3 & Out - Bills presser was WILD, Bakers gets MAD, 49ers Practice Facility

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: 3 & Out - Bills presser was WILD, Baker gets MAD, 49ers Practice Facility

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: John Middlekauff (with guest analyst)
Podcast Feed: The Herd with Colin Cowherd / 3 & Out

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Overview

This episode dives into a wild week of NFL news focusing on a chaotic Buffalo Bills press conference, Baker Mayfield and Kevin Stefanski's public feud, updates from the 49ers, and broader coaching/development storylines across the league. John Middlekauff brings strong opinions and a casual, irreverent tone, mixing rapid-fire analysis with listener mailbag questions on NFL and a bit beyond.

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1. Buffalo Bills Press Conference - “Fireworks in Buffalo”

Timestamp: 01:43–11:28

• Main Event:
  The Bills’ ownership and management press conference drew headlines for its awkwardness, with owner Terry Pegula’s poor public speaking and confusion about the franchise’s direction front and center.
• Middlekauff on Terry Pegula:
  • “I don’t know if he’s the sharpest tool in the shed. Some of you would be like, ‘John, he’s a billionaire, how would you say he’s not smart?’” (03:30)
  • “When you watch them and listen, not everyone’s a great public speaker… But I’ve seen enough owners talk. Most guys can handle themselves. He could not.” (04:43)
  • “No team in pro sports beside the Jets has a longer playoff drought than the Buffalo Sabers. He owns that franchise too.” (04:44)
• Ownership in the Spotlight:
  Middlekauff compares Pegula’s handling to more stable, competent ownership (referring to the Ravens and Steve Bisciotti, 05:04–05:35).
• Bills' Decision-Making Process:
  • Pegula’s lack of football acumen and overreliance on staff captured:
    “They are very dependent on the people they hire. If they get the people right, their team kicks ass.” (07:15)
  • Comments on GM Brandon Beane’s controversial “Keon Coleman” comment and later attempts to clarify (05:54–06:58).
• Coaching Candidates:
  “My guess would be sitting here that Brian Daboll is the next coach, assuming Josh and him have a good relationship. To my knowledge, they do.” (12:30)
• Notable Moment:
  “If I was the Bills, someone needs to yank the mic away from Pegula.” (08:55)

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2. Rapid-Fire NFL Coaching Updates

Timestamp: 13:02–21:53

• Steelers' Head Coach Search:
  • Interviewed Mike McCarthy; Middlekauff questions the team’s broader strategy:
    • “The Steelers have had three coaches in like 75 years. Cool. Great. It’s 2025... their roster on paper looks terrible.” (13:14)
    • “If McCarthy got the job, it’d be one of the truly great resumes… Packers, Cowboys, and Steelers.” (15:03)
• Matt Nagy & the Chiefs:
  Middlekauff unpacks Matt Nagy's contract gamble, his failed leverage for a raise or promotion, and possible shift to the Eagles (17:07–18:14).
• Coaching Trees & Dynamics:
  Discussion of coaches returning (Eric Bieniemy to KC) and strategic staff shuffles.

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3. Surprising Coaching Partnerships: Harbaugh/McDaniel

Timestamp: 19:12–21:36

• Odd Fit That Might Succeed:
  • “Love’s a powerful thing. I would say that about Mike McDaniel and Jim Harbaugh. If you just saw the two of them, they couldn’t look any more polar opposite.” (19:36)
  • “Honestly, it kind of makes some sense. When it comes to football, they have similar philosophies—blocking, run game, etc.” (20:07)
  • Possible resurgence for McDaniel if things go well with Harbaugh.

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4. Baker Mayfield vs. Kevin Stefanski – Quarterback-Coach Drama

Timestamp: 25:12–28:54

• The Feud:
  Baker Mayfield fired back at Kevin Stefanski, who criticized Mayfield as a failed quarterback in Cleveland.
  • “Failed is quite the reach, pal. Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.” —Baker Mayfield quote tweet (26:02)
• Locker Room Leadership:
  Middlekauff questions Stefanski’s player relationships:
  • “Do people like Kevin Stefanski? ...I haven’t seen a peep being said by anybody [in Cleveland].” (27:07)
  • Contrasts with McDermott in Buffalo and the strong public player support after his firing.

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5. 49ers End-of-Season Presser & Facility Issues

Timestamp: 28:55–34:47

• Practice Facility Health Concerns:
  On the topic of substation health and field conditions:
  • “It’s not going away… Number one priority: keep your guys healthy.” (29:52)
• Brandon Aiyuk Situation:
  • “Brandon Aiyuk will never play for the 49ers again… his situation with the 49ers just became a disaster and then pretty sad.” (30:47)
  • “There’s no way around. It’s pretty embarrassing for the Niners… They have a regret of not pulling the trigger last year.” (31:41)
• Mac Jones Trade Talk:
  • “Kyle Shanahan said today, like I’d be stunned if [Mac Jones is] not on the team… His value to us is stronger than some late third-round, fourth-round pick.” (32:32)
• DC Succession Planning:
  Gus Bradley steps in as expected for Robert Saleh, illustrating the importance of grooming replacements internally.

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6. Listener Mailbag – Coaching Philosophy, Roster Moves & Football Culture

Timestamp: 35:08–68:22

• CEO Coaches vs Playcalling Head Coaches:
  • “Sirianni is totally dependent on his offensive coordinator every year. Whereas guys like Andy [Reid] and Kyle [Shanahan] don’t lose their OC because they are the OC.” (35:37)
  • Leadership, handling adversity, and the rare dual-leader/playcaller skill set.
• Roster Decisions (Bears’ WR Dilemma):
  • “I think you make them both [DJ Moore & Rome Odunze] available and just kind of see what the market is.” (40:09)
• Justin Herbert & Playoff Performances:
  • “Let’s agree to only call Herbert the Chargers’ starting quarterback until he wins a playoff game. He’s like the James Harden of quarterbacks—regular season hero, playoff zero.” (43:29)
  • “There’s no disputing Purdy—if you’re just talking clutch, you have more faith in Brock Purdy than you do Justin Herbert.” (44:14)
• NFL’s 17th Game Format:
  • Listener proposes annual set interconference rival games; Middlekauff notes logistical complications, including potential for duplicated matchups and limited suitable pairs.
• Can College Powerhouses Beat NFL Teams?
  • “Would any [2025-level Indiana, 2019 LSU] have a chance to win a game against an awful NFL team?”
  • “At the end of the year, if an NFL team’s rolling out backups, I’d give you a shot… but not week one.” (65:13)

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7. Broadcasting & Industry Musings

Timestamp: 52:42–56:58

• Al Michaels Returning to Amazon/Thursday Night Football:
  • “At this point in time, does Al Michaels need the money? …The wiring of play-by-play people, they will never give up the microphone.” (55:17)
  • Suggests the product could use a shakeup, pointing out broadcasters seldom yield their spots, sometimes to the product’s detriment.

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8. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Terry Pegula’s Press Conference:
  “Holy shit… someone take the mic away from him.” (09:00)
• Baker Mayfield’s fiery tweet:
  “Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.” (26:02)
• On coaching hires:
  “The reality with CEO head coaches: if you hire the wrong coach to call your plays, you’re just screwed.” (37:33)
• On football family and fandom:
  “Why did I grow up liking the San Francisco Giants, the 49ers, the Sacramento Kings? Because I grew up in Davis, California. What most human beings are product of where they live.” (61:18)

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9. Tone & Style

Middlekauff is direct, unscripted, and comfortable riffing, showing both deep knowledge and a willingness to challenge both conventional thinking and NFL power structures (“most of these owners have no clue what they’re doing… let’s just be real”).
He mixes irreverence (“It’s on like Donkey Kong”), humor, and real football insight throughout, with abundant asides, mailbag banter, and relatable analogies (“it’s not like we’re on an Excel spreadsheet—these are human beings”).

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Key Timestamps Overview

• 01:43–11:28: Buffalo Bills Presser/Ownership Breakdown
• 13:02–21:53: Coaching Carousel Updates & NFL Rapid Fire
• 21:53–25:12: Harbaugh/McDaniel Fit Discussion
• 25:12–28:54: Baker vs. Stefanski, Locker Room Chemistry
• 28:55–34:47: 49ers Facility, Aiyuk, Mac Jones, DC transitions
• 35:08–68:22: Mailbag (coaching, fan culture, NFL–NCAA, play-by-play)

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For New Listeners

If you enjoy a mix of unfiltered NFL commentary, unique analogies, and in-depth mailbag, this episode serves as a classic example of John Middlekauff’s style—opinion-heavy, humorous, but rooted in lived sports experience and industry knowledge.

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Transcript

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[John Middlekauff]

What is going on everybody? John Middelkopf 3&out podcast how are we doing? Hopefully everyone's having a great day out there in the real world. Raising your children, enjoying life, staying warm.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

If you're in a cold weather city.

[John Middlekauff]

We'Re like to meet today in Scottsdale. It's a little chillier. About 65 had to put on a little hoodie. But we're going to have to start.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

This podcast with what happened in Buffalo because that press conference was was fireworks. You don't get those too often and I thought let's do a little NFL rapid fire. From Buffalo to McCarthy interviewing with the Steelers to Baker Mayfield going after Stefanski to the 49ers acknowledging the substation, we'll talk about it all. We'll just NFL different topics from the day as well as a mailbag at John Middlekopf Is the Instagram fire in those DMs get your questions answered here on the show. You obviously can watch this this bald human being. I actually wore a hat today on Netflix. We put every episode on Netflix and we also are on every audio platform which many of you are listening to right now. I guess this is the audio version so Spotify, Apple, if you're listening on Collins feed, make sure you subscribe to the three and out feed. Make sure you do that.

[John Middlekauff]

If you like golf, we got to.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Go low feed too. I'm going to start that up here in a couple weeks. Just I've had some other requirements and obviously football season coming down the home stretch. But we're going to separate that this year with some, I mean, we have some big news Koepka and stuff, but that's, we'll keep that on the other podcast. And, and yeah, so let's just, let's talk some football. Let's dive right into the Buffalo Bills now. I've been pretty critical because one guy.

[John Middlekauff]

Got promoted, one guy got fired, and.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I was like, you know, how are these guys not on equal footings, even though we know that's not how it usually goes. I have a little bit of a different take today.

[John Middlekauff]

I've never listened or heard Terry Pula talk.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I learned through the press conference that.

[John Middlekauff]

The man rarely talks. And after watching today, I understood why. I would never go in front of.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

A microphone again if I was him.

[John Middlekauff]

My big takeaway today is I don't.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Know if he's the sharpest tool in the shed. Some of you be like, john, he's a billionaire.

[John Middlekauff]

How would you say he's not smart? Well, I can't say I know many billionaires, but I knew some multimillionaires growing up who didn't have a high school diploma because historically 60s, 70s, 80s, Pula made his money in oil. Like, you could get by with not being the smartest guys if you had nesticized watermelons, if you had balls, if you were willing to take chances. Because most human society are not like, I, I, I don't know if Jerry Jones is the sharpest guy in every.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Room he's ever walked in, but there's.

[John Middlekauff]

No disputing that Jerry was willing to take some big swings back in the day. I'm talking before the Cowboys. He had large cojones and like, reading a little bit about Terry and his business climb, there's no disputing. Terry's got some stones, but, like, when you watch them and listen, not everyone is a great public speaker.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I've told the story before.

[John Middlekauff]

My brother is much more capable at like 99% of things in life than me. Yet he, he couldn't eat his dinner before my wedding because he had to give a speech which lasted like 30 seconds. Some people are just uncomfortable speaking in public, which is understandable. Like, I talk for a living. So I, I, I try not to judge people that talking in these settings. But like, I, I've seen enough owners talk like, most guys can handle themselves.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

He could not.

[John Middlekauff]

And then I started doing a little digging. Like, I don't follow hockey. No team in pro sports beside the jets has A longer playoff drought than the Buffalo Sabers. He happens to own that franchise as well. I've said this for a long time. Like, you watched this press conference was theater. And I live for a good press conference.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

When it's like it's on like Donkey Kong. People want answers. People want to know what's going on. This feels like a shady situation. Like, let's rewind a couple weeks ago to the Ravens. Steve Bushotti fires John Harbaugh.

[John Middlekauff]

It really wasn't that controversial. It was like 18 years. We felt like we came to the end of the road.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

We make a change.

[John Middlekauff]

And you looked up at the day.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It's just him talking and he's given his answers. Unfazed, comfortable in, in his environment, in.

[John Middlekauff]

His, just in that situation, whether you liked or didn't like what he was saying, like he wasn't afraid of anything.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Bring it fucking on. Right?

[John Middlekauff]

And he was like, that's what an ownership, that's, that's how it should be handled. I watched Chris, Chris Marriott yesterday after.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The Harbaugh press conference. He did something on the side with.

[John Middlekauff]

All the media and he's usually not the lead voice.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It's his brother John handled it with ease.

[John Middlekauff]

You watched Terry up there today.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Obviously the Keon Coleman comment, which I.

[John Middlekauff]

Will defend Brandon Bean later in the press conference, he came back like, listen, we were all on the same page. Anytime you don't draft, like really, really high, I would say top five, but.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Maybe like the top 15.

[John Middlekauff]

Like you could get someone at 11.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

That you kind of had a decent idea who was going to be there and that's who. Your coaching staff, the personnel people love. You start drafting pack pass, like pick 25.

[John Middlekauff]

There are going to be seven different.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Opinions in the room.

[John Middlekauff]

Coach, GM coordinators, couple scouts, like most.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

People are going to be like, I wish we would have draft that guy.

[John Middlekauff]

I wanted that guy. That's not abnormal at all. And I, I think Brandon Bean really.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Tried to double down. Like, listen, I liked him too. There are videos going viral of him liking him. I like Keon Coleman a lot of Florida State. I thought he was a stud.

[John Middlekauff]

Remember that first game against lsu? He have three touchdowns. I was just mossing dudes in the corner of the end zone.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Was fantastic performance.

[John Middlekauff]

So I, I, I was pro key. I'm not trying to act like it.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Was a crazy draft pick at the time, but I, and I think Brandon.

[John Middlekauff]

Bean tried to like later on saying.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Listen, I, I don't tried to distance.

[John Middlekauff]

Himself a little bit from that. And it shows like Terry there's not that big a difference beside owners that don't give you money to spend on your team. Like that's a big separating factor.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

But most of these guys have no clue what they're doing. Let's just be real, right?

[John Middlekauff]

They are very dependent on the people they hire. And if they get the people they hire right, their team kicks ass.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Terry Pula is a good example.

[John Middlekauff]

Bean McDermott, a year in, they draft Josh Allen and it's on like Donkey Kong. If he would have drafted two people that weren't capable, which we see happen all the time, the Buffalo Bills franchise could still be a joke like it was most of the Internet era post like the late 90s. So like I. People have to make decisions on who.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

To keep and who not to keep.

[John Middlekauff]

And it's always easier for these owners.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

To keep the gm.

[John Middlekauff]

I understand that we've been consistent on this podcast. It's not even a pro personnel anti coach thing. It's just like they communicate more closely. They're able to make their case more easily. They, they speak their same language where coaches sometimes don't. And, and coaches like the GM ain't addressing the team. The, the GM ain't the guy scheming up the place. So the, and the coach makes way more. The coaches also, let's say Bean, who, I mean, I would surely makes a decent amount of money. Let's say 5, 6 million. Sean McDermott was like making 15 million. So the coaches make way more. Their job's more volatile. It comes with the territory, right? But watching Pula today, I went, whoa.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

They were a bad hire from this thing being the jets. Because you watch this guy, he is a complete wild card and I've always just assumed, didn't know much about him. Good ownership. I, I think they hired the right people and they drafted the right quarterback. Because I watched Terry Pula and I went, I don't really see it. Someone take the mic away from him.

[John Middlekauff]

As someone DM me, what they should have done is had Terry start and.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Just say, listen, we had a bunch.

[John Middlekauff]

Of shots at this.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

He's been here nine years. We really respect him. Took a bunch of shots.

[John Middlekauff]

We couldn't get over the hump and we thought it was time to make a change.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

That's my statement, sticking to it. I'm out. Brandon will ask, answer all your questions. Instead he just kept talking and it was like, holy shit.

[John Middlekauff]

Like Brandon Beans. Listen, I'm not anti Bean in the.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Sense that I've heard him do a.

[John Middlekauff]

Lot of interviews over the years.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I've always thought he was a sharp guy, whether he's a great drafter or not. Like, no one's comparing him to, like, Al Davis in his prime, right?

[John Middlekauff]

But he clearly, like, had some good players and has done a solid job and takes a, a large amount of.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The responsibility for landing the quarterback, which was very controversial at the time.

[John Middlekauff]

There is no Monday morning quarterback.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Be like, everyone would take a Josh Young, Josh Gallen.

[John Middlekauff]

I. And I vividly remember this.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I'm like, that's crazy.

[John Middlekauff]

You're going to take a small school guy. I get he has some traits who is extremely inaccurate and did not really win in college.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

That, that is ballsy.

[John Middlekauff]

And I actually had a good buddy with the Chiefs, was like, bro, I.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Think this guy's a big time talent. He's got a chance. And my buddy was right. And clearly the, the Bills were right.

[John Middlekauff]

Because there were people in the league that could kind of see it. But there have been a lot of Josh Allens that turned into Anthony Richardson's or Trey Lance's.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

So it took stones.

[John Middlekauff]

They got it right. And I would imagine that's a big reason that indebted him to the owner, right, because he was one of the driving forces of doing that and then extending the contracts. But you watch the owner and you.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Go, listen, I get you're an oil maverick and made a lot of money in that industry, and you, you got some stones. But when a microphone's in front of your mouth, someone involved with the Buffalo Bills needs to yank that thing around. They even asked him one question because of the new stadium. And I guess he got close to $900 million with taxpayer money, which I'm not like most in the media. It's like the taxpayers don't. I don't care.

[John Middlekauff]

If I owned a team, I would.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Try to get as much free money as possible.

[John Middlekauff]

We all would.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I mean, welcome to the real world. So it doesn't bother me as much as, like, people on Twitter, but they asked him, because you got all this.

[John Middlekauff]

Free money, will you be available to just talk more? He's like, yeah, yeah, I might be.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And then after, I was like, I do not make him available. This makes it way worse. Keep him away from the microphone. If he had a podcast, that thing would go belly up quick. So the, the Bills, I mean, all eyes now are on who they're going to hire, right? Look at the Ravens fired Harbor.

[John Middlekauff]

They just feel pretty normal. Probably going to hire mentor. It was less controversial because it's not.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Like they were going to fire Dasta I mean, Dasta was it. It's well known he's John Harbaugh's best friends. They're neighbors. It's just, it's just very, very normal. Right. And then you see the Bills like this thing.

[John Middlekauff]

Honestly, it had some, it had some similarities to.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I remember going when Jim Harbaugh was fired and they, they ended up hiring Jim Tomsula. But the post Jim Harbaugh firing press.

[John Middlekauff]

Conference was as explosive and entertaining of.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

A press conference in the postseason as you're going to get.

[John Middlekauff]

They.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

They don't get any better. I live for them.

[John Middlekauff]

They, they thoroughly entertain me. Like, listen, you saw Ben Johnson today.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Or Kyle and Lynch today.

[John Middlekauff]

Like, those are cool. Get some nuts and bolts about what's going on. Maybe a headline or two.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

There's nothing like every question. You don't know where the bullets are.

[John Middlekauff]

Going to fly and what's going to.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Come because it's everyone you could tell.

[John Middlekauff]

They'Re up there on edge.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

All for.

[John Middlekauff]

My guess would be sitting here that Brian Dabel is the next coach, assuming.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Josh and him have a good relationship. And to my knowledge they do. So I, I would guess that's the easiest route. Like they're not going to hire some random coordinator. You can't take that type risk with this infrastructure already there.

[John Middlekauff]

So betting man right now it would.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Be Brian Dal and if it's not, it would be someone else with some cachet because you, you can't just fire Sean McDermott and go hire, you know, Robert Salah. I mean, I know he's not available, but I just using him as an example.

[John Middlekauff]

Some other coaching news that's pretty interesting.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

There's a couple here. So the, the Steelers interviewed Mike McCarthy. I think the Steelers did a terrible job.

[John Middlekauff]

I think the Steelers job, like they'll get to get a lot of credit. They've had three coaches in like 75 years.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Cool. Great. It's 2025. Their roster on paper looks terrible because it's a bunch of aging players that are making a ton of money and.

[John Middlekauff]

They have no quarterback. So like this Steeler team isn't exactly.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The one that Tomlin took over or.

[John Middlekauff]

The one like, you know, from the.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Late 90s with some great players.

[John Middlekauff]

This is a team that I would.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Short the majority of their players and.

[John Middlekauff]

Is going to probably next year be a rebuild. I know the owner pushed back on that, but I haven't read like one.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Of those like 72 hours into the.

[John Middlekauff]

Mike Tomlin decision slash pressure he had felt for meetings.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I haven't read that article.

[John Middlekauff]

So I'm just taking it on face value that Mike Tomlin saw the writing on the wall, this thing was over.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I'm jumping ship, right? But the Steelers situation is something to me that's not that desirable.

[John Middlekauff]

And you can't if you're going to lose Mike Tomlin.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It's pretty hard sell to hire Mike.

[John Middlekauff]

McCarthy, who in a lot of.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Ways is very similar. I mean, look at his run with the Cowboys.

[John Middlekauff]

Had some good teams, couldn't do anything in the playoffs. I mean, part of the problem with the Steelers, like they've been competitive.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

They just get dominated by the good.

[John Middlekauff]

Teams, especially in January. So if Mike McCarthy also thinking about.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

This today, you're like, think about like Pat Riley.

[John Middlekauff]

It's like played and coached for the Lakers. Then I went to the New York Knicks and then I basically created the Miami Heat.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It's like, that's a hell of a run. Or Joe Torre, he's like won a.

[John Middlekauff]

Bunch of championships with the Yankees and.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Then went to the Dodgers. You're like, that's badass. That's sweet. You know, Mike McCarthy coach for the.

[John Middlekauff]

Packers, the Cowboys and the Steelers. Robert saw his coach for the jets and the Titans. I mean, think how lucky if McCarthy got this job.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And who knows? I mean, it's not like anyone has.

[John Middlekauff]

A great feel for where the Steelers are going to go.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

They might be able to sell themselves. Like, we could do a lot worse than this guy. He knows how to work with some quarterbacks. He's. Look at Rogers, look at Dak Prescott.

[John Middlekauff]

Like, there's no disputing McCarthy's.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I'm not acting like he's the village idiot either. I'm just saying there's not much of a difference with the two.

[John Middlekauff]

Now. The main difference is McCarthy can call place. But I, I just can't get over if McCarthy were to get that job, it'd be one of the truly great.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Resumes in the history of the league. The three franchises he got to coach, you could argue might be the three most iconic franchises. Definitely three of the top five in the history of the NFL. And if we just did all of.

[John Middlekauff]

Sports, including in American professional sports, I.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Would say three of the top 10. You'd throw in the Yankees, you throw.

[John Middlekauff]

In the Lakers, probably throw in the Knicks, the Dodgers. I mean the packers, the Cowboys and the Steelers. It's a fucking pretty short list. So listen, people make fun of Mike McCarthy. I saw someone, you know, do people kind of judge him because he's fat? Is the look, is it? I don't Know what it is?

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I.

[John Middlekauff]

My guess would be one issue people have with them. I mean, one of the knocks and pat with the packers, it felt like Aaron Rodgers talked down upon him, like, didn't think he was that smart. And then they broke up and they acted like they had a great time together, which clearly they did early on. Then it got a little weird. And then Rogers made that comment after the end of the season. How our society is reflected. All these coaches on the hot seat. It's like, Aaron, you were there when Mike McCarthy got fired in the middle of the year.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I remember that.

[John Middlekauff]

You lost. Arizona got fired the next day. It's like people get fired all the time.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Welcome to pro sports players.

[John Middlekauff]

How many players have you seen running out of the building? What are you talking about? But it was one of those sexy little press conference quotes that really had.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Was the opposite of the truth. And I think Kansas City did something pretty interesting. Matt Nagy rolled the dice, right? He.

[John Middlekauff]

He thought his boy Borgonzi was in Tennessee. Callahan was in some trouble. He's like, I'm not going to sign an extension.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I'm going to play this out.

[John Middlekauff]

Steve Spagnola did the same thing the year before and we'll win big.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And I'm either going to get a huge raise or I'm going to become a head coach. Turns out neither happened because the Chiefs.

[John Middlekauff]

Went 6 and 11.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

So his leverage to get a big race way off the table. If you remember last year or in the last couple years, Spagnola. I remember the 49ers tried to hire him. He got a massive raise.

[John Middlekauff]

One of the highest paid coordinators in the league, Matt Nagy, the team lost.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And was like, you're not getting a raise here, buddy. And then, you know, I think he thought he was going to Tennessee because we all kind of did. We just assumed like that was going to happen.

[John Middlekauff]

Honestly, it was a little shocking when the headline and the story broke. Robert saw is the next head coach of the Titans.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I no one was more surprised probably than Matt Nagy.

[John Middlekauff]

So now you got him interviewed. Interviewing in Philly, which I actually could see happening when I got hired in Philly.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Nagy was one of the lowest guys on the totem pole. He played college football with Veech in.

[John Middlekauff]

Delaware, was a longtime AFL quarterback, worked.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

His way up from a quality control.

[John Middlekauff]

Guy to a quarterback coach.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Obviously was a head coach.

[John Middlekauff]

So I think one thing, getting away.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

From Andy could really do wonders for him.

[John Middlekauff]

And if he goes to Philly, a bright light market with a lot of people watching and have success and get Jalen back on the right track, he.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Could easily get a head coaching job next year.

[John Middlekauff]

And bringing Eric B. Enemy back for the Chiefs, I think they also hired Chad o' Shea as a wide receiver coach who spent a lot of years in New England. I think Andy's trying to button it up a little bit and get some guys that will just get in people. Obviously he knows Eric really well, who is just, you know, kind of a throwback coach. And o' Shea, coming from the Belichick tree, I think he's trying to put.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

A little sense of urgency on the offensive side of the ball.

[John Middlekauff]

One couple, you know, we all know these couples that they don't really make that much sense.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You're like, how did these two people fall in love? You know, like I, I never would.

[John Middlekauff]

Have guessed it, but they actually have a lot in common. Like politically, they're on the same page, they enjoy doing the same things. But you look at them, you're like.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

These two people really, it's like, yeah.

[John Middlekauff]

They just, they just fell in love.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You know, it's hard.

[John Middlekauff]

Love's a powerful thing. I would say that about Mike McDaniel and Jim Harbaugh. If you just saw the two of.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Them, they couldn't look any more polar opposite.

[John Middlekauff]

Jim looks like the 60 year old former elite athlete. He's a massive dude, just alpha. Mike is this five nine, 150 pounds, soaking wet. Now he's rich. He's wearing Gucci shades, a $50,000 watch and, and weird ass pants.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And he's going to be Harbaugh's offensive coordinator.

[John Middlekauff]

And honestly, it kind of makes some sense. They actually, when it comes to football have similar philosophies. Mike McDaniel made his career under Kyle with the offensive line coach, is the run game guru. So from a blocking standpoint, in the run game and even when he became the wide receiver coach, you don't block, you don't play. Like that's a huge thing.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

With the 49ers and has been throughout Kyle's 10 year going back to the.

[John Middlekauff]

Shanahan, his dad and the Kubiax, you got a block because they're a running offense. And Mike McDaniel, he's gone viral before for like coaching clinics, he's big on blocking.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

With your wide receivers, what does Jim Harbaugh want to do?

[John Middlekauff]

He wants to run it 40 times a game. So while they don't look anything alike, Jim Harbaugh wears the same thing every day. Mike has clothes that most of us couldn't even find on the Internet if you gave us three days to look and I think this thing could be good. And if Mike McDaniel, if these guys are healthy, the two offensive linemen, they just have a first round running back who I didn't really see it last year. Now give him an offseason, maybe a little overweight, I don't know. He just looked kind of slow to me. But they're going to have some pieces and clearly they have a talented quarterback.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Who a lot of people think is.

[John Middlekauff]

Kind of underachieved in the biggest moments because he has Mike McDaniel could a lot like what happened to Robert Sallow.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

This year, gets fired last year with the Jets. Like Robert Saul kind of sucks, right? Look, he can't deal with that situation. Comes to the 49ers and like Robert.

[John Middlekauff]

Sal is a badass, interviewing all over.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The place head coaching job.

[John Middlekauff]

Like who's to say that wouldn't happen with Mike, especially if he can handle and things go well with Jim. So just a fascinating marriage I cannot wait to watch. Today's show is brought to you by.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

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[John Middlekauff]

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[John Middlekauff]

Baker Mayfield, he he let out this.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Tweet on I guess it would have.

[John Middlekauff]

Been Tuesday because Kevin Stefanski said in a press conference about their quarterback situation.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Let me just find the tweet. I I don't want to screw it up. I I think I need a new phone because the buttons don't really work. So he Here is the quote tweet from Baker Mayfield.

[John Middlekauff]

The tweet came out from Kevin Stefanski that the Falcons Kevin Stefanski had a dumpster fire at quarterback in Cleveland.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Baker Mayfield and DeSean Watson failed, which.

[John Middlekauff]

Started a chain reaction to the other 11 starters. Shador Sanders closed out last season with.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Seven starts and then I guess it was Orlando Ledbetter, who's one of like, I think the Atlanta Journal Constitution, kind of a throwback. A big J. J. Journo for Atlanta's Big Paper.

[John Middlekauff]

Baker quoted it saying, failed is quite the reach. Pal still waiting on a text slash call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can't wait to see you twice a year, Coach. Clearly, there is some bad blood between.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Baker Mayfield and Kevin Stefanski.

[John Middlekauff]

Joe Thomas then later quoted Baker's tweet.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Saying, you could have reached out and called him. Which I, I don't think that's usually how it goes. But I will say this about Kevin Stefanski. I was thinking about Sean McDermott.

[John Middlekauff]

He gets fired now. He clearly had more success than Stefanski.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

But every player on the Bills is.

[John Middlekauff]

I mean, from starting players to role.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Players is, is posting statements, is posting pictures.

[John Middlekauff]

Clearly, his respect in that locker room was running pretty deep. I don't pretend to follow every Cleveland Brown player, but I haven't seen a.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Peep being said by anybody.

[John Middlekauff]

Do people like Kevin Stefanski? Like, I know he's smart and people keep telling me he's a great offensive mind, but, like, do the players like him? Kind of important, like, it kind of matters. So, like, does Baker have a point? Didn't call him to tell you I'm going to trade you? Who do you think you are, Belichick? There is kind of an arrogance to Stefanski. There's no debating that. You know, I know the media loves him. They think he's a fucking genius. I was thinking a couple years ago, when they won with Flacco, weren't they a defensive team? Like, wasn't Jim Schwartz kind of carrying most of the load? I have to go back and really break down the stats. But you'd be like, well, look at his quarterback. Well, isn't that kind of his gig to figure out quarterbacks? I mean, last year in the third round, and there's no way they draft a third round quarterback without the head coach, who is the play caller and the quarterback guru, without signing off on him. Took a guy that most teams has undraftable. So I, I think this Stefanski thing, this is nothing against him personally.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Like, I, I, I, I. Nothing bad to say about him. Met him one time, nice guy, but when it comes to a football coach.

[John Middlekauff]

And the way he handles his business.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I don't know, man, I, I just think that he's kind of got this, like, media thing going.

[John Middlekauff]

There's a Brandon, his personality is a lot different than Brandon Staley, but the media, early on, there was support behind him.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

That feels a little bit like that here.

[John Middlekauff]

And then you read quotes like this.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Like, you can't even call guys when you cut them and trade them. You know, starting quarterbacks I, I don't blame you practice squad guys. You got bigger fish to fry.

[John Middlekauff]

But kind of embarrassing. It's like where are the players coming out to be? Like this is one of the best.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Guys I've ever played for.

[John Middlekauff]

Happens all the time. Happened to day ball.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

When day ball got fired, a bunch of guys came out and they weren't even winning.

[John Middlekauff]

So I, I don't know, I just.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Got that situation red flag. Props to Baker for talking some shit. We need more of that.

[John Middlekauff]

And last but not least, on this.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Rapid fire, which I don't know if it's a rapid fire, went like 30 minutes. The 49ers, like a bunch of teams do. Most teams do, the coach and the gm, sometimes just the coach, they kind of give an end of the year little presser to the media and there was a lot going on. And one question that just had to be asked is a substation thing now.

[John Middlekauff]

One thing I was hoping for, just.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Because I think it would be such an explosive topic would if one of.

[John Middlekauff]

The super bowl teams was practicing there and refused to practice there because of the substation. But someone told me today that I.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Think the two teams, one practices Stanford, one practices San Jose. So I don't even think anyone practices on the Niners field. So it'll be a non topic in a couple weeks for, for the individual two teams to make the Super Bowl. But John lynch did acknowledge it and.

[John Middlekauff]

It'S something they have looked at and.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

They'Re going to have to look at.

[John Middlekauff]

More because it is a topic. I've been saying this, it's not going away.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And I saw Dante Whitner say the.

[John Middlekauff]

Number one, the, the only thing that matters this offseason is figuring out how.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

To stay, keep your guys healthy.

[John Middlekauff]

Like that is the Niners number one priority and it should be number two.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Number three, number four, number five, how.

[John Middlekauff]

Do we keep the players that we.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Have on the fucking field?

[John Middlekauff]

Because if we don't, we will not win. It's not going to happen. They definitely benefited a little bit from a little easier schedule this year with.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Some of their injuries.

[John Middlekauff]

If they were playing better teams week in, week out, it would have been much more difficult given the team they.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Were rolling out fully healthy. Hell, they might have won the Super Bowl. They probably would have or at least been had a much better effort against Seattle.

[John Middlekauff]

But they got no chance.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The group they're rolling out and it.

[John Middlekauff]

All gets back to all these achilles, all these ACLs, all these injuries. So I, I don't know where to even start when it comes to the study, but they better dive deep into.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It and figure some things out and figure them out quick.

[John Middlekauff]

They acknowledge that Brandon Ayuk will never.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Play for the 49ers again and I would guess that his trade market will be as Mike Dunleavy said about Kaminga's if a guy has a trade request, there needs to be a market. If not, there is no way to fulfill the trade request. It takes two to tango, right? And Brandon Aiuk's situation with the 49ers really just became a disaster and then pretty sad. As Kyle Shanahan said, in his 22 years of coaching, he's never not been able to have a player just go dark on him that's on his own team. They can't get a hold of him. I clearly mentally it feels like he's not in a good place. The videos went viral of him speeding around, but just, just a pretty sad story. And as John said, I mean there's no way around. It's pretty embarrassing for the Niners and clearly they have a regret of not.

[John Middlekauff]

Pulling the trigger last year when they could have traded him.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

They should have traded him before the draft, but they were in this super bowl or bust mode and they thought they could have their cake and eat it too and it blew up in their face. Now no one would have saw this coming but it came and now it's here and they're going to have to cut him. Luckily for them, for whatever reason, he didn't fight the money and they were able to get back $25 million of bonus money. They A couple other things. Mac Jones, who I think is going to be a sexy name to kind of be a bridge quarterback like a Daniel Jones was last year. Kyle Shanahan said today, like I'd be stunned if he's not on the team. And to me what he's saying is like obviously there are prices that you can't turn down for just about anyone in the NFL, but Mac Jones has a lot of value to us. Purdy's been hurt before. He's proven he can win games with us.

[John Middlekauff]

We're not just giving them to someone.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Because Andy's a cheap backup fourth round pick.

[John Middlekauff]

Here's Mac Jones. To me, I, I think it would.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Take a top 50 pick for the 49ers to entertain getting rid of them. I really do because his value to them is stronger than some late third round fourth round pick and I don't know if another team would do that. So my guess is there's probably true to What Kyle's saying, like I'd be surprised if Mac Jones is not on this team because his value to us.

[John Middlekauff]

And what we would need to part.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

With him to any team that just.

[John Middlekauff]

Needed a fill in quarterback is probably.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

More than they're willing to pay for this guy who's really is on a one year contract as well.

[John Middlekauff]

But you never know, right?

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You never know. Desperation is a powerful thing. Quarterbacks and quarterback needs clearly pop up every look how many teams have nothing at quarterback. They just need something serviceable and he's.

[John Middlekauff]

A name to watch.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

But think about if I told you your team just gave up pick 40 and again I don't know who's drafting 40 so I'm just put an arbitrary team in there. Pick 44 for Mac Jones. Like huh, it's a little rich. Gus Bradley will more than likely be Robert Sala's fill in. And I think clearly when they hired Robert Sala they knew at best they were going to have him a couple years that he was going to get rehired and they were right and he got hired probably faster than they wanted. But they also brought Gus to basically.

[John Middlekauff]

As anyone that listened to Haberman like he would eat lunch like those guys.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Would always be together. They are very, very close. Gus hired Robert Sala when he was the coach of the Jacksonville Jags as linebacker coach. So that's where Kyle got him from.

[John Middlekauff]

And you know when you hire these guys who are kind of rocket ships.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And I'm not acting like Saul is a rocket ship in the sense of like some future star head coach but.

[John Middlekauff]

In terms of you know, you're not going to be able to keep it does behoove you to kind of have a replacement around and training with them. Even if it's a guy that has experience and may have his own ways but just get them together and have them learn what you like. So it's an easy transition because I.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Don'T think Kyle wanted to go outside the building again like Steve Wilkes because that blew up in his face. Okay, let's go. Mailbag ad John Middlecoff John Middlecoff is.

[John Middlekauff]

The Instagram fire in those dms.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Get your questions answered right here on the show. We will start with Aaron. Big fan. Keep up the good work. Like this guy.

[John Middlekauff]

Eagles fan fresh off the loss. Eagles offense has been incompetent all year so this loss was pretty predictable question. I'm stealing this observation from my brother.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

But I think it's a good one. Listen, we all I steal takes from my wife or friends on text all the time that we use on the podcast. Never even credit them. You don't even need to credit.

[John Middlekauff]

Just steal the take as your own. The Eagles are in a cycle of playing well, losing their oc, playing bad under a new oc and then getting a new OC and playing good again. And my brother made the point that this is a direct result of Sirianni being a CEO coach. Since he's not the head coach NOC like a Shanahan or an Andy Reid. He's totally dependent on his offensive coordinator every year. Whereas guys like Andy and Kyle don't lose their OC when they are good because they are the oc. I think you can see this a bit with other teams like John Harbaugh, Dan Campbell, and other CEO head coaches.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I saw Brandon Bean make a really good point today, and he said that.

[John Middlekauff]

At the end of the day, the.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

First thing you need to do when hiring a coach, whether they're a play caller or not, is get a good leader, because their role as the head coach is unlike anything they've done as a coordinator. Best case scenario, you get the guy that can handle all the controversy that's flying his way.

[John Middlekauff]

Because every day as a head coach, from injuries to internal fighting with coaches with players, to DUIs, to arrests to.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You name it, that all falls on your desk. Think about, like, I'm at my desk right now, or you're at your desk right now listening and just hits the fan in whatever you're doing for a living. That comes immediately to, you know, depending.

[John Middlekauff]

On what you do, like, there could be problems you don't have to mess with. It's nice. You're like, not my issue. When you're a head coach, there is.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

No, that's not my issue.

[John Middlekauff]

Problem in the training room, problem in the equipment room, up in the cafeteria, like, it kind of gets back to you. So I Sirianni, just like all the.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Other CEO head coaches, they have to deal with all that stuff, but so.

[John Middlekauff]

Does Kyle Shanahan, so does Sean Payton.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

So does Sean McVay.

[John Middlekauff]

In a perfect world, you get both.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

There's just not that many of those guys.

[John Middlekauff]

So if you hire the bad coach.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

In terms of to call your plays or the wrong coach, you're just screwed. That's the reality with the CEO head coach, but it's.

[John Middlekauff]

It's no different like with these offensive coaches.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

If Andy Reid had hired the wrong.

[John Middlekauff]

Defensive coordinator, they probably don't have three Super Bowls. But he hired Spags, and his defense got dramatically better. They started Rattling off, right? Like Jim harbaugh. If Mike McDaniel is really good and all of a sudden the Chargers in.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The AFC championship game next year, he's.

[John Middlekauff]

Going to look like a genius. But if their offense, which I'd be stunned if it does, but gets worse, he's going to get on because Harbaugh.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Is just a CEO head coach.

[John Middlekauff]

Look at Dan Campbell this year hired Johnny Morton. So it's just there's an element of luck.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I mean like how well your players.

[John Middlekauff]

Respond to the coach. It's unknown honestly, hiring a coach.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

A little like a draft pick.

[John Middlekauff]

Like no one knew who Ben Johnson.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Was five years ago, but surely Dan.

[John Middlekauff]

Saw it in him, liked him, knew he was impressive and they gave him a shot and they never look back. I remember when the Bears initially resigned DJ Moore to the extension you brought up cost certainty and the value and.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Knowing exactly how much a player will be paid in future seasons.

[John Middlekauff]

With that in mind, most people have been saying since the Bears have an abundance of weapons, they should trade more for picks or defensive help. Do you think it would make sense to keep DJ and trade Rome or Rome is currently on a cheap rookie deal around the same time as Caleb Rome will be getting a new deal that will definitely be more than DJs current contract. Plus since Rome is younger in a rookie deal, we could get more back. Downside is Rome seems to have a better all connection with Caleb than DJ does. In your opinion which is better? I want to do really quick bring up.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I know Rome missed a bunch of games with injuries. So if I go to the Bears and I go to the stat page, the leading receiver for the Chicago Bears is the postseason. Let's go regular season, which is what I would have guessed. Colson loveland, who had 58 catches, six touchdowns. That's a great rookie season. 700 yard. I mean that guy and I bet it really blew up toward the end.

[John Middlekauff]

D.J.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Had 50 for 6 and Rome had 44 for 6 and both of them had similar yards and both of them had DJs a little lower on the yards per catch. They both have similar yards after catch. It's a great question. I. I think you make them in.

[John Middlekauff]

A weird way both available and just.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

See what the market is for them.

[John Middlekauff]

Both I would guess.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I mean D.J. moore, he's got to be a close to 30.

[John Middlekauff]

He's 28.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

He'll be 29 next season. Rome's age and just how you know, recently he was drafted, he'll be 24 next season probably has more value but.

[John Middlekauff]

I mean this is a guy two years into his career. Like I, he was drafted ninth overall. I.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You're not getting a first round pick for Roma Dunes A right now. So would you trade him for a.

[John Middlekauff]

Second when DJ Moore or would you.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Rather have his cheap contract for another couple more years? You do have to decide next year if you're going to pick up his fifth year option. You know, D.J. i would imagine is under contract for a couple more years. Yeah, it's complicated.

[John Middlekauff]

I. I think you make them both.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Available and you just kind of see what the market is for both. I would guess that DJ Moore at.

[John Middlekauff]

28, 28, that's his cap hit the next couple years.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It's a little complicated. I mean, I guess you could get DJ an extension if you're another team. I. Rome would have more value just because he's younger and teams would have had really high draft picks on him or high draft grades on him. So I, I think you can probably get a second round pick for Roma Dunes A DJ probably not given his age. Third contract, declining production, not all his fault, but Rome would have more value on the open market. It's kind of risky. Like you trade him and he goes on to be really good somewhere else. It's hard to kind of justify that, the pressure. Let's just say you trade him for some pick in the. In the 50s. If you nail like a starting middle linebacker, no one will care. I've been getting a lot of these questions.

[John Middlekauff]

I'm from New Zealand. I'm wondering if your show can be watched on the New Zealand version of Netflix. It's not what the best way to watch listen to your show.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

If not what is the best way?

[John Middlekauff]

Well, I didn't realize this, which I guess makes sense. I thought everyone like if I was.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

In London or I was in New.

[John Middlekauff]

Zealand or I was in Australia or Brazil, I would just watch Netflix. But I guess every Netflix is different depending on the country.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And right now our broadcast or our.

[John Middlekauff]

Episodes are only hosted on Netflix usa.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I have a little running notepad that I'm probably gonna wait like a month to fire. To my the Netflix people who have been really cool, I mean they sent me baby stuff and some headphones and all sorts of stuff, but must be doing hopefully pretty well that I have some ideas. Obviously they're getting new to the game. I've been in the podcast game for a decade, so I didn't know that till last week when people reached out. We have an international audience, which is cool. But right now it's Only in Netflix America. This is a podcast, so it's Apple Spotify. That's how this whole thing started. I mean, that's, that's, that's our business model. Started with audio. We've shifted the video and audio. But Apple Spotify, you can listen anywhere in the world. But right now, video wise, only Netflix America. Which again, it never crossed my mind that, that even I just assumed Netflix was just Netflix.

[John Middlekauff]

Can we make a deal for next season? Let's agree to only call Herbert the Charger starting quarterback until he wins a playoff game. I can't unsee it anymore. Regular season hero and then turns into playoff zero. He's like the James Harden at quarterbacks. You can only put up three points versus the Patriots. And it's not like he was playing the O.2 Bucks. The new England defense, I'm sure is respectable, but the players on it, even Madden enthusiasts. Enthusiasts can't name Herbert.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Excuse me.

[John Middlekauff]

The Chargers starting quarterback is on the second contract and has multiple postseason flops. And before you give me all the reasons and excuses in the world, a franchise quarterback overcomes problems and deficiencies. So just giving us a list proves my point. Heck, even Purdy won a playoff game after losing Kittle in quarter one.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

There's no disputing Purdy like has. Like, if you're just talking like clutch and coming through, you have more faith in Brock Purdy than you do Justin Herbert. Listen, he's sweat.

[John Middlekauff]

Harbaugh just hired a guy that wears capris and Gucci sunglasses. You know, when you think Jim Harbaugh, you don't think Mike McDaniel. Little desperation because Megan Justin Herbert look.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Good is really, really important. So there is a lot of pressure on Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert next year. And really it starts with Justin Herbert. Mike McDaniel made Tua look good.

[John Middlekauff]

Think about that.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Tua look good.

[John Middlekauff]

Didn't he lead the league in passing like three years ago before he got cte? Hey John, big fan of the podcast from Australia. Breath of fresh air. Hearing your takes. Can you confirm your video content will be available in Netflix international markets? If not. Yeah, international. We're not international right now.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

So I, I have some thoughts. Like I've said, I. I have a little notepad. I got a lot of notepads going.

[John Middlekauff]

Dad diary, notepads, takes, notepads, Netflix idea, notepads.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Reed Hastings should just hit me up because I've. I know this podcast world well. Started from zero, now we're here. So I, I have a pretty good.

[John Middlekauff]

Idea what works and doesn't but even.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Just basic things that I, I've just kind of kept an eye on because I just. You guys reach out to me. I mean, part of my grassroots research comes from, comes from DMs and people hitting me up. Things I haven't thought about and then I turned them into takes of my own. So I appreciate you guys.

[John Middlekauff]

Question for the back. Ben Johnson obsession with calling shotgun runs on third and short. All the conversation is going to be around this fourth down decision, but his third down calls are horrendous. I feel like he gets stuck in his head four down territory.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I hate shotgun runs. I hate not running.

[John Middlekauff]

Caleb.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I, I just. Ben Johnson was a stud this year.

[John Middlekauff]

But I'm with you. I think the obsession with going forward on fourth down, there should never be.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

A time in your life beside like, I treat people well, right? Or be nice to people. Like something that never changes. You should always be open to different ideas. And I believe that Ben Johnson and.

[John Middlekauff]

Dan Campbell, whenever they decided in a meeting room you years ago in Detroit.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

That no matter what we go was something that they believe to their soul that they haven't even thought about changing. Which to me is crazy.

[John Middlekauff]

It's like the math guys, there's no.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Convincing them that they could be wrong. It's like, guys, we're not on an Excel spreadsheet. These are human beings.

[John Middlekauff]

No, I'm telling you, this is no matter what.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

No, no, guys, this is not a good idea.

[John Middlekauff]

Plus, if you are going to go for it, you have this quarterback who is built like a tank and can fucking fly. Why don't you run him? I do not. And I'm not trying to act like.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I know more football than Ben Johnson. I think Ben Johnson's a stud. Like, he's even today his press conference was like, can you build on next year? He's like, there's no building on next year.

[John Middlekauff]

And he's right.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You start back at square one every single year.

[John Middlekauff]

Now you build on it because your players improved. But like you go to OTAs, you.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Just start back at running the most basic plays and then build your way up. That's what the Patriots do. That's what the Chiefs do. That's what Ben Johnson is going to do. So.

[John Middlekauff]

And plus the average Turnover in the.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

NFL roster wise, this is not the NBA. I mean, most people are anywhere between 25 to 35%. Some teams, if you get new coaches, will like flip half the roster. So the turnover is immense in football.

[John Middlekauff]

Cap casualties, trades, new draft picks. So you just get brand New players.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You know, it's not the same team. They're going to be guys like DJ Moore could just not be there. Cole Comet could just not be there. Right.

[John Middlekauff]

They're going to have brand new players on defense. So from square one, like, it's kind of true. What was your question?

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Oh, the obsession. I, I just don't understand why he doesn't run Caleb. They did with Josh Allen.

[John Middlekauff]

A quarterback power.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Like, why wouldn't you just install a quarterback power?

[John Middlekauff]

Because the other thing is Caleb's smart. Like, when's the last time Caleb took a big hit?

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It's not, it's not like he's getting Molly whopped running around. I, I, I don't get it.

[John Middlekauff]

Do you know if Netflix plans on making podcasts user friendly? I can't lock my screen and listen.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Like I used to. I, I took a screenshot of this question for the mailbag because I, I was confused. I can listen to my, I, I listened to the Tom Brady interview with the spit and Chiclet guys just like I would on the other platforms or even a podcast form. I, I clicked it off and it would just, you just press play and you just listen to in your pocket. I, I, I did that last week and I've had my team, we all looked at, everyone's doing it, so, so when I saw this, you can lock your phone and listen to it. It stops sometimes immediately. And then you just hit play and it shows up with my iPhone, it does. So I have not had an issue with that. Yeah, that's, that would be my take on that thought.

[John Middlekauff]

If you were Woody Johnson, wouldn't you.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Be begging Bill and Josh to come to the Jets? Well, why would Josh, I think you're mean. Josh McDaniels. Why would Josh ever get with Bill again? Bill's a sinking ship, like part of life, you know, in the real world.

[John Middlekauff]

In business, like, once you disassociate with.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Something that's going the wrong way, like, you don't run back to it. And once you get involved in something that's working, you kind of double down on it.

[John Middlekauff]

So to me, Josh, even if he had the opportunity, would be out of.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

His mind to join Belichick with the jets and leave Vrabel in May. I personally think Belichick's unhirable. I, I really do. I, I didn't say that a year ago. A lot's changed this year. North Carolina was a complete embarrassment. It really was. And part of it's her, but like, she's part of him. Now there's no way around it. You have this like 75 year old former legend that has lost his fastball and we just saw. I think the Pete Carroll situation makes it even worse. Bill's a huge ego guy. I think Bill is untouchable. I really do. And it's crazy to say I'm not a Belichick hater. I idolize the Patriots in terms of like how they ran anyone I've ever met there. I always just pepper them with questions, fascinated by it. I think what they stood for and did for 20 years is one of the coolest things in my sports watching career. And Bill and anyone that will tell you that was around there is a. Was a main driver of it, but that car's crashed and that thing's over.

[John Middlekauff]

I hear you and Collins say Trevor does not have a great arm in terms of strength, but not saying I disagree. But what specifically makes y' all say that? I get that he doesn't have a rocket like Caleb on a consistent basis, but I feel like he can make every throw. Not having a big arm doesn't mean.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You can't make every throw. Dak Prescott can make every throw. And when you say every throw, I don't mean ad lib on the run, Caleb throws. I just mean can you throw the deep out? Can you throw the deep post? Can you throw a go route like Alex Smith could make every throw. Kirk Cousins could make every throw. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Caleb, you know, Kyler Murray, some of these guys just do it much better with much more power. So Trevor has a fine arm.

[John Middlekauff]

Trevor has like most quarterbacks in the NFL, good arm. Like he has an NFL standard.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You can function with it.

[John Middlekauff]

And when he really lets it rip like he can drive throws. Was it the playoff game that he drove the throw in the back of the end zone?

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It was a dot. I. I wouldn't say as if we're ranking one to ten, right? And five is just kind of middle ground. Like zero or one would be like Dylan Gabriel. You know, four or five would be like Alex Smith.

[John Middlekauff]

Seven would be like Baker Mayfield. Right.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I'd say like nine, ten once you start getting Mahomes and Josh and Caleb and guys like Farve. Peyton Manning was like a 4 or 5. You don't need a great arm to be a great player.

[John Middlekauff]

I would say Trevor probably is like six would be. And there's nothing wrong with that. What do you think of Amazon bringing.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Back Al Michaels to call their games.

[John Middlekauff]

Thursday Night Football? It's really important.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I think to the league to have Thursday night and Monday night be a big deal. So years ago, when the Monday night crew, when Gruden went back to the Raiders, it fell apart. And ESPN took a lot of pressure from the NFL. Like, you gotta fix this if you.

[John Middlekauff]

Want Super Bowls, if you want our best games.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

This got to be big league. It cannot be little league.

[John Middlekauff]

So what did ESPN do? They gave like $30 million a year combined.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Was Troy make like 18. Buck makes 12 for Fox's number one team. What did Amazon do when they first got the NFL?

[John Middlekauff]

They hired Al Michaels, one of the most legendary play by play guys ever. So a big name. The problem is Marv Albert is one.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Of the greatest play by play guys as well.

[John Middlekauff]

At the end, Marv couldn't see what was going on. And basketball is different than football. But I remember watching so many games.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

On TNT and like, Marv's lost it.

[John Middlekauff]

It's like Lincecomb used to throw 97, now he throws 82.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

And Marv was throwing about 50. I don't know if I was throwing 50.

[John Middlekauff]

But he doesn't have his fastball anymore, which is understandable. He's in his 80s. So I think that broadcast, I don't think anyone would complain if you just hired Guy Haberman and some famous player, Philip Rivers.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I know Philip wouldn't do it. Drew Brees, whatever, it'd be fine.

[John Middlekauff]

But I think the star power of Al Michaels is something like clearly they really like, which I would totally understand if Al was still in his prime and his prime went pretty long. But his prime's over. And I, I've, you know, studied broadcasters, and I don't mean like podcasters or.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Even radio hosts, but watching Guy's career and people he has to kind of navigate through and try to get jobs, they never give it up. Play by play guys never give up the mic.

[John Middlekauff]

Greg Papa fought leukemia, fought leukemia literally during the football season and still came.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Back for a game.

[John Middlekauff]

It's just the way they're wired. Because in play by play gigs, if someone else sits there, it's not like Al's like, yeah, just fill by spot. Like, he ain't thinking like that. And at this point in time, does Al Michaels need the money? So I, I just think it's the.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Wiring of play by play people, they will never give up the microphone. Radio people, when I worked in radio were kind of like that. Like, I, they were uncomfortable taking vacation.

[John Middlekauff]

Because guess what happens?

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Someone fills in for you. What happens then? Well, what if the rating book goes up?

[John Middlekauff]

That's how I got hired in radio.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I filled in and the time slot.

[John Middlekauff]

I filled in did really well ratings wise.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

So my boss, it's not like he cared or liked me any more than the next guy, but it was just a numbers thing.

[John Middlekauff]

He's like, well, if I make this.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Guy the host, we could do a higher number.

[John Middlekauff]

So I, you know, play by play guys, not based necessarily on that, but.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

People just don't give up the mic. So I, I would love someone else in there, but they're very loyal to this crew, which I just. I like Herb street on college. I don't really want to watch him on Thursday night. It has nothing against him. I just would like an NFL guy there. Maybe I discriminate against him because I view him as a Saturday guy, but it kind of matters to me and I don't just need any. I just would ideally like someone good.

[John Middlekauff]

The problem is they tried. Remember they tried years ago. They thought they'd get Sean McVeigh or.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

John lynch and they turned.

[John Middlekauff]

They offered them both like $15 million.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

They both turned it down. Sean almost went, which if he wins the Super bowl, he will 100 not regret. Huge fan.

[John Middlekauff]

I started my first office job a few years ago and discovering your podcast gets me through.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Appreciate you listening while you're grinding in the office.

[John Middlekauff]

I know the 17th game is a rotating interconference game based on previous year standings, but I think it was major missed opportunity by the NFL. It would have been a lot cooler if they made it a set interconference opponent each year. Like added arrival. There are already so many natural AFC, NFL, NFC rivalries, Dallas, Houston, Philly, Pittsburgh, Jets, Giants, etc. Any non natural matchups would immediately become natural rivalries due to familiarity. They could even play twice in years that divisional rotations run into each other.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I didn't know if you realize that to me is the reason they don't do it. You can't. They wouldn't want an intercom or you know, AFC, NFC matchup twice in a season. So you play. If I'm Dallas, I play Houston every four. Once every four years. Right. It rotates. I play all the divisions on a rotating basis. Well, the year when I play the AFC south, if I'm the NFC East, I can't be playing the Texans twice.

[John Middlekauff]

I can't go like Giants, Texans, Eagles, Commanders, Texans, like that. You can't.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The league ain't going to do that because I don't know if there are enough. Right. Okay, you brought up some good ones. You go Niners, Raiders, you could go Jags or Dolphins, Bucks. I mean, you could. But what does Seattle do? What is, what does Arizona do? What does. You know, you start going like Minnesota, like the, like. I don't know. I think gets a little more complicated with some of the teams.

[John Middlekauff]

I hear what you're saying.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It would be cool if the jets and the Giants and the Chargers and the Rams, the Niners and the Raiders and the Cowboys and the Texans played every year. But that's just. That's never going to happen because like you said, the divisional rotation, you couldn't have a season where they played each other twice. Can you imagine if we had to watch the jets and the Giants twice this year? Holy shit.

[John Middlekauff]

How do player incentives work? Do teams have a set money aside and separate from the salary cap to account for the season incentives? I think they.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I'm pretty sure they roll over the following year. So if you pay, let's just pick a number. $5 million incentives to all your different players. Right? Let's say it's 10. It rolls over to the cap the following year is to my knowledge because obviously most teams are against the cap on the given season. So it doesn't stay on that cap. It's. It rolls over to the next year. Question for the pod.

[John Middlekauff]

Do you plan on doing a preseason preview on go? Low expectations for the majors. New names to look out for. Any chance the PGA just lets Koepka back in right away? I just.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

With the baby, the Golo, we have separated it different podcast feedback on the audio and we have a video platform as well. I just haven't had any time. You know, they kicked off last week the Sony Open. Chris got her up who was incredible. He looks pretty good. Just won this week. They're playing in Palm Springs. Scotty's in the field. I. I will plan on. Usually I get kicked up with golf right after the Super Bowl.

[John Middlekauff]

It's just.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I. I mean I'm kind of bored. I would have done it today, but I just. I got to be with my family, got to be present with my son. I just haven't had as much time.

[John Middlekauff]

But I've been following. I was looking at like, you know, Max home is like 120 to 1. I'm like, I take him top 10 like 10 to 1. So I had the Sony Open on.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Last week in the office with the football game. I just, I will do some stuff probably in a couple of weeks for sure. I'm a big fan. I love all. My older brother just had his first child at Christmas and I brought him a tiny Dallas Cowboy jersey as I'm a cowboy fan myself and want him.

[John Middlekauff]

To join the misery.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Question.

[John Middlekauff]

If you had to choose the NFL team for your newborn, who would you choose? Make a pick taking into account future success prospects, not jumping on the bandwagon. I'm a big believer in happens organically. Like, why did I grow up liking.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The San Francisco Giants? The San Francisco 49ers, the Sacramento Kings?

[John Middlekauff]

Because I grew up in Davis, California.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Right. If I would have been born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, or Hoboken, New Jersey, I.

[John Middlekauff]

Would have gravitated toward the Eagles, the Giants, the Mets, the. The Phillies. What most human beings are product of where they live now.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

That's where I draw the line.

[John Middlekauff]

I wouldn't let my son be an.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Arizona Cardinal fan if there was money coming my way.

[John Middlekauff]

That will not be tolerated. Unless on the Bidwell family sells.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

We get a real guy that then we could be open. But I can't control what he likes.

[John Middlekauff]

Who's to say that he even likes force?

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I hope he does, but there's no guarantee. What if he likes. You know, my brother's like, big duck hunter, just went duck hunting in Idaho. Like, he does stuff that I don't like.

[John Middlekauff]

You just never know, kid to kid, what people are going to gravitate toward.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

What they're going to like. We all have different likes than our own siblings. So I don't know. I mean, what if he likes to paint, hope he's fucking Picasso.

[John Middlekauff]

I hope he likes football.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I definitely hope he likes golf so we can play a lot and get out of the house. That'd be awesome. I won't even need an excuse back. Me and Jack are headed the course.

[John Middlekauff]

But there's just no guarantee. I mean, shit, I was reading him a book today. I had to have explained.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Shows you how out of the loop I am with kids. The black and white books, you know, they. They don't see color. So I was just reading them the book. Like, here's the fish, here's the star.

[John Middlekauff]

And she looks at me, she's like, you know, you have to put that.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

In front of his face so he can see the pictures.

[John Middlekauff]

I'm like, new dad didn't know that, but so I did that.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You know, it's like, here's the shark. You just never know. We got. We got a long way to go. We're not even seven days into this bad boy, but Cardinals not allowed. I'd be open to whatever.

[John Middlekauff]

I would tend to lean in pro sports.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Just.

[John Middlekauff]

There's no.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I Mean football. You never know. I mean it's. By the time he's 10, Josh Allen will be retired. I would like him to be something fun. Quick question.

[John Middlekauff]

Do you think the future will see more teams opt to fire their current non offensive head coach in lieu of.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The whiz kid offensive coordinator?

[John Middlekauff]

Lions are missing Ben Johnson. They had him in the building.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I think it's easier said than done. Like what are you going to do? Fire Dan Campbell last year after being the number one seed? What are you going to do? Fire. You know, I mean, is Kellen Moore even a better coach than Sirianni? But okay, Kellen Moore over Sirianni. It's Todd Bowles.

[John Middlekauff]

Last year they were in the playoffs.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You're going to fire him for Liam Cohen? I think it's way easier said than done. I really do. So I.

[John Middlekauff]

It will happen. There will be a situation where it happens.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I just think it's very, very difficult. If like you were just in the AFC championship game, you're like, our guy's a whiz kid, he's going to get hired. I mean look, look at the Falcons. Do you think years ago, like looking.

[John Middlekauff]

Back, they should have just hired Kyle Shanahan? But how are you going to hire Kyle Shanahan and fire Dan Quinn? I mean it happens constantly.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

I just think it's easier said than done. And it's also easier after the fact.

[John Middlekauff]

Question for the mailbag Whether there's truly a dominant team in college basketball, we always ask the question, could they beat an NBA team? Could it happen? And it seems the answer is always unequivocally no. I'm wondering if this is the same for college football. As dominant as Indiana has been this season and especially in the playoffs, would they or any dominant college team like 19 LSU with Burrow have a chance to win a game against an awful NFL team like this year's Titans, Raiders, Jets? I think it depends. If you told me the end of.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The year for like a one or two year win team and their players.

[John Middlekauff]

Are injured and you're rolling out a bunch of practice squad guys and you.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Gave me an all time great college team, it would have to be loaded both side of the ball with pros.

[John Middlekauff]

I would say yeah, I'd give you a shot. Now week one, when people are healthy.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Like the Raiders, the Raiders are drafting number one.

[John Middlekauff]

Week one, the Raiders fully healthy, Brock Bowers, Max Crosby, Geno Smith, Jacoby Myers.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Ashton Genty, the Indiana would get killed. Max Crosby would dominate that game. How would they cover Brock Bowers in.

[John Middlekauff]

Fairness, people in the NFL can't cover Indiana's.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You know that corner that is he.

[John Middlekauff]

A small school guy like Kent State or whatever. They got pretty good. But think about this.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Miami in that game would actually have a better chance than Indiana. Why?

[John Middlekauff]

Because they have way more pros on.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

The offensive and defensive line.

[John Middlekauff]

The crazy part about Indiana is beside Mendoza some people will say they don't.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Have a top 100 player.

[John Middlekauff]

Surat going in the top 75. The corners 5, 9. Probably not. I don't know if the left tackles coming out. Who's the offensive lineman of the year?

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Most people view him as a guard.

[John Middlekauff]

Running backs are solid but what are they third day picks. So they're probably a bad example. Some of like the sweet Ohio State teams, lsu. I don't think it was good enough on defense. Bama would probably be more.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

You need defense as much as offense.

[John Middlekauff]

Like if you had a great offense like lsu but your defense.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

They had Stingley but and I think they had Patrick Queen too.

[John Middlekauff]

You would need you know Bamad teams where or Georgia.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

It's like nine of our guys were first rounders and had 10 year careers in the NFL and four of them were pro bowlers.

[John Middlekauff]

But again you would have to play the worst team at the end, end.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Of the year when they all their backups and practice squad guys were playing like the jets, there's no way Indiana or Miami could beat the Jets. Week one, I mean week one, that sauce. They had Quinn Williams, they had Garrett Wilson, they had Breeze hall, even Justin Fields running around. They had multiple high picks on their offensive line, multiple pass rushers.

[John Middlekauff]

You'd have no chance.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

But like who on India you think Indiana could block Jeffrey Simmons on the Titans. But at the end of the year when they're playing with a bunch of guys that aren't going to be in the NFL next year.

[John Middlekauff]

Yeah, I'd be open to it. I really would.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

NBA, I think it would be a lot harder.

[John Middlekauff]

But look at the NBA now a third of the league is tanking.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

When I was the cafeteria was like downstairs. It was actually, actually it was pretty shitty at the hospital. There was Starbucks down there as well. When I was walking I saw Lamelo Ball. I actually walked by him twice. And I mean to think like are.

[John Middlekauff]

The Suns trading for this guy? Could I, could I be shams right.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Now and break news and I think he was just getting his ankle checked because they were in LA one day and then Golden State the following day. So maybe stopped in Phoenix at the hospital. I don't know, but it was something.

[John Middlekauff]

I was like, that's Lamelo ball.

[Co-host/Guest Analyst]

Way bigger in person. Like, that's a big fucking dude. Say this about Lavar got produced some kids, couple NBA players and a rapper. Props to the Lavar ball. Adios. Talk to you later.

[MyFico Advertiser]

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[Podcast Host (Ad Read)]

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