May 5, 2026 • 31 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's been all bright Macferguson Grant Smith here with you.
Five six sixty nine zero is the text line. As
always appreciate you guys, and you don't read all the
text on the air, but I do appreciate you guys
said it, especially Sheriff Dave that I can't read that.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
One on the air, but that was a great one.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Did you tell Grant?
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Yeah, yeah, I saw it. I can't reado it on
the air, but it definitely had us all laughing. I
always appreciate with Sheriff Dave text in. We're gonna go
right to the Kwai cous for the hotline though, and
bring on our guy Chris Thomason from the Gazette.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Chris, how you doing this evening?
Speaker 4 (00:31):
I'm doing well. I've been studying for this interview. I
think I know how to pronounce the Broncos third round pick.
I believe it's Tyler. Oh yeah, that.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Right, Tyler yea yeah, that's that's pretty close.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Okay, okay, and thought number two nice little stoop by
Benjamin today on Red Murdoch signing. So good work there.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
I appreciated, Chris. Yeah, well, the Broncos kicked it off.
I got mister irrelevant or in our case, mister very relevant.
Red Murdoch signed a four year deal, gets a heart
twenty two thousand dollars signing bonus. Murdoch looks like a
guy who could be a factor for the Broncos in
certain situations, could be a special teams guy, could be
a guy that maybe you're in short yardage situation, goal
line type stuff. Looks like a guy who could be
(01:17):
a factor. Owns the NCAA record for forced fumbles. What
did you think of the pick and what do you
think of the fact that he's at Denver Bronco.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Well, I thought it was a great pick because I
actually said I looked like I was talking about about
an hour before the pick, I tweeted out, a very
intriguing player still on the board is Buffalo linebacker Red Murdoch,
and then one hour later they took him. Actually, I'd
been talking to Charles Davis, the NFL network analyst before
(01:49):
the draft, and he kind of tipped me off him.
He was saying, Hey, one of my favorite players is
this guy, and he was on him, you know, right away.
It was a little bit of surprise. I think lasted
though till the last pick of the seventh round, and
you know, the Broncos are the last two picks, you know,
Dollan Bentley and him. But I think they kind of
(02:11):
maneuvered it because Red Murdoch probably has a better chance
of making the team. And then they can talk about
how mister irrelevant has made the Broncos because George Payton
did acknowledge during the pre draft, during the post draft
press conference that he was with the Bears like twenty
five years ago and they had two guys two mister
(02:32):
irrelevance make the roster, Chris.
Speaker 5 (02:36):
When you really think about this Murdoch situation with him
being mystery irrelevant, obviously the kid has some skills.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I hope he makes the team.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
Do you just do you anticipate just that whole title
mister irrelevant actually playing a role in helping him make
the team even more because everything that's surrounded with that
particular position and being so let the very last pick
in the draft.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Well, you know, it's getting them some publicity, and his
seventeen forced fumbles are certainly getting him a lot of
publicity as well. And like I said, I think, you know,
rather than flip flopping Bentley and Murdoch. They probably thought Murdoch,
you know, it was maybe the better guy to put
in that spot, maybe as a better chance of making
(03:25):
the team. I mean, he was the only inside linebacker
they took in the draft, and as you know, we
talked about it, that was one of their key needs
many people thought, although it was minimized a bit when
Sean Payton came out and said Joan Ellis is going
to get some snaps at inside linebacker, but still a
spot where they had a need, and he was the
(03:46):
only one they took in the draft.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, and they do have the undrafted guy they signed
as well, but we we'll see what he met Isentory
and York out a Texas animal, see what that.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Turns into anything.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
But yeah, I mean, they really didn't bring in any
other bodies, despite making some some a little run at
free agent Devin Lloyd although they were priced out there.
And then uh, you know, the draft, the guys they
didn't fall their way with Rodriguez and uh and Trotter
and and those guys, and so you know, and in
the end, this this becomes the guy. And now that
a lot of eyes are are certainly on him, and
(04:17):
he looks like he's a guy that this is going
to be probably a fan favorite in terms of his
you know, certainly with his hitting style and being able
to uh to cause those fumbles. There's another story that
that came out today, and I don't know if you
saw it or not, but the referees are about to
agree to a CBA. They're gonna a vote on that tomorrow,
UH to agree to a CBA. Nick and I were
talking about this to lead off the show. The one
thing that I don't like, he's just having the one
(04:39):
eye in New York. Everything goes back to that. I
would prefer having a person adjudicating calls in every stadium,
a sky judge, if you will, Like the AF did
that Springley did a few years ago.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
What are your.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Thoughts on having some of the calls on the field
be reviewed back in New York rather than by someone
in the stadium.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I kind of agree with you there. I think somebody
needs to be in the stadium, and I think correct
me if I'm wrong. There was some report a month
or so ago that said that more calls were overturned
I believe in late in later games than in the
early window because there were so many games going on,
it's maybe harder to pay attention, but when it comes
(05:24):
inston replay, I'm a big fan of bringing back the
pass interference replay. I think that would be great. I
go back. I saw my only Canadian Football League game
in twenty fourteen, and all of a sudden they stopped
clock and reviewing, and I'm like, what's going on? This
is crazy? And I find out they had pass interference
(05:46):
being reviewed in Canada ten plus years and they seem
to get it right up there. So I want to
see that one come back.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
So obviously, the Broncos decided to add two tight ends
in the draft, and one of the guys that I'm
really excited to see and I know we'll get a
chance to look at him. You know this weekend when
the Broncos oh their rookie many Camp is the kid
from NC State to tight end justin jolly, Joe Lee.
(06:16):
Excuse me, what do you think or let me rephrase that,
how do you think he could impact the Broncos tight
end room? Because I know last season everyone was talking
about the joker and Everythingraom was supposed to be that guy.
But Joe Lee seems as though he has a skill
set to step into that row. What do you think
(06:37):
he can add early on for the Broncos.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Yeah, I agree with you. I did a starting him
this past week and I had a chance to talk
to mc state's head coach Dave Dorn and then they're
tight ends coach Gavin Lockhart as well, and Gavin was
talking about how when he first met Justin and he
shook his hand and his hands are ginormous, and he
(07:02):
talked about how his hand disappeared in his So he's
got these huge, I think it's like ten and five
eight inch measurement hands and I believe he only dropped
one pass last year, so he's got that going for him.
And he's got the athleticism. So no, he definitely has
the makings if they can. You know, he's still a
(07:24):
bit raw. Reed Burkhart, the assistant general manager, was talking
about that after the draft that you know he's still raw,
but he's got a pretty good seiling, you know, receiving,
but then again he's also not much of a blocker,
so they're going to have to work on that aspect
as well.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Talking with Chris Thomason from the Denver Yuz, Chris want
to switch gears here a little bit, uh, this Bonnick's
ankle saga that keeps being weird. The Broncos were sunshine
and rainbows at the owner's meetings, talking about he had
a schedule. Then we find out he had to go
back and get clean up, which they were trying to
say that it wasn't that he was just in there
(08:02):
getting a check up. And then if you know, it
came out again that he had had the cleanup and
all that kind of stuff. It just seems like from
the Broncos perspective, this was a weird way to handle
something that is actually fairly routine. He is on pace
to be back by by the time training camp starts.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
But how did the messaging go wrong here?
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Yeah, the whole thing from the start. I mean, let's
go back to the end of the season. And then
bo Nick gets on a conference call and said he
wasn't happy with you know, Sean Payton, saying he was
susceptible to that injury or predisposed that was the magic
(08:41):
word back in January, predisposed. So that was awkward. And then,
like you said, everything was happy as can be at
the owner's meetings, and then all of a sudden. You know,
you had that tweet, I know, during the final day
of the draft and people going like, what's going on,
and then Sean like, oh, nothing to report, nothing to report,
(09:03):
and then more information comes down. So yeah, it's going
to be interesting because the owner, Greg Penner and Sean
Paygne boat that flat out at the owners meetings that
he would be ready, fully healthy and ready for OTAs.
So that starts June second. So I guess I don't
(09:24):
think we'll have a media eight June second.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Maybe we'll have.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
One June third, and Boonix won't be out there possibly
and then we'll ask, well, you said he was going
to be out here start OTAs and he's not here.
But you know, as in the bottom line, as long
as he's ready for training camp, you know, I think
Broncos fan shouldn't get too worried. And in fact, for
(09:46):
us old timers, I wrote in an article last week
that in nineteen seventy two Grease he broke his ankle
on October fifteenth, and by January fourteenth he was fully
healthy and led them do an undefeated season.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
It's amazing how things definitely change. And here's something that
we could expect to see change that the safety position. Now,
I thought Devin Key did a great job on special
teams and I feel I'm not in the room, but
I feel confident that he can step into that role
if whenever the Broncos shooes to. But we have Brandon
(10:24):
Jones playing on the last year of his contract. Do
you see a scenario where the Broncos say, hey, Brandon,
you did a great job. We have Talanohafanga, but we're
going to decide to hand the keys of the car
over to Devin Key.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Well, I think they're going to closely evaluate the safety position.
I mean, they did have a draft choice, albeit seventh round,
Miles Scott. Because they're going to have to decide whether
to offer an extension to Brandon Jones. And as you know,
the last couple of years, they've handed out a wealth
of extensions and they like to They don't like that
(11:04):
uncertainty of a guy at you know, perhaps a key
position becoming a free agent. So I think they'll be
studying the safety position, not that they don't study every position,
but you know, very carefully and deciding if they need
to offer Jones an extension. You know, I thought safety
was a spot where there were a number of safeties
(11:27):
that maybe they might, you know, jump in with their
original second round pick and grab a safety. So I
thought maybe they might take a thake a little bit
earlier than the seventh round. So who knows. Maybe they're
thinking about wanting to keep Brandon Jones long term ty.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
With Chris Thomason for the never is that Chris?
Speaker 1 (11:45):
Last one from me? The Broncos wide receiver room, it's
certainly interesting. You've got Jaylen Wattle in there at Courtland Sutn.
It's probably his last year as a Bronco just just
based on the money you look around at the rest
of it, this might be more of a men's last year.
They need you to do agree with a deal with
him to bring him him back, and they haven't shown
a proclivity for making him a full time receiver despite
obvious product production when when he does play, going out
(12:08):
and making the Wattle trade obviously the plan set now
Mims has a role as a return But as you
look around this this receiver room, like, what do you
think do you think the Broncos make an earnest effort
to bring Marvin Mims back as a returner and sometime
receiver gadget guy.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
I mean I think it all depends on the money.
I mean, if he's just going to be mostly a returner,
then I mean I don't think you can spend crazy,
crazy money on him. I mean, I wrote a story
today talking about one of their undrafted agents, Colby Kansas
out of Northern Arizona, coming in fourth in the FCS
(12:47):
last year in kick a kickoff returns, and they are
kind of eyeing him as a kickoff return guy. And
we'll take a look at him obviously at rookie mini
camp this weekend. So yeah, I think it's kind of interesting.
And I mean, if they're going to extend mems, and
it probably might be one of their November ones or
during the bye week, because I think they're obviously going
(13:10):
to have to see how things shake out with the
receiver room rather than a possibility of an extension before
the season starts.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Chris, we appreciate the time as always and look forward
to catching up with you.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Get here soon, all right, appreciate it, guys.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Yep, take care.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
That's Chris Thomason of the Denver Gazette. Always appreciate having
him on to get his take on things as well. Nick,
do you think with regard to Marvin Mims, this is
going to be an ongoing thing all year. He's a
guy who when they put him on the field, has
obviously been productive, but the bulk of what he does
for this team has been.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
On special teams.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Can you pay a guy like that when you've got
to pay a quarterback coming up here and you've got
a pretty expensive receiver room as.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Is, you can, especially if you value what it is
that Marvin Mims and does as a player, and there
is value from a special team standpoint, you asked Darren
Zzie because most if you talk to most people, they
would say, well, you know, there's this whole adage about,
you know, a guy flipping this field on special teams
and how they don't believe in especially with the changing
(14:16):
of the rules. But we saw last year that Marvin
Mahms was able to flip the field several times with
his ability to catch the ball and get up feel
from a punt return.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Standpoint, and that has some value.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
And you may think that you can stick anyone back
there and that person's going to have success. I can
tell you that's not true because it goes back to
scheme guys blocking up front well homeover is that returner
having instincts that is very valuable. But if the team
values his ability to do that, why not? Because how
(14:50):
many times we've seen past rush specialists who only come in.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
On third down. We've seen it, we have. It's just
I just don't know the costs.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
You know, I understand sinking that cost into a pass
for a specialist. I don't understand sinking that cost into
a punt return specialist who maybe slays some wide receiver,
but really you didn't want him to play receiver because
you just went trade a first at a third round
take to go take on a thirty million dollars contract
in jail.
Speaker 5 (15:14):
Once again, that's versatility with the guy who you know
who can return kicks and oh, by the way, he
does so happens to play wide receiver regalls of the
fact that the team is not using him in that
particular way.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Yeah, that's value.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
I this is one We're going to probably a debate
all summer, just because I like as much as that
more than Mims to stick around.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
The business sense that he doesn't doesn't make a lot
of sense. We got an NFL six pack, we come back.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Grant Smith's ex seager stepping in here for the six
pack five six, six nine zero. The text line appreciate
Thomas Harding joining us earlier talking a little Rockies baseball,
Chris Thomason in the last segmondymes study part of that.
You get a Broncos Country nine dot Com slash podcast
or right which podcast? Apple iTunes, Spotify, the free and
redesigned iHeartRadio app we you can get to take you
for granted podcast archives, but no new episodes because grat
(16:00):
hates us all.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
He's laughing.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
I think he might hate you, but he don't hate
us all. That a new twist.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
He hates my ear specifically, that's what it is.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
It was.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
That was Hank Moody's I stole that.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
It was Hank Moody's book in the Californication, the book
he got famous, or Davidkoti's character.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
God hates us All. So that's that was the title
of it. That's right, God hates us all. That that
was He was a long story. I'll get into this
other time. Let's do it six. It's time for the
NFL six pad.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
I'm gonna trade the last beer tonight insight and inside
information you can't find anywhere else.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
No.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Six the Top six NFL headlines What.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
The New York Giants have made a pair of veteran
signings to replace Dexter Lawrence After trading into the Cincinnati Bengals.
Last week, they signed Shelby Harris and today they signed
DJ Reader. How do you feel about the Giants' efforts
to replace Lawrence, the star defensive tackle, and how do
you feel about New York's defense heading into twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Well, I think both those guys are gonna play different
defensive tackle positions. I think they're moving to a different
a little bit of a different front with how they're
going to do things.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
And I mean, dex To Lawrence is a phenomenal player.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
But I think they got, you know, getting DJ Reeder
and Shelby Harris, who are both good, good veteran players
in their own right. The Giants might have gotten better,
you know, it might it might have ended up working
out for him a little bit better when all said
and done. I love the move, I love the guys
they signed, and I love the way that defense is
start to shape up.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Here's an interesting part.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
It tells you how much they miss Dexter Lawrence because
now you're trying to fill one position with two guys,
and who's to say that Shelby won't be and Reader
will not be able to fit.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
That particular role.
Speaker 5 (17:51):
We'll just get a chance to see, well it equates
to the same level of production that Dexter Lawrence provided.
We don't know, but it is all about adding value
and adding depth, and that's exactly what they did with
veteran guys. And I'll say Reader's not a bad guy.
I mean, he's a guy that could push the pocket
and hold a point and make everyone else around him better.
(18:12):
But like Ben said, I like what the Giants have
done from a defensive standpoint because that shows you the
kosher and identity of this team is going to be
similar to the Denver Broncos last year. It's all going
to be based on defense.
Speaker 6 (18:24):
Yeah, you know, they might not be what Dexter Lawrence
was in his prime, but I think Reader and Harris
combined can come pretty close to approximating what he was
last year. You know, he was incredibly limited, especially as
a pass rusher last year.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
I think they can do a lot to help replace that.
Speaker 6 (18:41):
And then you're also getting the tenth overall pick with
Francis Mawinot, who's going to make that offensive line a
lot better help protect Trackson Dart And that's the most
important thing for that franchise right now.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
So I think it's a net positive two.
Speaker 6 (18:56):
This week, Joe Burrow told Vanity Fair that he's really
excited about the team's editions of Brian Cook and Dexter
Lawrence and that he believes they can help the Bengals
achieve what they want to achieve. How good will the
Bengals defense be this year? And do you think they
really are legit championship contenders?
Speaker 2 (19:15):
I don't. I'm not buying that defense until I see it.
Show me something.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Yeah, much as I love you, Grat, but I'm not
buying that defense for a nickel. That's one of those Yeah,
that's one of those giant eyebrow raised things. The Bengals
could be a team to score thirty points every game
with Burrow at the helm and still.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Loses eighty percent of them. So we'll see it. I
have to see it to believe it. I'm from Missouri.
It's to show me state, show me.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
I'm not from Missouri, but I like the philosophy of
being able to show me and I have to, I
guess agree with Ben, even though I don't want to,
because I know it is rose and I mean, I
could say the same thing for Cincinnati Bengals defense. Over
the past couple of years. They've been rose too as well.
And I'm sure that's what Joe Burrow things. But he's
(20:01):
hoping that with some of these additions and Dexter Laws
being one of those players, that they change things fur them.
But only time would tell, and I'll wait before I
put this speake in their hearts.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
I am more optimistic about the Cincinnati Oh. We'll have
to see them prove it to an.
Speaker 6 (20:20):
Extent, but I thought it was pretty low when you
look at all the firepower they have on offense. They've
built that lineup, Chase Brown's a good back. We all
know what they have in the passing game.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Beat You do know what we're talking about. Hold all
we need them to be is like the twentieth best
defense in the league.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yards are points? Uh huh by yards are points points?
I think that they'll finish twenty first or worse. I'll well,
I'm saying it's a chance.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
To put your money. Where you're mouth is, I'll.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Go let me think on that, let me think of
let me I think sevento on the sixth, PA.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
Really optimistic about it.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Three I just enjoy lording the stakes. So yeah, guys.
Speaker 6 (21:12):
A ESPN's post draft power rankings, the Denver Broncos are
now ranked as the NFL's third best team, trailing only
the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
In that order.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
Do you think the Broncos deserve to be ranked as
the NFL's third best team in the AFC's top team
and why do you think there's such a disparity between
the media perception because this is pretty common amongst power
rankings and the Vegas odds, where Vegas currently has the
Broncos at plus two thousand to win the Super Bowl
that ranks thirteenth in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
I think it's party is pretty simple. I think on paper,
that roster's phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
But the Broncos have had great injury luck, soft schedule,
and had incredible luck I mean luck us preparation too.
There's an element, there's a you have to be good
element to that, but they had incredible luck last year
with last beent of comebacks, and so I think Vegas
has kind of factored all that in to say, wait
a minute, they're gonna a harder schedule this year.
Speaker 5 (22:02):
They're not.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
There's no way they're going to be a team that
has what was at eight nine seven eight nine, fourth quarter,
last minute comebacks, coming back from down thirty against the
Giants and all that kind of stuff. I think they're
pricing that in, and so I think they're in Vegas
pricing that end.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
And that's the reason.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
On paper, sure, absolutely third best roster of the league,
but in reality probably closer to eighth.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Best odds. I wouldn' put them in thirteenth bas best
odds for the Super Bowl.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Number one seed, fourteen and three. Their latest addition was
Jaylen Wade Right and Tyson Anderson. They didn't really do
a lot to tweak the roster, so they felt as
though they were good enough with the ross and they
head last year. They bring most of those guys back,
if not all of those guys, So hell yeah, they
(22:45):
should be in that particular position, being third. Obviously you're
not gonna put them over Seattle because Seattle is the
reigning champs, even though they had departures of Kenneth Walker,
Clint Kubiak and guys.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
On the defensive side of the ball.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
So the Broncos exactly where they need to be and rightfully,
so it's about time we get this culture trade bet
on track.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
So I like it.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
I get what this due to my right is talking about.
I'm fully with you.
Speaker 6 (23:10):
It's really nice to see the Broncos at the top
of power runs again instead of having.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
To scroll and scroll and scroll like we were having
to do. I think they are. I think your point's
really good. It might be a lot of impression.
Speaker 6 (23:27):
It signifies with the Broncos in terms of the schedule
and and the you know, one score luck and all that.
But I will say they had awful turnover luck last year.
They are returning a lot of this coaching staff. I think,
you know, you're likely to have a little better running
game this year. You're likely to have a more stable
passing game instead of the doctors. You agree with them
(23:49):
being the third best team? Yeah, thank you do not
agree with me. I think there's reasons to think they're regressing.
But I think there's a lot of people that's tell
me I have a great point.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
I already know it.
Speaker 6 (24:00):
Kenneth Walker told Kay Adams on up In Adams that
he thinks he'll be used more in the passing game
with the Chiefs than he was with the Seahawks. How
productive do you think Walker will be for the Chiefs
this year? And is Casey primed to return to ruling
the division in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Well, it's funny because you know, after all the bo
Nix's way ahead of schedule stuff that was coming out forever,
and then we found out the truth about that, and
now all of a sudden, the narrative is Pat Mahomes
is way ahead of schedule on his injury, and its
colored me a little skeptical on that. We'll see, it
takes quarterbacks a while to come back from that. We
saw Kirk Cousins when he tried to come back off
that acl too quick and all that. End of the day,
(24:38):
I do believe Walker will be used more in the
passing game with Kansas City. We also know what Andy
Reid likes to do with those running backs and how
they like to do that stuff. So yeah, I do
believe he'll be used more that way. I think he'll
be pretty productive. He can stay healthy, you know, he
probably won't get as many carries, but certainly we'll have
as many touches as he had last year.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
See, it's not about carries, it's about touches.
Speaker 5 (24:57):
And who's now in charge of running freaking awesome the
offense Now Eric the enemy, So he's gonna bring back
a certain level of tough nature culture there. And that's
why now they have Kenneth Walker and they have Emma Johnson. Right,
so those running backs are gonna be utilized. And this
is a way to take the pressure off of a
(25:18):
Holmes when he comes back off of this Andrewy, he
doesn't have to be to do everything. God right now,
I'm just hand the ball off, jump it off and
let those guys do all the work.
Speaker 6 (25:27):
And even before he comes back, I mean, we've seen
the Packers when you know, Jordan Love goes out. They've
leaned on Malik Willis and they've really overhauled their offense
and you know, brought in all this creative ub run
stuff and option stuff and you know kind of looked
more like a service academy to try.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
And win those games with Malik Willis.
Speaker 6 (25:46):
I think you can do some of that with Justin Fields,
who has been you know, quick to point out isn't
very much of a quarterback. But I think you can
do some creative stuff with him and Kenneth Walker in
the backfield together. You're not worried about him starting for
you for very long time at all. Mahomes should be
back by you know, October at the latest. You know,
if that holds true, you can kind of, you know,
(26:08):
run the crazy option stuff with Justin Fields, knowing that
you've got Garrett Nusmeyer there too to help as a
backup quarterback if necessary.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
Yeah, it's not if they have to rely on Justin
Fields brook as a winner. The Division five.
Speaker 6 (26:25):
Patriots wide receivers to Vun Diggs was found not guilty
of assaulting his private chef in a December incident. Do
you expect Diggs to face any suspension in connection with
this incident? And will Diggs be signed now that the
legal side of this situation is resolved.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
Yes, signed, No suspension.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
And honestly, the lady her credibility was very much in
question there because she couldn't back anything up that she said,
had no no physical evidence, no video, no photos, no
no nothing to back any of it up. And the
next day was on video dancing and partying with Stefan
Diggs in New York, like nothing was wrong, you know,
(27:06):
And they brought the video in and they're like, look,
I mean, this is not somebody who's exhibiting trauma. She
can't show any pictures of anything anywhere. I'm a big
fan of trying to believe, you know, all women and
all that kind of stuff, But this looks like this
very much looks like a situation of an athlete was
targeted in a situation that went sideways, and a friends
with benefits situation that went sideways.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
Well, good for him for I guess not guilty verdict
if you want to call it that.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
Now it's time to turn the page and move on
and try to continue your NFL career and hopefully with
some team that is a contender. And if there were
a team that I would say that he would be
perfect for, why not the Baltimore Ravens.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Yeah right, that's a team.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
That's really as far as trying to understand and figure
out that why received a position that would be excellent
place for him. He would be in a great environment
and knowing as though Steve Ashatti and that Baltimore organization
have done a great job of developing a core culture
and you know they'll bring him right in and he
had definitely helped Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
I would love it as they try and go all
in and chase the championship.
Speaker 6 (28:10):
Ben, is there anyone you know, as you mentioned as
signing could be on the way as thirty one, you
think for the Bronco back to Diggs, No, just Diggs.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Uh Baltimore makes a lot of sense for Stefan Diggs
makes a lot a lot of sense for Stefan Diggs.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
There are.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
I guess there are a few other teams out there,
like Miami that need desperately need help if he wants
to be down there in Miami, no state income down rights.
I'm saying this is to make your money move though
you're not competing for anything. If you're going with Miami,
I wouldn't go down man.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
That's what I mean. The money for the money though,
if you had no other options for the money and.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
League Willis needs someone to help him out. Money sounds great,
but winning sounds better.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Okay.
Speaker 6 (28:55):
Six pass rusher Dante Fowler Junior has signed one year
deal with the Seattle Seahawks, restocking their loaded pass rush.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Will the Seahawks be the.
Speaker 6 (29:05):
Best team in the NFL or sorry, the best defense
in the NFL in twenty twenty six, and if not,
who will be?
Speaker 2 (29:11):
I think they're up there.
Speaker 1 (29:12):
I think you gotta look at Houston, you gotta look
at Denver, and you gotta look at Seattle. I those
are the three best defenses in the league. A lot
of that comes down to health, but I think those
are the three to have your eye on. I'm gonna
this wasn't actually asked, but I'm gonna go ahead and
say this. Jenerium Price getting drafted by Seattle. He's gonna
be huge for Seattle. Jenarium Price will have a better
rookie year than year of my love.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
See.
Speaker 5 (29:33):
I don't know if I would look at Seattle as
being a top defense because their defensive roster was somewhat
rated because look at the guys he lost. They lost
Kenneth Walker, Greek Woolan Boy Mafe, Kobe Bryant right, and.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
Jerke Young And that's the wide receiver.
Speaker 5 (29:54):
But at the same time, you lose a lot of
pieces on the defensive side of the ball. You're trying
to bring up the the guys trying to fill the
gaps and duplicate that same level of production the previous year.
We've seen teams try to do that, but they're not
always successful.
Speaker 1 (30:10):
So that said, all the starters are back on defense.
Even though those guys weren't you know, we're playing. They
were in the rotation, but they weren't starters. Hey, but
you got to think about those guys I just named.
They were key contributors on the Seattle Seahawk run. So
when you start losing guys and coaches, it changes the
DNA of the team.
Speaker 6 (30:28):
Yeah, I think they might take somewhat of a step
back this year, but they also had a lot of
young talent. Like even Warri was a big contributor for him.
He was a rookie last year. Witherspoon still in his
rookie year. He's still improving, getting better. I think they
still have a lot of talent. And Mike McDonald, I
think is such an impressive defensive coach. He'll get the
most out of that unit and keep them hunting, keep
(30:49):
them as an elite unit, just like I think Demiko
Ryans will and and Vance Joseph will respectively.
Speaker 5 (30:55):
Here's one thing we can say, they'd be a lot
better than Cincinnati Beings defense.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
It's a big gap there. Top fifteen in the league.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
Yes, do you want to put a steak dinner on what?
Speaker 7 (31:05):
I'll put a steak dinner on the top twenty all right,
twenty one and below otherwise I treat you to steak
dinner deal. By the way, Uh, thank you, Greg, said
one for said Grant MD permission from his wife before
he can do a new episode. He can do what
he likes sometimes as long as she's good with it.
That segment yesterday was hilarious. Nice callback.
Speaker 5 (31:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
Well, Broncos Country Night back.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
After this, Hey Son's pimp coat.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
Yeah,
It's been all bright Macferguson Grant Smith here with you.
Five six sixty nine zero is the text line. As
always appreciate you guys, and you don't read all the
text on the air, but I do appreciate you guys
said it, especially Sheriff Dave that I can't read that.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
One on the air, but that was a great one.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Did you tell Grant?
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Yeah, yeah, I saw it. I can't reado it on
the air, but it definitely had us all laughing. I
always appreciate with Sheriff Dave text in. We're gonna go
right to the Kwai cous for the hotline though, and
bring on our guy Chris Thomason from the Gazette.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Chris, how you doing this evening?
Speaker 4 (00:31):
I'm doing well. I've been studying for this interview. I
think I know how to pronounce the Broncos third round pick.
I believe it's Tyler. Oh yeah, that.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Right, Tyler yea yeah, that's that's pretty close.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Okay, okay, and thought number two nice little stoop by
Benjamin today on Red Murdoch signing. So good work there.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
I appreciated, Chris. Yeah, well, the Broncos kicked it off.
I got mister irrelevant or in our case, mister very relevant.
Red Murdoch signed a four year deal, gets a heart
twenty two thousand dollars signing bonus. Murdoch looks like a
guy who could be a factor for the Broncos in
certain situations, could be a special teams guy, could be
a guy that maybe you're in short yardage situation, goal
line type stuff. Looks like a guy who could be
(01:17):
a factor. Owns the NCAA record for forced fumbles. What
did you think of the pick and what do you
think of the fact that he's at Denver Bronco.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Well, I thought it was a great pick because I
actually said I looked like I was talking about about
an hour before the pick, I tweeted out, a very
intriguing player still on the board is Buffalo linebacker Red Murdoch,
and then one hour later they took him. Actually, I'd
been talking to Charles Davis, the NFL network analyst before
(01:49):
the draft, and he kind of tipped me off him.
He was saying, Hey, one of my favorite players is
this guy, and he was on him, you know, right away.
It was a little bit of surprise. I think lasted
though till the last pick of the seventh round, and
you know, the Broncos are the last two picks, you know,
Dollan Bentley and him. But I think they kind of
(02:11):
maneuvered it because Red Murdoch probably has a better chance
of making the team. And then they can talk about
how mister irrelevant has made the Broncos because George Payton
did acknowledge during the pre draft, during the post draft
press conference that he was with the Bears like twenty
five years ago and they had two guys two mister
(02:32):
irrelevance make the roster, Chris.
Speaker 5 (02:36):
When you really think about this Murdoch situation with him
being mystery irrelevant, obviously the kid has some skills.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I hope he makes the team.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
Do you just do you anticipate just that whole title
mister irrelevant actually playing a role in helping him make
the team even more because everything that's surrounded with that
particular position and being so let the very last pick
in the draft.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Well, you know, it's getting them some publicity, and his
seventeen forced fumbles are certainly getting him a lot of
publicity as well. And like I said, I think, you know,
rather than flip flopping Bentley and Murdoch. They probably thought Murdoch,
you know, it was maybe the better guy to put
in that spot, maybe as a better chance of making
(03:25):
the team. I mean, he was the only inside linebacker
they took in the draft, and as you know, we
talked about it, that was one of their key needs
many people thought, although it was minimized a bit when
Sean Payton came out and said Joan Ellis is going
to get some snaps at inside linebacker, but still a
spot where they had a need, and he was the
(03:46):
only one they took in the draft.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, and they do have the undrafted guy they signed
as well, but we we'll see what he met Isentory
and York out a Texas animal, see what that.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Turns into anything.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
But yeah, I mean, they really didn't bring in any
other bodies, despite making some some a little run at
free agent Devin Lloyd although they were priced out there.
And then uh, you know, the draft, the guys they
didn't fall their way with Rodriguez and uh and Trotter
and and those guys, and so you know, and in
the end, this this becomes the guy. And now that
a lot of eyes are are certainly on him, and
(04:17):
he looks like he's a guy that this is going
to be probably a fan favorite in terms of his
you know, certainly with his hitting style and being able
to uh to cause those fumbles. There's another story that
that came out today, and I don't know if you
saw it or not, but the referees are about to
agree to a CBA. They're gonna a vote on that tomorrow,
UH to agree to a CBA. Nick and I were
talking about this to lead off the show. The one
thing that I don't like, he's just having the one
(04:39):
eye in New York. Everything goes back to that. I
would prefer having a person adjudicating calls in every stadium,
a sky judge, if you will, Like the AF did
that Springley did a few years ago.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
What are your.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Thoughts on having some of the calls on the field
be reviewed back in New York rather than by someone
in the stadium.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I kind of agree with you there. I think somebody
needs to be in the stadium, and I think correct
me if I'm wrong. There was some report a month
or so ago that said that more calls were overturned
I believe in late in later games than in the
early window because there were so many games going on,
it's maybe harder to pay attention, but when it comes
(05:24):
inston replay, I'm a big fan of bringing back the
pass interference replay. I think that would be great. I
go back. I saw my only Canadian Football League game
in twenty fourteen, and all of a sudden they stopped
clock and reviewing, and I'm like, what's going on? This
is crazy? And I find out they had pass interference
(05:46):
being reviewed in Canada ten plus years and they seem
to get it right up there. So I want to
see that one come back.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
So obviously, the Broncos decided to add two tight ends
in the draft, and one of the guys that I'm
really excited to see and I know we'll get a
chance to look at him. You know this weekend when
the Broncos oh their rookie many Camp is the kid
from NC State to tight end justin jolly, Joe Lee.
(06:16):
Excuse me, what do you think or let me rephrase that,
how do you think he could impact the Broncos tight
end room? Because I know last season everyone was talking
about the joker and Everythingraom was supposed to be that guy.
But Joe Lee seems as though he has a skill
set to step into that row. What do you think
(06:37):
he can add early on for the Broncos.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Yeah, I agree with you. I did a starting him
this past week and I had a chance to talk
to mc state's head coach Dave Dorn and then they're
tight ends coach Gavin Lockhart as well, and Gavin was
talking about how when he first met Justin and he
shook his hand and his hands are ginormous, and he
(07:02):
talked about how his hand disappeared in his So he's
got these huge, I think it's like ten and five
eight inch measurement hands and I believe he only dropped
one pass last year, so he's got that going for him.
And he's got the athleticism. So no, he definitely has
the makings if they can. You know, he's still a
(07:24):
bit raw. Reed Burkhart, the assistant general manager, was talking
about that after the draft that you know he's still raw,
but he's got a pretty good seiling, you know, receiving,
but then again he's also not much of a blocker,
so they're going to have to work on that aspect
as well.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Talking with Chris Thomason from the Denver Yuz, Chris want
to switch gears here a little bit, uh, this Bonnick's
ankle saga that keeps being weird. The Broncos were sunshine
and rainbows at the owner's meetings, talking about he had
a schedule. Then we find out he had to go
back and get clean up, which they were trying to
say that it wasn't that he was just in there
(08:02):
getting a check up. And then if you know, it
came out again that he had had the cleanup and
all that kind of stuff. It just seems like from
the Broncos perspective, this was a weird way to handle
something that is actually fairly routine. He is on pace
to be back by by the time training camp starts.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
But how did the messaging go wrong here?
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Yeah, the whole thing from the start. I mean, let's
go back to the end of the season. And then
bo Nick gets on a conference call and said he
wasn't happy with you know, Sean Payton, saying he was
susceptible to that injury or predisposed that was the magic
(08:41):
word back in January, predisposed. So that was awkward. And then,
like you said, everything was happy as can be at
the owner's meetings, and then all of a sudden. You know,
you had that tweet, I know, during the final day
of the draft and people going like, what's going on,
and then Sean like, oh, nothing to report, nothing to report,
(09:03):
and then more information comes down. So yeah, it's going
to be interesting because the owner, Greg Penner and Sean
Paygne boat that flat out at the owners meetings that
he would be ready, fully healthy and ready for OTAs.
So that starts June second. So I guess I don't
(09:24):
think we'll have a media eight June second.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Maybe we'll have.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
One June third, and Boonix won't be out there possibly
and then we'll ask, well, you said he was going
to be out here start OTAs and he's not here.
But you know, as in the bottom line, as long
as he's ready for training camp, you know, I think
Broncos fan shouldn't get too worried. And in fact, for
(09:46):
us old timers, I wrote in an article last week
that in nineteen seventy two Grease he broke his ankle
on October fifteenth, and by January fourteenth he was fully
healthy and led them do an undefeated season.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
It's amazing how things definitely change. And here's something that
we could expect to see change that the safety position. Now,
I thought Devin Key did a great job on special
teams and I feel I'm not in the room, but
I feel confident that he can step into that role
if whenever the Broncos shooes to. But we have Brandon
(10:24):
Jones playing on the last year of his contract. Do
you see a scenario where the Broncos say, hey, Brandon,
you did a great job. We have Talanohafanga, but we're
going to decide to hand the keys of the car
over to Devin Key.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Well, I think they're going to closely evaluate the safety position.
I mean, they did have a draft choice, albeit seventh round,
Miles Scott. Because they're going to have to decide whether
to offer an extension to Brandon Jones. And as you know,
the last couple of years, they've handed out a wealth
of extensions and they like to They don't like that
(11:04):
uncertainty of a guy at you know, perhaps a key
position becoming a free agent. So I think they'll be
studying the safety position, not that they don't study every position,
but you know, very carefully and deciding if they need
to offer Jones an extension. You know, I thought safety
was a spot where there were a number of safeties
(11:27):
that maybe they might, you know, jump in with their
original second round pick and grab a safety. So I
thought maybe they might take a thake a little bit
earlier than the seventh round. So who knows. Maybe they're
thinking about wanting to keep Brandon Jones long term ty.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
With Chris Thomason for the never is that Chris?
Speaker 1 (11:45):
Last one from me? The Broncos wide receiver room, it's
certainly interesting. You've got Jaylen Wattle in there at Courtland Sutn.
It's probably his last year as a Bronco just just
based on the money you look around at the rest
of it, this might be more of a men's last year.
They need you to do agree with a deal with
him to bring him him back, and they haven't shown
a proclivity for making him a full time receiver despite
obvious product production when when he does play, going out
(12:08):
and making the Wattle trade obviously the plan set now
Mims has a role as a return But as you
look around this this receiver room, like, what do you
think do you think the Broncos make an earnest effort
to bring Marvin Mims back as a returner and sometime
receiver gadget guy.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
I mean I think it all depends on the money.
I mean, if he's just going to be mostly a returner,
then I mean I don't think you can spend crazy,
crazy money on him. I mean, I wrote a story
today talking about one of their undrafted agents, Colby Kansas
out of Northern Arizona, coming in fourth in the FCS
(12:47):
last year in kick a kickoff returns, and they are
kind of eyeing him as a kickoff return guy. And
we'll take a look at him obviously at rookie mini
camp this weekend. So yeah, I think it's kind of interesting.
And I mean, if they're going to extend mems, and
it probably might be one of their November ones or
during the bye week, because I think they're obviously going
(13:10):
to have to see how things shake out with the
receiver room rather than a possibility of an extension before
the season starts.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Chris, we appreciate the time as always and look forward
to catching up with you.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Get here soon, all right, appreciate it, guys.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Yep, take care.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
That's Chris Thomason of the Denver Gazette. Always appreciate having
him on to get his take on things as well. Nick,
do you think with regard to Marvin Mims, this is
going to be an ongoing thing all year. He's a
guy who when they put him on the field, has
obviously been productive, but the bulk of what he does
for this team has been.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
On special teams.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Can you pay a guy like that when you've got
to pay a quarterback coming up here and you've got
a pretty expensive receiver room as.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Is, you can, especially if you value what it is
that Marvin Mims and does as a player, and there
is value from a special team standpoint, you asked Darren
Zzie because most if you talk to most people, they
would say, well, you know, there's this whole adage about,
you know, a guy flipping this field on special teams
and how they don't believe in especially with the changing
(14:16):
of the rules. But we saw last year that Marvin
Mahms was able to flip the field several times with
his ability to catch the ball and get up feel
from a punt return.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Standpoint, and that has some value.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
And you may think that you can stick anyone back
there and that person's going to have success. I can
tell you that's not true because it goes back to
scheme guys blocking up front well homeover is that returner
having instincts that is very valuable. But if the team
values his ability to do that, why not? Because how
(14:50):
many times we've seen past rush specialists who only come in.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
On third down. We've seen it, we have. It's just
I just don't know the costs.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
You know, I understand sinking that cost into a pass
for a specialist. I don't understand sinking that cost into
a punt return specialist who maybe slays some wide receiver,
but really you didn't want him to play receiver because
you just went trade a first at a third round
take to go take on a thirty million dollars contract
in jail.
Speaker 5 (15:14):
Once again, that's versatility with the guy who you know
who can return kicks and oh, by the way, he
does so happens to play wide receiver regalls of the
fact that the team is not using him in that
particular way.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Yeah, that's value.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
I this is one We're going to probably a debate
all summer, just because I like as much as that
more than Mims to stick around.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
The business sense that he doesn't doesn't make a lot
of sense. We got an NFL six pack, we come back.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Grant Smith's ex seager stepping in here for the six
pack five six, six nine zero. The text line appreciate
Thomas Harding joining us earlier talking a little Rockies baseball,
Chris Thomason in the last segmondymes study part of that.
You get a Broncos Country nine dot Com slash podcast
or right which podcast? Apple iTunes, Spotify, the free and
redesigned iHeartRadio app we you can get to take you
for granted podcast archives, but no new episodes because grat
(16:00):
hates us all.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
He's laughing.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
I think he might hate you, but he don't hate
us all. That a new twist.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
He hates my ear specifically, that's what it is.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
It was.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
That was Hank Moody's I stole that.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
It was Hank Moody's book in the Californication, the book
he got famous, or Davidkoti's character.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
God hates us All. So that's that was the title
of it. That's right, God hates us all. That that
was He was a long story. I'll get into this
other time. Let's do it six. It's time for the
NFL six pad.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
I'm gonna trade the last beer tonight insight and inside
information you can't find anywhere else.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
No.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Six the Top six NFL headlines What.
Speaker 6 (16:44):
The New York Giants have made a pair of veteran
signings to replace Dexter Lawrence After trading into the Cincinnati Bengals.
Last week, they signed Shelby Harris and today they signed
DJ Reader. How do you feel about the Giants' efforts
to replace Lawrence, the star defensive tackle, and how do
you feel about New York's defense heading into twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Well, I think both those guys are gonna play different
defensive tackle positions. I think they're moving to a different
a little bit of a different front with how they're
going to do things.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
And I mean, dex To Lawrence is a phenomenal player.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
But I think they got, you know, getting DJ Reeder
and Shelby Harris, who are both good, good veteran players
in their own right. The Giants might have gotten better,
you know, it might it might have ended up working
out for him a little bit better when all said
and done. I love the move, I love the guys
they signed, and I love the way that defense is
start to shape up.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Here's an interesting part.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
It tells you how much they miss Dexter Lawrence because
now you're trying to fill one position with two guys,
and who's to say that Shelby won't be and Reader
will not be able to fit.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
That particular role.
Speaker 5 (17:51):
We'll just get a chance to see, well it equates
to the same level of production that Dexter Lawrence provided.
We don't know, but it is all about adding value
and adding depth, and that's exactly what they did with
veteran guys. And I'll say Reader's not a bad guy.
I mean, he's a guy that could push the pocket
and hold a point and make everyone else around him better.
(18:12):
But like Ben said, I like what the Giants have
done from a defensive standpoint because that shows you the
kosher and identity of this team is going to be
similar to the Denver Broncos last year. It's all going
to be based on defense.
Speaker 6 (18:24):
Yeah, you know, they might not be what Dexter Lawrence
was in his prime, but I think Reader and Harris
combined can come pretty close to approximating what he was
last year. You know, he was incredibly limited, especially as
a pass rusher last year.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
I think they can do a lot to help replace that.
Speaker 6 (18:41):
And then you're also getting the tenth overall pick with
Francis Mawinot, who's going to make that offensive line a
lot better help protect Trackson Dart And that's the most
important thing for that franchise right now.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
So I think it's a net positive two.
Speaker 6 (18:56):
This week, Joe Burrow told Vanity Fair that he's really
excited about the team's editions of Brian Cook and Dexter
Lawrence and that he believes they can help the Bengals
achieve what they want to achieve. How good will the
Bengals defense be this year? And do you think they
really are legit championship contenders?
Speaker 2 (19:15):
I don't. I'm not buying that defense until I see it.
Show me something.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Yeah, much as I love you, Grat, but I'm not
buying that defense for a nickel. That's one of those Yeah,
that's one of those giant eyebrow raised things. The Bengals
could be a team to score thirty points every game
with Burrow at the helm and still.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Loses eighty percent of them. So we'll see it. I
have to see it to believe it. I'm from Missouri.
It's to show me state, show me.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
I'm not from Missouri, but I like the philosophy of
being able to show me and I have to, I
guess agree with Ben, even though I don't want to,
because I know it is rose and I mean, I
could say the same thing for Cincinnati Bengals defense. Over
the past couple of years. They've been rose too as well.
And I'm sure that's what Joe Burrow things. But he's
(20:01):
hoping that with some of these additions and Dexter Laws
being one of those players, that they change things fur them.
But only time would tell, and I'll wait before I
put this speake in their hearts.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
I am more optimistic about the Cincinnati Oh. We'll have
to see them prove it to an.
Speaker 6 (20:20):
Extent, but I thought it was pretty low when you
look at all the firepower they have on offense. They've
built that lineup, Chase Brown's a good back. We all
know what they have in the passing game.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Beat You do know what we're talking about. Hold all
we need them to be is like the twentieth best
defense in the league.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yards are points? Uh huh by yards are points points?
I think that they'll finish twenty first or worse. I'll well,
I'm saying it's a chance.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
To put your money. Where you're mouth is, I'll.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Go let me think on that, let me think of
let me I think sevento on the sixth, PA.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
Really optimistic about it.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Three I just enjoy lording the stakes. So yeah, guys.
Speaker 6 (21:12):
A ESPN's post draft power rankings, the Denver Broncos are
now ranked as the NFL's third best team, trailing only
the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
In that order.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
Do you think the Broncos deserve to be ranked as
the NFL's third best team in the AFC's top team
and why do you think there's such a disparity between
the media perception because this is pretty common amongst power
rankings and the Vegas odds, where Vegas currently has the
Broncos at plus two thousand to win the Super Bowl
that ranks thirteenth in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
I think it's party is pretty simple. I think on paper,
that roster's phenomenal.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
But the Broncos have had great injury luck, soft schedule,
and had incredible luck I mean luck us preparation too.
There's an element, there's a you have to be good
element to that, but they had incredible luck last year
with last beent of comebacks, and so I think Vegas
has kind of factored all that in to say, wait
a minute, they're gonna a harder schedule this year.
Speaker 5 (22:02):
They're not.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
There's no way they're going to be a team that
has what was at eight nine seven eight nine, fourth quarter,
last minute comebacks, coming back from down thirty against the
Giants and all that kind of stuff. I think they're
pricing that in, and so I think they're in Vegas
pricing that end.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
And that's the reason.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
On paper, sure, absolutely third best roster of the league,
but in reality probably closer to eighth.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Best odds. I wouldn' put them in thirteenth bas best
odds for the Super Bowl.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Number one seed, fourteen and three. Their latest addition was
Jaylen Wade Right and Tyson Anderson. They didn't really do
a lot to tweak the roster, so they felt as
though they were good enough with the ross and they
head last year. They bring most of those guys back,
if not all of those guys, So hell yeah, they
(22:45):
should be in that particular position, being third. Obviously you're
not gonna put them over Seattle because Seattle is the
reigning champs, even though they had departures of Kenneth Walker,
Clint Kubiak and guys.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
On the defensive side of the ball.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
So the Broncos exactly where they need to be and rightfully,
so it's about time we get this culture trade bet
on track.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
So I like it.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
I get what this due to my right is talking about.
I'm fully with you.
Speaker 6 (23:10):
It's really nice to see the Broncos at the top
of power runs again instead of having.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
To scroll and scroll and scroll like we were having
to do. I think they are. I think your point's
really good. It might be a lot of impression.
Speaker 6 (23:27):
It signifies with the Broncos in terms of the schedule
and and the you know, one score luck and all that.
But I will say they had awful turnover luck last year.
They are returning a lot of this coaching staff. I think,
you know, you're likely to have a little better running
game this year. You're likely to have a more stable
passing game instead of the doctors. You agree with them
(23:49):
being the third best team? Yeah, thank you do not
agree with me. I think there's reasons to think they're regressing.
But I think there's a lot of people that's tell
me I have a great point.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
I already know it.
Speaker 6 (24:00):
Kenneth Walker told Kay Adams on up In Adams that
he thinks he'll be used more in the passing game
with the Chiefs than he was with the Seahawks. How
productive do you think Walker will be for the Chiefs
this year? And is Casey primed to return to ruling
the division in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Well, it's funny because you know, after all the bo
Nix's way ahead of schedule stuff that was coming out forever,
and then we found out the truth about that, and
now all of a sudden, the narrative is Pat Mahomes
is way ahead of schedule on his injury, and its
colored me a little skeptical on that. We'll see, it
takes quarterbacks a while to come back from that. We
saw Kirk Cousins when he tried to come back off
that acl too quick and all that. End of the day,
(24:38):
I do believe Walker will be used more in the
passing game with Kansas City. We also know what Andy
Reid likes to do with those running backs and how
they like to do that stuff. So yeah, I do
believe he'll be used more that way. I think he'll
be pretty productive. He can stay healthy, you know, he
probably won't get as many carries, but certainly we'll have
as many touches as he had last year.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
See, it's not about carries, it's about touches.
Speaker 5 (24:57):
And who's now in charge of running freaking awesome the
offense Now Eric the enemy, So he's gonna bring back
a certain level of tough nature culture there. And that's
why now they have Kenneth Walker and they have Emma Johnson. Right,
so those running backs are gonna be utilized. And this
is a way to take the pressure off of a
(25:18):
Holmes when he comes back off of this Andrewy, he
doesn't have to be to do everything. God right now,
I'm just hand the ball off, jump it off and
let those guys do all the work.
Speaker 6 (25:27):
And even before he comes back, I mean, we've seen
the Packers when you know, Jordan Love goes out. They've
leaned on Malik Willis and they've really overhauled their offense
and you know, brought in all this creative ub run
stuff and option stuff and you know kind of looked
more like a service academy to try.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
And win those games with Malik Willis.
Speaker 6 (25:46):
I think you can do some of that with Justin Fields,
who has been you know, quick to point out isn't
very much of a quarterback. But I think you can
do some creative stuff with him and Kenneth Walker in
the backfield together. You're not worried about him starting for
you for very long time at all. Mahomes should be
back by you know, October at the latest. You know,
if that holds true, you can kind of, you know,
(26:08):
run the crazy option stuff with Justin Fields, knowing that
you've got Garrett Nusmeyer there too to help as a
backup quarterback if necessary.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
Yeah, it's not if they have to rely on Justin
Fields brook as a winner. The Division five.
Speaker 6 (26:25):
Patriots wide receivers to Vun Diggs was found not guilty
of assaulting his private chef in a December incident. Do
you expect Diggs to face any suspension in connection with
this incident? And will Diggs be signed now that the
legal side of this situation is resolved.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
Yes, signed, No suspension.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
And honestly, the lady her credibility was very much in
question there because she couldn't back anything up that she said,
had no no physical evidence, no video, no photos, no
no nothing to back any of it up. And the
next day was on video dancing and partying with Stefan
Diggs in New York, like nothing was wrong, you know,
(27:06):
And they brought the video in and they're like, look,
I mean, this is not somebody who's exhibiting trauma. She
can't show any pictures of anything anywhere. I'm a big
fan of trying to believe, you know, all women and
all that kind of stuff, But this looks like this
very much looks like a situation of an athlete was
targeted in a situation that went sideways, and a friends
with benefits situation that went sideways.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
Well, good for him for I guess not guilty verdict
if you want to call it that.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
Now it's time to turn the page and move on
and try to continue your NFL career and hopefully with
some team that is a contender. And if there were
a team that I would say that he would be
perfect for, why not the Baltimore Ravens.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Yeah right, that's a team.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
That's really as far as trying to understand and figure
out that why received a position that would be excellent
place for him. He would be in a great environment
and knowing as though Steve Ashatti and that Baltimore organization
have done a great job of developing a core culture
and you know they'll bring him right in and he
had definitely helped Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
I would love it as they try and go all
in and chase the championship.
Speaker 6 (28:10):
Ben, is there anyone you know, as you mentioned as
signing could be on the way as thirty one, you
think for the Bronco back to Diggs, No, just Diggs.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
Uh Baltimore makes a lot of sense for Stefan Diggs
makes a lot a lot of sense for Stefan Diggs.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
There are.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
I guess there are a few other teams out there,
like Miami that need desperately need help if he wants
to be down there in Miami, no state income down rights.
I'm saying this is to make your money move though
you're not competing for anything. If you're going with Miami,
I wouldn't go down man.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
That's what I mean. The money for the money though,
if you had no other options for the money and.
Speaker 3 (28:48):
League Willis needs someone to help him out. Money sounds great,
but winning sounds better.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Okay.
Speaker 6 (28:55):
Six pass rusher Dante Fowler Junior has signed one year
deal with the Seattle Seahawks, restocking their loaded pass rush.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Will the Seahawks be the.
Speaker 6 (29:05):
Best team in the NFL or sorry, the best defense
in the NFL in twenty twenty six, and if not,
who will be?
Speaker 2 (29:11):
I think they're up there.
Speaker 1 (29:12):
I think you gotta look at Houston, you gotta look
at Denver, and you gotta look at Seattle. I those
are the three best defenses in the league. A lot
of that comes down to health, but I think those
are the three to have your eye on. I'm gonna
this wasn't actually asked, but I'm gonna go ahead and
say this. Jenerium Price getting drafted by Seattle. He's gonna
be huge for Seattle. Jenarium Price will have a better
rookie year than year of my love.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
See.
Speaker 5 (29:33):
I don't know if I would look at Seattle as
being a top defense because their defensive roster was somewhat
rated because look at the guys he lost. They lost
Kenneth Walker, Greek Woolan Boy Mafe, Kobe Bryant right, and.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
Jerke Young And that's the wide receiver.
Speaker 5 (29:54):
But at the same time, you lose a lot of
pieces on the defensive side of the ball. You're trying
to bring up the the guys trying to fill the
gaps and duplicate that same level of production the previous year.
We've seen teams try to do that, but they're not
always successful.
Speaker 1 (30:10):
So that said, all the starters are back on defense.
Even though those guys weren't you know, we're playing. They
were in the rotation, but they weren't starters. Hey, but
you got to think about those guys I just named.
They were key contributors on the Seattle Seahawk run. So
when you start losing guys and coaches, it changes the
DNA of the team.
Speaker 6 (30:28):
Yeah, I think they might take somewhat of a step
back this year, but they also had a lot of
young talent. Like even Warri was a big contributor for him.
He was a rookie last year. Witherspoon still in his
rookie year. He's still improving, getting better. I think they
still have a lot of talent. And Mike McDonald, I
think is such an impressive defensive coach. He'll get the
most out of that unit and keep them hunting, keep
(30:49):
them as an elite unit, just like I think Demiko
Ryans will and and Vance Joseph will respectively.
Speaker 5 (30:55):
Here's one thing we can say, they'd be a lot
better than Cincinnati Beings defense.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
It's a big gap there. Top fifteen in the league.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
Yes, do you want to put a steak dinner on what?
Speaker 7 (31:05):
I'll put a steak dinner on the top twenty all right,
twenty one and below otherwise I treat you to steak
dinner deal. By the way, Uh, thank you, Greg, said
one for said Grant MD permission from his wife before
he can do a new episode. He can do what
he likes sometimes as long as she's good with it.
That segment yesterday was hilarious. Nice callback.
Speaker 5 (31:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
Well, Broncos Country Night back.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
After this, Hey Son's pimp coat.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
Yeah,
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