← The Pat McAfee Show
The Pat McAfee Show
PMS 2.0 1437 - NFL Week 8 Preview/Picks, TNF Recap, Professional Poker Player Matt Berkey, Mike McCarthy, Nick Saban, & AJ Hawk
02:07:37
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- [00:01]
A.J. Hawk
Welcome to the Pat McAfee Show. Feel good. Friday, October 24th. I'm A.J.
- [00:06]
Pat McAfee
Hawk sitting in for Pat his desk.
- [00:08]
A.J. Hawk
He'll be joining us from Nashville. Boys, big game tomorrow. Football is the name of the game. It's what we do around here. It's our number one thing. Last night we had a big, a big game. We Vikings, Chargers. Boys, Chargers absolutely dominate. I feel like obviously early on in the game, Justin Herbert throws what we thought was a pick six. They review it, it's not a pick six. They go on what, a 16 play drive, I believe going on there and they capitalize. They score a touchdown, go up seven, nothing. It looks like to me the Chargers never really looked back after that. I felt like the Chargers D line was getting unbelievable pressure on Carson Wentz. All night long. They were able. They ran for over 200 yards. The Chargers did. It was just, it was somewhat of a dominant performance, I feel like from this Chargers football team, just what they needed after losing three of their last four games. Comment? What you see when you watch this game, honestly, what, what stood out the most, I guess when you actually think.
- [01:00]
Connor
About it, I mean, right there on that touchdown run by Vidal, they're running left. Joe Alt being back was kind of the biggest thing it felt like. And it kind of solidifies the importance of how important the left tackle is just to both the quarterback and the, the running game. And yeah, right there, they're F4. No, when Joe Alt starts and he's just one of those big sons of bitches, that kind of sets the tone up front for those boys. And you know, they could do whatever they wanted because he had, Herbert had time and it was just a fantastic performance, start to finish for the offense.
- [01:29]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, Carson Wentz, he was under pressure all night long. I don't know. I know you guys watched it and you saw, but it seemed like Carson Wentz, 1, 2, 3, he's hitting his third step and he's, he's eluding pressure all over. We saw, we saw some Carson Wentz moments where this guy, you know, he's never going to let a play die. That's what I love about Carson. There's, it's always all out in front of him. He's always able to, he thinks, at least in his mind, he's going to figure out a way to get this thing and to get some positive yards, which I love and respect. It was, yeah, like I said, dominant performance. I was so impressed by the, the Chargers defense, to be honest with you. Right, Tone?
- [02:02]
Tone
Yeah, it looked like Their early season defense where the first couple weeks where they were dominant and they started three and oh, I mean, what. What I learned last night is if you wear stupid, dumb, all yellow uniforms and you play a good team like the Colts, you're going to get dominated. And then if you decide to wear one of your coolest throwback uniforms possible, and then another team comes in, you're going to dominate them. And I think the whole NFL should take that in consideration when they're choosing you.
- [02:23]
A.J. Hawk
Ty, were you surprised by this, Ty, what happened last night?
- [02:26]
Ty Schmidt
I mean, maybe a little bit for the final score, but I told Connor when I first got in here today, like, last night was the first time I actually felt bad for Carson Wentz, you know, he just like you said, under duress all night. So banged up like now it's kind of rubber meets the road for the Vikings now, like, we get it. J.J. mcCarthy's been hurt with the ankle. Has he been hurt? They got to see what they have.
- [02:46]
A.J. Hawk
Pretty athletic move he made on the sideline. Avoiding. Avoiding complete disaster. I feel like at one point in. In the game, J.J. mcCarthy, if you watch him here.
- [02:55]
Connor
Oh, hi.
- [02:55]
A.J. Hawk
Jumps over top, you think he's going to get rolled up on. Here we go. A lot of juice. He's ready. You think that guy's got an ankle injury, Ty?
- [03:01]
Ty Schmidt
I mean, it certainly doesn't look like it, but, you know, I. We need to see him on the field because I think they know exactly what they can get out of Carson Wentz, and the season could kind of get away from him pretty quickly here if they don't.
- [03:11]
Matt Berkey
If.
- [03:12]
Ty Schmidt
If something doesn't change.
- [03:13]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, it does feel like we're going to see J.J. mcCarthy out there very soon with the Vikings under center. And I think. I think Pat's already actually down in Nashville. Pat, what's going on, man? Your setting looked amazing when we. When we touched with you earlier. What. What's up, buddy?
- [03:25]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, down here at First Bank Stadium in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee. You know, they just opened. Opened this place in August. $130 million was spent on this stadium. They just opened in August. Hold on, though. I'm not done. Okay. You would think that would be a lot of money, especially in 2025, having a brand new stadium. Remember, in years past, we've kind of mocked and ridiculed. They had cranes and like, they didn't even have locker rooms. Remember, they were going through their construction. They finally land here at the First Bank Stadium. $130 million they put into this. That's not it, though, right behind me here, I believe you see the hu. I got the J.J. watt situation going on. That's the Huber center right there. That's for the basketball team. $90 million they spent on the Huber basketball thing. We're not done though. You know, the baseball team, obviously highly regarded Vandy Boys, $42 million they're putting into a new baseball stadium. And then outdoor tennis only. Outdoor tennis only. $14 million in a new facility. And then indoor tennis they're putting $7 million into. So whenever you talk about a school going all in on sports, it feels like this. Vandy, obviously Coach Lee and Diego Pavia are putting it on a national stage with the entire run in the college football world and obviously lucky to be here and celebrate this as Mizzou comes to town. But I think chancellor Diermeyer. Okay, Candice Storey Lee, athletic director here at Vandy, are all in on the sports. And I think it's a special thing. You know, when you're good at sports, I think it radiates about your culture, about what you are. We're competitive, we like to have a good time, we like to be community driven. And also we want to beat the hell out of other people whenever it comes to on field competition in sports. So, yeah, I'm lucky to be down here in Vandy. I certainly am. Yesterday was a once in a lifetime actual day that I got to experience down here in Nashville. Crazy that it fell on the day where the no betting Alad had their. Their biggest day. But I thought you guys didn't. You guys did an incredible job. Okay. And I appreciate you guys doing that. And to all the people that I was with yesterday that everybody will learn about going forward, I don't want to drop all their names right now because it'll kind of give everything we got going on. Thank you so much for taking time out of your lives and energy and commitment towards yesterday. For me, that was one of the coolest things I've ever. I've ever done. Yesterday was awesome. I was in the middle of a movie and a TV show for about nine hours and with some of the most talented people on earth, and it was really cool. It's a Nashville difference. I had no idea that Nashville could be the football town that it is right now for Vandy and Lucky to be here. Now on that note, Carson Wentz, quarterback for this Minnesota Vikings team. You talk about J.J. mcCarthy doing that move. It wasn't just the. What's that called? Shed. What do you guys call that? AJ the you're playing off a cut.
- [06:06]
A.J. Hawk
When you're playing off a cut block.
- [06:08]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. What's that move called there? Is that called a move or.
- [06:11]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, I don't know. Play off the cut.
- [06:13]
Tone
Strike.
- [06:13]
Connor
Strike.
- [06:15]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. It's literally a drill, though. People roll balls and you're like kind of, you know, you sprawl. This is a sprawling technique where you're shooting. Yeah, there's a sprawl that kind of comes with that. That's a very explosive move. Okay. And there's obviously a lot of movement that takes place not only with the ankles, but the knees, everything else like that. And then they walk off afterwards, a little bit of. Yep. Little bit of sauce with. As he's walking forward, it's like, okay, looks like JJ's at least close to being all the way back. Obviously, emergency quarterback last night. So if they needed him, they'd have him a lot of season left is what they were probably thinking. But you got J.J. mcCarthy there, probably coming back. You got Carson Wentz, given some Carson Wentz experience. But to your point, Ty, I was following along. A lot of people were like, enough's enough for this man. Yeah, please, can we, can we take him off? This guy's giving his all out there. I like that. There was a baby face turn for Carson Wentz seemingly last night in the midst of this massive defeat against a Chargers team that might be who we thought they were just a few weeks ago, especially with Joe Alt playing. But you think about Danny Dimes, what he's doing with the Colts. We're lucky as hell. We want to make him our governor. We want to make Danny Dimes our governor. He was in their building. Now, allegedly, they offered more money than Colts did, but still they let him out of the building. Sam Darnold, okay? You got him doing what he's doing. And remember, Aaron Rodgers was allegedly interested in being the Minnesota Vikings quarterback one year ago. Last year, the Minnesota Vikings team, they were fighting for the number one seed in the nfc. Last game of the year, it's like, holy hell, this team is there. And then now we're watching them. Obviously injuries happen and it's like they're just getting their pumped by the Los Angeles Chargers on primetime. It's like, this is not what I think about the Kevin o' Connell Vikings team. And there's been a lot of really good players that have kind of exited or people that wanted to be there that are playing pretty good football elsewhere. So they're going to have to live in their world and their decision making. And on that note, the Chargers decision making on those jerseys. Tone, to your point, those things look filthy. Yeah, I mean I just thought about, I thought about Ladany and Tomlinson back in the day doing his thing and just electrifying and lighting everything up. I know that the Chargers felt like they had to perform in those jerseys, but once again, Justin Herbert, Jim Harbaugh, Minter Wright is the defensive coordinator that we're singing his praises. It's like everything we learned about them whenever we went out to their facility, they're all rowing in the same direction. And I think they ran into a very good Colts team last week. Obviously they have, you know, not a perfect schedule or a perfect resume, but it's like this Chargers team still has everything you could possibly need to go on a deep run. I think. Tone, now, Tone, what was the betting numbers last night? I know we were probably all on the Chargers if I had to guess the way our show had to operate, even though I didn't listen at the end. But what was the public on, what was the money on and who ended up winning in this entire thing?
- [08:45]
Tone
Well, I just want to let you know that yes, you were on the right side. You were on the Chargers. You said give me three, give me three and a half. It doesn't matter. Chargers are going to beat that their ass. And they did. AJ was on the wrong side, but AJ was with the public. 56% of the bets were with the Vikings last night. I don't know if that was because Carson Wentz was 70 all time on Thursday night Football and they believed in Wentz. But no, it was, it was an ass beating the entire time. Chargers. And one thing we haven't mentioned yet, we probably should mention Arande Gatson, the rookie tight end out of Syracuse just three games in a row now where he's been absolutely dominant, as you can see there, almost six, seven receptions a game. Tons of yards, tons of touchdowns out of Syracuse. His dad played in the NFL. He's been a new weapon for Justin Herbert that he loves.
- [09:30]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And you know you got Dolphins fans going crazy. Gumpy smiling like the butcher's dog over there is just listening to the name be mentioned. Is that all right, Gump? Absolutely. Yeah. He was, he was getting zipper burned last night. Whenever we were talking about this entire. And how that night, that guy's night continued to go. I, I like this Chargers team, man. Con man. It feels like hardball is going to be able to get any group to kind of go and win. What can they win? A Super Bowl. Connor, can the Los Angeles Chargers win a Super Bowl?
- [09:56]
Connor
I mean when Herbert's playing like this, no doubt. Like even you go back to last week with the Colts and they got killed by the Colts. But Herbert did everything he could to bring him back. But he makes every play. It feels like he really doesn't have too many flaws, especially when it comes to, you know, like decision making with the football. The guys they have on offense were running wide open sometimes. Then he can do this. You forget Herbert is a freak athlete sometimes and he's faster than damn near everybody on the field. And the fact that they have a third string running back playing the way he is, I think it's just credit to Herbert because you know they damn near are just letting or sorry, they're just trying to stop Herbert and they can't because the worry isn't too much about the running game. And then you bring in a third string running back and he's unbelievable. With Khalil Mack back. AJ Mentioned it. Carson Wentz really didn't have any time at all yesterday. And again, I don't know what the injuries were on the Vikings. I feel like I got kind of got bamboozled just because Carson Wentz came out with a bionic arm and I didn't know that was happening. But no, the as a team as a whole, adafe away they get from the Ravens. He's making an impact immediately. And I mean with oh Dafe away being that kind of player for them, getting traded this year makes you think now with the other side with the Vikings, like do they start selling? But who knows with that it was more so just the Chargers are all the way back and you look at that division Chiefs and Broncos, they got to be a little bit worried now too that there really is a three headed monster and then Max Crosby in the division.
- [11:28]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I, I love the fact that Harbaugh is doing what he's doing out there with that team. I think just because we appreciate as a football guy and we also respect and appreciate the hell out of Herbert continued success out there for the boys, hopefully and for the Vikings. Good luck. Good luck. Good luck. A lot of people still asking questions about J.J. mcCarthy. He can obviously go and prove them all wrong if he has a great back half of the season. Now yesterday I missed which was a pretty big day. Okay. And I already did the no betting allowed thing. So I kind of blew that.
- [11:57]
Connor
It's still here.
- [12:00]
Pat McAfee
Okay. Six, six, six. So the fact that happened yesterday and I wasn't able to talk about it is, you know, it was a bummer. I was bummed out about it. Like as it was all unfolding, I was driving to once in a lifetime event while it was all taking place on our phones and we're all learning about it. It's like, man, I, I feel like I'm a pretty good person and maybe chit chat about at least the poker side of this entire thing because poker is a huge part of my story. You know, I started playing with it. I was like 10 years old with my grandma. She taught me how to gamble, my brother and then my, my cousins and everything. They enj different styles of games than I did. It was a little bit different. So my grandma literally taught me how to gamble and play poker as a 10 year old. So I feel like I've been, you know, in that world more than maybe just the average person that's speaking on a microphone. Not saying that I'm a professional or anything, but just the poker world. The cards community, I am very proud to be a part of and I love cards. And anytime you got somebody scamming the card community, that is obviously disgusting. So I think that's a horrible situation that I cannot wait to chat more about here in a second. But this whole co conspirator alongside NBA players thing that's also happening at the same exact time that FBI director Cash Patel put up, it feels like we're just very early in this entire thing, you know, and then you hear about what the lawyer was saying about Terry or whoever was at the hotel and wanted them to do a perp walk and everything. It's like, it's like Cash, I feel like. And you know, maybe the FBI understands that sports gambling is becoming a much, much, much, much bigger part of our society. And I see everybody talking about how, how can anybody on TV talk about it whenever they're taking money from sports books and things like that. And I'm going to say this. We took and got paid a lot of money from a sportsbook in fanduel. So I would like to say this is potentially coming from a part of the problem, but players being associated with rigging games and fans of sports betting on games, I think two very different things. Obviously. Is it a conflict of interest with how big sports gambling has become a part of these leagues? Signing deals with leagues, signing deals with players in leagues, these sportsbooks are. And then obviously it's all over, all the marketing and everything that's a part of the game. Is that potentially a conflict of interest? Because inevitably it's going to get into a locker room or maybe into the officials, which obviously we've already seen. And it's such, it's such an easy thing to get a part of and wrapped up in. Is that going to only become more. I think these types of situations have to be big and have to be precedent setting because I don't think the sports gambling world is going to slow down. It's obviously been happening for a very, very long time now. It's just legalized and trackable and there's big corporations and people profiting off this with publicly stocked exchanges and marketing and coming together with sports as opposed to being the outlier of sp. So I think the athletes have to remember that you can't give up the integrity of the game. It ruins it for everybody. So I think that's why they're making it such a big deal. Now. Is it becoming easier and easier to potentially rig some of these prop bets? Certainly. And are these co conspirators that were up there with Jontay Porter and now also being linked to Terry Rozier? How many people have they just went and talked to and said like hey, I can get this. All you got to do is just we need under three threes tonight. Can you just do maybe go get a layup, maybe get a mid range, maybe put your foot on the line, we got an extra 150,000 bucks for you. And then these co conspirators all kind of bank off the back end of it. That's a dangerous game. I don't know how they stop that. I honestly don't know how they stop that. And I hope the only way that you stop it is you scare the living shit out of all the other players. Not only in basketball, in all the other sports because we haven't even, they haven't even ventured into the other sports that this is potentially happening in as well, let alone how many different groups of co conspirators have their hands into different athletes, college, you name it. I mean it is obviously a huge thing, a spiraling web if you really was to become that. So the precedent is going to have to continue to be set pretty strong. And I think that's why the FBI came out and did it the way that they did it. Now on that note, I heard Wendy say that the NBA knew about this. So then Terry had an injury or something like that for the rest of the season. And then I heard Shams last night on Inside the NBA shout out to Ernie Johnson, Chuck the Jet and Shaq for having Shams on last night on inside the NBA. And basically he said that they, they don't have the ability to get warrants or it's out of their jurisdiction to be able to pull like evidence or go interview people. So what the NBA could only get was what they could get. The FBI was obviously able to get a lot more, which led to these arrests. So there's an entire who knew what at what time and how many others do we know about? Until it's publicly kind of exposed, we have no idea. But now let's go to the poker game thing because that's also getting tied in with the co conspirators being a part of that as well. And that's Portland and what, Charlotte and Miami. That's really far away. So let's assume that these co conspirators potentially have a little bit of range. The poker game's crazy just because of how many different stories have come from the allegations of a mafia run poker game. There was X rays under the table that was seeing through the cards. They knew what cards were coming. Maybe they had glasses on. The mafia's running this thing. Everybody's losing. And then you hear a podcast from 2023 from a Yenzu east of Pittsburgh, Leechburg, Pennsylvania, Matt Berkey in 2023 talks about how the exact name that was kind of mentioned yesterday in the poker world, at least in his eyes, they knew that the game was potentially worked or rigged. In 2023 there was a game that traveled maybe from LA to Nevada, and the poker players knew that it was a rigged game. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is the man that actually said that on his podcast, the Only Friends podcast. He's a professional poker player, has over $4 million in earnings, has made eight World Series finals tables, and he's from the east side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so we appreciate the hell out of him. Ladies and gentlemen, Matt Berkey. Mark, what's going on, brother? We'll talk about Sunday Night Football. We'll talk about Sunday Night Football certainly here in a little bit and your thoughts on all of that. But I watched your clip from 2023 and basically the way you were laying it out is as if you understood or people that were playing in this particular game or these particular games know when it's rigged or when it's not rigged. How is that the case and what have you hear? These particular poker games that maybe got them caught, if you will. Berkey, if that's a good enough question to kind of get started.
- [18:13]
Matt Berkey
Yeah, sure.
- [18:15]
Pat McAfee
I, I Don't want to, I don't.
- [18:16]
Matt Berkey
Want to lay it on the people who got taken for a ride in these games and make it seem like it was so obvious that they should have known. But it is one of those things where when you as a professional who don't really offer too much to a high profile game like this that's being run around, celebrities get the invite, your radar should kind of go up. And this particular game, it was happening both in Los Angeles and in Las Vegas, I had gotten multiple invites as well as a lot of friends who don't really have access to these sort of private games. And it just seemed quite suspicious to me. So I was lucky enough to pass. I had a lot of friends who lost, you know, hundreds of thousands of dollars in these games just with the opportunity to play with, with a few celebrities. But yeah, once, once you get outside of the casino, the rules get bent quite a bit.
- [19:10]
Pat McAfee
Okay, on that note, how many of these types of games are happening? Because obviously it says a mafia run poker game. These games, a lot of these games are illegal in themselves. Right. Because they're obviously taxes and being held with no regulatory sanctions, anything like that. And I'm not saying that it's somebody that's maybe played in a couple of these games, but this is very similar to like, and I don't want to go such like a harsh metaphor, but like a lot of people think that they can either sell fake drugs or beat up drug dealers because it's an illegal activity. So nobody's gonna be able to turn them in. So it's like if you do something wrong during an illegal activity, you really have nobody that's gonna be able to turn you in because it's an illegal activity. The person would be ratting on themselves. How many of these maybe non regulated illegal potential games happen and whenever the mafia is thrown around, are they a part of a lot of. Right. Like the history of poker maybe running these potential illegal operations that are taking place?
- [20:08]
Matt Berkey
Yeah, I mean, look, it's, it's, it's going to be an all cash business. Right. And that kind of lends itself to organized crime in a certain way. But I don't want it to be overstated. Like this is the majority of what's taking place in the poker community. It's unfortunate that when we get these big platforms, it's usually because there's a giant scandal or somebody's been cheated out of a lot of money.
- [20:29]
Ty Schmidt
Money.
- [20:30]
Matt Berkey
But the reality is at the highest, at the highest stake levels, games are private. Period. That's just the nature of the beast. You want to be able to play with recreational players and they want to be able to cherry pick the lineup. So if you want to be playing nosebleeds, then they're going to be privatized in some sort of capacity. Whether that's a house game or a casino game really dictates who you're catering to when it comes to the VIPs. Some people would prefer it in a more friendly environment where they can partake in extracurriculars, if you will. As far as like the mob's hand in it, you know, I think it's one of those things where it's like you hear rumors, you always suspect, but this is the first actual like confirmation in my 22 years of playing that I've heard any real involvement there.
- [21:21]
Pat McAfee
Okay, now let's talk about cheating a little bit in these private games that are out of the casino, obviously casino a little bit more regulated, Obviously they have a gaming license, everything like that. Dealers, professional dealers, you, you name it. Whenever you got these private games, you're walking in on trust basically that everything is on the up and up whenever the cheating happens or something like that. I heard stories there's X rays now in the tables. Did you know this was happening? There's X rays going through the tables and they're able to tell what cards around the corner. Did you know any of these things and what is kind of your takeaway on what cheating does actually happen in these poker games or in poker games in general?
- [21:53]
Matt Berkey
General, yeah. I think the X ray thing was a bit of a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of what actually took place. Basically, the home games are ripe for cheating because the back of the house has access to everything. So you as the player, you're trusting fully in whoever is particularly running this. And this notion that absolute power corrupts absolutely is kind of where these things break down.
- [22:20]
Nick Saban
Down.
- [22:21]
Matt Berkey
The game runner is incentivized to make the most money. The game runner is incentivized to ensure that everybody is able to get paid and they're certain to get stiffed. So they'll often take precautionary measures, whether that's taking a large rake or in this instance, cheating the game to ensure that they're able to basically keep the Ponzi going as long as they can. As far as like the X ray and the other methods, I think that they confused that with something that's known as infrared decks. So you can get these like, pre marked decks with infrared technology where Like a fake key fob or something of that nature can actually read the deck top to bottom. And if you have somebody in the back of the house who's able to get decks into the game, then of course it's going to be very easy to rig the game. They also use the visible ink with contact lenses. But, you know, to. To kind of to make people at ease a little bit more. These methods are very complicated. You could never do this in a casino or at least be incredibly difficult. You need a middleman who's able to get the decks into the game, who's able to orchestrate the entire thing. And that's kind of the issue with these unregulated games, is that you're dealing with an environment where all your trust is solely in the person who is incentivized to make the most money. Money.
- [23:42]
Pat McAfee
Hand in the cookie jar. Let's make sure we all get equal amounts of cookies. That's an interesting dilemma for humans since the beginning of time, let alone maybe a potential gambling community. Last question from me. How many of these games are taking place on a regular basis? Like, if you just had to give a projection. Like, I just. I put this tweet out as soon as I heard about it. And obviously I grew up in a World Series of Poker era. I think you did as well. And we're in the Pittsburgh area. A lot of Italians, a lot of games. We did a lot of this. I assume that's where you started as well. I just want to make sure to reiterate that for fact. That was not me. There's a lot of pat Mc now. There is a lot of those, but I played in a lot of games. Like I played in a lot of poker games, a lot of private games. Now this is a long time ago. Long, long, long, long time ago. And I think statute of limitations, like five years or something, depending upon which year, whenever it comes to these things. So this was at least 5.2 years ago, you know, 5.1 years ago. This was a long, long time ago. These games are happening on a very regular basis, though. I think that is something that needs to be said as well. It's not like a majority of these games go back to your point. Card community, I think, does have morals. Like, I think we do have, like unwritten rules in the card community, let alone at the level that you're at. Like, this is an abnormal thing, right? This is how people should be viewing this as opposed to maybe a regular thing in the card world, because it's kind of an attack on cards, brother. And I don't like that at all.
- [24:58]
Matt Berkey
Yeah, yeah, it's. It's an attack on people who are willing to go to the ends of the earth to make a buck, I think. Yeah, to your point, these games, they're happening coast to coast. They're not actually illegal to run or to play in, so you don't have to worry about your statute of limitation. They're illegal to take a break. So if the house is profiting off of it now you're stepping on the casino's toes and that becomes the big issue. But, yeah, you know, I was in the basement of the steakhouse the same way that you were coming up, just playing a little 510 with a bunch of bookies. Blairville, Johnny and, you know, Mike the Greek, all flinging cards back and forth. And, you know, at the time I was 21, I. I was totally naive to everything, and I just went in there blindly trusting. Thank God those guys were on the up and up.
- [25:45]
Pat McAfee
Yes. Yeah, yeah, legit. Me too. I thought about. I literally thought about my high school story when this whole thing made. And I walked down into a basement, literally, of like, an Italian restaurant, and it's like, man, thank God those guys let me win. I guess, like, that was very kind. Imagine if they don't, like, on the way out. I just don't go to the camp. My whole life changes, changes. It's like I'm very appreciative of said Italian restaurant that took care of me there. And I'm very appreciative of cards as a whole. I hope people don't get scared to continue to play cards. Cards are great. Play euchre. Obviously out in Indiana a lot. Obviously play rummy with the wife. Not scared to play a little tonk. Not scared to play a little 7:27. Not scared to play hold em. You name it. Like, cards are good. It's good for community. It's good everything like that. I hate that people are trying to scam the shit out of people at the highest level, and that's making national headlines. But people like you, Burke will continue to carry the torch of good card playing. And we appreciate the hell out of you.
- [26:36]
Matt Berkey
Thank you, guys.
- [26:38]
Pat McAfee
All right, man. I hope you get every card. Ladies and gentlemen, Matt Berkey. Yeah, I thought that was just some information that people need to know because there's some crazy stuff. It was all kind of taking on a life of its own about what these card games were, what was happening. I saw some people. I saw some people Putting out graphics of these X rays under the table. It's like, oh, my God. I mean, how could you know if anything was in there? So I appreciate him who lives in it literally. Literally every single day for the last 15 years. Talking about. That's crazy, A.J. i'm a card person. You are as well. It's like, this can't be. This can't be, like, what. What people think cards are as a whole, you know?
- [27:12]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah. I'd imagine. I think we're giving people too much credit almost thinking, like, there's these super complex situations going on all around the country where they're cheating everybody out of money. I don't. I don't think it's that rampant, but, I mean, this is a giant situation. Giant case that the FBI came down.
- [27:25]
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
- [27:26]
A.J. Hawk
So it's happening for sure.
- [27:28]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Like, there's always been people that try to, like, oh, I'll tap the table when I have a diamond or a spade. Like, there's always, like, table talk, potentially set up options out of people. But I feel like that's a part of me trying to catch those people while playing. Like, I gotta know that these people were pretty. But whenever you. It's just like the Houston Astros, I guess, technology, where they go, like. Yeah, like, whenever you get. Whenever you. There's a.
- [27:50]
Connor
Let.
- [27:50]
Pat McAfee
There's a line here. And then going that far is. Is just not great. The fact that these guys, with how much money that they have doing that, I don't. I don't get it. I don't know what. The leverage. There had to be some sort of leverage on these guys.
- [28:03]
Connor
Definitely. Yes. You know, that's what doesn't make sense. Like, that's. That's the stuff that I feel like will be interesting to look at just going forward with these cases and, like, just like, the baseball thing. To your point, now I'm just looking back through all my, like, favorite players and all the guys I love. Loved, like, growing up, especially in the NBA. And you're just.
- [28:22]
A.J. Hawk
Now.
- [28:22]
Connor
Now you just wonder about everything. You know, it's like, I'm glad. No, I know. But seriously, like, especially for Matt, like, I don't think I would have been able to ask him a question without wanting to know some sort of information about people or players. And that's why this situation is so sticky, because some people are coming out and just saying a lot of stuff, and it's hard not to look at that stuff.
- [28:44]
Mike McCarthy
Stuff.
- [28:45]
Connor
And, like, it's not meant for, you know, any public conversation, but. And regardless, they're doing it. But it's one of those things where now you just start to wonder about everything when it comes to things of this nature, just because it is so prevalent, especially now with gambling.
- [28:58]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I. I don't. I don't think we need to go back in time and start questioning anything. You know, speaking of going back in time, Tim Donahue is going. Excuse me.
- [29:05]
Connor
Yeah, exactly.
- [29:06]
Tone
Yeah, there's.
- [29:07]
Pat McAfee
So, I mean, that. That is just. It only opens up for it. And D. Bud asked Adam Silver the other day whenever we got a chance to talk to him about, like. Like, hey, tell us about gambling. And he talked about playing defense. And now Shams has reported that the NBA did not know about this until we all knew about this. So Adam Silver at the time, I don't think knew that all these announcements were coming. At least that's what's being reported in this whole thing. But he certainly knows that, hey, like, one of the biggest knocks on our league, especially now with how prevalent gambling is, is that how riggable it is? Just because anything can be a foul. Anything can be a foul. And if you give two fouls on a guy early, he's out of the game. So it's like all you, in this case, co conspirator 8, which fits a lot of the descriptors of the poker player up there in Portland tells Vainsy or Franzi or something. I forget the name of the guy. That somebody's not going to be playing it for the rest of the games. Last 10 games of the season or whatever. Nobody else knows it. It's like you just. You pick one player out, that's like a guaranteed loss. Almost like basketball is so ripe.
- [30:08]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yeah.
- [30:09]
Pat McAfee
You know, if you. If you look at it from a praying standpoint of taking advantage of AJ which we certainly know some gamblers will try. So it's like him trying to play defense on that. Like, can we get irrelevant props, maybe out completely. So there's not even, like. I think that's. I think they're trying their best over there at the NBA legitimately. I think they're trying their absolute best.
- [30:27]
A.J. Hawk
AJ yeah, they're gonna. I mean, you mentioned they're gonna probably, you know, make it come down with a pretty hard sentence or whatever is going to happen now. Because you have to scare not only NBA players. You need to scare football players, baseball players. I'm sure the MLS is susceptible to this. Everyone is. You know, anyone can come and ruin a whole situation like that.
- [30:45]
Connor
Yeah. No way.
- [30:46]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. But we're. We're a part of the problem because we book sportsbook money. It's like, I get that it's different.
- [30:53]
A.J. Hawk
Than manipulating a game and shaving points of a game and changing a game like that.
- [30:57]
Connor
Yeah, it's also.
- [30:58]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, but I understand. I understand how it's just sitting there, though, to use, like, I think yesterday there was ESPN BET logo on there.
- [31:06]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [31:06]
Connor
Oh, yeah, yeah.
- [31:07]
Pat McAfee
And we'd like to let everybody know nobody's bet on that.
- [31:11]
Connor
So.
- [31:12]
Pat McAfee
Okay. So, you know, like, let's. But it was up on the screen while they were talking about it, and you can see how hypocritical that would potentially look. And it's like we're trying to say that there's a line. Yeah, we're trying to say that there's a line between, like, the difference. But then they're. They're saying, well, the line is all kind of becoming. You could see how people are. It's like. Yeah, we can't. We all can see what the susceptibility is here, but we're all saying that there's certainly differences between being a part of the action action and betting on the action.
- [31:40]
Ty Schmidt
People.
- [31:40]
Pat McAfee
50. Go ahead.
- [31:41]
Tone
I say people are definitely taking, like, liberties, though. Like, there's a big difference between promoting a legal sports book and betting legally versus rigging basketball games. And that's, you know, as. As Berkey said, that's something. That's something Blairsville Johnny would ever do, you know?
- [31:56]
Connor
Yeah, that's a good point.
- [31:58]
Pat McAfee
What do you say, Mike?
- [31:59]
Connor
Mikey. Mikey the Greek.
- [32:02]
Pat McAfee
Mike in the Greek. Yeah. Donald Wilberting. Somebody need to check out Mikey the Greek. He always got cards, this guy. He was always hanging around. Turn river was always really nice to Mikey the Greek. I think we need to check in maybe on what he's got cooking, a little different Greek yogurt on that particular thing, you know what I'm talking about? Oh. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a. An Irish man from Pittsburgh. Okay.
- [32:25]
Ty Schmidt
Hell, yeah.
- [32:26]
Pat McAfee
So I would. I would assume that he knows about a lot of this stuff that is potentially happening, at least how it could potentially take place in the sports world. Ladies and gentlemen, our coach, super bowl champion coach Mike McClory.
- [32:40]
Connor
Yeah, coach.
- [32:43]
Nick Saban
Wow.
- [32:43]
Mike McCarthy
Clicking on the Irish right out the gate, huh? Oh, my goodness.
- [32:46]
Pat McAfee
I'm Patrick McAfee. My name is Patrick McAfee. You are Mike. You're Mike McCarthy. Okay. I come from Italian. Italian community. What was yours? Irish? Italian. Both.
- [32:58]
Mike McCarthy
There's both Irish and Italian. And Green three. And then the lower part of Greenfield was more More hunky Slovak, Czechoslovakian of the sort.
- [33:10]
Pat McAfee
We didn't have a lot of Czechoslovakians in Plum. We, we had all Italians. I mean, it was just Italians everywhere. You just walk outside, there's an Italian right there. There's an Italian right there. Geez Louise. There's another one. Good God. All right, we got some more pasta, more gravy. Got it, got it. Brijut, we do that.
- [33:25]
Tone
Tell you what, some of them, some of them weren't always on the up and up in those games we played.
- [33:29]
A.J. Hawk
In either, I'll tell you that.
- [33:34]
Pat McAfee
That is certainly a fact. But on that note, the NBA is caught up in a massive thing, like as a coach in the NFL during the era here of sportsbooks becoming legalized and a part of the league and the culture as a whole. Did you feel obligated to talk about that with your team at all? Like, how do you kind of address that with the team other than just the signs that are everybody everywhere in the hope that nobody will want to kind of get involved with that type of stuff?
- [33:57]
Mike McCarthy
Coach well, I mean, you definitely have to talk about it. I think the, you know, the league has done, the NFL has done an excellent job with the education. You know, it starts in the spring during the off season program. And ultimately, as we've all been through the, you know, the meetings there in training camp, but the continuing education throughout the season is important. And I think just clearly just the volume of betting, you know, as far as the variation, I think, you know, we had a situation at one point in the past season where a player went out of the game and the communication wasn't clean between, you know, the training staff, the player, and communication to the head coach whether the player was up or down. And so, and when a player does go out of the game, you know, that obviously affects the end game betting. So I just think when you, you know, when you add that whole element to the end game baiting has created a whole different, I mean, my goodness, you know, amount of scrutiny. And with that, I think just the communication as a coaching staff, training staff players and so forth during the course of the game, you know, your communication needs to be even better. So. But yeah, it's. The landscape's definitely different. I mean, it's totally different than, I know when I first got in the league in the 90s. I mean, you know, in the 90s, I can remember my first gambling presentation, you know, and you kind of. We kind of laugh about it. I mean, it was a joke, but it was like, hey, don't leave a paper trail, you know, cash only. So, you know.
- [35:33]
Pat McAfee
You'Re part of the problem. You're part of. Coach. You're part of the problem.
- [35:37]
Mike McCarthy
No, but like I said, it was a joke. But it was just a whole different landscape back then. I mean, it's changed so much, and the volume and the variations of what you can bet on, especially in game. It's amazing.
- [35:54]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And you talk about what the NFL had to go through with, like, fantasy football. Remember, Tony Romo wasn't allowed to go to some event in Vegas for fantasy football, but he was allowed to take a check for, like, a scratch off in the state. And they're like, nope, not you're allowed to play blackjack, but you're not allowed to take free drinks while you're playing blackjack.
- [36:11]
Nick Saban
Remember this?
- [36:11]
Pat McAfee
You're not allowed to get a hotel room, but you're allowed to play roulette if you want. Like, they. They had to bat. The NFL had, like, to. Really. There was a lot of ncaa. Just. What, did the NCAA just approve?
- [36:22]
Connor
Yeah, they just legalized gambling for all divisions. Division one, Division two, Division three. On pro sports. Yep.
- [36:30]
Pat McAfee
We're in such a weird time right now, coach. Yeah. As it's becoming so prevalent, like, everybody's trying to adjust and be fair and be real about the situation. All we all know, everybody that's ever been a part of any of the sports can't have the players or the people in the games, coaches or affecting the games, be rigging the games, because then you take down everything for all. Okay? So stop being so fucking selfish. Now, let's talk about the game last night, shall we? Coach Carson Wentz, obviously in the middle of battle all night with this Chargers team. Now, Justin Herbert, with Joe Alt, starting this year, they're four. No. Feels like he's a real difference maker. What's your takeaway from last night's domination by the Los Angeles Chargers, coach?
- [37:08]
Mike McCarthy
Yeah, definitely. I think, like, most games, you know, really starts up front, and I think having, you know, Joe Albeck definitely made a huge difference.
- [37:14]
Nick Saban
And.
- [37:15]
Mike McCarthy
And you can't, you know, from the start of the game, I mean, the Chargers were in control throughout. I mean, I think they had a plus 40 rushes, and I think Justin threw the ball about 27, 28 times. So, I mean, that's a great formula for success. I thought they ran, they threw it. I thought the chunk yardages. And I thought Justin really played a really gritty game, you know, with his rushing attempts and, you know, extended plays. And when he did Throw it off the action game, game. You could definitely see the big play opportunities that they were able to hit. So I thought Chargers were clearly up front. I know there was a lot of injury challenges throughout the week, and I know we've talked about this in past weeks. The Thursday night injury challenge, in my experience, it's clearly the biggest because A, you're trying to get an injured player that may or may not play in the game, get him reps, but then also if he doesn't go, you're trying to get, get the next guy the reps and to get that coordinated, to get the connection and continuity that you, that you want to get each and every week going into it. You know, it's Thursday night. Being a short week on its own is a challenge, but it's really on both sides of the spectrum of is he playing, isn't he playing, you know, and so forth. And I think definitely I thought Joe all looked like his old man there last night. I thought he played a hell of a game.
- [38:29]
A.J. Hawk
Coach we saw, Speaking of injuries, JJ McCarthy, he's in the sideline. We had, we showed a clip a little bit ago. I don't know if you watched him. He's got some great agility. He's supposed to have an ankle injury, I guess. Guess he's moving pretty dang well right here. You see, he avoids a disaster that could have been really, really bad, and he's still locked in on the game. I guess it seems like we're expecting to see JJ McCarthy in the near future under center for the Vikings. What do you expect to see when McCarthy gets back in here?
- [38:55]
Mike McCarthy
Well, I think the biggest thing in not knowing without any communication, but the fact that he was the third quarterback in the game tells you he's close. So I thought that was definitely a good sign for jj but yeah, I think clearly getting back in there and just getting him into the rhythm, I mean, I think, you know, clearly if you're calling a defense against a young quarterback, you really want to make it hard for him on first and second down. Because I know as an offensive coach, offensive play caller, you're always trying to make the ride for normal down the distance a little easier on your quarterback. Because we all know that third down and red zone is where they truly make their money. And any emphasis on making sure he's ready there, because those are the things when you don't play as a quarterback, you know, to get back into that time clock, you know, because things move differently faster and come at you differently in third down and in the red zone part of it. So I think if they can just, you know, move them around the quarterback to movements and keeps and so forth and, you know, tie the run in action passing game together, you know, give, you know, give him some productivity. So he's playing the first favorable Don distance in third down and, you know, give him some clean opportunities in the red zone.
- [40:02]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you always want to have favorable Don and distance, Donner. You certainly want that. Whenever you're talking about an offensive game, you won't matriculate.
- [40:10]
Mike McCarthy
Just staying you up, Lopez.
- [40:12]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah.
- [40:13]
Pat McAfee
Are we going half back today?
- [40:14]
Mike McCarthy
I didn't get the demo. Irish guy. Sun on his face, it looks like.
- [40:24]
Pat McAfee
Hey, that looks all right. You look unbelievable. Aj, please. Aj, please. Aj.
- [40:28]
Connor
There you go.
- [40:30]
Mike McCarthy
There he is. Ayyjayy. You look good behind the mic. There's.
- [40:34]
Connor
All right.
- [40:34]
A.J. Hawk
There we go. Oh, there you go.
- [40:37]
Connor
Do it.
- [40:38]
Ty Schmidt
Flip it around.
- [40:39]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.
- [40:42]
Mike McCarthy
Yeah, yeah, I got the height on back at you.
- [40:47]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so the backwards hat boys are here to talk a little ball, and I am certainly having a blast about that. Okay, let's talk JJ McCarthy potentially getting back onto the. Obviously Carson Wentz has the night that he has under duress. They had Sam Darnold in that building. Obviously they had Danny Dimes in that building beforehand. Aaron allegedly was interested in going there. Now you're talking about guys that are having incredible seasons and the Vikings are in the situation that they're in. Excited to see how they move past that. Hopefully JJ is a guy. Let's talk about another quarterback that is having an absolutely massive season, which I assume is no surprise to you. Go ahead, Ty.
- [41:22]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Coach. Like three or four weeks ago, the Cowboys were pretty much left for dead. Even though Dak had been doing unbelievable last couple weeks, defense has looked a little bit better. What's your overall thought on the Cowboys as we stand right now? And do you think they're kind of. I mean, we've already heard Jerry mention it, and it's kind of been floating around like, are they going to be buyers at the trade deadline, thinking that they actually might be able to kind of make some noise down the stretch and going into the playoffs?
- [41:49]
Mike McCarthy
Yeah, I mean, clearly staying out of the homer mindset here. I mean, we've talked about this since the draft. I think this is. Is an ascending football team. I think they did the right things during the off season. You know, they, you know, as far as going through, you know, veteran free agency, you know, the draft and my experience of being a head Coach is the biggest improvement. Your football team comes from the players that are already there. And they got an excellent locker room and an excellent group of core players. And they're young. You know, I look at the Cowboys and the packers very similar. These are young teams, teams that are only going to get better. And I think that, you know, with the injury challenge that every team has, if they can just stay in front of that a little bit more, this team's going to get better each week. And I do agree with you on the defense. I mean, the offense has hit their stride. You know, they're putting up big numbers. But, you know, also I think when you look at stats, you know, the defense has played in two overtime games, so, you know that, you know, it goes both ways. That definitely weighs down your statistics. And I think the defensive, they can, can, you know, the mindset, if they can just get one stop a half, you know, build that up to one stop a quarter. In a way, the offense is playing in their special teams, particularly, you know, their battery. Their core guys are as good as anybody's in the league. So I think this is a very good football team that has an arrow pointing up. I've always felt that as far as being buyers, I think they just got to stay the course. You know, Micah Parsons deserved the contract that, that he received in Green Bay. And it, you know, on a personal level, when you see one of your players get that contract, it's obviously exciting because he's definitely earned that. But what it has put, it has put Dallas in a position to do second contracts on their draft class guys that are coming up. And that's where ajr experience in Green Bay, you know, we were able to keep signing all those second contracts and you do not have enough good football players. We've talked about this on the show before. 77 players who win a Super bowl. And I think what they're doing in their roster development is exactly the way you need to do it. They've got more second contract done in the last two months. And I think that. I know, I saw my time there and that's a huge, huge benefit to the overall roster development of that football team. Young team, excellent locker room. They can lean on the offense right now. I do believe the defense is going to be better. It's the third, you know, three defensive coordinators in three years. That, that stuff, that stuff does factor a little bit, especially, you know, philosophically. They've gone back more to more 23 than what they were in 24. So I just think this is a good team that they can stay healthy, healthy, keep working together. It's a really good group of guys that bust their ass. And that's the facts, Jack. You know, that's the way I feel about those guys.
- [44:23]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And I was about to say you've never been better. Even whenever you joined us at the draft, which was just a couple months removed from, you know, you no longer being the head coach of the team, you talked about how good you thought that team was, how good the roster was. Then when the MICA thing happens, you don't bury anybody. You stayed very above board with the entirety of it all. And you just talked about roster development and second contracts and everything like that. Shall we get. Give Landman, Jerry Jones a little bit more credit maybe, because everybody kills him for everything. But it sounds like you're talking about actually being able to build from within and keep your own guys, which is what I don't think a lot of people think of whenever they think of the Dallas Cowboys. Everybody thinks, Jerry Jones got his hands on too many things, he's ruining the roster as opposed to any other stuff. Is it. Who takes the compliment for being able to build the roster the way it is? And how did you know that this group was going to be a group that was going to be good, even though, you know, there was a lot of being thrown at him after the MICA trade?
- [45:15]
Mike McCarthy
Well, first off, I, I do want to thank you for recognizing my EQ there, Pat. That was awesome. Secondly, I do think that is good eq. That is good eq, but I think, okay, awesome.
- [45:28]
Pat McAfee
This is eq. This is eq.
- [45:31]
Connor
Yeah, yeah, I potted that up.
- [45:32]
Pat McAfee
No problem.
- [45:34]
Mike McCarthy
I think it's their process here. You know, I think the process, process of, you know, how they built, built, you know, build the roster. It's, you know, it, it's. You're looking at this thing as 2, 3, 4 years of draft classes that are coming together. And one of the things I know when I first went to Green Bay and the benefit of working in Kansas City, I always felt was our off season program was so good because so many guys live there in the off season. And, you know, in Green Bay, that was a bit of a challenge. So we, you know, had some guys, guys, you know, later in the career that would stay there year round. But the benefit you have in Dallas, Texas, is your whole team's there 12 months out of the year, and these guys are developing and working out together all the time. Even if it's not at the facility, it could be across the street, you know, so this is a very tight.
- [46:19]
Pat McAfee
The White House. Yeah.
- [46:22]
Mike McCarthy
Oh, man.
- [46:23]
Pat McAfee
That's what Jerry.
- [46:24]
A.J. Hawk
In a weight room.
- [46:28]
Pat McAfee
That's what he was talking about, right?
- [46:29]
Mike McCarthy
Well, you get too. You get too much sun on your face here, my man.
- [46:32]
A.J. Hawk
Come on.
- [46:35]
Mike McCarthy
I was trying to give you. I was trying to talk some real ball here. Yeah, you better move that.
- [46:40]
Pat McAfee
Me, too. Me, too.
- [46:41]
Mike McCarthy
AJ let's get him back.
- [46:42]
A.J. Hawk
What we doing?
- [46:42]
Pat McAfee
Here we go, Coach. Here we go. We're back. We're back, we're back. I'm sorry. It wasn't across the street. I was across the practice field. I'm sorry I catch you out there. But you're saying the boys are around. You're saying the boys are.
- [46:54]
Mike McCarthy
Oh, no, they're there all the time. I mean, it's a good group. And Dax, I mean, he's an incredible leader. You know, he has a, you know, a situation where he's part of a, you know, workout facility there that. I mean, you go in there, you know, January, February, March, there's 40, 50 NFL players there. So it's just a really good training. I just think that, you know, and we used to say it every year in Green Bay when we were together, you know, the biggest improvement will come from the guys that are already there. The draft class, great. You know, the free agents you're at, they're nice because they're new, they're fresh. But the dudes, the main dudes, your core guys, that's what makes the needle move each and every year. And I think Dallas is in that mode right now. I do. I think I got a chance to be a pretty good damn football team next couple years.
- [47:35]
Pat McAfee
George Pickens, obviously, huge pickup as well. Fits right into the culture they like. Yeah, huge. And him playing as good as he's playing and buying in as quickly as he has. Good for him because he was fun to watch whenever he was playing good football. And obviously, there's always going to be stuff around wide receivers. I'm happy he's getting the Rock Dak handling it perfectly. Now, let's talk about some things that have come up in a couple different games now. Obviously, a couple different games. There's been some blatant misses when it comes to the refs, but the refs as a whole have become a little bit of a conversation piece. Connor has a question for you.
- [48:05]
Connor
Yeah, Coach? There's actually a study UTEP just did, and they, you know, kind of released it about, you know, benefiting from certain calls as teams. And, you Know, the Chiefs were the team to spotlight and I have a Patriots helmet on my desk, so believe me, I get it, okay? But TJ Lang said, like, basically along the lines of, look like when the packers, you know, when we were really going, when we were the best, you know, like sometimes there were certain crews where we would benefit from. And I saw some people respond to that, saying, that's the single dumbest thing said in modern history. But I don't think T.J. lang, you know, took it that serious. But when it's, you know, when, when it comes to those type of things, refing crews, you know, you know, and not just in the NFL and NCAA and kind of all sports, even, you know, umpire crews, if that's how that works, Whatever, you get it. When it comes to NFL reffing crews, why do you think some crews have a different feel for the game? Do you think that is, you know, kind of depending on the teams? Do you think that's depending on the weather? Like, why do you think that refs kind of decides and go about games kind of differently on a week to week basis when fans like myself just kind of see it as like, hey, whether it's a one o' clock game, whether, whether it's a prime time game, whether it's Wednesday afternoon football, like the game needs to be called the exact same no matter what.
- [49:25]
Mike McCarthy
Well, I, I look at it, you know, every season, you know, as a journey. You look at, you know, as a head coach and you look at players, you know, the vibe and how everything moved through your season, you know, where you are as a team, there's ups and downs and the ebb and flow is so critical. Well, I mean, the officiating crews, they go through the same thing. And I think the biggest thing is, to answer your question specifically, there's a number of variables I think that go into how these crews have to manage their ebb and flow of the season. And this is obviously my opinion, I think number one, the white hat, you know, he's the leader of the crew, he has the biggest effect on, on the crew each and every week because these guys put a ton of work. And I think one of the best things the league has done here of late, the last how many years, it's been five, six, seven years, is having the crews be a big part of the training camp. So you're seeing these guys, these crews are going out to two or three training camps themselves. So now the interaction with the players and coaches is higher than it's ever been. So you Know interaction, common language, common understanding. The fact that know. Players get to know the name and the face of each guy. I've always put the guys up in front of the team meeting room and had them, you know, interact as much as possible, encourage them to be around the players as much as possible in the. In the cafeteria and things like that. So that's part of it. But as the season goes on, they're getting graded every week. You know, they understand that the trends, they're, you know, they know what the trends are holding up and in what's down, and they know. They know if they miss a. A call and things like that too. So the human nature. Oh, I think so. Oh, I think so. I think that.
- [51:05]
Pat McAfee
Coach. Coach, that pool report is.
- [51:11]
Mike McCarthy
I'm not standing up for the pool report. Yeah. I mean, who wants. I mean, I don't know why they do the pool report.
- [51:17]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, exactly.
- [51:18]
Mike McCarthy
I mean, exactly.
- [51:19]
Pat McAfee
That's what we're saying.
- [51:21]
Mike McCarthy
Yeah. Because, you know, I mean, what do we retesting their. Their immediate accountability after the game? You know, so, I mean, so there's another box to check. You know, I, you know, that's.
- [51:31]
Pat McAfee
That.
- [51:31]
Mike McCarthy
Yeah, that to me. Yeah. Yeah. I must have missed something, but did something happen in the poll report that I. That I missed in my.
- [51:39]
Pat McAfee
No, these guys. No, you. You said that these guys know whenever they get a call wrong or whatever, then every time we hear from them, it's always this pool report. And they go, well, we actually did this. And there's no accountability. So, like, one of the reasons why people get so mad is because there's seemingly no accountability from the refs at all. And they'll send you guys an email, hey, we missed this one. So, yeah, you guys lost the game. Your entire staff's probably getting fired, and the player has a low light for the rest of his life on there. But we missed that call. We apologize. It's like the accountability thing is always like the biggest, I think, from the fans. So you're saying they know they missed the call? I think that's big news. Like. Okay. At least behind.
- [52:14]
Mike McCarthy
Well, I'm not saying immediately after the game, Pat. You know, I mean, the poll. Yeah, you know, I'm sorry, I mean to interrupt.
- [52:20]
A.J. Hawk
They claim, Coach, they claim they get graded from their. Whoever their top official is. They say they grade them and then those guys don't get playoff games. If you're one of the lower graded crews, I guess that at least that's what they've said to me. Yeah.
- [52:31]
Mike McCarthy
Yeah. That's what I, that's what I was referring to the post game evaluation process that they do go through. I, you know, I, I do know they go that. And then as a coach, you do have the opportunity to call the league office and, and, you know, call the regional director. So I just think that it's just like anything. I mean, you know, you want to solve problems, heighten the communication, you know, heighten the education, heighten the interaction, you know, between the people that you want to, you know, perform better. And I think the league office has done that with the officiating crews. You, you have the opportunity to communicate more with those guys more today. I know back in 06, you know, when I first became a head coach, so, so I think the system of trying to get it right, they're definitely working it. But, you know, the end of the day, I know one of the things, you know, just watching tv, you know, being a fan, it looks like they've had a lot of change in personnel too. So, I mean, there's a, you know, there's, there's newer guys, there's more going on. So I mean, that takes time too. So. But I do think the white hats, you know, the head guys are very much impactful on how that crew is going to officiate each week and the communication that goes into that and you know, the fact that they can communicate now during the game on the headsets, I think is, as was a huge asset when they put that in. And what's that? Ten years now? Eight, nine, you know, so I kind of all runs together, but I think all those steps have been very beneficial to improving our game or attempting to.
- [54:01]
Pat McAfee
I agree, I agree. And I even like the New York calling in saying, hey, this is obvious, get away with it. But then whenever they lie about, I mean, it's just a tough gig. Nobody wants to be refs. There's a lot of new refs, a lot of good refs leaving. I think they're only going to continue to get better. Let's get some more players in a pipeline to become officials in the NFL as well. Last question here about the biggest game of the weekend. AP Tone has one about the another McCarthy Bowl. Go ahead, Ton.
- [54:22]
Tone
We had McCarthy bowl one that was the Cowboys and Packers Earl. This year ending in overtime. We have McCarthy Bowl 2 this weekend. Sunday Night Football. Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers take on the Green Bay Packers. Coach, obviously you have some ties this one.
- [54:36]
Connor
I don't know if you're going to.
- [54:36]
Tone
Be there or not, but how, how do you think this Affects Aaron, like, because, you know, obviously you know Aaron better than a lot of us. Like the motivation going into Sunday Night Football. How do you feel Aaron deals with that and just the game overall?
- [54:48]
Mike McCarthy
Well, first off, you guys are awesome because you've communicated so well that this is actually McCarthy bowl, so. And I've been invited to this one, so let's go. Yeah, I think it's going to be a hell of a game, you know, and I think just fall, you know, fall ball back in Pittsburgh, the Packers coming to town. I think it's going to be incredible setting. Really looking forward to watching the game. So I think it's a pick them. You know, I'm going back to the old pigs pig skin games. I don't even know what the line is. Don't want to know what the line is. I think this is going to be a hell of a football game. Looking forward to watching.
- [55:22]
Pat McAfee
I'm excited for you to get back there and hopefully get your love. I'm happy you were invited and we appreciate the hell out of you. Coach. I think the backwards hat, not a bad play. You know, Dan Quinn started doing it you. He became like a Florida man whenever he joined you. He started doing a backwards hat under your leadership. We appreciate the hell out of you, coach. Safe travels back to Pittsburgh.
- [55:41]
Nick Saban
All right, man.
- [55:41]
Mike McCarthy
Have a great week. Thank you.
- [55:43]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, man. Ladies and gentlemen, coach Mike McCarthy. Hey, look at this, boys. Obviously, that's Doordash. If you need to get anything at any time from something that is around you in any capacity, go to our friends at Doordash. Go ahead and save up $250 this season when you were on game days. That's an asterisk. That probably means there's something to talk about that more. I. I do not have that on me. Okay. Now, Doordash is the greatest, though. We have obviously sang their praises. Look at this, look at this. I mean, we got a couple different shots here that have been plugged in by the boys. Okay, that's obviously first Mexanium jumbo. How about this? Boom.
- [56:23]
A.J. Hawk
Is that the Vanderbilt Tower?
- [56:25]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I'm not 100. Sure. I assume it's a super duper tower there. And then look at these. These are brand new suites that they just built. Wow.
- [56:33]
A.J. Hawk
Filthy corner of the end zone.
- [56:35]
Pat McAfee
I like that.
- [56:35]
Mike McCarthy
That's awesome.
- [56:36]
A.J. Hawk
That looks fake.
- [56:37]
Pat McAfee
And then here's a very artsy shot of me saying this city of Nashville is so damn beautiful. And there is obviously a lot of greats and legendary things that have come from this beautiful city. And this particular football team is the next thing. These sports here in town are spectacular. I'm lucky to be here. This Marsh Beast mode Lynch Prize Pick is making sports season even more fun on Prize Picks. Whether you a football fan, a basketball.
- [57:04]
Mike McCarthy
Fan, it always feel good to be right.
- [57:06]
Pat McAfee
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- [57:26]
Mike McCarthy
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- [57:29]
Pat McAfee
Prize Picks is available in 40 plus states including California, Texas, Florida and Georgia. Most importantly, all the transactions on the app are fast, safe and secure. Download the prospects app today and use code TPMS to get 50 instantly in site credits after you play your first $5. That's code TPMS to get 50 in side credits, but it's after you play your first $5 prize picks. It's good to be right. Must be present in certain states.
- [57:54]
Tone
Visit prizepix.com for restrictions and details.
- [57:56]
Pat McAfee
Hey fans. Welcome back to Fansville's cheers and tears. Okay, so like everybody deals with losing, right? To a rival and a last second field goal, whatever. It's fine. I'm totally fine. But I cope with losing with an ice cold Dr. Pepper.
- [58:15]
Matt Berkey
And those 23 flavors are like so delicious. They totally wash away the pain of.
- [58:20]
Pat McAfee
Your college football team taking a big fat L. College football. It's a Pepper thing. Football.
- [58:31]
A.J. Hawk
That's right, Pat. Chargers obviously annihilated the Vikings last night. Dominant performance.
- [58:36]
Connor
What?
- [58:36]
A.J. Hawk
37 to 10? I had to glance down and check. I can't believe the score is that high. Actually 37 10. What a win for the Charger Chargers. Pat, what a win for you as well. I picked the Vikings. I was on the wrong side of that with coach Mike McCarthy. Looks like the Chargers are rolling, huh Pat?
- [58:50]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I didn't know that. Honestly, I didn't get to see the pick segment of program yesterday. I thought you guys did an incredible job. I'm very thankful for you guys. I'm down here in Nashville. Yesterday was one of the coolest days that has ever happened. Obviously you guys did a great job. I assumed everybody was going to be on the Chargers. Honestly, I just as soon as I saw the line I'm like, this feels like a truck Chargers. This team is very good. Now obviously they look like ass last week against the Colts and dressed like ass last week against The Colts with the yellow jerseys. And to your point, to start this thing, 1/2 of the hammer done. Cowboys AP Tone maybe they just decided to wear the better uniform and that's why the football gods bless them as opposed to the yellow and the toxic table at Boston Conner and at Ty Schmidt. This Chargers team, Ty, look like who we thought they could potentially be and what a perfect time maybe to have their best game thus far.
- [59:39]
Mike McCarthy
Ty.
- [59:39]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, without a doubt. Out like you mentioned, especially coming off la, because I think a lot of people were jumping off the Chargers bandwagon after last week. Hey, this team's so beat up. But like Connor mentioned in the first hour, when Justin Herbert plays like this, man, it's. It's hard to envision many teams that they. I mean, they can beat anybody, you know, and they. They're one of those teams who, you know, a couple teams have been super banged up this year and, and their season has gone one way and it's kind of like, oh, it's over already. But, you know, for their offensive line and running backs to be as banged up as they have been and them kind of just stay in the course and continuing to look this good. Like, yeah, I'd agree, especially with Harbaugh and Herbert. Like, I don't think this is a team you really want to see down the stretch if you're in, you know, playoff contention in the afc.
- [60:23]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I. Joe Alt's an absolute force. The Chargers seemingly good with whoever's on their roster. And lad McConkey is going to be one of the ones. Ones, you know, just. It's just long term. Now, let's pivot away from last night's game. Let's do some NFL news. Remember when day ball was telling the unaffiliated neurological consultant person to hurry it up with his quarterback in the blue tent? You know, he pokes his head in there and goes, hey, what's your day? He's got a cigar. He watches one rep from Russell Wilson, who, who we're learning now is one of the greatest tweeters of all time. Love what he did there. Sees one rep of Russell Wilson, goes, I don't think so. Goes into the blue tent, says, where's Jackson? Dart the entire thing. Everybody the next day goes, that can't happen. Full uproar, obviously, because the reason why that blue tent was made is so that the Unk and the doctors can get a little alone time without any pressure of making a decision that isn't good for the player, but it is good for the team. Maybe Getting back in there. Everybody thought they were going to come down hard on Day Ball for this entire thing. Well, they. They find them all. So the NFL is fine. The Giants, $200,000. Head coach Brian Daboll, 100,000, and Cam Scatterboo, 15,000. Because you remember, he put his. The issue with him is his head's so big. He poked his head in there. It's like when one of those Texas Longhorns puts their head into something. The whole blue tent rattled when Scatter Boo put his head into that thing because of how large it is. That's what the $15,000 fines for. I think he'd be okay to be proud of that. But day ball getting 100,000 directly and then the Giants getting 200,000 at as a whole is certainly enough money that makes like, head coaches say, I'm not doing that again. I'm not going to lose $100,000. But I don't. I don't know if any punishment would be as big as what people wanted the next day. AJ do you remember how people were reacting the day after?
- [62:09]
A.J. Hawk
I had no idea in the, in the watching it in real time that people would freak out that much.
- [62:13]
Pat McAfee
Me neither. Day Ball going in. Hey, well, why don't we tweak it a little? A little bit of a.
- [62:17]
Connor
Get him out of there.
- [62:20]
Pat McAfee
Lot on the line here. Lot of line here. It's not going good. You know, that entire thing, it certainly is. It was abnormal. Especially because Dr. His awesome visual. Come on. We did a test. One, two. What are we doing here? Let's get after it. So him doing that and there's a doctor going, you're not supposed to do that. There's no way. I assume that medical person says that. But on that exact night before the game starts, who's Dr. Stills, I think is his name from the NF Sills. Doctor. Dr. Sills from the NFL actually did a social media video about how this is a sanctuary in here. This is sacred place. This blue tent. This is what's in here. Nobody's lied in here at all. And then four hours later, Day Ball's just poking his head. Let's. Let's kind of go ahead and do this. So I think they made, obviously a massive deal out of it. I don't think the NFL wants to see anybody trying to. To interfere, influence medical people into getting players back on the field, especially with, you know, all the injuries and especially when it comes to concussions. Everything they've been through over the last 15 years of science Kind of telling us what it is. So, yeah, 200,000. A hundred thousand and fifteen thousand. I don't know if it'll be enough for the people that wanted maybe day ball to be kicked off the tour. Doug. But it certainly. It certainly is a punishment from the NFL. Aj.
- [63:35]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah. If I was scattered, I'm appealing that, though. I would say, hey, I was trying to. To go see the doctor. Like, I was. What do you mean? I. I was next in line or something. That's all he's got to say. For real.
- [63:43]
Pat McAfee
Everybody's judging. They don't think I could have had a headache. I don't. I get it. My head is a part of my superpowers, but I was also feeling a little.
- [63:51]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah. You know, so I feel that thing. You just got cut in half maybe. I don't know.
- [63:55]
Pat McAfee
That's. A $7,500 fine, would be a hilarious fine from the NFL. Have you ever seen one that small?
- [64:00]
A.J. Hawk
They used to cut fine. They used to. Like, you could get some leeway if you got fine fingers. 15. You might be able to cut it in half then. They stopped doing that a long time ago.
- [64:07]
Pat McAfee
I think these fines are huge. There was an entire report or a statement, I guess, from McCarthy here, Brian McCarthy, the NFL's PR. And it's a joint statement from the NFL and the NFL, PA about how they got to this and what, you know, that blue tent represents and what it is, what players and coaches can't do. So they obviously take care of that. And it's a lot of words. That's a big statement, bro. Ryan. I mean, come on. It feels like a story, dude. Can we get a statement a little bit? You know, I'm not reading that right now on air. Statement should be very easily read. Like, let's just get to it. You know, there's like, two paragraphs setting the tone, and I assume the NFLPA and the NFL are jousting for every word on how it goes there, but that's a lot of words to be put out. David. Basically can't do it is what they all said. Can't do it. So congrats to them. Kind of getting done with that entire thing. The Bengals have a situation brewing. Con man. What's going on with the Bengals in their linebacker brother?
- [65:05]
Connor
Yeah. Absolute dog Logan Wilson yesterday kind of requested a trade out of nowhere. It felt like especially coming off a Bengals massive win, I do believe this is a situation where he's just kind of yelling at air. Great tweet from Schefter. Awesome Gotta love it. But just based off the Bengals history. History. Don't think anything's really going to come with this. This is kind of news that's not news because it's the Bengals, but there is a disgruntled linebacker in Cincinnati. And I mean, aj, you probably know Logan Wilson for the Bengals is so good.
- [65:37]
A.J. Hawk
I've been following this. So he. There's two young rookie linebackers that are getting a lot more time. This has been going on for, I don't know, two, three, four weeks now where Logan Wilson's play time has just been, you know, reduced. And I was in the stadium last Thursday. I'm watching him kind of run all. I think they said he played 4, 40 some percent of the snaps the last Thursday game. But, yeah, Logan Wilson's actually handled it very well. I've heard him speak to the media and he said, like, hey, I'm gonna support these guys. Like, I know they're stepping in and they're playing more than me, but I'm gonna be there. I'm gonna be a leader and support them and answer all their questions. He's doing it the right way. It sounds like behind the scenes, but I don't know.
- [66:09]
Pat McAfee
Ty, AJ's saying he's doing it the right way. Who's it sound like over there? Yeah, Cincinnati.
- [66:16]
Ty Schmidt
It sounds. It sounds an awful. A lot like Trey Hendrickson. And it sounds like we have a new budding Squeak Scolari situation in Cincinnati. I don't love it. But, hey, listen, the proof's in the pudding.
- [66:28]
Pat McAfee
If you disrespect me or offend me 15 to 16 more times, I'm done with it. This is. I understand where Logan's coming from, and I appreciate you saying doing it the right way. And I view. I mean, I guess I used to view it the same way.
- [66:45]
A.J. Hawk
I say sorry being a good teammate to the guys who are the young rookies who are stepping. He's not a dick to them, which is very natural if that did happen.
- [66:52]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. And that's like him as a human, which I think we try to say the right way because we've been in there and it's like, hey, you don't need to be a distraction. But the right way, seemingly, in these situations is never the. The right answer to get something done. Like you. You always. You. You seemingly have to be just a terrible prick.
- [67:10]
A.J. Hawk
Unfortunately, that is the case, isn't it? It does feel that way.
- [67:12]
Pat McAfee
And I hate that. I hate that that's the case because you and me both say, like, hey, Trey Hendrickson's doing it the right way here. Okay? He's trying to be above board here. He's trying to be good to the rookies. He understands his value. He's going in there talking to media. He's not really burying anybody. Owner comes out to Trey Hendrickson and says, at some point, these guys just got to be thankful they're getting offered any money. Yeah, okay. And then Trey goes, oh, that's a. They say there. We say ours. I still think there's a. You know, he's doing it the right way. He's doing it the right way. He's doing it the. They give him $13 million more. I assume at this point, Logan Wilson requests a trade, and Trey Hendrickson looks at him and goes, join the club. But you. You think we want to play here? Yeah. Right. And then publicly, unless you're, like, the loudest and the worst of all time, I don't think it's going to sway anybody, including the Cincinnati Bengals, you know, and the Bengals have just been kind of steadfast on all this, how this all goes. AJ More news coming out of the NFL. Sean Payton says, whoa.
- [68:09]
Tone
That'S not.
- [68:12]
Pat McAfee
That was that tweet. That tweet's about me. I was. Is that what happened? I don't think I know the full context of this one. Tone Diggs, what did Sean Payton come out and say about the Russell Wilson presser that Russell Wilson certainly responded to for the first time in the history of Russell Wilson being Russell Wilson.
- [68:28]
Tone
Yeah. He basically said that this was all about Jackson Dart, and complimenting Jackson Dart had. Had nothing to do with Russell Wilson. That's not. Obviously not how Russell Wilson took it. I don't know if I believe Sean or not based on their past, but, you know, I bet some people do think he was just talking positive about Jackson Dart. I am not one of those people that does.
- [68:47]
Connor
Nope.
- [68:48]
Pat McAfee
Here's. Here's him talking about the situation.
- [68:52]
Mike McCarthy
I did look in the euphoria, the way that game unfolded is that was strictly about dart.
- [69:02]
Pat McAfee
I mean, and I.
- [69:05]
Mike McCarthy
That was in no way, shape, or form anything that was directed at Russ, so.
- [69:14]
Pat McAfee
And I might be able to see.
- [69:15]
Mike McCarthy
How he might perceive that coming off that win and watching how he played.
- [69:24]
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
- [69:24]
Mike McCarthy
That. That wasn't any intention at all.
- [69:29]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Yeah. So listen, I'm putting somebody up. It doesn't mean I'm burying somebody. I mean, it's certainly. I guess I re. Listened to it. Yeah. I could see how he. Rising tides, the euphoria, the. Oh, it Was, yeah, I. This is all right, enough.
- [69:48]
Tone
I was talking about him.
- [69:49]
A.J. Hawk
That's what he said.
- [69:49]
Pat McAfee
You know what I was, hey, that's next week. That's next week. Coming out after something where he goes, I know how you all thought I said something last week. I like let you know I'm doing that right now. This guy so much better than that guy. I can't take it. Sean Payton has a little pizzazz been in the media. Obviously he understands how this all works. But I think the reason why it's such a big story is because Russell Wilson did something that is very abnormal for Mr. He did a little bear as opposed to something that kind of feeds the Internet to bury him. So a little bit out of character from the Russell Wilson. And you know, he's always let's ride the high road. And we have told him, I think over the past he needs to stop doing that. He needs to start, you know, letting people know that this is not okay the way they talk about him. I like him talking him his shit a lot.
- [70:35]
A.J. Hawk
AJ I do too. I like these three emojis. How would you describe those right there at the end?
- [70:40]
Connor
How about Bruce retweeting and favoring this thing as quickly as possible when it first.
- [70:46]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. The favorites. The likes is an interesting now's not.
- [70:51]
A.J. Hawk
Time for this company.
- [70:51]
Connor
No, no.
- [70:52]
Pat McAfee
But the views as well. But the likes going private. The views obviously indicate that it's been seen by a lot of people. How long has it been seen by somebody to pop on a feed? Who knows? 5.3000 people say I want to revisit this. And we'd like to let Russell Wilson know that anytime you want to let these off, brother, we are here for it. And I say still believe in my heart of hearts that Scatter Boo Jackson dart and D ball were sitting around, saw the video go like this to Russell Wilson play. You hear what he he's talking about you, buddy. And then Scatter Boo goes, you know, and Jackson Dart says this ain't how we roll. And then day ball goes no quarterback on my team is just going to be taking shots from a coach on another team. We, we. And I think there was a potential motivation around Russell Wilson be like, hey, just one time, dude, just one time, will you fight for yourself and stand up for yourself? So I'd like to tell Russell Wilson, we hope this is a new era.
- [71:51]
Connor
We hope this is a new era. Oh yeah. Russ.
- [71:54]
Pat McAfee
Let'S talk about football a little bit. Getting better. You know, the dynamic kickoff last year was Supposed to be the big savior of special teams. But they adjusted the 35 yard line touchback drive start vertical to the 30 yard drive start after a touchback. And we thought the 35 yard line rule was a good one. When they moved it to 30, I think everybody that knows special teams was like, this ain't going to change the kickoff much. This year offseason they moved to 35. Thank God they did that. These numbers are in crazy. 79.3% of kickoffs have been returned. That's 877 of a thousand. 1100 up from 31.7% last year. Whenever they made the little bit of adjustment, which was obviously actually up obviously immensely from the year prior to that highest return rate. In 19 years there have been 32. That's back whenever the kickoff was at the 30 and they were kicking brand new balls, I believe so balls weren't easily as pumped through the end zone so people were forced to return them. There have been 32 returns of at least 40 yards, which is the most through Week 7 since 2012. And there have been the most kickoff returns and kick return yards and second highest kick return average through week seven in NFL history. I don't want to do McCarthy McCarthy's job. That one in the bottom leads the way most in NFL history. All the ones that are kind of most since you kind of put those towards the bottom. McCarthy, let's lead the storyline at the top for most in NFL history. Whenever we're putting out these bullet points. On that note, they were talking about how many games, how many thousands of plays did they say were going to be added when they were dreaming this up a year ago, whenever we were talking to Riz in the special.
- [73:20]
Connor
Yeah, 1500. 2000, I thought is what the number was.
- [73:23]
Pat McAfee
I guess somewhere in there that was the selling point. AJ and now it's kind of coming to fruition here. Good thing or bad thing for the NFL especially because we've seen the end of some of these games with kickers hitting the ball fat and it hitting the ground before the landing zone, then a 40 yard line drive start whenever it really matters. So some people are saying, wait, there's more pressure and more influence on kickers in the game. What are your thoughts on it, A.J. now that we've kind of gone through it a little bit?
- [73:47]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, I think it's good it took something. I mean we, the old style kickoff looked better. When you run in, you have, you know, they're, they're gaining ground, 40, 50 yards and they're Hitting each other. But there was like the fact that there's way more returns, that it's, it's better, it's good for the league. I understand the, you know, the aspect of the player safety and they claim there's less concussions. I'm not sure how all that works, but I, I think it's great. It makes it a play. And now even like till. Even if you're up, like it's still a thing. Like you're. How is it going to Dicker last night picked one.
- [74:15]
Connor
Yes.
- [74:15]
A.J. Hawk
Donged off the calf of one of his guys in the front line. The guy named know it. So that it's always a thing. It can always happen.
- [74:21]
Connor
It's wild and that's what's cool. Like it puts more emphasis on kickers now. Like now the kicking itself is more difficult. Like we've seen games end because, you know, kickers haven't been able to get it all the way through and guys have returned it during a vital time when you know, a two minute warning or anything. But Pat, do you think kickers are going to be practicing now more than the kids practicing for the Vanderbilt kick tomorrow? Or do you think that is more so one of those things the punters.
- [74:45]
Pat McAfee
Will just have to do a massive respect to the Vandy kids practicing their kick for the kicking contest this weekend. That's an interesting little wrinkle being added. They got a kicker out there training these kids on how to kick. Now granted, I will say this. Even if the guys or girls that kick are like actual ball kickers, making that kick with that amount of money, with the amount of people around them is kind of the part of it all. But I appreciated them doing that. Now back to the kickers hitting. The punters need to start working on the squibs to be hitting the kickoffs into the landing zone. I think that's going to be the next development we're about to see with this entire kickoff. But Ty, you tell me. It's very similar to having to throw a strike in baseball. Like kickers, at the end of a game you have to basically put the ball in play and you have to go cover a kick. This guy might have been signed to your team literally on Thursday or Friday. He's going to be running down there to try to win you a divisional game on a kickoff and he has has to make a play and if he peaks one way or another, it's a touchdown going back. That's basically what they wanted out of this kickoff though. They wanted more electricity. They Wanted more excitement. But at the end of games, Ty, it's very similar to baseball, right?
- [75:49]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [75:49]
Pat McAfee
Feel like that.
- [75:50]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, for sure. It's the same thing as like if the bases are loaded, you have, you have no choice but to throw to the guy, you know, like because if you do anything they're going to score a run or it's a situation where if it's like the bottom half of the last thing, you know, the most in important time of the game, you don't have a choice, you don't have a free base. And that's also what I like. What I feel like I've kind of noticed with some of these kicks at the end of the game, like if a team scores a touchdown to maybe take a, a three or like a seven point lead, a lot of times they won't even try to do the squib anymore. Like they, they will just boot it deep because they, they are, it's not either they don't have a guy who's capable of landing it in the landing zone or they're just worried that something is going to go catastrophic and you still end, end up. I feel like it's happened so many times. You take that lead, they get the ball in the 35 and then you're kind of playing prevent a little bit and then with before you know it like the other team is either in the red zone with an opportunity to score with a little bit of time left like it is, it's really changing how teams approach the end of the game.
- [76:51]
Connor
Yeah. And they're already talking about just kicking the ball out of bounds. Yeah. Like never has there ever been like hey, just turn left and do the worst possible thing on a kickoff, kick it out of bounds. And now that's become damn near a strategy if there's you know, 205 left or something.
- [77:03]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah. College still does the, the old school kickoff. So it's fun to turn on Saturdays and see him running and covering. And I believe one, you know the greatest college football coach of all time has just sat down with Pat.
- [77:13]
Connor
Yeah.
- [77:13]
Pat McAfee
There you are gentlemen. The goat in the toughest environment in the sec. His words, not mine. Ladies and gentlemen, Coach Nixon.
- [77:23]
Connor
Coach.
- [77:26]
Pat McAfee
Coach. Obviously the story of you talking about Vandy a couple years back on this particular program took on a life of its own because what Vandy would go on to become and what they are now, 130 million dollar renovation is brand new stadium. They opened up in August. How does it feel to be here and understanding that this Vandy football team Is for real and also feels like they're invested for the future down here, which is abnormal for the sec, obviously.
- [77:47]
Nick Saban
Yeah, well, there's no question about it. I mean, that wasn't there when I was the last time. Time I was here. This wasn't here. The basketball arena wasn't there. So they have made a commitment and it's working and I think it's good for the league. And I have picked against them time and time again and I want everybody out there to know that I am a Jo. You know what that means? I'm jumping on the bandwagon.
- [78:12]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Yeah, Coach. Yeah, Jo. Could be jack off or jag or Jag. There's a lot of J and O. You know, there's jerk as well. I mean, there's a lot that could kind of.
- [78:24]
Nick Saban
I define my J.
- [78:28]
Pat McAfee
Yes, you did. That was smart. That was good play. That was good EQ sense of awareness. A lot of people jumping on their bandwagon here. Mizzou also very good football team. Game day here for Vandy. Mizzou seemingly very improbable, but with the nil and transfer portal, all these teams have a chance to make big time leaps in their talent level, especially if they have supportive kind of boosters. What have you seen from Vandy? What have you seen from Mizzou and what are your thoughts on that as a whole?
- [78:53]
Nick Saban
Yeah, well, I think that the culture of college football now, relative to no guardrails, gives places like this the opportunity if they want to make a commitment, which they did here, not only in the facilities, but they have a competitive, you know, collective where they have a chance to get some of these players in. They made some academic adjustments where they can get some transfers in that are freshmen, sophomores or graduates. So they've done the things that they needed to do to have a competitive program and it's paid off for them. And, you know, I still say this all the time. This is a great academic institution, but the window that people look at this institution is really going to be a lot through the athletic program. And there's no way that they can get more exposure than having game day here and playing in a big game like they did last week against LSU and they're going to do this week against Missouri.
- [79:50]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Diego Pavia feels like a guy who's ready for the moment. Same with Coach Lee. Good for them. Happy for them. You talked about how, you know, you got to be able to live up to the hype. Live up to the hype. Can't be a flash in the pan, they're the faces of like kind of creating a whole new culture overnight alongside Indiana as well. What is different, you think, between those two particular programs as opposed to people that have used nil and been good and then got bad? Why do you think these two have been kind of sustainable here for the first couple years?
- [80:17]
Nick Saban
Well, I, I think that first of all, you know, Kirk Signetti's done a really good job of. You know, everybody uses the term rat poison, but he's done a good job of controlling the spotlight on his team and keeping his guys focused. You know, the more distractions you have, the more fragile psychologically your people become in terms of their ability to sustain success. Consistency in performance defines success to me, not just having one successful game or season or whatever. And he's done a really good job of that. I think this is still the question mark for Vanderbilt. You know, can they deal with the flash? You know, can they deal with the success? I saw signs at Alabama when they played a couple weeks ago down there. You were there where that wasn't the case. So can they do that? Did they learn their lesson there and can they finish this season strong, which if they do, they're going to have a chance possibly to get. Get in the playoffs.
- [81:17]
Pat McAfee
Boys. Coach was so pissed that Diego was practicing victory victory formation at war. So pissed. It was.
- [81:28]
A.J. Hawk
It is a weird thing to practice warm ups.
- [81:30]
Connor
You understand that?
- [81:30]
Pat McAfee
Look at it right now. He's shaking his head. He's about to.
- [81:32]
Connor
What's that about?
- [81:33]
Nick Saban
Coach, I. I love Diego, but that would have been a catastrophic player coach relationship moment before the game. I mean, I never wanted our players to ever do anything. I didn't even let them talk to the other team. I never wanted them to do anything that was going to affect the other team's motivation to beat us. So don't ever say anything. Don't ever give anybody a reason. They got enough reason to want to beat us. Don't give them anymore.
- [82:05]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, everybody wants Bama brother. And the reason is because the way you were able to kind of psychologically put your boys into positions to success for so, so damn long and everybody does it differently. Diego has certainly captured the entire world by storm. And us talking to him last week, he seems like he is just continuing to more mature every single week and get used to it. Absolute dog, though. I. He is an absolute dog. I'm very appreciative of him in college football. Tone has a question for you. Back in a Thunderdome.
- [82:33]
Tone
Yeah, Coach, there are a lot of jobs Openings already this year, and there's a lot of pros and cons to every single job opening. If you are a coach that is, you know, being lured in by these schools, what do you look for? What is most important to coaches when they go to these schools? Is it nil? Is it recruiting base? Is it the AD and president and support of the school? Is it, you know, facilities? There's so much that goes into these coaching, or is it where you're from, is it your alma mater? Stuff like, like that. What do these coaches look and what do they value most when they're looking at potentially going to a new school that's offering them?
- [83:08]
Nick Saban
Well, where you're from has nothing to do with it. But all of the other things that you mentioned absolutely do. And, and I think that the most important thing when you take a job is how do you establish the ground rules going in? All right, you got all these people given money so that you can pay players. But, but does that come with them having some influence on what happens in the program and how you coach your team and how you coach the players and all that? So, you know, to me, when I took a job, I said, okay, this is how it's going to be. I'm not listening to the board of trustees. They're not telling me who to recruit, they're not telling me who to play. I mean, I'm not. So understand that going in and go tell them before I take the job, because I'm not listening to that bullshit. All right, so that was that, because I didn't want to have to deal with that. So you need to set the ground rules for all those things. What is name, image and likeness going to be like here? How is our administration going to be evolved? What's the academic circumstance that you're going to support so that we don't have issues when it comes to academics? Facilities are important. They're not as important as they used to be because you, you could have the nicest facilities in the world, but if you don't have any money to play, pay the players, they're not coming. So all those things are factors, but I think establishing the ground rules before you get there is the most important thing.
- [84:31]
Pat McAfee
Can't be house poor, huh? You're saying the facilities used to matter, but now if we're going to do 45 million in the facilities or 35 million into the players, let's go ahead and feed these players.
- [84:41]
Nick Saban
Feed the players.
- [84:42]
Pat McAfee
If we can do both, Feed the beast. Yeah, let's certainly do that feed the stud brother. Yeah, that isn't a bad strategy actually across any of the parties. You said being from somewhere maybe shouldn't factor in as much as it has Clark. You know, here he is, Vandy guy, and there's a lot of quotes of him talking about becoming the number one program in the country. I think Kenny Dillingham also, he's very proud to be from the Valley over there at Arizona State. Some of these jobs, though are about to make some pretty crazy offers, right? Wouldn't you think? Florida, Penn State, there's obviously huge jobs on the horizon that are going to be available. Virginia Tech just said they're putting in 229 million into. It feels like there's going to be a lot of big time numbers for some of these coaches. Do you agree with that?
- [85:19]
Nick Saban
I absolutely agree with that. I think there'll be some huge numbers. But I also think that some of the guys that you mentioned, you know, Clark being here, you know, Kenny being at Arizona State, they probably understood how to set the ground rules and what the place needed to do because they had previous experience here, which probably helped them set the table for what they needed to do in the future.
- [85:44]
Pat McAfee
Got it.
- [85:45]
Nick Saban
My point was, just because you're from someplace doesn't mean it's going to help you win. But I think if you have knowledge and they're willing to make a commitment to doing those things, then you got a chance.
- [85:56]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, there's a man standing right over there. We're talking about how much money these coaches are going to get. Somebody else is gonna be getting a little bit of cash off all these deals too. You know, Big Deluxe is over there wearing his white khakis. We're in his town right now. You know, he lives in one of these penthouses. I don't know which one it is, but there's gonna be a new one on the way with this new job opening. You know, Penn State and Florida. Geez Louise, there's gonna be a lot of money in Jimmy Sexton's pockets in about a week.
- [86:22]
Nick Saban
You know, I want to stay retired and I do not want him anywhere near near Ms. Terry, because when she hears some of these numbers, she gets interested. And I am interested.
- [86:36]
Pat McAfee
That was last week. I believe that was last week. Whenever the question in the grab bag was, who's going to be the next coach of Penn State? And it was just so easy because everybody on the Internet had put you there. Penn Staters were like, penn State needs to go to Nick Saban and say any number that he wants. So then we bring in, obviously, Ms. Terry, the boss, and she goes, I haven't heard a number you. And I was like, oh, wait a minute. That just made athletic directors out there go, okay. Oh, that wasn't a complete. No there. That was a. We could kind of work with this at this stage. Okay.
- [87:06]
Nick Saban
No way.
- [87:07]
Pat McAfee
All right.
- [87:09]
Nick Saban
I have so much fun working with. Go do that.
- [87:13]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. I mean, you would potentially do that because maybe one of these places has a never ending supply of money and boy, they would like to win. So I think there is a. There's a chance that that's on the horizon. Let's continue to talk a little bit more about ball. AJ Has a question for you, Coach.
- [87:28]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, Coach, There's a lot of good games this weekend. One I think maybe flying under the radar. Michigan traveling to Michigan State. I know you were. You coached at Michigan State for a while.
- [87:36]
Pat McAfee
What do you.
- [87:36]
A.J. Hawk
What is that rivalry like? I know I've seen the clips of guys coming out pregame and, you know, turfing up the, the logo, all that kind of stuff. How do you think that goes and what was it like being in the middle of that?
- [87:47]
Nick Saban
Well, you know, I think these rivalry games sometimes have a little imbalance in terms of what it means to one school versus another. And let me explain. You know, the Michigan, Ohio State game probably for the Michigan players is huge. The Michigan State, Michigan game for the Michigan State players is the huge game because, you know, they're sort of the not the most talked about school in the state. So they got a lot to prove. Some of them probably would have liked to gone to school at Michigan. They ended up at Michigan State. So there's a lot for them to try to prove in a game like this. But I do think, and I was very impressed with the way Michigan played last week against Washington on both sides of the ball. So in Michigan State struggled of late, but I tell you, there's been some huge upsets in this series in the past, and it's always an interesting game.
- [88:38]
Pat McAfee
Talk about that one side views the right rivalry a little bit bigger than the other side. It's natural, especially with how many rivalries there are in college ball. But I think you've talked about your Alabama team there being a couple games that maybe it's harder to get your boys to believe that this is a rivalry than maybe some other games and the other team is the biggest game of their season. How do you kind of adjust that with your squad?
- [88:56]
Nick Saban
Yeah, well, that was always a little bit of an issue. As time went on, you know, at Alabama, because to. It's generational with the Alabama folks, but a lot of people see Tennessee is the big rivalry at Alabama. This generation sees Auburn that way. And then LSU became such a big rivalry game because they were always so good and we were always pretty good. And that game had such significance in terms of we played late in the season and whoever won was going to win the SEC or whatever. So it became harder and harder and harder when you have multiple, like rivalry games to get the players to focus on all of them the way you'd like for them to. Knowing that the other team, like Auburn was always going to be ready to play us.
- [89:40]
Pat McAfee
Yeah.
- [89:41]
Nick Saban
So especially when we played there.
- [89:43]
Pat McAfee
So everybody wanted Bama, brother.
- [89:45]
Nick Saban
Everybody still do.
- [89:47]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Still. They are still chanting we won Bama because of what you were running there. At what point did you realize like, oh, we are the mountain, basically. Is that after your. Your fish national? When?
- [89:58]
Nick Saban
No.
- [89:59]
Pat McAfee
What year is it? The fourth, the third? When do you realize like, oh, we are the mountain. That literally everybody is.
- [90:05]
Nick Saban
I think we went. We. We won in nine, 11 and 12. You know, when we won three out of four years and the 10 team might have been better than the other teams and they didn't get in the playoffs because we lost three games, we had such complacency. But I think from that time on it was like you were just disgusted with the play we were going to get. We were going to get everybody's best game.
- [90:26]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you certainly were.
- [90:27]
Nick Saban
But. But if you could get the other team to run their mouth, that was helpful in motivating your team.
- [90:31]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, we talked about the Vandy situation here.
- [90:33]
Nick Saban
No doubt.
- [90:34]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, you certainly need that. I couldn't even imagine just trying to figure out how do I keep the boys motivated when we are supposed to steamroll everybody. And everybody is looking up at us because any given Saturday, I mean, college football much more than the NFL any team can get, any team, especially now with kind of the parity within NFL nil. A couple good players and a couple good positions. Wrong Saturday, which tomorrow could be. Actually, let's pivot away from that and let's talk a little bit about the story that's kind of captivating all of sports right now. You as a coach, obviously, with college, this is a big part of it. Go ahead, Ty.
- [91:06]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, Coach. The NCAA recently okayed all three divisions to have their athletes and coaches be able to bet on professional games. And I think, you know, immediately people kind of think, well, it's a slippery Slope. You know, these kids know a lot of kids at other schools, and not saying that the integrity of the game will be compromised, but you could see how it starts as, hey, you're only supposed to bet on professional sports, and then eventually that kind of seeps into college. As a coach, how would you address this whole situation with not only your players, your staff, and ultimately, do you see this being like a very, very slippery slope for college athletics as a whole and kind of ripe for a scandal?
- [91:48]
Nick Saban
Yeah, I think there's no question about it. And you know, Pat and I were talking about this before, but anytime that you have something that is legal, that is against the rules in your sport, so gambling is legalized, but yet from an NCAA standpoint, players can't gamble on college games now. But that becomes the most difficult circumstance to try to control as a coach. And we went to great lengths. I mean, I talked about it, but I had the FBI guy come in and tell them how they could get caught and how they would get technically how they could, you know, follow the gambling line and all that, especially if they did it on their phone. And then I had Francesi Michael francisi was. Is the only mafia boss that they didn't kill when he was in jail. And then he got hired to go speak everywhere.
- [92:43]
Pat McAfee
Oh yeah, we know Francis.
- [92:44]
Nick Saban
Yeah, I would bring him in and he would scare the players to death. Like, you know, you. You know, you might. You might get shot someday if you do the wrong thing. So he would just scare him about how. How bad it was to get involved with people in gambling and how they could force you to do things you really didn't want to do. So we did a lot of things to try to make the players aware that this could be a huge problem for them and how it could affect them and their career, which, you know, to what we were talking about before. And this is no different. I became very much a guy that talked less about team and more about individuals thinking that, you know, players are selfish, they're self absorbed, and they're in ambitious. So how do I take advantage of that? And I would talk to them about all this behavioral stuff that could help them and enhance their value and all the behavioral stuff that actually could kill them. And this was one of those things. But they took that part of it better when you made it about them and how it would affect them, rather than just talking about the team.
- [93:49]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Personal stuff. Scared straight seemingly has worked for a long time. I wish they would do another kind of round of that one with actual Prisoners and bad kids. They always created good content. Francis came and talked to us as well. Did you know about his gasoline scheme?
- [94:02]
Nick Saban
Oh, yeah. That was brilliant. Brilliant.
- [94:04]
Pat McAfee
Unbelievable brilliant.
- [94:06]
Nick Saban
For somebody that used to pump gas. I was trying to figure. How could I figure this out?
- [94:11]
Pat McAfee
He was scraping just pennies off of every single gallon. By the time they were about to catch him, he was at another place. They were already gone. He was, like, taking. It was a great loop pole. We're talking helicopters into the city. This guy's got Ferraris. Lambos. Probably would have bought them from you if this time was happening. Yeah, we know Francis pretty good. Francis has been a little bit of Internet beef, you know, with other mob bosses in the past. But anytime you can kind of hear from the source about what the possible outcomes are, that's obviously a little something that can maybe make you act a little certain way. That's why I think the FBI and I think even the NBA and all the leagues are probably going to want really heavy punishments for this. We got to set a precedent. Like, hey, this ain't good. Not just the NBA. This is for all sports right now in the world that we're in right now, like, this is a. This is a huge deal. We can't give up the integrity of the sports because then everything's gone. Sports are gone, leagues gone, sports, gambling. Everything is gone. If the integrity of the game starts getting questioned, have it.
- [94:58]
Nick Saban
I agree 100%. You are so right.
- [95:01]
Pat McAfee
I want to let you know, I played a lot of those poker games. We need cash. We need cash. Not to be stupid around. Okay. I don't know. What if he's in Pittsburgh in the early 2000s, but cash. I hope you just kind of missed that. The poker game one was crazy. Yeah.
- [95:17]
Nick Saban
I mean, I can't even figure that out. How could you cheat in a poker game? I know how you can deal the cards off the bottom and all that, but using AI Is that how they did it?
- [95:26]
Pat McAfee
So that we had Matt Berkey on, who's a professional poker player in the first hour, because the Internet was starting to run with a lot of different. They were saying, like, there was an X ray machine in the table underneath the felt and everything. It wasn't that. I think there was. There was a potential camera that was maybe on the. On the table that was maybe showcasing what a card was coming, which is obviously big for hold' Em because there's a turn and a river coming. So if that was happening, then that would mean the dealer was on the take as well. Because the dealer would be showing the cards. Then there's also potential paint that they put on the outside of the decks if they were able to get the decks in there. And if you have contacts lenses, you can see the top of the deck. So I don't think they had X rays, but I think they were using other things to certainly cheat. But, yeah, that is like, going to that extent to screw people over is obviously disgusting.
- [96:05]
Nick Saban
No, it is. I mean, you know, we have games so people can enjoy games, and it's not worth it to not play by the rules because that's what makes the competition fair. And, you know, the honesty that goes into it not only built character, but it makes you feel good about earning the success that you had doing it the right way.
- [96:25]
Pat McAfee
Agreed. Aj, do you hear that? Maybe you should think about that when you play Gor. You cheating piece of trash.
- [96:30]
A.J. Hawk
Never use any technology. Never use any technology. I'm a great teammate. I can communicate with my teammate when I'm playing Euchre.
- [96:36]
Pat McAfee
You guys, Just because you're mute, you got.
- [96:39]
Nick Saban
You almost got to be from Ohio to play Euchre. We played Euchre when I was at Kent State. I never heard of it in West.
- [96:44]
Pat McAfee
Virginia, in Pittsburgh, I never heard of it. And then I get out to Indiana. I play great game. Do you still play or.
- [96:49]
Nick Saban
No, no, not like.
- [96:50]
Pat McAfee
Okay, well, if you play and you miss Terry play. Do not play. Aj, he cheats. This guy's a cheat.
- [96:55]
Connor
Like a son of a.
- [96:56]
A.J. Hawk
Not even close.
- [96:56]
Pat McAfee
Coach knows AJ's a great partner. That's awesome, Foxy. Yeah. You guys are dealing weird and talking loud.
- [97:06]
A.J. Hawk
Look at my hands. You think I could deal weird with my fingers in my hands, but I cannot deal weird. I wish I could cheat on deal. I would. I would deal from the bottom if someone would teach me.
- [97:15]
Pat McAfee
Now, on that note, my wife also is a bender of the rules when it comes to cards. I. I play by the rules, okay? Now, do I know the game better? Better than you potentially? Do I know a rule that you don't know that exists potentially? We can Google it if you'd like to, but, boy, it is great whenever you win and beat the cheaters like A.J. hawk, coach, to everything you're saying, little fulfillment, little gratification, a little, hey, this is how the game's supposed to be played. The card gods have blessed me. And now, you know, Chauncey's gonna find out. The other card gods will certainly affect you. We're waiting on it to happen to aj, Hawk and Euchre. That is what we are waiting for, that to happen.
- [97:47]
Nick Saban
That surprises me. I always held AJ in high.
- [97:52]
A.J. Hawk
You see? You see how a little bit of misinformation can really skew your gumpy.
- [97:56]
Tone
When you put this gumpy, when you put this clip out, make sure you tag the FBI.
- [98:01]
A.J. Hawk
Okay.
- [98:02]
Connor
Cash.
- [98:02]
Pat McAfee
Yes. Cash Patel. Cash Patel.
- [98:04]
Tone
On it.
- [98:04]
Pat McAfee
AJ Hawk is cheating in euchre arrested.
- [98:07]
Ty Schmidt
Piece of.
- [98:09]
Pat McAfee
Get him out of here. Get him out of here. Now, there's some stories coming out about the old teams that you have. I assume it's nice to go take a trip down memory lane called. Connor has a question for you, coach.
- [98:18]
Connor
Yeah, coach, one of your Heisman winners, Devonta Smith, was on the Closed on Sundays show with Pat Certain and Terrion Arnold. And he basically told a story about how when it was Jerry Judy, one of our favorite players across the board, Devonta Smith, Jalen Waddle, and Henry Ruggs. He actually told a story about how you basically went up to either the players or the OC at the time. And he talked about how, you know, hey, you would tell them, hey, you guys got to stop scoring so quick because you're catching one ball, you're running 80 yards, scoring a touchdown, and then basically our defense is dying because they just played their asses off and now they got to go back out on the field. How many times did that happen to you where your team was that good, where you had to basically tell the players, hey, you know, I preach, you know, stay locked in and play as hard as you can. But right now, I can't have you play as hard as you can because if you do, the other side of the ball is screwed. Did that happen often? And when the OCS did get the word from you, not the negotiation, the ass chewing, I'm assuming, just basically, hey, you better run the ball or your ass is out of here. Lane Kiffin. What was that kind of like when your teams were that dominant?
- [99:34]
Nick Saban
No, I love it when we had those kind of skill guys that could score fast and make big plays. But, you know, there is a strategic side to all that because, you know, understand we came from run the ball, play good defense. Our defense is probably in the top five for the first five or six years. We ran the ball. Derrick Henry had some great backs and all that. We shrunk the game, played good defense well. We changed over to take advantage of the rules. RPOs, throwing the ball behind the line of scrimmage, blocking downfield, all those things. When Lane came and hired Lane with the idea that we were going to change because we needed to score more points. But when you go no huddle and you score more points, you play more plays on defense. So that was a psychological change for our whole team that we were going to win the game 44 to 40 sometimes, you know, not 19 to 6. All right, so. And it was also a little bit of a change for us, even me, that sometimes when the defense got tired and we scored fast on offense, that they had to go right back out there. There were times, strategically, we needed to just keep the ball a little bit on offense and. But I'll take the great players and the speed, and those four guys were great players, and they had great speed, and we could score fast. And I might have tried to get them to score a little slower, but I'd rather have that issue and have the other issue and not have any speed and not be able to score.
- [100:55]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I would assume it'd be nice to have to put a governor on your offense. You know, hey, we got to slow us down a little bit. We got a. We got at least have four plays before we score a touchdown, as opposed to having a team that can't score.
- [101:05]
Nick Saban
You know, the 2019 team had all those guys on it. When Tua got hurt, that may have been one of the best teams that we ever had. And when Tua got hurt, you know, we lost to Auburn with Mack playing when he probably wasn't quite ready, you know, to play. But that was one of the best teams we ever had, and they never even got in the playoffs.
- [101:22]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, that's the thing about college ball. You got to get lucky in a lot of different ways. I'm lucky that I get a chance to sit next to you. The boys and I are lucky that we get a chance to chat with you. And how do you feel about the vi? I'll tell you what. I'm not gonna say it.
- [101:36]
Ty Schmidt
Say it.
- [101:36]
Connor
Tell them.
- [101:37]
Tone
Might as well.
- [101:39]
Pat McAfee
Hasn't been a lot of buzz around campus.
- [101:45]
Tone
What?
- [101:45]
Pat McAfee
I thought it was going the other way. Way n. I, I, I saw the kickers kicking, and I thought it was what it was going to be. And maybe I'm just on a part of the camp. I was on a part of the campus that doesn't have humans. Okay, I'm. I'm going through. There was nothing. I didn't. Gumps, please. Gumpy, please. You're with me.
- [102:00]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [102:01]
Tone
There's nothing.
- [102:01]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, there was. We might have been in wrong parts. I'm gonna search for it. I'm gonna look for it. Certainly look for it? Yeah, I think so. Down on Broadway.
- [102:09]
Nick Saban
Yeah, it is. I. I was going to ask the question. Is it possible that that were in class which you may have not done at West Virginia?
- [102:16]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Don't ask dumb questions. Coach Gez. There is a chance they were in class. I so I gotta now.
- [102:22]
Tone
You're right.
- [102:22]
Pat McAfee
I didn't even think about that. That's part of the problem. That's part of the problem. I apologize, Vandy. I can't wait to experience tomorrow. I've heard it's going to be electrifying. Coach, you're the best. Ladies and gentlemen, the Goat. Coach Saban. Yeah.
- [102:34]
A.J. Hawk
Thank you, Coach.
- [102:37]
Matt Berkey
You ever show up late to the.
- [102:38]
Pat McAfee
Game and your friends already saved your seat, your drink, even a play, that's.
- [102:42]
Matt Berkey
Looking out, that's having your back. And that's exactly what AT&T does with.
- [102:47]
Pat McAfee
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.
- [102:58]
Matt Berkey
Just like that friend who takes care.
- [102:59]
Pat McAfee
Of things before you even ask.
- [103:01]
Matt Berkey
AT&T connecting changes everything.
- [103:04]
Pat McAfee
Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comguarantee for details. This is Kevin Clark for Manscaped.
- [103:11]
Ty Schmidt
Fellas, it's time to step up your grooming game.
- [103:15]
Mike McCarthy
All right? I do this show three times a week. Every single time, I have to take grooming very, very seriously. Look back in the archives, guys. Look back and see the awful mustache I was trying to trot out last spring. I hate it. The other day I recirculated an interview with Drake May.
- [103:35]
Pat McAfee
I wanted to CGI it.
- [103:36]
Ty Schmidt
I wanted to CGI the mustache and out.
- [103:39]
Pat McAfee
I wanted to AI it.
- [103:40]
Mike McCarthy
I couldn't. The mustache was there. And now I've got a nice little stubble, perfect length. Going to have this for the rest of my life. Okay? Very, very, very important.
- [103:52]
Pat McAfee
It's a part of confidence. It's a part of looking good. It's a part of being on TV. Manscape just leveled up with the Lawnmower 5 and the Chairman.
- [104:01]
Mike McCarthy
Plus two powerhouses built for unmatched precision, comfort and control. Whether you're cleaning up before a night out, preparing for a big meal meeting, we're getting ready for game day. Manscaped has the tools to help you look and feel your absolute best. These aren't your old school clippers. They're engineered for modern men who take pride in their daily routine. So upgrade your grooming gear and experience the difference. And now you can find Manscaped products at your local Walmart.
- [104:29]
A.J. Hawk
I know There's a bunch of good games. I know. We have a college football slate. There we go. Look at you guys. Already potting up you. Before I even think about it, look out of these games. Ty Schmidt, look at this. Which one's your favorite? Which one would you pinpoint that you're gonna watch the most?
- [104:41]
Ty Schmidt
The one I'm gonna watch the most. I mean, outside of the. Yeah, I'm going to see. Outside of, obviously, Texas, lsu. I am actually pretty excited to watch byu, Iowa State.
- [104:55]
Tone
Oh, I thought you were gonna say, like, hey, why the. Is Iowa not on Iowa in.
- [105:00]
A.J. Hawk
In a Go Go.
- [105:01]
Pat McAfee
Rolling Gopher is not honest.
- [105:02]
Ty Schmidt
No, no, I would say that. But it's actually funny because that game applies to what Coach Saban was talking about, where the rivalry game is much more important to one school than it is the other. So this is the Floyd Rosedale. This is the Floyd Rosedale game.
- [105:14]
Tone
Yes.
- [105:14]
Ty Schmidt
So, you know, it's a big deal.
- [105:15]
A.J. Hawk
But you explain that to people that might not know.
- [105:17]
Pat McAfee
It's a pig.
- [105:17]
Connor
Yeah, it's a big pig.
- [105:19]
Ty Schmidt
The first year Iowa and Minnesota played, the governors put up a pig. An actual live pig they played for.
- [105:24]
A.J. Hawk
I've never heard of this.
- [105:25]
Ty Schmidt
Oh, yeah, it's an awesome trophy. Bruce V. Can pull up the Florida Rosedale. And then after that, they basically realized, hey, pretty hard to get this massive pig from Iowa to Minnesota every single year. Let's just play for a trophy instead. So, yeah, Boom. Floyd Rose.
- [105:40]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, okay. Yes, I have. My bad. I was hoping they still had a live trophy, though.
- [105:43]
Ty Schmidt
Well, I mean, I'm. I'm sure they could, but that's.
- [105:45]
Connor
They slaughter a pig.
- [105:46]
Ty Schmidt
Nobody. Nobody in Iowa. Nobody in Iowa wants a hog from. From Minnesota. Oh, you know, we got Iowa hogs. We don't need Minnesota hogs. Okay. Winning no medals at the Iowa Iowa State Fair.
- [105:57]
A.J. Hawk
I know that from the 4H situation. Pat, I believe you got Saban in the crew. They already departed, I think, but, yeah, here we go. I don't know about you guys.
- [106:05]
Connor
Pat.
- [106:05]
Ty Schmidt
Pat.
- [106:05]
A.J. Hawk
It looks like a green screen a lot. I know we have people moving on the field, but everything else looks almost fake. It looks so nice back there.
- [106:11]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. The lighting department did a great job here, I believe. And obviously the entire production crew, Weeksy and his squad. I appreciate the hell out of you guys. It's been multiple weeks in a row. Absolutely flawless from the group, so we're very, very thankful for them and how they piece this thing together. But, yes. Brand new stadium, brand new everything. It is gorgeous here. I don't know who these jacked dudes are. They're jacked. I don't know if they're a part of the team or not. Very jacked fellas. They've been trying to kick field goals. Haven't made one yet. They've only pulled every one of them.
- [106:39]
Mike McCarthy
What the hell?
- [106:41]
Pat McAfee
I'm not 100% sure. That guy could throw it pretty good, too. It doesn't look like Diego appears to be six Caucasian males, but I am. I appreciate the hospitality. All right, let's make our picks here before we get off espn. AJ Last night, obviously I had the. The charges. You had the Vikings. I'm undefeated, but you can ride alongside of me to maybe a perfect slate. Bronze at New England Patriots. Seven and a half point favorites at home are Mike Vrabel in the boys. Con man. Quick thoughts on this game. Anything we need to know?
- [107:15]
Connor
Yeah, they haven't played a home game in a long time. This will be the first home game in a month. I think they were three straight on the road there, so it's been quite a bit. I expect this to be an atmosphere at least for New England that possibly will kind of hopefully bring them back to when they were very good. They haven't had something to cheer for at home in a while. They lost to the Steelers, I believe, last time they played at home, so. Or they beat the Panthers. But they. They haven't been good at home recently. So I expect Gillette to show out for the new and improved New England Patriots tone.
- [107:46]
Pat McAfee
Seven and a half. Is that the only line you can get?
- [107:48]
Tone
The Patriots minus seven, if you please.
- [107:51]
Pat McAfee
Okay, A.J. who do you like? How do you like it?
- [107:54]
A.J. Hawk
I'm going New England Patriots -7 at home. I mean, we think it's like a revenge game, too, for rapes. Rapes is from kind of in that area. He was on the staff for the Cleveland Browns last year somewhat. Here we go.
- [108:05]
Pat McAfee
All right, Giant. I ride with the Patriots as well. Giants Eagles. Eagles favored by seven and a half at home. Bruce Braun, how do you feel about your team getting seven and a half or getting seven and a half points, especially with the news of them getting fined $200,000 as an organization.
- [108:23]
Nick Saban
Bruce?
- [108:24]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I, I would say that FOFO and 6 should be able to like.
- [108:26]
A.J. Hawk
File a waiver where the unk doesn't.
- [108:28]
Pat McAfee
Apply to those two moving forward.
- [108:31]
Ty Schmidt
But this does kind of feel like.
- [108:33]
Pat McAfee
That spot where perhaps the Giants get their asses kicked. Historically, we're bangs up in our, in our secondary.
- [108:41]
Matt Berkey
We do have the six million Dollar.
- [108:42]
Pat McAfee
Man Graham Gano back.
- [108:44]
Nick Saban
So that.
- [108:44]
Pat McAfee
That's nice. But you know, Jackson Dart is. Is essentially the second coming of Patrick.
- [108:50]
Mike McCarthy
Mahomes thus far, so maybe we got a shot.
- [108:52]
Pat McAfee
Any different lines, Tone?
- [108:54]
Tone
Digs same as last game. There is a seven out there if you prefer the Eagles.
- [108:58]
Pat McAfee
AJ Your thoughts and pick?
- [109:00]
A.J. Hawk
I do prefer the Eagles here at minus seven at home.
- [109:04]
Pat McAfee
Me as well. Let's go to the Niners in the Texans. Obviously a lot of things said about the Texans. They're favored by half at home. Who's starting quarterback there, boys?
- [109:14]
Connor
Ooh, I want to say Brock Purdy.
- [109:16]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, I want to say that as well, but I don't know if it has been confirmed yet.
- [109:20]
Connor
Not sure if he's practiced this week.
- [109:22]
Pat McAfee
Brock Purdy or Mac Jones. Getting two and a half down there in Houston. Houston, tough place to play. Any different lines, Tone?
- [109:29]
Tone
There is. There is a one and a half if you prefer the favorite. All the way up to two and a half.
- [109:35]
Pat McAfee
Okay, AJ who do you like? How do you like it?
- [109:37]
A.J. Hawk
Brock Pie coming back. We saw San Fran run the ball last week.
- [109:43]
Tone
I just looked it up. He did. He was. David Lombardi, who we've had on the program, said another day of spry. Brock Purdy at practice. That was yesterday. So if he's practicing and he's spry, you would assume. Oh, there it is right there.
- [109:55]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah.
- [109:56]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so we got. We got some spryness out of Brock purdy. Go ahead, A.J.
- [110:00]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, he's sprying. As long as use check is in the lineup as well with cmc. Give me the Niners.
- [110:05]
Pat McAfee
I'll take the Niners as well. We're on the same page, AJ. Look at us. Bear Ravens. Lamar Jackson has practiced multiple days in a row. They have not made an official designation. After the buy is when we all thought Lamar Jackson would be back, which is this particular game. Jameson Hensley on the reporting there. Bears obviously looking damn good at this stage of the season and of the Ben Johnson era alongside Caleb Williams. They're getting six and a half in Baltimore, Tone. Is that the only number?
- [110:32]
Tone
It is six and a half across the board.
- [110:34]
Connor
Jeez, that's insane.
- [110:35]
Pat McAfee
Okay. Ty, is there a reason for this that I'm not seeing?
- [110:39]
Connor
No.
- [110:40]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah.
- [110:40]
A.J. Hawk
They assume Lamar's playing, I'm guessing.
- [110:42]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, exactly. Lamar has to explain. But even so, you know, like, just because Lamar's playing with how bad the Ravens have looked and the Bears are quietly, you know, they've been one of the best teams in the NFL over the last couple weeks, so yeah, this is very, very interesting. This feels like a sucker line.
- [110:57]
Pat McAfee
Tell the homie Zito we're all riding with the Bears. It sounds like A.J.
- [111:01]
A.J. Hawk
Yep. Give me the Bears here. You're right.
- [111:03]
Pat McAfee
Jeez. Unbelievable. There's. There's a man named Ari that's watching this show going, yes, yes, yes. More Bears talk. I think all of Chicago feels that way. Bill's at Panthers. Bills favored by seven and a half in Carolina. Any other lines on that one, Tone Diggs?
- [111:23]
Tone
That one is seven or seven and a half.
- [111:26]
Pat McAfee
Okay. Down in Carolina. Carolina got a good football team now. This is the one Connor was saying. Hey, wait, Buffalo's coming out of a bye week. Maybe they'll be slow. Schefter reported the Panthers are listing quarterback Bryce Young is doubtful for Sunday's game versus Buffalo. So that's Andy Dalton, I believe. Still the back.
- [111:44]
Connor
Yeah.
- [111:45]
Pat McAfee
Down there in Carolina, Josh Allen, Andy Dalton. Maybe a revenge game I believe Connor brought up earlier. AJ who do you like? How do you like it?
- [111:52]
A.J. Hawk
If I can get the buffalo beals at minus 7, I will take the Bills. I think this is get back on track game for them.
- [111:58]
Pat McAfee
Okay, give me the Carolina Panthers plus seven and a half down there. Not that the Bills don't win. I just think maybe the Panthers. Nope. Give me the Bills. Give me the Bills.
- [112:08]
Ty Schmidt
Really?
- [112:09]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, I think so. Just in my head, we just came out of the buy and you said they might be slow out of there, but for some reason I just thought Josh Allen coming out of the buy is going to be even better. Like.
- [112:18]
Connor
Yeah, I don't know.
- [112:20]
Pat McAfee
In my head I just saw that. That just literally just went through my head right there.
- [112:24]
Connor
Yeah, I don't know about the. The slowness. I know the offense will fly. I just. Especially with Andy Dalton playing the. The Bills kind of weakness on defense is. Is stopping the run. And they might give Rico Dowdell and Chuba Hubbard 20 carries a pop, but. But seven.
- [112:37]
Pat McAfee
Seven's a good number. You're right. Okay, give me the Panthers plus seven and a half. I'm back on. My first instinct was that I. Oh, no, no, no.
- [112:44]
Connor
Don't do that. Don't do that.
- [112:45]
A.J. Hawk
I'm a trio.
- [112:46]
Pat McAfee
No, no, no, no. Panthers. I'm on the Panthers as my first pick. Jets at Bengals. Bengals favored by six and a half at home. Any other lines, Tone?
- [112:54]
Tone
You can get six if you want. The Bengals.
- [112:57]
Pat McAfee
Okay, so you can get minus 6 Bengals at home against the. Justin Fields possibly led New York Jets. Aaron Glenn, head coach of the jets, has yet to commit To a starting quarterback. What does that mean? We do not know. Rapaport says Tyrod Taylor with his knees questionable but trending right direction. We don't know who the quarterback is. If Tyrod can go, he's potentially out there because we can't complete a pass with Justin. I like the Joe Flacco led Cincinnati Bengals minus six at home. AJU the same way.
- [113:27]
A.J. Hawk
Absolutely. Give me the Bengals.
- [113:29]
Pat McAfee
Dolphins at Falcons. Any other lines there, tone?
- [113:32]
Tone
7 and a half across the board.
- [113:33]
Pat McAfee
Okay, Dolphins at Falcons. I'll take the Falcons minus seven and a half. AJ who do you like, man?
- [113:39]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, I'll take the South Falcons as well.
- [113:41]
Pat McAfee
Gumpy, has he ever picked the Dolphins in this entire thing?
- [113:45]
Tone
No, but Bijon and Algier might have six total tides in this one.
- [113:48]
Pat McAfee
We can't stop the run. Okay, sounds like we're on the right side. Buccaneers, Saints, NFC south battle. Bucs favored by four and a half. Mike Evans was back. He's back. Gone. Ameca Buka was back. Baker Mayfield fresh off a loss that didn't look like themselves. Any other lines for this Tone?
- [114:04]
Tone
There's actually. You go anywhere from three and a half if you want the bucks to four and a half if you want the Saints.
- [114:10]
Pat McAfee
AJ who do you like?
- [114:11]
A.J. Hawk
I want the bucks at three and a half.
- [114:13]
Pat McAfee
Me as well. Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts. I'll take them in minus 14 and a half for sure. Welcome back to the Indianapolis Colts. Being odds on awesome favorites in games. I love that it's 14 and a half in the AFC South. We haven't won that thing in 13 years and we're more than two score favorites in a game. Let's go with the Colts. Your pick. A.J.
- [114:32]
Tone
Me?
- [114:32]
A.J. Hawk
The Colts.
- [114:34]
Pat McAfee
That was aggressive. I didn't know that was going to be the line. Can I get them at minus 14? 14 and a half?
- [114:38]
Tone
If you wanted to buy half a point, yes. But if you just.
- [114:41]
Mike McCarthy
All the books.
- [114:42]
A.J. Hawk
What if we both want. We both can. We both get it at 14?
- [114:44]
Tone
I'll allow it.
- [114:45]
A.J. Hawk
Okay.
- [114:46]
Pat McAfee
Okay. We're both at 14. Good for us. Dallas Cowboys. Denver Broncos. Broncos favored by three and a half. Fresh off of a Sean Payton. I wasn't talking about him when he's talked about Russell Wilson. AJ do you like the Cowboys or the Broncos?
- [115:01]
A.J. Hawk
I like the Cowboys here on the road.
- [115:04]
Pat McAfee
Me as well. And then the Packers. Steelers. Sunday Night Football. Aaron Rodgers host the team he played for for 20 years in the city of Pittsburgh. Can money time Micah, end this thing for the packers or will the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to grind and pound and work towards a Super Bowl. AJ who do you like? How do you like it is the backers are on the road and favorites on Sunday night.
- [115:30]
A.J. Hawk
I will take the Green Bay packers on the road as favorites minus two and a half. It's gonna be a sweet atmosphere. We know that. Big Mike's doing the coin toss.
- [115:44]
Pat McAfee
I think I'll take the Pittsburgh Steelers. Getting two and a half at home on a Sunday night. Sorry. Getting three some line or some bottom books at home on a Sunday night. I can't wait to watch this weekend of football tomorrow. Game days live from Vanderbilt here in beautiful Nashville. We can't thank you enough for allowing us to do this for a living. We'll see on overreaction Monday. That's AJ and the boys. You're the greatest. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. Goodbye on the screws.
- [116:15]
Ty Schmidt
Nailed it.
- [116:16]
A.J. Hawk
You got it big time.
- [116:20]
Tone
You walk over to 20 million dollar new baseball facility and just pound it out of the park.
- [116:24]
Ty Schmidt
Yeah, exactly.
- [116:26]
Pat McAfee
43. Hold on. So here's all the numbers. 130, 100. I wrote them down because I was in the. I was in the elevator with a man named Austin who was clearly very proud of everything here was. Yeah, his name's Vandy Austin and Vandy Austin knows everything about Vandy Randy. He had a few stats, a few numbers, a few money lines, a few stories. 130 million on the football stadium.
- [117:02]
A.J. Hawk
90.
- [117:03]
Pat McAfee
On the basketball arena, 42 on the baseball stadium, what? 14 on the outdoor tennis stadium. 7 million on the indoor tennis stadium. And Vandy Austin said that's the bottom line because Vandy's got fucking money basically is what this guy said. I mean they're all in on sports and Chancellor Deirmeyer and Candice Story. Lee, I think these two are really driving it. And obviously coaching Lee Clark Lay is obviously a part of it, but yeah, Vandy's all in on the sports and obviously the history of this city. I mean I, I can't. I can't wait for people to see what I did yesterday. Yeah, me too. I can't.
- [117:47]
Connor
Same.
- [117:48]
A.J. Hawk
When will, when will they get to see.
- [117:51]
Pat McAfee
I'm not. You know, it's a. I don't even know what I can say without giving away here. We got some great footage. We got some incredible footage. Like some incredible footage. Like it's gonna be a doc and then obviously a project. It is. Yesterday was fucking cool.
- [118:07]
Connor
Yeah, fuck it.
- [118:07]
Pat McAfee
Play the footage, play the footage. But getting down to Nashville in the middle of football season is Crazy. And then obviously, we, I believe, as a whole, have become friends with a lot of people in the music world. Like, very, very lucky that we've become friends with a lot of people in the music world, because a lot of country music, especially, obviously this is national. A lot of country music. All the guys and girls that are in country music come from towns that they love college football, so, like. And all their friends love college football. So, like, college game day and being a part of college football world has, like, kind of introduced us to a lot of people that call this city home. And whenever they found out we were coming down here and that I was coming down here, it was like, it was. I was part of. I was part of history yesterday. I just got it, like, all time.
- [118:53]
Matt Berkey
It was.
- [118:53]
Tone
Most absurd thing I've ever seen in my life.
- [118:55]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, Gumpy's right in there. Gumpy's in the middle of it as well. Just kind of looking around. It was. Yeah. And we documented it all. So it'll be something that everybody will see, and I can't wait for people to see it. Just know that I think it's all incredibly stupid and I'm wildly lucky to be doing it all. And also, shout out to everybody that was with us yesterday, thank you so much for your effort and your time and your talent. Like, I was watching. I mean, I was watching Masters Professionals, huh? Yeah. You are watching a master at work. Yeah. Every work, talking. We're talking everything. Like, I was in, I, I was in some places, I, I, I shouldn't have been just watching these people create the magic, you know, and it's like. Yeah, it was very cool. All right, on that note, aj, thank you so much for traveling into India.
- [119:39]
A.J. Hawk
Of course.
- [119:40]
Pat McAfee
Boys up there, great work this week. I appreciate the hell out of you guys. Great work yesterday, brother. Let's have your stuff behind the glass. Good work, boys. Way to go, boys. Gentlemen, very, very grateful. Great work, boys, all week, obviously. And then the graphic design boys and the entire squad back there. Good work, boys. I heard you guys talk about Debone's crash out a little bit. Little red bull at 6:00pm Yep. After.
- [120:06]
Connor
Yeah.
- [120:06]
Ty Schmidt
Shaky hands.
- [120:07]
Nick Saban
Yeah.
- [120:08]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. He's kind of irrational. You know, this is kind of a. Yeah, this is kind of a part of it because, remember, he had that good first day.
- [120:14]
Ty Schmidt
Yep.
- [120:15]
Pat McAfee
Remember that?
- [120:16]
Ty Schmidt
Oh, yeah.
- [120:17]
Pat McAfee
So good first day. He was like, oh, this is my game. Yeah, this is how it's going to work. And, you know, me and Foxy both told him, like, hey, enjoy this now, you know, because it's going to happen.
- [120:29]
Connor
Reality's coming.
- [120:31]
Pat McAfee
It's going to happen. Very much interested. Congratulations. Enjoy this now. And I even gave him like a forewarning about how I was a little bit worried about how excited he was, you know, like. Because that means that the is going to be even more. And the other day it was the. That we saw it happen. We saw it happen. He was down the dumps when he was. Oh yeah, he was chugging a red bull at 6:00pm Freaking out, blaming everybody. That. That is just. Yeah, 6:00pm Red bull. Chugging it while sweating, yelling at everybody else. It was like we knew it was coming. Literally day one knew this was coming happen yesterday. And I'd like to let Debo know I appreciate your competitive fire, bro.
- [121:10]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah.
- [121:13]
Pat McAfee
And Bone. It sucks by the way. It sucks for you that this is kind of the world you're in. I know it's very new, but there are people around you that are professional athletes and once they start to learn things, it's a little bit of a potential. There's a separator in there, you know. And I don't think Debone has necessarily grasped all of that yet, but it is, it is certainly a good time in the office. How was your U ball experience?
- [121:40]
Tone
Speaking of. We got basically Shaq reincarnated on the court yesterday with the AJ Hawk.
- [121:45]
A.J. Hawk
Now we didn't win. We won a couple of games. We got, we got beat many times. It's hard to. Shooting is tough sometimes. You got to get in the rhythm. Shooting wise, he's a power dunker.
- [121:54]
Pat McAfee
But. But on that note, if you were to do it like three, four days straight, you're a professional athlete, I think you would, I think you would start to kind of figure out it out, you know, that's kind of the separator.
- [122:04]
A.J. Hawk
I think it's shooting that small ball. It's like shooting a golf ball almost. It feels like.
- [122:08]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, you feel like Shaq as it's coming off your hand. So. So then if you do it for four or five days straight, you know, and you happen to be averagely athletic, you're probably gonna. And Debone just has no respect that there's levels of athleticism, you know, cuz he's D3 national champion. So like Olympic gold medal. Yeah, well, not Olympic gold medal. He was asked to be Olympic finalist.
- [122:29]
Ty Schmidt
For the football team.
- [122:30]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, yeah.
- [122:31]
A.J. Hawk
He got the second try and shot put.
- [122:34]
Pat McAfee
He. He thought this was it like this game, especially with how fun it was. He thought this was.
- [122:39]
A.J. Hawk
He thought he was never losing again. Is that what he thought? Really?
- [122:42]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. This. This happened in cornhole with him, you know, like he was beating a couple people in cornhole, and then all of a sudden he lines up next to maybe a professional athlete, and it's a different game.
- [122:50]
Ty Schmidt
Deep.
- [122:50]
Pat McAfee
Like, I'm so sorry that, like, I. I am so sorry that this is just how it goes. 33. I think he maybe had like a game or two where he thought he was figuring out it out. Had, like, the moment and then all of a sudden, just not. And then U ball, day one, he's like, holy, this is the one. This is it. I'm gonna. This is what I'm be great at. And there was just like a little bit of a warning. Like, bro, it feels like this might be the same outcome as the other couple, but he just keeps getting in there, and that's why we love him now. On that note, speaking of loving people, ladies and gentlemen, we have a birthday today in the Thunderdale.
- [123:20]
A.J. Hawk
Oh, yes.
- [123:22]
Pat McAfee
Gumpy would actually like to make his way way over here to celebrate this. Alongside all of us, a man who's been, I think, continuing to evolve his creativity and his artistry and also started getting loose in U ball a little bit. Started participating in the. The Thunderdome events, you know, a little bit. Obviously a father, a husband. Ladies and gentlemen, it's. It's Dirty's birthday. Happy birthday, Dirty. We appreciate you, man.
- [123:58]
Connor
Happy birthday to you.
- [124:04]
Pat McAfee
Happy birthday to you.
- [124:10]
A.J. Hawk
Take a gump.
- [124:12]
Pat McAfee
Happy birthday, dear De. Happy birthday to you. Thanks.
- [124:31]
Ty Schmidt
Everybody blow the candle.
- [124:35]
Pat McAfee
Oh, not trip. Make a wish and make a wish. Hey, real talk Dirty. Great year, I think, out of you. I think we would all say this, don't you agree? Great trip around the the sun. Appreciate it. Hell yeah. We appreciate you too, man. Keep doing your thing. Hey, you're awesome. Dirty will make an incredible graphic and then spell one word wrong and then roll. Okay? But this is the only thing anybody's going to talk about. Dirty, you've been kicking ass, brother. You need to know that. Happy birthday, man. We appreciate you. And also, maybe you team up with Debone and U ball. Give him a little.
- [125:09]
Nick Saban
He might get mad.
- [125:12]
Pat McAfee
Hey, call you guys Dirty Bone. Yeah, Dirty Bone. You don't want that.
- [125:16]
Tone
Dirty Bone.
- [125:17]
Pat McAfee
Aj, you ready?
- [125:18]
Ty Schmidt
We're ready.
- [125:19]
A.J. Hawk
I don't want to break up.
- [125:20]
Pat McAfee
What you going to do? Bone and Butt was a great team. I think that was actually part of Debone's crash out the other day. He had a professional athlete as a teammate.
- [125:29]
Tone
Oh, he forgot about that.
- [125:31]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, he was saying a lot of things. I mean, he's. Debone. Happy birthday to you, buddy. Happy birthday, Debone. Bone Birthday, B. It's not his birthday, aj. I think you were looking around.
- [125:43]
A.J. Hawk
I'm trying to find the guy. I can't.
- [125:45]
Nick Saban
He.
- [125:45]
A.J. Hawk
He's gone.
- [125:46]
Connor
Like, this is usually his isolation.
- [125:48]
Ty Schmidt
This is usually his mid afternoon shite time.
- [125:50]
Connor
And it's.
- [125:51]
Ty Schmidt
Oh, boy.
- [125:54]
A.J. Hawk
Yeah, my kids do that.
- [125:55]
Pat McAfee
He's got a big window. On that note, you talk about sitting down, maybe too long on the toilet or things that could potentially happen that I've been talking about earlier in the week with the boys, if you remember, through the. For me personally.
- [126:10]
Connor
Yeah.
- [126:11]
Ty Schmidt
Oh, yeah, I remember.
- [126:12]
Connor
Yeah.
- [126:13]
Pat McAfee
Yeah. Full explosion last night.
- [126:15]
Ty Schmidt
Hey, that's good though, right?
- [126:17]
Connor
Need that.
- [126:17]
Pat McAfee
Yeah, definitely. Definitely good news. Look like a. Look like a murder scene on my bed. Scene on my back. But life is a lot better now than it was. I had a blister on the back of my leg.
- [126:34]
A.J. Hawk
I thought you dumped blood all over your bed. You scared me. Like, that's not like normal.
- [126:38]
Pat McAfee
No. Yeah, just a little bit of a thing.
- [126:40]
A.J. Hawk
Okay.
- [126:41]
Pat McAfee
There's a little thing that built up on my body and then it just popped last night. It was certainly aggravating. And that was an eye opener. Why I woke up, go to the bathroom, middle of the night. Is somebody die here? What is that? And then it was. It was from myself, you know, so it was great morning. Just know there's a lot of relief this morning. A lot of relief whenever we woke up this morning. So we're heading into the greatest weekend of all time, aj. Safe travels back to Dublin, Dumpy. Let's enjoy the hell out of Andy. Hell yeah. And boys, you're the best. Happy birthday, Dirty. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change their life. We're in this thing together. Let's never forget it, aj. Anything you say to the team here.
- [127:22]
A.J. Hawk
Have a better one next week.
- [127:23]
Ty Schmidt
Anyways.
- [127:24]
Nick Saban
I'll go.
- [127:26]
Pat McAfee
I. I hate that auger. Don't you hate that too?
- [127:32]
Connor
BA is a good coach, though.
- [127:34]
Matt Berkey
Yeah, he is.
- [127:35]
Pat McAfee
He is great. Well said, Dumpy. Do you have. Do you have anything to say to the team, Gumpy?
- [127:45]
Tone
Since AJ won't do it, I will.
- [127:47]
Pat McAfee
Take the wheel here.
- [127:48]
Tone
It's been a great week.
- [127:49]
Pat McAfee
Week, everybody. You know, football's at full swing. MLS Cups kicking off all the sports.
- [127:55]
Tone
World Series starts tonight. You know, bring it back, bring it back.
- [128:00]
Pat McAfee
But we're heading into the greatest weekend.
- [128:02]
Tone
Of all time with the Dodgers knocking.
- [128:04]
Pat McAfee
Off the Blue Jays to get it started tonight. I love that Appreciate you. Team on me. Team on three. Let's have the greatest sports weekend of all time. Oh, the boys over there in the corner too. Hell, yeah. Appreciate you guys. You guys did great work here. See you guys on overreaction Monday. Hope you all have the time of your life. Team on three. One, two, three. Team. Goodbye. Talk about stepping up. It's time to level up your game. Introducing the all new ESPN app. All of ESPN all in one place. Your home for the most live sports and the best championship match moment. The electricity is palpable. Step up your game. With no annual contract required. It's the ultimate fan experience.
- [128:49]
Matt Berkey
Level up.
- [128:50]
Pat McAfee
For more on the ESPN app or at stream.espn.com sign up now. Eight years ago, I blew my football career. He dropped it at the one yard line. Chad Powers has arrived on Hulu. If I can't play as Russ, I'll play as someone else.
- [129:05]
Nick Saban
My name's Chad and last name.
- [129:08]
Pat McAfee
From executive producers Eli and Peyton Manning. Remember when wearing a prosthetic mask, this is acting and starring Glenn Powell. He thinks you're a rubber chew toy. Not rubber. I'm a man made of flesh. The Hulu original series Chad Powers is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundled subscribers. Terms apply. New episodes Tuesdays.