NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport, Judy Battista and Mike Garafolo are live from training camps around the NFL, tackling the top storylines including latest on Micah Parsons and his trade request, Bills RB James Cook’s hold-in status, WR Terry McLaurin’s trade request and Matthew Stafford’s back injury. Kimmi Chex & Marc Ross recap Browns training camp practice and talk with QB Kenny Pickett, while Ian Rapoport & Omar Ruiz speak with Raiders QB Geno Smith. Tom and Cam recap Falcons practice and the Insiders provide updates for the Ravens, Chargers, Chiefs and Steelers!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
The cowtown is on the preseason openers for thirty NFL teams.
We've got training camps covered coast to coast. These next
sixty minutes, Gino Smith and the Raiders in Las Vegas,
Michael Pennix Junior and the Falcons in Rainy Flowery Branch,
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on the field, and well,
whoever ends up being the Browns quarterback. We go fort
(00:29):
deep two. Welcome inside with the Insiders, alongside Ian Rappaport
who is in Las Vegas, Judy Battista, Mike Garifolo, who
is in Los Angeles. I'm Tom Pilaicero here with the Falcons.
We are just days away from the preseason openers for
most teams, the first full weekend of preseason games. One
(00:51):
month from tonight, we've got the regular season kickoff. It
is the Eagles and the Cowboys, and the biggest storyline
clearly between now and then, will Michael Parsons be on
the field for that game. That is where we begin
in Oxnard, California, where MICHAEH. Parsons three days ago, in
a lengthy social media post, requested a trade from the
(01:13):
Dallas Cowboys, saying he no longer wants to be there,
no longer wants to be held to negotiations that occurred
without his agent present. As for the Cowboys, they're saying,
not so fast.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
We're still planning on moving Mike around and putting him
in all the spots that we see him and using
our fronts the way we want to see it. And no,
we just you know, we go about our business every day.
We live in the moment. We folcus in the moment.
And again, like I said, I talked to you guys
the other day, I'm not going to get a lot
into it, but you know, I expect Michael to be here.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I love these guys. Frankly, I can be in a
place in the war and I want to be right here.
I want to be right here with camp, enjoy these players,
enjoy Micah h But as always in any relationships or
different moods at different times of your relationship, that's what
it is. Don't lose in sleepover, So just do That's
(02:10):
the one thing I would say to our fan, don't
lose in sleepover.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
In a way, I would say, this was almost an
inevitable point in this saga, was it not. Michah Parsons,
who whether it's in a podcast or social media, everything
that he wants to say is going to come out Eventually.
Inevitably you get multiple people from the Cowboys organization coming
out and having to respond to it. The real question
(02:35):
out here, Ian, where Micah says I want out, the
Cowboys say You're not getting out. What is the next
pressure point?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Here? Is this thing moves forward?
Speaker 5 (02:44):
Yeah, it's been fascinating time to listen to the football
people like Brian Schottenheimer, I mean, Jerry Jones.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
We know what he's going to talk about. He's going
to talk about the business.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
Schottenheimer is going to talk about the football, and that
is really in that building in Auction Nerd right now.
What they want is to see Micah Parsons, the football player,
one of the very best in the NFL, who is
great at being moved around the defense, who does create
pressure basically everywhere he's been and is certainly one of
the best players regardless of position in the NFL. They
want him to be playing for their team. That now
(03:14):
remains an open question. As you mentioned, Michah Parsons has
requested a trade. The Cowboys have said we'll see about that.
The next pressure point to answer your question is when
do the cowboys say to Micah Parsons, you need to
start practicing. He is now doing what is called a
hold in, which has become very popular around the NFL
over the last couple of years.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
It's not a holdout.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
He's not getting fined, he's not losing any of his
guaranteed money. He is there, He is present. They can
see him every day on the sideline. Sometimes he has
been close on the sideline, sad Jerry Jones or Steven Jones.
Sometimes he has talked to them, but he has not
been participating. What if the cowboys say, you know what,
you need to start practicing.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
What happens then? Where does it go?
Speaker 5 (03:55):
Is their discipline reaction or do they say, you know what,
let's just ride it out the this is a guy
we want with us for the next ten years. Only
Tom will tell which way all sides react to that.
Speaker 6 (04:05):
Jerry Jones and his latest comments now to USA Today
at this point talking about the fact that Micah Parsons,
like a lot of players, wants an extension with a
contract that he is currently in the middle of. Jerry
seems very adamant now about well, this is what the contract.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
This is the length of the contract.
Speaker 6 (04:21):
He did it with his head coach Mike McCarthy last
year and it resulted in negotiations after the season didn't
add anything. On teams, they're usually not willing to let
a coach coach out his entire contract. Jerry now talking
about it in regards to the players and say, well
they should. They're trying to get these negotiations done in
the middle of a contract instead of playing it out.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
And I know, I hear you. Every coach, excuse.
Speaker 6 (04:43):
Me, every agent, and every player right now is in
my ear.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
I got you.
Speaker 6 (04:46):
Don't worry because they'll say, well, what about the last
couple of years of a deal, when the team basically
rips it up by saying those are non guaranteed years,
guess what we're cutting you right now?
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Bye bye.
Speaker 6 (04:55):
This is the player's chance to do the opposite and say, yeah,
I know I've got a couple of years left on
this contract, franchise tags after that, but this is the
point at which I'm taking my stance, and this is
the point at which I want my extension.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Because I'm putting my body on the line.
Speaker 6 (05:07):
And that's what Parsons has said in this case, So
that's his guy, his right right now to put the
pressure on the team and see if he can get
an extension out of this.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
There's been no further communication.
Speaker 6 (05:19):
Something's got to give at some point here Ian, whether
it's get back on the field or get this deal done.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
Well, I do wonder at what points something gives and
what is going to cause it to give, Like, what's
going to happen here? Is the team finally going to
call the agent? Is the agent finally going to call
the team? Are they going to insist that Micah get
on the field, and then we.
Speaker 8 (05:40):
Have some sort of breaking point.
Speaker 7 (05:43):
I don't know what's going to get this off the
point where it is now, which is basically nowhere. And
as we get closer and closer to the season. Obviously
they want their best player on the field practicing, But
why should he get on the field and practice if
there hasn't been a new contract and bigger picture here,
I just don't understand the benefit that is accruing to
(06:04):
the team by doing it this way. They are angering
the best player on the team. And you we've watched
as other players that sort of lined up with Micah
here on Micah's side. I don't understand what the Cowboys
are getting out of this, except that we all talk
about it every day. That's not going to get them
to win a Super Bowl, though they need Michael Parsons
(06:26):
on the field if they have any chance to do that.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
I will also issue my annual reminder here that a
hold in is not a real thing. That's not the
collective margating agreement. It didn't exist even ten years ago.
If you don't practice, just because you're there doesn't get
you out of the fines. If you don't practice, you
can be fined. You can be suspended, have a game
check taken away for conduct detrimental. If you leave camp,
the team can put you on the left squad list
(06:50):
and take you out for the entire season. We're not
there yet, but the point is, at a time we've
got several of these hold ins taking place, there are
actions the team can take. It's a sign of good
faith that they have not taken those yet. Another one
of those holdings right now ian playing out in Buffalo.
Speaker 5 (07:07):
Yeah, let's talk about the latest hold in for James Cook,
the member of the Buffalo bill is one of the
key parts of their offense. One of the best running
backs in the NFL, just not quite paid like one
yet he is standing on business. To quote him, as
he told local reporters, showed up a camp on time
in grave shape practice well now not so much officially
(07:30):
launching his hold in. So Brandon Bean had to now
react to this, which he did recently.
Speaker 9 (07:36):
That's not something we were fully aware of until, you know,
shortly before practice, and so you know, I get it.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
I understand.
Speaker 9 (07:43):
It's the it's the world we're in. I guess of
how players want to respond and things like that. You know,
love James, and you know, at the end of the day,
you know, we want all our guys practice, and we
know that. I mean, we got some guys out, you know,
due to injuries or soft tissue and stuff like that.
So we're trying to get as many guys on the
(08:04):
practice field as we can and start preparing for this
first preseason game and hopefully we'll get him back out
there soon.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
When I was in Buffalo, there's a lot of public
and private plays for James Cook, who showed up in
great shape, practicing well. Despite wanting a new contract, everything
was all good. They just wanted to try to get somehow,
some way closer to a deal, and all of a
sudden he says, you know what, Nope, I'm just not practicing.
He stands on business, the Bills are where they are,
and look, I understand honestly from a James Cook standpoint,
(08:35):
They've gotten a lot of deals done with a lot
of really good young players. Most notably there's stars on
their defense, and of course Josh Allen gets a new
deal as well on offense. James Cook wants a lot
of money, wants to be one of the highest paid
running backs in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
He has been productive enough, no doubt about it.
Speaker 10 (08:51):
But from the.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
Bills standpoint, I get it too. They have a lot
of bounds to feed. This is a championship caliber team
that they want to keep together. So basic where it
stands is the Bills made it offer. It is obviously
not something that Cook and his agent Zach Hiller have accepted,
but in their minds it's like, we want to lock
you up to a deal. This is where we could go,
and Hillar and Cooker more like, yeah, we deserve more.
(09:14):
And that's basically the Standstill remains to be seen how
it will be broken or if at some point, de
Bill say, James, you need to get back on the field. Obviously,
more on this in the coming days.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Careful, Thank you, Rappaport.
Speaker 6 (09:27):
I was in Washington the other day Josh Harris and
Terry McLaren had a little dep up hug situation, which
frankly I sort of explained back then. Terry McLaren's been
about as professional about this trade request hold in situation
as you could expect. He is a team leader, so
they did expect that from him. They always expect professional
(09:48):
behavior from him, and they're getting it in this case.
I mean, what do you expect he was going to
kick Josh Harris in the shins. Of course, he's going
to give the guy a hug. This is all business
that is going on right now with mclauren. I did
not get the sense that since his trade reques, teams
have been burning up the phone lines ready to give
up a ton of draft pick compensation Number one to
Washington because they still value him and they're still going
(10:08):
to want a lot for him, and number two then
the money on the back end. This is a tough
time of year for a general manager to go to
his owner and say, hey, we need thirty million dollars
per year to pay a guy, so this situation is
going to take a while to reserve. Buddy Baker, Terry
mclaurin's agent, had been at practice pretty much on the regular,
I said the other day, I don't expect him anywhere
near there in the near future, So I think there's
still some time for this one to develop between McLaren
(10:31):
and the Commanders. He doesn't want to play out the
last year of the deal at fifteen million dollars in change.
The Commanders have tried to get a deal done at
a lower number of a McLaren and Baker essay, not
nearly good enough for us.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
So don't know which.
Speaker 6 (10:43):
Side's going to buckle on this one or how it's
going to be resolved. Maybe some money added to this
year and a bit of an extension, maybe not.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
At the number that mclauren and Baker had.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
In mind, a little bit lower, but maybe something that
finally gets it done. Either way, Judy, I think it's
still going to take some time.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Thank you.
Speaker 8 (10:59):
Mike.
Speaker 7 (11:00):
Have been telling everybody to keep an eye on Matthew
Stafford's health ever since the Rams told us right before
training camp that he has back sore on us and
would not practice when training camp started. Well, he still
is in practicing, and Sean McVay gave an update that
was maybe a little bit concerning over the weekend. He
labeled the situation now week to week. He talked about
(11:20):
wanting to ease him back into football and these were
his words in the near future. He talked about where
Matthew Stafford is in his rehab work. He talked about
unloaded walking and running on a treadmill like cardio, So
it certainly doesn't sound like he is anywhere near full
on football activities. He has visited a back specialist multiple times.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
The Rams have a.
Speaker 7 (11:43):
Joint practice with the Cowboys tomorrow. He is obviously not
going to be participating, and that probably not in the
one next week with the Chargers. He wouldn't be playing
in preseason games anyway, but certainly this is a cause
for concern as we push further into August and Matthew
Stafford is not on the field.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Toms the Browns have had their own share of quarterback
issues through the course of camp. Can he Picktt still
limited right now because of a hamstring Dylan Gabriel popped
up today with some hamstring tightness and did not practice.
Shador Sanders had arm soreness recently, but he was back
on the practice field today and did not sound too concerned. Yeah.
Speaker 11 (12:22):
In college, Yeah, in college, it was often it was
just adjusting to starting to stop. And honestly, that's all
it truly is is you know, sometimes you're going hot,
then you'll wait for a second, then you'll get cold
and get back hot, then get cold, and you know,
I'm just I wouldn't My arm and body wasn't used
to that, you know, So it's just an adjustment.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Catch every NFL preseason game right here on NFL Network,
including twenty one of them live, all three Browns preseason games.
You guess it will be right here on NFL Network,
in no small part because of that four way quarterback
competition in which Schador said in line to make his
debut and perhaps an early statement Thursday night against the Panthers.
Speaker 12 (13:09):
Mark, can you help level set and give some context
around the four headed competition at quarterback here for the Cleveland.
Speaker 13 (13:16):
Brown Definitely a unique situation, as we've talked about all
off season with the Browns quarterback situation. Now you see
it firsthand. I've seen it firsthand today and look, Joe
Flacco doesn't need any reps, so that's number one. He
can come off the couch. He can come off the
recliner and go start games in the NFL, and Kevin
Stefanski completely trust him. Kenny Pick has been slowed by
injury here with a hamstring injury. Started out hot, but
(13:39):
I think with him, you want to see the emergence
the growth with him because he gives you that dual
threat that Joe Flacco does not have. So he's got
to get healthy in order to do that. And he
has super Bowl experience. Former first round pick was with
the Steelers, so he won't be phased by the big
game situation.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
The two young guys, Dylan Gabriel.
Speaker 13 (13:57):
The third round pick, Schador Sanders, a fifth round pick,
We just want them to learn and grow each day
and take baby steps. Can they master the offense? Can
they master the playbook? Are the teammates looking at them
saying you're making the right check? So a little bit
more of a We just want to wait and develop
with those guys, not expecting them to jump out there
and start week one.
Speaker 12 (14:16):
What do you think are the key factors? And these
guys differentiating themselves. Obviously you were a scout, You've been
in personnel for a long time with multiple organizations. What
are the key factors that they're assessing between these four guys.
Speaker 13 (14:26):
Well, number one, especially the young guys, it's how they're
handling the film room, how they're handling the playbook.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
That's number one.
Speaker 13 (14:35):
Before anything happens out there, they have to master that
because then they can think fast. Then they can make checks,
then they can make all the assignments and changes and
protection changes, and then the team can look at them
and say, oh wow, yes, we have belief, we have
faith in these guys that we can go with them.
Joe Flacco, They're not looking for anything from him. We
know what's going on with Joe.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
Again.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
The wild card is Kenny.
Speaker 13 (14:55):
Pickett, where he still has I mean he's still young,
he's only been in the league years and been through
a lot in that short time. Has the highest of
hides of being a Super Bowl champ, the lowess of
low's of being a not successful first round pick. So
I think there's still a lot of untapped potential that
Kevin Stefanski thinks that he can.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Get out of.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Picket.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
But he's got to get on the field and get healthy.
Speaker 12 (15:19):
Now, General manager Andrew Berry has teased potentially and said,
there's the scenario in which we keep all five quarterbacks.
You've worked in a front office, the likelihood of that happening, Yeah.
Speaker 13 (15:28):
Look, I trust Andrew fantastic. Today stopped by said, hi
as the coach Stefanski, the nicest duo head coach GM
duo in the NFL. But you know that would be
a rare current. I don't think that has ever happened.
This competition is rare. But now to say we're going
to keep these four on the fifty three, your special
teams coaches, your tight end coach, your O line coachs like, well,
well wait a minute, now, we need some of these
(15:50):
bodies for us. So I would think he has to
talk about that now. But when it comes down to
cut down day, you won't see all four of these
quarterbacks on the roster.
Speaker 12 (16:00):
The Cleveland Browns they finished their practice behind us. They're
going to head off to Carolina tomorrow. I head of
a joint practice versus the Panthers on Wednesday.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
You might look at the weather report and say sixty
two and raining isn't the best day for a training
camp practice if you're us, definitely true if you're the players.
Everyone I talked to said this was the day to
be in Flowery Branch, a little break from the heat
and a great chance for us to take a look
at Michael Pennock Junior. And yes, that is Kirk Cousins
still in Atlanta as the highest paid backup quarterback right
(16:29):
now in NFL history. Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pelaceral,
Cameron Wolf here in Flowery Branch. Tell me right now, Cam,
your initial reactions about Michael Pennick Junior. You got to
talk to Rahee Morris. What is the vibe around the
first time full time starter in Atlanta?
Speaker 14 (16:45):
Tom, I don't know if it was us, but Michael
Pennock's put on a show today. He knew that the
rain was not going to stop that fiery arm coming out.
And I talked to his offensive coinator, Zach Robinson right
after practice and he said, did you see Michael Pennocks today? Yes, Zach,
we saw Michael Pennocks today. He had a great day.
When one of the highlights was throwing a deep pass
into the end zone to Kyle Pitt's perfect touchdown placement,
(17:08):
and he's talked this offseason about how there's going to
be more of those throws to Kyle Pitts throughout the season. Look,
I'm not trying to sell you, but if there is
a hint of a Kyle Pitt's revival, we got it today.
And look, Michael Pennis has a level of intelligence that
his coaches rave about. Robinson, the offensive coiner told me
he was with Matthew Stafford with the Rams and said
the way he studies and processes and handles the amount
(17:31):
of plays they give him is similar to what they
had in Stafford in LA And that rose myes quite
a bit. And you talked about Rahee Morris. He talked
about Michael Pennix into year two. We forget he came
in in December last year. He hadn't practiced with the
starting offense at all. Now he gets a full off
season with the starters and we're starting to see his aura,
his bond with teammates. I know they had Michael Vick
(17:53):
and Matt Ryan spend some time with him this offseason
to help him. This is his team, no matter what.
Kirk Cousin's there him, but he is the clear backup.
Michael Pennix is the guy you.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Mentioned the connection with Kyle pittch that's a connection that
has been brewing for quite some time. And talking to
people here, Michael Pennix Junior and Kyle Pitts are very close.
Pitts went through some things physically through the course of
the off season. Obviously the last couple of years ever
since he had the mcl tear haven't been the best.
But he looks great physically. Pennicks and Hits golf together,
spend a lot of time together off the field. You
(18:24):
never want to get ahead of it here when you're
talking about a player who, at least if you're a
fantasy football owner, may have underwhelmed in recent yearship, but
it seems like if Pitt's is going to make himself
some money and he's got a chance to, this could
be the year.
Speaker 14 (18:34):
Yeah, And talking to people here, it sounds like Kyle
Pitts is indeed healthy. He caught that touchdown pass we
talked about today, And I talked to some people about
the trade rumors we heard all off season about Kyle Pitts.
From what I understand, they never were shopping Kyle Pitts.
They said that we yes, we got some calls, but
nothing enough for us to pull the trigger. We anticipate
him being a big part of our offense, along with
(18:54):
Drake Lennon, along with b John Robinson in and this
Falcon seems excited about the potential there.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
And when you look at this Falcons.
Speaker 14 (19:01):
Team, they haven't made the playoffs in twenty seventeen, they
have a certain hunger. We talked to Jesse Bates, we
talked to AJ Trell and they're like, we gotta get
over the hump. Got a new defensive coidinator and Jeff Olbrich.
They feel they have clear communication and there's a certain
buzz that comes from their rookie pass rushers James Pierce
Junior and Jalen Walker.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
And I'll tell you what. Pierce has got an edge.
He got in a little scuffle.
Speaker 14 (19:22):
Today and it wasn't the first one he's at in camp,
but that's what they want.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
They want a little bit of the edge, a little
bit of that energy.
Speaker 14 (19:28):
He's been a force off the edge with his speed
and now he's been able to contribute and they expect
him and Jalen Walker to both be huge impact players
in year one.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Jalen Walker got out on the field in team drills
for the first time his nurse in a very minor
hamstring injury. Nothing to be concerned about. Aj Trell sent
down with Brian Baldinger and I asked him about what
was it like seeing those guys drafted. Him and Jesse
Bates were together at the Falcons draft party. Drell said
he was just lighting up with a big smile. They
were excited a couple of guys rushing the pastor who
can make their jobs easier. Cam Wolf, thank you very much.
(19:59):
You'll see you tomorrow on TV in like fourteen hours
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(20:22):
at Plus dot NFL dot com, Slash Network terms and
conditions apply. Much more to come here on The Insiders,
including a look in at Ravens training camp where Lamar
Jackson does a whole lot more than signing autographs here.
What are the expectations not just for that talented offense,
but a defense that was up and down in twenty
(20:43):
twenty four. It might be the key in twenty twenty five.
We'll dig into a next on the insiders.
Speaker 6 (20:54):
Ravens had a red zone drill during practice yesterday at Mt.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Banks Stadium.
Speaker 6 (20:57):
And imagine the defense are stacking the box because expecting
this guy, Derek Camery to come downhill at you, because
why not, That's what you would do in the tight
red zone.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
And the next thing you know, he runs.
Speaker 6 (21:05):
A real route to the right sideline and catches a
ball over a defender.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
You can't. How are you going to plan for both
of those things?
Speaker 6 (21:13):
That's what the Ravens were working on yesterday during this
practice here at M ANDT Banks Stadium. Judy Batista, as
I bring you in with me, Mike Garatfoalo to talk Ravens.
It's just I say it every year I talk to
the Ravens fans when I'm at camp.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
They asked me, oh, how do you think our team's
going to do.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
That's one of the camps where you can say I
think your team is going to have a good season
and You're not going to look like an idiot because
they are a competitive year in and year out, one
of the teams that are around the league people look
at and are so impressed with their ability to keep
that talent level right where it needs to be, Judy,
from the veterans all the way down to the rookies.
Malachi Starks apparently has been a revelation so far since
(21:50):
he's been there, going to be a big part of
what they do. And then they add to the mix
by going out and signing jay r Alexander, who had
a couple of picks on Saturday.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
They're loaded again, Judy, they are loaded again. They were
loaded last season. They have come so so close. I mean,
just right, Mark Andrews, I don't want to just call
him out, but right if he doesn't drop that, we
might be talking about an entirely different thing. They're loaded.
They are one of the teams that you really look
at and say they could be the Super Bowl champions.
(22:23):
Lamar just had out of this world. When you go
back and look at his numbers from last year, they're staggering.
They added DeAndre Hopkins, who's not going to be the
number one receiver, but he still has something. They've been
trying to get him to the Ravens for years. They
added so much on the defense, and we don't talk about.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
Kickers on this show.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Effort.
Speaker 8 (22:41):
I want to shout out the kicker, rookie Tyler Loop.
Speaker 7 (22:44):
In that practice at M and T, he made all
eleven of his field goal attempts, including a sixty order.
He's the only kicker on the roster. They are, of
course replacing Justin Tucker, who they moved on from in
the off season, but who is a Hall of Fame
caliber kickers.
Speaker 8 (22:59):
Certainly last year he struggled.
Speaker 7 (23:01):
They lost some games because of Justin Tucker last year,
which is not something you would have ever said before
in his career. So Tyler Loup is in there theoretically
competing for the job, but certainly no other quicker on
the roster, and with that kind of leg that he's
showing off in practice, certainly seems like he's going to
be the guy. This team is set really at every position.
(23:21):
You just feel like they just need a break to
go their way at the right moment and they'll get
over the hump.
Speaker 6 (23:27):
Yeah on Loop, and that was one of the biggest
ovations of the day yesterday, that sixty yarder that he hit.
I don't want to make too much of it, right,
it's a practice, but the first time in front of
the fans, they put a little pressure on him to
see if he can hit.
Speaker 8 (23:38):
It from sixty and he absolutely nailed that.
Speaker 6 (23:40):
He's been hitting the ball extremely well, So just a
little bit of pressure that he responded to. That's a
great sign because when you're filling in for Justin Tucker,
and I understand that Tucker struggled mightily last year, but
when you're filling in for a guy who's potentially a
future Hall of Famer, or at least was from that
standpoint for most of his career. Yeah, you want to
be able to perform that way.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
You want to be performed that way.
Speaker 6 (24:00):
Well, by the way you saw it on the bottom
of the screen, Lamar Jackson didn't practice today again, this
is footage from yesterday. But did not practice today in
excused absence. No reason for any concern out there in
Owings Mills apparently. So yeah, Ravens loaded once again. Ian
looking to get over that postseason hump.
Speaker 5 (24:21):
I'm not sure the Raiders are quite ready to talk
about postseason yet, but maybe because there is a new
sort of respectability. I would say to the Las Vegas Freers,
they got Pete Carroll joined us today on inside training
camp bline, and they got that guy right there, Gino Smith,
instant credibility for this Raiders offense and really the kind
of thing if this team is going to turn it around,
(24:41):
like so many in this building want to and believe
they can, part of it's going to be.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Because of him.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
Talk to Gino Smith earlier in the day, Me and
my good buddy Omar Ruiz ask Gino how close is
this team right here to winning.
Speaker 15 (24:57):
I'm always the guy who, like I believe that the
game get settled between the white lines on game day.
But you know, from my advantage point, we got a really,
really good team, and I think we're gonna I don't
know if we'll shock anyone inside of this building, but
maybe shock some outsiders and so, you know, but it's good,
like let them sleep.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
I don't want them to see us coming.
Speaker 15 (25:13):
Man. We're just working. We're just working, you know, in
the shadows right now, you know, getting our game right.
And when it's time to go into those bright lights,
I think we'll be ready.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
I don't know if people are really sleeping on the
Raiders Omar Ruiz, but.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
You know, because they do feel like.
Speaker 5 (25:25):
Kind of the the fun sleeper team for everyone. New coach,
new quarterback, a lot of buzz, some new weapons including
eshen genty, which we'll get to in a second. You've
been here with me all day, gotten the landscape of things.
We watched practice very intently. How real do you feel
like the Raiders are They have a chance.
Speaker 10 (25:44):
I think this story for their season will probably be
what sort of support Max Crosby gets defensively, how that
group can come together with the weapons around Crosby, Patrick Graham,
the continuity that he brings as defensive coordinator. And you
talk about Max Crosby, he is the player that Pete
Carroll identified that is the leader of this team. That
he comes in to work early, first one here, last
(26:07):
one to leave. It's not a cliche, it's what actually
happens here with the Las Vegas Raiders. And you just
see him out here with the pads, relentlessly, with his
effort in every drill that he does. And it's not
just the production that he shows on Sundays and is
why he got the big blockbuster extension in this offseason.
It's the way he leads, it's the way he elevates
(26:27):
others around him in leadership positions. And it reminds me
of a conversation I had with Max a couple of
years ago when Tom Brady was first getting mentioned as
a potential minority owner for this organization, and he talked
about developing leaders around him. He said that was an
important message that Tom Brady shared with Crosby. He has
lived at the last couple of years, and if they
(26:49):
can get production from outside of guys like Max Crosby,
I think that defense has a chance.
Speaker 5 (26:54):
I was standing all the way. We're basically at one
end zone, sitting here. The other end zone is, you know,
one hundred guards away. I'm standing there and I'm watching
the defensive linemen and linebackers do sprints and who is
leading the sprints? But Max Crosby, I mean, he's in
his you know, he's deep into his veteran years and
he is still showing these young guys.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
How to do it.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
And you know, if they are going to turn around,
it's going to take some of that, and it's going
to take some of Gino Smith.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
You know, when we talk to him.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
He mentioned that he parrots the words of Pete Carroll
to try to show some of these young guys how
it's done. If they're going to win, some of their
super talented young guys like Brock Bauers and Ashton Gent,
you're gonna have to really play and contribute. I mean,
Genty's going to have to be right off the bat,
really good. But from what we've heard today, sounds like
all systems go for that.
Speaker 10 (27:41):
All reports indicate that Ashton Genty is every bit the
running back that they had hoped for him to be.
When you talk about leading guys in sprints, I thought
it was especially notable for Ashton Genty when they would
make the plays through the line of scrimmage and he
would run all the way to the end zone, emulating
that he's going to be a big game, big play
type of player from the get go. And it's not
(28:04):
just how he plays on the field. He does run
with power and passion. It's what he does off the field,
how he leads, how he understands his teammates and does
all the little things right. Everybody's been impressive with who
he is as a person, just as much as who
he is as a player, So expectations just like they
were with Brock Bauers, and he lived up to it
(28:25):
his rookie season. Expectations sky high for Ashton Gent as well.
Speaker 5 (28:29):
Yeah, there are several lean draft years for this team.
Certainly got it right last year. Seems like early returns
are got it right this year. And you know, a
lot of these guys are gonna have to come in,
They're gonna have to play because there's just not There's
Maxcross been the couple. They're not a ton ton of
veterans here to really kind of bear that burden. So
it is going to have to be the young guys
with their you know, let's say slightly older but still
(28:51):
unbelievably energetic coach Pete Carroll helping shape them.
Speaker 1 (28:55):
Certainly seems like.
Speaker 5 (28:57):
The kind of place that could turn it around a
little bit and quickly. Omark, been fun hanging out with
you all day. Really have loved that.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
Cheers.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
I wish this work.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
I wish this were beers, but they're not microphones. The
Browns quarterback Free for All continues in Maria, Ohio at
training camp. Shador Sanders back on the field today after
dealing with arms swords over the weekend. The guy in
the foreground number eight, Kenny Pickett, also back out there,
albeit in a limited fashion. He caught up with our
(29:27):
Kibbi check some Mark Cross.
Speaker 12 (29:30):
We got to start with a hamstring. How are you feeling?
We know you're throwing over the weekend and just some individuals.
How's your helps today?
Speaker 16 (29:36):
Yeah, it's getting better each today. I can get in
some do some seven on seven today. So kind of
progressing well, doing the rehab treatments, all the stuff in
the weight room to get.
Speaker 4 (29:44):
Back as fast as possible.
Speaker 13 (29:46):
Have you ever had a hamstring injury or injury that
kind of puts you behind in a competition like this?
Speaker 4 (29:52):
No, this was the first I was shocked at it happened.
Speaker 16 (29:56):
I mean I was running a lot and training hard
coming into camp, so I felt like I was I
must have been lacking somewhere to have a soft tissue
injury like this. So it's a frustrating thing. But you know,
like I said, I don't have experience with it, so
listening to the trainers and the doctors has been the
most important thing. I can't have any setbacks, you know,
I feel like I'm progressing really well, So just focus
(30:16):
at a day at a time. Now.
Speaker 12 (30:18):
Of course, a lot of the national media conversation around
the Browns this training camp has been that four quarterback competition. Obviously,
you know, you guys are all learning from each other,
but you're all competing for that number one job. You've
been very vocal in saying you want that starting spot.
How do you think you stand, obviously knowing you've had
to be sidelined for a little bit.
Speaker 16 (30:36):
Yeah, it's it's still early. You know, every guy in
that room wants the spot. You know you wouldn't be
in there, So I think it's a great group to
go to work every day to compete with. With where
I'm at right now, I'm just trying to get back
as fast as possible, taking the mental reps when I'm
not in there. I'm really happy that I'll get some
seven on seven to get back to going through reads
and making throws on time.
Speaker 4 (30:54):
So it's a good step for me.
Speaker 13 (30:56):
Today, Let's talk about some good stuff. I think people
forgot you're a super World champion. Yeah, and of course
we saw the unveiling of the rings and have you
have you broke gearers out walking around the facility shown
it all or you kind of let that go and uh,
part two of that, what did you learn from your
experience in Philly? Is such a you know, world class organization.
Speaker 16 (31:16):
Yeah, yeah, definitely definitely turned the page. My in laws
were in town this week, they got to see it,
so that was pretty cool. But you know, as far
as being here now and looking back on what I learned,
I think seeing how a player driven team can take
you a really long way. The habits that each guy had,
the habits that each position group had that you saw
after practice, before practice, in the meeting rooms with the quarterbacks,
(31:39):
it goes a really long way. So that's just something
that we're trying to build here. Uh, you know, player driven,
make the system our system and you know go from there.
Speaker 12 (31:46):
Have any of the guys inside of this locker room
come to you and asked about that championship pedigree and
try to pick your brain on. Obviously you saw that
success last season in Philly, how you guys can replicate
that here in Cleveland?
Speaker 4 (31:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 16 (31:57):
Absolutely, you know, guys just wondering. I mean there's no secret, really,
I can't. You know, there's nothing that we did, It's
just you know, just work. You know, that's that's I
guess that's the secret. It's just the hard work that
guys put in.
Speaker 15 (32:08):
Uh.
Speaker 16 (32:08):
We had great players on that team obviously defense and offense,
so you know you need all three phases to go
to go win it.
Speaker 4 (32:14):
So I think we have a lot of great pieces
here as well.
Speaker 13 (32:17):
What are your impressions of Kevin Stefanski's offense and how
do you think once you get back that you're going
to say, you know what, these are the skills, these
are the talents that I can bring that I deserve
to be the starting quarterback here.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 16 (32:30):
I think it's a really quarterback friendly system to play
to play in. You know, we're gonna run the ball, well,
we're gonna have play actions off of it. We're gonna
move the pocket. You know, I can extend and do
things with my legs. I feel like it's a strength
of my game. So there's a lot of things that
I think fit in what I do well. Obviously, when
I'm healthy, I could show that more like I did
in the first the first week, but now you know,
(32:51):
with the injury, I think I can play from the
pocket and really be more diligent through reads and progressions
and finding check down so just another aspect of my
game that can try to improve on.
Speaker 12 (32:59):
Can you also speak to your relationship with your new
offensive coordinator and Tommy Rees. Obviously he was with this
organization last season as the tight ends coach, but two
of you kind of coming in together, right, can you
can you speak to that relationship.
Speaker 16 (33:12):
I was a fan of Tommy's when he was at
Notre Dame playing. You know, I grew up a big
Notre Dame fan, so I knew Tommy a long time ago.
Speaker 3 (33:18):
Uh.
Speaker 16 (33:18):
The fact that you know now on playing form is
pretty cool, full full circle moment. But he's awesome, Like
it's it's great to have a guy in the room
that played the position that understands what we're seeing and
what we're going through. Uh, you know, down by down,
play to play. So having that insight on top of
what he already knows x's and O wise from being
a coach, I think is really awesome. So he does
(33:38):
a great job of prepping this every day and making
sure where he's prepared as we can be each practice.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
Right.
Speaker 13 (33:43):
Following up on relationships, it's so about your off the
field relationship. I'm a Princeton grad. Kenny's wife is a
Princeton grad.
Speaker 1 (33:56):
If you notice.
Speaker 13 (33:56):
So just talk about how you've had to step your
game up just on the field, but off the field
and dealing with a Princeton alone.
Speaker 16 (34:03):
Yeah, I'm big on the reunions every year. We go
back every year and see all her friends and you know,
it's awesome. And she played soccer there, So having someone
in your life that you know had the same goals
and drive as you. And now she's doing private equity
with a company still based out of Pittsburgh. So it's
great to you know, have someone like minded like you
in a relationship where you're going through life together, you know,
(34:25):
through the trials and tribulations that always has your back.
Speaker 4 (34:28):
So, you know, shout out to Amy, love you.
Speaker 12 (34:30):
I'm like, how do I follow up on a football
question out there? After we get after we get a wife,
shout out there. But last one for you here, Kenny.
You know your career since twenty twenty two when you
were drafted, right, you've now seen three organizations. What's next
for you? And cementing your name in the NFL and
really wanting to be in an advantageous position not only
as a quarterback but a leader of a franchise.
Speaker 16 (34:51):
Yeah, I think it just starts with where I'm at today,
you know, winning a job. That that's really you know,
the only thing I'm focused on, and that just goes
day by day.
Speaker 3 (34:58):
You know.
Speaker 16 (34:59):
I understand I have the end and all that, but
it doesn't really bother me. I just show up every
day and work as hard as I can be to
be the best player, you know, and we'll see where
the chips fall.
Speaker 12 (35:07):
Thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 1 (35:10):
The NFL preseason kicks out at eight games live on
NFL Network in Week one. That's this week. Big names
putting new cities on their backs, a new class putting
their names on the map. Your team is back in action.
It's time for football Week one of the NFL preseason
live on NFL Network. Blackout restrictions apply also streaming with
NFL Plus subscription required for NFL Plus. Welcome back to
(35:35):
the Insiders. Tom Pelisero, Ian Rapaport, Judy Batista, and Mike
garafalo Ian. You spent the day out there with the Raiders, who,
like everybody else in the AFC West, the AFC as
a hole for that matter, are chasing those Kansasity Chiefs.
Speaker 5 (35:50):
And they sure are, and you talk to so many
people around the league, as we've all done for the
last two weeks, really just talked to everyone about football
and what every other.
Speaker 4 (35:57):
Team is doing.
Speaker 5 (35:58):
We've heard about the Kansasity Chiefs is kind of like,
and I'm not saying here, not at the Raiders, but
a lot of other places I've been, Well, yeah, the
Chiefs offense has been a little pedestrian in the last
couple little bit. Having watched their practice, having talked to
their people there, and got to look at Rashid Rice,
who we know is probably going to be suspended to
start the season.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
But looks excellent.
Speaker 5 (36:16):
You see the slim down version of Travis Kelcey and
some of the other receivers that they have. They seem
to me at a point, guys, where they are probably
primed to get back to where they have been offensively.
That's been like my biggest takeaway from the Chiefs, from
watching them practice, from talking to the people and talking
to other people around the league. This is a team
(36:37):
that you took a little break from being the high
powered team and now is ready to get back there.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
Patrick Mahomes, when.
Speaker 5 (36:42):
I saw him, it looked about as good at playing
the position a quarterback as you possibly can during training camp.
It is, in the words of one staffer, there the
best receiver room they have had. I know, it's been
kind of odd for the Chiefs that they've rebuilt their
defense and kind of won somehow some way, those times
to me feel like they are over and the Kansas
City Chiefs Judy seemed to be ready to roll on offense.
Speaker 7 (37:07):
Well, here's another team that hopes to challenge the Chiefs,
the Pittsburgh Steelers. You know, when Tom and I were
in La Trobe at Steelers camp last week, Aaron Rodgers
brought this up. How much he likes offensive coordinator Arthur
Smith's flexibility. He's not rigid and what he's doing. He's
trying to tailor the scheme to the personnel they have.
They're still in the process of figuring out what everybody
does well and what they want and how they're going
(37:28):
to put that offense together. Today, Arthur Smith told our
buddies at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that he.
Speaker 8 (37:34):
Has had to adapt his offense.
Speaker 7 (37:37):
He actually credits his dad, who was the founder of FedEx,
for being adaptable. Just remember that when he was in
Tennessee with the Titans, it was a pretty run heavy offense,
and then when he went to Atlanta, the offense.
Speaker 8 (37:50):
Never really got going. Last year when he was in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 7 (37:54):
With Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, the offense just wasn't
explosive enough.
Speaker 8 (37:58):
That was a problem.
Speaker 7 (38:00):
Now he's got a forty one year old quarterback, lots
of weapons, Johnny Smith who he had in Tennessee as well,
Pat Fryarmooth, DK Metcalp. Going to be interesting to see
how they put this together again. Still a work in
proprest because they got a little bit of a late
start because Aaron Rodgers signed so late.
Speaker 6 (38:15):
Mike Judy, I am in studio in Englewood, California today
because I was at the Chargers camp earlier today. Man,
I'll tell you what I remember being there a year
ago and seeing a lot of holes in the roster,
like wide receiver. They needed to rebuild that room.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
They've done so.
Speaker 6 (38:29):
Much work over the last year, and they feel so
good about where they are from a roster standpoint, and
they could still add speaking of wide receivers, Keenan Allen,
their old friend, worked out for them the other day.
Jim Harball telling the media that it was a good workout. Still,
Joe Hortiz, the general manager, working with Allen's representation see
if they can come to an agreement on a signing.
Would not be surprised if that happened at some point
(38:51):
in the near future, but we'll see. As for Najie Harris,
Harball saying that he is doing some laps walking around
the field. No timeline yet for his recovery. Remember his
agent called it a superficial injury to his eye, that
fireworks injury that was the understatement of the year. Clearly
a serious injury here to naj Harris again, no timeline
yet for his return to the field. And then Denzel Perryman,
(39:13):
This is good news for the Chargers. He was released
from custody. Harball cit he went and visited Perryman, who
was arrested on a weapons charge after two rifles were
found in his trunk after.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
He was stopped.
Speaker 6 (39:25):
He was released from custody today with TMZ reporting that
he won't be charged for that incident. So that is
good news for the Chargers, getting Denzel Perryman back, a
key part of a roster that again they feel incredibly
good about this time of year, just like any team, though,
it's got to stay healthy.
Speaker 1 (39:40):
Tom Saints campids to California in a couple of days.
Still have a joint practice against the Chargers, still looking
for a quarterback. I was there yesterday with Baldy and
Rhett Lewis. We saw Spencer Ratler, Tyler Schuck rotating the
early portion of practice. Jake Hayner got a lot of
work later. The sense I get is the Saints ory
no rush to figure out who the number one guy
(40:02):
is going to be. If you had to guess right
now going into the preseason, you'd say it's probably shucked
the second round draft pick. He just looks the part.
You can see him processing. But as one person there
put it to me, it is still very early. He's
got a lot to learn, a lot to suss out
here through the course of the preseason. Twenty twenty five
NFL season is almost here and single game tickets are
(40:23):
on sale now seventy games for all thirty two teams.
Visit NFL dot com slash tickets to purchase tickets today.
Verified tickets are available through the NFL ticket network, including Ticketmaster,
seat Geek, and Sports Illustrated Tickets. Coming up on the Insiders,
an NFL legend turned one hundred years old. That's right,
(40:44):
Marve Levy, who probably could get out there and coach
a game right now if he really needed to. Celebrating
a big milestone will celebrate him. You get to some
other items right after this on the Insiders. Happy one
hundredth birthday, Marv Levy, the former Bills coach, hitting that
(41:05):
big milestone yesterday. I found myself in a car to
a charity golf tournament a couple of months ago with
Cornelius Bennitt, who told me he had a bunch of
the old Bills players all flew up to Chicago to
spend time with Marv. Last year for his ninety ninth birthday,
Marv still in a party in Moodjide, I know you
talked to him not that long ago as well.
Speaker 8 (41:25):
I did.
Speaker 7 (41:25):
I talked to him last season for a story sounded
just as great as ever. The adoration of his players
that they have for Marv Levy really says a whole lot.
Speaker 8 (41:36):
About the man.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
He was.
Speaker 7 (41:37):
World War Two veteran, earned a master's degree from Harvard
in English history, and then went on to be a
spectacular NFL coach. Took the Buffalo Bills, of course, to
four Super Bowls, which they did not win. Nonetheless, Marv Levy,
awesome coach. Happy birthday, Ian.
Speaker 1 (41:54):
If you make it to one hundred, what do you
envision you're doing at that point? What do you see
in your life at that point at that time?
Speaker 5 (42:02):
Just golf? I just want to be playing golf. If
I'm shooting my age at one hundred, then I've done
something right, you know. I mean, that's Is there anything
anyone can ask besides that? If I'm shooting like ninety
eight at one hundred, probably playing from those old man
tes really up front.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
Then that's a big win. Is that too much to ask?
The good news is you already swing at like your
one hundred old man game all the way. We're back tomorrow,
see you
The cowtown is on the preseason openers for thirty NFL teams.
We've got training camps covered coast to coast. These next
sixty minutes, Gino Smith and the Raiders in Las Vegas,
Michael Pennix Junior and the Falcons in Rainy Flowery Branch,
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on the field, and well,
whoever ends up being the Browns quarterback. We go fort
(00:29):
deep two. Welcome inside with the Insiders, alongside Ian Rappaport
who is in Las Vegas, Judy Battista, Mike Garifolo, who
is in Los Angeles. I'm Tom Pilaicero here with the Falcons.
We are just days away from the preseason openers for
most teams, the first full weekend of preseason games. One
(00:51):
month from tonight, we've got the regular season kickoff. It
is the Eagles and the Cowboys, and the biggest storyline
clearly between now and then, will Michael Parsons be on
the field for that game. That is where we begin
in Oxnard, California, where MICHAEH. Parsons three days ago, in
a lengthy social media post, requested a trade from the
(01:13):
Dallas Cowboys, saying he no longer wants to be there,
no longer wants to be held to negotiations that occurred
without his agent present. As for the Cowboys, they're saying,
not so fast.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
We're still planning on moving Mike around and putting him
in all the spots that we see him and using
our fronts the way we want to see it. And no,
we just you know, we go about our business every day.
We live in the moment. We folcus in the moment.
And again, like I said, I talked to you guys
the other day, I'm not going to get a lot
into it, but you know, I expect Michael to be here.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I love these guys. Frankly, I can be in a
place in the war and I want to be right here.
I want to be right here with camp, enjoy these players,
enjoy Micah h But as always in any relationships or
different moods at different times of your relationship, that's what
it is. Don't lose in sleepover, So just do That's
(02:10):
the one thing I would say to our fan, don't
lose in sleepover.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
In a way, I would say, this was almost an
inevitable point in this saga, was it not. Michah Parsons,
who whether it's in a podcast or social media, everything
that he wants to say is going to come out Eventually.
Inevitably you get multiple people from the Cowboys organization coming
out and having to respond to it. The real question
(02:35):
out here, Ian, where Micah says I want out, the
Cowboys say You're not getting out. What is the next
pressure point?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Here? Is this thing moves forward?
Speaker 5 (02:44):
Yeah, it's been fascinating time to listen to the football
people like Brian Schottenheimer, I mean, Jerry Jones.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
We know what he's going to talk about. He's going
to talk about the business.
Speaker 5 (02:51):
Schottenheimer is going to talk about the football, and that
is really in that building in Auction Nerd right now.
What they want is to see Micah Parsons, the football player,
one of the very best in the NFL, who is
great at being moved around the defense, who does create
pressure basically everywhere he's been and is certainly one of
the best players regardless of position in the NFL. They
want him to be playing for their team. That now
(03:14):
remains an open question. As you mentioned, Michah Parsons has
requested a trade. The Cowboys have said we'll see about that.
The next pressure point to answer your question is when
do the cowboys say to Micah Parsons, you need to
start practicing. He is now doing what is called a
hold in, which has become very popular around the NFL
over the last couple of years.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
It's not a holdout.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
He's not getting fined, he's not losing any of his
guaranteed money. He is there, He is present. They can
see him every day on the sideline. Sometimes he has
been close on the sideline, sad Jerry Jones or Steven Jones.
Sometimes he has talked to them, but he has not
been participating. What if the cowboys say, you know what,
you need to start practicing.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
What happens then? Where does it go?
Speaker 5 (03:55):
Is their discipline reaction or do they say, you know what,
let's just ride it out the this is a guy
we want with us for the next ten years. Only
Tom will tell which way all sides react to that.
Speaker 6 (04:05):
Jerry Jones and his latest comments now to USA Today
at this point talking about the fact that Micah Parsons,
like a lot of players, wants an extension with a
contract that he is currently in the middle of. Jerry
seems very adamant now about well, this is what the contract.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
This is the length of the contract.
Speaker 6 (04:21):
He did it with his head coach Mike McCarthy last
year and it resulted in negotiations after the season didn't
add anything. On teams, they're usually not willing to let
a coach coach out his entire contract. Jerry now talking
about it in regards to the players and say, well
they should. They're trying to get these negotiations done in
the middle of a contract instead of playing it out.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
And I know, I hear you. Every coach, excuse.
Speaker 6 (04:43):
Me, every agent, and every player right now is in
my ear.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
I got you.
Speaker 6 (04:46):
Don't worry because they'll say, well, what about the last
couple of years of a deal, when the team basically
rips it up by saying those are non guaranteed years,
guess what we're cutting you right now?
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Bye bye.
Speaker 6 (04:55):
This is the player's chance to do the opposite and say, yeah,
I know I've got a couple of years left on
this contract, franchise tags after that, but this is the
point at which I'm taking my stance, and this is
the point at which I want my extension.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Because I'm putting my body on the line.
Speaker 6 (05:07):
And that's what Parsons has said in this case, So
that's his guy, his right right now to put the
pressure on the team and see if he can get
an extension out of this.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
There's been no further communication.
Speaker 6 (05:19):
Something's got to give at some point here Ian, whether
it's get back on the field or get this deal done.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
Well, I do wonder at what points something gives and
what is going to cause it to give, Like, what's
going to happen here? Is the team finally going to
call the agent? Is the agent finally going to call
the team? Are they going to insist that Micah get
on the field, and then we.
Speaker 8 (05:40):
Have some sort of breaking point.
Speaker 7 (05:43):
I don't know what's going to get this off the
point where it is now, which is basically nowhere. And
as we get closer and closer to the season. Obviously
they want their best player on the field practicing, But
why should he get on the field and practice if
there hasn't been a new contract and bigger picture here,
I just don't understand the benefit that is accruing to
(06:04):
the team by doing it this way. They are angering
the best player on the team. And you we've watched
as other players that sort of lined up with Micah
here on Micah's side. I don't understand what the Cowboys
are getting out of this, except that we all talk
about it every day. That's not going to get them
to win a Super Bowl, though they need Michael Parsons
(06:26):
on the field if they have any chance to do that.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
I will also issue my annual reminder here that a
hold in is not a real thing. That's not the
collective margating agreement. It didn't exist even ten years ago.
If you don't practice, just because you're there doesn't get
you out of the fines. If you don't practice, you
can be fined. You can be suspended, have a game
check taken away for conduct detrimental. If you leave camp,
the team can put you on the left squad list
(06:50):
and take you out for the entire season. We're not
there yet, but the point is, at a time we've
got several of these hold ins taking place, there are
actions the team can take. It's a sign of good
faith that they have not taken those yet. Another one
of those holdings right now ian playing out in Buffalo.
Speaker 5 (07:07):
Yeah, let's talk about the latest hold in for James Cook,
the member of the Buffalo bill is one of the
key parts of their offense. One of the best running
backs in the NFL, just not quite paid like one
yet he is standing on business. To quote him, as
he told local reporters, showed up a camp on time
in grave shape practice well now not so much officially
(07:30):
launching his hold in. So Brandon Bean had to now
react to this, which he did recently.
Speaker 9 (07:36):
That's not something we were fully aware of until, you know,
shortly before practice, and so you know, I get it.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
I understand.
Speaker 9 (07:43):
It's the it's the world we're in. I guess of
how players want to respond and things like that. You know,
love James, and you know, at the end of the day,
you know, we want all our guys practice, and we
know that. I mean, we got some guys out, you know,
due to injuries or soft tissue and stuff like that.
So we're trying to get as many guys on the
(08:04):
practice field as we can and start preparing for this
first preseason game and hopefully we'll get him back out
there soon.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
When I was in Buffalo, there's a lot of public
and private plays for James Cook, who showed up in
great shape, practicing well. Despite wanting a new contract, everything
was all good. They just wanted to try to get somehow,
some way closer to a deal, and all of a
sudden he says, you know what, Nope, I'm just not practicing.
He stands on business, the Bills are where they are,
and look, I understand honestly from a James Cook standpoint,
(08:35):
They've gotten a lot of deals done with a lot
of really good young players. Most notably there's stars on
their defense, and of course Josh Allen gets a new
deal as well on offense. James Cook wants a lot
of money, wants to be one of the highest paid
running backs in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
He has been productive enough, no doubt about it.
Speaker 10 (08:51):
But from the.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
Bills standpoint, I get it too. They have a lot
of bounds to feed. This is a championship caliber team
that they want to keep together. So basic where it
stands is the Bills made it offer. It is obviously
not something that Cook and his agent Zach Hiller have accepted,
but in their minds it's like, we want to lock
you up to a deal. This is where we could go,
and Hillar and Cooker more like, yeah, we deserve more.
(09:14):
And that's basically the Standstill remains to be seen how
it will be broken or if at some point, de
Bill say, James, you need to get back on the field. Obviously,
more on this in the coming days.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Careful, Thank you, Rappaport.
Speaker 6 (09:27):
I was in Washington the other day Josh Harris and
Terry McLaren had a little dep up hug situation, which
frankly I sort of explained back then. Terry McLaren's been
about as professional about this trade request hold in situation
as you could expect. He is a team leader, so
they did expect that from him. They always expect professional
(09:48):
behavior from him, and they're getting it in this case.
I mean, what do you expect he was going to
kick Josh Harris in the shins. Of course, he's going
to give the guy a hug. This is all business
that is going on right now with mclauren. I did
not get the sense that since his trade reques, teams
have been burning up the phone lines ready to give
up a ton of draft pick compensation Number one to
Washington because they still value him and they're still going
(10:08):
to want a lot for him, and number two then
the money on the back end. This is a tough
time of year for a general manager to go to
his owner and say, hey, we need thirty million dollars
per year to pay a guy, so this situation is
going to take a while to reserve. Buddy Baker, Terry
mclaurin's agent, had been at practice pretty much on the regular,
I said the other day, I don't expect him anywhere
near there in the near future, So I think there's
still some time for this one to develop between McLaren
(10:31):
and the Commanders. He doesn't want to play out the
last year of the deal at fifteen million dollars in change.
The Commanders have tried to get a deal done at
a lower number of a McLaren and Baker essay, not
nearly good enough for us.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
So don't know which.
Speaker 6 (10:43):
Side's going to buckle on this one or how it's
going to be resolved. Maybe some money added to this
year and a bit of an extension, maybe not.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
At the number that mclauren and Baker had.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
In mind, a little bit lower, but maybe something that
finally gets it done. Either way, Judy, I think it's
still going to take some time.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Thank you.
Speaker 8 (10:59):
Mike.
Speaker 7 (11:00):
Have been telling everybody to keep an eye on Matthew
Stafford's health ever since the Rams told us right before
training camp that he has back sore on us and
would not practice when training camp started. Well, he still
is in practicing, and Sean McVay gave an update that
was maybe a little bit concerning over the weekend. He
labeled the situation now week to week. He talked about
(11:20):
wanting to ease him back into football and these were
his words in the near future. He talked about where
Matthew Stafford is in his rehab work. He talked about
unloaded walking and running on a treadmill like cardio, So
it certainly doesn't sound like he is anywhere near full
on football activities. He has visited a back specialist multiple times.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
The Rams have a.
Speaker 7 (11:43):
Joint practice with the Cowboys tomorrow. He is obviously not
going to be participating, and that probably not in the
one next week with the Chargers. He wouldn't be playing
in preseason games anyway, but certainly this is a cause
for concern as we push further into August and Matthew
Stafford is not on the field.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Toms the Browns have had their own share of quarterback
issues through the course of camp. Can he Picktt still
limited right now because of a hamstring Dylan Gabriel popped
up today with some hamstring tightness and did not practice.
Shador Sanders had arm soreness recently, but he was back
on the practice field today and did not sound too concerned. Yeah.
Speaker 11 (12:22):
In college, Yeah, in college, it was often it was
just adjusting to starting to stop. And honestly, that's all
it truly is is you know, sometimes you're going hot,
then you'll wait for a second, then you'll get cold
and get back hot, then get cold, and you know,
I'm just I wouldn't My arm and body wasn't used
to that, you know, So it's just an adjustment.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Catch every NFL preseason game right here on NFL Network,
including twenty one of them live, all three Browns preseason games.
You guess it will be right here on NFL Network,
in no small part because of that four way quarterback
competition in which Schador said in line to make his
debut and perhaps an early statement Thursday night against the Panthers.
Speaker 12 (13:09):
Mark, can you help level set and give some context
around the four headed competition at quarterback here for the Cleveland.
Speaker 13 (13:16):
Brown Definitely a unique situation, as we've talked about all
off season with the Browns quarterback situation. Now you see
it firsthand. I've seen it firsthand today and look, Joe
Flacco doesn't need any reps, so that's number one. He
can come off the couch. He can come off the
recliner and go start games in the NFL, and Kevin
Stefanski completely trust him. Kenny Pick has been slowed by
injury here with a hamstring injury. Started out hot, but
(13:39):
I think with him, you want to see the emergence
the growth with him because he gives you that dual
threat that Joe Flacco does not have. So he's got
to get healthy in order to do that. And he
has super Bowl experience. Former first round pick was with
the Steelers, so he won't be phased by the big
game situation.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
The two young guys, Dylan Gabriel.
Speaker 13 (13:57):
The third round pick, Schador Sanders, a fifth round pick,
We just want them to learn and grow each day
and take baby steps. Can they master the offense? Can
they master the playbook? Are the teammates looking at them
saying you're making the right check? So a little bit
more of a We just want to wait and develop
with those guys, not expecting them to jump out there
and start week one.
Speaker 12 (14:16):
What do you think are the key factors? And these
guys differentiating themselves. Obviously you were a scout, You've been
in personnel for a long time with multiple organizations. What
are the key factors that they're assessing between these four guys.
Speaker 13 (14:26):
Well, number one, especially the young guys, it's how they're
handling the film room, how they're handling the playbook.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
That's number one.
Speaker 13 (14:35):
Before anything happens out there, they have to master that
because then they can think fast. Then they can make checks,
then they can make all the assignments and changes and
protection changes, and then the team can look at them
and say, oh wow, yes, we have belief, we have
faith in these guys that we can go with them.
Joe Flacco, They're not looking for anything from him. We
know what's going on with Joe.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
Again.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
The wild card is Kenny.
Speaker 13 (14:55):
Pickett, where he still has I mean he's still young,
he's only been in the league years and been through
a lot in that short time. Has the highest of
hides of being a Super Bowl champ, the lowess of
low's of being a not successful first round pick. So
I think there's still a lot of untapped potential that
Kevin Stefanski thinks that he can.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Get out of.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Picket.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
But he's got to get on the field and get healthy.
Speaker 12 (15:19):
Now, General manager Andrew Berry has teased potentially and said,
there's the scenario in which we keep all five quarterbacks.
You've worked in a front office, the likelihood of that happening, Yeah.
Speaker 13 (15:28):
Look, I trust Andrew fantastic. Today stopped by said, hi
as the coach Stefanski, the nicest duo head coach GM
duo in the NFL. But you know that would be
a rare current. I don't think that has ever happened.
This competition is rare. But now to say we're going
to keep these four on the fifty three, your special
teams coaches, your tight end coach, your O line coachs like, well,
well wait a minute, now, we need some of these
(15:50):
bodies for us. So I would think he has to
talk about that now. But when it comes down to
cut down day, you won't see all four of these
quarterbacks on the roster.
Speaker 12 (16:00):
The Cleveland Browns they finished their practice behind us. They're
going to head off to Carolina tomorrow. I head of
a joint practice versus the Panthers on Wednesday.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
You might look at the weather report and say sixty
two and raining isn't the best day for a training
camp practice if you're us, definitely true if you're the players.
Everyone I talked to said this was the day to
be in Flowery Branch, a little break from the heat
and a great chance for us to take a look
at Michael Pennock Junior. And yes, that is Kirk Cousins
still in Atlanta as the highest paid backup quarterback right
(16:29):
now in NFL history. Welcome back to the Insiders, Tom Pelaceral,
Cameron Wolf here in Flowery Branch. Tell me right now, Cam,
your initial reactions about Michael Pennick Junior. You got to
talk to Rahee Morris. What is the vibe around the
first time full time starter in Atlanta?
Speaker 14 (16:45):
Tom, I don't know if it was us, but Michael
Pennock's put on a show today. He knew that the
rain was not going to stop that fiery arm coming out.
And I talked to his offensive coinator, Zach Robinson right
after practice and he said, did you see Michael Pennocks today? Yes, Zach,
we saw Michael Pennocks today. He had a great day.
When one of the highlights was throwing a deep pass
into the end zone to Kyle Pitt's perfect touchdown placement,
(17:08):
and he's talked this offseason about how there's going to
be more of those throws to Kyle Pitts throughout the season. Look,
I'm not trying to sell you, but if there is
a hint of a Kyle Pitt's revival, we got it today.
And look, Michael Pennis has a level of intelligence that
his coaches rave about. Robinson, the offensive coiner told me
he was with Matthew Stafford with the Rams and said
the way he studies and processes and handles the amount
(17:31):
of plays they give him is similar to what they
had in Stafford in LA And that rose myes quite
a bit. And you talked about Rahee Morris. He talked
about Michael Pennix into year two. We forget he came
in in December last year. He hadn't practiced with the
starting offense at all. Now he gets a full off
season with the starters and we're starting to see his aura,
his bond with teammates. I know they had Michael Vick
(17:53):
and Matt Ryan spend some time with him this offseason
to help him. This is his team, no matter what.
Kirk Cousin's there him, but he is the clear backup.
Michael Pennix is the guy you.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Mentioned the connection with Kyle pittch that's a connection that
has been brewing for quite some time. And talking to
people here, Michael Pennix Junior and Kyle Pitts are very close.
Pitts went through some things physically through the course of
the off season. Obviously the last couple of years ever
since he had the mcl tear haven't been the best.
But he looks great physically. Pennicks and Hits golf together,
spend a lot of time together off the field. You
(18:24):
never want to get ahead of it here when you're
talking about a player who, at least if you're a
fantasy football owner, may have underwhelmed in recent yearship, but
it seems like if Pitt's is going to make himself
some money and he's got a chance to, this could
be the year.
Speaker 14 (18:34):
Yeah, And talking to people here, it sounds like Kyle
Pitts is indeed healthy. He caught that touchdown pass we
talked about today, And I talked to some people about
the trade rumors we heard all off season about Kyle Pitts.
From what I understand, they never were shopping Kyle Pitts.
They said that we yes, we got some calls, but
nothing enough for us to pull the trigger. We anticipate
him being a big part of our offense, along with
(18:54):
Drake Lennon, along with b John Robinson in and this
Falcon seems excited about the potential there.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
And when you look at this Falcons.
Speaker 14 (19:01):
Team, they haven't made the playoffs in twenty seventeen, they
have a certain hunger. We talked to Jesse Bates, we
talked to AJ Trell and they're like, we gotta get
over the hump. Got a new defensive coidinator and Jeff Olbrich.
They feel they have clear communication and there's a certain
buzz that comes from their rookie pass rushers James Pierce
Junior and Jalen Walker.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
And I'll tell you what. Pierce has got an edge.
He got in a little scuffle.
Speaker 14 (19:22):
Today and it wasn't the first one he's at in camp,
but that's what they want.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
They want a little bit of the edge, a little
bit of that energy.
Speaker 14 (19:28):
He's been a force off the edge with his speed
and now he's been able to contribute and they expect
him and Jalen Walker to both be huge impact players
in year one.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Jalen Walker got out on the field in team drills
for the first time his nurse in a very minor
hamstring injury. Nothing to be concerned about. Aj Trell sent
down with Brian Baldinger and I asked him about what
was it like seeing those guys drafted. Him and Jesse
Bates were together at the Falcons draft party. Drell said
he was just lighting up with a big smile. They
were excited a couple of guys rushing the pastor who
can make their jobs easier. Cam Wolf, thank you very much.
(19:59):
You'll see you tomorrow on TV in like fourteen hours
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(20:22):
at Plus dot NFL dot com, Slash Network terms and
conditions apply. Much more to come here on The Insiders,
including a look in at Ravens training camp where Lamar
Jackson does a whole lot more than signing autographs here.
What are the expectations not just for that talented offense,
but a defense that was up and down in twenty
(20:43):
twenty four. It might be the key in twenty twenty five.
We'll dig into a next on the insiders.
Speaker 6 (20:54):
Ravens had a red zone drill during practice yesterday at Mt.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Banks Stadium.
Speaker 6 (20:57):
And imagine the defense are stacking the box because expecting
this guy, Derek Camery to come downhill at you, because
why not, That's what you would do in the tight
red zone.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
And the next thing you know, he runs.
Speaker 6 (21:05):
A real route to the right sideline and catches a
ball over a defender.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
You can't. How are you going to plan for both
of those things?
Speaker 6 (21:13):
That's what the Ravens were working on yesterday during this
practice here at M ANDT Banks Stadium. Judy Batista, as
I bring you in with me, Mike Garatfoalo to talk Ravens.
It's just I say it every year I talk to
the Ravens fans when I'm at camp.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
They asked me, oh, how do you think our team's
going to do.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
That's one of the camps where you can say I
think your team is going to have a good season
and You're not going to look like an idiot because
they are a competitive year in and year out, one
of the teams that are around the league people look
at and are so impressed with their ability to keep
that talent level right where it needs to be, Judy,
from the veterans all the way down to the rookies.
Malachi Starks apparently has been a revelation so far since
(21:50):
he's been there, going to be a big part of
what they do. And then they add to the mix
by going out and signing jay r Alexander, who had
a couple of picks on Saturday.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
They're loaded again, Judy, they are loaded again. They were
loaded last season. They have come so so close. I mean,
just right, Mark Andrews, I don't want to just call
him out, but right if he doesn't drop that, we
might be talking about an entirely different thing. They're loaded.
They are one of the teams that you really look
at and say they could be the Super Bowl champions.
(22:23):
Lamar just had out of this world. When you go
back and look at his numbers from last year, they're staggering.
They added DeAndre Hopkins, who's not going to be the
number one receiver, but he still has something. They've been
trying to get him to the Ravens for years. They
added so much on the defense, and we don't talk about.
Speaker 8 (22:39):
Kickers on this show.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Effort.
Speaker 8 (22:41):
I want to shout out the kicker, rookie Tyler Loop.
Speaker 7 (22:44):
In that practice at M and T, he made all
eleven of his field goal attempts, including a sixty order.
He's the only kicker on the roster. They are, of
course replacing Justin Tucker, who they moved on from in
the off season, but who is a Hall of Fame
caliber kickers.
Speaker 8 (22:59):
Certainly last year he struggled.
Speaker 7 (23:01):
They lost some games because of Justin Tucker last year,
which is not something you would have ever said before
in his career. So Tyler Loup is in there theoretically
competing for the job, but certainly no other quicker on
the roster, and with that kind of leg that he's
showing off in practice, certainly seems like he's going to
be the guy. This team is set really at every position.
(23:21):
You just feel like they just need a break to
go their way at the right moment and they'll get
over the hump.
Speaker 6 (23:27):
Yeah on Loop, and that was one of the biggest
ovations of the day yesterday, that sixty yarder that he hit.
I don't want to make too much of it, right,
it's a practice, but the first time in front of
the fans, they put a little pressure on him to
see if he can hit.
Speaker 8 (23:38):
It from sixty and he absolutely nailed that.
Speaker 6 (23:40):
He's been hitting the ball extremely well, So just a
little bit of pressure that he responded to. That's a
great sign because when you're filling in for Justin Tucker,
and I understand that Tucker struggled mightily last year, but
when you're filling in for a guy who's potentially a
future Hall of Famer, or at least was from that
standpoint for most of his career. Yeah, you want to
be able to perform that way.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
You want to be performed that way.
Speaker 6 (24:00):
Well, by the way you saw it on the bottom
of the screen, Lamar Jackson didn't practice today again, this
is footage from yesterday. But did not practice today in
excused absence. No reason for any concern out there in
Owings Mills apparently. So yeah, Ravens loaded once again. Ian
looking to get over that postseason hump.
Speaker 5 (24:21):
I'm not sure the Raiders are quite ready to talk
about postseason yet, but maybe because there is a new
sort of respectability. I would say to the Las Vegas Freers,
they got Pete Carroll joined us today on inside training
camp bline, and they got that guy right there, Gino Smith,
instant credibility for this Raiders offense and really the kind
of thing if this team is going to turn it around,
(24:41):
like so many in this building want to and believe
they can, part of it's going to be.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Because of him.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
Talk to Gino Smith earlier in the day, Me and
my good buddy Omar Ruiz ask Gino how close is
this team right here to winning.
Speaker 15 (24:57):
I'm always the guy who, like I believe that the
game get settled between the white lines on game day.
But you know, from my advantage point, we got a really,
really good team, and I think we're gonna I don't
know if we'll shock anyone inside of this building, but
maybe shock some outsiders and so, you know, but it's good,
like let them sleep.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
I don't want them to see us coming.
Speaker 15 (25:13):
Man. We're just working. We're just working, you know, in
the shadows right now, you know, getting our game right.
And when it's time to go into those bright lights,
I think we'll be ready.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
I don't know if people are really sleeping on the
Raiders Omar Ruiz, but.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
You know, because they do feel like.
Speaker 5 (25:25):
Kind of the the fun sleeper team for everyone. New coach,
new quarterback, a lot of buzz, some new weapons including
eshen genty, which we'll get to in a second. You've
been here with me all day, gotten the landscape of things.
We watched practice very intently. How real do you feel
like the Raiders are They have a chance.
Speaker 10 (25:44):
I think this story for their season will probably be
what sort of support Max Crosby gets defensively, how that
group can come together with the weapons around Crosby, Patrick Graham,
the continuity that he brings as defensive coordinator. And you
talk about Max Crosby, he is the player that Pete
Carroll identified that is the leader of this team. That
he comes in to work early, first one here, last
(26:07):
one to leave. It's not a cliche, it's what actually
happens here with the Las Vegas Raiders. And you just
see him out here with the pads, relentlessly, with his
effort in every drill that he does. And it's not
just the production that he shows on Sundays and is
why he got the big blockbuster extension in this offseason.
It's the way he leads, it's the way he elevates
(26:27):
others around him in leadership positions. And it reminds me
of a conversation I had with Max a couple of
years ago when Tom Brady was first getting mentioned as
a potential minority owner for this organization, and he talked
about developing leaders around him. He said that was an
important message that Tom Brady shared with Crosby. He has
lived at the last couple of years, and if they
(26:49):
can get production from outside of guys like Max Crosby,
I think that defense has a chance.
Speaker 5 (26:54):
I was standing all the way. We're basically at one
end zone, sitting here. The other end zone is, you know,
one hundred guards away. I'm standing there and I'm watching
the defensive linemen and linebackers do sprints and who is
leading the sprints? But Max Crosby, I mean, he's in
his you know, he's deep into his veteran years and
he is still showing these young guys.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
How to do it.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
And you know, if they are going to turn around,
it's going to take some of that, and it's going
to take some of Gino Smith.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
You know, when we talk to him.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
He mentioned that he parrots the words of Pete Carroll
to try to show some of these young guys how
it's done. If they're going to win, some of their
super talented young guys like Brock Bauers and Ashton Gent,
you're gonna have to really play and contribute. I mean,
Genty's going to have to be right off the bat,
really good. But from what we've heard today, sounds like
all systems go for that.
Speaker 10 (27:41):
All reports indicate that Ashton Genty is every bit the
running back that they had hoped for him to be.
When you talk about leading guys in sprints, I thought
it was especially notable for Ashton Genty when they would
make the plays through the line of scrimmage and he
would run all the way to the end zone, emulating
that he's going to be a big game, big play
type of player from the get go. And it's not
(28:04):
just how he plays on the field. He does run
with power and passion. It's what he does off the field,
how he leads, how he understands his teammates and does
all the little things right. Everybody's been impressive with who
he is as a person, just as much as who
he is as a player, So expectations just like they
were with Brock Bauers, and he lived up to it
(28:25):
his rookie season. Expectations sky high for Ashton Gent as well.
Speaker 5 (28:29):
Yeah, there are several lean draft years for this team.
Certainly got it right last year. Seems like early returns
are got it right this year. And you know, a
lot of these guys are gonna have to come in,
They're gonna have to play because there's just not There's
Maxcross been the couple. They're not a ton ton of
veterans here to really kind of bear that burden. So
it is going to have to be the young guys
with their you know, let's say slightly older but still
(28:51):
unbelievably energetic coach Pete Carroll helping shape them.
Speaker 1 (28:55):
Certainly seems like.
Speaker 5 (28:57):
The kind of place that could turn it around a
little bit and quickly. Omark, been fun hanging out with
you all day. Really have loved that.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
Cheers.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
I wish this work.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
I wish this were beers, but they're not microphones. The
Browns quarterback Free for All continues in Maria, Ohio at
training camp. Shador Sanders back on the field today after
dealing with arms swords over the weekend. The guy in
the foreground number eight, Kenny Pickett, also back out there,
albeit in a limited fashion. He caught up with our
(29:27):
Kibbi check some Mark Cross.
Speaker 12 (29:30):
We got to start with a hamstring. How are you feeling?
We know you're throwing over the weekend and just some individuals.
How's your helps today?
Speaker 16 (29:36):
Yeah, it's getting better each today. I can get in
some do some seven on seven today. So kind of
progressing well, doing the rehab treatments, all the stuff in
the weight room to get.
Speaker 4 (29:44):
Back as fast as possible.
Speaker 13 (29:46):
Have you ever had a hamstring injury or injury that
kind of puts you behind in a competition like this?
Speaker 4 (29:52):
No, this was the first I was shocked at it happened.
Speaker 16 (29:56):
I mean I was running a lot and training hard
coming into camp, so I felt like I was I
must have been lacking somewhere to have a soft tissue
injury like this. So it's a frustrating thing. But you know,
like I said, I don't have experience with it, so
listening to the trainers and the doctors has been the
most important thing. I can't have any setbacks, you know,
I feel like I'm progressing really well, So just focus
(30:16):
at a day at a time. Now.
Speaker 12 (30:18):
Of course, a lot of the national media conversation around
the Browns this training camp has been that four quarterback competition. Obviously,
you know, you guys are all learning from each other,
but you're all competing for that number one job. You've
been very vocal in saying you want that starting spot.
How do you think you stand, obviously knowing you've had
to be sidelined for a little bit.
Speaker 16 (30:36):
Yeah, it's it's still early. You know, every guy in
that room wants the spot. You know you wouldn't be
in there, So I think it's a great group to
go to work every day to compete with. With where
I'm at right now, I'm just trying to get back
as fast as possible, taking the mental reps when I'm
not in there. I'm really happy that I'll get some
seven on seven to get back to going through reads
and making throws on time.
Speaker 4 (30:54):
So it's a good step for me.
Speaker 13 (30:56):
Today, Let's talk about some good stuff. I think people
forgot you're a super World champion. Yeah, and of course
we saw the unveiling of the rings and have you
have you broke gearers out walking around the facility shown
it all or you kind of let that go and uh,
part two of that, what did you learn from your
experience in Philly? Is such a you know, world class organization.
Speaker 16 (31:16):
Yeah, yeah, definitely definitely turned the page. My in laws
were in town this week, they got to see it,
so that was pretty cool. But you know, as far
as being here now and looking back on what I learned,
I think seeing how a player driven team can take
you a really long way. The habits that each guy had,
the habits that each position group had that you saw
after practice, before practice, in the meeting rooms with the quarterbacks,
(31:39):
it goes a really long way. So that's just something
that we're trying to build here. Uh, you know, player driven,
make the system our system and you know go from there.
Speaker 12 (31:46):
Have any of the guys inside of this locker room
come to you and asked about that championship pedigree and
try to pick your brain on. Obviously you saw that
success last season in Philly, how you guys can replicate
that here in Cleveland?
Speaker 4 (31:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 16 (31:57):
Absolutely, you know, guys just wondering. I mean there's no secret, really,
I can't. You know, there's nothing that we did, It's
just you know, just work. You know, that's that's I
guess that's the secret. It's just the hard work that
guys put in.
Speaker 15 (32:08):
Uh.
Speaker 16 (32:08):
We had great players on that team obviously defense and offense,
so you know you need all three phases to go
to go win it.
Speaker 4 (32:14):
So I think we have a lot of great pieces
here as well.
Speaker 13 (32:17):
What are your impressions of Kevin Stefanski's offense and how
do you think once you get back that you're going
to say, you know what, these are the skills, these
are the talents that I can bring that I deserve
to be the starting quarterback here.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 16 (32:30):
I think it's a really quarterback friendly system to play
to play in. You know, we're gonna run the ball, well,
we're gonna have play actions off of it. We're gonna
move the pocket. You know, I can extend and do
things with my legs. I feel like it's a strength
of my game. So there's a lot of things that
I think fit in what I do well. Obviously, when
I'm healthy, I could show that more like I did
in the first the first week, but now you know,
(32:51):
with the injury, I think I can play from the
pocket and really be more diligent through reads and progressions
and finding check down so just another aspect of my
game that can try to improve on.
Speaker 12 (32:59):
Can you also speak to your relationship with your new
offensive coordinator and Tommy Rees. Obviously he was with this
organization last season as the tight ends coach, but two
of you kind of coming in together, right, can you
can you speak to that relationship.
Speaker 16 (33:12):
I was a fan of Tommy's when he was at
Notre Dame playing. You know, I grew up a big
Notre Dame fan, so I knew Tommy a long time ago.
Speaker 3 (33:18):
Uh.
Speaker 16 (33:18):
The fact that you know now on playing form is
pretty cool, full full circle moment. But he's awesome, Like
it's it's great to have a guy in the room
that played the position that understands what we're seeing and
what we're going through. Uh, you know, down by down,
play to play. So having that insight on top of
what he already knows x's and O wise from being
a coach, I think is really awesome. So he does
(33:38):
a great job of prepping this every day and making
sure where he's prepared as we can be each practice.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
Right.
Speaker 13 (33:43):
Following up on relationships, it's so about your off the
field relationship. I'm a Princeton grad. Kenny's wife is a
Princeton grad.
Speaker 1 (33:56):
If you notice.
Speaker 13 (33:56):
So just talk about how you've had to step your
game up just on the field, but off the field
and dealing with a Princeton alone.
Speaker 16 (34:03):
Yeah, I'm big on the reunions every year. We go
back every year and see all her friends and you know,
it's awesome. And she played soccer there, So having someone
in your life that you know had the same goals
and drive as you. And now she's doing private equity
with a company still based out of Pittsburgh. So it's
great to you know, have someone like minded like you
in a relationship where you're going through life together, you know,
(34:25):
through the trials and tribulations that always has your back.
Speaker 4 (34:28):
So, you know, shout out to Amy, love you.
Speaker 12 (34:30):
I'm like, how do I follow up on a football
question out there? After we get after we get a wife,
shout out there. But last one for you here, Kenny.
You know your career since twenty twenty two when you
were drafted, right, you've now seen three organizations. What's next
for you? And cementing your name in the NFL and
really wanting to be in an advantageous position not only
as a quarterback but a leader of a franchise.
Speaker 16 (34:51):
Yeah, I think it just starts with where I'm at today,
you know, winning a job. That that's really you know,
the only thing I'm focused on, and that just goes
day by day.
Speaker 3 (34:58):
You know.
Speaker 16 (34:59):
I understand I have the end and all that, but
it doesn't really bother me. I just show up every
day and work as hard as I can be to
be the best player, you know, and we'll see where
the chips fall.
Speaker 12 (35:07):
Thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 1 (35:10):
The NFL preseason kicks out at eight games live on
NFL Network in Week one. That's this week. Big names
putting new cities on their backs, a new class putting
their names on the map. Your team is back in action.
It's time for football Week one of the NFL preseason
live on NFL Network. Blackout restrictions apply also streaming with
NFL Plus subscription required for NFL Plus. Welcome back to
(35:35):
the Insiders. Tom Pelisero, Ian Rapaport, Judy Batista, and Mike
garafalo Ian. You spent the day out there with the Raiders, who,
like everybody else in the AFC West, the AFC as
a hole for that matter, are chasing those Kansasity Chiefs.
Speaker 5 (35:50):
And they sure are, and you talk to so many
people around the league, as we've all done for the
last two weeks, really just talked to everyone about football
and what every other.
Speaker 4 (35:57):
Team is doing.
Speaker 5 (35:58):
We've heard about the Kansasity Chiefs is kind of like,
and I'm not saying here, not at the Raiders, but
a lot of other places I've been, Well, yeah, the
Chiefs offense has been a little pedestrian in the last
couple little bit. Having watched their practice, having talked to
their people there, and got to look at Rashid Rice,
who we know is probably going to be suspended to
start the season.
Speaker 1 (36:15):
But looks excellent.
Speaker 5 (36:16):
You see the slim down version of Travis Kelcey and
some of the other receivers that they have. They seem
to me at a point, guys, where they are probably
primed to get back to where they have been offensively.
That's been like my biggest takeaway from the Chiefs, from
watching them practice, from talking to the people and talking
to other people around the league. This is a team
(36:37):
that you took a little break from being the high
powered team and now is ready to get back there.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
Patrick Mahomes, when.
Speaker 5 (36:42):
I saw him, it looked about as good at playing
the position a quarterback as you possibly can during training camp.
It is, in the words of one staffer, there the
best receiver room they have had. I know, it's been
kind of odd for the Chiefs that they've rebuilt their
defense and kind of won somehow some way, those times
to me feel like they are over and the Kansas
City Chiefs Judy seemed to be ready to roll on offense.
Speaker 7 (37:07):
Well, here's another team that hopes to challenge the Chiefs,
the Pittsburgh Steelers. You know, when Tom and I were
in La Trobe at Steelers camp last week, Aaron Rodgers
brought this up. How much he likes offensive coordinator Arthur
Smith's flexibility. He's not rigid and what he's doing. He's
trying to tailor the scheme to the personnel they have.
They're still in the process of figuring out what everybody
does well and what they want and how they're going
(37:28):
to put that offense together. Today, Arthur Smith told our
buddies at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that he.
Speaker 8 (37:34):
Has had to adapt his offense.
Speaker 7 (37:37):
He actually credits his dad, who was the founder of FedEx,
for being adaptable. Just remember that when he was in
Tennessee with the Titans, it was a pretty run heavy offense,
and then when he went to Atlanta, the offense.
Speaker 8 (37:50):
Never really got going. Last year when he was in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 7 (37:54):
With Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, the offense just wasn't
explosive enough.
Speaker 8 (37:58):
That was a problem.
Speaker 7 (38:00):
Now he's got a forty one year old quarterback, lots
of weapons, Johnny Smith who he had in Tennessee as well,
Pat Fryarmooth, DK Metcalp. Going to be interesting to see
how they put this together again. Still a work in
proprest because they got a little bit of a late
start because Aaron Rodgers signed so late.
Speaker 6 (38:15):
Mike Judy, I am in studio in Englewood, California today
because I was at the Chargers camp earlier today. Man,
I'll tell you what I remember being there a year
ago and seeing a lot of holes in the roster,
like wide receiver. They needed to rebuild that room.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
They've done so.
Speaker 6 (38:29):
Much work over the last year, and they feel so
good about where they are from a roster standpoint, and
they could still add speaking of wide receivers, Keenan Allen,
their old friend, worked out for them the other day.
Jim Harball telling the media that it was a good workout. Still,
Joe Hortiz, the general manager, working with Allen's representation see
if they can come to an agreement on a signing.
Would not be surprised if that happened at some point
(38:51):
in the near future, but we'll see. As for Najie Harris,
Harball saying that he is doing some laps walking around
the field. No timeline yet for his recovery. Remember his
agent called it a superficial injury to his eye, that
fireworks injury that was the understatement of the year. Clearly
a serious injury here to naj Harris again, no timeline
yet for his return to the field. And then Denzel Perryman,
(39:13):
This is good news for the Chargers. He was released
from custody. Harball cit he went and visited Perryman, who
was arrested on a weapons charge after two rifles were
found in his trunk after.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
He was stopped.
Speaker 6 (39:25):
He was released from custody today with TMZ reporting that
he won't be charged for that incident. So that is
good news for the Chargers, getting Denzel Perryman back, a
key part of a roster that again they feel incredibly
good about this time of year, just like any team, though,
it's got to stay healthy.
Speaker 1 (39:40):
Tom Saints campids to California in a couple of days.
Still have a joint practice against the Chargers, still looking
for a quarterback. I was there yesterday with Baldy and
Rhett Lewis. We saw Spencer Ratler, Tyler Schuck rotating the
early portion of practice. Jake Hayner got a lot of
work later. The sense I get is the Saints ory
no rush to figure out who the number one guy
(40:02):
is going to be. If you had to guess right
now going into the preseason, you'd say it's probably shucked
the second round draft pick. He just looks the part.
You can see him processing. But as one person there
put it to me, it is still very early. He's
got a lot to learn, a lot to suss out
here through the course of the preseason. Twenty twenty five
NFL season is almost here and single game tickets are
(40:23):
on sale now seventy games for all thirty two teams.
Visit NFL dot com slash tickets to purchase tickets today.
Verified tickets are available through the NFL ticket network, including Ticketmaster,
seat Geek, and Sports Illustrated Tickets. Coming up on the Insiders,
an NFL legend turned one hundred years old. That's right,
(40:44):
Marve Levy, who probably could get out there and coach
a game right now if he really needed to. Celebrating
a big milestone will celebrate him. You get to some
other items right after this on the Insiders. Happy one
hundredth birthday, Marv Levy, the former Bills coach, hitting that
(41:05):
big milestone yesterday. I found myself in a car to
a charity golf tournament a couple of months ago with
Cornelius Bennitt, who told me he had a bunch of
the old Bills players all flew up to Chicago to
spend time with Marv. Last year for his ninety ninth birthday,
Marv still in a party in Moodjide, I know you
talked to him not that long ago as well.
Speaker 8 (41:25):
I did.
Speaker 7 (41:25):
I talked to him last season for a story sounded
just as great as ever. The adoration of his players
that they have for Marv Levy really says a whole lot.
Speaker 8 (41:36):
About the man.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
He was.
Speaker 7 (41:37):
World War Two veteran, earned a master's degree from Harvard
in English history, and then went on to be a
spectacular NFL coach. Took the Buffalo Bills, of course, to
four Super Bowls, which they did not win. Nonetheless, Marv Levy,
awesome coach. Happy birthday, Ian.
Speaker 1 (41:54):
If you make it to one hundred, what do you
envision you're doing at that point? What do you see
in your life at that point at that time?
Speaker 5 (42:02):
Just golf? I just want to be playing golf. If
I'm shooting my age at one hundred, then I've done
something right, you know. I mean, that's Is there anything
anyone can ask besides that? If I'm shooting like ninety
eight at one hundred, probably playing from those old man
tes really up front.
Speaker 1 (42:16):
Then that's a big win. Is that too much to ask?
The good news is you already swing at like your
one hundred old man game all the way. We're back tomorrow,
see you
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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