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A
People, and welcome to our humble abode, the Thunderdome on this hard edge. Thursday, August 28, 2025. This program begins now. Football is happening tonight. College Football Week 1 officially kicks off. And we got a couple big ones. 5:30. This thing starts on ESPN as Boise State takes on USF. And then at 9:00 Eastern Time, Nebraska takes on Cincinnati in Kansas City at Arrowhead. Will Travis Kelce be there? He won the Cincinnati. He plays at Arrowhead. That's his home. If Travis Kelce's there, it. We're not getting that far ahead for colleagues. Let's not get that far for ball. Come on. For ball.
B
Yeah, good point.
A
Go to ball for Travis. They're engaged, but not. They are engaged. Have been for a few weeks. Hey honey, you want to go see a ball game tonight? Why not? Hey, two colleges coming to what you got going on. I, I assume Arrowhead's going to be electrifying. We saw the process of it transferring from the chief's home stadium to Cincinnati, Nebraska host. And at one point the paint on the end zone looked as if Nebraska was really getting sandbagged. And we should have known that that wasn't the case. It was obviously a process. The stadium's gonna look beautiful. And tonight, obviously College Football Week 1 kicks off in a huge way that'll lead into a massive weekend of college ball. I mean you're talking massive matchups early. No cupcakes, I believe is how it's being described by Nike. I think that is, I think there is like a, a little bit of a run there where it's like, hey now college ball. They're being to play these big high profile matchups early. With the new setup of the college football Playoff, there is a strength of record, strength of win, strength of loss. When did you lose? Type factor that's going to be added back into the conversation of who makes it a college football playoff. So look for a lot of these big teams, these high brands, these high profile operations to be colliding on a much more regular basis, which is great for college ball. Now does it help them financially to be in these big games? Of course. Does it help them as a brand to be spotlighted every single weekend? Of course. But does it help football as a whole? Definitely. We got Texas and Ohio State kicking off at noon on Saturday. Are you not only a rematch of the college football playoffs final and everything like that, but you're talking about Arch Manning, Heisman favorite, his first official start as the guy. Now I know he played last year, but as the guy that Sark has built this entire offense around, what are his capabilities versus what Quinn Ewers capabilities were. Let Sarkeesian's brain kind of operate with that. He's been in E E E. No, Manning's been doing that in the past. Matt Patricia, coordinator for Ohio State, has now had to prepare for three different Mannings. He was obviously with the Patriots. He took on Peyton, he took on Eli. Now he's got the most athletic one that he's ever seen. This guy's tall, he moves, he's seemingly built for the moment. How will he in Texas look this year versus how they looked last year? And on the other side, Ohio State's reigning champs, Coach Ryan Day's got a bunch of dogs in that horseshoe stadium is going to be electrifying. What a beautiful way to kick off this beautiful sport that is college ball. And then obviously nine verse four, six verse ten. In an old school rivalry, you know, the Catholics versus the.
B
The convicts.
A
Yeah. It is a documentary.
B
It is.
A
And I FaceTimed a notable Notre Damer yesterday and he was actually watching that documentary, getting fired up for the wedding. Okay. Love it. Caught him mid watching the documentary. Love it. It was just random. What was yesterday? Wednesday.
B
Yeah.
C
Today's Thursday.
A
Today is Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday. Boom.
B
That's right.
A
Tomorrow is 8am and then. And then. And then this. So not that. Yeah. Not that many sleeps away from this.
B
Yeah.
A
Which is exciting news. Yeah. FaceTime. Random Notre Dame fan, Very famous fan.
D
Sure.
A
I think I saw him wearing another school shirt.
D
What?
A
No.
B
While viewing the DoC army or in a commercial.
A
I think I saw a couple Longhorns on that shirt. I think I saw that.
C
That was weird, wasn't it?
A
I acting. So hey, acting. You gotta do what you gotta do. But FaceTimed Shane. Yeah. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. FaceTime Shane, obviously. And he's him and his boy. I mean him and his group are taking over everything as they should. Actual genius. And whenever you talk about a guy who is massive ball fan and massive Notre dame fan, I FaceTimed him yesterday. Random answer, shout out answer. A very busy person. And I'm like, what are you doing? He's like, catholics versus convicts, dude. And it was literally, it was paused. Like the meme, you know, where he shows his phone. Yeah. It was literally turn to that. I'm like, you're just watching it. He goes, yeah, get jacked up for this weekend. It's a big one. And then he went in to break down the entire game. I won't give away what his Breakdown was. But the Notre Dame fans in faithful, I think, are riding high from last year and what this modern world is about to be for Notre Dame. They have all the money, okay. They're never going to fall out into a position where they're not keeping up financially with anybody else. The fact that they're an independent operation, they collect more money than anybody else when. Whenever they're successful. And Marcus Freeman is a dog. He is awesome. He's seemingly the perfect coach for this time, this era, and definitely this school is. He is a Catholic. I think he has 100 kids. Okay. So, I mean, he is like the perfect coach. Coach for the perfect time for them. And it's like, it's only just the tip of the iceberg for what this college football season is going to be. And, boy, we are just a couple sleeps away from that.
B
I know.
A
I cannot wait. Tomorrow, I will be live in Columbus, Ohio, alongside A.J. hawk. We'll also have Will Howard, Vince Young. I think coach is going to stop by.
B
Okay.
C
What Coach?
A
I don't want to publicly put him on the spot like that, though.
D
One of them.
A
Lou.
D
Put them both on the.
A
Coach. Lou. Coach. Coach. Lou will not be there. Not be there. I think we've seen enough, Coach. Yeah.
B
I think we can put that one to bed between those two guys.
C
Was it the other day or was.
B
It old Butter that bread all we can.
A
Yeah. And you know, we understand.
B
Yeah. It was good run.
A
And we never heard anything from the other side saying, don't do it. This is just us personally acknowledging a situation. Sure. There was the. He was. Coach Ronde was really good to us. Remember, he let us in the building. He did. Did the entire thing. And also just chatted with him the other day. What's going like, what do we. What are we doing?
D
We're cool.
A
I can't wait to get to his campus, though. What they did last year during that playoff run was outrageous. If they're able to bottle that somehow. New quarterback. A lot of new players. Still got Jeremiah Smith, still got Caleb Downs. Yeah. Okay, so those. Those two best players on the field, offense and defense, when they're out there and they're better and stronger. Carnell Tate's still there. Wide receiver. He is kind of gets lost in the entire conversation. And then who's the tight end I got from Purdue?
C
Max Claire.
A
Yeah. So nobody saw him at Purdue because Purdue's Purdue.
B
Yeah.
A
And that's something. But you watch the highlights of this guy. He's seemingly 6, 5, 6, 6. And moves and is Built exactly like an NFL tight end. Now he's on Ohio State, so get used to hearing this guy's name. We all think WVU kid too. Yeah. I think this guy. Oh, the running back. Donaldson. He's a great running back. Would probably be an All American if we had to guess.
D
It's amazing at West Virginia when they had all those draft picks on the O line.
A
Yeah. Unbelievable. And should have stuck around, you know. That's true. Yeah. Congrats to him though. He certainly earned whatever the paycheck is. And quarterback saying this kid can spin it. So it's a weekend that's going to be packed with great ball and we're lucky to be a part of it. And we're also pumped that it's beginning. It's real football time. Let's go to the talks table at Boston, Connor at Ty Schmidt. We kind of got two tails, little polar wolves on your chest. Kind of offseason, regular season, football season meeting today, like kind of clashing in the middle. That's where you're at. What, what is the messaging behind it?
D
Honestly, I don't know if there is any messaging today. This is just long sleeve. 50 degrees in the morning. It's amazing. It's football weather. Long sleeves being back is fantastic. Maybe it is kind of the split, you know, the. The good and the bad that comes in football, but we're not going to talk about any of the bad, just the good. The amount of Irish Catholics that have been bopping their baloney about this quarterback for Notre Dame for the past five years. I'm excited for that to finally happen because I'm sick of hearing about it. I'll be completely honest. Most people in Mass are Notre Dame fans because it's Irish Catholic and college sports, BC and all that. They just aren't really relevant in the. In the city itself as a sports team. I can't wait for the Notre Dame game just to see CJ Carr hopefully be the guy. And maybe Carl Beck, he comes in and the U is still the U and they're good again.
A
Yeah, Carson Beck got paid a lot of money. We all reported on that and talked about that, and we don't know exactly what the number was. There were some absurd numbers being talked about and then there was some other absurd numbers that were just a little bit lower. But obviously he's our national champ. You can do whatever you want to do. His ending at Georgia didn't seem like there was a lot of people pissed that he ended up going to Miami. I think they Understood what the current market is. But what if he's a guy? You know, what if he's a guy down there in Miami? Cam Ward, appearing every day. Now, we haven't seen him play a single down of actual NFL football yet, but appearing every single day as being a legit leader and a guy that was an igniter for an entire university, an entire program. Will Carson Beck be able to do the same damn thing? And will that project him to be a number one overall pick like it did for Cam Ward? We shall see. So many storylines to develop over the next 20 weeks or whatever it is. I mean, there's just so much.
D
I mean, it is seriously the greatest time of year. Like, we talk about how the best weekend is, like, super wild card weekend and stuff like that, but this is like. It's almost like a Christmas Eve. But Christmas lasts for three months.
A
Yeah, it is good. It was like before the first day of school.
D
Yeah.
A
Boom. I was brushing my teeth this morning. I was like, oh, wait a minute. A little something humming. I do smell that.
C
You had your outfit. Outfit hanging out. You picked out your outfit last night.
A
This morning, actually. Another early morning for me. Yeah. So. Wow. Hey. Two days.
D
Come on, now.
A
Go. Two days in a row. Two days. I was up late, too, Working on my computer.
D
Sure.
A
And I did it. I think I did it. But woke up early, picked out the outfit for game day, you know, because we're back into wearing a sport coat.
B
Yeah, that's right.
A
Only time in my life that that happens. Literally the only time in my life that it happens. Shout out to David Allen. You know, this is the time of year where I remember David Allen's a guy, he's the dog. And I go into my closet and I open it and I just go, what am I? Oh, no, I got nothing. Then I open up a sleeve or something. It's David Allen basically right there. And I'm like, my dude. Thank you so much. I'm gonna take this from three years ago from David Allen. Yeah. And I'm gonna put this in the ball, and I'm going to take it. But, yeah, it was, like, exciting this morning. It really was. There is, like, an electricity in the air, especially because these games tonight are a big deal. Boise State looking to dance every single year. Nebraska, third year with Matt Rule. Are they going to be able to go on a run in a conference that's going to get a lot of say in who ends up in a college football playoff? Why not? Some of these teams that are playing tonight.
C
Aptone yeah, we've talked a lot about the big games, the big three, the top 10 matchups. But, like, there are so many other games this weekend, especially tonight, that that means something. Like Boise is the odds on and like, big favorite to make the College Football Playoff again out of the group of five. And they got to travel all the way down to Florida. Yes, it feels good here, but I checked. It's still hot in Florida. Like, they got it all the way down to usf, a US USF team that two years ago almost. You know, that was the game where Saban couldn't figure out who his quarterback was and USF almost beat Bama.
A
Like, they always have speed. It feels like we used to play them Big East. They're Big east for a little bit, and they were. That was when Levitt was their coach.
B
Yep.
A
In the news recently. When they were down there, we. They always had speed, like, very, very fast in our team. We used to be able to just beat everybody. Speed would potentially kind of affect us a little bit on the zone spread shit that we were running or whatever. So they always gave us a tough matchup. We're not the only ones USF has historically been able to match up with people. It just like, doesn't really get talked about much because it's usf, but they can be a problem for you. And they could disrael or derail an entire season for Boise.
C
Yeah, Boise could go from the odds on favorite to make the playoff out of the group of five to you lose USF F week one. Like, that's a. That's a hill you got to climb the rest of the season. And then Nebraska, like, both these games, five and a half, six and a half.
A
Those are.
C
Those are not like, oh, they're definitely going to win this game. Nebraska loses to Cincy week one. Like their playoff hopes, which they do. They all think they're going to make it this year. Like, both of these favorites potentially lose tonight on short. On short spreads. Like that just sends the whole thing into chaos already.
A
Yeah. And that's what college football is, right? It's chaos. It's absolute chaos. Last season was epic.
B
It was the best.
A
Cannot wait for this one. For all the negative, and we bring this up a lot because I think it has to. For all the negative that has kind of surrounded the sport, all the conversation and the worry. And I understand that there has been a lot of history between this sport and its fans, the esport and Dr. Pepper. I mean, Dr. Pepper has literally been sponsored, I think 88 years alongside college football. But their fans are very loyal. And it's like my father, my father's father, and my father's father's father all sat in this seat. We tailgated this way. We cheered for these guys. This is how we did it. So any change is something that has that much history and that much pageantry and that much tradition is gonna scare the shit out of some people. Yeah. And some people, when they get scared, just automatically go, I don't like it.
D
Yep.
A
And then they. They start to attack it. Understood. Valid. Completely understand where you're coming. Because everybody's worried that something that they love is gonna lose the thing about it that they love so much. But I think what college football has become, has become more elect. Like, I think he's become more exciting just as ball fan, NFL fan, football fan, college football fan. I think the games, the matchups, teams coming out of nowhere. Vanderbilt story last year, Insane Diego Pavia. How about the moment that they got to have as college as universe as a student section, they got to carry you fucking upright all the way down Broadway into a river because their football team won a game. It's like these are magical moments that are being created. And I think that's why college football fans are such big fans of the sport, because it can only happen in those type of environments. Those aren't going anywhere. I don't think those are ever going anywhere. And I think the matchups are only going to get bigger and I think teams are going to get better. I think the. I think all is going well when it comes to the product on the field, in my eyes.
B
No, yeah, I mean, I agree. I think you could argue and it's. It's hard because it was the first year of the playoff and, you know, like, that just added a completely new element. But I think the product on the field last year was as good as it's ever been. Like, we got so many good games week in, week out. And if you can get over the whole, you know, transfer portal stuff and it being kind of hard to get grips on who's where, you know, the first several weeks of the season, it's like, oh, I thought this guy played for, you know, this team. But no, he's. He's at this place this year. Like, there's a lot of that. But when it actually gets down to, like, the game itself, I don't think college football's ever been as good as it is right now with as many good players as we have right now.
A
Yeah. You know, every once In a while, when you pay people, they, they get better. Yes.
C
The kids that have committed on this show like they're professionals already.
A
I would like thank my strength coach, my dietitian, my nutritionist, my chef, my massage therapist, my technique coach, obviously mom and mom and dad.
D
Yeah, and our Lord and savior too, Jesus Christ.
A
Thank you so much for letting me dip and rip like this. You know, I've been working, but it is. They're professional since they're teenagers and obviously we'll see long term effects and you know, child stars and everything like that. Is it because the spotlight is because the people that are around or is it because they're forced to be adults a lot earlier than everybody else? The athletes are kind of having that experience right now. They're being forced to being adults earlier than everybody else. We'll find out what the long term effects are. But I think what the NFL people are saying is we see much more mature guys coming in the league. These guys already know their shit. We already know if they're going to be able to work and handle money. We already know how they're going to operate, how their family's going to operate. That used to have to happen the first couple years in the NFL. Now it's happening in high school. Yeah, they're kind of going through money for the first time, which is a whirlwind of emotions and situations and everything, Relationships, how you operate, what you can do, what you can't do. First time I got money was crazy. It was just like you feel the weight of the world to want to help everybody that has helped you. And it's like all of a sudden then you got a lot of people telling you, well, don't do that. It's like, well, how am I supposed to look these people in the eye when they know that I can definitely help in this situation and they've certainly helped me. How am I supposed. So you get caught in these conflicting situations when you become the person who is certainly the most amount of money out of the people that you've been around your entire life. There's a lot of that comes alongside of that. And a lot of these guys are experiencing it now in high school, they're experiencing in college. So by the time they get to the NFL, all those conflicting emotions and shit that has kind of thrown on your plate out of nowhere is already behind them. It's like, that's a. I think that's good for quality of game. NFL is going to benefit from this big time for sure. Scouting, finding out who the right people are definitely going to win in this college though is going to have to deal. There's going to be more of that shit that's going to have to happen just kind of naturally and I'll be excited to see how we kind of weave through that.
D
Yeah. Even like when you think about the athletes, you would assume that most people who, you know, might be between a couple sports, like a lot of great NFL players are great NBA players, but with the amount of money that's in the nil for college football and there's a bunch in college basketball too. But there's more in college football, obviously there's more teams, there's more, you know, high end programs that can pay you a bunch of money. So you might think like, oh shoot, you know, college football continue to get these better athletes because they might lean to the end.
A
Maybe these six, seven guys will put on some weight and be tackled as.
D
Opposed to, you know.
A
Yeah, but being on board.
D
Yeah. The bad side of it, to your point, like the. What was his name, the quarterback? Marinovich. Where his. Todd Marinovich. Where. You know, there's the 30 for 30 on him. He was born to be an NFL. His dad created him to be an NFL QB and he was. But then he hated football as soon as he got to the NFL.
A
So on the flip side, I would say Peyton and Eli were created to be NFL quarterbacks and all they want to do is give back to the game their entire life. So you never know. Like humans are so interesting. And this whole getting rich as teenagers in sports sports thing is awesome I think for the guys. But what are the. Joining us now. I would like to see this dude as a teenager get handed a bunch of money. What he would have done with sure.
C
Five star.
A
Oh my God, those teeth would have got fixed so much like that. It would have been no problem at all. Ladies and gentlemen, host of Bussing with the Boys, founder of Bussing with the Boys also has a dad podcast because he is a incredibly proud father. Obviously he got ripped off of year 10, year 10, I believe. Year 10 by the NFL. Supposed to be a 10 year NFL vet. Nobody would have expected that whenever he was coming out of Nebraska. Ladies and gentlemen, Absolute dog Will Compte. How you doing, dude?
E
Pat, thank you for the introduction, boys. It's great to be here. It's game day. We made it.
A
Yes, we did. We did. That is the overwhelming sense that we have over here as well. This morning. Brushing teeth just felt a little different. Like we got actual ball here now I couldn't even imagine my, like West Virginia playing tonight would have an even. I mean, that would be a perfect way to kind of launch this. I, I assume you're very excited. Year three for Rule. There's a chance here for Nebraska to go on a run. The boys, from what I'm hearing, look good over there.
E
Look good, Pat. This will be. I'm telling you now, boys, I'm telling you we got a favorable schedule. No matter how you think of the Huskers, this is year three of the Royal era. Year two for Dylan Rio, Dana Holgerson on the sideline full time. This is going to be the first double digit win season since Willie C senior year in 2012. You can book it. You heard it here right now. I'm just letting you know. I can feel it. It's in the air. And it starts tonight against Cincinnati.
A
Okay. It's in Sins or it's in Arrowhead. Obviously, Travis Kelce going to be there for Cincy. We assume. We're just assuming he's going to be there. That's his house now, if he's there. Hold the phone. Yeah, who else is there? Are you worried about that for Nebraska? I mean, that feels like there is a potentially an aura coming into Arrowhead that is highly swinging in Cincinnati's favor. Have you thought about. Have you thought about that, Will?
E
You know when Trav, he got engaged. When he got engaged, I texted him, I said, hats off to you. Trying to distract the world from this ass whooping that's coming on Thursday night. From what I'm hearing, the Mrs. Won't be there.
A
Okay.
E
So it won't take over the entire world. But yes, I am a little nervous about the aura a Travis Kelce walking in that stadium. But again, this is about the Huskers. This is about the Bearcats. This is about Stop. And I think it's Torsby. You got a little dual threat quarterback, and I'm telling you, it's coming tonight. I swear to God, I can just. I feel it, I feel it, I feel it.
A
Matt Rule can give all the speeches he wants to give. Taylor Swift walks in there in a Cincinnati shirt. You guys are. You guys are absolutely cooked now. I like Ry. I like eat money. Your running back, I met him at a WWE event. Great moxie. Feels like the offensive line is going to be good. I'm excited for you guys. Beefy, Beefy. Okay. We got good beefy boys out there. Always. Nebraska shout out. Can we talk about the announcement about you and ESPN today before the boys have their questions for you. Congratulations, man. This is an awesome thing, like legit. We are very happy for you guys. How does this come about and what does this mean?
E
Dude, it's surreal, bro. Like it still doesn't like Pat, I remember talking to you like we FaceTimed when busting with the boys kicked off and I you were giving me a lot of game on the podcast world and how to operate. And at that point I want to say I was telling you like, hey, I think we're going to go through the summer with pods and then stop during football season because you get really nervous about how the teams might feel being a distraction. I was still free agent to a, you know, is this going to keep me out of playing in the NFL? And I just remember you telling me you have to treat your audience like it is your best friend and if you're going to show up for them once a week, you show up for them once a week. My advice recommendation to you, young Willy C. Would be if you're going to do it once a week, then do it once a week throughout the entire year or as long as you guys can. And you're giving me game on the merchandise and everything else. And just to think back to that moment and get all the way here to now. We are on the team with you at espn. Like this is a true story. I pissed the bed until I was 14 years old and before I fell asleep every night before I violently wet the bed, I would fall asleep to espn. Espn nostalgically for everybody. ESPN is also the previous channel when you're rocking skin and max and you need that fallback in case your mom and dad walk in. It was Sports center in top 10 and now to get to appear on it and to be part of the brand, it is. We're grateful, man. We are. We are truly fired up.
A
Well, we're proud of you both for stopping the pissing in the bed problem. Once you get to 14, you think that's probably a lifetime thing. You know, I think that is probably a lifetime moment and also for all the hard work that you guys have put in. You guys have grinded over there. Mad respect. Especially as ex players trying to represent for football on a platform that you had to create. You should be proud of yourself, man. Every time I watched you guys, I knew you were special. And obviously you don't have to be a genius to be able to see what's good and what isn't good. But it was immediate. Upon watching you and Taylor, it's like this is a good show. You have the juice. Taylor is such a good, smart ass and super handsome. And, yeah, I think he's got a little bit of a thing with blackjack and gamblin. You guys maybe check on him. That is, I follow along from outside.
E
Looking in, Hey, I do the same thing. I just say, are you sure? And he's like, I'm ready to go to war. I'm like, listen, you got to do your thing.
A
That's a lot of money. Taylor, that's a lot of. Dana is a dog. He's been kicked out of a lot of places. You got title, everything like that. But I don't know, is your brain okay? I don't know the luck too, Dana, but nonetheless, you guys have worked your asses off. We're proud of you and we're pumped. You're going to be representing on espn. Good luck out there. We're proud of you, Will.
E
Thank you, boys.
A
No problem. All right, we got some questions for you. Go ahead, Tone.
C
Yeah, well, you talked about stopping Soresby tonight, and those black shirts on that Nebraska defense have basically been carrying the team the last two years. And I got no issues with the offense. With Holgerson and Raiola, year two, I think they're going to be much better. But, you know, you lost your defense coordinator, Tony White. He goes down to Florida State. You lose a couple Polar Bears off that defensive line. Are the black shirts going to be the black shirts this year.
A
Tone?
E
That's my biggest. You know, that's. That's what I'm most excited to see tonight is how the defense is going to perform. Because you're right, like losing Tony White. Not just Tony White, too, but a couple other guys on the defense that Terrence Knight and T. Knight. He went with them down to Florida State. That was a massive loss because they have been a top 25 defense the last couple years. But there's a lot of optimism talking about rotations with these young cats guys being able to play all across the line of scrimmage. I believe the linebacker's name is Javin Smith, 6 5, £230. I'm excited to see him run around. We do have a veteran group on the back end in the secondary. In the secondary. But that is kind of my. Like, I'm not worried about the offense either. I'm just excited to see who's going to step up on the Blackshirt side, because everybody's wondering, what are they going to be like? Well, you said it. Those polar bears in the middle. So that's what I'm looking for.
A
They got any young Willie C's out there? They got any some white trash kids flying around throwing their heads in?
E
You know they do. You know they do. But you know who's going to step up and be that?
A
I'm.
E
I'm out here congratulating you. Got John Bullock down, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Undrafted cat walk on to the University of Nebraska, earning his stripes as a senior, making a camp with the Bucks and He's on the 53 man roster with Levante Davis.
A
That's what we like. That's what we like. Yes.
E
Undo undrafted linebacker you is what Nebraska is. But we'll see. We'll see. I'm excited.
A
We can't put not good put it on a shirt. It's about overachieving undrafted LBU Nebraska. That's awesome. Black shirt's great nickname though.
D
Yes.
A
For an entire crew, you know, and it's like seemingly always good and then that being the question mark, I think is good news if you're a Nebraska fan. Now let's move to the NFL. Obviously you should have had a double digit year career and it's a damn shame, It's a damn shame that all that happened. Your last year was really your best, I think, you know, you looked your fastest. You looked your fastest so funny. You looked your fastest. So I think, I think you were right. I think maybe 11, 12 would have been in there, but you found your true calling. Ty, I have a question for you.
B
Yeah, Will, now that you are on espn, I'm excited to get your, your take on the Micah Par Larson situation. This would be your first documented one, I believe, if, if you're Micah and you know, you're hearing, hey, the, the packers, they want to trade for you. They got 45 per year for, you know, who knows, maybe even 50 per year.
A
Who's he hearing that from? Just you or is it. Have the packers said this?
B
Listen, it's out there, okay?
A
Okay.
B
It's not just me. What do you, what is your take on that whole situation? Not like Shoddy thinks he's, you know, maybe gonna play, but he doesn't know because he hasn't practiced or done anything all of training camp. Jerry is kind of hesitant to talk to other teams. Like, how do you think that whole situation is going to play out, brother?
E
Listen, we just said we were undrafted linebacker. You. This is a, a position and a player where I have never been. I've never gotten to experience that world. I'm sitting on my couch throughout the week. Watching this America's Team documentary and just seeing everything that Jerry Jones goes through, the pride that he has, I feel like he enjoys this game that is happening. You see my man going out there on different podcasts. He's doing a little press tour, going out there and kind of peacocking and letting the young man of Michael Parsons know they got him for three more years. If I'm Micah, I have no clue. Like, I would have too much anxiety, like, sitting on the couch, kind of waiting for the season to unfold, leveraging everything. Am I in shape? Am I not in shape? Can I go? If I wait too long and then go out there the day of, like, I'm going to have to prove myself right and everybody else right, that what I'm doing is the right thing. And if you fail or if you get injured or if you do anything else that isn't up to that expectation, it's going to be. You're proven, the Cowboys and everybody else right. I have too much anxiety thinking about it. I have no clue what's going to happen. I do hope Michael Parsons gets paid because he is an absolute dog for the Dallas Cowboys, but I don't know. I know Jerry loves, loves this game is what I've gathered from what I've watched. Jerry Jones is in the pocket right now, and this is where he wants to be with Micah Parsons. I think he respects Micah. I think he respects what Micah's doing.
A
I think he probably respects him. But he's also. I don't think there's any budging happening. You know, like, the narrative is that the Green Bay packers are in, okay, and they will go in the 45 million thing. Ty said that very confidently yesterday on the show. And then Schneidman came on from the Athletic for the Green Bay Packers. He's like, there's an offer on the table that is very favorable, basically, or there has been, but Jerry isn't listening. The way Ty Schmitz is turning, that is Jerry isn't ready to listen yet. Like, there's going to come a time that Jerry's going to listen. I think they're just going to continue to dance. Micah ends up playing. Is that what you think the final outcome is?
E
I think he ends up playing. I think, you know, it's like this YouTube and Fox thing going on where, hey, are we going to get the games on Friday? Are they going to not let us watch Baylor, Auburn on Friday night? And then all of a sudden, sudden, somebody's hand gets pushed. And then like, two hours before Ohio State and Texas kicks off. It's going to come to life. I think at some point it's going to come to life. Hey, Ty, I hope it's for. I hope it's for the packers because I think like there's a party too that's like, is Micah just over the whole thing and maybe he just wants to get out of that situation because I. I don't think the Cowboys are going to be that great this year. I don't think they're going to be very good.
A
What? You don't. Why you don't think Dax good? You don't like Shotty? You don't think Shotty's a guy Eber flush D coordinator back where he's supposed to. To be probably.
E
I think there's just too much going on as always around the Cowboys. I think they got a lot of talent. I like Floose on the defensive night on the defensive side. I don't know how shot he's going to be as a head coach and him just being in this circus right now, I just don't know how it plays out. Especially with the commanders up north, with the Philadelphia Eagles up north. I think they're going to both be better than the Cowboys and the Giants.
A
The Giants forgot.
E
Forgot. We got it. We got to cover all the teams. The Giants have some good pieces out there.
A
Malik Neighbors, they're not gonna be a.
E
Bunch of candy asses this year.
A
Yeah, Malik Neighbors. He catch a ball?
B
Yeah, he can.
E
He can catch a ball like Jack McDoug.
A
He's unbelievable. Shrags came on. It was like Terry McLaurin isn't really in Malik Neighbors tier, but he's there. It's like what the. Who, who, who said that? Who, who. Is that really how you guys feel? I did not know that's how Giants fans feel. It is like Malik Neighbors is a guy. Like. I'm not saying he's not a guy guy. Terry McLaurin was. Is. Will be long time.
B
Yeah, yeah, he's done been a guy.
A
That is a guy. Yeah, that is a guy you're looking for. Happy they got that deal done. Trey Hendrickson happy he got his deal done too. The boys have been attacking Trey a little bit. Yeah, the boys. But he got $14 million more dollars in one year and the boys were like soft. This guy rolled out.
C
We know that's not what.
A
Because it is 14 million more dollars.
E
The whole thing.
D
You want know what it really is? It's that it started here on the program talking to you.
A
We don't have enough motion.
D
We've been riding this thing from day one, rooting for him.
A
And then he.
E
It all up.
A
All.
C
All we are, all we're saying is, yes, 14 million for this one year is awesome. But he said that's not what he wanted. He wanted multiple years.
D
He didn't want one year folded like a lawn chair.
A
No, he was in there fighting and.
B
They, they treated him like an. For seven months. Publicly.
A
They did. You know, at some point, these players need to just accept the deal that's on the table. They said that.
D
They said exactly. Yeah.
A
But he went back there. Golf clothes.
B
Yep.
A
Shook hands, talked to the press. I won't be here.
C
And accepted the deal on the table.
A
Yeah, no, they opted. He got more. They were. They were offering 5 million more. I did not hear that as a.
B
He said, he said we knew he.
A
Won the negotiation a little bit. Definitely. No, he did.
B
No, I've been there. And Mike Brown said we knew you.
C
It's like the 10th highest paid at the end.
D
Come here, Trey.
A
Sorry. Sorry. Well, this is a thing that's been happening off air a lot where.
C
Yeah, first time it was brought to.
A
Yeah. So we just brought that on air. You just saw an off air conversation happening on air. The boys fed up with Trey. Hey, Trey, guess what?
B
We'll see you next year too, okay?
A
All right. See, this is what they did. He got $14 million more dollars in these guys. What is that? He deserves 20. That's why we agree we're on. I think you're doing this from a position of love.
D
Yeah, exactly.
B
Correct.
D
It always is.
A
But you're attacking him pretty good. You're pretty.
D
Sometimes.
A
Yeah, a little bit Insulting them a little bit.
B
But you know, it's got to be.
D
Done trying to help them.
A
What do you think about Trey Hendrickson situation? Well, you think 14 million more bucks for a guy is good news or do you think he definitely deserves more? And if he was maybe just a little bit more of an. A couple more weeks might have got accomplished, but he just couldn't do it. Yeah, he literally just couldn't do it.
E
I think again, like Pat, you know, it's like this, this. I'm assuming the self talking has had this game that's going on. He was playing it well. He was posturing. He's, you know, at ota's training camp, he's standing, he's talking to the media, throwing it back at the Bengals, posturing up and. And at the end of the day, once the money, once they start hurting your pockets A little bit. And you start thinking of not only hurting the pockets, but hurting the team. Like the Bengals, if they have some sort of defense this year, they can be nice. You got Joe Burrow, who, in my opinion, listen, when he's healthy, he's the best QB in the game. And when you have that potential, you got Steelers that are coming, you got the Ravens that are built for success always. And when you're just sitting there as a player, it's like there's a lot of selfishness to where it's like you got to do what's best for you. You got to play the game as long as you can play the game. But there's always that team aspect that's just eating at your head. And at some point, it's like, who's going to break here? And you know, if the boys are saying he broke, he walked in, he signed the dotted line for 14, 14 million more dollars. And that's a loss, then, okay, that's a good loss.
A
That's a good way to lose a good loss. That's a good day to take that particular loss. I appreciate. Will Compton, ESPN analyst, founder of Bus and winner with the boys, says Joe Burrow is best quarterback in NFL when healthy. That is what you said there. That is going to get out there. You believe that There's a lot. There's a lot of quarterbacks out there. I believe Joe Burrow definitely in the. I'm not doing the who's the best game because that's a nightmare for a Daily show host. But in the pantheon would definitely put Joe Burrow up there. He got paid as such, and we all love watching him. You're. You're. You just said outright, though, this is the best guy in the league. Why do you think that? And. And who is, I guess, second, would that be Mahomes? Lamar? Josh Jalen?
E
Great question, Pat.
A
Danny Dimes?
E
That's a great question, Pat. I like Joe B. Just because you hear just everybody talk about this man, whether it's coordinators, coaches, it's like there's no. You're not really game planning Joe Burrow. You can't game plan Joe Burrow. I want to say, who is the player that came out? I was like, oh, you can game plan Josh Allen. You can't game plan Joe Burrow. He wasn't like taking a shot at Josh Burrow, but he was trying to explain it in the way that's like, yo, when. When Joe's firing his brain, his mind is just in a different stratosphere. I'm not saying the other boys aren't smart enough to play football, Pat. I'm just saying when Joe Burrow is operating, you see what he does when he has zero defense, got weapons on the outside O line that sometimes blocks for him. But if, if they just, if they can get it in gear. Joey B. Is slinging the rock better than anybody in the league. Patrick Mahomes, he's the baby go. Josh Allen, he's an absolute stud.
A
Who is the.
E
The reigning mvp? Lamar Jackson. Multiple time mvp. They're all. Yeah, yeah, Danny Dimes. Danny Dimes out in the Indy.
D
Why do you laugh?
A
But I love junkie time. Bob, let's do quarterback analysis.
E
We going Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mulgie throwing Danny Dimes on.
A
Yeah. We don't know here at the Indianapolis Col. Colts regime. But I understand what you're saying. That is a little disrespectful to the other guys for what they have accomplished thus far. I do apologize.
C
You know, Will, it was, it was Joe's teammate, Jamar Chase that said that about the game planning thing.
E
I, I was gonna say that. But again, once I was in the flow, I was like, ah, let me not just try and throw this name at the wall here again. Daily television. I gotta be on my P's and Q's out here.
D
No.
A
Oh, brother. So you're always gonna be corrected even if you're right, so. Exactly. There's nothing he could do about. But I appreciate that about Joe Burrow. I don't think a lot of people are saying that because that sounds like reminiscent of like Peyton. Like that was Peyton's thing. Like he knows what you're doing and brain wise, he is just so far ahead of everybody. The amount of preparation that it takes to get to that point that Joey B. Is doing is absurd. Like that is just how he has to operate. So I respect that and I don't. Once again, I don't think there's a lot of people going to bat for Joe Burrow being the best quarterback in the NFL on a regular basis. So.
E
Yeah, and that was a great, that was a great comparison with Peyton Manning. I don't know how many times I lost my voice at the lunch table in high school trying to argue Peyton Manning over Tom Brady until it's just like I. You couldn't anymore because all the Super Bowls. But that is, that's a great comparison. You're not, you can't. You're not game planning. You're not doing anything against Peyton Manning. That's going to be successful other than, like, you hope something works out against that man. And I feel like it's the same with Joby.
A
The timing was always the issue. If you could get a good jam and mess up the timing right. Like, that was kind of what I think Bill started doing.
D
Yeah. That's when they changed the rule because they kept crying.
A
Okay, all right, let's go. That is not.
D
That's a fact.
A
Listen, if you're lobbying. If you're lobbying for your team to benefit for something and it works, good on you. Patriots fans should not be saying anything about people doing things to get better as a team.
D
That's.
A
Yes, we can. Oh, yeah.
D
I mean, proven witch hunt against us was deflacate proven.
A
What about the other gate? And the other gate? And the other gate. The other gate.
D
Once again, those were legal in terms of rules.
A
That's why all the other people are just like, hey, exactly. Let's not be looking too far.
D
Then when looked at, they're like, oh, but New England's doing it. So we got to. We got to do something to them. Kind of try and strike down the empire. Well, but it lasted 20 years.
A
Hey, when you're on top of the mountain for 20 years, people are going to try to attack you. And once again, any. All football people, whenever they heard about everything that New England did, were like, let's not get too crazy. Let's not be investigating too much here. Let's move along. Let's move along here. Well, we got to burn the tapes, right? Okay, Burn the tapes.
D
Whatever.
A
Let's move along. Burn the bridges. Let's stay in New England, though. Obviously, somebody you know very well. Go ahead.
D
Yeah, well, you were up there in New England. I believe you were trying to interview Vrabel. He told you? No, and I also just want to pass on my thoughts on it. If you didn't don the logo, stay the fuck out of the building, Compton. But when it comes to Vrabel as.
A
A whole, you did not deserve that.
D
Hey, look, I'm just throwing that out there on behalf of people who are Patriots fans in New England. But when you're looking at Vrabel, you know, Stretch just did a entire interview with Ari Mirov, and Stretches, you know, Vrabel's Ernie Adams, basically about how Vrabel is a football savant. He's got the McVeigh recall. But you never really hear about that, you know, publicly, because Vrabel, you know, looks like a big meathead. What can you tell us about Mike Vrabel? You think that most people don't know. And how do you think the Patriots will do in his first year?
E
Most people know that he's a good asshole.
A
Yes.
E
I would say what Vrabel does, in my opinion, that it's a thing that, like, set him apart from other coaches that I play for, is Rabe does a great job. Every week you're going to hear three keys come up a lot. And there's three keys on offense, there's three keys on defense, and there's three keys on special teams. Teams do that. Teams have that. But the way Ray paints a picture for how you're going to win a football game where it feels like your back's against the wall and everybody's counting you out and he's throwing clips up of your team performing it in practice or executing in practice or throwback clips of yourself executing it back in the day, or stuff around the league that says, hey, here's how we are going to affect this game and here's how we have to win this game. The way he does that, because you have a team meeting every morning to kick off the day. Rabe does a very good job of clearly painting the picture of how you're going to win the football game. And there's no deviating from that. You're going to get your ass checked every day through practice film when you deviate from that or when you're, like, doing your own thing. This is why we say this. This is why we say that.
A
That.
E
And he shows you in front of the entire team. So what Brave does so well that. I feel like no other coaches like, did that. I played for that. You're kind of like, oh, he's kind of. He's right. He gets guys motivated this way. He paints a clear picture for how you're going to win a football game. And then when it happens, you know, he sits there and brags about it and talks about, hey, that's why we did that, you know, 14 years, what do I know? But he is. He is, man. He's a leader of men, and all eyes are on him when you're in that room and your asshole's tight. But he paints a picture for how you're going to win a football game.
A
When he's putting his hands on people. That's a part of the whole thing, right? That's a part of the whole thing for him. Like, he has to be the alpha in the room and people need to know he's the alpha. Literally, when I met him in person for the first time at that golf outing out in the American century thing in Tahoe. He walks through the tent and he sees me and AJ I just got done walking 18 holes for the second time in my life. The first time was the day before. My feet were all. I mean, it was terrible. I was rather high. I was on a different stratosphere, maybe. Probably pretty boozed up if I had to guess. Certainly we had a good time out there fireballing AJ oh, yeah, we. You just got fireball? Yeah, you got fireball. Yeah, it was a good time. We were having a blast. He comes walking through. You feel his aura as he hits the tent, you know, and he just got done walking 18 holes as well. And he's 250, 260 pounds, but he's gonna no sell that. Nobody's allowed to see any weakness. And he comes walking straight over to us. And I see his big ass mitt literally flying like it was a left hook. And I'm like, oh, he's about to check me right now. He's about to hit my arm and he's gonna check me. I was tired. I was a little bit hot. Sue me. Don't. Actually, I was a little boozed up.
D
It's California.
A
But I knew in that moment, like, he is checking me right now. I flex as hard as I can, lean into it, and I think there's a good stalemate right there. Right? But he wrapped up me, his entire hand around my shoulder, and I was like, this guy's an animal. This guy is an absolute animal. And like, I felt like I had to, like, when you're in a room with a pit bull and pitbull get these bad rap. I have a pit bull. Pit bulls are like the greatest dogs of all time. But if you're around one of these dogs and you sense they sense that you're scared they're going to mess with you. Like, that's what it is. Rabel is very much a guy. Like, if he senses any, is there anything in this guy he's going to attack? I feel like. And that is. I think that is why his leadership style is so good. He's the guy in. He's in the locker room still. I think if I'm watching accurately, the way he talks, the way you guys interact with him, the way he operates. He's still player in locker room, but he's obviously coach and obviously in charge. Is that an accurate depiction of his leadership style? Is that. Is that something you think spot on.
E
A time where you might feel like There. There could be any separation from the locker room. And a head coach, he's got the ability as the head coach to banter with you, bust your balls, break your spirit to where you're kind of like, yeah, I kind of have to listen to him. And the dude is like, you know, I sent Stretch a screenshot when they got that fight in training camp because you had the video and rape just, you know, it's like, coaches don't want fighting to happen.
A
Ray B.
E
Likes to act like he does.
A
Oh, no.
D
Oh, that's a bomb in there.
A
You're on the bus. You're on the bus.
E
Did you guys get me? You lose me now.
A
You said Rabes likes to act like he doesn't like the fights and then rave.
E
Yeah. Brave likes to pretend as a coach. We don't want any fights happening. But, you know, once that fight breaks out, he's like, you just said it, a pit bull. He wants to be in the mix. He wants to be yelling like it shouldn't happen, but he also wants to let the boys know at the bottom of the pile that it's still his pile. I sent Stretch a screenshot and, like, hey, get him stretched. Because Stretch kind of moseyed in there and then kind of backed away. He wasn't about that life. But that is race to a tee, man. He's just got the ability to still get on that player level, player level with you, and he still has that respect and leadership as a player and also as a coach.
A
Yeah.
E
And as well, you see Stretch back there?
A
Which one? Stretch.
E
Stretch. You go. Go to the. Yeah, go to the beginning there. He's a tall guy in that gray shirt, white hat. Tall guy. Yeah, gray shirt, white hat. Look at him stepping away.
A
Come on, On. We can't be in the fight, man. Hey, how about coming up bleeding. Yeah. In the entirety. It's like whole new era up there in New England Patriots fans. He's gone. The bus. The bus.
B
Yeah, the bus. Might need to get that checked out.
D
Might have been sharing too much game on Variable.
A
Yeah, it might have been. Excuse me. Stop talking. We got rats in the building. Here's one right now on esp, they.
C
Do have that machine up there that shuts everything down and creates weather.
A
Yeah, and the weather. Yeah.
D
Then they built a thing above it to show everybody where it stands, and.
A
Then they started deflating the balls.
D
No, no. Remember, they. That was a witch Hunt in 2014 when it happened. They started testing the balls the next season in 2015, and they realized. Oh, fuck. When it gets cold out, the balls.
E
They deflate a little.
A
Turns out science has been saying this for a while. Yeah. But a little bit more than the others. Yeah. Joining us from the bus, ladies and gentlemen, Will Compton. How's it going? Good.
E
Did I get lost? I came back.
A
I don't know what happened. I don't know if you got lost.
E
But you just said. Joining us, Will Compton. I was like, hang on, am I watching a replay? Is a replay about to happen?
A
No, you were, you, you just lost connection there, right? Did that happen on yours? On our side, a disconnected screen popped up. You were gone. You. You did. Look, we lost service. Yes.
E
Oh, gotcha. I was trying to break down Stretch in that fight, but maybe the boys didn't hear me and then, and then the phone just hung up.
A
Yeah, yeah, that's what we're talking about, service. So that's why I introduced you back you phone call. You were kind of gone there.
E
I'm back.
A
Yes, you are. Yes, you, yes you are, Will. Yes you are. And on that note, Will, thanks for joining us. Hey, very happy for your success. Legit tonight. You want to pick these two games tonight?
E
Nebraska. Nebraska minus six and a half.
A
How about Boise State and usf?
E
Usf, Okay. I like USF as the underdog.
A
Tough trip Donner. Okay, you think these are going to be high scores or you think it's going to be kind of a cagey affair between these two early in the season? Do offenses have it figured out?
E
I like points in the Husker Cincy game again I think Swordsby being a dual threat guy, he can caught, he could cause problems for any defense. And again, it being a young Nebraska defense, I don't think it gets starts catching momentum until the second half. I like a high scoring game for the Husker Cincy. Boise USF don't know much about no, Ashton Genti is not there anymore. I feel like Boise shoots a logo and a name. They're going down the South Florida and playing in that heat. That's why I like USF. But again, 61 and a half, that's a high scoring game. That's not. Look, I watch Big Ten football, I watch SEC and I dabble in the Big 12 and ACC a little bit but outside of that I ain't tuned in to the to the Boise States of the World.
A
Well, you should. They're always good for a reason. Like it's not obviously Ashton Genti was a big deal but they got a good program up there. They really love it. Chuck Pagano has. I think he lives up there. Yeah. And he talks about the commitment to the ball that they have. So I think Boise State's always going to be good, especially with the opportunity that they have now with the College Football Playoff and how much money it is. But USF out the gate is not an easy. That's not an easy week one when you don't even know what your team is.
C
No, Boise basically returns everyone, including quarterback Maddox Matson, except for Ash and Genti. So they're project. That's why they're projected to make the playoff. But no, like, going down to USF in that heat.
A
Coming from Boise in that heat.
F
Idaho gets hot now there.
A
What you say?
E
USF has got some. You know, they got the.
A
The. Oh, yeah.
E
The athletes.
A
They.
E
They got the guys.
A
They. They used to. When we would play them, West Virginia would go down there. It was like, we should beat it. In theory, everybody thinks we're going to beat this team. But then you look at the D line. They all ran like four fives, four, six. Like, the whole D line ran. Linebackers, all of them, four, four or better. Like, way before it. It's like. Like, how is this team? Not like, very, very, very, very, very good. And it's like, why don't. Who knows about USF setup with the funding and everything.
D
We also know how much fun South Florid can be.
A
Yeah. Yep.
B
A lot of distractions down there.
A
A lot of distractions. All right. We appreciate the hell out of you. Well, congrats on everything, you and Taylor and the whole team over there.
E
Thank you, boys. Love you. See you Saturday.
A
You, too. Good luck, dude. Ladies and gentlemen, Will. Big Will Compton. What a dog.
C
Is he going to game day? Sounds like he's going to game day.
A
Oh, it'd be awesome. Is he on game day? I don't.
C
He said, see you Saturday.
D
Maybe men, like through the tube. Or did he mean.
C
Oh, yeah, man.
D
Yeah, like her watching like, I see you.
A
Hey, the best truck. Oh, Donna. Nothing stops.
C
Is that an Iowa Hawkeye Ramshot.
D
I was gonna say black and gold.
A
Pittsburgh. Yeah, they may. They got Don on there. I think they're trying to potentially college ball.
C
More of an Iowa yellow than a Steeler yellow.
A
Yeah.
C
There's a difference.
A
Yeah, I agree. Yeah, there's a shade. I guess you could certainly change it. But with that being said, nothing stops, Right?
C
I didn't see the dial, to be honest with you.
A
It's right above my head.
D
Yep, you got that yellow blood splatter.
A
It's the best Truck done online. It is. If you need a truck, it's on the line. The best one downer Ram truck.
C
There's no argument there. Better than all the other guys.
A
They are better than all the other guys.
D
Yeah. I don't like that other truck.
A
Every other truck, there's another truck that might say it can do what ram trucks do, but it ain't like the other ones. No, no. Ram trucks are very different.
D
That ram truck would pull that other truck backwards.
A
All right, let's talk about my truck. That guy was in a ramp truck.
D
Yeah, he was.
A
And that's why he was so confident. Let's talk about some NFL news. Cam Ward named captain rookie season. Congratulations quarterback. Especially with everything that is said about Cam Ward. I think we all kind of expected this. This is cool though. This is not a normal thing to be a rookie and to be a captain of a team. If you're a quarterback, obviously the team would hope that you would become a captain or be a leader of men. Cam Ward, seemingly leadership is one of his best qualities. If you go back to when he was at Miami, flipped the entire time, flipped the entire university. Flipped the entire building. Congrats to him on becoming the number one overall pick with a lot of great hard ass work. Started at incarnate work. Yep. Then he went to Washington State. Then he goes to Miami. Then he creates a resume in college that makes him the number one overall pick and described as a generational talent. If you listen to the GM who early in the draft process said you number one overall pick, you're not going to pass over for a generational talent. I think he's also a generational leader. I think the way his brain operates and the way his teams respond to him is a wonderful thing. And I think Tennessee Titans have a chance now. Can they become a team that is relevant in the conversation? Because Nashville having a good team would be cool. Yeah. Because Nashville likes ball and Nashville is also a great time. Yes. So them having a good team would be great for the NFL. It will.
C
And Cam Ward is awesome. All the stories about how early he gets there in his leadership. So, so not surprised he is a captain. But Foxy, can you throw that up there? Because I have a question about Captain Spat. There's a lot of 1 stars on there below the seas, which I believe means it's the first year of being a captain.
A
Yeah.
C
There's what, five of them for this team. Do you like that? For a team that you know, did have the first overall pick last year. So like, hey, Maybe we do need some new leadership in this locker room.
A
Yeah, I like that. You know, they're going with a new generation. They. They certainly need to turn the page. Callahan coach there for a couple years now. Houston establish his culture. These are his guys. I assume they were brought in to be leaders. So. Yeah, I don't mind the one stars all over the place, especially you got Simmons up there who got into a fight with Cam Ward. So, you know, I think they have the pieces. They have the city. They got an upgrade to the stadium, an investment for a stadium. So it's like gonna be so nice. The Titans uniforms, too are sick. I know the Houston Texans people don't.
D
Like that, but they're filthy.
A
But they got great uniforms and they're healthy. And Cam Ward's seemingly very entertaining once again has not played a single down of football.
D
Right?
A
Seemingly very entertaining. We love it. I. I hope the Titans become a good team.
D
Yeah, I mean, they're in the Colts division, so that's what I was gonna say.
A
They're looking up like this today. Dimes in the boys, but I mean, that is what the FC south football is all about.
D
Big standing next to the Colts. But I do think there's a chance. What? The Colts and the Titans are two of the healthier teams in that division at the moment. Everyone else has kind of already had some sort of, you know, injury. Texans for sure. Jags. So, I mean, hold the phone.
A
What if the Titans are. Yeah. The AFC south is always going to be a dog fight. And now that Daniel Dimes in here, there's problems for everybody. Let's talk about two divisions. The AFC east and the NFC West. They'll be wearing Nike's rivalry uniforms this year. They debuted on social media this morning. Nasty setup threads the boys are modeling. Yeah. Give me little sexy eyes for these new rivalry jerseys. Boys. Plop there in front of a green screen. Let's go ahead and take a photo with some good lighting and showcase some sick unis. Now, anytime you put an alternate jersey out, there's a chance everybody's going to hate it. Yeah. Okay. That is just something that is possible in area. There's a chance you strike gold. I think that New England jersey sick right there. Just as I look at it with Drake May I think a couple of the others like the Niners jersey. I think people will want to buy that. I think people get excited about the Jets. I think the Arizona Cardinals even have a little bit of pizzazz on their uniforms. Anytime these happen, there's always going to Be like kind of mixed results. But if the team sells, I don't know, a million of these jerseys, definitely will.
B
Yeah.
A
So much more money. So much more money for their business. And also, I think it looks cool whenever it's on the field. You know, color rush used to be on Thursday night. It was sweet.
B
Yeah, it was.
A
Used to be divisional games, it was rivalry games ones, you know, short week. These teams know each other and they're going to dress like highlighters out there. Yeah. And it was like, wow, this is different. This is a little bit of sauce. There was throwback uniforms and alternate uniforms became the conversation. I like whenever they do this. I think whenever you do too many, though, it's a little bit of exploitation of your fan base.
B
Yeah, for sure.
A
You know, but I think whenever you do it a couple times, I like it. I don't mind it.
C
I like the themes to this one too. Obviously. Buffalo, you got the snow in New England, you got the nor' Easter coming off the. Off the ocean.
A
Stafford, you got Gotham. Yeah.
C
Arizona, you have the same little bit of bits of dust of sand, which is huge. Sandstorm rolled through the other day. So there's those unique, interesting intricacies that you gotta love.
A
Yeah. I like the artistry you're saying from these. Yeah.
D
What's interesting is I just assumed it was, you know, the two light colored teams were playing, you know, the two dark colored jersey teams. But the Bills and Pats are wearing those jerseys against each other. Like those are the. Which I think is interesting.
A
No, they'll make sure that there ain't no confusion on who's on a little.
D
Light blue and white.
A
I just, you know how the photos look first, how they are in real life to a whole nother. Yeah. You know, because what's the lighting like in the studio where they're taking the photos? I see. Obviously it's cold. Willing to sacrifice 500 bucks probably for this jersey. That's the thing.
B
That's the thing is. Now listen, if you're. I'm not really a Jersey guy, if you are, good on you. You will be spending 499.99 for that tag tackle twill jersey. I just, I don't want to say we've jumped the shark on some of these ones. What a lot of these.
A
That one's Dolph at night. Dolphins. Come on, man.
B
Under the sea, that's just good.
A
Under the seas.
B
Like that one. Like the Seahawks one looks like. I don't know, has it got like Seahawk, Talons slicing open the jersey. There's just a lot of goofy on these. And I get it. I get it. If you're a 12 year old boy, that's all you're asking for for Chris Christmas.
C
That's sick.
B
So I understand.
A
See that's awesome.
D
The jets have the Master sergeant Halo three Green Man E T S Jets, Jets Jets.
B
That's actually the first thing I said.
A
J E D Hope Fireman Ed has a great season this year.
D
Yeah I I hope they still put him on the jumbotron cuz word on the street is up there in New York. Is there with Fireman?
A
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E
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A
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C
Or when you realize that maybe you.
A
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E
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A
Price varies. By Sheen Football is the greatest huge night of college football as week one of the season officially kicks off this evening at 5:30pm Eastern time on ESPN as Boise State takes on USF and then Nebraska will take on Cincinnati on not. There's like 20 other games taking place. We are officially a football season and we are acting accordingly. We are in great moods. This is the time that we have fought all offseason for. This is the time that we look forward to all year since the super bowl ended. This is the day that we want in our lives. This is the morning where we take a dump and it's a smooth dump. There's no wipes.
D
Yeah, hole in one.
A
This is the morning. The first sip of coffee or water is the perfect kind of temperature or mixture. This is the morning where you're brushing your teeth and it's tickling your nose hairs and it just is enlightening you into a sense of absolute pure joy and happiness because tonight we have a sport that is better than every other sport on earth and storylines developing that will continue and carry all the way into January. This is a great time to be alive and we're thankful you're allowing us to do this for a living. The toxic tables here at Boston Connor and at Ty Schmidt, Iowa with Granaski might be the year.
B
Hey, it could be. Listen, I'm actually very excited to see what the Big Ten will be like. Kind of in that second layer. We all know what, you know, Ohio State and Oregon and Penn State are going to look like. But a lot of people think that there is a chance that the Big Ten gets four teams into the playoff this year. So teams like Nebraska, who everyone's kind of hot to trot, especially with the Matt Rule and his third year deal. Hey, this team's got a favorable schedule. This could be setting up for them to get in. I think I was the same way. I think if everything goes right for both Nebraska and Iowa, the game they play each other could be like an eliminator to get into the playoff.
A
Let's go to one half of the Hammer Cowboys. AP Tone Indiana ranked 20th right there. Sig had to do a big overhaul yet again. He just wins. And that is literally what Google will tell you and your eyes if you watch any team that he plays is Indiana have a shot doing what they did again last year.
C
Yeah, if they're a quarterback works out. If the quarterback situation works out again like it did last year, they bring in Francisco Mendoza from Cal who was really good there last year. But on the defensive side they have a first team all big 10 guy at D tackle at linebacker and the secondary. So they have all three levels, baby.
A
Yeah.
C
And they reloaded with A couple Notre Dame linemen on the offensive line. So SIG has reloaded. I don't know if iu. Is that something you could say in the past, but it feels like Sig has reloaded. They do have a chance. Their schedule is a bit hard. Harder this year.
A
Well, last year a lot of people talked about their schedule and they said, we play who we. What do you want to say? We played who we played. You know, a couple special teams mistakes against Ohio State. That game is a little bit different for sure. You know, that's what Signetti is definitely telling the boys, too, as they go into this season. What an incredible motivator and coach. I've enjoyed getting to know him as I've enjoyed getting to know the entire college football landscape as I was baptized to it. College game day three years ago. Cannot wait to get over to Columbus, Ohio, the home of a college football national champion, a Super bowl champion, a Ryder cup winner, and a man who's currently in the middle of a new haircut. Ladies and gentlemen, AJ Hawk. We're doing it right now.
G
What's up? Hey, what's the normal age to stop peeing the bed at night?
A
You know, 14 seems way too old. I don't know, I mean, when you.
G
You pee in the bed, you can almost have your temps and drive with your parents in the car like that.
A
I don't know.
D
Your temps temp.
A
Temporary election. Yeah, temps.
G
You don't call it temps. Fifteen and a half. Get your temps.
A
What for like farm trucks and stuff?
G
No, you. When you turn 15 and a half, you take a written test, your temps.
A
Okay.
C
We call it our permit.
A
Permit? Yeah.
G
Temps is much permit Your license.
A
No license is your license. Yeah, yeah, that's.
D
That's Ohio. Okay.
A
I guess the permit permits you to drive. Is that how you guys view it? As opposed to a permit?
G
What are we, 100 years old? It sounds like an old formal term.
A
That's what it's like you're calling attempts.
G
Tomato, tomato. We're good.
A
No, I think much better word.
B
Some people call it a permit.
D
There you go.
A
I would not permit anybody to do that here on this particular program. But with that being said, 14 feels a little bit too old to be peeing the bed. Who would have thought that that guy would go on to have a nine year NFL career and now he's an ESPN analyst. That's right. Hell yeah. And we're pumped for him. We can't wait to watch him this football season. It's going to be a great one. You just Talked about it. We're pumped. College football is here tonight. What are you looking forward to, brother?
G
I tell you what, usf, I know people are trying to say, what, what is it? Five and a half. They're dogs, I believe against Boise. I think that's a, that's a testy little one. I don't, I'm not, I'm not scared of, of UCF on this one. Alex Golish is, is the coach. He was actually at Ohio State my senior year, like junior and senior year. The guy was like student just breaking into the coaching world. I've watched his whole path, so I have a lot of respect for what he does. But I mean, Nebraska, uc, that's going to be awesome at Arrowhead. It's going to be an awesome environment.
A
Andy Reid welcoming them yesterday was really sweet. You know, like Matt Rule and Andy Reid talking. There's a lot of, you know, great history, obviously, in that stadium. Tonight. They'll kick off a college football season. Can't wait to watch. There's also other games. There's like 20 other games. I think ECU's playing NC State. NC State, yeah, right there in the middle. That's a huge game. I mean, NC State every year, potentially a conversation piece. Favored by 13 and a half at home. Okay. Yeah, here we go. Here we go. You can get, you can, you can, can. ECU can get it how you want it right here. You know, great start.
C
Listen, there's. We've been talking this week. Ohio, Ruckers, Buffalo, Minnesota, Miami, Ohio at Wisconsin. Those are three Mac teams versus three middle of the road Big Ten projected teams this year. There's a chance one of those Mac teams gets one of them boys tonight.
A
Yeah, I don't think the books are showing enough respect for the smaller tier teams, especially in the modern nil world. You know, some of these schools, I don't know what Ohio's exact setup is, but if they just have a couple hundred thousand dollars from donors, you can get good players in certain positions. And if you get good players in certain positions and you have like good fill guys everywhere else, you could steal a win against a team. Any team like that can happen, let alone week one where nobody has a clue what they're going to be. Nobody, everybody thinks what their team is, but until you actually get out there, you don't know. It's like 13 and a half's a lot of points, 15 and a half's a lot of Points for week one. Now granted, I know that's a lot of respect for Rutgers and Forensic State and everything like that. 17 and a half up there like that. Those are.
B
That's a lot.
A
That's a lot of points for week one college football game. In my eyes, I am not saying that this is what you should spend your hard earned money on. I'm just saying when I look at that, I think the sports books are thinking that there's going to be some blowouts here tonight. And in my eyes, first week of college, who knows?
C
There's always one. There's always at least one. There's probably going to be multiple this weekend where someone big, you know, gets upset in that. But, you know, those Mountaineers better be watching that Ohio and Rutgers game tonight because I believe Mountaineers go to Athens, Ohio in week two.
A
Yeah. And don't you worry about that. Oh, okay. Yeah, we'll thank the Shiano man. Sure shouts part of my take for giving us a blueprint on what we need to do week two. We'll certainly watch that. Yeah, the Mountaineers, we'll be talking to this man, head coach Rich Rodriguez here in about 20 minutes or so. Can't wait to catch up with him. There was a stat that just dropped about the amount of starts from the players that he transferred in. We have the most amount of starts that transfers in the entire Power 4 conference is from Max Olson. So West Virginia, we have 51 transfers that have a combined 462 starts of experience. A lot of seniors, 35 of them, I think 32,000 snaps right underneath there. Virginia in the ACC, only 31 transfers, but 447 starts. A lot of football played by not that many guys. So you're thinking this is kind of the Indiana rule. Indiana got a lot of transfers that had a lot of starts, a lot of wins from smaller divisions. Hungry dogs, if you will. Hey, let's go try to flip this shit at the highest level. They make the playoffs. Okay, that was an insane run. Now you're seeing West Virginia, Rich Rod's going to have to bring in a lot of veterans who have been through his type of style before as he's trying to change the culture. But I assume he also thinks you got to win early and the way to do that is with players that have won before.
C
Yeah. And this is the potentially the blueprint now after IU last year. So let's look at it. West Virginia, new coach. Virginia, new third year coach. Purdue, new coach. Arizona, second year coach. Houston, second year coach. Wake Force, first year coach. Colorado prime loves the portal. And then North Carolina, new coach like, these are a lot of programs with new coaches bringing in guys.
A
And on that note, North Carolina has a general manager. That general manager happens to be front of the program. Ladies and gentlemen, joining us now live from Chapel Hill, where we will be, I will be Monday night for a kickoff show. We'll be off on Labor Day, but I will be a part of a kickoff show for their first game of the season against tcu. Ladies and gentlemen, multiple time super bowl champion, author, Ted Talker, podcast host, live show host, email newsletter founder, and now general manager of the North Carolina Tar Heels football team. Ladies and gentlemen, Paisano Michael Lombardi.
H
It's so good to be back. It's so good to be back with you again.
A
Pat Lambo. I know you're in a cave right now, probably watching film. We appreciate you joining us, saving money. You've been working your ass off down there. How has it been now? We have full off season, regular season right around the corner. You're all the way back into ball. Is this as awesome as you thought it was going to be? And when you were doing media, was these, were these the days you were yearning for? How do you feel going into the season?
H
Well, I mean, I'm a little disappointed I missed the Kelsey Taylor Swift announcement. Being in the media, I'll admit that. You know, I mean, I, I mean that that was a big day, but other than that, I couldn't be happier. I mean, this is what I was wanted to do since I was 11 years old. And I'm delighted to do it with, with the greatest coach of all time and at one of the greatest universities, public university. So I'm really living out a dream late in my life. I'm happy. We've got a lot of people working really hard on what we're doing. Our coaches, our support staff, our recruiting is going well. So look, it's all coming together, but we're building a process and that takes time. And we're building a foundation for sustainable success. And they just don't do that overnight. And it takes time, but we've got players that have bought in completely. I think you'll feel that, Pat, when you come down here Monday night. I think everybody's bought into coach's program. They love what we're doing. And now we just got to be build confidence without evidence. We got to go out there and build that confidence.
A
Rome wasn't built in a day. You said he can't do this overnight. In changing an entire culture and trying to build your process, we just had that Stat up from Max Olson. Great stat here, by the way. And also makes West Virginia look good. So I love that. Anytime that happens, I'm going to get excited. But you guys are on that list. Top 10. Obviously, it's a lot of new coaches, new situations. We got to turn it over. 39 transfers who have 308 starts, was that something you guys were looking for whenever you were trying to get out of the portal? We wanted guys who played football, a certain style of football. How do you kind of get to this point of being in top 10 in this particular stat?
H
Well, I mean, look, the high school recruiting is the draft, right? Anybody who tells you the draft is going to impact your team greatly really doesn't understand the draft. The draft is always about in the NFL, next year's team. Right. Like we all should be talking about the packers draft from 2024, not their 25 draft, or the Raiders draft from 24, not 25. Some guys will make an impact, there's no question. But the real mark of a draft is what happens in the second year for the player. As Coach Walsh used to say repeatedly to everybody, the first year we teach the players the system. The second year we develop up the skills within the system. And so the, the high school recruiting is for next year's team. Will we get some production out of some kids we recruited? Yes, but the free agency is essentially the transfer portal and that's where you have to plug, plug and play. You've got to sign guys. We've signed Gio Lopez from South Alabama when he entered the portal, and now he's going to be our starting quarterback on Monday night. He started two years at South Alabama, now he's going to start for us here at North Carolina. So those are the things that you have to solve your problems with. And having not had a recruiting base here at North Carolina, when Bill and I arrived on the 14th of December, you know, high school recruiting was essentially done. So we're going to have to. Thankfully we had a spring portal to add a lot of players to our roster.
A
What is the conversations like? We knew that Bill Belichick would be quite an advantage, you would think, for certain players in the recruiting. What has it been like now for the players that have got on there? Have you noticed that you said he got full buy in? Is that strictly because it's Bill or how has Bill been coaching these college kids versus how he talks to the professionals? Is it a different side of him?
H
No, it's exactly the same. And I think what they're Amazed by is his knowledge of the game. I think they all walk out of the meeting room saying, I've never heard anything like that. I've had coaches, assistant coaches come up to me and say, you know, I've worked for some really great coaches, and I've never heard what I just heard in that room. So I think he really, you know, he's able to use his knowledge, his intellectual ability, the way he sees the game, which is vastly different than a lot of people see the game, and being able to transform that into a message for them to all understand. The best part, Pat, is when you walk on the campus. You know, I'm here at the football facility. We're in the stadium, but we practice about a half a mile away at our indoor. And when you walk, you have to walk through campus to get there. The best part is when I'm walking with them and the students are walking by and they like, is that Belichick? They're stunned. They're like, they want to say something, right? They want. But then he's gone too fast. So they've gone by. They're like, you could just see him, like. Like, he said that when we were.
A
In Detroit, it was awesome. We were at a steakhouse. Somebody was like. He walked past him.
B
Yep.
A
And the guy tried to stop him, was like, coach, can I. No, thank you. Yeah. If he would have caught him, though, I think if he would have caught him beforehand, I think he would have took the photo. But he's almost like, you missed it. This is not. We are now down the street. This is how it goes. Shows, like, the amount of people that recognize Bill Belichick, I think that was. He's megastar. Yeah, he really is. I couldn't even imagine him on that campus, especially with how much you guys have given back to the university. Feels like you guys love being there. Always have. Go ahead. A.J.
G
Lambo. When you look what's going on, when you look around, like, around college football right now, how do we. Does anybody know what kind of team they have? I mean, you know, what you had in camp and everything. But until you go out there and you actually play a real game, I guess how much can you learn from that first game? How much your guys can handle, how much they can't, and how you can actually coach and kind of, you know, move things around compared to the NFL.
H
Game, it's really hard for me. I don't know who we are. I mean, I know who we are in terms of us against us, but that's the Hard part. You know, when you have training camp and you practice, you know, 10 days, and then you have those preseason games, you get an idea, you're able to judge your team a little bit. You know, what you have have. This is really foreign to me, not having any practices against some other team. And, you know, what does the speed of the game going to look like? We're playing a TCU team that won six of the last seven games. They're very effective. Josh Hoover, their quarterback, is outstanding. He's got a high percentage of completion. They don't have negative plays. Sonny Dykes has done a tremendous job since he's been at tcu. So, you know, you know the history of tcu, you know what they did in their game, but you just don't know what they've added and how they've changed their team. And that's always a little bit concerning as you go into it. But like Belichick says all the time, the first quarters for assessment in any football game, you've got to assess what they are, and I think that's what we'll have to do in this game as well.
A
Is he treating it the same gameplay? I'm not. You don't have to tell me. Like, the Patriots always had, like, three game plans. You know, like, that was always the thing. I assume he's just coaching the same exact way from what you said.
H
Exactly. It's exactly the same way. I mean, look, we. One thing about college and is, you know, you're not going to change. They. Josh Hoover's been a very good player for them, and Kendall Briers, our offensive coordinator, has done a very good job. I mean, this is a team that was 25th in the nation. They score a lot of points. They run a lot of plays. They. They do a good job of keeping their defense off the field. They're very good at playing from in front, which is an essential quality to winning any football game on any level. So we know what to expect from them. They have a great job of turning short passes into long games. You've got a tackle, tackle really well. But for us, it's about merely how do we play. We can't have bad plays. We can't have false starts. We can't make mistakes because we've got to be able to have 70 plays in this game. We can't. If we have 50 plays in the game, TCU will score points.
A
P1 matters. First play matters more, especially going against one of those teams. If you don't get any yardage on first down to the first. You're. I mean, it is. Yeah, because then that's probably three and out. They're getting the ball back and they are just. And your defense gets no time and then you're back at it. You got to slow them down, Mike. Gotta slow them down. Hope you're able to do it. TCU team, very efficient. Let's talk about the team that you have and you've been able to get. Go ahead, Tone.
B
Yeah, Lambo.
C
I. I do want to talk about that. I want to talk about. How many times have you called Michael Jordan for NIL money? Is that something that you're allowed to do? Since I assume he's probably one of.
A
Your biggest, biggest donors?
C
And then also, like with the nil and the situation and the revenue sharing coming down the line, I don't. It hasn't fully passed yet or whatever. But have you started preparing for a situation where you know it's going to be, hey, you get so much money for your team, and then on the other side, they could get the nil.
H
Well, the nil. They've kind of the rules about nil go. And you have to process that. As for Michael Jordan, look, Michael Jordan's presence is more important than his. Than opening up his bill. For Michael Jordan, involved with our program is what it matters. I mean, I have three jerseys in my office, right? I mean, I'm in the football office. I hung three jerseys on the wall here. Julius Peppers, the great Lawrence Taylor and Michael Jordan. I mean, that's who we are. And I think to me, him wanting to be involved, him wanting to give us the Jordan brand, which I wear every single day, that's really important, because no matter how long he's been away from the game, the kids know Michael Jordan. They know the logo. And he has had a tremendous impact on him. And so financially, to me, that's more important than that. You know, sometimes you have to. You understand the value of what a donor brings to the table. And sometimes it's just not always cash.
A
Yeah, Michael Jordan's presence, certainly good cash also helps. Just. Just saying in sports, I got this text from Hemp Hembo while we were talking. Shout out to Himbo master statistician. The Patriots had won seven playoff games in 40 seasons before Bill Belichick arrived in 2000. They were a UNC equivalent is what Hembo is saying. Like what Bill Belichick was able to turn New England into, which I think he should get a lot of credit for, and everything that he's been able to do.
H
Yeah, he wasn't making pizzas in spite of what some people think he was doing up there. Like, he wasn't the chef up there in New England. I mean, I know there's been documentaries and books written about. He was basically working in the background.
A
Behind that short order book.
H
Yeah, I got all that.
A
Yeah.
H
I mean, like, at some point, you know. Yeah. Hey, I'll have two eggs over easy, Bill. And by the way, we'll take care of the game. Don't worry about it.
A
Right? Yeah. Yeah.
D
On that note for you, that was awesome. As a Patriots fan, of course, what Bill said, you know, was interesting about how, you know, the difference in coach in college. It's all football.
A
There's no owner.
D
There's no owner's son, personally, and I think most Patriots fans feel this way. Bill should take as many shots for as long as he wants after that Apple TV Dynasty documentary. So I'm glad he's getting stuff like this in, especially because of how the whole entire thing ended and how it went last year. But to your point right there, what you said, that first year, or to Hembo stat, rather that first year in New England, you know, it didn't go great. And then the year, I think they went 6 and 11 or 5 and 11 on the year after they won the Super Bowl. And when it comes to expectations for, you know, Bill Belichick, coach teams aside from that one, typically every single year it was a Super bowl as far as, like, the team expectations from, you know, Bill's point of view, from your point of view, obviously it's the first year you got to continue to grow, but when it comes to this year is the biggest goal, you know, the finding out who you are to, you know, what you were saying when it comes to the game is the biggest goal. Just seeing development in freshmen, like, what is the mindset coming from Bill and yourself when it's college versus the NFL, when winning is the only thing that matters?
H
You know, look, everybody wants to win games, and that's great, but sometimes winning can be a little bit of a. Of a misleading instrument where, you know, some teams win their first year and then they come back and they're not able to duplicate the winning because they haven't built the right foundation. And then all of a sudden it becomes problematic. I think for us, it's about getting better every single day. Look, the challenges that await us, we understand that, and we understand winning is part of. Of the job that we've signed up for. It's a great job. But winning comes with it. But I think we have to lay the foundation and the process in place. We just can't assume we're going to go out and win. I mean, Nick Saban was what, 7 and 6 his first season at Alabama. Well, we've had many phone calls with Nick Tom talking about what happened in his first year. It took him some time. Now, he didn't have the portal right to help him out when he was at Alabama. But what he did the next year in that recruiting class, it was Hightower, it was Julio Jones, it was some really good mark, you know, the Mark Ingram. There was some great players that he recruited that started his program in the right direction. And I think that's something that we have to do. We have to be very sustainable in our approach. And that's always been Bills. I mean, look, let's face it, it Connor, you know better than anybody the Patriots, and I don't mean this as a knock towards anybody in the organization, they never were in the top 5 of spending in New England. Never. They've always maintained a certain balance with their salary cap and their building of their team because they wanted sustainable success. And that's because of the head coach.
A
I, I appreciate that Bill is committing this much to North Carolina because to build an entire program is going to take a few years. Like that's a long time. Everybody was assuming this is going to be a one year, two year thing especially because where he is in his life seems like he is starting a new chapter. You know, there's a lot of noise outside of football up there for Bill, you know that.
H
Yeah, I mean it's not in the building. So that's the one thing that I can honestly say unequivocally. Our players have said that too, that noise. And I haven't seen any, any part of Bill's work ethic slow in town. I think it's increased. It's, it's remarkable. I mean, it's remarkable how and the attention to detail hasn't slipped away. And he's involved in every single facet of our. I don't think they've had a coach here and I don't mean this disrespectful towards Mack Brown or any coach who's been here, but I don't think they've had a coach. Our players have had a coach, some coming from the Portal, some being here that have coached all three phases like Bill does. I mean, Bill's out there coaching the block punt team and so like he's involved and so that's part of what we sell. You're going to get a coach who's not going to be a situational game manager or call plays.
A
You're getting a head coach eat twirling that whistle. Every video, he'll be down at the punt team, and then next you'll see him twirling that thing, talking shit to some defensive guy. The offense, you can't do that. You just can't. With the whistle twirl. What? Just like a coach's life, he's lived. He loves ball. I think that is very, very evident, as do you. I can't wait to see what you do with the college version of it all. Ty has a question about the professional version.
B
Yeah, Lambo. When you look at the Micah Parsons situation, if you were the Cowboys GM or you were Jerry Jones, and, you know, I don't know how much you've seen of all of that with, you know, getting ready for the game on Monday, but, you know, all the trade rumors, they're saying Green Bay is interested, they have a contract ready for him, all that kind of stuff. Yeah, Jerry and Micah had the handshake deal. That's been made a big topic of conversation, obviously, because things don't really get done like that anymore when you're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars. But if you were in that situation and you were doing all that negotiating and you had to make a decision.
A
What would you do?
B
And how do you think this ultimately plays out?
H
Look, it's hard to find Micah Parsons, guys that change the game. He's a Tuesday player, right? And I wrote about this in my book, Football Done, Right Tuesday players are the players that you have to worry about on Tuesday in a game plan meeting. Right? And those players on Tuesday go into the hall of Fame. I mean, that's what they are. You're sitting there, you're driving to the stadium Sunday morning, and all you're thinking about is, how am I going to block Parsons? How am I going to handle him in protection? What am I going to do? He's the game plan set up for him. You know, Pat, you had Dwight Freeney when he went out of the game. We're taking shots down the field right when he's in the game. We can't do this, this and this. That's a Hall of Fame player. And I think that's what Parsons is as well. Now, to me, you know, Jerry has always been late to sign guys. And because of his ability to talk and to convince players, I mean, look, we're in an age now where I can't have a meeting with a player here at North Carolina without someone else in the room. So we can validate exactly what happens. Because I don't want to play the. I said, you said, she said. He said, I don't want to play that game. And I think you got to be very careful. Careful about that, especially when it comes to your locker room. So look, Jerry's found a way to get through it with Dak Prescott. He's not done it. He's been late to the party to sign him and now he's at $60 million. But he seems to enjoy it. But I think at this point in his life, the best thing he can do is to get him signed to a long term contract without having to franchise him for two years and having to pay an awful freight to keep him on the roster. Everybody's going to be interested in the guy. I mean, who has pass rushers that can change the game? I mean, that's Lane Johnson we're walking. He's just walked right back there. That guy's a really good player. So he's, he's a hot commodity and he can tilt the game. And I think what we saw with the Cowboys traded for Charles Haley back in the day, they won Super Bowls after they got Haley. This is the kind of player we're talking about.
A
Hambo sent me a stat. Most sacks.
H
I love Hambo.
A
Geez.
D
Love you Hambo.
A
Hembo, Hambone too. We're big fans of most sacks on a team after getting traded there in third, John Abraham, 68 and a half sacks for the Falcons. In second, Chandler Jones, 71 and a half sacks for the Cardinals and the most sacks in the history after being traded to a team. Jared Allen, 85 and a half for the Vikings. Let's go. So there has been and I think Reggie White was traded it to.
B
He was like the, the free agent. First free agent signing. Yeah.
A
Like big one said yesterday, he was a trade. So Schneider, tighten up. Okay. Snide your boots on the ground. I'm taking what you're saying for verbatim there. But Jared Allen going there and having that career. I only remember him as a Viking, obviously. Yes. Like that can happen. And Jerry doesn't want that for Maka.
C
No, no, he does not.
A
He's going to be. Peyton Manning was only shown in a Denver Broncos uniform for a long time after he retired. Yeah, Kevin. Jim Ursay and the boys had to build a statue for him here in Indianapolis for people to like, remember that he Played for the Colts. And he was here for like, 18.
D
Years and won a Super Bowl.
A
And. Yeah, and it was like, it's that Jerry. Jerry doesn't want Maka playing anywhere else. But Jerry has also said that his mouth has gotten him into a lot of borrowed money. I'm too good at getting borrowed money. I was $50 million in debt, actually. And then his one oil rig that he paid 800,000 for hit. Yep. I made $100 million just off of that rig. I knew exactly what I was doing. I was buying Dallas Capital.
H
Jerry, you know, all that's true. You know, Pat, all that documentary about Jerry, all that stuff is true. And I lived it. I experienced it. Not because I worked for the Cowboys, but we played in 1989. We were getting ready to play the Buffalo Bills in a. In a conference game, a divisional round. And back in 89, there were no places to practice indoors. Nobody had an indoor facility like we all have now. And so we. You typically had to go somewhere. So the Browns. We used to go to Vero beach to practice at Dodgertown, but that was being used. So we went to the Cowboys facility, and Jerry had just bought the team and the building. He moved everybody into half of the building because he didn't want to pay the Heat cost for the entire building because he was so leveraged out on everything. So he just practically moved. And now people were in two offices and shared. It was unbelievable. And then he changed the game completely when he gave Jerry Jimmie Johnson that contract and he took all the money from Apex and said, here, Jimmy, all the money I just got from Apex, I'm going to give it to you. That changed the game. That changed the game. That's why he belongs in the hall of Fame for what he's done for the league. In terms of the value he put. The money you made in your career, a lot of it's contributed to Jerry Jones. There's no. No question about that, his ability to see the game moving forward. But this issue on Parsons is a separate issue.
A
Yeah, the Parsons stuff might be just drama that he loves, which is a part of his business plan. He has actually said that that's a part. The Cowboys aren't scared to be in the middle. A little bit of controversy. Don't you worry about what Cowboys are doing here. I was told by somebody kind of in the know, in the NFL world, one Jerry Jones in the league was a necessity. If there was 32, Jerry Jones, our league would be over. Is that. Is that, like, one was a necessity?
H
Well, at the time when he came in, it was really. He was the Steve Jobs of the NFL. He came in with a different idea, a marketing strategy that no one else knew. If you see pictures and happy birthday to Coach Parcells last week, you see pictures of Coach Parcells on the sideline next to Belichick. Coach Parcells is wearing an Apex jacket, and Belichick's wearing a starter jacket. And they were each making a little bit of money, not a lot from each company. And Jerry said, enough of that. I own the sideline. Here's what we're going to do. And now the owners own the sideline.
A
Yeah. Reebok deal and then Nike deal, and then this, this whole. Yeah, and now they're a cash cow.
D
Yes, he was.
A
I was $50 million in debt, to be clear now, most valuable franchise in the history of sports. It's a hell of an American dream story, brother.
D
Got 700 million from the NFL.
A
Unbelievable. All right, Lambo, Good luck down there. We can't wait to watch. Thank you.
H
I'll see you Fri. I'll see you Monday night. Monday afternoon. We got some. A lot of people in the house. Can't wait to have you. Hope to. Hope to see you.
A
Yeah, I'm, I can't wait to be down there, man. I was, I was asked if I wanted to do it, and I was like, Lambo and Bill got to come here. Absolutely.
H
You got to come here for their game. We got musical. I mean, I, I, I hear this. We got musical talent coming down here. The great Eric Church is a huge, huge, huge UNC fan. Hopefully he's going to show up with a bus, and maybe he'll play a little Springsteen for us.
A
Oh, is he? I don't know.
H
I can't answer that.
D
Oh, the spring.
A
A little public pusher on him a little bit.
B
Yeah.
A
I like that. You're the man. All right, Paison, good luck.
H
Thanks, guys.
A
Bye. Bye. Michael Lombardi, Springsteen. Is that on Monday?
F
Jordan coming.
G
Is Jordan doing the coin toss?
A
Probably.
D
Michael Lawrence Taylor might be there, too.
A
Yeah.
C
I was thinking Michael. Michael, Right.
G
Oh, you're a different one.
B
Oh, you're thinking Jordan.
A
Yeah, potentially. Is that pronounced Jordan, though?
D
I assume I, I think.
A
Or is it Jordan?
B
I don't think so.
A
Every time you read it, it's hard not to say things. Jordan. I've been saying, because it is d o n Normally you see A in there. Whatever the case, she's in a lot of headlines all the time, and it's not what we expect from a Bill Belichick like, thing, but Bill Belichick's living his life. And if Lombardi's saying, hey, inside the football, we're still doing our thing. I'm excited to see what the team is. I mean, it's a lot to just build a culture, flip a culture. We're gonna be joined here soon by a guy who's doing it again at a school that he went to, he's alumni of, and he's being tasked with flipping an entire culture back to what it actually is. You know, representing an entire state of just tough. Like that is literally what it is. And this guy had a hachi maki, hachimaki on the other day. Hard edged bandana. Just letting you know, I'm a samurai of tough. If you would like to come learn from a sensei, I am the guy. If you are tough and you are athletic, we want you here at West Virginia. Now. It's gonna be hard. Shit ain't gonna be easy. You're gonna have to be tough. But that is what hard edge is all about. Ladies and gentlemen, joining us now is one of the greatest football coaches of all time. I was very lucky to have him as a college football coach. And now he's back at West Virginia University, the home of tough. Ladies and gentlemen, Coach Rod. Yeah, Coach.
F
Hey, Pat, where did you get that funky picture at? I. I swore to Raquel, I didn't. I said, I don't remember taking that picture, putting a headband on, but somehow it got circulated. I look like an idiot, but no.
A
This is a good thing, not a bad thing. This is. You are a hard edged samurai, coach. You are. Hey, how are you doing? Doing boss. How are. How's life over there?
F
It's good. Camp was good. You know, I still have my voice. You know, the first week was really tough, but I'm proud of our guys. You know, it's different, you know, Pat, It's. It's a different type of challenge. You know, no matter what coach, what system you bring in and you're going to be. We're going to be demanding. And I'm proud the way they hung in there. They're, you know, now I got to see what we have. You know, we got to play a game and find out what we really have. But from an attitude standpoint, a culture standpoint, I don't think we're 100%. There's. But we're a lot further along than we were a month ago and six months ago.
A
Okay, so let's talk about it a Lot further along whenever you get the job. You understand that nowadays an entire building is not just the team in assistant coaches. There's everybody in the building now. We got nutritionists, dietitians, trainers, massage, everything. That's a nice facility over there from whenever we were there the last time. That is a very beautiful, upgraded facility. But the entire building has to kind of buy into your culture. How has that been? Because obviously, I think the way Neil Brown coached, no offense, Neil Brown, I appreciate what he did for West Virginia University, spent a lot of time in Morgantown. But the way he coached, vastly different than the way you coach and the way you run a program. How has that been? How has it settled in? Was there, like, a little bit of a culture shock, or do you think everybody's kind of figured it out pretty good?
F
I think it was going to be some. A little bit of shock, no matter who came in and did their own system. But what's funny, pals, we took a team picture here a couple of weeks ago, and there was as many people in white polo shirts on the staff as there was in uniform. I mean, I couldn't believe all that. I was embarrassed because I didn't know everybody's name. I'm like, there's 100 something. We're feeding 250 people every day in our building. So that's why our food cost is so high.
A
But we could probably pay some players. You know, we take some polos out of here.
F
And football staffers and football players don't eat like normal people. You know, I'm saying, like, there's normal people out here. No, there's. A loaf of bread for one guy might last a day. A gallon of milk ain't going for two days. You know, it's. It's crazy, but I'm really fortunate to have it. You know, I think it's. You know, west was changed before when I got a staff picture when I was first here, when you were playing for us, you know, there's like 10 coaches and four gas and, like, three administrators, one strength coach. Right now, that's the recruiting room, you know, that's it. So it's a little different dynamic. And so you have more. I guess you have to have more people will buy into the culture or help you teach the culture than ever before. And this. That's the part I'm really pleased about, that the staff really has not only, you know, they gotta buy and they got no choice, right? But the staff really helped me establish that part.
G
Go ahead, AJ Coach, what do you like first game you said we gotta see what we have. Like what, what kind of team we are, what are you expecting? What are like some non negotiables that you have for your team that for especially the first week, you want to see, see and see how they execute.
F
Well, the easy, easy answer is though, don't loaf and don't be soft.
A
And.
F
But that's kind of a standard for anything. But now it's a, you know, you don't go live that much in practice. You know, you're. A couple scrimmages and a couple practices, you'll be live or almost live. But in the games it's all full. Go, go on. And so, you know, you'll see who plays a little bit faster in game time, who's a little bit more physical in game time, are the lights too big or whatever. And you know, some guys, you think you know what you have, and you guys know this, you got guys played at the highest level. There are certain guys that do play a rise to a level when there's a game, and some guys maybe don't. And until you play a game, you got to figure that out. I wish we had a preseason game. It'd be easier to kind of guesstimate what you have. But at the same time, these guys have worked hard enough. They've earned the right to show what they can do and, and then we'll see what happens. We're gonna play a lot of people this weekend.
A
I don't know if a preset play a lot of people. I like that. That's a little piece of information in a nugget to find out who you have. I know the depth chart conversation has certainly been hilarious with you and why would you ever put a depth chart out, especially when you don't know what you have and the implications are very serious, especially with how transferring and everything kind of works these days. And I think you like the entire room in most rooms. On that note, you brought up a preseason there. I don't know if a preseason game will ever get approved, but it feels like the scheduling and how kind of power for conferences, football is, is changing right in front of our eyes. I think people aren't scared to get a loss maybe early in the season, so maybe they'll play a little bit bigger games. You're a guy I know that will play anybody. Now. I know the Alabama thing just kind of ended, but you are literally, hey, if. Let's, let's fight in the park. We don't. We'll play. Let's play you how do you feel about where college football is right now with College Football Playoff and how it's designed and set up and was that a big part of you coming back to the Big 12 or back to one of these power conferences in West Virginia?
F
Well, how college football is, it's a cluster. I better not say the last word. But, but it's. But I think there's efforts to make it better. I still think I'm giving my opinion. I still think there's a separation that's about to come where there's going to be 50 or 60 power four schools that have their own league and then everybody else is separate because there's just so many different dynamics in play now. Money, financially, you know what the commitments to programs, what they can do going forward and all that. So we're running a professional league now. And so as many professional rules that we can follow, which the NFL is obviously the most successful pro organization there is, we got to follow that. So if we're going to follow an NFL model for fairness and equity, you know, we need to get those rules established like right now. Now people can complain about the NFL all they want. You guys know this. There are, you know, there's, there's fines and there's, there's consequences for not following the rules and all that to college. They're still not that. And so I think all that's going to have, have one aspect. But I can sit here and bitch about it. I might right now I'm saying what am I going to do? What good does it do to me to about what's the rules right now? What do we got to do to win on these rules and what can we control? What we can control is our guys playing really hard, playing with passion, all right, and, and being disciplined. And so this first game, I don't. I was on our guys yesterday, I said we can't have pre snap penalties. We can't have guys holding. When you hold, you're lazy. That's it. If you loaf, you're a trader, you play for the other team. So I don't want lazy people and I don't want traders, you know me. And so that's not being like a jerk and I could be a jerk, but that's not being, let's just being, that's just being a team, a disciplined team.
A
My opinion, if you are loafing, you are a traitor. You are playing for the other team. You are wasting a spot on the field right now and you are.
F
We got 10 we've got 10 against 12. If we got two guys open, it's nine against 11 or 13.
A
They gain.
D
Yeah.
A
And yeah, it's. You are a wordsmith. You are one of my favorite humans I've ever encountered as, you know, the things you, the way you would put words together and how you would. You're a psychologist. And you're also, you say hard edge, hard nose, accountability, discipline, like what you taught me and our entire team, we all have carried into our life. I think about your West Virginia Southern fucking accent saying something to me on a very regular basis whenever something pops up in life. And I think once you get the guys in there that understand that and can buy into it, I think the opportunities in the sky is the actual limit. On that note, Tone has a question for you, Coach.
C
Yeah, Coach, obviously you coming from Jack State and a lot of your coaches coming from Jack State and still in that culture is huge. But how important is it the guys that you brought, the players that you brought? I think it's like six to eight. Somewhere around that range of guys that you brought over from Jack State that are in the locker room every day, that are around the other players every day. How important are those guys to instill the culture with the team?
F
Well, we thought that's, you know, part of the reason we, we thought, well, they're good players. But two, they could help the guy explain to the guys, hey, coach, ain't that crazy? It's really a method that we're doing to help these guys be the best version of themselves. But even those guys, I had to get on, of course, which tells you that it's a constant thing. You have to do that daily. Now, there are some guys that get it. You'll never have to say a thing. But there's other guys. You have to fight it every day. I mean, you really have to fight it every day. So it's not a once in a while thing that you ask for in your players. It's an everyday thing. And then once it truly becomes established and ingrained in your program, so to speak week, then the only guys you got to teach other 30 or whatever, 25 new guys going forward every year.
A
51, 70, 100 new guys. So many new guys.
F
Somebody told me the number was 79. I'm like, damn, no wonder I don't.
A
Know all their names. Yeah, it's a lot of players. Signetti did this, though. Is that something you guys are looking at like a blueprint?
F
I. I did look a little bit at what, what, what he did There and had some. He brought a lot more guys in from, from JMU and we're immediate help and all that kind of stuff. But we did think about that a little bit. He got, he brought production as it's. As opposed to potential, I guess you would say. And that's the same thing everybody wants. Not that we won't take a power forward transfer or it's got to be the right fit no matter where it is. But there were a lot of guys for us that we thought, you know, we were looking for a move up or looking for opportunity on a bigger stage. And so they had a different type of reasoning or hunger as opposed to that. The guys that were looking for just a bigger payday, you know, that wasn't, we weren't going to get that guy. You know, that guy's not, you know, plus that's not the mindset that we're going to build the culture around. Anyways on that.
A
Ty has a question for you, coach.
B
Yeah, so speaking of that mindset, Coach, when you go out in your recruiting, whether it's, you know, high school kids that that might be coming or it's prospective people in the transfer portal, how long does it take you to identify like okay, this, this is a kid that actually will fit into the culture when you maybe haven't had them in your building or you know, anything like that?
F
Yeah, you have to ask hard questions. I think any coach will tell you that. I mean it's all about. I know Coach Saban said this and I've obviously been saying it for the last few years. You've gone by guys, you got to buy the right players. Right. You know, some schools have been buying them for years, you know, but whoa, whoa. But, but the truth is you got, you better, you better. The valuation is always the biggest piece people realize. I mean, and if a festar is probably a five star, you're probably not going to miss on too many of those because if you're rated a so called five star, you probably so dynamic that, that you hard. It's hard to screw that up. But everything else is, is a little bit of a crapshoot if you don't really evaluate not just his talent and his size, speed and all that kind of size and all that. But does he really love football? You know, right now you're getting a lot of guys that play for football in high school and college that like it, not love it. I want the dudes that love it and need it. So if you take it away from it bothers them. I don't want the guy that loves how many likes he gets on Tick Tock or whatever it is.
A
Yeah, you hate that. Yeah, we know that. Yeah.
F
I mean, I don't mind if that's like a side hobby, but how. If how many likes he's got is more important than beating a block to get a sack or high. Pointing the ball in a jump ball situation or whatever the case may be, that's the wrong. Wrong dude. I want the dude that just, you know, they say, coach, we get to practice today. Not that we have to practice today. We get to. That's what I want.
A
Yeah. And you just saying there, does he love football? Like, I just want back to so many moments of you, because everybody on your teams and you've probably been told this, have had a moment where they all looked at each other and go, jesus Christ, man, this guy. This guy is getting after it, you know, in the way. Weight room is a massive piece of it. And I've heard great things out of the weight room, too, because it's like every day is on. I had the incredible opportunity to be a drill instructor for the Marines in this movie called the Mosquito Bowl. Well, the book is called the Mosquito Bowl. The movie's being filmed right now in Australia. Peter Berg's directing it. There is awesome dudes across the entire thing. And watching them become not just actors, but actual team behind the scenes as they're representing the greatest generation and college football in this movie, that is going to be, you know, phenomenal. From what I have seen thus far, it's like, what drill instructors, when I went down to Parris island to watch them and learn from them, as I was depicting them in a movie that was going to be seen by a lot of people, these are the baddest motherfuckers on earth, these dudes are. They don't sleep. They're expected to be perfect every single day. They are supposed to stay on these Marines. Marine every single moment, basically. And these recruits are, you know, not worthy of being Marines at the beginning. And then once through, they get through boot camp, it's almost like you've earned your stripes and you have kind of dealt with and went through what a drill instructor has given you for 13 weeks nowadays. Back then, it was seven to eight weeks because they're in wartime. So it was all kind of much quicker. As I was learning about these drill instructors, all I thought to myself was, rich Rodriguez would have been a phenomenal, phenomenal drill instructor. I. I mean, absolutely.
F
I was just on my team on My team yesterday about discipline, you know, I was talking about penalties, pre snap penalties, holding because you're lazy, not moving your feet, whatever discipline, you know, in your work ethic, whatever it is. I said, discipline is a form of love. It's what you do for somebody, not at somebody. But nowadays it's, it's, it's tougher because you discipline somebody and they're like, you don't like me anymore, you know, or what happened. It's like, no, if I didn't like you, I wouldn't even pay attention to you. You never hear I tell the guys, you, I probably said it to you before. Oh, yes, Start screwing up and I don't say something to you, all right? That's when I gave up on you. And I ain't giving up on nobody. And surely I wasn't going to give up on you, and I didn't have to worry about that too much. But some of these other guys, it's like, you, you're all I'm. They're looking at, you know? You know, I said, listen, I'm, I'm doing it for your benefit, you know, I don't necessarily say that nice, but.
A
Anyway, you are great. You are. Just know that when you watch this movie that I'm in, know that I drew a lot of inspiration from, like, your attention to detail and also the way that you are trying to get everybody to their best version. Like, you said that earlier, but that is legitimately what it is. You just have your way of doing it now. There are other ways to do it. I don't think I've ever seen a successful operation not be accountable, not be disciplined. Like, all the traffic traits that you pitch are the traits that make as successful anything business, team, you can name it. So I want to thank you for being my college football coach and for, you know, changing me. And you mentioned it in the press conference and I texted you immediately afterwards seeing it, because I think you didn't want to, like, step out of line where you're like, if you see Pat, like, Pat works his ass off. I think he learned some stuff from our program. It's like, yes, you can absolutely, absolutely say that. I learned a lot through your program about how I should approach life, how I should view life, work ethic, what I should expect, all those things. So you should be taking a lot of credit for that. You should not feel like you can't do that with you.
F
But here's, here's the point. With Pat McAfee and, and some others of your teammates, and other people, you know, that, that you have on, on your show, whatever's, they not only have that, but they have a certain level of competitiveness that they want to do whatever you want them to do. You know, the discipline, the work ethic and all that. And so that competitiveness piece of it, I think is sometimes not looked as much as. Well, the kids are, I think, naturally competitive, but the most highly successful ones, like yourself and, and everybody else that, that, that you have around you, they're the ultra competitives, you know, I mean, they'll race you to the water fountain, for crying out loud. I mean, if they're, there's, you know, if there's one piece of steak over there and there's 20 yards, I'm gonna beat the out of him to get to it. I mean, everything's, everything's keeping score, you know, I mean, and some people say, well, you know, it's, you know, it's not right nowadays. You lose, you know, it's this participation trophy thing. Like, are you me. You know what I mean? No. There's a winner and there's a loser and, you know, if you don't get the participation trophy, then try harder next year, you know.
A
Yeah, work harder. Work harder building up to it. You didn't earn it. Sports are a meritocracy and they always will be. What you do in the dark when nobody's watching will certainly be seen in the light when everybody's watching. And what you and your team have done, which we already know, anybody that's been through your shit, we know the boys are going to be ready and we know that you guys are ready to fight. I can't wait to watch your team. Maybe see you in a couple weeks.
F
Yeah, we hope. We hope so.
A
Let's take care of business. Let's not be fucking, you know, let's, you know, hey, we need today, right.
F
Right now I'm worried about getting the first down and the first play of practice here in about two hours and then I'll take it from there.
A
I asked him this morning, aj, when I called him, I said, coach, how you doing? He said, just trying to get a first down.
F
It's harder than ever now. You know what I mean? Hell hit me like I'm speaking a foreign language still that first year, I mean, how am I? And I got a lot of one word calls. I'm like, like if I had one of these west coast offenses where you had like 18 sentences to make a play call, we'd be screwed. And without, you know, with no hope whatsoever. I got a bunch of one more calls. You think they'd be able to handle it?
A
Hey, speaking of handling, hold on. I want to go back to a video that I broke down. I wasn't there. I don't know if you've seen my breakdown of the video that hit the Internet. This was certainly equipment manager wearing the ref stripes, not spotting the ball accurately. Is that what this was?
F
I think it was.
A
Was.
F
No, I don't think it was equipment manager. I think it was one of the staff members, one of the coaches. I have one of the coaches in charge of being, like, the umpire or the center judge to spot the ball quickly. And for whatever reason, he. He was just not paying attention. And it cost us about 10 seconds. And I was like, that's 10 seconds. I'll never. I'll. I'll never get back. I'll be sitting on my deathbed and Wish I had 10 more seconds to live because they screwed a drill up. I'll never get that.
A
10 seconds. You're the greatest. I'm happy you haven't changed. Good luck. I'll see you soon. Take care of business. Ladies and gentlemen, the founder of Hard Edge. I'll be laying on my deathbed, and I'll think, I Wish I had 10 more seconds. Do you know where they went? You spotting the ball in the wrong place. I'm telling you, when I was watching those Parris Island Joe instructors, these unbelievable men and women, just the baddest humans on earth. Limited sleep, maximum energy, full attention all the time. Have to be perfect. It's like to play that a movie is absurd. Like, they're gonna be so mad at my version of it, you know, Like, I understand there's gonna be many drill instructors who have sacrificed their entire lives to creating marines for extended periods of time. I mean, it is a full commitment. Families. What is that? You know, like, we are. Are. We are in this. With this platoon right here, it's like honor of a lifetime. But as I'm watching them and the way that you're speaking, and then I watch some film, obviously, we watch R. Lee from Full Metal Jacket and everything like that. The way they talk. It's a lot of promos, and it's like they're trying to get their point across. And it's like, not exactly the. Everybody's saying the same things. They're cutting promos in there to try to crack through, try to break through, to try to touch an emotional nerve. They are trying to get to that. That. To let you Know, like, hey, everything you've learned before getting here, like, does not matter. We are the Marines. We are the first to fight. And you are not going to be a marine unless you are a bad. Like, that is just what the Marines are. That's what they stand for. And the culture is the drill instructor. So as I'm watching and listening these drill instructors, I'm like, Rich Rodriguez missed his calling, man. This is. Every day there's something you can fix. Because even when they're standing perfectly, they're not. Your feet aren't at 45 degrees. They're at 46,6 degrees. You need to go ahead and move that. You're standing upright. Nope, you're not enough. You're fucking need to extend that spine a little bit more. Like, there's always something to fix because it's like you're always striving. You have never made it. That is Rich Rod to a T. Like, yesterday, have the greatest practice of all time. He's coming in the next day. That was shit. Absolute shit. We're watching the things that were bad, and then we're going into it. It's like, with that being said, I think that's always gonna win, you know, like, it's always gonna end up winning. Like, I think if he would have stayed at Michigan a little bit longer, I think. I think he probably would have won. I think he would have started winning Arizona. I think he started Jacksonville State. He takes them from not D1 to D1, wins conference. It's like those intangibles win in the sport of football. Toughness, accountability, being a good teammate, like, that matters in our sport. So, like, whenever Richard gets hired back to West Virginia, I think everybody that was at West Virginia when Richard was there was like, all right, we're going to win. We're going to win. Get games. Is. Are we going to win it all in this modern world, with how much money some people have versus what we have, maybe not. But are we going to. Are we going to be a tough football Big 12? Yeah, we're going to be a tough football team, and it's going to be fun to watch. You know, A.J. it's like a cool feeling.
G
And Rich Rod even said that he's like, it's every day, like, you got to stay on it. It's true. It's like a parenting. If you're a parent, like, if you let a kid get away with a tiny little bit, like, they're going to continue to try to push and push. And your team, I think a Bad thing for a team is if they're comfortable. Like, a team should never really be comfortable. I know. At least as a player, I. I never felt comfortable. You should never be comfortable. And sometimes you wish you were, but then you're like, no. Like, we don't. That's not how it works. You have to be on everything every single day, and you can't let anything slip.
A
Meetings at 2 o'. Clock. Okay, you better be in there 1:50, because that meeting starting anywhere between 1:50 and 2 o'. Clock. So if you're anything after 1:50, you're late. And you're sitting there, you're facing the front. Okay, we're facing the front. We are not the same. You're not just hanging out. And we're not just study hall. Hey, how was it last? We are. We're in a team meeting right now. This is. We have a reason. And then he would walk in whenever, 154 through the back. And it was like. As soon as he walked in, it was. Everybody was like, all right, well, here we go. We have no idea. We have no idea what's about to happen here. We have no. He could throw us a bone. Which is exactly what they call it, I think, on Parris island. When he throws somebody bone, like, let him just have to, like, a little bit of moment. He could throw us a bone. Hey, guess what, boys go to the pool. It's like, holy shit. We thought we were running the hill potentially there. Like, always guessing, you know, never content, always striving. And, oh, yeah, we can get better than we were yesterday. That's why I hope he wins. I do. I hope he gets a chance. Because I think he's done it in a way that is a winning way in football. And it is like, you feel for the people that have gone through Rich Rodriguez, like, football program, like the guys that went through with Neil Brown and Dana Holgerson in West Virginia certainly respected your Mountaineers. I do. We didn't have a lot in common, though, because I didn't. You didn't have to go through Barwas beach, and I know you didn't because I've been watching the videos of what you guys been doing. We were damn near death every day. Like, that is what we were. And those rules were a little bit different back then. And watching that team and kind of watching it build and watching him just be the alpha of the room. Room and us rallying sometimes against him. Almost like this guy. Like, this guy has no idea. He doesn't care. He wants that like, that is a part of the entire mission. It's like they're. They're going to win at West Virginia. And I'm honored that they have selected me for the hall of Fame. And I'm pumped that Rich is back there. It's going to be electrifying this fall. I think personally, maybe not this year's back.
G
I think coaching's back. Rich Rod's style, ish. I think it's coming back a little bit.
A
Matt. Rule two, same thing. We're not doing tick tock.
D
Please go.
A
Go on. Get it out of there. I think it is. That's always been the style that wins. Some coaches just are a little bit better with the media, I think, you know, like Andy louder than others.
G
I think some are louder.
A
That's all. Nobody expects Andy Reed. Andy Reid is. He's not swearing like we tried, but.
D
It is still the same Arizona State coach. The young guy feels like he's just like that as well.
G
He's great.
A
Yeah, it's, it's. Hey, you have to like, this is a developmental thing. Like you are boys to men. Abercrombie is an official fashion partner of the NFL. And I'm CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. You know, I'm here for Abercrombie's Cowboys gear. That's not a question, but I need a whole wardrobe to go with it.
H
No shade to the guys, but I'm.
A
Used to having the best tunnel fits. This season, Abercrombie has me covered. Shop NFL by Abercrombie in the app, online and in store. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling. And when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person on, on the phone or using the award.
B
Winning app, it's nice knowing you have.
A
Help finding coverage that best fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is.
D
There.
A
Is the greatest AJ if you loaf, you're a trader.
G
Okay, it's true, it's true. There's all. Do you guys have different forms of loafs as well? Like we get graded. There's a turn, turn it down loaf. If you turn it down, there's a speed up loaf. If you're running all of a sudden you change your speed. Yeah, all that stuff.
A
No, people are getting loafs when they weren't loafing back whenever at West Virginia. I mean, he is, he's looking for treason you know, he is certainly going to find it, too. If you loaf, you're a trader. If you hold, you're lazy. I don't want lazy traders on this team. One in line, dude. He was electrifying as a head coach. I mean, that is just like putting it mildly. Every year at the end of training camp, I would host a Gong show of sorts that the freshman would put together. And I would be Rich Rodriguez at the end of that thing, and I would just say things that he had said in the past year, just his. I would write his shit down. So, like, literally throughout the year, things would happen and I'd be like, locking that one down. Like, if you loaf, you're a trainer. That would have been immediately like, yup, putting that down. And in this time, at the end of the Gong Show, I would come out stone cold Steve Austin from the back, like he does for the team meetings, because, like, different groups of freshmen would do their show or whatever. And then I, I would come out and at the very end, I came out like, stone cold Steve Austin. Glass break. Did the entire thing. And I went on. That was probably my first time really doing a performance, if I had to say. And that was a tough room. Okay? We had a tough team. That's a tough room. We got people literally from Compton, South Florida, Ohio, you name it. We got people from all over the map in that room. And they're all just getting done with training camp. And it's a Rich Rodriguez training camp. So that's a tough, tough room. I mean, that is a tough, tough room right there. So I got in there and got some pops out of that entire thing. Felt like I was on top of the world. Then Richard would come up immediately afterwards and did I get a rape? I mean, he is. He's so funny, dude. His brain, football wise and motivation wise, is just always. He's all. We'd see him. 5am he's on the stepper. The, the. The stepping machine machine or whatever. Cavs just outrageous. Pop just right through. Wouldn't stop. We're working out down there. 6am with Barwiss, which is maybe the greatest strength coach of all time. He's getting people with paralysis to walk now. I mean, just like, so honored to know him. But he was. I mean, that shit was not. That was. That was. That was. Those were some tough days. Those are some very tough mornings there when you're questioning a lot of things. Things. A lot of things. Football, this sport. I could go play soccer again right now. I stopped soccer because I Didn't want to run. And now I'm going through the hardest work. Is this the hardest workout in the United States of America? I think this might be the actual most difficult workout on a regular basis in the United States of America. I didn't even lift going in high school. I didn't even lift that one time.
G
That's wild to me. You're thrown into that after like I know you said you, you kicked and everything in high school, but you joined the team basically for games. Like the fact that you had nothing and then you get thrown into that a Rich Rod team with Barwis as the strength coach. Like, yeah, like you pretty much they three in the toughest spot you probably could.
A
And I'll tell you what, right mindset, I always, I always try to enjoy everything as much as possible, but boy, there were some days where I was like, I'm not supposed to be here no way. And teammates, the tightness. Whenever you go through that together hard. When you go through hard together, it really does bring you, you know, it brings you together. So I got faith in this West Virginia team. A lot of new faces, a lot of new bodies. But I think that soul is always going to be the same if Rich Rod is the coach. The toxic table is here at Boston Connor and at Ty Schmidt. Ty, are you a little bit worried, you know, that that coach is back in football in a big way? Listen the way he speaks. Would you ever hear here Kirk fair stock, like you're talking about polar opposite type of personalities. Similar coaching styles though, do you believe? Yeah.
B
So you don't ever hear Kirk say anything like that in like the media. And he'll never really get. He doesn't give reporters really anything. But if you watch Kirk on the sidelines, like he's, he still gets fiery. He'll still, you know, an assistant coach or the referee. But I mean, what's it like?
A
Does this Ryan Day just watch? Ryan Day seems like a pretty intense guy. Yeah, you know, seems like a pretty intense dude. I do wonder what his day to day is like because I think you have to be in our sport. I think you have to be pretty attention to detail.
G
However, let anything slip. You can't let anything slip. And that goes as far as like your assistant coaches too. Like that's a big thing like how you coach your assistants. They have to know the standard and what it is. And that's the thing, like it's exhausting to do that thing about Rich Rod. That's exhausting to not let anything slip. Like you could be walking by at any, like anytime. Just see the tiniest thing and if you want, like.
A
Yeah.
G
Even though it might seem tiny, like, yeah, we can't have that. Like, we have to change this.
A
Pick up the straw wrapper, put it in the trash can. Yeah. I don't know why I left it there. Yep. You know what I'm saying? Wasn't mine, I don't think.
G
But it's hard to explain that to young people sometimes though, as a young kid it's easy to be like, well, what do you think? You think third and two is going to care if I threw my two tape away today? Like that's. But honestly it all, it's all connected. It does matter.
A
It doesn't show up till it shows up. That's like the, that is literally what it is. It doesn't show up till it shows up. And I don't want to point out what happened with the Colts last year with the fumble and the half yard line and everything else like that, but it's like there were signs that things were not operating how, you know, winning teams operate. I'm not just pointing out one particular team. This happens throughout a year. For a lot of teams. You see things that are happening. It's like how you do anything is how you do everything. Everything. If that's happening, what else is happening and if it, if you're seeing this now, is it going to show up in the biggest moment? Probably like that. That is normally how it all works out. And yeah, I'm very pumped for college football to start today. I'm starting to get like very excited about it now. This also brings back college kickers. Let's be nice. Remember, it's not easy to kick. We showcase that every single weekend on college game day.
D
Hard to kick actually with the kickers. Cool story tonight with Nebraska, that punt who went viral for, you know, like not seeing his family and everything. I guess they flew over like a bunch of his friends and his family.
A
Bunch of blokes.
D
Yeah, a bunch of the blokes are going to be there in Kansas City.
A
Good blokes coming over there. The. I love to hear that. He also one of the guys, he can kick with both feet. So I guess that that was one of the storylines of the off season. Young guy, 18 years old, which I appreciate. I like that he's 18, you know, because there has been some situations where 30 year olds are coming over, you know, to colleges to kick in like 17 year old Americans obviously not going to get scholarships over 30 year old, ex, professional, full family, know how to be an adult. Very consistent. Ozzy, who I love. I'm not. Listen, it was an opportunity. You're allowed to take it and everything. I'm just saying that was happening there for a bit. So that was an interesting dynamic and a little bit of a change. But I think the Aussies have brought great things into Bunny, so I'm not judging. I'm just saying that was the situation that take. I think it's happening right now again with Hawaii and everything like that. But I love that it's an opportunity and everything. But this kid, 18 years old, so he's like committing life to this now, you know, like all the other guys. Aussie rules football players. Great sport, electrifying sport. Once all the Brisbane Lions, they had their awards last night. Congrats all the boys that won there. Hey, NFL wars new MVP was crowned. Toughest guy was crowned. Yeah, champion of all that stuff. But a lot of those guys were coming from Aussie rules football into American football to kick. So it's a little bit of an adjustment. Different ball, different strategies. They're doing a lot of passing to each other. So they're very accurate, very good in control. They actually have a kick whenever they're growing up. So the way they punt the ball, obviously different than an American style. Him as an 18 year old doing American football feels like he probably concentrated a little bit more. More on the American style, which is cool that we've gotten to that continent because that's a very cool place. I think they would like football a lot if it became bigger over there. They're gonna try to take a game there that's far away.
D
Good luck.
A
That's a far. That's a far away. But like a Nebraska kid. Yeah, 18 years old can go. I think he's.
G
So he go. Does he. Do they know going into the punt if he's going right or left footed?
A
I would assume his team would know if he's 18, like this is freshman year. So I maybe rules giving him check. Like he can check as a freshman. That would be insane. If he could be like, hey, we're rolling right on this one. Like tapping his leg, making an adjustment out there. Maybe next year I would assume that would take place or maybe throughout the year. But I would assume his team knows the other team would not. But you know, I do have a little bit of a take on that. There's definitely a more dominant leg and you know, this is kind of like the conversation. Do we want it like show head with pitching and hitting, it's like, do we want to sacrifice the development of definitely a bombing leg, Whichever one is the one for mixed hits on the off leg, because there's definitely going to be one leg that's stronger than the other. It's like, how much do you want to do that? Or do you use it as a curveball? Like, hey, this is.
D
Or.
G
Or it could just be your. Your non dominant. Could be an emergency situation. Hey, we dropped the snap. Whatever. This guy's rushing all over. I got to kick this one left.
A
Exactly. You can have a fire, fire situation or you could use it as an advantage, you know, because having probably two returners, so, you know, you got only nine up. So that takes a little bit of pressure off a lot of people. You can maybe run fakes off of it if you're able to go both directions. Probably not going to run a rush. Probably going to be a lot of stand if you guys go in both ways. So that is a weapon, I think. But I personally, I would not want to sacrifice the development of the one because if he's going to make it, he's going to have to have a very, very, very dominant one. There's only 32 jobs and it's. I think he has the talent, all the talent in the world. I'm very excited to watch him. And once I learn more about his story, it's like, this is a guy. This is. This is a real deal. And there's a lot of those.
C
And I think something to watch tonight, something Nebraska wants to do is just get the ball off. I believe they had eight kicks blocked last season, which one of I think the worst in college football. They. They brought in a new special teams coordinator. So I think they're just trying to get the.
A
That ball off. Yeah. And if you have a punter going both directions, you might take the heat off the blocks a little bit. That might save eight blocks.
C
You weren't here. Did you hear the story about the Japanese field goal kicker from Hawaii?
A
No.
C
Okay, so he hit the game winner last week against Stanford. I think he's 24 or 25. He was introduced to American football and then he learned how to kick by watching YouTube videos. Went to a juco, I think in Wisconsin or Minnesota, somewhere in the Midwest. Didn't want to go somewhere where anyone spoke Japanese because he wanted to learn the language. And then signs on with Hawaii six game winner.
A
Pure ball right there.
C
Yeah. Learned how to kick from YouTube.
A
I love that legend.
D
Yes.
A
That is magic. I mean, that's what technology in the advancements of everything making the world smaller really shines a light on how good things can be too. How would he ever be introduced to our sport or this opportunity? He hits a pure ball right there, too. That's a huge moment there for Hawaii beating Stanford.
D
Yeah, yeah.
A
You know, you hear Stanford people talk. It's like, if we can't beat Hawaii, we're in trouble in this entire thing. Would love Hawaii to get back to be a great team. That's a pure ball in a massive moment. What is he, Freshman? Sophomore?
C
Oh, that's a good question.
D
I think I saw like his second or third year of eligibility, but it's just like that kid who was racing, they made a movie about him. He was a. Just like an online virtual racer. And then he became a real race car driver and, you know, whatever. Not Formula one, but with a Forza Motorsport whatever the hell it is. He. He went from video game in his entire rig in his house, and then he got signed to a team, and then he became a professional driver.
A
Kansei Matsuzawa. K. Matsuzawa. He's a senior. All right, so we know that. Previous school. Hawking college.
C
High school in Ohio.
A
Makohari Soo High School. All right, well, good luck, brother. Hey, we love that story. Ball kicking positions. Good entry point for our sport to a lot of countries. You know, rugby, Gaelic football, I think even has some kicking in it, obviously. Soccer, Aussie rules Football union, rugby, Sevens, rugby. There's a lot of different styles. Rugby league, I believe. I don't want. I want to get them all right. Because they all have their own very passionate fan bases who think the other sport is not as good as theirs. Sure. A lot of rugby people saying Aussie Rose ain't the real sport. Mike, you got to come down here. Rugby, a lot of people had no respect for the other sport. Okay.
D
It's like the Hull isn't rugby down there. New Zealand and Australia, isn't that.
A
Yeah, that rugby NRL, I guess, is a massive ordeal down there is one.
G
F1 and one of them's at NASCAR. I know.
A
So I think one. It's more regional, like hockey. You know, like, there's hockey towns. I think there's like Aussie Rose football is across the south. I think if I remember from the conversation, more of the southern part of the continent has Aussie Rose Football and then rugby kind of more so the middle and the top. I believe if I was remembering the conversation I had after about two hours of sleep correctly, you know, if I am all digesting it properly. Sure. But I went to one of those Aussie rules football games over there. It was electric. It was like a European soccer game. It was like. That was the vibe. Always up, always energy. There's action happening really far from us because the field's so far, people still engaged, drinking low 4X.
C
You know how big as it looked.
A
I had about 15x. Field is huge. Field is absolutely gigantic. But the vibes are awesome. Posted about going to it. And I got a bunch of Aussies. Hey, Spike, mate. Rugby, I don't even follow.
D
That's why there might not be many fatsos in Australia, because the sports that they play are.
B
There's really no constant movement.
D
Yeah. There's no fatso positions.
A
They gotta run a lot. And these dudes are big, too, and they're running a lot. You don't see a lot of like. Oh, no, they're jack jacked, all of them. And all of them seemingly hilariously handsome. They got like some ridiculous look like they all. It is. It's a cool sport. McCluggage. Yeah. He got named Australia, I think. Yeah.
B
I mean, he's a dog. I've been saying it for years now, since the pandemic, really. He's who. He's what got me into the Brisbane lines.
A
I think it was episode 709, maybe like hour 40 minutes in. They played it.
B
Really?
A
Yeah, they played the clip. Seriously?
B
That's awesome.
A
And then they said the guy was standing two feet in front of me to go, that's Huber. And I was like, hugh Dog. Huge fan.
D
We loved you.
A
It was a cool moment. It was a cool moment. McCluggage. Charlie Cameron. It was his 250th game. He had Country Roads as his song.
B
That's sweet.
A
Yeah. Yeah, it was awesome. I guess there was some negativity about goal songs after goals. I guess this might be something new. I don't know. I was just trying to follow the Social Network.
D
Sure.
A
Response. And because I saw people saying. I saw one tweet that seemingly had a lot of attention that was like, for those who don't like the songs after goals or whatever, this must be a new thing. Listen to this. In Brisbane. And it was the entire place singing Country Roads. It was sick. I was so happy. I was sitting there just having a good old time. Charlie Cameron scores 250th. He was very nice to me. I practiced. It was nice to talk to him. What a talent. I think I remember watching him back whenever we were watching the entire thing. So then he scores. I'm like happy for him. My dude. And then all of a sudden starts playing. I'm like, wait a minute. Yeah, holy man, you know? And first sergeant Gartland, who's also from Plumborough Pittsburgh area, he also has had friends that have gone to West Virginia. He understood. And we just holy in the whole 35,000 plus just singing it. And that was a cool moment. It was electrifying in there. Brisbane gets a big win over the Hawthorne Hawks. I'll tell you what, they were not happy with the officials, which there were many. A lot of. Lots of. Of a lot of refs.
B
Yeah, makes sense.
D
Figure 10, very large field.
G
I mean, what kind of calls do they make? What kind of other penalties?
A
How's that when the ball goes out off of who? When's the throw? When's the start? I. I don't think I fully comprehend when what is happening because every once in a while I always blow the whistle and the ball go to the other team and it's like, well, what, that look pretty standard. And then every once in a while they blow a whistle and there'd be people pissed. So I'd be trying to figure out what people are pissed. Like, is that Hawthorn? People that are mad about what just happened and then 34, 45 seconds later. Because there is, you know, like in soccer, we've heard from the soccer players when they're flopping around, it's not just like they're flopping around, it's also like, hey, take a breather, boys. We're running like seven miles here. This is, this is a little bit of a dramatic moment for us to have a timeout when we don't really have a timeout. Feels like that happens a little bit in Aussie rules. Whenever there's a catch and the whistle's blown and they got like 30 seconds, that thing was at zero. Multiple times 30 second countdown clock. Zero. And this guy's halfway in his run up still. It's like, okay, so this is a little bit of like the. Yeah, you can kind of. Let's get a little bit of a breather here. I'll tell you what, if they're off ball, they're really handsy. And by handsy I mean. Yeah.
B
Beating the shit out of each other.
A
Danny Zork, I think Zorks. Danny Zork it was. They were calling him Zorks. I don't know if his last name was Zorks or not. It was his 300th game.88% of Aussie rules. Football players make it to 300 games. They were honoring this guy. They had 4x bottles with him on. They had T shirts on. Signs outside were him be. Right before the game starts, they're on the field, they're about to do the bounce and center. Half a second, maybe two seconds before the game starts, he's at one of the ends. Guy from the other team punches him in the throat. Right in his throat. He's fucking this literally, as the do.
G
Can you do that?
A
I don't do anything. And then the guy from the other team, like, starts, like, pushing him. Like, while he's doing, like, they start pushing him. Like, it was this guy's night. Like, literally, they're doing the entire badge honor.
D
Maybe it's like, hey, 300th game, we.
A
Gotta punch him right before the game starts. Got punched him right in the throat. It was right in front of me because I saw it happen. I'm like, God, they're so cheeky behind. Like, that is such, like, a cheap move right there, but everybody just kind of does it. I think from what we, like, learned from watching, like, they're punching each other, getting up, and it's like, oh, I'm gonna get you next. And they do. And it's like, that's kind of how the game is played. Dude got punched right in the throat. Right. It was his night.
D
And Zorko just kept going. That's why Zorko's the coach.
A
I think Zorko did. Did take a moment, though, like. Yeah, did take five.
B
I would assume so. Adam's apple.
A
Yeah. Because I saw somebody get hit. They were so far away, I didn't know who it was. And I was, like, watching them, like, for the first couple minutes of the game. Game, like, really struggle. And then he got closer. I was like, that's Zorks. That's the guy we're honoring tonight. I guess he probably should have expected that. Oh, yeah. Big celebration, huh? Boom. Just right to the throat. It was crazy. That's gonna hurt. Absolutely crazy. They had a guy. They had a guy on the other team. He was number 18. I forget his name. His first quarter, he was unbelievable. First quarter, it was clear that Brisbane just needed to stop. Stop this guy, punch that guy. This guy's bingo. I'm like, how is this guy just allowed to just walk around right now? Like, we are not checking this guy through the boards, right? What do we. Can we not help this? This guy took over the first quarter, and I had a couple Hawthorne Hawks fans around me. I'm like, is this. Is this the guy? Is this the greatest player of all time?
C
Was it Mabia Chul Cho?
A
Yeah, he. He came up through the Brisbane Academy. He's from Brisbane. Then he goes to the Hawthorne Hawks bench game. The Hawthorne Hawks fans. Fans tell me he's hit or miss. When he's on, he's the guy. When he's off, it's. It's nothing. It's nothing. And he was on there for that first quarter. We didn't see him the next three quarters, though.
D
Oh, that's classic.
A
That's classical. Yeah, Brisbane Lions, though, they. I think they shut him down a little bit.
D
I mean, I assume the boys, once they saw the replay of Zorko getting punched in the throat and getting pushed over, they're like, no, not on Zorko's night.
A
Kai Lawman had two big goals. Kai Lohman had great ballet, great flow.
D
Nice.
A
He showed up at set the next day, two goals.
B
Nice.
D
You guys need. Hey, you guys. You guys need another role here.
A
I'm sitting there in the middle of the entire scene. I look over. Good game last night, guy. Proud of you, buddy.
C
Oh, Loman's got good flow.
A
Great. Sweet. A lot of moxie, too. When he showed up, everybody had to look, you know, like, geez, what the.
D
Is that? Did the other Aussies who were working there say, like, holy, there he is.
A
I'm Ruga Bean bite.
D
Oh, yeah.
A
That's where I learned the.
D
The beef.
A
Okay. Yeah, that's where I learned the entire, entire thing. Yeah. Because there's a lot of Aussies, there's extras. There was Aussie production people, audio people. Like, everybody basically was. It's a lot of people. Yeah. So they were so cool, man. The Aussie human is a good one. That's. That's, I think, a genuinely a good tough. I think they're all kind of tough. All seemingly have personality. And I don't think they really. They're not about to. About much. You know, I think it's Think it's a. I think it's very much straight to it. Yeah. The food, A.J. i'm still worried to eat. I'm like, very worried that my entire inside's going to be destroyed.
D
I'm still. I'm still very angry about that entire conversation, but that's okay.
A
Yeah. I didn't expect you to get riled up, dude.
D
It is the.
A
Then he pointed out like, that I should be bad. I'm like, I guess I should be that I can't.
C
I was bummed out that we don't have it. But it didn't move me to anger.
A
Yep. But it was very nice to just be able to go, I appreciate you kind of separating that.
D
Yeah, it did move me to anger.
A
To clarify, you sit down at a cafe in Brisbane. I don't know what it is everywhere. I'm just talking about Brisbane and it's just like everything you're ordering is like the nicest quality of whatever. The coffee, the eggs, the bacon, the potatoes, the sweet potato, everything. The granola, the acai, everything is just like good. Yeah, everything's like the freshest of quality. Love that. And the pizza. It's everything. We tried our best to feel like, like we're going to go eat the fried stuff. But it turns out it was all healthy fried stuff. Cuz it's a certain oil that is like healthier than everything else. And it's like, am I. Have we been doing it wrong? I'm not going to say that sounds like it.
D
No, we definitely sounds like it.
A
No, I'm not.
C
What are they cooking with?
A
Ghee?
C
Are they cooking with ghee?
A
You know, I didn't ask enough. I. I was beef tallow. I was certainly talking, trying to learn as many stories as possible, but I didn't catch the broth that they were cooking.
B
No, I know. Steak and shake puts their new fries tallow out. I don't know how much they're doing that in Australia, but they might be.
A
I mean there was fries over there pretty good. You know where they do lack? I will say outside of Tim Tams, their sweets suck.
B
Okay.
A
Yeah, we went into sweets.
D
Another reason we're pumping.
A
Really Another reason everyone's fit. Really good stuff. Yeah, I guess that is another.
D
Damn it.
A
Yeah, See, they can't win the sugar battle against us because we fucking. We're cool with whatever going.
D
Yeah, that's what really stinks. And now I'm thinking about in my head because I'm like trying to think of like what restaurants in India are the freshest. You know what has the best.
A
I think it's D Bones kitchen.
D
Probably.
B
You're probably right.
A
You need to head to D Bones kitchen. Last night we got a life tip from Debone. We do hope these become a regular thing. Boy, society needs it cooking tip. He says if, you know, put frozen pizza in oven while it preheats to get a head start. Of course opposed to waiting for the oven to reach desired temperature. Hashtag life hack. Hashtag you're welcome says Deebo. Now we all know what happened here because we are Humans that exist in the same world as Debone. He sets the preheat, stands there for 30 seconds, says, I'm not fucking coming back here. Yeah, I'm putting it in now. And then I'm gonna walk away. It's a little bit too lazy to take another trip back to the oven, but also in my mind, getting a head start. That's right, getting a head start. And then whenever he gets it out of the oven, probably earlier than it's supposed to be, he actually likes it that way. I like a little softer, I like a little soft.
C
Wasn't that he couldn't wait any longer?
A
Yeah, no, it wasn't that.
G
He was getting out early. Why does he have to get out so early?
A
Well, I think he just looked at it. Look, the pepperoni shining so well. Let me go ahead and buy. But the individual cheese slices didn't melt. So he's giving out life hacks on how most people do operate that, you know, maybe are a little bit lazier. I would consider myself one of these people. Whenever I saw this as a life hack, I thought to myself, is this the first time that he's made a frozen pizza? And then he assures us that no, this is.
B
And it's. He's certainly to referring.
A
Right.
B
That is not the first time he's made a frozen pizza. He did. He was shocked when I told him, like, I know you like a little softer like that crunch you've been getting. Like you don't have to eat the cardboard underneath the pizza too. Like if you can just eat the pizza on its own. It's not one piece.
A
Yeah. Because it does come together. Especially if it's soggy on the bottom. Cuz you put it in whenever it was 100 degrees. Exactly. And you only let it cook for however short of time. Right. You can, you can see how he could confuse that.
E
Correct.
A
He folds it into the pizza and it's just cardboard fold in half. He's like, wow, look. Right.
D
But I mean, I guess love D Bone.
A
Okay.
D
Truly love Debone. This is the fattest fucking thing I've ever heard someone.
A
What are you talking about?
D
Respectfully. And I know and I know it's a life hack. And the reason I think it's okay is because I am 40% sure now. He used to just eat the fragrance frozen pizza's frozen.
A
Just saying like that, he at least heats him up a little bit.
D
I think he is taking steps.
A
He's told us it was a pizza popsicle that was around.
D
That's what I Mean, like, I think he used to just chomp on these frozen pizzas like they were the, you know, cookie ice creams. And he was just loving it. And now he's decided, you know, I could. I could heat it up a little and then I can eat the cardboard.
B
He did tell us that he used to just. He'd eat just frozen hot dogs. Not kidding. This is. This is.
A
No, I'm not ribbon.
B
He did say that. Like, I don't need to strengthen sucking.
C
On him like frozen jawbreakers, frozen crinkle fries.
A
He. He says all these things with such a straight face. You never know what's a work and what's a shoot. And we still don't because he put out a tweet. Make sure to like and comment below if you guys want to see more cooking tips in the future.
D
Laugh.
A
We don't know if it's a worker or a shoot. Yeah, I don't think Debo knows. But we do know we need more life hacks from this young lad. Without a doubt, he's experienced a lot of life. So whenever he's chit chatting about it, we need to listen.
D
Yeah, let's leave. He's got a real good one with kill sock. I think he's doing it later as far as when he's gonna unveil that life hack.
A
What's that?
D
A kill sock?
A
Yeah.
D
I'm still not sure. I'm waiting for him to explain it to me, but that is why I'm excited for.
A
Yeah. Okay. Sounds like this is something you do know. I swear I had note the way you delivered it was as if it was something a little bit.
G
A little bit.
D
I think I made a. A few jokes back at the old office about all the kill socks around my own apartment, but I'm pretty sure.
C
Are those the super stary ones?
D
Well, no, those are. See, I'm pretty sure I was using it in a different term than what?
A
Debone, Are you talking about delivering seed to these things?
D
Boy, that. That is what I think Debone is alleging. Yes.
A
Foxy. Is this what's happening in your department? This going on? No, but I'm expecting chicken nuggets will be Debone's thing. That is my prediction. You should put ketchup. Think about this with each.
C
I don't think he would even do that.
A
You're right.
C
I was just reminded of your growth though. You just talking about that because you just spit on your walls.
D
Yeah, exactly. It's just. Just in the middle of my bedroom.
C
Forgot all.
A
The landlord was so Happy that was. That house is the biggest. You guys should have been condemned out.
D
Of that house if we're gonna get into this. The landlord was a piece of. Because half the time when I was.
A
He was.
D
Half the time when I was sleeping in my room, all I heard was mice under my bed running around.
A
Yeah, the pub. The pub was certainly dead long before you guys. He ended up kicking us out. I thought that was too. Yeah. He saved your life.
D
I drive by it every now and then.
A
Just reminisce.
D
Say, how you doing? Good to see you.
A
How you doing? No, you're not. Is it still standing? Sanding?
D
Oh, yeah, it's still standing.
A
Oh, yeah.
D
I mean, the. The stop sign's still there too.
A
That. I mean, that's what that. Look.
D
I'm a pretty good painter. That's what that is. And I went back and checked, and it looks just like that still.
A
That's Zito's old car.
D
Zeto's Kia.
A
Okay.
G
Oh, that's the beer bottles.
A
Yeah, yeah. Smokes, there's no Sigs.
C
And the football stops.
D
Oh, they're in that. Yeah, we were.
A
There's also a pee. Stayed right there. I do remember that football. Yeah. There is a little.
G
Wait, is this just. This is a pain of you, like looking out the window or staying on the porch pov.
D
Yeah, dude. This is where my. My bedroom was. There was nothing in the front hall, so I had to hang up two curtains and I slept on.
A
Zoom out to zoom back in, folks. Really get. Well, I was going to get Connor and then I was like, wait, we're talking about the paintings. Ken Burns effect on that. Yeah. That stop sign back there was a good display of strength for a football throw.
D
It's very fun doing that.
A
That was a good time. That place was disgustingly terrible, though.
D
So bad.
A
Yeah. All right, let's. Before we get out of here, we got to cover the. That we should cover because we're a sports show.
D
Hell yeah.
A
You know what time it is, A.J.
G
What time is it?
A
It's 2:38 Eastern. About to be 2:39. Yep. And it's the perfect time to do the news, don't you think?
G
H. I think it is the perfect time.
A
Let's do the news. What have we not covered? Go ahead, Khan.
D
Here we go. Start Indianapolis. Actually, Chris Ballard yesterday gave a speech kind of about Anthony Richardson after, you know, making Danny Dimes, which I believe. You know, you called him a dog earlier. I feel like Danny Doberman might have legs, but the. He gave a press conference about it. Here it is.
A
We knew it was going to be a little bit of a roller coaster. Absolutely. I mean, you know, just his history in college and so that's just part of the growth. No, you got to, sometimes you got to take a swing. We took a swing and look, I'm not ready to say that we missed because I don't think we have yet. I think Anthony has a bright future. I believe that. Okay, so he's chit chatting about Anthony Richardson and the swing that they took on and obviously Danny Dimes being named the starter. So Anthony is yet again to relegated to a backup role. This is obviously following multiple years of injuries, not a lot of football. Some magical moments that showcase a great athleticism, but then some moments of man, you think this guy doesn't know ball? I'm intrigued by it all. Danny Doberman, a guy these Colts got a shot. What are your expectations, A.J.
G
Honestly, the Danny Doberman, I mean, that might have a little bit of a ring to it. I'm not completely so like, I think Danny Dimes could absolutely be a guy. I really do. I think he could be have the whole, you know, revitalize his career at Indy. But I guess the only thing we have that's not going in his favor is that they've tried this for what, the last six, seven years with different quarterbacks and just hasn't worked out yet. But maybe Danny Dime can be the guy to turn around. There's a lot of, a lot of people's jobs relying on this. Don't you think?
A
It's been a long time of this, this whole thing.
C
Seven years.
A
Quentin Nelson's entire career. Basically.
B
He'S bummed out.
A
He's been out a couple years. He's, he's a couple quarterbacks bummed out ago, you know, but hey, maybe this is the one.
D
Exactly.
A
Maybe, maybe this is the one.
C
I think it is.
A
And Chris Ballard, I think so too. Tone to Chris Ballard's point, point. Anthony Richardson is going to get an opportunity. We assume Danny Dime is not going to be able to play all 17 games. There's a chance that Anthony Richardson plays and if he plays good, who knows what the future looks like for him. But it's like understanding all of the, you know, quarterbacks roles, leadership, knowing what to do, checks, audibles, all that. You heard Chris Ballard in a press conference also talk about what Danny Dimes can do with the play, what he can do at the line. Put us in the right position, put us in the right play. You heard that be said a couple times. And it's like, well, he's a veteran, so hopefully his experience will help him. And hopefully Anthony Richardson will be able to gain some experience by watching him. And hopefully this team that has a lot of talent on it, There's a lot of talent on this team. A lot of money been spent on this team. Maybe they're able to get a go. But the quarterback, you know, conversation is certainly going to be loud throughout the entire season. And if it doesn't go well for the Colts, I think it's all going to look very different next year.
B
Yeah, I mean, that's the big thing is, hey, let's, let's see it. Because if we don't see it, guess what? We're gonna be seeing a whole lot of new faces in Indiana.
A
I think there is a chance that that's on the horizon. Yeah. Now, I don't know. Obviously, we haven't seen the three daughters as owners yet. We don't know exactly how they're gonna operate. Everything that they do is setting a new precedent. But Carly Ursay at her press conference was like, we're not just trying to win games. We're trying to be the best. And everybody knows what the standard is. We have not lived up to that standard. They have the opportunity, still do as such. And it's like, that sounds like, hey, we need a role here or we're going to try to redo this. I'll be excited to see how it all plays out. But if it's another year of disappointment here, I think you got to, you know, nobody likes to do that. But it's at some seven years of just question marks and then like, hey, we have a good team. We spend a lot of money. Well, actually we don't, because we don't have the one position that we need. We spent a fourth overall pick on a guy who's the most athletic guy maybe, maybe to ever come into the league. Well, he just can't figure it out. Golly, it's just, it's just a. Never ending, oh, no. And then Gardner Minshew almost leads the team to the playoffs. Shane Steichen's a genius. Any. Anybody that Shane Steichen has is going to be successful. We'll bring in Flacco. He just brought the Browns to the playoffs. He doesn't do well. It's like, oh, no, what is wrong? I assume Ballard's asking the same questions. You know, I, I assume he's wondering what the hell is going on. But there's a chance this year, as always, with Every year.
C
Look at that schedule. That's a 4 and 2 start for sure for the Colts. You, you, you win a couple of those home games, you know, you get the Dolphins, you get Tennessee, you get Vegas and you get Arizona. That's a 4 and 2 football team.
A
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. That's what I'm talking about. Super positive. And the Dolphins. What was Stanford Steve stat that he, that he sent that makes Dolphins fans feel good?
C
Just two. When he's healthy, they're good.
A
Kind of what everybody knows, you know. No, I thought there was another one.
B
It had to be more complex.
D
There is another.
C
I mean, I don't think so. I think that's what he sent me.
A
Had to be a nut. There was something with a little more context. Gumpy. Gumpy read the thing and said, thanks, Stanford Ste.
C
That's definitely what best win percentage last two seasons among all quarterbacks with 20 starts. Went two starts.
A
That's good. Yeah. Best. Best ever.
C
Best do line he's probably ever had.
A
Bad. Are the Dolphins back?
C
Secondary has some questions. We signed some guys.
A
But I'm.
C
I'm quietly optimistic all of a sudden.
A
We'll find out week one, won't we?
C
Yeah. It's been a long time since Colts.
A
Have won on week one as well. Yeah, it's not really our thing, but coming down to a lot. House. Good luck.
C
We are underdogs. We are underdogs.
A
That's Danny Doberman football.
B
Is Waller playing?
C
Waller is. Said he is good to go, although he hasn't practiced or taken a snap.
A
He's a problem.
D
A chain.
G
What's he doing if he hasn't practiced or taking a snap?
C
Just getting ready. Getting back into football shape.
A
Okay.
G
Would he be there week one?
C
He'll be ready to go.
A
Yeah.
G
Okay.
D
I mean, both those teams. Shit, they both need. That's what's kind of sweet about this year is that there's just teams it feels like that are on there. Hey, if this isn't the year, it's getting blown up and instead of in pastures where like I think last year was the what?
A
Eight.
D
Eight new head coaches. And now this year it's like, hey, there could be eight new head coaches because Arizona, you could throw them in.
A
Giants, Giants, Arizona.
D
Dolphins.
A
Dolphins.
D
There's four right there that are just.
A
Like, hey, let's see. We're gonna have to see.
D
Yeah.
A
Or this shit's coming to an end. And that's just the nature of the beast.
D
I mean, you could argue lafleur after What Schneidman said yesterday.
A
Yeah, and good's good.
D
And good.
A
Yeah. Yeah. Ed Policy's coming in and taking after Carmen Policy and saying, listen, there's a new sheriff in town and it's me.
B
Yeah, that's five teams not quite the same. But if the Cowboys have a really bad year, I could see them getting rid of Shotty and, and reopening that up.
D
Yeah. Similar to that. Like the Titans, if the GM thinks he's, you know, Cam Ward's a generational talent and then, you know, Callahan and them, they end up going, he looks like and everything. You could see the Titans maybe. I mean, after the Patriots did the one and done. I mean, there's been other teams, but after they did the one and done last year, I feel like now it's possible for anyone just to say, fuck it, if the right guy's available.
A
Duh. Wild world. All right, let's do some more news. What else have we not talked about? Con man?
D
A team that is not looking for a head coach would be the Detroit Lions. Last week, mcdc said, hey look, this is the best team we've had, top to bottom. Which everyone kind of knew once they released Skipper John Skip. Skipper.
A
Yep.
D
But actually, what mc. Yeah, yeah, he got released. Skips back the way you're saying, Skip, Skip, Skip, Skip. We all know Skip, even though we probably all shouldn't know Skip. So you know how much that means to mcdc. So I figured, look, if they feel good enough to release him, probably have some good players. But they did mention mcdc said, hey, look, there's a chance Pan A Sewell could play tight end. Fox, could you run that video, please?
A
There is nothing he can't do. I've said this before. If. If we just made him a tight end, I think he'd be a Hall of Fame tight end. It's crazy. I mean, he is a freakish athlete. Just nimble. Nimble, athletic. Is there one thing over, you know, a couple years with him that you're like, damn, only he can do that? Well, I. I would answer only he can do everything. Yeah, and that's. That's probably would be my answer. There is. There is no limitation on him. Like there's things, you know, whether it's the screen game, it's the run game, as you talk about the one on ones, turn the whole protection, just let him go one on one. Jumbo. Make him jumbo, tight end. Let him throw, hand him a reverse. And it's one of those things. It's no different than you do with like we do with our personal man. We got St. Brown, you got JMO, you got Gibbs, you got. But like he's. He's very much a part of that. Like, he allows us to do so much schematically. Yeah, that's really, you know, he's part of this secret sauce, man. We can do a lot. We can do the G, we can do the wide zone skiing. We can do gap. We can do the pin and pull. We can do crack tosses. I mean, and that's really because of him. And usually get a front row seat of seeing him speed bump a db. Oh my God. Stress. Yeah. You're not gonna maneuver out of his way. What was that?
D
Was that a bug on the windshield.
A
If few moments later.
E
I think you caught the ball in.
C
Like the right sideline last year and you were doing.
A
You were like making moves like for real. So. Yeah, that one was against Chicago. Chicago.
G
I was supposed to throw it.
A
But you're not stepping out of bounds. No, I told coach. I was like, yeah, this the only time I get the ball. So I'm gonna keep it as long. I know you guys want me to.
G
Throw it away, but I'm gonna try to make some.
A
Shout out to the Green Light podcast. Chris Long, obviously Super bowl champion, multiple time getting great interviews up there in Detroit. I, I love how much mcdc openly loves his player. Now, that was the first draft pick of this era, right? Yes, sir. Okay. They. All I could think of that entire time is when Penny's deal is up. Like he just said, our entire offense goes because of this guy. So they're just going to have to pay him the most that's ever been paid and just 1 million more than the most has ever been paid. And let's just move on because of that glowing endorsement and who knows how Penny will handle all that, but what a perfect, perfect first draft pick. Whenever you're trying to set a culture, AJ it sounds like they got it right up there.
G
Oh, they definitely got it right. And just listen to Dan Campbell say he can legit do everything. Like how many offensive linemen are that big can. Can move like that? I think people like casual fans will be surprised to see how. How athletic some of these big dudes really are. Most of them in the NFL, a lot of D linemen played running back in high school. We're on the four by one track team. Like they did all kind of stuff. They're much more athletic, athletic than people think. But Penny Sewell is like a different level to that, like, how would you cover him? What do you do?
A
What's the one thing he does that you think nobody else can do that? Well, I'd answer that by saying everything he can do everything. That was a great answer by mcdc in the moment. Brain always firing. That is tough to account for. That's tough to account for when you got a 360 pound guy. Foxy. You guys love him up there is very. So absolutely love him. Fan favorite. He was one of the pillar pieces that changed this whole thing. Like you said, our first draft pick and then in that same class was St. Brown. They did pay both those guys already made St. Brown the highest paid wide receiver at that time at the Detroit draft right before it. And then same with Sewell, highest paid lineman. And to your point, they're just gonna have to pay him again, make him the highest paid people. But that same draft class is where Micah Parsons was picked as well. And it feels like that was so long ago that they paid those guys and we're still dealing with this.
C
Micah Parson soul's on the second year of his new deal, and he was.
A
Drafted the same year as Micah.
B
Yeah.
A
And you hear how Jerry's talking about Micah and you hear how MCDC's talking about Penny. It's like, exactly. One really, really, really loves each other. One seemingly perfect draft pick.
D
Yeah. And that's why it's like the. The Lions are the one team that.
A
Are in prime position.
D
Position to screw over Jerry even more. Like, they should pay Hutch right now.
A
Yeah.
D
And then see what. What happens with Micah in Dallas. Because if they play Hutch before Micah, I mean, that. That could actually blow the whole thing up. The only thing is that it could come back and fuck them because then Jerry will say, oh, okay. And send him to Green Bay so that they have to play against him twice.
B
I kind of like that scenario.
A
You like Detroit pissing off Jerry.
B
Yeah.
A
So Jerry's saying NSC north, huh? Oh, really? Okay. Okay. Well, congratulations. All right. I watched first three minutes of that documentary. Tone Diggs basically forced me to watch it. He goes, you need to watch the Cowboys win. They're calling it the best sports documentary of all time, brother.
H
Awesome.
G
I mean, when you have Michael, like I, I've talked about Michael Irvin and all the, the personalities. Like, those guys know how to tell a story. And they did a great job editing everything together. Like, I thought it was great.
A
Yeah. Just the first three minutes, him talking about, you know, he. How much production he had with the oil business because it's gambling. And only the Lord knows what's down there. You're going miles down into earth and only God knows what's down there. So you got to get lucky. And he said something about his mouth could get him more borrowed money than he could make. He was $50 million in debt. His wife was calling his father in law wondering about how he's going to make it. Is this guy going to be okay? He thought he was going to die. Then one rig came along, $800,000. As soon as he went in there, it caught a little bit. You know, it is a living spirit. It breathed spit like a mammal. And then I heard it start to hiss. And that thing was screaming, I made a hundred million dollars off that one rig. What a moment, said Jerry.
D
You just bought the Dallas Cowboys.
A
I know exactly what I wanted to do with that money. Good for him.
D
Dude, there's a, there's a bunch of that. The, the, the best part, the reason people I think at least are saying it's the greatest documentary of all time is just because all of the interviews like that was the toughest part about the SEC show is that the characters that kept popping up in that show weren't the main characters of what we were talking about. Like when Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman and Dion and Jerry and Jimmy Johnson are the ones that are basically the whole show. I mean, Charles Haley, he comes in for sure. During it, they tell a great story about how when he wanted more money, he walked into Jerry's office, pulled his dick out and pissed on the GM's desk and then left. And then he got paid. So a lot of people were saying, do that, Micah. But just the entire kind of backstory with Jerry is Charles Haley walked into Jerry Jones office. You'll get there. Walked into Jerry Jones office, stood on the desk, took his dick out, took a piss, left, got a new deal. But. And actually now I kind of like what he did.
G
What if there was like a 4 minute piss too?
A
It was how it was how he.
C
Got out of San Francisco.
A
It's how he got to the Cowboys.
D
That's what I was about to say.
C
He did that in San Francisco, then got traded to the Cowboys.
A
Oh, yeah.
D
I forget if it was a San Fran situation. Yeah. But that's how he got out. And then Micah could do that, maybe. Charles Haley is a very. He's a very unique human being. Yeah. Definitely want to listen so.
A
Good man. I started again and like you said.
C
That clip at the start just pulled me back in.
A
I Was like, it.
C
I'm watching this all.
A
Run it back.
C
It's so good, man.
A
All right. I can't wait to watch. I'm cuz.
C
It's a lot about that Niners team, too, with, like, Jerry Rice and Steve Young as well. It tells their story a lot.
B
Policy.
A
Yeah. Eds F. I was unaware of the entire Jimmy Johnson stuff. And if that happened nowadays, people would lose their mind.
D
Fired after two super bowl win.
A
Yes. Yeah.
D
And then that story is incredible.
A
Yeah.
G
Fighting with the owner. Going in. Fighting with the owner the week of the Super bowl, like, in the media, too. Like, both of them saying things about each other. Like, it was a. It's a weird time.
A
They had that moment at the hall of Fame. Was that two years ago?
B
Yeah.
A
Yeah. Where Troy was kind of. They're back.
B
Yeah.
G
It's really cool. Cool how they're back now finally.
A
Yeah, that was. I. I didn't. I don't think until that day did I realize that it was as big as it was. And then you could tell Troy was like, this isn't a TV show. We finally got these two at the same table. Hey, can we. Can we potentially do this entire thing? Big hugs. You know, we did a lot together because they talk. The players were mad, too. They loved Jimmy, and they were pissed off at Jerry for doing that.
D
Yeah. Like, it makes a lot of sense now because Troy and Jimmy. Jimmy benched Troy for Berline. And that's when, after that season, Jimmy and Troy became, like, very close. Because then Jimmy. Jimmy realized, like, oh, Troy is also as competitive as I am. And that's kind of when they became like a. Like a team. Because Jimmy Johnson talks about how one time a guy came off the field and he caught him on the spot during a game, and he said. He said, you know, a lot of guys say, you know, releasing players is the hardest part of the job. Not for me. I don't care. And he.
A
Jimmy Johnson.
D
Jimmy Johnson. Yeah. It's that good. It's. I can't. Candid. Like Jerry Jones talking about when he was suing the NFL and the owners asked him to leave while they talked about him.
E
Was.
D
Is very, very definitely another.
A
I can't wait to watch it. I'm gonna do that.
B
And then Barry Switzer comes in.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
And he doesn't give a. Yeah.
A
Switzer.
D
Switzer's the star. I think he's the best character. Cherry's the star, obviously, but Barry Switzer is hilarious.
A
Lightning rod.
D
He's just. He. He did not care about anything but all the players loved him.
A
Normally goes hand in hand. As long as you're as authentic as you are, like genuine, I think you're in a good spot. If you're fake, players hate you. That's like the biggest thing. If you are who you are all the time. Players like Rich Rod here, like, we're talking about it. He was always like that. So it's like when you leave, you have a love for that and appreciation.
G
And respect it too. Like, you can't just be a dick and not be respected. Like, it's one thing to be a dick. If you're a, if you're a coach, that's like the hard driving dictator type coach and guys don't respect you, it's.
A
Never going to work.
G
Like, they have to respect you as a man and as a coach.
A
That's part of the whole thing. I was asked. Now I got a good story, but I'll, I'll save it for later. It's a good story. We'll save for later. Okay. From set. It was a good story, you know, because am I a method actor or not?
B
Time will tell.
C
Can't wait to find out.
A
There's a lot of dudes.
G
Daniel Day Lewis.
A
So much like in real life, at boot camp, I would assume anytime the drill instructor is doing his thing, like, the recruits are all thinking, like, can we beat him up? You know, like, if push came to shove, could we beat him up? Drill instructor needs to let everybody know they can't. Like, that is, you cannot. You would never be able to. Don't even fucking think it. Natural human instinct, though. Whenever you're getting yelled at by somebody, somebody, especially if you're trying to be a Marine, you probably have a little bit of a dog mentality. Your natural thought is, I could beat the fuck out of this guy if I wanted to. Especially with what's happening that happened on set. The actor started wondering, like, if they could fight me. And I was like, this is, this is good. This is exactly how it's supposed to be. You know, like you are supposed to feel it. And also, no, I would beat the fuck out of you.
D
Okay.
A
That is. It was, it was like a cool. It felt like a real life life, you know, like it really did because there was like, you know, there's like boot camp, there's a fight scene in there and the drill instructor is telling them to fight each other. And like, I have to get. I have to. You're. You're gonna have to fight. Like, this is some. So for some of These guys, it's their first ever fight, you know, so like, that's kind of the whole thing. And it's like this really happened. This was real life that was taking place. Like, hey, in six weeks from now, you're not just gonna be here fighting somebody. This is knives ban.
B
Like, we are killing somebody.
A
Hand in hand combat is happening. So, like you need to get punched in the face. Okay, that has to happen. You have to feel what this is like, but also you have to be able to. So there's a lot that was a very intense day, I will say. And the things that I was saying to said actors, you know, in the moment to get them, you know, motivated to go. It was funny. Just like in between takes, you know, like, they come up to me, do you think any of us could find fight you win? No, absolutely not. And then first sergeant Gartland's like, none of you. He's like, he. Because he's been a actual drilling trade. It's like that was like a real life moment. Like, definitely. Like I could see that happening very easily. And I like, left because I got along with all those dudes afterwards. But it's like on the set, it's like these dudes probably did were like, fuck this guy. Like, this is. It was like a Stanford. It was like a Stanford prison experiment. Yeah, it was. It felt like that in the middle of it. And I was, you know, I was acting as such. We have an update here from Adam Schefter. Several teams have spoken to the Dallas Cowboys about a potential Michael Parson Michael Parsons trade. And for the first time, the Cowboys appear willing to at least listen. Sources tell Todd Archer and Dame. Oh, wow. Wow. And as Adam Schefter. Wow. So Ty Schmidt said yesterday, he said there's an offer on the table and Jerry Jones just isn't ready to listen to it yet. Here we are about 26 hours later, and now allegedly Cowboys are willing to listen. Ty, is that a zipper burn over there?
B
Well, I'm not going to get ahead of myself. Not yet. This is kind. I kind of have talked this into my head, into thinking like, hey, listen, Micah Parsons. Parsons is going to be playing for the Packers Week 1 against the Lions at home. It's going to happen. It's already a done deal. So now if t. If this is like open bidding, like, don't. Don't foot this around. Go do exactly what I said. 45, 50, 55, 60. Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes. Two first round picks, three first round picks, four first round picks.
D
What?
B
Maybe a couple second round pick.
A
Why? You're just saying everything thing.
B
Maybe a couple defensive starters, maybe a guy like Quay Walker. Oh, add him in there.
A
Okay, now you're shipping people out of town.
B
Well, they. They did. That's what one of the things Rapty thought that he. They might want to start her as well.
A
So like, there's an update here. Shefter tweets the Cowboys would like to resolve the situation one way or another in the coming days with their season open next Thursday against the Eagles. And the Cowboys hold their first full practice in preparation for the Eagles tomorrow. And you know he's getting a second opinion if you believe. Believe the photo from the airport, which who knows when that photo's from, but everybody's saying it is him getting a second opinion, leaving town, yada yada, yada. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, the man who broke that news, Adam Schefter. Shefty, how you doing, brother?
I
What's going on, guys?
A
Reading your tweets as you're tweeting them. Mica update, obviously. Big deal. Jerry said in an interview, I believe with Stephen A. Smith, don't listen to all the trade bs. I'm not with it. Then people were reporting that he wasn't even picking up the phone. There was allegedly a Packers trade kind of already created, but Dallas wouldn't listen. Now you're saying they're listening. Is this brand new news and how quickly could this possibly come together?
I
It's complicated because what would have to happen here is that another team would have to present a contract compelling enough to Micah to make him want to take it, at which point that team then would have to go to Dallas to work out compensation. And I don't think they're at that level right now. They're just not there.
A
Other teams are.
I
Dallas, I don't think the conversations with other teams and Micah and his agent are there yet. And so it's complicated. Like I said, there's a lot of layers that have to happen. A lot of. There's a certain order that has to be followed here. And here's the bottom line, though, Pat. And the reason the story's out there is the Cowboys have heard from multiple suitors. There are multiple teams, multiple that are interested in trying to work out a trade for Micah Parsons. And the Cowboys at the very least appear like they're willing to listen. And it certainly sounds like they want to get this resolved in the next few days. They practice tomorrow for the first time for Thursday night's opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, obviously, unless there's a new deal for Micah, it's hard to imagine that he's going to be playing in that game on Thursday night. He was in California yesterday getting a second opinion for his back tightness. He hasn't practiced all summer. He's not going to practice tomorrow. So how short of him getting a deal done with the Cowboys is he going to be out there a week from tonight for that opener? I don't see that now. If they somehow work out a deal, I'm sure his back tightness would feel dramatically better.
F
Very.
A
We don't know what the second doctor obviously said, the second opinion. And also I got back tightness. Let me hop on a commercial plane, fly to LA and maybe get a second look at it. We hope. His back is obviously healthy. He is an electrifying football player. You talked about other teams having to deal with Micah and Mulagueta first for a long term contract before going to the Dallas Cowboys to negotiate what a trade would look like. Have the Dallas Cowboys and Mulagueta done any negotiating and how often are those conversations taking place fluidly throughout the year?
I
I'm glad you asked that question question, Pat, because I think it's a key part of this. And basically what I've learned is that since Jerry Jones had what he thought was an agreement, what he thought was an agreement for a deal that averaged $40.5 million a year, five year deal, 40.5. That was the agreement that Jerry Jones thought he had with Micah Parsons. We know what happened after that. Jerry came out of the owner's meeting, said that they didn't need an agent to get the deal done. Micah Parsons came out and said if we're doing a deal, you're going to be doing with my agent, David Mulgetta. And since then there have been zero conversations about a new contract to right now. To right now. Zero conversations regarding a new deal. No new offers, no knew anything.
A
Okay, so let me clarify. Can I clarify quickly? You said that Jerry believes that he and Micah made an agreement over a handshake deal or whatever for $40.5 million a year for five years.
I
Five year deal. Correct.
A
So what's that? 200 and you know, here's what I don't know.
I
He had a year left on the deal. And I think, I don't know, I think it might have been 5 more at 40.5. So it seems like I don't know whether that included the one year or not. That's why I don't want to give that total number, I want to be clear, I know that the new deal that Jerry thought they had an agreement on average 40.5 million a year.
A
Okay, that feels big piece of information. What did TJ send for 41. For? Yeah, 41. But that, that was before TJ.
I
It was before, but, but that, that was agreed to. That, you know, in Jerry's eyes, that was agreed to way before TJ Watt had his deal with Pittsburgh. And at that time the 40.5 would have made Micah Parsons the highest paid non quarterback in NFL.
A
How come they didn't move at that moment if they had an agreement? What, what does Jerry say about why they didn't move afterwards?
I
Because I think, well, again, again, the agent wasn't included. And so Jerry felt like. Jerry felt like he had a handshake agreement with Michael. We've heard him talk about the fact that when he bought the Dallas Cowboys he had a handshake agreement. Nothing was on paper, nothing was written down. And he shook the guy's hand. They looked each other in the eye and said, we have a deal. Jerry felt like that was the case this time. Michael went back and obviously that wasn't the case. Mike is like, like, hey, you got to talk to my agent to get the deal done. From afar. My analysis of it is when David Mulgetti here was about a five year deal when he did a three year deal for Derek Stingley. An agent doesn't want his young, talented pass rusher tied down in the prime of his career for five years. So even though Mike could have might have been shaking his head and saying, okay Jerry, okay Jerry, that sounds great, or whatever it is that he said the agent is. That's why you have an agent agent to let you do responsible things.
E
Right.
I
That's why the agent is representing your interest. Mike is a 25, 26 year old young man and he's an incredible football player. But the truth of the matter is his agent is probably better equipped to be handling the length of his contract and the details of his contract than Micah is.
A
Certainly Guetta is the one, you know, he's actually the one that started an entire collusion, collusion case. And he is a great negotiator. We'll get every single cent that's out there. And for his high profile clients, which he has many, that's all fascinating information. I didn't know it was 40 and a half for five years there. I just found that out right now. Thank you for that piece of information. So that means other teams would have to go probably three year deal at 42 million now, because that's what TJ Watts at 41.
I
Yeah, it could be anything. Like, you know, you want Micah to come to your city, you're gonna have to offer some money and be like, okay, yeah, okay, here's 42. We'll use your number, Pat. 43, 44, what's the difference? Get to that number.
A
42, 43, 44.
I
Right. So you want to convince him, Michael, we want you here. We're going to be willing to pay you this amount of money. Okay, I'm in. Let's get this done. Now it's up to that team to go to Dallas to work out the trade agreement. But the Cowboys have had conversations, from what I understand, with multiple teams.
A
Okay, so this is what it would look like, Ty. Okay. Potentially.
B
I mean, he's not wearing 23, but, you know, okay, sure that, you know.
A
That was his high school number. Like Jordan, dude said that was his high school number.
B
Okay, 11's taking.
G
Looks sweet.
B
You know what, you know, we're 99 or 98, eight or 90s. He's gonna be in the 90s after he wants.
A
Ty wants him to give him 45 million a year. It send three first rounders down there to Dallas, whatever it needs to get him to Green Bay. That is where you're at right now.
B
Yes, without a doubt. Now that it's a possibility that it could happen. Without a doubt. That'll take me from, hey, packers are gonna go to the, you know, playoffs this year, have a nice little season, maybe make a run to the NFC championship to. They're winning the whole thing this year.
E
That.
B
I mean, that's. That's what we're doing here. You know, Jordan Love's agent just happens to be David M. As well, so, you know.
A
Oh, we got pretty good relationship.
E
Yeah, exactly.
A
He.
B
Let's just say he might know Micah. Maybe he's talking to Micah right now. Maybe they're, you know.
A
You think Jordan Love's recruiting right now?
B
I think he might be.
C
And Jerry refuses to talk to David.
A
Right. Well, at the time. I'm not talking Jay Z, everything. They.
I
They have not had any. They have not had any contact since that time.
B
So how the hell is he going to go back?
A
Yeah, we don't know. This is.
D
Have they tried.
A
Just. Are.
G
Each. Is Jerry and Moeta just. They're waiting for someone to reach out or what? I lost the light here.
A
Yeah. What's up?
G
Trying to figure out what's going on.
A
Go ahead. They.
I
They need. They Need a marriage counselor. They need somebody, a mediator to step in and say, are they just waiting.
G
For someone to reach out? Like, is either one say, hey, I'm not going to be the first? He'll call, text or call? Is that what's going on?
A
You lose leverage, you become desperate. You're the one that reaches out. Everybody knows that's.
I
That's what it feels like right now. Like, again, no conversations. Season opens a week from tonight. Mike is still. Is in practice. He was in California, the back specialist. And the Cowboys are talking to multiple teams. Like, yeah, there's. There's plenty to talk about here. I will also point out to you. I will also point out to you. I don't. I really don't know how this is going to work itself out. There are people who still believe in the end, Jerry is going to step in from outside teams that Jerry's going to step in and overpay. Overpay on Micah the way he overpaid on Zeke and CD and Dak. They believe he'll do that. There are people within the organization who think that Jerry is very upset and that this is his Waterloo and he's not going to budge. And so I don't know what's right and what's wrong. I just know that we're entering during a time where it's Labor Day weekend, the Cowboys play Thursday night. And if I go back to the last time there was an issue a little bit like this. Khalil Mack was traded on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
A
Oh, yeah, I remember that. Get him out of here. They said he's a problem. Have like eight more years afterwards. Micah could go become a legend somewhere. He said multiple suitors, though. What if the packers don't get him out of another team? Team gets them. What if the Minnesota Vikings make a run and get them.
B
Well, they got. You know what? Then they're gonna have to get rid of Van Genki and we'll see. You know what. What Vikings fans feel about.
A
Do you know what other teams other than Green Bay do? We know Green Bay?
I
I think we think Green Bay. I think we think Green Bay is one of. One of teams that have inquired.
A
Yeah. How many? I.
I
But I was told again that there are are quote, unquote, Multiple shooters.
C
Multiple, two to 30.
A
Yeah. Multiple is a lot. And everybody's gonna be like, micah, available. Yeah. What's it gonna take? All right. We ain't got that.
B
Yeah.
A
Yeah. That's crazy, though. All right, Good luck.
D
Every team is gonna have that thought Though, as a fan, you go from making the playoffs to winning the Super Bowl.
A
All right, Chef D, we appreciate you. Have a great football season. We'll see you soon. Thank you, buddy. You look great, aj. No shadows. Shadows at all. Got a little.
G
Yeah, one of my lights just actually didn't turn off.
D
Just got a little dim axle eating it.
A
Trader. It's a loaf. Yeah, on the wires, it's a loaf. Axel could be out there gnawing on out there. All right, tomorrow's big day. Let's enjoy it tonight. Big games. Let's enjoy them. I got Nebraska and Boise State covering.
D
Okay.
A
Okay. I got both the favorites. I don't love that. That's how I'm starting the year.
D
Why don't you take the Bulls?
A
No. Everybody seems. That seems to be very trendy. Seems very trendy. Everybody talking about USF being a problem. I'm like, all right. I believe in Boise State, I think, all of a sudden. And that's nothing against usf. I'm just saying. Feels like a lot of people are saying, whoa, whoa. It's like anytime that happens, it's like, well, Boise State's here and that as well. They're gonna wake up for that. And then Nebraska, I got faith in Raiola. I like him. And Rule came to a WWE event. Guys got moxie. E Money, too. Emmett the running back got a little bit of cook now. Travis Kelsey being in the building for Cincinnati is big. His words, huge. AJ who do you like?
G
I like usf, and I like Nebraska here.
A
All right, boys.
D
All chalk.
A
We're in this thing together. Never forget it. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change their life. I appreciate you all so much. College football for real is here. We did it, aj. I can't wait to see you in Ohio tomorrow, brother.
G
Oh, yeah, it'll be a great day. I think the weather's gonna be a perfect little fall day for us.
A
Yes.
D
Love that.
A
Perfect. Team on me. Team on three. One, two, three. Team. Goodbye.
C
You've seen the headlines, heard the debates.
A
The three point ball has created a.
B
Monotonous rhythm to the game.
A
Has the three pointer ruined basketball? And how did we get here? The rise of the three point shot.
B
Can be partially traced to an eccentric.
A
Kansas genius named Martin Manley, whose story didn't turn out quite the way he imagined. I decided I wanted to have one of the most organized goodbyes in history. 30 for 30 podcast presents Chasing Basketball Heaven. Available now wherever you get your podcasts. Talk about stepping up.
E
It's time to level up your game. Introducing the AllNew ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place. Your home for the most live sports and the best championship moments.
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Date: August 28, 2025
Theme: College Football Kickoff, Major NFL and CFB Storylines, and Exclusive Guest Insights
The energy is electric as Pat McAfee and his crew celebrate the official start of the 2025 college football season. They dive deep on the stacked opening weekend, the evolving landscape of college football, and the wildest storylines across both the NCAA and NFL. Packed with insiders—Will Compton, UNC GM Michael Lombardi, WVU Coach Rich Rodriguez, Adam Schefter, and AJ Hawk—this episode is a hype-filled, info-rich prelude to football’s return, fusing McAfee's signature blend of expertise and locker-room banter.
Opening Games Preview
New Playoff Era & Big Matchups
Tradition Meets Change
Notre Dame’s Future
Miami, Georgia, and the Transfer Portal
Impact of NIL and Maturity
Nebraska Optimism
Personal Milestones
Inside College/NFL Analysis
Micah Parsons Contract Drama
Quarterback Tiers and Comparisons
Coaching Leaders
Rich Rodriguez’s West Virginia Return
Michael Lombardi at UNC
McAfee on the return of college football:
"Brushing teeth just felt a little different. Like we got actual ball here now." (18:49, McAfee)
Will Compton’s bold Nebraska take:
“This is gonna be the first double-digit win season since 2012. You can book it.” (19:14, Compton)
McAfee on NIL's impact:
"First time I got money was crazy… you get caught in these conflicting situations when you become the person who is certainly the most amount of money out of the people that you've been around your entire life." (15:03, McAfee)
Rich Rodriguez’s coaching maxim:
“If you loaf, you're a traitor. You are playing for the other team… We got ten against twelve if we got two guys loafing…” (97:01, Rich Rodriguez)
Michael Lombardi on building UNC:
"We're building a foundation for sustainable success. They just don't do that overnight. And it takes time, but we've got players that have bought in completely." (67:24, Lombardi)
Mike Vrabel’s team building style (via Compton):
“He paints a clear picture for how you’re going to win a football game and there’s no deviating from that…” (40:28, Compton)
Schefter breaking the Parsons trade news:
"Several teams have spoken to the Dallas Cowboys about a potential Micah Parsons trade. And for the first time, the Cowboys appear willing to at least listen." (164:59, Schefter)
Alternate Uniforms Launch (53:00+):
The guys review the new NFL Nike Rivalry uniforms with a mix of admiration, clowning, and wry commentary.
Life Hacks & Locker Room Laughs:
The crew riff on D-Bone’s “cooking tips,” dorm memories, and house gross-out stories (137:11+), highlighting the show’s unique tone.
Aussie Rules Football Travelogue:
McAfee recaps his trip to a Brisbane Lions game, contrasting Aussie athletic culture and arena vibes with U.S. football traditions (128:03+).
Pat and the crew’s unfiltered passion, humor, and inside access deliver a comprehensive celebration of football’s return. Whether arguing over college playoff changes, dissecting NFL contract feuds, or trading jokes about old coaches and wild traditions, every segment keeps the tone fun and fast. The parade of star guests give fans a state-of-the-program look from locker room to front office.
Football is officially back—no more “sleeps” to wait.
Team on three—Team! (177:41)