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Ryan Leaf
Black Friday Football on Prime is back. Today the Raiders and the Chiefs into the end zone. Unbelievable. Catch an old school rivalry for a new game day. Firing Downfield Park Stream for free only on Prime Great move.
Derwin James
Black Friday football Raiders vs Chiefs kickoff.
Ryan Leaf
Today at 3pm Eastern pregame at 1:30pm Only on Prime.
Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
See Terms and Conditions the forces shaping markets and the economy are often hiding behind a blur of numbers. So that's why we created the Big Take from Bloomberg Podcasts to give you the context you need to make sense of it all. Every day in just 15 minutes, we dive into one global business story that matters. You'll hear from Bloomberg journalists like Matt Levine.
Derwin James
A lot of this meme stock stuff is, I think, embarrassing to the SEC.
Ryan Leaf
Follow the Big Take podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you listen.
Derwin James
Hey, I'm Jack Beast Thomas, the host of a brand new Black Effect original series, Black lit, the podcast for diving deep into the rich world of black literature. Black lit is for the page turners, for those who listen to audiobooks while running errands or at the end of a busy day. From thought provoking novels to powerful poetry, we'll explore the stories that shape our culture. Listen to Black lit on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. ATT Connecting Changes Everything People My people, what's up? This is Questlove man. I cannot believe we're already wrapping up another season of Questlove supreme, man. We've got some amazing guests lined up to close out the season. But you know, I don't want any of you guys to miss all the incredible convers we've had so far. I mean, we talked to Amerie, Johnny Marr, Eve, Jonathan Schechter, Billy Porter, and so many more. Look, if you haven't heard these episodes yet, hey, now's your chance. You gotta check them out. Listen to Questlove supreme on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. You are listening to the Dan Patrick.
Ryan Leaf
Show on Fox Sports Radio. Welcome, welcome, welcome back, everybody, to the Dan Patrick Show. Blasted. Yeah, you know, this is a good question. You know how many people out there you think would love to pepper spray me? That might be a good one. Maybe not as many as before, but I bet you there's a, there's a. I bet you there's a line. Well, folks that probably wanted to pepper spray me if they got a chance. Yes, again, I'm Ryan Lee filling in for Dan Patrick today. Derwin James is going to join us here in about four minutes to talk about the Chargers and the new season under Jim Harbaugh as his head coach. This is, I think Seaton and I were talking. I think we got him already, so we're going to go to him right now. Derwin James, all pro safety for my Los Angeles Chargers, joins us now. I was telling everybody, Derwin, about I lived in LA for the last seven years, man. I know what traffic, traffic's like. You know, you get caught up in it, man. How you doing this morning?
Derwin James
I'm doing good, man. How y'all doing?
Ryan Leaf
We're doing well. We're doing well. It's been a lot of fun to watch you guys this year. Jesse Minter, you know, it's just kind of untapped. A little bit of it looks like you guys are having just so much fun flying around, young guys, guys that people really don't know. And then you out there as the kind of the stalwart on the back end. Just talk about how much fun it's been this year to play under this new defensive coordinator.
Derwin James
Man, I can't stop smiling every day I come into the building. It's just exciting to come to work with these men. Not only the coaches, but the players. Ever since OTAs, we've been just working our butt off just to go out there and compete. And we finally starting to see the results that we've been putting in. And we just want to keep going hard and coach, mentor. Man. I can't say nothing but great things about him. He's, he's, man, one of a kind, man. I haven't been around a coach like him and Coach Harbaugh.
Ryan Leaf
So you, you, you spoke incredibly highly of Jimbo Fisher, your head coach in college. I spent like five seasons with him every fall football genius. I mean, when you, when you find guys that, that can flip that switch in you, Jim Harbaugh shows up. There's a different mentality as a former player. Jesse mentor. You see guys acting different. I mean, I'm watching Justin this year. There's, like, a little swagger with him. He's throwing a touchdown. He's doing some things. I mean, what's the locker? It just. It's allowed the locker room to be a little freer, it feels, and it comes across.
Derwin James
Yes, sir. Everybody's playing free. Nobody's playing uptight, and we just creating that family environment. Coach Harbaugh, he's. You got the families that practice on Friday, Saturdays. It's just creating a family environment that I've never been around in the NFL in my seven years. So, man, it's just been a lot of fun. And when you can make it about family, man, you just want to go that much harder for that person. And offense get along with offense, defense get along, and it's just the whole team coming together.
Ryan Leaf
It's incredibly different when you walk into an atmosphere like that. I remember that when I was in Tampa with Tony Dungy. Like, you just go from a coaching staff that's so welcoming in terms of what makes things easier. You wonder why that hasn't always been the case. Because you want your guys to be the most relaxed going into football games. Talk to me about the Atlanta game. I mean, these games this year kind of fit the Harbaugh mold, right? It's. It's offense trying to run the football, hold people back. But defense really had to close out that game. Talk about that kind of final play. They went empty. They brought Drake London over the cross the middle. He kind of stumbles, and you just. You just knew they had to get to a point. You stepped right in front of an end of the game with that interception.
Derwin James
First of all, I feel like coach did a great job all day calling great plays. I feel like we was in position to make all the plays we needed to make. And like you said, I just seen Drake London in the slot, and as soon as I see him release the ball, just try to make a play on it for my team. And like I said, coach made a great call, and all year long, he's been making great calls. And as a defense, I feel like we just come in that much closer to where we want to be.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah, you get the go up front getting after the quarterback Bosa, that. That crew.
Derwin James
It's.
Ryan Leaf
It's been fun to watch as a former Charger, to see that defense kind of going back into the Rodney Harrison Jr. Seau days. That's that's some fun era football. And we watched the Al Shahazir, Al Shayer hit on Trevor Lawrence as a defender. They've made it incredibly difficult on you guys in terms of what the heck is a quarterback going to do? Is he trying to make a little move to get a few more yards to pick up a first down to extend a drive to end a game? You got suspended earlier, and Coach Harbaugh was incredibly disappointed, as was, I think a lot of people that watch football, realistic football, how tough is it to make decisions in the moment, in those split seconds, to make those tackles and do the right thing in the eyes of Park Avenue in New York City?
Derwin James
It's extremely hard. Like you say, you're playing a game at a fast speed, a fast tempo, and as a defender, you're going to just try to get the guy down. And sometimes the angle can change. The guy can see you duck sometimes. And it's just like, we got to adjust. Like I said, they want to clean up the game, man. And like I said, I'm all for it, man. And I'm trying to find new ways to get better at it myself. I'm still working at it, and I just love to play, man. Honestly, man. And like I say, it's definitely hard on the defenders. I feel like, especially because you don't know if you're going to slide, you don't want to give up the first down as a defender. So this is tough.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah, they put you in a tough spot. They put you in an absolutely crazy tough spot in terms of what you have to do. Speaking of Coach Harbaugh, so I don't know if you know this, so Coach Harbaugh was my backup in San Diego.
Derwin James
I didn't know that.
Ryan Leaf
He taught me, Derwin. He taught me how to be a professional. You know, it was. That quarterback room was crazy. If he could have been a player coach, I bet you we win a ton more games. If he had been able to be the coach. What's it been like to have him again? And does he. How active is he? Like, is he out there slinging the ball around? Is he catching the ball? I mean, how, like, how physical is he with you guys in practice? Seems like a lot of fun. And it looks like he's doing it.
Derwin James
I feel like Coach Harbaugh is all in, man. Honestly, man, ever since OTAs, he's been pulling sleds, man. Honestly, since we've been working out every fourth quarter drill, no lie. Like, he's. He's over there doing manuals with us, man. He's really in. He has his cleats on. His cleat game is crazy. He got all the different Jordans, man. It's crazy. So, man, his Jordan game.
Ryan Leaf
His Jordan game from his time in Michigan. That's where that's from.
Derwin James
Yeah, yeah. He have his cleats song, man, and he all in it, man. Like you said here, a player coach, man, every day I try to be like, I'm like a leader, man, when it comes to that leader ability to affect the whole room and the whole organization. I feel like he's. He's one of a kind when it comes to that.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah, his track record, he goes places, you win. You get a chance to win a championship. That is his track record. It makes me laugh. You've been around Justin for so long. I go and I go away and play golf with Justin every summer. And, you know, he's the kindest, most kind of under unassuming killers. That's a really good way to put it. He's an unassuming killer. He'll go out and rip your heart out with the way he can throw the football and be a leader. But did you see the video of when Coach Harbaugh did the pregame thing with the quarterbacks he likes to do where he hits them on the shoulders and they punch like Justin didn't know it was coming. And he's trying to be in it, too, but it looks so awkward. What's the strangest kind of pregame thing? That coach is kind of come over and batted you up and get you ready physically. What is he. What has he done to get you fired up?
Derwin James
Well, yeah, the same thing. Like I've been a time where he just came and hit me on the bat. Let's go. I need your bed. Let's go. Let's go. So he always just trying to get us ready to go, man. Especially that pregame speech in the locker room. It's no speeches. Like hall ball speeches, man. He always got one of a kind for you.
Ryan Leaf
You guys get to see the Chiefs again here soon. They're the team at the top. I've never felt like the Chargers have ever in any way feared the Chiefs in Arrowhead or whenever. What's it like going up against Patrick Mahomes as an All Pro safety? And how important is it for your team, I think entering the playoffs to defeat a very good AFC team, the Ravens, had a chance a week ago with you guys. When you get a chance to the Chiefs and the teams that you're probably going to meet in the playoffs down the stretch. How important is it you guys to show up and play well, first of.
Derwin James
All, it's always exciting to go against the Chiefs. I feel like the games come down to the end every time and like you say we have to go in on the road and be able to beat those type of teams because if you want to go where we want to go in the playoffs far those are the type of teams you have to beat. And I trust every man in this locker room from offense, defense to special teams. And I know we preparing that way and I can't wait to the game Sunday night.
Ryan Leaf
The, you know, you get to play a really cool position because you go up against some of the, the greatest players. The receiver position, the tight end position, catches the running backs out of the backfield. But is there. Let me get you out of this with this question here. Is there an underrated player that people don't talk about that maybe like, you know, when you go into a game against someone like that or maybe even somebody on your team when you're going up against them in practice, that it's going to give you fits. He's going to be a player that not everybody's talking about. Not a Travis Kelsey, but this guy. And I think that's a pretty cool thing when, when you know who you're going up against every single week.
Derwin James
I have to say probably lad McConkey just going against him from training camp. I feel like his track record speaking for itself this season lead all rookies and receiving yards. So, man, I feel like he's, he's doing a great job getting open, man and becoming that receiver one. And then Dayon Henley on defense, all the tackles out there, him and Big Puna in the middle. So just those three guys, I feel like a lot of shout outs to those boys. They've been making a lot of plays.
Ryan Leaf
Just under the radar day on Henley, everybody. I don't know if you know this or not, but he's a Washington State cougar. Make sure you give him a shout out for me today when you see him, all right?
Derwin James
Yes, sir.
Ryan Leaf
All right, Derwin James, everybody. Thanks for joining us, buddy. Appreciate it.
Derwin James
Thank you, man.
Ryan Leaf
That's awesome. I love talking to players. Current, former. I mean, that's just. That dude is a stud. You talk about a dog every single week. Jimbo Fisher used to talk about. I spent like five seasons with Jimbo and his staff at Florida State and then at Texas A and M. I mean, he talked about how smart how intuitive and just how good he is. And I really thought with Jesse Minter this year, the things they could do with him hybrid wise. And it really hasn't been overly much, but he's ended up in some different places on the defensive side of the football and making plays that I think have been incredibly inventive. He just looks like he's having a lot of fun. And you know what? Jim Harbaugh gets that out of you. Seaton. Dude that wants to win right there.
Derwin James
You know, you could see it's just.
Ryan Leaf
Like all written all over him. That dude wants to win.
Derwin James
I wonder what the last four years.
Ryan Leaf
Have been like for him. Five years been incredible. He's on his fourth head coach, right? Anthony Lynn, an interim. And Brandon Staley and now Jim Harbaugh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I wonder, do you think that there's. If Anthony Lynn was still the head coach, would they be successful by now in that. What I mean is the consistency of message and sort of brand and pushing in one direction, and this is what we're going to do, and maybe it takes a year or two to get it right, but then eventually you start getting the concepts and they start working or. What do you speak of? I am a Steelers fan.
Derwin James
Yeah, right. Yeah. Yeah.
Ryan Leaf
You know, I have no idea. We've had three head coaches in 180 years or whatever it is, you know. Yeah, right. Sure. Yes, I do. I do think that the idea of just giving up. You know, what's really impressive about Detroit is that they didn't do that with Dan Campbell when things were going bad. Remember before they went on that crazy winning streak, like three or four games into last year, like it was chopping block time. People were saying, nope, you know, he wasn't. You know, he was. He was actually being asked to leave Applebee's and now he's doing commercials, you know, in Applebee's. You know, it's. The ability to show patience is a huge deal. You wouldn't have Jim Harbaugh as the head coach right now. That's. That's a. You know, that's a way people will counter you and go, we got the guy. We got the guy now. But I'm with you. There's some. The consistency. What if you kept Clay Helton at usc? Right. You know, the Lincoln Riley thing hasn't worked. Clay Helton has a better record at USC than Lincoln Riley has. Times change, cultures have changed. Nil. The things have changed. All those things have different in terms of what it looks like. But I am more of the consistency over chaos. But the NFL, as you guys pointed out in the random questions, is about turnover. I mean, the turnover ratio for coaches, players, everything in the college model is starting to look the same.
Derwin James
Marvin, have you ever seen a head coach or a player come in a building and the building automatically changes? Or have you heard of any different scenarios like that where as soon as this coach came in or this quarterback came in, the building was completely different?
Ryan Leaf
Yeah, you've seen that. You've seen that in many different scenarios. You know, when I was first there, when Jon Gruden walked in in Tampa, I mean, you just, you just. What was the difference maker in Tampa that year was an offense. Like, the defense was great. You know, Mike Hiffin was. You know, you had Derrick Brooks and you had Booger and you had Simeon Rice and Ronde, and you had Dexter and had all those guys on the back end. And I mean, you were going to, you were going to shut people down defensively. What you needed to be able to do was score a few more points. And John got that. And when they walked in, I think, you know, everybody looked around and said, oh, yeah, with what Tony Dungy had left behind and put together, this is a Super bowl winning team. And it was. Marvin.
Derwin James
Yeah, I think the buccaneers lost the NFC championship game, like 11 to 5.
Ryan Leaf
Or it was like Kurt Warner and it was like a Ricky Pro, like.
Derwin James
Crazy, like the ball just dropped right in his chest.
Ryan Leaf
It was. They were so in need for an injection of offensive power. And they got it. They got the best thing in the world. They went up against the Raiders, which John knew like the back of the hand on the only super bowl situation where there wasn't a bye week between. Because of 9, 11 that year, I believe. I think that was the reason why, because they had taken up a week because of the tragedy. And there was no bye week in between the AFC NFC championships and the super bowl that year. And what a year to have it where you have a former coach who knew all the signals and all the things that the Oakland Raiders were doing. I mean, Rich Gannon, we went out there, everyone was playing against 22 people essentially in that game. It was crazy. It was crazy. So, yeah, there's times like that at all times. Like when I remember talking to some guys when Russell walked in in Pittsburgh, some of my friends on the Steelers team, whatever the media has or talks about, outside of Russell Wilson or what went down in Denver those last two years. He's also a guy that went to two Super Bowls, right? Went came from nowhere to Wisconsin, won the job, become this, you know, you know, multimillionaire businessman and star quarterback. He walks into the room in Pittsburgh, you know, people talk about Justin Fields, should have been the starter, should have kept on starting and everything like that. I guarantee you right now, everybody in that locker room goes, we want competent quarterback play. Russell's going to give this to us. We had the best chance to win a championship. And they were, you know, they saw him and saw an opportunity, and they were, they were very, very attracted to that. And that happens all the time. And when Jim Harbaugh walks into it. Same darn thing. Same darn thing. All right, college football, is it the minor leagues? Is it special? Is it better? I don't know. Somebody needs to teach me and tell me. Maybe Andy Staples can do that next right here on the Dan Patrick Show. We'll be right back.
Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
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Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
The forces shaping markets and the economy are often hiding behind a blur of numbers. So that's why we created the big.
Derwin James
Take from Bloomberg podcasts to give you.
Ryan Leaf
The context you need to make sense of it all. Every day in just 15 minutes, we.
Andy Staples
Dive into one global business story that matters.
Ryan Leaf
You'll hear from Bloomberg journalists like Matt Levine.
Derwin James
A lot of this meme stock stuff is, I think, embarrassing to the sec.
Ryan Leaf
Amanda Mull, who writes our Business Week Buying Power column. Very few companies who go viral are.
Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
And Zoe Tillman, senior legal reporter. Courts are not supposed to decide elections. Courts are not really supposed to play a big role in choosing our elected leaders.
Derwin James
It's for the voters to decide.
Ryan Leaf
Follow the Big Take podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
Derwin James
Good people. What's up? It's cuesto Questlove and Team supreme and I have been working hard to bring you some incredible episodes of Quest Love supreme with guests you definitely don't want to miss. Now, one of the things I love about this Questlove supreme podcast is we got something for everybody, every type of music lover. We enjoy speaking to the people who are the face of some movements and some people you've seen on stage or TV or magazine covers. But we also love speaking to the folks who are making it happen behind the scenes and they paved the way for those that followed, you know, keystones to the culture. This season we've had some amazing one on one conversations like I'm pay pill chatting up with hitmaker Sam Hollander, Sugar Steve chatting with the legend Nick Lowe, and I've had pleasures of doing one on one conversations with Willow Sonata, Maitreya, Kathleen Hanna and the rza. These are conversations you won't hear anywhere else, so make sure you go back and you check those episodes out. All right? Listen to Questlove supreme on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Ryan Leaf
Hey everyone, I'm Madison Packer, a pro.
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Ryan Leaf
And I'm Anya Packer, a former pro.
Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
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Between the juggle of being athletes, raising children and all the messiness in between, we're also turning to fellow athletes and beyond to learn about their parenthood journeys and collect valuable advice like FIFA World.
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Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
Iheartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back everybody to the Dan Patrick Show. Ryan Leaf here filling in for the main man, Dan Patrick. Our next guest is going to be college football analyst. He covers college football for on three Sports as well. Good friend of mine, haven't talked to him, haven't spoken to him in years it feels like, but Andy Staples joins the show. Andy, what's going on, buddy?
Andy Staples
Ryan, you never write, you never call. Yeah, we do text occasionally though.
Ryan Leaf
We do check. Well, you usually pointed out to everybody that why are we listening to Will Ferrell call a football game tonight?
Andy Staples
It happens to me sometimes where I am, I am in one of those multi box situations and of course, unless it's like the beginning of a quarter, they're not showing your faces. And at first I'll be like, wait, wait, what is Whitfarrel searching? Oh wait, that's Ryan. That's Ryan.
Ryan Leaf
Well, Milk was a bad choice. I know that you were at the Texas, Texas AM game. I was talking to the guys a little bit early, Andy, about what college football is. And for me, and this can be of course a projectionist point of mine since I called only really the Pac 12 games this year for the CW. So a conference that was kind of left behind. I see it a little bit as the minor leagues. I didn't follow it that much. Guys are getting paid. I'd rather see him be. If they're going to get paid, I'd rather see him be playing for the Lions or something like that. But yet there was 100 and whatever, 20,000 people in college Station last weekend to watch Texas, Texas A M renew that, that rivalry. Where do you see the game of college football? What was it like being there and then watching the 12 team playoff kind of, you know, start to spin this new version of college football in our eyes?
Andy Staples
It's really interesting how it changed our relationship with games in November. I mean, we told the people who wanted to stick to four and the people who wanted to stick to BCS that this would make the November games more meaningful for more teams. And they didn't believe us. Well, they believe us now. Like it, it really changed the dynamics of everything because we would not have been watching Miami, Syracuse with nearly as much interest as we were in the game I was at. So Texas and Texas A and M were playing for A spot in the SEC championship game. I mean, you got all the trappings of that rivalry. The fact that they hadn't played since 2011. And then you add some stakes on top of that. I mean, it was, it was a beautiful thing. Not a beautiful game. Not a beautiful game. Both defenses much better than most, but then both offenses. But we did get to see Arch Manning as like the designated runner, running quarterback for Texas, which I did not have Arch manning as the 2006 Tim Tebow on my Bambingo card for the year. But I, I kind of love it.
Ryan Leaf
So don't forget, he's Cooper's kid. He's not Peyton or Eli's kid. Like, right. Cooper was a receiver, was a wide receiver. He's got, he's got some ability on that. Andy Staples here joining us here on the Dan Patrick Show. The biggest gripe. What team may have the biggest gripe so far of being on the outside looking in and not knowing what this weekend is going to project. But what we found out here on.
Andy Staples
Tuesday night, I think Ole Miss, Miami and South Carolina all have the same gripe because they're not really any different from Alabama. Alabama is the one they picked to be in that last spot. Now, Alabama might not get that last spot. If Clemson were to beat SMU in the SEC championship game, they might leave Alabama there. They might only drop SMU there and drop Alabama out. So we don't exactly know how that's going to play out. And that has been the argument raging in college football land all week is, you know, how dare they choose Alabama? This is so stupid. It's always Alabama. I don't think it's always Alabama. I think it's Alabama in this case. Is Alabama super deserving? No, no three loss team is super deserving. But they all have flaws and they, there's four that are kind of the same and they got to pick one and so that's the one they're picking. It seems like.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah. Is there a team that's most likely this weekend? I mean, because we've had a conversation on the show today about, you know, whether or not these games should even be played.
Derwin James
Why?
Ryan Leaf
What's the purpose of playing these games? You know, you have, I would argue that Texas is the SEC champion. They have one loss this season in the sec. That makes them the.
Andy Staples
Well, they lost to the team that they're going to play tomorrow, so.
Ryan Leaf
Exactly. That's a big part of it. Is there a team that you see in the title games tomorrow or on Friday and Saturday that you see likely to be knocked out if we're to get that loss.
Andy Staples
So Boise State will be knocked out if they lose to you and LV on Friday night?
Ryan Leaf
I.
Andy Staples
That's. That's pretty much a predetermined conclusion. Whether it puts UNLV in or not is another question. It might, but then if army beats Tulane, then there's probably a conversation between UNLV and Army. But this SMU part is really interesting. We had Brett Lashley, the head coach from smu, on my show today, and he said, look, if we all got Covid and didn't play this game, we'd be in the playoff. Yet you're saying if we lose to Clemson, we might be out. How is that? Right? And my co host, Ari Wasserman, asked him, hey, if that happens, if you would. If you did lose and got knocked out, do you think it would change the way coaches approach these championship games? And Rhett last is like, yeah, I think coaches would do some crazy things at that point, because if you're in the playoff and you've earned the right to play an extra game, the thinking is it shouldn't punish you.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah.
Andy Staples
But, yeah, if I were a coach and I saw that happen to somebody else, it would make me rethink wanting to play in that game.
Ryan Leaf
I mean, there's a real argument to be had that, you know, Ohio State losing may have had a little bit of a benefit. Because now, listen, I take. The buy for me is a big deal. The buy is a big deal for me as a. Yeah, yeah, that.
Andy Staples
Well, also, the five seed is a big deal if you lost the Big Ten championship game, if you were Ohio State.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah.
Andy Staples
Because the five seed plays the 12, which may not necessarily be the number 12 team that may be a conference champion that got raised up to 12.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah.
Andy Staples
So not only that, who does the five play in the second round in.
Ryan Leaf
A tournament like this? Play the four.
Andy Staples
The four, which is probably not actually number four. It's some conference champ that got raised.
Ryan Leaf
So could be Clemson.
Andy Staples
I would argue. Yeah, I would argue that that five seed is. Probably has a. Especially if you didn't play in a conference championship game, has a nicer path than the one seed which gets a buy, but that 8, 9 winner is going to be somebody nasty.
Ryan Leaf
It can be. It could be one of those teams that we talked about. It could be a Georgia, it could be a. An Ole Miss, could be in Alabama, a team that is a brutal beat, physical in nature and everything like that. So, yeah, first year of playing out there's going to be a ton of discussion around what this looks like and where you go with it and everything like that. National signing day, we're talking with Andy Staples here. National signing day was yesterday. And does it, what does it mean now with the portal opening? What does it mean to. And is it different for certain teams? Like if you are at the very top of the heap or if you're somewhere at the bottom where you're going to have to develop and maybe know you're developing for, let's say Alabama in a couple of years, you know, you're.
Andy Staples
Treating it, if you're Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State the same way you always did, you go get the best high school players. You try to make that the foundation of your program, especially the big guys like you want, you know, offensive defensive linemen for the most part are not going to come in ready to play. So you try to stockpile them as best you can. That's not going to be easy because of the transfer portal. Kids are smart, you know, they see how this works. And I think what, what ha. What has happened is those teams can't stockpile the way they used to. Like Alabama's backups used to be better than probably everybody ranked below number five. And that's just not the case anymore. Those guys go, I can just play somewhere else. I can become a first rounder at Arkansas, I can become a first rounder at Ole Miss. So why am I. Why am I sitting here? And so it's made the market a lot more efficient. So it's really more where guys are going to start their careers, whether they finish them. There is another story and in a lot of ways it's more fairer to me because I'm so used to covering the coaching carousel. So I'm used to signing day happens and then, oh, we forgot we're firing the wide receivers coach. I'm sorry, you wanted to play for him. Oh, don't worry about that. But you're stuck here. Yeah, well, you're not stuck there anymore.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah. You don't have to be hostage to some whims by adults that have no real interest in necessarily what you're doing. The coaching carousel you spoke of, what maybe jobs are on the line this weekend? What jobs are maybe opening that maybe people may not think are ones that could be open here soon.
Andy Staples
This is a weird year, Ryan, because normally there's a lot more jobs open. And I think a lot of the power conference schools have been afraid to fire their coaches because you've got revenue sharing with the players coming next year so that you're going to have to devote millions of dollars to that. You don't want to pay these buys. Some of the buyouts have gotten so ridiculous that they're. They're almost prohibitive. Like Kentucky and Mark Stoops don't seem to be on the best of terms right now, but they would owe him $44 million within 60 days. Like, he ain't going anywhere if he doesn't want to go somewhere.
Ryan Leaf
Right.
Andy Staples
So, like, the best jobs open right now are North Carolina, Purdue, UCF and West Virginia. And they're still looking for coaches. I think, you know, some of those, some of those schools are considering coaches who are coaching in championship games this weekend. So probably get a little movement on that after the weekend. But, you know, I think everybody's looking at Columbus right now. Obviously, Ryan Day's in the playoff. He's not going anywhere. I don't think Ohio State is firing Ryan Day, but Ryan Day has a Michigan problem and he has to decide what to do going forward once this season ends. About that Michigan problem, I'm guessing that he just wants to try to fix it, but you got to be careful because he's veering very dangerously into John Cooper territory right now.
Ryan Leaf
It's so strange. It's so strange how that, how that game transpired on Saturday. I mean, I watched it. Nah, I covered. I called the Oregon Michigan game earlier in the year and. Yeah, and they played pretty good at times, but it didn't matter. Ohio State. I watched the Ohio State, Oregon game as well. And that's a completely different football team in terms of mindset and coaching.
Andy Staples
What was shocking to me was Ohio State tried to meet Michigan on its own terms. Like, why meet Michigan on Michigan's terms? Dictate the terms. Like, you have Jeremiah Smith, who is the best wide receiver in the country. He might be. Well, he's not yet. But in a few years, he will be the best wide receiver in the world. Like within probably four years, year two in the NFL, he will be the best wide receiver in the world. They target him twice. Yeah, like, do the things that you're good at. Don't try to beat Michigan in its own game.
Ryan Leaf
It just. It's dumbfounding to me. I'd be remiss if having you on, you and I talking about our friend Trevor Moad. Oh, yeah, you wrote or co wrote the book with him. It takes what it takes and you know how important Trevor was to me. But I think you would have a really unique voice in the understanding of what transpired over the last couple years with Denver and Russell Wilson, because you were intrinsically taught this neutral thinking because you had to write about it. And so the understanding of that. And I've tried to make it cross that that Russell may be the best of anybody who's ever done the neutral thinking aspect of things, what him and Trevor tried to Russell.
Andy Staples
So Trevor was Russell's mental coach.
Ryan Leaf
Yes, Cognitive Russell.
Andy Staples
Russell kind of designed a lot of this and gave a name to it. And Trevor and I wrote it takes what it takes. And then as. As Trevor was fighting cancer, we wrote Getting to Neutral, which we kind of wove in the pandemic. And like, how. Because we saw a lot of people in the real world trying to have to wrestle with the stuff that Trevor had to deal with with athletes at a different level. And it was wild watching Russell in Denver because it was like, if I think if Trevor were able to talk to him and able to. They were able to talk about thinking neutrally and how to deal with these situations, I think it would have gone better. But I do feel like when I hear Russ talk, when I see him playing in Pittsburgh, that he's getting back to that now.
Ryan Leaf
Well, and he tried.
Andy Staples
It's fun to watch.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah, he tried to compartmentalize. And I think a lot of times when you are in that neutral thinking, because this is also the logic that I use with the way Trevor worked with me, you know, once I walked out of prison 10 years ago, and I would be nowhere I am today if it weren't for him and what he did for me. But, you know, Russell can come off like a simulation sometimes, and it's just because it's this. It's this maintaining a certain thing, and he's the best at that's done it. And I just thought that would. I. You know, I'm usually the one talking about it when I come on and talk about Russell. And you wrote the book with Trevor and you were perfectly situated to talk about it.
Andy Staples
I am so glad you brought that up because it's. It's one of those things. And I was going back through it takes what it takes. And getting to Neutral the other day because I think about Trevor a lot, and that stuff has helped me so much in my own life.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah.
Andy Staples
Just raising kids, you know, doing. Doing the things you have to do to. To live life. And for those who don't know, Neutral Thinking is a basically, you know, the power of positive thinking. Very popular book. But we're motivational speakers.
Ryan Leaf
It's not positive. We just don't allow negative thoughts ever to enter our mind. Right.
Andy Staples
It's basically, you don't allow negative thoughts. You don't verbalize negative thoughts. You just say, hey, here's what I know. Here's what I can do.
Ryan Leaf
This is what I can.
Andy Staples
And you'd be. Yeah, you'd be shocked how much easier it makes life if that's how you're thinking.
Ryan Leaf
I don't. I mean, it's. It changed my life, bro. I mean, you've got to know me. You know, you met me eight years ago, nine years ago, we covered the Clemson, Alabama game together down in. In Santa Clara. I just. I don't. I don't let anything negative creep into my mind. And it's hard, you know, especially with. With the way. The way the world works and they want to talk to you about your life, you know, and so. And for Russell to do that, and I think that that got lost a little bit in Denver and I think we're just giving it. Giving some context, you know, everybody in Pittsburgh has seen and what it's come from. But I just thought I would put that.
Andy Staples
It's fun to watch like that. Yeah, that whole situation has been fascinating. The Justin fields to Russ and. Oh, look at that.
Ryan Leaf
So, Russ, beautiful.
Andy Staples
That's like a Jack Lambert, Russell Wilson jersey.
Ryan Leaf
So Russ sent me away in home jersey this year, and I couldn't. I couldn't break him out until he got healthy. And I was just like. Because I think I might have been the only one that actually said that this is a Super bowl team with a competent quarterback at play. So we'll see. We'll see.
Andy Staples
Let's get George Pickens under control first.
Ryan Leaf
But. Well, you know, George Pickens is the talent of Antonio Brown in the eyes of Mike Tomlin. And I've talked to him before, and it's like, you know, the talent, when it becomes an issue, where it got to. With Antonio Brown and I had to ship him out, that's when it's. Until that time, the talent is so overwhelming for everybody. That's. That's why they're putting up with it.
Andy Staples
And Mike Tomlin's the one guy you trust to get that out of.
Ryan Leaf
And I trust it. And I trust it and. Because I know that he knows when it's over, he'll pull the plug. And he has. And that's why he's still the coach and why everybody trusts him and stuff like that. So I could talk to you all day, man. I Miss you, brother. It's good to see you. Thanks for hopping on with us today. Thank you, Ryan.
Andy Staples
Appreciate it.
Ryan Leaf
Yep. Good to see you. Andy Staples, everybody talking a little college football. I mean, he makes some good points around the idea of, you know, the college conference games this weekend. We've talked about it earlier. Seton. I mean, really, what's the point in SMU playing this game? They could move up a couple spots, maybe a spot.
Derwin James
I don't.
Ryan Leaf
I. For them they're in right now. Stepen, how long do you think we last in this current iteration of college football? Exactly the way it's set up this year.
Derwin James
How long do you think this lasts.
Ryan Leaf
This year or next year? And then what do you think the changes. You go to 14 teams. No, you go to the National Collegiate Football League. Do you think that quick? Yep, because that, that's when the media rights deal is up with the College Football Playoff. It's the only thing that is making more and more sense. Yeah. You put it aside and you make it what it the national collegiate football league. 18 to 22 teams in each conference. NFL model. You go, you have a czar at the top. Commissioner, I would recommend Nick Saban, you regulatory around transfers and portal and nil. That's a separate entity away. It's hard to predict because they're still on college campuses. That's what's so foreign to me with this guys, is the fact that they're still on college campuses. Like these are student athletes still. Like they have to. They have to qualify to get into school, but they're the professionals on the football part of the campus. It's just. It's just so odd. And I'm not poo, pooing any of it. Like, I want every player for their worth to be paid, their worth for name, image and likeness for. For what they bring to the university and everything. I want that. So it's just. It's just a different model. And so, yeah, I anticipate that what's going to really be beneficial and you know, this is maybe just tooting the PAC12 horn here. And Teresa Gould, the commissioner, something that her two predecessors could never have done and seen forward thinking wise, they kept the PAC12 brand. Guess what? Teams are going to be coming back because they are not going to be in the National Collegiate Football League because they can't afford to be. So teams that were in the PAC12, they're going to be coming back. And guess who's going to hold the cards on whether you get back into the Pac 12 conference? Washington State, Oregon State and Teresa Gould. So there you have it. Annie Staples. That was great. We're going to come back for our last segment here on the Dan Patrick Show. We'll break down everything leading into the packers and Lions game tonight, as well as recap all that went down today right here on the Dan Patrick Show. We'll be right back. Be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at.
Derwin James
9Am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports.
Ryan Leaf
Radio and the iHeartRadio app.
Derwin James
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Shaping markets and the economy are often hiding behind a blur of numbers. So that's why we created the Big.
Derwin James
Take from Bloomberg Podcasts to give you.
Ryan Leaf
The context you need to make sense of it all. Every day in just 15 minutes, we.
Andy Staples
Dive into one global business story that matters.
Ryan Leaf
You'll hear from Bloomberg journalists like Matt Levine.
Derwin James
A lot of this meme stock stuff is, I think, embarrassing to the Sec.
Ryan Leaf
Amanda Mull, who writes our BusinessWeek Buying Power column. Very few companies who go viral are.
Derwin James
Like, totally prepared for what that means.
Ryan Leaf
And Zoe Tillman, senior legal reporter Courts are not supposed to decide elections. Courts are not really supposed to play a big role in choosing our elected leaders.
Derwin James
It's for the voters to decide.
Ryan Leaf
Follow the Big Take podcast on the iHeartRadio radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
Derwin James
Good people, what's up? It's Questo, Questlove and Team supreme and I have been working hard to bring you some incredible episodes of Questlove supreme with guests you definitely don't want to miss. Now, one of the things I love about this Questlove supreme podcast is we got something for everybody, every type of music lover. We enjoy speaking to the people who are the face of some movements and some people you've seen on stage or TV or magazine covers. But we also love speaking to the folks who are making it happen behind the scenes and they paved the way for those that followed, you know, keystones to the culture this season we've had some amazing one on one conversations like M. Pill chatting up with hitmaker Sam Holland, Sugar Steve chatting with the legend Nick Lowe. And I've had pleasures of doing one on one conversations with Willow Sonata Maitreya, Kathleen Hanna and the rza. These are conversations you won't hear anywhere else, so make sure you go back and you check those episodes out. All right? Listen to Questlove supreme on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Ryan Leaf
Hey everyone. I'm Madison Packer, a pro hockey veteran.
Derwin James
Going on my 10th season in New York.
Ryan Leaf
And I'm Anya Packer, a former pro.
Derwin James
Hockey player and now a full Madison Packer stand. Anya and I met through hockey and now we're married and moms to two awesome toddlers. And on our new podcast, Moms who Puck, we're opening up about the chaos.
Ryan Leaf
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Derwin James
Between the juggle of being athletes, raising children, and all the messiness in between, we're also turning to fellow athletes and beyond to learn about their parenthood journeys and collect valuable advice like FIFA World.
Ryan Leaf
Cup winner Ashlyn Harris.
Andy Staples
I wish my village would have prepared.
Derwin James
Me for how hard motherhood was going to be.
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And peloton instructor and Ratchet mom club founder Kirsten Ferguson.
Derwin James
And I remember going in there. A hot mess. So listen to Moms who Puck, a.
Ryan Leaf
Production of iHeart Women's Sports and Deep.
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From tips for healthy living to the.
Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
Keeps you up to date on today's.
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Most important health issues. Through in depth conversations with experts from across the healthcare community, WebMD reveals how today's health news will impact your life tomorrow. It's not that people don't know that.
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Don'T know why it's healthy and we're struggling to try to help people help.
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Ryan Leaf
Iheartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back everybody, to the Dan Patrick Show. Ryan Leaf here filling in for Dan. Last segment of the show. Boy, this is my Flew by boys. Flew By. What a great show. Andy Staples just joined us. Derwin James from the Los Angeles Chargers. Lomas Brown All Pro from the Detroit Lions for that big Detroit Lions Green Bay packers matchup tonight, football, football, football. That's all we had today, it's a lot of fun. Talked a lot about it. Ah, breaking news. Breaking news, everybody. Brett Vegan. Brent Vegan, head football coach for Montana State University Bobcats, named Eddie Robinson coach of the Year.
Derwin James
Nice.
Ryan Leaf
Congratulations. Congratulations, Mr. Vegan, as the head football coach for Montana State. Of course you are. You know, of godly form. Makes sense. Makes sense, everybody. All right, so we have a few minutes left in the show. Anybody who's watched the Dan Patrick show knows that I've been a staple for many different reasons, right. There was a span where it was much ado about nothing to, you know, the trials and tribulations that I went through. But 10 years ago, it was about a year out, we were at the San Francisco Super Bowl. Was that Super Bowl 50? I believe it was. My now wife and I drove up from Los Angeles to go to the NFLPA's Player Care foundation medical evaluations. They offered free medical evaluations to former players, most of which guys may have not had physicals for years. And me being in a prison and doing what I did to my body for as long as I did, I had no idea what I was like. I didn't know where I needed to go to get healthy. And so I went in to do that. That's why I went to that Super Bowl. I went up there because they offer those at those sites for those big events. As I was in the hotel, it was the hotel that we were doing the checkups in with the doctors. I ran across Paul Pabst in the. In the hallway. Now, listen, Paul and I, and as well as Seton and Andrew Perloff and Fritzie, we've known each other for years, pre prison, post prison, everything. And Paulie just simply said, hey, you know, you know, totally in your hands if you wanted to come on, talk to. About where you're at. And I was just. I didn't know. I talked to the people that I cared about, the mentors and things like that, and they just. They said something that spoke volumes to me. And I didn't understand it at the time, really said, you are a lighthouse, and you don't see lighthouses running around the harbor looking for boats. And I didn't understand what that meant. And then you understand, especially living in the Northeast now, lighthouses are rooted in the rocks and the foundation, okay? And you just. You shine a light and you provide a safe harbor for somebody if they may need it. And that's all this was. It's a little snippet. It's a minute, but here's From Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco down in the marina with Dan and the Dan ants and myself. And my first public statements since walking out of a prison cell. It's great to see you. You look great. You brought your girlfriend. Looks like you got life in order here. Yes, today I do.
Derwin James
Yeah.
Ryan Leaf
Yeah. If you were gonna recap the last four years for somebody who had no idea about Ryan Leaf, how would you recap four years? Well, interesting. I have a lot of life experience. Even more added on to all this, I think that four years ago, I got sick. And when I got sick, I got offered pain medication from the doctor. And I never told him that I had a previous problem. I just had to do radiation for a brain tumor. And I just assumed that, you know what? Everybody else gets to do this when they're feeling this, but I can't. I can never take one. And they gave me those pills. December 1, 2012. And by March 30, 2000, or December 1, 2011, by March 30, 2012, I was in a jail cell. So it took four months for everything to go away. Wow. I look different. I even sound a little different. But it was simply just telling my story, and I think that was the foundation of what my mentors were talking to me about. I had no idea that that day would spin what it looks like now. Right. There's a lot of water under the bridge in terms of, like, because I didn't want to be in the public eye anymore, I thought I could go and be of service to other people and then just kind of disappear. But the Dan Patrick show exists. My name doesn't disappear. All right? The draft happens every year, especially when they take six first round draft picks in the same season. You know, that's. That's what happens. So I had to figure out a way to take that power back. One was meeting Trevor Moad and making sure that I didn't allow negative thoughts into my brain anymore. And that shifted and changed. Marvin didn't know me then. He's come on board after Andrew left. But Fritzi and Seaton have. And I mean, from you guys knew me previously to that moment to where we are now. And just what are your thoughts about this incredibly grateful life that I get to offer? Seaton?
Derwin James
Yeah.
Ryan Leaf
You know, it's interesting. That clip you can hear. I mean, you can see, obviously, a physical change. You could see, too, that you're uncomfortable, and you can hear that you're not confident yet.
Derwin James
You know, that's the big difference.
Ryan Leaf
You're infinitely more confident sitting here today than you were. That guy right there, that guy is like a baby, you know, the guy that was just talking, he's like a pup. That guy hasn't been in the public eye, you know, for I don't know how long in that picture. This is, this will, this will, this will. This will be crazy. But I'm more confident now as a human being with all the baggage that exists than I ever was as an NFL quarterback. So thank you to the listener, thank you to Dan Patrick, thank you to you guys for carrying me and always being there for me. Dan, we'll be back tomorrow. Love you all. Thanks.
Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
Shaping markets and the economy are often hiding behind a blur of numbers. So that's why we created the Big Take from Bloomberg Podcasts to give you the context you need to make sense of it all. Every day in just 15 minutes, we dive into one global business story that matters. You'll hear from Bloomberg journalists like Matt Levine.
Derwin James
A lot of this meme stock stuff is, I think, embarrassing to the SEC.
Ryan Leaf
Follow the Big Take podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
Derwin James
Hey, I'm Jack Please Thomas, the host of a brand new Black Effect original series, Black lit, the podcast for diving deep into the rich world of black literature. Black lit is for the page turners for those who listen to audiobooks while running errands or at the end of a busy day. From thought provoking novels to powerful poetry, we'll explore the stories that shape our culture. Listen to Black lit on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. ATT Connecting changes everything. People, my people, what's up? This is Questlove, man. I cannot believe we're already wrapping up another season of Questlove supreme, man. We've got some amazing guests lined up to close out the season. But you know, I don't want any of you guys to miss all the incredible conversations we've had so far. I mean, we talked to Amerie, Johnny Marr, Eve, Jonathan Schechter, Billy Porter, and so many more. Look, if you haven't heard these episodes yet, hey, now's your chance. You gotta check them out. Listen to Questlove supreme on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.
Ryan Leaf
Hey, everyone, I'm Madison Packer, a pro.
Derwin James
Hockey veteran going on my 10th season in New York.
Ryan Leaf
And I'm Anya Packer, a former pro.
Derwin James
Hockey player and now a full Madison Packer.
Ryan Leaf
Stan, Anya and I met through hockey.
Derwin James
And now we're married and moms to.
Ryan Leaf
Two awesome toddlers, ages 2 and 4. And we're excited about our new podcast.
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Ryan Leaf
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Derwin James
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Ryan Leaf
So listen to moms who puck on.
Derwin James
The iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 3 – Derwin James Jr. & Andy Staples
Host: Ryan Leaf (Filling in for Dan Patrick)
Guests:
Release Date: December 5, 2024
In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show, host Ryan Leaf engages in insightful conversations with two prominent figures in the football world: Derwin James Jr., an All-Pro safety for the Los Angeles Chargers, and Andy Staples, a seasoned college football analyst. The discussions delve into the dynamics of the Chargers under Coach Jim Harbaugh and the evolving landscape of college football, including playoff structures and coaching strategies.
Team Dynamics Under Jim Harbaugh
Ryan Leaf opens the segment by highlighting the exciting developments within the Chargers, particularly praising Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter's impact:
"I think we got him already, so we're going to go to him right now. Derwin James, all pro safety for my Los Angeles Chargers, joins us now." ([03:56])
Derwin expresses his enthusiasm about the team's progress and the positive environment fostered by Coach Harbaugh:
"Man, I can't stop smiling every day I come into the building. It's just exciting to come to work with these men." ([04:22])
He emphasizes the family-like atmosphere Harbaugh has created, which is unprecedented in his seven-year NFL career:
"We're just creating that family environment that I've never been around in the NFL in my seven years." ([05:21])
Impact of Game Strategies and Plays
Discussing a critical moment against Atlanta, Derwin commends Coach Harbaugh's strategic decisions:
"First of all, I feel like coach did a great job all day calling great plays." ([06:29])
He highlights the aggressive defense and the significance of teamwork:
"We just want to keep going hard and coach, mentor. Man. I can't say nothing but great things about him." ([05:47])
Leadership and Motivation
Derwin praises Harbaugh's hands-on coaching approach, noting his active participation in drills and maintaining high energy:
"He's been pulling sleds, man. Honestly, since we've been working out every fourth quarter drill, no lie." ([08:57])
He underscores Harbaugh's ability to inspire and lead the team:
"He's one of a kind when it comes to that." ([09:22])
Facing Top Teams and Playoff Aspirations
When discussing upcoming matchups against elite teams like the Chiefs, Derwin stresses the importance of resilience and preparation:
"All, it's always exciting to go against the Chiefs. I feel like the games come down to the end every time." ([11:10])
He reflects on the team's confidence:
"I trust every man in this locker room from offense, defense to special teams." ([11:10])
Conclusion of Segment with Derwin
Ryan Leaf wraps up the conversation by commending the Chargers' defense and praising Coach Harbaugh's leadership:
"He's the track record, he goes places, you win. You get a chance to win a championship." ([13:40])
Evolving Playoff Structures and Conference Games
Andy Staples provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent changes in college football, particularly focusing on the expanded playoff system:
"It's really interesting how it changed our relationship with games in November." ([25:00])
He discusses the heightened significance of rivalry games and their impact on playoff qualifications:
"Texas and Texas A and M were playing for a spot in the SEC championship game." ([25:00])
Transfer Portal and Recruiting Dynamics
The conversation shifts to the influence of the transfer portal on team building and recruiting:
"You can just play somewhere else. I can become a first rounder at Arkansas, I can become a first rounder at Ole Miss." ([30:20])
Andy highlights the challenges top programs face in retaining talent:
"Alabama's backups used to be better than probably everybody ranked below number five. And that's just not the case anymore." ([30:20])
Coaching Stability and Career Moves
Discussing the volatility of coaching positions, Andy points out the financial and strategic constraints preventing frequent coaching changes:
"Some of the buyouts have gotten so ridiculous that they're almost prohibitive." ([32:27])
He identifies schools currently searching for coaches and the potential impacts on their programs:
"The best jobs open right now are North Carolina, Purdue, UCF, and West Virginia." ([32:27])
National Collegiate Football League Proposal
Andy expresses his thoughts on the proposed restructuring of college football into a national league:
"They have to dictate the terms. Like, you have Jeremiah Smith, who is the best wide receiver in the country." ([34:03])
He underscores the unique position of college athletes balancing academics and professional-level sports:
"They're still on college campuses. These are student athletes still." ([39:26])
Impact of Conference Realignments
Andy anticipates that teams from the PAC-12 will return to their original conference due to financial constraints of the proposed league:
"Guess who's going to hold the cards on whether you get back into the Pac 12 conference? Washington State, Oregon State, and Teresa Gould." ([39:26])
Conclusion of Segment with Andy
Ryan Leaf concludes the segment by reflecting on the insights shared by Andy, highlighting the complexity and ongoing evolution of college football:
"We're going to come back for our last segment here on the Dan Patrick Show." ([41:31])
In the later part of the episode, Ryan Leaf shares a personal reflection on his journey, including overcoming challenges and embracing a positive mindset inspired by mentors like Trevor Moad. He touches upon his transformation since leaving prison and the importance of "Neutral Thinking" in maintaining mental resilience:
"You don't allow negative thoughts ever to enter our mind." ([36:55])
Leaf expresses gratitude towards his supporters and outlines his commitment to personal growth and helping others:
"Thank you to the listener, thank you to Dan Patrick, thank you to you guys for carrying me and always being there for me." ([37:39])
Derwin James Jr.:
"I'm doing good, man. How y'all doing?" ([03:56])
Ryan Leaf:
"I think Coach Harbaugh shows up. There's a different mentality as a former player." ([04:47])
Andy Staples:
"It's really interesting how it changed our relationship with games in November." ([25:00])
Derwin James Jr.:
"Coach Harbaugh, he's all in, man." ([08:57])
Andy Staples:
"You can just play somewhere else. I can become a first rounder at Arkansas, I can become a first rounder at Ole Miss." ([30:20])
This episode of The Dan Patrick Show offers listeners a deep dive into both the professional strategies shaping the Los Angeles Chargers under Derwin James Jr.'s perspective and the transformative shifts within college football as analyzed by Andy Staples. From discussing coaching methodologies and team dynamics to exploring the complexities of college football's evolving playoff systems and transfer regulations, the show provides a comprehensive overview of current trends and future directions in the sport.
Whether you're an NFL enthusiast or a college football follower, Ryan Leaf's engaging interviews with Derwin James Jr. and Andy Staples deliver valuable insights and thoughtful commentary on the ever-changing landscape of football.