The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: John Elway & Paul Skenes Release Date: November 20, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick engages in in-depth conversations with two prominent sports figures: Justin Jefferson, an elite quarterback, and Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' standout rookie pitcher. The episode delves into their professional journeys, personal challenges, and insights into their respective sports. This summary captures the essence of their discussions, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and the overarching themes that emerged during the hour.

Interview with Justin Jefferson

Timestamp: 04:44 – 17:53

Career Reflections and Comparisons

Justin Jefferson opens up about his experiences transitioning from college football to the NFL. He reflects on the competitive nature of the quarterback position, comparing his mindset to legendary figures like Joe Montana and Tom Brady.

• Competitive Nature: Jefferson emphasizes the importance of being in the conversation regarding all-time greats. “I think that if you're in the conversation, then you did all right during your career” ([05:23]).

• Mindset for Success: He believes that believing in oneself is crucial. “I think ultimately you have to believe that you're the best and that nobody can do it better than you can” ([06:30]).

Rookie Challenges and Learning Experiences

Jefferson recounts his rookie season's challenges, including being benched early on, which he views as a pivotal learning experience.

• Benching as a Boon: “That four week time that I sat on the bench helped me tremendously for the next time when I end up starting the last half of the season” ([11:16]).

• Adaptation to NFL Pressure: He acknowledges the immense pressure quarterbacks face and the lack of patience in the NFL for their development.

Playing Style and Modern NFL Dynamics

Discussing the evolution of the game, Jefferson compares past and present quarterback protections, highlighting the physicality and camaraderie of earlier eras.

• Changes in Protection Rules: “They can't land on you anymore” ([13:16]).

• Appreciation for the Past: Despite enjoying the current game, he wouldn’t trade his past experiences, valuing the camaraderie and physicality of older NFL styles.

Personal Health and Challenges

Jefferson openly talks about living with Dupuytren's contracture, a condition affecting his hands, and how he managed it without surgery.

• Understanding Dupuytren's Contracture: “It's a collagen buildup in your hands to where, you know, your hand starts restricting” ([15:25]).

• Non-Surgical Management: He opted for non-surgical treatments that allowed him to continue playing effectively.

Future Aspirations and Interaction with Teammates

When asked about collaborating with teammate Bo Nix, Jefferson expresses optimism about Denver's direction under Sean Payton.

• Positive Team Outlook: “Denver's in great shape. They're excited about what he's doing” ([17:47]).

Notable Quotes

• “You can't do anything about it now. But how competitive are you?” ([05:23])
• “I wouldn't trade when I played back in the 80s and 90s to now” ([13:16])
• “It's a progressive condition” ([15:25])

Interview with Paul Skenes

Timestamp: 21:03 – 29:05

Rookie of the Year Achievement

Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' rookie pitcher, shares his experience winning the National League Rookie of the Year award.

• Celebration with Teammates: “We had a number of my teammates and coaches and, you know, some people that have just kind of affected my career in the past couple years” ([23:06]).

• Team Support: Emphasizes the importance of a supportive team environment in achieving success.

Minor League Journey and Patience

Skenes discusses his time in the minor leagues, highlighting the importance of patience and perseverance.

• Learning Patience: “People have been telling me... just be patient because we don't know what the plan is necessarily” ([23:37]).

• Work Ethic: Committed to putting in the work and competing to earn his spot.

Facing Elite Pitchers

Reflecting on pitching against star players like Shohei Ohtani, Skenes describes these matchups as exciting and challenging.

• Respect for Opponents: “It's a cool, cool experience” ([25:35]).

• Continuous Challenge: Looks forward to future encounters and the opportunity to improve.

Off-Season Routine and Improvement

Skenes outlines his off-season regimen, focusing on rest followed by intensive training to enhance his pitching skills.

• Structured Off-Season: “Took three weeks completely off and really just let my body, my mind settle” ([26:19]).

• Focus on Mechanics: Currently concentrating on refining his fastball, with plans to develop additional pitches in the future.

Personal Reflections and Humor

Skenes injects humor into his interview, particularly regarding his home environment and pitching attire.

• Humorous Self-Awareness: Responds to critiques about his background with light-hearted comments. “If you have that, you can go to” ([28:19]).

• Down-to-Earth Personality: Maintains a humble and relatable demeanor despite his achievements.

Notable Quotes

• “It's a cool, cool experience” ([25:35])
• “All of it is a huge jump” ([17:53])
• “This is where I agree with Tom…” ([11:16])

Discussion on NFL Teams and Draft Strategies

Timestamp: 31:19 – 50:13

While the core interviews focus on Jefferson and Skenes, Dan Patrick also steers the conversation toward broader NFL topics, including team management decisions, quarterback evaluations, and coaching strategies.

Giants and Coaching Decisions

The dialogue touches upon the New York Giants' coaching decisions, particularly the handling of quarterback Daniel Jones and the potential impact of external coaching influences like Bill Belichick.

• Management Critique: “You're paying your quarterback to be a franchise quarterback” ([33:54]).

• Coaching Stability: Debates whether to retain current coaches or bring in high-profile figures, weighing experience against potential benefits.

Jets’ Struggles and Owner Decisions

The conversation critiques the New York Jets' management, highlighting decisions like benching Aaron Rodgers and their repercussions.

• Owner's Role: “It's not an attractive job because if Aaron Rodgers wants to come back” ([36:22]).

• Team Strategy Failures: Discusses the lack of patience and poor decision-making affecting team performance.

Draft Predictions and Free Agent Market

Patrick and guests analyze potential draft picks and the free-agent market, predicting how teams might bolster their rosters.

• Sam Darnold’s Future: Predictions about Darnold becoming a hot free-agent property, with varying opinions on his market value.

• Philadelphia and Atlanta Pitchers: Skenes mentions other promising pitchers but remains focused on his own development.

Notable Quotes

• “Saw John Meyer's office and just said” ([30:03]).
• “It's a timing play” ([49:36]).
• “He's going to bite me in March” ([50:07]).

Final Thoughts and Concluding Remarks

Timestamp: 50:11 – End

As the episode wraps up, Dan Patrick engages in a lighthearted game segment, "In or Out," where hosts debate and predict team performances and player potentials. The segment reflects the show's blend of serious sports analysis with entertaining banter, maintaining an engaging atmosphere until the end.

Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers listeners an insightful look into the minds of Justin Jefferson and Paul Skenes, two rising stars in the NFL and MLB respectively. Through candid conversations, they discuss overcoming challenges, the significance of team dynamics, and their aspirations for the future. Additionally, the show's exploration of broader NFL strategies provides a comprehensive view of current sports landscapes. Whether you're a dedicated sports enthusiast or a casual fan, this episode delivers valuable perspectives and entertaining dialogue.

Notable Quotes Summary

• Justin Jefferson: “I think that if you're in the conversation, then you did all right during your career” ([05:23]).

• Justin Jefferson: “I think ultimately you have to believe that you're the best and that nobody can do it better than you can” ([06:30]).

• Paul Skenes: “We had a number of my teammates and coaches and, you know, some people that have just kind of affected my career in the past couple years” ([23:06]).

• Paul Skenes: “It's a cool, cool experience” ([25:35]).

Note: This summary omits advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to focus solely on the substantial discussions between Dan Patrick and his guests.