On this pod Ewan breaks down
Ice Fire Wildcard and Rantanen Trade 01:48-05:32
NFC & AFC BREAKDOWN+ Superbowl All with Connor Halley 06:30-27:28
Rams+ Chargers breakdown 27:30-35:38
Oilers wrap up 35:40-42:22
ENJOY
ALL LINKS HERE
https://linktr.ee/themanningshow
Ice Fire Wildcard and Rantanen Trade 01:48-05:32
NFC & AFC BREAKDOWN+ Superbowl All with Connor Halley 06:30-27:28
Rams+ Chargers breakdown 27:30-35:38
Oilers wrap up 35:40-42:22
ENJOY
ALL LINKS HERE
https://linktr.ee/themanningshow
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The ram I'm a Pony Coopie for Los Angeles twenty
three funny. It's the final on their home field here
at So Fine Stadium.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
It's Super Bowl fifty six.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
The Los Angeles World.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Three.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
This is The Manning Show with you and Manning, please
number one sports podcast stars.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Now, welcome back to The Manning Show. We have a
fun week. I'm you and Manning your host. We have
a fun week. There's a new intro hopefully, hopefully you
enjoy that intro. We are getting into this new episode,
episode thirty eight, a fun one. We had in store
for us the two AFC NFC championship games. In the NFL,
(01:14):
we have the oilers buzzing. We had a huge trade
in the NHL. We are going to get to that
in a second. We're gonna save the NFL stuff to
break down mcconnor Holly because we have an interview coming
up next which is awesome as well. We're gonna do
our right now. We're gonna do our wild card, ice
and Fire of the Week, and then we'll do the
(01:34):
Miko Rutna trade to the Carolina Hurricanes. But let's start
with the ice, fire and wild Card of the Week.
Speaker 5 (01:42):
Starting with the ice of the week.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
It is obviously the Buffalo Bills after a tough loss
ozho to four against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
Man oh man, it's it's too bad to see them
find a way to lose a game again.
Speaker 5 (01:57):
I mean, poor poor Bill. Too bad. They just can't
get the job done. And that is my ice of
the week.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
You could say, I'm saving all the talk for Connor
Halley in the interview that I had with him after
because it was a lengthy one. And then the fire
of the week is.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
Is the rafts.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
I mean the man oh man, the rafts strike again
with the Kansas City Chiefs. Lots of debate online. That's
why it's the fire, not the player of the week,
but the fire.
Speaker 5 (02:28):
Again.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
We're gonna say that with Connor Halley is we talked
about attle bit of the social media as well, So
if you want to just jump to that interview you can.
The wild card of the week again, this this is
a tough one, but Jalen Carter wild card of the week.
This guy's a beast again, So that's my wild card
(02:49):
of the week. He found a way to beat the Rams,
then he he makes another great game. Again, he's he's
a great guy, so he gonna be huge for the
Eagles in the future, which is kind of what the
wild card is. And I don't know how they ended
up getting this guy, but he is so good. So yeah,
that's my wild card of the week. But yeah, let's
get into the Mico Rattin in trade. I kind of
(03:11):
just wrapped up this interview, so I want to keep
this quick because there's a lot of stuff to go
through in the interview. But let's go to Miko Radda
in trade. Miko Rattin going to the Carolina Hurricanes. This
bomb hit a few days ago, Miko Rattin and going
to the Hurricanes in exchange for Martin Natius, Jack Jurry,
a few picks, and then Blackhawks were also involved, Taylor
(03:34):
Hall going going to.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
The Carolina Hurricanes as well.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
The Hurricanes looking for that deep playoff run, which is
good and in return, I mean the Blackhawks had to
hold fifty percent of his salary, which they had in
the salary cap to do it, and it was full
sell mode. So I mean, there's not much to get
(03:59):
into this says it was obviously it came down to
this Rattnan Ranton had to re sign with the Colorado
Avalanche and they could not agree with the deal. So
GM was like, hey, he's got to go. I mean,
we're not just gonna let this guy walk for free
like the Carolina I mean the not Carolina the Calgary
(04:20):
Flames did with Johnny Gudroau, rest In Peace and Matthew Chuck.
They don't want to do that. They don't want to
have that same situation. And I think it was a
smart move. I mean, Martin Nachiz is arguably a top
twenty player in the NHL.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
He's had a fire year.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
It was a smart move, and he's he's at six
point five million for another two years, so they don't
have to resign him, and they don't have to pay
Rantan that much money for getting to play with Kill
McCarran and Nathan McKinnon. So again, retinan great player, he's
he's a top seven player in the NHL, and the
Avs they couldn't agree to something. So again they're still
(05:04):
gonna be a great team. But Carolina they're going for it.
This is their year to do it. And again they
got Jake Genzel last year, so there's talk about they're
gonna have to re sign rant in which I don't
know if they will because they let Genseil walk, So
I guess we'll see. I mean, it was a crazy deal.
I want to hit because you don't see big guys
get traded like this. But for the entire NHL, crazy stuff,
(05:30):
crazy crazy stuff. Other than that, I mean, I didn't
have anything that I really wanted to get into. All
we discussed all the football with Connor Halley in the interview.
Coming up, have an episode next week. I'm not really
sure what we're gonna talk about next week. It will
(05:52):
kind of be a shorter one because obviously we really
break down. We're gonna do a big Super Bowl dive through.
But yeah, we kind of did one this week as well,
So enjoy that.
Speaker 5 (06:00):
We'll kind of get to the interview here. Enjoy the
interview with Connor Halle and we'll be back next week
the Peace.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Welcome back after the break and now we are very
pleased to bring back the one and only Connor Hallie.
It has been a fun few weeks since we've talked
last about the NFL. How have you been, like, how
have you been enjoying this football?
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (06:30):
I mean it's been really good Ewan, thanks for having
me back on the show. Happy to be here. And
it's kind of just what you expect, hoping for maybe
different outcomes in some of these games, but knowing that
inevitably it's going to be the Kansas City Chiefs and
maybe the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
I as soon as we saw.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
The Commanders advanced the conference championship, just didn't see that
they're going to have any way to get past Phillies.
So an expected super Bowl, I would say, you know,
with the outcomes the last couple of weeks here, but
nonetheless hoping for a good game, and I think we're
gonna get it because hey, best two teams in each
of their conference. I don't think that's too debatable right now.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
Yeah, I would totally agree with that.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
I mean, unfortunately the Bills unable to get it done.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
We'll get into that in a second.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
But I think no one really wanted to see the
Chiefs back other than Chiefs fans, but it happened anyways,
And Mahomes' is Mahomes. So yeah, let's dive into these
these games. They were they were awesome. I mean the
first game wasn't as entertaining as the Bills Chiefs won,
but it still had its its fair share of moments
(07:33):
for sure. Let's start with the Eagles and Commanders. It
was a it was a great game. I what were
your thoughts on it?
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (07:42):
I mean to be honest with you, I thought the
Commanders might find a way to keep it a little
bit closer. But just ball security, that's the big issue.
And you know, if you listen to the Gregor Show
or Fantasy Franz, you've heard me say it. Ball security's
job security. And that amounts to wins in the NFL
and Austin Eckler fumbling the football, Ryan Robinson Jr. When
you have that, you're just setting yourself back. Sorry, I
(08:03):
believe jeremynical and dynamic Brown losing the football and it's
going to set you back so far, especially with an
offense like the Philadelphia Eagles and what they can do.
It all starts with Saquon Barkley and the second he
hits that sixty run home run yea to start the game,
like you're just you're immediately panicking.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
What do we do?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Man?
Speaker 6 (08:23):
We have to maybe have our safeties a little bit closer,
try to stack the box just to slow Saquon down
and that opens things up in the passing game, and
Jalen Hurts was extremely efficient twenty of twenty eight passing,
you know, just the one touchdown. But they took what
Washington was giving them and they were able to run
the football. And even then, I mean Saquon Barkley still
only had fifteen carries. Field position was a win for
(08:45):
them throughout the entirety of the game. And when you
have twenty seven points in the first half, that's a
pretty good start. I know they'd go on to score
twenty win in the fourth quarter and really put that
game out of reach. And you know, that's kind of
the killer instincts. I'll say this, I've said it all
year long. When you're playing Kansas City, if you keep
it within ten points or less, whatever it might be,
you're just giving the Chiefs an opportunity to win that
(09:06):
football game. The Philadelphia Eagles against the Commanders left no doubt,
and that's what you need to do to beat Kansas City.
You gotta have a strong fourth quarter if they if
the Chiefs score, you have to answer right back. And
I think the Philadelphia Eagles show that they can put
up those points in a hurry. So for the for
the Eagles, a fantastic effort. You know, you hope they're
okay at the center position. Having two centers go. Yeah, injury,
(09:28):
that's not good when you're taking on Chris Jones in
the Super Bowl. But if they can get a little
bit healthier, maybe you're working on your protections, bringing in
a full back to try to help out in the interior.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
There, or whatever it might be, it'll go a long way.
But yeah, the Philadelphia Eagles just dominance.
Speaker 5 (09:45):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
And I think that was a great first point With
the fumbles, I mean we saw it this year, which
as a Rams fan, Kyron Williams really struggles holding onto
the football and in the last few years in the
playoff games, it's a big It can really change the
dynamic of the game. And when the Rams were driving
in that third quarter, I believe fumbling that ball is
(10:07):
not the right time in place, and it just it's
happened the last few years, and the frustrations with it,
feeling like, hey, we could have gone to the super
Bowl if this this and then this happened. That's kind
of what I was experiencing during that game. But yeah,
the fumbles for sure and that one were very very key. Overall,
I thought Jalen Hurts played at a very very elite level,
(10:30):
especially last week. Obviously playing in the Snow game didn't
maybe show as much as he would have this week.
But again, he's still coming right back from an injury
and now he's gonna have two weeks to rest and
then play in the Super Bowl. So I think that
definitely benefits the Eagles in that way. And they looked really,
(10:51):
really good all around. In Saquon Barkley. I mean that's
the big thing. The difference between them playing the Chiefs
last time and the chief this time is Saquon Barkley.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Yeah, I mean that was massive.
Speaker 6 (11:04):
And it's funny, you know, hindsight being twenty twenty, you
go back and you watch those offseason clips of the
New York Giants and the decision making and like their
owner like, oh, it would really hurt or kill me
if he signs with a Philly. Well he goes there,
he rushes for two thousand yards and then he helps
him get to a Super Bowl, staying in the division.
And I mean I talked to Jason Strudwick. I don't
think he speaks for all Giants fans, but he's rooting
(11:26):
on the Eagles because he wants to see Saquon get
that ring. I'm assuming there's other factors, like all of us,
maybe we don't want the Chiefs reign to continue. But
what he just brings to the offense, and you know,
especially it might be a little bit tougher, but what
he brings with the option with when he you know,
lines up beside Jalen Hurts and you put that football
(11:47):
in his hands for just a second, defenses react. So
Jalen Hurts can pull the ball back, take off himself,
assuming his knees, Okay, he can throw the football off
that and it really makes things tough for opposing defenses.
And they're gonna need that because Kansas City's about as
good as it gets.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Yeah, for sure, they're coming in. Kansas's defense is so
so good.
Speaker 5 (12:07):
And again.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Chris Jones is a beast. We saw at last game.
They were getting pressure all over Josh Allen in that game.
But yeah, I mean, it's gonna be a fun super Bowl.
And I think the point I saw on Sequon Barklay
was if running backs good running backs are so good
to sign contracts on good teams. I think it really
(12:30):
really helps good teams. But I think if you would
have re signed, I mean, the impact as much wouldn't
come as big to the Giants as would for the Eagles,
just because of the Eagles.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
All around games.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
So signing him was absolutely huge, and I really think
it could be a Super Bowl winning signing for sure.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Yeah, and that's it.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
I mean, if he's playing for the New York Giants,
he's not putting out those types of numbers, right, it's
going to a really good offensive line. With the Philadelphia Eagles,
They've got Else Goddard, who's an above average tight end.
They've got two good receivers. It's a Devonte Smith and
then aj Brown. You know they've got some weapons there.
And you're right, it's not even just a Saquon Barkley thing.
Look at Derrick Henry goes to the Baltimore Ravens. They
(13:13):
don't find the ultimate prize, but he had one heck
of a year. You can look at the Green Bay
Packers bringing in Josh Jacobs from the Vegas Raiders, another
really good signing. So a lot of these teams going
out there, maybe not necessarily drafting these running backs, but
finding a way to bring them over in free agency,
bring them in for a couple of years. I think
the value of the running back position has gone down
(13:34):
so much since you know, maybe the two thousands. But
you have a running back that can do what these
guys can do and stay on the field. They're good
out there for every down, whether it's rushing the football, receiving,
or in pass protection.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
It just goes such a long way.
Speaker 6 (13:48):
And you know, I look at it and think these
top teams in the NFL with the leading rushers, that's
not a coincidence.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
I mean some elite backs, and I mean there was
a lot of running backs on the free agent market
this year, so seeing them go around and then really
really help produce and all these teams definitely bumps up
that running back market for sure. Going into the future,
now looking ahead to the Super Bowl here, what is
it gonna take for the Eagles to finally beat the Chiefs?
(14:17):
The only two quarterbacks to beat Patrick Mahomes in the
playoffs was the Goat, Tom Brady and Joe Burr. So
what do you think is it gonna take for Jalen
Hurts to finally get over that hump end for the
Eagles to really find a way to beat this crazy dynasty.
Speaker 6 (14:34):
If you say yeah, I mean, geez, it's what I
think it's.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
I think it's gonna be a close game.
Speaker 6 (14:40):
And we've seen this all season long with the Kansas
City Chiefs finding these weird ways to win football games.
You know you want to you want to beat this team,
Go out there and beat them and leave no doubt, Like,
don't let them linger around because they're winning games on
blocked field goals, they're missing winning games on missed field goals,
questionable calls by referees here and there, which happens in
(15:00):
every football game, but it seems to be in the
spotlight when it benefits the Kansas City Chiefs. I just
think you got to go out there and do what
the Eagles did. Like that game against the Commanders, there
is opportunity for the Commanders, but the Eagles snuffed it out.
They got the turnover when they needed it, They converted
on big downs to make sure they got points and
got touchdowns and not field goals. I think that that's it.
(15:22):
If the Kansas City Chiefs are lingering, if they're in
the neighborhood. You know, ten points, whatever it might be,
they have a chance. But if you can, you know,
at the end of the game, still go score for
a score with them throughout the entirety of the game,
which is tough because their defense is very good. Yeah,
you got the opportunity. And you know, I think one
thing for Philadelphia, this is the last game of the year.
(15:44):
You know, Saquon Barkley, let him have a huge workload,
like twenty five carries. If you have to wear that
defense down, that's what you want to do. You know,
they want to set themselves up, the Kansas City Chiefs
to rush the quarterback, and that's the fun part. I
think you got to wear them down, those big boys
up front, Chris Jones, namely, like anytime you get a
(16:05):
chance to put him on the ground or get a
hit on him, you got to do so. Try to
slow him down a little bit. And in the meantime,
while you do that, you're keeping Patrick Mahomes and the
offense off the field as long as you can. If
you can win, and it's easier said than done. You know,
time of possession and the starting position in the field,
that's probably the way to do.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
It.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
It's not easy though, Like that's why the Kansas City
Chiefs are as good as they are. They don't make mistakes.
You know, they're so well coached by Andy Reid. They
they're not going to hurt themselves. They kind of rely
on other teams hurt themselves, and they take advantage of it.
You almost need to play a flawless football game to
be Kansas City. But I think the Eagles have the
talent to do that. You know, it's just going to
be playing within the game, you know, not losing your
(16:46):
temper if things don't go your way, staying calm, cool, collected. Again,
easier said than done.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
I think the running part to rushing the football is
a great points. I think we look at it in
the game some of the critiques where why don't you
just run the football? I mean, the Bills are running
very very well against the Chiefs and that's the one
thing I noticed. They have three pretty decent backs that
were running very very well. And then we saw in
the Super Bowl last year, why didn't the forty nine
(17:14):
ers just stick with Christian McCaffrey a little more?
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Why wasn't the workload bigger?
Speaker 4 (17:18):
And I think that's the same if you want to
beat them, just finding ways to run it down their throats.
I think that's a way, like you said to keep
Mahomes off the field, and Saquon, I mean.
Speaker 5 (17:30):
Arguably the best of the best.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
So if there's a guy to do it, I mean
you got to give to Saquon.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
For sure, absolutely, And yeah, you ring up good points.
Speaker 6 (17:38):
Like James Cook was great, averaging six point five yards
per Kerry doesn't get too inflated. His longest run of
the game was thirty three yards. He had two touchdowns.
There was points in that game where you know, we
saw the Buffalo Bills running the QB sneak and I
just didn't get it.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
You know, you have James.
Speaker 6 (17:54):
Running the ball very well, You're running these plays like
right into the heart of the Chiefs defense, arguably their
strongest point up front, and it didn't make a whole
lot of sense. Like James Cook, the way that game
was going, I would have thought, just keep feeding him
as much as you can. I've been kind of praising
him going back to the game against the Baltimore Ravens,
(18:14):
like he hits the whole hard. I would have been
utilizing him a whole lot more. If you're the Eagles,
get your game plan and stick to it. And if
eventually you start to see the Kansas City defense cheating
a little bit and bringing more players up, you know,
you run that option. Maybe it's a play action pass,
take advantage of it. Aj Brown is an elite receiver
in the NFL. Davonte Smith can make plays. I think
(18:35):
that's the part that the Philadelphia Eagles have that the
Buffalo Bills don't have.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Them might call halt.
Speaker 6 (18:41):
Mccollins made some good plays, give him some credit, a
bit of a unique cap, but made his plays. Amari
Cooper not the player he once was. The Philadelphia Eagles.
When it comes to Goddard Brown and Devonte Smith, they
got some playmakers. So I think utilizing those guys in
the play action game could go a long way for
this team as well well.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
But my goodness, when you.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
Have an asset of your game that's working, like the
Bills did with James Cook, you got to stick to it.
Speaker 4 (19:08):
Yeah, And this kind of transitions us to the Bills
Chiefs game. I mean the way they didn't run the
ball and they were given it to Josh Allen in
every big situation. It's kind of like you have other guys,
and this goes into the coaching, right, Lots of people
have been talking, Hey, is Sean McDermott the guy in
Buffalo that's going to be able to win that big
(19:29):
football game? I mean, not making some interesting decisions on
play calls. It really was brutal to watch, and I
think it's up in the air, it's up in the
question in I don't think the Bills will do anything
about it, But again, what are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 6 (19:45):
There's a lot that goes into a perspective being if
you're a really bad team in the NFL, you would
love what the Buffalo Bills had done the last few years.
Just that unfortunate thing of going up against the Kansas
City Chiefs, who you know, modern day dynasty, free agency
being what it is, it's tough to ten year after year,
and the Kansas City Chiefs have done so it's really impressive.
It just sucks for the Bills, right, you have to
(20:06):
go through that. If you're a Bills fan, you're probably thinking, well,
we need to find a way to get past them,
and our current coach isn't doing that. Let's go out
there and find someone who can do that. But I'm
just thinking, if you're the Buffalo Bills, you're playing into
the playoffs late, you look at it right now, you
would the only the last coaching hire was the Dallas Cowboys,
(20:27):
and it was Shottenheimer who had no other coaching interviews,
So you know, what are you gonna do have these
interviews for another head coach as your current head coach
is taking you far into the playoffs? Like Unfortunately, I
just don't think it works out that way for the Bills.
So you know, if you're gonna make the move, I
don't know when it would be. I personally wouldn't. I
think you go for another year here and try to
add some talent. But tough situation for the Buffalo Bills
(20:50):
is they are two million dollars over the salary cap
going into next season, so you got to find a
way to improve your team. I don't know what the
easy answer is, but I think you got to look
at it if you're the Buffalo Bills and say, hey,
we were plays away, we could have won this football game.
You know, we get the first down from Dalton and Kaid,
we got a chance. If Dalton and Kaid catches that
(21:11):
football at the end of the game, you have a
chance if we convert the first down. Like there's there's
so many things in that game where it's like we
just do it a little bit better. So I would say,
on the course, hope that the Kansas City Chiefs fall
off a little bit and continue just to try to
execute a little bit better in those big games.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
Yeah, I would agree totally.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
And I think when you get to this point in
the season, the coaching carousels like already gone, Like you
saw for Abel to the Patriots, you saw the obviously
the big hire Ben Johnson to the Bears. So in
the in their situation, I mean, they're in the middle
of the playoffs and coaches are gone, Like there's there's
really not a lot of options either. So if they
even if they were to look at that, I mean,
(21:52):
like you said earlier, the Cowboys new guy, it's kind
of like who they even go to in this situation.
So yeah, that's a good point, and they're they're right
there again, They're just right there. And Mahomes, in my
opinion and my generation, is the greatest winner I've seen play.
So he finds way to win games, which is incredible,
(22:13):
and in one score games in the playoffs. He's undefeated,
so it's it's crazy, crazy stuff to watch. And yeah,
I would expect the Bills to bring them back your
Super Bowl picks. Now, it's it's obviously it's a tight
one either way. I mean, it's it's gonna be a
close game. We both agree on that. Who do you
(22:35):
have in this game?
Speaker 6 (22:37):
Yeah, it's it's it's gonna be a really good one.
And I think for the time being, I'm leaning towards
the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
That could be my bias. I'm a Chargers fan.
Speaker 6 (22:47):
I've seen the Chiefs do this for far too long
and I'm sick of it. I know Kansas City comes
into this one as one and a half point favorite,
so a very narrow margin margin. But I do think
that when you look at just what the Philadelphia Eagles
have like, they can run the football, they can pass it,
they're strong, the lines, they've they built up these units
very swell. It's gonna come down to execution. And you know,
(23:08):
I've said this from the start of the year. The
Kansasity Chiefs, in my opinion, are as beautible as they've
been since the Reid Mahomes combination. The last couple of
seasons going into it, we spoke about it on the
Jason Gregor Show, and I've said, I don't see a
team that can beat the Kansas City Chiefs, Like I
just don't see it happening. Not to pat myself on
(23:28):
the back, but they've gone to win both of those years.
This season, I said, this is the most beautible I
think they've they've become, and they could still win like
they are that good. But I just think you go
back and you look at all these games that they've
won by the narrowest of margins, and they you know,
lucky plays here and there. Good teams win close games,
no denying that, But I think if the Philadelphia Eagles
(23:49):
play their game, execute like they did against a good
Commanders team, there's no reason they can't find a way
to work.
Speaker 5 (23:54):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
I think if the Eagles play their eight plus game
and Saquon Barkley, I think if Barkley gets more than
twenty five carries, they win the game. That's just my opinion.
I mean, we saw this stat earlier with the Ravens
when Lamar's throwing less than twenty passes and Henry's getting
more than twenty carries. They're undefeated, so it's like, just
(24:18):
rush the football. If you're going to beat the Chiefs,
rush the football. That would be I'm hoping they do
because I'm so done sick of Mahomes winning games.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
I think everyone is.
Speaker 4 (24:28):
I mean, I had a hockey game the other night,
and in between periods, obviously check my phone. I'm like,
oh my goodness, they're back again. And I go up
to the ref and I'm like, are you an NFL
fin He's like, no, not anymore. So again, just people
are just sick of them winning. And again, I think
if there's a team to do it right now in
terms of roster and the way they're built, the Eagles
(24:49):
are the team to do it. Unfortunately, I'd end up
picking the Chiefs to win this game. I mean, Mahomes
is just when this game is on the line for
a three peat, which no one is ever done in
the NFL history, there's not a guy that I would
pick to do it other than him.
Speaker 6 (25:05):
So yeah, and you know, like it's frustrating for US
fans who have seen him need our teams, but like
if nothing's open down field, you know, as a defense,
you've done such a good job in the secondary, he
finds a way to run for the first down, and
he looks effortless. He might make a couple of guys
miss and he's all of a sudden, you just see
him doing that weird little run he's got. He'll stretch
the bellet for the first down. He's really when he
(25:27):
comes to you know, got to have it plays he's.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Yeah. Another question for you here, because you've been through
the Brady all the Brady era where people kind of
felt the same, what was more frustrating for you to
watch the Brady dynasty or the Mahomes dynasty.
Speaker 6 (25:46):
Well, over time, with age, I've gone on to respect
the Patriots dynasty for what it was.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
They built up some really good teams.
Speaker 6 (25:56):
The one thing I will say in the social media era,
the Kansas City Chiefs have been in. I mean when
it comes to Jackson Mahomes and we've got Brittany Mahomes
and yeah, you know it's all out of jealousy. But
all the Swifties hopping on board or the Kansas City
Chiefs bandwigon and you know, celebrating their wins while I'm
along suffering Chargers fan.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
It pains me.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
So I will say the Kansas City Chiefs has been
more annoying, mainly because of social media. I think that
when it's over and you know, ten fifteen years down
the road, we're gonna look back at and just say,
what a job they did keeping the players intact, you know,
losing coordinators to head coaching jobs, but still finding ways
to win football games. You know, enjoy it while you're
in it, especially if you are a Chiefs fan, but
(26:35):
certainly more annoying. The Patriots were good and their fans
were a little arrogant too, but a little bit less
than where we're at right now.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
Yeah, I mean the Chiefs again some annoying presences on
social media, like we've seen, but I think if we
don't see Taylor Swift come into the mix, it might
not be as annoying as well, because there was all
the memes last year about her getting shown on TV,
and to this day, I mean, she's still getting shown
(27:04):
and it's just like it's so unbearable. I really hope,
hope otherwise what happens this year. But again, yeah, should
be a great game and hopefully the Eagles the Birds
can I'll never cheer for the Birds other than the
Super Bowl. I mean, I really do think the Rams
should be there after what happened. But again, you have
(27:26):
to block Jail and Carter if you want to get there.
So we won't dive into the Rams. But let's let's
get into the Chargers. Okay, here a little bit about
the Chargers. I mean, I was high on the Chargers
going into this game after their final few weeks. I mean,
what was your initial thoughts on this this football game.
Speaker 5 (27:41):
I know it was a little while.
Speaker 6 (27:42):
Ago, but yeah, and you know what, hey like, we
talked about complaining about calls miss by the refs, and
the Chiefs get them the most. But you ask a
Chargers fan and I'll say, okay, well, if xavery Worthy
caught that football in that game against the Buffalo Bills
and Derwin James caught that interceptionaf the Houston Texans, very
simil plays. But you know, I'll try not to hold
(28:03):
a grudge. The Tennants were a good football team. And
you know what, when you have those guys coming off
the edge, and Will Anderson Junior and Daniel Hunter great
players as Stingley at cornerback with Lattimore.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
Good players as well.
Speaker 6 (28:17):
Last sorry, like they've just got really good corners and
edge rushers. When you can rush and cover, you're gonna
give teams fits. And the Chargers offensive line, you know,
the tackles are good, but the interior is pretty weak,
so there's ways they can be exposed. I thought the
you know, Justin Herbert not good quarterback takes that came
out of that were a little bit a little bit
(28:37):
too much. And you know, as a Chargers fan, this
was a team that picked six overall last year, Like
they were not a very good football team. They were
twenty plus million over the salary cap when Jim Harbaugh
and Joe Hortiz took over the team, and you know,
they had to make some tough decisions, cutting Mike Williams,
trading away Keenan Allen, they had to ge Khalil Mack
and Joey Bose, had to take pay cuts to stay
(28:57):
with the team heading into this upcoming season, like ninety
million dollars in cap and they can get more by
releasing Joey Bosa, which they probably will. He's taking a
bit of a step back. So for me, you know,
all in all, it was a good season. I enjoyed it.
Jim Harball made football fun again. The Chargers weren't losing
in the stupidest ways possible that Brandon Staley, Anthony Lynn,
Mike McCoy would have done in years past. And I think,
(29:20):
you know, a little more money to spend, you go
get to Justin Herbert an actual tight end. We've seen
how much that can benefit a quarterback. Because loved Will Disley,
I don't think he's in the league tight end in
this league, So go get some help there, improve the
interior line, maybe get another receiver. Lad McConkey good flourish.
He's got a bright future in the NFL and more
(29:40):
time to beef up the defensive side of the football.
But I'm not going to complain. You know, it was
a fun year for the Chargers. They started to turn
things around. And you know, if you listen to a
Charger fans speak, they'll say, that's probably the worst roster
that Jim Harball is ever going to have with this team.
It's only going to get better the longer he's here.
So I'm hoping the next season, maybe they take that
new step and Justin Herbert can win that first ever
(30:02):
playoff game.
Speaker 4 (30:03):
Yeah, I mean again, the blame was pretty big on
Herbert after the game, which I thought, I mean, was
unwarded with the roster you had. Again, you had a
rookie receiver as your number one weapon on the offensive
side of the ball, and then the defense also needed
some work as well. So again great steps from the Chargers,
I mean, some great draft picks as well. They did
(30:23):
great job drafting, and again I think the future, like
you said, is gonna be very very good for them,
as I hope it it continues to be from my
Rams as well. But yeah, again it's it's gonna be fun.
I do have a few questions about the Rams for you. Sure,
there's been a lot of talk because I follow a
(30:45):
lot of Rams stuff over the last few days here
and kind of things start to wind down, and there's
really been. It's been heating up a lot to talk
about Stafford and Coop and in their futures. Cooper Cup
is the fifth paid wide receiver in the NFL, assuming
they release him, Matthew Stafford might be back. If you
(31:07):
say Cooper Cup gets released, Matthew Stafford gets brought back.
Do you think the Rams should draft a quarterback in
one of the earlier rounds, like a second round, like
a Jackson Dart type guy, or do you think they
keep rolling with Stafford and look into future years Maybe
I mean try and trade for a first pick, a
(31:27):
first round pick in the future and get some high
quarterback off the board. But what are your thoughts here?
Speaker 3 (31:33):
Yeah, I mean the rams and good coaching problems.
Speaker 6 (31:35):
They're probably never gonna be a team that's picking in
the top five to get that franchise quarterback. And we
know guys have fallen like bo Nix was taken outside
the top ten. They can have to JJ McCarthy I
think went ninth this year to the Minnesota Vikings, So
you know there's things that can happen. I'm not sold
on this QB draft as a whole, Like I don't
think it's as good as last year's. It's funny you
mentioned Jackson Dart because that's one guy I do like actually,
(31:57):
and I think you could probably get him day two,
day three if he slides.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
We'll see how he does it as pro day.
Speaker 6 (32:02):
It only takes one team to fall in love with you, right,
But that was an aim I actually did like going
forward as a bit of a guy who could sit
behind Matthew Stafford. Ye Stafford, you know, I thought he
had a little bit of some struggles down the stretch
for sure, full honesty, he was actually my fantasy football
quarterback in the league where I had a few injuries,
and he did not help me in the playoffs by
any means. We got to the league final and it
(32:23):
didn't go very well, but he's still a very good quarterback.
I think the conn Williams only going to get better.
The management has shown you they know how to draft, right,
they know how to bring in really good players. Yeah,
look no further than the Puka Nakua. Then you know
your top two picks out of Florida State. Yeah, guys
that contributed immediately. So I think for the Rams that's
going to be the question, what do you do at quarterback?
(32:46):
If it's me, I think unless the quarterback slides and
you're getting really good value, I probably bring it back
one more year with Matthew Stafford and then maybe look
at the quarterback position the following year. My question would
be to you, is there any chance that stets in
and it is the guy we know he had a
lot of success in college.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
I believe he's the.
Speaker 6 (33:03):
Third stringer, but we're not too enamored by him.
Speaker 4 (33:07):
I mean, from what I saw in the preseason, he's
I mean, no offense to the guy, but he's garbage.
Speaker 5 (33:13):
He did not look very good.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
And again Jimmy g was looking better than him, so
that that says a lot.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
But yeah, I don't.
Speaker 4 (33:20):
Think that's in the minutes of the guy was kind
of just a shot Throne.
Speaker 5 (33:24):
But yeah, you're totally right.
Speaker 4 (33:27):
The management the drafting is probably in all sports, the
best I've seen. Just looking at their picks, they had
some undrafted guys that played really well as well. The
first two picks obviously Braydon, Fisk and Turner are not Turner.
Speaker 5 (33:43):
What's his face? I'm blanking here?
Speaker 3 (33:46):
Oh it was a lineman out to Flores State.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
Verse Verse right, Jared Verse. Yeah, both of them incredible.
Speaker 4 (33:55):
Jared Verse will win Rookie of the Defensive Rookie of
the Year this year for sure. But yeah, the drafting
has been very, very good and the future is bright.
Speaker 5 (34:04):
Again.
Speaker 4 (34:05):
The defense, there was a little talk about them, the
defensive backs, the secondary for the Rams, and they looked
pretty decent as as it went on down the stretch,
they played really well as the Rams offense kind of
continued to struggle. But yeah, Matthew Stafford's he's a playoff beast.
He played decent in that game, considering the weather and
(34:28):
the effects. I mean, if you had the Miami Dolphins
out there, they're scoring three points with tu us, So yeah,
I can't really complain about that. But yeah, the future
is bright. So thanks for answering those questions. Making me
feel a little bit better about.
Speaker 6 (34:41):
I want to see. I want to see Blake Krum
get a little bit more involved. Yeah, next year, he
was kind of toward the end of the season getting
some reps from Knor Williams. So he got the two
running backs there and uh yeah, verse Fisk both nominees
for Rookie of the Year. That's that's pretty impressive to
have two players. Yeah, kind of fine. They're both from
Florida state, both be nominated. Yeah, knocked it out of
the park with that draft, especially with the first three picks.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
Yeah for sure.
Speaker 4 (35:05):
Yeah, the ones sat I saw in Blake Korm just
getting to him a little bit. He he in his
three years with Michigan, he had one fumble, so that
that was the big talk. I mean, we drafted him
to be the second guy, and he looked pretty decent
in the final game, which I was really excited to
see him play against the Seahawks.
Speaker 5 (35:24):
Unfortunately he ended up getting hurt.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
But again he's hopefully he's he's going to be a
great running back in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (35:30):
So, yeah, you know you.
Speaker 6 (35:33):
Talk about one fumble, I actually didn't know that, but
what I do know six hundred and seventy four carries.
He ran the rock a lot for Michigan under Jim Harbaugh.
To only fumble one's pretty impressive. And I think, you know,
usage is going to be important because he does have
you know, maybe not quite as much tread on the tires.
He has been ran pretty heavily, but you know, you
utilize him properly, He's going to be a good player
(35:54):
for a long time.
Speaker 5 (35:55):
Yeah, hopefully, hopefully he is.
Speaker 4 (35:57):
I do want to do a few more oilers and
then we can we can wrap this thing up because
I mean the oilers they've been on fire. I mean,
this is a team that is so good and all.
Speaker 5 (36:08):
Others fans are excited about.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
We didn't have to go through this whole process again
this year where it's fire, the coach have a brutal,
brutal start. We had a not a great start, but
we figured it out. So what are your thoughts here
in these last few weeks because this team, I mean
they're third in the league in points.
Speaker 5 (36:25):
They took the Pacific. What are your thoughts on them?
Speaker 3 (36:29):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 6 (36:30):
Right now, we take this Tuesday night, there are sixty
seven points on the season, one up on the Vegas
Golden Knights, just a few back really for Washington and Winnipeg.
When it comes to the NHL standings, winners are three straight.
And you know, I thought, facing a little bit of
adversity playing without Connor McDavid down that stretch run there
with the three game suspension, they go to and one
and even the game they lost. I mean, hey, we're
(36:51):
in Edmonton, it's a hockey mad market. I know we
had some listeners upset with their performance in that game.
But you take a three to two loss to the Capitols,
who are the top team in the NHL, Well, I
think that's pretty respectable, especially without your captain and the
world class player, best in the world like Connor McDavid.
So yeah, the Edmonton Oilers, you know, playing really good hockey,
getting you know, good enough goaltending and Calvin Pickard last night.
(37:13):
I thought I did what he had to do, allow
the two goals in the first period, but then shut
it down. If you're only going to allow two goals,
the Mpton Oilers offense should be able to win every
single game because there's no reason that they should score
less than three per night. And you know, I'm really
intrigued by them. I guess my only question is going
to be, you know, defensively, how do they hold up
down the stretch. Is John Klingberg going to be the
guy to play a second pairing with Darnell Nurse. Is
(37:35):
it gonna be Staesuer, Is it going to be someone
else out there? I think they're probably hoping that it's
Klingberg because that would be huge to get him, you know,
the low cost. They not have to get up any
assets to have them. But if not, I'm sure they'll
be active at the trade deadline to bring someone in.
But yeah, all things look pretty good for the Monton
Oilers right now. There's a lot of really good stories.
I'll ramble if you want. Corey Perry. I absolutely love
(37:57):
what he's been doing as of late as a someone
in Edmonton who was got a lot of flak from
Canucks fans in the last little while and going back
to that playoff series, I absolutely loved what he did
in that scrum, you know, going back and you know,
having what happened with Connor McDavid and Connor Garland, I'll
say they're nothing illegal with I thought it was great
(38:18):
gangsmanship from him to do that. Yeah, but what Corey
Perry did to their captain. He put his hand on
viny de Rna in the scrum. He's like, nope, not you.
Then he goes to Petterson, Nope, finds the Canucks captain,
takes him to the ground, wrestles him, ruffled some feathers
in the process. But that's just the worm being the worm,
like he's he's operating at one hundred percent efficiency right now. Yeah,
(38:41):
a lot of really good stories with this team, and
it's good to see. I'll tell you today on Sports
fourteen forty we had a lot of a lot of
a debate about Evan Bouchard. That might be the way
people are kind of like, what's going on here, what's
going to happen? He'll be a topic no matter what happens. Yeah,
down the stretch because he needs that new contract. But
you know that's kind of the way the Oilers fans,
there's always someone we got to talk about, and it
(39:02):
seems like for the foreseeable future it's gonna be Evan Bouchard.
Speaker 5 (39:05):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (39:06):
I think starting with the John Klenberg signing, I mean
I was kind of happy with it. I mean, there's
been a lot of reports about him being feeling mobile,
more mobile than what he was feeling with the Toronto
Maple Leafs, obviously having the hip problems, then having the
hip surgery, and then there were some videos posted in
practice where he.
Speaker 5 (39:24):
Was keeping up with McDavid.
Speaker 4 (39:25):
So I think if he can be even half of
what he was, that would be very, very beneficial to
this team. Now of the Bouchard stuff, I mean, the
trade deadline starts, the inch closer and closer and closer,
and there's an extension that he's gonna need in the
(39:46):
foreseeable future. There's a big trade that happened earlier in
the NHL the other day, Miko Rattan and going to
the Hurricanes, So it's there's some big trades that are happening.
Is there a chance that Evan Bouchard gets traded because
he's got a big cap and if Klinberg can, even
if he looks really really good, I mean, they can
(40:09):
find another power play quarterback.
Speaker 5 (40:10):
Probably.
Speaker 4 (40:11):
Is there a chance that the Edmondson Oilers can look
at trading Evan Bouchard.
Speaker 3 (40:16):
I think so. I don't know.
Speaker 6 (40:19):
I mean, you're not selling him at as highest point.
I don't know who it's going to be bringing in.
I think if you're an opposing team looking at acquiring
Evan Bouchard, you're you're thinking, well, we do have to
sign him to a new contract we have He's got
arbitration rights this year. I think that kind of complicates
things a little bit. So I think they could. I
don't think they'd win the trade. You know, Yeah, you're
(40:42):
not gonna be giving up a better player and a
laite defenseman for Evan Bouchard in my opinion, to help
out the Edmonton Oilers. So I guess it's it's not impossible.
And if Klingberg plays lights out, maybe it makes it
a little bit more likely. But I would not think
that he's going to be traded. I think he'll be
here and we'll see with the number is when he
gets to that contract extension.
Speaker 4 (41:01):
Yeah, yeah, I think he's obviously so good offensively as
long as he's does what he's been doing in the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (41:11):
I think that's the big thing.
Speaker 4 (41:12):
I mean, we see with the Toronto Maple Leafs, they
don't really have guys who shine in the playoffs, and
that's one of the big problems for sure, like Willie
nieland or he's a beast in the playoffs. Now when
you've seen Matthews and Marner, it's kind of like, what's
going on here?
Speaker 5 (41:25):
So Boosh, McDavid dry they.
Speaker 4 (41:28):
All come out during playoff time and when it's a
playoff time, they're so good. So as an oilers fan,
I think that's what really matters. I mean, we know
we're we're going to be in the playoffs. Hope, I hope.
I hope we're gonna be in the playoffs. We are
going to be in the playoffs. And when when we
get there, Boush is normally on his top game. So
I don't know if he just doesn't care about the
regular season or what's going on with him, but when
(41:50):
he when they get there, they all turn it up
another level. So I hope that nothing happens with him.
As much as I don't want to sign him, to
anything more than what Nurse makes, because that's what everyone
was saying about the Nurse contract. The CAP's going up,
the caps going up, and what ended up happening with that.
I mean it, people were It's still a big topic
(42:11):
to this day. So again, it'll be interesting to see
what the number is when if they get to that point.
But yeah, he's a great player and I hope, I
hope we keep him for the future. I think that's
everything I wanted to get to today. This is great
having you on, great discussing this NFL playoffs, a little
bit some NHL stuff, But yeah, thanks for coming on today.
Speaker 6 (42:33):
Absolutely, anytime you need me, just give me a call.
We can make it happen.
Speaker 5 (42:37):
Sounds good.
Speaker 4 (42:37):
Thank you, Thanks, thanks for being here, Thanks for listening
to the manager. You can follow us on Twitter at
the Underscore Man in Show and you can follow me
on Instagram Twitter at You and men in ninety seven.
Thanks for listening.
Speaker 5 (42:55):
We'll we're back tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (42:57):
Have a good day
Speaker 4 (43:03):
In
The ram I'm a Pony Coopie for Los Angeles twenty
three funny. It's the final on their home field here
at So Fine Stadium.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
It's Super Bowl fifty six.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
The Los Angeles World.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Three.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
This is The Manning Show with you and Manning, please
number one sports podcast stars.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Now, welcome back to The Manning Show. We have a
fun week. I'm you and Manning your host. We have
a fun week. There's a new intro hopefully, hopefully you
enjoy that intro. We are getting into this new episode,
episode thirty eight, a fun one. We had in store
for us the two AFC NFC championship games. In the NFL,
(01:14):
we have the oilers buzzing. We had a huge trade
in the NHL. We are going to get to that
in a second. We're gonna save the NFL stuff to
break down mcconnor Holly because we have an interview coming
up next which is awesome as well. We're gonna do
our right now. We're gonna do our wild card, ice
and Fire of the Week, and then we'll do the
(01:34):
Miko Rutna trade to the Carolina Hurricanes. But let's start
with the ice, fire and wild Card of the Week.
Speaker 5 (01:42):
Starting with the ice of the week.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
It is obviously the Buffalo Bills after a tough loss
ozho to four against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs.
Man oh man, it's it's too bad to see them
find a way to lose a game again.
Speaker 5 (01:57):
I mean, poor poor Bill. Too bad. They just can't
get the job done. And that is my ice of
the week.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
You could say, I'm saving all the talk for Connor
Halley in the interview that I had with him after
because it was a lengthy one. And then the fire
of the week is.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
Is the rafts.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
I mean the man oh man, the rafts strike again
with the Kansas City Chiefs. Lots of debate online. That's
why it's the fire, not the player of the week,
but the fire.
Speaker 5 (02:28):
Again.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
We're gonna say that with Connor Halley is we talked
about attle bit of the social media as well, So
if you want to just jump to that interview you can.
The wild card of the week again, this this is
a tough one, but Jalen Carter wild card of the week.
This guy's a beast again, So that's my wild card
(02:49):
of the week. He found a way to beat the Rams,
then he he makes another great game. Again, he's he's
a great guy, so he gonna be huge for the
Eagles in the future, which is kind of what the
wild card is. And I don't know how they ended
up getting this guy, but he is so good. So yeah,
that's my wild card of the week. But yeah, let's
get into the Mico Rattin in trade. I kind of
(03:11):
just wrapped up this interview, so I want to keep
this quick because there's a lot of stuff to go
through in the interview. But let's go to Miko Radda
in trade. Miko Rattin going to the Carolina Hurricanes. This
bomb hit a few days ago, Miko Rattin and going
to the Hurricanes in exchange for Martin Natius, Jack Jurry,
a few picks, and then Blackhawks were also involved, Taylor
(03:34):
Hall going going to.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
The Carolina Hurricanes as well.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
The Hurricanes looking for that deep playoff run, which is
good and in return, I mean the Blackhawks had to
hold fifty percent of his salary, which they had in
the salary cap to do it, and it was full
sell mode. So I mean, there's not much to get
(03:59):
into this says it was obviously it came down to
this Rattnan Ranton had to re sign with the Colorado
Avalanche and they could not agree with the deal. So
GM was like, hey, he's got to go. I mean,
we're not just gonna let this guy walk for free
like the Carolina I mean the not Carolina the Calgary
(04:20):
Flames did with Johnny Gudroau, rest In Peace and Matthew Chuck.
They don't want to do that. They don't want to
have that same situation. And I think it was a
smart move. I mean, Martin Nachiz is arguably a top
twenty player in the NHL.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
He's had a fire year.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
It was a smart move, and he's he's at six
point five million for another two years, so they don't
have to resign him, and they don't have to pay
Rantan that much money for getting to play with Kill
McCarran and Nathan McKinnon. So again, retinan great player, he's
he's a top seven player in the NHL, and the
Avs they couldn't agree to something. So again they're still
(05:04):
gonna be a great team. But Carolina they're going for it.
This is their year to do it. And again they
got Jake Genzel last year, so there's talk about they're
gonna have to re sign rant in which I don't
know if they will because they let Genseil walk, So
I guess we'll see. I mean, it was a crazy deal.
I want to hit because you don't see big guys
get traded like this. But for the entire NHL, crazy stuff,
(05:30):
crazy crazy stuff. Other than that, I mean, I didn't
have anything that I really wanted to get into. All
we discussed all the football with Connor Halley in the interview.
Coming up, have an episode next week. I'm not really
sure what we're gonna talk about next week. It will
(05:52):
kind of be a shorter one because obviously we really
break down. We're gonna do a big Super Bowl dive through.
But yeah, we kind of did one this week as well,
So enjoy that.
Speaker 5 (06:00):
We'll kind of get to the interview here. Enjoy the
interview with Connor Halle and we'll be back next week
the Peace.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Welcome back after the break and now we are very
pleased to bring back the one and only Connor Hallie.
It has been a fun few weeks since we've talked
last about the NFL. How have you been, like, how
have you been enjoying this football?
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (06:30):
I mean it's been really good Ewan, thanks for having
me back on the show. Happy to be here. And
it's kind of just what you expect, hoping for maybe
different outcomes in some of these games, but knowing that
inevitably it's going to be the Kansas City Chiefs and
maybe the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
I as soon as we saw.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
The Commanders advanced the conference championship, just didn't see that
they're going to have any way to get past Phillies.
So an expected super Bowl, I would say, you know,
with the outcomes the last couple of weeks here, but
nonetheless hoping for a good game, and I think we're
gonna get it because hey, best two teams in each
of their conference. I don't think that's too debatable right now.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
Yeah, I would totally agree with that.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
I mean, unfortunately the Bills unable to get it done.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
We'll get into that in a second.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
But I think no one really wanted to see the
Chiefs back other than Chiefs fans, but it happened anyways,
And Mahomes' is Mahomes. So yeah, let's dive into these
these games. They were they were awesome. I mean the
first game wasn't as entertaining as the Bills Chiefs won,
but it still had its its fair share of moments
(07:33):
for sure. Let's start with the Eagles and Commanders. It
was a it was a great game. I what were
your thoughts on it?
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (07:42):
I mean to be honest with you, I thought the
Commanders might find a way to keep it a little
bit closer. But just ball security, that's the big issue.
And you know, if you listen to the Gregor Show
or Fantasy Franz, you've heard me say it. Ball security's
job security. And that amounts to wins in the NFL
and Austin Eckler fumbling the football, Ryan Robinson Jr. When
you have that, you're just setting yourself back. Sorry, I
(08:03):
believe jeremynical and dynamic Brown losing the football and it's
going to set you back so far, especially with an
offense like the Philadelphia Eagles and what they can do.
It all starts with Saquon Barkley and the second he
hits that sixty run home run yea to start the game,
like you're just you're immediately panicking.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
What do we do?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Man?
Speaker 6 (08:23):
We have to maybe have our safeties a little bit closer,
try to stack the box just to slow Saquon down
and that opens things up in the passing game, and
Jalen Hurts was extremely efficient twenty of twenty eight passing,
you know, just the one touchdown. But they took what
Washington was giving them and they were able to run
the football. And even then, I mean Saquon Barkley still
only had fifteen carries. Field position was a win for
(08:45):
them throughout the entirety of the game. And when you
have twenty seven points in the first half, that's a
pretty good start. I know they'd go on to score
twenty win in the fourth quarter and really put that
game out of reach. And you know, that's kind of
the killer instincts. I'll say this, I've said it all
year long. When you're playing Kansas City, if you keep
it within ten points or less, whatever it might be,
you're just giving the Chiefs an opportunity to win that
(09:06):
football game. The Philadelphia Eagles against the Commanders left no doubt,
and that's what you need to do to beat Kansas City.
You gotta have a strong fourth quarter if they if
the Chiefs score, you have to answer right back. And
I think the Philadelphia Eagles show that they can put
up those points in a hurry. So for the for
the Eagles, a fantastic effort. You know, you hope they're
okay at the center position. Having two centers go. Yeah, injury,
(09:28):
that's not good when you're taking on Chris Jones in
the Super Bowl. But if they can get a little
bit healthier, maybe you're working on your protections, bringing in
a full back to try to help out in the interior.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
There, or whatever it might be, it'll go a long way.
But yeah, the Philadelphia Eagles just dominance.
Speaker 5 (09:45):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
And I think that was a great first point With
the fumbles, I mean we saw it this year, which
as a Rams fan, Kyron Williams really struggles holding onto
the football and in the last few years in the
playoff games, it's a big It can really change the
dynamic of the game. And when the Rams were driving
in that third quarter, I believe fumbling that ball is
(10:07):
not the right time in place, and it just it's
happened the last few years, and the frustrations with it,
feeling like, hey, we could have gone to the super
Bowl if this this and then this happened. That's kind
of what I was experiencing during that game. But yeah,
the fumbles for sure and that one were very very key. Overall,
I thought Jalen Hurts played at a very very elite level,
(10:30):
especially last week. Obviously playing in the Snow game didn't
maybe show as much as he would have this week.
But again, he's still coming right back from an injury
and now he's gonna have two weeks to rest and
then play in the Super Bowl. So I think that
definitely benefits the Eagles in that way. And they looked really,
(10:51):
really good all around. In Saquon Barkley. I mean that's
the big thing. The difference between them playing the Chiefs
last time and the chief this time is Saquon Barkley.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Yeah, I mean that was massive.
Speaker 6 (11:04):
And it's funny, you know, hindsight being twenty twenty, you
go back and you watch those offseason clips of the
New York Giants and the decision making and like their
owner like, oh, it would really hurt or kill me
if he signs with a Philly. Well he goes there,
he rushes for two thousand yards and then he helps
him get to a Super Bowl, staying in the division.
And I mean I talked to Jason Strudwick. I don't
think he speaks for all Giants fans, but he's rooting
(11:26):
on the Eagles because he wants to see Saquon get
that ring. I'm assuming there's other factors, like all of us,
maybe we don't want the Chiefs reign to continue. But
what he just brings to the offense, and you know,
especially it might be a little bit tougher, but what
he brings with the option with when he you know,
lines up beside Jalen Hurts and you put that football
(11:47):
in his hands for just a second, defenses react. So
Jalen Hurts can pull the ball back, take off himself,
assuming his knees, Okay, he can throw the football off
that and it really makes things tough for opposing defenses.
And they're gonna need that because Kansas City's about as
good as it gets.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Yeah, for sure, they're coming in. Kansas's defense is so
so good.
Speaker 5 (12:07):
And again.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Chris Jones is a beast. We saw at last game.
They were getting pressure all over Josh Allen in that game.
But yeah, I mean, it's gonna be a fun super Bowl.
And I think the point I saw on Sequon Barklay
was if running backs good running backs are so good
to sign contracts on good teams. I think it really
(12:30):
really helps good teams. But I think if you would
have re signed, I mean, the impact as much wouldn't
come as big to the Giants as would for the Eagles,
just because of the Eagles.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
All around games.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
So signing him was absolutely huge, and I really think
it could be a Super Bowl winning signing for sure.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
Yeah, and that's it.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
I mean, if he's playing for the New York Giants,
he's not putting out those types of numbers, right, it's
going to a really good offensive line. With the Philadelphia Eagles,
They've got Else Goddard, who's an above average tight end.
They've got two good receivers. It's a Devonte Smith and
then aj Brown. You know they've got some weapons there.
And you're right, it's not even just a Saquon Barkley thing.
Look at Derrick Henry goes to the Baltimore Ravens. They
(13:13):
don't find the ultimate prize, but he had one heck
of a year. You can look at the Green Bay
Packers bringing in Josh Jacobs from the Vegas Raiders, another
really good signing. So a lot of these teams going
out there, maybe not necessarily drafting these running backs, but
finding a way to bring them over in free agency,
bring them in for a couple of years. I think
the value of the running back position has gone down
(13:34):
so much since you know, maybe the two thousands. But
you have a running back that can do what these
guys can do and stay on the field. They're good
out there for every down, whether it's rushing the football, receiving,
or in pass protection.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
It just goes such a long way.
Speaker 6 (13:48):
And you know, I look at it and think these
top teams in the NFL with the leading rushers, that's
not a coincidence.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
I mean some elite backs, and I mean there was
a lot of running backs on the free agent market
this year, so seeing them go around and then really
really help produce and all these teams definitely bumps up
that running back market for sure. Going into the future,
now looking ahead to the Super Bowl here, what is
it gonna take for the Eagles to finally beat the Chiefs?
(14:17):
The only two quarterbacks to beat Patrick Mahomes in the
playoffs was the Goat, Tom Brady and Joe Burr. So
what do you think is it gonna take for Jalen
Hurts to finally get over that hump end for the
Eagles to really find a way to beat this crazy dynasty.
Speaker 6 (14:34):
If you say yeah, I mean, geez, it's what I
think it's.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
I think it's gonna be a close game.
Speaker 6 (14:40):
And we've seen this all season long with the Kansas
City Chiefs finding these weird ways to win football games.
You know you want to you want to beat this team,
Go out there and beat them and leave no doubt, Like,
don't let them linger around because they're winning games on
blocked field goals, they're missing winning games on missed field goals,
questionable calls by referees here and there, which happens in
(15:00):
every football game, but it seems to be in the
spotlight when it benefits the Kansas City Chiefs. I just
think you got to go out there and do what
the Eagles did. Like that game against the Commanders, there
is opportunity for the Commanders, but the Eagles snuffed it out.
They got the turnover when they needed it, They converted
on big downs to make sure they got points and
got touchdowns and not field goals. I think that that's it.
(15:22):
If the Kansas City Chiefs are lingering, if they're in
the neighborhood. You know, ten points, whatever it might be,
they have a chance. But if you can, you know,
at the end of the game, still go score for
a score with them throughout the entirety of the game,
which is tough because their defense is very good. Yeah,
you got the opportunity. And you know, I think one
thing for Philadelphia, this is the last game of the year.
(15:44):
You know, Saquon Barkley, let him have a huge workload,
like twenty five carries. If you have to wear that
defense down, that's what you want to do. You know,
they want to set themselves up, the Kansas City Chiefs
to rush the quarterback, and that's the fun part. I
think you got to wear them down, those big boys
up front, Chris Jones, namely, like anytime you get a
(16:05):
chance to put him on the ground or get a
hit on him, you got to do so. Try to
slow him down a little bit. And in the meantime,
while you do that, you're keeping Patrick Mahomes and the
offense off the field as long as you can. If
you can win, and it's easier said than done. You know,
time of possession and the starting position in the field,
that's probably the way to do.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
It.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
It's not easy though, Like that's why the Kansas City
Chiefs are as good as they are. They don't make mistakes.
You know, they're so well coached by Andy Reid. They
they're not going to hurt themselves. They kind of rely
on other teams hurt themselves, and they take advantage of it.
You almost need to play a flawless football game to
be Kansas City. But I think the Eagles have the
talent to do that. You know, it's just going to
be playing within the game, you know, not losing your
(16:46):
temper if things don't go your way, staying calm, cool, collected. Again,
easier said than done.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
I think the running part to rushing the football is
a great points. I think we look at it in
the game some of the critiques where why don't you
just run the football? I mean, the Bills are running
very very well against the Chiefs and that's the one
thing I noticed. They have three pretty decent backs that
were running very very well. And then we saw in
the Super Bowl last year, why didn't the forty nine
(17:14):
ers just stick with Christian McCaffrey a little more?
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Why wasn't the workload bigger?
Speaker 4 (17:18):
And I think that's the same if you want to
beat them, just finding ways to run it down their throats.
I think that's a way, like you said to keep
Mahomes off the field, and Saquon, I mean.
Speaker 5 (17:30):
Arguably the best of the best.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
So if there's a guy to do it, I mean
you got to give to Saquon.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
For sure, absolutely, And yeah, you ring up good points.
Speaker 6 (17:38):
Like James Cook was great, averaging six point five yards
per Kerry doesn't get too inflated. His longest run of
the game was thirty three yards. He had two touchdowns.
There was points in that game where you know, we
saw the Buffalo Bills running the QB sneak and I
just didn't get it.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
You know, you have James.
Speaker 6 (17:54):
Running the ball very well, You're running these plays like
right into the heart of the Chiefs defense, arguably their
strongest point up front, and it didn't make a whole
lot of sense. Like James Cook, the way that game
was going, I would have thought, just keep feeding him
as much as you can. I've been kind of praising
him going back to the game against the Baltimore Ravens,
(18:14):
like he hits the whole hard. I would have been
utilizing him a whole lot more. If you're the Eagles,
get your game plan and stick to it. And if
eventually you start to see the Kansas City defense cheating
a little bit and bringing more players up, you know,
you run that option. Maybe it's a play action pass,
take advantage of it. Aj Brown is an elite receiver
in the NFL. Davonte Smith can make plays. I think
(18:35):
that's the part that the Philadelphia Eagles have that the
Buffalo Bills don't have.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Them might call halt.
Speaker 6 (18:41):
Mccollins made some good plays, give him some credit, a
bit of a unique cap, but made his plays. Amari
Cooper not the player he once was. The Philadelphia Eagles.
When it comes to Goddard Brown and Devonte Smith, they
got some playmakers. So I think utilizing those guys in
the play action game could go a long way for
this team as well well.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
But my goodness, when you.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
Have an asset of your game that's working, like the
Bills did with James Cook, you got to stick to it.
Speaker 4 (19:08):
Yeah, And this kind of transitions us to the Bills
Chiefs game. I mean the way they didn't run the
ball and they were given it to Josh Allen in
every big situation. It's kind of like you have other guys,
and this goes into the coaching, right, Lots of people
have been talking, Hey, is Sean McDermott the guy in
Buffalo that's going to be able to win that big
(19:29):
football game? I mean, not making some interesting decisions on
play calls. It really was brutal to watch, and I
think it's up in the air, it's up in the
question in I don't think the Bills will do anything
about it, But again, what are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 6 (19:45):
There's a lot that goes into a perspective being if
you're a really bad team in the NFL, you would
love what the Buffalo Bills had done the last few years.
Just that unfortunate thing of going up against the Kansas
City Chiefs, who you know, modern day dynasty, free agency
being what it is, it's tough to ten year after year,
and the Kansas City Chiefs have done so it's really impressive.
It just sucks for the Bills, right, you have to
(20:06):
go through that. If you're a Bills fan, you're probably thinking, well,
we need to find a way to get past them,
and our current coach isn't doing that. Let's go out
there and find someone who can do that. But I'm
just thinking, if you're the Buffalo Bills, you're playing into
the playoffs late, you look at it right now, you
would the only the last coaching hire was the Dallas Cowboys,
(20:27):
and it was Shottenheimer who had no other coaching interviews,
So you know, what are you gonna do have these
interviews for another head coach as your current head coach
is taking you far into the playoffs? Like Unfortunately, I
just don't think it works out that way for the Bills.
So you know, if you're gonna make the move, I
don't know when it would be. I personally wouldn't. I
think you go for another year here and try to
add some talent. But tough situation for the Buffalo Bills
(20:50):
is they are two million dollars over the salary cap
going into next season, so you got to find a
way to improve your team. I don't know what the
easy answer is, but I think you got to look
at it if you're the Buffalo Bills and say, hey,
we were plays away, we could have won this football game.
You know, we get the first down from Dalton and Kaid,
we got a chance. If Dalton and Kaid catches that
(21:11):
football at the end of the game, you have a
chance if we convert the first down. Like there's there's
so many things in that game where it's like we
just do it a little bit better. So I would say,
on the course, hope that the Kansas City Chiefs fall
off a little bit and continue just to try to
execute a little bit better in those big games.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
Yeah, I would agree totally.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
And I think when you get to this point in
the season, the coaching carousels like already gone, Like you
saw for Abel to the Patriots, you saw the obviously
the big hire Ben Johnson to the Bears. So in
the in their situation, I mean, they're in the middle
of the playoffs and coaches are gone, Like there's there's
really not a lot of options either. So if they
even if they were to look at that, I mean,
(21:52):
like you said earlier, the Cowboys new guy, it's kind
of like who they even go to in this situation.
So yeah, that's a good point, and they're they're right
there again, They're just right there. And Mahomes, in my
opinion and my generation, is the greatest winner I've seen play.
So he finds way to win games, which is incredible,
(22:13):
and in one score games in the playoffs. He's undefeated,
so it's it's crazy, crazy stuff to watch. And yeah,
I would expect the Bills to bring them back your
Super Bowl picks. Now, it's it's obviously it's a tight
one either way. I mean, it's it's gonna be a
close game. We both agree on that. Who do you
(22:35):
have in this game?
Speaker 6 (22:37):
Yeah, it's it's it's gonna be a really good one.
And I think for the time being, I'm leaning towards
the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
That could be my bias. I'm a Chargers fan.
Speaker 6 (22:47):
I've seen the Chiefs do this for far too long
and I'm sick of it. I know Kansas City comes
into this one as one and a half point favorite,
so a very narrow margin margin. But I do think
that when you look at just what the Philadelphia Eagles
have like, they can run the football, they can pass it,
they're strong, the lines, they've they built up these units
very swell. It's gonna come down to execution. And you know,
(23:08):
I've said this from the start of the year. The
Kansasity Chiefs, in my opinion, are as beautible as they've
been since the Reid Mahomes combination. The last couple of
seasons going into it, we spoke about it on the
Jason Gregor Show, and I've said, I don't see a
team that can beat the Kansas City Chiefs, Like I
just don't see it happening. Not to pat myself on
(23:28):
the back, but they've gone to win both of those years.
This season, I said, this is the most beautible I
think they've they've become, and they could still win like
they are that good. But I just think you go
back and you look at all these games that they've
won by the narrowest of margins, and they you know,
lucky plays here and there. Good teams win close games,
no denying that, But I think if the Philadelphia Eagles
(23:49):
play their game, execute like they did against a good
Commanders team, there's no reason they can't find a way
to work.
Speaker 5 (23:54):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
I think if the Eagles play their eight plus game
and Saquon Barkley, I think if Barkley gets more than
twenty five carries, they win the game. That's just my opinion.
I mean, we saw this stat earlier with the Ravens
when Lamar's throwing less than twenty passes and Henry's getting
more than twenty carries. They're undefeated, so it's like, just
(24:18):
rush the football. If you're going to beat the Chiefs,
rush the football. That would be I'm hoping they do
because I'm so done sick of Mahomes winning games.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
I think everyone is.
Speaker 4 (24:28):
I mean, I had a hockey game the other night,
and in between periods, obviously check my phone. I'm like,
oh my goodness, they're back again. And I go up
to the ref and I'm like, are you an NFL
fin He's like, no, not anymore. So again, just people
are just sick of them winning. And again, I think
if there's a team to do it right now in
terms of roster and the way they're built, the Eagles
(24:49):
are the team to do it. Unfortunately, I'd end up
picking the Chiefs to win this game. I mean, Mahomes
is just when this game is on the line for
a three peat, which no one is ever done in
the NFL history, there's not a guy that I would
pick to do it other than him.
Speaker 6 (25:05):
So yeah, and you know, like it's frustrating for US
fans who have seen him need our teams, but like
if nothing's open down field, you know, as a defense,
you've done such a good job in the secondary, he
finds a way to run for the first down, and
he looks effortless. He might make a couple of guys
miss and he's all of a sudden, you just see
him doing that weird little run he's got. He'll stretch
the bellet for the first down. He's really when he
(25:27):
comes to you know, got to have it plays he's.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Yeah. Another question for you here, because you've been through
the Brady all the Brady era where people kind of
felt the same, what was more frustrating for you to
watch the Brady dynasty or the Mahomes dynasty.
Speaker 6 (25:46):
Well, over time, with age, I've gone on to respect
the Patriots dynasty for what it was.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
They built up some really good teams.
Speaker 6 (25:56):
The one thing I will say in the social media era,
the Kansas City Chiefs have been in. I mean when
it comes to Jackson Mahomes and we've got Brittany Mahomes
and yeah, you know it's all out of jealousy. But
all the Swifties hopping on board or the Kansas City
Chiefs bandwigon and you know, celebrating their wins while I'm
along suffering Chargers fan.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
It pains me.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
So I will say the Kansas City Chiefs has been
more annoying, mainly because of social media. I think that
when it's over and you know, ten fifteen years down
the road, we're gonna look back at and just say,
what a job they did keeping the players intact, you know,
losing coordinators to head coaching jobs, but still finding ways
to win football games. You know, enjoy it while you're
in it, especially if you are a Chiefs fan, but
(26:35):
certainly more annoying. The Patriots were good and their fans
were a little arrogant too, but a little bit less
than where we're at right now.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
Yeah, I mean the Chiefs again some annoying presences on
social media, like we've seen, but I think if we
don't see Taylor Swift come into the mix, it might
not be as annoying as well, because there was all
the memes last year about her getting shown on TV,
and to this day, I mean, she's still getting shown
(27:04):
and it's just like it's so unbearable. I really hope,
hope otherwise what happens this year. But again, yeah, should
be a great game and hopefully the Eagles the Birds
can I'll never cheer for the Birds other than the
Super Bowl. I mean, I really do think the Rams
should be there after what happened. But again, you have
(27:26):
to block Jail and Carter if you want to get there.
So we won't dive into the Rams. But let's let's
get into the Chargers. Okay, here a little bit about
the Chargers. I mean, I was high on the Chargers
going into this game after their final few weeks. I mean,
what was your initial thoughts on this this football game.
Speaker 5 (27:41):
I know it was a little while.
Speaker 6 (27:42):
Ago, but yeah, and you know what, hey like, we
talked about complaining about calls miss by the refs, and
the Chiefs get them the most. But you ask a
Chargers fan and I'll say, okay, well, if xavery Worthy
caught that football in that game against the Buffalo Bills
and Derwin James caught that interceptionaf the Houston Texans, very
simil plays. But you know, I'll try not to hold
(28:03):
a grudge. The Tennants were a good football team. And
you know what, when you have those guys coming off
the edge, and Will Anderson Junior and Daniel Hunter great
players as Stingley at cornerback with Lattimore.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
Good players as well.
Speaker 6 (28:17):
Last sorry, like they've just got really good corners and
edge rushers. When you can rush and cover, you're gonna
give teams fits. And the Chargers offensive line, you know,
the tackles are good, but the interior is pretty weak,
so there's ways they can be exposed. I thought the
you know, Justin Herbert not good quarterback takes that came
out of that were a little bit a little bit
(28:37):
too much. And you know, as a Chargers fan, this
was a team that picked six overall last year, Like
they were not a very good football team. They were
twenty plus million over the salary cap when Jim Harbaugh
and Joe Hortiz took over the team, and you know,
they had to make some tough decisions, cutting Mike Williams,
trading away Keenan Allen, they had to ge Khalil Mack
and Joey Bose, had to take pay cuts to stay
(28:57):
with the team heading into this upcoming season, like ninety
million dollars in cap and they can get more by
releasing Joey Bosa, which they probably will. He's taking a
bit of a step back. So for me, you know,
all in all, it was a good season. I enjoyed it.
Jim Harball made football fun again. The Chargers weren't losing
in the stupidest ways possible that Brandon Staley, Anthony Lynn,
Mike McCoy would have done in years past. And I think,
(29:20):
you know, a little more money to spend, you go
get to Justin Herbert an actual tight end. We've seen
how much that can benefit a quarterback. Because loved Will Disley,
I don't think he's in the league tight end in
this league, So go get some help there, improve the
interior line, maybe get another receiver. Lad McConkey good flourish.
He's got a bright future in the NFL and more
(29:40):
time to beef up the defensive side of the football.
But I'm not going to complain. You know, it was
a fun year for the Chargers. They started to turn
things around. And you know, if you listen to a
Charger fans speak, they'll say, that's probably the worst roster
that Jim Harball is ever going to have with this team.
It's only going to get better the longer he's here.
So I'm hoping the next season, maybe they take that
new step and Justin Herbert can win that first ever
(30:02):
playoff game.
Speaker 4 (30:03):
Yeah, I mean again, the blame was pretty big on
Herbert after the game, which I thought, I mean, was
unwarded with the roster you had. Again, you had a
rookie receiver as your number one weapon on the offensive
side of the ball, and then the defense also needed
some work as well. So again great steps from the Chargers,
I mean, some great draft picks as well. They did
(30:23):
great job drafting, and again I think the future, like
you said, is gonna be very very good for them,
as I hope it it continues to be from my
Rams as well. But yeah, again it's it's gonna be fun.
I do have a few questions about the Rams for you. Sure,
there's been a lot of talk because I follow a
(30:45):
lot of Rams stuff over the last few days here
and kind of things start to wind down, and there's
really been. It's been heating up a lot to talk
about Stafford and Coop and in their futures. Cooper Cup
is the fifth paid wide receiver in the NFL, assuming
they release him, Matthew Stafford might be back. If you
(31:07):
say Cooper Cup gets released, Matthew Stafford gets brought back.
Do you think the Rams should draft a quarterback in
one of the earlier rounds, like a second round, like
a Jackson Dart type guy, or do you think they
keep rolling with Stafford and look into future years Maybe
I mean try and trade for a first pick, a
(31:27):
first round pick in the future and get some high
quarterback off the board. But what are your thoughts here?
Speaker 3 (31:33):
Yeah, I mean the rams and good coaching problems.
Speaker 6 (31:35):
They're probably never gonna be a team that's picking in
the top five to get that franchise quarterback. And we
know guys have fallen like bo Nix was taken outside
the top ten. They can have to JJ McCarthy I
think went ninth this year to the Minnesota Vikings, So
you know there's things that can happen. I'm not sold
on this QB draft as a whole, Like I don't
think it's as good as last year's. It's funny you
mentioned Jackson Dart because that's one guy I do like actually,
(31:57):
and I think you could probably get him day two,
day three if he slides.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
We'll see how he does it as pro day.
Speaker 6 (32:02):
It only takes one team to fall in love with you, right,
But that was an aim I actually did like going
forward as a bit of a guy who could sit
behind Matthew Stafford. Ye Stafford, you know, I thought he
had a little bit of some struggles down the stretch
for sure, full honesty, he was actually my fantasy football
quarterback in the league where I had a few injuries,
and he did not help me in the playoffs by
any means. We got to the league final and it
(32:23):
didn't go very well, but he's still a very good quarterback.
I think the conn Williams only going to get better.
The management has shown you they know how to draft, right,
they know how to bring in really good players. Yeah,
look no further than the Puka Nakua. Then you know
your top two picks out of Florida State. Yeah, guys
that contributed immediately. So I think for the Rams that's
going to be the question, what do you do at quarterback?
(32:46):
If it's me, I think unless the quarterback slides and
you're getting really good value, I probably bring it back
one more year with Matthew Stafford and then maybe look
at the quarterback position the following year. My question would
be to you, is there any chance that stets in
and it is the guy we know he had a
lot of success in college.
Speaker 3 (33:02):
I believe he's the.
Speaker 6 (33:03):
Third stringer, but we're not too enamored by him.
Speaker 4 (33:07):
I mean, from what I saw in the preseason, he's
I mean, no offense to the guy, but he's garbage.
Speaker 5 (33:13):
He did not look very good.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
And again Jimmy g was looking better than him, so
that that says a lot.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
But yeah, I don't.
Speaker 4 (33:20):
Think that's in the minutes of the guy was kind
of just a shot Throne.
Speaker 5 (33:24):
But yeah, you're totally right.
Speaker 4 (33:27):
The management the drafting is probably in all sports, the
best I've seen. Just looking at their picks, they had
some undrafted guys that played really well as well. The
first two picks obviously Braydon, Fisk and Turner are not Turner.
Speaker 5 (33:43):
What's his face? I'm blanking here?
Speaker 3 (33:46):
Oh it was a lineman out to Flores State.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
Verse Verse right, Jared Verse. Yeah, both of them incredible.
Speaker 4 (33:55):
Jared Verse will win Rookie of the Defensive Rookie of
the Year this year for sure. But yeah, the drafting
has been very, very good and the future is bright.
Speaker 5 (34:04):
Again.
Speaker 4 (34:05):
The defense, there was a little talk about them, the
defensive backs, the secondary for the Rams, and they looked
pretty decent as as it went on down the stretch,
they played really well as the Rams offense kind of
continued to struggle. But yeah, Matthew Stafford's he's a playoff beast.
He played decent in that game, considering the weather and
(34:28):
the effects. I mean, if you had the Miami Dolphins
out there, they're scoring three points with tu us, So yeah,
I can't really complain about that. But yeah, the future
is bright. So thanks for answering those questions. Making me
feel a little bit better about.
Speaker 6 (34:41):
I want to see. I want to see Blake Krum
get a little bit more involved. Yeah, next year, he
was kind of toward the end of the season getting
some reps from Knor Williams. So he got the two
running backs there and uh yeah, verse Fisk both nominees
for Rookie of the Year. That's that's pretty impressive to
have two players. Yeah, kind of fine. They're both from
Florida state, both be nominated. Yeah, knocked it out of
the park with that draft, especially with the first three picks.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
Yeah for sure.
Speaker 4 (35:05):
Yeah, the ones sat I saw in Blake Korm just
getting to him a little bit. He he in his
three years with Michigan, he had one fumble, so that
that was the big talk. I mean, we drafted him
to be the second guy, and he looked pretty decent
in the final game, which I was really excited to
see him play against the Seahawks.
Speaker 5 (35:24):
Unfortunately he ended up getting hurt.
Speaker 4 (35:26):
But again he's hopefully he's he's going to be a
great running back in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (35:30):
So, yeah, you know you.
Speaker 6 (35:33):
Talk about one fumble, I actually didn't know that, but
what I do know six hundred and seventy four carries.
He ran the rock a lot for Michigan under Jim Harbaugh.
To only fumble one's pretty impressive. And I think, you know,
usage is going to be important because he does have
you know, maybe not quite as much tread on the tires.
He has been ran pretty heavily, but you know, you
utilize him properly, He's going to be a good player
(35:54):
for a long time.
Speaker 5 (35:55):
Yeah, hopefully, hopefully he is.
Speaker 4 (35:57):
I do want to do a few more oilers and
then we can we can wrap this thing up because
I mean the oilers they've been on fire. I mean,
this is a team that is so good and all.
Speaker 5 (36:08):
Others fans are excited about.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
We didn't have to go through this whole process again
this year where it's fire, the coach have a brutal,
brutal start. We had a not a great start, but
we figured it out. So what are your thoughts here
in these last few weeks because this team, I mean
they're third in the league in points.
Speaker 5 (36:25):
They took the Pacific. What are your thoughts on them?
Speaker 3 (36:29):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 6 (36:30):
Right now, we take this Tuesday night, there are sixty
seven points on the season, one up on the Vegas
Golden Knights, just a few back really for Washington and Winnipeg.
When it comes to the NHL standings, winners are three straight.
And you know, I thought, facing a little bit of
adversity playing without Connor McDavid down that stretch run there
with the three game suspension, they go to and one
and even the game they lost. I mean, hey, we're
(36:51):
in Edmonton, it's a hockey mad market. I know we
had some listeners upset with their performance in that game.
But you take a three to two loss to the Capitols,
who are the top team in the NHL, Well, I
think that's pretty respectable, especially without your captain and the
world class player, best in the world like Connor McDavid.
So yeah, the Edmonton Oilers, you know, playing really good hockey,
getting you know, good enough goaltending and Calvin Pickard last night.
(37:13):
I thought I did what he had to do, allow
the two goals in the first period, but then shut
it down. If you're only going to allow two goals,
the Mpton Oilers offense should be able to win every
single game because there's no reason that they should score
less than three per night. And you know, I'm really
intrigued by them. I guess my only question is going
to be, you know, defensively, how do they hold up
down the stretch. Is John Klingberg going to be the
guy to play a second pairing with Darnell Nurse. Is
(37:35):
it gonna be Staesuer, Is it going to be someone
else out there? I think they're probably hoping that it's
Klingberg because that would be huge to get him, you know,
the low cost. They not have to get up any
assets to have them. But if not, I'm sure they'll
be active at the trade deadline to bring someone in.
But yeah, all things look pretty good for the Monton
Oilers right now. There's a lot of really good stories.
I'll ramble if you want. Corey Perry. I absolutely love
(37:57):
what he's been doing as of late as a someone
in Edmonton who was got a lot of flak from
Canucks fans in the last little while and going back
to that playoff series, I absolutely loved what he did
in that scrum, you know, going back and you know,
having what happened with Connor McDavid and Connor Garland, I'll
say they're nothing illegal with I thought it was great
(38:18):
gangsmanship from him to do that. Yeah, but what Corey
Perry did to their captain. He put his hand on
viny de Rna in the scrum. He's like, nope, not you.
Then he goes to Petterson, Nope, finds the Canucks captain,
takes him to the ground, wrestles him, ruffled some feathers
in the process. But that's just the worm being the worm,
like he's he's operating at one hundred percent efficiency right now. Yeah,
(38:41):
a lot of really good stories with this team, and
it's good to see. I'll tell you today on Sports
fourteen forty we had a lot of a lot of
a debate about Evan Bouchard. That might be the way
people are kind of like, what's going on here, what's
going to happen? He'll be a topic no matter what happens. Yeah,
down the stretch because he needs that new contract. But
you know that's kind of the way the Oilers fans,
there's always someone we got to talk about, and it
(39:02):
seems like for the foreseeable future it's gonna be Evan Bouchard.
Speaker 5 (39:05):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (39:06):
I think starting with the John Klenberg signing, I mean
I was kind of happy with it. I mean, there's
been a lot of reports about him being feeling mobile,
more mobile than what he was feeling with the Toronto
Maple Leafs, obviously having the hip problems, then having the
hip surgery, and then there were some videos posted in
practice where he.
Speaker 5 (39:24):
Was keeping up with McDavid.
Speaker 4 (39:25):
So I think if he can be even half of
what he was, that would be very, very beneficial to
this team. Now of the Bouchard stuff, I mean, the
trade deadline starts, the inch closer and closer and closer,
and there's an extension that he's gonna need in the
(39:46):
foreseeable future. There's a big trade that happened earlier in
the NHL the other day, Miko Rattan and going to
the Hurricanes, So it's there's some big trades that are happening.
Is there a chance that Evan Bouchard gets traded because
he's got a big cap and if Klinberg can, even
if he looks really really good, I mean, they can
(40:09):
find another power play quarterback.
Speaker 5 (40:10):
Probably.
Speaker 4 (40:11):
Is there a chance that the Edmondson Oilers can look
at trading Evan Bouchard.
Speaker 3 (40:16):
I think so. I don't know.
Speaker 6 (40:19):
I mean, you're not selling him at as highest point.
I don't know who it's going to be bringing in.
I think if you're an opposing team looking at acquiring
Evan Bouchard, you're you're thinking, well, we do have to
sign him to a new contract we have He's got
arbitration rights this year. I think that kind of complicates
things a little bit. So I think they could. I
don't think they'd win the trade. You know, Yeah, you're
(40:42):
not gonna be giving up a better player and a
laite defenseman for Evan Bouchard in my opinion, to help
out the Edmonton Oilers. So I guess it's it's not impossible.
And if Klingberg plays lights out, maybe it makes it
a little bit more likely. But I would not think
that he's going to be traded. I think he'll be
here and we'll see with the number is when he
gets to that contract extension.
Speaker 4 (41:01):
Yeah, yeah, I think he's obviously so good offensively as
long as he's does what he's been doing in the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (41:11):
I think that's the big thing.
Speaker 4 (41:12):
I mean, we see with the Toronto Maple Leafs, they
don't really have guys who shine in the playoffs, and
that's one of the big problems for sure, like Willie
nieland or he's a beast in the playoffs. Now when
you've seen Matthews and Marner, it's kind of like, what's
going on here?
Speaker 5 (41:25):
So Boosh, McDavid dry they.
Speaker 4 (41:28):
All come out during playoff time and when it's a
playoff time, they're so good. So as an oilers fan,
I think that's what really matters. I mean, we know
we're we're going to be in the playoffs. Hope, I hope.
I hope we're gonna be in the playoffs. We are
going to be in the playoffs. And when when we
get there, Boush is normally on his top game. So
I don't know if he just doesn't care about the
regular season or what's going on with him, but when
(41:50):
he when they get there, they all turn it up
another level. So I hope that nothing happens with him.
As much as I don't want to sign him, to
anything more than what Nurse makes, because that's what everyone
was saying about the Nurse contract. The CAP's going up,
the caps going up, and what ended up happening with that.
I mean it, people were It's still a big topic
(42:11):
to this day. So again, it'll be interesting to see
what the number is when if they get to that point.
But yeah, he's a great player and I hope, I
hope we keep him for the future. I think that's
everything I wanted to get to today. This is great
having you on, great discussing this NFL playoffs, a little
bit some NHL stuff, But yeah, thanks for coming on today.
Speaker 6 (42:33):
Absolutely, anytime you need me, just give me a call.
We can make it happen.
Speaker 5 (42:37):
Sounds good.
Speaker 4 (42:37):
Thank you, Thanks, thanks for being here, Thanks for listening
to the manager. You can follow us on Twitter at
the Underscore Man in Show and you can follow me
on Instagram Twitter at You and men in ninety seven.
Thanks for listening.
Speaker 5 (42:55):
We'll we're back tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (42:57):
Have a good day
Speaker 4 (43:03):
In
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