NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Judy Battista join forces to deliver the biggest football headlines from around the NFL's training camp period. The Insiders are joined by contributors Marc Ross and Stacey Dales for updates from around the league, and Michael F. Florio taps in with fantasy football takes. Later, Ian Rapoport breaks the news of the Las Vegas Raiders releasing DT Christian Wilkins.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to Lake Troube Aaron Rodgers, the four time NFL MVP,
and the Steelers hitting the practice field for the first
time today. The Raiders on the field once again with
their new running back Ashton gent Gino Smith and company.
Falcons holding their first practice for Ian Morris is fired up,
not picture Dan Campbell. I can guarantee you he is
(00:29):
fired up as well, and so are we. Welcome inside
with the insiders alongside Ian Rappaport in Tampa. We'll talk
about those bucks. Judy Mattista, Mike Garafalo, I am Tom PELLISERA.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Let's check the calendar here.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Six weeks from tonight Eagles and Cowboys kick off Week
one of the regular season. One week from tonight Chargers
Lions in the Hall of Fame game. And yet for
about an hour this morning, Jets fans thought their season
was already over. Everybody want to breathe. Justin Fields is
going to be just fine. But that is where we
start out in Flora Park, where there was quite a
(01:07):
scare in practice earlier today. Justin Fields, on one of
the first team grills in practice, got stepped on Ian.
There was plenty of panic. Jets fans have been scarred
in a lot of different ways, but the tests came back,
you would think just about as good as they possibly could.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Yeah, I would say, considering the scariness of this situation,
considering the potential direnness of the situation, this is an
excellent outcome for the New York Jets.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Here's essentially what it is.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Justin Fields has a dislocated toe.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
It is not his big toe.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
It's one of the other toes, to the toe right
next to the big toe, whatever the name of that is.
That is one of the the toe that Justin Fields dislocated.
There is no fracture. This is excellent news. That would
expect him to miss some time, but from my understanding,
not significant times.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
So for all the Jets fans that I know.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
In my life who decide to all text me at
the same exact.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Time, Justin Field is going to be okay.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
And the fact that this is not the same old Jets,
the fact that not every piece of news is the
worst news ever, is very very excellent thing for the Jets.
For Aaron Glenn, for Darren Muji, this was not all
that bad for New York guys.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Yeah, I suppose it was an interesting fifteen minutes when
a lot of folks took to Twitter and said the
Jets have got the trade for Kirk Cousins right now.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
I think two things were enlightening about this.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
One the fact that the Jets really didn't make the
push for Kirk Cousins in the first place, and that
they really liked Justin Fields and felt like this is
a guy that they can continue to develop and get
the most out of. The other thing is Aaron Glenn
made a point of going right to Tyrod Taylor and
saying we have the faith in Taylor. As a matter
of fact, when I saw the quote, I thought, oh,
Fields must be down bad, and he's making it clear
(03:01):
this is the direction we're going now, potentially if there's
an injury moving forward. Aaron Glenn has made it clear
that this is the guy that they believe in behind
Justin Fields if they've got to go that route.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
But again, good news for the Jets, they don't.
Speaker 5 (03:15):
Very good news for the Jets.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
You know, if this happened just one day after Aaron
Glenn talked about wanting to help ease the pain that
Jets fans have endured for all of these years, well
you could feel the pain. This morning, before we knew
the outcome of Justin Field's injury, Jets fans were panicking
recalling really the worst day against with Aaron Rodgers' injury
(03:37):
in the first game of the season for him.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
It turned out okay.
Speaker 6 (03:41):
This turned out to be about as good a scenario
as possible. He will be on the field for Week
one for the New York Jets. So the new era
of the New York Jets, which came so very close
this morning to being derailed, is still on track. Speaking
of Week one for the New York Jets, that is
going to be against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a very
(04:01):
familiar face.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 6 (04:03):
This guy arriving in Latrope for his very first practice.
Not surprisingly in Latrope, thousands of Steelers fans turn out
for practice. You would think there's going to be a
few more just to see Aaron Rodgers in a Steelers uniform.
Here's what Rogers had to say about expectations for his
new team.
Speaker 7 (04:21):
I think that you know, there's really only six to
eight they really have a legitimate chance. Sometimes it's ten
to twelve, and there's teams will surprise you. But I
would say on paper, we're probably one of those ten
to twelve.
Speaker 8 (04:32):
How do you go from being on paper to being
one of those legitimate ten to twelve.
Speaker 7 (04:36):
I think it's coming together, you know, times like this
with these seventeen there's soap practices that we have here
and finding the chemistry and hanging out with each other
in the lunch room and snack in the different times
that we have and you know, growing together through our practice.
Speaker 6 (04:56):
It's worth noting that rogers first pass in team DROs
was intercepted by Patrick Queen. Rogers said, I'm going to
throw interceptions. I'm also going to throw a lot of touchdowns.
That may be a good sign for the defense though,
and the Steelers are going to need that defense if
they're going to make a push to the super Bowl. Remember,
it started out really strong last year and then faded
badly in the second half of the season. Cam Hayward
(05:17):
talked to reporters before practice today and he said that
defense cannot be on a roller coaster. He also said
they're not interested in being champs on paper, They're interested
in being d champs.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
All right, now to the Bucks and Ian.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Speaking of champs, Bucks have won this division. NFC South
three years in a row. Out here on the practice field,
It's easy to see why. You take a look at
this offense and there are so many familiar faces. Even
though Chris Godwin, who very famously left money on the
table to sign with the Bucks, is back here, wasn't
on the field, has n't been on the field just
yet after a little bit of a cleanup surgery.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Still question as far as when he returns.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
That said, the optimism is very very real in Tampa.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Listen to Baker Maye Fields.
Speaker 9 (06:01):
We know we have potential. I think everybody in this
building knows that the roster that Jason and have built,
the chemistry that we have, the standard the coach Bowl
sets each day elite is the standard. And so we
realized that we've had the mid season low. We've had
to scratch late in the year to get into the playoffs.
The mindset is to be hungry, be killers, to finish
(06:22):
it out early. And that's whether that's games or the
season clinching, you know our division, that's the whole mindset
when you step foot on this field.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Now, how biging things get a little more optimistic for Tampa.
We mentioned the offense pretty briefly, there is a real
chance this defense is somehow better under Todd Bowles this
year than it was last year. The addition of Asan Redick,
who had a very crazy and forgettable season on the
field last year, has come into camp and has looked
excellent thust far. He is primed to be a big
(06:54):
time addition for the tam Bay Buccaneers. Colidja Kanzi already
one of the best three techniques in the NFL. It
looks to take that next step as well. And then
here's something else interesting. It does seem like there's a
real possibility that two young corners, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob
Parrish both get significant snaps for this Tampa defense, maybe
even starter snaps. Mike, that is an excellent sign for
(07:18):
a Bucks defense that was already very good.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
All right, that's good. Ian.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Seems like you were there and you took in all
the information and it was worth your visit down to Tampa.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
I'm gonna have to make a visit down there to
Tampa myself.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Maybe I will head to Flowery Branch at some point
where Michael Pennix this time last year was behind that
guy Kirk Cousins. I talked about just a couple of
minutes ago. Now pretty clear it is his team. The
quarterback of the future last year, the quarterback of the
present now and really stamping his territory and talking to
(07:50):
the media today.
Speaker 8 (07:53):
We should be the best in the league. You know what,
the guys who got around us. You know, we got
a great office line as well. You know, those guys
works hard in the trench, you know, with coach Leffer
out out there leading those guys, doing a great job
with those guys. You know, we should be unstoppable. So
that's our goal. We want to be number one in
auto categories on office sider balls.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Some confidence there from Michael Pennix and some confidence when
he was talking to the media about Kyle Pitts. Kyle Pitts,
highly drafted, really hasn't hit yet. There was talk of
him potentially being traded this offseason. Pedix told the media,
you see, we threw the ball a bunch to pay
it is to see we threw the ball a bunch
to Pitts today. Yeah, gonna be a lot of that.
So that's the kind of leadership you want at the
(08:36):
quarterback position from a guy who's only playing a couple
of games, but again putting his stamp on that team,
on that locker room, on that building. They like what
they've seen from Peedix and they like what they heard.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
There tom no quarterback competition in Atlanta, but there is
a very unique one in Cleveland unfolding between the veterans
Jill Flacco and Kenny Pickett, the rookies Dylan Gabriel and
should Do were Sanders. Those two, by the way, the
rookies closer in age to Joe Flacco's kids than they
are to Flacco himself, and those kids will indeed be watching.
Speaker 10 (09:11):
There's like ideal situations, obviously, and then there's just like
the reality of the situation, and you know, it's one
of those things that I really don't have any control over.
So I'm really not worried about when anything happens. Obviously,
there's advantages to knowing, you know, earlier than later, but
it's just part of the game.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Stefanski's offense, Kevin Stefanski calling me plays once again. Truly,
no decision on who will be the Browns starting quarterback,
though the hardest thing to do would be to start
as a rookie. It's making the rookies, But I thought
we were looking at cam Ward for a second.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Hi, it's me.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
I will thankfully not be starting for anybody in twenty
twenty five at quarterback. But let's turn the attention now
to the number one overall draft pick, cam Ward, who
is off to a start that's a little bit different
than what we were anticipating in terms of the division
of labor. Will Levis landing on injured reserve, already out
(10:11):
for the entirety of the twenty twenty five season after
undergoing shoulder surgery. Cam Ward did speak I'm told about
his expectations for this offense.
Speaker 11 (10:26):
Just from an understanding of how they're gonna run their
routes to them understanding, you know, my ball places where
it needs to be allowed them to make plays at
the field. But we got a talented group of receivers
on tight ends well and running backs who can you know,
make plays in the checkdown game and in the run game.
So you know, just the pieces that we have, you know,
I think we're one of the top you know where
cab will be one of the top offens in the league.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Let's welcome in Mark Ross for a little bit more
on the Titans. All right, big words right there, from
the number one overall pick mark.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
In reality on paper?
Speaker 1 (10:57):
What is the realistic upside on the twenty twenty five tense.
Speaker 12 (11:01):
First off, I love the confidence and I love the player.
I thought cam Ward was, of course deserving of the
number one pick. I think he will be a Pro
Bowl type player and change that Titans franchise. But just
the overall offensive talent, I think the Titans are a
little lacking. I mean, you've got Tyler Lockett probably starting,
or Van Jefferson Tyler Lockett up there at age. Van
(11:22):
Jefferson's bounced around. They've got Calvin Ridley, but then after that,
really not a whole lot of playmakers. Tony Pollard out
of the backfield, and then some question marks on the
old line. They signed Dan more Than the offseason and
play left tackle, but I'm not sure if he's the
answer there. So that the Titans, although I think cam
Ward will be a spectacular player, having a lot of
(11:43):
work to do. Last season, they were twenty seventh in
the league in scoring tom so he's going to really
have to do a miraculous type of rookie season, much
like Jaydon Daniels did last year and CJ. Stroud did
the year before. We weren't talking about those teams at
this time. Certainly I wasn't the same. There'll be one
of the top teams, playoff teams, go to the NFC
(12:03):
Championship game. Jade Daniels last year and win Rookie of
the Year. Even if they camp could win Rookie of
the Year. Just not sure that whole entire offense he
could put them on his back and put them up
in that upper echelon.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Mark, good stuff, Judy. How about those Lions.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
It feels like the.
Speaker 6 (12:21):
Detroit Lions have been in training camp forever already. They
sort of have been there getting ready for the Hall
of Fame game in a week. There's Jared Goff throwing
a ball in very very slow motion. Looks really good,
nice tight spiral and slow motion. Golf talked today about
how the transition to a new offensive coordinator is coming along.
Speaker 13 (12:42):
Every offense. There's formation, shifts, motions, routes, run plays, protections.
You know, I could keep going cadences the ways you
would getting in out of the huddle. A lot of
the stuff we're doing and those eight things I just
named is the same and some of it's different, So
it's it's it's hard to answer that question when you
(13:02):
know what's different, what's different, what's different? Some of it's
the exact same and some of it is a little
bit different. And I'm not going to go into the
minutia of what is different, but I think the transition
from what we were doing last year to him is
a lot lesser than you guys are making it seem
with the questions. I believe, like I get that question
every day, a lot of it is the same and
(13:25):
then there's some stuff that we're learning that is new,
and it's not that big of a gap between those two,
I guess, And I'm sorry if I didn't answer what
you asked. But it's been a great transition. It's been
a lot of fun. It's been a challenge, but it's
been a fun challenge.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Well, how the Lion's adjusts to coordinators on both sides
of the ball is going to go a long way
to tell us whether they can duplicate the fifteen win
season from last year. There's not a whole lot of
play calling experience between John Morton and Kelvin Shepard. One
thing to watch as golf was talking about what kind
of tweaks is Morton going to make to that offense, which,
of course Ben Johnson ran so masterfullet last season. Morton
(14:05):
does have familiarity with GoF that certainly helps. This is
a very difficult division, though. The pressure is going to
be on to get through an adjustment period quickly so
that they can get on their way with their very
real Super Bowl aspirations.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
How you doing with your name, Savannah?
Speaker 9 (14:24):
I like your bike.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Key, hold my helmet. Just don't let this fall us
in here? Thank you?
Speaker 5 (14:30):
What's up man? How you doing?
Speaker 10 (14:31):
What's up?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Guy?
Speaker 4 (14:32):
Yes, thank you so much. You need to get this actually,
can you send her here?
Speaker 5 (14:36):
Sorry? Love your mariner?
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Another one you want to there? Oh you're trying to
double down?
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Look at you see if I get my feet on
these pedals here, try not to crash your bike here?
Speaker 2 (14:46):
What's up? Guys? What's up? What's up? Let's go? Let's go.
Jordan love a popular man.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
That bike probably now worth about ten times the value
it was when they picked it up on the practice field.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Dealt with it injuries last season, still got into.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
The playoffs where they got steamrolled by the Eagles, at
least from an offensive perspective, certainly a lot of reason
for growth and also reason for optimism with that offense
in Green Bay.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Now you get new faces every year. I think every
year is different. They never have the same team. You
don't have the same guys I did. In that mindset,
you know you have to shift. You know every year
is different this year.
Speaker 14 (15:23):
Or you know, there's things we did good, there's things
we did that, and it's always trying to improve. So
I don't think you have that same mindset or run
it back, don't increase stagnant. I'm trying to get better.
I'm not trying to run back and losing in the
first round the playoffs. So there's a lot of things
that we're trying to prove on. Obviously, there's some new
faces and trying to get those guys at speed and
and you know, I think they all got the right mindset.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
They're hungry and they.
Speaker 14 (15:46):
Know what we're trying to do.
Speaker 8 (15:47):
With getting with Golden with all the motion and stuff
you envisioned him doing, like this kind of stuff that
Gene Reed's been able to do, and with all the
motion you.
Speaker 15 (15:57):
Run that type of afore potentially, potentially ideally you'd like
to have everybody be able to do that, because then
you really don't know where it's coming from. So I
think the more guys that we can train to be
able to take on that type of role, I just
think it opens up things for you offensively to.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
The insiders, Tom Pellacero, Stacy Dales, and Mark Ross with you,
Stacy spent a lot of time around that Packers team.
Tell me about your expectations, the way that chemistry can
evolve here for Jordan Love and company in twenty twenty.
Speaker 16 (16:30):
Five, Hey, Tom and Mark, evolve is a good word.
I would also maybe couple that word Tom with mature,
because I just want to remind everybody this is the
youngest team in the National Football League per spot Track,
an average age of twenty five years old. It was
the youngest offense in the NFL season ago, and it's
been by committee with Jordan Love at the helm, and
(16:53):
just to throw out a few numbers here in terms
of how young this offense is and how by committee
it has been. Outside of the running back job Jacobs,
they had five players last season with four hundred plus
receiving yards, the only team in the NFL to have
such those guys of course read Dobbs, Watson, Craft the
tight end and Wis, But Jaden Reid was their number
(17:14):
one receiver in terms of his receptions, he had fifty five.
Speaker 5 (17:17):
But if you look across the league, as.
Speaker 16 (17:19):
I checked in with our research team, third fewest among
the top guys, the number ones.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
In the NFL?
Speaker 5 (17:25):
What does that mean? They don't have a clear cut
number one.
Speaker 16 (17:28):
When I say by committee, it's something that the head
coach and play caller really likes in. Matt Lafleuri actually
said today the beauty of our offense is you really
don't know where necessarily who's going to get the football.
Speaker 5 (17:39):
It frees up the.
Speaker 16 (17:40):
Quarterback because he doesn't feel that pressure. I got to
get this guy the ball. But I think it's so
important to have some definition mark. That's what I'm looking
for when I had to Green Bay with you on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Who are those.
Speaker 16 (17:52):
Guys, those reliability guys, those blanket security guys that Jordan
Love is going to have.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Is this maturity develops.
Speaker 16 (18:00):
As he goes into the third year a starter because
he's got to have that sort of Rogers Adams guy
in situational football that he can go to. And I
just want to end with this, the Packers were really
good offensively, top five total offense last season, but per
Pro Football Focus, tops in the league alongside Cleveland with twenty.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
Five wide receiver drops. That's the wide receiver core.
Speaker 16 (18:22):
And so when you're spraying that ball around, do those
guys know are they prepared at all times in terms
of situational football. Got to clean that up and maybe
define some of those roles here this training camp.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Thanksy.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
I love that we're getting on.
Speaker 12 (18:37):
We can't practice together right now before our weekend together
in Chicago and Green Bay when we start our training camp.
So yeah, So you mentioned the young talent, and you
mentioned the versatility and a lot of different guys, but
you're one hundred percent right with I think at some
point someone's going to have to emerge. And you mentioned
the receivers that are already on a team and the
(18:58):
tight end through their craft and much. But maybe that's
the reason why they drafted Matthew Golden in the first
round this year, the wide receiver out of the Texas
because they realized that maybe not all of these guys
are the true number one. Maybe not all of these
guys by committee that we have we can just go
to in a pinch to say, when all else fails,
(19:19):
when we can't run plays, when we can't spread it.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Out, who can we just go to meek him play?
Speaker 12 (19:24):
And you mentioned all the drops that leads to they're
not all one hundred reliable where they need to make
a play, you have to go do it. Talking about
green Bay with our Giants two thousand and seven playoff run,
Paik Joe Burrs went up there. We barely read any plays.
Paxico go over there, beat Al Harris to death over
there and he had think ten to eleven catches, twenty eleven.
(19:45):
Hakeem Knicks, we went up the green Bay came.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Knicks went crazy in that game.
Speaker 12 (19:50):
Didn't really have to run plays last year with the Eagles,
AJ Brown, Devonte Smith, the Chiefs for years. When all
else fails, Patrick, you go throw to Kelsey. So who's
going to merge for green Bay? That'll take them to
very good to super Bowl caliber.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
All right?
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Sorry about the other team the you two are going
to be seeing coming up on back Together weekend with
roalm the clock coverage right here on NFL Network, Stacy,
what are you going to be looking for with Ben
Johnson running that Bears offense for the first time in
a training camp set.
Speaker 16 (20:23):
How they discovered Tom their identity. I mean, it's going
to be interesting. I asked him a.
Speaker 5 (20:27):
Question earlier this week.
Speaker 16 (20:28):
I was actually at practice this morning about how much
he can fill his quarterbacks cop Caleb Williams in his
second season, and he told me a bunch of stuff.
But he said, listen, we don't even know if we're
going to be a wide zone run team or a
gap run team. So they got a lot to figure out.
And the running backs fascinate me. I shot this here
on my phone earlier today. As DeAndre Swift is the
number one guy, he loves to run the football, Ben Johnson,
(20:52):
can he do it in Chicago with this wide with
this running back group is going to be the question.
He believes he can and as they've added, really we
thought maybe they would add somebody higher in the draft,
but they went with Kyle Manungai in the seventh round
out of Rutgers, who, by the way, never had a
fumble in three years at Rutgers. He was really good
(21:14):
and a touchdown machine for them last season. But when
I asked Ben today about his wide receiver room, he
told me. He loves how coachable they are. They are
Eric b Enemy has already had a strong impact.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
He has his prints all over this group.
Speaker 5 (21:28):
And ultimately, here's what I love the most.
Speaker 16 (21:30):
Ben Johnson said, quote, I know the perception out there
that this maybe isn't the most talented room in the.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
World, but they love to hear that noise.
Speaker 16 (21:39):
So maybe DeAndre Swift didn't admit Mark to hearing some
of that noise on the outside as he looks to
bounce back from what maybe wasn't the year he wanted
a season ago, obviously in Chicago, but they are motivated
and he will be the bell cow to start things
off in Chicago.
Speaker 12 (21:57):
No doubt they're always listening to the noise Stacy when
they say they're not, they're listening to the deis.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Yes, I would expect this.
Speaker 12 (22:04):
Bears team and Ben Johnson to resemble the Lions team
and what it looked like in Detroit. And that was
no more apparent than Ben Johnson's first free agency where
he just said, I have to go get all kinds
of offensive linemen because in Detroit we had maybe one
of the top two or three best offensive lines in
the NFL. So they went out and got a free
agency and a trader for Joe Tooney. He highlighted that,
(22:26):
and then in the draft he said, well, let me
get as many playmakers as I can with Colston Lovelin
and coming back with Luther Burden the third in the
second round, the wide receiver out of Missouri.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Because in Detroit you had so.
Speaker 12 (22:39):
Many guys there with jmo and I'm on Rossain Brown,
so that you had and the two headed monster of
Gibbs and Montgomery in the backfield. You had so many
options that he spread it around so much. So he's
looking at this offense now and saying, I address the
offensive line. I had playmakers here already. Roman Doomsday's got
to step up. DJ Moore, you have a career year,
(23:00):
and now I bring in these rookies to add even
more playmakers to that offense. I would expect it to
be similar to what it looked like. Everybody moving around.
Nobody's the number one guy. Some get some guy some game,
somebody's going off another game another person. So I would
expect it to be Detroit North. I don't know geography there.
I don't know where they want to hear that in Chicago,
(23:20):
But to look very similar. You guys got the Packers
and the Bears. I've got the Lions. We got the NFC.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
North and the entire league covered this weekend. You know why,
because football is back. It all starts out teams taking
the field across the league from Back Together Weekend, presented
by YouTube TV with two full days of practice, player interviews,
and behind the scenes access.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
It's a can't miss NFL reunion this weekend.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
Go to NFL dot com slash Back Together Weekend for
more information.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Marks back later. Thank you very much, Stacy.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
How about we get to the Chiefs and the AFC
West coming up right after this? Who is best equipped
to chase the three time defending AFC champs even if
you know what ended last time with a different teams
competitive confetti falling from the ceiling. We'll dig into it
next on The Insiders Sick.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
The Las Vegas Raiders with a stunner. Sources to say
Christian Wilkins, the prize of free agency just a year ago,
has been informed of his release one year into a
five year, one hundred and ten million dollar deal, has
got much of that fifty seven point five million dollars
(24:45):
fully guaranteed already got a twenty million dollar check of
it this spring, already still in the books for about
I believe it is eight this season, the Raiders deciding
they are not moving forward with Christian Wilkins any long.
This has been an ongoing saga for many reasons for
the Las Vegas.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Raiders, but on the field, as it.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
Pertains to Wilkins, my understanding is the team wanted him
to have surgery on his foot. He declined, declined several
medical opinions, ultimately decided he wanted to rehab this. It
has been a battle to get him on the field.
Certainly there has been discord as it relates to Christian
Wilkins and the Raiders. He has now been released an
(25:31):
early training camp surprise for Pete Carroll, for John Spytech,
and for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Christian Wilkins is out.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
The New York Jets also got a major scare today,
but also a major lucky break. Justin Field's dislocated a toe,
not the big toe, the other toe in his right foot,
but avoided what could have.
Speaker 5 (25:54):
Been a much worse injury.
Speaker 6 (25:56):
He is listed as day to day and the JEFF
said in a statement that he will avoid missing significant time.
Mark Ross is back joining me, Judy Batista, all right,
let's talk about the Jets situation.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
Tyrod Taylor is the backup quarterback.
Speaker 6 (26:12):
Aaron Glenn immediately expressed his confidence in Tyrod Taylor before
we even knew the extent of Justin Field's injury. Give
me your front office view of where the Jets quarterback
situation is right now.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Well, the best part is that it got downgraded.
Speaker 12 (26:29):
The initial shock and the angst of all the Jets
fans that has been talked about today, and of course
Justin Fields needs all the reps he can. But that's
why you do have a Tyrod Taylor in the building.
I mean, you don't want him to be your starter, obviously,
but he's the ultimate backup quarterback.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
He's the ultimate pro.
Speaker 12 (26:46):
Everywhere he's been, he's almost had to step in in
situations like this, so he will not be phased by this.
But they do need to get Jessin Fields back as
soon as possible. And that's where your doctors and your
medical staff say, Okay, here's the right time, Judy, get
them back on the field to get those reps.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
With Garret Wilson and the crew.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
I did have multiple Jets fans friends text me this
morning and say, who is the backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor?
Actually not such a bad situation, all right, Let's talk
about the Houston Texan too. I feel like are flying
under the radar. They're already in day two of training camp,
coming off back to back division titles. They shouldn't be
flying under the radar. Here's CJ. Stroud on the rookie
(27:28):
wide receivers.
Speaker 17 (27:31):
Like the two rookies, you know, Jalen and Jaden, you know,
they've came in with a great mindset, really mature guys,
guys who love to work, you know, consistently here at
the building or you know, working with me in the offseason.
So you know, I'm really excited to see those guys'
growth and see them, you know, take a step forward
each and every day. And it's it's not gonna be
perfect for those guys, but I think they're gonna make
(27:51):
a lot of plays. And I'm excited to see.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
C J.
Speaker 6 (27:56):
Stroud had such a phenomenal rookie season. Offense of Rookie
of the Year a little bit of a dip last year.
Certainly the offensive line performance had something to do with
that can he bounce back mark one percent.
Speaker 12 (28:09):
And you mentioned under the radar, and that was because
they were so far ahead of schedule his rookie year,
and then everybody had such high expectations last year, but
then forgot you know, if you comparatively, they won the division,
they made the playoffs, they played pretty well. Was just
they expected so much from them. But there could have
almost five six new starters because the offensive line changing.
(28:29):
Outgoes Tunsul incomes, a bunch of free agents there led
by Cam Robinson, out go Stefon Diggs, a bunch of
new skill guys there led by the rookies. The two
rookie receivers from from Iowa State, Christian kirk in there
as well. So it'll really be how fast all of
these new pieces can gel with c J.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Stroud and Jail together.
Speaker 12 (28:49):
But most importantly, despite everything that happened around c J.
Stroud has to play better as well. He has to
get back to his rookie year. There were a lot
of times where he missed a lot of open throws,
made a lot of mistakes that were into pennant of
what went around him and Judy.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
I do expect him to have a bounce back season.
Speaker 6 (29:07):
Awful lot of transition in the rest of that division,
so a real opportunity for the Houston Texans to take
off fast.
Speaker 5 (29:12):
Mark Ross, thank you very much. Ian.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
One of the bigger questions heading into Buffalo Bills training camp, boys,
would that guy be on the field right there? James Cook,
who really emerges one of the go to weapons for
the Buffalo Bills in a contract dispute with Buffalo, wants
a big contract, wants to get paid.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Was he going to actually be on the field.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Let's listen to James Cook talk all about it recently.
Speaker 18 (29:41):
I knew I was gonna come my handwork. I don't
owe it to nobody but my teammates and myself and
my family. So me participating, showing my teammates that I
love the game and I'm willing to be out here,
and we have talks. I'm never going to give up,
and I deserve what I want my knee and it's
(30:03):
going to eventually have.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
It, hopefully for James Cook.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
That is right with the Buffleo Bills have done this
entire offsets, lock up all of their key guys, a
lot of those guys on defense, a lot of the
pillars of that defense.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
The offense is pretty young.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
They did lock up a big piece of that with
giving Josh Allen, their MVP, a big time contract extension
in the spring, right around the time of free agency.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Will it be James Cook's turn or really.
Speaker 3 (30:31):
Be performing doing the same thing last year, merging as
a key weapon in the NFL, then facing more uncertain
status after the season.
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Time will tell.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
But right now for Buffalo, most importantly, he is on
the field and that is excellent news.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
Gari Folo take it away.
Speaker 4 (30:50):
So the Raiders we go, and certainly this whole situation
just changed within the last couple of minutes here with
ians report that Christian Wilkins, the big ticket free agents
signed by the previous regime last year, Pete Carroll and
John Spytech, the new head coach and general manager moving
on from Wilkins. Pete Carroll has been confident, nonetheless, and
(31:11):
I'm sure he's gonna remain confident that this team is
gonna win some ball games this year.
Speaker 19 (31:17):
We win a ton, We'll win a bunch of games.
Ain't nothing. I can't even imagine anything. I haven't winning
ten games a year for twenty years or something. You know,
I mean, what are my expectations. We don't win a
bunch and I don't care you know who hears that.
I mean, it doesn't matter to me. It ain't about
what anybody hears. It's about what we do. And so
that's why expectations are are really high. The standards need
(31:39):
to be so that the expectations can be met. We'll
see what happens.
Speaker 4 (31:45):
Pete Carroll wants to hit the ground running with this
Raiders team and this new regime that he.
Speaker 2 (31:51):
Is a part of. He sort of did that with
the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaker 4 (31:54):
I mean they were under five hundred, but they made
the playoffs that first year, the twenty ten season in which.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
They made the playoffs and won a game.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
So that is the expectation for Pete Carroll, who has
had success come back to New England.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
I mean he had success going back there as well.
Speaker 4 (32:08):
This is a guy that even when the Seahawks were
in rebuilding mode, they were still winning games and right
on the threshold of making the playoffs and or making
the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
So let's sell Pete Carroll has been successful. That energy,
that positivism, positive positivity, that's the word I'm looking for.
And he's bringing it to Vegas. Tom, make sure you
have all the right words.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Nobody thought the Broncos were making the playoffs last year,
either lo and behold Bo Nicks did that in his
rookie season. Sean Payton said this week that Knicks actually
spent four or five days with Drew Brees this offseason. Obviously,
if there is one guy who'd know how to get
to the next level in a Sean Payton offense, it
would be the guy who went to the playoffs preennially
(32:49):
for all those years in New Orleans. The weight is
over and the countdown to kickoff has begun. Single game
tickets for the twenty twenty five NFL season are on
sale now. Visit NFL dot com slash ticket to purchase
tickets today. Tickets are available through the NFL ticket network,
including Ticketmasters, sink Geek.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
And Sports Illustrated Tickets.
Speaker 3 (33:11):
Getting to be that time of year where it is
all about your fantasy team, preparing for your fantasy team.
Who better than to give you some advice and Michael F. Floyo,
By the way, Marcus Graham was on the show this
week as well. He crushed you as against Floyo but
we will have you back to redeem yourself.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
Yeah, no, it's true.
Speaker 3 (33:29):
Actually, once you take us through some under the radar
players that you love.
Speaker 20 (33:35):
I wasn't expecting the shots fired off the top, but
I love Marcus, so I accept that. Marcus Brown, right,
he was taken from us before the season even started
last season, and he wasn't the same once he returned.
But last we saw him healthy, he was still one
of the better field stretchers in the game. You have
to go back a couple of years for the last
(33:56):
time that he and his starting quarterback were both healthy,
But in twenty two two, he was averaging sixteen Fantasy
points per game. Mahomes is the best quarterback he's ever
played with, would be the best quarterback most people have
ever played with. And I know Tom said don't be
drafting already, but if you're playing in best ball leagues
right now, he's going outside the top sixty wide receivers.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
I love taking him at that price, but.
Speaker 20 (34:19):
Him being there is not just good for him in
those big spike weeks you'll get when he connects on
the long ball, it's good for Mahomes and everyone else
on the Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
So Hollywood Brown was a re signed for the Kansas
City Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (34:30):
Take me through someone who changed teams in an under
the radar move.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Jordan Mason.
Speaker 20 (34:36):
Right, remember last year kind of came out of nowhere
with the forty nine ers and then showed us that
he could play and was averaging thirteen fantasy points per
game as a starter.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
Last season. He led all.
Speaker 20 (34:48):
Running backs in miss tackles forced rate and he was
second in explosive run rate.
Speaker 2 (34:53):
So we know he could play when he is given
the chance.
Speaker 20 (34:56):
Now he is in another very fantasy friendly offense with
Kevin O'Connell and Aaron Jones is gonna be thirty one
by years and he's missed time before. That makes Mason
one of the very best handcuffs in fantasy football. And
I'd argue he'd bring RB one upside some weeks like
we saw last year if Aaron.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Jones was to miss time. Yeah, I mean last year.
Speaker 3 (35:19):
If you grabbed him early on when Christian McCaffey went
out surprisingly Week one, man, you were happy, really glad
I really didn't do that? All right, give me another
under the radar move. Let's go to the receiver position.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
This is one that.
Speaker 20 (35:35):
Happened well after free agency in the draft, so a
lot of you might have been on vacation or whatever.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
But Deontay Johnson to the Browns. I think this is noteworthy.
Speaker 20 (35:44):
Because, yeah, Deontay's coming off of a weird year, no
denying that, but it wasn't because of his talent. In fact,
he every year for the last five years has been
one of the best wide receivers at creating separation and
getting open. He was averaging twelve Fantasy points per game
last season with the Panthers, which is right around what
Zey Flowers, Khalil Shakir, and Marvin Harrison Junior gave you.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
And he has a wide range of outcomes.
Speaker 20 (36:10):
I won't deny that, but one of them is in
being the Browns top target because he gets open at
such a high rate.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
And if that happens, you get free upside. Because this
guy is.
Speaker 20 (36:20):
Absolutely free in drafts right now, like he might go
undrafted in most of your leagues, so put him on
your watch list or whatever. But I do think this
is a move to keep an eye on.
Speaker 3 (36:29):
To be fair, he's basically free to the Browns too,
basically making the minimum high upside really kind of a
little bit surprised, honestly that just one team took a
flyer on him. But if this happens, if this does hit,
the rounds will be very very happy. Another player who
costs maybe a little bit more money, give me another
under the radar receiver move, and I know you're going
(36:51):
to talk about one of my favorite.
Speaker 20 (36:52):
Players, Josh Palmer on my favorite team, the Buffalo Bills.
But he costs a lot more than Deontay Johnson this season,
but last year with the Chargers, Palmer was better at
getting open and just a more efficient receiver on targets
of ten or twenty plus air yards than anybody the Bills.
Speaker 2 (37:11):
Had on their roster last year.
Speaker 20 (37:14):
And yeah, they gave him a lofty three year deal,
so I'm expecting him to come in and compete.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
With Keyon Coleman to be the top out wide target.
Speaker 20 (37:22):
We know Khalil Shakira is going to hold down the
slot for Josh Allen and the Bills, but with Josh
Palmer here he is able to get open downfield.
Speaker 5 (37:30):
We could see a more consistent deep.
Speaker 20 (37:33):
Ball return to the Buffalo Bills offense, which was lacking
last year, which not only would help Josh.
Speaker 2 (37:38):
Palmer, it would help Josh Allen as well.
Speaker 3 (37:41):
In one of the more interesting trades this year involved
a player who was released and then traded.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Anyway, take me through why you think Christian Kirk is
worthy of our attention, because what I think Christian Kirk
could play at a high level.
Speaker 20 (37:57):
I don't think that was the reason why the Jig
moved on from him, but last season the Texans struggled
to get consistent production out of the slot, especially after
the Digs and Dell injuries. Kirk, in fact, had more
yards from the slot than any Houston player last season,
and I think he provides a really reliable number two
(38:17):
option opposite of Nico Collins, who could win downfield from
the slot. Another reliable option only helped CJ. Stroud and Kirk.
Right now, he is just a wide receiver that you
could select in the later rounds of your draft.
Speaker 5 (38:31):
But I think he could easily.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Outperform that cause if c J.
Speaker 20 (38:35):
Stroud could look like he did more his rookie season
and if Nico Collins look I hope he stays healthy,
but that has been a struggle.
Speaker 5 (38:41):
For him, so if he misses any sort of time,
we could be.
Speaker 20 (38:44):
Talking about Christian Kirk as the top target for CJ. Stroud,
and again he is someone that you could get as
an afterthought in the double digit rounds of your fantasy drafts.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
Four Yo, Great Stuff.
Speaker 3 (38:55):
I was going to ask you about the Mets and
the trade deadline, had a whole bunch of questquessions, but
ran out of time because you had so many good
under the Raider story.
Speaker 2 (39:04):
And so here's what I'll do.
Speaker 3 (39:05):
I will text you after the show and you can
tell me your thoughts on the great stuff for you.
As always, I was taking notes. Hopefully too many people,
not too many people in my league.
Speaker 2 (39:15):
Were paying attention. Meanwhile, one edition that.
Speaker 3 (39:18):
Will probably not affect fantasy lesser in one of those
id p leagues. Oh wait, I am von Miller joins
the watching and commanders.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
What kind of impact will he make? How much does
he have left? Only one way to find out? Keep watching.
Speaker 3 (39:43):
Midway through the show today we had some breaking news
out of Las Vegas. A stunner, Christian Wilkins signday four year,
one hundred and ten million dollar contract extension just last offseason,
has been informed of his relief.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
That's right, his release.
Speaker 3 (40:01):
There's been an ongoing dispeak for the Las Vegas Raiders
and Christian Wilkods about his foot. They have wanted him
to have surgery to repair his foot after he had
a previous surgery that did not take.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
He has resisted.
Speaker 3 (40:14):
He sought several medical opinions, did not do essentially what
the team wanted. Struggle to get on the field. Now
he has been informed of his relief release. Made twenty
nine point two million last year, twenty point five million
this year just for playing five games.
Speaker 2 (40:35):
Von Miller twenty four looks weird.
Speaker 4 (40:38):
Von Miller with the Washington Commanders said that was a
decision that he did not make lightly. He be caretake lately,
I should say, because of what he was leaving behind
him in Buffalo.
Speaker 21 (40:51):
You just can't leave Josh Allen and go anywhere, man.
You know, you just can't go from you know, the
AFC Championship and just you know, go anywhere I feel.
You know, whenever you get older, to losses they like
pile up. It seems like they just hit way harder
than what they used to when you were young. And
you know, this team is all about winning. You know,
(41:12):
I'm all about winning.
Speaker 4 (41:15):
I'll see you in just over a week, Von because
it'll be part of my tour for Inside Training Camp. Yes,
the twenty twenty five NFL seasons season begins with Training
Camp and starting this Saturday, July twenty six through Wednesday,
August sixth, NFL Network is your home for wall to
wall coverage from every camp across the league. We're alive
on the field, bringing you exclusive interviews, expert analysis, breaking
(41:38):
storylines in your first look at the biggest names in
new places. Don't miss Inside Training Camp live all day,
every day on NFL Network. You'll like twenty six to
August sixth.
Speaker 2 (41:56):
What can Brown do for you?
Speaker 1 (41:58):
Well, if you're an NFL team, it can really bring
out the beauty of those throwback uniforms.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
No, that's not a turtle shell on Jordan Love's head.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
That is a replica the nineteen twenties era Packers leather
helmets that they will be wearing as part of their
throwback uniforms this year. The Brown's also releasing a new helmet.
It's brown because they're not the Cleveland Oranges. For the
first time, Someone's like, Hey, what if this spitball in ear?
What if we had brown helmets for a team called
(42:26):
the Browns?
Speaker 2 (42:27):
And Judy I think that it is long overdue. What
do you think.
Speaker 6 (42:33):
I love the Brown helmets and I love the whole
Packers throwback uniforms.
Speaker 5 (42:38):
I am in favor of this. I like earth tons.
Speaker 2 (42:43):
Yeah, Mike Brown. Brown's been sneaking its way back in.
Speaker 4 (42:46):
I bought a Brown suit last year, which has become
more Remember suits, guys, Judia, remember suits.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
He's got one on right now. I have a lot
of suits. I never get to wear them all. The
show's over, Goodbye.
Welcome to Lake Troube Aaron Rodgers, the four time NFL MVP,
and the Steelers hitting the practice field for the first
time today. The Raiders on the field once again with
their new running back Ashton gent Gino Smith and company.
Falcons holding their first practice for Ian Morris is fired up,
not picture Dan Campbell. I can guarantee you he is
(00:29):
fired up as well, and so are we. Welcome inside
with the insiders alongside Ian Rappaport in Tampa. We'll talk
about those bucks. Judy Mattista, Mike Garafalo, I am Tom PELLISERA.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Let's check the calendar here.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Six weeks from tonight Eagles and Cowboys kick off Week
one of the regular season. One week from tonight Chargers
Lions in the Hall of Fame game. And yet for
about an hour this morning, Jets fans thought their season
was already over. Everybody want to breathe. Justin Fields is
going to be just fine. But that is where we
start out in Flora Park, where there was quite a
(01:07):
scare in practice earlier today. Justin Fields, on one of
the first team grills in practice, got stepped on Ian.
There was plenty of panic. Jets fans have been scarred
in a lot of different ways, but the tests came back,
you would think just about as good as they possibly could.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Yeah, I would say, considering the scariness of this situation,
considering the potential direnness of the situation, this is an
excellent outcome for the New York Jets.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Here's essentially what it is.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Justin Fields has a dislocated toe.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
It is not his big toe.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
It's one of the other toes, to the toe right
next to the big toe, whatever the name of that is.
That is one of the the toe that Justin Fields dislocated.
There is no fracture. This is excellent news. That would
expect him to miss some time, but from my understanding,
not significant times.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
So for all the Jets fans that I know.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
In my life who decide to all text me at
the same exact.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Time, Justin Field is going to be okay.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
And the fact that this is not the same old Jets,
the fact that not every piece of news is the
worst news ever, is very very excellent thing for the Jets.
For Aaron Glenn, for Darren Muji, this was not all
that bad for New York guys.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Yeah, I suppose it was an interesting fifteen minutes when
a lot of folks took to Twitter and said the
Jets have got the trade for Kirk Cousins right now.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
I think two things were enlightening about this.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
One the fact that the Jets really didn't make the
push for Kirk Cousins in the first place, and that
they really liked Justin Fields and felt like this is
a guy that they can continue to develop and get
the most out of. The other thing is Aaron Glenn
made a point of going right to Tyrod Taylor and
saying we have the faith in Taylor. As a matter
of fact, when I saw the quote, I thought, oh,
Fields must be down bad, and he's making it clear
(03:01):
this is the direction we're going now, potentially if there's
an injury moving forward. Aaron Glenn has made it clear
that this is the guy that they believe in behind
Justin Fields if they've got to go that route.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
But again, good news for the Jets, they don't.
Speaker 5 (03:15):
Very good news for the Jets.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
You know, if this happened just one day after Aaron
Glenn talked about wanting to help ease the pain that
Jets fans have endured for all of these years, well
you could feel the pain. This morning, before we knew
the outcome of Justin Field's injury, Jets fans were panicking
recalling really the worst day against with Aaron Rodgers' injury
(03:37):
in the first game of the season for him.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
It turned out okay.
Speaker 6 (03:41):
This turned out to be about as good a scenario
as possible. He will be on the field for Week
one for the New York Jets. So the new era
of the New York Jets, which came so very close
this morning to being derailed, is still on track. Speaking
of Week one for the New York Jets, that is
going to be against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a very
(04:01):
familiar face.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 6 (04:03):
This guy arriving in Latrope for his very first practice.
Not surprisingly in Latrope, thousands of Steelers fans turn out
for practice. You would think there's going to be a
few more just to see Aaron Rodgers in a Steelers uniform.
Here's what Rogers had to say about expectations for his
new team.
Speaker 7 (04:21):
I think that you know, there's really only six to
eight they really have a legitimate chance. Sometimes it's ten
to twelve, and there's teams will surprise you. But I
would say on paper, we're probably one of those ten
to twelve.
Speaker 8 (04:32):
How do you go from being on paper to being
one of those legitimate ten to twelve.
Speaker 7 (04:36):
I think it's coming together, you know, times like this
with these seventeen there's soap practices that we have here
and finding the chemistry and hanging out with each other
in the lunch room and snack in the different times
that we have and you know, growing together through our practice.
Speaker 6 (04:56):
It's worth noting that rogers first pass in team DROs
was intercepted by Patrick Queen. Rogers said, I'm going to
throw interceptions. I'm also going to throw a lot of touchdowns.
That may be a good sign for the defense though,
and the Steelers are going to need that defense if
they're going to make a push to the super Bowl. Remember,
it started out really strong last year and then faded
badly in the second half of the season. Cam Hayward
(05:17):
talked to reporters before practice today and he said that
defense cannot be on a roller coaster. He also said
they're not interested in being champs on paper, They're interested
in being d champs.
Speaker 5 (05:28):
All right, now to the Bucks and Ian.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Speaking of champs, Bucks have won this division. NFC South
three years in a row. Out here on the practice field,
It's easy to see why. You take a look at
this offense and there are so many familiar faces. Even
though Chris Godwin, who very famously left money on the
table to sign with the Bucks, is back here, wasn't
on the field, has n't been on the field just
yet after a little bit of a cleanup surgery.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Still question as far as when he returns.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
That said, the optimism is very very real in Tampa.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Listen to Baker Maye Fields.
Speaker 9 (06:01):
We know we have potential. I think everybody in this
building knows that the roster that Jason and have built,
the chemistry that we have, the standard the coach Bowl
sets each day elite is the standard. And so we
realized that we've had the mid season low. We've had
to scratch late in the year to get into the playoffs.
The mindset is to be hungry, be killers, to finish
(06:22):
it out early. And that's whether that's games or the
season clinching, you know our division, that's the whole mindset
when you step foot on this field.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Now, how biging things get a little more optimistic for Tampa.
We mentioned the offense pretty briefly, there is a real
chance this defense is somehow better under Todd Bowles this
year than it was last year. The addition of Asan Redick,
who had a very crazy and forgettable season on the
field last year, has come into camp and has looked
excellent thust far. He is primed to be a big
(06:54):
time addition for the tam Bay Buccaneers. Colidja Kanzi already
one of the best three techniques in the NFL. It
looks to take that next step as well. And then
here's something else interesting. It does seem like there's a
real possibility that two young corners, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob
Parrish both get significant snaps for this Tampa defense, maybe
even starter snaps. Mike, that is an excellent sign for
(07:18):
a Bucks defense that was already very good.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
All right, that's good. Ian.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Seems like you were there and you took in all
the information and it was worth your visit down to Tampa.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
I'm gonna have to make a visit down there to
Tampa myself.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Maybe I will head to Flowery Branch at some point
where Michael Pennix this time last year was behind that
guy Kirk Cousins. I talked about just a couple of
minutes ago. Now pretty clear it is his team. The
quarterback of the future last year, the quarterback of the
present now and really stamping his territory and talking to
(07:50):
the media today.
Speaker 8 (07:53):
We should be the best in the league. You know what,
the guys who got around us. You know, we got
a great office line as well. You know, those guys
works hard in the trench, you know, with coach Leffer
out out there leading those guys, doing a great job
with those guys. You know, we should be unstoppable. So
that's our goal. We want to be number one in
auto categories on office sider balls.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Some confidence there from Michael Pennix and some confidence when
he was talking to the media about Kyle Pitts. Kyle Pitts,
highly drafted, really hasn't hit yet. There was talk of
him potentially being traded this offseason. Pedix told the media,
you see, we threw the ball a bunch to pay
it is to see we threw the ball a bunch
to Pitts today. Yeah, gonna be a lot of that.
So that's the kind of leadership you want at the
(08:36):
quarterback position from a guy who's only playing a couple
of games, but again putting his stamp on that team,
on that locker room, on that building. They like what
they've seen from Peedix and they like what they heard.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
There tom no quarterback competition in Atlanta, but there is
a very unique one in Cleveland unfolding between the veterans
Jill Flacco and Kenny Pickett, the rookies Dylan Gabriel and
should Do were Sanders. Those two, by the way, the
rookies closer in age to Joe Flacco's kids than they
are to Flacco himself, and those kids will indeed be watching.
Speaker 10 (09:11):
There's like ideal situations, obviously, and then there's just like
the reality of the situation, and you know, it's one
of those things that I really don't have any control over.
So I'm really not worried about when anything happens. Obviously,
there's advantages to knowing, you know, earlier than later, but
it's just part of the game.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Stefanski's offense, Kevin Stefanski calling me plays once again. Truly,
no decision on who will be the Browns starting quarterback,
though the hardest thing to do would be to start
as a rookie. It's making the rookies, But I thought
we were looking at cam Ward for a second.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Hi, it's me.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
I will thankfully not be starting for anybody in twenty
twenty five at quarterback. But let's turn the attention now
to the number one overall draft pick, cam Ward, who
is off to a start that's a little bit different
than what we were anticipating in terms of the division
of labor. Will Levis landing on injured reserve, already out
(10:11):
for the entirety of the twenty twenty five season after
undergoing shoulder surgery. Cam Ward did speak I'm told about
his expectations for this offense.
Speaker 11 (10:26):
Just from an understanding of how they're gonna run their
routes to them understanding, you know, my ball places where
it needs to be allowed them to make plays at
the field. But we got a talented group of receivers
on tight ends well and running backs who can you know,
make plays in the checkdown game and in the run game.
So you know, just the pieces that we have, you know,
I think we're one of the top you know where
cab will be one of the top offens in the league.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Let's welcome in Mark Ross for a little bit more
on the Titans. All right, big words right there, from
the number one overall pick mark.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
In reality on paper?
Speaker 1 (10:57):
What is the realistic upside on the twenty twenty five tense.
Speaker 12 (11:01):
First off, I love the confidence and I love the player.
I thought cam Ward was, of course deserving of the
number one pick. I think he will be a Pro
Bowl type player and change that Titans franchise. But just
the overall offensive talent, I think the Titans are a
little lacking. I mean, you've got Tyler Lockett probably starting,
or Van Jefferson Tyler Lockett up there at age. Van
(11:22):
Jefferson's bounced around. They've got Calvin Ridley, but then after that,
really not a whole lot of playmakers. Tony Pollard out
of the backfield, and then some question marks on the
old line. They signed Dan more Than the offseason and
play left tackle, but I'm not sure if he's the
answer there. So that the Titans, although I think cam
Ward will be a spectacular player, having a lot of
(11:43):
work to do. Last season, they were twenty seventh in
the league in scoring tom so he's going to really
have to do a miraculous type of rookie season, much
like Jaydon Daniels did last year and CJ. Stroud did
the year before. We weren't talking about those teams at
this time. Certainly I wasn't the same. There'll be one
of the top teams, playoff teams, go to the NFC
(12:03):
Championship game. Jade Daniels last year and win Rookie of
the Year. Even if they camp could win Rookie of
the Year. Just not sure that whole entire offense he
could put them on his back and put them up
in that upper echelon.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Mark, good stuff, Judy. How about those Lions.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
It feels like the.
Speaker 6 (12:21):
Detroit Lions have been in training camp forever already. They
sort of have been there getting ready for the Hall
of Fame game in a week. There's Jared Goff throwing
a ball in very very slow motion. Looks really good,
nice tight spiral and slow motion. Golf talked today about
how the transition to a new offensive coordinator is coming along.
Speaker 13 (12:42):
Every offense. There's formation, shifts, motions, routes, run plays, protections.
You know, I could keep going cadences the ways you
would getting in out of the huddle. A lot of
the stuff we're doing and those eight things I just
named is the same and some of it's different, So
it's it's it's hard to answer that question when you
(13:02):
know what's different, what's different, what's different? Some of it's
the exact same and some of it is a little
bit different. And I'm not going to go into the
minutia of what is different, but I think the transition
from what we were doing last year to him is
a lot lesser than you guys are making it seem
with the questions. I believe, like I get that question
every day, a lot of it is the same and
(13:25):
then there's some stuff that we're learning that is new,
and it's not that big of a gap between those two,
I guess, And I'm sorry if I didn't answer what
you asked. But it's been a great transition. It's been
a lot of fun. It's been a challenge, but it's
been a fun challenge.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Well, how the Lion's adjusts to coordinators on both sides
of the ball is going to go a long way
to tell us whether they can duplicate the fifteen win
season from last year. There's not a whole lot of
play calling experience between John Morton and Kelvin Shepard. One
thing to watch as golf was talking about what kind
of tweaks is Morton going to make to that offense, which,
of course Ben Johnson ran so masterfullet last season. Morton
(14:05):
does have familiarity with GoF that certainly helps. This is
a very difficult division, though. The pressure is going to
be on to get through an adjustment period quickly so
that they can get on their way with their very
real Super Bowl aspirations.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
How you doing with your name, Savannah?
Speaker 9 (14:24):
I like your bike.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Key, hold my helmet. Just don't let this fall us
in here? Thank you?
Speaker 5 (14:30):
What's up man? How you doing?
Speaker 10 (14:31):
What's up?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Guy?
Speaker 4 (14:32):
Yes, thank you so much. You need to get this actually,
can you send her here?
Speaker 5 (14:36):
Sorry? Love your mariner?
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Another one you want to there? Oh you're trying to
double down?
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Look at you see if I get my feet on
these pedals here, try not to crash your bike here?
Speaker 2 (14:46):
What's up? Guys? What's up? What's up? Let's go? Let's go.
Jordan love a popular man.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
That bike probably now worth about ten times the value
it was when they picked it up on the practice field.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Dealt with it injuries last season, still got into.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
The playoffs where they got steamrolled by the Eagles, at
least from an offensive perspective, certainly a lot of reason
for growth and also reason for optimism with that offense
in Green Bay.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Now you get new faces every year. I think every
year is different. They never have the same team. You
don't have the same guys I did. In that mindset,
you know you have to shift. You know every year
is different this year.
Speaker 14 (15:23):
Or you know, there's things we did good, there's things
we did that, and it's always trying to improve. So
I don't think you have that same mindset or run
it back, don't increase stagnant. I'm trying to get better.
I'm not trying to run back and losing in the
first round the playoffs. So there's a lot of things
that we're trying to prove on. Obviously, there's some new
faces and trying to get those guys at speed and
and you know, I think they all got the right mindset.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
They're hungry and they.
Speaker 14 (15:46):
Know what we're trying to do.
Speaker 8 (15:47):
With getting with Golden with all the motion and stuff
you envisioned him doing, like this kind of stuff that
Gene Reed's been able to do, and with all the
motion you.
Speaker 15 (15:57):
Run that type of afore potentially, potentially ideally you'd like
to have everybody be able to do that, because then
you really don't know where it's coming from. So I
think the more guys that we can train to be
able to take on that type of role, I just
think it opens up things for you offensively to.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
The insiders, Tom Pellacero, Stacy Dales, and Mark Ross with you,
Stacy spent a lot of time around that Packers team.
Tell me about your expectations, the way that chemistry can
evolve here for Jordan Love and company in twenty twenty.
Speaker 16 (16:30):
Five, Hey, Tom and Mark, evolve is a good word.
I would also maybe couple that word Tom with mature,
because I just want to remind everybody this is the
youngest team in the National Football League per spot Track,
an average age of twenty five years old. It was
the youngest offense in the NFL season ago, and it's
been by committee with Jordan Love at the helm, and
(16:53):
just to throw out a few numbers here in terms
of how young this offense is and how by committee
it has been. Outside of the running back job Jacobs,
they had five players last season with four hundred plus
receiving yards, the only team in the NFL to have
such those guys of course read Dobbs, Watson, Craft the
tight end and Wis, But Jaden Reid was their number
(17:14):
one receiver in terms of his receptions, he had fifty five.
Speaker 5 (17:17):
But if you look across the league, as.
Speaker 16 (17:19):
I checked in with our research team, third fewest among
the top guys, the number ones.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
In the NFL?
Speaker 5 (17:25):
What does that mean? They don't have a clear cut
number one.
Speaker 16 (17:28):
When I say by committee, it's something that the head
coach and play caller really likes in. Matt Lafleuri actually
said today the beauty of our offense is you really
don't know where necessarily who's going to get the football.
Speaker 5 (17:39):
It frees up the.
Speaker 16 (17:40):
Quarterback because he doesn't feel that pressure. I got to
get this guy the ball. But I think it's so
important to have some definition mark. That's what I'm looking
for when I had to Green Bay with you on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Who are those.
Speaker 16 (17:52):
Guys, those reliability guys, those blanket security guys that Jordan
Love is going to have.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Is this maturity develops.
Speaker 16 (18:00):
As he goes into the third year a starter because
he's got to have that sort of Rogers Adams guy
in situational football that he can go to. And I
just want to end with this, the Packers were really
good offensively, top five total offense last season, but per
Pro Football Focus, tops in the league alongside Cleveland with twenty.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
Five wide receiver drops. That's the wide receiver core.
Speaker 16 (18:22):
And so when you're spraying that ball around, do those
guys know are they prepared at all times in terms
of situational football. Got to clean that up and maybe
define some of those roles here this training camp.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Thanksy.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
I love that we're getting on.
Speaker 12 (18:37):
We can't practice together right now before our weekend together
in Chicago and Green Bay when we start our training camp.
So yeah, So you mentioned the young talent, and you
mentioned the versatility and a lot of different guys, but
you're one hundred percent right with I think at some
point someone's going to have to emerge. And you mentioned
the receivers that are already on a team and the
(18:58):
tight end through their craft and much. But maybe that's
the reason why they drafted Matthew Golden in the first
round this year, the wide receiver out of the Texas
because they realized that maybe not all of these guys
are the true number one. Maybe not all of these
guys by committee that we have we can just go
to in a pinch to say, when all else fails,
(19:19):
when we can't run plays, when we can't spread it.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Out, who can we just go to meek him play?
Speaker 12 (19:24):
And you mentioned all the drops that leads to they're
not all one hundred reliable where they need to make
a play, you have to go do it. Talking about
green Bay with our Giants two thousand and seven playoff run,
Paik Joe Burrs went up there. We barely read any plays.
Paxico go over there, beat Al Harris to death over
there and he had think ten to eleven catches, twenty eleven.
(19:45):
Hakeem Knicks, we went up the green Bay came.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Knicks went crazy in that game.
Speaker 12 (19:50):
Didn't really have to run plays last year with the Eagles,
AJ Brown, Devonte Smith, the Chiefs for years. When all
else fails, Patrick, you go throw to Kelsey. So who's
going to merge for green Bay? That'll take them to
very good to super Bowl caliber.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
All right?
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Sorry about the other team the you two are going
to be seeing coming up on back Together weekend with
roalm the clock coverage right here on NFL Network, Stacy,
what are you going to be looking for with Ben
Johnson running that Bears offense for the first time in
a training camp set.
Speaker 16 (20:23):
How they discovered Tom their identity. I mean, it's going
to be interesting. I asked him a.
Speaker 5 (20:27):
Question earlier this week.
Speaker 16 (20:28):
I was actually at practice this morning about how much
he can fill his quarterbacks cop Caleb Williams in his
second season, and he told me a bunch of stuff.
But he said, listen, we don't even know if we're
going to be a wide zone run team or a
gap run team. So they got a lot to figure out.
And the running backs fascinate me. I shot this here
on my phone earlier today. As DeAndre Swift is the
number one guy, he loves to run the football, Ben Johnson,
(20:52):
can he do it in Chicago with this wide with
this running back group is going to be the question.
He believes he can and as they've added, really we
thought maybe they would add somebody higher in the draft,
but they went with Kyle Manungai in the seventh round
out of Rutgers, who, by the way, never had a
fumble in three years at Rutgers. He was really good
(21:14):
and a touchdown machine for them last season. But when
I asked Ben today about his wide receiver room, he
told me. He loves how coachable they are. They are
Eric b Enemy has already had a strong impact.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
He has his prints all over this group.
Speaker 5 (21:28):
And ultimately, here's what I love the most.
Speaker 16 (21:30):
Ben Johnson said, quote, I know the perception out there
that this maybe isn't the most talented room in the.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
World, but they love to hear that noise.
Speaker 16 (21:39):
So maybe DeAndre Swift didn't admit Mark to hearing some
of that noise on the outside as he looks to
bounce back from what maybe wasn't the year he wanted
a season ago, obviously in Chicago, but they are motivated
and he will be the bell cow to start things
off in Chicago.
Speaker 12 (21:57):
No doubt they're always listening to the noise Stacy when
they say they're not, they're listening to the deis.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Yes, I would expect this.
Speaker 12 (22:04):
Bears team and Ben Johnson to resemble the Lions team
and what it looked like in Detroit. And that was
no more apparent than Ben Johnson's first free agency where
he just said, I have to go get all kinds
of offensive linemen because in Detroit we had maybe one
of the top two or three best offensive lines in
the NFL. So they went out and got a free
agency and a trader for Joe Tooney. He highlighted that,
(22:26):
and then in the draft he said, well, let me
get as many playmakers as I can with Colston Lovelin
and coming back with Luther Burden the third in the
second round, the wide receiver out of Missouri.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Because in Detroit you had so.
Speaker 12 (22:39):
Many guys there with jmo and I'm on Rossain Brown,
so that you had and the two headed monster of
Gibbs and Montgomery in the backfield. You had so many
options that he spread it around so much. So he's
looking at this offense now and saying, I address the
offensive line. I had playmakers here already. Roman Doomsday's got
to step up. DJ Moore, you have a career year,
(23:00):
and now I bring in these rookies to add even
more playmakers to that offense. I would expect it to
be similar to what it looked like. Everybody moving around.
Nobody's the number one guy. Some get some guy some game,
somebody's going off another game another person. So I would
expect it to be Detroit North. I don't know geography there.
I don't know where they want to hear that in Chicago,
(23:20):
But to look very similar. You guys got the Packers
and the Bears. I've got the Lions. We got the NFC.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
North and the entire league covered this weekend. You know why,
because football is back. It all starts out teams taking
the field across the league from Back Together Weekend, presented
by YouTube TV with two full days of practice, player interviews,
and behind the scenes access.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
It's a can't miss NFL reunion this weekend.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
Go to NFL dot com slash Back Together Weekend for
more information.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Marks back later. Thank you very much, Stacy.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
How about we get to the Chiefs and the AFC
West coming up right after this? Who is best equipped
to chase the three time defending AFC champs even if
you know what ended last time with a different teams
competitive confetti falling from the ceiling. We'll dig into it
next on The Insiders Sick.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
The Las Vegas Raiders with a stunner. Sources to say
Christian Wilkins, the prize of free agency just a year ago,
has been informed of his release one year into a
five year, one hundred and ten million dollar deal, has
got much of that fifty seven point five million dollars
(24:45):
fully guaranteed already got a twenty million dollar check of
it this spring, already still in the books for about
I believe it is eight this season, the Raiders deciding
they are not moving forward with Christian Wilkins any long.
This has been an ongoing saga for many reasons for
the Las Vegas.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Raiders, but on the field, as it.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
Pertains to Wilkins, my understanding is the team wanted him
to have surgery on his foot. He declined, declined several
medical opinions, ultimately decided he wanted to rehab this. It
has been a battle to get him on the field.
Certainly there has been discord as it relates to Christian
Wilkins and the Raiders. He has now been released an
(25:31):
early training camp surprise for Pete Carroll, for John Spytech,
and for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Christian Wilkins is out.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
The New York Jets also got a major scare today,
but also a major lucky break. Justin Field's dislocated a toe,
not the big toe, the other toe in his right foot,
but avoided what could have.
Speaker 5 (25:54):
Been a much worse injury.
Speaker 6 (25:56):
He is listed as day to day and the JEFF
said in a statement that he will avoid missing significant time.
Mark Ross is back joining me, Judy Batista, all right,
let's talk about the Jets situation.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
Tyrod Taylor is the backup quarterback.
Speaker 6 (26:12):
Aaron Glenn immediately expressed his confidence in Tyrod Taylor before
we even knew the extent of Justin Field's injury. Give
me your front office view of where the Jets quarterback
situation is right now.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Well, the best part is that it got downgraded.
Speaker 12 (26:29):
The initial shock and the angst of all the Jets
fans that has been talked about today, and of course
Justin Fields needs all the reps he can. But that's
why you do have a Tyrod Taylor in the building.
I mean, you don't want him to be your starter, obviously,
but he's the ultimate backup quarterback.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
He's the ultimate pro.
Speaker 12 (26:46):
Everywhere he's been, he's almost had to step in in
situations like this, so he will not be phased by this.
But they do need to get Jessin Fields back as
soon as possible. And that's where your doctors and your
medical staff say, Okay, here's the right time, Judy, get
them back on the field to get those reps.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
With Garret Wilson and the crew.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
I did have multiple Jets fans friends text me this
morning and say, who is the backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor?
Actually not such a bad situation, all right, Let's talk
about the Houston Texan too. I feel like are flying
under the radar. They're already in day two of training camp,
coming off back to back division titles. They shouldn't be
flying under the radar. Here's CJ. Stroud on the rookie
(27:28):
wide receivers.
Speaker 17 (27:31):
Like the two rookies, you know, Jalen and Jaden, you know,
they've came in with a great mindset, really mature guys,
guys who love to work, you know, consistently here at
the building or you know, working with me in the offseason.
So you know, I'm really excited to see those guys'
growth and see them, you know, take a step forward
each and every day. And it's it's not gonna be
perfect for those guys, but I think they're gonna make
(27:51):
a lot of plays. And I'm excited to see.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
C J.
Speaker 6 (27:56):
Stroud had such a phenomenal rookie season. Offense of Rookie
of the Year a little bit of a dip last year.
Certainly the offensive line performance had something to do with
that can he bounce back mark one percent.
Speaker 12 (28:09):
And you mentioned under the radar, and that was because
they were so far ahead of schedule his rookie year,
and then everybody had such high expectations last year, but
then forgot you know, if you comparatively, they won the division,
they made the playoffs, they played pretty well. Was just
they expected so much from them. But there could have
almost five six new starters because the offensive line changing.
(28:29):
Outgoes Tunsul incomes, a bunch of free agents there led
by Cam Robinson, out go Stefon Diggs, a bunch of
new skill guys there led by the rookies. The two
rookie receivers from from Iowa State, Christian kirk in there
as well. So it'll really be how fast all of
these new pieces can gel with c J.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Stroud and Jail together.
Speaker 12 (28:49):
But most importantly, despite everything that happened around c J.
Stroud has to play better as well. He has to
get back to his rookie year. There were a lot
of times where he missed a lot of open throws,
made a lot of mistakes that were into pennant of
what went around him and Judy.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
I do expect him to have a bounce back season.
Speaker 6 (29:07):
Awful lot of transition in the rest of that division,
so a real opportunity for the Houston Texans to take
off fast.
Speaker 5 (29:12):
Mark Ross, thank you very much. Ian.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
One of the bigger questions heading into Buffalo Bills training camp, boys,
would that guy be on the field right there? James Cook,
who really emerges one of the go to weapons for
the Buffalo Bills in a contract dispute with Buffalo, wants
a big contract, wants to get paid.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Was he going to actually be on the field.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Let's listen to James Cook talk all about it recently.
Speaker 18 (29:41):
I knew I was gonna come my handwork. I don't
owe it to nobody but my teammates and myself and
my family. So me participating, showing my teammates that I
love the game and I'm willing to be out here,
and we have talks. I'm never going to give up,
and I deserve what I want my knee and it's
(30:03):
going to eventually have.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
It, hopefully for James Cook.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
That is right with the Buffleo Bills have done this
entire offsets, lock up all of their key guys, a
lot of those guys on defense, a lot of the
pillars of that defense.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
The offense is pretty young.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
They did lock up a big piece of that with
giving Josh Allen, their MVP, a big time contract extension
in the spring, right around the time of free agency.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
Will it be James Cook's turn or really.
Speaker 3 (30:31):
Be performing doing the same thing last year, merging as
a key weapon in the NFL, then facing more uncertain
status after the season.
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Time will tell.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
But right now for Buffalo, most importantly, he is on
the field and that is excellent news.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
Gari Folo take it away.
Speaker 4 (30:50):
So the Raiders we go, and certainly this whole situation
just changed within the last couple of minutes here with
ians report that Christian Wilkins, the big ticket free agents
signed by the previous regime last year, Pete Carroll and
John Spytech, the new head coach and general manager moving
on from Wilkins. Pete Carroll has been confident, nonetheless, and
(31:11):
I'm sure he's gonna remain confident that this team is
gonna win some ball games this year.
Speaker 19 (31:17):
We win a ton, We'll win a bunch of games.
Ain't nothing. I can't even imagine anything. I haven't winning
ten games a year for twenty years or something. You know,
I mean, what are my expectations. We don't win a
bunch and I don't care you know who hears that.
I mean, it doesn't matter to me. It ain't about
what anybody hears. It's about what we do. And so
that's why expectations are are really high. The standards need
(31:39):
to be so that the expectations can be met. We'll
see what happens.
Speaker 4 (31:45):
Pete Carroll wants to hit the ground running with this
Raiders team and this new regime that he.
Speaker 2 (31:51):
Is a part of. He sort of did that with
the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaker 4 (31:54):
I mean they were under five hundred, but they made
the playoffs that first year, the twenty ten season in which.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
They made the playoffs and won a game.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
So that is the expectation for Pete Carroll, who has
had success come back to New England.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
I mean he had success going back there as well.
Speaker 4 (32:08):
This is a guy that even when the Seahawks were
in rebuilding mode, they were still winning games and right
on the threshold of making the playoffs and or making
the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
So let's sell Pete Carroll has been successful. That energy,
that positivism, positive positivity, that's the word I'm looking for.
And he's bringing it to Vegas. Tom, make sure you
have all the right words.
Speaker 1 (32:28):
Nobody thought the Broncos were making the playoffs last year,
either lo and behold Bo Nicks did that in his
rookie season. Sean Payton said this week that Knicks actually
spent four or five days with Drew Brees this offseason. Obviously,
if there is one guy who'd know how to get
to the next level in a Sean Payton offense, it
would be the guy who went to the playoffs preennially
(32:49):
for all those years in New Orleans. The weight is
over and the countdown to kickoff has begun. Single game
tickets for the twenty twenty five NFL season are on
sale now. Visit NFL dot com slash ticket to purchase
tickets today. Tickets are available through the NFL ticket network,
including Ticketmasters, sink Geek.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
And Sports Illustrated Tickets.
Speaker 3 (33:11):
Getting to be that time of year where it is
all about your fantasy team, preparing for your fantasy team.
Who better than to give you some advice and Michael F. Floyo,
By the way, Marcus Graham was on the show this
week as well. He crushed you as against Floyo but
we will have you back to redeem yourself.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
Yeah, no, it's true.
Speaker 3 (33:29):
Actually, once you take us through some under the radar
players that you love.
Speaker 20 (33:35):
I wasn't expecting the shots fired off the top, but
I love Marcus, so I accept that. Marcus Brown, right,
he was taken from us before the season even started
last season, and he wasn't the same once he returned.
But last we saw him healthy, he was still one
of the better field stretchers in the game. You have
to go back a couple of years for the last
(33:56):
time that he and his starting quarterback were both healthy,
But in twenty two two, he was averaging sixteen Fantasy
points per game. Mahomes is the best quarterback he's ever
played with, would be the best quarterback most people have
ever played with. And I know Tom said don't be
drafting already, but if you're playing in best ball leagues
right now, he's going outside the top sixty wide receivers.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
I love taking him at that price, but.
Speaker 20 (34:19):
Him being there is not just good for him in
those big spike weeks you'll get when he connects on
the long ball, it's good for Mahomes and everyone else
on the Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
So Hollywood Brown was a re signed for the Kansas
City Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (34:30):
Take me through someone who changed teams in an under
the radar move.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Jordan Mason.
Speaker 20 (34:36):
Right, remember last year kind of came out of nowhere
with the forty nine ers and then showed us that
he could play and was averaging thirteen fantasy points per
game as a starter.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
Last season. He led all.
Speaker 20 (34:48):
Running backs in miss tackles forced rate and he was
second in explosive run rate.
Speaker 2 (34:53):
So we know he could play when he is given
the chance.
Speaker 20 (34:56):
Now he is in another very fantasy friendly offense with
Kevin O'Connell and Aaron Jones is gonna be thirty one
by years and he's missed time before. That makes Mason
one of the very best handcuffs in fantasy football. And
I'd argue he'd bring RB one upside some weeks like
we saw last year if Aaron.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Jones was to miss time. Yeah, I mean last year.
Speaker 3 (35:19):
If you grabbed him early on when Christian McCaffey went
out surprisingly Week one, man, you were happy, really glad
I really didn't do that? All right, give me another
under the radar move. Let's go to the receiver position.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
This is one that.
Speaker 20 (35:35):
Happened well after free agency in the draft, so a
lot of you might have been on vacation or whatever.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
But Deontay Johnson to the Browns. I think this is noteworthy.
Speaker 20 (35:44):
Because, yeah, Deontay's coming off of a weird year, no
denying that, but it wasn't because of his talent. In fact,
he every year for the last five years has been
one of the best wide receivers at creating separation and
getting open. He was averaging twelve Fantasy points per game
last season with the Panthers, which is right around what
Zey Flowers, Khalil Shakir, and Marvin Harrison Junior gave you.
Speaker 2 (36:08):
And he has a wide range of outcomes.
Speaker 20 (36:10):
I won't deny that, but one of them is in
being the Browns top target because he gets open at
such a high rate.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
And if that happens, you get free upside. Because this
guy is.
Speaker 20 (36:20):
Absolutely free in drafts right now, like he might go
undrafted in most of your leagues, so put him on
your watch list or whatever. But I do think this
is a move to keep an eye on.
Speaker 3 (36:29):
To be fair, he's basically free to the Browns too,
basically making the minimum high upside really kind of a
little bit surprised, honestly that just one team took a
flyer on him. But if this happens, if this does hit,
the rounds will be very very happy. Another player who
costs maybe a little bit more money, give me another
under the radar receiver move, and I know you're going
(36:51):
to talk about one of my favorite.
Speaker 20 (36:52):
Players, Josh Palmer on my favorite team, the Buffalo Bills.
But he costs a lot more than Deontay Johnson this season,
but last year with the Chargers, Palmer was better at
getting open and just a more efficient receiver on targets
of ten or twenty plus air yards than anybody the Bills.
Speaker 2 (37:11):
Had on their roster last year.
Speaker 20 (37:14):
And yeah, they gave him a lofty three year deal,
so I'm expecting him to come in and compete.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
With Keyon Coleman to be the top out wide target.
Speaker 20 (37:22):
We know Khalil Shakira is going to hold down the
slot for Josh Allen and the Bills, but with Josh
Palmer here he is able to get open downfield.
Speaker 5 (37:30):
We could see a more consistent deep.
Speaker 20 (37:33):
Ball return to the Buffalo Bills offense, which was lacking
last year, which not only would help Josh.
Speaker 2 (37:38):
Palmer, it would help Josh Allen as well.
Speaker 3 (37:41):
In one of the more interesting trades this year involved
a player who was released and then traded.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Anyway, take me through why you think Christian Kirk is
worthy of our attention, because what I think Christian Kirk
could play at a high level.
Speaker 20 (37:57):
I don't think that was the reason why the Jig
moved on from him, but last season the Texans struggled
to get consistent production out of the slot, especially after
the Digs and Dell injuries. Kirk, in fact, had more
yards from the slot than any Houston player last season,
and I think he provides a really reliable number two
(38:17):
option opposite of Nico Collins, who could win downfield from
the slot. Another reliable option only helped CJ. Stroud and Kirk.
Right now, he is just a wide receiver that you
could select in the later rounds of your draft.
Speaker 5 (38:31):
But I think he could easily.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Outperform that cause if c J.
Speaker 20 (38:35):
Stroud could look like he did more his rookie season
and if Nico Collins look I hope he stays healthy,
but that has been a struggle.
Speaker 5 (38:41):
For him, so if he misses any sort of time,
we could be.
Speaker 20 (38:44):
Talking about Christian Kirk as the top target for CJ. Stroud,
and again he is someone that you could get as
an afterthought in the double digit rounds of your fantasy drafts.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
Four Yo, Great Stuff.
Speaker 3 (38:55):
I was going to ask you about the Mets and
the trade deadline, had a whole bunch of questquessions, but
ran out of time because you had so many good
under the Raider story.
Speaker 2 (39:04):
And so here's what I'll do.
Speaker 3 (39:05):
I will text you after the show and you can
tell me your thoughts on the great stuff for you.
As always, I was taking notes. Hopefully too many people,
not too many people in my league.
Speaker 2 (39:15):
Were paying attention. Meanwhile, one edition that.
Speaker 3 (39:18):
Will probably not affect fantasy lesser in one of those
id p leagues. Oh wait, I am von Miller joins
the watching and commanders.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
What kind of impact will he make? How much does
he have left? Only one way to find out? Keep watching.
Speaker 3 (39:43):
Midway through the show today we had some breaking news
out of Las Vegas. A stunner, Christian Wilkins signday four year,
one hundred and ten million dollar contract extension just last offseason,
has been informed of his relief.
Speaker 2 (40:00):
That's right, his release.
Speaker 3 (40:01):
There's been an ongoing dispeak for the Las Vegas Raiders
and Christian Wilkods about his foot. They have wanted him
to have surgery to repair his foot after he had
a previous surgery that did not take.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
He has resisted.
Speaker 3 (40:14):
He sought several medical opinions, did not do essentially what
the team wanted. Struggle to get on the field. Now
he has been informed of his relief release. Made twenty
nine point two million last year, twenty point five million
this year just for playing five games.
Speaker 2 (40:35):
Von Miller twenty four looks weird.
Speaker 4 (40:38):
Von Miller with the Washington Commanders said that was a
decision that he did not make lightly. He be caretake lately,
I should say, because of what he was leaving behind
him in Buffalo.
Speaker 21 (40:51):
You just can't leave Josh Allen and go anywhere, man.
You know, you just can't go from you know, the
AFC Championship and just you know, go anywhere I feel.
You know, whenever you get older, to losses they like
pile up. It seems like they just hit way harder
than what they used to when you were young. And
you know, this team is all about winning. You know,
(41:12):
I'm all about winning.
Speaker 4 (41:15):
I'll see you in just over a week, Von because
it'll be part of my tour for Inside Training Camp. Yes,
the twenty twenty five NFL seasons season begins with Training
Camp and starting this Saturday, July twenty six through Wednesday,
August sixth, NFL Network is your home for wall to
wall coverage from every camp across the league. We're alive
on the field, bringing you exclusive interviews, expert analysis, breaking
(41:38):
storylines in your first look at the biggest names in
new places. Don't miss Inside Training Camp live all day,
every day on NFL Network. You'll like twenty six to
August sixth.
Speaker 2 (41:56):
What can Brown do for you?
Speaker 1 (41:58):
Well, if you're an NFL team, it can really bring
out the beauty of those throwback uniforms.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
No, that's not a turtle shell on Jordan Love's head.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
That is a replica the nineteen twenties era Packers leather
helmets that they will be wearing as part of their
throwback uniforms this year. The Brown's also releasing a new helmet.
It's brown because they're not the Cleveland Oranges. For the
first time, Someone's like, Hey, what if this spitball in ear?
What if we had brown helmets for a team called
(42:26):
the Browns?
Speaker 2 (42:27):
And Judy I think that it is long overdue. What
do you think.
Speaker 6 (42:33):
I love the Brown helmets and I love the whole
Packers throwback uniforms.
Speaker 5 (42:38):
I am in favor of this. I like earth tons.
Speaker 2 (42:43):
Yeah, Mike Brown. Brown's been sneaking its way back in.
Speaker 4 (42:46):
I bought a Brown suit last year, which has become
more Remember suits, guys, Judia, remember suits.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
He's got one on right now. I have a lot
of suits. I never get to wear them all. The
show's over, Goodbye.
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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