September 29, 2025 • 40 mins
The final hour of the show starts with a fantastic interview with now friend of the show, Brandon Miller. After the interview, the rest of the show would be filled with Panther misery. Is there any way the Panthers can turn this season around?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
WESN Walker Sports Radio nine WFNZ. We are live from
Curry Arena. Queen's hosting Hornets Media Day. I can't believe
season's already here. It feels weird, but it's true. Just
talk to Charles Lee. And there's Brandon Miller who gave
Charles Lee the wrap up signal before we were ready
to go, Like, you can spend a little bit more
time with us than that, right, Like you can?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Okay, I was just waiting my turn, So yeah, I
really should have went.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Before because you wanted to talk to us so bad.
And I respect that and I appreciate it. Brandon Miller,
going into his third year of his NBA career, I
want to ask the annoying questions real quickly, just to
get it out of the way.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Risk, how are you doing man like?
Speaker 1 (00:43):
And are you are you expecting to be one hundred
percent by the time the season starts?
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Just overall, how's the risk?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Oh I'm feeling one hundred now?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Good.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
I think it's it's doing a lot better. It's responding,
you know, really good. This summer. Spent a long summer
just you know, working on left hand and just trying
to get my risk back stronger to how it was.
So I just feel like all that plays a part
in this season and how how it's gonna feel. And
I think right now it's feeling great.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Well.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Another thing I don't think people realize is how tough
rehab is through injuries. Well, because West towards Achilles, he
played college football tourr Achilles. My girlfriend played pickleball and
tore her Achilles. So we're talking.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
I got stories.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Then for everybody's got pickleball stick, it's got to be
in your contract.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
You can't play pickleball.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
I don't know if anybody's taking suggestions, but it's crazy
to go through the kind of rehab you had an
injury that took you out for the entire season. What
do you think people don't understand about the rehab process
that you specifically went through with your risk injury.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
I think just I think the specific is just I
think the mindset part. I feel like you can get,
you know, down on yourself because you're not playing, of course,
with your guys, doing the things you love to do,
and you're just kind of out there watching everything, and
I know you feel like you can't contribute and help
your teammates to you know, win basketball games. But I
think I just kind of, you know, found ways to
(02:01):
you know, contribute with my team and you know, help
out as much as I can. I think you know,
you've seen me doing left hand passing before the games
with you know, Todd Gibson. You know, I would just
watch film with you know, all my teammates, just kind
of help everybody being in the right places, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Just coming into.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
My third year, this leadership role, I think it's kind
of I think it kind of plays.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
A big part with me in last year.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
I think last year is good for me just you know,
just to sit down and actually see the game a
little bit more. And I think it's gonna help us
in the long run.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Yeah, because I was gonna ask you, did that time
off teach you more about being a pro and staying
locked in? What were some of the biggest things that
you were able to gain from a positive perspective?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Just learning everybody, learning everybody even more as far as players, staff, coaches.
I think that's that's kind of like the main thing
with me is just building up those bonds you know
that we can you know, all trust each other and
you'll all go to war for each other and just
you know, being those late tough situations that I could
just always lean on somebody. So I think that's kind
(03:03):
of one thing I did with you know last year,
just building building bonds stronger than ever.
Speaker 5 (03:08):
What was your off season focused from year two to
year three? Because you go through your rookie year, then
you got stuff you want to pick up there until
now going into your third season, what's the off season
been like for you?
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Uh, you know, it was a long off season. You know,
it started kind of early, but I think just having
that start so early to the offseason, I kind of
you know, you know, it can affect you, it can
also build you. I think it kind of build who
I am today as far as mentally, mentally stronger, physically stronger,
(03:39):
and just you know, back with better conf with you know,
higher confidence than I did last year, and just coming
out there with the most confidence trying to win every game.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
All right, So now I'm gonna ask some fun stuff.
You said you got to know your teammates a little bit.
I know Charles Lee has told the story a couple
of times about you watching film with Nick Smith Junior,
starting to take on a leadership rolling now you might
understand the coaching aspect a little better than what you
did previously. Let's go through just rapid fire. Some of
the players on the team tell us something that most
people don't know about him. You go with that, LaMelo Ball,
what's something that most people don't know about everybody's gonna
(04:08):
say six seven LaMelo Ball. I think LaMelo Ball is
a six to eight guard.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
So he's taller than what he's listening.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
I think he's tall on what he's listed at. I
think he's been in the weight room all summer. I
think he's had a great summer this summer. That's gonna
that's gonna show, of course, and I think he's gonna
continue to be you know who he is and just
continue to be great.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
What's something about con Kinnepple that people don't know about? Uh?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Conkin his nickname is K two.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
He's gonna shoot everything and shoot no.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
No, that's my dog man, my rook you know, he's
he's coming here with the most confidences as a rookie.
I think that's you know, good for our team, you know,
for like some rookies kind of shine away from the moment.
I think he's kind of one of those rookies that's
gonna you know, live in that moment and just you know,
work as hard as he and to help everybody out well.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
And we can come back to that in the moment.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
But you said your rook Did you mean that like
you're taking on a mentorship roll with them?
Speaker 3 (05:07):
All of Okay, I just learned. I just learned to
be clear.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Oh, I won't got no rooks in here right now.
We got Liam, you got you got plenty on the
team brand.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Now I was gonna ask you, where are you and
Lamela like as a tandem because you guys are the
franchise cornerstones. Do you two talk about taking over and
things like that? What's the off season been like for YouTube?
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Definitely, you know, I think we kind of obserted our
roles and our leadership to the team and kind of
just accepted who who we are. I think he's gonna,
you know, be more of a leader this year as
far as vocally, and I think he's been doing a
great job with that this summer, just as far as
communicating with everybody, not just the players, but coaches, you know, staff,
(05:48):
you know, it could be everybody. So I think just him,
him certain himself from you know, a regular to too,
you know, different from everybody else.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I think that's gonna be great for him.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Do you guys just walk around Saw season and you
guys are just giddy because you're like, man, if we
can just stay healthy, we're gonna be a real problem
for these cats out here.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
But I think that's I think, you know, that's always
been the problem, is just health. So we're just trying
to try not to you know, stay keep saying the
same thing as health, health, So I think we're just
gonna kind of, you know, worry about our actions. But
that's what we've been talking about is just you know,
our actions more than speaks, louder than words. So I
think just how we take care of our body, recovery,
(06:29):
what we put into our body. I think that's you know,
it's all gonna change. You know, you gotta have You're
gonna have to make sacrifices. So I think those are
the sacrifice that we've made. It's just you know, create
better professional habits.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
Yeah, how motivating was it seeing some of the younger
teams in the league now taking those steps up, seeing
what Indiana did and seeing what some of the other teams.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Did you guys really look at that and say, hey,
that could be us?
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Definitely just watching the playoffs, you know, we watch them
together me mellow Miles, you know, just talk about them
like that as far as just you know, if they
can do it, we can do it. We played every
team in the NBA. We were capable of beating any
team in the NBA. So I feel like, you know,
how come we can't be right there? So you know,
it's just have to, you know, ask ourselves those type
(07:10):
of questions. Have sit down and have those hard conversations,
and I think they're gonna better us.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Can I ask you what I think the most annoying
question is to you now because.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
At first, at first you said it's probably the rest.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I feel like you get annoyed when people ask about
your mid range shot.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Is that fair?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I've only had that one once to do oh.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Just today though, because I feel like you've answered that before.
Though on that Mab, I don't want to make it
annoying If it's not, it just feels like it because
it does seem you did do a lot of work
in the mid range game your rookie season. Charles Lee
talked about changing your shot profile. You did just like
straight up, you were throwing up threes all over the place, man,
making a decent percentage of them. So if it's not annoying,
then what other things are you looking to change within
(07:51):
your shot profile?
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Or do you kind of want a carbon coffee what
you did last year?
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Uh, you know it's gonna be a little bit like
last year. But you know I've mentioned get back to
the may range. I think just right now, I'm kind
of taking what the defense gives to me, whether it's
an open three open may range or a past to
my guy Miles Bridges, or a lob know, anything like that,
just you know got to be you know, consistent with
(08:15):
with with our play and just you know build off
of that.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
As Hornets fans, we were excited about the offseason you
guys went through from a player standpoint.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
You see them get.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Your alma mater brother and Colin Sexon, which is pretty
cool bringing back tray Man. I think this team is
fun as hell. Man, Like you guys got a ton
of guards. It feels like you guys are going to
change and become a lot faster. You're great in transition
out in the open court when you see Jeff Peterson
going to work the way he is. Same thing with
Charles having an influence in the background. What's your reaction
when you see the shams bombs Colin is coming.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Yeah, definitely exciting, you know, just to see all these
these new pieces, new faces, just to contribute with us,
I think, you know, I can't be more excited than that.
I know we're gonna have some some great teammates, some
great vets, you know, the gonna help us get to
what we what we what we need, what we want
and what.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Is that down for practice? Man? I'm sure practice is
even up even more, is it? Colin bat No.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
I love Calling to death, but I just you know
one thing about Calling. His motor is always going to
be high. You know, every day he walks into the facility,
every day walks in the building, he's gonna have a
smile on his face talking to everybody. And then he's gonna,
you know, once he stepped in the lines, it's all business.
It's gonna be no high motor Colin. And you know,
I think that's one thing fans won't have to worry
(09:34):
about Colin is his motor.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
Brenda. Where we're at, man, I'm gonna going to the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
You got big you've seen it. They be, they be
Georgia's they.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Went on the road. It got a big one.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Man.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
That's that's me. It's the swagger all the way to
the swagger all the way back.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
The swagger will be back if saving comes out of retirement.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
Okay, what about basketball Final four championship this year with you?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Success, he said, yeah. All the radio, he said yeah,
And we'll leave it at that. It's Brandon Miller joined
a gust here on West and Walker Sports Traded ninety
two seven w f n Z. All right, man, that
wasn't too bad, right, we'll get shouting.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
We appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Always always great having a conversation with Brandon Miller that
we can say that well, Mark Mark used to be Yeah,
they got rid of a front of the show. So now, Brandon,
are you because like the third fourth time, we think so, yeah,
I think he's taking the responsibility.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
You heard it, We got it on ta you. My
daughter would be.
Speaker 5 (10:31):
Back at camp next year, still win his camp gear
around the house.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
All right, thanks the time, Brandon, We appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
West and Walker Sports Radio welcoming Brandon Miller, Charles Lee,
trey Man had a bunch of great interviews today. Today
was fun. Today was a lot of fun, and I
didn't expect to have fun after watching with the Panthers
did slash did not do against New England.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
But I thought, really collectively.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Like that was one of our best media days interview
sessions ever with how.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
I would agree Treyman was really open with us.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
I thought he was awesome, really cool talking with him,
branding his way more comfortable as a leader. He now
has the lay of the land with this franchise. He's
goofing off behind the scenes. And also it was all
business on the microphone. I think Con acted like a rookie,
but I feel like we got him to open up.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Maybe just a tag.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
And that's tough because Con he is all business you
don't really want to get.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
He liked the barbershop stuff, but then he liked the
one I did, the grunt. He liked the grunt because
he started laughing. I hadn't seen him laugh like okay,
for he laughed when I gave the grunt and said
what I said to flounder by him saying that Duke
was gonna win.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
The acc Okay, so you're the con whisper. Is that
what you're not?
Speaker 5 (11:41):
Like I was gonna say, us together, okay, the duo.
I think that we've grown a lot too, because I
think when we first got those guys and they make
it so kind of you know, G fourteen classified, and
we felt like we had to stick to the basics.
And now, you know, we know these guys and we
say little tidbits to him and stuff to get them
to open up.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
So I think we both do a good job.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
And I think those guys they trust us and they
like because they know we're gonna ask hardcore basketball questions.
Then we're even going to ask them off the court stuff.
But they know at the same time too, the you know,
we're also gonna say things that they can't help but
to open up a little.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
Bit, all right.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
So that's the pat ourselves on the back two minutes
of Western Walker.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
We've grown since my first Hornets media day.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
And now we're no longer rookies.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Yeah, if you missed any of those interviews, go to
WFZ dot com type in WESN Walker anywhere you get
your podcast. Those will be uploaded as the show goes on.
They might some already might even be up, but if not,
we will make sure we put those up for you
to catch on demand. Again Western Walker Sports Radio ninety
two to seven WFNZ.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
More Panthers talk.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
On the other side of the break, you might hear
the sound of basketball's bouncing in the background. Still football season,
basketball season just around the corner.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
We're here at Hornet's Media Day.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
They have a I guess, an Airbnb if you will,
an air basketball if you will. That made zero sense.
I apologize, but here at Queens. Queens is hosting them
for Hornets Media Day at Curry Arena, and we had
a chance to talk with a lot of the high
profile guys, Charles Lee, trey Man, Brandon Miller. Fun conversations
with them. Again, I remind you will put those interviews up.
(13:21):
Some of them already are up on WFNZ dot com.
So let's go back, let's continue a little more Panthers conversation.
Haven't gotten to it as much, I think, as we
would have liked to today, given it being Hornets Media Day.
But just to reiterate some of those topics, we've blamed
a lot of people. The FanDuel text line has blamed
(13:41):
a lot of people. You beg the question about Dan Morgan,
how much pressure is on him? I would say a lot.
I think there's a lot on Dave Canalis going down
the list here, Wes, We're starting to see the signs
that scare you a little bit, and those signs are
media being warranted and asking, hey, Dave, are you gonna
hand over play calling duties? Don't like the question being asked.
(14:04):
Dave Canala said, no, not right now. I'm not going
to hand over those play calling duties. But I hate
it because that's already a bad sign. They also asked
about any firings possibly taking place. He said no, we're
not making any changes on the coaching staff. Media asked,
is Bryce going to start next week against Miami? We
already have those questions and he said absolutely. Just to
(14:24):
be clear, he said, absolutely, Bryce Shoung is starting. I
don't like those signs, man. I hope that we can
get a win so we can get further away from
that line of questioning. But we's the fact that that
line of questioning exists, and I understand why it exists.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
That's what scares me.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
Yeah, you talk about some of those omens, man, that
you don't want to hear precursors, so to speak, for
bad things to come. And so that makes it feel
like all the more pressure on this Miami game, man,
because I definitely did tune in to a little bit
of the postgame just to hear the temperament of the
Panthers fan base and just to hear what was being said.
But you're right, that's going to add even more pressure.
(15:02):
You look at these games on the schedule, and to
people who aren't vested in this, they're gonna be like, oh, yeah,
you know, Panthers playing the Dolphins, two bad teams. But
now we've got a lot of storylines coming into this
one because if this one goes just like this past
game did, there's no telling what could come out of this.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
And I think for the Panthers too, And we'll get.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
Into starting to talk about the Dolphins as the week
goes along. But this is the team. Now, how do
you respond to this? Because you did lose to Jacksonville,
even though it wasn't in the fashion that this was like,
this was sheer embarrassment, Like you know, you felt like
Jacksonville you got out coached.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
I thought Jacksonville was teetering on that until I saw
this game.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
Yeah, when they beat my Niners yesterday? Or are you
talking about now that? See that wasn't embarrassing.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
I know it's a loss, but I would I kill
for that kind of loss around here where you're in it. Yeah, yeah,
I think I think at this moment, I think it
shows you that, you.
Speaker 5 (15:55):
Know, I feel like that Jacksonville seems to be a
legit team. There's a lot more story left to be
written about the squad, but you look at this defense.
They're one of the I think they are the league
leader in takeaways. And so you say, all right, you
lose a Jacksonville team that could be a playoff team
because they look like they're on track to do so.
Then you go to Arizona where yeah, you were upset
about what happened, but then you felt like second half,
(16:16):
all right, here we go, like you know. And so
then now to come back and you beat Atlanta. But now,
like you said, it just all goes by the wayside
with the way in which you lost this one, and
it creates a pressure cooker like you wouldn't believe now
for this Dolphins matchup, because if the Panthers aren't able
(16:38):
to at least.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
I mean, you hate to feel like it, Panthers Nation.
Let me know if I'm wrong.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
You hate to feel like it, But you're not sitting
there saying or I guess you are sitting there and saying, man,
can we just if we lose this one, can it
be a battle to the end, Because if it's another
lopside at lost, then you're like, my goodness, what could happen?
What type of questions will be being asked if that's
the case again this week?
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Well, I mean, now if we start to set up
the conversation for next week. Mike McDaniel, Dave Canalis, I
don't think Dave Canalis is coaching for his job, not
in that specific game. I think Mike is if it
gets ugly, if they suffer a loss like the Panthers
hand at the Falcons. I don't know if Mike McDaniel
he'll be done Carolina res strikes again.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
But if the Panthers lose, I.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Don't know, Man, what is it crazy to throw that
out there with Dave like Wes what happens if the
Panthers lose by fourteen it?
Speaker 3 (17:32):
I don't think they fire him.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
I think David Tepper is reluctant to fire Dave because
you don't want to have that kind of turnover. It
would be another time where you fire a coach before
he even has a year and a half to.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
Get things rolling.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
I don't want him to fire Dave, to be clear,
I just I can't do with the turnover anymore.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
As a fan. It's interesting fodder for us to discuss.
It is.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
Getting information and dad out on seven coordinators.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
With that being said, I do understand you can't continue it.
Something's got to change, and something big has to change.
Where are we on Dave Canalys's job security heading into
week five Goddle Mighty of the regular season.
Speaker 5 (18:14):
Well, I think something that obviously a topic that can
be deal is I mean, it's like, is this roster
set up for him? Because right now, you know with
the groceries in the kitchen, you feel like that it's
not this could be a task for someone else, like
you're saying. But I think for Canals at this point
and for the reputation of David Temper, I don't necessarily
(18:34):
see him moving off of him unless this becomes normal.
Do you have and I'm not saying that in the NFL,
you lose every week by this type of fashion.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
But are there three.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
More four more losses in the cards for the Panthers
in this manner, then I think the conversation changes if
you lose someone gains, especially to teams that you shouldn't like.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Let's just say God for bid, and some.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
Losses, the margin of victory is multiplied by the team
that it happens from. Right, So let's just say you
lost to the New Orleans Saints by seventeen points.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
That's like losing.
Speaker 5 (19:10):
By forty two I don't know, right, one of the
best teams in the league. So do you lose to
New Orleans by fourteen seventeen? And then do you lose
to another good team on the schedule about thirty five
forty I don't know, the forty nine or something like that.
You see what I did there? I do do you
lose to a team like that? So I think the
style points certainly are going to matter for coach Canalis
(19:33):
as far as job security. Can he fight because I
got to give him a little bit of the benefit
of the doubt with the roster with which he's working with.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
And one thing I'll say, if you were looking to
defend Dave Canalis, but you don't have to today. You
can get mad all you want to. You deserve to
get mad today. As a Panthers fan, if you were
looking to defend him, one of the questions you might
ask when it comes to making a change is has
he lost the locker room? Because once you've lost to
the locker room, now it's time for you to get
on up out of here. There's no coming back. I
shouldn't say that you can't come back from it. Nick
(20:02):
Sirianni kind of did. It helps to come back from
it when you have all stars at every single position.
So maybe that way where you just win a whole
bunch of games because you have a bunch of talent.
The Panthers do not have the Eagles type talent. Dave
Canalis has not lost this locker room. And I think
you heard the players speak about that. I believe them.
Where Derek Brown says, hey, Dave Canalis is supposed to
(20:23):
take the responsibility, that's his job. Jace Horn said something similar,
but we got to go out there and we have
to perform, and Derek seemed to take that to heart.
I think jac Horn, the leaders on defense, they seem
to take that to heart, saying we have to go perform.
We can't allow this to continue to happen. And Derek says,
we can't go beat a team thirty to nothing and
then get shellacked the next time out. That's inexcusable, that's unacceptable,
(20:46):
and they're taking player responsibility. I don't you could ask
what else are they going to say? But I believe them.
I'm not so cynical to the point where they can't
say anything to make me believe them. I believe when
they say, nah, man, this is on us. It can't
just be Dave Canalis all the time. I don't think
he's lost that locker room. There are no reports to
suggest that they've lost the locker room. I think that's
(21:07):
true for a Vero. Also, hearing some of those guys
talk about Agio Avero last week getting into this game,
they seem to say, it's on us. We want to
battle for our defensive coordinator. So I don't think he did.
The coaching staff has lost. Well, the stats showed me.
Speaker 5 (21:22):
You know, for one that obviously the coaches they can't
get out there and play these games, and so for
the pros too. You've got to be able to put
to put stuff on tape to get your paycheck. Okay,
this isn't doing your high school, high school or anything like that.
If you're not balling, you're gonna be out of the league.
So that's one thing. The players can quit all they want,
but the league's gonna quit on them in terms of
(21:43):
that type of scenario.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
But when you look at it, the numbers bear it out.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
The coaches, what can canalist do when your quarterback is
getting pressured forty percent of the time. He can't get
out there and block those guys. It's an age old saying,
but he can't do that.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
Walker. The Panthers have.
Speaker 1 (21:57):
Two sacks on the season.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
My man, after they went out and revamp the edges,
you've got two sacks on the year.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Now, like in four games.
Speaker 5 (22:10):
It is unfathomable to be able to go out there
with NFL caliber players. Now, there are other teams that
obviously aren't doing much better. I mean, the Baltimore Ravens
have four sacks. San Francisco only has five, even though
their defense is really good. The Tennessee Titans have four sacks,
but still, but the Caroline and Panthers, this was a
position of need this offseason that you went out and
(22:31):
addressed in a major way and you only have two
sacks to speak of.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
And so I say all that to say.
Speaker 5 (22:38):
The coaches can only do so much, Like what scheme
do you guys want them to run where they can
go out there and get six sacks in the game.
It comes down to somebody saying I'm whooping your tail,
I'm whooping your keyster, whatever way you want to be
able to put it, and somebody going out there deciding
to do that. And that's why I'm talking about just
how flawed this roster is. You don't have that guy
(22:58):
right now people going out and doing that. You give,
like I said, forty pressures. Who is the guy that's
blocking Christian Barmore yesterday that's giving up five pressures? Okay,
there has to be some personnel that's added to this
mix to help these guys out. And so that's why
I say with the coaches, I can only put but
(23:18):
so much on them. And I do buy into the
player saying that this is on us because when you
go look at the numbers, you go look at the
advanced metrics, God's aren't playing.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
What did we just talk about walking during the break.
Speaker 5 (23:30):
You look at the advanced metrics on the starting two linebackers.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
For the Carolina Panthers.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
Most of times you might have one linebacker that's really
good and then the other one is marginal. But in
the game yesterday combined, you didn't get a sixty total
grade between your two middle linebackers. That has nothing to
do with coaching, man, and so it's just talent lacking
all over the place.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
And I think asking those roster questions on the margins,
I think that where maybe Dan Morgan has struggled defensively,
more so, I think it was QC.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Sam.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
I apologize that that's not the guy, but I want
to give credit to the Texter who made this point.
When I was talking about your biggest responsibility as a
GM is nailing your first round picks.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
QC.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
Sam responded and said, see Walker, I think it's actually
the opposite. I think first round picks that's almost a given.
You're up there. You need to go ahead and hit
that ball out of the park because that's where all
the talent is. Really what your responsibility is finding talent
in the second, third, fourth, fifth rounds and seeing if
those guys can play themselves into second contracts with the
team that drafted them, and if they can't, that shows
(24:37):
some dysfunction because it means the coaches they're not getting
the most out of the guys that they drafted. You
had a misevaluation right from the onset. Whatever it is,
it shows that there is a real issue with the
Panthers drafting in those middle rounds where a lot of
these teams make their hay and I do. I get that.
I think that's a good point from QC Sam and
what he brings up. So now you're looking at where
(24:59):
can we win. Like you're right, linebacker was a big need.
They decided to move on from Shack Josie Jewel had
this concussion all year long. They decide not to sign
any linebacker in free agency. Then it's after the fact
where they decide to release Josie Jewel.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Did they think he was gonna come back?
Speaker 1 (25:17):
I felt like you should have had a better plan B,
plan C for Jewel, But instead it's just playing Christian
Roseboom and Trevin Wallace and if it doesn't work out,
that's all we got. Van Martin Scott Okay, they didn't
seem to be prepared at positions that they needed edge rusher.
You mentioned that Pat Jones, I like the signing well enough.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
They're gonna go.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
At it again with DJ Wanham, But DJ Wantams hurt Wes.
You could use that as an excuse if you wanted to,
except my man has been hurt most of the time
that he's been here in Carolina. So you have to
have Prince Ummuel and a Nick Gorton step up in
a big way. And Umn Miellen for as bad as
he was getting fooled on misdirection, he didn't even play
that many snaps. So now you're you just don't seem
(26:01):
prepared at some of the positions you knew were a big,
big need coming into the season.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
Yeah, and you know, I think two, it's identifying traits.
We talked about the wide receiver corps. You want to
go out and get basketball players. Tetoroa is working out,
but you go out and get Exaberly, get who is
a big, strong guy. But I talk about how you
need the tank Dell's, you need some of these other
body types that are twitchy.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
That are gonna win. Then you look at the edges.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
Did you identify the right traits you go out and
get Nick Gordon, who's a big bruiser and some of
the tape that you see on him, he's got a
little bit in his bag, but does he have the
moves to be able to consistently win? Prince Lee luman
Mi Yellen, he's got some moves to be able to
pass rush, but they're not good enough.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
And then he didn't do you much good on the run.
Speaker 5 (26:45):
Okay, but you're gonna look at Atlanta yesterday because we
want to compare them because they're in the division and
they drafted some young guys. Daylen Walker yesterday gets in
eighty six. Now, his pass rushing wasn't crazy, but he
had a seventy sixth grade there.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
He did have a pressure on that afternoon.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
Then you look at James Pearce, who didn't grade out spectacularly,
but he had two pressures on the afternoon. I say
all that, what traits are you identifying? Are you going
and finding those twitchy type of guys, because I'll tell
you right now. You know, for the Carolina Panthers when
they held on to my man from Oregon, hold on
his name, escaping me j Yes, DJ Johnson, I just
(27:23):
don't understand it. And also too when you look at it,
it's a type here.
Speaker 3 (27:27):
Now.
Speaker 5 (27:27):
DJ Johnson did have eight sacks coming out of Oregon,
but pass rush was not his foretape.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
Oh it was over. His resume was not good, That's
what I'm saying.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
So you look at the type though that they have Scorton,
big bruiser, DJ Johnson, big bruiser, You even look at
Wannaman Johnson, they kind of fit that molde to where
they're not the kind of wiry, twitchy pass rushes. There's
there's known type of stuff. So I just think that,
you know, one of the reasons I beg the question
(27:55):
about Damn Morgan and is it time to start the
clock on him because his evaluation it feels like he
kind of likes, you know, just certain body types that
don't necessarily work out it. It feels like maybe he's
in a little bit of a different era as far
as the style of players.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
That he likes in some key positions. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
So yeah, you're questioning the process and evaluating these guys
all over the place. And I think it's fair now
because we know that he has a type and liking
these big, strong dudes playing football, and I understand that
makes sense. That makes sense at different positions. I would
like to be a little more athletic on the outside
on a couple of different positions. We've seen Jonathan Mingo,
(28:34):
Xavier le Get, even t mac who is very different.
He's very different from those guys. But you're right, we
don't have a whole lot of speed that ori agility.
It does seem like we have a lot of agility
and quickness to read and react, and that seems to
be hurting them both offensively and defensively. Like you mentioned,
and look not to bring up the tube of conversation,
they didn't even have the home run hitter at running
(28:56):
back right like.
Speaker 5 (28:57):
They just they don't have it anywhere, and they didn't
decide to go and get that in a draft because
you take a Trevor Etn.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
It makes it hard.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
I just think you have to be so methodical on
your offensive drives and if somebody does get open on
the outside for the offense, then how many guys do
you have on defense that can halk him down or
limit the big plays that kind of comes into the
free range stuff.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
So I get where you're coming from.
Speaker 5 (29:20):
I think it's fair to say at this point it
feels like Dan in a lot of ways is kind
of living back in that yesteryear when he was at
Carolina Panther with the way that football was played at
that time. And I know that, you know, he talks
about the modern game and things of that nature, but
the way that he's drafting with some of these things, man,
it just doesn't feel like a team that creates mismatches
on both sides of the ball because you don't have
(29:42):
to be an offensive player to create a mismatch. Do
you have mismatches on defense as well?
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Yeah, And I think it's not even that I want
you to go away from that type altogether. It's just
do we show a willingness to draft some different types
so you can be a little more well rounded. Because
t Mac, I love what t mac is doing. I
like Nick Gorton, the player you did break away from
that mold when you drafted Princely Uman Meellen in the
third round. That is somebody that's twitchy, So I can
(30:08):
understand it from that point you're trying. We'll see Princely
Uman Meellen in his development, We'll see Nick Gorton in
his development. But even when they draft him like a
Jimmy Horn, who is that quick, agile guy. They refuse
to play him, just don't want to play him, and
he might not be ready. He's a rookie. I get it,
but man, what else do you have? It's David Moore,
(30:28):
it was Hunter Renfro for a few throws against Arizona,
and now you're not even targeting him. It's a lot
of the tight ends. That's where they were making their
hay against New England, which seemed like a great part
of the game plan in the first drive, but after
that they you just all right, we got to put
together a long, long drive again, and we have zero
explosivity except for Tamak, who is the not the burner,
(30:51):
but can't pick up Yak in that intermediate play.
Speaker 3 (30:53):
And it's huge. That's a huge.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
It's why I keep going back to him being the
most irreplaceable player that they have on offense side of
Bryce Young. And you know there are people today pointing
and saying, see, that's why it's not even Bryce. There
are people pointing at her. I'm not there, I'm not there.
Let's move on. It's the walk off coming up next.
On Western Walker Sports Radio ninety two to seven, WFNZ.
(31:22):
Are you challenging me to a walk off?
Speaker 5 (31:26):
Oh yeah, that's a walk off challenge, my friend, it's
a walk off, the walk off.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Wrapping up Western Walker Sports Radio ninety two to seven
at WFNZ. Hornets Media Day has turned into Queen's practice
at three o'clock. Everybody they're gonna be getting ready for
the season upcoming. Got some people just nailing some threes.
How about Chris Ashby, a Sun preseason Player of the
Year coming out here, and we talked about it because
I don't think that the prospects for Ashby making the
(31:59):
NBA are all that's right now.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Who knows, maybe could turn it around this upcoming season.
Speaker 1 (32:03):
But it led you to say, after watching them drill
however many threes in a row, we're just shaking our head,
like you got to be a certain type of persons,
Kevin Kintz might say to make the league.
Speaker 5 (32:13):
Yeah, man, I mean you see these guys out here
and just how skilled and how good they are, even
at the power for level. You just think about how
nice you have to be to make it to that level.
Because this Queen's team is a favorite in their conference.
Like you said, Chris Ashley, a favorite for Conference Player.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Of the Year.
Speaker 5 (32:31):
And I mean, these guys out here looking apart so
far on warmups.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
I know it's one of.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
Their preseason ranked number one for a reason. Yeah, so
what's on TAPA? It's Queen's practice. What's on Tap is
presented by Twins Feet Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks has locations
in Concord and Ford, mil Twin Peaks is your local
sports lodge. Come in form made from scratch food and
signature twenty nine degree Draft beers real quickly did want
to mention a few updates from Dave Canal is just
to update everybody as some of those comments have come in.
(32:58):
Dave Canal has said x is day to day, calls
Jalen Cocher week to week after suffering that quad injury
at the beginning of the season. He is eligible to
return this week if they want to activate that twenty
one day window. Doesn't sound like they will. Jalen Coker
again is week to week. Joe Person says not great
after two more injuries at wide receiver yesterday, David Moore
(33:19):
going down on the very first play of the game.
Dave can Alis did indicate Jimmy Horn will get his
shot this week, Panthers don't really have a choice. Also
says the plan is to start Brady Christiansen depending on
the severity on Chandler Savalla's and knee injury. Apparently Brady
Christensen did not replace Chandler savala the first time, and
instead it was Brandon Walton because Christensen is the backup
(33:40):
center and if they had an injury to center, then
they didn't have anybody to back up.
Speaker 3 (33:43):
Cade mays. So, I don't know what's the line of
thinking there.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Do you understand it or is it still like why
not just put the best player out there at right guard?
Speaker 5 (33:51):
I mean you would think so, but I wonder, you know,
is he being outplayed? What are the coaches seeing that
are making them hesitant to put him out there? Those
are the questions in me to be answer because I
feel like right now, especially after the game that they had,
or even in the midst of the game, when you're
giving up forty percent pressure on Bryce Young, that hey,
if you've got a guy over there, that's a better solution,
(34:13):
You're gonna put him in there.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
But Brady Christiansen is starting next week, which goes into coaching.
Right if Brady Christensen's starting next week because you think
he's a better player, but he didn't play it right
guard this past game because you didn't want to not
have a replacement for Kade Mays if he got injured.
Speaker 3 (34:29):
I just that just seems weird to me.
Speaker 1 (34:32):
Brady Christensen, if he's a better player, let's not allow
Bryce Young to run around for his life. Let's put
the better player out there. So I don't know, those
are some of the question issues coaching.
Speaker 5 (34:41):
I guess you know, if you get ka May's hurt,
but you put Brady Christensen out there and they both
get hurt in the same game, and who's gonna play center?
Speaker 3 (34:52):
Walk a Mail not me? Do you understand?
Speaker 1 (34:55):
I'm trying to think if there's a worse position for
me to play than center, to get a low.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Center like but you could get help. You know, you
got the guards and that will help you. Wes.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
I appreciate and help you. I appreciate it. It's gonna
I'm gonna make both of us look bad. You are
very good at playing tackle slash guard, but I am
worse than you are good, and there's no helping me
at center. I would do a much better job at tackle.
Like you got to understand, at center, I don't have
any power to get lower than the other person across
(35:24):
the line of scrimmage. I got it. That's a lot.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (35:27):
But see, I'll put you there first though, because the
quarterback can see the pressure. If you give that up
at center, you might get put on roller skates and
get pushed back, get pushed back.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
There to the quarterback. But man, you get out there
tackle man, and.
Speaker 1 (35:42):
I know, I know, at least I don't I can
get a hand.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
Yeah, it's all bad. Don't put me out there, Dave.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
Just don't put me out there, and we won't have
that big of an issue.
Speaker 3 (35:53):
What's on tap?
Speaker 1 (35:54):
We got a double header Monday night football, by the way,
So first one, it's not great. Seven to fifteen kick
My host the New York Jets. At least you have
a short week for Miami for the Panthers to prepare
for them. Whoop de doo, Basel, Miami hosts the Jets.
They're both zero and three. Who do you think it's
their first winning?
Speaker 3 (36:11):
Oh man, Well, you know, I gotta go out my Jets.
They got to get a win.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
Justin Fields is back, so I need them to do
something to keep my wild card prediction a.
Speaker 3 (36:18):
Live seven to fifteen kick.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
By the way, fer, I don't know if your Mike's
on you want to give me thumbs up for Jets,
thumbs down for Dolphins, thumbs up for thumbs.
Speaker 3 (36:25):
Up the Jets two and a half point favorite.
Speaker 1 (36:28):
Yes they are, so we'll see if Miami at home
is able to get their first win of the season.
And the final game in the doubleheader that we have
Denver hosting Cincinnati Cincinnati two and one decent, not bad,
not bad.
Speaker 3 (36:42):
Denver hosting Cincinnati.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
Denver is a seven and a half point favorite against
the Bengals, who just looked absolutely terrible their last game
out getting destroyed by Minnesota, who lost to Pittsburgh. They
lost to Minnesota forty eight to ten. Who wins this game?
Speaker 3 (36:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (36:55):
I go Denver to bounce back, and that'll be a
fun matchup tonight with Chase and Patrick stands.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
I'm gonna go with Denver. Also thumbs up for Denver. Flounder.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Okay, yep, we're all going Denver, which means maybe the
Bengals can win.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
I don't like that though. Olivia and I are doing
quite well. Knock on Wood. I'm knocking on Wood in
the three survivor pool entries that we have, and we're
relying on Denver tonight again Cincinnati, and if we get
that one right, we still have both all three of
our entries alive even to this point.
Speaker 3 (37:26):
So okay, I'm hoping.
Speaker 5 (37:27):
Found the thumbs up thumbs down the start of the
Jackson Dart era.
Speaker 3 (37:30):
Yeah, you did lose mylik neighbors though that Yeah, thumbs down.
Speaker 2 (37:36):
I like this down.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
So it's a new new segment on wesn Walker thumbs up,
thumbs down, flound. Also there is WrestleMania what is it again?
Speaker 3 (37:46):
Monday Night Rock?
Speaker 1 (37:47):
Excuse Monday Night Ros, I apologize, Monday Night Raw.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
What are the story lines for Monday Night Row coming
into this one?
Speaker 5 (37:53):
You know, you still got to see him punk and
hey j Lee thing going with uh seth Rollins and
Becky Lynz, so that'll be heating up tonight. Also a
little bit of brock Leslon perhaps we shall see man.
But you know, ww, you got to get this thing
cracking a little bit more. Some good storylines developing. We're
starting to see if j Usso is indeed taking his
(38:13):
heel turn turning into a bad guy, So that'd be
very interesting if that happens.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
Okay, who are you pulling for in all of those beefs?
I guess that you have a.
Speaker 5 (38:24):
J Lee and CM Pump for sure, and I'm definitely here.
I know you guys are gonna have a good time
with it because you know, Michael Mines is my guy
and all that stuff. But I'm definitely here for j
usso he'll turn. I would like that very much.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
What are the worst heel turns of all time?
Speaker 5 (38:41):
Well, recently we had John Cena that had the Crazy
Hill Turn, even though it turned out a little bit
watered down because he didn't really some of the characters
that participated in the story didn't do great, but the
greatest of all time in my opinion, I feel like
most Rusling fans would agree it's, you know, yeah, one's
the greatest. I went to NWL. Yeah yeah, man, a
(39:01):
great call too. That was a famous call.
Speaker 1 (39:05):
Turn us back on pro wrestling, all right, that'll do
it for WESN. Walker wrapping up here on the Walk
Off Sports raded ninety two seven. WFNZ real quickly huge
thanks to Queens for hosting us, as well as Hornets
Media day they're about to practice, might just stay here
and check out a little bit of what they got
going on to get ready for.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
The Queen season.
Speaker 1 (39:24):
Should be fun with them being ranked number one in
the preseason ahead, but also huge thanks to the Hornets
for helping facilitate all those interviews. It was great stuff.
I'll remind you once more. Go to WFNZ dot com
and then you can catch any of the interviews you
might have missed Charles Lee, Brandon Miller, con Ka Nipple,
and Trey Man. I mean, it was a star studdy
wesn Walker with all those guys that we got to
(39:45):
talk to. Also find those interviews anywhere you get your
podcast Apple, Spotify, Just search Wes and Walker and then
click on some of those interviews that will be uploaded
soon or are already up on the feed. Coming up next,
it's The Kyle Bailey Show alongside Smoke Ludwig back at
the Tailor vaulta studio Sports Radio ninety two seven FL
WESN Walker Sports Radio nine WFNZ. We are live from
Curry Arena. Queen's hosting Hornets Media Day. I can't believe
season's already here. It feels weird, but it's true. Just
talk to Charles Lee. And there's Brandon Miller who gave
Charles Lee the wrap up signal before we were ready
to go, Like, you can spend a little bit more
time with us than that, right, Like you can?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Okay, I was just waiting my turn, So yeah, I
really should have went.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Before because you wanted to talk to us so bad.
And I respect that and I appreciate it. Brandon Miller,
going into his third year of his NBA career, I
want to ask the annoying questions real quickly, just to
get it out of the way.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Risk, how are you doing man like?
Speaker 1 (00:43):
And are you are you expecting to be one hundred
percent by the time the season starts?
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Just overall, how's the risk?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Oh I'm feeling one hundred now?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Good.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
I think it's it's doing a lot better. It's responding,
you know, really good. This summer. Spent a long summer
just you know, working on left hand and just trying
to get my risk back stronger to how it was.
So I just feel like all that plays a part
in this season and how how it's gonna feel. And
I think right now it's feeling great.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Well.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Another thing I don't think people realize is how tough
rehab is through injuries. Well, because West towards Achilles, he
played college football tourr Achilles. My girlfriend played pickleball and
tore her Achilles. So we're talking.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
I got stories.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Then for everybody's got pickleball stick, it's got to be
in your contract.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
You can't play pickleball.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
I don't know if anybody's taking suggestions, but it's crazy
to go through the kind of rehab you had an
injury that took you out for the entire season. What
do you think people don't understand about the rehab process
that you specifically went through with your risk injury.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
I think just I think the specific is just I
think the mindset part. I feel like you can get,
you know, down on yourself because you're not playing, of course,
with your guys, doing the things you love to do,
and you're just kind of out there watching everything, and
I know you feel like you can't contribute and help
your teammates to you know, win basketball games. But I
think I just kind of, you know, found ways to
(02:01):
you know, contribute with my team and you know, help
out as much as I can. I think you know,
you've seen me doing left hand passing before the games
with you know, Todd Gibson. You know, I would just
watch film with you know, all my teammates, just kind
of help everybody being in the right places, you know.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Just coming into.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
My third year, this leadership role, I think it's kind
of I think it kind of plays.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
A big part with me in last year.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
I think last year is good for me just you know,
just to sit down and actually see the game a
little bit more. And I think it's gonna help us
in the long run.
Speaker 5 (02:33):
Yeah, because I was gonna ask you, did that time
off teach you more about being a pro and staying
locked in? What were some of the biggest things that
you were able to gain from a positive perspective?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Just learning everybody, learning everybody even more as far as players, staff, coaches.
I think that's that's kind of like the main thing
with me is just building up those bonds you know
that we can you know, all trust each other and
you'll all go to war for each other and just
you know, being those late tough situations that I could
just always lean on somebody. So I think that's kind
(03:03):
of one thing I did with you know last year,
just building building bonds stronger than ever.
Speaker 5 (03:08):
What was your off season focused from year two to
year three? Because you go through your rookie year, then
you got stuff you want to pick up there until
now going into your third season, what's the off season
been like for you?
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Uh, you know, it was a long off season. You know,
it started kind of early, but I think just having
that start so early to the offseason, I kind of
you know, you know, it can affect you, it can
also build you. I think it kind of build who
I am today as far as mentally, mentally stronger, physically stronger,
(03:39):
and just you know, back with better conf with you know,
higher confidence than I did last year, and just coming
out there with the most confidence trying to win every game.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
All right, So now I'm gonna ask some fun stuff.
You said you got to know your teammates a little bit.
I know Charles Lee has told the story a couple
of times about you watching film with Nick Smith Junior,
starting to take on a leadership rolling now you might
understand the coaching aspect a little better than what you
did previously. Let's go through just rapid fire. Some of
the players on the team tell us something that most
people don't know about him. You go with that, LaMelo Ball,
what's something that most people don't know about everybody's gonna
(04:08):
say six seven LaMelo Ball. I think LaMelo Ball is
a six to eight guard.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
So he's taller than what he's listening.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
I think he's tall on what he's listed at. I
think he's been in the weight room all summer. I
think he's had a great summer this summer. That's gonna
that's gonna show, of course, and I think he's gonna
continue to be you know who he is and just
continue to be great.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
What's something about con Kinnepple that people don't know about? Uh?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Conkin his nickname is K two.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
He's gonna shoot everything and shoot no.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
No, that's my dog man, my rook you know, he's
he's coming here with the most confidences as a rookie.
I think that's you know, good for our team, you know,
for like some rookies kind of shine away from the moment.
I think he's kind of one of those rookies that's
gonna you know, live in that moment and just you know,
work as hard as he and to help everybody out well.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
And we can come back to that in the moment.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
But you said your rook Did you mean that like
you're taking on a mentorship roll with them?
Speaker 3 (05:07):
All of Okay, I just learned. I just learned to
be clear.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Oh, I won't got no rooks in here right now.
We got Liam, you got you got plenty on the
team brand.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Now I was gonna ask you, where are you and
Lamela like as a tandem because you guys are the
franchise cornerstones. Do you two talk about taking over and
things like that? What's the off season been like for YouTube?
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Definitely, you know, I think we kind of obserted our
roles and our leadership to the team and kind of
just accepted who who we are. I think he's gonna,
you know, be more of a leader this year as
far as vocally, and I think he's been doing a
great job with that this summer, just as far as
communicating with everybody, not just the players, but coaches, you know, staff,
(05:48):
you know, it could be everybody. So I think just him,
him certain himself from you know, a regular to too,
you know, different from everybody else.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I think that's gonna be great for him.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Do you guys just walk around Saw season and you
guys are just giddy because you're like, man, if we
can just stay healthy, we're gonna be a real problem
for these cats out here.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
But I think that's I think, you know, that's always
been the problem, is just health. So we're just trying
to try not to you know, stay keep saying the
same thing as health, health, So I think we're just
gonna kind of, you know, worry about our actions. But
that's what we've been talking about is just you know,
our actions more than speaks, louder than words. So I
think just how we take care of our body, recovery,
(06:29):
what we put into our body. I think that's you know,
it's all gonna change. You know, you gotta have You're
gonna have to make sacrifices. So I think those are
the sacrifice that we've made. It's just you know, create
better professional habits.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
Yeah, how motivating was it seeing some of the younger
teams in the league now taking those steps up, seeing
what Indiana did and seeing what some of the other teams.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Did you guys really look at that and say, hey,
that could be us?
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Definitely just watching the playoffs, you know, we watch them
together me mellow Miles, you know, just talk about them
like that as far as just you know, if they
can do it, we can do it. We played every
team in the NBA. We were capable of beating any
team in the NBA. So I feel like, you know,
how come we can't be right there? So you know,
it's just have to, you know, ask ourselves those type
(07:10):
of questions. Have sit down and have those hard conversations,
and I think they're gonna better us.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Can I ask you what I think the most annoying
question is to you now because.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
At first, at first you said it's probably the rest.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I feel like you get annoyed when people ask about
your mid range shot.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Is that fair?
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I've only had that one once to do oh.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Just today though, because I feel like you've answered that before.
Though on that Mab, I don't want to make it
annoying If it's not, it just feels like it because
it does seem you did do a lot of work
in the mid range game your rookie season. Charles Lee
talked about changing your shot profile. You did just like
straight up, you were throwing up threes all over the place, man,
making a decent percentage of them. So if it's not annoying,
then what other things are you looking to change within
(07:51):
your shot profile?
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Or do you kind of want a carbon coffee what
you did last year?
Speaker 4 (07:54):
Uh, you know it's gonna be a little bit like
last year. But you know I've mentioned get back to
the may range. I think just right now, I'm kind
of taking what the defense gives to me, whether it's
an open three open may range or a past to
my guy Miles Bridges, or a lob know, anything like that,
just you know got to be you know, consistent with
(08:15):
with with our play and just you know build off
of that.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
As Hornets fans, we were excited about the offseason you
guys went through from a player standpoint.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
You see them get.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Your alma mater brother and Colin Sexon, which is pretty
cool bringing back tray Man. I think this team is
fun as hell. Man, Like you guys got a ton
of guards. It feels like you guys are going to
change and become a lot faster. You're great in transition
out in the open court when you see Jeff Peterson
going to work the way he is. Same thing with
Charles having an influence in the background. What's your reaction
when you see the shams bombs Colin is coming.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Yeah, definitely exciting, you know, just to see all these
these new pieces, new faces, just to contribute with us,
I think, you know, I can't be more excited than that.
I know we're gonna have some some great teammates, some
great vets, you know, the gonna help us get to
what we what we what we need, what we want
and what.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Is that down for practice? Man? I'm sure practice is
even up even more, is it? Colin bat No.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
I love Calling to death, but I just you know
one thing about Calling. His motor is always going to
be high. You know, every day he walks into the facility,
every day walks in the building, he's gonna have a
smile on his face talking to everybody. And then he's gonna,
you know, once he stepped in the lines, it's all business.
It's gonna be no high motor Colin. And you know,
I think that's one thing fans won't have to worry
(09:34):
about Colin is his motor.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
Brenda. Where we're at, man, I'm gonna going to the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
You got big you've seen it. They be, they be
Georgia's they.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Went on the road. It got a big one.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Man.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
That's that's me. It's the swagger all the way to
the swagger all the way back.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
The swagger will be back if saving comes out of retirement.
Speaker 5 (09:50):
Okay, what about basketball Final four championship this year with you?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Success, he said, yeah. All the radio, he said yeah,
And we'll leave it at that. It's Brandon Miller joined
a gust here on West and Walker Sports Traded ninety
two seven w f n Z. All right, man, that
wasn't too bad, right, we'll get shouting.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
We appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
Always always great having a conversation with Brandon Miller that
we can say that well, Mark Mark used to be Yeah,
they got rid of a front of the show. So now, Brandon,
are you because like the third fourth time, we think so, yeah,
I think he's taking the responsibility.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
You heard it, We got it on ta you. My
daughter would be.
Speaker 5 (10:31):
Back at camp next year, still win his camp gear
around the house.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
All right, thanks the time, Brandon, We appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
West and Walker Sports Radio welcoming Brandon Miller, Charles Lee,
trey Man had a bunch of great interviews today. Today
was fun. Today was a lot of fun, and I
didn't expect to have fun after watching with the Panthers
did slash did not do against New England.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
But I thought, really collectively.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Like that was one of our best media days interview
sessions ever with how.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
I would agree Treyman was really open with us.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
I thought he was awesome, really cool talking with him,
branding his way more comfortable as a leader. He now
has the lay of the land with this franchise. He's
goofing off behind the scenes. And also it was all
business on the microphone. I think Con acted like a rookie,
but I feel like we got him to open up.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Maybe just a tag.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
And that's tough because Con he is all business you
don't really want to get.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
He liked the barbershop stuff, but then he liked the
one I did, the grunt. He liked the grunt because
he started laughing. I hadn't seen him laugh like okay,
for he laughed when I gave the grunt and said
what I said to flounder by him saying that Duke
was gonna win.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
The acc Okay, so you're the con whisper. Is that
what you're not?
Speaker 5 (11:41):
Like I was gonna say, us together, okay, the duo.
I think that we've grown a lot too, because I
think when we first got those guys and they make
it so kind of you know, G fourteen classified, and
we felt like we had to stick to the basics.
And now, you know, we know these guys and we
say little tidbits to him and stuff to get them
to open up.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
So I think we both do a good job.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
And I think those guys they trust us and they
like because they know we're gonna ask hardcore basketball questions.
Then we're even going to ask them off the court stuff.
But they know at the same time too, the you know,
we're also gonna say things that they can't help but
to open up a little.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
Bit, all right.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
So that's the pat ourselves on the back two minutes
of Western Walker.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
We've grown since my first Hornets media day.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
And now we're no longer rookies.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Yeah, if you missed any of those interviews, go to
WFZ dot com type in WESN Walker anywhere you get
your podcast. Those will be uploaded as the show goes on.
They might some already might even be up, but if not,
we will make sure we put those up for you
to catch on demand. Again Western Walker Sports Radio ninety
two to seven WFNZ.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
More Panthers talk.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
On the other side of the break, you might hear
the sound of basketball's bouncing in the background. Still football season,
basketball season just around the corner.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
We're here at Hornet's Media Day.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
They have a I guess, an Airbnb if you will,
an air basketball if you will. That made zero sense.
I apologize, but here at Queens. Queens is hosting them
for Hornets Media Day at Curry Arena, and we had
a chance to talk with a lot of the high
profile guys, Charles Lee, trey Man, Brandon Miller. Fun conversations
with them. Again, I remind you will put those interviews up.
(13:21):
Some of them already are up on WFNZ dot com.
So let's go back, let's continue a little more Panthers conversation.
Haven't gotten to it as much, I think, as we
would have liked to today, given it being Hornets Media Day.
But just to reiterate some of those topics, we've blamed
a lot of people. The FanDuel text line has blamed
(13:41):
a lot of people. You beg the question about Dan Morgan,
how much pressure is on him? I would say a lot.
I think there's a lot on Dave Canalis going down
the list here, Wes, We're starting to see the signs
that scare you a little bit, and those signs are
media being warranted and asking, hey, Dave, are you gonna
hand over play calling duties? Don't like the question being asked.
(14:04):
Dave Canala said, no, not right now. I'm not going
to hand over those play calling duties. But I hate
it because that's already a bad sign. They also asked
about any firings possibly taking place. He said no, we're
not making any changes on the coaching staff. Media asked,
is Bryce going to start next week against Miami? We
already have those questions and he said absolutely. Just to
(14:24):
be clear, he said, absolutely, Bryce Shoung is starting. I
don't like those signs, man. I hope that we can
get a win so we can get further away from
that line of questioning. But we's the fact that that
line of questioning exists, and I understand why it exists.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
That's what scares me.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
Yeah, you talk about some of those omens, man, that
you don't want to hear precursors, so to speak, for
bad things to come. And so that makes it feel
like all the more pressure on this Miami game, man,
because I definitely did tune in to a little bit
of the postgame just to hear the temperament of the
Panthers fan base and just to hear what was being said.
But you're right, that's going to add even more pressure.
(15:02):
You look at these games on the schedule, and to
people who aren't vested in this, they're gonna be like, oh, yeah,
you know, Panthers playing the Dolphins, two bad teams. But
now we've got a lot of storylines coming into this
one because if this one goes just like this past
game did, there's no telling what could come out of this.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
And I think for the Panthers too, And we'll get.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
Into starting to talk about the Dolphins as the week
goes along. But this is the team. Now, how do
you respond to this? Because you did lose to Jacksonville,
even though it wasn't in the fashion that this was like,
this was sheer embarrassment, Like you know, you felt like
Jacksonville you got out coached.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
I thought Jacksonville was teetering on that until I saw
this game.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
Yeah, when they beat my Niners yesterday? Or are you
talking about now that? See that wasn't embarrassing.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
I know it's a loss, but I would I kill
for that kind of loss around here where you're in it. Yeah, yeah,
I think I think at this moment, I think it
shows you that, you.
Speaker 5 (15:55):
Know, I feel like that Jacksonville seems to be a
legit team. There's a lot more story left to be
written about the squad, but you look at this defense.
They're one of the I think they are the league
leader in takeaways. And so you say, all right, you
lose a Jacksonville team that could be a playoff team
because they look like they're on track to do so.
Then you go to Arizona where yeah, you were upset
about what happened, but then you felt like second half,
(16:16):
all right, here we go, like you know. And so
then now to come back and you beat Atlanta. But now,
like you said, it just all goes by the wayside
with the way in which you lost this one, and
it creates a pressure cooker like you wouldn't believe now
for this Dolphins matchup, because if the Panthers aren't able
(16:38):
to at least.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
I mean, you hate to feel like it, Panthers Nation.
Let me know if I'm wrong.
Speaker 5 (16:43):
You hate to feel like it, But you're not sitting
there saying or I guess you are sitting there and saying, man,
can we just if we lose this one, can it
be a battle to the end, Because if it's another
lopside at lost, then you're like, my goodness, what could happen?
What type of questions will be being asked if that's
the case again this week?
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Well, I mean, now if we start to set up
the conversation for next week. Mike McDaniel, Dave Canalis, I
don't think Dave Canalis is coaching for his job, not
in that specific game. I think Mike is if it
gets ugly, if they suffer a loss like the Panthers
hand at the Falcons. I don't know if Mike McDaniel
he'll be done Carolina res strikes again.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
But if the Panthers lose, I.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
Don't know, Man, what is it crazy to throw that
out there with Dave like Wes what happens if the
Panthers lose by fourteen it?
Speaker 3 (17:32):
I don't think they fire him.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
I think David Tepper is reluctant to fire Dave because
you don't want to have that kind of turnover. It
would be another time where you fire a coach before
he even has a year and a half to.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
Get things rolling.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
I don't want him to fire Dave, to be clear,
I just I can't do with the turnover anymore.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
As a fan. It's interesting fodder for us to discuss.
It is.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
Getting information and dad out on seven coordinators.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
With that being said, I do understand you can't continue it.
Something's got to change, and something big has to change.
Where are we on Dave Canalys's job security heading into
week five Goddle Mighty of the regular season.
Speaker 5 (18:14):
Well, I think something that obviously a topic that can
be deal is I mean, it's like, is this roster
set up for him? Because right now, you know with
the groceries in the kitchen, you feel like that it's
not this could be a task for someone else, like
you're saying. But I think for Canals at this point
and for the reputation of David Temper, I don't necessarily
(18:34):
see him moving off of him unless this becomes normal.
Do you have and I'm not saying that in the NFL,
you lose every week by this type of fashion.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
But are there three.
Speaker 5 (18:43):
More four more losses in the cards for the Panthers
in this manner, then I think the conversation changes if
you lose someone gains, especially to teams that you shouldn't like.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Let's just say God for bid, and some.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
Losses, the margin of victory is multiplied by the team
that it happens from. Right, So let's just say you
lost to the New Orleans Saints by seventeen points.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
That's like losing.
Speaker 5 (19:10):
By forty two I don't know, right, one of the
best teams in the league. So do you lose to
New Orleans by fourteen seventeen? And then do you lose
to another good team on the schedule about thirty five
forty I don't know, the forty nine or something like that.
You see what I did there? I do do you
lose to a team like that? So I think the
style points certainly are going to matter for coach Canalis
(19:33):
as far as job security. Can he fight because I
got to give him a little bit of the benefit
of the doubt with the roster with which he's working with.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
And one thing I'll say, if you were looking to
defend Dave Canalis, but you don't have to today. You
can get mad all you want to. You deserve to
get mad today. As a Panthers fan, if you were
looking to defend him, one of the questions you might
ask when it comes to making a change is has
he lost the locker room? Because once you've lost to
the locker room, now it's time for you to get
on up out of here. There's no coming back. I
shouldn't say that you can't come back from it. Nick
(20:02):
Sirianni kind of did. It helps to come back from
it when you have all stars at every single position.
So maybe that way where you just win a whole
bunch of games because you have a bunch of talent.
The Panthers do not have the Eagles type talent. Dave
Canalis has not lost this locker room. And I think
you heard the players speak about that. I believe them.
Where Derek Brown says, hey, Dave Canalis is supposed to
(20:23):
take the responsibility, that's his job. Jace Horn said something similar,
but we got to go out there and we have
to perform, and Derek seemed to take that to heart.
I think jac Horn, the leaders on defense, they seem
to take that to heart, saying we have to go perform.
We can't allow this to continue to happen. And Derek says,
we can't go beat a team thirty to nothing and
then get shellacked the next time out. That's inexcusable, that's unacceptable,
(20:46):
and they're taking player responsibility. I don't you could ask
what else are they going to say? But I believe them.
I'm not so cynical to the point where they can't
say anything to make me believe them. I believe when
they say, nah, man, this is on us. It can't
just be Dave Canalis all the time. I don't think
he's lost that locker room. There are no reports to
suggest that they've lost the locker room. I think that's
(21:07):
true for a Vero. Also, hearing some of those guys
talk about Agio Avero last week getting into this game,
they seem to say, it's on us. We want to
battle for our defensive coordinator. So I don't think he did.
The coaching staff has lost. Well, the stats showed me.
Speaker 5 (21:22):
You know, for one that obviously the coaches they can't
get out there and play these games, and so for
the pros too. You've got to be able to put
to put stuff on tape to get your paycheck. Okay,
this isn't doing your high school, high school or anything like that.
If you're not balling, you're gonna be out of the league.
So that's one thing. The players can quit all they want,
but the league's gonna quit on them in terms of
(21:43):
that type of scenario.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
But when you look at it, the numbers bear it out.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
The coaches, what can canalist do when your quarterback is
getting pressured forty percent of the time. He can't get
out there and block those guys. It's an age old saying,
but he can't do that.
Speaker 3 (21:56):
Walker. The Panthers have.
Speaker 1 (21:57):
Two sacks on the season.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
My man, after they went out and revamp the edges,
you've got two sacks on the year.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Now, like in four games.
Speaker 5 (22:10):
It is unfathomable to be able to go out there
with NFL caliber players. Now, there are other teams that
obviously aren't doing much better. I mean, the Baltimore Ravens
have four sacks. San Francisco only has five, even though
their defense is really good. The Tennessee Titans have four sacks,
but still, but the Caroline and Panthers, this was a
position of need this offseason that you went out and
(22:31):
addressed in a major way and you only have two
sacks to speak of.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
And so I say all that to say.
Speaker 5 (22:38):
The coaches can only do so much, Like what scheme
do you guys want them to run where they can
go out there and get six sacks in the game.
It comes down to somebody saying I'm whooping your tail,
I'm whooping your keyster, whatever way you want to be
able to put it, and somebody going out there deciding
to do that. And that's why I'm talking about just
how flawed this roster is. You don't have that guy
(22:58):
right now people going out and doing that. You give,
like I said, forty pressures. Who is the guy that's
blocking Christian Barmore yesterday that's giving up five pressures? Okay,
there has to be some personnel that's added to this
mix to help these guys out. And so that's why
I say with the coaches, I can only put but
(23:18):
so much on them. And I do buy into the
player saying that this is on us because when you
go look at the numbers, you go look at the
advanced metrics, God's aren't playing.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
What did we just talk about walking during the break.
Speaker 5 (23:30):
You look at the advanced metrics on the starting two linebackers.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
For the Carolina Panthers.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
Most of times you might have one linebacker that's really
good and then the other one is marginal. But in
the game yesterday combined, you didn't get a sixty total
grade between your two middle linebackers. That has nothing to
do with coaching, man, and so it's just talent lacking
all over the place.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
And I think asking those roster questions on the margins,
I think that where maybe Dan Morgan has struggled defensively,
more so, I think it was QC.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Sam.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
I apologize that that's not the guy, but I want
to give credit to the Texter who made this point.
When I was talking about your biggest responsibility as a
GM is nailing your first round picks.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
QC.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
Sam responded and said, see Walker, I think it's actually
the opposite. I think first round picks that's almost a given.
You're up there. You need to go ahead and hit
that ball out of the park because that's where all
the talent is. Really what your responsibility is finding talent
in the second, third, fourth, fifth rounds and seeing if
those guys can play themselves into second contracts with the
team that drafted them, and if they can't, that shows
(24:37):
some dysfunction because it means the coaches they're not getting
the most out of the guys that they drafted. You
had a misevaluation right from the onset. Whatever it is,
it shows that there is a real issue with the
Panthers drafting in those middle rounds where a lot of
these teams make their hay and I do. I get that.
I think that's a good point from QC Sam and
what he brings up. So now you're looking at where
(24:59):
can we win. Like you're right, linebacker was a big need.
They decided to move on from Shack Josie Jewel had
this concussion all year long. They decide not to sign
any linebacker in free agency. Then it's after the fact
where they decide to release Josie Jewel.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Did they think he was gonna come back?
Speaker 1 (25:17):
I felt like you should have had a better plan B,
plan C for Jewel, But instead it's just playing Christian
Roseboom and Trevin Wallace and if it doesn't work out,
that's all we got. Van Martin Scott Okay, they didn't
seem to be prepared at positions that they needed edge rusher.
You mentioned that Pat Jones, I like the signing well enough.
Speaker 3 (25:38):
They're gonna go.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
At it again with DJ Wanham, But DJ Wantams hurt Wes.
You could use that as an excuse if you wanted to,
except my man has been hurt most of the time
that he's been here in Carolina. So you have to
have Prince Ummuel and a Nick Gorton step up in
a big way. And Umn Miellen for as bad as
he was getting fooled on misdirection, he didn't even play
that many snaps. So now you're you just don't seem
(26:01):
prepared at some of the positions you knew were a big,
big need coming into the season.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
Yeah, and you know, I think two, it's identifying traits.
We talked about the wide receiver corps. You want to
go out and get basketball players. Tetoroa is working out,
but you go out and get Exaberly, get who is
a big, strong guy. But I talk about how you
need the tank Dell's, you need some of these other
body types that are twitchy.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
That are gonna win. Then you look at the edges.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
Did you identify the right traits you go out and
get Nick Gordon, who's a big bruiser and some of
the tape that you see on him, he's got a
little bit in his bag, but does he have the
moves to be able to consistently win? Prince Lee luman
Mi Yellen, he's got some moves to be able to
pass rush, but they're not good enough.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
And then he didn't do you much good on the run.
Speaker 5 (26:45):
Okay, but you're gonna look at Atlanta yesterday because we
want to compare them because they're in the division and
they drafted some young guys. Daylen Walker yesterday gets in
eighty six. Now, his pass rushing wasn't crazy, but he
had a seventy sixth grade there.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
He did have a pressure on that afternoon.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
Then you look at James Pearce, who didn't grade out spectacularly,
but he had two pressures on the afternoon. I say
all that, what traits are you identifying? Are you going
and finding those twitchy type of guys, because I'll tell
you right now. You know, for the Carolina Panthers when
they held on to my man from Oregon, hold on
his name, escaping me j Yes, DJ Johnson, I just
(27:23):
don't understand it. And also too when you look at it,
it's a type here.
Speaker 3 (27:27):
Now.
Speaker 5 (27:27):
DJ Johnson did have eight sacks coming out of Oregon,
but pass rush was not his foretape.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
Oh it was over. His resume was not good, That's
what I'm saying.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
So you look at the type though that they have Scorton,
big bruiser, DJ Johnson, big bruiser, You even look at
Wannaman Johnson, they kind of fit that molde to where
they're not the kind of wiry, twitchy pass rushes. There's
there's known type of stuff. So I just think that,
you know, one of the reasons I beg the question
(27:55):
about Damn Morgan and is it time to start the
clock on him because his evaluation it feels like he
kind of likes, you know, just certain body types that
don't necessarily work out it. It feels like maybe he's
in a little bit of a different era as far
as the style of players.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
That he likes in some key positions. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
So yeah, you're questioning the process and evaluating these guys
all over the place. And I think it's fair now
because we know that he has a type and liking
these big, strong dudes playing football, and I understand that
makes sense. That makes sense at different positions. I would
like to be a little more athletic on the outside
on a couple of different positions. We've seen Jonathan Mingo,
(28:34):
Xavier le Get, even t mac who is very different.
He's very different from those guys. But you're right, we
don't have a whole lot of speed that ori agility.
It does seem like we have a lot of agility
and quickness to read and react, and that seems to
be hurting them both offensively and defensively. Like you mentioned,
and look not to bring up the tube of conversation,
they didn't even have the home run hitter at running
(28:56):
back right like.
Speaker 5 (28:57):
They just they don't have it anywhere, and they didn't
decide to go and get that in a draft because
you take a Trevor Etn.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
It makes it hard.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
I just think you have to be so methodical on
your offensive drives and if somebody does get open on
the outside for the offense, then how many guys do
you have on defense that can halk him down or
limit the big plays that kind of comes into the
free range stuff.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
So I get where you're coming from.
Speaker 5 (29:20):
I think it's fair to say at this point it
feels like Dan in a lot of ways is kind
of living back in that yesteryear when he was at
Carolina Panther with the way that football was played at
that time. And I know that, you know, he talks
about the modern game and things of that nature, but
the way that he's drafting with some of these things, man,
it just doesn't feel like a team that creates mismatches
on both sides of the ball because you don't have
(29:42):
to be an offensive player to create a mismatch. Do
you have mismatches on defense as well?
Speaker 1 (29:46):
Yeah, And I think it's not even that I want
you to go away from that type altogether. It's just
do we show a willingness to draft some different types
so you can be a little more well rounded. Because
t Mac, I love what t mac is doing. I
like Nick Gorton, the player you did break away from
that mold when you drafted Princely Uman Meellen in the
third round. That is somebody that's twitchy, So I can
(30:08):
understand it from that point you're trying. We'll see Princely
Uman Meellen in his development, We'll see Nick Gorton in
his development. But even when they draft him like a
Jimmy Horn, who is that quick, agile guy. They refuse
to play him, just don't want to play him, and
he might not be ready. He's a rookie. I get it,
but man, what else do you have? It's David Moore,
(30:28):
it was Hunter Renfro for a few throws against Arizona,
and now you're not even targeting him. It's a lot
of the tight ends. That's where they were making their
hay against New England, which seemed like a great part
of the game plan in the first drive, but after
that they you just all right, we got to put
together a long, long drive again, and we have zero
explosivity except for Tamak, who is the not the burner,
(30:51):
but can't pick up Yak in that intermediate play.
Speaker 3 (30:53):
And it's huge. That's a huge.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
It's why I keep going back to him being the
most irreplaceable player that they have on offense side of
Bryce Young. And you know there are people today pointing
and saying, see, that's why it's not even Bryce. There
are people pointing at her. I'm not there, I'm not there.
Let's move on. It's the walk off coming up next.
On Western Walker Sports Radio ninety two to seven, WFNZ.
(31:22):
Are you challenging me to a walk off?
Speaker 5 (31:26):
Oh yeah, that's a walk off challenge, my friend, it's
a walk off, the walk off.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Wrapping up Western Walker Sports Radio ninety two to seven
at WFNZ. Hornets Media Day has turned into Queen's practice
at three o'clock. Everybody they're gonna be getting ready for
the season upcoming. Got some people just nailing some threes.
How about Chris Ashby, a Sun preseason Player of the
Year coming out here, and we talked about it because
I don't think that the prospects for Ashby making the
(31:59):
NBA are all that's right now.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Who knows, maybe could turn it around this upcoming season.
Speaker 1 (32:03):
But it led you to say, after watching them drill
however many threes in a row, we're just shaking our head,
like you got to be a certain type of persons,
Kevin Kintz might say to make the league.
Speaker 5 (32:13):
Yeah, man, I mean you see these guys out here
and just how skilled and how good they are, even
at the power for level. You just think about how
nice you have to be to make it to that level.
Because this Queen's team is a favorite in their conference.
Like you said, Chris Ashley, a favorite for Conference Player.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Of the Year.
Speaker 5 (32:31):
And I mean, these guys out here looking apart so
far on warmups.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
I know it's one of.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
Their preseason ranked number one for a reason. Yeah, so
what's on TAPA? It's Queen's practice. What's on Tap is
presented by Twins Feet Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks has locations
in Concord and Ford, mil Twin Peaks is your local
sports lodge. Come in form made from scratch food and
signature twenty nine degree Draft beers real quickly did want
to mention a few updates from Dave Canal is just
to update everybody as some of those comments have come in.
(32:58):
Dave Canal has said x is day to day, calls
Jalen Cocher week to week after suffering that quad injury
at the beginning of the season. He is eligible to
return this week if they want to activate that twenty
one day window. Doesn't sound like they will. Jalen Coker
again is week to week. Joe Person says not great
after two more injuries at wide receiver yesterday, David Moore
(33:19):
going down on the very first play of the game.
Dave can Alis did indicate Jimmy Horn will get his
shot this week, Panthers don't really have a choice. Also
says the plan is to start Brady Christiansen depending on
the severity on Chandler Savalla's and knee injury. Apparently Brady
Christensen did not replace Chandler savala the first time, and
instead it was Brandon Walton because Christensen is the backup
(33:40):
center and if they had an injury to center, then
they didn't have anybody to back up.
Speaker 3 (33:43):
Cade mays. So, I don't know what's the line of
thinking there.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Do you understand it or is it still like why
not just put the best player out there at right guard?
Speaker 5 (33:51):
I mean you would think so, but I wonder, you know,
is he being outplayed? What are the coaches seeing that
are making them hesitant to put him out there? Those
are the questions in me to be answer because I
feel like right now, especially after the game that they had,
or even in the midst of the game, when you're
giving up forty percent pressure on Bryce Young, that hey,
if you've got a guy over there, that's a better solution,
(34:13):
You're gonna put him in there.
Speaker 1 (34:14):
But Brady Christiansen is starting next week, which goes into coaching.
Right if Brady Christensen's starting next week because you think
he's a better player, but he didn't play it right
guard this past game because you didn't want to not
have a replacement for Kade Mays if he got injured.
Speaker 3 (34:29):
I just that just seems weird to me.
Speaker 1 (34:32):
Brady Christensen, if he's a better player, let's not allow
Bryce Young to run around for his life. Let's put
the better player out there. So I don't know, those
are some of the question issues coaching.
Speaker 5 (34:41):
I guess you know, if you get ka May's hurt,
but you put Brady Christensen out there and they both
get hurt in the same game, and who's gonna play center?
Speaker 3 (34:52):
Walk a Mail not me? Do you understand?
Speaker 1 (34:55):
I'm trying to think if there's a worse position for
me to play than center, to get a low.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Center like but you could get help. You know, you
got the guards and that will help you. Wes.
Speaker 1 (35:03):
I appreciate and help you. I appreciate it. It's gonna
I'm gonna make both of us look bad. You are
very good at playing tackle slash guard, but I am
worse than you are good, and there's no helping me
at center. I would do a much better job at tackle.
Like you got to understand, at center, I don't have
any power to get lower than the other person across
(35:24):
the line of scrimmage. I got it. That's a lot.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (35:27):
But see, I'll put you there first though, because the
quarterback can see the pressure. If you give that up
at center, you might get put on roller skates and
get pushed back, get pushed back.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
There to the quarterback. But man, you get out there
tackle man, and.
Speaker 1 (35:42):
I know, I know, at least I don't I can
get a hand.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
Yeah, it's all bad. Don't put me out there, Dave.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
Just don't put me out there, and we won't have
that big of an issue.
Speaker 3 (35:53):
What's on tap?
Speaker 1 (35:54):
We got a double header Monday night football, by the way,
So first one, it's not great. Seven to fifteen kick
My host the New York Jets. At least you have
a short week for Miami for the Panthers to prepare
for them. Whoop de doo, Basel, Miami hosts the Jets.
They're both zero and three. Who do you think it's
their first winning?
Speaker 3 (36:11):
Oh man, Well, you know, I gotta go out my Jets.
They got to get a win.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
Justin Fields is back, so I need them to do
something to keep my wild card prediction a.
Speaker 3 (36:18):
Live seven to fifteen kick.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
By the way, fer, I don't know if your Mike's
on you want to give me thumbs up for Jets,
thumbs down for Dolphins, thumbs up for thumbs.
Speaker 3 (36:25):
Up the Jets two and a half point favorite.
Speaker 1 (36:28):
Yes they are, so we'll see if Miami at home
is able to get their first win of the season.
And the final game in the doubleheader that we have
Denver hosting Cincinnati Cincinnati two and one decent, not bad,
not bad.
Speaker 3 (36:42):
Denver hosting Cincinnati.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
Denver is a seven and a half point favorite against
the Bengals, who just looked absolutely terrible their last game
out getting destroyed by Minnesota, who lost to Pittsburgh. They
lost to Minnesota forty eight to ten. Who wins this game?
Speaker 3 (36:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (36:55):
I go Denver to bounce back, and that'll be a
fun matchup tonight with Chase and Patrick stands.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
I'm gonna go with Denver. Also thumbs up for Denver. Flounder.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Okay, yep, we're all going Denver, which means maybe the
Bengals can win.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
I don't like that though. Olivia and I are doing
quite well. Knock on Wood. I'm knocking on Wood in
the three survivor pool entries that we have, and we're
relying on Denver tonight again Cincinnati, and if we get
that one right, we still have both all three of
our entries alive even to this point.
Speaker 3 (37:26):
So okay, I'm hoping.
Speaker 5 (37:27):
Found the thumbs up thumbs down the start of the
Jackson Dart era.
Speaker 3 (37:30):
Yeah, you did lose mylik neighbors though that Yeah, thumbs down.
Speaker 2 (37:36):
I like this down.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
So it's a new new segment on wesn Walker thumbs up,
thumbs down, flound. Also there is WrestleMania what is it again?
Speaker 3 (37:46):
Monday Night Rock?
Speaker 1 (37:47):
Excuse Monday Night Ros, I apologize, Monday Night Raw.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
What are the story lines for Monday Night Row coming
into this one?
Speaker 5 (37:53):
You know, you still got to see him punk and
hey j Lee thing going with uh seth Rollins and
Becky Lynz, so that'll be heating up tonight. Also a
little bit of brock Leslon perhaps we shall see man.
But you know, ww, you got to get this thing
cracking a little bit more. Some good storylines developing. We're
starting to see if j Usso is indeed taking his
(38:13):
heel turn turning into a bad guy, So that'd be
very interesting if that happens.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
Okay, who are you pulling for in all of those beefs?
I guess that you have a.
Speaker 5 (38:24):
J Lee and CM Pump for sure, and I'm definitely here.
I know you guys are gonna have a good time
with it because you know, Michael Mines is my guy
and all that stuff. But I'm definitely here for j
usso he'll turn. I would like that very much.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
What are the worst heel turns of all time?
Speaker 5 (38:41):
Well, recently we had John Cena that had the Crazy
Hill Turn, even though it turned out a little bit
watered down because he didn't really some of the characters
that participated in the story didn't do great, but the
greatest of all time in my opinion, I feel like
most Rusling fans would agree it's, you know, yeah, one's
the greatest. I went to NWL. Yeah yeah, man, a
(39:01):
great call too. That was a famous call.
Speaker 1 (39:05):
Turn us back on pro wrestling, all right, that'll do
it for WESN. Walker wrapping up here on the Walk
Off Sports raded ninety two seven. WFNZ real quickly huge
thanks to Queens for hosting us, as well as Hornets
Media day they're about to practice, might just stay here
and check out a little bit of what they got
going on to get ready for.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
The Queen season.
Speaker 1 (39:24):
Should be fun with them being ranked number one in
the preseason ahead, but also huge thanks to the Hornets
for helping facilitate all those interviews. It was great stuff.
I'll remind you once more. Go to WFNZ dot com
and then you can catch any of the interviews you
might have missed Charles Lee, Brandon Miller, con Ka Nipple,
and Trey Man. I mean, it was a star studdy
wesn Walker with all those guys that we got to
(39:45):
talk to. Also find those interviews anywhere you get your
podcast Apple, Spotify, Just search Wes and Walker and then
click on some of those interviews that will be uploaded
soon or are already up on the feed. Coming up next,
it's The Kyle Bailey Show alongside Smoke Ludwig back at
the Tailor vaulta studio Sports Radio ninety two seven FL
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.