Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: Dodgers Already Looking Dominant, Robert Griffin III

Host: Dan Patrick
Guests: Paul Pabst (RG3)
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Duration: Approximately 55 minutes

1. Tournament Analysis and West Virginia’s Coaching Changes (03:00 - 06:00)

Dan Patrick opens the discussion by addressing West Virginia's recent exclusion from the tournament, expressing disappointment over the loss of their basketball coach, Darien Devries, to Indiana University. He questions the implications of this move, pondering whether Coach Devries will remain with Indiana regardless of West Virginia's tournament performance.

Dan Patrick (03:30): "Now, I don't know if there's an injunction with this...but Indiana has hired him. Can you imagine what if West Virginia got in the tournament? Does the coach eventually...Or does he go back to West Virginia with a new deal?"

Paul Pabst (RG3) adds context by referencing previous instances where coaches moved between programs, highlighting the competitive nature of collegiate basketball coaching positions.

2. Poll Question: Tournament Favorites and the Role of Transfer Portal & NIL (04:30 - 06:00)

Dan introduces a poll question for listeners regarding their favorite teams in the upcoming tournament. The top choices include Florida (45%), Duke (32%), Auburn, and Houston, with some listeners expressing frustration over North Carolina's exclusion.

Dan Patrick (05:00): "Are there just a lot of really good teams and it's going to mix everything up? It feels like Florida is an overwhelming talented team. Doesn't mean they win, but Duke remains the favorite."

Discussion Highlights:

• Impact of Transfer Portal & NIL: Both hosts agree that the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements have significantly altered the landscape of college basketball. Teams with better financial resources can attract top talent, potentially diminishing the era of traditional dynasties.

Paul Pabst (05:50): "The days of dynasties are probably over because there are teams that can spend a little bit of money and get a couple of really good players."

3. Reflections on the Big East and 30 for 30 Documentary (06:00 - 16:00)

Dan Patrick shares nostalgic memories of the Big East Conference's heyday in the 1980s, enhanced by ESPN’s coverage. He recounts watching games at Madison Square Garden and discusses the influential figures like John Thompson and Patrick Ewing.

Dan Patrick (08:00): "John Thompson didn't care what you thought. Georgetown's gear became like the Oakland Raiders gear. It was everywhere."

Key Insights:

• ESPN’s Role: The rise of ESPN and its commitment to broadcasting Big East games elevated the conference's national profile.
• Player Treatment and Legacy: Dan emphasizes the hardships faced by players like Patrick Ewing and the leadership of coaches who stood up against adversity.
• Transition and Decline: He reflects on how the surge in football's popularity eventually overshadowed basketball, leading to the decline of the Big East's prominence.

4. NFL "No Hope" Teams and Aaron Rodgers Update (18:00 - 38:00)

Poll Segment: Dan presents another poll question focused on identifying "no hope" NFL teams, sparking a debate among the hosts.

Aaron Rodgers News:

• Withdrawal of Vikings’ Interest: Paul Pabst reports that the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly not interested in bringing back veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

  Paul Pabst (30:56): "The Vikings reportedly are not interested in Aaron Rodgers. I think they believe in J.J. McCarthy and what he brings to the table."

• Discussion on Rodgers’ Future: The conversation delves into Rodgers’ potential destinations, including the Steelers, Giants, or retirement. They discuss the Vikings’ strategic focus on their young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, and his promising performance.

  Dan Patrick (34:41): "Aaron Rodgers may just say, you know what, I'm gonna retire."

Steelers’ Strategy:

• DK Metcalf Acquisition: Paul Pabst criticizes the Steelers for not signing Russell Wilson despite acquiring DK Metcalf, suggesting that the team showed a lack of commitment to building around their star wide receiver.

  Paul Pabst (32:21): "If you trade for DK Metcalf, you should have gone ahead and signed Russell Wilson. They put out the resources around him, but he didn’t commit."

Joe Burrow and Bengals’ Offense:

• Team Improvements: Paul Pabst commends the Bengals for enhancing their offensive line and securing top receivers like Jamar Chase and T. Higgins, positioning themselves as Super Bowl contenders.

  Paul Pabst (36:09): "Joe Burrow standing on business, saying, hey, you got to sign my guys or else. It shows they understand making their quarterback happy is the best thing for their team."

5. Draft Analysis and Player Transitions (38:00 - 51:55)

Paul Pabst provides an in-depth analysis of NFL draft prospects, particularly focusing on quarterback prospects Jackson Dart and Jalen Mayfield. He compares the athletic transitions between basketball and football, arguing that offensive linemen in football are often underrated athletes.

Paul Pabst (27:00): "Offensive linemen are some of the most skilled athletes in the world... Get Trent Williams on the basketball court and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about."

Notable Player Discussions:

• Jackson Dart: Positioned as a top 10 draft pick due to his robust collegiate performance, despite limited recent gameplay.

  Paul Pabst (39:53): "He's a top 10 pick because we always overdraft quarterbacks. His tape is A plus and that's making the scouts believe in his potential."

• Shador Sanders: Highlighted as a potential top 10 pick, emphasizing his college achievements over perceived shortcomings.

  Paul Pabst (40:12): "Shador Sanders deserves to be a top 10 pick. He led Ole Miss to back-to-back 10-win seasons and broke Eli Manning's passing yards record."

• Discussion on Combine vs. Game Tape: The hosts debate the significance of NFL Combine performances versus actual game tape, with Paul Pabst advocating that a player’s in-game performance holds more weight.

  Paul Pabst (40:54): "The draft is a popularity contest... If your tape is A plus and you have a good combine, you're a top pick. But if your tape is A plus and your combine drops, you might drop a bit."

6. Audience Interaction and "In or Out" Polls (51:55 - 55:00)

Dan Patrick engages the audience with interactive "In or Out" polls, prompting listeners to choose between various sports-related preferences. Examples include:

• Travel Preferences: Choosing between visiting Las Vegas or New Orleans for the Super Bowl.

  Dan Patrick (48:00): "I'd rather go to Vegas for Thursday through Sunday than spend a week in the town that's hosting the Super Bowl."

• Team Loyalty: Deciding between supporting the LA Dodgers as the best pro sports team or other options.

  Dan Patrick (49:50): "The Dodgers are the most dominating team in any sport. In or out?"

• Player Legacy Choices: Choosing between legendary players like Brandon Graham and J.J. Watt based on their career achievements.

  Dan Patrick (50:00): "He literally won a Super Bowl for his team with a strip sack of Tom Brady."

7. Promotion and Relegation in College Football (51:00 - 52:41)

Dan Patrick introduces a discussion on implementing a promotion and relegation system in college football, sparking interest and enthusiasm.

Dan Patrick (51:55): "I'm all for it with college football at the top of the hour. I want to talk about it. But to do that in the United States, you know it."

Paul Pabst emphasizes his advocacy for the system, referring to himself as the "face of promotion and relegation in the U.S."

Paul Pabst (52:14): "Seton is the spokesperson for promotion and relegation. I'm essentially the face of promotion and relegation in the U.S."

8. Closing Remarks and Podcast Promotions (55:00 - End)

The segment concludes with Dan Patrick and Paul Pabst promoting various podcasts and upcoming content, including:

• Science Stuff Podcast: Exploring scientific questions with expert insights.
• This Is Working with Dan Roth: Conversations with top business leaders.
• Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: True crime stories with interviews from notable figures.

Dan Patrick wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with these additional content offerings through the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick (05:00): "Are there just a lot of really good teams and it's going to mix everything up?"
• Paul Pabst (05:50): "The days of dynasties are probably over because there are teams that can spend a little bit of money and get a couple of really good players."
• Paul Pabst (27:00): "Offensive linemen are some of the most skilled athletes in the world."
• Dan Patrick (34:41): "Aaron Rodgers may just say, you know what, I'm gonna retire."
• Paul Pabst (39:53): "He's a top 10 pick because we always overdraft quarterbacks."

Conclusion:

In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show, Dan and Paul delve deep into the current state of college basketball and NFL dynamics. They analyze the impact of recent coaching changes, the evolving landscape due to transfer portals and NIL agreements, and provide insightful draft predictions. The conversation is enriched with nostalgic reflections on the Big East's golden era and interactive segments that engage the audience. Additionally, the hosts promote a variety of other podcasts, offering listeners a diverse range of content to explore.