The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 3 – In or Out, Steve Young
Release Date: December 18, 2024
Host: Dan Patrick
Guest: Steve Young, Hall of Fame Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick delves into pressing sports topics, primarily focusing on quarterback decisions in the NFL and their broader implications. The episode features a candid conversation with Steve Young, a Hall of Fame quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, who shares his personal experiences and insights into the modern game.

2. Quarterback Decisions and Team Dynamics

Dan Patrick opens the discussion by addressing the controversial decision by the Atlanta Falcons to bench veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. This decision sparks a debate on the implications of favoring young, mobile quarterbacks over established veterans.

• Dan Patrick [04:11]: "There's a lot of rumors that go on now because we have three more regular season games and everybody who's out of the playoff race, they're kind of lining up. They want to make sure in the game of musical chairs there's a chair for you to sit on."

• Seaton [04:00]: "That's still 51-49. That's interesting to me."

Marvin, another commentator, emphasizes the importance of culture change within teams, suggesting that hiring the right coach is crucial for transforming a franchise.

• Seaton [04:10]: "Ben Johnson's name will be at the forefront here."

• Marvin [10:24]: "There's no stat for that. Is there a light foul? Used to me there was a playoff foul."

The conversation shifts to the broader landscape of quarterbacking in the NFL, comparing the situations in the Falcons, Jets, and even touching on the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback dynamics.

3. Guest Segment: Steve Young’s Reflections

Steve Young joins the conversation, providing a retrospective view on his own career and the challenges of being benched.

• Dan Patrick [22:57]: "Steve Young, will stop by as well."

Marvin (representing Steve Young) reminisces about past experiences with being benched and the emotional impact it had.

• Marvin [23:05]: "I threw six interceptions as a 10th grader in JV. And the coach said that after the game, he's like, you guys are the worst athletes in the world."

He further discusses the significance of being a left-handed quarterback in a predominantly right-handed NFL environment.

• Marvin [36:27]: "Assertion that there's complete discrimination, Dan. That's why quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are celebrated."

Steve Young reflects on the importance of adaptability and having a supportive team structure.

• Marvin [25:40]: "They want a quarterback that can extend and push defenses backwards."

4. The Impact of Team Management and Coaching

The discussion delves into the role of team management in constructing a successful roster around a quarterback. The conversation critiques the Dallas Cowboys' management decisions, particularly regarding their handling of quarterback Dak Prescott.

• Marvin [31:03]: "Jerry Jones has not empowered anyone to walk in the locker room and fire anybody. Without that power, the coach in the NFL is neutered."

The segment underscores the necessity of balancing star player salaries with team needs to ensure a competitive edge.

• Dan Patrick [29:26]: "It's the dilemma because I mean, we love everyone loves Brock and loves his game and loves his efficiency, his leadership and everything else, but we got to make sure we have the money to put the people with him to go win it."

5. NBA Ratings and Game Flow Critique

Shifting focus to basketball, the show critiques the NBA's rating decline, attributing it to inconsistent game scheduling and excessive foul calling that disrupts the game's flow.

• Dan Patrick [08:30]: "I liken the NBA to this. Let's say you have a restaurant. It's a good restaurant. You just never know when it's open. That's the NBA."

Seaton adds to the critique by pointing out the frequency and nature of fouls called in the NBA, suggesting they hinder the game’s natural flow.

• Seaton [10:12]: "I feel like the number of fouls called is impossible to get a feel and flow for the game when every little ticky tack foul is being called."

Todd provides statistical context, showing a decline in fouls called per game over the decades, but Marvin counters by highlighting the increase in light fouls, which aren't captured in the stats.

• Todd [11:25]: "In the past four years, including this year, 19.6 fouls called per game."

• Marvin [11:47]: "It's not more, but more light fouls. There's no stat for that."

6. Audience Interaction: "In or Out" Poll

The show engages listeners with an interactive poll segment titled "In or Out," where audience members weigh in on various sports propositions.

• Poll Question [07:29]: "Kirk Cousins will get the reins of one more franchise next season."

  • Todd [07:36]: "In"

  • Marvin [07:45]: "In"

  • Seaton [07:40]: "Out"

The poll continues with questions about shifting trends in hiring former star players as coaches and the NBA’s rating issues, receiving mixed responses from the audience.

7. Reflections on Fame and Personal Growth

In a more personal segment, Steve Young (via Marvin) reflects on the challenges of fame and personal setbacks, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and learning from failures.

• Marvin [40:58]: "Fame is a thief, Dan. Let's be honest. And if you're not careful, fame can take stuff away from you that you don't even notice."

He recounts past humiliations and the pressure of maintaining excellence, underscoring the human side of professional sports.

• Marvin [41:36]: "I was in the Super Bowl. We won the Super Bowl. I lost my mind, man."

8. Conclusion and Teasers for Future Shows

As the episode wraps up, Dan Patrick teases upcoming segments and guests, including a live edition featuring Chris Collinsworth and a spotlight on emerging music artist Stephen Wilson Jr III.

• Dan Patrick [43:56]: "We'll bring that to you coming up in the final hour of the program tomorrow."

He also highlights featured advertisements once more but ensures the main content remains the focus.

Notable Quotes

• Dan Patrick [04:11]: "There's a lot of rumors that go on now because we have three more regular season games and everybody who's out of the playoff race, they're kind of lining up. They want to make sure in the game of musical chairs there's a chair for you to sit on."

• Marvin [25:40]: "They want a quarterback that can extend and push defenses backwards."

• Seaton [10:12]: "I feel like there's a foul every 13 seconds and it's impossible to get a feel and flow for the game when every little ticky tack foul is being called."

• Marvin [36:27]: "Complete discrimination, Dan. That's why quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are celebrated."

• Marvin [40:58]: "Fame is a thief, Dan. Let's be honest."

Key Takeaways

• Quarterback Dynamics: The NFL faces a pivotal moment in quarterback selection, balancing the value of experienced veterans against the potential of young, dynamic draftees.

• Team Management Importance: Effective team management and coaching are crucial for utilizing a quarterback’s strengths and fostering a winning culture.

• NBA Challenges: The NBA's declining ratings are attributed to inconsistent schedules and excessive foul calling, which disrupt the natural flow of the game.

• Personal Growth in Sports: Even legendary athletes like Steve Young grapple with the pressures of fame and the importance of learning from failures.

This episode provides an in-depth look into the strategic decisions shaping the NFL and NBA, enriched by personal anecdotes from Steve Young. Listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the complexities behind team management, player development, and the broader sports entertainment landscape.