Big Blue Kickoff Live 6/6 | NFC East Position Rankings Part II

Paul Dottino and Lance Medow discuss each position group from every team in the NFC East and give their rankings.

:00 - NFC East special teams and coaches

13:50 - NFC East defensive position rankings

36:00 - NFC East offensive position rankings

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

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(01:08):
getting Better, So a lot on the agenda today. On
Wednesday show, John and Matt gave their breakdown of the
NFC East by positional group. So it's our turn. Paul
and I will do the same. We'll rank accordingly. Pearson
will carefully add up the tallies, and we'll make sure
that we make no mistakes, that all the t's are crossed,

(01:29):
all the eyes are dotted, and he reports back to
the higher ups.

Speaker 2 (01:34):
But in addition, to maximize the humor after the season,
without a doubt, is what correct well because all of
us clearly at the end of the season, the first
thing we do is we drop everything and then we
go and run back to the rankings to see how
accurate the assessments were.

Speaker 3 (01:49):
We're giving away state secrets here, yes, and then if
time allows, Paul and I would also like to weigh
in on a few takeaways from the press conferences yesterday.
As Brendan Brown, few of the coaches as well as
the players, spoke to the media in the midst of
OTA's all right, Paul, Let's delve in to our breakdown
of the NFC East and for those that are completely lost,

(02:11):
just a quick breakdown and review. We're gonna go four
through one. Highest team that we feel the most confident
in gets a four, the lowest team gets a one.
We're gonna do qurnerback, running back, wide receiver, tight end,
offensive line on offense. We're gonna do defensive tackle, edge,
interior linebacker, cornerback, safety on defense, special teams as an

(02:34):
entire unit, and then the coaching staff as well, so
the whole anchilada, and then some with some toppings on
the side or on top of it. As I throw
in the food analogies, because Paul Detino clearly loves to
rub off on me.

Speaker 2 (02:46):
I was curious, why do we not have press box
food also as one of the categories.

Speaker 3 (02:49):
You know what, Hey, the afternoon is young, as they say,
radio boof location. Okay, hey, we can throw that into
I don't know if the listeners, viewers, and fans care
at the end of day about that, but we'll leave
no stone unturned, all right, you know what, I want
to go backwards because I'm sure they let off with
the meat and potatoes of quarterback let's work our way up.

Speaker 2 (03:08):
Okay, the quarterback, You're okay with that, right, Let's mix
it up.

Speaker 3 (03:11):
So let's start with coaching staff as the first go
around here, and I will allow you to start the
dialogue in terms of how you broke down this category.

Speaker 2 (03:22):
Well, I did it as head coach. I didn't do
it as coaching staff.

Speaker 3 (03:26):
Okay, well, coaching staff. My interpretation is I'm going to
take it to consideration the OC.

Speaker 2 (03:32):
The dcouldn't do that.

Speaker 3 (03:35):
Well, listen, I think you can operate on the fly.
I have full confidence in you, Paul. The entire production
team is pulling for you behind the scenes.

Speaker 2 (03:42):
Well, as you know, Dallas has had changes. That is correct.

Speaker 3 (03:45):
Okay, that's a very accurate assessment on your part.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
Washington, Washington and the Giants not so much. So I
actually went with As much as I hate to say this,
I'm simply going off of track work Philadelphia. Siriani, no
matter who he's had underneath him, has been able to
become a big winner with the Eagles. So I suggest

(04:09):
that he has to be number one and his staff.
I suggest Washington with Dan Quinn, who has had multiple
playoff seasons across a career, that also had other stops,
but clearly what he did this past season was remarkable
with a Commander's team that all of us had picked
last in the division. So I think you have to

(04:30):
go there. Brian Dable has been a Coach of the
Year and gone to the playoffs and his short three
year stint as a head coach, so I went with
him at number three and his folks, And then number
four has got to be a Brian Schottenheimer, because let's
face it, this is his first head coaching job and
I have absolutely no idea how he's going to do

(04:51):
in Dallas, so I went with him fourth.

Speaker 3 (04:54):
I was identical to you Eagles for Commanders, three Giants,
two Cowboys, one Washington in continuity, so that bodes very
well for them. None of the coordinators changed under Dan Quinn.
If Kingsbury is still in the fold. Philadelphia did lose
Kellen Moore, but they promoted from within. And let's face it,
Sirianni has a great deal of influence on the ins
and outs of the offense, so that doesn't concern me,

(05:16):
and the roster, even on the offensive side of the ball,
is staying intact. The Giants, of course, are bringing back
the unit as well. Dallas has had the most change,
so Dallas has the most land of the unknown compared
to the other teams. Now, Schottenheimer, in fairness, has been
running the offense in conjunction with Mike McCarthy. But to

(05:36):
your point, it's the first time he's the head coach,
and when you're the head coach, you're not just running
the offense, you're running an entire team. Matt Eberflus is
a polished defensive coordinator who was previously in Dallas, and
his teams have been very good with takeaways. So I'm
not poo pooing their coaching staff. But if we're going
to be fair and say proven track record versus newness,

(05:56):
it's hard to elevate Dallas over the other three.

Speaker 2 (06:00):
Yeah. I mean, if you wanted to, and we're not
allowed in this particular exercise to give Dallas an incomplete
you could. Because we just don't know. We just don't
have short We don't have enough of a gauge as
to what Shedenheimer's going to be as the lead guy.

Speaker 3 (06:14):
The grades are in the off season, okay, or intercession,
however you want to word it. The summer, Okay, The regents.
The Dean's office has made it clear there are no
incompletes in terms of this is yes, okay, so we
see coaching staff identical. Yes, Pearson, I'm assuming you're keeping
tally and we're not going too fast for you, okay,
Just want to make sure once again. All right, let's

(06:34):
move now to special teams. So special teams encompasses everything,
the kicking game, the return game, coverage, you name it.
So the way that I looked at it is and
I think this could go in a variety of different ways,
but my order was I went Dallas, four Eagles, three Commanders,

(06:55):
two Giants, one And the rationale behind my order was,
first of all, Dallas has the best kicking game in
the division. I don't think there's anyone better than Brandon Aubrey.
And if you disagree, that's fine, Paul. But he has
the best leg and the greatest form of efficiency among.

Speaker 2 (07:09):
The top of the league.

Speaker 3 (07:10):
Sure, so that I think voted very well for Dallas
when I was evaluating this. They also have one of
the best return men in the NFL in Cavante Turpin,
so he's still in the fold. Blazing speed, can take
the ball anywhere. He wants. You give him a hole,
you give him an inch, He's going to go a mile.
And overall, I think their coverage teams have been solid enough.

(07:33):
I'm not saying that they don't have any issues, but
there are no glaring major problems, I guess is what
I'm looking at it. From that standpoint, then if you
look at Philadelphia the Eagles, I give the benefit of
the doubt because of their track record. The Eagles have
had a really good special teams unit. I mean, you
go back decades really with the Eagles. But if you're
looking at personnel wise, at least there are some changes

(07:56):
in terms of their return game. But Jake Elliott, who
did have a down year, has been mostly solid over
the course of his career, so I think that the
chance of him regrouping and bouncing back is certainly something
that's a positive for Philadelphia. Washington has arguably the best
punter in the division in trest Way. I mean, anger
is not too shabby for Dallas, and I think Luke

(08:19):
McCaffrey and Austin Eckler provide a nice one to two
punch in terms of the return game. And we know
based on the Giants, while Graham Gano did better I
think towards the latter part of last season, and hopefully
full health will help his cause and experience well.

Speaker 2 (08:35):
Gobriel said yesterday he looked like herself again.

Speaker 3 (08:37):
He did, but you know that he's on.

Speaker 2 (08:39):
He's as good as anybody, without a doubt.

Speaker 3 (08:41):
But there have been some ups and downs in recent
years and some injury concerns. Jamie Gillen is still in
the mix, so there's continduty from that stadpole, but I
still think the jury is out. I would argue with
respect to the coverage unit, and maybe that's my biggest
concern more so than anything else in the division.

Speaker 2 (08:57):
Okay, understood. I went with not with what happened in
twenty twenty four in terms of this, which is why
the Giants are number one with me. They are the
top dog. They have the best special teams overall in
the division. I believe I'm counting on Gono, who did
show well like he was himself at the end of
last season. He's had a good spring. Gillan had the

(09:20):
best year of his career as a punter. Smith Marsett
looks like he is a terrific return guy. I am
a huge, huge fan and signing board off of the Ravens,
who was the number one kick coverage guy in free agency.
In fact, Goldbriel said yesterday the last five years he's
been in the top five of special teams tackles. Every year.

(09:42):
He is a dominant special teams force. I believe this
is the year. And I've been saying this on the
program for two months since free agency started. The Giants
signed more than just one. They got like three special
teams guys they signed in free agency. They intend on
being one of the best special teams units across the
board in football. They intend on winning that third of

(10:04):
the game every single week, and that's a starting point
for them to get back to respectability. Because if you
can win special teams every Sunday and win most of
your games defensively, well, then your offense can lag along,
but just be good enough to be competitive. So I
think that's their plan. I believe in the plan. Giants

(10:25):
best special teams in twenty twenty five, not twenty twenty four.
You look at it last year, sure, that's well.

Speaker 3 (10:31):
I'm looking for the track record too.

Speaker 2 (10:33):
I'm not gonna go off track record as much as
I'm gonna go for what I see in the plan,
I go Giants, I go Philadelphia because they have a
more balanced special teams than the Cowboys do. The Cowboys
have a great kicker and a great punter, the return
guys dangerous, but their coverage units, my goodness, you're talking
about pig sty coverage units. They are brutal when it

(10:56):
comes to covering punts and covering kicks. And unless that's you,
and I don't see how Again, we're not around these
other teams. We don't know specifically about what they're doing
with certain personnel and who they're going to change. But
until they get their coverage units squared away, they're really
really bad, and bad enough that the imbalance makes me

(11:17):
pick them third and Washington last. Also very bad coverage
units in Washington.

Speaker 3 (11:24):
Well a few of these teams. This is why it's
hard with the projection, because the rookies could play a
prominent ring exact special teams and you just don't know
at this point.

Speaker 2 (11:32):
No, I don't. So while I'm projecting with the Giants,
that's because I'm here, and what I think they want
to do and who they're going to use and how
it's going to be planned out. I know what they're planning.
I know they're counting on special teams being awesome this year.
They really are, and I'm sorry, but I'm buying it.

Speaker 3 (11:54):
Well, I will say this, and this adds to what
you were laying out. I think of all four teams
in the day vision, the Giants need their special teams
to deliver or so then the other three squad.

Speaker 2 (12:06):
It's a key part of their turnaround. And if it
doesn't happen, it's going to mean this team struggles more
than they want them to.

Speaker 3 (12:13):
Because even with the upgraded quarterback. Once again, you and
I have had a lot of conversations. You can't assume
they're gonna score a touchdown more than they did last season.

Speaker 2 (12:22):
Okay, that's crazy.

Speaker 3 (12:24):
There's gotta be a little bit more middle ground. So
how do you make up for it?

Speaker 2 (12:27):
Four points a game on the average would be considered
an achievement.

Speaker 3 (12:31):
And that would get them to that twenty point ballpark,
right because of where they've been the last few seas.

Speaker 2 (12:36):
I'd love to see him at twenty three. But that's
a lot.

Speaker 3 (12:39):
I would agree with you. Listen, I've said that multiple years.
It's not just going into this season. I've said it
multiple times, the track record doesn't show that, so they
do need to show consistency and vast improvement on that
side of the ball. And even goes back to I'm
glad you brought up what Gobriel, the special teams coach,
had talked about. He even mentioned he was asked about
the tweaks to the new kickoff role and where the

(13:00):
touchback is going to be on the thirty five, and
he had said, based on the analytical studies, when you
get five yards improvement in starting field position, specifically when
you go from the thirty to thirty five, the chances
of scoring go up to about eighty percent is the
number he threw out, and that should not be taken lightly. No,

(13:21):
especially for the sake of the Giants.

Speaker 2 (13:23):
The Giants know that one of the quickest ways for
them to get back to respectability is to win field position.
They understand that, yeah, and what's the quickest way to
gain field position to dominate on special teams. Look, I've
been talking about this for two three months, folks, so
actually probably two months. So I'm sorry, but that's what

(13:43):
I'm basing this on. It's strictly a projection because I'm
buying in to what they're selling on this one.

Speaker 3 (13:48):
All right, Let's now move to the defensive individual categories
safety position, and I'll let you start things off here, Paul.

Speaker 2 (13:56):
I went with the top team in the division. Giants.
Like Nuban very much. I like Holland very much. And
Belton's having a good spring. You know, we keep talking
about how he's the third guy and can't crack the
top two. Well, if he's still the third guy, he
could be a really good third guy. There's nothing wrong
with being a really great number three safety on a team.
I went Giants, I went Philadelphia. It was hard to

(14:21):
do because I honestly don't think it's a good safety division.

Speaker 3 (14:26):
In my opinion, I'd actually go the opposite way. I
think a few of these teams have some substance, but
go ahead.

Speaker 2 (14:31):
So but I went Philly second, Dallas third, and Washington fourth.
But I'm not a fan of the safeties in this division.

Speaker 3 (14:39):
Well, there's no doubt Holland is the most attractive boost
to any of the units. But as good as Nuban
has shown, flash wise still a bit of an unproven
commodity in terms of what he could do. See this
is why I do put stock into what have you
done over the last years? Dallas to me as the
most experienced Paul at that position between Wilson and Hooker,

(15:01):
and they've been together.

Speaker 2 (15:03):
So you know his performance has slipped though.

Speaker 3 (15:05):
He has, but when he's healthy, Wilson, you could argue,
is maybe the best safety in this division. I think
he's been very, very solid.

Speaker 2 (15:14):
He's got to turn back the clock about three years.

Speaker 3 (15:16):
Though he's not an old man where you gotta get
old siding elements out well. But I think part of
it has been just the injury to Yes and the
career and tear. But when he's healthy, I still think
he performs at a high level, So I'm not willing
to dismiss that. And then Philadelphia Reed Blankenship has been
one of the great stories at safety in this division.

Speaker 2 (15:35):
He's an overachiever and he's part of the system. I
think they hide him back there as an individual player.
He is not nearly what people think he is well.

Speaker 3 (15:45):
But remember he's not operating out on an island. He's
operating with Fangio system. But we are, I think out safety.
We're not asked about the secondary but about a safety no,
but you're also operating with how they're utilized within the
defensive structure too. Though that's how I looked.

Speaker 2 (16:01):
I wasn't asked that.

Speaker 3 (16:01):
Well, that's how I I mean. Once again, this exercise
is different because everybody interprets it in ways. But I
look at it is how effective are the player is
within the scheme because this is not quarterback against one right, See,
so I'm going to look at it that to be fair.

Speaker 2 (16:15):
When John listed this for us, I was thinking, Okay,
you have the opportunity to take guys at this position.

Speaker 3 (16:24):
Who would you take at that?

Speaker 2 (16:25):
Blankenship is I would never take blankenship of all the
safeties in this division. He would definitely not be anywhere
near the top for me. And now you're talking about
how does he melt into the scheme in the system.
The guy's been very productive, although his production's gone down
in each of the last three seasons too. But I
understand your point. See, we're coming at it from a

(16:45):
different angle. So therefore the rationales that we use are
going to be totally totally incongruent and and we'll have
some very large variations, which is fine.

Speaker 3 (16:56):
Listen, it makes sure a good conversation and the division
is va then there's many different perspectives. Sydney Brown is
their other safety. Who's another player that I think given
what they've gotten in the draft. Remember, you know this
is really good bang for the Bucks. So Dallas, Philadelphia,
the Giants, and then I'm with you. The Commanders I
think have the biggest question mark of all teams at

(17:17):
that position because you've got Kwan Martin, who's one of
the projected starters, second round pick of twenty twenty three,
Will Harris who they bring over from New Orleans. So
you're looking at one new guy, one guy that hasn't
necessarily proven that he's going to be a game changing player.
I think the other three teams there is a higher
level of confidence. So sure, that was what I took

(17:38):
into consideration in terms of my rankings from that standpoint.
All right, let's go over to the cornerback position, which
is next on the list, and I'll start off the
dialogue here. For cornerback, I started with the Eagles at
number one, and this is very similar to my thinking.
In terms of the safety position. You've got Quinnon Mitchell Okay,

(18:00):
their first round pick from last year, and at Cooper
Dejon degene excuse me, who's their second round pick. Okay,
the nickelback who also could be moved around in this defense.
I mean, both of those guys, Paul have been really solid.
I mean maybe Ringo, you know, hasn't been as good
perhaps as the other two. But as a group, and
let's not forget you know, you got a Dori Jackson

(18:21):
who you brought in as a complimentary cornerback. I think
you can do a lot worse than that group. So
I elevated Philadelphia for that reason. I have Dallas number two.
You've got Trayvon Diggs and Deron Bland is probably one
of the most underrated corners. Remember a few years ago
he led the NFL in interception returns for touchdowns. Kayer
Elim they're hoping bounces back, the former first round pick

(18:41):
from Buffalo, so far from a proven commodity, and then
they have some youth behind that. Then I had the
Giants as third on the list because once again you've
got young guys, but you like what they're brought in
with Paulson Adebo. But once again, the jury is still
out in terms of can the younger guy as a
unit complement the veterans, can Deontay Banks have a strong

(19:05):
bounce back season, and once again the commander is I
think similar to the safety position. It just goes to
show you what we think of their secondary overall. You
like Latimore, okay, who they made the acquisition for at
the trade deadline, but you know he was hurt and
we have yet to see a full season of his
operation in dan Quinn's defense. So once again, I'm looking
at how the player fits into the system. Sandra Still

(19:27):
is a young, up and coming player. And then they
brought in Jonathan Jones from New England, who's a veteran player,
but again, how's he going to fit into this defense?
So far more question marks for Washington than anybody else.

Speaker 2 (19:38):
Yeah, I'm with you there. We're pretty close here. I
do think this was a lot closer for me than
the safety spot. Okay, I did go Philadelphia. I don't
know how we can't go with Philadelphia. I mean, the
two corners they drafted last year. Just yeah, it's criminal's
amazing those guys. So I went Philly, I went Giants,

(20:00):
I went Dallas, I went Washington. Now that's because I'm
a big believer in Tay Banks. You guys know that. Again,
this is projection. How I see the guy playing in
twenty twenty five. I think we'll see more of a
real Tay Banks as opposed to what we saw last
year when he had trouble with the system. So if
he plays more like he did as a rookie, and

(20:22):
I have looked at a lot of tape on a depot,
he is some kind of player. And I also know
someone with the Saint Staff who has given me some
really good intel. They were really really not happy to
lose him, but they knew they couldn't afford him, and
so he gets away. So he comes here. And I'm
a huge true Phillips fan. Everybody knows that. So between

(20:43):
those three guys, I'm going to give them the lead
because I'm not big on Elam, who comes over from
Buffalo for Dallas. So while Blanded Digs have big numbers
and they make splash plays, they also gamble a lot,
and I'm not sold on Elam, So I'll go Giants
or two, Dallas three, and Washington clearly in the rear.

Speaker 3 (21:03):
Well before a demo got hurt, he was a ballhawk.
So the Giants are hoping that as Shane Bowen, who
spoke to.

Speaker 2 (21:09):
Them looks great.

Speaker 3 (21:10):
Yeah here now, well, well over the leg injury, that's
what I mean, physically, no residue. Sure, But you know,
I think a lot of the Giants potential that you
were going at is will these guys be more opportunistic
this season? Paul, you know that's the question.

Speaker 2 (21:25):
Well, the two Dallas guys are certainly.

Speaker 3 (21:28):
They've proven that they could do that. They they get interceptions, Yeah,
and eber Flus's system is very high on takeaway's, even
going back to when he was with the Colts. That's
why for me it's they get the edge with those
two or the Giants two. But then when we go
to Drew Phillips against Elam as the third corner in
the three corner package, not necessarily the position they're playing,

(21:48):
but in terms of one, two, three, CB three, I'm
big on Drew Phillips over Elam.

Speaker 2 (21:54):
And I'm not so sure that the gap in one
and two is it more a stat gap as opposed
to a performance gap. I think the interception numbers for
the two Dallas guys clearly dwarfs what the Giants.

Speaker 3 (22:07):
Oh, it's not the Giants get sure from a career.

Speaker 2 (22:09):
Standpoint, but from a playing on the field perspective. Well,
you know, we're not playing fantasy football here, We're playing
real football. I'm not so sure that the gap is
as wide as maybe somebody might think that's fair.

Speaker 3 (22:21):
I think the difference to me and the reason why
I put Dallas over the Giants was experience. Digs and
Bland do have a lot of experience. They do. Then,
even if you take a demo out of the equation,
you're just looking at those two against Banks and Phillips,
and there's a wealth of game experience, and I think
clearly that helps when it comes to evaluating positions and
looking at performance. Okay, so that is the breakdown of

(22:44):
the secondary. Let's move up the ladder and I'll have
you start things off with inside line packer, which has
been a very interesting conversation even here in Giants Land
for us this offseason.

Speaker 4 (22:55):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (22:55):
You know, part of the problem here is that you
Abdul Carter as both both a insidelinebacker, because I think
he's going to play some of that and he's also
going to play some edge. So because he plays both,
I couldn't separate the units. I can't just list him
as an edge. I can't. So given that I'm saying

(23:18):
to myself between McFadden, Okara, Kay and Carter, I'm going
Giants one. No, I went Philly one. I'm sorry. I
had Philly one.

Speaker 3 (23:28):
Gotcha.

Speaker 2 (23:28):
I had Giants two, Washington three, and Dallas four. Now
the problem with that is, if I give Carter the
flexibility to move in and out, I gotta give it
to Parsons.

Speaker 3 (23:38):
Yeah, that's why I see for this exercise, I avoided
having those tweeners. I just kept them as edge.

Speaker 2 (23:43):
Gat makes it really, really rough. Now, I guess I
guess you know what. Bobby Wagner is getting really old.
He keeps doing it.

Speaker 3 (23:51):
Oh man, does he ever?

Speaker 2 (23:53):
You know what?

Speaker 3 (23:55):
Oh, we're having a change on the fly.

Speaker 2 (23:57):
Here.

Speaker 3 (23:57):
By the way, Frankie Luvo is not a bad player.

Speaker 2 (23:59):
No.

Speaker 3 (24:00):
I always combination of those two gets all right, all right.

Speaker 2 (24:03):
I'm still gonna go. I'm still gonna go Philly, Giants, Washington, Dallas.
I'll still go that way, even though Parsons does play
some inside. I'm sorry, Micah, you're fourth.

Speaker 3 (24:14):
Okay, Well, I was somewhat in your ballpark. I went
Eagles first. I just flip flapped the commanders of the Giants.
I have commanders two, Giants three and Cowboys last. I'll
start the reason why Dallas' last is, I mean, there
is major concern on the interior. First of all, they're
banking on Kenneth Murray Junior, who they brought up from Tennessee,
who's had some real major problems panning out. And then

(24:35):
Demarvion Overshawn, who's a really good player. Unfortunately that hurt
late last season, so we don't know the exact timeline
of when he's going through here, but we saw what
he does against the Giants. Well, that's why I'm saying.
So the injury to him and then Murray.

Speaker 2 (24:49):
That's why I hesitated a little because you put Parsons
in there too.

Speaker 3 (24:52):
Now, no, of course, so I did not include Parsons.
That's why, to be the level of separation was not
challenging from that stampo. Washington's got two veterans. Now, as
you mentioned, is this gonna be the year where Wagner
starts to show signs of slowing down?

Speaker 2 (25:07):
High?

Speaker 3 (25:08):
But I mean the man has play remarkable and remember
loved Fletcher. Yeah, same thing former Rams and Washington too. Yeah,
he was around forever. Yeah. These guys, they just they
take care, great care of their body. They're a good
fit for the defense. You know, it's not as if
they're asking him to do seventeen other things. Hey man,

(25:30):
the middle jump through those holes, clean it up. And
Louvo and both of them are also they're athletic. So
the versatility is something that I did not dismiss. O'kaa ka.
I think has bounced back season.

Speaker 2 (25:45):
Ritten all over him.

Speaker 3 (25:46):
So I'm with you there, But you know, outside of
Okara kay, I still wonder what is going to come
from this group. You know, Muissau was a rookie last year.
We saw some flashes late, Deontay Johnson, undrafted guy, and
Michael McFadden who's been in the system. But you know,
how much is he going to be on the field? Oh,
kerra ka right now is the one guy I know
they're going to put him out on the field. But

(26:07):
outside of that, a little bit of a guessing game.
So that's why Washington's proof with the veterans gave them
the edge over the Giants. And that was my reasoning.
And here's the thing for Philadelphia, no matter what you
think of all of the other guys at the position,
because in fairness, n Kobe Dean is also coming off
an injury, yes, and we don't know, but I don't

(26:28):
think it's as bad as the overshone situation, so it
I think bodes better for him to return. And Zach
Bond was an All Pro. What a signing for Philadelphia.
I mean, you could argue Bonan is the best based
on last season's performance. Zach Bonn is the best returning
inside linebacker in the division, so that clearly gives Philadelphia edge.

Speaker 2 (26:49):
Wasn't he a Pro Bowl? Was he an All Pro
choice last year?

Speaker 3 (26:52):
No? He was. I think both.

Speaker 2 (26:53):
I think Bond was both. Don't have to restrict that
to the division. Based on strictly last year's performance, he
was one of the top middle linebackers or inside backers
in football.

Speaker 3 (27:07):
But I guess I'm the East. I'm just looking at
it within the confines of the NFC East, and he was.
He was first team All Pro and Pro Bowler last season.

Speaker 2 (27:13):
So you know they have to be the top, no
matter what you and I say about anybody else, they
got to be number one in that spot. Sure.

Speaker 3 (27:19):
Okay, so now we go to edge, where we know
Abdul Carter fits into the Giants and for the cowboy,
that's for sure. So depth is a big thing for me.
The Giants blow everybody away in the depth department with
this position. So the Giants are number one because of
the returners at that spot and what they're adding in
Abdul Carter. I mean, you feel really good with respect

(27:43):
to who they're going to mix and match. And just
like Philadelphia got a lot of credit right over the
years for a rotational group, Well you have to project
Shane Bowen should have the same luxury with the Giants.
Now we don't have a crystal ball. You never wish
injury upon anybody, but going into the season, I think
the Giants bring more punch than anybody else at that

(28:06):
spot because you're looking at the usage of Carter, Thibodeau,
Brian Burns, Chauncey Golston, who you know I'm very high on.
I don't think that free agent signing gets talked enough
about because he sort of falls under the radar with
some of the other big splashes.

Speaker 2 (28:22):
I like Kim Moore as a defensive end myself than
I do as a linebacker myself.

Speaker 3 (28:27):
Well, remember this is in the edge conversation, so you
could throw in everybody as you wish, but Golston was
a very solid, experienced pass rusher for the Cowboys. So
actually you could argue you really killed two birds with
one stone with that sign because you took them away
from down I know, and you added them to the Vents.
So actually that's another way to look at why I'm

(28:49):
very high on that edition. So no matter how you
want to spin it, no matter how you want to order,
these guys, the Giants hand down are number one. Number
two in this category for me went to Dallas because
eventually the individuals are going to separate the men from
the boys, and Michael Parsons is one of the best
individualized edge rushers in the division. Now, Dallas did lose Goalston,

(29:13):
but they brought back Dante Fowler from Washington who was
with them previously, so there's that familiarity. And I actually
one of the guys that you could argue could be
utilized inside and outside, and I know I factored in
more for defensive tackle. But Solomon Thomas, who's been utilized
as a guy that could get after the quarterback, I
think they'll move him around and they added him from

(29:35):
the Jets. The former San Francisco forty nine Er and
Peyton Turner adds more length from New Orleans, so I
think some of the veterans the Cowboys added can help
with that rotation. Maybe this doesn't get talked enough about.
Philadelphia took a really big hit at this position. I
don't know, Paul, if that has been discussed enough. I
actually I have Philadelphia last, and I have the Commanders

(29:57):
ahead of the Eagles. That's how I round it out
the group because with Philadelphia I'm a little bit concerned.
Outside of Nolan Smith, Josh Ucha was a nice addition,
and he may actually pick up where he left off
at Kansas City. But outside of those two guys, I

(30:17):
don't know. And Carter and Davis are the defensive tackles, okay,
so I'm looking at them under that umbrella. I think
Philadelphia's got a lot to prove. And you may be
high on some of these other young guys that they
brought into the mix, but I'll bank on Washington and
what they're bringing back to the table more so than Philadelphia.

Speaker 2 (30:38):
Aren't you forgetting the Eagle? Sindel JULARI, Well.

Speaker 3 (30:41):
It's funny you and I had a conversation, I think
it was last week about that I know, but once again,
new to the system, I think Washington with their defense
with is still their DC. I'm gonna give them the
edge over Yes, talent is nice, but how are they
gonna utilize in and Kenny Stay of course durability stand point,
So that concerns me for Philly.

Speaker 2 (31:02):
And that's fair. I went Giants Dallas. I did go
Philadelphia over Washington because of ol Jelai. But you know, again,
there's not much to argue about in the top two.
I mean, come on, that's those are pretty clear.

Speaker 3 (31:17):
Well, let me ask you this, just because he got
me thinking. If I were to say, I'm gonna give
you a mixture of veteran Durrance Armstrong, who is gonna
have to pick up the slack for some of the
losses for Washington, Dietrich Wise, who they brought over from
New England, then Cleveland Ferrell, who's been with a few
teams terrible disappointment. Yeah, clearly has not left them expectations,

(31:39):
no doubt about that. If I were to offer you
that mix versus Smith O Jelari and what the Eagles have,
and once again you could throw josh Uch you like
the Philadelphia more.

Speaker 2 (31:53):
Okay, that's fair.

Speaker 3 (31:55):
That's fair. I'm not gonna listen. We're splitting hairs here.

Speaker 2 (31:58):
Yeah, this conversation, as I said to Lance before the program,
I said, this is not one where I'm going to
try to sell you or convince you because I don't
have concrete posts fifty feet into the ground on any
of these choices. I just don't. I mean, it's such
a hypothetical that I don't feel that way. It's not
worth arguing about. Like I feel about the Diushbush. I
feel very strongly about that. I don't know if you do.

(32:19):
This is not the forum for it, but that I
will argue for from here till twenty twenty nine if
I have to. But that's not what this is about.

Speaker 3 (32:30):
I will say this. The more and more I'm thinking
and going back and forth with you, if we were
just going upside, I'd say I like the Eagles edge
rusher upside more than Washington. But you're banking on Ojalari
staying healthy, and you're banking on Ouch in a new
system delivering to the degree that he did last season.

(32:50):
And I just think that's a lot to ask for
without seeing it versus what Washington is inheriting so that's
once again why I'm still giving the commanders. It's a
slight edge, it's minute, but that's how we have to
go in terms of breaking the ins and outs. All right,
defensive tackle, what do you got on that front?

Speaker 2 (33:11):
Defensive tackle? I went to Philadelphia Giants, Washington, and Dallas.
The easy one is Dallas. You actually start by going
backwards here because Dallas just does not have the upfront
power to deal with a good rushing attack or even
getting a push in the front of the pocket. They

(33:31):
just don't have it. So that's easy. You pick them
four right away, and then you have to sort through
the other three. And this is where it gets really
really hard. I mean, I think you are like basically
using a thin, thin piece of spaghetti trying to piece
piece these these teams separately. I think it's extremely hard

(33:52):
this one. But I went again Philadelphia Giants, Washington, Dallas.

Speaker 3 (33:58):
So I just flip flop Dallas and Washington. I have
Philly first, the Giant second. The reason why I put
Dallas over Washington is Mazzie Smith needs to show some
elevation this season or there's no doubt about that he
had them down big time. I'm not disputing that, but
I think Osa Digi Zua is a solid player, and
once again Solomon Thomas bringing him over gives me a

(34:22):
little bit more confidence in their rotation versus Washington, which
still has Deron Payin. But remember all of his friends
are gone because they parted ways. Yes, Javon Kinlaw has
been hit or miss over the course of his career.
He's with the Jets last season.

Speaker 2 (34:37):
I don't know how much more Thomas has left. Though.
To me, kin Law and Thomas are both kind of
sketchy a little. Neither one of those guys is guaranteed
to give you the kind of year that you that
you need.

Speaker 3 (34:48):
I just feel I guess Washington's philosophy was more of
let's just group a bunch of guys together where veterans
and hope for the best. Because I mean Eddie Goldman
who is with the Bears and the Falcon then Newden,
who was a drafted rookie a few years ago, he
was their second round pick in twenty twenty four. And
then you look at even a guy like Sheldon Day,

(35:08):
I mean, they're just it's like, hey, put the numbers together,
it looks attractive. I'm just I don't know if there's
a lot of substance in that group. I think there's
more substance with respect to Dallas, and Philadelphia by far
has the best one two punch. Okay, Jordan Davis, a Jalent, Carter,
Exter Lawrence may be the best individualized, Yes, but I
think the compliments in Philadelphia make it stronger than the job.

Speaker 2 (35:31):
I agree.

Speaker 3 (35:31):
So that's at least how I another year or two.

Speaker 2 (35:34):
Is you may feel differently, and maybe I will because
salexis out of down that good. You know, they be
the number on duo.

Speaker 3 (35:41):
And once again the potential when we have this dialogue
a few years now, but we're thinking about twenty twenty five.
What Carter has brought to the table and what Davis
has presented goes without saying, you know exactly what you're
getting out of those two guys and what also makes
them a Davis's sack numbers are not overwhelming, but they

(36:03):
can get to the quarterback. With these those two, it's
not just necessarily stopping the run. They collapse the pocket
and make the quarterback think. So the diversity at that
position I think adds a layer of danger. Okay, let's
now move to the offense since we completed the individualized
defensive positions, and we'll start with the offensive line, and

(36:24):
Philadelphia has had the best track record over the course
of the last few years. I don't see much changing there,
so I kept them as one. I'm just I'm looking
over that group and I'm saying to myself, is there
a massive hole? Is there a massive void that is
concerning right guard? Perhaps you could argue, but you know

(36:45):
they've mixed and matched a few guys at that position
over the last few years. Everybody else, it's business as usual,
I know, right. I mean my lot of Dickerson, Jurgins,
and Johnson as I go left to right.

Speaker 2 (36:56):
If I could just like wave a magic wand and
blow up that unit, that would make life so much
better for everybody in the division.

Speaker 3 (37:05):
I don't know if I'd go to that degree, but yes,
something tells me they wouldn't cry if the Eagles lose
some personnel. But here's the thing. When you draft well,
you don't all of a sudden drop down after you
may lose a free agent or too. And that's why
Philadelphia has been so consistent, also why the Cowboys have
been consistent. But actually this is the year where Dallas
again has a few more questions marks.

Speaker 2 (37:28):
So Blane Johnson just retire to just go away, get done.
You've played enough.

Speaker 3 (37:33):
The Bobby Wagner of just this division. Sure, So Philadelphia,
I've got one. Then I have the Commanders too. I
think Washington really made some strides last season and may
not get enough credit because they went out if you recall,
and they revamped that group, and they're further doing that

(37:53):
this season fall because they brought in Laramie Tunzel and
come left tackle correct, so you got Alighretti and be
honish they brought over from Dallas who was solid at
the center position. Cosmey still in the mix, I mean
Andrew Wiley who they could utilize. I really like what
Washington did last season, and I think part of it
also is the coaching and Dan Quinn's vision and Adam

(38:16):
Peters a general manager. So I've got Washington number two.
I've got the Giants three. I think improvement was shown
last season with the group. The group's coming back, which
is good. We'll see Evan Neil moving to guard. How
that pans out, But that adds perhaps at least somewhat
of a question market and By the way, Brendan Brown
was asked about that as well, as we saw multiple

(38:36):
individuals on the coaching staff. And you know, it's a
question mark of while we're on the topic, can a six'
six guy because he said he wasn't six' seven when
the question, was posed, you Know can the problem with
tall Guys, is paul as we, Talked, about yeah when
they got to, bend down does that take away? Their
POWER so i think that's the Issue With. Evan neil
how well does he Adjust, to okay he doesn't have

(38:58):
to cover a lot, of territory which, that great but,
the positioning, the footwork. The hands by being in that
tall position normally and now having, to adjust how much
does that take away from the strength a bend?

Speaker 2 (39:14):
In balance those are the three things that absolutely have
to get up to snuff if he's going to make.

Speaker 3 (39:21):
The conversion so that is a bit of a wild
card at. This Point, and dallas it's a youth movement
and they've had a great track record in. Drafting guys
but you gotta see more out of. This Group But
tyler booker was a first rounder. This, year okay has
it played? A Snap cooper beebee was a third rounder.
Last Year tyler giden was a first round pick also in.

(39:42):
Twenty Four tyler smith is by far their best, offensive
Lineman And terrence steele has been a. Solid veteran he's
had some ups, And DOWNS but i think you feel
Good about Smith and steel the. Three others what do
they bring to. The table so there is a lot
of youngs that are in. The, mix now this group's
got maybe more upside than, EVERYBODY else i would argue

(40:05):
in the division because of where they, were drafted but
that upside alone does not leapfrog everybody else in.

Speaker 2 (40:11):
The, division okay the first two go without. Any explanation
i'm with you one hundred Percent of Philadelphia, and washington
Especially with tunsul Going. To washington now, you know, ye Man,
oh man why do all the teams in the division
have to have a better offensive line Than? The giants
because THAT'S where i disagree. With you I've, Got, Philly,

(40:33):
washington dallas And the giants call me beaten down because
of what's happened over the. Years Here but i'm in show.
Me PHASE while i believe In the giants' special teams,
GAME plan i totally believe based on who they have
and what their. Plan is i'm all in. ON that

(40:55):
i don't don't feel the same way about the. OFFENSIVE
line i think it will be better than it. Has
been but to, YOUR point I think dallas's offensive line
has more upside Than the giants offensive. Line does whether
or Not the giants play as Well as dallas is,
this year that certainly. Could be certainly. Could BE so

(41:16):
i think it's kind of close in terms of what
their production. Might be But because dallas has, MORE upside
i like their chances of playing better Than the. Giants
will i'm Gonna go dallas three And the. Giants four
i'm gonna show, me, face folks as far as they're there,
That unit i've got to. See.

Speaker 3 (41:33):
It sure and, once again this is why this conversation,
is interesting because we all look at, it differently and
we all rank it as a result of. Our thinking
THAT'S why i like this exercise from. That, standpoint okay
from the, offensive line we go to the tight. End
position how do you see that in terms of the? Four,
teams well.

Speaker 2 (41:51):
This is really interesting for me because depth is a
big part of this one. For me whether or not
you keep three or some people suggesting maybe you try
to find a way to.

Speaker 3 (42:02):
Keep.

Speaker 2 (42:02):
Four, Ah look i'll say this tight ends for me
has To, Be, Giants, washington Dallas and philadelphia in. THAT
order i don't think anybody in this division has the
depth or pure raw talent That the giants have at
tight End Between johnson BELLINGER for doni who is starting

(42:25):
to really show me something. This spring we know They've,
got dulcich we know they've Got. Man hurtz i'm, just.
Like wow, You know they've got so many different angles
and ways they can go to cut that tight end
position when they get to the. Fifty three it's a
great problem. TO have i look at the other tight
ends in, this division and, You know, I'm sorry i'm

(42:48):
A Huge jake, ferguson fan but his production does not
have the upside or the potential. THIS year i believe
that the other tight ends have in, the DIVISION and
i don't like what they have out. Behind him ertz
is another one of. Those guys, you know he's older
than dirt and you know had a big comeback year.
Last Year but i'm not so sure he's got a

(43:10):
whole lot left in. The tank and EVERYBODY knows i Like.
A senate but he's a, versatile guy but not a
lead tight end. For anybody And, obviously goddart well he's
done some things Against the giants over, the years but
let's not confuse him with any. All PROS and i
don't like what they have. BEHIND him i think it's.

(43:30):
Pretty Simple the giants dominate the tight end category for,
me HERE and i went With, Again, washington Dallas and
philly in.

Speaker 3 (43:37):
That, Order, afterwards well it's funny because it's similar TO
how i look At the cowboys. OFFENSIVE line i Think
the giants may have the, most upside but not a
lot of proof in that. Upside yet so actually THAT'S
why i had really the opposite. OF you i think
if you were to ask me the best one two
punch in, THE division i Think It's jake Ferguson And.

(44:00):
LUKE schoonmaker i think those are the.

Speaker 2 (44:02):
Top two i'm A huge, ferguson GUY and i don't
even see it.

Speaker 3 (44:06):
That, WAY well I, think ferguson you can make. A
case you're gonna tell me you don't think you can
make a CASE That i ferguson is the best individual
tight end IN.

Speaker 2 (44:14):
The nfcs i'm A big. Ferguson fan but again we're
talking out about, twenty four we're talking about. Twenty, Five
well i'll even go into. TWENTY five, I, mean paul
if you look at an, OLD man, i, think, no,
no no he's only been the league.

Speaker 3 (44:26):
THREE years, i mean we're not TALKING. About I but
I'S gonna I.

Speaker 2 (44:29):
Think i think everything that we Know About, theo johnson
he's gonna be just dynamite this year For. THE giants
i think he's going to be really. Really good and
do not Sleep On. Daniel bellinger do not he he
if you consider him tight END one a On, the
giants he's certainly better than anybody else in this division

(44:52):
who would be either their THEIR one a or. They're
two he's certainly better than any of.

Speaker 3 (44:57):
Those, people well it's interesting to get phrased it. THAT
way i guess this is the other thing that is
a little bit of the unknown With the giants. Tight
ends How Does russell wilson lean on?

Speaker 2 (45:07):
That position this goes back to that scheme thing you
said before about how do they?

Speaker 3 (45:11):
Fit well and that WAS what i took.

Speaker 2 (45:13):
Into consideration i'm just looking at the tight end Shelf
and i'm PICKING guys i Want the giants. Tight ends
OH and i.

Speaker 3 (45:18):
Get that and, once again you're, Not wrong paul for
how you're looking, At it but Neither, Are no i'm not.
Saying that i'm just saying for our audience to understand
how we're looking. At it this is why you have
to take a lot of these items. Into Consideration. Because
russ is he Gonna Give, Daniel bellinger i'm just going
down a. Hypothetical road is he gonna give him enough
substantive targets to say you're getting a lot out of

(45:41):
the reps that he's? Gonna see same THING With. Theo
johnson how Much is russ gonna LEAN? ON theo, i,
KNOW right i get it if you go Back to
i'm just Going through. Russ's career even when he Was,
With seattle russ wasn't a big tight, end, guy, no
right he leaned a lot more on his wide receivers
and his running back. HE did i just it's going

(46:03):
to be fascinating to see how much. He production.

Speaker 2 (46:05):
For me this IS why i hate fantasy, football though
because production is not all about the fantasy football. Stat,
line no.

Speaker 3 (46:11):
It's what you do. Without it it's what, you, do
right without. A DOUBT and i am a.

Speaker 2 (46:15):
Big proponent for, you Know, the, giants saying, all right if,
you know we COULD Use theo johnson as, a decoy
or we Can use bellinger in a two tight. End set,
AND look i still have faith, in him even though
he's been banged up and he was certainly inconsistent. LAST
year i still have faith in him that with this improved,

(46:36):
running game especially in, short yardage when they get down
to the, Goal line bellinger's going to be in there
in a double tight, end SET and i have faith
that he's going to be able to block the Way
for Scataboo or TRACY and i.

Speaker 3 (46:46):
Get that and if these guys also perform well from a,
BLOCKING standpoint i think that would also help elevate the
overall play of the. Doubts line, no doubt those things
go hand. In hand but getting back to, The topic
so That's why i'm just explaining the REASON why i
had the opposite of you in terms Of the giants
ranking is Because of russell at, the controls how he

(47:07):
leans on the, tight ends how much. They're involved there's
just there's so. Much GUESSING so I have, COWBOYS one I,
have Eagles to, Commanders three. Giants four i'm. With You
zach ertz is concerning about. His age but Here's why
ertz already Played with Jade. And daniels. There's comfort We
saw jaden leaned On zach ertz. Last season, he did

(47:29):
he used him as. An outlet they Also got, debo
now so that makes.

Speaker 2 (47:34):
It too they could throw the ball around to.

Speaker 3 (47:35):
Other PLACES but i don't think he's going to completely.
Abandon Him and goddard has Been, with jalen he's been
in this system and the. Other GUY and, i know
once again we're really. Getting deep, but hey this is depth.
Chart conversation and, you, say well we saw what he
could do Against. The Giants, Grant, kalkatara.

Speaker 2 (47:51):
Oh you are, so cruel, THE bear i are.

Speaker 3 (47:58):
SO cruel, i mean look at what this guy comes
out of the woodworks and all of. A sudden so
don't sleep on some of these unknown commodities On the philadelphia,
depth chart because they find a way to. Manufacture plays so.

Speaker 2 (48:11):
There are a lot of vehicles to find ways to
manufacture plays Against.

Speaker 3 (48:15):
The giants, well said don't restrict to the. Tight end,
all right speaking of, making plays let's go now to.
Wide receiver and this IS also i think one that
depending on how you look, at it could go in
a variety. Of DIRECTIONS but I, think philadelphia it's Fair
To saint paul without anyone getting in their way correct

(48:36):
and assuming that they, stay healthy is the unit. To
watch you're talking about Still, Aj Brown. DeVante smith let's
not forget They Acquired, johan dotson who actually saw some
production late in the regular season and in, the PLAYOFFS
so i would not sleep. On him and they Brought
In terris Marshall From las vegas for a. FOURTH guy

(48:57):
i think you could do a lot worse in terms of.
The Mix, so philadelphia, hands down is still the. BEST
unit i Then went, DALLAS two I went, WASHINGTON three
I went. GIANTS four i Like The george, pickens acquisition
and now you put HIM.

Speaker 2 (49:12):
WITH. C.

Speaker 3 (49:13):
D lanz if they Didn't Acquire, GEORGE pickens i would
Have had dallas. Much lower but that changes. The dynamics
now you're talking about two guys on, the sideline and
you could Tell me pickens has to improve his contested.
Catch rate it did dip, last season but you're Gonna
give dak those two guys and you Still Have, jalen
tolbert who showed some productive stretches last season when they had.

(49:37):
Some injuries I'll give dallas a. Boost there You Mentioned
deebo samuel now entering. THE fold i know McLaurin is
not happy with, his Contract but i'm not taking that
into consideration in terms Of what i'm thinking. PRODUCTION wise
i know a lot of people would throw, that In
And noah, BROWN also i wouldn't sneeze AT and i
think if we're gonna talk, About upside I'm expecting luke

(49:58):
McCaffrey to be. UTILIZING this i agree doesn't mean a
snap's gonna go, skyrocket OVERWHELMING but i find it hard
to believe for a third round pick of twenty twenty
four they're gonna leave him on. THE sideline i feel
by the fact that it was an opportunity watch learn
absorb and With, The, giants okay they didn't make a
huge splash at. This position so you're bringing back the

(50:19):
group and we could Talk about hyatt's Usage With, Russell,
WILSON okay i need to. See it we Know What
darius slaty. Could Do wandol robinson indicated yesterday by the
way he thinks maybe he'll line up more on, The,
Outside paul so you know that could maybe add some.
Different elements but much like, you said, offensive line, SHOW
me i feel the same way about this wide.

Speaker 2 (50:39):
Receiver group YOU and i are totally exactly the same
on this, entire position and that's exactly Why the giants
are fourth. Show me maybe maybe they could move up
a spot if things go better or things go as
planned or as, as projected but as, of now it's
a show. Me Position so i'm with you on all

(51:00):
four of. Those spots nothing would please me more than
To see pickens flame Out. For dallas but his talent.
IS ridiculous i remember when he was coming out, OF school,
i thought, talent wise that guy was obviously one of
my one of MY guys i love coming out of
that draft in terms of his talent. And ability but

(51:21):
as we, all know there's more than that when you
when You Bring george pickens into The volt so, who knows,
you know? Who knows? You know we see what Happens
With stefan Diggs from Minnesota to Buffalo and houston And Now.
NEW england, i mean you know there's. Baggage there pickens has.
Some baggage, you know is that? Gonna work we'll see if. It,

(51:45):
does boy that's. That's.

Speaker 3 (51:47):
Scary yeah well because of the size of the length
and with digs Much. Like, pickens, yes baggage, but, production yeah.

Speaker 2 (51:57):
No doubt, So anyway i'm with you on. This one
It Was Philly Alice.

Speaker 3 (52:00):
Washington, Giants okay i'll have you take the lead at
the running. Back position, uh.

Speaker 2 (52:06):
Well, no, Surprise right philadelphia number one got. To, go,
yeah really, you know just walking that. Pirate playing but.

Speaker 3 (52:15):
But, in Fairness aj dillon was a nice ad by
the way To Compliment. BARK no i MEAN because i
think a lot, of PEOPLE But, aj dillon who was
hurt last season with those, two thighs coming over And
joining saquon's, you know they may have the best thighs
In The National.

Speaker 2 (52:32):
Football, league yeah and, YOU know. I can't i don't
Care that eckler may not be what he was With.
The chargers it doesn't seem like they got the production
out of him that he that he Gave them mountain
as a.

Speaker 3 (52:45):
Receiver, though still but, he's see he's very he's.

Speaker 2 (52:48):
Very productive robinson obviously we know what he can DO
and i have actually always liked him a little bit
more than a lot of other. People HAVE so I
went WASHINGTON to I went, giants three And obviously dallas
had the total rebuilt their, running game so they have to.

Speaker 3 (53:01):
Be fourth just like a wide. Receiver position We Are
mono amano in. Sync here no battle royale with respect.
TO that, I mean. Dallas Reconfigured, Javonte Williams. Miles sanders
it's gonna be just a plethora of veterans and you,
hope that, you know one guy maybe takes, the lead
which is really what they did. Last season, to me

(53:22):
the run Game for dallas is dependent on.

Speaker 2 (53:24):
The play of the.

Speaker 3 (53:25):
Offensive line if the offen that, line plays they could.
Be Productive, jontay williams, you know unfortunately he got hurt
after a really good rookie Year. With DENVER so i
still think there's a lot to like out. Of him
the question is can he hold.

Speaker 2 (53:38):
Up, Well Look, miles sanders do are we forgetting what
a good back he Was? In, philadelphia yeah, you know
before he left and went for some free, agent money
AND do i Think?

Speaker 3 (53:49):
We're carolin it just seemed like he fell out of.
The night.

Speaker 2 (53:52):
Don't, UNDERSTAND yeah i don't get. IT either i thought
he was a really. Good back now not Necessarily, all
pro but, you know one thousand yard, rush shirt They
don't you don't sneeze at, those, guys yep and you
know they don't come in the. Crackerjack box And If
miles sanders can return himself to a thousand plus yard
running back again this Year, for dallas it goes a

(54:14):
long way into making them a.

Speaker 3 (54:15):
Better team and then the ONE guy i wanted to
Add with Washington is, jeremy McNichols by, the way is
their third running back who is, a veteran has been
in the LEAGUE since i think seventeen variety, of years
and they actually needed to utilize Him when eckler was
a little bit, banged up as Well As. Brian robinson
so the Depth of washington could actually be more impressive Than.

(54:37):
Even Philadelphia, but Philadelphia the eagles have the. Fire powers
so THAT'S why i am completely in sync with you
in terms of how we. See that and that leads
us to the, quarterback position and something tells me we're
not going to see it the. SAME way i had
a hard time with the. Quarterback position i'll be honest,
with you because there's, once again there's so many layers, To, This,
paul correct it's, the depth it's. The backup if some somebody,

(55:00):
Gets hurt how good do you feel about the guy?
Coming in then clearly the position is more important than.
Anything else how do you rank the guy atop the?
Depth chart so there's a lot of ways to.

Speaker 2 (55:12):
Spin, this well the other, Issue, too okay when you
talk about depth, of obviously you Know the giants are
the only one of the teams that has a first
round draft pick who was in the.

Speaker 3 (55:23):
Waiting, correct YEAH and i didn't have that, and.

Speaker 2 (55:27):
Unfortunately and i'm, With, you yeah but there is a lot,
of people or are a lot of, people who if asked,
this question They're thinking dart's going to play the last
month of. The season, at least there's a lot of
people who believe.

Speaker 3 (55:40):
That and think.

Speaker 2 (55:40):
He should and if you, do well then that changes
the way you.

Speaker 3 (55:44):
Calculate this you absolutely need to take that. Into consideration
but it's it's hard to project, a injuries not that
you ever, wish that and it's also hard to project
playing time because that could be influenced. BY injuries, i
KNOW so i want.

Speaker 2 (56:00):
It's, the heart it's a very very difficult one. To,
list yeah it.

Speaker 3 (56:03):
Really Is and i'm sure there's gonna be a level,
of disagreement and, that's fine. Healthy disagreement there's nothing wrong.
With That and i'm sure that you probably are not aligned,
with Me so i'll throw. IT out I Went, dallas
Philly the commanders And, the giants and the REASON why
I Went dallas's dak to me is the, most experienced

(56:25):
polished quarterback in. The division you can tell me all
you want about postseason this. And that we're looking at
the regular. Season here they have won a boatload of
games with him at. THE controls i like the Acquisition
To joe milton and his athleticism as an insurance policy
more so than Anything that philadelphia Has Behind. Jalen hurts
i'm actually concerned About the eagles depth Chart if jalen.

(56:46):
Goes down there's reason to. BE worried, i mean You
like jamis Backing Up russell wilson in terms of what
they have working for them. More so And the Commanders have,
mariota Still and mariota was in. This System but jalen
is a veteran quarterback that has been in, this system
that has helped them Win A. SUPER bowl, I mean

(57:08):
i'm not going to all of a sudden forget about all.
Of that so THAT'S why i had To go Jalen
over Jade. And Daniels jaden daniels is a rookie from,
last year and we know sophomore slumps are, not Crazy
so jaden could take a. Step back so THAT'S why
I had washington moved back a. Little bit But the
mariota factor elevated them compared To what philadelphia Has behind,

(57:30):
jalen hurt so he QUESTION about i was working all
of these things. In conjunction And While russell wilson has
a wealth, of experience russ is far older than any
of the three other. Starting quarterbacks he's new to, the
system he's new to the. Coaching staff so there's a
little bit of risk involved. In, That, so paul the
Reason why i'm going all over the PLACE is i

(57:52):
was weighing all of. THESE things i literally could have
flipped a coin to determine WHAT order i would have.
Gone on i'm glad you feel, that way but this
IS why i came to Once, Again Dallas Philly.

Speaker 2 (58:02):
Washington, giants well you can keep flipping your coin because
none of your four match.

Speaker 3 (58:07):
My FIGHT and i knew that. Going IN as i
was putting, THIS together, i said there is No way
paul is going to be identical.

Speaker 2 (58:13):
To him not A single and this is the ONLY
position i think where we don't have a single where
we were across the. Board, YET okay i had to Go,
With WASHINGTON and i do Believe, that daniels once people
have had a chance this offseason to look at, the
film they will they will find ways to contain him
better than they did. Last year but which Is what

(58:34):
i'm banking On, Till Yes But, MARCUS mariota i think is,
a decent if not better than. Decent backup i'm, with,
You okay so that is part of, this. Equation right
it's the quarterback position.

Speaker 3 (58:48):
Because you have, to say in the event the starter,
goes down do you feel the next? Guy up it's
not that he's gonna put, up fantasy but can they?

Speaker 2 (58:57):
Win? Game Correct Can marcus mariota win game with this
commander's defense if he's got to play for, A month
i think. He can? That's, Fair Okay so i've got
To go washington. Number, One okay philadelphia is number two.
FOR me i am Not A jalen. HURTS fan a,
year ago People in philadelphia wanted to run him out.

(59:19):
Of town there was there was rumors about how there's,
there's problems they're not happening with the. Play calling Him
and sirianni are at odds and and this. Is good
there's gonna be a. Fracture here what happens a? Year,
later now now he's the king of. The city he's
up there dancing With the rocky statue At the Museum. Of,
art okay it's crazy how that. Turned around i've never

(59:41):
Been a, Hurtz fan BUT do i appreciate the production
that he gave them this year and was part of
a team that did what it did and Won A? Super?
BOWL yes. I do does it help that he's got
the two best receivers in? A division does it help
that he's got one of the top running backs in,
the universe.

Speaker 3 (59:57):
A ladder more so than.

Speaker 2 (59:58):
The form, and oh by, the way and he's got a,
stinking unbelievable rock solid. Offensive, line well even if he
goes down for a couple games with that kind, of
Support kN tanner McKee hand the ball off thirty five
times and win. A, game.

Speaker 3 (01:00:14):
Yeah or kyle mccoran their sixth.

Speaker 2 (01:00:17):
Round. Pick yeah i'll tell. You what if they're Playing
the giants during those four weeks that he's hurt and
they're Playing the, giants twice we know it's probably gonna
happen based on. What's happened AND obviously i got tongue
in cheek on. This one i'm being a. Wise guy
BUT so I went, Philadelphia, Too. Washington Philadelphia the giants
were clearly three. For Me russell wilson's durability record. IS

(01:00:41):
outstanding i know he's thirty, six plus but his durability
track record. Is outstanding. He's smart he his body of
you if you, watch him go out there and get
a look at this guy is he's BUILT freaking i
don't want to say, full.

Speaker 3 (01:00:58):
Back but he's he's built like a.

Speaker 2 (01:01:00):
Running. Back yep he is in, unbelievable SHAPE and i
think that's one of the reasons why his durability has been.
So High jameis. Winston's backup we Know how rodicky, can
be but as, A backup i don't. Mind him he's,
got experience he can throw, The ball he's won. SOME
games i was never in Favor of winston being the
starter here we all know that you felt, the same

(01:01:23):
but as, a backup that's not a. Bad idea and
obviously then you know You got dart waiting in. The
WINGS and i Don't Think jackson dart should play, this
year but if, circumstances warrant there's certainly a chance he could.
Get in so that room is definitely for me higher
than the Fourth Place. Dallas Cowboys joe milton is still
EVEN though i liked him as a dark horse quarterback

(01:01:44):
before last, year's draft there's still too much of an.
Unknown There will grier does nothing for me as the
number three if they even decide to. Keep Him And,
dak PRESCOTT who i have never been a fan of
and has never done anything in a. Big spot by,
the way here's the, one thing and every coach will,
tell you availability is the most valuable thing you could

(01:02:07):
have on. The Field dak prescott has missed a minimum
of five starts in three of the last. Five years
he's now thirty one, years old and he has had
a plethora of injuries that have busted. HIM up i,
AM sorry i am not convinced that he's going to
start fifteen sixteen games. This year i'm not especially as

(01:02:30):
you said that this offensive Line that, dallas, has well
maybe they, have ups but right now they're still a. Little,
shaky oh there's still.

Speaker 3 (01:02:37):
A little bit of. A question talk about.

Speaker 2 (01:02:39):
That earlier and we still don't know about their rebuilt.
Running game we still don't know about. That yet prescott's
going to take a beating again. This year three out
of the last five years he's missed at least. Five
Starts if i'm a guy picking quarterbacks off, a shelf
that's not good. For Me so dallas. Is fourth when

(01:03:00):
you combine that with the rest of, the room their last.

Speaker 3 (01:03:03):
For, me well and that's why there's many different ways
to look at this. QUARTERBACK situation, i mean, once again
the difference maker at the end of the day was
as much as we do have to take depth and
some of the guys on the chart, into consideration you're
still operating that the team is going to go as
far as the number one guy. Takes, them Okay and

(01:03:25):
jalen with that running game and his Pedigree and dak
and his regular season track, Record experience i'm not willing
to dismiss that and put that to the side Compared To,
jayden daniels who may have more upside than. Anybody else
but You know daniels has done it for. One season and, ONCE. Again,
CJ stroud i think is the Example of stroud was

(01:03:45):
solid in his. Rookie year second year because of some
changes around him and the offensive line not playing.

Speaker 2 (01:03:51):
As well let's swear the backup the league caught him
up a. Little Bit the barriota factor kind of mutes
that some for.

Speaker 3 (01:03:57):
You does but, In fairness mariota does not have nearly
as much. Dynamic upside, OH no i mean the offense, Does.

Speaker 2 (01:04:04):
Change paul, it does but your games with the rest of, That,
line no but.

Speaker 3 (01:04:09):
He can but they have to then keep. Their Usage
Maybe deebo samuel becomes more of. A runner they lean
on the running. Backs ANYWAY like i, WOULD think i
just want to leave it At, This philadelphia your point
is well taken That if jalen, went Down Could nick
siriani just have an offense Focused on Barkley and. Dylan
time if there's any team built to absorb an Injury,

(01:04:32):
for Jalen it's philadelphia more so than any other teams in.

Speaker 2 (01:04:35):
The division there's with no way there's no way in
those games without, without hurts they're throwing the ball. Thirty
times that's. Not, happening yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:04:43):
Just not so that's another, reason why, you know you
take all of this in under the one umbrella of
quarterback and you come up with seventy five different calculations under.
The circumstances, All right so that is our outlook OF.
The nfc would the totals? The, totals, Sure yes and
now you're gonna give us the totals Of what John

(01:05:04):
and matt had. As well it's all.

Speaker 4 (01:05:05):
ON there i can give.

Speaker 3 (01:05:06):
It, all yeah why don't you?

Speaker 2 (01:05:07):
Do That.

Speaker 4 (01:05:08):
Go piers, On offense john Had the giants with, Eight
points philly with, Twenty points dallas with, Ten points washington with. Twelve,
points paul You have giants with, Ten points philadelphia was,
Sixteen points dallas with, Nine points washington with. Fifteen points
Matt sidetech giants with, Six points philly with, Twenty points dallas,

(01:05:28):
With twelve washington, with Twelve and lance You had giants,
Seven points philly, Nineteen points, Dallas twelve. Washington twelve, On
Defense john schmolke sixteen points For. The giants philly Had fifteen,
Dallas nine. Washington ten paul You had, Giants, seventeen, Philly seventeen,
Dallas nine. Washington Seven side Tech had Giants seventeen, Philly fourteen,

(01:05:52):
Dallas nine. Washington Ten and lance you Had the giants,
With thirteen, Philly sixteen, dallas Thirteen and. Washington eight and.
The totals john Had the giants with, Twenty nine philly,
With forty dallas with, Twenty four washington with. Twenty seven
paul you Had the giants with, Thirty three philadelphia, With
forty dallas with, Twenty one washington with. Twenty six matt

(01:06:13):
sidetek with Had the giants with, Twenty six philly, With
forty dallas with, Twenty six washington with, twenty Eight and
lance you Had the giants with, Twenty three philly with,
Forty one dallas with, thirty One and washington with.

Speaker 3 (01:06:24):
Twenty five So if, i'm correct then there was a lot. Of,
NUMBERS yes I think paul is the one that Had
the giants the highest in terms of, The finish that.
IS correct i didn't do That, TO yeah i, Just,
right so meaning the other three, of us we had
them third or lower in terms of.

Speaker 4 (01:06:40):
The tally the biggest DIFFERENCE was i guess. Special teams
paul had them giants at, the best lance in side
tech had them at. The worst and then the tight
ends was the other. Big difference everyone else had the. Giants,
last paul you had.

Speaker 3 (01:06:56):
Them, first see, you know it just goes to show,
two spots, two spots.

Speaker 2 (01:07:00):
Whole thing.

Speaker 3 (01:07:01):
Different thing and that's why this exercise is.

Speaker 2 (01:07:04):
A druft and, you know the funny part about all
of this is that you know we're doing it now
when they're ninety. Man rosters, YOU know i think even
all of us would admit we might have some different
numbers if we did this at the fifty.

Speaker 3 (01:07:18):
Three, point well there could be. Acquisitions too teams could
be acquisitions. And, INJURIES yeah, i mean maybe they bring
in a different quarterback for the depth chart before the, season,
starts right that's going to change. YOUR thinking, I.

Speaker 2 (01:07:28):
Say i hate to, say it but. Injuries too so
we probably could have some things that. Are different but
this is what it is, for now and, you, know
hey we move on, all.

Speaker 3 (01:07:37):
Right quick reminder before we wrap up with another impactful
draft and free agency class of. The books it means
it's full steam ahead to the twenty twenty. Five season
you can take your fandom to the next level With
a giant season. Ticket membership catch all the Action At
MetLife stadium with an exciting home schedule on. The horizon with,
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(01:07:57):
And benefits to learn more About A New, york giants
he's a, ticket Membership visit giants. Dot Com slash tickets
says that is going to Wrap up friday's Edition Of
Big Blue. Kickoff live it's part Of the giants platforms
everywhere in Giants, Dot com slash podcast as we welcome
you into the hack And Sack. Meridian Health Keep Getting
Better Giants podcast studio show Presented. By cadillac want to

(01:08:19):
make sure we get all the Sponsors in paul great
dialogue has.

Speaker 2 (01:08:21):
Always, been yeah it was a very. INTERESTING hour i
told people beforehand On, the twitter this is like a
salad bar full. Of opinions you can really get anything that, you, want, lettuce,
vegetables fruit your name and it's all in the.

Speaker 3 (01:08:33):
Salad bar various. Dressings, too see the competition was not
complete without a food Analogy, From pauldatino so now we
can officially.

Speaker 2 (01:08:40):
Wrap up have some croutons on.

Speaker 3 (01:08:42):
The way truton's tale he thank you the. Whole interesting it, is,
Lunchtime folks yes it is well and speaking, of that
that means we all need, to eat including peers Hit,
For paula Tito. Off lance veto stay locked to giants
dot com fro. The latest we'll speak to You on
monday Here On Big. Bluecakeoff live have a goe