January 17, 2025 • 13 mins
Legendary broadcaster Kevin Harlan joins The A-Team, before he calls the Texans-Chiefs game in the NFL Divisional Round for Westwood One. He talks about why he believes the Texans could pull off the win tomorrow in KC. He also talks about why he thinks the Texans will not be intimidated by the road environment. Kevin also gives the Rockets quite a bit of kudos, after calling last night's game against the Sacramento Kings for TNT.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It is the a team wex ac and joined as
promised by the Man, the Myth, the Legend, friend of
the show. His name is Kevin Harlan. Kevin, I know
you're calling the Texans Chiefs game tomorrow, and I should
hesitate to congratulate you because it's not official yet, but
I'm really rooting for that Amazon deal and I'm just
(00:20):
going to say it out here in publisher.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Well, thank you. Yeah, we're not quite we're not quite there.
We're trying to figure out a few things. But you're
nice to say that. By the way, I didn't see
your Rockets last night. Did the game for TNT out
in Sacramento, and that's a good young team you have
out there. My goodness. It's the first time I've seen
them in person actually in a while. At TNT, we
haven't done the Rockets in forever, so this was really
(00:46):
a treat to see what has happened. They kind of
fell off the NBA map, but not no longer number
two in the West and playing well and even though
they didn't win last night in the second of a
back to back for them after beating Denver the night before,
and there's a lot to like about that team, but
the NBA is a great product. I'm honored that they
want to have me maybe involved in the next chapter
(01:10):
of how they're going to televise these games, and we'll
see where it takes us.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
We are the home for the Rockets on the radio,
the flagship station. But obviously we are aware you and
Stan had the call of the game last night, and
I definitely hear what you're saying about they've not been
there in a while on national TV on TNT, because
we've talked about that quite a bit. It's a totally
new era with what the EMA has put together and
obviously the talent that Rafel has added to this team.
(01:34):
And obviously we could go on and on about how
exciting they are to watch now that you've seen them
just the last night. But obviously a little focus on
the postseason game tomorrow with your crew with Westwood One
coming in for it or going to Kansas City for it. It's
kind of like every year to us here, who's going
to be Kansas City? Who's going to keep them out
(01:55):
of the AFC Title Game at least, if not the
Super Bowl? What has come to your attention suite that
makes you even think yeah, maybe.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
It's the Texans, well, the dynamic playmakers on defense, which
we saw. Trent Green and I did a couple of
the Texans games for CBS's past year. Most recently we
did the game they played against Miami down in Houston,
and the defense was just superb. And after watching what
(02:23):
they did last week to Justin Herbert, they're right in
line and building in confidence, and I don't think they're
gonna blink. You know, they just played the Chiefs this
season late in the year and lost. But it's not
like they're coming in having never faced them, not knowing
what they've got and how they work. They were in
(02:46):
the playoffs last year, they're in the playoffs this year.
They got to win now, and I think why not?
Why not the Texans? I know that and a lot
of people's dance cards. It may not be that close
the game. I think just the opposite. Quite frankly, I
think the Dexans will come in. I think they'll play
loose and I think they'll rely on that defense. I
(03:08):
think the quarterback's playing with confidence, and I mean, you
just never know in these games. Right, We've seen some
amazing spreads and the underdog has come in out of
no place and won. And it would be a formidable
challenge clearly to come into Arrowhead and win tomorrow. But
I don't see any reason why you'd be amazed if
(03:31):
they came in and beat the Chiefs. The Chiefs have
been beatable all season. They have just found ways late
in games to win. They played it with a lot
of grit. But when you live on the edge like that,
sometimes some of the magic that you pull off doesn't
necessarily work. And I think that's what the Dexans are
counting on and trying to build off of last week's
(03:53):
nice went over the Chargers.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
You've been in a million different venues, You've called a
billion different games, and it just doesn't always line up
this way where a team goes back to the same
venue they just played in about a month ago. And
you know, sometimes people buy into things like that, or
look into things like that because it's Arrowhead, because it's
the Chiefs, because it's Mahomes and the Aura and all that.
(04:17):
Do you think there's any advantage to having just been
there for for this Texans team as it pertains to
this playoff game tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (04:25):
I do you know? I know that this is the
scene where Tank was injured and the loss for the season,
and the emotional loss that was let alone, the the
loss was on the field, and his close relationship with CJ.
But but I would envision that might be a rallying
crist saying let's let's go back to the scene of
(04:46):
the crime, so to speak, and and and see see
if we can. They're not gonna blink. Like I mentioned before,
they've if you haven't played someone in a long time
and aren't, and all you do is as you watch
and read about what they've accomplished in the championships they've gotten.
I can see where a team that's an uncommon opponent
(05:08):
would come in with a little bit of like like
a little wonder, a little bit of like uh oh like,
but not I don't get that from the Texans. I
like you said, they just played them familiar opponent, and
uh they know exactly what they are. So some of
that aura, so to speak, some of that that that
mystical feel that championship teams always possess. I don't know
(05:33):
that that's going to be an influence on the Texans
at all. I think they're going to look at just
another football game and just try not to make mistakes
and a lot of resting on that young quarterback, clearly.
But when you have this kind of defense they've got
and what they showed last week, defense can travel in
this league regardless of the of the weather conditions. And
it is going to be cold in Kansas City tomorrow
(05:53):
for sure, but the Chiefs are gonna have to play
in it too. So so I do think it's an
advantage that they've just played them, They know about them,
and it's it's not like they've they've just been looking
at Afar and wondering, you know, what it's like to
play the great Mahomes. They just did it, and they
and while they lost, they it was a close game
and tight game.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Talking with Kevin Harlan will be on the call of
Westwood one Radio of this game coming up between the
Texans and the Chiefs, kind of along those same lines.
It's the fourth playoff game in you know, thirteen months
for CJ. Stroud and Will Anderson Junior and Jamiko Ryan's
all new to the league but now not new to this.
Do you think that also plays into just going out
there and playing football beyond being worried about anything else
(06:37):
that now they're kind of used to what playoff football
is like.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, and what a blessing right that these kids have
been exposed to big games as early in their careers,
games that are important and matter. You know, a playoff
game in any sport is such a great experience. But
to go through it as they have now multiple times
for young players in two years of the young coach, Uh,
(07:03):
you know, this is just it's you could not ask
for a better recipe to to prod development, to aid development,
to you know, be a a uh you know, to
to to join the growth that these games always bring
out of the players. There's no doubt that you know,
(07:23):
you can play a regular season game and and it's
it's amazing in the NFL or the NBA or whatever sport,
but the playoffs are always faster, sharper, require more focus.
They just it does. It takes it to another level.
And the fact that these young players are now playing
in multiple games at this stage of their careers only
(07:44):
adds and invests in the kind of team they are
to become and the kind of players they're going to become. Listen,
this is uh the way that the way that CJ
and Anderson have developed, and what Daniel has done for
that team since he's been there, and and the way
that secondary I love that secondary, by the way that
secondary that as the makings that secondary, if they stay
(08:07):
on this path, could become one of the great secondaries ever.
I mean, I just think there's enough talent. It's young,
but boy, if they've been incredibly impactful, and sometimes you
know you, age doesn't matter. It's skill, it's concentration, it's
(08:27):
the focus, it's preparation. They'll come the Texans will with
all those assets and darrowhead in tomorrow. I don't think
they blink. I think they come in there and they
play a whale of a game. Winning is one thing,
but they would not get embarrassed. They'll build upon last week.
The train's going to continue to roll. This is all.
(08:49):
This is the good stuff right here. These are the
beginning moments of what's to come, and clearly what's to
come for this young team, young coach, young quarterback is
incredibly impress.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Kevin Harlan providing the goosebumps here on Sports Talk seven
to ninety right now. You know, we talk about the
future and the promise of this Texan squad, and then
you obviously, on the other side you have the establishment.
And as a guy who called so many of Tom
Brady's amazing games, did you ever think we'd be even
having discussions with a straight face that Patrick Mahomes or
(09:23):
anybody at the quarterback position might be able to chase
his ring count down at least this early on after
Brady finally walked away.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Now I really didn't, and you hit all the points.
So this closed to the end of that New England
dynasty and Brady's run to do this is just unbelievable.
Of course they have met the two of them in
the Super Bowl when Brady was with the Buccaneers and
(09:52):
Brady beat him, so they have crossed at this very
important level before. But I don't think any after watching
Brady and Belichick, you know, for those twenty years in
Voxborough do what they did. The succession of Super Bowl
appearance is the wins. He just thinking, you know, it's
no one's even come close to it. And here we
(10:13):
have a guy right on the heels of that who
is on that same path. And he's not thirty yet.
My Homes is not thirty years old yet. So the
coach is there, he's in his mid sixties. He has
no place to go. He wants the coach the organization.
Although they lost one of their assistant general managers to
the Tennessee Titans. Today is their new guy in charge
(10:34):
of football down in Nashville. And there's a little brain train.
And this is kind of what happened to the Patriots.
By the way. They lost assistant coaches, they lost a
lot of front office people, and they just they just
could not stop the flow that people were escaping too
quick and it was hard to replenish those important positions.
(10:54):
And the Chiefs are actually in a position where they
may not only lose their assistant GM who they coveted,
but they could lose both their coordinators. So when you
have a run like Brady and Belichick, they're that certainly
the number one sentence in that story, But it's all
the people that were there at the same time, you know,
(11:16):
holding out of the rope and pulling in the right
direction that made Brady and Belichick possible. And I think
that that Reid and Mahomes who said the same thing.
It wasn't just us, although we may be. You know,
the headline, it's been the assistant gms. It's been the coordinators.
It's been the assistants and the staff and the personnel
to draft and continue to replenish what we have and
(11:38):
go out and scout like so, it takes a lot
of different parts to make it happen and when it
and it's so rare, you know, you can count dynasties
in the NFL in one hand. We had Green Bay,
we had Dallas, we had San Francisco, we had Pittsburgh,
and clearly we had New England. And now we've got
Kansas City. But that's over fifty plus years of football,
sixty years of football, so they're hard to achieve, but
(12:02):
clearly in Kansas City, this has been a remarkable, remarkable story.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
He called the Rockets game last night. He's going to
call the Texans Chiefs tomorrow. He's Kevin Harlan, by the way,
unabashed fanboy moment. Marv Albert was always my guy. You
are now my favorite. You're at the top of the list,
and we love talking to you every time we get
a chance.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Kevin Harlan interview and that I take that as an
incredible honor. Marvis the voice will always be the voice
of the NBA, and just to be able to call
that great game is terrific. And I'll tell you this
what I saw last night, And like I said, I
have not done a Rockets scheme. I was thinking last
I think Doug Collins was my partner and I'm going
(12:46):
back like six seven, eight years, like forever, and we
used to be down there all the time when Harden
was there and and they were writing up the NBA.
But this team seems to have a lot to it.
They've got depth, they have talent. It's funny actually how
the Rockets and the Texans are kind of on parallel paths.
They rely on young superstar talent. The talent seems but
(13:09):
sure enough to handle the duty the job in front
of them, and they're not. They're not disappointing. It's it's
it's great to watch this revitalization of these two, these
two franchises. But I'm excited to watch tomorrow. The Texans
are a quality team. They deserve to be in this round,
their division champ and I think they'll give the Chiefs
all they can handle.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Good stuff. As always, Kevin Harlan, we appreciate the time
and looking forward to hearing your call tomorrow and catching
up with you. Again very very soon.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Thanks so much, great great to be out with you.
Take care and have a nice weekend.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Absolutely you too, Sir Kevin Harlan here on Sports Talk
seven to ninety Space City Home Network
It is the a team wex ac and joined as
promised by the Man, the Myth, the Legend, friend of
the show. His name is Kevin Harlan. Kevin, I know
you're calling the Texans Chiefs game tomorrow, and I should
hesitate to congratulate you because it's not official yet, but
I'm really rooting for that Amazon deal and I'm just
(00:20):
going to say it out here in publisher.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Well, thank you. Yeah, we're not quite we're not quite there.
We're trying to figure out a few things. But you're
nice to say that. By the way, I didn't see
your Rockets last night. Did the game for TNT out
in Sacramento, and that's a good young team you have
out there. My goodness. It's the first time I've seen
them in person actually in a while. At TNT, we
haven't done the Rockets in forever, so this was really
(00:46):
a treat to see what has happened. They kind of
fell off the NBA map, but not no longer number
two in the West and playing well and even though
they didn't win last night in the second of a
back to back for them after beating Denver the night before,
and there's a lot to like about that team, but
the NBA is a great product. I'm honored that they
want to have me maybe involved in the next chapter
(01:10):
of how they're going to televise these games, and we'll
see where it takes us.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
We are the home for the Rockets on the radio,
the flagship station. But obviously we are aware you and
Stan had the call of the game last night, and
I definitely hear what you're saying about they've not been
there in a while on national TV on TNT, because
we've talked about that quite a bit. It's a totally
new era with what the EMA has put together and
obviously the talent that Rafel has added to this team.
(01:34):
And obviously we could go on and on about how
exciting they are to watch now that you've seen them
just the last night. But obviously a little focus on
the postseason game tomorrow with your crew with Westwood One
coming in for it or going to Kansas City for it. It's
kind of like every year to us here, who's going
to be Kansas City? Who's going to keep them out
(01:55):
of the AFC Title Game at least, if not the
Super Bowl? What has come to your attention suite that
makes you even think yeah, maybe.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
It's the Texans, well, the dynamic playmakers on defense, which
we saw. Trent Green and I did a couple of
the Texans games for CBS's past year. Most recently we
did the game they played against Miami down in Houston,
and the defense was just superb. And after watching what
(02:23):
they did last week to Justin Herbert, they're right in
line and building in confidence, and I don't think they're
gonna blink. You know, they just played the Chiefs this
season late in the year and lost. But it's not
like they're coming in having never faced them, not knowing
what they've got and how they work. They were in
(02:46):
the playoffs last year, they're in the playoffs this year.
They got to win now, and I think why not?
Why not the Texans? I know that and a lot
of people's dance cards. It may not be that close
the game. I think just the opposite. Quite frankly, I
think the Dexans will come in. I think they'll play
loose and I think they'll rely on that defense. I
(03:08):
think the quarterback's playing with confidence, and I mean, you
just never know in these games. Right, We've seen some
amazing spreads and the underdog has come in out of
no place and won. And it would be a formidable
challenge clearly to come into Arrowhead and win tomorrow. But
I don't see any reason why you'd be amazed if
(03:31):
they came in and beat the Chiefs. The Chiefs have
been beatable all season. They have just found ways late
in games to win. They played it with a lot
of grit. But when you live on the edge like that,
sometimes some of the magic that you pull off doesn't
necessarily work. And I think that's what the Dexans are
counting on and trying to build off of last week's
(03:53):
nice went over the Chargers.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
You've been in a million different venues, You've called a
billion different games, and it just doesn't always line up
this way where a team goes back to the same
venue they just played in about a month ago. And
you know, sometimes people buy into things like that, or
look into things like that because it's Arrowhead, because it's
the Chiefs, because it's Mahomes and the Aura and all that.
(04:17):
Do you think there's any advantage to having just been
there for for this Texans team as it pertains to
this playoff game tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (04:25):
I do you know? I know that this is the
scene where Tank was injured and the loss for the season,
and the emotional loss that was let alone, the the
loss was on the field, and his close relationship with CJ.
But but I would envision that might be a rallying
crist saying let's let's go back to the scene of
(04:46):
the crime, so to speak, and and and see see
if we can. They're not gonna blink. Like I mentioned before,
they've if you haven't played someone in a long time
and aren't, and all you do is as you watch
and read about what they've accomplished in the championships they've gotten.
I can see where a team that's an uncommon opponent
(05:08):
would come in with a little bit of like like
a little wonder, a little bit of like uh oh like,
but not I don't get that from the Texans. I
like you said, they just played them familiar opponent, and
uh they know exactly what they are. So some of
that aura, so to speak, some of that that that
mystical feel that championship teams always possess. I don't know
(05:33):
that that's going to be an influence on the Texans
at all. I think they're going to look at just
another football game and just try not to make mistakes
and a lot of resting on that young quarterback, clearly.
But when you have this kind of defense they've got
and what they showed last week, defense can travel in
this league regardless of the of the weather conditions. And
it is going to be cold in Kansas City tomorrow
(05:53):
for sure, but the Chiefs are gonna have to play
in it too. So so I do think it's an
advantage that they've just played them, They know about them,
and it's it's not like they've they've just been looking
at Afar and wondering, you know, what it's like to
play the great Mahomes. They just did it, and they
and while they lost, they it was a close game
and tight game.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Talking with Kevin Harlan will be on the call of
Westwood one Radio of this game coming up between the
Texans and the Chiefs, kind of along those same lines.
It's the fourth playoff game in you know, thirteen months
for CJ. Stroud and Will Anderson Junior and Jamiko Ryan's
all new to the league but now not new to this.
Do you think that also plays into just going out
there and playing football beyond being worried about anything else
(06:37):
that now they're kind of used to what playoff football
is like.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, and what a blessing right that these kids have
been exposed to big games as early in their careers,
games that are important and matter. You know, a playoff
game in any sport is such a great experience. But
to go through it as they have now multiple times
for young players in two years of the young coach, Uh,
(07:03):
you know, this is just it's you could not ask
for a better recipe to to prod development, to aid development,
to you know, be a a uh you know, to
to to join the growth that these games always bring
out of the players. There's no doubt that you know,
(07:23):
you can play a regular season game and and it's
it's amazing in the NFL or the NBA or whatever sport,
but the playoffs are always faster, sharper, require more focus.
They just it does. It takes it to another level.
And the fact that these young players are now playing
in multiple games at this stage of their careers only
(07:44):
adds and invests in the kind of team they are
to become and the kind of players they're going to become. Listen,
this is uh the way that the way that CJ
and Anderson have developed, and what Daniel has done for
that team since he's been there, and and the way
that secondary I love that secondary, by the way that
secondary that as the makings that secondary, if they stay
(08:07):
on this path, could become one of the great secondaries ever.
I mean, I just think there's enough talent. It's young,
but boy, if they've been incredibly impactful, and sometimes you
know you, age doesn't matter. It's skill, it's concentration, it's
(08:27):
the focus, it's preparation. They'll come the Texans will with
all those assets and darrowhead in tomorrow. I don't think
they blink. I think they come in there and they
play a whale of a game. Winning is one thing,
but they would not get embarrassed. They'll build upon last week.
The train's going to continue to roll. This is all.
(08:49):
This is the good stuff right here. These are the
beginning moments of what's to come, and clearly what's to
come for this young team, young coach, young quarterback is
incredibly impress.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Kevin Harlan providing the goosebumps here on Sports Talk seven
to ninety right now. You know, we talk about the
future and the promise of this Texan squad, and then
you obviously, on the other side you have the establishment.
And as a guy who called so many of Tom
Brady's amazing games, did you ever think we'd be even
having discussions with a straight face that Patrick Mahomes or
(09:23):
anybody at the quarterback position might be able to chase
his ring count down at least this early on after
Brady finally walked away.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
Now I really didn't, and you hit all the points.
So this closed to the end of that New England
dynasty and Brady's run to do this is just unbelievable.
Of course they have met the two of them in
the Super Bowl when Brady was with the Buccaneers and
(09:52):
Brady beat him, so they have crossed at this very
important level before. But I don't think any after watching
Brady and Belichick, you know, for those twenty years in
Voxborough do what they did. The succession of Super Bowl
appearance is the wins. He just thinking, you know, it's
no one's even come close to it. And here we
(10:13):
have a guy right on the heels of that who
is on that same path. And he's not thirty yet.
My Homes is not thirty years old yet. So the
coach is there, he's in his mid sixties. He has
no place to go. He wants the coach the organization.
Although they lost one of their assistant general managers to
the Tennessee Titans. Today is their new guy in charge
(10:34):
of football down in Nashville. And there's a little brain train.
And this is kind of what happened to the Patriots.
By the way. They lost assistant coaches, they lost a
lot of front office people, and they just they just
could not stop the flow that people were escaping too
quick and it was hard to replenish those important positions.
(10:54):
And the Chiefs are actually in a position where they
may not only lose their assistant GM who they coveted,
but they could lose both their coordinators. So when you
have a run like Brady and Belichick, they're that certainly
the number one sentence in that story, But it's all
the people that were there at the same time, you know,
(11:16):
holding out of the rope and pulling in the right
direction that made Brady and Belichick possible. And I think
that that Reid and Mahomes who said the same thing.
It wasn't just us, although we may be. You know,
the headline, it's been the assistant gms. It's been the coordinators.
It's been the assistants and the staff and the personnel
to draft and continue to replenish what we have and
(11:38):
go out and scout like so, it takes a lot
of different parts to make it happen and when it
and it's so rare, you know, you can count dynasties
in the NFL in one hand. We had Green Bay,
we had Dallas, we had San Francisco, we had Pittsburgh,
and clearly we had New England. And now we've got
Kansas City. But that's over fifty plus years of football,
sixty years of football, so they're hard to achieve, but
(12:02):
clearly in Kansas City, this has been a remarkable, remarkable story.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
He called the Rockets game last night. He's going to
call the Texans Chiefs tomorrow. He's Kevin Harlan, by the way,
unabashed fanboy moment. Marv Albert was always my guy. You
are now my favorite. You're at the top of the list,
and we love talking to you every time we get
a chance.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Kevin Harlan interview and that I take that as an
incredible honor. Marvis the voice will always be the voice
of the NBA, and just to be able to call
that great game is terrific. And I'll tell you this
what I saw last night, And like I said, I
have not done a Rockets scheme. I was thinking last
I think Doug Collins was my partner and I'm going
(12:46):
back like six seven, eight years, like forever, and we
used to be down there all the time when Harden
was there and and they were writing up the NBA.
But this team seems to have a lot to it.
They've got depth, they have talent. It's funny actually how
the Rockets and the Texans are kind of on parallel paths.
They rely on young superstar talent. The talent seems but
(13:09):
sure enough to handle the duty the job in front
of them, and they're not. They're not disappointing. It's it's
it's great to watch this revitalization of these two, these
two franchises. But I'm excited to watch tomorrow. The Texans
are a quality team. They deserve to be in this round,
their division champ and I think they'll give the Chiefs
all they can handle.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Good stuff. As always, Kevin Harlan, we appreciate the time
and looking forward to hearing your call tomorrow and catching
up with you. Again very very soon.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Thanks so much, great great to be out with you.
Take care and have a nice weekend.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Absolutely you too, Sir Kevin Harlan here on Sports Talk
seven to ninety Space City Home Network
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.