August 8, 2025 • 16 mins
Mark Zinno of 92.9 The Game in Atlanta joins the show to give an outside perspective on the Lions, and tell you what to watch for with the Falcons this season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
People from other markets opinions about your teams and give
us a better understanding of their teams. Mark Zino hosts
that show from ninety two point nine, The Game in
Atlanta covers the Falcons and can give us a better
understanding of Atlanta and maybe the division and maybe an
outside perspective of the Detroit Lions, and he joins us
(00:21):
here on exes and bros throughout the great state of Michigan. Mark,
we appreciate the time. Hope you and your family are well.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Thank you for having me appreciate it?
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Yeah, you bet. Tell us a little bit about what
has been the most intriguing storyline from Falcons camp so far.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Well, obviously it's Look, it's Michael Pennins and his development
and after only playing three games last year, is he
ready for a full time starting role in the NFL.
I mean, he played adequately last year in three Stars.
They went one and two. Some of that wasn't his
fault and that was coaching. But for the most part,
the jury is still out on whether he is a
legitimate full time starter in this league. And we're going
(00:59):
to find it out fairly quickly here once the NFL
season kicks off.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Do you think he is and if so, why, Look,
I think.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
That he's really good. I think he's going to be
really good. It feels like they have found that a
quarterback in the future. He just a little bit more
of an older guy coming out of college, you know,
a little more seasoned and has a lot of experience.
He's certainly got a big arm, you know. I think
he kind of checks all the blocks that he wants
from a young quarterbacks perspective. The real question is, more
(01:27):
than anything, it's not as so much about Michael Fannix's talent.
This coaching staff had a lot to proof and well,
I like Raheem Morris. I think he's a nice man.
He's a good guy. I just don't know if he's
a very good coach. Zach Robinson is questionable at best
of a play caller, despite the fact that he grew
up under Sean McVay and the Rams system out in
LA and Jeff Oldbrook is a second retreat defensive coordinator
(01:51):
who was already here in Atlanta once for the defense
that wasn't very good, and then went to the Jets
for the defense that was good.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
It fell apart on him and now he's back in.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Atlanta, So I don't know necessarily that this is about
the roster itself. I don't know if this coaching staff
is any good, and I think that's the biggest question
mark for this team.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Wow, what an indictment. Mark Zeno from ninety two point
nine FM the Game in Atlanta joining is here on
the Lindsay Hunter Foundation guest Line. You can follow him
on Twitter at Mark Zeno z I nno common spelling
with Mark. A lot of people are wondering. Obviously, the
quarterback gets a ton of tension, and rightfully so when
there is a debate, I don't know if there's a
(02:30):
debate there in Atlanta. We do know Kirk Cousins has
been very successful, but we also know he struggled at
the end of the year and that's why they made
the change in Rightfully, so why would they trade Kirk
Cousins if at all? Because that's that's the belief Many
people are like out there, Hey, you know what, you
need a backup quarterback, You need someone to push your starter.
(02:50):
Kirk Cousins swing a deal with Atlanta. I've argued that
Atlanta needs insurance for Michael Pennix has there been any
discussion of that, and if so, what do you think
you can could get for him?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
How long is this show?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Because this is a very lengthy and complicated answer, so
I'll try to bottle it here as quick as possible.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
The Falcons, in my opinion, made a.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Philosophical error in signing Kirk Cousins to one hundred and
eighty million dollar contract and then drafting his replacement five
weeks later.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Yeah, you do one or the other. You don't do boom.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
But the owner had such a you know, born on
his side from Matt Ryan, and after he was gone.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Having no replacement for him for.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Two years, that he was going to ensure that that
wasn't going to happen again. Problem is is that the
only reason that they had to get rid of Matt
Ryan the way they did is because the owner lusted
after Deshaun Watson and then didn't get him and then
publicly embarrassed the greatest player in Falcons franchise history and
had nothing to do but dumping for a third round
pick after so you could see where all this is going.
(03:56):
It was a litany of mistakes and a comedy of
errors by the owner and the Falcons front office to
get to this point where Michael Pennocks is your starting quarterback.
Now back to Kirk Cousins. Here the other part of
the equation that nobody really knows about. Nobody talks about
it because it was a quick blurb and Super Bowl
week he got lost in Illinois when Kirk Cousins divulged, Oh,
he was hurt during the year, Well, the Falcons coaching
(04:19):
staff knew he was hurt. He was on the injury report,
and clearly after twenty hours of practice and watching the
interceptions mount up in games. I can't understand why the
coaching staff didn't turn around and say, you need to
sit down, you're hurt, We're not going to play you have.
The coaching staff and Kirk Cousins decided it would be
in the best interest of everybody to go out there
(04:39):
and continue to play play poorly, so much so that
Kirk Cousins lost his job and Michael Pennix came in,
and that's how we here we are now. I've said regally,
the Falcon had heard anyway, it was a business too,
signed Kirk Cousins and then drafted replacement. It's even worth
to double down on to keep a forty million dollar
quarterback on your bench who does absolutely nothing. I mean,
if my Penis goes belly up, Kirkins could come in.
(05:03):
But now you look completely foolish as an organization. We
paid this guy all this money. We benched him because
he couldn't play good. Then we dropped as replacement. He
came in, he didn't play good, and now we're back
to the guy that we benched because he didn't play good.
Like none of this looks like it's organized well, so
I guess it's nice. The idea of that Kirk Cousins
is a backup, but Kirk Cousins doesn't.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Want to be a backup at all.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
No, and if somebody gets hurt in training camp within
the next week, you know, Kirk Cousins may be able
to get traded. But the problem is you have a
massive contract and a massive cap to deal with, which
makes finding a trade partner very difficult.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
I don't disagree with any of that. I know Kenny
Pickett went for a fifth round pick, and it's easy
for me to say, well, just trade a fourth round
pick for Kirk Cousins. The financial aspects included, and you've
got to take that into consideration, and then you look
at the situation Atlanta would be in. You do have
to keep a guy like that though, and I know
it's a lot of money for a backup, but you
(06:03):
do have to keep a guy like that just in
case your starter does get hurt. They're going to ride
Michael Pennox and I understand why, but Kirk Cousins can
still be a valuable member of that franchise. I think
Bjohn Robinson is one of the best players in the
National Football League, and I think he's kind of underrated.
How does he How is he viewed there in Atlanta?
Is it similar to how Jamir Gibbs is viewed here
(06:25):
in Detroit?
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Yeah, I mean the fantasy nerds will tell you Vijon
and jamiro are one and two one on one a
when it comes to you know, draft stock and draft
position and everything else. So look, John Robinson is a
guy that will get twenty five such as a game,
we'll get eighteen on the ground, I'll get six or
seven through the air. And that's what makes him so special.
(06:48):
And that was one thing the Facults front office did
get right, was drafted for John Robinson. Because they're a
really good football player, and he brings a lot to
the table and offensively and can do a bunch.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Of different things.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
And if this guy's the limit for him, again, here's
the real question. Can this coaching staff get them most
out of it? I don't know the answer to that yet, because.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Last year.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
People in this town worth screen. What's the problem here?
Why are we not giving the ball? So you know
they still have Tyler alg in the backfield and you
know there's this carry situation there. But John should be
the lead workforce and get the most touches.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
It doesn't sound like you're a huge fan of the
coaching staff if you're not, and you get the sense
that fans may not be either. What's keeping them.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
There the owner's fear of making a change again. But
you know, if Rahem Morris misses the postseason for four
straight year and the GM Terry Finta and this is
the postseason for a fifth straight year, how do you
keep them around? I don't know anybody in the NFL,
today's NFL who misses the postseason five straight years and
gets to keep their job. That's usually not the Barama
(07:56):
and anybody's living by anymore. But you know, they the
owner has bought into this whole thing and and wants
to see it through and looks type making another coaching change.
To be honest, what fourth coach in the last decade?
I mean, you know, changing coaches every two and a
half years is probably bad for your franchise. So overall
the coaching staff is completely unproven, and there were times
(08:18):
last year where they did not requite themselves well and
did not manage a game well and situations well. Even
last year again, their kicker Young Wayku was hurt and
was missing field goals and they kept sending him out there.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
It's I mean you have to start to ask the question,
what are you doing? Like, how do you not know this?
Speaker 3 (08:37):
As a coaching staff, You're watching these guys every day
in practice. How do you miss when a guy clearly
is not doing his job well because of injury?
Speaker 1 (08:47):
What's the expectation? What is your expectation? And do you
think Falcons fans what are their expectations for this year's squad?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
I mean it's playoffs. Uh, you know, there's there's no
getting around it. This is they have to make the
postseason this year. I'most year if they're going to win
the division I don't think they're going to win the division,
but uh, they have to find a way into postseason.
Winning seven or eight games again is completely unacceptable this
(09:18):
team at this point.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
In time, How do you see the not the tonight matters? Okay,
you and I both know the validity of preseason games,
but how do you view the Lions.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
It's interesting.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
I mean, look, I generally think they're flying for a
small step back. I mean, how do you lose bulk coordinators,
you're starting center, retires, another injury.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
On defense, and.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
For a team that won fifteen games last year, how
do you match.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
That or go up?
Speaker 3 (09:52):
It feels like progression is comming, and I think the
Packers are a year better and a year closer to.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Being from the top of that division.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
I mean, at some point in time, it's going to
rest solely on Jared Goff to cover up all the
holes and efficiencies of this team. And now that Ben
Johnson has gone, what does that look like? I mean,
this is Josh Allen didn't take a step back after
Brian Dapol left.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
What he is Josh Allen?
Speaker 3 (10:17):
So I don't know if Josh Jared Doff rather is
in that same category.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Yeah, My argument's been Philadelphia had two new cordinators last
year and they seem to be just fine. I'm not
trying to belittle the coordinators the weapons. I think what
you said is key. When you lose your coordinator and
your all pro center, and by the way, Kevin Zeitler,
who is an All Pro right guard or a pro
bowler or at the right guard position, second team all prose,
(10:43):
those guys matter. I mean, combined, that trio of loss
is going to add up at some point.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yeah, And that's and it's well said. I mean, especially
with the offensive line, it sucks, and especially if people
undervalue the center and how important they are keeping it
all together on the offensive line. I mean, I can
tell you from covering Atlanta two years back, when Alex
Mack west Cleveland and got to Atlanta, they went to
the Super Bowl with him as the anchor of the
(11:11):
offensive line and that's really important. So you know, Frank
ragnow is the Cats when it comes to that position.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
And he's going to be a huge loss.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I don't know, you know what their situation is as
far as overcoming that, but you can't underscore what he
meant to that team.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Mark zero ninety two point nine FM the game in Atlanta.
Film on Twitter at Mark Zeno. How do you view
your your division like we here in Detroit? Look at
the NFC North is arguably the most competitive division in football. Yeah,
three teams to make the playoffs a year ago with
the Vikings and Packers, long with the Lions, and many
feel like Ben Johnson will improve Chicago. Haven't seen it
(11:50):
yet in camp, but that's the belief. And they also
believe that the NFC South is perhaps the weakest division
in the conference and arguably in all the NFL. How
do you kind of handicapped the NFC South?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Sounds weird to.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Say that the Buccaneers are the class at the NFC South,
but they've won the division for the last three years
and they have the best quarterback in the division. They
can pay a field to be a top five quarterback
production wise. Again, that offense is set to fly, so
they have one of the best front sevens in the
all football and really their secondary is their only question
mark in their early week spots, which you know, you
think they start to be able to show up after
(12:27):
a couple of years. But if the Buccaneers don't win it,
I would be surprised. I think they have a very
good team and top Bowls has repired themselves as a
much better coach than he did New York with the Jets,
so it seems like they are at the top. No,
by the way, I would like to address Ben Johnson
real quick. I think your audience will look stray this.
(12:47):
I think he made a terrible mistake taking that bear
shot because the head coaches are all about fit and
whoever you tie your wagon to as your quarterback is
the most important thing. And if Ben Johnson can't make
Caleb Bingham is better, he'll lose his job in two years.
(13:07):
And the idea simply because he's brought there to validate
them investing in the first.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Overall picking to him.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
And if you can't do that, then he's failing as
a coach.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
But you know this, coaches always feel like they can
that's number one.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Well, sure again, I get.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
To know number two.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Look at all the others in the NFL, right, we.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Look at all the other talent he has. Besides that,
he's got a lot of talent to work.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
That makes it even more glaring. If he can't make
him better, then it's on the coach and or a
team that still has some defensive questions and plays in
a really tough division.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
But when you take ahead.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
Coach in job in the NFL, the first question you
should ask yourself is can I win this division in
three years.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
If the answer is no, don't take the job. That's
the bottom line. I don't know man the division in
three years.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
I think that's a really good debate because I think
coaches have you and I have dealt with him for year,
for decades. I mean, they have huge egos, they feel
like they can always do something, they feel like they
can make players better. I think he's got a ton
of talent on offense, he's got a ton of talent
on defense, and he also knows the division really well.
(14:15):
If you're going to stay out of the opportunity to
take a head coaching job because everything's got to be perfect,
you're never going to get your head coaching job. The
reason the head coaching jobs are open.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Is because fits than others. And I don't think taking
a job in the toughle division at football with the
worst team in that division is the first best decision
you make.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Yeah, and I suppose his argument would be matter IBERFLUS
is a reason they were one of the worst teams
in the division before I let you go. When you
see the league in general, and I could talk to
you about a lot about Atlanta because my best friend
lives down there, and it seems like nobody's inn Atlanta fan.
So I wonder how you approach your shows knowing that
(14:56):
Falcons and Hawks and Braves oftentimes are transplants. But I
would instead like to ask you about the league in general.
Who do you view as going in things can change
and we understand that. Who do you view as the
team's debat AFC NFC and how do they get there?
Speaker 3 (15:14):
I mean it's Buffalo, Kansas City, and Baltimore in the AFC.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I think those are the teams that you're very.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Two of those three teams, definitively one of them, if
not two of them, will play in the ANFC championship game.
I mean that's you know, I feel pretty pretty solid
about that bet. And so you know, it's just a
question of ken the Ravens and the Bills topple the
Chiefs and how do they do it in the process
of getting there. So I think that is the way
the a f C is, And I mean genuinely, it's
(15:42):
the Eagles, the Lions, and the Niners in the NFC.
I think they are the class of the the NFC.
And you know, the Lions again, if they can survive
the schedule, if they can survive all the changes that
they can survive through you know what has gone on
over the course of the last five six months since
that NFC Divisional play off team, then you know they'll
(16:03):
be there at the end because they're really well coached,
and they have a really good roster and all those
things are part of it. So it's just a question
of whether or not they can do it. I think
San Francisco, once they're healthy again, you know, will be
a real challenge for teams. I don't think they are
going to they're going to fall by the wayside at all.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
That's the interesting one that you mentioned of all six
of them. So it's really good stuff. I appreciate the knowledge,
I appreciate the passion. Mark Zeno, keep up the good
work down there. In ninety two point nine FM the
game in Atlanta. Thanks for the time today, have a
great weekend.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Thank you, sir.
People from other markets opinions about your teams and give
us a better understanding of their teams. Mark Zino hosts
that show from ninety two point nine, The Game in
Atlanta covers the Falcons and can give us a better
understanding of Atlanta and maybe the division and maybe an
outside perspective of the Detroit Lions, and he joins us
(00:21):
here on exes and bros throughout the great state of Michigan. Mark,
we appreciate the time. Hope you and your family are well.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Thank you for having me appreciate it?
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Yeah, you bet. Tell us a little bit about what
has been the most intriguing storyline from Falcons camp so far.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Well, obviously it's Look, it's Michael Pennins and his development
and after only playing three games last year, is he
ready for a full time starting role in the NFL.
I mean, he played adequately last year in three Stars.
They went one and two. Some of that wasn't his
fault and that was coaching. But for the most part,
the jury is still out on whether he is a
legitimate full time starter in this league. And we're going
(00:59):
to find it out fairly quickly here once the NFL
season kicks off.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Do you think he is and if so, why, Look,
I think.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
That he's really good. I think he's going to be
really good. It feels like they have found that a
quarterback in the future. He just a little bit more
of an older guy coming out of college, you know,
a little more seasoned and has a lot of experience.
He's certainly got a big arm, you know. I think
he kind of checks all the blocks that he wants
from a young quarterbacks perspective. The real question is, more
(01:27):
than anything, it's not as so much about Michael Fannix's talent.
This coaching staff had a lot to proof and well,
I like Raheem Morris. I think he's a nice man.
He's a good guy. I just don't know if he's
a very good coach. Zach Robinson is questionable at best
of a play caller, despite the fact that he grew
up under Sean McVay and the Rams system out in
LA and Jeff Oldbrook is a second retreat defensive coordinator
(01:51):
who was already here in Atlanta once for the defense
that wasn't very good, and then went to the Jets
for the defense that was good.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
It fell apart on him and now he's back in.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Atlanta, So I don't know necessarily that this is about
the roster itself. I don't know if this coaching staff
is any good, and I think that's the biggest question
mark for this team.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Wow, what an indictment. Mark Zeno from ninety two point
nine FM the Game in Atlanta joining is here on
the Lindsay Hunter Foundation guest Line. You can follow him
on Twitter at Mark Zeno z I nno common spelling
with Mark. A lot of people are wondering. Obviously, the
quarterback gets a ton of tension, and rightfully so when
there is a debate, I don't know if there's a
(02:30):
debate there in Atlanta. We do know Kirk Cousins has
been very successful, but we also know he struggled at
the end of the year and that's why they made
the change in Rightfully, so why would they trade Kirk
Cousins if at all? Because that's that's the belief Many
people are like out there, Hey, you know what, you
need a backup quarterback, You need someone to push your starter.
(02:50):
Kirk Cousins swing a deal with Atlanta. I've argued that
Atlanta needs insurance for Michael Pennix has there been any
discussion of that, and if so, what do you think
you can could get for him?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
How long is this show?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
Because this is a very lengthy and complicated answer, so
I'll try to bottle it here as quick as possible.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
The Falcons, in my opinion, made a.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Philosophical error in signing Kirk Cousins to one hundred and
eighty million dollar contract and then drafting his replacement five
weeks later.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Yeah, you do one or the other. You don't do boom.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
But the owner had such a you know, born on
his side from Matt Ryan, and after he was gone.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Having no replacement for him for.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Two years, that he was going to ensure that that
wasn't going to happen again. Problem is is that the
only reason that they had to get rid of Matt
Ryan the way they did is because the owner lusted
after Deshaun Watson and then didn't get him and then
publicly embarrassed the greatest player in Falcons franchise history and
had nothing to do but dumping for a third round
pick after so you could see where all this is going.
(03:56):
It was a litany of mistakes and a comedy of
errors by the owner and the Falcons front office to
get to this point where Michael Pennocks is your starting quarterback.
Now back to Kirk Cousins. Here the other part of
the equation that nobody really knows about. Nobody talks about
it because it was a quick blurb and Super Bowl
week he got lost in Illinois when Kirk Cousins divulged, Oh,
he was hurt during the year, Well, the Falcons coaching
(04:19):
staff knew he was hurt. He was on the injury report,
and clearly after twenty hours of practice and watching the
interceptions mount up in games. I can't understand why the
coaching staff didn't turn around and say, you need to
sit down, you're hurt, We're not going to play you have.
The coaching staff and Kirk Cousins decided it would be
in the best interest of everybody to go out there
(04:39):
and continue to play play poorly, so much so that
Kirk Cousins lost his job and Michael Pennix came in,
and that's how we here we are now. I've said regally,
the Falcon had heard anyway, it was a business too,
signed Kirk Cousins and then drafted replacement. It's even worth
to double down on to keep a forty million dollar
quarterback on your bench who does absolutely nothing. I mean,
if my Penis goes belly up, Kirkins could come in.
(05:03):
But now you look completely foolish as an organization. We
paid this guy all this money. We benched him because
he couldn't play good. Then we dropped as replacement. He
came in, he didn't play good, and now we're back
to the guy that we benched because he didn't play good.
Like none of this looks like it's organized well, so
I guess it's nice. The idea of that Kirk Cousins
is a backup, but Kirk Cousins doesn't.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Want to be a backup at all.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
No, and if somebody gets hurt in training camp within
the next week, you know, Kirk Cousins may be able
to get traded. But the problem is you have a
massive contract and a massive cap to deal with, which
makes finding a trade partner very difficult.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
I don't disagree with any of that. I know Kenny
Pickett went for a fifth round pick, and it's easy
for me to say, well, just trade a fourth round
pick for Kirk Cousins. The financial aspects included, and you've
got to take that into consideration, and then you look
at the situation Atlanta would be in. You do have
to keep a guy like that though, and I know
it's a lot of money for a backup, but you
(06:03):
do have to keep a guy like that just in
case your starter does get hurt. They're going to ride
Michael Pennox and I understand why, but Kirk Cousins can
still be a valuable member of that franchise. I think
Bjohn Robinson is one of the best players in the
National Football League, and I think he's kind of underrated.
How does he How is he viewed there in Atlanta?
Is it similar to how Jamir Gibbs is viewed here
(06:25):
in Detroit?
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Yeah, I mean the fantasy nerds will tell you Vijon
and jamiro are one and two one on one a
when it comes to you know, draft stock and draft
position and everything else. So look, John Robinson is a
guy that will get twenty five such as a game,
we'll get eighteen on the ground, I'll get six or
seven through the air. And that's what makes him so special.
(06:48):
And that was one thing the Facults front office did
get right, was drafted for John Robinson. Because they're a
really good football player, and he brings a lot to
the table and offensively and can do a bunch.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Of different things.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
And if this guy's the limit for him, again, here's
the real question. Can this coaching staff get them most
out of it? I don't know the answer to that yet, because.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Last year.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
People in this town worth screen. What's the problem here?
Why are we not giving the ball? So you know
they still have Tyler alg in the backfield and you
know there's this carry situation there. But John should be
the lead workforce and get the most touches.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
It doesn't sound like you're a huge fan of the
coaching staff if you're not, and you get the sense
that fans may not be either. What's keeping them.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
There the owner's fear of making a change again. But
you know, if Rahem Morris misses the postseason for four
straight year and the GM Terry Finta and this is
the postseason for a fifth straight year, how do you
keep them around? I don't know anybody in the NFL,
today's NFL who misses the postseason five straight years and
gets to keep their job. That's usually not the Barama
(07:56):
and anybody's living by anymore. But you know, they the
owner has bought into this whole thing and and wants
to see it through and looks type making another coaching change.
To be honest, what fourth coach in the last decade?
I mean, you know, changing coaches every two and a
half years is probably bad for your franchise. So overall
the coaching staff is completely unproven, and there were times
(08:18):
last year where they did not requite themselves well and
did not manage a game well and situations well. Even
last year again, their kicker Young Wayku was hurt and
was missing field goals and they kept sending him out there.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
It's I mean you have to start to ask the question,
what are you doing? Like, how do you not know this?
Speaker 3 (08:37):
As a coaching staff, You're watching these guys every day
in practice. How do you miss when a guy clearly
is not doing his job well because of injury?
Speaker 1 (08:47):
What's the expectation? What is your expectation? And do you
think Falcons fans what are their expectations for this year's squad?
Speaker 3 (08:58):
I mean it's playoffs. Uh, you know, there's there's no
getting around it. This is they have to make the
postseason this year. I'most year if they're going to win
the division I don't think they're going to win the division,
but uh, they have to find a way into postseason.
Winning seven or eight games again is completely unacceptable this
(09:18):
team at this point.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
In time, How do you see the not the tonight matters? Okay,
you and I both know the validity of preseason games,
but how do you view the Lions.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
It's interesting.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
I mean, look, I generally think they're flying for a
small step back. I mean, how do you lose bulk coordinators,
you're starting center, retires, another injury.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
On defense, and.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
For a team that won fifteen games last year, how
do you match.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
That or go up?
Speaker 3 (09:52):
It feels like progression is comming, and I think the
Packers are a year better and a year closer to.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Being from the top of that division.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
I mean, at some point in time, it's going to
rest solely on Jared Goff to cover up all the
holes and efficiencies of this team. And now that Ben
Johnson has gone, what does that look like? I mean,
this is Josh Allen didn't take a step back after
Brian Dapol left.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
What he is Josh Allen?
Speaker 3 (10:17):
So I don't know if Josh Jared Doff rather is
in that same category.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Yeah, My argument's been Philadelphia had two new cordinators last
year and they seem to be just fine. I'm not
trying to belittle the coordinators the weapons. I think what
you said is key. When you lose your coordinator and
your all pro center, and by the way, Kevin Zeitler,
who is an All Pro right guard or a pro
bowler or at the right guard position, second team all prose,
(10:43):
those guys matter. I mean, combined, that trio of loss
is going to add up at some point.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yeah, And that's and it's well said. I mean, especially
with the offensive line, it sucks, and especially if people
undervalue the center and how important they are keeping it
all together on the offensive line. I mean, I can
tell you from covering Atlanta two years back, when Alex
Mack west Cleveland and got to Atlanta, they went to
the Super Bowl with him as the anchor of the
(11:11):
offensive line and that's really important. So you know, Frank
ragnow is the Cats when it comes to that position.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
And he's going to be a huge loss.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I don't know, you know what their situation is as
far as overcoming that, but you can't underscore what he
meant to that team.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Mark zero ninety two point nine FM the game in Atlanta.
Film on Twitter at Mark Zeno. How do you view
your your division like we here in Detroit? Look at
the NFC North is arguably the most competitive division in football. Yeah,
three teams to make the playoffs a year ago with
the Vikings and Packers, long with the Lions, and many
feel like Ben Johnson will improve Chicago. Haven't seen it
(11:50):
yet in camp, but that's the belief. And they also
believe that the NFC South is perhaps the weakest division
in the conference and arguably in all the NFL. How
do you kind of handicapped the NFC South?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Sounds weird to.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Say that the Buccaneers are the class at the NFC South,
but they've won the division for the last three years
and they have the best quarterback in the division. They
can pay a field to be a top five quarterback
production wise. Again, that offense is set to fly, so
they have one of the best front sevens in the
all football and really their secondary is their only question
mark in their early week spots, which you know, you
think they start to be able to show up after
(12:27):
a couple of years. But if the Buccaneers don't win it,
I would be surprised. I think they have a very
good team and top Bowls has repired themselves as a
much better coach than he did New York with the Jets,
so it seems like they are at the top. No,
by the way, I would like to address Ben Johnson
real quick. I think your audience will look stray this.
(12:47):
I think he made a terrible mistake taking that bear
shot because the head coaches are all about fit and
whoever you tie your wagon to as your quarterback is
the most important thing. And if Ben Johnson can't make
Caleb Bingham is better, he'll lose his job in two years.
(13:07):
And the idea simply because he's brought there to validate
them investing in the first.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Overall picking to him.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
And if you can't do that, then he's failing as
a coach.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
But you know this, coaches always feel like they can
that's number one.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Well, sure again, I get.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
To know number two.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Look at all the others in the NFL, right, we.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Look at all the other talent he has. Besides that,
he's got a lot of talent to work.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
That makes it even more glaring. If he can't make
him better, then it's on the coach and or a
team that still has some defensive questions and plays in
a really tough division.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
But when you take ahead.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
Coach in job in the NFL, the first question you
should ask yourself is can I win this division in
three years.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
If the answer is no, don't take the job. That's
the bottom line. I don't know man the division in
three years.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
I think that's a really good debate because I think
coaches have you and I have dealt with him for year,
for decades. I mean, they have huge egos, they feel
like they can always do something, they feel like they
can make players better. I think he's got a ton
of talent on offense, he's got a ton of talent
on defense, and he also knows the division really well.
(14:15):
If you're going to stay out of the opportunity to
take a head coaching job because everything's got to be perfect,
you're never going to get your head coaching job. The
reason the head coaching jobs are open.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Is because fits than others. And I don't think taking
a job in the toughle division at football with the
worst team in that division is the first best decision
you make.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Yeah, and I suppose his argument would be matter IBERFLUS
is a reason they were one of the worst teams
in the division before I let you go. When you
see the league in general, and I could talk to
you about a lot about Atlanta because my best friend
lives down there, and it seems like nobody's inn Atlanta fan.
So I wonder how you approach your shows knowing that
(14:56):
Falcons and Hawks and Braves oftentimes are transplants. But I
would instead like to ask you about the league in general.
Who do you view as going in things can change
and we understand that. Who do you view as the
team's debat AFC NFC and how do they get there?
Speaker 3 (15:14):
I mean it's Buffalo, Kansas City, and Baltimore in the AFC.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
I think those are the teams that you're very.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Two of those three teams, definitively one of them, if
not two of them, will play in the ANFC championship game.
I mean that's you know, I feel pretty pretty solid
about that bet. And so you know, it's just a
question of ken the Ravens and the Bills topple the
Chiefs and how do they do it in the process
of getting there. So I think that is the way
the a f C is, And I mean genuinely, it's
(15:42):
the Eagles, the Lions, and the Niners in the NFC.
I think they are the class of the the NFC.
And you know, the Lions again, if they can survive
the schedule, if they can survive all the changes that
they can survive through you know what has gone on
over the course of the last five six months since
that NFC Divisional play off team, then you know they'll
(16:03):
be there at the end because they're really well coached,
and they have a really good roster and all those
things are part of it. So it's just a question
of whether or not they can do it. I think
San Francisco, once they're healthy again, you know, will be
a real challenge for teams. I don't think they are
going to they're going to fall by the wayside at all.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
That's the interesting one that you mentioned of all six
of them. So it's really good stuff. I appreciate the knowledge,
I appreciate the passion. Mark Zeno, keep up the good
work down there. In ninety two point nine FM the
game in Atlanta. Thanks for the time today, have a
great weekend.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Thank you, sir.
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