Stephen A's Take: Today's Black Quarterbacks. Saquon Barkley. The AWFUL NY Giants.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show - "Stephen A's Take: Today's Black Quarterbacks. Saquon Barkley. The AWFUL NY Giants." Release Date: December 31, 2024

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, hosts Mina Kimes and Marcus Spears delve deep into the evolving landscape of black quarterbacks in the NFL, celebrate standout performances like Saquon Barkley’s, and deliver a scathing critique of the New York Giants’ tumultuous season. Their candid discussions offer insightful perspectives on racial dynamics in football, player performances, team management, and upcoming draft prospects.

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1. The Evolution of Black Quarterbacks

Mina Kimes initiates the conversation by addressing recent comments made by NFL analyst Ryan Clark regarding black quarterbacks. Clark’s analysis, which was featured on ESPN’s First Take, praises Lamar Jackson as the culmination of a long journey for black quarterbacks in the NFL.

• Ryan Clark's Commentary:
  • Timestamp [03:01]: "This is the evolution of the position. Without Randall Cunningham having to try to conform and be a pocket passer and also show his athleticism, we don't get to Michael Vick..."
  • Clark emphasizes the progression from Randall Cunningham to Lamar Jackson, highlighting how each quarterback overcame stereotypes and expectations to redefine the role.

Mina Kimes expresses her initial dissatisfaction with Clark’s remarks but later clarifies her perspective after listening to Marcus Spears.

• Mina Kimes:
  • Timestamp [08:25]: "That is not what Ryan Clark was talking about... Ryan Clark was right."

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2. Historical Skepticism and Overcoming Barriers

Marcus Spears provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical skepticism black quarterbacks have faced, focusing on doubts about their intellect and ability to handle the complexities of the quarterback position.

• Marcus Spears:
  • Timestamp [07:09]: "Intellect and the ability to comprehend and decipher an NFL defense and read through your progressions and make the right call."

He underscores that while recent quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson have shattered these doubts, Lamar Jackson's success is pivotal in fully validating the capabilities of black quarterbacks.

• Marcus Spears:
  • Timestamp [10:14]: "What's the problem?"

Mina Kimes concurs, reinforcing the notion that Jackson’s achievements are crucial in dispelling lingering stereotypes.

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3. Praising Standout Performances

The hosts pivot to commend exceptional player performances, starting with Sam Donald (likely a pseudonym or a misstatement for Dalvin Cook or a similar player), whose remarkable season has been highlighted for unprecedented achievements.

• Marcus Spears:
  • Timestamp [11:15]: "Sam Donald, who has led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14 and two record this year, who's had 13 games with a QBR over a hundred this year..."

Additionally, Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders receives accolades for his rookie season performance, setting records previously held by legends like Mike Ditka.

• Mina Kimes:
  • Timestamp [14:26]: "Brock Bowers... ended up having the most catches in the season by a rookie at any position..."

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4. Saquon Barkley’s Near-Record Performance

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Saquon Barkley and his imminent threat to Eric Dickerson’s all-time single-season rushing record. Mina Kimes passionately advocates for Barkley to push towards this milestone, especially in an upcoming game against his former team, the New York Giants.

• Mina Kimes:

  • Timestamp [14:32]: "Saquon Barkley... has over 2,000 yards rushing... he's less than 150 yards from breaking Eric Dickinson's all-time single season rushing record next week."

• Marcus Spears:

  • Timestamp [16:37]: "Saquon BARKLEY, he's just 101 yards away from Eric Dickinson's all time rushing record. 101 yards."

The hosts emphasize the poetic justice of Barkley potentially breaking the record against the Giants, a team that previously undermined his value.

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5. Scathing Critique of the New York Giants

Mina Kimes and Marcus Spears transition into a vehement critique of the New York Giants, condemning their poor performance, ineffective management, and questionable decisions.

• Mina Kimes:

  • Timestamp [16:37]: "The New York Giants are awful."

• Marcus Spears:

  • Timestamp [17:05]: "Just awful."

They argue that the Giants’ management, including the General Manager and Head Coach, are to blame for the team's dismal season. The discussion highlights the team's inability to secure and develop a competent quarterback, which is fundamental to winning in the NFL.

• Mina Kimes:
  • Timestamp [17:05]: "GM's gonna deserve to lose his job."

The hosts further critique the Giants' performance metrics, pointing out a significant drop in their draft pick probabilities and the lack of promising quarterback prospects.

• Mina Kimes:
  • Timestamp [18:44]: "The Giants sent it Sunday with a 57% chance of finishing with the number one overall pick... it dipped to 5%."

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6. Upcoming NFL Draft Quarterback Prospects

Looking ahead, Mina Kimes and Marcus Spears discuss the anticipated quarterbacks entering the upcoming NFL Draft, evaluating their strengths and potential impact.

• Mina Kimes:
  • Timestamp [18:45]: "Shador Sanders out of Colorado, number one, Cam Ward out of Miami, number two, Jaylen Milro out of Alabama, at number three, Carson Beck for University of Georgia, number four."

They express skepticism about Carson Beck's inclusion, citing his performance issues and injuries, while endorsing the other prospects for their promising careers.

• Marcus Spears:
  • Timestamp [19:07]: "I don't want to hear about Carson Beck on this list."

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7. Concluding Remarks

In their final thoughts, the hosts reiterate the importance of effective quarterback play in NFL success and the dire state of the Giants' prospects moving forward. They caution against the Giants’ mismanagement and foresee continued struggles unless significant changes are made.

• Mina Kimes:

  • Timestamp [20:11]: "The Giants should have been throwing games just to ensure that they were going to get themselves a quarterback for the upcoming season."

• Marcus Spears:

  • Timestamp [20:04]: "So we got to get that out the way right now. One game left."

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Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a thorough examination of critical issues in the NFL, from the progression and recognition of black quarterbacks to the performance and management woes of the New York Giants. Mina Kimes and Marcus Spears provide insightful analysis, backed by statistics and personal viewpoints, making it a must-listen for fans seeking an in-depth understanding of current NFL dynamics.

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Notable Quotes:

1. Ryan Clark on Evolution of Quarterback Position

   • Timestamp [03:01]: "This is the evolution of the position... we don't have a Lamar Jackson."

2. Marcus Spears on Overcoming Skepticism

   • Timestamp [07:09]: "Intellect and the ability to comprehend and decipher an NFL defense... were the things that were thrown into questions about black quarterbacks."

3. Mina Kimes on Saquon Barkley's Record-Breaking Run

   • Timestamp [14:32]: "Saquon Barkley... he's less than 150 yards from breaking Eric Dickinson's all-time single season rushing record next week."

4. Marcus Spears on New York Giants' Ineptitude

   • Timestamp [17:53]: "They are awful, just awful."

5. Mina Kimes on Giants' Draft Pick Probability

   • Timestamp [18:44]: "The Giants sent it Sunday with a 57% chance of finishing with the number one overall pick... it dipped to 5%."

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Additional Segments Skipped:

The transcript included brief advertisements and promotional segments for other podcasts and services, which have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the episode's core content.

Transcript

[Stephen A. Smith]

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[Mina Kimes]

I got a lot of stuff that I want to get into today, and one of those things was my buddy, my colleague at espn, my brother Ryan Clark, outstanding NFL analyst for the family, an outstanding host for the podcast the Pivot. Not to mention doing his Inside the NFL show with Bill Bellich, Chad Oenko and those guys. He's a Super bowl champion as a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We know what his background entails, but he made a lot of noise this weekend and to be quite honest with you, I was upset about something and I want to explain what I'm upset about after I play you this clip. This is Ryan Clark talking about Lamar Jackson and how essentially his success is going to be the finishing touch for the whole narrative about black quarterbacks and the question marks and the skepticism that have been associated with black quarterbacks throughout NFL history. Not recent history, but certainly in the past. Ryan Clark was speaking on First Take, sitting in my chair because I was on vacation On Friday, across from L. Duncan, of course from Monica McNutt, who was hosting in place of Molly Caram, and of course of course from the one and only Cam Newton forming Heisman Trophy winning number one overall pick for an NFL quarterback. Nevertheless, Ryan Clark said some things that rubbed people the wrong way before I commented on it. I want you to hear what he had to say. Listen up.

[Ryan Clark]

I want to say it to you and I want to say it to Randall Cunningham and I want to say it to Russell Wilson and I want to say it to Michael Vick. This is the evolution of the position. Without Randall Cunningham having to try to conform and be a pocket passer and also show his athleticism, we don't get to Michael Vick. And without Michael Vick accepting that and working to become a better pastor, working to become a better leader, we don't get a Cam Newton. And if Cam Newton doesn't bring the style of play that he had the opportunity to bring from Auburn to the NFL and win an MVP doing it, we don't have a Lamar Jackson. See, we've needed at that position because of all the negativity surrounding whether or not people like you can play it. We needed each of you to get to this point. And that's why we need Lamar Jackson to take that next step and hold that Lombardi Trophy the same way we all cried when Doug Williams did it in the 80s. Shout out to Doug.

[Marcus Spears]

Preach.

[Mina Kimes]

Now you heard Ryan Clark right there.

[Marcus Spears]

Personally speaking.

[Mina Kimes]

I'd like to say that I'm disappointed, but that's not the word. I'm pissed off.

[Marcus Spears]

But I'm not pissed off at Ryan. I'm not pissed off at all of you guys. Nor am I pissed off at Ryan Clark for what he said. You know what, I have a problem with that. He deleted the post because when cynicism and criticism came in his direction, Ryan Clark, somebody who runs from no one, and I'm certainly not accusing him of running. Now I'm mad he deleted the post. Now I know what a lot of people were saying. First of all, Ryan Clark didn't know what he was talking about because guess what? Patrick Mahomes is a three time super bowl champion. He's the reigning two time super bowl champion, having won back to back titles for the Kansas City Chiefs here. He's a black quarterback and you're bringing that up. That's really slick on your part, ladies and gentlemen. Ryan Clark wasn't wrong. Ryan Clark was right. Now he may have come across wrong because he gave you an opening to Bring up Patrick Mahomes to derail or to squash his point. But that's not the point that I interpreted him saying. What he's talking about, what he was talking about is not the black quarterback, but the black quarterbacks who have been questioned as to whether or not they should play quarterback. Nobody was questioning whether Deshaun Watson was a quarterback. Nobody was questioning whether Patrick Mahomes was a quarterback. They were questioning whether Lamar Jackson was a quarterback. They were wondering whether he should consider a different position going into the NFL. And it was Lamar Jackson that had to tell them, nah, I ain't down with that. I'm a quarterback and I'm gonna be a quarterback, the NFL. And I'm going to wreak havoc and I'm going to wreck shop and I'm going to show you what I bring to the table. That's what Lamar Jackson said. But they were trying to convince him not to play quarterback. And that specter of skepticism and criticism that came associated with Lamar Jackson before he was drafted number 32 overall in the first round, at the end of the first round by the Baltimore Ravens is something that has happened only to black quarterbacks. Where's the white dude? And if I'm wrong, I stand corrected. But I don't recall a white dude coming into the NFL, having played the quarterback position in college. And they were being dissuaded from entering as a quarterback because people were accusing them of not being able to play the position. Don't get us started with why they.

[Mina Kimes]

Were saying that.

[Marcus Spears]

Because usually when you have questions about a quarterback, it's about their ability to throw. Or is their ability to be a dual threat at the running back position with black folks. Back in the day, albeit back in the day, there was a question about.

[Mina Kimes]

Intellect and the ability to comprehend and decipher an NFL defense and read through your progressions and make the right call.

[Marcus Spears]

And make the right throw audible at the line of scrimmage, understanding and comprehending and dissecting the playbook, et cetera, et cetera, these are the things that were thrown into questions about black quarterbacks. And so anytime there's a black quarterback that was being questioned as to whether or not they should play the position, that was the first thing that came to people's mind. Because that's the level of skepticism that historically has been associated with the black quarterback until recently. Nobody's accusing it of being that way now because times have changed and things have drastically improved. You could go back to Randall Cunningham. You could go to the Warren Moons of the world. You can go to the Dante Culpeppers or the Steve McNairs of the world. You can go to the Michael Vicks of the world. You can come to the modern day era. Because there was a time in the NFL in recent memory where you had guys like a Russell Wilson to a Deshaun Watson to a Patrick Mahomes who were, who were the highest paid dudes in the league. So not only were they playing the quarterback position, but they were getting paid handsomely to do it.

[Mina Kimes]

That is not what Ryan Clark is taught was talking about. In terms of what I saw him say on First Take My Day Job every weekday morning on ESPN from 10am to 12 noon this past Friday when.

[Marcus Spears]

He was filling it for me who was on vacation. That man talking about Lamar Jackson was simply saying he's a dual threat.

[Mina Kimes]

His athletic ability is undeniable, who's running.

[Marcus Spears]

Ability is undeniable, his passing game has improved, he's done everything right.

[Mina Kimes]

And now what anybody and everybody is.

[Marcus Spears]

Waiting for is for him to deliver the goods. Because Josh Allen to a lesser degree, Joe Burrow to a lesser degree, but Patrick Mahomes to the umph degree is standing in his way in just his conference alone. We ain't even get into the Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, the Jared Goffs in Detroit, or the Jordan Loves in Green Bay, or even a Sam Darnold in Minnesota, Brock Purdy last year, Dak Prescott just because he's a cowboy even though they ass is a home.

[Mina Kimes]

Unofficially of course, I mean officially they're going home, but we know they won't be in the playoffs.

[Marcus Spears]

Everywhere you turned there were guys. And so you're looking at Lamar Jackson and you're saying you're two time league MVP, bro. Nine dudes have won two, two league MVPs in NFL history. Every single one of them have been super bowl champions. But you. So you gotta answer that call. I've bloviated about that on numerous occasions. But in the event that he does answer the call, Ryan Clark is right, that should be it in terms of seeing a dual threat at the quarterback position with extreme athleticism being questioned as.

[Mina Kimes]

To whether or not they could play the quarterback position.

[Marcus Spears]

What's the problem?

[Mina Kimes]

I see no problem.

[Marcus Spears]

So I'm pretty ticked off that Ryan Clark deleted his tweet according to the reports. Because what you take it down for, you were right. His point may not have been articulated as perfectly as he would have liked and he might have left the hole here there for somebody to at least question it. But his Overall point, I firmly understand. And he was right. If Lamar Jackson wins the super bowl, that's gonna go a long way towards us. Ever questioning, ever questioning again whether a.

[Mina Kimes]

Cat can do it at that position, being a dual threat, a quarterback who can run. We're marveling at Jaden Daniels for the Washington Commanders because of what he's doing. Ryan Clark is right.

[Marcus Spears]

We want to rave about Sam Donald and we should. But I will remind y'all that Sam Donald, who has led the Minnesota vikings to a 14 and two record this year, who's had 13 games with a QBR over a hundred this year, who has been absolutely sensational for the most part for the Minnesota Vikings, that's Sam Donald. I gotta give credit where credit is due. That brother right there. 14 wins, 13 games with a pass away, a QBR of over 100. His 14 wins are the most by a quarterback with a new team over the last 40 years. Peyton Manning won 13 in 2012. Steve McNeil won 13 in 2006 with the Ravens. By the way, Sam Donald's been the most productive deep ball thrower in the National Football league this year. 20 or more air yards, that's what they said.

[Mina Kimes]

And he's playing under a contract, is playing him $10 million for one year.

[Marcus Spears]

That same damn Donald. Before you go out there throwing a.

[Mina Kimes]

Parade for the brother, like a scene the Minnesota Vikings were willing to do in a post game locker room following Sunday's victory over the Green Bay packers, acting like they just won a championship.

[Marcus Spears]

I want to remind y'all, as much as Sam Donald deserves praise for the great, great year that he's had, it.

[Mina Kimes]

Was six years that preceded it when he didn't.

[Marcus Spears]

So I was sitting there talking about him and praising him and what have you. Isn't it ironic that we're praising a dude who's produced really for the first time in his career that spans more than six years, but a two time league mvp, we're constantly saying that ain't enough. You got to do it.

[Mina Kimes]

I'm just asking, isn't it ironic? I just wanted to throw that out there. Couple other things that I wanted to get on out of here, I wanted to get to before I got out of here today. I brought up Sam Donald because I thought it was fair and it was necessary. Want to give love to Brock Bowers, that tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders ball in the way that he balled. Because this brother ended up having the most catches in the season by a rookie at any position that was formerly held by Puka Nakua for the Los Angeles Rams, by the way. And not only did he do that, but Brock Bowers had achieved the most receiving yards in the season by a rookie tight end. And that record was formerly held by Mike Ditka. So I'm thinking about that. This guy was drafted 13th out of Georgia. And Ballin for the Las Vegas Raiders is the only bright spot that the Raiders have had to, had to, had to rave about. So props to him. Props to Baker Mayfield for his five touchdowns on Sunday afternoon, albeit against the Carolina Panthers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in the race for the air for the NFC South Division crown. Okay, but Saquon Barkley, have you seen this brother? I mean, this brother has been so sensational. I gotta sing one of those songs.

[Marcus Spears]

Have you seen him? Tell me, have you seen him? Seen him?

[Mina Kimes]

That's an oldie. It's usually have you seen her? But I'm saying him for the purposes of Saquon Barkley, who rushed for about 167 yards, who finished right now, he has over 2,000 yards rushing, had 176 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown against the Giants back in October, had a season high 10.4 yards per carry in that game. Why am I bringing that up? Because he's less than 150 yards from breaking Eric Dickinson's all time single season rushing record next week. And that's against the New York Giants, his old team. You know, the team that went on Hard Knocks, talking shit about him, acting like they could afford to lose him, acting like it wasn't a big deal to let him go. Tell them to go ahead and test the open market. And did it with the cameras rolling on Hard Knocks.

[Marcus Spears]

Remember that team, that team, his former.

[Mina Kimes]

Team is who Saquon Barkley is going up against next week. Isn't it poetic justice that this brother, I mean, the Giants gonna play and they're gonna do everything they can to stop him. And if you're the Philadelphia Eagles, you gotta be careful because you want them to break the all time sequence season rush, rush rushing record. But in the same breath, your Philadelphia Eagles, you got a chance to win the Super Bowl. The Lions got 17 people on injured reserve. The Vikings are still being quarterbacked by Sam Donald. If you're the Philadelphia Eagles, you got to believe you could take them. You got the Green Bay packers. They came on late, but they were getting blown out before they came on late against the Minnesota Vikings. Okay? They don't. Vikings don't miss those two field goals. Green Bay wouldn't have been in a position to come back and beat them, then you've got that in the nfc and it's only one of those teams, whether it's Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore or whomever, it's only one of those teams that could come out in the afc. So you Philadelphia Eagles, you got a chance and you got a decision to make because you want Saquon Barkley to go for that all time single season record, especially against the New York Giants. But the flip side is you don't want to put yourself in a position.

[Marcus Spears]

Where he could ultimately get hurt. Because without him, Philadelphia ain't winning no damn Super Bowl. So we got to get that out the way right now. One game left.

[Mina Kimes]

Saquon BARKLEY, he's just 101 yards away from Eric Dickinson's all time rushing record. 101 yards.

[Marcus Spears]

You got to put him out there.

[Mina Kimes]

To go for it. But in the same breath you got to be careful not to jeopardize his health. You got to. Because it ain't worth it. It just ain't. So let's be very, very clear about that and leave it at that. My last point is in bringing up Saquon Barkley is to go to the New York Giants. Ladies and gentlemen, the New York Giants are awful.

[Marcus Spears]

Just awful.

[Mina Kimes]

GM's gonna deserves to lose his job. Don't think about firing Brian Gable Dable without getting rid of the GM shine.

[Marcus Spears]

Don't even think about it. That's a man that got to lose his job at the head coach. Losing his job because Brian Davis was.

[Mina Kimes]

Coach of the year a couple of years ago.

[Marcus Spears]

He ain't forget how to coach. He just don't have that talent to coach. Okay? You got rid of Saquon Barkley because you invested 40 million a year in Daniel Jones was now gone. Don't tell me you got to keep your gm. Hell with that. I know Christmas is here. It's still a holiday season. Christmas has passed and now it's the new year. But damn it, the truth is the truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God. He got to go. That ain't the man to keep. In light of the ineptitude that we've.

[Mina Kimes]

Seen from the New York Giants this season.

[Marcus Spears]

They are awful, just awful. So with that being said, let me also understand something.

[Mina Kimes]

There's another word that I wanted to give to the New York Giants and I didn't want to say this, okay? I really, really didn't. And I got one of my producers, Galen here because he's a Giants fan. So, you know, he's miserable. He has all of these numbers because he's miserable as shit, because they suck. And he kind of knew it, but he didn't think they'd be this bad. But they are this bad. And just reading from the notes that he just sent to me. The Giants sent it Sunday with a 57% chance of finishing with the number one overall pick in the draft. According to ESPN Analytics. It would have ballooned to 86% with the loss. Instead, it dipped to 5%. The Patriots, meanwhile, are now the heavy favorites at over 78% to land the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft this spring.

[Marcus Spears]

Why is that important?

[Mina Kimes]

Because you got four quarterbacks that are going to be in the draft. According to Mel Kuiper Jr. My colleague at ESPN, the absolute guru when it comes to this kind of stuff. Shador Sanders out of Colorado, number one, Cam Ward out of Miami, number two, Jaylen Milro out of Alabama, at number three, Carson Beck for University of Georgia, number four. I want to hear that damn thing about Carson back. I saw the brother throw eight interceptions in three games.

[Marcus Spears]

I don't want to hear about Carson back on this list. I don't want to hear it. And then he was injured, so he had to have surgery. And Georgia got a player freshman.

[Mina Kimes]

Because.

[Marcus Spears]

Connor Beck ain't available. That brother. Listen, if he's the fourth quarterback in the draft, it's because it's just those.

[Mina Kimes]

Three and ain't a damn person else. Cause he didn't look great this year.

[Marcus Spears]

I'm not saying he can't look great, but he was a mistake waiting to happen.

[Mina Kimes]

He just was.

[Marcus Spears]

So you got your door, Sanders, Cam.

[Mina Kimes]

Ward and Jalen Milroe. And the Giants are projected to get the fourth pick. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they missed out on that. How the hell are you winning football games? And you know you need a quarterback and you ain't going no damn place.

[Marcus Spears]

So when they needed you to win.

[Mina Kimes]

And to show that you were respectable, you were getting your ass kicked on a weekly basis. And now that your season is over, now is the time when you want to go out there and win. What the hell is wrong with you?

[Marcus Spears]

That's stupidity. Absolute positive stupidity.

[Mina Kimes]

But that's the New York Giants. Not only are they inept and bereft of talent necessary to win football games on an NFL level most weeks, they're also stupid. They lose when they should be winning, and they win when they should be losing. The Giants should have been throwing games just to ensure that they were going to get themselves a quarterback for the upcoming season. They didn't do that. Which means in all likelihood, what we're seeing from the Giants ain't going to change anytime soon. Because you can't win without a quarterback in the National Football League. As the saying so go. It is what it is. Hard to say anything else. It really, really isn't.

[Greg Rosenthal]

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 podcast.

[Julie SW Banks]

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

[Stephen A. Smith]

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

[Julie SW Banks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Stephen A. Smith]

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

[Julie SW Banks]

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

[Stephen A. Smith]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie SW Banks]

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