The Big Suey: Do The Bills Need To Do Something Drastic? - The Dan Le Batard Show

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[00:02]
Dan LeBatard
You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network. Ever since switching to T Mobile, something weird has been happening. I get to cut lines.
[00:16]
Stugotz
Oh, right this way.
[00:17]
Dan LeBatard
Who, me? I can stream shows at 30,000ft and.
[00:23]
Mike Ryan
I was able to buy reserve tickets.
[00:25]
Dan LeBatard
For my favorite band.
[00:27]
Billy Gill
It's not just you.
[00:28]
Stugotz
With T Mobile, everyone can get VIP status. That means access to exclusive events and experiences just for being a customer. At t mobile. VIP means y o u check out the VIP treatment@t mobile.com benefits.
[00:42]
Jessica
You know that sound? It's the sound of money hitting your Venmo account. A friend paying you back. Or maybe it's getting cash back from your favorite business when you pay with the Venmo debit card. Or it's realizing you can pay with Venmo at checkout at thousands of brands. Now there are so many more ways to answer the question. What's your Venmo? Download Venmo Today the Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to license by MasterCard International incorporate DOSH cashback terms apply.
[01:14]
Mike Ryan
Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings.
[01:18]
Stugotz
Why are you listening to this show?
[01:19]
Mike Ryan
The podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBatard podcast? I'm sorry, I'm not going to apologize for that. In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging.
[01:28]
Stugotz
I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries that if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys.
[01:36]
Mike Ryan
I've done it. And now here's the marching man to nowhere Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.
[01:43]
Jessica
This episode of the Dan Lebartard show with Stugotz is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.
[01:48]
Stugotz
Are the rest of you supporting some sort of movement that calls it the Frankie Louvre rule of just keep at the goal line jumping over the tush push or trying to get an offsides call because you're trying to perfectly time the other team getting an inch in a rugby scrum. I said this last night stugats and I do think it's really dumb. There are 11 minutes of actual action in a three hour football game.
[02:16]
Mike Ryan
But the action is great.
[02:17]
Stugotz
I know, but so much of the 11 minutes is let's try and get this push on a rugby scrum on second and one on third and inches. Let's do this two or three times and just let clock run out because all we're doing is let's just have all the fat guys push in this direction and see if we can get half a yard.
[02:37]
Billy Gill
Yeah. That's why I'm a little confused by it because you always speak to the gladiator spectacle of football and the gridiron. You're, you know, a cyclone of menace and horror. You're so good with words. And there is nothing more true about that than a short yardage situation where it's wheel against will. Mono a mano.
[02:55]
Stugotz
You like watching that. You like watching 4th and short for an inch.
[02:58]
Billy Gill
I was cap on championship Sunday.
[03:00]
Mike Ryan
Yeah.
[03:01]
Billy Gill
Every single short yardage situation was captivating because these you believe that the team could actually stop it in the regular season. Bodies don't find the willpower on the opposite side to put up a fight. Now, Washington was doing very creative things trying to time the snap down and was very clearly getting to Philadelphia. So much so that they switched up the cadence, which led to hilarity, basically a 15 minute down.
[03:27]
Stugotz
The thing is though, Mike, I'm watching the will and the gladiator and all of that stuff. And then it's an old guy deciding he's just gonna put the ball wherever he thinks it should have gone.
[03:36]
Billy Gill
We'll fix that.
[03:37]
Stugotz
We will.
[03:38]
Billy Gill
Yeah, I do think so. I think in our lifetimes, we're going to fix that.
[03:41]
Mike Ryan
How about Josh Allen? Well, is he still going to be around or he won't be in his prime? No.
[03:49]
Stugotz
Do you feel bad for him today because he played well enough to win the game as he has. He's lost four times to them and his statistics are better than they are when he's four and one or three and one against them in the regular season.
[04:00]
Billy Gill
Yeah, I'm sick for him. I'm sick for him because like I said, he'd be Mahomes. It wouldn't. It's not a championship, it's not a Super bowl appearance. And it's kind of like Dan Marino in that everyone realizes this guy's the frigging man, he's awesome. He's not the problem. It's everything else. And everything else is largely somebody else. One individual that is just a little bit better at it, just a little bit more clutch, even though he's been pretty damn clutch and he's made the throws, his surrounding cast hasn't been as clutch.
[04:33]
Stugotz
I can't tell you what a tribute and honor it is that the Buffalo Bills have somebody who is very clearly and obviously the MVP of the league. And the strategy is still, let me hand the ball off to James Cook here because I don't want that other quarterback to be having the ball too Much like It's, you want McDermott fired, right? Didn't you come in here today with McDermott? Bye. Bye.
[04:58]
Mike Ryan
Like, he's, I mean, he has this, you know, this all time talent at quarterback and he's been unable to get them a Super Bowl. And in that spot again where it's, you know, it's fourth and inches and you're up a point and you're trying to close out the Chiefs on the road to finally get yourself to a Super bowl. You don't realize how big that play call is. You don't realize the size of the moment there. Like, Dan, you can't just run the same play you just ran. You can't do it. There's too much at risk. At risk there. And so I think Belichick should take over that job. I think there's still a chance for Belichick to win this battle against Brady if he goes to Buffalo. Okay. And he is the guy that gets Josh Allen over the hump past Kansas City and to the super bowl and then wins it. Forget it. He wins.
[05:43]
Billy Gill
I mean, I was, I was really following the take and I really liked it before we went off into crazy land with belichick. But the McDermott thing, like, like it is something that you have to consider. No, we've seen sports teams realize pretty emphatically like, we're just not good enough. What are we going to do to drastically change this situation? All Buffalo did in its off season to drastically change its situation was get rid of offensive talent. Like they're, they're recent examples. Grady Little being, you know, not brought back. Paul Maurice being in a Matthew Tkachuk trade for the Florida Panthers because they realize in a small window, like, we're never going to get past those guys unless we do something drastic. Buffalo is at that point where they have to do something drastic.
[06:29]
Stugotz
Are they?
[06:29]
Billy Gill
Because they keep doing the same thing. What is the very definition of insanity?
[06:32]
Stugotz
Okay. Are they, though? Because you guys are telling me a team I know to be good, you're telling me that I need to do something drastic about the fact that they lost by three points in a game where the ball wasn't spotted correctly. They need to do something drastic. When Kincaid doesn't catch a ball that he needs to catch.
[06:52]
Billy Gill
Yes, But I would say that losing four times in a row to one quarterback is drastic. We've never seen it, but they also.
[07:00]
Dan LeBatard
Have beaten him in the regular season. I think that's what's so frustrating is it's not like they're. He's like 0 and 8 against Patrick Mahomes. It's like they. Yeah, they've won the regular season.
[07:09]
Jessica
It's crazy.
[07:10]
Dan LeBatard
In the playoffs, they can't. The playoffs. That's why they should hire Spags to cut them off at the knees. And then you have Spags win, win for everyone.
[07:18]
Stugotz
You say, do something drastic, but I thought getting rid of Stefan Diggs was doing something.
[07:22]
Mike Ryan
It wasn't enough.
[07:23]
Jessica
But in the wrong direction. Right. Like they want. We want drastic, positive, like, drastic addition. Not drastic, but subtraction. That still somehow they ended up in virtually the same spot.
[07:33]
Stugotz
I would say that it helps to have Patrick Mahomes, because I'm watching an interview with DeAndre Hopkins playing in his first super bowl, and I'm like, what's the difference at this point between DeAndre Hopkins and Amari Cooper? What's the difference between those two people? Because it. The Bills got Josh Allen something like what the Chiefs got. I mean, I would say I'd rather have Amari Cooper right now than DeAndre Hopkins. Nobody wanted DeAndre Hopkins the last couple.
[07:59]
Jessica
Of weeks, including the Chiefs. The last couple of weeks, they haven't thrown the ball, like, two times. He's just an extra weapon in case that he's there for funsies. Honestly, if they want to kind of.
[08:08]
Mike Ryan
He's there for the ring.
[08:09]
Jessica
Yeah, exactly. If they want to shake things up a little bit, if they get, like, a lot of Injuries, they have DeAndre Hopkins, but, like, yesterday, Travis Kelsey had four targets. They're not even using all the weapons they have. That's how many weapons they have on that team.
[08:20]
Billy Gill
I just. I just don't understand where the Bills go when they have their. Their postseason meeting and they all get together and their board of directors try to figure out, all right, what went wrong. The same thing went wrong again. Run it back, like, extend our record of being the only team to lose to this team this many times consecutively, and. And just hope that the math will work out for us in the postseason. At a certain point, you have to try to take control of your own destiny and do something about it. And so at least you can lay your head down at night and say, well, I tried something new this time.
[08:54]
Jessica
They should honestly probably bolster their defense, which is not what people want to hear or see for Josh Allen.
[09:00]
Dan LeBatard
One of their corners went out with a concussion, and then they were not able to play man coverage for the rest of the game.
[09:05]
Mike Ryan
But that. That is McDermott specialty is defense, and their defense is lousy.
[09:09]
Stugotz
What about the point that Jessica Just made that. We skipped right past. It would seem that your best corner against Mahomes would kind of be important and once he would go out, I suspect there are all sorts of ways that Andy Reid is taking advantage of that that we don't understand. That last play that they converted on third and nine, that's not coverable. They had three guys sweeping across the field running interference so that whoever was coverage, the linebacker just had no chance to. To do anything with what that play was. If you're playing with your backups, if they've had secondary issues all year, if the lion season falls apart because God, look what happened to their defense. Everyone's injured. I'm asking when they're that close and it's a spot, that's the difference. What's the drastic thing you would like them to do? You say Stefan Diggs getting rid of him is in the wrong direction. You want them to trade for a number one who is better than Shakir Ye.
[10:03]
Billy Gill
Yeah, yeah. Certainly that would help.
[10:06]
Mike Ryan
Yeah, I would.
[10:06]
Stugotz
Maybe.
[10:06]
Mike Ryan
Let's put some shoes on.
[10:08]
Stugotz
They're not having any problem with offense. They're not having problems with offense. They're fine on offense. They scored 28 points every time they play.
[10:16]
Dan LeBatard
The Chiefs was a little yoloy in the first quarter.
[10:19]
Stugotz
Agreed.
[10:20]
Jessica
Old Josh back yesterday. Early on.
[10:22]
Dan LeBatard
Yeah, they fixed it.
[10:23]
Billy Gill
I guess the answer is do.
[10:25]
Dan LeBatard
Do more.
[10:26]
Billy Gill
Do something different. Change it up. Don't. Don't have the talent overall. Go down in one off season. When you're trying to chase this team.
[10:33]
Jessica
Like it did you think Mack Hollins leaves the stadium in that outfit or he had a backup. He has to have a backup because he looked ridiculous.
[10:40]
Mike Ryan
He did.
[10:40]
Stugotz
You can't do your post game after that game wearing that outfit. That's not something that you can do. That. That catch he made that game was a lot of fun. And I believe that whatever disappointment there is about that game today is only because have some Chiefs fatigue that I'm hearing articulated more than I'm used to hearing winners get pulled down. Even though we did plenty of this with the Patriots.
[11:13]
Jessica
So what should the Bills do? Dan?
[11:15]
Stugotz
I just don't think they have to do anything drastic. I think they're pretty close. Like I think they're obviously a good team, indisputably a good team. And you know, everyone's losing to Mahomes. There aren't. There aren't front office moves that can be made by anybody that's topping Mahomes the last three years.
[11:33]
Billy Gill
I also want to give credit to Kansas City as we just like, try to wonder aloud.
[11:38]
Dan LeBatard
Yeah, we always give them credit. We want to give them more credit.
[11:41]
Billy Gill
We just picked apart a true point that, you know, top corner was out injured. Let's not omit the times that Patrick Mahomes had a really bad ankle and he still found a way to not only beat them, but beat Philadelphia in a Super Bowl. Let's not forget the time that he got knocked out of a divisional round game against Cleveland and Chad Henney had to make the plays down the stretch. They also got the benefit of a targeting penalty that didn't go against them. That should have been a touchdown. That might have changed the results to that game.
[12:04]
Dan LeBatard
To Dan's point, like, if they did do nothing, it would be defensible because they were that first down, fourth down call away from being like scoring in the game and winning the game. And that was a very bad call. I thought, I thought he had the first down pretty obviously. And then you're talking about a completely different outcome in this game and you're like, wow, what a great job they've done. Finally getting over the hump.
[12:26]
Billy Gill
You could, you could argue doing. Doing nothing and just hoping that your. Your luck changes is, is a move is a calculated risk. But I would say that these are desperate times now for Buffalo. You look at the, the playing style of your quarterback. You look at all the comps. He's constantly compared to Cam Newton, a guy that big, with that big of a frame that leans so much on his athleticism. Granted, he can throw the ball, but we're nearing the end of the. The window where we can count on that same sort of physical advantage for him. So if these are indeed desperate times, there's a cliche about that. What it calls for.
[13:02]
Stugotz
Billy was saying earlier that the Chiefs have a whole lot of weapons, and I don't think they do. I think their skill guys are worse among the last four teams. I didn't like their skill guys. Kelsey in this state, well, he was.
[13:17]
Mike Ryan
Great a week ago, I understood.
[13:18]
Stugotz
But in this state, over whatever have been the last 10 games of Kelsey, okay, at some point that body is going to break down with that kind of wear and tear. And so he can't. He can do it occasionally. 117 of their 177 passing yards, but consistently over the last 10 games, he has not done it. And there are other skill guys. Meh.
[13:40]
Jessica
But it doesn't matter. Like, they have so many options that they're serviceable enough for this system where JuJu Smith Schuster gets 60 yards in an AFC championship.
[13:49]
Dan LeBatard
JuJu Smith Schuster was there, second leading receiver in the Super Bowl.
[13:53]
Jessica
Hollywood Brown is there getting more receptions and more targets than Travis Kelsey. DeAndre Hopkins is on the team. He'd probably be like a two or three on most teams. He gets one one reception.
[14:03]
Stugotz
I've been saying this since Friday and I'm not real sure why it is that people aren't. Just the numbers of this are eluding people. Give me all of their big plays this season. Like, yes, they're great at 17 play drives and they're great at converting third and fives, but they are no longer the offense of like, I'm watching this team and they can beat me at any point because. Because anyone is going 40 yards or 50 yards on a play, they don't have that player. Worthy's not that player. He's super fast. He's done that once or twice this season. They don't have. They don't have what Philadelphia has, which, you know, you're 17 play drive. Here's a one play drive, but who cares? On the first play of the game, they're winning.
[14:43]
Jessica
Exactly. They lost one actual game this year. The last game of the regular season didn't count. They didn't have any of their players playing. The only game they lost was to the Bills this year. So, like, you might not like how they're doing it, but they're doing it more dominant than they have in other seasons. Just a different style. They've adapted.
[14:58]
Stugotz
You say who cares? I'm simply objecting to you telling me how much talent the Chiefs have. It's how much talent the Chiefs have at quarterback. On offense.
[15:07]
Mike Ryan
Well. And on defense.
[15:08]
Stugotz
On offense. On offense. It's how much talent the Chiefs have at quarterback. That was their first 30 point game of the entire season. Please look up for me all the other teams that haven't had a 31 point game this season. Like, look up all bad.
[15:25]
Billy Gill
They're all bad teams. The good teams don't get away with this.
[15:29]
Stugotz
There is no such thing arguing for.
[15:31]
Jessica
Style points and that determines what a good team is. The Dolphins scored 70 points in a game last year. They didn't do shit. So, like, what are we, what are we, like, actually arguing here?
[15:38]
Stugotz
I'm arguing what you're telling me that their skill guys are that great? They have so many weapons.
[15:43]
Mike Ryan
No, they have enough weapons.
[15:45]
Jessica
They have a depth of weapons. They don't have superstars, but they have enough serviceable pieces that they get the job done with.
[15:51]
Stugotz
Understood. But you're telling me that Shakir not a good enough number one receiver that the Bills need to get Josh Allen more help. And what I'm telling you is if they gave him the chief's health help.
[16:02]
Billy Gill
You'D be like, here's the list of.
[16:05]
Dan LeBatard
Teams you gave him Spags.
[16:06]
Billy Gill
The list of teams that did not score more than 30 points in a game. The New York Giants, the Las Vegas Raiders, the New England Patriots, the New York jets, and the Kansas City Chiefs. One of these things is not like the other.
[16:22]
Stugotz
I get that Patrick Mahomes is now doing the thing that the Patriots did, which is it doesn't actually matter what the pieces are, that they can just go get whatever.
[16:34]
Mike Ryan
We know we could do it the other way. We've seen them do it with Tyree Kill, so we know he has that in him. And now he's doing it a different, different way. As Billy said, that team in general is kind of rolling with whatever they have to do to. To win football games. And so now it's run and play defense.
[16:50]
Stugotz
Mike is making drastic changes to a team that you have to 173 in the postseason with Mahomes.
[16:56]
Jessica
But the strategy you want is just hope the Chiefs fall apart and then you can get past them eventually.
[17:02]
Stugotz
No, no, it's not the strategy. What I'm saying is everyone in that sport is strategizing to beat their know how to win, and nobody can do it whatever their strategies are. Like, there. There is. You're asking me for a strategy that doesn't exist. Like they have something at quarterback that no one else has.
[17:21]
Mike Ryan
But two quarterbacks have done it. Joe Burrow did it. Tom Brady did it. Two quarterbacks have been able to beat him in the postseason.
[17:27]
Stugotz
It doesn't mean that they don't lose. I'm saying that these two teams look the same to me.
[17:32]
Mike Ryan
Right.
[17:32]
Stugotz
And. And one of them, you all know, has a quarterback who's going to win at the end. And the other one has a history of losing that goes back 40 years.
[17:40]
Billy Gill
I just hope that they're thinking about it as much as we are. That like, if you wonder if the bull chase. And I don't think it's. I think it's not exactly not bold of them to decide, let's keep this unit together. I actually think that's kind of brave because four years in that sport is a very long time. Four years being told you're not good enough by the same team, losing pretty much the same way in the postseason. I mean, that would wear on you. And I just hope that it's not. Oh, just assumed. Yeah, let's just run it back. Let's bring everybody back. We'll finally get these guys. Because you're already in unchartered territory in terms of not being able to get those guys.
[18:15]
Jessica
Belichick would definitely take that job.
[18:17]
Mike Ryan
I mean, he would.
[18:18]
Jessica
Dan, we made a prediction on God bless football that Stefan Diggs is going to be on the Chiefs in two seasons.
[18:26]
Stugotz
The. The problem and the argument I would try to make on your behalf of they have to change something is that's as well as a football team can ever protect the football for an entire season. And they still lost like they were playing a fairly conservative style. For Josh Allen, that's grading on a curve, obviously, but it was all minimized mistakes. And you can't account for the mistake that the line judge is going to make when he runs in on 4th and 1 and he spots the ball in the. In the wrong spot. Like, there's just no. There's no accounting for that. You guys want me to put.
[19:08]
Mike Ryan
Somehow the Chiefs still would have won the game.
[19:10]
Poppy
I mean.
[19:10]
Stugotz
Yeah, I mean, that's pretty much. Even if they got it right, that's pretty much. Much where we are with the Chiefs, where if they indeed lose this game in the future, we will expect them to win it the next day somehow because the leagues overturned it or something. Something has happened the following day that changes the result we just saw because they're in this rarefied air of they're always going to win. We know they're going to win. We fear they're going to win on 3rd and N. Of course they're going to convert to end the game so we don't get to see Josh Allen again.
[19:39]
Jessica
The bill should hire Spags.
[19:41]
Stugotz
Wow.
[19:41]
Billy Gill
That's a great idea. That is. That is a phenomenon.
[19:46]
Stugotz
I can't believe no one else had that. I can't believe that you're the first person I've ever heard argue that Spags addition by subtraction.
[19:54]
Jessica
Because he comes in, he knows the Chiefs.
[19:56]
Billy Gill
You see the game a different way, my friend.
[19:57]
Jessica
That was up a blitz against Patrick Mahomes. See how he handles that situation at the end of the game.
[20:02]
Billy Gill
I'm honored to share the studio space with you.
[20:03]
Stugotz
You're brilliant. I've underestimated your brilliance. That is. You know what? I changed my mind. Fine. I'm not wrong about the point spread, but I am wrong about saying that the Bills don't have to make drastic changes. They have to go with Chris Cody's brilliant pioneering idea of Higher spacs.
[20:19]
Billy Gill
The point is profound because he has a cock.
[20:23]
Stugotz
I think that could have gone without saying. Chris or spags.
[20:29]
Mike Ryan
It's up to two and a half. Stagachi, I want to tell you a story. I'm serious here. My wife and my two daughters, they begged me to buy a peloton. So I bought a peloton. And then I watched that peloton sit in my office and stare at me. So you know what I did one day? I looked at it and so I decided to get off my ass and I jumped on the peloton because no one else was using it and I paid for it. I mean, so why not? Then I realized eventually that they bought it for me. And I got to tell you, way more challenging than I could have ever imagined. Peloton coaches are walking the walk. I love the coaches. I do the Grateful Dead one. It's fantastic. They have a sub 3 hour marathon runner, military trained athlete, a former college basketball player, and so many other well rounded coaches on their team. All this experience really shows in their classes, which are never short of challenging, especially for me. So I jumped on it that first time. It was challenging, more challenging than I thought. And then I wanted to beat the bike and so I kept jumping on it. And I absolutely love it. I mean, I'm the only one who uses it. But again, they got it for me. I mean, I had no idea. That's a little passive aggressive, don't you think? Find your push, find your power. With peloton@onepelaton.com hey, howdy listener.
[21:41]
Billy Gill
Why don't you sit down here next to me? Let's have a fireside conversation. In the winter, this is all theater of the mind. Anyways, weather outside is a little chilly. Let's warm up, let's cozy up. Not just to each other, but also to that beautiful white can of Miller Lite. That's right. Make these moments even better with Miller Light, the great tasting light beer for people who love beer. A new year is a perfect time for friends, family, and great tasting light beer tastes like Miller Time. You know, as the football games get bigger, everybody's talking about hosting parties. It's always difficult. Everyone's got an opinion. Why don't you just bring out a nice cooler of Miller lights and make everybody happy. You could be on opposite sides of the big game, but you still know that you are brought together by Miller Time. Miller Lite is a great unifier. Miller Lite is brewed for taste. It hits different than other light beers. The original light beer since 1975 and still the very best one Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan find delivery options near you or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
[22:51]
Mike Ryan
This is a message from sponsor Intuit. TurboTax Taxis was dealing with piles of paperwork and frustrating forms and then waiting and wondering and worrying if you were going to get any money back. NowTaxes is easily uploading your forms to a TurboTax expert who's matched to your unique tax situation. An expert who's backed by the latest technology which cross checks millions of Data points for 100% accuracy. While they work on your taxes, you get real time updates on their progress and then you get the most money back guaranteed. All while you go about your day. No stressing, no worrying, no waiting. Now this IS taxes Intuit TurboTax get an expert NAB on TurboTax.com only available with TurboTax live full service real time updates only in iOS mobile app. See guaranteed details at TurboTax.com guarantees Don LeBatard Bob Kraft the only reason your organization is good is because of Bill Belichick.
[23:47]
Stugotz
Stugats.
[23:48]
Mike Ryan
Belichick has done nothing since. Since Brady left. He made the playoffs once. I think at the very least he should not be a first ballot hall of Famer. They should make him wait like 10 years to get it. He's an overrated coach.
[24:00]
Poppy
This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.
[24:06]
Stugotz
Let me play some sound here.
[24:09]
Jessica
Just give it a couple of days.
[24:11]
Stugotz
Let me play some sound here from last night. My father, I, I learned this on air with everyone else. He's been saying a version of this story for several years and it turns out that there's a plot twist at the end. But let's hear. Poppy was bringing it last night. He was eating cashews by the shovel full.
[24:31]
Mike Ryan
That's what he does. Yeah.
[24:32]
Stugotz
And he was just filled with a lot of energy. And so he decided to talk for some reason about former Rams defensive end Fred Dreier.
[24:41]
Mike Ryan
Ah.
[24:42]
Stugotz
Can you tell us. I want me to hear the story that you're always telling people about Fred Dreier. The old, the old Rams defensive end Fred Dreier.
[24:52]
Poppy
Oh, that guy. Oh, I tell you one thing, I was impressed. The guy used to play for. What was it the Rams was a defensive end or an offensive end? And after his football career was over, he went on TV and he went into the business of selling salmons. You know, I guess he had a salmon product line of whatever. But the guy used to eat salmon. That's all the guy ate. You know, and he was. He was in real good shape. His cholesterol level was in tip top condition, and he was. You know, all his vital signs, they were right on. And I said, oh, my God, this guy is going to live forever. And he used to go on tv, on national tv, and shows and advertising products, you know, and one day I get up in the morning and I look at the news, and the guy dropped dead. I said, how the hell this guy could drop dead? You know, he's such a healthy nut. Well, that happened. So I stop eating salmon. That's it. I don't need salmon anymore.
[25:51]
Billy Gill
Let's clip. Get that out. Let's push that clip out.
[25:56]
Jessica
Did anyone kill Fred Dreyer?
[25:58]
Stugotz
My father did. Probably did.
[25:59]
Jessica
He's alive over years, right, Dan?
[26:01]
Billy Gill
This is a story he's told over.
[26:02]
Stugotz
10 minutes.
[26:03]
Billy Gill
Does your dad have Venmo?
[26:04]
Stugotz
Is Fred. Is Fred Dreyer still with us?
[26:06]
Jessica
78 years old.
[26:08]
Mike Ryan
Spring chicken.
[26:09]
Stugotz
Wait a minute. Let's go get Poppy back on. Let's go live to my father right now and get whatever information we. He's going to be stunned by this.
[26:15]
Mike Ryan
This.
[26:16]
Stugotz
Poppy, can you hear me out there? He's fiddling with his mic. On.
[26:21]
Jessica
Someone help him.
[26:21]
Stugotz
There's just an on and an off. Poppy. Look at everyone scurrying.
[26:25]
Billy Gill
Come on, gq.
[26:26]
Stugotz
A team of people are going running toward the Pat Riley statue.
[26:30]
Jessica
Thanks for helping, Taylor.
[26:32]
Stugotz
I'm being told that Fred Dryer is still alive.
[26:34]
Poppy
Nah, I don't believe that. My source told me he. He dropped dead a number of years ago. Check it out.
[26:41]
Billy Gill
Good it.
[26:41]
Stugotz
Dad. Check it. Good, guys. Dad. Dad, you've been saying for years that Fred Dryer dropped dead jogging after eating some salmon, that he had a bad ticker, and it's not true.
[26:53]
Poppy
Well, he had a bad ticker. Okay, Looks like we cannot blame it on the salmon. That was bad salmon. That was a bad ticker.
[27:00]
Jessica
Poppy, we're having salmon for dinner. Now it looks like.
[27:03]
Poppy
Stay away from salmon.
[27:05]
Billy Gill
Oh, it's back on the menu.
[27:08]
Stugotz
Dad. He's not dead. Dad, you've been saying for years that Fred Dreier is.
[27:12]
Poppy
Google the guy. You Google the guy, you will see what happened when you Googled the guy.
[27:24]
Stugotz
Mike has said that the chiefs can't keep getting away with this. And the thing I want to ask you guys is, can CBS keep getting away with this? What I'm about to say, which is they promoted yesterday Matlock with Kathy Bates as America's new favorite show. And I just don't believe that's true. I believe that it might be popular and that it might be good, but I believe that a lot of people can claim to be America's new favorite show. And there's no way to quantify. Well, there are ways to quantify that, but ratings are so difficult these days that 10 people can make that claim. Is Matlock indeed that popular?
[28:05]
Dan LeBatard
I think it probably does track. It probably does fit that criteria until FBI, CIA comes out. So they're just trying to say it while they can.
[28:15]
Billy Gill
Yeah, you can say things like fastest growing show where you can play with the math a little bit. But to call yourself America's new favorite show, you need to back that claim up.
[28:24]
Mike Ryan
It is the second most watched entertainment show on broadcast tv.
[28:29]
Stugotz
So that would make it. So what's first?
[28:31]
Billy Gill
Probably an older show, America's New.
[28:34]
Stugotz
So you can claim that.
[28:35]
Mike Ryan
Yeah, CBS always.
[28:36]
Billy Gill
CBS does that, and it's always quantifiable because the ratings bear it out.
[28:41]
Stugotz
One of the things they were also advertising is just simply a show called Ghosts. Just Ghosts.
[28:49]
Billy Gill
What's that about?
[28:50]
Mike Ryan
Sam Darnold.
[28:53]
Stugotz
Play that sound again of Sam Darnold and the announcers so we can ask Dugouts why he thought London Fletcher was calling a Vikings Rams game in Arizona. He's holding it too long. It, man.
[29:05]
Mike Ryan
I don't have an answer.
[29:07]
Stugotz
Do you think that's what London. It's my fault for not calling you on it. It didn't sound like London Fletcher. He's holding it too long. Just throw it, man. That didn't sound like a linebacker.
[29:18]
Mike Ryan
I was trying to make sure you were paying attention. You weren't. Yes.
[29:21]
Stugotz
Yes. Thank you. You got me. Speaking of television, I'm curious what you guys make of. In 2024, the Tom Brady roast was the most watched thing on netfl. Netflix's stock is surging. The last quarter, they made a ton of money, and it's at least in part because NFL, Tyson, Tom Brady Roast, they are getting in the game with so much money, WWE as well, that they're looking to change. They've been looking to change television and make Matlock and America's favorite new show be a thing of the past. That is one hell of a resurgence from sharing passwords and some of the problems that they were dealing with during the pandemic. Netflix having that kind of Year where the stock is surging with the last quarter that was record breaking because of live sports is super interesting.
[30:21]
Billy Gill
Imagine that they were catching L's left and right doing the same thing over and over again and they weren't getting the results and they had to do something drastic.
[30:31]
Stugotz
So do you guys have a suggestion on what this drastic thing is like?
[30:35]
Billy Gill
I like that. I like the replacing the head coach bags.
[30:38]
Stugotz
Replacing a head coach who's won 70% of his, 80% of his games, Dan.
[30:43]
Mike Ryan
It's a guy, they fired his defensive coordinator. They got rid of his offensive coordinator. Like, what's next? It's gotta be him, right? And if Bill Belichick is out there, and I do believe this is a job he would leave North Carolina for.
[30:55]
Billy Gill
Separate the two things because one of them is plausible and the other one is.
[30:58]
Mike Ryan
I'm not certain, Mike. I'm really. No, it's not a hot take. I'm not certain. Like, I'm not certain Belichick would pass up on the opportunity if offered to him, the bill to coach Josh Allen.
[31:08]
Billy Gill
It's just two separate conversations. You don't need to put them together.
[31:11]
Stugotz
You will not find another team. I do not believe that has what Buffalo and Josh Allen have, which is they keep winning a playoff game every year, but they never get to the Super Bowl.
[31:24]
Mike Ryan
Crazy.
[31:25]
Stugotz
Like, that's not, that's not something that you see a lot of. And so what Stugats is saying there is, I'm guessing that you're firing a coach who would have more one loss success than any coach who would usually get fired in any situation. And he's got to have the highest winning percentage in Bill's history over even Marv Levy, given how much he's won in Buffalo. Yes.
[31:51]
Mike Ryan
It's kind of similar to Marty Schottenheimer where he kept getting, you know, making playoff runs with the Chargers, but could never get to the Super Bowl. And eventually, and I think it was after an AFC Championship game, which they lost, eventually they fired him.
[32:05]
Dan LeBatard
Yeah, well, they hired Steve Belichick.
[32:07]
Stugotz
They went 15 and one too. But Marty Schottenheimer wasn't running into the same one problem at quarterback every year in Kansas City.
[32:17]
Jessica
Wait, hold on a second. So if Bill Belichick leaves North Carolina, like Stugotz is reporting, he's going to do to go to Buffalo. Is Steve the head coach already at Carolina? Yeah, because wasn't that set up for him to take over when Bill was done? If Bill never coaches a game to still Steve still get the gig immediately.
[32:34]
Billy Gill
Let Me rummage under my desk. Hang on.
[32:37]
Stugotz
Can you do me the favor, Chris Cody, of telling me what McDermott's winning percentage is at in Buffalo regular season?
[32:46]
Jessica
656. Mark Levy, 615 in the. What'd I say? Oh, my bad. It's Marv.
[32:52]
Mike Ryan
Marv? Yeah.
[32:53]
Jessica
In the playoffs. Don't do that one.
[32:55]
Mike Ryan
Marv Levy.
[32:55]
Jessica
Yeah.
[32:56]
Mike Ryan
Over.
[32:56]
Jessica
500.
[32:57]
Mike Ryan
McDermott.
[32:58]
Jessica
Seven and seven in the playoffs.
[33:00]
Stugotz
Put it on the poll, please. Juju. Are we still making Marvs at LeBatard show? Because it's been a while. It feels like Marvin's naming a baby Marvin. Calling a baby Marvin doesn't feel quite right. Let's see what we have under Mike Bryan's desk here.
[33:18]
Mike Ryan
Oh. Oh, boy.
[33:20]
Billy Gill
I have a question for you. What's the question?
[33:24]
Stugotz
Yeah.
[33:24]
Jessica
Someone has to ask him something.
[33:25]
Billy Gill
Yeah, the coach. I'm waiting.
[33:26]
Mike Ryan
If Belichick leaves now, does Steve Belichick automatically get the Carolina Jackson?
[33:30]
Billy Gill
I think the implication is Belichick has to retire. If he takes another job, Steve goes with him.
[33:36]
Jessica
Really? Oh, implication.
[33:38]
Stugotz
That's what he said. He's reporting an implication as our North Carolina insider.
[33:42]
Jessica
Binding.
[33:43]
Stugotz
It seems flimsy. It doesn't seem terrible.
[33:45]
Jessica
I think you would have given Feinbaum that answer.
[33:48]
Stugotz
It doesn't seem very. It doesn't have a lot of nutrients, that particular answer. But it would make sense that Belichick would have to coach an actual game before his son gets handed the program.
[33:57]
Jessica
Well, he signed the other day.
[34:00]
Mike Ryan
You should have held out.
[34:01]
Stugotz
I understand that you guys can point out a number of legal discrepancies here. I'm going to go ahead and say do your.
[34:08]
Billy Gill
Your own worst enemy here.
[34:09]
Stugotz
I'm not bringing it up.
[34:10]
Billy Gill
You had like. You had like. You're the first guy to the plausible take. Like, should they look at the head coach thing and you're mudding the waters with this Billichek thing. Like, you have the good take.
[34:19]
Mike Ryan
I said spags as well, but here's another take.
[34:21]
Billy Gill
Wow. Spags.
[34:22]
Mike Ryan
We're getting dangerously. We're getting dangerously close to Andy Reid being the guy they call the greatest coach in NFL history. Belichick may want to come back and stop that. I'm just saying. Just saying.
[34:34]
Jessica
Marv Harrison Jr. Doesn't feel right.
[34:37]
Mike Ryan
Wow.
[34:39]
Stugotz
No one else is saying anywhere in the American sports media that you fire the head coach who has a near 70% winning percentage because you need to get over the hump and do something drastic. And the drastic thing would be firing a coach with that kind of winning percentage.
[34:55]
Jessica
But no one Thinks thinks the winning percentage is because of him is the biggest thing.
[34:59]
Billy Gill
I'm never really impressed with him. Like, his, his decision making in some of these games has been hot and cold. I don't know, dude. Like, I just hope, like I said, I hope they're having the conversation okay. And I hope it's not just like, yeah, everybody's bringing. We're going to run it back right? Because running it back, right, Looking to a room full of people that have experienced the first type of successive failure in NFL history, that seems insane to me.
[35:24]
Stugotz
So you say, though, that I'm never really impressed. And all I've been doing for two weeks is articulating some form at 56 years old, covering sports for a while of just complete confusion as to how that quarterback can be coached to never turn the ball over. So you say you're not impressed. And I'm saying, good Lord. On his watch, Josh Allen went from someone I thought was terrible at quarterback to running a team that has fewer turnovers than any in the sport. And you're telling me not that linesman's got to call that differently. McDermott unimpressed. And I'm like, okay, okay. And it's hard to get past Mahomes by a yard.
[36:07]
Billy Gill
Who. I think I know the answer to this, but when there is an important play that needs to be called for the Buffalo Bills, most times it's Josh, do something. And the ball stays in Josh's hands. Yeah, we know with Patrick Mahomes, even at this age, his go to guy is Travis Kelce. Now, I think possibly the go to guy for Josh Allen right now is Khalil Shakir. But Patrick Mahomes guy is an all timer. I feel like, yeah, no bad ideas. Tyreek Hill, like T. Higgins, anything. Who's available, who's unavailable. Let's get crazy. Let's throw everything for Justin Jeff. Like something crazy, something good, something. Game change.
[36:48]
Stugotz
All right, so there was an anonymous exec quoted as saying the Patriots are interested inter division trade for Tyree Kill. If Tyree Kill is indeed available, you'd be welcoming again because you've got the same problem. You got to go to Kansas City and beat Mahomes, you'd be welcoming again what you did with Stefan Diggs. The drastic change after Stefan Diggs was, you know how we make Josh a better quarterback? We mix it up and give him no number one receivers. We give him a bunch of different options the way Mahomes has a bunch of different options, and we get him to play a more careful Game. Now you're going back. So we're doing what teams do all the time organizationally, when they can't figure something out. We'll go from a coach who's tough to a coach who's a player's coach to back to a coach who's tough. So now we're going back to the number one, Stefon Diggs, disgruntled receiver who might be available.
[37:36]
Mike Ryan
You keep trying until you find a combination that works.
[37:38]
Stugotz
Okay, But Mahomes is the problem. It's not in your locker room. The problem is in another locker room room.
[37:44]
Mike Ryan
So you give up.
[37:45]
Stugotz
You don't give up. You can keep changing. I just say tinkering versus drastic. I say they're obviously close. Like, they're indisputably right there. And you're telling me they need another number one receiver. I'm like, okay, welcome Tyreek Hill in there. Make sure he doesn't get a thousand yards. See how that goes.
[38:03]
Billy Gill
Okay. I understand mentioning Tyreek Hill as a possible solution is inflammatory, and you've done well to seize on that. But I'm saying. Saying we're close. We're right. There is something that that franchise has famously dealt with its entire history and what it's known for, and I would say they need to have a conversation. Ownership on down. Buck stops here. What can we do to make sure we're not even getting a shittier version of what we got in the early 90s?
[38:28]
Stugotz
You're right about this because the Heat were close and then they weren't. And it happened while we were watching them be close. Sometimes that's not quite enough. You need something else to put you over the top. But it's really difficult to do what the Panthers did, what the Celtics did.
[38:47]
Mike Ryan
It's.
[38:47]
Stugotz
It's. That's what the. Yes, the Celtics. The Celtics did what it is that you had to do. And it was unpopular. I just don't know. When you say drastic change, you sort of have to tell me what it is, because firing a coach would be. Firing a coach with that winning percentage would be drastic.
[39:06]
Jessica
Why are we crazy for thinking they should think about changing the coach or get him more offensive weapons? Like they need to do something.
[39:12]
Mike Ryan
Well, they need someone on defense. Like Max Crosby would be a guy.
[39:15]
Billy Gill
Well, they have to. They have to pay Rousseau, who might be in the conversation for highest paid guy on the defensive line in the league now.
[39:22]
Dan LeBatard
Miami guy.
[39:24]
Jessica
What I would give to be as close as the Bills.
[39:27]
Mike Ryan
Oh, yeah. Just once. Yes.
[39:29]
Dan LeBatard
It's terrible.
[39:29]
Jessica
This was.
[39:30]
Dan LeBatard
Feels like The Steelers experience with. And in my head, I was like, well, as soon as Tom Brady retires, it's going to be wide open. Any team can win the afc. When that happens, when the Patriots dynasty ends, who knows? We'll have the Texans in a Super Bowl. The Steelers will win another Super Bowl. The limit is endless.
[39:51]
Billy Gill
No, it's easy to say we're right there, because Buffalo's not alone in saying we're right there. Hell, a team that missed the playoffs in Cincinnati can already. And they've actually had success in the postseason against Kansas City and Baltimore. We were right there. Baltimore, we're right there. You got to keep those guys away because the gulf between those teams is shrinking, and you have to chase down the greatest of all time, potentially.
[40:14]
Jessica
You trade Tyreek Hill, right? Given the option, you trade Tyree Kill.
[40:17]
Billy Gill
I think it's time to get away from it. No, that wouldn't even be the target. I'm just throwing names out there.
[40:21]
Jessica
The Dolphins take one Tiger kill. You can have it.
[40:23]
Billy Gill
Seems like it's a problem the Buffalo, though.
[40:25]
Jessica
Better too early than too late. Late with him, right?
[40:27]
Stugotz
I mean, it's already at too late.
[40:29]
Jessica
I know. That's why you got to do it now before it's really too late. Because now you're like, no, no, no. The wrist thing. No, no. He had a knee thing. Knee procedure. Yeah. No, no, See, no.
[40:37]
Billy Gill
What do you want?
[40:37]
Jessica
He's gonna be back next year.
[40:39]
Billy Gill
What can I give you for my cabins, you guys? Let's make a deal, you guys.
[40:43]
Jessica
That's an interesting piece, Dan. Mike Evans.
[40:45]
Stugotz
Yeah, sure. Yeah. Everybody would want him.
[40:48]
Mike Ryan
Thank you for your Jefferson.
[40:50]
Jessica
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[40:51]
Billy Gill
Maybe the court quarterbacks a problem. Let's trade Josh Allen.
[40:53]
Jessica
Oh, King's Ransom you can get for Josh Allen.
[40:57]
Billy Gill
Totally.
[40:57]
Jessica
That's drastic. That's drastic.
[40:59]
Billy Gill
No bad ideas.
[41:00]
Jessica
No one was giving you drastic suggestions.
[41:02]
Stugotz
That's.
[41:02]
Jessica
That's drastic, Dan.
[41:03]
Billy Gill
There are no bad ideas here. What I'm saying is what cannot happen.
[41:07]
Jessica
Back away.
[41:07]
Billy Gill
Is everyone just hopping on the bus having a. Like a team meeting? All right, we'll get them next year. That cannot happen.
[41:12]
Jessica
Do you think that if the Bills called the Chiefs and said, we will trade you Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes.
[41:19]
Billy Gill
The Chiefs would say, no, I 100% believe that, you guys.
[41:25]
Stugotz
The reason that is both a ridiculous thing to offer me today and also something that I think is funny to look at, that I think gets ignored when you guys keep doing this. They need to do something. They need to do something. The way the culture of sports argument is that we find blame, criticize, and the next day is not about celebrating the winner, it's about blaming the loser. Yeah, I really think that it ignores the historic greatness of Patrick Mahomes that you guys keep telling me. Need to do something when it's what every franchise was saying when Michael Jordan played and it's what every franchise was saying when Tom Brady played. And there's a new one here now on need to do something. Oh, can't do anything. We're gonna lose every single time no matter what we do.
[42:17]
Mike Ryan
Burrow for Alan Belichick.
[42:22]
Jessica
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Summary6 min read

Podcast Title: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: The Big Suey: Do The Bills Need To Do Something Drastic?
Release Date: January 27, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan LeBatard, Stugotz, Mike Ryan, Billy Gill, and Jessica delve deep into the ongoing performance struggles of the Buffalo Bills. Centered around the pressing question—Do the Bills need to implement drastic changes?—the panel examines the team's recent playoff losses, quarterback dynamics, coaching strategies, and potential front-office moves to assess whether a significant overhaul is necessary for Buffalo to finally secure a Super Bowl title.

Josh Allen: The Franchise QB

Josh Allen emerges as a focal point in the discussion. Despite his impressive statistics and status as the MVP of the league, Allen has stumbled in critical postseason matchups, notably losing four times to the Kansas City Chiefs. The hosts express sympathy for Allen, acknowledging his talent but questioning whether his current trajectory is sufficient to lead the Bills to their first Super Bowl.

Stugotz (02:58): "I can't tell you what a tribute and honor it is that the Buffalo Bills have somebody who is very clearly and obviously the MVP of the league... but the strategy is still, let me hand the ball off to James Cook here because I don't want that other quarterback to be having the ball too much."
Billy Gill (04:32): "He'd be like a two or three on most teams. He gets one reception."

Coaching Conundrum: Sean McDermott’s Future

The panel debates whether Sean McDermott, the Bills' head coach, should remain at the helm given the team's recurring postseason disappointments. While McDermott boasts a high regular-season winning percentage, his playoff record against elite teams like the Chiefs raises questions about his effectiveness in critical games.

Mike Ryan (05:43): "He's been unable to get them a Super Bowl. And in that spot... how big that play call is."
Stugotz (11:13): "I just don't think they have to do anything drastic. I think they're pretty close. Like I think they're obviously a good team, indisputably a good team."

However, others argue that maintaining the status quo may prevent the Bills from overcoming their hurdle against Kansas City.

Billy Gill (06:28): "Buffalo is at that point where they have to do something drastic."

Offensive Strategy: Balancing Act

The Bills' offensive strategy under Allen is scrutinized, particularly their reliance on handoffs and the limited use of significant offensive plays. While the team consistently scores points, the lack of explosive plays compared to opponents' strategies, especially the Chiefs', is seen as a potential weakness.

Stugotz (04:58): "Josh Allen went from someone I thought was terrible at quarterback to running a team that has fewer turnovers than any in the sport."
Billy Gill (08:54): "They should honestly probably bolster their defense, which is not what people want to hear or see for Josh Allen."

The discussion highlights the need for a more dynamic offense that can compete against high-powered defenses like Kansas City's.

Defensive Concerns and Potential Enhancements

While the Bills are strong offensively, their defense has shown vulnerabilities, particularly in critical moments. Injuries to key defensive players and inconsistent performance against top-tier offenses are cited as areas needing improvement.

Jessica (08:54): "They should honestly probably bolster their defense, which is not what people want to hear or see for Josh Allen."
Stugotz (10:02): "Maybe they're not having any problem with offense. They scored 28 points every time they play."

The hosts suggest that enhancing the defensive lineup could provide the necessary support to secure victories in high-stakes games.

Potential Front-Office Moves: Trades and Acquisitions

The conversation explores the possibility of significant trades or acquisitions to address the Bills' shortcomings. Ideas range from acquiring top-tier receivers to potentially bringing in experienced coaching talents.

Stugotz (19:40): "I can't believe no one else had that. I can't believe that you're the first person I've ever heard argue that Spags addition by subtraction."
Billy Gill (40:52): "Do you think that if the Bills called the Chiefs and said, we will trade you Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes?"

Though some suggestions, like trading Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes, are deemed unrealistic, the underlying sentiment is that bold moves may be necessary to propel the Bills forward.

Comparisons to the Kansas City Chiefs

A significant portion of the discussion contrasts the Bills' strategies with those of the Chiefs, particularly focusing on Patrick Mahomes' unparalleled performance and the Chiefs' versatile playbook. The Chiefs are lauded for their ability to adapt and execute under pressure, making them a formidable opponent that the Bills have yet to overcome in playoff scenarios.

Stugotz (38:02): "All right, so there was an anonymous exec quoted as saying the Patriots are interested inter division trade for Tyree Hill..."
Jessica (41:18): "Do you think that if the Bills called the Chiefs and said, we will trade you Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes."

The Chiefs' continuous evolution and strategic flexibility are highlighted as benchmarks that the Bills need to aspire to in order to elevate their own game.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for the Bills

The episode wraps up with mixed perspectives on whether the Bills should enact drastic changes. While some hosts advocate for bold moves like restructuring the coaching staff or making significant trades, others believe that the current trajectory, with minor tweaks, could still lead to success. The consensus leans towards acknowledging the Bills' potential while emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments to break through their playoff barrier.

Stugotz (11:13): "I just don't think they have to do anything drastic. I think they're pretty close."
Billy Gill (38:27): "I think it's time to get away from it. No, that wouldn't even be the target."

Ultimately, the panel underscores the importance of proactive decision-making to ensure the Bills capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses, paving the way for a future Super Bowl appearance.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Stugotz (02:58):
"I can't tell you what a tribute and honor it is that the Buffalo Bills have somebody who is very clearly and obviously the MVP of the league..."
Mike Ryan (05:43):
"He's been unable to get them a Super Bowl. And in that spot... how big that play call is."
Billy Gill (06:28):
"Buffalo is at that point where they have to do something drastic."
Jessica (08:54):
"They should honestly probably bolster their defense, which is not what people want to hear or see for Josh Allen."
Stugotz (19:40):
"I can't believe no one else had that. I can't believe that you're the first person I've ever heard argue that Spags addition by subtraction."
Billy Gill (40:52):
"Do you think that if the Bills called the Chiefs and said, we will trade you Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes?"
Stugotz (11:13):
"I just don't think they have to do anything drastic. I think they're pretty close."

This comprehensive analysis provides listeners with an in-depth understanding of the Buffalo Bills' current standing, the challenges they face, and the potential strategies they might employ to overcome their postseason hurdles. Whether you’re a die-hard Bills fan or just a sports enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the NFL's most intriguing storylines.

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[00:02]
Dan LeBatard
You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network. Ever since switching to T Mobile, something weird has been happening. I get to cut lines.
[00:16]
Stugotz
Oh, right this way.
[00:17]
Dan LeBatard
Who, me? I can stream shows at 30,000ft and.
[00:23]
Mike Ryan
I was able to buy reserve tickets.
[00:25]
Dan LeBatard
For my favorite band.
[00:27]
Billy Gill
It's not just you.
[00:28]
Stugotz
With T Mobile, everyone can get VIP status. That means access to exclusive events and experiences just for being a customer. At t mobile. VIP means y o u check out the VIP treatment@t mobile.com benefits.
[00:42]
Jessica
You know that sound? It's the sound of money hitting your Venmo account. A friend paying you back. Or maybe it's getting cash back from your favorite business when you pay with the Venmo debit card. Or it's realizing you can pay with Venmo at checkout at thousands of brands. Now there are so many more ways to answer the question. What's your Venmo? Download Venmo Today the Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to license by MasterCard International incorporate DOSH cashback terms apply.
[01:14]
Mike Ryan
Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings.
[01:18]
Stugotz
Why are you listening to this show?
[01:19]
Mike Ryan
The podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBatard podcast? I'm sorry, I'm not going to apologize for that. In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging.
[01:28]
Stugotz
I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries that if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys.
[01:36]
Mike Ryan
I've done it. And now here's the marching man to nowhere Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.
[01:43]
Jessica
This episode of the Dan Lebartard show with Stugotz is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.
[01:48]
Stugotz
Are the rest of you supporting some sort of movement that calls it the Frankie Louvre rule of just keep at the goal line jumping over the tush push or trying to get an offsides call because you're trying to perfectly time the other team getting an inch in a rugby scrum. I said this last night stugats and I do think it's really dumb. There are 11 minutes of actual action in a three hour football game.
[02:16]
Mike Ryan
But the action is great.
[02:17]
Stugotz
I know, but so much of the 11 minutes is let's try and get this push on a rugby scrum on second and one on third and inches. Let's do this two or three times and just let clock run out because all we're doing is let's just have all the fat guys push in this direction and see if we can get half a yard.
[02:37]
Billy Gill
Yeah. That's why I'm a little confused by it because you always speak to the gladiator spectacle of football and the gridiron. You're, you know, a cyclone of menace and horror. You're so good with words. And there is nothing more true about that than a short yardage situation where it's wheel against will. Mono a mano.
[02:55]
Stugotz
You like watching that. You like watching 4th and short for an inch.
[02:58]
Billy Gill
I was cap on championship Sunday.
[03:00]
Mike Ryan
Yeah.
[03:01]
Billy Gill
Every single short yardage situation was captivating because these you believe that the team could actually stop it in the regular season. Bodies don't find the willpower on the opposite side to put up a fight. Now, Washington was doing very creative things trying to time the snap down and was very clearly getting to Philadelphia. So much so that they switched up the cadence, which led to hilarity, basically a 15 minute down.
[03:27]
Stugotz
The thing is though, Mike, I'm watching the will and the gladiator and all of that stuff. And then it's an old guy deciding he's just gonna put the ball wherever he thinks it should have gone.
[03:36]
Billy Gill
We'll fix that.
[03:37]
Stugotz
We will.
[03:38]
Billy Gill
Yeah, I do think so. I think in our lifetimes, we're going to fix that.
[03:41]
Mike Ryan
How about Josh Allen? Well, is he still going to be around or he won't be in his prime? No.
[03:49]
Stugotz
Do you feel bad for him today because he played well enough to win the game as he has. He's lost four times to them and his statistics are better than they are when he's four and one or three and one against them in the regular season.
[04:00]
Billy Gill
Yeah, I'm sick for him. I'm sick for him because like I said, he'd be Mahomes. It wouldn't. It's not a championship, it's not a Super bowl appearance. And it's kind of like Dan Marino in that everyone realizes this guy's the frigging man, he's awesome. He's not the problem. It's everything else. And everything else is largely somebody else. One individual that is just a little bit better at it, just a little bit more clutch, even though he's been pretty damn clutch and he's made the throws, his surrounding cast hasn't been as clutch.
[04:33]
Stugotz
I can't tell you what a tribute and honor it is that the Buffalo Bills have somebody who is very clearly and obviously the MVP of the league. And the strategy is still, let me hand the ball off to James Cook here because I don't want that other quarterback to be having the ball too Much like It's, you want McDermott fired, right? Didn't you come in here today with McDermott? Bye. Bye.
[04:58]
Mike Ryan
Like, he's, I mean, he has this, you know, this all time talent at quarterback and he's been unable to get them a Super Bowl. And in that spot again where it's, you know, it's fourth and inches and you're up a point and you're trying to close out the Chiefs on the road to finally get yourself to a Super bowl. You don't realize how big that play call is. You don't realize the size of the moment there. Like, Dan, you can't just run the same play you just ran. You can't do it. There's too much at risk. At risk there. And so I think Belichick should take over that job. I think there's still a chance for Belichick to win this battle against Brady if he goes to Buffalo. Okay. And he is the guy that gets Josh Allen over the hump past Kansas City and to the super bowl and then wins it. Forget it. He wins.
[05:43]
Billy Gill
I mean, I was, I was really following the take and I really liked it before we went off into crazy land with belichick. But the McDermott thing, like, like it is something that you have to consider. No, we've seen sports teams realize pretty emphatically like, we're just not good enough. What are we going to do to drastically change this situation? All Buffalo did in its off season to drastically change its situation was get rid of offensive talent. Like they're, they're recent examples. Grady Little being, you know, not brought back. Paul Maurice being in a Matthew Tkachuk trade for the Florida Panthers because they realize in a small window, like, we're never going to get past those guys unless we do something drastic. Buffalo is at that point where they have to do something drastic.
[06:29]
Stugotz
Are they?
[06:29]
Billy Gill
Because they keep doing the same thing. What is the very definition of insanity?
[06:32]
Stugotz
Okay. Are they, though? Because you guys are telling me a team I know to be good, you're telling me that I need to do something drastic about the fact that they lost by three points in a game where the ball wasn't spotted correctly. They need to do something drastic. When Kincaid doesn't catch a ball that he needs to catch.
[06:52]
Billy Gill
Yes, But I would say that losing four times in a row to one quarterback is drastic. We've never seen it, but they also.
[07:00]
Dan LeBatard
Have beaten him in the regular season. I think that's what's so frustrating is it's not like they're. He's like 0 and 8 against Patrick Mahomes. It's like they. Yeah, they've won the regular season.
[07:09]
Jessica
It's crazy.
[07:10]
Dan LeBatard
In the playoffs, they can't. The playoffs. That's why they should hire Spags to cut them off at the knees. And then you have Spags win, win for everyone.
[07:18]
Stugotz
You say, do something drastic, but I thought getting rid of Stefan Diggs was doing something.
[07:22]
Mike Ryan
It wasn't enough.
[07:23]
Jessica
But in the wrong direction. Right. Like they want. We want drastic, positive, like, drastic addition. Not drastic, but subtraction. That still somehow they ended up in virtually the same spot.
[07:33]
Stugotz
I would say that it helps to have Patrick Mahomes, because I'm watching an interview with DeAndre Hopkins playing in his first super bowl, and I'm like, what's the difference at this point between DeAndre Hopkins and Amari Cooper? What's the difference between those two people? Because it. The Bills got Josh Allen something like what the Chiefs got. I mean, I would say I'd rather have Amari Cooper right now than DeAndre Hopkins. Nobody wanted DeAndre Hopkins the last couple.
[07:59]
Jessica
Of weeks, including the Chiefs. The last couple of weeks, they haven't thrown the ball, like, two times. He's just an extra weapon in case that he's there for funsies. Honestly, if they want to kind of.
[08:08]
Mike Ryan
He's there for the ring.
[08:09]
Jessica
Yeah, exactly. If they want to shake things up a little bit, if they get, like, a lot of Injuries, they have DeAndre Hopkins, but, like, yesterday, Travis Kelsey had four targets. They're not even using all the weapons they have. That's how many weapons they have on that team.
[08:20]
Billy Gill
I just. I just don't understand where the Bills go when they have their. Their postseason meeting and they all get together and their board of directors try to figure out, all right, what went wrong. The same thing went wrong again. Run it back, like, extend our record of being the only team to lose to this team this many times consecutively, and. And just hope that the math will work out for us in the postseason. At a certain point, you have to try to take control of your own destiny and do something about it. And so at least you can lay your head down at night and say, well, I tried something new this time.
[08:54]
Jessica
They should honestly probably bolster their defense, which is not what people want to hear or see for Josh Allen.
[09:00]
Dan LeBatard
One of their corners went out with a concussion, and then they were not able to play man coverage for the rest of the game.
[09:05]
Mike Ryan
But that. That is McDermott specialty is defense, and their defense is lousy.
[09:09]
Stugotz
What about the point that Jessica Just made that. We skipped right past. It would seem that your best corner against Mahomes would kind of be important and once he would go out, I suspect there are all sorts of ways that Andy Reid is taking advantage of that that we don't understand. That last play that they converted on third and nine, that's not coverable. They had three guys sweeping across the field running interference so that whoever was coverage, the linebacker just had no chance to. To do anything with what that play was. If you're playing with your backups, if they've had secondary issues all year, if the lion season falls apart because God, look what happened to their defense. Everyone's injured. I'm asking when they're that close and it's a spot, that's the difference. What's the drastic thing you would like them to do? You say Stefan Diggs getting rid of him is in the wrong direction. You want them to trade for a number one who is better than Shakir Ye.
[10:03]
Billy Gill
Yeah, yeah. Certainly that would help.
[10:06]
Mike Ryan
Yeah, I would.
[10:06]
Stugotz
Maybe.
[10:06]
Mike Ryan
Let's put some shoes on.
[10:08]
Stugotz
They're not having any problem with offense. They're not having problems with offense. They're fine on offense. They scored 28 points every time they play.
[10:16]
Dan LeBatard
The Chiefs was a little yoloy in the first quarter.
[10:19]
Stugotz
Agreed.
[10:20]
Jessica
Old Josh back yesterday. Early on.
[10:22]
Dan LeBatard
Yeah, they fixed it.
[10:23]
Billy Gill
I guess the answer is do.
[10:25]
Dan LeBatard
Do more.
[10:26]
Billy Gill
Do something different. Change it up. Don't. Don't have the talent overall. Go down in one off season. When you're trying to chase this team.
[10:33]
Jessica
Like it did you think Mack Hollins leaves the stadium in that outfit or he had a backup. He has to have a backup because he looked ridiculous.
[10:40]
Mike Ryan
He did.
[10:40]
Stugotz
You can't do your post game after that game wearing that outfit. That's not something that you can do. That. That catch he made that game was a lot of fun. And I believe that whatever disappointment there is about that game today is only because have some Chiefs fatigue that I'm hearing articulated more than I'm used to hearing winners get pulled down. Even though we did plenty of this with the Patriots.
[11:13]
Jessica
So what should the Bills do? Dan?
[11:15]
Stugotz
I just don't think they have to do anything drastic. I think they're pretty close. Like I think they're obviously a good team, indisputably a good team. And you know, everyone's losing to Mahomes. There aren't. There aren't front office moves that can be made by anybody that's topping Mahomes the last three years.
[11:33]
Billy Gill
I also want to give credit to Kansas City as we just like, try to wonder aloud.
[11:38]
Dan LeBatard
Yeah, we always give them credit. We want to give them more credit.
[11:41]
Billy Gill
We just picked apart a true point that, you know, top corner was out injured. Let's not omit the times that Patrick Mahomes had a really bad ankle and he still found a way to not only beat them, but beat Philadelphia in a Super Bowl. Let's not forget the time that he got knocked out of a divisional round game against Cleveland and Chad Henney had to make the plays down the stretch. They also got the benefit of a targeting penalty that didn't go against them. That should have been a touchdown. That might have changed the results to that game.
[12:04]
Dan LeBatard
To Dan's point, like, if they did do nothing, it would be defensible because they were that first down, fourth down call away from being like scoring in the game and winning the game. And that was a very bad call. I thought, I thought he had the first down pretty obviously. And then you're talking about a completely different outcome in this game and you're like, wow, what a great job they've done. Finally getting over the hump.
[12:26]
Billy Gill
You could, you could argue doing. Doing nothing and just hoping that your. Your luck changes is, is a move is a calculated risk. But I would say that these are desperate times now for Buffalo. You look at the, the playing style of your quarterback. You look at all the comps. He's constantly compared to Cam Newton, a guy that big, with that big of a frame that leans so much on his athleticism. Granted, he can throw the ball, but we're nearing the end of the. The window where we can count on that same sort of physical advantage for him. So if these are indeed desperate times, there's a cliche about that. What it calls for.
[13:02]
Stugotz
Billy was saying earlier that the Chiefs have a whole lot of weapons, and I don't think they do. I think their skill guys are worse among the last four teams. I didn't like their skill guys. Kelsey in this state, well, he was.
[13:17]
Mike Ryan
Great a week ago, I understood.
[13:18]
Stugotz
But in this state, over whatever have been the last 10 games of Kelsey, okay, at some point that body is going to break down with that kind of wear and tear. And so he can't. He can do it occasionally. 117 of their 177 passing yards, but consistently over the last 10 games, he has not done it. And there are other skill guys. Meh.
[13:40]
Jessica
But it doesn't matter. Like, they have so many options that they're serviceable enough for this system where JuJu Smith Schuster gets 60 yards in an AFC championship.
[13:49]
Dan LeBatard
JuJu Smith Schuster was there, second leading receiver in the Super Bowl.
[13:53]
Jessica
Hollywood Brown is there getting more receptions and more targets than Travis Kelsey. DeAndre Hopkins is on the team. He'd probably be like a two or three on most teams. He gets one one reception.
[14:03]
Stugotz
I've been saying this since Friday and I'm not real sure why it is that people aren't. Just the numbers of this are eluding people. Give me all of their big plays this season. Like, yes, they're great at 17 play drives and they're great at converting third and fives, but they are no longer the offense of like, I'm watching this team and they can beat me at any point because. Because anyone is going 40 yards or 50 yards on a play, they don't have that player. Worthy's not that player. He's super fast. He's done that once or twice this season. They don't have. They don't have what Philadelphia has, which, you know, you're 17 play drive. Here's a one play drive, but who cares? On the first play of the game, they're winning.
[14:43]
Jessica
Exactly. They lost one actual game this year. The last game of the regular season didn't count. They didn't have any of their players playing. The only game they lost was to the Bills this year. So, like, you might not like how they're doing it, but they're doing it more dominant than they have in other seasons. Just a different style. They've adapted.
[14:58]
Stugotz
You say who cares? I'm simply objecting to you telling me how much talent the Chiefs have. It's how much talent the Chiefs have at quarterback. On offense.
[15:07]
Mike Ryan
Well. And on defense.
[15:08]
Stugotz
On offense. On offense. It's how much talent the Chiefs have at quarterback. That was their first 30 point game of the entire season. Please look up for me all the other teams that haven't had a 31 point game this season. Like, look up all bad.
[15:25]
Billy Gill
They're all bad teams. The good teams don't get away with this.
[15:29]
Stugotz
There is no such thing arguing for.
[15:31]
Jessica
Style points and that determines what a good team is. The Dolphins scored 70 points in a game last year. They didn't do shit. So, like, what are we, what are we, like, actually arguing here?
[15:38]
Stugotz
I'm arguing what you're telling me that their skill guys are that great? They have so many weapons.
[15:43]
Mike Ryan
No, they have enough weapons.
[15:45]
Jessica
They have a depth of weapons. They don't have superstars, but they have enough serviceable pieces that they get the job done with.
[15:51]
Stugotz
Understood. But you're telling me that Shakir not a good enough number one receiver that the Bills need to get Josh Allen more help. And what I'm telling you is if they gave him the chief's health help.
[16:02]
Billy Gill
You'D be like, here's the list of.
[16:05]
Dan LeBatard
Teams you gave him Spags.
[16:06]
Billy Gill
The list of teams that did not score more than 30 points in a game. The New York Giants, the Las Vegas Raiders, the New England Patriots, the New York jets, and the Kansas City Chiefs. One of these things is not like the other.
[16:22]
Stugotz
I get that Patrick Mahomes is now doing the thing that the Patriots did, which is it doesn't actually matter what the pieces are, that they can just go get whatever.
[16:34]
Mike Ryan
We know we could do it the other way. We've seen them do it with Tyree Kill, so we know he has that in him. And now he's doing it a different, different way. As Billy said, that team in general is kind of rolling with whatever they have to do to. To win football games. And so now it's run and play defense.
[16:50]
Stugotz
Mike is making drastic changes to a team that you have to 173 in the postseason with Mahomes.
[16:56]
Jessica
But the strategy you want is just hope the Chiefs fall apart and then you can get past them eventually.
[17:02]
Stugotz
No, no, it's not the strategy. What I'm saying is everyone in that sport is strategizing to beat their know how to win, and nobody can do it whatever their strategies are. Like, there. There is. You're asking me for a strategy that doesn't exist. Like they have something at quarterback that no one else has.
[17:21]
Mike Ryan
But two quarterbacks have done it. Joe Burrow did it. Tom Brady did it. Two quarterbacks have been able to beat him in the postseason.
[17:27]
Stugotz
It doesn't mean that they don't lose. I'm saying that these two teams look the same to me.
[17:32]
Mike Ryan
Right.
[17:32]
Stugotz
And. And one of them, you all know, has a quarterback who's going to win at the end. And the other one has a history of losing that goes back 40 years.
[17:40]
Billy Gill
I just hope that they're thinking about it as much as we are. That like, if you wonder if the bull chase. And I don't think it's. I think it's not exactly not bold of them to decide, let's keep this unit together. I actually think that's kind of brave because four years in that sport is a very long time. Four years being told you're not good enough by the same team, losing pretty much the same way in the postseason. I mean, that would wear on you. And I just hope that it's not. Oh, just assumed. Yeah, let's just run it back. Let's bring everybody back. We'll finally get these guys. Because you're already in unchartered territory in terms of not being able to get those guys.
[18:15]
Jessica
Belichick would definitely take that job.
[18:17]
Mike Ryan
I mean, he would.
[18:18]
Jessica
Dan, we made a prediction on God bless football that Stefan Diggs is going to be on the Chiefs in two seasons.
[18:26]
Stugotz
The. The problem and the argument I would try to make on your behalf of they have to change something is that's as well as a football team can ever protect the football for an entire season. And they still lost like they were playing a fairly conservative style. For Josh Allen, that's grading on a curve, obviously, but it was all minimized mistakes. And you can't account for the mistake that the line judge is going to make when he runs in on 4th and 1 and he spots the ball in the. In the wrong spot. Like, there's just no. There's no accounting for that. You guys want me to put.
[19:08]
Mike Ryan
Somehow the Chiefs still would have won the game.
[19:10]
Poppy
I mean.
[19:10]
Stugotz
Yeah, I mean, that's pretty much. Even if they got it right, that's pretty much. Much where we are with the Chiefs, where if they indeed lose this game in the future, we will expect them to win it the next day somehow because the leagues overturned it or something. Something has happened the following day that changes the result we just saw because they're in this rarefied air of they're always going to win. We know they're going to win. We fear they're going to win on 3rd and N. Of course they're going to convert to end the game so we don't get to see Josh Allen again.
[19:39]
Jessica
The bill should hire Spags.
[19:41]
Stugotz
Wow.
[19:41]
Billy Gill
That's a great idea. That is. That is a phenomenon.
[19:46]
Stugotz
I can't believe no one else had that. I can't believe that you're the first person I've ever heard argue that Spags addition by subtraction.
[19:54]
Jessica
Because he comes in, he knows the Chiefs.
[19:56]
Billy Gill
You see the game a different way, my friend.
[19:57]
Jessica
That was up a blitz against Patrick Mahomes. See how he handles that situation at the end of the game.
[20:02]
Billy Gill
I'm honored to share the studio space with you.
[20:03]
Stugotz
You're brilliant. I've underestimated your brilliance. That is. You know what? I changed my mind. Fine. I'm not wrong about the point spread, but I am wrong about saying that the Bills don't have to make drastic changes. They have to go with Chris Cody's brilliant pioneering idea of Higher spacs.
[20:19]
Billy Gill
The point is profound because he has a cock.
[20:23]
Stugotz
I think that could have gone without saying. Chris or spags.
[20:29]
Mike Ryan
It's up to two and a half. Stagachi, I want to tell you a story. I'm serious here. My wife and my two daughters, they begged me to buy a peloton. So I bought a peloton. And then I watched that peloton sit in my office and stare at me. So you know what I did one day? I looked at it and so I decided to get off my ass and I jumped on the peloton because no one else was using it and I paid for it. I mean, so why not? Then I realized eventually that they bought it for me. And I got to tell you, way more challenging than I could have ever imagined. Peloton coaches are walking the walk. I love the coaches. I do the Grateful Dead one. It's fantastic. They have a sub 3 hour marathon runner, military trained athlete, a former college basketball player, and so many other well rounded coaches on their team. All this experience really shows in their classes, which are never short of challenging, especially for me. So I jumped on it that first time. It was challenging, more challenging than I thought. And then I wanted to beat the bike and so I kept jumping on it. And I absolutely love it. I mean, I'm the only one who uses it. But again, they got it for me. I mean, I had no idea. That's a little passive aggressive, don't you think? Find your push, find your power. With peloton@onepelaton.com hey, howdy listener.
[21:41]
Billy Gill
Why don't you sit down here next to me? Let's have a fireside conversation. In the winter, this is all theater of the mind. Anyways, weather outside is a little chilly. Let's warm up, let's cozy up. Not just to each other, but also to that beautiful white can of Miller Lite. That's right. Make these moments even better with Miller Light, the great tasting light beer for people who love beer. A new year is a perfect time for friends, family, and great tasting light beer tastes like Miller Time. You know, as the football games get bigger, everybody's talking about hosting parties. It's always difficult. Everyone's got an opinion. Why don't you just bring out a nice cooler of Miller lights and make everybody happy. You could be on opposite sides of the big game, but you still know that you are brought together by Miller Time. Miller Lite is a great unifier. Miller Lite is brewed for taste. It hits different than other light beers. The original light beer since 1975 and still the very best one Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan find delivery options near you or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
[22:51]
Mike Ryan
This is a message from sponsor Intuit. TurboTax Taxis was dealing with piles of paperwork and frustrating forms and then waiting and wondering and worrying if you were going to get any money back. NowTaxes is easily uploading your forms to a TurboTax expert who's matched to your unique tax situation. An expert who's backed by the latest technology which cross checks millions of Data points for 100% accuracy. While they work on your taxes, you get real time updates on their progress and then you get the most money back guaranteed. All while you go about your day. No stressing, no worrying, no waiting. Now this IS taxes Intuit TurboTax get an expert NAB on TurboTax.com only available with TurboTax live full service real time updates only in iOS mobile app. See guaranteed details at TurboTax.com guarantees Don LeBatard Bob Kraft the only reason your organization is good is because of Bill Belichick.
[23:47]
Stugotz
Stugats.
[23:48]
Mike Ryan
Belichick has done nothing since. Since Brady left. He made the playoffs once. I think at the very least he should not be a first ballot hall of Famer. They should make him wait like 10 years to get it. He's an overrated coach.
[24:00]
Poppy
This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.
[24:06]
Stugotz
Let me play some sound here.
[24:09]
Jessica
Just give it a couple of days.
[24:11]
Stugotz
Let me play some sound here from last night. My father, I, I learned this on air with everyone else. He's been saying a version of this story for several years and it turns out that there's a plot twist at the end. But let's hear. Poppy was bringing it last night. He was eating cashews by the shovel full.
[24:31]
Mike Ryan
That's what he does. Yeah.
[24:32]
Stugotz
And he was just filled with a lot of energy. And so he decided to talk for some reason about former Rams defensive end Fred Dreier.
[24:41]
Mike Ryan
Ah.
[24:42]
Stugotz
Can you tell us. I want me to hear the story that you're always telling people about Fred Dreier. The old, the old Rams defensive end Fred Dreier.
[24:52]
Poppy
Oh, that guy. Oh, I tell you one thing, I was impressed. The guy used to play for. What was it the Rams was a defensive end or an offensive end? And after his football career was over, he went on TV and he went into the business of selling salmons. You know, I guess he had a salmon product line of whatever. But the guy used to eat salmon. That's all the guy ate. You know, and he was. He was in real good shape. His cholesterol level was in tip top condition, and he was. You know, all his vital signs, they were right on. And I said, oh, my God, this guy is going to live forever. And he used to go on tv, on national tv, and shows and advertising products, you know, and one day I get up in the morning and I look at the news, and the guy dropped dead. I said, how the hell this guy could drop dead? You know, he's such a healthy nut. Well, that happened. So I stop eating salmon. That's it. I don't need salmon anymore.
[25:51]
Billy Gill
Let's clip. Get that out. Let's push that clip out.
[25:56]
Jessica
Did anyone kill Fred Dreyer?
[25:58]
Stugotz
My father did. Probably did.
[25:59]
Jessica
He's alive over years, right, Dan?
[26:01]
Billy Gill
This is a story he's told over.
[26:02]
Stugotz
10 minutes.
[26:03]
Billy Gill
Does your dad have Venmo?
[26:04]
Stugotz
Is Fred. Is Fred Dreyer still with us?
[26:06]
Jessica
78 years old.
[26:08]
Mike Ryan
Spring chicken.
[26:09]
Stugotz
Wait a minute. Let's go get Poppy back on. Let's go live to my father right now and get whatever information we. He's going to be stunned by this.
[26:15]
Mike Ryan
This.
[26:16]
Stugotz
Poppy, can you hear me out there? He's fiddling with his mic. On.
[26:21]
Jessica
Someone help him.
[26:21]
Stugotz
There's just an on and an off. Poppy. Look at everyone scurrying.
[26:25]
Billy Gill
Come on, gq.
[26:26]
Stugotz
A team of people are going running toward the Pat Riley statue.
[26:30]
Jessica
Thanks for helping, Taylor.
[26:32]
Stugotz
I'm being told that Fred Dryer is still alive.
[26:34]
Poppy
Nah, I don't believe that. My source told me he. He dropped dead a number of years ago. Check it out.
[26:41]
Billy Gill
Good it.
[26:41]
Stugotz
Dad. Check it. Good, guys. Dad. Dad, you've been saying for years that Fred Dryer dropped dead jogging after eating some salmon, that he had a bad ticker, and it's not true.
[26:53]
Poppy
Well, he had a bad ticker. Okay, Looks like we cannot blame it on the salmon. That was bad salmon. That was a bad ticker.
[27:00]
Jessica
Poppy, we're having salmon for dinner. Now it looks like.
[27:03]
Poppy
Stay away from salmon.
[27:05]
Billy Gill
Oh, it's back on the menu.
[27:08]
Stugotz
Dad. He's not dead. Dad, you've been saying for years that Fred Dreier is.
[27:12]
Poppy
Google the guy. You Google the guy, you will see what happened when you Googled the guy.
[27:24]
Stugotz
Mike has said that the chiefs can't keep getting away with this. And the thing I want to ask you guys is, can CBS keep getting away with this? What I'm about to say, which is they promoted yesterday Matlock with Kathy Bates as America's new favorite show. And I just don't believe that's true. I believe that it might be popular and that it might be good, but I believe that a lot of people can claim to be America's new favorite show. And there's no way to quantify. Well, there are ways to quantify that, but ratings are so difficult these days that 10 people can make that claim. Is Matlock indeed that popular?
[28:05]
Dan LeBatard
I think it probably does track. It probably does fit that criteria until FBI, CIA comes out. So they're just trying to say it while they can.
[28:15]
Billy Gill
Yeah, you can say things like fastest growing show where you can play with the math a little bit. But to call yourself America's new favorite show, you need to back that claim up.
[28:24]
Mike Ryan
It is the second most watched entertainment show on broadcast tv.
[28:29]
Stugotz
So that would make it. So what's first?
[28:31]
Billy Gill
Probably an older show, America's New.
[28:34]
Stugotz
So you can claim that.
[28:35]
Mike Ryan
Yeah, CBS always.
[28:36]
Billy Gill
CBS does that, and it's always quantifiable because the ratings bear it out.
[28:41]
Stugotz
One of the things they were also advertising is just simply a show called Ghosts. Just Ghosts.
[28:49]
Billy Gill
What's that about?
[28:50]
Mike Ryan
Sam Darnold.
[28:53]
Stugotz
Play that sound again of Sam Darnold and the announcers so we can ask Dugouts why he thought London Fletcher was calling a Vikings Rams game in Arizona. He's holding it too long. It, man.
[29:05]
Mike Ryan
I don't have an answer.
[29:07]
Stugotz
Do you think that's what London. It's my fault for not calling you on it. It didn't sound like London Fletcher. He's holding it too long. Just throw it, man. That didn't sound like a linebacker.
[29:18]
Mike Ryan
I was trying to make sure you were paying attention. You weren't. Yes.
[29:21]
Stugotz
Yes. Thank you. You got me. Speaking of television, I'm curious what you guys make of. In 2024, the Tom Brady roast was the most watched thing on netfl. Netflix's stock is surging. The last quarter, they made a ton of money, and it's at least in part because NFL, Tyson, Tom Brady Roast, they are getting in the game with so much money, WWE as well, that they're looking to change. They've been looking to change television and make Matlock and America's favorite new show be a thing of the past. That is one hell of a resurgence from sharing passwords and some of the problems that they were dealing with during the pandemic. Netflix having that kind of Year where the stock is surging with the last quarter that was record breaking because of live sports is super interesting.
[30:21]
Billy Gill
Imagine that they were catching L's left and right doing the same thing over and over again and they weren't getting the results and they had to do something drastic.
[30:31]
Stugotz
So do you guys have a suggestion on what this drastic thing is like?
[30:35]
Billy Gill
I like that. I like the replacing the head coach bags.
[30:38]
Stugotz
Replacing a head coach who's won 70% of his, 80% of his games, Dan.
[30:43]
Mike Ryan
It's a guy, they fired his defensive coordinator. They got rid of his offensive coordinator. Like, what's next? It's gotta be him, right? And if Bill Belichick is out there, and I do believe this is a job he would leave North Carolina for.
[30:55]
Billy Gill
Separate the two things because one of them is plausible and the other one is.
[30:58]
Mike Ryan
I'm not certain, Mike. I'm really. No, it's not a hot take. I'm not certain. Like, I'm not certain Belichick would pass up on the opportunity if offered to him, the bill to coach Josh Allen.
[31:08]
Billy Gill
It's just two separate conversations. You don't need to put them together.
[31:11]
Stugotz
You will not find another team. I do not believe that has what Buffalo and Josh Allen have, which is they keep winning a playoff game every year, but they never get to the Super Bowl.
[31:24]
Mike Ryan
Crazy.
[31:25]
Stugotz
Like, that's not, that's not something that you see a lot of. And so what Stugats is saying there is, I'm guessing that you're firing a coach who would have more one loss success than any coach who would usually get fired in any situation. And he's got to have the highest winning percentage in Bill's history over even Marv Levy, given how much he's won in Buffalo. Yes.
[31:51]
Mike Ryan
It's kind of similar to Marty Schottenheimer where he kept getting, you know, making playoff runs with the Chargers, but could never get to the Super Bowl. And eventually, and I think it was after an AFC Championship game, which they lost, eventually they fired him.
[32:05]
Dan LeBatard
Yeah, well, they hired Steve Belichick.
[32:07]
Stugotz
They went 15 and one too. But Marty Schottenheimer wasn't running into the same one problem at quarterback every year in Kansas City.
[32:17]
Jessica
Wait, hold on a second. So if Bill Belichick leaves North Carolina, like Stugotz is reporting, he's going to do to go to Buffalo. Is Steve the head coach already at Carolina? Yeah, because wasn't that set up for him to take over when Bill was done? If Bill never coaches a game to still Steve still get the gig immediately.
[32:34]
Billy Gill
Let Me rummage under my desk. Hang on.
[32:37]
Stugotz
Can you do me the favor, Chris Cody, of telling me what McDermott's winning percentage is at in Buffalo regular season?
[32:46]
Jessica
656. Mark Levy, 615 in the. What'd I say? Oh, my bad. It's Marv.
[32:52]
Mike Ryan
Marv? Yeah.
[32:53]
Jessica
In the playoffs. Don't do that one.
[32:55]
Mike Ryan
Marv Levy.
[32:55]
Jessica
Yeah.
[32:56]
Mike Ryan
Over.
[32:56]
Jessica
500.
[32:57]
Mike Ryan
McDermott.
[32:58]
Jessica
Seven and seven in the playoffs.
[33:00]
Stugotz
Put it on the poll, please. Juju. Are we still making Marvs at LeBatard show? Because it's been a while. It feels like Marvin's naming a baby Marvin. Calling a baby Marvin doesn't feel quite right. Let's see what we have under Mike Bryan's desk here.
[33:18]
Mike Ryan
Oh. Oh, boy.
[33:20]
Billy Gill
I have a question for you. What's the question?
[33:24]
Stugotz
Yeah.
[33:24]
Jessica
Someone has to ask him something.
[33:25]
Billy Gill
Yeah, the coach. I'm waiting.
[33:26]
Mike Ryan
If Belichick leaves now, does Steve Belichick automatically get the Carolina Jackson?
[33:30]
Billy Gill
I think the implication is Belichick has to retire. If he takes another job, Steve goes with him.
[33:36]
Jessica
Really? Oh, implication.
[33:38]
Stugotz
That's what he said. He's reporting an implication as our North Carolina insider.
[33:42]
Jessica
Binding.
[33:43]
Stugotz
It seems flimsy. It doesn't seem terrible.
[33:45]
Jessica
I think you would have given Feinbaum that answer.
[33:48]
Stugotz
It doesn't seem very. It doesn't have a lot of nutrients, that particular answer. But it would make sense that Belichick would have to coach an actual game before his son gets handed the program.
[33:57]
Jessica
Well, he signed the other day.
[34:00]
Mike Ryan
You should have held out.
[34:01]
Stugotz
I understand that you guys can point out a number of legal discrepancies here. I'm going to go ahead and say do your.
[34:08]
Billy Gill
Your own worst enemy here.
[34:09]
Stugotz
I'm not bringing it up.
[34:10]
Billy Gill
You had like. You had like. You're the first guy to the plausible take. Like, should they look at the head coach thing and you're mudding the waters with this Billichek thing. Like, you have the good take.
[34:19]
Mike Ryan
I said spags as well, but here's another take.
[34:21]
Billy Gill
Wow. Spags.
[34:22]
Mike Ryan
We're getting dangerously. We're getting dangerously close to Andy Reid being the guy they call the greatest coach in NFL history. Belichick may want to come back and stop that. I'm just saying. Just saying.
[34:34]
Jessica
Marv Harrison Jr. Doesn't feel right.
[34:37]
Mike Ryan
Wow.
[34:39]
Stugotz
No one else is saying anywhere in the American sports media that you fire the head coach who has a near 70% winning percentage because you need to get over the hump and do something drastic. And the drastic thing would be firing a coach with that kind of winning percentage.
[34:55]
Jessica
But no one Thinks thinks the winning percentage is because of him is the biggest thing.
[34:59]
Billy Gill
I'm never really impressed with him. Like, his, his decision making in some of these games has been hot and cold. I don't know, dude. Like, I just hope, like I said, I hope they're having the conversation okay. And I hope it's not just like, yeah, everybody's bringing. We're going to run it back right? Because running it back, right, Looking to a room full of people that have experienced the first type of successive failure in NFL history, that seems insane to me.
[35:24]
Stugotz
So you say, though, that I'm never really impressed. And all I've been doing for two weeks is articulating some form at 56 years old, covering sports for a while of just complete confusion as to how that quarterback can be coached to never turn the ball over. So you say you're not impressed. And I'm saying, good Lord. On his watch, Josh Allen went from someone I thought was terrible at quarterback to running a team that has fewer turnovers than any in the sport. And you're telling me not that linesman's got to call that differently. McDermott unimpressed. And I'm like, okay, okay. And it's hard to get past Mahomes by a yard.
[36:07]
Billy Gill
Who. I think I know the answer to this, but when there is an important play that needs to be called for the Buffalo Bills, most times it's Josh, do something. And the ball stays in Josh's hands. Yeah, we know with Patrick Mahomes, even at this age, his go to guy is Travis Kelce. Now, I think possibly the go to guy for Josh Allen right now is Khalil Shakir. But Patrick Mahomes guy is an all timer. I feel like, yeah, no bad ideas. Tyreek Hill, like T. Higgins, anything. Who's available, who's unavailable. Let's get crazy. Let's throw everything for Justin Jeff. Like something crazy, something good, something. Game change.
[36:48]
Stugotz
All right, so there was an anonymous exec quoted as saying the Patriots are interested inter division trade for Tyree Kill. If Tyree Kill is indeed available, you'd be welcoming again because you've got the same problem. You got to go to Kansas City and beat Mahomes, you'd be welcoming again what you did with Stefan Diggs. The drastic change after Stefan Diggs was, you know how we make Josh a better quarterback? We mix it up and give him no number one receivers. We give him a bunch of different options the way Mahomes has a bunch of different options, and we get him to play a more careful Game. Now you're going back. So we're doing what teams do all the time organizationally, when they can't figure something out. We'll go from a coach who's tough to a coach who's a player's coach to back to a coach who's tough. So now we're going back to the number one, Stefon Diggs, disgruntled receiver who might be available.
[37:36]
Mike Ryan
You keep trying until you find a combination that works.
[37:38]
Stugotz
Okay, But Mahomes is the problem. It's not in your locker room. The problem is in another locker room room.
[37:44]
Mike Ryan
So you give up.
[37:45]
Stugotz
You don't give up. You can keep changing. I just say tinkering versus drastic. I say they're obviously close. Like, they're indisputably right there. And you're telling me they need another number one receiver. I'm like, okay, welcome Tyreek Hill in there. Make sure he doesn't get a thousand yards. See how that goes.
[38:03]
Billy Gill
Okay. I understand mentioning Tyreek Hill as a possible solution is inflammatory, and you've done well to seize on that. But I'm saying. Saying we're close. We're right. There is something that that franchise has famously dealt with its entire history and what it's known for, and I would say they need to have a conversation. Ownership on down. Buck stops here. What can we do to make sure we're not even getting a shittier version of what we got in the early 90s?
[38:28]
Stugotz
You're right about this because the Heat were close and then they weren't. And it happened while we were watching them be close. Sometimes that's not quite enough. You need something else to put you over the top. But it's really difficult to do what the Panthers did, what the Celtics did.
[38:47]
Mike Ryan
It's.
[38:47]
Stugotz
It's. That's what the. Yes, the Celtics. The Celtics did what it is that you had to do. And it was unpopular. I just don't know. When you say drastic change, you sort of have to tell me what it is, because firing a coach would be. Firing a coach with that winning percentage would be drastic.
[39:06]
Jessica
Why are we crazy for thinking they should think about changing the coach or get him more offensive weapons? Like they need to do something.
[39:12]
Mike Ryan
Well, they need someone on defense. Like Max Crosby would be a guy.
[39:15]
Billy Gill
Well, they have to. They have to pay Rousseau, who might be in the conversation for highest paid guy on the defensive line in the league now.
[39:22]
Dan LeBatard
Miami guy.
[39:24]
Jessica
What I would give to be as close as the Bills.
[39:27]
Mike Ryan
Oh, yeah. Just once. Yes.
[39:29]
Dan LeBatard
It's terrible.
[39:29]
Jessica
This was.
[39:30]
Dan LeBatard
Feels like The Steelers experience with. And in my head, I was like, well, as soon as Tom Brady retires, it's going to be wide open. Any team can win the afc. When that happens, when the Patriots dynasty ends, who knows? We'll have the Texans in a Super Bowl. The Steelers will win another Super Bowl. The limit is endless.
[39:51]
Billy Gill
No, it's easy to say we're right there, because Buffalo's not alone in saying we're right there. Hell, a team that missed the playoffs in Cincinnati can already. And they've actually had success in the postseason against Kansas City and Baltimore. We were right there. Baltimore, we're right there. You got to keep those guys away because the gulf between those teams is shrinking, and you have to chase down the greatest of all time, potentially.
[40:14]
Jessica
You trade Tyreek Hill, right? Given the option, you trade Tyree Kill.
[40:17]
Billy Gill
I think it's time to get away from it. No, that wouldn't even be the target. I'm just throwing names out there.
[40:21]
Jessica
The Dolphins take one Tiger kill. You can have it.
[40:23]
Billy Gill
Seems like it's a problem the Buffalo, though.
[40:25]
Jessica
Better too early than too late. Late with him, right?
[40:27]
Stugotz
I mean, it's already at too late.
[40:29]
Jessica
I know. That's why you got to do it now before it's really too late. Because now you're like, no, no, no. The wrist thing. No, no. He had a knee thing. Knee procedure. Yeah. No, no, See, no.
[40:37]
Billy Gill
What do you want?
[40:37]
Jessica
He's gonna be back next year.
[40:39]
Billy Gill
What can I give you for my cabins, you guys? Let's make a deal, you guys.
[40:43]
Jessica
That's an interesting piece, Dan. Mike Evans.
[40:45]
Stugotz
Yeah, sure. Yeah. Everybody would want him.
[40:48]
Mike Ryan
Thank you for your Jefferson.
[40:50]
Jessica
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[40:51]
Billy Gill
Maybe the court quarterbacks a problem. Let's trade Josh Allen.
[40:53]
Jessica
Oh, King's Ransom you can get for Josh Allen.
[40:57]
Billy Gill
Totally.
[40:57]
Jessica
That's drastic. That's drastic.
[40:59]
Billy Gill
No bad ideas.
[41:00]
Jessica
No one was giving you drastic suggestions.
[41:02]
Stugotz
That's.
[41:02]
Jessica
That's drastic, Dan.
[41:03]
Billy Gill
There are no bad ideas here. What I'm saying is what cannot happen.
[41:07]
Jessica
Back away.
[41:07]
Billy Gill
Is everyone just hopping on the bus having a. Like a team meeting? All right, we'll get them next year. That cannot happen.
[41:12]
Jessica
Do you think that if the Bills called the Chiefs and said, we will trade you Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes.
[41:19]
Billy Gill
The Chiefs would say, no, I 100% believe that, you guys.
[41:25]
Stugotz
The reason that is both a ridiculous thing to offer me today and also something that I think is funny to look at, that I think gets ignored when you guys keep doing this. They need to do something. They need to do something. The way the culture of sports argument is that we find blame, criticize, and the next day is not about celebrating the winner, it's about blaming the loser. Yeah, I really think that it ignores the historic greatness of Patrick Mahomes that you guys keep telling me. Need to do something when it's what every franchise was saying when Michael Jordan played and it's what every franchise was saying when Tom Brady played. And there's a new one here now on need to do something. Oh, can't do anything. We're gonna lose every single time no matter what we do.
[42:17]
Mike Ryan
Burrow for Alan Belichick.
[42:22]
Jessica
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