Stephen A's Take: Commanders' Jayden Daniels can become the first rookie QB to win a Super Bowl. - The Stephen A. Smith Show

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Detailed Summary

Episode Title: Stephen A's Take: Commanders' Jayden Daniels can become the first rookie QB to win a Super Bowl
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Produced by: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts

1. Preview of the National Championship Game: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame

Timestamp: [01:06] – [02:45]

Stephen A. Smith kicks off the episode by discussing the highly anticipated national championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of college football, Smith provides a compelling analysis of both teams' strengths and weaknesses.

Ohio State's Dominance: Smith emphasizes Ohio State's superior talent, stating, “Ohio State just have skilled individuals at practically every damn position” ([01:20]). He highlights the team's impressive roster, including standout players like Jeremiah Smith, whom he lauds as “the best receiver in football” ([01:25]). Smith underscores the financial advantage Ohio State holds with their $20 million NIL roster, noting that the return of 11 NFL-caliber players has solidified their position as the top team this season.
Notre Dame's Challenge: Addressing Notre Dame's prospects, Smith asserts that their path to victory lies in heightened physicality: “They have to be incredibly physical. They have to be the more physical team” ([01:40]). He points out that Notre Dame’s offensive strategy depends heavily on running and accurate passing by Riley Lynn, cautioning against turnovers: “He's got to throw the football accurately and not kill himself by committing turnovers” ([01:55]).
Predicted Outcome: Concluding this segment, Smith confidently predicts an Ohio State victory, emphasizing the near impossibility of Notre Dame triumphing without significant luck and flawless execution: “I just don't see them beating the Ohio State without an absolutely perfect game” ([02:30]).

2. Analysis of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens' Playoff Loss

Timestamp: [02:45] – [04:15]

Shifting focus to the NFL playoffs, Stephen A. delves into the Baltimore Ravens' recent defeat to the Buffalo Bills, with particular attention to quarterback Lamar Jackson's performance.

Turnover Issues: Smith acknowledges Jackson's mistakes but defends his overall performance: “I can't put the weight of the loss to the Buffalo Bills on Lamar Jackson” ([03:00]). He critiques the turnovers, highlighting that while Jackson threw a bad interception, the team’s reliance on Jackson is a double-edged sword.
Team Performance: Highlighting team dynamics, Smith points out Mark Andrews' critical errors: “Mark Andrews messed up not once, but twice” ([03:30]). He also critiques the Ravens' running strategy, suggesting a more balanced approach: “They accumulated 271 yards rushing in the regular season… but they still could have ran the ball more” ([03:45]).
Potential for Redemption: Despite the losses, Smith remains cautiously optimistic about Jackson’s future, suggesting that with improved decision-making and support, the Ravens could bounce back.

3. Spotlight on Jaden Daniels: Washington Commanders’ Rookie Quarterback

Timestamp: [04:15] – [05:53]

In the final segment, Stephen A. shifts his attention to the Washington Commanders and their promising rookie quarterback, Jaden Daniels.

Rookie Success: Smith is effusive in his praise for Daniels, highlighting his impressive statistics: “He's accumulated over 650 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, completing 70 of his passes, 65 of his passes” ([04:30]). He emphasizes Daniels' composure and skill, dubbing him “the brother's the real deal” ([04:45]).
Comparisons to NFL Stars: Drawing comparisons to established NFL quarterbacks, Smith confidently states, “Jaden Daniels might be Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen” ([05:10]). He underscores Daniels' resilience and potential to lead the Commanders to a Super Bowl victory, even against formidable defenses like Vic Fangio's: “If he beats Philadelphia with Vic Fangio's defense coming at him and he finds a way to pull this off, I think Jaden Daniels might win the Super Bowl” ([05:30]).
Future Outlook: Concluding his analysis, Smith envisions a bright future for Daniels, suggesting that he could become one of the league's premier quarterbacks: “I think he could. I just want to say that” ([05:50]).

Conclusion

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, Stephen A. provides in-depth analyses of major sports topics, showcasing his trademark blend of insight and candid commentary. From predicting Ohio State’s dominance in the national championship to dissecting Lamar Jackson's playoff performance and heralding the rise of rookie Jaden Daniels, Smith delivers a comprehensive overview that entertains, informs, and motivates his listeners.

Notable Quotes:

“Ohio State just have skilled individuals at practically every damn position.” ([01:20])
“They have to be incredibly physical. They have to be the more physical team.” ([01:40])
“I can't put the weight of the loss to the Buffalo Bills on Lamar Jackson.” ([03:00])
“Mark Andrews messed up not once, but twice.” ([03:30])
“Jaden Daniels might be Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen.” ([05:10])
“If he beats Philadelphia with Vic Fangio's defense coming at him and he finds a way to pull this off, I think Jaden Daniels might win the Super Bowl.” ([05:30])

Note: The episode primarily focuses on Stephen A. Smith's sports analyses, with other segments and advertisements from different podcasts occurring outside the main content.

Transcript

Greg Rosenthal (0:00)

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs, mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Julie Swerbinks (0:30)

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

Nate Thompson (0:35)

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

Julie Swerbinks (0:38)

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

Nate Thompson (0:41)

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

Julie Swerbinks (0:46)

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

Nate Thompson (0:50)

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

Julie Swerbinks (0:55)

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Stephen A. Smith (1:06)

Number one, I'm here in Atlanta, Georgia for the national championship game tonight between the Ohio State Buckeyes and of course, Notre Dame. Notre Dame. Notre Dame's got one chance. They have to be incredibly physical. They have to be the more physical team. There's no other way that they're going to beat Ohio State. Ohio State just have skilled individuals at practically every damn position. Jeremiah Smith is the truth. A freshman, he's probably the best receiver in football. He is sensational. Will Howard can throw that football. Igbuka is no joke as well. Trayvon Henderson running out of the backfield is no joke. Ohio State, with their $20 million nil roster, with 11 NFL caliber players having returned to the lineup this season, they're the best team right now. There is no way that Notre Dame should win this game unless they have a lot of luck, and that's going to be facilitated by an elevated level of physicality. Their defense is no joke. But offensively, Riley Lynn has got to run the football effectively and he's got to throw the football accurately and not kill himself by committing turnovers. So I want to get that out the way. I've got Ohio State winning this game. I would love to see Marcus Freeman win a game. Martin Luther King holiday in Atlanta, Georgia. A black coach winning the national championship in football for the first time, and it's oh my Lord, I would love It I just don't see them beating the Ohio State without an absolutely perfect game and complete panic and choke job on the part of Ohio State. So I got Ohio State winning this game number one. Number two, we saw Lamar Jackson lose last night in the AFC divisional playoff game to the Buffalo Bills. I know he committed a turnover through a bad interception. I know he also committed a foolhardy turnover and losing the ball that was ultimately scooped up by Von Miller and returned a few yards before Buffalo scored those seven points. But I can't put the weight of the loss to the Buffalo Bills on Lamar Jackson. Mark Andrews is one of the most reliable tight ends in all of football. He got stripped of the ball in the middle of the field while they were driving by Terrell Bernard. I saw Todd Monkin again, knowing that the Ravens were running the football effectively, still refusing to run it as much as he should. First came, they blew out Buffalo 35 to 10. During the regular season, they accumulated 271 yards rushing. Last night it was 176. Not bad at all. But you still could have ran the ball more. Then I saw Lamar Jackson drive the Baltimore Ravens down the field 88 yards in crunch time with the game on the line, needing to having to have it 27:19 was the deficit you needed the touchdown and the two point conversion. Lamar Jackson got you that touchdown. And then he threw the two point conversion right into the hands of Mark Andrews who dropped it. Lamar Jackson was not perfect. They got to stop turning the football over. Those turnovers don't happen. They probably win this game. But it was still theirs to win. And Mark Andrews messed up not once, but twice. Can't not conf. Can't take that away from Lamar Jackson. Last sports subject is Jaden Daniels for the Washington Commanders. Ladies and. Ladies and gentlemen, this brother's the truth. Now I know that the Detroit Lions had a bunch of dudes on injured reserve, on the injured list, rather on the defensive side of the ball. I don't give a damn. Jaden Daniels is that dude. Now he's got the biggest challenge of his life going up against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend in Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game for the right to go to the Super Bowl. I get that part. But I will remind all of y'all that Jaden Daniels has played in two playoff games as a rookie in his career, he's accumulated over 650 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, completing 70 of his passes, 65 of his passes. I'm sorry. The brother's the real deal. No panic in him and Washington knows what they have on his hands. He's better than RG3 was. An RG3 was fantastic before Holodinata nearly had his leg amputated with that vicious hit. Even before then, as great as RG3 looked, he didn't look like this. Jaden Daniels is the truth and a half. And if he beats Philadelphia with Vic Fangio's defense coming at him and he finds a way to pull this off, I think Jaden Daniels might win the Super Bowl. I think Jaden Daniels might be Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. I don't know that yet, but I think he could. I just want to say that.