August 29, 2024 • 39 mins
FOX Sports Radio Weekend host and former NFL offensive lineman Ephraim Salaam is in for Rob, and he and Chris discuss the importance of Brandon Aiyuk’s contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers, explain why the 49ers need to lock up left tackle Trent Williams before Week 1 as well and tell us why tonight against North Dakota State feels like a must-win for Colorado. Plus, former NFL wide receiver and Colorado Buffaloes alum Mike Pritchard swings by to discuss his expectations for the upcoming season, whether or not Deion Sanders is poised to jump to the NFL next year, how Deion’s arrival has fundamentally changed the University of Colorado and much more!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to The Odd Couple podcast. Be sure
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Speaker 2 (00:24):
Let's get this, punies, you're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Oh yeah, it is.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
The Odd Couple.
Speaker 5 (00:42):
I'm Chris Bruce Hard alongside my partner.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
No it is not Rob. Margaret is my man e.
Speaker 5 (00:50):
From Salim, and we are live from the tire rack
dot Com studios. Tirek dot com will help you get there.
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They've got an unmatched selection, fast, free shipping, free road,
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Tirereck dot Com is the way tirebind should be. And
this right here, the Odd Couple, even without Rob, is
the way sports talk radio should be.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
So keeping locked here on Fox.
Speaker 6 (01:16):
Sports Radio, the iHeartRadio app, or Serious XM Channel eighty three.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
However you're listening, let.
Speaker 6 (01:24):
Me welcome in my partner for tonight, the one the
only e from Salam.
Speaker 7 (01:30):
What's up, matter, what's happening? How you doing, man, I
am great, welcome back.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
I've been back. Slow down, slow down. I've been here
all week. Slow down, man, because I've been all summer.
Speaker 7 (01:43):
I've been sitting in this chair next to Rob destroying him.
So having you back, I'm like, man, that ain't hard.
Is anybody stepping up to the challenge? What's going on here?
I appreciate you guys constantly bringing me in. When one
of you guys have made enough, mon I need to
take some time off. So thank you for having me
(02:04):
in the tae man.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
No, it's good to have you, man. And what a day.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
And I mean news is breaking and people are saying stuff.
So we got a lot to get to in the NFL,
which we will do in a minute.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Let's first introduce the I Couple crew.
Speaker 6 (02:19):
The super producer Rob g is in the house on
the ones and twos, our man Mighty Mark Ramsey social media.
Elijah Sabunya is back. And was that Steve de Sager?
I caught the tail end, Yes, Steve de Sager on
the updates. I just caught the tail end. You know
Steve what he was saying, right, that's right? But the
(02:44):
big news and you heard Steve talk about it. I'm
sure Brandon Aiyuk has signed with the San Francisco forty
nine ers four years, one hundred and twenty million dollars
thirty million a year. I believe seventy eight million, seventy
six million fully guaranteed.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
E from salam your thoughts.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Look, does he deserve it? Yes?
Speaker 7 (03:13):
Okay, when you look at his body at work and
what he's done since he's been there, he's a reason,
not the reason that they've been able to codeep into
the playoffs, into the super Bowl the last five years.
I mean, you know, NFC Championship game one after another,
super Bowls, all of those things.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
He's part of the piece. So does he deserve to
get paid. Yes.
Speaker 7 (03:35):
The way he went about it and what happened some
way may argue was more of a distraction, but it
worked right.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
So can you argue?
Speaker 7 (03:43):
Can you argue with someone's methods when it turns out
to work the way they wanted it to work? Like
for me, I'm like, look, man, if the Niners wanted
to go a different way, if they felt like, oh, okay,
we've draft drafted a couple of young receivers, we can
(04:03):
feel them stepping in Uh, you're on your own, right,
this would have turned out bad, right, right?
Speaker 5 (04:11):
I mean I thought he would have just basically had
to play.
Speaker 7 (04:15):
He would have definitely had to play. It was no
fitting out if they decided like he was going to make.
I mean, who knows.
Speaker 6 (04:23):
I think in a situation like this, yeah, you have
to play, and you gotta play well. Oh you have
to be a good soldier. But it seemed like he
was going to really I don't think it would have
been wise. And maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like
he was going to be a bit of a distraction
(04:44):
even if he had played well.
Speaker 7 (04:46):
The one thing, say, I know Kyle Shanahan, I know
that coaching staff, and they weren't going to allow him
to come in and be a distraction like that. It
just it just wasn't gonna happen. And so if we
had gotten to midweek, wasn't gonna get done and they
had took a stance like, hey, we're done, We've offered
what we're gonna offer, We're gonna get the guys ready,
ready to go, then he would have had to make
(05:09):
a decision, Okay, them to show up on Wednesday and
I'm gonna go to work like a regular work week,
or I'm just going to hand back money fourteen point
eight whatever it is he's making this year. Every day
I'm missing, every practice, I'm going to hand money. And oh,
by the way, when that game check comes and is
in everybody's locker next Monday, that's seven hundred, eight hundred
(05:29):
plus one thousand dollars a week, it's going to them,
not to me. Right, So those are the decisions he
was going to have to be faced with. And I
don't think his agent, him or anybody advising him would
have said, hey, that's a good idea. It's one of
these and he doesn't accrue any time. This would have
(05:50):
been just like this year was frozen in time.
Speaker 6 (05:53):
And I think that's what the Niners were working on.
They knew, and that's why, to their credit, they did
not trade him, because they felt, either we will get
this done, or he's gonna have to play for us,
and he's gonna have to play well anyway if he
(06:14):
wants that money. Now, he turned down a few trades
and he is in the best situation.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
New England obviously would not.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Have been nearly as good as San Francisco's situation.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
Cleveland.
Speaker 6 (06:28):
Yes, they're potentially a good team, but their quarterback situation
obviously isn't as good as the Niners is Pittsburgh. Same thing,
good team, good, great organization, but right now the quarterback
situation doesn't look great. He is in a great situation.
(06:48):
And you know this, Ephraim, a guy that young, that good. Yeah,
you wanna get paid, no question, but you also want
to be able to shine, yes, and do your thing,
and he's gonna.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
To do that. He's brock Perty's favorite target. I think.
Speaker 6 (07:03):
Look, a few years ago, I thought Deebo Samuel might
be the best football player and you know what I'm
talking about, I do football.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Player in the league. But at this point I think
their best receiver is Brandon Ayuk.
Speaker 7 (07:16):
Well, yeah, when you talk about a traditional receiver, yes,
when you look at the number, seventy five passes, thirteen
forty two yards, seven touchdowns, those are receiver stats, right,
Deebo doesn't fall into that category, right because Deebo is rushing,
he's retur he's everything. He's, like you said, one of
the top two football players in the entire league, not
(07:39):
just a position player. Look, brock Party is happier today,
Oh yes, The problem is he's not as happy as
he wants to be going in until week one because
Trent Williams hasn't been done yet. So for me, if
(08:01):
I'm a quarterback, I'm like, hey man, it's good. I
like his routes. That's my favorite target. I can spread
this thing around the other people, see what the young
guys are made of. But what I will need to
do all of those things is to not be able
to looking over my shoulder because we have a left
tackle in who is not the best left tackle in football.
(08:22):
And I think that's a large part of the San
Francisco forty nine or success the last few years because
when he missed, I believe what, Trent missed a couple
of games last day, they lost all of those.
Speaker 6 (08:32):
What I'm saying, I agree with you, and I want
to get to Trent in the next segment. But let
me ask you this because as you know, I sit
across from Nick Right every day on First Things First,
and he consistently is giving me brock Perdies interception statistics
from training case. So for no Nick Right, Nick Rob
(08:53):
would do it too, but he's been You're talking about
me being on vacation.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Shoot, well, that's what happens when the money comes. Man.
Speaker 7 (09:00):
Look then when y'all, when you not pressed to wake
up every day and come in and be like, I mean,
I got to punch the clock, it's like, hey, you
know what Hawaii sounds.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
I'm just quite like that. It's not quite like that.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
But are you.
Speaker 6 (09:15):
Because this is a huge year for brock Pert huge
and help getting branded on you there and again we'll
get to Trent Williams in the next segment. Is huge
for him obviously now, at least for now. I don't
know how long these guys will stay healthy, hopefully all year,
but he's got all of his skilled players. Are you
at all concerned about parties, interceptions in training camp and
(09:39):
things like that? You know, he didn't have a great
training camp, at least that's what the reports were.
Speaker 7 (09:44):
No, someone who played a long time and went through
way too many training camps, I understand the ebbs and
flow of training camps isn't for everybody. I would much
rather have a player ruggle in training camp than in
regular season, right, and because in training camp you can
(10:07):
try things, you can work on.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
This is where you fix things.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
Right, Okay, my footwork, I'm gonna work on this angle,
my arm angle, my release point, this is where you
do those things. So until you hone in on what
you're rolling into the regular season with just throwing interception
numbers out there, we don't know when it is.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
Is it blitz pick up? Is it this at? What period?
Is it in?
Speaker 7 (10:31):
Is he throwing them in one on ones that that
really doesn't count?
Speaker 4 (10:35):
Right?
Speaker 7 (10:35):
Like so when you just throw that, well he's throwing interceptions?
Is it all team based interceptions? Is it one on
one interceptions? Is it the nine on seven a portion?
Like what I mean, excuse me, not nine on seven
seven on seven portion?
Speaker 6 (10:50):
See during and obviously seven seven oh seven probably wasn't
as prominent when you played, but.
Speaker 7 (10:57):
We had a whole period with that, okay, yeah, oh
yeah every day.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
Did you see a lot like was it?
Speaker 6 (11:05):
I mean, did you just have times where you had
a good quarterback and you just see he's not he's
throwing other interceptions or maybe missing passes and stuff in
training camp or in practice and it doesn't phase.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
You at all?
Speaker 6 (11:17):
Were you, like ar were you alarmed at times or
you know, or what was that like?
Speaker 4 (11:23):
What were your experiences like?
Speaker 7 (11:25):
And you're absolutely right, it depends on the body of
work of the quarterback. If our veteran quarterback is coming
in and it is what Look what training camp begins
for guys who you know. I didn't even I mean, look,
I wasn't a fan of training camp. Training camp for
us was a little bit different. And I'm not just
talking about the time. It was real. But as for
(11:47):
my position, training camp, there's no different between training camp
games or regular week practice. Like it's all out war
every single day, two times a day, full pass. So
I hated training camp. Right, I'm trying to keep my
head on straight, keep my shoulders from uh from messing
(12:07):
up and breaking my fingers because it's contact NonStop twice
a day. But you know, you'll look over to field
one and you have the receivers and the quarterbacks and
the DB's over there lolly gag and you know, playing
patty cake with the routes and while we're over here battling.
So look, those things are gonna happen, right you start
(12:30):
talking trash.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
You know, DB's versus receivers.
Speaker 7 (12:34):
Everybody you're going against, they know the routes, they know
the offense, they know all of those things. So yeah,
a cornerback and a certain team period is gonna sit
on a route because he knows the like you know
each other more than anything, right, Like you if you
have a brother and you've grown up together and you've
played together all that, and now you're playing across from
(12:56):
I know you, man, I know you. I know when
you're hip open, I know you. But to come into
your break, so I'm gonna jump that. So interceptions in practice,
to me, I'm not worried about that at all.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Well, look, we gonna get to Trent Williams.
Speaker 6 (13:08):
I mean, this is a great move for the Niners,
but they need more before they head into this season
and their opener is the New York Jets, who have
high hopes too.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
So keep your locked.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
Is The Odd Couple Chris Brusar e from salam if A,
Rob Parker Fox Sports Radio.
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Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
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Speaker 8 (13:37):
Paulie Fosco Here with Tony Fusco, you know as the
host of the number one rated Paul and Tony Fusco show.
We get tons and tons of fan mail everyday, piles
of it. In fact, Tony, why don't you open up
one of those letters right now and read what's inside?
Speaker 9 (13:49):
Hey, listen to this. Dear Paulie and Tony, your sports
takes the dumbest and most terribly Wait, why open this
other one? Dear Paulie and Tony, you up more than anyone. Wait, yea,
Paulie and Tony, you guys are the absolute best. There
you go, coming up with the stupidest thing.
Speaker 8 (14:11):
Just listen to Tony Fusco show on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
Yeah, that's right. It is a TV theme song Thursday.
I was reminded of that by the song. I forgot
to think about that.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
Uh you know why you forgot? You know why?
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Okay, all right, because I've been here the last couple
of Thursdays, so I understand. And you bat to be
glad Alex not in here, because you know what I
do on Thursdays with Alex in the building.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
You lucky, because I was coming to get my throne.
Did you hear get my crown back? You hear what? Haven't? Well?
Speaker 7 (14:49):
You beating Rob no, but but I'm not talking I'm
talking about like four old that type of stuff, like
not even one right, just nothing, not even coming down
to the last question.
Speaker 6 (15:01):
Like I said, not surprised, he man, I've been doing
radio and ride for six years.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Not surprising.
Speaker 7 (15:08):
I'm just saying, when you all want to level up
at your boy boys, all right.
Speaker 6 (15:13):
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Speaker 6 (15:41):
Now you mentioned as we were talking about the San
Francisco forty nine ers signing Brandon Ayuk, who had been
a hold in if you will, to the contract extension
four years, one hundred twenty million. But they do have
bigger fish to fry, and as great as I think
Brandon Ayuki is, as important as he is to Rock Purty,
(16:03):
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Trent Williams is more important
because you notice Ephi better than me. Their offensive line
last year was not like great, It was bottom third
in the league, and that was with Trent Williams, who,
to your point, is probably the best left tackle and
offensive lineman period in the league. And so without him,
(16:27):
Rock Party would be running for his life. The holes
wouldn't quite be what they have been for Christian McCaffrey.
So they need to get Trent Williams, and I think
they will because Trent.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Is shown he'll sit out. Oh yeah, he'll sit.
Speaker 6 (16:42):
Out, And I'm like, unlike he's been paid before.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Now some people might not like.
Speaker 6 (16:48):
I mean, I got no issue with Trent trying to
get paid more right because he is. This will be
his last big deal and he has been the drive
on that offensive line for this team. Some people might
not lie. He's got three years left on this deal,
but they aren't guaranteed, so he wants that stuff locked
(17:08):
in and guaranteed. And I can't blame me for that.
But where are you at on this? I mean, I
imagine you think it's gonna get done because look, it's
Super Bowl or bust for the Niners. Yeah, and without
Trent Williams, it's gonna be bussed.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
So they need to get him taken care of. Yeah,
it has to happen.
Speaker 7 (17:25):
And like you said, I think the urgency to get
Brandon Nyuk in and under contract lends to what you
just said about it's super bowler bust, right when you're
teetering around the party, right when you're hanging out outside,
always invited to the party. Like when you get to
the door of the biggest party in the world and
(17:46):
you're there and you're like, oh, we up next, Ah,
we at capacity, Sorry, y'all, we maybe next year, all right,
So the next year you get there, you're in line
early because there's a sense of urgency. All right, we
gotta get there, all right, man boom everybody which you
we get there, get up to the door. I'm sorry,
guys wear capacity. Now it becomes okay, well we ain't
going right, So now you start to lose the faith
(18:12):
in stepping up and going to the party. So there's
a sense of urgency. This is one of those years.
And I think for those who watched the Netflix special Receivers,
I think they had Debo and Kittle on there, and
I think hearing how they spoke about losing the year
(18:33):
prior going into last year, like we're gonna come back
to the super Bowl, We're gonna get there and we're
gonna win it. And then going on that journey all
last season, them being the best team in the league,
running up against the ego, I mean, yeah, the egos
when they were ten and one, and demolishing them and
postseason all of those things. And you get back to
the super Bowl, you have it there, it's yours and
(18:56):
you lose again. That's more demoralizing than anything. And so
now how tough is that gonna be?
Speaker 6 (19:03):
Because we've seen teams with Super Bowl hangovers that seemed
to get a choke.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
Hold on the Eagles last year.
Speaker 6 (19:09):
You know, even earlier when they were winning all those games,
they weren't right, they weren't playing that well.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
How I mean, it has not been a good offseason.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
I mean, this is good news for the Niners today,
but it has not been a good off season for them.
Do you think they're strong candidates for a Super Bowl hangover?
Speaker 7 (19:28):
I don't think they're a strong candidate for the Super
Bowl hangover. I think they're immensely talented across the board offensive. Defensively,
I think I'm a fan of Rock Party. I think
they have multiple weapons. They can simplify the game, they
can control. A lot of teams can't do both. What
we're seeing now in the NFL. A lot of teams
can't control the time of possession and air it out
(19:52):
down the field. You got to pick your poison. They're
one of the teams that can do both. That bowls
well for them. You can get in the game or
bad weather game when you got to really slug it
out and you got to get three yards four yards
to carry or you you know, there are a lot
of their pass plays act as running plays, right, a
(20:12):
lot of RPOs. Yeah, and so they're built for the season.
They're built to be able to step up to any
opponent and match whatever you want to bring. Now with
Trent Williams there, they're a superpower because if you can
just not worry about a whole just like a cornerback,
(20:32):
a lockdown like Rives Island and Dion Sanders, the Champ Bailey,
some of the great cornerbacks, you can do so much defensively.
It's the same with the offense. If you have a
whole side of the offensive line, which is normally where
the best defensive rusher is rushing on the Defensi's right side,
(20:54):
your left side. You can do anything you want over here.
It's so much freedom and in ways you can attack
a team that can keep them off kilter because essentially
you're neutralizing their best defensive player when it comes to
the front seven. So having that locked in, I don't
think they're in. You know they're going to be subject
(21:15):
to a Super Bowl hangover because the pieces is there.
The pieces are there. The problem is it's hard every
season to come be the best team and the regular
season and then get to the biggest game and not
follow it through are the second biggest game in terms
of the championship game. That begins to wear on you
(21:36):
because now the regular season isn't as important because you've
dominated that for the last four or five years with
no payoff. That's the problem, Like you have to keep
your guys locked into how important these games are and
not just focused on the big game, the last game.
Speaker 6 (21:57):
Now I feel you and look, speaking the Champampionships, we
got Mike Pritchard from Colorado, former NFL wide receiver who
played on their national championship team.
Speaker 5 (22:09):
In nineteen ninety. Of course we're gonna talk to.
Speaker 6 (22:11):
Him about the Colorado Buffaloes, who opened their season tonight
with head coach Deon Sanders going up against North Dakota State.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
So we'll talk with Mike Pritchard in a moment.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
But first, Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk
lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at
Foxsports Radio dot com and within the iHeartRadio app search
FSR to listen live.
Speaker 6 (22:35):
Our next guest former NFL wide receiver and as we said,
played on the Colorado Buffalo's team that won the national
championship in nineteen ninety. We welcome in Mike Pritchard. Mike,
welcome to the Odd Couple.
Speaker 10 (22:51):
Oh appreciate you guys. Thanks for the inviteolutely.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 6 (22:54):
And first of all, I mean, look, obviously, after you
guys win the national championship, they stay relevant for a
few more years, but then it got it became really
tough sledding for the Buffalos. You're probably just glad to
see them relevant on a national level again under Dion Sanders.
Speaker 10 (23:12):
Man, you you're too polite with that, Chris, I appreciate that.
I do.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
I do.
Speaker 10 (23:17):
Now we fell off a cliff. You could have said
that we fell off a cliff. Uh No, but to
be relevant for real though, to be relevant, it is refreshing.
I mean, uh, you know, back in the day and
like you mentioned, we win the national title and then
go on to the league. You know, that entire class
with Eric enemy out for Williams Nabors and he, I mean,
(23:38):
all these guys that had you know, really nice careers
in the National Football League as well. We hated to
see the program in a in a state of affairs
that it turned into, you know, coach mac retires and
had another run with with Cordell and Shirleye, Michael Westbrook
and Rashon Solom and they had a really good run
(24:00):
that was a ninety four team. But then when coach
Mack retired, Coach Barnett got into some controversy there too,
and then the program it just fell apart and there
was no explanation for it. Fast forward to now, it
is brighter days for sure because of coach Prime and
everything that he brings in terms of positivity for the program.
Speaker 7 (24:23):
Let me ask you this as a buffalo and someone
who loves where the program is trending. What's a win
for you in terms of season win, right, Like what
can happen? Is it make the playoffs? Is it, you know,
(24:47):
play for the conference championship? Like what to you coming
off the season in the last season of the PAC
twelve where they were one in eight, I believe one
and nine. What's a win for you this year for
Dion and the Buffaloes Bowl game?
Speaker 10 (25:03):
From I think with the talent that David assembled and
certainly you know, the spotlight and whatever off season, you know,
Coach Prime and beyond they want they want to transfer portal,
they want to use it because they feel like that's
the quickest way to success as opposed to building it
through high school through recruits.
Speaker 7 (25:23):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (25:24):
And you know coach Prime Deon, he wants to hit
the ground running and win. And so I think he
opened people's eyes last year with the quick start three
and zero. Reality set in not a deep enough team,
injuries certainly, and they're just not talented enough to hold
on through the PAC twelve, the gauntlet of his PAC twelve,
and that was a brutal schedule. But I think this year,
(25:46):
with expectations still at the same level, perhaps higher. I'm
not suggesting playoffs, but but a bowl game would be
a win because you're talking about it being unconventional the
way that coach Prime is doing it, like I said,
through the transfer portal, inviting people from the transfer portal,
actually recruiting that way, and acting as if college football
(26:07):
free agency. You know, if he can pull it off
and do it that way, one, that sets the new president,
and then two, I think he'll be well on his
way in terms of trying to get to the playoffs
in the next few years.
Speaker 7 (26:18):
Okay, so that's right. Six seven wins to be bought,
six wins to be.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
Correct.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
Great when you were there, obviously, as we said, you
won a national championship, so there was a lot of
buzz and excitement around the team. How do you compare
what you see now? I mean, obviously they're nowhere near
as good as you guys were. They won four games
last year, but still they were the talk of college football.
How do you compare the buzz that you see around
(26:46):
them now to how it was when you guys played.
Speaker 10 (26:50):
You know, it's familiar but different, Chris, because you know,
our buzz was was because we didn't really have those expations,
right Coach Mac Coach Bill McCartney. He recruited very, very well.
In eighty nine, we went undefeated, we lost to Notre
Dame and so therefore we lost the national championship. But
(27:10):
then when he came back in ninety, we had a
couple of hiccups. But the expectations were there then because
everybody saw what the buffs were all about at that
point and how good we were. Right, So living up
to those expectations and coming through that way, we were
able to understand that Alfred Williams, like I said, he
(27:31):
could have went pro after his junior year, he stayed
because we wanted to win the national championship. That was different.
That commitment is different. Now you know, now it's social media.
Now it's curiosity. Now it's okay, can Deon Sanders pulled
this one off?
Speaker 4 (27:46):
Yeah?
Speaker 10 (27:46):
I mean the man's never failed, right, He's never failed,
and it's like, can he pull this one off? So
I think people are intrigued by it. The dynamic nature
of Deon Sanders has attracted a lot of talent. Like
I mentioned, the coaching staff is star studied as well.
So I hope he pulls it off. I really do.
(28:06):
I'm a believer, like I said, I think they're talented enough,
and assembling that talent was the hard part. Coaching that
talent is the easiest part, right, and believing in it.
So they're definitely gonna be believing themselves. They're definitely gonna
have that confidence. It's a little different though, because you know,
expectations just are not there yet. But I think he's
going to open some people's eyes this year though.
Speaker 7 (28:29):
To that point, all right, Dion, like you said, has
had success everywhere he's gone. It's just been what he's
built his brand on and everything else. Let's just say,
let's play hypotheticals because we don't know. Let's say he
comes out the gate, he's on fire. The talent they've
brought in his son is dynamic. No, I'm talking about
(28:52):
way past that. I'm talking about we're in week nine.
Oh and they're eight and one, you know, nine and
zero just for for just for for for giggles, right, Okay,
and now we're talking playoffs, and now we're talking, oh,
this is a different team. All of this success you
get in the playoffs, whether you go all the way
or not. His sons are leaving next year, right, as
(29:17):
well as as well as Hunter, who he considers a son.
What's the chances of Dion living in that success and
moving on to the next level with his sons? Or
is he coming back like we are we fifty to
fifty or you know, twenty eighty? Where where are we
(29:38):
landing that? If Dion riding off with that, does he
take a bigger job?
Speaker 4 (29:42):
Right? Like?
Speaker 10 (29:43):
Oh, man, yeah, yeah, yeah, So Chris buttered me up
and now from you're pulling out my emotions.
Speaker 4 (29:50):
He look, man, I'm trying.
Speaker 7 (29:51):
I'm trying to show people your rain Joey, I'm trying
to get you out your comfort zone.
Speaker 10 (29:57):
I appreciate you. I appreciate that. You know there's been
talk about that, right, you know, four or five year contract?
How long is coach pinb gonna be in Boulder, Colorado?
Of all places, never seen the snow before and never
stepped footing it. But but Dion loves it and Boulder
he loves the serenity, He loves the peacefulness. The man
(30:17):
has a house next to a lake where he can
go fishing.
Speaker 4 (30:20):
Again.
Speaker 10 (30:21):
Now, he did that in Atlanta, he did that, he
does that in Texas. He is entirely comfortable. Plus he's
going to be a grandfather really soon, Right, DeAndre is
about to have a baby, So I think he's settled
from To be honest with you, I don't know if
he's going to go to the next level, to the
National Football League, because he said it and I believe him. Uh,
(30:44):
he can't coach rich folks.
Speaker 7 (30:47):
Hell listen, well, his son rich the way the NILS
is going to everybody rich.
Speaker 4 (30:52):
Now, that's all he's gonna have to rich folks.
Speaker 10 (30:55):
Now he's getting some experience right now. Huh. I know,
I get you, I get you on that, but uh No,
I don't know if he's pro a pro coach. I mean,
I played with him in Atlanta, and you know, as players,
you know, it's different. It's a different level of respect,
it's a different level of command in a room of
professional athletes, right, And I don't know if Deon has
(31:17):
the patience for that, and I don't know if he's
built that way, to be honest with you, So I
think he's going to write it out in Colorado, and
then I think he's going to enjoy seeing his son's
ball in the National Football League as well as playing
with his grandchild. So I think he's about that point,
to be honest, with he's almost sixty, and we reach
(31:37):
a point where you know, there's not too much more
we can do. I think professionally, yeah, professionally beyond he
hit the pinnacle, I mean, Hall of Famer, the best
ever at his position, I believe. And then if he
were to turn around this program. He's already turned it around,
but if he were to make a success out of
this program, that would be unprecedented, and certainly that would
(31:58):
would add to his legacy.
Speaker 6 (32:00):
Before you going, we got about thirty seconds for your answer.
You played with Dion in Atlanta, and at that time
it was early in both your careers.
Speaker 5 (32:09):
Did you ever foresee him being a head coach?
Speaker 6 (32:12):
Obviously to the public, I mean he had a, you know,
really charismatic personality, but I don't know that, at least
the public persona was not one you would associate with
him being a coach.
Speaker 4 (32:25):
So has this surprised you at what he's done?
Speaker 10 (32:28):
It really has. I mean he's been an entertainer. I
mean he had his own show back when he was
a player to sport athlete, lived in linelight with the movies,
played in movies, was running around with him.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
He was a rapper.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
He has not a very good one, but he was.
Speaker 10 (32:44):
Hey, there's not a lot of very good ones. But
but I never thought he would be a coach though,
but he has shown that he is a teacher, and
he certainly has shown the ability to get people to
believe themselves and that that's all that Dean's ever been about.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
All Right.
Speaker 6 (33:03):
Mike Pritchard, former NFL wide receiver, play with Deon Sanders
of course, Colorado Buffalo's alum who won a national championship
with them.
Speaker 5 (33:11):
Mike, thanks for your time, man, We enjoyed it.
Speaker 4 (33:13):
Appreciate you, brother, Appreciate you guys.
Speaker 10 (33:15):
Have a great night.
Speaker 4 (33:16):
Absolutely all right.
Speaker 6 (33:17):
We're gonna talk about this. This is not an easy
one you're talking about. They gonna start nine to one
and all that they better win the night.
Speaker 4 (33:25):
Yeah, I know you.
Speaker 5 (33:27):
You wasn't predicting that, but I'm just throwing that out
at you.
Speaker 6 (33:30):
Yeah, it's gonna be a tough one. We'll get into
that next. It's the I Couple, Chris and Ephraim Fox
Sports Radio.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
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up to sixty percent off and free shipping. This tonight,
we got Colorado with Dion Sanders opening up against North
Dakota State. North Dakota State FBS or FCS. I'm sorry,
(34:28):
FCS Division one Double A, but they've won a few championships.
They produced Carson Wentz, they produced Trey Lance, and they
are six and one e from in their last seven
games against FBS, which is Division one teams. So this look,
(34:49):
and you see the line, it's Colorado's favor by what ten.
Speaker 4 (34:52):
And a half? That's not a lot when you're.
Speaker 6 (34:55):
Talking about a big twelve team facing an FCS team.
Speaker 4 (34:59):
So this is going. This should be a good.
Speaker 6 (35:02):
Game and Colorado, look, I think they'll win, but they're
on upset alert.
Speaker 7 (35:09):
Yeah, I mean except reverse of what they experienced last year.
Speaker 4 (35:12):
Well TCU and the opener, So.
Speaker 7 (35:16):
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Prime has them locked in understanding.
Hey guess what, we know what the other side of
this coin feels like going into a game, right, They
have the same energy we had when we opened up
the season with TCU and end up winning. So keep
(35:36):
that in mind. You gotta go out and you gotta
handle business. And I will say this about Colorado and
their expectations this year, Say what you want being in
a Big twelve this year with a better roster, it's
going to be easier than their road in the Pact two.
Speaker 4 (36:00):
You got to think about the quarterbacks.
Speaker 5 (36:02):
I mean just because they got a better team.
Speaker 7 (36:05):
A better team, but look at the quarterbacks they had
to face in the Pac twelve last year.
Speaker 4 (36:12):
They were all first round draft picks, including Kleber, including.
Speaker 7 (36:17):
K half of them are starting in the NFL in
seven days. So when you look at the Big twelve
and it was look, it was a perfect storm. It
just so happened to be the last year of the
Pac twelve. And you look at the bow Nixes, the
Pennixes all like it was one after another. And so
(36:38):
it was one of those situations where like, if you
didn't have the talent, you would be exposed.
Speaker 4 (36:44):
Right.
Speaker 7 (36:44):
And so when you look at the Big Twelve and
you look at Nebraska, all right, you look at like
where are the lockdown first round top ten quarterbacks at
UCF and you know at Arizona Cincinnati, right Like, so
(37:07):
just keep in mind the gauntlet in everything they went
through last year in terms of level of opposing offenses
and signal callers, it's going to be a little bit
different for them. It's going there. They'll be able to breathe,
and I think tonight will be telling.
Speaker 6 (37:28):
Now, look, obviously North Dakota State is known for being
tough upfront, but obviously even that being the case, they're
not gonna be They're not the level of the teams
they'll be facing Colorado will be facing in the Big
Twelve up front or anywhere. However, that was their problem
(37:48):
last year is that they right, they had nothing fifty
two sacks.
Speaker 7 (37:53):
I think they gave up most and I mean, that's
you can't survive that r can.
Speaker 6 (37:58):
So if again, and this is gonna be a step
up with the Big Twelve from tonight, but if they're
able to handle or even man handle North Dakota State
up front, then that could be a good sign for him.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
Again, I know that's not Big.
Speaker 6 (38:14):
Twelve level play, but still that's the strength of this
team that has won six of his last seven games
against FBS team, So that would be a good sign
because that's where they have to improve.
Speaker 4 (38:27):
Em.
Speaker 5 (38:27):
Yes, if they're gonna be able to win six plus
games this year.
Speaker 4 (38:31):
Yeah, it's got to be a front.
Speaker 7 (38:32):
And I think Dion knew that he got some five
star commits on both sides of the ball. Up front,
that's the hardest position to find, right, that's the hard
Like you can get a five star receiver or likedn right,
like you can get that a cornerback and all that,
but finding those guys in the trenches, those are the
(38:56):
hard ones to find because you know they're going to
the Mischians and the you know, the Notre Dames and
and and those types of caliber school Ohio State exactly, No.
Speaker 4 (39:07):
There's no question about that.
Speaker 5 (39:08):
So this is gonna be man, it's a great way
to open the season and wait for us as fans,
and uh yeah, I can't wait either.
Speaker 6 (39:15):
All right, we got plenty more to get into with
the NFL keep it locked a couple Fox Sports Radio
Thanks for listening to The Odd Couple podcast. Be sure
to check us out live every weekday from seven pm
to ten pm Eastern four to seven Pacific on Fox
Sports Radio. Find your local station for The Odd Couple
at Foxsports Radio dot com, or stream us live every
day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Let's get this, punies, you're listening to Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Oh yeah, it is.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
The Odd Couple.
Speaker 5 (00:42):
I'm Chris Bruce Hard alongside my partner.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
No it is not Rob. Margaret is my man e.
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From Salim, and we are live from the tire rack
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They've got an unmatched selection, fast, free shipping, free road,
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Speaker 4 (01:15):
So keeping locked here on Fox.
Speaker 6 (01:16):
Sports Radio, the iHeartRadio app, or Serious XM Channel eighty three.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
However you're listening, let.
Speaker 6 (01:24):
Me welcome in my partner for tonight, the one the
only e from Salam.
Speaker 7 (01:30):
What's up, matter, what's happening? How you doing, man, I
am great, welcome back.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
I've been back. Slow down, slow down. I've been here
all week. Slow down, man, because I've been all summer.
Speaker 7 (01:43):
I've been sitting in this chair next to Rob destroying him.
So having you back, I'm like, man, that ain't hard.
Is anybody stepping up to the challenge? What's going on here?
I appreciate you guys constantly bringing me in. When one
of you guys have made enough, mon I need to
take some time off. So thank you for having me
(02:04):
in the tae man.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
No, it's good to have you, man. And what a day.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
And I mean news is breaking and people are saying stuff.
So we got a lot to get to in the NFL,
which we will do in a minute.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Let's first introduce the I Couple crew.
Speaker 6 (02:19):
The super producer Rob g is in the house on
the ones and twos, our man Mighty Mark Ramsey social media.
Elijah Sabunya is back. And was that Steve de Sager?
I caught the tail end, Yes, Steve de Sager on
the updates. I just caught the tail end. You know
Steve what he was saying, right, that's right? But the
(02:44):
big news and you heard Steve talk about it. I'm
sure Brandon Aiyuk has signed with the San Francisco forty
nine ers four years, one hundred and twenty million dollars
thirty million a year. I believe seventy eight million, seventy
six million fully guaranteed.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
E from salam your thoughts.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Look, does he deserve it? Yes?
Speaker 7 (03:13):
Okay, when you look at his body at work and
what he's done since he's been there, he's a reason,
not the reason that they've been able to codeep into
the playoffs, into the super Bowl the last five years.
I mean, you know, NFC Championship game one after another,
super Bowls, all of those things.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
He's part of the piece. So does he deserve to
get paid. Yes.
Speaker 7 (03:35):
The way he went about it and what happened some
way may argue was more of a distraction, but it
worked right.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
So can you argue?
Speaker 7 (03:43):
Can you argue with someone's methods when it turns out
to work the way they wanted it to work? Like
for me, I'm like, look, man, if the Niners wanted
to go a different way, if they felt like, oh, okay,
we've draft drafted a couple of young receivers, we can
(04:03):
feel them stepping in Uh, you're on your own, right,
this would have turned out bad, right, right?
Speaker 5 (04:11):
I mean I thought he would have just basically had
to play.
Speaker 7 (04:15):
He would have definitely had to play. It was no
fitting out if they decided like he was going to make.
I mean, who knows.
Speaker 6 (04:23):
I think in a situation like this, yeah, you have
to play, and you gotta play well. Oh you have
to be a good soldier. But it seemed like he
was going to really I don't think it would have
been wise. And maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like
he was going to be a bit of a distraction
(04:44):
even if he had played well.
Speaker 7 (04:46):
The one thing, say, I know Kyle Shanahan, I know
that coaching staff, and they weren't going to allow him
to come in and be a distraction like that. It
just it just wasn't gonna happen. And so if we
had gotten to midweek, wasn't gonna get done and they
had took a stance like, hey, we're done, We've offered
what we're gonna offer, We're gonna get the guys ready,
ready to go, then he would have had to make
(05:09):
a decision, Okay, them to show up on Wednesday and
I'm gonna go to work like a regular work week,
or I'm just going to hand back money fourteen point
eight whatever it is he's making this year. Every day
I'm missing, every practice, I'm going to hand money. And oh,
by the way, when that game check comes and is
in everybody's locker next Monday, that's seven hundred, eight hundred
(05:29):
plus one thousand dollars a week, it's going to them,
not to me. Right, So those are the decisions he
was going to have to be faced with. And I
don't think his agent, him or anybody advising him would
have said, hey, that's a good idea. It's one of
these and he doesn't accrue any time. This would have
(05:50):
been just like this year was frozen in time.
Speaker 6 (05:53):
And I think that's what the Niners were working on.
They knew, and that's why, to their credit, they did
not trade him, because they felt, either we will get
this done, or he's gonna have to play for us,
and he's gonna have to play well anyway if he
(06:14):
wants that money. Now, he turned down a few trades
and he is in the best situation.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
New England obviously would not.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Have been nearly as good as San Francisco's situation.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
Cleveland.
Speaker 6 (06:28):
Yes, they're potentially a good team, but their quarterback situation
obviously isn't as good as the Niners is Pittsburgh. Same thing,
good team, good, great organization, but right now the quarterback
situation doesn't look great. He is in a great situation.
(06:48):
And you know this, Ephraim, a guy that young, that good. Yeah,
you wanna get paid, no question, but you also want
to be able to shine, yes, and do your thing,
and he's gonna.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
To do that. He's brock Perty's favorite target. I think.
Speaker 6 (07:03):
Look, a few years ago, I thought Deebo Samuel might
be the best football player and you know what I'm
talking about, I do football.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Player in the league. But at this point I think
their best receiver is Brandon Ayuk.
Speaker 7 (07:16):
Well, yeah, when you talk about a traditional receiver, yes,
when you look at the number, seventy five passes, thirteen
forty two yards, seven touchdowns, those are receiver stats, right,
Deebo doesn't fall into that category, right because Deebo is rushing,
he's retur he's everything. He's, like you said, one of
the top two football players in the entire league, not
(07:39):
just a position player. Look, brock Party is happier today,
Oh yes, The problem is he's not as happy as
he wants to be going in until week one because
Trent Williams hasn't been done yet. So for me, if
(08:01):
I'm a quarterback, I'm like, hey man, it's good. I
like his routes. That's my favorite target. I can spread
this thing around the other people, see what the young
guys are made of. But what I will need to
do all of those things is to not be able
to looking over my shoulder because we have a left
tackle in who is not the best left tackle in football.
(08:22):
And I think that's a large part of the San
Francisco forty nine or success the last few years because
when he missed, I believe what, Trent missed a couple
of games last day, they lost all of those.
Speaker 6 (08:32):
What I'm saying, I agree with you, and I want
to get to Trent in the next segment. But let
me ask you this because as you know, I sit
across from Nick Right every day on First Things First,
and he consistently is giving me brock Perdies interception statistics
from training case. So for no Nick Right, Nick Rob
(08:53):
would do it too, but he's been You're talking about
me being on vacation.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Shoot, well, that's what happens when the money comes. Man.
Speaker 7 (09:00):
Look then when y'all, when you not pressed to wake
up every day and come in and be like, I mean,
I got to punch the clock, it's like, hey, you
know what Hawaii sounds.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
I'm just quite like that. It's not quite like that.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
But are you.
Speaker 6 (09:15):
Because this is a huge year for brock Pert huge
and help getting branded on you there and again we'll
get to Trent Williams in the next segment. Is huge
for him obviously now, at least for now. I don't
know how long these guys will stay healthy, hopefully all year,
but he's got all of his skilled players. Are you
at all concerned about parties, interceptions in training camp and
(09:39):
things like that? You know, he didn't have a great
training camp, at least that's what the reports were.
Speaker 7 (09:44):
No, someone who played a long time and went through
way too many training camps, I understand the ebbs and
flow of training camps isn't for everybody. I would much
rather have a player ruggle in training camp than in
regular season, right, and because in training camp you can
(10:07):
try things, you can work on.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
This is where you fix things.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
Right, Okay, my footwork, I'm gonna work on this angle,
my arm angle, my release point, this is where you
do those things. So until you hone in on what
you're rolling into the regular season with just throwing interception
numbers out there, we don't know when it is.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
Is it blitz pick up? Is it this at? What period?
Is it in?
Speaker 7 (10:31):
Is he throwing them in one on ones that that
really doesn't count?
Speaker 4 (10:35):
Right?
Speaker 7 (10:35):
Like so when you just throw that, well he's throwing interceptions?
Is it all team based interceptions? Is it one on
one interceptions? Is it the nine on seven a portion?
Like what I mean, excuse me, not nine on seven
seven on seven portion?
Speaker 6 (10:50):
See during and obviously seven seven oh seven probably wasn't
as prominent when you played, but.
Speaker 7 (10:57):
We had a whole period with that, okay, yeah, oh
yeah every day.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
Did you see a lot like was it?
Speaker 6 (11:05):
I mean, did you just have times where you had
a good quarterback and you just see he's not he's
throwing other interceptions or maybe missing passes and stuff in
training camp or in practice and it doesn't phase.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
You at all?
Speaker 6 (11:17):
Were you, like ar were you alarmed at times or
you know, or what was that like?
Speaker 4 (11:23):
What were your experiences like?
Speaker 7 (11:25):
And you're absolutely right, it depends on the body of
work of the quarterback. If our veteran quarterback is coming
in and it is what Look what training camp begins
for guys who you know. I didn't even I mean, look,
I wasn't a fan of training camp. Training camp for
us was a little bit different. And I'm not just
talking about the time. It was real. But as for
(11:47):
my position, training camp, there's no different between training camp
games or regular week practice. Like it's all out war
every single day, two times a day, full pass. So
I hated training camp. Right, I'm trying to keep my
head on straight, keep my shoulders from uh from messing
(12:07):
up and breaking my fingers because it's contact NonStop twice
a day. But you know, you'll look over to field
one and you have the receivers and the quarterbacks and
the DB's over there lolly gag and you know, playing
patty cake with the routes and while we're over here battling.
So look, those things are gonna happen, right you start
(12:30):
talking trash.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
You know, DB's versus receivers.
Speaker 7 (12:34):
Everybody you're going against, they know the routes, they know
the offense, they know all of those things. So yeah,
a cornerback and a certain team period is gonna sit
on a route because he knows the like you know
each other more than anything, right, Like you if you
have a brother and you've grown up together and you've
played together all that, and now you're playing across from
(12:56):
I know you, man, I know you. I know when
you're hip open, I know you. But to come into
your break, so I'm gonna jump that. So interceptions in practice,
to me, I'm not worried about that at all.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Well, look, we gonna get to Trent Williams.
Speaker 6 (13:08):
I mean, this is a great move for the Niners,
but they need more before they head into this season
and their opener is the New York Jets, who have
high hopes too.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
So keep your locked.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
Is The Odd Couple Chris Brusar e from salam if A,
Rob Parker Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Be sure to catch live editions of The Odd Couple
with Chris Brussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm
Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the
iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 8 (13:37):
Paulie Fosco Here with Tony Fusco, you know as the
host of the number one rated Paul and Tony Fusco show.
We get tons and tons of fan mail everyday, piles
of it. In fact, Tony, why don't you open up
one of those letters right now and read what's inside?
Speaker 9 (13:49):
Hey, listen to this. Dear Paulie and Tony, your sports
takes the dumbest and most terribly Wait, why open this
other one? Dear Paulie and Tony, you up more than anyone. Wait, yea,
Paulie and Tony, you guys are the absolute best. There
you go, coming up with the stupidest thing.
Speaker 8 (14:11):
Just listen to Tony Fusco show on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
Yeah, that's right. It is a TV theme song Thursday.
I was reminded of that by the song. I forgot
to think about that.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
Uh you know why you forgot? You know why?
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Okay, all right, because I've been here the last couple
of Thursdays, so I understand. And you bat to be
glad Alex not in here, because you know what I
do on Thursdays with Alex in the building.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
You lucky, because I was coming to get my throne.
Did you hear get my crown back? You hear what? Haven't? Well?
Speaker 7 (14:49):
You beating Rob no, but but I'm not talking I'm
talking about like four old that type of stuff, like
not even one right, just nothing, not even coming down
to the last question.
Speaker 6 (15:01):
Like I said, not surprised, he man, I've been doing
radio and ride for six years.
Speaker 4 (15:06):
Not surprising.
Speaker 7 (15:08):
I'm just saying, when you all want to level up
at your boy boys, all right.
Speaker 6 (15:13):
We want to thank Rapid Radios, the official communication device
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Speaker 6 (15:41):
Now you mentioned as we were talking about the San
Francisco forty nine ers signing Brandon Ayuk, who had been
a hold in if you will, to the contract extension
four years, one hundred twenty million. But they do have
bigger fish to fry, and as great as I think
Brandon Ayuki is, as important as he is to Rock Purty,
(16:03):
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Trent Williams is more important
because you notice Ephi better than me. Their offensive line
last year was not like great, It was bottom third
in the league, and that was with Trent Williams, who,
to your point, is probably the best left tackle and
offensive lineman period in the league. And so without him,
(16:27):
Rock Party would be running for his life. The holes
wouldn't quite be what they have been for Christian McCaffrey.
So they need to get Trent Williams, and I think
they will because Trent.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Is shown he'll sit out. Oh yeah, he'll sit.
Speaker 6 (16:42):
Out, And I'm like, unlike he's been paid before.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Now some people might not like.
Speaker 6 (16:48):
I mean, I got no issue with Trent trying to
get paid more right because he is. This will be
his last big deal and he has been the drive
on that offensive line for this team. Some people might
not lie. He's got three years left on this deal,
but they aren't guaranteed, so he wants that stuff locked
(17:08):
in and guaranteed. And I can't blame me for that.
But where are you at on this? I mean, I
imagine you think it's gonna get done because look, it's
Super Bowl or bust for the Niners. Yeah, and without
Trent Williams, it's gonna be bussed.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
So they need to get him taken care of. Yeah,
it has to happen.
Speaker 7 (17:25):
And like you said, I think the urgency to get
Brandon Nyuk in and under contract lends to what you
just said about it's super bowler bust, right when you're
teetering around the party, right when you're hanging out outside,
always invited to the party. Like when you get to
the door of the biggest party in the world and
(17:46):
you're there and you're like, oh, we up next, Ah,
we at capacity, Sorry, y'all, we maybe next year, all right,
So the next year you get there, you're in line
early because there's a sense of urgency. All right, we
gotta get there, all right, man boom everybody which you
we get there, get up to the door. I'm sorry,
guys wear capacity. Now it becomes okay, well we ain't
going right, So now you start to lose the faith
(18:12):
in stepping up and going to the party. So there's
a sense of urgency. This is one of those years.
And I think for those who watched the Netflix special Receivers,
I think they had Debo and Kittle on there, and
I think hearing how they spoke about losing the year
(18:33):
prior going into last year, like we're gonna come back
to the super Bowl, We're gonna get there and we're
gonna win it. And then going on that journey all
last season, them being the best team in the league,
running up against the ego, I mean, yeah, the egos
when they were ten and one, and demolishing them and
postseason all of those things. And you get back to
the super Bowl, you have it there, it's yours and
(18:56):
you lose again. That's more demoralizing than anything. And so
now how tough is that gonna be?
Speaker 6 (19:03):
Because we've seen teams with Super Bowl hangovers that seemed
to get a choke.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
Hold on the Eagles last year.
Speaker 6 (19:09):
You know, even earlier when they were winning all those games,
they weren't right, they weren't playing that well.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
How I mean, it has not been a good offseason.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
I mean, this is good news for the Niners today,
but it has not been a good off season for them.
Do you think they're strong candidates for a Super Bowl hangover?
Speaker 7 (19:28):
I don't think they're a strong candidate for the Super
Bowl hangover. I think they're immensely talented across the board offensive. Defensively,
I think I'm a fan of Rock Party. I think
they have multiple weapons. They can simplify the game, they
can control. A lot of teams can't do both. What
we're seeing now in the NFL. A lot of teams
can't control the time of possession and air it out
(19:52):
down the field. You got to pick your poison. They're
one of the teams that can do both. That bowls
well for them. You can get in the game or
bad weather game when you got to really slug it
out and you got to get three yards four yards
to carry or you you know, there are a lot
of their pass plays act as running plays, right, a
(20:12):
lot of RPOs. Yeah, and so they're built for the season.
They're built to be able to step up to any
opponent and match whatever you want to bring. Now with
Trent Williams there, they're a superpower because if you can
just not worry about a whole just like a cornerback,
(20:32):
a lockdown like Rives Island and Dion Sanders, the Champ Bailey,
some of the great cornerbacks, you can do so much defensively.
It's the same with the offense. If you have a
whole side of the offensive line, which is normally where
the best defensive rusher is rushing on the Defensi's right side,
(20:54):
your left side. You can do anything you want over here.
It's so much freedom and in ways you can attack
a team that can keep them off kilter because essentially
you're neutralizing their best defensive player when it comes to
the front seven. So having that locked in, I don't
think they're in. You know they're going to be subject
(21:15):
to a Super Bowl hangover because the pieces is there.
The pieces are there. The problem is it's hard every
season to come be the best team and the regular
season and then get to the biggest game and not
follow it through are the second biggest game in terms
of the championship game. That begins to wear on you
(21:36):
because now the regular season isn't as important because you've
dominated that for the last four or five years with
no payoff. That's the problem, Like you have to keep
your guys locked into how important these games are and
not just focused on the big game, the last game.
Speaker 6 (21:57):
Now I feel you and look, speaking the Champampionships, we
got Mike Pritchard from Colorado, former NFL wide receiver who
played on their national championship team.
Speaker 5 (22:09):
In nineteen ninety. Of course we're gonna talk to.
Speaker 6 (22:11):
Him about the Colorado Buffaloes, who opened their season tonight
with head coach Deon Sanders going up against North Dakota State.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
So we'll talk with Mike Pritchard in a moment.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
But first, Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk
lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at
Foxsports Radio dot com and within the iHeartRadio app search
FSR to listen live.
Speaker 6 (22:35):
Our next guest former NFL wide receiver and as we said,
played on the Colorado Buffalo's team that won the national
championship in nineteen ninety. We welcome in Mike Pritchard. Mike,
welcome to the Odd Couple.
Speaker 10 (22:51):
Oh appreciate you guys. Thanks for the inviteolutely.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 6 (22:54):
And first of all, I mean, look, obviously, after you
guys win the national championship, they stay relevant for a
few more years, but then it got it became really
tough sledding for the Buffalos. You're probably just glad to
see them relevant on a national level again under Dion Sanders.
Speaker 10 (23:12):
Man, you you're too polite with that, Chris, I appreciate that.
I do.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
I do.
Speaker 10 (23:17):
Now we fell off a cliff. You could have said
that we fell off a cliff. Uh No, but to
be relevant for real though, to be relevant, it is refreshing.
I mean, uh, you know, back in the day and
like you mentioned, we win the national title and then
go on to the league. You know, that entire class
with Eric enemy out for Williams Nabors and he, I mean,
(23:38):
all these guys that had you know, really nice careers
in the National Football League as well. We hated to
see the program in a in a state of affairs
that it turned into, you know, coach mac retires and
had another run with with Cordell and Shirleye, Michael Westbrook
and Rashon Solom and they had a really good run
(24:00):
that was a ninety four team. But then when coach
Mack retired, Coach Barnett got into some controversy there too,
and then the program it just fell apart and there
was no explanation for it. Fast forward to now, it
is brighter days for sure because of coach Prime and
everything that he brings in terms of positivity for the program.
Speaker 7 (24:23):
Let me ask you this as a buffalo and someone
who loves where the program is trending. What's a win
for you in terms of season win, right, Like what
can happen? Is it make the playoffs? Is it, you know,
(24:47):
play for the conference championship? Like what to you coming
off the season in the last season of the PAC
twelve where they were one in eight, I believe one
and nine. What's a win for you this year for
Dion and the Buffaloes Bowl game?
Speaker 10 (25:03):
From I think with the talent that David assembled and
certainly you know, the spotlight and whatever off season, you know,
Coach Prime and beyond they want they want to transfer portal,
they want to use it because they feel like that's
the quickest way to success as opposed to building it
through high school through recruits.
Speaker 7 (25:23):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (25:24):
And you know coach Prime Deon, he wants to hit
the ground running and win. And so I think he
opened people's eyes last year with the quick start three
and zero. Reality set in not a deep enough team,
injuries certainly, and they're just not talented enough to hold
on through the PAC twelve, the gauntlet of his PAC twelve,
and that was a brutal schedule. But I think this year,
(25:46):
with expectations still at the same level, perhaps higher. I'm
not suggesting playoffs, but but a bowl game would be
a win because you're talking about it being unconventional the
way that coach Prime is doing it, like I said,
through the transfer portal, inviting people from the transfer portal,
actually recruiting that way, and acting as if college football
(26:07):
free agency. You know, if he can pull it off
and do it that way, one, that sets the new president,
and then two, I think he'll be well on his
way in terms of trying to get to the playoffs
in the next few years.
Speaker 7 (26:18):
Okay, so that's right. Six seven wins to be bought,
six wins to be.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
Correct.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
Great when you were there, obviously, as we said, you
won a national championship, so there was a lot of
buzz and excitement around the team. How do you compare
what you see now? I mean, obviously they're nowhere near
as good as you guys were. They won four games
last year, but still they were the talk of college football.
How do you compare the buzz that you see around
(26:46):
them now to how it was when you guys played.
Speaker 10 (26:50):
You know, it's familiar but different, Chris, because you know,
our buzz was was because we didn't really have those expations,
right Coach Mac Coach Bill McCartney. He recruited very, very well.
In eighty nine, we went undefeated, we lost to Notre
Dame and so therefore we lost the national championship. But
(27:10):
then when he came back in ninety, we had a
couple of hiccups. But the expectations were there then because
everybody saw what the buffs were all about at that
point and how good we were. Right, So living up
to those expectations and coming through that way, we were
able to understand that Alfred Williams, like I said, he
(27:31):
could have went pro after his junior year, he stayed
because we wanted to win the national championship. That was different.
That commitment is different. Now you know, now it's social media.
Now it's curiosity. Now it's okay, can Deon Sanders pulled
this one off?
Speaker 4 (27:46):
Yeah?
Speaker 10 (27:46):
I mean the man's never failed, right, He's never failed,
and it's like, can he pull this one off? So
I think people are intrigued by it. The dynamic nature
of Deon Sanders has attracted a lot of talent. Like
I mentioned, the coaching staff is star studied as well.
So I hope he pulls it off. I really do.
(28:06):
I'm a believer, like I said, I think they're talented enough,
and assembling that talent was the hard part. Coaching that
talent is the easiest part, right, and believing in it.
So they're definitely gonna be believing themselves. They're definitely gonna
have that confidence. It's a little different though, because you know,
expectations just are not there yet. But I think he's
going to open some people's eyes this year though.
Speaker 7 (28:29):
To that point, all right, Dion, like you said, has
had success everywhere he's gone. It's just been what he's
built his brand on and everything else. Let's just say,
let's play hypotheticals because we don't know. Let's say he
comes out the gate, he's on fire. The talent they've
brought in his son is dynamic. No, I'm talking about
(28:52):
way past that. I'm talking about we're in week nine.
Oh and they're eight and one, you know, nine and
zero just for for just for for for giggles, right, Okay,
and now we're talking playoffs, and now we're talking, oh,
this is a different team. All of this success you
get in the playoffs, whether you go all the way
or not. His sons are leaving next year, right, as
(29:17):
well as as well as Hunter, who he considers a son.
What's the chances of Dion living in that success and
moving on to the next level with his sons? Or
is he coming back like we are we fifty to
fifty or you know, twenty eighty? Where where are we
(29:38):
landing that? If Dion riding off with that, does he
take a bigger job?
Speaker 4 (29:42):
Right? Like?
Speaker 10 (29:43):
Oh, man, yeah, yeah, yeah, So Chris buttered me up
and now from you're pulling out my emotions.
Speaker 4 (29:50):
He look, man, I'm trying.
Speaker 7 (29:51):
I'm trying to show people your rain Joey, I'm trying
to get you out your comfort zone.
Speaker 10 (29:57):
I appreciate you. I appreciate that. You know there's been
talk about that, right, you know, four or five year contract?
How long is coach pinb gonna be in Boulder, Colorado?
Of all places, never seen the snow before and never
stepped footing it. But but Dion loves it and Boulder
he loves the serenity, He loves the peacefulness. The man
(30:17):
has a house next to a lake where he can
go fishing.
Speaker 4 (30:20):
Again.
Speaker 10 (30:21):
Now, he did that in Atlanta, he did that, he
does that in Texas. He is entirely comfortable. Plus he's
going to be a grandfather really soon, Right, DeAndre is
about to have a baby, So I think he's settled
from To be honest with you, I don't know if
he's going to go to the next level, to the
National Football League, because he said it and I believe him. Uh,
(30:44):
he can't coach rich folks.
Speaker 7 (30:47):
Hell listen, well, his son rich the way the NILS
is going to everybody rich.
Speaker 4 (30:52):
Now, that's all he's gonna have to rich folks.
Speaker 10 (30:55):
Now he's getting some experience right now. Huh. I know,
I get you, I get you on that, but uh No,
I don't know if he's pro a pro coach. I mean,
I played with him in Atlanta, and you know, as players,
you know, it's different. It's a different level of respect,
it's a different level of command in a room of
professional athletes, right, And I don't know if Deon has
(31:17):
the patience for that, and I don't know if he's
built that way, to be honest with you, So I
think he's going to write it out in Colorado, and
then I think he's going to enjoy seeing his son's
ball in the National Football League as well as playing
with his grandchild. So I think he's about that point,
to be honest, with he's almost sixty, and we reach
(31:37):
a point where you know, there's not too much more
we can do. I think professionally, yeah, professionally beyond he
hit the pinnacle, I mean, Hall of Famer, the best
ever at his position, I believe. And then if he
were to turn around this program. He's already turned it around,
but if he were to make a success out of
this program, that would be unprecedented, and certainly that would
(31:58):
would add to his legacy.
Speaker 6 (32:00):
Before you going, we got about thirty seconds for your answer.
You played with Dion in Atlanta, and at that time
it was early in both your careers.
Speaker 5 (32:09):
Did you ever foresee him being a head coach?
Speaker 6 (32:12):
Obviously to the public, I mean he had a, you know,
really charismatic personality, but I don't know that, at least
the public persona was not one you would associate with
him being a coach.
Speaker 4 (32:25):
So has this surprised you at what he's done?
Speaker 10 (32:28):
It really has. I mean he's been an entertainer. I
mean he had his own show back when he was
a player to sport athlete, lived in linelight with the movies,
played in movies, was running around with him.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
He was a rapper.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
He has not a very good one, but he was.
Speaker 10 (32:44):
Hey, there's not a lot of very good ones. But
but I never thought he would be a coach though,
but he has shown that he is a teacher, and
he certainly has shown the ability to get people to
believe themselves and that that's all that Dean's ever been about.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
All Right.
Speaker 6 (33:03):
Mike Pritchard, former NFL wide receiver, play with Deon Sanders
of course, Colorado Buffalo's alum who won a national championship
with them.
Speaker 5 (33:11):
Mike, thanks for your time, man, We enjoyed it.
Speaker 4 (33:13):
Appreciate you, brother, Appreciate you guys.
Speaker 10 (33:15):
Have a great night.
Speaker 4 (33:16):
Absolutely all right.
Speaker 6 (33:17):
We're gonna talk about this. This is not an easy
one you're talking about. They gonna start nine to one
and all that they better win the night.
Speaker 4 (33:25):
Yeah, I know you.
Speaker 5 (33:27):
You wasn't predicting that, but I'm just throwing that out
at you.
Speaker 6 (33:30):
Yeah, it's gonna be a tough one. We'll get into
that next. It's the I Couple, Chris and Ephraim Fox
Sports Radio.
Speaker 2 (33:35):
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in
the nation. Catch all of our shows at foxsports Radio
dot com and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to
listen live.
Speaker 6 (33:48):
From thetirerag dot com studios are thanks to Rapid Radios,
the official communication device of Fox Sports Radio.
Speaker 4 (33:54):
Rapid Radios are instant.
Speaker 6 (33:56):
Push to talk walkie talkies, offering national LTE coverage and
no subscription or monthly fees.
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Ever, it's perfect for.
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Instant contact with an aging parents, so check it out
if you're in that situation. We use them here at
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up to sixty percent off and free shipping. This tonight,
we got Colorado with Dion Sanders opening up against North
Dakota State. North Dakota State FBS or FCS. I'm sorry,
(34:28):
FCS Division one Double A, but they've won a few championships.
They produced Carson Wentz, they produced Trey Lance, and they
are six and one e from in their last seven
games against FBS, which is Division one teams. So this look,
(34:49):
and you see the line, it's Colorado's favor by what ten.
Speaker 4 (34:52):
And a half? That's not a lot when you're.
Speaker 6 (34:55):
Talking about a big twelve team facing an FCS team.
Speaker 4 (34:59):
So this is going. This should be a good.
Speaker 6 (35:02):
Game and Colorado, look, I think they'll win, but they're
on upset alert.
Speaker 7 (35:09):
Yeah, I mean except reverse of what they experienced last year.
Speaker 4 (35:12):
Well TCU and the opener, So.
Speaker 7 (35:16):
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Prime has them locked in understanding.
Hey guess what, we know what the other side of
this coin feels like going into a game, right, They
have the same energy we had when we opened up
the season with TCU and end up winning. So keep
(35:36):
that in mind. You gotta go out and you gotta
handle business. And I will say this about Colorado and
their expectations this year, Say what you want being in
a Big twelve this year with a better roster, it's
going to be easier than their road in the Pact two.
Speaker 4 (36:00):
You got to think about the quarterbacks.
Speaker 5 (36:02):
I mean just because they got a better team.
Speaker 7 (36:05):
A better team, but look at the quarterbacks they had
to face in the Pac twelve last year.
Speaker 4 (36:12):
They were all first round draft picks, including Kleber, including.
Speaker 7 (36:17):
K half of them are starting in the NFL in
seven days. So when you look at the Big twelve
and it was look, it was a perfect storm. It
just so happened to be the last year of the
Pac twelve. And you look at the bow Nixes, the
Pennixes all like it was one after another. And so
(36:38):
it was one of those situations where like, if you
didn't have the talent, you would be exposed.
Speaker 4 (36:44):
Right.
Speaker 7 (36:44):
And so when you look at the Big Twelve and
you look at Nebraska, all right, you look at like
where are the lockdown first round top ten quarterbacks at
UCF and you know at Arizona Cincinnati, right Like, so
(37:07):
just keep in mind the gauntlet in everything they went
through last year in terms of level of opposing offenses
and signal callers, it's going to be a little bit
different for them. It's going there. They'll be able to breathe,
and I think tonight will be telling.
Speaker 6 (37:28):
Now, look, obviously North Dakota State is known for being
tough upfront, but obviously even that being the case, they're
not gonna be They're not the level of the teams
they'll be facing Colorado will be facing in the Big
Twelve up front or anywhere. However, that was their problem
(37:48):
last year is that they right, they had nothing fifty
two sacks.
Speaker 7 (37:53):
I think they gave up most and I mean, that's
you can't survive that r can.
Speaker 6 (37:58):
So if again, and this is gonna be a step
up with the Big Twelve from tonight, but if they're
able to handle or even man handle North Dakota State
up front, then that could be a good sign for him.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
Again, I know that's not Big.
Speaker 6 (38:14):
Twelve level play, but still that's the strength of this
team that has won six of his last seven games
against FBS team, So that would be a good sign
because that's where they have to improve.
Speaker 4 (38:27):
Em.
Speaker 5 (38:27):
Yes, if they're gonna be able to win six plus
games this year.
Speaker 4 (38:31):
Yeah, it's got to be a front.
Speaker 7 (38:32):
And I think Dion knew that he got some five
star commits on both sides of the ball. Up front,
that's the hardest position to find, right, that's the hard
Like you can get a five star receiver or likedn right,
like you can get that a cornerback and all that,
but finding those guys in the trenches, those are the
(38:56):
hard ones to find because you know they're going to
the Mischians and the you know, the Notre Dames and
and and those types of caliber school Ohio State exactly, No.
Speaker 4 (39:07):
There's no question about that.
Speaker 5 (39:08):
So this is gonna be man, it's a great way
to open the season and wait for us as fans,
and uh yeah, I can't wait either.
Speaker 6 (39:15):
All right, we got plenty more to get into with
the NFL keep it locked a couple Fox Sports Radio
Hosts And Creators
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