Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: Black Monday with Ross Tucker

Release Date: January 6, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Dan Patrick Show, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and the Dan Patrick Podcast Network, Dan Patrick delves deep into the tumultuous developments in the NFL, focusing on coaching changes, playoff scenarios, and draft prospects. Joined by co-hosts Seaton O'Connor, Paulie, Marvin, and guest Ross Tucker from CBS Sports, the discussion is both insightful and infused with humor, catering to avid sports enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

1. NFL Coaching Shake-Ups

The episode kicks off with significant updates from the NFL:

• Jacksonville Jaguars Part Ways with Doug Peterson: Dan highlights the Jaguars' decision to move on from head coach Doug Peterson, signaling a shift in their strategic direction.

• New England Patriots Release Gerard Mayo: One of the central topics, Dan expresses surprise and confusion over the Patriots' sudden decision to part ways with Gerard Mayo after appointing him as the offensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting for five years. Dan remarks at [01:00], "It's like you get married and then all of a sudden six months later you go we're getting a divorce." He questions the rationale behind not merely reassigning or terminating coordinators instead of the head coach.

• Giants Retain Coaching Staff: Contrasting the Patriots' decision, the Giants are commended for maintaining their coaching staff, suggesting stability within their organization.

• Raiders' Uncertain Future: The Raiders' next steps remain unclear, leaving fans and analysts pondering potential moves.

Ross Tucker provides expert insights, particularly on the Patriots' decisions, emphasizing the importance of patience with developing quarterbacks and the potential impacts of coaching changes on team performance.

2. Playoff Scenarios and Team Performances

The conversation transitions to the evolving playoff landscape:

• Broncos Secure Playoff Spot: The Broncos' victory propels them to Buffalo as 9.5-point underdogs. Dan notes their first postseason appearance in nine years due to a dominant win over the Chiefs, despite resting key players.

• Bengals' Statistical Leaders Miss Playoffs: Highlighting an unprecedented situation, Dan points out that the Bengals, boasting the league's passing leader (Joe Burrow), receiving leader (Jamar Chase), and sack leader (Trey Hendrickson) in the same season, failed to secure a playoff berth. He underscores this by stating, "The Bengals are the only team to have the passing leader, the receiving leader, and the sack leader in the same season... and they don't make the playoffs." [17:40]

• Discussion on Playoff Seeding Rules: Marvin suggests revising playoff qualifications to prioritize the best records over division winners, proposing, "I would just put the best records, get a home playoff game." [09:28]

• Role of Key Players and Injuries: The influence of player availability, such as Tyreek Hill with the Dolphins and Saquon Barkley with the Eagles, is analyzed for its impact on team performances.

3. Draft Prospects and Number One Pick Analysis

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the NFL Draft:

• Potential Number One Picks: The debate narrows down to Shador Sanders, Cam Ward, and Travis Hunter as favorites for the top draft spot. Dan queries the likelihood of the Titans opting for a quarterback despite the available talent, noting fan enthusiasm for selecting a quarterback. At [18:39], Ross Tucker asserts, "I think you get the number one pick. I think people want you to take a quarterback, whether that's Cam Ward or Shador Sanders or whoever."

• Titans' Draft Strategy: The possibility of the Titans retaining quarterback Will Levis is explored. Ross emphasizes, "I don't think they will do that... But it doesn't mean they're going to." The consensus leans towards the Titans selecting a dynamic defensive player to invigorate their roster.

• Ownership Decisions and Player Development: The importance of nurturing young talent like Bryce Young is highlighted, advocating for organizational patience to allow quarterbacks to develop rather than making hasty decisions based on early-season performance.

4. Interview with Ross Tucker

Guest Ross Tucker provides a deep dive into several critical topics:

• Coaching Stability and Performance: Discussing Mike Tomlin of the Steelers, Ross notes the unique disconnect between national analysts' respect and the Steelers' local fanbase's dissatisfaction. He comments, "There is no greater disconnect in the NFL than how people feel nationally about Mike Tomlin versus how Steelers fans feel about Mike Tomlin." [26:15]

• Patriots' Roster Critique: Ross offers a candid assessment of the Patriots, labeling them as potentially having "the worst roster in the NFL" due to deficiencies in their offensive line and receiving core [27:35].

• Team Strategies and Owner Decisions: He critiques organizational decisions, such as potential bonuses for players like Mike Evans, suggesting that while beneficial for individual achievements, they may not always align with the team's long-term strategy.

5. Best and Worst of the Weekend

A recurring segment where co-hosts and guests share their standout moments from the weekend:

• Dan Patrick:

  • Best: Observation of surprising team developments.
  • Worst: Anthony Edwards' stellar performance that ended in a loss, deeming it a "waste." [39:25]

• Seaton O'Connor:

  • Best: A remarkable interception by Ravens' Michael Pierce, describing it as "one of the best interceptions you're ever going to see." [39:45]
  • Worst: The Patriots' decision to "tank" by releasing a legendary coach, expressing frustration over unnecessary team weakening. [39:45]

• Marvin:

  • Best: Bryce Young's confident gameplay and the Chicago Bulls retiring Derrick Rose's jersey, honoring his impact despite untapped potential. [40:30]
  • Worst: Critical views on team management decisions that hindered player performance. [40:50]

• Paulie:

  • Best: Bryce Young's enjoyable playstyle and Mike Evans' milestone achievements, including a $3 million bonus for maintaining his streak of 1,000-yard seasons. [41:09]
  • Worst: Concerns over ownership decisions affecting player contracts and team dynamics. [43:25]

6. Audience Engagement: Fill in the Blank Game

Dan Patrick introduces an interactive segment where co-hosts complete statements related to the weekend's events:

• Examples include:

  • "The Patriots weekend was ___."

    • Marvin: "Puzzling."
    • Paulie: "Self-defeating."

  • "The Buccaneers in the playoffs are ___."

    • Todd (Seaton): "Temporary."

  • "The Lions running back Jameer Gibbs is ___."

    • Marvin: "Like the lion in the Wizard of Oz. Courageous."

This segment adds a dynamic and entertaining layer to the discussion, allowing for diverse viewpoints and humor.

7. Final Hour Highlights

As the show wraps up, Dan Patrick touches upon:

• Aaron Rodgers' Future: Speculation about legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers potentially seeking new opportunities or retiring, with humorous takes on his determination to continue playing. [37:00]

• Jets' Performance and Decisions: Critique of the Jets' strategy in utilizing Aaron Rodgers, questioning the team's record despite his impressive statistics. Dan muses, "If you look at Aaron Rodgers numbers... What was their record? I think you'd be surprised." [35:18]

• Notre Dame's Independent Status: Listener questions about why Notre Dame remains an independent in football despite their basketball and hockey teams being part of conferences. The consensus attributes this to financial control and media advantages, asserting that their independence enhances their TV network revenue without sharing profits with a conference. [07:35]

8. Concluding Remarks

Dan Patrick emphasizes the importance of thoughtful team management, player development, and strategic decisions in building successful franchises. The episode offers a comprehensive overview of current NFL dynamics, enriched by expert opinions and engaging discussions among the hosts and guest Ross Tucker.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the show through calls and social media, ensuring a continued interactive and informative experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick on Patriots' coaching changes [01:00]:
  "It's like you get married and then all of a sudden six months later you go we're getting a divorce."

• Ross Tucker on Bengals' playoff absence despite statistical leaders [17:40]:
  "The Bengals are the only team to have the passing leader, the receiving leader, and the sack leader in the same season... and they don't make the playoffs."

• Seaton O'Connor on Notre Dame's independence [07:35]:
  "They have their own TV network. That's why they do it."

• Ross Tucker on Mike Tomlin's disconnection with Steelers fans [26:15]:
  "There is no greater disconnect in the NFL than how people feel nationally about Mike Tomlin versus how Steelers fans feel about Mike Tomlin."

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show provides a thorough analysis of the latest NFL developments, blending expert commentary with interactive segments to deliver a compelling and informative listening experience.