March 16, 2021 • 27 mins
There would be no Huddle & Flow without you! And while the show is rolling along with more new episodes in the works, we wanted to take a minute and highlight some of the best moments of our first 48 episodes. We hear from New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and how he spoke his current quarterback situation into existence (08:11). We also hear how Tom Brady made a bigger impression with the Bucs as a teammate and not just as their QB (10:06). Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson may be two of the best QBs in the league but they’re also two of the most coveted items on the trade market (15:50). Larry Fitzgerald and Jalen Ramsey tell us what it was like playing the 2020 season under the cloud of COVID-19 (12:11), and why we hear why some of the COVID-19 protocols may remain in place for the 2021 season (14:12). You get all that, plus, Steve and Jim breakdown a wild Monday in free agency (00:33). Enjoy the walk down memory lane. We know you could be any place in the world but you’re here with us. And we thank you!
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
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 (00:14):
Here we are in Free Agency week on the Huddle
and Flow podcast, which is brought you by Into It,
the proud makers of Quick Books, Turbo Tax and Mint.
I f T hite you as my dude, Jim Trotter,
two thirds of the Howard University mob Our producer Thomas
worn on the ones and the twos he complete the
h U puzzle. JT. The free agency is off to
(00:34):
his blast in New England. Patriots a team that we
usually see sit on its hands. Oh they saw they
saw Tom braiding the Buccaneers when a championship through free agency,
so they thought that they would follow suit. Yeah, I
think I think Bill didn't like sitting out those playoffs,
didn't Let's let's say this. Let's let's cut to the
chase here. For me, I see all of the moves
(00:56):
that the Patriots have made, and number one, that's that
we see every year in free agency, all the moves
that don't work out and fan bases get excited when
the signings are made and all of that. For me,
everything comes down to the Patriots to how what's their
quarterback play gonna be like? And I know they signed Cam,
but I'm not convinced yet that Cam is going to
be their starter opening day. I know that they've talked
(01:19):
to other clubs just to see what other clubs were
thinking about their quarterback situation. UM So my feeling, my
gut feeling, is that Cam is a safety net for them,
But even if he is the starter, they still have
a lot of work to do to get that team
ready and losing you know, Joe Thoney on that offensive line,
(01:40):
who was their best player. Absolutely, and they're they're they're
banking on Trent Brown regaining the form he had when
he was last there, which is a major gamble at
this point, particularly after you trade away Um Kennon. So
while I see all the moves, I'm still not ready
to say yet that the pay Riots are are are
(02:01):
the division favorite at this point. I still think Buffalo
is that and I still think Miami's coming. I'm with
because even when I've seen him signed, Nelson Aghalore and
Kendrick Porn at wide receiver, these are those are two
small guys, you know. I don't think and I don't
think to kill Harry is gonna be there. I think
it's just shown that it is not working in New England.
But they can find a trade partner. I think they're
gonna find a way to get him out there and
(02:23):
see what they can do. So we'll see. You know,
no coach thinks that he can he can't fix something.
But the Patriots taking a path they haven't taken since
like early two thousand when they signed more than twenty
restricted free agents and that led to them getting to
their first Super Bowl championship in the Belichick era. But
you know, but that's a term. But you have a
lot of other teams. Um. You know, you mentioned Joe Tooney.
(02:46):
You know he goes to the Chiefs. Great pickup, Okay,
excellent pickup. But we've seen some other teams kind of
sit on their hands and none of them, you know,
the Cowboys, the Falcon teams like that. That's not unexpected.
The Seahawks, but Jim the Ray Leaders, you know, we
see them go on there and they and they make
his flash. You know, they know something to pass Russia
and they go out and get Yannike and Gockway who
(03:07):
was drafted by New Vegas d C. Gus Bradley back
in Jacksonville. You're laughing. What's What's because the Raider fans,
Raider Nation is gonna say that I'm hating on them
and whatnot. But the one thing I don't trust about
the Raiders is John Gruden in free agency. Go back
to his very first year when he rejoined the club
in ten and I look, I know Mike Mayoks the gym,
(03:30):
but we know who calls the shots. There teen when
Reggie mackenzie was still there. There are two big free
agent signings were Jordy Nelson for thirteen million, he retired
after a year. Um also linebacker to Hear Whitehead um
six point to eight million. He was cut in two
years later. Then you go to twenty nineteen, think about
(03:51):
all these guys. They signed big money guys in free agency.
Trent Brown thirty six point to five million. He ends
up getting traded this year. Rail Williams forty four mill
over four years, ten million guaranteed he gets cut. LaMarcus
Joiner one point three million, one million guaranteed he gets cut.
(04:11):
Um Antonio Brown, you trade a third and the fifth form.
He never plays a down for you. Jason Witten, you
paid four point seven five million for what leadership? So
you know, then you go to Corey Littleton, I mean
you give him a thirty five million dollar contract, twenty
two million guaranteed. Talk to me, carlin Um the seed
(04:37):
sixteen point seven five million. He's all right, but he
ain't worth that. So now you want me to get
excited because they signed unique in doc way, I'm sorry,
I just can't. What do they say about about history,
They will tell you the best predictor of future behavior
is past behavior, and we've seen what's happened with the
(04:59):
Raider in the past. In free agency, and the sad
part is they have all that they have had, all
these draft picks after dealing away Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper,
and yet while some of these rookies have played well,
they still have yet to have a winning season. Yeah,
because we all thought they were gonna be there last year.
But jem, I mean, Nelson a Galore balled out. But
(05:21):
oh yeah, he's with the Patriots now and he and
he wasn't a big money signing. No, That's what I'm
saying to you. When they go out and spend a
lot of money on free agents, inevitably it appears it
blows up in their face. That's all I'm saying. And
you made it. You made a good point about big
money signings, because you know, we see the Jets with
(05:42):
all of this money and high draft picks, but we
think they're gonna go and be players in free agency.
They're like, nope, nope, we are not building this thing
through free agency. We're gonna go ahead and get it
through the draft. Is the biggest indicator of what's gonna
happen the team's plans is the first two days of
free agency and the fact that they did not go
in head first. It goes to show you this is
gonna be a slow process and how they're going to
(06:03):
build this team. Look, I am this is just me now.
I am convinced that they are going to move Sam Donald,
and I am convinced because they will get a quarterback
in the draft on a rookie contract in year one
versus being in a position and a rebuild where they
have to pay Sam make a decision on a fifth
(06:24):
year option. They don't want to do that yet when
they know they're rebuilding, and if they feel there's a
young quarterback who is as good or better, then it
makes more sense to go sign him, get him started
on that rookie deal. Now while you are rebuilding, and
I know that they have made calls to teams asking
teams about their interests in Sam. So I am convinced.
(06:46):
Doesn't mean that I'm right, but I am convinced that
they are going to move Sam Donald before this draft,
as you say, get more draft equity to build this
thing the right way through the draft, I gotta find
gotta find somebody who likes them. So that's gonna be
an interesting thing. I would think I would I like him.
I mean, I think he's a good player. If he
(07:06):
gets in the right system, in the right quarterback coach,
I think he could be, you know, a heck of
a player, and you know, maybe he can have a
research It's like Ryan Tannehill again, the example of the
guy who has the has resurgence. And also, Jim, we're
gonna we're gonna talk about some things as we get
through the show. But this is kind of a special
show we've put together for you guys. You know, um,
(07:27):
typically we interview someone and we're coming off one of
the greatest interviews we've had with with Houston Texas coach
David Culley, and we appreciate all of the fact so
much attention being paid to this and that goes to
show you with a good story, we'll do not just
an issue or something like that, but we're gonna put
kind of up a best of show together for you guys.
(07:47):
But these are kind of some of the interviews we've
had throughout the season that kind of predicted and foreshadowed
some of the moves that we see going on right now.
So Jim, let's go ahead and get started with some
of these interviews. Well, Saints quarterback in future Hall of
(08:12):
Famer Drew Brees, he retired at the end of the season,
but earlier when we spoke to Saints head coach Sean Payton,
he pretty much telegraphed this move, and he telegraphed who
could be the heir apparent. I and we as an
organization love what we've seen from Jamis and in that
(08:33):
constantly ways in your mind relative to each game. UM
going into the season, all three of the quarterbacks knew
that in the event that there were any injury during
a game, Jamis was coming in the Tayson was going
to have uh, a large plan and special teams and
a tight end and UH and then we would go
(08:54):
from there. And and so when that situation arose and
Drew was hurt for a longer period of time. I
visited with Jami's, I visited with Tayson. Uh. I had
basically given Taston my word in the offseason that hey,
this is long before Jamie's even arrived, that he would
have that opportunity as the two coming back here. Um
(09:14):
that being said, he's being evaluated each week. Um Man,
I've been I've been proud of how that room has
handled it. Jamis, particularly because he's he's he's a competitor
and he wants that opportunity and and and listen, I
feel like I said it a week ago, I feel
like our next quarterbacks in the building. And one of
(09:35):
the attractions for Jamis and I understand it, was there
aren't many places in free agency where you can go
to a team and have a pretty good bet that
that quarterback like Drew was gonna be playing in his
last year. You know that doesn't exist. You go to
a team and then you know, hey, you're gonna look
(09:56):
for that opportunity to sometime be a starter. He he's
gonna have that opportunity. Uh. The minute Drew leeds in
both he and takes him know that Breeze had a
great career, but he was overshadowed by Tom Brady. And
here's the key with Brady. He signed as a free
agent with the Bucks. And what we learned from that
(10:18):
is by hitting on the right free agent, the major
impact that could have on your club. As we heard
from defensive coordinator Todd Bowles an offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
This may sound crazy, the biggest thing I found about
Tom other than his work ethic and his diligence and
his precision to be the best, he makes everyone else
(10:43):
feel important. I feel like superstars. You know, you have
superstars that signed some autographs and walk off. You have
guys that will beat to themselves and everything else. He
can laugh at himself and he can go up to
a scout team guy or walk off with a defensive
guy on offensive guy. They can talk football and by
the time you finish talking to him, you feel like
(11:05):
you're helping him as opposed to him helping you. I mean,
he had the most uncanny knack for his people's skills
are outstanding. His way. The way he includes everyone and
everything that they do and challenge it into football and
to what they do is like nothing I've ever seen.
I mean, the person in football far outweighs the player
(11:29):
in football. Tomsy toms a different type of superstar. I
mean within the first day of camp, guys already joking
with him in a way that you wouldn't joke with
a six time chat boy of the guy. You know,
let give us an example, like say called him six times.
(11:54):
It was the nicknames that he was, you know, he
was just one of the guys sitting amongst the guys.
Be and COVID made it so different. So we were separate,
but when we did get the opportunity to get together,
it was just it was just amazing to see him
amongst his teammates. Well, the Bucks won their championship during
a pandemic that that impacted the entire season both on
(12:17):
and off the field. So what was it like playing
under the cloud of COVID nineteen Arizona Cardino's wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald and Rams quarterback Jalen Ramsey explained, Oh, it's
so much it so I would say the better team
most likely gonna went to the homefield advantage means nothing.
You know, you go playing I mean it's no different
(12:38):
from like I can go over here and playing this
park or our calls the street play in the park here.
I mean, there's there's no nothing that's different about it.
You know, no silent count. You know, there's miscommunication. You
literally can coach get to yell it out to you.
On the field. I mean, it's like it's it's it's crazy.
I mean the speed of the game is still the same,
but in terms of this communicating, the pressure is nowhere
near as high as it as it would be with
(12:59):
the crowd. There's not as many honors, aren't you. I
think it's many easier for younger players to go out
and play now, you know. So it's it's a it's
a lot different for us, especially you open up a
new stadium that you know would be packed out, like
Sunday night football first game Dallas, Califor like certain you
know games you know would be packed out. You feed
off the energy, you really do, and this year you
(13:21):
didn't have that. Um. The only game you know that
we played to have fans was Miami Tempa and our
playoff game, UM in Green Bay. They're limited fans. We
could feel like dang, like I hear a little something
like I feel a little something they making They're making
plays and they fans turning up and they're building off that.
(13:43):
They got the energy, they got the juice going. And
without that, you gotta have guys on your team who
who bring their own energy and that bring their own juice,
and then that can be infectious and and spread throughout
the whole team. So luckily, you know, we had guys
on the team who could do that, uh and make plays.
They'll be like, get the whole sideline turns up and
(14:03):
we can build off that. But but it could have
even more if we had stadium might know that for sure, Steve.
We don't know yet what season is going to look
like in terms of stadiums being open for fans and whatnot.
But one thing we do know is that it's very
possible we could have another virtual off season, as we
(14:25):
heard from nfl p A executive director to Morris Smith
and union president J. C. Treader. I think unless there
is a extremely high likelihood that everyone um in the
country would be vaccinated to reach the cent that we
(14:45):
need for her community. Unless we think that that's going
to occur, or we will arrive there by um by
by the beginning of the season, I think daily testing
is probably something that we will at least start the
season with this year. If our performances historically was here
and we had, you know, during a ten week off
season program, and we had a zero week off season
(15:07):
program and our performance was at worst equal, if not
better by what I said, then clearly there's no real
value add to a program that's not providing any benefit
when it comes to performance. So that's something we're dealing
with now, is figuring out how to continue to follow
the science and make a program that is a value add,
(15:31):
will help our young players, will help our veteran players,
will help the teams perform, and that should be the focus,
not just well, now that COVID might be out of
the wood, we might be out of the woods with COVID,
let's just fall back on what we always did because
we always did it. We can't think that way and
it would be a shame to think that way after
everything we've been through this year. You know, as we've
already seen this offseason, talk about quarterback movement is going
(15:53):
to dominate the spring and the summer. We've already seen
some quarterbacks on the move, but the biggest storyline is
out in Houston or Deshaun Watson does not want to
be part of the team, but one of our greatest
interviews that we've had Jim has been with his new
head coach, David Culley, and here he is on DeShawn
Watson's future, possibly in Houston, but possibly not. He is
(16:18):
our starting quarterback. As of right now. He is our
starting quarterback. Things happened between now and then, and then
we'll see what happens. We're moving forward, you know, we're
moving forward. And my all our conversations have been with
all of our players here is that we are moving
forward and that we're gonna go forward, and we're gonna
go forward with everybody that is in all in with
(16:40):
us that wants to go and and I I like
to think and I feel like that as we move forward,
as we're going, we're gonna move forward all in with
everybody that's all in with us and I and I
feel like that everybody's gonna be all in, including him,
including everybody else that's been here, that we're moving forward
and we're going with it, and we gonna go with
that way. Another quarterback rumor to possibly be on the
(17:05):
move is Russell Wilson in Seattle Now Earlier this season.
We had g M. John Snyder on when Russ was
cooking tearing up the league as an m VP front
runner candidate, and here's what he had to say about
his quarterback. We'd be remiss not to ask you about
Russell Wilson right now, and it's easy for everyone to
(17:25):
be on his bandwagon right now. But um, based on
conversations you and I had had even before the draft,
I know you were on the table for him from
Jump Street. Did you envision back then, even when you
were so supportive and like what you saw, that he
would develop into what we're seeing today. I know I
(17:46):
can't say honestly, but I know I know he had
all the factors of uh, traits of um you know,
the you know ends and the you know um and Rodgers,
and he had those trainers. He could literally go down
the whole the whole list on the old check and
(18:11):
that he didn't have was was not and uh but
is he able to make those those to say that, um,
you know, you'd be at this level like you know,
I can't. I can't say that, maybe be a damnde player. Uh.
But every year he seems to, you know, uh, set
(18:35):
higher standards for himself. Well, the draft is right around
the corner, and we know quarterbacks are the deepest position,
maybe the most talented position at the front end of
the draft. And there are two teams, the Falcons and Lions,
who already have established quarterbacks Matt Ryan in Atlanta and
Jared goth the new quarterback in Detroit. Well, that doesn't
(18:58):
mean they're necessarily going to their quarterbacks in their respective
cities for long. And we spoke about that with new
Falcons general manager Terry Fontino and new Lions general manager
Brad Holmes. What kind of chip is it to be
at that at that number four spot. Yeah, that's a
great question. It's so valuable and it's so exciting to
be right there because you're right, we don't want to
(19:19):
be we don't want to ever be picking in the
top five again. We want to be picking at the
bottom of the rounds, of all the rounds. So this
is it's really valuable and we're in a position that, hey,
we can take we want to build this roster the
right way and we're gonna think long term. So nothing
is really off the table um, whether you talk about
taking the best player on the board or are are
(19:39):
moving down or I think everything's wide open, and so
it's a it's a great it's a great spot to
be in and and we want to make sure we
maximize that and and have a hell of a draft
because we don't expect to be there anymore. And your
evaluations and everything, and just kind of looking at you guys,
you and Dan and Ray and everybody want to build
there this draft. Are you necessarily uh out of the
(20:01):
quarterback market? Oh? No, I would know absolutely not. Um.
You know, I don't think. I don't think when you're
picking this high, uh, that you can be out on
any position. But obviously quarterback is such an important position.
And you know, I just think it's good, it's good
(20:22):
drafting business always to be be to be very very
thorough on that quarterback class, regardless of what your situation is. UM.
You know, always when I was with with the Rams,
always said that, you know, always, regardless of which you
had at quarterback, and even especially now you know it's
it's it's the same approach, and you know it is
(20:43):
a good crop coming out this year. Um. But you know,
it's definitely not a position that will be ignored by us, um,
by any means. Steve one quarterback who will not be
on the move, it's Buffalo's Josh Allen. And earlier we
had on wind out Stefan Digs talking about his new
(21:03):
best friend in Buffalo. When you got a new quarterback,
he likes things done a certain kind of way, and
you kind of gotta get used to him and he
gotta get used to you. So that's one thing attributed
to Josh. He put a lot of time in. But
like not having an off season, when we hit training
camp and trying to hit the ground running. We had
so many zoom calls. We had plenty of talks, but
when we got into that practice field, it was rep
(21:24):
after rep trying to get better. We're still doing it now,
but specifically in turn to camp. But he made it
a point of emphasis that he always strives to be perfect.
That's something that I love about it. And he's super
hard on himself. So for me, I tell a superman,
you can't be superman every day all day, you know,
So he tries to be perfect. So uh, I tried
to be there to kind of meet him in the
middle of be like, it's all right, I'm saying if
(21:45):
I drop a ball, I'm not gonna apologize, So don't apologize, Jim.
That was some great stuff from Stefon Diggs. But his
replacement in Minnesota, Justin Jefferson, came in as a rookie
and lit it up. So here's our conversation with Justin
about his expectations coming into the league and the mark
(22:08):
he made in his rookie season. What were you truly
feeling as you looked at those players come off the
board and you're there knowing what you're capable of doing.
I mean I took it in as as you know,
just me, I just kept I kept a chip on
my shoulder. Um, if you want to say that, you know,
(22:29):
I just I just felt like I was one of
the top receivers and uh, you know, especially off of
the performance that I did with a national championship and
you know, having over fifteen hundred yards and having any
teen touchdown, So being being the fifth receiver picked up,
I felt like that was disrespectful on my like on
(22:50):
their part. So I just want to I just wanted
to prove everybody wrong, all of our doubts that me,
you're not being able to play outside, me not being
a fast receiver, me not being able to go deep.
So um, you know, this past season, I worked on
all of those things. I just tried to to clean
up my game a little bit more and be that
(23:10):
versus time receiver. Jeff. Those interviews were so great, and
I know in the moment they were real timely right
when everybody was we were kind of going through these
during the season, But now that you reflect back on,
it's like, whoa, Okay, they were telling us something that's
(23:33):
kind of played out one way or the other and
kind of foreshadow and kind of tips to maybe some
of the things that we're seeing right now. So it's cool.
We're gonna do some more of these best of type shows,
some of these compilations, because you know, we've got some
real humorous ones, like some of the stories that you know,
Todd Bowls that's doubled over and Kimberly Martin some of
the stories that we had with her and when Jamal
(23:54):
Hill Carey champions. We're gonna have a bunch of these
best of type shows. But Jim, you know, when when
you think about we we started this podcast in September,
and just some of the great stories that we've heard
and some of the great news that we've heard and
things like that, which is really cool to bring our
you know, the growing audience that we hear from that
interact with us. Some of these cool stories are I
(24:16):
really really hope they took a lot from that. We're like, whoa,
Sean Payton did that? I don't remember that, But now
that we're saying this, I get it, you know, it
really appreciate some of the stuff that we were able
to bring them. Yeah, the thing that stands out to me, Steve,
is I just find it sort of ironic. Maybe ironic
is too strong a word, but I find it interesting that,
you know, three years ago we brought this idea to
(24:37):
the network to do this podcast, and basically the idea
was allowed to die in a vine, never got jumped started.
And then the summer of George Floyd, when all of
a sudden, everybody was searching for a way to show
their enlightenment or their wokeness. You know, they came to
us and asked us if we were still interested in
(24:57):
doing this three years later. And my personal opinion is
I believe they thought there wasn't an audience for this
show back three years ago. And I want to thank
all the listeners UM for proving that there is an
audience for this and that they are interested in what
we have to say and what our guests have to say.
So again, all thanks to the audience for UM for
(25:21):
proving you and me right. So I love it. I
love look the collaboration we have here, and I'm gonna
clude Thomas Warren, our producer on this. We have shown
that having smart conversations, using our experience, getting guests on
who enjoyed coming on with us too, Like okay, because
now people know, you know, okay, we're coming on with
Jim and Steve. You know it's it's it's gonna be
(25:42):
a high browed conversation that can go in any direction. UM,
let's go have some fun with it. You know. Again,
the appreciation we have for everybody who has a you know,
a hand and making this happen is absolutely fantastical. Props
Thomas Warren, props everybody UM for coming on the show.
And again thanks thanks to the audience. And again this
(26:02):
is coming off the heels of that David Culley UM
interview and the reaction to that, in the response to
that has been magical and and we can't thank you enough.
So Jim why don't you take us home on the
first edition of the Best umpudd Well, once again, we
want to thank you all for listening. We want to
thank you for subscribing. Please continue to leave us messages
(26:24):
about who you want to hear from, what you want
to hear about, and that way we can continue to
give you more of what you're funking for. All right,
and the Huddle Hoop Podcast has brought to you by
into it the problem makers of Turbo Tax, Mint and
quick Books. And again, thank you guys, We really do
(26:45):
appreciate you, and Jim could not have said it more
eloquently for proving us right. For Jim Trotter, Thomas Warren,
I'm Steve White. We are the h Q Mob and
we are out on the bottle b b B
Here we are in Free Agency week on the Huddle
and Flow podcast, which is brought you by Into It,
the proud makers of Quick Books, Turbo Tax and Mint.
I f T hite you as my dude, Jim Trotter,
two thirds of the Howard University mob Our producer Thomas
worn on the ones and the twos he complete the
h U puzzle. JT. The free agency is off to
(00:34):
his blast in New England. Patriots a team that we
usually see sit on its hands. Oh they saw they
saw Tom braiding the Buccaneers when a championship through free agency,
so they thought that they would follow suit. Yeah, I
think I think Bill didn't like sitting out those playoffs,
didn't Let's let's say this. Let's let's cut to the
chase here. For me, I see all of the moves
(00:56):
that the Patriots have made, and number one, that's that
we see every year in free agency, all the moves
that don't work out and fan bases get excited when
the signings are made and all of that. For me,
everything comes down to the Patriots to how what's their
quarterback play gonna be like? And I know they signed Cam,
but I'm not convinced yet that Cam is going to
be their starter opening day. I know that they've talked
(01:19):
to other clubs just to see what other clubs were
thinking about their quarterback situation. UM So my feeling, my
gut feeling, is that Cam is a safety net for them,
But even if he is the starter, they still have
a lot of work to do to get that team
ready and losing you know, Joe Thoney on that offensive line,
(01:40):
who was their best player. Absolutely, and they're they're they're
banking on Trent Brown regaining the form he had when
he was last there, which is a major gamble at
this point, particularly after you trade away Um Kennon. So
while I see all the moves, I'm still not ready
to say yet that the pay Riots are are are
(02:01):
the division favorite at this point. I still think Buffalo
is that and I still think Miami's coming. I'm with
because even when I've seen him signed, Nelson Aghalore and
Kendrick Porn at wide receiver, these are those are two
small guys, you know. I don't think and I don't
think to kill Harry is gonna be there. I think
it's just shown that it is not working in New England.
But they can find a trade partner. I think they're
gonna find a way to get him out there and
(02:23):
see what they can do. So we'll see. You know,
no coach thinks that he can he can't fix something.
But the Patriots taking a path they haven't taken since
like early two thousand when they signed more than twenty
restricted free agents and that led to them getting to
their first Super Bowl championship in the Belichick era. But
you know, but that's a term. But you have a
lot of other teams. Um. You know, you mentioned Joe Tooney.
(02:46):
You know he goes to the Chiefs. Great pickup, Okay,
excellent pickup. But we've seen some other teams kind of
sit on their hands and none of them, you know,
the Cowboys, the Falcon teams like that. That's not unexpected.
The Seahawks, but Jim the Ray Leaders, you know, we
see them go on there and they and they make
his flash. You know, they know something to pass Russia
and they go out and get Yannike and Gockway who
(03:07):
was drafted by New Vegas d C. Gus Bradley back
in Jacksonville. You're laughing. What's What's because the Raider fans,
Raider Nation is gonna say that I'm hating on them
and whatnot. But the one thing I don't trust about
the Raiders is John Gruden in free agency. Go back
to his very first year when he rejoined the club
in ten and I look, I know Mike Mayoks the gym,
(03:30):
but we know who calls the shots. There teen when
Reggie mackenzie was still there. There are two big free
agent signings were Jordy Nelson for thirteen million, he retired
after a year. Um also linebacker to Hear Whitehead um
six point to eight million. He was cut in two
years later. Then you go to twenty nineteen, think about
(03:51):
all these guys. They signed big money guys in free agency.
Trent Brown thirty six point to five million. He ends
up getting traded this year. Rail Williams forty four mill
over four years, ten million guaranteed he gets cut. LaMarcus
Joiner one point three million, one million guaranteed he gets cut.
(04:11):
Um Antonio Brown, you trade a third and the fifth form.
He never plays a down for you. Jason Witten, you
paid four point seven five million for what leadership? So
you know, then you go to Corey Littleton, I mean
you give him a thirty five million dollar contract, twenty
two million guaranteed. Talk to me, carlin Um the seed
(04:37):
sixteen point seven five million. He's all right, but he
ain't worth that. So now you want me to get
excited because they signed unique in doc way, I'm sorry,
I just can't. What do they say about about history,
They will tell you the best predictor of future behavior
is past behavior, and we've seen what's happened with the
(04:59):
Raider in the past. In free agency, and the sad
part is they have all that they have had, all
these draft picks after dealing away Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper,
and yet while some of these rookies have played well,
they still have yet to have a winning season. Yeah,
because we all thought they were gonna be there last year.
But jem, I mean, Nelson a Galore balled out. But
(05:21):
oh yeah, he's with the Patriots now and he and
he wasn't a big money signing. No, That's what I'm
saying to you. When they go out and spend a
lot of money on free agents, inevitably it appears it
blows up in their face. That's all I'm saying. And
you made it. You made a good point about big
money signings, because you know, we see the Jets with
(05:42):
all of this money and high draft picks, but we
think they're gonna go and be players in free agency.
They're like, nope, nope, we are not building this thing
through free agency. We're gonna go ahead and get it
through the draft. Is the biggest indicator of what's gonna
happen the team's plans is the first two days of
free agency and the fact that they did not go
in head first. It goes to show you this is
gonna be a slow process and how they're going to
(06:03):
build this team. Look, I am this is just me now.
I am convinced that they are going to move Sam Donald,
and I am convinced because they will get a quarterback
in the draft on a rookie contract in year one
versus being in a position and a rebuild where they
have to pay Sam make a decision on a fifth
(06:24):
year option. They don't want to do that yet when
they know they're rebuilding, and if they feel there's a
young quarterback who is as good or better, then it
makes more sense to go sign him, get him started
on that rookie deal. Now while you are rebuilding, and
I know that they have made calls to teams asking
teams about their interests in Sam. So I am convinced.
(06:46):
Doesn't mean that I'm right, but I am convinced that
they are going to move Sam Donald before this draft,
as you say, get more draft equity to build this
thing the right way through the draft, I gotta find
gotta find somebody who likes them. So that's gonna be
an interesting thing. I would think I would I like him.
I mean, I think he's a good player. If he
(07:06):
gets in the right system, in the right quarterback coach,
I think he could be, you know, a heck of
a player, and you know, maybe he can have a
research It's like Ryan Tannehill again, the example of the
guy who has the has resurgence. And also, Jim, we're
gonna we're gonna talk about some things as we get
through the show. But this is kind of a special
show we've put together for you guys. You know, um,
(07:27):
typically we interview someone and we're coming off one of
the greatest interviews we've had with with Houston Texas coach
David Culley, and we appreciate all of the fact so
much attention being paid to this and that goes to
show you with a good story, we'll do not just
an issue or something like that, but we're gonna put
kind of up a best of show together for you guys.
(07:47):
But these are kind of some of the interviews we've
had throughout the season that kind of predicted and foreshadowed
some of the moves that we see going on right now.
So Jim, let's go ahead and get started with some
of these interviews. Well, Saints quarterback in future Hall of
(08:12):
Famer Drew Brees, he retired at the end of the season,
but earlier when we spoke to Saints head coach Sean Payton,
he pretty much telegraphed this move, and he telegraphed who
could be the heir apparent. I and we as an
organization love what we've seen from Jamis and in that
(08:33):
constantly ways in your mind relative to each game. UM
going into the season, all three of the quarterbacks knew
that in the event that there were any injury during
a game, Jamis was coming in the Tayson was going
to have uh, a large plan and special teams and
a tight end and UH and then we would go
(08:54):
from there. And and so when that situation arose and
Drew was hurt for a longer period of time. I
visited with Jami's, I visited with Tayson. Uh. I had
basically given Taston my word in the offseason that hey,
this is long before Jamie's even arrived, that he would
have that opportunity as the two coming back here. Um
(09:14):
that being said, he's being evaluated each week. Um Man,
I've been I've been proud of how that room has
handled it. Jamis, particularly because he's he's he's a competitor
and he wants that opportunity and and and listen, I
feel like I said it a week ago, I feel
like our next quarterbacks in the building. And one of
(09:35):
the attractions for Jamis and I understand it, was there
aren't many places in free agency where you can go
to a team and have a pretty good bet that
that quarterback like Drew was gonna be playing in his
last year. You know that doesn't exist. You go to
a team and then you know, hey, you're gonna look
(09:56):
for that opportunity to sometime be a starter. He he's
gonna have that opportunity. Uh. The minute Drew leeds in
both he and takes him know that Breeze had a
great career, but he was overshadowed by Tom Brady. And
here's the key with Brady. He signed as a free
agent with the Bucks. And what we learned from that
(10:18):
is by hitting on the right free agent, the major
impact that could have on your club. As we heard
from defensive coordinator Todd Bowles an offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
This may sound crazy, the biggest thing I found about
Tom other than his work ethic and his diligence and
his precision to be the best, he makes everyone else
(10:43):
feel important. I feel like superstars. You know, you have
superstars that signed some autographs and walk off. You have
guys that will beat to themselves and everything else. He
can laugh at himself and he can go up to
a scout team guy or walk off with a defensive
guy on offensive guy. They can talk football and by
the time you finish talking to him, you feel like
(11:05):
you're helping him as opposed to him helping you. I mean,
he had the most uncanny knack for his people's skills
are outstanding. His way. The way he includes everyone and
everything that they do and challenge it into football and
to what they do is like nothing I've ever seen.
I mean, the person in football far outweighs the player
(11:29):
in football. Tomsy toms a different type of superstar. I
mean within the first day of camp, guys already joking
with him in a way that you wouldn't joke with
a six time chat boy of the guy. You know,
let give us an example, like say called him six times.
(11:54):
It was the nicknames that he was, you know, he
was just one of the guys sitting amongst the guys.
Be and COVID made it so different. So we were separate,
but when we did get the opportunity to get together,
it was just it was just amazing to see him
amongst his teammates. Well, the Bucks won their championship during
a pandemic that that impacted the entire season both on
(12:17):
and off the field. So what was it like playing
under the cloud of COVID nineteen Arizona Cardino's wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald and Rams quarterback Jalen Ramsey explained, Oh, it's
so much it so I would say the better team
most likely gonna went to the homefield advantage means nothing.
You know, you go playing I mean it's no different
(12:38):
from like I can go over here and playing this
park or our calls the street play in the park here.
I mean, there's there's no nothing that's different about it.
You know, no silent count. You know, there's miscommunication. You
literally can coach get to yell it out to you.
On the field. I mean, it's like it's it's it's crazy.
I mean the speed of the game is still the same,
but in terms of this communicating, the pressure is nowhere
near as high as it as it would be with
(12:59):
the crowd. There's not as many honors, aren't you. I
think it's many easier for younger players to go out
and play now, you know. So it's it's a it's
a lot different for us, especially you open up a
new stadium that you know would be packed out, like
Sunday night football first game Dallas, Califor like certain you
know games you know would be packed out. You feed
off the energy, you really do, and this year you
(13:21):
didn't have that. Um. The only game you know that
we played to have fans was Miami Tempa and our
playoff game, UM in Green Bay. They're limited fans. We
could feel like dang, like I hear a little something
like I feel a little something they making They're making
plays and they fans turning up and they're building off that.
(13:43):
They got the energy, they got the juice going. And
without that, you gotta have guys on your team who
who bring their own energy and that bring their own juice,
and then that can be infectious and and spread throughout
the whole team. So luckily, you know, we had guys
on the team who could do that, uh and make plays.
They'll be like, get the whole sideline turns up and
(14:03):
we can build off that. But but it could have
even more if we had stadium might know that for sure, Steve.
We don't know yet what season is going to look
like in terms of stadiums being open for fans and whatnot.
But one thing we do know is that it's very
possible we could have another virtual off season, as we
(14:25):
heard from nfl p A executive director to Morris Smith
and union president J. C. Treader. I think unless there
is a extremely high likelihood that everyone um in the
country would be vaccinated to reach the cent that we
(14:45):
need for her community. Unless we think that that's going
to occur, or we will arrive there by um by
by the beginning of the season, I think daily testing
is probably something that we will at least start the
season with this year. If our performances historically was here
and we had, you know, during a ten week off
season program, and we had a zero week off season
(15:07):
program and our performance was at worst equal, if not
better by what I said, then clearly there's no real
value add to a program that's not providing any benefit
when it comes to performance. So that's something we're dealing
with now, is figuring out how to continue to follow
the science and make a program that is a value add,
(15:31):
will help our young players, will help our veteran players,
will help the teams perform, and that should be the focus,
not just well, now that COVID might be out of
the wood, we might be out of the woods with COVID,
let's just fall back on what we always did because
we always did it. We can't think that way and
it would be a shame to think that way after
everything we've been through this year. You know, as we've
already seen this offseason, talk about quarterback movement is going
(15:53):
to dominate the spring and the summer. We've already seen
some quarterbacks on the move, but the biggest storyline is
out in Houston or Deshaun Watson does not want to
be part of the team, but one of our greatest
interviews that we've had Jim has been with his new
head coach, David Culley, and here he is on DeShawn
Watson's future, possibly in Houston, but possibly not. He is
(16:18):
our starting quarterback. As of right now. He is our
starting quarterback. Things happened between now and then, and then
we'll see what happens. We're moving forward, you know, we're
moving forward. And my all our conversations have been with
all of our players here is that we are moving
forward and that we're gonna go forward, and we're gonna
go forward with everybody that is in all in with
(16:40):
us that wants to go and and I I like
to think and I feel like that as we move forward,
as we're going, we're gonna move forward all in with
everybody that's all in with us and I and I
feel like that everybody's gonna be all in, including him,
including everybody else that's been here, that we're moving forward
and we're going with it, and we gonna go with
that way. Another quarterback rumor to possibly be on the
(17:05):
move is Russell Wilson in Seattle Now Earlier this season.
We had g M. John Snyder on when Russ was
cooking tearing up the league as an m VP front
runner candidate, and here's what he had to say about
his quarterback. We'd be remiss not to ask you about
Russell Wilson right now, and it's easy for everyone to
(17:25):
be on his bandwagon right now. But um, based on
conversations you and I had had even before the draft,
I know you were on the table for him from
Jump Street. Did you envision back then, even when you
were so supportive and like what you saw, that he
would develop into what we're seeing today. I know I
(17:46):
can't say honestly, but I know I know he had
all the factors of uh, traits of um you know,
the you know ends and the you know um and Rodgers,
and he had those trainers. He could literally go down
the whole the whole list on the old check and
(18:11):
that he didn't have was was not and uh but
is he able to make those those to say that, um,
you know, you'd be at this level like you know,
I can't. I can't say that, maybe be a damnde player. Uh.
But every year he seems to, you know, uh, set
(18:35):
higher standards for himself. Well, the draft is right around
the corner, and we know quarterbacks are the deepest position,
maybe the most talented position at the front end of
the draft. And there are two teams, the Falcons and Lions,
who already have established quarterbacks Matt Ryan in Atlanta and
Jared goth the new quarterback in Detroit. Well, that doesn't
(18:58):
mean they're necessarily going to their quarterbacks in their respective
cities for long. And we spoke about that with new
Falcons general manager Terry Fontino and new Lions general manager
Brad Holmes. What kind of chip is it to be
at that at that number four spot. Yeah, that's a
great question. It's so valuable and it's so exciting to
be right there because you're right, we don't want to
(19:19):
be we don't want to ever be picking in the
top five again. We want to be picking at the
bottom of the rounds, of all the rounds. So this
is it's really valuable and we're in a position that, hey,
we can take we want to build this roster the
right way and we're gonna think long term. So nothing
is really off the table um, whether you talk about
taking the best player on the board or are are
(19:39):
moving down or I think everything's wide open, and so
it's a it's a great it's a great spot to
be in and and we want to make sure we
maximize that and and have a hell of a draft
because we don't expect to be there anymore. And your
evaluations and everything, and just kind of looking at you guys,
you and Dan and Ray and everybody want to build
there this draft. Are you necessarily uh out of the
(20:01):
quarterback market? Oh? No, I would know absolutely not. Um.
You know, I don't think. I don't think when you're
picking this high, uh, that you can be out on
any position. But obviously quarterback is such an important position.
And you know, I just think it's good, it's good
(20:22):
drafting business always to be be to be very very
thorough on that quarterback class, regardless of what your situation is. UM.
You know, always when I was with with the Rams,
always said that, you know, always, regardless of which you
had at quarterback, and even especially now you know it's
it's it's the same approach, and you know it is
(20:43):
a good crop coming out this year. Um. But you know,
it's definitely not a position that will be ignored by us, um,
by any means. Steve one quarterback who will not be
on the move, it's Buffalo's Josh Allen. And earlier we
had on wind out Stefan Digs talking about his new
(21:03):
best friend in Buffalo. When you got a new quarterback,
he likes things done a certain kind of way, and
you kind of gotta get used to him and he
gotta get used to you. So that's one thing attributed
to Josh. He put a lot of time in. But
like not having an off season, when we hit training
camp and trying to hit the ground running. We had
so many zoom calls. We had plenty of talks, but
when we got into that practice field, it was rep
(21:24):
after rep trying to get better. We're still doing it now,
but specifically in turn to camp. But he made it
a point of emphasis that he always strives to be perfect.
That's something that I love about it. And he's super
hard on himself. So for me, I tell a superman,
you can't be superman every day all day, you know,
So he tries to be perfect. So uh, I tried
to be there to kind of meet him in the
middle of be like, it's all right, I'm saying if
(21:45):
I drop a ball, I'm not gonna apologize, So don't apologize, Jim.
That was some great stuff from Stefon Diggs. But his
replacement in Minnesota, Justin Jefferson, came in as a rookie
and lit it up. So here's our conversation with Justin
about his expectations coming into the league and the mark
(22:08):
he made in his rookie season. What were you truly
feeling as you looked at those players come off the
board and you're there knowing what you're capable of doing.
I mean I took it in as as you know,
just me, I just kept I kept a chip on
my shoulder. Um, if you want to say that, you know,
(22:29):
I just I just felt like I was one of
the top receivers and uh, you know, especially off of
the performance that I did with a national championship and
you know, having over fifteen hundred yards and having any
teen touchdown, So being being the fifth receiver picked up,
I felt like that was disrespectful on my like on
(22:50):
their part. So I just want to I just wanted
to prove everybody wrong, all of our doubts that me,
you're not being able to play outside, me not being
a fast receiver, me not being able to go deep.
So um, you know, this past season, I worked on
all of those things. I just tried to to clean
up my game a little bit more and be that
(23:10):
versus time receiver. Jeff. Those interviews were so great, and
I know in the moment they were real timely right
when everybody was we were kind of going through these
during the season, But now that you reflect back on,
it's like, whoa, Okay, they were telling us something that's
(23:33):
kind of played out one way or the other and
kind of foreshadow and kind of tips to maybe some
of the things that we're seeing right now. So it's cool.
We're gonna do some more of these best of type shows,
some of these compilations, because you know, we've got some
real humorous ones, like some of the stories that you know,
Todd Bowls that's doubled over and Kimberly Martin some of
the stories that we had with her and when Jamal
(23:54):
Hill Carey champions. We're gonna have a bunch of these
best of type shows. But Jim, you know, when when
you think about we we started this podcast in September,
and just some of the great stories that we've heard
and some of the great news that we've heard and
things like that, which is really cool to bring our
you know, the growing audience that we hear from that
interact with us. Some of these cool stories are I
(24:16):
really really hope they took a lot from that. We're like, whoa,
Sean Payton did that? I don't remember that, But now
that we're saying this, I get it, you know, it
really appreciate some of the stuff that we were able
to bring them. Yeah, the thing that stands out to me, Steve,
is I just find it sort of ironic. Maybe ironic
is too strong a word, but I find it interesting that,
you know, three years ago we brought this idea to
(24:37):
the network to do this podcast, and basically the idea
was allowed to die in a vine, never got jumped started.
And then the summer of George Floyd, when all of
a sudden, everybody was searching for a way to show
their enlightenment or their wokeness. You know, they came to
us and asked us if we were still interested in
(24:57):
doing this three years later. And my personal opinion is
I believe they thought there wasn't an audience for this
show back three years ago. And I want to thank
all the listeners UM for proving that there is an
audience for this and that they are interested in what
we have to say and what our guests have to say.
So again, all thanks to the audience for UM for
(25:21):
proving you and me right. So I love it. I
love look the collaboration we have here, and I'm gonna
clude Thomas Warren, our producer on this. We have shown
that having smart conversations, using our experience, getting guests on
who enjoyed coming on with us too, Like okay, because
now people know, you know, okay, we're coming on with
Jim and Steve. You know it's it's it's gonna be
(25:42):
a high browed conversation that can go in any direction. UM,
let's go have some fun with it. You know. Again,
the appreciation we have for everybody who has a you know,
a hand and making this happen is absolutely fantastical. Props
Thomas Warren, props everybody UM for coming on the show.
And again thanks thanks to the audience. And again this
(26:02):
is coming off the heels of that David Culley UM
interview and the reaction to that, in the response to
that has been magical and and we can't thank you enough.
So Jim why don't you take us home on the
first edition of the Best umpudd Well, once again, we
want to thank you all for listening. We want to
thank you for subscribing. Please continue to leave us messages
(26:24):
about who you want to hear from, what you want
to hear about, and that way we can continue to
give you more of what you're funking for. All right,
and the Huddle Hoop Podcast has brought to you by
into it the problem makers of Turbo Tax, Mint and
quick Books. And again, thank you guys, We really do
(26:45):
appreciate you, and Jim could not have said it more
eloquently for proving us right. For Jim Trotter, Thomas Warren,
I'm Steve White. We are the h Q Mob and
we are out on the bottle b b B
Popular Podcasts
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.