June 5, 2023 • 42 mins
Today on 2 Pros and a Cup of Joe, in hour 2 LaVar Arrington and Geoff Schwartz talk biggest NFL headlines including DeAndre Hopkins contract options & who is on the hot seat within the league? LaVar gives his top 5 possible breakout stars for this upcoming season. Plus, we get another segment of 2 Pros IR report from the past weekend!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, thanks for listening to the Two Pros and a
Cup of Joe podcast with Brady Quinn, Jonas Knox, and myself,
LeVar Arrington. Make sure you catch us live weekdays six
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(00:20):
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Speaker 2 (00:33):
Parties.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Okay, so we're doing this at the top of every
every hour. Huh, okay, all right, create a little consistency here,
I guess. Welcome into Two Pros and a Cup of Joe. Yes,
the voice you are hearing is LeVar Arrington, not the
one of Jonas Knox. He is taking one more day off.
He will be back tomorrow and we'll you know, get
(01:05):
back to Jonas running the show, which I will gladly welcome. Uh.
Brady Quinn is also off as well for a little
bit of time. I got my man Jeff Schwartz with me,
another pro. So nonetheless, even without Brady, it's still two pros.
We're just one less a joe, you know. And that's
that's where we're at right now. If you want to
(01:27):
check us out outside of you know, on here, you
could get LeVar Arrington at LeVar Arrington. On the Twitter,
you could get at Jeff Schwartz. That's Jeff with a G,
two f's and Schwartz. You know what they say, the
C is silent or the H side? Which which one
is it? One of them is?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I've never heard that before.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yeah, Schwartz, Yeah, I think the sort one of them
is silent. I don't know it is what it is. Nonetheless,
that's my man, Jeff Schwartz. All right, and you can
listen live from Fox Sports Radio app or the iHeartRadio
app or on Serious XM. All right, we got a
lot of great topics to get to. We are indeed
(02:09):
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(02:29):
get to in the four am seven am hour if
you're on the East coast.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
But the one.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
We're gonna start this hour off with jeff is d
hop DeAndre Hopkins. He's still out there, He's still a
free agent. And the question now is being asked and
coming up, is d hop wanting too much money and
that's why he's still on the free agent market. And
(02:54):
if that is the case, is his pursuit of that
larger contract is it possible? Where we are currently right
now in the season, the NFL season, all.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Right, so we know that the Chiefs and Bills had
called over to Arizona, you know, seeking a possible trade,
and I think part of that was going to be, hey,
you know what can we get you know what can
we get him to renegotiate four And I understand obviously
teams are always going to want to pay someone less, right,
just the way it always is. But the Chiefs and
Bills are also up against the cap. They don't have
(03:27):
a lot of money. Now, you can create money, obviously
by restructuring contracts and finding a way to make that work,
but that seems unlikely for that to happen. Right. We
saw the chief sign Donovan Smith, the left tackle from
the Bucks, for four million dollar base with someone said
if Deoder Hopkins wants that type of contract. The Chiefs
will give it to him, right, But do we think
(03:50):
he wants that? We don't really know. And part of
it in complicating all this is that that Odell back,
I've got fifteen million dollars a year the one year deal,
right LeVar.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
So who would say that he's better than d Hop today?
I would say that.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
He hasn't played in a year though? Right?
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Right? Well, but what has Odell Beckham done? Are you
talking about OBJ or are you talking about d Hop?
Speaker 2 (04:13):
I'm talking about Odell got fifteen million dollars career and.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Yeah, yeah, we're saying saying.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Ok, okay, say so. So I'm I agree with DeAndre
Hopkins saying I want fifteen million dollars a year at
least at least the Bills and Chiefs are not going
to pay him that. So the question becomes in, I
think he's in year eleven or twelve. He's had a
long career so far, he's been one of the best
wide receivers in the NFL. He has not won a championship.
(04:39):
At what point do you say, And every player kind
of gets to this point at some point in their career.
If you play long enough? Is it time for me
to chase a ring?
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Right?
Speaker 2 (04:48):
And what's it worth to me to chase that ring
if I go to Kansas City or Buffalo or a
contending team. Am I okay with taking less money in
exchange for probably more incentives obviously, but a chance to
win a ring? Like what would the ring do for
my legacy for my career? Do I start chasing that ring?
Or do I still want to be paid as much
(05:09):
money as possible? LaVar Like, that's always the part that
veterans get to. If they're play long enough and they're
good enough, at some point in their career you start
chasing a ring, right, And this might be the opportunity
for him to do that. And I'm not advocating for
him and take a lot less money, but you have
the opportunity to play for contender for lesson you would
make on a you know, a mid tier team or
even a lower tier team. So I'm talking to Houston, like,
(05:32):
you want to go back to Houston, They'll pay you
more money. Absolutely, But I would if I were him
in his spot for the career that he's had. Man,
I look long and hard to contender, LeVar and take
that less money and get a high an incentive deal,
which he probably will reach a ton of his incentives
because he's a good football player still, but at some
point veterans are chasing that ring man. I feel like
(05:52):
he's at that point in his career when that might
be something he's looking at.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
It was reported that what he was looking for on
his checklist is that qbs love the game. This was
brought by cleaning of the NFL Dove or dove however,
no one, I'm not sure, all right, Well, so love
a quarterback that loves the game brings everyone on board
(06:20):
with them. A great defense, defense wins championships. Gotta have
a great d line, stable management because well he says
he's been through four GMS, which is I mean, that's
that's respectable. When I look at this list, there are
a few that jump out at you. You you would say,
the Bills, like you said, they're not going to pay that.
(06:42):
You would say, the Eagles, they're definitely not going to
pay that. The Chiefs, they're not going to pay that.
The Ravens they've already paid that. The Chargers, I don't
know that they have the space cap wise to pay him,
but that would be a nice that would be a
nice landing place for him.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So I wrote an article for Fox Sports last week
talking about my favorite places for him to go, and
I put the Chargers in my favorite. Okay, I think
that it makes sense. They have the money to do so,
and it kind of hits some of those boxes that
the Hopkins wants right, not all of them, but close enough,
and you'll have a situation where you won't be doubled
(07:22):
as much, right because of the other weapons the Chargers have,
so you might not see the ball as much. But
you're playing with a young quarterback who's got a monster
arm and Justin Herbert, you're playing with a coordinator and
Kellen Moore that wants to spread the ball and throw
the ball. And you're with you know, kind of a
more stable coaching staff in front office, you know ownership obviously,
you know that they're I guess their stables can be.
(07:43):
But you have the opportunity, I think, to play for
a winner in the Chargers. Well, I find much interesting
about what you just said about what he's looking for. Man,
everyone who plays with Colin Murray seems to flame him
on the way out, like it it And I had
said this offseason that I think Klin Murray is done
playing for the Cardinals and the contract makes it tough
(08:04):
to trade him. And obviously he will at some point
be healthy enough to play this season. But the Cardinals
they're cleaning the house and they're gonna get that number
one pick. They're trying to, obviously and get Caleb Williams,
who I've covered now for an entire year at USC
at my day job covering the Pactoral Conference. Dude, he's
a great kid, man like, everything that you want in
(08:25):
a quarterback is Caleb Williams. And he went to USC
obviously transferred over there, a lot of expectations, a lot
of you know, he's he's getting the nil money. He's
does not affect him at all. Man like, super mature,
great teammate. He is everything I think that that you
wanted a quarterback, and I think Arizona's gonna go that
direction in this obfseason. But everyone, everyone seems to take
(08:48):
shots at Kyler Murray, even even they're starting right tackle.
This offseason, did who's a respected veteran in beacham Man
and hop takes a shot him on the way out
as well. That's just not that's not good back when
you're when your quarter when someone's questioning how how much
you care about the game and how much you work.
I mean, those are things that you only control yourself
(09:08):
as a player, and it's not it's embarrassing if you
if your teammates can see that you're a franchise quarterback
and you don't put in that work.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
It's not only embarrassing, it's pretty To me, it's pretty damning.
When you have accomplished players that kind of come out
and and allude to what what they felt with you
during their time with you. That's to me, that's the
most damning because you you got a guy, I mean,
(09:40):
you know, you play with with with Deshaun Watson and
in Houston, and Deshaun and and and DeAndre had some
some good moments, but I mean Deshaun hasn't shown proven
to be a world beater in terms of being able
to win, uh and get to a a Super Bowl.
I mean he has. They have come up short, but
(10:00):
they have made some some you know, they had made
some strides. But I mean, I guess if you're looking
at it from the perspective of what has DeAndre Hopkins experience,
you know, it's it's hard to say he doesn't know
what he doesn't know. And if he doesn't know what
a great quarterback is, which maybe Deshaun Watson is. But
(10:23):
if he doesn't know what a great quarterback is, you're
you're basically saying, listen, I don't I haven't experienced having
a franchise guy, you know, at at the league level.
And maybe Deshaun Watson is that guy that he's making
the comparison off of. I don't know. He may be
making that comparison off of another quarterback that's out there,
which seemingly is probably what it is because he's he's
(10:45):
not he didn't mention Cleveland as one of the destinations
he wanted to go by the way, So I would assume,
just based off of context clues, he's assuming that that
having an Aaron Rodgers, or being with a Patrick Mahomes,
or with a talent that is, you know, on the
way up in Herbert, which they do need a receiver,
(11:06):
that that need is definitely there for them to have
a receiver. I think that that. But let me throw
this one out at you before we get to the break.
I know we have a strong receiving Oh, listen to
me starting to refer to them as US. I know
Washington has a strong receiving core. I gotta get used
to saying us again.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Uh, I know you're backing out.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Snyder's only reason why I was out. Snyder's only reason
why I was out.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
There's now O's back everyone. I love it well.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
As soon as the sale takes place, I'm all in.
I'm up. I'll break out my letterman jacket and everything.
When when well, let me let me say this though,
I mean, I would like to know that this ownership
group is solid as well, so I probably need to
have several conversations if worth it. If it's not worth
it to them for us to have a conversation, we
would just keep it kind of the same.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
It would be Leman jacket leading the band field. You
never know man.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Still played there is that like, no, you can't you
can't play that. You can't play that still it's still that.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
That didn't change the lyrics to command.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
I don't know that they play it or have changed
the lyrics. I have not been involved, but I would
assume not. I mean, it's kind of the whole point
of the song is too well, say a way that
you say, so, yeah, But but with that being said,
I wouldn't be I wouldn't be mad if they added
to DeAndre Hopkins to to that team. I mean, it
(12:33):
would be an extra added weapon. It would give Sam Howe.
If we're going to say Sam Howe isn't the guy,
we at least give him another option. So now you
got Scary Terry, you got McLaurin, you got Johanne Dotson,
you and then you add someone like like a DeAndre
Hopkins with that backfield. I mean, that's pretty formidable for
(12:58):
any offenseive coordinator to be able to dial up a
play where somebody's going to be open for your quarterback. So,
I mean that's something to think about as a possibility.
You never know. But that's just me wishfully thinking because
we're going in a different direction with what we got
going on. Speaking of going in a different direction, we're
going to go to a break. But coming up next
on Two Pros and a Cup of Joe, we're live
(13:19):
from the Tirack dot Com Studios to a tongue of Valoa.
Is healthy has become a better leader, and we're going
to tell you why he's become a better leader. On
the other side of this break, you're listening to Two
Pros and a Cup of Joe Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
Be sure to catch live editions of Two Pros and
a Cup of Joe with Brady Quinn, LeVar Errington, and
Jonas Knox weekdays at six am Eastern three am Pacific
on Fox Sports Radio and the IHEARTRADIOI.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Welcome back in to Two Pros and a Cup of Joe.
Jeff Schwartz, LeVar Arrington, Brady, Jonas Lee are off today,
but that's all right. We're having a tremendous show. If
you missed anything, make sure you go to wherever it
is that you download your podcast and get Two Pros
(14:11):
and a Cup of Joe to be able to hear
what you missed. All right, A lot of great topics
we got to in a great topic we're getting to
right now with Tua tug. Yeah, tongue of aloa. I
could get it, but I just love messing it up.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
People are probably angry. I can't get it right out, Darren.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
To a tongue of aloa. All right, listen, they say
he's healthy. He's fully healthy, reports have said. But the
one thing that has really stood out and jumped out
at me, Jeff that I'm interested to hear your take
on it is his by his own admission, saying that
(14:50):
he's become becoming and has become a better leader. And
at first I was like, well, what exactly does that mean?
You know, but when you think about it, when he
told reporters that basically he's never been one to to
kind of be a raw, raw guy, you know, get
in front of people historically, be loud with his actions
(15:13):
and stuff like that in a way that helps the
team get better, He's basically said he's he's taken on
that responsibility. He's been more vocal, he's been he's been
more involved and has had a whole lot to say
during OTAs. Maybe the adversity and listen, adversity you know,
(15:35):
if you if you've gone through it a lot and
you've been around sports coaches, tell you adversity reveals the character,
It doesn't build it. Uh, He's gone through a lot
of adversity, and we've known, we've known for a long
time that Tua's character has never been in question. We
know that he comes from a great, strong family background,
(15:57):
a good strong dude. This seemingly is an evolution of
someone who has dealt with adverse situations and it is
revealing his character. I'm going to evolve, I'm going to adapt,
I'm going to adjust. I'm going to become something more
than what I've been before, all the adversity that I've
gone through. What what what's your take on this?
Speaker 2 (16:20):
This feels like a very June NFL story, right, Like
those the best shape of my life story is right
that we get in OTAs and this guy's coming to
the best. He's reinvigorated his body, in his mind, and
they're saying that, you know, the reason why he is
a better leader is because he talks to the team
(16:43):
when the offense when they're having a bad practice like okay,
Like sure, I just I generally don't put a lot
of stock in these stories when they happen in June. Okay,
because this is the time of year when everything is
feel good, right, everything in college sports, NFL, it's all
(17:06):
about pumping your team up. The stories that come out
are right now. If you have a negative story, that's
really bad this time of year, right because this is
the time of year when you're kind of getting hype
for the season. It's great that he's becoming a better leader.
But you talked about adversity, right, It's it's how you
lead through adversity. It's not how you lead during an
OTAs mean OTAs are relaxed there, they're calm, there's no hitting,
(17:28):
it's not hot quite yet. What happens in week two? Right,
it's the when the adversity hits during the season, Then
how are you as a leader?
Speaker 1 (17:36):
I think I do.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
I think anyone's ever questioned too as a leader, by
the way, so I don't think this is much of
an issue. But for me, the concern is obviously is health, right,
I mean, I think learning how to fall, which I
know sounds silly for a grown adult in the NFL
to need to learn how to fall. But he got
injured a couple times last year on hits that weren't
that hard. His head hit the back of the turf
pretty pretty hard. Then we know that happened, So that
(17:58):
to me is more of a story is like how
is he going to stay healthy? Rather than if he's
a leader? I mean, I think he proved Alabama he
can lead. He proved to Miami so far he can lead,
and we know this not all leaders. Man are going
to be yelling and screaming. They're not going to be vocal.
They're not gonna have to get in your face. They
lead by example. They lead with calm words and intentions,
and they lead when a diversity hits right. And so
(18:19):
we don't know how T is gonna lead. I think
we'd sort of do, but you know, when when things
are tough, that's what we need to know. The OTA
is to me, whatever he yells the offense at a
bad period, okay like that, that to me is not
a big story. It's about his injury to me and
can he stay healthy all season?
Speaker 1 (18:36):
See for me, I kind of look at it. I
take the approach that it's important because you don't want
to see him fade the black. You know, at least
I don't want to see him fade the black. So
it's kind of like where is he going? Is he
going up? Or is he going down? Is he coming
or is he going? When you look at a story,
(18:56):
When I look at a story like this, it's like, Okay,
the reason why it's relevant to me is he's setting
a tone. And and and I would say in OTA's
the one thing that that I always felt was important
when I took took on my my role as a leader,
which was much more pronounced my sophomore season in the
(19:17):
pros than it was my rookie year. My rookie year
was a lot of getting scrubbed, learning from old vets,
and improving myself and and and gaining that credibility that
I I'm worth following at the pro level. That next
that next year, coming out of UH finishing out strong
on on a fresh freshman year campaign in the league.
(19:39):
My rookie year coming into OTAs I won hundred percent,
asserted myself, inserted myself and in a position where we're
setting a tone if we ran at the end of practice,
I made sure I was in front of everybody, you know,
like like, don't don't take us our condition lightly when
(20:00):
when we were going through walkthroughs and different things like that,
don't take the terminology, don't don't take the play as
a play that isn't isn't going to matter when we
get to those moments that you're talking about. I thought
it was good to hear that, because if you have
a quarterback that isn't he doesn't have to be a raw,
raw guy, but he does have to be a guy
(20:22):
that communicates, right, Like, I played with a couple guys
that communicated. I played with a couple guys that didn't.
Jeff George wasn't a communicator, super duke dope player, but
just wasn't into like really communicating, not not really into
being social or having any type of you know, kind
of presence that way. But then you play for a
(20:46):
few other guys you know, and and you know, I'd say,
most notably, my high school quarterback was one hundred percent
of vocal guy, a guy that would if you made
a mistake, he would hold you to task, you know,
a whole you accountable. If Tua is inserting himself that way,
and he's creating an environment along with the other guys
(21:07):
there that is raising the standard of expectation right now,
then I say I commend that. I commend that, and
I do look at it as there is value to that,
because he could easily be the guy that isn't evolving.
He could easily be a guy I mean, we just
had the conversation about listening about how everybody seems to
(21:30):
have something to say about Kyler Murray every single time
they're leaving out. There's just always something being said about
Kyler Murray. Yeah, and so he could easily have turned
into a guy where it's like, you know, he's not
the guy, he's not that guy, and that is still
up for question. Wouldn't you say that that's still up
for question right now if he can be that guy.
(21:52):
Whether it's because you don't know that he can be healthy,
Jimmy Garoppolo, Right, If he's healthy, he's good. If he's
not healthy, not good. But availability is the best ability,
you know, So you know, I like it. I like
the story. I like how it feels just for the
simple fact that he isn't shying away like, oh, I
get hurt, I've gotten concussions. I'm just going to continue
(22:15):
to be too a tongue of below and just kind of,
you know, see if I could stay healthy. He's inserting
himself a little more.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
I understand your point. I think it's it's well taken
that you know, he's trying to be more assertive. Obviously,
he's trying to show everyone that he's kind of evolved
as a leader. But I never thought that was in
question though, right, Like, I didn't think that, and that
that's why the story kind of surprised me because I
never looked at you as a guy that wasn't a
leader of his team. Now, you're absolutely right. There are
(22:42):
times when players attempt to your point, but when you're
in your second year, when you were, you know, you
were physically trying to be more assertive, right, But I
think that was to his issue. So I think it
was surprised to hear that that was kind of I
guess a story that he's be more assertive like that.
But in the end, your play physically on the field
(23:08):
will be the reason he's a leader or not right
and to be the guy that he wants to be,
and that's you know your point. He can play when
he's healthy. He's got stay healthy this year, and I
think the Dolphins are trying to do everything they can
to make sure that that he is that guy.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
Well, there you go. That's Jeff Schwartz. I'm LeVar Arrington.
On the other side of the update, we'll talk breakout
players for twenty twenty three. We'll touch on on maybe
one or two players that we believe will have breakout years.
But first I think you should know that, Well, we
(23:42):
have an update from ed Edmund Garcia. What's going on?
Speaker 4 (23:46):
What you got, I've got a little NBA to talk about,
LeVar Game two NBA Finals and do heat do it.
They go to Denver and get the split to beat
the Nuggets one eleven to one eight, snapping Denver's eight
game winning streak goal all and their nine game home
court winning streak. They were undefeated nine to zero at
home going into this game. Miami outscoring Denver on the
(24:07):
road in the fourth quarter thirty six to twenty five
to pull out to victory. Gave Vincent twenty three points.
Jimmy Butler and bam Metta Bayo each had twenty one
points in the victory. Nicol Yogi's typical big game for Denver,
but not enough for the win. He had forty one
points and fourteen rebounds. So the series is tied at
one one now shifting to Miami, Game three coming up
on Wednesday. In baseball, the Rays down the Red Sox
(24:28):
six to two. Tampa Bay now a major league best
forty two to nineteen on the season. Rangers over the
Mariners twelve to three. Texas gets the three game series sweep.
Nathan evalved the six shotout endings love just one hit.
He gets his eighth win of the year and is
tied to the major league lead in victory as Dodgers
scored four runs off the LA bullpen get a four
to one win in LA over the Dodgers. The Braves
(24:48):
get an Eddie Rosario Grand Slam in the ninth and
they beat the Diamondbacks eighth to five. LA and Arizona
still tied to the top spot in the NL West.
As far as the NL Central, Brewers still have a
one game on the Pirates. Milwaukee with a five to
one went over the Reds. Pittsburgh a two to one
went over the Cardinals. Pirates have won five in a row.
They sweep Saint Louis in that series, Orioles down the
(25:08):
Giants eight to three. It was the Blue Jays wrapping
up a swee of the Mets with a six four victory,
even though Pete Alonso for New York did it his
major leading twenty first home warn of the season in defeat,
and the Guardians knock off the Twins in Minnesota two
to one. Now backter Jeff Schwartz LaVar Aarato the Tyrack
dot Com Fox Sports Radio Studios appreciated Eddie.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
All right, on this side, we're talking breakout players for
twenty twenty three. Now, I've looked at a few different lists.
I pulled up Bucky Brooks's list. Shouts out to my man,
Bucky Brooks. He's got a few pretty cool names on there.
On one that really jumped out at me that I
had been looking at, which had to do with our
(25:47):
last discussion with Tua tonguea Veloa, was his center. You know,
Connor Williams. Now, people may not know his name. He
has been in the league for a little while. He's
a former second round overall pick, and I'm sure you
appreciate this as a trenchman, but I think he's the
breakout player that I'm looking out, looking out for and
(26:07):
looking at.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
This year.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
He made the move to center. He was a guard,
formerly known as a guard, and we all know sometimes
it's very difficult to move positions, especially at the pro level,
especially moving to center, because that's pretty much the brain
of your offensive line and kind of in the ways
(26:29):
outside of the quarterback, the brain of your offense. He
makes that move. I think his ability, what he brings
to the table, his intelligence, his IQ level. I really
think that this is going to be a if he
stays healthy. I think this is a tremendous opportunity to
(26:49):
protect Tua and to get better results out of your
Miami Dolphins offense. What say you to Connor? I know
you're aware of who Connor Williams is, and then you
get to yeah, and then give us, you know, give
us a player that you feel is a breakout.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
So the Dolphins offensive line, outside of Arms said, needs
to firm up right, and it has been a concern
of theirs when they get in those third and long situations. Now,
the offense is a really good job of handling most
of the offensive line issues right. It's an offense in
that Shanahan system that gets you, gets you really good positions, right,
And it's an offense that play action pass, you run
(27:26):
the ball, you got some gadget plays here and there.
You're not in third and long. Often when you are,
that's they struggle. But you know the importance of having
a center that can do a lot for you in
a multiple offense is it really eases the quarterback, right,
It lessens the responsibilities of the quarterback. I ding fronts
understanding Blitzer. It just makes the quarterback feel very comfortable,
(27:46):
especially young quarterback like Tua to have a center like that,
I'm curious about that. He was moving inside obviously inside
one spot in the center. He has to play well,
I think for the Dolphins to have the opportunity to
be as good as they want. Ye, my guy, I'm
going to actually a different position than I thought it
would do. But Trent McDuffie is a cornerback for the Chiefs,
(28:07):
and he played Week one and then he was out
for six or seven weeks and came back, and it's
pretty startling how different the Chiefs defense was with him
and without him. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs
coverage grade was number in the NFL when he played,
and twenty seventh when he did not epa per play
(28:30):
expected points added, which is a good metric to just
kind of generally a fit general efficiency. LeVar twenty sixth
when he was out, twelfth when he played. Do can
play football? First round pick out of Washington. I feel
like he's gonna be healthy all season and we're going
to see him in the conversation for Pro Bowls and
All Pros very quickly in the second season. He's a
good football player, and he made a big difference last
(28:51):
year when the Chiefs got him back healthy.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Okay, all right, I'm gonna go to green Bay. And
even though I feel like he may have had his
breakout year this past season, but I think there's so
much more with Christian Watson. I believe that this is
one of those guys. He's got the body type, you know,
he's got the route running ability. If Jordan Love is
(29:16):
going to have the type of season where he puts
things to a little bit of ease with the green
Bay Packer, faithful, I think it's going to be on
the back and on the shoulders of Christian Watson. He
now outside of the tailbacks, if you ask me, I mean,
he's the go to guy, has to be the go
(29:38):
to guy. And he has the ability, He has the talent,
the mental ability, he has the IQ for the game.
I mean he comes from from great Stock, you know,
obviously coming out of Plant since high school and being
a winner and Fargo. I just think that this is
one of those guys I'm excited to see continue to
(30:01):
transition into that next level of I think he comes
into this becoming an elite receiver.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
Jeff Well, he he almost has to be good, right
because you need Jordan Love to have a good season.
And if you're giving Jordan Love obviously the rains now
and this is kind of a proven season.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
Now.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
They did sign him to an extension for next year
and less money than his fifth year option would have been,
so he is there for next year, I guess. But
you need him to have a breakout year now and early,
and Watson is going to be a big part of
that success. Right. You know they drafted to tit end
as well, so Watson almost has to play well for
Jordan Love to play well, right, And so I think
that's a good a good place to go the top
(30:42):
of everyone's list. And I think this is God deserves
this attentions. Kenny Pickett, the Steelings quarterback. I really thought
he got better season one.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
One did improve, He did improve.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
There were moments when you thought to yourself, idd like,
oh okay, I see a little bit of that franchise
quarterback glimmer in him, right Like, though there were moments
and he's gotta be obviously more that in year two.
But I think there's a there's a possibility and we
see it we often seen in quarterbacks. He's kind of superstars,
(31:16):
right that jump in year two, right, you play a
little bit in year one, you go through bumps and bruises,
and then year two is when you make that jump
to like, oh Okay, this guy's a franchise quarterback. I
think Kenny Pickett has that potential heading in the year
two if he can continue to improve on what he
did well last year, limit the mistakes. You know, he's
(31:38):
on everyone's breakout list. It's not a surprise of a player,
but LaVar I think he showed glimpses of what makes
quarterbacks really good, and I like to see more of
that this year.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
I like that pick. Obviously, I'm a big Steelers fan,
so I'm all in on that right there. I'm gonna
give you one more before we take it to break.
I'll give you time for one more, and I'm gonna
make this one pretty quick. Jakwan Brisker, I think he's
set to have a breakout year for for the Chicago Bears. Obviously,
(32:10):
he did well as a rookie, uh but he didn't
have very many I in tes. He did did well
in terms of getting really acclimated into the Bears defensive secondary.
He's been an impact player for them. I look for
him to be more of an impact player this year.
I look for him to create and generate more turnovers
(32:34):
with with the understanding of how the game is played
and a little bit of of UH experience under his belt.
I'm really excited about him. I'm excited about his game. Yes,
he is a former Penn stater. I got an opportunity
to watch him play while he was in college. And
he's a Lackawana product as well. Shouts out to the
Falcons and and and his his ability to make plays
(33:00):
his he has just this uncanny ability to be able
to be in the places where you need to be
to make plays some people call a preparation. I love
his game, I love his demeanor, I love what he
brings to the table. Super athletic, and I look for
him to be one of those guys that also transitions
into being one of the more elite players at his position.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
I like it.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
I'll give you one more, kind of a personal one,
sort of like you went down the Penn State road here.
Panay sal is the Lions right tack and he was
a Pro Bowl alternate last year, so kind of you
know it wasn't a Pro Bowl. Voted right away he
will be All Pro this season at right tackle. It's
gonna be Lane Johnson will be the If he stays
(33:45):
healthy all year, he'll be All Pro, and Pane Sewel
will be an All Pro. He's Levart, He's twenty two
years old. Still, he's twenty two. His thirst, he's in
the NFL twenty two. He went Alan Troe playing half
a season at seventeen years old in college. Dude is
not even He doesn't even hit his physical prime yet,
(34:07):
which is like your your late twenties. He hasn't even
gone there yet. And he's an elite level right tackle.
And I think this is the year when everyone kind
of see that. People that watch football, they like, they
know he's good, but this is the year where like
the national the public like gets to really be like,
Pine Sewel is one of the best players in the
NFL as a position. He will be All Pro this
(34:30):
year and he's still twenty two. He turns twenty three
in October. He's gonna get a second contract at twenty
four years old. Saying kid is really good. So paday
soul for me, you know, fudging a little bit because
he was a Pro bow alter last year. As far
as what a breakout player is but I think this
is the year the national stage. He's on that stage.
As far as you know, Lane Johnson pine Seowol won two.
(34:52):
I know Tristan Wurfs is up there too, but I
think he's playing left tackle this year, so it'd be
Lane Johnson pine Seol won two at right tackle.
Speaker 1 (34:58):
There you go. That's Jess Sworts with his players to watch.
I'm Leavar Arrington. Gave you my players to watch, So
a little bit of something there if you want to
do some homework on them and check them out. Yeah,
that's on you. Coming up next on Two Pros and
a Cup of Joe Live from the tyrat dot Com Studios.
The FSR i R things that happened or didn't happen
(35:21):
during the course of your week weekend, you know, and
we talk about it. I know I got one. I
heard Jeff has one as well. So on the other
side of the break, we'll get to the fs R
i R. I'm LeVar Arrington as Jef Swartz Two Pros
and a Cup of Joe, Fox Sports Radio. The market
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Speaker 5 (37:01):
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Speaker 1 (37:29):
All right, welcome back into two Pros and a Cup
of Joe without Jonas Knox and Brady Quinn with Jef
Schwartz and LeVar Arrington. We are quickly approaching our three
of the program. Hope you guys have enjoyed it thus far.
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Speaker 3 (38:11):
After your sports week at happens, So it's time to
get the fsr IR Report.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
All right, guys, what do you guys got to LeVar.
You start us off. It seemed like you were very
excited to get us off. All right, Well, I'm not
excited to get a but I definitely I definitely will
tell you guys. I went to the end of the
year school field trip which was to San Diego to
(38:42):
go to the zoo, the Safari, and to the beach.
We chose the zoo, well, we chose the safari part
of the zoo and got an opportunity to go see
some amazing animals, which is created to be there. It's
close to natural habitats as possible. The only thing is
(39:02):
I still, you know, with all of this new health
that I've created, you know, cutting off chatting the fat
to not be a fat boy anymore, I still have
issues with a whole lot of walking. It felt like
I had two little kids tap dancing or running on
(39:27):
a trapmill on my lower back, Like, my lower back
feels really really bad today. And you know what, there
was a lot of walking, but it was well worth it.
The little one had a great time, got close up
encounters with with rhinos, elephants, and giraffes. Saving giants was
(39:50):
the name of the theme Safari. Behind the scenes deal
that we did so shots out to to San Diego
Zoo San Diego. Uh, you know the wildlife people, they
do a great job. Talked about all of the conservation
and like the endangered animals and all the species that
(40:10):
are there there. There's so much deep stuff going on there.
But anyways, that that was my ir My back was
hurting on Friday and it's still very, very sore today
on Monday. Well, there is a good news with the NFL.
With your career, you probably have a massage plug. Oh well, well,
my name is a massage Arrington that was already reserved
(40:33):
by Massage Watson. So you know, I think I'll just
you know, thuget and buget, you know what I mean.
I'll push through it. Jeff.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
Well, we had a kid's swim meet LeVar the other day. Oh,
it's the first one for my kids this summer. First
time as a swim parent, and I had to time
You have to volunteer as a parent some of your time.
And I had to physically time the swimmers for the
first for the first thirty two events basically, so for
(41:03):
two hours.
Speaker 1 (41:04):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (41:04):
And I was on my feet on concrete for two hours.
I might still be hurting from Wednesday. Oh man, like
my body felt like I played a football game. Yeah, man,
it was It was bad. I was underprepared. We have
one tomorrow. I'm mentally prepared my volunteering tomorrow, so I'm
mentally prepared. Though. I'm gonna bring food with me, I'm
(41:27):
gonna bring my comfortable chair with me, and I'm not
gonna leave there. I feel like I just played a
football game, legit. Exhaustion, back, knees, feet, ankles not good.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
Yeah man, we just look like this, you know. You
see Jeff, he looks like a big, strong, nice strapping
young man. I kind of looked strong these days. But
let me tell you something. It's just the look people.
It's only it's all for looks. It's all for fake anyways,
appreciate your IYR, Jeff gave you mine. Hour three coming
at you so
Hey, thanks for listening to the Two Pros and a
Cup of Joe podcast with Brady Quinn, Jonas Knox, and myself,
LeVar Arrington. Make sure you catch us live weekdays six
to nine am Eastern or three am to six am
Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. You can find your local
station for the Two Pros and a Cup of Joe
(00:20):
show over at Foxsports Radio dot com, or stream us
live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching fs R.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Parties.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Okay, so we're doing this at the top of every
every hour. Huh, okay, all right, create a little consistency here,
I guess. Welcome into Two Pros and a Cup of Joe. Yes,
the voice you are hearing is LeVar Arrington, not the
one of Jonas Knox. He is taking one more day off.
He will be back tomorrow and we'll you know, get
(01:05):
back to Jonas running the show, which I will gladly welcome. Uh.
Brady Quinn is also off as well for a little
bit of time. I got my man Jeff Schwartz with me,
another pro. So nonetheless, even without Brady, it's still two pros.
We're just one less a joe, you know. And that's
that's where we're at right now. If you want to
(01:27):
check us out outside of you know, on here, you
could get LeVar Arrington at LeVar Arrington. On the Twitter,
you could get at Jeff Schwartz. That's Jeff with a G,
two f's and Schwartz. You know what they say, the
C is silent or the H side? Which which one
is it? One of them is?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I've never heard that before.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yeah, Schwartz, Yeah, I think the sort one of them
is silent. I don't know it is what it is. Nonetheless,
that's my man, Jeff Schwartz. All right, and you can
listen live from Fox Sports Radio app or the iHeartRadio
app or on Serious XM. All right, we got a
lot of great topics to get to. We are indeed
(02:09):
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(02:29):
get to in the four am seven am hour if
you're on the East coast.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
But the one.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
We're gonna start this hour off with jeff is d
hop DeAndre Hopkins. He's still out there, He's still a
free agent. And the question now is being asked and
coming up, is d hop wanting too much money and
that's why he's still on the free agent market. And
(02:54):
if that is the case, is his pursuit of that
larger contract is it possible? Where we are currently right
now in the season, the NFL season, all.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Right, so we know that the Chiefs and Bills had
called over to Arizona, you know, seeking a possible trade,
and I think part of that was going to be, hey,
you know what can we get you know what can
we get him to renegotiate four And I understand obviously
teams are always going to want to pay someone less, right,
just the way it always is. But the Chiefs and
Bills are also up against the cap. They don't have
(03:27):
a lot of money. Now, you can create money, obviously
by restructuring contracts and finding a way to make that work,
but that seems unlikely for that to happen. Right. We
saw the chief sign Donovan Smith, the left tackle from
the Bucks, for four million dollar base with someone said
if Deoder Hopkins wants that type of contract. The Chiefs
will give it to him, right, But do we think
(03:50):
he wants that? We don't really know. And part of
it in complicating all this is that that Odell back,
I've got fifteen million dollars a year the one year deal,
right LeVar.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
So who would say that he's better than d Hop today?
I would say that.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
He hasn't played in a year though? Right?
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Right? Well, but what has Odell Beckham done? Are you
talking about OBJ or are you talking about d Hop?
Speaker 2 (04:13):
I'm talking about Odell got fifteen million dollars career and.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Yeah, yeah, we're saying saying.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Ok, okay, say so. So I'm I agree with DeAndre
Hopkins saying I want fifteen million dollars a year at
least at least the Bills and Chiefs are not going
to pay him that. So the question becomes in, I
think he's in year eleven or twelve. He's had a
long career so far, he's been one of the best
wide receivers in the NFL. He has not won a championship.
(04:39):
At what point do you say, And every player kind
of gets to this point at some point in their career.
If you play long enough? Is it time for me
to chase a ring?
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Right?
Speaker 2 (04:48):
And what's it worth to me to chase that ring
if I go to Kansas City or Buffalo or a
contending team. Am I okay with taking less money in
exchange for probably more incentives obviously, but a chance to
win a ring? Like what would the ring do for
my legacy for my career? Do I start chasing that ring?
Or do I still want to be paid as much
(05:09):
money as possible? LaVar Like, that's always the part that
veterans get to. If they're play long enough and they're
good enough, at some point in their career you start
chasing a ring, right, And this might be the opportunity
for him to do that. And I'm not advocating for
him and take a lot less money, but you have
the opportunity to play for contender for lesson you would
make on a you know, a mid tier team or
even a lower tier team. So I'm talking to Houston, like,
(05:32):
you want to go back to Houston, They'll pay you
more money. Absolutely, But I would if I were him
in his spot for the career that he's had. Man,
I look long and hard to contender, LeVar and take
that less money and get a high an incentive deal,
which he probably will reach a ton of his incentives
because he's a good football player still, but at some
point veterans are chasing that ring man. I feel like
(05:52):
he's at that point in his career when that might
be something he's looking at.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
It was reported that what he was looking for on
his checklist is that qbs love the game. This was
brought by cleaning of the NFL Dove or dove however,
no one, I'm not sure, all right, Well, so love
a quarterback that loves the game brings everyone on board
(06:20):
with them. A great defense, defense wins championships. Gotta have
a great d line, stable management because well he says
he's been through four GMS, which is I mean, that's
that's respectable. When I look at this list, there are
a few that jump out at you. You you would say,
the Bills, like you said, they're not going to pay that.
(06:42):
You would say, the Eagles, they're definitely not going to
pay that. The Chiefs, they're not going to pay that.
The Ravens they've already paid that. The Chargers, I don't
know that they have the space cap wise to pay him,
but that would be a nice that would be a
nice landing place for him.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So I wrote an article for Fox Sports last week
talking about my favorite places for him to go, and
I put the Chargers in my favorite. Okay, I think
that it makes sense. They have the money to do so,
and it kind of hits some of those boxes that
the Hopkins wants right, not all of them, but close enough,
and you'll have a situation where you won't be doubled
(07:22):
as much, right because of the other weapons the Chargers have,
so you might not see the ball as much. But
you're playing with a young quarterback who's got a monster
arm and Justin Herbert, you're playing with a coordinator and
Kellen Moore that wants to spread the ball and throw
the ball. And you're with you know, kind of a
more stable coaching staff in front office, you know ownership obviously,
you know that they're I guess their stables can be.
(07:43):
But you have the opportunity, I think, to play for
a winner in the Chargers. Well, I find much interesting
about what you just said about what he's looking for. Man,
everyone who plays with Colin Murray seems to flame him
on the way out, like it it And I had
said this offseason that I think Klin Murray is done
playing for the Cardinals and the contract makes it tough
(08:04):
to trade him. And obviously he will at some point
be healthy enough to play this season. But the Cardinals
they're cleaning the house and they're gonna get that number
one pick. They're trying to, obviously and get Caleb Williams,
who I've covered now for an entire year at USC
at my day job covering the Pactoral Conference. Dude, he's
a great kid, man like, everything that you want in
(08:25):
a quarterback is Caleb Williams. And he went to USC
obviously transferred over there, a lot of expectations, a lot
of you know, he's he's getting the nil money. He's
does not affect him at all. Man like, super mature,
great teammate. He is everything I think that that you
wanted a quarterback, and I think Arizona's gonna go that
direction in this obfseason. But everyone, everyone seems to take
(08:48):
shots at Kyler Murray, even even they're starting right tackle.
This offseason, did who's a respected veteran in beacham Man
and hop takes a shot him on the way out
as well. That's just not that's not good back when
you're when your quarter when someone's questioning how how much
you care about the game and how much you work.
I mean, those are things that you only control yourself
(09:08):
as a player, and it's not it's embarrassing if you
if your teammates can see that you're a franchise quarterback
and you don't put in that work.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
It's not only embarrassing, it's pretty To me, it's pretty damning.
When you have accomplished players that kind of come out
and and allude to what what they felt with you
during their time with you. That's to me, that's the
most damning because you you got a guy, I mean,
(09:40):
you know, you play with with with Deshaun Watson and
in Houston, and Deshaun and and and DeAndre had some
some good moments, but I mean Deshaun hasn't shown proven
to be a world beater in terms of being able
to win, uh and get to a a Super Bowl.
I mean he has. They have come up short, but
(10:00):
they have made some some you know, they had made
some strides. But I mean, I guess if you're looking
at it from the perspective of what has DeAndre Hopkins experience,
you know, it's it's hard to say he doesn't know
what he doesn't know. And if he doesn't know what
a great quarterback is, which maybe Deshaun Watson is. But
(10:23):
if he doesn't know what a great quarterback is, you're
you're basically saying, listen, I don't I haven't experienced having
a franchise guy, you know, at at the league level.
And maybe Deshaun Watson is that guy that he's making
the comparison off of. I don't know. He may be
making that comparison off of another quarterback that's out there,
which seemingly is probably what it is because he's he's
(10:45):
not he didn't mention Cleveland as one of the destinations
he wanted to go by the way, So I would assume,
just based off of context clues, he's assuming that that
having an Aaron Rodgers, or being with a Patrick Mahomes,
or with a talent that is, you know, on the
way up in Herbert, which they do need a receiver,
(11:06):
that that need is definitely there for them to have
a receiver. I think that that. But let me throw
this one out at you before we get to the break.
I know we have a strong receiving Oh, listen to
me starting to refer to them as US. I know
Washington has a strong receiving core. I gotta get used
to saying us again.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
Uh, I know you're backing out.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Snyder's only reason why I was out. Snyder's only reason
why I was out.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
There's now O's back everyone. I love it well.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
As soon as the sale takes place, I'm all in.
I'm up. I'll break out my letterman jacket and everything.
When when well, let me let me say this though,
I mean, I would like to know that this ownership
group is solid as well, so I probably need to
have several conversations if worth it. If it's not worth
it to them for us to have a conversation, we
would just keep it kind of the same.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
It would be Leman jacket leading the band field. You
never know man.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Still played there is that like, no, you can't you
can't play that. You can't play that still it's still that.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
That didn't change the lyrics to command.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
I don't know that they play it or have changed
the lyrics. I have not been involved, but I would
assume not. I mean, it's kind of the whole point
of the song is too well, say a way that
you say, so, yeah, But but with that being said,
I wouldn't be I wouldn't be mad if they added
to DeAndre Hopkins to to that team. I mean, it
(12:33):
would be an extra added weapon. It would give Sam Howe.
If we're going to say Sam Howe isn't the guy,
we at least give him another option. So now you
got Scary Terry, you got McLaurin, you got Johanne Dotson,
you and then you add someone like like a DeAndre
Hopkins with that backfield. I mean, that's pretty formidable for
(12:58):
any offenseive coordinator to be able to dial up a
play where somebody's going to be open for your quarterback. So,
I mean that's something to think about as a possibility.
You never know. But that's just me wishfully thinking because
we're going in a different direction with what we got
going on. Speaking of going in a different direction, we're
going to go to a break. But coming up next
on Two Pros and a Cup of Joe, we're live
(13:19):
from the Tirack dot Com Studios to a tongue of Valoa.
Is healthy has become a better leader, and we're going
to tell you why he's become a better leader. On
the other side of this break, you're listening to Two
Pros and a Cup of Joe Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
Be sure to catch live editions of Two Pros and
a Cup of Joe with Brady Quinn, LeVar Errington, and
Jonas Knox weekdays at six am Eastern three am Pacific
on Fox Sports Radio and the IHEARTRADIOI.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Welcome back in to Two Pros and a Cup of Joe.
Jeff Schwartz, LeVar Arrington, Brady, Jonas Lee are off today,
but that's all right. We're having a tremendous show. If
you missed anything, make sure you go to wherever it
is that you download your podcast and get Two Pros
(14:11):
and a Cup of Joe to be able to hear
what you missed. All right, A lot of great topics
we got to in a great topic we're getting to
right now with Tua tug. Yeah, tongue of aloa. I
could get it, but I just love messing it up.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
People are probably angry. I can't get it right out, Darren.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
To a tongue of aloa. All right, listen, they say
he's healthy. He's fully healthy, reports have said. But the
one thing that has really stood out and jumped out
at me, Jeff that I'm interested to hear your take
on it is his by his own admission, saying that
(14:50):
he's become becoming and has become a better leader. And
at first I was like, well, what exactly does that mean?
You know, but when you think about it, when he
told reporters that basically he's never been one to to
kind of be a raw, raw guy, you know, get
in front of people historically, be loud with his actions
(15:13):
and stuff like that in a way that helps the
team get better, He's basically said he's he's taken on
that responsibility. He's been more vocal, he's been he's been
more involved and has had a whole lot to say
during OTAs. Maybe the adversity and listen, adversity you know,
(15:35):
if you if you've gone through it a lot and
you've been around sports coaches, tell you adversity reveals the character,
It doesn't build it. Uh, He's gone through a lot
of adversity, and we've known, we've known for a long
time that Tua's character has never been in question. We
know that he comes from a great, strong family background,
(15:57):
a good strong dude. This seemingly is an evolution of
someone who has dealt with adverse situations and it is
revealing his character. I'm going to evolve, I'm going to adapt,
I'm going to adjust. I'm going to become something more
than what I've been before, all the adversity that I've
gone through. What what what's your take on this?
Speaker 2 (16:20):
This feels like a very June NFL story, right, Like
those the best shape of my life story is right
that we get in OTAs and this guy's coming to
the best. He's reinvigorated his body, in his mind, and
they're saying that, you know, the reason why he is
a better leader is because he talks to the team
(16:43):
when the offense when they're having a bad practice like okay,
Like sure, I just I generally don't put a lot
of stock in these stories when they happen in June. Okay,
because this is the time of year when everything is
feel good, right, everything in college sports, NFL, it's all
(17:06):
about pumping your team up. The stories that come out
are right now. If you have a negative story, that's
really bad this time of year, right because this is
the time of year when you're kind of getting hype
for the season. It's great that he's becoming a better leader.
But you talked about adversity, right, It's it's how you
lead through adversity. It's not how you lead during an
OTAs mean OTAs are relaxed there, they're calm, there's no hitting,
(17:28):
it's not hot quite yet. What happens in week two? Right,
it's the when the adversity hits during the season, Then
how are you as a leader?
Speaker 1 (17:36):
I think I do.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
I think anyone's ever questioned too as a leader, by
the way, so I don't think this is much of
an issue. But for me, the concern is obviously is health, right,
I mean, I think learning how to fall, which I
know sounds silly for a grown adult in the NFL
to need to learn how to fall. But he got
injured a couple times last year on hits that weren't
that hard. His head hit the back of the turf
pretty pretty hard. Then we know that happened, So that
(17:58):
to me is more of a story is like how
is he going to stay healthy? Rather than if he's
a leader? I mean, I think he proved Alabama he
can lead. He proved to Miami so far he can lead,
and we know this not all leaders. Man are going
to be yelling and screaming. They're not going to be vocal.
They're not gonna have to get in your face. They
lead by example. They lead with calm words and intentions,
and they lead when a diversity hits right. And so
(18:19):
we don't know how T is gonna lead. I think
we'd sort of do, but you know, when when things
are tough, that's what we need to know. The OTA
is to me, whatever he yells the offense at a
bad period, okay like that, that to me is not
a big story. It's about his injury to me and
can he stay healthy all season?
Speaker 1 (18:36):
See for me, I kind of look at it. I
take the approach that it's important because you don't want
to see him fade the black. You know, at least
I don't want to see him fade the black. So
it's kind of like where is he going? Is he
going up? Or is he going down? Is he coming
or is he going? When you look at a story,
(18:56):
When I look at a story like this, it's like, Okay,
the reason why it's relevant to me is he's setting
a tone. And and and I would say in OTA's
the one thing that that I always felt was important
when I took took on my my role as a leader,
which was much more pronounced my sophomore season in the
(19:17):
pros than it was my rookie year. My rookie year
was a lot of getting scrubbed, learning from old vets,
and improving myself and and and gaining that credibility that
I I'm worth following at the pro level. That next
that next year, coming out of UH finishing out strong
on on a fresh freshman year campaign in the league.
(19:39):
My rookie year coming into OTAs I won hundred percent,
asserted myself, inserted myself and in a position where we're
setting a tone if we ran at the end of practice,
I made sure I was in front of everybody, you know,
like like, don't don't take us our condition lightly when
(20:00):
when we were going through walkthroughs and different things like that,
don't take the terminology, don't don't take the play as
a play that isn't isn't going to matter when we
get to those moments that you're talking about. I thought
it was good to hear that, because if you have
a quarterback that isn't he doesn't have to be a raw,
raw guy, but he does have to be a guy
(20:22):
that communicates, right, Like, I played with a couple guys
that communicated. I played with a couple guys that didn't.
Jeff George wasn't a communicator, super duke dope player, but
just wasn't into like really communicating, not not really into
being social or having any type of you know, kind
of presence that way. But then you play for a
(20:46):
few other guys you know, and and you know, I'd say,
most notably, my high school quarterback was one hundred percent
of vocal guy, a guy that would if you made
a mistake, he would hold you to task, you know,
a whole you accountable. If Tua is inserting himself that way,
and he's creating an environment along with the other guys
(21:07):
there that is raising the standard of expectation right now,
then I say I commend that. I commend that, and
I do look at it as there is value to that,
because he could easily be the guy that isn't evolving.
He could easily be a guy I mean, we just
had the conversation about listening about how everybody seems to
(21:30):
have something to say about Kyler Murray every single time
they're leaving out. There's just always something being said about
Kyler Murray. Yeah, and so he could easily have turned
into a guy where it's like, you know, he's not
the guy, he's not that guy, and that is still
up for question. Wouldn't you say that that's still up
for question right now if he can be that guy.
(21:52):
Whether it's because you don't know that he can be healthy,
Jimmy Garoppolo, Right, If he's healthy, he's good. If he's
not healthy, not good. But availability is the best ability,
you know, So you know, I like it. I like
the story. I like how it feels just for the
simple fact that he isn't shying away like, oh, I
get hurt, I've gotten concussions. I'm just going to continue
(22:15):
to be too a tongue of below and just kind of,
you know, see if I could stay healthy. He's inserting
himself a little more.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
I understand your point. I think it's it's well taken
that you know, he's trying to be more assertive. Obviously,
he's trying to show everyone that he's kind of evolved
as a leader. But I never thought that was in
question though, right, Like, I didn't think that, and that
that's why the story kind of surprised me because I
never looked at you as a guy that wasn't a
leader of his team. Now, you're absolutely right. There are
(22:42):
times when players attempt to your point, but when you're
in your second year, when you were, you know, you
were physically trying to be more assertive, right, But I
think that was to his issue. So I think it
was surprised to hear that that was kind of I
guess a story that he's be more assertive like that.
But in the end, your play physically on the field
(23:08):
will be the reason he's a leader or not right
and to be the guy that he wants to be,
and that's you know your point. He can play when
he's healthy. He's got stay healthy this year, and I
think the Dolphins are trying to do everything they can
to make sure that that he is that guy.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
Well, there you go. That's Jeff Schwartz. I'm LeVar Arrington.
On the other side of the update, we'll talk breakout
players for twenty twenty three. We'll touch on on maybe
one or two players that we believe will have breakout years.
But first I think you should know that, Well, we
(23:42):
have an update from ed Edmund Garcia. What's going on?
Speaker 4 (23:46):
What you got, I've got a little NBA to talk about,
LeVar Game two NBA Finals and do heat do it.
They go to Denver and get the split to beat
the Nuggets one eleven to one eight, snapping Denver's eight
game winning streak goal all and their nine game home
court winning streak. They were undefeated nine to zero at
home going into this game. Miami outscoring Denver on the
(24:07):
road in the fourth quarter thirty six to twenty five
to pull out to victory. Gave Vincent twenty three points.
Jimmy Butler and bam Metta Bayo each had twenty one
points in the victory. Nicol Yogi's typical big game for Denver,
but not enough for the win. He had forty one
points and fourteen rebounds. So the series is tied at
one one now shifting to Miami, Game three coming up
on Wednesday. In baseball, the Rays down the Red Sox
(24:28):
six to two. Tampa Bay now a major league best
forty two to nineteen on the season. Rangers over the
Mariners twelve to three. Texas gets the three game series sweep.
Nathan evalved the six shotout endings love just one hit.
He gets his eighth win of the year and is
tied to the major league lead in victory as Dodgers
scored four runs off the LA bullpen get a four
to one win in LA over the Dodgers. The Braves
(24:48):
get an Eddie Rosario Grand Slam in the ninth and
they beat the Diamondbacks eighth to five. LA and Arizona
still tied to the top spot in the NL West.
As far as the NL Central, Brewers still have a
one game on the Pirates. Milwaukee with a five to
one went over the Reds. Pittsburgh a two to one
went over the Cardinals. Pirates have won five in a row.
They sweep Saint Louis in that series, Orioles down the
(25:08):
Giants eight to three. It was the Blue Jays wrapping
up a swee of the Mets with a six four victory,
even though Pete Alonso for New York did it his
major leading twenty first home warn of the season in defeat,
and the Guardians knock off the Twins in Minnesota two
to one. Now backter Jeff Schwartz LaVar Aarato the Tyrack
dot Com Fox Sports Radio Studios appreciated Eddie.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
All right, on this side, we're talking breakout players for
twenty twenty three. Now, I've looked at a few different lists.
I pulled up Bucky Brooks's list. Shouts out to my man,
Bucky Brooks. He's got a few pretty cool names on there.
On one that really jumped out at me that I
had been looking at, which had to do with our
(25:47):
last discussion with Tua tonguea Veloa, was his center. You know,
Connor Williams. Now, people may not know his name. He
has been in the league for a little while. He's
a former second round overall pick, and I'm sure you
appreciate this as a trenchman, but I think he's the
breakout player that I'm looking out, looking out for and
(26:07):
looking at.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
This year.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
He made the move to center. He was a guard,
formerly known as a guard, and we all know sometimes
it's very difficult to move positions, especially at the pro level,
especially moving to center, because that's pretty much the brain
of your offensive line and kind of in the ways
(26:29):
outside of the quarterback, the brain of your offense. He
makes that move. I think his ability, what he brings
to the table, his intelligence, his IQ level. I really
think that this is going to be a if he
stays healthy. I think this is a tremendous opportunity to
(26:49):
protect Tua and to get better results out of your
Miami Dolphins offense. What say you to Connor? I know
you're aware of who Connor Williams is, and then you
get to yeah, and then give us, you know, give
us a player that you feel is a breakout.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
So the Dolphins offensive line, outside of Arms said, needs
to firm up right, and it has been a concern
of theirs when they get in those third and long situations. Now,
the offense is a really good job of handling most
of the offensive line issues right. It's an offense in
that Shanahan system that gets you, gets you really good positions, right,
And it's an offense that play action pass, you run
(27:26):
the ball, you got some gadget plays here and there.
You're not in third and long. Often when you are,
that's they struggle. But you know the importance of having
a center that can do a lot for you in
a multiple offense is it really eases the quarterback, right,
It lessens the responsibilities of the quarterback. I ding fronts
understanding Blitzer. It just makes the quarterback feel very comfortable,
(27:46):
especially young quarterback like Tua to have a center like that,
I'm curious about that. He was moving inside obviously inside
one spot in the center. He has to play well,
I think for the Dolphins to have the opportunity to
be as good as they want. Ye, my guy, I'm
going to actually a different position than I thought it
would do. But Trent McDuffie is a cornerback for the Chiefs,
(28:07):
and he played Week one and then he was out
for six or seven weeks and came back, and it's
pretty startling how different the Chiefs defense was with him
and without him. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs
coverage grade was number in the NFL when he played,
and twenty seventh when he did not epa per play
(28:30):
expected points added, which is a good metric to just
kind of generally a fit general efficiency. LeVar twenty sixth
when he was out, twelfth when he played. Do can
play football? First round pick out of Washington. I feel
like he's gonna be healthy all season and we're going
to see him in the conversation for Pro Bowls and
All Pros very quickly in the second season. He's a
good football player, and he made a big difference last
(28:51):
year when the Chiefs got him back healthy.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Okay, all right, I'm gonna go to green Bay. And
even though I feel like he may have had his
breakout year this past season, but I think there's so
much more with Christian Watson. I believe that this is
one of those guys. He's got the body type, you know,
he's got the route running ability. If Jordan Love is
(29:16):
going to have the type of season where he puts
things to a little bit of ease with the green
Bay Packer, faithful, I think it's going to be on
the back and on the shoulders of Christian Watson. He
now outside of the tailbacks, if you ask me, I mean,
he's the go to guy, has to be the go
(29:38):
to guy. And he has the ability, He has the talent,
the mental ability, he has the IQ for the game.
I mean he comes from from great Stock, you know,
obviously coming out of Plant since high school and being
a winner and Fargo. I just think that this is
one of those guys I'm excited to see continue to
(30:01):
transition into that next level of I think he comes
into this becoming an elite receiver.
Speaker 2 (30:08):
Jeff Well, he he almost has to be good, right
because you need Jordan Love to have a good season.
And if you're giving Jordan Love obviously the rains now
and this is kind of a proven season.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
Now.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
They did sign him to an extension for next year
and less money than his fifth year option would have been,
so he is there for next year, I guess. But
you need him to have a breakout year now and early,
and Watson is going to be a big part of
that success. Right. You know they drafted to tit end
as well, so Watson almost has to play well for
Jordan Love to play well, right, And so I think
that's a good a good place to go the top
(30:42):
of everyone's list. And I think this is God deserves
this attentions. Kenny Pickett, the Steelings quarterback. I really thought
he got better season one.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
One did improve, He did improve.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
There were moments when you thought to yourself, idd like,
oh okay, I see a little bit of that franchise
quarterback glimmer in him, right Like, though there were moments
and he's gotta be obviously more that in year two.
But I think there's a there's a possibility and we
see it we often seen in quarterbacks. He's kind of superstars,
(31:16):
right that jump in year two, right, you play a
little bit in year one, you go through bumps and bruises,
and then year two is when you make that jump
to like, oh Okay, this guy's a franchise quarterback. I
think Kenny Pickett has that potential heading in the year
two if he can continue to improve on what he
did well last year, limit the mistakes. You know, he's
(31:38):
on everyone's breakout list. It's not a surprise of a player,
but LaVar I think he showed glimpses of what makes
quarterbacks really good, and I like to see more of
that this year.
Speaker 1 (31:49):
I like that pick. Obviously, I'm a big Steelers fan,
so I'm all in on that right there. I'm gonna
give you one more before we take it to break.
I'll give you time for one more, and I'm gonna
make this one pretty quick. Jakwan Brisker, I think he's
set to have a breakout year for for the Chicago Bears. Obviously,
(32:10):
he did well as a rookie, uh but he didn't
have very many I in tes. He did did well
in terms of getting really acclimated into the Bears defensive secondary.
He's been an impact player for them. I look for
him to be more of an impact player this year.
I look for him to create and generate more turnovers
(32:34):
with with the understanding of how the game is played
and a little bit of of UH experience under his belt.
I'm really excited about him. I'm excited about his game. Yes,
he is a former Penn stater. I got an opportunity
to watch him play while he was in college. And
he's a Lackawana product as well. Shouts out to the
Falcons and and and his his ability to make plays
(33:00):
his he has just this uncanny ability to be able
to be in the places where you need to be
to make plays some people call a preparation. I love
his game, I love his demeanor, I love what he
brings to the table. Super athletic, and I look for
him to be one of those guys that also transitions
into being one of the more elite players at his position.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
I like it.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
I'll give you one more, kind of a personal one,
sort of like you went down the Penn State road here.
Panay sal is the Lions right tack and he was
a Pro Bowl alternate last year, so kind of you
know it wasn't a Pro Bowl. Voted right away he
will be All Pro this season at right tackle. It's
gonna be Lane Johnson will be the If he stays
(33:45):
healthy all year, he'll be All Pro, and Pane Sewel
will be an All Pro. He's Levart, He's twenty two
years old. Still, he's twenty two. His thirst, he's in
the NFL twenty two. He went Alan Troe playing half
a season at seventeen years old in college. Dude is
not even He doesn't even hit his physical prime yet,
(34:07):
which is like your your late twenties. He hasn't even
gone there yet. And he's an elite level right tackle.
And I think this is the year when everyone kind
of see that. People that watch football, they like, they
know he's good, but this is the year where like
the national the public like gets to really be like,
Pine Sewel is one of the best players in the
NFL as a position. He will be All Pro this
(34:30):
year and he's still twenty two. He turns twenty three
in October. He's gonna get a second contract at twenty
four years old. Saying kid is really good. So paday
soul for me, you know, fudging a little bit because
he was a Pro bow alter last year. As far
as what a breakout player is but I think this
is the year the national stage. He's on that stage.
As far as you know, Lane Johnson pine Seowol won two.
(34:52):
I know Tristan Wurfs is up there too, but I
think he's playing left tackle this year, so it'd be
Lane Johnson pine Seol won two at right tackle.
Speaker 1 (34:58):
There you go. That's Jess Sworts with his players to watch.
I'm Leavar Arrington. Gave you my players to watch, So
a little bit of something there if you want to
do some homework on them and check them out. Yeah,
that's on you. Coming up next on Two Pros and
a Cup of Joe Live from the tyrat dot Com Studios.
The FSR i R things that happened or didn't happen
(35:21):
during the course of your week weekend, you know, and
we talk about it. I know I got one. I
heard Jeff has one as well. So on the other
side of the break, we'll get to the fs R
i R. I'm LeVar Arrington as Jef Swartz Two Pros
and a Cup of Joe, Fox Sports Radio. The market
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Speaker 5 (37:01):
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Speaker 1 (37:29):
All right, welcome back into two Pros and a Cup
of Joe without Jonas Knox and Brady Quinn with Jef
Schwartz and LeVar Arrington. We are quickly approaching our three
of the program. Hope you guys have enjoyed it thus far.
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Speaker 3 (38:11):
After your sports week at happens, So it's time to
get the fsr IR Report.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
All right, guys, what do you guys got to LeVar.
You start us off. It seemed like you were very
excited to get us off. All right, Well, I'm not
excited to get a but I definitely I definitely will
tell you guys. I went to the end of the
year school field trip which was to San Diego to
(38:42):
go to the zoo, the Safari, and to the beach.
We chose the zoo, well, we chose the safari part
of the zoo and got an opportunity to go see
some amazing animals, which is created to be there. It's
close to natural habitats as possible. The only thing is
(39:02):
I still, you know, with all of this new health
that I've created, you know, cutting off chatting the fat
to not be a fat boy anymore, I still have
issues with a whole lot of walking. It felt like
I had two little kids tap dancing or running on
(39:27):
a trapmill on my lower back, Like, my lower back
feels really really bad today. And you know what, there
was a lot of walking, but it was well worth it.
The little one had a great time, got close up
encounters with with rhinos, elephants, and giraffes. Saving giants was
(39:50):
the name of the theme Safari. Behind the scenes deal
that we did so shots out to to San Diego
Zoo San Diego. Uh, you know the wildlife people, they
do a great job. Talked about all of the conservation
and like the endangered animals and all the species that
(40:10):
are there there. There's so much deep stuff going on there.
But anyways, that that was my ir My back was
hurting on Friday and it's still very, very sore today
on Monday. Well, there is a good news with the NFL.
With your career, you probably have a massage plug. Oh well, well,
my name is a massage Arrington that was already reserved
(40:33):
by Massage Watson. So you know, I think I'll just
you know, thuget and buget, you know what I mean.
I'll push through it. Jeff.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
Well, we had a kid's swim meet LeVar the other day. Oh,
it's the first one for my kids this summer. First
time as a swim parent, and I had to time
You have to volunteer as a parent some of your time.
And I had to physically time the swimmers for the
first for the first thirty two events basically, so for
(41:03):
two hours.
Speaker 1 (41:04):
Oh wow.
Speaker 2 (41:04):
And I was on my feet on concrete for two hours.
I might still be hurting from Wednesday. Oh man, like
my body felt like I played a football game. Yeah, man,
it was It was bad. I was underprepared. We have
one tomorrow. I'm mentally prepared my volunteering tomorrow, so I'm
mentally prepared. Though. I'm gonna bring food with me, I'm
(41:27):
gonna bring my comfortable chair with me, and I'm not
gonna leave there. I feel like I just played a
football game, legit. Exhaustion, back, knees, feet, ankles not good.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
Yeah man, we just look like this, you know. You
see Jeff, he looks like a big, strong, nice strapping
young man. I kind of looked strong these days. But
let me tell you something. It's just the look people.
It's only it's all for looks. It's all for fake anyways,
appreciate your IYR, Jeff gave you mine. Hour three coming
at you so
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