Jessica]

Players get cut, okay? You can't be emotional about it when you're making movies, when you're doing.

[Jeremy]

Come on.

[Jessica]

All the time, Ken.

[Jeremy]

I mean, I see country ballads in the shower. You know, in the. In the shower, I sing country ballad sad and cry after. After these things.

[Stugotz]

Ken, thank you for being on with us. We appreciate the insight and appreciate the work, sir.

[Jeremy]

All right. Thanks for having me.

[Stugotz]

Howdy, folks.

[Mike]

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