NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Judy Battista & Ian Rapoport run through the biggest injury news heading into Week 7 including J.J. McCarthy, Emeka Egbuka, and CeeDee Lamb. Brian Baldinger breaks down the Falcons run game and defensive pass rush. Broncos LB Nik Bonitto & Chargers S Tony Jefferson join the show. Steve Wyche & Judy Battista provide their biggest surprises of the season so far, and Marcas Grant delivers his Week 7 fantasy sleepers.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
For the first time in NFL history, we have a
meeting of two forty something quarterbacks not named Brady and Breeze.
Hear what Aaron Rodgers has to say about his latest
meeting with Joe Flacco. A Thursday night feast that surely
will include pudding for dessert. The AFC West Race is
heating up, and we have both the co leaders represented
(00:29):
on the show tonight. Bronco star Nick Benito and Chargers
safety Tony Jefferson will join us ahead of a couple
of intriguing matchups on Sunday. Your fantasy waiver wire is
now closed. You probably got a bit on Camani Vidal.
Maybe that was just me, so who else is worth
plugging into your lineup? Marcus Grant will be here with
his Week seven sleepers that could keep your opponent up
(00:53):
at night. Welcome inside with the Insiders presented by Progressive
Insurance alongside he In Rappaport, Judy Matista, I am Tom Pelisero.
It is the eve of Week seven in the NFL. Amazingly,
Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco not on the injury report
ahead of what Cam Hayward has aptly dubbed the Icy
(01:13):
Hot Bowl in Cincinnati, but some other star players not
so lucky. Let's begin in San Francisco, where Brock Perty
and Mac Jones both practice on a limited basis today.
Kyle Shanahan said Mack is a little more limited than Perty.
No firm proclamations from Kyle of what direction this week's goes,
though that would seem to point toward another Max start
Sunday night against Atlanta. Whoever's out there at quarterback may
(01:35):
have another weapon, tight end George Kittle practicing for the
first time today since suffering a hamstring injury in Week one.
It'll officially limited on the injury report. We'll see exactly
how quickly they try to ramp him up. Meanwhile, Vikings
quarterback JJ McCarthy also practiced today for the first time
since his injury, a high ankle sprang back in Week two.
McCarthy officially listed as limited and acknowledged what I reported
(01:59):
on Sunday, which is that ankle is not yet one
hundred percent. Carson Wentz, dealing with a left shoulder injury,
was a full participant ahead of Ian a potential revenge
game Sunday against the Eagles, a.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Reveng's game for Carson Wentz and Eagles does seem to
be what's headed our way. Meanwhile, unclear what is headed
the way of Kyler Murray. The Arizona Cardinals still starting
quarterback who did not play last week. Scoby Presset played
pretty well in his absence. He was a limited participant
in practice today. Alista signed He's got a shot to
play on Sunday, but more information coming. Meanwhile, the Tampa
(02:34):
Bay Buccaneers did not practice Day A. Mecca Bouga is
dealing with a hamstering injury. Like Whoul, not a practice
and my understanding, not expected to play Monday against the
Detroit Lions. It seems like every Bucks receiver has been hurt,
which sort of has been the case. But maybe they
get Mike Evans Leaves back at practice this week to
give them Judy a little better injury outlook at that position.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Well, there is a better injury outlook in Washington because
Terry McLaurin is back at practice this week after missing
two games with a quad injury. He is listed as
limited today, but if he has a good week of practice,
he could be ready to go against the Cowboys on Sunday.
He has just ten receptions in three games this season,
but the Commanders have a string of high scoring offenses.
(03:19):
They are about to face Cowboys, Chiefs, Seahawks, Lions, but
they could certainly use mccluuren out there and healthy to
keep up with those offenses.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Tom Jeez wide receiver receive Rice is also back his
six game suspension over returning to practice today, and while
Rice's role on Sunday against the Raiders is still a
little bit in flux, Andy Reid did say Rice will
be out there listen.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
I think he's excited to be back in and going,
you know. I think getting through practices here will be
good for him to kind of get back into the
swing of things and we'll see how everything goes from there.
But he's been working hard, is in good shape.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (04:01):
I mean, he don't want to be out there every
single play. I mean, that's the mentality that he has.
I think it's gonna be our job as teammates and
coaches to kind of build him back the right way.
But it's gonna be hard to keep him off the
field for sure.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
The Los Angeles Rams Puka Naku suffered an ankle injury
right there, tried to come back in the game did
come back in the game, couldn't do very much and
then exit of the game. Is expected to miss the
Week seven game against the Jacksonville Jaguar. Sean McVay has
not for sure for sure said that, but my understanding
is he is more doubtful than otherwise. Certainly, the Rams
(04:37):
have the possibility or maybe likehood, of not being.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Without their best player.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
They do have a buye in the next week, Judy,
so he does have the opportunity to rest and get
back healthy.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
One more piece of wide receiver injury news see d
Lamb back at practice for the first time since he
suffered a high ankle sprain very early in the Week
three game. He was listed as limited. Today. Brian Schottenheimer
indicated that he is trending in the right direction to
be able to play against the Commanders this Sunday. Schottenneimer
was asked what he needs to see for CD to play,
(05:08):
and he joked, if he's breathing, I'm good.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Tom. The Dolphins one in five entering Sunday's game against
the Browns and their quarterback to a Tunga Balloa doing
a little moon walk. Back on some comments he made
on Sunday essentially impugning everyone in the organization, saying the
players have been late to or no shows the players
only meetings, saying that the leadership needs to be better
to it today back at the podium, taking accountability for
(05:33):
his own leadership failure.
Speaker 7 (05:35):
You know, for myself, I got to look at myself
as the leader protecting the team. I don't feel like
I did that to the best of my abilities. I
felt like I let the emotions of the game get
to me after the game. And you know that's something
that I can learn from as a leader on this team,
and what happens in house should be protected and none
(05:58):
of that should have gotten out.
Speaker 8 (05:59):
And so want to.
Speaker 7 (06:00):
Publicly apologize about that. I want to move forward and
now I want to focus on the Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Not what you want when you've got a critical game
to stay afloat and relevant. Ian as your quarterback at
his weekly press conference before a week seven game, apologizing
for basically everything that he said postgame on Sunday. There
are a couple issues here. One remember that I understand
this has been a non issue in Miami. There's not
a bunch of these players only gatherings. There's not an
(06:26):
issue with tardyness, but also the fact that, by the
vague nature of his comments, it pointed the finger at
the entire locker room, the head coach, everybody else. What
do you make of how Tua has handled this and
what it means for Miami moving forward.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, first of all, it does seem like what he's
talking about is some players only film sessions like on
Thursday's for Insurance two gets together with the receivers. There's
times when the defensive players get together themselves. Might have
be Eve been talking about some defensive players missing some
of those meetings. It's not clear, but as you mentioned,
he kind of just says makes it seem like everyone
and is kind of missing them when we don't even
(07:01):
know that's the reality. But yes, it is to a
coming back and apologizing, which I guess is a good thing, right.
I mean, it's better than him saying I did nothing wrong,
but it's all fine, and yes, certain things should stay
in house. But really, what he has done, Judy, is
he has take a difficult trying season and cranked it
up to like eleven. Because if the eyeballs weren't on,
(07:22):
the Dolphins are ready, which they were, if the discussions
of Mike McDaniel's job status weren't happening already, which they were,
They're all happening even more now with what is at
the very best a misguided reference. He wasn't even asked
about anything like this post game. And here's what else
I would say, Judy is if two wants to be
a leader, there are ways to be a leader. But
(07:44):
if you're not, just don't be. It's okay. Just be
the quarterback. Not all quarterbacks are leaders. Trying to be
all things, trying to be the leader, trying to send
a message to teammates or may may not need to
have this message doing it publicly. It's all bad and
we will see how the Dolphins respond on the field.
And if it's not a good response on the field,
(08:05):
then this situation now is.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Going to get a lot worse.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Times one hundred, I am a lot more interested in
what Tua perceived was going on that caused him to
go off like that in public and call out essentially everybody,
not whether other people think there was a problem or
there wasn't a problem with people showing up late. I
am interested in what Tua perceived as the issue, because
(08:28):
certainly with his comments. He pulled back the curtain on
at least the starting quarterback being concerned about his teammates'
commitment to the football team, to the game, to preparation.
And if he perceives that to be a problem, it's
a problem. Whether anybody else in the building thinks it's
a problem or not, it's a problem because he then
(08:49):
has a problem with his teammates. And this is the
kind of thing that we know. It happens in locker
rooms with losing teams. There is sniping. Usually it is
kept behind closed doors. This time, of course, to through
the doors wide open so we could all see it.
But certainly this is indicative of issues in the Miami
(09:10):
Dolphins that frequently crop up when teams are struggling. And
I am fascinated by the fact that Tua proceeds that
there are issues going on that so frustrated him. A
guy who is so measured, usually very careful about what
he says, usually pretty upbeat in public conversation. For him
to go off like that, I am fascinated by his
(09:33):
level of frustration.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
The primary issue for the Dolphins right now is that
their quarterback is apologizing publicly for things that he said
and apologizing directly to his teammates at a critical juncture
again in their season. Oh, by the way, the Dolphins
owe to a fifty four million dollars fully guaranteed in
twenty twenty six Thursday Night, we got Joe Flacco, we
(09:55):
got Aaron Rodgers, we got the Steelers and the Bengals.
Thursday Night Football Prime Video. Only three other times NFL
history if to forty something year old quarterbacks squared off.
Both of those were Drew Brees and Tom Brady back
in twenty twenty, which makes this sort of a novelty,
don't you think, Aaron.
Speaker 9 (10:13):
Yeah, I think it's great. Great for all the old guys.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
You know.
Speaker 9 (10:18):
I know that when I watch other sports. Maybe it's
because I'm the older guy, but I tend to pull
for the older guys to win, to win championships. I've
been friends with Steph for a long time. Steph is
one of the older guys in the NBA. Now there's
any time to Warriors are playing, I'm always pulling for
Steph to ball out for them to win. But it's great.
(10:39):
I mean, I've known Joe for a long time. He's
been great coming to my charity event, He's been a
great ambassador for the league. He's had a great career,
and it's fun that we're both still playing.
Speaker 10 (10:50):
The youngest quarterback.
Speaker 11 (10:52):
Yeah, yeah, it's one thing you guys can't talk about
this week in terms of me being older at least,
but it's it's pretty neat. I mean, Aaron's been in
the league a few years longer than me, but we
both started playing in two thousand and eight, so someve
been doing it for a long time.
Speaker 8 (11:06):
It's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Time now for good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance. The
Falcons defense. They've been a part of this segment before,
allowing one hundred and thirty nine point four passing yards
per game so far this season, the fewest allowed by
any team in a season since the Miami Dolphins in
nineteen eighty two. That is your good coverage presented by
Progressive Insurance. Know by the way, there might have been
(11:29):
a workstop as they contributed to that statistic for those
Dolphins as welcome in our Brian Ball here as well
as my friend Steve White here. Nice to be joined
on set in Los Angeles. Baldy, you've broken down the
tape coming off of a really impressive show and by
the Falcons a huge win for them over the Bills.
Speaker 12 (11:44):
What do you see, well, a couple of things. I
see a couple of things that they can really hang
their hat on. They're excellent at running the football. We
saw Bijon, Tyler Algier and then Jeff Ulbrick is doing
a fantastic job defensively. They've given up the fewest yards
in the league. They're up there in sacks, a lot
of different things and showed up all, you know, keep
a buffalo on only fourteen points, the lowest point total
(12:05):
of the year.
Speaker 8 (12:05):
But this is what I'm talking about in the run game.
Speaker 12 (12:07):
I mean, you look at right here, Matthews and Bergarn
and Noosel and Lynch troum hat on a hat and
let Bijeon go thro his magic as he jumps to
a hoop right there and bounces off defenders. And it
was the same thing right here. You look at their
ability right here to get to the.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Second level to block the linebackers.
Speaker 12 (12:25):
All five guys including Wilkinson, block the five most dangerous
guys and now let Tyler Alsier go through their twenty
two yards for the opening touchdown of the game. And
it was the same thing going to the right. Actually
at moving the line of scrimmage and watching building this
wall here, and all Bejeon is looking for is daylight,
and that's what they give. You give Bejon or al'sier
daylight like this, they're going to carve you up. They
(12:47):
lead the league in rushing yards per game. Right now,
when you get to old Brick like, these kind of
pressures on third down are awesome, Devin Diablo t offered,
like they all come through, like Josh Mike get away
from one.
Speaker 8 (12:59):
He's not going away from three.
Speaker 12 (13:01):
And then this fourth and two blitz right here with
Ellis and aj Terrell coming off the edge. Josh sees it,
he feels it. He's got a free hitter coming out
him on fourth and two. I mean, this is what
Josh is doing. He's just flipping the ball away. That's
as good as a turnover offense comes out takes the
field in that position right there. It's got some things
that are going on both sides of the ball here, Steve,
(13:22):
right now that you can hang your hat on that
the Falcons can build upon.
Speaker 13 (13:26):
Hey, Baldy, isn't interesting that Tom side of the stat
In nineteen eighty two like back in our heyday, like.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
They knew we were coming.
Speaker 13 (13:32):
On this segment, I want to get to the Falcons
and their defense, Bald. This is a team with fourteen sacks.
That was a big question. Can the Falcons get pressure
on the quarterback? And you just highlighted the fact that
Jeff Olbreck is dialing up a.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Lot of different pressures.
Speaker 13 (13:46):
They've got fourteen sacks, but nobody has more than two
point five. But you have eleven players with at least
a half of a sack, So everybody is getting pressure
on the quarterback and that is largely because they've got
two linebackers. You single them out, Cayden Ellis and Divine
Diablo who can run like the win and arrive there
with Fury. Being able to have those types of players
(14:09):
on the second level allows him to do some things
on the back end and up front and be creative
with their pressures. Raheem Morris told me during training camp
that Divine Diablo as a player we're going to be
talking about a lot throughout the season. He's been around
the league for a while, but they've done some things
to unlease his athletic ability and his versatility that are
showing up big time on one of the best defenses
(14:31):
in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
Play Baby Berbert in the pocket, He's going to be
hit by Bonito and down inside the ten Banito came
scream into the blind side of Herbert. Heard some third
down will be grafted by Bonito, spun to the turf,
and there's another sack.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
The fourth sack of the game for the Broncos.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
War takes a shotguns snap designed role of the left.
Speaker 8 (14:54):
He's in trouble avoids one.
Speaker 14 (14:55):
He's going to be sacked back outside of the fifteen
yard liner.
Speaker 10 (14:58):
There's the first sack for Denver.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
Rush is four, Hurts bounces around is grad and Hurts
will go down and the sack back at the twenty
two yard line.
Speaker 6 (15:07):
The way Actually.
Speaker 5 (15:08):
Herbert will be hicked and down.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
He goes back at the sixth Butnito is just too quick.
You know you're having a good start to the season
when the highlights of your sacks through six weeks takes up.
Like Assauli admitted of the time that we've got here,
look at Nick Benito's stats across the board, up there
at the top in virtually every pass rushing category. Also
one of the leaders in appearances on the Insiders, which
(15:32):
he will increase that total right now with me, Tom
Pellicero as well as Ian Rappaport, Nick Benito, thanks so much,
dude for being here. A lot to get into it.
Let me just start with this. You have this kind
of gritty, grimy win against the Jets a few days
ago in London. Has the body and the brain adjusted
or you over whatever? Jet lag or anything else you got?
Speaker 15 (15:52):
No, Yeah, I made sure i get plenty of sleep
on the plane, so I'm well rested. I've got some
good sleep in the last two days and know what
kind of being louder days. So now I'm all well rested,
now ready to go.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
So we got a lot to get to about your
on field performance this year. There's a lot to like,
but I want to take a step back first. Obviously,
in this offseason, before the season started, you signed a
four year, one hundred and six million dollar deal one
twenty max seventy million guaranteed. And you always wonder, at
least I always wonder, what's the player going to be
like after he gets more money than he knows what
(16:27):
to do with, after generational wealth, and you responded with
what has been so far absolutely your best season.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Why is that?
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Why was that your sort of on field response to
getting paid.
Speaker 15 (16:42):
Yeah, I mean, you know, just looking back at last year,
I felt like I left a lot of you know,
meat on the ball when it comes to making plays
and stuff like that. You know, in the beginning, you know,
when I first kind of got that starting row, I
was kind of playing a little timid, you know, and
just making sure I was kind of just doing the
right thing. Got back to just and you know, the
type of ball like I can play. So just going
(17:03):
back and making sure that you know, I can get
better as some.
Speaker 10 (17:05):
Of those things. I feel like it's helped me a
lot this year.
Speaker 15 (17:08):
And obviously with everybody on the defense plane of the
way they are, and that's help a lot too.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
So so eight sacks through the first six games of
this season, you lead the NFL in that category. Your
teammate Pats Ertan, who knows a thing or two about
being a defensive Player of the Year, said recently, you
should be that guy for twenty twenty five. I know,
we got a ways to go. It's early, YadA, YadA, YadA,
But when you hear something like that from somebody as
accomplished as pat What.
Speaker 8 (17:33):
Does it mean to you?
Speaker 15 (17:35):
Yeah, No, it's real big. I mean, obviously he knows
what it looks like. You know, he's won the award
and he's one of the best players in our game,
if not the best defender, So you know, it's obviously
a huge honor coming from him.
Speaker 10 (17:48):
So yeah, I mean, I just got to keep going.
Like you said, it's a long season.
Speaker 15 (17:51):
I know, I still have room to grow my end
this game, So it's got to keep going on.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
You've got a bunch of big games this season. Two
and a half sacks was your biggest sack total. I'm
wondering when you're going through games like that, is there
some sort of zone you get into. Are you kind
of like like something that feels different as the tackle
move and solwer What are those games like when it's
really just full domination from the edge.
Speaker 10 (18:17):
Yeah, I think. You know, I'm kind of just like
a rhythm player for sure.
Speaker 15 (18:22):
I mean, it takes kind of just like one play
for me to make and you know, now and then
that's when I feel like I start getting on the heater.
Speaker 10 (18:28):
I've started seeing things a little bit quicker.
Speaker 15 (18:30):
I start just really feeling myself when it comes to
rushing the passer. And yeah, so I mean it kind
of just takes one of those players to happen where
I'm like, all right, like the time we go now,
and you know, it's been good for me so far.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
So I got a really hard hitting question for you here, Nick,
So people people nationally might not know exactly what your
sax celebration is. I every time I see it think
it's something smells in this room, everybody get away. What
is the actual meaning of that sack celebration?
Speaker 8 (18:59):
Good question.
Speaker 15 (19:00):
Well, I wouldn't even say that's mine. It was wards
that we played them. He used to always do it
in college, so I thought like it would be like
a little funny thing to throw him a little bit
if I got a sack on him.
Speaker 10 (19:11):
So I know social media liked it a lot.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Well, when you're talking about celebrations, social media liking a
lot is absolutely the barometer. So you might have to
keep that going. I want to talk about your defensive coordinator.
We just had I know, Vance Joseph. You obviously would
like him to stay in Denver, but we just had
a job open up the Titans job. He is going
to be a candidate for open head coaching jobs. A
(19:36):
lot of people obviously remember his tenure as a head
coach before here.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
What has been like playing for Vance?
Speaker 2 (19:43):
And is he the kind of guy you could see
being a head coach again?
Speaker 10 (19:48):
No, one thousand percent I could see it.
Speaker 15 (19:49):
I mean, just not even talking football wise, just he's
a guy where he just can motivate anybody that's playing
for him. I know he's helped me a lot in
my career, just helping me with my confidence. They're helping
me grow in slarn areas. And you can look that
way with a lot of the guys that have come
in here that have taken such big steps under him
and in the defense and being able to play at
(20:09):
such a high level and such with high confidence. So
I know the type of leader he is, and you know,
I'll really be excited from it. You know that day
did come and where he left and became a head coach,
and you know, I know, I know everybody in the
locker room would.
Speaker 10 (20:21):
Be as well.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
So you're facing a Giants team this week that's coming
off of probably the biggest win for that franchise in
three years. Everybody's excited. They watch Jackson Dart. They watched
Cam Scattabu ripping off his shirt on the postgame interview said,
when you watch those guys on tape, what do you
see and how do you get after him this week?
Speaker 8 (20:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 15 (20:40):
Scheme aside, they play hard, man, I mean everybody on
that team, especially on the offensive side, when watching them,
I mean they're trying to fight for every inch on
the field. Scataboo, like you mentioned, Man, he's trying to
run over at any and everybody. So that's gonna be
a guy we're gonna have to get all you know,
it has the ball with him and obviously Dark you
know he's brought like different energy since he's gotten the
lineup too, so you know, it's really exciting what they're doing.
(21:02):
It's gonna be a real good opportunity for us to
show our physicality against a team like that.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
I love the diplomatic way of saying, we are going
to absolutely kick the crap out of these guys. They're
really good. Young guys there are young they don't know
any better, but we're gonna show them the physicality. I'm
gonna start throwing that line myself, Nick Man, keep it rolling,
Stay healthy, dude. We appreciate the time, so thank you, guys.
A lot more to come on the show, including a
look at some of the biggest surprises of twenty twenty
(21:31):
five so far. How about those Panthers. We're throwing it
and running it for the backup running back, a rookie
receiver making some plays. Judye Matista's back with us and
Steve Whitch to talk big surprises. Right after this on
The Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance, London is calling Light
(21:57):
at time. Play for the man that you don't be.
Speaker 10 (21:59):
Just gave sixty minutes.
Speaker 8 (22:00):
Don't don't do.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
What's a great brother?
Speaker 5 (22:02):
Stafford, He hitched the buttet hints a cut down.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
That was a dog up.
Speaker 1 (22:11):
Touchdown into the echo.
Speaker 16 (22:18):
Touch down.
Speaker 14 (22:19):
Jason Way, We'll see you in wimbley down Low.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Team time gonna be a good time. Sunday morning on
NFL Network, the Rams and the Jaguars facing off in London.
The Jaguars go so often that I think Trevor Lawrence
actually has dual citizenship.
Speaker 10 (22:42):
It's fun, you know, It's it's fun being over here.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
It really is.
Speaker 17 (22:44):
You know, at first, when I came here in twenty one,
it's kind of crazy, you know, coming out here for
the first time, you don't know what to expect, and
you're coming out for one game. I think we're here
for like two and a half days and such a
long trip, and it's a it's a quick turnaround, and
but once you do it and then you come back,
and it starts to feel like, you know, I don't
want to say, like a second home. But for us,
(23:04):
we're so used to coming here at the Grove and
all the employees are so friendly and nice, and seeing
all the fans and the experience of the games playing
in the two stadiums. The two stadiums are incredible. It's
just it's a cool atmosphere to play in. And we've
kind of gotten used to the whole travel deal and
stuff like that, so it's not as big of a
big of a deal for us now. And I just
enjoy it. I mean, it's fun being over here, and
I think it's a good opportunity for our team to
(23:26):
just come closer together. We spend a lot of time together.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Welcome back to the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance, Tom Pilli,
Sero Steve Witch here in La joined once again by
our Judy Batista. Judy let's talk some of the biggest
surprises so far in the twenty twenty five NFL season.
What's something on your list?
Speaker 3 (23:46):
First of all, the Indianapolis Colts are the biggest surprise
in the league so far. They have the best record
in the AFC, the number one scoring offense, the number
four scoring defense. Jonathan Taylor is the league leading rusher.
Daniel Jones is having a career renaissance. He's completing almost
seventy two percent of his passes, playing really cleanly. They
(24:06):
have a big test this week against the Chargers. But
nobody saw the Colts coming.
Speaker 8 (24:10):
At this point.
Speaker 13 (24:13):
No, Gerdy, No, nobody's saw the Colts coming at this point,
this at this point.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Of the season.
Speaker 13 (24:18):
But I want to go to Denver to the guy
that Tom and Ian just spoke to it, and that's
Nick Benito. When we talk about great pass rushes, we're
thinking about Max Crosby and Miles Garrett and TJ.
Speaker 8 (24:27):
Watt.
Speaker 13 (24:28):
But Benito is the guy who is leading the league
eight sacks. And what is surprising is the fact that
usually these guys get sacks and bunches. He's only had
one game where he hasn't had at least one sack.
That consistency and playing great against the run is why
he does need to be in the early part of.
Speaker 8 (24:45):
The Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Jerdy, how about a player that makes your list for
biggest surprises so far?
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Well, Baker Mayfield leading the MVP race is certainly a
huge surprise. Twelve touchdowns, one interception, but really, just go
back and walk this game against the Niners. That third
and fourteen play where he took off, got away from
a sack, scrambled and dove for the first down. That
is truly a quarterback putting a team that is depleted
(25:12):
by injuries on his back. This offense is roaring, and
he still has not played with his full complement of
wide receivers. That touchdown pass was to like his fifth
or sixth wide receiver. So when that offense gets healthy,
look out Baker Mayfield on his way to a potential MVP.
Speaker 13 (25:31):
Well, Jenny, Baker Mayfield is doing his thing for the Buccaneers.
Rico Dowdell and the Carolina Panthers are doing their thing.
With Carolina being at three and three and in full
contention here in the NFC South, that is a big
surprise and look at ric O'doondell and this run game
that goes to show the investments that they made in
their offensive line have worked. And the fact that Dowdell
(25:52):
in the last two games has more than two hundred
and fifty total yards. This offense is working for Carolina
and dare we say they could be there in the
mix when it's playoff time in the NFC South.
Speaker 1 (26:04):
Our time for one more Judy, one more big surprise
so far at the one third point in the season.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Yeah, the renaissance of the New England Patriots. It's over.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
They have arrived.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
They are leading the AFC East, much to the dismay
of the other teams that are in the AFC East.
Drake May is blossoming right before our eyes. Each of
his three touchdown passes last week traveled more than twenty
yards in the air. They're getting contributions from a wide
receiver group that was really maligned over the last few seasons.
Stefan Diggs has had an immediate impact. Look at the
(26:38):
rest of their schedule. It is very, very manageable. Do
not be surprised if we get into late December and
we are talking about the Patriots as a playoff team.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
For more Judy surprises, go to NFL dot com slash
Batista for her full article. Steve, great stuff. As always,
We will see you again soon.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
For now, I well, it was not exactly great stuff
for the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday.
Speaker 8 (27:03):
I was there at MetLife Stadium. We came into it
talking about the offense.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
We left talking about the offense and the defense and
the whole thing. Back to back losses, which has been
a rarity for the champs. Here is how Nick Sirianni,
their head coach, responded to two rough weeks in Philly.
Speaker 16 (27:22):
You know, adversities are going to happen. They happen for
every team in the NFL. They happened for every team,
They happened for every person, and you can really look
back on, you know, you think back on your old
experience as you look back at adversities that we've had.
I'm thankful for those. You know, obviously this is a
new year and new things, but I'm thankful for twenty three.
(27:44):
I'm thankful for how twenty four started off because it
put us in a position to do what we ultimately
wanted to accomplish our goal last year. So you know,
That is a mindset that is really critical to have.
That adversities that.
Speaker 17 (27:59):
You go through.
Speaker 16 (28:02):
Make you stronger. If you allow it to.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Two straight losses for the Philadelphia goes three times that
for the New York Jets. Three times two. That's six
zero and six for the Jets. Meanwhile, a lot of
teams have been looking at their roster and going, hey,
you know who'd be pretty good for us? How about
Breese Hall? They're starting running back. Aaron Glenn, the head coach,
has heard the rumors. He has been asked about the rumors,
and today he responded to those trade rumors.
Speaker 13 (28:27):
Go ahead, you said before the season, you were pretty
emphatic about not wanting to trade Greese Hall.
Speaker 10 (28:33):
All of a sudden, we're getting closer to the dead.
Rumors are running ramped again. But what's your position?
Speaker 8 (28:37):
Then?
Speaker 10 (28:38):
They're rumors still feel the same way.
Speaker 18 (28:41):
Thanks pistol formation, So we to throw nowhere to go now,
middle of the field, bobble Dad picked off. That'll go
on Chuley's record, but that is not on him. I
think that was Julian Hill that bobbled that ball, and
(29:03):
that is Tony Jefferson that comes up with the interception.
Good things happen when Tony's on the field.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
DJ, you know you're doing something special at the age
of thirty three, when you've earned the unk nickname and
you're still making plays like that. That is what Chargers
safety Tony Jefferson is doing when he's not stopping by
and chatting with us on the Insiders, Tom Pilicero and
Judy Battista. Tony always great to see you, man. Let's
start right there with that play. I don't want to
(29:31):
say anything's gift wrapped. I know every takeaway is hard
in the NFL, but just take me through from your
vantage point what exactly happened on that play.
Speaker 19 (29:41):
Honestly, just doing my job, doing my responsibility. They always
say good things happen when you run to the ball,
and that's really what I was doing there, and shout
out to our pass rush. Shout out to tar Heep
Stale with great coverage. He really kind of made the
play for me. I just had to finish it.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
But that was your second interception this season. You haven't
had an interception since twenty eighteen, and you haven't had
two in a season since twenty fifteen, ten years ago.
You're thirty three years old. And in your eleventh season,
why are you finding the.
Speaker 8 (30:14):
Ball so well right now? Well, quite honestly, I'm just
hitting my prime.
Speaker 19 (30:20):
So that's why it looks like that I'm making more
plays now. But I'm feeling good mentally. I feel like
I'm ahead of the game. Everything's kind of slowed down
to me a little bit, you know. I guess I
kind of cheated from being in the scout being a
scout and being in the in the film room a lot.
I got to watch a lot of football and then
(30:41):
coming back, you know, let my body rest and then
just out there making plays and envisioning the stuff that
I saw when I was scouting and putting it out
to tests.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
I remember I bumped into you. I think it was
at the combine two years ago when you were just
getting started out. Whoever introduced us was like, oh, you
know Tony Jefferson, he scout now for the Ravens. That's
two years ago. That's like this whole other career change
you went through. Is there ever a moment after a game,
after you play a whole bunch of snapsh you're like, man,
I could get back to watching that tape instead of
play in this game.
Speaker 19 (31:14):
No, I'm feeling way too good right now, Like I
feel like taking that year off when I was scouting
just did so much benefit from my body. And again,
just watching so much tape, I find I kind of
felt myself sometimes I was supposed to be watching a
player and I ended up watching schemes and it's kind
(31:35):
of helping me out as I'm playing.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Well, let's talk about this season the Chargers are having.
You had sort of a weird start to the schedule.
You played the first three games against your division rivals,
your three division rivals, you won all of them. You've
had some injuries, but why should we think that this
might be a different season for the Chargers that haven't
won the division since two thousand and nine. I think
(31:59):
why could it be different for the Chargers this year?
Speaker 8 (32:04):
Just based off of resiliency.
Speaker 19 (32:06):
I know everybody wants to speak on the injuries, but
to be honest with you, injuries are happening all over
the league, and we know here we have a next
man up mentality and we're using that and guys are
stepping up and understanding that you're here for a reason,
and when you're out there, everybody believes in you. We
believe in you, so go out there, have the confidence
(32:28):
and the will power to will it out. And you know,
like I said, this is this is the National Football League.
Everybody's dealing with something every week and that's just what
it is. And then having the guys in the room
who our leaders are. We have great leaders who can
provide us with you know, the right things to say
and everything to have us ready to go each week
and taking care of our bodies.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
You've played for the Harbors for a long period of time,
we always see Jim Harbaugh and things are going well.
Who's got it better than us? When you go through
a hard stretch. What does Jim Harbaugh do to try
to get that thing headed back the right direction?
Speaker 5 (33:03):
Uh?
Speaker 19 (33:03):
I think we stay composed, stay stay according to plan,
no panic. We we fix our fix our mistakes and
we just we just hit it full forward and nobody
really like I said, just don't panic. You know what
I'm saying, it's a long season. We have the guys
in the room, we have the right coaches, right staff.
Everybody believes in each other and it's really it's really
(33:26):
no rah rah screaming or anything. Everybody's just coming together
as one fixing the issues.
Speaker 8 (33:30):
Unlet's move forward.
Speaker 3 (33:32):
You're facing the hottest team in the NFL this weekend,
the Indianapolis Colts that got the number one rushing offense.
Daniel Jones has come out of nowhere to be one
of the best quarterbacks in the league. When you have
watched them, can you explain why they have burst onto
the scene as dramatically as they have?
Speaker 19 (33:52):
Very good, good football team all around, all phases. I
send the special teams meetings. They're hot, they're too, they're good,
defensive great.
Speaker 17 (34:01):
And then.
Speaker 19 (34:04):
Daniel Jones, man I was. I was his teammate in
twenty two when I was in New York. That dude's fiery,
very competitive, he has the arm strength. He led us
to the Divisional Divisional game, Divisional playoff game, so I
know Daniel Jones is good. And then obviously Jonathan Taylor
had the rushing title before. This kid really knows how
to play ball. Then you have their rookie tight end
(34:26):
who's I think he's a leading receiver for tight ends
in the league.
Speaker 8 (34:31):
And they know.
Speaker 19 (34:34):
Their head coach knows how to get their playmakers of ball.
So we know we have our hands cut out for us.
But at the end, of the day. We want to
go out there and play our brand of football. Put
our brand of football on tape, and we'll see what
happens from there.
Speaker 1 (34:45):
So well, now that you're getting these turnovers, Tony, I'm
sure you got to cook up some additional types of celebrations.
I want to go back to one you did last week.
I remember some of those moments back in my college
days or maybe you know, I was working a certain
beverage container, handing out the drinks to everybody. Can you
can you just tell me what exactly you were doing
to celebrate there?
Speaker 6 (35:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 19 (35:05):
Man, like you said, it's been a while since I
got the interception thing going, so I wanted to make
a memorable one.
Speaker 8 (35:13):
Really. At the end here, you can see the hips there.
Speaker 19 (35:15):
You know, I used to be in a lot of
Kintignetta's back in the day, you know, Main Chambalaine. You
know I got the hips, So I just wanted to
showcase the hips a little bit after that. May or
may not have been tequila in the cup, could have
been grape juice, apple juice, doesn't matter. I just wanted
to showcase the hips at the end there.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
I'll tell you this, Tony, Unless there's tequila in that cup.
You're not getting my hips moving either. I totally feel you. Man.
Keep getting those ticks, man, keep doing your thing. We
appreciate the time, dude. Good luck the rest of the season.
Thank you, appreciate you guys. If you've ever dreamed of
having any perfect fantasy lineup, well this would have been
it for Week six. Big days for George Pickens, Drake London,
(35:55):
the Rams defense as well. If you've ever dreamed of
having the worst case lineup or been managing one of
my current teams, this is what that would have looked like,
including a couple of shutouts pitched. Last night, I had
a really weird dream involved me taking a water slide
to the press box. I need better dream now for Marcus.
(36:15):
My words with our guy, Marcus grant me, Tom Hillicero
and Ian Rappaport. All right, Week seven, sleepers, Marcus, start
me off. Who should I think about putting in my
line up at quarterback?
Speaker 14 (36:27):
Let's go with the guy that used to be a
staple in fantasy lineups, and that's Aaron Rodgers. I mean, look,
most of the season has been sort of underwhelming. He
had the huge game in Week one. He threw four
touchdowns against the Jets. He was powered by Spike. Hasn't
really had that coming for him since then. But this
is a great matchup this week, going against the Cincinnati Bengals.
(36:47):
Five of the six starting quarterbacks against sincey have gone
for at least two hundred and fifty passing yards. The
only one who didn't was Carson Wentz still finishes a
QB twelve that week. So I like Aaron Rodgers and
a spot Even though it's not necessarily a petty party him,
the matchup should work in his favor.
Speaker 16 (37:02):
Well.
Speaker 2 (37:02):
Since we're talking about dreams, my dream last night was
that an agent sent me a text about a client
wanting to be traded, but I couldn't read it and
wouldn't put on my reading glasses.
Speaker 8 (37:11):
I don't even have reading glasses. Not sure what somebody
was trying to tell me.
Speaker 2 (37:14):
Anyway, why don't trigger us a running back version of
a sleeper mark?
Speaker 14 (37:20):
I'm guessing Quinchwn Judkins didn't really fit into that dream,
But we're gonna We're gonna squez him in here. For
a while, it looked like they were going to turn
him into a workhorse there in Cleveland. He was getting
about sixty percent of the snaps about eighty percent of
the rushing attempts. Last week, it was more of an
equal split with Jerome Ford, which seemed kind of confusing
because Judkins was playing well.
Speaker 1 (37:40):
I think they get back to that this week.
Speaker 14 (37:43):
Great matchup against the Dolphins, who have been shredded all
year long, but especially the last two weeks. Come out
of a doal going for a buck twenty four last week,
Reco Daubo going for over two hundred a couple of
weeks ago. So I think quinch On Judkins did a
big workload. It puts up a big number.
Speaker 1 (37:56):
The other part of my dream was that the NFL
was staging two games at once on adjacent fields, one
of them involving the Browns. Dylan Gabriel got pinched at
halftime and watched the second half with me while Shador
Sanders lit it up. This is all really part of
the dreamer and a wide receiver sleeper Marcts breaking on.
Speaker 14 (38:14):
I really want you guys to get better hobbies. I
don't know something, Let's go for she Rice here at
wide receiver and this is kind of a welcome back, right,
It's been a while since we've seen him. He's just
coming off the suspension. He got hurt early last season,
but in the three full games he played, had twenty
nine targets, turned that into twenty four catches for almost
three hundred yards and a pair of touchdowns. Now he
(38:35):
comes back, the Chiefs have been waiting for him and
a great matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, the fifth
best matchup for wide receivers. So I think you're gonna
see the Chiefs go to him early and often to
got to get him back in the flow this week.
Speaker 1 (38:46):
Hobbies, we need better hobbies. My hobby is playing golf.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
Couldn't play golf this past Tuesday because it was raining,
so I spend five hours moving boxes around my house
going where my wife told me to go. Not the
greatest hobby of all time, anyway, Why don't you give
us a sleeper defense, Mark.
Speaker 14 (39:01):
Let's go with the New England Patriots, in part because
they're very sneakily. They've been a good fantasy defense so
far this season. They're top seven Fantasy defense, five top
twelve weekly finishes. But the bigger part of it is
their opponent, going against the Tennessee Titans, averaging a league
low three point nine yards per play. They've given them
ball away ten times, that's the third most in the league.
(39:22):
Twenty five sacks allowed, that's tied for the most Saxon turnovers.
That's how you get points from your fantasy defense, and
I think the Patriots can get a number of both
of those things.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
This week at NFL dot com, slash sleepers for more
about my dream just gives me more of Marcus Grant's sleepers.
I haven't slept well, as you can clearly tell. Marcus.
Thank you very much. We will see you next Wednesday.
Stillmore to come here on this show, including well more
of us. How about this. We're on constantly basically all
(39:53):
the time. Tuesday's, Wednesdays, Fridays on the Network podcast five
days a week. It's on streaming platforms, all kinds of stuff,
and we appreciate you watching this one more after this
Bear's Saints on Sunday, A game begat a little spice
here with Caleb Williams playing well against Washington on Monday Night.
(40:15):
Back in twenty twenty one, Caleb was teammates with Spencer Rattler,
who Caleb Williams ultimately replaced On Sunday they will go
at it head ahead.
Speaker 6 (40:26):
I think it is what it is.
Speaker 18 (40:27):
You know, we all have our own paths, and you know,
we got to do our best with our own path
So it is what it is.
Speaker 17 (40:34):
You know.
Speaker 8 (40:35):
The pass is the past.
Speaker 10 (40:36):
We'll focus on the president in the future.
Speaker 18 (40:38):
But you know, I would say, yeah that that definitely
led me to South Carolina.
Speaker 14 (40:43):
It was a blessing in disguise.
Speaker 19 (40:44):
You know that I got to play with the game
Cocks and develop there and you know, get ready to
go to the league after that.
Speaker 3 (40:50):
All right, we're going to close out the show with
a little test. Ian. I'm going to start with you
because I know you like to think you're cool, and
I want to give you a chance.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
To prove that you are.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Do you know what six seven is?
Speaker 1 (41:03):
Yes, it means.
Speaker 2 (41:07):
It makes my kids laugh every time they say it,
and they do this all the time, so obviously it
means tom.
Speaker 1 (41:14):
Yes, my kids, every time I say six seven, they
do that, and they say it in a weird voice.
I don't really know what it means. But here's the thing.
I don't think they know what it means either. I
don't think anyone knows what it means. I don't think
it's a really much no anyway. Thanks for watching and
seeing
For the first time in NFL history, we have a
meeting of two forty something quarterbacks not named Brady and Breeze.
Hear what Aaron Rodgers has to say about his latest
meeting with Joe Flacco. A Thursday night feast that surely
will include pudding for dessert. The AFC West Race is
heating up, and we have both the co leaders represented
(00:29):
on the show tonight. Bronco star Nick Benito and Chargers
safety Tony Jefferson will join us ahead of a couple
of intriguing matchups on Sunday. Your fantasy waiver wire is
now closed. You probably got a bit on Camani Vidal.
Maybe that was just me, so who else is worth
plugging into your lineup? Marcus Grant will be here with
his Week seven sleepers that could keep your opponent up
(00:53):
at night. Welcome inside with the Insiders presented by Progressive
Insurance alongside he In Rappaport, Judy Matista, I am Tom Pelisero.
It is the eve of Week seven in the NFL. Amazingly,
Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco not on the injury report
ahead of what Cam Hayward has aptly dubbed the Icy
(01:13):
Hot Bowl in Cincinnati, but some other star players not
so lucky. Let's begin in San Francisco, where Brock Perty
and Mac Jones both practice on a limited basis today.
Kyle Shanahan said Mack is a little more limited than Perty.
No firm proclamations from Kyle of what direction this week's goes,
though that would seem to point toward another Max start
Sunday night against Atlanta. Whoever's out there at quarterback may
(01:35):
have another weapon, tight end George Kittle practicing for the
first time today since suffering a hamstring injury in Week one.
It'll officially limited on the injury report. We'll see exactly
how quickly they try to ramp him up. Meanwhile, Vikings
quarterback JJ McCarthy also practiced today for the first time
since his injury, a high ankle sprang back in Week two.
McCarthy officially listed as limited and acknowledged what I reported
(01:59):
on Sunday, which is that ankle is not yet one
hundred percent. Carson Wentz, dealing with a left shoulder injury,
was a full participant ahead of Ian a potential revenge
game Sunday against the Eagles, a.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Reveng's game for Carson Wentz and Eagles does seem to
be what's headed our way. Meanwhile, unclear what is headed
the way of Kyler Murray. The Arizona Cardinals still starting
quarterback who did not play last week. Scoby Presset played
pretty well in his absence. He was a limited participant
in practice today. Alista signed He's got a shot to
play on Sunday, but more information coming. Meanwhile, the Tampa
(02:34):
Bay Buccaneers did not practice Day A. Mecca Bouga is
dealing with a hamstering injury. Like Whoul, not a practice
and my understanding, not expected to play Monday against the
Detroit Lions. It seems like every Bucks receiver has been hurt,
which sort of has been the case. But maybe they
get Mike Evans Leaves back at practice this week to
give them Judy a little better injury outlook at that position.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Well, there is a better injury outlook in Washington because
Terry McLaurin is back at practice this week after missing
two games with a quad injury. He is listed as
limited today, but if he has a good week of practice,
he could be ready to go against the Cowboys on Sunday.
He has just ten receptions in three games this season,
but the Commanders have a string of high scoring offenses.
(03:19):
They are about to face Cowboys, Chiefs, Seahawks, Lions, but
they could certainly use mccluuren out there and healthy to
keep up with those offenses.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Tom Jeez wide receiver receive Rice is also back his
six game suspension over returning to practice today, and while
Rice's role on Sunday against the Raiders is still a
little bit in flux, Andy Reid did say Rice will
be out there listen.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
I think he's excited to be back in and going,
you know. I think getting through practices here will be
good for him to kind of get back into the
swing of things and we'll see how everything goes from there.
But he's been working hard, is in good shape.
Speaker 5 (04:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (04:01):
I mean, he don't want to be out there every
single play. I mean, that's the mentality that he has.
I think it's gonna be our job as teammates and
coaches to kind of build him back the right way.
But it's gonna be hard to keep him off the
field for sure.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
The Los Angeles Rams Puka Naku suffered an ankle injury
right there, tried to come back in the game did
come back in the game, couldn't do very much and
then exit of the game. Is expected to miss the
Week seven game against the Jacksonville Jaguar. Sean McVay has
not for sure for sure said that, but my understanding
is he is more doubtful than otherwise. Certainly, the Rams
(04:37):
have the possibility or maybe likehood, of not being.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Without their best player.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
They do have a buye in the next week, Judy,
so he does have the opportunity to rest and get
back healthy.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
One more piece of wide receiver injury news see d
Lamb back at practice for the first time since he
suffered a high ankle sprain very early in the Week
three game. He was listed as limited. Today. Brian Schottenheimer
indicated that he is trending in the right direction to
be able to play against the Commanders this Sunday. Schottenneimer
was asked what he needs to see for CD to play,
(05:08):
and he joked, if he's breathing, I'm good.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Tom. The Dolphins one in five entering Sunday's game against
the Browns and their quarterback to a Tunga Balloa doing
a little moon walk. Back on some comments he made
on Sunday essentially impugning everyone in the organization, saying the
players have been late to or no shows the players
only meetings, saying that the leadership needs to be better
to it today back at the podium, taking accountability for
(05:33):
his own leadership failure.
Speaker 7 (05:35):
You know, for myself, I got to look at myself
as the leader protecting the team. I don't feel like
I did that to the best of my abilities. I
felt like I let the emotions of the game get
to me after the game. And you know that's something
that I can learn from as a leader on this team,
and what happens in house should be protected and none
(05:58):
of that should have gotten out.
Speaker 8 (05:59):
And so want to.
Speaker 7 (06:00):
Publicly apologize about that. I want to move forward and
now I want to focus on the Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Not what you want when you've got a critical game
to stay afloat and relevant. Ian as your quarterback at
his weekly press conference before a week seven game, apologizing
for basically everything that he said postgame on Sunday. There
are a couple issues here. One remember that I understand
this has been a non issue in Miami. There's not
a bunch of these players only gatherings. There's not an
(06:26):
issue with tardyness, but also the fact that, by the
vague nature of his comments, it pointed the finger at
the entire locker room, the head coach, everybody else. What
do you make of how Tua has handled this and
what it means for Miami moving forward.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, first of all, it does seem like what he's
talking about is some players only film sessions like on
Thursday's for Insurance two gets together with the receivers. There's
times when the defensive players get together themselves. Might have
be Eve been talking about some defensive players missing some
of those meetings. It's not clear, but as you mentioned,
he kind of just says makes it seem like everyone
and is kind of missing them when we don't even
(07:01):
know that's the reality. But yes, it is to a
coming back and apologizing, which I guess is a good thing, right.
I mean, it's better than him saying I did nothing wrong,
but it's all fine, and yes, certain things should stay
in house. But really, what he has done, Judy, is
he has take a difficult trying season and cranked it
up to like eleven. Because if the eyeballs weren't on,
(07:22):
the Dolphins are ready, which they were, if the discussions
of Mike McDaniel's job status weren't happening already, which they were,
They're all happening even more now with what is at
the very best a misguided reference. He wasn't even asked
about anything like this post game. And here's what else
I would say, Judy is if two wants to be
a leader, there are ways to be a leader. But
(07:44):
if you're not, just don't be. It's okay. Just be
the quarterback. Not all quarterbacks are leaders. Trying to be
all things, trying to be the leader, trying to send
a message to teammates or may may not need to
have this message doing it publicly. It's all bad and
we will see how the Dolphins respond on the field.
And if it's not a good response on the field,
(08:05):
then this situation now is.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Going to get a lot worse.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Times one hundred, I am a lot more interested in
what Tua perceived was going on that caused him to
go off like that in public and call out essentially everybody,
not whether other people think there was a problem or
there wasn't a problem with people showing up late. I
am interested in what Tua perceived as the issue, because
(08:28):
certainly with his comments. He pulled back the curtain on
at least the starting quarterback being concerned about his teammates'
commitment to the football team, to the game, to preparation.
And if he perceives that to be a problem, it's
a problem. Whether anybody else in the building thinks it's
a problem or not, it's a problem because he then
(08:49):
has a problem with his teammates. And this is the
kind of thing that we know. It happens in locker
rooms with losing teams. There is sniping. Usually it is
kept behind closed doors. This time, of course, to through
the doors wide open so we could all see it.
But certainly this is indicative of issues in the Miami
(09:10):
Dolphins that frequently crop up when teams are struggling. And
I am fascinated by the fact that Tua proceeds that
there are issues going on that so frustrated him. A
guy who is so measured, usually very careful about what
he says, usually pretty upbeat in public conversation. For him
to go off like that, I am fascinated by his
(09:33):
level of frustration.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
The primary issue for the Dolphins right now is that
their quarterback is apologizing publicly for things that he said
and apologizing directly to his teammates at a critical juncture
again in their season. Oh, by the way, the Dolphins
owe to a fifty four million dollars fully guaranteed in
twenty twenty six Thursday Night, we got Joe Flacco, we
(09:55):
got Aaron Rodgers, we got the Steelers and the Bengals.
Thursday Night Football Prime Video. Only three other times NFL
history if to forty something year old quarterbacks squared off.
Both of those were Drew Brees and Tom Brady back
in twenty twenty, which makes this sort of a novelty,
don't you think, Aaron.
Speaker 9 (10:13):
Yeah, I think it's great. Great for all the old guys.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
You know.
Speaker 9 (10:18):
I know that when I watch other sports. Maybe it's
because I'm the older guy, but I tend to pull
for the older guys to win, to win championships. I've
been friends with Steph for a long time. Steph is
one of the older guys in the NBA. Now there's
any time to Warriors are playing, I'm always pulling for
Steph to ball out for them to win. But it's great.
(10:39):
I mean, I've known Joe for a long time. He's
been great coming to my charity event, He's been a
great ambassador for the league. He's had a great career,
and it's fun that we're both still playing.
Speaker 10 (10:50):
The youngest quarterback.
Speaker 11 (10:52):
Yeah, yeah, it's one thing you guys can't talk about
this week in terms of me being older at least,
but it's it's pretty neat. I mean, Aaron's been in
the league a few years longer than me, but we
both started playing in two thousand and eight, so someve
been doing it for a long time.
Speaker 8 (11:06):
It's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Time now for good coverage presented by Progressive Insurance. The
Falcons defense. They've been a part of this segment before,
allowing one hundred and thirty nine point four passing yards
per game so far this season, the fewest allowed by
any team in a season since the Miami Dolphins in
nineteen eighty two. That is your good coverage presented by
Progressive Insurance. Know by the way, there might have been
(11:29):
a workstop as they contributed to that statistic for those
Dolphins as welcome in our Brian Ball here as well
as my friend Steve White here. Nice to be joined
on set in Los Angeles. Baldy, you've broken down the
tape coming off of a really impressive show and by
the Falcons a huge win for them over the Bills.
Speaker 12 (11:44):
What do you see, well, a couple of things. I
see a couple of things that they can really hang
their hat on. They're excellent at running the football. We
saw Bijon, Tyler Algier and then Jeff Ulbrick is doing
a fantastic job defensively. They've given up the fewest yards
in the league. They're up there in sacks, a lot
of different things and showed up all, you know, keep
a buffalo on only fourteen points, the lowest point total
(12:05):
of the year.
Speaker 8 (12:05):
But this is what I'm talking about in the run game.
Speaker 12 (12:07):
I mean, you look at right here, Matthews and Bergarn
and Noosel and Lynch troum hat on a hat and
let Bijeon go thro his magic as he jumps to
a hoop right there and bounces off defenders. And it
was the same thing right here. You look at their
ability right here to get to the.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Second level to block the linebackers.
Speaker 12 (12:25):
All five guys including Wilkinson, block the five most dangerous
guys and now let Tyler Alsier go through their twenty
two yards for the opening touchdown of the game. And
it was the same thing going to the right. Actually
at moving the line of scrimmage and watching building this
wall here, and all Bejeon is looking for is daylight,
and that's what they give. You give Bejon or al'sier
daylight like this, they're going to carve you up. They
(12:47):
lead the league in rushing yards per game. Right now,
when you get to old Brick like, these kind of
pressures on third down are awesome, Devin Diablo t offered,
like they all come through, like Josh Mike get away
from one.
Speaker 8 (12:59):
He's not going away from three.
Speaker 12 (13:01):
And then this fourth and two blitz right here with
Ellis and aj Terrell coming off the edge. Josh sees it,
he feels it. He's got a free hitter coming out
him on fourth and two. I mean, this is what
Josh is doing. He's just flipping the ball away. That's
as good as a turnover offense comes out takes the
field in that position right there. It's got some things
that are going on both sides of the ball here, Steve,
(13:22):
right now that you can hang your hat on that
the Falcons can build upon.
Speaker 13 (13:26):
Hey, Baldy, isn't interesting that Tom side of the stat
In nineteen eighty two like back in our heyday, like.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
They knew we were coming.
Speaker 13 (13:32):
On this segment, I want to get to the Falcons
and their defense, Bald. This is a team with fourteen sacks.
That was a big question. Can the Falcons get pressure
on the quarterback? And you just highlighted the fact that
Jeff Olbreck is dialing up a.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Lot of different pressures.
Speaker 13 (13:46):
They've got fourteen sacks, but nobody has more than two
point five. But you have eleven players with at least
a half of a sack, So everybody is getting pressure
on the quarterback and that is largely because they've got
two linebackers. You single them out, Cayden Ellis and Divine
Diablo who can run like the win and arrive there
with Fury. Being able to have those types of players
(14:09):
on the second level allows him to do some things
on the back end and up front and be creative
with their pressures. Raheem Morris told me during training camp
that Divine Diablo as a player we're going to be
talking about a lot throughout the season. He's been around
the league for a while, but they've done some things
to unlease his athletic ability and his versatility that are
showing up big time on one of the best defenses
(14:31):
in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
Play Baby Berbert in the pocket, He's going to be
hit by Bonito and down inside the ten Banito came
scream into the blind side of Herbert. Heard some third
down will be grafted by Bonito, spun to the turf,
and there's another sack.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
The fourth sack of the game for the Broncos.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
War takes a shotguns snap designed role of the left.
Speaker 8 (14:54):
He's in trouble avoids one.
Speaker 14 (14:55):
He's going to be sacked back outside of the fifteen
yard liner.
Speaker 10 (14:58):
There's the first sack for Denver.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
Rush is four, Hurts bounces around is grad and Hurts
will go down and the sack back at the twenty
two yard line.
Speaker 6 (15:07):
The way Actually.
Speaker 5 (15:08):
Herbert will be hicked and down.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
He goes back at the sixth Butnito is just too quick.
You know you're having a good start to the season
when the highlights of your sacks through six weeks takes up.
Like Assauli admitted of the time that we've got here,
look at Nick Benito's stats across the board, up there
at the top in virtually every pass rushing category. Also
one of the leaders in appearances on the Insiders, which
(15:32):
he will increase that total right now with me, Tom
Pellicero as well as Ian Rappaport, Nick Benito, thanks so much,
dude for being here. A lot to get into it.
Let me just start with this. You have this kind
of gritty, grimy win against the Jets a few days
ago in London. Has the body and the brain adjusted
or you over whatever? Jet lag or anything else you got?
Speaker 15 (15:52):
No, Yeah, I made sure i get plenty of sleep
on the plane, so I'm well rested. I've got some
good sleep in the last two days and know what
kind of being louder days. So now I'm all well rested,
now ready to go.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
So we got a lot to get to about your
on field performance this year. There's a lot to like,
but I want to take a step back first. Obviously,
in this offseason, before the season started, you signed a
four year, one hundred and six million dollar deal one
twenty max seventy million guaranteed. And you always wonder, at
least I always wonder, what's the player going to be
like after he gets more money than he knows what
(16:27):
to do with, after generational wealth, and you responded with
what has been so far absolutely your best season.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Why is that?
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Why was that your sort of on field response to
getting paid.
Speaker 15 (16:42):
Yeah, I mean, you know, just looking back at last year,
I felt like I left a lot of you know,
meat on the ball when it comes to making plays
and stuff like that. You know, in the beginning, you know,
when I first kind of got that starting row, I
was kind of playing a little timid, you know, and
just making sure I was kind of just doing the
right thing. Got back to just and you know, the
type of ball like I can play. So just going
(17:03):
back and making sure that you know, I can get
better as some.
Speaker 10 (17:05):
Of those things. I feel like it's helped me a
lot this year.
Speaker 15 (17:08):
And obviously with everybody on the defense plane of the
way they are, and that's help a lot too.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
So so eight sacks through the first six games of
this season, you lead the NFL in that category. Your
teammate Pats Ertan, who knows a thing or two about
being a defensive Player of the Year, said recently, you
should be that guy for twenty twenty five. I know,
we got a ways to go. It's early, YadA, YadA, YadA,
But when you hear something like that from somebody as
accomplished as pat What.
Speaker 8 (17:33):
Does it mean to you?
Speaker 15 (17:35):
Yeah, No, it's real big. I mean, obviously he knows
what it looks like. You know, he's won the award
and he's one of the best players in our game,
if not the best defender, So you know, it's obviously
a huge honor coming from him.
Speaker 10 (17:48):
So yeah, I mean, I just got to keep going.
Like you said, it's a long season.
Speaker 15 (17:51):
I know, I still have room to grow my end
this game, So it's got to keep going on.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
You've got a bunch of big games this season. Two
and a half sacks was your biggest sack total. I'm
wondering when you're going through games like that, is there
some sort of zone you get into. Are you kind
of like like something that feels different as the tackle
move and solwer What are those games like when it's
really just full domination from the edge.
Speaker 10 (18:17):
Yeah, I think. You know, I'm kind of just like
a rhythm player for sure.
Speaker 15 (18:22):
I mean, it takes kind of just like one play
for me to make and you know, now and then
that's when I feel like I start getting on the heater.
Speaker 10 (18:28):
I've started seeing things a little bit quicker.
Speaker 15 (18:30):
I start just really feeling myself when it comes to
rushing the passer. And yeah, so I mean it kind
of just takes one of those players to happen where
I'm like, all right, like the time we go now,
and you know, it's been good for me so far.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
So I got a really hard hitting question for you here, Nick,
So people people nationally might not know exactly what your
sax celebration is. I every time I see it think
it's something smells in this room, everybody get away. What
is the actual meaning of that sack celebration?
Speaker 8 (18:59):
Good question.
Speaker 15 (19:00):
Well, I wouldn't even say that's mine. It was wards
that we played them. He used to always do it
in college, so I thought like it would be like
a little funny thing to throw him a little bit
if I got a sack on him.
Speaker 10 (19:11):
So I know social media liked it a lot.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Well, when you're talking about celebrations, social media liking a
lot is absolutely the barometer. So you might have to
keep that going. I want to talk about your defensive coordinator.
We just had I know, Vance Joseph. You obviously would
like him to stay in Denver, but we just had
a job open up the Titans job. He is going
to be a candidate for open head coaching jobs. A
(19:36):
lot of people obviously remember his tenure as a head
coach before here.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
What has been like playing for Vance?
Speaker 2 (19:43):
And is he the kind of guy you could see
being a head coach again?
Speaker 10 (19:48):
No, one thousand percent I could see it.
Speaker 15 (19:49):
I mean, just not even talking football wise, just he's
a guy where he just can motivate anybody that's playing
for him. I know he's helped me a lot in
my career, just helping me with my confidence. They're helping
me grow in slarn areas. And you can look that
way with a lot of the guys that have come
in here that have taken such big steps under him
and in the defense and being able to play at
(20:09):
such a high level and such with high confidence. So
I know the type of leader he is, and you know,
I'll really be excited from it. You know that day
did come and where he left and became a head coach,
and you know, I know, I know everybody in the
locker room would.
Speaker 10 (20:21):
Be as well.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
So you're facing a Giants team this week that's coming
off of probably the biggest win for that franchise in
three years. Everybody's excited. They watch Jackson Dart. They watched
Cam Scattabu ripping off his shirt on the postgame interview said,
when you watch those guys on tape, what do you
see and how do you get after him this week?
Speaker 8 (20:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 15 (20:40):
Scheme aside, they play hard, man, I mean everybody on
that team, especially on the offensive side, when watching them,
I mean they're trying to fight for every inch on
the field. Scataboo, like you mentioned, Man, he's trying to
run over at any and everybody. So that's gonna be
a guy we're gonna have to get all you know,
it has the ball with him and obviously Dark you
know he's brought like different energy since he's gotten the
lineup too, so you know, it's really exciting what they're doing.
(21:02):
It's gonna be a real good opportunity for us to
show our physicality against a team like that.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
I love the diplomatic way of saying, we are going
to absolutely kick the crap out of these guys. They're
really good. Young guys there are young they don't know
any better, but we're gonna show them the physicality. I'm
gonna start throwing that line myself, Nick Man, keep it rolling,
Stay healthy, dude. We appreciate the time, so thank you, guys.
A lot more to come on the show, including a
look at some of the biggest surprises of twenty twenty
(21:31):
five so far. How about those Panthers. We're throwing it
and running it for the backup running back, a rookie
receiver making some plays. Judye Matista's back with us and
Steve Whitch to talk big surprises. Right after this on
The Insiders presented by Progressive Insurance, London is calling Light
(21:57):
at time. Play for the man that you don't be.
Speaker 10 (21:59):
Just gave sixty minutes.
Speaker 8 (22:00):
Don't don't do.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
What's a great brother?
Speaker 5 (22:02):
Stafford, He hitched the buttet hints a cut down.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
That was a dog up.
Speaker 1 (22:11):
Touchdown into the echo.
Speaker 16 (22:18):
Touch down.
Speaker 14 (22:19):
Jason Way, We'll see you in wimbley down Low.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Team time gonna be a good time. Sunday morning on
NFL Network, the Rams and the Jaguars facing off in London.
The Jaguars go so often that I think Trevor Lawrence
actually has dual citizenship.
Speaker 10 (22:42):
It's fun, you know, It's it's fun being over here.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
It really is.
Speaker 17 (22:44):
You know, at first, when I came here in twenty one,
it's kind of crazy, you know, coming out here for
the first time, you don't know what to expect, and
you're coming out for one game. I think we're here
for like two and a half days and such a
long trip, and it's a it's a quick turnaround, and
but once you do it and then you come back,
and it starts to feel like, you know, I don't
want to say, like a second home. But for us,
(23:04):
we're so used to coming here at the Grove and
all the employees are so friendly and nice, and seeing
all the fans and the experience of the games playing
in the two stadiums. The two stadiums are incredible. It's
just it's a cool atmosphere to play in. And we've
kind of gotten used to the whole travel deal and
stuff like that, so it's not as big of a
big of a deal for us now. And I just
enjoy it. I mean, it's fun being over here, and
I think it's a good opportunity for our team to
(23:26):
just come closer together. We spend a lot of time together.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Welcome back to the Insiders, presented by Progressive Insurance, Tom Pilli,
Sero Steve Witch here in La joined once again by
our Judy Batista. Judy let's talk some of the biggest
surprises so far in the twenty twenty five NFL season.
What's something on your list?
Speaker 3 (23:46):
First of all, the Indianapolis Colts are the biggest surprise
in the league so far. They have the best record
in the AFC, the number one scoring offense, the number
four scoring defense. Jonathan Taylor is the league leading rusher.
Daniel Jones is having a career renaissance. He's completing almost
seventy two percent of his passes, playing really cleanly. They
(24:06):
have a big test this week against the Chargers. But
nobody saw the Colts coming.
Speaker 8 (24:10):
At this point.
Speaker 13 (24:13):
No, Gerdy, No, nobody's saw the Colts coming at this point,
this at this point.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Of the season.
Speaker 13 (24:18):
But I want to go to Denver to the guy
that Tom and Ian just spoke to it, and that's
Nick Benito. When we talk about great pass rushes, we're
thinking about Max Crosby and Miles Garrett and TJ.
Speaker 8 (24:27):
Watt.
Speaker 13 (24:28):
But Benito is the guy who is leading the league
eight sacks. And what is surprising is the fact that
usually these guys get sacks and bunches. He's only had
one game where he hasn't had at least one sack.
That consistency and playing great against the run is why
he does need to be in the early part of.
Speaker 8 (24:45):
The Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Jerdy, how about a player that makes your list for
biggest surprises so far?
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Well, Baker Mayfield leading the MVP race is certainly a
huge surprise. Twelve touchdowns, one interception, but really, just go
back and walk this game against the Niners. That third
and fourteen play where he took off, got away from
a sack, scrambled and dove for the first down. That
is truly a quarterback putting a team that is depleted
(25:12):
by injuries on his back. This offense is roaring, and
he still has not played with his full complement of
wide receivers. That touchdown pass was to like his fifth
or sixth wide receiver. So when that offense gets healthy,
look out Baker Mayfield on his way to a potential MVP.
Speaker 13 (25:31):
Well, Jenny, Baker Mayfield is doing his thing for the Buccaneers.
Rico Dowdell and the Carolina Panthers are doing their thing.
With Carolina being at three and three and in full
contention here in the NFC South, that is a big
surprise and look at ric O'doondell and this run game
that goes to show the investments that they made in
their offensive line have worked. And the fact that Dowdell
(25:52):
in the last two games has more than two hundred
and fifty total yards. This offense is working for Carolina
and dare we say they could be there in the
mix when it's playoff time in the NFC South.
Speaker 1 (26:04):
Our time for one more Judy, one more big surprise
so far at the one third point in the season.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Yeah, the renaissance of the New England Patriots. It's over.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
They have arrived.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
They are leading the AFC East, much to the dismay
of the other teams that are in the AFC East.
Drake May is blossoming right before our eyes. Each of
his three touchdown passes last week traveled more than twenty
yards in the air. They're getting contributions from a wide
receiver group that was really maligned over the last few seasons.
Stefan Diggs has had an immediate impact. Look at the
(26:38):
rest of their schedule. It is very, very manageable. Do
not be surprised if we get into late December and
we are talking about the Patriots as a playoff team.
Speaker 1 (26:48):
For more Judy surprises, go to NFL dot com slash
Batista for her full article. Steve, great stuff. As always,
We will see you again soon.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
For now, I well, it was not exactly great stuff
for the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday.
Speaker 8 (27:03):
I was there at MetLife Stadium. We came into it
talking about the offense.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
We left talking about the offense and the defense and
the whole thing. Back to back losses, which has been
a rarity for the champs. Here is how Nick Sirianni,
their head coach, responded to two rough weeks in Philly.
Speaker 16 (27:22):
You know, adversities are going to happen. They happen for
every team in the NFL. They happened for every team,
They happened for every person, and you can really look
back on, you know, you think back on your old
experience as you look back at adversities that we've had.
I'm thankful for those. You know, obviously this is a
new year and new things, but I'm thankful for twenty three.
(27:44):
I'm thankful for how twenty four started off because it
put us in a position to do what we ultimately
wanted to accomplish our goal last year. So you know,
That is a mindset that is really critical to have.
That adversities that.
Speaker 17 (27:59):
You go through.
Speaker 16 (28:02):
Make you stronger. If you allow it to.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Two straight losses for the Philadelphia goes three times that
for the New York Jets. Three times two. That's six
zero and six for the Jets. Meanwhile, a lot of
teams have been looking at their roster and going, hey,
you know who'd be pretty good for us? How about
Breese Hall? They're starting running back. Aaron Glenn, the head coach,
has heard the rumors. He has been asked about the rumors,
and today he responded to those trade rumors.
Speaker 13 (28:27):
Go ahead, you said before the season, you were pretty
emphatic about not wanting to trade Greese Hall.
Speaker 10 (28:33):
All of a sudden, we're getting closer to the dead.
Rumors are running ramped again. But what's your position?
Speaker 8 (28:37):
Then?
Speaker 10 (28:38):
They're rumors still feel the same way.
Speaker 18 (28:41):
Thanks pistol formation, So we to throw nowhere to go now,
middle of the field, bobble Dad picked off. That'll go
on Chuley's record, but that is not on him. I
think that was Julian Hill that bobbled that ball, and
(29:03):
that is Tony Jefferson that comes up with the interception.
Good things happen when Tony's on the field.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
DJ, you know you're doing something special at the age
of thirty three, when you've earned the unk nickname and
you're still making plays like that. That is what Chargers
safety Tony Jefferson is doing when he's not stopping by
and chatting with us on the Insiders, Tom Pilicero and
Judy Battista. Tony always great to see you, man. Let's
start right there with that play. I don't want to
(29:31):
say anything's gift wrapped. I know every takeaway is hard
in the NFL, but just take me through from your
vantage point what exactly happened on that play.
Speaker 19 (29:41):
Honestly, just doing my job, doing my responsibility. They always
say good things happen when you run to the ball,
and that's really what I was doing there, and shout
out to our pass rush. Shout out to tar Heep
Stale with great coverage. He really kind of made the
play for me. I just had to finish it.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
But that was your second interception this season. You haven't
had an interception since twenty eighteen, and you haven't had
two in a season since twenty fifteen, ten years ago.
You're thirty three years old. And in your eleventh season,
why are you finding the.
Speaker 8 (30:14):
Ball so well right now? Well, quite honestly, I'm just
hitting my prime.
Speaker 19 (30:20):
So that's why it looks like that I'm making more
plays now. But I'm feeling good mentally. I feel like
I'm ahead of the game. Everything's kind of slowed down
to me a little bit, you know. I guess I
kind of cheated from being in the scout being a
scout and being in the in the film room a lot.
I got to watch a lot of football and then
(30:41):
coming back, you know, let my body rest and then
just out there making plays and envisioning the stuff that
I saw when I was scouting and putting it out
to tests.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
I remember I bumped into you. I think it was
at the combine two years ago when you were just
getting started out. Whoever introduced us was like, oh, you
know Tony Jefferson, he scout now for the Ravens. That's
two years ago. That's like this whole other career change
you went through. Is there ever a moment after a game,
after you play a whole bunch of snapsh you're like, man,
I could get back to watching that tape instead of
play in this game.
Speaker 19 (31:14):
No, I'm feeling way too good right now, Like I
feel like taking that year off when I was scouting
just did so much benefit from my body. And again,
just watching so much tape, I find I kind of
felt myself sometimes I was supposed to be watching a
player and I ended up watching schemes and it's kind
(31:35):
of helping me out as I'm playing.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Well, let's talk about this season the Chargers are having.
You had sort of a weird start to the schedule.
You played the first three games against your division rivals,
your three division rivals, you won all of them. You've
had some injuries, but why should we think that this
might be a different season for the Chargers that haven't
won the division since two thousand and nine. I think
(31:59):
why could it be different for the Chargers this year?
Speaker 8 (32:04):
Just based off of resiliency.
Speaker 19 (32:06):
I know everybody wants to speak on the injuries, but
to be honest with you, injuries are happening all over
the league, and we know here we have a next
man up mentality and we're using that and guys are
stepping up and understanding that you're here for a reason,
and when you're out there, everybody believes in you. We
believe in you, so go out there, have the confidence
(32:28):
and the will power to will it out. And you know,
like I said, this is this is the National Football League.
Everybody's dealing with something every week and that's just what
it is. And then having the guys in the room
who our leaders are. We have great leaders who can
provide us with you know, the right things to say
and everything to have us ready to go each week
and taking care of our bodies.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
You've played for the Harbors for a long period of time,
we always see Jim Harbaugh and things are going well.
Who's got it better than us? When you go through
a hard stretch. What does Jim Harbaugh do to try
to get that thing headed back the right direction?
Speaker 5 (33:03):
Uh?
Speaker 19 (33:03):
I think we stay composed, stay stay according to plan,
no panic. We we fix our fix our mistakes and
we just we just hit it full forward and nobody
really like I said, just don't panic. You know what
I'm saying, it's a long season. We have the guys
in the room, we have the right coaches, right staff.
Everybody believes in each other and it's really it's really
(33:26):
no rah rah screaming or anything. Everybody's just coming together
as one fixing the issues.
Speaker 8 (33:30):
Unlet's move forward.
Speaker 3 (33:32):
You're facing the hottest team in the NFL this weekend,
the Indianapolis Colts that got the number one rushing offense.
Daniel Jones has come out of nowhere to be one
of the best quarterbacks in the league. When you have
watched them, can you explain why they have burst onto
the scene as dramatically as they have?
Speaker 19 (33:52):
Very good, good football team all around, all phases. I
send the special teams meetings. They're hot, they're too, they're good,
defensive great.
Speaker 17 (34:01):
And then.
Speaker 19 (34:04):
Daniel Jones, man I was. I was his teammate in
twenty two when I was in New York. That dude's fiery,
very competitive, he has the arm strength. He led us
to the Divisional Divisional game, Divisional playoff game, so I
know Daniel Jones is good. And then obviously Jonathan Taylor
had the rushing title before. This kid really knows how
to play ball. Then you have their rookie tight end
(34:26):
who's I think he's a leading receiver for tight ends
in the league.
Speaker 8 (34:31):
And they know.
Speaker 19 (34:34):
Their head coach knows how to get their playmakers of ball.
So we know we have our hands cut out for us.
But at the end, of the day. We want to
go out there and play our brand of football. Put
our brand of football on tape, and we'll see what
happens from there.
Speaker 1 (34:45):
So well, now that you're getting these turnovers, Tony, I'm
sure you got to cook up some additional types of celebrations.
I want to go back to one you did last week.
I remember some of those moments back in my college
days or maybe you know, I was working a certain
beverage container, handing out the drinks to everybody. Can you
can you just tell me what exactly you were doing
to celebrate there?
Speaker 6 (35:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 19 (35:05):
Man, like you said, it's been a while since I
got the interception thing going, so I wanted to make
a memorable one.
Speaker 8 (35:13):
Really. At the end here, you can see the hips there.
Speaker 19 (35:15):
You know, I used to be in a lot of
Kintignetta's back in the day, you know, Main Chambalaine. You
know I got the hips, So I just wanted to
showcase the hips a little bit after that. May or
may not have been tequila in the cup, could have
been grape juice, apple juice, doesn't matter. I just wanted
to showcase the hips at the end there.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
I'll tell you this, Tony, Unless there's tequila in that cup.
You're not getting my hips moving either. I totally feel you. Man.
Keep getting those ticks, man, keep doing your thing. We
appreciate the time, dude. Good luck the rest of the season.
Thank you, appreciate you guys. If you've ever dreamed of
having any perfect fantasy lineup, well this would have been
it for Week six. Big days for George Pickens, Drake London,
(35:55):
the Rams defense as well. If you've ever dreamed of
having the worst case lineup or been managing one of
my current teams, this is what that would have looked like,
including a couple of shutouts pitched. Last night, I had
a really weird dream involved me taking a water slide
to the press box. I need better dream now for Marcus.
(36:15):
My words with our guy, Marcus grant me, Tom Hillicero
and Ian Rappaport. All right, Week seven, sleepers, Marcus, start
me off. Who should I think about putting in my
line up at quarterback?
Speaker 14 (36:27):
Let's go with the guy that used to be a
staple in fantasy lineups, and that's Aaron Rodgers. I mean, look,
most of the season has been sort of underwhelming. He
had the huge game in Week one. He threw four
touchdowns against the Jets. He was powered by Spike. Hasn't
really had that coming for him since then. But this
is a great matchup this week, going against the Cincinnati Bengals.
(36:47):
Five of the six starting quarterbacks against sincey have gone
for at least two hundred and fifty passing yards. The
only one who didn't was Carson Wentz still finishes a
QB twelve that week. So I like Aaron Rodgers and
a spot Even though it's not necessarily a petty party him,
the matchup should work in his favor.
Speaker 16 (37:02):
Well.
Speaker 2 (37:02):
Since we're talking about dreams, my dream last night was
that an agent sent me a text about a client
wanting to be traded, but I couldn't read it and
wouldn't put on my reading glasses.
Speaker 8 (37:11):
I don't even have reading glasses. Not sure what somebody
was trying to tell me.
Speaker 2 (37:14):
Anyway, why don't trigger us a running back version of
a sleeper mark?
Speaker 14 (37:20):
I'm guessing Quinchwn Judkins didn't really fit into that dream,
But we're gonna We're gonna squez him in here. For
a while, it looked like they were going to turn
him into a workhorse there in Cleveland. He was getting
about sixty percent of the snaps about eighty percent of
the rushing attempts. Last week, it was more of an
equal split with Jerome Ford, which seemed kind of confusing
because Judkins was playing well.
Speaker 1 (37:40):
I think they get back to that this week.
Speaker 14 (37:43):
Great matchup against the Dolphins, who have been shredded all
year long, but especially the last two weeks. Come out
of a doal going for a buck twenty four last week,
Reco Daubo going for over two hundred a couple of
weeks ago. So I think quinch On Judkins did a
big workload. It puts up a big number.
Speaker 1 (37:56):
The other part of my dream was that the NFL
was staging two games at once on adjacent fields, one
of them involving the Browns. Dylan Gabriel got pinched at
halftime and watched the second half with me while Shador
Sanders lit it up. This is all really part of
the dreamer and a wide receiver sleeper Marcts breaking on.
Speaker 14 (38:14):
I really want you guys to get better hobbies. I
don't know something, Let's go for she Rice here at
wide receiver and this is kind of a welcome back, right,
It's been a while since we've seen him. He's just
coming off the suspension. He got hurt early last season,
but in the three full games he played, had twenty
nine targets, turned that into twenty four catches for almost
three hundred yards and a pair of touchdowns. Now he
(38:35):
comes back, the Chiefs have been waiting for him and
a great matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, the fifth
best matchup for wide receivers. So I think you're gonna
see the Chiefs go to him early and often to
got to get him back in the flow this week.
Speaker 1 (38:46):
Hobbies, we need better hobbies. My hobby is playing golf.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
Couldn't play golf this past Tuesday because it was raining,
so I spend five hours moving boxes around my house
going where my wife told me to go. Not the
greatest hobby of all time, anyway, Why don't you give
us a sleeper defense, Mark.
Speaker 14 (39:01):
Let's go with the New England Patriots, in part because
they're very sneakily. They've been a good fantasy defense so
far this season. They're top seven Fantasy defense, five top
twelve weekly finishes. But the bigger part of it is
their opponent, going against the Tennessee Titans, averaging a league
low three point nine yards per play. They've given them
ball away ten times, that's the third most in the league.
(39:22):
Twenty five sacks allowed, that's tied for the most Saxon turnovers.
That's how you get points from your fantasy defense, and
I think the Patriots can get a number of both
of those things.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
This week at NFL dot com, slash sleepers for more
about my dream just gives me more of Marcus Grant's sleepers.
I haven't slept well, as you can clearly tell. Marcus.
Thank you very much. We will see you next Wednesday.
Stillmore to come here on this show, including well more
of us. How about this. We're on constantly basically all
(39:53):
the time. Tuesday's, Wednesdays, Fridays on the Network podcast five
days a week. It's on streaming platforms, all kinds of stuff,
and we appreciate you watching this one more after this
Bear's Saints on Sunday, A game begat a little spice
here with Caleb Williams playing well against Washington on Monday Night.
(40:15):
Back in twenty twenty one, Caleb was teammates with Spencer Rattler,
who Caleb Williams ultimately replaced On Sunday they will go
at it head ahead.
Speaker 6 (40:26):
I think it is what it is.
Speaker 18 (40:27):
You know, we all have our own paths, and you know,
we got to do our best with our own path
So it is what it is.
Speaker 17 (40:34):
You know.
Speaker 8 (40:35):
The pass is the past.
Speaker 10 (40:36):
We'll focus on the president in the future.
Speaker 18 (40:38):
But you know, I would say, yeah that that definitely
led me to South Carolina.
Speaker 14 (40:43):
It was a blessing in disguise.
Speaker 19 (40:44):
You know that I got to play with the game
Cocks and develop there and you know, get ready to
go to the league after that.
Speaker 3 (40:50):
All right, we're going to close out the show with
a little test. Ian. I'm going to start with you
because I know you like to think you're cool, and
I want to give you a chance.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
To prove that you are.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Do you know what six seven is?
Speaker 1 (41:03):
Yes, it means.
Speaker 2 (41:07):
It makes my kids laugh every time they say it,
and they do this all the time, so obviously it
means tom.
Speaker 1 (41:14):
Yes, my kids, every time I say six seven, they
do that, and they say it in a weird voice.
I don't really know what it means. But here's the thing.
I don't think they know what it means either. I
don't think anyone knows what it means. I don't think
it's a really much no anyway. Thanks for watching and
seeing
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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