NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Judy Battista break down James Cook’s contract negotiations and his importance to the Bills offense with Brian Baldinger. Mike Garafolo joins to discuss Shedeur Sanders’ oblique injury and Tua Tagovailoa’s training camp frustrations. Bucky Brooks shares expectations for the upcoming Giants–Jets joint practice, while Bridgette Condon reports on Najee Harris’ return from a scary eye injury. The crew analyzes young QBs with the most to prove in Week 2, previews Saints–Jaguars, and Cam Wolfe sits down with Browns CB Tony Brown to talk about his viral Panthers entrance. Plus, Michael F. Florio reveals which players could post “video game numbers” in fantasy this season.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
The NFL's touchdown leader, just got his bag in Buffalo.
We will tell you how the deal got done and
what Cook had to say about remaining a bill after
his training camp holding. It's big week for joint practices
across the NFL, including the Browns and Eagles, and then
some work in Philly like Garifollo was there for the action.
(00:25):
It'll join us and talk about an injury that could
alter Cleveland's quarterback competition. If you're altering your fantasy draft board,
don't miss Michael f Florio, who will join us tonight
talk about some players who could put up video game
numbers in twenty twenty five, and it might not be
who you think. Welcome inside with the Insiders, presented by
(00:48):
SATVA alongside Judy Batista. I am Tom Peliicero. We are
now just twenty two days out from kickoff of the
twenty twenty five NFL regular season. Was kick it off
on Sunday Night Football, a great one against the Ravens.
And now whatever doubt existed about whether they were going
to have their starting running back, well that has now
(01:09):
fallen by the wayside. James Cook signing his deal this morning.
It is a four year forty eight million dollar contract,
including thirty million guaranteed. Cook had been sitting out over
the past week and a half. He said it was
about business. Now he's got business done, and he certainly
sounds happy to be sticking around. And I'm want to
(01:32):
say difficult.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I hindered it the right way.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
I felt like and.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
O and all we got stuff done. I mean, especially
you know the guys that came in with me. We
all got rewarded. And I mean, now that's time to
fus to go play football and sewing why we belong here.
Hopefully bring a super Bowl here. That's what I'm trying
to do, and just keep elevating my game.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
We talked about this a lot, really over the past
several months, but increasingly over these past couple of the
sides were not far apart on a deal. There was
a priority for the Bills, going all the way back
to the spring, before they did all those other extensions
to lock up their young core, they tried to get
James Cook done first. The sides just weren't quite on
the same page in terms of exactly what that number
(02:16):
should be. Cooks at one point had said fifteen million
dollars per year, was what he was shooting for. That
would be in that McCaffrey Saque Derrick Henry area here.
In recent days they came off that number. He still
outpaces the deal that Kyraen Williams side last week for
eleven million dollars per year with the Rams. This following
Cook's return to practice on Tuesday. The Bills did not
(02:38):
want to set a precedent that they were going to
finalize the deal with a guy who wasn't on the field,
So good faith from Cook to get back on the field,
and the hours that followed that Tuesday practice he had
really ramped up behind the scenes. Early this morning, officially,
James Cook locked up in Buffalo. Now do fifty three
point two million dollars through the twenty twenty nine seasons.
(02:59):
Wear Brian Baldinger to the conversation as well. Judy, Again,
we talked about this a lot. This seemed like, unlike
some of the other situations, they were going to be
able to bridge this gap. It was a matter of when.
What was your takeaway from the deal it ultimately got
done in Buffalo.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Well, first of all, you're right, it never really seemed
to ever get acrimonious in Buffalo, so you always felt
like there were good intentions there on both sides. My
takeaway is, as he put it himself, as James Cook
himself put it, he did handle it the right way
right you would say, a hold in worked. But when
he declined to practice, that is what got the Bills
(03:37):
a little bit on edge. And as you pointed out,
they did not want to set a precedent. They wanted
him to be on the field. He went back on
the field, good faith gesture, and the deal got done.
My other takeaway is what an off season for the
Buffalo Bills. They signed six of their own players to
contract extensions that are worth at least each extension worth
(03:58):
at least forty million total value. And of course Josh
Allen was the headliner, but James Cook, all of these guys,
Khalil Shakir, all of these guys whom they have drafted,
they've won a lot of games with over the last
few years, and now they keep them in the fold
long term to try to make that push for a
Super Bowl. Really smart team building, really smart roster management.
(04:21):
And now the final whatever impediment it might have been,
whatever distraction it might have been, as this thing got
worked out over now for the Buffalo Bills and they
can go forward.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Baldi. There's always questions about what the proper value point
is when it comes to running backs. Here, this position
relative to let's say, wide receiver is obviously just not
in the same category. From financial perspective, twelve million dollars
per year for James Cook thirty million guaranteed. That is,
within the context of running backs a big investment. How
do you feel knowing what James Cook brings to Buffalo
(04:53):
about the value they'll get away from locking him up
for years to go?
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Well, they have You have a nice group have running backs,
the Ray Davis right there and Ty Johnson, they all
have the role. But James Cook is a guy that
has elite vision, and he's got a great first step,
and he gets the running game going. And he's twenty
five years old, he's coming off a second Pro Bowl.
Aaron Cromber works with that offensive line in the run
(05:18):
game extensively, and he tells me like, this is an
elite player.
Speaker 6 (05:22):
He's got great feet and great vision.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
And so look, Brandon Beans has done a great job
of tying up their young core of players, keeping him together,
keeping that group together so that you know, maybe they
will be able to keep chopping, keep chopping and maybe
break through in the AFC. But I think it makes
a lot of sense to keep you know, James Cook there.
He has proven himself over three years. He's been healthy
(05:45):
and he's been really productive, and he's young. The legs
are still really really you know, fresh, and he still
can finish drives and finished runs like this one right here.
So I thought it was really an important step and
to keep that core together because it's going to be
the corese not just Josh Allen.
Speaker 6 (06:01):
It's got to be the other guys.
Speaker 5 (06:02):
The offensive line returns intact from a year ago right now,
so they're bringing back a lot of familiarity and a
group that you know, I would think is pretty hungry
the way things finished a year ago.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
The Bill's making it rain for James Cook, just like
someone's making it rain right outside Judy's window. If you're
wondering what that sound is, wet'll have a storm apparently
in New York, but is unrelated. The storm is over
for the Buffalo Bills and their running back, Baldy. Thank
you a lot more from you to come in just
a little bit. Also, in development today surrounding the Brown's
quarterback situation and the player who made the most noise
(06:38):
of anybody really across the NFL in the first preseason week.
Shador Sanders, coming off of a strong debut against Carolina,
suffered an oblique injury in practice earlier today in the
joint practice with the Eagles. The Browns released a statement
saying that Sanders is day today, is not going to
practice on Thursday, unlikely to play on Saturday again against
(07:00):
the Eagles, which now judy at a time that the Browns,
who have seemingly had an endless string of not major
injuries but just minor soft tissue things, guys missing several
days of practice, Kenny Pickets still not out there. This
now suddenly could be the opportunity for Dylan Gabriel to
answer what Shadur did in Week one by going out
there in week two.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Yeah, it's really unfortunate. The entire quarterback competition has really
been pockmarked by these little nagging injuries to three out
of the four guys. I mean, who would have ever
imagined that the forty year old Joe Flacco was going
to be the most healthy one of the quarterbacks Kenny
Pickett is participating in seven on sevens still dealing with
his hamstring injury. They really have not seen enough of him,
(07:45):
and now chadur is going to miss some time with
this oblique injury, which unfortunately, as we know, oblique injuries
can linger, so they've got to be.
Speaker 7 (07:51):
Really careful with this.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
But yes, this does set up to be Dylan Gabriel's opportunity.
Earlier today, before Shador got hurt, Kevin Stefanski said that
the idea had always been to give each of the
rookies us start in the preseason game. So this would
then line up for Dylan Gabriel if he is okay
to go. He came back from his own hamstring issue
(08:14):
a few days ago and has been participating in eleven
on eleven, so if he gets through these joint practices
with the Eagles intact, we should see him as the
starting quarterback on Saturday, and then we will see when
Shador Sanders can get back on the field. But Kevin
Stefanski has made clear he wants to make a decision
on the pecking order here sooner rather than later, so
time is running short for all of these guys.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
S Briana Mike Garafolo, who was at that practice earlier today,
I believes at the Giants facility they found out he
was here to talk about Eagles and slash his microphone.
So Mike joined us right now, Ya zoom, you saw
that on the field, Mike, tell me about what you
make of where the Browns quarterback situation continues to evolve,
but also just what you saw in this practice overall.
Speaker 8 (08:58):
I would say that the most age part to me
is that the guy who hasn't gotten hurt at the
quarterback position is the allegedly old guy, Joe Flecco, who's
still standing and had his entire family there today.
Speaker 9 (09:09):
There was a lot of family at that practice today.
Speaker 8 (09:11):
Kevin Sefanski from the Philadelphia area, Andrew Berry and Adam
Berry who now works for the Eagles, that they were
there with their family as well. So this was about
as jovial and cooperative a joint practice as you can imagine.
There was a minor scuffle there when it came to
special teams, as one coach said to me, Yeah, it's
always special teams. Those are the guys that are on
the edge of the roster trying to make it and
they get a little frisky from time to time, but
(09:34):
these sides got in good work. You had Jalen Hurts
there working with the Eagles starting offense. Obviously Shador and Sanders.
Jalen and Shador at the end of practice had spent
some time together, and Jalen said that Shador sought him
out there.
Speaker 9 (09:49):
It is right there, trust me.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
That's them and that is big dumb standing with his
golf cart, which the two of them.
Speaker 9 (09:56):
Jalen Hurts then took.
Speaker 8 (09:58):
Shador for a ride, and at that point I didn't
really put two and two together, said maybe he's doing
it because he's heard, or they were just so far away.
I think they wanted to be far away. There's a ride,
mind if we play through. They were so far away
and I think they wanted their privacy over there. So
Jalen Hurts has been one to pay it back to
some of the younger guys, whether it's the guys at
Oklahoma or Alabama, He's been in communication with those, or
(10:18):
the younger quarterbacks in the league.
Speaker 9 (10:20):
He had people that he relied upon.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
So he's already trying to pay it back to some
of the younger guys, and that's what he did today.
Speaker 9 (10:26):
With Shador Sanders, just some advice that he can give
in this situation.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Jalen Hurts, another accomplished college quarterback who did not go
in the first round, was drafted to be a backup.
Worked out pretty well for him and the Eagles coming
off of a Super Bowl MBT season. That was not
the only joint practice in the NFL today. This has
become popular in recent years before the second preseason game,
in particular about the Lions and the Dolphins going at
it earlier today. At least the Lions, based upon these
(10:54):
images you're seeing right here, seem to be getting the
better of the Dolphins across the board. And now, let's
say the way things went did not sit great with
Dolphins quarterback to a tongue by Lowa.
Speaker 10 (11:05):
I think today offensively was a very frustrating day, you know,
in regards to what we wanted to do. What we
said we wanted to do came out, you know, and
we we just weren't able to get things jump started,
whether it was moved the ball, whether it was one
of the third down team periods, another team period, red zone.
It just felt like we didn't have the energy that
(11:27):
that you know, we're used to when we practice and
when we play against you know, opponents. So that's what
I'm talking about when I talk about it was frustrating today.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
When I was in Miami during inside training camp, that
was one of those days for the Dolphins offense too.
It was sloppy, the ball was on the ground a lot. Now,
Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddall have been banged up with injuries,
Darren Waller still not ready to practice. You're going against
one of the best teams in the NFL MIC in
the Lions, but you'd certainly hope your quarterback isn't walking
off the field going well, that was pretty embarrassing.
Speaker 8 (11:59):
Well, I supposely when they were called out ahead time
with them saying, you know, I don't know if they
can practice like we practice, and then you sort of
have that performance there, and I know a lot of
folks are looking at some of the reading some of
the tea leaves with the Dolphins and saying, oh, this
feels like a team that's like on the break and
can kind of go either way. And you've got the
Tyreek Hill to a situation at the start of camp
where to a saying he's got to work his way
(12:22):
back into our good graces, basically after how he ended
last season. There's a lot of stuff in play, including
those injuries that you're talking about, and then these joint
practices have not gone well for them. So you hate
to make mountains out of mole hills duty, but when
there's so many of them, you can sort of stack
them on top of each other, and all of a
sudden it is a big hill.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Well, I think the concerning thing for the Dolphins is
that this off season was supposed to be about sort
of shedding that finesse label. They wanted to become a
more physical, a tougher team, and then when they're going
against a team that is very physical, very tough, and
they just get overpowered on both sides of the ball.
According to all accounts, that's obviously very concerning. This is
(13:04):
a litmus test for a team like the Miami Dolphins.
They did not pass the test today. They got a
few weeks to try to fix it. They can only
do so many fixes, though you can't overhaul the roster.
This is what they got, So certainly this is a
concerning development for a team that was trying to change
their style of play this season.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Some other news around the NFL. We're going to see
Caleb Williams for the first time in the Ben Johnson era.
Johnson officially announcing earlier today that Caleb Williams is going
to get the start on Sunday against the Bills. They
are going to play their guys across the board in
this game. We'll see what Buffalo puts on the field,
Mike here, But to the extent that people have wondered
and read tweets about Caleb so far in training camp,
(13:45):
now we'll get the first look of him at least
operating that Johnson offense. Yep, as news Justin Jefferson, all right, Mike,
go ahead, Yeah, I'm bat at it.
Speaker 8 (13:56):
Yeah, Kevin O'Connell's saying, Justin Jefferson's hamishing printssing.
Speaker 9 (14:01):
Not quite ready to make a full return to action.
Speaker 8 (14:02):
Obviously, when you get a veteran receiver like this who
doesn't need a lot of work at this point, you
want to be extra careful with this, especially because you're
expecting or not expecting, you are going to start the
season without Jordan Adison, so you really don't want to
be without your one and your two going into a
season where You've.
Speaker 9 (14:17):
Got a quarterback who didn't play at all during his
rookie season.
Speaker 8 (14:20):
So this is definitely one that you want to be
ultra ultra careful with, and that is what the Bikings
are doing right now with Justin Jefferson.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
The Pittsburgh Steelers broke camp in Latrope yesterday. They spent
a lot of time in Latrobe trying to figure out
what their offense was going to look like. Rogers spent
a lot of time with Arthur Smith, trying to learn
the offense, trying to learn his new teammates. It was
a little bit rough going in those first few days.
He praised Smith for not being rigid in his offensive ideas.
But coming out of Latrope, Aaron Rodgers feels a little
(14:51):
bit better about things here.
Speaker 11 (14:51):
He is, well, I think I'm playing a little bit better,
you know, I feel comfortable in the offense, and DK
and I have been get on the same page a
little more frequently, which which helps. But you know, we've
had we've had some injuries. Obviously, Calvin's been out for
a while, so we'd love to get him back, but
gives opportunities for other guys. You know, I think I
(15:13):
think Scott. He's done a really nice job, made a
lot of plays for us. I think Roman's starting to,
you know, feel confident in what he's doing. I'd love
the tight ends. I think he getting a lot of
production out of those guys. Again with John out. One
guy I'd love to single out is Is Connor. I mean,
Connor does the right thing every time. He's a really
smart football player, and the smartest players are the best players.
(15:34):
So he's the kind of guy I feel real confident
that he can put him in there at any time
and and know he's going to be on the same page.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
A lot of weapons showed out right there by Aaron Rodgers.
One weapon who's still looking for a new home Odell
Beckham Junior. There was some weird social media stuff and
fake accounts in the past few days saying Odell is
retiring from what I am told, he has no plans
to retire. He's training. There's several teams that are interested
in Odell. He is still planning to play somewhere in
(16:04):
twenty twenty five. Odell pally like that tweet, responding to
me earlier today and said, finally real news. Much love
right back at you, Odell.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
Welcome back to the Insiders, presented by soft Folk. The
Giants and Jets have been having joint practices this week,
which means a reunion between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields
together in Pittsburgh and together kind of again in New York.
They caught up at the joint practice today at the
Giants facility, and guess who else was there? Are Brian Baldinger.
Baldy joins us, as does Bucky Brooks. Let's talk about
(16:37):
the joint practices.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Guys.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
All right, Baldy, you were there today at the Giants facility.
Speaker 7 (16:42):
What were your impressions.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
It was a good scrimmage, you know, really no fistic
cuffs or you fights or anything broke out. They had
a quick whistle going all day, but it was really
crisp work both sides. I spent most of the day
on the Giants sideline watching their defense, just because you
have to watch up dual Carter. He just makes you
(17:05):
watch because he's so electric. But then when you combine them,
you watch him right here, just turn the corner, just
an electric takeoff. But just the way that they use
him right now, they're using them everywhere. I asked him
if it's actually a joker role, he said. It's not
really joker, but it's like that. He's so he's off
the ball. Inside he's lining up over the guards the
center with Cavon Thibodeaux and Brian Burn's opposite sides and
(17:29):
Dexter Lawrence inside. It's it's really you know, it's it's
a great group and they work really, really hard. They
got a lot of reps. The number one defense for
the Giants took a lot of snaps out there today
and then you know, everything finished with a two minute drill.
Both offenses, starting offenses got the ball with about a
minute to go to try and drive down the field.
(17:49):
And you know, honestly, I thought the Giants defense won
the drill. But you know, when you watch justin fields
right now, you just get the feel. Okay, you've got
Garrett Wilson, he's proven, Mason Taylor's coming back through an injury,
alan Zar is banged up.
Speaker 6 (18:04):
You just feel like they need another receiver.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
I mean, they hit the tight end back a couple
times on this opening drive, which was nice, and Justin
finished off the opening drive, you know, with this thirteen
yard touchdown run and he did a couple that couple
of those today, I feel like they need a little
bit more firepower in the passing game right now. And
so it wasn't a great day for the passing game,
but the offensive line got a lot of good work
(18:28):
against a very talented defensive front, so I thought from
that standpoint, it was pretty good out there, Judy.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
Now, Aaron Glenn, the Jets coach, has been consistent saying
they love where Justin Fields is right now, but I
have a feeling he will not be the only quarterback
who feels the.
Speaker 7 (18:44):
Wrath of that Giant's pass rush.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Every time we have been out at Giants practice so
far in this training camp, they have been wrecking things
all right, Bucky Jackson Dart had a pretty good debut
last week.
Speaker 7 (18:55):
What would you like to see from him in week two?
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Look, man, I want to say, team to see him progress.
Speaker 12 (19:01):
Very impressive debut performance, and it's easy to envision and
see why Joe Shane and Brian dave Ball like Jackson
Dart as their choice to be their franchise quarterback. When
I look at Jackson dark in that performance last week,
I saw what Brian.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Dave Ball sees and that's a Josh Allen Jr. Type.
Speaker 12 (19:20):
I'm not saying that he's going to eventually be the
MVP of the league, but I can see Brian dave
Ball digging in twists his old playbooks and utilizing some
of the things that made Josh Allen pop when he
was the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. Quick rhythm passes,
deep shots on occasion, design quarterback runs, and some impromptu
plays that allows him to play the kind of ball
(19:41):
control offense that he wants to play to compliment that
defense that Baldy is talking about. And I think everyone
has forgotten because the last two years have been a
drastic fall off for the Giants, But that first year
in New York, Brian day Ball got this team to
the playoffs, playing very conservatively on offense with the defense
leading the way. In my mind, I can see Jackson
(20:02):
Dohrt eventually being QB one and this team utilizing a
similar blueprint and game plan to have a lot of
success in the league.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
The word people around the Giants use is very encouraged
by Jackson Dart, Baldy marquee, thank you, We'll talk to
you later and when we return. Shador Sanders had a
very interesting arrival for his very first NFO game. We
are going to hear more about that when we return
on the Insiders presented by Softball.
Speaker 8 (20:40):
We are now much plus since Naji Arris suffered what
his agent termed a superficial injury to his eye after
a fireworks accident. That clearly was not the right word
to use, because he is still out of action though,
as you can see from our Bridget continent was at
Chargers today, he continues his ramp up. It was walking
at first, now it is running with a weighted vest
(21:01):
On Bridget Condon now joining us.
Speaker 9 (21:04):
Bridget I was there.
Speaker 8 (21:05):
I was talking to folks Marion Hampton, a guy that
they're very excited about as part of this backfield. We'll
see about Najie Harris's status for week one, but even
if he's not there, they're going to split the workload.
Speaker 9 (21:16):
That's what Greg Roman said the other day. Your take
on the entire Chargers.
Speaker 13 (21:20):
Backfield right now, Mike, it's good news that Naji Harris
was out there today for the second day in a row,
doing more than, as you mentioned, just walking. He was
running again today and he was doing more than we've
seen him do and running, I'm told, faster than we've
seen him run at all this training camp since he
got injured back on July fourth. He was doing a
lot of agiliity work. He was pushing a sled at
(21:42):
one point, and then after I would say he probably
worked out for about an hour of practice, and then
when he was done, he walked over to the practice
field where the team was and stayed there with a
weighted vest on in a football in hand. So, look,
we know that Naji Harris is a big part of
what Jim Harbaugh and this Chargers team wants to do.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
They want to run the ball. They love Amarion.
Speaker 13 (22:02):
Hampton and what they've seen so far from the rookie,
but being able to have Harris, that veteran, is going
to be a big deal for this team. Jim Harbaugh
was asked would he be available for Week one? There
is a chance that we could see him available week one,
but Naji Harris the biggest thing for him in his career,
He's been available and he's been reliable. He has never
missed a game like in his entire career and has
(22:24):
the most touches of anyone since he was drafted in
twenty twenty one, so they are hopeful that he'll be
back on the field to help this run game sooner
rather than later.
Speaker 8 (22:32):
Harris had those sunglasses on when he was out there
when he was not doing any work now with the
buyser or on his helmet, but you can see in
some of the pictures there's definitely an affected eye right
there that he has not shown the media or the
public to this point. Joe Alt's going to be blocking
for somebody carrying the football in that backfield. He was
scheduled to be their right tacklever Sean Slater goes down.
Speaker 9 (22:52):
Now all moving to the left side.
Speaker 8 (22:53):
I've heard some guys say, you think it's a simple move,
but you're changing up footwork, you're moving to the other side.
Speaker 9 (23:00):
Is all dealing with that change from the right to
the left?
Speaker 13 (23:03):
Yeah, injuring interesting you say that. I just talked with
him after practice and I asked him that very question.
How different is it going from the right and to
the left, And he said, with most guys, when you
make a switch from right to left or left to right,
it is very challenging. But because he played remember in college,
he played on the left side, he said, it's pretty
much easier for him because he's so used to playing
(23:24):
on the left side. He also played Week eighteen last
season on the left and had a good performance for
this Chargers team. But look, this is a team that
is already dealing with injury. They were supposed to have
a joint practice today with the Rams and had to
cancel that because Jim Harbass says they're already banged up
to that offensive line. Mackai Beckton, of course, also has
not practiced in more than two weeks.
Speaker 7 (23:46):
So Joe Alt says the biggest.
Speaker 13 (23:48):
Thing right now is just stacking practices with the offensive
live that they have right now and continuing to get
comfortable with Justin on the left side. He said, you know,
there's a little different on the right as to where
Justin Herbert is. He wants to get comfortable with where
he is and be able to communicate quicker on the
field from that left side.
Speaker 7 (24:08):
But he feels confident.
Speaker 13 (24:10):
And I just asked Khalil Mack what he's seen from
Joe Halt now stepping into this new role, and he
said he's confident. But one thing that he loves about
this guy now in year two is he's not afraid
to ask questions Mike. He says, sometimes these tackles is
a competition in training camp. You're going against each other
and maybe you don't want to ask, but he said,
Joe alt he's humble and he'll ask Khalil Mack anything
(24:31):
he wants to get better. That's the kind of player
that you're going to see on the left side this season.
Speaker 8 (24:36):
That was fascinating what we call b roll right there.
Joe Alton Alpha commanded that uddle. He's got dudes pouring
water into his mouth for he's like slapping dudes.
Speaker 9 (24:43):
He's running.
Speaker 8 (24:44):
That's what you'll want from your left Tacklet you thank
you very much as he is.
Speaker 9 (24:48):
Tom Pellisero football guy too. Tom take the wheel.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Time now for well rested Wins, presented by Santfa, Brian
Baldinger and Bucky Brooks back with us Baldi. A couple
of days away from preseason week two. In your mind,
who needs a well rested win this weekend?
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Caleb Caleb Williams does I thought you should have played
last week.
Speaker 6 (25:11):
We saw a lot of starters around the league get time.
This is a new offense.
Speaker 5 (25:15):
I talked to Caleb last week at Hallishall Tom and
it's a worthy offense. There's a lot of language, a
lot that goes into the play calls. It's one thing
to do without out of practice, another thing to do
it in a game situation. He saw Tyson Bagent take
his Bears down sixteen plays, ninety four yards finish with
a touchdown pass. That's what they need to see from
(25:35):
Caleb this weekend. They're going to have a new offense
line in front of them, presumably a much better protection
than what he saw a year ago, and he'll have
his compliment of receivers out there. This is you know,
this has to go well. I would think that, you know,
there's a lot that goes into this. They need success
right now because this is a new way of doing things.
(25:56):
Ben Johnson throughout this time has been very, very tough
on the players in practice. They need this to pay
off this weekend.
Speaker 12 (26:05):
Yeah, Baldy, you talk about Katy Williams needing to pay
it off. How about the Cleveland Browns entire quarterback room
needs to play well and play great so we can
see who's going to ultimately be QB one, two and
three for this team. Look, it's assume and by good measures,
Joe Flacco is going to be the starting quarterback for
the Browns. Kenny Pickett injury has opened the door and
(26:25):
made it pretty hard for Kevin Stefanski to move off
that point. But the other three quarterbacks have to figure
out what the pecking order is going to be.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
Shadur Sanders injury might complicate that.
Speaker 12 (26:36):
So now you have Kinny Pickett and Dylan Gabriel, two
guys who didn't play, and you have Shadur Sanders week
one performance in the books.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
To me, Kenny Pickett and Dylan Gabriel, they need to
show improved.
Speaker 12 (26:47):
They need to impress because I worry about them falling
behind in the race. Joe Flacco's the number one, but
who's two and three? We need to figure it out
this weekend.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
He should really use some well rested soft tissue based
upon what's been going on so far for the Browns
in that quarterback room, Bucky Baldy stick around more from
you guys in just a little bit. Speaking of the
Browns quarterback groom, Shador Sanders, before an impressive performance in Carolina,
also had a memorable entrance not just because of him,
but because of the man next to him carrying Is
(27:19):
that a sickle? Now that's Tony Brown. We know that much.
He joined our cameraon Wolf Tony Year eight in the NFL.
Speaker 14 (27:27):
But it was this weekend you went viral for your
entrance walking in with Shador Sanders with that bomboo bamboo
scepter with the boombox blasting the music and look, I
want to start you with this. I know you were
at practice today the Brown said that Shador's got this
oblique injury. I'm curious, have you talked with him? What
did you see from him coming off of that injury?
Speaker 8 (27:48):
At this stage.
Speaker 15 (27:50):
During practice, the offense and defense are on separate fields.
I spoke to him after practice in the locker room.
I didn't speak to him about an injury, you know.
I spoke to him about how the defense did, how
well the defense did. I ask him about how well
the offense did. With anything that occurs with his body
all a lot of training staff to handle that, and
(28:11):
we'll talk after, you know, about the best way to
go forward with his body and what's going on in
his body.
Speaker 14 (28:18):
Absolutely, I can't wait to see y'all back out there
doing another entrance And speaking of that, I kept getting
text on game day about that. It's like who is
this guy who is holding the stick or the whatever
they called it. You called it a bamboo sceptor. Can
you tell us the origin story of how this came about?
Speaker 15 (28:38):
Okay, So the story of the scepter begins with an
invite to Ghana for my teammate Jeremiah's who Corromo.
Speaker 9 (28:47):
It's camp that he has yearly in Ghana.
Speaker 15 (28:52):
As we went there, it's not just a football camp,
and shout out to Jeremiah. Very honorable man, one of
the most honorable men that I've ever met, sportsman and
man in general off the field.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
He took us.
Speaker 15 (29:05):
We traversed through Ghana and traveled visited the king in
the Western region where this picture was taken, and visited
the Cape Coast, a very historically relevant dungeon as it
relates to the Transalytic slave trade. So as I'm going
through this tour in this dungeon castle, learning about how
the slaves were held, learning about the death dungeon, he
(29:26):
explained to me, Hey, Tony, you can try to qualm
your emotions by speaking with the ancestors, like trying to
have a conversation with them. As we're walking through these dungeons.
This dungeon and castle. He picked up some rocks and
dust off the ground and put it in my hand.
It's a bit of a culture shock, being that I'm
from Texas. And as we traversed the last thirty minutes
of the tour, I ended up just having just saying
(29:48):
these words and dialogue. If you're their ancestors, I would
ask that you grant me the wisdom, the guidance, and
the strength in order to transmute his anger, which is
just an energy that I felt in my chest into
something that I could use to be functional that I
can make you proud. So I asked for wisdom, guidance,
and strength. So as we left out of the Dungeon Castle.
(30:12):
It is along the shores of the Cape Coast, I
walked out into the water to kind of clear my mind.
As I walked into the water the shores of the
water the staff center, it washed the short of my
feet and initially when I picked it up and hit
my ankles. I picked it up, I was like, yo,
I looked at it, you know, I'm looking at it.
I'm like, yo, this is a pretty cool. It's a
pretty cool thing to just wash them to my feet
(30:35):
and Jeremiah was maybe ten fifteen feet behind me and
say cool was also so they also visually saw this
happen and I turned around like I just caught a fish,
you know, like a little fish, and they look at
me like in.
Speaker 3 (30:50):
Like a like a kind of like an awe a
little bit.
Speaker 15 (30:52):
As I walked towards Sakhu and Jeremiah, and we're also
traveling with chieftains and chiefs with us from Gunnan chiefs,
we all impart the wisdom on what this means in
their tribe, and every person that imparted the wisdom kind
of like helped me understand the meaning behind attaining this in.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
A way that I did well. Tony.
Speaker 14 (31:12):
First of all, thank you for that powerful description. I
can feel your emotion. And as you go through the
rest of the preseason and the season, will this continue to.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Be a ritual for you? Correct?
Speaker 15 (31:23):
I carry this with pride and with honor as it
connects me to something greater than myself. I continue to
walk with this to empower others and I want people
to rise right with me. That's what that's the term
apex is for at the top. So like, I definitely
will continue to empower others with my word, and you know,
help people shine light by being my authentic self by
(31:43):
carrying the staff here.
Speaker 14 (31:44):
Sir, absolutely well, we will know next time we see
you that that is a bamboo scepter that has much
more power than any of us could ever imagine. Great
preseason debut for you, a few tackles in the past, breakup,
and eager to see you throughout the rest of the season,
Tony Bless, Thank you.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Welcome back to the Insiders presented by SAFA. The NFL
preseason rolls on with seven live games on NFL Network
in Week two. A new era is taking shape with
rookie classes looking to show out. Don't miss your chance
to catch some of the biggest names during Week two
of NFL preseason live on NFL Network. Blackout restrictions apply.
(32:22):
Also streaming with NFL Plus. Subscription is required for NFL
Plus and one of the players you could see this
weekend Travis Hunter of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played on
both offense and defense in Week one of the preseason.
Speaker 7 (32:38):
The Jaguars face.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
The New Orleans Saints this week, so we will see
what his schedule looks like.
Speaker 7 (32:43):
He is one of the most.
Speaker 4 (32:45):
Interesting players in the NFL going into the season, no
question about it. Let's welcome in our Bucky Brooks and
Brian Baldinger to look at this Jaguars Saints game. Bucky,
I want to start with you, since you know the
Jaguars better than anybody.
Speaker 7 (32:59):
What is the plan for Travis Hunter in week two?
Speaker 3 (33:03):
It's very similar to what you saw in Week one.
Speaker 12 (33:05):
Travis Hunter is going to be a two way standout
for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The goal going into week one
was to get ten plays on offense ten plays on defense.
Didn't quite get that in, but what they would like
to see eventually is a guy that starts at wide
receiver and then plays a key role on defense as
they get off the field specialist. Think about third down,
red zone, two minute drills, end of game, whenever it's
(33:27):
a critical situation. Having Travis Hunter available to play defense
because they play a little more zone defense. It is
a very doable deal. But they want to take advantage
of his explosiveness on offense and his ball skills on
defense to see if they can maximize this play making talents.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
They help this team get to the next level.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
All right, on the other side of the field, Baldy.
They have a quarterback competition in New Orleans. How do
you see that shaking out right now?
Speaker 5 (33:55):
Well, in being around Kellen Moore a couple of weeks ago,
Judy for scrimmage twenty sixth play scrimmage a week before
the preseason games, you know they were really rotating the quarterbacks.
They want to make this competition. So Spencer Rattler started
last week with the starting offensive line against the Chargers.
Did not move the team very well, didn't really respond.
(34:16):
But you're seeing the touchdown throw from Tyler Shuck and
that was after he threw a pick six. So they
put Shuck in last week and the two minute drill,
he took the team down, they got a field goal,
came back to a pick six, but didn't hang his head,
came back and hit Mason Tipton on that fifty four
yard touchdown pass.
Speaker 6 (34:33):
I believe that you'll see Tyler Shuck start against the Jaguars.
Speaker 5 (34:36):
I think you'll see some of the receivers out there,
a lave Rasid Shaheed. I think you'll see some of
the speed at wide receiver. And I think they're going
to give him a good look this week. I don't
want to write off Jake Hayner, but honestly, Jake played
the last four minutes of the game. I believe it's
a two man race right now between Rattler and Shuck,
and I know Kellen Moore wants to get this wrapped up.
(34:57):
I would think that Tyler Shuck, if he played well
this week, might get that starting role to start the season.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
Time now to go inside with NFL Fantasy Live and
our guy Michael f Floria with me Tom Pelicero as
well as Mike Gara. Full all right, draft season is
upon us. Michael F give me somebody who you think
is going to put up video game numbers in twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 16 (35:22):
I told Mike to draft him last year. I'll tell
them to do it again this year. Jade and Daniels
because only Cam Newton scored more Fantasy points as a rookie.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
Jayden last year.
Speaker 16 (35:32):
Finished as the QB six, but we saw him get
better and better as the year go on.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
He was the QB two in.
Speaker 16 (35:37):
The Fantasy playoffs, and that was because the commanders let
him throw more down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
I expect that to be the case again.
Speaker 16 (35:44):
They added Larry Tunsel so better protection Deebo Samuel. There more,
just more ways for Jayden to win with the Yak
option there now as well, So draft Jadan Daniels.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
I think he's going off this.
Speaker 8 (35:55):
Year, all right, but we got to get more in
the quarterback. So tell us about the running back position.
I used to do the juke move and Madden just
that was I don't know if it works anymore, and
played madd in a while.
Speaker 9 (36:05):
Who's duke in this year?
Speaker 16 (36:07):
It still works and Devon hen is going to be
juking plenty of people out of their shoes because look
last year when Tua played, he averaged nearly twenty three
Fantasy points per game. That was more than Saquon Jamior Gibbs,
and he had more Fantasy points than any running back
in the receiving game. And that's after we saw him
average nearly eight yards per carry as a rookie. So
(36:27):
we know he could win in a number of different ways.
He dominates the goal line volume, he could have a
CMC type explosion and finishes the RB one. Yet he
is cheaper in drafts than last year. I also love
Chase Brown. I know it took him a bit to
get going last year, but once he took over the backfield,
he was an RB one weekly and from that point on,
(36:47):
his full year pace was sixteen hundred yards, fourteen touchdowns,
and sixty four catches. That would have equated to over
three hundred Fantasy points and made him the RB five.
And he has even less competition for touches on a
great offense. And if you watch the Bengals in the
preseason yet, they're gonna have to score plenty of points
because their defense is going to give up a bunch.
Speaker 3 (37:07):
So I love me some Chase Brown in rounds.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
Don't don't sleep on samaj p Ryan stealing some of
those short yarded attempts down there at the goal line.
All right wide receivers Floria who can't miss with video
game numbers, Malik neighbors look.
Speaker 16 (37:22):
Last year he averaged eighteen Fantasy points per game. That
was the seventh most ever by a rookie wide receiver,
more than Chase and Jefferson, and he did so despite
being top ten in unrealized air yards and uncatchable target rate.
The QB play left a lot to be desired, especially
on the deep ball, and that is where I think
Malik gets cooking this year.
Speaker 1 (37:42):
He is.
Speaker 16 (37:43):
If you ask me who's going to lead the league
in receiving yards not named Jamar Chase, I think it
is Melik Neighbors, and he could be the wide receiver
one overall if touchdown variants goes his way, and then
I love AJ Brown. Look, the Eagles were the run
heaviest offense in years. That seems unlikely to happen again.
But despite that, AJ Brown was on a seventeen game
(38:03):
pace for fourteen hundred yards and nine touchdowns, which is
an average season for AJ Brown since he has become.
Speaker 1 (38:09):
A Eagle elite talent.
Speaker 16 (38:12):
I have him ranked as the wide receiver six, but
on most sites he's going closer to wide receiver twelve.
Speaker 3 (38:16):
As a middle of round two pick, it.
Speaker 16 (38:18):
Feels like a pick that you could take advantage of
and really win your league if he hits like he
does every year.
Speaker 8 (38:24):
All these guys you're talking about, either their coaches or
their teammates have been talking them up. AJ Brown, Chase
Brown being talked about as a top ten running back.
And you mentioned somebody else too that was talked up
recently on leak Davers. Yeah, everybody's talking about leak davers here.
How about a tight end michae lef.
Speaker 16 (38:40):
If you want video game numbers, you gotta go at
one of the early tight ends. And I think Trey
McBride is the play this year because last season he
finishes the tight end two just decimal points away from
being the tight end one, and he did so despite
having the highest red zone target share and the third
most end zone targets that only equated to two touchdowns.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
In fact, he was the.
Speaker 16 (39:01):
Third player in NFL history with one hundred and more
catches and fewer than three touchdowns. If positive touchdown regression hits,
which it should, he could be the runaway tight end one.
Give you wide receiver one like production. So I love
me some trade McBride in round three if I could
get that this year.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Fourial, great stuff. As always, I'm sure we'll have plenty
more questions for you, both on and off air in
the weeks two. Come Sill Mohre to come on. This
episode of The Insiders go ahead. Another joint practice underway
in Minnesota, the Patriots going up against the Vikings. Mike
Rabel showing some technique and also talking about one of
his former teammates who's on the other sideline. This week
(39:52):
an absolute jam Pats weekend of football coming up in
preseason week two right here on NFL Network. All starts
out on Friday with the doubleheader Titans, Falcons as well
as Chiefs Seahawks. Then a quadrubletter clear the schedule, Get
somebody else to watch the kids? You got Brown's Eagles,
(40:12):
forty nine Ers, Raiders, Jets, Giants and Cardinals, Broncos, Sunday Jaguars,
Travis Hunter and company going up against the Saints and
their quarterback competition. Every one of those games this weekend,
live right here on NFL Network. Viking the Patriots also
square off in the second week of the preseason, and
(40:33):
they're squaring off this week. A couple of joint practices.
JJ McCarthy back on the field talking to former Vikings
and plenty of other team quarterback Josh Dobbs right there,
Mike Vrabel and Kevin O'Connell go way back teammates in
two thousand and eight in New England, and well, Mike
Vrabel does remember O'Connell a lease being on the roster.
Speaker 8 (40:55):
Can you give us anything on Kevin O'Connell the quarterback
that you remember?
Speaker 1 (40:59):
Yeah, the same thing I said about Cliff Kingsbury. He
wasn't as good as Tom Brady. Not exactly a sick
burn right there, Almost any quarterback on the planet you
can say it is not quite as good as Tom Brady.
Welcome back to The Insider, presented by Sanfa, Tom Peliicero,
Judy Batista, and Mike Gara. Folo, Mike, this is an
(41:19):
interesting thing. You're getting used to the Mike Vrabel at
the podium. There's a lot of Belichickian similarities here. But
I don't know if you would have gotten quite that
same joke out a Bill Uh.
Speaker 8 (41:30):
Now, well, it's a little bit dry like it's it's
sort of like Bill plus it's dry, it's funny, it's
maybe the building would have.
Speaker 9 (41:36):
Seen behind closed doors.
Speaker 8 (41:37):
At least you've seen a little bit at his press conferences, Jude.
Speaker 4 (41:45):
I like that he spars with reporters and asks reporters
if they are answering their own question.
Speaker 7 (41:51):
He did that with I don't know.
Speaker 4 (41:52):
Who the reporter was today, but the other day asked
a question, then started to answer it, and he said,
are you answering your own question?
Speaker 7 (42:00):
Yikes? I don't want to be in that position.
Speaker 1 (42:04):
You don't have to if you have a little bit
of advice for young reporters. You don't need to give
multiple choice questions to people this one. This just make
a statement, ask the question.
Speaker 9 (42:14):
Move on.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
It's wisdom like that and got all of us in
these chairs right here. Thanks for joining the show tonight.
We are back at seven pm Eastern Time tomorrow. Go
watch Taylor. See you
The NFL's touchdown leader, just got his bag in Buffalo.
We will tell you how the deal got done and
what Cook had to say about remaining a bill after
his training camp holding. It's big week for joint practices
across the NFL, including the Browns and Eagles, and then
some work in Philly like Garifollo was there for the action.
(00:25):
It'll join us and talk about an injury that could
alter Cleveland's quarterback competition. If you're altering your fantasy draft board,
don't miss Michael f Florio, who will join us tonight
talk about some players who could put up video game
numbers in twenty twenty five, and it might not be
who you think. Welcome inside with the Insiders, presented by
(00:48):
SATVA alongside Judy Batista. I am Tom Peliicero. We are
now just twenty two days out from kickoff of the
twenty twenty five NFL regular season. Was kick it off
on Sunday Night Football, a great one against the Ravens.
And now whatever doubt existed about whether they were going
to have their starting running back, well that has now
(01:09):
fallen by the wayside. James Cook signing his deal this morning.
It is a four year forty eight million dollar contract,
including thirty million guaranteed. Cook had been sitting out over
the past week and a half. He said it was
about business. Now he's got business done, and he certainly
sounds happy to be sticking around. And I'm want to
(01:32):
say difficult.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I hindered it the right way.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
I felt like and.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
O and all we got stuff done. I mean, especially
you know the guys that came in with me. We
all got rewarded. And I mean, now that's time to
fus to go play football and sewing why we belong here.
Hopefully bring a super Bowl here. That's what I'm trying
to do, and just keep elevating my game.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
We talked about this a lot, really over the past
several months, but increasingly over these past couple of the
sides were not far apart on a deal. There was
a priority for the Bills, going all the way back
to the spring, before they did all those other extensions
to lock up their young core, they tried to get
James Cook done first. The sides just weren't quite on
the same page in terms of exactly what that number
(02:16):
should be. Cooks at one point had said fifteen million
dollars per year, was what he was shooting for. That
would be in that McCaffrey Saque Derrick Henry area here.
In recent days they came off that number. He still
outpaces the deal that Kyraen Williams side last week for
eleven million dollars per year with the Rams. This following
Cook's return to practice on Tuesday. The Bills did not
(02:38):
want to set a precedent that they were going to
finalize the deal with a guy who wasn't on the field,
So good faith from Cook to get back on the field,
and the hours that followed that Tuesday practice he had
really ramped up behind the scenes. Early this morning, officially,
James Cook locked up in Buffalo. Now do fifty three
point two million dollars through the twenty twenty nine seasons.
(02:59):
Wear Brian Baldinger to the conversation as well. Judy, Again,
we talked about this a lot. This seemed like, unlike
some of the other situations, they were going to be
able to bridge this gap. It was a matter of when.
What was your takeaway from the deal it ultimately got
done in Buffalo.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Well, first of all, you're right, it never really seemed
to ever get acrimonious in Buffalo, so you always felt
like there were good intentions there on both sides. My
takeaway is, as he put it himself, as James Cook
himself put it, he did handle it the right way
right you would say, a hold in worked. But when
he declined to practice, that is what got the Bills
(03:37):
a little bit on edge. And as you pointed out,
they did not want to set a precedent. They wanted
him to be on the field. He went back on
the field, good faith gesture, and the deal got done.
My other takeaway is what an off season for the
Buffalo Bills. They signed six of their own players to
contract extensions that are worth at least each extension worth
(03:58):
at least forty million total value. And of course Josh
Allen was the headliner, but James Cook, all of these guys,
Khalil Shakir, all of these guys whom they have drafted,
they've won a lot of games with over the last
few years, and now they keep them in the fold
long term to try to make that push for a
Super Bowl. Really smart team building, really smart roster management.
(04:21):
And now the final whatever impediment it might have been,
whatever distraction it might have been, as this thing got
worked out over now for the Buffalo Bills and they
can go forward.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Baldi. There's always questions about what the proper value point
is when it comes to running backs. Here, this position
relative to let's say, wide receiver is obviously just not
in the same category. From financial perspective, twelve million dollars
per year for James Cook thirty million guaranteed. That is,
within the context of running backs a big investment. How
do you feel knowing what James Cook brings to Buffalo
(04:53):
about the value they'll get away from locking him up
for years to go?
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Well, they have You have a nice group have running backs,
the Ray Davis right there and Ty Johnson, they all
have the role. But James Cook is a guy that
has elite vision, and he's got a great first step,
and he gets the running game going. And he's twenty
five years old, he's coming off a second Pro Bowl.
Aaron Cromber works with that offensive line in the run
(05:18):
game extensively, and he tells me like, this is an
elite player.
Speaker 6 (05:22):
He's got great feet and great vision.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
And so look, Brandon Beans has done a great job
of tying up their young core of players, keeping him together,
keeping that group together so that you know, maybe they
will be able to keep chopping, keep chopping and maybe
break through in the AFC. But I think it makes
a lot of sense to keep you know, James Cook there.
He has proven himself over three years. He's been healthy
(05:45):
and he's been really productive, and he's young. The legs
are still really really you know, fresh, and he still
can finish drives and finished runs like this one right here.
So I thought it was really an important step and
to keep that core together because it's going to be
the corese not just Josh Allen.
Speaker 6 (06:01):
It's got to be the other guys.
Speaker 5 (06:02):
The offensive line returns intact from a year ago right now,
so they're bringing back a lot of familiarity and a
group that you know, I would think is pretty hungry
the way things finished a year ago.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
The Bill's making it rain for James Cook, just like
someone's making it rain right outside Judy's window. If you're
wondering what that sound is, wet'll have a storm apparently
in New York, but is unrelated. The storm is over
for the Buffalo Bills and their running back, Baldy. Thank
you a lot more from you to come in just
a little bit. Also, in development today surrounding the Brown's
quarterback situation and the player who made the most noise
(06:38):
of anybody really across the NFL in the first preseason week.
Shador Sanders, coming off of a strong debut against Carolina,
suffered an oblique injury in practice earlier today in the
joint practice with the Eagles. The Browns released a statement
saying that Sanders is day today, is not going to
practice on Thursday, unlikely to play on Saturday again against
(07:00):
the Eagles, which now judy at a time that the Browns,
who have seemingly had an endless string of not major
injuries but just minor soft tissue things, guys missing several
days of practice, Kenny Pickets still not out there. This
now suddenly could be the opportunity for Dylan Gabriel to
answer what Shadur did in Week one by going out
there in week two.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Yeah, it's really unfortunate. The entire quarterback competition has really
been pockmarked by these little nagging injuries to three out
of the four guys. I mean, who would have ever
imagined that the forty year old Joe Flacco was going
to be the most healthy one of the quarterbacks Kenny
Pickett is participating in seven on sevens still dealing with
his hamstring injury. They really have not seen enough of him,
(07:45):
and now chadur is going to miss some time with
this oblique injury, which unfortunately, as we know, oblique injuries
can linger, so they've got to be.
Speaker 7 (07:51):
Really careful with this.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
But yes, this does set up to be Dylan Gabriel's opportunity.
Earlier today, before Shador got hurt, Kevin Stefanski said that
the idea had always been to give each of the
rookies us start in the preseason game. So this would
then line up for Dylan Gabriel if he is okay
to go. He came back from his own hamstring issue
(08:14):
a few days ago and has been participating in eleven
on eleven, so if he gets through these joint practices
with the Eagles intact, we should see him as the
starting quarterback on Saturday, and then we will see when
Shador Sanders can get back on the field. But Kevin
Stefanski has made clear he wants to make a decision
on the pecking order here sooner rather than later, so
time is running short for all of these guys.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
S Briana Mike Garafolo, who was at that practice earlier today,
I believes at the Giants facility they found out he
was here to talk about Eagles and slash his microphone.
So Mike joined us right now, Ya zoom, you saw
that on the field, Mike, tell me about what you
make of where the Browns quarterback situation continues to evolve,
but also just what you saw in this practice overall.
Speaker 8 (08:58):
I would say that the most age part to me
is that the guy who hasn't gotten hurt at the
quarterback position is the allegedly old guy, Joe Flecco, who's
still standing and had his entire family there today.
Speaker 9 (09:09):
There was a lot of family at that practice today.
Speaker 8 (09:11):
Kevin Sefanski from the Philadelphia area, Andrew Berry and Adam
Berry who now works for the Eagles, that they were
there with their family as well. So this was about
as jovial and cooperative a joint practice as you can imagine.
There was a minor scuffle there when it came to
special teams, as one coach said to me, Yeah, it's
always special teams. Those are the guys that are on
the edge of the roster trying to make it and
they get a little frisky from time to time, but
(09:34):
these sides got in good work. You had Jalen Hurts
there working with the Eagles starting offense. Obviously Shador and Sanders.
Jalen and Shador at the end of practice had spent
some time together, and Jalen said that Shador sought him
out there.
Speaker 9 (09:49):
It is right there, trust me.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
That's them and that is big dumb standing with his
golf cart, which the two of them.
Speaker 9 (09:56):
Jalen Hurts then took.
Speaker 8 (09:58):
Shador for a ride, and at that point I didn't
really put two and two together, said maybe he's doing
it because he's heard, or they were just so far away.
I think they wanted to be far away. There's a ride,
mind if we play through. They were so far away
and I think they wanted their privacy over there. So
Jalen Hurts has been one to pay it back to
some of the younger guys, whether it's the guys at
Oklahoma or Alabama, He's been in communication with those, or
(10:18):
the younger quarterbacks in the league.
Speaker 9 (10:20):
He had people that he relied upon.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
So he's already trying to pay it back to some
of the younger guys, and that's what he did today.
Speaker 9 (10:26):
With Shador Sanders, just some advice that he can give
in this situation.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Jalen Hurts, another accomplished college quarterback who did not go
in the first round, was drafted to be a backup.
Worked out pretty well for him and the Eagles coming
off of a Super Bowl MBT season. That was not
the only joint practice in the NFL today. This has
become popular in recent years before the second preseason game,
in particular about the Lions and the Dolphins going at
it earlier today. At least the Lions, based upon these
(10:54):
images you're seeing right here, seem to be getting the
better of the Dolphins across the board. And now, let's
say the way things went did not sit great with
Dolphins quarterback to a tongue by Lowa.
Speaker 10 (11:05):
I think today offensively was a very frustrating day, you know,
in regards to what we wanted to do. What we
said we wanted to do came out, you know, and
we we just weren't able to get things jump started,
whether it was moved the ball, whether it was one
of the third down team periods, another team period, red zone.
It just felt like we didn't have the energy that
(11:27):
that you know, we're used to when we practice and
when we play against you know, opponents. So that's what
I'm talking about when I talk about it was frustrating today.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
When I was in Miami during inside training camp, that
was one of those days for the Dolphins offense too.
It was sloppy, the ball was on the ground a lot. Now,
Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddall have been banged up with injuries,
Darren Waller still not ready to practice. You're going against
one of the best teams in the NFL MIC in
the Lions, but you'd certainly hope your quarterback isn't walking
off the field going well, that was pretty embarrassing.
Speaker 8 (11:59):
Well, I supposely when they were called out ahead time
with them saying, you know, I don't know if they
can practice like we practice, and then you sort of
have that performance there, and I know a lot of
folks are looking at some of the reading some of
the tea leaves with the Dolphins and saying, oh, this
feels like a team that's like on the break and
can kind of go either way. And you've got the
Tyreek Hill to a situation at the start of camp
where to a saying he's got to work his way
(12:22):
back into our good graces, basically after how he ended
last season. There's a lot of stuff in play, including
those injuries that you're talking about, and then these joint
practices have not gone well for them. So you hate
to make mountains out of mole hills duty, but when
there's so many of them, you can sort of stack
them on top of each other, and all of a
sudden it is a big hill.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Well, I think the concerning thing for the Dolphins is
that this off season was supposed to be about sort
of shedding that finesse label. They wanted to become a
more physical, a tougher team, and then when they're going
against a team that is very physical, very tough, and
they just get overpowered on both sides of the ball.
According to all accounts, that's obviously very concerning. This is
(13:04):
a litmus test for a team like the Miami Dolphins.
They did not pass the test today. They got a
few weeks to try to fix it. They can only
do so many fixes, though you can't overhaul the roster.
This is what they got, So certainly this is a
concerning development for a team that was trying to change
their style of play this season.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Some other news around the NFL. We're going to see
Caleb Williams for the first time in the Ben Johnson era.
Johnson officially announcing earlier today that Caleb Williams is going
to get the start on Sunday against the Bills. They
are going to play their guys across the board in
this game. We'll see what Buffalo puts on the field,
Mike here, But to the extent that people have wondered
and read tweets about Caleb so far in training camp,
(13:45):
now we'll get the first look of him at least
operating that Johnson offense. Yep, as news Justin Jefferson, all right, Mike,
go ahead, Yeah, I'm bat at it.
Speaker 8 (13:56):
Yeah, Kevin O'Connell's saying, Justin Jefferson's hamishing printssing.
Speaker 9 (14:01):
Not quite ready to make a full return to action.
Speaker 8 (14:02):
Obviously, when you get a veteran receiver like this who
doesn't need a lot of work at this point, you
want to be extra careful with this, especially because you're
expecting or not expecting, you are going to start the
season without Jordan Adison, so you really don't want to
be without your one and your two going into a
season where You've.
Speaker 9 (14:17):
Got a quarterback who didn't play at all during his
rookie season.
Speaker 8 (14:20):
So this is definitely one that you want to be
ultra ultra careful with, and that is what the Bikings
are doing right now with Justin Jefferson.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
The Pittsburgh Steelers broke camp in Latrope yesterday. They spent
a lot of time in Latrobe trying to figure out
what their offense was going to look like. Rogers spent
a lot of time with Arthur Smith, trying to learn
the offense, trying to learn his new teammates. It was
a little bit rough going in those first few days.
He praised Smith for not being rigid in his offensive ideas.
But coming out of Latrope, Aaron Rodgers feels a little
(14:51):
bit better about things here.
Speaker 11 (14:51):
He is, well, I think I'm playing a little bit better,
you know, I feel comfortable in the offense, and DK
and I have been get on the same page a
little more frequently, which which helps. But you know, we've
had we've had some injuries. Obviously, Calvin's been out for
a while, so we'd love to get him back, but
gives opportunities for other guys. You know, I think I
(15:13):
think Scott. He's done a really nice job, made a
lot of plays for us. I think Roman's starting to,
you know, feel confident in what he's doing. I'd love
the tight ends. I think he getting a lot of
production out of those guys. Again with John out. One
guy I'd love to single out is Is Connor. I mean,
Connor does the right thing every time. He's a really
smart football player, and the smartest players are the best players.
(15:34):
So he's the kind of guy I feel real confident
that he can put him in there at any time
and and know he's going to be on the same page.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
A lot of weapons showed out right there by Aaron Rodgers.
One weapon who's still looking for a new home Odell
Beckham Junior. There was some weird social media stuff and
fake accounts in the past few days saying Odell is
retiring from what I am told, he has no plans
to retire. He's training. There's several teams that are interested
in Odell. He is still planning to play somewhere in
(16:04):
twenty twenty five. Odell pally like that tweet, responding to
me earlier today and said, finally real news. Much love
right back at you, Odell.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
Welcome back to the Insiders, presented by soft Folk. The
Giants and Jets have been having joint practices this week,
which means a reunion between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields
together in Pittsburgh and together kind of again in New York.
They caught up at the joint practice today at the
Giants facility, and guess who else was there? Are Brian Baldinger.
Baldy joins us, as does Bucky Brooks. Let's talk about
(16:37):
the joint practices.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Guys.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
All right, Baldy, you were there today at the Giants facility.
Speaker 7 (16:42):
What were your impressions.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
It was a good scrimmage, you know, really no fistic
cuffs or you fights or anything broke out. They had
a quick whistle going all day, but it was really
crisp work both sides. I spent most of the day
on the Giants sideline watching their defense, just because you
have to watch up dual Carter. He just makes you
(17:05):
watch because he's so electric. But then when you combine them,
you watch him right here, just turn the corner, just
an electric takeoff. But just the way that they use
him right now, they're using them everywhere. I asked him
if it's actually a joker role, he said. It's not
really joker, but it's like that. He's so he's off
the ball. Inside he's lining up over the guards the
center with Cavon Thibodeaux and Brian Burn's opposite sides and
(17:29):
Dexter Lawrence inside. It's it's really you know, it's it's
a great group and they work really, really hard. They
got a lot of reps. The number one defense for
the Giants took a lot of snaps out there today
and then you know, everything finished with a two minute drill.
Both offenses, starting offenses got the ball with about a
minute to go to try and drive down the field.
(17:49):
And you know, honestly, I thought the Giants defense won
the drill. But you know, when you watch justin fields
right now, you just get the feel. Okay, you've got
Garrett Wilson, he's proven, Mason Taylor's coming back through an injury,
alan Zar is banged up.
Speaker 6 (18:04):
You just feel like they need another receiver.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
I mean, they hit the tight end back a couple
times on this opening drive, which was nice, and Justin
finished off the opening drive, you know, with this thirteen
yard touchdown run and he did a couple that couple
of those today, I feel like they need a little
bit more firepower in the passing game right now. And
so it wasn't a great day for the passing game,
but the offensive line got a lot of good work
(18:28):
against a very talented defensive front, so I thought from
that standpoint, it was pretty good out there, Judy.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
Now, Aaron Glenn, the Jets coach, has been consistent saying
they love where Justin Fields is right now, but I
have a feeling he will not be the only quarterback
who feels the.
Speaker 7 (18:44):
Wrath of that Giant's pass rush.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Every time we have been out at Giants practice so
far in this training camp, they have been wrecking things
all right, Bucky Jackson Dart had a pretty good debut
last week.
Speaker 7 (18:55):
What would you like to see from him in week two?
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Look, man, I want to say, team to see him progress.
Speaker 12 (19:01):
Very impressive debut performance, and it's easy to envision and
see why Joe Shane and Brian dave Ball like Jackson
Dart as their choice to be their franchise quarterback. When
I look at Jackson dark in that performance last week,
I saw what Brian.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Dave Ball sees and that's a Josh Allen Jr. Type.
Speaker 12 (19:20):
I'm not saying that he's going to eventually be the
MVP of the league, but I can see Brian dave
Ball digging in twists his old playbooks and utilizing some
of the things that made Josh Allen pop when he
was the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. Quick rhythm passes,
deep shots on occasion, design quarterback runs, and some impromptu
plays that allows him to play the kind of ball
(19:41):
control offense that he wants to play to compliment that
defense that Baldy is talking about. And I think everyone
has forgotten because the last two years have been a
drastic fall off for the Giants, But that first year
in New York, Brian day Ball got this team to
the playoffs, playing very conservatively on offense with the defense
leading the way. In my mind, I can see Jackson
(20:02):
Dohrt eventually being QB one and this team utilizing a
similar blueprint and game plan to have a lot of
success in the league.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
The word people around the Giants use is very encouraged
by Jackson Dart, Baldy marquee, thank you, We'll talk to
you later and when we return. Shador Sanders had a
very interesting arrival for his very first NFO game. We
are going to hear more about that when we return
on the Insiders presented by Softball.
Speaker 8 (20:40):
We are now much plus since Naji Arris suffered what
his agent termed a superficial injury to his eye after
a fireworks accident. That clearly was not the right word
to use, because he is still out of action though,
as you can see from our Bridget continent was at
Chargers today, he continues his ramp up. It was walking
at first, now it is running with a weighted vest
(21:01):
On Bridget Condon now joining us.
Speaker 9 (21:04):
Bridget I was there.
Speaker 8 (21:05):
I was talking to folks Marion Hampton, a guy that
they're very excited about as part of this backfield. We'll
see about Najie Harris's status for week one, but even
if he's not there, they're going to split the workload.
Speaker 9 (21:16):
That's what Greg Roman said the other day. Your take
on the entire Chargers.
Speaker 13 (21:20):
Backfield right now, Mike, it's good news that Naji Harris
was out there today for the second day in a row,
doing more than, as you mentioned, just walking. He was
running again today and he was doing more than we've
seen him do and running, I'm told, faster than we've
seen him run at all this training camp since he
got injured back on July fourth. He was doing a
lot of agiliity work. He was pushing a sled at
(21:42):
one point, and then after I would say he probably
worked out for about an hour of practice, and then
when he was done, he walked over to the practice
field where the team was and stayed there with a
weighted vest on in a football in hand. So, look,
we know that Naji Harris is a big part of
what Jim Harbaugh and this Chargers team wants to do.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
They want to run the ball. They love Amarion.
Speaker 13 (22:02):
Hampton and what they've seen so far from the rookie,
but being able to have Harris, that veteran, is going
to be a big deal for this team. Jim Harbaugh
was asked would he be available for Week one? There
is a chance that we could see him available week one,
but Naji Harris the biggest thing for him in his career,
He's been available and he's been reliable. He has never
missed a game like in his entire career and has
(22:24):
the most touches of anyone since he was drafted in
twenty twenty one, so they are hopeful that he'll be
back on the field to help this run game sooner
rather than later.
Speaker 8 (22:32):
Harris had those sunglasses on when he was out there
when he was not doing any work now with the
buyser or on his helmet, but you can see in
some of the pictures there's definitely an affected eye right
there that he has not shown the media or the
public to this point. Joe Alt's going to be blocking
for somebody carrying the football in that backfield. He was
scheduled to be their right tacklever Sean Slater goes down.
Speaker 9 (22:52):
Now all moving to the left side.
Speaker 8 (22:53):
I've heard some guys say, you think it's a simple move,
but you're changing up footwork, you're moving to the other side.
Speaker 9 (23:00):
Is all dealing with that change from the right to
the left?
Speaker 13 (23:03):
Yeah, injuring interesting you say that. I just talked with
him after practice and I asked him that very question.
How different is it going from the right and to
the left, And he said, with most guys, when you
make a switch from right to left or left to right,
it is very challenging. But because he played remember in college,
he played on the left side, he said, it's pretty
much easier for him because he's so used to playing
(23:24):
on the left side. He also played Week eighteen last
season on the left and had a good performance for
this Chargers team. But look, this is a team that
is already dealing with injury. They were supposed to have
a joint practice today with the Rams and had to
cancel that because Jim Harbass says they're already banged up
to that offensive line. Mackai Beckton, of course, also has
not practiced in more than two weeks.
Speaker 7 (23:46):
So Joe Alt says the biggest.
Speaker 13 (23:48):
Thing right now is just stacking practices with the offensive
live that they have right now and continuing to get
comfortable with Justin on the left side. He said, you know,
there's a little different on the right as to where
Justin Herbert is. He wants to get comfortable with where
he is and be able to communicate quicker on the
field from that left side.
Speaker 7 (24:08):
But he feels confident.
Speaker 13 (24:10):
And I just asked Khalil Mack what he's seen from
Joe Halt now stepping into this new role, and he
said he's confident. But one thing that he loves about
this guy now in year two is he's not afraid
to ask questions Mike. He says, sometimes these tackles is
a competition in training camp. You're going against each other
and maybe you don't want to ask, but he said,
Joe alt he's humble and he'll ask Khalil Mack anything
(24:31):
he wants to get better. That's the kind of player
that you're going to see on the left side this season.
Speaker 8 (24:36):
That was fascinating what we call b roll right there.
Joe Alton Alpha commanded that uddle. He's got dudes pouring
water into his mouth for he's like slapping dudes.
Speaker 9 (24:43):
He's running.
Speaker 8 (24:44):
That's what you'll want from your left Tacklet you thank
you very much as he is.
Speaker 9 (24:48):
Tom Pellisero football guy too. Tom take the wheel.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Time now for well rested Wins, presented by Santfa, Brian
Baldinger and Bucky Brooks back with us Baldi. A couple
of days away from preseason week two. In your mind,
who needs a well rested win this weekend?
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Caleb Caleb Williams does I thought you should have played
last week.
Speaker 6 (25:11):
We saw a lot of starters around the league get time.
This is a new offense.
Speaker 5 (25:15):
I talked to Caleb last week at Hallishall Tom and
it's a worthy offense. There's a lot of language, a
lot that goes into the play calls. It's one thing
to do without out of practice, another thing to do
it in a game situation. He saw Tyson Bagent take
his Bears down sixteen plays, ninety four yards finish with
a touchdown pass. That's what they need to see from
(25:35):
Caleb this weekend. They're going to have a new offense
line in front of them, presumably a much better protection
than what he saw a year ago, and he'll have
his compliment of receivers out there. This is you know,
this has to go well. I would think that, you know,
there's a lot that goes into this. They need success
right now because this is a new way of doing things.
(25:56):
Ben Johnson throughout this time has been very, very tough
on the players in practice. They need this to pay
off this weekend.
Speaker 12 (26:05):
Yeah, Baldy, you talk about Katy Williams needing to pay
it off. How about the Cleveland Browns entire quarterback room
needs to play well and play great so we can
see who's going to ultimately be QB one, two and
three for this team. Look, it's assume and by good measures,
Joe Flacco is going to be the starting quarterback for
the Browns. Kenny Pickett injury has opened the door and
(26:25):
made it pretty hard for Kevin Stefanski to move off
that point. But the other three quarterbacks have to figure
out what the pecking order is going to be.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
Shadur Sanders injury might complicate that.
Speaker 12 (26:36):
So now you have Kinny Pickett and Dylan Gabriel, two
guys who didn't play, and you have Shadur Sanders week
one performance in the books.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
To me, Kenny Pickett and Dylan Gabriel, they need to
show improved.
Speaker 12 (26:47):
They need to impress because I worry about them falling
behind in the race. Joe Flacco's the number one, but
who's two and three? We need to figure it out
this weekend.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
He should really use some well rested soft tissue based
upon what's been going on so far for the Browns
in that quarterback room, Bucky Baldy stick around more from
you guys in just a little bit. Speaking of the
Browns quarterback groom, Shador Sanders, before an impressive performance in Carolina,
also had a memorable entrance not just because of him,
but because of the man next to him carrying Is
(27:19):
that a sickle? Now that's Tony Brown. We know that much.
He joined our cameraon Wolf Tony Year eight in the NFL.
Speaker 14 (27:27):
But it was this weekend you went viral for your
entrance walking in with Shador Sanders with that bomboo bamboo
scepter with the boombox blasting the music and look, I
want to start you with this. I know you were
at practice today the Brown said that Shador's got this
oblique injury. I'm curious, have you talked with him? What
did you see from him coming off of that injury?
Speaker 8 (27:48):
At this stage.
Speaker 15 (27:50):
During practice, the offense and defense are on separate fields.
I spoke to him after practice in the locker room.
I didn't speak to him about an injury, you know.
I spoke to him about how the defense did, how
well the defense did. I ask him about how well
the offense did. With anything that occurs with his body
all a lot of training staff to handle that, and
(28:11):
we'll talk after, you know, about the best way to
go forward with his body and what's going on in
his body.
Speaker 14 (28:18):
Absolutely, I can't wait to see y'all back out there
doing another entrance And speaking of that, I kept getting
text on game day about that. It's like who is
this guy who is holding the stick or the whatever
they called it. You called it a bamboo sceptor. Can
you tell us the origin story of how this came about?
Speaker 15 (28:38):
Okay, So the story of the scepter begins with an
invite to Ghana for my teammate Jeremiah's who Corromo.
Speaker 9 (28:47):
It's camp that he has yearly in Ghana.
Speaker 15 (28:52):
As we went there, it's not just a football camp,
and shout out to Jeremiah. Very honorable man, one of
the most honorable men that I've ever met, sportsman and
man in general off the field.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
He took us.
Speaker 15 (29:05):
We traversed through Ghana and traveled visited the king in
the Western region where this picture was taken, and visited
the Cape Coast, a very historically relevant dungeon as it
relates to the Transalytic slave trade. So as I'm going
through this tour in this dungeon castle, learning about how
the slaves were held, learning about the death dungeon, he
(29:26):
explained to me, Hey, Tony, you can try to qualm
your emotions by speaking with the ancestors, like trying to
have a conversation with them. As we're walking through these dungeons.
This dungeon and castle. He picked up some rocks and
dust off the ground and put it in my hand.
It's a bit of a culture shock, being that I'm
from Texas. And as we traversed the last thirty minutes
of the tour, I ended up just having just saying
(29:48):
these words and dialogue. If you're their ancestors, I would
ask that you grant me the wisdom, the guidance, and
the strength in order to transmute his anger, which is
just an energy that I felt in my chest into
something that I could use to be functional that I
can make you proud. So I asked for wisdom, guidance,
and strength. So as we left out of the Dungeon Castle.
(30:12):
It is along the shores of the Cape Coast, I
walked out into the water to kind of clear my mind.
As I walked into the water the shores of the
water the staff center, it washed the short of my
feet and initially when I picked it up and hit
my ankles. I picked it up, I was like, yo,
I looked at it, you know, I'm looking at it.
I'm like, yo, this is a pretty cool. It's a
pretty cool thing to just wash them to my feet
(30:35):
and Jeremiah was maybe ten fifteen feet behind me and
say cool was also so they also visually saw this
happen and I turned around like I just caught a fish,
you know, like a little fish, and they look at
me like in.
Speaker 3 (30:50):
Like a like a kind of like an awe a
little bit.
Speaker 15 (30:52):
As I walked towards Sakhu and Jeremiah, and we're also
traveling with chieftains and chiefs with us from Gunnan chiefs,
we all impart the wisdom on what this means in
their tribe, and every person that imparted the wisdom kind
of like helped me understand the meaning behind attaining this in.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
A way that I did well. Tony.
Speaker 14 (31:12):
First of all, thank you for that powerful description. I
can feel your emotion. And as you go through the
rest of the preseason and the season, will this continue to.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Be a ritual for you? Correct?
Speaker 15 (31:23):
I carry this with pride and with honor as it
connects me to something greater than myself. I continue to
walk with this to empower others and I want people
to rise right with me. That's what that's the term
apex is for at the top. So like, I definitely
will continue to empower others with my word, and you know,
help people shine light by being my authentic self by
(31:43):
carrying the staff here.
Speaker 14 (31:44):
Sir, absolutely well, we will know next time we see
you that that is a bamboo scepter that has much
more power than any of us could ever imagine. Great
preseason debut for you, a few tackles in the past, breakup,
and eager to see you throughout the rest of the season,
Tony Bless, Thank you.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Welcome back to the Insiders presented by SAFA. The NFL
preseason rolls on with seven live games on NFL Network
in Week two. A new era is taking shape with
rookie classes looking to show out. Don't miss your chance
to catch some of the biggest names during Week two
of NFL preseason live on NFL Network. Blackout restrictions apply.
(32:22):
Also streaming with NFL Plus. Subscription is required for NFL
Plus and one of the players you could see this
weekend Travis Hunter of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played on
both offense and defense in Week one of the preseason.
Speaker 7 (32:38):
The Jaguars face.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
The New Orleans Saints this week, so we will see
what his schedule looks like.
Speaker 7 (32:43):
He is one of the most.
Speaker 4 (32:45):
Interesting players in the NFL going into the season, no
question about it. Let's welcome in our Bucky Brooks and
Brian Baldinger to look at this Jaguars Saints game. Bucky,
I want to start with you, since you know the
Jaguars better than anybody.
Speaker 7 (32:59):
What is the plan for Travis Hunter in week two?
Speaker 3 (33:03):
It's very similar to what you saw in Week one.
Speaker 12 (33:05):
Travis Hunter is going to be a two way standout
for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The goal going into week one
was to get ten plays on offense ten plays on defense.
Didn't quite get that in, but what they would like
to see eventually is a guy that starts at wide
receiver and then plays a key role on defense as
they get off the field specialist. Think about third down,
red zone, two minute drills, end of game, whenever it's
(33:27):
a critical situation. Having Travis Hunter available to play defense
because they play a little more zone defense. It is
a very doable deal. But they want to take advantage
of his explosiveness on offense and his ball skills on
defense to see if they can maximize this play making talents.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
They help this team get to the next level.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
All right, on the other side of the field, Baldy.
They have a quarterback competition in New Orleans. How do
you see that shaking out right now?
Speaker 5 (33:55):
Well, in being around Kellen Moore a couple of weeks ago,
Judy for scrimmage twenty sixth play scrimmage a week before
the preseason games, you know they were really rotating the quarterbacks.
They want to make this competition. So Spencer Rattler started
last week with the starting offensive line against the Chargers.
Did not move the team very well, didn't really respond.
(34:16):
But you're seeing the touchdown throw from Tyler Shuck and
that was after he threw a pick six. So they
put Shuck in last week and the two minute drill,
he took the team down, they got a field goal,
came back to a pick six, but didn't hang his head,
came back and hit Mason Tipton on that fifty four
yard touchdown pass.
Speaker 6 (34:33):
I believe that you'll see Tyler Shuck start against the Jaguars.
Speaker 5 (34:36):
I think you'll see some of the receivers out there,
a lave Rasid Shaheed. I think you'll see some of
the speed at wide receiver. And I think they're going
to give him a good look this week. I don't
want to write off Jake Hayner, but honestly, Jake played
the last four minutes of the game. I believe it's
a two man race right now between Rattler and Shuck,
and I know Kellen Moore wants to get this wrapped up.
(34:57):
I would think that Tyler Shuck, if he played well
this week, might get that starting role to start the season.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
Time now to go inside with NFL Fantasy Live and
our guy Michael f Floria with me Tom Pelicero as
well as Mike Gara. Full all right, draft season is
upon us. Michael F give me somebody who you think
is going to put up video game numbers in twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 16 (35:22):
I told Mike to draft him last year. I'll tell
them to do it again this year. Jade and Daniels
because only Cam Newton scored more Fantasy points as a rookie.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
Jayden last year.
Speaker 16 (35:32):
Finished as the QB six, but we saw him get
better and better as the year go on.
Speaker 3 (35:36):
He was the QB two in.
Speaker 16 (35:37):
The Fantasy playoffs, and that was because the commanders let
him throw more down the stretch.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
I expect that to be the case again.
Speaker 16 (35:44):
They added Larry Tunsel so better protection Deebo Samuel. There more,
just more ways for Jayden to win with the Yak
option there now as well, So draft Jadan Daniels.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
I think he's going off this.
Speaker 8 (35:55):
Year, all right, but we got to get more in
the quarterback. So tell us about the running back position.
I used to do the juke move and Madden just
that was I don't know if it works anymore, and
played madd in a while.
Speaker 9 (36:05):
Who's duke in this year?
Speaker 16 (36:07):
It still works and Devon hen is going to be
juking plenty of people out of their shoes because look
last year when Tua played, he averaged nearly twenty three
Fantasy points per game. That was more than Saquon Jamior Gibbs,
and he had more Fantasy points than any running back
in the receiving game. And that's after we saw him
average nearly eight yards per carry as a rookie. So
(36:27):
we know he could win in a number of different ways.
He dominates the goal line volume, he could have a
CMC type explosion and finishes the RB one. Yet he
is cheaper in drafts than last year. I also love
Chase Brown. I know it took him a bit to
get going last year, but once he took over the backfield,
he was an RB one weekly and from that point on,
(36:47):
his full year pace was sixteen hundred yards, fourteen touchdowns,
and sixty four catches. That would have equated to over
three hundred Fantasy points and made him the RB five.
And he has even less competition for touches on a
great offense. And if you watch the Bengals in the
preseason yet, they're gonna have to score plenty of points
because their defense is going to give up a bunch.
Speaker 3 (37:07):
So I love me some Chase Brown in rounds.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
Don't don't sleep on samaj p Ryan stealing some of
those short yarded attempts down there at the goal line.
All right wide receivers Floria who can't miss with video
game numbers, Malik neighbors look.
Speaker 16 (37:22):
Last year he averaged eighteen Fantasy points per game. That
was the seventh most ever by a rookie wide receiver,
more than Chase and Jefferson, and he did so despite
being top ten in unrealized air yards and uncatchable target rate.
The QB play left a lot to be desired, especially
on the deep ball, and that is where I think
Malik gets cooking this year.
Speaker 1 (37:42):
He is.
Speaker 16 (37:43):
If you ask me who's going to lead the league
in receiving yards not named Jamar Chase, I think it
is Melik Neighbors, and he could be the wide receiver
one overall if touchdown variants goes his way, and then
I love AJ Brown. Look, the Eagles were the run
heaviest offense in years. That seems unlikely to happen again.
But despite that, AJ Brown was on a seventeen game
(38:03):
pace for fourteen hundred yards and nine touchdowns, which is
an average season for AJ Brown since he has become.
Speaker 1 (38:09):
A Eagle elite talent.
Speaker 16 (38:12):
I have him ranked as the wide receiver six, but
on most sites he's going closer to wide receiver twelve.
Speaker 3 (38:16):
As a middle of round two pick, it.
Speaker 16 (38:18):
Feels like a pick that you could take advantage of
and really win your league if he hits like he
does every year.
Speaker 8 (38:24):
All these guys you're talking about, either their coaches or
their teammates have been talking them up. AJ Brown, Chase
Brown being talked about as a top ten running back.
And you mentioned somebody else too that was talked up
recently on leak Davers. Yeah, everybody's talking about leak davers here.
How about a tight end michae lef.
Speaker 16 (38:40):
If you want video game numbers, you gotta go at
one of the early tight ends. And I think Trey
McBride is the play this year because last season he
finishes the tight end two just decimal points away from
being the tight end one, and he did so despite
having the highest red zone target share and the third
most end zone targets that only equated to two touchdowns.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
In fact, he was the.
Speaker 16 (39:01):
Third player in NFL history with one hundred and more
catches and fewer than three touchdowns. If positive touchdown regression hits,
which it should, he could be the runaway tight end one.
Give you wide receiver one like production. So I love
me some trade McBride in round three if I could
get that this year.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Fourial, great stuff. As always, I'm sure we'll have plenty
more questions for you, both on and off air in
the weeks two. Come Sill Mohre to come on. This
episode of The Insiders go ahead. Another joint practice underway
in Minnesota, the Patriots going up against the Vikings. Mike
Rabel showing some technique and also talking about one of
his former teammates who's on the other sideline. This week
(39:52):
an absolute jam Pats weekend of football coming up in
preseason week two right here on NFL Network. All starts
out on Friday with the doubleheader Titans, Falcons as well
as Chiefs Seahawks. Then a quadrubletter clear the schedule, Get
somebody else to watch the kids? You got Brown's Eagles,
(40:12):
forty nine Ers, Raiders, Jets, Giants and Cardinals, Broncos, Sunday Jaguars,
Travis Hunter and company going up against the Saints and
their quarterback competition. Every one of those games this weekend,
live right here on NFL Network. Viking the Patriots also
square off in the second week of the preseason, and
(40:33):
they're squaring off this week. A couple of joint practices.
JJ McCarthy back on the field talking to former Vikings
and plenty of other team quarterback Josh Dobbs right there,
Mike Vrabel and Kevin O'Connell go way back teammates in
two thousand and eight in New England, and well, Mike
Vrabel does remember O'Connell a lease being on the roster.
Speaker 8 (40:55):
Can you give us anything on Kevin O'Connell the quarterback
that you remember?
Speaker 1 (40:59):
Yeah, the same thing I said about Cliff Kingsbury. He
wasn't as good as Tom Brady. Not exactly a sick
burn right there, Almost any quarterback on the planet you
can say it is not quite as good as Tom Brady.
Welcome back to The Insider, presented by Sanfa, Tom Peliicero,
Judy Batista, and Mike Gara. Folo, Mike, this is an
(41:19):
interesting thing. You're getting used to the Mike Vrabel at
the podium. There's a lot of Belichickian similarities here. But
I don't know if you would have gotten quite that
same joke out a Bill Uh.
Speaker 8 (41:30):
Now, well, it's a little bit dry like it's it's
sort of like Bill plus it's dry, it's funny, it's
maybe the building would have.
Speaker 9 (41:36):
Seen behind closed doors.
Speaker 8 (41:37):
At least you've seen a little bit at his press conferences, Jude.
Speaker 4 (41:45):
I like that he spars with reporters and asks reporters
if they are answering their own question.
Speaker 7 (41:51):
He did that with I don't know.
Speaker 4 (41:52):
Who the reporter was today, but the other day asked
a question, then started to answer it, and he said,
are you answering your own question?
Speaker 7 (42:00):
Yikes? I don't want to be in that position.
Speaker 1 (42:04):
You don't have to if you have a little bit
of advice for young reporters. You don't need to give
multiple choice questions to people this one. This just make
a statement, ask the question.
Speaker 9 (42:14):
Move on.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
It's wisdom like that and got all of us in
these chairs right here. Thanks for joining the show tonight.
We are back at seven pm Eastern Time tomorrow. Go
watch Taylor. See you
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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