
PMS 2.0 1242 - Thursday Night Football Preview, Michael Lombardi, Chiefs GM Brett Veach, Tyrese Haliburton, Chuck Pagano, & AJ Hawk
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Pat McAfee
People, and welcome to our humble abode, the ThunderDome, on this NFL Week 11 kickoff Thursday, November 14, 2024. This program starts now. Football, awesome. Sports in general are the greatest thing to ever exist. We can't thank you enough for allowing us to do this for a living. Got a massive show for you today. We got Michael Lombardi joining us in about 20 minutes or so. Obviously, he's won multiple Super Bowls. Former general manager should be a great conversation in his second hour. Speaking of general managers, the general manager of the team that is looking to do something that no NFL team has ever, which is win three straight Lombardi trophies, three straight world Championships, three straight Super Bowls. Brett Veach will be joining us at 1:20 Eastern Time. Can't wait to chat with him. And then in the third hour, we'll have the Pacers here to debut their new cityway jerseys. Now, they did debut it on their Twitter account earlier today. We potentially thought we were going to be doing it on a program, which is why we automatically agreed to the situation no matter what happens. But we will get a chance to chat with good friend of the program, Tyrese Halliburton. And although things did not go perfect for him last night against Orlando Magic, we do appreciate the fact he talks shit to them. They come back and beat him a lot of season life, especially whenever you're looking that damn cool with that cool of court. Now. Remember they got to the finals of the NBA cup last year.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Are they looking to win it this year? You're damn right. We'll talk to him in the third hour. Should be an absolute blast. The talks. The table is here at Boston. Connor. And that Ty Schmidt comment. We have a massive Week 11 kickoff Thursday night on Prime. Yeah. Huge Eagles. Commanders. Eagles at home favored by four on ESPN BET, three and a half on FanDuel. I believe that thing's been bouncing between three and a half and four on all sports books, but I think at ESPN BET right now it is at four. Everywhere else is at three and a half. But Jaden Daniels taking on Jalen Hurts. Both playing incredible football. Obviously Commanders coming off the week that they're coming off of. Eagles coming off some great shit last week. How do you view this evening's game? Do you think it's be high scoring? You think it's below scoring? How do you feel about a touchdown parlay and everything like that?
AJ Hawk
Yeah, it got to be points, points, points. I mean, this is exactly why what we look for when it comes to primetime games. Two guys who play quarterback, who rom Wild. First of all, Jayden Daniels, I believe he's on pace to set some rookie rushing record. I'm sure. And Jalen hurts. He's been scoring every damn week. A.J. brown on the outside, Terry McCloren, I mean, there's playmakers all over the field. When you're talking about touchdown parlays. I don't know about the parlays just because it gets a little worrisome when you're talking about the Eagles. You like Saquon to score. Jalen hurts, gets a lot of those goal line carries. The one guy you should zero in on is Johan Dotson. Okay. Nick Sirianni is a big. Oh, you used to play for this team. Let's get you in the end zone so you can give them the bird. Okay? I'm sure that's what he's going to be saying to Johan Dotson right now. This morning he was plus 900 to score. You could do that just on its own. That's a safe bet. And then you could also parlay like saquon, Brian Robinson Jr. A.J. brown, and that's around the same odds. So it's going to be electrifying. I am pumped up for this one. I am very nervous for who picks what. Just because this is a weird spread, four points is a little odd. Last week was six and a half with the Bengals, Ravens. That felt like a lot. But the Eagles, you know, they blow out teams and then the commies, you know, they come back and throw Hail Mary. So it's one of those things, like the points is a worry. But I would. I love the over tonight.
Pat McAfee
4. 4 is an interesting line, interesting number and 1/2 of the Hammer Cowboys. AP Tone, where's the public money out here early for this particular Week 11 kickoff, Thursday night game.
Boston Connor
60% is on the Eagles tonight. I think that's kind of, that's fair because the Eagles have kind of run the division and have had the commander's number, obviously over the last few years. This is a different commander's team. But the Eagles have been hot and the commanders are coming off a loss. So I think in this situation, the public. The public is very, hey, what have you done for me lately? So I believe that's probably where I.
Pat McAfee
Also love the fact that the NFC east is kind of a wagon. You know, obviously whenever we're talking about these two teams, we're talking about good football being played. But also in the NFC East, a lot of drama. Yeah, you know, Dallas drama, Giants drama. These two wagon. You got a rookie quarterback doing Things that we didn't think was possible after what CJ Stroud did last year. Here we are yet again. Now. I think Drake May is obviously going to be a stud.
Ty Schmidt
I think.
Pat McAfee
I think the Caleb Williams stuff is going to be questionable. But what Jaden Daniels is already putting on tape, what he could become, is maybe a goat you're talking about. And then with Jalen Hurts, he's seemingly back to form. And why is that? Well, we think it's because they got a run game back and Saquon Barkley being next to him. Anytime you have a running back that commands the amount of attention in everything from a defense that opens up the rest of the offense. For Jalen Hurts, whenever he was balling, they had Miles Sanders, they had other people going crazy. Now they got Saquon back there and Sirianni knows that his team is filled with a bunch of dogs. It's going to be a good one. I'm going excited for this evening. Obviously, Kirk and Al will be on the call alongside Kaylee Hartung and the entire kickoff team over there on Amazon Prime. Saw Whitworth down at lsu. You know, he was the first recruit for Saban when he was at lsu.
AJ Hawk
That's awesome.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. So like them seeing each other on stage, there was like a nice moment of hug and a nice interaction. And obviously Coach Saban's really only talked about for his time in Alabama because he won six national championships there and obviously flipped the script and they named a field after him. He won an addie at LSU too. Doesn't get chatted about that as much. Whitworth was like his first recruit. So seeing them come together is awesome. I told him, I say, hey, you're good on tv, brother. Like, there's a lot of people that are ass. Okay. We are some of those people that are ass on tv. Wit's good. I enjoy listening to him. That entire panel. I actually enjoy the way they operate. Don't take themselves too serious, but drop a lot of knowledge. I enjoy the kickoff show. Now, whenever you go to it, you can't change the channel.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Which is tough. You kind of have to watch it all. But I think they do a great job over there. And I think tonight's one of those games that Bezos is pumped for the billion dollar investment that he had for Thursday Night Football.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
And I don't know what they got Marshawn lynch doing in Philly, but I assume it's going to be incredible tonight in yo city.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Marshawn lynch doing anything is fantastic. Speaking of fantastic, this guy used to be good at picking against the spread on Thursday. Been on a little bit of a Schneider, but that's going to happen in the gambling world. You know, the sportsbooks are going to have their get back. A lot of season left. Still on the winning side of things. 36 years as a football coach, 18 in college, 18 in the NFL. Pies on extraordinaire. Ladies and gentlemen, Chuck McGonagall. Coach, when you look at tonight's game, what are your thoughts? Really good. Teams playing against each other to kick off week 11.
Chuck Pagano
Now you mentioned the two quarterbacks playing, two dual threat quarterbacks, right? Got run game going to get Brian Robinson back for the Red.
AJ Hawk
Good save.
Chuck Pagano
I'm growing for the red team for the Commanders Eckler. Two great run games. Guys can sling it. You mentioned Jaden Daniels as a rookie with the way he's playing Dan Quinn, I think he knows. I think he knows a little bit about this Eagles offense. Right. Three years in Dallas, right. As the D.C. so familiarity there. Kellen Moore, another storyline, the OC, right. They were together in Dallas. So Kellen knows DQ stuff and vice versa. So a bunch of interesting storylines. This should be a banger.
Pat McAfee
How much does that matter? Does that matter a lot? Whenever you like. That's because division games are always tough. Like Steelers are playing the Ravens this weekend and the Steelers record against Lamar Jackson is better than everybody else outside the vision against Lamar Jackson because you know it now, new head coach obviously in Washington with Dan Quinn, knew everything. How much is knowing Kellen Moore, knowing Dan Quinn, knowing this Eagles offense matter, is that really. That is a huge advantage or.
Chuck Pagano
No, no, it's real. But the chess pieces are different. Right? So the players, the guys that are, you know, throwing the ball, catching the ball, running the ball, those things are. Those things are all different. There'll be a wrinkle here or there that they haven't shown each other on tape this year. So they, you know that it matters a little bit. Yeah, it's nice to know it comes into. It comes into play. Especially if you've dominated somebody like the Philadelphia Hertz. Yeah, he's three and one against Dan Quinn.
AJ Hawk
Oh, yeah.
Chuck Pagano
He's averaged a little over 30 yards rushing a game, 220 yards passing a game. He's got six touchdowns through the air, one on the ground and two interceptions.
Pat McAfee
Whoa, wait a minute. So Jalen hurts against backwards hat.
Chuck Pagano
He's missed some. He was injured, missed some. And Minchu had to play for the Eagles, you know, during that time Those six games. But he's, he's three and one. So he's not worried, he's not scared he's going to play.
Pat McAfee
I'm excited for tonight. I'm pumped for another weekend of great football. Obviously the college slate's going to deliver. It has every single week. The Sunday slate is littered. I mean you're talking Raven Steelers, you're talking Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, you're talking like big time games on Sunday and Monday night. Go ahead.
AJ Hawk
Bengals, Chargers, a Sunday night football team back. Yeah. Awesome.
Pat McAfee
Jim Harbaugh pieces because he's on prime time are going to just keep coming out and the more that we can get to that, the more we will take.
AJ Hawk
Amen.
Pat McAfee
So we got a massive weekend in tow for football and we're thankful for it all. But you know what else we're thankful for? What's that? The opportunity to do a segment that we launched this year. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to hop right back into coach Pagano's hot seat. These are the burning questions that only Coach Pagano with 36 years of football coaching experience can answer for us. Let's fire them off. Let's start with this. How about the Chicago Bears? Obviously they're in the middle of quite a predicament. They have fired their offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron. I was on the team with Indianapolis Colts. Whenever you had to do this to pep Hamilton in the middle of the season and move CH in there to become the offense coordinator, what do you expect from this move? How hard is this move to make and what does this mean for the Chicago Bears going forward?
Chuck Pagano
It's not a move that you want to make. You know, nobody's looking to fire anybody. But obviously the thing that's disappointing is like one play, one Hail Mary play Right. From the team that we're going to see tonight and like totally derails you for the last, for the next three games. Right. So we had to make a change. And it's never personal, you know, unless there's something behind the scenes that we don't know like going on, it's never personal. It's all production based. Right. It's a, it's win, you get to stay, it's lose, you're out. As a coach, if you're productive as a player, as a play caller, you usually get to keep your job. So they move on to Thomas Brown. Thomas Brown was Carolina.
Pat McAfee
Yep.
Chuck Pagano
A year ago. Right?
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Michael Lombardi
So what were they ranked?
Chuck Pagano
Checked in. Right. Their offense was ranked 32.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Chuck Pagano
Out of 32 teams a year ago. So I don't know if we can put it all on Thomas Brown. He's probably got a big brain. He's probably got a great relationship with Caleb. We're going to find out.
Pat McAfee
Yes. And whenever you moved on to chud, was there. I don't remember. Take me back in time. Whenever you're talking to the team about the move, what is the messaging? What do you think Eber Flu is telling Chicago Bears?
Chuck Pagano
Every decision we make is based on two things. What's best for the team and what gives us the best chance to win, period.
Pat McAfee
Pat, man trust.
Chuck Pagano
And when I and him and him and Andrew, like thickest thieves. Right. All the way back to Stanford. We lost B.A. that first year. Bring pep in, have success. Right. And then we're struggling in 15 and felt like we just. We needed to make a. Make a change. And I remember Andrew coming into me and sitting down and saying, I don't know, you know, why I trust, but I don't think this is the right decision.
Pat McAfee
I like that from Andrew.
Chuck Pagano
No, absolutely. But that's the one thing about Andrew.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Chuck Pagano
You talk about having a leader at that position.
Pat McAfee
Yes.
Chuck Pagano
And a leader in the locker room that's not afraid to have uncomfortable conversations, honest upfront conversations with the head coach, players, whatever. Hey, like what you're doing right now, this. This is football. This isn't championship football. Get it straightened out. In his own way, right?
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
So I said, I respect that, but I'm doing what I think's best for the team. I'm gonna work, I'm gonna do whatever. Boom. So we played Denver. That's Peyton's first game.
Pat McAfee
That was 1812. The War of 1812. I remember that roof.
Tyrese Haliburton
Right.
Chuck Pagano
30 minutes. Like it was closed. Oh, hell yeah. What a great plan by Jim.
Pat McAfee
Sunday Night Football, right? Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
I don't know the day or holiday. We won that game, you know, and the first guy in the office the next day was Pep. And he goes, that was the right decision. I apologize for coming. You made the right move.
Pat McAfee
Okay. That's awesome. I appreciate that.
Chuck Pagano
So now we won the game and all that. So I don't know what that conversation would have been like had we not pulled that game out.
Pat McAfee
But that was the most watched Sunday football game, I think, up to that point. Like, obviously, Peyton's return before the game, the round of applause that Peyton got from that crowd was awesome.
Chuck Pagano
Rightfully so.
Pat McAfee
I remember being on the field for it. Obviously, I'm punting and I'm standing there and he takes his helmet Peyton's like one of the most locked in people of all time. I think that's like documented. Everybody knows that. Him taking his helmet off, though, and doing like one of these. I think it was like.
Ty Schmidt
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
I think he was like a human there for a little bit. Puts it back on. I don't know. I think his drive start average that game was like the 10 yard line or something.
Chuck Pagano
Somebody, somebody.
Pat McAfee
Somebody had quite a night.
Tyrese Haliburton
Boop.
Pat McAfee
Somebody had quite a night.
Chuck Pagano
Didn't they. Didn't they do a tribute to him, right? That got into.
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah, there's a full on.
Chuck Pagano
Oh, and then because he hated the window of the roof, right? Like, what.
Pat McAfee
What are we doing?
Chuck Pagano
But that thing was never open, like when you're winning. When he.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, yeah. If you're winning, that thing's not open. We're losing, though. Jim goes, we gotta showcase, brother. Team stinks. We gotta. We gotta be able to showcase things. You think taxpayers are happy that you stink and we're not even utilizing. Open it up. Open it up. Anytime that thing started beeping, you'd hear me, Vin, any quarterback going, what the. Win some games, brother.
Chuck Pagano
And who always. Where'd you always go to too, right?
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
What do you want me to do?
Pat McAfee
Yeah, well, you. Hey, Chuck, what are we doing? What are we doing? How am I trying to win this game or not? What are we trying to do? You go tell Jim. All right, so then I go to Pete Ward. Pete Ward's president of the team. Obviously I'm warming up a little bit. Different animal. Me versus probably many other people. Pete, when he changes music in here, okay, this music sucks when he changes music. And also, what are we doing? Let's close this. What are we doing with this thing? He goes, well, Jim wanted to open it up. I'm like, well, tell Jim we don't want him to open up. He said, I'm not saying. Why don't you go.
Chuck Pagano
We like winning, okay? Taxpayers are a dub.
Pat McAfee
The story was always, well, if you want to. If you win, you guys will have a little bit more say, okay? But since you're not winning, guess who has all this say taxpayers and Jim Irsay opened that son of a bitch up, and that's what it was, you know, and that's kind of. I think he meant to open it a couple weeks ago, but they had a. A malfunction. And then they had a window open like they wanted to wedge up. Yeah, they wanted to open it just for the Colts that are there now. And I know you guys know everything you haven't won anything, but I know, you know, everything. Things do start changing when you don't win, you know, especially if Jim Merce has tapped in, which I think he is obviously getting back in there, which is good news. Let's continue the hot seat. Connor has a question for you.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, Chuck, speaking of the Colts and taxpayers, me and a lot of other people are wondering what's going on with, you know, Anthony Richardson and the Colts. Did you hear what he said? What do you think about the move to go back to him? And then did you hear what Kenny Moore. Do you think that has anything to do with, you know, what's going on in that building?
Chuck Pagano
Yeah. So second part first, like it's alarming anytime one of the players comes out, you know, and, and, and says that. And it's not like what, what he said, like I'm not going to candy coat or, or whatever Kenny Sugar coach. I'm not going to sugarcoat anything. Candy coat anything. And he just, he just spoke his truth. Now whether he was talking about the entire locker room or, or a few guys here and there, Quentin Nelson and backed him up on it, not whatever, but. And I think Gus Bradley came out and said, yeah, you know, sometimes uncomfortable things gotta be said, right?
Pat McAfee
Yes.
Chuck Pagano
And the truth has to be said. So kudos to Ken because Kenny shows up. Kenny prepares. My whole time there was with Kenny, so I love it and hopefully it doesn't fall on deaf ears.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I hope so too.
Chuck Pagano
And then with ar, I was fired up as anybody to see, you know, him go back in there. We all wanted Joe, you know, to have success out there and be the Joe. But after, after two games, you know, and the turnovers and the losses and things like that, to go back, I think he's learned his lesson. I think he's, you know, grown up. I've read the quotes or some things about, you know, sacrifices that you would feel, honestly just being honest here, like coming into it, like we should know that already.
Pat McAfee
Yes.
Chuck Pagano
But then let's go back and say, okay, we've got a, a 22 year old. We got a, we got an immature young player that, that needs to grow up and he needs to grow up in a hurry. He needs to grow up a lot faster than any of us, you know, want him to like yesterday, like grow up. So it sounds like, you know, he got the message, he understood the ramifications. Every, every decision you make, you got consequences. So there was consequences. So hopefully we start to see. So the proof will be in the pudding. He's saying all the right things. His teammates are saying all the right things. They're supporting him. We know he's got talent out out to out the yang y But now. But now it's got to be like the first car in a parking lot got to be his and the last one to leave got to be his and you got to do that day after day. He mentioned the word consistency. Right? He's had issues, consistency. But this guy hasn't been the guy. He hasn't played. He's. We knew that going into this thing. So, you know, let's.
Pat McAfee
I'm.
Chuck Pagano
I'm rooting big time like you guys are for, for Anthony.
Pat McAfee
Here's a quote from yesterday. He was asked, what appreciation do you have for the position that you're in as the face of the franchise and being QB1 after not playing Anthony Richardson's answer, man, there's a lot of appreciation, but it's more so more understanding now. You understand the magnitude of everything. You understand the magnitude of the position, you understand the magnitude of the work that you have to put in just to make sure you're right for the team. But I definitely appreciate it. I'm forever grateful and happy and excited to get going this week again, but I'm thankful. So like, that quote right there is like, all right. He didn't know. Yeah, right. He didn't know. Got these two weeks now he knows. With what we're hearing from Kenny, with what we're hearing from Quentin, what we're hearing from Gus Bradley feels like he's the only one. He's not the only one. One that didn't know what it's like to be a professional. Maybe they are able to flip the switch and get it going because once again, I think we're all on the same page here. If Anthony Richardson wastes his talent that he has, will a as a Colts fan sucks, but also just as a fan of football, like, that'll be a tragedy. This dude could be a go. You're talking about a potential one of one specimen. And when Cam Newton came out and talked about him, he's like, hey, you and me, we're different. Like we are just naturally different. But you got to act, act the same way that the people that aren't like the same, the quarterbacks that don't have the Anthony Richardson talent, you got to act the same way they and maybe even more because of everything that could go feels like that message is getting through. He's 22 years old. I hope it happens. I legitimately hope it happens. I'm a bit worried, you know, and to your point, about saying, like, the sacrifice and, like, things I don't want to do, I got to do, it's like, what's that movie, Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston, the breakup, where she goes, I want you to want to clean the dishes. Like, that's one of those scenes whenever they're fighting in there. It's like, I think all Colts fans, like, we would like Anthony Richardson to want to be the quarterback one. And remember, here in Indianapolis, we had Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning's the one that introduced this entire state to football. Peyton Manning is notoriously in at 5am out at 7pm theater next to his fucking bedroom at the house so he can watch film until midnight. It's like he is literally the most robotic machine worker in the history of football. Maybe, like, that is kind of the blooper. I'm not saying Tom Brady, everybody else didn't, but that's the Peyton Manning M.O. so Colts fans are expecting it. Then Andrew Luck comes in, and he had, like, photographic memory, obviously, so he was able to see him do that. But, like, the amount of work he put in on his body and everything, it's like, that's the expectation, especially when you're the number four overall pick. So hopefully these last two weeks have been something where he kind of has his eyes open. Not just him, though, the rest of that building. Because obviously, whether it's a few people that Kenny Morrow's talking about or a lot of people, it's like they still have everything in front of them somehow. They still have a chance to literally.
Chuck Pagano
Look at everything going forward, look at that schedule. So my message to them to Zaire, right? E.J. speed, dog D. Buck D. Grover Stewart, Dog. All right. Jalen Jones is coming on, right? Dog, Getting people's ass. Look, you got everything in front of you. Not like, you guys know what I'm talking about, right? There's a huge difference between, like and love, all right? And it's not your right to be in the NFL as a coach or a player. It's a privilege, and you have to look at it every single day. Like, when you show up to the building and you punch your coat in and the door opens, you're like, thank God I got another day in this building. Dequel Jackson, when I had to bring him into my office and we were moving on from him after an unbelievable career, not only in Cleveland, what he did in the NFL, he told me verbatim. He said, this is this Day, what just happened right here, this is what kept me in the league for 10 or 11 years. Because every day I walked in, I said, I'm going to do everything that I possibly can do to make sure that I don't lose this jersey, this jersey number, or this locker. And I'm never going to be the guy to let that guy down next to me. So those. It's the players team. They own that damn locker room. It's their team. Coaches, coach and players play. So quit coddling each other. Okay? Get after each other.
Pat McAfee
Let's go.
Chuck Pagano
And anything that doesn't look like championship football, get it the fuck out of the building.
Pat McAfee
But does anybody know what it is? I wonder? Because, like, this is.
Chuck Pagano
They know how to win. I hope they know. They know there's enough.
Pat McAfee
These guys have not won.
Chuck Pagano
There's enough dudes in there. You just got to quit. Like that whole deal about, hey, we. It's okay. You know, it's going to be fine. You don't. Don't worry about that. We'll get it next play. There isn't a next play. There isn't a next year.
Pat McAfee
It's right now.
Chuck Pagano
That's it. That's all you got. And you got to go to Jet Life, and you got to. You got to knock the shit out of these Jets. You got to prepare, and you got to go up and get a win. All it takes is one win to get this thing turned around.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And it's every meeting, every day, you know, in us talking about the Colt. This is the most Indianapolis Colts have ever been talked about, ever on the show, and it's being talked about on other shows as well. That's the most Indianapolis Colts have ever been talked.
AJ Hawk
Even when.
Pat McAfee
When Peyton was playing, I think they kind of got bored of talking about the Indianapolis Colts in this entire thing. It's like, what it. What we're hearing happening in there. I don't think anybody that's ever played or coached for the team is, like, kind of embarrassed. I'm kind of embarrassed by it all, to be honest, especially with how much, like, I am at the forefront of being a Colts supporter. But with that being said, everything's still.
AJ Hawk
Right in front of us.
Pat McAfee
Everything is still right in front of us. Everything you want for this season is still possible. And hopefully that message hits home. Hopefully it does, because there are. But you listed off a bunch of people. There's a bunch of dogs on that team. But I want to quit.
Chuck Pagano
I know Ryan's. Ryan's been there the longest right Most tenured Colt, right? Ryan Kelly, he's on IR right now. He's got a knee. But even though you're on, sometimes you feel like, oh, I can't say anything. I'm not playing. I'm in the training room. I'm. This so bullshit. You can still coach these guys up and motivate and be positive with these guys, but there's enough people that you can. You can get this damn thing turned around.
AJ Hawk
Well, and like, coaching people up, you mentioned, like, do these guys know how to win? Like, that's why you bring in a coach that has been to the Super Bowl. Like, Steichen has been there. He knows what it takes to get to a Super Bowl. Granted, they lost, but, like, that's the whole reason Steichen is hired and brought in. Obviously he's a great play card, but you would hope that, you know, maybe some of that Sirianni type of culture would sprinkle and ooze out to the rest of the team and maybe Steichen is just not getting that done.
Pat McAfee
Well, maybe we'll see. Maybe we'll see. Everything's still in front of him.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, exactly.
Chuck Pagano
I mean, the three things that Aaron and Aaron added his fourth, right? How frickin easy is it? All it is is a choice. Wake the frick up early and decide like, okay, I'm going to be on time. I'm going to be. Was that it? Right. Be on time early on.
Pat McAfee
No excuses.
Chuck Pagano
No excuses. Right.
Pat McAfee
Team first.
Chuck Pagano
Put the team first. What did we have in the team room when I was there?
Pat McAfee
Right? We had loyalty, respect.
Chuck Pagano
And the other time was what? Team, Team can't see me?
Pat McAfee
It was trust.
Chuck Pagano
It was, it was. It was all about the team, right?
Pat McAfee
Yes.
Chuck Pagano
And it was us. Unity over self.
Pat McAfee
Big team, little team.
Chuck Pagano
That's what us stood for, was unity over self. So take the ego out of it. Take all the BS out of it. Get all the distractions out of your life, whatever you got going on. You mentioned, like, Peyton Manning, these guys, he had a family, he had a wife, he had kids. But they knew, like, when I come home, all right, you guys go to that side of the house, I'm going to this side of the house. And I need two hours, so I need. I need two hours so I can look at this tape.
Pat McAfee
To your point, though, Peyton actually didn't have kids for a very long time because he knew.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
That.
Chuck Pagano
Well, that's his fault.
AJ Hawk
That's his choice.
Pat McAfee
That was him and him and his wife, they're a fantastic. They've been together, I think, since high school. They've been together a long time. But, like, whenever they finally have children, Marshall Mosley, obviously fantastic kids. Like, I think a lot of people around them were like, peyton didn't want to have kids because he knew he wouldn't have been the most attentive dad because he was so.
Chuck Pagano
So when you talk about. When you talk about sacrifices.
Pat McAfee
Yes.
Chuck Pagano
What greater sacrifice is that you've got a child now. What greater thing on God's earth is better than your daughter?
Pat McAfee
Zero. So I didn't want a kid because I didn't want to have to do it all. And then as soon as you have her, it's like, what was I thinking? What are we even. What are we even talking about? MacKenzie has obviously made my life better. But to your point about focusing on ball, like, I think a lot of people obviously know that this show exists. And I did a lot of things, but, like, one of the main reasons why I retired is because there's only 32 punters in the NFL. And, like, if you're going to be in the NFL, you should pay attention to it as opposed to everything else that I wanted to have going on. I didn't think that I was giving enough respect to the position if I wanted to go do everything else and leave. It's like that type of shit, I think. Just hopefully it continues to radiate through. Let's keep continuing on the hot seat. Ty has a question for you.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Coach. Going from a place with all those issues to another place that had quite a few issues this past week especially. We've all heard the comments from Micah Parsons at this point with Big Mike basically say, hey, this guy doesn't work hard enough. All right? He just doesn't. And I'd rather, you know, see us win for the. My teammates in the locker room who have done way more than Mike McCarthy ever has and ever could. Have you ever had a situation like this where you've had to deal with it, you know, when it gets so public? And also, what did you think of how Big Mike handled the situation?
Chuck Pagano
Nothing to this magnitude. We had some stuff that, you know, you just don't want to be a distraction. And what this was was a distraction. And I don't think Mike has still come out and, like, totally clarified. I didn't mean to throw him under, but you never get those words back. Like, once they're out in the universe, they're out in the damn universe. And for him to say that about his coach, Coach McCarthy. McCarthy, right yeah, big Mike.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
But I would have called him. That's how Mike. Mike. You know, you don't. Yeah, we kind of know what you meant, but. And I loved how, how Coach McCarthy, you know, handled that situation. I mean, Aaron said it like he's built for this, right? He's built for. He's a yinzer. He's Pittsburgh tough, right? He's been through it, he's dealt with it. Anytime that the players get ready to go to the mic, you better just stop, take a deep breath, pause and think, okay. What are the ramifications of this? What kind of distraction am I going to be? What kind of shit am I going to. Cause it's bad enough we're three and six. We're reeling, we're trying to. Mike doesn't want to go up there. I didn't want to go up there as a head coach and sit there and have to answer questions that have nothing to do with. They play Houston this week, right?
Ty Schmidt
Monday night.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah, they got the Houston Texans.
Pat McAfee
Monday Night Football.
Chuck Pagano
Monday Night Football, right. Ask me about the Texans. Ask me about D'Amico. The job that he's doing is Nico back. This offense, this defense, right? How are we going to block these two damn werewolves coming off the, you know, Hunter and Will Anderson. But I'm, I'm sitting there having to answer questions, you know, about what Michael Parsons said, you know, about me and the, my lack of. Yeah, the sins. Yep, yep. Self inflicted negatives, right. Avoid it. You don't have to do that. And he handled it great. He had a, you know, a man to man, closed door, probably, you know, bro hugged it. Hey, we good? Yeah, we good. You know, because anybody else. But if you're 11. Yeah, yeah, we could fill him, right?
Pat McAfee
There's a lot of people about sick.
Chuck Pagano
Of 11, but you don't like to me like as a pot. The pod and all that. This, that and the other like to me like you talk about distractions and spending a little bit more time. The defense is not very good.
Pat McAfee
No.
AJ Hawk
Well, you see the shape.
Chuck Pagano
So maybe instead of like doing that and I'll get. This is going to come back, right? How about we take those couple hours, whatever we're investing at and get the defense over to the house.
Pat McAfee
Oh yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Okay, let's get the. Let's get the D over the house and let's go over some of Zim's calls and let's watch some tape and apply some calls. Okay. Here's first and 10 call. I got the play sheet. Zim would probably say, hey, look, will you give me a list of plays here in a. In a clip, a video clip? And give me three times this week. Let me take it home, Ray. Ed, those guys back at. They used to do this all the time, every night of the week. Whole defense in there. Hour, hour and a half.
Pat McAfee
I've been a part of some card games, some potential dice games at houses, where while it's all happening, there's film taking place. It's like a gathering, you know, but while also getting better. Those teams are always good. That was happening.
Chuck Pagano
Disconnection.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. That is how you.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah, but that. But that was like on the. On the board in Baltimore, on the grease board. Okay. There was a circle, and it was called the circle of trust.
Pat McAfee
Oh, amen.
Chuck Pagano
Okay. And so there was Jersey numbers inside the circle, there was initials inside the circle, there was jersey numbers outside the circle, there was initials outside. So if you're a coach, you get your initials because you have Jersey number. So my cp, obviously. Okay. Inside the circle and every single. So when I got there, like, outside, what you tell you, you earned. You got to earn your strike. You got to earn the trust with your teammates and players, and all it takes is like one bad play, one mental error, and your ass every To a man. First thing checked when everybody walked in that meeting room every single day, Ray sat in the back. Back right corner in his chair. Okay. Right in front of him was Jared Johnson. Roll Tide.
Pat McAfee
Roll Tide.
Chuck Pagano
Okay. And he. He controlled the circle. Who's in, who was out. Right. This guy would play a bone shot. It don't matter. Right. And the first thing you looked at was like. So that's kind of the mindset that some of these teams, like, they got, like, worrying about the podcast and this. And I know it's a different. Different era of like. But you don't like Kansas City. There's no. Like, we don't hear anything coming out of Detroit. We don't hear anything coming out of these places. Nothing. But like, they don't have. There's nothing. Because they're working.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
And they're focused on one thing.
AJ Hawk
And they have players like, to those two teams, like Amun Ra's podcast and Kelsey has a podcast. They still do that stuff.
Pat McAfee
And it's not a problem.
AJ Hawk
It never leaks over.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, they never.
Chuck Pagano
Cause I don't ever see it, like, all. It never makes get up. Doesn't make this program. Those guys. Right.
Pat McAfee
Well, Jason Kelsey, whenever he talks on kids. He's retired, though.
Tyrese Haliburton
True.
Pat McAfee
He's drama in this Entire thing. But yeah. And I had a show, obviously, whenever the last couple years I was playing. And your first conversation with me was like, do we really need to do the show? And I was like, I'll do my shit. That was kind of my thing. Like, hey, I'll do my shit. Like, don't worry. And I knew, though, I was about four shanks away from getting cut at any time. So if you're gonna do all that other. And you're gonna be a distraction, like a. You better be very good. But also it better not cause a problem for everything else. It's all about understanding that, you know, like, keeping the main thing. The main thing. Hopefully Mike. Mike is still young. We could continue. Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Because those things can be positive.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Right. You can build up your team. You can build up your coaches, teammates, team. That's teammates is what I meant. Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Have teammate on show. Like, there's.
AJ Hawk
Rank the quarterbacks in the top 10.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
And actually have, like, yours in the top 10.
Pat McAfee
You can put them over some people.
Chuck Pagano
I mean, what are we doing?
Pat McAfee
I don't know. It's. It's a wild time to be alive.
Chuck Pagano
And I love. The player is phenomenal.
AJ Hawk
So good.
Ty Schmidt
So that's why you can get away with all this.
Chuck Pagano
But. But you. But as him do I know that and I'm. Take advantage of that.
Pat McAfee
Maybe.
Brett Veach
For sure.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
No, sir, don't. Don't do that. You don't have to go there.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I understand.
Chuck Pagano
Like, these guys can't get rid of me.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And Big Mike's on his last year of his cop, so there's a lot of. There's a lot of things there. All right, last one from the coaches. Hot seat for Coach Pagano. AP Tone. Yeah.
Boston Connor
Coach Commander. Steelers. This last weekend, the Steelers run a fake punt deep in their own territory. And boy, did the Steelers Twitter fans want to just fire Danny Smith and Mike Tallman because they did not succeed on that fake punt. Anything like that ever happened to you.
Chuck Pagano
Short ride for Danny, Right. Penthouse to the outhouse. Because all we're talking about is gay ball a day. To God. I mean, because it's been so positive. Right. I mean, it's a. It's a great play till it's not, right. Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
I think we had me and you had an experience like this. Oh. Oh, yeah. Here it is.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Dewey Mack. How many times did we practice?
Pat McAfee
I think it was like 81.
Chuck Pagano
You mentioned 80 the other day, right? Yeah, I think it was 81. 82. It was high. Yes, it was A lot.
Pat McAfee
A lot.
Chuck Pagano
It had to be that in order for, like, me to go, like, actually say, on our own, where were we?
Pat McAfee
19.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Like say, yeah, go ahead. That's trust.
AJ Hawk
Beautiful.
Chuck Pagano
You get. You earned trust. It was amazing.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. We had a green light. We had a green light of this game.
Chuck Pagano
Obviously it was the lights.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Because they've got a light stadium.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And to be clear, Dewey McDonald is one of our best players on special teams.
Chuck Pagano
He was. He was nothing but the utmost respect for him as a football player, as a teammate.
Pat McAfee
Yes. They counted that as a drop bet.
Chuck Pagano
And then what are we saying?
Boston Connor
You say he's good, by the way.
Pat McAfee
I just want to over game a little motivation. Chuck, I don't think was thinking the same thing.
Chuck Pagano
No, I looked at. I looked at all you guys, and everybody's coddling. We just talk about coddling each other, right? Like, that look was like, I got on the headset. Where's Tex? Get Tex on the deal. Get this sub bitch a bus ticket home.
Pat McAfee
Obviously in the moment, that's how you're gonna act. But, like, for real, I went over to him because that's first quarter. Dewey is one of our best players. Like, he was covering his ass off for us all season. So I literally was just going over to make sure he wasn't, like, too broken, you know, and I think he was, like, still in a whirlwind to let him know that.
Chuck Pagano
But then.
Pat McAfee
Then I walk away, though, and boy, everybody on that sideline. I mean, you look, you watch the replay. Brand Boyer, who's currently special teams coordinator, stand right there next to him. He throws his hands up and does this right in Dewey's face. And then Frog, our equipment manager, is still there, right? Is dying embarrassment. Like everybody basically saying in the green light was given by Chuck because of the 80 times we did in practice. Anytime the corner comes hot, Anytime corner comes hot, gunner needs to look for ball. Now, if I throw or not is kind of dependent upon, but you need to at least look for. Look, he's looking right now. Look ball. Look ball. Look ball. Orlando Scandrick's coming from far hash. That's easy completion professional football, which is why, you know, it's kind of a green light in this entire thing. And it's good until it's not to your point.
Chuck Pagano
Like Pittsburgh had the. Had the fail. I think Washington scored right after that. Right. But they overcame it. Yeah, we didn't overcome this one. This momentum flipped and we didn't have enough gauze. We had an artery just play after.
Pat McAfee
That, Tony Romo throws a touchdown. Des Brian a Corner first by 14. Nothing all of a sudden. And then that's all she wrote.
Chuck Pagano
That was 37. Seven.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. We had a bunch more punts, though. If it means anything, Dewey went out there and made a couple of plays. Chucky look young. All right. That was. Coach just know everything. Everything makes sense. You know, in theory, everything's supposed to work. So when it doesn't, let's not judge too harsh. Yeah. Okay. And that was a great play by the Steelers. Was fact. The ball was dropped. That's going to happen. We had 36 drops already on the season. Yeah. We saw at the bottom. I didn't even.
Chuck Pagano
What was your like to the PP instead of like just a quicker operation?
Pat McAfee
What's that?
Boston Connor
Steelers doing it to the PP instead of.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, they want pp. I don't know how they do that. How. That's a lot of checks. Right. Because snapper has to hear it then that he's not snapping the ball directly to punter. He's snapping it to.
Chuck Pagano
I don't know if they probably have. The punter has a check or something.
Pat McAfee
I don't know how they did that.
Chuck Pagano
I don't know. But to me, it was like the ball gets off quicker, gets out of your hand quicker.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
If you're dropping somebody out. Like Dallas was trying to get to Dewey on that.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
I don't know.
Pat McAfee
I could spin it, but yeah, we were ao.
Chuck Pagano
It's about players.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Not plays.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. We were a. Okay. I should have done more of those, actually. Yeah. Joining us now. Sorry, Dew and Dewey. We love you, Dewey. That shit happens.
Chuck Pagano
Come on.
Pat McAfee
Dewey was phenomenal. He would be a Pro Bowler special teamer if it was operating now. That's how good Dewey was as a football player. He's absolute stud. Right. Of West Virginia, from West Virginia. Didn't go to West Virginia from West Virginia. Absolute stud. Joining us now is another stud, multiple time super bowl champion, former general manager in the NFL, a consultant, a podcast host, a live show host, a daily newsletter writer. Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Lombardi.
Michael Lombardi
How we doing today?
Pat McAfee
We're just breaking down the hot seat there on those fans. Everything's good. Listen, everything's good till it's not, you know, Everything's good till it's not.
Michael Lombardi
Python, you're always on the hot seat. No matter what day it is. It doesn't matter after a win, you're on the hot seat after a loss. It's all. It's called the NFL. It's life in the NFL, it's all good.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so let's talk about some life in the NFL and hot seat, maybe Anthony Richardson is returning to start. Obviously, for this particular program, it's been a big talking point. Everything's still in front of us for the Indianapolis Colts, literally can still make a playoff push, can still win the AFC south, depending upon what happens with the Houston Texans, even though they have the tiebreaker because they beat us both times we played this year. How do you think, how do you think this situation has kind of unfolded and what are your thoughts on AR getting back in the lineup for the Indianapolis Colts?
Michael Lombardi
LAMBO well, I mean, look, I think it's very disappointing that we didn't really have a plan of operation for this all the way through. I think to me, when you draft this young man, the fourth pick and then he misses all of last season, you hoped he'd have a little bit of a different plan and a different way of doing things. But I think this is the only course of action the Colts could have taken. Joe Flacco, you know, God love him, but unfortunately that's not going to be the case. You know, it was hard for him to really get the run game going. There's no movement out of the quarterback. That fourth and two call last week to me again, Shane Steichen continues to dazzle you on some of these ridiculous decisions that he makes that cost his team football games. That game's 20 to 13. If he kicks the field goal there, it's 2016 and Buffalo may not go down and score again. So I think there's a lot of things going on in that building that need to get corrected. Not just Richardson, but look, this is a project. This kid has struggled to throw the football. Whether it's on 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage, it doesn't really matter. His accuracy has been really bad. And I think to me that's the only way he's going to get better is to play. And you're going to have to live through the growing pants when you turn that card in the fourth pick. Overall, you knew there's going to be growing pains. You knew there's going to be days where it's going to be really challenging. You just got to accept it. And you've got to play a three dimensional game. You've got to play better defensively. You got to try to run the football more effectively with him. You got to limit. Look, you know what's remarkable about the NFL, Justin Herbert's as good a player as anybody in the league. And yet the Los Angeles Chargers are the last team in the National Football League in passing attempts this year. Right. They're managing their quarterback. They're doing the things that they have to win the game. And I think to me, look, you want to run this offense, you want to do what you do, you want to be a great play caller, all that's good. But you got to figure out how to win the game. And I think that's what they got to do with Richardson.
Pat McAfee
Have you heard ever from any building, what has kind of come out of the Indianapolis Colts building over the last couple weeks here about, you know, like, it's seemingly just a full lack of leadership behind closed doors. And can you change that, you think? With it being pointed out, called out, and maybe going forward for the rest of the season?
Michael Lombardi
I think to me, yeah, you hear it because I think here's the problem. You have, Pat, what we're in a league of, and Chuck can speak to this, too, is without being. When you're a play caller and you're the play designer, you don't have. You're not in touch with the whole team. You've got a guy running the defense, you got someone running it. Someone's got to be in charge of accountability. Somebody's got to be demanding on the players. Look, that you got all these coaches on that coaching staff. You got a quarterback coach, you got an offensive coordinator. For anyone to say that Anthony Richardson isn't going to be working hard. Somebody just found that out now. And I'm not saying that he is. I'm just saying, to me, you only can get what you want, what you demand. You're either coaching it or allowing it to happen. So what was going on? Are we allowing this to happen? And I think this is what's going wrong with the league. We have too many play callers. Look, Jim Harbaugh's winning games out there, right? We see Mike Tomlinson. Nobody thought the Steelers were going to be this good this year, but he's a head coach controlling three elements of the game. Is it pretty. No. Sean Payton at Denver. I mean, I think to me there's ways you have to win. It's not about the plays. It's about how we get all three units working together. And I don't see the Colts doing that. I've been complaining about them on defense. They have strengths. You know, it's what we call swat. You know, it's. It's basically your strength, your weaknesses, how you could take opportunities. And then what are your what are your. What are your dangers? What are your. What are your things that are going to affect you? And I think the Colts haven't really set up their team to where they build on their strength, which is the running game. With Taylor Richardson's ability to run the ball, they shouldn't be having to throw all these incompletes because I think they got to win with their defense and win with their run game.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, two takeaways of Josh Allen last week, that defense. And obviously they've had their moments and strength, weaknesses, opportunities and dangerous. Is that what SWAT is?
Michael Lombardi
Is that what you said, swat? And basically the last one is when you have like what could be that the challenges that you face. Right. The things that are going to be create the problems for you. Like what are your danger zones? Right. And the territories in your danger zones that you have to look at. And so that's what every coach needs to do. You need to evaluate those. Right. And you need to understand where are, what is our football team, what are the strengths of our teams, what's the weakness and how does it match up? I mean, that's all Mike Tomlin does every week. That's what Jim Harbaugh does every week. That's what Andy Reid's doing that as well as anybody. He should be up for coach of the year. How well he's coaching this team. They're the best team in third down football. They don't score a lot of points. They control the clock. They make it very difficult for you to run the ball. On their defense, they're playing complimentary. And then when they need to play from their kicking game. What did Andy Reid say after the game? He said, oh, we practice that quite a bit.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, yeah, the block. Yeah. They have to. For the form that they had and the technique that they had, they have to work that. I mean that. And I think Tobe is their guy over there. He's one of the greatest special teams coordinators of all time. And it's like offense obviously not always going to be able to be a buzzsaw for Patrick Mahomes. We've seen that over the last couple years. They've still won a Super Bowl. Defense has been stingy whenever they need them to. But then there's special teams. They had Tommy Townsend punting for him in the last couple years. Murders the ball whenever they need it. Big punt return in the super bowl whenever you need it. And now a blocked kick to win a game in a division, I mean, that's like all three phases are showing up for him. Now let's talk about this Kansas City Chiefs team. Connor has a question for you.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, Lombaugh. Obviously game of the weekend Bills Chiefs I believe the last six games tone shared with me, the Bills are 3.0in the regular season versus the Chiefs and then the Chiefs are 3.0in the playoffs versus the Bills. How do you see this game going and should we favor those stats and go for the Bills because they are favored I believe by two or two and a half in some places.
Michael Lombardi
Yeah. I mean Patrick Mahomes is an underdog is always something people are going to want to play. Look, I think the Bills this is an interesting contrast in games, right. Because the Bills are a nickel defense that needs to play from in front and the Chiefs are now become a power run team and they won't have Pacheco back in this game. But with Kareem Hunt they want to run the ball. Denver did a good job. You watch that Denver game. Mahomes is going to be sore after that game. Denver played him as well as anybody did last week and they really exposed the tackle situation of Kansas City which is starting a young rookie at left tackle and Taylor and I think Buffalo's got to take advantage of it. I think Buffalo's ability to run the ball last year they ran the ball 39 times in that playoff game for 178 yards.
Chuck Pagano
They.
Michael Lombardi
They threw it 39 times for 170 some yards. Right. They a big plate of digs that he dropped. That was one of the killers. And then they missed the 44 yarder by Bass. So they know they can play them. And Josh Allen is playing so well. I think this game is going to be just a. Just a little bit of an indication. I would lean towards taking Mahomes and the points because of him being so good as a dog. But let's face it, the home field in the AFC, unless we have some kind of miracle is going to go through Kansas City. I don't see Kansas City losing more than two games.
Pat McAfee
The Buffalo Beals, I just watched them live in person this past weekend. Josh Allen is a spectacle. The amount of moxie that guy has, it is absurd. He's bigger than you think he is whenever you see him in person. And then the confidence in which he carries himself and then his team loves him like his team absolutely loves him. He had a touchdown where we tackled him a little bit late and obviously everybody wants to celebrate. There were six dudes flying in ready to fight for him in that moment. And then obviously the MVP chance Started raining through our stadium, which I don't necessarily love, but the fact that we got Kansas City, Buffalo this week, that calls for celebration. Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, one of those rivalries like Peyton, Tom, you know, that we can get jacked up for, for the long term. Now let's talk about some, some younger guys. Ty has a question for you.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Lambo. Right after draft night, a lot of people were saying, hey, the Bears with Caleb Williams, this is a team to look out for. This could be a playoff team. The way they finished last year, their defense and everything. And with the Commanders and Jane Daniels, I think it was a lot of unknowns. Hey there. There's no way he's going to be as dynamic as he was at LSU when he gets into the NFL. It's going to take some time, but then as the season has progressed, they obviously look unbelievable. Why are the Commanders winning games and why are the Bears ultimately losing games?
Michael Lombardi
That. That's a great question. I think a lot of it goes down to the team building aspect of the Bears. Right. The Bears decided to become a nickel team. Right. They play in Chicago. I think they forgot about that. They play in cold weather, windy.
Pat McAfee
Right.
Michael Lombardi
I think they forgot about that. Right. You know, and so they have an offensive line that really can't block anybody. They're not physical. They can't run the ball. They're one of the worst teams on their 30th in the league. On first down, gaining yards. They're one of the worst team on third down. I don't think they had a plan for the quarterback. They felt like if we get a bunch of Skill guys, pay 22 million for Keenan Allen, pay 28 million for DJ Moore. Draft Roma Dunes A pay for Cole Comet. Oh, we're going to pay for a backup tight end and Gerald Everett, too. We'll pay for a nickel running back in Swift. Oh, it's great. Looks really good on paper. If you're playing Madden in the basement, it looks great, it looks wonderful. But you got to punch somebody in the mouth in the NFL and you got to block people. And that's where the Bears fall short. I said it all summer. I said it all summer. Their offensive line isn't good enough. You can't run this 11 personnel and put all the pressure on a rookie quarterback and think you're going to be successful. The number one team in the National Football League this year is the Washington Commanders. In terms of rush percentage in the first half, they're number one in that area. They're Also fifth in that area of rushes and completions. And what does that mean Right. When you add up the rushing attempts and the completions together and that number becomes over 51. That doesn't tell you're going to win the game. It only tells you your execution is really good. Meanwhile, Washington's fifth in the league in that category. The Chicago Bears are 26th. They can't. Their execution isn't good. And it starts in the summertime. And so the plan for Daniels was much better than the plan for Johnson. And I think he can't complete passes over 20 to over 10 yards. That's the other problem. Williams, I mean, they're not good on third down. He doesn't throw the ball well down the field, and they have nothing to kick him off the hook. There's no power run game. Swift's a good player, but he's a nickel runner. This is his third team in three years. So to me, I think a lot of this is, how do we plan? It's the same thing with Richardson. What's our plan to develop the player? How do we make the player? So you turn the card in and everybody thinks, oh, the guy's just going to be a great player. No, Daniels came into Washington and wanted us to be a good player. I'm not saying Williams or other players don't, but you got to have a plan for it. And how we build a team around the quarterback is the most important.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so let's talk about that plan and being on the same page. Chuck has a question for you.
Chuck Pagano
So these conversations, Lambo, that we're having, did you just. Looking back during your tenure, I know we spent two years together at the Raiders and we had a lot of dialogue. We talked a lot of football. Maybe you and Norv, I don't know what you and Norv, you know, if you had those conversations, if you did. I know we talk about personnel. I know you talk about players, you talk about personnel. But. But strategy. Do you think there's enough conversations going on in these NFL buildings right now between the. The general manager and the head coach? Just to your point of. What you're talking about is, you know, how are we going to win this game? You know, what.
Michael Lombardi
What is the plan of our team? Right? Like if you're in Chicago, if I'm the GM of Chicago, I'm saying to myself, I play in Chicago, it's going to be 14 mile an hour wind there this weekend. I mean, how am I going to block somebody? I got to play the Detroit Lions. They have the best offensive line in football. I got to play the Minnesota Vikings. They have one of the best lines. The Green Bay packers is the number one pass protection line in the National Football League. They give up the least amount of sacks. Like, I got to match that. You know, that's all Al Davis would talk about. How does this player handle this guy and win the division if you can't win the division? Look, it's great to have. I mean, I love having great receivers on the team, but if I can't knock you off the ball, if I can't win third and one and I can't run the football and take some of the pressure off and open up the game for the quarterback. Look, I know this more than anybody. You don't win football games running the ball. I get that. I understand that completely. But you set the pace of the game. You set the tempo of the game, and you can control the game that way. And I think that's what the Bears don't have. And the quarterback's very hesitant. He's been sacked almost as much as David Carr was sacked. He's on pace for that. I mean, that's a bad. That's a bad scenario to go through. And I think, to me, this becomes the most difficult aspect, and you have to have that. That's where you just can't have a head coach, coach and a GM manage the team. Things have got to be done in harmony. You've got to share the philosophical beliefs of both people.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so we'll be talking to coach, our general manager Veach of the Kansas City Chiefs in the next hour. I'm excited to actually bring up this point with he and Andy Reid obviously seeing the team the exact same way. You mentioned the Commanders a lot there. They're in a big one tonight against Philadelphia Eagles. Tone has a question for you.
Boston Connor
Yeah, Lambo, Obviously, the Eagles started two and two and they've rattled off five straight.
AJ Hawk
They're.
Boston Connor
They're running the ball a ton with Saquon and Jalen hurts and he is. He is just an absolute machine on the goal line. What do you think has been the difference for the Eagles the, you know, over the last month and a half or so? And how do you think this game plays out tonight?
Michael Lombardi
Well, I think the Eagles has been really good defensively. I think the game changed because the Eagles have played defense in the last eight games. They've given up the fewest big plays in the National Football League. They're hard to run the football on. They've been Very good. On third down, they've matched up physically. You can't get first downs against them. Vic Effio has done a really good job. And then offensively, they've really figured out that this is who we are. We're going to throw that, we're going to run the ball, we're going to be behind this big line and we're going to take chunks. And Jalen Hurts has done a wonderful job of protecting the football and they've gotten back to playing from in front and they've been able to dominate the team. This is a tough matchup for Washington because Washington isn't a very good team in terms of run defense. This is where the strength, the weakness of their team and they're not very good. They are 31st in the national Football League and rushing yards allowed on second down. The Eagles love to run it there. They're 28 and allowing successful plays. They just have not been good. But they play from in front. Washington's the number two team in the National Football League in first half point differential. That's a critical stat in football. Detroit's number one with plus 75. But when you can play from in front like Dallas did last year, people tend to not run the football on you because you're playing. They're trying to play catch up to you. And I think Washington has been able to do that with their offense. Now, their offense is fabulous because, you know, we people, I always say this all the time, you want to be good on third down, convert first downs, on second down, play CFL football. This is the second best. This is the best team in the league in converting first downs and two downs. So the Eagles will be challenged in their secondary, no question, but I think they'll control the ball and control the pace.
Pat McAfee
Literally right on cue there. Second and nine, first down for the Washington commanders and the highlight reel for them. It's like everything they're doing is seemingly right. Cliff Kingsbury is a massive piece of this whole thing. Will they be able to keep him if they continue to have the success that they're having?
Michael Lombardi
You think, you know, Pat, I think when you get fired in the NFL and you've been to a place which wasn't everybody wasn't on the line, wasn't on the same page, I think you're more reluctant to not go become a head coach again unless you find the perfect situation. I think Ben Johnson's gone through that as he's been a hot commodity. I think there's no reason for him to leave because you know what? Next year Jaden Daniels can be good again. And it's only you leave if you get to the right the job that you think is the perfect job for what you want to do. There's no sense. You're making really good money, you're coaching a very good player and your team's going to keep winning. Why not stay there?
Pat McAfee
New ownership too, you know, if they get used to this and say, hey, I need an extra million, extra two million. There was an offense coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts at one point who had a fantastic year with Andrew Luck. And then, you know, some head coaching opportunities popped up and he potentially said, hey, I'm a need. Hey, cuz I'm going to need about an extra million or two. And then his loyalty was questioned. He said fuck you and went somewhere else. So I mean, that is.
Chuck Pagano
We hoist. What's that don't happen.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, exactly. I know.
Boston Connor
Hey, there's no salary.
Pat McAfee
We do, don't we? We probably do.
Chuck Pagano
Well, it wouldn't be no banner deal. Oh my.
AJ Hawk
Oh yeah. In 2014. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Yeah, for sure. I bet that would happen.
Pat McAfee
Well, we can live in our dreams. Yeah, obviously.
Tyrese Haliburton
Why you gotta.
Chuck Pagano
Why you gotta just.
Pat McAfee
Are you talking about the deflate gate? The one with the balls being fully pumped up? Bruce Wayne's would have said, check those balls.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, the one where Laguerre Blount rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns and you guys only scored 10 points.
Pat McAfee
Oh yeah. So I'm still running. Actually in my head I literally just saw the Garrett Blunt still running.
AJ Hawk
I actually didn't even have to throw the ball game.
Chuck Pagano
We didn't score 10. It was 7. Thank you though for trying to get me an extra three.
AJ Hawk
No problem.
Pat McAfee
That's very nice of you. 45 didn't make any. The. They had Danny Amendola out there for punt returner and at that. That stage of his career, him returning was just fair catch. Yeah. And I knew that. And that was second quarter they were. There was just.
Chuck Pagano
Bro. The first punt went off of crib face map and you scored the next play. It was like the drop on. On Dallas and that was all. I mean in the rain gone.
Pat McAfee
I jog out on the field and they go into return Danny Amendola. I'm like damn, it is the second quarter. That is a. I'm going to drop this on a low. Okay. I'm going to hit a line driver this thing. He is going to fair catch us. Which he did 1000%. But it's like that was the indicator of that game, which goes back to anytime it got brought up.
Ty Schmidt
Sure.
Pat McAfee
Those of us that were potentially associated with Colts did not want that conversation to continue. Can we. Hey, Donine. Science guy, why don't you shut the up? We don't want to hear about this anymore. We got our asses beat. Go ahead, Tone.
Boston Connor
Bring up. Bring up a good point, though, because these. There's no salary cap on coaches like this. These owners and teams that have more money, like, you could pay Ben Johnson a head coach's salary if you really want to keep them.
Pat McAfee
If.
Chuck Pagano
If that's why they're staying.
Pat McAfee
Huh?
Chuck Pagano
Long ball. That's why they don't have.
Michael Lombardi
Why would you leave? I mean, look, you know, if you go somewhere, you're making really good money, why would you take off and leave unless you really felt like you had a chance to win and you could compete and. And build your program? Right. Are you ready to be a head coach? I mean, that's the other problem. Are you really ready to be one? It's a hard job, as you know, Chuck. There's no easy answer, and very few people are willing to help you.
Pat McAfee
It's.
Michael Lombardi
You're on an island there.
Pat McAfee
New ownership.
Chuck Pagano
No manual.
Pat McAfee
New ownership? Yeah. There's no manual. There's a lot of stuff.
AJ Hawk
The hell.
Pat McAfee
I think Ben Johnson's last two years as well. Yeah. Like, that's just a natural thing that's gonna happen. This is just like whenever. Like right now, they're saying Dan Lanning is drawing NFL. Like that's getting released so that, you know.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
I remember as soon as I was done with all the pressure conferences and everything, and the dust settled, Tina and I went back to, you know, Coach Caldwell's old office. Empty, right? And I sit down, I look at her, she looks at me, and I start pulling out drawers, looking for the head coach manual. Okay, Done with press conferences. Day. Day two. What do you do on day two? Day. And I couldn't find it. And I looked at her and I said, what the frick did we just do to ourselves?
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Well, hey, I want to let you know, I was lucky to play for a team that you. I think everybody that's ever played for you will say that. We got about 30 seconds. Any quick picks?
Michael Lombardi
I like Denver this week against Atlanta. I think Denver should have beaten Kansas City last week. I'm impressed with Denver. I really am. Their defensive front is as good as anybody in the league. And don't overlook the Rams this week. Going back, I know they played poorly on Sunday on Monday night, but I think the Rams had only four and a half against the Patriots. I think you'll see Matthew Stafford and the boys play a lot better this week.
Pat McAfee
We appreciate you, ladies and gentlemen. That's Michael Lombardi. What's up y'all?
Tyrese Haliburton
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Connor
It as a loss.
Pat McAfee
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Pat McAfee
Visit prizepix.com for restrictions and details.
Chuck Pagano
So you want to be a marketer?
Pat McAfee
It's easy. You just have to score a ton of leads and figure out a way.
Ty Schmidt
To turn them all into customers.
Pat McAfee
Plus manage a dozen channels, write a million blogs and launch a hundred campaigns all at once. When that's done, simply make your socials.
Brett Veach
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Pat McAfee
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AJ Hawk
Launching benchmark breaking campaigns is easier than ever.
Pat McAfee
Get started@HubSpot.com marketers awesome. The toxic tables here at Boston. Connor and Ty Schmidt 1/2 of the Hammer Cowboys AP Tone is here. Tone, where's the money at this evening for the Commanders Eagles? Thursday night on prime big time Week.
Boston Connor
11 kickoff matchup, 61% of the bets and 61% of the money are on the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pat McAfee
That's moved 1%.
Boston Connor
It has?
Pat McAfee
Okay, at the beginning of the show it was at 60%. Now to 61. Nothing we have said or anybody else's behavior has moved it. It's still at four. It's at three and a half on a couple others on ESPN. Bet the Eagles are favored by four. 36 years as a football coach, a man who more often than not picks the right side.
Ty Schmidt
Well, it's true.
Pat McAfee
Against the spread on Thursday night.
AJ Hawk
Since when?
Pat McAfee
Ladies and gentlemen, Chuck Pagan. You got a good feeling, this one. You got a good feeling this one.
Chuck Pagano
Great feeling.
Pat McAfee
I think so, too. Last week you kind of got screwed. I mean, last week.
Chuck Pagano
Are you kidding me?
Pat McAfee
I mean, AFC north matchup, that many points? Six and a half points. I think we all kind of understood that it was probably going to be the Bengals, but you said, no, it's two easy. Too simple. We're going to go with the Ravens. Turn it off. Oh. Oh.
Chuck Pagano
Nobody. You know what? Con man's been throwing shade at my ass all morning long, right, Gumpy. Sending text. Hey, you've lost three straight. Blah, blah, blah. How about no credit for the prop bets that I gave out.
Boston Connor
Coach, were the Ravens up? Were they up more than six and a half at any point?
Chuck Pagano
Fucking 149 left. All right, in the fourth quarter, you're up. Up 28 to. You're up a TUD, right?
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
I don't bet, but everybody that did, you're going to cover.
Pat McAfee
Yep. Fun.
Chuck Pagano
And. And we let. I mean, and we got a third or fourth and 10 on. On that drive. We just let them go right down the damn field. Who they got to get that?
Pat McAfee
I mean, what player.
Boston Connor
What player went down the field?
Chuck Pagano
Huh?
Boston Connor
What player for the Bengals went down the field?
Chuck Pagano
Did T. Higgins play? No, no T. Higgins. So the first matchup was TE Anton Chase, right? Jamar Chase.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Number one. He wears number one, right?
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
So if you're in a team meeting, pat me and you know me as a head coach, right? And we're getting ready to play today. Cincinnati Bengals. And who had the first picture? We'd put up the first.
Pat McAfee
You say, these are the game records. These are the people that we will not let beat us. And then the screen, the next screen would pop up and it would be Jamar Chase's face probably doing, like, his dance. There'd probably be a couple of them, the whole thing. And then you would run like, four plays of, like, this is what this guy can do to us, and this is what we will not let them do to us. That. That is literally. That would be the first thing that you would say.
Chuck Pagano
So we did that, right? And we practiced, like, to know T. Higgins in this one. They had, like, 19 or 20 catches in Game 1 for 1,000 yards and 40 tugs in the first game. And then this guy knowing that. Right. We're going to deploy all the necessary resources, allocate assets to stop number one, right. And 10 catches. 375 yards, three touch. No, you can't. Like guys are going to catch an 18 yard dig, right?
Tyrese Haliburton
Sure.
Chuck Pagano
Then you tackle it and you staple it to the ground and we play another first down.
Tyrese Haliburton
Right.
Chuck Pagano
But they can't go for that. An 87 route. You get the safety sucked up. The corner drops off like he's going to pass this thing off and you get a 70 yard.
Ty Schmidt
This was a good one.
Pat McAfee
I just want to let you know that you. You were on the right side. You're on the right side. The players got it wrong. Now, I picked. This was bangles plus six.
AJ Hawk
Yeah. What players?
Pat McAfee
Yeah, this, this one. Fourth. Fourth quarter, 28, 21.
Chuck Pagano
So that's when you're playing quarters coverage, Right. And you get a scissors concept.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Like the corner is always high. Unless there was a communication between that safety and that corner. Like, okay, we're going to pass this thing and it looks like brand of kind of stops a little bit like, hey, I'm going to do it. And this guy hesitates, just. And next thing you know, you get split.
AJ Hawk
What a ball.
Chuck Pagano
And this one, we're. Red two. You're the quarterback. Okay. You guys are the quarterback. We're playing red two corner. Soft. Soft safety. Right. Where do you think they're. Is that a front pylon or back pylon? Throw back. So if you're the safety and you're the corner. Right. Are you going to drift into the middle of the end zone? Are you going to drift. Sink back to the pylon?
Pat McAfee
You're probably going to sink back to the Apollo.
AJ Hawk
Should be.
Chuck Pagano
And we both went where?
Ty Schmidt
Front.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
So you're worried about the ranks.
Pat McAfee
Sounds like you're worried about the Ravens a little bit.
Chuck Pagano
Secondary, They've. John know. Those guys know. I mean, you just don't forget how to play defense. Those guys got to go out and execute. That's the right call for that. The other one's the right call. You got to execute.
Pat McAfee
Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a man who was on the right side last week and didn't have this much passion breaking down last Thursday night's game.
Tyrese Haliburton
Game.
Pat McAfee
Ladies and gentlemen, a college football national champion, a Super bowl champion, a Ryder cup winner, A.J. hawk. Yeah, you should have heard him this morning. She's hurt. He was so mad over there. So mad about it. 28, 21 what are we. What. And then we just. We just let him. Who's the guy?
Connor
I love it.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it was awesome. You know, because he was on the right side. The players didn't hold up there under the bargain. And there's a chance for another one of those this evening.
Connor
Yeah, we are. I tell you what, I love when. When Chuck comes in full of piss and vinegar and he's all upset that he's. His last couple weeks haven't gone the way that he wanted to. So, Chuck, I'm excited to see where you're leaning tonight. I'm leaning a certain way. I want to see if you can sway me if I. If I'm opposite of you. But, man, either way, Chuck, it's good to see you. So passionate.
Chuck Pagano
Great to see you, A.J. i'm pissed off still. Boy, he did have some, like, easy winner. You got a 4. You got a 4 and 10, A.J. that last drive, you know who you got? A 4.
Connor
Yeah, yeah.
AJ Hawk
No, no, You.
Pat McAfee
The Ravens is who he's talking to.
Chuck Pagano
4Th and 10. You can get the ball down, right? Knock the ball down. You're on a knee. No, better playing football right when you're on a knee.
AJ Hawk
Great catch.
Pat McAfee
Amen. Yeah, it's a perfect.
Connor
John Wooden has a statue like that.
Pat McAfee
Well, he's giving a speech.
Ty Schmidt
Players don't need time out.
Pat McAfee
We're not talking about the victory formation. Jeez. Loose. Unbelievable, what you're doing. What you do over there.
Connor
Unbelievable statue. They have their credit. John Wooden's one of the greatest coaches of all time.
Pat McAfee
Right in the middle of downtown. Oh, yeah.
AJ Hawk
Smack dab.
Pat McAfee
Couldn't be.
Connor
I've never seen it. I need to see it in person. I do.
Pat McAfee
Coach here. I think he's from here. Maybe.
Ty Schmidt
He may have coached at Purdue before He went to UCLA.
AJ Hawk
I think he was from 1970, won the holiday Bowl.
Pat McAfee
I don't know the thighs. But I'll tell you what, he is from Indiana, okay? Just so the world remembers.
AJ Hawk
State of basketball, baby.
Pat McAfee
And he did coach a Purdue before ucla.
Boston Connor
Nicknames the wizard of Westfield.
Pat McAfee
No, sorry. Played at Purdue.
Ty Schmidt
Oh, there it is. Westwood.
Pat McAfee
Let's talk about some other things happening around the NFL. Aaron Rodgers, your best friend, friend of the program. He came out and answered questions about his future. Here it is.
Ty Schmidt
You've talked about wanting to play beyond this year before. Has the way this season gone you or as a team change that thought at all?
AJ Hawk
Not really. Not for the negative. No, not really.
Pat McAfee
Do you still want to play in 2025?
AJ Hawk
I think so, yeah.
Pat McAfee
What's that mean, AJ? You tell me. You've obviously communicated with him more than any other human in the history of his existence. You think that means he wants to play next year? And what do you think he's thinking about? The future. And obviously everything's still in front of him. And they got a big, big test this weekend for this season. But what do you think he is. Has he even thought about it it or do you think he's being coy here?
Connor
I mean, I'm sure he has thought about it. I was, I was glad to see them ask him because I. I almost wanted to ask him last time he was on. Didn't really get to it. But I'm thinking, yeah, we should have asked him that because what.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Connor
What? I don't know. He's had to think about it, I would imagine, right. If you're gonna play next year or not. And I'm.
Pat McAfee
Here's AJ having the answer. Okay.
Connor
I'm not sitting there bugging, you know, let me bug my buddy. After they lose however many games in a row, hey, bud, you think about. About playing next year? Like, I'm not doing that.
Pat McAfee
Sorry. Hey, brother, listen. Definitely not another year of this. Right? No way. Right? For real.
Connor
You got so much money. Go to Egypt again. Like, I'm not doing that well.
Pat McAfee
I can't do it because of the solstice. It already happened June 12, 2024, 6:12, 24, brother. You got to do that entire thing. What do you think the jets are thinking about next year? Obviously already fired a coach. I assume that is an indicator of more change happening. People are for shoot, brother. Jets fans talking about how Woody Johnson is going to go back and be an ambassador again. So he is going to be out of the building for four years. That is what jets fans are saying. They're saying he's going to be. So we have a time now to. Which is wild that that is how they actually think.
AJ Hawk
Windows back open.
Pat McAfee
Windows open. Our owners no longer going to be in the wind in the building. He's going to be an ambassador. What do you think the future looks like and what do you think, Aaron? I know this is crazy to even ask this because he's Aaron Rodgers, first ballot hall of Famer and everything like that. But like, are they going to make the decision for Aaron? Like, is that something that's going to happen, you think for the jets or how do you think it kind of goes?
Chuck Pagano
No, he's going to. It's going to be his regardless. It's going to Be his what he's going to let. What he ain't going to be around. I mean, we just talked about being connected to your team and how important that is for the owner to be connected and be a sounding board and be a voice. You know, big thing is like, like, will Joe D make the cut? Because I don't, I don't. I think we all think like, you know, this thing ain't going to whatever you're getting. Like Brick. I mean, I love Brick. You know, I hope he gets an opportunity someday. He's learning on the, on the fly now and inherited a really tough situation. But that thing gets blown up, they're right now looking at. All right, I don't know who it is. If it's Woody or Woody's brother who's going to make that call and hire the next coach.
Pat McAfee
That's a whole scene. Brother over there is Woody for sure gone.
Connor
Is Woody for sure going to be an ambassador again?
Pat McAfee
We don't know. There's been a lot of titles given out to a lot of people. I think obviously big reactions. I don't know if Ambassador Johnson has been given the role back again from President Trump, but Jets fans are for shoot. Which means for real being like, thank God, can we give him an eight year term over there and get him out of there? Isn't that why that's wild? That's a wild thing to think about. And what are you shaking your head about Ty over there for the New York Jets? They might be cursed. I mean, there's a chance they're cursing. It doesn't matter, any of it. But future's bright.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, I don't know about that. I think what you need, you can't hire coach Brick. Like I'm sure those guys love him, but I think they need to, they need to go higher. Vrabel. Like they have the defensive, like they have the pieces in place. He's a guy who can come in and like actually establish a culture. Like they've just been bouncing from guy to gut. Like they haven't had anyone who's act like since Rex Ryan really who like has established a culture and then you know, the, the Rogers piece of it. Like that's a whole nother conversation. But I think you, they need to get someone in there who has like an established program and is a guy who like can win. You can't, you can't just get one of these like young ocs who's the hot new name, who's never had a head coaching job before. They Have a bunch of talent in place on the defense. We always hear how good their defense is. Is go hire Vrabel. Like, he's a proven winner now.
Connor
He has a present. He has a presence about him. Braves has a presence about him that I think does well in the New York type setting.
Pat McAfee
And yeah, his. His press conferences, his press conferences would be awesome.
AJ Hawk
Oh yeah, him.
Pat McAfee
Oh, man, dealing with that media would be great. That, that would be awesome. Well, he Sigs and I mean, we're having it. I don't even know. Could you imagine him walking up that press conference with, oh, oh man, so good. Just two tens and then Sig in ear.
Chuck Pagano
Yep.
Pat McAfee
And then I said, we're BO football here.
Chuck Pagano
I think whatever they do.
Pat McAfee
Pat.
Chuck Pagano
Sorry.
Pat McAfee
No, I was going to say somebody from the New York Post was about to ask questions. I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you. I spit on. Go ahead, put the cig out on them.
Chuck Pagano
I think as an organization, like you got to go get brable and you can't worry about like Aaron or this guy or that guy or whatever. Ever go get a proven friggin winner. I think ever since Sean McVeigh was hired and the success that he had, everybody's trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sometimes it works out and more times it doesn't.
Pat McAfee
Why is it so hard to find?
Chuck Pagano
So you look at the success Quinn's having right now. Second time Raheem down in Atlanta. Second time, right. Been through it, made mistakes, had a chance to step back, watch, learn, grow. What would I do different? Okay, I'm getting another shot. Vrabel's going to be 10 times as good this time around than he was last time because he's going to change some things and do some things different because he's going to look at himself. He's a smart guy. But I'm going to get the very best coach that I can get and then I'm going to worry about, okay, you want to be here or not be here? This is going to be the coordinator. We'd love to have you, but. And that's how to me it's got to be. You've got to go get a guy that knows what the hell he's doing.
Pat McAfee
It's hard to find a good coach. It was a conversation we were having last week. I think you heard it. Potentially. It's. Coaching is very difficult. I think. I think we don't give enough credit to how hard coaching. I think coaching is a very difficult thing and if you lose it or lose the locker room. It doesn't matter. Your talent, X's and O's, your ability. If your message isn't getting through, nobody cares. So it's like Zimmer. Zimmer's had good defenses everywhere he's been. Is that an accurate.
Chuck Pagano
I mean, played for even in Minnesota, whenever him.
Pat McAfee
He left before me.
Connor
But, yeah, guys love him.
Pat McAfee
Even when Kirk and he weren't, the offensive defense were seemingly two actual different teams, and Zimmer was the head coach and leading the defense. It's like he's always had a good defense, but you also have to be a phenomenal communicator to every group of people that you have. And for whatever reason, this Dallas Cowboys defense isn't coming together. It's like, I think it's really hard to coach, and I don't think we talk about that nearly enough. I think think the conversation is, fire him, fire him, fire him. It's like, is there any grass available and is it greener? I have no idea.
Chuck Pagano
We're hiring the offensive guru just because we're trying to link him up with the quarterback. Okay? Run the offense and make sure Caleb doesn't fail. Make sure AR doesn't fail. Make sure this guy doesn't fail. And then everybody else, you know, that guy's just in the. He's never in the defense. He's trying to pick his head in the defense. Hey. Hey, we good? How you guys doing? Good. We gonna. Hey, you know. But then he's off and doing his own thing. But, like, to Lambo's point, like, go out and delegate, right? Hire. Damn. The best damn defensive coordinator you get your hands on, offensive coordinator, special teams guy, and then you gotta be the CEO. You gotta. You gotta be connected to that side of the building, your own side of the building, and keep everybody moving in the same direction.
Pat McAfee
And you have to be able to talk, communicate. You have to be able to talk to a team. You have to be able to talk to coaches, you have to be able to talk to management, and you have to be able to talk to media. Those are all four different forms of communication. Four different conversations that are happening as well. With front office, probably future, what we have going on with the players. It's like, how do we get the most out of today with the media? It's like, let's not say anything while saying stuff. And then let alone ownership questioning why the hell you're not doing. It's like, you have to be a phenomenal communicator and the ability to do That I don't think everybody just has, even though we expect everybody to.
AJ Hawk
Well, and the Patriots are going through this right now. Like Gerard Mayo, he's not calling defensive plays, not calling offensive plays. So it's one of those things where it's like, how good is he at knowing his team and delegating? And obviously, you know, he calls the entire team soft and they respond well. So you would think obviously that it's working right now for Mayo. But the thing with the offense, you know, coaches that you, you want to go get the new offensive mind, like, that's also a problem too, because the conversation with the Texans is like, hey, if they let slow it go, then what happens with C.J. stroud? And like, I'm not saying Mack Jones is anywhere near what C.J. stroud is doing, but that's what happened with Mac Jones where he, you know, they go 10 and seven his rookie year and then he has three different offensive coordinators in three years. Obviously, you know, hitting on both a quarterback and the right offensive coach, like, the odds of that, I'm sure are very, very slim. But that is why they're going after so many offensive minded guys. Because you need the quarterback and you need the offensive mind. And once you have a good quarterback, if your offensive mind isn't your head coach, that guy's gone. And like, luckily for some places, like Detroit, like Houston, they just give them pay bumps to the OC because I think Slowik, Washington, Washington with Cliff, you know, hopefully they do the same thing with him. But like, that is kind of the reason because as a Patriots fan, I am worried about that fact where it's like, hey, if Mayo isn't, you know, doing anything, which I do believe he. But when things start going south, like is Mayo just lame duck and then do we just start this whole entire thing over again?
Chuck Pagano
So I think where Raheem did a great job when he went on at Atlanta, he went into. It's Arthur Blank, right, the owner down there. And he said you got to have a succession plan, right? Because you're going to lose Ben Johnson at some point. So who, who's that next guy in the building? He's got to be in the building. He's got to be in those me. He's got to know the verbiage, he's got to know the players, he's got to be connected with the offense, with the quarterback, all that kind of stuff. Defensive quarter, Aaron Glenn's a guy that. So who is that guy? And what Raheem did was he Went to Arthur Plank and said, I want to hire the staff. And if you look them up and you pull up their coaching staff roster, he's got 50 coaches on there. Like, I'm exaggerating a little bit more than he's got, more than anybody else. Where Belichick was always, like the old days, like, you had a couple guys on offense, a couple guys on defense, a special team guy, Patricia, you know, and so, yes, that was an aggression. So what he's done is he said, judge, these guys are really good. I'm going to lose these guys, but I need this guy. So when I lose this guy, he's the next in line. He's the heir apparent. So they're in the building. We're grooming them, we're molding them from a communication stand. It ain't going to be, you know, I don't know what. But, like, Thomas Brown, it is, right? Took over in Chicago now.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
What kind of voice he had? Does he been in front of the room? Has he stood in front of those guys? Has he done the install? There's a lot to that. So everybody's got to have a succession plan now and guys in place that you're grooming to be that next guy.
Ty Schmidt
That's why I just think when you take all this into account and you look at the jets, it's like, why wouldn't you hire Variable? He should have never been fired in the first place. Like, look. Look at that roster and what he did when he got fired. It was like, holy. Like, are you kidding me? Like, we were all shocked. That was not. And like, with Belichick, obviously, he's the goat, but, like, he'd been there for so long. Change of direction, whatever you want to call it. And then, like, Rogers isn't going to be there another 10 years. Like, it's probably one more year. So I don't think you want to go out and get one of these offensive guys where it's like, chances are, if you have a good year, if you get him and you. And you do what you thought you were going to initially do when you got Rogers, at least go to the playoffs, you're not going to be picking in the top 10, you're not going to get one of those premier quarterbacks. So, like, you. I mean, like, you're going to have to rely on your defense for a little bit. So why would you go out and get one of these unproven offensive guys?
Pat McAfee
I'm a. I'm a firm believer, and I think Lambo has talked about it. You just need somebody that can build a culture. Yeah. Like you look at MCDC. MCDC is not calling place 100%, but MCDC is probably a big part of why Johnson doesn't want to lease. Yeah. Like he loves working for him, loves the building. And if she. The Ford hamp is willing to give a couple more dollars to the coaches to be remain the coordinators. Aaron Glenn. It's like, can you build up a an entire building like that? Can you empower everybody? That's why Jim Harbaugh going over there was just like, we think he's going to win. Why? Because he's always won. He's always been able to get everybody to do to be on the same page row, the same direction. Mcdc is doing the same exact thing in Detroit. It's the first thing he did. Pat McDc was on the 016 Lions team. He knew the culture there was losing. And he said, when I get this job, I'm going to change the culture. And then eventually I'll bring in the pieces that can win games. I mean, the first draft pick they do Penisul they get Amon Ross St. Brown, fourth round. The culture was building slowly and now we're seeing what it's doing.
Boston Connor
You guys are making it. You just hire coach. And he's there for 20 years.
Pat McAfee
Okay. That's Pittsburgh Steelers model. It has certainly worked for a long time. They got icy lights sitting in there from the 80s.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep.
Pat McAfee
And that was just one coach. Go.
AJ Hawk
It's awesome.
Chuck Pagano
There's so much to it. Like the gm like Tennessee. Like soon as Rand came in. Right.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
And then we traded A.J. brown. Done.
Boston Connor
That was the.
Chuck Pagano
So that's the other dynamic of that deal is like, okay, who you gonna pair? We'll go get variable. Who are we pairing you with? And are those two going to be in lockstep and connected?
Pat McAfee
Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a man who probably has some thoughts on this entire conversation because they have seemingly figured it out better than possibly anybody in the history of the NFL. He's a Pennsylvania legend. He's a man who is currently the general manager of a team that is seeking to do something that no NFL team has ever done, which is win three straight Lombardis. And he's not wresting on his yawnies. No, no. He's actually making plays in trades to better the team. Never been an executive of the year, but he's dancing in confetti multiple times. Ladies and gentlemen, the general manager of the Chiefs, Brett Veach.
Brett Veach
How you guys doing?
Pat McAfee
Hey, sorry, sorry. We made you wait there a little bit. We're having a full conversation about, like, coaches, GMs, how you build a culture, how you do all that, because it's obviously a big talking point with everything happening around. The NFL feels like you guys have your culture and everybody that comes in there understands it. Is that an accurate depiction? And whenever you and Andy Reid start together, how does that become the culture that you have? Is it you? Is it Andy? Do you hands off on it. What is you think the biggest contributor to the culture you guys have in Kansas City right now, Brett?
Brett Veach
Yeah, I certainly think the time that coach and I have spent together, I mean, it dates back all the way to shoot, I think 2006, we started working together and, and not just coach, but my relationship with obviously Coach Nagy, who I played college ball with, and Coach Spag. So there's a lot of. There's a lot of respect and a lot of trust in this whole process here. And, you know, obviously it starts with Coach Reed, and it just trickles down.
Pat McAfee
Whenever you talk about the players buying in. Obviously you have to have your superstars buy in for everybody else. Can you tell me about Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelsey this year, Chris Jones, all the OGs on your team and how they operate and how it's kind of. They're the ones that set the expectation for everybody else that comes in there.
Brett Veach
Yeah, I mean, listen, it starts from the top. And you know, you mentioned those guys, Pat, and those are guys that obviously that they're the best at what they do, but they also, you know, they respect one another and they respect the process. And so when you have an off season and, you know, the, you know, multiple super bowl and league MVP is at every practice, and you have a guy like Travis Kelsey who's traveling all over the world but still makes time to come back for the OTAs. And same thing with Chris Jones. I mean, all these guys know how important each step of the process is. And so when we bring in a new class of whether they're free agents or rookies, and they see that example set by those guys, everyone just kind of falls in line.
Pat McAfee
Gotta feel good walking into a building that, you know, everybody's bought in. Speaking of being bought in and all in, you making moves at the trade deadline to bring in a living legend for a fifth round. For a fifth round pick to get DeAndre Hopkins. Now, if you make to the super bowl or play in the Super bowl and DeAndre Hopkins plays at least 60% of the snaps that'll move to a fourth rounder, but it'll probably be 31 or 32, obviously, which is basically early fifth round. First of all, did everybody know that DHOP was available for a fifth rounder like the Indianapolis Colts? And why did you know that he would be a great fit to your team?
Brett Veach
Well, I think, I think, you know, it's funny, Pat, if you would have asked me back in August if we'd be sitting here at 9 and O and we'd be coming off a hard fought victory versus a division opponent in the Broncos and we would be led by Kareem Hunt and DeAndre Hopkins, I would have said you're crazy. But that's just the way the league works. And you know, DeAndre was a guy that, I think a few years ago when he left Arizona, you know, we tried to get him then and obviously, you know, we kind of got outbid there by Tennessee. But always a guy that from afar, we've admired. And then, you know, we, we had to come some obvious hurdles at the start of the season. You know, losing Rasheed Rice, there was a. Was a big blow for us. Fortunately, you know, we had already signed juju who kind of played a similar role, and then juju went down with the hamstring. So, you know, credit to our personnel staff here, they, they picked up the phones and things got pretty serious pretty quick. And, and you know, thankfully we're able to figure out something with Tennessee. But again, just a guy that obviously we've, you know, tried to get for a few years here. And because of the injuries and because of the way that the season played out, we were able to get something done. So we were very fortunate and very lucky.
Pat McAfee
He's fun to watch and, you know, as people that are in the world of sports media now, there's obviously data and analytics and stats and everything at our disposal. Shout out to Hembo D Hop. What he's been great at is third down in red zone. Third down in red zone throughout his entire career. And it's like what seemingly was missing for you guys whenever you have some of the injuries is third down in red zone. So it's like, obviously the Chiefs make the perfect move and it ends up working out perfectly. And that's our expectations of you now. And I see you're wearing a Max Vanderstoppen hoodie. Okay, I see you got the Verstappen hoodie on. Are you an F1 guy?
Brett Veach
I am, yeah, I am. I'm a motorsports guy. You know, obviously close With Clint Bowyer, who's a NASCAR legend and a big Chiefs fan. So actually going to see Clint in a few weeks down in Charlotte when we play down there. So all motorsports, all really competitive type deals I'm into, so, you know, certainly F1 and Verstappen's @ the top of the list. I joke with Pat, you know, a little F1, saying, you know, full send every week, and Pat loves that, and it doesn't take much for him to get going either.
Pat McAfee
Amen. And I think he has a. A team. Maybe. I don't remember. He was down there in Miami throwing balls into the top deck of. Yeah, Dolphins. Pat.
Brett Veach
And Travis has a piece of that Alpine team. And, you know, if you followed F1 last week in Brazil, Verstappen1. But the Alpines finished second and third, so there was actually high fives on the practice field before right after that race, so they were super excited about that.
Pat McAfee
Who won the race?
Brett Veach
We're stopping one, and then the two Alpine cars finished two and three, so they got the podiums. And, you know, when you finish so high in the standings, you know, you get a lot more money for off season.
Pat McAfee
You know, who won the race before that, in the race before that, in the race before that, in the race before that, in the race before that.
Brett Veach
Actually, the McLarens have been doing pretty good this year, so.
Pat McAfee
Oh, cool.
Chuck Pagano
He's right. There's a lot of parody.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Brett Veach
A lot of parody. Just like the NFL.
Pat McAfee
No. Well, what I was about to say is it's perfect that you're a Verstappen fan, because the Chiefs and Verstappen are simpatico. Whenever you talk about storylines, how does it feel to be in a position, though, that we just expect your team to make the right decision every single time and to win every single game? I assume that's a pressure that's earned. But every morning walking in, do you think about that stuff or you just do your job?
Brett Veach
Yeah, I mean, look, I mean, you know, the expectations are there, and, you know, sometimes they're a little bit unrealistic just given how tough this league is. I mean, I've been GM now for a little bit here now. I don't think I've ever remembered going into a stadium and thinking, you know, we're just going to go out there and dominate. I mean, every. Every game is tough and every week is tough. And I mean, just in our division, you know, we're 9 and 0, and obviously a lot of these games have been close. Probably our two most Physical games were against the Chargers and the Broncos. And, you know, we still have to play those two teams again. We have obviously a huge game coming up against a fantastic team in Buffalo, and we still have to play the Texans. So, you know, the thing about this league is you're 9 and 0 one week, but if you take your foot off the accelerator, you can be nine and three. And so that's the way we approach it. And, you know, our whole goal is to be the best versions of ourselves week in and week out. And if we can stay healthy and play our best ball late, we'll have a shot. And that's really been the recipe the last few years. We've been able to stay healthy and just, you know, click late this year as opposed to the last few. We've had a little bit more on the injury side of things. And so that's why we just have to continue to just work through our roster and, you know, just get better any way we can.
Pat McAfee
You lose a couple games, guys on TV from Ohio or college football, national champions, super bowl champions, they're going to say, fire that general manager. Probably. That's what happens. That's easy come, easy go in this world.
Brett Veach
Absolutely.
Pat McAfee
AJ Has a question for you.
Connor
Hey, what is it about Andy Reid that kind of, when you think of the Kansas City Chiefs, you think Andy Reid, he seems like the absolute perfect coach for that city, for the organization, for the roster. You have like, what is it about Andy Reid, you think that makes him so special and makes him the perfect guy for that job?
Brett Veach
Well, you know, he has a hard exterior, AJ and so I think maybe people think one way about him. But, you know, the reality of it is, I think the reason why his. Why he is so successful is that he is very in tune with, you know, the different style of players. And, you know, I say this many times. You know, when I first met Andy back in the day in Philadelphia, I mean, it was kind of no nonsense and it was his way or no way he's able to adapt to this new generation of players and he understands how to connect with these guys, and he does a great job of incorporating his assistant coaches to get some different ideas. And he's not one of those guys that always thinks he has, you know, the best idea or the right idea. He wants to take input from others, and he's also able to adapt and adjust to different style players.
Pat McAfee
I love what you just said there about adapting and evolving and everything, because anytime you hear anybody talk about Chiefs team, they say it is old School, though, so he's able to adapt and evolve. But the accountability, everything. I think jerseys have to be tucked in at practice every single day. Like, there's a lot of old school traits while still evolving and connecting to the modern athlete. There's no wonder the guy's so good.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep.
Pat McAfee
And he's got that great mustache.
AJ Hawk
Fantastic.
Pat McAfee
Great. I mean, that thing is phenomenal there. Now, he's not the only great coach that you guys have in Kansas City. Connor has a question for you.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, Brett, we were talking earlier about how, you know, ownership can sometimes pay coordinators more to keep them, especially if they're, you know, up for other jobs. When that happens, you guys have, you know, Steve Spagnola, one of the best DCs in all football. After each season, you know, when he's up for other jobs sometimes, will that be something you go to ownership like, hey, it is very much worth, you know, paying Spagnola a little more money to keep him. Or is that something kind of Spags and Andy Reid talk about?
Brett Veach
Well, you know, it's. It's one of those things. Obviously, Coach Spags and Coach Reed, we have a, you know, long standing relationship, but actually that happened last offseason. I, you know, I think Spikes had a chance to go to a few different organizations and it just so happened that his contract was up, so it was perfectly played by Steve, and we were able to, you know, obviously pay him what he deserves. But no, that was something that we literally just had to go through last offseason. And we were fortunate that we were able to get Steve to stay here. And hopefully he's here for a long time because just as fortunate as we are to have Coach Reed, same for Coach Spags. I mean, he's amazing and certainly glad we have him here.
Pat McAfee
Let's talk about some of your players. Coach Pagano has a question for you, Brett.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah, Brett, we talk a lot about culture, we talk a lot about character. When it comes to evaluating these players, I think we can all look at the tape and the metrics and see their skill set and see what they can do on the football field. And the hardest thing for me, you know, when I was evaluating and for anybody else, I think is trying to figure out, okay, what makes this guy tick, what are the virtues? What are the, you know, the football character things, like those four or five non negotiable things when you guys go out and decide, okay, this guy fits from a, you know, position standpoint, he fits the type of scheme we're going to go, we're running offense, defense. But from a character standpoint, what are the non negotiables? Brett?
Brett Veach
Yeah, coach. I mean, you made a great point there. I mean, I would say that if you ask all GMs across the league, you know, they'd probably pretty much tell you the same thing that, you know, when, when players don't reach their potential or they fail, it's, it's probably has nothing to do with the ability. It's just, it's the person and the character and the wiring. And that's why obviously we spend a ton of time with our college scouts just getting to know a person. But we always look for full process players. I mean, you know, everyone, I think to a certain extent is going to love playing the games, but it's the guys that, you know, when we do our evaluation, we talk to the, obviously not just the coaches, but the trainers, the equipment people, just guys that love being in the building, guys that love every part of the process, guys that, you know, look forward to the off season conditioning and the training and the weight room and just are good teammates. And it sounds easy as, you know, Coach, it's not always as easy. And you know, players change and depending on the, you know, the city they're in and they're who they're surrounded by, I mean, they can, they could change quickly. But typically guys will show you a trend of who they are through high school, through college. And you know, when you have guys that again, just love that process and just love being in the building, those guys are typically the guys that always succeed.
Pat McAfee
That's so important to figure out before you draft. Yeah. Does this guy love ball or not? That's it all revolves around loving ball, I think because if you love ball, everything else happens. You know, you want to hang around ball, you want to study ball, you want to get stronger for ball. What you want to get better at ball. If you love ball, you, you, I think it makes everything better that's we're trying to get to. Speaking of loving ball, you talked about him a little bit for traveling around the world. I mean, there's a superstar in that building, Patrick Holmes, obviously in a go Travis Kelsey. Now, now, I know you don't think about this, but we do. He's representing football to the entire world big time and he is doing a great job. He is an absolute gentleman. He is obviously incredibly supportive and he's cool with not being the most popular person in his relationship, which I think is why Taylor being with a tight end from football is a perfect Match. Perfect match. Now, with that being said, you just gave him a new contract. He's been around a long time. He is one of the leaders in there. How has it all gone from your perspective of Travis becoming this international superstar? In literally everything he does, being tracked and monitored, have you had to adjust anything? Do you talk to him about life at all and how do you kind of view it and how it's gone?
Brett Veach
Well, the great thing about Travis is, you know, it's funny because, I mean, you know, given his. His relationship and as you mentioned, Pat, he is the ultimate ambassador for this sport around the globe. So I would say with him and Patrick, you know, the cool thing about both those guys is that they really haven't changed. And they're guys that, again, going back to the, you know, the college analogy, that they love being in the building. And I get so many questions asked about, you know, the travel and the off season, and, you know, if you didn't see it on the Internet or Twitter, you really wouldn't believe it. Because, I mean, the guy, like I said, he's always in the building. He does a great job of doing the extras, even for a guy that has played in this league for so long and has accomplished so much. I mean, he's always in the facility, getting extra treatment, working with, you know, the practice squad, quarterbacks after practice, always doing the little things. And I think those guys that do those things on a consistent basis, that's the reason why they have hall of Fame careers, because, you know, it's never good enough for either of them. And. And what I appreciate the most is just, again, the people and the person and how they treat people in the building. You would never know that Travis and Patrick are the global icons. They are. It's still yes or no, sir. I laugh all the time because someone asked me about Pat and the evolution of him and just the fact that he's still one of those guys that answers his cell phone on the first ring. I mean, it's just rare and unique, but it just goes back to the point that. That, you know, you could surround them with superstars and money and all the accolades, but at the end of the day, they're just football players, and they love playing football, and that's who they are, and it'll never change.
Pat McAfee
Hell yeah. Boys. Thank you for doing that, boys. Thank you for repping our. Representing our sport globally. Keep it going in cool fashion and not scared to be humans, too. You know, Patrick will have a couple beers, talk some. Travis will talk some shit. Have a good time. It's like, I think they are. I think they're fantastic. Shouldn't be legal that you're able to pay both of them plus everybody else. How has that worked? So you. Salary cap gymnastics, Everybody talks about it. You guys are about to accomplish something. Could accomplish something in your eyes, obviously. And everybody in that building believe something that no NFL team has ever done. And you hear a lot of GMs and owners even say, like, well, with the money that we've allocated to different positions, we're not able to build up the rosters. Well, you have been able to continue to do that, literally deal with contracts. You paid Patrick already, you paid Travis Kelce already, you paid Chris. You've paid everybody and still have this team. Why do you think your team is still at the level it is with having to pay everybody? And what is the thing you look for whenever you're forecasting the future of the salary cap?
Brett Veach
Well, I think. I think we've been. We've been fortunate because, you know, we. We've had success in our last few drafts, and, and I think every organization that has a string of success, they're ultimately going to face some really tough decisions. And, you know, a few years ago, obviously, you know, Tyreek was arguably the best receiver in this franchise has ever seen. And, you know, he was a guy that, you know, we obviously didn't want to. Didn't want to lose. And so if you're going to make a move like that, then, you know, you're going to have to reinvent yourself. And I think, you know, so. So from navigating the draft through making the right decisions in free agency, and then as a team, being able to re. Identify yourself on a yearly basis. So, you know, obviously when Pat took over in 1819, I mean, we were scoring points left and right and winning through offense, and we had a tight trade and we had to reinvent ourselves. And then we add in guys like Carlosis and McDuffie, and, you know, all of a sudden we got to a point where we became more defensive focus. And so I think just the cool thing is, though, that having Pat and having coach re, they can play different styles of football on the offensive side. And, you know, obviously we show in the past that we can air it out and outscore teams. And as you know, teams have adjusted to that style of play, and, you know, they've played us differently. I think we've shown over the years to, you know, take the air of the football run, rely on our defense. And so I Think it's a combination of, again, getting back to your original question, hitting on your draft picks and supplying the roster with consistent youth. And then when you do have tough decisions to make in free agency, just making sure you go through the process and have a backup plan, and then having that versatility and flexibility within your roster. Play different styles of football to win in different environments, Being able to win.
Pat McAfee
Different ways has been the crazy part of your run. And I think Patrick Mahomes even said last year, like, I had to learn we could just run, run the ball, punt, and win with our defense. And that once again, goes back to, like, he shouldn't be as humble as he is. You know, he shouldn't be. He shouldn't handle all the. The way he does. But he does, and you got him, and we don't. Thanks, Brett. AJ Has a question for you.
Connor
You mentioned the draft and everything. Like, I'm curious with your. Like, how collaborative are you around draft time with you and Andy Reid? How much are you talking lead up to the draft? And then when it comes, like, draft day, first round round, which obviously you're usually picking at the very end. We know that. But let's say when you're really into it, second and third day, I guess, what's it like working with Andy Reed and the rest of your scouts like to figure out who you're actually pulling the trigger on because you guys seem to hit much more than you miss.
Brett Veach
Yeah, we have a super collaborative process here. And again, it goes back to my relationship with coach that, you know, again dates back to, you know, early 2000s and mid 2000s. So, you know, obviously, coach and I, we're probably at the point in our career where, you know, in the off season, it's important for us to let him recharge and let him get back to the drawing board and get up there and get with our offensive staff and come up with new and creative plays. And so we certainly have dialogue. But I would say that, you know, probably in the last three or four years, been heavy with the coordinators and coaches. Just an amazing job of just turning his coordinators and offensive staff to us. And we get on the same page in regards to, you know, what we need to make us better and what our current roster looks like. And, you know, we have a ton of dialogue with the coaches. And I think from a process standpoint, our guys do a good job of. You know, at the end of the day, we want to make it, you know, important for the coaches to be involved. But again, keep in Mind these coaches are also putting together off season plans and. And they have a lot going on on a schematic side. So I think over the years, we've done a really good job of just as a staff. The first part is kind of eliminating, trimming the fat, if you will, and just giving the coaches, hey, listen, these are the pool players we like. Here are the, you know, day one, day two players. Here's the day, you know, rounds, three, four, five players in the late round for agency players. And we kind of do a good job of just putting them into buckets and letting coaches work through a process. And, you know, a lot of times there's guys that we have in the second or third pool that the coaches really like, and it us take a harder look and sometimes those guys get elevated. But I think that we've done a really good job of, you know, first as a staff, identifying the guys that we like and then giving the coaches those guys and let them kind of guide us and tell us what they see and then work together as opposed to just giving all these coaches every player. I mean, it's impossible. I mean, Steve Spagnola can't watch 40 Corners. But if we sit there as a staff and, you know, and we cut 40 to 15 and then from 15 to 10 gifts, Steve, 10, his evaluation process is going to be a lot more accurate and it's going to be a lot more meaningful for us. So I think we've done that, and coaches allowed us to do that with all the positions, and I think that's why we've been successful over the years.
Pat McAfee
And they feel happy to do it, especially if you follow through with what their recommendations are. Now, if you take all of their recommendations and go, all right, sweet. Yeah. All right, no, we're going this way, then obviously there isn't the, you know, the empowerment, the culture, the trust, everything like that chat. At what point did you guys say, hey to we got a guy that'll run through somebody's face and then block a field goal to win it for you. Did you guys just. I assume you had that up on a board, too. Hey, we're going to win this week by running through a guy's face. And then we're going to block a kick and we're going to celebrate. I. What a play by Chanel. What a phenomenal play. And then we've talked about it ad nauseam. I think everybody has. This is obviously practiced, and this is something that rept. And the amount of attention to detail to pull off something like this is indicative of the culture that you have. Can you talk about Tobe a little bit, how big of a weapon he is for that team that you guys have in Kansas City right now?
Brett Veach
Yeah, I mean, as you know, Pat, all three phases and that's what it, what it takes to win games in this league. And Dave's again, you know, you talk about coach and we've talked about spag. Certainly very fortunate and lucky to have them. But I mean Dave Tob is as good as there is in the NFL and he's been doing it for a long, long time. And like Steve and like Andy, he's just one of those guys that just the attention to details and you know, with these games week in and week out, it typically they come down to the last possession, they're always one score games and it's going to be those teams that execute the small details when it matters most. And you know, and also credit to Leo, you know, I think coach mentioned it in his post game presser. He's just one of those guys that, you know, we do have some big names on both sides of the football here and he's not a guy that gets a ton of credit. But I mean from, you know, the Sam Backer set in the edge with this, you know, his ability to blitz off the edge and he's made a ton of key plays for us. I think back to the Niner game, I think Niners had a big drive going there. I think he had a pass deflection that, you know, halted a drive. But he's one of those guys that he just does the little things and he's very symbolic of this team in regards to just a guy that will just operate efficiently when it matters most and he cares about the little details. And you know, I think right before the end of the half, I think we almost got one of those and you know, maybe fortunately we didn't get that because if you block that kick right before the half, they probably make changes sooner. And maybe that was the mastermind of Dave to. Maybe it was. That was the plan.
Pat McAfee
Hey, just a little check. Let's see if it's there or not. Yeah, it could be.
Brett Veach
We might need that block later. But again, great special teams coach. And I mean, listen, you know, he takes a lot of pride when we put together our final 53 a cutdown day. I mean Dave is the first guy knocking on my door fighting for guys and oh yeah, you know, Leo Chanel was one of those guys that he's telling Spags, you know to limit his reps on defense because he needs them for all four phases of special teams.
Pat McAfee
I just. As you were giving your answer there, I don't know how this hasn't hit me sooner. Andy Reid, offensive Hall of Famer. Okay, that's running the offense. Defense spags, hall of Famer for sure. Okay, that's running the defense. Tobe running special teams. Is that hall of Famer?
Chuck Pagano
Hall of Famer.
Pat McAfee
Holy shit. You guys got it all figured out over there. Geez Louise. That just kind of smacked me in the face. Why is this team so good? Why do they always win when. Why is it they got. You guys got hall of Famers falling out of the closets over there. Yeah, that's awesome. Good for you. And you're going to be good for you, Brett.
AJ Hawk
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
Good for you. Good for you. That's awesome.
Chuck Pagano
Sure.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Why doesn't everybody do that? Sure. Why did everybody just do that entire thing? But with all that being said, it is a little different life. Ty has a question for you.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Brett, you talk about reimagining the team through free agency, and even at the trade deadline, it seems like whenever there is like a marquee aging superstar, you guys are mentioned as a team. Hey, he wants to either get there or the Chiefs are interested in him. We saw it this year. You know, obviously you end up getting DeAndre Hopkins, but then Cooper cup is linked to going to the Chiefs as well. When you get in a situation like that, is it more difficult or easier when Kansas City becomes a location for guys to want to go ring chasing? Because obviously you kind of have your pick of the litter of all these good players. But then you also have to potentially limit, hey, if we bring this guy in, we run the risk of, you know, ruining our culture.
Brett Veach
Well, I think, you know, to the first part of your question, it certainly makes it easier from the standpoint of, you know, I think in general, most players want to be here. And typically when you get to different points of the season, whether that be in the off season or at the trade deadline and, you know, I think we do hear a lot of, you know, if. If everything is equal, you know, he would love to play in Kansas City. So I listen, I think that playing for coach Reed and playing with Pat Mahomes and Travis Kelsey and Chris Jones, I think it would certainly be a destination for any player that had a chance to potentially move on and go somewhere else. It. It is difficult though, just because when you do have a lot of these higher paid contracts that you Know, we only have so much flexibility. Yeah. And wiggle room. And it's, it's a little tricky too, because when you have a player like Pat Mahomes and your goal is to every year, you know, make playoffs and compete, there's that fine line of, you know, being aggressive but also understanding, you know, how you're going to put this team together in the future. For example, you know, we have a pretty good roster again, a lot of football left and, you know, we'll see how the season plays out. Hopefully we can stay healthy and have a shot toward the end. But looking forward to the offseason, I mean, you know, we're going to have some really good players that are free agents. And you talk about Trey Smith and Nick Bolton and Justin Reed, just to name a few. You know, the reality of it is it'll be hard to, you know, retain all those guys. Hopefully we have a chance to retain a couple. But with that being said, it will be hard to navigate, you know, a free agency class, if you will, because you won't have that kind of money because it's tied up into current players and hopefully players that you can keep and retain. So, you know, the bulk of your free agency or the bulk of your acquisitions are going to come from your draft. And so, you know, it's that fine line of, you know, players, older players wanting to come here, but also knowing that they come with a contract and also so you're gonna have to pay a draft pick to get them there. And also know that you might not have money for agency to spend next year and you're gonna be relying on those draft picks. So it's, you know, that's why we were fortunate. We were able to, you know, execute a trade trade with, with Tennessee that gives us some flexibility. We can retain our top, you know, our first, second, third round pick. And listen, we hope it is a fourth round pick because that means we're winning. But we also have to be mindful of what's on the horizon, not having a ton of money to spend it for agency and really have to rely on those draft picks. So it's, it, it's one of those things. I don't think from a culture standpoint we're concerned because we have Coach Reed and the bar set super high. And I think there's an expectation just like when, when Bill Belichick had a players back in the day with New England. I mean, they've always found a ways to make it work. And I think by and large, you know, we would be able to do that, too, here, because of the culture here and because of the players we have here. I think the more difficult thing is just, you know, the assets required, you know, to get these players or the assets needed to acquire these players is a difficult part for us just because, you know, you have one eye on the future and, you know, one eye on the current season. But, I mean, we. We try to be aggressive, and I would say this year, obviously, knowing what's at stake, we've tried to kick that in the gear and, you know, we're able to add Hopkins, we're able to add uche. And, you know, we had. Yeah, we had conversations with New Orleans about Latimore and, you know, Washington stepped up to the plate and a three and a four. That's. That's a lot, especially for a team that, you know, in the Chiefs that are going to need those picks next year. But, you know, we were certainly in those conversations, too. So we're going to be as aggressive as we can, but also, you know, try to be as responsible as we.
Pat McAfee
Can as you broke that all down. Sounds so easy, man. Figure it out. Come on. Figure it out, man. All sounds so easy. You made a trade on draft night last year, and obviously that made some waves because it was against. It was with a rival. So I ask you this. This weekend, are you just going to walk over to Bean and punch him in the face?
Brett Veach
No. No, certainly not.
Pat McAfee
I thought we had a rivalry. Do it. Let's punch each other in the face. Let's do that.
Brett Veach
Those guys are. Those guys are awesome. And Coach McDermott, another guy that I worked with in Philadelphia, too, so, I mean, Coach Reed has that tree of coaches that never seem to end, but class organization and just an awesome opponent. And every year, you know, you feel like Lamar and Josh Allen. I mean, those are the teams that you have to go through. We had to do that last year, and it was very difficult. And, you know, it's no different this year. I mean, those teams will be the teams we have to go through. And you throw in a Pittsburgh and throw in a Houston, it's a gauntlet and a ton of respect for Buffalo. And as coach say, look forward to the. Look forward to the challenge.
Pat McAfee
I think you forgot a team. The Indianapolis Colts. Oh, the Indianapolis Colts. We got it all in front of.
Brett Veach
They're all good. They're all good.
Pat McAfee
They're all good.
Brett Veach
I started the conversation by telling you our two most physical games were against the Chargers and the Broncos. And we have to play both Those teams. Yeah. So, I mean there's, there's never every, there's never an easy week in this league.
Pat McAfee
Have you seen this last question? And I think it's very important. Have you seen any of the clips of Jim Harbaugh coaching Justin Herbert that have been making their way around the Internet from Mike Duck?
Brett Veach
Yeah, yeah. No, he's, he's a lot of fun. And that's the thing you love about Coach Harps is he's always been like that. And you know, I saw he dropped the one in pre game there. It was all over the Internet too.
Pat McAfee
He's an intense person.
Brett Veach
And look, you can tell, I mean that's like I said, we, we got to win when we went down there earlier and played, but we came home and we had to lick some wounds because we were, we were pretty beat up after that game. Lost a couple players and again, they, they, he installs a physical brand of football and you know, their quarterback is awesome, but you know they're going to keep adding weapons there. But I'll tell you what, their defense is really, really good.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it's Jim Harbaugh football right here. They just. This is what they do. You guys too though. Kansas City Chiefs have reinvented themselves multiple times. I'm excited to see what the team looks like not only the end of this year, but going forward. Good luck on your pursuit of history for the NFL for three straight Lombardi's and thank you for your time. You're the man.
Brett Veach
Always appreciate you guys for having me on and look forward to catching up again soon.
Pat McAfee
Okay. You ever been to an Indy car race?
Brett Veach
No, but I'm going to go this year.
Pat McAfee
I would like to invite you to the Indy 500. I would like to invite you to the Indy 500 just so you can experience some racing.
Brett Veach
Yeah, you know, that's one of those deals where, you know, just the time of the season, there's always something going the off season. But I actually definitely going to get there this year. I think Kyle Larson's running again too. A NASCAR guy and you know, he's doing that, that double again, the Indy and the, and the Coke 400. So definitely want to go there. Want to see the Indianapolis 500. It's a bucket list item for me and definitely want to see Kyle kind of break through and have a NASCAR guy win that.
Pat McAfee
Kyle. Well, I don't think that's gonna happen, but nonetheless, it's about racing.
Brett Veach
We have it on tape now, so watch. Hopefully get there. We can play this.
Pat McAfee
Hey, Kyle. Was like, learning the race through the race. Watching the Indy 500. He, like, lap 10, I think he. He accidentally downshifted. Like, didn't even. Oh. Dropped out some spots. And then, like, there was a move I think he made in like, maybe lap 40 or something that was like, bad move, bad move. Like, up back in there and, like, he's talking to his team and, like, towards the end, he was making a. He was making a run. Like, he was literally learning IndyCar throughout the Indie 500. And then weather messed up the Coca Cola thing down there in Charlotte. But he is welcome, as are you. We can't wait to see you. Good luck the rest of the way, Brett.
Brett Veach
Awesome. Thank you guys again. I appreciate it.
Pat McAfee
Ladies and gentlemen, general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, Brett V. So good over there, Phil. Dude, as he was talking about Tobe, I'm like, how is nobody? Have we not talked about this before? Andy Spags and to. Not bad leading your three faces. I mean, those are. We just talked about how hard it is to find coaches and how hard is, like, they. They got in abundance over there, and I'd assume if any of them were to leave, there'd be more line ready to go. We continue on YouTube, ESPN plus and Tik Tok Live. Chuck will make his picks. We'll also be joined by Tyrese Halton. She be a fun time. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. Might change their life. We're back tomorrow. Goodbye. Nailed at me, but we hit it, I think.
Tyrese Haliburton
Right on.
Connor
So you knew that was a Vander Stoppen logo on his sweatshirt?
Pat McAfee
No, the back room had. Tell me. Yeah, like, what the hell I was going to say.
Connor
Like, the fact that you knew, right.
Pat McAfee
You. I thought you right away went, wow.
Connor
Maybe you're a behind the scenes F1 guy.
Pat McAfee
I think it was a combo of Nick and Zito and Zito. You know, Zito sets up the FaceTimes with these people, so he sees the set, too, before everybody else. He's like, there's also four helmets right behind him right now. That's. That's Verstappen, and there's four helmets behind him. And I started looking around, and I'm like, buddy, come watch actual racing. Yeah, come watch Indy car, brother. Okay. They're flying and they're moving, and it's not just one person winning. Okay. I did have G1 people text her tweet me, though. I've seen the reaction, I guess this season vastly different than last season with Vanderstop. Oh, really? I guess it has been A competitive season now. I think Vanderstop and lost his lead engineer. Okay. Left Red Bull team, went somewhere else.
Connor
So he. He doesn't start in first usually. Now, is that the case?
Pat McAfee
I don't. Yeah, he still has one more. I don't.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, he's still winning.
Ty Schmidt
He's gonna win the championship.
Boston Connor
The Indy car he's just been.
Chuck Pagano
Is Red Bull gonna win the constructors.
Pat McAfee
IndyCar season's not happening right now.
Chuck Pagano
What about the Constructors Red Bull?
Boston Connor
You guys didn't watch all the races.
Pat McAfee
Tone, Tone. It's not happening. We are not season right now. But I appreciate you going to bat.
Boston Connor
Just won his thirds, and that's all that matters.
Pat McAfee
You. You just going. Logano. He's a dog. Yeah. Congrats. No, not Pagan. No. Happy birthday to. Whatever. Picano.
AJ Hawk
Ed picano.
Pat McAfee
That Indy 500, though.
Chuck Pagano
Spit it out, coach.
Pat McAfee
You know, you got somebody. When you get to Indianapolis, though, and you experience that Ind 500, isn't it insane? Oh, the spectacle of this thing.
Chuck Pagano
So I got to write in on the IU because they had a kid saved. So came in on the chopper. The one year I went to it, landed on turn four, got in the pace car, took the pace car around. We had the green flag.
Pat McAfee
Holy.
Chuck Pagano
And this young. This young kid. Yeah. It was freaking, like, unbelievable how many. And like, I love everything, like, the beginning of the deal, you know, Jim neighbors at the time was singing the song. The military, the flyover, the kissing of the bricks, the Start your engines. And then I was.
Pat McAfee
Ah, yeah, yeah. Smart track.
AJ Hawk
No, it was awesome.
Chuck Pagano
But then I was in a suite. IU. Suite, yeah. Booze on TV.
Pat McAfee
Wonderful. That's the Indy 500 time. Yeah, that's what it is. It's basically just a festival. And there's actual. Actually a festival happening, a music festival happening in turn three. And they don't even know a race is happening. Can't even see the cars because where they're at with the banks and how small the cars are, can't even see them. You can hear them if it's in between songs, if they happen to be showing Ty Schmidt talking on the dj.
AJ Hawk
That's right.
Pat McAfee
You know, you can hear the cars going around crazy in the snake pit, but other than that, it is a full spectacle. And I wanted to say. I remember when game day was done at Bloomington, and I was talking about the great state of. In Indiana, and I talked about the largest sporting event every single year. I wanted to say the number of hundreds of thousands of people that come here every week But I didn't remember what the exact. Is it 180, 280. I forget what it is.
AJ Hawk
I thought almost 380.
Pat McAfee
I forgot.
Chuck Pagano
It's almost 400,000.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, I think it's 380.
Pat McAfee
380. Okay. So I'm happy I didn't do it because, like in a moment as I was talking, I was like five. No way. Like, in my head I was trying like. No, it's so big. It is so big.
Connor
You mean they come to 400, 000 in the. The whole structure?
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Connor
You're saying.
Pat McAfee
And in the infield, in the parking lot.
Connor
What's a like week long thing? Isn't it like, I think I've told you, like, my grandpa used to drive. He used to just to go watch time trials, like not even the race.
Pat McAfee
And he probably stayed in a Coke lot in the RV Carb day. There's like, yeah, yeah. The days before qualifying qualities happen there. And then there's practice and then there's Carb day. It's like a full event. But these are racing.
AJ Hawk
It's crazy.
Pat McAfee
And it's like they're going, oh, yeah, we're. We're four wide, like. And G1 fans, I assume your cars aren't capable of going forward because they're too damn big, too lunky. But hey, very impressive machines.
Chuck Pagano
Have you.
Pat McAfee
You're talking about 4 wide though, going into some of these turns and then all of a sudden how fast they go. 2, 230. 230. 240. And then if they accidentally just boom. With the way they're. They're built like a kite. It's built like a damn kite. So when that thing hits, and it used to be open wheel, their heads used to just be sitting out in this entire thing, though. They turn. They turn that some upside down. Oh yeah. And like fly through the air and it's like obviously then a yellow flag comes out and they clean it up. But it's. It's like. I think that's why it's hard for me to pay attention to G1, because these Indy 500 races, I didn't grow up a race fan. I don't. I'm not big into racing. But you go to these races and you watch them, it's like, holy. At any given moment, literally any. A wheel shoots.
AJ Hawk
Yep.
Pat McAfee
Somebody hits something, bang, pow, boom. Wheel shoots. Outside, it's like chaos in like organized chaos. Then I watch that F1 race and it's like a parade. Yeah, it's like very Polite.
Connor
It's like a polite situation.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. It's like, that's hard. I don't think.
Chuck Pagano
That's not a lot of passing.
Connor
It's a parade.
AJ Hawk
And like Indy 500, like, we all. As someone from the east coast who doesn't know shit about racing till coming to the Indian host.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Very similar to you. Like the Indy 500 you still know of. So when you still turn it on, it is a crazy. It is crazy. It is a spectacle for the F1 stuff. It's like, hey, Monica, goes their super bowl. And you turn that on and it's not what you would assume it is.
Pat McAfee
Same day as Indy 500.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
And it's like you're taking on. You're taking on quite a beast. But hey, great Netflix docu series.
Ty Schmidt
That's right.
AJ Hawk
Maybe drive to survive.
Chuck Pagano
Hey, I got in that right. You ever done that? Ride of a lifetime with Andretti, the sitting behind him. Yeah. In the two seater. So I got to do with Mario.
Pat McAfee
How'd you feel?
Chuck Pagano
Oh, 180 going in. I mean. And you're this close.
Pat McAfee
Scary.
Chuck Pagano
Oh, my God.
AJ Hawk
How many GS you pulling?
Connor
I'd be pretty scared.
Boston Connor
100.
Chuck Pagano
I don't know what that would be. A couple, three. I mean, it was like. And they got you strapped in good. You can't. But coming into four down the straightaway, 180 into that turn, and you're that close to the wall.
Pat McAfee
I drove the. I drove the pace car for the street track track at the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I should know the name of it. Got to drive this Corvette. I went up to like 120ish.
Connor
I think that had to feel fast, right? Even out there.
Pat McAfee
It kind of. Yeah, I mean, it did feel fast. It felt good. But like, the street course has like 13 turns. I think it was. And obviously they memorized the entire thing. The person who was supposed to be pace car driver was not me. Obviously drops out on, like, Thursday races on, like, Saturday. So Doug Bowles, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, sends me a text and was like, do you want to drive the pace car on Saturday? And I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah, Absolutely. Absolutely. When he's like, we need you here tomorrow. There's a bunch of shit I got to sign. And then also you got to, like, prove that you can drive it to these Corvette people. And then you should also learn what this track is before you do this because. So I go over on Friday, I get a chance to obviously meet all the Chevy people because I'M driving like the brand new Corvette. It's obviously a big time or deal. So I meet all these people and then Ari Linedyke is going to be my coach. And then I sign away my life. And then I. I got in. There it was. I had the time in my life. There I am. Yeah, look at me working this thing. Yeah, there it is. Yep. Focus locked in.
Connor
Oh, it didn't make you wear a helmet.
Pat McAfee
This was like going through. This is first time. This is me just going through track to learn track back. And obviously got to hit the apex of the turn. In low, out high, the whole, like, that whole thing. Because if you're offline, you hit these, like, rubber pellets from the tires and it really feels like you're driving on, like, the, like the shoulder of the thing. So, like, it's real loud in the car. And also it's a bobbling thing. And I think. I think that was. Yeah, I did. I can drive, obviously, stick shift, so obviously the entire thing. So, you know, it was. It was a. It was an awesome experience. But when you're coming down that straightaway and then turn one is this right one, and then it is left, and then it goes back to the right and then there's a thing. But that first one's like a 90 degree. And you're driving the pace car and you look behind you and you see these Indy cars, like, going like this. And it's like, if I accidentally anything here, I mean, we got like $10 million worth of damage.
Ty Schmidt
Big pile.
Pat McAfee
You know, there. There is so much. That was a. That was. That was a real moment for me going into the first turn and I looked in the rear view mirror and it was just like this Indy car is like, warming up its tires.
Connor
Warming up their tires.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
And then you see like, the second and third one behind. It's like, golly, dude, you gotta speed up.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Connor
All right, Come on, guys. Like, you feel like you have to speed up.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I wanted to. I wanted to go though a little bit too, just to see. Well, yeah, you know, how often are you gonna.
Connor
I didn't know there was a. There's a street track there.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, yeah, it's like around there or like underneath or in it? It's inside. Inside.
Connor
Oh, it's inside.
Pat McAfee
Oh, God. So what year was that? The final straightaway? I don't know. What year was that, Z?
Chuck Pagano
You look so young.
Pat McAfee
2015. Yeah, a lot has happened. A lot has happened since 2015. I'm a dad, brother. You know what I Mean the whole thing. But I had clean face there too, you know, Had Shay feel professional in there. It was good handshake with the people. Still wearing tank tops though for all the people that were wondering and this entire thing goes, what's that? Oh yeah, there I am. Is that me? I don't know.
Connor
That's awesome though.
Pat McAfee
Had to be. Yeah, yeah, I got after it, brother. There's a line die too. Was I go on, go on. And he was radioing in, we're at 80 miles an hour, we're at 100. He's like, go on, go on. They radio zoo. We're at 90 miles an hour. We're like 110, you know. So then I get up to like 120, 130 I think. And it was like actually 100. He was saying to the Chevy people, people attract him like, thank you for that moment. That was pretty cool. And then you get up close to the wall on that fell straight away and it's like, are we supposed to be here? I don't know. And then they say in that particular track because of the turn, there's gonna be an accident immediately upon this race starting, like guaranteed. So whenever you're done with your thing, get the out, get out. Actual driver coming in there. So lo and behold, I get out of that thing, do the whole song and dance. There's. They operate in there like trying to kick me out of the way the whole thing goes. It was, it was awesome. Hey, Indy cars, the real deal. Get ready for game day like never before. Yeti is here with their all new collection of NFL licensed drink wearing coolers featuring all 32 teams. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue and October tailgating at the stadium in November or hunting for the perfect holiday gift in December, Yeti gear is essential. And they'll be there with you all the way to the big game in New Orleans in February. Making every moment unforgettable. Represent your team with the hardest working coolers, mugs and bottles in the game. With plenty of sizes to choose from. From the 8oz Rambler stackable cup to the wheeled Tundra hall hard cooler, Yeti has everything you need to level up your game day experience. Don't miss out. Get your gear now@yeti.com NFL My dad works in B2B marketing. He came by my school for career day and said he was a big roas man. Then he told everyone how much he.
AJ Hawk
Loved calculating his return on ad spend.
Pat McAfee
My friends still laugh at me to this day.
Brett Veach
Not everyone gets B2B.
Pat McAfee
But with LinkedIn you'll be able to.
Brett Veach
Reach people who do get a hundred.
Pat McAfee
Dollar credit on your next ad campaign. Go to LinkedIn.com campaign to claim your credit.
Brett Veach
That's LinkedIn.com campaign. Terms and conditions apply. LinkedIn the place to be. To be.
Pat McAfee
Football is wonderful. That's A.J. hawk. The talks the tables here at Boston. Connor and at Ty Schmidt. One half of the Hammer, Don Cowboys AP Tone is here. And a man who's coached football for 36 years. 18 in college, 18 the NFL. Chuck Pagano.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Ch look amazing. Coach. And coach, Something we've been doing this year that I really love is this segment where at the end of it we're going to be giving away a 2500 heavy duty river rail.
Ty Schmidt
Hell yeah.
Pat McAfee
The truck that sits right outside, you see it every time you walk in here.
Chuck Pagano
It makes my. When I get dropped off from my, that's the first thing I always see. Like I'm like, that thing is badass.
Pat McAfee
It is badass. Paint jobs, clean the inside. It has like some very nice, you know, upgrade technology, but not too much. Yeah, it's not confusing. The ride is like you're on clouds and guess what? You're eye to eye with 18 wheelers. What's up, Jack? Hey, hey. I think we got a bogey up ahead, don't we? Now let's go ahead and get an honor in there. Let's do this entire thing there. It's a perfect truck and it's gonna be given away to somebody from college ball that delivers a hit so devastating that the people of X deem it the Ram Truck champion. Now we have a carryover champion. And then we have three new contenders for this week's Ram Truck championship. Let's get right into it, ladies and gentlemen. A punter wow. Is a part of the hashtag Ram truck segment. Now it's guess what, it's Virginia. So I, I don't love that. Mason Fletcher goes for the boom. This guy thought he had a touchdown. I thought he had a touchdown. I was so excited. But then I forgot, Mason Fletcher, the Aussie, whose dad is an Aussie rules football icon, wasn't scared to throw his body around and say, hey boys, listen, if you want me to punt the ball, tackle the ball, throw the ball, run the ball, score the touchdown, whatever you need me to do, I'll do. That's hashtag for the Brammed, which is also hashtag Ram finalists representing the punter position. Hell yeah, brother.
AJ Hawk
Unreal.
Pat McAfee
Good on you, lad. Mate. Word. It rhymes with punt that you guys throw around a lot down there in Australia that we don't need to do that. That's awesome. Mason. Now, he's one of the finalists for this particular week. How about from Ohio State, ladies and gentlemen, safety Lathan Ransom. More like Ransom Ransom. Purdue. How you doing? Not great. Why? Because Lathan Rams up, legal hit, double hand shove to the chest. Did not go helmet to helmet, but totally depleted a human being. That's a good Ram. Now the Aussie lot and Lathan Ramsam, they are contenders to potentially win that truck right there.
AJ Hawk
Beautiful.
Pat McAfee
A 2500 heavy duty rebel Ram truck. And obviously it looks good, but this thing's got power. Real power. Never gets stuck. And if somebody else gets stuck, you say, don't worry about it. I fucking got you. Hell yeah. This thing, as soon as you hit the pedal, it sounds like. And that turbo diesel is never going to let you down. Now it is diesel power. So that's a different form of gas that maybe you've ever had before. But the inside is just as nice as the outside. And the football plays that are inspired by the Ram truck are the ones that we love to see legal within the rules of the game. No flags, but tone setters. Tone setters. Let's get to the final contender from this week. Kobe Savage, the Duck truck. Toot toot. Now, Oregon's been on here a couple times this season. They're becoming a Ram trucks pipeline, as D. Bone put it. This is Kobe Savage. Ejection. Ejection from the field. See ya. Keep it moving. That's the duck truck. Now those three will be contending with last week's champion, which was also the week before that champion out of Mount Union, the Mount Boom. From Weston, Weston Arthur. Legal play. Where'd your helmet go?
Chuck Pagano
Wow.
Pat McAfee
Weston Arthur set the tone. Weston Arthur has been our only Ram truck champion thus far. We will put this video out on X in a thread. Below that, we will have a poll with all four of these finalists. Go ahead and vote on who you think should be the Ram champion of this week. And whoever wins, wins this week, will carry that title into next week and then into the week after that. And if they are still the champions at the end of the season, they will win the 2500 heavy duty rebel Ram. Gotta be a fair play, though. We don't want headshots.
AJ Hawk
No penalty.
Pat McAfee
We're not talking about dirty football. We're talking about physical football. That's right. We're talking about durable football.
AJ Hawk
Right.
Pat McAfee
We're talking about tough football. Right. We're talking about Ram AJ I love that segment, brother. You would have been on here all the time back.
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't know.
Connor
I tell you what, I really enjoy the segment as well. I would imagine there's even more shots like this that we could pull up.
Pat McAfee
There was so there was four finalists this particular week with the those with the most amount of entries. It is in an uptick though. It is in an uptick of the amount of people that are reporting these Ram Truck plays. Because once again, if you're watching college ball on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, whenever, not on Sunday, obviously that's the lowest day Amen in the NFL.
Ty Schmidt
That's right.
Pat McAfee
But if you're watching college ball, go ahead and tweet out hashtag Ram Truck. The team, the player, name the time in the game and we'll find it, we'll look at it. And it could be one of the contenders for next week to take on whoever wins this week's Ram Truck title.
Boston Connor
Yeah, people been awesome. There was probably 15 to 20 plays. Probably like like hundreds of entries, but like 15 to 20 play. Like a bunch of people watching games and then sending them in. They still don't always understand the no penalty thing because a guy died on Georgia Tech this week from a Miami player.
Pat McAfee
Recipes not actually student.
Boston Connor
I think he's still. No, that was awesome too. That was actually submitted as well.
AJ Hawk
Student got decleaded by a tackle running off the field as they were rushing it. It was awesome.
Pat McAfee
I will have to obviously look at it at it but yeah, a lot. We don't want any against the rules and we appreciate everybody sending them in cuz obviously it's going to be tough for us to keep up with everything. So if you're watching a game that you think not a lot of people are watching to. We need you, we need you to be the eyes and ears for the Ram Truck segment and you could help one of these guys win a beautiful truck at the end of the season. I'm very pumped about it. I'm thankful to Ram Trucks for doing it alongside of us. And good luck to all those who play football the right way.
Tyrese Haliburton
Amen. That's right.
AJ Hawk
Amen.
Connor
Hey, do you ever have a thing like that in college of the pros where you got rewarded like we had in college? We had the Jack Tatum hit of the week. Jack Tatum, obviously one of the fiercest safeties ever to live. And every like Sunday after the game we'd coach would put up two or three nominees and then guys either boo him or cheer a little bit and then coach would name whoever got Jack Tatum Hit of the week.
Pat McAfee
We had Hammer, Hammer, nail situation. Nice. Yeah. I think you could win.
Connor
Can't do it anymore, probably can you.
Pat McAfee
Bullying they probably call it whatever. You know, the nail obviously doesn't want to be put up there. No, you know, that's.
Connor
Well, I mean even the hammer, like even the hammer back then I would imagine if you looked at some of the entries or some of the times that people won, they were strictly head to head collisions, no question.
Pat McAfee
So I actually when you could do.
Connor
That back when it was legal.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I, I or an Anderson, somebody from Western Washington. Oh yeah. You know, full on. How we doing? Doing Made it on the Hammer segment for at West Virginia. I've never felt cooler in my life. Whenever that, whatever that got put up there, it was like in the reaction was like a big, it's like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's in there if we need it. Let's not do it all the time. But that is in there if we need it. I think I used to get celebrated a lot more. Big hits used to get celebrated a lot more.
Chuck Pagano
Oh yeah.
Pat McAfee
And there was a jacked up segment, obviously that was one of the biggest of all time. But also going into commercial break every time the only thing that was being shown was the biggest hit.
Ty Schmidt
Even if a guy got hurt, they'd do like the, like the soft music to a guy getting.
Connor
You're right.
Pat McAfee
And then obviously Dr. Will Smith and everything took place and then everybody forgot that it's still a physical game or wanted to act like it's not. Like that's part of the beauty of the sport is the toughness of the people that are playing it. Being able to take a massive shot, get back up like Kyler Murray did this past weekend. Oh yeah, that got submitted. It's an NFL play, so we won't be able to do that. But Kyler got absolutely crushed from a helmet, goes flying off and then he gets back up. Like that's part of our game, that's a part of our sport is that toughness is the ability to be able to be within the rules and still have a devastating blow. Wow. Potentially earning your team another possession by knocking the ball free. It's like that is a part of the sport in why it is loved. I feel like that got forgotten about, you know, when everybody was trying to, you know, change. It's like, hey, people aren't watching mma. If you take away like strikes, for sure, that's a Part of it, you know, like having a good chin is a part of the boxing world, of the fighting world. It's also having a good time body is a part of the football sport. And them trying to eliminate that I didn't love. And by them, I'm not talking about the sport itself because obviously the rules are still in place to make big hits, which we're showcasing. But a lot of people that were like talking about the game were like, need to make it a little bit more gentle and it's like violence. That ain't the sport.
Chuck Pagano
That's why people watch because they love violence.
Pat McAfee
Bingo.
Chuck Pagano
And they love the violent hit. And also I was either going to knock a guy out or it's a missed tackle.
Pat McAfee
You would have been when you were.
Connor
At W or you knock yourself out.
Chuck Pagano
Knock myself out. Didn't matter at Wyoming.
Pat McAfee
I think you would have been up for the Ram trip. Oh, yeah. I think you would have been for the Rams.
Chuck Pagano
You saw those high school ones we brought in here, right?
Pat McAfee
I mean, you brought that. No edge, no chance. You said no problem. Boom. Coming down, take you out. Where's that Italian at? They used to say. And then they couldn't even catch up. Cuz you were just a blur. Coming with your head down, leading right.
Chuck Pagano
That's how they taught us how to like right here. Crowning Harbor. That's how you tackle. Okay, I appreciate it. Thanks, dad.
Pat McAfee
Hey, what's the hardest part of your head? Well, you're, you're.
AJ Hawk
No, no, no point that thing down.
Chuck Pagano
There was no see what you tackle back in the day.
Pat McAfee
Game has evolved. I think it should continue to do that obviously for the safety of players. And I like technology evolving. But we can never forget the sport is a violent.
Ty Schmidt
One can't forget the roots.
Pat McAfee
It's a tough guy one. Got to be a tough guy to play football, Mike. A punt kick. Got it. But you understand what I'm saying most 98% of football is a tough guy sport. Always will be. Which is one of the reasons why it's so damn great. Speaking of, we got a great game tonight. We got the Eagles hosting the Commanders as four point favorites, three and a half point favorites. Some places four at ESPN Bet right now. Jalen hurts, obviously playing great ball. Jaden Daniels, he has the opportunity to maybe have the greatest rookie campaign in the history of football. Yep. Chuck Pagano, I know you're on A little bit of a. Little bit of a. Schneider. A little bit of a. Ooh. We're picking the wrong side. Every week. A little Bit of that this week. I think it's gonna be different because your best pick is what?
Ty Schmidt
Next pick.
Pat McAfee
Next pick.
Chuck Pagano
Damn right.
Pat McAfee
All right, Chuck, what are some things we need to look at? And which way are you going here tonight?
Chuck Pagano
Do you want to.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, let's do tail of tape.
Chuck Pagano
Tail of tape.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, let's do a tail of tape here.
Chuck Pagano
Just some. It's just. It's going to be an outstanding game. Obviously, we talked about it earlier. High scoring con man you talked to. I mean, these two offenses. I mean, big time, right? Total offense, 4th and 6 for the. For the Eagles. You mentioned Jaden Daniels. They get Brian Robinson back. Austin Eckler has been just outstanding for him. Scary. Terry McLaurin. What? Brown is another receiver. Who is it? Noah Brown. Noah Brown caught the Hail Mary, so Zach Hertz is a tight end. So they've got offense, obviously, the Eagles with Saquon. He's 991 yards rushing right now.
Pat McAfee
He's three of them backwards in the air.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah, exactly. Total defense. You can see the Vic Fangio effect is in full effect for the Eagles. I mean, I thought he had no bowling Fangiover.
Pat McAfee
Not like Anthony Weaver, I'll tell you that much.
Chuck Pagano
Quiet. Get to five wins and then we'll start talking.
Pat McAfee
Whoa, whoa. I just won.
AJ Hawk
Focus on this game.
Chuck Pagano
3 and 6 in their second place in the AFC.
Tyrese Haliburton
Focus on getting a winner here, Coach.
Chuck Pagano
Yes, sir. I'm with you. I can't vacillate here. All right, so.
AJ Hawk
Excuse me.
Chuck Pagano
So offensive epa. That's expected points added. That means if you do good.
Connor
What does that mean?
Chuck Pagano
And you weren't supposed to.
Pat McAfee
That's a good question, AJ.
Chuck Pagano
Hey, let's say, for example, it's fourth and two the goal line and you decide to go for it.
Pat McAfee
Nice.
Chuck Pagano
Okay, you got a 50% chance of scoring a touchdown. All right? Or you got a 50% chance of not doing anything right. So being 50, 50, it's three and a half points are on the line because it go either way because seven.
Pat McAfee
Is split in half.
Chuck Pagano
Okay, so let's say you make it right because it's split in half. So let's say you score the touchdown. So you're going to be plus 3.5. EPA.
Pat McAfee
Got it? Okay.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay.
Chuck Pagano
You get stuffed and stopped, you're minus 3.5.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so what happens if it's going on.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah, I don't want to go any further.
Pat McAfee
Okay. AJ you said. What does that mean? You should have heard us this morning whenever we saw that. These were the stats for the no.
AJ Hawk
Don'T worry about it.
Connor
So what about if it's not 4th and 2?
Pat McAfee
Well, that's the thing.
Chuck Pagano
That's an easy example, the one that old Paul could like.
Pat McAfee
What Chuck is saying, we don't know what it means, but we do know, we don't care that something has been tracked. And these are the rankings.
Chuck Pagano
There's a value based on every play that you're getting ready to. To snap the ball.
Pat McAfee
AJ, you would have loved the combo this morning, brother. I mean it was wild over here. And obviously Chuck goes. Yeah, it's good.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, good set. Thought it was expected points.
Chuck Pagano
So Ed. Ed, edge goes to the commanders on that one. Defensive EPA, edge goes to the Eagles at 6:26. So the rush defense is where this is the big deal here. All right? The rush offense for Philadelphia, they're number two in the league. They're averaging 107 right behind Baltimore. They're number two in the league, 170 some yards a game. Six big time. And these guys allow 147 a game. Washington, so they struggle against the run.
AJ Hawk
On it right now.
Chuck Pagano
Special teams, EPA. All right. They're 14 and 22. Turnover margin. Washington's done a good job there at plus six. Big thing to watch tonight too is Hertz.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Chuck Pagano
He's got four or five fumbles, five interceptions. He's. He can be at times a little bit of a turnover machine. Make sure we're worry a little bit.
Tyrese Haliburton
Really?
Pat McAfee
Yeah, like that. Especially with Dan Quinn over here. So he's trying.
Chuck Pagano
Oh. So gotta keep an eye on that. There's the rush offense first, the rush defense, what I just talked about. 176, 140. That's going to be an issue, right?
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
And then against spread 7, 2 and 1 for the Commanders and then 5 and 4 against the Eagles.
Pat McAfee
Jalen hurts. I think we have a little bit of. A little bit more conversation here, a little deeper analysis.
Chuck Pagano
So the reason we have this up here, Washington plays a fairly good amount of man coverage, seventh most National Football League. If you look at this graphic here, it's a well done. Our people in the back.
Pat McAfee
Very Good job, guys.
Chuck Pagano
First man coverage. All right. Yards per attempt, second 8.8. QBR third 81.7. And completion percentage. He's third 65% versus man coverage. You're going to get a lot. So the. The corners for. For the commander. God damn. I'm almost. I can't help it. There's a ton of people just like me.
Pat McAfee
Oh yeah, I know.
Chuck Pagano
You know, in homes, you know.
Connor
No no.
Chuck Pagano
Got it in there. I love it.
Connor
Coaches two man involved in that. When they say verse man coverage. When the people are doing that, like does two man. You know what the two say. Safety's deep, everyone underneath, you know, pff.
Chuck Pagano
The way that they grade these things. And the guys that are looking at the deal. AJ I'd be lying if I told you I knew exactly the answer to that. I'm thinking more single high, you know, mano a mano, you know, when it comes to that. So, yeah. So where was I going? Where was I at all? Where.
Pat McAfee
You know, when con men around it come on home. But mostly it sounded like everything you were saying is that you like the Eagles rush offense versus their rush defense. Jalen hurts against man coverage. So not only is the run going.
Chuck Pagano
To work fields so the man coverage and then it also equates the grades. Pff. Grades for the guys that are actually covering A.J. brown tonight. Devontae Smith, you mentioned Dotson. This is, you know, a revenge game. And I can see Sirianna just absolutely getting that guy the ball as much as he can. He's going to be a nice little matchup, you know, inside. He'll be an inside. Those guys. Saint Juice. He's the guy that Russell Wilson got last week.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay.
Chuck Pagano
With the last play.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
He was sitting there squatting. It was third and nine. They bring a zero pressure. He expecting the ball come out. Russ. He was cooking on that down. He recognized it. He checked to it. The other two receivers on the other side. All right, this Saints droll. He's the rookie out of Michigan. He's number zero. I believe he's the guy that. He's the other corner. And then Noah. Tough last name. And that already escapes me.
Pat McAfee
No, it's a good guy.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Number one.
Chuck Pagano
Number one. Number one.
Pat McAfee
He's a good player.
Chuck Pagano
I'm not even attempting.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, don't.
Pat McAfee
That's what everybody knows. Noah. Yep.
Chuck Pagano
God, we had it. I practiced it a million times, too. Maybe say it. Give it a shot in Pat's ear.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I don't think anybody who's gonna. I don't think we got it back here, coach. And I remember you practicing it. I didn't. I remember you practicing it. I wish I would have heard you practicing because that would have been entertaining for.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, I'd like to hear him just.
AJ Hawk
Give it a try.
Pat McAfee
It's very shot, right.
Connor
He's got to give it a shot.
Pat McAfee
What is. What is it a Polynesian name? Is it?
Connor
What is it?
Boston Connor
No, Give it a try.
AJ Hawk
Tony Spell it.
Boston Connor
I, G, B, I, N, O, G, H, E, N, E. Oh, if I could see it.
Chuck Pagano
Here you go. Here's the hyphenatical.
Boston Connor
The what?
Tyrese Haliburton
He was a first round pick he.
AJ Hawk
Got a few years years back from Auburn.
Boston Connor
The hyphen. Etical.
Pat McAfee
Ebay. Ebay. I don't. I don't know that one.
Chuck Pagano
I don't know.
Pat McAfee
I don't. I don't. I don't. Ibo. That's a great name. Knows the dog. It's tough.
AJ Hawk
Ibo Gehenne. I forget something like that. I remember that guy right there.
Chuck Pagano
Thank you. Z.
Tyrese Haliburton
He had a return on a block field goal for the Cowboys first game.
Pat McAfee
Of the season last year as well. All right. I love the way Noah plays ball. I love the way Noah plays ball. So who do you pick? Who do you like?
Chuck Pagano
So anyway. So any. Oh, you want my pick already? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. So anyway, the grades for like Saint Juice and the corners, the COVID guys, keep an eye on Jeremy Chin. He's back there, number 11. They're going to play him down in the box. The thing is this. You got Saquon that you got to. You got to stop. And then you got these weapons on the outside. So they're going to have to play some shell coverage, all right? So that they don't give up these explosive plays to AJ Brown and devontae Smith. So when they catch him in shell, they're going to have to try to stop Saquon with a light box with seven guys in that box. And that hadn't worked out well for a lot of people. Okay? So that means, okay, we're going to have to stick Jeremy Chin down in the box, play single high, and put those guys out on the island. And when that happens, play action. You fucked down the side line.
Pat McAfee
So you like.
Chuck Pagano
And back to rough.
Pat McAfee
You like the Eagles?
Ty Schmidt
All right, who you take?
Pat McAfee
You haven't said a single good thing about the commands.
Ty Schmidt
No, you have.
Pat McAfee
You said EPA Jaden.
Chuck Pagano
70% completion rate. He's got nine passing touchdowns to only two interceptions.
Pat McAfee
What?
Chuck Pagano
He's rushed for almost 500 yards and a couple tugs. Wow, guys. Unbelievable. Terry McLaren. Scary Terry.
Pat McAfee
Oh, from India.
Chuck Pagano
Give me Zach Ertz. They get Brian Robinson back, who's got six touchdowns. You kidding me? Eckler. Yeah, they got web. This is going to be a. If you're a fan of points being scored.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
And fireworks.
Pat McAfee
I am. Am I?
Chuck Pagano
So let's go ahead and throw. Throw that out. Bet the over.
Pat McAfee
He's hot on the Props.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, but that's not what counts.
Pat McAfee
He's hot on the props.
Chuck Pagano
Over 48, one team scores. You know how many points a game Washington scores? 29.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Chuck Pagano
You know how many points games Philly scores? 26.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Chuck Pagano
25.9 to be exact. Okay. The defenses allow.
AJ Hawk
What's the addition there?
Chuck Pagano
21 for Washington.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Chuck Pagano
19 for.
Pat McAfee
Okay. Okay, so it's the same score.
AJ Hawk
Someone's got a gift.
Tyrese Haliburton
Something's got a gift.
Pat McAfee
Sounds like age. What if he commanders right now? With everything he's been saying, I think he might.
Connor
I think Chuck sometimes like waffles.
Chuck Pagano
From an injury. From an injury standpoint.
Connor
Vacillating.
Pat McAfee
That's not the word.
Chuck Pagano
Okay, so my.
Pat McAfee
I don't know what the word is. I don't know what it means, but that wasn't it.
Chuck Pagano
Vacillate. I like waffle.
Connor
Vacillate.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Connor
Like a golf ball vacillates.
Pat McAfee
Right.
Connor
If a golf. Golf ball vacillates, it doesn't count as a stroke. Right, Chuck? Is that what they say?
Chuck Pagano
Correct.
Boston Connor
That's oscillating. Late, but close.
Connor
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Coach Rizzi was vacillating.
Pat McAfee
Alternate or waiver between different opinions or actions. Be indecisive.
Chuck Pagano
There we go. I mean, waffle.
Pat McAfee
So you're.
Chuck Pagano
You've been like, a really good word for waffle.
AJ Hawk
That is vacillating everywhere.
Pat McAfee
What's that?
Chuck Pagano
So the offensive line is really beat up, you know, for Washington Saturday.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Cornelius plays left tackle. He's beat up. Up. Wiley's beat up the center. Beate's. I mean, Tyler, eat that tiger. What is.
Pat McAfee
Going on?
Chuck Pagano
I'm listening to that. I can't Eagles commanders, like, even though I got the deals, like, something you're going and then all. So I text comments. What the fuck are they saying?
Pat McAfee
Oh, my gosh.
Chuck Pagano
Oh, yeah. And thank you for texting me back, because I know I'm texting you. You're busy. You got shit going.
AJ Hawk
Am I doing shit?
Chuck Pagano
And then when he said, he texts me back, right? And I cry and laugh. Tina's like, what? This is what they're saying. And she likes. She's like, holy shit. They really say I said yes.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. LSU's wild place. Why here's a wild place down there.
Chuck Pagano
Was that Jeremy Land? Was he saying. So speaking of Milanda, Malata's back at left tackle. There is not one injury. Philadelphia.
Tyrese Haliburton
Jeez.
Chuck Pagano
Zero. Like, they got. They got everybody. There's Cooper De Jean and there's Quinon Mitchell. Those two rookies. Good bit of jog. My God, are they playing good? And then you got cj, GJ back there bringing the damn wood. Yeah, the two linebackers, Bond and Nakobe Dean. Oh, Kobe Dean closed out the last game. I mean, the guys, they're playing Jalen Carter so good.
Pat McAfee
So Jordan Davis.
Chuck Pagano
Jordan David doesn't do. He just commands two and three every time.
AJ Hawk
Two and three.
Chuck Pagano
He's a monster Sweat. Coming off this side, Nolan Smith. Coming off the other side, Brandon Graham at 100 years still playing.
Pat McAfee
They got you over, bro.
Chuck Pagano
They got so many players on both sides of. I mean, and then you got the. You got. You got some Blore. You got blurred a little bit, nicked up. They got some other guys on the. On that defense for Washington. They're tired. They had a really, really physical game. Think about the physical game they just played against freaking Steelers.
Boston Connor
Yeah, they lost.
Chuck Pagano
And their tackles. That one guy got ran around like a turnstile. He looked like a front door at Macy's.
Pat McAfee
Let's tj. What? You look like a front door. Other side.
Ty Schmidt
That's good.
Pat McAfee
It was Highsmith and then also Preston Smith.
Chuck Pagano
You ever go on a JW and they got that thing like.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I try to hit the door, though. I try to stay out of those ones. If they have a door option, I'm taking that.
Chuck Pagano
Every now and then, it just stops on you.
Pat McAfee
Bingo. And you're like, yeah, I look like the idiot. Like, I don't know how to operate one. Everybody else judges you. You look at the other people that are in there like, was that you stepping on a thing?
Chuck Pagano
Like, guilty. Every week you walk, sneak in there with a stranger.
Connor
You ever jump in there with the stranger? When they get in there, right behind him, behind.
Chuck Pagano
Keep walking. Some move like this big, bad.
Pat McAfee
I try to hit those doors.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
As often as possible.
AJ Hawk
Oh, I'm going in there.
Pat McAfee
You're going in around about.
AJ Hawk
Get me in.
Chuck Pagano
Take any effort.
Boston Connor
Walk in the door.
Pat McAfee
Somebody can sneak can. We're talking about us jumping in.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
You're been in there one time and somebody comes. It's like, yo, that's not how this works. Yeah, that is not. And then you have to do the shuffle because I'm not doing that.
AJ Hawk
Then you stay in there. Let them shuffle out. Let's get one solo here.
Pat McAfee
Oh, you want to take tractor another round?
AJ Hawk
Yeah, enjoy that thing. And then get out.
Pat McAfee
All right, so we know who you're picking. Thanks, Chuck. That was fun. Are you vacillating? Right?
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. What's going on?
AJ Hawk
Pick a side.
Chuck Pagano
So I got a brother. The coaches in The National Football League.
AJ Hawk
Is it his birthday?
Pat McAfee
Could be.
Connor
I hope so.
Chuck Pagano
You know what steamy coaches for, right?
Pat McAfee
Nope.
Chuck Pagano
Who is coach for Commanders.
Ty Schmidt
Oh, geez.
Pat McAfee
There's a Pagano on the Commanders. Yeah.
Boston Connor
What position?
Pat McAfee
I do not know.
Chuck Pagano
Senior, defensive assistant.
AJ Hawk
Senior. How old is this guy?
Chuck Pagano
Come on. It don't take much to throw a line in the water and get hold of it.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you're younger brothers. Yeah, we get it.
Chuck Pagano
Bite the.
Pat McAfee
That's unbelievable. So there's a Pagano coaching on.
Chuck Pagano
So we've got. We've got. Yeah. And Joey Panzio. We grew up. He's on the other side.
Pat McAfee
Big Dom.
Chuck Pagano
Big Dom. There's so many Guidos on the sideline for this game.
AJ Hawk
It's going to R cologne the whole field.
Pat McAfee
Tonight's an Italian Super Bowl. I can't wait to watch. I can't wait.
Chuck Pagano
Italian beef sandwiches at halftime. Them jelly. Those. What are those? Crucible crushables. Whatever.
Pat McAfee
Uncrustables? Yeah. Are you talking about uncrustables right now? Are the Italians.
Tyrese Haliburton
What do you think of them?
Pat McAfee
Just.
AJ Hawk
Okay.
Pat McAfee
I'm done with it.
Chuck Pagano
Northern Italy.
Pat McAfee
Okay. So who you are taking? The Eagles. You're betting against your brother? That's what I just heard, yeah. Holy Constance ain't going to be happy.
Ty Schmidt
No, she's not.
Pat McAfee
She's not going to be.
Boston Connor
Neither is Peggy.
Pat McAfee
Nope.
AJ Hawk
Nope. Or Donnie.
Pat McAfee
No. Or Angelo. Bali Giovanni.
Chuck Pagano
Is it three and a half?
Pat McAfee
Augustine?
AJ Hawk
Tony?
Boston Connor
Or you, mutt.
Chuck Pagano
I'm not doing four.
AJ Hawk
Florentina, it's four.
Chuck Pagano
No, you got right here. Around with the line.
Tyrese Haliburton
Waffler man have.
Chuck Pagano
The L. What would Cuz we're espi. I can go outside and get three and a half.
AJ Hawk
No, you can't. The line four.
Tyrese Haliburton
Trust the tape, Coach. You don't know.
Pat McAfee
Trust your eyes. Come on, Coach, you're.
AJ Hawk
You're doomed at this point. Whichever side you pick, it's wrong.
Chuck Pagano
Exactly. Go the other way, peoples.
Pat McAfee
Okay, Peoples. Okay, I will. You're going with the team.
Chuck Pagano
I know. And I've known. I know.
Pat McAfee
Three days ago, let's say it.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah. I'm taking Philadelphia.
Boston Connor
Oh no.
Pat McAfee
That's your brother. Oh no, that too. Bruce.
Chuck Pagano
It's got nothing to do with family. Yeah, well, God damn. This is gambling.
Pat McAfee
Sounds like.
Chuck Pagano
And when you make mistakes in gambling.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Chuck Pagano
You put out some bad info, people let you know. Not real popular right now amongst the Goblers.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but everything's going to turn up because you got a little spicy lasagna at the Pagano house. Picking against your younger senior assistant. Brother.
AJ Hawk
Amen.
Pat McAfee
That was awesome, Chuck. Thanks for taking us on that ride.
Chuck Pagano
I'm so.
Pat McAfee
Aj, who are you picking with that?
Connor
With that being said, give me the commanders. I'll take the four.
Pat McAfee
I'll take the commanders.
AJ Hawk
There it is.
Pat McAfee
I'm joking. I'm taking the Eagles alongside. Not. Hey, I thought Chuck was picking his brother, to be honest.
Connor
So I love Chuck, but I'm running with. I'm taking the Paganos. The other senior.
Pat McAfee
The senior assistant. Yes, Pagano. All right, I got the Eagles minus four. Chuck's got the Eagles minus four. AJ's got the Commanders plus four. Even though Chuck wanted two and a half maybe. Yeah, I'm not doing it. I'll do it at one half. I would like to make a pick.
Chuck Pagano
You can buy points.
Pat McAfee
You certainly can now in this area.
Chuck Pagano
So I highly recommend to our viewers one of the. Get off that number one of the.
Pat McAfee
Props as fast as you can. Get the three and a half.
Chuck Pagano
Pay the extra couple bucks.
Pat McAfee
All right, ladies and gentlemen, we've made this man wait far longer than we should have.
Connor
He's there.
Pat McAfee
He is front of the program. He is Olympic gold medalist.
Chuck Pagano
Wow.
Pat McAfee
He is one of the faces of Puma and also movwater.
AJ Hawk
Amen.
Pat McAfee
He's a fashion icon, although what he chose to wear last night, I think.
AJ Hawk
We'Re all wondering about a little bit.
Pat McAfee
We're all wondering about one of the faces of this great city of Indianapolis, Indiana. Ladies and gentlemen, out of Iowa State, Tyrese Hella Burton. Way to go, Tyrese. Way to go, Tyrese.
Tyrese Haliburton
Hell, yeah.
Pat McAfee
Good to see you, Tyrese. Thank you so much. Wow.
Ty Schmidt
Is that a cake?
Pat McAfee
How we doing? I love cakes, dude.
Ty Schmidt
How's it going?
AJ Hawk
Oh, already?
Pat McAfee
Oh. Lisa Bluder is a mainstay on the. Of the program over there. And I do know that that was wagered over a women's volleyball game, I believe. That's right. Right. Between Iowa and Iowa State.
Tyrese Haliburton
It was.
Pat McAfee
Who won that game?
Tyrese Haliburton
I have a state, of course.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
I believe they may have swept. Actually, I didn't do enough research on the Iowa women's volleyball team before I fucking put up my Lisa Bluder bobblehead.
Pat McAfee
Well, he was putting up his Olympic gold medal, right?
Ty Schmidt
Yes, he was.
Pat McAfee
Versus the Lisa Bluder bobblehead.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. And the commemorative popcorn bucket, which we never. I don't think we ever really decided on whether or not that's going.
Tyrese Haliburton
We did. No, we did. They were both part of it.
Pat McAfee
The popcorn bucket.
Tyrese Haliburton
The popcorn bucket and the bobblehead.
Pat McAfee
I don't. Oh, yeah. You said I'll put the popcorn bucket up. I guess we probably have the footage.
Tyrese Haliburton
The footage is probably.
Chuck Pagano
I remember I watched the whole thing.
Pat McAfee
Because it was goat.
AJ Hawk
You don't know Wolf in the hen.
Pat McAfee
I want to let you know we love that popcorn bucket over there. Okay. We don't want this thing gone, Chuck. We're trying to work it. Congrats. Your Iowa State women's volleyball team. They were a great team.
Tyrese Haliburton
Good team.
Pat McAfee
I saw.
AJ Hawk
Oh, yeah.
Ty Schmidt
That's the way they like it.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, they were.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Good thing.
Ty Schmidt
Yep.
Pat McAfee
Mom said spike it.
Ty Schmidt
That's the way they like it.
Pat McAfee
All right. You brought me a cake.
Tyrese Haliburton
Open it.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
AJ Hawk
Happy birthday.
Tyrese Haliburton
I haven't opened it. I don't know what's in there. For real. All right.
Pat McAfee
Whoa.
AJ Hawk
Nice.
Pat McAfee
Whoa. Oh, jerseys.
AJ Hawk
Those are clean.
Pat McAfee
These are new cityway jerseys for the Indiana Pacers, right?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yes, sir. Just announced today.
Pat McAfee
Okay. So these are alternative jersey for the Indiana Pacers. It'll be worn 12 times this year. NBA cup starts tomorrow. You would think. Is this just for the NBA Cup? Because the NBA cup has a different court. Sure. And I believe there are some different celebratory jerseys. No, this is actually for the rest of the year. They're going to be wearing this to throughout the rest of the season. So if you buy one and get one, it won't be wasted. Just during the NBA Cup.
Tyrese Haliburton
Perfect.
Pat McAfee
Which we're going to win. It's. This is pretty sick. I appreciate this. I'm going to need you to sign and then look at this. You guys see this?
AJ Hawk
No. The QR code.
Tyrese Haliburton
Put it on. Put it on.
Pat McAfee
There's another one.
Tyrese Haliburton
Whoa.
Pat McAfee
Tech day. I'm on the team.
AJ Hawk
Holy.
Pat McAfee
I've been shooting pretty good. Well, I've actually been pretty hit or miss as of late. But if you would have got me a couple weeks ago, I think I would have made squad. Especially with what's going on. Again. Orlando not dive into that anymore.
Tyrese Haliburton
Too soon.
AJ Hawk
Make some shots.
Tyrese Haliburton
Too soon. New game tomorrow.
Pat McAfee
Very big one tomorrow. All right. Thanks for. Thank you, brother.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yes, sir.
Pat McAfee
I appreciate that. I'm going to need you to sign yours.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay, I can do that.
Pat McAfee
We'll put it up on here. Let's talk about this. So this is different than the NBA cup.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Okay. It's another. But it'll be, you know, maybe worn in some of the NBA cups.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. I don't know the exact games are wearing it for. But. But last year city jersey we only we wore for the NBA cup specifically and other games. I don't know what this Is for.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so let's talk about the NBA Cup. Can we?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Last year, you guys were good.
Tyrese Haliburton
We were good.
Pat McAfee
You guys came in second.
Tyrese Haliburton
Second. Hang the banner.
Pat McAfee
Are you.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, no, no, no. We're not hanging the banner.
AJ Hawk
Finalists.
Pat McAfee
Okay. I didn't know NBA cup finalists. Hang that. Hang that thing up.
AJ Hawk
It's an Indiana thing.
Pat McAfee
Okay. That banner has been taken down.
AJ Hawk
Still is.
Ty Schmidt
Still is.
Pat McAfee
How do we feel about the team?
Tyrese Haliburton
Feel good. Rough. Bad game last night.
Pat McAfee
What's going on? What is everybody. Because I. I said you were. Because you had eight assist in the first. Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
Hot start.
Pat McAfee
And I put out a tweet. I said how the big brain is cooking early. And then everybody just obviously attacked that tweet later in the evening. That's what they.
Tyrese Haliburton
I can only imagine that's what they did. I can only imagine what that looks like right now.
Pat McAfee
I mean, your mentions. I just want to let you know I kind of threw myself into them for a little bit last night in this entire thing.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
How do we feel? Do we feel good? Are we okay? What's going on? Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, we feel great. New game tomorrow.
Pat McAfee
Do you want a shooting lesson with me, Foxy?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Some of the boys here, maybe.
Tyrese Haliburton
Connor, considering you told me you think if you put enough work, you could shoot 90 from three over the course of a season.
Pat McAfee
I think it was 80. And I'll tell you what, there was a time for about four or five days in here where that was true. I wanted you to know I was coming around screens, too. I was moving, I was setting my feet, and, boy, the only thing you could hear is what splash was. Like a pool was in a Thunderdome. Okay, so there is. There is a chance that that could take place. Shooting, obviously, what you're going to be doing. We're seeing the court right now though, huh?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, we're passing. Well, we just got to make some shots.
Pat McAfee
How? What's that come down to?
Tyrese Haliburton
Keep shooting them long averages. You know, shout out to all my math teachers. I understand. You know, if things aren't going well for a little bit, they'll go better and then we'll average out.
Pat McAfee
So that's kind of like Chuck on these Thursday Night Football picks. He started out real hard. He's lost his last three sportsbooks. Kind of got back with him. The law of averages. You should get back into. How's the team? We feel good about the team.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. Team feels great. Yeah, we feel good. Big game against Miami tomorrow. First NBA cup game. So we're excited.
Pat McAfee
And how do you View the NBA. We want to win the NBA.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, we want to win the NBA Cup. That was a lot of fun last year. Got to go to Vegas and, you know, started off some. Some. Some drama with some teams. It was a good time.
Pat McAfee
What do you mean, some drama with some teams?
Tyrese Haliburton
Well, I think that started the little Bucks, Pacers thing probably last year, and that was just good for the league, I think.
Pat McAfee
Oh, what happened? That was when a ball.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, that wasn't the ball controversy. I think that was just some. Just competition that was in between the.
AJ Hawk
Cup and the Finals.
Pat McAfee
The ball situation. I remember the ball situation.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, the ball situation happened.
Pat McAfee
That was a big situation, I guess.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. Some people. Yeah.
Pat McAfee
What do you mean to some people? You didn't think it was a big situation? That's what that sound like?
Tyrese Haliburton
No, I. I didn't necessarily know. No. I think it was blown out of proportion a little bit, but that doesn't happen.
Pat McAfee
Jaylen Brown called him a child.
Tyrese Haliburton
Right.
AJ Hawk
I saw that child. No, no, not me. Yeah. Jalen Brown got elbowed, and then he was walking back down the court. Giants didn't think it was an elbow. So Giannis puts his hand out like, hey, we're good. Jalen Brown goes, yeah, we are good. And Giannis gotcha. And then Jalen Brown did not like that.
Pat McAfee
Didn't like it at all. No respect at all for them. Dude can't be doing that. Team stinks. To pull that move off in that moment, though, just to have the wherewithal, you have to have just a tiny shred of respect for the fact he's doing it as an adult.
AJ Hawk
Goofball.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
I mean, that goofy.
Pat McAfee
You gotta think that. That's pretty.
AJ Hawk
Cut his game.
Pat McAfee
Okay. We had a. You had 34 and 12. Was that two games ago?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, a couple games ago.
Pat McAfee
That's what we're expecting, right?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. Yeah, let's. Let's get back to that. Not last night.
Pat McAfee
All right. Well, thank you for bringing this jersey.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, of course.
Pat McAfee
Connor has a few questions for you. Is that okay?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, sure. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
So do you. When you're playing in the league, and there was a bunch of games last night. There has been. Do you follow what. What else is going on? Because, like, the thing about last night was, like, Giannis, speaking of him, he had 59. Wemby had 50. He's 20 years old. Like, do you see that as that's going on after the game? Are you guys just kind of locked into your own thing?
Tyrese Haliburton
No. Yeah. After the game's done, you just get right to the, you know, go look at the scores around the league. Usually like the west coast games are just starting for the most part. So just follow it that way. But you don't really see like, you only see like highlights and stuff on social media. But you have to actually like try to watch a real game review like highlights and stuff to understand what, what happened. I, I saw he had 59, but I didn't know how the game, the game ended. But how.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so how much film do you guys watch?
Tyrese Haliburton
I would say a good amount before we play every game. I, I watch probably every team's last like two or three games. Our last time we played against them probably three, four games before. And then as a group, as a team, we watch. You know, if we're on the road, we'll do shoot around in the morning. So we'll watch film in the morning and we'll watch film like 30 on the clock before we run out. If we're at home, we'll meet at the gym at like 4:00 for a 7:00 game and do film.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so shoot around like your practices during the year. Is that how that's considered or kind of?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. Shoot around is like. You guys doing NFL? You guys like walk through?
Pat McAfee
Yeah, they do walk through us. I, I don't really walk through much.
Tyrese Haliburton
Right, but the team does walk through, right?
Pat McAfee
Yeah, yeah.
Chuck Pagano
So mock game.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, yeah, similar. Yeah, we walk through their sets, our sets, how we see they're gonna defend us and just get, get shots and everybody get. You don't feel good before you, you know, you take your pre game nap or whatever you do.
Pat McAfee
You guys play. Are you still taking a nap or. No?
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh no, I'm, I'm against pregame now.
Pat McAfee
Maybe you need to do it again.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, no, you can't do it.
Pat McAfee
Them.
Tyrese Haliburton
Can't do them.
AJ Hawk
Gotta be, gotta be. You should be in the lab, just.
Pat McAfee
No, I know, but remember this was a part of the thing. Right, because at the Steph told him to take a nap.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Came out not great. Then got hot and then now what happened? Maybe we go back to nap and mid season. Maybe go back to nap and maybe we just do this thing until we.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, I'm out on the naps. No more naps. Naps won't happen. Okay.
Pat McAfee
What shooting games do you guys play.
Tyrese Haliburton
During shoot around play? Oh, well, I mean we do play.
Pat McAfee
He says he thinks we're working.
AJ Hawk
Come on.
Tyrese Haliburton
Shooting games we play.
Connor
Guys play knockout.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Full 21.
Tyrese Haliburton
AJ said.
Pat McAfee
Do you guys like lightning yeah, my kids do.
Tyrese Haliburton
I do to practice.
Connor
My kids.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, yeah. No, I haven't played knockout in a very long time.
Pat McAfee
That's part of the problem.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Coach Carl, maybe we need to get in on the knockout.
AJ Hawk
It helps half court.
Tyrese Haliburton
Knockout is just. You're waiting until someone. Somebody has a long miss. Then you feel.
AJ Hawk
No, because now you can play ball.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah. Grab your ball.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. But the problem with the NBA that I realized once I started playing against like. Or playing knockout with older people is if they miss it and it's still above the rim, guys just run, catch it, dunk it. It's like, oh, I've never played that.
Pat McAfee
That game.
AJ Hawk
Well, that's strategy though.
Pat McAfee
You gotta.
AJ Hawk
Instead of shooting, you gotta hum the ball at the.
Pat McAfee
I didn't even think that's how strategy. Take their legs out.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's lame. Hum the ball at the backboard.
AJ Hawk
No, no, no. Because if it's a ball above the.
Tyrese Haliburton
Net and then shoot the ball. Shoot the ball.
Pat McAfee
No, take the person's legs out if they're going to be dunking. You can do that.
Connor
Yeah. Set the tone.
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, I heard earlier you're saying that's part of your sport. That's not necessarily part of our sport where you, you know, do the leg taking out things.
Pat McAfee
Well, we saw that when Air Blue just beat the out of you at one of those football games. That was a bump.
Tyrese Haliburton
Straight headbutt is the hardest part of his head. Right here. Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Bingo. Right there. Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
I haven't been back to a Colts game since.
Pat McAfee
You're invited anytime you want, anytime you'd like to come back. We'd obviously love to have. You've been a great ambassador for the city of Indianapolis. I think I saw. Who'd you guys play? Celtics, I think. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Overtime over time. I was watching highlights and stuff. Places packed out. How do we feel about the energy around the base?
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, energy's good. Energy's good. I think the other day, what game was that? The Knicks came. Colts played before us there was pissed off Colts fans just came straight over to gamebridge and we just put on a little show. I think they appreciated that. So we're just trying, trying to, you know, keep the engagement there.
Pat McAfee
You love. We love pacers around here.
AJ Hawk
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
We love you Tyres. Albert, you need to know that. So don't you worry about those mentions. Any of those. Now you did talk on the.
Tyrese Haliburton
I did, I did, yeah.
Pat McAfee
That was.
Tyrese Haliburton
I did. So I can't talk like that and then go have two stinkers out there.
AJ Hawk
Well, that's what people are bet on you.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but we know, man. Yeah, especially because everybody was saying, with what he said about the Magic, like.
Tyrese Haliburton
Everything bad about the Magic. Did I say something bad about the Magic?
AJ Hawk
No, but they were there and you were in their city. So it's like, okay, can I, can.
Tyrese Haliburton
We, can we talk about that moment? Real. Let's talk about that moment. So I was supposed to go there to be a face, a good guy. And I told Sean Michaels before heartbreak hit Heartbreak Kid, I said, hey, I think I'm gonna get booed out here. And he said, I don't think so. Our fans are great. They'll love you. I'm like, yeah, okay. So as soon as I walked out there before the camera turned on, on boo, I'm hearing, you know, chants about the Knicks, just all these things. So I'm like, all right, I can't be on TV out here. And I'm essentially look like a, you know, responding back. So I don't have any other jabs for Orlando. Orlando's a great place. Disney, you know, a good place. I just had to say something about the Magic. Historically. Good, good team over there, though.
Pat McAfee
Yes, of course.
Tyrese Haliburton
Nothing bad to say about them. But I'm not going to take it back, you know.
Pat McAfee
No, you had to say something.
Tyrese Haliburton
I had to say something.
Pat McAfee
I stand my ground. There was a wrestling world too.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Come on, what are you gonna do, not say something back?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I guess I'm a heel in the wrestling world, so we're just gonna embrace that.
Pat McAfee
I want to let you know, in the wrestling world at nxt, I was a heel as well. It was the funnest time ever. I told an 8 year old kid he was worthless. I felt so right to his face.
Ty Schmidt
That's just good healing.
Pat McAfee
I felt so bad. His dad was right behind him. They're behind a plexiglass. You're worthless. Kid hits the thing. His dad, you're worthless.
Tyrese Haliburton
When did the face turn? When did you become like, okay, you're a good guy?
Pat McAfee
Smackdown. When I get up, smackdown accompanied nxt. I was heal full heel because I.
Tyrese Haliburton
Was so you just came out. Smackdown. They were like, okay, you're a good guy. Now everybody's like, the way I was.
Ty Schmidt
Commenting, putting everybody over.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Because I, I did those kickoff shows, you know, I did the kickoff shows for nxt.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
And I was hated by the wrestling people because I was taking somebody spot in the wrestling world that certainly covers wrestling all day every day. And I was in their spot. So they hated me. For that. So then whenever the opportunity arises, when Adam Cole acts like a little punk. Yeah. As he does show.
Tyrese Haliburton
On the show.
Pat McAfee
On the show. So disrespect. We're trying to be nice.
Ty Schmidt
Incredibly disrespectful.
Pat McAfee
We were trying to. Olive branch, let's go shake their hands.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
That's what we're trying to do. In his start, he goes bananas and then the match gets started. I know as an avid wrestling fan that these people are going to be very mad at me because I'm taking up somebody's spot. Somebody who is grinding through the indies and worked their ass off to get to nxt.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
And now I'm getting a spot on the show and they're not. So I knew that the NXT fans were going to hate me. I think I wanted Triple H to know that. I knew that they were going to hate me. And because most people that come in from the outside are like, I want to look good.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I want to look good.
Pat McAfee
Please make me look good. We're trying to market this. Please make me look good. Especially back in the day. So I think everybody was on the same page, like, all right, heal. And I think I cut a seven minute promo that was like one of the biggest heel promos my first night in there. Oh, yeah. And it was like everybody in there actually hated me because it was. All the other NXT wrestlers were in there. They were. The crowd. Because it was during COVID Yep. And I talked on, basically. And then I walked out of there. It was so much fun. It was that. But that's the wrestling world.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, that's fine.
Pat McAfee
You can't take the wrestling world and take it into reality, which people did with your Orlando thing.
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, that's okay. That's fun.
Pat McAfee
Well, you need to show up, though.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Please. Do we play them again?
Tyrese Haliburton
I think maybe in April. So we got some. I mean, that was the third time we played them in two weeks, so I don't think we play them again until April. All right.
Pat McAfee
Do you have anything to say about them or their fans for the next time you guys play in April?
Tyrese Haliburton
No, I have nothing to say.
Pat McAfee
That's professionalism. Tyree says Ty has a question for you.
Ty Schmidt
Your plus minus was positive. Positive for the game. So, you know, if you're looking to just grab something.
Tyrese Haliburton
That was plus last night.
Pat McAfee
Oh, yeah. Plus five.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh.
Ty Schmidt
You can tell. You can tell them that either way.
Pat McAfee
You'Re Olympic gold medalist, bro.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, exactly.
Ty Schmidt
When it comes to the NBA cup last year we saw like one of the coolest things was like how jacked up the guys who are making a shitload of money like you, you know, we know how rich you are.
Pat McAfee
So rich too, Puma. Oh yeah, exactly. Watch company.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, everything. Four cars today.
Pat McAfee
I did.
Ty Schmidt
How do you drive four guys living?
Pat McAfee
Got to show tall they can drive.
Ty Schmidt
Exactly. But these guys who aren't making that money, you know, and I think the prize pool went up this year. Like how much of a motivating factor is that? Like hey, if we win this, like some of these guys who aren't making as much money are going to be eaten.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, no, that's the. I think that was the best part about it. We had some young guys, or not young guys, but guys who just come into the league and we're getting a substantial amount of money for just taking. I think we got was it 200 grand for taking second place last year. So that's. That changes guys life, you know. So I think that was really exciting for, for guys and I think like it keeps everybody engaged. Like you look at that moment we had last year. The game we played here was probably the best environment I've ever played in against Boston here. Our, our bench was just so into the game. The fans were so into the game because I mean that money is. That's changing your whole year. That doubles some guys salaries, you know, and two ways and stuff. So really cool to see and definitely a fun moment.
Pat McAfee
How do you guys view the NBA cup within the league? You guys like it? I think that, yeah. And it's a little. It's. I think I like it because it's promote promo. Just doing some sort of Lisa Bluder.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, she's all right. She's not going anywhere.
AJ Hawk
She's scared.
Pat McAfee
Lisa Blue is okay, scared to be leaving, but it is, it is different, you know. Like I think anytime people do business I appreciate like the NBA is trying to make something feel more special and feel bigger than just a regular, you know, regular season game. Do you guys view it that way too? Like do you appreciate that it is like bigger. A little bit more heightened intensity if you will.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. Especially for guys who haven't like had a ton of playoff success. Like I know for us as a team last year we only had. I think we had Bruce Brown last year had just won a championship with Denver, but other than him, most of our guys had never even played in the playoffs, you know. So that was like our first experience of like trying to like we really had an opportunity to win something because we had never played in the playoffs before. So, I mean, obviously LeBron ends up winning it, and the guys won championships, you know, But I think it for young guys and for guys in the league, I think it's fun because you're just competing for. For something new in the middle of the year. I think it's a good. A good. Good part of the league.
Pat McAfee
Is it better or worse to be colorblind for those courts?
Tyrese Haliburton
I love the colorful courts. I'm all for them.
Pat McAfee
Do you?
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm all for them.
Pat McAfee
You like?
Tyrese Haliburton
I do. I mean, they. They had some. They got some hate. Last year, ours was like that. That bright blue.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Watching can be weird.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. This year, ours is like more. More. Our Navy, you know, has boom baby on there. Gonna win the cup if you make this.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Bang. Oh, sorry about it.
AJ Hawk
Now this one.
Pat McAfee
No, no, no. You guys got no shot. I am so sorry about that.
Chuck Pagano
Another 200 grand.
Pat McAfee
I'm not bummed about it. I'm not bummed about it. Yeah, look at this.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. Nice core.
AJ Hawk
Pretty cool.
Pat McAfee
I like that one better than last year's.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, it's got the boom, baby. The NBA, I thought, did a better job just putting the trophy in the middle, keeping our colors more traditional. I think it looks good.
Pat McAfee
Well, like you said, the NBA did this.
Tyrese Haliburton
Well, did the Pacers? I don't know who did it. Did the Pacer do it?
Pat McAfee
We don't know. Yeah, you tell us.
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm unaware.
AJ Hawk
I thought it was teams, but I have no idea.
Tyrese Haliburton
Well, then shout out to the Pacers. Shout out. Give him good job.
Pat McAfee
Jerseys are sweet, too.
Tyrese Haliburton
Jerseys are nice.
Pat McAfee
Jerseys are sweet. AJ's in Ohio and has a question for you. Tyrese.
Connor
Yeah, Tyrese. I feel like when you guys are on the road, the away fans are like, they're part of the game. They're part of the action. They're right there on top of you. Like, what is that? Like, did it take. Does that take time to get used to? I feel like. And know when you can and when you.
Tyrese Haliburton
Like.
Connor
How often do you go back and forth with some away fans?
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, I mean, I'm only. I mean, I ain't got a lot to you guys if I'm not talking to a fan. I'm. I'm pretty trash on the road, so I try to find a guy to get me going sometimes.
Pat McAfee
Really?
Tyrese Haliburton
I seek it. I seek it out.
Pat McAfee
I need somebody.
Tyrese Haliburton
I need somebody in warm ups or what?
Connor
Like you find you can use warm.
Tyrese Haliburton
Up, it's only in warm ups. Like last year in the playoffs, in New York, it was definitely a warm ups, but in the regular season, you know, a lot of these places, fans don't really get there until like after the national anthem, you know, so it just takes one guy. Usually it's some guy who's mad that you're not casting, cashing in on his bet, and he's got some to say.
Pat McAfee
That's a big part of the conversation right now, I think. Right?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. What about the conversation?
Pat McAfee
Well, college, I think they're banning prop bets on players.
Tyrese Haliburton
Are they?
AJ Hawk
Especially in state. Like if you're. If you're in Indiana, you can't bet on like a guy from butler to score 20 points.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, really?
Pat McAfee
Yeah. They're trying to make the world, I think, less mad about player production. I don't know about you guys in NBA because how much you get paid, but I know they're trying to do that in lease college.
Tyrese Haliburton
Well, I mean, that's what I mean. If I were to look at my mentions right now, I'm sure the majority of them are about me fucking up somebody's parlay.
AJ Hawk
I mean, LeBron more than likely.
Tyrese Haliburton
You know, if I have a good game, it's just like you're supposed to. If you have a bad game, it's like, why do you fuck up my parlay? It's like, I'm sorry, John.
Pat McAfee
You got to remember, and you don't know this world, but like, in those parlays, when you have a good game, you're just a green check mark. Yeah, that's all you are finally, in a long string of things, you're just a green check mark. When you have a bad game, it's a red X. And it's the reason why this isn't happening down there. That's a tough spot. I'm happy I'm not in.
Tyrese Haliburton
Well, you see a bunch of losers. Like, yeah, Tyrese is on the banned list. What is a banned list? What does that mean?
Pat McAfee
I assume they're not putting you on your parlays.
Tyrese Haliburton
Darn it. It sucks.
Chuck Pagano
Too much pressure.
Tyrese Haliburton
Darn it.
Pat McAfee
You bumped.
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm not on their parlay.
Pat McAfee
You bomb.
Tyrese Haliburton
That hurts.
Pat McAfee
Coach has a question for you, Tyree.
Chuck Pagano
So 82 games, right? 41 on the road, 41 at home. Like, as a head coach, I was always, like, searching and grinding for the. For the next message. Like 17 games, 16 back in the day. Like Coach Carlisle, does he, like, try to come up with a new theme, a new message, you know, for like, so many games, post game, like Orlando, is it a. Does he get Fired up. Is he pretty calm? Is he pretty steady in that message? Does he try to come up with something new for every single game?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I think it's just dependent on the game. Like, you know, if we go out there, we don't rebound well. We're playing soft. Like, I think the next he's going to come in fired up because usually if we don't win the rebound battle, we lose games. So he's going to come at us and challenge us to play harder and different things. But if you go out there, you put on a good effort, you rebound well, guys just make some tough shots, you lose the game. I think that that message is definitely a little different. I think yesterday's message was more about obviously playing Orlando. It's our third time playing them in two weeks. That could be a big deal down the road for tiebreaker purposes in the playoffs, you know, so that was more the emphasis going into that game. Now we're going to play against Miami, who is a game is a. Is a team that, you know, is always going to play hard. They're coming off of a tough loss in Detroit. So we know we got to be ready to play in that game as well, depending on how that game goes. That's going to dictate the message on Sunday because we play them Friday and Sunday, so we play them twice in three days. So if we come out on Friday and don't play well, I'm sure he's going to be pissed off and want us to play harder on Sunday. If we do play well, we should be expecting Miami to play, you know, balls to wall hard on Sunday. So, yeah, the message changes every game, and they're never consistent. And I think he's been a coach in the league so long, he understands, you know, the right time to give certain messages. It's obviously we're five and six right now, 11 games in. Not the time for anybody to. To be pressing the panic button. But I think all the great coaches as. As you would know, have a good job of, you know, differentiating between, like, panicking and a sense of urgency. You know, it's different in 16 games. Like, that's got to be, you know, sometimes.
Chuck Pagano
Does he keep it 100? Does he keep it real with you guys?
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, yeah.
Chuck Pagano
Tell you what you guys need to hear.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, for sure. And I think sometimes that it's all about his relationship with certain guys, and I think that comes just how leadership works, Right. He can give a certain message to the group, and he can pull me aside and say, hey, you know, this is how need you to play differently. And sometimes he'll feel the need to go at me in front of the guys, which is totally fine. That's coaching, that's sports. And sometimes if like things aren't going well and he knows that he can give me a different message. He doesn't need to say that in front of the team. He'll pull me aside. So I think that's part of the great job of his leadership.
Pat McAfee
He's a good dude. He, he's nice to me. He, he's hard ass though, huh?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure.
Pat McAfee
That's, that's the message I got from him. He is a kind of. Which I think everybody that's good is.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, you know, old guy. He's been in the league for a long time. Been around a lot of great. So I think that's a great part of being around.
Pat McAfee
You watch like football movies and hear like the football coaches speeches that happen. That's not happening in basketball.
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean sometimes like what, what football movie are we talking about?
Pat McAfee
All of them have some motivational speeches coming in there.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, that's true. I mean, sometimes that's needed sometimes.
Pat McAfee
Is that happening for you guys?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I mean, I, I don't. I think sometimes when you're on the road you have a stinker. Sometimes it's not about giving the long ass message. Sometimes times about, you know, everybody be showered and we're getting out of here in 30 minutes. You know, like sometimes it's just like, yeah, okay, we suck tonight, let's move on. We'll have practice tomorrow. We'll talk about in the morning.
Pat McAfee
Bury the ball, you said what? We'll bury the ball. That's what we do in football. Whenever somebody always bury the ball, we move on.
Tyrese Haliburton
That means like get r. Like we say, like wash it off, forget about it. Yeah, yeah, you shower. Yeah, flush it, you shower, move on. You know, we play again in two days.
Pat McAfee
What I've been seeing is you.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, Yeah. I would love to hear your guys. I would love to hear that elbow tight.
Pat McAfee
I don't have any.
Tyrese Haliburton
Let's sit down, do film one day.
Pat McAfee
How are the big pumas? We liking them?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, pumas are good. Pumas are good.
Pat McAfee
They look cool when you walked in here. The casual booms.
Tyrese Haliburton
You like them?
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
Oh yeah.
Pat McAfee
People used to wear those like that used to be like a big thing. I'm happy they're coming back.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
We're back because of you.
Tyrese Haliburton
Part of it.
Pat McAfee
I think that's a big Deal. How about the watch? Watch Movado.
Tyrese Haliburton
We love them.
Pat McAfee
Love them.
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't have it on right now. I got a bracelet on.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, that's because it's business time. You don't need to watch when you know it's business time.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, I mean, I feel like you have a watch on anytime. No, Well, I mean, you got all. Your watch is gold today.
Pat McAfee
Gold.
Tyrese Haliburton
This I was watching on Tuesday.
AJ Hawk
That was gold watch at a match of Jersey.
Pat McAfee
Thank you. Yeah, it's. It's part of the championship that we're trying to win.
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, that's not gold. What is that?
AJ Hawk
This is gold. You remember what he said?
Tyrese Haliburton
That's the same col colors, like the wrap on a Wonka bar.
AJ Hawk
No, no, no.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's a weird gold.
AJ Hawk
I mean, you can see it on the camera. This is gold. And he cut the pad and you can see his wrist. It's the same color.
Tyrese Haliburton
I wouldn't say that. That's a weird gold.
AJ Hawk
This is golden.
Tyrese Haliburton
I appreciate the messaging.
Pat McAfee
What is that?
Tyrese Haliburton
What are you gonna say? Oh, if you get one, then, yeah, do that.
AJ Hawk
It probably does look weird to you because you've never seen gold like this. Yeah, I had a different shade. And we've seen some things about those metals. I mean, let's be honest about that.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
AJ Hawk
Talking about Wonka rapping just.
Tyrese Haliburton
It does look like a Wonka wrap in gold.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, a little bit.
Pat McAfee
No, that one.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, that no wrap.
Pat McAfee
No, no.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's a lie on a Wonka bar.
Pat McAfee
No, that's not. When's the next game? We got tomorrow night.
Tyrese Haliburton
Friday night.
Pat McAfee
Miami Heat.
Tyrese Haliburton
Miami Heat.
AJ Hawk
At home.
Tyrese Haliburton
At home. First NBA cup game for the pace.
Pat McAfee
Oh, come on. Boom, baby.
Tyrese Haliburton
Boom, baby. It's exciting time.
Pat McAfee
So these aren't in the NBA Cup.
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't think we're wearing those tomorrow.
Pat McAfee
But I was. I'm going to let you know.
AJ Hawk
I was going to go.
Pat McAfee
Mikey, Christy, very good people out there, okay. From the Pacer organization, as they were explaining to me the whole thing, I was like, so this is for the NBA Cup? They're like, no, the NBA cup is happening. This is alternate jersey. And then Tyrese goes. We did wear cityway alternate jerseys for the NBA cup last year.
Tyrese Haliburton
We did every game until Vegas because the court was blue. Blue didn't mix well with the black. So we did not wear them in Vegas.
Pat McAfee
And what happened?
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, we won the first game.
Pat McAfee
Okay. So it wasn't just the jerseys.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, no.
Pat McAfee
These are the uniform schedules. Cityway jersey if you want to rock.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. None of Those are NBA cup games, so it looks like we're not wearing them in the NBA, puppet man.
AJ Hawk
Okay, come on.
Ty Schmidt
We wore them last year, and we damn near won the cup.
Pat McAfee
And then we took them off in the last. And maybe we wear them again.
Chuck Pagano
Perhaps.
Pat McAfee
But the good news is we played great in these. Made it to the NBA cup finals. What do you think it's gonna do for the regular season?
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm excited. Those are good. Those are. You know, I'm. We're gonna be great. Now. Last year in the black, we were, like, undefeated for a good while, and then we lost the game, and then, you know.
Pat McAfee
But are you wearing pink pumas every game or just.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, no, that was just what was in my locker that day.
Pat McAfee
What was in your locker yesterday when you. You showed up to that game in.
Tyrese Haliburton
My locker when I wore to the game? Is that what you're getting at? I know that's what you're getting. That because you called me about it.
Pat McAfee
No, just. Where'd you find this? And why are we doing this? We need to stop doing this immediately. This is what happened. This is why.
Tyrese Haliburton
What don't you like?
Pat McAfee
As soon as I saw this. What is that?
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, they're. They're denim shorts, a black blazer, a white T shirt, some dress shoes, a bag. And I didn't have a watch, so I forgot my. I forgot my watch on my dresser, so I. I wore my yellow bracelet.
Pat McAfee
It's a flexible. Can't meet Steve Austin is what I see here.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's a good. Hey, that's a great combo. Clark Kent and Stone Cold.
Ty Schmidt
I thought those are just basketball shorts.
Pat McAfee
With the belts around you.
Tyrese Haliburton
Basketball shorts? Yeah, they're denim.
Ty Schmidt
And you said, what the hell? I'll accessorize and throw a belt on.
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, they're denim.
Pat McAfee
To be clear, Steve Austin's never putting those on his body.
Tyrese Haliburton
Which ones? The shorts.
Pat McAfee
Those shorts.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I should have worn them.
Pat McAfee
Put the knee braces on. Yeah, that would have set it off.
Tyrese Haliburton
Tomorrow when I get ready for the game, I'm gonna call you and say, do you like.
Pat McAfee
I'm just telling you what happens when it gets posted on the Internet and they say, look at Ty Fly. Ty.
Tyrese Haliburton
You know, there was, like, a conspiracy last year. Like the. The people said, like, the crazier my outfit looked, the better I played.
Pat McAfee
Well, the conspiracy I had last night, as soon as I saw that one, I knew.
Tyrese Haliburton
You knew it was bad. Yeah, but you tweeted something in. In my defense. Early, Hal.
Pat McAfee
Big br. Ring.
Tyrese Haliburton
Hell, a big prank.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Cuz you seeing a court or.
Tyrese Haliburton
See the court for a while and then I don't know what happened.
Pat McAfee
It's all right. It's all going to come together. But I saw this one and I thought to myself, I don't know if that's a winner. I don't know if it's a winner.
Tyrese Haliburton
All right. You know what, though? You. You're not going to make every shot you shoot. Did you make every.
Pat McAfee
Never. I shanked a lot of punts.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's what I'm saying.
Pat McAfee
So I dress like an.
Tyrese Haliburton
Maybe that's a miss.
Pat McAfee
And I dress like an.
Tyrese Haliburton
I liked it. But if you're telling me it's a miss, we'll say, no, no, no, it's.
AJ Hawk
It's not a miss.
Pat McAfee
It's just not one of your top. We run back the Inspector Gadget. We need the Inspector Gadget again. That.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
That you had to inflate before you.
Tyrese Haliburton
Put it on the peacoat. It's not peacoat season yet. Weather's been nice here in Indiana.
Pat McAfee
Perfect.
Tyrese Haliburton
Beautiful. It's been beautiful. So I would love to get my peacoats out. But we're waiting for the weather to come down.
Pat McAfee
If it means anything. I'm not saying that it's a crop costume. I'm just saying it's not one of your best.
AJ Hawk
There's one you see, and you just.
Tyrese Haliburton
411 games in, right. And that's probably my either think it's probably 11 out of 11.
Pat McAfee
I thought that was like preseason one. Yeah, I thought that was like a preseason fit there.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay, well, I'll be better tomorrow. I'm going to go home, get in my closet and lock into like I was talking.
Pat McAfee
Wear your gold med. Better be good.
Tyrese Haliburton
USA tank top, maybe.
Pat McAfee
USA tank top. Gold medal. Actually. Wear the uniform maybe. Maybe a singlet.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, singlet would be cool.
Pat McAfee
Cole.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Kurt Angle singlet.
Pat McAfee
Michael Cole singlet.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, that's terrible. With the headgear.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. It's a coal on the front.
Pat McAfee
You're a coal miner.
Tyrese Haliburton
I didn't know you were Michael Cole. Trash. Trash Attire. I've been thinking about what would be my WWE attire. How did you pick yours? What was it?
Pat McAfee
I was George. In a tank top. Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Open the closet.
Pat McAfee
Figured it out. I figured it out pretty quick. Yeah. Pants.
AJ Hawk
Your pants.
Tyrese Haliburton
You did that later.
Pat McAfee
That was a bad idea. That wore jeans one time.
Tyrese Haliburton
The ropes hurt, by the way. We talked about that.
Pat McAfee
It all hurt.
Tyrese Haliburton
I went to the. You know. What is that in Orlando? The performance center. Performance center. And I Was trying to run on the ropes. I was like, this hurts. I was running how they do that. Like Bron Breaker be breaking the ring and that hurt. And I jumped off top rope on like the foam one.
Pat McAfee
That's a fun time.
Tyrese Haliburton
It's heights though. It's not for me.
Pat McAfee
You say stood on that metal base up there?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep.
Pat McAfee
What you do?
Tyrese Haliburton
Backflip front body splash. Just straight body splash.
AJ Hawk
There you go.
Pat McAfee
On the fake body.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I have a video. Yeah. On the fake body. I took a video, didn't post it. Didn't want any panic amongst Pacer fans.
Pat McAfee
When was this? In the last couple days?
Tyrese Haliburton
No, no, this was before the season when I was talking about Orlando.
Pat McAfee
Oh, okay. When you're down there.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yes.
Pat McAfee
Great time. NXT is a great place.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
A lot of greats have been through there.
AJ Hawk
We love it.
Pat McAfee
They call me an NXT led.
Tyrese Haliburton
Great people. Great people.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Some of their fans can.
Tyrese Haliburton
When I'm not talking about the fans.
Pat McAfee
Their fans are the mat the most mad about them being in WWE 2K.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
They got in over some NXT.
Tyrese Haliburton
We got to fix your attributes though.
AJ Hawk
Amen.
Tyrese Haliburton
I already went in there and put you guys up. I was like, I can't even play as your guys character.
Pat McAfee
You guys are crop. I didn't know you guys were such a.
Tyrese Haliburton
Like. We're all 60 overall.
AJ Hawk
71.
Ty Schmidt
Easy, easy.
Pat McAfee
We're all crowd trash.
Ty Schmidt
We're all.
Tyrese Haliburton
AJ has the best entrance though.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Well.
Pat McAfee
Oh yeah, that was well planned.
Tyrese Haliburton
AJ has the best entrance.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. He's explaining it to the person what he wants and I want and I want to stare him down and wait.
Tyrese Haliburton
He just stands in the ring, his edges.
Pat McAfee
Royal Rumble tickets on sale tomorrow. Pre sale yesterday.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yes, I was. I was part of that announcement.
Pat McAfee
It's really.
Tyrese Haliburton
I was. Yeah, yeah.
Pat McAfee
Hell yes. Love everything about it.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. I would love to go to the Rumble. Planning on it. Play the Hawks at 5 o'clock that night.
AJ Hawk
Perfect.
Tyrese Haliburton
So hopefully, you know, after the game, I just get in the car, go right to.
AJ Hawk
No fouls. No fouls.
Chuck Pagano
Are you playing?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. Hurry. No media. So media. If you want to talk to me after that game, it's not happening.
Pat McAfee
That's a good question.
Chuck Pagano
Are you playing?
Tyrese Haliburton
Am I playing what?
Chuck Pagano
In that game?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, like that.
Chuck Pagano
Schedule up. How many of those are you going to take off?
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, I'm not taking any games off.
Pat McAfee
What are you talking about? That's what you guys do.
Tyrese Haliburton
We take games off.
Chuck Pagano
Not taking anybody's into the flow management, huh? I appreciate you playing the fans. Appreciate you showing up playing, you earned it.
Pat McAfee
Thank you.
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm going to play. Last year was playing on one leg for the second half of the season, but had to get that 65 games, you know. So, yeah, I was out there.
Pat McAfee
A little bit of a incentive.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
I need to do.
Tyrese Haliburton
I also wanted to play. I love basketball.
Pat McAfee
So is there more of that happening around the NBA than we. Because the conversation is these guys don't want to play. They.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, that's just a stupid conversation, really.
Ty Schmidt
Because MB doesn't want to play.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, that's stupid.
Pat McAfee
I do.
Tyrese Haliburton
He's like one of the greatest players on earth. You think he doesn't want to play and be. Go out there and get 40. If he's healthy, he'll go out there and get 40 every night. You think he doesn't want to do that?
Ty Schmidt
He played last night. He's not healthy. He scored like 12 points. Like, so what do we do?
Tyrese Haliburton
Obviously, he doesn't look healthy, does he?
Pat McAfee
He came out and walking into the.
Tyrese Haliburton
Game, he wasn't pouting. He was pouting a very. You know, he doesn't smile a ton. He's always serious.
AJ Hawk
He came out and said he was trolling, that he did the whole not playing back to backs to.
Pat McAfee
With people, basically, which is Joel Embiid football.
Tyrese Haliburton
If Joel is healthy, I mean, he's. He's unbelievable. Just. I think the commentary around us NBA players sometimes is like, they're soft. They don't. You know, that probably is the commentary. Right, right.
Pat McAfee
That is. Yes.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, they're soft.
Pat McAfee
I mean, you heard Chuck right there. Chuck was like, we appreciate you playing basketball. It's like, that is. The conversation is.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, that's foolishness.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Tyrese Haliburton
Foolishness. Guys. If guys are sitting, it's for a reason. They're hurt.
Pat McAfee
Got it. You don't think there's some people that.
AJ Hawk
Are just like, I don't want to go to this.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, no, no.
Pat McAfee
None.
Tyrese Haliburton
No.
Pat McAfee
All right. Shout out to the NBA. Then add all wrong.
Tyrese Haliburton
You don't believe that. You don't believe.
Pat McAfee
Not one bit. But I'm sure there's a couple guys that are like. I'm sure. I think.
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, in the NFL, there aren't there some guys who.
Pat McAfee
Definitely. Yeah, but not the majority.
Tyrese Haliburton
Not the majority of our league, either.
Pat McAfee
Superstars, though. It's all the big names.
Tyrese Haliburton
So whenever the big names at what?
Pat McAfee
Kawhi, Paul, Joel.
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, Kawhi's been hurt. Joel's been hurt. Who else you want to go in?
Pat McAfee
But I'm just saying, these are the things that happen. So, like, whenever people buy tickets to games here in the Pacers, for instance, and let's say superstar comes to town and plays and is supposed to play. They're filling up this place. Not anymore. Because you're here, people are buying tickets for you. But let's say throughout my time here in Indiana, people fill up that arena for the other team.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
And then like 30 minutes before the game is announced, that person's not playing and it's. They're just sitting down and it's rest. It's actual like load management decision. I think that happening, which definitely happened in the history of the NBA.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep. It has.
Pat McAfee
I think that conversation happening at all led to just everybody assuming.
Brett Veach
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Just being. It being blown out of proportion.
Pat McAfee
Yes.
Tyrese Haliburton
Right. Yeah. Okay. I get that. I think over the course, we're 11 games in. Right. So I mean, there's not going to be a ton of load management currently. There probably will be some through the course of the year when guys are playing heavy minutes. I'm sure. I'm sure it'll happen. Guys need to take care of their body.
AJ Hawk
Well, like the 65 game thing, like, that happened for a reason. That's why everyone.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. That's encouraged, guys. I mean, Kawhi played over 65 games last year. A lot of guys played over 65 games last year.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. But I. I think the biggest issue was when stars came to town, people paid money.
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, I. I understand people want.
Pat McAfee
To watch, and that's because you've earned the. You had to work your ass off to get to the point where people want to pay to come watch you play. So it's like a. Quite one of those conversations.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
That never gets talked about. Like, the amount of work it got in to get to this point, to sell out this arena should be talked about, but it isn't. It's just like, well, they're choosing not to play.
Tyrese Haliburton
I just think that happens a lot less in our league than people think.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Tyrese Haliburton
I would argue that we set the narrative straight.
AJ Hawk
That's 82 games. Like, it's like.
Pat McAfee
Absolutely.
AJ Hawk
You know, there's going to be a few nights.
Tyrese Haliburton
It's a lot of games. And if a guy is already playing through some pain and you're on a back to back the second night of the back to back. I get it.
Pat McAfee
Do you think it's. The narrative is not accurate?
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't. I think it's blown out of proportion for sure. Sure.
Pat McAfee
Set direction.
Tyrese Haliburton
All right.
Ty Schmidt
Boom.
Pat McAfee
Put it on a ticker. Put on A se. Ticker.
Tyrese Haliburton
Put on ticker. What's up with the ticker right now?
Pat McAfee
What's that?
AJ Hawk
It's going.
Tyrese Haliburton
What do you mean?
Pat McAfee
Are you okay?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I'm good.
Pat McAfee
Ticker's on the screen.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, I'm tripping. Isn't there usually something up there?
Ty Schmidt
There's no.
AJ Hawk
It's on the other side. Yeah, there's a ticker.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, okay. Okay. My bad. Sorry.
Pat McAfee
It's okay.
Tyrese Haliburton
Man, I didn't know.
Pat McAfee
You get blinded by. By everything that's happening.
AJ Hawk
You haven't had two voices today.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it's interesting.
Tyrese Haliburton
Nice.
Connor
It's weird.
Pat McAfee
Have you been working?
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't try to. Can we get. Can we set that right?
AJ Hawk
Absolutely. But it happens naturally. That's why I'm saying, like, it's weird that you've said all.
Tyrese Haliburton
Sometimes it just happens, you know, you get excited, your voice goes a little.
Connor
Not excited to be here.
Pat McAfee
Okay.
Tyrese Haliburton
Sometimes I'm just talking and I don't know what happened. You just switched.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
I didn't mean to do that.
Pat McAfee
Tyrese, you're such a. Hey. We're lucky to have you here.
Tyrese Haliburton
And we're lucky to have you guys, man.
Pat McAfee
Nobody thinks that, but we are.
Tyrese Haliburton
A lot of. A lot of people do think that.
Pat McAfee
What? They were lucky to be here. We are lucky to be here. We're thankful you're here too.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, absolutely.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
I appreciate that.
AJ Hawk
It did suck. Basketball sucked in the city for a little while.
Tyrese Haliburton
When you gonna come to a game?
AJ Hawk
Soon.
Pat McAfee
Friday going on.
Tyrese Haliburton
You're gonna go tomorrow?
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay. Let me know.
Pat McAfee
You're going to the game.
Tyrese Haliburton
He's not going again?
Pat McAfee
I don't know.
Chuck Pagano
That's okay.
Pat McAfee
He's going to the game.
Chuck Pagano
Invite him to another party.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
Next one. I'll be there.
AJ Hawk
It's not my thing.
Pat McAfee
How's. How's a friendship with Caitlin Clarko doing?
Tyrese Haliburton
Good. She was just at the Knicks game. We went to the Butler game to watch Bulldogs the other day. Got a good win against Western Michigan.
Pat McAfee
It's good for the city that you two are as close as you are. Well, obviously, I was. State and Iowa being represented very well out here, but you two are doing, I mean, the future of the city.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, we're trying. I'm trying to hold my end. She's doing her. She's gonna do her thing. I gotta hold my end of the ball.
Pat McAfee
Golfer.
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm not a golfer. I did see her shank one the other day.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but other than that, other than the topping one right into somebody's face, which is gonna happen, especially if you're not a professional.
Tyrese Haliburton
People ducked.
Pat McAfee
She hits the. Out of that ball.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Like, I bet you. I mean, this is just putting. Great swings, 20 foot putts. She bears. She. Like, if she focused on golf, I assume she'd be the best golfer in the world. It's like. Well, we found out she could have been the best soccer player on earth too, if she wanted to, and then obviously, she just chose to be the best basketball player.
Tyrese Haliburton
It's like, I feel like most shooters are good at golf. It's a. Interesting thing. Me and Steph talked about that for Ray Allen.
Pat McAfee
Great. Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Steph is really good at golf. Just like that. Touch me. No, that's what I was.
Pat McAfee
I wasn't gonna say, but it was.
Tyrese Haliburton
Maybe that's why I'm not shooting well. Right?
Pat McAfee
We got golf sim up here.
Tyrese Haliburton
Maybe I need to go work on my swing and then.
Pat McAfee
He's a good player's.
Tyrese Haliburton
A good player.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
He can golf.
Tyrese Haliburton
He's a good player. Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Good shooter.
Tyrese Haliburton
Good player. We want to say something bad? No, no.
Ty Schmidt
I was gonna say, if anyone knows, it's Tyrese. He knows. He's a.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay. Okay. Where is that going?
Pat McAfee
He's a dog.
Tyrese Haliburton
Where are you going with that?
Pat McAfee
Did you play again?
Ty Schmidt
You played again?
Tyrese Haliburton
I did, yeah.
Ty Schmidt
So you know he's a dog. That's all I'm saying.
Pat McAfee
How'd that go when you played against.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, we lost. I lost both my games.
Ty Schmidt
I wasn't even really. Listen, I did.
Tyrese Haliburton
I did lose both games against Iowa.
AJ Hawk
Wow.
Tyrese Haliburton
It's all right.
AJ Hawk
Wow.
Pat McAfee
Wow. I didn't know that.
Ty Schmidt
That's not what I was getting at.
Tyrese Haliburton
He knew he was getting that I was.
Pat McAfee
Do you think you deserve the popcorn bucket?
Tyrese Haliburton
Me? I don't want the popcorn bucket, but I think it deserves to be gone. Like, I don't want it. You know? I don't know Lisa, great coach. I don't know Lisa at all. But I do know Caitlyn, and out of respect for Caitlyn, I wouldn't do anything negative with that, Bob. I would. You know, I could throw it away.
Ty Schmidt
That would be negative.
Tyrese Haliburton
That'd be negative. So what I'll do is I'll take it and I'll give it to Caitlyn and say, this is his new home.
Pat McAfee
Wow. Gift from us. That'd be great.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
Maybe you do get rid of the.
Tyrese Haliburton
Popcorn bucket and the bobblehead, and you got to find something to fill that gap.
Pat McAfee
All right, sweet. We'll do that. From the show from the program. Thank you.
Tyrese Haliburton
Find something to fill that gap. Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Don't you worry.
Tyrese Haliburton
What's that guy's name? Herky.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, we'll just slide Herky in there. No problem.
Pat McAfee
You should have.
Tyrese Haliburton
You should have trash mascot.
Ty Schmidt
Oh yeah. Size great.
AJ Hawk
Jeez.
Ty Schmidt
Size great.
Tyrese Haliburton
Size great. Size great.
Ty Schmidt
Scott S. Stinks, dude. You know it.
Chuck Pagano
Okay.
Tyrese Haliburton
We beat the out of you guys this year already.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, he did.
Tyrese Haliburton
Basketball season's coming. You're going to beat the out of you guys in that. What did happen to Iowa State football? That kind of melted. Calm down over there. What's going on right now? You guys were nine and oh, then you lost. Lost two straight weeks. It's unfortunate.
AJ Hawk
At home.
Tyrese Haliburton
First one was at home.
Pat McAfee
Exactly.
Chuck Pagano
The ku. I can't. I didn't see that one coming.
Tyrese Haliburton
Me either.
Chuck Pagano
They gave up what, 50. How many points they.
Tyrese Haliburton
50.
Pat McAfee
Wow.
Ty Schmidt
A lot.
Pat McAfee
What's.
Tyrese Haliburton
You don't even have a college sports. What are you jumping over there?
Pat McAfee
What's the coach here at Iowa State?
Tyrese Haliburton
Coach Campbell. Matt Campbell. Great coach.
Pat McAfee
Great coach. He is a great coach. Maybe he decides to go to the NFL though.
Tyrese Haliburton
You know about it a couple years years ago.
AJ Hawk
She coming to the Colts.
Pat McAfee
Oh, no.
Tyrese Haliburton
Huh?
Pat McAfee
Colts. We got a coach.
Tyrese Haliburton
We got a coach here. What's wrong with you over there?
Pat McAfee
Have you talked.
Tyrese Haliburton
We got a coach in Iowa State. We got a coach for the Colts.
Pat McAfee
You and Caitlyn obviously hang out and are friends and everything like that. That's awesome. Another young player in a position of leadership here in Indianapolis. AR you talked to AR much? Anthony Richardson?
Tyrese Haliburton
I haven't talked to him. Obviously there's a lot going on there, but we got my full support. I'm excited to see. Excited to see him back this weekend. I'm. I'm excited to see it.
Pat McAfee
Hell yeah. Me too.
Tyrese Haliburton
Come on for it, man.
Pat McAfee
I hope he's great. I hope he's incredible. He said it right thing. Yesterday's quote was awesome.
Tyrese Haliburton
What do you say? I hear it.
Pat McAfee
Hold on. It's good. Hey.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
It's a great quote.
AJ Hawk
The quotes on social are kind of bullshit, actually once you hear the full entire thing.
Pat McAfee
Because people.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, I need the full context. Don't.
Pat McAfee
Okay, so here was the question he was asked yesterday.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay, let me hear it.
Pat McAfee
What appreciation do you have for the position that you were in as the face of the franchise and being QB1 after not playing? Yes. That's like.
Tyrese Haliburton
It's a deep. That's a deep question.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Like do you. Do you understand what's going on here?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. Okay. Let's hear his answer.
Pat McAfee
He says, man, there's a lot of appreciation, but it's more so. More understanding. Now you understand the magnitude of everything. You understand the magnitude of the position, you understand the magnitude of the work that you have to put in just to make sure you're right for the team. But I definitely appreciate it. I'm forever grateful and happy and excited. Excited to get this week or get going again this week. But I'm very thankful. At the end of it, it's like, yeah, that's fire. That's the right.
Tyrese Haliburton
Hey, that's the right outlook. If you look at it as like, why is this happening to me? Can go bad quick, but if he. It seems like he's like, why? Why not me? Why wouldn't this happen to me? Like, use that to feel you the right way.
Pat McAfee
Agree.
Tyrese Haliburton
Seems like he's approaching it the right way.
Pat McAfee
I like that.
Tyrese Haliburton
Hell yeah. Be good.
Chuck Pagano
Self aware.
Pat McAfee
It did feel.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's good.
Pat McAfee
I did feel like there was some self awareness.
Tyrese Haliburton
Who did play this weekend?
Pat McAfee
Jess? Jets.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, okay.
Pat McAfee
Got flexed out of prime time.
Ty Schmidt
Yep.
Tyrese Haliburton
Thank God that just happened to us too.
Ty Schmidt
What?
Tyrese Haliburton
We were supposed to play the Bucks on prime time.
Ty Schmidt
Oh, well, that's not you guys.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, that's probably both of us.
Pat McAfee
What? Got picked instead.
Tyrese Haliburton
LA versus Pelicans versus Warriors.
Ty Schmidt
Oh, Zion, you're not playing.
Pat McAfee
What?
Tyrese Haliburton
He's hurt.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah, he's out.
Pat McAfee
Zion's out.
Ty Schmidt
I know, Crazy, right?
Pat McAfee
Their whole team is hurt.
Tyrese Haliburton
Everybody, Everybody's hurting the NBA right now.
Pat McAfee
Why? You guys weren't ready for the season?
Tyrese Haliburton
No, there's a lot of injuries going on right now.
Pat McAfee
Is that normal joint muscle? What type of injuries?
Tyrese Haliburton
I mean, we had two guys on our team tore their Achilles within four games.
Pat McAfee
Oh, my gosh.
Tyrese Haliburton
Both are backup bigs. That's never happened in NBA history. Two guys tear their Achilles in one week, let alone one one team.
Pat McAfee
Oh, my God.
Tyrese Haliburton
This is bad luck. Sucks.
Pat McAfee
Godspeed to the police, we say tease in peace. All right, well, good luck the rest of the way. Hey, whenever you're wearing these, you gotta win Sunday. Gotta win.
Tyrese Haliburton
Sunday's the debut.
AJ Hawk
Must win.
Pat McAfee
Must win.
Tyrese Haliburton
Must win.
Pat McAfee
What? Let's make sure we have a good pre game costume too.
Tyrese Haliburton
Outfit.
Pat McAfee
Huh?
Tyrese Haliburton
Outfit? Why are we calling a costume?
Pat McAfee
You know what it is.
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't know what it is. What does that mean?
Pat McAfee
It's a costume. Costume.
Tyrese Haliburton
Why is it a costume?
Pat McAfee
Because you know you're about to get your photo taken and you're saying, hey, this is my high fashion costume for this evening.
Tyrese Haliburton
You know that sometimes it's not high fashion. Sometimes a hoodie and sweats is that high fashion?
Pat McAfee
I'll tell you what, if I was seeing hoodie and sweats last night, I might hammered, you know? Really? This guy's ready to go and you never do it. We don't do hoodie and sweats either. We look to you for fashion. We don't need you dressing like us.
AJ Hawk
That's not the thing.
Pat McAfee
We dress like ass. Like you're a fashion fashion guy. We need you.
Tyrese Haliburton
I think you guys just. Well, thank you.
Pat McAfee
So kind. He's a good guy. He's a liar.
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm a fan. Why? Wait, why is that?
Pat McAfee
I dress like an. We all know that.
Tyrese Haliburton
We gotta fix your WWE attire a little bit.
Pat McAfee
What are you talking about?
Tyrese Haliburton
The tank with the joggers.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but let's get you some pumas.
Tyrese Haliburton
Let's get you some pumas.
Pat McAfee
Oh, big.
Tyrese Haliburton
There we go.
Pat McAfee
Big puma. How are the shoes? Are they comfortable?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, they're comfy.
Pat McAfee
I, I, I think I had a pair of those like back in the day.
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't know if I want you to wrestle in these. Not enough ankle support for you?
Pat McAfee
No, but I'm just saying like INJ also think I should tape my ankles next time I wrestle.
Tyrese Haliburton
You didn't tape them last time.
Pat McAfee
No. It could be a cool look though.
Tyrese Haliburton
Are you going to be in the Rumble?
Pat McAfee
I don't think so.
Tyrese Haliburton
You don't think you.
Pat McAfee
Are you in the Rumble?
Tyrese Haliburton
Am I in the Rumble?
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Am I?
AJ Hawk
Are you?
Tyrese Haliburton
Are you? Maybe.
Pat McAfee
Is Caitlyn in the Rumble?
Tyrese Haliburton
Is she?
Pat McAfee
Is she?
Tyrese Haliburton
Is she?
Pat McAfee
I don't know. You tell me.
AJ Hawk
Wow. Oh, that's what you guys laughing at on the sideline of Butler the other day?
Tyrese Haliburton
Wait, that's what we were talking about. Yeah. Well, I don't know what my attire would be that, that outfit I wore last night.
Chuck Pagano
Singlet.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, I'm not wearing a singlet. I'm not big enough.
Pat McAfee
That's why, that's why it'd be a. That's why you wear the singlet.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, probably some back basketball shorts or something. That's lame though. Yeah, dude, and trunks is lame. I can't do trunks.
Ty Schmidt
That boom boom, stop.
Pat McAfee
You come out of that, you're winning the rumble.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's a promo attire. Million dooll man. Ted dibiasi.
Pat McAfee
Okay, I think that's what you go for. Yeah, it could be.
Tyrese Haliburton
That could be a. That's a good promo.
Pat McAfee
Why don't you dress like Kane? Just come out dressed as Kane.
Tyrese Haliburton
With a. With a mask.
AJ Hawk
Sick.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, maybe doink. Maybe dress up like Doink the.
Ty Schmidt
Not a bad one. Val Venus, who are your top five.
Pat McAfee
Wrestlers of all time? Dress up like all them combined.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, do that.
Pat McAfee
Shelton Benjamin.
Tyrese Haliburton
Johnson Benjamin. He's got good gargano.
Pat McAfee
He does. He wears singlet.
Tyrese Haliburton
He. No, he doesn't. Oh, he did.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
I was talking about Sheldon Benjamin when I was growing up. You know, he wore the blue like, he wore trunks, but they weren't like.
Pat McAfee
Oh, God, they were cut up here.
Tyrese Haliburton
They were like. Yeah, yeah.
Pat McAfee
So the jump up to the top rope that I do is because of Sheldon Benjamin, obviously.
Tyrese Haliburton
Is it?
Pat McAfee
Yeah, yeah, he can still do it.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's like, second, big kudos to you. That is a lot tougher than people think.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, well, I was looking at the.
Tyrese Haliburton
Ring like there's no way I could do that.
Pat McAfee
I'm batting like 666 on it. I certainly missed one at SummerSlam. Boy, I thought I was dead.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, it was raining slick, bro.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, because humidity. It was the middle of SummerSlam. SummerSlam. So I didn't even think about the humidity or anything of that. Didn't. Had no idea. Going in just like, this should be no problem. And I like, oh, no. And then Corbin's up there like, you fat ass. You know, I'm like, what? Yeah, what? Get out of here, brother. But yeah, that's cause Shelton Benjamin.
Tyrese Haliburton
Hi. Yeah, I gotta come up with an attire that's presentable.
Pat McAfee
We found it.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
That is not it. Wait, Roman. Roman wears a cool tire. Can I steal Romans?
Pat McAfee
No, I don't think you should try to do it.
Tyrese Haliburton
No. Jey uso. I could do that.
Pat McAfee
You want to eat Itchy Bond Hulk Hogan, maybe?
AJ Hawk
Ooh.
Pat McAfee
Oh, that's not bad. That'd be cool. That would be cool if you did that.
Tyrese Haliburton
I think Jay USO is the entire to take.
Pat McAfee
Why don't you paint your face like Jeff Hardy?
Ty Schmidt
That'd be sweet too.
AJ Hawk
That's what you should do.
Tyrese Haliburton
Because I'm not saying bomb. That would hurt.
Pat McAfee
Well, the Swantonia bomb. The Pisa. You should do the half Jeff Hardy face and then half sting. Oh, you know what I mean?
Tyrese Haliburton
Now we're top party. Half sting.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
AJ Hawk
With the cane mask.
Pat McAfee
Oh, my God.
Tyrese Haliburton
With the cane.
AJ Hawk
You can take the cane mask off.
Pat McAfee
And. Yeah. So it's cane scene. No, it's not.
Tyrese Haliburton
It's.
Pat McAfee
And you look this way, and they're like, oh, he's staying. You're like, nope, Jeff Hardy. And then no, you look back at him. You're like, what the hell's going on? You're three guy, four guys, including yourself. That'd be cool.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. No Shawn Michaels or J. Uso. That's what I'm thinking for my attire.
Pat McAfee
All right.
Tyrese Haliburton
With the broken hearts on the tights.
AJ Hawk
That'd be cool.
Chuck Pagano
That'd be fire.
Pat McAfee
What's your song?
Tyrese Haliburton
Now? That's a good question. I have no clue. I've thought about.
Pat McAfee
What was the pick?
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't know. I have no clue.
Pat McAfee
So you haven't got. You haven't, like, just decided on Paris.
Tyrese Haliburton
By Jay Z and Kanye West?
Pat McAfee
What? I don't think that's the name of it.
Ty Schmidt
That's not the name.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, it is. Paris.
Pat McAfee
Paris. I haven't heard. What does that mean? I don't understand how it gets people going. It's provocative.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah. See? So you know it. That's the lyrics. Paris.
AJ Hawk
That's not the name of the song.
Pat McAfee
That's not the name of the.
Tyrese Haliburton
What's the name of song? Conor, say it.
AJ Hawk
I'm okay, but I know it's not called Paris.
Tyrese Haliburton
Pat, say the name of the song.
Pat McAfee
I don't think I know what song you're talking about.
Tyrese Haliburton
Well, you just quoted some lyrics, so.
Pat McAfee
It seems like I was saying that as something that was like, wow, that's.
Tyrese Haliburton
Does anybody want to say the name?
Pat McAfee
Gets the people going.
Tyrese Haliburton
So you know lyrics. So why.
Pat McAfee
That's not the lyrics.
AJ Hawk
I didn't name the song, so I don't know why you're looking at me.
Pat McAfee
Like I did Paris.
Tyrese Haliburton
Do you. Any arguments? Anybody want to argue that it's not called Paris?
AJ Hawk
Well, look, it's.
Pat McAfee
It's definitely not called.
Tyrese Haliburton
So what is it called? I would love to hear it.
Pat McAfee
I think AJ Will, actually.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Aj.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Connor
I don't even know who you're talking about. Guys, I'm sorry about it.
AJ Hawk
You don't know who Jay Z and Kanye west are. Okay.
Pat McAfee
Dirty.
Connor
That song, I'm not sure of.
Pat McAfee
Dirty. We need some help here. What's the name of that? Do you know the song from Watch the Throne? Yeah.
Ty Schmidt
I think that song is called In Paris.
Pat McAfee
Okay, you're only half allowed to say that. Thank you. Thank you. Dirty. Oh, all right. I didn't know what it was for sure, but now I. Now I know. Wow.
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't know who said it back there for a second. I pause it.
AJ Hawk
Bruce Brown.
Pat McAfee
He's.
Tyrese Haliburton
Can't believe my heart stopped for a second, bro. Oh, man, that could sit.
Pat McAfee
That would be a great song to come out to.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, just a. Not Maybe Just the. Just the. The beat of that.
AJ Hawk
You could do a Melon Camp song.
Ty Schmidt
Ooh, Little Daddy Tyres coming down to the ring.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, that'd be kind of fire. Sweet Caroline.
Pat McAfee
One basketball guy, his ass kicked. Sorry, sorry. About to do some ass kicking.
Tyrese Haliburton
There you go.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Maybe third Cody Rhodes.
Tyrese Haliburton
It's gotta be so cool. I've imagined that because, you know, one day I'm gonna have an entry. Entrance. The song is gonna go on. Somebody's gonna be like, who in the hell is that? You know that's gonna happen one day.
Pat McAfee
But if you. Are you in the Royal Rumble? You just told us you're in a royal.
Tyrese Haliburton
Am I.
Ty Schmidt
Wait, what number are you coming?
Connor
Sounds like it.
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm asking you guys.
Pat McAfee
4, 3, 2, 1.
Tyrese Haliburton
So say it was me. Music hits. You know those awkward moments where the people in the crowd like, there's no pop. No pop during the rumble. It's just like, who is that?
Pat McAfee
Yeah, that's not gonna have. For you. That could.
Tyrese Haliburton
If I. If nobody knows what my song is going to be.
Pat McAfee
No, but don't put Nate Tyrese Halberton. Yeah, they'll say it real big here at Lucas Oil. Place would go banana, isn't it?
Tyrese Haliburton
But isn't going to be that. That. That stage where it's like the super long.
Pat McAfee
Well, that was at a baseball stadium, I think, whenever.
Tyrese Haliburton
So what do you think it's gonna be at the Rumble?
Pat McAfee
I think it'll be. I think it'll be a big one, but I think they'll still have big screens. I think they'll say Tyres Halliburton somewhere.
Tyrese Haliburton
You think I'd get a pop?
AJ Hawk
Oh, yeah, definitely do.
Ty Schmidt
Do like one of the songs from like the Jim Irsay collection. Because it's at Lucas Oil.
Pat McAfee
You have Jim sing.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, there it is.
Chuck Pagano
There we go.
Pat McAfee
Jim Merce, 50 perform well. I mean, it's certainly a good in the club. Also a phenomenal.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Entrance song. If you were to do that, I would assume. Plus many. I mean, there is that whole album. Haven't played the whole album.
Tyrese Haliburton
Many Men. Yeah, Many men.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. That wouldn't be bad. Haven't played the whole entire Get Rich or Die Trying album and then come out to EB Might be considered greatest entrance of all time.
Tyrese Haliburton
Think so. Or Jim, are there any artists from indie.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. John Mel.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, Melan's from Indy.
Pat McAfee
Oh, my God, you're disgusting. Don't. You knew that. John Mel.
Tyrese Haliburton
I did not know that. That is. I know Jack and Diane is in my phone.
Pat McAfee
Mark Cuban.
Tyrese Haliburton
It's a good song. Always gets them going.
Pat McAfee
It does. It gets the people going to my playlist playlist.
Tyrese Haliburton
White Mom.
Pat McAfee
What's that?
Tyrese Haliburton
I have a white mom playlist.
AJ Hawk
What's that for?
Pat McAfee
Because you have a. I have a white mother.
Tyrese Haliburton
So it consists of all music that my mother would listen to.
Pat McAfee
What are some of those White mom songs? If you had to go through them.
Tyrese Haliburton
Hey there, Delilah.
AJ Hawk
Oh, what's it like in New York City?
Pat McAfee
Sure, that's a great song.
Tyrese Haliburton
Jack and Diane, of course.
Pat McAfee
Little D. Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
But also just radio hits, cuz my mom was a frequent radio listener. Like Tick Tock by.
AJ Hawk
By kesha.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, any Maroon 5 song there?
Pat McAfee
Yes. Okay.
Tyrese Haliburton
My playlist. White mom playlist.
Pat McAfee
White mom is the name of it.
Tyrese Haliburton
It is. It's a picture of me and my mother.
AJ Hawk
That's cool.
Pat McAfee
That is cool. Good for you. I'm not going to ask the other question, obviously. Do you have two playlists?
AJ Hawk
Yeah, begs the other one.
Tyrese Haliburton
I do have another playlist. Yes.
Pat McAfee
What is. What is the name of the other playlist?
Tyrese Haliburton
It's not Black dad journalism.
Ty Schmidt
Here, make it sure.
Tyrese Haliburton
I have a. A throwback playlist where the description is songs that remind me of my dad.
Pat McAfee
Oh, that's sick.
Tyrese Haliburton
So it's all like songs my dad listened to growing up. All right.
Pat McAfee
I love it. Hey, we appreciate the hell out of you, man. We're lucky you're in Indianapolis very much. And we buried ball last night.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep. Yeah. Washed it off.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, we flushed it.
Tyrese Haliburton
Flushed it. There it is.
Pat McAfee
Flushed it out of Miami tomorrow night in Indianapolis, Indiana. The first of the NBA cup games for the Indiana Pacers.
Chuck Pagano
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
Last year they won the Civil Medder silver medal. Civil matter, forget it. Good luck to you guys. Ladies and gentlemen. All right, I'm on the Eagles. AJ's on the Commanders Commanders. Chuck Pagano is on the Eagles. Have you vastly.
Chuck Pagano
I'm really gonna bet against my blood.
Pat McAfee
Oh, no.
Tyrese Haliburton
Now you're walking.
AJ Hawk
So you're going.
Connor
What's happening, Chuck?
Chuck Pagano
Did you really think that was going to happen?
Pat McAfee
No way. No way Is that what's happening right now?
Chuck Pagano
Give me the four points in a Washington command, would you, brother, if he was on the other team, if he was coaching for the commander, would you bet against him?
Tyrese Haliburton
No, sir.
Chuck Pagano
He tells.
AJ Hawk
See you.
Tyrese Haliburton
No, sir.
Pat McAfee
That's crazy. That's one of the biggest waffles and vacillations I've ever seen in my entire life.
Chuck Pagano
I'm with you, aj.
Pat McAfee
Wow.
Chuck Pagano
All right, now you're going to stay.
Connor
Oh, I'm all honest. I feel even better about my pick now.
Pat McAfee
Yes, sir. Two Paganos on commanders. Now.
AJ Hawk
When. When has him waffling ever worked?
Pat McAfee
Well, what happens after the waffle? Some people would really be interested.
AJ Hawk
Right. Getting his ass 8.
Chuck Pagano
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
All right, let's get out of here.
AJ Hawk
You don't want to do what this man does behind closed doors.
Pat McAfee
Tyres.
AJ Hawk
Just say that.
Pat McAfee
You all right?
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, great.
Pat McAfee
Let's focus on consequences.
Tyrese Haliburton
Sorry, my bad. Why am I laughing? Why am I smiling?
Pat McAfee
Let's focus on the game.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, right.
Chuck Pagano
Oh, it's gonna be who do you.
Pat McAfee
Like, commanders or Eagles?
Tyrese Haliburton
Eagles.
Pat McAfee
Boom.
Tyrese Haliburton
Okay, here's my pick. I'm with you. I'm sorry for going against the Picano family.
Chuck Pagano
I'm going back. No.
Pat McAfee
Jeez, could you imagine a seesaw?
Chuck Pagano
Vacillate. Looked at vacillate.
Pat McAfee
Yeah, it's a great word. Hey, Chuck, you want to do a giveaway for the people?
Chuck Pagano
Hell, yeah.
Pat McAfee
Tyrese, if you have to leave, you can certainly leave, and we appreciate it. Or if you want to hang out and see if he can make a shot here.
Tyrese Haliburton
He's shooting.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Throw football.
AJ Hawk
The football.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, I thought he's gonna shoot jumper.
Pat McAfee
No. Well, he could. Don't worry about it.
AJ Hawk
Come on.
Pat McAfee
I've already wasted all the basketballs here, Tyrese. Number one to 50, 29. 29 winners of $500. All Chuck has to do is put that football into this hoop right over here, ladies and gentlemen.
Tyrese Haliburton
Wow.
AJ Hawk
The confidence.
Ty Schmidt
I like that.
Tyrese Haliburton
There was no delay to that.
Pat McAfee
Tyrese Halberton actually has a message of motivation for you as you try to win. 29 people. 500. Chuck.
Tyrese Haliburton
You can do it.
Pat McAfee
And that right there is the reason why, going into the holiday season, 29 people.
Tyrese Haliburton
Oh, what? Off the glass.
Pat McAfee
That wasn't bad. The bank is also.
Chuck Pagano
Bank is money.
Tyrese Haliburton
Really?
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Bank is money. Money. 29 people could win $500. AJ Hawk has something to tell you that can really lock you in.
Connor
Chuck. Don't think about what's. What's going to happen when you get back home. Just focus on this shot. We know you get all juiced up, get a little excited. If you start thinking about what's coming in about eight hours.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. What's coming? Who's coming?
AJ Hawk
29 people.
Pat McAfee
500. Chuck Pagano guided it. Didn't want that one to hit. Didn't want that one to hit. Could tell Boston. Connor actually has been taking his time. Time over the last few days to write something up for you, Chuck, to really.
AJ Hawk
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Get you into position to bury that football into that hoop. Right over there.
AJ Hawk
Charles. What's your middle name? Charles David Pagano. Your family's watching. Your family's coaching. Constance Pagano. Wouldn't want you to miss this when you get home. Your wife's gonna eat your ass because you waffle out.
Connor
Wrote that down.
AJ Hawk
Eat your ass out. Excuse me. Now put this. Put this ball in that hoop so other people can make some money off of your picks.
Pat McAfee
That was great. Wrote that down.
AJ Hawk
Wrote that down.
Connor
Poetry yesterday.
Pat McAfee
Clear. Clear the tears.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep.
Connor
Got a high Q.
Pat McAfee
Clear the tears.
AJ Hawk
Too many syllables.
Pat McAfee
Need you to bury it here. 29 people, $500. Chuck Pagano. Yes. Oh. Finish your story, Chuck.
AJ Hawk
God damn it, Chuck. God damn it.
Pat McAfee
Chuck Pagano. The good news is the people that are going to watch this clip have no idea that you just missed a couple. All they know is that Ty Schmidt has something very motivational for you, and you're gonna make it.
Ty Schmidt
Chuck, if you don't make this, I'm not gonna let you eat any Pizza Hut after this.
Pat McAfee
Whoa.
Ty Schmidt
So, you know, we both know no one out pizzas and.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah, nobody.
Ty Schmidt
Exactly.
Tyrese Haliburton
Nobody pizzas.
Pat McAfee
Nobody out. Pizza's the Hut.
Tyrese Haliburton
Nobody out.
Ty Schmidt
Pizza's the Hut. And nobody named Chuck Pagano is going to be eating any Pizza Hut if you don't put this thing in the hoop.
Pat McAfee
Chuck, I don't think I've ever heard more stricter consequences to something. Could you imagine watching us gather around these tables as the Pizza Hut is laid out as a family? And you just have to sit there and look and watch that thing in a corner in a chair. Could you imagine having to do that? Nobody wants you to do that. Cuz no one.
Ty Schmidt
And we mean No1.
Pat McAfee
Al, pizza's the hut. So why don't you go and put that in so you can bury some pizza into that suck hole later? Oh. Oh.
Ty Schmidt
God damn.
Tyrese Haliburton
What? I did it.
Pat McAfee
That's tough.
AJ Hawk
Looks like you're gonna be a cuckold of Pizza Hut.
Tyrese Haliburton
I'm shaving this.
Chuck Pagano
It's what's going next.
Pat McAfee
I'm gonna make it. I'm gonna shave the. For a better day.
Tyrese Haliburton
Watch this. Can you believe these guys?
Pat McAfee
Hey, Tyrese.
Tyrese Haliburton
Tyrese can't hear you.
AJ Hawk
Chuck. Is she.
Pat McAfee
What?
Tyrese Haliburton
I have to call through. Is that the guy from Austin Powers?
Pat McAfee
You tell me. Tyrese, you're an Olympic gold medalist. Yeah. God, we very rarely get a chance to be around so cool greatness like that. Why don't you share a word on how you became this Olympic gold medalist, and maybe it'll inspire a young Chuck David Pagano. Into burying a football into a hoop right over there for 29 winners of 500 bucks.
Tyrese Haliburton
You know what I did before I won a gold medal? I sunk this shot.
Pat McAfee
Yes, he did.
Tyrese Haliburton
Good story.
Pat McAfee
And yes you can. 29 people. $500. Maybe you could become an Olympic gold medalist. Nope, not without one.
AJ Hawk
Man.
Tyrese Haliburton
I'll decide. Not without one. Got to be giving speeches right now.
Pat McAfee
What's that?
AJ Hawk
Dude, you can't just put off the inevitable.
Pat McAfee
Hold on, hold on. Hold.
Tyrese Haliburton
Made it.
Pat McAfee
They're all bad. You gotta think. Can we have a thought here? Just for a second?
Tyrese Haliburton
Breathe.
Pat McAfee
Geez Louise. Can we try to put it in the hoop? Can we try to. Gumpy, obviously big fan of yours, has some words for you to hear before you attempt to win 29 people. 500 on this glorious Tyree Halliburton Thursday. Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
Chuck, I know you've missed your last three bets, but I think you waffled.
Pat McAfee
In the right direction.
Tyrese Haliburton
I think the commanders are going to win tonight.
Pat McAfee
And I think you're going to hit this shot, brother. Wow.
Connor
Here you go.
Pat McAfee
You guys are on the same team all of a sudden. Well, 29 people join that team. Ash say I'm thankful I won 500 going into the holiday season. Chuck Pagano. All right.
AJ Hawk
This guy's never going to win.
Chuck Pagano
One left.
Pat McAfee
Okay, one left.
Tyrese Haliburton
All right, then. Then we'll have happen.
Pat McAfee
Let me throw this, please. The show's over. Please think about ending the show on that note. That's what's about to happen.
Tyrese Haliburton
Just like he misses.
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
Tyrese Haliburton
All right, ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for doing it.
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. You know you'll be the one that will wrap it up. We got to do a team on me. Team on three. They'll do the whole thing. A.J. you've been watching from Ohio.
Connor
Come on.
Pat McAfee
What have you been seeing?
Ty Schmidt
I know.
Pat McAfee
What are your thoughts?
Connor
Let it fly, Chuck. Don't let anyone. Don't let anybody get in your head. I know. Guppy gave a nice positive message.
Michael Lombardi
Just.
Connor
Just think good thoughts. Chuck, that ball. Let that thing fly. It doesn't look like it's 19 pounds coming out of your hand anyway.
Pat McAfee
Connor, what do you. What do you think about Chuck Pagana's chances here?
Tyrese Haliburton
Just.
AJ Hawk
I. I don't think any motivation is helping you. So think about getting the ash 18 and that might help you put the ball.
Connor
That's a lot of motivation.
AJ Hawk
Think about that.
Pat McAfee
Because the Vaseline and the Vaseline probably no vacillating.
Connor
Whoa.
Pat McAfee
Great lady miss team is a great lady Love miss.
AJ Hawk
Tina had nothing against her.
Pat McAfee
She would like her husband, to obviously be a decisive person as opposed to waffling back and forth, which he has. And he has waffled today, hasn't he? I think that syrup's going to be thick on that waffle.
Chuck Pagano
That.
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Big Chuck Pagana. 29 people, 500 bucks. All you do is put that football in that hoop right over there. Yeah. 29.
AJ Hawk
Let's go.
Pat McAfee
29 people. 500 back.
Chuck Pagano
Boom.
Pat McAfee
There it is. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Wow. That was exhilarating. That's good news for the NBA Cup. Great news for the NBA Cup. Break the boom, Charles. Break the boom. Yeah. Tyrese, you can't feel the boom. You're not gonna. You're never gonna win the NBA Cup. You need to start feeling a little bit. Chuck, congratulations.
Chuck Pagano
Thank you.
Pat McAfee
That's good news for the commanders, I think.
Chuck Pagano
God.
Pat McAfee
All right, Chuck, great work today. Tyrese, thank you for stopping by. Super cool Seaway jerseys.
Ty Schmidt
So sweet.
Pat McAfee
Awesome city.
Tyrese Haliburton
You keep saying city. Way city. I'm gonna correct you to end it.
Pat McAfee
Okay. Cityway is an apartment complex downtown that's like. So this is city.
Tyrese Haliburton
Jersey City. Jersey City.
Pat McAfee
Jersey. We all saw it on the Internet about three hours before our show went live, so it wasn't a big surprise. But I'll tell you what. With it on makes me feel cool.
Tyrese Haliburton
You're the first one with it.
Pat McAfee
First ever.
Tyrese Haliburton
First ever.
Pat McAfee
Oh, my God.
Chuck Pagano
Damn.
Tyrese Haliburton
Boom. True story.
AJ Hawk
Talk about bringing the boom.
Chuck Pagano
Boom, boom, boom.
Pat McAfee
Five big booms. I got it. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
Okay.
Tyrese Haliburton
Five big boom, we get A.J.
Pat McAfee
Great work today, bud. Thank you.
Connor
Good job.
Pat McAfee
Sorry you don't have your own city jersey. That sucks for you. I know.
Connor
Jealous?
Pat McAfee
I. The FOMO has got to be absurd. Oh, my God. Could you imagine?
Connor
What is the QR code? Where does that go to? Where does it take me?
Pat McAfee
It's a good question, Tyrese. Where am I headed to here?
Tyrese Haliburton
So the QR code by the company right there. Spokeno. Every time you skip, it's different. So it depends on what is going on at that moment. So I'm sure if you scan that around All Star time, it would say it would take you to a. A video to vote for certain guys for all Star. If it right now, I'm sure I would show you the unveiling of the city edition jersey if you scanned it right now.
Pat McAfee
Oh, nice. I. I like the future meeting the present. That's a good idea. QR codes change. I didn't know that. I thought QR code sent you. One place spoke. No changes the game. Always just like Tyrese Halberton.
Connor
Did.
AJ Hawk
Amen.
Pat McAfee
Proud of you, buddy. Way to go, Tyrese.
AJ Hawk
Oh, yeah, Tyrese.
Pat McAfee
And by the way, hoops getting bigger starting tomorrow night.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yes, sir.
Pat McAfee
Hoops getting bigger. I can already tell.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep. Saw my math teacher last night. She was at the game. So she taught me about the law of averages.
Pat McAfee
Okay. That's good news.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Remember hand and cookie jar?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yeah.
Pat McAfee
Beef, hand, a cookie jar. Don't forget that.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep, I've heard that one.
AJ Hawk
The fundamentals.
Pat McAfee
What is beef?
Ty Schmidt
Balance, eyes, elbow, follow through.
Connor
Oh, yeah.
Pat McAfee
One more time.
Ty Schmidt
Balance, eyes, elbow, follow through.
Pat McAfee
Boom. Hand in a cookie jar.
Tyrese Haliburton
That's right. That's 80.
AJ Hawk
Bring the beef.
Pat McAfee
Bingo.
Tyrese Haliburton
We got a roster spot open for you.
Pat McAfee
Beef. Beef.
Tyrese Haliburton
Beef.
AJ Hawk
I don't know if we can do that. I think they. They TM that.
Ty Schmidt
Oh, did they?
Pat McAfee
Five big beefs. Yeah.
AJ Hawk
I don't think you can. No, no. The boom with the beef. I think you have to say boom.
Pat McAfee
Well, listen, we don't want to get any trouble, exactly, but we certainly want you to beef the out of that thing tomorrow night. You know what? Your beef is just fine. And let's not have any beef with anybody this year unless they need it. Find somebody.
Tyrese Haliburton
Odds of that are very low.
Pat McAfee
What's that?
Tyrese Haliburton
Me not having any beef.
Pat McAfee
This is your heel, baby.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yes, sir.
Pat McAfee
All right. Royal Rumble tickets are available now. Will he be in it?
Tyrese Haliburton
Will I?
Pat McAfee
Probably.
Connor
Sounds like it.
AJ Hawk
Yeah, definitely.
Tyrese Haliburton
I don't know.
Pat McAfee
All right. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change their life for this thing. Together. Team, on me. That was good, Terry. Hey, good luck the rest of the way.
Tyrese Haliburton
Appreciate it.
Chuck Pagano
Here we go.
Pat McAfee
You're representing the entire city whenever you're out there. Yes, sir. You represent our country, too, as an Olympic gold medalist.
Tyrese Haliburton
Yes, sir.
Pat McAfee
You represent Big Puma. You represent that watch company named rovato. Of course.
Connor
50 Cent.
Pat McAfee
You represent your friend. Fifth. Fifth. That was his birthday. Remember that?
Tyrese Haliburton
Yep.
Pat McAfee
You represent a lot of things when you're out there. Don't feel the pressure, though. Feel the excitement of all of us watching you play basketball. Team on three. One, two, three.
Tyrese Haliburton
Team.
Pat McAfee
Goodbye.
The Pat McAfee Show - Episode PMS 2.0 1242 Summary
Release Date: November 14, 2024
A. Betting Lines and Public Sentiment
Pat McAfee kicked off the episode by delving into the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders. He highlighted the betting lines, noting that the Eagles were favored by four points on ESPN Bet and three and a half on FanDuel, with slight movements indicating increased confidence in Philadelphia.
B. Host Breakdown and Analysis
AJ Hawk provided a detailed analysis of the game, emphasizing the high-scoring potential given the dual-threat quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts for the Eagles and Jayden Daniels for the Commanders. At [01:54], AJ remarked:
"It's going to be points, points, points. I am pumped up for this one. I love the over tonight."
He pointed out key players like Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown, suggesting that Johan Dotson was a prime touchdown parlay candidate due to his favorable odds at +900.
C. Public Money and Betting Trends
Boston Connor contributed insights on betting trends, observing that approximately 60% of the public money was backing the Eagles. He noted:
"The public is very confident in the Eagles tonight, which is fair considering their recent performance."
D. Chuck Pagano's Insights
Chuck Pagano offered his perspective on the quarterbacks and team strategies. He highlighted the familiarity between Jayden Daniels and the Eagles' offensive system, leading to the Commanders' advantage:
"There's a lot of trust. He's three and one against Dan Quinn. So he's not worried, he's not scared he's going to play."
Pagano also discussed the significance of the offensive line in halting the Eagles' run game, stressing the importance of disciplined play-calling to stay within the spread.
A. Chicago Bears' Offensive Overhaul
The conversation shifted to the Chicago Bears, focusing on the mid-season firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Pagano explained the Bears' struggles, citing their offensive ranking at 32 out of 32 teams:
"Their offense was ranked 32 out of 32 teams a year ago. So I don't know if we can put it all on Thomas Brown."
The discussion underscored the challenges of team chemistry and the critical role of effective play-calling in reversing a team's fortunes.
B. Indianapolis Colts' Culture and Anthony Richardson
Pat McAfee and Chuck Pagano delved into the Indianapolis Colts' evolving culture under the spotlight of quarterback Anthony Richardson's performance. Pagano emphasized the necessity of player accountability and leadership within the locker room:
"It's the players' team. They own that damn locker room. Coaches, coaches, and players play. So quit coddling each other."
Richardson's maturity and commitment to improving were highlighted, with Pat quoting Richardson's recent statement:
"I understand the magnitude of the position. I'm forever grateful and happy and excited to get going this week again."
A. Chiefs’ Organizational Culture and Leadership
Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach joined the show to discuss the Kansas City Chiefs' pursuit of a historic three straight Lombardi trophies. Veach credited the team's success to the longstanding relationship and mutual respect between him and head coach Andy Reid:
"Our relationship dates back to 2006, and there's a lot of respect and trust in this whole process here."
B. Recent Trades and Acquisitions: DeAndre Hopkins
Veach detailed the Chiefs' strategic acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins in a late-season trade with the Tennessee Titans, highlighting the flexibility and proactive approach of the Chiefs' management:
"We were able to execute a trade with Tennessee that gives us flexibility. We're fortunate to have figured out something that allows us to add Hopkins without crippling our salary cap."
C. Salary Cap Management and Future Outlook
Discussing salary cap dynamics, Veach explained how the Chiefs have maintained financial flexibility despite high-profile signings:
"We try to be aggressive while also being responsible. It's a fine line, but our culture and versatile roster help us navigate these challenges."
Veach also touched on the importance of drafting and developing young talent to sustain the Chiefs' competitiveness.
A. Colts’ Leadership and Player Development
The panel continued to explore the Indianapolis Colts' emphasis on cultivating leadership and character among players. Pagano stressed that building a winning culture begins with trusted and accountable leaders:
"Every decision we make is based on what's best for the team and what gives us the best chance to win, period."
B. Chiefs’ Operational Flexibility
Veach elaborated on the Chiefs' ability to adapt their offensive strategies to counteract opponents' defenses, attributing this to the collaborative efforts within the coaching staff:
"Andy Reid is not one of those guys that always thinks he has the best idea. He takes input from others and adapts, which is crucial for our success."
The discussion underscored the Chiefs' holistic approach to team building, integrating offensive prowess with robust defensive support.
Pat McAfee wrapped up the episode by reiterating the high stakes of the upcoming Thursday Night Football game and expressing optimism about the Chiefs' historic aspirations. The hosts emphasized the importance of teamwork, strategic planning, and maintaining a strong organizational culture to achieve unprecedented success in the NFL.
Notable Quotes:
AJ Hawk ([01:54]): "It's going to be points, points, points. I am pumped up for this one. I love the over tonight."
Boston Connor ([03:19]): "The public is very confident in the Eagles tonight, which is fair considering their recent performance."
Chuck Pagano ([06:02]): "There's a lot of trust. He's three and one against Dan Quinn. So he's not worried, he's not scared he's going to play."
Brett Veach ([79:51]): "Our relationship dates back to 2006, and there's a lot of respect and trust in this whole process here."
Anthony Richardson ([11:00]): "I understand the magnitude of the position. I'm forever grateful and happy and excited to get going this week again."
This episode of The Pat McAfee Show provided listeners with in-depth analyses of pivotal NFL matchups, strategic insights from a top-tier General Manager, and thoughtful discussions on team culture and player development, all while maintaining the show's signature blend of expertise and entertaining banter.