Local Hour: The Barn Needs Me

Summary

Summary of "Local Hour: The Barn Needs Me"
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Release Date: May 9, 2025

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Hosted by Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, this episode of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" delves into a variety of sports topics, ranging from the NBA and NHL playoffs to personal anecdotes and humorous exchanges among the hosts. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and notable moments from the episode.

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1. Opening Remarks and Show Identity

[01:06]
Stugotz kicks off the episode by reflecting on the show's two-decade legacy, humorously noting the unique energy it exudes.

Stugotz: “20 years into this show and I'm not exactly sure what kind of energy this show gives off... one energy I'm pretty sure it doesn't give off is white girls love to tell me I'm awesome.”

[01:28]
Dan Le Batard joins in the banter, emphasizing the impact of the show's opening song.

Dan Le Batard: “I don't feel like we talk about how much of a banger the opening song is every time I do the show... it's a banger.”

2. Discussion on the Show's Opening Song

The hosts engage in a light-hearted debate about the mysterious 'banger' track used as the show's opening song. They speculate whether it's a royalty-free track and express admiration for its quality.

[01:51]
Stugotz muses,

“So I'm assuming it's a royalty free track which is why it's playing. Which I'm sorry kid. Gotta gotta get better agent.”

[03:04]
Amin Elhassan reveals the track's origins, attributing it to Tony's top five theme, previously used in a Dallas Cowboys commercial.

Amin Elhassan: “It was my Tony's top five theme. It was like a Dallas Cowboys, like, Amarin bank commercial.”

[05:16]
The hosts play a clip of Paul Pierce walking to work, sparking a humorous investigation into whether the walk was genuine or staged.

3. NBA Playoffs Insights

Dan and Stugotz shift focus to the NBA playoffs, discussing team performances, player injuries, and potential outcomes.

[03:17]
Stugotz provides a recap of the NBA playoffs, highlighting key moments and player performances.

Stugotz: “The NBA playoffs has certainly had more than a few bangers up its sleeve... tonight in the association, we got high stakes... but a pretty chill night in the association.”

[04:29]
Amin Elhassan discusses Steph Curry's injury and his remarkable return to the game, showcasing resilience.

Amin Elhassan: “Steph got hurt with the hamstring injury... he came out like, if nothing happened and looked like, incredible.”

[04:54]
Stugotz humorously notes Paul Pierce exiting the game in a wheelchair, adding levity to the discussion.

Stugotz: “Paul Pierce famously went out on a wheelchair and nothing actually happened.”

4. NHL Playoffs Focus: Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the NHL playoffs, particularly the matchup between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[09:14]
Stugotz expresses his unexpected support for the New York Knicks, tracing his fandom back to his rivalry with the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics.

Stugotz: “I worked out in Tim's the other day. Like, I am so pumped for this... but the Heat have had such more of an intense rivalry with the Boston Celtics.”

[12:45]
The conversation shifts to key players like Jayson Tatum, with Stugotz critiquing his recent performance.

Stugotz: “Jayson Tatum, since the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat... and now he's shooting about 27% from three in these high stakes games.”

[14:22]
Dan discusses Paul Pierce's constraining walk eliciting skepticism about its authenticity.

Dan Le Batard: “I thought that's maybe they had good propaganda... I didn't go deep into the story.”

[16:09]
The hosts delve into the Florida Panthers' defensive challenges, critiquing goalie Bob and discussing team strategies.

Stugotz: “Carter Verhage has been terrible... Reinhard Barkov, Kachuk. Kachuk had a nightmare of a game.”

[20:19]
Billy Gill highlights Joel Quenneville's return to the NHL, sparking a brief discussion on coaching careers and controversies.

Billy Gill: “That's unbelievable.”

5. Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup Aspirations

The episode explores the Edmonton Oilers' potential to win the Stanley Cup, emphasizing their talent and resilience.

[26:19]
Stugotz vehemently supports the Oilers' chances, citing their star players and strategic plays.

Stugotz: “This team is so dangerous... They have so much speed, so much talent and on top of all of that, they've done the suffering. They're pissed off and they know that they can microwave a comeback at any point.”

[27:50]
Discussion about the Oilers' goaltending changes and their impact on the team's performance.

Stugotz: “Switching goaltenders from Stuart Skinner to Calvin Pickard actually helped him out too. Yeah, Undefeated right now.”

6. Personal Anecdotes and Host Interactions

The hosts share personal stories and engage in humorous exchanges, adding a relatable dimension to the episode.

[32:05]
Mike Ryan narrates his predicament of choosing between attending his wife’s concert and a crucial playoff game.

Mike Ryan: “I bought my wife for Christmas, Teddy Swims tickets on game time... we're still like, it's tonight and I still don't know yet how this is.”

[33:09]
The conversation leads to light-hearted banter about concert artists and the complexities of balancing personal and professional commitments.

7. NFL Trade Analysis: George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys

In the latter part of the episode, the hosts analyze recent NFL trades, focusing on George Pickens' move to the Dallas Cowboys.

[39:36]
Dan provides a detailed critique of George Pickens' suitability as a number one receiver for the Cowboys.

Dan Le Batard: “George Pickens loves going deep or deep routes, contested catches... but you gotta know what you do when you're not being the target affects the entirety of the offense.”

[41:23]
Stugotz questions Pickens' temperament and consistency, comparing him to other unpredictable players.

Stugotz: “You got a ladder in the hotel room doing drills, drenched in the room... this is the only way you can say, okay, George Pickens. I'm confident he'll develop into a consistent player at a high level.”

[43:07]
The discussion touches on the challenges of integrating Pickens into the Cowboys' roster and coaching strategies.

Stugotz: “Who's gonna hold this dude in check like in that wide receiver room? I don't really know if that's CD's style.”

8. Concluding Thoughts and Final Banter

The episode wraps up with the hosts sharing final insights and engaging in playful banter, leaving listeners entertained and informed.

[44:13]
Dan reflects on George Pickens' work ethic compared to Antonio Brown's, emphasizing the importance of dedication.

Dan Le Batard: “He'Ll do better in Dallas than he did in Pittsburgh, like statistically.”

[46:38]
Stugotz and the hosts conclude with musings on personal growth and resilience, tying back to earlier themes of perseverance in sports.

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Notable Quotes:

• Stugotz on the Opening Song:
  [01:06] “...because like the show open which that song's a banger and I really hope I'm not blowing up a spot.”

• Dan on the Song's Impact:
  [01:28] “I don't feel like we talk about how much of a banger the opening song is every time I do the show... it's a banger.”

• Stugotz on Paul Pierce's Walk:
  [05:12] “...walked to work... wearing slides. Barefoot in the tweet that I saw.”

• Stugotz on Edmonton Oilers:
  [26:19] “They have so much speed, so much talent and on top of all of that, they've done the suffering... This team is so dangerous.”

• Mike Ryan on Concert vs. Game Dilemma:
  [32:05] “I'm telling you game three is not important... we're arguing right now... it's tonight and I still don't know yet how this is.”

• Dan on George Pickens' Role:
  [39:36] “Does he have an ability for a number one receiver? Have the talent. Yes. Is he that level for skill? And does he execute his game... I would say no.”

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This episode showcases the hosts' expertise in sports analysis, coupled with their signature humor and chemistry. From dissecting playoff performances to navigating personal anecdotes, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz deliver a compelling and entertaining listen for sports enthusiasts.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

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[Stugotz]

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[Greg Cody]

The Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.

[Stugotz]

20 years into this show and I'm not exactly sure what kind of energy this show gives off. Hawk Probably a manic energy, but one energy I'm pretty sure it doesn't give off is white girls love to tell me I'm awesome. Hey I finally started paying attention. You specifically or like no, no no no. Because like the show open which that song's a banger and I really hope I'm not blowing up a spot.

[Dan Le Batard]

I don't feel like we talk about how much of a banger the opening song is every time I do the show and this is no exaggeration, it cross thought that comes into my head as soon as it plays that it's.

[Mike Ryan]

Way too cool for us.

[Stugotz]

Way too cool for us.

[Dan Le Batard]

If you guys have never thought that. If you have never thought man is opening song is a banger then yes it is too cool. Do we know who this is?

[Stugotz]

So I'm assuming it's a royalty free track which is why it's playing. Which I'm sorry kid. Gotta gotta get better agent. Like that song's so good.

[Dan Le Batard]

I mean he's carrying.

[Stugotz]

I would see that dude on tour. I would see that dude on tour.

[Dan Le Batard]

Can we make this a thing? Let's find out who it is. There's nothing he can do. Cause legally if it's royalty free, this is the path you chose my son. But I would love to do something for the guy man. I wanna hear his other music.

[Stugotz]

There's a couple royalty free bangers out there that live.

[Dan Le Batard]

You will sneak up on them.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, like the Hardy Boys entrance. Royalty free old school Lex Luger theme. Royalty Free. Yeah, there's a couple really good ones.

[Dan Le Batard]

Do you think he has any idea that it's the show open here?

[Stugotz]

I really would love to. He probably recorded this, like, five years ago, and he has no idea that a show that's hosted by 250 over plus dudes is just banging its way into its sports talk show with white girls. Love to tell me I'm awesome.

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, man, it is. It's special.

[Mike Ryan]

I want to see it pop up in like, a Taco Bell commercial, you know, because that's what we had some imaging ones that we use for some segment. All of a sudden it's like, is that in that subway?

[Amin Elhassan]

No, it was. It was my Tony's top five theme. It was like a Dallas Cowboys, like, Amarin bank commercial.

[Mike Ryan]

I was like, wait a second.

[Stugotz]

I was like, leo, wait, that's my.

[Dan Le Batard]

We paid 499 for that.

[Stugotz]

That's my song.

[Dan Le Batard]

What are we doing here?

[Stugotz]

Royalty free music occasionally has some bangers up its sleeve. And the NBA playoffs has certainly had more than a few bangers up its sleeve. Last night, kind of nondescript night in the association. We know with Steph being out, that was probably the result that we were headed for. The one thing that I was interested in watching last night, you're always gonna be interested in whatever Draymond and Rudy Gobert have going on. So I just have that on the TV on mute just to see, like, if there's gonna be a fight breaking out. But also, like, can. Does playoff Jimmy have one more last job in him? Does he have one last heist in him? And I think going up 20 on the road is probably a little bit of a bridge too far there. But tonight we're back. Tonight in the association, we got high stakes. We got Cleveland fighting for its life over there. Ernie Johnson fighting to be like, the most right ever about a playoff series. And we got the best player on the planet going up against okc, having done what they needed to do on the road. Split one. Now they have home court over in Denver. I'm really curious to see how this goes out, but a pretty chill night in the association. If you missed out on it, you don't miss too much. And over the weekend, we have, of course, New York Knicks all day.

[Amin Elhassan]

There was a bit of a scare when Ant got his ankle stepped on. We were like, oh, no, Are we about to lose yet another star for the NBA playoffs? On the Western Conference side, obviously, Steph got hurt with the hamstring injury. And then all of a sudden, he hobbed. He needs help to get hobbled back into the. Into the tunnel, back into the locker room, and then comes out like, if nothing happened and looked like, incredible.

[Stugotz]

Well, on that note, Paul Pierce famously went out on a wheelchair and nothing actually happened.

[Amin Elhassan]

Although something happened.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, he shit his pants, so.

[Dan Le Batard]

So it's happened.

[Stugotz]

The key storyline in last night's NBA for me was Paul Pierce walking to work because. Because Boston went down to. OH. Against the New York Knicks. And he said that he would make an eight hour walk to the Fox.

[Mike Ryan]

Studios in a robe.

[Stugotz]

In a robe, wearing slides.

[Mike Ryan]

He said.

[Stugotz]

He said barefoot. He said barefoot in the tweet that I saw. So all I saw was the last video, and I was immediately skeptical of a dude whose nickname is the Truth. So let's play some video here of Paul Pierce. We report, you decide kind of deal. Because I didn't think he actually made this entire walk. But, Hawk, you told me that he was kind of live streaming this.

[Dan Le Batard]

I thought that's. Maybe they had good propaganda, because I didn't go deep into the story. But from what I saw, the articles, the headlines made it seem as if he was giving frequent updates that people weren't questioning whether or not it was legit.

[Mike Ryan]

This video we're gonna play is alive. So he was live. It's. I don't. I just don't think we know whether there was some, like, gaps there where it's like, oh, he just jumped six miles in an hour.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm. I'm skeptical because he doesn't look. Let's. Let's roll it here. Let's roll it here, and we can have it low. But I'm skeptical of how sweaty he.

[Dan Le Batard]

Looks at the end for me to get the stepping. Oh, damn.

[Mike Ryan]

It's nice.

[Dan Le Batard]

And right outside.

[Mike Ryan]

All right, so this is him leaving.

[Stugotz]

His house not barefoot.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. All right, now let's. Let's cut now to a later version of it, the one where he's, like, celebrating. Let's see what we got here.

[Dan Le Batard]

Damn, dog. I made it, y' all.

[Stugotz]

We made it, y' all.

[Dan Le Batard]

We made it. We made it.

[Mike Ryan]

Doesn't look too sweaty.

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, my God.

[Stugotz]

They got a wheelchair for.

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, my gosh.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, that's a good joke. That's good comedy right there.

[Dan Le Batard]

Sit down right here, Joe.

[Mike Ryan]

Damn.

[Dan Le Batard]

Y made it, y' all. I made it. I made it, dog. Look at. This is crazy. Look at that, bro. I can't believe I'm never doing this again, y' all. I ain't never put no bet like this ever.

[Mike Ryan]

Again, I don't know.

[Stugotz]

Now, with that hairline in that sun, you're gonna believe it. You're gonna be a little. You're not gonna be shinier than that.

[Dan Le Batard]

All right. So when he left the house, it was clearly, I would say, give or take, around 5:07am I have no idea. But looking at the sunlight and it.

[Greg Cody]

Was kind of in LA, it was 70 degrees yesterday.

[Stugotz]

That's a nice thing.

[Dan Le Batard]

Where in LA.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

And that was the high.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

So at 5:00am In LA, it's going to be like 58. You know, this is. It's not like Florida, where it's 97 degrees 24 hours a day. So if he's leaving that early, I can see where it's a little chilly. You know, he's closing the robe when he's walking out of the house, so it's probably cold.

[Mike Ryan]

Our video team is showing here just some, like, footage of, like, his day. It's not all Instagram live. There are clearly. You guys put up what you have here now, clearly Instagram stories are involved here. It's not 100% live, so my radar's up.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's up.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

Like, fight through.

[Stugotz]

Do that time. Wait. Good job, Chris. Do that time scrape that you guys were doing in the preview screen where we kind of like, go over. Go over this stretch of time. My skepticism is not that he was committed to the bit, but I kind of feel like maybe there was a car on standby, you know, that FOX sent out security.

[Mike Ryan]

Right.

[Stugotz]

That he wasn't doing this by himself. So there was absolutely a vehicle around him while he did this. There's no way Paul Pierce is just walking eight miles in la, committed to a bid for content for Fox. And people know about this. He even put out, like, the map and the route that he was gonna take. So I imagine there's a crew following him, making sure that he's okay. So the skeptical part of me is, and I'll bring in skeptical Billy here is did he, like, go from certain points in this car, freshen up a little bit? I don't care if It's. If it's 70 degrees, you're gonna be shinier than that. That's where I'm skeptical.

[Greg Cody]

I mean, the low was 59 when he started. I think he did it.

[Dan Le Batard]

I lived in la, man, I'm pretty spot on. I like it. I like him. Well, I never realized how much I say I like him until you cut that clip and then everybody says it back to me now.

[Amin Elhassan]

It was the pitch, though.

[Dan Le Batard]

I go to that pitch.

[Mike Ryan]

It was like my go to glass.

[Dan Le Batard]

I don't know why I do it. I have no idea. I like them. There's so many things about this show that have really turned the. The mirror round. There's so many things that I'm confused about as well. I don't know why people in the street keep calling me Walter.

[Stugotz]

Oh, that's right. That happened.

[Dan Le Batard]

And I've been. I haven't been here for weeks, and I laugh it off as if I know what the hell they're talking about. But it has been happening pretty frequently.

[Stugotz]

Could I ask you a question? If you ran into Greg Cody in public, would you recognize him?

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, for sure.

[Stugotz]

He apparently wouldn't recognize you now. I wasn't aware of this. You guys have never met. Like, you guys have never been scheduled against one another or.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's been in the same room.

[Stugotz]

He seems to think that you guys have never met.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah. You might not be wrong.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

But I'm also playing football, so my memory is not, you know.

[Stugotz]

Well, he's also approaching age where his memory.

[Dan Le Batard]

My brain. His brain are like, really neck and neck there.

[Mike Ryan]

Plus, it was at the height of us talking about White Lotus and, like, Hawkins and Goggins. So, like, there was some people saying that my dad heard Hawkins thought Goggins, so that's where he got.

[Amin Elhassan]

But his name is Walton.

[Stugotz]

But it is. What?

[Mike Ryan]

I'm just saying. I'm just trying to.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay.

[Mike Ryan]

My dad can just kind of.

[Stugotz]

You're an apologist for your father, so.

[Dan Le Batard]

You thought my name was Walter? Is that what he like or.

[Mike Ryan]

I have a clip of someone mentioned you, and this is him being like, I have. I don't know Walter. That's like, someone said Hawkins, and he's like, I don't know, Walter.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay, well, I also don't know Walter Hawkins. All right. I mean, so that's why people are calling me Walter. That makes sense. Some people have asked me to change my Twitter name to Walter. They have. Like, this is. I'm talking about at least 20 times.

[Stugotz]

It is kind of odd that you guys have never been staffed on the same show or had interactions. I mean, it's a show that has, like, a shared universe. And you've been. It's like, you've been in this building for a couple of years now.

[Dan Le Batard]

I've been here.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

No, it's just really odd that it's never. You guys have never.

[Dan Le Batard]

It is. I. I thought he retired from the show. Oh.

[Mike Ryan]

My dad is very regularly dismissive of other Co hosts. He has this thing where he likes.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's the goat. He's like the. Oh, he's an og. I do feel like, though, I've been on the show even prior than the last two years, and he may have been on the show while I was like, a call in guest. I'd have to go back in the archives and check.

[Stugotz]

I think we can have someone on that assignment. Yeah. There was probably a day that you were taping with Joe Thomas in the studio, doing a call in. Yeah. Although that would mean three seats are occupied in this studio. So I'm not exactly sure even if the studio layout would lend itself to that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, maybe not, but I don't feel like it was this studio. I feel like it was OG studio. I'm talking, like 2018.

[Stugotz]

Wow.

[Dan Le Batard]

Cleveland. Yeah. Like, I think it might have. This might have been a Cleveland or sitch.

[Stugotz]

All right, well, we gotta. We gotta track down that video. So I'm just kind of taking down the. The moments to. To Knick Celtics. And I really wasn't aware that I could be this big of a Knicks fan. Like, I am. I am. I worked out in Tim's the other day. Like, I am so pumped for this. And it kind of dawned on me because I hated New York and the New York Knicks. And that Heat rivalry when I was growing up meant everything in the world to me. But then the Heat have had such more of an intense rivalry with the Boston Celtics over the course of their franchise history. Now, it never came to blows, but in terms of stakes, in terms of. You had multiple blueprint games. You had Paul Pierce's stupid ass in the middle of it. You had so many things going. I hate Paul Pierce, clearly. By the way, Jayson Tatum, since the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat, you include the Olympics. And now he's shooting about 27% from three in these high stakes games he.

[Amin Elhassan]

Played in the Olympics.

[Stugotz]

Well, Steve Kerr's decision making when it comes to Jason Random is kind of validated. No. Kind of validated? No. And I know he won a championship in the middle of that, but Jaylen Brown carried his ass. So Jason Tatum, we're looking at you. You got to rise to the occasion. You idolize Kobe. Okay. I think. I think I saw Nick Wright call him. He is Kobe Bryant of Paul George's, which is a bar and a stinging indictment. That is. That is a. How long did. I'm going to text him. How long did it take you to come up with Kobe Bryant?

[Amin Elhassan]

He'd tell you like, three Seconds.

[Stugotz]

That is a crazy good line. They need to. They need to win both games at Madison Square Garden. They need to win both. They. I know that they need to win four to win the series. Thank you for holding up the win four. I know. But. But they ain't winning four if they don't come away with both these games. I'm telling you right now, you give the Garden one. One dub and they're just one win away from potentially a clash with Halliburton. And then all the videos from that Friday night smackdown that they did are going to pop up. I mean, Halliburton literally picked up brass knuckles and Jaylen Brown hopped over the. The. The barrier there to stop him from doing that. Like, there's. They had a face off in the middle of the ring. People didn't know that this happened between Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Halliburton.

[Dan Le Batard]

I had no idea.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, they went into a WWE ring, had a. Had a face off. Halliburton was wearing a Tyrese 316T shirt and jorts. He had brass knucks in his hand. This is something that happened. They had a face off. Halliburton had his own entrance. Like he had. Like. This was something that. I'm telling you, it's like last summer pulled up.

[Dan Le Batard]

We need. We need the clips.

[Stugotz]

Play the clips, get the stills. The stills are incredible. You think it would. You think it's AI? No, this is something that actually happened.

[Dan Le Batard]

Went to Halle.

[Stugotz]

But we don't have. We don't have Knicks Celtics today. So what we have today is a blueprint game potentially for the Florida Panthers. Now, the Florida Panthers, They've been down two games during this run. They've been down two games in a series before Roy. They were down 31 to Brad Marchand and the Boston Bruins when they were in eight seed. They came back in that series at the death, tie that game in Game 7, and then swaggy calls game. So, like, the Florida Panthers have been here before now. I understand down 02. We're just saying how the Celtics are borderline screwed because they dropped the first two games. A lot of people are holding up. Well, why don't you talk about the Panthers? It's a different situation. They dropped the first two games in Canada. Now they come back home. They come back home and I gotta tell you, I'm not nervous yet. Well, be nervous as if Toronto scores the first goal, then. Then I'll be doing all the. All the tricks in the trade when it comes to all The. The skepticism that I have about Brad Marchand and that acquisition, Roy. I'm telling. I know he's been the best player so far for Florida this series.

[Mike Ryan]

That line has been our best line.

[Stugotz]

That line has always been our best line. No, that line.

[Mike Ryan]

That line has always been a good third line. Reinhardt, Koff and that second line. Like, it's been a good third. I'm with you. It's been an elite third line for years, but it's rarely our best line for.

[Stugotz]

Not rarely, no. That. That has always been the playoff energy line. That has always been the line. You want to get a winger going, you put them with E2 and you put them with Lundell. And the fact that Brad Marshan is. Is rising to the occasion, I think good for him, but I think it's a testament to how good that line is. It jump starts a bunch of different people.

[Mike Ryan]

I think if I. If. I'm saying, if I'm looking at the first two games, who needs to play better? I'm looking at Kachuk and Bob.

[Stugotz]

I. I think people are being a little too hard on Bob. I think Bob has had some good saves. You want to say that he's let in some soft ones. That, that. That could be fine.

[Billy Gill]

Oh, he has let in some soft ones. You gotta make those things.

[Mike Ryan]

The last goal was bad.

[Stugotz]

The last goal was a bit of a snipe. Like, he nice is in front of the net screening him. And that. That. That goes up or 90, so. And that's Mitch Marner. I understand what you're saying. His positioning needs to be a little bit better. What I'd like to see from Florida is they've let Toronto screen Bob, like, at their free will, and we got to get some bodies pushing bodies, slow.

[Mike Ryan]

Them down the counter.

[Stugotz]

You mentioned who needs to be better. And you'd lump Bob in there. And I would put Bob, like, 12th on this list.

[Mike Ryan]

To me, it's the first two lines. Like, like, I. I mean, outside of the bark off power play goal, like, the first two lines have been empty.

[Stugotz]

Your top six have been bad, and they. They just haven't. It's not like, score goals, guys. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm just saying, like, handle the puck. Be where you're supposed to be. Be awake and aware when. When Barkov is sending a centering pass in front of the net. Swaggy's not expecting it. I don't know if every pass at Carter Verhagee has been bad, but it seems as though He's. That's either been the case or he's just completely out of position.

[Mike Ryan]

Verhage had it in front of the net with like five minutes left in that game. He needed to put that one home.

[Billy Gill]

But Carter Verheaga, number one on the team, needs to do better. Yeah, he needed to do better for the past few months.

[Stugotz]

He hasn't done well at all all season long. And I watch these games and I'm not necessarily sure it's something that Toronto is doing. The, the Panthers best players just need to wake up. Reinhard Barkov. Kachuk. Kachuk had a nightmare of a game.

[Mike Ryan]

He almost looks like he's still battling with something.

[Stugotz]

I'm not. I think we always do this. I know, but he looked, he looked good against Tampa. He's just got to wake up swaggy. Maybe that ship has sailed. I was worried about that contract, like, maybe. I'm pretty sure Carter Hagee's best hockey is behind him now. I was believing in Sam Reinhart, but from mid season on now, now I'm a little curious as to what I've saw over the last year and a half. Which is the real Sam Rinehart. Please stand up. I'm not super, super concerned yet. Like I said, this is a heart, this is a champion. This is a team that has had its back against the wall. And most importantly of all, folks, that's the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, yeah. They got something in them in their back pocket.

[Billy Gill]

They're going to blow it somehow.

[Stugotz]

That's a Toronto Maple Leafs. They look good to start against Ottawa. And then the weight of that Maple Leaf on the front of their jersey started weighing them down. And Ottawa almost came back in that series and tied it up three. Three after being down, three out.

[Billy Gill]

Well, here's the major thing that the Panthers are going to have to shore up because they're allowing the players to get behind them. Their transition defense has been very good. And the rush against a team who's top 10 and goals on the rush, like, you can't have that happen a lot of stress. Passes have gotten past the defenseman leading the breakaway, so they're going to have to show up the transition.

[Mike Ryan]

Hawk, what do you think? Must win tonight.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, I mean, if they tighten their neutral zone gaps and get to chuck the puck below the. The dots, the blue line, I mean, game three. He's right about the neutrals.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. The neutrals. Well, that's where the stretch passes come in and Toronto's very good at stretch passes and all Season long, actually, over the last two and a half seasons, Florida has been bad at defending against stretch passes. I think the upset in this series so far is Toronto hasn't exactly cashed those in. That's coming. Florida's defensemen have been terrible. Yeah, all of them have been bad. And I'm right there with you. We need to get Kachuk in that happy place behind the net like quarterback in that power play. You need to draw some penalties and you got to avoid the dumb ones the way that Kulikov has. I know Kulikov is going to play, but he's been a disaster so far in these first two games. Are you asking Chachi people for check?

[Dan Le Batard]

Was disruptive as ever, but lapses and defensive coverages off the rush that hurt him, you know, Expect Maurice to adjust at home to get Barkov out against Nylander's line and we'll. I think game three will tell a completely different story.

[Mike Ryan]

Nylander's been the.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I. Nylander. Nylander. I grew up.

[Mike Ryan]

That's what makes me scared. If there's anything that's scary in this series is that he's hot.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, he's.

[Mike Ryan]

He's really like, literally and figuratively.

[Stugotz]

And he's one of the few players on Toronto that, you know is a gamer. I know he had that weird thing. Where was he concussed last year? Where. Where is William Nylander? Matthews hasn't really gotten going yet.

[Billy Gill]

It's still silent right now.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, he's still silent. Marner is one of those players that tends to disappear and you know that you're going to lose a game if Marner is going to have a snipe like that. I don't think that that goal was so bad. And like I said, Bob had some really big saves. So like it. He stopped some that should have went in and he let in some that he probably should have stopped. This is about Florida's best player scoring some goals and just playing some good hockey. Stop being so sloppy with the pluck and taking some bad penalties. Hawk.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, that's what Chad GPT came back with. The real floating a little slower than usual.

[Andrew Hawkins]

Well, you guys have listened to oral history and you know that the origins of this show were once just a dream for Dan and for Stugats and that dream turned into the show and now the business of metal arc media and the show that you're listening to today. But starting your own business is a dream that lots of us share. Too many of us let it remain just a dream. So don't hold yourself back thinking, what if I don't have the skills? What if I can't do it alone? Turn those what ifs into why nots. With Shopify by your side, Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, including 10% of all U.S. e commerce. Whether you're Mattel or you're just getting started, Shopify's got your back. Not a web designer, no problem at all. Shopify has beautiful ready to go templates. Need help with the details? Their AI tools can enhance product images, write descriptions, and even generate discount codes. Worried about finding customers? Shopify makes marketing easy with email and social media tools. And if I ever get stuck, Shopify's award winning 24. 7 support is always there. Turn those dreams into and give them the best shot at success with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com, go to shopify.com but hard. Shopify.com but hard.

[Mike Ryan]

Folks, listen up. If you run anything online these days, a podcast, a merch store, whatever it is, you're basically forced to wear 12 hats. Marketing? Sure. Customer service? Why not? And now you're supposed to be your own IT department. Kinsta is managed WordPress hosting, which means you get blazing fast site speeds, top tier security and. And a dashboard that doesn't look like it was built in 2006. And if something goes sideways, real humans, not bots. To help you 24. 7. No scripts, no sorry, I don't understand replies. Kinsta takes the stress out of tech stuff so you can actually focus on your business. Or in our case, more time watching games, arguing nonsense and delivering the hottest take possible. No messing with settings, no panic troubleshooting, just smooth sailing. Tired of being your own website support team? Switch your hosting to Kinsta and get your first month free. And don't worry about the move. They'll handle the whole transition for you. No tech expertise required. Just visit kinsta.com dan to get started. That's K I n s t a dot com dan. You know, when you celebrate 50 years of Miller Lite, I had to bring in a Miller Lite aficionado, Greg Cody. I mean, no one says Miller Lite like Greg Cody. I think when I think of me and you, I think of us on a golf course. Where else are we at? I mean, on a cruise ship in my backyard. At the beach. At the beach is a good one. What do we always do? We hear that. Oh, yeah, yeah. And then what do we do? We toast. Nice little clink. The clink. Whether it's the can or the bottle. There's something about the clink of the Miller Light. Yeah. And it's not just how much we love it. It's the whole ritual of it. You know, the popping the top, the sound of that.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. Yeah, it's great.

[Mike Ryan]

Love it.

[Stugotz]

Love it.

[Mike Ryan]

From game nights to parties with friends or a special anniversary, celebrating important occasions means more with the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Lite, the great tasting light beer. For people who Love beer since 1975, now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family, and a great tasting light beer. It's Miller time. The simple ingredients, that malted barley for rich, balanced toffee note flavors and that iconic golden color. Yes, It's. It's one. Everything about it is wonderful. I can't think of anything. You're smiling. Ever since we started doing this ad read, you have just been smiling the entire time. I'm a Miller Lite guy. That kind of thing. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Dan Le Batard]

Don LeBatard.

[Stugotz]

Mike Bryan's in there and he's the one with a baby. He's the one who's got to, like, worry about what the future is. And Mike Ryan bet on DraftKings because Mike Ryan bet on us. This is the bet you're afraid of doubling down on? Putting up a billboard in Edmonton. Stugats. I care more about Matthew Tkachuk than I do my daughter.

[Greg Cody]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Mike Ryan]

The real question I have going into this game three at home in our barn. Had to say barn was working in a barn. No matter what. Who's drumming tonight? The first series was not happy. It was like the seventh guy for Inter Miami and then johnu Smith. All right, we need to do better.

[Stugotz]

John did a good job.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm not saying. No. No, I'm not. This is not my. I'm not judging their. I'm just saying name, like, get me excited.

[Stugotz]

Koski should have never been drumming that drum.

[Mike Ryan]

Right?

[Stugotz]

Never.

[Mike Ryan]

It's just so. I don't know who they got today. Roy.

[Dan Le Batard]

I don't know.

[Mike Ryan]

A little inside source here. What are we looking at here?

[Billy Gill]

No, no word yet. No word yet.

[Mike Ryan]

Maybe Like a Heat. Like it's not going to be like a Heat player or something.

[Stugotz]

It's not going to be you, Donnis Haslam, because he's going to be at the highlight, the Battle Corps championship. True.

[Dan Le Batard]

Keep an eye on Jack Nicklaus.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, they busted him out.

[Billy Gill]

That was last season.

[Mike Ryan]

That was the Stanley Cup. I don't think he's coming out.

[Dan Le Batard]

You don't think he's coming back?

[Stugotz]

That was a very controversial one.

[Dan Le Batard]

But did they win?

[Mike Ryan]

If you're Jack Nicklaus and you do a Stanley cup final game, you can't then like do a round two game.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

Like you can't go back.

[Stugotz]

You should never be invited back. If you, if when you drum, the team loses.

[Mike Ryan]

That's true.

[Stugotz]

It's all about positive juju here.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

But Florida is down 02 and the Toronto Maple Leafs in their playoff history are 11. And oh, when they go up in a series two zero now most teams are when you go up two zero.

[Billy Gill]

Except for the Kings.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, that's very true. And which leads me to my next point and we'll close with hockey on this. The Edmonton Oilers are going to win the Sandy Cup.

[Mike Ryan]

So scary.

[Stugotz]

They're going to win the Stanley Cup. And LA had them dead to rights. I was watching that game in the RV at Talladega and we had them. We had the oil done and dusted. They had that miraculous equal. Well, they had that miraculous goal there. And then the dumbest challenge in the history of sports and it just ends the series right then and there. You're watching it and you realize LA's coach just ended this series, Edmonton. And Pete Blackburn had a had a great tweet about watching the Edmonton Oilers because when that team goes down, it is horrifying. Keep in mind this is the Vegas Golden Knights, a team with championship pedigree and they look completely helpless. When Edmonton is. When Edmonton truly has it going, even no lead is safe. Pete Blackburn tweeted out last night, every Oilers game is like watching someone start a bar fight by immediately giving the other person a gun and then kicking their ass in self defense. And that couldn't be truer. There is just so much talent. Draisaitl once again, a finalist for the heart. McDavid hasn't even truly gotten going yet. They have so much speed, so much talent and on top of all of that, they've done the suffering. They're pissed off and they know that they can microwave a comeback at any point. This team is so dangerous. They got that look. I'd be terrified to play them. I think the one opportunity to kill them was wasted by la. Edmonton has it going. They're going to be Stanley cup champs.

[Billy Gill]

Switching goaltenders from Stuart Skinner to Calvin Pickard actually helped him out too. Yeah, Undefeated right now.

[Stugotz]

And if you look at Pickard's numbers, like it's not like crazy impressive, but if you watch the games contextually, he's made some very timely saves, some big time saves that has kept him. That has kept some deficits from getting out of hand and he's just. We. I was so happy to see Seward Skinner between those pipes. Pickard is a bit of a different situation. He might be good enough now. I don't know if he's at the level to win a Stanley Cup. They're going to get tested and this will, this clip will no doubt be rehashed when they're inevitably down 20 in a series and then they do that thing again. But Edmonton looks frightening right now and I think that they've done the right amount of suffering and it's just finally their time. He's the best player on the planet and he's going to win. Like we thank God we got them when we did.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't want to like play this game but like if you're Stewart skit, like put yourself in his mind. Is he rooting? Like does he want to play or does he just want to win in the playoffs? Like they're up 2 0. Is he hoping that they lose game three bad, like badly so they come back and get in. I always come. I know.

[Stugotz]

Like hot hand.

[Billy Gill]

I don't think. You think.

[Mike Ryan]

You think they would give him even a loss? Like if Pickard had a bad game, they'd stick with them for one more game.

[Stugotz]

I think they'd give him one bad game.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. I just always wonder. It's like the stu got question of like happiest guy on a losing team. Like does is this guy rooting for his goalie? Because they'd still be in it if they lose it? I don't know. I just. It's just like an interesting dynamic to go.

[Stugotz]

Wall, right?

[Billy Gill]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, they're just going to. I mean, Wall played well and you have the easy thing in your back pocket saying solely is just not right. Yet he's still concussed. So you keep riding the hot hand.

[Billy Gill]

He didn't make the trip. Stole.

[Stugotz]

All right, so. So Wall. It's going to be Wall for the next two games at least I know that they have that, that, that young prospect goalie that they were. They were really excited about that. Didn't necessarily run with the opportunity. But this is your opportunity, Florida, to get back in this series. I have. I don't know why, but I'm pretty certain this is going Back to Toronto. 2.

[Dan Le Batard]

2.

[Stugotz]

I certainly hope so. Florida screwed if it doesn't. But this is where the champions prove that they're the Stanley cup champions and they defend their home ice. Now, they haven't been so good this postseason in home ice, especially not on the power play. What are they over at home on the power play?

[Mike Ryan]

50% on the road and Ofer at home.

[Stugotz]

That's going to have to do. That's going to have to factor. Yeah. And the Maple leafs are due 11. And, oh, there was one story in the NHL that didn't have to do with any of the playoff teams. And Joel Quinville is back in the NHL.

[Billy Gill]

That's unbelievable.

[Stugotz]

It's. I mean, it's not. No, no, it's not.

[Billy Gill]

Because Stan Bowman has a job right now. He's in the front office for Edmonton, like. But that's just not a good look.

[Stugotz]

And I think, look, if in a vacuum, Anaheim made a good hire.

[Billy Gill]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

Anaheim is one of those teams. And I know Billy was hot on the Ducks. They're right there. They got some good young talent. They need to be a little bit more disciplined. Now, I know that they kind of had a disciplinary head coach, but Coach Q is kind of, you know, overboard on that. He's a guy that's been there. It is the right hire for them in a vacuum. But also he was at the helm in Chicago, overlooking all sorts of sexual assaults, power dynamics that were totally abused. And that's really, really bad. When it happened, it felt like, given where Coach Q was in his career, that that was it. He was never coming back to the sport. And things have changed. And he's back. And Anaheim picked the perfect day and the perfect time to announce it as a new Pope is being announced. You could not have gotten. Do you think that they were just watching the conclave coverage, waiting to. All right, we got white smoke. We're announcing Coach Q right now.

[Billy Gill]

Smart. Genius.

[Stugotz]

Genius. It is.

[Billy Gill]

Level.

[Stugotz]

It is. And you would think that the eyes of the world would be tuned into the Anaheim Ducks coaching search. But when it comes to people in power that have overlooked sexual assault, the eyes of the world are gonna be on the Catholic Church. It's just like by comparison, you're talking about thousands of cases and cover ups. So we're naturally gonna be fixated on that. But Anaheim D in terms of a news dump, it's hard to get much better than that in terms of your timing, because this is going to get totally swept.

[Mike Ryan]

I feel like in terms of hires they could have made that made news, Gordon Bombay would have been the only one bigger.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Mike Ryan]

If the Ducks hired Gordon Bombay.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah. Hiring a fictional character. Yeah. That would have made a lot of.

[Mike Ryan]

News because the Ducks fly together. If you guys don't remember, what's your.

[Stugotz]

Dilemma for tonight's game?

[Mike Ryan]

I have an interesting dilemma. I bought my wife for Christmas, Teddi Swims tickets on game time. By the way, I used game time for the best tickets, and it's tonight. And I told her at the beginning of this, the playoffs, that, you know, we hope that we get lucky with this.

[Amin Elhassan]

Teddy, you love doing this, by the way. You love having tickets on nights that there's huge games.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, I mean, because it happened the.

[Amin Elhassan]

Other day, didn't it?

[Mike Ryan]

How can I project this?

[Greg Cody]

Didn't you go to Swims?

[Mike Ryan]

He's a singer. My wife likes.

[Stugotz]

Big time act.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. He's. He's a rising star.

[Amin Elhassan]

He's a swimmer.

[Mike Ryan]

But. And I. And I bought my wife tickets. I had planned on going, and my wife's not Jelly Roll.

[Stugotz]

He's a lot like Jelly Roll. And that he's a white guy with tattoos that. That people like and has the voice of an angel.

[Mike Ryan]

So my wife, we're in an argument right now, and I. She wants me to go. I told her to invite her sister, invite a friend. And so we're still like, it's tonight and I still don't know yet how this is.

[Billy Gill]

Did you buy these tickets before the schedule was.

[Mike Ryan]

I brought these tickets for Christmas.

[Stugotz]

Whoa.

[Billy Gill]

She should have got angry.

[Mike Ryan]

Thank you, Roy.

[Stugotz]

You got to know it's May, though.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, no. Trust me. Oh, trust me in these arguments. No more gifts in May and June.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

No more gifts, no more concerts.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mike Ryan]

And I just. If I'm being honest, it was one of those last minute couple days before Christmas. I think I need one more thing kind of gift. You know, we've all been there. I need one more thing to really feel like I've done enough here. So I just pulled Teddy Swims out of my. And it's just like now it's screwing me. I regret doing it. A terrible choice by me. And I need Melanie to go to this concert. So if we can all just push energy towards my wife's friend Melanie, please go to this concert. Spare me some pain.

[Billy Gill]

Well, another scenario here Is game fours on Mother's Day.

[Mike Ryan]

That one I've already gotten approval.

[Stugotz]

Wait, you don't know how about this?

[Mike Ryan]

Because we have Saturday plans.

[Stugotz]

If they lose this game, you're not going to get four, right? You're not. You're not going that. You're selling that.

[Mike Ryan]

My wife tried to paint it as game three. You have game four. So game three is not important. I'm like, I'm telling you game. This is the most.

[Stugotz]

No tomorrow. There is no tomorrow. If they drop this game, you are not going Panther.

[Mike Ryan]

That barn needs me.

[Stugotz]

The barn needs him.

[Mike Ryan]

My tickets up. You know who's gonna buy it? Toronto fans.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, Maple Leaf fan.

[Greg Cody]

But you already got approval to skip Mother's Day to go to a Panthers game. Now you're skipping a Christmas present. Also, like in two times in three days. Like, you're really pushing.

[Mike Ryan]

My wife is playing this gymnastic gymnastics because we have Saturday Mother's Day plans this year. So she just is like, oh, we're doing something Saturday so it works out. You can go on Sunday.

[Greg Cody]

That's a losing game for you friends. But it's just so you know, when Mother's Day comes. Saturday wasn't gonna have been Mother's Day.

[Mike Ryan]

It was though. We have. Before the hockey schedule came out, we had Saturday Mother's Day plans. I'm just. It's a tough one. And I put my foot down. Like we're arguing right now. We are in a fight because my wife has kind of just been like, oh, I. She's guilt tripping me of like, oh, you don't like, what's more important? She's. She's making this about her versus the.

[Greg Cody]

Panthers Mother's Day and her Christmas present.

[Stugotz]

This is about her.

[Mike Ryan]

This is about Teddy Swims versus the Panthers.

[Dan Le Batard]

Her Christmas name, by the way. I don't know much about him.

[Mike Ryan]

His real name.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm all for like verbs as last names. I think that's a good thing.

[Greg Cody]

His name's not even Teddy.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's not?

[Greg Cody]

No, it's Jaden Colin Dimmesdale.

[Dan Le Batard]

That sounds like a serial killer.

[Greg Cody]

100%.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's a good one.

[Greg Cody]

Also, like, if you murder people and you sign Teddy Swims, like, that's, that's also. That's a six year old killer, like sign.

[Dan Le Batard]

Or like Britney Spears. Like, yeah, we know that now. But if we didn't know who she was and she signed like Britney Spears, it was like, that's scary.

[Greg Cody]

You know what? You know what I've always thought, Hawk, is when, when I have two Daughters. Right. And when my daughters were born, I felt, like, immediate relief, and I was like, okay, thank God. Like, no matter how badly I screw this up, there are very few women serial killers. So, like, no matter what I do, probably won't be serial killers.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Greg Cody]

Just statistically. And by the way, I would like to say, like, I fully. Like, on record, I fully believe in women's ability to be serial killers, should they choose to be. Like. And I would support the decision. And if my daughters decide to be serial killers, I would support that.

[Amin Elhassan]

Right.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

I would still love them white.

[Dan Le Batard]

You wouldn't be any more supportive of your daughter serial killers than you would your son serial killer.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. I don't have one, but I would believe in my daughter's equal ability to be serial killers, possibly better.

[Stugotz]

I don't think there's ever been a Cuban serial killer that's a woman.

[Greg Cody]

Well, you know what? Cross your fingers. Maybe we break the mold.

[Stugotz]

I feel pretty confident in that.

[Dan Le Batard]

I feel like there's serial killers every shape, form, size. I bet we can find one relatively quickly.

[Greg Cody]

I mean, the best serial killers, you don't know who they are. They never get found.

[Dan Le Batard]

Those are the. That's the hall of Fame. We're not talking about hall of Famers, bro.

[Greg Cody]

Well, I mean, my daughters, I feel it could be hall of fame serial killers.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, that'd be good, because then you would never know. I think the B. Hall of fame number one rule is nobody knows it's the case.

[Stugotz]

It's kind of like being a good guard in the NFL.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah. It's like when you're the best version, we don't know your name.

[Stugotz]

We don't know your name.

[Dan Le Batard]

Just as simple as that.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. I've caught myself looking off in the distance lovingly at ChatGPT hockey expert Andrew Hawkins. If he wants to poke his head back in here, I ain't mad.

[Dan Le Batard]

You're okay with it.

[Stugotz]

There was one story that in the NFL that we actually didn't really get all that into in the day that it broke. And it was kind of weird how it broke, because Adam Schefter was like, trade is coming. And then people had all sorts of questions about the compensation, and that was a George Pickens acquisition. I kind of thought the compensation was kind of on the money, given how crazy George Pickens is.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah. I mean, I. I don't know him personally, but on the field, as an athlete, his hit, his Persona on the field is crazy.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, he's one of the crazy in terms of, like, watching a player yeah, the fun.

[Dan Le Batard]

The fun of it.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. In terms of, like spazzing out on the field. This guy is capable of anything. Like, he's. He's like Draymond in that way.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, a little bit. A little bit.

[Stugotz]

And he's. It's kind of. It's kind of crazy to say this in terms of unpredictability and crazy style on the field to ever wear that uniform. He might be.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's up there.

[Stugotz]

He might be. Gold medal in a short.

[Dan Le Batard]

In a short amount of time without a Hall of Fame quarterback. He. He's up there for sure. What did they trade him for? Was a third rounder. Is that what the competition was?

[Stugotz]

Which is kind of, you know, this is a guy that is still new in his career. This guy that people don't deny his talents, had some of the craziest in game catches that you'll ever see. Unbelievable talent, but also a psychopath on the field and someone that could actually hurt your team chemistry in the locker room. Someone that can give you a big time penalty. Some guy who's. Whose inconsistency and unpredictability on the field almost seems like a perfect fit for Dallas. And what Jerry Jones is always trying to accomplish, which is just like he's just a mad scientist over there putting all these different variables together.

[Amin Elhassan]

The good news is that they already have a number one over in Dallas and in CD Lamb, me and Hawk were talking before the show and it's like, was George Pickens the number one? He's like, no, he's a really good number two. Because you can't have your number one be that unpredictable. Like, your number one's gotta be like, all right, I know my job. I do my job. And that's what it is like.

[Dan Le Batard]

The number one is the guy you rely on in all situations. I always say when. And I don't know, do you guys want an analyst Hawk? Because yes, I got a tweet or.

[Stugotz]

I got a message from hockey analyst Hawk. But yes, you can do this.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, I mean, that's powered by Chad GPT.

[Stugotz]

You can do your day job.

[Dan Le Batard]

But I posted something where I was Talking about Mike McDaniel on Rich Eisen and then Amin commented, this is the analysis that they get and we get function. And for me, funct, Hawk is the better version of Hawk.

[Mike Ryan]

I agree.

[Dan Le Batard]

But I never know how in depth you want me to go.

[Stugotz]

Let's go, let's go.

[Mike Ryan]

We need like 45 seconds to a minute every appearance.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay.

[Mike Ryan]

Actual real analysis.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'll give it to you all right? So George Pickens, just like you talked about, he is very unpredictable. When I look at a number one receiver, I want you to be able to do two things at a high percentage. Catch and run a slant when we need it. And also be able to execute go balls. Right now, George Pickens loves going deep or deep routes, contested catches, he can do that. But on third down in five, one on one, we know you're getting the ball. We know they're trying to stop you. They're shading a safety your way or shading a linebacker. Can you still get free and make the catch? I don't think George Pickens has developed his game enough to do those kind of things consistently. Like to be in a spot always for the quarterback, to make sure that he's doing all the little things away from the ball. Yes. We know you want the ball. Every receiver wants the ball. And we know you're great at making a play on the ball. But you got to know how what you do when you're not being the target affects the entirety of the offense and also affects your ability to have a higher percentage of getting open. And that's what I've always questioned about George Pickens. Does he have an ability for a number one receiver? Have the talent? Yes. Is he that level for skill? And does he execute his game at the position time to be a number one? I would say no. So third rounder makes sense for the Cowboys. And he is the number two to CD Lamb, who will be the unequivocal number one.

[Stugotz]

I want to stay here for a little bit and pick on that brain a little bit more because George Pickens assumed that he was the number one in Pittsburgh. And talent wise. Yeah, production wise, a little hit or miss. How does. I guess I'm asking you to get inside George Pickens head, which is a crazy place to be. But it's pretty well established where CD Lamb is in this league. And for George Pickens to go into Dallas, how do you think he approaches that? Do you still think he thinks he's alpha?

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, yeah. He has that personality for sure. And I don't mind that. I don't. I like it.

[Stugotz]

I like him.

[Dan Le Batard]

Come on. Come on, man. I thought we were faster than that, Chris. All right. But, yeah, I like that mentality and mindset. I still need you to essentially do your job like everybody when you're coaching a team or building a roster. Like there are people with a high upside, higher ceiling. Maybe if this situation happens, we get the most out of them. But Then also if the floor is bottomless, that's hard to build around, especially when he is your best receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's like, man, we're going to come into this game and we don't know what he's going to do on any given play. That's hard for. Build a game plan around. That's hard to see what your holes and needs are as an offense. So you go get DK Metcalf and you can argue, okay, who would you rather have over the next four years? But no matter what, you can say, I know what DK Metcalf is going to do within the confines of the whistle. He still has a little wild child to him as well, but at least as a player, he's a lot more consistent than what you see from George Pickens.

[Amin Elhassan]

So when what you're saying is you don't want a number one who want to run blocking play, is people elbowing somebody.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yes. That's essentially writing that down, right? Yeah, that's. That's a. I'm kicking real game here, Tony. Okay. Don't people that anywhere else.

[Stugotz]

But he was in. He was on. On a franchise that had Mike Tomlinson, who's navigated crazy receivers before.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Stugotz]

And there were people there to kind of check him. It wasn't the veteran teams of Pittsburgh past. He goes to Dallas, and Dallas is the kind of place where they've made these moves and they expect guys to not be crazy. And then they. They're so crazy because it's a bit of a rudderless ship. It starts at the top because Jerry's.

[Dan Le Batard]

Kind of a wild man. Yeah, Jerry's nuts, man. Bring on the nets.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. So, like this.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's a crap.

[Stugotz]

That's a going in the club pretty quickly. Yeah. So who's gonna hold this dude in check like in that wide receiver room? I don't really know if that's CDs style and he's not there in his career where he's like, veteran guy, right?

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah. I mean, it would likely have to be Dak Prescott. I mean, this is a new toy for Dak Prescott to use, because it's hard to even. We talked about CD Lamb when there's no other threats, like, hey, you are making my job 10 times harder by not giving me the balance of making sure we have somebody that you have to give attention to. So I do think it's going to be. It can get pretty balanced pretty quickly because George Pickens seeing one on one and C. Lamb seeing one on one. You Got to pick your poison.

[Stugotz]

Is, is George Pickens the kind of guy that you look at and it's like that's untapped potential. Like he can be a consistent number one in the league or is George Pickens what he is? Like, this guy's going to be kind of a helter skelter experience and always kind of someone that you can't fully depend on. Because I, I'm not saying like he, he's a finished product, but I, I don't necessarily think that it's gonna just all of a sudden I, I think.

[Dan Le Batard]

He'Ll do better in Dallas than he did in Pittsburgh, like statistically.

[Stugotz]

And I know that was well, because the quarterback situation.

[Dan Le Batard]

The quarterback situation. Schefter like put out a tweet about, you know, receivers who left and didn't do better. And he also had Mike Wallace on there. I would argue Mike Wallace doesn't belong on that list. But then Emmanuel Sanders did well. Plaxco Burris did well as well. And the fact that Pickens is early in his career and he's going to a better quarterback with a need for what he does, I think will be it. But to your question, yes, it will always be all over the place. Antonio Brown, who obviously people think of every time they talk about Steelers receivers and what Tom had to deal with. What Antonio Brown did better than anybody is be obsessed with football. I mean this is a guy that I remember after my first year in the league, we were both had an appearance with the NFLPA Collegiate bowl and he's like, yo, come, you know, I'll come to your room at some point, blah, blah, blah. So this is like a week after the season. My body still hurts from the last game. His season is over. This is before he's taken off as Antonio Brown. And I like, you know, knock on the door, he, he drift in sweat with a ladder in the, in the hotel room. Got done with an hour and a half of just ladder drills. And I'm talking about drenched in the room, brought his own ladder. And it wasn't. This is what he is always. And when you put that kind of work in, it's going to show up on the field. I don't know if that is George Pickens, but that is the only way you can say, okay, George Pickens. I'm confident he'll develop into a consistent player at a high level.

[Stugotz]

I mean, it's definitely a sad story what happened aab because you look back at interviews from that time, he was just a different cat. And the Eyes weren't as glassy like that, that. I mean, we all know that there's a lot going on there with AB I mean, it certainly played out in the public before, but yeah, people forget like where he came from, what he had to do to work. He's a dog, absolute dog. Even, like with the hard knock stuff and his feet all torn up, like that guy would work super hard and then lost the plot. Everything got away from him and what was going on between the ears played a factor there. But I don't know if George Pickens has ever shown the commitment to the game that AB Has.

[Dan Le Batard]

No, no. And maybe because he didn't have to get it the same way AB had to get it out the mud. You know what I mean? AB Comes from a horrible neighborhood in South Florida. Family situation not great.

[Billy Gill]

No.

[Stugotz]

He had to fight for his life.

[Dan Le Batard]

Literally fight for his life. Was on his own as a young teenager, you know, packs his bag up, literally one bag, and goes to walk on at Central Michigan. He's a six rounder. He leaves it like literally, he had to earn every piece of it. So I think just that mentality of him not knowing what was next is what fueled the way that he worked. I don't know if that's George Pickens reality.

[Stugotz]

Well, the Dallas Cowboys, when they typically take these swings, I don't know what the record is. It kind of feels like the Dolphins too, when they go after like big time talent, it doesn't always work out. It's worked out like in some cases with like, you can argue Brandon Marshall worked out. Certainly with Ricky Williams, it worked out. But their history is littered with guys that they took big swings on, David Boston types where it just didn't end up working out. And Dallas, it starts at the top and it kind of always feels like they take these swings and it doesn't necessarily go their way. Usually you can lump in the Cleveland Browns. And I want to have a discussion with you, a Cleveland Browns luminary about what the F they did a couple of weeks ago.