NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Mike Garafolo, and Ian Rapoport discuss the biggest news from around the NFL, including Super Bowl Champion WR Cooper Kupp returning home to Washington after signing a deal with the Seahawks and the Bengals working on new deals for wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins. Plus, inside the drama between the Seahawks new pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence and his former Cowboys teammate Micah Parsons; All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard joins to talk staying in Baltimore and blocking for Derrick Henry; Cam Wolfe and Steve Wyche discuss the free agency fallout in Las Vegas and Atlanta; and Adam Rank brings some spicy fantasy analysis.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Jeff Russ is looking for a new kitchen, so who
will let Russ cook? It says here on the script. Anyway,
he visited the Giants today, the latest on his free
agency tour and what it means for Aaron Rodgers' future
as well. Miles Garrett is back in Cleveland and he
has one hundred and sixty million reasons to feel good
about it? Does Miles also have the inside scoop about
(00:31):
the Browns quarterback plan here from the Star Pass Rusher
on why he's sticking around. And we got some good
old fashioned drama in Dallas by way of Seattle with
DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Parsons having a social media duel.
What does it all say about the state of the Cowboys?
I'm gonna ask these two rodeo clowns. Welcome inside with
(00:53):
the Insiders alongside Mike Garritfullo and Ian Rappaport. I'm Tom Pelisero.
We got a ton of news to get into over
the next hour. We're else Scoff Ravens fullback pat ricarr
just re signing Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
He is going to join the show.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
We got a lot of wide receiver news today, including
breaking news within the past hour, Cooper Cup has a
new home and he is staying in the NFC West
Cup agreeing to terms with the Seattle Seahawks on a
three year, forty five million dollar deal. Ian There were
a lot of rumors and reports about different teams being involved,
(01:31):
but it always sounded like Seattle wanted to bring Cup
homies from Yakima, Washington, went to eastern Washington. Now he
is headed back to Seattle. As you see right there
in that image that he posted. He indeed is headed
back to Washington. Doesn't actually stand it across the chest.
That'd be weird. They play in Seattle. Jackson Smith and
Jaba fired up about it as well, posting Coop to
(01:55):
be playing now opposite a different stylid wide receiver than
DK Metcalf and e. He has not been healthy the
past three seasons. He's thirty one years old. We still
see flashes of what Cooper Cup can do. How did
all this come together with Cooper Cup now a Seahawk.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Well, for Cooper Cup, the word home was an important one, right.
He did have a ton of suitors, a lot of suitors,
several teams interested. And it's not just because he was
a free agent this week starting on Wednesdays, because everyone
is known he was going to be free agent since
the Monday before Super Bowl. That's when Cooper Cup himself
tweeted that the Rams are going to try to trade him,
and once that became clear, they did actually have some
(02:34):
trade Injurws A couple of teams talk to the Rams.
But reality is most teams knew he was going to
be free so several teams were interested, from the New
Orleans Saints to the Denver Broncos, a little bit of
Jacksonville Jaguars, maybe the Patriots, maybe the forty nine. The
reality is Cooper Cup wanted to go home. He is
from Washington. You mentioned he's from Yakima, about two hours
(02:55):
from the Seattle facility. I figure that out on my
maps app. Cooper now gets to go home for a
remade offense in Seattle. He becomes now a key target
for Sam Donald and Mike Look, I mean the money
is real. He gets fifteen million dollars per year, three years,
forty five million dollars. That's real. It does seem like
the Seahawks were if they were not the highest bidder,
(03:17):
they were right there. But the tugging at the Hartstrings,
being able to play in front of his family going
for a team you route four. This is a very
very cool thing for Cooper Cup.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, a couple of things. The money came up from
the time that teams were discussing a potential trade for
Cooper Cup because you're gonna thin give about rastet compensation
and then pay him. It was like, well, something had
to give there, And this is why players want to
be free. Number one, you get to control things a
lot more if you're a free agent versus if you're
(03:47):
at the mercy of a team that's trading you. That's
number one and number two, if there's no draft pick
compensation alongside of it, you can get yourself a deal
like this. We said last night in the Insiders there's
a tier at twenty plus million dollars of receivers and
there was another one at about ten million. We said,
we expect him to be somewhere in the middle, and
this is exactly where he wound up being. He sent
(04:08):
me thirty two on Opening Day. This is a really
good deal for him, and it's because there was a
lot of interest in him out there. But the Seahawks
now made the push to make this happen. Look, I
know Cooper cup was let go by the Rams, but
a lot of people inside that building one of things
that go well for him once he became a free agent,
wanted him to get his number. He got it. He
(04:29):
got it to a place that he's comfortable. The only
problem is you're gonna have to see him two times
next year at the very least.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
There.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
And I would say this for the Seahawks also, you know,
Gino Smith gets traded away, DK Metcalf gone, Tyler Locket gone,
Everybody going, well, the cupboard's bear well. Now all of
a sudden, you got yourself a quarterback in Sam Darnold.
You got him a reliable target here JSN obviously already there,
and you got a third round pick on top of that.
Thing's looking good for the Seahawks right now.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
And by the way, when the Seahawks pivot from Gino
Smith to Sam Darnold, not old only do they get
a third round pick from trading Gino Smith to Las Vegas,
they also, based on the type of contract Gino would
have wanted, actually freed up cash to make this type
of move and help out the quarterback. Let's also clean
up one other thing here. There were different things said
about the Cowboys are in it, they were not really
(05:16):
in it, that the Broncos were in it, they were
not really in it. Part of that was because it
was going to take a significant financial investment. That's what
the Seahawks were willing to make in Cooper Cup, not
just the player, but the person, the leader that he
could bring to the locker room. And by the way, Ian,
I did not need a maps ap to knowing where
Yakima is. I played an American Legion Baseball tournament there
in nineteen ninety nine.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
That's your fun fact for the edit.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
That is not the only wide receiver news we had
in the past several hours. As Ian and I reported
a short time ago, the Bengals have made significant progress
on new contracts with both their star wide receivers Jamar
Chase and t Higgins. This has been ongoing for the
past couple of years. T Higgins now on a second franchise, Hey,
(06:01):
Javar Chase going into the fifty year option on his
rookie contract. They made runs Ian in the past that
both these players they have the same agent. These have
been basically it sounds like parallel negotiations and now penning
clean up some language and things. It does appear we
are on the verge of Joe Burrow getting his wish,
which is both of his favorite targets being in Cincinnati
(06:22):
for the long haul.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
The Bengals are close to delivering Joe Burrow exactly what
it wants, which is his two star receivers under contract
for years to come and no more questions about why
is two receivers are not under contract. This would be
good for everyone. So let's take a look at where
they are. It has been several weeks, actually months of
negotiation between the Cincinnati Bengals front office and ownership and
(06:44):
the agents for t Higgins and Jamar Chase, who, as
you mentioned, are now the same person, Rocky Arsenal. Where
it looks like it's going to land and it's not
firm and final yet this deal is not completely and
totally agreed to yet still have to finalize some things.
Where it looks like it's the land is Jamar Chase
with a contract starting with a four, so that would
be forty million dollars plus per year, which would make
(07:08):
him the highest paid receiver in the NFL, which would
make him along with Miles garrettle depending on whether it's
higher than Miles Garrett or not, the highest paid non
quarterback in the NFL, which.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Is exactly what the Bengals said it would be.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
And then for t Higgins joking at the high twenties,
twenty seven or twenty eight, maybe million dollars, that's around
where the franchise tag, around where the franchise tag is
based on the average. So both really really really strong
contracts for both these guys. When they get finished, people
wonder like, why aren't the Bengals paying.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
They are paying now or at least they're going to
be pretty soon, And well, look, they could have done
this last year, could have done the year before. With
t Higgins, you waited, the price went up. Now it's
gonna cost you a ton of money. You saved money
last year, I guess. I mean that's the one way,
Like you didn't have to make the big payment that
Jamar Chase last year. But now you're in a predicament
now where you're given sixty seven If I did the
(08:01):
meth writing and you said sixty seven sixty eight million
combined for two receivers. And that's why Trey Hendrickson is
now looking for a potential trade elsewhere that door has
not been slam shut. This is going to make it
more difficult, and obviously they saw which way that this
was going. So we'll see about getting Hendrickson back. But
the Bengals have done a lot on the offensive side
of the ball, still a lot of questions on that
(08:21):
defensive side of the ball, Trey Hendrickson and his future
being just one of them. We'll see.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
This is a lot of cash obviously if the Bengals
are investing in these players, but from a cap perspective,
they're right now carrying twenty one point eight million dollars
in change for Jamaar Chase on his fift year option
and over twenty six million dollars on t Higgins, So
getting these deals done will actually drive those cap numbers down.
Does that lead to them actually getting a deal done
and bringing back Trey Hendrickson as well?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
The sizes have engaged and been talking in.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Recent days here, so at least an opportunity potentially to
move forward. We also got some unresolved quarterback situations around
the NFL, starting out with Russell Wilson for the back
straight day. Make it a little visit, this time to
the New York Giants, one day after visiting the Cleveland Browns.
My understanding Ian is that it was another good visit
today with the Giants. There is nothing imminent on that front.
(09:13):
Obviously there's a guy named Aaron Rodgers who is tied
into all of this as well, but certainly seems if
Uss has real interest, the question now is where does
he land and what exactly is the price day?
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Well, you're right, and for Russell Wilson, sounds like the
Giants visit started last night, continued into today, had nice dinner,
spent some time in the office, med with some owners
like it was sounded like it was really positive. So
is the Browns. By the way, rarely do you hear
these visits are not positive. Both of these seems like
they were. The real question is what does Russell Wilson
want to do? Right Because if you're let's say you're
(09:46):
the Cleveland Browns and you're not waiting for Aaron Rodgers
because it doesn't sound like they are, you can put
the ball in Russell Wilson's cord and make him an
offer right now. And if it's a place he would
want to go, then maybe he just jumps and says, okay,
let's do it. And then if you're the Giants, you say,
do we want to wait for Aaron Rodgers or not?
These are some very real questions, which is why the
timing and all these quarterback situations are all linked together.
(10:08):
But yes, two positive visits, to my understanding, that's all
he has scheduled right now. Now he needs to visit Pittsburgh.
He's been there plenty, so it should be decision time
for Russell Wilson soon. Just remained to be seen whether
or not any other factors or other quarter actual effective.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
And certainly all indications are the Steelers are going to
be making the first decision whenever Aaron Rodgers makes his decision.
They tried to resign Justin Fields, he ended up going
to the New York Jets. They now are waiting to
see exactly what Aaron Rodgers wants to do and in
the meantime, Mike. They also signed Mason Rudolph, which presumably
buys them a little bit of time and breathing room
(10:44):
here to say, you know what, we've played with Mason Rudolph,
We've won games with Mason Rudolph. We can give Rogers
the time that he needs to make a decision here
at a time that obviously the Giants are also waiting
for a decision for Rodgers as well.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
You brought up Mason Rudolph and feel on that was
the Steelers were waiting to see what happened with Rogers
and then getting Rudolph done. But it just got to
a point where this has taken longer than anybody really expected,
and they said, whether we get Rogers, whether we bring
Aaron Russell Wilson back, we're comfortable with Mason Rudolph being
(11:18):
a part of the mix. So they went and made
that decision there. I don't think it changes anything for
Aaron Rodgers at all. I think any of this stuff
changes anything for Aaron Rodgers at all. He's taken his time.
He wants to see how this develops. We talked about
his interest in the Minnesota Vikings and that situation now
that Sam Darnold vacated, But doesn't sound like there's anything
on that front of me. Maybe he's waiting until they've
potentially changed their minds. Not sure what he's waiting for.
(11:41):
He's taken his time. Nobody's missing anything right now. It's
not like we're into offseason workouts, OTAs, whatever. So these
teams are willing to be patient. You do wonder when
the limit to that patience will eventually strike. Doesn't seem
to be there right now for the Giants or the Steelers,
though they are going through their contingency plans at the
very least.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Well, let me say this too about the Vikings, because
again there's been a lot of stuff thrown around in
recent days. Here they're not sitting there debating Aaron Rodgers
versus JJ McCarthy. They're figuring out for JJ McCarthy, who
is their guy for the future. What's the best way
to structure this quarterback room around him? What is the
best plan for what they're going to put on the
field in twenty twenty five. It's about JJ McCarthy. They've
(12:24):
not ruled out any options. They are going through all
of them at a time that some of those other
options are starting to fly off the shelves. We're seeing
backup quarterbacks signing around the NFL. We've also seen some
of the high profile free agents signing over the past
couple of days on those deals that they've agreed to
this week. That includes DeAndre Hopkins headed to the Ravens
now officially signing his contract. It's a one year, five
(12:45):
million dollar deal can earn an extra million dollars with incentives.
Here's what hop had to say about why he wanted
to land in Baltimore.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
Lamar, you know, being the leader of this team is,
you know, car the reason that I came here. You
know what he stands for and how he's led his
team and this organization, you know, to the playoffs in
multiple years, and you know, since he's been here, you
know just how he's you know, just led you know,
(13:15):
any receiver group he've had, he's had, so I think,
you know, let's played that played a big part of
me come here for sure, Lamar be in the quarterback.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Miles Garrett signing his new deal with this same team,
the Browns, four year, one hundred and sixty million dollar
extension that locks him up through the year twenty thirty.
This game after a trade request, some public acrimony, a
lot of back and forth.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
So why do work out? Miles?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
From day one, I've always said that I'm I've wanted
to bring a championship to the northeast Ohio. So that
doesn't change my stance, and I'm just going to continue
to turn those those opinions around or reinforce those opinions
by going out and doing I've always done, going out
to make plays, being a great teammate, great leader, and
being the best person I could be on this field
(14:03):
and off the field for the Clean Browns.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
It looks like the whole thing was a bit a
long game for.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
You to get more money.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
So how do you tell fans know that's not it.
Speaker 6 (14:14):
I don't tell fans anything. I go out there and
prove it. You know, if it's about the money, then
I could just pack it in and not go out
there and give my best no effort. But I plan
to be the best person possible in this locker room,
be the best leader possible, and as well as you know,
dominating on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. So that kind of
(14:34):
mindset now remaining and being displayed on those days when
everyone's watching, that really shows you know what it's all about.
No going I think give me everything for those kind
of wins and what I've done year in the year
out that really proves it to the fans.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
No amount of words.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Will also being displayed a bunch of tiny plastic dinosaurs,
the kind of you used to have to put a
quarter in the machine and turn the knob and then
you'd get one of the little plastic bubble.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Bottle up.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Though a guy like Miles Soris Rex this is we
saw a lot of silly graphics on the show. This
one might be number one. Pyra Hard doesn't have quite
as cool of a nickname, but he doesn't have a
new contract with the Baltimore Ravens where he might have
to pick up Miles Garrett every now and then next season. First,
he's got to talk to us next on The Insiders.
Speaker 7 (15:32):
Here's a line up Victor again, Retard with the Touchtown
chats as is the first to come over and congratulate him.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Ravens star fullback pat Ricard signing his contract, one of
the big free agent pickups resigns for the Baltimore Ravens.
There it is right there, enjoying the moment with the
Hire family.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
So so cool.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Every one of these we see on social media got
a lot of it. Very pleased to be joining The
Insiders along with Mike Garrifolo. Ravens, five time Pro Bowl
and twenty twenty four All Pro Power card Pat. First
of all, congratulations on free agency. We saw a picture
of you there signing your deal another one with Baltimore.
(16:24):
How did it go you? How'd you think it ended
up for you?
Speaker 4 (16:28):
I think it went really well.
Speaker 8 (16:30):
You know, at the end of the season, I in
my heart, I knew I wanted to come back to Baltimore.
So when it came down to, you know, the week
of free agency, you know, getting the offer from the team,
It's just an amazing feeling to know that the same
team after nine years, wants you and wants to get
seen you, investing in you and believes in you and
(16:53):
knows that you're a part of the reason why we're
having success, and you know, we want you here to
help us win a Super Bowl. So when it came
to kind of figure out, you know, should I say,
should I leave? There's a lot of discussions to my agent,
Buddy Baker and Tony Boneger and exp was Force Group,
and my wife and family and just trying to you know,
(17:14):
what's the right decision here. Do I try to try
to see whore my market is and make as much
money as possible, or do I stay and you know,
be happy with what the Ravens can give me and
want to give me and try to continue my legacy
here and all the things that they've been able to
(17:34):
do for me.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
So it's a lot of decisions, and I felt like
I made the right one.
Speaker 8 (17:38):
I felt like I'm the luckiest man in the world
to be playing with the team as I have. And
Derek Henry Lamar Jackson markings just as a likely bateman
Ze Flowers, so list goes on and.
Speaker 4 (17:49):
On, and that's just offensive side of the ball.
Speaker 8 (17:51):
So I just and I feel like the way Baltimore
uses me, it just it felt like, you know, this
is like the best team that I could possibly be on,
and it's the only team I've been on, and you know,
and it's very happy with the deal that didn't stay.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Love the agent shout out. You got the name of
both agents and the firm. You've got a future as
an NFL insider because that that that stuff goes in tweets. Now,
that's that's how we announce the deals. Buddy and New
York guy Tony a Jersey guy. We're here in New
York marketing, and I so give those guys a couple
of shoutouts. How about a shout out to the Ravens
(18:27):
for respecting the fullback, right, not a lot of teams,
not every team, I should say, respects the fullback when
you do a deal, is there like a high five
amongst the fullback community? Like, yeah, all right, cittigle back,
good question.
Speaker 8 (18:42):
I mean yeah, I mean, I guess just because there's
you know, a handful of us. And that's at this
point that I really trying to keep this thing going.
And and that's what that's the thing that's so tough
is that you have to be you have to be
unique and be useful enough for teams to want to
use you. So if you're able to do it, and
you're able to, you know, continue to get contrast. You know,
(19:03):
it's high fives all around. And you know, I'm kind
of excited to see where cal usual check ends up
at this point now too.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
That's right, forty nine Ers releasing him during free agency.
One of several players released, so we will see is
the Steelers yesterday. Obviously we'll see where he lands.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Pat.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
I want you to walk us through something because you
are one of the best in the NFL at your position.
You crush dudes on a regular basis. But a lot
of times people are watching like, I don't know, Derek Henry, whoever?
Can you walk us through? We're going to show you
an XO. Here, can you walk us through what happened
on these plays and kind of tell us about basically
(19:39):
how you are so effective during it?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Can we can we show this guys?
Speaker 4 (19:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Sure, yeah, that's it here we got an take us
do it all?
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Right? So this play is a wham play. It's a
trap play.
Speaker 8 (19:49):
And my responsibility is I have anything align up on
the guard back to the center, so I see all
over there the three techniques on the guard, so I
know that I have to block him or have to
wear him. So I just have to make sure my
first step is good and just kind of steal the
block and make the whole big enough to where Derek
can run off of it. And you know, my teammates
(20:11):
did a great job. And then this player here is
just a toss plate to the last I actually supposed
to have it. I'm supposed to have a corner, but
the corner got blocked. So I turn and I see
the linebacker, so I just block the outside shoulder and
knowing Derek's trying to get the edge and I ended
up blocking two dudes there and Derek kind of did
the rest.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
I wish he scored, but you know, it's all get.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
When you're leading the way for Derek Henry, a guy
who was like big enough that he can block for himself.
I mean, does that does that add any extra pressure
because you're like, you know, I want to be able
to clear the way for him and he bodies off him,
or does it like, hey, if I don't get this
block fully cleanly, well he'll clean up the rest.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
It's a good question.
Speaker 8 (20:50):
So an issue actually early on is that Derek is
so fast and so big that as soon as he
gets the.
Speaker 4 (20:56):
Ball, he's trying to reach top speed.
Speaker 8 (20:58):
So for me to leave blocking, if i'm if I'm
a little bit slow hesitant on my block, he will
actually run me over. And it's happened several times. I
never had it back actually do that to me, So
I know I have to get going, and I'm always
trying to paykick someone. I'm always trying to move guys
so like, and he's a big dude, so I need
to create a little bit of space, but just enough
to where he can hit that hole. And he hits
(21:18):
it as far as fast as he can be in
that size, it's super hard to take down.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
So but yeah, sometimes.
Speaker 8 (21:25):
If I kind of with I kind of know that
he might he might break the tackle, which is always
a great feeling knowing you have a guy behind you
doing that.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
God, that's so crazy to think about. Do you guys?
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Obviously have Lamar Jackson one of the best quarterbacks in
the NFL, multi time MVP. During free agency, you added
DeAndre Hopkins kept Ronnie Stanley, which was just a huge
move on the offensive line.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
What do you think this offense looks.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Like now with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins and what
are your prospects for twenty twenty five with this offense?
Speaker 8 (21:56):
Yeah, I mean last year, you know, we finish really
high in a lot categories. I think we don't quote
me on this, but I think we were about number
one overall, at least in the regular season. We were
and I know we were very efficient. We were scoring
a lot of touchdowns, we had a lot of yards.
So I think we are bringing back just about everybody,
just about.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
A lot of our starters.
Speaker 8 (22:17):
We're going to miss a couple guys, but you know,
I think adding d hop is is definitely going to
help us, and I think just another year of us,
you know, gelling together, having Todd Monking as our play
callers throughout the third year with US now and another
year with Derek with us again. I think it's just
going to be another year we're just can continue what
we've been doing to build off of how we can
(22:38):
get better, how we can score more points, more yards,
more first downs, all those things, so where you know,
we're real good about ourselves and we can just you know,
kind of steamroll teams to where we.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
Are controlling the game. And that's what we want to do,
is control the game on offense.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
We're talking offense. Fall back with you, but let's remind
folks you were a two way player as a defensive
tackle slash fullback earlier in your career. We've got a
guy in this draft in Travis Hunter that says he
can play both ways. Have you been following that? Do
you have any suggestion as a as a two way player,
rare two way player in the NFL, any suggestion for
(23:16):
suggestion for Travis Hunter whether to focus on one side
of the ball.
Speaker 8 (23:20):
Yeah, I've been definitely following it. It's always interesting interesting
to see if I feel like it's going to be
different from college to the NFL. It's just the NFL.
It's like these are grown men who this is their
full time jobs, and I think it's gonna be a
little different. But I mean, she's very impressive. I mean,
(23:41):
you don't want to him for no reason, especially doing that.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
So it's going to be interesting to see if he
can play.
Speaker 8 (23:47):
You know, like he said, I think he wants to
do one hundred percent of his snaps on both sides,
like never coming out of the game.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
And that's the hardest part is you never come out
of the game. And you know, the.
Speaker 8 (23:57):
NFL is a long season's much longer in college. But
I'm definitely excited. I'm interested, you know. I know my
last the last guy that I know recently has been
Scott Malock and Chargers, who same story as me. Actually,
you know, on the D lineman playing fullback, playing both
sides of the ball. He did it last year, so
(24:17):
it's going to be interesting to see a skill player
doing that defensive back and receiver.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
It's a lot of running, That's all I'm gonna say,
is a lot of running.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
That sounds unbelievably tiring. Count me out on that. We'll
see if we get to count and Travis Hunter in
on that. Pat, thank you very much for joining us
in the insiders. Come back again, would you please? And
congratulations on anything in Cree Agency and everything you've done.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Yes, thank you for having me. I appreciate you, guys.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Breaking news tonight, Cooper cup has a new home and
he's staying in the NFC.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
West Green to terms with these Seahawks on a.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Three year, forty five million dollar contract, a homecoming for
the Yakima native. Other free agent moves today the Chiefs
bringing back Kareem Hunt. It's a one year, one point
five million dollar deal plus incentives.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Hunt on his second time.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
With the Chiefs as part of the Super Bowl run
last year, now back for twenty twenty five. Cowboys also
adding to their running back room, adding Miles Sanders, who
was just released by the Panthers on a one year deal.
So now counting on Sanders and Javonte Williams to help
replace Rico Dowdell. Cowboys also adding Dante Fowler, the veteran
pass rusher former number three overall pick. He returns to
(25:30):
Dallas on a one year deal worth up to eight
million helping replace DeMarcus Lawrence, who is off to Seattle
now a member of the Seahawks. He had a lot
to say during an interview with Brian Nemhauser from Hawkblogger
dot com.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
You know Dallas is my home. I nade my home there.
You know my family lives there. You know I'm ever
going to be there.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
But you know, I know for sure I'm not going
to win a super Bowl there.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
So yeah, like the look on Demarcus's face, he knew
what he just said. Michael Parsons also knew what he said,
posting on social media shortly after, this is what rejection
and envy looked like this some clown, I assume there's
supposed to be an EXPLETIVI in there. DeMarcus Lawrence also
responding and saying calling me a colon will change the
(26:18):
fact that I told the truth. Maybe if you spent
less time tweeting and more time winning, I wouldn't have left. Well,
let's revive an old segment that we like to call
inside the Drama with us the insiders, Tom Pelisaro, Mike Garrafolo,
and Ian rappabord Ian.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
I come to you, what do you got. I respect
the petty, right.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
I think there's few people who enjoyed pettiness and snark
like I do. And so if you're DeMarcus Lawrence, you
got a huge bag of money from Seattle. Dallas didn't
really offer clearlyer than moving on. Last year wasn't a
very good year in Dallas from obviously he was injured,
but it wasn't a very good year anyway. So you
got the bag and you get to be a little
petty and snarky.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
I'm here for this.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
Only problem is puts a little bullseye on her back,
which Micah Parsons took aim at very nicely. It ramps
up the energy completely, But I don't hate it.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
I have to say, I really don't. Well, now you
got Jordan Lewis too as well, the cornerback who's with
the Jaguars, talking about how it was a decade of frustration.
Quote I'm done, and you know, talked about the team
friendly deals they couldn't give me, you know, just the
team friendly deals anymore. That's what the Cowboys have banked on,
(27:33):
That's what Jerry Jones is banked on to get players
to take less money to be a Dallas Cowboy to
live and play in a no tax state, but also
have that star on the helmet which could be worth
more for you off the field. And a lot of
players now showing that frustration. It's starting to come and
bubble up a little bit. And this is what non
Cowboy fans dream of. This is what they love, This
is what they programmed shows about. Right here.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
This the drama, this right here, and this comes at
a time where Michael Parson is awaiting eagerly what could
be a record breaking type of contract in Dallas, or
maybe as Ian and I talked about on Super Bowl Sunday,
potentially the opportunity for the Cowboys to remake the roster bite.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
See you can you get a boatload.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
Of picks from Michael Parsons elsewhere a lot of moving
parts in Dallas. I'm sure this is absolutely not the
last we've heard of this. Speaking of clowns, Daniel Jeremiah
and Greg Rosenthal have a new podcast. It is called
Fun and Free Agents, which you can see right here
after The Insiders tonight, and apparently they've got beef with us.
Speaker 9 (28:34):
My favorite though, is it's not Ian just like Insiders
as a as an entire community. When somebody from outside
the club tries to come in and well, man, if
you're wrong, they will, they will rally, and they will
they will punish you in a big, big way.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
They get even if you're right, they don't even want
it if you're O.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
No, he doesn't. He doesn't know anything. How could anyone
else know anything?
Speaker 1 (28:58):
That's that's somewhat fit. I would say, there are things
that are put out there that are wrong. There's a
lot of them in the past few days. As a
matter of fact, here Mike, I would just say, do
you want us just to let the things that are
wrong go? If you're right, that's fine. He want us
to let the wrong things go?
Speaker 6 (29:17):
Now?
Speaker 2 (29:17):
I need more contact? Are they talking about in social
settings when we're talking amongst each other? Because when DJ
comes up, I bow at the author of DJ. He
is a fifth insider. He is potentially hold on a guy.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
That hold begin here in scoop down, hold On, hold On,
hold on Dale. Jeremiah is king of I was just
wondering what if this happened? Because he heard a rumor
and he likes to tweet it. That is his favorite
thing to tweet. It's like, what if this team traded
(29:51):
this guy to that other team, and he'll be like,
you know, just toss it out.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
They'll let you guys discuss.
Speaker 3 (29:56):
He loves that anyway, DJ, You're welcome to scoop down anything.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Or sometimes you're in the back of an uber the
night before the draft, the DJ's debating between CJ Starter,
Will Anderson going to the Texans, and I yell out,
how about give them both and then you take credit
for it, you take a little victory lot.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
I'm just saying, there's a little bit with me that
was mean, that was more. DJ is the best. Greg
is also a person we work with.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Coming up on The Insiders, Gino Smith has a new
home in Las Vegas. Let's break down what it means
is Pete Carroll tries to get that culture going. Cam
Wolf and Steve Whites with us next to The Insiders.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Mock Draft Live, our experts deliver their latest draft projections.
Find out where the next wave of NFL stars will land.
Mock Draft Live Tuesday, eight pm Eastern only on NFL Network. Well,
we talked about the Seahawks earlier in the show and
how they transition from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold, and
(31:03):
now the Raiders are saying it's time for us to
reset here with Gino Smith as our quarterback. We're going
to see about the contract because my understanding was that
was part of the whole deal that he would eventually
get his contract. Incomes Cameron Wolf and Steve Weis to
join us here. We're going to start by talking about
the Raiders and Cam Pete Carroll looking for the proven veterans,
the guys that he's has experienced with, if possible, like
(31:26):
Gino Smith, to help set this culture that he is
trying to establish there in Vegas. Your thoughts on what
Pete has done with the personnel he's brought in right now.
Speaker 10 (31:36):
Yeah, we've seen it the first few weeks so free
agency that Pete Carroll's bringing in guys who can be physical,
can be tough, and a lot of times you hear
a new regime talk about hey, a plan, a three
year plan or patience. This team wants to win now
and you can tell it by their signings. They go
out and get Geno Smith, who a couple of zex
I talked to thought he was the best veteran quarterback
option available. You get him, a guy you're familiar with.
(31:58):
He can establish the cold for your offense. They had
a lot of success together in Seattle. You got a
run game that was last in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Last year.
Speaker 10 (32:05):
You bring in a veteran and Raheem Mostert, who in
twenty twenty three he made a Pro Bowl had over
twenty touchdowns.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
He told me, I still got a lot of gas
in the tank.
Speaker 10 (32:13):
And the first thing they told me is we're going
to run the ball a lot, and I'm excited about it.
But then you look at most of their moves on
the defense side of the ball, and it really screams
what they're trying to build. And I think one of
the more underrated signings is linebacker Landon Roberts, a guy
who has been a tone setter everywhere he goes, whether
it's New England, Miami, or Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
He talked to him this week.
Speaker 10 (32:34):
He said, Pete Carroll told me, we want to be tough,
we want to be physical, and he brings that.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
From what I've been told, he's going to be there.
Speaker 10 (32:40):
Mike Linebacker, their green dot, a guy to bring that
physicality there. And so if I'm a Raiders fan, I'm
excited about a team trying to win now and bringing
in the right leaders to do it.
Speaker 11 (32:49):
Steve now Roberts, you can take a place of a
very good player, Robert Splane, who signed elsewhere in a
free agency. So that's going to be a big hole
to fill. But look, Christian Luggins is coming back from
injury on that to front under the defensive tackle at
defensive end Knakcolm Kots who didn't play last year because
of injury. He signs a one year, twelve million dollars deal.
He was an eight SAT guy opposite of Max Crosby
(33:09):
in twenty twenty three. So defensively, they look set what's
intriguing to me by Pete Carroll bringing in a Raheem
Moster by signing, you know, by making the trade for
Gino Smith.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
That's people say, okay, well they're not going.
Speaker 11 (33:21):
To draft ashing genty, They're not going to draft a
quarterback at six Carrol very well, could, I mean, this
is the one thing he does. They've got like six
running backs in a contract right now. He wants competition
to see who is going to emerge, So he is
not going to be afraid. Along with new GM John
Spytech coming over from Tampa where they built through wide
receivers and the defensive front, to draft duplicate players, to
(33:44):
have depth and to have the best players on the
field at all times at premium positions. So again, I
think what you're seeing right now does a tip what
they're going to do in free agency, even though you
look on paper and you say, man, they've got to
get better on the offensive line and they've got to
get more help at wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Yeah, transitioning now Cam to Kirk Cousins. He's got that
ten million dollars trigger next year, which we think. You know,
some folks that made a little bit too much of
the Falcons seem like they're good to sit there and
take that ten million next year because it may be
offset by whoever he's playing for next year. Get a
little too deep into the weeds. The long and short
of it is, they look like they're holding him. They
(34:22):
look like they're willing to potentially trade him down the line. Well,
also tell everybody, hey, he maybe our backup makes sense
to this whole situation for him.
Speaker 10 (34:29):
Mike, Steve, both of you guys have been on top
of this throughout the entire process. The reality is the
Falcons are not bluffing. They plan to keep kirk Cousins
ideally until they get some sort of value. In talking
to teams around the league, they thought that this was
just a bluff, that at some point kirk Cousins would
be released. They would allow him to go where he
is because he doesn't have a no trade clause. But
you got to look at it from the Falcons perspective.
(34:50):
They paid a lot of money for kirk Cousins. Last year,
he met with the owner, Arthur Blank, told him, I
want to play.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
But the Falcons also have to do what's best for themselves.
Speaker 10 (35:00):
They have a franchise quarterback, Michael Panics, a guy who's
not going to cost a lot of money, and so
an extra ten million dollars that's due Sunday, that's a
that's a tip in the bucket for what they've already
paid him. And so what's the value in releasing him
when you can potentially keep him past Sunday and when
all the quarterback options get off the board. Now you
have the best veteran quarterback option for a team that
(35:21):
wants to trade for you. It sounds like the Falcons
are content with this plan, and so we may be
talking Kirk Cousins all the way up until draft. As
you mentioned, Mike g maybe even through the draft, and
the Falcons are okay with that.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 11 (35:33):
I mean, look Mike, and Mike was on it when
he said, we're probably talking through the draft because he
because Cousins does not want to be in a situation
like last year. Like let's say he all said, Okay,
I'll get traded to Cleveland. Oh what they got and
they draft you Door Sanders. You can't board with the
number two overall pick. I'm in the same situation. So
that's why this may play out a little bit longer.
But I think the Falcons have played this beautifully by saying, hey,
(35:54):
if he ends up being in our backup quarterback, he
ends up being our backup quarterback. But they will be
in a position at some point to trade him because
you're already seeing teams. You're waiting on Russell Wilson, you're
waiting on Aaron Rodgers. I mean, this is an interesting cycle.
So Kirk Cousins, you know, teams may want him more
than those other two. They just don't want to pull
(36:15):
the trigger right now because he is under contract. They
don't want to give ship their hand on compensation. But again,
the Falcons, Michael Pennix is their guy. You even look
at the moves they've made, they haven't really done anything
offensively because they think they've got their players, especially now
that Penis is their trigger man.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Just to be Crystal Clare on this, because there's been
a lot of confusion, and I know sometimes the particulars
of a contractor are tough to understand. If Cousins is
on the roster on Sunday, if he's not released by
four pm on Saturday, another ten million becomes guaranteed next year.
But it's got what's called offset language, which means if
he's making ten or more elsewhere, this is not going
(36:52):
to cost the Falcons anything. So that's why they're looking
at this and saying not worried about this deadline. I
believe he is going to be on the roster comes
Sunday and beyond. We know you guys are going to
be on our roster come Sunday and beyond because we
always love the analysis and the insight that camer Wolf
and Steve Weis should bring to the insiders.
Speaker 3 (37:09):
Thank you boys. Want to jump start on dominating your
fantasy draft like I do. NFL Fantasy Live Free Agency
fall and has you covered our experts breakdown the impact
of all the big player moves, roster reshuffled, blockbuster trades
which we broke. Our first top ten mock draft. NFL
Fantasy Live Free Agency fallout Wednesday, March nineteenth, eight pm
(37:31):
Eastern only.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
On NFL Network.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
The time has finally come, finally come for free agency
hot Sauce, which is a real thing. It's not like
that YouTube show where the people eat wings and then
try to have conversations and literally die because the winner's
a lot. This is similar but different. Adam rank. Thank
you very much for joining us our rank so you
have ranked some of the free agent moves on the
Skovo scale, which is what ranks really super hot peppers
(37:58):
and other things once you start off with your mild
but flavorful fantasy move.
Speaker 2 (38:04):
All right, thank you so much. Ian.
Speaker 7 (38:05):
And by the way, I will tell you there's no
cross show beef between these two shows. You're welcome on
NFL Fantasy Live at any time. We will not missmirch you,
and we will not mismirch the name of Devontae Adams,
who is my mild but flavorful pick.
Speaker 4 (38:18):
Right, here.
Speaker 7 (38:18):
Now, I know a lot of people will look at
this selection to be like, how long has this been
out here? What have you changed the hot saucer? You
want to order Pooka nakua, which is spine. You can
take Pooka Akua in the first round, but I would
implore you to give a look to Devonte Adams because
historically Sean mcvay's offenses have supported dual wide receivers. Pokinakua
(38:39):
can still be the number one guy. You still want
to go with Devontae Adams. All right, let's get spicy,
Let's get some I don't know if poutine is ever spicy,
but the Canadian Joshua Palmer is having a homecoming going
to the Buffalo Bills. I love this matchup for the
Buffalo Bills. I think the one thing that we've seen
out of Buffalo over the last number of years, they're
not going to have a number one wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
Allen takes a lot of the production.
Speaker 7 (39:01):
However, josh Palmer is very good around the red zone.
In the red zone, I should say touchdowns, two point conversions,
those kind of things. He's going to be huge. I'm
taking a stab at Joshua Palmer, all right, let's go
three alarm. We're ringing a three alarm and Nasey Harris.
The only thing hotter the nase Harris draft position is
(39:24):
his beef with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started taking shots
at the facilities, going up, complimenting the Chargers and their
weight room and all that stuff, while saying indirectly that
the Steelers were not good. But I love this pairing
with Jim Harbaugh. Now, obviously Jim harbod recruited him to Michigan.
He ended up going to Alabama. But now this combination
is going to be working together. Love nase Harris this
(39:47):
season and edld Hoflow, I'm gonna go with Javonte Williams.
And I'll tell you this. I know the Cowboys just
signed Miles Sanders. And this is kind of like when
you're sitting there one of those text mes joints and
you order something.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
They're like, well, we also have.
Speaker 7 (40:00):
Carnegie As you're like, no, no, no, I ordered the shredded
be don't make me try to change my mind right now.
Javonte Williams has been one of those players it's never
really reached his potential.
Speaker 3 (40:09):
He ran for like over nine hundred yards.
Speaker 7 (40:11):
During his rookie season and last year never White got
to those levels. We kept expecting him to break out
in Sean Payton's offense and never materialized. But he is
somebody I'm going to be watching out for this season.
I know there's a lot of people who are skeptical
of whether he could be good or not. But I
in laid in the draft. Davonte Williams is sitting there.
I'm going to take a stab at it.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
Just so you know I'm remembering all of this stuff.
Especially if you're wrong, then I can slam you next season, right,
Thank you very much, John, next time on the wings
in hot sauce so we can watch you suffer.
Speaker 1 (40:43):
Our crack NFL research staff put together. But they're calling
the all free agency teams.
Speaker 2 (40:49):
Take a look.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
These the highest paid players at each position who got
paid in unrestricted free agency. Sam Darnald at the top
of the chart. There for the offense. Defensively, whole bumps.
You guys got big paydays, including Milton Williams. Big break
for Mike and Ian at twenty six million a year
to the Patriots. I know two things about this team. One,
(41:11):
they'd be way over the salary cap and have no
depth whatsoever.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
That's like three hundred million right there. Two. You get
a lot of really good players there.
Speaker 1 (41:20):
So, Mike, would that team assume that they could at
least afford to fill out the other forty of your
sohaw spots in the rustaurant?
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Would they make the playoffs? Right?
Speaker 6 (41:28):
Well?
Speaker 2 (41:28):
You know, he asked that, like I need more, Like
what division are they playing in? Right? If they're in
the AFC South, I think there's a path that win
them in the agency South. So I got a lot
of questions. But this isn't a good team, you know.
You hear like, oh, free agents are people that their
current team didn't want to pay so they're in And
this was not a great free agent I look at it.
There's a lot of talent, but Milton Williams, everybody's got
(41:51):
their eyes on everybody's checkbook. You got to step up
because you're the highest paid player or that defense. You've
never been a full time starter. Come on, Milton.
Speaker 3 (41:59):
It is funny though it's going into free agency. Everyone's like, oh, man,
not a great list of players. This is a Pro
Bowl team. I would take this team. If you took
this team, you filtered out with somewhat comparable players.
Speaker 2 (42:09):
The rest of the rosterag.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
Maybe add another guard, maybe added tackle, stuff like that.
I feel like this team would win twelve games, maybe thirteen.
That's pretty good. Twelve twelve to thirteen games.
Speaker 1 (42:22):
Ian's already got that free agency team competing to win
the conference championship. And that's why it comes out of GHI.
Thanks everybody for watching. Enjoy a beautiful spring weekend. The
Insiders back Monday night, seven pm, Easter Time for another
full week. The Franzy Frenzy Netterans see it
Jeff Russ is looking for a new kitchen, so who
will let Russ cook? It says here on the script. Anyway,
he visited the Giants today, the latest on his free
agency tour and what it means for Aaron Rodgers' future
as well. Miles Garrett is back in Cleveland and he
has one hundred and sixty million reasons to feel good
about it? Does Miles also have the inside scoop about
(00:31):
the Browns quarterback plan here from the Star Pass Rusher
on why he's sticking around. And we got some good
old fashioned drama in Dallas by way of Seattle with
DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Parsons having a social media duel.
What does it all say about the state of the Cowboys?
I'm gonna ask these two rodeo clowns. Welcome inside with
(00:53):
the Insiders alongside Mike Garritfullo and Ian Rappaport. I'm Tom Pelisero.
We got a ton of news to get into over
the next hour. We're else Scoff Ravens fullback pat ricarr
just re signing Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
He is going to join the show.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
We got a lot of wide receiver news today, including
breaking news within the past hour, Cooper Cup has a
new home and he is staying in the NFC West
Cup agreeing to terms with the Seattle Seahawks on a
three year, forty five million dollar deal. Ian There were
a lot of rumors and reports about different teams being involved,
(01:31):
but it always sounded like Seattle wanted to bring Cup
homies from Yakima, Washington, went to eastern Washington. Now he
is headed back to Seattle. As you see right there
in that image that he posted. He indeed is headed
back to Washington. Doesn't actually stand it across the chest.
That'd be weird. They play in Seattle. Jackson Smith and
Jaba fired up about it as well, posting Coop to
(01:55):
be playing now opposite a different stylid wide receiver than
DK Metcalf and e. He has not been healthy the
past three seasons. He's thirty one years old. We still
see flashes of what Cooper Cup can do. How did
all this come together with Cooper Cup now a Seahawk.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Well, for Cooper Cup, the word home was an important one, right.
He did have a ton of suitors, a lot of suitors,
several teams interested. And it's not just because he was
a free agent this week starting on Wednesdays, because everyone
is known he was going to be free agent since
the Monday before Super Bowl. That's when Cooper Cup himself
tweeted that the Rams are going to try to trade him,
and once that became clear, they did actually have some
(02:34):
trade Injurws A couple of teams talk to the Rams.
But reality is most teams knew he was going to
be free so several teams were interested, from the New
Orleans Saints to the Denver Broncos, a little bit of
Jacksonville Jaguars, maybe the Patriots, maybe the forty nine. The
reality is Cooper Cup wanted to go home. He is
from Washington. You mentioned he's from Yakima, about two hours
(02:55):
from the Seattle facility. I figure that out on my
maps app. Cooper now gets to go home for a
remade offense in Seattle. He becomes now a key target
for Sam Donald and Mike Look, I mean the money
is real. He gets fifteen million dollars per year, three years,
forty five million dollars. That's real. It does seem like
the Seahawks were if they were not the highest bidder,
(03:17):
they were right there. But the tugging at the Hartstrings,
being able to play in front of his family going
for a team you route four. This is a very
very cool thing for Cooper Cup.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, a couple of things. The money came up from
the time that teams were discussing a potential trade for
Cooper Cup because you're gonna thin give about rastet compensation
and then pay him. It was like, well, something had
to give there, And this is why players want to
be free. Number one, you get to control things a
lot more if you're a free agent versus if you're
(03:47):
at the mercy of a team that's trading you. That's
number one and number two, if there's no draft pick
compensation alongside of it, you can get yourself a deal
like this. We said last night in the Insiders there's
a tier at twenty plus million dollars of receivers and
there was another one at about ten million. We said,
we expect him to be somewhere in the middle, and
this is exactly where he wound up being. He sent
(04:08):
me thirty two on Opening Day. This is a really
good deal for him, and it's because there was a
lot of interest in him out there. But the Seahawks
now made the push to make this happen. Look, I
know Cooper cup was let go by the Rams, but
a lot of people inside that building one of things
that go well for him once he became a free agent,
wanted him to get his number. He got it. He
(04:29):
got it to a place that he's comfortable. The only
problem is you're gonna have to see him two times
next year at the very least.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
There.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
And I would say this for the Seahawks also, you know,
Gino Smith gets traded away, DK Metcalf gone, Tyler Locket gone,
Everybody going, well, the cupboard's bear well. Now all of
a sudden, you got yourself a quarterback in Sam Darnold.
You got him a reliable target here JSN obviously already there,
and you got a third round pick on top of that.
Thing's looking good for the Seahawks right now.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
And by the way, when the Seahawks pivot from Gino
Smith to Sam Darnold, not old only do they get
a third round pick from trading Gino Smith to Las Vegas,
they also, based on the type of contract Gino would
have wanted, actually freed up cash to make this type
of move and help out the quarterback. Let's also clean
up one other thing here. There were different things said
about the Cowboys are in it, they were not really
(05:16):
in it, that the Broncos were in it, they were
not really in it. Part of that was because it
was going to take a significant financial investment. That's what
the Seahawks were willing to make in Cooper Cup, not
just the player, but the person, the leader that he
could bring to the locker room. And by the way, Ian,
I did not need a maps ap to knowing where
Yakima is. I played an American Legion Baseball tournament there
in nineteen ninety nine.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
That's your fun fact for the edit.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
That is not the only wide receiver news we had
in the past several hours. As Ian and I reported
a short time ago, the Bengals have made significant progress
on new contracts with both their star wide receivers Jamar
Chase and t Higgins. This has been ongoing for the
past couple of years. T Higgins now on a second franchise, Hey,
(06:01):
Javar Chase going into the fifty year option on his
rookie contract. They made runs Ian in the past that
both these players they have the same agent. These have
been basically it sounds like parallel negotiations and now penning
clean up some language and things. It does appear we
are on the verge of Joe Burrow getting his wish,
which is both of his favorite targets being in Cincinnati
(06:22):
for the long haul.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
The Bengals are close to delivering Joe Burrow exactly what
it wants, which is his two star receivers under contract
for years to come and no more questions about why
is two receivers are not under contract. This would be
good for everyone. So let's take a look at where
they are. It has been several weeks, actually months of
negotiation between the Cincinnati Bengals front office and ownership and
(06:44):
the agents for t Higgins and Jamar Chase, who, as
you mentioned, are now the same person, Rocky Arsenal. Where
it looks like it's going to land and it's not
firm and final yet this deal is not completely and
totally agreed to yet still have to finalize some things.
Where it looks like it's the land is Jamar Chase
with a contract starting with a four, so that would
be forty million dollars plus per year, which would make
(07:08):
him the highest paid receiver in the NFL, which would
make him along with Miles garrettle depending on whether it's
higher than Miles Garrett or not, the highest paid non
quarterback in the NFL, which.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Is exactly what the Bengals said it would be.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
And then for t Higgins joking at the high twenties,
twenty seven or twenty eight, maybe million dollars, that's around
where the franchise tag, around where the franchise tag is
based on the average. So both really really really strong
contracts for both these guys. When they get finished, people
wonder like, why aren't the Bengals paying.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
They are paying now or at least they're going to
be pretty soon, And well, look, they could have done
this last year, could have done the year before. With
t Higgins, you waited, the price went up. Now it's
gonna cost you a ton of money. You saved money
last year, I guess. I mean that's the one way,
Like you didn't have to make the big payment that
Jamar Chase last year. But now you're in a predicament
now where you're given sixty seven If I did the
(08:01):
meth writing and you said sixty seven sixty eight million
combined for two receivers. And that's why Trey Hendrickson is
now looking for a potential trade elsewhere that door has
not been slam shut. This is going to make it
more difficult, and obviously they saw which way that this
was going. So we'll see about getting Hendrickson back. But
the Bengals have done a lot on the offensive side
of the ball, still a lot of questions on that
(08:21):
defensive side of the ball, Trey Hendrickson and his future
being just one of them. We'll see.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
This is a lot of cash obviously if the Bengals
are investing in these players, but from a cap perspective,
they're right now carrying twenty one point eight million dollars
in change for Jamaar Chase on his fift year option
and over twenty six million dollars on t Higgins, So
getting these deals done will actually drive those cap numbers down.
Does that lead to them actually getting a deal done
and bringing back Trey Hendrickson as well?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
The sizes have engaged and been talking in.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Recent days here, so at least an opportunity potentially to
move forward. We also got some unresolved quarterback situations around
the NFL, starting out with Russell Wilson for the back
straight day. Make it a little visit, this time to
the New York Giants, one day after visiting the Cleveland Browns.
My understanding Ian is that it was another good visit
today with the Giants. There is nothing imminent on that front.
(09:13):
Obviously there's a guy named Aaron Rodgers who is tied
into all of this as well, but certainly seems if
Uss has real interest, the question now is where does
he land and what exactly is the price day?
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Well, you're right, and for Russell Wilson, sounds like the
Giants visit started last night, continued into today, had nice dinner,
spent some time in the office, med with some owners
like it was sounded like it was really positive. So
is the Browns. By the way, rarely do you hear
these visits are not positive. Both of these seems like
they were. The real question is what does Russell Wilson
want to do? Right Because if you're let's say you're
(09:46):
the Cleveland Browns and you're not waiting for Aaron Rodgers
because it doesn't sound like they are, you can put
the ball in Russell Wilson's cord and make him an
offer right now. And if it's a place he would
want to go, then maybe he just jumps and says, okay,
let's do it. And then if you're the Giants, you say,
do we want to wait for Aaron Rodgers or not?
These are some very real questions, which is why the
timing and all these quarterback situations are all linked together.
(10:08):
But yes, two positive visits, to my understanding, that's all
he has scheduled right now. Now he needs to visit Pittsburgh.
He's been there plenty, so it should be decision time
for Russell Wilson soon. Just remained to be seen whether
or not any other factors or other quarter actual effective.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
And certainly all indications are the Steelers are going to
be making the first decision whenever Aaron Rodgers makes his decision.
They tried to resign Justin Fields, he ended up going
to the New York Jets. They now are waiting to
see exactly what Aaron Rodgers wants to do and in
the meantime, Mike. They also signed Mason Rudolph, which presumably
buys them a little bit of time and breathing room
(10:44):
here to say, you know what, we've played with Mason Rudolph,
We've won games with Mason Rudolph. We can give Rogers
the time that he needs to make a decision here
at a time that obviously the Giants are also waiting
for a decision for Rodgers as well.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
You brought up Mason Rudolph and feel on that was
the Steelers were waiting to see what happened with Rogers
and then getting Rudolph done. But it just got to
a point where this has taken longer than anybody really expected,
and they said, whether we get Rogers, whether we bring
Aaron Russell Wilson back, we're comfortable with Mason Rudolph being
(11:18):
a part of the mix. So they went and made
that decision there. I don't think it changes anything for
Aaron Rodgers at all. I think any of this stuff
changes anything for Aaron Rodgers at all. He's taken his time.
He wants to see how this develops. We talked about
his interest in the Minnesota Vikings and that situation now
that Sam Darnold vacated, But doesn't sound like there's anything
on that front of me. Maybe he's waiting until they've
potentially changed their minds. Not sure what he's waiting for.
(11:41):
He's taken his time. Nobody's missing anything right now. It's
not like we're into offseason workouts, OTAs, whatever. So these
teams are willing to be patient. You do wonder when
the limit to that patience will eventually strike. Doesn't seem
to be there right now for the Giants or the Steelers,
though they are going through their contingency plans at the
very least.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Well, let me say this too about the Vikings, because
again there's been a lot of stuff thrown around in
recent days. Here they're not sitting there debating Aaron Rodgers
versus JJ McCarthy. They're figuring out for JJ McCarthy, who
is their guy for the future. What's the best way
to structure this quarterback room around him? What is the
best plan for what they're going to put on the
field in twenty twenty five. It's about JJ McCarthy. They've
(12:24):
not ruled out any options. They are going through all
of them at a time that some of those other
options are starting to fly off the shelves. We're seeing
backup quarterbacks signing around the NFL. We've also seen some
of the high profile free agents signing over the past
couple of days on those deals that they've agreed to
this week. That includes DeAndre Hopkins headed to the Ravens
now officially signing his contract. It's a one year, five
(12:45):
million dollar deal can earn an extra million dollars with incentives.
Here's what hop had to say about why he wanted
to land in Baltimore.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
Lamar, you know, being the leader of this team is,
you know, car the reason that I came here. You
know what he stands for and how he's led his
team and this organization, you know, to the playoffs in
multiple years, and you know, since he's been here, you
know just how he's you know, just led you know,
(13:15):
any receiver group he've had, he's had, so I think,
you know, let's played that played a big part of
me come here for sure, Lamar be in the quarterback.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Miles Garrett signing his new deal with this same team,
the Browns, four year, one hundred and sixty million dollar
extension that locks him up through the year twenty thirty.
This game after a trade request, some public acrimony, a
lot of back and forth.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
So why do work out? Miles?
Speaker 6 (13:42):
From day one, I've always said that I'm I've wanted
to bring a championship to the northeast Ohio. So that
doesn't change my stance, and I'm just going to continue
to turn those those opinions around or reinforce those opinions
by going out and doing I've always done, going out
to make plays, being a great teammate, great leader, and
being the best person I could be on this field
(14:03):
and off the field for the Clean Browns.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
It looks like the whole thing was a bit a
long game for.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
You to get more money.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
So how do you tell fans know that's not it.
Speaker 6 (14:14):
I don't tell fans anything. I go out there and
prove it. You know, if it's about the money, then
I could just pack it in and not go out
there and give my best no effort. But I plan
to be the best person possible in this locker room,
be the best leader possible, and as well as you know,
dominating on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. So that kind of
(14:34):
mindset now remaining and being displayed on those days when
everyone's watching, that really shows you know what it's all about.
No going I think give me everything for those kind
of wins and what I've done year in the year
out that really proves it to the fans.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
No amount of words.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Will also being displayed a bunch of tiny plastic dinosaurs,
the kind of you used to have to put a
quarter in the machine and turn the knob and then
you'd get one of the little plastic bubble.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Bottle up.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
Though a guy like Miles Soris Rex this is we
saw a lot of silly graphics on the show. This
one might be number one. Pyra Hard doesn't have quite
as cool of a nickname, but he doesn't have a
new contract with the Baltimore Ravens where he might have
to pick up Miles Garrett every now and then next season. First,
he's got to talk to us next on The Insiders.
Speaker 7 (15:32):
Here's a line up Victor again, Retard with the Touchtown
chats as is the first to come over and congratulate him.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Ravens star fullback pat Ricard signing his contract, one of
the big free agent pickups resigns for the Baltimore Ravens.
There it is right there, enjoying the moment with the
Hire family.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
So so cool.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Every one of these we see on social media got
a lot of it. Very pleased to be joining The
Insiders along with Mike Garrifolo. Ravens, five time Pro Bowl
and twenty twenty four All Pro Power card Pat. First
of all, congratulations on free agency. We saw a picture
of you there signing your deal another one with Baltimore.
(16:24):
How did it go you? How'd you think it ended
up for you?
Speaker 4 (16:28):
I think it went really well.
Speaker 8 (16:30):
You know, at the end of the season, I in
my heart, I knew I wanted to come back to Baltimore.
So when it came down to, you know, the week
of free agency, you know, getting the offer from the team,
It's just an amazing feeling to know that the same
team after nine years, wants you and wants to get
seen you, investing in you and believes in you and
(16:53):
knows that you're a part of the reason why we're
having success, and you know, we want you here to
help us win a Super Bowl. So when it came
to kind of figure out, you know, should I say,
should I leave? There's a lot of discussions to my agent,
Buddy Baker and Tony Boneger and exp was Force Group,
and my wife and family and just trying to you know,
(17:14):
what's the right decision here. Do I try to try
to see whore my market is and make as much
money as possible, or do I stay and you know,
be happy with what the Ravens can give me and
want to give me and try to continue my legacy
here and all the things that they've been able to
(17:34):
do for me.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
So it's a lot of decisions, and I felt like
I made the right one.
Speaker 8 (17:38):
I felt like I'm the luckiest man in the world
to be playing with the team as I have. And
Derek Henry Lamar Jackson markings just as a likely bateman
Ze Flowers, so list goes on and.
Speaker 4 (17:49):
On, and that's just offensive side of the ball.
Speaker 8 (17:51):
So I just and I feel like the way Baltimore
uses me, it just it felt like, you know, this
is like the best team that I could possibly be on,
and it's the only team I've been on, and you know,
and it's very happy with the deal that didn't stay.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Love the agent shout out. You got the name of
both agents and the firm. You've got a future as
an NFL insider because that that that stuff goes in tweets. Now,
that's that's how we announce the deals. Buddy and New
York guy Tony a Jersey guy. We're here in New
York marketing, and I so give those guys a couple
of shoutouts. How about a shout out to the Ravens
(18:27):
for respecting the fullback, right, not a lot of teams,
not every team, I should say, respects the fullback when
you do a deal, is there like a high five
amongst the fullback community? Like, yeah, all right, cittigle back,
good question.
Speaker 8 (18:42):
I mean yeah, I mean, I guess just because there's
you know, a handful of us. And that's at this
point that I really trying to keep this thing going.
And and that's what that's the thing that's so tough
is that you have to be you have to be
unique and be useful enough for teams to want to
use you. So if you're able to do it, and
you're able to, you know, continue to get contrast. You know,
(19:03):
it's high fives all around. And you know, I'm kind
of excited to see where cal usual check ends up
at this point now too.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
That's right, forty nine Ers releasing him during free agency.
One of several players released, so we will see is
the Steelers yesterday. Obviously we'll see where he lands.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Pat.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
I want you to walk us through something because you
are one of the best in the NFL at your position.
You crush dudes on a regular basis. But a lot
of times people are watching like, I don't know, Derek Henry, whoever?
Can you walk us through? We're going to show you
an XO. Here, can you walk us through what happened
on these plays and kind of tell us about basically
(19:39):
how you are so effective during it?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Can we can we show this guys?
Speaker 4 (19:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (19:42):
Sure, yeah, that's it here we got an take us
do it all?
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Right? So this play is a wham play. It's a
trap play.
Speaker 8 (19:49):
And my responsibility is I have anything align up on
the guard back to the center, so I see all
over there the three techniques on the guard, so I
know that I have to block him or have to
wear him. So I just have to make sure my
first step is good and just kind of steal the
block and make the whole big enough to where Derek
can run off of it. And you know, my teammates
(20:11):
did a great job. And then this player here is
just a toss plate to the last I actually supposed
to have it. I'm supposed to have a corner, but
the corner got blocked. So I turn and I see
the linebacker, so I just block the outside shoulder and
knowing Derek's trying to get the edge and I ended
up blocking two dudes there and Derek kind of did
the rest.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
I wish he scored, but you know, it's all get.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
When you're leading the way for Derek Henry, a guy
who was like big enough that he can block for himself.
I mean, does that does that add any extra pressure
because you're like, you know, I want to be able
to clear the way for him and he bodies off him,
or does it like, hey, if I don't get this
block fully cleanly, well he'll clean up the rest.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
It's a good question.
Speaker 8 (20:50):
So an issue actually early on is that Derek is
so fast and so big that as soon as he
gets the.
Speaker 4 (20:56):
Ball, he's trying to reach top speed.
Speaker 8 (20:58):
So for me to leave blocking, if i'm if I'm
a little bit slow hesitant on my block, he will
actually run me over. And it's happened several times. I
never had it back actually do that to me, So
I know I have to get going, and I'm always
trying to paykick someone. I'm always trying to move guys
so like, and he's a big dude, so I need
to create a little bit of space, but just enough
to where he can hit that hole. And he hits
(21:18):
it as far as fast as he can be in
that size, it's super hard to take down.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
So but yeah, sometimes.
Speaker 8 (21:25):
If I kind of with I kind of know that
he might he might break the tackle, which is always
a great feeling knowing you have a guy behind you
doing that.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
God, that's so crazy to think about. Do you guys?
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Obviously have Lamar Jackson one of the best quarterbacks in
the NFL, multi time MVP. During free agency, you added
DeAndre Hopkins kept Ronnie Stanley, which was just a huge
move on the offensive line.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
What do you think this offense looks.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Like now with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins and what
are your prospects for twenty twenty five with this offense?
Speaker 8 (21:56):
Yeah, I mean last year, you know, we finish really
high in a lot categories. I think we don't quote
me on this, but I think we were about number
one overall, at least in the regular season. We were
and I know we were very efficient. We were scoring
a lot of touchdowns, we had a lot of yards.
So I think we are bringing back just about everybody,
just about.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
A lot of our starters.
Speaker 8 (22:17):
We're going to miss a couple guys, but you know,
I think adding d hop is is definitely going to
help us, and I think just another year of us,
you know, gelling together, having Todd Monking as our play
callers throughout the third year with US now and another
year with Derek with us again. I think it's just
going to be another year we're just can continue what
we've been doing to build off of how we can
(22:38):
get better, how we can score more points, more yards,
more first downs, all those things, so where you know,
we're real good about ourselves and we can just you know,
kind of steamroll teams to where we.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
Are controlling the game. And that's what we want to do,
is control the game on offense.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
We're talking offense. Fall back with you, but let's remind
folks you were a two way player as a defensive
tackle slash fullback earlier in your career. We've got a
guy in this draft in Travis Hunter that says he
can play both ways. Have you been following that? Do
you have any suggestion as a as a two way player,
rare two way player in the NFL, any suggestion for
(23:16):
suggestion for Travis Hunter whether to focus on one side
of the ball.
Speaker 8 (23:20):
Yeah, I've been definitely following it. It's always interesting interesting
to see if I feel like it's going to be
different from college to the NFL. It's just the NFL.
It's like these are grown men who this is their
full time jobs, and I think it's gonna be a
little different. But I mean, she's very impressive. I mean,
(23:41):
you don't want to him for no reason, especially doing that.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
So it's going to be interesting to see if he
can play.
Speaker 8 (23:47):
You know, like he said, I think he wants to
do one hundred percent of his snaps on both sides,
like never coming out of the game.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
And that's the hardest part is you never come out
of the game. And you know, the.
Speaker 8 (23:57):
NFL is a long season's much longer in college. But
I'm definitely excited. I'm interested, you know. I know my
last the last guy that I know recently has been
Scott Malock and Chargers, who same story as me. Actually,
you know, on the D lineman playing fullback, playing both
sides of the ball. He did it last year, so
(24:17):
it's going to be interesting to see a skill player
doing that defensive back and receiver.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
It's a lot of running, That's all I'm gonna say,
is a lot of running.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
That sounds unbelievably tiring. Count me out on that. We'll
see if we get to count and Travis Hunter in
on that. Pat, thank you very much for joining us
in the insiders. Come back again, would you please? And
congratulations on anything in Cree Agency and everything you've done.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Yes, thank you for having me. I appreciate you, guys.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Breaking news tonight, Cooper cup has a new home and
he's staying in the NFC.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
West Green to terms with these Seahawks on a.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Three year, forty five million dollar contract, a homecoming for
the Yakima native. Other free agent moves today the Chiefs
bringing back Kareem Hunt. It's a one year, one point
five million dollar deal plus incentives.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Hunt on his second time.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
With the Chiefs as part of the Super Bowl run
last year, now back for twenty twenty five. Cowboys also
adding to their running back room, adding Miles Sanders, who
was just released by the Panthers on a one year deal.
So now counting on Sanders and Javonte Williams to help
replace Rico Dowdell. Cowboys also adding Dante Fowler, the veteran
pass rusher former number three overall pick. He returns to
(25:30):
Dallas on a one year deal worth up to eight
million helping replace DeMarcus Lawrence, who is off to Seattle
now a member of the Seahawks. He had a lot
to say during an interview with Brian Nemhauser from Hawkblogger
dot com.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
You know Dallas is my home. I nade my home there.
You know my family lives there. You know I'm ever
going to be there.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
But you know, I know for sure I'm not going
to win a super Bowl there.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
So yeah, like the look on Demarcus's face, he knew
what he just said. Michael Parsons also knew what he said,
posting on social media shortly after, this is what rejection
and envy looked like this some clown, I assume there's
supposed to be an EXPLETIVI in there. DeMarcus Lawrence also
responding and saying calling me a colon will change the
(26:18):
fact that I told the truth. Maybe if you spent
less time tweeting and more time winning, I wouldn't have left. Well,
let's revive an old segment that we like to call
inside the Drama with us the insiders, Tom Pelisaro, Mike Garrafolo,
and Ian rappabord Ian.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
I come to you, what do you got. I respect
the petty, right.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
I think there's few people who enjoyed pettiness and snark
like I do. And so if you're DeMarcus Lawrence, you
got a huge bag of money from Seattle. Dallas didn't
really offer clearlyer than moving on. Last year wasn't a
very good year in Dallas from obviously he was injured,
but it wasn't a very good year anyway. So you
got the bag and you get to be a little
petty and snarky.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
I'm here for this.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
Only problem is puts a little bullseye on her back,
which Micah Parsons took aim at very nicely. It ramps
up the energy completely, But I don't hate it.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
I have to say, I really don't. Well, now you
got Jordan Lewis too as well, the cornerback who's with
the Jaguars, talking about how it was a decade of frustration.
Quote I'm done, and you know, talked about the team
friendly deals they couldn't give me, you know, just the
team friendly deals anymore. That's what the Cowboys have banked on,
(27:33):
That's what Jerry Jones is banked on to get players
to take less money to be a Dallas Cowboy to
live and play in a no tax state, but also
have that star on the helmet which could be worth
more for you off the field. And a lot of
players now showing that frustration. It's starting to come and
bubble up a little bit. And this is what non
Cowboy fans dream of. This is what they love, This
is what they programmed shows about. Right here.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
This the drama, this right here, and this comes at
a time where Michael Parson is awaiting eagerly what could
be a record breaking type of contract in Dallas, or
maybe as Ian and I talked about on Super Bowl Sunday,
potentially the opportunity for the Cowboys to remake the roster bite.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
See you can you get a boatload.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
Of picks from Michael Parsons elsewhere a lot of moving
parts in Dallas. I'm sure this is absolutely not the
last we've heard of this. Speaking of clowns, Daniel Jeremiah
and Greg Rosenthal have a new podcast. It is called
Fun and Free Agents, which you can see right here
after The Insiders tonight, and apparently they've got beef with us.
Speaker 9 (28:34):
My favorite though, is it's not Ian just like Insiders
as a as an entire community. When somebody from outside
the club tries to come in and well, man, if
you're wrong, they will, they will rally, and they will
they will punish you in a big, big way.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
They get even if you're right, they don't even want
it if you're O.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
No, he doesn't. He doesn't know anything. How could anyone
else know anything?
Speaker 1 (28:58):
That's that's somewhat fit. I would say, there are things
that are put out there that are wrong. There's a
lot of them in the past few days. As a
matter of fact, here Mike, I would just say, do
you want us just to let the things that are
wrong go? If you're right, that's fine. He want us
to let the wrong things go?
Speaker 6 (29:17):
Now?
Speaker 2 (29:17):
I need more contact? Are they talking about in social
settings when we're talking amongst each other? Because when DJ
comes up, I bow at the author of DJ. He
is a fifth insider. He is potentially hold on a guy.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
That hold begin here in scoop down, hold On, hold On,
hold on Dale. Jeremiah is king of I was just
wondering what if this happened? Because he heard a rumor
and he likes to tweet it. That is his favorite
thing to tweet. It's like, what if this team traded
(29:51):
this guy to that other team, and he'll be like,
you know, just toss it out.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
They'll let you guys discuss.
Speaker 3 (29:56):
He loves that anyway, DJ, You're welcome to scoop down anything.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Or sometimes you're in the back of an uber the
night before the draft, the DJ's debating between CJ Starter,
Will Anderson going to the Texans, and I yell out,
how about give them both and then you take credit
for it, you take a little victory lot.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
I'm just saying, there's a little bit with me that
was mean, that was more. DJ is the best. Greg
is also a person we work with.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Coming up on The Insiders, Gino Smith has a new
home in Las Vegas. Let's break down what it means
is Pete Carroll tries to get that culture going. Cam
Wolf and Steve Whites with us next to The Insiders.
Speaker 2 (30:42):
Mock Draft Live, our experts deliver their latest draft projections.
Find out where the next wave of NFL stars will land.
Mock Draft Live Tuesday, eight pm Eastern only on NFL Network. Well,
we talked about the Seahawks earlier in the show and
how they transition from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold, and
(31:03):
now the Raiders are saying it's time for us to
reset here with Gino Smith as our quarterback. We're going
to see about the contract because my understanding was that
was part of the whole deal that he would eventually
get his contract. Incomes Cameron Wolf and Steve Weis to
join us here. We're going to start by talking about
the Raiders and Cam Pete Carroll looking for the proven veterans,
the guys that he's has experienced with, if possible, like
(31:26):
Gino Smith, to help set this culture that he is
trying to establish there in Vegas. Your thoughts on what
Pete has done with the personnel he's brought in right now.
Speaker 10 (31:36):
Yeah, we've seen it the first few weeks so free
agency that Pete Carroll's bringing in guys who can be physical,
can be tough, and a lot of times you hear
a new regime talk about hey, a plan, a three
year plan or patience. This team wants to win now
and you can tell it by their signings. They go
out and get Geno Smith, who a couple of zex
I talked to thought he was the best veteran quarterback
option available. You get him, a guy you're familiar with.
(31:58):
He can establish the cold for your offense. They had
a lot of success together in Seattle. You got a
run game that was last in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Last year.
Speaker 10 (32:05):
You bring in a veteran and Raheem Mostert, who in
twenty twenty three he made a Pro Bowl had over
twenty touchdowns.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
He told me, I still got a lot of gas
in the tank.
Speaker 10 (32:13):
And the first thing they told me is we're going
to run the ball a lot, and I'm excited about it.
But then you look at most of their moves on
the defense side of the ball, and it really screams
what they're trying to build. And I think one of
the more underrated signings is linebacker Landon Roberts, a guy
who has been a tone setter everywhere he goes, whether
it's New England, Miami, or Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
He talked to him this week.
Speaker 10 (32:34):
He said, Pete Carroll told me, we want to be tough,
we want to be physical, and he brings that.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
From what I've been told, he's going to be there.
Speaker 10 (32:40):
Mike Linebacker, their green dot, a guy to bring that
physicality there. And so if I'm a Raiders fan, I'm
excited about a team trying to win now and bringing
in the right leaders to do it.
Speaker 11 (32:49):
Steve now Roberts, you can take a place of a
very good player, Robert Splane, who signed elsewhere in a
free agency. So that's going to be a big hole
to fill. But look, Christian Luggins is coming back from
injury on that to front under the defensive tackle at
defensive end Knakcolm Kots who didn't play last year because
of injury. He signs a one year, twelve million dollars deal.
He was an eight SAT guy opposite of Max Crosby
(33:09):
in twenty twenty three. So defensively, they look set what's
intriguing to me by Pete Carroll bringing in a Raheem
Moster by signing, you know, by making the trade for
Gino Smith.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
That's people say, okay, well they're not going.
Speaker 11 (33:21):
To draft ashing genty, They're not going to draft a
quarterback at six Carrol very well, could, I mean, this
is the one thing he does. They've got like six
running backs in a contract right now. He wants competition
to see who is going to emerge, So he is
not going to be afraid. Along with new GM John
Spytech coming over from Tampa where they built through wide
receivers and the defensive front, to draft duplicate players, to
(33:44):
have depth and to have the best players on the
field at all times at premium positions. So again, I
think what you're seeing right now does a tip what
they're going to do in free agency, even though you
look on paper and you say, man, they've got to
get better on the offensive line and they've got to
get more help at wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Yeah, transitioning now Cam to Kirk Cousins. He's got that
ten million dollars trigger next year, which we think. You know,
some folks that made a little bit too much of
the Falcons seem like they're good to sit there and
take that ten million next year because it may be
offset by whoever he's playing for next year. Get a
little too deep into the weeds. The long and short
of it is, they look like they're holding him. They
(34:22):
look like they're willing to potentially trade him down the line. Well,
also tell everybody, hey, he maybe our backup makes sense
to this whole situation for him.
Speaker 10 (34:29):
Mike, Steve, both of you guys have been on top
of this throughout the entire process. The reality is the
Falcons are not bluffing. They plan to keep kirk Cousins
ideally until they get some sort of value. In talking
to teams around the league, they thought that this was
just a bluff, that at some point kirk Cousins would
be released. They would allow him to go where he
is because he doesn't have a no trade clause. But
you got to look at it from the Falcons perspective.
(34:50):
They paid a lot of money for kirk Cousins. Last year,
he met with the owner, Arthur Blank, told him, I
want to play.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
But the Falcons also have to do what's best for themselves.
Speaker 10 (35:00):
They have a franchise quarterback, Michael Panics, a guy who's
not going to cost a lot of money, and so
an extra ten million dollars that's due Sunday, that's a
that's a tip in the bucket for what they've already
paid him. And so what's the value in releasing him
when you can potentially keep him past Sunday and when
all the quarterback options get off the board. Now you
have the best veteran quarterback option for a team that
(35:21):
wants to trade for you. It sounds like the Falcons
are content with this plan, and so we may be
talking Kirk Cousins all the way up until draft. As
you mentioned, Mike g maybe even through the draft, and
the Falcons are okay with that.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 11 (35:33):
I mean, look Mike, and Mike was on it when
he said, we're probably talking through the draft because he
because Cousins does not want to be in a situation
like last year. Like let's say he all said, Okay,
I'll get traded to Cleveland. Oh what they got and
they draft you Door Sanders. You can't board with the
number two overall pick. I'm in the same situation. So
that's why this may play out a little bit longer.
But I think the Falcons have played this beautifully by saying, hey,
(35:54):
if he ends up being in our backup quarterback, he
ends up being our backup quarterback. But they will be
in a position at some point to trade him because
you're already seeing teams. You're waiting on Russell Wilson, you're
waiting on Aaron Rodgers. I mean, this is an interesting cycle.
So Kirk Cousins, you know, teams may want him more
than those other two. They just don't want to pull
(36:15):
the trigger right now because he is under contract. They
don't want to give ship their hand on compensation. But again,
the Falcons, Michael Pennix is their guy. You even look
at the moves they've made, they haven't really done anything
offensively because they think they've got their players, especially now
that Penis is their trigger man.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Just to be Crystal Clare on this, because there's been
a lot of confusion, and I know sometimes the particulars
of a contractor are tough to understand. If Cousins is
on the roster on Sunday, if he's not released by
four pm on Saturday, another ten million becomes guaranteed next year.
But it's got what's called offset language, which means if
he's making ten or more elsewhere, this is not going
(36:52):
to cost the Falcons anything. So that's why they're looking
at this and saying not worried about this deadline. I
believe he is going to be on the roster comes
Sunday and beyond. We know you guys are going to
be on our roster come Sunday and beyond because we
always love the analysis and the insight that camer Wolf
and Steve Weis should bring to the insiders.
Speaker 3 (37:09):
Thank you boys. Want to jump start on dominating your
fantasy draft like I do. NFL Fantasy Live Free Agency
fall and has you covered our experts breakdown the impact
of all the big player moves, roster reshuffled, blockbuster trades
which we broke. Our first top ten mock draft. NFL
Fantasy Live Free Agency fallout Wednesday, March nineteenth, eight pm
(37:31):
Eastern only.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
On NFL Network.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
The time has finally come, finally come for free agency
hot Sauce, which is a real thing. It's not like
that YouTube show where the people eat wings and then
try to have conversations and literally die because the winner's
a lot. This is similar but different. Adam rank. Thank
you very much for joining us our rank so you
have ranked some of the free agent moves on the
Skovo scale, which is what ranks really super hot peppers
(37:58):
and other things once you start off with your mild
but flavorful fantasy move.
Speaker 2 (38:04):
All right, thank you so much. Ian.
Speaker 7 (38:05):
And by the way, I will tell you there's no
cross show beef between these two shows. You're welcome on
NFL Fantasy Live at any time. We will not missmirch you,
and we will not mismirch the name of Devontae Adams,
who is my mild but flavorful pick.
Speaker 4 (38:18):
Right, here.
Speaker 7 (38:18):
Now, I know a lot of people will look at
this selection to be like, how long has this been
out here? What have you changed the hot saucer? You
want to order Pooka nakua, which is spine. You can
take Pooka Akua in the first round, but I would
implore you to give a look to Devonte Adams because
historically Sean mcvay's offenses have supported dual wide receivers. Pokinakua
(38:39):
can still be the number one guy. You still want
to go with Devontae Adams. All right, let's get spicy,
Let's get some I don't know if poutine is ever spicy,
but the Canadian Joshua Palmer is having a homecoming going
to the Buffalo Bills. I love this matchup for the
Buffalo Bills. I think the one thing that we've seen
out of Buffalo over the last number of years, they're
not going to have a number one wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (39:00):
Allen takes a lot of the production.
Speaker 7 (39:01):
However, josh Palmer is very good around the red zone.
In the red zone, I should say touchdowns, two point conversions,
those kind of things. He's going to be huge. I'm
taking a stab at Joshua Palmer, all right, let's go
three alarm. We're ringing a three alarm and Nasey Harris.
The only thing hotter the nase Harris draft position is
(39:24):
his beef with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started taking shots
at the facilities, going up, complimenting the Chargers and their
weight room and all that stuff, while saying indirectly that
the Steelers were not good. But I love this pairing
with Jim Harbaugh. Now, obviously Jim harbod recruited him to Michigan.
He ended up going to Alabama. But now this combination
is going to be working together. Love nase Harris this
(39:47):
season and edld Hoflow, I'm gonna go with Javonte Williams.
And I'll tell you this. I know the Cowboys just
signed Miles Sanders. And this is kind of like when
you're sitting there one of those text mes joints and
you order something.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
They're like, well, we also have.
Speaker 7 (40:00):
Carnegie As you're like, no, no, no, I ordered the shredded
be don't make me try to change my mind right now.
Javonte Williams has been one of those players it's never
really reached his potential.
Speaker 3 (40:09):
He ran for like over nine hundred yards.
Speaker 7 (40:11):
During his rookie season and last year never White got
to those levels. We kept expecting him to break out
in Sean Payton's offense and never materialized. But he is
somebody I'm going to be watching out for this season.
I know there's a lot of people who are skeptical
of whether he could be good or not. But I
in laid in the draft. Davonte Williams is sitting there.
I'm going to take a stab at it.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
Just so you know I'm remembering all of this stuff.
Especially if you're wrong, then I can slam you next season, right,
Thank you very much, John, next time on the wings
in hot sauce so we can watch you suffer.
Speaker 1 (40:43):
Our crack NFL research staff put together. But they're calling
the all free agency teams.
Speaker 2 (40:49):
Take a look.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
These the highest paid players at each position who got
paid in unrestricted free agency. Sam Darnald at the top
of the chart. There for the offense. Defensively, whole bumps.
You guys got big paydays, including Milton Williams. Big break
for Mike and Ian at twenty six million a year
to the Patriots. I know two things about this team. One,
(41:11):
they'd be way over the salary cap and have no
depth whatsoever.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
That's like three hundred million right there. Two. You get
a lot of really good players there.
Speaker 1 (41:20):
So, Mike, would that team assume that they could at
least afford to fill out the other forty of your
sohaw spots in the rustaurant?
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Would they make the playoffs? Right?
Speaker 6 (41:28):
Well?
Speaker 2 (41:28):
You know, he asked that, like I need more, Like
what division are they playing in? Right? If they're in
the AFC South, I think there's a path that win
them in the agency South. So I got a lot
of questions. But this isn't a good team, you know.
You hear like, oh, free agents are people that their
current team didn't want to pay so they're in And
this was not a great free agent I look at it.
There's a lot of talent, but Milton Williams, everybody's got
(41:51):
their eyes on everybody's checkbook. You got to step up
because you're the highest paid player or that defense. You've
never been a full time starter. Come on, Milton.
Speaker 3 (41:59):
It is funny though it's going into free agency. Everyone's like, oh, man,
not a great list of players. This is a Pro
Bowl team. I would take this team. If you took
this team, you filtered out with somewhat comparable players.
Speaker 2 (42:09):
The rest of the rosterag.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
Maybe add another guard, maybe added tackle, stuff like that.
I feel like this team would win twelve games, maybe thirteen.
That's pretty good. Twelve twelve to thirteen games.
Speaker 1 (42:22):
Ian's already got that free agency team competing to win
the conference championship. And that's why it comes out of GHI.
Thanks everybody for watching. Enjoy a beautiful spring weekend. The
Insiders back Monday night, seven pm, Easter Time for another
full week. The Franzy Frenzy Netterans see it
Hosts And Creators
Marcas Grant
Adam Rank
Michael F. Florio
Kimmi Chex
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Intentionally Disturbing
Join me on this podcast as I navigate the murky waters of human behavior, current events, and personal anecdotes through in-depth interviews with incredible people—all served with a generous helping of sarcasm and satire. After years as a forensic and clinical psychologist, I offer a unique interview style and a low tolerance for bullshit, quickly steering conversations toward depth and darkness. I honor the seriousness while also appreciating wit. I’m your guide through the twisted labyrinth of the human psyche, armed with dark humor and biting wit.