Texans starting their guys, Rockets defeat Pacers, Geoff Blum in studio

Tuesday on The A-Team, Adam Wexler looks ahead to Texans-Colts, shares his thoughts on the Rockets' win over the Pacers, and is joined by Astros broadcaster Geoff Blum in studio.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Let's do radio on the A Team one final time
in twenty twenty five, and I'm actually here with you.
Josh Jordan producing as usual. Special guest co hosts continue
with ac taking and extended vacation began a while ago,
still going. Jeff Bloom in the house today, Holiday Blum

(00:23):
talk here on Sports Talk seven nine. How's it going, man,
everything is It's good.

Speaker 2 (00:28):
It's really good. It's good to be on with you.
Thank you for making time for me to be able
to come in and sit in because I bet there's
been plenty of people chomping at the bed, knocking down
the door to come in and sit with you for
a couple hours.

Speaker 1 (00:38):
I just can't do it today. I promise Jeff these hours,
We'll find a time for you. Sometime in twenty twenty six.
Tomorrow we will have long Horns football for you, Longhorns
and Wolverines. You going to the game, I'm not going
to the game. It's in FLA yeah, Citrus Bowl, right yep.
A little cheese at action from sponsor standpoint, you know,
love to give them their due for the people like

(01:00):
cheese its. But we got bowl games on today. We
got playoff games beginning tomorrow evening and then on January first,
the other three to get us from eight to four.
Obviously one week left in the NFL season. We got
Rockets basketball coming your way on January first. Had the
game last night where they for the third straight game,
absolutely took the opponent to the woodshed. The Cavs had

(01:21):
that happen to them a couple nights ago, Lakers had
that happen to them on Christmas Day, and last night.
It was one of the worst teams, if not the
worst teams in the NBA in town, and that's what
it looked like with the Rockets taking care of business there,
so playing for us to discuss today. Unfortunately, there's some
former Houston Texans news. I don't know what what it'll

(01:41):
turn out to be when they if they go through
court proceedings, but probably not real good news if you're
a Patriots fan or the person involved with the Stefan
Diggs situation. Going on off the field as they prepare
for their postseason and their final game of the regular season,
a bunch of other things going on. Clearly, we'll talk
a little bit of tiench here as they get ready
for Riley Leonard and the Indianapolis Colts coming up on Sunday,

(02:05):
I'll make his first career start. I don't think Shane
Steiken has said it officially, but I'm saying it officially here.
There won't be a need to uh grade Philip Rivers
for the future and see what he might might what
he might be able to do for that moving forward.
It was a great story. Curious your perspective on taking five.
Let's say you retired from the game and you spent

(02:26):
the next five years coaching your daughter's friends baseball teams,
and you know pretty good, you know, pretty high level
high school baseball, watching them work, you know, throwing some
BP probably, and then the we'll just say the Astros
cult a team you're familiar with, and it'd been five
years since you put the batting helmet on and five

(02:48):
years since you put the glove on at a major
league level, and they said, man, we need you. Not
only do we need you, we need you to basically
lead this team. He was the lead of the Colts
for the last several weeks at age forty four. And
unlike you, a grandfather.

Speaker 2 (03:07):
Well shoot, he's he and we are we are fathers
of a great deal.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
Many kids I mean, you're like nowhere near his lovel No.
I appreciate what you've done for the population of America,
but yeah, hey, Philip, you only did it twice and
got four.

Speaker 3 (03:23):
Man.

Speaker 1 (03:23):
That's you know, that's the conversation that we have around.

Speaker 2 (03:26):
The house as you buy times five. Yeah, he's he's
definitely multiplied it. The whole situation is fascinating to me
because there's kind of that idea once you retire from
the game, is like, what could I go back and
do it again?

Speaker 1 (03:38):
And I think it's a little bit different.

Speaker 2 (03:40):
And this is going to sound crazy because in every
sport everybody has gotten bigger, better, stronger, faster. But at
the same time, I feel like in this, in the
space of being a quarterback, there are so many more
protections out there that I feel like when they did
call him, he could say, yeah, you know what, I
could go back there if you if you pull my shoelace,

(04:01):
you're going to get a foul called on you and
we're going to go marching forward fifteen yards, you know,
because of the personal foul.

Speaker 1 (04:07):
So I think that he felt that he.

Speaker 2 (04:09):
Was protected enough, maybe maybe the offensive line was good
enough to feel like he could get rid of it.
But I think that coming back logistically and being the
father of that many kids and understanding how good benefits
can be, extending that by another five six years through
the bargaining agreement that they have was genius on his part.

(04:29):
And having watched Philip Rivers for years when I played
with the San Diego Padres, he was obviously with the
San Diego Chargers, leading those great teams in the early
two thousands, and I was fortunate enough to be able
to watch a lot of Philip Rivers football with Ladinian
Tomlinson and the like.

Speaker 1 (04:46):
I like the spirit. The guy's competitive.

Speaker 2 (04:47):
You know, there was something internally in him that said
when that phone call came, he said, you know what,
I'm going to go do this. And he knew he
was going to be miked up. He knew he was
going to be out there talking trash and it was
a lot of fun. I think it was great. It
was an opportunity. I think it's just really unfortunate. And
this sounds terrible in Houston because I can't stand the
Indianapolis Colts for many reasons now that I have moved

(05:09):
to Houston and become a Texans fan. But the Colts
had a real opportunity to be a very good football
team this year with Daniel Jones. It just didn't happen.
That shows how important it is to have a quality
backup like the Texans do, and then be able to
keep your team healthy long enough to compete.

Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah, I wouldn't even disagree that he played better than
their backup options, obviously, with Anthony Richardson not physically able
to help them this year after the eye injury and
Riley Leonard again, he is a rookie and only came
in in the game essentially that Daniel Jones went down
in and all things considered, like there's like fifty different

(05:45):
factors here, he played pretty well for who he was.
This team had exactly what you said, plus Jonathan Taylor,
all the things that make it a little bit easier
for a quarterback. He didn't have to change anything. Many
other quarterbacks, almost everybody this day and age, other than
Kirk Cousins and maybe Aaron Rodgers, they move, they can move,

(06:05):
they move the pocket, they can get out of the pocket,
They could obviously run. I mean Pat Mahomes has never
considered that type of quarterback. Now he's one of the
best josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, all these guys, most of
them can do that he never could, and he knew
he wasn't going to start doing it now either, but
he didn't have to because of all those things in place.
He goes to work for a head coach who'd already

(06:26):
coached him before, whose offense he was using. At the
high school where he was coaching, he had multiple I
think he said the day he got there there were
still twelve guys on the team from when he was
last a cult over five years ago. So tremendous amount
of that just kind of fell into place. And you know,
I don't begrudge him for the performances that he had,

(06:46):
but if you also take it for the reality of it.
If you look at what cam Ward's passer rating is,
which is basically the worst quarterback in the AFC this year,
that's what Philip Rivers quarterback rating was during these three games,
and they didn't win it any of those three games,
not asking him to score fifty because that's what it
would have been necessary to beat the Niners in one

(07:06):
of those three starts that he had. But all that
being said, it set up this weekend's game for not
what it could have been most of this year, especially
when the Texans started winning, it started to look more
and more like Man, this last game of the season.
I think four or five weeks ago, Ac and I
were sitting here saying, will you look at the week
eighteen schedule and there's a possibility that the Texans and

(07:29):
the Colts will be playing for the last playoff spot
for the division title. And the Colts were eliminated for
the playoffs before Week eighteen even arrived, and the Texans
got into the playoffs before Week eighteen even arrived. Oh,
it's amazing. I feel the same way.

Speaker 2 (07:43):
I was getting excited because I was going to a
couple of Texans games the way that Mills played, and
then having CJ. Stroud come back and you're starting to
get some of the wide receivers healthy and you're running
the ball the way that you are. I think that
we had high expectations because I think the idea all
year long with the Texans was can we get an
offense that can sustain what the defense is doing, and
what the defense is doing is making your offense better

(08:05):
because they don't have to be fifth phenomenal. They don't
have to score the fifty points a game like you're
talking about. And uh, a little over a month and
a half ago, I think we were looking at this
final game of the season going wow, this could have
some serious implications on seating, whether or not you make
the playoffs. And now it's just the Texans to go
out there and smash them for about a half and
then rest their guys and make sure that they're healthy

(08:26):
for that first round.

Speaker 1 (08:27):
Yeah. A couple of weeks into the season, maybe seven
or eight, I tried to stop people from asking the
question so I could just tell them this is the answer.
Is this. Do you think this is the best Texans
defense in team history? Like, come on, stop trying to
create a debate. It's by far the best defense in Texas.

Speaker 2 (08:45):
It literally is, right, I mean, statistically it's they had
absolutely have, but you haven't had any everybody playing healthy
and playing as hard and as well as they have
been through those first seven or eight weeks, And now
you're starting to say this. I feel like week ten,
everybody started to say this is a Super Bowl defense.

Speaker 1 (09:03):
Yeah, there's no question. It's perfectly put to what a
lot of people have said around the country covering the
NFL and certainly the talking heads. Now it's a matter
of do they have a super Bowl team. I know
the guys in the locker room feel that way. I
know that the appearance from Demiko Ryans yesterday is that
is how they will be approaching this final game of
the season. There is something to play for it. They
just need a little bit of help. One of the

(09:25):
worst teams in the league has to win a game
over Jacksonville, which seems rather unlikely, although yeah, they've played
a little bit more competitively of late. To get the
Texans a division championship, it is very simple. You win
and the Jags lose, You win the division. You are
the three seed. You will host a game the opening
weekend of the playoffs. Wild card weekend, you would play

(09:45):
the sixth seed, which probably is the Bills, because the
Chargers won't be starting Justin Herbert and they're playing the Broncos,
who also need to sew up the number one seed themselves.
Probably the Chargers won't win. Probably the Bills against the
Jets will result in a Bills win, but none of

(10:05):
that is set. And obviously the Jaguars would be the
other of the wild card team, so figuring out all
those situations is all that would lie ahead of them,
but they want to take care of their own business,
which also would ensure a victory. That the Texans are
more worse than the position they're in today, which is five,
which means they get to play the team led by
Aaron Rodgers in their building in the playoffs or the

(10:26):
team probably led by Lamar Jackson in the playoffs. Don't
even know if he's playing this weekend, let alone if
they advance to that game next weekend. But either way,
the Texans in the opening round, if they win on Sunday,
they will be the better team in their first playoff game.
I guarantee you that I don't know that they'll be favored,

(10:47):
but I'm comfortable saying they will be the better team
on the field, and they should play like it, and
as they have in the first two years under Demico
Ryans as head coach. Advance in the playoffs to the
divisional round. Just getting started here on the eight team.
The usual items ahead of us. Best of X comes
your way in about fifteen minutes, about two and a
half hours away from our signature segment. Plenty of items

(11:08):
to deliver from say what football at five I'll never
guess when that will be and all that to come
here on the A Team Tuesday. Here on the A Team,
Wex Josh and Jeff Blum sitting in this afternoon run
through what's going on. There were some pretty big news
in the NBA today after what happened last night with

(11:29):
Niko Lejokic going down leaving the game and seemingly everybody
was on edge about the length of time he would
miss with his knee injury. They got better news today
that the hyper extension costs him four weeks before he
will next be reevaluated. But one of the best players
in the NBA being not out for the season, which
is what everybody feared last night, was of great significance.

(11:50):
I mentioned the Stefan Diggs situation. We'll get more into that.
There was also one interesting baseball item earlier this afternoon
inside the American League West and now outside the American
League West. I presume this is the end of the
career for World Series MVP in Houston's own Anthony Rendon

(12:13):
seven year deal. After walking off the field at Minute
Made Park with the MVP of the World Series seven years,
two hundred and forty five million to then play for
the Angels. He you know what his uh season high
in games played for the Angels was. Today, they reached
a buyout on what would be the final year of

(12:33):
his two hundred and forty five million dollar contract. Thirty
eight plus million, which is what he was owed this year.
Apparently it will all be deferred, which then thirty eight
allows the owner, who is very very poor, to now
be able to spend the money. Yeah, thirty eight million
this year, thirty six or thirty eight million over the
last four years and two forty five in total. You

(12:56):
know what. The again, the highest number of games played
in a season as an AI Angel was last year
it was zero. This is going to sound crazy, but
I'm gonna say fifty two. It's very very very good.
Guess his first year there, it feels like it's too high.
His first year there was twenty twenty, so the max
he could have played that year was sixty and he

(13:16):
hit fifty two, so he had almost a full season.
The next year he played fifty eight, which set what
would turn out to be his career high in games
played as an Angel in a season, fifty eight, So
he missed over one hundred games in each of the
five seasons he was available for, missed all one sixty
two last year, and the final season of his career

(13:36):
will now be another I'm not playing at all. So
he played a total of one hundred and ten games
years two hundred and fifty seven total games during a
seven year contract. Two hundred and fifty seven games, and
that was fifty two fifty eight to forty seven forty three.
Just a little under a million a game, little under
a million a game. How'd you feel about the way
you played today? I made about nine hundred and seventy

(13:59):
five thousand. Yeah, I feel pretty good. But you won?
Oh for four? What if I go two for four
doesn't matter? Yeah, the four for four guys getting paid
just as much.

Speaker 4 (14:06):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (14:06):
Obviously his situation was a little bit different than most.
Clearly injuries were the biggest part of it, but over
the years, frustration from him, desire from him just and
the team performance clearly relying on big money trout, big
money rendon, both of whom unfortunately missed a lot of
time each and this all coming on the heels and
a little bit at the same time, barely with the

(14:29):
ridiculous contract they gave to Albert Poohols to leave the
Cardinals a ten year deal, knowing, hey, we'll paid him
for ten years of baseball and we can get s
get three or four years of great baseball. They kind
of did, and then they were saddled with that the
rest of his time there. But the Angels have been very,
very good to the Astros over the years.

Speaker 2 (14:49):
Yeah, these contracts as yeah, you could even you could
go into I can't remember the left handed pitcher CJ. Wilson.
I think maybe it was his name that contract. Yes, heavy,
what about Josh Hamilton. I mean it got to the
point where they traded him back to Texas to try
and figure out what to do with that kind of money.
But this Arty moreno regime probably in a lot of

(15:11):
in our eyes, we're going, sweet, good deal, thanks man,
because you've made a team that the Ashleys have been
able to go out and absolutely obliterate on a yearly basis.
But at the same time, if you're an Angel fan,
you're going, please as soon as you heard rumors of
him selling the team, are going to please sell this team.
Give it to somebody who can do something. They've got
plenty of area to go out there and build a
brand new stadium, because that is one of the more

(15:32):
beat up, dilapidated old stadiums in the league. And then
these contracts, my goodness, some of these contracts, and you
take into account this offseason for the Angels has not
been pretty. I'm not sure how many people have been
watching the Tyler Skaggs situation.

Speaker 1 (15:48):
They did reach a conclusion, there was a settlement in
the late late late stages of the jury deliberations at
that case, that trial, and they did not release the numbers,
although we have a range because of this is where
they were talking about. As you knew it would, it
made almost everybody involved look awful.

Speaker 2 (16:10):
Awful, awful, from from field to management to you know,
everybody in the Skag's family. It was really rough. But
uh yeah, all the best to Anthony Rendon. I mean,
I'm not going to argue a guy going out and
getting the money that he can and given the timing
of it, he deserved it, but obviously not worth it.
And I know he's a Rice grad, he's he's a local,

(16:33):
you know, hero. I know he's done a lot in
the community. Everything I've heard about the guy has been
he's a great dude. But if you're reading, if you're
reading a lot of the OC Register articles about Anthony Rendon,
he's probably not one of the better people, or he's
not gonna have He's probably not going to get much
real estate in Newport Beach if he ever goes back
there and looks.

Speaker 1 (16:50):
Yeah, fro a fan standpoint, it's going to be considered
just an awful situation. And that's definitely.

Speaker 2 (16:56):
Down It's one of the single worst contracts ever humanly signed.

Speaker 1 (16:59):
Yeah, and again, the reason it was derailed initially quite
obviously was the injuries, and it's just never so many
of them, and the hip injuries that ultimately probably now
will end his career. That's not it happens. It happens
to some players, and some players just can't seem to
get past it. He's an HISD guy, went to Lamar
High School here in Houston, so very familiar. And obviously
the World Series we were talking about they want it

(17:20):
here in Houston in that ridiculous we aren't gonna win
any home games in this World Series. And by the way,
I actually felt like he was really good, clearly in
the seven game World Series. He was incredible that postseason
that's one of the better postseasons offensively we've seen from
just about anybody the last ten years or so. He
had twenty hits in their three series plus their wild

(17:43):
card game, and half of them went for extra bass.
He was just flat out awesome offensively, and right off
of that, right off of that free agent to be
performance two hundred forty five million, and in baseball, I
think you guys know this, that's guaranteed.

Speaker 2 (17:58):
Oh yeah, let's getting paid. That's why they're negotiating this payoff.
They're also negotiating to try and get some of that
off of their their soft cap. Whatever we want to
call it, the competitive balanced Test CBT. It doesn't have
to have the same initials as collective bargaining agreement because
I get CBTCBA.

Speaker 1 (18:18):
Well, CBT is what the Astros are always flirting well,
and we want to do this. We don't want to
do that. The CBA is what we will not stop
saying from now until the middle of the twenty seventh
or the beginning of the twenty twenty seventh season, will
actually be the middle of the calendar when they finally
start playing baseball after having no games in March April

(18:39):
May June. Is it not weird that we haven't heard
more about it? I feel like it's kind of weird.
Is the deadline tomorrow? I don't think no. I guess
I won't hear anything about it. Well, I just know
that they have something.

Speaker 2 (18:51):
Like they realize how this negotiation is going to go.
That's why I mean, I feel like there's stuff going
on behind the scenes. But at the same time, they've
been so hush hush it to this point that it's
a little interesting.

Speaker 1 (19:03):
And the free agent market's been interesting to me too, curious.
So far, we've seen two year deals for a lot
of reasonably talented players ohearn. Maybe a good example of
that seen the two hundred and ten million dollar deal
for Dylan see'ze, a pair of one fifties for Pete
Alnzo and Kyle Schwarber. There's some huge money free agents
still available, two of them have three of them happen

(19:24):
to used to be astros with Kyle, Alex and Fromber.
Does anything seem out of whack just yet with those
contracts that have already been agreed to. Knowing that potentially
we've got one full season in baseball ahead of us,
I'm curious, and we'll get to it after the break
and after Best of X. Your thoughts on what we've
seen so far in free agency, the spending, the timing
of some of these deals, the lack of deals that

(19:46):
have been made for some of these other obvious still
in their prime caliber talents that do not currently have
teams to play for, and obviously how that has impacted
what Dana and the Astros have done so far to
try to It's hard to say this get back to
the playoffs after missing the playoffs. Been a while since
we've been forced to describe it that way, and I
know they feel similarly like we do that they hope

(20:08):
that is not something that continues. So putting together a
team that's just a few games better than how they
finished last year, we get them back inside. This division
will be dramatically different next year, though, with where the
Mariners are where the A's are, I think the Astros
are still much closer to that group than the other
two Texas and the Angels. But we shall see the
best of X with Jeff Blum in the house here

(20:30):
on the A team. Well, it's next. Did you all
see this?

Speaker 5 (20:37):
And we should be putting out between five and fifteen posts.

Speaker 3 (20:41):
Four hundred people were arrested for things that they said
on social media.

Speaker 1 (20:44):
History repeats itself type, Ben, You'll succeed.

Speaker 6 (20:49):
Never doubt that you're the one to bustle no one building.
You're the best.

Speaker 1 (20:56):
X.

Speaker 6 (20:57):
Nothing's gonna have a top.

Speaker 1 (20:58):
You know, you the best posting every single day. You're
the best of the breaking the entire engine. And there
you have it. Each and every day. We get you
ready for the social media streets with the sweet, sweet

(21:19):
sounds of yours, truly the best of X. I didn't
realize you sang that song in person every time. That
was impressive, I know. And it sounds exactly the same
every time every time. It's amazing. I always got to
prepare the break, Yeah, the break right before the two
thirty spot. I try to prep myself, make sure i'm
you know, properly lubricated after the right kind of drinks down,
and you know, my health is in good shape. So

(21:42):
it sounds exactly the same. All works out, miracles, miracles. Yeah,
I got a couple of things to choose from today.
Uh mentioned this during the break a little bit. The
college football scene is quite different than it was before.
Now your squad had an interesting Bowl game this year.
I think the game was interesting enough in that Cal

(22:02):
had a huge lead and then didn't when the final
whistle went You know, when the final whistle went off,
that's when the not so fun part of the game
actually started. Yeah, that sucked. That don't like to see that.
Didn't think of it.

Speaker 2 (22:16):
I wasn't watching the game, but the alerts you get
on your phone, you're like halftime for smoking rough thirty
one points boys to roll on your bears, and then
all of a sudden, it's just, hey, another reminder you
went to Cal.

Speaker 1 (22:26):
Just kick me in the gymmy and call it a game.

Speaker 4 (22:29):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (22:29):
Not the most ideal season changes being made, but moole
season playoff season. We are three days out from the
transfer portal opening, which is I love that we get like,
it's not the day that it's a portal. Well what
a portals do? They open and you jump in there.
Now you're time traveling or changing teams for money. I'm

(22:50):
going into the portal. This, I'm going into the portal.
We can't go into the portal till it's open. So
everybody that said I'm going in okay, you got us
ready for what's gonna happen and how much money you
and your assistant will help you with. So with bowl
games going on, you also get access to the coaches.
They all have their press conferences. They eat their pop tarts, Uh,
they eat their cheese its, they do what they eat

(23:11):
their baked beans or whatever it is. The Duke's has
had some like the staged nature of it is bad enough,
and the disgusting nature of it is worse. But I
do think people are actually pretty scared when the bushes
beans bowl finished and they they had a big, huge

(23:32):
bowl of beans prepared, like is this getting dumped on
a coach? Or even worse, are the players going to
eat this right now, right after a football game. It's
bad enough on Thanksgiving when they're they're chewing all and
all this, so heck the Texas Bowl. If you stayed
till the end with they they brought the smoker out
on this stage where they handed them the trophy, handed

(23:54):
Conter Wegman his MVP hat and jacket, and then they
opened up the smoker and there were rips for everybody,
which they immediately started using ribs in the lock after
the game. The Kinders Texas Ball was a rousing success,
one of the most attended non playoff Bowl games each
year and had a higher attendance than the season before,

(24:15):
about sixty four thousand in the house over to NRG Stadium,
and the fans treated me incredibly well. They were a
little geared up.

Speaker 2 (24:21):
On the other side, they were a little concerned that
I had all this LSU gear on, But everybody knows
I'd make a hefty donation every single year for one
of my daughters to go there, so I felt it
was my privilege to be able to wear the LSU.
Everybody was very kind about it. The Cougar fans, good
game deserved. They played well.

Speaker 1 (24:41):
Now, you were there at the game longer than Lane Kiffin.

Speaker 2 (24:45):
I might have been as long. We might have walked
out to our cars at the same time. I think
it was right around just before or during halftime where
we both evacuated.

Speaker 1 (24:52):
Yeah, seen enough. Yeah he spent. I don't think he
even cared what was going on on the field. That's
not his team. His team is starting Friday with the poor.
So we know here, you've got to sec blood. Producers
got SEC blood, Josh now Ac does myself, so we
know it just means more Longhorns getting ready for Michigan.
So Longhorns head coach met with the media this week

(25:13):
and he got to talking about how things are in
college football. I just thought this was again, without the
greatness of social media, might have missed this tremendous sound
clip of what it's like, what the rough rough life
of these eight figure head coaches are like now that
they have to live in this current state of college football.

Speaker 7 (25:33):
It's one about need, it's two about money, you know,
and the cost and where's the market and you know
which agent you're dealing with. There's some agents that are rational,
and there's some that that this is their first time
ever being an agent. I don't even know if they're
licensed to be agents, but all of a sudden, they
get to be agents, you know, because we have no

(25:54):
certification process in college football or the NFL. You have
to be certified in college football. Might be their college roommate,
you know, their freshman year, who's their agent right now?
And this guy's throwing numbers at you, and it's like,
we can't even deal with this, like you just move on.
And so it's, uh, it's unfortunate, and we're we're we'll
get there in college football, but right now it's it's

(26:14):
a tough situation.

Speaker 1 (26:16):
Such a tough situation. All right, we'll bring it up
here so we can take you back there. Uh, you
can choose any of the years that you were there
playing baseball at Cal. But is there a former college
roommate of yours that you wish Nil was around for
so he could have represented you in negotiations with all
of the universities across the country. Are you kidding me?

Speaker 2 (26:37):
I went to Cal. There's about there's a handful of guys. Yeah,
nerd alert my junior my junior year. You know, freshman
year you got to stay in the dorms, the whole thing.
Sophomore year room with a couple of ballplayers. That was
That was a little sketchy. But the next year I
literally roomed with guy's name's Rob Stone, and I would
hire him in a heartbeat. He was all of about

(26:59):
maybe six foot six or seven. I don't think there
was a patch of skin that didn't have hair on it.
His nickname is the Caveman. Incredibly intelligent, not very good
at pitching, could rag the heck out of the opposing team.
And then I had three other pre med guys in
the in the house, and those were the guys that

(27:19):
were actually answering the phone when scouts would call. So
it was kind of interesting in that situation. But I
would hands down Robstone would have been my representative, and
I think it would have been okay because Rob is
a brilliant lawyer now in San Diego.

Speaker 1 (27:31):
That sounds like it really would have worked out. Steve there,
coach Sarks, was making it sound like they don't know
what they're doing and they're trying to take advantage. Hey,
my guy, my friend.

Speaker 2 (27:40):
There aren't there certain schools that you can't make comments
like that, and UT would be one of them for me.
I mean, there's too many resources.

Speaker 1 (27:47):
Well, that's what. And everyone at the other schools are
a bunch of posts today that were gathered from earlier
this year because Texas played Ohio State. You know, Texas
is complaining about this. Texas looking at that, didn't they
spend forty million dollars on theirs and what they spend
more this year and more the next year, more than next.
I mean, you do have to be There's like the Yankees,
for instance, or the Mets. Well, the Mets are a

(28:09):
non playoff team, and the Yankees are a playoff team,
but they never win. They're spending the most money, and
it doesn't necessarily mean you're producing baseball. For example, I
know this. I'm sorry for bringing those teams up, because
I do believe baseball is a different animal. I think
if there was no cap in let's say there was
no salary structure in the NFL, and the owners made

(28:31):
different money from TV, their own TV deals, or how
much their personal wealth was worth, you could spend whatever
you want. You can spend as little as you want.
You would spend enough money to pretty much you're going
to win. Yeah, I'm spending I'm spending one hundred million
dollars on mahomes. Whereas this owner said, well, ninety is
my limit for him for a season. If you want
to give him a billion dollars for the next four years,

(28:54):
two hundred and fifty per yeah, go ahead. Now baseball again,
it's a little different, and there is. There's no cap
in college football. If you're Texas Tech and you are
lucky enough to have a booster or two that wants
your softball team to make to the World Series because
you've worked out well, a player that can pitch or

(29:16):
given you know, through nil and it worked. It worked brilliantly.
She was phenomenal. And in softball, unlike like baseball, you
change your pitcher every day. Quarterbacks should be playing every
week in the NFL, well, that's what it's like in softball.
If you have the ace, you can pitch that because
you're exactly right, she can pitch literally almost every game.

(29:36):
And then obviously Texas Tech on the football side has
done things similarly, so it can happen. I'm very hopeful
that what we see over these four days or two
days with four games the college football playoffs, if nothing
else happens that I'm rooting for. I want Texas Tech
to win. I want Texas Tech to you know, not

(29:57):
rep the Big twelve, and I want people to see
that the nil situation. I'm surprised by what's happened because
I thought it was going to take the teams that
were already up there, Bama, many, the SEC folks, Big twelve,
Big ten, and just push them even further away from everybody.
And that's not what I'm seeing. I'm seeing these other

(30:17):
teams with an opportunity to maybe find their way in
I don't know if they all have staying power. It
might be just this one year, this, two years, but
can it happen Well, we'll find out. With these final
eight teams left. There are not equals by any means.
Different roads for each of them to get there, both
financially and from the football side. But always fun to
hear from the millionaires and billionaires and their complaints about

(30:39):
how they have to handle things. I do understand. You
used to be able to recruit a player and then
he was going to be there for year one, year, two,
year three, maybe even year four or five. Now you
have to recruit that player roughly every six months, every
six months. It's amazing, absolutely outrage. There's plenty more items
that couldn't make their way into of X. We'll make

(31:01):
our way to hearing those things and get back into
some text and stuff as we continue here on a
Tuesday edition final edition of The A Team for twenty
twenty five here on Sports Talk seven ninety.

Speaker 6 (31:13):
The A Team on Sports Talks episode.

Speaker 1 (31:16):
Back at You. Here on Sports Talk seven ninety, The
eight Team continues, and this Tuesday edition of the program
includes a guest to co host Jeff Blum. Here with
You for a little bit of today's program, rolling through
a bunch of different things today, not only college football,
as we get a little bit closer to playoff activity
tomorrow evening and then throughout the day on January first.
Rockets will be back in action on January first. Also

(31:39):
back out on the road, why not, that's where they've
spent most of the season. Got a game in Brooklyn
on the first, they got a game in Dallas on
the third, be back home for one game against the
Phoenix Suns next Monday, and then back out on the road,
back out west again. But they're also twenty and ten.
They also are one of the best home teams in
the NBA now ten and two Toyota Center after last

(32:01):
night's blowout victory over the Indiana Pacers. And yes, a
seven point victory can be a blowout victory when you
take a twenty seven point lead to the fourth quarter
and get outscored by twenty because you're not playing your
starters anymore, because you don't need to not too concerned
about anything that went on at the end of the game,
even though when you let people know the Rockets only

(32:23):
won by seven when they had a twenty eight point lead,
You're like, man, they always let teams back in the game. Yes,
when they're not trying to beat them by thirty, and
they don't care. That's what sometimes hack. Did they have
a bunch of silly turnovers? Yes? Did they give a
bunch of points away in the final ninety seconds? Yes?
Was the game in doubt? No, the amount you win
by is pretty insignificant in games like that. Kevin Durant

(32:46):
was phenomenal thirteen to twenty. Jabari Smith Junior continues to
play great basketball, and Thompson the same. And the Rockets
also played without Alprin Shanngoon with his calf tightness, which
does not appear to be some thing of great concern
for the team. But I think every time here in
twenty twenty five and probably twenty six, when we hear
about a calf injury and on the basketball side, and

(33:09):
knowing what it could potentially lead to, it is worrisome.
So hopefully they will be as prudent and careful as
possible as necessary with that particular injury. The number of
regular season games that they win again supremely important. It's
more about can they win more than three postseason games?
They won three last year in their seven game series

(33:30):
with the Warriors. It would very much like to advance
in the postseason. That's why Kevin Durant is here, and
I do think that is what they are going to
be doing the rest of the season. He's been out
there in healthy all year. Men Thompson the same and
for the most part, obviously, outside of Fred's major injury
and the time missed by Easton and Finney Smith, both

(33:50):
of whom are back, they've been able to make their
way through the first little over third of the season
pretty well.

Speaker 2 (33:57):
KD looks good, he looks fresh, happy, ready. Watching him
dunking before games and in pregame workouts and stuff like
that kind of turns me on a little bit because
he could be in that position to be in. Look, guys,
I've been here for a while, you know, we can
just kind of go through the motions. We're gonna be good.
But it seems like he's actually like super engaged with
these guys, which I absolutely adore. But I'm in Thompson

(34:21):
is one of my favorite guys to watch. We had
a chance to get out there and see a game
my wife and I and thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm that's
at the Toyota Center.

Speaker 1 (34:29):
Man, these guys are good. These guys are good. I
do think there's a little renewed enthusiasm for KD. He
has not enjoyed his time post championship from being championship
caliber team. He almost had it in Brooklyn when he
and Kyrie and James in some form of fashion were together,

(34:50):
but did not advance nearly as far as they thought
they would. Obviously did not happen in Phoenix, and with
them going in the direction they were, I think he
knew where they were headed and they they basically told
him where they were headed and making him available in trades,
and then it worked out tremendously well. This is a
team that was going to be on the rise regardless
no trade for Kevin Durant, keep Jalen Green, make some

(35:12):
other moves. They were going to be in position to
compete in the Western Conference. And now they did obviously
make that move. You couldn't have asked for it to
work out so far the way it has. Again, it
doesn't really matter how it works out in the regular season.
It matters how it works out in the postseason. But
he doesn't look I mean he plays. He doesn't play
any differently now than he did when he was in
his twenties. It's just not quite at the same pace

(35:35):
and not quite at the same I think explosiveness to
the basket maybe, but it doesn't have to be and
it never had to be, which is why he's been
able to do this, and they got him for three years.
I don't see any reason why it's not going to
continue like this. Because he makes jump shots, he makes
mid range. He's six'. Eleven it's. Unblockable it's been unblockable

(35:55):
for seventeen. Years that's not going to. Change, yeah he
doesn't have to go to rim to. Anymore you just
got to find those. Pockets played good enough. Defense but
the you, know there's something to be said for those
those guys who are on ball clubs that can actually
not just contribute on the. COURT i feel like he's
contributing in the in the locker room with these, guys

(36:15):
and in, return he's kind of feeding off some of
that youth and enthusiasm that these guys are. Bringing but
when you're going out there and beating, teams going into
going into fourth quarters with twenty seven point, leads that's
also a very good way to keep your legs fresh
by not having to play four. Quarters just play three
and get out of. There, yeah just a little time
for him on the fourth and similar for. Others but
would love to see that. Continue brooklyn And dallas are

(36:38):
not necessarily going to be postseason. TEAMS i Think brooklyn
has almost no, chance but The east is awful And
dallas is flirting with the tenth spot in The Western
conference and they've already beaten The rockets once this, year
which is rather. Disappointing we'll be in Any Anthony davis
out there when they get together in a couple of,
days but what that's not a surprise in any way.

(36:58):
Whatsoever next hour of the, show we'll be talking ABOUT
nba and golf birthdays that two very prominent people in
this generation of athletes and fans know very. Well so
there's a basketball tie. There we'll get into that a little. Bit.
Obviously i'm not talked a whole lot about the UPCOMING
nfl playoffs or the college football, playoffs so we'll certainly

(37:19):
want to dive in on. That the way The texans
have put themselves in position to where they sit, today
what is on tap for the weekend they intend to
play their. Starters how much or for what, reason obviously
that's for us to, debate so we will and everything
else that is playing out this final, weekend there obviously

(37:39):
aren't a lot of spots to. Gain and we also
haven't mentioned last night's game in THE nfl to close
out week. SEVENTEEN i don't know how The Atlanta falcons do,
it but the moment they are eliminated from playoff, contention
they turn it. On they become an almost unbeatable, team
and they knocked off one of the best teams in THE,
nfl still probably one of the favorites to emerge from THE,

(38:01):
nfc and they couldn't even beat The, falcons which also
sets up WHAT i was begging to not have set.
UP i was telling The rams right here on the show.
Yesterday don't do this to. Us don't lose to The.
Falcons don't tell us we can have three eight to
nine teams finish and a tie for THE Nfc south
lead and render what should have been a winner take

(38:21):
all game On saturday between The panthers and The bucks
into a winner take all game and Less tampa, wins
and then we have to wait to see If atlanta
then wins On sunday over The. Saints but this is
what we now, have THE, nfl and they're. Tiebreakers gotta love.
It our number, two the three o'clock, hour the television

(38:41):
hour beginning next.

Speaker 6 (38:45):
THE ac On Sports talk seven.

Speaker 1 (38:47):
Ninety yes we, are but not TODAY ac on. Vacation
wex here with, You Jeff blum sitting in FOR ac
today as we jump into The Space Home network portion
of our afternoon simulcast through six o'clock each and every
weekday here On Sports talk seven ninety for the full

(39:07):
four hour ride beginning of TWO id love to have
you along for the. Ride to your, comments questions via social,
media via the phone lines always welcome as we deliver
what will be THE a teams final show of twenty twenty.
Five we got football coming your way tomorrow with The
longhorns And Wolverines bowl Game. Tomorrow afternoon coverage of that
begins at one. O'clock they'll kick off a little after,

(39:30):
two and The New year will be here the day after.
That we'll Have rockets basketball for you that evening From.
Brooklyn we Had rockets basketball for you this past evening
as they toppled The Indiana, pacers just like twenty six
other teams have done throughout the, season drop them to
six and twenty. Seven with The rocket seven point, Victory
houston got the ten games over five. Hundred we'll get

(39:51):
into a few of the items from, that and we
also now have everything in front of us for the
final week of regular SEASON nfl. Football do you happened
to recall a couple months ago before the season, began
what you thought the season might look like when it
came to a, conclusion who would be the best, teams
who you thought might reach The Super? Bowl and how

(40:12):
it played.

Speaker 2 (40:13):
Out we all have delusions of who that's going to.
BE i knew The rams were going to be, good
and there's ALWAYS i still hold out hopes for The.
Chargers when they moved out Of San, DIEGO i kind
of lost a little bit of, Interest But i'm a
Big herbert. Fan, uh they're playing extremely. WELL i didn't
See jacksonville.

Speaker 1 (40:29):
Doing what they're. Doing what he, Did, yeah and Probably
jacksonville In.

Speaker 2 (40:33):
INDIANAPOLIS i Know indianapolis is on their way out with
the injury To Daniel, jones but at the same, time
with the numbers That Jonathan taylor was putting up for
my fantasy football team was pretty, impressive SO i kind
of kept my eye on.

Speaker 1 (40:43):
Them how'd that season work?

Speaker 2 (40:45):
Out sixth? PLACE i got into the, PLAYOFFS i got
beat twice.

Speaker 1 (40:47):
With a sixteen.

Speaker 2 (40:48):
Playoffs, DUDE i could have finished eighth out of a
twelve team. Playoff. Yeah, YEAH i finished fourth overall in
the regular. Season, yeah, WELL i had and lack of,
interest AS pauli what killed my TEAM'S gm The there
was a particular WEEKEND i was In fayetteville and didn't
pay attention to much other Than Dixon street and my daughter's.

(41:09):
Graduation so that being, SAID i did finish up sixth
out of the, playoffs but fourth overall in the regular.
Season but, UH i think it's is it good for
football that some of the teams that we anticipated aren't
maybe some of the powerhouse teams this at this point
in the, season it's kind of nice to see The
jacksonville's and The trevor lawrence is going out and doing

(41:29):
what they're.

Speaker 1 (41:30):
DOING i don't think any of us fans care about
ratings and things like. That, yeah because the answer your
question is, yes, unequivocally, Yes i'm in that boat, too
and then we're gonna, see well we are. Ratings there's
No Kansas, city there's No Pat, mahomes or there's no
job whatever it is.

Speaker 2 (41:47):
That even The, cowboys it's it's. Amazing what's amazing to
me as long as we keep it in state and
keep bashing On dallas Or South, oklahoma whatever you want
to call, it is the fact that we know what
The Dallas cowboys. Are they're gonna be entertaining to. Watch
they're gonna play some good but they're not going to
be there in the. END i don't think there was
any anticipation of what they were going to be at
the beginning of the. Season that's any different than HOW
i feel about them. Now But i've Just i'm highly

(42:09):
entertained by what The texans will be able to do
once they get in the.

Speaker 1 (42:12):
Playoffs The eagles have won their, division as they did last. Year,
currently that's the only repeat division, winner how it from
the eight divisions a year. Ago The chiefs obviously are
out of the. Playoffs they won the division a year.
Ago ravens won The north last. Year they have to
win On sunday in order to. Repeat The bills won

(42:33):
their division last, year The patriots finished last at four and.
Thirteen they've already won the. Division rams won their division
last year in a tie With, seattle And seattle Or
San francisco will win the division Come saturday. Night and
The bucks were winners of their division last, year could
win it this, year but they need a couple of
things to go their. Way and, obviously The lions were

(42:56):
the division winners last year at fifteen and, two and
so AS i ran through those, names not only is
there a new division winner a lot of these, places
not almost all of these. Places these teams that won
them last year aren't even necessarily making the postseason the following. Year,
OBVIOUSLY i didn't mention THE Anfc. SOUTH i think everybody
knows the situation. There the two time DEFENDING Afc south

(43:16):
Champion texans can still win the division and they will
make the, playoffs but they need Cam ward and the
interim coach Led Tennessee titans to beat The jaguars on
the final game of the season to keep The jaguars
from winning the, division keep The jaguars from winning an
eighth straight, game keep The jaguars from getting a home
game to open up the, postseason all of Which i'm
sure is going to happen just a few short hours

(43:38):
from Now sunday. Afternoon but, yeah there The Jacksonville jaguars
with first year head Coach Liam, cohen first year coordinators
on both. Sides he calls the offense for. Them this
was not what we thought would. Happen maybe this would work.
Out maybe this is the coach that could help get
the most out of a former number one overall. Pick
that was a realistic. Thought and the fact that they've

(43:58):
been hovering around maybe competitive for the, postseason so they
didn't have far to. Go BUT i never saw this,
coming AND i keep pointing it out because it's. Remarkable
The texans have won every week for two, months and
The jaguars have won every game they've played their last seven.
Games the only game they've lost in their last eight
was when they Played houston Against Davis, mills which made you, Think,

(44:20):
okay this is who The jaguars really. Are and they
haven't lost.

Speaker 2 (44:24):
Since, no it's been pretty. Impressive depth and health is
what has been key for The Houston. Texans but, YEAH
i was a little surprised after they beat them in
their building this. YEAR i thought that was going to
be the end Of jacksonville's.

Speaker 1 (44:36):
Run, Yeah jacksonville one of those teams the opening of
the season that helped deliver The texans the ow and three.
Start you lost to The, Rams bucks And jags to
open up the. Season we're owing, three we're still three and,
five one eighth. Straight they're eleven and. Five they're obviously
headed of the postseason'll be on the practice field, tomorrow typical, Week, Wednesday,
Thursday friday. Practice the holidays are of no consequence to The.

(44:57):
Texans they're playing football and they will play football practice
football during these holidays to get ready for The Indianapolis
colts and obviously to get ready for the. Postseason and
that's where you have to make those. Decisions there is
something to play. For AND i totally agree With. Tamiko
if he believes that having a home playoff, game winning
the division, matters and he does as he said, Yesterday

(45:18):
i'm all for. IT i would play the starters as.
Well it also ensures that you're no worse than five
because you're playing to win and presumably you're gonna Beat
Riley leonard's team On sunday afternoon at A Energy stadium
these are all good. Things both of those two positions
are the best two positions The texans can be. In
if you're number three and you host, well it also

(45:40):
means if you, win the likelihood of you hosting again
goes up dramatically because there's only one other team that
is ahead of you that needs to win to prevent
you from, hosting and obviously being number, five a little
bit further down the, list but still better than six or.
Seven and then you, add, well if you're six or,
seven you're obviously playing a better team than THE Afc north.
Winner it isn't that. HARD i know people want to

(46:02):
be healthy as. Possible dimiko wants to be as healthy as.
POSSIBLE i can see if this guy's banged up or
that guy's banged. UP cj is not banged up any
more than a football player is at this point in the,
season which is to acknowledge he's not at one hundred.
Percent he gets hit just like everybody, else occasionally few
times against the mighty mighty Not San Diego. Chargers but go,

(46:24):
ahead play your, guys keep it. Going you've won eight
in a. Row just is there a little momentum to
be kept heading into the.

Speaker 2 (46:32):
Postseason, yeah, well just go smoke show in the first
half and then shut it down the rest of the
WAY i Had that would be. Ideal that would be absolutely.
Ideal and you, know those guys on defense want to
go out there and absolutely destroy and padd some of
the numbers that they can against Cam ward and The
titans and put up some just absolutely prolific defensive numbers
and become that greatest defensive team of all time In texans.

(46:53):
History but also make a statement to the league, too,
saying if you are going to come Through, houston you
are going to have to go through our. Defense and
then we saw what. C. J stroud could do with
the with The astros, offense with The texans, offense BUT
i thought the way that they played against The chargers
defense was a little bit of a statement made for
them as.

Speaker 1 (47:13):
Well so it gets down to this point in the
season all, sports and some team is, hot or some
team has a great, defense an unstoppable, defense a force
like The texans. Do they're also a hot. Team and
you start hearing from people that sit in these, Chairs,
well ALL i know is nobody wants to play this
team in the, playoffs and people are saying that they,
say when you win fifteen out of your last twenty

(47:36):
heading into you, know a divisional series or, whatever your
wild card, series if it is the same things are,
said do you buy into that stuff?

Speaker 2 (47:44):
TOO i THINK i do more in maybe football THAN i,
do and maybe he's in, baseball because you, know there's
you only have to face that ace or That Trek
scouble once you don't have to face you, know the
one to two in that. Rotation throughout the course of the.
Playoffs you're going to find those three four fives that
you can go out.

Speaker 1 (48:02):
There but you're the same manager is probably going to
take the starter out after eight or nine outs, Anyway, yeah,
exactly so you can kind of pick your.

Speaker 2 (48:08):
Spots BUT i think what's interesting about the you, know
The texans is you know you've got to go against
them every single time your offense is out, there and
If i've got to worry about how how do how
DO i transform my current offense to beat That texans,
DEFENSE i think that puts the favor on The texans
defense because they're forcing the opposing team to maybe play

(48:29):
a game that they're not accustomed to, playing or forcing
them into situations that they're not comfortable with and they
haven't been playing with all season.

Speaker 1 (48:35):
Long, yeah it's definitely SOMETHING i agreement. That on a
football side of, IT i try to stay away from
it a little because you are, like The chargers shouldn't
be afraid of The texans even though they just saw
Know Danny green on us is that they are who
we thought what they are. Like it's WHAT i appreciate
the most about what The texans have done and what
they've said about what they intend to. Do it doesn't

(48:57):
always work out this. WAY i think they could be
eating teams more soundly than they do if they approached it.
Differently they'd be a little bit more risk, involved which
they're not willing to. Take and maybe IF i were
a coach of one of these, TEAMS i would feel
more comfortable doing. It they're. Not but this is how
he wants to play, football and he's totally fine with
winning twenty three to twenty one every. Week it doesn't

(49:18):
bother him at.

Speaker 2 (49:19):
All, well you just mentioned it with The, rockets you,
know twenty seven point leading the fourth, quarter they only
win by seven at the. End the win is all it.
Is how you go about that. Win they're winning the
way they want, to which is getting the. Win that's.

Speaker 1 (49:31):
It it is as simple as. That and when you
can add to it when you get to THE. Us
it won't work in the, postseason or you'll be playing better.
Teams you'll be playing better, quarterbacks it will be playing better.
Defenses they'll be playing The, broncos The, jaguars The, bills The,
chargers all teams they've, played and all but The, broncos
who beat them on the last play of the game WHEN.

(49:53):
Cj stroud had been out of the game for half
of the. Game they beat The, bills they beat The,
chargers they beat The. Jaguars obviously they played an eighteen
to fifteen game with The. Broncos not saying they're going
to beat them all, again but they shouldn't have a
shred of doubt about what they're doing. Working of, course
it will work against those. Teams it's already worked against those.

(50:15):
Teams it's worked against every, team even when they were
zero and three one play at any point in any
one of those, games and they're three and. ZERO i
don't like saying it that, way but it's still probably.
True lots to get to, here as we roll through
this second hour of the. Program here on THE A
team With Jeff, Blum here On Sports talk seven to.
Ninety back here on THE A. Team the animal most

(50:41):
associated With sports here With Jeff. Blum he's the studio
with us this. Hour excuse, me the animal most associated with?
Sports what animal immediately comes to? Mind is there?

Speaker 2 (50:51):
One uh selfishly a? Bear, okay and then a honey.
Badger so there's a billion different answers you could have.
Had AND i set it up very broad oddly for
that very. Reason BUT i think some people's answer when
they think about greatness and sports, Obviously and now we're
talking about the, goat AND i used the the Thet

(51:12):
i've used a very specific word in front of the word.
GOAT i said the, goat indicating there's one of. Them
we use the.

Speaker 1 (51:19):
Word, way, way way too. Much so it's kind of
like you With, riz you, know it's just too. Much,
WELL i don't use it as. MUCH i have, it,
yes BUT i don't know well off AND i used it.
Once it, worked and here we are twenty some odd years.
Later he's the reason we HAVE tv cameras in. Here. Yeah,
Well i'm a pretty, boy not the prettiest boy that's

(51:40):
normally in, here but he's on, vacation so today is
a very sort you definitely have the best hair of
the show. TODAY i have Some, no not, today not even.
Close spent a lot of time on, it do you?
Yeah what's the routine shower dry? Product pretty? Simple are
you a? Clay? No it's a gel, Okay, joe very

(52:03):
very very light jel. OKAY i. COULDN'T i, Mean i've
probably used the exact same product for let's say ten
or fifteen, years And i'm it's the same product and
the Same i'm AND i haven't no idea what it's. Called,
Like i'll see it And i'll buy it BECAUSE i
know WHAT i.

Speaker 8 (52:20):
Use.

Speaker 1 (52:20):
Recognize it's sitting on the, counter it's sitting in the.
Cabinet i've used it every day for the last five thousand.
Days AND i cannot place the product name right. Now,
man that's, impressive very important to, me HOW i, Look,
yeah it. Is it has, to you know what's.

Speaker 2 (52:36):
Funny getting ready for the show, TODAY i was, Like
i'll just show, up throw on you know, whatever put
on the, hat will go and Then i'm, going, damn
there's gonna be a moment where we might actually be on.

Speaker 1 (52:46):
Camera it's LIKE i have to. Shower, YEAH i Figured
i'd throw a shirt from a, buddy a little ram shirts.
Here got H town represent little ball, CLUB i mean
home of The astros here On Space City Home. Network
you guys do the. Driving appreciate that we. TRY i
mean we are. LOCALS i Mean i've lived here almost
my entire, life just four years In austin every other

(53:06):
years right here in the H so these are the
teams THAT i, Know these are the TEAMS i grew up. With,
obviously was in the clubhouse Interviewing Jeff, blum The Houston
astro many many years. Ago so been around for a
little bit of. History so since you were bringing up
hair AND i was bringing up sports and, goats it
actually fits, together does two of the, goats if you

(53:28):
agree or, Disagree and that's the point of the. Conversation
actually have bad. Hair lebron And tiger diminishing hairlines very
early In lebron's, case who's trying to hide?

Speaker 2 (53:40):
It came back a little, bit Poor Tiger, Man. Lebron
it might be, Genetics. Tiger it might be a little self.
Induced it's a little, prematurely.

Speaker 1 (53:51):
But ZERO i think there's almost zero issue with Using,
Hey tiger's the. GOAT i get The Jack nicholas AND i,
understand And i'm happy to discuss different. Errors that is,
fine BUT i wonder why we're the basketball side leaves it.
Open the football side's even. Worse but, LIKE i don't

(54:13):
think we should be Calling lebron the. Goat i'm not
trying to tell you he's not. Awesome he, is but
it just doesn't what's below a? Goat? THOUGH i, mean
there is nothing, else, Like, hey let's check out social.
Media what a great day birthday for two. Goats LIKE i,
KNOW i Know lebron is. Phenomenal it's. Phenomenal what he's,

(54:35):
doing what he is, doing what he's done for the
last five, years is what nobody else is ever going to.

Speaker 2 (54:38):
Do but you're not going greatest of all time in.
BASKETBALL i don't, Know, No but that's. Convincing that's not even.
Close well this is your? Goat, well is there a
goat specific goat in THE?

Speaker 1 (54:50):
Nba if you, ASK i, think if you ask just about,
anybody who's the greatest player ever ranked the top, Ten
lebron And michael are both in. It BUT i think
almost everybody's Putting michael at number. One, YES i, Agree
and nobody's putting anybody else at number one except For
lebron if they, do BUT i don't think they. Should
and you, Know i'll see IF i. CAN i can

(55:11):
set this. Up even if it's a generational. Thing there's
enough video and content out there for anybody to go
online and watch What Michael jordan did and look up
the statistics obviously to say that he is a. Goat
you watched him, play oh my. Gosh, yeah and that's
a little bit different from even our generation because Of
wilt and other Than Bill. RUSSELL i can't sit here and, say,

(55:33):
YEAH i watched him play well in the conversation where
most of us are, having And wilt's definitely another. OPTION
i do think people think he's the greatest of all.
TIME i think there's an element of who else was
on the. Court if he wasn't Playing Bill, russell then
he wasn't really playing. Anybody, yeah for the most, part
definitely argue. That and when we look at oh my,
god this guy's averaging thirty four points a. Game wilt

(55:54):
averaged fifty in a, Season so things are, different. Damn
but let me let me say IF i can set up,
This i'm trying to set it. UP i kind of
took you. Off. Cool, No, no we're. Good it's same. Topic
so the before the season, begins a lot of people
get access to media DAYS. Nba they sit down with some,
players ask him some, questions and in this, case it's

(56:14):
A lakers player being asked questions about a. Teammate The
lakers player is bronni and he's being asked about one
of his. Teammates his teammate is his. Dad so he
gets asked a few questions about, him and we'll listen
to a couple of his, answers and Then i've got
something for. You what team Did Lebron james play against
in his first?

Speaker 7 (56:32):
Game king, correctly what team Did lebron face when he
became the all time leading scorer IN nba?

Speaker 1 (56:38):
History when you're at that? Game how was that that?

Speaker 9 (56:42):
Game how many times Has lebron led the league in?

Speaker 1 (56:45):
Scoring last question was that we're giving you was how
many times Has Lebron james led the league against? Scoring
you heard in the first section of questions when he
became the all time leading? Scorer, Nobody nobody's done more
than him in terms of total. Points he's scored more than,
anybody and he's still going and this year is probably

(57:06):
not his last year. Either maybe his last year IN,
la but maybe not his last. Year so then the
question was asked to his, son who's on his. Team
how many times do you think he's led the league in?
Scoring just out of, curiosity throw throw guests out there
at the. People how many times do you think he's
led the league and points per game in a? Season? Five,

(57:27):
okay totally reasonable. Guests, yeah let's let's hear What bronni.
Guessed MAYBE i say like six on. One everybody thinks
that's a lot, more and this is by no Means, okay,
well then just pointing some things. Out he has been.
Awesome he's probably finished in the top five countless. Times

(57:50):
And i'm not saying he can't. Score i'm just saying
sometimes the belief in what you think has happened. Hasn't
AND i was actually talking about this the other. Day you,
know you had nine hundred and ninety nine hits and
this guy had a. Thousand well he hit a, Thousand
he hit the milestone, number so he must be way
better than. You or you just played last night and
you played thirty five, minutes you had twenty, points you

(58:10):
had eleven, rebounds and you had nine. ASSISTS i, mean
that's all, right this is double. Double this guy had
ten assists and ten boards and thirteen. Points he had
a triple. Double he was. Awesome he had one more
than you. Like So lebron finishing with twenty nine point
two points per game and the leading scorer of twenty,
nine there is something to be so much.

Speaker 2 (58:29):
Difference it really were in the consistency for the long
as he's been doing.

Speaker 1 (58:32):
It, now finishing in the top five AND mvp voting
over and over and over and over and over and over,
again and winning it as often as he. Has you,
Know jordan was six titles And lebron obviously with. Less
it will never. END i don't think there's Nothing lebron can,
do even if he somehow won another, title which he's
not going to do unless he joins a team that

(58:54):
can win without. HIM i don't think anything's going to
change with how we see these especially people that have
watched both of them play their entire.

Speaker 2 (59:03):
CAREERS i completely. Agree you, know you don't have to
convince me one. Bit it just kind of brings to
Mind Mike trout for me in the baseball, side because
he's such a phenom and you talked about the top
five AND mvp. Votings he's already won three or four.
MVPs he has been an incredible. Player but you, know
he's played two games in the POSTSEASON i think two,

(59:24):
Three SO i mean in being stuck In anaheim, Again Ari,
morino great, job great, players selling a lot of. Jerseys
but other than, that but he's never gonna get talked
about in those. Conversations he's going to be just an.
Afterthought he's going to be a. Guy remember that, Guy Mike.
Trout he was pretty good back in the.

Speaker 1 (59:39):
Year you have the same number of postseason homers IF
i only count extra inning games played At Minute Made
park while you were in A White sox. Uniform i'll
just count one it back in your whole postseason, career
and you have the same number of postseason homers As
Mike trout in his entire. Career And i'm counting all
of his postseason, games all three or. Three, yeah in

(01:00:00):
that amazing one for twelve that year was twenty, fourteen
he hit a homer so, sad so.

Speaker 2 (01:00:05):
SAD i, mean And tani wanted to get to the
playoffs and it's worked out pretty well for.

Speaker 1 (01:00:09):
Him it's amazing pretty.

Speaker 10 (01:00:11):
Well.

Speaker 2 (01:00:12):
Yeah, no BUT i you don't have to sell me On.
LEBRON i know it's his birthday and he's done this
for as long as He how is he going to
play another?

Speaker 1 (01:00:19):
Year, WELL i mean if he if he finds a
team that's willing to have him play the way he currently,
plays which is a. Paycheck. Yeah WHEN i say he
plays half the, GAME i don't mean he plays twenty four.
MINUTES i mean he plays when he's on this side
of half court and his team has the, basketball he'll
play on that. Side And i've said this for you

(01:00:41):
that kind of goes into your goat conversation. Too, yeah
and not to Assoulve michael of, everything because we do
have to consider this second time he came back and
His wizard's, career which was kind of embarrassing a little.
Bit so, yeah it's all part of. It it's all
part of the. Converse it's always a fun conversation as. Conversation,
no no better way to Salute lebron on his birthday
to be mean to him right here on THE a

(01:01:01):
team study on this afternoon on the eight, Team Jeff
blum here with. Us we're enjoying some Great louisiana Football Louisiana,
tech and we'll just call them. Coastal i'm not sure
where they're from BECAUSE i don't know much about college,
football and just call them. Coastal so somewhere on one of,

(01:01:24):
them so they could be we have a coast The
gulf Of, america so this could be a team Called.
Texas this could be a team From. California this could
be a team From. Florida all the states that are
along the coast could be. Coastal anybody being, Okay, coastal
take care of. Business Directional coastal state is now on
the Field, threeport the home for the Wonderful Independence. Bowl

(01:01:47):
we will have playoff football, again as college football knows
scheduling like no. Other if you want the longest postseason,
EVER i MEAN i can respect THE nba as they
try to eliminate twenty teams from their postseason by having
a play in, tournament then fantasy the, quarterfinals the, semifinals
the conference, finals and in THE Nba. Finals college football

(01:02:11):
only has twelve teams in the. Playoffs we are gonna
drag that son of a gun. Out it's gonna last.

Speaker 2 (01:02:16):
Forever we are gonna make money off this thing as
long as we possibly.

Speaker 1 (01:02:20):
Can, Bama, Oregon, ole miss and of course The hurricanes
Of miami winners ages ago back on the nineteenth and
twentieth of this, month and those four teams Against Ohio,
State Texas, Tech, indiana And georgia will now finally play
again beginning. Tomorrow miami And Ohio state tomorrow from the

(01:02:40):
great state Of, texas or of the wonderful high schools
In dallas able to house The Ohio State buckeyes for.
Practice a public, School Highland Park High, school which is really.
Nice that's where they practice a little bit for preparing
for The Miami. HURRICANES i love. THAT i, mean that's So.
Texas it's it's So. Texas it's. Great every year In

(01:03:01):
august And, september we'll see the posts on social. Media
check out this college football are this high school football? Stadium,
oh they just built this one hundred and four million
dollars high school football because we have like twenty of
them across the. State we got eight of them here
And news another. Pick it's, unreal so nice. Places so
we got The Cotton bowl, tonight The Orange bowl With
tech In, oregon first game of the day On, Thursday

(01:03:23):
indiana And bama in The Rose, bowl middle game of
the day On New Year's, day and almost In. Georgia
to wrap things, Up Ohio state And. MIAMI. A did
you Think miami was going to beat The aggies In College?
Station AND? B are they going to pull a second to? Upset?
NO i think they're. DONE i think they're.

Speaker 2 (01:03:41):
Cooked watching a lot of their games throughout the course
of the, season they are one of the more mercurial,
TEAMS i, think especially offensively With beck playing. Quarterback if their,
defense their defense can do all they. WANT i just
don't think they have enough to Stop Ohio. State BUT
i was thoroughly shocked that they went into Uh that

(01:04:02):
game is played At Kyle field. Too that's what blew
me away is that they actually beat them in In
College station AGAINST a AND.

Speaker 1 (01:04:09):
M i think it would have helped a little bit
atmospherically if that game wasn't at eleven, am if that
was a night, Game, yeah that's kindly under the. Lights
but it was really more About Marcel reid and the
offense For TEXAS a and m that's showing, enough little respect
To miami's defense for, sure but just missing receivers most
of the, day and they had some injuries in the
backfield going in and during the. Game so how Does

(01:04:29):
miami just they just beat? Them yeah they. Did how
does that make?

Speaker 2 (01:04:32):
You how does it make you feel when these top
seeded teams don't. PLAY i, MEAN i know we're trying,
to you, know keep the semblance of whatever the bowl
game situation. IS i don't know how to explain. That
it's just they're trying to hold on to the nostalgia
of actual bowl. Games but have these teams playing as
well as they have to be in a playoff. Situation
not playing home games kind of irks me a little.

Speaker 1 (01:04:54):
Bit, yeah there's you, know it's there's there's there's advantages of,
playoffs and the teams seeded five through eight get home
games one of. Them, yeah and nobody else gets any
home games the entire postseason other than those. GAMES i.
DON'T i, DON'T i. DON'T i don't like. That it's
really awesome in the Opening.

Speaker 2 (01:05:13):
Yeah it's awesome in the opening, Round but like you,
said with the timing and the situation they play these,
games why can't they just go ahead and blow the
whole thing up and say this is what we're, doing
a playoff, situation highest seed gets home.

Speaker 1 (01:05:24):
Game, yeah obviously to make this all, happen that was
all part of. It The bowl system was never it
was never gonna happen without them being, involved because there's no,
WAY i, mean we can't Send coastal And Louisiana tech
to The Fiesta bowl because the playoffs are being played
At Ohio state or At Texas tech And, lubbock which
would have been cool if If Texas tech had a home.

(01:05:44):
Game but they will Play. Oregon that's the first game
of the day On january. FIRST i Think Texas tech
as an. Underdog they're two and a half point dogs To.
OREGON i Think tech is going to. WIN i Think
tech's gonna win. TOO i don't. KNOW i haven't been
keeping up With oregon on how healthy they. ARE i
know there's a lot of weapons missing from that, offense
BUT i just Think Texas tech has too, much especially

(01:06:05):
on their defensive. Side, YEAH i think they're gonna show
a Little they're gonna show people that their, defense, well
The Big twelve probably wasn't as strong a conferences as
it could be and hopefully will be moving. FORWARD i
think their defense plays. EVERYWHERE i think what they've done
to the teams that were on their schedule shows you.
That and we'll find Out oregon's quarterback obviously one of
the better ones of the, country And Dante. MOORE i
do think they're a little bit healthier for this, game

(01:06:26):
SO i think you'll be seeing most of the best
of what they have to. Offer so it's up To
tech to show that they deserve that spot as The
Big twelve champ over the third best team seating wise
in The Big, ten Where West Coast oregon obviously.

Speaker 2 (01:06:41):
Plays watching you rack your brain for figuring out what
conference these teams are coming from is.

Speaker 1 (01:06:45):
Incredible, first we got confused by just the. Numbers, yes,
oh The Big ten with twelve, teams twelve, Teams, oh
THE pac twelve with FOURTEEN i don't. Know, yeah so,
yeah we want to bring back The pac.

Speaker 2 (01:06:58):
Twelve, okay, well who's going to BE i have no
Idea Washington state and that's. It Fresno, State, okay that's
gonna be the Whack light oh, great who's?

Speaker 1 (01:07:06):
Interested? Nobody Nobody indiana Has. Bama they're playing In california
at The Rose. Bowl BAMA i thought was very impressive
and how they took Down, oklahoma especially how they fell
down early and came all the way back and clearly
looked like the better. Team and maybe you're playing maybe
bring a little momentum, offensively and how they played in

(01:07:27):
that game into this. Game it's a simple. Question they're.
Undefeated the Butt Ohio state to win the. Championship they
got a late missed field goal to claim that. Championship
is any do you believe In? Indiana will they?

Speaker 2 (01:07:39):
WIN i don't, know BECAUSE i, mean so many of
those games have been so close in some of the
breaks that they've gotten to. Win some of those close
games are that great catch in the back of the
end zone And Penn state the missfield.

Speaker 1 (01:07:49):
GOAL i wonder.

Speaker 2 (01:07:50):
If some of the college football gods are on their
side and will they stay on their. Side part of
me wants them to go out there and play, well
just BECAUSE i like the story AND i Like signetti
in the way he's handled the situation At.

Speaker 1 (01:08:03):
Indiana is there a coach is there that he reminds
you of the way he talks to, us the way
he talks to his, team the way he. Acts he's super,
defiant lore so than, cocky and he continues to back it. Up, yeah,
NO i love. THAT i don't. Know you probably have
somebody in. Mind i'm trying to think of it because

(01:08:25):
the managers and all the other coaches you might have
been with that could have been like. That, WELL i
knew it wasn't, him AND i also knew it wasn't anybody. Here,
well Ossie gian was the.

Speaker 2 (01:08:36):
GUY i mean, HE i mean he blatantly said middle
through halfway through the, season saying we're going to win
The World series because he.

Speaker 1 (01:08:42):
Was, Honestly I'VE i had not realized how that fits
BECAUSE i would use the same word with. HIM i
didn't think he was overly cocky or you, know bragging
about what his team could do or how they would
play under His he was just telling you what he.
Believed i'm you don't believe in, US i, do that's on.
You and he handled us the same.

Speaker 2 (01:08:59):
Way he had certain expectations if it AND i feel
like that's How signetti is about. It And i'm also
curious About indiana just because talking About cal coming From
Cal mendoza going out there and.

Speaker 1 (01:09:10):
Doing what he's.

Speaker 2 (01:09:10):
DONE i want to see if that's a huge. Stage
but The Ohio state game kind of turned my mind
a little bit on What indiana can.

Speaker 1 (01:09:16):
DO a lot Of Mendoza's heisman winning stats came against
pretty much the also rans that were on their, schedule
and the tougher the. Game his performance was reflective of.
That their game against The oregon he was. Okay their
game Against Ohio, state while he was beaten up pretty.
GOOD i thought he Handled they won the. Game he
played to. Win he made the plays necessary to. Win
but again there's not he didn't come through with some unbelievable.

(01:09:37):
Performance and saying all, THAT i still think he was
a great choice with this year's group to win The Heisman,
trophy especially since it Meant Diego pavia would not win
The heisman Trip can you imagine if he won? It,
oh Dear, god we'd be talking about that this next.
Segment that's for. Sure great to be with you here
once again here in twenty twenty, five final time for

(01:09:57):
THE a. Team i'll actually do him solid, tomorrow be
filling in tomorrow from eleven to one leading Into longhorns
football as he will be making his way out To
New York city For New years and The. Rockets So
i'll be with you tomorrow at eleven. Am but last
of it for you guys on THE a. Team we'll
take it till six. O'clock we've got the nightcap coming

(01:10:19):
your way after, That Jeff blumknife's enough to hang with
us for this first couple hours of the. Program let
me give you this hypothetical for next season in college
football in the conference that just means more more likely
to happen next. Season Lane kiffin HAS lsu in the

(01:10:39):
playoffs after this season's seven and six, campaign or The
Arkansas razorback just one win TWO sec.

Speaker 2 (01:10:47):
Games i'm Taking Lane. Kiffin they won none this. Year
Zero and we were talking about winning by so. Much
you can lose by so much you still lost the.
GAME i mean there were eight LOSSES i think within
one score throughout the course of the season for The Arkansas.
Razorbacks AND i don't want to Blame Bobby petrino for

(01:11:08):
all of.

Speaker 3 (01:11:08):
Them.

Speaker 1 (01:11:08):
ALL i want to Blame Bill belichick's offensive coordinator.

Speaker 2 (01:11:11):
Offensive coordinator Or Sam. Pittman but at the same, TIME i,
MEAN i Love. ARKANSAS i didn't THINK i, would but
having three daughters there and being up there quite a
bit with some. FRIENDS i Know Hunter iroicek up, there
a couple of people that work for. HIM i actually
went to school At cal with So i've got a
lot of insiders up. There BUT i LOVE i love

(01:11:33):
how they are endeared to that. Program they have so
much hope every, year every, game yet nothing. Happens i'm
not SURE i couldn't even name the coach right, now
to be honest with, you right, Now.

Speaker 1 (01:11:46):
Shunnenfeld they saw still memphisis.

Speaker 2 (01:11:49):
Coach, okay, great that was not on my, radar but
winning two games in THE. Sec after seeing what their
schedule looks like next, Year i'm gonna take maybe the
under and say That Lane kiffin comes in ready to
fire immediately WITH lsu BECAUSE i think he's in a
unique position to replace a guy In Brian kelly that

(01:12:12):
had absolutely no purpose or reason to be AT. Lsu
i'm not AN lsu, alama AND i know that he
didn't fit their. MOLD i Think Lane kiffin could fit their,
mold AND i think he plans on coming in and
fitting what their expectations, are and considering what his contract
and the bonus to his contract being the twenty five
million and.

Speaker 1 (01:12:33):
Nil like you, said when does the portal open Up? Friday?

Speaker 2 (01:12:37):
Friday he is, Going he's GOT i would love to
see his schedule for the next two to three months
on what he's able to do and who he's going
to be talking, to because he is going to come
in and he wants to make a. STATEMENT i think
the second or third game of his season is going
to be Against Ole, Miss.

Speaker 1 (01:12:54):
And of course that is the reason he LEFT Nrg
stadium so, quickly because he had some phone calls to.
Make he had some there were some young men in
this area that he was probably looking to go talk. To,
Yeah Coach silverfield there At, arkansas they ended up losing
their final ten. Games they were the only team in
THE sec not to win any. Games but you're, right
they were highly competitive and almost all of, them but

(01:13:14):
just were on the wrong end of it because they
couldn't stop. Anybody put up thirty seven points against The
longhorns and a fifteen point. Loss it's just a, very
very very tough. Season college, football things can change quickly
if you have the right, coaches if you have the
right personnel. Staffs when we were in college eight billion years,
ago there was no such thing as a personnel director

(01:13:35):
of your football. Team there was no such thing as
a general manager of your football. Team those WERE nfl,
Positions those WERE nfl. Jobs college football teams have a
payroll and personnel people exactly like THE. Nfl just as
we heard from Coach sark. Earlier it's a totally different.
Era it's a totally different, way and what's mainly. Different
can you Imagine Nick cassario's got all these guys under

(01:13:57):
contract with The. Texans he's got multiple years remaining With
Will anderson AND. Cj. Stroud you, know he extended To
Daniel hunter to have him contract go through next, season
a third season here with The. Texans but when The
texans bow out of the, playoffs they're free to search
for a new. Team he has to re recruit them

(01:14:17):
to keep them, here even though he got them here
in the first. Place you imagine if everybody was a
free agent in THE, Nfl because everybody is a free
agent in college, football.

Speaker 2 (01:14:27):
No, cap Every agencyson bring it it is The Wild.

Speaker 1 (01:14:31):
West if there's twenty five quarterbacks in the portal and
the big programs take the best, ten and then the
next best programs take the next. Five but there were
twenty awesome quarterbacks in the, portal, well then quarterbacks sixteen
through twenty are going to land in a place you
might not have. Expected one of those places could be
at the bottom of a, conference a team that has
enough money to get that player and maybe have enough around.

(01:14:54):
Him but they're out there to showcase, themselves they think,
that and obviously to make. Money so it really can't
happen over. Night it really can't happen for just about. Anybody,
clearly money plays a over the table. Money it probably
needs to be a new, term not under the table,
money but over the table. Money it's, okay we can
pay these guys that they were already paying about.

Speaker 2 (01:15:14):
Going back and having the conversation because you, know you
always i'm gonna talk to my. Family i'm gonna do
what's best for me and my. Family you literally have
to say that now because YOU'RE i, mean you're getting
some pretty good. Cash but at the same, time would
you imagine sitting at the table, going, YEAH i Think
i'm gonna resign With, clemson.

Speaker 1 (01:15:29):
LIKE i think this off season in college think or
so that's really The it should have dawned on. ME
i heard it for the first time this last week
And i'm, like this is. Crazy resigned and their social
media side of, it they're posting pictures of these players
sitting in somebody's office, signing like they do when you

(01:15:50):
sign a free agent craft a player for The astros
and he comes into the, office he puts on the,
uniform he gets, introduced and twenty minutes earlier is In
Dana brown's office. Signing first these guys are they are re.
SIGNING i wonder if they take visits LIKE i want To,
lure But i'm gonna take a visit And i'm Gonna
i'm gonna VISIT. LSU i KNOW i was here for the,

(01:16:11):
year but it's on their. Dime i'm gonna take a
visit to my own. Campus see what things are like this.
Year buy, me buy, me show me. Unbelievable, yeah that's
the state of things that absolutely and without a. Doubt
so is boris branched into the college, Athletics, well it is,
IT i know on the foot like being that you
know some of the football agents on THE nfl, side
even some of the super prominent. Ones those guys up

(01:16:33):
there technical college, agents but arms of their, corporation athletes
first or. Whoever of course they're. Agents these are working for.
Players there's a player that just hit the, portal a
five star receiver From, AUBURN uh just hit the, portal
intends on hitting the portal when it opens On. Friday
and he is, again he doesn't have a quote unquote

(01:16:53):
agent under you know that he. Works he's he's working
with an, Agent David mulageda that is athletes first in THE.
Nfll he's the one who was with all these, Players Micah, PARSONS,
Cj Derek Stingley. Junior he's one of the BEST nfl
agents at doing What he's making tons of money for his.
Players so in other, words he's doing a phenomenal. Job

(01:17:14):
that's what they're paying him to. Do and now he's
going to be on the phone with Coach sark or
coach whomever all across the. Country and that's what life
is like now in college, football and there's no going.
Backwards there can be some controls that maybe come. In
maybe there's SOME i don't know if there's ever a
cap Like sark was talking about earlier we played for.

(01:17:35):
Him maybe there's more certification for the people that you
are handlers if you, will or agents if there is.
Certification but, man they opened the. Door they everybody knew
this was going to. Happen heck, yeah, Anyway.

Speaker 2 (01:17:47):
Yeah go for it. AGAIN i Am we talked About Anthony.
RINDALL i ain't met at the guy forgetting the, money
never forgetting.

Speaker 1 (01:17:54):
It never met at you for spending a couple hours
with our listeners here as you have many times in the.
Past hopefully we'll. Go it's a chance to do this,
again long before the extremely long string training portion of
our lives begins again in twenty twenty. Six, NO i
would look forward to doing it.

Speaker 2 (01:18:08):
Again always good being on with you and sitting in For,
clanton but always good being on the. Radio it's a
nice way to spend the off. Season, yeah AND tv AND. Tv, Yeah,
hey back On Space City why.

Speaker 1 (01:18:18):
Not Space City Home. Network it has gone off very
well with the launch of sc H n. Plus talk
to a lot of people who have either people who
already had access to it now that it's launched because
of their cable, provider but it is even. Necessary so
it's been a nice, one, Man you're good at this,
Ability you are really good at. This i'm out of
shape right. NOW i got to get back in shape
and be able to deflect those. Muscles it would be

(01:18:40):
even easier if someone was handing me a card SO
i would know exactly what to. Say BUT i have all.
THAT i do that all. Myself, Yeah i'm on stage.

Speaker 2 (01:18:48):
Manage i'm a little more spoiled and diva ish compared
to WHAT wex. Does but, yeah it'll be. Great and
keep your ears open BECAUSE i Interviewed Jeff kent just
a couple of. Weeks hall Of Famer Jeff, KENT x
teammate and Ex Golden Bears Jeff. Kent we had a
very good conversation and that should be coming out after
the first of the, year and that's gonna be a good.

Speaker 1 (01:19:05):
One, awesome awesome. Stuff thanks to be with you. Here
another couple hours of THE A team in your future and,
mine stick around.

Speaker 6 (01:19:13):
THE A team On Sports talk seven.

Speaker 1 (01:19:15):
Ninety we're on THE A team On Sports talk seven
ninety And Space City Home. Network working, Tomorrow, yeah some
people here. ARE i will be working, tomorrow but on
The Matt Thomas show from eleven to one one o'clock.
Tomorrow we start coverage of The longhorns And wolverines in
The Citrus bowl tomorrow, afternoon kick off at two. O'clock

(01:19:37):
so with us here on the eight, team this will
be our final. Voyage we'll be back with you in
twenty twenty. Six ac will even make his, return and
we Appreciate Jeff, Blum Chandler, Rome Chris gordy and all
that have filled in for him as he has been.
Out and we've gotten you to the end of the.
Year we've gotten to week eighteen in THE. Nfl we
know all the. Scenarios texans are very. Simple they win

(01:20:00):
and they will be no worse than three or. Five
if they win and The jaguars, lose, well they just
won the division for a third straight. Year they would
also have a nine game winning. Streak they would also
have a third straight division, championship and that would also
mean they've been nothing but division champions Since Demiko rions was,
hired SINCE. Cj stroud was, drafted Since Will anderson was

(01:20:20):
drafted ten minutes. LATER i don't think that says a
whole lot and other than the, obvious because that is
no longer the goal for this, team it's always the
goal to win the. Division but when you've won the
division in back to back seasons and win it, again
that's not nearly. Enough demiko has even said. THAT i
think it's very. Obvious nobody needs to say, it but

(01:20:41):
progress is what you, want and this team hasn't yet
made Any they made progress from being a laughing. Stock,
clearly they were awful for three seasons prior To tomiko's.
Arrival they didn't have a, quarterback they didn't have any,
talent and they weren't trying to. Win they were trying
to build a team for the Post Deshaun watson. Era
season In houston was a disaster from a win loss.

(01:21:02):
Standpoint he actually was pretty productive and had one of
the most remarkable statistical seasons ever for a team that
was eight games under five hundred and obviously he didn't
play again, here and there were a lot of reasons,
why utilizing the asset that he was though turned into
three first round, picks turned into a bunch of other
assets which then were used in other. Trades And Nick

(01:21:24):
caseario deserves a tremendous amount of credit hasn't always gotten,
it not even from. Me or others covering this team
because of one area of great concern right there on
the offensive, line but the respect for what else they've
been able to. Do AND i talked about it a little,
yesterday AND i don't think this aspect of what he
and his personnel staff have done gets enough, credit gets enough.

(01:21:46):
Discussion and it's the in season. Work most of the
work you're gonna put together in the off season is
why you're gonna get from nine to eight to twelve and,
five why you're gonna get to a wild card loser
to A divisional round. Winner the free agenc that you,
had the players you draft in the first couple rounds
of the OFFSEASON Nfl, draft that's what's going to make

(01:22:06):
you make significant, strides turn your team from a six
win team to a nine win, team a nine win
team into an eleven win, team and things like. That
that's obviously how The texans did, It but in season
work probably gets, overlooked and it shouldn't not when it
pays off the way it has For houston During casario's time.
Here Adding Derek barnett in season paid off huge for this.

(01:22:28):
Team last, year Adding Kevon wallace just for an, EXAMPLE
i don't think anybody paid much attention to it When
Kevon wallace was added to the practice squad this season in,
season and probably didn't pay much attention to him when
he was on the practice squad here for a couple of.
Weeks wasn't paying much attention to him when he was
made an active roster player as an elevated, Player and

(01:22:50):
then you probably paid quite a bit of attention to
him this Past saturday when he had a very sound
game for The texans defense at safety at a position
that has been turning over all season. Long Kamari laster's
played every game at, Corner Derek Stingley junior's played every
game at the other, Corner Kayln bulock has played every
game at a one safety, position And Jalen, petrio outside

(01:23:12):
of the three games missed due to, concussion has played
all those games in the slot as their slot, corner
their other, safety and the other safety position has just
turned over. NonStop traded FOR. Cj Gardner johnson in the.
Offseason that lasted a couple of, games both, losses then
they turned it over TO.

Speaker 4 (01:23:29):
Mj.

Speaker 1 (01:23:30):
Stewart he got hurt for the year a couple of
games later then they turned it over To Miles bryant
for the most, part And Jalen reid was mixed in
there a little, bit one of their rookies they drafted
out Of Penn. State he has been hurting off the
field most of the, time but at other times he
was able to fill in in some of those spots
when he wasn't ON Ir and then they turned it
over again this past. Week wallace went from never playing

(01:23:53):
to playing almost every snap and was a huge part
of their strong defensive game Against Justin herbert and The chargers.
Tackler recognition of what they needed from, him where he
needed to, be where he could help this, team what
his responsibilities, were AND i definitely think they did upgrade
From Miles. BRYANT i Thought Miles bryant played some pretty
good football. HERE i think the more he, played the

(01:24:14):
less sound it. Became AND i think maybe The raiders
game pointed that, out and so they moved in another.
Direction but having the ability to figure it out during
the season when you don't have much to pick. From
Demiko ryans doing some in house media work this. Week
he brought Up JaMarcus ingram and if you Notice JaMarcus

(01:24:35):
ingram has been one of their most productive special teams.
Players his cornerback has not been on the field as
a cornerback for The, texans but he's a gunner on special.
Teams they added a mere speed for a couple weeks
on special, teams But ingram was first guy down on the.
Field he has performed his job, well which is making
sure he's got the edges covered and then if, possible

(01:24:56):
go ahead and make the, tackle which he has also.
DONE i, mean it might not sound like, much but
when you're talking about this particular team that had five
close game losses in their first eight games of the,
year all of their, losses by the, way were one score.
Losses there three, wins they were all double figure. Wins
they were blowouts, mostly and then they're they beat The

(01:25:18):
niners by. Eleven the two other games were one sided
blowouts twenty six zip and forty four to. Ten the
other five games were all, close they were all one score.
Games they didn't win any of. Them that's the margin for.
Air since, then during this eight game winning, streak they've
had six more one score. Games they've won them. All
any little piece of detail that gets missed you, know

(01:25:41):
a tipball you should have tipped or. CAUGHT a fumble
on the ground that you do not get should have
go through your. FINGERS a miss, assignment a. Miscommunication that's
the difference between a win and all a miss. Kick
the most accurate kicker IN nfl, History Cameron, dicker not
only did he miss one to, kick he missed, two

(01:26:01):
both under thirty five. Yards one on an extra, point
one on a field goal. Attempt it's four. Points he
won by four. Points there should be zero concern in
The chargers land About Cameron. Dicker of, course there should
be no. Concern he's. Great he's a pro. Bowler he's
the greatest kicker they've ever. Had you could, argue but

(01:26:21):
that particular day he missed two, kicks and otherwise the
game's totally. Different at least you would presume it could
be headed to, overtime although The texans probably play things
a little bit. Differently if The chargers' last touchdown tied
the game when it was twenty to, ten it could
have been twenty to thirteen and was twenty to, thirteen

(01:26:42):
and they score a, touchdown, well if they make the extra,
point it's twenty a. Piece, heck they might even go
for two if that's how the situation played. Out SO
i doubt The texans are running out the clock in
a tie. Game they're probably trying to win the. Game
that's how close this team plays. It not every team
that has ten to, eleven twelve thirteen wins plays nothing
but close. Games but The texans, do and that's the

(01:27:04):
way they like. It that's the way they do. It
That's i'm not advocating for. IT i do think it's
a little element of THE. Nfl for the most, part
most teams are probably gonna play in six to eight every.
Year texans already played in. TEN i don't know how
much stock will put into or eleven excuse, me how
much will put into the final game of the, season
depending on how it's. Played, LIKE i don't credit OH.

(01:27:25):
Cj stroud he started and won the last game of
the year last. Year, well when you look at the
stupid statistic of quarterback, wins he'll get one for. It
he played six, snaps it was a meaningless, game so
he didn't play the rest of. It texans postseason situation
was already. There it's not this. Time texans can still
be three, five, six or. SEVEN i think the assumption

(01:27:49):
is The chargers are going to. Lose Trey lance is
starting against The. Broncos The broncos are at, home and
they need to win to ensure they are the number one,
seed which is a, huge huge bonus to the seven
teams in THE. Afc if you have, that you only
got to win twice and you don't have to leave.
HOME i think they'll be playing to, win AND i
think The chargers are worse When Justin herbert is on the.

(01:28:10):
BENCH i can only imagine what it would have looked
like last week if that Wasn't herbert out. THERE i
don't know If i'd be allowed to say this IF
ac were. Here But Justin herbert did play. Well Justin
herbert did make plays that most other quarterbacks won't, make
not against That texans pass, rush and not with that
offensive line in front of, him which was awful in
that game and should have been just. Overmatched they were

(01:28:31):
not very, good haven't been against most. Teams they were
not very good against The, texans and when they also
have the ability to stop the run like they, Do
hampton did next to. Nothing their leading rusher was their,
quarterback which is still a huge. Concern quarterbacks all across
the league that have been playing against The texans, defense
maybe outside Of Josh, allen have run the, ball scrambled very,

(01:28:53):
well too well against The texans one area of. Concern
continue on that. Discussion got time to hit the. Phone
so one, three, two one two five seven Ninety nick
joining us here on THE a team This tuesday, Afternoon,
nick appreciate you joining. Us what's on your? MIND i
GUESS i got a.

Speaker 4 (01:29:10):
Question what changes did The texas make to the line
over the last eight?

Speaker 11 (01:29:15):
Weeks did they change personnel or did they just start
killing and actually playing like they should be.

Speaker 1 (01:29:20):
Playing they changed personnel and they unfortunately had to change
it again for this. Game but for five weeks during
that eight week period that you're talking, about they were
able to put the same group out. There Trent brown
has had gotten healthy and made his way to the
starting right. Tackle they Bumped Titus howard inside and Ed,
Ingram Jake andrews And Arianta urseri were the other four

(01:29:41):
linemen with, Them so that five player group became the
starting group that was on the field for five consecutive,
starts and it was among the best played games they'd
had on the offensive, line not, overwhelming probably not one
of the best offensive lines in the league or anywhere
close to, it but now no longer playing football on
a weekly basis at a, deficit playing football where your

(01:30:03):
quarterback where there Was Davis mills who was in there
for part of that, time and then C. J stroud
for the remainder of that, time where they were under
duress far too. Often this last, week with both tackles,
Injured ursery missed the game And brown missed the, game
they Bumped howard back. Out they Had Blake fisher starting
at left tackle And Jarrett patterson started on the interior

(01:30:26):
of their, line and they played fairly. Well their pass
protection was comparable to what it had. Been and again
everything's not sacks and quarterback. Hits but two consecutive games
now C. J stroud has not been, sacked one sack
got wiped off the board due to, penalty and he
was hit only on a couple of occasions in that.

(01:30:47):
Game if that, continues they're going to. Win they're going
to be successful. OFFENSIVELY i firmly believe that if he
has time to throw go through his, progressions there will
be receivers, open there will be catches. Made The texans
will put up more than the twenty. Points it seems
like they're scoring, regularly and they will advance in the
playoffs beyond where they have so. Far a. Team want

(01:31:09):
to get you a little bit of a basketball. Chatter
appreciate the question about The texans offensive. Line one other
THING i could mention to add to the changes they
just made for this, week and we'll find out tomorrow
a little bit more about the status Of ursery and
Brown ersery had the thumb, injury brown with the leg.
Injury whether or not there's maybe a chance they want

(01:31:30):
them to play or are able to play this. Weekend
but when they sent out that group to start the
game against The chargers With fisher And patterson among their,
starters that was the ninth different offensive line starting combination they've.
Used it was their sixteenth, game and it was the
ninth different group they've. Used the group they just replaced
for that game had played the most together this. Season

(01:31:54):
they had started the last five games, consecutively and really
at no other point this season had they been able
to put the same group out. There for two, reasons
they weren't very successful or there were injuries that they
were dealing, with and for those five weeks they obviously
were able to keep those guys healthy and they were
playing at a level that no longer had them scrambling
through their roster saying maybe we should try this, guy

(01:32:14):
maybe we should try that, Guy maybe we should look
outside the organization for. Somebody it's not a very good
circumstance to, begin continue and make their way through a.
Season but you could argue when they get to the,
postseason if everybody's, healthy that'll be the best group that
they have found all season. Long based on some of
the more recent, Results Rockets basketball not a fully healthy team.

(01:32:34):
Either there was no opera In shingoun last. Night but
we've now seen a handful of games For Dorian Finney.
Smith we've gotten the return Of Tari easan and he
has put himself into the starting. LINEUP i say he
has because he's played well enough and earned the right
to be there and said very clearly that's where he
wants to. Be AND i think his reasoning behind it
is absolutely, awesome because he does bring an element that

(01:32:55):
this team was lacking to the, court and the last
three games that has been evident they've had three straight.
Blowouts last night's win over The pacers the third of those.
Three But Steven adams left the game with the ankle
INJURY i just mentioned the calf injury For Alprin shangoon
had him. Sidelined head coach Imy doka appeared on The
Matt Thomas show With ross earlier, today AND i want

(01:33:17):
to give you a little bit of. That if you
want to catch it in, full you can right there
At Sports talk seven ninety dot com or via The iHeartRadio.
App but portion of E may's comments for you, here
beginning with his update on the health of the big.

Speaker 3 (01:33:32):
Men albring is, better much much. Better went through a
good workout today feeling much.

Speaker 4 (01:33:39):
Better So i'd say he's probable for the, game hoping
to have him back ninety PERCENTIS i.

Speaker 3 (01:33:45):
Guess And steven had a.

Speaker 4 (01:33:47):
Little, swelling little, stiffness but felt better after the game
with some treatment last, night so hopefully have.

Speaker 3 (01:33:52):
Him back as. Well but we'll know a little bit
more how you feel it.

Speaker 12 (01:33:55):
Tomorrow Did steven happen hurt on one particular? Player was
it just the progression of him playing?

Speaker 3 (01:33:59):
Minutes? Oh he wrote it on a play he fell.

Speaker 4 (01:34:02):
OVER i don't know if you remember that in the
Third oh, yeah over with, somebody and, yeah he basically
tweaked his right ankle. There didn't land on a foot or,
anything but it was wrestling with somebody and it just rolled.

Speaker 12 (01:34:12):
Over you, mean why would any grown man want to
wrestle With Steven. ADAMS i mean every time he goes
down to the, GROUND i feel like the other guy's
body is gonna break into like fifteen.

Speaker 4 (01:34:20):
Pieces, well, YEAH i mean he got the first two
or three offense three rebounds of the, game and they
subed some guys out to come in and box the.
Mountain the couldn't, either so eventually you're gonna have to tackle.
Him and that's what happened on the.

Speaker 12 (01:34:32):
Tackle all, Right so let's get to. It first of,
all you. Won the game was comfortable for three. Quarters
it kind of got kind of weird in the. Fourth
we wanted bringing that. Up they were the worst three
point shooting team in THE. Nba they were making a
boatload of. Them that had to shock you a little.
Bit and then the turnover count started to get high
on the rocket side. Too but other than, that it
was a dominant performance By, durant you got Your Barie

(01:34:53):
smith doing his. Thing you got a Man, thompson so
you were able to stand missing out for a couple
of games and get some nice victory still despite the.

Speaker 4 (01:35:00):
Absence, YEAH i, think you, know with some guys that
normally don't make shots and make, shots and we're willing
to live with those and so we know those percentage
will come back to earth. Eventually and for, us it
was really stay of the, course take away what we
wanted to make it tough on other guys and, those
LIKE i, said in the second, half the numbers dropped

(01:35:21):
from three point, percentage and we did a lot of
good things guarded at a high. Level, OVERALL i think
offensively been sharp and our spacing and attacks have been really.
Good and so that's the result you get in these
last three games is really good defense on, point decisive chrisp,
offense and comfortable.

Speaker 12 (01:35:38):
Wins you, KNOW i Think kevin's been a fifty to
ninety guy for much of his.

Speaker 1 (01:35:44):
Life field, goal free throw three point.

Speaker 12 (01:35:46):
Percentage it feels like it's been ninety percent of his rockets.
CAREER i don't want to say you're, amazed because this
is what you brought him here for but it feels
like there's such fluidity from his, shots say fifteen feet
and in would you, agree, YEAH i.

Speaker 3 (01:36:00):
Mean those are almost like a layup for.

Speaker 4 (01:36:01):
Him and so you, know his mid range has always
been a you, know big part of his, arsenal one
of the best to ever do, it and let alone
the last fifteen years or, so and you know he
can rise up over those guys very, efficient get to
his spots and it's almost it's almost. Money so not
surprised at. All you, know the reason we brought him
here was because of. That the efficiency hasn't dropped at,

(01:36:22):
all it's Not he's even more efficient as you're getting.

Speaker 12 (01:36:24):
Older H jabbari has a nice streak of going fifteen
or more for you and that's always a nice way
to have that in the back, pocket it's to catch and.

Speaker 1 (01:36:32):
Shoot, threes which are really. Good it's that fade away from.

Speaker 12 (01:36:36):
Ten what do you think has changed most the most
improved part Of jabbari's offensive game so far this?

Speaker 3 (01:36:43):
Year i'd say the physicality and being.

Speaker 4 (01:36:47):
Decisive he's driving it, better taking contact better and getting
too his spots and so not getting knocked off his
off his drive as. Much so you, know just his
body in general on both sides of the. Ball you,
know he's more comfortable with the physicality of the game
and opportunity as.

Speaker 3 (01:37:01):
Well you, know when you.

Speaker 4 (01:37:02):
Look At jalen And dylan and Then fred going, down
that's three starters from last, Year so he's going to
be in a different role with that starting.

Speaker 12 (01:37:09):
Lineup Eman doka with us here On Sports talk seven to.
Ninety all, right so the month Of december goes seven and,
six you obviously would like to have gotten to at
least ten. Wins what would you say the ups and
downs of this last month for your?

Speaker 4 (01:37:21):
SQUAD i would say that up so that we played
really good basketball at, points you, know lately of, course
but even in the, losses you, know we had big,
leads and two of those losses or Played denver really
close and had some late game, meltdowns and so there
were a lot.

Speaker 3 (01:37:36):
Of good things that you did in those, games you.

Speaker 4 (01:37:39):
Know that got masked because of the late they game
breakdowns or fouls at the, end and then the match
would be those late game meltdowns and letting the leads slip.

Speaker 3 (01:37:48):
Away and so find the balance.

Speaker 4 (01:37:50):
Of doing what we did really well to build those
leads with staying consistent.

Speaker 3 (01:37:53):
Throughout and not letting us have those.

Speaker 4 (01:37:55):
Roles to lose two fourth quarter leads like that and
then foul Against New Orleans Van denver to you, know
let them back in their game and lose over times
is obviously not a.

Speaker 12 (01:38:04):
Positive he may did last year around the league teach
everybody a little something about not sweating the standings too. Much,
obviously you want to be in seeding and you love
to be in the two, seed But Golden state didn't
know they were gonna be the seventh seed until the
playing round and you had constant. Shuffling is that something
you can live with, that you know, what you want

(01:38:25):
to win every. Game you know there's gonna be a
few bad losses in the, mix but if you're gonna
sweat those, things you're gonna be miserable a lot more
times than you are when you celebrate good.

Speaker 4 (01:38:33):
Victories, yeah, definitely standings are you, know less important honestly
with the with the play, in you don't know who
you're going to play if you're one of the two,
seed and the, seven, eight, nine ten are all really good,
teams especially in The, west and so you know it's
a matchup thing in the, playoffs and sometimes certain massives
are worse depending on seating or just a team in.

(01:38:55):
General and so for, us it's really about playing good.
Basketball we want to do that at all, times but
especially late in the. Year being healthy at the right
time and kind of hitting our.

Speaker 1 (01:39:03):
Stride healthy at the right time is. Key we just
talked about it with The, texans and obviously The rockets
will be in the same. BOAT i think they've, been you,
know pretty pleased with how things have gone on that.
Front you had a, guys you, know misshandful of games
here and. There you just heard him give the update
on Both Steven adams And Alfred, shangoon and as of,
today the hope is that they will both be ready
for the game in two. Days they Played january first

(01:39:25):
five o'clock tip From, brooklyn and two days later they'll
have The. Mavericks we'll see if that plays out that.
Way their schedule does change pretty dramatically from how it
has laid out through the first thirty. Games we've talked
about it so, much but a reminder of what is
going to be very very different for The, rockets even
just over their next thirty. Games they had a, very

(01:39:46):
very travel wise and frequency wise easy opening. Schedule they're
still at the bottom end of the league in terms
of total number of games. Played they've only played three
back to. Backs they still have eleven to go over
their final fifty two, games and they play every other
day the first ten days, first excuse, me fifteen days

(01:40:07):
of the, month and then they have a back to
back on the fifteenth and. Sixteenth they have another back
to back exactly a week. Later they have another back
to back less than a week. Later that's all during
just the month Of, january their month Of. January not
only is it all those, dates they basically they got
one day off max between any. Game they've got four

(01:40:30):
out of or five out of their next six are
on the. Road so, again they're not quite to the
point in the schedule where it's gonna start balancing it.
Out they're about to go right back in the other.
Direction they're at the top of the league a number
of road games played near the bottom of the, league
and home games played just twelve of. Them they have
the fourth best home record in THE nba at ten and.
Two they just have not been there very. Often so

(01:40:52):
that's the first six games Of. January you got a
five game home stand immediately following. That that's eleven. Games
you have seventeen games in thirty one days Of, january
and that includes three sets of back to. Backs it's
good that The All star break comes about ten days.
Later on the, eleventh they'll play their last game that
will be a back to back in one place against

(01:41:14):
the same, team whether they get The clippers here In
houston on back to back, nights and then many of
The rockets will have a week. OFF i don't Think
durant's gonna have the week. Off If Alpurn shingoon is,
HEALTHY i don't think he will have the week. OFF
i think both of them will Be All. STARS i
think there's a possibility there's an additional. One it's probably
just those. Two maybe somebody else will be participating In

(01:41:36):
All Star, week but we shall. See that's a, tough
very different portion of the next month and change that
they have to get through that they have not yet
been dealing. With a should every weekday. Afternoon halfway through
our number, three we hit you with our signature. Segment
you just heard it is say what on A. Tuesday
so we got a couple of things to get to.

(01:41:56):
HERE i don't reference this great new asset to everybody
here CHAT. GPT i, MEAN i don't have any homework to,
do SO i don't need it that. Often i'm not
writing a lot of papers or legal documents WHERE i
could use some, assistance even though that would be a terrible.
Idea but JET gpt does. EXIST ai does. Exist it

(01:42:17):
can give you some, assistance some, guidance or maybe just
the flat out. Answers so somebody decided And i've seen
one of these. Previously but where we are in THE nfl,
season it seems to fit CHAT gpt Predicting Super bowl
champions for the next fifty. Seasons, yes The texans are

(01:42:37):
slated to win The Super bowl at least once in
the next fifty, seasons but according to JET, gpt that
will not be with anybody on their current, roster because
they're going to win back to Back Super bowls the
First Super bowls enfranchise history in twenty forty three and
twenty forty. Four one of the next fifty champions will

(01:43:01):
be a team that does not currently exist nor is In.
America The London monarchs are going to take home The
Super bowl championship in twenty sixty. Eight Now i've only
had a chance to do a quick glance and run
through and try to make SURE i see every team on,
there BECAUSE i have noticed one team that isn't on.

(01:43:22):
There over the next fifty, years you got The saints,
winning got The browns, winning got The lions, winning a.
Couple ravens are, There steelers are, there The panthers are.
There every team in THE Afc south is. There you
got one for The, titans you got one for The,
colts you got one for The. Jags The jets are
even gonna win. Twice but AS i continue to look

(01:43:45):
at the next Fifty Super bowl, WINNERS i seem to
notice only one team that does not. Appear The raiders are,
There The giants are. There there we, go there's two.
Teams The giants are one of. Them was going to
be even better IF i couldn't find them anybody. Else

(01:44:06):
but The giants And cowboys look like the only two
teams not expected to win The Super bowl according to
The All Knowing CHAT. Gpt, now let's actually use this
for something of value here before we get to another
item and, say what how about the next Ten Super bowl?
Champions because what these teams look like today actually matters

(01:44:26):
who wins it in thirty. Years according to this is,
Stupid SO i just wasted some of your. Time my.
Apologies The, rams who just lost last night to The
falcons and will enter the postseason as a road. Team
CHAT gpt wants you to well get behind The rams
for this Upcoming Super bowl, victory followed By Jalen hurts
and The, eagles followed By Caleb williams and The, bears

(01:44:51):
who will be in the playoffs this, Year The Buffalo,
bills presumably With Josh allen The Super bowl four years from,
now And Drake may and The patriot win their First
Super bowl since The Tom brady era in twenty twenty.
Nine so the next Five Super bowl winners are all
teams that are in this year's. Postseason the Five Super

(01:45:13):
bowl winners that follow none of them are in this year's.
Postseason The chiefs are there, Twice they're not in the
playoffs this. Year they've been in THE nfc title game
for more than half a decade in a. Row they're
gonna go five more years without winning The Super, bowl
and then late In Pat mahomes', CAREER i guess they're

(01:45:35):
gonna win it twice in three. Years chat cheechp gpt
good for some. THINGS i guess good for a segment
like say, what but not really good. Otherwise got this
release from THE nba earlier today and struck me as.
Odd WHEN i first looked it, over it seemed like
it made a whole lot of sense BECAUSE i know

(01:45:56):
he's not playing. Sons Jalen green fine twenty five thousand.
Dollars that's WHAT i first. Read i'm, like did he
leave the? Bench did he get a technical when he
was on the, Bench did he for some reason get
interviewed after a game and say bad things about the.
OFFICIATING i didn't think any of those things. Happened. NOW

(01:46:18):
i actually had seen after a recent close game, victory
one of his teammates getting. Interviewed Mister, gillespie who has
been very very good this, year very very good this,
year partially because he's gotten so much playing time Because
Jalen green has had so little playing. Time Jalen green
has played two games this, year, unfortunately following the trade

(01:46:39):
to The Phoenix. Suns he's been healthy for just two.
Games he was hurt when the year began with a hamstring.
Injury he returned in Early november for one full game
on a minut, restriction and then hurt his hamstring again
in the second game and has not played. Since looks
like he will probably not return until just After theckets

(01:47:00):
And sons get together here In houston Next. Monday it's not,
definitive but it looks like the latest update and where
things trending with his, INJURY i wouldn't rule it, out
but it doesn't look like he will make his return before.
Then so how did he get a twenty five thousand
dollars fine from THE nba while he's not playing but
hanging out with the, team sitting on the, bench traveling

(01:47:21):
for road games like this particular road game after a
one fifteen one oh one victory over The Washington. Wizards
his teammate was getting interviewed on the court after the
game and he, joined.

Speaker 12 (01:47:33):
My teammates have been Finally, yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:47:42):
Did you hear the? Players Colin gillespie, said oh my,
god because he was. Shocked why did what'd you curse like?

Speaker 9 (01:47:50):
That?

Speaker 1 (01:47:50):
Jalen for no? Reason it. Happens it's happened here In,
Houston it's happened Elsewhere it's happened with lots of, players
happens at the podium all the, time happens with, coaches
and THE nba usually steps in after the fact and,
says that's going to cost you twenty five thousand dollars
just for reminding his teammate during a live interview that
the game doesn't mess with. Him i'm sure it was worth.

(01:48:14):
It they'll go to a, charity won't mind too. MUCH
i think he'd rather play basketball than draw fines for
other teammates postgame. Interviews but until he, does that's how
he has been part of the team. Now one last
thing on the injury side of, it they had said
back on a little over a week ago it would
be two to three weeks before he would next be
evaluated for that right hamstring. Strain so that's WHY i,

(01:48:37):
said right in that, range you might see a real
evaluation at the beginning of the flip of the, calendar
and maybe that lines up to things are going well,
enough BUT i would say pretty unlikely that he. Returns
one THING i didn't mention yesterday was the first returns
ON Nba All star balloting were released yesterday. Today by the,

(01:48:58):
way is a three votes for one day you vote,
one they get tallied three. Times so if you'd like
to assist with any of your favorite players that might
play for The rockets that might be Named Kevin durant
Or Alprinshing, Gun we'll feel. Free go right. Ahead you
can do. That today would be a great day to do.
That but WHEN i saw the first, returns there were
a couple of things that stood, out a couple of
things THAT i definitely would not have. EXPECTED i don't

(01:49:20):
think many people would have. Expected and it's talking about
some of the best players in the league and where
they sit at least in terms of fan, voting not
THE Ndlb all or anything that's popularity. Contest so what
it looks like for them first returns after the highest
vote getter had a little over a million, Votes So
i'll get to. That we come back on the other.
SIDE a couple Of rockets obviously are in the top

(01:49:44):
twenty in The Western conference and voting is a little
bit different this. Year so just a couple of things
that did stand out THAT i did not expect with
fan voting for THE Nba All star. Festivit he's coming
up in Mid. February Correct. Visio appreciate that wex here with,
You josh with. You we'll get back in action as
a full. Trio and the beginning of twenty twenty six

(01:50:05):
here on THE a team brought up something on THE
nba SIDE i wanted to get to here and a
couple of things on the rockets before we get to
the final hour of the show today and football at
five of, course coming up at five. O'clock first Returns
All star voting released. Yesterday not really a big surprise
That Luka doncic And Gianni sonatakunmpo are the leading vote,

(01:50:27):
getters not only overall but in their respective. Conferences that's
sounds right on. Point, obviously both of them are still
playing at a very high. Level one of them is
dunking in a seven point game with five seconds left
and not caring about, it AND i Love giannis for,
that and the other one's leading THE nba in. Scoring
That's Luka, Doncic Nikola, Jokich Steph curry two and three

(01:50:50):
in The, West Hue Gildge alexander fourth in The. West
i'm already wondering if you're surprised THAT i haven't mentioned
anybody else's, name yet one, name in, particular the supposed
new greatest player face of THE. Nba he's played, great
his team's played, great And Victor Webbin yama is fifth

(01:51:11):
In All star. Voting it's a great place to. Be
it's well respected. Place he's got over seven hundred and
sixty thousand, votes but that was. Surprising if the international
appeal wasn't, Enough he's also played like An All star quite.
Obviously he's obviously missed some, time but returning to THE
nba this year after how his season a year ago
was cut short a couple of very impressive performances by

(01:51:33):
he and his team against the seemingly Unbeatable Oklahoma City.
Thunder another one of their, matchups by the, way was
just bumped into primetime television coverage for later this. Year
but only. Fifth that's pretty. Surprising you also see that
of those top five vote getters in The, West International

(01:51:55):
canada which we'll call international because it is International international
And Steph, Curry Kevin durant eight Behind Debbie avdia of The,
blazers who's statistically, speaking has put up an impressive. Season
he's done enough scoring and rebounding and assisting when he's
not flopping for fouls to have put up a pretty

(01:52:17):
good stat line on an awful basketball. Team so just
ahead Of Kevin durant got about five hundred and fifty thousand,
votes but he's also just ahead Of Lebron. James also
find that a little bit. Surprising fans are probably doing
it correctly though there are Three lakers in the top,
ten But lucas probably The All. Star Austin reeves will

(01:52:40):
get a lot of coach and player. Support he will
make The All star team if he plays enough over
the next couple of weeks because he's currently. Hurt But
Lebron james is also by the fan vote actually being voted,
ON i think kind of. Respectively, respectfully he should not
be one of the highest vote. Getters it's a popularity
contest for, sure so they can do whatever they, want

(01:53:01):
not right or wrong, necessarily But i'm surprised that this
is how it has. Started there's a couple more. Returns
you can see things changes as we get closer to the.
Game not that it's of great, significance but LIKE i,
said it just kind of stood out to. ME i
did not expect to see. That Kevin durant, Eighth Alprin shingoon,
eleventh and way way way behind those in the front

(01:53:21):
of the. Line we'll see if that changes over the
next couple of. WEEKS a one THING i wanted to
point out since we heard From imadoka a little over
twenty minutes ago here talking about the team and some
things that clearly they've been doing, well and it's just
such a shame they're not twenty three and seven after
winning those games on the road that they should have

(01:53:42):
won but. Didn't they should absolutely be no worse than twenty,
eight twenty two and. Eight it's not about who you
played and what's on your, schedules about how you played
to develop a sixteen point, four fourteen point fourth quarter
lead and a twenty five point third quarter league you
outplayed the team that isn't very good for enough of
the game that you should be able to put it,
away and two times they were unable to do. That you,

(01:54:03):
know the giveaway, game The, kings The, pelicans even the
way they lost to The nuggets on that road, trip
not counting The clipper, game there's nothing wrong with that
loss from you should have. Won they never should have
won that. Game they got embarrassed and blown. Out you,
know The rockets are shooting three pointers well this, year
and it's remarkable with basically two to three point. Shooter
three three point shooters out off of last year's team

(01:54:26):
Because fred hasn't, Played jalen's not here And Dylan brooks isn't,
here and one three point shooter in With Kevin. Durant
that's the difference last year when you look over The
rockets numbers as it related to the rest of the.
League AND i think we all knew this all throughout
the season because we talked about it so, much because
it seemed like it was one of the things that

(01:54:46):
was slowing them, down preventing them from kind of taking
a second step towards the. Top their record was fifty
two and. Thirty they were the two seed in The,
west so clearly some steps had been, taken but they
couldn't hit. Threes they finished the year twenty first last
year in THE nba at thirty five. Percent it's. Bad

(01:55:07):
it's a bad three point shooting. Team and, again three
point shooting overall in THE nba is up this, year
not just in quantity but in success. Rate so thirty
five percent got them twenty first in THE NBA a season.
AGO i gave you the personnel, changes that's pretty much.
It Because Dorian Phinney smith hasn't been on the court
enough to impact that. Figure The rockets will head into

(01:55:30):
play probably in a couple of days as the second
best three point shooting team in THE, nba and they've
been there all. Year they have been, first second or
third almost from basically since the third game of the,
season since they lost their first two and didn't shoot
three pointers well in those two games against The thunder
and The, pistons both close. Games they've BEEN i don't
want to say they're red. Hot this is just who they.
Are are we not ready to assume that. Yet they're

(01:55:53):
right at forty. Percent they're thirty nine point nine. Percent
and here's how you get. There you got the top
twenty five shooters in the. League they're shooting forty two
percent or. Better all of the top twenty five three
point shooters in the league that qualify for the league
titles as we sit here right, now five of the
twenty five Are. Rockets five of Them Reach, Shepard Joshua,

(01:56:14):
Kogi Aaron, Holliday Kevin, durant and number one in THE
Nba Tarry. Eastan Tarry easton was shooting about fifty four
percent when he went on the or got shelved with
the oblique. Strain he's shooting a little bit worse than
that since he's return but he's still holding steady at
forty nine percent on the. Season, obviously A kogi holiday

(01:56:35):
In eastan don't have a tremendous number of, attempts but
they do qualify and that's why they sit on this.
List Kevin durant has a ton of attempts And Reached
shepard going from being just last. Year if you'd want
to be truthful with, it and we should, be and
they are. Facts he was a bad three point. Shooter
the numbers are what they. Are whether it was lack
of playing time that he didn't earn so there shouldn't

(01:56:56):
be more of, it or whatever reasons you want to.
Pay you know that when he would go into, games
how he would play all that. Stuff the numbers are
what they. Are he was a bad three point shooter
last year he got thirty four. Percent he was a
bad two point. Shooter he was. Awful he shot thirty
seven percent on twos last. Year. Well he earned the
playing time this, year and he's earned more of it
as the season has gone, on and it's paying. Off

(01:57:18):
he's hitting fifty percent of his shots inside the three point.
Line it looked like last year he was too afraid
to ever go inside the three point line and take a.
Shot doesn't look like that this, year not only getting in,
there but connecting from in there fifty percent on, twos
forty two percent on, threes and its effective field goal
percentage is fifty seven point seven, percent among the best

(01:57:40):
on the. Team this team that was almost all about
defense last. Year still a good defensive team this, year
but not quite as, good and they've had too many
stretches where they're really not as, good but they're. In
they's a flat out on an elite offensive team this,
year great shooting. Team they shot fifty nine percent in
one of the three wins this. Week The lakers couldn't stop,

(01:58:01):
them The cavs couldn't stop, them The pacers couldn't stop.
Them they're number two in THE nba in offensive. Rating
they're going to finish the year in the top. Five
it looks like in both offensive and defensive rating they
are threats to win The. West football at five is.

Speaker 6 (01:58:15):
Next THE a team On Sports talk seven.

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As A Rockets.

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Speaker 1 (02:02:18):
To here at five O'clock football at five because so
many different little items that need our. Attention texans related
AND nfl related and college football related and a reminder
of the college football tomorrow will be what you're hearing
right here on these very. Airwaves With texas And michigan
getting together in The Citrus, BOWL i will have that

(02:02:39):
for you with coverage beginning at one o'clock after The
Matt Thomas show concludes with me hosting the eleven to
one o'clock portion of the. Show you'll get an extended
edition Of The Morning drive tomorrow BECAUSE mt will be
making his way To New york For brooklyn And Houston
rockets basketball on the. First they'll continue that trip In

(02:03:00):
dallas on the third before turning home to Play, phoenix
so we'll start. There on the college football, FRONT i
just texted our good Friend, ac my co, host who's
not here today but on, vacation and told him he
should have made his vacation plans for that bowl. Game
you should definitely have gone to The Citrus. Bowl he
should definitely have gone to see The longhorns And wolverines get,

(02:03:23):
together mainly because of the. Sponsor not only do they
have the cheese At bowl, happening BUT i saw a
picture from somebody who's covering the. GAME i don't know
if this is out on the concourse for the general
public or somewhere in a media, area or maybe for the,
players but they've got A sampler's bar for the. Kids

(02:03:43):
food THAT ac loves so, much the cheese flavored cracker
product known As Cheese. It's and at that sampler, bar
you know when you go to the hotel and you
get the continental, breakfast the Copp to breakfast that you
paid for with your, room and you go and get
your little bowl and put it under the cereal, dispenser
and you get out your cheerios Or Lucky charms or

(02:04:05):
whatever cereal you should be bypassing because they have much
better food there that's. Offered but it's a bin like,
that a little server like. That you turn the knob
and out it. Comes they've got. Cheese it's out the
wazoo right. There ten different, flavors, original of course is.
One you get the snack. Mix you can Get pesto

(02:04:26):
and mozzarella. Flavored you can Get buffalo wing, flavor cheddar Smoked,
gouda hot and, spicy extra, cheesy extra, toasty and of
course jlapeno and scheddar. Jack being that he is not,
HERE i feel like he's missed. OUT i doubt he's
tried them. All he probably would love to if he

(02:04:48):
had the. OPPORTUNITY i would. NOT i know he's tried the.
Cheese it's homemade, cheese its with dipped in chocolate. Sauce
BUT i don't need any of. Them but if you're
going to the S Citrius. Bowl that's what you have
in store for. You this is actually serious. News brought
it up, earlier said we would get to it, later
and it has to do with Former Houston texans wide

(02:05:10):
Receiver Stefan. Diggs one headline Reads Patriots Stefan diggs accused
of attacking personal chef in paid. Dispute earlier, today some
of these details had not been, released but it was
known that a court proceeding was set to take place
interesting on some of the dates that were originally scheduled.

(02:05:31):
For there was an indictment from an incident taking place
On december, second which was just a day After that's A,
tuesday was day after they had Played Monday night football
in a very lopsided affair against The New York. Giants
felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges
were what came from this, incident and there was a

(02:05:55):
courtroom proceeding. Today they have some questions about when the
next one will. Be their requesting to extend the arraignment
date To march because the current date Is, Friday january twenty,
third it's a couple of days before THE afc championship,
game which they may or may not be a part,
of may need a couple of wins to get there.
First but police, report again originally earlier in the, day

(02:06:17):
was not yet. Released it has since been and that's
why that headline read as. Such the alleged, victim who
identified herself as diggs personal, chef initially hesitated to file
Charges i'm reading this from A boston news story due
to his, fame but later changed her mind provided a
detailed statement describing the. Incident during a dispute over. Pay

(02:06:39):
the victim Claimed diggs smacked her and placed his hands
around her, neck causing her to struggle to. Breathe the
lightheaded reported pain and difficulties swallowing after the alleged, assault
so feeling the effect of strangulation could have blacked. Out
claim she feared for her safety and thus the. Charges
they'd been texting about the, money and there is now

(02:07:00):
a redacted. Report his attorneys, responded initially refuting the, claims
of course denying any culpability. There THE nfl and The
patriots also put out statements essentially, reading until more stuff comes,
out this is the only statement we'll. Have we obviously
are sensitive to, this that and the. Other but again
from the, teams nothing really was said and doesn't appear

(02:07:22):
that there's any imminent discipline Or commissioner's exempt list stuff
as even a possibility at this current. Situation but that
could obviously. CHANGE i don't know if it'll change in short.
ORDER i don't know if it'll change this. YEAR i
don't think That Steffan diggs has been problematic on the
team side at all this. YEAR i don't think That

(02:07:44):
Steffan diggs was problematic on the team side in any
way here In houston either certainly never felt that, way
and obviously a season was cut short due to. Injury
but while he was here In houston there obviously were
some off the field situations that came to, light and
now here In england they are not the same, ones
but there are more off the field. Issues whether or

(02:08:05):
not they took place in the manner she described obviously
is not yet known or not yet ruled. Upon it
might never be publicly. Known there certainly can be a
decision made on. It but back in the middle of
something that OBVIOUSLY i think most people would like to
avoid is where he is. Now don't know if effects
their team in any. WAY i would imagine it affects
a lot of, people himself included in a certain. Way

(02:08:26):
AND i will refrain from tying this story to the
next story because there is zero connection to it other
than the fact that they are both in THE nfl
and their. Brothers The cowboys decided it was time before
their final game of the season two part ways With
Trayvon diggs placed him on waivers. Today it was VERY
i don't, KNOW i haven't seen too many seasons like

(02:08:48):
this because he was on the field a little. Bit
he was not able to play a little, bit didn't play.
Well their defense was a, joke just, awful among the
worst defenses in THE. Nfl we're about a week away
from them looking for a NEW dc When Jared jones
Fires matt eberfuluiss but with one week of pay remaining
about five hundred thousand dollars on a very lucrative extension

(02:09:09):
he signed a couple of years ago after he did
have a remarkably good season and then follow that up
by immediately getting hurt before the season started and really
hasn't been the same player. Since probably not going to
be claimed on, waivers but PROBABLY i would say there's
a good possibility a team adds. Him after that adds a,
team obviously a team that's still playing, football one of

(02:09:30):
the fourteen teams that makes the. Postseason it seems like
there would be a way for him to at least provide,
depth give you a cushion if there are injury. Situations
it wouldn't surprise me at all if that. Happen it
would surprise me if someone wanted to take on five
hundred thousand dollars to beat everybody to the waiver wire for.
Him SO i don't know that he'll be, claimed but
we will wait and. See texans made one roster move
today and reportedly another one is coming on their practice.

(02:09:53):
Squad released these two players in the last couple of
weeks right before games because of different roster. Situations but
a Mere speed was recently released And Solomon byrd was recently.
Released both cleared, waivers and both look like they're headed
to The texans practice. Squad In speed's, case it's. Definitive
it's been announced he is back with The texans on

(02:10:14):
their practice, squad so would be eligible to be part
of their fifty three should that be. Necessary this weekend
it played a lot of special teams for. Them it
was very. Good another one of Those Nick cassario in
season editions THAT i think has helped this team went
needed And Solomon. BYRD i was curious why they signed
him in the first. PLACE i don't know if this

(02:10:35):
if they were concerned that he was getting get signed
off of their practice, squad but he was signed to
the active roster a couple weeks. Ago he was let
go earlier with the addition of a couple of players
from ir and put on the active, roster And Aaron
wilson is reporting that he will be back with the
team after no claim elsewhere and be part of their practice.

(02:10:57):
Squad told you yesterday The texans Activated Justin. Watson they
will have two other players whose practice windows have opened
but have not been decided upon coming up As Johnnie,
carter their defensive back who played a little bit on,
defense mostly on special, teams another player added in season

(02:11:17):
that immediately stepped in on special teams and helped this.
Team and the other one Is Darryl, taylor the defensive
end who was on a rotational basis basically their three
reserve defensive ends throughout much of the year Where Taylor
barnett And Dylan. Horton so obviously they've been playing the
last basically half the season Without, taylor So i'm not
sure what their thought is on. THAT i wouldn't shock

(02:11:40):
me if he wasn't, activated would also end his, season
meaning he would no longer be eligible to be. Activated
but he's practiced the last couple of. Weeks obviously the
same as true SINCE i mentioned the practice window had
been opened for both of those. Players but a, decision timing,
wise has come to, pass AND i think that comes
in the next couple of, days and so they have

(02:12:00):
to figure that. Out just from a roster, standpoint LIKE
i said on the receivers And Justin watson really not
understanding why he was, ACTIVATED i don't know what they
need seven active roster wide receivers. For and AGAIN i
guess maybe late in the season is just where we
have another spot, available because a spot to designated a
return that we can, use so we might as well use. It,

(02:12:23):
obviously his time had, expired so he would have been
lost for the. Season that's probably the reason for, it
AS i talked my way through. It but he's number
seven of seven as a wide. Receiver he, too probably
has a role on special teams if he is an
active player for their upcoming game against The. Colts mentioned this,
earlier but just to get it out there, again The colts,

(02:12:44):
reportedly And i'm sure Tomorrow shane steike and will acknowledge,
it they're going to Start Riley leonard against The. Texans
he's yet to start a game this. Year he threw
the last pass in their last game because it was
a Hail mary got a better arm Than Philip, rivers
and he got in the work after the injury To
Daniel jones that ended his, season The achilles. Injury he
got the remainder of the snaps that. Game that's pretty

(02:13:05):
much all he's played this. Year it makes more sense
to take a look at a player you've held onto
all year and hope that he can. Develop but as
we've noticed around the, LEAGUE i, think maybe most notably
what's going on In Kansas city with their third string
quarterback who's on the practice, Squad Chris. Alodocun he's been
there for a couple of, years AND i don't know
that you can notice any development. Whatsoever he was their

(02:13:27):
quarterback in the game last week against The broncos where
they couldn't do anything, offensively anything. Whatsoever, sure a couple
of players were, missing but that really had nothing to
do with. It development at the quarterback position definitely in
THE nfl an absolute lost. Art texans backup quarterback has paid.
Off The niners backup quarterback has played. Off these are

(02:13:48):
two teams heading to the, playoffs largely because they won
with their backup. Quarterbacks Mac jones In San francisco and
Obviously Davis mills here In. Houston much more here to
come on the football, side we'll hear from some of Those. Texans.
Next hit a little bit more into The Houston, texans
specifically their elite. DEFENSE i think we talked about it

(02:14:13):
enough to know that we feel that is the best
defense In texas. History it's definitely among the top defense
of THE nfl this, year if not the. TOP i
think it is the best defense in THE. Nfl there's
some metrics you can look, at some numbers you can look,
at or even the eyeball test that might have you
answering somebody else you'd be, wrong but you're more than
welcome to do. That we can call and talk about
it or hit up social media and have an unnecessary.

(02:14:34):
Debate here's where The texans rank first, defensively total yards
allowed per, game points per, game first downs per. Game,
well LIKE i, said there's two other smaller, known lesser
discussed areas statistically where they also might rate that. Well
specific From Demico ryans after the game this past, weekend

(02:14:58):
wanted to get to one common on that before he
continue on the defense as he talked about why they
were able to take care of business defensively overall and
the work that they got done up front again as
an elite. Defense the defense showed up with another impressive.

Speaker 9 (02:15:12):
Performance this guy's been playing lights out all year every single,
game but the way the d line showed up. Today
may sack at the sack is really putting pressure on
the quarterback getting him. Down it was really cool to
See barnett.

Speaker 1 (02:15:28):
Get a couple. SAgs just a lot of different guys got.

Speaker 9 (02:15:30):
Sacks, Barnett will d', Niels, rankins everybody was. Involved Coach
rodd has done a great job with those guys all.
Year we needed them to play big today and they.

Speaker 1 (02:15:39):
Did there's no question about. It and it was against
an offensive line that's been doing that allowing that pretty
much all season. Long Justin herbert among the most sacked
quarterbacks in THE. Nfl not playing this week should prevent
him from winning that nobody Wants it title this. Year
they'll probably go to Cam. Ward but The texans defense
got a couple of sacks From Derek. Barnett he's. No

(02:15:59):
third on the, team very limited playing. Time he plays
twenty snaps a, game roughly five. Sacks Deniko autrey did
have a sack wiped out by. PENALTY i think it
was a correct. Call it's unfortunate because he probably would
have had the sack, anyway but as he was tumbling
down trying to Bring Justin herbert, down his leg went

(02:16:20):
up and he tripped. Him did look like it was,
intentional but either, way it's the right. Call he had
another great game And i've got one more note on
him and Daneil hunter And Will anderson have obviously been
awesome all. Year fourteen sacks on the season For daniel
during the last eight games for The, texans obviously all.
Wins he's second in THE nfl and sacks Only Miles

(02:16:41):
garrett has. More he's fourth overall this season in sacks
with those, fourteen And will with his twelve part of
a sack this past. Weekend, also they were. Great they
stopped the, run as they have all season, long and
that takes me to the other some of the other
numbers for This texans DEFENSE i gave you where they're.
First total yards is very good way to look at the.

(02:17:01):
Defense it's also very simple about the yards per, play
because if your offense is keeping the other team off the,
field there's limited number of snaps for them to, have
and The texans rate very well in time with the.
Possession they're in a bunch of games this year where
they've been plus thirty, three thirty four to thirty five
or even more yards per. Play The texans aren't first

(02:17:22):
in any, area but they're top four, overall and they're
also top four in passing yards allowed per. Play they're
top five in THE nfl in interception, rate third overall
in the. League they are top five and third down,
percentage allowing less than thirty five percent conversion on third.
Down they're actually also top seven seventh in fourth down,
percentage and they've gotten up to right at the midpoint

(02:17:45):
in the league in red zone. Defense i've brought this
up a lot because last, year they were terrible in
the red zone and terrible in goal to go. Situations
it was really WHAT i thought was holding the defense
back from being referred to as. Elite among the other
areas they've improved on well the. Time now in the
red zone they have. Succeeded, now gold to go is
a different, story but it actually tells two. Stories there

(02:18:08):
is currently as we head into the final game of the,
season there's one defense in THE nfl that has allowed
every single goal to go possession as a defense to
turn into a, touchdown and that Is, houston thirty second
in the league out of a thirty two team, league
one hundred percent rate on goal to go for their,

(02:18:33):
opponents they score every, time every. Time the other story
that it tells when you look a little bit deeper
into that one hundred percent, number they've played sixteen. Games
their opponents have visited the red zone fourteen, times easily
the league's lowest. Mark they never get. There it would

(02:18:55):
be nice to stop. Them but let's say on the
next five times an opponent gets, there maybe there is
that stop and all of a, sudden a dramatic change
in your. Percentage because it's such a small, sample. Side
it's only happened fourteen times the entire season that a
team has gotten into a goal to go. Situation it
happened twice last, week obviously The chargers. Scored it only

(02:19:18):
happened once in the five games that Preceded saturday's win
over The, chargers in five games against The, Bills, Colts, Chiefs, Cardinals. Raiders,
granted some of those teams aren't. Good they they've got
goal to go one time against The texan. Defense it'd

(02:19:39):
be great if their percentage was a little bit. Better
keep in mind number one in the league is at
sixty two. Percent it's you're gonna succeed in gold to go.
Situation one hundred percent's a bit, much but a little
bit more information tells you a little bit more about
that portion of the. Story So dimiko again will go
to his comments From monday about the why they have

(02:20:02):
an elite.

Speaker 9 (02:20:02):
Defense once our offense gives us seven, points like you
should be a mentality that that's enough for us to
go win the football game and.

Speaker 3 (02:20:11):
We still have.

Speaker 9 (02:20:11):
THINGS i feel like we can clean up and play
even better to not have some of the, miscues to
allow some of the touchdowns to, happen and you, know
we continue to play with that edge and play with the.
Mindset if you have an, edge you have all those
great defenses that you, mentioned, right there was a there
was an, Edge it was a it was a mindset
with all those, defenses physical. Physicality, right there is a

(02:20:35):
pride level to those defenses that you know you weren't
going to get a yard on, Us and that's the
mentality that you have to have to play great.

Speaker 1 (02:20:43):
Defense probably need to again give a nod to Both
Nick cassario And Demiko ryans and everybody else that is
doing it right on the personnel, side especially. Defensively there's
clearly a mentality that these players. Have when you Heard
demiko talk about injuries yesterday and guys are, saying there's
no Way i'm coming out of this. Game there's no
Way i'm not going back into this. Game the style

(02:21:05):
of play that they, employ the coaching that they're taking
and then taking it into. Games he was talking About
Henry totoe's work this. Week that was one Of henry's
best games and it came off one of his lesser,
games and he's had a kind of an up and
down season in that, regard there were times where he
was off the field because of. It because of the
addition OF. Ej speed and the health of aziz Al,

(02:21:25):
shire they had some, issues and so they went With
speed a little bit, more and then they've gone back
To henry a little bit more depending on the type
of offenses that they're, Facing and this weekend's offense had
him on the field a whole heck of a lot
more and he had a fantastic game around the. Ball,
sure tackler also been an issue for, him like any
defensive player at, times it usually comes around and you

(02:21:48):
have some games where you just don't tackle the way you.
Want he don't get a whole lot of work on
it and practice because you're not practicing against another team
and it's not training camp and you're trying to get
through the season. Healthy so it is a difficult skill
to continue to. Master but the mentality of these, players
learning who these players, are what they're actually made, of
that's not. Easy you can look at, film you can study,

(02:22:11):
tape you can go to college football, games you can
do all that, work and you can really get a
good idea of what the player looks like when he's playing.
Football but knowing what that player's made of and what
he'll do to win, games to lay it on the
line for, teammates to do everything necessary that he possibly,
can to make others around him, better to help lead
whatever it. Is figuring that out is, hard and knowing

(02:22:34):
who to talk to to get that, Information trusting the
people that you have lined up to give you that,
information what coaches you rely, on what, programs who you
have friends, with and what parts of the country that
do know, players talking to the player, himself getting to
know the, player learning a little bit about, them their,
family et. Cetera all those things play into, it and
an additional area of why you draft the right players

(02:22:55):
and why you keep finding players that help this, team
not just in the first, round not just in the
sund and, round but all over the. Draft Like Nick
cassario has done, WELL i think credit does need to
be given obviously to the players who are then following
through on who they are and what they've, done but
on the staff of figuring out who those guys are
and knowing more about, them knowing that they will be you,
know culture fit. Players they want guys to do exactly

(02:23:17):
What demiko, Said oh you gave us a seven to nothing.
Lead forget, it it's. Over not gonna lose this. Game
you're not getting any yard on. Us it's Why Kamari lasser,
is you, know among the league leaders and passes defense
while also being among the defensive back leaders and tackles for.
Loss he's just got a great. Mentality it's why he
was back out there on the field after the injury
suffered in the. Game and this is a player you

(02:23:39):
drafted with a forty second. Pick the defense, specifically a
couple of individuals need a little shout out. HERE i
give you the pass rush win rate rankings and run
stuff win rate and the offensive line rankings all the,
time and they're updated again for this week on the
edge just edge players top twenty in THE. Nfl The

(02:24:01):
Texans Daniel hunter is obviously, there And Will Anderson junior is.
Fourth now they also have one other player. Defensively he
has been starting since the injury To Tim settle and
is playing starters reps who's playing reserve reps before, that
got a contract his sension during the season this, year
and he is number one in THE nfl for these.

(02:24:24):
RANKINGS espn puts them Out. Monk defensive, tackles run stop win.
Rate basically your, matchup do you win? It stop the?
Run It's TOMMY tojii number one in THE, Nfl Deron,
Payne Quinnin, williams other great names you might know ahead
of all of them among defensive. Tackles stopping the. Run

(02:24:47):
that's how you win football. Games that's how you build
a team with, depth and this area of need is.
Massive two defensive tackles have been lost With settle And,
edwards AND tojii has been phenomen stepping in for.

Speaker 6 (02:25:01):
Them THE A team On sports talking the final.

Speaker 1 (02:25:06):
Hour of, today it's actually the final hour of THE
A team here in twenty twenty. FIVE i hope you
enjoyed our edition of the show, today very best of
twenty twenty five, show because we don't do countdowns like,
that so we didn't do that today. Either now we
will have in case you missed. It that's what we
do here a couple of items we need to revisit
again or items we have not gotten to at. All,

(02:25:26):
josh what do we have? Today we got a few
ones for you.

Speaker 13 (02:25:30):
Today if it was wondering maybe uh you mentioned this
earlier With diggs's Brother trayvon being, available should The texans
kick the tires on? Him because there have been some
injuries and some. MOTIVATION i don't, know does he seem
like a swarm type guide to?

Speaker 1 (02:25:45):
You, uh that's an interesting way to pose the. Question
if you had just said should they kick the tires on?
HIM i would easily have said. No and this is
just moments AFTER i, said, yeah one of the teams
that's continuing to. Play there's gonna be fourteen teams that
are the. Postseason wouldn't shocked me if one of them
added him to the. Fold, AGAIN i believe they could
do so in a practice squad, capacity If i'm not,

(02:26:07):
mistaken not necessarily an active roster. Spot BUT i don't
Think texans are among those, teams even though safety is
a bit of a. CONCERN i don't one hundred percent
know If Jalen reid is not going to be available
at any point the remainder of the. Season. Specifically demiko
was asked about him and specifically, yesterday but said, generally

(02:26:32):
when guys are ready to come back from, injury i'll
let you. Know so that would obviously help. Things Kevon
wallace is going to start and Actually according to their
unofficial depth chart with the new week and new, release
he's actually listed as the. Starter he And Miles bryant
are the ones that they have on the active. Roster
there isn't much, there like you, said on the practice,
squad but simple, ANSWER i don't Think Trayvon diggs is

(02:26:54):
going to be part of the twenty twenty Stix, texan
twenty twenty Five, texans or any version of The Demico
ryans defense moving. Forward but LIKE i, SAID i think
he could end up. Elsewhere he'll certainly have a team next,
year BUT i don't know about this. YEAR i ASSUME
i assume he's. Healthy he has played here In, december

(02:27:16):
but that was a big concern over the course of the,
year and clearly the downturned to his career once he
signed that big deal with The, cowboys the significant injury
he suffered right before that. Season after the, deal it's
obviously turned him into a, very very different. PLAYER i
didn't think he would get a second eleven interception season
after he did so as a second year. Player but

(02:27:38):
he also hasn't played pretty, good not played very good
football essentially ever, since and he's missed more games than
he's played over the last three. Years what else do we? Have,
YEAH i mean that was the.

Speaker 13 (02:27:48):
Thing it's just we were talking yesterday right like, lasted
or what happens to one of these top two if
the one of these top two corners go, down completely
Different texans.

Speaker 1 (02:27:56):
Defense so something to keep in. Mind well to, me
like you, Know Treymon smith is the next guy in,
line AND i Mentioned Jalen reid among the safeties group
and probably should have leaned more on the corners. Group
Trayvon digg strikes me as a very similar player to
that when the other team's coordinators up in the, booth
see who comes into the, game and they're gonna throw

(02:28:16):
out them every single. Time, yeah don't don't like those, Players.

Speaker 13 (02:28:21):
No you want as few of those guys as. Possible
so this is a perfect pivot here. Too twenty twenty
Six Pro Football hall Of fame. Finalists so we got
a list, Here shefty tweeted it. OUT a couple guys
jump out right, away of, Course Drew, Brees Larry. FITZGERALD
i don't know how you say no to those. Guys
anybody else intrigue you with this group that looks like
a no.

Speaker 1 (02:28:41):
Doubter, uh, well let's run through the, list And Drew
brees is definitely no, doubt and those two that you
mentioned all are both no doubt or so. Yes they
absolutely jump out at me as there's just no there's
no possible way the way the voting is set up
that would prevent them from getting. IN i know there's
voters that if this was just a you get the
twenty four people together that vote and they just, vote

(02:29:01):
it would be one. Thing but the fact that they
actually talk all this stuff, out and people go in
front of the voters and make cases for these, players
it shouldn't be very hard to keep anyone from kind
of going rogue and, saying, ah he'll get in, Eventually
i'm not voting for. Him there's no reason to ever
do that in any. Sport if they played that, way
put them, in you have the space on your. Ballot

(02:29:23):
and the other sports for, sure especially with the ballots
we're seeing In Major League, baseball a lot of people
the deadline has, approached and so we've seen a lot
of people post their ballots AND i can't believe some
of the stuff that we see baseball writers vote. For
but there's hundreds of. Them So Drew brees' first year
of eligibility for the Famous San Diego chargers, quarterback first

(02:29:43):
year of, eligibility and it should be his last year of.
Eligibility there's no reason for him not to get. In
same For Larry. Fitzgerald the elite of the. ELITE i
think when we brought up the semi finalist a couple weeks,
ago we talked about his postseason performance when they were
in The Super. Bowl it's something that some receivers don't,
have either because they didn't get there, enough or they

(02:30:04):
just didn't have overwhelming performances in the postseason when they were.
There shouldn't be necessarily be a. Deterrent it's just something
they don't. Have he has. It he was an unstoppable
force week after week after week after week and into
The Super bowl that year for The, cardinals and it's
just everything you would want in A this is A
hall Of fame wide. Receiver it's very very. Simple Jason

(02:30:24):
witten is a first year eligible candidate and he's made
it to the top fifteen the finalist. LIST i kind
of feel like he's the guy who they will decide
not to put in because of the dumb first ballot.
Nonsense there's no other tight ends on the. Ballot there's
not that many tight ends in The. Hall Antonio gates

(02:30:46):
is in The. Hall Jason witten was better Than Antonio.
Gates he's one of the best five tight. Ends he's
certainly one of the best three or four tight ends
of this. Generation he's a no Doubt hall Of fame.
Player And i'm gonna sit here and, Say i'm not
sure he's getting in this, year AND i think that.
Sucks but that's how they. Vote that's. Fair you got
him Over Antonio. Gates tell me Why i'm. Wrong that could.

(02:31:09):
BE i, Mean i'm Just i'm not looking at any
numbers or.

Speaker 13 (02:31:12):
Anything just a gut feeling, thing just watching those guys
for all those, years And gates did have the ped.

Speaker 1 (02:31:17):
THING i wonder that plays a.

Speaker 13 (02:31:20):
Role witten was more consistent and maybe for, Longer but
it feels like at their, Peaks gate.

Speaker 1 (02:31:25):
Was just a better Football so maybe he was an,
accumulator a stat filler as opposed to maybe a little
more on the dominant side For Antonio. Gates maybe a
feeling like, that, yeah just off of, memory no, facts
just off of. Memory, Yeah Antonio gates eleven, thousand eight
hundred and forty one yards. Receiving it's pretty nice. Total

(02:31:46):
it's about twelve hundred plus yards less Than Jason. Witten
witten obviously played more, years two more years than he.
DID i think there's probably people who would definitely agree with.
YOU i think it's probably not nearly as cut and,
dry BUT i wouldn't even have to say it that.
Way how about IF i say he's as good as,

(02:32:07):
him he's the same as. Him what does that? Mean
that means His hall Of? Famer? Yes what about these other?

Speaker 13 (02:32:13):
Positions we've seen it With Andre, johnson the receivers have
a hard time getting. In Tory, Holt Reggie wayne just
incredible players during their. Generation you think it happens for, Them.

Speaker 1 (02:32:23):
Well they're both in their seventh year as a, finalist
so they've been discussed, many many times over and they
keep making it to this point in. TIME i always
struggled with With holt more Than. WAYNE i Thought wayne
was A hall Of famer AND i still. Do AND
i think that's somebody who belongs. There and you, KNOW
i know there's limitations with each season how many can get?

(02:32:43):
In AND i don't know if this is the, year
BUT i kind of feel like it might. Be it
won't be for both of. THEM i Think Tory holt
continues to go through this kind of limbo land that
he has been in for a long period of. TIME
i don't know that anybody else has to get. IN
i Think vinterteri is A hall Of, famer but this
is now his second years, finalist so obviously once before
he did not get. In Luke keighley And Eli manning

(02:33:08):
not for this particular segment. Here maybe When ac comes,
back we will Discuss keigley one hundred Percent hall Of
fame football, player such a short, career does that prevent
him from getting? IN i say. No Eli manning so
unbelievably not elite and not A hall Of, Famer but

(02:33:28):
he won four games in the playoffs in two different
seasons to win two Different Super bowls during The Tom
brady era, Era so we're stuck with. That plus everybody
likes him now because he's funny and does a podcast
and eight billion. Commercials so we shall see the program.
Today nightcap to Follow josh AND i will get you

(02:33:50):
to the. Nightcap he will take you through the, nightcap
and then we will hit the final day of twenty
twenty five. Tomorrow i'll be with you tomorrow from eleven
to one In Longhorns. Football The Morning drive will take
you from six to eleven with NO mt and No
ross for the three hour version Of The Matt Thomas
show With, ross which will be without both of. Them,

(02:34:11):
now a couple of notes on our conversation from last.
Segment first On Jason. Witten always like to have the.
Numbers you know, me they, Matter they're very. Important they
tell you a, story they give you some intel on
what we're talking. About there are four tight ends IN
nfl history with better than eleven thousand receiving. Yards two

(02:34:31):
of them are in The hall Of, Fame Tony gonzalez
And Antonio. Gates two of them should be in The
hall Of. Fame one of them probably retires this. Offseason Travis,
Kelcey Jason, Witten gonzales And. Gates that's the. Four among those,
Four Jason witten is last in receiving, touchdowns last and

(02:34:55):
receiving yards per, game last in yards per, reception and
first in games. Played so he's probably the fourth best
of the. FOUR i think that's a fair, statement just
if you lose those rud of entry. Numbers it was
a huge target for a ton of years with The
cowboys and was on the field just a, lot was
able to accumulate a lot of. Yards he was one

(02:35:16):
of the best tight ends in the game throughout his entire.
CAREER i think that's worthy of A hall Of fame.
Nod he's only forty two touchdowns Behind Antonio. Gates that's
a pretty serious. Number gates is number one among tight.
Ends Tony gonzalez is number. Two, interestingly With Travis kelce probably,
retiring probably playing this, weekend he's fifty seven yards away

(02:35:39):
from Passing Jason witten for second all time and yards
receiving among tight. Ends it doesn't matter if he does
or not from A hall Of fame, standpoint both of
them will be, in and there's a few others on
the list that might make their way. In there's five
tight ends from this, generation so to, speak when you
Include Shannon sharp that are in and one more that
will be. In And Rob gronkowski will probably start needing

(02:36:02):
to talk About George. Kittle he's not quite to the
counting accumulative. Numbers he's got a ton of touchdown, receptions
he's right there with. Them in terms of yards per,
game he only Trails, kelsey and he's probably if he,
plays say two more, years he's going to be somewhere
in the nine thousand and ninety five hundred, range which

(02:36:24):
if that's all his career has in front of, him
there certainly could be. More he'll be. Considered he's obviously
got some postseasons and this one to add to. It,
secondly we're talking About Trayvon, dix And i'd wondered about
some of the other issues because we talked about the
injuries and the lack of good, football which were definitely
part of his, release but there were other things that

(02:36:45):
had happened over the course of his time, there mostly this,
season but in other years that felt like they, Were,
yeah we wish this hadn't, happened but he's obviously a good.
Player it's not the end of the. World we'll move
on without moving on from. Him there was a report today
From Clarence, hill covers The cowboys and has for, decades

(02:37:05):
and it reads multiple sources confirmed that Former cowboys Cornerback
Trayvon diggs initially went through proper channels requests to to
stay In washington After Christmas, Day eagles played The commanders
and was Denied Eagles cowboys and he was. Denied he

(02:37:25):
then stayed behind with the. Family he's from THE dc. Area,
okay so many people will often travel out after their,
game but they will go back with the team and
then do their. Traveling because you play on A, thursday
on that, holiday it's a long, weekend it's a Long
you've got plenty of time before your next. Game you
usually have those days. Off there's no problem with. That

(02:37:48):
not flying back with the team is not normal. Though
can you recall a relatively recent instance where somebody with
the team didn't fly back with the tea and the
stir that it. Caused it was The Ohio state, coach
right Urban. Meyer well done Urban. Meyer in his last

(02:38:09):
days As jaguars head. COACH i believe he lasted thirteen
games that, season did not fly back with the. Team
the head coach didn't fly back with the. Team, now
we don't have to wonder what other issues were. There
we know most of, them and there were tons of.
Them how he, acted how he, operated how clueless he
was about coaching at THE nfl, level just. Terrible just,

(02:38:30):
awful higher awful performance totally deserved his, firing and they
did fire. Him this was probably more of a last.
Straw that's just one more, thing and he wasn't going
to be with us next. Year he could have been
A june or Post june first. Cut they'll end up
taking the entire dead money cap hit on this year's upcoming,
season about eight and a half million in twenty twenty,

(02:38:52):
six rather than part of it now and part of
it later if, it or part of it in twenty,
six part of it in twenty seven if he was
a Post june first cut. Designation so there obviously is
space for them to do, that and maybe gives them
more space from a cash, standpoint because they're no cash
involved for them to do something else this coming. Season

(02:39:12):
WILL nfl teams Like houston or anybody else look deep
enough into this beyond the football that either he can
or can't, play or do they care about these other.
Items we'll. See i'll stick with my original. Guess, yes
he will have AN nfl employer this season through the.
Playoffs however that lasts for whatever team, says, well our

(02:39:34):
depth is, trouble we might as well protect ourselves we
believe in him helping us in this way so he
can join the. TEAM i think that will, Happen but
LIKE i, said we'll. See didn't talk a whole lot
about last Night's rockets game for a. Reason they had
a very necessary. Laugher they now had two laughers on
the home. Stand that's WHAT i think we're gonna see

(02:39:56):
in the very near future for The, Rockets so looking
forward to more of. THAT i do have two hours
with you, tomorrow BUT i won't be spending them With
josh unless his schedule has been changed And i'm not
aware of. It SO i was curious as we hit
tomorrow and the first of the four playoff games that
come tomorrow and Then, thursday what is happening on the
college football playoff? Front give me the most likely to

(02:40:20):
happen upset in the college football playoffs coming Up thursday
night With miami And Ohio state Or wednesday, night excuse,
me and then three other games On.

Speaker 15 (02:40:30):
THURSDAY i don't Think miami's Upsetting Ohio. State, okay they're
out man After, indiana But Ohio, state by the, way
nine and a half point.

Speaker 1 (02:40:45):
Favorites we get To, Thursday oregon as the five. Seed
at The Orange, bowl they're two and a half point Favorites,
indiana at The Rose bowl a touchdown favorite Over, bama
and at The Sugar bowl ALL cc all the. Time
The Sugar, Bowl georgia is a six and a half
point favorite, Overall. Miss just give me the one that's most.

(02:41:10):
Likely you might not feel great about, it.

Speaker 13 (02:41:12):
Don't i'm gonna go with even though it's what you,
say seven. Points i'll go With alabama just because They're.

Speaker 1 (02:41:17):
Alabama. YEAH i Picked Texas tech to. Win but answering
the QUESTION i, asked the most LIKELY i think Is
oregon to pull the. UPSET i do Like. Alabama, ALSO
i don't think they're gonna. WIN i think there's a
really good chance that they cover but don't win the.
Game AND i think the least likely to have an
upset Is Georgia Ole. Miss not only, THAT i Think

(02:41:37):
george is going to. Cover georgia did not even play
all that well until the late stages of their game
the first time they, met and would have covered these
six and a half. Points that the forty three to
thirty five result is what they had that. Day if
you listen to anything That chambliss the quarterback with Ole
miss had to say today and this, WEEK i should,
say a lot of it has had little to do

(02:41:57):
with the upcoming game and these second playoff game of their,
season and a little bit more to do with what
about next, year because he's trying to continue to play
college football next year and is waiting a word from
the governing bodies to see if that will take. Place
and when it, does most, people, guessing, speculating anticipate he

(02:42:18):
will be the starting quarterback For Lane kiffin again next,
year but not at Ole, miss obviously AT, lsu and
that would be quite the start to the era OF
lsu football Under Lane kiffen if that is his first starting,
quarterback considering what the two did together this year against
basically the same competition they will have next, year just
at a DIFFERENT sec. University huge day for college football

(02:42:42):
tomorrow with all the, games and, obviously As i've said
a couple of, times we've got The Citrus Ball michigan
And texas. Tomorrow texas a touchdown favorite that will kick
off a little after. Two we'll start pregame coverage of
that here On Sports talk seven to ninety at one.
O'clock that is WHEN i will sign off for the
final time in twenty twenty. FIVE i will talk to
you guys tomorrow beginning at eleven as the sole co

(02:43:03):
host only, host filling in for the two On The
Matt Thomas show With. Ross it'll be The Matt Thomas
show With ross without either one of them looking forward to.
It have a safe evening and we'll talk again tomorrow