August 6, 2025 • 43 mins
NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport, and Judy Battista are live from training camps around the NFL, tackling the top storylines — including the latest details on Matthew Stafford's injury status, Jerry Jones' uncertainty about whether Micah Parsons will be available Week 1, and Mike Vrabel breaking up a fight at Patriots camp. Plus, the Insiders speak with Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, Vikings CB Byron Murphy, and Titans DT Jeffery Simmons!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
Week one of the preseason almost upon us Week one
of the regular season not far behind it. Teams around
the NFL continue to get ready in training camp, and
we are there with all the coverage Jacksonville, Tennessee, Minnesota,
Arizona and more. You're gonna hear about it all here
on The Insiders. Welcome Inside with the Insiders, Judy Battista,
(00:32):
Ian Rapaport with me here tonight. We are gonna hear
from a few folks that you're gonna want to stay
tuned in for tonight. Kyler Murray of the Cardinal's gonna
join us, Jeffrey Simmons of the Titans, and Byron Murphy,
the cornerback for the Vikings, gonna be along as well.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
He will sit down with Baldy.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
You know there's gonna be some hardcore football discussion happening there,
as there always.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Is so plenty to get to throughout the show. We're
gonna start here with this news.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Earlier today from the Rap Report, we knew that Stafford,
Matthew Stafford, was dealing with a back injury. Ian with
the details an aggravated disc and an epidural to help
make that potentially subside and go away. The Rams have
been confident all along that he will be ready for
week one. But there you see the details. This is
nothing to sneeze at. In fact, ian, if you sneeze
(01:20):
with an aggravated disc, it hurts very much, as do
a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Of other things.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So give us the breakdown home where Stafford stands and
if that confidence that the Rams are expressing for week
one is warranted.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Yeah, sir Luman, you're one of the older guys like
me and you and Matthew Stafford. All these things become
issues back, issues become nagging, and that really is where
it stands for Matthew Stafford. We knew that he had
to soar back. Some details now have emerged my understanding.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
As I wrote right there.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Aggravated disc something that Matthew Stafford has received an epidole
to help him deal with the pain, is not considered
to be major and I would expect him to practice
sooner rather than later, And as you mentioned, is not
something to kind of shrug at. He is an older
player and these types of things can crop up. And
what they've tried to do over the last couple of
weeks while he has not been practicing is strength in
(02:11):
the area around the disc to make sure that when
he does get on the playing field, if he gets
contorted in the wrong way or hidden the wrong way,
that he is going to be fine. They have a
good backup quarterback, and Jimmy Garoppolo is someone who I
know Sean McVay believes can be a starter once again
in the league. In fact, that's one of the reasons
why Jimmy Garoppolo signed there to help his march back
(02:31):
to being a starter. They just hope nobody finds out
about it this year because, as he said, Judy, the
Rams are confident and firmly believed that Matthew Stafford will
be on the field for Week one.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
You know, our buddy Greg Rosenthal asked this on Twitter
x whatever a.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
Few days ago.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Is it time to panic yet about the Matthew Stafford
back situation? It seems like the Rams are not panicking.
They're definitely not panicking. Part of the reason, of course,
because we still have a month to go before the
regular season starts. The other part is because this seems
to be as much about management as anything else.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
This is the kind of injury that can linger.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
They obviously want him to feel as good as he
possibly can for the start of the season, but it
is the kind of thing they are likely going to
have to manage throughout the season. Again, he is an
older quarterback back injuries tend to linger, so they are
going to have to figure out how to get him
through the season.
Speaker 5 (03:27):
He's going to have.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
To figure out how to get himself through the season.
No need for panic yet. They are still convinced that
he will be ready for Week one. As you pointed out,
Jimmy Garoppolo is there. They've got arguably the best backup
quarterback situation.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
In the entire NFL.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Still, this is something to keep an eye on as
we push further into August. He's obviously not going to
participate in preseason games, but this is a team with
very real Super Bowl aspirations. The well being of their
starting quarterback is really important to keep an eye on this.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
JBG had a few options softseason as a free agent,
decided to go back to the rams Ian. You mentioned
that Sean McVay thinks extremely highly of him, and even
if Matthew Stafford is back for Week one and is playing,
it's not like this is something that could potentially just.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Boom go away.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
It still could linger into the season, So Jimmy g
remains an important part of the Rams twenty twenty five season.
Will Michael Parsons play for the Cowboys in twenty twenty five?
Will he play Week one for Dallas?
Speaker 2 (04:24):
These are the questions that we have amongst others.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Maybe Andrew Whitworth was trying to get to the bottom
of here as he was speaking to Micah Parsons yesterday
with the Cowboys our Jan Slater asking Jerry Jones the
right questions.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Now, just follow the logic on this one.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
How would you describe a deal getting so to speak,
done and then walked away from I.
Speaker 6 (04:48):
Bought to Dallas Cowboys with a handshake, took about thirty seconds,
and gave the numbers, shook hands. The details we worked
out later. As a matter of fact, one of the
details involved a lot of money and we had to
flip a coin over that. But the fundamental I'm buying
and you're going to sell it to me for that range,
(05:08):
that's done and those are done with eye contact or handshake.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
So is there.
Speaker 6 (05:13):
It just show you understand why I the way that
I communicate with people that I negotiate with. So let's
leave it at that. There is no question that in
the case of a player or contract, you have to
have it in writing. All parties do we have a
contract in writing, Yet we're still talking about renegotiating it.
(05:37):
So so much for.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
That fundamental I think that's the way I'm gonna say
that word from now on. Look, Jerry Jones is saying,
like an old school guy, right, a deal is a deal.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
If I shake your hand, I look in the eye,
and we have a deal.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
And if he did that with David Mullagetta, who is
the agent for Micah Parsons, I would say, you know what, Terry,
you got a point.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
I'm on your side on this one. The difference is
he tried to do it to the player.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
The player didn't understand exactly what was happening, went back
to the agent. And that's where we are ian at
that point where Jerry Jones saying I had that deal
with the player and the agent saying, but you didn't
have it with me.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
First of all, I was there yesterday and Oxynard watching
this craziness after practice rams Cowboy's awesome job by Jane
tracking Jerry Jones down getting the one on one, getting
the questions that she really wanted to ask, because these
are the kinds of things that we have all been
dying to hear from Jerry Jones.
Speaker 5 (06:30):
He's talked plenty.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
I'm not saying that, but having someone really explain, like,
what did you think you were doing when you negotiated
with Micah Parsons without his agent, And in the words
of Jerry Jones, he was doing a deal like he
always does. It's very old school, it is very trust oriented,
and at least you can sort of understand why he
is thinking it now. The other part of it is
it's not allowed in the CBA, and most teams negotiate
(06:53):
as they should with the player agents. But at least
we gain the better understanding of what Jerry Jones believes.
That's they are not close. They have not spoken at all,
it seems since this meeting, surely not any substantial contract
negotiations between agent. David Mulgetto represents Michael Parsons and is
one of the best in the NFL landscape and with
(07:14):
Jerry Jones, and until and unless they do that, they're
not getting anywhere.
Speaker 7 (07:18):
Michaeh.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Parsons has been holding in. He has been there, he
has been present, He is not getting fined, He is
protecting his money, but it also doesn't feel like they
are any closer to doing a deal. And until those
sides actually have a conversation agent to owner, this is
where it's gonna stop.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Yeah, there's an episode of the Office where they have
the murder mystery and they're all kind of the three
of them pointing the finger guns at each other.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
That's kind of what this feels like at this point.
Who's gonna blink and who is.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Gonna decide that we need to have a conversation with
his certified representation At some point, we'll see Week one
getting that much closer. Week one of the preseason that
wasn't last week, that's the Hall of Fame week. Here
is Week one of the regular season. Yeah, some pretty
good and pretty interesting storylines to follow here, especially at
the quarterback position. We're gonna get to one of those
(08:08):
in just the second. Judy, you got the Bengals on
your mind though.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Huh Bengals and they are opening the preseason against the Eagles,
and what's going to be different. Well, we're going to
see Joe Burrow and a number of starters play in
this game.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
Typically Zach Taylor does not like to play his.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Starters much in the preseason, but frankly, much of the
conversation around the Bengals, and much of the flought around
the Bengals this offseason has been.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
About how to get out to faster starts.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
The Bengals are one and eleven in the first two
weeks of the regular season in Zach Taylor's six seasons.
They obviously have to get better than that. And one
thing they are going to try is they're going to
play Joe Burrow for a few series, probably Jamar Chase
and a bunch.
Speaker 5 (08:53):
Of other starters. The players have asked for this.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
We have heard them in the offseason and during training
camp say they want to play in the preseason. They
think that will help him. Joe Burrow has had an
excellent training camp. He is fully healthy, really for the
first time in forever. In training camp. This is certainly
a situation where you put your starters out there and
cross your fingers that everybody comes out healthy, but also
with a little bit of work.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
They fished what they wished in that regard they were
going to play. Anthony Richardson is going to play. He
gets the first crack At making a statement to be
the Colts starting quarterback in week one of the regular season.
Daniel Jones going to get the start next week, so
the Colts alternating that they had their depth chart that
said Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones when it came to
who was going to be the starter in the regular season.
(09:40):
So I'm interested to see this one for Richardson. I
will be at this game tomorrow night covering it. Richardson,
you can see him. He looks swelt, he looks lean.
He improved his diet this offseason. That is half the battle.
The other half is playing good football and he's got
to carry any momentum he's had in training camp into
the regular season into these games.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
They want to see in game situations.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
He played well a couple of years ago against the Eagles,
showed his ability with even flapping his wings taunting the fans.
They want to see a little bit of confidence, a
little bit of swag, and some solid football starting in Baltimore.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
Ian Yeah, mostly the solid football part. For the Indianapolis coach.
One of the more interesting quarterback competitions no quarterback competition
in Las Vegas and his Gino Smith's team. But that's
not where all eyes are this Thursday. Obviously, have plenty
of focus on Geno playing these Seahawks, his old team,
But this is about Pete Carroll, right, I mean, isn't
(10:32):
this about Pete Carroll going back to play in front
of his fans, his former team. And you know, you
could sort of say, like, all right, it's a game,
We're gonna just play our guys whatever. Like, talk to
people close to Pete Carroll. He cares about this greatly.
He's looking forward to it. You know, the starters are
not gonna probably play a ton, but he is going
(10:53):
to want to win this game, and he is going
to want to savor the moment for the place where
he won a title, had plenty of wins and then
and did not like anybody wanted. One of the more
fun preseason games on the slate, the Late One on Thursday, Judy.
Speaker 5 (11:09):
All right, let's talk a little business.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
Last night, about twenty four hours ago, the ESPN and
the NFL announced that ESPN will buy the NFL Network
in a deal that will also include ESPN having the
right to distribute NFL Red Zone to pay TV carriers
and also the Fantasy league's ESPN's Fantasy League and the
(11:35):
NFL's Fantasy league.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
They will merge.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
That is all part of a major deal that will
also have the NFL taking in ten percent stake in ESPN.
Commissioner Roger Goodell appeared on Sports Center earlier today to
discuss the deal.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
Here's what he had to say.
Speaker 8 (11:53):
We really truly believe this is going to be an
unbelievable experience for our fans. The ESPN and the NFL
Network and other NFL content.
Speaker 9 (12:05):
Being able to come together.
Speaker 8 (12:07):
As you know, you are so great at understanding what
the fan wants, You're so great at the production side
of this. This will be combined on larger platforms, the
NFL Network as long as well as some of our
other important assets. I think this is just going to
make the experience for our fans even better.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
I talked last night to Robert Kraft, the owner of
the Patriots, who is also the chair of the NFL's
Media Committee. He said this is all about reach, broadening
the reach of the NFL and getting new fans interested
in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
Important for fans to.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Know right now, nothing is changing for the twenty twenty
five season. This still has to be approved by owners
and by regulators. The regulators could take a long time
the projection right now as this could go into twenty
twenty six and perhaps all the way through the twenty
twenty six season, So nothing will change until it passes
through regulators. Everything will stay the same, especially NFL Red
(13:06):
Zone and the NFL Network.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Right here, year thirteen for one of the best tight
ends in the NFL who somehow came back with a
plan to be even better. We've seen Travis Kelce in
the regular seasons the last couple of years hasn't been
his best. He's saved that for the playoffs and the
Super Bowl when that absolutely gotta have it. Came back
a little skinnier this year with eyes of playing all
seventeen games at the highest level. So let's listen to
(13:31):
Travis Kelce tell us all about it.
Speaker 10 (13:34):
Trying to win Super Bowls.
Speaker 9 (13:35):
Man, that's the only way you get there.
Speaker 10 (13:37):
And I think it starts in the offseason and kind
of when you get out here to Saint Joe and
you get in training camp. Man, its just it really
signifies like coming together the chemistry, the culture that you
need to have to keep getting better every single day,
every single week throughout the year and hopefully playing your
best football by December January February.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
Kelsey's right players noticed that. I mean that him losing
weight and getting ready for the season at place he
is something his teammates noticed and something the Arizona Cardinals
are going to notice as well. By the way, that
is their preseason Week one opponent. I am here right
now in Glendale. Practice is still going on. I'm watching
it behind me, and look that guy right there who's.
Speaker 7 (14:19):
Going to join us in a little bit.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Kyler Murray has all of his weapons on offense, and
a lot of the focus nationally and locally has been
Marvin Harrison Junior, one of the more talented receivers. First
receiver taken last year head I would say an okay
rookie year didn't play quite as fast as his talents,
And that really has been the focus for Marvin Harrison
has been playing fast, not thinking, just getting where he
(14:43):
needs to go, not worrying about being such a perfectionist,
and then going and attacking the football. And you know,
this offense has weapons. They got James Connor, they got
Trey McBride. But if Marvin Harrison is going to reach
his potential. He's going to be the kind of player
that he can be. This offense is going to be electric,
and considering the talent that they've acquired on defensive offseason,
(15:04):
Josh Sweat, Walter Noan, and on and on the hour Zone,
the Cardinals should be one of these surprise teams of
the NFL this year.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Mike, Yeah, I saw something on Paris Johnson by the way,
the left tackle, how good he's been and how good
he's become.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
He is a stud doesn't get enough credit. Maybe he
will this upcoming season.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
James Cook looking for credit, Well, he's looking for coin
like that's the kind of credit that he's looking for
right now.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Not practicing again. The hold in.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Continues for Cook, who is looking for a extension off
of his rookie deal. Again, the notion was that he
was looking for like fifteen million per year. Kyron Williams
comes in just now at about eleven, so that seems
to be more in line with what the Bills had
in mind with a deal. We've been hearing that these
sides are not that far apart, or not as far
apart as maybe a hold in might look. So the
(15:52):
hope is that at some point in the near future
it gets done. The Bills set to play the Giants
this weekend at this point, doesn't look like Cook would
be part of that. Not sure if he would be
in the first place anyway, So the sides still trying
to get this thing done.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Judy.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Speaking of the New York Giants, they released their first
depth chart unofficial. As we are constantly reminded, at quarterback
it looks as you probably think it would, Russell Wilson,
Jamis Winston, Jackson Dart, and Tommy DeVito. They have not
yet announced how they are going to handle quarterback reps
in the preseason, starting with the Bills Saturday night, but
I can tell you in talking to some folks around
(16:28):
the Giants, they spend some time this offseason studying how
other teams handle their starters in the preseason. For instance,
they looked at Andy Reid, who places starters more than
most of The Giants are focused those first two games
against division opponents really important.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
They need to get out.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
To a fast start, so don't be surprised if you
see some starters playing, including Russell Wilson, at some point.
Speaker 5 (16:49):
Don't forget, none.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
Of these quarterbacks have experience in Brian day Ball's offense.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Mike, thank you, Judy Elsewhere the Minnesota Viking Minnesota like
getting ready for this upcoming season, trying to prove that
last year's record was not a fluke and they can
run that back with JJ McCarthy, b Byron Murphy Junior
a big part of what they're doing on defense, the quarterback.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
Sat down with our guy Baldi.
Speaker 11 (17:17):
We are live with Byron Murphy Junior at Vikings training
camp here in Egan, Minnesota. This is a nice place,
like my first time out here, Like they know how
to treat people here in Minnesota.
Speaker 12 (17:27):
This is definitely one of the best places in the
world to be, especially a football fans just love us,
you know, we love a fan.
Speaker 13 (17:32):
So it's just a great culture, a great place to
be for sure.
Speaker 11 (17:34):
Skull Skull Skull, Let's get Let's get to the defense,
because the defense tied Pittsburgh for the most takeaways in
the league. You had six of them yourself, You've had
It's really been a nice turn coming here to Minnesota
and playing for Brian. But like before we get into
the intricacies of your defense, Byron, just tell us about
Brian Flores and what what what I mean? If I
(17:55):
was a defensive player, everyone want to come play for him.
Speaker 13 (17:57):
That's how I feel for sure.
Speaker 12 (17:59):
I would definitely say coach Flood is one of the
best best coaches I've ever been a part of. Obviously,
he put guys in the right position, as you see
guys making plays all around the field. But I feel
like just his players go hard from just because you
know the energy he brings every single day.
Speaker 13 (18:12):
But that scheme is just totally different.
Speaker 12 (18:13):
You know, coming here, just seeing the playbook, I was
just like, WHOA, I'm gonna have to, you know, get
in that room and study a little bit more. But definitely,
like I said, the best games I've ever been a
part of.
Speaker 11 (18:21):
Well, I feel like he started it in Miami and
he had some success and when they when you know,
he spent a year in Pittsburgh and you know, and
then Kevin brought him here along with you and a
bunch of other guys over the last couple of years.
And it's it's really like cemented here, and it's it's
kind of like a Blitz zero look, but then it
could be anything, and so it's it's really disguising that look.
(18:45):
And then it's a question of are you breaking down
the protection, who's coming, who's not coming? What are you
and man?
Speaker 14 (18:50):
Or you and zone?
Speaker 11 (18:51):
Are you like going to the deep. I feel like
some of the players in the defense, it's positionless what
they do.
Speaker 12 (18:58):
And I just feel like, you know, he does a
great job making it hal on the offense, not coming
out lining up and just seeing okay, the quarterback is
seeing okay, we're outside leverage, and you know, man covers
those type of things. So for us to be able
to have our safety disguise, have our nickels go out
there and disguise, and you know, all up on the line,
you see all those people, you're probably thinking everyone's coming
and boom we drop out on the zone or something
like that. So that's just what's special about the defense.
And you got guys that's willing to go do things,
(19:19):
you know, for their next guy next to them.
Speaker 11 (19:21):
Well, but I feel like in this league right now,
if you give Joe Burrow or you give Josh Allen,
you give some of these guys like that, look de
Lamar Jackson, you just line up and play defense, They're
gonna carve you.
Speaker 14 (19:32):
Up because they're just that good.
Speaker 13 (19:34):
I feel like, yeah, exactly.
Speaker 12 (19:35):
Quarterbacks are definitely seeing, you know, seeing stuff nowadays, just
so fast that they know where defense we're in, calling
our defense for us. So, like I said, when you
have a scheme like this, I think that's a hard
thing for them to do.
Speaker 11 (19:44):
Like if you ask me, Byron, would you rather lead
the league in defense fewer yards or lead the league
in takeaways? I'll take takeaways every day.
Speaker 13 (19:51):
Definitely take takeaways.
Speaker 12 (19:52):
Obviously, you know, getting you get turnovers, you get paid,
so that money's around the balls, so you gotta go
get that ball for sure.
Speaker 11 (19:57):
So you had the group year had twenty four interceptions,
a bunch of defensive touchdowns, you had six of them.
What what's that like right now? When you know the
balls got to come out hot, like you can almost
you can anticipate the balls got to come out hot.
Depends on who you play, but regardless, like you're gonna
get opportunities.
Speaker 12 (20:17):
I definitely feel that because obviously sending these guys out
here in camp and practice, getting in that backfield every snap,
it's just like, okay, now I got some shorter time.
Speaker 13 (20:23):
So we're in meetings.
Speaker 12 (20:24):
I'm already thanking them guys, like yeah, you guys gonna
give me some more interceptions for sure, because like I said,
that D line there, you know, from the top to
bottom of younger guys as well, they've all been doing
a great job and obviously getting to the quarterback.
Speaker 11 (20:34):
But it's not just scheme. You guys were secondly against
the run. You know, it all starts there. You can't
really get to your your looks, your pressure looks unless
you get them in those you know, situations where they
will be being in passing.
Speaker 12 (20:46):
Situationally, definitely, obviously that's the number one thing. You know,
when you stop the run, it's kind of hard for
our offense to open up their playbooks. So stopping the
run is key for us. We always talk about it.
That's the number one thing, stopping the run. And obviously
now they got to pass the ball and that's when
you know, the DB's have fun.
Speaker 11 (20:59):
Talking about passing. You have a new quarterback here. Everybody
wants to know JJ McCarthy, how he's doing, what's he
doing well all the What have you seen just going
up against him and practice a lot of team periods today?
What have you seen from JJ thus far?
Speaker 12 (21:13):
I would definitely say this, y'all be ready for a
guy that's here ready to work. One of the best
I've seen, you know, obviously been in the rookie seen
a lot of quarterbacks since my rookie year, but I
would say he's one of the guys that you know,
been here putting in the work. I feel like he
can make any throw in the field, you know, from
the boundary to the field, like I said, and just
you know, he's just he's a work guy.
Speaker 13 (21:28):
So he's out here really working.
Speaker 12 (21:29):
Obviously us we're talking stuff a lot, so we're gonna
go compete every single day. He brings that juice every
single day. So I'm really excited for JJ to get
out there.
Speaker 11 (21:37):
Last thing here, Byron, you brought in a lot of
new faces, even on defense, Isaiah Rodgers, Jonathan Allen Hargreave.
I mean, you've got some new faces here that are
all learning this thing. Like, how do you feel like
it's all meshing at this point?
Speaker 12 (21:51):
I would definitely say it's a culture thing here. I
feel like the first day I got here, I felt
like I've been here, So I would just say it's
a culture thing. But when it comes on the field,
I just feel like like when we call something on
the D line, they're already running the stunts one hundred
percent correct. So it's like I feel like the you know,
the mental part, the mental space is already there and
how they're going to play together. So that's a good
thing to see, like when they're rushing like that, already,
let's get ready for a game week.
Speaker 11 (22:10):
So I asked, I asked your head coach, Kevin O'Connell.
I said, you know, how many unscripted periods do you
have where you know you're not going off the script,
So the defense going to get the offense like when
you throw your scheme at them, like are you are
you winning those battles like you have on most Sundays.
Speaker 12 (22:25):
I feel like we're definitely doing a lot of winning
on the defensive side. Sorry, well yeah, we've been winning
on a defensive side. So I feel like cuch Ko
definitely has some pridicies where we got schemed up and
they made some plays. But you know, that's what that's
what it has to go. You know, when you're called,
you know our calls. We got to go actually play
our technique and that's what's gonna get us better.
Speaker 11 (22:41):
Byron, I wish you the best of luck. It is
a fun defense to study. I don't know if people
have figured this thing out. I don't know if they're
gonna figure it out, but either way, good luck to
you and the whole team this season, sir.
Speaker 13 (22:52):
I appreciate you. We're gonna get this thing done.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
If Faldy can't figure it out, the rest of us
are pretty screwed. Cam Mooard might have to figure it
out at some point, the quarterback for the Tennessee Titans.
He does have a defensive guy on his team, saying
that this guy's not getting enough credit. That's Jeffrey Simmons.
He's going to talk to us next on the Insiders.
(23:23):
I was at Chargers on Monday, and by all accounts,
the workout with Keenan Allen over the weekend went swimming league.
Just a matter of getting the right numbers. I said,
this thing's going to be done in no time and
short enough. The next day done Nel Keenan Allen officially
back to the Chargers a one year deal worth up
to eight point five million dollars.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
He did quote Keenan Allen things.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
In that workout. That's what Jim Harball said. So they
are happy to have him back Mike Williams, remember he
came in. That was the reunion at the start of
training camp he retired. Well, now you get a different
veteran back there to help a bunch of youngsters that
they feel really good about us. They feel really good
about those guys. But to have a Keenan Allen there
to not only get the production on the field, but
help these guys day in and day out show what
(24:07):
it's like to be a pro.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Huge for the Chargers in.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
Should be a really really good final piece for Los Angeles. Meanwhile,
a little bit of a scare for the Carolina Panthers
and their superstar corner J C.
Speaker 7 (24:19):
Horn.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
He was in a car accident on Wednesday. He did
not practice today by all accounts checked out. Okay, did
have some stitches, I believe on his thumb, eight or
so stitches on his thumb, but is generally okay, not
something that is going to take him off the field
for very long. But considering what it could have been,
considering the scare here in Carolina, there is for sure
(24:43):
a sire of relief for one of the best players
on which should be a resurgent defense in Carolina, Judy.
Speaker 4 (24:51):
Could we possibly see Aaron Rodgers on the field during
the preseason. Maybe he did not rule out that possibility.
He does not expect to play in Week one of
the preseason, but he said he is open to playing
in the preseason if that's what Mike Tomlin wants to do.
Rodgers actually played in the preseason two years ago. That
was his first season with the Jets. Before that, it
(25:12):
hadn't been since twenty eighteen when he was on the
field in the preseason. Obviously, the risk, of course is injury.
But in Rogers' case, we know he signed very late
in the spring, so he certainly didn't have a full
offseason of work with the offense and with offensive coordinator
Arthur Smith. One other wrinkle, Will Howard d rookie quarterback,
is not going to be available. He's out a few
(25:32):
weeks with a broken bone in his throwing hand after
banging his hand on a helmet.
Speaker 5 (25:37):
So keep your eyes open.
Speaker 4 (25:38):
Maybe we see a little there Aaron Rodgers in the preseason.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
Rogers played against the Giants in that preseason, threw a
touchdown to Garrett Wilson and then got into it with
Jihad Ward.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
That was an interesting night. We'll see about that. Mike
Rabel bleeding.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Why because he like, I get it right, Like he
still got that mentality that's kind of way he was
as a player. And it's like, oh there's a scuffle
in practice, let me stick my head in the middle
of it.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Here's Drake May.
Speaker 15 (26:07):
That's what we're trying to build, I think. And it
starts with the coach. Starts with the head coach. The intensity,
bring it every day, you'll take it, no crap, and
you'll right there on the field. But also it comes
to a time where with our guys offensively and get
over there and get some tussles and kind of have
some penalties and extra alfter the whistle, you can get
us some trouble. But to mentality, I like it.
Speaker 7 (26:26):
I think that's what you want.
Speaker 15 (26:27):
I mean, I almost got in there, but I think
maybe another day maybe, so we'll see.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
You know, in baseball Ian the manager is not maybe
not so much anymore, but they wear the full uniform.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Maybe like this is a good just you know, at
least a helmet. If he's gonna keep doing.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
This, Yeah, I mean I would say if you told
me that Mike Grave was gonna head out to Patriots
practice in a full uniform, maybe with advisor to fully
protect him, maybe some gloves like old school linemen gloves
where you're like, how many fingers does he have? Or
is that just a club? I would I could see
that and like, look, this is all like pretty funny, right,
(27:03):
Mike 're Able getting bloodied in some sort of a
scuffle during practice makes me laugh and I'm laughing about
it right now, just because it's utterly ridiculous. But the
mentality that he's trying to bring to New England is
not ridiculous, and so like this is a funny deal,
but it's also quite real because if the Patriots are
going to get better from last year, and I believe
they are, it's going to be to set the foundation
(27:24):
of a certain level of like grid and nastiness. And
what better way to find out than to have your
bloodied head coach showing everyone.
Speaker 7 (27:31):
All by himself.
Speaker 5 (27:33):
I can think of a few toughest guy on that team.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
Yeah, toughest guy on that team is going to be
the head coach. All right, let's go to the Browns.
It is going to be the Shadoor Sanders Show. Browns
at Panthers, seven pm Friday, Live on the NFL Network. Why, Well,
because they don't want to put Joe Flacco on the field.
Speaker 5 (27:55):
Why would you risk injury?
Speaker 4 (27:56):
They already know what he can do, and basically every
other quarterback they have on the roster is banged up
right now? Can he piket hamstring injury? Dylan Gabriel also
a hamstring injury. Shardor Sanders is going to get an
enormous opportunity, a big showcase to show why maybe he
should be moved up from fourth on the depth chart,
(28:18):
which is where he is in the first unofficial depth
chart for the Browns. Big showcase for Sanders, I think
we're all ready to sit back and watch Mike.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Yeah, great opportunity because you're playing with maybe the second
string offensive line instead of the third string line.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
That was the trade off with him and.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Dylan Gabriel Cambard playing with the first string offensive line.
Because this guy is in line to be the starter
right out of the gate for the Tennessee Titans come
week one. Jeffrey Simmons is excited to see it. He
spoke to our Sarah Walsh.
Speaker 16 (28:50):
We'll start with your quarterback, right because so many people
have eyes on the quarterback and I love this offseason
and offseason workouts, you were kind of going at it
with Cam.
Speaker 17 (28:58):
You sort of took pride and Cam went back.
Speaker 16 (29:00):
You tell me about that relationship and what it's been like,
John with Cam a little bit.
Speaker 9 (29:04):
You know.
Speaker 18 (29:04):
First off, I mean me and Cam we met each
other going, you know, coming into training camp.
Speaker 9 (29:10):
I remember maybe it was it was mini camp.
Speaker 18 (29:13):
Actually we went to a proper party together and that
was my first time meeting him, uh in personally, because
of course I wasn't here doing OTAs. And you know,
I told him, I said, I heard you been talking
a lot of smack to my defense and I heard
you been dicing us up. I said, they ain't changed
when I come when I get back, and you know,
we started drawing back and forth, and when we actually
came on the football field, it was a little more
(29:33):
and I was like, okay, young Buck, he ain't just talking.
Speaker 9 (29:36):
You know, he bought it. And but it's been real good.
Speaker 18 (29:39):
Cam a guy who he's very competitive, you know, he's
a guy that wanted to be good. You know, it's
been good for us on defense too, because I mean,
Cam mobile, he could be able to get out of
the pocket, and you know, he could make every throw.
Speaker 9 (29:53):
And I remember I was rushing.
Speaker 18 (29:54):
I had a nice bull on the quarterback on Cam
and he threw the ball side on around me to
get the ball to Rid. I'm like, hell, I did
he just do that? But you know, even so good
to learn who Cam is off the field. I think
that's the biggest thing about this game of football. You
create them bunts off the field, and you know, being
able to I don't know you guys saw the pictures,
(30:16):
but you know we went fishing together, and you know
I was giving We're talking smack on the boat. You know,
you know I was giving hell by him getting hung
up twice and just things in that nature, you know,
being able to spend time outside of the building. That's
how I feel like we're gonna be better together. We're
gonna be as a team together. And he could understand
and trust me that I got his back. When it
(30:36):
comes down for Sunday.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Welcome back to the Insiders. We have a very special guest,
actually two very special guests. We have Cynthy Frielan making
her Insider's debut, which is exciting, but to be Soper exciting,
not as exciting as Kyler Murray also making his Insider's debut.
Kyler Happy birthday tomorrow.
Speaker 7 (30:58):
Turning twenty eight.
Speaker 14 (30:59):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
Thank you for joining us. We've watched you practice. You
guys are at the tail end of training camp. It
has been a good one. It has been a productive
and intense one. What have you learned about your team
these last couple of weeks.
Speaker 14 (31:12):
I think we've just been stacking really great days. You know.
Speaker 19 (31:15):
Obviously this is for me. It's been one of the
most competitive camps that I've been a part of. I
think the team is complete as far as you know.
We added depth all across the board. MANI and the
guys JG wanted to hit the defense really hard in
this all season. I think they went and did that,
and it's shown out there during camp. You know, we've gone
back and forth, but I think that's what's gonna make
us great.
Speaker 17 (31:34):
So this year, it's so amazing how long you've been
in the league and you're only almost twenty eight years old.
What feels different? You say it's more competitive. It's more like,
what is different exactly?
Speaker 19 (31:44):
Oh, you know, every year is different. Every year is different.
I would say this though. For me, just being around
the guys. I think this is again I go back
to saying that this is probably the most complete team
I've been on, as far as dev goes, as far
as O line, D line, guys that have been here
building a foundation, and those guys growing within the system.
For me, that's probably been the most uh you know,
(32:06):
different thing that I've witnessed.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
You guys had eight wins last year, obviously no playoffs,
but close, and really feels like we've talked about this
some today, really feels like you guys are at a
point roster wise where I know Monty wanted to get
to and I know you wanted to get to. What
did you take from last season? And how ready do
you think this team is to get to the playoffs?
Speaker 14 (32:29):
I mean, I know we're ready. I know we're ready.
You know.
Speaker 19 (32:31):
I feel like last year, like you said, we were close,
really close, had some you know, unfortunate breaks, didn't make
a couple of plays that we felt like we should
have made, and ended up watching the playoffs on TV.
And that's not where we want to be and that's
not where I want to be. So again, I think
we hit the uh, we hit the team hard this offseason.
Continue to grow and continue to work, continue to stack
days this camp, and I think that's on us to
(32:51):
go out and next cue when the when the season
comes here.
Speaker 17 (32:54):
So it's the last day of open practice and the
fans I have it. I'm holding it, and the fans
surprise you with a little bit. Not only we're missing
the card that they all signed for you, which was
pretty cool, but tell us a little bit about what
we got going on here in my lap.
Speaker 19 (33:07):
Yeah, just uh they made me a chess board, you know,
out of a you know, Cardinals decoration. I appreciate it, man,
I appreciate it makes it all worth it, you know,
to have people that truly care about you.
Speaker 14 (33:18):
Obviously, they don't have to make me anything for my birthday.
Speaker 19 (33:20):
You know, they don't know me personally, you know, but
it means the world to me that fans care enough
to uh do something as selfless as do you know,
take the time out of their day, you know, to
make me something like you know, because dope stope.
Speaker 17 (33:33):
So you and I hang out in the off season
for one day and it's to play in the Chess
dot Com Championship. And every year Blit's Champs. You've been
getting better and better. What if you had to say,
you know what can can we do like a little
listen week one you get a chance to avenge just
read whatever. We're not about that, but yeah, like like
can we talk a little chess trash?
Speaker 5 (33:51):
Please?
Speaker 14 (33:52):
What's your best?
Speaker 17 (33:53):
Like you know you're you don't say anything during the tournament,
but it's a little chess trash.
Speaker 14 (33:56):
Do you like my you like my aesthetic?
Speaker 9 (33:58):
Like?
Speaker 14 (33:58):
Did you like the fruit? The fruit play the fruit plate?
Speaker 17 (34:00):
We were talking about your healthy dining options during this
whole time? Was it was actually very great. It was
in his house. He was dialed in like we're talking
like there was no hotel. Your micro expressions were completely
locked in, So it was great. It was great.
Speaker 3 (34:14):
Let's talk about one of the chess pieces they have
here on their offense, Marvin Harrison Junior, who got a
little bit bigger, looked I thought looked really good out
there today. And when I talked to the coach, like
you'll see it. What have you seen from Marv this
year that maybe we didn't always see last year?
Speaker 19 (34:30):
I told people all the time, you know, rookie years,
it's it's different for everybody. It's different. And I think
you know, for him. It's just the game had to
slow down. I know, we all know, we all witnessed it. Uh,
towards the end of the season, you only started get
more comfortable, start to get better. And then going to
this offseason, the guy's talking more. Everybody keeps coming up
to me on Mar's personalities, showing this and that. I'm like, bro,
he like, it's you know, you just gotta let guys
(34:51):
mature and like you know, sometimes it takes time. I
got no doubt he's gonna do what he's capable of.
I know he's gonna do it. You know, I'm confident
in Marvin. He's com himself.
Speaker 14 (35:00):
So, like like coach you said, I believe everybody will
see it this season.
Speaker 17 (35:04):
So you say he's talking more, like I mean, just
rate his talk on a scale of one to ten,
ten being the best, of course.
Speaker 14 (35:11):
Trash talk.
Speaker 19 (35:11):
Yeah, oh no, no, Marv, Marv's talking communicating, lead by
example type of guy.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Okay, trash talk at all because his dad's kind of
a quiet dude.
Speaker 19 (35:20):
Yeahah, Mars, Mars, Marv, let's his play talk for himself.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
So you mentioned you know this roster is in a
better place. You mentioned how hard you guys have gone
against the defense. There's been some additions, Joshua probably the
biggest name when Walter Nolan, I know, is injured now.
But someone who, uh, this coaching staff and personnel group
expects a lot from as you guys kept making some
of these additions on defense, what did you think?
Speaker 19 (35:45):
I mean, I loved it personally, you know, I loved it.
I understand how this. You know, I've been playing this
game for my whole life. So uh, now, this being
year seven in the league, if you've got a great defense,
you got a chance, you know. And I believe those
guys gonna be great this season. Obviously, Buddha has been here, blood,
sweat and tears. Kalai is coming back guys you just mentioned.
But I think we got some guys that people don't
really know about that are going to surprise some people
(36:07):
and collectively as a as a unit, you know, I
think those guys got something to prove this season, and
I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 14 (36:13):
Man, there that's a hunger group.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
I love it.
Speaker 17 (36:15):
So how's Will Johnson doing with, you know, lining up
against Marvin?
Speaker 14 (36:18):
Yeah? I love Will. I love well. I was He's
one of the guys.
Speaker 19 (36:21):
One of the rookies that I've gotten to know, uh,
pretty closely, just being around him, you know, talking to him,
picking him his brain. Yeah, I know, I know he
fell in the draft obviously, and that that was pretty
crazy to me. But glad we got him. And you know,
he's he's everything that he's been cracked up to be.
You know, he's a he's a football player.
Speaker 3 (36:38):
Those draft journeys and his was a tough one. He's
just considering his talent. But you're also watching and there
must be some part of you were like, hang on,
like he's falling.
Speaker 2 (36:47):
He's falling, right.
Speaker 19 (36:48):
Yeah, I mean I'm just like you know, anybody else.
I love the game, and it's like, uh, when your
draft comes around, you're like a you know, a kid
in the candy store.
Speaker 13 (36:55):
It's just and then you.
Speaker 14 (36:56):
Got a guy like Will falling, falling, falling.
Speaker 19 (36:58):
I'm like, all right, money, alright, money, al right, please.
You know, if if he gets our pick, you know,
can we pick him? And then obviously we picked Will
and it was you know, at that point, you know
you got.
Speaker 2 (37:06):
A good player.
Speaker 19 (37:06):
I mean he was what he was a top fifteen
player in the draft, so you know, draft day, so
you know.
Speaker 14 (37:12):
I'm glad he's on our team.
Speaker 17 (37:13):
Tell your PR staff that I said he's the steal
of the draft.
Speaker 9 (37:16):
Got you are you?
Speaker 14 (37:16):
Are you a Wolverine?
Speaker 17 (37:17):
I'm not a Wolverine but from Michigan, but I think
he was the steal of the draft. And use those
words and there you go. Thank you for your time.
You really appreciate. Have the best birthday ever, and have
a great season.
Speaker 20 (37:26):
Kyle of great stuff.
Speaker 9 (37:27):
Really appreciate you.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Excellent debut on the Insider, Cynthia, pretty decent job as well.
Not done here yet, though, We got plenty more coming
up on the Insiders, including a look at that guy
right there, Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of
the more fascinating teams in the NFL. We are gonna
go inside with the Jaguars coming up next.
Speaker 4 (37:57):
Travis Hunter is maybe the most fascinating player in the
NFL right now. He wants to play both ways, wide
receiver and quarterback. He is practicing both ways, literally switching
sides and switching jerseys. Midway through practice. Tom pallisera or
Mark Ross saw all the action up close. Here they
are from Jacksonville.
Speaker 20 (38:18):
A typically sunny day down here in Jacksonville. We didn't
just get good weather, Mark, we also saw some pretty
good offensive football out there.
Speaker 21 (38:25):
Yeah, for sure, a lot of excitement on the offensive
side of the ball. Trevor Lawrence was sharp. And we
talked to new GM James Gladstone this morning and he
was talking about Trevor Lawrence's new aggressiveness and he loves that.
And two plays later, hit like a fifty yard bomb
down the field, split in the safety's there.
Speaker 7 (38:40):
So he delivered. Treffor delivered on what the new GM
was talking about.
Speaker 21 (38:44):
And you know, there has to be excitement for Trevor
Lawrence tom of just getting stability around him because he's
had He's on his third head coach and second GM,
and it seems to have affected him in the year's past.
Speaker 7 (38:55):
But now he said that he feels a.
Speaker 21 (38:57):
Reinvigoration of having that foundation and stability, and to a man,
everybody talks about that. Look, whether the experiment of new
head coach Liam Cohen and new GM James Gladstone work.
I just like that they're doing it together, that they're
not piece bailing it together, of having a GM heel here,
firing a head coach now bringing another coach in that, hey,
look these guys are on a sink or swim with
(39:18):
one another.
Speaker 20 (39:18):
He has not just stability, but health as well. Trevor Tols,
this is the healthiest he's felt in a long time.
He had the recurring ankle injuries a couple of years ago.
Last year he was dealing with the shoulder, and that
surgery of reset process into this offseason also helps when
you keep adding the parts around him and listen, no
team's gonna be perfect in the first year with a
new GM and a new head coach. Be look at
Brian Thomas Junior, who barely even got to play with
(39:39):
Trevor Lawrence last year. What a factor he can be.
And then they had the guy that we saw switching
back and forth between two different jerseys throughout practice, Travis Well.
Speaker 21 (39:47):
We've heard about Travis Hunter in college and in the preseason,
but actually see it at practice and I've never seen
that before.
Speaker 7 (39:53):
Of you know, he's got his little penny.
Speaker 21 (39:55):
Jersey on and he takes it off, he goes in
a drill and he goes and flips and puts it
back on, takes it off on offense, on defense. So
it's going to be really exciting to see how Travis
Hunter is employed throughout the season, and Coach Cohen talked
about it that it could be a game by game,
it could be half by half depending on where he
lines up and how they employ him. But Brian Thomas
Junior the foundation of one of the top ten, top
(40:16):
five receiver in this league.
Speaker 7 (40:17):
The defensive side of the ball. We talked to Josh Hines.
Speaker 21 (40:20):
Allen and Devin Lloyd is on that side. So they
do have talent. They do have some talent. Now whether
it all comes together, we'll see how fast that happens
with a new head coach. But there is signs of
optimism with not just the foundation, but as you mentioned,
they do have some talent to compete.
Speaker 20 (40:34):
No one did Josh Heinzellen say when I asked him,
what if anything gives you optimism? Do you guys can
not just be on the rise, but compete to make
the playoffs in twenty twenty five, He said, if you
don't believe that right now, you gotta get off the seed.
You gotta go, You gotta get out of the locker
room here. It's been a lot. When you can just
look over Trevor Lawrence's career five years. You've gone from
Ervin Meyer to Doug Peterson to Liam Cohen, different offenses,
(40:56):
different schemes. There is an energy level there. You can
say that about every campus. There's reasons for optimisms, but
you really feel it right here. All these young head coach,
young coordinators. There's a lot of that kind of youthful
exuberant the sense just watching these guys out on.
Speaker 21 (41:09):
The field, for sure, and this time you hear everyone
talks about it, but to actually have that belief and
that goes a long way. When players are looking at
the chaos, tom they get it. They're smart and they're like,
why am I going to get my all when I
got all this chaos going on? But now it seems
as if, yes, I believe in what's going on here.
And when you believe, you can go out here in
one hundred degrees and practice and sweat and be like,
(41:30):
we have a goal that we're going to get to and.
Speaker 7 (41:32):
We're going to win.
Speaker 20 (41:33):
Liam Cohen told us he's now you made a final
decision on whether or not his guys are going to
play in the preseason opener on Saturday against Pittsburgh. When
I pressed him and said, hey, a lot of people
are gonna be tuning in to see one guy. He said,
likely Travis Hunter will be on the field.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
Thank you, Tom.
Speaker 1 (41:50):
All right, that'll do it for our inside Training Camp
coverage today. Training camps continue and we will have coverage
on NFL Network. But what we call inside training camp
or we go wall a wall done so. Judy favorite
camp moment to this point.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
You might agree with this, but it is when Sierra
stopped by to talk to you and me at Giants practice.
Speaker 5 (42:11):
She was lovely, The kids are lovely.
Speaker 4 (42:14):
She was really happy with how Russell threw the ball
that day in Giants practice.
Speaker 5 (42:19):
Really loves New York. It was just a really nice
conversation with Sierra.
Speaker 2 (42:24):
Yeah. I hope to have many more I didn't get.
Speaker 3 (42:28):
I didn't get very many celebrity moments. Here's my favorite moment.
My flight from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas was delayed three
and a half hours, so I paid cash and bought
a Spirit Airline coach ticket to go from Pittsburgh to Vegas.
I landed on time. Back was hurting, but I was
so happy to get there in time to talk to
the raiders.
Speaker 1 (42:46):
Mike, Wow, we had the same moment No, I love
what George Kittle crashed car set yesterday.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
That was awesome. Go find that clip.
Speaker 1 (42:53):
That's just the Insiders preseason week one, upon us fired
up for it,
Week one of the preseason almost upon us Week one
of the regular season not far behind it. Teams around
the NFL continue to get ready in training camp, and
we are there with all the coverage Jacksonville, Tennessee, Minnesota,
Arizona and more. You're gonna hear about it all here
on The Insiders. Welcome Inside with the Insiders, Judy Battista,
(00:32):
Ian Rapaport with me here tonight. We are gonna hear
from a few folks that you're gonna want to stay
tuned in for tonight. Kyler Murray of the Cardinal's gonna
join us, Jeffrey Simmons of the Titans, and Byron Murphy,
the cornerback for the Vikings, gonna be along as well.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
He will sit down with Baldy.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
You know there's gonna be some hardcore football discussion happening there,
as there always.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Is so plenty to get to throughout the show. We're
gonna start here with this news.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Earlier today from the Rap Report, we knew that Stafford,
Matthew Stafford, was dealing with a back injury. Ian with
the details an aggravated disc and an epidural to help
make that potentially subside and go away. The Rams have
been confident all along that he will be ready for
week one. But there you see the details. This is
nothing to sneeze at. In fact, ian, if you sneeze
(01:20):
with an aggravated disc, it hurts very much, as do
a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Of other things.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So give us the breakdown home where Stafford stands and
if that confidence that the Rams are expressing for week
one is warranted.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Yeah, sir Luman, you're one of the older guys like
me and you and Matthew Stafford. All these things become
issues back, issues become nagging, and that really is where
it stands for Matthew Stafford. We knew that he had
to soar back. Some details now have emerged my understanding.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
As I wrote right there.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Aggravated disc something that Matthew Stafford has received an epidole
to help him deal with the pain, is not considered
to be major and I would expect him to practice
sooner rather than later, And as you mentioned, is not
something to kind of shrug at. He is an older
player and these types of things can crop up. And
what they've tried to do over the last couple of
weeks while he has not been practicing is strength in
(02:11):
the area around the disc to make sure that when
he does get on the playing field, if he gets
contorted in the wrong way or hidden the wrong way,
that he is going to be fine. They have a
good backup quarterback, and Jimmy Garoppolo is someone who I
know Sean McVay believes can be a starter once again
in the league. In fact, that's one of the reasons
why Jimmy Garoppolo signed there to help his march back
(02:31):
to being a starter. They just hope nobody finds out
about it this year because, as he said, Judy, the
Rams are confident and firmly believed that Matthew Stafford will
be on the field for Week one.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
You know, our buddy Greg Rosenthal asked this on Twitter
x whatever a.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
Few days ago.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Is it time to panic yet about the Matthew Stafford
back situation? It seems like the Rams are not panicking.
They're definitely not panicking. Part of the reason, of course,
because we still have a month to go before the
regular season starts. The other part is because this seems
to be as much about management as anything else.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
This is the kind of injury that can linger.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
They obviously want him to feel as good as he
possibly can for the start of the season, but it
is the kind of thing they are likely going to
have to manage throughout the season. Again, he is an
older quarterback back injuries tend to linger, so they are
going to have to figure out how to get him
through the season.
Speaker 5 (03:27):
He's going to have.
Speaker 4 (03:28):
To figure out how to get himself through the season.
No need for panic yet. They are still convinced that
he will be ready for Week one. As you pointed out,
Jimmy Garoppolo is there. They've got arguably the best backup
quarterback situation.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
In the entire NFL.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Still, this is something to keep an eye on as
we push further into August. He's obviously not going to
participate in preseason games, but this is a team with
very real Super Bowl aspirations. The well being of their
starting quarterback is really important to keep an eye on this.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
JBG had a few options softseason as a free agent,
decided to go back to the rams Ian. You mentioned
that Sean McVay thinks extremely highly of him, and even
if Matthew Stafford is back for Week one and is playing,
it's not like this is something that could potentially just.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Boom go away.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
It still could linger into the season, So Jimmy g
remains an important part of the Rams twenty twenty five season.
Will Michael Parsons play for the Cowboys in twenty twenty five?
Will he play Week one for Dallas?
Speaker 2 (04:24):
These are the questions that we have amongst others.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Maybe Andrew Whitworth was trying to get to the bottom
of here as he was speaking to Micah Parsons yesterday
with the Cowboys our Jan Slater asking Jerry Jones the
right questions.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Now, just follow the logic on this one.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
How would you describe a deal getting so to speak,
done and then walked away from I.
Speaker 6 (04:48):
Bought to Dallas Cowboys with a handshake, took about thirty seconds,
and gave the numbers, shook hands. The details we worked
out later. As a matter of fact, one of the
details involved a lot of money and we had to
flip a coin over that. But the fundamental I'm buying
and you're going to sell it to me for that range,
(05:08):
that's done and those are done with eye contact or handshake.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
So is there.
Speaker 6 (05:13):
It just show you understand why I the way that
I communicate with people that I negotiate with. So let's
leave it at that. There is no question that in
the case of a player or contract, you have to
have it in writing. All parties do we have a
contract in writing, Yet we're still talking about renegotiating it.
(05:37):
So so much for.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
That fundamental I think that's the way I'm gonna say
that word from now on. Look, Jerry Jones is saying,
like an old school guy, right, a deal is a deal.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
If I shake your hand, I look in the eye,
and we have a deal.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
And if he did that with David Mullagetta, who is
the agent for Micah Parsons, I would say, you know what, Terry,
you got a point.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
I'm on your side on this one. The difference is
he tried to do it to the player.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
The player didn't understand exactly what was happening, went back
to the agent. And that's where we are ian at
that point where Jerry Jones saying I had that deal
with the player and the agent saying, but you didn't
have it with me.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
First of all, I was there yesterday and Oxynard watching
this craziness after practice rams Cowboy's awesome job by Jane
tracking Jerry Jones down getting the one on one, getting
the questions that she really wanted to ask, because these
are the kinds of things that we have all been
dying to hear from Jerry Jones.
Speaker 5 (06:30):
He's talked plenty.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
I'm not saying that, but having someone really explain, like,
what did you think you were doing when you negotiated
with Micah Parsons without his agent, And in the words
of Jerry Jones, he was doing a deal like he
always does. It's very old school, it is very trust oriented,
and at least you can sort of understand why he
is thinking it now. The other part of it is
it's not allowed in the CBA, and most teams negotiate
(06:53):
as they should with the player agents. But at least
we gain the better understanding of what Jerry Jones believes.
That's they are not close. They have not spoken at all,
it seems since this meeting, surely not any substantial contract
negotiations between agent. David Mulgetto represents Michael Parsons and is
one of the best in the NFL landscape and with
(07:14):
Jerry Jones, and until and unless they do that, they're
not getting anywhere.
Speaker 7 (07:18):
Michaeh.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Parsons has been holding in. He has been there, he
has been present, He is not getting fined, He is
protecting his money, but it also doesn't feel like they
are any closer to doing a deal. And until those
sides actually have a conversation agent to owner, this is
where it's gonna stop.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Yeah, there's an episode of the Office where they have
the murder mystery and they're all kind of the three
of them pointing the finger guns at each other.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
That's kind of what this feels like at this point.
Who's gonna blink and who is.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Gonna decide that we need to have a conversation with
his certified representation At some point, we'll see Week one
getting that much closer. Week one of the preseason that
wasn't last week, that's the Hall of Fame week. Here
is Week one of the regular season. Yeah, some pretty
good and pretty interesting storylines to follow here, especially at
the quarterback position. We're gonna get to one of those
(08:08):
in just the second. Judy, you got the Bengals on
your mind though.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
Huh Bengals and they are opening the preseason against the Eagles,
and what's going to be different. Well, we're going to
see Joe Burrow and a number of starters play in
this game.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
Typically Zach Taylor does not like to play his.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Starters much in the preseason, but frankly, much of the
conversation around the Bengals, and much of the flought around
the Bengals this offseason has been.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
About how to get out to faster starts.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
The Bengals are one and eleven in the first two
weeks of the regular season in Zach Taylor's six seasons.
They obviously have to get better than that. And one
thing they are going to try is they're going to
play Joe Burrow for a few series, probably Jamar Chase
and a bunch.
Speaker 5 (08:53):
Of other starters. The players have asked for this.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
We have heard them in the offseason and during training
camp say they want to play in the preseason. They
think that will help him. Joe Burrow has had an
excellent training camp. He is fully healthy, really for the
first time in forever. In training camp. This is certainly
a situation where you put your starters out there and
cross your fingers that everybody comes out healthy, but also
with a little bit of work.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
They fished what they wished in that regard they were
going to play. Anthony Richardson is going to play. He
gets the first crack At making a statement to be
the Colts starting quarterback in week one of the regular season.
Daniel Jones going to get the start next week, so
the Colts alternating that they had their depth chart that
said Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones when it came to
who was going to be the starter in the regular season.
(09:40):
So I'm interested to see this one for Richardson. I
will be at this game tomorrow night covering it. Richardson,
you can see him. He looks swelt, he looks lean.
He improved his diet this offseason. That is half the battle.
The other half is playing good football and he's got
to carry any momentum he's had in training camp into
the regular season into these games.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
They want to see in game situations.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
He played well a couple of years ago against the Eagles,
showed his ability with even flapping his wings taunting the fans.
They want to see a little bit of confidence, a
little bit of swag, and some solid football starting in Baltimore.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
Ian Yeah, mostly the solid football part. For the Indianapolis coach.
One of the more interesting quarterback competitions no quarterback competition
in Las Vegas and his Gino Smith's team. But that's
not where all eyes are this Thursday. Obviously, have plenty
of focus on Geno playing these Seahawks, his old team,
But this is about Pete Carroll, right, I mean, isn't
(10:32):
this about Pete Carroll going back to play in front
of his fans, his former team. And you know, you
could sort of say, like, all right, it's a game,
We're gonna just play our guys whatever. Like, talk to
people close to Pete Carroll. He cares about this greatly.
He's looking forward to it. You know, the starters are
not gonna probably play a ton, but he is going
(10:53):
to want to win this game, and he is going
to want to savor the moment for the place where
he won a title, had plenty of wins and then
and did not like anybody wanted. One of the more
fun preseason games on the slate, the Late One on Thursday, Judy.
Speaker 5 (11:09):
All right, let's talk a little business.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
Last night, about twenty four hours ago, the ESPN and
the NFL announced that ESPN will buy the NFL Network
in a deal that will also include ESPN having the
right to distribute NFL Red Zone to pay TV carriers
and also the Fantasy league's ESPN's Fantasy League and the
(11:35):
NFL's Fantasy league.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
They will merge.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
That is all part of a major deal that will
also have the NFL taking in ten percent stake in ESPN.
Commissioner Roger Goodell appeared on Sports Center earlier today to
discuss the deal.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
Here's what he had to say.
Speaker 8 (11:53):
We really truly believe this is going to be an
unbelievable experience for our fans. The ESPN and the NFL
Network and other NFL content.
Speaker 9 (12:05):
Being able to come together.
Speaker 8 (12:07):
As you know, you are so great at understanding what
the fan wants, You're so great at the production side
of this. This will be combined on larger platforms, the
NFL Network as long as well as some of our
other important assets. I think this is just going to
make the experience for our fans even better.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
I talked last night to Robert Kraft, the owner of
the Patriots, who is also the chair of the NFL's
Media Committee. He said this is all about reach, broadening
the reach of the NFL and getting new fans interested
in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
Important for fans to.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Know right now, nothing is changing for the twenty twenty
five season. This still has to be approved by owners
and by regulators. The regulators could take a long time
the projection right now as this could go into twenty
twenty six and perhaps all the way through the twenty
twenty six season, So nothing will change until it passes
through regulators. Everything will stay the same, especially NFL Red
(13:06):
Zone and the NFL Network.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Right here, year thirteen for one of the best tight
ends in the NFL who somehow came back with a
plan to be even better. We've seen Travis Kelce in
the regular seasons the last couple of years hasn't been
his best. He's saved that for the playoffs and the
Super Bowl when that absolutely gotta have it. Came back
a little skinnier this year with eyes of playing all
seventeen games at the highest level. So let's listen to
(13:31):
Travis Kelce tell us all about it.
Speaker 10 (13:34):
Trying to win Super Bowls.
Speaker 9 (13:35):
Man, that's the only way you get there.
Speaker 10 (13:37):
And I think it starts in the offseason and kind
of when you get out here to Saint Joe and
you get in training camp. Man, its just it really
signifies like coming together the chemistry, the culture that you
need to have to keep getting better every single day,
every single week throughout the year and hopefully playing your
best football by December January February.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
Kelsey's right players noticed that. I mean that him losing
weight and getting ready for the season at place he
is something his teammates noticed and something the Arizona Cardinals
are going to notice as well. By the way, that
is their preseason Week one opponent. I am here right
now in Glendale. Practice is still going on. I'm watching
it behind me, and look that guy right there who's.
Speaker 7 (14:19):
Going to join us in a little bit.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Kyler Murray has all of his weapons on offense, and
a lot of the focus nationally and locally has been
Marvin Harrison Junior, one of the more talented receivers. First
receiver taken last year head I would say an okay
rookie year didn't play quite as fast as his talents,
And that really has been the focus for Marvin Harrison
has been playing fast, not thinking, just getting where he
(14:43):
needs to go, not worrying about being such a perfectionist,
and then going and attacking the football. And you know,
this offense has weapons. They got James Connor, they got
Trey McBride. But if Marvin Harrison is going to reach
his potential. He's going to be the kind of player
that he can be. This offense is going to be electric,
and considering the talent that they've acquired on defensive offseason,
(15:04):
Josh Sweat, Walter Noan, and on and on the hour Zone,
the Cardinals should be one of these surprise teams of
the NFL this year.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Mike, Yeah, I saw something on Paris Johnson by the way,
the left tackle, how good he's been and how good
he's become.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
He is a stud doesn't get enough credit. Maybe he
will this upcoming season.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
James Cook looking for credit, Well, he's looking for coin
like that's the kind of credit that he's looking for
right now.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Not practicing again. The hold in.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Continues for Cook, who is looking for a extension off
of his rookie deal. Again, the notion was that he
was looking for like fifteen million per year. Kyron Williams
comes in just now at about eleven, so that seems
to be more in line with what the Bills had
in mind with a deal. We've been hearing that these
sides are not that far apart, or not as far
apart as maybe a hold in might look. So the
(15:52):
hope is that at some point in the near future
it gets done. The Bills set to play the Giants
this weekend at this point, doesn't look like Cook would
be part of that. Not sure if he would be
in the first place anyway, So the sides still trying
to get this thing done.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Judy.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Speaking of the New York Giants, they released their first
depth chart unofficial. As we are constantly reminded, at quarterback
it looks as you probably think it would, Russell Wilson,
Jamis Winston, Jackson Dart, and Tommy DeVito. They have not
yet announced how they are going to handle quarterback reps
in the preseason, starting with the Bills Saturday night, but
I can tell you in talking to some folks around
(16:28):
the Giants, they spend some time this offseason studying how
other teams handle their starters in the preseason. For instance,
they looked at Andy Reid, who places starters more than
most of The Giants are focused those first two games
against division opponents really important.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
They need to get out.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
To a fast start, so don't be surprised if you
see some starters playing, including Russell Wilson, at some point.
Speaker 5 (16:49):
Don't forget, none.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
Of these quarterbacks have experience in Brian day Ball's offense.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
Mike, thank you, Judy Elsewhere the Minnesota Viking Minnesota like
getting ready for this upcoming season, trying to prove that
last year's record was not a fluke and they can
run that back with JJ McCarthy, b Byron Murphy Junior
a big part of what they're doing on defense, the quarterback.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
Sat down with our guy Baldi.
Speaker 11 (17:17):
We are live with Byron Murphy Junior at Vikings training
camp here in Egan, Minnesota. This is a nice place,
like my first time out here, Like they know how
to treat people here in Minnesota.
Speaker 12 (17:27):
This is definitely one of the best places in the
world to be, especially a football fans just love us,
you know, we love a fan.
Speaker 13 (17:32):
So it's just a great culture, a great place to
be for sure.
Speaker 11 (17:34):
Skull Skull Skull, Let's get Let's get to the defense,
because the defense tied Pittsburgh for the most takeaways in
the league. You had six of them yourself, You've had
It's really been a nice turn coming here to Minnesota
and playing for Brian. But like before we get into
the intricacies of your defense, Byron, just tell us about
Brian Flores and what what what I mean? If I
(17:55):
was a defensive player, everyone want to come play for him.
Speaker 13 (17:57):
That's how I feel for sure.
Speaker 12 (17:59):
I would definitely say coach Flood is one of the
best best coaches I've ever been a part of. Obviously,
he put guys in the right position, as you see
guys making plays all around the field. But I feel
like just his players go hard from just because you
know the energy he brings every single day.
Speaker 13 (18:12):
But that scheme is just totally different.
Speaker 12 (18:13):
You know, coming here, just seeing the playbook, I was
just like, WHOA, I'm gonna have to, you know, get
in that room and study a little bit more. But definitely,
like I said, the best games I've ever been a
part of.
Speaker 11 (18:21):
Well, I feel like he started it in Miami and
he had some success and when they when you know,
he spent a year in Pittsburgh and you know, and
then Kevin brought him here along with you and a
bunch of other guys over the last couple of years.
And it's it's really like cemented here, and it's it's
kind of like a Blitz zero look, but then it
could be anything, and so it's it's really disguising that look.
(18:45):
And then it's a question of are you breaking down
the protection, who's coming, who's not coming? What are you
and man?
Speaker 14 (18:50):
Or you and zone?
Speaker 11 (18:51):
Are you like going to the deep. I feel like
some of the players in the defense, it's positionless what
they do.
Speaker 12 (18:58):
And I just feel like, you know, he does a
great job making it hal on the offense, not coming
out lining up and just seeing okay, the quarterback is
seeing okay, we're outside leverage, and you know, man covers
those type of things. So for us to be able
to have our safety disguise, have our nickels go out
there and disguise, and you know, all up on the line,
you see all those people, you're probably thinking everyone's coming
and boom we drop out on the zone or something
like that. So that's just what's special about the defense.
And you got guys that's willing to go do things,
(19:19):
you know, for their next guy next to them.
Speaker 11 (19:21):
Well, but I feel like in this league right now,
if you give Joe Burrow or you give Josh Allen,
you give some of these guys like that, look de
Lamar Jackson, you just line up and play defense, They're
gonna carve you.
Speaker 14 (19:32):
Up because they're just that good.
Speaker 13 (19:34):
I feel like, yeah, exactly.
Speaker 12 (19:35):
Quarterbacks are definitely seeing, you know, seeing stuff nowadays, just
so fast that they know where defense we're in, calling
our defense for us. So, like I said, when you
have a scheme like this, I think that's a hard
thing for them to do.
Speaker 11 (19:44):
Like if you ask me, Byron, would you rather lead
the league in defense fewer yards or lead the league
in takeaways? I'll take takeaways every day.
Speaker 13 (19:51):
Definitely take takeaways.
Speaker 12 (19:52):
Obviously, you know, getting you get turnovers, you get paid,
so that money's around the balls, so you gotta go
get that ball for sure.
Speaker 11 (19:57):
So you had the group year had twenty four interceptions,
a bunch of defensive touchdowns, you had six of them.
What what's that like right now? When you know the
balls got to come out hot, like you can almost
you can anticipate the balls got to come out hot.
Depends on who you play, but regardless, like you're gonna
get opportunities.
Speaker 12 (20:17):
I definitely feel that because obviously sending these guys out
here in camp and practice, getting in that backfield every snap,
it's just like, okay, now I got some shorter time.
Speaker 13 (20:23):
So we're in meetings.
Speaker 12 (20:24):
I'm already thanking them guys, like yeah, you guys gonna
give me some more interceptions for sure, because like I said,
that D line there, you know, from the top to
bottom of younger guys as well, they've all been doing
a great job and obviously getting to the quarterback.
Speaker 11 (20:34):
But it's not just scheme. You guys were secondly against
the run. You know, it all starts there. You can't
really get to your your looks, your pressure looks unless
you get them in those you know, situations where they
will be being in passing.
Speaker 12 (20:46):
Situationally, definitely, obviously that's the number one thing. You know,
when you stop the run, it's kind of hard for
our offense to open up their playbooks. So stopping the
run is key for us. We always talk about it.
That's the number one thing, stopping the run. And obviously
now they got to pass the ball and that's when
you know, the DB's have fun.
Speaker 11 (20:59):
Talking about passing. You have a new quarterback here. Everybody
wants to know JJ McCarthy, how he's doing, what's he
doing well all the What have you seen just going
up against him and practice a lot of team periods today?
What have you seen from JJ thus far?
Speaker 12 (21:13):
I would definitely say this, y'all be ready for a
guy that's here ready to work. One of the best
I've seen, you know, obviously been in the rookie seen
a lot of quarterbacks since my rookie year, but I
would say he's one of the guys that you know,
been here putting in the work. I feel like he
can make any throw in the field, you know, from
the boundary to the field, like I said, and just
you know, he's just he's a work guy.
Speaker 13 (21:28):
So he's out here really working.
Speaker 12 (21:29):
Obviously us we're talking stuff a lot, so we're gonna
go compete every single day. He brings that juice every
single day. So I'm really excited for JJ to get
out there.
Speaker 11 (21:37):
Last thing here, Byron, you brought in a lot of
new faces, even on defense, Isaiah Rodgers, Jonathan Allen Hargreave.
I mean, you've got some new faces here that are
all learning this thing. Like, how do you feel like
it's all meshing at this point?
Speaker 12 (21:51):
I would definitely say it's a culture thing here. I
feel like the first day I got here, I felt
like I've been here, So I would just say it's
a culture thing. But when it comes on the field,
I just feel like like when we call something on
the D line, they're already running the stunts one hundred
percent correct. So it's like I feel like the you know,
the mental part, the mental space is already there and
how they're going to play together. So that's a good
thing to see, like when they're rushing like that, already,
let's get ready for a game week.
Speaker 11 (22:10):
So I asked, I asked your head coach, Kevin O'Connell.
I said, you know, how many unscripted periods do you
have where you know you're not going off the script,
So the defense going to get the offense like when
you throw your scheme at them, like are you are
you winning those battles like you have on most Sundays.
Speaker 12 (22:25):
I feel like we're definitely doing a lot of winning
on the defensive side. Sorry, well yeah, we've been winning
on a defensive side. So I feel like cuch Ko
definitely has some pridicies where we got schemed up and
they made some plays. But you know, that's what that's
what it has to go. You know, when you're called,
you know our calls. We got to go actually play
our technique and that's what's gonna get us better.
Speaker 11 (22:41):
Byron, I wish you the best of luck. It is
a fun defense to study. I don't know if people
have figured this thing out. I don't know if they're
gonna figure it out, but either way, good luck to
you and the whole team this season, sir.
Speaker 13 (22:52):
I appreciate you. We're gonna get this thing done.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
If Faldy can't figure it out, the rest of us
are pretty screwed. Cam Mooard might have to figure it
out at some point, the quarterback for the Tennessee Titans.
He does have a defensive guy on his team, saying
that this guy's not getting enough credit. That's Jeffrey Simmons.
He's going to talk to us next on the Insiders.
(23:23):
I was at Chargers on Monday, and by all accounts,
the workout with Keenan Allen over the weekend went swimming league.
Just a matter of getting the right numbers. I said,
this thing's going to be done in no time and
short enough. The next day done Nel Keenan Allen officially
back to the Chargers a one year deal worth up
to eight point five million dollars.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
He did quote Keenan Allen things.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
In that workout. That's what Jim Harball said. So they
are happy to have him back Mike Williams, remember he
came in. That was the reunion at the start of
training camp he retired. Well, now you get a different
veteran back there to help a bunch of youngsters that
they feel really good about us. They feel really good
about those guys. But to have a Keenan Allen there
to not only get the production on the field, but
help these guys day in and day out show what
(24:07):
it's like to be a pro.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Huge for the Chargers in.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
Should be a really really good final piece for Los Angeles. Meanwhile,
a little bit of a scare for the Carolina Panthers
and their superstar corner J C.
Speaker 7 (24:19):
Horn.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
He was in a car accident on Wednesday. He did
not practice today by all accounts checked out. Okay, did
have some stitches, I believe on his thumb, eight or
so stitches on his thumb, but is generally okay, not
something that is going to take him off the field
for very long. But considering what it could have been,
considering the scare here in Carolina, there is for sure
(24:43):
a sire of relief for one of the best players
on which should be a resurgent defense in Carolina, Judy.
Speaker 4 (24:51):
Could we possibly see Aaron Rodgers on the field during
the preseason. Maybe he did not rule out that possibility.
He does not expect to play in Week one of
the preseason, but he said he is open to playing
in the preseason if that's what Mike Tomlin wants to do.
Rodgers actually played in the preseason two years ago. That
was his first season with the Jets. Before that, it
(25:12):
hadn't been since twenty eighteen when he was on the
field in the preseason. Obviously, the risk, of course is injury.
But in Rogers' case, we know he signed very late
in the spring, so he certainly didn't have a full
offseason of work with the offense and with offensive coordinator
Arthur Smith. One other wrinkle, Will Howard d rookie quarterback,
is not going to be available. He's out a few
(25:32):
weeks with a broken bone in his throwing hand after
banging his hand on a helmet.
Speaker 5 (25:37):
So keep your eyes open.
Speaker 4 (25:38):
Maybe we see a little there Aaron Rodgers in the preseason.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
Rogers played against the Giants in that preseason, threw a
touchdown to Garrett Wilson and then got into it with
Jihad Ward.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
That was an interesting night. We'll see about that. Mike
Rabel bleeding.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Why because he like, I get it right, Like he
still got that mentality that's kind of way he was
as a player. And it's like, oh there's a scuffle
in practice, let me stick my head in the middle
of it.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Here's Drake May.
Speaker 15 (26:07):
That's what we're trying to build, I think. And it
starts with the coach. Starts with the head coach. The intensity,
bring it every day, you'll take it, no crap, and
you'll right there on the field. But also it comes
to a time where with our guys offensively and get
over there and get some tussles and kind of have
some penalties and extra alfter the whistle, you can get
us some trouble. But to mentality, I like it.
Speaker 7 (26:26):
I think that's what you want.
Speaker 15 (26:27):
I mean, I almost got in there, but I think
maybe another day maybe, so we'll see.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
You know, in baseball Ian the manager is not maybe
not so much anymore, but they wear the full uniform.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Maybe like this is a good just you know, at
least a helmet. If he's gonna keep doing.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
This, Yeah, I mean I would say if you told
me that Mike Grave was gonna head out to Patriots
practice in a full uniform, maybe with advisor to fully
protect him, maybe some gloves like old school linemen gloves
where you're like, how many fingers does he have? Or
is that just a club? I would I could see
that and like, look, this is all like pretty funny, right,
(27:03):
Mike 're Able getting bloodied in some sort of a
scuffle during practice makes me laugh and I'm laughing about
it right now, just because it's utterly ridiculous. But the
mentality that he's trying to bring to New England is
not ridiculous, and so like this is a funny deal,
but it's also quite real because if the Patriots are
going to get better from last year, and I believe
they are, it's going to be to set the foundation
(27:24):
of a certain level of like grid and nastiness. And
what better way to find out than to have your
bloodied head coach showing everyone.
Speaker 7 (27:31):
All by himself.
Speaker 5 (27:33):
I can think of a few toughest guy on that team.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
Yeah, toughest guy on that team is going to be
the head coach. All right, let's go to the Browns.
It is going to be the Shadoor Sanders Show. Browns
at Panthers, seven pm Friday, Live on the NFL Network. Why, Well,
because they don't want to put Joe Flacco on the field.
Speaker 5 (27:55):
Why would you risk injury?
Speaker 4 (27:56):
They already know what he can do, and basically every
other quarterback they have on the roster is banged up
right now? Can he piket hamstring injury? Dylan Gabriel also
a hamstring injury. Shardor Sanders is going to get an
enormous opportunity, a big showcase to show why maybe he
should be moved up from fourth on the depth chart,
(28:18):
which is where he is in the first unofficial depth
chart for the Browns. Big showcase for Sanders, I think
we're all ready to sit back and watch Mike.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Yeah, great opportunity because you're playing with maybe the second
string offensive line instead of the third string line.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
That was the trade off with him and.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Dylan Gabriel Cambard playing with the first string offensive line.
Because this guy is in line to be the starter
right out of the gate for the Tennessee Titans come
week one. Jeffrey Simmons is excited to see it. He
spoke to our Sarah Walsh.
Speaker 16 (28:50):
We'll start with your quarterback, right because so many people
have eyes on the quarterback and I love this offseason
and offseason workouts, you were kind of going at it
with Cam.
Speaker 17 (28:58):
You sort of took pride and Cam went back.
Speaker 16 (29:00):
You tell me about that relationship and what it's been like,
John with Cam a little bit.
Speaker 9 (29:04):
You know.
Speaker 18 (29:04):
First off, I mean me and Cam we met each
other going, you know, coming into training camp.
Speaker 9 (29:10):
I remember maybe it was it was mini camp.
Speaker 18 (29:13):
Actually we went to a proper party together and that
was my first time meeting him, uh in personally, because
of course I wasn't here doing OTAs. And you know,
I told him, I said, I heard you been talking
a lot of smack to my defense and I heard
you been dicing us up. I said, they ain't changed
when I come when I get back, and you know,
we started drawing back and forth, and when we actually
came on the football field, it was a little more
(29:33):
and I was like, okay, young Buck, he ain't just talking.
Speaker 9 (29:36):
You know, he bought it. And but it's been real good.
Speaker 18 (29:39):
Cam a guy who he's very competitive, you know, he's
a guy that wanted to be good. You know, it's
been good for us on defense too, because I mean,
Cam mobile, he could be able to get out of
the pocket, and you know, he could make every throw.
Speaker 9 (29:53):
And I remember I was rushing.
Speaker 18 (29:54):
I had a nice bull on the quarterback on Cam
and he threw the ball side on around me to
get the ball to Rid. I'm like, hell, I did
he just do that? But you know, even so good
to learn who Cam is off the field. I think
that's the biggest thing about this game of football. You
create them bunts off the field, and you know, being
able to I don't know you guys saw the pictures,
(30:16):
but you know we went fishing together, and you know
I was giving We're talking smack on the boat. You know,
you know I was giving hell by him getting hung
up twice and just things in that nature, you know,
being able to spend time outside of the building. That's
how I feel like we're gonna be better together. We're
gonna be as a team together. And he could understand
and trust me that I got his back. When it
(30:36):
comes down for Sunday.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Welcome back to the Insiders. We have a very special guest,
actually two very special guests. We have Cynthy Frielan making
her Insider's debut, which is exciting, but to be Soper exciting,
not as exciting as Kyler Murray also making his Insider's debut.
Kyler Happy birthday tomorrow.
Speaker 7 (30:58):
Turning twenty eight.
Speaker 14 (30:59):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
Thank you for joining us. We've watched you practice. You
guys are at the tail end of training camp. It
has been a good one. It has been a productive
and intense one. What have you learned about your team
these last couple of weeks.
Speaker 14 (31:12):
I think we've just been stacking really great days. You know.
Speaker 19 (31:15):
Obviously this is for me. It's been one of the
most competitive camps that I've been a part of. I
think the team is complete as far as you know.
We added depth all across the board. MANI and the
guys JG wanted to hit the defense really hard in
this all season. I think they went and did that,
and it's shown out there during camp. You know, we've gone
back and forth, but I think that's what's gonna make
us great.
Speaker 17 (31:34):
So this year, it's so amazing how long you've been
in the league and you're only almost twenty eight years old.
What feels different? You say it's more competitive. It's more like,
what is different exactly?
Speaker 19 (31:44):
Oh, you know, every year is different. Every year is different.
I would say this though. For me, just being around
the guys. I think this is again I go back
to saying that this is probably the most complete team
I've been on, as far as dev goes, as far
as O line, D line, guys that have been here
building a foundation, and those guys growing within the system.
For me, that's probably been the most uh you know,
(32:06):
different thing that I've witnessed.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
You guys had eight wins last year, obviously no playoffs,
but close, and really feels like we've talked about this
some today, really feels like you guys are at a
point roster wise where I know Monty wanted to get
to and I know you wanted to get to. What
did you take from last season? And how ready do
you think this team is to get to the playoffs?
Speaker 14 (32:29):
I mean, I know we're ready. I know we're ready.
You know.
Speaker 19 (32:31):
I feel like last year, like you said, we were close,
really close, had some you know, unfortunate breaks, didn't make
a couple of plays that we felt like we should
have made, and ended up watching the playoffs on TV.
And that's not where we want to be and that's
not where I want to be. So again, I think
we hit the uh, we hit the team hard this offseason.
Continue to grow and continue to work, continue to stack
days this camp, and I think that's on us to
(32:51):
go out and next cue when the when the season
comes here.
Speaker 17 (32:54):
So it's the last day of open practice and the
fans I have it. I'm holding it, and the fans
surprise you with a little bit. Not only we're missing
the card that they all signed for you, which was
pretty cool, but tell us a little bit about what
we got going on here in my lap.
Speaker 19 (33:07):
Yeah, just uh they made me a chess board, you know,
out of a you know, Cardinals decoration. I appreciate it, man,
I appreciate it makes it all worth it, you know,
to have people that truly care about you.
Speaker 14 (33:18):
Obviously, they don't have to make me anything for my birthday.
Speaker 19 (33:20):
You know, they don't know me personally, you know, but
it means the world to me that fans care enough
to uh do something as selfless as do you know,
take the time out of their day, you know, to
make me something like you know, because dope stope.
Speaker 17 (33:33):
So you and I hang out in the off season
for one day and it's to play in the Chess
dot Com Championship. And every year Blit's Champs. You've been
getting better and better. What if you had to say,
you know what can can we do like a little
listen week one you get a chance to avenge just
read whatever. We're not about that, but yeah, like like
can we talk a little chess trash?
Speaker 5 (33:51):
Please?
Speaker 14 (33:52):
What's your best?
Speaker 17 (33:53):
Like you know you're you don't say anything during the tournament,
but it's a little chess trash.
Speaker 14 (33:56):
Do you like my you like my aesthetic?
Speaker 9 (33:58):
Like?
Speaker 14 (33:58):
Did you like the fruit? The fruit play the fruit plate?
Speaker 17 (34:00):
We were talking about your healthy dining options during this
whole time? Was it was actually very great. It was
in his house. He was dialed in like we're talking
like there was no hotel. Your micro expressions were completely
locked in, So it was great. It was great.
Speaker 3 (34:14):
Let's talk about one of the chess pieces they have
here on their offense, Marvin Harrison Junior, who got a
little bit bigger, looked I thought looked really good out
there today. And when I talked to the coach, like
you'll see it. What have you seen from Marv this
year that maybe we didn't always see last year?
Speaker 19 (34:30):
I told people all the time, you know, rookie years,
it's it's different for everybody. It's different. And I think
you know, for him. It's just the game had to
slow down. I know, we all know, we all witnessed it. Uh,
towards the end of the season, you only started get
more comfortable, start to get better. And then going to
this offseason, the guy's talking more. Everybody keeps coming up
to me on Mar's personalities, showing this and that. I'm like, bro,
he like, it's you know, you just gotta let guys
(34:51):
mature and like you know, sometimes it takes time. I
got no doubt he's gonna do what he's capable of.
I know he's gonna do it. You know, I'm confident
in Marvin. He's com himself.
Speaker 14 (35:00):
So, like like coach you said, I believe everybody will
see it this season.
Speaker 17 (35:04):
So you say he's talking more, like I mean, just
rate his talk on a scale of one to ten,
ten being the best, of course.
Speaker 14 (35:11):
Trash talk.
Speaker 19 (35:11):
Yeah, oh no, no, Marv, Marv's talking communicating, lead by
example type of guy.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Okay, trash talk at all because his dad's kind of
a quiet dude.
Speaker 19 (35:20):
Yeahah, Mars, Mars, Marv, let's his play talk for himself.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
So you mentioned you know this roster is in a
better place. You mentioned how hard you guys have gone
against the defense. There's been some additions, Joshua probably the
biggest name when Walter Nolan, I know, is injured now.
But someone who, uh, this coaching staff and personnel group
expects a lot from as you guys kept making some
of these additions on defense, what did you think?
Speaker 19 (35:45):
I mean, I loved it personally, you know, I loved it.
I understand how this. You know, I've been playing this
game for my whole life. So uh, now, this being
year seven in the league, if you've got a great defense,
you got a chance, you know. And I believe those
guys gonna be great this season. Obviously, Buddha has been here, blood,
sweat and tears. Kalai is coming back guys you just mentioned.
But I think we got some guys that people don't
really know about that are going to surprise some people
(36:07):
and collectively as a as a unit, you know, I
think those guys got something to prove this season, and
I'm looking forward to it.
Speaker 14 (36:13):
Man, there that's a hunger group.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
I love it.
Speaker 17 (36:15):
So how's Will Johnson doing with, you know, lining up
against Marvin?
Speaker 14 (36:18):
Yeah? I love Will. I love well. I was He's
one of the guys.
Speaker 19 (36:21):
One of the rookies that I've gotten to know, uh,
pretty closely, just being around him, you know, talking to him,
picking him his brain. Yeah, I know, I know he
fell in the draft obviously, and that that was pretty
crazy to me. But glad we got him. And you know,
he's he's everything that he's been cracked up to be.
You know, he's a he's a football player.
Speaker 3 (36:38):
Those draft journeys and his was a tough one. He's
just considering his talent. But you're also watching and there
must be some part of you were like, hang on,
like he's falling.
Speaker 2 (36:47):
He's falling, right.
Speaker 19 (36:48):
Yeah, I mean I'm just like you know, anybody else.
I love the game, and it's like, uh, when your
draft comes around, you're like a you know, a kid
in the candy store.
Speaker 13 (36:55):
It's just and then you.
Speaker 14 (36:56):
Got a guy like Will falling, falling, falling.
Speaker 19 (36:58):
I'm like, all right, money, alright, money, al right, please.
You know, if if he gets our pick, you know,
can we pick him? And then obviously we picked Will
and it was you know, at that point, you know
you got.
Speaker 2 (37:06):
A good player.
Speaker 19 (37:06):
I mean he was what he was a top fifteen
player in the draft, so you know, draft day, so
you know.
Speaker 14 (37:12):
I'm glad he's on our team.
Speaker 17 (37:13):
Tell your PR staff that I said he's the steal
of the draft.
Speaker 9 (37:16):
Got you are you?
Speaker 14 (37:16):
Are you a Wolverine?
Speaker 17 (37:17):
I'm not a Wolverine but from Michigan, but I think
he was the steal of the draft. And use those
words and there you go. Thank you for your time.
You really appreciate. Have the best birthday ever, and have
a great season.
Speaker 20 (37:26):
Kyle of great stuff.
Speaker 9 (37:27):
Really appreciate you.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Excellent debut on the Insider, Cynthia, pretty decent job as well.
Not done here yet, though, We got plenty more coming
up on the Insiders, including a look at that guy
right there, Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of
the more fascinating teams in the NFL. We are gonna
go inside with the Jaguars coming up next.
Speaker 4 (37:57):
Travis Hunter is maybe the most fascinating player in the
NFL right now. He wants to play both ways, wide
receiver and quarterback. He is practicing both ways, literally switching
sides and switching jerseys. Midway through practice. Tom pallisera or
Mark Ross saw all the action up close. Here they
are from Jacksonville.
Speaker 20 (38:18):
A typically sunny day down here in Jacksonville. We didn't
just get good weather, Mark, we also saw some pretty
good offensive football out there.
Speaker 21 (38:25):
Yeah, for sure, a lot of excitement on the offensive
side of the ball. Trevor Lawrence was sharp. And we
talked to new GM James Gladstone this morning and he
was talking about Trevor Lawrence's new aggressiveness and he loves that.
And two plays later, hit like a fifty yard bomb
down the field, split in the safety's there.
Speaker 7 (38:40):
So he delivered. Treffor delivered on what the new GM
was talking about.
Speaker 21 (38:44):
And you know, there has to be excitement for Trevor
Lawrence tom of just getting stability around him because he's
had He's on his third head coach and second GM,
and it seems to have affected him in the year's past.
Speaker 7 (38:55):
But now he said that he feels a.
Speaker 21 (38:57):
Reinvigoration of having that foundation and stability, and to a man,
everybody talks about that. Look, whether the experiment of new
head coach Liam Cohen and new GM James Gladstone work.
I just like that they're doing it together, that they're
not piece bailing it together, of having a GM heel here,
firing a head coach now bringing another coach in that, hey,
look these guys are on a sink or swim with
(39:18):
one another.
Speaker 20 (39:18):
He has not just stability, but health as well. Trevor Tols,
this is the healthiest he's felt in a long time.
He had the recurring ankle injuries a couple of years ago.
Last year he was dealing with the shoulder, and that
surgery of reset process into this offseason also helps when
you keep adding the parts around him and listen, no
team's gonna be perfect in the first year with a
new GM and a new head coach. Be look at
Brian Thomas Junior, who barely even got to play with
(39:39):
Trevor Lawrence last year. What a factor he can be.
And then they had the guy that we saw switching
back and forth between two different jerseys throughout practice, Travis Well.
Speaker 21 (39:47):
We've heard about Travis Hunter in college and in the preseason,
but actually see it at practice and I've never seen
that before.
Speaker 7 (39:53):
Of you know, he's got his little penny.
Speaker 21 (39:55):
Jersey on and he takes it off, he goes in
a drill and he goes and flips and puts it
back on, takes it off on offense, on defense. So
it's going to be really exciting to see how Travis
Hunter is employed throughout the season, and Coach Cohen talked
about it that it could be a game by game,
it could be half by half depending on where he
lines up and how they employ him. But Brian Thomas
Junior the foundation of one of the top ten, top
(40:16):
five receiver in this league.
Speaker 7 (40:17):
The defensive side of the ball. We talked to Josh Hines.
Speaker 21 (40:20):
Allen and Devin Lloyd is on that side. So they
do have talent. They do have some talent. Now whether
it all comes together, we'll see how fast that happens
with a new head coach. But there is signs of
optimism with not just the foundation, but as you mentioned,
they do have some talent to compete.
Speaker 20 (40:34):
No one did Josh Heinzellen say when I asked him,
what if anything gives you optimism? Do you guys can
not just be on the rise, but compete to make
the playoffs in twenty twenty five, He said, if you
don't believe that right now, you gotta get off the seed.
You gotta go, You gotta get out of the locker
room here. It's been a lot. When you can just
look over Trevor Lawrence's career five years. You've gone from
Ervin Meyer to Doug Peterson to Liam Cohen, different offenses,
(40:56):
different schemes. There is an energy level there. You can
say that about every campus. There's reasons for optimisms, but
you really feel it right here. All these young head coach,
young coordinators. There's a lot of that kind of youthful
exuberant the sense just watching these guys out on.
Speaker 21 (41:09):
The field, for sure, and this time you hear everyone
talks about it, but to actually have that belief and
that goes a long way. When players are looking at
the chaos, tom they get it. They're smart and they're like,
why am I going to get my all when I
got all this chaos going on? But now it seems
as if, yes, I believe in what's going on here.
And when you believe, you can go out here in
one hundred degrees and practice and sweat and be like,
(41:30):
we have a goal that we're going to get to and.
Speaker 7 (41:32):
We're going to win.
Speaker 20 (41:33):
Liam Cohen told us he's now you made a final
decision on whether or not his guys are going to
play in the preseason opener on Saturday against Pittsburgh. When
I pressed him and said, hey, a lot of people
are gonna be tuning in to see one guy. He said,
likely Travis Hunter will be on the field.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
Thank you, Tom.
Speaker 1 (41:50):
All right, that'll do it for our inside Training Camp
coverage today. Training camps continue and we will have coverage
on NFL Network. But what we call inside training camp
or we go wall a wall done so. Judy favorite
camp moment to this point.
Speaker 4 (42:04):
You might agree with this, but it is when Sierra
stopped by to talk to you and me at Giants practice.
Speaker 5 (42:11):
She was lovely, The kids are lovely.
Speaker 4 (42:14):
She was really happy with how Russell threw the ball
that day in Giants practice.
Speaker 5 (42:19):
Really loves New York. It was just a really nice
conversation with Sierra.
Speaker 2 (42:24):
Yeah. I hope to have many more I didn't get.
Speaker 3 (42:28):
I didn't get very many celebrity moments. Here's my favorite moment.
My flight from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas was delayed three
and a half hours, so I paid cash and bought
a Spirit Airline coach ticket to go from Pittsburgh to Vegas.
I landed on time. Back was hurting, but I was
so happy to get there in time to talk to
the raiders.
Speaker 1 (42:46):
Mike, Wow, we had the same moment No, I love
what George Kittle crashed car set yesterday.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
That was awesome. Go find that clip.
Speaker 1 (42:53):
That's just the Insiders preseason week one, upon us fired
up for it,
Hosts And Creators
Judy Battista
Tom Pelissero
Ian Rapaport
Mike Garafolo
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