July 28, 2025 • 38 mins
Ryan Rabinowitz of the Motown Rundown podcast joins Trent to talk Lions training camp and Tigers trade deadline needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
When you funct us back, we're gonna smile at you.
And when you knock us down, we're gonna get up.
And on the way up, we're gonna bite a kneecap off.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
All ride round me, hold a mile. Let's give them
the keys for the Hall of Fame. But not today.
Tonight they're in the Stanley hun Steve Ozon, come in
kills Nay heaven heavy brother me. I got one question
for you, Michigan NA said, who's gotten better than us?
(00:44):
Great center field that's got carry.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Its god number five hundred head.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
History for the kill, camerera chos for giants.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Yes, this game over.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Let's put the cat the scar Red Wicks win. We
are here on Monday, good morning. Everybody Exes and Bros.
Final hour of the program along the Michigan Sports Network.
Matt Shepherd's just fine, hoping to catch up with them tomorrow.
Just not feeling the best. So Trent Balley filling in today,
(01:18):
having a blast. This has flown by. I'll tell you,
the prep for these kinds of shows is so different
than just producing it, obviously, but man, until you're in it,
sometimes you don't know all the work that goes into
this so I tip my cap to Shep and all
the radio hosts across this great country. We got Ryan Rabinowitz,
the main man of the Motown Rundown on the line.
(01:38):
We're gonna talk Detroit sports, everything Detroit sports. We're just
gonna whip right around, Rams. How are you man?
Speaker 3 (01:45):
I'm great, Trent. If there's one thing that can get
me out of the out of bed this early in
the morning, other than my full time job, it is
talking sports with you.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Happy to be back, Rams. I got so much that
I want to get to with you. Because obviously, the
Tigers finally won another game. We got Lions football on Thursday.
The Wings are an absolute hot mess. The Pistons are
in the midst of free agency. We've got so much
to cover, and of course college football coming up as well.
We might sprinkle that in a little bit. I just
want to take your temperature on this. Did you watch
(02:15):
the Tigers yesterday? How are you feeling when they finally
salvaged one from Toronto?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I did watch the Tigers yesterday.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
It was nice to.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
See them get out to a three nuts and lead.
And then if you would have told me with watching
that game and its entirety that at the end of it,
when it was all said and done, it would be
a ten to four ball game. I mean they need
something like that, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
I mean, well, especially for Jack Flerity too, to give
Jack Flarity some run support finally and just have him
get a little more confidence back. Am I wrong there?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
No?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
I mean it seems like there's a large camp of
people that were already ready to run Jack Flarity out
of town.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Oh, of course, because that's what fans do.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
No, but it was, it was, It was great. I'm
sure we'll get into all things Tigers, but I mean, yeah,
like if you want to call it getting off the schneid, sure,
but Toronto is the month of July that they have
have had has been ridiculous. So it just kind of
was maybe poor timing of like a bad slide for
(03:19):
the Tigers to put it lightly, and then you have
one of the better teams in baseball at least for
this month that comes into town. So I mean, whatever
way you slice it to beat Toronto, the way you
did with that game was huge for many different reasons
for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Ryan Rabinowitz of the multon Rundown podcast, Ryan, I know
what your answer is going to be here. But I
want you to tell our listeners because I think fans
have a tendency, as you just alluded to, to overreact
to things, and the sky's always falling. It's right, deadline's
coming up a you, Heniel Suarez. The latest rumor is
that the Phillies are interested, and there are people out there.
I mean, I'm not one of them, but if I
(03:58):
were tobate myself on this, I would definitely bring up
the fact that the offense went quiet for a while
and you might need to add a right handed beat. However,
you got Carry Carpenter back healthy now Matt Vierling's finally
getting in full swing, no pun intended. But what is
your temperature on the trade deadline? And do you think
the Tigers should make any moves?
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Well, I think I have a little bit of a
different approach to the trade deadline because to me, the
number one thing for me, Trent, is that I don't
care to see Scott Harris trade away a Max Clark,
a host Way Brisanio, a Kevin McGonagall, Like, I just don't.
I've watched this team for so many years. Essentially throw away,
(04:42):
not throw away the future. That sounds harsh, but really
neglect the farm system to go out and try to
whether it is spending money or trading for assets, And
I just don't care to see them do that. And
I really don't think that the Tigers have to trade
that group of players that I just mentioned to get
(05:02):
any better. I do think that they are in a
unique situation where they have some players like, you know,
Justin Henry Malloy, who's been who's been actually performing really
well in Triple A, Jase Young, how you lead Like
there's there's just these these names of guys that have
been knocking on the door in in Triple A, that
(05:25):
we've already seen play at the major league level that
really don't have a spot Like I don't know if
Jase Young were to come back up where you expect
to throw him in or Justin Henry Malloy. It's nice
to have baths like that that you can maybe lean on,
but I just don't think it's necessary and and and
and truly for me, I don't think the bat is
(05:47):
the priority as much as it is the the arms.
And I think that's evident by you know, as you
kind of go into the trade deadline and come back
out of it. You know, Tommy Kainley is and is
untouched as he once was, Will Best as untouchable as
he once was. You kind of saw a flash from
Tyler Holden of getting back to who he was the
(06:09):
last couple of years. But all in all, I just
don't have the confidence in the bullpen, which feels like
Groundhog's Day because our whole lifetime that has seemed to
be the problem. And then all of a sudden, you know,
you kind of put things together with the pitching chaos,
and now we're almost it feels like right back to
square one. So to me in terms of the bass,
(06:32):
like I think you're finding the bass in a healthy
carry carpenter, in a vierling that's getting more and more
games under his belt, that gets to play a regular schedule,
in a Parker Meadows that you know, whatever people continue
to say about him of like oh boy, you know,
like this that was his spring training. That was his
(06:52):
spring training, Like now now we go, Now we go
with Parker Meadows. Like I think that's where you get
your your your bat from. So I'm cool with grabbing
one and like if like a right handed bat, sure,
but I think the focus needs to be.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
On the arms.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I just I really believe that if they're healthy and
they're and they get some of these guys to kind
of figure it out and pull themselves out of whatever
they're in. I mean, you know like that, that would
be my question to people, especially now, like what like
are we are we looking for a bat because Riley
Green hasn't been great, Like we've we've been through this
(07:30):
with Riley Green. You know, like you know what you're getting.
So I don't know.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
To me, it's about the arms.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Yeah, I'm with you there. Tigers start a three game
set with the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at six forty. That's
the first game.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
That's of course being played in Detroit. And just to
let you all know, the trade deadline is Thursday at
six pm. So if you are one of those people
that's like, don't let a you Hennio Suarez get back
on the plane. The Tiger's got to make a deal
by Thursday. Uh, Rams, I do want to ask you
about this. I want to shift gears here for a minute.
We only got a couple of minutes before break. But
I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you about the
(08:03):
Red Wings before we get into some lion stuff, because
I know that's what really everyone wants to hear about.
What the hell is going on with the Wings? Just
give me a status quo state of the Union. How
are we doing?
Speaker 4 (08:13):
Oh, I had a feeling that was coming.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
I don't know, like I do, like I do, but
I don't, you know, I think that that Steve Eiserman
is as cautious as they come with with opening up
the checkbook and and making certain moves. And the reality is,
you know, as much as the as much as the
free agent class was maybe top heavy this year, and
(08:41):
the Red Wings really swung and missed on on everyone,
it seems like I really don't know how much they
were swinging. And at the end of the day, Trent like,
what people need to understand is that the players and
the human beings that are out there and available also
have to have the desire yes come play in Detroit.
(09:02):
And so I think that Steve Eiserman gets a lot
of flag for the people that don't come to Detroit
when in reality, again like there has to be a
fit there. I think that this year there is a
maybe a bit more attention to these younger prospects that
are going to get a chance to play. It sounds
like actual sandin Pelica will get a real chance to
(09:23):
make the roster, you know, Nate Daniel said Michael brantak
nieguards like, I'm just excited to see what younger players
get a chance here. I do think on paper again
and sound like a broken record, like it seems like
it's a bit more competent of a team, but does
it look like a playoff team?
Speaker 4 (09:43):
No, it doesn't.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
And there's still time before the season starts, and I'm
curious if there are moves to be made and whatnot.
But I don't blame people for being checked out because
adding James van Riemsdyke at this stage in his career
and Mason Appleton spartan dog shout out, it doesn't move
the needle for sure. A bit more competent of a
(10:08):
team in the bottom six, And I think that this
is just going to be a year where you hope
that Elmer Soderblomb takes a step, you hope that Simon
Edmonson takes a step. And I really think the focus
is going to be on internal improvement to even give
Steve Eiserman an idea of who belongs on this roster
(10:28):
for the for the years to come. I think that's
the big, the big, the big thing this year in
terms of like what what will move the needle?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
All Right, we'll put a pen in it for now, revs.
We've got to hit a break. Ryan Rabinowitz of the
Motown Rundown Podcast talking all things Detroit sports more on
the other side with Ryan Trent Balley pinch hitting for
Matt Shepherd Today on X's and Bros. On the Michigan
Sports Network Axes and Bros. Rolling here on a Monday.
(11:04):
Where has the time gone? Only two segments left? This
really sucks because I'm having a blast this morning. This
is great chap back tomorrow. We hope he's doing just fine,
just not feeling the best. So here we are on
a Monday morning on the Michigan Sports Network. We're brought
to you this hour by Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Look,
if you take the time to text the show, I
definitely want to take the time to read it. And
(11:25):
admittedly this morning I've been doing double duty with hosting
and producing, so I haven't been great about keeping up
with the text line. But we do have some texts
that I want to get to and thankfully you guys
are steering us back on track with the Lions. I
know you guys want to hear football talk, So here
we go. This texter says, I'm over the Tigers. This
kid made me lose confidence. I'm already ready for the Lions. LFG.
(11:47):
You know what that means. Lions in action on Thursday
in the Hall of Fame game, and we are here
with Ryan Rabinowitz, the main man of the Motown Rundown
podcast Rams. We ask a poll question every morning. My
pole question today, who's the better Lions duo or the
stronger Lions duel? Is it Jamir Gibbs and David Montgomery
in the backfield or is it Kirby Joseph and Brian
(12:09):
Branch in the defensive backfield? What are your thoughts there?
I hope it's a good question.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Uh No, it's a great question.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
It's a little bit I would say, it's it's too
difficult to answer on a Monday morning.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
That's that's you're.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Coming out hot with the poles. But I mean, like,
what a well, first of all, what a luxury to
have a question as tough.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
As this, But yeah, you can problem to have a running.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Back tandem and and to have like two defensive backs
that that are it seems like everything I read about,
you know, like here's like here's the top the top
defensive backs or safety duos in the league, like the
Ranch and Joseph are always at the top of the list.
And obviously same with with Gibbs in Montgomery. Oh gosh,
(12:53):
I would how do you not like, how do you
not say Gibbs in Montgomery? That's probably it's probably a
cop out answer, truly, Like if I wanted to be,
you know, different, I'd probably go with Joseph and Branch.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Well shepp, sorry, not sheep raps. I'll tell you, I
say Branch and Joseph. That's my answer, honestly, And I
truly believe that. I don't think it's a slight to
Montgomery and Gibbs. But I truly believe that Brian Branch
and Kirby Joseph are each in the top five. And
I would say Jamiir Gibbs is a top five running back,
but David Montgomery's closer to ten. And that's where I
give the slight edge to the safeties.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, that's that's fair. But I think that the I
think that Jamiir Gibbs is like part of the reason
why he's so good is because they have Montgomery to
kind of offset Jamiir Gibbs a skill set and I
don't want to lose sight of you know, obviously Jamier
Gibbs is a special talent and will continue to be here.
(13:49):
And David Montgomery's probably I'm a I don't even want
to say, on the wrong side of his career, but
just to think about how many runs and how many
situations in which David Montgomery he's been given the ball
and has just gotten you the yard that you need,
has turned the one yard that you need into three,
has broken off the big play.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Like, I truly believe the Lions have the best running
back tandem in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Like, I just think from a thirty thousand foot of view,
it's not that hard to tell.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Either.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
The only reason why, like I maybe wouldn't give the
nod the Branch and Joseph is because I do think
there's other teams in the league that have really good
safety combinations that are productive.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Yeah, the Ravens come to mind for me for sure.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Yeah, Yeah, I just don't like I can't. But I
don't look at the Ravens Tretton, I go like, wow,
what a great running attack they have with Derek Henry
and whoever else. So I would say I mean the
Gibbs of Montgomery and like they've they've just like the
brand that they've created for themselves with the sonic and knuckles,
like they're incredible. You know, if you like to have again,
(14:53):
like you said, Gibbs top five easily, Montgomery probably not there,
but the luxury to have David Montgomery in the backfield
as well, like he is, like, let's let's not lose
sight of some of the productive runs that he's had
for the Lions over the years.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Now, two guys with very different skill sets as well,
and I know the Lions have talked a little bit
about or Dan Campbell has talked a little bit about
using them both on the field at the same time
with John Morton. I do want to play this soundback.
I want to run this back. I played this in
the six AM hour ReBs. I'm not sure if you
heard this. This is David Montgomery talking about the embarrassment
of riches on that team and how he sometimes feels
(15:29):
he might get a little lost in the shuffle. Take
a listen.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
It's probably the hungry is that I have been, you know,
because I feel like a lot of people kind of
forget that I'm here in the offense too. So I'm
not here to prove anybody wrong. I'm here to prove
myself right and be the best teammate that I can be.
But I definitely got like a big chip on my shoulder.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Believe me, he has not forgotten. We know exactly who
he is, where he is, and what he's capable of.
And the one two punch with I and Gibbs is
it's special and it's rare in this league in my opinion,
especially nowadays. So there is a place for day David.
He's gonna help us, and we're going to use him,
and we'll use he and Gibbs together.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
Of course that's Dan Campbell at the end. They're talking
about Knuckles, as you guys affectionately call him. Look like
you said, Rabs, It is great to have this problem
where we're debating. We're sitting here having a real conversation
about which duo is stronger. So just one of the
feathers in the lions cap. But I do want to
ask you this because I talked about this a little
earlier as well. This schedule is a be I almost
(16:28):
just committed an FCC violation, you know what I was
about to say. The schedule's very tough. You play Lamar
Jackson on the road, you play Patrick Mahomes on the road,
you play Jayden Daniels on the road, the last team
to beat you. Of course, sorry to remind everybody. So
what's the bigger story. Is it how tough the schedule
is or is it losing the coordinators? Because we both
know both narratives have been beaten to hell this early
(16:48):
in the off season.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Yeah, I mean, I think the Lions have done enough
the last two years. And I like, I get it,
you know, I totally get it. But I think that
they've done enough the last couple of years just in
terms of I have that confidence in this team going anywhere,
playing anyone, And you know, maybe I didn't feel that
way two years ago, but now I think you've built
(17:13):
such a such an empire here and the two coordinators
that you have not lost have been a huge part
of that, undoubtedly. And so there's always question marks when
you come into something, when you come into a new season,
and now you're not only replacing one coordinators, but you're
replacing two. And it sounds like everything from out of
(17:34):
camp is like, you know, Jared Goff and Johnny Morton
are on the same page, Jamir Gifts is going to
have a little bit of some more wrinkles in the offense,
and you just have to trust Dan Campbell and you
have to trust the organization that they put the right
people in place to replace the guys that have left.
But you know, again, to me, it's not so much
like can the Lions.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
Can the Lions compete with these teams? Can they be
successful on the road? Can they win in prime time?
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Like I think I've seen enough. It's just a matter
of like, is this the same Lions team given the
fact that there's two new guys calling the plays on
both sides of the ball. And you have to again,
we talk all the time, Trent, like you just Brad
Holmes has given you every reason to trust them. Dan
Campbell gives you every reason to trust them, and it
(18:22):
will for the most part for a lot of people.
But yeah, like I it is the coordinators for sure.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Yeah, I mean there's a ton of storylines and I
said this earlier, but anytime you win fifteen games the
year after you win twelve games and go to the
NFC Championship game, right, there's gonna be storylines everywhere, regardless
when you're dealing with a team as talented and as
front page as the Detroit Lions can be. And of
course they're back in action Thursday in the Hall of
Fame game playing host quote unquote to the LA Chargers
(18:54):
and Jimmy Harblough. So before we go to break, I
want to read one more text because Rams, you talk
about the signal callers and the new guys and John
Morton and Kelvin Sheppard, who they promoted from within. I
think that's a great move. I love everything I've heard
from him so far with everything going on with Alexanzeloni.
And we'll talk about this on the other side, because
I know how you feel about him. You and I
have had some choice words for that man over the
(19:17):
you know, the last few years. But a Texter says,
Detroit fans are doing what they usually do. Unfortunately, they
are comparing Jack Campbell to Luke Keikley and still haven't
been to a Super Bowl. Good player, but wake up fans,
he has to cover a tight end two and that
comes from Freddy Over on the east side. We'll talk
more with Ryan Rabinowich, the main man of the Motown
(19:38):
Rundown podcast, about Alexanzeloni and this holdout that he's got
going on about Jack Campbell and all things Lions. On
the other side, you're listening to Exis and Bros. On
the Michigan Sports Network Axes and Bros. On a Monday
(20:02):
morning here on the Michigan Sports Network. Wherever you're listening,
we really appreciate it. We know you got a lot
of options these days, a lot of podcasts. By the way,
we'll have a couple segments up on our podcast anywhere
you find them Axison Bros. Apple, Spotify, whatever. Just before
the break, we were talking a little bit, and we've
talked a lot this morning about Alex Sanzeloni and Jack
(20:23):
Campbell in the situation there, and I think Kelvin Shepard
and Dan Campbell coming out and publicly turning this defense
over to Jack Campbell. He's going to be wearing the
green dot, he's going to be quarterback in that defense.
I think it's immaculate timing for two reasons. One Jack
Campbell's gonna take this third year leap with Alexandeloni holding out,
and two Dan Campbell to publicly endorse him, says all
(20:47):
you need to know about how Dan Campbell feels in
that confidence level in Jack Campbell. We're talking with Ryan Rabinowitz,
the main man of the Motown Rundown podcast. Rabs, I
know you and I have both had some choice words
for Alexanzeloni over the years, but I do want to
say this, He's your ninth biggest cap hit this season,
and I sure as hell could name you nine lions
that are more productive, or more important or more vital
(21:08):
to this team's success. Do you agree with that statement?
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Yeah, I I do.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
I do think Alexanzeloni went healthy, and yeah, admittedly, like
early in his tenure in Detroit, definitely struggled to really
grasp what Alexandeloni was bringing to the table outside.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
Of a leadership thing.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
But he truly, at thirty years old, has aged pretty well.
I mean, obviously missed a handful of games last year
and and you know, tried to come back as soon
as he could to help the team, which I appreciate,
and I do I do believe that Alexanzeloni is an
important piece of this defense. Yes, I just think this
(21:52):
his cerebralness and you know, pretty still pretty sound athletically,
and just his lateral movement.
Speaker 4 (21:59):
I always and critical.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Of the linebacking corps for maybe their lack of speed
getting to the ball. But you know, even so, like
I do think that the Lions linebacking corps has held
in a little bit higher favor amongst the league and
amongst the people that really get into the staff and
the grades that maybe Lions fans.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
He can try to admit, but.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Like you said, Trent, and you kind of alluded to it,
the reality of the situation is for the Lions, they
have a lot of talent on this team, and the
most talent that the Lions have had and you know,
possibly our lifetime. So it is a business and you
do have to play the game. And is Alexanzeloni the
priority in my eyes to get signed and locked up
(22:46):
to some type of extension.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
He's not.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
I mean, he's on a deal for this year, which
is what matters. And I truly think that Alexanzeloni would
be hurting himself more than helping himself. Although I do
understand the theory if you were to continue to sit
out and let this year go by, especially with the
defense essentially being turned over to Jack Campbell.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Yeah, and you've already extended Penney Sewell, I'm in the rest,
Saint Brown, Alee McNeil, Jared Goff, and you have yet
to extend Jamier Gibbs, Sam Laporta, Jamison Williams, Brian Branch,
Aiden Hutchinson for crying out loud like there's just so
much talent, like you said, and so many paydays coming
up for this young talent, and it's a great problem
to have. But when a guy like Alex Sandzeloni is
(23:30):
in your top ten for cap hit and he's talking
about how he feels underpaid. If he's underpaid, it's marginally.
And the last thing I'll say on this is I
don't want to sell him short his leadership. He's been
here from the ground up with Brad Holmes and Dan
Campbell in their first year. Obviously knew those guys in
New Orleans. Was more of a special teamer there, and
he has expanded his role and he has made a
(23:51):
hell of a career for himself. And I know he's
a great dude. He's a family man. That's all good
and fine. I'm not trying to take a dump on
Alex Sandeloni this morning. I just like you said, it
is a business. And the last thing I'll leave the
people with on this topic is talk can be cheap.
I understand, but for what it's worth, Dan Campbell's not
worried about a damn thing. Here's Dan Campbell at the
podium yesterday on Alex Sandzealoni.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
You guys know how I feel about Alex, how we
feel about Alex. He's one of our dudes. Man, We've
leaned on him. He's a productive player. We're good still talking.
There's no animosity here, there's nothing like that. So I'm
not going to go into anything else, you know, outside
of that. But just we're gonna be good. You know,
we're gonna be good.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
That's two. We're gonna be goods out of Dan Campbell
to end the sound like there and look, am I
worried that Alex Sandeloni's not gonna be suiting up for
the Lions in twenty twenty five? No, I'm not. But
Ryan Rabinowitz joining us here on Exes and Bros. To
close out the show. I do want to shift to
the schedule a little bit, because, like I keep saying, Thursday,
the Rubber hits the road Man, the Chargers and the
(24:52):
Lions in the Hall of Fame game kicking off the
NFL season unofficially, I guess, is there someone you're most
excited to watch in the preseason as an Isaac Taslaw
is it? Are you one of those morons who wants
to watch Hendon Hooker play?
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (25:05):
What are you looking for in the preseason here for
your Detroit Lions.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Yes, I am one of the morons that they're so
excited to watch Hendon Hooker player for sure. Well again
just because and look, I will say, Trent, and we
don't need to get into it here. It's more of
a storyline on the podcast that you and I do together.
But but I have I have really turned the corner
after watching this season of quarterback on the Lions number
(25:31):
one quarterback, which we we.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
Can we can get into it another time. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
I just think I, like I have always been intrigued
by the Hendon Hooker story, and not even so much
with how he relates to Jared Goff and what the
future looks like at the quarterback position for the Lions.
I just think Hendon Hooker is a really good player,
and and for him to have his senior year and
the way it did at Tennessee with the knee injury,
(25:56):
I just I don't know, I root for the guy,
but I yeah, I would. I would say, I think
Isaac to Slaw, who presumably will be getting you know,
will be will be a large part of the offense
in this first preseason game. Yeah, I think I would
like if I'm giving a real, true, serious answer in
(26:16):
terms of what is going to matter come week one
of the NFL season, you know, hopefully knock on wood.
You know that everyone's healthy, and I don't have to
I don't have to see a sample size of Hendon
Hooker because of the important team I play in this year.
Isaac Taslaw is a player that's going to be most
important that I think is going to be playing in
(26:37):
this game. And I'm really excited to see what he
brings to the table in terms of his skill set
in and I would expect him to be a player
that actually gets some real run with her first team
offense this year at some point.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
All right, Ryan, you and shef have one very obscure
thing in common. Do you know what it is?
Speaker 4 (27:00):
I don't know. Really good looks. I'm not sure.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
I'm hearing that's your answer.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
Here, here's what it is. Here's what it is. Your
favorite Detroit Lion last season retired Frank Ragnow. You guys
both are big. Frank Ragnow, guys, you're the only guy
I know that had a seventy seven jersey up in
the three hundred level. And I know you had to
jump through quite a few hoops to get that jersey,
which is ridiculous. But Frank Ragnow seems to be enjoying retirement,
and the Lions have a big gap to fill. Tate
(27:26):
Ratledge apparently getting the first crack at center. That's who
I'm most excited to watch in this first preseason game
or the preseason at large. Here's Dan Campbell in his
confidence on the young old line.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
I think these first call it ten days is going
to tell us a lot. You know, by the time
we get to the Hall of Fame game, and then
the competition is still open at that point, like man
working these guards and then you know who is playing center.
But I think it's kind of a two part deal.
We've got an open competition, guys competing, you know, certainly
Tate at center. We're working him in there, see how
fast he can get it. I know it's only day one,
(27:59):
look much better than even spring, you know, so getting
his feet under him. But as I've said before, we
know Graham can slide riding on right now and we
don't miss a beat, So keep playing with it. You know,
it's kind of exciting really now.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Shep and I joked last week about how saying it's
exciting it's a fancy way of saying question mark, because
I don't I don't really think the Lions know what
the plan is at online completely and you won't know
until you're thrown into the fire. But I have all
the confidence in the world and Hank Freyley think he's
one of the best position coaches in all the football raps.
What's your take on the Lions on line as it
currently stands with Frank Ragnow retiring and Kevin Zeidler headed
(28:33):
the Nashville.
Speaker 3 (28:35):
Yeah, yeah, I mean the rag Now news was pretty devastating,
but I feel like every single year for the last
couple of years, that's been on the table for Frank
to step away, and you know, a good good for him.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
I'm not how do you.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
Be mad at a guy that's making a decision that's
best for his body and the longevity that he has
in life and with his family. But I'm actually surprised
that Graham Glasgow isn't like the outright center going into
this year like the center position.
Speaker 4 (29:03):
As a as a.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Man myself that that made my dollar at the center
position from grades three through six. You know, I know,
I know the UH, I know how difficult that position is.
But in all seriousness though, like I just I thought
they would opt for someone that is more experienced and
has worked with Jared Goff in that position. You know
(29:26):
for however many times in the last year or two
that Glasgow has been back here. So I like what
Kate Ratlin's brings to the table. I to have a
young guy like that learn the position, I mean, they
could if this goes well, they could be setting themselves
up for the next ten years at the center position,
which I think is is probably the best case scenario
(29:47):
for them. But again, the the bailout is just to
go to go right to UH, to write to Glasgow,
and I think they would be fine there I think
the real question mark Trent becomes the other side of
the line with you know, presumably Christian Mahogany, who I
feel like stepped in and had some really productive snaps
(30:07):
for the Lions when he needed to, and you just
have to hope that he continues to take a step
forward because I also think that the other guard position
is where there might be a little bit bigger of
a question mark that people might lead on too, because
the focus has been ragged now leading, but I think
they did have some dogs. They're just going to be
a matter of getting comfortable playing together and you know,
(30:29):
and they have invested a lot in this offensive line.
They should, That's what I think all good teams do.
And I think they have some really good personnel and
it's going to be a matter of finding the right combination.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
Yeah. I'll give another shout out to our loyal listener
Freddie over on the East Side because he texted it
and said, you know, host some producers can overreact just
like fans can, and I totally agree, and I think, look,
man Tate Ratledge, Yes, we can all get fired up
about him. We all love his game, right, we watched
him at Georgia We're familiar with him. He's got the
long hair, he's got the grit, all that stuff. He's
(31:02):
still a rookie and he's still a second round pick. Everybody.
It's not like he went top five or top seven
like Penney Sewell did. This is it is just right
or wrong. It is still a huge question mark, and
I want people to temper their expectations. Accordingly, Ryan, another
big storyline here, and it's already been beaten to hell,
(31:23):
and I hate to even bring it up because I
know people are sick of hearing me talk about this.
The coordinators are new, and I'm curious what your thoughts
are on a guy like John Morton stepping in and
what he can do with a less cute or less
tricky offense, because you have the horses you do. And
I'm Andron Saint Brown, David Montgomery, Jamier Gibbs, Sam Laporta,
(31:45):
Jamison Williams fan favorite, Tim Patrick right. We know the
list goes on and on and on, and I'd like
to see what John Morton can do when he's not
running a trick play for Jamison Williams to throw a
pass on the most crucial, snappier season and basically, you know,
wave goodbye to the fans on his way to Chicago.
So what are your thoughts on John Morton sliding in
(32:06):
and are you more excited to just watch maybe a
less cute offense.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
I mean, like, I.
Speaker 3 (32:13):
Think productivity is everything, you know, and the Lions are
able to be productive in a more yeah, tricky whatever
you want to call it with Ben Johnson's offense. You know,
I'd like to think that John Morton will be a
big asset in the passing game. And one of the
things that I love and like the early stories coming
out of camp is just the route. The route treats
(32:34):
that Jamison Williams is involved in. The guy that I
truly felt like the Lions have just used is like
this kind of gadget player, like you know, let's throw,
Like I feel like he was involved in almost every
trick play last.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
Year, when in reality.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
Like given his speed and his ability to stretch the field,
I think that he is an asset that the Lions
haven't really tapped into completely.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
And so it.
Speaker 3 (32:58):
Seems like Jamison Williams is encouraged by what he's being
trusted with to do and the route that he's being
asked to run this year, and so yeah, I think
like they have some they have some interesting thoughts with
Shamir Gibs maybe, you know, just in terms of where
he fits in the passing game and maybe being split
out wide a little bit more while while Montgomery's also
(33:20):
on the field, and I think that look alone will
give teams some trouble. But I think that Johnny Morton
comes from a background of you know, he's obviously been
around the league for a considerable amount of time, was
part of a really good offense last year too, and
so who, like who knows, I don't is this going
to be the same Lions team we saw offensively? Maybe
(33:42):
you know, maybe they maybe they.
Speaker 4 (33:44):
Do continue to use that as their identity of like,
you know, we never know what we're gonna throw at you.
Speaker 3 (33:49):
But I do think on a whole it might be
a bit more of a balanced, efficient attack this year,
just given the nature of what Johnny Morton believes in.
And as you mentioned, the personnel the Lions have on
offense is ridiculous.
Speaker 4 (34:03):
I just absolutely ridiculous how many weapons they have.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
So we're gonna find out real quickly if Johnny Moore
is the real dealer or not, and he's gonna have
nowhere to hide because it seems like it's borderline impossible
for this offense not to clip with how many weapons
they have.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Chef hates the term super Bowl window, but I'll tell
you for the Lions, it's open, but it is potentially
closing when you're gonna have to start paying these guys
and you're gonna get a lot less rich on offense.
So you got to strike while the Irons hop. Man.
This is a I don't want to say make or
break season for the Lions, but it's a big one
for sure. Before we get out of here, Rabs, I
want to ship back to baseball because every day we
(34:40):
bring you a daily wager sponsored by Eagle Casino in
Sports at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort up in beautiful
Mount Pleasant, Michigan. How you doing fire up chips? On Friday,
we took the Tigers to score first and win, and
that didn't work out. Tonight, I will simply take EDWARDO.
Rodriguez under six cent. I have strikeouts. I think the
(35:01):
Tigers' bats have come back to life, and I think
e Rod could have a potentially good option or good outing.
Excuse me, for Arizona, but I like the Tigers to
get to him a little bit. I'll take the under
six and a half strikeouts for e rod Rams. What's
say you, Yeah, I would.
Speaker 4 (35:18):
I'm cool with taking the under.
Speaker 3 (35:19):
I do think that he should be booed off the
field tonight, Agrison with America. True, like talk about a
guy that I have like just no like no time
or interest for it, like as a former Tiger with
how all that went down.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
But no, I'll take the.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
Under and try. And I what I will say too is,
you know, I know we're not really just diving into
a time ofer stock and feel free to cut me
off if we're up against it, but you know I am.
Speaker 4 (35:47):
Of course, this last stretch for the Tigers.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
Has been statistically an anomaly, just like in terms of
I don't think that a team has gone the thirteen
games they have or whatever it was, which is the
run different cental, and you know, categorically in terms of
statistics just being like really at the bottom of the league.
Speaker 4 (36:06):
But it's hard for me.
Speaker 3 (36:08):
To like, this team was so good to start the
year and there's sixty one and forty six, Like we're
losing our minds over a team that is sixty one
and forty six.
Speaker 2 (36:20):
Right, And if I told you that going into August,
are coming up on the end of July here, that
the Tigers would have an eight game lead in this division,
you'd take it every day of the week.
Speaker 3 (36:28):
Yeah, well correct, tran like believe it or not. Having
an eight game lead in the Al Central at the
end of July is like good enough for me. So well,
like it's unbelievable how other teams are allowed to do this,
like the Dodgers are allowed not that again, no one's
been as bad as the Tigers this year. It seems
like unless you're the.
Speaker 4 (36:46):
Rockies, are the White Sox. But like the Dodgers had to.
Speaker 3 (36:49):
Slide, the Yankees are are barely keeping their head above water.
The red Socks were about to sell them. The red
Socks were about to hand Alex Bredman over to the
and then they started winning baseball games. So like it's baseball.
So all the people out there like no disrespect, but
like like we're moving onto the to the Lions now,
(37:10):
are you kidding me?
Speaker 4 (37:11):
Are you kidding me?
Speaker 3 (37:12):
We're moving onto the Lions with a first place baseball
team that's eight games up on the Guardians in the
AL Central that we were literally talking about adding pieces
to go win a World Series, and now you think
we're ten games under five hundred. It's unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
Prisoner of the moment. Can happen? Raps it can? It
can definitely happen. And the eight game lead for the
Tigers in the AL Central is still the biggest in baseball.
Want to thank Ryan Rebinoiz thanks for joining us. Go
follow him at our Rebindo what's four on x or
Twitter if you still call it that for some reason. Ryan,
It's been fun. Man, Time flies when you're having fun.
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 4 (37:48):
Always a pleasure, Tren, I'm going back to bed.
Speaker 2 (37:52):
Sounds about right, all right? Thank you, Ryan Rebinowitz. Thank
you Mitch Lyons for joining us. Mondays with Mitch. Hey,
let's hope tomorrow at six oh one you're and a
lot more Matt Sheppard and a lot less Trump Valley.
But hey, it's been fun. Thanks for spending the morning
with me. Thanks for getting the week off strong with me.
I'll be helping out Bill Simonson later today on the
Huge Show, so tune into that at three pm. You're
(38:13):
listening to Xies and Bros. On the Michigan Sports Network,
When you funct us back, we're gonna smile at you.
And when you knock us down, we're gonna get up.
And on the way up, we're gonna bite a kneecap off.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
All ride round me, hold a mile. Let's give them
the keys for the Hall of Fame. But not today.
Tonight they're in the Stanley hun Steve Ozon, come in
kills Nay heaven heavy brother me. I got one question
for you, Michigan NA said, who's gotten better than us?
(00:44):
Great center field that's got carry.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Its god number five hundred head.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
History for the kill, camerera chos for giants.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Yes, this game over.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Let's put the cat the scar Red Wicks win. We
are here on Monday, good morning. Everybody Exes and Bros.
Final hour of the program along the Michigan Sports Network.
Matt Shepherd's just fine, hoping to catch up with them tomorrow.
Just not feeling the best. So Trent Balley filling in today,
(01:18):
having a blast. This has flown by. I'll tell you,
the prep for these kinds of shows is so different
than just producing it, obviously, but man, until you're in it,
sometimes you don't know all the work that goes into
this so I tip my cap to Shep and all
the radio hosts across this great country. We got Ryan Rabinowitz,
the main man of the Motown Rundown on the line.
(01:38):
We're gonna talk Detroit sports, everything Detroit sports. We're just
gonna whip right around, Rams. How are you man?
Speaker 3 (01:45):
I'm great, Trent. If there's one thing that can get
me out of the out of bed this early in
the morning, other than my full time job, it is
talking sports with you.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Happy to be back, Rams. I got so much that
I want to get to with you. Because obviously, the
Tigers finally won another game. We got Lions football on Thursday.
The Wings are an absolute hot mess. The Pistons are
in the midst of free agency. We've got so much
to cover, and of course college football coming up as well.
We might sprinkle that in a little bit. I just
want to take your temperature on this. Did you watch
(02:15):
the Tigers yesterday? How are you feeling when they finally
salvaged one from Toronto?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I did watch the Tigers yesterday.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
It was nice to.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
See them get out to a three nuts and lead.
And then if you would have told me with watching
that game and its entirety that at the end of it,
when it was all said and done, it would be
a ten to four ball game. I mean they need
something like that, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
I mean, well, especially for Jack Flerity too, to give
Jack Flarity some run support finally and just have him
get a little more confidence back. Am I wrong there?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
No?
Speaker 3 (02:49):
I mean it seems like there's a large camp of
people that were already ready to run Jack Flarity out
of town.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Oh, of course, because that's what fans do.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
No, but it was, it was, It was great. I'm
sure we'll get into all things Tigers, but I mean, yeah,
like if you want to call it getting off the schneid, sure,
but Toronto is the month of July that they have
have had has been ridiculous. So it just kind of
was maybe poor timing of like a bad slide for
(03:19):
the Tigers to put it lightly, and then you have
one of the better teams in baseball at least for
this month that comes into town. So I mean, whatever
way you slice it to beat Toronto, the way you
did with that game was huge for many different reasons
for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Ryan Rabinowitz of the multon Rundown podcast, Ryan, I know
what your answer is going to be here. But I
want you to tell our listeners because I think fans
have a tendency, as you just alluded to, to overreact
to things, and the sky's always falling. It's right, deadline's
coming up a you, Heniel Suarez. The latest rumor is
that the Phillies are interested, and there are people out there.
I mean, I'm not one of them, but if I
(03:58):
were tobate myself on this, I would definitely bring up
the fact that the offense went quiet for a while
and you might need to add a right handed beat. However,
you got Carry Carpenter back healthy now Matt Vierling's finally
getting in full swing, no pun intended. But what is
your temperature on the trade deadline? And do you think
the Tigers should make any moves?
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Well, I think I have a little bit of a
different approach to the trade deadline because to me, the
number one thing for me, Trent, is that I don't
care to see Scott Harris trade away a Max Clark,
a host Way Brisanio, a Kevin McGonagall, Like, I just don't.
I've watched this team for so many years. Essentially throw away,
(04:42):
not throw away the future. That sounds harsh, but really
neglect the farm system to go out and try to
whether it is spending money or trading for assets, And
I just don't care to see them do that. And
I really don't think that the Tigers have to trade
that group of players that I just mentioned to get
(05:02):
any better. I do think that they are in a
unique situation where they have some players like, you know,
Justin Henry Malloy, who's been who's been actually performing really
well in Triple A, Jase Young, how you lead Like
there's there's just these these names of guys that have
been knocking on the door in in Triple A, that
(05:25):
we've already seen play at the major league level that
really don't have a spot Like I don't know if
Jase Young were to come back up where you expect
to throw him in or Justin Henry Malloy. It's nice
to have baths like that that you can maybe lean on,
but I just don't think it's necessary and and and
and truly for me, I don't think the bat is
(05:47):
the priority as much as it is the the arms.
And I think that's evident by you know, as you
kind of go into the trade deadline and come back
out of it. You know, Tommy Kainley is and is
untouched as he once was, Will Best as untouchable as
he once was. You kind of saw a flash from
Tyler Holden of getting back to who he was the
(06:09):
last couple of years. But all in all, I just
don't have the confidence in the bullpen, which feels like
Groundhog's Day because our whole lifetime that has seemed to
be the problem. And then all of a sudden, you know,
you kind of put things together with the pitching chaos,
and now we're almost it feels like right back to
square one. So to me in terms of the bass,
(06:32):
like I think you're finding the bass in a healthy
carry carpenter, in a vierling that's getting more and more
games under his belt, that gets to play a regular schedule,
in a Parker Meadows that you know, whatever people continue
to say about him of like oh boy, you know,
like this that was his spring training. That was his
(06:52):
spring training, Like now now we go, Now we go
with Parker Meadows. Like I think that's where you get
your your your bat from. So I'm cool with grabbing
one and like if like a right handed bat, sure,
but I think the focus needs to be.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
On the arms.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
I just I really believe that if they're healthy and
they're and they get some of these guys to kind
of figure it out and pull themselves out of whatever
they're in. I mean, you know like that, that would
be my question to people, especially now, like what like
are we are we looking for a bat because Riley
Green hasn't been great, Like we've we've been through this
(07:30):
with Riley Green. You know, like you know what you're getting.
So I don't know.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
To me, it's about the arms.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Yeah, I'm with you there. Tigers start a three game
set with the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at six forty. That's
the first game.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
That's of course being played in Detroit. And just to
let you all know, the trade deadline is Thursday at
six pm. So if you are one of those people
that's like, don't let a you Hennio Suarez get back
on the plane. The Tiger's got to make a deal
by Thursday. Uh, Rams, I do want to ask you
about this. I want to shift gears here for a minute.
We only got a couple of minutes before break. But
I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you about the
(08:03):
Red Wings before we get into some lion stuff, because
I know that's what really everyone wants to hear about.
What the hell is going on with the Wings? Just
give me a status quo state of the Union. How
are we doing?
Speaker 4 (08:13):
Oh, I had a feeling that was coming.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
I don't know, like I do, like I do, but
I don't, you know, I think that that Steve Eiserman
is as cautious as they come with with opening up
the checkbook and and making certain moves. And the reality is,
you know, as much as the as much as the
free agent class was maybe top heavy this year, and
(08:41):
the Red Wings really swung and missed on on everyone,
it seems like I really don't know how much they
were swinging. And at the end of the day, Trent like,
what people need to understand is that the players and
the human beings that are out there and available also
have to have the desire yes come play in Detroit.
(09:02):
And so I think that Steve Eiserman gets a lot
of flag for the people that don't come to Detroit
when in reality, again like there has to be a
fit there. I think that this year there is a
maybe a bit more attention to these younger prospects that
are going to get a chance to play. It sounds
like actual sandin Pelica will get a real chance to
(09:23):
make the roster, you know, Nate Daniel said Michael brantak
nieguards like, I'm just excited to see what younger players
get a chance here. I do think on paper again
and sound like a broken record, like it seems like
it's a bit more competent of a team, but does
it look like a playoff team?
Speaker 4 (09:43):
No, it doesn't.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
And there's still time before the season starts, and I'm
curious if there are moves to be made and whatnot.
But I don't blame people for being checked out because
adding James van Riemsdyke at this stage in his career
and Mason Appleton spartan dog shout out, it doesn't move
the needle for sure. A bit more competent of a
(10:08):
team in the bottom six, And I think that this
is just going to be a year where you hope
that Elmer Soderblomb takes a step, you hope that Simon
Edmonson takes a step. And I really think the focus
is going to be on internal improvement to even give
Steve Eiserman an idea of who belongs on this roster
(10:28):
for the for the years to come. I think that's
the big, the big, the big thing this year in
terms of like what what will move the needle?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
All Right, we'll put a pen in it for now, revs.
We've got to hit a break. Ryan Rabinowitz of the
Motown Rundown Podcast talking all things Detroit sports more on
the other side with Ryan Trent Balley pinch hitting for
Matt Shepherd Today on X's and Bros. On the Michigan
Sports Network Axes and Bros. Rolling here on a Monday.
(11:04):
Where has the time gone? Only two segments left? This
really sucks because I'm having a blast this morning. This
is great chap back tomorrow. We hope he's doing just fine,
just not feeling the best. So here we are on
a Monday morning on the Michigan Sports Network. We're brought
to you this hour by Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Look,
if you take the time to text the show, I
definitely want to take the time to read it. And
(11:25):
admittedly this morning I've been doing double duty with hosting
and producing, so I haven't been great about keeping up
with the text line. But we do have some texts
that I want to get to and thankfully you guys
are steering us back on track with the Lions. I
know you guys want to hear football talk, So here
we go. This texter says, I'm over the Tigers. This
kid made me lose confidence. I'm already ready for the Lions. LFG.
(11:47):
You know what that means. Lions in action on Thursday
in the Hall of Fame game, and we are here
with Ryan Rabinowitz, the main man of the Motown Rundown
podcast Rams. We ask a poll question every morning. My
pole question today, who's the better Lions duo or the
stronger Lions duel? Is it Jamir Gibbs and David Montgomery
in the backfield or is it Kirby Joseph and Brian
(12:09):
Branch in the defensive backfield? What are your thoughts there?
I hope it's a good question.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Uh No, it's a great question.
Speaker 3 (12:16):
It's a little bit I would say, it's it's too
difficult to answer on a Monday morning.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
That's that's you're.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Coming out hot with the poles. But I mean, like,
what a well, first of all, what a luxury to
have a question as tough.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
As this, But yeah, you can problem to have a running.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Back tandem and and to have like two defensive backs
that that are it seems like everything I read about,
you know, like here's like here's the top the top
defensive backs or safety duos in the league, like the
Ranch and Joseph are always at the top of the list.
And obviously same with with Gibbs in Montgomery. Oh gosh,
(12:53):
I would how do you not like, how do you
not say Gibbs in Montgomery? That's probably it's probably a
cop out answer, truly, Like if I wanted to be,
you know, different, I'd probably go with Joseph and Branch.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Well shepp, sorry, not sheep raps. I'll tell you, I
say Branch and Joseph. That's my answer, honestly, And I
truly believe that. I don't think it's a slight to
Montgomery and Gibbs. But I truly believe that Brian Branch
and Kirby Joseph are each in the top five. And
I would say Jamiir Gibbs is a top five running back,
but David Montgomery's closer to ten. And that's where I
give the slight edge to the safeties.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, that's that's fair. But I think that the I
think that Jamiir Gibbs is like part of the reason
why he's so good is because they have Montgomery to
kind of offset Jamiir Gibbs a skill set and I
don't want to lose sight of you know, obviously Jamier
Gibbs is a special talent and will continue to be here.
(13:49):
And David Montgomery's probably I'm a I don't even want
to say, on the wrong side of his career, but
just to think about how many runs and how many
situations in which David Montgomery he's been given the ball
and has just gotten you the yard that you need,
has turned the one yard that you need into three,
has broken off the big play.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Like, I truly believe the Lions have the best running
back tandem in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Like, I just think from a thirty thousand foot of view,
it's not that hard to tell.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Either.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
The only reason why, like I maybe wouldn't give the
nod the Branch and Joseph is because I do think
there's other teams in the league that have really good
safety combinations that are productive.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Yeah, the Ravens come to mind for me for sure.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Yeah, Yeah, I just don't like I can't. But I
don't look at the Ravens Tretton, I go like, wow,
what a great running attack they have with Derek Henry
and whoever else. So I would say I mean the
Gibbs of Montgomery and like they've they've just like the
brand that they've created for themselves with the sonic and knuckles,
like they're incredible. You know, if you like to have again,
(14:53):
like you said, Gibbs top five easily, Montgomery probably not there,
but the luxury to have David Montgomery in the backfield
as well, like he is, like, let's let's not lose
sight of some of the productive runs that he's had
for the Lions over the years.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Now, two guys with very different skill sets as well,
and I know the Lions have talked a little bit
about or Dan Campbell has talked a little bit about
using them both on the field at the same time
with John Morton. I do want to play this soundback.
I want to run this back. I played this in
the six AM hour ReBs. I'm not sure if you
heard this. This is David Montgomery talking about the embarrassment
of riches on that team and how he sometimes feels
(15:29):
he might get a little lost in the shuffle. Take
a listen.
Speaker 5 (15:32):
It's probably the hungry is that I have been, you know,
because I feel like a lot of people kind of
forget that I'm here in the offense too. So I'm
not here to prove anybody wrong. I'm here to prove
myself right and be the best teammate that I can be.
But I definitely got like a big chip on my shoulder.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Believe me, he has not forgotten. We know exactly who
he is, where he is, and what he's capable of.
And the one two punch with I and Gibbs is
it's special and it's rare in this league in my opinion,
especially nowadays. So there is a place for day David.
He's gonna help us, and we're going to use him,
and we'll use he and Gibbs together.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
Of course that's Dan Campbell at the end. They're talking
about Knuckles, as you guys affectionately call him. Look like
you said, Rabs, It is great to have this problem
where we're debating. We're sitting here having a real conversation
about which duo is stronger. So just one of the
feathers in the lions cap. But I do want to
ask you this because I talked about this a little
earlier as well. This schedule is a be I almost
(16:28):
just committed an FCC violation, you know what I was
about to say. The schedule's very tough. You play Lamar
Jackson on the road, you play Patrick Mahomes on the road,
you play Jayden Daniels on the road, the last team
to beat you. Of course, sorry to remind everybody. So
what's the bigger story. Is it how tough the schedule
is or is it losing the coordinators? Because we both
know both narratives have been beaten to hell this early
(16:48):
in the off season.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Yeah, I mean, I think the Lions have done enough
the last two years. And I like, I get it,
you know, I totally get it. But I think that
they've done enough the last couple of years just in
terms of I have that confidence in this team going anywhere,
playing anyone, And you know, maybe I didn't feel that
way two years ago, but now I think you've built
(17:13):
such a such an empire here and the two coordinators
that you have not lost have been a huge part
of that, undoubtedly. And so there's always question marks when
you come into something, when you come into a new season,
and now you're not only replacing one coordinators, but you're
replacing two. And it sounds like everything from out of
(17:34):
camp is like, you know, Jared Goff and Johnny Morton
are on the same page, Jamir Gifts is going to
have a little bit of some more wrinkles in the offense,
and you just have to trust Dan Campbell and you
have to trust the organization that they put the right
people in place to replace the guys that have left.
But you know, again, to me, it's not so much
like can the Lions.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
Can the Lions compete with these teams? Can they be
successful on the road? Can they win in prime time?
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Like I think I've seen enough. It's just a matter
of like, is this the same Lions team given the
fact that there's two new guys calling the plays on
both sides of the ball. And you have to again,
we talk all the time, Trent, like you just Brad
Holmes has given you every reason to trust them. Dan
Campbell gives you every reason to trust them, and it
(18:22):
will for the most part for a lot of people.
But yeah, like I it is the coordinators for sure.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Yeah, I mean there's a ton of storylines and I
said this earlier, but anytime you win fifteen games the
year after you win twelve games and go to the
NFC Championship game, right, there's gonna be storylines everywhere, regardless
when you're dealing with a team as talented and as
front page as the Detroit Lions can be. And of
course they're back in action Thursday in the Hall of
Fame game playing host quote unquote to the LA Chargers
(18:54):
and Jimmy Harblough. So before we go to break, I
want to read one more text because Rams, you talk
about the signal callers and the new guys and John
Morton and Kelvin Sheppard, who they promoted from within. I
think that's a great move. I love everything I've heard
from him so far with everything going on with Alexanzeloni.
And we'll talk about this on the other side, because
I know how you feel about him. You and I
have had some choice words for that man over the
(19:17):
you know, the last few years. But a Texter says,
Detroit fans are doing what they usually do. Unfortunately, they
are comparing Jack Campbell to Luke Keikley and still haven't
been to a Super Bowl. Good player, but wake up fans,
he has to cover a tight end two and that
comes from Freddy Over on the east side. We'll talk
more with Ryan Rabinowich, the main man of the Motown
(19:38):
Rundown podcast, about Alexanzeloni and this holdout that he's got
going on about Jack Campbell and all things Lions. On
the other side, you're listening to Exis and Bros. On
the Michigan Sports Network Axes and Bros. On a Monday
(20:02):
morning here on the Michigan Sports Network. Wherever you're listening,
we really appreciate it. We know you got a lot
of options these days, a lot of podcasts. By the way,
we'll have a couple segments up on our podcast anywhere
you find them Axison Bros. Apple, Spotify, whatever. Just before
the break, we were talking a little bit, and we've
talked a lot this morning about Alex Sanzeloni and Jack
(20:23):
Campbell in the situation there, and I think Kelvin Shepard
and Dan Campbell coming out and publicly turning this defense
over to Jack Campbell. He's going to be wearing the
green dot, he's going to be quarterback in that defense.
I think it's immaculate timing for two reasons. One Jack
Campbell's gonna take this third year leap with Alexandeloni holding out,
and two Dan Campbell to publicly endorse him, says all
(20:47):
you need to know about how Dan Campbell feels in
that confidence level in Jack Campbell. We're talking with Ryan Rabinowitz,
the main man of the Motown Rundown podcast. Rabs, I
know you and I have both had some choice words
for Alexanzeloni over the years, but I do want to
say this, He's your ninth biggest cap hit this season,
and I sure as hell could name you nine lions
that are more productive, or more important or more vital
(21:08):
to this team's success. Do you agree with that statement?
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Yeah, I I do.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
I do think Alexanzeloni went healthy, and yeah, admittedly, like
early in his tenure in Detroit, definitely struggled to really
grasp what Alexandeloni was bringing to the table outside.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
Of a leadership thing.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
But he truly, at thirty years old, has aged pretty well.
I mean, obviously missed a handful of games last year
and and you know, tried to come back as soon
as he could to help the team, which I appreciate,
and I do I do believe that Alexanzeloni is an
important piece of this defense. Yes, I just think this
(21:52):
his cerebralness and you know, pretty still pretty sound athletically,
and just his lateral movement.
Speaker 4 (21:59):
I always and critical.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
Of the linebacking corps for maybe their lack of speed
getting to the ball. But you know, even so, like
I do think that the Lions linebacking corps has held
in a little bit higher favor amongst the league and
amongst the people that really get into the staff and
the grades that maybe Lions fans.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
He can try to admit, but.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Like you said, Trent, and you kind of alluded to it,
the reality of the situation is for the Lions, they
have a lot of talent on this team, and the
most talent that the Lions have had and you know,
possibly our lifetime. So it is a business and you
do have to play the game. And is Alexanzeloni the
priority in my eyes to get signed and locked up
(22:46):
to some type of extension.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
He's not.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
I mean, he's on a deal for this year, which
is what matters. And I truly think that Alexanzeloni would
be hurting himself more than helping himself. Although I do
understand the theory if you were to continue to sit
out and let this year go by, especially with the
defense essentially being turned over to Jack Campbell.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Yeah, and you've already extended Penney Sewell, I'm in the rest,
Saint Brown, Alee McNeil, Jared Goff, and you have yet
to extend Jamier Gibbs, Sam Laporta, Jamison Williams, Brian Branch,
Aiden Hutchinson for crying out loud like there's just so
much talent, like you said, and so many paydays coming
up for this young talent, and it's a great problem
to have. But when a guy like Alex Sandzeloni is
(23:30):
in your top ten for cap hit and he's talking
about how he feels underpaid. If he's underpaid, it's marginally.
And the last thing I'll say on this is I
don't want to sell him short his leadership. He's been
here from the ground up with Brad Holmes and Dan
Campbell in their first year. Obviously knew those guys in
New Orleans. Was more of a special teamer there, and
he has expanded his role and he has made a
(23:51):
hell of a career for himself. And I know he's
a great dude. He's a family man. That's all good
and fine. I'm not trying to take a dump on
Alex Sandeloni this morning. I just like you said, it
is a business. And the last thing I'll leave the
people with on this topic is talk can be cheap.
I understand, but for what it's worth, Dan Campbell's not
worried about a damn thing. Here's Dan Campbell at the
podium yesterday on Alex Sandzealoni.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
You guys know how I feel about Alex, how we
feel about Alex. He's one of our dudes. Man, We've
leaned on him. He's a productive player. We're good still talking.
There's no animosity here, there's nothing like that. So I'm
not going to go into anything else, you know, outside
of that. But just we're gonna be good. You know,
we're gonna be good.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
That's two. We're gonna be goods out of Dan Campbell
to end the sound like there and look, am I
worried that Alex Sandeloni's not gonna be suiting up for
the Lions in twenty twenty five? No, I'm not. But
Ryan Rabinowitz joining us here on Exes and Bros. To
close out the show. I do want to shift to
the schedule a little bit, because, like I keep saying, Thursday,
the Rubber hits the road Man, the Chargers and the
(24:52):
Lions in the Hall of Fame game kicking off the
NFL season unofficially, I guess, is there someone you're most
excited to watch in the preseason as an Isaac Taslaw
is it? Are you one of those morons who wants
to watch Hendon Hooker play?
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (25:05):
What are you looking for in the preseason here for
your Detroit Lions.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Yes, I am one of the morons that they're so
excited to watch Hendon Hooker player for sure. Well again
just because and look, I will say, Trent, and we
don't need to get into it here. It's more of
a storyline on the podcast that you and I do together.
But but I have I have really turned the corner
after watching this season of quarterback on the Lions number
(25:31):
one quarterback, which we we.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
Can we can get into it another time. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
I just think I, like I have always been intrigued
by the Hendon Hooker story, and not even so much
with how he relates to Jared Goff and what the
future looks like at the quarterback position for the Lions.
I just think Hendon Hooker is a really good player,
and and for him to have his senior year and
the way it did at Tennessee with the knee injury,
(25:56):
I just I don't know, I root for the guy,
but I yeah, I would. I would say, I think
Isaac to Slaw, who presumably will be getting you know,
will be will be a large part of the offense
in this first preseason game. Yeah, I think I would
like if I'm giving a real, true, serious answer in
(26:16):
terms of what is going to matter come week one
of the NFL season, you know, hopefully knock on wood.
You know that everyone's healthy, and I don't have to
I don't have to see a sample size of Hendon
Hooker because of the important team I play in this year.
Isaac Taslaw is a player that's going to be most
important that I think is going to be playing in
(26:37):
this game. And I'm really excited to see what he
brings to the table in terms of his skill set
in and I would expect him to be a player
that actually gets some real run with her first team
offense this year at some point.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
All right, Ryan, you and shef have one very obscure
thing in common. Do you know what it is?
Speaker 4 (27:00):
I don't know. Really good looks. I'm not sure.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
I'm hearing that's your answer.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
Here, here's what it is. Here's what it is. Your
favorite Detroit Lion last season retired Frank Ragnow. You guys
both are big. Frank Ragnow, guys, you're the only guy
I know that had a seventy seven jersey up in
the three hundred level. And I know you had to
jump through quite a few hoops to get that jersey,
which is ridiculous. But Frank Ragnow seems to be enjoying retirement,
and the Lions have a big gap to fill. Tate
(27:26):
Ratledge apparently getting the first crack at center. That's who
I'm most excited to watch in this first preseason game
or the preseason at large. Here's Dan Campbell in his
confidence on the young old line.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
I think these first call it ten days is going
to tell us a lot. You know, by the time
we get to the Hall of Fame game, and then
the competition is still open at that point, like man
working these guards and then you know who is playing center.
But I think it's kind of a two part deal.
We've got an open competition, guys competing, you know, certainly
Tate at center. We're working him in there, see how
fast he can get it. I know it's only day one,
(27:59):
look much better than even spring, you know, so getting
his feet under him. But as I've said before, we
know Graham can slide riding on right now and we
don't miss a beat, So keep playing with it. You know,
it's kind of exciting really now.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Shep and I joked last week about how saying it's
exciting it's a fancy way of saying question mark, because
I don't I don't really think the Lions know what
the plan is at online completely and you won't know
until you're thrown into the fire. But I have all
the confidence in the world and Hank Freyley think he's
one of the best position coaches in all the football raps.
What's your take on the Lions on line as it
currently stands with Frank Ragnow retiring and Kevin Zeidler headed
(28:33):
the Nashville.
Speaker 3 (28:35):
Yeah, yeah, I mean the rag Now news was pretty devastating,
but I feel like every single year for the last
couple of years, that's been on the table for Frank
to step away, and you know, a good good for him.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
I'm not how do you.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
Be mad at a guy that's making a decision that's
best for his body and the longevity that he has
in life and with his family. But I'm actually surprised
that Graham Glasgow isn't like the outright center going into
this year like the center position.
Speaker 4 (29:03):
As a as a.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Man myself that that made my dollar at the center
position from grades three through six. You know, I know,
I know the UH, I know how difficult that position is.
But in all seriousness though, like I just I thought
they would opt for someone that is more experienced and
has worked with Jared Goff in that position. You know
(29:26):
for however many times in the last year or two
that Glasgow has been back here. So I like what
Kate Ratlin's brings to the table. I to have a
young guy like that learn the position, I mean, they
could if this goes well, they could be setting themselves
up for the next ten years at the center position,
which I think is is probably the best case scenario
(29:47):
for them. But again, the the bailout is just to
go to go right to UH, to write to Glasgow,
and I think they would be fine there I think
the real question mark Trent becomes the other side of
the line with you know, presumably Christian Mahogany, who I
feel like stepped in and had some really productive snaps
(30:07):
for the Lions when he needed to, and you just
have to hope that he continues to take a step
forward because I also think that the other guard position
is where there might be a little bit bigger of
a question mark that people might lead on too, because
the focus has been ragged now leading, but I think
they did have some dogs. They're just going to be
a matter of getting comfortable playing together and you know,
(30:29):
and they have invested a lot in this offensive line.
They should, That's what I think all good teams do.
And I think they have some really good personnel and
it's going to be a matter of finding the right combination.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
Yeah. I'll give another shout out to our loyal listener
Freddie over on the East Side because he texted it
and said, you know, host some producers can overreact just
like fans can, and I totally agree, and I think, look,
man Tate Ratledge, Yes, we can all get fired up
about him. We all love his game, right, we watched
him at Georgia We're familiar with him. He's got the
long hair, he's got the grit, all that stuff. He's
(31:02):
still a rookie and he's still a second round pick. Everybody.
It's not like he went top five or top seven
like Penney Sewell did. This is it is just right
or wrong. It is still a huge question mark, and
I want people to temper their expectations. Accordingly, Ryan, another
big storyline here, and it's already been beaten to hell,
(31:23):
and I hate to even bring it up because I
know people are sick of hearing me talk about this.
The coordinators are new, and I'm curious what your thoughts
are on a guy like John Morton stepping in and
what he can do with a less cute or less
tricky offense, because you have the horses you do. And
I'm Andron Saint Brown, David Montgomery, Jamier Gibbs, Sam Laporta,
(31:45):
Jamison Williams fan favorite, Tim Patrick right. We know the
list goes on and on and on, and I'd like
to see what John Morton can do when he's not
running a trick play for Jamison Williams to throw a
pass on the most crucial, snappier season and basically, you know,
wave goodbye to the fans on his way to Chicago.
So what are your thoughts on John Morton sliding in
(32:06):
and are you more excited to just watch maybe a
less cute offense.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
I mean, like, I.
Speaker 3 (32:13):
Think productivity is everything, you know, and the Lions are
able to be productive in a more yeah, tricky whatever
you want to call it with Ben Johnson's offense. You know,
I'd like to think that John Morton will be a
big asset in the passing game. And one of the
things that I love and like the early stories coming
out of camp is just the route. The route treats
(32:34):
that Jamison Williams is involved in. The guy that I
truly felt like the Lions have just used is like
this kind of gadget player, like you know, let's throw,
Like I feel like he was involved in almost every
trick play last.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
Year, when in reality.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
Like given his speed and his ability to stretch the field,
I think that he is an asset that the Lions
haven't really tapped into completely.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
And so it.
Speaker 3 (32:58):
Seems like Jamison Williams is encouraged by what he's being
trusted with to do and the route that he's being
asked to run this year, and so yeah, I think
like they have some they have some interesting thoughts with
Shamir Gibs maybe, you know, just in terms of where
he fits in the passing game and maybe being split
out wide a little bit more while while Montgomery's also
(33:20):
on the field, and I think that look alone will
give teams some trouble. But I think that Johnny Morton
comes from a background of you know, he's obviously been
around the league for a considerable amount of time, was
part of a really good offense last year too, and
so who, like who knows, I don't is this going
to be the same Lions team we saw offensively? Maybe
(33:42):
you know, maybe they maybe they.
Speaker 4 (33:44):
Do continue to use that as their identity of like,
you know, we never know what we're gonna throw at you.
Speaker 3 (33:49):
But I do think on a whole it might be
a bit more of a balanced, efficient attack this year,
just given the nature of what Johnny Morton believes in.
And as you mentioned, the personnel the Lions have on
offense is ridiculous.
Speaker 4 (34:03):
I just absolutely ridiculous how many weapons they have.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
So we're gonna find out real quickly if Johnny Moore
is the real dealer or not, and he's gonna have
nowhere to hide because it seems like it's borderline impossible
for this offense not to clip with how many weapons
they have.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Chef hates the term super Bowl window, but I'll tell
you for the Lions, it's open, but it is potentially
closing when you're gonna have to start paying these guys
and you're gonna get a lot less rich on offense.
So you got to strike while the Irons hop. Man.
This is a I don't want to say make or
break season for the Lions, but it's a big one
for sure. Before we get out of here, Rabs, I
want to ship back to baseball because every day we
(34:40):
bring you a daily wager sponsored by Eagle Casino in
Sports at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort up in beautiful
Mount Pleasant, Michigan. How you doing fire up chips? On Friday,
we took the Tigers to score first and win, and
that didn't work out. Tonight, I will simply take EDWARDO.
Rodriguez under six cent. I have strikeouts. I think the
(35:01):
Tigers' bats have come back to life, and I think
e Rod could have a potentially good option or good outing.
Excuse me, for Arizona, but I like the Tigers to
get to him a little bit. I'll take the under
six and a half strikeouts for e rod Rams. What's
say you, Yeah, I would.
Speaker 4 (35:18):
I'm cool with taking the under.
Speaker 3 (35:19):
I do think that he should be booed off the
field tonight, Agrison with America. True, like talk about a
guy that I have like just no like no time
or interest for it, like as a former Tiger with
how all that went down.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
But no, I'll take the.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
Under and try. And I what I will say too is,
you know, I know we're not really just diving into
a time ofer stock and feel free to cut me
off if we're up against it, but you know I am.
Speaker 4 (35:47):
Of course, this last stretch for the Tigers.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
Has been statistically an anomaly, just like in terms of
I don't think that a team has gone the thirteen
games they have or whatever it was, which is the
run different cental, and you know, categorically in terms of
statistics just being like really at the bottom of the league.
Speaker 4 (36:06):
But it's hard for me.
Speaker 3 (36:08):
To like, this team was so good to start the
year and there's sixty one and forty six, Like we're
losing our minds over a team that is sixty one
and forty six.
Speaker 2 (36:20):
Right, And if I told you that going into August,
are coming up on the end of July here, that
the Tigers would have an eight game lead in this division,
you'd take it every day of the week.
Speaker 3 (36:28):
Yeah, well correct, tran like believe it or not. Having
an eight game lead in the Al Central at the
end of July is like good enough for me. So well,
like it's unbelievable how other teams are allowed to do this,
like the Dodgers are allowed not that again, no one's
been as bad as the Tigers this year. It seems
like unless you're the.
Speaker 4 (36:46):
Rockies, are the White Sox. But like the Dodgers had to.
Speaker 3 (36:49):
Slide, the Yankees are are barely keeping their head above water.
The red Socks were about to sell them. The red
Socks were about to hand Alex Bredman over to the
and then they started winning baseball games. So like it's baseball.
So all the people out there like no disrespect, but
like like we're moving onto the to the Lions now,
(37:10):
are you kidding me?
Speaker 4 (37:11):
Are you kidding me?
Speaker 3 (37:12):
We're moving onto the Lions with a first place baseball
team that's eight games up on the Guardians in the
AL Central that we were literally talking about adding pieces
to go win a World Series, and now you think
we're ten games under five hundred. It's unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
Prisoner of the moment. Can happen? Raps it can? It
can definitely happen. And the eight game lead for the
Tigers in the AL Central is still the biggest in baseball.
Want to thank Ryan Rebinoiz thanks for joining us. Go
follow him at our Rebindo what's four on x or
Twitter if you still call it that for some reason. Ryan,
It's been fun. Man, Time flies when you're having fun.
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 4 (37:48):
Always a pleasure, Tren, I'm going back to bed.
Speaker 2 (37:52):
Sounds about right, all right? Thank you, Ryan Rebinowitz. Thank
you Mitch Lyons for joining us. Mondays with Mitch. Hey,
let's hope tomorrow at six oh one you're and a
lot more Matt Sheppard and a lot less Trump Valley.
But hey, it's been fun. Thanks for spending the morning
with me. Thanks for getting the week off strong with me.
I'll be helping out Bill Simonson later today on the
Huge Show, so tune into that at three pm. You're
(38:13):
listening to Xies and Bros. On the Michigan Sports Network,
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