September 4, 2025 • 44 mins
NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport Judy Battista & Mike Garafolo are joined by Brian Baldinger, Cam Wolfe, and Steve Wyche to preview Cowboys Eagles, Bengals Browns, Giants Commanders and Jets Steelers. Insiders delivered Amari Cooper retirement announcement, Nik Bonitto contract extension and Jets RG Alijah Vera-Tucker will miss the 2025 season with a Triceps injury. Omar Ruiz reports from Sou Paulo Brazil ahead of Chargers Chiefs matchup. Michael F Florio reveals his week one fantasy starts and sits.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
It's a sad Eagles Clive Super l fifty nine.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
It's not.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
We made it. We made it. It is a initially
game day on that field right there, Lincoln Financial Field,
the site of the biggest game of the season, the
only game of the season that will happen today, Cowboys
Eagles eight twenty tonight on NBC. We are going to
(01:18):
talk all about it. Welcome inside with the insiders, Ian Rappaport,
Judy Batista, our good friend Mike Garifolo, who is on
the grass in Lincoln Financial Field, getting ready to tell
us all about the game, which we will do in
one second. We've got a great show for you today.
We got all sorts of guests. We got Baldy joining
us on the field. We got a good friend, Cam Wolf,
(01:39):
we got Steve. Weish lots of talk about all of
the big time games this week, and we got at
Brazil update from our good friend Omar. We got a lot.
So we will start right there with Mike Garraffolo, whose
future is so bright that he's wearing sunglasses, which I
think is how it all goes. Mike, we got a
big game tonight, the biggest game tonight. We do egos Cowboys,
(02:02):
we've heard a little bit about it. Tell us what
we need to know just a couple hours before kickoff.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
You know what this game is like. If you are
the defending champions, you get the banner, you get the trophy,
you get the special guests, you get all of the
you know necessary accoutremont when that comes with this Thursday
night opener, Thank you Christine, my producer off she got
that one. But yeah, the crowd's gonna be hyped. You
add the Cowboys in on this one too as well.
(02:32):
You don't even need that to get the juices going
when you're the defending champions and you're getting the celebrated
on this field. But when you add the cowboys to
the mix, MIAs Micah Parsons, of course, you definitely get
the crowd going, You definitely get the team going. I
will be interested to watch what's gonna happen on the
sidelines over there as Jalen Hurts and the rest of
the guys who have spent the last couple of weeks
and months saying that's all over, time to look forward.
(02:53):
How they're going to react while the team Jeffrey Lori
and any special guests who are making it appears are
going to be celebrating, and they're showing clips of the
Super Bowl. These guys, Nick Sirianni another one. He's been
big about moving forward. Before they move forward, they will
take one last moment to celebrate. They do have that
banner up in the far end zone that is covered.
It will be unveiled. It'll be quite the scene here
(03:15):
in Philadelpia. There's already traffic, like five six hours before
the game, already traffic as folks are getting in and
getting tailgated, getting lubricated. Ian As they say, going to
be a scene here.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I am looking forward to seeing what the Cowboys look
like without MICHAELH. Parsons, right, I mean you figured that
the Eagles were going to run the ball anyway. I
think there's some rain in the forecast.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Sorry to tell you that, Mike Cara.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Follow but there's some possibility of rain in the forecast,
which would mean, I'm sorry, you have the sunglesses on
now it's fine, which would bean even more of an
emphasis on the running game, And of course that goes
directly to can the Dallas Cowboys stop the run? It
is all Jerry Jones talked about when he announced that
they were trading Michael Parsons that they needed to be
(03:59):
able to stop the run. They certainly could not stop
the Eagles run last year. They ran it all over
the place, a little under two hundred yards in each
of those games. So that is what I'm going to
be looking forward to in football terms. And You're right,
the NFL could not have thrown more gasoline on this
fire than by scheduling the Cowboys to open the season
(04:19):
for the banner raising.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
I almost can't believe that it is Eagles Cowboys. This
one is never the opener. I thought there was zero chance.
Now we get to see all this talk about both
these teams. What are they going to look like? Eagle's
got some new parts, including Mice, good friend Kevin Battoula,
as the OC Cowboys had a big departure, obviously Micah Parsons.
What do they actually look like with new coach Brian
schatt Eimer. I'm looking forward to all of that. What
(04:43):
I'm now looking forward to is the incident and insane
reaction to which every team doesn't win this game, which
I would expect from both fan bases. But we are
absolutely going to get on every network tomorrow morning, which
is always fun but not actually fun. But at least
they will have played a football game. We had some
news today. The Insiders had some news. Amari Cooper, the
(05:03):
Raiders star receiver who they signed just a week ago
in a dramatic homecoming, has informed the team that he
plans to retire not play this year. My understanding is
that when Amari Cooper started his ramp up, it just
didn't quite go as he wanted. Certainly did not feel
like he was ready to give the kind of commitment
(05:24):
that you would need to give. Look, he walks away,
Judy with five Pro Bowls, ten thousand yards, a lot
of receptions. What did you make of this news earlier
today with the Raiders losing Amari Cooper.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Well, my first thought is it leaves the Raiders pretty
bear at wide receiver. We actually talked about this earlier
in the week on The Insiders that you know, Jacoby
Myers is their number one receiver and he asked for
a trade.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
They said no.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
As Jacoby Meyers told us this week, they said no.
So he's there, but you know he's not particularly thrilled
about being there. Then they're going to have to lean
an awful lot on the rookies, Dante Thornton, who had
shown some big playability. You got Jack Beck there, You've
got some other people there, but there's only four wide
receivers on the roster right now.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
They've got three, i.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Believe on the practice squad, so they're going to certainly
have to make some moves. But for this to happen,
you know, three three days before the season opener, is
obviously rough timing. Although as you pointed out Ian he
was still trying to ramp up.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
He was signed so very late.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
He was only signed, you know, about ten days ago now,
so obviously he was still just ramping up and trying
to get into football shape. So they probably were not
counting on Amari Cooper to carry a heavy load in Week.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
One at least.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Still certainly a blow to the wide receiver corps, to
Gino Smith's group of targets, and again we should emphasize
Gino Smith's most important target is the tight end Rock Powers.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Judy doesn't sound like this is going to be something
where the Raiders, at least not initially, are going to
go out and say we got to find ourselves a
receiver and then you talked about the internal solutions potentially
being the case. This was just a situation where, yeah,
sure they would welcome him to have another veteran receiver there,
and he had been entertaining it for quite some time,
(07:12):
the chance to go back to the team with which
he started his career, and it did in his mind workout.
It just didn't work out physically for him once he
tried to get going here. So it's not like the
Raiders are in desperation mode looking for a receiver if
one comes across, certainly in the near future, or perhaps
if there's a need at the trade deadline or somehow
in contention. Yeah, that's a different story. But it's not
(07:32):
like from what I sound like, the Raiders are panicking
and say, we got to go out and find the
nearest veteran receiver we can, at least not initially.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Yeah, I'm not even sure Marie Cooper was going to
be active this week. In week one would have been
a really cool story peishing his career where he started.
But we don't get it, and Marie Cooper walks away
with an unbelievable resume. So kudos and congrats to him
should also say kudos and congrats to Nick Benito, the
Denver Broncos star edge rusher, earlier today agreed to terms
(08:02):
on a big time new contracts extension. Get a four
year deal. We're up to one hundred and twenty million
dollars at its max one hundred and six million dollars
based on more than twenty six million dollars per year
for Nick Benito in all prob just one year as
a starter, he cashes in, gets seventy million dollars guaranteed,
(08:23):
elected not to play it out, elected to take the
big bag of cash, and according to his Instagram today,
he is extremely, extremely excited about signing this contract, moving
on the field, and getting on the field with no worries.
So congrats to Nick Benito. Judy not that was good news.
It was not all good news today.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
No, it is probably never a good sign when the
head coach of a team makes an unexpected visit to
the media room to talk about injuries. And that is
what Aaron Glenn did today. He popped into the media
room on a day he was not expected to talk
and confirmed whatever everybody had feared that guard Elijah Vera
Tucker tore his triceps in practice earlier this week and
(09:06):
is out for the season. Aaron Glenn actually said it
is about a seven month recovery. Very tough break for
Vera Tucker, who is in the final year of his
rookie contract, and a pretty tough break for the New
York Jets too. He is arguably their best offensive lineman
and this is a team that really really wants to
be able to run the ball watch justin fields to
(09:26):
run as well. Glenn, in his very brief comments to
the media said they were still trying to figure out
the shuffle that's going to have to take place on
the offensive line.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
So we will see.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
They have course played the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and
we will see what kind of alignment they come out
with a practice tomorrow and then on seven.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Judy Seahawks general manager John Schneider was a guest on
The Insiders on Wednesday night, and we said, hey, any
contract extensions you might get done here in the next
couple of days, because we know this is the week
to do it. He goes, Oh, yeah, I'm totally going
to tell you what we're planning to do. Not well,
just a few hours later, here's Abe Lucas and the
Seahawks agreeing the terms in a three year, forty six
million dollar contract. The extension and a deal done by
(10:08):
Chase Callahan of Excel Football, who's done three big offensive
lineman deals recently. So this is a nice deal for
Lucas who has had some injury issues in the last
couple of years, played six games and then seven games
in the last two seasons. So it's a good deal
and it's short enough where if he stays healthy and
plays well, he'll get another big bite at the Apple
in a couple of years. So a good deal for
(10:28):
Chase Lucas and for Schneider who said maybe I'll break
the news and the insiders Nope, we got you John. Meanwhile,
we are getting ready for the game, the second ever
game in Brazil, previously the Eagles where I'm standing ou
if he'll prove the Eagles had played the Packers. Now
it is Chiefs and Chargers that is coming up on
Friday night on YouTube. Yeah, make sure you check this
(10:52):
one out because this rivalry, two divisional rivalries right off
the bat to get this season started. Eagles, Cowboys Tonight,
chief said Chargers on Friday Night. Our Omar Ruiz is
in Brazil.
Speaker 5 (11:04):
The Chiefs are in final preparation mode ahead of their
showdown Friday night against the LA Chargers here in sal Polo.
They arrived late last night, then held a walk through
at a local athletic club on fields normally reserved for rugby.
After practice, they met with the international media for press
conferences and interviews. About two hundred people in attendance. Of course,
there were questions about Taylor Swift, but mostly it was
(11:27):
about the Chiefs and their frequency in playing in these
high profile games in these huge spotlight type of environments.
Andy Reid says he feels privileged that the Chiefs are
looked at as ambassadors of sorts for the NFL, and
Patrick Mahomes said the game plan was put in before
they left Kansas City. Now it's all about fine tuning
and embracing that excitement about playing in this international spotlight.
(11:49):
Part of that offensive game plan will be related to
them playing with an aggressive style, and it's not just
about taking shots downfield, they said, even in the run game.
They want to have a mentality where they take shots
when they're there. They feel they have the offensive line,
the receiver room, and most importantly the quarterback to execute that.
It's the mentality they've tried to instill since the beginning
(12:10):
of OTAs and they look forward to unleashing that play
style tomorrow night. The Chargers, meanwhile, are holding a walkthrough
at the stadium tonight Corinthians Arena and then it's game
on Tomorrow night. And to help continue to build the
excitement here in sow Polo and set the scene for
tomorrow night's game both teams. Of course, the players and
coaches won't be involved, but both organizations are holding watch
(12:33):
parties here in sal Polo for the kickoff between the
Eagles and Cowboys.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
As if you weren't already looking forward to this, not
just this Sunday, but this first week of games. We
got eight divisional matchups. N they'll now messing around. One
great way to keep us engage. We'll just put a
football on TV that usually works. Eight divisional games against
teams you really really don't like each other and get
amped up anyway, is a perfect way to start week one.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
Game.
Speaker 7 (13:00):
We are going to.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Spotlight I don't know, let's see how about right now,
Brown's Bengals Big one. There's Joe Burrow, There's Joe Flacco,
A matchup of two quarterbacks who are actually kind of cool,
two good dudes, two gun slingers, two guys we are
going to hear from right now before we get into
analyzing what's coming for this game.
Speaker 8 (13:22):
Yeah, we really haven't had too many injuries from any
position group all camp.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
That's always positive.
Speaker 8 (13:28):
I think we've made some good additions throughout training camp
too to help bolster some units.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
And I think everybody's feeling good. Morale is good, everybody's excited.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
Ready to go.
Speaker 9 (13:37):
Yeah, I think anytime you open up against a division opponent,
it makes it you know, you don't want to say
that much more important because they're all important, but you
know these division games, you know they can be tough
and they're going to be a battle till the end.
So you just got to make sure you're ready to go.
And yeah, I think the way we prepare this we
(14:00):
will kind of tell tell us a lot about ourselves.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Welcome back to the Insiders with our good friends Cam
Wolf and Steve Wise. Cam you are covering this showdown
in week one. I should note, by the way, and
this is potentially important, Miles Garrett did not practice today
while the Browns were out in the field. He is
dealing with a hip injury. DNP nowhere yet on the severity.
Miles Garrett always seems to play if humanly possible, but
(14:28):
we will update you as we have more on how
Miles Garrett is doing. But Cam, I want to start
with you on the Cincinnati Bengals. What for you is
the most important thing going into this week one game?
Speaker 10 (14:41):
And we got to talk about the Cincinnati Bengals propensity
for slow starts. They are one and eleven in the
last six years under Zach Taylor in the first two
games and that's been all the all off season. Can
the Cincinnati Bengals start all strong?
Speaker 6 (14:56):
Look?
Speaker 10 (14:56):
We talked about their contracts with Jamar Chase and t
hig than Trey Hendrickson. They eventually got all of them done,
and Joe Burrow said this week the front office did
our job, did this job. Now is our time to
do our job. And they made some changes this offseason.
They played in the preseason things they haven't done before.
The offense had five series out there. They didn't do
(15:17):
joint practices to get more reps together, and the players
I talked to this week feel a different energy. Orlando Brown,
their left tackle, told me starting a mini camp. We
felt the coaches have a certain urgency of we're not
going to ease into the season as we have had previously.
In one of their cornerbacks, Cam Taylor, britt, I asked him,
what's that energy level look like?
Speaker 1 (15:38):
He said, We're going to be.
Speaker 10 (15:39):
Obnoxious, like a bad two year old who doesn't listen
watch us on game day. We're going to be in
the camera. We're gonna make them feel us. We're not
going to be the team that's going to get rolled over,
especially on defense. They know that slow starters hurt them
to get in the playoffs last year. They want to
anticipate it this year. And they also don't want Miles Garrett,
who you just mentioned to that game.
Speaker 11 (16:01):
Yeah, I can remember last year since an I'm sorry, Ian, No,
go ahead, Steve right, Oh remember last year? I mean
the Bengals open their season with a loss to New England,
and we know how the Patriots season panned out. Well,
a lot of people are thinking Cleveland's going to have
that same type of season that New England did. We'll see,
but getting a victory over the Bengals is something they
really hope to do and it's their defense. And you know,
the Miles Garrett issue is significant if he is not
(16:23):
able to play, because he has been a thorn in
the Bengals side. But one thing that keeps the Browns
and Jim Schwartz's defense in all games is this excellent
secondary with Denzel Ward and Grant Newsim corners. I'm sorry
Greg Newsom the corners, Grant delping it safety, Ronnie Hickman
at safety, but they've got to get pressure with Miles
Garrett and rookie defensive tackle Mason Grant. Remember he's the
(16:44):
one draft pick, the first draft pick that Browns made
that didn't get a lot of conversation in the preseason.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
He's going to have to set.
Speaker 11 (16:51):
Up Garrett, especially if he plays. And the Browns offense
has also got a factor into this by possessing the ball.
When these teams met in Week seven last year, it
was a really close game, in large part because the
Browns had a ten minute time of possession advantage. They
just had too many turnovers in a game that the
Bengals eventually won.
Speaker 10 (17:11):
I allimieve. First of all, I'll start with this. We
talked about Miles Garrett a little bit. I just got
a text from a contact from Cleveland who said they
felt like this is normal for Miles Garrett and they
have no worry about his availability for Sunday, So a
little bit of a sigh of relief every it seems
like that's going to be a non issue for the Browns.
As far as the quarterback situation, that's going to be
(17:31):
what we've had eyeballs on for Cleveland this entire offseason,
Shador Sanders, Dylan Gabriel. On Sunday, it is going to
be Joe Flacco, forty year old Joe Flacco. And for
those who are wondering why Kevin Stefanski and his offense,
Joe Flacco knows it better than anyone in that room,
and his comfort within it and running the operation is
exactly what Stefanski wants to see.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Blacko had a.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Moment this week where.
Speaker 10 (17:55):
He was joking with the coaches it'll be seventeen years
exactly Sunday since his first NFL start that was actually
against Cincinnati, and he said, I had a thirty or
eight yard touchdown run and maybe I still have some
of those wheels. Stefanskis said, we don't have tape that
goes back that far, so They know his game is
no longer the same as it was when he's a rookie,
but they know he's going to take care of the ball,
(18:16):
going to be in control of the offense. And look,
he is not the long term answer here, but they
think they're going to surprise some people early in the
season with how competitive they can be on offense with
Joe Flecko getting the ball to Jerry, Judy David and
Joku and some others. And it certainly helps that they're
going to have Miles Garrett out there on the field
for them on Sunday and.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Every year I sort of expect Joe Flacco to retire,
maybe consider retiring. He's always back out there, still throws
it like he's twenty seven. Yeah, maybe can't run, but
that was the guy who was pinpoint accurate in training.
Kept really looking forward to see what he is. And
this will be a very very fun one cam. You're
going to get a first hand look at it. Thank
you very much for joining us, Steve you of course
we'll be back, and we will be back right there.
(18:56):
Lincoln Financial Field decided tonight's showdown. We're coming up on
the inside.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
Welcome back to the insiders. That Kansas City Chiefs landed
in Brazil today in anticipation of their Friday night game
against the Chargers. Apparently, Travis Kelce was mobbed at the airport.
And then you see they got on the field for
a very light practice, just a little bit of a
jog crew get the muscles loosened after that.
Speaker 4 (19:23):
Very long flight.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Here's Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on the entire experience.
Speaker 7 (19:28):
We got the game plan in before we headed this
way and now we're just kind of fine tuning things.
And so we've had a plan for this all summer
long and now we're just ready to play football game.
Speaker 12 (19:38):
Then, Travis, what was last night like at the airport?
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Ah, Man, it was crazy.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
It was a lot of fun seeing all the fans there, and.
Speaker 13 (19:47):
He had that one coming for telling everybody I didn't
know where Brazil was on the mat. Now, you know,
it's a it's an exciting time. You know, you get
to hang out around the guys and the team, and
you know this is something that we'll all remember. So
you're you're just kind of in the moment and excited
to play some football tomorrow, but just enjoying the process
of you know, experiencing new things with the guys.
Speaker 7 (20:08):
Obviously, we want to take American football worldwide, and you
can see the fan base in Brazil and so we're
getting to bring the game that we love to them,
and so I'm super excited to get out there and
play in front of the fans that they look pumped.
It's gonna be a great environment, and that's what we
want to do when we play. This profession is playing
in front of fans that want to see football, and
that's what we're getting the opportunity to do.
Speaker 4 (20:30):
Still waiting for an answer from Aaron Rodgers. This dealers
will retirement.
Speaker 6 (20:34):
The man hasn't seen the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
It's several years now.
Speaker 12 (20:37):
I don't need it for my ego. I don't need it.
The decisions made from the soul are usually pretty full. Friendly.
Mike tell me, I've been a fan of this for
a long time.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Aaron Rodgers, and he's going to do on a black
and gold.
Speaker 12 (20:52):
I'm pretty sure this is it.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
I've played twenty cricking years.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Yeah, it's been.
Speaker 7 (20:57):
A long run.
Speaker 12 (20:58):
This was really about finishing with the love and fun and.
Speaker 13 (21:02):
I've been in this thing a long time.
Speaker 8 (21:03):
There's no substitute for intimacy and spending time together.
Speaker 6 (21:07):
This was a.
Speaker 12 (21:08):
Decision that was best for my soul. I'm excited to
be here.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
I have absolutely no idea what we just watched there,
but this is not a divisional game, but an awfully
big matchup Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets in New York.
Rogers returns to MetLife Stadium. The two quarterbacks switch teams,
you get the whole drill. Here are the two quarterbacks
talking about week one.
Speaker 12 (21:34):
Well, I'm happy, I'm here, very happy, really enjoy the guys,
Really enjoying my little corner over here and then my
quarterback room and in the big room with the offense,
getting know those guys and being a conscious observer out
of practice and taking everything in and really enjoying Mike
(21:55):
Tomlins press conferences. Really enjoy not press coming, sorry, it's
team meeting and his press conferences too. I'm guessing Bert
tells me about him from time to time. Uh, I
don't know. I'm enjoying everything uh Pittsburgh related, and excited
about the season start.
Speaker 14 (22:12):
I mean, yeah, the storyline is crazy. I mean that's
that's why the NFL set us up for Week one,
just for that but I mean, yeah, it's cool, cool
to uh you know, kind of see that, and you
know it's gonna be fun going to again see the
guys on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
So welcome back to our Steve Wish Judy forward to Yeah.
Speaker 11 (22:33):
First off, the teaser, the thing with video and air
with Mike tom and Aaron Rodgers. I don't know, But
then how disengaged with Aaron Rodgers in that news conference
at least in that answer?
Speaker 3 (22:43):
Yes, like okay, but he is he does like Mike
Tomlin's press conferences. All right, I'll just ask you, coming
out of those that very strange press conference, what are
you looking for out of that offense this weekend?
Speaker 11 (22:53):
Well, I tell you what we all to talk about,
Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf and all this stuff. I
think the tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers are going
to be huge in this game. There's four of them.
They're all going to get used. We know Pat Fryerman
who's been there. He's a nice intermediate target. John Us
Smith who comes over from Miami. He's somebody who's been
(23:14):
with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
We know he's a deep threat.
Speaker 11 (23:17):
He's kind of a jack of all trades. You have
Darnell Washington, who's the massive, offensive tackle sized tight end
who's going to come out run packages. Next thing you know,
he's burning you for a fifteen yard reception down the field.
And then Connor Hayward, He's kind of a jack of
all trades, eh back type of tight end used in
a lot of different kind of trick formations. I think
these guys are going to factor into a lot of
(23:38):
what the Steelers do this weekend. And let's not forget
Aaron Rodgers loves to use his tight end. You think
about his time in Green Bay, the Rogers to Rogers connection,
and even last year with the New York Jets when
you had Garrett Wilson catching more than one hundred passes,
Devonte Adams when he comes over in the trade catching
nearly seventy passes. His three tight ends caught at least
seventy three passes. This is a receiver and a receiver
(24:01):
group that Aaron Rodgers likes just as much as Mike
Tomlin's press conferences.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
Actually, Aaron Rodgers said he thought this was the best
tight ends room he has ever had in his career.
I am going to be looking at the new York
Jets offense to see what it is. Obviously, everything is
new with the Jets. Aaron Glenn is a new head coach,
they have a new offensive coordinator. They have a new
quarterback in Justin Field, who was a little bit up
and down during training camp, and so it'll be interesting
(24:31):
to see what they come out with. Aaron Glenn has
showed tremendous confidence in Justin Fields. He believes his ceiling
is still very high and that he is nowhere near
reaching it. He wants him to use his legs as
we're watching in this highlight right now. Another question I'll
be looking for an answer to is with the loss
of guard Elijah Vera Tucker, how does that change what
(24:53):
they are able to do on this offense? Because they
want to be a run first offense. They want to
be able to pound the ball. That've got a strong
running back room, and of course they have a running quarterback.
But losing probably their best offensive lineman just a few
days before the season opener, will see how they adjust
to that. Steve, thank you very much. I suspect we
(25:14):
are going to be talking a lot about this game
on Monday.
Speaker 12 (25:20):
Frustration at its utmost last time, being had changed everything.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
I left that we're so empty, and he leaves the
few amongst the Chiefs confetti and uses.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
That as his home screen for two years.
Speaker 4 (25:32):
What would I do when I got this moment view.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
For this time?
Speaker 4 (25:39):
That'd be nice to talk tho.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
This is stunning thirty Ford to nothing against the defending champions.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
What's you talking? Super Bowl NVC, who's on town?
Speaker 7 (26:02):
That's I've done it before, Well I could not do
it again.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
Jalen Hurts. If you watched America's game last night in
NFL network, he said he still has that Chiefs confetti
picture as his backdrop on his phone. Winning the Super Bowl.
That's great. You still got to remember those moments that
humble you and force you to get to greater heights.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Ye.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Speaking of greater heights, Brian Balding are much taller than me.
Has arrived fashionably on time. We love it, Baldy. Yep,
I love something the way that you love regular season
NFL football. And it is finally here with the chats
back on the field to night.
Speaker 8 (26:36):
It is has super Bowl champs returned. That confetti's already fallen.
You know in New Orleans that's over. According to the
Eagles like they've put that behind him. It's all about
a new year, a new focus. They don't want to
be celebrating. They're not going to watch the banner on
furl Maybe some of the Cowboys were, according to CD Lamb,
they want their motivation right, Mike, But I think this
is gonna be.
Speaker 1 (26:53):
A good night for the fans.
Speaker 8 (26:54):
But honestly, you couldn't pick a better opponent for the Eagles,
and to have the Cowboys come to.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Down division opponent.
Speaker 8 (27:00):
Dak has a great record against the Cowboys as a starter,
who's nine to four as a starter. New coach, new system,
new way of doing things. But they get to check
it out against the defending champs. We've seen them in
this spot before. They beat the Giants back in twenty twelve.
They played the Bucks extremely tight in that game. So
the Cowboys in this but and Dak has been in
this spot before, they know how to respond to it.
(27:21):
For this Eagles team, there's changes on both sides of
the ball.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
A big change on offense. Kellen Moore has gone Kevin
Patulo in as the offensive coordinator, but just slid over.
He's been here. Do you think there's gonna be a
lot of continuity with what they what we see from
them on offense, I think so.
Speaker 8 (27:34):
I mean, Kevin's been here since Nick got here. He
came from Indianapolis with them. He's been through all the quarterback, quarterback,
the coordinator changes, the changes in the offense.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
They made a change in the.
Speaker 8 (27:45):
Offense last year after starting two or two and had
a bye weekend. They really went to a run heavy offense,
and it worked for him. They ran the ball seven
hundred and twenty five times last year. I don't know
that they have to be that run heavy this year.
They've got great receivers to throw it to. So we'll
see what the Cowboys past rush looks like tonight. Maybe
Jalen Hurts will have a lot of time to throw
it and find his favorite targets AJ Brown, Devontae Smith
(28:09):
and company.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
I think there's an element of defenses that have spent
the offseason figuring out how to slow the running game.
And a lot of times it's not really that great
an x as an OS thing. It's sometimes get to
the football, get to the ball carrier. But there's a
whole lot of I know in the Eagles mindset. Well,
they spent all this time figuring out how to stop that.
We can also throw the ball. We're gonna put the
ball in the air a little bit. You mentioned it.
(28:30):
I think there is going to be a little bit
of that tweak to the offense. It's been there before, well,
a tweak to the offense. Now that being said, the
Cowboys added Kenny Clark to stop the run, not just
for the Eagles but for a number of teams. But
certainly when the best team of your division is running
the football that way, you bring in that guy. What
do you think he's going to mean to this defense. Well,
first of all, he's a pro.
Speaker 8 (28:47):
He's been around a long time. He didn't play as
many snaps last year as he's used to playing per game,
so a little bit less on the field. But he's
got leadership. He does know how to play the run.
He is a very good football player. They have had
a problem in that area. Mazzie Smith was the first
round pick. He hasn't been great so far. We're not
writing them off yet.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
O digga zoo.
Speaker 8 (29:07):
They get a new contract this year. I mean, they
got to be better in the middle. It's been a
weakness of theirs and so Kenny Clark can provide that.
You went back and watched Kenny Clark against Eagles in
the playoffs. He had a good game. I mean they
kind of slowed him down a little bit until the
end of the game.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
Now you stop the run, then you put your pass
rushers in a position to tee off. Now, if you're
a casual non Cowboys fan, you may not even be
able to name their starting defense. Eve ends. You got
Sam Williams, got Dante Faller, I mean people have seen
what he can do. You've got Donovan Azeraku, the rookie
second round pick behind him, local kid from sel Chers. Yeah,
you got Marshawn Neeland as well. They've got a lot
(29:41):
of second round picks there amongst that group there, and
Dante Feller being a former first round pick, and Sam
Wayas coming off at ACL. They have very high expectations
for him. Can he get the job done well? He's
shown flashes.
Speaker 8 (29:51):
Sam has flashed since he was the second round pick
out of Ole Miss. He's had some injuries and he's
had some off the field issues. But they need these
guys to step They're gonna get an opportunity. I mean
those are the guys, those four guys you mentioned are
giving me the first four that are gonna get after
the quarterback. Now, they happen to be going up against
the best handem of tackles in all football in Lane
Johnson and Jordan Malina. So they're gonna get a challenged
(30:14):
here today.
Speaker 1 (30:15):
No doubt about it. Those are the names that have
a chance to make a name for themselves for themselves
starting tonight here at Link Financial Field, Bald, he don't
go anywhere. We're talking more NFC East Football later in
the show. Coming up next, our Michael f Florio tells
you who to start, who to city, told you who
to draft. Now he's gonna tell you who to put
in the starting lineup that is coming up next.
Speaker 4 (30:34):
On the Insiders, Welcome back with the Insiders. I usually
say welcome inside with the Insiders, but we got one
insider outside that's Mike carefol We got another Fantasy insider.
Welcome inside to Fantasy Insiders or whatever. Michael f Florio
(30:54):
inside the studio, not his own apartment. There's no plan
to be seen here at all before you. Thank you
very much for joining us. We are very excited for this,
mostly because we no longer have to pepper you with
fantasy advice and who to draft. Now we have to
pepper you for fantasy advice and who to start or sit.
So let's start with tonight's game. Tell me what I
(31:17):
should do, and I guess tell everyone else too.
Speaker 15 (31:19):
It feels weird doing this and not being in my
home and being in this awesome studio. But I think
the wide receiver twos are in play tonight, starting with
George Pickens.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
I know it's his.
Speaker 15 (31:28):
First game as a Dallas Cowboy.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
I don't care if you drafted him.
Speaker 15 (31:32):
You took him to be a starter, and I think
you should start him. He is an excellent downfield threat.
He led the NFL last season and catches h twenty
and thirty yards and Dak has the third highest deep
pass success rate in the last two seasons. And look,
I kind of expect the Cowboys to be chasing points tonight,
which means they're gonna have.
Speaker 1 (31:50):
To air it out.
Speaker 15 (31:51):
And if they're chasing points, that means the Eagles are
scoring points, which is why I think DeVonta Smith remains
in play in Week one. Just like picking, if you
drafted him, you drafted him to start him, and he
went for six one hundred and twenty yards and two
touchdowns in his last game against the Cowboys, and last
season the Cowboys allowed me six most fantasy points per game.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Two wide receivers.
Speaker 4 (32:13):
He brings a saint flour.
Speaker 15 (32:14):
We know the upside is high, and without Micah Parsons there,
the Eagles might put up a whole bunch of points tonight.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
You're gonta be watching the game.
Speaker 15 (32:22):
Why not get some fantasy action in it and get
the wide receiver twos in your lineup.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
Yeah, I had to tuck my tie in by the
way because it's windy here in Philadelphia. You know, one
of these Mike Florida on a tie. But the wins
are expected to calm down. There could be a little
bit of rain as we get into the game. But
that being said, I do expect both teams to throw
the ball. All that information into your head. Florio give
us who's now gonna be or who he should sit
(32:48):
for tonight.
Speaker 15 (32:49):
Yeah, I know, like bad weather usually leads to running
the ball. But I'm sitting Javonte Williams tonight. I know
he is the Cowboys starter. He doesn't have to be
your fantasy starter, especially in this Matt Last year, the
Eagles allowed the second fewest fantasy points per game two
opposing running backs and just five touchdowns rushing and receiving
to the position last season. And Javonte he has struggled
(33:13):
as a runner for a couple of years, and however,
since that knee injury last season, he was bottom ten
in explosive run rate, so you can't really bank on
big plays here.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
He struggled to turn targets.
Speaker 15 (33:24):
Into productive yards last season, so look, it's a tough matchup.
There might be other weeks to use him, but I'm
not playing him in Week one, and then I'm sitting
both tight ends tonight as well. Last season, the Eagles
allowed the fewest fantasy points two tight ends, and Ferguson
in both games against Philly was held to under twenty
five yards and he lost the fumble in each of those.
And then Goddard, he gets a better matchup the Cowboys.
(33:46):
They've only allowed the second fewest fantasy points to tight
ends last season, and Godard averaged just five targets per
game when aj Brown and DeVonta Smith were healthy, So
tough matchup. Don't really love that you can't count on
the volume. There not a tight end game tonight.
Speaker 4 (34:01):
In my opinion, well, I gotta say likely he's sitting
week one for me, but I got Coaston Lovelin. Maybe
he breaks out week one his first game.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
We'll see.
Speaker 4 (34:08):
I mean again, all I care about is my fantasy team.
But let's talk about other people's fantasy teams. Let's actually
turn the focus for you some of the games this weekend.
And a team we've been talking about just a little bit.
Is Jordan Love the Packers quarterback. This is not a
Micah Parson's question. Is Jordan Love a start or sin?
Speaker 15 (34:25):
Look, there'll be plenty of weeks to start Jordan Love.
I don't think that this is one of them. And
I know when people think, oh, Lions, Packers, it's going
to have a lot of points. That hasn't been the case,
especially for the quarterbacks in this game. In the last
two games against the Lions, Jordan Love has averaged two
hundred and forty passing yards per game, and he has
one touchdown in those two games with one interception.
Speaker 1 (34:47):
And you're like, all right, but he's home.
Speaker 15 (34:49):
Well, the last two home games against Detroit, he has
one touchdown and three interceptions. So I just think there's
better options out in opening week and you didn't draft
Jordan Love likely as your QB one, so you have
another option on your team.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
I would take that other option, Florio. You've been pounding
the table for a Mecca Abuca to draft him, especially
because we expected Chris Godwin to not start the season.
Do not tell me to sit him now week one. No, No, start.
Speaker 15 (35:15):
Him with confidence.
Speaker 1 (35:16):
I know he's a rookie. I know it's his first game.
Speaker 15 (35:19):
He is still going to be the number two target
for Baker Mayfield almost by default with everyone else banged
up there, and.
Speaker 1 (35:25):
It is a good matchup.
Speaker 15 (35:26):
The Falcons last season allowed the most fantasy points and
touchdowns too wide receivers. They were top five and touchdowns
allowed to slot receivers. And I think Abuka plays a
ton out of the slot, especially early on, and these
two divisional opponents they lead to a lot of points.
Last year, the Bucks averaged twenty eight points per game
against the Falcons. Baker threw three touchdowns in each of
(35:47):
those games.
Speaker 1 (35:48):
They were shootouts.
Speaker 15 (35:49):
I think you're gonna see a lot.
Speaker 4 (35:50):
Of points in this one.
Speaker 15 (35:51):
And look, he was rising in drafts, so you paid
a pretty price to get.
Speaker 1 (35:55):
A Mecca Abuka. Why would you send him.
Speaker 4 (35:58):
Let's shart the focus of running backs, most specifically the
Denver Broncos running backs. You got Jaky Dobbins, you got RJ. Harvey.
Here's my question for you and a lot of people
drafted Harvey pretty early in the draft, the second rounder
for when the Broncos took him. Is Harvey a start
or a sit for you?
Speaker 15 (36:15):
I have him been in quite a few leagues. I'm
starting him where I have him. I think, for one,
he is in a great system with Sean Payton.
Speaker 1 (36:22):
We know Champayton loves.
Speaker 15 (36:23):
To target the running backs at the highest.
Speaker 1 (36:25):
Rate in the NFL. We saw in the preseason.
Speaker 4 (36:28):
RJ.
Speaker 15 (36:28):
Harvey is going to handle early downs and I think
game Script is.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
Going to be on his side in this one.
Speaker 15 (36:34):
It is a rookie quarterback making his first start against
the number one ranked defense and the defensive.
Speaker 1 (36:40):
Player of the year. So if I think Gamescript will
be on the.
Speaker 15 (36:43):
Broncos side, I expect a whole lot of running.
Speaker 1 (36:46):
Not only am I starting RJ.
Speaker 11 (36:47):
Harvey, I think JK.
Speaker 15 (36:49):
Dobbins is also in play as a flex option, and
I have there are a lot of teams and I
have Harvey in some lineups and JK.
Speaker 1 (36:56):
Dobbins in some as well. All Right, I have long
term concern. It's about Travis Etn in Jacksonville. I'm a
big bay Shaw root and toutin guy. So week one
are we starting Etn? Look?
Speaker 15 (37:09):
The matchup on paper is fantastic. I don't have it
in me to start him though, because we don't know
what this backfield is going to look like. Tuton is there, Tank,
Bigsby is there. Etn is clearly there, and I know
they're talking about Etn like using him all over the
field and a slot as a receiver, stuff like that.
But if Bigsby is getting the early down work and
(37:29):
the goal one work, it's gonna make it really hard
for either of them to be really fantasy relevant. So
in week one with no buys with injuries haven't really
started piling up yet. I know the matchup is great
and says to play him, but I need to see
it first. I would play it safe and go in
another direction.
Speaker 4 (37:46):
One thing we're not gonna see for you is Mari
Cooper on the field this weekend or maybe ever again,
or certainly ever again for the Las Vegas Raiders. Informed
the team earlier today. That he is retiring just does
not have it in him anymore. So ripped right from
the headlines our headlines. Congratulations, go team. How do you
feel about the Amari Cooper situation? What's his fantasy impact?
Speaker 15 (38:09):
Well, I found out he retired because a friend of
mine that I share a team with, we picked up
at MARII Cooper last night and he sent me your
tweet and was like.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Great pickup. So that didn't work out.
Speaker 15 (38:19):
But I think Deontay Thornton is going to get a
real opportunity to shine here in draft metrics, like it's
like him, DK Metcalf, Calvin Johnson had their same measurements
and speed, so there's a lot of upside there. I
think he'll be a little boom or bus to start
early on, but someone that you want on your fantasy
bench because there's a lot of upside there.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
But it probably means in the short term.
Speaker 15 (38:42):
More brock Bowers than Jacoby Myers.
Speaker 1 (38:44):
Florio, you were with me for my draft via tech,
so you know I took Rishi Rice. I said, I'll
punt in the first six weeks to get that impact
later in the season. So I said, I'll probably be
a little thin at the flex position, and that's what
I'm facing here in week one. So help me through
this one, because this is the only one I care about.
The question gets to my team. You see it on
the bottom of the screen. I got xavierly get or
(39:04):
I go Jordan Mason or Jerome Ford's getting no love
As the starting running back of the Browns. I have
a feeling which way you're gonna go, but I want
to hear it.
Speaker 15 (39:11):
There's gonna be a lot of weeks where I might
say Jordan Mason, but I think in week one Jerome
Ford is your guy, Mike, because the match right like,
the Bengals give up a ton of points. They were
middle of the pack against the run last year, but
they gave up so many points.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
And Jerome Ford is the veteran there.
Speaker 15 (39:27):
I think they're gonna look to lean on him, and
if they fall behind, he also gets used in the
passing game.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
I like Jordan Mason.
Speaker 15 (39:34):
I want to see it first though, because Aaron Jones
is still there. He's gonna get a lot of volume
and then we get brings a lot of upside.
Speaker 1 (39:40):
But again, I want to see it.
Speaker 15 (39:41):
I don't want to just blindly put him in my lineup,
so I'd go with the veteran and Ford there and
good luck to your team, thank you.
Speaker 4 (39:48):
I don't wish him too much, law no, no, no,
good luck to my team of course.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Oh yeah, Giants Commanders. This was actually a tight one
last year. A couple of times Giants played them well
despite the fact that the Commanders we're a playoff team
last season. Now number three is in charge at least
for now as quarterback one. Here is Russell Wilson on
the expectations for the Giants.
Speaker 16 (40:14):
I think a big part of it is is with
expectations is just being expecting the next play to be
your best play and letting that add up and hopefully
you have seventy five really great moments. And that's what
I've really learned and believed, you know, for the longest time,
is that, you know. So I think the expectation is
just doing this play right, you know, doing this play well,
(40:34):
and then letting those add up and then when you
look at it all at the end of the season,
you're like, dang, that was pretty good. Hopefully, you know.
I think that's that's what we want to be able
to do.
Speaker 8 (40:42):
Having Terry and Noah working out with you guys, now,
I mean that offense.
Speaker 1 (40:47):
It's an unfair question. But what are you what are
you capable of with this offense?
Speaker 6 (40:51):
The guess who's gonna find out on Sunday. I don't
really have any answer. I just hope we will, not hope,
but go out there and execute a high standard. That's
the standard that we keep in that center. We uphold
each and every day, especially another you're in the system,
we know it. We're allowed to go out there and
play fast and free.
Speaker 1 (41:13):
Listen in journalism students, Brian Baldinger, never tell a guy
that you're asking a question that's an unfair question. Don't
give him that out. Just ask the question. All right, Pauldy,
we're gonna look at this match up here. You got
Jaydon Daniels. Can we expect the same type of performance?
Can we expect another step forward? What do you expect
the game?
Speaker 8 (41:28):
I think another step forward? I mean he was phenomenal
in twenty starts. They won fourteen games, like they won
two playoff games. They lost their final game right here
against Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (41:37):
I'm sure that stings him a little bit.
Speaker 8 (41:39):
But this guy, the poise that we all talked about,
just the likability, the fact that it never felt like
they could give them they could overload him.
Speaker 1 (41:47):
Whatever they gave them, he could digest.
Speaker 8 (41:49):
So I think the piece around left tackle Larum Utensel,
you know, Deebo Samuel getting Terry McLaurin back. I just
think that they've given him some pieces and it's gonna
allow him to even be better.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
Yeah, they're going for it now because in a little bit,
this guy's gonna cost them hey ton of money and
that's gonna hurt their ability to do things elsewhere on
the roster. So now's the time to be aggressive. Adam
Peters knows that he was with the San Francisco forty
nine ers early on, as you saw a brock party here.
The other side of this matchup is extremely interesting because
it was such a positive training. Can't play giants on
(42:20):
the defensive side of the ball. That defensive front can
be nasty, and we're gonna get to see it live
for the first time. And then you got the quarterback,
I mean Russell Wilson. You know he should be able
to run the operation to play solidly, but Jackson Dart
did everything you could ask in the preseason. How long
do you keep him well?
Speaker 8 (42:36):
Here's here's the dilemma, Mike. The dilemma is this, he
might be jayde Daniels and we might not know if
he's sitting. But then if the team isn't very good
and they're struggling and you throw them out there, maybe
that could set him back a little bit if he
just if they're all over. But I kind of feel like,
sit them, let them watch for.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
A little bit.
Speaker 8 (42:57):
But I wouldn't wait too long before because I think
we all saw something pretty special with how we saw
the field. We get it's preseason, but the command that
he had, no huddle up, tempo plays out, nothing too
big like it was a really fun, optimistic preseason for
the Giants. From his standpoint, I saw some of the
reporters speculate that maybe they'll have a package of plays
(43:20):
for him.
Speaker 1 (43:20):
Which usually you see with like a running like a
Jalen Millro type. I don't think they're too far off.
I don't think that's out of the question, and we'll
see as we get closer to Sunday whether there is
a package of plays for Jackson dark Paul, you're the best.
I can't wait to see what you've got out of
this game. Tonight and all you're analysis moving forward for
the insiders.
Speaker 4 (43:38):
Oh you would like more insiders, Well you are in luck.
Starting next week September eighth, which is Monday. We got
insiders every day in different forms, well sometimes the same form,
but sometimes different. For instance, Monday podcasting, YouTube, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Friday the regular NFL Plus and NFL Network, Thursday Fast,
(44:00):
NFL Bus and YouTube. It's a lot of insiders, and
we got the insiders right here as we finish us
off and get ready for the game tonight, a big
one tonight Eagles Cowboys the opener, Judy, how are you
planning on watching?
Speaker 3 (44:17):
I will be home, which is a treat with the
big screen. We never get to watch games from home
because you're usually in a stadium. I've got some sushi
for dinner.
Speaker 10 (44:24):
I am ready to roll.
Speaker 8 (44:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (44:27):
Where where am I watching out? Sitting in Mike Trout seats.
That's where I'm in a press box. We're back.
Speaker 4 (44:35):
Mike and Mike Trout. Now that is a fair I
would like to hang out with and watch the games anyway.
Tune in tomorrow for more Insiders.
That's it.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
It's a sad Eagles Clive Super l fifty nine.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
It's not.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
We made it. We made it. It is a initially
game day on that field right there, Lincoln Financial Field,
the site of the biggest game of the season, the
only game of the season that will happen today, Cowboys
Eagles eight twenty tonight on NBC. We are going to
(01:18):
talk all about it. Welcome inside with the insiders, Ian Rappaport,
Judy Batista, our good friend Mike Garifolo, who is on
the grass in Lincoln Financial Field, getting ready to tell
us all about the game, which we will do in
one second. We've got a great show for you today.
We got all sorts of guests. We got Baldy joining
us on the field. We got a good friend, Cam Wolf,
(01:39):
we got Steve. Weish lots of talk about all of
the big time games this week, and we got at
Brazil update from our good friend Omar. We got a lot.
So we will start right there with Mike Garraffolo, whose
future is so bright that he's wearing sunglasses, which I
think is how it all goes. Mike, we got a
big game tonight, the biggest game tonight. We do egos Cowboys,
(02:02):
we've heard a little bit about it. Tell us what
we need to know just a couple hours before kickoff.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
You know what this game is like. If you are
the defending champions, you get the banner, you get the trophy,
you get the special guests, you get all of the
you know necessary accoutremont when that comes with this Thursday
night opener, Thank you Christine, my producer off she got
that one. But yeah, the crowd's gonna be hyped. You
add the Cowboys in on this one too as well.
(02:32):
You don't even need that to get the juices going
when you're the defending champions and you're getting the celebrated
on this field. But when you add the cowboys to
the mix, MIAs Micah Parsons, of course, you definitely get
the crowd going, You definitely get the team going. I
will be interested to watch what's gonna happen on the
sidelines over there as Jalen Hurts and the rest of
the guys who have spent the last couple of weeks
and months saying that's all over, time to look forward.
(02:53):
How they're going to react while the team Jeffrey Lori
and any special guests who are making it appears are
going to be celebrating, and they're showing clips of the
Super Bowl. These guys, Nick Sirianni another one. He's been
big about moving forward. Before they move forward, they will
take one last moment to celebrate. They do have that
banner up in the far end zone that is covered.
It will be unveiled. It'll be quite the scene here
(03:15):
in Philadelpia. There's already traffic, like five six hours before
the game, already traffic as folks are getting in and
getting tailgated, getting lubricated. Ian As they say, going to
be a scene here.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I am looking forward to seeing what the Cowboys look
like without MICHAELH. Parsons, right, I mean you figured that
the Eagles were going to run the ball anyway. I
think there's some rain in the forecast.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Sorry to tell you that, Mike Cara.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Follow but there's some possibility of rain in the forecast,
which would mean, I'm sorry, you have the sunglesses on
now it's fine, which would bean even more of an
emphasis on the running game, And of course that goes
directly to can the Dallas Cowboys stop the run? It
is all Jerry Jones talked about when he announced that
they were trading Michael Parsons that they needed to be
(03:59):
able to stop the run. They certainly could not stop
the Eagles run last year. They ran it all over
the place, a little under two hundred yards in each
of those games. So that is what I'm going to
be looking forward to in football terms. And You're right,
the NFL could not have thrown more gasoline on this
fire than by scheduling the Cowboys to open the season
(04:19):
for the banner raising.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
I almost can't believe that it is Eagles Cowboys. This
one is never the opener. I thought there was zero chance.
Now we get to see all this talk about both
these teams. What are they going to look like? Eagle's
got some new parts, including Mice, good friend Kevin Battoula,
as the OC Cowboys had a big departure, obviously Micah Parsons.
What do they actually look like with new coach Brian
schatt Eimer. I'm looking forward to all of that. What
(04:43):
I'm now looking forward to is the incident and insane
reaction to which every team doesn't win this game, which
I would expect from both fan bases. But we are
absolutely going to get on every network tomorrow morning, which
is always fun but not actually fun. But at least
they will have played a football game. We had some
news today. The Insiders had some news. Amari Cooper, the
(05:03):
Raiders star receiver who they signed just a week ago
in a dramatic homecoming, has informed the team that he
plans to retire not play this year. My understanding is
that when Amari Cooper started his ramp up, it just
didn't quite go as he wanted. Certainly did not feel
like he was ready to give the kind of commitment
(05:24):
that you would need to give. Look, he walks away,
Judy with five Pro Bowls, ten thousand yards, a lot
of receptions. What did you make of this news earlier
today with the Raiders losing Amari Cooper.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Well, my first thought is it leaves the Raiders pretty
bear at wide receiver. We actually talked about this earlier
in the week on The Insiders that you know, Jacoby
Myers is their number one receiver and he asked for
a trade.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
They said no.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
As Jacoby Meyers told us this week, they said no.
So he's there, but you know he's not particularly thrilled
about being there. Then they're going to have to lean
an awful lot on the rookies, Dante Thornton, who had
shown some big playability. You got Jack Beck there, You've
got some other people there, but there's only four wide
receivers on the roster right now.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
They've got three, i.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Believe on the practice squad, so they're going to certainly
have to make some moves. But for this to happen,
you know, three three days before the season opener, is
obviously rough timing. Although as you pointed out Ian he
was still trying to ramp up.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
He was signed so very late.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
He was only signed, you know, about ten days ago now,
so obviously he was still just ramping up and trying
to get into football shape. So they probably were not
counting on Amari Cooper to carry a heavy load in Week.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
One at least.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Still certainly a blow to the wide receiver corps, to
Gino Smith's group of targets, and again we should emphasize
Gino Smith's most important target is the tight end Rock Powers.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Judy doesn't sound like this is going to be something
where the Raiders, at least not initially, are going to
go out and say we got to find ourselves a
receiver and then you talked about the internal solutions potentially
being the case. This was just a situation where, yeah,
sure they would welcome him to have another veteran receiver there,
and he had been entertaining it for quite some time,
(07:12):
the chance to go back to the team with which
he started his career, and it did in his mind workout.
It just didn't work out physically for him once he
tried to get going here. So it's not like the
Raiders are in desperation mode looking for a receiver if
one comes across, certainly in the near future, or perhaps
if there's a need at the trade deadline or somehow
in contention. Yeah, that's a different story. But it's not
(07:32):
like from what I sound like, the Raiders are panicking
and say, we got to go out and find the
nearest veteran receiver we can, at least not initially.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Yeah, I'm not even sure Marie Cooper was going to
be active this week. In week one would have been
a really cool story peishing his career where he started.
But we don't get it, and Marie Cooper walks away
with an unbelievable resume. So kudos and congrats to him
should also say kudos and congrats to Nick Benito, the
Denver Broncos star edge rusher, earlier today agreed to terms
(08:02):
on a big time new contracts extension. Get a four
year deal. We're up to one hundred and twenty million
dollars at its max one hundred and six million dollars
based on more than twenty six million dollars per year
for Nick Benito in all prob just one year as
a starter, he cashes in, gets seventy million dollars guaranteed,
(08:23):
elected not to play it out, elected to take the
big bag of cash, and according to his Instagram today,
he is extremely, extremely excited about signing this contract, moving
on the field, and getting on the field with no worries.
So congrats to Nick Benito. Judy not that was good news.
It was not all good news today.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
No, it is probably never a good sign when the
head coach of a team makes an unexpected visit to
the media room to talk about injuries. And that is
what Aaron Glenn did today. He popped into the media
room on a day he was not expected to talk
and confirmed whatever everybody had feared that guard Elijah Vera
Tucker tore his triceps in practice earlier this week and
(09:06):
is out for the season. Aaron Glenn actually said it
is about a seven month recovery. Very tough break for
Vera Tucker, who is in the final year of his
rookie contract, and a pretty tough break for the New
York Jets too. He is arguably their best offensive lineman
and this is a team that really really wants to
be able to run the ball watch justin fields to
(09:26):
run as well. Glenn, in his very brief comments to
the media said they were still trying to figure out
the shuffle that's going to have to take place on
the offensive line.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
So we will see.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
They have course played the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and
we will see what kind of alignment they come out
with a practice tomorrow and then on seven.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Judy Seahawks general manager John Schneider was a guest on
The Insiders on Wednesday night, and we said, hey, any
contract extensions you might get done here in the next
couple of days, because we know this is the week
to do it. He goes, Oh, yeah, I'm totally going
to tell you what we're planning to do. Not well,
just a few hours later, here's Abe Lucas and the
Seahawks agreeing the terms in a three year, forty six
million dollar contract. The extension and a deal done by
(10:08):
Chase Callahan of Excel Football, who's done three big offensive
lineman deals recently. So this is a nice deal for
Lucas who has had some injury issues in the last
couple of years, played six games and then seven games
in the last two seasons. So it's a good deal
and it's short enough where if he stays healthy and
plays well, he'll get another big bite at the Apple
in a couple of years. So a good deal for
(10:28):
Chase Lucas and for Schneider who said maybe I'll break
the news and the insiders Nope, we got you John. Meanwhile,
we are getting ready for the game, the second ever
game in Brazil, previously the Eagles where I'm standing ou
if he'll prove the Eagles had played the Packers. Now
it is Chiefs and Chargers that is coming up on
Friday night on YouTube. Yeah, make sure you check this
(10:52):
one out because this rivalry, two divisional rivalries right off
the bat to get this season started. Eagles, Cowboys Tonight,
chief said Chargers on Friday Night. Our Omar Ruiz is
in Brazil.
Speaker 5 (11:04):
The Chiefs are in final preparation mode ahead of their
showdown Friday night against the LA Chargers here in sal Polo.
They arrived late last night, then held a walk through
at a local athletic club on fields normally reserved for rugby.
After practice, they met with the international media for press
conferences and interviews. About two hundred people in attendance. Of course,
there were questions about Taylor Swift, but mostly it was
(11:27):
about the Chiefs and their frequency in playing in these
high profile games in these huge spotlight type of environments.
Andy Reid says he feels privileged that the Chiefs are
looked at as ambassadors of sorts for the NFL, and
Patrick Mahomes said the game plan was put in before
they left Kansas City. Now it's all about fine tuning
and embracing that excitement about playing in this international spotlight.
(11:49):
Part of that offensive game plan will be related to
them playing with an aggressive style, and it's not just
about taking shots downfield, they said, even in the run game.
They want to have a mentality where they take shots
when they're there. They feel they have the offensive line,
the receiver room, and most importantly the quarterback to execute that.
It's the mentality they've tried to instill since the beginning
(12:10):
of OTAs and they look forward to unleashing that play
style tomorrow night. The Chargers, meanwhile, are holding a walkthrough
at the stadium tonight Corinthians Arena and then it's game
on Tomorrow night. And to help continue to build the
excitement here in sow Polo and set the scene for
tomorrow night's game both teams. Of course, the players and
coaches won't be involved, but both organizations are holding watch
(12:33):
parties here in sal Polo for the kickoff between the
Eagles and Cowboys.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
As if you weren't already looking forward to this, not
just this Sunday, but this first week of games. We
got eight divisional matchups. N they'll now messing around. One
great way to keep us engage. We'll just put a
football on TV that usually works. Eight divisional games against
teams you really really don't like each other and get
amped up anyway, is a perfect way to start week one.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
Game.
Speaker 7 (13:00):
We are going to.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
Spotlight I don't know, let's see how about right now,
Brown's Bengals Big one. There's Joe Burrow, There's Joe Flacco,
A matchup of two quarterbacks who are actually kind of cool,
two good dudes, two gun slingers, two guys we are
going to hear from right now before we get into
analyzing what's coming for this game.
Speaker 8 (13:22):
Yeah, we really haven't had too many injuries from any
position group all camp.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
That's always positive.
Speaker 8 (13:28):
I think we've made some good additions throughout training camp
too to help bolster some units.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
And I think everybody's feeling good. Morale is good, everybody's excited.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
Ready to go.
Speaker 9 (13:37):
Yeah, I think anytime you open up against a division opponent,
it makes it you know, you don't want to say
that much more important because they're all important, but you
know these division games, you know they can be tough
and they're going to be a battle till the end.
So you just got to make sure you're ready to go.
And yeah, I think the way we prepare this we
(14:00):
will kind of tell tell us a lot about ourselves.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Welcome back to the Insiders with our good friends Cam
Wolf and Steve Wise. Cam you are covering this showdown
in week one. I should note, by the way, and
this is potentially important, Miles Garrett did not practice today
while the Browns were out in the field. He is
dealing with a hip injury. DNP nowhere yet on the severity.
Miles Garrett always seems to play if humanly possible, but
(14:28):
we will update you as we have more on how
Miles Garrett is doing. But Cam, I want to start
with you on the Cincinnati Bengals. What for you is
the most important thing going into this week one game?
Speaker 10 (14:41):
And we got to talk about the Cincinnati Bengals propensity
for slow starts. They are one and eleven in the
last six years under Zach Taylor in the first two
games and that's been all the all off season. Can
the Cincinnati Bengals start all strong?
Speaker 6 (14:56):
Look?
Speaker 10 (14:56):
We talked about their contracts with Jamar Chase and t
hig than Trey Hendrickson. They eventually got all of them done,
and Joe Burrow said this week the front office did
our job, did this job. Now is our time to
do our job. And they made some changes this offseason.
They played in the preseason things they haven't done before.
The offense had five series out there. They didn't do
(15:17):
joint practices to get more reps together, and the players
I talked to this week feel a different energy. Orlando Brown,
their left tackle, told me starting a mini camp. We
felt the coaches have a certain urgency of we're not
going to ease into the season as we have had previously.
In one of their cornerbacks, Cam Taylor, britt, I asked him,
what's that energy level look like?
Speaker 1 (15:38):
He said, We're going to be.
Speaker 10 (15:39):
Obnoxious, like a bad two year old who doesn't listen
watch us on game day. We're going to be in
the camera. We're gonna make them feel us. We're not
going to be the team that's going to get rolled over,
especially on defense. They know that slow starters hurt them
to get in the playoffs last year. They want to
anticipate it this year. And they also don't want Miles Garrett,
who you just mentioned to that game.
Speaker 11 (16:01):
Yeah, I can remember last year since an I'm sorry, Ian, No,
go ahead, Steve right, Oh remember last year? I mean
the Bengals open their season with a loss to New England,
and we know how the Patriots season panned out. Well,
a lot of people are thinking Cleveland's going to have
that same type of season that New England did. We'll see,
but getting a victory over the Bengals is something they
really hope to do and it's their defense. And you know,
the Miles Garrett issue is significant if he is not
(16:23):
able to play, because he has been a thorn in
the Bengals side. But one thing that keeps the Browns
and Jim Schwartz's defense in all games is this excellent
secondary with Denzel Ward and Grant Newsim corners. I'm sorry
Greg Newsom the corners, Grant delping it safety, Ronnie Hickman
at safety, but they've got to get pressure with Miles
Garrett and rookie defensive tackle Mason Grant. Remember he's the
(16:44):
one draft pick, the first draft pick that Browns made
that didn't get a lot of conversation in the preseason.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
He's going to have to set.
Speaker 11 (16:51):
Up Garrett, especially if he plays. And the Browns offense
has also got a factor into this by possessing the ball.
When these teams met in Week seven last year, it
was a really close game, in large part because the
Browns had a ten minute time of possession advantage. They
just had too many turnovers in a game that the
Bengals eventually won.
Speaker 10 (17:11):
I allimieve. First of all, I'll start with this. We
talked about Miles Garrett a little bit. I just got
a text from a contact from Cleveland who said they
felt like this is normal for Miles Garrett and they
have no worry about his availability for Sunday, So a
little bit of a sigh of relief every it seems
like that's going to be a non issue for the Browns.
As far as the quarterback situation, that's going to be
(17:31):
what we've had eyeballs on for Cleveland this entire offseason,
Shador Sanders, Dylan Gabriel. On Sunday, it is going to
be Joe Flacco, forty year old Joe Flacco. And for
those who are wondering why Kevin Stefanski and his offense,
Joe Flacco knows it better than anyone in that room,
and his comfort within it and running the operation is
exactly what Stefanski wants to see.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
Blacko had a.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
Moment this week where.
Speaker 10 (17:55):
He was joking with the coaches it'll be seventeen years
exactly Sunday since his first NFL start that was actually
against Cincinnati, and he said, I had a thirty or
eight yard touchdown run and maybe I still have some
of those wheels. Stefanskis said, we don't have tape that
goes back that far, so They know his game is
no longer the same as it was when he's a rookie,
but they know he's going to take care of the ball,
(18:16):
going to be in control of the offense. And look,
he is not the long term answer here, but they
think they're going to surprise some people early in the
season with how competitive they can be on offense with
Joe Flecko getting the ball to Jerry, Judy David and
Joku and some others. And it certainly helps that they're
going to have Miles Garrett out there on the field
for them on Sunday and.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Every year I sort of expect Joe Flacco to retire,
maybe consider retiring. He's always back out there, still throws
it like he's twenty seven. Yeah, maybe can't run, but
that was the guy who was pinpoint accurate in training.
Kept really looking forward to see what he is. And
this will be a very very fun one cam. You're
going to get a first hand look at it. Thank
you very much for joining us, Steve you of course
we'll be back, and we will be back right there.
(18:56):
Lincoln Financial Field decided tonight's showdown. We're coming up on
the inside.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
Welcome back to the insiders. That Kansas City Chiefs landed
in Brazil today in anticipation of their Friday night game
against the Chargers. Apparently, Travis Kelce was mobbed at the airport.
And then you see they got on the field for
a very light practice, just a little bit of a
jog crew get the muscles loosened after that.
Speaker 4 (19:23):
Very long flight.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Here's Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on the entire experience.
Speaker 7 (19:28):
We got the game plan in before we headed this
way and now we're just kind of fine tuning things.
And so we've had a plan for this all summer
long and now we're just ready to play football game.
Speaker 12 (19:38):
Then, Travis, what was last night like at the airport?
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Ah, Man, it was crazy.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
It was a lot of fun seeing all the fans there, and.
Speaker 13 (19:47):
He had that one coming for telling everybody I didn't
know where Brazil was on the mat. Now, you know,
it's a it's an exciting time. You know, you get
to hang out around the guys and the team, and
you know this is something that we'll all remember. So
you're you're just kind of in the moment and excited
to play some football tomorrow, but just enjoying the process
of you know, experiencing new things with the guys.
Speaker 7 (20:08):
Obviously, we want to take American football worldwide, and you
can see the fan base in Brazil and so we're
getting to bring the game that we love to them,
and so I'm super excited to get out there and
play in front of the fans that they look pumped.
It's gonna be a great environment, and that's what we
want to do when we play. This profession is playing
in front of fans that want to see football, and
that's what we're getting the opportunity to do.
Speaker 4 (20:30):
Still waiting for an answer from Aaron Rodgers. This dealers
will retirement.
Speaker 6 (20:34):
The man hasn't seen the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
It's several years now.
Speaker 12 (20:37):
I don't need it for my ego. I don't need it.
The decisions made from the soul are usually pretty full. Friendly.
Mike tell me, I've been a fan of this for
a long time.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Aaron Rodgers, and he's going to do on a black
and gold.
Speaker 12 (20:52):
I'm pretty sure this is it.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
I've played twenty cricking years.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Yeah, it's been.
Speaker 7 (20:57):
A long run.
Speaker 12 (20:58):
This was really about finishing with the love and fun and.
Speaker 13 (21:02):
I've been in this thing a long time.
Speaker 8 (21:03):
There's no substitute for intimacy and spending time together.
Speaker 6 (21:07):
This was a.
Speaker 12 (21:08):
Decision that was best for my soul. I'm excited to
be here.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
I have absolutely no idea what we just watched there,
but this is not a divisional game, but an awfully
big matchup Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets in New York.
Rogers returns to MetLife Stadium. The two quarterbacks switch teams,
you get the whole drill. Here are the two quarterbacks
talking about week one.
Speaker 12 (21:34):
Well, I'm happy, I'm here, very happy, really enjoy the guys,
Really enjoying my little corner over here and then my
quarterback room and in the big room with the offense,
getting know those guys and being a conscious observer out
of practice and taking everything in and really enjoying Mike
(21:55):
Tomlins press conferences. Really enjoy not press coming, sorry, it's
team meeting and his press conferences too. I'm guessing Bert
tells me about him from time to time. Uh, I
don't know. I'm enjoying everything uh Pittsburgh related, and excited
about the season start.
Speaker 14 (22:12):
I mean, yeah, the storyline is crazy. I mean that's
that's why the NFL set us up for Week one,
just for that but I mean, yeah, it's cool, cool
to uh you know, kind of see that, and you
know it's gonna be fun going to again see the
guys on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
So welcome back to our Steve Wish Judy forward to Yeah.
Speaker 11 (22:33):
First off, the teaser, the thing with video and air
with Mike tom and Aaron Rodgers. I don't know, But
then how disengaged with Aaron Rodgers in that news conference
at least in that answer?
Speaker 3 (22:43):
Yes, like okay, but he is he does like Mike
Tomlin's press conferences. All right, I'll just ask you, coming
out of those that very strange press conference, what are
you looking for out of that offense this weekend?
Speaker 11 (22:53):
Well, I tell you what we all to talk about,
Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf and all this stuff. I
think the tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers are going
to be huge in this game. There's four of them.
They're all going to get used. We know Pat Fryerman
who's been there. He's a nice intermediate target. John Us
Smith who comes over from Miami. He's somebody who's been
(23:14):
with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
We know he's a deep threat.
Speaker 11 (23:17):
He's kind of a jack of all trades. You have
Darnell Washington, who's the massive, offensive tackle sized tight end
who's going to come out run packages. Next thing you know,
he's burning you for a fifteen yard reception down the field.
And then Connor Hayward, He's kind of a jack of
all trades, eh back type of tight end used in
a lot of different kind of trick formations. I think
these guys are going to factor into a lot of
(23:38):
what the Steelers do this weekend. And let's not forget
Aaron Rodgers loves to use his tight end. You think
about his time in Green Bay, the Rogers to Rogers connection,
and even last year with the New York Jets when
you had Garrett Wilson catching more than one hundred passes,
Devonte Adams when he comes over in the trade catching
nearly seventy passes. His three tight ends caught at least
seventy three passes. This is a receiver and a receiver
(24:01):
group that Aaron Rodgers likes just as much as Mike
Tomlin's press conferences.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
Actually, Aaron Rodgers said he thought this was the best
tight ends room he has ever had in his career.
I am going to be looking at the new York
Jets offense to see what it is. Obviously, everything is
new with the Jets. Aaron Glenn is a new head coach,
they have a new offensive coordinator. They have a new
quarterback in Justin Field, who was a little bit up
and down during training camp, and so it'll be interesting
(24:31):
to see what they come out with. Aaron Glenn has
showed tremendous confidence in Justin Fields. He believes his ceiling
is still very high and that he is nowhere near
reaching it. He wants him to use his legs as
we're watching in this highlight right now. Another question I'll
be looking for an answer to is with the loss
of guard Elijah Vera Tucker, how does that change what
(24:53):
they are able to do on this offense? Because they
want to be a run first offense. They want to
be able to pound the ball. That've got a strong
running back room, and of course they have a running quarterback.
But losing probably their best offensive lineman just a few
days before the season opener, will see how they adjust
to that. Steve, thank you very much. I suspect we
(25:14):
are going to be talking a lot about this game
on Monday.
Speaker 12 (25:20):
Frustration at its utmost last time, being had changed everything.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
I left that we're so empty, and he leaves the
few amongst the Chiefs confetti and uses.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
That as his home screen for two years.
Speaker 4 (25:32):
What would I do when I got this moment view.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
For this time?
Speaker 4 (25:39):
That'd be nice to talk tho.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
This is stunning thirty Ford to nothing against the defending champions.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
What's you talking? Super Bowl NVC, who's on town?
Speaker 7 (26:02):
That's I've done it before, Well I could not do
it again.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
Jalen Hurts. If you watched America's game last night in
NFL network, he said he still has that Chiefs confetti
picture as his backdrop on his phone. Winning the Super Bowl.
That's great. You still got to remember those moments that
humble you and force you to get to greater heights.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Ye.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Speaking of greater heights, Brian Balding are much taller than me.
Has arrived fashionably on time. We love it, Baldy. Yep,
I love something the way that you love regular season
NFL football. And it is finally here with the chats
back on the field to night.
Speaker 8 (26:36):
It is has super Bowl champs returned. That confetti's already fallen.
You know in New Orleans that's over. According to the
Eagles like they've put that behind him. It's all about
a new year, a new focus. They don't want to
be celebrating. They're not going to watch the banner on
furl Maybe some of the Cowboys were, according to CD Lamb,
they want their motivation right, Mike, But I think this
is gonna be.
Speaker 1 (26:53):
A good night for the fans.
Speaker 8 (26:54):
But honestly, you couldn't pick a better opponent for the Eagles,
and to have the Cowboys come to.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Down division opponent.
Speaker 8 (27:00):
Dak has a great record against the Cowboys as a starter,
who's nine to four as a starter. New coach, new system,
new way of doing things. But they get to check
it out against the defending champs. We've seen them in
this spot before. They beat the Giants back in twenty twelve.
They played the Bucks extremely tight in that game. So
the Cowboys in this but and Dak has been in
this spot before, they know how to respond to it.
(27:21):
For this Eagles team, there's changes on both sides of
the ball.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
A big change on offense. Kellen Moore has gone Kevin
Patulo in as the offensive coordinator, but just slid over.
He's been here. Do you think there's gonna be a
lot of continuity with what they what we see from
them on offense, I think so.
Speaker 8 (27:34):
I mean, Kevin's been here since Nick got here. He
came from Indianapolis with them. He's been through all the quarterback, quarterback,
the coordinator changes, the changes in the offense.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
They made a change in the.
Speaker 8 (27:45):
Offense last year after starting two or two and had
a bye weekend. They really went to a run heavy offense,
and it worked for him. They ran the ball seven
hundred and twenty five times last year. I don't know
that they have to be that run heavy this year.
They've got great receivers to throw it to. So we'll
see what the Cowboys past rush looks like tonight. Maybe
Jalen Hurts will have a lot of time to throw
it and find his favorite targets AJ Brown, Devontae Smith
(28:09):
and company.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
I think there's an element of defenses that have spent
the offseason figuring out how to slow the running game.
And a lot of times it's not really that great
an x as an OS thing. It's sometimes get to
the football, get to the ball carrier. But there's a
whole lot of I know in the Eagles mindset. Well,
they spent all this time figuring out how to stop that.
We can also throw the ball. We're gonna put the
ball in the air a little bit. You mentioned it.
(28:30):
I think there is going to be a little bit
of that tweak to the offense. It's been there before, well,
a tweak to the offense. Now that being said, the
Cowboys added Kenny Clark to stop the run, not just
for the Eagles but for a number of teams. But
certainly when the best team of your division is running
the football that way, you bring in that guy. What
do you think he's going to mean to this defense. Well,
first of all, he's a pro.
Speaker 8 (28:47):
He's been around a long time. He didn't play as
many snaps last year as he's used to playing per game,
so a little bit less on the field. But he's
got leadership. He does know how to play the run.
He is a very good football player. They have had
a problem in that area. Mazzie Smith was the first
round pick. He hasn't been great so far. We're not
writing them off yet.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
O digga zoo.
Speaker 8 (29:07):
They get a new contract this year. I mean, they
got to be better in the middle. It's been a
weakness of theirs and so Kenny Clark can provide that.
You went back and watched Kenny Clark against Eagles in
the playoffs. He had a good game. I mean they
kind of slowed him down a little bit until the
end of the game.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
Now you stop the run, then you put your pass
rushers in a position to tee off. Now, if you're
a casual non Cowboys fan, you may not even be
able to name their starting defense. Eve ends. You got
Sam Williams, got Dante Faller, I mean people have seen
what he can do. You've got Donovan Azeraku, the rookie
second round pick behind him, local kid from sel Chers. Yeah,
you got Marshawn Neeland as well. They've got a lot
(29:41):
of second round picks there amongst that group there, and
Dante Feller being a former first round pick, and Sam
Wayas coming off at ACL. They have very high expectations
for him. Can he get the job done well? He's
shown flashes.
Speaker 8 (29:51):
Sam has flashed since he was the second round pick
out of Ole Miss. He's had some injuries and he's
had some off the field issues. But they need these
guys to step They're gonna get an opportunity. I mean
those are the guys, those four guys you mentioned are
giving me the first four that are gonna get after
the quarterback. Now, they happen to be going up against
the best handem of tackles in all football in Lane
Johnson and Jordan Malina. So they're gonna get a challenged
(30:14):
here today.
Speaker 1 (30:15):
No doubt about it. Those are the names that have
a chance to make a name for themselves for themselves
starting tonight here at Link Financial Field, Bald, he don't
go anywhere. We're talking more NFC East Football later in
the show. Coming up next, our Michael f Florio tells
you who to start, who to city, told you who
to draft. Now he's gonna tell you who to put
in the starting lineup that is coming up next.
Speaker 4 (30:34):
On the Insiders, Welcome back with the Insiders. I usually
say welcome inside with the Insiders, but we got one
insider outside that's Mike carefol We got another Fantasy insider.
Welcome inside to Fantasy Insiders or whatever. Michael f Florio
(30:54):
inside the studio, not his own apartment. There's no plan
to be seen here at all before you. Thank you
very much for joining us. We are very excited for this,
mostly because we no longer have to pepper you with
fantasy advice and who to draft. Now we have to
pepper you for fantasy advice and who to start or sit.
So let's start with tonight's game. Tell me what I
(31:17):
should do, and I guess tell everyone else too.
Speaker 15 (31:19):
It feels weird doing this and not being in my
home and being in this awesome studio. But I think
the wide receiver twos are in play tonight, starting with
George Pickens.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
I know it's his.
Speaker 15 (31:28):
First game as a Dallas Cowboy.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
I don't care if you drafted him.
Speaker 15 (31:32):
You took him to be a starter, and I think
you should start him. He is an excellent downfield threat.
He led the NFL last season and catches h twenty
and thirty yards and Dak has the third highest deep
pass success rate in the last two seasons. And look,
I kind of expect the Cowboys to be chasing points tonight,
which means they're gonna have.
Speaker 1 (31:50):
To air it out.
Speaker 15 (31:51):
And if they're chasing points, that means the Eagles are
scoring points, which is why I think DeVonta Smith remains
in play in Week one. Just like picking, if you
drafted him, you drafted him to start him, and he
went for six one hundred and twenty yards and two
touchdowns in his last game against the Cowboys, and last
season the Cowboys allowed me six most fantasy points per game.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Two wide receivers.
Speaker 4 (32:13):
He brings a saint flour.
Speaker 15 (32:14):
We know the upside is high, and without Micah Parsons there,
the Eagles might put up a whole bunch of points tonight.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
You're gonta be watching the game.
Speaker 15 (32:22):
Why not get some fantasy action in it and get
the wide receiver twos in your lineup.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
Yeah, I had to tuck my tie in by the
way because it's windy here in Philadelphia. You know, one
of these Mike Florida on a tie. But the wins
are expected to calm down. There could be a little
bit of rain as we get into the game. But
that being said, I do expect both teams to throw
the ball. All that information into your head. Florio give
us who's now gonna be or who he should sit
(32:48):
for tonight.
Speaker 15 (32:49):
Yeah, I know, like bad weather usually leads to running
the ball. But I'm sitting Javonte Williams tonight. I know
he is the Cowboys starter. He doesn't have to be
your fantasy starter, especially in this Matt Last year, the
Eagles allowed the second fewest fantasy points per game two
opposing running backs and just five touchdowns rushing and receiving
to the position last season. And Javonte he has struggled
(33:13):
as a runner for a couple of years, and however,
since that knee injury last season, he was bottom ten
in explosive run rate, so you can't really bank on
big plays here.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
He struggled to turn targets.
Speaker 15 (33:24):
Into productive yards last season, so look, it's a tough matchup.
There might be other weeks to use him, but I'm
not playing him in Week one, and then I'm sitting
both tight ends tonight as well. Last season, the Eagles
allowed the fewest fantasy points two tight ends, and Ferguson
in both games against Philly was held to under twenty
five yards and he lost the fumble in each of those.
And then Goddard, he gets a better matchup the Cowboys.
(33:46):
They've only allowed the second fewest fantasy points to tight
ends last season, and Godard averaged just five targets per
game when aj Brown and DeVonta Smith were healthy, So
tough matchup. Don't really love that you can't count on
the volume. There not a tight end game tonight.
Speaker 4 (34:01):
In my opinion, well, I gotta say likely he's sitting
week one for me, but I got Coaston Lovelin. Maybe
he breaks out week one his first game.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
We'll see.
Speaker 4 (34:08):
I mean again, all I care about is my fantasy team.
But let's talk about other people's fantasy teams. Let's actually
turn the focus for you some of the games this weekend.
And a team we've been talking about just a little bit.
Is Jordan Love the Packers quarterback. This is not a
Micah Parson's question. Is Jordan Love a start or sin?
Speaker 15 (34:25):
Look, there'll be plenty of weeks to start Jordan Love.
I don't think that this is one of them. And
I know when people think, oh, Lions, Packers, it's going
to have a lot of points. That hasn't been the case,
especially for the quarterbacks in this game. In the last
two games against the Lions, Jordan Love has averaged two
hundred and forty passing yards per game, and he has
one touchdown in those two games with one interception.
Speaker 1 (34:47):
And you're like, all right, but he's home.
Speaker 15 (34:49):
Well, the last two home games against Detroit, he has
one touchdown and three interceptions. So I just think there's
better options out in opening week and you didn't draft
Jordan Love likely as your QB one, so you have
another option on your team.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
I would take that other option, Florio. You've been pounding
the table for a Mecca Abuca to draft him, especially
because we expected Chris Godwin to not start the season.
Do not tell me to sit him now week one. No, No, start.
Speaker 15 (35:15):
Him with confidence.
Speaker 1 (35:16):
I know he's a rookie. I know it's his first game.
Speaker 15 (35:19):
He is still going to be the number two target
for Baker Mayfield almost by default with everyone else banged
up there, and.
Speaker 1 (35:25):
It is a good matchup.
Speaker 15 (35:26):
The Falcons last season allowed the most fantasy points and
touchdowns too wide receivers. They were top five and touchdowns
allowed to slot receivers. And I think Abuka plays a
ton out of the slot, especially early on, and these
two divisional opponents they lead to a lot of points.
Last year, the Bucks averaged twenty eight points per game
against the Falcons. Baker threw three touchdowns in each of
(35:47):
those games.
Speaker 1 (35:48):
They were shootouts.
Speaker 15 (35:49):
I think you're gonna see a lot.
Speaker 4 (35:50):
Of points in this one.
Speaker 15 (35:51):
And look, he was rising in drafts, so you paid
a pretty price to get.
Speaker 1 (35:55):
A Mecca Abuka. Why would you send him.
Speaker 4 (35:58):
Let's shart the focus of running backs, most specifically the
Denver Broncos running backs. You got Jaky Dobbins, you got RJ. Harvey.
Here's my question for you and a lot of people
drafted Harvey pretty early in the draft, the second rounder
for when the Broncos took him. Is Harvey a start
or a sit for you?
Speaker 15 (36:15):
I have him been in quite a few leagues. I'm
starting him where I have him. I think, for one,
he is in a great system with Sean Payton.
Speaker 1 (36:22):
We know Champayton loves.
Speaker 15 (36:23):
To target the running backs at the highest.
Speaker 1 (36:25):
Rate in the NFL. We saw in the preseason.
Speaker 4 (36:28):
RJ.
Speaker 15 (36:28):
Harvey is going to handle early downs and I think
game Script is.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
Going to be on his side in this one.
Speaker 15 (36:34):
It is a rookie quarterback making his first start against
the number one ranked defense and the defensive.
Speaker 1 (36:40):
Player of the year. So if I think Gamescript will
be on the.
Speaker 15 (36:43):
Broncos side, I expect a whole lot of running.
Speaker 1 (36:46):
Not only am I starting RJ.
Speaker 11 (36:47):
Harvey, I think JK.
Speaker 15 (36:49):
Dobbins is also in play as a flex option, and
I have there are a lot of teams and I
have Harvey in some lineups and JK.
Speaker 1 (36:56):
Dobbins in some as well. All Right, I have long
term concern. It's about Travis Etn in Jacksonville. I'm a
big bay Shaw root and toutin guy. So week one
are we starting Etn? Look?
Speaker 15 (37:09):
The matchup on paper is fantastic. I don't have it
in me to start him though, because we don't know
what this backfield is going to look like. Tuton is there, Tank,
Bigsby is there. Etn is clearly there, and I know
they're talking about Etn like using him all over the
field and a slot as a receiver, stuff like that.
But if Bigsby is getting the early down work and
(37:29):
the goal one work, it's gonna make it really hard
for either of them to be really fantasy relevant. So
in week one with no buys with injuries haven't really
started piling up yet. I know the matchup is great
and says to play him, but I need to see
it first. I would play it safe and go in
another direction.
Speaker 4 (37:46):
One thing we're not gonna see for you is Mari
Cooper on the field this weekend or maybe ever again,
or certainly ever again for the Las Vegas Raiders. Informed
the team earlier today. That he is retiring just does
not have it in him anymore. So ripped right from
the headlines our headlines. Congratulations, go team. How do you
feel about the Amari Cooper situation? What's his fantasy impact?
Speaker 15 (38:09):
Well, I found out he retired because a friend of
mine that I share a team with, we picked up
at MARII Cooper last night and he sent me your
tweet and was like.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Great pickup. So that didn't work out.
Speaker 15 (38:19):
But I think Deontay Thornton is going to get a
real opportunity to shine here in draft metrics, like it's
like him, DK Metcalf, Calvin Johnson had their same measurements
and speed, so there's a lot of upside there. I
think he'll be a little boom or bus to start
early on, but someone that you want on your fantasy
bench because there's a lot of upside there.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
But it probably means in the short term.
Speaker 15 (38:42):
More brock Bowers than Jacoby Myers.
Speaker 1 (38:44):
Florio, you were with me for my draft via tech,
so you know I took Rishi Rice. I said, I'll
punt in the first six weeks to get that impact
later in the season. So I said, I'll probably be
a little thin at the flex position, and that's what
I'm facing here in week one. So help me through
this one, because this is the only one I care about.
The question gets to my team. You see it on
the bottom of the screen. I got xavierly get or
(39:04):
I go Jordan Mason or Jerome Ford's getting no love
As the starting running back of the Browns. I have
a feeling which way you're gonna go, but I want
to hear it.
Speaker 15 (39:11):
There's gonna be a lot of weeks where I might
say Jordan Mason, but I think in week one Jerome
Ford is your guy, Mike, because the match right like,
the Bengals give up a ton of points. They were
middle of the pack against the run last year, but
they gave up so many points.
Speaker 1 (39:25):
And Jerome Ford is the veteran there.
Speaker 15 (39:27):
I think they're gonna look to lean on him, and
if they fall behind, he also gets used in the
passing game.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
I like Jordan Mason.
Speaker 15 (39:34):
I want to see it first though, because Aaron Jones
is still there. He's gonna get a lot of volume
and then we get brings a lot of upside.
Speaker 1 (39:40):
But again, I want to see it.
Speaker 15 (39:41):
I don't want to just blindly put him in my lineup,
so I'd go with the veteran and Ford there and
good luck to your team, thank you.
Speaker 4 (39:48):
I don't wish him too much, law no, no, no,
good luck to my team of course.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Oh yeah, Giants Commanders. This was actually a tight one
last year. A couple of times Giants played them well
despite the fact that the Commanders we're a playoff team
last season. Now number three is in charge at least
for now as quarterback one. Here is Russell Wilson on
the expectations for the Giants.
Speaker 16 (40:14):
I think a big part of it is is with
expectations is just being expecting the next play to be
your best play and letting that add up and hopefully
you have seventy five really great moments. And that's what
I've really learned and believed, you know, for the longest time,
is that, you know. So I think the expectation is
just doing this play right, you know, doing this play well,
(40:34):
and then letting those add up and then when you
look at it all at the end of the season,
you're like, dang, that was pretty good. Hopefully, you know.
I think that's that's what we want to be able
to do.
Speaker 8 (40:42):
Having Terry and Noah working out with you guys, now,
I mean that offense.
Speaker 1 (40:47):
It's an unfair question. But what are you what are
you capable of with this offense?
Speaker 6 (40:51):
The guess who's gonna find out on Sunday. I don't
really have any answer. I just hope we will, not hope,
but go out there and execute a high standard. That's
the standard that we keep in that center. We uphold
each and every day, especially another you're in the system,
we know it. We're allowed to go out there and
play fast and free.
Speaker 1 (41:13):
Listen in journalism students, Brian Baldinger, never tell a guy
that you're asking a question that's an unfair question. Don't
give him that out. Just ask the question. All right, Pauldy,
we're gonna look at this match up here. You got
Jaydon Daniels. Can we expect the same type of performance?
Can we expect another step forward? What do you expect
the game?
Speaker 8 (41:28):
I think another step forward? I mean he was phenomenal
in twenty starts. They won fourteen games, like they won
two playoff games. They lost their final game right here
against Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (41:37):
I'm sure that stings him a little bit.
Speaker 8 (41:39):
But this guy, the poise that we all talked about,
just the likability, the fact that it never felt like
they could give them they could overload him.
Speaker 1 (41:47):
Whatever they gave them, he could digest.
Speaker 8 (41:49):
So I think the piece around left tackle Larum Utensel,
you know, Deebo Samuel getting Terry McLaurin back. I just
think that they've given him some pieces and it's gonna
allow him to even be better.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
Yeah, they're going for it now because in a little bit,
this guy's gonna cost them hey ton of money and
that's gonna hurt their ability to do things elsewhere on
the roster. So now's the time to be aggressive. Adam
Peters knows that he was with the San Francisco forty
nine ers early on, as you saw a brock party here.
The other side of this matchup is extremely interesting because
it was such a positive training. Can't play giants on
(42:20):
the defensive side of the ball. That defensive front can
be nasty, and we're gonna get to see it live
for the first time. And then you got the quarterback,
I mean Russell Wilson. You know he should be able
to run the operation to play solidly, but Jackson Dart
did everything you could ask in the preseason. How long
do you keep him well?
Speaker 8 (42:36):
Here's here's the dilemma, Mike. The dilemma is this, he
might be jayde Daniels and we might not know if
he's sitting. But then if the team isn't very good
and they're struggling and you throw them out there, maybe
that could set him back a little bit if he
just if they're all over. But I kind of feel like,
sit them, let them watch for.
Speaker 1 (42:56):
A little bit.
Speaker 8 (42:57):
But I wouldn't wait too long before because I think
we all saw something pretty special with how we saw
the field. We get it's preseason, but the command that
he had, no huddle up, tempo plays out, nothing too
big like it was a really fun, optimistic preseason for
the Giants. From his standpoint, I saw some of the
reporters speculate that maybe they'll have a package of plays
(43:20):
for him.
Speaker 1 (43:20):
Which usually you see with like a running like a
Jalen Millro type. I don't think they're too far off.
I don't think that's out of the question, and we'll
see as we get closer to Sunday whether there is
a package of plays for Jackson dark Paul, you're the best.
I can't wait to see what you've got out of
this game. Tonight and all you're analysis moving forward for
the insiders.
Speaker 4 (43:38):
Oh you would like more insiders, Well you are in luck.
Starting next week September eighth, which is Monday. We got
insiders every day in different forms, well sometimes the same form,
but sometimes different. For instance, Monday podcasting, YouTube, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Friday the regular NFL Plus and NFL Network, Thursday Fast,
(44:00):
NFL Bus and YouTube. It's a lot of insiders, and
we got the insiders right here as we finish us
off and get ready for the game tonight, a big
one tonight Eagles Cowboys the opener, Judy, how are you
planning on watching?
Speaker 3 (44:17):
I will be home, which is a treat with the
big screen. We never get to watch games from home
because you're usually in a stadium. I've got some sushi
for dinner.
Speaker 10 (44:24):
I am ready to roll.
Speaker 8 (44:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (44:27):
Where where am I watching out? Sitting in Mike Trout seats.
That's where I'm in a press box. We're back.
Speaker 4 (44:35):
Mike and Mike Trout. Now that is a fair I
would like to hang out with and watch the games anyway.
Tune in tomorrow for more Insiders.
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