E.P.I.C. Podcast "Every Play Is Crucial"
Life is full of moments you cannot predict or control only experience and enjoy right? Come join Vernon, Isaac, Justin, and Jared every Wednesday where we lend our opinions about current event going on in sports. Every episode is promising to be entertaining, not necessarily informational.
E.P.I.C. Podcast "Every Play Is Crucial"
Redefining Legacies: Eagles' Super Bowl Impact, NBA Trade Rumors, and Reviving All-Star Weekend
The episode delves into the aftermath of the NFL Super Bowl and critical NBA trade rumors, highlighting key players and their futures. We discuss the legacies that might be affected by recent performances and what changes we expect to see as teams re-strategize for upcoming seasons.
• Recap of the NFL Super Bowl and implications for Patrick Mahomes
• Analysis of NBA trades, focusing on Ingram's extension
• Discussion on Zion Williamson's challenges in the league
• Reflection on the relevance of the All-Star Game
• Speculation on potential trades for players like Deebo Samuel
• Preview of upcoming sports events, including March Madness
Music your hands to your lips, don't talk about it. Real eyes, realize, realize all the time, stand on it. If we said it won't walk around it loose lips ain't ships. Red cup, blue strips, new phone, who this? No, we don't allow it. Really, on, go, I don't know what's the off day now we on road came from smoking in the hallway. Now we got shows. Boys feeling like broadway, always look both ways, even on a crossway driving down cross bay. Our town park lays really big teams came up a small way Championship rings baby, that's a ball game. Oh, she won a little bag, baby, that's.
Speaker 2:Yo yo, welcome back to another episode of the Epic Podcast. I am joined today by my man, John Fitz. What's good, what up, what up? Not much, not much. Man, how was your sports weekend?
Speaker 3:It was a good weekend, man. It was a good weekend. I'm sad football is over, but it was a good weekend.
Speaker 2:Okay, okay. And what made this weekend so good for you?
Speaker 3:I mean nothing spectacular, I mean it was just. I mean it was just I, like you know, it was a good sports weekend, my Warriors, you know, looking good. You know what I'm saying after the trade, which I was worried about, by the way, but maybe you know we'll get into that at another time, but yeah, good weekend, good weekend.
Speaker 2:Good weekend. Okay, well, mine wasn't good because my homeboys didn't win. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I kind of just wanted him to do something to kind of separate himself from, you know, just from other quarterbacks, like the first three-peat. I mean, we can be honest, like the catch of Brady is going to be a tough task, it just is he's chasing the ghost.
Speaker 3:He's going to be chasing the ghost for a while.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. You can't go four for four or five for five and beat out Joe Montana at this point. That is what it is. So, I mean, the three-peat was probably like one of the few things he could do to separate himself from, like Tom Brady and Joe Montana, but now with this loss, it kind of just you know those three would be compared.
Speaker 3:I mean he takes a step back in my book, but you know I mean Okay.
Speaker 2:We'll get into that, you can elaborate on this step back.
Speaker 3:I'm just saying.
Speaker 2:By the way, we should have Jared and Justin joining us at some point. They had obligations so they was kind of busy. They may jump in throughout the show, but we're going to start with a little NBA news man. All right, a few things about the NBA. So right now you got the Raptors giving Ingram a three-year extension 120 mil man. Ingram was kind of quiet in New Orleans, playing well he always played well. But I think maybe this extension this could be the reason why they traded. Maybe they think the Pelicans are going into a reset.
Speaker 3:Which would be crazy if they are, you know them having Zion and things of that nature. But I get it, because zion hasn't performed, he stays hurt, I feel like all the time. Uh, he's never shaped up to do what he needs to do. So maybe they are kind of going in that mode of where they're looking to, um, you know, reset the reset the board or whatever that may be, just sucks for them, because I mean they, they've already had a reset. This was supposed to be their, their ongoing, you know good stuff.
Speaker 2:But yeah, they're supposed to be competing right now exactly, and the kind of I mean to get rid of, probably when zion is healthy and, you know, locked in your second best player in ingram. Um, I don't know what that says, especially for, like you said, zion, who's always hurt, like pelicans, like what are doing. It's a way we're just trying to build, you know, gain a bunch of young talent and draft picks Yep, I don't know what's going on there. So it'd be interesting to see what happens in the future. We got Justin with us. Man, we were just talking about Ingram getting a three-year extension with the Raptors for 120 million. A, do you think he's worth it? And B, what do you think the Pelicans is doing by moving him?
Speaker 3:Before he gets started, I just want to. My boy came in like he a Sith Lord, black hoodie, black down. Okay, all right.
Speaker 2:Well, most of the time he sits so far back on his camera we don't even get to see him. His face jump in and out of the screen.
Speaker 3:He likes to stay. You know mysterious and you know all that good stuff. You got to watch him. You got to watch him. I'll do what I can.
Speaker 2:So what do you think about Ingram man? Was it a good thing for the Raptors to extend him? Good person to get him around.
Speaker 4:Yeah, ingram's good. I mean I always say bad organizations always remain bad. So I mean, I think three years, 120. Is that a lot of money, yeah, but is it a lot for what he can do? No, that's probably a good contract. I mean mean he's still young, um, at the end of the day, and um, I mean I think he's gonna make him better, you know, when it's all said and done, which is huge. So, uh, you know, because the raptors are real, really still trying to find their identity you know what? I mean.
Speaker 2:So it's like I think, they're just trying to figure it out. Yeah, yeah, so you know I you know all right, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:So you know all right. You got RJ Barrett, now you got Ingram, you got Scottie Barnes you know what I'm saying. Like they're trying to figure out what kind of team they're trying to be. I don't mind the extension. I actually think it was a on the Pelican side to trade him. I've been saying, probably for the last two years, the first player that would have been off my roster from the Pelicans would have been Zion Williams, 100%. I don't understand why you continue to hold on. Bad organizations do it, though. They hold on to these guys because of name or whatever it is they, and then they hold on them too long and then there is no value to get back. You know what I'm saying. So it's like Zion, how many, or how long and this is, I guess, maybe a question for you guys how long do we do people Cause I, I've I've actually been saying this since he was at Duke but how many? How long do people continue to give him a pass, continue to say you know, he's this, he's that?
Speaker 3:I'm glad you said people. I ain't going to say I gave up on him at Duke, but I did give up on him, you know, after the first, you know, initial years in the NBA when he was doing the things he was doing, not keeping his body together, getting hurt. He was doing the things that he's doing, not keeping his body together, getting hurt, just you know, just not doing the things that a so-called next talent, generational superstar coming into the league should do. He just wasn't doing those things. So I mean, I've been off of him for a while but yeah, I didn't give up on him at Duke.
Speaker 4:I just had concerns when he was coming out of Duke, because one of the things I've said, even since he was in high school, was I said you're not meant, the human body is not meant to be 300 pounds and be that explosive. So there's going to come a time when all that jumping, that explosiveness, lose the weight. Yeah, if he doesn't lose the weight, it's going to come back to getting, and that's what's been happening throughout his career. I mean, really, I've been saying I think his playing weight should be 250, just being real, and that still puts him as one of the heaviest people in the NBA. That's the crazy thing.
Speaker 3:I feel like it should be less as high as he be jumping. He probably needs a little bit less off.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I don't know that he could get below that, but I think 250 would be a solid weight. Vern, do you know what is he? Is he still like 280, 275, 287?
Speaker 2:I'm actually looking right now. He is height, weight they got him at 284 right now.
Speaker 4:So 6'6", 284. Like he's probably the second heaviest player in the league behind Bojan.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 4:Bojan's 7'10".
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying no man, I agree too, especially like just looking back. Like you look at, he came into the league in 2019. He played 24 games that year, then played 61 the year after that, then he played 29, then played 70. And this year so far he's only played 17. But the crazy part is is like he's super productive. So it's kind of like all you got to do is do what you got to do to stay on the court Because in all those years he's averaging the least amount he's ever averaged is 22. Like I mean shooting north of 30% from the three. Seven rebounds, five assists, give or take a couple steals. Like he does everything when he's there, like when he's on the court and available, but it's like he ain't never there.
Speaker 2:He ain't never there. It's just like we always say you know, when it comes to football and things, it's like your best ability is availability, regardless of how talented you are, how good you are, whatever you can do If you're not on the court to do it, then whatever you can do If you're not on the court to do it, then or on the field or wherever your possession is, it doesn't matter.
Speaker 2:So I think I mean Zion is just falling into that situation where it's like man, he's just immensely talented, can do everything. Bring the ball up, you know what I mean Initiate the offense, shoot, jump, dunk, defense, and then it's just like you can't keep him on the court because he's not disciplined enough. It's like you can't keep him on the court because he doesn't. He's not disciplined enough. Yeah, yeah, Off-court distractions, Yep, and it's just those young dudes like that's it, when they're that young and they're just that, they've always just been just more athletic and more talented than everybody you just think that that's just going to carry you, you know, for a long time.
Speaker 2:And it's just, you get to the pros and they just don't. You know, night in and night out, 82 games is brutal. You know what I mean With travel and you know just everything that goes along with being a professional athlete. It's just brutal. And everybody's been telling me, like everybody who's had this issue Charles Barkley, the Shacks, like all these guys are been saying it like you got to get that, you got to get that weight off of you in order to, you know, have sustained success in the NBA. So every other year, so this year, we're probably going to get about 20 games. He averaged on a down year. He averages about 25 games. So we're probably going to get another eight to nine games out of Zion for the rest of the season.
Speaker 3:That's crazy.
Speaker 2:It's history. That's crazy though it's literally 24, 61, 29, 70, and now all that talent is going down the drain, down the drain Crazy. Yeah the drain Crazy, yeah, man, so yeah. Next thing Luka wins the LA debut man. How do y'all think they look, man? Did they even watch the game?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I watched a little bit of it last night. I didn't watch the whole thing, it was late.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I didn't get a chance to man. I got to be at CDL school at 7 in the morning. I got to get up at 5.
Speaker 3:I watched maybe the first, maybe six, seven minutes of the first quarter and after that I said, yes, time to go to bed.
Speaker 2:Then another thing is that they were playing the Jazz, so that doesn't draw your attention to the game because it's like it ain're trying to label competing against one of the top teams in the West. So if they're playing like the Nuggets or somebody you'd have been like, all right, cool, Like I want to see how they it is hard to really judge how they're going to mesh.
Speaker 3:It's just one game Like that's another thing that I kind of am annoyed about with the media, Like it's so much hype and I'm like I get it, it's two major superstars on the same team, but let's give them at least 10 games to see, kind of you know, what it's going to look like or how it's going to be or whatever it's going to be. I mean you can't really make a judgment off of one game, honestly. I mean you just can't.
Speaker 4:Let's see how long Lucas stays healthy.
Speaker 3:That too, that too, that too.
Speaker 2:I mean what he had. He had 14, five and four.
Speaker 4:I'm looking at, I mean yeah, he didn't shoot great, His splits were not good, but I mean, at the end of the day they played the Jazz. There was no interest in watching the Jazz. I mean there's nothing to write home about.
Speaker 1:At the end of the day, the expectation was Luka or no.
Speaker 4:Luka, you're supposed to beat the Jazz. You know what I'm saying. So, yeah, yeah, I mean we'll see, we'll see. With that whole situation, do I think that the Luka addition helps them? Sure, does, because he does give you a bona fide NBA score for real. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3:Yep.
Speaker 4:Do? I think they're going to struggle? Yeah, because I think he's going to get exposed again If they make the playoffs. He's going to get exposed in the playoffs again because he can't play a lick of defense.
Speaker 3:Can't play no defense. I was just arguing with somebody about that the other day. I don't care how much he can score, he can't stand in front of a cone. I'm like. The brother cannot play defense whatsoever.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I mean, like I said, he can average 30, but if he's giving up 35, who really won the battle? You know what I'm saying?
Speaker 2:Right, right right.
Speaker 4:So we'll see.
Speaker 2:We'll see. So Hornets aim to dispute the Williams physical man, no need.
Speaker 4:Definitely.
Speaker 2:I mean, yeah, I mean, I just think it's crazy that what she kind of played in a game and then had to go back to LA.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's wild oh.
Speaker 4:Dalton. Yeah like that was crazy. I thought they said he didn't play. He was just in the warm-up.
Speaker 3:No, he played, he played.
Speaker 4:He actually played yeah.
Speaker 2:Because I thought that too. And then, like we was another guy in class I be talking sports with, we looked it up and it was like, nah, he got minutes, yeah, he played, he legit played, so yeah, but now I have to go back to the team to trade you and guess what, he ain't playing the Jazz game and it said personal.
Speaker 4:So I'm like hey Bright, I want to be there, right.
Speaker 2:but like now. But, bro, you're a rookie.
Speaker 4:First off you need to play for the chance of playing, or I could say they didn't want to risk him getting injured either if this dispute goes through.
Speaker 4:But, I don't think it's going to go through, because everything that I've heard about Williams is he has a mean injury history, so they were like their fingers were crossed that he would pass a physical. So at this stage, because I mean think about it Did it really make sense for a team like the Hornets, as bad as they've been for the number of years, to trade a 22-year-old who's giving you 16-9 or 17-9? That? Doesn't make any sense.
Speaker 1:You know something's going on.
Speaker 4:So you know something's wrong. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:Like there's something wrong there, I'm sorry, I mean even though you were getting back a pretty decent package, like it wasn't like you were trading for a bag of ball. But I mean, can that hoop or two, you know, when he's got his opportunities, Fam fam.
Speaker 4:They don't need another. When Brandon Miller's healthy, you got Bridges, you got LaMelt. They don't have a big fam. You don't trade a big if you have a big. That's true too. That's true too.
Speaker 2:But the Lakers just signed Alex Lynn too, so that may be the signal that like, look, dude, we could. Yeah, we don't want to pursue that anymore. Regardless like y'all can dispute it all y'all want, either you can get on the court or you cannot get on the court.
Speaker 3:I just find it hilarious how they just try to sweep that under the rug, like I'm, like that's wild, like he wasn't going to do a physical.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that part Right there, yeah, or are you just hoping that they just don't find it?
Speaker 4:You know, what I mean. Yeah, that's true, that's true.
Speaker 2:Because some teams don't do their due diligence. You know what I mean?
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, the Lakers are. I mean, that's hey.
Speaker 4:That's a risky trade.
Speaker 2:I was about to say the Lakers.
Speaker 3:Of all teams.
Speaker 2:The Lakers have been pretty shaky, so they ain't make the best decisions. I mean, I guess you could kind of sit back and try to say, well, let's just see if they'll take him. You know what I mean. Maybe he can squeak through, like I said. But yeah, no, I think the Lakers, like I said once I seen they sign Alex Lynn, I'm like all right, they cool, they ain't. You know, somebody who can defend catch lobs. He's a huge seven-footer, like he's been around for. He knows how to play and you don't need much from him.
Speaker 2:Last but not least, in NBA, kyrie to replace AD in the All-Star game. I haven't watched a lot of Kyrie this year just because the school is kicking him up, but I ain't been able to watch a lot of basketball at all. But I mean it's like he's having a decent season right now 40% from the three averaging 24, a little like a normal Kyrie year. Four rebounds well, five rebounds, five assists, a couple steals.
Speaker 3:I also heard, john, you was telling me that they got. Yeah, trae Young replaced Giannis, because Giannis is not playing in the All-Star this year. So with his injury, they immediately put him on the sideline when he got injured.
Speaker 2:So question and I feel like we talk about this every year around this time what do we do about the All-Star game? Do we go back to how it was? How do?
Speaker 3:we incentivize these players to, I guess, play hard and in order for it to go back, in order for it to go back to what it was, you got to get the players to buy in that. This is an actual, this is a game like. It's not like you know, making me it's. It's like you're, it's like it's like with football. You're getting, you know, you've, you've done well, you do whatever. And obviously I know you got the pro bowl and all that good stuff. That that's another conversation for another day too.
Speaker 3:But the all-star game back in the day, from when I was growing up, that was like the, the all, like, be all of of games. Like we going to compete for real, like it, real, the best players in the NBA playing against each other on one night. There was a different type of mentality in those olden days. Now it's just different. Everybody's buddy, they just want to be seen and all this other stuff. In order to go back to that, you've got to find a way to get the players to buy into. Like. This is a like. This is still a serious game. You need to play like, you get paid to play. That's what you, this is what you're supposed to do.
Speaker 2:Hey, maybe that's the key. Maybe, again, put some money on the line or make it something playoff bound. You know what I mean. Something playoff bound? You know what I mean. Kind of like how baseball, do you know? I mean, whatever conference wins, the wins the all-star game they get, that's who gets home field advantage. You know, in a world series maybe you got to make it worth something in order for to make them play him.
Speaker 2:Or put some money on the line a million dollars, I don't know, because these guys are making, you know, anywhere from from 40 to 50, 60 million. So it's hard to just put a million out there and be like, all right, go for it. I don't think that would do it as much, even if it's the combination of both. But again, like you said, I think back in the day they just had more pride of going against the best and wanted to show out that. Now it's just like you said, everybody trying to save themselves. Don't. Nobody want to risk an injury or anything crazy, which I've never seen an injury in an All-Star game Me either, I was going to ask you I don't think I've ever seen an injury.
Speaker 2:I've never seen an injury in an All-Star game?
Speaker 2:Me neither. So I don't think nobody's out there fouling super hard or whatever, even in the closing minutes of the game. But I think, if nothing else, like I said, make playoff implications, like you said, home court event or, like I said, home court advantage, and put some money out there. Same thing for like three-point shootouts and stuff. You want people getting ducking contests, especially these young guys. Put a half a meal up, winner gets a half a meal. That's going to inspire creativity and these young guys who can do all the jumping and dunking and stuff. It's going to inspire them to want to go in there and try to win because hey, look, at least I gave them extra two paychecks out of it or something. Three-point contest same thing. Put a quarter of a meal up and make the remain whoever.
Speaker 3:Hey, the champion, you win, you got to run it back three three-point contest, though I feel like it's probably the most competitive out of the whole weekend. The rest of them is all trash, literally three-point contest. I literally believe that's probably the. I think they don't have to do anything with that. I think the people who show up for that they do what they're supposed to do At least me personally. I don't have any gripes with the three-point contest, but everything else in that whole weekend, yeah. I'm going to change?
Speaker 2:This year you have Jalen Bronson, kay Cunningham, darius Garland, Tyler, hero Buddy Hill, cameron Johnson, damian Lillard and Norman Powell. That's not a bad lineup yes it is. But I'm thinking that's what I'm saying. I'm just thinking about okay, I know I mean Tyler Hero's.
Speaker 4:He can't, he's not, but he's not that kind of a shooter. There's levels to three-point. Yeah, buddy, yes, buddy's a, now Buddy's a shooter-shooter. Yeah, Buddy yes, now Buddy's a shooter-shooter yeah, that's what I'm thinking and Damien just, but Damien's not even really a three. He's learned to do the three-point contest, but it took him several three-point contests.
Speaker 2:He's won two of them. Man, he's won back-to-back.
Speaker 4:Think so now. Yes, he's won back-to-back.
Speaker 2:But I mean no offense, but Norman Powell, but again, that's what I'm saying. Like people aren't, the real shooters aren't coming out to shoot. You know what I mean?
Speaker 4:Like but it's. I don't think they're inviting the real shooters, because the real shooters ain't necessarily the superstars in the league either. But if you but if you that's what I'm saying, I think I'm with you you have to incentivize these guys. I agree with what you were saying.
Speaker 4:Like you have to figure out what that is, because we did already talk about, like I, I think, when we talked about the baseball thing, like I think that's a piece of it. Go back to east and west, all this other nonsense in that home. Go east west, you know some kind of playoff incentive for whatever you wins it, throw some money on the line and then kind of go from there and to your point, I think you can get some of the better talent in the three-point contest and stuff. But who See? Because to me it's not even necessarily about how many made, but, like, for example, you start looking at some of these guys, I'm like man, there's not a whole lot of guys that you would want to see. But I'll say this Would people want to see Luka in a three-point contest? For sure, he's a superstar, you know what I'm saying and he could shoot the ball. Now is he? You know, he may not be.
Speaker 2:I mean the motion of shooting.
Speaker 4:But yeah, I get you. But like, yeah, I get you, I get you. But like, yeah, those are the guys you want to see. I mean, you want to see those guys at the three-point line. You just, I don't know that you're going to get them in there because, to your point, I don't think it's incentivized enough for these guys to want to do it.
Speaker 3:I think for me it. I mean, obviously I don't want just like the bench or the warm-up squad shooting at the three-point line, but I, I guess it doesn't. I guess for me it doesn't matter as much as far as with, like the up-and-coming, like youth that's shooting or whatever that may be, because at the end of the day it's going to be competitive. They're going to go out and they're going to go out and try to win the three-point contest, like it's not going to be any show or or them playing off a defense or moving out the way so somebody can dunk. It's going to be competitive. You know what I mean. So I guess it doesn't matter to me per se. I get what you're saying and I definitely agree. I think there should be some sort of incentive to maybe get some of the other superstars out, but I guess it's not a. I see it as a way for the up-and-coming stars, the Brunces and all that stuff to kind of, you know, be on the limelight and things like that.
Speaker 4:But he's not a shooter. That's my thing. Like you're putting guys who ain't really like. When I look at Brunces, he's not a three-point shooter. Like you know, those guys aren't a lot of those guys aren't real three-point shooters in my opinion. But I'll say, like I'll say this I would have loved to see kevin durant in it I would love to see luca in it.
Speaker 4:I would have loved to see and again, it doesn't have to be superstars, but I'm just naming some guys that the guys that you, that has notable names, yeah, like, yeah, it's known for yeah, like guys we know who can get it like and don't get me wrong, they're in-game shooters and then guys who could do the three-point contest. Um, but yeah, like, I mean, why not? Like, I would still like to see Steph do it one more time before he retires. You know what I'm saying. Like, I just like.
Speaker 3:Give me matter of fact, give me one like a star-studded one or switch it up and do like a Vets versus you know guys who have been in the league for less than five years, versus some guys who've been in the league more than five years you know what I'm saying and like make kind of competed, like that three-point contest is the most competitive thing.
Speaker 4:That's on all-star but uh at the end of the day, I still think they can't even make that a little bit more entertaining in terms of intriguing to watch as well. Um, I mean, like I said, who wouldn't want to watch KD Lucas? And those guys try to get it in, but then mix in your Duncan Robinsons and guys that are known to shoot free too. You know what I'm saying. There's ways to get it done. They just got to be creative about doing it.
Speaker 2:And then I mean to double down on that, the dunk contest. I don't even know how I say his name from the Chicago Bulls.
Speaker 3:That's probably the least yeah.
Speaker 2:And then you Stephon Castle from San Antonio Trash, andre Jackson Jr from Milwaukee and Mac McCullen from the G League McCullen, yeah.
Speaker 4:Mac McClellan yeah.
Speaker 2:League McClellan.
Speaker 4:Yeah, mac McClellan.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so like you're telling me, if you put a half a mil on there like other guys, like come on.
Speaker 4:Put a mil. It got to be Make it a little bit. I mean, I'm just saying I mean, we're talking about a billion-dollar business and more than a billion-dollar, multi-billion dollar business.
Speaker 2:they can afford to put a meal up, but I kind of look at like the NBA Cup and how they only put half a meal up.
Speaker 4:Which they need to increase that.
Speaker 2:I'm just thinking, if they're going to cheat that out, then but the half a meal is per person, though, right. It is per person, yeah.
Speaker 4:So that's why I say a meal would. I mean you're talking about half a meal per person. That's different. You know what I'm saying. That's that's different. It's like you play for that for the guys that are, you know, number 10 through 15 on that roster to get that. You know what I'm saying. So that's motivation to help other guys get it. But, yeah, like you, you put a meal up. I mean that's the most money mac mcclellan would get. You know what I'm saying. Um, I hate to say this, but the reality is he's become, in my opinion, that dwight howard, that nate robinson where he's won it, like last year, on name. Like it's not about the dunks anymore, it's now more about your name and how cool people, yeah, like think you are. Like I don't watch any of this stuff anymore. I think, like like last year, I always watch the three-point contest. Let me take that back. But the dunk contest, I think the last one I actually enjoyed was the Aaron Gordon-Zach Levine one.
Speaker 3:Yep.
Speaker 4:And then I stopped after that because they robbed Aaron Gordon.
Speaker 3:Sure did.
Speaker 4:You know what I'm saying. So it's like the game hasn't. Now, I'll be honest, Sure did. You know what I'm saying? So it's like the game hasn't. Now, I'll be honest, I haven't watched an actual All-Star game in. I mean so long I couldn't even tell you. I usually forget it's even on until somebody says something. I couldn't even tell you the last time I watched an All-Star game itself.
Speaker 1:Yeah, did I watch last year I'm trying to think Did.
Speaker 3:I actually watch last year.
Speaker 2:I can't even remember if I did or didn't. I can't remember. I will say I'm looking at the skills challenge set up. That's kind of decent. You got Donovan Mitchell and Mobley. You got Team Spurs with Chris Paul and Victor which both of them are you know what I mean Very good passes and stuff like that. And then you got the Warriors. Well, draymond and Moody.
Speaker 1:Draymond and.
Speaker 3:Moody, that's what I said.
Speaker 2:But in Team Rooks I can barely read their names Alex Saar, and I can't even I can't see the pictures too small on here. But so I mean that may I mean be something. But yeah, I agree, man, like it. Just the incentives. It's just not there, man, and they just quit being cheap and put the money out there. I think the same thing even with. I mean I don't want to talk about the Pro Bowl, but I mean that's another thing where you gotta do something.
Speaker 2:You gotta go back to old school, these players in the league always talking about how fast they are, who the fastest 4x1 team is.
Speaker 4:Let's see it.
Speaker 2:Let's see it. Make them line up. Yeah, put some red. I remember Rod Woodson and them used to raise Yep, darryl Green and them used to raise All that. Used to have who could throw the farthest, Used to have accuracy challenges, all that stuff.
Speaker 4:They do a little passing thing.
Speaker 2:now I saw Bro, it ain't like.
Speaker 4:Like you said, they used to see who could throw the farthest. Like all these guys Patrick Mahomes, josh Allen, all these guys talking about they got a gun With this big arm, let's see it. Let's see this big arm. Let's see who really can throw this thing.
Speaker 2:Like let's do it. And I just think they just so afraid of going back that they're going to lose. Like I don't know, maybe the young crowd. But it's like if you like football, you like football and you do want to see your favorite players compete against it. You want to see who can throw the farthest. That's something we do in the backyard. You know what I'm?
Speaker 4:saying Yep.
Speaker 2:You want to see who's the fastest.
Speaker 4:We all went outside and raced. You know what I'm saying?
Speaker 2:Yeah, Like that's the thing we do. Imagine the Tyreek Hills and Worthies and you know what I mean. Like man that people will be. You can put that on pay-per-view. We were paying to watch it. So I just think they kind of got to take a step back and quit trying to innovate so much and kind of go back to the roots and see what used to work and sprinkle a little of that in and get some feedback. And I think the same thing in the NBA, man, like you said, you got to put more incentives in there. Make these dudes go hard. Y'all already low, managed too much throughout the season. Give us one game, a game. You telling me you don't want to go hard against these guys that you know to challenge you year in and year out. Talking about the Mets, what are we here for? Forfeit your all-star and put a guy.
Speaker 4:Forfeit your spot and let somebody else get in there who wants to play if you don't you know, I actually said, I brought it up to you guys a while back and I still believe that it's a way to. It's a way to get them to play a little bit harder. I think you can name, you can name your top, you know, five whatever. Five, whatever all-stars, however number that may be, and they don't have to play right. So your vets, they don't have to play. It could be optional, but with the understanding of if you play, you're going to play. This is a game. Have them play against the best players in the G League.
Speaker 2:That too, yeah, that too, and especially if you put that money up.
Speaker 4:Yes, that's what I'm saying. G League will go hard, yeah, so you're not going to be able to take it easy. You know what I'm saying? Like, I think that what you do is you incentivize them in multiple ways and they're not going to want to get out there and get embarrassed.
Speaker 2:That part.
Speaker 4:You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, I embarrassed that part. You know what I'm saying. So, yeah, I think it's gonna shine the talent on the g league to where now who might who you know may get called up for a two-way contractor? Now you know somebody you might not know. Oh man, I didn't hey who's that guy. You know what I mean.
Speaker 4:It's gonna open opportunities too yep, and I said this why not make all-star weekendend like? If you're not going to like, you could do the game like that, but I would still love to see all these guys talk about this, that and the third have a 1v1 tournament Put them right to the side.
Speaker 1:Yeah, put them right to the side.
Speaker 4:And to me you do 1v1 and you do it to me two different ways, two or three different ways. You have a bigs one v one and then you have maybe guards, yeah, and you do one v one. Tournaments in in in all three areas, however they want to and they can. They can pick whatever one they want to play in. But do one v one tournament and that can start friday and the championship be sunday.
Speaker 3:So you ain't even got to play like that, you know.
Speaker 4:I mean, you can spread it out and have you know.
Speaker 2:Have height restrictions, maybe from yep six foot to six four, and then you know what I mean. Wings got to be six five to six eight. You know what I mean?
Speaker 4:yeah, yeah, or to me I think it goes by shoot. What do they? What do they list you at? Yeah, do they list you as a power forward or a small forward? You're forward, yep.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying? No, I agree. No, that would be dope.
Speaker 3:That would be good.
Speaker 4:So that's something that would get me watching again, but again they're not man, these guys they don't want to get out there and get embarrassed. You know what I'm saying. Too much politics Again. I'm pretty sure I won't watch a lick of the All-Star outside of maybe the three-point contest again this year, until something changes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's tough. All right, man Enough basketball. Let's talk some football. Of course we just had the Super.
Speaker 3:Bowl this past weekend. Eagles beat the Chiefs 40-22. Let's not downplay it the Eagles didn't beat the Chiefs, the Eagles destroyed the Chiefs.
Speaker 2:Fair enough, fair enough, fair enough.
Speaker 3:No arguments there that 22 is that's just to look nice, but it's really worse than that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I mean I don't know if I really want to say what's next for the Chiefs. I guess now I mean I guess me and Fitz was kind of talking about it Like now that Patrick Mahone is out of any type of exclusive club, I mean it's going to be a while before he even catch Brady. If he does, he can't go undefeated, you know. So you know Montana is in the conversation. I don't think it's a way he really separates himself. I mean, winning five would probably be the only way he really separates himself, because Montana has four, so that kind of puts him above him but still below Brady, and kind of put him in the area by himself, because I don't know too many quarterbacks that have four or five of put him in the area by himself, because I don't know too many quarterbacks that have four or five. But I think not getting that three-peat is kind of hurt.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it got to.
Speaker 2:What do you think, Justin?
Speaker 4:I mean, I think that would have helped him in terms of just being able to, like you said, differentiate itself, but I don't think it makes or breaks his legacy. I mean, at the end of the day, you've got a full career to go through. I actually said, regardless of, even if they had won this and he three-peated right, how would people view him if he never went back to another Superbowl? For the rest, of his career.
Speaker 4:Like people keep forgetting, like it's not. Like he got to retire you know what I'm saying. Like Patrick Mahomes probably be around for another 10 years. So like let's, let's, let's pump the brakes and realize, like he's talented, he's had a good run, but there's a good chance, given all the talent in the AFC. He, but there's a good chance, given all the talent in the AFC. He might not. He might not get back out. Oh, that's crazy. No, it's not. Guess what? Andy Reid's older Andy Reid may not be there. Patrick's entire career.
Speaker 4:That's a reality he's about to lose Kelsey at some point here. That's going to change some things for him. You know what I'm saying. Like Chris Jones is getting older, like the Chiefs ain't going to necessarily be the Chiefs and, if we're all honest, I don't think we're surprised by what happened. No, I think we all knew the Chiefs were flawed.
Speaker 2:They kind of just been scavenging through all season and I think we all, they just didn't make mistakes at crucial times throughout the season and that kind of like, yeah, no.
Speaker 1:I agree.
Speaker 4:Or no, go ahead and say it too or they've gotten very favorable calls at favorable times throughout the season, because in the reality they probably should have had three or four losses in the regular season.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 4:And then you're looking at this different. Anyway, you know what I'm saying, but it's like I can admit I've said this and I'm sure you probably would have agreed with this if we didn't talk about it. Last time was as long as Philadelphia's defensive line played up to where we knew they could. We already knew it was going to be a problem because Kansas City's O-line has been struggling all year. So I'm not surprised by the outcome. What's next for the Chiefs? I think what's next is something that can't be done.
Speaker 4:Me and Ike talked about this and said they really got to start rebuilding, but that stuff doesn't happen overnight as far as because they got to get the O-line right. But but that stuff doesn't happen overnight as far as cause they got to get the whole line right. But you know, while you're trying to fix that, you got other things you're trying. You know right, she rice is coming up on a contract. I'm sure you know how are you replacing Kelsey? I know people say oh, no, great, and some of them yeah, but they're not Kelsey. You know what are you going to do on defense. You know you got guys getting older guys needing contracts there. So I mean it's going to be interesting to see how they figure it out Ultimately. I mean, regardless if Patrick won another Super Bowl or not, to me it doesn't exclude him from being in any kind of conversation. He's had a great run and it happens, and he just happens to be. This is a time where you got some really good quarterbacks in the AFC.
Speaker 4:They got a lot of good quarterbacks, man you know what I'm saying, which that means that a lot of teams have an opportunity to, you know, make some runs. Now I ain't gonna say three-peat or do what they were about to do, but they could make some runs where they can get a couple Super Bowls, you know, when it's all said and done.
Speaker 2:So we're gonna see, yeah, and usually somebody. Um, since my home has has been in the leagues every, every other, you know, somebody sneaks in to get one. So this eagles has got one. You know what I mean. It's like, well, somebody else won. Uh, yeah, no, they were the rams and buccaneers. You know what I mean? So yep, yep, um, when they lost to the buccaneers in the Super Bowl, and then the Rams, like you said, the Rams got one. So it's like, okay, the Eagles got one and maybe, like you said, I mean you probably with this cash, maybe in two years, maybe. So you probably got a two-year window to probably get back.
Speaker 4:I know it sounds crazy. I actually think they window shut, bro for real.
Speaker 2:I just I think we've been seeing a steady decline in the Chiefs and it's just somehow it's like they still are right there at the end, at least competing. You know what I mean.
Speaker 4:So let me ask you this, though the only reason why I say I think their window is closed in terms of without some some tweaks to really get them back up top with some old line fixes and stuff, is because I think, from what we saw from Denver and the chargers alone are going to make that division tougher. Yeah, and they and they both are in a position to make moves and really improve their rosters. Obviously, health and all that stuff play, but like I just will be curious to see how that's going to work.
Speaker 2:So, again, not saying they can't win, but you know what I'm saying Like their division should be much better moving forward and they haven't had that in some years, yeah, but then I also I mean, look at, because see, we've said this before too, because a few years back, the AFC West, we were like man, this is going to be a tough division and they end up falling off, but nonetheless I also look at the other AFC divisions. You look at the East, outside of Buffalo, nobody's really competing and they all got their own issues. Yeah, Outside of the North, which who knows what that's going to be the Steelers, what they going to do at quarterback, are they going to keep both of those guys again and, you know, run it back as it was? No, they need weapons. You know what I mean? They got their things going on.
Speaker 4:I think the North is really just right now in the North is just Baltimore and Cincinnati, that's it I mean. But the other ones got issues.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but then I mean Cincinnati got defensive issues so it's like, what are they going to do on that side of the ball? So you can really kind of look at it as really Baltimore is really the only stable team, that you really don't have a ton of question marks you know what I mean from somewhere from the front office until you know to on the field, uh. So I mean and I mean afc south yeah, really just got the taxons again like that's really the only team that's really competing. So even if you do get two teams out of the west, you can still be in a position where the chiefs can still make it. You know what I mean. I agree with two teams out the West, so I don't think their fall off is further than the other teams and the other divisions. That's been bad the past few years. That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4:I think, yeah, I see what you're saying. I think you're right on that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, because as long as you got Patrick Mahomes, it's just and and Andy Reid.
Speaker 4:Yeah, you always have a chance.
Speaker 2:You got a pretty pretty good chance and their big contracts are under contract. So these guys none of these guys are getting, you know, top-tier money. You know the receivers are not getting top-tier money.
Speaker 4:No, no, you know what?
Speaker 2:I'm saying I mean like nobody's on defense outside of probably McDuffie is getting, you know, top money. You can get good money yeah. You know what I'm saying At that position. So linebackers, I don't see. No, you know all pro talent, that linebacker that you got to pay top linebacker money.
Speaker 4:You know what I mean. Nick Bolton is good, but you're not paying him that. Leo Chanel, you're not paying that. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Those guys are replacing those guys but not top.
Speaker 4:Yeah, they're not going to be top of the market, guys.
Speaker 2:You know D-line, I mean you paid your D-line man. You know what I mean. So nobody else is on Chris Jones' level too, where you're like, okay, we got to think about some things. So again, I think they'd probably be fine, salary cap wise, like you said. I think it's more of just the rest of the league catching up versus them falling off. I can up versus them falling off. That division catching up too, they got great coaches in that division.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I think Harbaugh's a difference maker.
Speaker 2:We talked about that. He always moves the needle. Even though I'm not a believer in Harbaugh. I know you don't like her, but I do trust Harbaugh. Yep.
Speaker 4:We got a comment too real quick from uh, oh my god, cory.
Speaker 2:He said the texans ain't. Ain't it, though they too questionable? Um, you can say that, but in the same sense I mean when you compare them against the rest of the teams in the afc south and we both coach fans, so I understand where this is coming from. It's just one of those things that the rest of the rosters in the AFC South is not where the Texans are. The Texans is loaded with talent. They just was rigged with injuries. You got to think Three of their top receivers was hurt. You know what I mean. You get Diggs, dales and what you call it, nico.
Speaker 1:Collins, nico Collins.
Speaker 2:Like ask them three right there as a difference maker and you know whoever the Texans are playing. And of course they just loaded on defense. I mean, like we said with Stroud on his contract, like it gives them so much wiggle room to keep making moves.
Speaker 4:But that's why they got to get it right now, in my opinion, because while Stroud is on this rookie deal, they got to figure out all right, who do we need? That's going to put us over the top. They got to put some work on the offensive line. I think they got two really good edges with Daniil Hunter and Will Anderson. They still got some pieces here or there on the defense that they need to add in. And then, offensively, I think they got to figure it out.
Speaker 4:I think getting a new offensive coordinator was the right move. But then they got to figure out the offensive line. And then, to your point, I think they really got to see what they're going to do as a receiver, because Diggs and Dale I don't even know that well, diggs ain't even under contract and I doubt, with that injury as late as it was, I don't know that Dale will even be able to play next year, man, because that was a pretty brutal injury. You know what I'm saying? That late in the year. So what do you do there? Because Nico can't do it by himself.
Speaker 2:But again, we always talk about and this is something that, uh, that jared preaches a lot is that you can find guys in the draft. I mean, far as receiving, like they're, they're all over the nation in college, in college football.
Speaker 4:We see a weekend, a week out in college football, so you can, you can find a receiver or two um, there's not a lot of guys I don't think at receiver that come out of college that are ready to put you in a position to win now. Yes, you can get them and develop them, but it's very rare you get. You know what I mean adjusted.
Speaker 2:Don't let Jerry hear you saying this because, let him tell it, there's number ones flying out of college every year.
Speaker 4:I don't believe that. I think you do have some top-tier talent that comes out, but teams like the Texans won't be in a position to get a lot of those guys because they usually go a lot higher.
Speaker 2:They're going to be bottom 20. But I think, coming into that culture that they built in Houston too I hate talking about them being the coach it's like that culture. I like the Nico though, boy, that's what I'm saying that culture that they built in such little time, you know what I mean To throw young guys in there. I think they have a system. You see, the tank deals, the Nico Collins, how these guys just blossomed over the past couple years. They haven't been in the league long to really flourish in that system and in that culture. So they may be one of those guys that can you know. They may be one of those things that you get, one of those guys late in the second, third round to come in and maybe be able to produce why a tank dales is out. And if they're not you, you you have something to look forward to as him coming back yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:So we're gonna I mean injuries, we're gonna see what the health looks like. They gotta show up that offensive line, though, because cj got toe up last yeah, that, that tackles. Um, definitely need some work yeah, they got it okay, but those tackles, yeah, yeah larry tonsil did not live up to the billing last year and left tackle, so oh, my cousin said this is my cousin.
Speaker 2:She said they good in college but don't do so well in nfl. Yeah, I mean, and it happens at every position uh, the receiver, you just get more chances because there's more of them, like you can put four or five receivers on the field.
Speaker 2:You can keep seven receivers on the roster and, uh, develop them, you know, later on throughout their later years. So you're right, I mean they don't all pan out, but you know, that's one of the positions where you just have that luxury, that and in db you had a luxury where to keep you know five, six dbs and move them around between safeties and play them at different in the slot and, uh, do different things with them to see how they're going to develop though. So, uh, great, what's next? Of course, again, year in and year out, it just seems like the Super Bowl just keeps breaking attendance records as far as viewers and stuff. Yeah right, as they expand around the world. So 127 million viewers, average viewers. So that's people watching at the same time. Wow, that's ridiculous. Wow, saints hires Eagle OC Moore as new head coach. Do you think that'd be one of those coaches that can transition from OC to head coach?
Speaker 4:No, I didn't like him as an OC.
Speaker 2:Okay, fair enough. I don't think the Eagles offense was that good to where.
Speaker 4:Not at all.
Speaker 2:You need to dispatch your OC, maybe the DC, but the OC they didn't do anything special. Jalen, even though he was hurt throughout the season, didn't go crazy. I mean outside of a really good running game scheme with Saquon, and you know they zone, you know how they zone block.
Speaker 3:Okay.
Speaker 2:Offensive line is good too. They got one of the best. If anybody needs a promotion, it's their offensive line coach, who's been there for quite a while, I forget.
Speaker 4:They've done a real good job there with that old line.
Speaker 2:They've done a real good job there with that O-line, even with Kelsey coming out. I think they had a rookie at center.
Speaker 4:It's a second-year guy, I think Second-year okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so they miss a beat. So yeah, I think, if anything, grab the DC and promote the offensive line coach, if that's a thing.
Speaker 4:Yeah, fangio's had a head coaching opportunity before. I believe he was in Denver. I don't think he's. He's another one where I think he's a better coordinator. He's just not a great head coach.
Speaker 4:I don't see Kellen Moore translating personally. I mean people keep forgetting he was in Dallas. He was with the Chargers, now he's with the Eagles. So it's not like I don't understand all the hula. Like the year. If I'm not mistaken, I think the year is in dallas. Oh, dallas is putting up x amount of point man, if y'all go back and watch how they were doing it. Though it's like he's not. I don't. I don't see anything special about him. I don't see him even as being like a, a top tier offensive coordinator personally, uh, but maybe he'll translate into a better head coach, but when I see him, even when you see him on the sideline, he does not strike me as a person that commands respect, that commands the attention of the other men in that locker room. Uh, I just don't see it working personally. But we'll see, because new orleans is in a bad spot, brother.
Speaker 1:They ain't got no cap space.
Speaker 4:They ain't got no quarterback, like I don't I don't know that he can do and see. That's where I say like I'll give ben johnson credit, even though I don't think he's gonna be a good head coach either. I think. Well, I will see how he translates, but I'm not. I'm not sold on him being a great head coach either.
Speaker 2:Uh, but we'll see, because he has some good coordinators around, if I remember correctly but and I also think too uh, not to cut you off it depends on where that oh that that coordinator comes from and what culture he comes from, like who was his head coach? Who was their GM? Are they going to kind of a similar situation and are they building their staff the same way where they were successful at?
Speaker 4:Because that staff matters, and the only thing I was going to say is I think that, ultimately, ben Johnson did a good job of turning down jobs and waiting for one that gave him a better opportunity to be successful. Kellen Moore that's a job that probably needed to go to somebody who's been a previous head coach or had some kind of experience in rebuilding a franchise. That's a tough thing to ask somebody who's never been in that position to do. Again, not saying he can't we're going to have to wait and see. But if I had to bank on it, I'll say he's a guy who won't be a head coach for very long because I don't think they're going to be very good at all so and and because, also, like the saints front office are very stuck in their ways.
Speaker 2:They're one of them teams that just they don't make really really smart money moves um, player wise, roster wise, like that gene, I think if anything they need to, they need a new gm. They need to re-rack that front office um and kind of and kind of start over there, because I mean, since brie's been gone, like they haven't, they haven't been, they've been paying the wrong guys uh off-field problems.
Speaker 2:It's been a lot going on there, bringing in the wrong guys, overpaying them. Bringing in the wrong guys and overpaying them. It's crazy. So I think, new Orleans, if you're going to at the point of bringing in a new coach, I think you probably should have started at the GM spot and kind of went that route.
Speaker 4:Oh yeah, now they got an old, expensive roster, exactly spot and kind of went that route.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, Now they got an old, expensive roster.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Exactly Because you unpaid all these old guys. You know what I mean. And then you can't do anything. You can't bring in any talent on offense. You really have to draft well, and this GM has not been drafting well. So I think that's going to be your biggest problem, not only the salary cap. Y'all been in salary cap hell forever.
Speaker 2:It seems like Every year y'all wanted to get one of the teams that's 30, 40 mil over the cap. You know what I mean. Y'all turning everything into signing bonuses, like, yeah, I think, like I said, I think again I would have hired a new GM and then let him go head coach search and tell him I don't want anybody new. Give me somebody with at least three, four years of head coaching experience at least two. You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Like somebody you know what I mean. Bring in somebody who's got some experience, because those old guys you're going to have to culture shot them. You're going to have to rebuild that culture and start over with some younger guys at some point. So, last but not least, talk about the niners. Uh, trying to do everything they can to extend purdy without losing the rest of the roster. Yeah, um, where do you put me and john? I'm gonna start with john on this. Where do you? Where do you put him as a number? Uh, far as quarterbacks, just knowing what they're going for Quarterbacks right now, you're looking between 35 and I guess now close to 55. Where do you put Purdy in that bracket?
Speaker 3:as far as money, he definitely ain't getting 55. I'll tell you that that's over with. I would be happy with Ike. This is a great question for Ike. I wish he was here. I would be happy with.
Speaker 2:This is a great question for Ike. I wish he was here.
Speaker 3:I would give him anywhere between 35 and 40. Okay, I would give him anywhere between that, but he ain't 55, and they already have said that they're even willing to extend it past 55. To extending. I'm like, nah, he's not worth that.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, I mean, I guess that I guess the the writing is on the wall with them landebo seek a trade, so they they're. I mean we can think it's safe to say that they're gonna pay him a nice amount.
Speaker 3:Um but when you look, and how do you? How do you save the rest of the team at that point? If you're giving him all that money, how are you saving the team? You're not. You're not saving the team.
Speaker 2:And see Justin again. I wish Jared was here too. They tend to hold their pockets when it comes to talking about paying people. So what do you think? Man 40,? You think he's in that range?
Speaker 4:Well, first, don't say paying people, it's paying quarterbacks, quarterbacks, it's really the quarterbacks more than anybody. But I would probably say, if I'm being real about it, it's probably going to take somewhere between 40, 45 to get him. Okay, I think he knows he's not top tier, but I think somewhere between that 40, 45, and I will feel comfortable with it. But the design of it is going to be in a manner in which I have an out after two years, okay.
Speaker 2:So we'll maybe put some voidable years on there on the back end.
Speaker 4:Yep, I can give him some accelerators to offset that as well. Like, if you hit certain things, we win a Super Bowl, all that you know. Maybe that is.
Speaker 2:Maybe a bigger signing bonus. Maybe a bigger signing bonus of more money up front, make it like front heavy and then, like you said, put some avoidable years on the back end, like, hey look, you know, like you said, certain incentives, if we, you know, nfc championship, we make it to a Super Bowl.
Speaker 4:Yep, all that. If you're an all-pro, you know stuff like that, I can add some incentives in there, but he's not a top-tier quarterback to me.
Speaker 1:He fits that system well.
Speaker 4:So I do understand why you want to, because he does fit the system well, but in terms of his ability to win when he doesn't have top tier talent around him, I don't see it. And they need to rebuild their offensive line. They, they gotta get a, they gotta get that offensive line fixed um to protecting better. Uh, and because Trent's going to retire at some time and he covers up so much of you know, he does so much.
Speaker 4:They got to, they got to get it fixed. So at the end of the day, I don't know that they could keep the talent around them, because I mean, you got Debo seeking a trade. That's what the you know you're hoping that is a.
Speaker 4:Jennings and Pearsall. You're hoping, you know. You're hoping those guys can step up and make it. You're hoping that after you just gave CMC that money this year, you're hoping he can get back to MVP level CMC for at least give you two years at a high level to help. But the reality is San Francisco running backs can't stay healthy.
Speaker 4:So I don't know if it's the training staff or if it's that style, but they can't stay healthy. So I don't know if it's the training staff or if it's that style, but they can't keep up. I mean, between Jordan, mason, elijah Mitchell, cmc, I mean they can't keep a running back healthy fam. Even Gerardo whatever his name is who popped in this year, he got hurt, anything that ends with back on.
Speaker 2:The 49ers cannot stay healthy, correct? That's a quarterback, that's a running back. That's a quarterback, that's a running back, that's a defensive back. Linebackers they have some hurt linebackers, that's true. Anything to end with back. They just which is crazy, but they struggle with injuries and I don't know what it is, but when they're healthy they are a powerhouse.
Speaker 4:Problem is it's so rare that we get to see a fully healthy 49ers team, especially come, you know, the last few weeks of the season, going into a playoff. Yeah, I mean, these fools had to play a running back Damier or a punter or whatever was at quarterback. Like, what are we talking about? Like in the playoffs? That's crazy. You know what I'm saying. Like it's just that them injuries be tearing them up yeah, now I agree with you, corey.
Speaker 2:Yeah, o-line needs changes for cmc to get back right though, um, because if not, he's gonna take a whole bunch of necessary, unnecessary hits because they use him a lot. Yeah, um, I agree. So now I agree with that. Yeah, get the o-line right. Get you a couple young guys in there that can learn behind a t Williams. You know what I?
Speaker 3:mean All the more reason why I can't justify paying Brock Purdy over $40. I mean, for those specific reasons that you guys are mentioning O-line and health and all that other stuff of getting the training right, things like that you can't pay him all of this money and do that. It's just not possible.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I say, if you're a $50 million quarterback, you go out there and you're the reason why y'all win games. So, like you said, the Lamars, the Joshes, the Burroughs there's guys out there that are the reason. The Mahomes, yeah, there are guys out there that lead their teams. You know that. Hey look, they're the reason why this team wins. And again, even though y'all don't agree with me, I still think. I think Goff is one of those guys too. When he plays well, they usually do well. These other $50 million guys, like the Trevor Lawrence's and the Herbert's, to me they just haven't proved that they are the reason why, no matter what talent they have around them. Again, we talk about these Charger teams who were immensely talented, even though they were here and there, and then the, even in Trevor Lawrence's time, they loaded up skill players on his team.
Speaker 4:Yeah, you ain't got any shoes for Trevor, but Justin, I will say that often stayed hurt and then this year they just didn't have the talent. So I think next year.
Speaker 2:But I agree. But that's why I say like, if you're that dude, like to not be able to make a play in the second half against the Jaguars.
Speaker 4:No, you ain't going to get an argument from me on that one Cause you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Like you can plan coaching as much as you want, but at some point you could have you had to make a play.
Speaker 4:Yep, you know what I mean, and that's all.
Speaker 3:I say to period Like I'm not, I'm not.
Speaker 2:I'm not saying coaching didn't play a part, but at some point as a quarterback, if you're that guy, you got to make a play. I agree, just like you couldn't. So that's always been my gripe about herbert. But enough about that. But uh, yeah, I put I put birdie, I put purdy in the 40 to 45 range. I wouldn't be mad. I don't go above that because, like you said, um, we've seen that when people go down like he's not the same quarterback, um. So I say you put him in that 40 to 45 range, which is it's decent, but it also leaves you some room to be able to keep talent around him, and I think that's necessary. And if he don't realize that and he's pushing for more upwards between the 45 50 range, I say okay, well, we're at a standstill.
Speaker 4:Yeah, we had a standstill.
Speaker 2:See if you can go get 45 from somewhere but,
Speaker 4:yeah, I literally would tell him, if he tried to do that, go test the market, let's see what it looks like and then, if it comes back above it, we we can talk about. You know what we can do on this end, but I I don't think he's gonna have a market that's gonna put him in the 50 million dollar uh range.
Speaker 2:So yeah, no, I agree with you, cory. That's what we're saying, like it's. I mean, he has the weapons and it does make his job easier.
Speaker 3:But in order to get weapons, got to have money.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I mean, and again, the salary cap increases every year.
Speaker 2:So I mean you know you get. You get 20 mil more a year almost on average. So I mean there's more money to play with and that's why these contracts keep going up. But I think if the Niners are smart and John Lynch has been doing a wonderful job, so like hats off to him. He's been pulling it off. So if anybody can, he will. But I think you do, they're doing the right thing. You free up that Debo money, you let him seek a trade and, like I say, you pay him somewhere between 40 and 45. And that kind of civil solidify, because you got some safety, you got that what's his name, who Fonga?
Speaker 4:Yeah, you're going to have to pay him. I don't even think they can, though, because if I'm mistaken, I think they're pretty strapped after they do the Purdy deal. So I think I saw where pretty much Fufanga's gone. I know Lynch and them are creative with getting them contracts. I just don't think there's a way for them to get that done until after the Purdy deal, and I don't know that that's going to happen fast enough for them to get in the game.
Speaker 2:Okay, I'll say what you said.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 3:I just know that in the next few weeks or so, whenever we come back to this, he's going to be over 55. I just have a feeling they're going to pay him an ungodly amount of money. I just feel it in my spirit.
Speaker 4:And if they do, I don't see them. I'll be honest, if they do that, I don't see them competing for abowl during that period, because I mean, they had the best of the best in terms of you got, you got a guy who was making, you know, literally, you know a hundred thousand dollars a year.
Speaker 4:You know what I mean. It's probably more than that, but not much. I mean, he wasn't making anything and y'all y'all were able to stack every weapon you could think of around him and y'all still didn't get it done, for whatever the reason was. You know what I'm saying. Now you're gonna have to pay him so all those luxuries, the ferraris, the lambos that you had around him. That's gonna have to change. Now. He might be lucky to get a lexus out there, but he had to be all right with a civic you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4:Like he gonna have to make that thing goes and I just ain't convinced that. I'm not convinced that party can do it. I don't think he's that guy all right.
Speaker 2:So cory cory says what team do you think fits debo and his assets? Uh, to make it happen and have the assets to make it happen.
Speaker 4:I don't think it's gonna take a lot to get debo. No, I don't know, it's a money thing.
Speaker 2:It's a money thing. Yeah, I was gonna say so. I don't think it's a lot that you gotta have. I think every team has the assets.
Speaker 4:It's a money thing. It's a money thing. Yeah, I was going to say so. I don't think it's a lot that you got to have. I think every team has the asses. It's a matter of fit and it's a matter of I think they're going to want to try to do some kind of extension with him, a short extension, you know, for another two years or something. So what team likes him enough to do it? And then what team does it work? That's a good question.
Speaker 2:Because Debo is not a traditional receiver either. He doesn't run great routes. Yeah, it will have to definitely be with a team that has a quarterback that can extend plays, because, like you said, with him not being a great route runner, I don't think a bunch of timing, routes and things of that nature is going to work for him. So I wouldn't put him with a traditional pocket passer, somebody who's pretty much a statue. It depends on timing. So, even though I would love to say somewhere like Cincinnati with Burrow, I just don't think that'll work. He would have to be somewhere with somebody moving around. I mean Buffalo. But they don't take problem receivers, which Debo has been very outspoken in the past when it comes to contracts and stuff like that. So I think Buffalo's learned their lesson with dealing with Diggs. Yeah, again, I would say Baltimore. I just don't think Baltimore has the money.
Speaker 4:Yeah, plus they got other needs.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I don't think he fits in there. As far as money-wise man, I would probably say somewhere like Miami, maybe even a Jacksonville. I would say that I mean to get Trevor Because it would have to be somewhere like you already paid a quarterback so you got to supply him with weapons, and he wants to be the guy. You can't put him somewhere where he's a number two. I don't think he has to be the guy.
Speaker 4:You can't put him somewhere where he puts where he's a number two, I don't think he has to be the guy, though I really don't. I think he's okay as long as he gets his touches. He wants to be obviously utilized in the offense, but I don't think he would get too wrapped up with oh, I'm the man kind of thing. Like his production is going to show that. So like if I like I had to look real quick at the team so I can kind of take a quick look and I'm like all right, I think from a cap standpoint and maybe where some fit is, you know, in terms of that I would say I think the Texans could work.
Speaker 2:Get him at some rental, see how he work out, and then you can make some moves if he's good.
Speaker 4:I think that the Chargers work and I think Denver works.
Speaker 3:I'm going to add the Steelers with that too.
Speaker 4:The Steelers will be good too. I do is just I don't know what the quarterback situation. It really depends on who they're putting back there a quarterback, but I definitely think he works.
Speaker 2:To be honest with you, I wouldn't be shocked to see a team like the raiders get involved yeah, and and cory says the chiefs, and I just don't think the money's just she's won't happen, she's won't happen that's don't have the money one.
Speaker 4:They don't think the money's good. Chiefs won't happen. Chiefs won't happen. They just don't have the money One. They don't have the money. And I think people keep forgetting Chiefs have Ray Shee Rice. He is a really good receiver. Xavier Worthy I don't think is great, but he's young.
Speaker 2:He's coming along, he's getting better.
Speaker 4:He's coming along Like they're not going to add a player, just to take touches away from those guys. They're probably going to bring Marquise Brown back. Maybe you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:They didn't really even see what they had in him.
Speaker 3:I agree with that too. I think the Chiefs the wide receiver spot they get there.
Speaker 2:In Seattle. Yes, he would fit in good there.
Speaker 4:The only thing is that they're not going to trade him in the NFfc no, that's what you're saying. I would have said arizona, but I'm like he's not going to any team there. Yeah so, yeah so arizona seattle.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you can chalk, them out.
Speaker 4:Yeah, you chalk out.
Speaker 3:Unfortunately, I only said the rams, even though the rams will be a great fit.
Speaker 2:It just, it just won't happen. They just, you very with them.
Speaker 4:That's not happening in division. I cannot see John Lynn saying all right, let's send Deebo, like you said, to the Rams. That could be a really good fit. Because of all the movements and stuff, it's not happening.
Speaker 2:They're trying to get rid of Cooper Cup.
Speaker 4:They're trying to get rid of Cooper Cup. I don't see them bringing on Deebo and they're trying to get rid of Cooper Cup.
Speaker 3:I only said the Sillars because I could see Tomlin getting him together.
Speaker 4:as far as attitude-wise, I think he got a bad attitude, though I really don't. He's like most guys.
Speaker 4:They just want to win and what they touch is, I mean, and he wasn't wrong, they wasn't getting in the ball. So I mean, that's just what it was. I don't think he's a problem, though he ain't like. Oh, and also Vern, the other reason why Baltimore wouldn't get him, there's a reason they brought back Deontay Johnson, I think one Deontay Johnson got. I think he got humbled and realizing that he doesn't really have a market in the NFL.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 4:Baltimore was willing to give him a chance and he has to put in the work to earn that trust from Lamar and the rest of those guys. So I think going into next year I don't think Baltimore is going to make any moves at receiver. I think they're going to run it back with Bateman, flowers and Johnson, keep the tight ends right and all that stuff. They got other holes they got to fill anyway. But I just think Debo I don't think Debo's market is as big only because of one, the money, and then two. I just don't think he fits with every roster.
Speaker 2:I agree with that. I agree with that and, as I said, it's just. I mean they can go seek a partner but, like I said, you take the NFC West out of it. A few other select teams that, like you said, just don't really deal with. And I hate saying a headache receiver but, like you said, just don't really deal with. I hate saying a headache receiver but, like I said, he'd just be on social media.
Speaker 3:He'd just be talking.
Speaker 2:Which, like you said, is based on touches and money. Anybody's going. The thing is, you don't hear that from everybody who don't get touches and money. Yeah, man, I think it's tough. I mean I could see him in Indy. Yeah, like I think we could. I mean if he's okay with Indy, because I mean going from California to Indy would be a big difference.
Speaker 4:Indoor stadium yeah, no, not even a stadium.
Speaker 2:I'm just thinking about just no, I'm saying saying of living like living difference um I think he'll love it, because he'll realize how much cheaper it is for him well, that's.
Speaker 4:It's a lot cheaper yeah, you know, because you can always live in all you don't have to deal with taxes either.
Speaker 2:Yep, yeah, um so, but yeah, no, I mean here, I mean what?
Speaker 4:are you doing?
Speaker 2:cali. Yeah, you're doing Cali. I didn't know, I didn't think they had income tax. That's Florida.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Is that the only place?
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah. Yeah, Cali you definitely it might be Texas, Texas too.
Speaker 3:Texas is another one that don't pay taxes.
Speaker 2:But Cali don't know, it's never right baby, okay cool.
Speaker 3:All right, it's the most expensive place. Yeah, okay, cool.
Speaker 2:Nonetheless, but like, yeah, I could see him in Indy. I mean, if we can build up the run game, use him in different ways, because I mean we need a versatile receiver that can do more than you know Indy going to pay him.
Speaker 3:That's the question.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I mean because, like question, yeah, yeah, I mean because, like a lot of the guys, that we we have a lot of young guys so and we got to start filtering out some of the guys that we did pay, like you know what I mean. So your problem is I don't think.
Speaker 4:I don't think indy will, because with adni mitchell, with alec pierce, with downs, with pitman, I don't think they're going to want to break up their young core to bring in a vet like Debo. I just, I don't, I just don't agree.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying uh, I look at Josh Downs. He's been, he's. I say won't pay him. Yeah, I know, I just think it. Josh Downs has been hurt a lot. You look at Aidan Mitchell, very inconsistent hands like rookie, though you got to give him.
Speaker 2:Give him another year too you got it because I mean, think about it, ali Pierce had terrible hands too, and then all of a Very inconsistent hands, rookie though you got to give him another year or two, because, I mean, think about it, alec Pierce had terrible hands too and then all of a sudden this year, that brother learned how to catch. He learned how to catch, yeah. So, yeah, yeah. So I mean not to be the dead horse, but I think there's a small market for him. But he got it. Like you said, he got to get in the right place, yeah.
Speaker 2:He said if so, trade Pittman for him. But then again, now you, they ain't doing that. Yeah, you don't pay him one year to trade him, the next no, and he's been hurt too. He's been dealing with back issues.
Speaker 4:So who knows what I mean?
Speaker 2:we know what he is when he's fully healthy, I mean the year before last he. He showed it, but um, I think he'll come back healthy next year yeah, yeah, um, so yeah, but. Debo stays banged up. We know that. Yeah, like, do you really want to? No, no, so. But uh, shoot man. That's all I got man. We got one more. He said he can't catch either.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that part and Pittman got some of the best hands you gonna find.
Speaker 2:Very good hands. So if nothing else, he catches, catches the ball, but yep, that's all I got man. Any closing statements, man, before we get out of here Anything. Well, dang, I'm so used to saying defund. With Jarrett being here I'm used to saying, well, we defunding anything, but I ain't got no defundment.
Speaker 3:That's his thing, no defundment.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's his thing.
Speaker 4:Defund these all-star games. I said it, I'm with it, I'm with it. Oh and like, defund that mess man. Let's get back to something else.
Speaker 2:All right, hey, but at least hey. We got a couple weeks, Then we got March Madness.
Speaker 4:Now, that should be fun.
Speaker 2:You know what I mean. We can start keying in on some of these college teams and get crossroads on here to give us the inside scoop on who we should be looking out for. So at least we got some March Madness and some Big Ten championship and stuff like that, some championship weeks. We can watch some good basketball, hopefully. Oh yeah, I believe so?
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, only thing I will, I'll give you a heads up. I believe so. Yeah, yeah, only thing I will, I'll give you a heads up. Uh, I believe the date is February 22nd, so like two weeks.
Speaker 4:Uh, I think Shakur Stevenson is back in the ring so, okay, got it, got a, got a good fight coming up, hopefully. Uh, he got a young, young up-and-comer he's fighting, I think uh, schofield uh is who he's fighting, or is it Kid Austin. I can't remember which one he's fighting, but he got a good fight coming up, or should be a pretty good fight coming up the 22nd. So we'll see.
Speaker 2:Okay, cool, cool, cool. Always good to know about some good fights. Anything you want to drop, anything we need to look out for in the sports world.
Speaker 3:No, man, I mean right now. Nba for me is I'm waiting to have the All-Star, so that's when we really kind of start seeing teams figure out what they're going to do to make this playoff push. So that's what I'm looking more forward to from an NBA standpoint. I'm waiting for the first fight to happen between Draymond and Jimmy Butler. So I know that's going to happen. That's going to happen. I'm going to just tell you right now it's going to happen.
Speaker 2:When I heard about that, that's the first thing that clicked in my head. I'm like Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
Speaker 3:I'm ready for the first fight.
Speaker 2:Draymond might have made his match.
Speaker 3:Yeah, well, maybe Because Jimmy crazy, he moody, he has a different mood every day.
Speaker 2:So Well, I'm with that man. I don't have much man just Waiting to get done with CDL school so I can Sleep.
Speaker 3:How much longer you?
Speaker 2:got. I'm on my third week, so one more week that's. But that's if you pass everything within the time frames they give you. So right now I'm on track oh, you got it, so got it but next week, like trying to test out is the is one of the toughest things. So just let me know everything you learned the toughest things.
Speaker 3:So just let me know.
Speaker 2:Put everything you learned together and then trying to.
Speaker 3:Just let me know when you're on the road, so I can not be on there.
Speaker 4:Thanks, Wow, that's crazy, hey, but you got it.
Speaker 3:You got it though. You got it though, y'all man.
Speaker 2:I can't tell y'all nothing man, my fault man, that y'all nothing man, my fault man. That's why that's why I? Don't get invited to these things much my see, see cory, see cory, my fault, I get it all. Look, everybody, bro, everybody this is just me, cory be getting on me too at school. We be old, we be, we help each other, but we also be talking crazy.
Speaker 3:So you know. You know what you know we. Vernon Fox is a bad influence on you, man. That's what it is.
Speaker 4:Don't put me no man. I'm an innocent bystander man.
Speaker 2:Between him and Ike, we innocent, with them going at each other and then also being the bad influences on everybody else.
Speaker 4:Me and Ike got a good working relationship. Y'all do relationship, y'all do.
Speaker 2:Especially when one of you Is absent from the show and the shots are taking each other. I dig it, man. That's it, man. I appreciate y'all joining us. Man, this has been another episode of the Epic Podcast. We will see y'all next week. Deuces Peace out, like and subscribe. This has been another episode of the Epic Podcast. We will see y'all next week. Deuces Peace out, like and subscribe. Yeah, man, do all that stuff, man.