NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo and Judy Battista are joined by Steve Wyche and Jeffri Chadiha to break down the Browns’ quarterback situation—who’s in, who’s out, and who’s the odd man under center. The crew then dives into the culture shifts underway with the Jets and Raiders under new head coaches and what that could mean for 2025. Rams safety Quentin Lake stops by to talk high hopes for LA, and the Insiders spotlight 2024 division champs who could be on shaky ground next season. Plus, Adam Rank unveils his Rookie Dynasty Rankings for 2025.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
You your favorite boy George song there because you see
that right down the bottom culture clubs. We're talking about
the Raiders and the Jets, teams with new regimes on
the field as we're getting set for OTAs, mini cams,
training camps. Yeah, we're getting there slowly, but surely we're
getting there. Rams safety Quentin Lake, no stranger to the program,
(00:29):
joins us again on the Insiders. If there is a
better pound per pound interview in the NFL right now,
I'm not sure who it is. You know this is
going to be a good one. Stay tuned for that.
And our guy Adam Rank is going to be joining
us to talk about your dynasty leagues in fantasy football.
He's got some advice for some youngsters that you're going
to want to add and be a part of your
(00:51):
dynasty for years to come. Welcome inside with the Insiders
to professionals and one guy who's got one foot out
the door for the holiday weekend. That's me. Mike Garofolo,
Judy Batista, and Steve Weisch. They came to work. Jeffrey
Tredia gonna come to work as well. I mentioned Adam Rank,
he'll be here and you're gonna want to get in
(01:12):
for that Quentin Lake interview because he is just fantastic.
But new right now, before we get to that, Josh Connerly. Yeah,
the Washington Commanders the latest team to get their first
round pick under contract, a four year, fifteen point six
eight one zero nine four and ten cents deal. Tom Pellisero.
(01:33):
He is a man of precision and he did it
right there with that tweet about Connorly. Yeah, Commanders, it's
a little difficult to draft at the back of the
first round then draft the top, but that's a good
thing because that means you had a great season last year.
So here are the remaining unsigned first round picks. We
expect most of these, if not all, to be done
before the start of training camp. Mason Graham there at
(01:54):
number five, still yet to get under contract, but that
should happen in relatively or order in the meantime. The Browns, Yeah,
they've got some work to do on both sides of
the football, particularly at the quarterback position. We're seeing this
throw from Shador Sanders over and if you're dissecting this
throw from rookie minicamp, like, relax, there's plenty more to
(02:15):
come from Shador Sanders and from all the Browns quarterbacks,
even the new guy in the ownership office, Charles Woodson.
He knows that he joined our Good Morning Football with
some Woodson whiskey behind him.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
What we're looking at is is we're looking at competition
and we're looking for that cream the rods to the top.
Are you bringing a veteran like Joe Flacco, a guy
who you know that he's gonna come in, He's gonna
play steady for you. So if we need a guy
to go in and play right now, Joe Flacco is
gonna be the guy.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
And then the next you know.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Coming up, of course you got picket Shdor, Dylan Gabriel
and those guys.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
And so look, those guys are going to get the reps.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I don't know how many reps are going to get
at this point in time, but whatever reps you get,
then you got to show what it is that you
bring to the table. So you know, the way this
thing is going to play out is the best guy
is going to play. I mean that's the way I
feel about it. And I know that one guy has
really gotten all of the attention, but there's an opportunity
for you know, like you said a lot of guys
(03:16):
to get work during this season, this offseason and into
training camp to get that starting nod.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Charles, what's in the latest minority owner of the Browns.
But he's got major opinions when it comes to the
quarterbacks and whine and whiskey. I'm telling you that Woodson
whiskey is good stuff. Behind him, Charles, I'll take a bottle, pal,
Judy Batista, Let's stop talking about whiskey and start talking
about quarterbacks. You know you heard Woodson say what the
Browns are thinking. You know, you got the veteran and
Joe Flackell, who did play well for us two years ago.
(03:45):
But we've got these young guys that are competing. And
certainly Kenny Pickett didn't come there just to hang around,
wants to be part of the potential starting equation. How
do you assess this Browns quarterback situation right now?
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Well, I think the first question that has to be
answered at some point by the is what are they
trying to accomplish this season and especially early in the season,
Because if the goal is to win games right out
of the gate, then there's almost no question. As Charles
Woodson said that Joe Flacco is the one you would
turn to. He has had success in Cleveland. He had
success with Kevin Stefanski, which means they are comfortable with
(04:19):
each other, and Stefanski knows what Flacco likes and what
he can do at this stage in his career, and
Flacco will know the offense and be comfortable with the
play calling. So certainly, if that's your goal, if you
think you have to win games, maybe to save your job,
then you turn to Joe Flacco out of the gate.
But at some point the Browns have to get a
look at the young quarterbacks because don't forget, the.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
Browns have two first round.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Picks going into next year's draft, so they're going to
be in position to get a quarterback, possibly a quarterback
very high up in the first round, if they want one.
But to know if you want one, you've got to
know first if you've got the guy of your future
on the roster right now. So is Joe Flacco the answer,
I would say initially Joe Flacco. With the answer, my
(05:04):
question is at what point, Steve, do you think they
have to turn to the young guys?
Speaker 6 (05:08):
Well, that's by mid season they've got a losing record,
This is a really interesting dynamic. And by the way,
Charles Woodson's intercept wines are just as good as his whiskeys,
So plug there for Charles. But look, this is not
a roster that necessarily is built for the long term.
Plus Kevin Stefanski, they're coming off of a three to
fourteen record. He's not trying to go through that again
(05:29):
by developing a young quarterback.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
But they've got to have the best quarterback.
Speaker 6 (05:33):
As Charles Woodson did say, if Joe Flacco is the
most seasoned, yeah, he's well liked in Cleveland, but he
doesn't look good in training camp. You got to go
with the guy who the other players trust the most,
and that's going to be hugely important.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Plus how much of a life of a shelf.
Speaker 6 (05:47):
Life do Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry have. That's going
to be an interesting discussion, depending to see how the
season plays out. I think you try to win games, Judy,
whoever it is, you go for it. It is not about
develop Yeah, developing young quarterback of practice, what were always saying, Hey,
guy needs to sit and watch, right, Maybe that's what
they need to do. They've got to win ball games
because the fan base is tired of losing. Developing the
(06:10):
next quarterback and whether that's Joe Flacco, Canny Pickett, whomever,
the best quarterback, the one who the players trust the
most and the coaches trust the most, that's who they've
got to rock with.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
You talked about the players, Steve Wis. Remember with Miles Garrett,
it wasn't so much about the money. It was the
commitment to winning moving forward. They did sell him on that,
and they sold them on the money too, but really
they sold them on that other part and the fact
that they weren't going to have another season in twenty
twenty five like they had in twenty four. You're going
to need a quarterback that can help you compete to
be able to deliver on that promise. Speaking of promises,
(06:43):
the Raiders showing some promise now because they've turned a
little bit of the roster. They've got themselves a veteran
quarterback and they've got Pete Carroll, the new head coach,
who certainly knows what it takes to win in the NFL,
showed that consistently through his time with the Seattle Sea Hawks.
And the players now that have been around the last
couple of years, particularly Max Crosby, believe that he's showing
(07:06):
it once again with the Raiders.
Speaker 7 (07:08):
It's just awesome.
Speaker 8 (07:09):
You know.
Speaker 7 (07:09):
Every day is like, you know, he talked about competition,
and that's real. You know, everything we do, we're competing,
no matter if it's in the meetings, no matter if
it's in the individual meetings, no matter if in the
weight room. Like it's truly a competition everything we do.
But we're having fun with it and it's about winning.
Like if you're a competitor truly to the core, like
this is exactly where you want to be. And I know,
you know, I feel like I'm the best, you know,
(07:30):
the top competitor in the in the world at what
I do, you know what I mean. So I love
it and that energy keeps me fueled at all times.
And Pete is constantly testing me, He's testing other guys
on the team, and he just wants to see the
guys be the best versions of themselves and he's true
to that. It's not fake energy, you know, it's every
day he's the same guy. And it's not just him,
it's the assistant coaches, the whole building. It just feels
(07:53):
different and it's it's it's definitely been amazing.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Yeah, Jeffrey again on in here, because we're going to
talk about that energy of Pete Carroll. It is not
I mean, anybody who spend time around Pete Carroll knows
that it is not fake energy. He certainly is rejuvenated
by the chance to once again coach in the NFL.
So how important is that, Jeffrey, for this team to
have that energy and to have it consistently day in
and day out Right now.
Speaker 9 (08:19):
It's huge because you're talking about a team that hasn't
won a lot of games in a long time, two
playoff appearances in the last twenty two years. But Pete
Carroll brings the credibility for the Super Bowl Championship in.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
His back pocket.
Speaker 9 (08:30):
But he also brings that energy and he talked you
heard mass Crowsley talk about that.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Pete Carroll's always.
Speaker 9 (08:35):
Going to talk about guys competing every day, getting guys
jew stuff. And you think about what he did when
he came to Seattle. That was a big part of
it there. Even when he had a rebirth there back
in twenty twenty two, he had thirteen players who had
we'll show on rookie dials they got those guys fired
up and got them to the playoffs. So I thoroughly
expect the Raiders to be probably the most improved team
(08:55):
in the ASC West because this guy here is going
to bring up the enthusiasm. He's going to make guys compete,
He's going to make them better.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
Judy, Well, look, we have said this since the day
Pete Carroll was hired. If you need a culture seter
if you need a culture change, that is Pete Carroll.
Speaker 5 (09:11):
That is what Pete Carroll does.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
And he's got the extra advantages you said, Jeffrey, of
the credibility that comes with having won consistently over the
years in Seattle, including the Super Bowl, of course, so
he's got the complete package. I think the question is
does he have enough players on that roster. Have they
turned over that roster enough to give Pete Carroll what
(09:34):
he needs to win games, because last year, you know,
Antonio Pierce was there as the head coach, and well,
he certainly didn't have the experience and the wins that
Pete Carroll has. He does have the energy and the
players were lauding him at that time, but they didn't
have enough players on the roster. Nobody could have won
with the roster they had last year at the Raiders.
(09:54):
So to me, there's no question Pete Carroll is going
to be an improved guy. He is going going to
raise the level of competition, certainly raise the energy level.
Does he have the horses to win at the top level?
Speaker 6 (10:07):
Well, and is he can win in this division? I mean,
look at how loaded it is. I mean, the Chiefs
aren't going anywhere, the Chargers aren't going anywhere. In Denver
has really had a strong offseason, you know, upgrading a
playoff team roster.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
So that's something he's battling.
Speaker 6 (10:19):
But you talk about the culture, hence the culture club
reference at Mike at the top of the show.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
Do you really want to hurt me?
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Pete Carroll is like, no.
Speaker 6 (10:27):
Look, look, look I've been around that building, right. John
Gruden had something good going until he got into the
email scandal. Then Rich Pisati, the interroim guy, had a
really good culture developing, but he was an interim guy
and they got rid of him, hired Josh McDaniels. A
lot of uncertainty, a lot of tension there, and then
ap again the energy was there.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Max Crosby was.
Speaker 6 (10:46):
Talking about ap like he just talked about Pete Carroll,
but they didn't have the horses, and again it just
wasn't settled in the building. Pete and John Spytech are
going to settle that building. That's what this organization needs
more than ever.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Now. Defensively, you've got Max Crosby.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
But when Pete Carroll said this week about Christian Wilkins,
a defensive tackle who they paid, how we're still going
through a challenging rehab from the foot fracture, that didn't
sound great. So defensively they still got some holes to fill.
But offensively, having a quarterback like Gino Smith, that's going
to help usher in that culture that Pete Carroll is
trying to establish, no.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Doubt about it. I mean, you can chew all the
gum you want, and you can provide all the motivationals,
do you have the players to get it done. And
the bottom line is this roster is way better right
now for Pete Carroll than it was for Antonio Pierce
last year. Pierce didn't get to see the reset from
that standpoint. You look, just look at the quarterback situation
from last year to this year has completely changed things
with the Raiders. Speaking of quarterbacks transitions, they're working that night,
(11:42):
Steve Whyshold, we are going to the New Orleans Saints.
And Jake Hayner, who's going to miss some time now,
he's going to some time in the spring, might miss
the rest of the spring right now with an oblique
injury that he suffered recently. I don't know if we
would handicap Hayner as the favorite right now. Tyler Shock,
the rookie second rounder, has got as clear a path
as you could ever expect for a second round pick
to this starting quarterback uh situation and not having Hater
(12:05):
around to steal some reps perhaps perhaps in the spring
should only help Shuck even more in his attempt to
win the starting job for New Orleans right out of
the gate following the following the retirement of Derek Carr.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Let's go, let's go be to hammer.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Bet a hammer, beat a hammer better.
Speaker 10 (12:21):
Hammer, not to nail better hammer, Not to nail better hammer,
not to nail.
Speaker 8 (12:24):
Let's go.
Speaker 11 (12:26):
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here.
Speaker 9 (12:37):
Careful, careful, what is.
Speaker 10 (12:39):
That hot talking?
Speaker 11 (12:41):
Think fishing?
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Don't Why are you giving that out?
Speaker 10 (12:43):
That's gonna flow us down.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Let man, but ram safety Quentin Lake around the microphone
and good things happen. That's our policy here at the Insiders.
He's back with us veteran safety. I'm gonna call you
veteran safety man. You're heading in the year four. Now,
(13:15):
you were a starter last year. This time last year,
we said, look to this guy to be one of
the breakout players in the NFL. Certainly the case. Seventeen games,
over one hundred tackles, impact player last season. Quentin, when
you look back at last season, what do you think
the biggest stride was for you personally?
Speaker 12 (13:32):
I think the biggest stride that I mind you, you know, Mike, Steve,
Grace to see you guys. It's always good to see
you guys as faces. But the biggest stride that I
think I took was really just being available, being out there.
I always told myself, you know, if I'm your best availability,
your best ability is availability. And you know, I was
one of a couple guys to play every defensive snap
out there, and they kind of call it like an
(13:54):
iron man. So to be able to be to be
able to consistently be out there, I think that was,
you know, the best traits, and I always told myself,
if I'm out there, I'm bound to make a play.
So last season was fun. I had a lot of
plays that I made and definitely took a stride from
you know, year two to year three.
Speaker 6 (14:10):
But Quinn, you were just out there, Okay, you were
out there playing kind of that slot, big nickel, You're
playing free, you were playing some outside linebacker tendencies.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
That versatility was huge for you.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
What do you think that allowed then first time defensive
coordator Chris Shula to do in terms of scheming it
up for the other ten guys.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
Yeah, I think it helped him a lot.
Speaker 12 (14:31):
It helped our defensive coordinator, Chris Shula to put me in,
you know, the best position to make a play, but
also knowing to have the trust and confidence to put
me in those spots to kind of mess with the
offense a little bit.
Speaker 9 (14:41):
You know.
Speaker 12 (14:42):
It was more so of a thing where you know,
where is quintin Lay going to line up this week?
Is he going to line up in the slot, is
he going to line up deep? Is he going to
line up off the edge. And to be able to
have that versatility it allows, you know, our defensive coordinator
to have fun and do whatever you know. And that's
what makes it fun for me is there's so many
different spots that you can put me at and I
have no problem of playing them too. So you know,
(15:02):
the versatility that I played with, that's one of the
things I think that highlights my game.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
We're seeing that Eagles game. Here a couple of clips
there in the snow that was other than the result,
that was a fun one. That was a fun one
to cover. I'm sure it was a fun one to
play in. And when you look back at that game,
you guys were the closest to taking out the Eagles
in the postseason. Does that help, like that torture you
or does that give a springboard to say, hey, we
are right there.
Speaker 12 (15:26):
Yeah, you can see it both ways. I always told
myself we were fourteen yards away from winning that game.
You know, obviously the ball didn't shake our way. There
are a couple of plays that you know, we might
have wish we wanted back. But at the same time,
I don't think anybody really truly believed in us to
even make it that far. Mind you to give the
world championships and run for the money, and that gives
(15:47):
us a lot of confidence going into this year.
Speaker 8 (15:49):
You know, we got a lot of guys.
Speaker 12 (15:50):
We have a young defensive front, we got guys in
the back end that can make plays, and obviously in
this offseason.
Speaker 8 (15:56):
We got a ton of new additions. So what was
that game? You know, it's tough.
Speaker 12 (16:00):
It was not only because of the way it ended,
but if you think about it, if we won that game,
we would have been hosting the NFC Championship. And then
obviously it would have meant so much for the city
due to the fact that we had the fires going
on in.
Speaker 8 (16:14):
La So if you think of the you know, the culmination.
Speaker 12 (16:17):
Of things, you know, the fires, just us hosting an
NFC championship, that's more of the reason why we wanted
that game so bad, And it's tough to look back at.
Speaker 8 (16:26):
You know, we would have really gave the city hope.
Speaker 12 (16:28):
A lot of the people that couldn't have gone to
the first game, our first wild card game would have
been able to go to that game. And obviously it
would have gave fans, you know, three hours of entertainment
to get their mind away from the fires and all
the things that were going on in La and able
to come out and see the Rams play.
Speaker 8 (16:44):
That would have been awesome.
Speaker 6 (16:45):
Yeah, someone who lives here, that would have been really
special because you know how the Rams, you know, look
at your draft at a fire department, how much you guys
have really embraced being kind of a protective layer for
the community during that tragedy. I want to get back
to your defense because you talked about how young you are,
You've added pieces things like that. The rumors are not
subsiding that the Rams could be in play to bring
(17:05):
back Jalen Ramsey. Yeah, your thoughts on that possibility, I mean.
Speaker 12 (17:12):
That would be Oh, we would be a tough We
would be a tough team, especially a tough defense to be.
You know, he knows the system, He's familiar with the organization.
Jalen is a god given talent. Not only is that
he's smart, He's been in the league a long time,
playing at such a high level. And anytime you get
to bring a guy like that back, you know he's
(17:33):
only going to add value. He is a star, you know,
and people anybody that you ask, you know, he is
such an amazing player. I truly believe he'll be a
Hall of Famer one day too. Just because not only
what he's done on the field, but you know, you
look at how consistently he's done it year and year
in and year out.
Speaker 8 (17:52):
You know, I've seen the rumors. I've heard the rumors.
Speaker 12 (17:55):
You know, I don't necessarily know what's going to happen,
but you know, I hope. You know, anytime you got
to like that, that can add value to a team,
especially with you know, the guys that we have already,
that's huge. So hopefully, you know, things shake out whatever
may happen. I know, you know, guys are trying to
pull strings and stuff like that, but you know, we'll see,
we'll see in it. We'll see in a couple hopefully
(18:16):
a couple of weeks, or you know, whenever it happens.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
Well done, Well done by you. That was great.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
The one big move the team has already made bringing
in Devonte Adams this offseason. I know we're going to
have some matchups when it comes to OTA's mini camp
training camp. Have we had those yet? Between you guys,
are you looking forward to that?
Speaker 12 (18:34):
I am didn't have them yet, but we did have
them when we played the Jets. You know, he's a
fantastic player. You look at the same thing with Jayleen Ramsey.
He's been doing it year in and year out, and
you can kind of tell he's adding value not only
what he does as a player, but as a mentor
to the younger guys too, which is awesome, you know,
teaching these guys, you know, how to attack defensive leverages,
(18:56):
what to do at the top of the routes. You know,
I still think, you know, he's one of the best
route runners in the NFL. And there's a reason why.
You know, Sean Mavay was very adamant in getting him.
You know, he just kind of, unluck unlocks things in
the offense. And then obviously we got our Hall of Fame.
We got our Hall of Famer or future Hall of
Famer Matthew Stafford over there. You know, I call him
mister long Handoffs. So it's gonna be you know, I
(19:18):
expect big things because these are you know, you got
Pooka on one end, you got DeVante on the other too, too,
out well does a you know, fantastic job too, so
we have all the weapons that we need. And then
Kyvin in the backfield, so you know it's going to
be kind of reminiscent of the you know, the greatest
show on turf. You know, I hope we kind of
bring that that name back this year.
Speaker 6 (19:36):
Okay, all right, okay, Quinn, Hey, one thing, you know,
Mike started us off by saying, you're you're entering your
your fourth season. After the season, you're gonna be eligible
for a contract extension. Just what are your thoughts about
entering this type of scenario.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Have there been a talks? Are you eager to get
these talks going?
Speaker 6 (19:51):
Just kind of what are your thoughts about that right now?
Speaker 8 (19:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 12 (19:54):
You know, as a player, you always you always wish
something's going to shake out. I think the thing for
me is and this is something that my day I
always told me, your play on the field in between
the white lines will take care of everything else outside.
Speaker 8 (20:07):
So that's all I'm focused on right now. Obviously we
have a good team.
Speaker 12 (20:10):
You know, there's a lot of things that you know
can happen, but I'm just making sure, you know, hoping
that I'll make this the best year. Obviously had a
lot of momentum go or had a lot of progression
going from year two to year three, and that's the
same thing that I want to do from year three
to year four.
Speaker 8 (20:25):
Make this my best year.
Speaker 12 (20:27):
Make sure that I'm handling the business on the field
so that everything else takes surer of yourself outside of that.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
If that why I mean availability plus the ability. Trust me,
a lot of zero is coming my man's way and
we'll bring it to you live here on the Insiders.
That's the plan.
Speaker 8 (20:45):
How we're going to make this thing happen.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
That is the plan. Listen. I've extended invitation and say
that you're welcome anytimes, but you already know that because
you've been on a multiple times and we're going to
have you on again. We know that that's the case.
Quentin Lake excited to see what twenty twenty five brings
for both you and the Appreciate you being here Againpal.
Speaker 8 (21:02):
Mike Steve, appreciate you guys. Thank you guys so much.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
That's our guy, Q. He'll be back again soon. As
for division winners, whether they'll be back at the top
of the standings, Judy Batista has some thoughts as to
which of those twenty four division winners are most vulnerable
in twenty five. That's next to the Insiders.
Speaker 4 (21:27):
The weight is over and the countdown to kickoff has begun.
Single game tickets for the twenty twenty five NFL season
are on sale now. Visit NFL dot com slash tickets
to purchase tickets today. Tickets are available through the NFL
ticket network including Ticketmaster, Seek Geek, and Sports Illustrated Tickets.
And you're going to be buying tickets to see some
(21:49):
of these teams. These are your twenty twenty four division
winners Eagles and Rams. They did not win the division
title in twenty twenty three.
Speaker 5 (22:01):
We are going to talk.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Now about which of these division winners we think are
vulnerable in the twenty twenty five season. Stephen Jeffrey rejoined
me Hi Guys. We talked about this briefly earlier in
the week. I wrote a column about this ranking the
division winners. I had the Lions as the most vulnerable
division winner. They have a very difficult schedule this season.
Speaker 5 (22:22):
It came all the way.
Speaker 4 (22:22):
Down to the final game of the regular season last
season for them to beat out the Vikings for the
division and they did lose both coordinators, so learning curve
may give them some trouble.
Speaker 5 (22:31):
So the Lions are number one on the list.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Number two on the list the Baltimore Ravens for me,
this is much more a reflection not of any problem
with the Ravens. You really have no holes on their roster.
It's much more a reflection of that division. The Cincinnati
Bengals should be improved if they can get even just
modest improvement out of the defense. We saw how hot
that offense was last season, and they were a team
(22:56):
coming on very strong at.
Speaker 5 (22:57):
The end of the season.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
And if big, if Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback, they
should get believe it or not, even Aaron Rodgers at
this age still get better quarterback play, more consistent quarterback
play than they got last season. They won ten games,
they only lost the division by two games to the
Ravens last season, so they could be a threat as well.
Speaker 6 (23:20):
Yeah, dude, it is a division just because it's asc North,
it's always.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Tight right there. But I think in looking.
Speaker 6 (23:25):
At some of those other teams, I know you mentioned
Cincinnati's defense should be better, but really, I mean, the
Trade Henderson thing is ugly and they were still bad
with him last year.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
Are they going to be able to stop a.
Speaker 6 (23:35):
Ravens offense that is as dynamic as it gets?
Speaker 1 (23:38):
It?
Speaker 6 (23:38):
Resigned King Henry, but in Baltimore's defense. I mean, look,
they add Malachi Starks in the draft right as ar
Darius Washington gets hurt, they get Mike Green, the edge
rusher from Marshall.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
I just think the Ravens are loaded. Now. There were
four and two in the division. Last year.
Speaker 6 (23:52):
They split with Cleveland and with Pittsburgh swept Cincinnati by
a total of four points. So again, it's going to
be tough, but I think the Ravens are safe or
some of the other teams on that list.
Speaker 9 (24:03):
All right.
Speaker 4 (24:03):
My number three team is the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFC
East has not had a repeat champion in more than
two decades, so history is certainly against the Eagles here.
And the other NFC team that made it to the
NFC Conference championship team is in their division, the Washington Commanders,
who are a team on a very rapid rise. Obviously
(24:24):
Jane Daniels going into his second season. They did a
lot of work on their offensive one they got Deebo Samuel.
Speaker 5 (24:31):
This is a team that is clearly all in.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
The Cowboys should be improved if Dak Prescott is healthy,
I think the Eagles could have a run for their
money in the East.
Speaker 9 (24:41):
Well, Judy, I agree with you on this one because
history is on your side. That twenty one year drought
is a big deal. But here's two things I like
about the Commanders winning this division this season.
Speaker 3 (24:50):
One they have a superstar.
Speaker 8 (24:52):
In Jane Daniels already.
Speaker 9 (24:53):
And two, they don't fear the Eagles that they beat
them last year at the end of the regular season. Yeah,
they took as she lacking in the NFTY Championship game,
but you look at what they did in the offseason,
bringing over Deebo Samuel, bring in Laramy Tunsil, improving that offense.
They're not hiding the fact that they want to outscore people.
They want to get after it, and I think that
extra firepower that supporting cast they have around them will
(25:14):
make a huge difference. Along with the schedule, the Eagles
are seeing the Chargers, the Broncos, the Vikings, the Chiefs,
and some of these teams are coming up in the
first eight weeks, so it's going to be tough for
the Eagles to repeat. All right.
Speaker 4 (25:26):
My next team is the Rams. We just Headquenton lake
On talking about them, But the Rams. I actually don't
think the Rams are all that vulnerable. Even though it
came down to a tiebreaker for them to beat out
the Seattle Seahawks in the division last season. Why do
I feel more comfortable with the Rams?
Speaker 5 (25:41):
Though? Well, Seattle did make a change at quarterback.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
We don't really know how Sam Darnold's going to do
in his first year there. And the Rams were coming
on so strong at the end of last season. A
team very much on the rise, a team that was
last season very much ahead of schedule. Of course, they
added Devonte Adams for some additional offensive firepower.
Speaker 5 (26:03):
I actually feel pretty good about the Rams.
Speaker 4 (26:06):
That's why they are right in the middle of the
pack on vulnerability.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
I do really good about the Rams. I mean, this
is a playoff team.
Speaker 6 (26:11):
Think about all the young players they had on their defense,
who are now a year better, a year more experienced.
Matthew Stafford, we don't know. Maybe this is it for him.
We've said that before, but maybe this is it. So
adding DeVante Adams, they added to their offensive line. They
got him a tight end of rookie tight end the
first round of the draft. Now, look, we can say
San Francisco, we just don't know about them, right, They've
got some issues on the offensive line. They got some
(26:33):
wide receivers, to replace. You don't know when Brandon Ayuka
is coming back, but still they are the forty nine ers.
If they are healthy, they are going to be a threat,
because again they've kind of had their Rams number for
a little bit. But the Rams are a playoff team.
I don't know if they win the division, but they
will be playing in the postseason if they're healthy.
Speaker 4 (26:51):
Finally, let's talk about the Houston Texans, who I don't
really think are that vulnerable at all. Quite frankly, they
had a terrible offensive line last season, they had a
string of wide receiver injury.
Speaker 1 (27:02):
C J.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Stroud had a sophomore slump, and they still won.
Speaker 5 (27:05):
The division by two games.
Speaker 4 (27:07):
There is a whole lot of uncertainty in this division.
You have a rookie quarterback in Tennessee, a rookie head
coach in Jacksonville, and a quarterback competition coming up in Indianapolis.
I feel like the Houston Texans they did a lot
of work on their offensive line as well. I feel
like the Houston Texans are in a pretty good spot.
Speaker 9 (27:24):
I'll agree with you on that one, Judy, but I'm
like you, I'm not as comfortable as you are with
this one.
Speaker 3 (27:30):
Just because when you start changing.
Speaker 9 (27:32):
The offensive coordinator, you start changing the offensive line, mixing
and matching and bringing a new people. That's a lot
of things you're moving around. For a quarterback iss CJ. Stroud,
who needs to be comfortable. You saw how he looked
last year. He's under pressure. He was not the same player.
And I wish they would get back to running the
football a lot more consistently.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
And that's the big thing.
Speaker 9 (27:51):
Can Joe Mixon be what he was a year ago
when he was healthy, because they're going to need that.
But the defense, to me, is going to be a
big staple for this team, the Texans. They're going to
be played great coverage, they're going to get after the quarterback,
and as you said, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Jacksonville, I don't see
where any of those offenses are going to be able
(28:11):
to give them problems the weekend and week out. They
may be a nine to eight team that's still good
enough to win the AFC South, all right.
Speaker 4 (28:18):
The rest of us is Bucks Chiefs, and in my opinion,
the least troubled defensive winner Division winner is the Buffalo Bills.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
They won the East easily.
Speaker 4 (28:27):
I don't see even though I anticipate improvement by the
Patriots in particular. I really don't see anybody challenging the
Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen the league MVP. I think
the Buffalo Bills are going to be a contender for
the Super Bowl.
Speaker 5 (28:41):
Yet again, Steve, you'll.
Speaker 4 (28:43):
Be back, Jeffrey, you won't enjoy the holiday weekend.
Speaker 5 (28:46):
And when we return, our guy Adam Rank.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
Is going to be here to talk about fantasy Dynasty keepers.
I bet that guy could be on the list. Cam
morg Ashton, Genty, who else we got there? Have us
Hunter when we return.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
Oh yeah, time for Dynasty rankings with our friend Adam Rank.
We pried him off the golf course to get him here,
ladies and gentlemen, to give you the breakdown on which
rookies you gonna want to you're gonna want to draft
this year for dynasty purposes. Dynasty, not that show that
was on in the eighties. I think Linda Evans was
on Dynasty or was she Falcon John Foresight?
Speaker 3 (29:31):
Yeah, I show. Yeah, there was a lot of things.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
Didn't know a Thanks Shell didn't know she was.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
I think she knows double dipping.
Speaker 5 (29:39):
She was doing TJ.
Speaker 13 (29:40):
Hooker and she was on a dynasty back to back,
she's on Battle of the Network Stars. But listen, yeah,
like nobody cares about this. Nobody cares about that.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
We're going for the hard course.
Speaker 13 (29:50):
It's Friday night on Memorial Day weekend. I decided to
get a little deep on this one, kind of like
the people are Star Wars fans who watch and or
as opposed to like I don't know.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
You know like this.
Speaker 13 (30:00):
If you're watching now, you're really into this. So let's
let's dive in. When you're looking at Dinasy.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
We're getting crazy.
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Listen, what do you want me to do with Mike?
Speaker 13 (30:08):
Listen, Like you said, they pulled me my phone, you
let me down this road. Okay, let's get the Ashton
Gent real quick. Everybody knows you're drafting Ashton Gent first overall,
he's going to the Seattle See or yeah, he's going
to the Las Vegas Raiders. Excuse me, coach my former
Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll.
Speaker 5 (30:26):
He's going to be the.
Speaker 13 (30:27):
Number one guy, Bell cow back. Everybody knows this.
Speaker 8 (30:30):
We don't.
Speaker 13 (30:30):
There's not much, not much discussion or anything. Who's number two?
That's the big one for me, and it's gonna be
your Mario Hampton. And when you look at this, I
know that some dude is going to hit me in
the mentions and be like, uh, they got Nase Harris
and you're like, Yeah, that's great, a nause fine player.
But you have to understand the Chargers make those moves
because free agency happens before the draft. They needed some insurance.
(30:55):
But now that Hampton has been drafted, he is going
to be the number one running back. He's got the
explod he's got the speed, and if you look at
what the Charges did last year with JK. Dobbins, Hampton
to me comes in as the number one guy. He
is going to feast in this offense. Not only is
he great for Dynasty, but I think in redrafts too,
you're probably going to have to draft him a lot
(31:16):
sooner than you're expecting. And not only do they have Hampton,
I really like Trey Harris for this team as well.
Last season did a great job with Lad mcconkeye. Lad
mccackey goes out there as one of the best players
in fantasy and he's still the only guy who Harris
is going to be competing with in the target category.
So I think that's a huge option for you. And
(31:36):
speaking of targets, I'm gonna go to my number three guy,
who's going to be Ted McMillan.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
Now I am listen, Mike.
Speaker 13 (31:43):
We've worked with Steve Smith Senior, and we know during
the offseason he was evaluating players, he was evaluating wide receivers.
He didn't have a lot of nice things to say
about Ted McMillan. I think he had Matthew Golden a
little bit higher, and when I did my mock drafts,
I placed Matthew gold In.
Speaker 3 (31:59):
A little higher.
Speaker 13 (32:00):
But the one thing that I really like about Ted
McMillan is his situation. He goes into one of the
best situations for a wide receiver because he's going to
get a ton of targets.
Speaker 5 (32:10):
His competition.
Speaker 13 (32:12):
He's got Adam Thielen, Xavier Leggett, Jalen Koker. There is
a real opportunity for him to go out there and
immediately the most targeted guy for this Panthers offense. So
I love Ted McMillan. That's why I'm going with him
at number three. At number four, I might differ from
a lot of people, but I'm gonna go with RJ.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
Harvey.
Speaker 13 (32:32):
And I know, coming into the draft process, you know,
maybe the draft Knicks didn't like RJ. Harvey that much,
but you know who liked him, Sean Payton. And you
know who I trust in evaluating running backs, Sean Payton.
I think Sean Payton has a track record where you're like, yeah,
I kind of believe what he says. It's not like
The Rock, Like when the Rock is like, hey, I'm
taking this movie role where I'm gonna be running around
(32:53):
a skyscrapen. You're like, now, Rock, like I'm gonna hold
you off there. Conversely, Sean Payton is somebody that I
absolutely trust. So when he goes out there and targets
a player. We saw this last year with Bo Nicks,
like he got the quarterback he wanted. Now he's got
the running back that he wants.
Speaker 9 (33:09):
So I have r J.
Speaker 13 (33:10):
Harvey at number four. At number five, I'm gonna.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
Go with Quinn Judkins.
Speaker 13 (33:14):
And again this is another one of those situations where
coming into the draft process, I wasn't necessarily enamored with Judkins.
I think he's a good player. He's played well at
Ohio State. Doesn't catch the ball like at least we
didn't see it at Ohio State. We didn't see him
catch the ball a lot. I'm glad that they're showing
him catching the ball right here because this is where
a lot of fantasy running backs could make their points.
(33:37):
But I think he's got a real opportunity for Cleveland. Obviously,
Nick Chubb is not going to be back. Jerome Ford
is there, but I think that Juggins could come in
immediately and kind of push him down the depth chart.
He can be the early down back that they go.
Speaker 3 (33:50):
To over and over again.
Speaker 8 (33:51):
So I love Judkins for this season.
Speaker 13 (33:54):
And finally we'll cap it right here at Travis Hunter. Honestly,
like for me, Brian Thomas Junior is one of the
best wide receivers in the NFL already, and I love
Brian Thomas Junior to take a big leap similar to
what Justin Jefferson did during his second year with the
Minnesota Vikings. But I look at what Travis Hunter can do,
(34:15):
and I know that there's somebody there that you're competing with.
But I find this to be similar to the Kirkland
version of what's going on in Cincinnati with Jamar Chase
and t Higgins, and I think Travis Hunter can go
out there and feast because he will get a lot
of opportunity. He'll get a lot of single coverage because
Brian Thomas is out there drawing so much attention. So
(34:36):
I think that you can feel safe with Travis Hunter. Okay,
let's take a look at the board. I'm gonna give you.
I believe my top twelve guys right here, Trey Harris,
as I mentioned right there was my number twelve guy
I do love. Caleb Johnson is another guy who I'm
really probably higher than a lot more than a lot
of people. Jayden Blue is another guy who would not
(34:57):
surprise me if he ends up being a top fantasy
running back this season. And you will notice too. I
have Tyler Warren and Tyler Warren ahead of Colston Loveland
because I think right now there's a there's an easier
pathway for him for Tyler Warren to go out there
and get targets as opposed to Colston Lovelin, who's gonna
(35:17):
be fighting. Not only Cole Comb had Dj Moore, Roma
Dunza and Luther Burden the third.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
See that's how we know we can trust you. Rank
huge Bears fan. You put Tyler Warren ahead of your bears,
tight end, No Homer, that's what we'll say on that one,
No Homer, And listen the other one that I'm looking
at and Mecca, Mecca Abuka right now might not be
the guy for the Buccaneers, but Mike Evans, Chris Godwinner
(35:44):
gone in a couple of years. You buy low right now,
that one could really pay off. Remember this is Dynasty,
the show that Heather Locklear was on. I was able
to watch an entire episode while Rank was ripping through
all of his top guys there in the Dynasty rankings,
Adam Rank ranky? What more could you ask for on
a holiday Friday? Nothing?
Speaker 13 (36:04):
Nothing right on a getaway Friday, going out there talking
to Dynasty football. It's a good friday, and I feel
like we did. We covered a lot of ground here
and again when we could talk about Dynasty and Linda
Evans and all that stuff. I'm surprised that a man
your age would even remember that stuff.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
Oh yeah, we spent some friday our Falcon Crest. I'm
telling you, Dynasty fucking.
Speaker 13 (36:24):
Crest, knots landing all that stuff.
Speaker 1 (36:27):
Watch the hold up?
Speaker 8 (36:29):
Yes all right.
Speaker 13 (36:29):
By the way, our producer is a headbanger. So he
is talking about Kiss. I guess Kiss had a record
called Kiss had like thirty albums. Of course, Dynasty it
was an album. I don't know, Jeff listen, I Kiss
is fine. Are they still touring? They're still touring apparently. Yeah,
they're on the fifth Farewell tour.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
They're rock and rolling all night, which we could do
with you, Adam Rank. However, I'm being told in my
ear we gotta go. This segment was awesome, hotter than
your Los Angeles Angels. Thank you, my friend. The Jets
on the field in much quieter fashion. In the last
couple of years, there's a lot of hooplout with Aaron
Rodgers and hard knocks and everything. Now it's a reset
(37:09):
under Aaron Glenn, who promises a no nonsense approach and
the players already seeing that.
Speaker 11 (37:15):
Hard knows football is one of those things that he
believes in toughness, he believes in execution, he believes in
being smart when they come down to executing the plays
and did not penalizing yourself. So his standard was set
from day one and it hasn't been broken ever since
he said it. So it's one of those things that's
bleeding off to the captains and bleeding off to everyone
(37:37):
on the staff, everyone in the organization, everyone on the field.
Speaker 14 (37:40):
I can't exactly put a word to it right now,
but it's something that's violent, you know. And for me
it's a little different than you know, as far as
what we're doing and getting asked upon me as far
as blocking, as far as you know, Garrett, you got
to find the safety on this one. You know, these
are things that you know, maybe I haven't been asked,
but like it says a lot about the culture. You know,
it's not just you do this job. No, no, no, Garrett,
(38:04):
you want to play, You're going and do this too.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
Judy, be teaze and Steve Weis's back with us. Look,
we're going to talk about, you know, discipline, physicality, all
these things. This is not to say that Robert Salah
didn't try to instill these things with the Jets, and
on the defensive side of the ball, certainly did. I
think you start to hear Garrett Wilson talk about blocking
in the offensive side, Maybe a little bit different there
in that regard, but definitely, like I talked about, a
(38:29):
no nonsense approach, Judy. When it comes to Aaron Glenn
and a guy that wants to get down to business
immediately with this team.
Speaker 5 (38:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:35):
I just happened to talk to Woody and Christopher Johnson,
the owners of the Jets, at the owners meeting earlier
this week, and they both talked about accountability and discipline.
They talked about all the penalties the Jets had had.
They don't want that anymore. That is what they expect
Aaron Glenn to bring. Accountability and discipline. And one of
(38:55):
the first things you have seen in OTAs is everybody's
going up, and that includes people like Sauce Gardner and
Garrett Wilson who are eligible for new contracts.
Speaker 5 (39:05):
They are there.
Speaker 4 (39:07):
Another thing I think you heard Aaron Glenn describe Justin Fields.
We haven't shown that clip, but described Justin Feels as
not trying to be a celebrity quarterback. Well, first of all,
that comes straight from the mouth of Bill Parcells number
one and number two. That tells you an awful lot
about how things are going to be different around the
New York Jets under Aaron Glenn, because last year at
(39:28):
this time, they certainly had a celebrity quarterback and they
were not getting one hundred percent attendance at OTA's.
Speaker 5 (39:34):
This is going to be a.
Speaker 4 (39:36):
Much more hard nosed, much more low key New York
Jets team.
Speaker 3 (39:40):
Low Key is a big part. Just think about, you know,
the past.
Speaker 6 (39:43):
Five or six years with the Jets, you had the
Adam Gaze craziness. You had, you know, Zach Wilson being
drafted number two, who he's going to be our great quarterback.
Speaker 3 (39:50):
Well he turns out the fizzle. Then Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 6 (39:53):
Comes in, all of this drama is gone, and that's
Aaron Glenn and this whole new leadership lit on all
of this and maybe telling the owner, we don't want
hard knocks this year, so don't be out there pounding
the drum to get that done. Then you talk about accountability.
There's only only so much a coach can do to
have accountability, other than to teach his players self accountability.
(40:16):
Those are veteran players you heard talking about accountability and
things like that.
Speaker 3 (40:19):
They're going to expect them.
Speaker 6 (40:20):
To set that standard when everybody's together in pads. The
one thing I loved Aaron Glenn who said earlier this week,
nobody's making this roster in shorts and jerseys. He's letting
you know, right, now learn what we have to do.
But when the pads come on, that's when it gets
real and then we're gonna find out.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
Who wants to be this version of the Jets.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
Yeah, if you look at Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn
did come from the Dan Campbell Detroit Lions that early
portion of the program there in Detroit. They weren't competitive
early in the season, but late that year was a
team that you didn't want to play. I think you're
going to see a little bit of that from the
Jets this year. They're gonna pop up in some spots
and win some games and maybe spoil some seasons late
(41:00):
in the year. Judy and Steve, thank you very.
Speaker 15 (41:02):
Much our team last year. I think we're a top
five team of all time. And I tell my boys
this all the time. Like we started off too and
two and we lost to Washington. Jadelely got hurt that game. Yeah,
but if you really look at the season, outside of
the first four games, it was Belt It's dominant.
Speaker 1 (41:26):
Jerdy, does the man have a point?
Speaker 4 (41:31):
I mean, first of all, I would say the bat
signal just went up for the nineteen seventy two Miami
Dolphins were like, wait, a minute, just told on one
second Top five though, yeah, you know that takes.
Speaker 5 (41:43):
In a lot of NFL's history.
Speaker 6 (41:45):
No, they are not to pushing the eighty five Bears,
you know the ninety nine Rams best show on turf
like that, and think about this, eighty nine to forty
nine is outscored opponents one twenty six to twenty six
in the postseason.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
Only that is belt to tush.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
It is hard to compare teams from different eras, particularly
in eras where the salary cap didn't exist, but they
certainly were dominant down the stretch. They have a case
to start making a dynasty. Just talking about dynasty with
Adam Rank a dynasty type argument. We'll see how they
do in twenty twenty five. Judy, Steve, Adam Rank, Jeffrey Jadiaz,
Quentin Lake. Thank you everybody for joining us, and thank
(42:22):
you for joining us. Have a great holiday weekend from
us at the Insiders
You your favorite boy George song there because you see
that right down the bottom culture clubs. We're talking about
the Raiders and the Jets, teams with new regimes on
the field as we're getting set for OTAs, mini cams,
training camps. Yeah, we're getting there slowly, but surely we're
getting there. Rams safety Quentin Lake, no stranger to the program,
(00:29):
joins us again on the Insiders. If there is a
better pound per pound interview in the NFL right now,
I'm not sure who it is. You know this is
going to be a good one. Stay tuned for that.
And our guy Adam Rank is going to be joining
us to talk about your dynasty leagues in fantasy football.
He's got some advice for some youngsters that you're going
to want to add and be a part of your
(00:51):
dynasty for years to come. Welcome inside with the Insiders
to professionals and one guy who's got one foot out
the door for the holiday weekend. That's me. Mike Garofolo,
Judy Batista, and Steve Weisch. They came to work. Jeffrey
Tredia gonna come to work as well. I mentioned Adam Rank,
he'll be here and you're gonna want to get in
(01:12):
for that Quentin Lake interview because he is just fantastic.
But new right now, before we get to that, Josh Connerly. Yeah,
the Washington Commanders the latest team to get their first
round pick under contract, a four year, fifteen point six
eight one zero nine four and ten cents deal. Tom Pellisero.
(01:33):
He is a man of precision and he did it
right there with that tweet about Connorly. Yeah, Commanders, it's
a little difficult to draft at the back of the
first round then draft the top, but that's a good
thing because that means you had a great season last year.
So here are the remaining unsigned first round picks. We
expect most of these, if not all, to be done
before the start of training camp. Mason Graham there at
(01:54):
number five, still yet to get under contract, but that
should happen in relatively or order in the meantime. The Browns, Yeah,
they've got some work to do on both sides of
the football, particularly at the quarterback position. We're seeing this
throw from Shador Sanders over and if you're dissecting this
throw from rookie minicamp, like, relax, there's plenty more to
(02:15):
come from Shador Sanders and from all the Browns quarterbacks,
even the new guy in the ownership office, Charles Woodson.
He knows that he joined our Good Morning Football with
some Woodson whiskey behind him.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
What we're looking at is is we're looking at competition
and we're looking for that cream the rods to the top.
Are you bringing a veteran like Joe Flacco, a guy
who you know that he's gonna come in, He's gonna
play steady for you. So if we need a guy
to go in and play right now, Joe Flacco is
gonna be the guy.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
And then the next you know.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Coming up, of course you got picket Shdor, Dylan Gabriel
and those guys.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
And so look, those guys are going to get the reps.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I don't know how many reps are going to get
at this point in time, but whatever reps you get,
then you got to show what it is that you
bring to the table. So you know, the way this
thing is going to play out is the best guy
is going to play. I mean that's the way I
feel about it. And I know that one guy has
really gotten all of the attention, but there's an opportunity
for you know, like you said a lot of guys
(03:16):
to get work during this season, this offseason and into
training camp to get that starting nod.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Charles, what's in the latest minority owner of the Browns.
But he's got major opinions when it comes to the
quarterbacks and whine and whiskey. I'm telling you that Woodson
whiskey is good stuff. Behind him, Charles, I'll take a bottle, pal,
Judy Batista, Let's stop talking about whiskey and start talking
about quarterbacks. You know you heard Woodson say what the
Browns are thinking. You know, you got the veteran and
Joe Flackell, who did play well for us two years ago.
(03:45):
But we've got these young guys that are competing. And
certainly Kenny Pickett didn't come there just to hang around,
wants to be part of the potential starting equation. How
do you assess this Browns quarterback situation right now?
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Well, I think the first question that has to be
answered at some point by the is what are they
trying to accomplish this season and especially early in the season,
Because if the goal is to win games right out
of the gate, then there's almost no question. As Charles
Woodson said that Joe Flacco is the one you would
turn to. He has had success in Cleveland. He had
success with Kevin Stefanski, which means they are comfortable with
(04:19):
each other, and Stefanski knows what Flacco likes and what
he can do at this stage in his career, and
Flacco will know the offense and be comfortable with the
play calling. So certainly, if that's your goal, if you
think you have to win games, maybe to save your job,
then you turn to Joe Flacco out of the gate.
But at some point the Browns have to get a
look at the young quarterbacks because don't forget, the.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
Browns have two first round.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Picks going into next year's draft, so they're going to
be in position to get a quarterback, possibly a quarterback
very high up in the first round, if they want one.
But to know if you want one, you've got to
know first if you've got the guy of your future
on the roster right now. So is Joe Flacco the answer,
I would say initially Joe Flacco. With the answer, my
(05:04):
question is at what point, Steve, do you think they
have to turn to the young guys?
Speaker 6 (05:08):
Well, that's by mid season they've got a losing record,
This is a really interesting dynamic. And by the way,
Charles Woodson's intercept wines are just as good as his whiskeys,
So plug there for Charles. But look, this is not
a roster that necessarily is built for the long term.
Plus Kevin Stefanski, they're coming off of a three to
fourteen record. He's not trying to go through that again
(05:29):
by developing a young quarterback.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
But they've got to have the best quarterback.
Speaker 6 (05:33):
As Charles Woodson did say, if Joe Flacco is the
most seasoned, yeah, he's well liked in Cleveland, but he
doesn't look good in training camp. You got to go
with the guy who the other players trust the most,
and that's going to be hugely important.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Plus how much of a life of a shelf.
Speaker 6 (05:47):
Life do Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry have. That's going
to be an interesting discussion, depending to see how the
season plays out. I think you try to win games, Judy,
whoever it is, you go for it. It is not about
develop Yeah, developing young quarterback of practice, what were always saying, Hey,
guy needs to sit and watch, right, Maybe that's what
they need to do. They've got to win ball games
because the fan base is tired of losing. Developing the
(06:10):
next quarterback and whether that's Joe Flacco, Canny Pickett, whomever,
the best quarterback, the one who the players trust the
most and the coaches trust the most, that's who they've
got to rock with.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
You talked about the players, Steve Wis. Remember with Miles Garrett,
it wasn't so much about the money. It was the
commitment to winning moving forward. They did sell him on that,
and they sold them on the money too, but really
they sold them on that other part and the fact
that they weren't going to have another season in twenty
twenty five like they had in twenty four. You're going
to need a quarterback that can help you compete to
be able to deliver on that promise. Speaking of promises,
(06:43):
the Raiders showing some promise now because they've turned a
little bit of the roster. They've got themselves a veteran
quarterback and they've got Pete Carroll, the new head coach,
who certainly knows what it takes to win in the NFL,
showed that consistently through his time with the Seattle Sea Hawks.
And the players now that have been around the last
couple of years, particularly Max Crosby, believe that he's showing
(07:06):
it once again with the Raiders.
Speaker 7 (07:08):
It's just awesome.
Speaker 8 (07:09):
You know.
Speaker 7 (07:09):
Every day is like, you know, he talked about competition,
and that's real. You know, everything we do, we're competing,
no matter if it's in the meetings, no matter if
it's in the individual meetings, no matter if in the
weight room. Like it's truly a competition everything we do.
But we're having fun with it and it's about winning.
Like if you're a competitor truly to the core, like
this is exactly where you want to be. And I know,
you know, I feel like I'm the best, you know,
(07:30):
the top competitor in the in the world at what
I do, you know what I mean. So I love
it and that energy keeps me fueled at all times.
And Pete is constantly testing me, He's testing other guys
on the team, and he just wants to see the
guys be the best versions of themselves and he's true
to that. It's not fake energy, you know, it's every
day he's the same guy. And it's not just him,
it's the assistant coaches, the whole building. It just feels
(07:53):
different and it's it's it's definitely been amazing.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Yeah, Jeffrey again on in here, because we're going to
talk about that energy of Pete Carroll. It is not
I mean, anybody who spend time around Pete Carroll knows
that it is not fake energy. He certainly is rejuvenated
by the chance to once again coach in the NFL.
So how important is that, Jeffrey, for this team to
have that energy and to have it consistently day in
and day out Right now.
Speaker 9 (08:19):
It's huge because you're talking about a team that hasn't
won a lot of games in a long time, two
playoff appearances in the last twenty two years. But Pete
Carroll brings the credibility for the Super Bowl Championship in.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
His back pocket.
Speaker 9 (08:30):
But he also brings that energy and he talked you
heard mass Crowsley talk about that.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Pete Carroll's always.
Speaker 9 (08:35):
Going to talk about guys competing every day, getting guys
jew stuff. And you think about what he did when
he came to Seattle. That was a big part of
it there. Even when he had a rebirth there back
in twenty twenty two, he had thirteen players who had
we'll show on rookie dials they got those guys fired
up and got them to the playoffs. So I thoroughly
expect the Raiders to be probably the most improved team
(08:55):
in the ASC West because this guy here is going
to bring up the enthusiasm. He's going to make guys compete,
He's going to make them better.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
Judy, Well, look, we have said this since the day
Pete Carroll was hired. If you need a culture seter
if you need a culture change, that is Pete Carroll.
Speaker 5 (09:11):
That is what Pete Carroll does.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
And he's got the extra advantages you said, Jeffrey, of
the credibility that comes with having won consistently over the
years in Seattle, including the Super Bowl, of course, so
he's got the complete package. I think the question is
does he have enough players on that roster. Have they
turned over that roster enough to give Pete Carroll what
(09:34):
he needs to win games, because last year, you know,
Antonio Pierce was there as the head coach, and well,
he certainly didn't have the experience and the wins that
Pete Carroll has. He does have the energy and the
players were lauding him at that time, but they didn't
have enough players on the roster. Nobody could have won
with the roster they had last year at the Raiders.
(09:54):
So to me, there's no question Pete Carroll is going
to be an improved guy. He is going going to
raise the level of competition, certainly raise the energy level.
Does he have the horses to win at the top level?
Speaker 6 (10:07):
Well, and is he can win in this division? I mean,
look at how loaded it is. I mean, the Chiefs
aren't going anywhere, the Chargers aren't going anywhere. In Denver
has really had a strong offseason, you know, upgrading a
playoff team roster.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
So that's something he's battling.
Speaker 6 (10:19):
But you talk about the culture, hence the culture club
reference at Mike at the top of the show.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
Do you really want to hurt me?
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Pete Carroll is like, no.
Speaker 6 (10:27):
Look, look, look I've been around that building, right. John
Gruden had something good going until he got into the
email scandal. Then Rich Pisati, the interroim guy, had a
really good culture developing, but he was an interim guy
and they got rid of him, hired Josh McDaniels. A
lot of uncertainty, a lot of tension there, and then
ap again the energy was there.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Max Crosby was.
Speaker 6 (10:46):
Talking about ap like he just talked about Pete Carroll,
but they didn't have the horses, and again it just
wasn't settled in the building. Pete and John Spytech are
going to settle that building. That's what this organization needs
more than ever.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Now. Defensively, you've got Max Crosby.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
But when Pete Carroll said this week about Christian Wilkins,
a defensive tackle who they paid, how we're still going
through a challenging rehab from the foot fracture, that didn't
sound great. So defensively they still got some holes to fill.
But offensively, having a quarterback like Gino Smith, that's going
to help usher in that culture that Pete Carroll is
trying to establish, no.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Doubt about it. I mean, you can chew all the
gum you want, and you can provide all the motivationals,
do you have the players to get it done. And
the bottom line is this roster is way better right
now for Pete Carroll than it was for Antonio Pierce
last year. Pierce didn't get to see the reset from
that standpoint. You look, just look at the quarterback situation
from last year to this year has completely changed things
with the Raiders. Speaking of quarterbacks transitions, they're working that night,
(11:42):
Steve Whyshold, we are going to the New Orleans Saints.
And Jake Hayner, who's going to miss some time now,
he's going to some time in the spring, might miss
the rest of the spring right now with an oblique
injury that he suffered recently. I don't know if we
would handicap Hayner as the favorite right now. Tyler Shock,
the rookie second rounder, has got as clear a path
as you could ever expect for a second round pick
to this starting quarterback uh situation and not having Hater
(12:05):
around to steal some reps perhaps perhaps in the spring
should only help Shuck even more in his attempt to
win the starting job for New Orleans right out of
the gate following the following the retirement of Derek Carr.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Let's go, let's go be to hammer.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Bet a hammer, beat a hammer better.
Speaker 10 (12:21):
Hammer, not to nail better hammer, Not to nail better hammer,
not to nail.
Speaker 8 (12:24):
Let's go.
Speaker 11 (12:26):
I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here.
Speaker 9 (12:37):
Careful, careful, what is.
Speaker 10 (12:39):
That hot talking?
Speaker 11 (12:41):
Think fishing?
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Don't Why are you giving that out?
Speaker 10 (12:43):
That's gonna flow us down.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Let man, but ram safety Quentin Lake around the microphone
and good things happen. That's our policy here at the Insiders.
He's back with us veteran safety. I'm gonna call you
veteran safety man. You're heading in the year four. Now,
(13:15):
you were a starter last year. This time last year,
we said, look to this guy to be one of
the breakout players in the NFL. Certainly the case. Seventeen games,
over one hundred tackles, impact player last season. Quentin, when
you look back at last season, what do you think
the biggest stride was for you personally?
Speaker 12 (13:32):
I think the biggest stride that I mind you, you know, Mike, Steve,
Grace to see you guys. It's always good to see
you guys as faces. But the biggest stride that I
think I took was really just being available, being out there.
I always told myself, you know, if I'm your best availability,
your best ability is availability. And you know, I was
one of a couple guys to play every defensive snap
out there, and they kind of call it like an
(13:54):
iron man. So to be able to be to be
able to consistently be out there, I think that was,
you know, the best traits, and I always told myself,
if I'm out there, I'm bound to make a play.
So last season was fun. I had a lot of
plays that I made and definitely took a stride from
you know, year two to year three.
Speaker 6 (14:10):
But Quinn, you were just out there, Okay, you were
out there playing kind of that slot, big nickel, You're
playing free, you were playing some outside linebacker tendencies.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
That versatility was huge for you.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
What do you think that allowed then first time defensive
coordator Chris Shula to do in terms of scheming it
up for the other ten guys.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
Yeah, I think it helped him a lot.
Speaker 12 (14:31):
It helped our defensive coordinator, Chris Shula to put me in,
you know, the best position to make a play, but
also knowing to have the trust and confidence to put
me in those spots to kind of mess with the
offense a little bit.
Speaker 9 (14:41):
You know.
Speaker 12 (14:42):
It was more so of a thing where you know,
where is quintin Lay going to line up this week?
Is he going to line up in the slot, is
he going to line up deep? Is he going to
line up off the edge. And to be able to
have that versatility it allows, you know, our defensive coordinator
to have fun and do whatever you know. And that's
what makes it fun for me is there's so many
different spots that you can put me at and I
have no problem of playing them too. So you know,
(15:02):
the versatility that I played with, that's one of the
things I think that highlights my game.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
We're seeing that Eagles game. Here a couple of clips
there in the snow that was other than the result,
that was a fun one. That was a fun one
to cover. I'm sure it was a fun one to
play in. And when you look back at that game,
you guys were the closest to taking out the Eagles
in the postseason. Does that help, like that torture you
or does that give a springboard to say, hey, we
are right there.
Speaker 12 (15:26):
Yeah, you can see it both ways. I always told
myself we were fourteen yards away from winning that game.
You know, obviously the ball didn't shake our way. There
are a couple of plays that you know, we might
have wish we wanted back. But at the same time,
I don't think anybody really truly believed in us to
even make it that far. Mind you to give the
world championships and run for the money, and that gives
(15:47):
us a lot of confidence going into this year.
Speaker 8 (15:49):
You know, we got a lot of guys.
Speaker 12 (15:50):
We have a young defensive front, we got guys in
the back end that can make plays, and obviously in
this offseason.
Speaker 8 (15:56):
We got a ton of new additions. So what was
that game? You know, it's tough.
Speaker 12 (16:00):
It was not only because of the way it ended,
but if you think about it, if we won that game,
we would have been hosting the NFC Championship. And then
obviously it would have meant so much for the city
due to the fact that we had the fires going
on in.
Speaker 8 (16:14):
La So if you think of the you know, the culmination.
Speaker 12 (16:17):
Of things, you know, the fires, just us hosting an
NFC championship, that's more of the reason why we wanted
that game so bad, And it's tough to look back at.
Speaker 8 (16:26):
You know, we would have really gave the city hope.
Speaker 12 (16:28):
A lot of the people that couldn't have gone to
the first game, our first wild card game would have
been able to go to that game. And obviously it
would have gave fans, you know, three hours of entertainment
to get their mind away from the fires and all
the things that were going on in La and able
to come out and see the Rams play.
Speaker 8 (16:44):
That would have been awesome.
Speaker 6 (16:45):
Yeah, someone who lives here, that would have been really
special because you know how the Rams, you know, look
at your draft at a fire department, how much you guys
have really embraced being kind of a protective layer for
the community during that tragedy. I want to get back
to your defense because you talked about how young you are,
You've added pieces things like that. The rumors are not
subsiding that the Rams could be in play to bring
(17:05):
back Jalen Ramsey. Yeah, your thoughts on that possibility, I mean.
Speaker 12 (17:12):
That would be Oh, we would be a tough We
would be a tough team, especially a tough defense to be.
You know, he knows the system, He's familiar with the organization.
Jalen is a god given talent. Not only is that
he's smart, He's been in the league a long time,
playing at such a high level. And anytime you get
to bring a guy like that back, you know he's
(17:33):
only going to add value. He is a star, you know,
and people anybody that you ask, you know, he is
such an amazing player. I truly believe he'll be a
Hall of Famer one day too. Just because not only
what he's done on the field, but you know, you
look at how consistently he's done it year and year
in and year out.
Speaker 8 (17:52):
You know, I've seen the rumors. I've heard the rumors.
Speaker 12 (17:55):
You know, I don't necessarily know what's going to happen,
but you know, I hope. You know, anytime you got
to like that, that can add value to a team,
especially with you know, the guys that we have already,
that's huge. So hopefully, you know, things shake out whatever
may happen. I know, you know, guys are trying to
pull strings and stuff like that, but you know, we'll see,
we'll see in it. We'll see in a couple hopefully
(18:16):
a couple of weeks, or you know, whenever it happens.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
Well done, Well done by you. That was great.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
The one big move the team has already made bringing
in Devonte Adams this offseason. I know we're going to
have some matchups when it comes to OTA's mini camp
training camp. Have we had those yet? Between you guys,
are you looking forward to that?
Speaker 12 (18:34):
I am didn't have them yet, but we did have
them when we played the Jets. You know, he's a
fantastic player. You look at the same thing with Jayleen Ramsey.
He's been doing it year in and year out, and
you can kind of tell he's adding value not only
what he does as a player, but as a mentor
to the younger guys too, which is awesome, you know,
teaching these guys, you know, how to attack defensive leverages,
(18:56):
what to do at the top of the routes. You know,
I still think, you know, he's one of the best
route runners in the NFL. And there's a reason why.
You know, Sean Mavay was very adamant in getting him.
You know, he just kind of, unluck unlocks things in
the offense. And then obviously we got our Hall of Fame.
We got our Hall of Famer or future Hall of
Famer Matthew Stafford over there. You know, I call him
mister long Handoffs. So it's gonna be you know, I
(19:18):
expect big things because these are you know, you got
Pooka on one end, you got DeVante on the other too, too,
out well does a you know, fantastic job too, so
we have all the weapons that we need. And then
Kyvin in the backfield, so you know it's going to
be kind of reminiscent of the you know, the greatest
show on turf. You know, I hope we kind of
bring that that name back this year.
Speaker 6 (19:36):
Okay, all right, okay, Quinn, Hey, one thing, you know,
Mike started us off by saying, you're you're entering your
your fourth season. After the season, you're gonna be eligible
for a contract extension. Just what are your thoughts about
entering this type of scenario.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Have there been a talks? Are you eager to get
these talks going?
Speaker 6 (19:51):
Just kind of what are your thoughts about that right now?
Speaker 8 (19:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 12 (19:54):
You know, as a player, you always you always wish
something's going to shake out. I think the thing for
me is and this is something that my day I
always told me, your play on the field in between
the white lines will take care of everything else outside.
Speaker 8 (20:07):
So that's all I'm focused on right now. Obviously we
have a good team.
Speaker 12 (20:10):
You know, there's a lot of things that you know
can happen, but I'm just making sure, you know, hoping
that I'll make this the best year. Obviously had a
lot of momentum go or had a lot of progression
going from year two to year three, and that's the
same thing that I want to do from year three
to year four.
Speaker 8 (20:25):
Make this my best year.
Speaker 12 (20:27):
Make sure that I'm handling the business on the field
so that everything else takes surer of yourself outside of that.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
If that why I mean availability plus the ability. Trust me,
a lot of zero is coming my man's way and
we'll bring it to you live here on the Insiders.
That's the plan.
Speaker 8 (20:45):
How we're going to make this thing happen.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
That is the plan. Listen. I've extended invitation and say
that you're welcome anytimes, but you already know that because
you've been on a multiple times and we're going to
have you on again. We know that that's the case.
Quentin Lake excited to see what twenty twenty five brings
for both you and the Appreciate you being here Againpal.
Speaker 8 (21:02):
Mike Steve, appreciate you guys. Thank you guys so much.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
That's our guy, Q. He'll be back again soon. As
for division winners, whether they'll be back at the top
of the standings, Judy Batista has some thoughts as to
which of those twenty four division winners are most vulnerable
in twenty five. That's next to the Insiders.
Speaker 4 (21:27):
The weight is over and the countdown to kickoff has begun.
Single game tickets for the twenty twenty five NFL season
are on sale now. Visit NFL dot com slash tickets
to purchase tickets today. Tickets are available through the NFL
ticket network including Ticketmaster, Seek Geek, and Sports Illustrated Tickets.
And you're going to be buying tickets to see some
(21:49):
of these teams. These are your twenty twenty four division
winners Eagles and Rams. They did not win the division
title in twenty twenty three.
Speaker 5 (22:01):
We are going to talk.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Now about which of these division winners we think are
vulnerable in the twenty twenty five season. Stephen Jeffrey rejoined
me Hi Guys. We talked about this briefly earlier in
the week. I wrote a column about this ranking the
division winners. I had the Lions as the most vulnerable
division winner. They have a very difficult schedule this season.
Speaker 5 (22:22):
It came all the way.
Speaker 4 (22:22):
Down to the final game of the regular season last
season for them to beat out the Vikings for the
division and they did lose both coordinators, so learning curve
may give them some trouble.
Speaker 5 (22:31):
So the Lions are number one on the list.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Number two on the list the Baltimore Ravens for me,
this is much more a reflection not of any problem
with the Ravens. You really have no holes on their roster.
It's much more a reflection of that division. The Cincinnati
Bengals should be improved if they can get even just
modest improvement out of the defense. We saw how hot
that offense was last season, and they were a team
(22:56):
coming on very strong at.
Speaker 5 (22:57):
The end of the season.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
And if big, if Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback, they
should get believe it or not, even Aaron Rodgers at
this age still get better quarterback play, more consistent quarterback
play than they got last season. They won ten games,
they only lost the division by two games to the
Ravens last season, so they could be a threat as well.
Speaker 6 (23:20):
Yeah, dude, it is a division just because it's asc North,
it's always.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Tight right there. But I think in looking.
Speaker 6 (23:25):
At some of those other teams, I know you mentioned
Cincinnati's defense should be better, but really, I mean, the
Trade Henderson thing is ugly and they were still bad
with him last year.
Speaker 3 (23:34):
Are they going to be able to stop a.
Speaker 6 (23:35):
Ravens offense that is as dynamic as it gets?
Speaker 1 (23:38):
It?
Speaker 6 (23:38):
Resigned King Henry, but in Baltimore's defense. I mean, look,
they add Malachi Starks in the draft right as ar
Darius Washington gets hurt, they get Mike Green, the edge
rusher from Marshall.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
I just think the Ravens are loaded. Now. There were
four and two in the division. Last year.
Speaker 6 (23:52):
They split with Cleveland and with Pittsburgh swept Cincinnati by
a total of four points. So again, it's going to
be tough, but I think the Ravens are safe or
some of the other teams on that list.
Speaker 9 (24:03):
All right.
Speaker 4 (24:03):
My number three team is the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFC
East has not had a repeat champion in more than
two decades, so history is certainly against the Eagles here.
And the other NFC team that made it to the
NFC Conference championship team is in their division, the Washington Commanders,
who are a team on a very rapid rise. Obviously
(24:24):
Jane Daniels going into his second season. They did a
lot of work on their offensive one they got Deebo Samuel.
Speaker 5 (24:31):
This is a team that is clearly all in.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
The Cowboys should be improved if Dak Prescott is healthy,
I think the Eagles could have a run for their
money in the East.
Speaker 9 (24:41):
Well, Judy, I agree with you on this one because
history is on your side. That twenty one year drought
is a big deal. But here's two things I like
about the Commanders winning this division this season.
Speaker 3 (24:50):
One they have a superstar.
Speaker 8 (24:52):
In Jane Daniels already.
Speaker 9 (24:53):
And two, they don't fear the Eagles that they beat
them last year at the end of the regular season. Yeah,
they took as she lacking in the NFTY Championship game,
but you look at what they did in the offseason,
bringing over Deebo Samuel, bring in Laramy Tunsil, improving that offense.
They're not hiding the fact that they want to outscore people.
They want to get after it, and I think that
extra firepower that supporting cast they have around them will
(25:14):
make a huge difference. Along with the schedule, the Eagles
are seeing the Chargers, the Broncos, the Vikings, the Chiefs,
and some of these teams are coming up in the
first eight weeks, so it's going to be tough for
the Eagles to repeat. All right.
Speaker 4 (25:26):
My next team is the Rams. We just Headquenton lake
On talking about them, But the Rams. I actually don't
think the Rams are all that vulnerable. Even though it
came down to a tiebreaker for them to beat out
the Seattle Seahawks in the division last season. Why do
I feel more comfortable with the Rams?
Speaker 5 (25:41):
Though? Well, Seattle did make a change at quarterback.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
We don't really know how Sam Darnold's going to do
in his first year there. And the Rams were coming
on so strong at the end of last season. A
team very much on the rise, a team that was
last season very much ahead of schedule. Of course, they
added Devonte Adams for some additional offensive firepower.
Speaker 5 (26:03):
I actually feel pretty good about the Rams.
Speaker 4 (26:06):
That's why they are right in the middle of the
pack on vulnerability.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
I do really good about the Rams. I mean, this
is a playoff team.
Speaker 6 (26:11):
Think about all the young players they had on their defense,
who are now a year better, a year more experienced.
Matthew Stafford, we don't know. Maybe this is it for him.
We've said that before, but maybe this is it. So
adding DeVante Adams, they added to their offensive line. They
got him a tight end of rookie tight end the
first round of the draft. Now, look, we can say
San Francisco, we just don't know about them, right, They've
got some issues on the offensive line. They got some
(26:33):
wide receivers, to replace. You don't know when Brandon Ayuka
is coming back, but still they are the forty nine ers.
If they are healthy, they are going to be a threat,
because again they've kind of had their Rams number for
a little bit. But the Rams are a playoff team.
I don't know if they win the division, but they
will be playing in the postseason if they're healthy.
Speaker 4 (26:51):
Finally, let's talk about the Houston Texans, who I don't
really think are that vulnerable at all. Quite frankly, they
had a terrible offensive line last season, they had a
string of wide receiver injury.
Speaker 1 (27:02):
C J.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Stroud had a sophomore slump, and they still won.
Speaker 5 (27:05):
The division by two games.
Speaker 4 (27:07):
There is a whole lot of uncertainty in this division.
You have a rookie quarterback in Tennessee, a rookie head
coach in Jacksonville, and a quarterback competition coming up in Indianapolis.
I feel like the Houston Texans they did a lot
of work on their offensive line as well. I feel
like the Houston Texans are in a pretty good spot.
Speaker 9 (27:24):
I'll agree with you on that one, Judy, but I'm
like you, I'm not as comfortable as you are with
this one.
Speaker 3 (27:30):
Just because when you start changing.
Speaker 9 (27:32):
The offensive coordinator, you start changing the offensive line, mixing
and matching and bringing a new people. That's a lot
of things you're moving around. For a quarterback iss CJ. Stroud,
who needs to be comfortable. You saw how he looked
last year. He's under pressure. He was not the same player.
And I wish they would get back to running the
football a lot more consistently.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
And that's the big thing.
Speaker 9 (27:51):
Can Joe Mixon be what he was a year ago
when he was healthy, because they're going to need that.
But the defense, to me, is going to be a
big staple for this team, the Texans. They're going to
be played great coverage, they're going to get after the quarterback,
and as you said, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Jacksonville, I don't see
where any of those offenses are going to be able
(28:11):
to give them problems the weekend and week out. They
may be a nine to eight team that's still good
enough to win the AFC South, all right.
Speaker 4 (28:18):
The rest of us is Bucks Chiefs, and in my opinion,
the least troubled defensive winner Division winner is the Buffalo Bills.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
They won the East easily.
Speaker 4 (28:27):
I don't see even though I anticipate improvement by the
Patriots in particular. I really don't see anybody challenging the
Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen the league MVP. I think
the Buffalo Bills are going to be a contender for
the Super Bowl.
Speaker 5 (28:41):
Yet again, Steve, you'll.
Speaker 4 (28:43):
Be back, Jeffrey, you won't enjoy the holiday weekend.
Speaker 5 (28:46):
And when we return, our guy Adam Rank.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
Is going to be here to talk about fantasy Dynasty keepers.
I bet that guy could be on the list. Cam
morg Ashton, Genty, who else we got there? Have us
Hunter when we return.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
Oh yeah, time for Dynasty rankings with our friend Adam Rank.
We pried him off the golf course to get him here,
ladies and gentlemen, to give you the breakdown on which
rookies you gonna want to you're gonna want to draft
this year for dynasty purposes. Dynasty, not that show that
was on in the eighties. I think Linda Evans was
on Dynasty or was she Falcon John Foresight?
Speaker 3 (29:31):
Yeah, I show. Yeah, there was a lot of things.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
Didn't know a Thanks Shell didn't know she was.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
I think she knows double dipping.
Speaker 5 (29:39):
She was doing TJ.
Speaker 13 (29:40):
Hooker and she was on a dynasty back to back,
she's on Battle of the Network Stars. But listen, yeah,
like nobody cares about this. Nobody cares about that.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
We're going for the hard course.
Speaker 13 (29:50):
It's Friday night on Memorial Day weekend. I decided to
get a little deep on this one, kind of like
the people are Star Wars fans who watch and or
as opposed to like I don't know.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
You know like this.
Speaker 13 (30:00):
If you're watching now, you're really into this. So let's
let's dive in. When you're looking at Dinasy.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
We're getting crazy.
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Listen, what do you want me to do with Mike?
Speaker 13 (30:08):
Listen, Like you said, they pulled me my phone, you
let me down this road. Okay, let's get the Ashton
Gent real quick. Everybody knows you're drafting Ashton Gent first overall,
he's going to the Seattle See or yeah, he's going
to the Las Vegas Raiders. Excuse me, coach my former
Seahawks coach, Pete Carroll.
Speaker 5 (30:26):
He's going to be the.
Speaker 13 (30:27):
Number one guy, Bell cow back. Everybody knows this.
Speaker 8 (30:30):
We don't.
Speaker 13 (30:30):
There's not much, not much discussion or anything. Who's number two?
That's the big one for me, and it's gonna be
your Mario Hampton. And when you look at this, I
know that some dude is going to hit me in
the mentions and be like, uh, they got Nase Harris
and you're like, Yeah, that's great, a nause fine player.
But you have to understand the Chargers make those moves
because free agency happens before the draft. They needed some insurance.
(30:55):
But now that Hampton has been drafted, he is going
to be the number one running back. He's got the
explod he's got the speed, and if you look at
what the Charges did last year with JK. Dobbins, Hampton
to me comes in as the number one guy. He
is going to feast in this offense. Not only is
he great for Dynasty, but I think in redrafts too,
you're probably going to have to draft him a lot
(31:16):
sooner than you're expecting. And not only do they have Hampton,
I really like Trey Harris for this team as well.
Last season did a great job with Lad mcconkeye. Lad
mccackey goes out there as one of the best players
in fantasy and he's still the only guy who Harris
is going to be competing with in the target category.
So I think that's a huge option for you. And
(31:36):
speaking of targets, I'm gonna go to my number three guy,
who's going to be Ted McMillan.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
Now I am listen, Mike.
Speaker 13 (31:43):
We've worked with Steve Smith Senior, and we know during
the offseason he was evaluating players, he was evaluating wide receivers.
He didn't have a lot of nice things to say
about Ted McMillan. I think he had Matthew Golden a
little bit higher, and when I did my mock drafts,
I placed Matthew gold In.
Speaker 3 (31:59):
A little higher.
Speaker 13 (32:00):
But the one thing that I really like about Ted
McMillan is his situation. He goes into one of the
best situations for a wide receiver because he's going to
get a ton of targets.
Speaker 5 (32:10):
His competition.
Speaker 13 (32:12):
He's got Adam Thielen, Xavier Leggett, Jalen Koker. There is
a real opportunity for him to go out there and
immediately the most targeted guy for this Panthers offense. So
I love Ted McMillan. That's why I'm going with him
at number three. At number four, I might differ from
a lot of people, but I'm gonna go with RJ.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
Harvey.
Speaker 13 (32:32):
And I know, coming into the draft process, you know,
maybe the draft Knicks didn't like RJ. Harvey that much,
but you know who liked him, Sean Payton. And you
know who I trust in evaluating running backs, Sean Payton.
I think Sean Payton has a track record where you're like, yeah,
I kind of believe what he says. It's not like
The Rock, Like when the Rock is like, hey, I'm
taking this movie role where I'm gonna be running around
(32:53):
a skyscrapen. You're like, now, Rock, like I'm gonna hold
you off there. Conversely, Sean Payton is somebody that I
absolutely trust. So when he goes out there and targets
a player. We saw this last year with Bo Nicks,
like he got the quarterback he wanted. Now he's got
the running back that he wants.
Speaker 9 (33:09):
So I have r J.
Speaker 13 (33:10):
Harvey at number four. At number five, I'm gonna.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
Go with Quinn Judkins.
Speaker 13 (33:14):
And again this is another one of those situations where
coming into the draft process, I wasn't necessarily enamored with Judkins.
I think he's a good player. He's played well at
Ohio State. Doesn't catch the ball like at least we
didn't see it at Ohio State. We didn't see him
catch the ball a lot. I'm glad that they're showing
him catching the ball right here because this is where
a lot of fantasy running backs could make their points.
(33:37):
But I think he's got a real opportunity for Cleveland. Obviously,
Nick Chubb is not going to be back. Jerome Ford
is there, but I think that Juggins could come in
immediately and kind of push him down the depth chart.
He can be the early down back that they go.
Speaker 3 (33:50):
To over and over again.
Speaker 8 (33:51):
So I love Judkins for this season.
Speaker 13 (33:54):
And finally we'll cap it right here at Travis Hunter. Honestly,
like for me, Brian Thomas Junior is one of the
best wide receivers in the NFL already, and I love
Brian Thomas Junior to take a big leap similar to
what Justin Jefferson did during his second year with the
Minnesota Vikings. But I look at what Travis Hunter can do,
(34:15):
and I know that there's somebody there that you're competing with.
But I find this to be similar to the Kirkland
version of what's going on in Cincinnati with Jamar Chase
and t Higgins, and I think Travis Hunter can go
out there and feast because he will get a lot
of opportunity. He'll get a lot of single coverage because
Brian Thomas is out there drawing so much attention. So
(34:36):
I think that you can feel safe with Travis Hunter. Okay,
let's take a look at the board. I'm gonna give you.
I believe my top twelve guys right here, Trey Harris,
as I mentioned right there was my number twelve guy
I do love. Caleb Johnson is another guy who I'm
really probably higher than a lot more than a lot
of people. Jayden Blue is another guy who would not
(34:57):
surprise me if he ends up being a top fantasy
running back this season. And you will notice too. I
have Tyler Warren and Tyler Warren ahead of Colston Loveland
because I think right now there's a there's an easier
pathway for him for Tyler Warren to go out there
and get targets as opposed to Colston Lovelin, who's gonna
(35:17):
be fighting. Not only Cole Comb had Dj Moore, Roma
Dunza and Luther Burden the third.
Speaker 1 (35:24):
See that's how we know we can trust you. Rank
huge Bears fan. You put Tyler Warren ahead of your bears,
tight end, No Homer, that's what we'll say on that one,
No Homer, And listen the other one that I'm looking
at and Mecca, Mecca Abuka right now might not be
the guy for the Buccaneers, but Mike Evans, Chris Godwinner
(35:44):
gone in a couple of years. You buy low right now,
that one could really pay off. Remember this is Dynasty,
the show that Heather Locklear was on. I was able
to watch an entire episode while Rank was ripping through
all of his top guys there in the Dynasty rankings,
Adam Rank ranky? What more could you ask for on
a holiday Friday? Nothing?
Speaker 13 (36:04):
Nothing right on a getaway Friday, going out there talking
to Dynasty football. It's a good friday, and I feel
like we did. We covered a lot of ground here
and again when we could talk about Dynasty and Linda
Evans and all that stuff. I'm surprised that a man
your age would even remember that stuff.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
Oh yeah, we spent some friday our Falcon Crest. I'm
telling you, Dynasty fucking.
Speaker 13 (36:24):
Crest, knots landing all that stuff.
Speaker 1 (36:27):
Watch the hold up?
Speaker 8 (36:29):
Yes all right.
Speaker 13 (36:29):
By the way, our producer is a headbanger. So he
is talking about Kiss. I guess Kiss had a record
called Kiss had like thirty albums. Of course, Dynasty it
was an album. I don't know, Jeff listen, I Kiss
is fine. Are they still touring? They're still touring apparently. Yeah,
they're on the fifth Farewell tour.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
They're rock and rolling all night, which we could do
with you, Adam Rank. However, I'm being told in my
ear we gotta go. This segment was awesome, hotter than
your Los Angeles Angels. Thank you, my friend. The Jets
on the field in much quieter fashion. In the last
couple of years, there's a lot of hooplout with Aaron
Rodgers and hard knocks and everything. Now it's a reset
(37:09):
under Aaron Glenn, who promises a no nonsense approach and
the players already seeing that.
Speaker 11 (37:15):
Hard knows football is one of those things that he
believes in toughness, he believes in execution, he believes in
being smart when they come down to executing the plays
and did not penalizing yourself. So his standard was set
from day one and it hasn't been broken ever since
he said it. So it's one of those things that's
bleeding off to the captains and bleeding off to everyone
(37:37):
on the staff, everyone in the organization, everyone on the field.
Speaker 14 (37:40):
I can't exactly put a word to it right now,
but it's something that's violent, you know. And for me
it's a little different than you know, as far as
what we're doing and getting asked upon me as far
as blocking, as far as you know, Garrett, you got
to find the safety on this one. You know, these
are things that you know, maybe I haven't been asked,
but like it says a lot about the culture. You know,
it's not just you do this job. No, no, no, Garrett,
(38:04):
you want to play, You're going and do this too.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
Judy, be teaze and Steve Weis's back with us. Look,
we're going to talk about, you know, discipline, physicality, all
these things. This is not to say that Robert Salah
didn't try to instill these things with the Jets, and
on the defensive side of the ball, certainly did. I
think you start to hear Garrett Wilson talk about blocking
in the offensive side, Maybe a little bit different there
in that regard, but definitely, like I talked about, a
(38:29):
no nonsense approach, Judy. When it comes to Aaron Glenn
and a guy that wants to get down to business
immediately with this team.
Speaker 5 (38:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:35):
I just happened to talk to Woody and Christopher Johnson,
the owners of the Jets, at the owners meeting earlier
this week, and they both talked about accountability and discipline.
They talked about all the penalties the Jets had had.
They don't want that anymore. That is what they expect
Aaron Glenn to bring. Accountability and discipline. And one of
(38:55):
the first things you have seen in OTAs is everybody's
going up, and that includes people like Sauce Gardner and
Garrett Wilson who are eligible for new contracts.
Speaker 5 (39:05):
They are there.
Speaker 4 (39:07):
Another thing I think you heard Aaron Glenn describe Justin Fields.
We haven't shown that clip, but described Justin Feels as
not trying to be a celebrity quarterback. Well, first of all,
that comes straight from the mouth of Bill Parcells number
one and number two. That tells you an awful lot
about how things are going to be different around the
New York Jets under Aaron Glenn, because last year at
(39:28):
this time, they certainly had a celebrity quarterback and they
were not getting one hundred percent attendance at OTA's.
Speaker 5 (39:34):
This is going to be a.
Speaker 4 (39:36):
Much more hard nosed, much more low key New York
Jets team.
Speaker 3 (39:40):
Low Key is a big part. Just think about, you know,
the past.
Speaker 6 (39:43):
Five or six years with the Jets, you had the
Adam Gaze craziness. You had, you know, Zach Wilson being
drafted number two, who he's going to be our great quarterback.
Speaker 3 (39:50):
Well he turns out the fizzle. Then Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 6 (39:53):
Comes in, all of this drama is gone, and that's
Aaron Glenn and this whole new leadership lit on all
of this and maybe telling the owner, we don't want
hard knocks this year, so don't be out there pounding
the drum to get that done. Then you talk about accountability.
There's only only so much a coach can do to
have accountability, other than to teach his players self accountability.
(40:16):
Those are veteran players you heard talking about accountability and
things like that.
Speaker 3 (40:19):
They're going to expect them.
Speaker 6 (40:20):
To set that standard when everybody's together in pads. The
one thing I loved Aaron Glenn who said earlier this week,
nobody's making this roster in shorts and jerseys. He's letting
you know, right, now learn what we have to do.
But when the pads come on, that's when it gets
real and then we're gonna find out.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
Who wants to be this version of the Jets.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
Yeah, if you look at Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn
did come from the Dan Campbell Detroit Lions that early
portion of the program there in Detroit. They weren't competitive
early in the season, but late that year was a
team that you didn't want to play. I think you're
going to see a little bit of that from the
Jets this year. They're gonna pop up in some spots
and win some games and maybe spoil some seasons late
(41:00):
in the year. Judy and Steve, thank you very.
Speaker 15 (41:02):
Much our team last year. I think we're a top
five team of all time. And I tell my boys
this all the time. Like we started off too and
two and we lost to Washington. Jadelely got hurt that game. Yeah,
but if you really look at the season, outside of
the first four games, it was Belt It's dominant.
Speaker 1 (41:26):
Jerdy, does the man have a point?
Speaker 4 (41:31):
I mean, first of all, I would say the bat
signal just went up for the nineteen seventy two Miami
Dolphins were like, wait, a minute, just told on one
second Top five though, yeah, you know that takes.
Speaker 5 (41:43):
In a lot of NFL's history.
Speaker 6 (41:45):
No, they are not to pushing the eighty five Bears,
you know the ninety nine Rams best show on turf
like that, and think about this, eighty nine to forty
nine is outscored opponents one twenty six to twenty six
in the postseason.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
Only that is belt to tush.
Speaker 1 (42:01):
It is hard to compare teams from different eras, particularly
in eras where the salary cap didn't exist, but they
certainly were dominant down the stretch. They have a case
to start making a dynasty. Just talking about dynasty with
Adam Rank a dynasty type argument. We'll see how they
do in twenty twenty five. Judy, Steve, Adam Rank, Jeffrey Jadiaz,
Quentin Lake. Thank you everybody for joining us, and thank
(42:22):
you for joining us. Have a great holiday weekend from
us at the Insiders
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