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

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.

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."

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.

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..."

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.

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%."

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."

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."

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.

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%."

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.