← The Pat McAfee Show
The Pat McAfee Show
PMS 2.0 1426 - TNF Preview, Shams Charania, Al Michaels, Mike McCarthy, Jack Carr, & AJ Hawk
02:14:57
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- [00:00]
A
Hello, beautiful people, and welcome to our humble abode, the Thunderdome, on this NFL Week 6 kickoff Thursday, October 9, 2025. This program begins now. Football in Week 6 of the NFL season is kicking off. And this weekend is Week 7 of the College football season. We're in the middle of it, obviously. We're incredibly lucky that it's football season. We are excited for an NFC east battle. Tonight on Amazon prime. The Eagles, fresh off a loss to the Denver Broncos at home in which they lost the fourth quarter 18 to nothing in front of a bunch of johns in Philadelphia, could not wait to get on a football field again. Well, good news for you. You only got to wait four days. And who are you playing? The New York football Giants and NFC east battle. Giants getting seven and a half points at home tonight. And there's a bunch of stats that have been Thursday night football, seven and a half point spread, divisional this Sirianni on Thursday, day ball on Thursday. There's a lot of numbers. What I'm doing, finding myself doing is this team right here just got embarrassed at home. We don't think Sirianni had kibbles and bits for the boys all week trying to find the inner dog to potentially blow out and railroad that New York Giants team. But then on the other side, it's like, wait a second, Jackson dart, Scatterboo and the boys over there. There's a lot of moxie.
- [01:20]
B
Yeah.
- [01:20]
A
And if you look at this tale of the tape, now, I don't want to put the numbers up here, but you look at the tail of the tape. Now this is from team rankings and obviously there's different variables that go into all the rankings and who knows if every play and every stat what it accounts for. But pass offense, reigning Super bowl champs, 4, 1, Philadelphia Eagles 31st, New York Giants 1 and 4. Laughing stock. Everybody says 18th Russ offense. Well, they had Saquon Barkley break a record last year for most yards gained in the history of running backs, running footballs. They're 25th, Jackson dart with scatter boo and the boys 13th.
- [01:55]
B
Wow.
- [01:56]
A
30Th total offense versus 19th total offense. Well, let's go to the defensive side. 15th verse, 24th, 22nd versus 26th, 20th verse, 26. But I'll tell you what, none of these, these rankings are desirable for either party.
- [02:06]
C
No, they're not.
- [02:07]
B
No.
- [02:07]
A
But I will say if you were just blindly look at these rankings, Thursday night football, maybe offense carries the day, you would think to yourself, wait, hold on now, is the team on the right side of this Graphic actually the super bowl champs, the reigning champs. Are they the team that's 4 and 1 instead of the team that is 1 in 4? Have Philadelphia Eagles just been able to slip and slide by with some bad ball and having a lot of gripes underneath the allure of winning was that band aid that was covering up everybody's happiness and success was that kind of ripped off. Whenever you lose against the Broncos it is AJ Brown, Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley's two hour meeting where they said it was jovial.
- [02:43]
B
Yeah.
- [02:43]
A
Did that pay off or is Jackson, Darton, Scatterboo about to have an era defining win?
- [02:49]
B
Wow.
- [02:50]
A
On Amazon prime with Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreet, Kaylee Hartung, Big Wit and Fitz, Carissa Thompson, Tony Gonzalez and Richard Sherman celebrating the hell out of another week of NFL football kicking off. Anything could happen tonight.
- [03:05]
B
That's right.
- [03:05]
A
Seven half point spread. It's been big for these division games. Talks to tables here at Boston Conner and at Ty Schmidt. Sweet hat, con man.
- [03:12]
D
Thank you very much.
- [03:12]
A
Yeah, that looks cool.
- [03:14]
D
The best. And it fits like a glove. Didn't think it would be this, you know, well fitted amazing.
- [03:18]
A
Well with your hair that you have, you're gonna have to have a little bit bigger hats. You know, there's some hats that don't have, I would say they're like gas station condom, those shallow bottoms.
- [03:26]
D
Sure.
- [03:26]
A
You know. And then whenever you get the better hats, you know you got a little depth in that thing. Whenever you got that big hair like you have right now, you gotta have good depth. And Jack Daniels think anybody's ever had, especially with the way they operate. So that hat looks damn good. Let's go to 1/2 of the Hammer Cowboys AP tone. Okay, so Eagles favored by 7 1/2 against the New York Giants. Right before we went live, Connor said this about the number, actually.
- [03:49]
D
Touchdown road favorites are 19 and four straight up 14:9 against the spread in the under is 14:9.
- [03:57]
A
Okay, so that's Hembo stat of the day in Conner's eyes now. Now Hembo sends us over a a barrage of stats, if you will in the morning and they could be about absolutely anything. And if he sees we're talking about something, he'll send it over. And he's been an absolute weapon. But some of these stats kind of fall by the wayside and don't get a chance to breathe. So Connor actually is going to start picking out his favorites. What did you see from this particular stat here, con man?
- [04:18]
D
Yeah, this one is more so just kind of the idea of the game tonight, I feel like Big Mike might come on and mention about this type of matchup once again and you would lean, hey, New York Giants. And then you think of the outside stuff. Yankees just lost. New York needs this. Like the Giants would be the. Oh, have to go with them. And then when you look at the stats, it's like, oh, never mind. Seven and a half is actually nothing in a game like this. And one team is coming off a huge loss. One team is, you know, just lost to a quarterback who has literally never won. And then, especially when you look at the tail of the tape, you look at that, it's like, okay. But then when you look at the last four weeks, Eagles have played Chiefs, Rams, Bucks, Broncos. They've gone three and one over those weeks. The Giants have played the Cowboys, Chiefs, Chargers in Saints beat the Chargers. You know, that was cool. That was the one game boost. But then you go down to New Orleans laying egg against, you know, possibly the worst team in the league.
- [05:13]
E
Both teams.
- [05:14]
A
A lot of motivation, you're saying, A lot of motivation. Tough roads here for the NFC east. It sounds like with their schedule set up. Tone, what are the numbers saying about the game tonight?
- [05:21]
C
Okay, so let's go back a little bit. I believe it was Monday or Tuesday. I talked about how now on the season, if the public is 60% or more on a certain side, they are 13 and 30 against the spread. Tonight, 65% of the public is on the Philadelphia Eagles. Oh, now that would contradict the, this.
- [05:42]
D
Stat.
- [05:44]
C
Which, which stats tend to do. But no, I mean, if you're looking at strictly just off of percentage in, in. In betting that way, it's that number. If you look at it off of historic on Thursday night, it's that number. If you look at a historic New York Giants on Thursday night, they've lost ten a row, which is horrendous.
- [06:01]
A
And then Bet Lab Sports puts out a tweet that says Jalen Hurts is just 18 and 1 against the spread in his last 10 games, is a 7 point favorite.
- [06:09]
C
I mean, you can pick and choose anywhere you want. When I looked at the tail tape though, it kind of gave me some ptsd. As a Steelers fan, a lot of the people in here are like, oh, you guys are. You guys are going to win the AFC North. You guys have this record. So this record we know when we watch and we look at the stats if it's not good or not. And that's why the Johns have been so pissed off so far at Petullo to start this season because look at those offensive stats, they are shite. But they are still winning games. So they're still the super bowl champs and their Eagles. So there's a lot to be determined.
- [06:38]
A
You're saying football towns have seen football, they've seen good football, they've seen bad football. So, yeah, we might be winning. This team ain't winning shit. Is what some people feel at certain parts of the season. Steelers fans have obviously felt that over the last seven, eight years as they've continued to be above.500 but not be great. Philadelphia Eagles, 4 and 1.
- [06:56]
C
What?
- [06:56]
A
They're tied for a league lead.
- [06:58]
D
Yeah.
- [06:59]
A
And then you look at their rankings, like, they can get so much better. They can get so, so, so much better. We'll continue to dive in to this game tonight. We have Al Michaels joining us in about 33 minutes or so. Can't wait to catch up with the icon, the legend, coach Mike McCarthy, Super bowl champion. He'll be joining us. He knows a little something about the nfc.
- [07:15]
B
Yeah, I'd say so.
- [07:16]
A
And then Jack Carr will be joining us.
- [07:18]
E
Wow.
- [07:19]
A
Jack Carr? Jack Carday. Yeah, Jack Carday, the author. Yeah. He's got a new book called Cry Havoc Out. It's the eighth installment, I do believe. He is an absolute beast. He former Navy SEAL sniper, who has become an author. And his books are fiction.
- [07:36]
B
Correct.
- [07:36]
A
So they're stories, you know. But, boy, do they have a lot of things that, if you think about who the author is, Navy Shield sniper, like, 20 years in it. And also, I think he was a trainer at BUDS and everything like that for the Navy seal. And then he's writing it. It's like, well, this guy has a reason he's saying these things. And then he's actually got caught up in some shit with the government having to, like, clear. And these are all fake. These are all, you know, stories, these guys. This one is based in Vietnam, I believe.
- [08:01]
B
Yeah, 1968. Dang. I think a good majority of it takes place during the Vietnam War.
- [08:07]
A
And it'll be good.
- [08:09]
D
Oh, yeah.
- [08:09]
A
And they will turn this somewhere into a TV series or a movie or a documentary, and it'll be phenomenal. And we can't wait for Jack Car. Every time Jack comes here, something happens.
- [08:18]
B
I know, it's crazy. It's almost like, you know, eerie stuff follows him.
- [08:22]
D
Thank goodness he's here, though. Every timing.
- [08:25]
A
Yeah, every time. He saved the world now three times for us.
- [08:27]
B
Yeah, exactly. Three years in a row.
- [08:30]
A
Thank God. Yeah. I hope everything goes. It'll be the first time he's come here.
- [08:33]
C
And everything just goes like a real life Ethan Hunt.
- [08:35]
A
And maybe that's just everywhere he goes, we don't even realize. We just only see him whenever he's here saving the world. And we broadcast it to everybody. We say, look, we caught this on camera. Jack, he shot AI in the head.
- [08:46]
B
Yeah, Arthur. Arthur Isaac Fishel.
- [08:48]
A
Yeah, Arthur Isaac Fishel in the head right here in a Thunderdome during a meeting of the mines, Literally a meeting of the mines. And they shot down a drone.
- [08:55]
B
Down an energy weapon coming in.
- [08:58]
A
I hope everything works out well. All right, let's pivot away from Jack Carr. Let's pivot away from Cry Havoc. Let's pivot away from tonight's NFC east battle between the Giants and the Eagles. Both teams looking to get back on track. One of them's four and one. One of them is one in four. One of them has played nowhere near their best ball and have won a lot of games. And the other one's trying to figure out what the hell their best ball is. Yeah, it's intriguing matchup. Seven and a half point spread. We'll talk about that in a moment. Let's talk about some breaking news, ladies and gentlemen. Joining us now is senior NBA insider for espn, friend of the program, and a man who I believe had something just cross his phone. Ladies and gentlemen, Sham Sharan. Great to see you. You look amazing. Thank you for joining us.
- [09:37]
F
Great seeing you. And as much as I'd love to say how much I miss you, we do have some news. USA Basketball is expected to name Eric Spoelstra as the next men's national team head coach. Sources tell me. And so Spoelstra now succeeds Steve Kerr as the head coach. He'll be on the World cup sideline in 2027 and then the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Grant Hill, the NBA legend, he's actually managing director of Team USA basketball. And he really narrowed on Eric Spoelster this entire year, ever since Spolster served as a lead assistant on Steve Kerr's staff. And so what we've seen is an infrastructure, a cycle. Gregg Popovich was the coach of the Tokyo Olympics several years ago. Steve Kerr was on his staff. He replaces Gregg Popovich. This next cycle, Spoelstra was on Steve Kirstaf replaces. And now he's going to have a cycle here. And I wouldn't be surprised if it's gonna be multiple cycles here for Eric Spoelstra. The job he's done as An NBA coach. The job that he did on the international level, he really impressed a lot of the players, a lot of the Team USA officials in the last Olympics. And it's crazy how young he looks. He's actually the longest tenured active NBA head coach. So he will be the next Team USA Men's basketball head coach.
- [10:56]
A
Congrats. That's awesome. Okay, so we got the World Cup. We obviously have the Olympics. What else is the head coach of the men's national team in charge of? What are the things. Are they setting the tone for all of USA Men's basketball and scouting, recruiting, all that type of stuff for the future generations? What added jobs here, other than just this World cup and Olympics that we all see? Does SPO pick up now that he's the head of USA Basketball? The greatest country on earth, the greatest basketball history on earth, in a time where it feels like the world's getting good. Yeah, the world's getting really good right now at hoops. So SPO is going to have to manage that as we go forward. But what other jobs does he have other than the big tournaments that we see?
- [11:37]
F
Pat, it's going to be the. The culture of the team, the environment, the structure that he's going to implement first and foremost. And then as time goes on, the years go on. As we get closer to the 2027 World cup and then the 2028 Summer Olympics, it's being involved with Grant Hill, the rest of the USA Basketball officials, on figuring out who's going to be on these rosters. You think about how talented of a group that 2028 squad is going to be. It could also be a younger group. Steph Curry, LeBron James, they were very vocal privately, a little bit publicly, that they wanted to have one final USA Basketball run. So this is it for them. Kevin Durant has kind of left the door open. We'll see where he's at in 2028. But this is going to be a really new team. This is going to be a young team that we're going to see. It's going to be led by different players. So being a part of that and then the next step is also setting his own coaching staff. And so you think about Steve Kerr's coaching staff. He had Eric Spoelstra, Ty Lu, Mark Few, the. The. The. The iconic college coach at Gonzaga. So Ty Lu will not be on Eric Spolster's staff, from what I'm told. So Eric Schwarzer is going to have a new staff as he takes over as the USA Basketball coach, is there.
- [12:45]
A
A chance that maybe Missoula gets on there so Tatum can play?
- [12:48]
F
Yeah, that's a name certainly you have to look at. But when you think around the league, whether it's the Joe Missoula, Mark Dagenau in Oklahoma City, Jamal Moseley is another coach in Orlando who has had some time in the USA Basketball pipeline, and he's someone. You think about that Orlando team on the come up, they should have a good chance in the Eastern Conference as well. So I think those are some of the, you know, I think you have to put Missoula in there as well, but I think those are the other couple names that I would look at as well.
- [13:17]
A
Well, strictly so that maybe Tatum gets on court.
- [13:19]
B
Yeah, yeah.
- [13:20]
A
Because I think for the good of America, even though we won't. So, hey, we're going forward. We need to make sure that Tatum is on the court, assuming that his Achilles recovery goes very well. Which are we ahead of schedule in that? Am I reading things that were. We're in a really good spot? No, I don't want to put any type of. I think any recovery or rehab is its own journey. There's so many things that can happen during it, especially when you're talking about an Achilles heel. But when we're talking about Tatum, I get from what we've been reading, good signs. Right. Going forward. And I think he even came out and said, everybody else said that I'm not playing this season. I've never said that. Which was wild to hear because it's just kind of understood almost at this point in basketball with the Achilles.
- [13:59]
F
So, Pat, you think about the three players, the three superstar players that tore their Achilles tendon in the playoffs. Damian Lillard, he's now in Portland. He's already said he's done. He's not going to play this upcoming season. The Blazers have already ruled him out for the entire season. The other player, Tyrese Halliburton, your guy, he's already been ruled out by the Pacers for the entire season. He's set himself. He's out for the season. So those two guys suffered Achilles tears. They've already been ruled out. Jayson Tatum, on the other hand, the Celtics have not ruled them out. I think the Celtics are cautiously optimistic. Clearly, Jayson Tatum has a goal in his mind that he wants to play. Now, whether he can get there by the time we're in February, March, April, we'll see and we'll see how that team is going to be. There's so many doctors Clearances that come into play here, Pat, as we. As you get closer to the end, and let's say he's in March and he's feeling 100%, but the team's not really competing for anything. Do you really throw him out there? There's going to be a lot of questions. There's probably going to be 15 to 20 people in that room that are going to make that decision for Jason, you know, with Jayson Tatum, I would say, you know, while the other two are out for the season, though, so that is a saving grace. And Jayson Tatum, I saw that video as well, like the rest of the world, a couple weeks ago. He is moving differently than anyone that I've seen. What do we. Several, you know, four or five months to remove.
- [15:16]
A
I saw Tyrese walk on a red carpet, so let's just.
- [15:20]
D
I saw it, too.
- [15:20]
A
That Russell Palooza, he actually came with me. We got right in there as close as possible, so you didn't have to walk as far.
- [15:27]
F
Was he cutting? Was he. Was he cutting up?
- [15:29]
A
Yeah, he's always got jokes. Always like the jokes fly. Like he lets game winners fly. We're gonna miss him. Maybe Coach Carlisle, another name that we need to float into the universe to be coaching Team usa, would love to see him experience the Olympics. And how he does would be spectacular. You just broke some news the other day early in the morning on the Internet. Go ahead, con man.
- [15:49]
D
Yeah, Shams. The Knicks were the team Giannis wanted to go to. Was there any trades that were kind of basically about to be made? Was it ever that close? Was there any packages discussed? Or is this just more bullshit basketball news about stuff that almost happened that didn't?
- [16:06]
F
I think two things that happened here that have never happened with Giannis Adetokounmpo. One he made clear privately to the people that needed to know that the New York Knicks were the only team that he wanted a potential trade to if the Milwaukee Bucks would oblige. Now, that's the big if. The Bucs have made it clear they want to give this another shot with Giannis into the compo. They feel like with Giannis there, this team has a championship opportunity. And there. There were a series of meetings over the offseason, but there was one in particular. There's one in late June. John Horst, the Bucs general manager, I'm told he flew to Greece. It was a one day trip, 6,000 miles. He went and sat down with Giannis Antetokounmpo. He sold Giannis on why this team is A championship caliber team. Giannis had his concerns about whether he thought this team could actually win a championship. So you have a team that feels like this is a title contending roster. A player that shared and aired out his uneasiness about it. And so that led to some conversations with the Knicks. The Knicks did make offers, I'm told, multiple offers. And so no deal happened. The Knicks felt like the Bucks were never serious. Some people in Milwaukee believe that the Knicks never made offers serious enough to even continue trade conversations. This was a multi week process. One person described it to me as an exclusive negotiating window. We've never gotten to that point with Giannis, but he's there.
- [17:29]
A
A bunch of nothing. Yeah, that was a bunch of bullshit.
- [17:32]
F
He's there now. We'll see what happens this season. The quarter mark of the year is going to be very important. 20, 25 games in. And Yans and Gumpo said it himself that right now he's committed. He's locked in. He said, six, seven months from now, I don't know where I'll be. We'll see.
- [17:48]
A
Okay, so, Seams, I appreciate that you're planting these seeds right now. Okay? That's what Seams is doing, right?
- [17:52]
B
Oh, yeah.
- [17:53]
A
Hey, I got big breaking news. We saw it across the Internet. Johannes, you know, Baba, he's planting seeds right now. Just in case something happens in the future, he can just say, hey, just like we were telling you about, there is something brewing here. Okay? And that bamboo tree, you know, you, you, you water it for like five years, okay? You water that thing and then inevitably that thing.
- [18:10]
F
Okay, but just a messenger. I'm just a messenger. If this stuff wasn't happening, I wouldn't have anything to talk about.
- [18:16]
A
No, but that's what I'm saying.
- [18:17]
D
Amen.
- [18:17]
A
I'm saying, I'm saying you're watering this, this plant right now like it's. And then whenever it happens, people better say, Sean said it would. Yeah, okay. And that's part of the insider process, is following stories, you know, and then every once in a pops up out of the middle of the night right after a royal rumble in Indianapolis, and Luca is now all of a sudden La Laker.
- [18:36]
E
Wow.
- [18:37]
A
And that it becomes historic. And everybody thought your phone was hacked. So, Shams, we appreciate the way you operate, the way you move, and the way you cover the NBA. You're the greatest. When do we start? When's. When's basketball's happening?
- [18:48]
F
Preseason is well underway. The Pacers actually played the other night against the Timberwolves. It is well underway.
- [18:53]
A
How'd we do?
- [18:54]
F
Regular season starts Oct. 21. Houston at Oklahoma City, then Warriors, Lakers, doubleheader. NBC has that, and then ESPN has multiple doubleheaders after that. So that is opening week. But, Pat, I'm telling you, preseason is underway. And this Giannis Antetokounmpo situation, this is what's going to grip the league to start the year. Take my word for it.
- [19:19]
A
Water in that bamboo. That's right.
- [19:21]
D
Is Guangzhou coming up to Indy to play after the spurs game.
- [19:23]
A
Who's that?
- [19:24]
D
The Guangzhou Sharks. I forget actually what their mascot is, but they were. They were torn. The spurs beat him the other day.
- [19:29]
A
Yeah.
- [19:30]
D
One of the CBA teams.
- [19:31]
A
Oh, that's.
- [19:32]
F
So that's what I think on that team. Oladipo's playing for that team. He's trying to make a comeback after two years away from basketball. Victor Oladipo.
- [19:40]
A
Yeah. Shout out. Indiana University great Victor Oladipo. He's playing for the Guang Ho.
- [19:44]
D
The. The Guangzhou. I'm not sure.
- [19:46]
F
Lions, I think.
- [19:47]
D
Yeah.
- [19:50]
A
That's a vastly different team than we were. Anyways, we appreciate you so much. How'd the Pacers do the other day? Did we do good?
- [19:57]
F
The Pacers lost to Minnesota. I don't know what happened exactly in the second game, though. Shout out campaign. He just signed a training camp deal with the Pacers.
- [20:08]
A
I just saw some breaking news from the preseason. Let's keep him out of preseason. We don't need him.
- [20:13]
D
What?
- [20:14]
F
McConnell did have a. He did look like he's. He strained a muscle.
- [20:18]
D
Holy. He was on a basketball.
- [20:21]
A
Everybody needs to stop. TJ McConnell doesn't need to play preseason.
- [20:25]
B
No.
- [20:25]
A
Hey, Coach Carlisle said. Hey, listen, this is your team now. We do not need any injuries to TJ McConnell.
- [20:30]
B
That guy's gonna be playing 45 minutes a night this year.
- [20:32]
A
Maybe. Maybe the whole thing.
- [20:33]
B
Yeah, exactly.
- [20:35]
A
He might be Max Crosby.
- [20:36]
B
He could be.
- [20:37]
F
How's Tyrese doing? Do we have an update? How's he feeling? How's he doing?
- [20:40]
A
I think his life right now is rehab, recovery, finding things in Indiana to do.
- [20:45]
G
Yes.
- [20:46]
A
That is. So he doesn't lose his mind. So he is always on it, I think. And mindset, very positive. And obviously the city of Indianapolis love seeing him. He was at every Fever game, obviously the Colts game. If there's a charity event that he can get to, he'll go. I mean, he is trying to stay active without losing his mind because he's been confined to his house basically, since this whole thing happened. So he's positive. I'd say he is naturally optimistic, positive dog, human. And it feels like he's carrying that into this. But that's a long road, brother. Because it's such a slow road. Because he's able to walk. You know, he gets out of the boot and you can walk, and it's like, hey, you're nowhere near done right now.
- [21:22]
D
Yeah.
- [21:22]
A
And it's like, it's a mental task. That's why the Tatum stuff is awesome to hear, you know?
- [21:27]
F
Yeah. I mean, these are long recoveries, but once you start walking and you start being able to move even a little bit on the basketball court, just as a basketball player, I'm sure their mind is going crazy. Like, you want to be doing stuff at 100%, but you just can't. You gotta. It's a long, monotonous recovery, and then.
- [21:43]
A
Hey, you got another seven months actually. Yeah. You're just gonna be staring at it. Can't move the whole time.
- [21:47]
D
And like, half the time, the. It takes a year. Like, I, like, everyone's talking about Tatum coming back and awesome. That would be cool. But it feels like it even takes a year just for guys to get their legs back under them and then they're back to it.
- [21:58]
A
At least a year. Even the second year afterwards, it comes in for our sport, at least. And then, tyrese. It takes a year. When was his. Oh, the last possible game? Game seven of the final. The latest possible game. And he was going to score 60.
- [22:12]
B
I know.
- [22:13]
A
No time for what ifs. No time for what ifs. Huge news around the basketball world, obviously. This was tweeted by Schefter this morning. Inside. The NBA is making its official broadcast debut over on the ESPN network. Says TNT Sports will still create that from Atlanta and it will be licensed through espn, who got a majority of the NBA coverage rights. Remember, TNT could have kept it.
- [22:35]
B
Yes.
- [22:36]
A
Okay.
- [22:36]
D
Yes, they could have.
- [22:37]
A
Everybody's attacking everybody, but there's still a way that that could have happened. Instead, ESPN gets to broadcast one of the greatest shows in the history of sport. Shams. Have you met these guys?
- [22:47]
F
Yeah, I mean, I've spent time with Turner. I've done stuff with Shaq, done stuff with Kenny, Know Kenny pretty well, talked to Ernie every time we see each other. I mean, these are just great human beings. Chuck is hilarious. I actually was a part of the 75 greatest players draft that Turner held. I want to say it was 2022 or 2023, but the all Star Game was in Cleveland. I believe that year.
- [23:14]
A
Nailed it.
- [23:15]
F
But it was. It was a Treat just being a part of that stage. Jerry west was there so it was, it was just an honor to be there. And those four guys I got to talk to at length and you know it's. It's going to be amazing to continue to see that show now on espn. Our air race.
- [23:32]
A
Yeah, it's great honestly that it's going to continue. You know, this many years into it. Their resume is like greatest show of all time. How many more Emmys can you win? How much more can you impact a sport in a league and help build it and everything like that and then for it to continue. I think we're all very lucky and thankful. I don't know how current players feel, you know, not at all. But need that. They're like the. They're how many NBA teams?
- [23:54]
D
30.
- [23:55]
B
30.
- [23:55]
A
Okay. So they're like the 31st NBA team.
- [23:57]
D
Yeah.
- [23:58]
A
And they run primetime every single night. And there's good reason. So I appreciate the fact that we're still getting them in our lives and I can't wait to watch. And I do appreciate everybody saying ESPN is going to ruin tnt. Still producing it.
- [24:09]
D
Yeah.
- [24:10]
A
Which I respect and appreciate that those guys aren't changing.
- [24:13]
F
We're going to see the personality. All those guys, I think, I think they're going to bring the heat. I think they're going to be as feisty as ever. And shout out to Ernie Johnson like you. People like you Ernie. Just amazing. Interviewers. Interviewers don't even. Ernie's one of the best.
- [24:27]
A
No, that's disgusting. People are going to be very mad that I was even in that sentence. And also the Pacers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves. So you need to wake up. Okay. Sh. Okay. And that was with DJ McCall. Sore hamstrings.
- [24:40]
F
You asked me when the season starts. The season starts October 21st.
- [24:46]
A
Ladies and gentlemen. That was awesome.
- [24:51]
D
Those pre game shows, like I'm thinking Jordan's on the opening night, right?
- [24:56]
B
Yeah.
- [24:56]
D
Peak like and then the. And then prime has like Dirk Nowitzki and all of a sudden I'm thinking of all those Carter's on one of them.
- [25:04]
A
I think legends everywhere.
- [25:05]
B
Yeah.
- [25:05]
A
All.
- [25:05]
B
All three of them have unbelievable studio shows.
- [25:08]
E
Yeah.
- [25:08]
B
I mean we'll see. Obviously you know how good they are because they haven't done it together yet. But like the people they have is crazy.
- [25:14]
A
Maybe Shams needs to go start shaking some hands down there at the inside the NBA should offices.
- [25:19]
B
Sounds like he needs to.
- [25:20]
A
Yeah. Why don't he become their insider.
- [25:23]
D
Come to think it'd make more sense.
- [25:25]
A
Yeah, I mean, it's going to be on espn. He's ESPN Senior Insider. I think they would love. I mean, to do what we do to Shams. Yeah.
- [25:33]
B
Yeah, I think so.
- [25:34]
A
It was really hard.
- [25:35]
C
Is he going to be on the show?
- [25:36]
A
I don't know. We'll see. He was waiting in the bullpen. There's no other insiders, right? Yeah. But I think, yeah, we want your info. We want your opinion.
- [25:45]
C
Oh, yeah, okay.
- [25:46]
A
Both, I think, is what people were saying. I think there was a little bit of that, maybe.
- [25:49]
B
Sure.
- [25:50]
C
That's what they say about Choms, too.
- [25:51]
D
No.
- [25:52]
A
Who says that?
- [25:53]
C
Toxic table.
- [25:54]
B
I've never said that.
- [25:55]
D
Excuse me.
- [25:56]
B
Not once have I said that.
- [25:58]
A
Well, I think that is like a natural feeling by some TV executive that went to school at Syracuse or Northwestern or something, has never actually been on camera and never done anything or created anything in their absolute. They naturally have that opinion. Insiders have this job. We don't need you to do this. You this. You're not Woj either. Yeah, don't even think about being Woj.
- [26:16]
E
You're never gonna be Woj, kid.
- [26:18]
B
He's probably had that said to him a hundred times.
- [26:20]
A
No, but they didn't say it, actually. They were saying it in here and then they were saying, we don't need you on the show tonight, kid. That's what they were. That's what there was. Only your information is what they were actually saying in there. So Shams is just sat in the pocket battle, broke the biggest story in the history, basically, of Internet news breaking and just kept it rolling. Shams is the best dude. We are very lucky that we are friends with Seams.
- [26:43]
H
Yeah.
- [26:43]
D
Super great guy, too. Off. Yeah. When he comes to Indy during the Pacers run, too. And it's hilarious thinking about Choms job just because then he does break news like Giannis, and we're like, no, that's nothing. That's nothing.
- [26:56]
A
So the Giannis one we say no to, but whenever Luka gets traded, everybody goes, that's fake. There's no way, Seams, you got hacked. You're just saying dumb shit right there. And then it's like, no, actually, me, that's real. I was surprised as well. I had to get my hands. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. How long am I going to be the only person that has this? Six minutes, maybe. I got to get it right. What are they? Are we sure? Yeah. This one's going to do some numbers here, I think.
- [27:23]
D
Yeah. Might be the biggest ever.
- [27:24]
A
Does he have a dog?
- [27:26]
D
Yeah.
- [27:27]
A
Anybody Screenshot. Send to somebody. This is what I'm saying. Is this actually what's happening?
- [27:34]
B
Send it.
- [27:39]
A
Big. Huge. That's life of insider. This is the tweet. 109.9 million views at this point.
- [27:45]
B
Jesus Christ.
- [27:46]
A
That's the original.
- [27:46]
D
That is massive.
- [27:47]
A
Let alone how many times that's just ripped and then posted and then right, according to Sean, boom, this happens. Bang da boom da boom. We all know how Internet platforms work and how things get taken and run with. And that's unbelievable that this particular post has 110 million views. That's unique, believable. Also, is it sustainable? Good luck, Choms.
- [28:07]
E
Good luck.
- [28:07]
D
Keep it up. Shoms got top that that bamboo tree.
- [28:10]
A
He'S been working with. Yeah, it's that bamboo tree. Huge. There's been a lot of trades. A lot of action kind of happened around the NFL. Albert Breer broke down the most recent one in beautiful fashion, talking about people finding good fits. Jags and the Browns make a trade overnight. Jags get Greg Newsome a corner, who in Albert Breer's breakdown has great eyes on QB reading, reacting and sued for their zone heavy scheme there in Duvall. Also, he's in a contract year, so Newsom gives him a little financial flexibility not only this year, but for the future. And maybe they renegotiate a deal here in a couple of weeks. He ends up doing great. And then Tyson Campbell, he goes up to the Browns. He's better scheme fit with the team. He's going, you know, he's man match corner with speed, length and competitiveness. He signed through 2027, so a little bit of stability in a position they're obviously going to hope that he hits. I like the teams are making kind of moves right now. We're getting into the part of the year where people are starting to kind of move and shake. Obviously, Joe Flacco going to the Bengals. There's news coming out of Cincinnati.
- [29:07]
E
Yeah.
- [29:08]
A
Joey Flack is back to take on the pack Jack. Now he just got traded on what, a Tuesday, and we're getting word on Wednesday that Joey Flack is expect. Yep. Hey, Flack. Flack's starting. Okay. You've seen where we've been. We ain't doing that again. You think we brought that guy down from Cleveland to have him sit here and watch what we've been doing? Yeah, right. This season's slipping away. So we got Joe Flacco walking across city streets onto a practice field to be the leader we need over here in Cincinnati. We got weapons all over the place. And if our defense can maybe do something, our offensive line can maybe protect for a second and a half, well, maybe Joey Flack's able to cook the packers for the second time this season. Ty, this is nightmare scenario for you. And did you hear what Chase Brown had to say about Joe Flacco? Chase Brown, running back for the Cincinnati Bengals last year. He had like 1300 yards and 11 touchdowns, can certainly catch the ball out of the backfield. This is what he had to say about Joey Flacco's brain immediately upon arrival in Cincinnati. Yeah.
- [30:07]
D
Yeah. So Zach would like read him a play and then he'll like pause for.
- [30:12]
A
A second and then he would recite.
- [30:13]
D
The whole play like perfectly.
- [30:15]
A
So good memory. Joey Flack saying it back, no problem, day one. He knows the offense. You know what that means. Not only does he know the lingo, he knows the terms, he also knows the checks. He knows where we're supposed to go, he knows the right play they're supposed to be. And that's why whenever he went to Cleveland, middle of the season, out of the couch, off the couch, he knew Stefanski's offense inside and out. Was able to take them on a playoff run of not playing football at all. Everybody remembers the Jets. Okay, it didn't go good. Everybody thinks about the Colts last year. Okay, it didn't go good. But if Joe Flacco is in a situation that he likes, which very clearly from day one sounds like he's in love with it, look out for the Bengals to be a problem in the AFC north or a problem this weekend with the Joey Flacco boost that's potentially come to town.
- [30:56]
B
Yeah, no, Joe Flacco knows the playbook, knows how to spit the playback out. He's been quarterback in the NFL for about 25 years. He's won a Super Bowl MVP. He's actually, he's pretty good quarterback. He's a little older now, but. But yeah, I mean, if you're a Packers fan, you knew this was going to happen. You know, I, I had that reaction on Tuesday and everyone's like, what are you, he's not going to play on Sunday. It's like, yeah, he is. He's Joe Flacco. He does, he needs, he needs 15 minutes off the couch to get ready to play a football game. We've seen it before. Now, I did see Jake Browning was pretty red assed figuring out. Yeah. What basically saying like, you know, I don't think I was the, the entire part of the problem, but you know, I understand Joe Flacco getting, getting in there and playing. But yeah, I mean, you know, we'll see. Because I think if the Bengals are going to win, Joe Flacco is going to have to throw for 350 yards, which he might do. But if the Bagels beat the packers on Sunday, there is a good chance. I'm going to take a bath.
- [31:50]
A
What?
- [31:51]
B
I'm going to head upstairs, bring a toaster, plug it in and drop it in the bathroom. No, if Joe Flacco beats the packers again, I just, I don't know if I got that.
- [31:59]
C
He's familiar with the defense.
- [32:01]
B
He is familiar with the defense.
- [32:03]
A
You can't be doing that now. He threw for 104 yards. He did in that first game and obviously he made a lot of good decisions for the Browns. He was very efficient. And that goes to the Cleveland Browns. Let's talk about the Cleveland Browns. Stefanski has not come out publicly and said definitively who the backup quarterback is. Uh oh, is it zip on the ball, Zappy Bailey who's been around New England, then he was with the Raiders, now obviously with Cleveland he was practice squad quarterback I do believe for them or the fourth eligible, whatever the hell the ruling is. And then Shador Sanders, obviously fifth round pick. He has been the third string quarterback throughout the year when Joey Flacco was the first string and then Dylan Gabriel got his first start in England this past weekend was the second string. And now Stefanski's not just coming out and saying that Shador is definitively the backup quarterback. What's that all about? What is that all about? Well, I have a theory and listen, it might be because he's anti Shedeur and maybe Shedeur needs to go and find another home at another NFL team. I don't know how that would happen because they have his contract and his rights. But maybe another place would be good for him. But also maybe Stefanski is thinking we're playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh Steelers got T.J. watt, Cam Hayward, her big. They got a lot of dogs across the front. Yeah, we got a rookie quarterback who by all counts looks like he is very comfortable in an NFL system and on an NFL field. And there's a chance that he goes on to become the greatest quarterback of all time or one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. I'm not saying that, but also 5 11, TJ Watt eating, Cam Heyward eating. There's a chance backup quarterback has to play this weekend against Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm not saying that is something I'm wishing for. Or hoping for. I'm just saying, fact of the matter. Reality. AFC north football, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers. The way the Steelers are built, there's a chance backup quarterback has to play. There's a lot of big book on Bailey Zappi. Okay? People have seen Bailey Zappy play a lot of Mike Tomlin knows what he's potentially getting with Bailey Zappi or digging into play for the Browns to understand what Bailey Zappi's got. So I think there's a chance that he's being kind aloof with it, coy with it, maybe out of strategy purposes.
- [34:08]
C
No, coaches don't do that. Coaches always are upfront and give the utmost information to their opponent the week before the game. They've always done that in the history of football. So there's no reason why Stefanski wouldn't say who the second string quarterback.
- [34:20]
A
So now Tom, unless he hates Shadow. Well, whoa. Which they drafted them and you know, who knows if they hate him and that's why they hate drafted them. Maybe.
- [34:28]
E
Yeah.
- [34:28]
A
I'm not 100% sure. But there is a chance that they do want the Pittsburgh Steelers to prepare for three quarterbacks. Like, hey, you're gonna have to prepare for three quarterbacks. That's an added amount of stuff that you have to look into. That's an added amount of things you got to think about. It's just, even if it's four or five plays that you got to add to the itinerary for practice or the script for practice, that's shit that you're not thinking about something else. Miles Garrett, for instance, you're not thinking about any of the other Dylan Gabriel stuff you have thinking about other things. So maybe there is a chance that this is strategic here by Stefanski to not just give up who his backup quarterback is. But then also we're in a world of everybody knows everything about everything. So is this a waste of time if this is a little bit of a coy competitive move by Stefanski?
- [35:10]
D
Well, and even based on last week, you know, Judkins seems to be the bell cow of that offense kind of everything. I think he got, you know, 25, 28 touches and you know, he was great. You wonder if they're viewing this like a Kirk Cousins RG3 situation. Like maybe they like them both and they think they both could play. But if Shador is the backup and Gabriel goes down and Jador goes in and does really well, can you ever go back to Gabriel? Like, if it's zappy and you know, Gabriel gets heard and then.
- [35:37]
A
Well, then that would be exactly why everybody would be pissed.
- [35:40]
D
Yeah.
- [35:40]
A
About the being coy about Shador not being named backup. You don't want him to succeed is what people potentially are thinking. And I would like to say I'm a Shador Sanders fan. You can call me Shador Fanders. There you go. I am a big fan and I just saw him working out with sunglasses on with a bunch of Cleveland stuff on. I don't know if that was from the summer or from this week. He looks good. I appreciated the way he handled the Joe Flacco trade whenever he was at the car dealership with 8K cameras around him. The miming thing I thought was incredibly creative and hilarious. But I could also see it as something that, hey, don't want to act like that as a starting quarterback going forward, just strictly because it's not about how I feel or my fans feel about things. It's about decision makers in the NFL. If I want to actually do this, I'm going to have to appease to these people at some point. I'm going to have to do that at some point. But I also got to remain myself because Shedeur has done great things for Shador. And what we've seen Shador do at places where there hasn't been as much support and there hasn't been as much talent, we've seen him do special things. He has a aura about him that is magnetic for people and for cameras. Okay. So that's obviously a potential big time distraction, but all you need is one team to say, we like him, you know, that's all you really need. That one team allegedly was just Cleveland Browns. Then the story came out like, well, during the draft, Ravens wanted to be there.
- [36:49]
B
Like, no, they're starting their backup play.
- [36:52]
C
Some probably again this week.
- [36:54]
G
Yeah, yeah.
- [36:55]
A
And obviously you can't forecast that, but a lot of other people around the NFL could say, so he's turning down opportunities to get into the NFL. Whenever he was in a first, that's how people that are negative would spin that. And then positive people could potentially say he wanted to go to a place where he get on field, which we appreciate and respect. And it's like, well, now that this is happening, will he get on the field?
- [37:15]
C
Yeah. And if you're a true Steelers fan, everyone's got it in the back of their head right now. You might have to save a reservation for two for that bath. Nick, what is the the worst possibility for Sunday in that Browns and Steelers game?
- [37:29]
G
UC Dylan Gabriel get hurt, which would Be unfortunate. We never wish injuries on anybody. We actually hope to end all injuries in sports, but.
- [37:36]
B
And then.
- [37:37]
D
Amen.
- [37:37]
G
And then Shador comes in and carves them up.
- [37:40]
B
Yep.
- [37:41]
A
For 253 touchdowns. Yep. 247.
- [37:44]
H
I don't know if he was kidding.
- [37:46]
A
247. Three Touch Jerry. Judy. Just all over the place. Yeah.
- [37:51]
C
Right after the game, I'll knock on Ty's door. Hey, coming in.
- [37:55]
A
Let's do this together. Yeah. You guys go hold hands. You had bye week last week together.
- [37:58]
B
Yeah, exactly.
- [37:59]
A
This week you guys kind of hold hands and jump in there. Okay. Well, we would miss you, certainly. But Shador, I think, has handled things in the best possible fashion. The mime thing, people hold against him, but it's like he's still very young. And that quarterback room, he has not turned his back publicly on any of them. And they haven't done that to him at all.
- [38:16]
B
Right.
- [38:17]
A
It's like, that's a tough situation. They're managing it. Good luck. But let's hold out hope that Stefanski, former coach of the year, is potentially using a little strategy here.
- [38:26]
B
I mean, why would he. If he doesn't have to make a decision on this now, why would he, like, why not wait until you actually have to decide? I mean, it's gamesmanship. This is a division game.
- [38:36]
A
Yeah. It's a big deal. Especially if you can add just a little bit of a question mark on the other side and have them have to focus on that just for a matter of moments, even hours, maybe. That's a big win for a team. Speaking of a big win for a team, did you see last night?
- [38:48]
C
Oh, no.
- [38:49]
A
The Yankees lose. Oh, my goodness. You talk about a post game show being electrifying. I didn't even think about Big Papi on a microphone. After Big Vladi the Yankee, Dottie gets a chance to do a live interview from the locker room with beer flowing everywhere and Vladdy coming off maybe the greatest series anybody has had against the New York Yankees. This is immediately after the Toronto boys knock off the New York Boys. It d. Let's go, baby.
- [39:35]
E
Let's go.
- [39:37]
A
Hey, hey. Let's do it again. Let's go, baby.
- [39:47]
D
But you don't take it personal. I.
- [39:50]
A
One more, one more, one more.
- [39:56]
B
Oh, my God.
- [39:59]
A
I don't think there's anything else left to be said.
- [40:01]
E
Vlad, you were awesome.
- [40:02]
A
We'll see you in the next round.
- [40:03]
F
Go enjoy it.
- [40:04]
E
All right.
- [40:11]
A
So we understood that obviously. What a moment for those two to have. Ty, how did we get to that point. And when you're watching old Jeets have to sit in the pocket for that on national television, how does that make you feel?
- [40:24]
B
Yeah, it hurts. I mean, I'll be honest with you. I've gotten over it. Because it's funny, being a Yankees fan is very similar to, ironically, being a Packers fan or being a Steelers fan. You kind of notice the six or seven Achilles heels that are really gonna, you know, bite you in the ass come postseason. You know, that stuff needs to change. None of it's ever going to change. So they got eliminate. I mean, the stuff that kind of killed them all year. And to lose, you know, to lose to a team like the Blue Jays, who are just the antithesis of the Yankees, like, how are they scoring runs? Boom. Just good piece of hitting. Single the other way, Score two runs, get guys on base, move them over. Don't need to do it with the long ball. And then look at this. I mean, a guy hit, guy hits this 8 miles an hour in the right field, but that's all you need to do. Puts it in play. Yeah. Biggest fatso in the MLB as well. Wobble body. Alejandro Kirk scores, and the Blue Jays end up winning 5, 2. It just. The defense killed them when they needed to. It's almost like Aaron Boone went into that game last night and was thinking like, well, yeah, Cam Schlitler is just going to throw eight innings and have 12 strikeouts and completely handcuffs these guys again.
- [41:30]
D
I mean, he.
- [41:31]
B
He's only pitched in, like 15 games this year. He was unbelievable. But that's. That's what the Blue Jays do. They put balls in play. They make your defense work. Timely hitting. I mean, that's just. That's the way it goes. And we talked about this a little bit. Like, the. The thing that sucks the most is Judge has that moment last night. And like, now, it doesn't mean shit. It doesn't mean anything. You know, like, for him, it was good, sure. But, like, you talk about moments in Yankee history, like, that's not even like the top 100 anymore, unfortunately, because they got eliminated the next night. He batted.500 in the playoffs. In this series. In this series, he was 9 of 16. The rest of the Yankees batted 207. He was literally the only guy who showed up. So, like, that's the thing that hurts the most is the Yankees have their best player probably since Babe Ruth. Like, this guy will go down as maybe one of the five best baseball players of all time. And because they're front office and they just choose to do the same thing year in and year out. And they just think because we're the Yankees, we can spend more money, we can hit more home runs and we'll just beat anyone. Well, in the playoffs you get a team who doesn't do that. They just play clean, solid, sound baseball. And they fucking embarrassed them. Just embarrassed them. So I'll be looking forward to next year. It'll be a whole lot of the same Judgy will have another phenomenal season, might win another AL mvp. And at the end of the day, this is probably what's going to happen. You know, whether it's the Tigers or the Blue Jays or you know, the Mariners, one of these teams who doesn't have the star power, doesn't have the same names, doesn't have the stats, they will beat the Yankees and this will just go on for eternity, unfortunately, forever and ever.
- [43:07]
A
That's the Yankees life is what Ty says. I refuse to believe that. Yeah, every once in a while your bats go cold. Especially if you're a big bat bopping ball club. And if the bats get cold, all of a sudden you're not as good. Who is the other guy?
- [43:19]
E
Gold.
- [43:20]
B
He was about Paul Goldschmidt. Yeah. Who The Yankees gave $20 million in the offseason. Two for one season play, first base, former NL MVP. He's been great all year, but you know, once again we get, we've gotten into this analytics portion of the world where it's like he's right handed so he, he can't get a base hit off a right handed pitcher. He can only play when lefties are in there. So he, he basically got like six at bats in the series.
- [43:43]
D
Geez.
- [43:44]
B
Got several hits in those at bats, but yeah, too little too late. You know, there you get in a position where, you know, there's so many guys that I don't want to do this to and I won't do it.
- [43:54]
A
Don't do it, don't do it, don't do it. You're emotional.
- [43:56]
D
You're emotional.
- [43:57]
B
But, but that's the thing is I'm not, I feel like I clear minded right now like that. Like I'm not emotional. Last night after they lost, I kind of just sat on my couch in disbelief in two hours and just sat at a TV that was turned off. Just sat there and just kind of let it all wash down. That was, that was awesome. That was, that was actually really funny.
- [44:19]
A
Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a man who's been calling primetime NFL football for 40 years. He's also a baseball historian. We saw that on an episode of Rushmore on X that debuted this Tuesday, this past Tuesday, where he and Bob Costas Chit chatted about the four biggest sports chokes. And what ended up happening on this episode was just a sports history lesson for all of us to listen along. From hockey in football all the way to wrestling in baseball. Got a big storytelling in it all. And joining us now, a man who kicks off the NFL week for us on prime every Thursday night, living legend and icon, Al Michael.
- [44:57]
C
Al.
- [44:58]
A
How you doing, Bob?
- [45:00]
E
Patrick. All right. Two things. Number one, I tried to find a tank top I know in New York to dress appropriately for the show. Secondly, do you have another $300,000 that I could be a part of in terms of, you know, maybe have Hermit street throw another thing through the upright.
- [45:17]
A
AL maybe, maybe, maybe I should start tapping into your bank account now that I think 40 years of prime time NFL football, I need to start drawing from that bank.
- [45:27]
E
Well, you know, what do I have to do? It's a good question. I'm looking for, you know, I'm trying to. What am I trying to do right now? I'm trying to do nothing.
- [45:38]
A
Why don't you give me money for these? Okay, so you will be funding. Al Michaels will be the sponsor for the field goal kicks going forward. That is awesome news. Hey, I'll run you out of that plane that you're in every week if you let me. Nick this week, $2 million kick from Al Michaels money. Herbie Dran, that for Gabby down there in Alabama is a magical moment. You and Herbie, obviously. Now, year four together on Amazon. How has it been this year? Feels like we've had some great games.
- [46:04]
E
Fantastic. I mean, the last two games have gone down to the wire. Can't ask for anything more. We had Green Bay, Washington in the open, a good game. We had Miami. They didn't figure to hang in there with Buffalo and they did. So that was a good game. Arizona, Seattle went to the end and last week went to overtime and the end. So we're on a roll right now. Hopefully it keeps up tonight. I don't know, we'll see. But the Eagles are something like a one touchdown favorite tonight. I mean, Pat, the sky is falling in Philadelphia, they have won 20 of 22 games. What? I mean, I don't get it. This is crazy. I know everybody hates everybody, but isn't it a little. It's a little ridiculous at this point. They are 20 and two over the last calendar year.
- [46:48]
A
I know That I know that as well. They're four and one right now. But if you look at this tale of the tape here that we found from team rankings, it's like the Philadelphia Eagles have not been playing like what we know the Philadelphia Eagles can play like. So that has brought the Johns out to be very negative about a 4:1 team. On that note, they just got embarrassed at home against the Broncos fourth quarter. They lose 18 to nothing in the fourth quarter at home. This could have been a Sunday game and they would have had to wait seven days. Could have been a Monday night game and they would have to wait eight days. Instead, four days and they're back on the field. What has it been like talking to the Philadelphia people? Are they eager to get back out there? And on the flip side, Jackson, Darden, the boys lose to the Saints. They give Spencer Rattler his first win in 11 starts. So both teams, I assume, wanted to get back on the field. What are you hearing from both of them?
- [47:35]
E
I think any team that loses on Sunday wants to play on Thursday, you know, so they can wash it away real quickly. So you get the sense that that's the case, you know, with the Eagles. I mean, go back a year. They were two and two. They wanted to fire everybody a year ago. And then they got on, of course, a role. But before that, too. Remember in 23, they melted down. What were they like 10 and one and six of the last seven or whatever. And the wild card game in Tampa Bay. And then they're 2 and 2 last year and everybody's saying, oh, get rid of the coach. Get rid of this guy. Get rid of that guy who lifted the Lombardi Trophy. So as it's amazing, those numbers were terrible. They're. They're at the bottom of the league in almost everything. Defensively when they were great last year, I mean, defensively they're so. So this year. So nothing seems to line up statistically. But I don't, you know, this team has too much talent not to get on a good roll down the stretch. I think they will.
- [48:29]
A
What are your thoughts on the Giants after talking to Day Ball, Jackson Dart. Scatter. Boo. And the bullies feels like they're trying to start their new era here. A new, A brand new era of Giants football.
- [48:37]
I
Ball.
- [48:37]
E
Oh, yeah. Everybody was so excited. Of course, after the Charger game is the Chargers come in undefeated now. It's. It's the Jackson Dart era. This kid has, you know him at all. He's got a lot of moxie. And I'm telling You. He's. He's a confident guy, makes his decisions very quickly. We love talk. We've had him in the preseason. Now we've had him again. Between him and Scatterboo, I think the future is extremely bright for both of those guys. You know, for the rest of the team, we'll see. I mean, this is a team. You know. What's so crazy, Pat? Over the last eight years, the Giants in preseason, we had the number that they were. They had the worst record over the last eight years coming into the season. Now they have the second worst. Which team has the worst over the last eight years?
- [49:23]
A
I say years. Jets. Got to be.
- [49:27]
E
Got it. You got it, man.
- [49:28]
D
Bang.
- [49:30]
E
Didn't he call of Cleveland, the factory of Sadness? What is MetLife?
- [49:35]
A
Well, especially after this Yankees loss with what they're going through. Al, I know you're a big baseball guy.
- [49:40]
E
There you go.
- [49:40]
A
Did you hear Ty losing his mind right there as a Yankees fan about what happened? Look, he's still pissed going out.
- [49:46]
E
Not only. Not only that, the Penguins shut the Rangers out three nothing the other night.
- [49:50]
D
True. Yep.
- [49:51]
A
We're back. By the way, the Pens are back, brother. They need to know. Damn, use this new guy, bald head, not a lot of voice. He's ready to take over. But, yeah, it's a state of sadness over there. And then also we hear Giannis wanted to go to the Knicks, but they couldn't make it. I mean, everything New York wise, not great. Not great over there. Okay, so tonight, obviously, we have an NFC east battle. Feels like there's a lot of divisional games happening on Thursday. Again, this used to be the story you were on Sunday nights. I think so. I don't know if you paid attention to what Thursday night used to be. Keller, Rush and all that shit. It was always a divisional game because they felt like it was fair for all parties to have a meaningful game on a Thursday night. And then also, I think they were trying to build up Thursday night as an NFL night. So they wanted good games. The divisional game certainly gave them that. We're seeing that again this year, it feels like. Is this going to be a new norm again? Almost. For Amazon?
- [50:44]
E
I think so. Not only for Amazon, but, I mean, you look at the Netflixes of the world coming in and the YouTubes. The league wants streaming to work, there's no question about that. So we started out that first year, the schedule was so. So had a couple of decent games. I thought a seminal thing was last year when the league gave us Cowboys, Giants streaming on a Thursday night, that was big because, I mean, that's. That's always been kind of a primetime matchup for either NBC or for Monday, Monday Night Football. So I thought that was big. This year, again, we've got a lot of great, you know, Detroit and Dallas down the line, but the way we started that, Washington and Green Bay and the rest. So the league is definitely invested in making this is the future. There's no question about it. We're not going to stop this runaway train. As you know, Linear TV will be here for a while. It'll still be here for a few more years. And then all of a sudden, you know, when I'm at Forest Lawn, we'll be streaming everything.
- [51:41]
A
Now, that'll never happen. Because you. The way you've dieted throughout your entire life, we think there's a chance you live forever. Okay, There's a chance you live forever.
- [51:50]
E
If you don't need a vegetable, there's a chance. I'm on the Oprah show in, like, 2096 and say, this is the key to life. Don't eat anything out of the ground. Just out of the stockyard.
- [52:03]
C
Let that meet.
- [52:04]
A
Oh, you're the greatest. Your brain's still quick, by the way, but I think you talked about the last couple of seasons. All the conversation was, was, al's not getting excited about any of these games. That is all it is. And then you come on this show and you're like. Like, these people want me to scream for what we're. Week six. It's the second quarter. What are we. What do you want from me? I've never done that. I think this year, because it's been such good games, I don't think that chatter's happened at all. I think you're throwing your fastball. You feel the same way.
- [52:30]
E
Pat, Everybody hates everybody, right? If you go onto antisocial media, Mother Teresa would have been a bank robbery.
- [52:41]
A
I mean, I don't know if antisocial media would do that to Mother Teresa, but I understand what you're saying. The point remains. The point remains. All right, we got some questions for you from the boys here about this season. Go ahead, Tone.
- [52:55]
C
Yeah, you had the Niners last week, and they had that huge win against the Rams, and Pat was by far the first on this, talking about how, you know, Mac Jones and Kyle Shanahan, they. They had their history when Kyle kind of wanted him in the draft, and now he's there and he's playing incredible. Did you get a sense or a vibe around there that it's anyone but Brock Purdy's team when he's healthy. Even when, even with Mac Jones playing incredible.
- [53:20]
E
Not before that game. But I think you're going to wind up having a little bit of a quarterback controversy, maybe more than a little bit in San Francisco because we'll see how healthy Purdy is. I mean what a performance by Jones the other night. Not only that, we thought he was out for the game after the season at one point because he's on the turf for, for almost three minutes. Gutty performance, great performance by him, I guess. I mean what you might know more than I do at this point. I haven't seen the, the ins and outs for this weekend, but I guess it'll be Jones starting with them in Tampa Bay this weekend. It's interesting. I mean look, San Francisco is used to you talk about quarterback controversies. Oh yeah. No greater quarterback controversy than going back 30 some odd years, Montana and Young. That may have been the all time controversy. So not that this is going to get to that level, but I think it's going to be extremely interesting especially if Mac Jones goes down there and beats Tampa Bay this weekend.
- [54:18]
A
Mac Jones has been slinging in. Remember Shanahan wanted them at first. They traded away the entire business to get Mac Jones there and then they changed their mind. And now through, you know, football universe, gods coming together, he got a chance to get back there and he is spinning and now speaking about going back somewhere, anytime the Eagles and the Giants play going forward, there's going to be one player that's certainly going to be talked about and Mars losing his sleep still about it. Go ahead, Ty.
- [54:42]
B
Yeah, Al Saquon had quite the day against the Giants last year a couple times and then tonight, you know, he's got the doc releasing before the game. A lot of people are saying there's maybe some tidbits from his conversation with Mara when he asked for a trade and Mara said no, but he only had six carries last week. He obviously hasn't looked like he had last year when he just went gangbusters from week one. Do you get the sense that this is maybe a get right game for Saquon and that Eagles rushing attack tonight?
- [55:10]
E
I do, I do because I mean obviously he's not off to the greatest start last year he put up, you know, off off the charts numbers. I thought, you know, this team had been more run oriented through the first four games and then last week I thought what was really interesting considering all the stuff with Brown and you know, carrying on a little bit in poems and the rest of the stuff. I thought it was very interesting that the first play of the game last week went to Brown, and then they threw to Brown a couple of times on that first drive. So I think I felt watching it on television that this was to assuage the wide receivers a little bit too, you know, get Smith involved as well. So last week, I mean, it was amazing that Barkley would only handle the ball nine times. Three catches, six runs. I think you'll see a heavy dose of him tonight. That's my guess.
- [56:01]
A
Can't wait to watch you. Can't wait to listen to you and Kirk call the game. And, hey, these kickers are bombing balls. Let's make sure, you know, we're spotlighting that out. We got a. We got a golden era right now of kickers with these new balls.
- [56:15]
E
Pat, I gotta ask you a question. I mean, to me, it's getting to the point where, you know, two first downs, you kick a field goal to win the game.
- [56:22]
B
Game.
- [56:22]
E
Do you think. Do you think they should deflate the kicking?
- [56:26]
A
Don't. Ow. Enough. Ow. Get out of here. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a legend album. Ow. You, Al. Don't even put that in the universe. Ladies and gentlemen, it's Al Michaels. Get him out. Al. Don't say that on the game. Don't say that on the game. Al. Jeez. Trying to get rid of our. Trying to ruin us.
- [56:45]
C
He's gonna say it on the game.
- [56:47]
E
You pay me 300,000, I won't say.
- [56:49]
B
Shut up.
- [56:49]
A
Get him out of here. Get him out of here. How would you. On the other side. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice like, Al, you're the greatest of all time, okay? We appreciate what you do. Don't do that, Al. We don't need that right now. The kickers are flying high. We're living a good life. It's not changing. This is Joe Button.
- [57:08]
F
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- [57:47]
A
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- [58:09]
E
He dropped it at the one yard line.
- [58:11]
G
Chad Powers has arrived on Hulu.
- [58:13]
A
If I can't play as Russ, I'll play as someone else else.
- [58:15]
G
My name's Chad and last name Lieutenant from executive producers Eli and Peyton Manning. Remember, you're wearing a prosthetic mask. This is acting and starring Glen Powell.
- [58:25]
A
He thinks you're a rubber chew toy. Not rubber. I'm a man made of flesh.
- [58:29]
G
The Hulu Original series Chad Powers is.
- [58:31]
A
Now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundled subscribers terms apply.
- [58:36]
G
New episodes Tuesdays.
- [58:41]
A
Football it is magical. Tonight, week six of the NFL season kicks off with an NFL NFC east battle between the Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles. It'll be happening in MetLife Stadium and all eyes will be on Amazon prime as Kirk and Al are on the call. Al Michaels just joined us and I don't love all of his ideas, but he certainly is a legend and icon and we're thankful that he stops by and chit chats with us. What was on his hat? I'm not 100 sure. It looked like it was maybe a bridge.
- [59:07]
B
I thought maybe the Brooklyn Bridge because I believe that's where he's from. But I could be wrong.
- [59:12]
A
Yeah, it looked like it was a bridge. Yeah. I didn't, I didn't have enough confidence in the combo I was gonna say to let that one fly.
- [59:18]
B
And it's hard to identify just by looking on the hat which, which bridge it is.
- [59:23]
A
Could see that it was something.
- [59:24]
B
Right.
- [59:25]
A
What was the something that that was. We're in the middle of it. Normally we like to at least have a little bit of a convo because there's a reason he was wearing that hat. Sure. You don't just put that hat on for no reason. We should have asked about it. That's on us. But he, he put out a terrible suggestion on what should happen to the cable. So that's how it goes sometimes at Boston Connors. Here at Ty Schmidt 1/2 of the hammer done. Cowboys AP Tony show what is the percentage of money for tonight's game looking like? And as we know, anytime the public is over 60% is not good. Are we still sitting in a situation where the public money is more than 60% on one side?
- [60:00]
C
Yeah, as you said, it is not good. 13:30 on the season when the public money is over 60% on a certain side and it is currently hovering at the same 65% it was in the first hour. So nothing we have seen said in the first hours change anyone in the public's opinion.
- [60:13]
A
Didn't we say, I said to me, I said, pat, this is what you're doing. If there's more than 60% automatically go any other way because it's 13 and 3 hard to do because I wake up on Mondays thinking I did good. And then I look at my score on how I did against the spread and I look at my account and I realize I didn't do good. I but all of us thought we were going to do good. Anytime the public is losing like this, how long is that going to last for? Couldn't it be this weekend.
- [60:42]
D
Exactly.
- [60:43]
A
That we break this? Joining us now is a college football national champion, a Super bowl champion, a Ryder cup winner, a father of 10, ladies and gentlemen, A.J. hawke.
- [60:52]
D
Yeah, Hawker.
- [60:53]
A
A.J. this could be the weekend, though that changes it in the, in the public's favor. That could be the case. And tonight could be a perfect depiction of that.
- [61:00]
H
AJ so we would have to go with the Giants then, if we're going to do that. Right. We're going to buck the trend.
- [61:06]
A
Yes. If we would like to be on the 30 side of 13 and 30 for the more than 60% bet, we'd currently be sitting giants plus seven and a half, which is more a touchdown, obviously in a division game on short week. Okay. Which these teams know each other, do they? I don't know. Jackson Dart was at Ole Miss last year. Scatterboo was at Arizona State last year. Like those guys are absolute dogs. Day Ball will certainly understand a Syriani team, I guess more than maybe anybody else because they have to play each other two times a year. Saquon Barkley certainly understands both these buildings very well. So I guess there is a familiarity and obviously the fan bases and there is a rivalry. I think Eagles and Giants notably hate each other. I think that is like supposed to be a thing so we could expect a cagey affair. You look at the numbers. Not great for the world champs, A.J. i mean it's, it there's so many different stats that we can look at and basically none of them tell us an accurate story. Okay, so it's all on us this week, AJ it's all on us.
- [61:59]
D
You guys got.
- [61:59]
C
You guys can do it.
- [62:00]
D
You're as hot as you've ever been. Both of you.
- [62:02]
A
Yeah, you're right. A.J. was what, 11 and 4 or 11 and 3?
- [62:07]
H
The schedule does come into account when you look at these numbers. I know Con man went over that earlier in the show. Like the Eagles have been. Yeah, they. We understand what the standard is with the Eagles coming off a Super bowl win, but they've been playing some tough teams, man. So I get why these numbers might be down a little bit.
- [62:20]
A
Well, so have the Giants, though. It's not the. The team of the Giants have played are not. I mean, the Saints, they just played. So the win. Saints get their first win at home. First win with Spencer. Spencer Rattler as quarterback. Kellen Moore, Kelly Moe, way to go down there. Obviously Philadelphia Eagles success down there. So good luck to them. But I don't know. Naturally, just seven and a half doesn't feel like enough for an Eagles team that got embarrassed at home. And the stats say 1330 or whatever. And it's like that just feels like a Sirianni led team. This is the week that it doesn't matter who's on that other side. This feels like an Eagles win in my by a lot. So now it being the Giants and being a known division rival, does that change things? I guess so, yeah.
- [63:03]
D
I mean, it's just one of those things where you gotta talk yourself into the Giants, you know, like it feels like even on Sunday Night Football, Bills, Pats, like that was a different situation. Division game and 8 and a half was too much. Whereas on Thursday. Bill, sorry, Eagles, Giants. Tonight it's more so just, hey, this one's obvious. We could overthink it with the division and all the bullshit and stuff like that, but we could also just think of, hey, one team is. Was extremely motivated. Didn't the Eagles just get rid of victory Monday and then they lose after getting rid of victory Monday. Like, is it another thing where they kind of get there kind of, hey, we can enjoy the wins because these losses do suck. That much.
- [63:38]
A
I don't know. Maybe.
- [63:39]
B
I also am not really a big believer. Like Connor mentioned it earlier, like, hey, you know, New York needs this with the Yankees last night.
- [63:46]
A
But I think not just Yankees. Well, yeah, Yankees, Knicks.
- [63:48]
B
Knicks, Rangers. Yeah, you put all that. Like, I think there is a world in which, like, if the. The Eagles jump out to like a 10 nothing, 14 nothing lead early, MetLife might turn into a morgue and it could end up just being like a. Here we go again. Like, our lives suck. Everything sucks. And we're about to get steamrolled by the Eagles.
- [64:07]
A
Isn't there a casino over there? Is there a casino near there? Is that sports book?
- [64:11]
I
Sports book and harness racing.
- [64:13]
A
Okay, maybe go put some money on the horses.
- [64:15]
D
Yeah.
- [64:16]
C
I would be shocked if the Giants did turn over five straight possessions this game like they did last week.
- [64:22]
A
Bruce, you're a. You're a Giants fan. What did you see? What have you seen from this Giants team that makes you think, yeah, tonight, Giants def. I mean, what the hell is that? That's. He's a rookie rook ass rook.
- [64:34]
D
Fumble.
- [64:35]
E
Yeah.
- [64:35]
D
No.
- [64:35]
I
Tony is getting at. At the positive spin zone. Five consecutive turnovers. We're running the ball well. Our defense, save a Rashid Shahid bomb is generally playing a good bit better. But yeah, obviously, you know the. The Eagles in a get right spot off an embarrassing loss. It could be tough. The latest in sort of the calamity of errors that befall the Giants organization. Obviously we have Malik Neighbors torn acl. He's done for the year. We had the opportunity prior to the Saints game to elevate some practice squad. Wide receivers elected not to said, hey, screw it, we don't need wide receivers. We'll go four tight ends. We won't bring anybody up during that game against the Saints. Darius Slayton gets a hammy. Now all of a sudden you got Gunnar Olchewski in the funky bunch out there. We got no wide receiver one. We're rolling with Jalen Hyatt and then the man featured on. On good D, kind of giving up on a route. That was Bo Collins, rookie wide receiver number 81. So we just play a game of whack a mole. We got no kicker. Russ stinks now we got no wide receivers. It's just, you know, that. That stuff. Stuff brilliant.
- [65:41]
A
It's a calamity of airs that befall the New York Giants.
- [65:44]
J
Yeah, yeah.
- [65:45]
E
Just.
- [65:45]
H
So who's your pick?
- [65:46]
B
Bruce?
- [65:46]
I
I. I actually do love, love the Giants, to be completely honest with you. Scatter Boo is going to run wild. We'll see if Saquon gets right and gets loose. But I still think it'll be less than week seven. Last year when he had the 175 on us.
- [66:02]
A
A calamity of errors that befall the New York Giants. On that note, him love them tonight. You know who I love? A.J. hawk.
- [66:11]
H
Who's that?
- [66:12]
A
The Indianapolis Colts. Listen to this mic up of Shane Stichen on the sideline that the Indianapolis Colts social media department released. All right, we're going to score on this freaking play.
- [66:22]
G
We're going to score. Dude, watch this thing. Watch this thing.
- [66:25]
J
We're good.
- [66:25]
G
This thing's going to be gone.
- [66:26]
C
It's a touchdown.
- [66:27]
J
Yeah.
- [66:27]
A
He's going to throw it to Duan for a touchdown.
- [66:29]
G
Watch this.
- [66:29]
E
He's going to catch a touchdown here.
- [66:32]
J
There it is.
- [66:32]
C
Oh, yeah.
- [66:33]
B
Hit it. Touchdown.
- [66:34]
G
Hit it inside.
- [66:35]
A
Right there. Touchdown. Go score.
- [66:39]
E
Touchdown.
- [66:40]
A
Woo. Oh, yeah.
- [66:43]
E
Yeah.
- [66:44]
A
Woo. Hell yeah. Let's go, let's go, let's go. Every play is a touchdown, A.J. that's the type of offense coordinator, head coach that I like to see. But this team has a fantastic kind of vibe around it. And Shane Steichen, I think, is really coming into his own as being the full head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. He has the opportunity to have a quarterback that knows how to execute his offense. He has leaders both on the defense and the offense. Now it feels like he's in a very comfortable state and he gets to be who exactly who he is. And it sounds like he's a guy who thinks every play is going to be a touchdown, AJ And I love that as a fan.
- [67:25]
H
Yeah, he does. And watching him watching, he's mic'd up with him. Like, you want to know your coach's investment, invested, that he cares and that he's on your team, like he's rooting for you. So I, I think the players are going to love, I'm sure a lot of them already seen that, clips of him miked up like that. But yeah, I've mentioned on here multiple times I played against Adrian Peterson twice a year for eight, nine years in a row, and that dude was so pissed off every time he got tackled because I truly feel like he felt like if I get the ball, I should score every single time. And seems like the Colts have some of those feelings as well, even with the coaches.
- [67:54]
A
Yeah, Adrian Peterson certainly thought that and it looked like that whenever he got the rock in the Colts for a while. I mean, we only scored touchdowns. We did nothing else. We're not going to punt, we're not going to turn it over. We're only going to score touchdowns. We'll kick a field goal from Spencer Schrader whenever we need it. He gets hurt obviously, last game, tears a couple ligaments. He'll be back hopefully next season stronger. We signed Michael Badgley. But, yeah, I. I enjoy the hell out of what Shane Steichen's doing in the team. And you talk about him being in it as much as everybody else. Absolutely. In that duel in. Dolan got an opportunity because AD Mitchell dropped ball, held it. AD Mitchell's time kind of got pulled back. A little bit of accountability from the Colts, which is abnormal to what we have seen in years past. Duelling gets his opportunity. He does. So it's. We're in a good spot. Feels like the culture's in a good spot with the Colts.
- [68:39]
D
Yeah. And maybe.
- [68:40]
A
Which is crazy to talk about after what it was last year.
- [68:42]
D
Insane. It's even crazy with a few. Like, even the Jacks. Like, it's crazy to think about some of these teams that have just completely flipped.
- [68:48]
I
Flipped.
- [68:49]
D
And some teams have completely flipped the other way. But maybe it's just because they're winning now. Steichen's got a top three game day fit. I mean, he looks cool. Unbelievable swagger on. On the sideline. The hoodie with, like the white shirt underneath with. I believe they're all. They're a white Nikes. Air Force team. Right. Isn't that a.
- [69:07]
A
Well, they got new white Nikes on for each week, I think. I think they do change it up, actually. But, yeah, their white shoes had white Air Forces last year. They will switch it up. I like the all black with the blue that we have with the white. Yeah, he's got mocks. He's a NorCal.
- [69:21]
D
Oh, I didn't realize he was a cow.
- [69:23]
A
Yeah. Austin Collie and he Bruh. Went to high school together.
- [69:27]
G
Wow.
- [69:27]
D
Great swag.
- [69:28]
A
A lot of Bruh. Good hat. Got the Ji Jim Ursay hat on there. He looks. Yeah, it's a great spot to be. Also a great spot to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Baker Mayfield was in the middle of a press conference the other day, and he was asked by Jenna Lane of ESPN if he enjoyed having that moment with the Seattle Seahawk fan and then obviously getting to win afterwards. He said yes, obviously. And then that led to this question during his presser. Is there something where you kind of.
- [69:54]
D
Realize maybe your younger years.
- [69:58]
A
I don't know if you were as accepted for doing some of that stuff. And now it does seem. It seemed like it's a little bit more embraced.
- [70:06]
E
You know, people.
- [70:07]
A
People gravitate to it a little bit more. The narrative changes around that. Do you notice that? Yeah, I mean, that's. I told you guys that I try and not get too high, not get too Low. Which is something that I was not doing early on in my career. But, you know, early on in my career, yeah, it's looked as cocky, immature.
- [70:22]
G
Now it's moxie. He's a dog.
- [70:25]
A
So it's same different day. Just as long as you play well, they change the narrative. But you just got to be yourself. And I've always been like that. Don't want to put myself into everything. But it seems he. He's taking a shot at us.
- [70:35]
D
What?
- [70:36]
A
What is that? Is that a shot at moxie? I use a lot of that. He's a dog. I think we use every other.
- [70:40]
H
We've given comments the whole time that we were never killing Bake. We always loved his moxie and his confidence and his charisma. We know that.
- [70:46]
A
Okay. I hope so, because he is a very thought out person. Whenever he's giving press conference answers, there's a reason why he says things. We've seen him absolutely bury people in his own brilliant way. And it's like whenever he describes, you know, they used to say this. Now they say this. We've been a Baker supporter, I think, since the beginning. But on that note, whenever you win. Yeah, obviously it's viewed differently now, granted. Did he win in Cleveland?
- [71:08]
B
Yes, he still did.
- [71:09]
A
He won a playoff game.
- [71:10]
B
Wow.
- [71:11]
A
He said, obviously learning and evolving and everything like that, but he has always had the Baker Mayfield edge, I think, since we've seen him. And I think that's his point. It's like I've always been me. I have never not been me. Now, was he a little bit too high, a little bit too low at the beginning, as like most 22, 23 year olds potentially are as they to become men? Yeah, he acknowledged that. But he's always going to be Baker, and I love that. I love that Tampa Bay has said, this guy's our franchise. They've paid him like he's the franchise. And against Seattle, anybody can get it if they want to run their mouth. He is still Baker Mayfield. I love that. And I'm thankful he's getting a chance to kind of talk his shit, too.
- [71:47]
C
Yeah, agreed. And now, even though, you know, we tend to use moxie in dog when talking about him these days, talking about everybody and everybody.
- [71:54]
A
Yes, I know other people use these terms, but boy, moxie.
- [71:59]
D
Yeah, they didn't. They didn't use him six years ago, but.
- [72:02]
C
Yeah, but he was on this show two years ago to the date at the Dallas State Fair.
- [72:06]
B
He was so.
- [72:07]
C
And that was not his younger career. That was later in his Career. So if he was thinking he was talking about you or any of us in his early career.
- [72:15]
A
He started playing bad after playing on her. Going on our show, though it did not go great after it came on our show. Now he's got a long term contract with that team.
- [72:22]
B
Yeah, exactly.
- [72:23]
A
And everything ends up working out well in the long term. But. But I appreciate that Baker Mayfield has probably taken it on the shins for a large portion of his career, you know, and in Cleveland, I think there should have been more people saying, hey, this guy wins. Why wouldn't we have him there? Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, super bowl champion head coach of the NFL, our Coach Yinzer through and through, absolute legend. Ladies and gentlemen, Coach Mike McCarthy. Coach, good to see you. Good to see you, Coach. You look amazing. Hey, can you, you talk a little bit about a quarterback with that edge like Baker has there? What are your thoughts on him, the player, and where he's at in his career right now with Tampa basically saying, this is our guy for the foreseeable future.
- [73:02]
J
I love everything Baker's doing. I had a chance to watch Baker play in high school, like Travis down there in Austin, Texas as a Cavalier and you know, his whole flight out there to Texas Tech to Oklahoma. And I love what he said in the press conference because he's exactly right. He hasn't changed. I mean, he's always been feisty, maybe a little more up and down in his younger years, but he's always played the position of quarterback. Super competitive. But he also does a really good job of distributing the football. So love what he's doing. He's having a great year and just really happy for him to have that success. And I think Tampa did a great job committing to him.
- [73:36]
A
Is it accuracy that is Baker's best thing? Obviously his competitive edge is awesome, but he can put the ball as if he was the hand delivered. Is that the biggest thing for quarterbacks to have success in the NFL?
- [73:45]
J
I would say the, you know, the accuracy, but his anticipation, I think is a great anticipator, you know, and obviously he has a receiver group that he's in tune with. You know, those guys have played a lot of football together. But, you know, when you watch, when you watch him play, you know, he's. He's not sitting on his back foot. He's going through, he's going through the progression. There's always rhythm to his feet. Ball comes out on time. So very composed in the pocket. But I think he's an excellent anticipator.
- [74:13]
A
AJ he's not the only hawk or hot quarterback in the NFL right now. We've been chit chatting about two guys that I think Coach McCarthy loves as well.
- [74:20]
D
Absolutely.
- [74:21]
H
Coach, we've heard you talk about Dak Prescott and how much you appreciate him as a player. Also Trevor Lawrence, two young guys seem to kind of be taking that next step, maybe playing very well early. What's your thoughts on those two guys?
- [74:32]
J
Well, so much, you know, as we said about the quarterback position as far as productivity and, and really, you know, getting the ball distributed to their playmakers. But I love it when you see players go to another level emotionally. The confidence just oozes out of their ears. And I thought Trevor with that big win, you know, the other night, I mean, that's a nice stepping stone. You always talk about stacking success as a football team. You definitely need to do it as a quarterback, you know, and no different with that. I thought Dak has done a great job playing the way he needs to to, you know, I thought the time clock, you know, passing game he had against was Green Bay was exactly what he needed to do. And he did it for, you know, four or four quarters in an overtime. So. And I thought he did a great job against the jets just getting that ball distributed. But you know, with that, you know, the production, winning obviously brings a lot of confidence, but when your quarterback is that dude, that dog, and you see the body language and how they're winning, I think it lifts everybody up.
- [75:32]
A
Yeah, I appreciate the fact that Dak and Trevor, not young at this point, they're kind of middle of their careers. Both of them have been paid and if their best football is still very much in front of them, which it feels like you think that is the case right for Dak and Trevor and Baker?
- [75:46]
J
Oh, definitely. Definitely. I think today these quarterbacks are playing to their 40. I mean, I just think the way the NFL players are just with the support and the, and you know, the science and everything, you know, they take great care of their, take great care of themselves. It's not uncommon to see guys having great years in their late 30s. So yes, definitely. I think they have great years in front of them.
- [76:06]
A
Is there a chance that just like we're seeing whenever guys have to go to a new spot like Trevor could potentially, let's say with the way this career has gone, if he wasn't number one overall pick gets cut from Jacksonville because of the chaos that happens down there goes and finds a new team, finds a new team and then has this mid career run we'd say, oh, this is like Baker, Sam, Darnold, Kirk. We're saying this right now. Yeah, Trevor and Dak have been at the same places now. There's been some change and some turnover. Them still playing their best ball and being the pillars of the team is vital to the success. Right. I mean, that is something new coach needs, new organization needs. Coach McCarthy.
- [76:43]
J
It's critical. I mean, it's critical. I mean, when you have the quarterback there in place, you know, everything else is built around it, you know, and then really the first component I've always felt is the defense, you know, because the quarterback needs, he needs a great defense to support him. Because you don't want to stress your quarterback out every single game. It's fun to throw the ball 45 times. It's on it. But you know, having a run game and playing complimentary football is very important to winning, you know, to get your win totals up during the regular season. And obviously that's what wins in playoff football. So. So I think the fact that the organizations have recognized the importance of both these young men is a great job on their part and then just continue to build around them because, you know, if you haven't had a quarterback and when you're starting over, there's always growing pains. You don't ever get to skip those steps.
- [77:32]
A
Yeah, it's. Life sucks when you don't have a quarterback. When you stink. Life sucks. Yes. I'm just going to say that outright and obviously quarterback good indicator on whether or not you're going to be good. Feels like New England's good again. Go ahead, con man.
- [77:43]
D
Yeah, coach, gotta talk about it. Sunday night was kind of the birth or rebirth of Tom Brady. Some people are saying in Drake May in New England. I know a lot of Bills fans were, you know, asking themselves, what is it 2025 or is it 2015?
- [77:59]
A
We suck again and we're losing to the Pats. What the hell? People are saying it.
- [78:02]
D
Yeah, I saw that on the Internet. And I mean, it's hard to argue because Drake May answered basically every call on Sunday night. What did you think about this performance from him? Obviously, young, 22, 23 year old quarterback feels like this was kind of his coming out party for the world. Anybody who watched him last year and even beginning this year thought, okay, so Drake's good, but this team, maybe not so much. The team is caught up and the Patriots seem to be a legitimate problem now for the NFL. What did you think about Drake and is this one of the more impressive kind of young coming out performances. I mean, that play right there is ridiculous. And that is with two minutes left on first down, beginning of the drive, trying to go down and tie or win the football game, which he did.
- [78:49]
J
Love your analysis. No, clearly. I mean, I think the thing I really enjoyed watching, watching him play, and you can even see it in the highlights is when he's in the pocket, he's stepping in every throw. So obviously they're doing a good job of giving him a pretty much a clean pocket there. But he played on time, he was accurate with the ball and then. And made the biggest plays of the game outside the pocket. So I thought he played a hell of a game. And, you know, they go head to head with Josh Allen, you know, that that's definitely a win. That's a nice niche in your belt and. But I thought he was so composed throughout the game, you know, and that is so big for. Particularly where he is in his career, being so young.
- [79:23]
A
Yeah, he's super accurate.
- [79:26]
J
He's got really. He's got great throwing mechanics. Yeah, no doubt.
- [79:29]
A
Yeah. Very accurate. Just the way he throws. Super accurate, don't you think, Coach?
- [79:35]
J
You want me to say accurate?
- [79:40]
A
Is that Greenfield behind you right there?
- [79:42]
J
That's Greenfield, yeah, that's McCaslin and Parade Street. My parents live right. Pretty much that's the view from their front porch. So I thought I'd give you a little Pittsburgh today.
- [79:51]
A
Yeah, I love it. Feels good. It feels good. And also it feels like fall. You see the wagon? Yeah, yeah, it feels like football. That feels like my childhood there with football is what I'm looking right over your shoulder there. So I appreciate you doing that for us on this glorious Week 6 kickoff from Drake May being young quarterback to the middle of careers. Guys having resurgences to. How about end of career, brand new home, traded in the division now. Expected to start in about four days. Go ahead, Tone.
- [80:16]
C
Yeah, Coach, I wanted to ask you about Joe Flacco getting traded on a Tuesday and then going to start on a Sunday for a team that he is not familiar with. I don't know what his passes with Zach Taylor. I don't think it's much, if any. So how do you. How do you do that as Joe and also Zach Taylor going into Sunday?
- [80:37]
J
Well, I mean, it's amazing in today's NFL, but I think it's so unique, especially in the division, too. But Joe's played a tremendous amount of football, so really the biggest thing for him will be the language and, you know, the terminology and the cadence. So. And like I said, he's played tremendous amount of football, but with what I tend to think when I saw that.
- [80:58]
A
Happen, I don't know.
- [80:59]
J
A.J. and Ty, remember this is when you play the same team twice in one year, that was actually a very bad experience for our team. In 2011. We played a quarterback by the name of Kyle Orton that put up some really good numbers and we played him in the Denver Broncos earlier in the year and then Kyle was traded to the Chiefs. We went down to Kansas City and that was the 151 year and Kyle beat us. So I'm not saying that's gonna happen to the Packers. I think they've definitely learned their lesson, but I just think it's really unique to play the same team in one. In one season. I think that's going to be something to watch.
- [81:36]
A
Oh, especially with Joey Flack's brain. Joey Flack's back and it's bad for the pack, I think, is what a lot of people are saying down there in Cincinnati. Chase Brown said Joey Flacco's got like this. This brain that is just otherworldly. He said he memorized the play call right in front of Zach Taylor first day he got there. Puts the uniform on. All of a sudden he's starting, he's understanding the offense may better than Joe Burrow does this.
- [81:58]
B
Wow.
- [81:59]
A
Joe Flacco actually saying to Zach Taylor, hold on, brother, I did this 20 years ago. You need to run this actually instead of this, let's go ahead and feast on T. Higgins, Jamar, Chase. These are all things that possibly happen, Coach. These are all things that possibly happen.
- [82:10]
J
Oh, no, definitely. I mean, he obviously understands the pieces that he has, but he also knows where, you know, once again, already playing the team, he has that game day experience. He's probably gonna have a really good idea where he wants to go with the ball and pre snap and yeah, I. I think that, you know, I'm. That's definitely a game I'm going to be watching.
- [82:27]
A
Is that in the jungle?
- [82:28]
B
No, it's in. That's at Lambo.
- [82:30]
A
Okay.
- [82:30]
J
It's a great. Yeah, it's a great.
- [82:31]
E
Yeah.
- [82:32]
D
And those O line stats.
- [82:33]
A
He said that's a game I'm definitely going to be watching. He's gonna be here. I'll have eyes. I'll have eyes on Joey Flack this weekend actually. Maybe. Maybe have a couple cold pops, you know, like his old Greenfield days, and then we'll go watch Joey Flack turn back the hands of time against Green Bay at Lambeau with Steve Sable lingering over top, telling the story of Joe Flacco, this journeyman who has been to the mountaintop previously and has been worth hundreds of millions of dollars going back.
- [83:00]
J
Unbelievable. What the hell I'd say to that. Yeah. Well said, Pat.
- [83:04]
A
Thank you. Thank you, coach. I definitely appreciate it.
- [83:07]
E
Love the shirt.
- [83:07]
J
Hey, I love your shirt. Before we get done here, I want to make sure I comment on us. That's strong.
- [83:11]
A
Thanks for trying to get out of here. I appreciate that. The. Oh, no, no, no. It sounds like your coach. Yeah, I understand what you're trying to do.
- [83:18]
J
Where am I going? Yeah.
- [83:22]
A
No, I appreciate that. Yeah, it feels good. You know, the daughter growing, getting older. She's. She's two, like, two and three, four months. Whatever it is. I'm done the exact math. A lot of chatting, a lot of chirping, a lot of noises. A lot more words coming out, though. We're starting to do that. And she's at the don't go, dad stage. Whenever I gotta go to things, it is tough. Damn, this is not good. Okay. I thought this was coming later in life. I thought I had a few years before they cared if I left, you know, Now I'm getting the hug and the grab with the little nails in my back of my neck. Oh, right. That's tough. Ball. Let's get back to ball. Let's get back to ball. AJ Has a question about something vastly different than me being a dad to MacKenzie. Go ahead, A.J.
- [84:04]
H
Yeah, Coach, I'm not sure if you saw out in Arizona, Coach Gannon got $100,000 fine, I guess, for making physical contact, maybe with a player, I guess. What are your thoughts on that? And also, like, can you. You could tell us honestly here, like, how has this ever happened with you? And how, if not, how close were you? Have you ever been to maybe punching, pushing, or maybe getting in a fight with a player on the sidelines?
- [84:27]
J
I would say, you know, but, you know, today is definitely different. You know, I think that's just definitely an experience that leaves a dent on both sides of it. You know, I think, you know, because I always go back to when, you know, when I came in the league in the 90s, you know, we all remember as young coaches when you got your ass. Ripped by Marty Schottenheimer. I mean, you really weren't, you know, initiated into the league until Marty, you know, christened you that way. But, you know, it's. You know, it's something that, you know, probably it's where it happened, you know, how's it happened. And. And I just think it's. It's. It's a different day, you know, It's a different day. And I know obviously, you know, Jonathan regrets it, but, you know, and it's vice versa. I just think when you have situations that, that. Cause, you know, there's disrespect on both sides of it, it's definitely a learning experience because you don't want. You don't want it. I mean, I just always felt as a head coach, I didn't like. I didn't like a lot of roles. And as you call AJ My only rule was no disrespect because it covers everything. Just if we just. We can get to where we need to get to. We can have disagreements, we can raise our voice at one another, but the disrespectful behavior, I just don't think there's any place for it.
- [85:34]
A
Well, hopefully they're all able to move on. Coach Gannon said that the team room was dope or lit. I forget which word he used. It was one or the other. Talking about the vibes in the building moving forward. So hopefully they're all able to do that. And obviously that Arizona Cardinals team, are they ever going to go? You know, are they. Are they ever going to go? We shall see. Before you go like you're trying to get out of here. Jeez. Let's talk about tonight's game. Yeah.
- [85:59]
J
Put me on a segment.
- [86:01]
A
All right, we'll lock it in.
- [86:02]
J
All right, let's lock it in.
- [86:04]
D
You have the.
- [86:04]
E
The.
- [86:05]
D
The five.
- [86:05]
A
Oh, yes. Let's actually do a segment. Let's do a segment with you. Hey, Coach, earlier today we called you.
- [86:11]
J
Oh, I remember. Yeah. That's what helping you out here.
- [86:16]
A
I want to see you on your way. I thought you were leaving, but you are producing. This is good leadership out of you. Earlier today, A.J. we called Coach McCarthy and on the spot. Because the conversation we were having in. In a Thunderdome, we're like, hey, who are the top five quarterbacks from the 2025 season? We said to him, and he goes. He starts thinking he has to look, I think he was dropping off his kid at school. Right. Is that not what you're doing?
- [86:35]
J
Correct. And I, you know, pulled over legally and returned your text.
- [86:39]
A
Yes, you did. Yes, you did. We appreciate that. Thank you doing that. But he, he said, well, off the top of my head here, like, because he didn't get the. So we would like to preface this that we asked Coach McCarthy for his top five of the first five of the 2025 NFL season, and he was not allowed. He was not given any thought for checking of anything. This is literally fastball. This is immediately upon being asked number five. Five, who did you have? Coach McCarthy?
- [87:06]
J
Daniel Jones.
- [87:07]
A
Yes, you did. I like that. How come? What do you think?
- [87:11]
J
Well, you know, when, when Connor asked the question, I, you know, where my mind goes in quarterback play is completion percentage. You know, that's where. Who's. Who's dealing the football, who's getting the ball to the playmakers, you know, completions and rushes, staying on time and, you know, and obviously who's winning, who's affecting winning. And so, and I mean, Daniel is definitely off to a great start. His numbers speak for themselves. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but I know he has great numbers, situational numbers. You know, you see that in his. In his red zone production, you know, throwing touchdowns and so forth. But I think he's doing a hell of a job getting the ball distributed because, you know, the old 70% completion percentage is something that I've always. That's what I grew up on. You know, you go back to the. Can I pontificate here, or do we got to get through these.
- [87:57]
A
No, take your time. Brontificates.
- [87:59]
D
Yeah, but I mean, you know, when.
- [88:00]
J
I got in the league in the 90s, you know, Paul. Paul Hackett was my mentor and he always quoted, you know, Coach Walsh about 70% completion. You know, that was the essence and really a key component of the west coast offense. So we used to have a sign. We used to have a sign in our quarterback room that said 70% completion percentage. And there was only four at that time in the history, and they were Joe Montana, Steve Young, Ken Anderson and Sammy Baugh. And three of the four were coached by, you know, coach Bill Walsh. So that's where my. That's my base on if to being productive, getting that bulk completed. And then now you look at this generation of quarterbacks, there's got to be 8, 9, 10, 11. I mean, there's so many guys that have that player. I think Drew Brees has done it so many times, I've lost count. Aaron, Tom. I think Mahomes has done it. So, you know, Goff has done it the last couple of years. So I just, I just think you're seeing the quality of quarterback play, but that's always been a starting point for me. Who, who's not. They're not throwing interceptions.
- [89:00]
A
Who's getting the ball completed, slinging Sammy ball, also punter. People forget about that. Every once in a while. Incredible ball kicker. And the quarterbacks have only gotten better. Danny Dimes has certainly meet. Seemingly reached his maximum potential here in Shane Steichen's offense. Let's go to a guy that would fit in any era at number four. You said Matthew Stafford. How come, Coach?
- [89:24]
J
I've got to see him play a lot of football. And I just. You know what? I have seen him this year. He's on time. Obviously, him and Bucher are shattering records right now. So ball distribution, he can make any throw still on the field. Great anticipator, phenomenal confidence on the inside throws. I've always love that about Matthew, but I think he's playing at the, you know, the Pro bowl hall of Fame level that he's played on his whole career.
- [89:48]
A
Devonte over there. Obviously McVeigh doing his thing. Puka is on pace to break some records. I mean, there are. That's a special team out there, especially with their young defense clicking in all cylinders so quickly. They obviously put the Philadelphia Eagles into the deep into the 12th round in that last year's playoff game. They were the only ones that came close. Once the Eagles started kind of pummeling teams. Seems like McVeigh's only going to have good squads. All right, let's go to the top three QBs of the first five weeks of the 2025. Dak Prescott. Homer. Go ahead, coach.
- [90:22]
J
Oh, homer. Absolutely. He's fighting, playing his ass off. I mean, I, I don't know what his completion percentage is, but I know it's got to be well over 70%. I just love the way he's distributing the football.
- [90:34]
D
71.3.
- [90:36]
J
71.3. Thank you. He's, you know, and I like to really. The maturity of the, of the perimeter group. And you got an offensive line that's, that's, you know, got a lot of depth there. So exciting on offense. And I just think he's managing that thing exactly the way it needs to be managed.
- [90:51]
A
There is 10 guys above 70% completion percentage right now. Hembo just sent a text in letting us know that Dak is certainly one of them. 71.3%.
- [90:59]
D
Yeah. So it's. It's 10 to 1. Including Tyrod Taylor, he's played two games. Tyrod, Josh Allen Tua, CJ Stroud, Dak, Dan Jones, Lamar, Sam Darnold, Drake May, Jared Goff are the 10 to 1.
- [91:13]
A
So Dak Prescott. 71.3%, operating incredibly in Schottenheimer's first year as the head coach over there. Dallas Cowboys could go on a run. Dak playing special ball down there. That's number three. Who are the top two? Top five, first five QBs. Baker. Hey, there he is.
- [91:30]
H
Yeah.
- [91:30]
A
Hey, this guy's a dog moxie. What do you think about him, Coach McCarthy?
- [91:37]
J
Well, he's got a completion percentage too. I'm sure he's definitely playing. That what I love about Baker and that's really why he's where he is, is it? Four of the five games have come down to the end. So, you know, he's playing great football at the most important time. Now, when you look at the, you know, over the course of a regular season, half your games will come down to a two minute drill and he's already got what, four under his belt already. So I just think he's playing top notch football right now.
- [92:04]
A
We love Baker, especially four games, four comeback wins in their first five games and then they have two last play wins. So that means you're talking about a team, a belief, a culture that he is leading. And to go into Seattle, that's a long flight and get a big time win after shit talking with that fan before entering the field. That's what we love about him, A.J. that is the little things that we love about Baker Mayfield.
- [92:27]
J
He's the man.
- [92:28]
H
Coach, I understand you like Baker and everything. Did you ever see this success like him making this step, especially the weird route that he has traveled to get to Tampa and where he is?
- [92:38]
J
I actually, I think when you get to the end of these journeys, you know, those experiences are probably a big part of why he's having success. He's had. Because it's really been going on his whole life. You know, he went to Texas Tech as a, as a, you know, as a walk on, I think, I mean, and then, and then, you know, and then had to leave Tech to go to Oklahoma. So I mean this, this guy has. You talk about resilience. I mean, he could write the book on it. So I think it's just part of his journey and I think there's no surprise why he continues to get better.
- [93:10]
A
Currently has 10 touchdowns, one interception, he's fourth in yards in the NFL. And obviously we're watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in incredible jerseys play.
- [93:18]
D
Yeah.
- [93:19]
A
Electrifying football games. And the number one quarterback in the NFL this season through the first five, the reigning mvp, the odds on favorite to be the mvp, Josh Allen. What have you seen in the first five weeks of Josh that puts you number one here, Coach?
- [93:35]
J
I just, I just love the way he attacks the position, you know, he can make. He makes all the throws in the pocket, out of the pocket. I mean, his, his patience and confidence in play extension is good, as good as you can be. I mean, how many times you see him just, you know, get to the sideline, you know, gain another two seconds, three seconds. It's, there's never a play that can't be made. You know, when Josh has the ball, I just think he's, you know, I think he's playing it unbelievable right now.
- [94:03]
A
I mean, he was just smacking that guy's head right there too. He's not scared to mix it up. Up. He'll get in there in the gruff.
- [94:09]
D
A little bit and he's undefeated. I mean, it's one of those things.
- [94:13]
A
They're not.
- [94:13]
J
Well, they lost. Yeah, they lost to the Patriots, but.
- [94:16]
A
Yeah, that was Connor, obviously. Coach. Yeah, Coach, he wanted. He did that. He did this to you right there. He, he literally just fished.
- [94:25]
D
Hook riding seeker, Coach.
- [94:29]
A
But Josh is special. He is, coach. He's special.
- [94:32]
J
Special. No, he is. He really is. I mean, really. The size, strength and speed, just the way he plays a position, he just attacks it. I love watching him play.
- [94:42]
A
How about his development from year one to year two, year three, like every offseason there's like significant growth in his game. Like literally from year one to year two was like, wait a minute, this guy doesn't suck. We thought he potentially was just a runner. This guy might become a tight end. Maybe. We put big hands, he can catch the ball pretty good. Let's put him in tight end. He's jumping over guys, he can't throw a ball. Then year one to year two, he gets better. Then year two to year three, he becomes elite. Then year three to year four, it's like, is this guy the best player in the NFL? And then he's kind of carried that along. So his work ethic is stupendous and I think his love of the game is very evident. If you watch that Hard Knocks, he's a good face of the NFL right now. Even though obviously we have a few. Josh Allen is a very good face of the NFL, I think. Coach.
- [95:23]
J
Yeah, definitely. And I remember just when Josh came out of Wyoming, there's a, there had to have statistics, you know, the college breakdown about his, about his accuracy. And I could just remember, you know, talk, talking through the evaluation process. I said, yeah, but it's, it's hard to be when you throw the ball to the damn moon. I mean, this guy just needs, you know, so I mean, and I just, you know, he's one of the best players or maybe the best player in our game right now.
- [95:48]
A
Mvp. Can he win a Super Bowl? That's all anybody wants to know. And that's all Josh is hunting now for the rest of his life. Can any of these guys other than Stafford make that happen? We shall see. Congrats to these top five of the first five in Coach McCarthy's non real deep thought list of quarterbacks around the NFL. All right, Coach, before we let you go and we appreciate you taking time, we need you to talk about tonight's game because I know you don't want to make official picks, obviously, but if you were to this season, you'd be 4 and 1. Okay. You'd be seeing the board, what we like to call very well. Okay. This would be 80% hit rate if my math holds up, out of five total opportunities. And once again, we don't want you to make a pick, but how do you see tonight's game going? Division game seven and a half point spread. Eagles coming off an embarrassing loss at home to a very good Broncos team. But the way they lost and the way they collapsed in the fourth quarter is certainly something Sirianni could pull from. And then on this Giants team they're hosting, obviously a MetLife that plays. He's going to be. Those Giants fans are going to be going crazy on a Thursday night because the Yankees lose terribly, the Knicks lose out on Giannis.
- [96:57]
D
Bruce just asked why we're laughing.
- [96:59]
A
The Rangers. The Rangers lose to the Pens 3. The jets are the losing his team over the last eight. Nothing sports wise is going good, but tonight they have the Giants hosting the Eagles, a team that they hate. NFC east matchup. NFC east rivalry game. Coach McCarthy, how do you see the game going and what are your thoughts on seven and a half being the spread that sportsbooks who have been hitting at a high rate say this is.
- [97:23]
J
It's a lot of points. I think the first off, as we always talk about, is a division game. And you know, when you look at the numbers, I mean, Philadelphia knows how to win and that's what they're getting done. But they're, you know, obviously, you know, there's some, when you look at the numbers, you know, it's, you know, who they are on offense right now. You know, as far as getting the ball distributed, I think the key for them is really they got to get the ball to their key guys tonight. But I think there's going to be, you know, some big matchups that, that I'm going to be watching. I'll watch that D line of, of New York, you know, versus the offensive line of Philadelphia because, I mean, I think New York just the way, you know, the pressure that, that they're, that they're, you know, getting after we saw Denver do some of that against Philadelphia there in the second half. So I think there's going to be some really interesting matchups, really some scheme challenges that. See how they affect. But it's a division game. It's going to come down to who really takes care of the football. Actually, you know, I want to see how they use Jackson Dart. I hope to see him more from the, from the pocket, more quarterback and not, you know, 10 runs and things like that. So you got to get the ball, get them all moved, you know, spread around a little bit more. But yeah, I'm, I just struggle with seven and a half points. That's a lot of points in a division game.
- [98:33]
A
All right, so Coach McCarthy's on the Giants plus seven and a half. If he was to give a pick, even though he say answer all points, Eagles get the win. He says Eagles win games. They win.
- [98:41]
E
First game.
- [98:42]
A
Seven and a half though. It's close. Everything he was saying is. This is a twofer here. You're welcome. Yeah, you get seven and a half with Jackson. Dart and scatter. Boo. Okay. The boys going to run wild on Thursday night and then the Eagles are going to get a win and go to 5 and 1. And people are still going to. About what they are.
- [98:54]
B
Precisely.
- [98:54]
A
All right, Coach, we appreciate the hell out of you. Is that exactly what you're saying?
- [99:00]
J
Hey, you can't. Yes. Couldn't say it any better.
- [99:04]
A
Hey, when we going back to Greenfield? Are we ever going back to Greenfield? When do we get an opportunity to walk down those roads? And I think it needs to be November, December. So we can get a little bit of the same type of vibe that it is right now.
- [99:15]
F
Oh, yeah.
- [99:16]
J
Hey, let's do it. Yeah, I'm going to be getting over there next couple weeks, so let's make it happen.
- [99:21]
A
It looks like a place you just need to walk down, breathe.
- [99:23]
B
Here you go.
- [99:24]
C
On Sunday Night Football. Packers, Steelers.
- [99:26]
D
Coach.
- [99:28]
J
I don't know yet. Yeah, I don't know yet.
- [99:30]
A
Okay, let's make a decision on that. That might be a celebration for all of us. We'll see if we can make it back. That's a huge game. But at that point, had the packers already lost to Joe Flacco twice by the time that game Comes around. We'll see this weekend. Ladies and gentlemen, the man, Coach Mike McCarthy.
- [99:46]
D
Coach.
- [99:48]
B
I'll be dead if they lose to Joe Flacco.
- [99:50]
A
So.
- [99:51]
B
So you guys have fun at that game. I won't be around.
- [99:54]
A
Come on, Joe Flacco.
- [99:55]
H
I heard the toaster. I heard the toaster comment.
- [99:57]
A
It's not good. I don't like that. That's what he's thinking. Joe Flacco is a good quarterback.
- [100:00]
B
He is.
- [100:01]
F
He is.
- [100:01]
B
You just don't get beat by Joe Flacco two times in 17 days or whatever.
- [100:07]
C
Two different teams.
- [100:08]
B
Two different teams.
- [100:08]
A
AJ how about you and me make our picks here to start our Thursday Night Football? Because what we're about to do is have an incredible conversation with an absolute weapon. Yes. And I, an American hero, actually, and a man who has an incredible brain will be joining us live. And every time he stops by, there's always something, isn't there? Always something. Tonight, the Eagles will take on the New York Football Giants seven and a half point spread. Mike McCarthy likes the Giants plus seven and a half. He's saying that's a divisional game. That's a divisional game. That's a lot of points for a Thursday night. Both coming off losses. Where is the public's money at right now? Tone, as we sit at 1:43 eastern.
- [100:42]
C
Time, we had a jump up to 70, 76%.
- [100:44]
A
Whoa.
- [100:45]
C
Philadelphia Eagles. I was talking about the above 60 earlier being 13 and 30. When you go to above 70%, it's 3 and 13 against the spread and.
- [100:55]
A
It'S currently sitting at what, 76. All right, A.J. does that change the way you view this game Tonight? Coach Mike McCarthy's on 24% party. The New York Giants plus seven and a half. Bruce Brown's on the plus seven and a half with the New York Giants as well, even though he laid out a calamity of heirs.
- [101:12]
I
We just got no wide receivers, but who needs them? We're gonna run that ball right down their mouth. We're gonna run scatter boo against the Eagles. Yep. Till the wheels fall off, man.
- [101:20]
A
Tyrone Tracy Carter playing for 4 and 6.
- [101:23]
I
Questionable, but Tyrone Tracy is back. So we got Scabo and we got our thousand yard rusher from last season back.
- [101:29]
A
AJ who do you like? How do you like it?
- [101:31]
D
All right.
- [101:32]
H
I don't like to be swayed by the public, but Bruce does sway me a bit when he talks about his Giant Giants in such glowing fashion. But give me the giants plus seven and a half here tonight.
- [101:41]
A
I'll take the Eagles minus seven and a half on Thursday.
- [101:44]
C
You can get a seven.
- [101:45]
A
I got my seven. Okay. And now I'm three and what the 73 and 13. Okay.
- [101:52]
B
Tonight's tonight.
- [101:52]
D
This is always when it turns around when it comes to the. Like you always get the weekend you talked about.
- [101:57]
A
It could be this one where all.
- [101:58]
D
Those public bets do hit.
- [102:00]
A
Yeah. And there's a chance also that we just could tail or.
- [102:02]
D
No.
- [102:02]
A
No, no, no, no, no, no.
- [102:04]
B
Nope.
- [102:04]
A
For aj I guess it would be good if that was to happen. Congrats to you. Taking the Giants tonight legit.
- [102:09]
D
Yes.
- [102:09]
H
Congrats to me. I've gone back and forth over the course of the last hour for sure.
- [102:13]
A
I've wanted to take the Giants plus seven half numerous times. I've done it in the past, actually. And I think I'm gonna stop doing that. I think I'm gonna stop doing it. I'm gonna wake up tomorrow and say, I took the world champs. Yeah. That's what I did. Seven and a half. Ten and a half. Twenty and a half. Who cares? I'm taking the world champs. They got a lot to prove after embarrassing themselves. Two hour conversation. Jaylen Saquon and aj yeah. That's maybe team chemistry building.
- [102:32]
B
Yeah.
- [102:32]
A
You know, maybe they're back to who.
- [102:33]
I
We thought they were where they absolutely hate each other.
- [102:35]
A
No, no. Two hours. Joyful. Huh?
- [102:37]
H
Wait, was it like, scheduled or.
- [102:38]
A
It happened organically.
- [102:39]
H
Like, they all kind of, you know, like if they had to make it to a 4pm in this room. Sit down. 4 to 6pm Like, I hope it wasn't that way.
- [102:46]
A
Just as somebody that maybe has a little bit of a busy schedule, I'm okay with scheduling. Time to chat with people.
- [102:51]
C
I actually reached out to see what they did for those two hours. Good news. They watch. Remember the Titans? And they've.
- [102:57]
E
They said, hey.
- [102:57]
A
Same wars that they were fighting on those fields back then. We're still fighting right now.
- [103:02]
H
Wow.
- [103:02]
B
Amongst ourselves.
- [103:03]
C
So I think they got back together.
- [103:05]
A
All right. I'm hoping tonight they have a big one. Hey, fans. Welcome back to Fansville's Cheers and tears.
- [103:17]
C
Oh.
- [103:18]
A
Okay. So, like, everybody deals with losing, right? To a rival and a lesson, second field goal, whatever.
- [103:23]
B
It's fine. I'm totally fine.
- [103:24]
A
But I cope with losing with an ice cold Dr. Pepper. Mmm. Those 23 flavors are, like, so delicious. They totally wash away the pain of your college football team taking a big fat L. College football. It's a Pepper thing. You ever show up late to the game and your friend's already saved your seat? Your Drink, even a plate that's looking.
- [103:46]
I
Out, that's having your back.
- [103:48]
A
And that's exactly what AT&T does with the AT&T guarantee. They know staying connected matters. That's why AT&T has connectivity you depend on guaranteed. Or they'll proactively make it right. Just like that friend who takes care.
- [104:02]
I
Of things before you even ask.
- [104:04]
A
AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply.
- [104:08]
I
Visit att.comguaranty for details.
- [104:15]
A
Ladies and gentlemen, speaking of a big one, this might be the biggest book this man's ever wrote. Yeah, we have no idea what this is going to lead to. Ladies and gentlemen, a man who's authored nine books, eight in the terminal of this series, this one that he's releasing is called Cry Havoc. The author and absolute stallion of an American hero, former Navy seal, sniper, whiskey drinker, ladies and gentlemen, Jack Carr.
- [104:42]
D
Guys, let's go.
- [104:46]
F
Love Jack Car Day.
- [104:47]
A
That's for you. Yeah, yeah, whatever. Jack Warrior.
- [104:52]
D
Yeah.
- [104:55]
A
Yes.
- [104:55]
B
You're the best.
- [104:56]
H
Book tour right here.
- [104:58]
A
Our favorite part of anybody releasing a book is whenever you come here to Indianapolis yesterday, you got. Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [105:06]
B
I saw there.
- [105:06]
G
Saw a couple of little things in the. The room back there.
- [105:08]
A
Well, yeah, there's a little bit of magic happening. And then I saw you're on Rogan. Awesome. That was incredible.
- [105:15]
G
It's a good time.
- [105:15]
J
Always.
- [105:15]
A
We appreciate every time you stop by here. Congratulations on all the success, man. And we talk about this every single time. AJ And I obviously retire from the NFL, it's like, what's next? What's next? Military experience. The same thing. Because it's kind of takes over your entire life and everything you're a part of. You're in the military a long time. Family in the military a long time. Whenever you retire, to be able to transition into something that is very difficult and have success is obviously something that's worthy of celebration. But you always representing for the military and putting the military over while doing it is honorable and awesome. So congratulations.
- [105:47]
G
Thank you.
- [105:48]
D
Thank you.
- [105:48]
A
Let's talk about Cry Havoc a little bit here. Okay, so this is Vietnam.
- [105:51]
G
Vietnam, 1968. It's like a time machine back there. I didn't want to just throw on some Credence Clearwater Revival and say it's 1968 and then just drop this contemporary thriller into the 60s. I wanted to transport people back. So if you had walked into my office about a month or two ago as I was doing writing this book, finishing it up, it looked like I was invading North Vietnam. I had maps all over the walls from the 60s. I had car 15 in the corner, Browning high power Randall Knife. I had stacks and stacks of books and manuals everywhere. And it did look like I was going to invade. And I probably could have.
- [106:19]
A
Yeah, you're a method writer. And obviously we would bet on you if you were to invade anybody right now to win. We also, on that conversation, feels like invade is something that is happening on a regular basis at this point in time, which I don't think any of us could have expected. Let's talk about Vietnam. Viet Cong, obviously, the big problem over there, but also kind of public perception of everything happening over there. Is that a part of this book as well?
- [106:41]
G
That is part of that book. It's the first time that I think that the media really realized that they weren't just a check on government power and on government overreach, but they could actually influence policy, influence events, influence people's perceptions. So it's a big shift from World War II to Vietnam. And I talk about that in there. You had a lot of these guys that were out there. They'd step outside Saigon for a minute and make. Take a video so it looked like they were out in the field. And then they'd go back to the Continental Hotel and start drinking all the rest of the night until the next day when they do their next report. But they had a vested interest in an outcome to this war. And I think they got. What do they say? You say you find out someone's true character, you give them some power. And I think the media during that time frame, during the 60s, really felt that power, and we're seeing their character.
- [107:22]
A
Well, media manipulation has always been a part of warfare since media has been a thing. Right. Vietnam, massive way. I think Middle east has been something like that. Right now there's people that talk about that. It's always been a source of weaponry for, I think, in these wars. How deep into the war do you go in this and how long did this book take for you to write?
- [107:43]
G
It took a lot longer than I thought at the outset because I wanted to just make it for someone who lived through the 60s, particularly for those guys who went to Vietnam and went downrange. I wanted to make sure I honored them by getting those details right. So I really wanted to transport everyone back to 1968. Goes from January to January of 69. So one full year starts with the USS Pueblo taken off the coast of North Korea in 68. And almost a full year, these US sailors were held captive by North Korea but that was the idea that I had about taking the most sophisticated technology, encryption technology of the day. North Koreans get it, they give it to the Soviets. What do the Soviets do with it? Well, they start encrypting US communications. And that's the. The basis for this book. It's really an espionage thriller dropped into the heart of southeast Asia in 1968, which was the bloodiest year of the war for US forces.
- [108:26]
A
Congratulations to you, man. So many books, so many different projects, such a big brain. How long were you a sealer in?
- [108:33]
G
In 20 years and 20 to wake up. I like to say. 20 was good.
- [108:37]
A
So literally 20 year anniversary.
- [108:38]
G
Yeah.
- [108:39]
A
Yeah. And then he woke up the next day.
- [108:40]
G
Am out.
- [108:44]
A
Well, thank you for your service. Hey, 20 years in a wake up sometimes that's all you need. Obviously served our country and we're very thankful. And you also gave back in a big way. And that's what it feels like you're always trying to do in all of your books and all your work. Congrats on the prequel. Yeah.
- [108:58]
E
Yeah.
- [108:59]
G
You guys watch Dark.
- [109:02]
A
Congrats.
- [109:02]
G
Thank you. Thank you.
- [109:03]
A
So many different avenues now. So many different avenues.
- [109:05]
G
Yeah, I gotta build it. Gotta build. And then we just finished in Morocco, finished True Believer, which is the second book book over there. Finished that up with Chris Pratt about two weeks ago and then came right directly to book tour. So and that is looking good. It's like you have all the ingredients when you make something like that. It's like each scene is an ingredient for the meal. And now you have to make that meal, put them all together and that is going to be the show. So we have the ingredients. Now it's time in post production to make a fantastic show.
- [109:27]
A
So much respect. Dude, Ty has a question for you.
- [109:29]
B
So when it comes to that and you have to kind of put that cap to the side and go back to write a book. Like, are you at the point now where it's just like training a muscle and it's like you sit down and you get. Or have you noticed that. That the more of these you've written, does it become more difficult? Like do you hold yourself to a higher standard almost at this point or how is that process go?
- [109:48]
G
Yeah, the goal is always to improve. So I wanted Dark Wolf to be better than Terminal List. I want True Believer to be better than Dark Wolf. And same with this book. This book is better than the last one. I feel like I've gotten better every time. I always want to improve. Same thing in the SEAL teams wanted to be A better leader and operator today than I was yesterday. And now I want to be a better author today than I was yesterday. And then just as a human being, I want to be a better father, a better husband, and a better citizen today than I was yesterday. So it's all about constant improvement.
- [110:10]
D
Let's go.
- [110:10]
A
Are you still shooting? You still. Bet you're a better shooter today.
- [110:12]
G
Oh, got on the range the other day, and it. It worked out pretty well. Yeah. Part of book tour. My book tour's a little different, so. Yeah. Hit a range out in Austin, Staccato. So went out there, shot one of their. Their new pistolas out there, and it was. It was awesome.
- [110:24]
A
Tell me this, though. You were a Navy SEAL sniper, right?
- [110:26]
G
Yeah.
- [110:26]
A
Okay, so Marines obviously have a lot of moxie and confidence about their shooting. Obviously, the Rifleman's Creed is a part of the Marines and everything like that. And Full Metal Jacket, actually, talk about all the snipers that have been in there. Navy SEAL snipers, obviously, very high level. How many groups of snipers are there that are. Do you guys talk to each other, too? Like, hey, we see through a scope better than any other human who are like the groups of snipers that really. Amongst you guys.
- [110:53]
G
Every different unit has its own sniper school. So the Marines have theirs, Navy has theirs, army has multiple. And then we send guys to those other schools as well, so we can. Can cross train and we can disseminate that information and make everybody better, not just us. Don't want to keep it just pigeonholed or in our own little silo. So we want to make sure that everybody is benefiting from our lessons. And that really came out of the. We were doing a little bit before the global war on terror. But after that, it became readily apparent about how important that was, because now guys are going downrange, and it can be the difference between life and death.
- [111:25]
A
Okay, So I don't want to bring up negative stuff. Okay. But snipers you actually are seeing, because I had a friend who was a spotter, I think, in the Marines for a sniper, and we got pretty boozed up numerous occasions. And then just like the story. The PTSD story of him, binoculars, watching people, snipers, same thing, right? You're kind of watching it all happen. That's a different level, I think, of warfare that you guys are in, and obviously the patience and they can't move and targets are checking out or the people that you're protecting. But you're. I mean, you're seeing. I mean, you guys are literally seeing it all that's a whole different animal.
- [111:57]
G
Yeah, you're seeing it and then you're having to make that decision. So policy decisions that are made at the executive level with the President and it goes all its way down through the admirals, through the generals, through every level of command. And the last decision maker in that chain of command is that person. It could be 18 year old kid with a rifle at a checkpoint, could be a sniper in an overwatch position. But that is the last decision maker in a chain that starts with the President. So as a sniper, you're making those decisions just like anybody holding the rifle out there.
- [112:22]
A
Downright that chain of command can't be fat handed anymore.
- [112:24]
D
No way.
- [112:25]
G
That's right.
- [112:26]
A
Yeah.
- [112:27]
G
They're need to get back in the push ups, need to back in the sit ups. They look a little nervous out there in that little meeting that they all had back in Quantico, some of those guys. But it's interesting, I call in this book, actually have a conversation between two guys and they talk about the Department of War versus the Department of Defense. And so this was written months and months ago, but I talked about that also after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. I talked about the difference that precision and language reflects precision and thought. Defense means something's different, different than war. And I talked about that in multiple shows and appearances after the withdrawal. And I'm not saying that the administration got this idea.
- [112:58]
A
You're a good writer.
- [113:00]
G
But I am saying that I never heard anybody else talk about it until I did in 2021.
- [113:04]
A
Well, thanks for bringing it back into the lexicon because it is a hilarious title. I mean, Department of War there. AJ has a question for you from Ohio, sir.
- [113:14]
H
Yeah, Jack, I know you tried to like, you know, take yourself back back to 1968 for this recent book. What'd you like? How did you do that? You talked to what guys like Carlos Hathcock, his family, maybe Demo Dick Marsenko. Do you reach out to their families and really get in on what was going on back then?
- [113:28]
G
Yeah, I read all the autobiographies I could read from guys that had been in macv, SOG specifically. So guys going into Laos, Cambodia, North Vietnam, into denied areas where Americans were not supposed to be, read their autobiographies and then had them on my podcast and then got to know them. So I would text them, I would call them, I'd email them to check on certain things, I would send them chapters because I wanted to really honor that service with the details and getting those details right and making People, the reader transporting them back there so they could feel the sights, the sounds, the smells and what it was like to be there across a border, in a denied area, in the dark, in the jungle, with bugs, with the snakes and with an enemy slowly approaching your position.
- [114:06]
A
We appreciate you doing that, taking the time. How many bottles of this for. Yeah, thought so. Before we have hard out, Connor has a question for you.
- [114:13]
D
Yeah, Jack, last time you were here, you were releasing Beirut the non fiction and then Red Sky Morning. And Red Sky Morning was predominantly about AI in the last year of AI has been pretty insane. Like, have you. Have you kind of seen comparisons between what you wrote and what is going on right now?
- [114:29]
G
Yeah, I started with AI and quantum computing a few books ago before anyone had heard of Chat GPT.
- [114:33]
F
True.
- [114:33]
E
Yeah.
- [114:34]
G
And then everyone. Then Chat GPT becomes a part of the lexicon and it'll be. This next book that I write will be another contemporary thriller, James Reed. And with the way that AI is into our lives and the intelligence services and the military apparatus, it's going to be. It's going deep into that. But also just generally publishing Hollywood, what's AI doing there? And Buddy told me a story. I'm going to make it real quick because I was kind of concerned about the AI side of this. What does it mean for authors if someone can say, hey, write my book in a Jack Carr style or whatever else and just, you know, have it printed out there? And it's Waylon Jennings sitting down with a Waylon Jennings cover band guy back in the 80s. And the Waylon Jennings cover band guy is telling Waylon Jennings how amazing he is and how much he appreciates it. And Waylon Jennings says, yeah, man, there's just one problem with what you're doing. And the guy's like, what is that? And he says, you're always one album behind. So I'm like, I'm. Think of it like that.
- [115:22]
A
It's chasing you, brother. If they're trying to be you, they're chasing you. And obviously imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Everybody's going to want to be Jack Carr whenever they grow older. You're a badass. An American hero in your new book, Cry Havoc is available now. Now everywhere books are sold. We'll be back tomorrow. Reacting to tonight's Thursday Night Football game. Yeah, that's a. I hit that. See that Jack on the zero. With the book. With the book. The best. You make me better. You talk about being a better leader and everything. We're still live. We still Life, you know, that we're still live. You talk about being a better leader and everything like that. You walk in this building and I boom, bang, pow, boom, even. Yeah, that was. You make us better, Jack.
- [116:02]
B
Oh, man.
- [116:02]
G
You guys fire everybody up. Not just me. You guys don't know what people that you're having. It is. It is awesome. Fire me up.
- [116:08]
D
We fire people up in positive end negative.
- [116:11]
A
Yeah, there's a lot of fires. Yeah, we like. We like to bring the fire. Yeah, bring the juice. Tone has a question for you, Jack.
- [116:17]
C
Yeah, Jack, in Dark Wolf, there is a scene where Reese, Chris Pratt, and they're sitting around a fire and he gives his father's, I believe compass, or.
- [116:25]
G
Walam compass from Vietnam.
- [116:27]
B
He gives.
- [116:27]
C
Either gives it to Rafe or Ben.
- [116:29]
B
Okay.
- [116:30]
C
So it gives it to Rafe. So now when I was talking or when I was looking at the book or whatever that ties back to. That's Reese's dad. So when you were filming that, did you know that was in the book or when you're writing the book, did you know that was going to be in the TV series? And how much does that all tie together?
- [116:44]
G
Yeah, there's a lot of overlap these days. So the book. That part of the book was written well before that scene. And so just any little touch point, we can put in there. Little Easter eggs, we can put in there. Anything we can. Little foreshadowing little things we can hope to explore more in the future. That's all woven in there. If you got to the last episode, Beirut roots woven in there. 1983, that's in there. So it hits the. The non fiction as well. So, man, making that show was amazing. And all those guys just brought.
- [117:08]
C
How tall is the actor for Rafe?
- [117:09]
B
He's like.
- [117:10]
G
He's five. He is so tall. And yeah, my wife was really excited about that show because she loves Texas Forever. You know, Taylor Kidge, Friday Night Lights and. And so she's watching that show, really excited. We got to know Taylor. Taylor's amazing. Become a great friend. And then Tom Hopper gets out of that pool in episode two. And I don't know why my wife's favorite episode is now episode two.
- [117:29]
A
Once we on a set. Yeah, we got any more pool scenes, I understand. Hey, that's the movie world as a whole. There's a lot of glitz, a lot of glamour, a lot of moments where you can kind of get lost in the sauce. Now that you're so famous. You are. Now that you're so famous, so successful, everybody wants to be a part of your shit. Do you feel like a pressure to still represent for the military? Like, how do you kind of. I know you're probably just gonna say, well, I just gotta be me, or whatever. There's a lot of distractions, I assume for you now there's a lot of people that want to bite the jack car apple. Yeah, for good reason, by the way. But how do you. How do you ground yourself in all of it? You have like a morning routine or anything?
- [118:07]
G
No, it's get shot out of a cannon, three kids, dog, wife, chaos. That's the morning routine. Everybody expects to say you wake up at 3am and you're all disciplined and all this stuff, it's just crazy. It's just chaos. But no, it's more. I'm. I'm just focused on the story, just being the best author that I can possibly be. And there are more distractions these days. There are definitely more asks coming in, as you guys, I am sure know, which is good, which is great.
- [118:28]
A
We want those to continue.
- [118:29]
D
What's your hope?
- [118:30]
F
Problem?
- [118:31]
A
We want those to continue.
- [118:32]
G
That is true. That is true. So it's. It's go, go, go. But it's about improving as an author, improving in this profession, and always honoring the story. And if I honor the story and not worry about any of this other outside stuff, meaning, oh, am I going to upset somebody if I say this? Or. Or is someone not gonna buy the book now? Or if people like shorter chapters or whatever else, or I need to grab a headline. I think of none of that. It is all about the story. And if I do that, if I focus on the story, then I'm honoring that reader and that listener who's spending time with me, then they're never gonna get back. So it's solely focused on making the best story that I possibly can.
- [119:03]
A
That's the process, right? That's trusting the process. That's obviously, big football thing, It's a big sports thing. Massive military mindset as well, right? You do the work here, and then it will show up whenever we go later. Especially Special Forces.
- [119:12]
G
No, absolutely. I mean, you put in that time, put in that mat time, put in that time on the mat. It's the same. It's the same thing. So all the books up to this point, that's mat time. Next one, same thing. I'm improving. I'm getting better. But it's about being as prepared as you possibly can be for when that call comes. Then you go to war. So the job of the military isn't to go to war is to be prepared to go to war. And I always kept that at the forefront of my mind and focused on the guys too. Focusing on that team rather than the mission. People just repeat, focus on the mission. Mission first, mission first, mission first, maybe, but I think you just repeat that over and over again. It just becomes something that you say, but if you focus on the guys and take care of those guys, then that mission is going to get accomplished by default. So I always focused on those guys and it's something I haven't really heard from anybody else. And when I was in, I didn't really talk about it because everyone's like, oh, mission first. But you focus on those guys, you take care of them, they're going to crush it for you.
- [119:56]
A
Downrange, the boys are the culture. You take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves. That's very much process driven, that is God. Do you think about running for president?
- [120:03]
G
Yeah, that's an easy question to answer. Absolutely not. That's like the worst job ever. I mean, maybe back in the city, 60s, 70s, 80s, something like that. But today, oh my gosh. Wow. What an awful position to be in.
- [120:16]
A
Remind me, were you a big good swimmer in high school before you joined?
- [120:19]
G
I was okay. I was okay. I was definitely a better runner than I was a swimmer. And you do a weird stroke in BUDS for those who've ever seen it, this combat side.
- [120:25]
A
So that's what I was about to say. We now know what BUDS is because of all the documentaries and everything you guys have been through, obviously we didn't experience it and none of us could that haven't. And we'd ring the bell quickly over there if we were to do it. But the water shift seems to be the scariest. I mean, for me as somebody that. Not the greatest swimmer, you know, last. We all have our jokes, potentially end up in jail. I would have never chosen to swim. I'm not good in water. But that feels like the scariest part of BUDS for you whenever you're. I don't know if it was the.
- [120:55]
G
Scariest part for me. I was very comfortable in the water. But if you could be the greatest guy, you have that mindset, the mental fortitude. We're looking for that mental courage, that physical courage, all those things. We're looking for the team ability, make it all the way through hell week, week. Get to the second phase, which is diet phase. And that's where we want to really see if you're comfortable in the water. Gets a Pool comp. And then you have to say goodbye to some really good guys because they're just not comfortable.
- [121:15]
A
That eliminates.
- [121:16]
D
Yeah, it's crazy.
- [121:17]
A
I assume that he's a great eliminator there. Okay, we're gonna flip you upside down in this pool. You're not going to be able to get out and you're going to be blindfolded.
- [121:23]
G
Do that. Smash them up against the bottom of the pool, hit them in the ribs a couple times. They exhale there some air, pull the regulator out of the mouth, and it's the old school one that comes around like this. You can tie it in a. Tie it in a knot and see how you. Then you take a breath.
- [121:36]
I
You.
- [121:36]
G
You just calm yourself and go through the procedures to get going again. And then you get hit again. It's about 15 minutes worth of that on the bottom of the pool until the instructors are like, yeah, this guy's comfortable. Bring in the next one.
- [121:46]
A
That is literally the. Let's see if this guy's got the cut of the gym or not. And that's not hell week. Yeah, that's after. Yeah, yeah, made it through hell week. We got a lot of respect for you guys now. Bottom of this, we're going to beat.
- [121:58]
B
The out of you down there.
- [121:58]
E
Boom.
- [121:59]
A
Punch him in the ribs a couple times. Cons, let's make sure we get that air out of you, man. Yeah, we want you to feel like you are drowning. You are drowning, by the way.
- [122:05]
E
Yeah.
- [122:05]
A
We should see if you can.
- [122:06]
G
I love that part because that's the only time in buds, it's like you against the instructor. The rest of the time you're just getting yelled at. You're doing push ups and sit ups and being told you're the worst, worst recruit ever. Like that sort of a thing. But pool comp, it's like, okay, now it's you and me. Same thing. With a thing called life saving. They have the instructors out in the pool and they're each doing something different. Like ones being aggressive and fighting you. Another one's just dead weight and they're different body shapes and all that stuff. You got to swim out and bring them back. But that's also another time where you get to put your hands on an instructor and it's like, all right, let's go. So those are very few and far between those times when you get to do something like that in buds, and I love those.
- [122:38]
A
I don't know if you know this, I played a drill instructor in a movie.
- [122:40]
F
Did you hear about it?
- [122:41]
C
I heard about.
- [122:41]
G
Yeah, it's. It's a mosquito bowl, right?
- [122:43]
A
Yeah.
- [122:44]
G
Oh, Pete Berg is doing that. I love Pete. He's awesome. He came up to the house, played ping pong with my. With my youngest.
- [122:48]
A
He's great. What a legend.
- [122:49]
G
Yeah, he's fantastic.
- [122:50]
A
Obviously an incredible storyteller. He loves the military, obviously does a lot of war movies. Getting a chance to be the drill instructor. I went down to Parris Island. I got a chance to watch him for a few days. What a wild life. I mean, we're talking about three hours of sleep. And also we are the example of what the greatest could look like. And we're on ass all day, every day. Incredible talkers as well. I mean, the way you gotta put words together to tell people they are the fucking worst, but also we need them is. It was quite an honor, man. It was. I know obviously Marines is under the Navy and everything like that. You guys have relationship and I've never been out to buds and what you guys do in San Diego and wherever else that happens at, but going through Parris island, just the amount of respect, just the level of just respect, obviously is heightened even more so once you see it in person.
- [123:37]
G
Oh, it's amazing. Pete sent me some pictures from set and then it looks awesome, that movie. But there's something in us, I think between, let's say age, like 10 and 18, somewhere in there because. Because we used to have to prove ourselves to the community, to the tribe, to your family, to show that you could provide value. And otherwise your tribe, your community wasn't gonna last much longer. And that's still in us. And Marine boot camp in particular is something that draws young men to both test themselves and to prove that they can add value to this country. And that's one that I think high school in particular these days, that is the calling. Marine boot camp. Like, okay, Parris Island, I am going. And there's such history right there. But there's a calling, I think, inside all of us to test ourselves somehow. And Marine Corps boot camp is really there. It's a crucible.
- [124:21]
A
Oh, raw, brother. The crucible is the end of that thing. And that's actually the final test that they have to go through. It's like a four day, three day process where obviously they're not sleeping. You gotta get through the entire thing. And it's. It was an honor to be down there, See? And then obviously the yellow footsteps and the history and Mike and the. It was just. It was really cool. It was an honor. Honor to be A part of your guys's world for a tiny little portion. And yeah, I'll be excited to see your thoughts on me as that. I think I did pretty.
- [124:47]
G
I saw the pictures. It looks good.
- [124:48]
A
It looks my face now because I started shaving my face. Oh, yeah, they shaved it on set there. First time, like, in my life that, I mean, I guess it's like the third time that I've shaved my face.
- [125:00]
D
You're gonna do a good one.
- [125:01]
A
Time was for a Vince McMahon. Yeah. I was gonna be Vince McMahon on WWE on a throwback. Okay. They were having this entire thing. I get there. It was during COVID I get down there and they're like, hey, we're doing a throwback night. Everybody is going to act like somebody. We wonder if you would be Vince McMahon. Vince McMahon is there. Okay. I'm like, absolutely. Holy hell. I'm just going to yell the entire night at people and just. I'm going to be Mr. McMahon the entire time. So I. They shaved my face. The whole thing. Michael Cole is looking like an. Dressed like himself from back in the day. Then we shoot something. The baby blue talk then obviously. Yeah, the baby blue talks, the whole thing. And they just ma hour before show starts. Nope, we're not doing it. Everything's canned. It's like, I shaved my face. I shaved my face. Yeah, it's good. Yeah. So then I grow my hair back immediately after that because my face is obviously not one that should be like that. When I'm Irish, when I get fat, it all comes right here. So put the beard on there. So doing this thing. I shave my face. I try to do it. I make my bed in the morning. Hey, nice. I'm waking up early. I'm a 5Amer now.
- [125:57]
G
Nice.
- [125:57]
A
It has changed my.
- [125:58]
B
No kidding.
- [125:59]
A
Yeah. It's changed my entire life change. Just witnessing the greatness that you guys have in the military, and it's changed me completely. Yeah, I'm trying my best.
- [126:05]
G
Some of that stuff didn't take with me, like the making of the bed and the getting up early part. Like, those things didn't take. I feel that's my act of rebellion, though. A little bit of act of rebellion is by not letting some of the things.
- [126:14]
A
And on my note, I wasn't, like, yelled at to do it when I was there. I thought I was going to help you. Yeah. When I played soccer. When I played soccer, they would make us run as a penalty. So as an older lad now.
- [126:25]
G
Yeah, man.
- [126:26]
A
You won't see me running. It's like, no. Nope, not doing that. Every time I was told to run, it was a bad time.
- [126:31]
D
Yeah.
- [126:31]
A
So I think mentally that kind of affected us. That played football, soccer, I think plenty of other sports. So making the bed you. Well, 18 year old, 19 year old. This shit needs to be tight. I can see how you as an adult go, I'm never doing that.
- [126:43]
G
Exactly. Never doing that.
- [126:44]
A
AJ has the last question for you from Ohio. Jack.
- [126:46]
H
Yeah, Jack, what is. Honestly, I know we always ask you this, but what does the future look like? Are you going to stay in this realm of, you think about, like, you know, branching out, possibly writing like a rom com, possibly something that maybe like. My mom used to always read those books with the weird covers when I was growing up. Like a novel where, you know, it's like a romantic situation novella.
- [127:04]
G
Those. Those sell really well. So. So I consider it for half a second. But no, I think I'm gonna stay with what I'm doing right now. I very deliberately, in the early novels, introduce characters that I would find interesting that I think readers would find interesting and that would. Would be able to write books on their own. And so this is the first one, Cry Havoc. The dad, but also the grandfather, World War II, post World War II, the Hastings family in Rhodesia. Two. Three generations there to explore. So I have all that, and then I have some other projects here outside the terminalist universe out there. A couple in Hollywood, a couple in publishing, and the. The next nonfiction. I go right from book tour into some research for that, and that one will get announced here in the next few months. But always, always working, always expanding, always want to expand that readership, because really, today readers have dropped off, and it's not making anybody better when they're sitting on their phone instead of opening a book. And really, today, an act of rebellion, like we talked about, being a rebel is. Is reading and to rebel against the digital tyranny that's out there, that's affecting everybody, but particularly young people in junior high, high school, those very formative years.
- [128:06]
J
It's.
- [128:07]
G
You want to be a rebel Today you pull out a book instead of the phone.
- [128:09]
A
Digital tyranny. I love everything you just said right there, the way you described that. Before we let you go, Jack, we would like you to pick tonight's game.
- [128:16]
E
Okay.
- [128:17]
A
Giants are hosting the Eagles. The Eagles. The Eagles, okay. Just lost their first game of the season against the Denver Broncos. They lost the fourth quarter of that game. 18 zip. Kind of just gave the game away. Not normal for them. They're currently the Super Bowl Champs. So there's a chance that with four day break they could come back and really just want to beat that ass. This would be a good team to potentially beat that ass of. They're 1 4. Okay. They just lost to the Saints. Quarterback for the Saints, Spencer Rattler. He has started 11 games. His only win was against the Giants on Sunday. Sunday. So both teams kind of have a little bit of want to get a bad taste out of their mouth. Seven and a half points. The Eagles are favored by. So that means at the beginning of this game it is negative seven and a half to zero. The Giants are in the lead. I don't know how much you know about sports gambling. Who do you think wins and who do you think covers?
- [129:03]
G
I'm gonna go with the, the Giants here because they're. I like the under. I like the underdog story. So even if it's by a degree, you know, I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go for them.
- [129:10]
A
Do you know the quarterback at all?
- [129:12]
G
I do not.
- [129:12]
A
You would love the quarterback and then the running back. Scatter. You would love the running. We got a lot of moxie. Quarterback and running back, tough guys.
- [129:18]
B
Nice.
- [129:19]
G
I like it.
- [129:19]
A
Then running back, kind of undersized head though the size of very big guy. And he will run through somebody's face. The running back. He's a rookie. Yeah, he's great.
- [129:27]
G
I love it. I remember back in the day just playing, playing football in the mud and Marcus Allen going over the top when we were little kids, you know, doing that. Another smaller guy, always practicing that going over the top.
- [129:36]
A
Okay, so maybe SC okay, so you have the New York Giants plus seven and a half.
- [129:42]
G
Let's do it.
- [129:43]
A
AJ Hawk has the New York Giants plus seven and a half. And then I have the Eagles at minus seven. Because there is a little better line somewhere else for me on the other side. I think Nick Sirianni is a good leader. I think he has a great team. I think they got embarrassed. I think they're going to improve it. And on that note, complete opposite could happen too with the air at the Giants. That's why football is greatest. And so is Cry Havoc. The latest from the legend that is Jack Carr. Now, not only is he a New York Times bestseller, but he's also a series creator that is award winning. Not just one of them, multiple. And then movies are going to follow suit. And whenever this guy dabbles in nonfiction, go ahead and take a seat and learn something you need to know. This Jack Carr brain is a special one. And it's on display in the Vietnam version in Cry Havoc available now. Hey, that was good.
- [130:27]
C
Well done.
- [130:27]
A
I feel like I really hit that. You did.
- [130:29]
G
I feel like you really knocked out of the pipe. That's probably the best line.
- [130:31]
A
You said the to today. Okay.
- [130:34]
D
That's amazing.
- [130:35]
A
But it felt good, you know, Cuz we do move some books here.
- [130:38]
C
Oh, yeah.
- [130:39]
G
You guys are awesome.
- [130:39]
A
We had a book club here for multiple years. It was. If you go just strictly off of people that purchase shirts. The Aaron Rogers Book Club. I think we're the second largest book club in America. Obviously, Oprah had hers. We had multiple. I think we had like four or five thousand people a part of our book club. So a lot of people assume, because we are. I am. I'll speak for myself.
- [130:59]
D
No.
- [130:59]
A
A bit of a diption. That we would not have a lot of book readers that watch. But I think. I think we do. And I think this one is going to be one that our people are going to love.
- [131:08]
C
Back looks.
- [131:09]
G
Thank you.
- [131:10]
A
Oh, hey. Oh, yeah, look at this. Oh, is that Ray? Is that Brad Coop? No, that's not Bradley Cooper.
- [131:21]
G
You might recognize him from episode four in the tunnel sequence. I got stitched up the side in this one and go down. We got a little stuntman Pave, which was pretty cool.
- [131:29]
D
And you got indigenous shot in the.
- [131:31]
A
Head in the first.
- [131:31]
D
First one.
- [131:32]
G
The first one got a little shootout with Chris Pratt. But exactly this time I got out of a car. So first time I don't get out of the car. Had that shootout with Chris Pratt. But I had to tell him ahead of time. I said if this was gonna go down in real life, it would end up a little different. We're clear about that.
- [131:44]
A
Just so we understand, this is acting real life. I take that thing. You got two in your fork before you even get to me.
- [131:51]
G
Yeah, we filmed the one for True Believer too. For the next one, that one's probably my best death sequence yet.
- [131:55]
D
Okay.
- [131:57]
A
I don't love seeing you die all the time, but I do appreciate it means you're celebrating another successful story being told. Thank you. Congrats to you. Thank you for stopping by. Tonight's a big one, aj. Hopefully you, Jack and the Giants fans have something to celebrate. And that's just keeping it within seven and a half.
- [132:13]
J
That's right.
- [132:13]
A
We don't even need to win. Let's just keep this thing close against the Eagles and maybe we'll have some hope. Is that accurate, Bruce?
- [132:19]
I
Yeah. I mean, I'm pretty sick of the moral victories, but I would certainly take a cover tonight after what the Yankees did last night.
- [132:25]
A
Well, what about also not just the Yankees. Come on, let's make sure we fully tell the story here. The Knicks had Giannis chose not to. Rangers could have started a season a little better. They lose three nothing to a. To a team that's literally allegedly washed in the coach that can't even speak. Then you talk about the jets worst of all time. Islanders, I guess have a chance to maybe make some things right for the entire area. But they're on Long Island. They're not even considered out there. So all sports bad tonight could be good for you is what you're saying.
- [132:52]
I
Matt's also missed. Missed the playoffs. $750 million.
- [132:57]
F
Yeah.
- [132:57]
D
No kings off Broadway.
- [133:00]
C
It's dark days.
- [133:01]
I
Dark days. I don't think we have to drag the Knicks into this. They haven't even lost the game yet.
- [133:05]
A
But could have had you on as you lost your.
- [133:09]
B
Liberty, got bounced from the playoffs.
- [133:11]
A
Speaking of, the Aces are looking to sweep the Mercury in the WNBA Finals. Asia Wilson goes for 34 points last night. I forget what it is. And makes them puts them up 30 against the Mercury. Ishba's team over there in Phoenix obviously got $100 million. Probably practice facility built up within the last couple years. Obviously they're in the finals. It's all working. But the Aces are just saying this is our league and will be until further notice. They're up there. That could be a clean sweep, A.J. that could be a clean sweep in the finals.
- [133:39]
E
We'll see.
- [133:39]
H
We'll see. If. If what? Phoenix can. Can find a way to make this thing a series. Right?
- [133:44]
A
Yeah.
- [133:44]
I
We will see.
- [133:45]
B
We will see. Well said.
- [133:46]
A
Thank you. Thank you. We will.
- [133:48]
H
I did watch that. That last play was amazing. When she hit that game winner. Yeah.
- [133:52]
A
When Asia hit Asia's unbelievable.
- [133:54]
H
I was watching this.
- [133:54]
A
Real time Asia is legitimately unbelievable. Now on that note, we were certainly saying that Caitlin Clark was going to become the best in the league. Asia said, I don't think so. I'm 7 inches taller than Caitlyn and I can go to work in this Aces team. They're used to being at the top. Now they traded away Kelsey Plum. Didn't know if they're going to be able to get back there. They are. Congrats to them. If Phoenix can come back. Being down 3 0, you're talking about one of the greatest comebacks and maybe.
- [134:17]
B
Chokes of all time, potentially.
- [134:19]
A
Rushmore on X. Available now at Rushmore on X. We're gonna get out of here. A lot of travel.
- [134:24]
B
A lot of travel.
- [134:25]
A
A lot of travel.
- [134:26]
D
Safe travels.
- [134:27]
A
We'll be back tomorrow. You're right.
- [134:28]
B
Yep.
- [134:28]
A
Safe travels. We'll be back tomorrow. We can't thank you enough for allowing us to do this for a living. You're the greatest people on earth. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. Buy this book. It's available now. Cry Havoc by Jack Carr. Team on me. Jack, you got anything to say? The team here.
- [134:43]
G
Oh, man. You guys keep crushing and firing everybody up. It's bigger than you guys and this. You guys are the freaking best.
- [134:49]
B
Boom. Thank you.
- [134:50]
A
That's amazing.
- [134:50]
B
Yes.
- [134:51]
A
God damn, I needed that strength. Keep your hand up, though. Strength it on. Strength. Keep your hand up. Keep your hand. All right, team on three. One, two, three.
- [134:57]
D
Team.
- [134:58]
A
Goodbye. Talk about stepping up.
- [135:04]
G
It's time to level up your game.
- [135:05]
A
Introducing the AllNew ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place. Your home for the most live sports and the best championship moment.
- [135:14]
B
The electricity is palpable.
- [135:17]
A
Step up your game. With no annual contract required. It's the ultimate fan experience.
- [135:22]
F
Level up.
- [135:23]
A
For more on the ESPN app or at stream espn.com Sign up now. Eight years ago, I blew my football career.
- [135:32]
E
He dropped it at the one yard line.
- [135:33]
G
Chad Powers has arrived on Hulu.
- [135:36]
A
If I can't play as Russ, I'll play as someone else.
- [135:38]
G
My name's Ch and last name from executive producers Eli and Peyton Manning. Remember, you're wearing a prosthetic mask. This is acting and starring Glenn Powell.
- [135:48]
A
He thinks you're a rubber chew toy. Not rubber. I'm a man made of flesh.
- [135:52]
G
The Hulu original series Chad Powers is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on.
- [135:56]
A
Disney plus for bundled subscribers. Terms apply.
- [135:59]
G
New episodes Tuesdays.