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- [00:00]
Host 1
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:05]
Advertiser 1
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- [01:05]
Sarah Spain
Join iHeartRadio and Sarah Spain in celebrating the one year anniversary of iHeart Women's Sports with powerful interviews and insider analysis. Our shows have connected fans with the heart of women's Sports. In just one year, the network has launched 15 shows and built a community united by passion podcasts that amplify the voices of women in sports. Thank you for supporting iHeart Women's Sports and our founding sponsors ELF Beauty, Capital One and Novartis. Just open the free iHeart app and search iHeart Women's Sports to listen now.
- [01:36]
Ian Pfaff
I'm Ian Pfaff, the creator and host of the Uncle Chris Podcast. My Uncle Chris was a real character, a garbage truck driver from South Carolina who is now buried in Panama City alongside the founding families of Panama. He also happens to be responsible for the craziest night of my life. Wild stories about adventure, romance, crime, history and war intertwine as I share the tall tales and hard truths that have helped me understand Uncle Chris. Listen now to Uncle Chris on Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you.
- [02:09]
Podcast Host 1
Listen to podcasts, check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club.
- [02:20]
Soccer Analyst 1
San Diego Coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
- [02:27]
Chad Millman
We need to embrace this community.
- [02:31]
Podcast Host 1
Listen to San Diego FC behind the Flow on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [02:50]
Simon Hunter
Welcome to the Favorites, the podcast part of the Volume Podcast Network. I am Chad Millman of the Action Network. Let's get right to it. We're going to bring in my co host, my companion, my compadre, my bff, professional better Simon Hunter. Hello, Simon.
- [03:07]
Chad Millman
More football. Chad. Let's get to it, brother.
- [03:09]
Simon Hunter
This week, across the nation, Simon, NFL teams commence a decades old rite of summer, the return of training camp. We've talked about quarterbacks on this show recently, playoff teams we think will populate the NFL postseason fantasy moves. And today you and I, we're going to talk about the biggest questions and issues we hope to see resolved by the end of training. Gantt. But we can't do it alone. To do this, we are welcoming on one of our oldest, dearest, most respected friends in the business, the original, original og, host of the Action Network podcast and the big bets on campus podcasts for the Action Network, the prime minister of Degenerate Nation. Not going to sleep again until April, folks. Welcome back. Stuckey.
- [04:09]
Host 1
Yo, what's going on? Thanks for having me, guys. It's good to see you again. Good to be talking football again. Just recorded the kickoff episode for big bets on campus. College football. It's just an overwhelming, it's just, it's just starting out. It's an overwhelming time. I'm like, I have all these college football teams and then I'm like, then I set aside time for NFL and then I'm like, wait, am I forgetting this about. Have I looked into this? And there's just not enough that you can know this time of the year. But it's still the calm before the storm. It's only going to get crazier. So trying to still find some quiet time when I can. But yeah, it'll be here before we know it. Can't wait.
- [04:53]
Narrator 1
The National Football League originated in the 1920s in rural America, then moved to the cities to flourish and prosper. But each summer, the game relives its heritage. Tiny college towns across the country witness the first bloom of the NFL season and coaches welcomed back familiar faces.
- [05:16]
Simon Hunter
First question, the Dallas Cowboys, who I think will make the playoffs. I think they could contend for the conference. I'm doing that. In spite of their running back situation, in spite of a curious hire, to put it as delicately as possible, in Brian Schottenheimer running an NFL team stuck. What do you think of questions being answered and will we see questions answered during training camp regarding the Cowboys, the running back situation and Brian Schottenheimer as a coach?
- [05:53]
Host 1
Yeah. Not a fan of the hire and just just a curious off season of recent few years. Curious to see how Dak looks that'll definitely be worth keeping an eye on. But I, I'm not a fan of either Javante Williams or Miles Sanders. I think they've proven that. I mean maybe you get a bump from Javante Williams, but the fact that he wasn't able to to do anything in that Denver backfield and just relatively speaking to others too, that it's not like they were other all pro running backs in the backfield kind of troubling. So I think it's important that they get something from their rookies Mafa indoor blue so yeah that's something I think worth paying attention to. Now Shawnheimer made some curious comments just about the learning curve of the running backs and how the, you know, the veterans have the advantage. So maybe he's not going to give them a fair shake. But I think in order for them to have the best, you know, to reach their ceiling, to have the best possible offense, it's one or both of those rookies have to give them something whether it's, you know, blue and passing downs. If it's more Mafa early, I don't know if they're going to get that real shot but it's definitely something worth keeping an eye on.
- [07:12]
Simon Hunter
Simon we don't like the Brian Schottenheimer higher. We don't like the running back situation. I don't know that that matters in terms of how we're thinking about betting the Cowboys. What could you see? What would you like to see during training camp to make you feel better about the position we're taking on them?
- [07:29]
Chad Millman
I don't totally hate the Brian hire. The my thing with Brian is like we've talked about it just felt like so out of left field where you know, we talked. If they could have got variable, why would you not go get Rable? Like Jerry Jones has got the money, he can outbid these other owners. But yeah, it's, it's an interesting move but at the same time it's an offense that Dax comfortable in. That's what's a key to me. It's like, okay, at least we know the offense won't change that much. You know, Miles Sanders looks like he's in the best shape of his life. We see that this time of year people will post those type of things.
- [08:01]
Host 1
Best shape of life season. Everyone's always in the best shape of their life. Turning into a team leader in July.
- [08:06]
Chad Millman
Yeah, no idea. Because it's like Miles issue is not being in incredible shape, being jacked. It's staying healthy and on the field and you know, hitting the right holes. So it's. There's still to me too many questions at the running back position that yeah, I'm hoping to find out more. We really won't know until the bullets start flying. And to me out the gate, the fact they're going to Philadelphia, I love it for. For this team because it's such a tone setter for the rest of their season. If they can go in there, pull up that upset. Not that, not just the confidence I'll give to the team, but Brian himself, that's a huge deal. So I don't know how much I'll learn in training camp here, but that week one, I really do feel like it sets the tone for this Dallas team for the rest season. They get blown out, man, do they have a rough road ahead of them because the season just keeps getting harder and harder as it goes along for Dallas here.
- [08:49]
Host 1
They should have hired Dion like it's already a circuit. It's a circus there. Just it just embrace the full circus. I mean they brought Pickens in which fits with the circus. That theme. We'll see if he's like bought in. That's another thing to keep an eye on. You probably won't know that until. Until games, but that's something like how bought in is. Picket's going to be because it's gonna have some opportunities opposite of lamb. But it's Cowboys are always. It's a circus down there right now.
- [09:18]
Simon Hunter
Another circus follows him everywhere he goes. Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chris Raybon has written about this for six years. The slow descent into mediocrity of Aaron Rodgers and the amount of attention that he gets and the amount of expectations that follow because of what kind of career he's had versus how he has actually performed are not in concert. Simon, give me your take on the Steelers. What do we think we will see in training camp to make you feel good? Because I know you like the Steelers to make the playoffs.
- [10:01]
Chad Millman
Yeah, for me, what I'm looking for them. Training camp is just. You want to hear everything's all good with him. That Arthur Smith offense that he's comfortable in it and we need TJ in camp. Right? That's. That's the big deal for the Steelers. This camp is just. Is there no distractions everyone in there? Because I know I get where Chris is coming from, but he was a little early, right? He won a couple MVPs because they did draft Jordan 11. It sparked a new fire under Rogers. We've seen that spark with him and he did feel that doubt last year and he realized that Achilles, it's a lot different coming back from that injury in your early 30s, late 20s than it is in your 40s. So to me, we saw that second half. He was so much better than he was early in the season, especially pushing off that leg. So, yeah, I just. Nine and eight with that team. It just, it feels right, right, that just another year where Tomlin somehow gets them nine or 10 wins. And you know, that's. We know the deal. It's an aging team. This feels like the last run for this core and it's gonna be a rebuild mode for the next three, four years for this Pittsburgh franchise.
- [11:01]
Simon Hunter
Stuck. Where are you on Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers right now?
- [11:04]
Host 1
I don't think anyone really knows, like what level you're gonna get. That's. Yeah, I think it's it. Simon brings up a good point. Does he embrace the Arthur Smith offense? And he was kind of just doing his own thing and he gets rid of the ball so quick. I'm curious to watch the offensive line there too though. But I think he's could potentially be an upgrade from what they've had in recent years ever since Big Ben has left. But how much of last year was the injury and how much was it his age? And then there's another year. So how much more will his age impact versus him being another year free clear of the injury? That I don't think anyone knows. So it's definitely one to keep an eye on. Yeah. The Steelers, I mean, the run that Tomlin's on, how does it keep happening? Voodoo. I don't know. I mean, The Steelers since 2008, they're 62. 7. When they win the turnover battle, they win like 90% of their games. The rest of the NFL, when they win the tournament, it's like 70ish%. They're since 2019 after Big Ben left, they're plus 50 turnover margin. They're the only team that has a positive turnover margin every single season. The Chiefs, for example, team you think of usually good, they're plus 10 over that same span. The Steelers in one possession games, they're 43, 21 since 2019. This is what they do. They win all the close games. They win the turnover battle. That's where I think Rogers fits well. This guy, one of the lowest interception rates in NFL history. Not going to turn the ball over, which is good. I mean, the only team better in one position. The Chiefs, they just passed the Steelers because they went what, 11, 0 in one possession games last year. So, yeah, I don't know. I think it's wait and see mode until we get into the live games. But yeah, it feels like the Steelers are just inevitably going to be 9 and 8 for eternity, where they need to not be for like one year. They need to. They need to find their solution at quarterback, which they haven't done since Big Ben left. I mean, like, they're a long term solution. They're franchise quarterback and they need to have just. I think eventually they need to have a bad year or gotta get really lucky and take a stab at a quarterback. I mean, look, the Ravens got Lamar at 31.
- [13:28]
Chad Millman
That's what I was gonna say, that that's what Pittsburgh's paying for. That miss on Lamar, like, he was so Pittsburgh, the fact that the Ravens did what they do, they came in, they got him at the end of that first. I just, I feel like it's. It just changed the scope of that division for the next 10, 15 years. Like the Pittsburgh Tomlin apparently loved them, the GM didn't. There comes a raven swooping down Take him. I just. That whole storyline to me is so magical where you just see how the two franchises have gone. One team always thinks they're going to super bowl, the other team is happy to get 9 and 8. So it's crazy.
- [13:59]
Simon Hunter
Yeah, go ahead.
- [14:01]
Host 1
I was just gonna say, I mean, the Ravens have won a Super bowl since 2012 either, but I mean, they feel they're so much closer. But, like, if I'm a Steelers fan. No, it's. You could argue both sides. Like, are you just tired of this? Like Tomlin, he's so good at what he does. But are you just tired of the Thomas being tired? They haven't won a playoff game in what, eight years? But like, then again, you're always Sundays. You're like in the mix, right? So you're Sunday. Who wants to go through two years where you're not in the mix? But it just feels like they just need a reset to get back into that mix. Now maybe this is the time, right? Like, I don't know. But this does feel like the last hurrah. Or it should be.
- [14:41]
Narrator 1
There's glory in the legends of this hard muscle life and there's poetry in each season Made of sweat and strife but now's the time to work and strain At a sport that tests the spirit and challenges the brain.
- [14:59]
Simon Hunter
There are four quarterback situations. They're not even controversies, they're just what is the worst of a bad situation. The Saints, who might have the worst quarterback room in NFL history. They're, they're, they're basically deciding between a 25 year old second round pick who's a rookie and a not that much younger 6th round pick 2nd year player who performed terribly last year in their quarterback room. The Giants drafted a quarterback high in Jackson Dart in the first round, but really they signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to be the starting quarterback this year. The Browns, we all know what they did with Dylan Gabriel, Shador Sanders, but Joe Flacco might be the starting quarterback. And then in Indy we've got Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson Simon of those four situations rank them for me from worst to less worst.
- [16:14]
Chad Millman
It all depends what we're looking for here. Like are we talking just this season? I guess, yeah, Saints probably are going to be the worst team and you know they're, they're in a nice spot though if they, if this kid starts, he shows nothing. Like, you know Rosen, you get the number one pick, you just take another quarterback, you just keep shooting the shot. So the Saints, if this kid's absolutely terrible, great. Like they, that whole Derek Carr thing just put them in the hole of holes. So I think everything's kind of graver for them. But yeah, do I think they'll be the worst this year? Of course. Giants right there with them. It's, I mean I know they're going to do. They'll probably start the vet. I hope Dark comes in and he just lights up in camp. Right. I mean he has so much to work on. Just, I mean it's brutal because it's, they're in the, probably the toughest division nfc, but just throw them to the wolves. Just see what the kid's made of. We see it time and time again. Either these kids can swim or they sink. And to me, they. Another late first round pick. Let's see what Dart has. Yeah, the, the Browns, I'd put them below the Colts just for this upcoming year because of what you talked about, Chad. It's like, is it Flacco? Does he, does he lose out to Shador? Does somehow Gabriel beat him out? Like, it's just so many unknowns that like there are a team that I'm excited to watch them in the training camp because they're going to be in my mind playing all those guys a lot and they'll be fun to bet on or bet against depending how bad these quarterbacks are. But yeah, that's the unknown there is insane where you know the Colts of all these guys, all these bad teams, we joked about it. There's a world where the Colts can win their division. Like if Daniel Jones comes in to this situation and makes it work, it could happen. Like we've seen him when he's right, when he can run the ball, he's pretty talented. When he does zero time like he's had with the Giants part in that awful offensive line, he was terrible. So you know, it's, it's tough. But to me, I don't know how Anthony Richardson beats out Daniel Jones if he's not healthy and he's not practicing in this upcoming training camp. So I just feels like it's going to be Daniel's job to lose. So yeah, I guess I'll have it right in the order you put it in there, Chad. Saints, Giants, Browns, Colts, stuck.
- [18:17]
Simon Hunter
Which one of these are you going to pay most attention to and you think will have the biggest impact on how you bet this season? Both futures and during the regular season.
- [18:27]
Host 1
The Steelers going 9 and 8 and Daniel Jones, we're going to be talking about those two things forever. I mean the Colts have to start Richardson. I mean seeing his health, I don't know if they will but seeing obviously it depends on his health and that's something to keep an eye on for trading camp. But like you got to find out what you have with it with your high draft pick. Like Daniel Jones is going to win you a Super Bowl. Like you just got to find out and then figure out if you got to pivot off there. By the way, this is not. The Saints don't have the worst quarterback room of all time. There's been some bad ones. Maybe it'll end up being that way, but at least there's some uncertainty with Chuck. But I'll just, I'll throw out a couple just for fun. Danny Cannell. The 97 Giants took over for Dave Brown, averaged 105 yards per game over like 10 games. The 2000 Chiefs, 2007 Chiefs, it was a hard knocks team. If you want to go back and watch a bad hard knocks. Brody Croyle versus Damon Hewer. That was the quarterbacks that year, 2001 Panthers you met. You mentioned Chuck's age. Chad. The 2001 Panthers went 1 in 15. Chris Winky was their quarterback. He was 30 as a rookie.
- [19:26]
Simon Hunter
I think he had, oh my God, I remember that.
- [19:28]
Host 1
11 touchdowns, 19 interceptions. They went one in 15. And then you've got to get a Browns team in there. 2000 Browns, Tim Couch and Doug Peterson. I think Spurgeon win started the game. They combined nine touchdowns, nine and 19 interceptions. That's as bad as it gets. But I will say from a win totals perspective, it's something you want to keep an eye on or at least just be cognizant of. With the Giants, it's like, I think they're going to start Russia, but. And they have a really hard schedule. So like, if it goes downhill, but I don't know with like Dable and his job, but I don't know, are they then like, all right, let's just throw the kid out there, right? And then you could end up losing more games. Your floor goes down. So with these low wind totals, that's something to keep in mind. NFL teams don't tank every once in a while. You have a team, the Bucks came out, they did this one year and like a week 18, you really want to lose for a draft pick. And even then teams mess themselves up all the time. Giants did it last year. They don't tank. But you could just make decisions to like the Browns, for example, they're very low wind total. I think they're going to start Flacco. I think he's the best option right now. But if the Brown season goes downhill, is the team that probably wants to get a high draft pick again?
- [20:45]
Chad Millman
I don't know.
- [20:45]
Host 1
But then they traded for two quarterbacks and drafted two quarterbacks. But then you might just throw the kids in there and see what you got and then it could be really bad for go from bad to worse. So yeah, keeping an eye on all of them. But the most interesting to me is, is probably the Colts. I just, as far as camp is concerned, want to see like where Richardson's at, how healthy he is and what happens with that situation. But like, it's definitely something to keep an eye on with the win totals. Like that something that I'm afraid of with the Browns. Like, I showed a little value in their over but like, I'm like, who knows what ends up happening with these quarterbacks and, and then their decision if they're sitting at 3 and 10 or 4 and 10, what they do in the last couple games, it's. It's definitely something to keep in mind.
- [21:35]
Simon Hunter
Well, look, we're talking about quarterbacks and we're talking about what they're going to look like in training camp. Obviously there's been huge discussion about Ben Johnson joining the Bears. Stuck. You just talked about, you know, July is the best shape of your life. He's going to be a team leader season. How do you separate this? We see Caleb, we see Ben Johnson. What can we possibly learn during training camp? As an avid fan and a seasoned, better, and a veteran camp watcher who intakes this information for real value, what will you see? What would you like to see that won't just be hyperbole?
- [22:21]
Host 1
Yeah, I mean, a lot of it is, first of all, like, interceptions and some in, like, camps can be a good thing. Like, this is when you're, like, starting to figure out things that people overreact to that. But with Caleb, it's going to come down to does he understand and is he willing to understand the structure and the logic of the offense and make those easy throws, the quick reads going through his progressions instead of, you know, he's got to take fewer negative plays now, the offensive line is going to help with that. I mean, I think they're probably the most improved offensive line in the NFL. One of the reasons I'm pretty high on the Bears for like, maybe the first time since, like the 2000s, his deep ball is something that I want to watch, like just the. The deep ball numbers, accuracy, and that comes down to the footwork, which needs to be worked on, the trust of the offensive line. And. But it's really those. Those eliminating those negative plays. Like, you still want him to have some of that improvisation, which is what, you know, made him great in college, and you don't want to take that all away. But just like fully understanding the offense, improving some of that footwork and then just really buying in, and a lot of that is just what you. You kind of have to infer from some of the things you watch and read and you can't. You're not going to figure it all out in camp. And some of it's just going to be like. And there's going to be a learning curve. That's what we have to expect with Caleb in this new offense. You're not going to learn at all this during camp, but that's definitely what I'm keeping my eye on. Deep balls, the footwork, the timing, and then just some of the things I'm hearing. I think there's a lot of potential there, and a lot of it's going to fall on Caleb because they've put everything around him. Give him Ben Johnson. They went out, they got the offensive line. Now you have the weapons on the outside. Now there's really no more excuses. It's time to put up or shut.
- [24:15]
Advertiser 1
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- [25:18]
Podcast Host 1
Check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club. We go behind the scenes and explore the stories of those involved.
- [25:30]
Soccer Analyst 1
San Diego coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
- [25:38]
Host 1
We need veteran players and we need young players.
- [25:40]
Chad Millman
Like you're building a team from scratch and so the succession plan of long.
- [25:43]
Host 1
Term success needs to be defined.
- [25:45]
Chad Millman
We need to embrace this community.
- [25:49]
Soccer Analyst 1
When I was 13, my uncle took me to a qualifier and we watched Paraguay against Chile pouring rain. Just watching the fans jumping up and down, I think that was definitely a watershed moment for me. Not only was that gonna be my game, but it was gonna be my life.
- [26:06]
Podcast Host 1
Listen to San Diego FC behind the flow now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [26:17]
Simon Hunter
Simon what do you need to see or hear? I know you don't like the Bears to make the playoffs, but what do you need to see or hear to give you indication there will be success in Chicago with this duo?
- [26:34]
Chad Millman
Honestly, you really just want to see that he's picking up the offense scale up like that's, that's all that matters because I told you this, this year feels like it's a year for both of them to grow. Right? It's his first year coaching and Ben Johnson. It's Caleb's first year in real offense with a real head coach that's going to have him watch film and go over film with him like it's going to be exactly what he wants and he Needs right. He wants to be pushed to the highest level. So yeah, for me there's got. It's gonna be tough because it's going to be so much. It's just gonna be roses. Like your whole Chicago right now is just so happy and in love with what they have. It's gonna be tough to have a real beat writer give real opinions on what's happening. But if Caleb's just doing awful back to back days in camp and it's still happening towards the beginning of the season, that's a big deal. You want to see, you know, early, early day struggles, no problem, right? I always say up Until August about 25th, I don't really mind if quarterbacks like stuck you talking about if they're throwing picks, if they're, if they're pushing the envelope because they're not tuning up for the season once after that, once they're trying to get ready for week one and the upcoming season. To me that's when it's becoming a problem because that really is the offense they're going to run for those upcoming games. So that's, that's a team where the Bears. I won't be too checking in on them too much early on but before the season I'm going to be reading a lot of what their B writers are saying about how he's looking in the offense and if he's grown throughout, you know, August in this offense. So yeah, it's a, it's a big deal. Chad this upcoming season or Caleb Williams.
- [28:02]
Host 1
Sometimes no interceptions can be worse than like a, than a lot in like camp and in early days like it's. You're not, you're not taking risk. You're not kind of pushing the envelope and figuring things out and trying to make throws and seeing like so but the deep ball is really what I'm interested in and then just how, how he looks like it that if he's grasping it or not.
- [28:26]
Simon Hunter
Simon's not going to be checking on the Bears because he's got a Bears. He's got an anti Bears bias now.
- [28:33]
Chad Millman
I like money.
- [28:35]
Simon Hunter
Well the best way to make money is not to lose money.
- [28:40]
Host 1
I'm pro Bears this year, Chad.
- [28:41]
Simon Hunter
What's that?
- [28:42]
Host 1
I'm pro Bears this year.
- [28:44]
Simon Hunter
I appreciate that.
- [28:45]
Host 1
One of us will be right.
- [28:46]
Simon Hunter
Well two of us are going to be right stuck.
- [28:49]
Chad Millman
What is being right on the Bears though? What's this? What are you hoping for, Chad? Just the playoffs. Round one loss.
- [28:53]
Simon Hunter
Playoffs. Playoffs. I just want the Bears to make the playoffs. I want them to Build.
- [29:00]
Chad Millman
I can see it now. Bears going down to Tampa. There you go.
- [29:04]
Simon Hunter
Honest to God, that's, that's exactly what it could be. I just want progress and success. I know Brandon Anderson said it best. Growth is not linear, but I would like some growth, any kind of growth. Speaking of growth is not linear, I have been on the record in saying that I think the most impactful off season addition to any team could be Robert Sala rejoining The San Francisco 49ers when they're coming off a dreadful year with a lot of injuries. But I think his ability to remake that defense could make them the number one seed in the nfc. Stuck. How much of a difference will Robert Sala really make?
- [29:54]
Host 1
I, I don't know about Will, but he can. Like they've been since he left. I mean, you even saw when he left the jets, like, their defense. He's a really good defensive coordinator. And the 49ers have kind of been searching for the guy and that identity since he left. So skim. And they're going to need some schematic help because they lost a lot of talent. They're going to need some young guys to step up. So it's not. Sal's not going to be able to just come in and save the day. They're going to need some, they're going to need to stay healthy, too. It's probably that's what doomed them last year across the board on offense and defense. But I do think it was a huge hire. They've been searching basically for his replacement and haven't been able to find it. And I think he's one of the best defensive coordinators. Maybe he's just not cut out for being a head coach. Maybe it'll work out again in the future. You know, you learn from things. But I think it was a great hire. They're gonna need some, they're, they're, there's some talent lacking in certain areas if they don't get some young guys to hit. But I think it was as good of a hire as they could have made.
- [30:59]
Simon Hunter
Simon, you're not as high in the Niners as I am. How come?
- [31:05]
Chad Millman
Because there's just so many unknowns about the Niners. I, I, I. The reason I'm on them in general, the fact I'm bending them to make the playoffs is because there is the talent there and they have the coaching there and the schedule. Like, they have the schedule to make the playoffs. Like, to me, it lines up really nice for them this upcoming season. This 49ers team. And that's my biggest question in training camp is these last two years, the way they've drafted they. They have to hit like they just, they've been paying such top heavy guys. Now at this point, they have to be hitting this draft and bringing him in it to me is such a key, key deal. Like Salah, the difference he makes in improving guys defensively is massive. And we've seen it time and time again. Like, like we talked about, that drop off after he left the jets was noticeable right away. So to me that's like we already nailed it. But that could be the biggest AD of any defensive team is that of him as a DC to that 49ers team. Like that. To me, of all the moves that's happened in any teams, like, you know, teams adding different players, their defense, everything like that, adding the right coach like him to a defense with young talent, if he can build on that and coach him up, it's going to be huge for them. Because we talked about like they're, they're another team. They're all in, right? Like, like McCaffrey, everything we've read, he's healthy. So to us, we don't really have questions about their offense so much. The questions for the 49ers right now is just that defense. So, yeah, big deal getting him back there in the 49ers and excited to see how they look in the upcoming camp. Right? That's. It's gonna be pretty telling to see what they run in camp because they probably won't run much in the games, but seeing what he's going to run, what style he's going to run for that defense, I'm excited to see because obviously Fred Warner, he's. He's the cog in the machine that makes it all go.
- [32:40]
Simon Hunter
The Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow. Everyone thinks he's amazing. Top four quarterback with Lamar, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. At least according to most. Maybe not Simon Hunter, but they cannot get out of their own way when it comes to contract negotiations. The Trey Hendrickson thing has been downright challenging. What they're doing with Shemar Stewart, the first round pick has been Bangle Peak Bengals.
- [33:15]
Host 1
And there's rumors he might go back to A and M and he might challenge like the NCAA on legality. It's like came out this morning.
- [33:22]
Simon Hunter
Bengals incompetence. So stuck. How does that, like, what does that foretell for you? As a Lexington resident, Cincinnati might be the closest NFL team to where you are as a, as a Midwestern Kentuckian football aficionado. Can this team get out of its own fucking way?
- [33:49]
Host 1
Yeah, it is. Since he's like an hour and a half from Lexington, the airport I use sometimes. I mean, the Bengals, they, they're gonna. I gotta hope Al golden comes in and has a magic wand and schematically because yeah, they, I don't think they fix the defense. Defense would be bad again. They're gonna be in a ton of shootouts. The state of their defense just significantly lowers their ceiling. I mean, it's what Barrow has done. He's not working with much. I mean, his offensive line has been bad. Every year it's under pressure as much as any quarterback. Their run game is always bad and their defense now is bad. Like he has no help, just his receivers. The other thing is they paid both receivers. He paid Burrow. And they're, they're just a bad. They can't draft. They're so, so bad at drafting just a poorly run organization that happened to hit on some obvious picks with the receivers and Barrow, but they don't have much else. And now if you don't have Hendrickson, I mean without Hendrickson last year they were dead last in pressure rate, dead last in completion percentage allowed, dead last in success rate, dead last in pass, dead last across the board. And I mean he had what, a third of the team's pressures. He had 17 and a half sacks back to back years. You know, the only two players who've ever done that are Reggie White and J.J. watt. Now he's not gonna be there. Then you try to draft Stewart, who I even wasn't a fan of. He might not be there. There's just questions across the board.
- [35:15]
Simon Hunter
Well, look, that's the thing, by the way, they, they draft Stuart, who's a, a, a athlete looking personified and had zero stats. I spoke to a college, a guy who used to run a scouting department in the NFL and I said to him before the draft, what do you think of this? He goes, college coaches are trying to win. They don't build schemes to go against the best player on the field. If the guy isn't producing and he's their best athlete, there is something else going on there. And yet the Bengals continue to get in their way. That was the most Bengals pick stuck. You're nailing it. Are we all being fooled by the fact they drafted Joe Burrow and he masks over so many problem. Simon, I know you've got a strong opinion on this.
- [36:10]
Chad Millman
Yeah, I'm appreciating what Stuckey, Sander Feels like I'm nailing my early picture that I just think they're an easily fatable team because what we talked about, just horrible offensive line and defense to me is only going to get worse. And they've just not addressed in any way in the draft to improve that defense. And you know, to me, Stuckey, this is your division of your fandom. Like, wouldn't you rather take Pittsburgh at a plus number to make the playoffs and take the Bengals at a plus number to miss the playoffs if you're a bed and man, rather than taking them both at minus numbers, the Pittsburgh to miss the playoffs and Bengals to make. I just, I think it's really. People flip flopped because of Joe Burrow. Like we talked about, he's just, he's likable. The general public views him as a top five quarterback. He's a proven winner because of what we saw him do in college, making the super bowl in year two. But I've said it to Chad, he's not done a single thing since that super bowl run, right? And you can say, well, he's had injuries. That's true. And guess what? They just wasted a healthy year of Joe Burrow last year. And that's another thing that just jumps out to me. It's like they just, they hit on, they hit on it and they got lucky because he lasted behind that offensive line. Now they have another year where their defense might have gotten worse and they didn't improve that offensive line. So, yeah, it's. I'm just so down on this team. It's not a Joe Burrow thing. It's just the team as a whole. I think they're in too tough a division to be this bad throughout, you know, defensively and offensive line.
- [37:34]
Host 1
Yeah, but you have to pay Barrow, like, that's you. That's when you can go for it as a team. Like the Bengals, you had him on his rookie contract. You got to pay him. They're not able to address, they're not able to draft, right? So, like these really elite teams that end up having to pay the quarterback, which is something I always, I like to watch in camp, is in order for these teams to stay elite, like you have an elite quarterback, you're going to be good like the real lead teams. But the, the Chiefs, the Ravens, the Eagles, right, They're able to draft really well and that's how they're able to plug some of the holes. Like, look at the Eagles. They're all. The questions two years ago were about their secondary and their secondary Fell off a cliff. Right. They went in the draft, announced it and hit like the Ravens. Their secondary can't pay as many guys if we'll see if they do with Starks, but they've hit on some guys that have just kept their team elevated. The Bengals aren't able to do that. They're such a bad drafting team and they're so poorly run. And you look at their roster, top five quarterback, top five receivers. What about the rest of the roster? What other group are you? Like they might all be bottom 10. The rest, all the, all their other position groups are bottom 10. And the, the failures of drafted offensive linemen over the years, I mean that's going on decade plus. There's just so many holes throughout this roster. Yeah, I mean if they're gonna need the rookie guards to hit Stewart to want to play, sign Hendrickson, Al golden does some magic and then they're just going to need some close game variants like if that's the story for the Bengals this year to get to the plaza because they're going to be in shootouts, they're going to be in games with everybody. But it's hard to see that defense and offensive line being good enough to, you know, make a deep run in the playoffs. And that's if like all these other things go right with the offensive line with Stewart, Hendrickson and Golden having a positive impact. So yeah, it's probably another year of Bengaling.
- [39:38]
Simon Hunter
Last question. Matt Mitchell's favorite team, the Buffalo Bills, are against their will being featured on Hard Knocks. The Bears had that problem last year. The Giants had that problem. The jets were cursed with a Hard Knocks season.
- [39:56]
Host 1
But is that true? They can just force you to do it?
- [39:58]
Simon Hunter
Yeah. Yeah. If you've, if you've never done it, they can force you to do it.
- [40:02]
Host 1
Wow, I didn't know that.
- [40:04]
Simon Hunter
Totally. And so the Bills are being forced to do it. Should we look at this as a curse for the Buffalo Bills? Stucky.
- [40:14]
Host 1
I'm just looking forward to creating. I always love watching Hard Knocks. When's that start? When's episode one? It's usually like, I feel like it's like the first week of August, like August 6th.
- [40:30]
Simon Hunter
It could be the first week of August. They got to get some weeks in there.
- [40:33]
Host 1
Yeah, it's. Then it's always like, okay, NFL's right around the corner the first time. Is Shriver still doing?
- [40:40]
Simon Hunter
I believe he does, yes.
- [40:41]
Host 1
When I hear his voice the first time, I'm like, all right. I want. By the way, I watched a decent like this is a good hotel plane movie with Lynn Schreiber. It was called Human Capital. It's pretty good. It's not great, but it was. It was entertaining.
- [40:59]
Simon Hunter
Well, I'm getting on a plane in 24 hours, so I'll totally check it out.
- [41:02]
Host 1
Human Capital, yeah. But no question about the Bills. I'm just looking for watching and then getting screenshots and memes of Sean. Sean McDermott, terrorist memes for things that he might say so I can take out of context. That's really what I'm looking forward to. But the Bills, by the way, the Bills talk about Turnover regression or plus 24 last year. Does that swing back the other way? It was best of any team in 12 years. What I'm watching for the Bills, though, everybody eats is their slogan on them. But I'm still curious about the wide receivers. The main thing is they're secondary. How that comes together with the rookie, how their safeties come together, does Bishop, and just how that all works. I think that's probably the. The two questions you have with the Bills this year, going into this year is, and then what happens with Cook. But they're, they're. They're defensive backs and then wide receivers is what I'm interested to watch, but mainly try to get some McDermott memes.
- [42:02]
Simon Hunter
Simon, are you concerned for Matt Mitchell and the Buffalo Bills?
- [42:09]
Chad Millman
I mean, what curse? They've never won a Super bowl, so what is there to curse? I mean, their mindset, wow. I'm just saying, as a Bills fan, it can't get any worse. They've been through hell and back, so it's like, you know, I don't think a curse that people bestow from them, it scares them. They're. They're above a curse at this point. Like, they, they know the deal. Josh Allen knows the deal, like we talked about it, that he was happy to win that MVP last year. But you can tell. He's like, I'm sick of going to sports psychologist and talk about Patrick Mahomes. I need to conquer this mountain. And that's what this season lines up for perfectly. They have the easiest schedule. I think any professional you talk to thinks they have the easiest schedule in the afc. You know, sure shock the world. New England might do it, or Justin Fields in the Jets. Something crazy could happen. But there's a reason they're over minus 200 to win their division right now. It's. It's the Bills year. It's lined up. So to me, I am excited to watch it. Right. We all love Josh Allen. Excited to see more camera time in because he's kind of like this goofy, weird kind of dude. Like he says some funny shit when he does talk and open up like he to me he's always been a very funny guy. Even if you know, if you're an old part of my take fan. They had him on before the draft and immediately you're just like fuck, this dude's really likable. I hope my team drafts him. Little did we know he was going to be someday the MVP and the best player ever. So yeah, I'm excited for Hard Knocks. I'm happy they picked a franchise like the Bills. No, no disrespect to you know, Chicago or the Giants, but those are organizations that aren't the best run organizations. Right. They've both kind of had faltered here these last five, ten years. But the Bills, they're on the up and up so it'd be cool to get a pe the curtain to see what kind of team they are in this upcoming season.
- [43:52]
Host 1
Yeah, I will say that the. I just mentioned the drafting the Bills, like their defense really fell off and it's really cost them in playoffs. So what do they do, you know, for their five free agent signings on the defense end first five picks in the draft on the defensive side of the ball like they have. You have Josh Allen, you have a good offense line.
- [44:11]
Chad Millman
Yeah.
- [44:11]
Host 1
You have the offense figured out. It's all about that defense. There are these draft picks these free agent signs can hit that something that I'm looking to watch. And you mentioned the Bills. Yeah. There's a reason they're heavy favorites during the division. The schedule sets up so nice for them. They are. All their hard games are at home. There's no back to back road games. And the Bills at home. Last three years they've lost one game at home in regulation. I wonder if our producer Bill's fans can remember the game they lost to the Broncos I 2422 and like Russell Wilson, you remember this game? I think it was like two years ago, Mitchell.
- [44:46]
Simon Hunter
Well look now we got a lot more to look forward to for training camp by hoping to God we can cross our fingers against the Buffalo Bills being okay.
- [44:56]
Host 1
Can I get a Raven shout out? I'm watching. One thing I'm watching for the first time in forever, a new kicker. I gotta see. We gotta see this. A rookie kicker.
- [45:04]
Simon Hunter
That's right.
- [45:04]
Host 1
And a new kicker in Baltimore. It's gonna be very weird to like I feel like every other team now. Although Tucker had fallen off the last year or two, but for so long I'm like, oh, Tucker's coming out automatic. Like you know you're going to make anything under 50. Now I'm going to a rookie kicker. Like I have the anxiety of every other team, every other fan base that's had for years that I've taken for granted. So I'm I'm looking forward to watching me some loop.
- [45:32]
Simon Hunter
Welcome to it Stuck. It's the Age of Anxiety. Listen Big Bets on Campus the Action Network Podcast the Thursday the Wednesday night Thursday morning episode that Stuckey and Raybon do on Action Network Podcasts. Much Must, must listen. The favorites will return with our next episode Tuesday on the Action Network YouTube page. We're going to kick off our NFL Division betting previews. Download us from Spotify Apple Pods wherever you get your pods Rate Review Subscribe. Leave us five stars. Say whatever you want. Feedback is a gift. Until next time. Love you.
- [46:20]
Advertiser 1
Action Network reminds you, please gamble responsibly.
- [46:24]
Simon Hunter
If you or someone you care about.
- [46:25]
Advertiser 1
Has a gambling problem, help is available 247 at 1-800-GAMBLER.
- [46:31]
Sarah Spain
Join iHeartRadio and Sarah Spain in celebrating the one year anniversary of iHeart Women's Sports. With powerful interviews and insights insider analysis, our shows have connected fans with the heart of women's Sports. In just one year, the network has launched 15 shows and built a community united by passion podcasts that amplify the voices of women in sports. Thank you for supporting iHeart Women's Sports and our founding sponsors ELF Beauty, Capital One and Novartis. Just open the free iHeart app and search iHeart Women's Sports to listen now.
- [47:02]
Ian Pfaff
I'm Ian Pfaff, the creator and host of the Uncle Chris Podcast. My Uncle Chris was a real character, a garbage truck driver from South Carolina who is now buried in Panama Panama City alongside the founding families of Panama. He also happens to be responsible for the craziest night of my life. Wild stories about adventure, romance, crime, history and war intertwine as I share the tall tales and hard truths that have helped me understand Uncle Chris. Listen now to Uncle Chris on Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you.
- [47:35]
Podcast Host 1
Listen to podcasts, guests check out behind the Flow, a podcast documentary series following the launch of San Diego Football Club.
- [47:46]
Soccer Analyst 1
San Diego Coming to MLS is going to be a game changer because this region has been hungry for a men's professional soccer team.
- [47:53]
Chad Millman
We need to embrace this community.
- [47:57]
Podcast Host 1
Listen to San Diego FC behind the flow on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [48:07]
Chad Millman
Hey guys, it's AZ Fudd. You may know me as a gold medalist. You may know me as an NCAA national champion. You may even know me as a people's princess. Every week on my new podcast, Fut around and find out, I'll be talking to some special guests about pop culture, basketball and what it's like to be a professional athlete on and off the court.
- [48:26]
Host 1
Listen to Futaroun and find out. A production of I Heart Women's Sports in partnership with Unanimous Media, starting August 7th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart podcast.